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In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. Subscribe to In The Know and see past editions.
New from OK Policy
SQ 844 & SQ 846 Town Hall (video): OK Policy held a free, nonpartisan town hall on Aug. 15 that explained the two statewide ballot measures and answered audience questions. OK Policy’s Aanahita Irani Ervin spoke about State Question 844, which would change how the state reimburses local governments for certain manufacturing property tax exemptions. ACLU of Oklahoma Executive Director Tamya Cox-Touré shared information on State Question 846, which would amend Oklahoma’s voter identification requirements. [OK Policy]
- What’s on your ballot? Breaking down State Question 846 [2 News Oklahoma]
Oklahoma News
State troopers cleared a homeless encampment in Norman. Again.: Oklahoma troopers returned to Norman for a second Operation SAFE sweep, displacing dozens of people who say they have nowhere else to go. The eviction came as the state threatened to bill Tulsa and Oklahoma City for the costs of clearing encampments. [The Frontier]
- Norman homeless residents displaced in Operation SAFE encampment cleanup [Fox 25]
- From OK Policy: Bulldozers won’t solve homelessness (Commentary)
The Secret Documents: Attorneys Unveil Insurance Scheme: After months of refusing to speak publicly about cases that have burst into national news and been featured in political debates and campaigns, the plaintiffs’ lawyers are now speaking openly about their lives and work. For the first time, they are revealing what is contained in secret documents that, like the Epstein Files, reveal the scope and nature of the scheme that has left Oklahoma homeowners demanding answers. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma reviews proposed aluminum smelter’s environmental impacts amid pushback: One day after Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced his latest legal challenge against the proposed Inola aluminum smelter, state air quality officials updated the public about the facility’s permitting process. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KOSU]
- Smelter plans highlight environmental views of Oklahoma governor hopefuls [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma Ethics Commission investigating Seminole Republican’s alleged ‘improper behavior’: Weeks after House leadership announced that Rep. Danny Williams was accused of “serious allegations” involving “improper behavior,” the state Ethics Commission has launched a formal investigation. [KOSU]
Stitt-ordered investigation prompts questions from Muslim leaders: The governor’s Aug. 12 executive order caught many people off guard, especially members of the Muslim community. The order directed the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Office of Homeland Security to determine whether the Muslim Brotherhood, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) or any of their members are connected to terrorist efforts. [The Oklahoman]
- Editorial: Why is Oklahoma Gov. Stitt targeting Muslim groups now? [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Oklahoma rehabilitation agency names new director: A long-time state official has been named Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services executive director. Sterling Zearley, 63, had been serving as interim director since June 22. He replaces Melinda Fruendt. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion, Capitol Insider: Oklahoma economic strength leads to more state revenue (podcast): General Revenue Fund figures for fiscal year 2026, which ended on June 30th, show a strong financial position for the state heading into the next legislative session. The data released by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services indicates a continued upward trend for the economy. [KGOU]
Federal Government News
5 things to know about Oklahoma’s plan for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus: The U.S. Department of Energy named Oklahoma among five state finalists for its Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus initiative. President Donald Trump wants to ramp up domestic nuclear energy capacity because electricity demand is surging along with a boom in artificial intelligence data centers. [Tulsa World]
Federal agency blocks Medicaid coverage of kids’ gender-affirming care: A new federal rule will end Medicaid coverage for gender-affirming hormone therapies and procedures for kids under age 18. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is defining such care to include puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgical operations. The policy takes effect Oct. 13. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Doctors say Medicaid change to gender-affirming care will harm vulnerable youth [NPR via KOSU]
- ‘What are we going to do?’ The mom of a trans teen grapples with Trump’s Medicaid move [NPR via KOSU]
Tribal Nations News
Long-running Cherokee Nation–UKB dispute continues as Biden, Trump get involved: Tahlequah is home to two federally recognized Cherokee tribes. But only one, the Cherokee Nation, is the successor to the reservation in the eyes of the U.S. government. The other, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians in Oklahoma, has faced political instability and decades-long strife with its sister tribe over jurisdiction, treaty rights and gaming. [KOSU]
New Guidance Coming for State Laws Supporting the Indian Child Welfare Act: After years of study, the nonpartisan commission that proposes model state laws has released recommendations for updating and clarifying the Indian Child Welfare Act. [The Imprint via ICT]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma’s State Question 846 puts voter ID rules up for a vote: While most voters will be showing up that day to pick the Republican candidate for governor, every Oklahoma voter will have a chance to say whether State Question 846 should become law. It’s one of two state questions on the ballot during this election. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: SQ 846 Fact Sheet | SQ 846 explainer video| SQ 846 explained in 60 seconds
Behind the business portfolios of Drummond, Mazzei in governor’s race: Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei have spent most of their careers navigating between the private sector and public office. The Republican prospects for governor have both built significant business portfolios that have shaped their campaign platforms and helped fund their multi-million dollar runs. [The Oklahoman]
Election Roundup
- Health records in GOP race for Oklahoma governor could help sway voters, experts say [Oklahoma Voice]
- Mazzei questions pollster’s ties to pro-Drummond PAC in governor’s race [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Senate runoff puts Democratic divide on display in ruby red state [The Oklahoman]
- ‘There is a difference’: James Taylor, Robert Franklin spar in runoff debate [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma superintendent runoff puts candidates’ pasts under scrutiny [The Oklahoman]
- Both GOP state superintendent candidates resolve ethics concerns over school videos [Oklahoma Voice]
- They were separated by 115 votes. Now Prieto and Forst face off for GOP nomination in Senate District 34. [Tulsa Flyer]
- Public service distinguishes House District 9 runoff candidates [Tulsa World]
- HD 18 runoff: David Smith seeks reelection over challenger Pamela Gordon [NonDoc]
- HD 91 runoff: Teresa Sterling, Roberto Seda tout problem solving skills in Moore, SWOKC [NonDoc]
- Tulsa District 9: Ben Johnson, Pete Regan, Shawn Tiemann disagree on Flock cameras [NonDoc]
Opinion: The national focus on politicians’ health is making its way into the Oklahoma GOP race for governor: Mike Mazzei’s performance in recent debates has created a conundrum for him and our state’s pool of undecided Republican voters who are still trying to suss out their best nominee for governor. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Missouri shows Oklahoma the way: Missouri voters get it. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt does not. Nor does gubernatorial wannabe Mike Mazzei. In case you missed it, Show-Me staters earlier this month soundly rejected two Republican-proposed constitutional amendments that would be familiar to anyone following the shenanigans of Oklahoma’s GOP statehouse supermajority. [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
Education News
Schools spend billions on AI, but struggle to figure out what’s worth buying: As a new school year begins, some classrooms may use artificial intelligence tools to flag a student struggling with classwork, track attendance or try to raise reading scores. But as school districts make decisions on which tools are safe and worth spending thousands or millions of dollars on, some officials feel overwhelmed by the array of choices. [Oklahoma Voice]
Health News
Clinic closures expose the fragile state of rural healthcare in Oklahoma: Across Oklahoma, rural hospitals and clinics are struggling amid physician shortages, financial strains and declining reimbursement from government insurance programs. [Tulsa World]
Salmonella outbreak reclassified to ‘highest risk,’ triggering urgent egg recall: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded an egg recall to its highest risk classification following a Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak. At least 98 people were sick and 26 were hospitalized across 17 states between Nov. 21, 2025, and June 30. [The Oklahoman]
Justice System News
Criminal defense attorney raises concerns about change in Oklahoma DUI law: Last week, prosecutors and law enforcement partners in Oklahoma were in Oklahoma City preparing for a change in state DUI law. State lawmakers passed legislation this past legislative session to allow prosecutors to prosecute more than one DUI offense in one year as a single felony. [Fox 25]
In Myles Davidson’s appeal to high court, accuser says ruling was sound: A judge was on solid ground in granting a woman a three-year protective order against former Oklahoma County Commissioner Myles Davidson, the woman argued in a reply to Davidson’s appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. [The Oklahoman]
State trooper who caused fleeing truck to roll with people in its bed gets 5-day suspension: Astate trooper who took over a high-speed chase from local officers and caused a truck to roll over with passengers in its bed is the first trooper in a decade to be formally disciplined for pursuit driving conduct. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
More than half of OKC renter families with children are cost burdened: More than half of Oklahoma City’s renter families with children spend beyond the recommended share of their income on housing, according to a new Zillow and StreetEasy analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. [The Journal Record]
OKC creates new pathway for homeless Oklahomans: The Key to Home Partnership in Oklahoma City is expanding its new CARE team in hopes of helping vulnerable Oklahomans find housing. The team formed in May, but the city said they’ve seen success so far. [KFOR]
Western wildfire could be latest climate disaster to unsettle property insurance market: As Washington state reels from a devastating wildfire that destroyed hundreds of homes in Spokane, experts say the disaster has cast newfound uncertainty over a property insurance market that had just begun to stabilize. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: The path forward for affordable housing in Oklahoma: As a mortgage loan supervisor in Tulsa and the current president of the Oklahoma Mortgage Bankers Association (OMBA), I see the challenges of our current market every day. We are facing a perfect storm of economic headwinds: prolonged inflation, stubborn interest rates, surging insurance premiums, and an ongoing shortage of entry-level housing. [Sara Dodson / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Will data centers pay off for Oklahoma communities? It depends: There are about 49 data centers existing, active or under construction in the state, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. The facilities are new to Oklahoma and what they can do for local communities, economists say, largely depend on what is negotiated. [KOSU]
- AI and jobs: A mixed bag with huge potential and pitfalls [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma ranks among worst states for women’s equality in WalletHub study: The study ranked Oklahoma 49th overall, ahead of only Utah, in its analysis of women’s equality. Oklahoma received an overall score of 40.67 out of 100 and ranked 42nd in workplace environment, 46th in education and health and 42nd in political empowerment. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- Open enrollment for EMSAcare emergency ambulance service runs through August [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa-area stay-at-home moms are making money from their front porches using farm stands [Tulsa World]
- OKC reveals proposed plans for future development [KFOR]
- New housing approved to boost Edmond retail project [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“If we’re on business fronts, they call the police. We get arrested. If we go to the parks, police come. We get arrested… There’s nowhere for us to go, and y’all just coming and taking all of our stuff is not fixing us being here.”
— Brooklynn B., who has experienced homelessness for about seven years, after state troopers ordered her to leave a Norman encampment during Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE. Workers bulldozed tents and belongings even though local shelters were at capacity and the state had not provided alternative housing for those displaced. [The Frontier]
Number of the Day
1,867
The number of people experiencing homelessness counted in Oklahoma City during the 2026 Point-in-Time Count. While this represents a 1 percent decrease from 2025 — and the first decline since 2022 — far too many Oklahomans remain without a safe, stable place to call home. [Homeless Alliance]
Policy Note
Trump Policies Would Worsen Homelessness, Attack Basic Freedoms of People Who Can’t Afford Rent: In a nation as wealthy and innovative as ours, no one should be forced to sleep in a park, in a car, or in shelters. But today, millions of people don’t have enough income to cover high housing costs and 3 in 4 households eligible for rental assistance don’t receive it due to chronic underfunding; as a result, hundreds of thousands of people are pushed into homelessness and many more must choose between paying rent and buying food or medications. While President Trump promised to make housing and the cost of living more affordable, the Administration is advancing a set of policies that would make housing less affordable and then punish people for the predictable result, including pressuring states and localities to incarcerate unhoused people and promoting detention-like camps. This double whammy would cause more people to become homeless, undermine people’s basic human rights, and drain local resources. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
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