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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.
Oklahoma News
As some states prepare to cut junk foods from SNAP, rural grocers face more costs: Grocery stores accepting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits in 12 states will soon have to accommodate new exclusions to the program. Industry advocates say the changes will be expensive, especially for smaller retailers. [KOSU]
State Government News
Ryan Walters requests attorney to ‘minimize the likelihood of criminal charges being filed’ in TV inquiry: With District Attorney Vicki Behenna reviewing a completed law enforcement report on the TV nudity debacle at Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ office, emails indicate the firebrand politician is seeking to hire an attorney for “pre-charge criminal defense in Oklahoma County covering advising on and recommending strategies to minimize the likelihood of criminal charges being filed, as well as preparing for the possibility of charges.” [NonDoc]
- Walters explored hiring attorney after TV incident to minimize chance of criminal charges [The Oklahoman]
- Emails from education board members preceded withdrawal by law firm as board counsel [The Oklahoman]
Ryan Walters says he’s ending standardized tests. Lawmakers, others say law prevents that: The state superintendent’s announcement on Aug. 8 — that the Oklahoma State Department of Education will allow school districts to use alternative benchmark assessments approved by the agency in place of current so-called “high-stakes” testing in math and English language arts in Grades 3-8 — came without significant input from multiple other state and federal entities that would be affected by such a change. [The Oklahoman]
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon snubs Oklahoma’s extremist superintendent of schools [Advocate]
‘So many problems’: After reporting to FBI, John Chancey resigns as Horse Racing Commission director: Following a lengthy review of his employment, embattled Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission director John Chancey resigned Thursday and confirmed he has reported his concerns about a horse breeding “incentive fund” and simulcast distribution contracts to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma Treasurer Making Another Attempt to Change Corporate Policies: Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ is making another run at using a state tobacco settlement investment portfolio to put his stamp on social and cultural issues at publicly traded companies. [Oklahoma Watch]
Turnpike opponents urge residents to not trust purchase offers, fight condemnation efforts: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and its contractors have spent the past several months trying to persuade property owners along new toll road corridors their best option is to negotiate a sale instead of fighting the agency in court. [The Oklahoman]
OK Rep. defends history cartoon claiming slavery was ‘better than being killed’: An Oklahoma Republican representative went on national news over the weekend to defend the controversial curriculum approved for elementary school students in the state. In particular, a Prager U cartoon depicts Christopher Columbus telling children that being taken as a slave was better than being killed. Rep. Gabe Woolley defended the content as a supplemental tool to support instruction, saying he had shown it in a classroom as a teacher. [KFOR]
- Oklahoma moving forward with PragerU test for teachers from California, New York [Tulsa World]
- Opinion: Oklahoma ramps up Trump’s war on education with a teacher political loyalty test [Max Burns / The Hill]
Opinion: 3 of Oklahoma’s top Republicans unilaterally push policy changes. We have a Legislature for that: With some of the harebrained ideas that get tossed around every year, there’s understandably a joke bandied about in political circles that Oklahomans are safer when their legislators are not in session. And, I’d say that joke has generally rung true — until now. Suddenly we’ve found ourselves smack dab in the middle of an episode of “Republicans Gone Wild,” and I find myself missing the checks and balances provided by the third branch of government — the Legislature. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: Let’s be transparent in how we plan to overcome federal budget cuts: “Transparency” has been a big issue in the last two sessions of the Oklahoma Legislature. The need for public discussion of state budget priorities will be greater than ever next year, when the Legislature will be discussing major cuts in the most important state programs for the poor ― Medicaid, which we call SoonerCare in Oklahoma, and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance), the food stamp program. Oklahoma is not the only state facing cuts, but we are one of nation’s poorest states, and any program cuts will be deeply felt. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Federal Government News
Feds direct states to check immigration status of their Medicaid enrollees: This week, the Trump administration’s Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an effort to check the immigration status of people who get their health insurance through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Most refugees and asylees will be denied food stamps under Trump’s new law [Oklahoma Voice]
Appeals court lets Trump end temporary legal protections for 60,000 migrants: An appeals court late Wednesday said it will allow the Trump administration, for now, to move forward with ending temporary protections for 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua. [Oklahoma Voice]
What will Oklahomans save under Trump’s tax cuts? These counties expected to save the most: Oklahomans may not experience the most financial relief that other Americans may see through tax cuts introduced under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” [The Oklahoman]
- See the report from the Tax Foundation here
How law enforcement in small Oklahoma towns is implementing federal immigration laws (audio): This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU’s Michael Cross talks with state government reporter Lionel Ramos about his recent story on how local law enforcement in Oklahoma is approaching the task of implementing federal immigration laws. [KOSU]
Tribal Nations News
Tribal leaders back Tulsa mayor, criticize Stitt after his latest court push: The leaders of the Muscogee, Cherokee and Osage nations are criticizing Gov. Kevin Stitt’s efforts to have the Oklahoma Supreme Court set aside an agreement between the city of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation. [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa mayor knocks governor on tribal criminal jurisdiction, Highway Patrol decision [Tulsa World]
- Mayor Nichols pushes back as governor seeks to thwart agreement with Muscogee (Creek) Nation [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- ‘An outright lie’: Tulsa mayor scolds governor’s petition to stop settlement with Muscogee Nation [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Oklahoma governor takes aim at Tulsa mayor’s decision to prosecute crimes in tribal courts [Oklahoma Voice]
- Tulsa City Council briefed on prosecution agreement with Muscogee Nation [Tulsa World]
- Gov. Stitt files lawsuit against Tulsa over criminal jurisdiction agreement with Muscogee Nation [KOSU]
Muscogee Nation Supreme Court reaffirms Freedmen citizenship decision, denies rehearing of case: After the landmark Freedmen citizenship ruling in the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court, the tribal nation’s citizenship board petitioned for a rehearing of the case. On Wednesday, the court denied their motion. [KOSU]
Shawnee Tribe, business partners celebrate tribal casino expansion in Oklahoma Panhandle: The only tribal casino in the Panhandle, the Golden Mesa Casino, is expanding. Leaders involved in the project said this $78 million investment will boost not only the city of Guymon’s economy, but the welfare of Shawnee tribal citizens. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Republicans Continue Voter Registration Gains: Registered Republicans made up 53.4% of voters statewide on July 31, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board’s most recent month-end voter registration report. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has lost nearly 50,000 voters since November. Democrats make up 25.6% of voters statewide, down from 30% in 2022. Independent voter registration has steadily increased to just under 20%. [Oklahoma Watch]
Former Tulsa school board members, rural school leader enter race for state superintendent: The list of candidates seeking to lead Oklahoma’s public education system has grown to five, including two former Tulsa Board of Education members and a rural public school leader making his fourth campaign. [Oklahoma Voice]
Turnover among election officials reaches new high, report finds: Election officials turned over at the highest rate in at least a quarter century during the last presidential election, according to new research from the Bipartisan Policy Center. An analysis of shifts in election officials published Tuesday found nearly 41% of election officials administering the 2024 election were different than those in 2020. Turnover has accelerated over the past two decades, rising from about 28% in 2004 to 40.9% last year. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Better Outcomes for Oklahoma’s Kids: Public education policy proposals announced in Tulsa: More than 15 new state policy recommendations were announced Thursday evening in a grassroots bid to rival the 1990 landmark education reform package known as House Bill 1017 to improve academic outcomes for Oklahoma public school students by 2030. [Tulsa World]
- Read the report from the Advance Oklahoma’s Kids coalition here
Cell Phone Ban in Oklahoma Schools Sparks Anxiety and Debate: Experts say Oklahoma’s cell phone ban may heighten student anxiety and parental fear, even as leaders push for more focus in classrooms. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: University of Central Oklahoma bans printing state’s oldest college newspaper: The University of Central Oklahoma administration recently banned printing The Vista, considered Oklahoma’s oldest college newspaper. It was enacted despite a faculty board that spent months studying the issue in open meetings, voting unanimously otherwise and impassioned pleas from student journalists. [Joe Hight / Tulsa World]
Opinion: New performance data tool tells Oklahoma educators what’s working, what’s not: Schools, policymakers and the public know there is lots of data about enrollment, student performance and more, but the data is often in disparate places. It’s been difficult if not impossible to pull the relevant information in one place and make apples-to-apples comparisons across schools and over time. Until now. [April Grace / The Oklahoman]
Opinion, Tulsa Public School Superintendent: A big year for bright futures: This is an exciting and pivotal year for Tulsa Public Schools as we create our next strategic plan and develop the scope of an important school bond package. Both initiatives will help shape the future of our district for years to come. [Dr. Ebony Johnson / Tulsa World]
- Opinion: Addressing chronic absenteeism still a priority for Tulsa Public Schools [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion, Oklahoma Panhandle State University President: A smart way to grow Oklahoma’s economy – support rural higher education: Oklahoma’s Panhandle helps feed the nation and power the state. Our counties lead in agricultural output, over $1.3 billion in Texas County alone, and sit over one of the country’s largest natural gas fields. That productivity depends on people: paramedics and welders, instrument techs and lineworkers, bookkeepers and supervisors, whose skills are built close to where they live and work. That is where rural higher education, and Oklahoma Panhandle State University (OPSU), matter most. [Dr. Julie Dinger / The Journal Record]
Health News
Oklahoma Patient Pipeline: How an Insurance Scheme Brought Hundreds to California for Drug Treatment: More than 800 Oklahomans are alleged to have been coached to lie and participate in a scheme that directed them to drug treatment facilities in California and Arizona between 2020 and 2025, insurance company Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma alleged in two federal lawsuits. The company said the scheme cost them $46 million in wrongful payments. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma County Commissioners demand state repay them for unrealized mental health hospital: The Oklahoma County Commissioners are officially nudging the state to pay them back $1.5 million for its contribution to help build a 330-bed mental health facility that was planned for Oklahoma City, but not built due to lack of funding. [KOSU]
Oklahoma gains first full-time perinatal psychiatrist: Pregnant Oklahomans have a new resource: the state’s first psychiatrist dedicated to their mental health. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma county officials air concerns about jail lawsuits, insurance coverage issues: County officials across the state gave lawmakers an earful about the myriad of issues they face operating local jails. Those issues include staff turnover, low pay, lack of mental health and medical care, lawsuits, violence, insurance and funding. [Oklahoma Voice]
- County officials say jails are harder to insure as lawsuit costs mount [Tulsa World]
OK County commissioners OK new partial jail as ‘humane response’ to ‘Tower of Terror’: Oklahoma County commissioners are moving forward on construction of a new county jail despite not having enough money to finish it. [The Oklahoman]
Extreme heat in prisons brings more legal challenges, pressure on states: Summer heat is bearing down on U.S. prisons, where temperatures in uncooled cells can climb well into the triple digits. Facing growing pressure from advocacy groups, lawsuits and climate projections that show hotter days ahead, some state prison systems are moving to install air conditioning and expand cooling measures — though many facilities remain years away from significant upgrades. [Oklahoma Voice]
Who will Oklahoma execute next? A switch up is underway: The last execution in Oklahoma was carried out June 12 at the penitentiary in McAlester. Up next is death row inmate Tremane Wood. In an Aug. 22 notice, Attorney General Gentner Drummond asked the Court of Criminal Appeals to set Kendrick Antonio Simpson’s execution instead. The switch up came after Wood’s attorneys revealed they can no longer represent him because of a conflict. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma Death Penalty Tracker
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Study finds Black Americans spend more on energy costs: A recent study from Binghamton University has brought to light a significant and often overlooked form of racial inequity: the higher energy costs disproportionately shouldered by Black households across the United States. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tulsa City Council to dig deeper into proposal to limit access to roadway medians: City councilors aren’t done talking about medians and sidewalks. They are scheduled to vote Wednesday night on a proposed ordinance revision that would limit the areas on medians and sidewalks from which people can panhandle or otherwise occupy those spaces. [Tulsa World]
- Editorial: A median in our city shouldn’t be the place people go for help [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
New program for homeless in Tulsa combines shelter services with behavioral health, recovery help: Two agencies are teaming up to better achieve their larger goal of curbing Tulsa’s homelessness crisis. A new partnership between Counseling & Recovery Services of Oklahoma and John 3:16 Mission, the Momentum Program was officially announced last week. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Family caregivers for aging people in Oklahoma need help to give help: Loving and taking care of our loved ones can be one of the greatest honors to bestow on them, as they have most likely previously cared for us in one way or another. However, being a family caregiver is not for the faint of heart. It requires a great deal from the person providing the care. [Robin Gunn / The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
As marijuana prices fall across the nation, oversupply keeps Oklahoma among the cheapest: High production volume and tight competition are keeping Oklahoma marijuana prices among the lowest in the country, even as prices across the nation plummet. [The Oklahoman]
Space is no longer the final frontier. It’s the future of economic growth: It’s easy to think of space as something distant. But the truth is, space is no longer the final frontier. It’s the next arena for economic growth and national security. Oklahoma has a role to play in that mission. [Blake Simmons / Tulsa World]
Community News
In Oklahoma, gender equality struggles persist in 2025: Despite advances in equality in the 105 years since American women won the right to vote, they continue to be underrepresented in both business and political leadership positions in 2025. The latest World Economic Forum’s ranking of 148 countries based on gender equality lists 41 countries ahead of the U.S. In Oklahoma, women are losing ground, according to WalletHub‘s annual report of where women receive the most equal treatment in the U.S. It shows Oklahoma dropped one spot since 2024 from 44th to 45th. [The Journal Record]
New immigrants’ education hub will be beacon of support, Catholic archdiocese leaders say: As immigration enforcement efforts intensify across the country resulting in the detainment and deportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants, including those who are in the process of attaining U.S. citizenship, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has created an educational hub for immigrants. [The Oklahoman]
National billboard campaign targeting antisemitism goes up in Norman as OU classes near: Two billboards in Norman, home to the University of Oklahoma, were paid for as part of a national campaign launched by JewBelong, a nonprofit organization and web-based platform that promotes religious tolerance and support for the Jewish faith. [The Oklahoman]
OKC pastor hopes conference will mobilize churches to serve people with disabilities: Quail Springs Baptist is hosting the “Equip: Disability Ministry Conference” on Sept. 13, hoping to encourage families affected by special needs and churches that may be considering starting a special needs ministry. [The Oklahoman]
Pat Potts, former OKCPS board president and a philanthropic force in Oklahoma City, dies: Pat Potts, the first woman to be elected president of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education and who later helped establish the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits, has died at age 92. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Same-sex marriage has overwhelming support. Supreme Court should let ruling stand: We have two decades of evidence that marriage equality has helped millions of people across America. LGBTQ+ people want what everyone else wants, including to live in marriage with those they love. [Mary Bonauto and Marc Solomon / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Why Sisu Youth Services in OKC got its ARPA money back from Oklahoma County commissioners [The Oklahoman]
- ‘Hope to meet the need’: Oklahoma County allocates $346,000 to Sisu to combat youth homelessness [KOCO]
- McClain Co. community rallies around deputy after family’s home was allegedly targeted, set on fire [KOCO]
- Neighbor’s camera captures moment someone lights deputy’s vehicles on fire [KFOR]
- Edmond sales tax options are tied to city’s growth [The Journal Record]
- City of Tulsa’s $5 million opioid grant request with Tulsa Public Schools denied by state panel [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Police discuss rape cases reported three days apart at Hunter Park, Turkey Mountain [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“We have so many that understand and value the relationship with tribal nations. The Oklahoma Legislature, city officials, Mayor (Monroe) Nichols, the City of Bixby where we’ll proudly raise a Muscogee flag soon, … heck, even our world champion Oklahoma City Thunder! Yet our own governor continues to be divisive and refuses to work together. We’re beyond frustrated. Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars on divisive lawsuits, the governor should be working with us to build stronger partnerships for the future. I’ll say it every time.”
– Muscogee Nation Principal Chief David Hill, writing about Gov. Stitt asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to throw out a settlement between Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation in a federal lawsuit regarding jurisdiction of misdemeanor cases in the portion of the city on the Okmulgee-based tribe’s reservation. [Tulsa World]
Number of the Day
58%
The share of Americans who favor allowing any voter to cast their ballot by mail if they want to. However, the issue has stark partisan lines as 83% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents support no-excuse voting by mail, while 68% of Republicans and Republican leaners oppose it. [Pew Research]
Policy Note
The Trump Administration’s Campaign to Undermine the Next Election: The Trump administration has launched a concerted drive to undermine American elections. These moves are unprecedented and in some cases illegal. They began with the pardon of the January 6 defendants who sought to overturn the 2020 results. They include affirmative attacks on democratic institutions, the repeal and withdrawal of voter protections, and symbolic or demonstrative moves. A clear pattern suggests a growing effort. As the 2026 midterms approach, that effort will likely gather momentum. This resource offers the first chronicle of the Trump administration’s actions this year to undermine election integrity. [Brennan Center for Justice]
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