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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
Oklahoma just finished one of its hottest, driest months ever recorded: August 2026 was near record-breaking for numerous cities across the state. Oklahoma City’s average high temperature of 101.6 degrees was the third highest on record for the capital city, while Lawton’s average high of 104.6 degrees ranked third highest in that city’s history. [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa County issues burn ban ahead of Labor Day weekend [Public Radio Tulsa]
Inola smelter company cuts proposed emissions limits amid legal pressure: Amid increasing concern and legal action from local residents, Oklahoma Primary Aluminum announced Thursday, Sept. 3, that they’ve cut proposed fluoride emissions intensity limits by more than one-third for the Inola smelter project. [The Oklahoman]
- Fluoride emissions projection lowered for Inola aluminum smelter, company says [Tulsa World]
- Federal judge sends Drummond’s smelter lawsuit back to state court [Tulsa World]
State Government News
ISS Files Suit to Block Oklahoma’s Anti-ESG Proxy Advisory Law: A global shareholder advisory firm is challenging a new Oklahoma law that would require proxy advisory firms to justify their advice when recommending a vote against company management on shareholder resolutions at annual meetings. [Oklahoma Watch]
Democratic Senator picks up where Republican colleague left off with gun safety incentives study: A Democratic State Senator is considering creating tax incentives for safe gun ownership. The idea is to improve and revive a failed 2020 bill proposed by one of the legislature’s most conservative Republicans. [KOSU]
Horse Racing Commission’s new director focused on stability: A former executive assistant named last year to manage operations of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission on an interim basis has been hired to take the reins fulltime as executive director. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma wildlife officials release severance agreement after two-year legal fight: After more than two years of litigation and tens of thousands in legal fees, a state agency Thursday released the severance agreement for its former executive director. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahomans can now add digital state ID, driver’s license to Apple Wallet: For the first time, Oklahomans can add their state ID and Oklahoma driver’s license to their Apple Wallet. The feature is currently limited to iPhones and Apple Watches. [Tulsa Flyer]
- Oklahoma drivers can now add licenses to Apple Wallet [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Stitt’s constitutional convention request, Inola aluminum smelter, Mazzei’s campaign finances and more (podcast): The panelists talk about Attorney General Gentner Drummond saying Gov. Kevin Stitt doesn’t have the authority to call for a vote on a constitutional convention, a donor to Gov. Stitt suing the state to avoid returning to prison for DUI charges and the Trump Administration pushing the courts to allow for an aluminum smelter in Inola to move forward despite objection from local residents. The trio also discusses questions over Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike Mazzei’s campaign finances after support from a Trump ally and the death of an Oklahoma County judicial candidate forces a special election. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Trump’s newest order on birthright citizenship blocked in federal court: A federal judge in Maryland Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump’s second attempt to redefine birthright citizenship. [Oklahoma Voice]
Leaked audio shows U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice’s concerns about Donald Trump: Audio obtained by a Washington, D.C. news outlet reveals Oklahoma Congresswoman Stephanie Bice’s concerns regarding the president’s actions and how they could impact midterm elections as she runs for another term in Congress. [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Osage Nation Congress authorizes investigation into whether Chief Tillman’s actions warrant removal: The 10th Osage Nation Congress has authorized the retention of special counsel to investigate whether actions taken by Principal Chief Joe Tillman are grounds for removal from office. [Osage News]
- Osage Nation Congress approves special counsel investigation into new principal chief [KOSU]
- Osage legislature authorizes independent investigation of chief [Tulsa World]
2 federal Indian boarding school students to be repatriated to tribes in Oklahoma: The remains of twelve Indigenous children are coming home from the most notorious federal Indian Boarding School in the U.S., including two students from Oklahoma. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
National Democrats hope to flip 3 Oklahoma House seats in November: National Democrats are targeting three seats in the Oklahoma House that they believe the Democratic Party can flip during the November elections. Republicans have had a super majority in Oklahoma for over a decade with control of the state House and Senate as well as the governor’s seat. While winning four seats wouldn’t swing the majority, Democrats say November marks an opportunity for the party to build power. [The Oklahoman]
Experience or change: North Tulsa voters have a decision to make come November: As the second part of the race gets underway, Tulsa’s District 1 residents have a choice to make: elect a newcomer to represent much of north Tulsa or give the decade-long councilwoman another two years. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Education News
Reduced credit hour bachelor degrees approved at 3 Oklahoma colleges: Three Oklahoma universities were given the greenlight to offer the state’s first reduced credit hour bachelor degree programs. [Oklahoma Voice]
- State regents approve Oklahoma’s first shortened bachelor’s degrees at 3 universities [KOSU]
- Regents OK accelerated degree programs at Rogers State, OU, OSU [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Students finishing high school is key to Oklahoma growth: Conversations about Oklahoma’s economic growth often start with employers’ needs and which industries are growing fastest. But sometimes, the answer to a stronger workforce is sitting right at our kitchen tables: It’s our youths. [Jennifer Wilkinson / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Over 250,000 Oklahomans received a letter about new Medicaid work requirements. What does it say?: The Health Care Authority sent more than 250,000 letters informing Oklahomans of new federal Medicaid work requirements, which will go into effect Jan. 1, 2027. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
- New requirements for Oklahomans on SoonerCare start in January [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: “Work requirements” won’t work for Oklahoma
Are there maternity care deserts in Oklahoma?: Yes. Maternity health care deserts exist in nearly every state in the U.S., including Oklahoma. Thirty-eight counties are considered maternity care deserts, including Grady, Logan, and Le Flore. [Oklahoma Watch]
Justice System News
Oklahoma County needs more judges, courts, criminal justice officials say: Oklahoma County doesn’t have enough judges or courtrooms to keep up with population growth in and around Oklahoma City. County officials are trying to deal with it. [The Oklahoman]
Claiming ‘utter fear,’ Rick Silanskas admits he authored religious emails to Gene Bicknell: In litigation over the halted American Heartland Theme Park project, composer Rick Silankas acknowledged in a June 16 deposition that he wrote Gene Bicknell religious messages posing as God and a nun that spurred the former Pizza Hut magnate to pump tens of millions of dollars into the far-fetched endeavor. [NonDoc]
Oklahoma town manager accused in felony charge of voter registration fraud: The town manager of Mannsville has been accused in a felony charge of fraudently trying to get 11 people registered to vote before an election that pitted a relative against an incumbent Johnston County commissioner. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Tulsa low-income tenants and landlords could get access to legal representation under proposed city program: Tulsa’s low-income tenants and landlords caught up in eviction proceedings may soon be able to access city-backed legal help. The city council is expected to consider a resolution Sept. 16 that would declare the city’s intent to establish and pursue funding — public and private investment — for the program. [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa councilor proposes expanding legal resources for people facing eviction [KTUL]
Grant will transform aging Will Rogers Courts in south OKC: A $25 million grant will help revitalize a severely-aging affordable housing complex in south Oklahoma City into what planners envision as a modern, mixed-income neighborhood. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Labor Day gas prices expected to hit record high across US, Oklahoma: Labor Day weekend travelers are expected to pay more at the pump this holiday than ever before, according to the latest GasBuddy prediction report. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Norman City Council decides to not move forward with de-annexation [KFOR]
- Tulsa Public Schools wrestling with HVAC woes [Tulsa World]
- Greenheck to purchase former Macy’s distribution center near Owasso [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“The funding of these courtrooms is an unfunded mandate from the state. When they create new judge positions, the county is expected to pick up the cost of the courtrooms and the clerk positions. We are using the general fund dollars that come from property taxes to pay for them.”
-Brian Maughan, Oklahoma County Commissioner for District 2 and chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, discussing the relationship between the county’s growing population and the pressure it puts on county budgets, which are funded through property taxes in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
319,000
Estimated number of Oklahoma children who would have benefited from a fully refundable Child Tax Credit, but who were left out of the 2025 reconciliation bill’s $2,200 credit expansion. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities]
Policy Note
A Perfect Storm: How Federal Policy Changes Are Increasing Economic Insecurity for America’s Families: The passage of H.R. 1 makes the U.S. government’s priorities clear: instead of supporting families, it is cutting the programs many families depend on. Alongside the 2026 federal budget reconciliation bill, newly released work requirements, and major agency-level changes, these policy choices are pushing millions of people into increasingly precarious conditions. The effects are already devastating — and as more implementation requirements take effect, the harm is likely to grow. This report examines how recent policy changes in healthcare, food assistance, housing, and immigration are affecting families and communities, while also outlining what to expect in the coming year. [Institute for Policy Studies]
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