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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.
State Government News
Turnpike authority accused of breaking state law requiring city sign-off on new toll roads: Opponents of plans to build a new toll road in Norman say the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority violated state laws requiring it to partner with cities and towns before building new highways. [The Oklahoman]
Recommendations from visas and work permits task force draws mixed reactions: The Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visa Task Force issued recommendations to find ways to aid immigrants who want to live and work in the state. The recommendations have drawn criticism from conservative voices in the Legislature. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Related: Will recommendations from immigrant-focused task force get traction this session? (Capitol Update)
Meet the OSU professor and expert fighting to maintain government transparency in Oklahoma: Joey Senat has specialized in public access to government records throughout his career and says that where you find government secrecy you find corruption, more incompetency and more inefficiency. [The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Caddo Nation to heal lands impacted by oil, gas wells in multi-year project: Abandoned wells have the potential to contaminate drinking water and emit toxic methane into the air, causing environmentally hazardous risks to communities near oil and gas wells. A Department of Interior award of $3.7 million to the Caddo Nation will combat those risks by funding clean-up efforts of the wells. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
After 2 weeks, 7 challenges and 5 recounts, Oklahoma results certified with outcomes unchanged: Two weeks after Oklahomans voted across the state, the dust has settled on several recounts — none of which resulted in a change to the outcome of the Aug. 27 elections. [NonDoc]
- Recount confirms Nichols and Keith headed to runoff election [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Results of Aug. 27 mayoral election certified after recount [Tulsa World]
Education News
‘I want to throw up’: Committee given new social standards draft, members express dismay: After months of time and effort revising state social studies standards, those involved told FOX 25 that all their hard work is going down the drain. [Fox 25]
Langston University extension will bring in 9 new counties: Langston University’s Cooperative Extension is about to get bigger. The extension spans 19 Oklahoma counties, but that number will reach 28 thanks to new funding. [KOSU]
Edmond superintendent defends district flag policy, but controversy continues: Questions surrounding the display of the United States flag at Edmond Public Schools remained front and center Monday night at the local Board of Education meeting. [The Oklahoman]
Skiatook board approves termination of ‘Is God real?’ instructor: At its Monday night meeting, Skiatook Public Schools’ Board of Education formally approved the termination of a non-certified instructor who assigned his history students homework about God, Satan and the definition of Christianity. [Tulsa World]
Health News
Oklahoma AG joins coalition calling for U.S. surgeon general’s warning on social media platforms: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond signed a letter to Congress calling on federal lawmakers to require a U.S. surgeon general’s warning label on all algorithm-driven social media platforms. [KGOU]
- Drummond, coalition of attorneys general call for Congress to require surgeon general warning on social media platforms [Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office]
Criminal Justice News
Update: Turn Key Health Clinics will leave the Oklahoma County jail in 30 days: The company says it’s exiting the jail because of Oklahoma County’s “chronic, severe” lack of security staff. The jail is moving forward with plans to find a new medical provider to avoid medical care interruptions for detainees. [The Frontier]
- Oklahoma County jail health care provider quits with 30-day notice [The Oklahoman]
Attorneys Cite Horrifying Details from Jail Video in Refiled Lawsuit Over Shannon Hanchett’s Death: Cleveland County detention officers and Turn Key Health Clinics staff refused care, falsified records and mocked Shannon Hanchett as she descended into an ultimately fatal mental health crisis in late 2022, according to an amended complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma on Sept. 9. [Oklahoma Watch]
Rehearing in Tulsa Race Massacre lawsuit denied: Plaintiffs in the lawsuit seeking damages related to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have been denied in their efforts to receive a rehearing after the case was dismissed in Tulsa County District Court. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Appleseed Center calls for student absenteeism policy reform: A new report from the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice argues Oklahoma schools need to change how they deal with repeated student absenteeism. The report says instead of criminalizing student absences, the focus should be on interventions and supports addressing the barriers preventing students from meeting regular attendance standards. [KOSU]
- NEW REPORT: “Make Court a Last Resort: Truancy and Chronic Absenteeism in Oklahoma” [Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Lae & Justice]
Neighbors rattled after teen shot to death in Midwest City: A 14-year-old boy was shot to death at Tom Poore Park, leaving neighbors rattled and sharing different views from either side of Soldier Creek, which cuts through the leafy area. [The Oklahoman]
With feds waiting, Jimcy McGirt arraigned on sex offender violations in Seminole Nation Tribal Court: In a five-minute hearing this afternoon, federal sex offender Jimcy McGirt was arraigned on three charges in Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Tribal Court, and a preliminary hearing was set for 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. [NonDoc]
- Jimcy McGirt appears in Seminole Court for arraignment [KOSU]
Sheila Buck acquitted of obstruction in 2020 Trump rally arrest: A jury ruled on Tuesday afternoon that Tulsa County district attorneys did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Buck willfully delayed her arresting officer in his duties. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
First Watch: Stuff You Should Know: Homeowners in Oklahoma are picking up the tab for high-risk states that regulate insurance rates more heavily. [Oklahoma Watch]
Zoning exception approved for Tulsa residential care center for homeless: The city Board of Adjustment voted 3-0 on Wednesday to approve a special exception to the zoning code that clears the way for the establishment of a residential care center for the homeless near Mohawk Park Golf Course in north Tulsa. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: 10 weeks working on an Oklahoma farm made me appreciate how food gets to our table: I expect the beef, bread and other foods to be at the supermarket when I arrive. The 10 weeks spent n Jackson County taught me how truly hard that is to do. [Colin Caso / The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma business leaders favor tax reform, remain optimistic about economy: A majority of business leaders polled in an annual survey believe Oklahoma is headed in the right direction but workforce and education issues are the biggest obstacles to improving the state’s climate for growth. [Journal Record]
American Airlines is adding more jobs in Oklahoma. Here’s a look at where: American Airlines has added more than 300 new positions at its Tulsa-based maintenance facility after having received a $22 million grant from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the company announced this week. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert resigns, takes new role at MHAOK: Oklahoma County Commissioner Carrie Blumert announced Tuesday she will resign her position effective Sept. 30 to become CEO of Mental Health Association Oklahoma. [Journal Record]
- Blumert leaves post as Oklahoma County Commissioner to continue mental health care work [KOSU]
- Mental Health Association Oklahoma names new CEO [Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- OKC Council reviews $10.7M TIF request for Midtown build [Journal Record]
Quote of the Day
“We’re excited that the task force understood that embracing immigration is something that means growth for the state of Oklahoma, whether or not that’s economically or population wise, that immigration is a good thing, and not to forget that we’re a nation of immigrants.”
– Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City and chair of Oklahoma’s Latino Caucus, responding to recently released recommendations from the governor’s new Oklahoma State Work Permits and Visa Task Force. One of the recommendations was to issue qualified migrants with Driving Privilege Cards, which Brooks noted will bring revenue to Oklahoma and increase safety for law enforcement in traffic stops. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
28%
Percentage of individuals in a recent study who were charged additional fines and fees when they were unable to pay previous court or incarceration-related fines and fees. Additionally, 24 percent reported having their driver’s licenses suspended and 19 percent reported serving time in jail because they did not pay their fine and fee obligations. [Tax Policy Center]
Policy Note
How fines and fees impact family well-being: Fines and fees, imposed at every level of the criminal legal system, significantly affect the well-being of families. Their analysis found that one in six adults reported their households incurred fines and fees, primarily from traffic and parking tickets. Those with court or incarceration-related fines faced higher charges, greater financial strain, and a higher likelihood of adverse consequences for being unable to pay. [Tax Policy Center]
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