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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.
Correction, 9-18-2025: The church’s name in the Quote of the Day has been corrected.
New from OK Policy
Policy Matters: Outrage sells, but we’re paying the price: Scroll through your phone for five minutes and you’ll quickly find that outrage sells. Politicians and wannabe political influencers aren’t scoring points by thoughtfully considering opposing viewpoints, but by labeling their opponents as enemies. As a result, corporations and politicians profit when we click, share, and engage in heated discussions. Meanwhile, the algorithms keep us scrolling. As a result, we’re turning into a country more divided, cynical, and increasingly less able to solve our shared problems. [Shiloh Kantz / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Listen Frontier: Gov. Stitt says compassion has limits as state troopers clear Tulsa homeless camps (podcast): The Frontier sat down with Gov. Stitt, who told me the operation isn’t about solving homelessness, but about enforcing the law. He said Oklahomans are experiencing “compassion fatigue,” and that many of the people removed from encampments “didn’t want help.” [The Frontier]
- Gov. Stitt withdraws troopers from Tulsa after Operation SAFE: ‘Now, it is up to Mayor Nichols’ [Tulsa World]
- Gov. Stitt says Tulsa homeless camp clearing finished [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Stitt, Oklahoma Highway Patrol end efforts to clean up Tulsa homeless camps [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: The governor’s unilateral order, which blindsided law enforcement, service providers, and medical professionals — the very people left to absorb the fallout.
Editorial: Violence is wrong whether it comes from the right or the left. So is squelching free speech: The stalking and cold-blooded murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk was an evil and immoral act that should be condemned by all. We should also condemn the rising tide of hateful rhetoric that we’ve been experiencing. It is counter-productive to solving the problems that we face. And yet to suggest bans on free speech or to shame and punish people for what they say is quite simply un-American. Our country was founded almost 250 years ago on the principles of equality and free expression. These ideas were revolutionary at the time and are worthy of our strong support today. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
- Can anything be done to ease caustic political discourse? What readers said [The Oklahoman]
- Opinion: No right is absolute, but Constitution offers strong protections for free speech [Joseph Thai / The Oklahoman]
State Government News
After DA finds ‘insufficient evidence’ for charges in Walters TV nudity snafu, sheriff recaps inquiry: Following her review of law enforcement agencies’ investigation, District Attorney Vicki Behenna announced today she has found “insufficient evidence to file criminal charges” related to Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ bizarre TV nudity saga that disrupted a state board meeting, yielded competing allegations of slander and presumably spiked viewership of Jackie Chan’s 1985 film The Protector. [NonDoc]
- DA won’t file charges after investigation into nude women on Ryan Walters’ office TV [The Oklahoman]
- No ‘malicious intent’ behind nude scenes shown on Ryan Walters’ office TV, sheriff says [The Oklahoman]
- DA declines charges against Ryan Walters regarding nude women seen on his office TV [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma County DA won’t press criminal charges against Walters for nudity on office television [KOSU]
- Oklahoma County DA: No criminal charges for Walters over reports of nude images [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma County sheriff confirms Jackie Chan movie as the cause of Walters’ TV incident [Oklahoma Voice]
- No charges will be filed in Ryan Walters investigation, DA says [KFOR]
Foundation controlling $200 million Oklahoma opioid fund strikes out on its own: A little-known foundation holding more than $200 million in assets from a 2019 opioid abatement agreement between the state and Purdue Pharmaceuticals is quietly separating itself — and most of the $200 million — from Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa. Several public officials who were contacted said they were unaware of the split. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma leaders seek to punish educators critical of Charlie Kirk, supporters tout free speech: While Oklahoma politicians seek to punish educators critical of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk online, supporters from across the state gathered at Oklahoma State University to remember his faith and staunch defense of free speech. [KOSU]
- 70 Oklahoma teachers under investigation after Charlie Kirk comments [News 9]
- Oklahoma investigates teachers over anti-Charlie Kirk rhetoric [KOCO]
- Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day? Oklahoma lawmakers file bills to honor right-wing influencer [The Oklahoman]
Gamefowl Commission to pay $10,000 in settlement with Oklahoma Ethics Commission: The Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission PAC will pay $10,000 and dissolve following a settlement with the Ethics Commission for violating state rules governing contributions. [Oklahoma Voice]
Needless ‘drama’ and ‘misguided leadership’: The lawsuit Stitt and Drummond are feuding over: In fiery letters, Republican political rivals Gov. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond have questioned each other’s ethics while squabbling over the future of a lawsuit Stitt repeatedly filed and Drummond repeatedly dismissed. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma colleges with large Indigenous student populations are losing grant money from DEI cuts: The Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges is urging Senator Markwayne Mullin to prevent minority-serving institution discretionary grant programs from going away. They are specifically concerned about one program that benefits Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions, or NASNTIs. In Oklahoma, there are 13 — more than any other state. [KOSU]
Government shutdown looms Oct. 1 as Congress struggles with stopgap spending plan: U.S. House Republican leaders released a seven-week stopgap government funding bill Tuesday that’s intended to avoid a shutdown when the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. [Oklahoma Voice]
DOJ Deletes Study Documenting Frequency Of Far-Right Violence: The Justice Department has reportedly scrubbed a study that documented the frequency of far-right violence from its website, according to published reports. [HuffPost]
Voting and Election News
Campaign to change Oklahoma’s primary elections can move forward, state Supreme Court rules: The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled a proposed state question to bring open primaries to the state is “legally sufficient,” moving its supporters a step closer to beginning the process of gathering signatures of voters to try and qualify the initiative petition for an election ballot. [The Oklahoman]
County Commissioner Myles Davidson, amid sexual assault allegations, draws election opponent: The election is still more than a year away, but beleaguered Oklahoma County Commissioner Myles Davidson, facing sexual assault allegations, has already drawn an opponent — but she’d rather he just quit. [The Oklahoman]
Former Oklahoma lawmaker files ballot measure to overhaul legislative process: Former Rep. Charles Key, R-Oklahoma City, filed paperwork with the Oklahoma Secretary of State to circulate a proposed constitutional amendment that would require three bills from every lawmaker to be heard in committee. State Question 839 would also require any bills advanced from committee to be heard on the House or Senate floor. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Oklahoma set standard on election integrity, but we can’t carry burden alone: Oklahomans value safe, secure and trustworthy elections, and we expect nothing less. As a state legislator, I’ve seen firsthand how hard our local officials work to deliver elections that meet those standards. Their dedication has made Oklahoma a national leader in election integrity. [Emily Gise / The Oklahoman]
Education News
Oklahoma schools bring in teachers from Mexico to address educator shortages (audio): At the start of this school year, Oklahoma schools had 1,000 unfilled teacher positions. To fill the gap, one school district started hiring teachers from Mexico. Santa Fe South Schools in Oklahoma City recently brought in three teachers from Mexico as part of a pilot program coordinated by an education non-profit called Fuel OKC. [NPR]
Chickasaw Educator Named Oklahoma High School Principal of the Year: A longtime educator was recently recognized with a top state honor when he was named Principal of the Year from the Oklahoma Association of Secondary School Principals (OASSP). Chickasaw citizen Jason Hayes serves as principal of Santa Fe High School, in Edmond. [Native News Online]
Health News
New COVID-19 variant ‘Stratus’ on the rise in the US, Oklahoma. What to know: A new COVID-19 variant called “Stratus” has been circulating in Oklahoma, and the state’s positive test rate has been higher than the national average during the summer months. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma doctor weighs in on potential vaccine changes: Public health experts have raised concerns about possible changes a new vaccine advisory panel might recommend when it meets Thursday and Friday in Atlanta. In Oklahoma, Dr. Dale Bratzler said Wednesday he is concerned about “the scientific integrity of recommendations” and possible consequences, including a continuing decline in immunization rates in the state. [The Journal Record]
Criminal Justice News
Grand jury recommends no charges against four OKC officers in fatal June shooting: An Oklahoma County grand jury has decided that four police officers will not face charges in a deadly June shooting in south Oklahoma City. Officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department fatally shot Eddie Hill, 41, on June 16, after being called to a southwest OKC home about a man threatening suicide, officials said at the time. [The Oklahoman]
- No charges for officers in deadly SW Oklahoma City officer-involved shooting [KFOR]
Community meetings with youth were among calls for police reform in OKC. How are they going?: Why does Oklahoma City police respond to so many domestic disturbance calls? How does the police department deal with behavioral health issues? How should you conduct yourself during a traffic stop? How can Oklahoma City better address gang violence? Do officers ever pull over NBA Thunder players? [The Oklahoman]
Jennifer Kyli Molloy’s murder case had gone cold. Then a man told Oklahoma troopers he did it: On a sunny spring morning last year, Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Snyder stopped to conduct a routine welfare check on a man in distress sitting along Interstate 40. The man, in his 20s, wore shorts and a Super Mario T-shirt, and he had a dark secret he was ready to share. [The Oklahoman]
Former Seeworth Academy Superintendent Janet Grigg receives deferred sentence, restitution order: Former Seeworth Academy Superintendent Janet Grigg received a seven-year deferred sentence and was ordered to pay restitution on three counts of embezzlement today, concluding a three-year criminal case borne from the failure of a charter school founded to serve students impacted by the criminal justice system. [NonDoc]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity celebrates single moms’ new homes: Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity is marking a week of milestones, celebrating the perseverance of three single mothers receiving the keys to their new homes and beginning construction on two more houses in The Village. [The Journal Record]
Crossroads Mall has sat largely empty for years. A new nonprofit wants to turn it into a community hub: The Crossroads Renewal Project is trying to raise around $44 million to bring affordable health care and resources to families in south OKC. [KGOU]
Community News
Oklahomans remember lessons from the OKC Bombing in light of recent political violence: Nearly 60 people gathered at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum on Wednesday to reflect on the Oklahoma Standard and reset after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the divisive rhetoric that has followed. [KOSU]
Local politicians, judges, officials face increased threats, new data shows: The killing of Charlie Kirk has put a spotlight on political violence in the country. While there have been notable instances of political violence at the national level in recent years, it’s also happening locally. [KOCO]
Five months in, north Tulsa’s Grocery Box has become an oasis in a food desert: Since opening in north Tulsa five months ago, The Grocery Box has proven to be a catalyst in providing fresh, affordable food in a food desert. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Groups opposing Trump band together for protest in east Tulsa: A handful of local groups opposing the Trump administration met Wednesday for a protest in east Tulsa. [Public Radio Tulsa]
OKC church that left during Methodist disaffiliation has thrived in new denomination: A local congregation affiliated with a relatively new Methodist denomination that grew from a small group of laypeople to a thriving congregation in less than two years is celebrating that growth with a tent revival on the church’s newly purchased property. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, Dr. Tiffany Crutcher: My American City: My family’s story is inseparable from Tulsa, Oklahoma’s history in both its tragedies and triumphs. My great-grandmother survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, when white mobs, backed by law enforcement, destroyed more than 36 blocks of Black homes and businesses in Greenwood – then known as Black Wall Street. She lived to tell us how planes dropped fire from the sky, how families ran for their lives, and how dreams of prosperity were stolen overnight. Yet, even in the face of such devastation, she and others rebuilt. Their resilience is a cornerstone of my identity. [Public Welfare Foundation]
Local Headlines
- Tulsans avoided Hunter Park after reported sexual assault. After arrest, they’re going back [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Fulton Street Books & Coffee in the Greenwood District to close [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“When we help someone else, we are proving the point that this world is a better place than we sometimes give it credit. We become part of our own solution in the way we become a solution for someone else by showing mercy and kindness.”
-Rev. Wendy Lambert, a pastor at St. Luke’s Methodist Church across the street from the Oklahoma City National Memorial, speaking about the Oklahoma Standard and how communities can reset after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the divisive rhetoric that has followed. [KOSU]
Number of the Day
19
There have been 19 reported incidents of threats and harassment against local officials in Oklahoma between January 2022 to July 2025. [Bridging Divides Initiative via KOCO]
Policy Note
‘Rough road ahead’: Charlie Kirk’s assassination highlights the rise in US political violence: Today’s political and rhetorical landscape is intensely polarized and fueled by anger, distrust and conspiracy theories. It’s easier to target your political opponents for violence if you see them as “enemies of the nation.” Where does this enmity come from? Experts point to several sources, including social media, which exacerbated the high-voltage talk that had already existed for two decades in talk radio and cable news and “made it possible for violent rhetoric to reach vast numbers of people.” [PolitiFact]
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