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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
Thirteen homes saved from destruction after defeat of toll road interchanges, side roads: A small group of residents along the Indian Hills boundary between Oklahoma City and Norman who learned this week they will likely be able to keep their properties thanks to a decision by the Norman City Council not to work with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on proposed frontage streets and three interchanges along Indian Hills Road. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma WIC program switches brands of baby formula: Oklahoma families reliant on federal assistance programs to afford baby formula were hit with a surprise this week. The Oklahoma Women, Infants & Children Program announced it is switching brands. The change will start in just a few weeks, leaving many families scrambling. [KOCO]
Federal Government News
Lankford describes presidential election as ‘great unknown’: Oklahoma’s senior U.S. senator is continuing to speak out about his border legislation effort that fizzled. The package would’ve drastically changed the way asylum decisions at the U.S.-Mexico border are made, among other overhauls. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation releases new demographic data better reflecting where its citizens live: For the first time in over a decade, the Cherokee Nation has released demographic maps reflecting where the tribe’s over 466,000 members reside. [Oklahoma Voice]
Cherokee Nation passes $3.6B budget for FY 2025: The Cherokee Nation on Monday passed a $3.6 billion Fiscal Year 2025 General Operating Budget, marking significant investments in language preservation, education, public health, community services and more. [The Journal Record]
Two Oklahoma tribes to receive funds for orphaned wells: The Biden-Harris administration recently announced over $12 million in grant funding will be distributed to Indigenous nations, including two nations in Oklahoma, to clean up legacy pollution through the Bipartisan Infrastructure law. [ICT]
Warrior Up to Vote Tour hopes to see record Native voter turnout in November: In Oklahoma, the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) is launching its second bi-annual “Warrior Up to Vote” event, a statewide initiative to increase voter registration among Native Americans in Oklahoma. The tour will start Sept. 23 to Oct. 5. [Native News Online]
- Volunteers aim to increase Native voter turnout across Oklahoma [KOCO]
Voting and Election News
Next stop, Oklahoma? Experts predict whether Harris or Trump will visit the Sooner State: Oklahoma voters wondering if Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump will visit the Sooner State before the November presidential election should probably keep wishing. Because more than likely, it won’t happen. [The Oklahoman]
Long Story Short: Stitt Sets June 2026 Election Date for Minimum Wage Question (audio): Keaton Ross about Gov. Kevin Stitt setting a June 2026 election date for a ballot initiative that proposes an incremental minimum wage increase to $15 per hour by 2029. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: Statement: SQ 832 election date is longest delay for a state question in past 10 years
Education News
‘It’s absolutely sick’: Oklahoma school threats impacting students mental health: Parents and family members are sharing their concerns as they said there’s been an uptick in threats against schools. [2 News Oklahoma]
- Statewide school threats rise, cause campus closures and increased security measures [News 9]
Health News
SoonerSelect patient says apparent birthdate mix-up leaving him without healthcare: A SoonerSelect patient says he is unable to visit doctors or pick up prescriptions after his date-of-birth somehow got changed in SoonerSelect’s system several months ago, and still hasn’t been corrected despite numerous phone calls. [KFOR]
Free eye exams across Oklahoma during Giving Sight Day: Oklahomans will enjoy access to complimentary eye care services at participating optometric physicians across the state on Saturday, September 28, during the fifth annual Giving Sight Day. [The Black Wall Street Times]
COVID XEC variant: Is Oklahoma affected? What to know, symptoms: As flu season nears, so do new COVID-19 variants. A newly discovered COVID strain known as XEC continues to spread rapidly across multiple countries, including the United States. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma introduces Awesome Air Alerts to encourage outdoor enjoyment: You may have encountered the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality’s Air Quality Health Advisories. But the agency has introduced a good-news counterpart: the Awesome Air Alert. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Opinion: Clemency for Emmanuel Littlejohn would be a profound act of faith and true justice: As a faith leader in Oklahoma, I feel compelled to raise my voice in support of clemency for Emmanuel Littlejohn. His case raises profound moral and ethical questions that call us to reflect on the true meaning of justice. [Rev. Jon Middledorf / The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Mega Landlord Debarred, Oklahoma Properties Failing: Millennia Housing Management, a Cleveland, Ohio-based mega-landlord that was recently debarred by HUD after several deadly apartment disasters during the past few years. [Oklahoma Watch]
Tulsa Housing Authority puts freeze on wait lists, applications for voucher program: With the wait time now up to two years, Tulsa Housing Authority officials say the organization will be temporarily closing the wait lists for its River West apartments and its Section 8 voucher program. [Tulsa World]
PSO bills would rise if its purchase of Jenks power plant is approved: Tulsans and others who are customers of Public Service Co. of Oklahoma would see an increase in their monthly bills if PSO’s plan to buy the Green Country Energy power plant in Jenks is approved. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Fed expected to cut rates by 25 basis points, Oklahoma economy experts say: The Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in four years is forthcoming, but it’s unclear just how aggressive the reduction will be. The first of a series of rate reductions is expected Wednesday. [The Journal Record]
Community News
Oklahoma writer’s ‘quarter-life crisis’ led to full-time Route 66 advocacy: Rhys Martin was just 4 years old when Route 66 was decommissioned in 1986, but over the past decade, he put in the work and time to get noticed both statewide and across the country as a leading advocate for America’s Main Street. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Historic portion of Taft Middle School in OKC to be retained, rest of campus rebuilt [The Oklahoman]
- New OKC public transportation director selected [The Oklahoman]
- G.T. Bynum to mark his last 918 Day celebrating contributions of Tulsa’s diverse communities [Tulsa World]
- Artist shares revised concept for Cry Baby Hill statue after public backlash [Tulsa World]
- Norman City Council Approves Tax To Fund New $1 Billion Entertainment District [News 9]
Quote of the Day
“There are so many problems we feel we can’t move the needle on because they seem insurmountable when we look at them as a whole. Societal issues such as education, healthcare, mental health and substance abuse seem impossible to overcome. But registering to vote is a right. We can impact taxation, our tribal compacts and tribal sovereignty when we vote, which helps all those issues that disproportionately affect Native Americans. Whether you are a young person or an elder, no matter your background or education, voting is something we can all do to uplift our communities, and it requires minimal effort.”
– Ben Barnes, United Indian Nations of Oklahoma Board Chairman, explaining that voting is a right and can make huge impacts on issues affecting Indian Country. [Native News Online]
Number of the Day
- From OK Policy: OK Policy Urges Legislators to Invest in Children
Policy Note
Reducing Intergenerational Poverty: Experiencing poverty during childhood can lead to lasting harmful effects that compromise not only children’s health and welfare but can also hinder future opportunities for economic mobility, which may be passed on to future generations. This cycle of economic disadvantage weighs heavily not only on children and families experiencing poverty but also the nation, reducing overall economic output and placing increased burden on the educational, criminal justice, and health care systems. [National Academies]
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