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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.
New from OK Policy
Policy Matters: Policies are driving doctors out of Oklahoma: Oklahoma ranks among the lowest in the nation for physicians per capita. The shortage of specialists is particularly stark. Policies that impose financial, regulatory, or political hurdles make it harder for physicians to remain here. They drive health care professionals out-of-state and leave families desperate for care. I know this because it’s my family’s reality. [Shiloh Kantz / OK Policy]
Oklahoma News
Ryan Walters resigning as state superintendent to lead Teacher Freedom Alliance ‘battle tank’: As Oklahomans woke up to start their work and school routines Wednesday, most had little idea State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters was beginning one of his final days in the statewide-elected job he has steered into TV cameras and controversy for the last three years. Walters announced his resignation — to lead a Freedom Foundation initiative called the Teacher Freedom Alliance — during a brief Fox News appearance around 10:40 p.m. Wednesday. [NonDoc]
- Walters announces on Fox News he will resign as state schools superintendent [The Oklahoman]
- Ryan Walters announces resignation on national news show [Tulsa World]
- Walters to resign as Oklahoma state superintendent, announces position in national teacher group [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Education Chief Who Promoted Bibles in Schools Will Resign [New York Times]
- Oklahoma Schools Chief Ryan Walters Steps Down to Lead Anti-Union Group [The 74]
- Ryan Walters resigning as state superintendent to lead Teacher Freedom Alliance [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- State Supt. Ryan Walters resigning, to become CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance [KFOR]
- What is the Teacher Freedom Alliance? How is Ryan Walters involved? [News 9]
As Ryan Walters resigns, what happens next? How Oklahoma fills role, election process: Ryan Walters’ resignation will leave a vacancy in state office, an important position that’s in charge of leading the Oklahoma State Department of Education. A spokesperson for the governor said Wednesday that the office had not received a resignation notice from Walters, but if and when he resigns, it shouldn’t take long for his replacement to take office. [The Oklahoman]
- Who could replace Ryan Walters as Oklahoma schools chief? Here are some possible picks [The Oklahoman]
‘Just trying to survive:’ Unhoused Tulsan shares human toll of Operation SAFE: Amy Sawyer, who turned 50 in June, and her boyfriend were recently displaced as a result of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE — an initiative where he ordered state troopers to dismantle homeless encampments on state property in Tulsa. Stitt said people would be given two options: a ride to jail or shelter. For Sawyer, she lost almost everything but for Stitt, it was a sign of progress in cleaning up downtown Tulsa. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Opinion: Mayor Monroe Nichols on the progress Tulsa is making to address homelessness (video) [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma’s future will be defined not by the rubble we create, but by the homes and hope we choose to build.
PSO plans would add $10 to bills to increase capacity for unidentified ‘large load’ customers: Many Oklahomans would have to pay higher electric bills if the Corporation Commission approves a request made by Public Service Company of Oklahoma related to plans to increase its capacity for providing power to customers. Average bills would increase by more than $10 a month if PSO is given the go-ahead to begin collecting money from customers to offset costs of new construction projects and several acquisitions of existing facilities that would come with a total price tag estimated at $1.2 billion. [Tulsa World]
- Cerebras expands OKC data center, now one of the largest worldwide and pulling enough electricity from OG&E to power a small city [The Journal Record]
State Government News
OSBE won’t consider disciplining teachers over Charlie Kirk comments, despite Ryan Walters’ claims: Following two weeks of threats by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters to remove teachers from classrooms for their thoughts on the death of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, the state Board of Education will not consider any sanctions against teachers when it meets Thursday, Sept. 25. [The Oklahoman]
- “No constitutional authority”: Attorney speaks out after Walters declaration for Turning Point USA chapter in every school [KFOR]
Fired Oklahoma board secretary seeks $100,000 from Education Department: The former secretary of Oklahoma’s top school board has demanded $100,000 from the state Department of Education, contending the agency wrongfully fired her after she complained department staff interfered with her job duties. [Oklahoma Voice]
Lawmakers accuse turnpike authority of bullying, traumatizing Oklahomans: A group of lawmakers are demanding the Oklahoma Turnpike provide a justification for the south extension turnpike that will take out dozens of homes and thousands of acres of land in Cleveland and McClain counties. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announces revised route of controversial extension. See map. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma regulators to balance costly nuclear potential with projected wave of energy demand: Elected state officials voted to require the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to investigate whether the Sooner State could generate nuclear energy or hold off on welcoming the industry. [KGOU]
Advocacy groups continue pushing OK legislature to make changes to state’s family court system: FOX23 is continuing coverage of state lawmakers looking to make changes to Oklahoma’s family court system. Parent and children advocacy groups say, while that’s great to hear, they’re challenging the state legislature to back it up with real action. [Fox 23]
Opinion: Freedom Caucus’ religious ideology trumps Oklahoma values: The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus claims to represent the values of everyday Oklahomans, but their recent legislative proposals reveal a troubling disconnect between their stated mission and their actual priorities. While Oklahoma families struggle with real issues like child care deserts and economic opportunity, our self-appointed “freedom fighters” are busy crafting monuments to divisive figures and imposing their narrow religious worldview on all Oklahomans. [Christy Taylor / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
USDA cancels food security report that anti-hunger advocates say showed the effects of food policies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has canceled a report that hunger-fighting organizations say was “essential” data to see the results of federal and local policies aimed at ending hunger. USDA, in a news release about the decision said the reports were “redundant, costly, politicized” and did “nothing more than fear monger.” [Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: Data shouldn’t be political
Oklahoma Republican leaders visit White House to discuss Trump administration initiatives: Oklahoma House Speaker Kyle Hilbert and a group of Republican legislators visited the White House to discuss the Trump administration’s initiatives and explore collaboration opportunities. [KOCO]
Sen. Lankford’s measured approach not always popular in turbulent times: In a time when many seem to consider moderation a betrayal and reason a weakness, Sen. Lankford has probably felt the lash of public criticism from left and right more than any elected Oklahoma Republican. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation gains operations of Claremore Indian Hospital: After a year of negotiations, the federal government has transferred operations of the Claremore Indian Hospital to the Cherokee Nation. Officials with the Cherokee Nation and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that the Indian Health Service has officially handed over operations of the Claremore Indian Hospital to the Tahlequah-based tribe effective Wednesday. [Tulsa World]
- Cherokee Nation takes control of Claremore Indian Hospital in historic transfer [The Journal Record]
Osage Nation celebrates reacquisition of sacred site near St. Louis Arch: Osage Nation reacquired a sacred site near the St. Louis Arch in Missouri. The site, known as “Suglarloaf Mound,” is now fully under Osage control and is the oldest known human-made structure in the city. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Recreational marijuana petitions can be found in dispensaries across Oklahoma: Midway through a petition drive to bring legalized recreational marijuana use up for a statewide vote, the principal organizer of the effort said it has drawn support from patrons of more than 500 medical marijuana dispensaries across 63 counties. [Tulsa World]
Education News
Turning Point USA campus tour to stop at OU following Charlie Kirk’s death: Turning Point USA will stop at the University of Oklahoma in Norman on Oct. 16 as the organization resumes its college campus tour following the shooting death of its co-founder, conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. [The Oklahoman]
- Turning Point USA to visit OU as part of college tour [OU Daily]
Charlie Kirk Supporters Target HBCU, Promptly Removed from Campus: Charlie Kirk supporters pushing anti-DEI and anti-immigrant rhetoric were escorted off Tennessee State University’s campus this week, raising alarm among advocates who say HBCUs are being deliberately targeted. This confrontation came just a week after multiple HBCUs were placed on lockdown in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s murder, and only days after a highly politicized memorial service in Glendale, Arizona, led by the Trump administration. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Health News
A majority of US children rely on Medicaid or CHIP, new study finds: A majority of children in the United States rely on Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program at some point by their 18th birthday, and many experience periods of coverage loss, according to a study published Wednesday in the journal JAMA. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Report: Majority of U.S. children enroll in Medicaid, many face coverage gaps by age 18 [Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health]
Opinion: State Medicaid rules preventing needed testing to identify infections: For the last two respiratory seasons, Oklahoma has made the decision to deny payment for most rapid “bedside” diagnostic molecular tests for the 1 million Oklahomans in Medicaid, most of whom are children. The state will pay for some of these tests in rare cases for high-risk patients, but that leaves too many without the benefit. [Dr. John Hellerstedt / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Beyond funding and staffing issues, Oklahoma jails struggle finding liability insurance: Operating on a shoestring budget with limited staff, Atoka County Sheriff Kody Simpson grapples with many of the same problems other rural sheriffs face from year to year when it comes to insuring his jurisdiction’s 65-bed jail. Liability insurance for a correctional facility is hard to find, and rates have increased as much as 300 percent in the last four years. [NonDoc]
‘Quintessential’ Oklahoma public servant to retire: The head of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole is retiring after a storied state career that included some high profile positions. Tom Bates’ retirement is effective Nov. 30, ending 26 years of public service. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Executive director of Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board steps down [KOSU]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Lawton mayor uses ChatGPT to craft shelter policy that won’t attract ‘more homeless’ people: The mayor of Lawton asked ChatGPT to write recommendations on how to use federal funds to address homelessness “without attracting more homeless.” This week, city councilors unanimously accepted the AI chatbot’s recommendations. [KOSU]
The American dream now costs $5 million. What does it cost in Oklahoma? Here’s a breakdown: The estimated cost of the American dream in the U.S. is estimated at $5 million over a lifetime, USA TODAY recently reported, but for Oklahomans, it may be slightly more affordable. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: In the spirit of the Oklahoma Standard, let’s work together to fight hunger: Each September, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma joins food banks across the country to raise awareness and inspire action to end hunger in our communities. This year, the call is more urgent than ever. [Stacy Dykstra / The Oklahoman]
Community News
‘This plaza belongs to you.’ OKC’s Plaza Calle Dos Cinco welcomes visitors to historic space: The Historic Capitol Hill District was once the heart of south OKC’s commerce for much of the early and mid-20th century, with several clothing stores, theaters and eateries. But by the ’80s, after major retailers moved elsewhere in the city, SW 25 fell into serious decline. With a grand opening of a new plaza, though, that perspective changes to hope and looking to the future. [The Oklahoman]
Norman city councilmember resigns after controversy over online comments resurface: A Norman city council member has resigned after controversy over comments made on social media resurfaced. According to reports from local media, Ward 3 Councilmember Bree Montoya allegedly made a post on social media months ago where she suggested that another person end their life on her now-deleted Facebook page. [The Oklahoman]
- Norman Ward 3 council member issues apology for encouraging suicide acts in Facebook disagreement [OU Daily]
- Norman City Council hears presentation, public comments following Ward 3 Councilmember Bree Montoya’s resignation [OU Daily]
Local Headlines
- Is Edmond at a crossroads? Why the city is grappling to find its identity as it grows [The Oklahoman]
- Violent storm strikes Sallisaw, rips roof off hospital. See damage, video [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa mayor to hold another series of Community Conversations in October [Tulsa World]
- Broken Arrow police recruit dies after medical emergency during training [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“Liberal’s (sic) worst nightmare is about to come true.”
-Oklahoma school superintendent Ryan Walters, writing a social media post Wednesday night before announcing via a Fox News national television program that he was resigning his elected position to become CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance. The new professional organization, which Walters has used Oklahoma taxpayer money to promote, touts itself as “an alternative to union membership” for teachers. It is a part of the Freedom Foundation, a far-right anti-labor union think tank. [The Oklahoman]
- From Oklahoma Appleseed: Gross Misconduct: A Comprehensive Compilation of Ryan Walters’ Misdeeds in Office
Number of the Day
$717
When adjusted for inflation and enrollment, Oklahoma’s per-pupil funding has decreased by 16 percent since 2008. Each student receives $717 less today than they did in 2008. [Oklahoma Policy Institute]
Policy Note
U.S. investment in public education is at risk: Public K-12 education in the U.S. is under serious threat: rising voucher programs, state budget austerity, and federal pressures are undermining resources at a time when research strongly supports higher spending per pupil — especially in high-poverty districts — for reducing achievement gaps. States governed by Republican trifectas are spending significantly less per student, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, widening funding shortfalls and threatening school adequacy. While additional federal aid temporarily boosted school resources during the pandemic, that relief is set to fade—making it urgent for policymakers to return to sustained investments in public education rather than letting funding drift downward. [Economic Policy Institute]
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