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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: Homelessness in Oklahoma demands solutions, not name-calling: Oklahoma’s governor recently derided community advocates as “goody two-shoes” simply for wanting people experiencing homelessness to have a safe place to live. His remarks were not only dismissive, but they also fundamentally distorted proven solutions that can address one of our state’s most urgent challenges — if we let them. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma private prison to reopen as ICE detention facility: A shuttered private prison in Watonga will reopen as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility after securing a contract with the state, raising concerns among local immigration attorneys about potential profiling and increased arrests. [KOCO]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma shouldn’t allow private prisons to reopen as immigration detention centers. Here are 6 reasons why.
Gov. Stitt expected to announce new Oklahoma state superintendent Lindel Fields at Tulsa school: Gov. Kevin Stitt is expected to tap retired CareerTech administrator Lindel Fields, a Tulsan, to lead Oklahoma public education through January 2027. Stitt will visit Eisenhower International School on Thursday to “announce the future of Oklahoma education,” according to his office. [Tulsa Flyer via KOSU]
- Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to announce new state superintendent amid investigation [KOCO]
- Gov. Stitt to announce ‘future of Oklahoma education’ after Walters’ resignation [News 9]
State Government News
Oklahoma AG requests investigation of education department, 1 day after Walters resigns: The day after Ryan Walters officially resigned as Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, another state official is calling for a post-mortem on his spending at the State Department of Education. [KOSU]
- Attorney general orders forensic audit of Oklahoma State Department of Education [Tulsa World]
- Drummond orders audit of Oklahoma education department after Walters resigns [Fox 25]
As Oklahoma waits for new superintendent, the Education Department’s website gets scrubbed: The Oklahoma Department of Education didn’t waste any time shedding the vestiges of Ryan Walters, at least on the front page of its website. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Democratic lawmakers hold emergency town hall amid political tensions: More than three dozen people attended an emergency town hall at the Patriot Event Center, where discussions on democracy and rhetoric took center stage. [Fox 25]
- OK Democrats address shutdown, Republican lawmaker says compromise is needed [KFOR]
Federal Government News
Federal government shutdown begins, with no easy exit in sight: The federal government started shutting down early Wednesday after Congress failed to approve a funding bill before the beginning of the new fiscal year — resulting in widespread ramifications for hundreds of programs and giving the Trump administration an avenue to fire federal workers en masse. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Shutdown standoff in US Senate extends as thousands of federal workers are sent home [Oklahoma Voice]
- Protesters at US Capitol back Democrats in shutdown fight over health care costs [Oklahoma Voice]
- US government shutdown begins as partisan division rules Washington [The Journal Record]
- Shutdown Strains Families as Federal Government Goes Dark [The Black Wall Street Times]
- How long will the government shutdown last? What we can learn from past shutdowns [The Oklahoman]
- Government shutdown brings uncertainty to Oklahoma, where Tinker AFB is state’s largest federal employer [KOCO]
- The federal government has shut down. What does that mean for Oklahoma? Live updates [The Oklahoman]
- The U.S. government has shut down. What does that mean for Oklahomans? [KOSU]
Federal government shutdown could slow court proceedings if deal isn’t reached: The federal courts announced on Wednesday, Oct. 1, the first day of the government shutdown, that the judicial branch will remain open and continue paid operations through at least Friday, Oct. 3. [The Oklahoman]
What happens to my student loans during the shutdown? Is FAFSA affected? What to know: Borrowers with federal student loans will continue to make payments, even during a federal government shutdown. [The Oklahoman]
Will the government shutdown affect my flight? What to know about TSA, airport services: The government is shut down, partially. This means if you interact with the federal government in some shape or capacity, there could be changes. This means that almost everyone in the United States will experience some kind of alteration to their daily lives as a result. [The Oklahoman]
Tinker Air Force Base civilian employees could be furloughed during shutdown: Tinker Air Force Base, which is the Oklahoma City metro area’s largest employer, will be affected by the U.S. government’s budget shutdown. The full extent of employees who were sent home on furlough or who are being asked to work without pay is not immediately available, however. [The Oklahoman]
- Will military get paid during a government shutdown? What to know at Oklahoma bases [The Oklahoman]
National Weather Service meteorologists still going to work amid government shutdown: Meteorologists at the National Weather Service will continue working during the federal government shutdown. [The Oklahoman]
How the federal shutdown impacts Oklahomans using SNAP and WIC benefits: As the first day of the U.S. federal government shutdown nears its end, federal food assistance programs have a better idea on how it will affect Oklahomans. [Fox 23]
- Government shutdown could impact programs that feed Oklahoma families [KFOR]
USDA proposes stricter SNAP stocking rules. How will Oklahoma retailers, families be affected?: Some Oklahoma stores might stop accepting SNAP benefits after the U.S. Department of Agriculture proposed changes to store stocking requirements for the assistance program. [The Oklahoman]
Fed member Lisa Cook to remain on board while her case is decided by US Supreme Court: The U.S. Supreme Court will take up in January the question of President Donald Trump’s firing of Federal Reserve Board governor Lisa Cook, according to an order filed by the court Wednesday. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Muscogee Nation citizen asks U.S. Supreme Court to review state taxation ruling: A Muscogee Nation citizen has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review an Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling, which held that the state could tax tribal citizens despite them living and working within the tribe’s reservation. [Tulsa World]
‘Not our fault, but it is our problem’: Tribal nations across Oklahoma brace for federal shutdown impacts: Tribal leaders are advocating for federal officials to uphold their trust and treaty responsibilities amid the government shutdown and threat of federal layoffs. [KOSU]
- OK tribal nations hope to operate as normal during U.S. government shutdown [Fox 23]
Voting and Election News
‘Find solutions’: Chip Keating announces campaign for governor at OCPAC event: Former Secretary of Public Safety Chip Keating launched his campaign for governor today, touting his time as an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, calling for the state to become a “made-in-America manufacturing magnet” and pledging to “do what is right, and do it without hesitation.” [NonDoc]
- Chip Keating announces run for Oklahoma governor [Oklahoma Voice]
- Keating for Oklahoma governor 2026? A familiar name enters Republican race [The Oklahoman]
- Chip Keating announces bid to be Oklahoma governor [KOSU]
Former El Reno schools leader McVay entering race for state superintendent as a Democrat: A retired former Oklahoma school superintendent says he’s running for state superintendent of public instruction as a Democrat. [The Oklahoman]
Launch of updated Oklahoma campaign finance system delayed due to ‘final adjustments’: The launch of Oklahoma’s updated campaign finance reporting system will be delayed, but candidate filing shouldn’t be affected, the head of the Ethics Commission said. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Opinion, Oklahoma Senator: Oklahoma is in last place on education. We must commit to putting children first: The resignation of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has created a moment of reflection for Oklahoma. Parents, teachers and community leaders are asking the same question: Where do we go from here? [Sen. Carri Hicks / The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Our children are paying for grown-up power plays
Health News
Mayor: state to cut $8 million in mental health funds for Tulsa: Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols said he was notified Wednesday that more than $8 million in state funds would be cut from local mental health treatment services. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- State cuts to mental health providers discussed at Tulsa mayor’s Community Conversation [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Pregnant women shouldn’t suffer through pain. Stoking fears about Tylenol is risky: In recent weeks, federal health authorities — and the president himself — have raised concerns about pregnant women using acetaminophen, a common pain relief and fever reducing medicine known by its brand name Tylenol. This has created confusion and fear without any scientific basis. [Sarah Mashburn / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma County moves closer to beginning construction on new jail: Construction on the next phase of the new Oklahoma County jail is one step closer to becoming a reality. [News 9]
Oklahoma Prisons One Step Closer to Blocking Contraband Cell Phone Signals: The Oklahoma Department of Corrections might soon have a long-forbidden security tool at its disposal. [Oklahoma Watch]
Five things to know about The Frontier’s investigation into Tulsa police officers suspected of driving under the influence: The Tulsa Police Department has disciplined six officers after incidents where they were suspected of driving under the influence since 2016, a Frontier investigation has found. The Frontier reported the story after the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police went to court to unsuccessfully try to keep the news organization from obtaining years’ worth of police disciplinary records. [The Frontier]
Oklahoma prosecutors filed 2nd highest number of criminal cases related to pregnancy, study finds: More than 400 people were charged with pregnancy-related crimes during the two years after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights, research released Tuesday shows. [Oklahoma Voice]
Judge Kathryn Savage denies post-conviction relief without hearing: Wednesday, an Oklahoma County district judge denied post-conviction relief for an Oklahoma man trying to clear his name. [KFOR]
Del City police chief placed on administrative leave after squabble over budget cuts: Del City Police Chief Loyd Berger has been placed on administrative leave after complaining publicly about budget cuts in his department, Mayor Floyd Eason said. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Commercial Real Estate Summit: Urban projects need local backers: Building lasting communities where people can thrive requires patience and the right financial partners, experts at the 2025 Commercial Real Estate Summit said Wednesday. [The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
Shutdown likely to cause delay in crucial jobs report from government: The private sector shed 32,000 jobs in September, a report from ADP showed. But that snapshot of employment that arrived on Wednesday is likely all we’ll get in the near term, despite the scheduled release of the monthly jobs report from the government this Friday. [The National News Desk]
Oklahoma Starbucks workers, supporters join national picket for union contract: Union Starbucks workers across the country are preparing to strike in response to what they say is the coffee company’s refusal to negotiate in good faith. [KGOU]
Paycom to cut 500 OKC jobs, shift to AI automation: Artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, and Oklahoma-based Paycom has become the latest large company openly acknowledging the impact of automation on its workforce. [The Journal Record]
- Paycom lays off 500 employees, will replace jobs with AI [KOSU]
Local Headlines
- Concerns about rebranding aired at Tulsa Public Schools listening session [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“I need these subsidies. If the rich and the Republicans can go out there and have money for tax cuts, to buy another yacht, to go out in space, why can’t I at least have health care to address my needs, my wife’s needs, and maintain a lifestyle that we deserve as an American family?”
– Tony Gonzales, who is battling cancer and depends on Affordable Care Act subsidies to afford coverage, speaking outside the U.S. Capitol as part of a rally supporting the government shutdown fight over health care costs. [Oklahoma Voice]
Number of the Day
114%
The expected jump in annual premiums for people who get their health insurance through the Affordable Care Act — the federal program that set up online marketplaces where families can buy coverage — if enhanced premium tax credits expire at the end of 2025. Average costs would rise from $888 in 2025 to $1,904 in 2026, more than doubling what families pay for coverage. [KFF]
Policy Note
How an ACA Premium Spike Will Affect Family Budgets, and Voters: A surge in ACA premiums — if enhanced subsidy support lapses — will squeeze household budgets already stretched by rising costs for food, housing, and utilities. The Affordable Care Act created health insurance marketplaces where families can buy coverage, often with federal subsidies. For many families, the additional health care burden could amount to a sizable share of basic living expenses, amplifying financial stress. Politically, such cost shocks can erode trust in government and shift voter behavior, as health care becomes a direct measure of people’s economic stability. [KFF]
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