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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.
Oklahoma News
‘Steadying the ship’: Lindel Fields appointed superintendent as Stitt overhauls education leadership: Two days after former Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters officially submitted his resignation, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Lindel Fields to lead the scuffling State Department of Education, announced four other changes in education positions he controls and called for a ballot question to make the state superintendent position appointed instead of elected. [NonDoc]
- Stitt names new state superintendent, team to lead Oklahoma education ‘turnaround’ [Oklahoma Voice]
- Longtime CareerTech leader will succeed Ryan Walters as Oklahoma’s top schools official [The Oklahoman]
- Who is Lindel Fields? Meet Oklahoman tapped to succeed Walters as state superintendent [The Oklahoman]
- Lindel Fields announced as state superintendent at his daughter’s Tulsa elementary school [Tulsa World]
- Stitt overhauls Oklahoma education department, names new superintendent to ‘right the ship’ [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- New Superintendent a stark difference compared to Ryan Walters [KFOR]
- Governor Stitt appoints two new members to Oklahoma State Board of Education [Fox 25]
- What is the Oklahoma Turnaround Team? [News on 6]
Ryan Walters took down portraits of Hall of Fame teachers at OSDE. Now they’re going back up: Portraits and plaques honoring members of the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame once again line a key hallway inside the building that houses the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [The Oklahoman]
- Teachers say Walters’ exit brings hope, praise new superintendent’s tone shift [KFOR]
Editorial: What’s next for the public schools of Oklahoma? It’s up to us: After a storm passes through, residents of a community come out into the sunshine, look around at the wreckage, and start figuring out what to do next. That’s the job for Oklahomans now that state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has resigned, leaving in his wake an unfortunate path of educational debris. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
State Government News
Stitt appoints new Oklahoma Secretary of State after first choice found ineligible: Gov. Kevin Stitt made additional changes to his top staff, his office confirmed Thursday. Donelle Harder, who was previously announced as the new Oklahoma Secretary of State, will not serve in the role. She instead will serve as Stitt’s chief of staff. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Gov. Stitt’s first pick for secretary of state does not meet constitutional rules for job [The Oklahoman]
Ellen Buettner to step down as Oklahoma Health Care Authority CEO for new state role: Governor Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of current Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) CEO Ellen Buettner to a new role as CEO of the state’s largest four-year university system. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
- New CEO for Oklahoma’s regional university system named [Oklahoma Voice]
Ryan Walters had ‘history of mismanaging tax dollars,’ AG says as he calls for audit: Attorney General Gentner Drummond has called for an investigative audit into the Oklahoma State Department of Education following the resignation of Ryan Walters as the state’s top education official. [The Oklahoman]
- Opinion: Drummond finally moves on Walters audit [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
Final agreement reached in separation of $200 million foundation from OSU: An agreement separating the foundation holding $200 million from a 2019 consent decree between the state and Purdue Pharmaceuticals and Oklahoma State University has been finalized, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said Thursday. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma lawmakers release first part of homeowner insurance rates study (video): The first of a two-part interim study examining Oklahoma’s skyrocketing homeowner insurance rates is out for the public. The study was launched in a bipartisan effort by Oklahoma Lawmakers. [KSWO]
Legislator interim study recommends modernizing Oklahoma Child Tax Credit: One Oklahoma legislator is recommending an update to the Oklahoma Child Tax Credit following an interim study. Oklahoma’s Child Tax Credit has not been updated since 2007, and Senator Nikki Nice says it’s time to give it a polish. [KSWO]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Ryan Walters resignation, Stitt’s Operation Guardian, water fluoridation study and more (podcast): The panel members talk about the official resignation of Ryan Walters as state superintendent, a Democratic lawmaker calling for an investigation of Walters over his association with Teachers’ Freedom Alliance and a crackdown on illegal immigration by the Highway Patrol on I-40 in western Oklahoma. They also discusses a report showing the fiscal impact on the state if local communities remove fluoride from their water supplies and the City of Lawton using artificial intelligence on recommendations to deal with homelessness. [KOSU]
Opinion, State Sen. Julia Kirt: The big picture: Senate Democrats began our first Capitol Conversations series last spring, and we’re continuing those dialogues this fall, joined by House Democrats. The next conversation will focus on Oklahoma’s budget. When we’re talking about the state budget, we’re talking about tax dollars that we all pay, and the funding choices legislators make on the public’s behalf. Our question is, how do you think those public dollars should be invested? [Sen. Julia Kirt / The Journal Record]
- From OK Policy: FY26 Budget Trends and Highlights
Federal Government News
Oklahomans brace for furloughs, halted services as federal government shutdown drags: From leaders of the state’s tribal nations to employees at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahomans are bracing for the fallout of a government shutdown with no end in sight. [The Oklahoman]
- What will happen to Social Security checks, benefits, programs during government shutdown [USA Today]
- Federal government shutdown to impact OU research, financial aid, National Weather Center [OU Daily]
White House warns of ‘imminent’ mass layoffs in government shutdown: Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday the administration is looking for ways to get a handful of additional U.S. Senate Democrats to vote for Republicans’ stopgap spending bill to reopen government. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump no longer distancing himself from Project 2025 as he uses shutdown to further pursue its goals: President Donald Trump is openly embracing the conservative blueprint he desperately tried to distance himself from during the 2024 campaign, as one of its architects works to use the government shutdown to accelerate his goals of slashing the size of the federal workforce and punishing Democratic states. [Associated Press]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee-dubbed ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ offers new, engaging way to language learning: A newly released Cherokee-dubbed version of “How to Train Your Dragon” hit the Peacock streaming platform this week. The Cherokee Nation celebrated by holding a private screening on Tuesday before its big, public debut. [KOSU]
Opinion: Second chances strengthen justice in Indian Country: Oklahoma’s courts recently gave me a second chance. After a suspension, the Oklahoma Supreme Court reinstated my license to practice law, and the Eastern District of Oklahoma readmitted me to its bar and the Criminal Justice Act panel. These decisions allow me to again serve clients and tribal governments in federal and tribal courts. More importantly, they highlight a larger truth: second chances make our institutions stronger, not weaker. [Courtney R. Jordan / The Journal Record]
Voting and Election News
Senate education leader launches campaign for Oklahoma state superintendent: Republican Sen. Adam Pugh enters a crowded field vying to become Oklahoma’s top education official. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma lawmaker who focuses on education policy is running for state superintendent [The Oklahoman]
- Edmond GOP Sen. Adam Pugh joins state superintendent race [KOSU]
Former El Reno schools leader Craig McVay joins race for state superintendent: As the Oklahoma Department of Education leadership is shaken up, the pool of candidates vying to replace outgoing State Superintendent Ryan Walters in 2026 continues to grow. Among the new additions is former El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Craig McVay. [KOSU]
Education News
University of Oklahoma Eyes Closure of African American Studies: Members of the Clara Luper Department of African & African American Studies (CLAAS) board say the University of Oklahoma is moving toward dismantling the department — a step that, if finalized, faculty and advocates warn, would erase a vital space for Black scholarship in the state. [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Regent on report OU’s moving to close African, African American Studies department: ‘Not something we’re gonna do’ [OU Daily]
Turning Point USA stop in Oklahoma to include Russell Brand, Stitt. Here’s the full lineup: 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]
OU’s annual campus safety report shows increased reports of sexual violence, assault, motor vehicle theft: OU’s annual security and fire safety report showed an increase in rapes, fondlings and domestic violence on university property in 2024, including in on-campus housing. [OU Daily]
On first day out of office, Ryan Walters criticizes teachers’ unions, media: On his first day out of office, now-former state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters played to a friendly audience and took political shots at two of his favorite targets — the media and teachers’ unions. [The Oklahoman]
Private Christian university leader discusses new scholarship, ‘The Chosen’ creator visit: For years, Oklahoma Christian University has welcomed students affiliated with different denominations, but students aligned with the churches of Christ have received a special advantage because of the university’s affiliation with the faith group. OCU President L. Ken Jones said the school is reinforcing its welcome with the debut of a new scholarship for students active in any Christian church. [The Oklahoman]
FAFSA now open to Oklahoma students despite government shutdown. What to know to apply: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is now open for applications a bit earlier this year. Instead of its usual Oct. 1 date, the form opened on Sept. 24, allowing high school seniors and college students to start their 2026-27 school year financial aid journey a few days early. The deadline to apply is June 30, 2026. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board tables approval of abortion-related emergency rule: The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) Board voted to table the approval of an emergency rule related to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s recent anti-abortion executive order, which asked the agency to take certain actions regarding provider contracting. [StateImpact via KGOU]
Tulsa-area mental health providers hit with more state cuts: Tulsa-area mental health providers said this week they’ve been notified of further reductions in their contracts with the financially disarranged Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma providers offer free eye exams as part of annual ‘Giving Sight Day’: Providers across Oklahoma are offering complimentary eye exams to those in need starting this Friday as a part of the Oklahoma Association of Optometric Physicians’ sixth annual Giving Sight Day. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KOSU]
Opinion: Babies’ safe sleep isn’t just a family issue. It’s a community responsibility: Sleep-related deaths are the leading cause of infant death in Oklahoma after the first month of life. Our state’s infant mortality rate is among the highest in the nation. About 1 in 5 of those deaths are linked to unsafe sleep. It’s an especially gut-wrenching fact since these deaths are 100% preventable. [Ali Dodd / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Amid shutdown mess, broken health care system can only be saved by united effort: On Oct. 1, the United States government experienced its first shutdown since January 2019. In our highly polarized political climate, congressional Republicans and Democrats seemingly could not even get a conversation started to attempt to negotiate a financial path forward. Both sides of the aisle have incentives to keep the government open due to the negative impacts a shutdown can have on their constituents and poor optics for their respective parties. [Brandon W. Moritz / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Appeals court decision on confession clears way for retrial in ‘Innocent Man’ case: The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals has cleared the way for a retrial to go forward after all in an infamous 1984 murder case featured in the Netflix series, “The Innocent Man.” Former death row inmate Karl Allen Fontenot faces a retrial over the kidnapping and murder of an Ada convenience store clerk. [The Oklahoman]
Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris pleads guilty to child sex crimes in Oklahoma: Texas megachurch founder Robert Morris has pleaded guilty in Oklahoma to sex crimes against a girl that started on Christmas 1982, when the victim was 12, and continued for years. [The Oklahoman]
- Texas megachurch founder pleads guilty to child sex abuse charges in Osage County [Tulsa World]
Man dead after shooting Wednesday involving OHP, police off Highway 66: A man suspected of impersonating a police officer is dead after a shooting involving state troopers and local police near Highway 66 and Sara Road. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Tulsa’s Eviction Rate Now Lower Than Oklahoma City’s: Nine years ago, Tulsa and Oklahoma City were ranked among the 20 cities in the United States with the highest eviction rates, 11th and 20th, respectively. Nearly a decade later, eviction rates have risen across the state and country, but Tulsa has managed to reduce its rates to lower than those of Oklahoma City, thanks in part to the Landlord Tenant Resource Center. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: The legislature last session failed to advance bills that would have reduced evictions and protected tenants from bad actor landlords
A new facility in Oklahoma City will seek to help people too sick to stay in a homeless shelter: City Care plans to open a 40-room medical respite facility in 2027 near their existing night shelter in Oklahoma City to help the ill and injured who have nowhere else to go. [The Frontier]
Economy & Business News
Household debt delinquencies are at recession levels, economist says: Households in Oklahoma and across the nation are struggling under growing debt, economist Russell Evans said at a real estate summit this week. Evans, dean of the business college at the University of Central Oklahoma, said the percentage of U.S. households that are delinquent on credit card and auto loan payments by at least 90 days is back to 2009 recession levels. [The Journal Record]
Blue Whale Materials starts commissioning Oklahoma battery recycling facility in Bartlesville: Blue Whale Materials said on Tuesday it has started commissioning its Bartlesville, Oklahoma, lithium-ion battery recycling facility and expects to have it fully operational within a year. The facility is one of several under development in Oklahoma, the rural U.S. state aiming to the epicenter for U.S. critical minerals processing. [Reuters]
- Archive: What is America’s answer to China’s rare earths dominance? Oklahoma! [Reuters]
Opinion: Trump dismisses clean energy as ‘a joke.’ But Americans deserve facts, not fear: At a speech before the U.N., President Donald Trump dismissed renewable energy as ‘a joke.’ But America will fall behind the rest of the world if we don’t use it. [Mark McNees / The Oklahoman]
Community News
Affirming The Oklahoman libeled teacher, appellate court would cut $25 million damages to $7.5 million: An Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals panel affirmed a libel verdict Wednesday against The Oklahoman for the publication’s false identification of former football coach Scott Sapulpa as the broadcast announcer who uttered a racial slur in 2021 when a high school basketball team kneeled during the national anthem. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma appeals court lowers punitive damages against Gannett in defamation case [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa mayor says raising city revenue will be up to citizens [Tulsa World]
- City, county to end Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency partnership [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa World announces change in print frequency starting Nov. 3 [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“(O)ur new mantra is, ‘If you’re not taking care of the students, take care of someone who is.’ So today I want to start by thanking those who are most important: our teachers. To every teacher in Oklahoma, you are the heartbeat of this work. To the principals that lead schools each day, thank you.”
-Lindel Fields, a longtime CareerTech administrator and leadership consultant, speaking to media after his appointment as state school superintendent following the resignation of former superintendent Ryan Walters. Fields emphasized his role of “steadying the ship” following 33 tumultuous months under Walters, who pushed culture-war politics and divisive rhetoric. [NonDoc]
Number of the Day
82.6%
The share of private schools in Oklahoma located in urban or suburban areas. This means that school choice programs not only disproportionately benefit wealthier families but also do little for those living in rural Oklahoma, where private school options are scarce. [Learning Policy Institute]
- From OK Policy: Vouchers are another wrong turn for Oklahoma schools
Policy Note
Universal school choice programs mostly benefit the wealthy unless policymakers act to prevent it: School choice programs, when structured without safeguards, tend to reinforce advantages for higher-income families rather than expand access broadly. Because private school options are often scarce in rural or lower-income areas — and because wealthier families have more resources to navigate admissions and cover remaining costs — the benefits skew upward. To counter this imbalance, policymakers can design income-based subsidies, target resources toward underserved regions, and set participation rules that prioritize equity. Without such measures, universal choice risks worsening existing educational divides instead of expanding opportunity. [Brookings Institution]
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