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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
Interim study looks at potential improvements to Oklahoma’s criminal justice system (Capitol Update): The Senate Public Safety Committee chaired by Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore, conducted an interim study on October 1 requested by Sen. Dave Rader, R-Tulsa, to consider several flaws in the criminal justice system – some that could perhaps be easily fixed – and quantified their cost to both taxpayers and to the individuals affected. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Raising the Minimum Wage Could Reduce Eviction Rates, Data Shows: Nearly half of Oklahoma households struggled to afford necessities in 2023, according to a new report. The limited income of 45% of households in the state has priced many families out of their homes, contributing to the state’s eviction crisis. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: Raising the minimum wage means more Oklahomans could afford housing
- More from OK Policy: SQ 832 Information and Resources | What you need to know about the minimum wage in Oklahoma
State Government News
Oklahoma lawmakers compare ‘dark money’ to laundering in interim study, discuss red tape: Some Oklahoma lawmakers are keen on regulating independent political expenditures — also known as ‘dark money’ donations — used to influence state and local elections. An interim study of the subject in the House Elections and Ethics Committee discussed the dangers and possible solutions to a growing concern. [KOSU]
- Interim study focuses on ‘dark money’ in Oklahoma politics [Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
Nutrition program for women, infants and children to stay afloat through end of month: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is infusing $300 million into a key federal nutrition program to keep it running through October, while a government shutdown continues without an apparent end point. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Moms and kids could lose federal food aid if the shutdown drags on, food advocates say [Harvest Public Media]
Pentagon to shift research dollars to pay troops during shutdown: The Trump administration plans to send paychecks to active duty troops this week, despite Congress not passing legislation to allow it during the ongoing shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has refused to bring the House back into session to pass a stand-alone bill to provide pay for troops, welcomed the action during a Monday press conference. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Native American Day celebration draws crowd: ‘We have to work together’: Split among the Cherokee, Muscogee and Osage nations, the City of Tulsa has recognized the second Monday in October as Native American Day since 2017. [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa’s Native American Day highlights heritage and education call to action [News Channel 8]
OKC’s Indigenous Peoples Day event celebrates with cultural performances, city proclamation: Members of the community celebrated Indigenous Peoples Day on Monday, Oct. 13, at First Americans Museum with food, cultural performances, games and more. [The Oklahoman]
Bigfoot believers, those intrigued by mystery, share stories at Delaware Nation’s Anadarko festival: Tales of Bigfoot date back more than a century and continue to spark curiosity. Those wondering about the mysterious big hairy creature gathered at Randlett Park in Anadarko last Friday, during the Delaware Nation Bigfoot Festival, put on by the tribe’s cultural preservation department. [KOSU]
Opinion: We’re Still Here: Why It’s Still a Good Day to Be Indigenous: Yes, even now. Even after what we witnessed this past week when the White House issued a proclamation for Columbus Day and failed to acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Even with the return of a presidential administration that has made no secret of its disdain for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. And even though white nationalists continue to grumble at the idea of honoring Indigenous peoples at all—yes, it is still a good day to be Indigenous. [Levi Rickert / Native News Online]
Voting & Election News
OKC election today to decide historic $2.7B bond issue. See where to vote, sample ballot.: Oklahoma City voters are going to the polls today to decide the status of a historic $2.718 billion bond. If all categories receive a majority approval rating from the voters, it would set funds aside for 547 projects in 11 areas of the city. [The Oklahoman]
- Funding for film incentives, programs is part of OKC bond issue vote [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Oklahoma teacher certificates reinstated amid new State Department of Education leadership: The Oklahoma State Department of Education is addressing a backlog of teacher licenses left unresolved under previous administration, offering hope to educators affected by past decisions. [KOCO]
- Oklahoma Department of Education outlines projects to enhance state educational system [Fox 25]
Another Ryan Walters deputy has left Oklahoma State Department of Education: Todd Loftin, who served as a deputy chief of staff for the Oklahoma State Department of Education under now-departed state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, has left the agency. [The Oklahoman]
Tecumseh Public Schools closed for week after ‘credible’ school shooting threat: After a student was arrested for allegedly threatening to “shoot up” a Tecumseh school, all schools in Tecumseh Public Schools will be closed for the week, according to school officials. [The Oklahoman]
- Tecumseh student arrested after alleged threats to ‘shoot up’ school [Reuters via The Journal Record]
Criminal Justice News
Law may need ‘tweaking’ after Oklahoma inmate files for sentencing relief, officials say: A recent state law meant to provide some abuse victims sentencing relief in criminal cases may need tweaking, two of the measure’s authors said. Former House Majority Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, and Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, said a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling highlights potential loopholes in the Oklahoma Survivors’ Act in its utilization by inmates and interpretation by judges. [Oklahoma Voice]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Operation SAFE: right to due process, barriers to housing, and the efficacy of encampment sweeps: Last month, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt ordered a large-scale sweep of homeless encampments in Tulsa. Apart from concerns over rights violations, Homeless Alliance President and CEO Meghan Mueller said encampment sweeps may be counterintuitive when it comes to reducing homelessness in the long-run. [KGOU]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma investors weigh gold as prices break records: The gold rush has hit the country. So, should Oklahomans grab a gold pan, pick and shovel as gold prices keep breaking records? Is this a good time to invest in gold? [The Journal Record]
Community News
‘Happy to go home’: Oklahomans react with relief to Mideast hostage releases, ceasefire: A local rabbi and many of her congregants stayed up all night watching news reports on one television screen and reports from the Israeli press streaming on another screen until the moment they had been waiting for finally arrived and the last remaining Israeli hostages were returned to their homeland. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Big crowd attends community conversation with Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols [Tulsa World]
- Frontier Airlines returns to Tulsa with nonstop Denver service [The Journal Record]
- OKC Human Rights Commission in need of new members amid eviction crisis [The Oklahoman]
- Kingfisher Emergency Manager Ryan Deatherage resigns amid questions [KOCO]
Quote of the Day
“There’s no right to spend big money anonymously in the electoral context.”
– Elizabeth Shimek, senior counsel for the Campaign Legal Center, testifying remotely during an interim study on regulating independent political expenditures — also known as ‘dark money’ donations — used to influence state and local elections. Her statement came as a response to concerns expressed by some Oklahoma lawmakers about privacy and safety for donors and candidates. [KOSU]
Number of the Day
2.42%
The share of median monthly household income that Tulsa families spend on groceries, ranking the city 19th highest in the nation. Oklahoma City also falls within the top 50, highlighting that rising food costs are straining households across the state. [WalletHub]
Policy Note
Consumers Should Brace Themselves for Higher Food Prices: Tariffs on agricultural imports risk driving up grocery costs and triggering shortages — especially as U.S. trade policies strain long-standing supply chains. Distributors warn that importers will have to absorb higher costs, likely passing them along to consumers in the near term. Growing uncertainty over trade rules, retaliatory tariffs, and inflationary pressures means food affordability is becoming a more acute concern for low- and middle-income households. [Council on Foreign Relations]
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