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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
Another Oklahoma case may be heard by U.S. Supreme Court: Another Oklahoma case may be in line to be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. It involves the appeal of an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board cannot enter into a contract with the St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual Charter School. [KGOU]
Political notebook: Oklahoma state reps offended by Tinker’s Coming Out Day: Several Republican state House members, including Clay Staires of Skiatook, protested Tinker Air Force Base’s observation of Coming Out Day “and the affirmation that homosexuals are ‘born this way.’” [Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
D.C. Digest: Oklahoma delegation honor Israel, silent on civilian deaths: Oklahoma’s congressional members had plenty to say about Israeli victims of last year’s October attack by Hamas but not much about the retaliatory attacks that have killed the tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians and eroded support for the United States’ leading Middle East ally. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Driven by Native Americans, Oklahoma’s workforce on the rise: A new report shows that Oklahoma’s labor force participation rate has exceeded the national rate for the first time in decades. According to the Oklahoma City branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, as of August, Oklahoma had a labor force participation rate of 63.1%, while the nation’s rate was gauged at 62.7%. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Tribes recognize that politics doesn’t belong in feeding hungry children: While the state already had student eligibility information and adequate staff for the summer nutrition program, tribal nations either started from scratch or had to significantly expand. This had to happen within about 90 days. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
State Question 834: One-word change debated as noncitizens already ineligible to vote: Voters will decide a state question on the Nov. 5 general election ballot that is intended to clarify that only U.S. citizens are qualified to vote in Oklahoma. Supporters say State Question 834 is necessary to preserve the integrity of elections, while critics say it functionally does nothing except encourage fear-mongering with political rhetoric. If you thought noncitizens already are ineligible to register to vote, you’re correct. [NonDoc]
- Oklahomans to consider election law change in State Question 834 [Oklahoma Voice]
- What to know about two Oklahoma state questions on the November ballot [The Oklahoman]
- OK Policy Fact Sheets: SQ 833: Public Infrastructure Districts | SQ834: Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment
‘This will not be tolerated’: Americans grapple with AI influence on elections: This year’s election marks the first amid the rapid rise of AI, and that has regulatory agencies, elected officials and voters on alert — ahead of November and beyond. [News 21 via NonDoc]
Election round-up
- Dean Martin challenging Democrat Dossett to flip back Senate District 35 [Tulsa World]
- Schreiber, Banks again contesting midtown Tulsa state House seat [Tulsa World]
- Journalists to ask questions to Tulsa mayor candidates on stage Oct. 22 [Tulsa World]
- Keith campaign for Tulsa mayor digs at Nichols’ voting record in Legislature [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Study indicates shifting elections for school boards increases turnout: A recent interim study examined the possibility of holding elections for school boards at the same time as state and national elections are held. While there will be various interest groups and politicians weighing in with their thoughts on this, it prompted me to wonder if any social science research has been conducted on this issue. [James Davenport / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Never paid any mind to Oklahoma’s judicial retention votes? A dark money group wants you to now: There’s been one – and only one – Oklahoma governmental body that we’ve been able to count on to restore sanity and stay out of the day-to-day political brawls and power struggles playing out in the state Capitol. The Oklahoma Supreme Court. So I guess it was only a matter of time before a group of conservatives took a whirl at dragging our highest court into the muck with the other branches of state government. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Budget estimate for Oklahoma’s Promise scholarship program rises as more students apply: Citing an expected growth in the number of students participating in the college scholarship program, state higher education regents have approved a funding estimate of $73.1 million for the upcoming 2026 fiscal year for Oklahoma’s Promise. [The Oklahoman]
The last two Oklahoma Teachers of the Year are back at school with a new lesson plan: Rather than going back to their classrooms, the State Teachers of the Year for 2022 and 2023 are drawing from their experiences in those roles to provide support for other educators. [Tulsa World]
Why Oklahoma’s top public education official aims to bring bibles into classrooms (audio): Oklahoma’s top education official has made headlines for mandating Bibles in each classroom but once upon a time he was a high school teacher who enjoyed dissecting racy HBO dramas with students. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Walters, Isett ask for a jury trial in KFOR lawsuit and deny most of station’s claims: State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and his spokesman, Dan Isett, have asked a federal judge for a jury trial after being sued by Oklahoma City television station KFOR for being barred from the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting room and from subsequent news conferences held by Walters. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Education in Oklahoma is at a critical point. Support systems are failing: The state of education in Oklahoma is at a critical juncture. While some may argue that our public schools are failing, it is rather the systems that fund and support our public schools that are failing. It is time to address these issues head-on and work toward real solutions that will benefit our students, educators and communities. Considering this climate, I offer three factors I believe we must address. [Katherine Bishop / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Tulsa Birth Equity Initiative celebrates 5 years with new name, expanded reach: Black women served by OKBEI doulas now experience preterm birth rates nearly identical to those of White women in Tulsa County—an outcome that showcases the power of community-based, culturally competent care. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Millions of pounds of meat products from Oklahoma recalled over listeria concerns: Almost 10 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat and poultry products are being recalled from an Oklahoma facility. The products were made at BrucePac in Durant from June 19 to Oct. 8 and shipped to restaurants, vendors and stores. [KOSU]
Anti-opioid vending machines still available in Tulsa despite end of state program: The vending machines that the state introduced in hopes of helping curb opioid overdoses might be gone, but in the Tulsa area, similar machines will still be available. Officials with Tulsa’s Health Outreach Prevention Education Inc. said demand for its privately funded machines is only expected to keep growing at its new clinic location. [Tulsa World]
Criminal Justice News
OKC police and fire to get more drones amid questions of need and concerns over privacy: Oklahoma City’s police and fire departments are getting more drones to assist with emergencies, but not without questions about the level of need for the high-tech equipment and how its usage impacts civil liberties. In a 5-3 vote last week, the Oklahoma City Council authorized a cost increase of more than $856,000 to purchase 10 drones and accessories to be docked at fire stations. [The Oklahoman]
OKC Mayor Holt posts reaction after Saturday’s deadly shootout at SW OKC event center: The sheer number of victims ― at least one dead and more than a dozen injured — makes a Saturday morning shooting stand out, but gunfire isn’t uncommon in the neighborhoods and commercial sectors around SW 59 and S Agnew Avenue, an area of small post-World War II homes and mostly dilapidated businesses. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma plans to put convicted child murderer Kevin Underwood to death Dec. 19: Nearly two decades after Kevin Ray Underwood murdered his 10-year-old neighbor, he’s the next Oklahoman scheduled to be killed by lethal injection. [KGOU]
Afghan terrorism suspect in Oklahoma City had CIA tie, according to media reports: The Afghan national accused of an Election Day terrorist plot reportedly worked for the CIA before coming to the United States in 2021. The CIA has not commented. [The Oklahoman]
Former juvenile justice center employee waives preliminary hearing on sex-related charges: A former Tulsa Family Center for Juvenile Justice employee charged in connection with criminal behavior towards minor detainees waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Friday. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Low-income Renters Have Little Recourse Against Bad Landlords: According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Oklahoma has more than 4 million people; 34.9%, or 1.23 million, live in rentals. While most rental units conform to health and building codes, many of Oklahoma’s most vulnerable renters risk retaliatory measures, including eviction, if they report extreme disrepair to city officials. [Oklahoma Watch]
Tiny home village for Tulsa’s chronically homeless set to open its doors: Once completed, Tulsa’s Eden Village will have 63 tiny homes, a community center where wrap-around services will be provided, and other amenities. Residents pay $350 a month and can stay as long as they want — so long as they follow the rules. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Oklahoma legislators are ignoring urgently needed anti-poverty measures: Oklahomans must accept responsibility for the condition of our state. Instead of voting along party lines, residents should consider the cost of electing politicians who ignore the real problems in our state. [Tiffany Tagbo / The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
4,900 manufacturing jobs gone in nine central states since the start of the year, survey says: Central states ranging from Minnesota to Arkansas have lost 4,900 manufacturing jobs since the start of the year, including a loss of 1,700 jobs in Oklahoma, a regional survey said. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Advocates speak up for Afghan refugees in Oklahoma after terror plot arrest: Despite the alleged role of an Afghan national in a thwarted terror attack, the state of Oklahoma has no reason to second guess the prominent part it played in a nationwide resettlement effort of Afghan evacuees, local refugee advocates say. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma State University students rally for Palestinians: Oklahoma State University students gathered for a week of pro-Palestine events, even after Gov. Kevin Stitt condemned them. [KOSU]
Opinion: Oklahoma City is uniquely positioned to be the Silicon Valley of social enterprise: Oklahoma City is uniquely positioned to be the Silicon Valley of Social Enterprise. On the one hand, it has a strong entrepreneurial culture that animates its economic landscape; on the other, it touts some of the most distressing statistics across critical social issues. By embracing social enterprise, Oklahoma can become a global leader in a field that represents the future of capitalism, economics and democracy. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Journalists at local newspapers understand the responsibility of free speech: Take a few moments and pause to appreciate the work of your local newspaper. Reflect on the times the local newspaper covered local events, helping you commemorate the good and bad times we experience together. In the same way, celebrate an important part of our republic and a founding principle of democracy ― a free and independent press. [Mark Thomas / The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Former OKC Councilman Larry McAtee has died at 87. He served Ward 3 for 20 years [The Oklahoman]
- Groundbreaking ceremony held for Broken Arrow amphitheater [Tulsa World]
- Making Tulsa’s airport modern and truly international. Updates on $160 million in projects [Tulsa World]
- Here’s what’s open, closed on Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2024 [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“Oklahomans shouldn’t have to risk housing instability or homelessness simply for asking for habitable conditions in their home.”
-Sabine Brown, OK Policy Senior Policy Analyst, speaking about the state’s lack of protections for renters who raise issues about health and safety concerns in their rental. [Oklahoma Watch]
Number of the Day
38
Number of federally recognized Tribes in Oklahoma. [Tribal-State Policy 101 / OK Policy]
Policy Note
The Long Path Toward Establishing Indigenous People’s Day, a Day to Honor and Recognize the First Peoples of America: This Monday, October 14, many Americans will celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day by recognizing the history and contributions of Native peoples. President Biden’s administration has officially recognized Indigenous Peoples’ Day since 2021, but it is not yet a federal holiday. Thus, for the fourth year in a row, the United States will officially observe Indigenous Peoples Day alongside Columbus Day. However, The Indigenous Peoples’ Day Act, reintroduced in Congress on October 2, 2023, would potentially designate the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day nationwide. [National Museum of the American Indian / Smithsonian Magazine]
- Indigenous Peoples Day Schedule of Events [First Americans Museum | Oklahoma City]
- Greater Tulsa Area Indian Affairs Commission to Host 8th Annual Native American Day Festivities Oct. 14 at Dream Keepers Park [City of Tulsa]
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