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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
Is Oklahoma ranked among the worst states for child welfare?: Oklahoma ranks No.46 in child well-being according to the latest report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, reflecting bottom-10 rankings across the domains of economic well-being, education, health, and family and community. [Oklahoma Watch]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma ranks 46th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, highlighting lawmakers’ misplaced priorities
Long Story Short: Education Department Releases Student Test Scores (podcast): Jennifer Palmer’s latest story dives into the recently released student test scores from the spring. Keaton Ross discusses a recent interim study on the issue of dark money spending in Oklahoma elections. Jennifer Palmer talks about the newly appointed Lindel Fields, who replaced Ryan Walters and is set to serve the remaining 15 months of his term. [Oklahoma Watch]
State Government News
Lawmakers and health experts discuss plan for impact from Medicaid cuts: Oklahoma state lawmakers are working to get a jump on cuts to the state’s Medicaid funding before the Trump Administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill” goes into effect. The cuts will put the squeeze on the state’s budget and many of the hospitals Oklahomans rely on every day. [KFOR]
OK Supreme Court gives new superintendent 2 weeks to decide on Ryan Walters’ Bible mandate: The Oklahoma Supreme Court is giving new state schools Superintendent Lindel Fields two weeks to decide if he wants to withdraw his predecessor’s June 2024 mandate concerning teaching the Bible in classrooms and halt the Oklahoma State Department of Education’s attempt to buy Bibles for those classrooms. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court asks for update on Ryan Walters’ Bible edicts [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority responds to ‘LOFT’ report findings: The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) reports the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is $3 billion in debt, with the ACCESS Oklahoma project possibly tripling that amount to nearly $10 billion. Monday, Oklahomans for Responsible Transportation held a press conference to discuss the report. [KFOR]
Federal Government News
US airports, including OKC, refusing to play Kristi Noem shutdown video at TSA checkpoints: A video of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the ongoing government shutdown began airing in some U.S. airports last week, according to Reuters. But several airports don’t plan to show the video, including in Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Office of Special Education Programs experiences layoffs, no expected cuts to IDEA funds: All but two staff members from the Office of Special Education Programs have been released from their duties at the federal level, according to a memorandum shared by the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [Fox 23]
- OSDE: special ed funding intact, but mass U.S. Department of Education firings pose challenges [KFOR]
Sen. Mullin attends posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom presentation for Charlie Kirk: Slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday. U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, was invited to the ceremony at the White House. [KOCO]
Opinion: Does blaming and bashing bring about solutions? We need statesmen in Congress: What we need in Washington, DC, right now, are statesmen (or perhaps “statespersons”). What do they look like? Would we know them if they stepped up? [Jim T. Priest / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Muscogee Nation opens traffic court in Jenks: Tulsans needing to handle a Muscogee Nation traffic ticket are getting a break with the opening of the tribe’s first local traffic court. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma City passes $2.7 billion bond package, Little Axe voters reject new high school and more: Oklahoma voters in 27 counties cast ballots in an array of elections Tuesday, including the largest bond package in state history in Oklahoma City, which passed easily. [KOSU]
- OKC GO bond: Voters extend property tax for $2.7 billion package of projects [NonDoc]
- OKC’s historic $2.718 billion bond passes, will fund 547 projects [The Oklahoman]
Nick Coffey first Democrat to launch 2026 attorney general campaign: Citing a desire to target corruption and keep elected officials “in check,” former Assistant U.S. Attorney Nick Coffey became the first Democratic candidate to launch a 2026 campaign for attorney general of Oklahoma today. [NonDoc]
- Former Assistant US Attorney Nick Coffey announces candidacy for Oklahoma attorney general [KOCO]
Five Republicans, one Democrat running to fill vacancy in Oklahoma House: Six candidates entered the race to fill an Oklahoma House seat left vacant following a lawmaker’s resignation. The special primary election to fill House District 38, which covers parts of Pawnee, Payne, Creek, Noble and Osage counties, is set for Dec. 9. If a primary runoff is needed, it is set for Jan. 13. The general election is set for Feb. 10. [Oklahoma Voice]
Updated Oklahoma campaign finance system will launch in two weeks: Guardian 2.0, which provides public access to candidate expenditures and contributors, was initially set to launch Oct. 1 but was delayed for “final adjustments” and to ensure data was accurately converted between the old and new software systems. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Popular online learning platform needs $3.4M to survive, Oklahoma officials say: Oklahoma’s newest state education agency is asking the Legislature for an extra $3.4 million to secure the future of a popular online platform that provides dozens of Oklahoma school districts with Advanced Placement classes. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Free Medicare assistance program for open enrollment: On Wednesday, Medicare Open Enrollment will be available for Oklahomans, but did you know there’s a free program that can help you ask questions about coverage options? [KFOR]
Criminal Justice News
Former Seminole County investigator flagged in federal Giglio letter for theft, use of narcotics: In District 22, a southeast Oklahoma judicial district plagued with misconduct from officials and and strained criminal justice infrastructure, a drug task force leader fired from the district attorney’s office for allegations of theft and narcotics abuse subsequently investigated cases for the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, which ultimately spurred the DA to reissue a series of disclosure letters, accept three plea deals and make a change to his leadership team. [NonDoc]
Attorneys ask judge to fine the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health for lack of progress on reforms: Plaintiffs claim the state agency has provided false information about progress on promised reforms, leaving people with severe mental illness languishing in jails for months without treatment. [The Frontier via KOSU]
- Plaintiffs in mental health case ask court to fine state $10,000 a day [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing?: This year, Florida enacted a measure, sponsored by Calatayud, allowing multifamily residential development on land that is both owned by a religious institution and occupied by a house of worship, so long as at least 10% of the new units are affordable. Some housing advocates believe the zoning override has the potential to unlock roughly 30,000 parcels statewide. [Oklahoma Voice]
Community News
Fifth and largest search for Tulsa Race Massacre graves begins at Oaklawn Cemetery: The fifth and largest Oaklawn Cemetery excavation related to the city’s search for unmarked burials from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre began Tuesday. This phase of the project is expected to cover about 1,900 square feet and extend previous excavations near the southwest corner of the cemetery. [Tulsa World]
- More Tulsa Race Massacre victims could be found as city begins fifth grave excavation [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa firefighters, city at impasse over contract negotiations [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa celebrates Native American Day with messages of unity and tribal sovereignty [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Tulsa, OKC symposiums to focus on employment law [Tulsa World]
- Kingfisher County commissioners accept emergency manager’s resignation [KOCO]
Quote of the Day
“But what if it’s not ‘us versus them.’ What if it’s only us? What if we’re all in the same boat, bailing out water and sharing the rudder instead of bludgeoning one another with oars? Which approach makes the ship sink and which makes it sail?”
– Jim T. Priest, discussing the need for genuine statesmen in Congress. He described statesmen as being able to compromise without abandoning principle — a skill that’s increasingly absent in Washington. He added that in a democracy as diverse as ours, meaningful progress depends on finding common ground. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
$400 Million
The estimated daily cost of lost compensation for furloughed federal employees during the 2025 government shutdown. The total daily economic toll is likely much higher when factoring in broader ripple effects across the economy. [Congressional Budget Office]
Policy Note
What the Federal Shutdown Means for States and Localities: When the federal government shuts down, many programs and grants that states and localities rely on are paused — forcing delays in project funding, cutting back on shared services, and straining local budgets. Localities may have to step in to maintain critical functions like transit, infrastructure, and social services, sometimes without assurance of federal reimbursement. Over time, the revenue shortfalls and operational disruptions can erode capacity and shift costs upward for residents. [Governing]
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