OKPOLICY.ORG
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: An informed vote begins before Election Day: Oklahomans have strong feelings about politics. But just having an opinion isn’t the same as feeling prepared to vote. Each election asks voters to make choices that can shape their communities for years. But too often, people show up on election day unsure about what some options mean. Others stay home because they think their vote won’t matter, or they don’t feel informed enough to decide. But feeling unsure shouldn’t stop anyone from voting. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]
SQ845 Explained: Changing how we choose judges in Oklahoma (video): SQ 845 is presented as modernizing how we choose our top judges, but it would allow every member of the Judicial Nominating Commission to come from the same political party. It also removes restrictions designed to prevent conflicts of interest. [Cole Allen / YouTube]
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma voters to decide on State Question 847, which would change property tax cap: Oklahoma voters will weigh in on State Question 847 on Nov. 3, a proposal to lower property tax assessment caps that has sparked debate over its impact on homeowners, schools and local services. [KOCO]
- From OK Policy: SQ 847 Fact Sheet | SQ 847 Explainer Video
- Register for OK Policy’s Oct. 20 town hall on SQ 845, SQ 847
What is SQ 845? Measure would affect how top judges are selected: On Nov. 3, Oklahomans will be asked to alter a nearly 60-year-old process through State Question 845 by giving the governor slightly more power in selecting judges, including by adding more members of their party to the nominating commission. [The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: SQ 845 Fact Sheet | What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma helped fast-track a massive immigration detention center. Now questions are mounting over conditions inside: The state Department of Corrections earns millions to monitor operations at the privately run Diamondback Correctional Facility for compliance with ICE standards and to “perform other administrative functions.” But the state won’t release the contract outlining its responsibilities as detainees and attorneys report problems with staffing, medical care and access to lawyers. [The Frontier]
- From OK Policy: CoreCivic profits from incarcerating our loved ones and exploiting rural towns. Oklahomans have the opportunity to push back.
State Government News
State office building to reopen after multi-year, $70M renovation: After three years and $70 million of renovations, state leaders announced Wednesday that the Jim Thorpe Office Building on the Oklahoma State Capitol Complex is reopening. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma lawmakers weigh creating board to lead cold case investigations: A bill to improve the review process for solving cold cases will take effect on Nov. 1. During an interim study Tuesday, lawmakers evaluated Oklahoma’s cold case and missing persons accountability framework and considered ways to improve investigative processes. [KOSU]
Long Story Short: Portal Meltdowns, Abortion Lawsuits, and State Question 847 (podcast): An exploration of the fallout after Oklahoma’s voter registration portal crashed on deadline day, leaving prospective voters stranded, and a breakdown of a landmark lawsuit filed by an Oklahoma mother over the state’s abortion ban a legal challenge echoing across the nation. Also, an examination of State Question 847, a proposed measure to reduce assessment caps for property tax purposes. [Oklahoma Watch]
Federal Government News
Oklahoma Senator calls on Trump to rescind diesel deal with Russia: Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-OK, joined a bipartisan group of senators Wednesday calling on President Donald Trump to rescind oil dealings with Russia. [KOSU]
Social Security benefits increase will hit 3.6% in 2027: The Social Security Administration announced on Wednesday that recipients will receive a 3.6% increase in benefits in 2027. The cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, will begin for 72 million Social Security beneficiaries in January. It will apply for Supplemental Security Income, or SSI, recipients beginning on Dec. 31. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Cherokee Nation launches Period Project to put feminine hygiene products in schools on reservation: The Cherokee Nation formally launched its Period Project on Tuesday, which plans to put feminine hygiene products at sites in 85 school districts across the reservation. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Election Roundup
- Supreme Court retention: Voters consider Justices Richard Darby, Travis Jett, M. John Kane IV, Dana Kuehn [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals: 4 judges up for retention on Nov. 3 ballot [NonDoc]
- Data center backlash set to sway midterm elections [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma governor’s race remains a statistical tie, poll finds [The Journal Record]
- Stacey Abrams speaks at OKC luncheon, rallies behind Cyndi Munson [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma shares new details about white powder sent to state election board: Officials say white powder sent to the Oklahoma State Election Board three weeks before the general election was a harmless substance. The envelope prompted the board to evacuate its office on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and renewed questions about election security. [The Oklahoman]
Education News
Education Watch: Charter Board Rejects Jewish School Proposal, Again: By all accounts, people expected Oklahoma to green light the nation’s first religious charter school this week. The chairman of the Statewide Charter School Board certainly did. After the motion to authorize Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School failed by one vote, he seemed stunned. He took a moment to double check. [Oklahoma Watch]
Judge orders Oklahoma board to reconsider former Norman teacher’s license revocation: Oklahoma’s top school board has been ordered to reconsider its decision to revoke the teaching license of a former Norman High School teacher who posted a QR code in her classroom linking to a library catalogue containing banned books. [Oklahoma Voice]
University of Tulsa will consider adding graduate programs: Speaking Wednesday afternoon to the Tulsa Rotary Club, TU President Stacy Leeds said that the university is taking a second look at all of its post-undergraduate programs as part of a push to increase its enrollment from 4,000 students to 10,000 over the next decade. [Tulsa World]
Justice System News
Oklahoma parole board rejects clemency for man sentenced to die in Andrew murder case: James Pavatt is scheduled to be executed Nov. 12 for killing his girlfriend Brenda Andrew’s husband in 2001. His attorney argued there was no credible evidence Pavatt was the shooter, and the jury foreperson said he now questions the death sentence. [The Frontier]
- Inmate moves closer to execution after Oklahoma board denies clemency request [Oklahoma Voice]
- James Pavatt denied clemency, set for execution Nov. 12 in Oklahoma [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board votes against recommending clemency for James Pavatt [KGOU]
Community News
Black Queer Tulsa celebrates Pride with dance, art and conversation: Phillips Theological Seminary hosted its fourth Pride at Phillips event Tuesday night. The celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, done in partnership with Black Queer Tulsa, coincided with National Coming Out Day and Tulsa’s Pride celebrations in October. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Local Headlines
- Oklahoma City leaders detail plans to quadruple passenger traffic through Will Rogers Airport [KOSU]
- Landmark pedestrian bridge planned along Oklahoma River ahead of 2028 Olympics [The Oklahoman]
- ‘Fear of the unknown’ delays Edmond zoning change near I-35 [The Oklahoman]
- Edmond plans boutique hotels, more public art for downtown [The Journal Record]
- A split vote and abstention kills Tulsa City Council’s latest push to create a public safety oversight office [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- Ceremony in Tulsa celebrating new U.S. citizens marks full-circle moment for one [Tulsa World]
- Broken Arrow police chief put on leave; investigation expected to begin next week [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“It was almost as if Oklahoma had invented corruption. Every time a national publication wrote an article about judicial corruption, it seemed as if they cited Oklahoma as ‘Exhibit A.’”
– Former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice William Berry recounting the 1965 scandal that shook the state’s judicial system and drew national attention. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
$150,000
The amount former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice N.S. Corn admitted accepting in bribes to influence the court’s decision in a 1957 case. Corn also admitted paying two fellow justices $7,500 each to secure a majority ruling. [Oklahoma Bar Association]
Policy Note
How the Judicial Nominating Commission works: Prior to 1967, judges on Oklahoma’s highest courts were elected. They ran campaigns as politicians, raising money and making campaign promises. In 1967, in the wake of a massive scandal, voters chose to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to establish governor-appointed judges and create the Judicial Nominating Commission. [Court Facts]
You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail.
