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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
“Reimagining Youth Justice in Oklahoma” report release (video): OK Policy’s new report, “Reimagining Youth Justice in Oklahoma,” provides a data-driven examination of Oklahoma’s youth justice system and suggestions for reforms. During this release event, OK Policy’s report co-authors Youth Justice Policy Analyst Jill Mencke and Data Analyst Polina Rozhkova presented about the report findings and recommendations. The event concluded with a community conversation about youth justice in Oklahoma. Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma Executive Director Xavier Graves moderated the conversation with BerThaddeus Bailey, Managing Director of My Brother’s Keeper; Jess Eddy, Chief Development Officer for Live Free Oklahoma City; and Beth Svetlic, Assistant Executive Director of Youth Services of Tulsa. [OK Policy / YouTube]
- To read the report and find additional resources, visit OKPolicy.org/ReimaginingYouthJustice.
Oklahoma News
Oklahoma lawmakers revisit increasing Sales Tax Relief Credit during interim study: Lawmakers took a closer look at the Sales Tax Relief Credit in Oklahoma and how it could be improved during an interim study on Wednesday. [Fox 25]
- Lawmakers study Oklahoma Sales Tax Relief Credit [Journal Record]
- From OK Policy: What’s that? Sales Tax Relief Credit
- From OK Policy: Modernizing the Sales Tax Relief Credit will cut taxes for those who need it
State Government News
New traffic cameras installed in Tulsa aren’t for law enforcement purposes, officials say: Some new traffic cameras being installed in the Tulsa metro area are meant to help motorists monitor traffic conditions, state officials say. [Tulsa World]
Turnpike authority ends offer to build frontage roads along toll road in Norman: The debate over whether to build frontage roads and interchanges as part of a controversial toll road in Norman is apparently over with the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority notifying the city the project is moving forward. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: Walters’ Bible mandate lawsuit, private school tax credit report, Nov. 5 Election and more (audio): The panel discusses a lawsuit against State Superintendent Ryan Walters mandate to put Bibles in every classroom, a new report on Oklahoma’s private school tax credit showing barriers for families and the U.S. Supreme Court agreeing to hear Oklahoma’s challenge to an EPA decision to move lawsuits to a Washington, D.C. court. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
USPS changes could have outsized impact on rural Oklahoma communities: The U.S. Postal Service is proposing changes to reduce costs and enhance service, but some lawmakers have voiced concerns about the impact on rural communities. [KOSU]
Control of the House could reshape Oklahoma’s influence: While Oklahoma’s current members of Congress are unlikely to be defeated in the upcoming general election, control of the House of Representatives is a toss-up, and the outcome could challenge Oklahoma’s influence on Capitol Hill. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tribal Nations News
‘We have persevered’: Biden will apologize for Native American boarding school history:
For the first time in history, a sitting U.S. president is set to apologize to Indigenous communities for the role the federal government played in the atrocities Indigenous children faced in the federal Native American Boarding School system. [Oklahoma Voice]
- ‘Cycle of abuse’: Tribal leaders react to expected apology for Indian boarding schools [Fox 25]
- Biden to issue landmark apology over Native American boarding schools [NPR]
- President Biden to apologize for 150-year Indian boarding school policy [Associated Press]
- In Arizona speech, Joe Biden will apologize for US abuses in Native boarding schools [USA Today]
Cherokee Nation awarded $32 million infrastructure grant for Delaware County highway: Cherokee Nation has been awarded $32 million in funds by the U.S. Department of Transportation, as part of the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant program. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
PAC with reported links to Oklahoma governor wades into judicial retention fray: A political action committee that has reported ties to Oklahoma’s Republican governor has joined another group in asking residents to vote against retaining three Oklahoma Supreme Court justices on the Nov. 5 retention ballot. 46 Action has spent at least $239,648 to run ads against Justices Yvonne Kauger, James Edmondson and Noma Gurich, according to a report filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Gov. Stitt-linked dark money operation spends $240,000 to oust Supreme Court justices [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma counter terrorism group monitoring for threats to election security: The director of an Oklahoma counter terrorism group said Thursday that the group has no active concerns about threats to election security following the arrest of an Oklahoma City man accused of plotting an Election Day attack. [Oklahoma Voice]
What issues are most important to Oklahoma voters ahead of November? We asked five: The Oklahoman talked to five voters from across the state about the concerns defining their vote this year. Meet a first-time voter worried about school gun violence and a pastor turning to God before filling out his ballot. Get to know a retired teacher trying to bring positive change to rural Oklahoma, a Comanche Nation citizen working to make sure Native voices are heard, and a school staffer increasing access to education. [The Oklahoman]
Election Roundup
- Fuxa, Grellner trade barbs in Senate District 21 debate [NonDoc]
- Race for Oklahoma House District 63: Candidate Interviews [KSWO]
- Tulsa mayoral candidates make their final pitches to voters [The Frontier]
- Tulsa mayoral candidate Karen Keith’s “No Call, No Show” at Black Radio Station Causes Stir [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Listen to the Tulsa World’s mayoral forum with Karen Keith and Monroe Nichols [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa Council District 2: Archie, Reisdorph share similar ideology on community issues [NonDoc]
- Early voting starts in Oklahoma soon: Here’s where and how to vote early in 2024 election [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: As Election Day nears, don’t live in echo an chamber. Broaden your news diet: The onslaught of information likely will leave us feeling bewildered. But as we consume news over the next month — and beyond — let us broaden our news diet and seek out the information that will allow us to make informed decisions about our communities, leaders and world in this fast-changing media landscape. [William McKenzie and Chris Walsh / The Oklahoman]
Editorial: Upcoming election deepening tensions to point of another Jan. 6 insurrection: As Election Day nears, so are fears of political violence. Nearly four years ago, fueled by misinformation and anger, a mob attacked the U.S. Capitol in an unprecedented assault on democracy. [Tulsa World]
Education News
Oklahoma attorney general removes state Board of Education’s lawyer after dispute: Attorney General Gentner Drummond has dismissed the Oklahoma State Board of Education’s attorney, whom he accused of having a “brazen disregard” of his staff’s legal advice. [Oklahoma Voice]
- State Board of Education attorney swap leaves members hesitant to vote [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma attorney general boots Board of Education counsel after friction over executive sessions [KGOU]
- State Board of Education agenda put on hold after AG punts outside attorney [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma AG ousts Board of Education lawyer; Ryan Walters, members hit brakes in response [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Public School board member defends promotion of anti-immigrant rhetoric: A Tulsa Public Schools board of education member is defending her recent comments characterizing immigrant students as a potential security threat to other pupils and district employees. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Don’t let ‘dark money’ group damage the rule of law. Vote to retain Oklahoma judges: Just weeks before the upcoming election, a well-funded campaign was launched asking Oklahoma voters to remove three of our state Supreme Court judges when they go to the polls on Nov. 5. The Oklahoma Constitution makes it easy to remove appellate judges by submitting them to a retention vote every six years. Just 50%, plus one, of those who vote on retention is enough to remove a judge. Yet, we have NEVER voted to remove one. Why are we being urged to do so now? [Lawrence K. Hellman / The Oklahoman]
- From OK Policy: Judges on the 2024 ballot in Oklahoma: What you need to know.
Health News
Whooping cough is on the rise in Oklahoma: physicians say this is what you need to know: Whooping cough cases have nearly quadrupled nationwide since last year. Oklahoma is seeing those impacts, with 232 cases reported this year as of last week compared to seven in all of 2023. [KGOU]
Oklahoma City Community College hosts opioid awareness panel: On October 22, Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) hosted a panel discussion on opioid addiction and awareness, drawing in more than 150 attendees eager to engage with experts on this pressing issue. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: Residents in several states trying to modify abortion laws. Why not in OK?: On Tuesday, 10 states across the country will have voter initiatives on the general election ballot that if approved would protect or expand abortion rights. Oklahoma, with one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, is not one of those states. Why not? I’ve been asking a lot of people this question, and the reasons are not entirely clear. [William Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Watch Frontier: New video examines Oklahoma jail contractor (video): The latest episode of The Marshall Project’s Inside Story video series takes a look at Oklahoma-based jail health care provider Turn Key Health Clinics. The company is now rebranding to the name TK Health. The Frontier and The Marshall Project published a joint investigation in July into the company. [The Frontier]
Cleveland County Sheriff Hinders Jail Deaths Investigation: A recent string of in-jail deaths has prompted an investigation by Cleveland County officials. The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) believes that the Sheriff’s lack of action has stalled investigation efforts. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma eviction rates approach all-time highs (video): OETA talked about a new report from Shelterwell that showed Oklahoma City’s high eviction rate. [OETA / Oklahoma News Report]
Economy & Business News
$2.5 billion Vinita theme park to be delayed years, but developers say they are still all in: The initially planned 2026 opening of $2.5 billion Disney-like theme park in Vinita likely will be pushed back at least three years, but developers insist the massive project is still a go. [Tulsa World]
- Massive $2 billion Vinita theme park project is delayed [KOSU]
North Tulsa development project moves another step closer to implementation: Another important step forward has been taken in a community-led effort to redevelop 56 acres of prime real estate in north Tulsa. A community development corporation named Greenwood Legacy Corp. has been established to oversee the implementation of the Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan, the city announced Thursday. [Tulsa World]
Community News
The 2024 resident survey for OKC is in. What stayed the same? What should improve?: In a first for Oklahoma City’s annual resident survey, the issue of homelessness was ranked as the top choice for “most important” priority this year, while long-held satisfaction with the city as a place to live and work — and well-known dissatisfaction with the conditions of its streets — remain. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Former Oklahoma County detention officer arrested again on new charges [Fox 25]
- Tri-City Collective Awarded Press Forward Grant [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Price Tower owner suing Frank Lloyd Wright conservancy a month before auction begins [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“It is not a lot, but it could make a difference by raising the income eligibility for people like me who work for some of the year but later become unemployed. And if the amount was also increased, families at a time when they needed help the most could actually have a helping hand, not a handout, to help them get through really hard times.”
-Talisha Hood, a lifelong Oklahoman who testified at a recent interim study about the impact of Sales Tax Relief Credit. Lawmakers studied a proposal that would increase it to help low- and moderate-income Oklahomans. [Journal Record]
Number of the Day
<10
Very few youth (fewer than 10 cases) of the 8,500 referrals to the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs in 2023 were adjudicated specifically for mental health treatment needs. This low number might indicate a gap in addressing mental health issues within the juvenile justice system. [OK Policy analysis of OJA data]
Policy Note
The War On Kids: How American Juvenile Justice Lost Its Way (Book Summary): In The War on Kids , Cara Drinan reveals how the United States went from being a pioneer to an international pariah in its juvenile sentencing practices. Academics and journalists have long recognized the failings of juvenile justice practices in this country and have called for change. Drinan chronicles the shortcomings of juvenile justice by drawing upon social science and legal decisions. It maps out concrete steps that states can take to correct the course of American juvenile justice. [Criminal Law and Criminal Justice Books / Rutgers University]
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