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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
SQ 847 gambles with our schools and emergency services: After studying the ballot, weighing the risks versus reward, and considering my experience as a parent, land owner, first responder, and business owner, it is clear to me that I am a strong no vote on State Question 847. I invite you to support local control, not gamble with the futures of our schools and emergency services, and join me in voting no. [Read the full commentary from Daniel “Danny” Manuel, a retired firefighter, former 9-1-1 director, rancher and business owner from Ada]
Oklahoma News
As food aid enrollment drops nationwide, Oklahoma sees steep declines: Oklahoma continues to see steep declines in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment. Of all the states, Oklahoma is seeing the fourth-largest drop, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture data on participation. [KOSU]
- From OK Policy: The cost of cutting SNAP goes beyond the dinner table
State Government News
Stitt-tied PAC buys ads supporting Inola smelter ally: A political action committee associated with Gov. Kevin Stitt donated money to boost a county commissioner who has been behind local efforts to secure and support a controversial aluminum smelter project in Inola. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma lawmaker hopes to protect event venues, patrons from bot-powered ticket fraud: Lawmakers are looking to tighten up restrictions around online ticket resales. They heard from local stakeholders about the worsening issue and how to protect consumers from fraud. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
Trump’s DOJ sends 1,000 election monitors to 50 states; locations not yet disclosed: The U.S. Department of Justice plans to send election monitors to every state ahead of Election Day, expanding a long-standing practice that’s spurred concern this year among Democrats and voting rights advocates because of President Donald Trump’s push to influence elections. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma targets Dollar General in federal lawsuit with FTC, other states: The Federal Trade Commission and 20 states, including Oklahoma, have teamed up in a federal lawsuit that accuses the Dollar General Corp. of purposely charging more for products than the advertised price. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
10 Oklahoma-based tribes negotiating $22 million in federal grants for energy projects: The U.S. Department of Energy is negotiating more than $22 million in grants with tribal nations headquartered in Oklahoma. The money will fund planning and execution of energy projects. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Election Roundup
- Oklahoma election guide: Key midterm races, state questions for Nov. 3 [The Oklahoman]
- Early voting starts in Oklahoma. See voting locations, sample ballot, more [The Oklahoman]
- Early voting in Oklahoma is open through Saturday. Here’s what to know before heading to the polls [KOSU]
- Early in-person voting begins Wednesday; DOJ monitors not expected until Election Day [Tulsa World]
- Voting in Oklahoma’s 2026 midterms? Here’s what ID you need to bring [The Oklahoman]
- Republican gubernatorial candidate’s campaign loans near $13M [Oklahoma Voice]
- Mike Mazzei loans himself more money in the Oklahoma governor’s race [The Frontier]
- Mazzei, Munson release final campaign finances [The Oklahoman]
- Cyndi Munson needs rural Oklahoma support to pull off historic upset [The Oklahoman]
- Fact-checking Jon Echols and Nick Coffey in the Oklahoma attorney general race [The Frontier]
- Candidates pledge to improve consumer advocacy at Oklahoma Insurance Department [Oklahoma Voice]
- A look at what judicial positions will be on the Nov. 3 ballot [Tulsa World]
- Senate District 24: Cleveland County race features trio [NonDoc]
- Judicial candidate for Pottawatomie, Lincoln counties accused of rape in 2020, not charged [NonDoc]
- A week before election, Tulsa city councilor calls out dark money political attack ads [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- City leaders encourage Tulsans to vote ‘yes’ on increasing hotel guest tax rate [Tulsa World]
2026 ballot measures are written at a graduate-school reading level, report finds: This year’s statewide ballot measures are written, on average, at a graduate-school reading level, according to a new report. The readability of 2026’s ballot questions — which ask voters to weigh in on issues as varied as abortion, property taxes, voter ID and firearms — varies by state, political data tracking nonprofit Ballotpedia found in its newest Ballot Measure Readability Report. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: In U.S.’s 250th year, secret ballot matters more than ever: The political world has become very divided, as we all know. And that could be a problem if you’re doing something out of step with what others are doing — especially those who belong to the social groups that are important to you. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Justice System News
Rural Counties Face Hurdles in Tapping State Question 781 Money: Ten years after Oklahoma voters approved a pair of ballot initiatives to ease prison overcrowding and expand local diversion programs, lawmakers and court officials say there’s still work to do to accomplish the people’s will. [Oklahoma Watch]
Is America’s violent crime rate at a multi-decade low, as Sen. Lankford claimed?: Yes. Multiple analyses of FBI and Bureau of Justice Statistics crime data show the U.S. violent crime rate is near multi‑decade lows, with one report finding the rate to be the lowest since 1969. [Oklahoma Watch]
A String of Violence Rocked a Small Town Three Years Ago. Now, Funding Cuts May Cause More Problems In Wewoka.: District Attorney Erik Johnson worked with law enforcement agencies in Seminole County to curb shootings and arson through sweeps, drug stops and warrant services. Officials also started after-school programs to give children chances to develop. The efforts worked, and the town hasn’t seen a similar spike in crime since. Now the state has cut funding for those programs, and local police face budget cuts this fiscal year. [Oklahoma Watch]
Convicted killer who threatened Stitt cuts off GPS tracker, police say: A man convicted of murder was released from the Oklahoma County jail after he was accused of threatening to kill Gov. Kevin Stitt, and is now back in jail after failing to comply with a court order. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Rising prices squeeze more Americans ahead of pivotal midterm elections: Americans’ growing frustration over high prices has defined many political campaigns ahead of November’s midterm elections. [Oklahoma Voice]
Community News
Calling Tulsa seniors: Here’s what’s changing with your 2027 Medicare and Social Security benefits: Once you enter your 60s, federal programs you’ve been paying into your whole working life — like Medicare and Social Security — start seeing returns. Both are getting raises in 2027. Here’s what you need to know and where to go in Tulsa for help. [Tulsa Flyer]
Local Headlines
- Norman City Council approves ordinance restricting park activities, hires new city auditor [OU Daily]
- Edmond braces for data centers by developing new zoning district [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“We all know that (SQ) 781 is not going to be the sole answer to Oklahoma’s incarceration and the behavioral health needs that we have. But what we do know is that it’s an opportunity for system cohesion and an actual strategy that we can use to see positive outcomes.”
– Meagan Taylor, CEO of Diversion Hub, speaking during an Oct. 21 legislative interim study about the potential of State Question 781 to improve coordination across Oklahoma’s criminal justice and behavioral health systems. [Oklahoma Watch]
Number of the Day
$200 million+
Estimated state savings from reduced incarceration following the passage of State Question 780 in 2016. The voter-approved measure reclassified certain low-level drug and property offenses as misdemeanors rather than felonies, helping reduce Oklahoma’s prison population and associated incarceration costs. [Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform]
Policy Note
Investing in Justice: The Promise and Progress of Oklahoma’s SQ 781 Community Safety Fund: In 2016, Oklahoma voters approved State Questions 780 and 781 to reduce incarceration and invest in rehabilitation. SQ 780 reclassified certain low-level drug and property offenses as misdemeanors, while SQ 781 established a fund to reinvest incarceration savings into local mental health, substance use treatment, and rehabilitation programs. Together, these reforms aimed to address underlying drivers of crime, including economic hardship, limited access to treatment, and housing instability. Following their passage, Oklahoma saw reductions in both incarceration and crime, demonstrating that reducing incarceration can coincide with improved public safety. [Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform]
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