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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
Will Oklahoma data centers put downward pressure on rates or raise risks?: As tech giants eye Oklahoma’s affordable electricity for data centers, Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) tells regulators and customers that their presence could reduce bills. But confidential contracts and infrastructure costs raise the question of whether the grid can support large-load power users without shifting costs or reliability risks onto ratepayers. [The Oklahoman]
- Data center developer accuses PSO of favoring competitor in lawsuit [Tulsa World]
State Government News
How much is your PSO bill going up? We should find out this week: Average residential customers of Public Service Co. of Oklahoma will see a 3.55% increase in the rate they pay for electricity under a plan approved Nov. 5 by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. It wasn’t made clear during Thursday’s meeting how much of an impact the increase will have on overall monthly bills paid by average customers. In a Nov. 5 email, a PSO spokesman said impact figures were still being calculated and should be known this week. [Tulsa World]
Tolls to rise on state turnpikes: According to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, the cost for PikePass customers will rise by about a penny to total 8 cents on average per mile traveled on turnpikes systemwide. Officials said planned investments in the system, new routes to be added and the recent impacts of inflation required officials to adopt toll increases. [Tulsa World]
Judge denies DOJ bid to enter Drummond’s lawsuit against Inola smelter: A Rogers County judge has denied a request by a U.S. Department of Justice attorney to appear in Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s lawsuit seeking to block a proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter at the Port of Inola. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Judge Puts Oklahoma Proxy Transparency Law On Hold: A federal judge in Oklahoma City put a temporary block on a new Oklahoma law that restricts shareholder proxy advisory firms that recommend votes against company management. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma judges looking for outside help to secure competitive salary: Justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court plan to hire someone who can convince lawmakers and the governor that judges and court officers across the state should get a pay raise. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma launching fraud protection program: A growing problem that we all continue to see is scammers trying to take money. As fraudsters get more and more creative, the state is launching a new program looking to teach Oklahomans how they can avoid being taken advantage of through education. [The Oklahoman]
Hollywood to OKC: Three major films in production as industry sees surge: Oklahoma City’s film sector is experiencing an unprecedented surge, with three major film projects currently in production simultaneously in 2026. Oklahoma ranks 18th in the nation for film incentives, with proponents saying those incentives are a deciding factor for many movies choosing to come to Oklahoma. [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: According to a state analysis of filmmaking incentives, the film industry returned only 52 cents in Oklahoma tax dollars for every tax dollar spent on film incentives from 2017-2020 [A Better Path Forward]
Legal roundup: Nominees face votes, sheriff resigns; court tosses 2A challenge, larceny conviction: In the following legal roundup, you’ll find precedential decisions from Oklahoma’s Court of Criminal Appeals, a 10th Circuit ruling on former U.S. Jim Inhofe’s famous “midnight rider” and more. [NonDoc]
When will Oklahoma officials take their new offices?: As we leave the 2026 midterm elections behind, the newly elected officials prepare to take office at the start of next year. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Why did Mazzei insist on removing media from his OCPAC appearance?: One of Gov.-elect Mike Mazzei’s first actions the day after the election was to pay a visit to a very conservative, Christian organization called the Original Constitutional Principles Affecting Culture organization, or OCPAC for short. Whatever Mazzei had to say to this group was something he didn’t want to say in public. Members of the media attending an OCPAC luncheon billed as “Mike & Noel Mazzei — First OKC Post-Election Appearance” were directed to leave. As a member of the media whose job it is to report what public officials say and do, I hope this isn’t setting a precedent. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Oklahoma’s term limits give lobbyists too much power: Somewhere along the way, we decided that 12 years was long enough for a legislator to serve, but apparently 40 years isn’t too long for an agency head, bureaucrat or lobbyist to stick around whispering in somebody’s ear, telling them what to do. [Former state Rep. Mark McBride / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
How Oklahoma’s GOP lawmakers can stay influential in a Democratic Congress: Oklahoma’s federal lawmakers are facing a transition of power in Washington, DC, after Democrats swept the U.S. House and Senate, meaning the state’s Republican delegation must find ways to remain effective in the minority. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Lankford should lead fight to close foreign liquor loophole: The foreign liquor loophole lets hard liquor makers — especially those based in other countries — lower their tax bills substantially by altering the ingredients they use. Spirits are taxed on their alcohol content, and Section 5010 offers a tax credit for blending wine or alcoholic flavorings into the spirit. As a taxpayer, I find this utterly confounding. Why are we giving away massive tax credits to distillers to incentivize putting unnecessary additives into their products? [Retired Rear Adm. Greg Slavonic / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Tribal officials sound alarm over two threats that could shrink their authority over sacred sites: A federal agency and a group of legislators are proposing changes to the National Historic Preservation Act. Some tribal officials in Oklahoma say their ancestral and sacred land would be endangered. [KOSU]
Oklahoma tribal town town sues Kalshi amid prediction market contract dispute: A small Oklahoma tribe is suing one of the nation’s largest prediction market companies in an effort to invalidate a business agreement that they claim was not authorized by its governing committee. [Oklahoma Voice]
Voting and Election News
Why Oklahoma voters said no to taxes for streets, water and sewers: Cities, towns and counties around Oklahoma considered a number of proposed tax increases on Election Day, and most of them passed. But voters around the state also rejected taxes for street, water and sewer repairs, failures that local officials attributed to the lagging economy. [The Oklahoman]
OKC suburb mayor ousted over data center support. Many US cities do the same.: The ouster of Yukon’s mayor in last week’s election is the latest example of growing opposition to data centers and artificial intelligence throughout Oklahoma and the U.S.[The Oklahoman]
How did Oklahoma turn 6 House seats blue? 3 women are leading the party’s rebuild.: Oklahoma’s blue creep in Tuesday’s elections came from work that often went unseen. The state maintains its supermajority Republican stronghold, but three women were behind the effort to loosen that grip. [Tulsa Flyer]
Latino voters nationwide were a key part of midterm blue wave, but not so much in Oklahoma: Latino voters were instrumental in forming the national blue wave this midterm election. But available data suggests Oklahoma’s voting Latinos didn’t drive the same change as their counterparts in surrounding states. [KOSU]
Nov. 3 election results reveal trade-offs in Oklahoma’s congressional redistricting: Unprecedented mid-decade gerrymandering of U.S. House of Representatives districts did not work out too well for Republicans in last week’s general election. [Tulsa World]
- How Republican Rep. Stephanie Bice survived a Democratic-dominant midterm [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma lieutenant gov. elect on ‘blue wave:’ ‘Farewell, old friend’: Lieutenant governor-elect T.W. Shannon took on social media to respond to the “blue wave” that saw the Democrat party regain majority in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. [The Oklahoman]
Capitol Insider: Oklahoma General Election results show interesting trends: The 2026 General Election is over. And the big story nationally is a dramatic and unexpectedly large surge of Democratic wins. In Oklahoma – no surprise – it was the Republican Party that dominated statewide and House and Senate races. Republicans took every statewide seat, congressional seats and won all the contested state Senate races. Republican Mike Mazzei defeated Democrat Cyndi Munson and three independents to claim the governor’s race. [KGOU]
Opinion: Oklahoma stayed red as blue wave swept the nation. Here’s why.: Oklahoma remained high ground for the Republican Party in the Nov. 3 election, as a blue wave swept through many other states across the country, including formerly ultra-red Texas. Why was Oklahoma such an outlier? [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Oklahoma’s red wave has some blue ripples: While history doesn’t necessarily repeat itself, it often rhymes. “Oklahoma voters sent a clear message at the ballot box today, sweeping all statewide offices and reaffirming a supermajority in the state house,” crowed House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. “Despite the national trends, tonight’s results demonstrate that Oklahomans continue to believe in the conservative principles, priorities and leadership that have helped move our state forward.” The results indeed confirmed Republican candidates won every statewide contest and maintained a legislative supermajority. But just like Democrats’ denial last century, Hilbert’s spin cannot hide the fact the political times are, in fact, a changin’. [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
Opinion: Only ripples from the blue wave reached Oklahoma, but the GOP should acknowledge the erosion: Republicans may have emerged maintaining control of all statewide and federal offices and commanding supermajorities in the Legislature, but voters didn’t actually signal that they embrace the GOP’s “conservative principles, priorities and leadership.” In fact, I think they did the opposite. If Republicans are too shortsighted to recognize the as-yet small speck on the horizon is actually a freight train of doom hurdling toward, then they’re going to be in big trouble over the next decade. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Oklahoma school report cards show ongoing academic struggle, some bright spots: Evaluations of Oklahoma’s public education system found low rates of academic achievement in reading, math and science but promise in other areas. The Oklahoma State Report Cards released Thursday on oklaschools.com with a trove of data from the 2025-26 school year. [Oklahoma Voice]
- New Oklahoma public school grades show mixed results [KFOR]
- Fewer Tulsa Public Schools sites on F list as OSDE releases 2026 state report cards [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Five fewer Tulsa-area schools are on Oklahoma’s failing list. See where your school lands [Tulsa Flyer]
Health News
Time is ticking as officials warn about new Medicaid rules: Oklahomans have a tight window to demonstrate compliance for Medicaid ahead of the January rule change deadline. For months, the looming deadline has been on the minds of lawmakers and Medicaid recipients alike. President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill changes Medicaid by requiring significant eligibility and screening requirements, such as requiring certain adults to complete at least 80 hours of work or volunteer hours. [KFOR]
- From OK Policy: Oklahoma Policy Institute urges safeguards to protect SoonerCare coverage as state prepares for work requirements
What Oklahomans need to know about 2027 ACA health insurance enrollment: Oklahomans have until Jan. 15 to enroll in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Here is what you need to know about available plans, costs and federal policy changes before you select your coverage for 2027. [KGOU]
Opinion: How to help break the cycle of domestic violence: Breaking the cycle of domestic violence starts with the lessons young people learn today. Teaching children about respect, boundaries and communication early in life can help shape how they treat others as they grow. Caregivers and other trusted adults can reinforce these lessons through everyday interactions. [Kayla Woody / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: AI-assisted healthcare must remain physician-led: I am a family physician providing outpatient primary care in Tulsa, and in my practice, I use an ambient listening AI tool to facilitate more productive, complete and nuanced visits that allow me to be more present with my patients. Although AI is involved in the patient care environment, I am firmly in charge of providing care and communicating with my patients, which are essential functions of physicians. Active efforts in the U.S. exist, however, to remove the human element from direct patient care and allow AI technologies to provide healthcare services. [Dr. Ashten Duncan / Tulsa World]
Justice System News
Oklahoma County judge promises changes to bail system after concerns of constitutional violations: The Frontier and KOSU previously reported that judges in Oklahoma County routinely fail to consider whether defendants can afford bail, leaving poor and homeless people jailed on low-level charges. Other counties have already faced civil rights lawsuits. [The Frontier]
Southern Oklahoma sheriff removed from office after three-day trial: Jurors have found a southern Oklahoma sheriff guilty of oppression in office, leading to a court order to have him immediately removed from office. [The Oklahoman]
Judge lets Grand Jury Justice petition go on, leaves future challenge open to Tulsa DA: A judge on Friday allowed a petition that seeks a grand jury investigation of Steve Kunzweiler and his Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office to continue as organizers gather signatures until Nov. 19. [Tulsa World]
Former Oklahoma legislative aide put on probation for role in conspiracy: A former longtime legislative aide at the state Capitol has been put on probation for conspiring in 2025 with then-state Rep. Ajay Pittman to deceive the Oklahoma Ethics Commission with a falsified check. [The Oklahoman]
She survived abuse. Now she cares for her mom on the registry: More than two decades have passed since the crime that placed Brittany Gendron’s mother on the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registry. Gendron’s mother pleaded no contest to enabling abuse of a child and, as part of a suspended sentence, was ordered to spend 15 days in a county jail. At that time, a teenaged Gendron wanted nothing to do with her mother. Now, many years later, she is her mother’s caregiver. [The Oklahoman]
Race Massacre search season at Oaklawn ends for the year: The sixth field season in the ongoing search for unidentified remains of victims from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre at Oaklawn Cemetery has wrapped up for this year. Forensic experts and archeologists found 47 previously unrecorded burials this season. [KGOU]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Young home shoppers still priced out without help, according to survey: The age of the typical first-time homebuyer last year remained stuck at a historic high of 40 years old as younger people continue to get the worst of brutally high prices and interest rates in much of the country. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tulsa Housing Authority to begin welcoming tenants to affordable housing development: Tulsa Housing Authority officials on Friday announced the opening of the first two of six buildings at The Hilltop while construction of other buildings and amenities continues. The 106-unit complex offers a mix of subsidized units and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units, with 20 units dedicated to serving individuals who are exiting homelessness. [Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
OKC’s economic growth is masking the strain from inflation, economists warn: Economists in Oklahoma believe the state’s largest city will enter next year with strong economic momentum and a low unemployment rate, but regional business leaders face a complex environment that continues to be shaped by labor shortages. [The Oklahoman]
Community News
Mother Randle, last known survivor of Tulsa Race Massacre, celebrates 112th birthday: Dozens of friends and family gathered Friday night at All Souls Unitarian Church to celebrate the 112th birthday of Lessie Benningfield Randle, the last known survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre. The night was part celebration, part commemoration for Randle’s century-long fight for justice. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Local Headlines
- Former Senate leader Kay Floyd joins crowded race for OKC Ward 6 seat [The Oklahoman]
- Democratic wave could bring changes to Oklahoma County government [The Oklahoman]
- Edmond to pause massage parlor zoning after embarrassing operators [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa mayor’s State of the City address to be livestreamed Tuesday night [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa’s economic development authority has new look, new leadership and lots on its plate [Tulsa World]
Quote of the Day
“We seem to approach (state budgets) one year at a time, almost as if Oklahoma is going to close up shop next December. We ought to be looking five, 10 or even 12 years down the road. Roads, schools, infrastructure and other state responsibilities don’t operate on a 12-month calendar.”
-Former state Rep. Mark McBride, writing in an op-ed about how term limits have eroded institutional knowledge among lawmakers and Oklahoma elected officials. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
$255 million
The state needs an additional $255 million annually to keep Oklahoma’s roads and bridges system maintained to their current condition, according to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Officials noted highway construction cost inflation is significantly higher than inflation for everyday items. In 2021, $245 million would build and put shoulder on 100 miles of two-lane road, but today it would only cover 65 miles. [Oklahoma Voice]
Policy Note
Tools for Sustainable State Budgeting: State leaders must be able to assess whether their decisions will be affordable over the long term or will jeopardize their ability to solve state problems or even sustain programs and services in the future. Unfortunately, the nature of state budget processes discourages such long-term thinking. State policymakers devote much of their time to developing, enacting, and implementing annual or biennial budgets, a core government function and a prime opportunity for lawmakers to achieve immediate policy goals. [Pew Research Center]
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