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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
Clemency Recommendation Rests With Stitt: Gov. Kevin Stitt has until Thursday morning to decide whether to spare Tremane Wood’s life. The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted 3-2 on Wednesday to recommend clemency for Wood, who was sentenced to death for the 2002 murder of Ronald Wipf at an Oklahoma City motel during a robbery. [Oklahoma Watch]
As many as 100,000 Oklahomans could be without health insurance by the end of the year: As many as 100,000 Oklahomans could no longer be able to afford health insurance by the end of the year, the state’s insurance commissioner warned. Premiums for Oklahomans covered by insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act will rise 29%, on average, said Glen Mulready, the insurance commissioner. In some cases, rates could triple, he said. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma mental health agency won’t be sanctioned for ‘halting progress’ with consent decree: A federal judge has rejected sanctions against Oklahoma’s Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for not fully complying with a consent decree. [The Frontier]
After colleague’s assault conviction, Oklahoma lawmakers weigh PTSD therapies for veterans: Three months after their colleague pleaded guilty to domestic abuse and assault, Oklahoma lawmakers are considering alternative treatments for veterans and first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health challenges. [The Oklahoman]
Questions remain over who drove a taxpayer-funded vehicle issued to an aide of Ryan Walters: Current and former Oklahoma State Department of Education officials refuse to discuss who has been driving a state-owned vehicle that traveled frequently to country clubs, visited Texas, parked at stores at odd hours and consistently returned to former state Superintendent Ryan Walters’ home address. [Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Live Updates: Senate takes a first big step to end government shutdown: The Senate took a first big step Sunday night toward ending the longest-ever U.S. government shutdown amid mounting pressure for Congress to act as Americans cope with halted food stamps and canceled flights weeks before the holidays. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Trump administration issues November SNAP benefits, then asks Supreme Court to intervene: The U.S. Department of Agriculture told states Friday it was releasing full November funding for the nation’s major food assistance program that helps 42 million people afford groceries, complying with a federal court order issued Thursday. [Oklahoma Voice]
- States told by Trump administration to ‘undo’ full SNAP benefits paid for November [Oklahoma Voice]
- Judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP in November [The Oklahoman]
- ‘These are our neighbors.’ OKC residents rally to help people waiting on SNAP benefits [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa’s seniors face tough decisions after losing SNAP benefits. Here’s one way to help. [Tulsa Flyer]
- Weekly rewind: Food on the Move event among options for Tulsa-area families in need [Tulsa World]
- OKC metro restaurants offer free meals to families losing SNAP during shutdown [KFOR]
- ‘If we don’t have community, what are we even doing?’ Super moms in Norman combat hunger [Fox 25]
Federal judge blocks Oklahoma law meant to rescue a major source of hospital revenue: U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick temporarily barred the state from enforcing House Bill 2048, a law passed in 2025 that prohibits drug manufacturers from denying, restricting or interfering with the acquisition or delivery of medicine purchased by hospitals under the federal 340B drug pricing program. [The Oklahoman]
New Trump administration rule would override state medical debt protections: A new Trump administration rule issued late last month would override state laws that prevent consumers’ credit reports from including medical debt, potentially weakening financial protections for millions of Americans. [Oklahoma Voice]
Some public universities report fewer international students amid Trump restrictions: Now, coming to the United States to study has become more difficult. President Donald Trump is back in office and taking a harder line on international students, arguing that they are taking university spots or jobs from American students, though some research shows international students help subsidize domestic students. [Oklahoma Voice]
Supreme Court OKs for now Trump passport policy that targets trans people: The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday allowed President Donald Trump’s administration to continue carrying out, for now, its policy requiring that passports only list a person’s sex assigned at birth. [Oklahoma Voice]
Supreme Court won’t revisit landmark decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide: The Supreme Court on Nov. 10 decided not to revisit its landmark ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, leaving undisturbed a decade old decision that some conservative justices oppose but that LGBTQ+ couples have relied on to legalize their relationships and create families. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
D.C. Digest: Lankford defends filibuster, opposes Argentinian beef imports: U.S. Sen. James Lankford reiterated his support for the Senate filibuster. “The filibuster rule is there to be able to force both sides to be able to … talk to each other,” Lankford told the Oklahoma Farm Report. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Success of tariffs depends on how they affect those who end up paying bill: Ronald Reagan warned that protectionism was a temptation we’d regret. He pointed to history — and he wasn’t wrong. Visiting tariffs on another country invites retaliation, and the next thing you know, markets dry up and prices rise. But Reagan was no pushover. When a foreign competitor dumped subsidized goods into our market or played fast and loose with trade rules, he used targeted tariffs. They were measured, temporary, and meant to fix abuse — not upend the system. [Former Oklahoma Rep. Mark McBride / The Oklahoman]
Tribal Nations News
Federal court denies preliminary injunction in Muscogee Nation case v. Tulsa DA: Federal District Court Judge Gregory Frizzell denied a motion for preliminary injunction filed by the Muscogee Nation which sought to prevent Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler from prosecuting non-member Indians in Tulsa County District Court. The ruling, from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, allows Kunzweiler’s office to continue prosecuting non-member Indians who commit crimes within the Muscogee Reservation and the county while the lawsuit continues. [NonDoc]
- Federal judge affirms Tulsa prosecutor’s right to charge non-Muscogee citizens on reservation [KOSU]
- Judge denies injunction request in Muscogee Nation tribal jurisdiction case [Tulsa World]
Native American Tribes Are Struggling in Wake of SNAP Uncertainty: As appropriations for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s funding remains uncertain because of the government shutdown, Native American tribes across the U.S. have been forced to step in with emergency funds to support families who rely on the federal aid. [Oklahoma Watch]
- Opinion: Who Gets Hurt When SNAP Benefits are Stopped? [Levi Rickert / Native News Online]
Oklahoma tribes urge Trump to reverse Native education cuts: In the closing minutes of the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma annual meeting on Thursday, members voted to urge the Trump Administration to reverse recent reductions in force impacting tribal education. [The Journal Record]
Muscogee Nation to open two new casino resorts in the next four months: The Muscogee Nation is preparing to open two casino/resort destinations — one at Lake Eufaula and one in Coweta — that will bring hundreds of new jobs and tens of millions of dollars in economic impact. [Tulsa World]
Where does sports betting stand in Oklahoma? A tribal gaming CEO chimes in: Sports betting — which is now legal in nearly 40 states following a U.S. Supreme Court decision seven years ago allowing it outside of Nevada — remains illegal in Oklahoma despite the state having more than 140 casinos. But the Muscogee Nation is prepared for when it does become legal, said Pat Crofts, CEO of the tribe’s gaming enterprises arm. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma AG tells wildlife agency to stop ticketing tribal members on tribal reservations: Attorney General Gentner Drummond has warned the state’s wildlife agency to stop enforcing state hunting and fishing laws against tribal members on Oklahoma reservations. [The Oklahoman]
Former speakers William Lowe, Lucian Tiger III win runoffs to return to Muscogee National Council: A pair of former speakers who led the Muscogee National Council won runoff races Saturday to reclaim elected office after being ousted by voters in prior cycles. [NonDoc]
Voting and Election News
5 things to know about State Question 836, seeking open primary elections: An initiative petition to change the state constitution, filed as State Question 836, would create an “open primary” system in Oklahoma, similar to what is now used for municipal elections. [Tulsa World]
Democratic Oklahoma lawmaker says he’ll resign to lead labor organization: Democratic state Rep. Forrest Bennett of Oklahoma City says he’ll resign his seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives after being elected president of the Oklahoma State AFL-CIO. [The Oklahoman]
Political notebook: McCall, Drummond ramp up the hyperbole: First former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall cut up a banana to illustrate his claim that Republican gubernatorial primary opponent Gentner Drummond is for minors having sex-affirming surgery. Now Drummond’s campaign says McCall is “an Obama Democrat who never changed.” [Tulsa World]
Capitol Insider: 2026 Oklahoma election cycle is underway: The Oklahoma general election is now less than a year away. On November 3rd, 2026, Oklahomans will go to the polls to vote for state house, senate, and statewide offices, congress, judicial positions, and more. But the first legislative seat of the cycle will be determined earlier, and that’s the special election in House District 35. [KGOU]
Education News
How school districts aim to help students missing school, and other education news: If kids don’t show up at school, they can’t learn, state Rep. Ellen Pogemiller says, so the Oklahoma City Democrat put together a legislative hearing examining the causes – and potential solutions – of chronic absenteeism. [The Oklahoman]
Flash Point: The state education budget and the ‘blue wave’ (video): State Superintendent Lindell Fields joins Flash Point to discuss state education budgets and his plans for changes at the state Dept, of Education. “Blue Wave” of recent elections nationally. [KFOR]
Opinion: It began as a rapid response to COVID. It’s grown into a powerful innovation: The need for programs like TFA’s Ignite Fellowship emerged during the pandemic. What began as a rapid response to disrupted learning has grown into a powerful innovation: connecting college students to classrooms through research-backed, high-dosage tutoring that accelerates learning and fosters belonging. [Sarah Park / Tulsa World]
Opinion: There is hope for Oklahoma’s public school system. Coalition offers ideas: The Advance Oklahoma’s Kids coalition has just published “Better Outcomes for Oklahoma Kids: B.O.O.K. 2030, Setting a Bold 5-Year Agenda for Oklahoma Education” in order to change the “narrative about public education.” The group’s recommendations for getting our schools back on track is based on scholarly research, the views of hundreds of people participating in community meetings, individual interviews with policymakers and education experts, and a public survey. [John Thompson / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
25-foot law enforcement buffer: What Oklahomans need to know about new law: Oklahomans will have to give law officers and other first responders a wider berth as the result of a law that became effective last week. House Bill 1597, by Rep. John George, R-Newalla, creates a new misdemeanor for bystanders who fail to back off at least 25 feet when ordered to do so by a first responder performing their duty. [Tulsa World]
ICE enforcement actions on state highways draw support from trucking industry, others: Recent actions in Oklahoma to stop and detain undocumented big rig truck drivers from countries ranging from Haiti to Uzbekistan have drawn support from the federal government and national trucking associations. [Tulsa World]
Legal roundup: Phil Albert release sped up, ‘chicken legs’ conviction affirmed, Greer County deputy charged: A former OU regent, state business leader prepares to leave prison, the 10th Circuit allows civil suit against Bartlesville officers to continue, a Tulsa DA responds to allegations in motion to disqualify, and more. [NonDoc]
She wrote a book about scandals in the rehab system. It all started in an Oklahoma court file.: Shoshana Walter never imagined she would uncover one of the biggest investigations of her career after being told to mine state court records for stories. Now the investigative reporter turned author is returning to the city where it all accidentally began — Oklahoma. [Tulsa Flyer]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahomans are 6th most cost-burdened when it comes to groceries: Stubbornly high inflation continues to hit consumers hard at the grocery store. Oklahoma is the sixth most cost-burdened state with households spending 11.8% of their income at the grocery store. [The Journal Record]
Operation SAFE has moved from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. Here’s how they compare, differ: Operation SAFE is a state-led initiative aimed at removing homeless encampments on state-owned property in Oklahoma. In late October, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced that Operation SAFE would expand to Oklahoma City. This comes on the heels of a September effort aimed at sweeping homeless encampments on state-owned property within the city of Tulsa. [KOSU]
QuikTrip, Williams among firms that funded homelessness report by Clutch Consulting: For the past two months, Tulsans have been told a group of local business leaders paid to have Clutch Consulting Group analyze the city’s network of services for the homeless and provide a plan for improving it. Last week, a few more details about the group trickled out. [Tulsa World]
- Program aimed at addressing homelessness could throw wrench in mayor’s tax proposal [Tulsa World]
Opinion: What are Oklahoma renters to do about water, mold or raccoons? Good luck if it’s fighting a landlord: When I moved to Oklahoma over a decade ago, I had no idea that state laws here give the upper hand to bad landlords and give tenants struggling with catastrophic issues — think raccoon infestations, flooding and mold — little recourse if repairs aren’t made. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
- From OK Policy: Gov. Stitt’s veto of Senate Bill 128 is a step backward for housing stability in Oklahoma.
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma soybean farmers among trade war casualties: Prices have dropped and sales have cratered for one of Oklahoma’s biggest agricultural exports, as China has purchased no soybeans from U.S. farmers since September. [NonDoc]
- Western economies falter under the Trump administration [High Country News]
‘Staggering’ economic impact expected in Muskogee with plans for Google data center campus: Google is set to build a data center campus in a third city in Oklahoma as it continues to compete in the race to expand capacity for artificial intelligence. [The Oklahoman]
Micro nuclear reactors could soon power the nation’s oil and gas exploration: With the electrification of oil and gas exploration increasing rapidly and oilfield jobs increasingly mechanized, drillers and oil field equipment companies are investigating — and investing in — small on-site nuclear reactors with footprints of as little as 10 acres or less, [Tulsa World]
Community News
Trump’s immigration push transforms outreach, operations for Tulsa groups: Tulsa-based organizations serving immigrant-communities have tailored the language used on their flyers and are more careful about the information they provide online and in their buildings amid President Donald Trump’s campaign to deport millions of people living in the country illegally. [Tulsa Flyer]
- From OK Policy: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary)
Opinion, Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols: To win the next decade, Tulsa must choose to invest: In 1979, as Tulsa debated whether to raise the sales tax to prevent cuts to essential services, then-Mayor Jim Inhofe said: “I’d much prefer, and it would be a lot easier, to be against it. But we can’t sit here and let Tulsa rot from the inside.” He understood something important: Strong cities require investment. [Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols / Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- As freezing temps move in, Oklahoma City homeless shelters add more beds [The Oklahoman]
- Water quality worries lurk underneath Oklahoma County’s work to plan new development [The Oklahoman]
- Disposal well linked to Caddo County saltwater leak said to have killed cattle, wildlife [KGOU]
- Three firms hired to pursue faster design, construction of Lake Texoma’s Roosevelt bridge [The Oklahoman]
- Habitat for Humanity rushes to repair new homes ransacked before Tulsa families can move in [Tulsa Flyer]
Quote of the Day
“What people don’t talk about is the trauma of food insecurity and the mark it leaves on you after that. It takes away your sense of independence. You don’t feel like an adult, and you feel helpless, wondering where your next meal is, or having to choose between that or keeping your water on. It’s traumatic.”
-Cici Isac, speaking at a rally to raise awareness about the nearly 700,000 Oklahomans who received food assistance through SNAP. When she first moved out on her own, she didn’t qualify for SNAP benefits and relied on a friend to feed her for an entire year. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
15.4%
The average share of Oklahoma households between 2021 and 2023 that reported being food insecure. Oklahoma was one of seven states (along with Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas) with a higher rate of food insecurity than the national average of 12.2%. [USDA]
Policy Note
Map the Meal Gap 2025: A Report on Local Food Insecurity and Food Costs in the United States: Food insecurity occurs when at least one member of the household lacks access to enough food for an active, healthy life because of limited money or other resources. It is often linked to one or multiple factors that lead to food insecurity, creating a cycle that can be hard to break. These factors can be related to household income, expenses, access to affordable health care, the surrounding social and physical environment, and barriers to opportunity. [Feeding America]
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