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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
Addressing the complex needs for mental health services for people held in state’s custody (Capitol Update): In an opinion piece in the Tulsa World last weekend, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler expressed concern about a request for proposal by the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services seeking a private hospital vendor for 100 beds to move people who have already been tried and found not guilty by reason of insanity outside of the state-owned Oklahoma Forensic Center in Vinita. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Gov. Stitt orders Oklahoma DPS to invest in drone monitoring tech: The move follows a series of sightings of drones flying at night across the country and a Biden administration’s call for Congress to regulate them. [KOSU]
- Expert recommends tools to identify flying objects amid drone concerns [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma to obtain drone monitoring systems after mysterious sightings in other states [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma’s turnpike fees are increasing in 2025. Here are toll-free routes to Tulsa, other cities: With some turnpike fees increasing by as much as 20% next year, some drivers might be searching for ways to avoid Oklahoma’s pay-as-you-drive highways. [The Oklahoman]
- State lawmaker raises concerns, sends questions to OTA following rate increase approval [FOX25]
State Government News
Lawmaker proposes recall elections for state elected officials: An Oklahoma senator will be offering an alternative to impeachments: recall elections. [Tulsa World]
Industry expert testifies more poultry litter exported out of Illinois River watershed: Less poultry litter is being applied to land in portions of the Illinois River watershed while more is being transferred out since a trial on the issue concluded in 2009, an expert called by the poultry industry testified Monday. [Tulsa World]
Oklahomans likely to have cheaper natural gas bills this winter due to forecast: Natural gas bills are expected to drop by 3% this year as meteorologists expect mild winter weather conditions compared to last year, according to Oklahoma Natural Gas. [The Oklahoman]
Gov. Stitt to explore ‘unplugging’ Oklahoma from Southwest Power Pool grid: Oklahoma shares power with 13 other states in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP), which extends through parts of the central U.S. But that could change should Gov Kevin Stitt find reason to exit the organization. [Oklahoma Voice]
Education News
Tuttle, Moore, Yukon high schools threats all ruled hoax Monday morning: Tuttle, Moore and Yukon high schools went under lockdown Monday afternoon after a hoax school threat post showed the schools as potential targets. [The Oklahoman]
More Oklahoma college students are earning degrees. Here’s a look behind the numbers: More than 38,000 students earned degrees and certificates that year from Oklahoma public colleges and universities, up 2.2% from the prior academic year, according to a report issued to the Oklahoma State Regents of Higher Education. The number represents a 4% increase over the last five years and a 6.3% increase over the last 10 years. [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Kansas abortions rise 58% in 2023 amid tight restrictions in nearby states: Demand for abortion in Kansas skyrocketed by 58% during 2023 in response to near-total bans on the procedure in Missouri and Oklahoma and strict limits in other Midwest states. The number of out-of-state patients reached 15,111 in 2023. [Oklahoma Voice]
New Report: Low health care equity ranking in Oklahoma: — A new report shows Oklahoma ranking among the lowest in the nation for health care equity, and The Citizen Pottawatomie Nation says the results aren’t shocking. [KFOR]
OU Health Sciences leads clinical trial of device designed to induce ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: Physicians at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences in Oklahoma City are leading a national clinical trial over an investigational device to study if it can help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) struggling with infertility. [KGOU]
Criminal Justice News
Latest Oklahoma County jail death looms over two court cases on surprise inspections: The death of another inmate in the Oklahoma County jail — by apparent suicide, on Dec. 10 — shows the need for the state Supreme Court to mandate surprise health inspections, even though the jail had just had a four-day inspection starting on Dec. 6, the Oklahoma State Department of Health argues in a high court filing. [The Oklahoman]
State health inspectors gain access into Oklahoma County Jail: The Oklahoma County Jail opened its doors to state health inspectors earlier this month, but only after a court order. [KFOR]
Economy & Business News
Economic development creates strong, competitive labor market in Oklahoma: In the last few years, economic development has expanded in Oklahoma, creating a large job market across several industries. To recruit and retain talented, skilled workers, companies began implementing more competitive strategies, such as training, employee programs and pay increases. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa restaurateur warns of pricier wine due to Trump tariffs: A Tulsa business owner is warning about a coming spike in the cost of wine. [Tulsa Public Radio]
Community News
Tulsa Opera harnesses the healing power of music for memory care: Music is brought to The Grove and other retirement homes by Songs by Heart, a nonprofit trying to combat the negative experience memory loss has on many people as they age. Dani Keil helped start the Tulsa program in 2022. She said its live music therapy intervention has made real differences in the lives of Oklahomans. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Tulsa’s relative affordability attractive to movers from out of state [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma City’s Gold Dome one step closer to becoming a concert venue [KGOU]
- Legal challenge delays vote on Norman’s $1 billion entertainment district [KGOU]
Quote of the Day
“All of that ultimately ties back to the broader picture of access to care.”
-Lauren Bristow, Clinical Informatics and Health Programs Administrator for Citizen Pottawatomie Nation said about a new report that ranks Oklahoma among the lowest in the nation for health care equity. Details in the 2024 report show in Oklahoma, before the age of 75, there are nearly 700 deaths per 100,000 American Indian/Alaska Native adults, along with almost 30% uninsured. [KFOR]
Number of the Day
$12.56
The hourly mean wage for childcare workers in southeast Oklahoma’s non-metropolitan areas. Childcare employees here reported an annual mean wage of $26,130. [Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Policy Note
Child Care Centers That Pay Their Teachers More Are Less Likely to Have Staffing Challenges: Many child care providers struggle to hire and retain staff, which can limit families’ access to care. However, most states do not have data about child care staffing and enrollment on a large scale, which can limit their ability to understand and address challenges faced by providers and families. To ensure that families can access child care, federal and state policymakers could establish more reliable funding streams that allow providers to increase teacher pay, keep teachers, and remain financially stable. Without this support, centers with more limited finances and low teacher pay are more likely to lose teachers and turn families away. [Urban Institute]
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