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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
A look at the proposed settlement for federal mental health competency lawsuit (Capitol Update): The settlement appears to reflect the best in government and in private citizenship. The attorneys took on an unpopular cause, the AG cut through politics and resolved to settle the case, the governor and commissioner came to the table and made reasonable concessions while protecting the state’s interests as they saw them, and a former federal magistrate lent his skills for the public good. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
Gov. Kevin Stitt names new chief of staff: Gov. Kevin Stitt named pastor and former state lawmaker Tom Newell as his new chief of staff on Monday. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma governor names second new chief of staff in five months [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Gov. Stitt selects pastor, former lawmaker as 6th chief of staff [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board member steps down after investigation into ‘inappropriate activities’: A member of the Oklahoma Pardon Parole Board has resigned after an investigation into allegations of “inappropriate activities” while he served as a court program administrator in Pontotoc County. [The Frontier]
- Pardon and Parole Board resignations delay Oklahoma death-row inmate’s clemency hearing [Oklahoma Voice]
- Former Pardon and Parole Board member under criminal investigation; clemency hearing delayed [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Activists curse at OK County commissioners ahead of vote on mental health center funding: Oklahoma County commissioners approved an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department on Monday enabling them to spend nearly $40 million in federal pandemic relief funds to build a Medical and Behavior Care Center — after activists berated and cursed at them during a tense meeting. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma County commissioners move forward with controversial mental health facility [NonDoc]
- OK Co. Commissioners vote to secure federal funds for mental health facility at jail site [KFOR]
Proposed Lincoln County wind farm is drawing pushback, calls for better state regulations: A massive wind farm development facing local resistance in Lincoln County could lead to a push for legislative changes at the state Capitol. As Enel Green Power continues to press forward with plans for the 15,000-acre Cedar Run Wind Project, frustrated residents are pushing back. [Oklahoma Voice]
Thousands of Oklahoma chickens culled after bird flu detection: The bird flu is contagious and causes illness and death in domestic poultry. It was found in a commercial flock in Adair County on Nov. 30 and Lee Benson, an Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry spokesperson, said about 64,000 broiler breeder chickens were euthanized to contain the virus. [KOSU]
Oklahoma lawmaker wants some food dyes, other additives banned: Soda pop, frozen desserts and even baby foods that include a controversial dye as an ingredient are among products that could be banned from store shelves in Oklahoma under legislation proposed by a Republican state senator from Edmond. [Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
Trump tariffs: What are they? How will they affect me? What Oklahoma consumers should know: President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to implement severe tariffs when he takes office next month, a move that has stirred both optimism about American manufacturing and worries among consumers that prices to spike. [The Oklahoman]
Many Oklahomans still don’t have Real IDs ahead of May 7 deadline: After May 7, 2025, people who want to board passenger planes in the United States, even for domestic flights, will have to present government-certified Real IDs or some other form of federal identification, such as a passport. [Tulsa World]
GOP governors, including Stitt, urge reauthorization of Farm Bill, call 2018 bill ‘outdated’: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with governors from 16 other states, signed a joint letter Monday urging Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill and to provide “immediate financial assistance” to the agricultural sector. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Muscogee (Creek) Nation honored with Smithsonian display: The Smithsonian Institution preserves Native American history, and two artists and members of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation participated in an event to celebrate National American Native Heritage Month in November. [Enid News and Eagle]
Oklahoma schools get it right on reducing Native absenteeism: School efforts to help students have made the state among the best in the nation for Native student attendance. [ICT]
Education News
Oklahoma State University food safety project receives USDA funding: Oklahoma State University is getting almost $500,000 in federal funds to provide food safety training and technical support to small and medium-sized food businesses in the state. [KOSU]
Is OU nixing its language requirement? ‘Miscommunication’ leads to outcry from faculty, tribes: Panic spread among University of Oklahoma faculty members amid rumors over the last two weeks that students enrolled in the university’s largest college would no longer be required to take language courses. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Rent-To-Buy Company Has Big State Investment, Limited Customer Options: Berry-Rock Homes is one of several contract-for-deed companies filling a gap between landlords and regular mortgage lenders. But there’s a twist: One of its biggest investors is the state of Oklahoma, which put in $8 million in 2022. As lawmakers push affordable housing programs to the forefront, the state also benefits from what critics call predatory lending. [Oklahoma Watch]
Community News
Tulsa screenwriter breaks down new feature film “The Contract”: Actors may be the center of attention for any film, but it’s screenwriters like Tulsa’s own Hank Byrd who build the magic behind every scene. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- Nichols takes helm as mayor of Tulsa, creates new positions in administration [Public Radio Tulsa]
- How this Edmond grocery store responded to copper theft, leaving freezers inoperable [The Oklahoman]
- OKC band stepmom and art collective Factory Obscura team to create immersive ‘Profitopia’ [The Oklahoman]
- Solar project items tabled; court hearing postponed [Enid News & Eagle]
Quote of the Day
“This unilateral change to degree requirements will have a detrimental effect, whether intended or not, on already fragile endangered language communities in Oklahoma, and everywhere.”
-Toni Tsatoke-Mule, Kiowa Education Agency director, said in a letter to OU President Joseph Harroz regarding the miscommunicated announcement that University of Oklahoma students would no longer be required to take language courses. Tsatoke-Mule said the university’s Native American languages courses strengthen Kiowa language knowledge and speech among Kiowa citizens while fulfilling degree requirements. [The Oklahoman]
Number of the Day
47.9%
Only about 1,600 Oklahoma youth (47.9%) who were referred to Oklahoma’s youth justice system and had a final legal status in 2023 received diversion services. [OK Policy analysis of Oklahoma Juvenile Authority data]
Policy Note
Number of Young Offenders Receiving Diversion Offers Doubles in South Dakota: A 2023 bill that paved the way for higher payments to counties that keep kids out of the justice system has increased the number of diversion offers from prosecutors across South Dakota. The reforms were meant to avoid the harms associated with incarceration for children and offer more fiscally responsible alternatives. Locking up children costs considerably more than probation supervision or in-community programming. [Governing]
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