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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
Shropshire’s sudden departure from DHS (Capitol Update): It was a surprise to see that Deborah Shropshire, M.D., has resigned as director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services after less than two years in the office. She joined DHS in 2014 and was appointed director by Gov. Kevin Stitt in January 2023. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update]
Oklahoma News
‘Driver’s privilege card’: Task force on work permits, visas offers recommendations: Creating a new “driver’s privilege card” for undocumented migrants and an office to help them navigate state and federal laws are among the recommendations expected from a governor’s task force. [Tulsa World]
- New Recommendations To Okla. Lawmakers On State Work Permits And Visas For Migrant Workers [News9]
- Oklahoma task force recommends undocumented immigrants be allowed to obtain driver’s licenses [KOCO5]
- New spotlight on the benefits of legal immigration [FOX25]
State Government News
Oklahoma medical marijuana industry calls out OMMA for licensing backlog: Kyle King said he’s invested $100,000 into Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry, hoping to become a licensed grower. After over a year of waiting on the state’s regulatory agency to approve his ownership, he’s now considering taking his business to another state. [Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
Congressman Tom Cole concerned Americans don’t understand enormity of Ukrainian conflict: An issue splitting the Republican Party and to some extent the Oklahoma congressional delegation is a matter of far greater magnitude than most Americans realize, 4th District Congressman Tom Cole fears. [Tulsa World]
The huge stakes in the Supreme Court’s new abortion case: Oklahoma v. HHS could potentially blow up much of Medicare and Medicaid if the justices decide to wild out. [Vox]
Tribal Nations News
USDA warehouse changes lead to commodity delays: Tribes nationwide are reporting delivery delays on federally provided food packages after a spring consolidation of all U.S. Department of Agriculture warehouses into one. The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations works as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, often called “food stamps” or SNAP. [ICT]
- Senators urge USDA to fix tribal food program ‘crisis’ [The Journal Record]
Cherokee National Holiday through the years: The Cherokee National Holiday is held each Labor Day weekend in Tahlequah and celebrates the Sept. 6, 1839 signing of the constitution of the Cherokee Nation. [Cherokee Phoenix]
Senator seeks updated formula for tribal law enforcement funding: A week after attending a roundtable with the nation’s top law enforcement official and tribal leaders, U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, is urging the head of a federal department to change the funding formula for tribal law enforcement. [ICT]
Leaders weigh in on Tim Walz’s work with tribal-state relations: The Minnesota governor became the first governor in state history to visit all 11 tribal nations in 2023. Leadership from all 11 tribal nations in the state signed the letter of support, citing Walz’s commitment to tribal-state relations. [ICT]
Settlement reached in lawsuit over eagle feather at Broken Arrow graduation: A lawsuit stemming from an altercation over an eagle plume at Broken Arrow High School’s 2022 graduation ceremony has been settled and dismissed. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Oklahoma election today: What’s on the ballot? Primary runoffs, hotel tax and more: Oklahomans head to the voting booth Tuesday to decide local issues like taxes, school bonds and legislative seats. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday. The EMBARK bus, RAPID and OKC Streetcar services will be free on all routes to help registered voters make it to the polls. What’s on Tuesday’s ballot? Here’s what to know about Oklahoma’s Aug. 27 election: [The Oklahoman]
- To find your polling place or see sample ballots, visit the OK Voter Portal [Oklahoma State Election Board]
- Four legislative races to be decided in primary runoff elections on Tuesday [The Oklahoman]
- Republican candidates for Oklahoma Senate seat debate ahead of runoff election [OU Daily]
Tulsa Mayoral candidates make final pitches ahead of Tuesday’s election: It’s time to vote. For many Tulsans — the busy, the disengaged and the uncertain, to name just a few — that means it’s time to decide: Who should lead the city as mayor for the next four years? [Tulsa World]
- Big changes in store for Tulsa city leadership, regardless of who wins Tuesday’s elections [Tulsa World]
Education News
Attorneys for student who sued Ryan Walters over pronouns rule ask for summary judgment: Attorneys for a Moore Public Schools student who sued state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education over an administrative rule that prevents the student from changing their pronouns in school records have asked a Cleveland County judge for summary judgment in the case. [The Oklahoman]
School districts across Oklahoma asking voters to approve $250M during Tuesday’s election: From Hinton to Purcell, Guthrie to Wynnewood, Oklahoma public schools leaders are asking voters for improvements across their districts. [KOCO5]
Shawnee Public Schools superintendent placed on leave amid OSDE investigation: Superintendent Aaron Espolt was notified last week that the agency was conducting the investigation, but OSDE did not provide the district with any details regarding the investigation. [KOCO5]
- Shawnee school superintendent placed on administrative leave during state investigation [The Oklahoman]
Who Is Ryan Walters? | From Oklahoma Teacher To Secretary Of Education To State Superintendent: A look at Ryan Walters’ rise to Oklahoma’s top educational job, from his days as a ‘teacher of the year’-nominated educator in McAlester to his role as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education to Walters’ current position as State Superintendent. [News9]
Teachers resist Bible mandate as students return: Oklahoma’s Bixby school district has lots to show off for a fast-growing Tulsa suburb: a state-of-the-art new high school set to open by 2025, a new ninth-grade gymnasium and plans for a $12 million upgrade to a football complex that already rivals that of many small colleges. But, what the district does not have as students returned this week is a Bible in every classroom. [AP via Journal Record]
Criminal Justice News
OU professor to lead study of ‘crime and safety’ in Lawton: The study will entail “a thorough investigation into crime trends, contributing factors, and potential preventive measures tailored to Lawton’s unique context. The university will collect data from sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Lawton Police Department and the Comanche County Sheriff’s Department. [Southwest Ledger News]
Police officers are starting to use AI chatbots to write crime reports. Will they hold up in court?: Oklahoma City’s police department is one of a handful to experiment with AI chatbots to produce the first drafts of incident reports. Police officers who’ve tried it are enthused about the time-saving technology, while some prosecutors, police watchdogs and legal scholars have concerns about how it could alter a fundamental document in the criminal justice system that plays a role in who gets prosecuted or imprisoned. [AP via Enid News & Eagle]
Oklahoma court brings additional murder charge against Stacy Lee Drake: Prosecutors allowed the Canadian County case to be added to the double homicide case because the crime happened as a result of a “pattern of criminal offenses.” [5NEWS]
Haiti arrests a suspect in the May killings of Oklahoma couple: Police in Haiti have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting of a U.S. missionary couple and a Haitian man who headed a nonprofit in an attack by gunmen earlier this year that stunned many in the troubled Caribbean country. [AP via Journal Record]
Authorities investigating Cleveland County jail inmate death: Authorities said a Cleveland County jail inmate died Sunday at an area hospital after an apparent suicide attempt. At 11:55 p.m., Daniel Edward Freeman, 58, was declared dead at Norman Regional Hospital. [The Oklahoman]
Judge dismisses lawsuit brought after Norman baker Shannon Hanchett died in custody: A federal lawsuit filed in January against the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, Turn Key Health Clinics and three medical professionals for allegedly contributing to the death of beloved Norman baker Shannon Hanchett, 38, has been dismissed. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
In Oklahoma Eviction Court, it’s Women with Children First: Women represent about six in 10 eviction filings in Oklahoma County, according to Shelterwell, an Oklahoma City-based housing stability organization. The narrow demographic of Black women tenants with children, however, represents 28% of eviction filings nationally. According to Shelterwell, of tenants surveyed while facing eviction in Oklahoma County court, 63% were women, 70% were non-white, 61% were households with children and 92% said they were behind on their rent. [Oklahoma Watch]
Community News
Nonprofit aims to connect 1,000 churches with Oklahoma foster families who need help: The 111 Project is a nonprofit that helps churches find tangible ways to help children in foster care. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Civil rights leader, Fairview Baptist Church minister the Rev. John A. Reed dies at 86 [The Oklahoman]
Quote of the Day
“Statistically, when outcomes aren’t good for a white man, they’re going to be slightly worse for a white woman, worse for a black man and worse than ever for a black woman.”
-State Rep. Forrest Bennett, D-Oklahoma City, said about the racial and gender disparities in eviction court often attributed to low-wage jobs, childcare costs, single parenthood and wage gaps. [Oklahoma Watch]
Number of the Day
$8,768
Average annual cost in 2023 for toddler care at an Oklahoma childcare center, while the cost for toddler care at a home-based center was $7,627 per year. [U.S. Department of Labor] | [Interactive county-by-county map]
Policy Note
How New Mexico made child care free for most families: In August 2021, New Mexico dramatically expanded its child-care subsidy program to include families earning up to 400% of the poverty line. The state has also waived all co-pays, making child care free for qualified families. Approximately 70% more New Mexico families are now eligible for free child care. When coupled with its other new policies — including permanent funding and higher provider pay — advocates say New Mexico is a model in early childhood education. [High Country News]
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