In The Know: Tulsa school closures part of statewide picture of enrollment decline | New immigration processing center opens in Edmond | Oklahoma lawmakers examine child safety and community violence in three interim studies

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.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Oklahoma lawmakers examine child safety and community violence in three interim studies (Capitol Update)   Three separate interim studies last week highlighted cultural violence or the way we deal with it. The House Criminal Judiciary Committee conducted an interim study on “child-sensitive arrest policies and practices in Oklahoma.” A second study in the House Criminal Judiciary Committee was presented by Rep. Sam Wargin Grimaldo, D-Oklahoma City, and focused on combatting community violence through intervention programs. A study in the Senate Judiciary Committee requested by Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, examined current “supervised visitation” practices in Oklahoma. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] OK Policy is hiring: Join our team as our new Southeast Regional Organizer   Our Regional Organizer helps OK Policy plan and run community-based advocacy campaigns that support our policy goals. This role is part of Together Oklahoma, OK Policy's grassroots organizing arm, and works directly with communities and partner groups across the state. The Southeast Regional Organizer must live and work in the Southeast Region. Deadline to apply is Oct. 18. [Learn More & Apply] Join us for Voices in Action — Turning community conversations into statewide change   This summer, we hosted listening sessions in towns and cities across the state to provide an opportunity for the public to have conversations with our fellow Oklahomans about issues that matter most in their communities. This October, we’re coming back to share what we heard in those communities and statewide, and to discuss ways we can use our collective power to make a difference on those issues.  Register Now 19.5%   Only 19.5% of Oklahoma's 77 counties met the recommended threshold of 50 full-time behavioral health providers per 100,000 residents. [Healthy Minds Policy Initiative] Policy Snapshot: Behavioral Health Workforce Shortages and State Resource Systems   As the prevalence of behavioral health conditions increases, so does the need for behavioral health care professionals. However, large caseloads, burnout and confusing or costly credentialing processes all contribute to a critical shortage of providers. Policy options to address the shortage include collecting data to better understand workforce gaps, using available resources such as the National Suicide Hotline and peer support specialists, removing barriers to entering behavioral health-related professions, and licensure restructures. [National Conference of State Legislatures] "Lawmakers have known for years that we need to strengthen Oklahoma's behavioral health workforce capacity. Now, they can see a clearer definition of the problem and focus on the geographic areas most affected."   — Brittany Hayes, senior vice president of policy at Healthy Minds, on new data showing most of Oklahoma's behavioral health workforce is part-time and concentrated in urban areas of the state. [KOSU] What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?   Oklahoma voters will head to the polls for a statewide general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Our election resource page covers SQ 845 and SQ 847, the federal and statewide races, judicial retention, key voting deadlines, and a link to your sample ballot. [OK Policy] Know what’s on your ballot before you vote: SQ 845 & SQ 847 Town Hall   The Nov. 3 general election is your chance to help shape Oklahoma’s future. Before you head to the polls, join the Oklahoma Policy Institute for a free, nonpartisan town hall that will explain the statewide ballot measures and answer your questions. [Learn More] RSVP for the Town Hall State Government News   Rep. Danny Williams could face punishment from Ethics Commission: Last Thursday, several motions were brought forward as possible repercussions for Representative Danny Williams’ alleged sexual harassment of several female staffers. [KFOR]   Federal Government News   New immigration processing center opens in Edmond; DHS Sec. Mullin calls immigrants 'customers': Federal authorities opened a new field office in Edmond on Monday. Officials say the goal is to improve the “customer experience” of immigration services while cracking down on fraud. [KOSU] DHS Sec. Markwayne Mullin defends ICE in Oklahoma shouting match [The Oklahoman] Trump to Hold Midterm Political Rally at Choctaw Nation Event Center in Oklahoma: The White House announced Friday that President Donald Trump will hold a political rally in Durant, Oklahoma, which is located within the Choctaw Nation, next Thursday, October 1. Thursday’s rally is in support of Republican nominee for Oklahoma governor Mike Mazzei, a former Oklahoma state senator and Tulsa businessman. [Native News Online] Midterm Oklahoma rally signals trouble for Republicans, Trump, experts say [Oklahoma Voice] Governors pledge to oppose federal overreach — even when their party runs Washington: Earlier this month, the bipartisan National Governors Association for the first time in over a decade updated its internal principles on federalism — the system of power sharing between Washington, D.C., and the states. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump administration revokes $810M approved by Congress for refugee aid and more: The Trump administration has, once again, infuriated lawmakers from both political parties by using a controversial maneuver to cancel funding previously approved by Congress. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Kickapoo chairman, tribal leaders under criminal investigation: Tribal police are investigating three of the tribe’s five-member business committee — Chairman Marlon Frye, Secretary Patricia Gonzales and Treasurer Chenille Suke — for alleged violations of tribal law reported on Sept. 24. Those allegations have not been disclosed. [KOSU]   Osage Congress introduces bill to require legislature's say on hyperscale data centers: Osage Nation Congresswoman Angela Pratt introduced ONCA 26-70 on Friday. It would require any Osage Nation governmental entity to consult the tribe’s 12-member legislature before approving any hyperscale data center on tribal territory. [KOSU]   Outgoing Eastern Shawnee Chief redefined leadership in her 20 years at helm of tribe in Oklahoma: Eastern Shawnee Chief Glenna Wallace built a presence on the tribe’s ancestral lands in Ohio, elevated its history and showed women it’s possible to lead a tribal nation in northeast Oklahoma. After 20 years as chief, she is passing the torch. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   What's on your ballot? Oklahoma voters face these tax questions, more Nov. 3: What will your city be deciding this fall during the November election in Oklahoma? The Nov. 3 election will give some voters a busy ballot, with races for federal, state and local office. [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma? | Know what’s on your ballot before you vote: SQ 845 & SQ 847 Town Hall Burden of proof: Nick Coffey, Jon Echols agree to attorney general debate: Democrat Nick Coffey and Republican Jon Echols have agreed to participate a general election debate at 5:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, as they compete to be Oklahoma’s next attorney general. [NonDoc]   Tulsa County Adds Two Early Voting Locations: Tulsa County is adding two additional sites for in-person early voting. Those sites will be in addition to two existing sites, for a total of four, each in a different quadrant of the city. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Opinion: Oklahoma farm crisis could reshape 5th District midterm race: Criticism from our members of Congress about the president's up-and-down, on-and-off tariffs hurting their markets, or his launching of a preemptive war against Iran driving up fuel and fertilizer costs has been ... shall we say, "muted?" But now it looks like the race for Oklahoma's 5th District seat ― the one covering much of Oklahoma City ― may be more in play than first expected. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]   Education News   Are religious charter schools constitutional? After deadlocked SCOTUS decision, another Oklahoma case is trying to find out: This yearslong controversy goes to the heart of questions about how much public aid is permissible to faith-based institutions under the First Amendment’s establishment clause, which forbids the government from making laws “respecting an establishment of religion.” [The Conversation]   Tulsa school closures part of statewide picture of enrollment decline: Amid the largest single-year decline in decades for Oklahoma public school enrollment, the state’s largest district announced the potential closure of 17 schools as it grapples with a long-term trend of decreases. [Oklahoma Voice]   As OU enrollment climbs, faculty find different ways to manage bigger classes: As OU grows toward its goal of 40,000 students, faculty are grappling with how to teach more students without diminishing the college experience. [OU Daily]   Parent group seeks to reduce screen time in Oklahoma schools: Technology is omnipresent in Oklahoma classrooms. In turn, a coalition of parents across the state is banding together to voice their fears and frustrations about too much screen time. [KOSU]   ODOT offers free STEM workshops, classroom kits for Oklahoma teachers: Oklahoma teachers can sign up for free workshops that provide training and classroom resources focused on science, technology, engineering and math as part of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s STEM Outreach Program. [News on 6]   Health News   A majority of Oklahoma's behavioral healthcare workforce is part-time, analysis says: For years, state policymakers have measured Oklahoma’s behavioral health workforce by counting a total number of licensed providers. But raw headcounts obscure how much of the workforce is actually available to treat patients. [KOSU]   Justice System News   The Frontier sues for access to records related to Tulsa jail deaths: The Frontier is suing the City of Tulsa and the private security contractor that ran the now-closed municipal jail for access to records related to deaths at the facility. A Frontier investigation in March found at least seven people had died from preventable causes at the city lockup since 2023. [The Frontier]   Group seeks citizen petition to impanel grand jury investigation of Steve Kunzweiler: The 30-page petition lists several areas of inquiry. The first, and perhaps most notable, is the request to investigate "legal advice" and "institutional failures" from 2022-2024 at the Family Center for Juvenile Justice. [Tulsa World]   ‘Serious lack of impulse control’: Tulsa County Judge Sharon Holmes reprimanded, retained: Saying she displayed “indefensible” conduct that “demonstrated a pattern of undignified behavior” and a “lack of impulse control,” five justices of the Oklahoma Supreme Court agreed to issue a public reprimand of Tulsa County District Judge Sharon Holmes on Monday. [NonDoc]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Sisu Youth Services launches program to prepare unhoused teens for workforce: Sisu Youth Services says the Workforce Readiness Academy Pilot program pairs career education with individualized job placement and one-on-one coaching to help teens in crisis find a new career. [Fox 25]   Economy & Business News   Oklahoma farmers could get temporary relief from dyed diesel enforcement: Governor Kevin Stitt is asking three Oklahoma state agencies to temporarily ease certain enforcement involving farmers and ranchers who use red-dyed diesel in highway vehicles, an effort he says will provide financial relief during harvest season. [News 9]   Local Headlines Tulsa Police Department swears Jonathan Brooks in as 42nd chief [Tulsa World] Hobart boil advisory remains in effect as city awaits water test results [News 9] ‘You’ve dragged your feet': Piedmont delays data center vote for fifth time [News 9] Council places Edmond city attorney on leave, reason unclear [NonDoc] Multi-million-dollar donation could help keep OKC's multipurpose stadium move forward [KOCO] OKC Pride seeks community help to cover $17,000 debt after vendor dispute led to bounced check [KOCO] Support Our Work with a Donation In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma’s state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. Detroit Ave #1005 Tulsa, OK 74120 United States  918-794-3944 | info@okpolicy.org okpolicy.org    Connect with us:   If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive emails from us, please unsubscribe.