In The Know: Lawmakers call for Rep. Danny Williams to resign over sexual harassment allegations | Doctors, hospitals to see lower Medicaid payments in three dozen states, including Oklahoma | More

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.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) 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 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 43%     Of the nearly 1 million Oklahoma children and adults who are enrolled in Medicaid, more than 2 in 5 (43%) live in rural areas. [KFF] Medicaid Coverage Supports Rural Patients, Hospitals, and Communities   One in seven Americans live in rural areas and rely on rural hospitals and health systems for the health and well-being of their communities. The importance of rural hospitals cannot be overstated, as individuals who live in these communities face greater challenges in accessing health care due to a number of factors, including a lack of affordable coverage options, geographic isolation and a shortage of health care providers. Medicaid, which covers 16.1 million people in rural communities, plays a vital role in addressing these barriers and sustaining rural hospitals so they can continue to support patients and their communities. Cuts to the Medicaid program, such as those enacted by Congress, will have a devastating impact on rural hospitals and patients. [American Hospital Association] “It means that more of these hospitals, (and) a few nursing homes that are wrapped up in our academic medical centers, are going to start limiting the numbers of Medicaid patients that they see. It’s going to make it more difficult for people who are on Medicaid to get essential care.”   — Debra Lipson, an independent health policy researcher, speaking about the implications of new federal rules that will force three dozen states to reduce their annual Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals. The report estimated that the 17 states with the highest provider reimbursement rates — which includes Oklahoma — will have to cut their spending by between 10% and 25% of their overall Medicaid budgets. [Oklahoma Voice] From OK Policy: H.R. 1’s hidden costs: What the federal megabill really means for Oklahoma State Government News   Rep. Danny Williams censured for ‘substantiated allegations of sexual harassment’: After reviewing conflict of interest concerns and “substantiated allegations of sexual harassment,” the Oklahoma House Rules Committee censured Rep. Danny Williams this morning for “disorderly behavior” and recommended that the full House also publicly reprimand him. [NonDoc] Oklahoma lawmakers call for representative's resignation amid sexual harassment, conflict probe [KOSU] Oklahoma House lawmaker faces sexual harassment allegations. Committee recommends he resign. [Oklahoma Voice] Lawmakers call for Rep. Danny Williams to resign over sexual harassment allegations [The Oklahoman] Allegations of state lawmaker's sexual harassment, other misconduct detailed [Tulsa World] Oklahoma legislators ask if power grid can keep up with energy demand: Questions were raised at the capitol Wednesday morning over the strength of Oklahoma’s power grid. Energy demand is increasing as technology grows, and more of those controversial data centers come online. [KFOR]   Oklahoma energy secretary steps down, deputy to take over: Oklahoma’s energy secretary will be stepping down effective Oct. 3 and replaced with the deputy secretary, Gov. Kevin Stitt announced on Thursday. Jeff Starling, who has served as energy secretary since 2024, told Oklahoma Voice that he will have more information next week on what’s next for him. [Oklahoma Voice] Jeff Starling steps down as Oklahoma energy secretary after AG loss [The Oklahoman] Opinion, This Week in Oklahoma Politics: State Rep. Danny Williams, Lance Schroyer nomination, Inola aluminum smelter and more (podcast): Panelists talk about a public hearing for embattled State Rep. Danny Williams, President Trump withdrawing the nomination of Oklahoma native Lance Schroyer to lead ICE and the fight over an aluminum smelter in Inola heading to the courts. The trio also discusses concerns raised over the Republican candidate for attorney general and his ties to a health company he cofounded as well as emails sent to behavioral health clinics as they work to transition from state service to the private sector. [KOSU]   Federal Government News   Doctors, hospitals to see lower Medicaid payments in three dozen states, including Oklahoma: New federal rules likely will force three dozen states to reduce their annual Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals by a total of more than $50 billion — potentially shrinking the number of providers willing to see Medicaid patients, according to a new analysis. [Oklahoma Voice]   Flock surveillance cameras raise constitutional questions, bipartisan US senators say: A vast and growing network of artificial intelligence-driven Flock cameras could violate constitutional privacy rights, U.S. senators on a Judiciary Committee subcommittee said during a Wednesday hearing. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma to get millions in federal funding for planned electricity transmission project: The U.S. Department of Energy announced it will provide $250 million for a proposed transmission line linking Oklahoma’s grid with Colorado. [KGOU]   Opinion: Military retirees earned their health care. Honor the promise: Critics of military retiree benefits occasionally argue that everyone should pay a greater share out of pocket, similar to commercial insurance plans. But that argument is built on a fundamental misunderstanding of both accounting and accountability. [Fred Shakeshaft / The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   $31M in federal grants target Oklahoma tribal nations' mental health, substance abuse prevention: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has announced $31 million will support more than a dozen tribal nations and organizations in Oklahoma, providing mental health and substance use prevention resources. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Hern, Armstrong dispute end of temporary U.S. Senate term: Attorney General Gentner Drummond has been asked to settle an apparent disagreement between U.S. Sen. Alan Armstrong and his likely replacement, 1st District Congressman Kevin Hern, about when Armstrong’s caretaker tenure ends. [Tulsa World]   Education News   Oklahoma can’t deny Jewish charter school from opening, federal judge decides: In a decision that could enable the nation’s first religious charter school to open, an Oklahoma City federal judge has ruled in favor of a Jewish school seeking to operate with taxpayer funds. [Oklahoma Voice] Federal court grants preliminary injunction for proposed Jewish charter school [Tulsa World]  Health News   Are ectopic pregnancy deaths higher in states with abortion bans?: Yes. Ectopic pregnancies, in which pregnancies implant outside the uterus, comprise about 2% of pregnancies and 2.7% of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. [Oklahoma Watch]   Justice System News   An Inmate Called for Help Four Times in 45 Minutes Before Anyone Came; A Man Was Being Beaten to Death: Chronic understaffing is the most critical issue facing the downtown Oklahoma City lockup, a recent independent review found. More than 60 detainees died in custody there in the past six years. [Oklahoma Watch]   DA closes investigation into SD 38 candidate Barry Christian’s death: Beckham County District Attorney Angela Marsee has closed the investigation into the death of Oklahoma Senate District 38 candidate Barry Christian after it was determined that Christian most likely died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in April. [NonDoc] No foul play in death of Oklahoma Senate candidate Barry Christian, OSBI says [The Oklahoman] Opinion: Lepak, Polston cases expose Oklahoma's double standard of justice: What seems wrong is the way two recent cases involving politically connected Oklahoman were handled. Why? Because you and I, as ordinary people, would not expect this kind of special treatment. And there are lots of people in jail today ― people who didn't have special connections ― who didn't get this kind of treatment either. [William Wertz / The Oklahoman]   Community News   Partnership brings Spanish-language high school equivalency classes to Tulsa's Kendall-Whittier neighborhood: Growing Together and Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma have teamed up to launch a free Spanish-language High School Equivalency course for adults in the Kendall-Whittier neighborhood this semester. [Tulsa World]   Local Headlines Oklahoma County approves audit scope after $10M budget discrepancy [The Oklahoman] With 100 days left, OK County shifts ARPA funds to new Behavioral Care Center [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma County DA's chief investigator placed on administrative leave [The Oklahoman] A decade later, the Jenks dam project is $100M over budget. Construction hasn’t started. [Tulsa Flyer] Tulsa Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce CEO takes on biggest event yet [Tulsa Flyer] Tulsa Public Schools seek to close 17 schools. Here’s what we know about each campus. [The Oklahoma Eagle] Local businessman was voted off Tulsa city board in April, now he might be reappointed [Tulsa World] 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.