In The Know: Gov. Stitt declares State of Emergency | Partial shutdown drags into fifth day after Democrats send latest counterproposal to White House | Our history still has something to teach us

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.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: Our history still has something to teach us   It's been said that history doesn't repeat, but it rhymes. You don't have to listen closely to hear familiar meters from the 1940s and today. In times of fear, our nation has been known to sacrifice its ideals for a sense of safety. Oklahoma is connected to one of those moments — and that should give us pause. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] 72%   The share of Oklahoma adults who experienced at least one healthcare affordability burden in the past year, according to a fall 2025 survey of more than 1,300 residents. The findings show that rising healthcare costs are affecting a clear majority of households across the state. [Healthcare Value Hub] People Who Rely on the ACA Marketplaces Face Mounting Affordability Challenges   People purchasing coverage through the ACA Marketplaces are facing rising costs and shrinking affordability as enhancements to premium tax credits expire and insurers adjust prices upward. Without strong subsidies or other policy changes, many low- and moderate-income families will continue to see higher premiums and fewer affordable plan options, particularly in areas with less competition. These affordability pressures can lead some individuals and families to drop coverage entirely or delay needed care. Ensuring marketplace stability and affordability will require maintaining strong financial assistance and addressing underlying cost drivers in the health system. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] From OK Policy: What Oklahomans need to know about expiring ACA premium tax credits "The fewer people we have enrolled in insurance, the higher the premiums will be for everyone."   — Julie McKone, executive director of Oklahoma Families for Affordable Healthcare, explaining that as enhanced premium tax credits expire and people drop coverage because it's too expensive, it doesn't just affect them — it spreads costs across the system, leaving fewer insured people to share expenses and pushing premiums higher for everyone else. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Learn how advocacy actually works — and how YOU fit into it   Most people care about what's happening at the Capitol. Far fewer know how to actually influence it. We'll break down how advocacy really works — who to contact, when it matters most, and how everyday people have changed decisions simply by showing up consistently. You'll learn practical skills like making effective calls, writing letters, meeting with lawmakers, and telling your story in a way that lands. View all upcoming Advocacy Training dates, locations, and registration details. TONIGHT: Altus   Thursday, February 19 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Altus Public Library REGISTER NOW Find an Advocacy Training in Your Community Join advocates and community activists from all across the state on March 3 for our 2026 Day of Action, hosted by OK Policy and Together Oklahoma.   Our Day of Action provides you with an opportunity to engage with legislators and get the information, tools, and resources you need to advocate for the changes that you would like to see in your community. Register Now Oklahoma News   Oklahoma Gov. Stitt declares State of Emergency amid wildfire threat, damage: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has declared a State of Emergency in three counties after multiple destructive wildfires in the state damaged property and prompted evacuations in the northwest part of the state. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma wildfires burn over 155,000 acres, injure firefighters: Latest updates [The Oklahoman] State Government News   OSDE audit: Oklahoma lacks 'effective mechanism to catch financial wrongdoing': A review of the Oklahoma State Department of Education during Fiscal Year 2021 recommended improvements to the agency's financial reporting system, but it found no misspending under former State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, according to State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. [NonDoc] Audit finds no misspending at Oklahoma State Department of Education under Hofmeister [Oklahoma Voice] New state audit of OSDE finds only 'minimal' non-compliance in 2020-21 — except by Epic [Tulsa World] OK Attorney General "pulled back" audit request tied to Ryan Walters administration, state auditor says: On Thursday, Oklahoma State Auditor & Inspector [SA&I] Cindy Byrd shared in an interview on News 4 that Oklahoma Attorney General has pulled back an audit request tied to the Oklahoma State Department of Education. [KFOR]   TSET Investment Board Adopts Anti-ESG Policies Backed by State Treasurer: The board that oversees investments for the state's $2.2 billion tobacco settlement fund will now take into account so-called Oklahoma values and anti-ESG policies when deciding on investments, hiring asset managers and voting on shareholder resolutions. [Oklahoma Watch]   Newly elected Oklahoma House member takes oath: A new member of the Oklahoma House was sworn in Wednesday morning after winning a special election for a vacant seat in a north-central district. Rep. Dillon Travis, R-Maramec, who represents House District 35, said he looked "forward to protecting rural Oklahoma" after being sworn in by Oklahoma Supreme Court Chief Justice Dustin Rowe. [Oklahoma Voice]   End in sight for case challenging utility rate hikes after Winter Storm Uri: Three state representatives filed their final brief on Tuesday in their ongoing Oklahoma Supreme Court appeal against the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which allowed electric utility companies to increase rates and issue bonds after Winter Storm Uri five years ago. [The Journal Record]   Oklahoma child care advocates ask lawmakers for necessary funding: After huge budget cuts, child care providers across the state took their concerns straight to lawmakers. On Tuesday, members of the Licensed Child Care Association of Oklahoma and providers took to the state capitol to ask legislators face-to-face to give the state Department of Human Services more funding. [KFOR]   Legislative Roundup: Oklahoma bill proposes reading test requirement for teen drivers [KOCO] Bill would significantly increase pay for Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board members [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma credit card users could soon be paying more [Oklahoma Voice] Bill would make it easier for Oklahoma counties to issue burn bans [KFOR] Oklahoma bill advances to regulate future nuclear energy technology [KOCO] Senate committee approves bill to pay out-of-state groups with Oklahoma Choosing Childbirth grants [KOSU] Oklahoma Senate unanimously passes local food for schools bill [KSWO] Federal Government News   Partial shutdown drags into fifth day after Democrats send latest counterproposal to White House: The partial government shutdown entered its fifth day Wednesday with Democrats and the White House still far from reaching a deal on immigration enforcement reforms. A source told Hearst Television that Democrats submitted their latest counterproposal to the White House on Monday night, but a White House official said the administration and Democrats remain far from a deal. [KOCO]   Kevin Stitt Is 'Excited to Go' to the White House Dinner He's Been Fighting With Trump Over: Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, the Republican chair of the National Governors Association, said on Wednesday he will attend the White House dinner this weekend with the caveat that it is not considered an NGA event. [Oklahoma Watch]   Climate, health groups challenge EPA repeal of major greenhouse gas regulation: A coalition of public health and environmental groups filed a suit Wednesday challenging the Trump administration's recent finding that the Environmental Protection Agency could not regulate climate-warming greenhouse gases. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Peoria Tribe connects with namesake city for exhibit commemorating American history: The Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma is collaborating with its namesake city in Illinois by building display cases for a year-long museum exhibit there. [KOSU]   Education News   Oklahoma governor celebrates suspension of 122 students for Mustang walkout: Gov. Kevin Stitt applauded an Oklahoma City-area school district for suspending 122 students who staged a walkout against federal immigration enforcement tactics earlier this month. [Oklahoma Voice] Mustang Public Schools suspends students for ICE walkout, denies allegations of staff involvement [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Mustang schools disciplines over 100 students after anti-ICE walkout [The Oklahoman] Santa Fe High School students stage anti-ICE walkout Wednesday: An anti-ICE walkout took place at Santa Fe High School Wednesday afternoon, with early reports saying the protest was school-wide. [News 9]   Opinion: Eliminating Tenure Would Impose Dire Consequences on Oklahoma's Struggling Higher Education System: Tenure has become a four-letter word for many Oklahomans, and I understand why. There are real frustrations. Eliminating tenure will not fix these problems; it will only weaken our schools. Today, tenure is often portrayed as a system that allows professors to "phone it in," live an easy life, and say whatever outrageous things they want without fear of consequences. Let me address that first claim. Even if that was true, it is not true today. [James Finck / Southwest Ledger]   Health News   Oklahomans seek cheaper ways to pay for health care after ACA enhanced premium tax credits expire: This year, nearly 50,000 fewer Oklahomans selected a Marketplace plan compared to last year, and even more are expected to drop out amid higher costs. Consumers are now navigating the consequences of this expiration with limited choices. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] From OK Policy: What Oklahomans need to know about expiring ACA premium tax credits Criminal Justice News   Reporter's Notebook: On the release of a woman sentenced to life without parole: Cathy Lamb was 72 and imprisoned in Oklahoma for more than three decades. The district attorney who prosecuted her regretted his choices; in 2000 he wrote a letter to the parole board saying she deserved to be free. It was the kind of writing that makes a difference. Lamb became the first person in the state ever sentenced to life without parole to be granted a commutation hearing. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Former OHP trooper accused of rape bound over for trial: A former Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper arrested for allegedly raping a woman during a traffic stop appeared in court today and is one step closer to trial. The now-fired trooper Jarquez Evans was arrested back in March. Evans was back in court Wednesday morning for the continuation of his preliminary hearing that began a couple of weeks ago. [KFOR] Former Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper charged with rape to stand trial in April [News 9] McLoud man indicted on charges of attempting to murder federal officers: A 30-year-old McLoud man has been charged in Oklahoma City federal court with threatening and attempting to murder federal law enforcement officers, according to the US Department of Justice. [The Oklahoman] McLoud man indicted for threats and shooting at federal agents [KOCO] After new charges lingered, sex offender has suspended sentence revoked: Melvin Platt, a sex offender who has faced new accusations that he filmed assaults of multiple victims, was taken into custody Wednesday at the Oklahoma County Courthouse. District Court Judge Cindy Truong revoked Platt's suspended sentence from a 2021 sex crime conviction that carried two months in jail for the assault of an ex-girlfriend, Christy de la Torre. [NonDoc]   Economy & Business News   Policy failures are driving energy businesses out of Oklahoma, group says in letter: Oklahoma's leading oil and gas trade group says the recent decisions from legacy energy companies to move their headquarters out of the state is a wake-up call rooted in policy failures rather than market fundamentals. [The Oklahoman]   Opinion: Power trumps tariffs as another US aluminium smelter shuts: U.S. import tariffs haven't been enough to stop the United States losing another aluminium smelter, leaving the country with just five primary metal production plants. The future promise is a state-of-the-art greenfield smelter in Oklahoma, a 60:40 joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium and Century. But a power supply deal for the proposed new plant is still pending and even assuming construction can start on schedule by the end of this year, first metal production is likely only in 2030. [Andy Home / Reuters]   Community News   Christian clergy call for compassionate immigration reform: Oklahoma clergy are calling for compassionate reform as a solution to the nation's immigration problems. The group of Christian clergy from several denominations is looking for reform right here in Oklahoma City. [KFOR]   Opinion: Hate or Heritage: The Dangerous Distractions of Confederate Nostalgia: These historical documents explicitly stated that the primary reason for leaving the Union was the preservation of slavery. Confederate Nostalgia replaces these uncomfortable facts with a sanitized, folkloric version of history that is easier for the modern conscience to digest. [Ezekiel J. Walker / The Black Wall Street Times]   Local Headlines Midtown Tulsa neighborhood revitalizes itself ahead of Route 66 centennial [Tulsa Flyer] Local organization steps in to support students in need at Miami Public Schools [Fox 23] OKC Mayor David Holt talks OKC National Museum anniversary, NBA All-Star game [KFOR] 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.