In The Know: Muscogee Nation increases minimum wage for tribal employees | The biggest reason for uptick in Oklahoma hunger rates? Reforms to SNAP | Judge calls Trump mail ballot rule ‘substantively unconstitutional’

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.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) 825,720   The estimated number of Oklahomans who experienced food insecurity in 2024. Oklahoma’s food insecurity rate was 20.2 percent, compared with 14.4 percent nationwide. [Feeding America] Map the Meal Gap 2026   Food insecurity remains widespread across the United States, affecting every county and congressional district, and is at its highest level in a decade. Children, older adults, rural communities, Southern states, and many communities of color face especially high rates, reflecting persistent disparities in income, opportunity, and access to resources. High food and household costs continue to strain family budgets, while many people experiencing food insecurity earn too much to qualify for SNAP. Ongoing economic pressures and cuts to federal nutrition assistance could deepen these challenges, underscoring the need for strong public policies, accessible nutrition programs, and continued data collection to ensure communities can respond effectively. [Feeding America] "I do not want Oklahoma to be known as the state with the highest food insecurity rates. I want Oklahoma to be known for how we responded to this news. Oklahomans know how to take care of each other. We have seen it time and again, whether responding to tornadoes, floods, or a government shutdown. Addressing this challenge will take all of us, from government and business leaders to organizations and individuals throughout our communities, pulling in the same direction."   — Jeff Marlow, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, speaking about the collective action needed to address Oklahoma’s growing food insecurity. [Tulsa Flyer] State Government News   Interchanges removed from controversial Oklahoma turnpike design amid local opposition: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is moving forward without two interchanges on a planned turnpike after the proposal failed to secure approval from the Norman City Council. [Oklahoma Voice]   In Depth: Oklahoma has gone 56 years without a constitutional convention vote: Oklahoma voters are supposed to be asked every 20 years whether the state should hold a constitutional convention. However, it has been 56 years since that question has been asked. [Fox 23]   Federal Government News   Judge calls Trump mail ballot rule ‘substantively unconstitutional’ as court battle extends: A Massachusetts federal judge on Monday declined the Trump administration’s request to overturn the temporary restraining order she signed last week that blocks the U.S. Postal Service from carrying out a rule placing new restrictions on mail-in voting. [Oklahoma Voice]   US House clears spending stopgap backed by Trump that averts government shutdown: The U.S. House approved a short-term government funding bill Tuesday that would avoid a shutdown this fall once President Donald Trump signs it. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Muscogee Nation increases minimum wage for tribal employees: The Muscogee National Council approved a minimum wage increase for tribal employees on Saturday, which will grow to $20 per hour over the next two years. [KOSU] Muscogee Nation National Council approves minimum wage increase [Tulsa World] FBI offers $25,000 reward to solve 2 cold cases involving tribal citizens in Oklahoma: The FBI is increasing the minimum reward to $25,000 for certain Indian Country cases through its Voices Not Forgotten Initiative. Two cases involve tribal citizens in Oklahoma. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Eye on Oklahoma: Unlimited Money (video): A recent Supreme Court decision allows Oklahoma political parties to coordinate unlimited campaign spending with candidates, potentially reshaping state elections. [Oklahoma Watch]   Education News   A Tulsa teacher went to a Ryan Walters' Teacher Freedom Alliance event. Here's what he saw: In July, the Teacher Freedom Alliance held its annual meeting, which Tulsa teacher Micah Cash attended. Last week, he published a write-up of the experience in the Tulsa-based publication The Pickup. [KOSU]   Stitt’s Tenure Ban Is Costing Oklahoma’s Rural Universities Their Top Candidates: Gov. Kevin Stitt’s decree ending faculty tenure is already costing regional universities top-choice hires and other applicants, making it harder for schools in remote locations to attract academic talent. [Oklahoma Watch]   Health News   Is human-caused air pollution responsible for more than five times as many deaths as homicide in the United States?: Yes. 100,000 deaths annually are attributable to domestic anthropogenic emissions of PM2.5 pollutants, five times the homicide deaths in the United States in 2024. [Oklahoma Watch]   Justice System News   Oklahoma City man sentenced to 18 years for federal drug and gun crimes: An Oklahoma City man was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to felony possession of firearms and intent to distribute PCP. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   The biggest reason for uptick in Oklahoma hunger rates? Reforms to SNAP: A long-held perception — particularly among Republican officials — is that the country could eliminate the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and let charities handle hunger response. Not true, according to Oklahoma leaders working in the food insecurity space. They say the scale the government can reach is far greater than what charitable systems can muster. [Tulsa Flyer]   Oklahoma ranks worst for childhood hunger. The state’s most affluent communities aren’t immune to the impact: Bixby doesn’t seem like a community experiencing a surge of food-insecure families. The suburb south of Tulsa is full of restaurants and grocery stores that aren’t on the menu in lower-income parts of the county. Its median household income is 60% higher than the state’s, and the poverty rate sits at 5.6% — compared to 14.9% for the state. But Oklahoma’s top ranking in childhood hunger doesn’t stop at a city’s limits. [Tulsa Flyer]   Eye on Oklahoma: Serial Evictions (video): Residents at the Westmoor Mobile Home Park, owned by the out-of-state company YES! Communities, are facing serial evictions, leaving them stuck at the park, unable to move up the proverbial economic ladder. And the park is pushing tenants into rent-to-own deals that legal experts contend are little more than a profitable scheme that rarely benefits tenants. [Oklahoma Watch] From OK Policy: Bills to extend the eviction timeline and add legal remedies for tenants to hold landlords accountable failed in the 2026 legislative session; these policies should be introduced again and passed next session. Eye on Oklahoma: Oklahoma Tenant Laws (video): Dawn Deschler is on her second lease at the Villas at Midtown apartment complex in Tulsa, and despite consistently paying her rent, she has been without air conditioning since the beginning. [Oklahoma Watch]   Economy & Business News   Editorial: Nuclear project in OK has promise, but there's reason not to rush: Oklahoma's regulatory track record in general means that more than the usual amount of scrutiny should be aimed at the state's and federal government's environmental protection plans. And because of Oklahoma's failure over the years to keep track of where wells have been drilled across the state — many have been found unexpectedly — special precautions will have to be taken. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]   Local Headlines Discolored water in OKC tied to heat and high demand, officials say [The Oklahoman] Greater OKC Chamber outlines defense growth and transit plan [The Journal Record] Oklahoma Turnpike Authority unveils design for Toby Keith Expressway bridge [The Oklahoman] Wasted water: Officials say El Reno ‘failed’ to enforce stop-work order at leaky bitcoin site [NonDoc] New pollinator garden coming to Norman City Hall [KGOU] Here’s how Tulsans are making sense of their higher PSO bills [Tulsa Flyer] Sand Springs celebrates opening of new middle school built with 2024 bond money [News on 6] 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.

In The Know: Tribal nations say prediction markets threaten sovereignty | State’s teacher certification pass rates range from 100% to 15% | Lawmakers consider new approaches to Oklahoma’s domestic violence crisis

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.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Lawmakers consider new approaches to Oklahoma’s domestic violence crisis (Capitol Update)   Last week, the Criminal Judiciary Committee, chaired by Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton, held an interim study led by Rep. Ellyn Hefner, D-Oklahoma City, on Oklahoma’s persistent and growing domestic violence problem. The study was combined with a request led by Rep. Aletia Timmons, D-Oklahoma City, to examine whether Oklahoma should create a domestic violence registry requiring certain people convicted of domestic abuse to register, similar to the state’s sex offender registry. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] 79.7%   Nearly 4 in 5 teachers in Oklahoma (79.7%) stayed at the same school from one year to the next in 2024. An additional 9.4% moved to another school within the district or state, while 10.9% did not return to teaching in the Oklahoma public school system. [Oklahoma Educational Quality and Accountability] What Teachers Are Telling Us, and What Policymakers Should Do About It: Lessons from a Gallup Survey and the Commission on the American Workforce   Teachers are burning out, working side jobs, and need higher pay. Beyond these common understandings about the profession, the latest survey from Gallup and BPC’s Teaching for Tomorrow study brings nuance and evidence to the conversation. Many of the survey’s findings diagnose issues that underscore the need for a national talent strategy as recommended by the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Commission on the American Workforce. Among the recommendations, the Commission offers policy solutions to remedy these issues and meet the needs of educators to ensure they stick around for tomorrow. [Bipartisan Policy Institute] “That might be putting bodies in the classroom, but that doesn’t mean students are receiving the same quality of education they might from someone who has had multiple years of education and fieldwork experience.”   — Oklahoma Sen. Carri Hicks of Oklahoma City, speaking about on how emergency, alternate, and adjunct certifications are not a long-term solution for Oklahoma's teacher shortage. [Oklahoma Watch]  Oklahoma News   Petition on high electricity bills gets attention: 'We've finally reached a breaking point': More than 25,000 people have signed an online petition started by a Tulsa woman protesting electricity bills that have jolted consumers this summer. [Tulsa World]   Federal Government News   A summer of recalls exposes holes in the nation’s food safety net: A summer of food recalls, including the record-shattering cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce that has sickened thousands, has raised many Americans’ fears of contracting a foodborne illness. The recalls have focused attention on the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding and staff at several public health agencies, and prompted questions about whether those changes have made consumers more vulnerable. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma ranchers have mixed reactions to Trump's imported beef plan: President Donald Trump's plan to temporarily increase imports and waive tariffs on ground beef in an effort to bring down grocery prices has drawn mixed reactions from Oklahoma cattle producers and prompted the governor to create a council with industry leaders in the state. [The Oklahoman]   Voting rights struggle continues, advocates say at March on Washington anniversary: Just over two months from midterm elections and four months removed from a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gutted Voting Rights Act protections for majority Black U.S. House districts, and 63 years after Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech there, thousands gathered again at the Lincoln Memorial Friday. Organizers focused the anniversary march around a “Defend the Vote” message. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   State, national leaders worry about prediction markets' impact on tribal sovereignty: State- and national-level gaming leaders are continuing to express objections to prediction markets' impact on tribal sovereignty. [Tulsa World] Tribal nations in Oklahoma: prediction markets threaten sovereignty [KOSU] Voting and Election News   ‘Trump fatigue’: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice addresses leaked audio: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice is responding to accusations following the release of a leaked audio recording in which she relays a comment about “Trump fatigue” made by a business executive. The recording captured Bice speaking to a group of Republicans. In response to the leaked audio, Bice’s campaign issued a statement asserting that her comments were taken out of context and that she was emphasizing party unity. [KFOR]   What trends to watch as Oklahoma heads toward the November election: Oklahomans are turning to the November general election after months of highly contentious and dramatic primary races. The elections exposed splinters within both the Democratic and Republican parties as differing factions formed within them. But the races are now party versus party, meaning Oklahomans will see new themes and narratives play out ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. [The Oklahoman]   Mayor Nichols’ PAC contributed to City Council challengers, records show: Mayor Monroe Nichols’ political action committee donated nearly $4,000 to candidates in this year’s City Council elections, including $2,000 that went to two challengers of incumbent councilors, according to campaign finance reports filed with the state. [Tulsa World]   Judicial candidate Warren Plunk dies, OK County special election to be called: Oklahoma County attorneys will have a second chance to file for the District 7 Office 10 judicial seat after the death of candidate Warren Plunk, who had filed to run against incumbent District Judge Susan Stallings this year. [NonDoc]   Education News   Oklahoma’s Teacher Certification Pass Rates Range From 100% to 15%. The Data Has Problems Too.: Despite shows of support from education board members, other policymakers and programs such as Inspired to Teach, the number of people completing education preparation programs continues to decline. Even when people do attend these educator programs, only a few institutions in Oklahoma boast consistently high certification exam pass rates. [Oklahoma Watch]   ‘It will make an impact’: Amid literacy push, teachers receive special summer training: Roughly 450 teachers from 250 Oklahoma school districts spent part of their summer participating in reading instruction training to earn a micro-credential in early childhood literacy. [NonDoc]   Expanded Epic program gives students, including Afghan refugees, ‘second chance’ at high school: A program Epic Charter School created, called Pathways, has given Oklahoma students age 21 to 30 the chance to earn a U.S. high school diploma. Recent changes the Oklahoma Legislature enacted in state law have helped the program grow significantly. [Oklahoma Voice]   New OSSAA rule raises questions over student-athlete transfers: Many schools in Oklahoma are questioning a new rule change for high school athletes looking to transfer. Those against the change question if it really benefits a student’s education, or if it’s just a way to bring in star athletes. The new rule allows a one-time pass for families moving into a new district, while keeping their home residence in their old district. [KFOR]   Health News   Federal judge pauses case on mifepristone access until after midterm elections: A federal judge in Texas on Sunday paused a lawsuit seeking to revoke nationwide approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, saying the case won’t be heard until at least Dec. 1 and granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s request for a stay to continue its safety review of the drug. [Oklahoma Voice]   Research indicates higher heat-related death tolls than reported: Since heat isn’t included on many death certificates, the data gets skewed, hiding the true danger of the high temperatures. This issue affects the whole U.S., including Oklahoma. In August alone, Oklahoma saw 22 days with highs of 100 degrees or warmer. [KOSU]   As abundant ticks spread alpha-gal syndrome, Oklahomans are being forced to adapt.: Many Oklahomans are living with alpha-gal syndrome — a condition that existed relatively under the radar for years. Alpha-gal is a tick-borne condition that causes people to be unable to eat beef, dairy or other mammalian products without having a severe allergic reaction. [KOSU]   She Fought the State Over Her Son’s Cancer Treatment. Then He Got Sicker: An Oklahoma mother chose alternative remedies over the recommendations of her son’s doctors. Was that her right as a parent or a threat to his care? [New York Times]   Justice System News   Tulsa police said Michael Glunt was shot 3 times. The autopsy shows it was 9.: Seven months after Tulsa police shot and killed 33-year-old Michael Glunt, a report from the medical examiner’s office shows he was shot nine times — six times more than police originally said. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Economy & Business News   El Reno Bitcoin mining facility had no permits, built unauthorized fire hydrant, and differs from data centers driving statewide debate: The Bitcoin mining facility at the center of El Reno’s massive water leak never had city permits to operate, built a fire hydrant the city didn’t know about, and violated multiple codes—and raises new questions about how it fits into the broader statewide data center debate. [KFOR]   Local Headlines Federal officer dies while responding to Oklahoma wildfire [Oklahoma Voice] Feds hail 'extraordinary courage' of officer who died in Oklahoma fire [The Oklahoman] City Manager of Mannsville arrested for voter registration fraud [KFOR] Overnight fire prompts temporary closure of westside Tulsa school [Tulsa World] Dozens of Tulsa Public Schools sites hit with air conditioning issues as triple-digit heat continues [Tulsa Flyer] OKC United owners offer $9M for stadium construction. What to know [The Oklahoman] Gilcrease Museum officials offer look at new gallery spaces in final months ahead of reopening [Tulsa World] New photo exhibit is a ‘love letter’ to LGBTQ+ Tulsans who keep the city running [Tulsa Flyer] 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.