Oklahoma News
Eviction Filings Push Oklahoma Children Into Chronic Absenteeism and Academic Failure, Data Shows: Children facing eviction are more likely to be chronically absent and have poor academic outcomes, according to new data published by the Mental Health Association of Oklahoma, in collaboration with Oklahoma City Public Schools. Because of this, advocates argue that the child's well-being should be considered when a family is going through the eviction process. [Oklahoma Watch]
'Nobody Owns Us': How Plans for a Google Data Center Divided an Oklahoma Town: Sand Springs, a western suburb of Tulsa, is the latest front in a national effort to build colossal data centers, often in rural areas, that are crucial in the race to develop artificial intelligence. Though local officials and Google have pointed to job opportunities and other economic benefits, residents worry about the effects on everything from utility bills to nearby farmland and the area's water supply, and lament a general lack of transparency in the planning. [New York Times]
- Oklahoma officials discuss data center pushback, social media hate [Tulsa World]
- Does Tulsa have the water capacity for more data centers? It's complicated [Tulsa World]
- Project Anthem developer asks to postpone Planning Commission hearing until April 1 [Tulsa World]
- With more data centers on the horizon, organizers don't want east Tulsans left out of the loop [Tulsa Flyer]
Faith, power fuel far-right push inside Oklahoma's Republican Party: If the push by a faction of a faction of hyper-conservative Republicans is successful, the agendas of the Republican-led House and Senate could shift to platforms that emphasize so-called "culture war" issues like creating stricter abortion laws, ending gender-affirming care for all Oklahomans and installing Bible-based policies into state government. [The Oklahoman]
- Key players in Oklahoma's Republican revolution calling it quits [Tulsa World]
Fire weather watch issued in Oklahoma after wildfire evacuations, power outages: Wildfire risk in Oklahoma remains high after weekend fires sparked around the state, worsened by strong winds, prompted thousands of Oklahomans to evacuate. [The Oklahoman]
- Strong winds tear through Oklahoma, leaving damage behind [KFOR]
- Thousands left without power in Oklahoma after strong winds swept through, wildfires sparked [KOCO]
State Government News
As senators own rollout 'error,' House sticks its #oklaed 'flag in the ground': With his counterpart across the rotunda repeatedly advocating for increased school days in Oklahoma, House Speaker Kyle Hilbert revealed and sent the Senate a live-round proposal last week that would add seven days of classroom instruction for districts operating on the state's hours-based calendar, starting in the 2027-2028 school year. [NonDoc]
How childhood reading became Oklahoma's top policy focus: Early literacy has risen to the top of state lawmakers' priorities for their 2026 legislative session, generating discussions and disagreement across the state about what policy changes and resources are necessary to improve children's reading levels. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma House proposal would add 7 school days for $175 million: House lawmakers proposed extending Oklahoma's minimum school year by seven days and pledged $175 million to make it happen. House Bill 3151 passed off the House floor 62-28 Wednesday evening and heads to the Senate, where leadership has endorsed the measure. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Bill would require more days in Oklahoma school year [Tulsa World]
Medical Examiner's Office regains accreditation 16 years after losing it: After spending millions in additional taxpayer funds for new facilities, equipment and staffing, the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office has been accredited through 2029. [Tulsa World]
Legislative Roundup
- Monday Minute: House plants #oklaed 'flag in the ground' [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma lawmakers weigh instruction time, school libraries and undocumented students [KOSU]
- New Oklahoma law requires fentanyl abuse education for middle, high school students [KOSU]
- As Oklahoma lawmakers narrow down priorities, these immigration bills are still on the table [Tulsa Flyer]
Opinion: The Oklahoma House advances a bill to strengthen the public's right to know, timed for Sunshine Week: Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle know what the rest of us know. We give police departments an enormous amount of power and trust to protect us. Incident reports are one of the forms of accountability the public has to make sure that trust is not being abused. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Federal Government News
In bid for voter data, Trump's DOJ lays groundwork to undermine confidence in midterms: The U.S. Department of Justice has begun connecting its push to obtain sensitive personal data on millions of voters to whether the upcoming midterm elections will be fair and secure, laying the groundwork for the Trump administration to potentially cast doubt on the results. [Oklahoma Voice]
How Trump's Homeland Security Pick, a Prolific Investor, Got a Lot Wealthier in Congress: Federal law doesn't prohibit members of Congress from trading stock, even in industries overseen by committees on which they serve. But Mr. Mullin's financial dealings take on new importance this week as the Senate is set to consider his nomination to lead the Homeland Security Department, which is issuing billions of dollars in new contracts as part of the administration's immigration crackdown. [New York Times]
- Old stories could haunt Sen. Markwayne Mullin's confirmation hearing [Tulsa World]
- Markwayne Mullin's Stock Portfolio Sparks Conflict of Interest Concerns [Newsweek]
Medicaid can share data with ICE. Here's how that 180-degree change spreads fear: For decades, people applying for Medicaid were told their personal information — including their names, addresses and immigration status — would not be used for immigration enforcement. But a December court ruling changed that. And that change has sent ripples of fear through families and communities. [NPR via KGOU]
Are US flights safe? Feds say yes, but signs of danger are growing: A partial government shutdown. A war in Iran. Warnings about sleeper cells. And in the middle of it all: Americans left to wonder if their travel plans are safe. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
FCC chair threatens broadcasters over Iran war coverage: Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcasters' licenses over coverage of the Iran war, after President Trump accused news outlets of "intentionally misleading" the American public. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
States' lawsuit argues Trump's college data mandate threatens student privacy: A coalition of mostly Democratic-led states is suing the Trump administration over a new federal requirement that would force colleges to report detailed admissions data, including race, gender, test scores and financial aid for individual students. [Oklahoma Voice]
Bans on sugary foods in SNAP programs in 5 states challenged by recipients: A group of food stamp recipients sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture this week over its efforts to prohibit the benefits from being used to purchase certain non-nutritious items. [Oklahoma Voice]
D.C. Digest: Mullin's departure leaves Senate looking for House envoy: When U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin leaves for the Department of Homeland Security, it will leave the Senate with its unofficial envoy to the other side of the Capitol. [Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Study: Choctaw Nation 'a major driver' of Oklahoma economy: The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma generated a $4.1 billion economic impact on the state in 2023 — a 28 percent increase since 2021 — as tribal leaders touted record investments in jobs, education, housing and health care across southeast Oklahoma. [NonDoc]
Muscogee Nation announces second south Tulsa health care location: The Muscogee Nation Department of Health confirmed that it will be opening an extension of its Council Oak Comprehensive Healthcare location. That extension, known as Council Oak South, will open on Monday and take over a former University of Oklahoma clinic that shuttered in mid-November. [Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Political notebook: Deadline to change party affiliation ahead of primaries approaching: With the March 31 deadline to switch party affiliations ahead of the approaching primaries, the Oklahoma Democratic Party is taking an interesting tact. For the first time in memory, it is actively working to get Republicans and independents to change their registration. [Tulsa World]
Election roundup
President Trump endorses Kevin Hern in Oklahoma race for U.S. Senate: President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Congressman Kevin Hern for U.S. Senate, a nod that could clear the field in the days-old race for Sen. Markwayne Mullin's seat. [The Oklahoman]
- With Endorsement, Trump Clears Oklahoma Senate Path [New York Times]
- Stephanie Bice, Kevin Stitt, Kim David make Congressional announcements [KOSU]
- Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District seat draws two candidates [The Oklahoman]
- Gov. Stitt will not run for US Senate to replace Markwayne Mullin [The Oklahoman]
- Trump endorses Hern as Stitt, Bice bow out [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Politicians are confusing party loyalty with public service: This year marks the 250th anniversary of our democracy. Yet, in constitutional crisis and war, can we keep it? We try to elect public servants of good character entrusting them our power. However, too many are politicians first — leaders second. [Phil G. Busey Sr. / The Oklahoman]
Education News
TPS seeking $200.9 million for instructional materials as part of bond package: As part of its upcoming bond proposal on April 7, Tulsa Public Schools is seeking to add more classroom resources, including additional tools to prepare high school students for life after graduation. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Anti-tenure bill would hand political win to lame-duck Stitt: In his final year in office, Gov. Stitt signed executive orders to eliminate tenure at regional universities and community colleges and backed Senate Bill 1782 to extend those restrictions to every public institution in the state. It is not a policy legacy. It is a political one, borrowed from a national script and aimed at an easy target. Oklahoma's communities and employers will be left to deal with the consequences. [Alyssa L. Provencio-Ciszewicz / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Oklahoma students need more leaders who choose grace: Leadership is not only about policy. It is about presence. In a time when education conversations can feel divided, I was reminded that sometimes unity begins in something simple, making sure no child feels left behind in a moment celebrating their hard work. [Kuwantu Cammon / The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Latest homicide at prison in Holdenville brings total to 22 in four years: An inmate was killed in February at Oklahoma's understaffed medium-security prison in Holdenville on the same day corrections officials gave a tour to a prosecutor who had called the facility a "gladiator academy." [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma County DA warns of public safety risk if funding cut: Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna says now is not the time to cut funding for her office, especially with six "serious" federal civil rights lawsuits pending against the Oklahoma County jail and Board of County Commissioners. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Police announce departure of 'First 48' after a decade documenting Homicide Unit: The A&E network has halted local filming of "The First 48" docuseries, putting an end to the Tulsa Police Department's approximately 12-year affiliation with the program. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma homestead tax exemption deadline is coming soon. How to claim it: New homeowners in Oklahoma have little time to claim a $1,000 tax exemption offered by the state. The annual deadline to apply for a homestead tax exemption is March 15. This year, however, because the deadline is on a Sunday, Oklahoma County Assessor Larry Stein said he will accept applications on Monday, March 16. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Fertilizer prices surge amid war on Iran, causing concern for Oklahoma farmers: Along with soaring fuel costs, Oklahomans growing crops like wheat and corn are seeing higher fertilizer prices. A key waterway called the Strait of Hormuz carrying oil and gas has been closed as a result of the war on Iran. The passage is also crucial for fertilizers needed to produce the world's food. [KGOU]
Community News
OKC Human Rights Commission to train volunteers to find discriminatory language in land records: Intent on removing discriminatory language from its land records, Oklahoma City's Human Rights Commission is launching the next phase of its Plat Amendment Project: a volunteer training event. [The Journal Record]
OKC archdiocese priests, chancellor express relief over visa change: The R-1 nonimmigrant visa process for religious workers was reinterpreted several years ago, creating a quandary not just for foreign-born Roman Catholic priests and the American dioceses that depended upon them, but also other foreign-born religious workers — including priests, rabbis, monks, nuns, ministers, religious teachers and other religious professionals ― serving other Christian denominations, other faith groups and faith-based nonprofits in the U.S. [The Oklahoman]
