In The Know: A $40,000-per-year AI school with no teachers is opening in Oklahoma | Child vaccination rates continue to drop in Oklahoma as exemptions rise | Rethinking pretrial detention in Oklahoma

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, JULY 21, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Rethinking pretrial detention in Oklahoma (Capitol Update)   Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, has requested an interim study entitled “Does Oklahoma have the Resources Necessary to Implement Criminal Pretrial Supervision Requirement?” The Senate, unlike the House, does not publish the specifics of interim study requests. However, from the title, it appears Sen. Mann wants to examine the potential costs of providing an alternative to pretrial incarceration where appropriate. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] OK Policy & Together OK are bringing the voices of your community to the Capitol.   This summer, we’re hosting 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. By hearing directly from residents, we can better advocate for state policies that reflect your priorities.   Sessions are free and open to the public, and participants will be compensated for their time (in-person events only). [Learn More] Find A Listening Session Near You Take Our Quick Online Survey $104.2 million   Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit program awarded households earning $150,000 or more $104.2 million for the 2026-27 school year, or 40.8 percent of the total distributed funds — a 2 percent increase over the previous year. [Oklahoma Tax Commission] The True Cost of Private School Voucher Programs   Educating students using private school vouchers is more expensive than educating them in public schools. A 2018 study found the cost of educating a student through an Arizona private school voucher program was 75% higher than the cost of educating a public school student.1 Another study estimated that shifting to a system of private school vouchers could raise education costs by 25% or more when accounting for students who would have attended private schools without a voucher, plus the additional administrative costs for the program, such as record keeping and monitoring. [Education Law Center / Public Funds Public Schools] "What scares me is they’re going to try to take even more public school funds to do their little pet school projects."   — Jami Cole, an elementary educator and leader of the public school advocacy group Edvocates, on the diversion of taxpayer dollars away from public schools and toward private institutions like the teacherless, AI-powered Alpha School set to open in Oklahoma this August. [Oklahoma Watch] Oklahoma News   A $40,000-per-Year AI School With No Teachers Is Opening in Oklahoma This August: An AI-powered, billionaire-backed chain of private schools promises to educate students with two hours of virtual learning a day and entrepreneurship workshops. There are no teachers, and tuition is nearly double the most expensive private school in the state. [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   ICE officers to wear body cameras at traffic stops, White House border czar says: In the wake of two fatal shootings in Texas and Maine, U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement officers will wear “at least one body camera” during traffic stops, Tom Homan, the president’s border czar, said over the weekend. [Oklahoma Voice] Former immigration chief on what's next for ICE [WBUR via KOSU] Trump imposes new 50% tariff on many imports from Canada: President Donald Trump took executive action to impose 50% tariffs on a wide range of imports from Canada in retaliation to what his administration called "discriminatory" Canadian trade practices in certain sectors against the United States, according to administration officials. [USA Today via The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Centuries of Cherokee Nation Principal Chief records scattered across the country: The Cherokee Nation estimates thousands of records related to its principal chiefs are scattered across the country. Now, the tribe plans on recovering as many as it can. [KOSU]   Seeing longer Oklahoma wildfire seasons, tribal fire departments fight fire with planned fire: As Oklahoma’s wildfire seasons burn hotter and longer, Indigenous communities are leading efforts to control and prevent the damage. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Republican candidates compete for Oklahoma GOP nomination in Labor Commissioner runoff: Republican voters will choose between Reps. John Pfeiffer and Kevin West in the Aug. 25 election, after neither candidate received more than 50% of the vote during the primary. [KOSU]   Education News   Oklahoma City metro schools work to fill nearly 200 teacher vacancies: With less than a month until the school year begins, Oklahoma City metro school districts are working to fill nearly 200 teacher vacancies, with special education and early education positions in particular high demand. [KOCO]   Pre-K suspensions in Tulsa Public Schools are up. TPS wants that number to be zero.: The district saw a slight increase in the overall number of suspensions this past year, especially at the elementary level. Preschool to fifth grade students are primarily being sent home for disruptive classroom behavior and physical conflicts with peers, TPS reports. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Health News   FDA: Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce sample produced a false positive for cyclospora: A top U.S. Food and Drug Administration official said Monday that a false positive report for the parasite cyclospora from a Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce sample does not change the basis for an ongoing agency investigation. [Oklahoma Voice]   Child vaccination rates continue to drop in Oklahoma as exemptions rise: Despite efforts to increase immunization rates by providing free and more accessible vaccinations, experts say Oklahoma’s overall child vaccination rates are down amid skepticism about the efficacy of vaccines. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma officials warn kratom users about fatality risk from synthetics: The rise of synthetic kratom has multiple state agencies concerned about the fatality risk for Oklahomans who might think they're buying a legal, plant-based product. [Tulsa World]   Justice System News   What are Flock Cameras? Are there any in OKC?: Across Oklahoma, concern about Flock cameras is growing. Many residents worry their information is being tracked, but law enforcement said these cameras help keep everyone safe. [News 9]   Economy & Business News   Tulsa firms anticipated to propel growth as global space economy skyrockets: Companies like Agile Space Industries in Tulsa should propel Oklahoma’s aerospace industry to new heights as the global space economy is expected to triple in size in the coming decade, according to a new growth strategy for the sector adopted by the state. [Tulsa World]   Oklahoma medical marijuana advocates criticize new packaging laws meant to protect children: House Bill 4454 was meant to address a growing health concern – the consumption of high-dosage marijuana products by children. How? By requiring producers to package or label their edible weed in a way that isn’t “attractive to children.” Advocates and patients say the law is confusing and hard to follow. [KOSU]   Local Headlines Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen announces retirement [Tulsa World] OK County renews development pact with chamber as aerospace news hits [The Oklahoman] Fixing busted OK County jail elevators could cost $3 million or more [The Oklahoman] OKC councilmember appointed to chair national Large Cities Council [The Oklahoman] Hochatown sues Airbnb over tax revenue sent to neighboring Broken Bow [The Oklahoman] Piedmont water outages continue as city works to restore system [News 9] 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: State election chief backs Oklahoma voting security after Trump address | As Oklahoma embraces abortion restrictions, maternal health lags | Community voices lead the way to better policy

n 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.

MONDAY, JULY 20, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: Community voices lead the way to better policy   The people closest to a problem often have the clearest understanding of what needs to change. Teachers see the challenges facing their classrooms every day. Parents know what their families need to thrive. Workers and business owners understand where our economy creates opportunity — and where it falls short. Across Oklahoma, people know what works in their communities and what doesn’t. Their experiences matter, and our state makes better decisions when we listen. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] OK Policy & Together OK are bringing the voices of your community to the Capitol.   This summer, we’re hosting 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. By hearing directly from residents, we can better advocate for state policies that reflect your priorities.   Sessions are free and open to the public, and participants will be compensated for their time (in-person events only). [Learn More] Find A Listening Session Near You Take Our Quick Online Survey 600,000   Number of annual ambulance runs in Oklahoma during 2022 that were funded through special districts that receive funds through property taxes. [OK Policy] More States Jeopardizing Local Services With Property Tax Cuts and Caps   Everyone should have the opportunity to live in a community with strong public schools, beautiful parks, and safe roads, but many states are threatening to take away local governments’ ability to build thriving communities by cutting or capping property taxes. Policymakers can make housing more affordable without undermining local budgets by adopting measures like targeted property tax breaks, rental assistance, and steps to increase the supply of affordable housing. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] “While some have incorrectly interpreted (China’s access to voter data on the commercial site) as a claim that Oklahoma’s voter registration database was breached, that is not the case…. There is no claim that Oklahoma’s voter registration database was compromised or breached.”   —Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax during a press briefing on Friday to address White House claims that China has attempted to meddle in U.S. elections by accessing voter registration data in numerous states, including Oklahoma. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma News   Oklahoma Election officials say declassified documents showing breach of voter rolls misleading: The White House named Oklahoma as one of several states with voter roll data “compromised” by China. Oklahoma’s Election officials say that’s misleading. [KOSU] Trump cites potential hack of US elections in speech slammed for stoking voter fears [Oklahoma Voice] DHS boss Mullin warns of possible prosecution for election officials over voter roll access [Oklahoma Voice] After Trump speech, election board chief defends record on voter rolls, election integrity [Tulsa World] State election chief backs Oklahoma voting security after Trump address [The Oklahoman] Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board, talks about the safety of Oklahoma elections (video) [The Oklahoman] A loophole leaves Oklahoma data center water consumption largely untracked: While a new state law partly limits data center groundwater use, in reality, data centers avoid water permits entirely by buying water from utilities. Residents are demanding answers in communities like Luther and Yukon. [Investigate Midwest]   House speaker explains State Question 844, calls it a 'complicated’ issue: Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives Kyle Hilbert has a short explanation of State Question 844. “It's complicated, and there's no way around it.”  Just the fact SQ 844 involves something called the ad valorem reimbursement fund glazes the eyes of most potential voters. But, Hilbert said, it addresses an issue that isn’t going away, regardless of the Aug. 25 vote on the question. [Tulsa World]   State Government News   Gov. Stitt’s comments on food insecurity raises concerns: An article is making national headlines after Governor Kevin Stitt made comments related to food insecurity. Now, Oklahoma organizations say his comments raise concerns about his understanding of hunger in Oklahoma. [KFOR]   Oklahoma governor displays old state flag with questioned past: The governor prefers the red flag (the so-called 46 Flag) as a background for videos when addressing constituents, despite one-time concerns that it could be associated with communism. But today it has taken on another association in some circles, as a symbol linked to white supremacy. [The Oklahoman]   Marijuana Testing Hampered by Lack of Consistency, Lab Shopping: Disputes over inconsistent results, laboratory oversight and the scope of required testing have raised questions about whether the system is delivering the reliability patients expect. [Oklahoma Watch]   Political notebook: ‘Orphan tax’ axed: Last week, Oklahoma became the 30th state to discontinue using the Social Security survivor benefits of children in state supervision to offset the cost of their care. [Tulsa World]   Federal Government News   Immigrants, DHS agents and traffic stops: Violent outcomes repeat across the US: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on July 13 killed 25-year-old Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a Colombian national with legal work authorization, in Maine, making him the 22nd person shot at by federal immigration officers during President Donald Trump’s second term. [Oklahoma Voice] Snapshot: What ICE arrests looked like in farm counties last year [Investigate Midwest] D.C. Digest: Oklahomans still love Trump, says Hern: First District Congressman Kevin Hern, the heavy favorite to be Oklahoma’s next U.S. senator, updated Washington’s Ripon Society last week on his campaign. [Tulsa World]   Tribal Nations News   Kiowa Tribe begins exercising criminal jurisdiction over certain non-Indian defendants: A $1.5 million federal grant is helping the Kiowa Tribe widen its capability to prosecute non-Indians for certain crimes within the tribe’s jurisdiction. [KOSU]   Cherokee Nation is using opioid settlement money to help people rebuild: Cherokee Nation’s reentry program has helped thousands of formerly incarcerated tribal citizens reintegrate into society. Tribal leaders plan to use opioid settlement money to expand it. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Opinion: A lesson in Mazzei math: It often doesn’t add pp: Perhaps Mazzei’s greatest “math trick” is saying he will eliminate our state income tax and property taxes for seniors and veterans, with the first installment of this plan taking $3 billion from our state’s core services, public schools, career tech and infrastructure. Mazzei Math gets pretty fuzzy when explaining how this gets paid for, offering no specifics, just a bunch of vague generalities and refusing to acknowledge his promised tax cuts are dead on arrival at the Oklahoma Senate chambers. [Drew Williamson / Oklahoma Gazette]   Opinion: Rich politicians loaning money to their own campaigns puts the average Oklahoman’s interests at risk: “Be afraid. Be very afraid” seems like a fitting slogan for Oklahoma elections this year. While the tagline first originated in 1986 horror movie “The Fly”, it’s a relevant warning for all Oklahomans watching their election system be hijacked by wealthy candidates who loan their campaigns copious amounts of money. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]   Education News   Multiple Tulsa area school districts forced to increase student meal prices for coming school year: Since mid-June, school boards at Bixby, Broken Arrow, Collinsville, Jenks, Sand Springs and Union have all approved requests from their district’s child nutrition programs to raise student meal prices for the coming academic year. [Tulsa World]   Capitol Insider: Chancellor Sean Burrage on new developments in Higher Ed: In May, the State Regents approved a new performance-based funding formula for state colleges and universities. The formula rewards workforce development and goes into effect in fiscal year 2028, essentially a year away. How will that formula work? [KGOU]   Health News   As Oklahoma embraces abortion restrictions, maternal health lags: Oklahoma put in place among the most restrictive bans on abortion in the nation in 2022, when Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 4327, making it illegal in most cases to end a pregnancy from the moment of fertilization. Since then, the Republican-led Legislature has continued to add more restrictions. This past session, lawmakers passed a bill that will make it a felony to deliver prescription drugs for an abortion to Oklahomans with the knowledge that they intend to end a pregnancy. [The Oklahoman]   Residents call Nowata hospital shift ‘disappointing’: Ascension St. John, a nonprofit health system serving northeastern Oklahoma, is awaiting action on an application to reclassify its Nowata County location from a critical access hospital to a rural emergency hospital, which would end multi-day inpatient services at the location. [NonDoc]   Opinion: Short-term grants fail rural health efforts: Across the rural South, Black women continue to be diagnosed with cervical cancer too late — not because solutions are unknown, but because systems fail to reach, inform and support them in time. Participatory research — engaging communities in investigating and challenging systemic failures — is helping to change that, creating an opportunity for philanthropy to nurture sustained, systemic change. [Sarah Bobrow-Williams / The Oklahoman]   Justice System News   Woman speaks out about conditions inside Oklahoma County Jail: A metro woman is sounding the alarm about the conditions inside the Oklahoma County Jail after she spent days inside. “We have human beings in this place being treated worse than we do animals,” said Pauline Simone, a former inmate of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. [KFOR]   Lawsuit over Tulsa city jail death alleges officials ignored years of warnings about medical care: The estate of a man who died of a treatable throat infection at the jail alleges officials failed to provide adequate medical care despite a pattern of inmate deaths. [The Frontier]   Opinion: If Oklahoma County can't fix jail crisis, it risks federal takeover: Per inmate and arrest capita, the Oklahoma County jail could be considered one of the deadliest county jails in America. After 25 years in law enforcement, I refuse to step inside. This constitutional and humanitarian emergency is driven by broken leadership, systemic underfunding and persistent neglect. Without immediate stabilization, the county faces massive federal liability and a possible Department of Justice intervention in the form of a consent decree that will strip away local oversight and control, and cost taxpayers millions. [Billy McKelvey / The Oklahoman]   Community News   Oklahoma Black history includes tragedy, but perseverance, optimism, triumph: After the Civil War, many newly freed Black families fled the Old South and the violent Ku Klux Klan hell bent on terrorizing and intimidating the formerly enslaved. They envisioned a haven, a place where they would be free from White supremacists that had dogged them since emancipation. They thought they had found it in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Transportation network eyes new tax to pay for ambitious Oklahoma City metro public transit expansion [Oklahoma Voice] Northwest Oklahoma plant to close, affecting 250 jobs [KOSU] What's next for Coweta after scrapped data center, exit of city manager? [Tulsa World] Questions abound about Manna drone delivery service in Tulsa. Here are some answers. [Tulsa World] Former OKC Police Chief M.T. Berry remembered as a 'legendary public servant' [The Oklahoman] Officials investigate timber theft ring in northeast Oklahoma [KOSU] 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.