In The Know: Gov. Stitt delivered his final State of the State address | Oklahoma tribal nations see racial profiling amid federal ICE sweeps | Agency budgets are a piece of a larger state fiscal puzzle

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, FEBRUARY 3, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Agency budgets are a piece of a larger state fiscal puzzle (Capitol Update)   Agency budget requests are part of a larger state budget process. In Oklahoma, it's a simple yet complicated process. Sometimes it's messy and noisy, but it's designed to give everyone the opportunity to be heard. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] 77,000   The number of Oklahoma children without health insurance in 2023, equal to 7% of the state's child population. This places Oklahoma behind 41 states, on par with 7, and ahead of only 4 when it comes to children's health coverage. [2025 KIDS COUNT Interactive Data Book] Progress for Children is Eroding as Child Uninsured Rate Spikes to Highest Level since 2014   After a steady decline for many years, the share of U.S. children without health insurance has jumped to its highest level in nearly a decade, rising significantly between 2022 and 2024. This increase has occurred even though eligibility income thresholds for Medicaid and CHIP did not change, implying that many eligible children are losing coverage due to procedural issues like eligibility redeterminations, data troubles, or gaps during Medicaid "unwinding." States that did not expand Medicaid for adults saw bigger increases in child uninsurance, underscoring how policy and administrative decisions amplify disparities. With enhanced premium tax credits set to expire and federal proposals aiming to tighten Medicaid and CHIP funding, many more children are at risk of losing coverage unless action is taken to strengthen enrollment infrastructure, outreach, and protections for immigrant and mixed-status families. [Georgetown Center for Children and Families] "I want to remind the governor that Oklahomans are the ones who passed Medicaid expansion. They demanded that we do something for the hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans who are uninsured, and to make sure that our hospital doors stay open and our hospitals stay whole. They demanded more access. And the impact of Medicaid cuts? Should he get what he wants by putting a state question on the ballot and undoing Medicaid expansion, nearly 300,000 Oklahomans will lose their health insurance."   —House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson said in a press conference following the governor's State of the State address on Monday, when he called for changes to voter-approved Medicaid expansion in Oklahoma. [NonDoc] 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. This Week: Tahlequah Thursday, February 5 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tahlequah 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   Stitt seeks 'conservative state questions' to limit Medicaid, snuff marijuana, appoint superintendent: While term-limited Gov. Kevin Stitt is barred from seeking reelection in 2026, he will be supporting a slate of "conservative state questions" during this year's election cycle if the Oklahoma Legislature accedes to his requests. [NonDoc] Gov. Kevin Stitt's 2026 State of the State full speech [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Gov. Stitt delivered his final State of the State address. Here's what he said [KOSU] Oklahoma governor suggests new state questions in final State of the State address [Oklahoma Voice] Marijuana, Medicaid and school choice. 6 takeaways from Gov. Stitt's State of the State [The Oklahoman] Stitt calls for statewide votes on medical marijuana, property tax reform [Tulsa World] Oklahoma's Winter Storm Uri Lawsuits Coming Out Of Cold Storage: More than two years after it was filed, one of Oklahoma's lawsuits against natural gas marketers for massive charges during a 2021 winter storm could go to trial later this year. [Oklahoma Watch]   State Government News   Governor's budget plan proposes flat appropriations for most Oklahoma agencies: Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive budget spends fewer dollars than last year with most agencies getting no additional funds. Stitt on Monday unveiled his executive budget, which is a starting point for lawmakers who are expected to spend the next four months crafting a state spending plan. [Oklahoma Voice]   Power struggle roils Oklahoma Senate as Paxton sidelines Freedom Caucus leader: As the 2026 legislative session begins, Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton is at war with the leader of Oklahoma's far-right Freedom Caucus. [The Frontier] "He's working to promote himself": Senate leader speaks out about Sen. Jett's accusations [News Channel 8] From limiting tax breaks to moratoriums, Oklahoma legislators eye new rules for data centers: As cheap land and electricity are driving a wave of new data center development in Oklahoma, lawmakers have filed several bills to increase transparency, temporarily halt new developments and hold developers responsible for costs. [The Frontier]   Federal Government News   Tulsa mayor, Oklahoma officials weigh in on growing ICE presence: As anti-ICE protests continue to grip parts of the U.S., elected officials across Oklahoma are voicing their opinions on the impact of the Trump administration's deportation campaign. Mayor Monroe Nichols on Sunday expanded on his concerns with increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in Tulsa. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Planned Parenthood ends suit against Trump administration over serving Medicaid patients: A federal judge on Monday closed the lawsuit Planned Parenthood filed last summer after Republicans' "big, beautiful" law blocked Medicaid patients from visiting its clinics for any health care appointments for one year. [Oklahoma Voice]   Judge blocks DHS policy to keep House Dems from visiting detention facilities unannounced: A federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked a Trump administration policy that prevented members of Congress from making unannounced oversight visits at facilities that hold immigrants. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump to nominate former Fed governor to replace Powell as chair: President Donald Trump's new Federal Reserve chair pick likely faces headwinds in the U.S. Senate, as a key lawmaker opposes the administration's ongoing criminal probe of current Fed leader Jerome Powell. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Gov. Stitt calls for limits on tribal sovereignty, tribal leaders respond: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt reaffirmed calls to limit tribal sovereignty during his final State of the State address on Monday, dismaying tribal leaders in attendance. [KOSU]   Oklahoma tribal nations see racial profiling amid federal ICE sweeps: A dispute has erupted between the federal government and tribal nations as "Operation Guardian Sweep" brings Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions into the heart of Indian Country without warning to the tribal nations. [Gaylord News via The Black Wall Street Times] From OK Policy: Anti-immigration raids harm all communities (Commentary) Opinion: Disrupting Poverty Through Opportunity: In recent decades, Cherokee Nation has continued to prosper in cultural preservation, health care and economic development by leaps and bounds. But when we assess our nation's true strength, we can only measure success by what is afforded to our most vulnerable citizens. [Cherokee Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. / Native News Online]   Voting and Election News   Rising health costs could shift midterm voters toward Democrats, survey shows: Americans feel their health care costs are going up faster than other household expenses, hold President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans responsible and say the issue will factor into their votes in this year's midterm elections, according to a poll published Thursday by the nonpartisan health research organization KFF. [Oklahoma Voice]   Education News   Education was big focus of Gov. Stitt's final State of the State address: Education was a major theme of this year's State of the State address from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt. He focused on five major education topics. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KOSU] Gov. Stitt calls for elimination of OSSAA, Oklahoma's high school sports governing body [The Oklahoman] Why Gov. Stitt wants to eliminate OSSAA [News 9] State Supt. of Education Lindel Fields reacts to Gov. Stitt's final State of the State Address [News 9] New Oklahoma bill would hold back third graders if they don't pass literacy tests: A new bill presented on the first day of the 2026 Oklahoma legislative session would hold third-grade students back a year if they do not pass literacy tests, experts told News 9 on Monday. [News 9]   Snow days are piling up. Will Oklahoma schools have to make them up?: Oklahoma requires public schools to be in session for 181 days and have 1,080 instructional hours per school year. Following last week's storms, different school districts in the metro are exploring available options to make up the missed days. [The Oklahoman]   Tulsa-area public schools challenged by state's historic decline in students: With students suddenly vanishing from public school rolls in record numbers, local school leaders are facing extraordinary challenges to provide equitable staffing and class sizes and questioning whether to close or repurpose certain school sites. [Tulsa World]   Opinion: Improving Oklahoma schools is a long-term commitment: As I think about the just-beginning legislative session, it seems like I have to keep repeating myself. Not because the concept is complicated, but because it's simple: We need actions taken with an eye toward the future, not year-to-year budgeting. [Former Oklahoma Rep. Mark McBride / The Oklahoman]   Health News   Stitt wants 'adjustments' to Oklahoma Medicaid expansion. Health care leaders are concerned: Gov. Kevin Stitt called on the legislature to send a question to voters that would allow for "adjustments" to Medicaid expansion during his State of the State address Monday. Oklahoma health care leaders have expressed concerns, saying expansion is a worthy investment. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Here's what Gov. Kevin Stitt said about Medicaid expansion during his State of the State address [News on 6] Oklahoma reports first confirmed measles case of 2026 with a potential exposure site in Norman: Oklahoma is reporting its first confirmed measles case of the year. The individual was unvaccinated, according to the State Department of Health. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Oklahoma Health Department warns of measles case at Norman bar [Oklahoma Voice] Health care providers remind Oklahomans to stay safe of norovirus during peak season: As the winter season continues, doctors are warning the public to keep ahead of norovirus, also known as the "winter vomiting disease." [Public Radio Tulsa]   OU-Tulsa cuts clinics, staff to close $18M budget gap: In the past three months, the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa School of Community Medicine shuttered a clinic and issued contract non-renewals to its surgical teaching staff to bring down a projected $18 million deficit this fiscal year. [Oklahoma City Free Press]   Opinion: How much has Alzheimer's impacted Oklahoma? A look at the numbers: In 2021, Alzheimer's disease was the fifth-leading cause of death in Americans 65 and older, and treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Oklahoma ranked 35th highest in Alzheimer's disease mortality rate, according to the Centers for Disease Control. [Todd Pendleton / The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Local groups are offering training on how to observe ICE, CBP: Last month, two U.S. citizens were killed by immigration agents in Minnesota. Aside from the killing of citizens, arrested people seem to have disappeared from public records, frenzied raids have taken place in the middle of the night, and immigrants are being sent to unfamiliar countries, according to media reports. In response, the local American Civil Liberties Union chapter and other nonprofits are offering training. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Economy & Business News   Devon Energy plans to move headquarters to Houston in massive merger: Devon Energy is merging with Houston-based company, Coterra Energy, and plans to move its headquarters to Texas. In a press release, company officials said they intend to keep a "significant presence in Oklahoma City." [KOSU] Devon Energy Coterra Energy announce merger [The Journal Record] Devon Energy merges with Coterra Energy, creating $58 billion company [Tulsa World] See what's inside Devon Tower following HQ move announcement [The Oklahoman] What we know about the Devon-Coterra Energy merger [News 9] Devon Tower has helped define OKC's skyline for years. What will happen with it after merger? [The Oklahoman] A tick bite made this rancher allergic to her own cattle. It's a worsening issue for farmers: Alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne allergy to red meat and dairy, has become more common in the last few years. The condition poses unique challenges to the lives and livelihoods of U.S. ranchers and farmers. [Harvest Public Media via KOSU]   Community News   Black Wall Street Heritage & History Festival returns for 13th year with celebration of Tulsa authors: Nearly 20 Tulsa authors will be celebrated Feb. 7 during the 13th annual Black Wall Street Heritage & History Festival. This year's theme, according to host and founder BIllie Parker, is "Black Thoughts Matter." The writers' works range from memoirs and poetry to books on faith and social justice issues. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Local Headlines Tulsa Mayor, councilors meet to set priorities for 2026 [Tulsa World] LIFE Senior Services offers free tax help to Tulsa's elderly community [The Oklahoma Eagle] OKC mayoral candidate Matthew Pallares discusses private equity, local ownership [KOSU] Norman Ward 6: Joshua Hinkle challenged by Kyle Steele over TIF support [NonDoc] 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. 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