In The Know: Mothers, reproductive rights group sue OK officials over abortion ban | Oklahoma is ending a school meal program. Districts are left to figure out how to feed kids | The bill always comes due

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.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: The bill always comes due   Campaign promises often make governing sound simple: lower costs while still providing everything people expect from government: better schools, safe roads, fast emergency response, and support for families during difficult times. But that bargain is like a perpetual motion machine — promising more and more while requiring less and less to keep it running. Sooner or later, the numbers stop adding up, and the bill comes due. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] 450,835   The number of Oklahoma students who qualified for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2025-26 school year, representing nearly 70% of total enrollment statewide. [Oklahoma State Department of Education] School Meals are Essential for Student Health and Learning   Each day, millions of students fuel their minds and bodies with the good nutrition provided by the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. There is considerable evidence of the effective role that participation in these programs plays in alleviating food insecurity and poverty, and in providing the nutrients students need for growth, development, learning, and overall health, especially for the nation’s most vulnerable children and adolescents. This brief reviews the many benefits of the school meals programs, and summarizes the latest research on recent policy changes and innovative strategies that are increasing program access and improving student outcomes. [Food Research & Action Center] "If a kid’s hungry, they’re not going to learn as well."   — Whitebead Superintendent Jason Midkiff, explaining why the district is working to continue providing students with a free third meal despite the state’s discontinuation of its current meal option. [KGOU] State Government News   Mothers, reproductive rights group sue Oklahoma officials over abortion ban: Two Oklahoma mothers, who said they were forced to leave the state in order to terminate nonviable pregnancies, sued state leaders Wednesday, challenging the limits of the state’s abortion ban. [Oklahoma Voice] Two Oklahoma women were denied abortions after receiving fatal fetal diagnoses. Now they're suing [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Challenge to required Oklahoma Bar Association membership heads to federal appeals court: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday about whether Tulsa attorney Mark Schell should be required to pay dues to the Oklahoma Bar Association in order to practice law in the state. [Oklahoma Voice]   Long Story Short: Campus Conflicts, Tax Credit Gaps and Student Loan Fallout (podcast): Examining an unusually public battle brewing between faculty and administration at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and revealing significant oversight gaps in a state tax credit program that is now serving as a federal model. Plus, a look into how sweeping changes to the Department of Education’s loan repayment system are hitting home for Oklahomans. [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   US House leaves for campaign break without action on AI, affordability: The U.S. House departed Wednesday for a seven-week campaign break after spending less than two weeks in session during August and September. [Oklahoma Voice]   Fed raises interest rates for first time in 3 years, battling persistent inflation: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates Wednesday for the first time in three years as inflation continues to dog the economy, largely driven by soaring gas and fuel oil prices while the war in Iran drags on. [Oklahoma Voice]   Senate committee considers two Oklahoma judicial nominations: Tribal sovereignty, abortion, diversity and judicial independence were some of the themes running through a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday where two Oklahomans were among six judicial nominees. [Tulsa World]   Tribal Nations News   Congress clears Miami Nation to litigate for compensation of homeland acreage: The Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has sought damages for 2.6 million acres of its homelands for years. Congress approved a bill Monday that could help resolve the case. [KOSU]   Education News   Evicted Students Miss Class and Fall Behind. Tulsa Schools Want to Change That: Since 2020, leaders have worked with ImpactTulsa, a nonprofit, to prevent disruption in kids’ education and quickly direct parents under threat of eviction to resources like legal aid and rental assistance. When a student’s address appears in an eviction filing, the parent receives an email from the district offering help. [The 74]   Education Watch: At Town Hall, USAO President Responds to Concerns: On Monday, the president of the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma responded to concerns about a slate of changes to academic programs and faculty, KOSU reports. [Oklahoma Watch]   Oklahoma is ending a school meal program. Districts are left to figure out how to feed kids: Oklahoma schools are scrambling to find ways to continue serving students after the State Department of Education recently ended a federally funded school meal program. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Health News   Oklahoma Health Care Authority improves access to medication to treat opioid use disorder: The Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) has implemented a new value-based agreement for Brixadi, a weekly or monthly injectable medicine that treats opioid use disorder. Under the new agreement, SoonerCare members no longer need prior authorization to receive the medication. [KOSU]   An Oklahoma boarding school promised help for troubled girls. Students say they got punishment instead: New Lifehouse Academy markets itself to parents of teenage girls facing emotional and behavioral challenges, but is not licensed to provide mental health treatment. The boarding school is operated by Adult & Teen Challenge of Oklahoma, part of a network of more than 200 Christian recovery programs across the United States that promote studying the Bible to cure addiction and trauma. [The Frontier]   Justice System News   Legal roundup: ‘P-71’ lawsuit renews OKC bombing interest, DAs resign, judge under fire for AI use: More than 30 years after the Oklahoma City bombing, the domestic terrorism attack is still generating litigation. Kathy Sanders, the grandmother of two victims, filed suit Aug. 21 over the remains called “Part-71,” an unidentified leg found in the aftermath of the attack. [NonDoc]   Oklahoma judges warned to beware of fentanyl-laced letters: Oklahoma judges have been warned that a prison inmate has threatened to send letters laced with fentanyl "to courthouses across the nation." [The Oklahoman]   Former Vernon AME pastor pleads guilty to embezzlement and tax evasion; owes more than $500,000: Rev. Keith Mayes, the former senior pastor of Vernon AME Church in the Historic Greenwood District, pleaded guilty to embezzlement this week. [The Oklahoma Eagle]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   For Tulsa’s homeless population, shelter options for pets are few and far between: The National Alliance to End Homelessness found that about 10% of people experiencing homelessness do so with a service animal or pet. Until the Tulsa Day Center opened its pet kennel in 2024, individuals seeking shelter could bring their pet in a carrier or remain outside with them. [Tulsa Flyer]   Community News   Oklahoma City hosts first public El Grito for Mexican Independence Day: The tradition of "El Grito", which can be translated to mean the call, shout or cry, is one of Mexico's most meaningful rituals, commemorating the historic call that ignited the fight for Mexico's Independence. The event in Oklahoma City was inspired by what similarly happens that evening in thousands of public squares across Mexico. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Oklahoma County to seek forensic audit after $10M budget gap surfaces [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma County confusion: Accounting errors, embezzlement inquiry spur audit calls [NonDoc] City of Tulsa approves 'eviction prevention' program [KJRH] Latest public safety oversight proposal arrives on Tulsa City Council agenda Wednesday [Tulsa World] Services changes and price increases: Here’s what’s new with your Tulsa utility bill in October [Tulsa Flyer] Messes and memories: Owasso Public Schools launches first elementary arts program with bond funding [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.

In The Know: Lawmakers seek solutions to lower cost of building homes in Oklahoma | US Supreme Court blocks Trump rule limiting mail voting | Latest Census Bureau poverty data misses state-by-state trends

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 16, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Latest Census Bureau poverty data misses state-by-state trends   The U.S. Census Bureau on Tuesday released new Current Population Survey data showing that programs like SNAP and Medicaid help reduce poverty and improve economic security for families across the country. But this week’s release does not include important state-level data typically included, which leaves Oklahoma policymakers and advocates with an incomplete picture of what is happening at the state level. [OK Policy] -84,125   The shortage of affordable and available rental homes for Oklahoma’s extremely low-income households. Many of these renters spend more than half their income on housing, leaving less for necessities like food and health care and increasing their risk of eviction and housing instability. [National Low Income Housing Coalition] Addressing the Housing Affordability Crisis Requires Increasing Housing Supply and Expanding Rental Assistance    Everyone should have access to a stable, affordable home, but for millions of people this goal lies out of reach due to high housing costs. While building more homes must be a central component of efforts to address the housing affordability crisis, by itself it won’t reduce housing costs enough to bring them within reach for people with low incomes, who struggle the most to afford housing. Achieving a real solution will also require expanding rental assistance. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities] "Everyone needs a place to live, and so whether you’re renting, buying, roommates, whatever the situation is, we all need a place to put our head at night."   — Oklahoma State Rep. Rob Hall (Tulsa), explaining why Oklahoma’s housing crisis affects people across the state. [Oklahoma Voice] State Government News   Lawmakers seek solutions to lower cost of building homes in Oklahoma: State lawmakers on Tuesday turned their focus to policy ideas to lower the cost of building houses in Oklahoma. Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, who requested the study, said he will file legislation focused on lowering the cost of building homes in Oklahoma as he said this has become a national issue. [Oklahoma Voice] Could land banks help Oklahoma's affordable housing shortage? [KOSU] From OK Policy: The federal housing bill is worth celebrating. Now state leaders must act. Oklahoma board OKs unpermitted dam. Property owner offers his own solution: Residents of a drying up waterfront community expressed outrage Tuesday after a state agency allowed an unpermitted dam to remain upstream of their lake. [Oklahoma Voice] As Cedar Lake water issues continue, Oklahoma regulators move forward with dam permitting plan [KOSU] Opinion: We've lost essential bipartisanship on our Ethics Commission: With our state’s history of Boomers, Sooners, outlaws and impeached governors, it is easy to see why ethical conduct in government must always be on our plate. [Howard Johnson / The Oklahoman]   Editorial: Let Oklahomans vote on a constitutional convention. Then vote no: Constitutional conventions don't happen very often. We've only had one at the national level, back in 1787, and many were unhappy with its outcome because it lacked a Bill of Rights and put too much power in the hands of the federal government. Once the proper process becomes clear, we believe Oklahoma voters should get a chance to vote on whether to hold another convention. But that doesn't mean we believe a convention should actually be convened. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]   Federal Government News   US Supreme Court blocks Trump rule limiting mail voting, sides with Dem states: The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday kept in place a lower court’s order blocking President Donald Trump’s embattled plan to place new restrictions on mail ballots for this year’s midterm elections. [Oklahoma Voice]   Opinion: Oklahoma child abuse centers need urgent federal aid: Children in Oklahoma are nearly twice as likely as the average American child to become victims of abuse or neglect. In 2024 alone, more than 13,000 Oklahoma children were confirmed victims. These children and their families depend on specialized help — from medical care and mental health counseling to victim advocacy and legal support — to overcome their trauma and bring abusers to justice. Yet funding for these services across Oklahoma is rapidly decreasing. Unless Congress intervenes soon, our state could lose its ability to provide the care our children need. [Carrie Little / The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Oklahoma-led group is calling for more collaboration, better data to combat the MMIP crisis: A state-led group dedicated to combating the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples crisis is sharing its recommendations in a new report released last month. Better data, collaboration and more law enforcement resources were among the top priorities. [KOSU] From OK Policy: Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Awareness Day: Oklahoma has improved its framework, but are Native women actually safer? Former Muscogee Nation principal chief dies at 90: A.D. Ellis, former principal chief of the Muscogee Nation, died on Monday. He was 90. [KOSU] Former Muscogee Nation Principal Chief A.D. Ellis dies at 90 [Tulsa Flyer] Feds drop charges against former Tulsa lawmaker citing similar charges in tribal court: A former Tulsa lawmaker whose involuntary manslaughter conviction and prison sentence were overturned on appeal won’t be facing a federal retrial after tribal officials charged him in their court. [Tulsa World]   Voting and Election News   Yesterday was National Voter Registration Day. Am I registered to vote in Oklahoma?: National Voter Registration Day, a non-partisan civic holiday to promote voter preparation ahead of elections, is celebrated on Sept. 15 this year. Oklahoma's next general election will take place Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the gubernatorial, attorney general, and U.S. Senate races among the key items on the ballot. Oklahomans have until Oct. 9 to ensure they are registered to vote in the upcoming election. [The Oklahoman] Can I change my political party affiliation in Oklahoma? What to know [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma? Education News   USAO president addresses student concerns at town hall in wake of sweeping policy changes: USAO President Kayla Hale publicly responded to concerns over policy changes for the first time Monday evening. She said changes were made for federal and state compliance. [KOSU]   Justice System News   Does 2% of the population cause 80% of crime?: No. Available data show that small subsets of offenders account for large shares of some crimes, but these shares vary by measure and crime type and cannot be extrapolated to all crimes. No authoritative U.S.-wide finding shows that 2% of the total population commits 80% of all crime. [Oklahoma Watch]   Missing Guns, 17 Vehicles and a Meat Slicer: What Oklahoma Sheriff Turnover Audits Are Finding: Since 2021, the Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector has identified more than 3,000 items unaccounted for in sheriff’s departments statewide. Missing body cameras, Tasers, laptops, printers and radios are common. Dishwashers, cars, refrigerators and meat slicers are some of the stranger lost assets. [Oklahoma Watch]   OK County jail inmates hoarded corn to make 'hootch', admin says: A "top to bottom" shakedown of the Oklahoma County jail uncovered homemade corn liquor − "also known as hootch" − and resulted in a change to inmates' diets, jail administrator Tim Kimrey said. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahoma man, 74, dies from medical neglect in jail, his estate argues: A federal lawsuit against a controversial jail health care provider appears headed to a jury trial to determine whether the company violated the constitutional rights of a 74-year-old man who died after spending two months in a western Oklahoma jail. [The Oklahoman]   Five men arrested in Oklahoma human trafficking bust: Five people have been arrested by Guthrie police during what officials described as a human trafficking bust at a hotel about 30 miles north of Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Habitat for Humanity expands teacher housing partnership program: A teacher homeownership initiative through Green Country Habitat for Humanity is growing to include more Tulsa-area educators. [Tulsa World] New initiative lets Tulsa teachers get $50,000 toward a Habitat for Humanity home [Tulsa World] Economy & Business News   Inola extends smelter ban; Oklahoma Primary Aluminum hints at legal action: The battle over a proposed $4 billion Inola aluminum smelter intensified after the town’s trustees voted unanimously Monday night to extend a ban on the facility through the town’s April 7 elections. [Tulsa World] Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, Stitt respond to Inola moratorium extension [Public Radio Tulsa] Local Headlines OK County clerk joins DA in recommending outside audit of county books [The Oklahoman] MAPS 4 Improvement Program brings interstate signs, pedestrian bridge remodels [KGOU] Edmond City Council approves 2 TIF deals to renovate 19 Broadway, develop townhomes [NonDoc] Does Tulsa need an independent police monitor? Councilors are revisiting the years-long debate. [Tulsa Flyer] Tulsa’s new police chief addresses past issues, lays out plan for first 100 days [The Oklahoma Eagle] Tulsa firefighters sue city on overtime issue [Tulsa World] Tulsa Community College announces $57 million renovation to Metro Campus [Public Radio Tulsa] 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.