Oklahoma News Oklahoma lawmakers approve stimulus spending, drought relief, economic development funds: Oklahoma lawmakers reconvened a special legislative session on Thursday to spend more than $1 billion in federal stimulus funds, $250 million for economic development projects and $20 million for emergency drought relief. [The Oklahoman] - Despite gender treatment fracas, lawmakers pass bills doling out more than $1 billion [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma legislature approves $14M in ARPA funding to upgrade Inola's wastewater infrastructure [KRMG]
Gov. Kevin Stitt to decide bill targeting OU Children's gender care: The Oklahoma Children's Hospital would have to immediately halt any "gender reassignment medical treatment" on minors if Gov. Kevin Stitt signs legislation approved by lawmakers Thursday. [The Oklahoman] - Oklahoma Senate: No ARPA funding for gender treatment [The Journal Record]
- Gender-affirming medical care for transgender youth limited by Oklahoma Legislature in ARPA health funding bill [KGOU]
- OU Health ceasing some gender care after funds threatened [Public Radio Tulsa]
As pandemic response wanes, Oklahoma schools adapt to the end of universal free lunch: Some schools worked to continue offering free meals, but others have to go back to sending out free and reduced lunch applications and managing lunch debt. [StateImpact Oklahoma] State Government News Oklahoma Turnpike Authority: 'We have to upcharge significantly for license plate tolling': Drivers on Oklahoma turnpikes may have noticed a price hike in tolls after the rollout of the state's new PlatePay cashless tolling system. [StateImpact Oklahoma] Editorial: State owes it to taxpayers to fund completion of OKPOP: The Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture's request for state ARPA money was turned down, and lawmakers have been reluctant to provide more funding. Last session, the Legislature approved $46 million in bonds for the Oklahoma Historical Society — which oversees OKPOP — on the condition that none of it be used on the unfinished museum. [Editorial / Tulsa World] Federal Government News White House Hunger Conference puts spotlight on Oklahoma group: This week's White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health put a spotlight on 23 organizations that promote access to affordable food, including one from Oklahoma. [Tulsa World] USDA spending only a sliver of conservation funding on climate-smart practices, a new report finds: The U.S. Department of Agriculture spent $7.4 billion dollars on two of its conservation programs in recent years, but a report from an environmental group found a very small percentage of that money went to practices that help fight climate change. [KOSU] Voting and Election News Oklahoma governor's race tightening? Election analyst shifts race outlook: A national election analyst group is shifting its outlook on Oklahoma's governor's race less than six weeks from November's midterms. [Fox 25] Health News OSDH: 4,100 more COVID-19 cases reported statewide, 54 virus-related deaths added to provisional death count: Fifty-four virus-related deaths and 4,100 coronavirus cases have been added to the state's count since Sept. 22, according to weekly numbers released by the Oklahoma State Department of Health. [NewsOn6] Medical providers work to break down big barriers to help Oklahoman Hispanic community: Integris Health is working to provide more access to preventative care in Oklahoma's Hispanic communities. [KOCO] Economic Opportunity Grants to benefit homebuyers, renters with low, moderate incomes: The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency recently approved more than $2.65 million in HOME Investment Partnerships Program grants to benefit low- to moderate-income homebuyers and renters in Oklahoma City and other communities in the state. [The Journal Record] Education News Column: Oklahoma has 33,000 teachers choosing not to teach; we need them back: Oklahoma doesn't have a teacher shortage; it has a shortage of respect and retention. For a little more than 10 years, professional teachers have been opting out of the industry, choosing careers with better pay and less headaches. The pandemic created a surge of that trend, putting the state in our current crisis and public education in an unfair culture war. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World] - Tulsa World Opinion podcast: When Oklahoma's certified teachers choose not to teach (audio) [Tulsa World]
Funding to encourage STEM education, future teachers: The University of Central Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Public Schools and Central Oklahoma STEM Alliance will collaborate in a new program to help educators earn master teacher credentials and ultimately encourage students to pursue careers in classrooms in Oklahoma. [The Journal Record] Oklahoma to receive nearly $12m to provide students with healthier learning environments: The U.S. Education Department says the money can be used for a number of projects to help student's social, mental, emotional and physical well-being. It says some districts are using the money to hire more psychologists and expand counseling programs. [News9] Tulsa school board extends Superintendent Deborah Gist's contract: After a four-hour executive session, Tulsa Public Schools' Board of Education voted 4-3 late Thursday to add another year to Superintendent Deborah Gist's contract. [Tulsa World] General News Column: DRS promotes Disability Employment Awareness Month in October: October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month in recognition of the critical part workers with disabilities play in a diverse and productive workforce. [Enid News & Eagle] | 
