In The Know: Senate passes bill that would restrict state question process | Lawmaker asks for AG's opinion on Walters' endorsement of alternative teachers organization | Wildfire danger persists again today

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.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines 17.2%    Share of Oklahoma public school students who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Under federal law, public schools must provide children with qualifying disabilities the supports they need to make meaningful academic progress in the least restrictive learning environment. These specific supports are mapped by teachers, administrators, and parents in each child's IEP. [US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs via Urban Institute] How Dismantling the Education Department Could Affect Disabled Students across the US   Now, disabled students' right to public education is at risk. The Trump administration says it plans to close the US Department of Education (ED), revisiting efforts that began in the president's first term. Though the executive branch cannot dismantle the Department of Education or alter federal funding without congressional approval, it could significantly disrupt two of the department's key functions. Dismantling the department and disrupting these functions could have devastating effects for public school students with disabilities across the US. [Urban Institute] "I was just busily working away, and we got an email that said, you're fired in an hour and 10 minutes."   -A meteorologist working for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association in Norman, speaking about the email they received last month about their termination as part of the slashing of the federal workforce. The meteorologist asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution. [The Black Wall Street Times] Oklahoma News   'The fire kind of took them over.' Oklahoma fire death toll rises to 4 with more risky weather forecast: Four people died as wildfires swept the state Friday. Another 142 people were injured in the fire storms that destroyed nearly 300 structures, including more than 200 homes, and burned 179,000 acres. [The Oklahoman] Wind danger again today: Grass fire and evacuations west of Tulsa, power outages [Tulsa World] Evacuations underway in Logan County due to wildfire [KFOR] Firefighters continue battle with 33 Road fire as containment reaches 25% [Fox 25] Pawnee County area ordered to evacuate due to fires [Public Radio Tulsa] Wildfires in Oklahoma: These 7 fires burned the most land this week. See damage, acreage [The Oklahoman] Live updates: Strong winds, dust to heighten Oklahoma fire weather risk. See maps, alerts [The Oklahoman] State Government News   Oklahoma Senate passes restrictions on initiative petition process: An Oklahoma bill to place new regulations on citizen-led policymaking has passed the state Senate. Senate Bill 1027 would limit the number of initiative petition signatures that could come from high-population areas and would require anyone collecting signatures to be an Oklahoma registered voter. [Oklahoma Voice] From OK Policy: The state question process serves as an important check on our lawmakers to ensure that legislative action aligns with the will of the people. Making the initiative petition process less accessible hurts Oklahoma's democracy.  DOJ drops federal immigration lawsuit; new Oklahoma crime 'impermissible occupation' in full effect: The Trump administration's Department of Justice has dropped its federal lawsuit against Oklahoma over the new state crime 'impermissible occupation,' established by last year's House Bill 4156. The move opens the door for broad state-level immigration enforcement. [KOSU]   Bill addressing homeless shelters amended to address smaller municipalities: A bill that would have prohibited municipalities other than Tulsa and Oklahoma City from investing in shelters or other services for homeless people remains alive in the Legislature, but it has been significantly amended. [Tulsa World] From OK Policy: Instead of addressing the cause of homelessness, some legislators are choosing to address only its symptoms. This misplaced focus creates more barriers and makes it harder for Oklahomans to find a safe and stable home. Cleveland County commissioners approve turnpike frontage roads despite protests: Norman residents and passionate critics against ACCESS Oklahoma nearly overflowed the Cleveland County commissioners' meeting room Monday as the board unanimously approved a resolution to require frontage roads and access points for the east-west connector. The project is part of the $8.2 billion, 15-year ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike expansion program started in 2022 that was then paused for nine months due to legal challenges by Norman-area residents fighting to keep their homes and businesses. [The Oklahoman]   Paying student athletes: Bill aiming for level playing field passes in Senate: Universities would be allowed to commit millions of dollars to pay football players and other athletes under a bill that has gained momentum at the Capitol. [Tulsa World]   Federal Government News   Exclusive: Is Oklahoma safe from future federal cuts, closures? Rep. Cole talks budget, Elon Musk: For the thousands of Oklahomans frightened the Trump administration might close a federal agency and put them out of work, 4th District U.S. Rep. Tom Cole has a short, concise message: Hang in there — it's not as bad as you think. [The Oklahoman]   Confusion but not much evidence as Oklahoma's National Weather Center closure rumors persist: Although speculation abounds on the center's shuttering by the Trump administration, there is no evidence all of the National Weather Service's operations in Norman were ever at risk. [KGOU] NOAA, National Weather Center cuts leave staff concerned as severe weather season approaches [The Black Wall Street Times] Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts pushes back against Trump call to impeach judges: U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts on Tuesday rejected calls to impeach federal judges who issue rulings that block Trump administration policies, a rare public statement from the nation's highest sitting judge. [Oklahoma Voice]    Opinion: U.S. could lose democracy status, says global watchdog: A just-released annual report on the global state of democracy makes for depressing reading. But what's even more depressing is what might appear in next year's edition. Or rather, what might not appear in the 2026 volume: an old democracy, by some measures the world's oldest; a superpower that long circled the globe professing to spread freedom. [Alexander Panetta / CBC News]   Tribal Nations News   City of Tulsa weighs settlement with Muscogee Nation as Gov. Stitt, freedmen seek involvement: Tulsa's director of tribal policy and partnerships says the city is still hoping to work through issues despite requests to intervene in a much publicized lawsuit. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Info on Navajo Code Talkers is scrubbed from Army, Defense websites: The Department of Defense and U.S. Army have scrubbed articles on the Navajo Code Talkers and their contribution to America's victories during World War II, removing them from websites as part of President Donald Trump's campaign against diversity, equity and inclusion. [Arizona Republic via USA Today]   Voting and Election News   Republican candidates discuss their primary concerns for District 71: The field for the 71st District Republican primary contains a familiar candidate and a newcomer. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Education News   Democratic lawmaker asks AG if Ryan Walters' promotion of new teachers organization is legal: A Democratic lawmaker has asked Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond for an official opinion asking if state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters was ethical in using state resources to promote a new professional organization that touts itself as "an alternative to union membership" for teachers. [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma lawmaker asks for AG opinion on Walters' use of state resources to endorse teachers' union [KOSU] Lawmaker asks for AG's opinion on Walters' endorsement of alternative teachers organization [Tulsa World] How Oklahoma's superintendent set off a holy war in classrooms: Even for the devout, Ryan Walters' mandate requiring that public school students learn from the Bible goes too far. [Hechinger Report]   New Oklahoma School Curriculum Requires Students to Learn "The Big Lie": The Oklahoma Board of Education has passed new curriculum standards that require educators to teach that the 2020 presidential election was rife with fraud or discrepancies — despite numerous judicial rulings and audits indicating that the election was legitimate. [Truthout]   Meet the OU scientist looking for breakthroughs in tornado research: Cameron Homeyer serves as interim head of school of meteorology at the University of Oklahoma, one of the nation's premier weather research institutions at a time when devastating weather events — floods, fires and violent storms — have become a pressing international concern. [The Oklahoman]   Health News   Opinion: Oklahoma kids are struggling. Increasing access to dental care can help: When it comes to oral health, Oklahoma children are struggling more than others. Our state scored a "D" on the most recent Oral Health Report Card due to a low percentage of children who received preventive dental care visits and a higher rate of untreated tooth decay than the national average. [Terrisa Singleton / Tulsa World] From OK Policy: Dental Therapy Act (HB 2921) can help address our dental care needs  Criminal Justice News   "Don't Kill for Me" vigil scheduled during execution of Wendell Grissom: On Thursday, March 20, the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty will host a "Don't Kill for Me" vigil during the scheduled execution of Wendell Arden Grissom. As Oklahoma prepares to execute its first death row prisoner of 2025, activists and faith leaders are calling on the public to stand in solidarity against capital punishment. The gathering will begin at 9 a.m. in front of the Governor's Mansion at 820 NE 23rd Street. [The Black Wall Street Times]   OKCPD officer who slammed Lich Vu to the ground has resigned, police say: An Oklahoma City police officer caught on camera slamming a 71-year-old man to the ground during an October traffic stop has resigned. [KFOR]   Megachurch founder Robert Morris booked in Oklahoma, quickly released on bond: Robert Preston Morris, the Texas megachurch founder who is charged with felony sex crimes against a child, was booked into an Oklahoma jail this week but quickly released. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Long-time city employee Brent Bryant named OKC's assistant city manager [The Oklahoman] Norman shelter gets renovations, new rules under new operator [KGOU] Opponents of Norman's $1B entertainment district appeal to Oklahoma Supreme Court [The Journal Record] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. 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. 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