In The Know: Drummond takes over third prosecution of Richard Glossip, says death penalty off table | Oklahoma’s poverty crisis deepens as lawmakers clash over solutions | SB 1168 expands liability for government-caused injuries and property damage

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.

TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025 Subscribe // View latest headlines SB 1168 expands liability for government-caused injuries and property damage (Capitol Update)   One of the more positive results of the leveraging between policy and budget issues at the end of the legislative session was the passage of SB 1168, which deals with the perplexing issue of sovereign immunity. [Steve Lewis / Capitol Update] 27%   About 256,000 Oklahoma children, or 27% of all children in the state, live in households with a high housing cost burden. High housing costs weigh more heavily on low-income families, which are more likely to struggle with finding affordable housing, often spending more than 30% of pretax income on a home, whether they rent or own. [2025 KIDS COUNT Data Profile for Oklahoma] Mental health effects of poverty, hunger, and homelessness on children and teens   Census data show that children are more likely to experience poverty than people over the age of 18. Approximately one in six kids, 16% of all children, live in families with incomes below the official poverty line. Those who are poor face challenges beyond a lack of resources. They also experience mental and physical issues at a much higher rate than those living above the poverty line. This report summarizes the myriad effects of poverty, homelessness, and hunger on children and youth. [American Psychological Association] "If we are viewing things like this as indicators on a dashboard of child well-being, what would we look like if we chose to say, 'Actually, this is unacceptable; this doesn't reflect Oklahoma values, and we're going to commit to being brave and doing better?'"   - Carly Putnam, Policy Director at the Oklahoma Policy Institute, addressing Oklahoma's low ranking — 46th in the nation for child well-being — in the Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2025 KIDS COUNT® Data Book. While Oklahoma often touts itself as a family-friendly state committed to children's welfare, Putnam points out that its dismal ranking tells a different story. [The Oklahoman] June 12, Online: All-Affinity Meeting & Legislative Wrap-Up   Join Together Oklahoma and OK Policy for our annual virtual event bringing together members of our Healthy Oklahomans, Safe Communities, Thriving Families, and Defending Democracy groups to review key legislation from the 2025 session. Learn what passed, what didn't, and how new laws will impact your community. We'll also reflect on the successes of grassroots advocacy and share ways to stay engaged. Open to all — no cost to attend! Join Meeting Online Add to Google Calendar Oklahoma News   Report ranks Oklahoma as one of the worst states for child well-being. Here's why: Oklahoma ranks 46th among 50 states in the annual Kids Count report, released Monday, June 9, by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Every measure of educational success tracked by the report has worsened in recent years. At the same time, economic insecurity has increased, with 21% of Oklahoma children living in poverty. [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: Oklahoma ranks 46th in 2025 KIDS COUNT Data Book, highlighting lawmakers' misplaced priorities Drummond takes over third prosecution of Richard Glossip, says death penalty off table: Richard Glossip has faced nine execution dates since his murder conviction 27 years ago and eaten his "last" meal three times. Now, after the U.S. Supreme Court vacated his conviction and sent the case back to Oklahoma County for a new trial, Glossip appears set to be prosecuted once again. This time, however, prosecutors say he will not face the death penalty if convicted. [NonDoc] Oklahoma AG won't seek capital punishment in retrial of former death-row inmate Glossip [Oklahoma Voice] Drummond won't seek death penalty in retrial of Richard Glossip [Tulsa World] AG says Richard Glossip will be retried again but no longer faces death penalty [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma man who was given 3 last meals will stand trial again but won't face the death penalty [Associated Press] Oklahoma prosecutors seek retrial for longtime death row inmate Richard Glossip [KOSU] From OK Policy: Oklahoma Death Penalty Tracker State Government News   Oklahoma AG signs letter critical of congressional efforts to prohibit AI state regulation: Oklahoma's attorney general is pushing back on a congressional effort to bar states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade. Attorney General Gentner Drummond is one of a bipartisan coalition of 40 attorneys general who signed a letter from the National Association of Attorneys General in opposition to an amendment in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that bans state action on the issue. [Oklahoma Voice]   Federal Government News   Wrongly deported Maryland man Abrego Garcia returned to U.S.: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man wrongly deported to his native El Salvador three months ago, was brought back to the U.S. on Friday and will face federal charges, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said. Abrego Garcia's case had become a flashpoint in a debate over what due process rights protect immigrants from deportation after federal officials conceded he was sent to a notorious El Salvador mega-prison because of an administrative error. [Oklahoma Voice] From OK Policy: Silence in the face of injustice puts each of us at risk (Commentary) Some visitors report extra scrutiny at US airports as Trump's new travel ban begins: President Donald Trump's new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from a dozen countries took effect Monday with relative calm, as some travelers with valid visas reported extra scrutiny at American airports before being allowed entry. [Associated Press]   China says its exports to the US fell 35% in May, as trade talks are due to start in London: China's exports to the United States fell 35% in May from a year earlier, new customs data show, adding to pressure on the world's second largest economy as a new round of trade talks with Washington was due to start later Monday in London. China's total exports rose 4.8% last month, slowing from an 8.1% year-on-year increase in April. Imports declined 3.4% year-on-year, leaving a trade surplus of $103.2 billion. [Associated Press]   Tariffs and data uncertainty shake labor outlook: A lot of data released this week reflected uncertainty about what the news is telling us. As our trading session ended June 6, 2025, new jobs numbers showed a drop in hiring in May. The Labor Department said that employers added 139,000 jobs, and downward revisions were made to March and April's numbers to the tune of 95,000. [The Journal Record]   Republicans in Congress axed the 'green new scam,' but it's a red state boon: Clean energy manufacturers and advocates say they're perplexed how the repeal of tax credits in President Donald Trump's "one big beautiful bill" will keep their domestic production lines humming across the United States, particularly in states that elected him to the Oval Office. While some Republicans have labeled the billions in tax credits a "green new scam," statistics reviewed by States Newsroom show the jobs and benefits would boost predominantly GOP-leaning states and congressional districts. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Cherokee Nation Tribal Council election results: All incumbents win another term: In the June 7 general election, six incumbent members of the Cherokee Nation Tribal Council won reelection, while two open seats are headed to a July 26 runoff. The races for Districts 2, 5, 7, 10, 11 and 15 and the seat representing Cherokee Nation citizens living outside the nation's borders "at large" were decided outright. However, races in Districts 4 and 9 will move to a runoff election. [NonDoc] Incumbents plus 1 tentatively win council seats, run-offs for the rest [Cherokee Phoenix] Ex-OSU president Kayse Shrum announced as Chickasaw Nation chief health officer: Dr. Kayse Shrum, former Oklahoma State University president, will be joining the Chickasaw Nation as its new chief health strategy officer, the tribe announced Monday. Shrum will lead strategic initiatives related to the Newcastle campus, including identifying health workforce needs, creating graduate medical education opportunities, establishing research priorities, and building partnerships with universities, health systems and other government agencies. [Tulsa World]    Editorial: Veto override shows Native commitment: The Oklahoma Legislature deserves a round of applause for having the temerity and courage to override 47 of Gov. Kevin Stitt's vetoes, some of which were clearly based on partisanship and grudges. One of the most important overrides involved Stitt's veto of a measure to fund the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons, House Bill 1137. [Tahlequah Daily Press]   Voting and Election News   5 file for 2 seats on Judicial Nominating Commission in Oklahoma's attorney-only election: Licensed attorneys in southern Oklahoma will have the opportunity to vote on candidates for the Judicial Nominating Commission's open Districts 3 and 4 this summer. The 15-member commission is responsible for vetting applications for judicial office before presenting the governor with candidates for appointment. [NonDoc]   Education News   Epic Charter School superintendent resigns after major cuts to staff, facilities: Amid mass layoffs of educators, the superintendent of Epic Charter School has resigned. The virtual charter school announced Monday that Bart Banfield has stepped down after six years in charge. Deputy Superintendent of Instruction Justin Hunt will lead the school in the interim while Epic's governing board searches for a permanent hire. [Oklahoma Voice] Embattled Oklahoma Charter school's superintendent resigns [KFOR] Health News   What health policies came out of the 2025 legislative session? StateImpact has the highlights: Various bills impacting health care providers, facilities and patients made it through the Legislature this session. Topics addressed include prescriptive authority, insurance coverage and hospital pricing. [StateImpact Oklahoma]   Oklahoma Medicaid program 3rd worst for mental health: In a new study conducted by addiction-rep, Oklahoma ranked 3rd worst in Medicaid program's mental health efforts. While Medicaid is federally funded, according to the study, each state has broad discretion to determine when and how money is spent and how services are delivered. While rates of mental illness are rising across the board, according to addiction-rep, mental health struggles are increasing disproportionately in low-income individuals and Medicaid enrollees. [The Lawton Constitution]   Oklahoma measles cases increase to 19, according to health officials (video): The Oklahoma State Department of Health has confirmed 19 cases of measles across the state. In the department's most recent update, OSDH says the number of cases is split into 16 confirmed and 3 probable cases. A probable case means a person has symptoms consistent with the national standard definition of measles, but does not have a confirmed test result or is linked to another positive test, according to state health officials. [News On 6]   Partnership with OSU Medical Authority will bring top-tier trauma center to St. Francis: Tulsans and people across northeastern Oklahoma will soon be able to access the highest level of trauma care closer to home. A partnership between Saint Francis Health System and the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority backed by the state Legislature has resulted in plans to open a level one trauma center in Tulsa. [Tulsa World] Tulsa to get level I trauma center in OSU partnership [The Journal Record] Criminal Justice News   Oklahoma death row inmate John Fitzgerald Hanson gets execution stay: A judge has granted convicted murderer John Fitzgerald Hanson a stay of execution until his lawsuit against the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board is resolved. Oklahoma County District Judge Richard Ogden made the decision on Monday, June 9, after rejecting arguments he didn't have that authority. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Oklahoma's Poverty Crisis Deepens as Lawmakers Clash Over Solutions: Poverty is deeply woven into the fabric of Oklahoma history. Whether it is the result of tornadoes and dust bowls, oil industry booms and busts, a never-ending stream of bad guys or a century of ugly political feuds, poverty and its byproducts have shaped the Sooner State. [Oklahoma Watch] From OK Policy: Oklahoma's families face the nation's 6th highest poverty rate. Raising the minimum wage will help change that. Norman City Council approves purchase of future supportive housing site (transcript): The Norman City Council has approved the purchase of land to be used for supportive housing. Reporter Hannah France sat down with Councilmember Helen Grant to talk about plans for the development. [KGOU] From OK Policy: New data shows Oklahoma's housing crisis is worsening Economy & Business News   Wind energy brings money to landowners and rural communities, but pushback remains: In Oklahoma, wind energy accounted for about 42% of in-state electricity net generation in 2023 and economists estimate landowners across the state collectively get almost $100 million every year in payments. In the first story of a three-part series for NPR's Climate Solutions Week, KOSU and StateImpact dive into the financial impact of the wind industry in rural spaces. [KOSU]   Local Headlines Some Tulsans show 'solidarity' with Los Angeles as Trump sends in Marines [Public Radio Tulsa] Early Settlement Center director dismayed by city's decision not to fund program [Tulsa World]  TPS board approves proposed Teacher Retirement System settlement [Tulsa World] Tulsa Public Schools board approves 2026 budget, renews food service contract [Tulsa World] Edmond Fire Department's new chief, wooed from Stillwater, comes as station about to open [The Oklahoman] 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. Support Our Work with a Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. 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