State Government News
Gov. Stitt's fourth appointee to Oklahoma Supreme Court takes oath: The Oklahoma Supreme Court again has a full bench of nine members, as new Justice Travis Jett has taken his formal oath of office. The ceremony took place Monday, June 23, in the Supreme Court courtroom inside the Oklahoma Capitol. [The Oklahoman]
Gamefowl Commission mired in 'shady' circumstances: Who would have thought that the people lobbying the Oklahoma Legislature to lessen the negative consequences of cockfighting would be caught on camera at the fights? Well, that's what has happened in the Shady Grove community in McIntosh County. [NonDoc]
Federal Government News
Both parties prep for mega-bill marathon in U.S. Senate vote-a-rama: The next hurdle for Republican leaders in the U.S. Senate and the "big, beautiful bill": Democrats — and possibly a few of their own members — in a marathon voting session will make last-ditch attempts to change the tax and spending cut measure. [Oklahoma Voice]
US Senate mega-bill drops requirement states help pay for SNAP program: U.S. Senate Democrats have succeeded in eliminating more than a dozen policy changes from Republicans' "big, beautiful bill" after successfully arguing before the chamber's parliamentarian that the elements didn't comply with the strict rules that go along with writing a budget reconciliation bill. [Oklahoma Voice]
'A purpose in this world': Older adults fear elimination of program that helps them find work: Advocates fear that the loss of this program, which serves about 50,000 older adults nationwide, could affect not just participants like Leslie, but also stretch further into communities, removing tens of thousands of employees from local libraries, city recreation facilities and senior centers. [Oklahoma Voice]
RFK Jr. and Dr. Oz announce changes to prior authorization for health insurance: The changes, which are voluntary, focus on prior authorization, which means insurers require approval before covering medical care, a prescription or services like an imaging exam. [The National News Desk]
Trump says 'complete and total' ceasefire agreed to by Iran and Israel: Israel and Iran reached a truce in their 12-day-old war Monday, President Donald Trump said on social media. The ceasefire will go into effect at midnight Eastern, he said. [Oklahoma Voice]
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem briefs governors after US strikes on Iran: U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the weekend briefed state governors regarding public safety measures following President Donald Trump's decision to bomb nuclear sites in Iran. [Oklahoma Voice]
Judge halts Trump order tying state transportation grants to immigration actions: A Rhode Island federal judge blocked an order that would have yanked billions of federal dollars for roads, bridges and airport projects in states that don't aid in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. [Oklahoma Voice]
Trump administration move to restore gun rights to some convicts protested by Democrats: The Trump administration's decision to restore 10 convicts' ability to legally purchase firearms and explosives violated the law, according to a letter six high-ranking congressional Democrats released Friday. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Gov. Stitt lashes out at still-secret consent decree involving Tulsa, Muscogee Nation: Gov. Kevin Stitt and others have come out against a proposed agreement aimed at settling a lawsuit brought by the Muscogee Nation against the city of Tulsa over who has the jurisdiction to prosecute tribal citizens for traffic violations. [Tulsa World]
Choctaw Code Talkers memorialized with overdue honors in Southeast Oklahoma: During World War I, 19 Choctaw soldiers pioneered the use of Native languages in wartime communication to limited fanfare. Sworn to secrecy, they hid the details of their service from family members until their story came to light decades later. [KOSU]
Opinion: Let's start treating tribal governments as allies — not adversaries: Oklahoma is home to 38 federally recognized tribes. These tribal nations aren't relics of the past — they are modern governments with jurisdiction, economies and responsibilities that directly impact millions of Oklahomans. [Courtney Jordan / The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Native Mascots Don't Honor Our Ancestors. They Harm Our Children: Growing up seeing your people caricatured on football helmets teaches Native children they are relics of the past, not human beings with dignity and sovereign identities. When Native youth walk into schools where the mascot is a red-faced warrior, they aren't being honored — they're being diminished. [Levi Rickert / Native News Online]
Voting and Election News
Oral Arguments Set for Primary Reform Ballot Initiative: The Oklahoma Supreme Court will hear oral arguments tomorrow morning on the constitutionality of State Question 836. The Republican Party of Oklahoma is challenging the initiative petition, which seeks to establish a top-two primary system where all statewide and county-level candidates are placed on the same ballot, on the grounds that it would force political parties to associate with candidates that deviate from the party platform. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma Democrat loses DNC vice chair role in election revote: The initial re-election ballot, involving Free, Conrad, and Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass, was inconclusive after no candidate earned a majority of votes. This led to a runoff vote, which began Wednesday, June 18 and concluded Friday, June 20 between Free and Conrad, ultimately resulting in Conrad's election. [ICT News]
Education News
Fuel OKC tackles teacher gap with global and local recruits: As Oklahoma City faces a worsening teacher shortage, nonprofit Fuel OKC recently launched two strategic and innovative programs to build a stronger, more sustainable pipeline of educators. [The Journal Record]
Health News
Opinion: The devastating health consequences of Roe v. Wade's demise: Three years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, taking away our constitutional right to an abortion. So what has happened? It has become increasingly dangerous to be pregnant in Oklahoma. [Janet Koven Levit / Tulsa World]
Criminal Justice News
Mass Shooting at Tulsa Juneteenth Festival Sparks Calls for Action: Tulsa community leaders took to social media Sunday to speak out after the Juneteenth shooting. They emphasized the role parents and neighbors must play in addressing violence across the city. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Sex offender label on driver's license a constitutional violation, lawsuit claims: A state law that requires certain registered sex offenders to be issued driver's licenses that include the phrase "Sex Offender" is unconstitutional, claims a civil lawsuit filed on behalf of three individuals and two nonprofit organizations. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: What are Tulsans willing to do to reduce youth crime, gun violence?: The latest downtown shooting fatality has Tulsans grieving, frustrated and, hopefully, mobilizing. The shooting is the latest in a string of violent episodes downtown in addition to an alarming rise in juvenile crime. It's obvious a better public safety approach is needed downtown, which appears to be underway. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
City approves homeless action plan lacking local input, sources say: While cities work in their own ways to address the issue, some officials say they are seeing a rise in anti-homeless policies. Lawton officials have recently approved an action plan that they believe will resolve the issue. Still, others say it seemingly paints those who are chronically homeless more as criminals instead of people struggling with mental health. [KSWO]
Opinion: Home insurance rates in Oklahoma are wildly distorted: The turmoil in insurance markets is a harbinger for an American economy that is built on real property. Without insurance, banks won't issue a mortgage; without a mortgage, most people can't buy a home. Communities that are deemed too dangerous to insure face the risk of falling property values, which means less tax dollars for schools, police and other basic services. [Mike Altshuler / Oklahoma Voice]
Community News
State releases findings on City of McAlester finances after citizen petition: An audit of the City of McAlester released Friday found the local school district failed to document more than $1 million in spending from city sales tax revenue, according to the state auditor's office. The investigation wasn't started by politicians. It was launched after residents of McAlester submitted a citizen-petition, demanding accountability and transparency from their city government. [News on 6]
Local Headlines
- Oklahoma City NBA Champions Parade expected to draw thousands [Oklahoma Voice]
- What to know about the Thunder championship parade, the biggest celebration in OKC history [The Oklahoman]
- $40M Andretti Karting venue to open in Oklahoma City [The Journal Record]
