Oklahoma News
SQ 836: Open primary proponents ask court to toss OKGOP objection based on SCOTUS case: State Question 836, also referred to as Initiative Petition 448, would end Oklahoma's closed primary system. The Oklahoma GOP has sued to stop SQ 836 leaders from beginning the signature collection process for it to be placed on a ballot, saying the proposed state question would limit the ability of political parties to select their candidates. [NonDoc]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court hears open primary elections challenge [The Journal Record]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court hears challenge to open primary initiative petition [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma Supreme Court hears oral arguments in legal fight to keep state primary elections closed [KOSU]
State Government News
As details emerge, Nichols defends Muscogee-Tulsa settlement agreement from Stitt criticism: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and a slate of state law enforcement leaders are criticizing a proposed settlement agreement set to be filed in federal court Wednesday morning to end the Muscogee Nation's lawsuit against the City of Tulsa over criminal jurisdiction. [NonDoc]
- Mayor moves forward with settlement between city, Muscogee Nation [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Tulsa mayor previews settlement agreement with Muscogee Nation on misdemeanors and tickets [Tulsa World]
What laws are going into effect on July 1 in Oklahoma? Notable laws to know, complete list: Exactly 100 laws from the Oklahoma Legislature are going into effect this summer. The state's House and Senate discussed several issues this session, ranging from education, insurance, government codes and public health. [The Oklahoman]
Meet the leader of a group in Oklahoma fighting to preserve constitutional rights: Exercising the freedom of speech guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution is one of the key civil liberties the ACLU has defended throughout its history. Earlier this month, for example, the group was successful in obtaining a preliminary injunction of Oklahoma's House Bill 4156, an effort to regulate immigration at the state level which the ACLU maintains is unconstitutional. [The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
US Supreme Court allows third-country deportations for now: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday to allow, for now, the Trump administration to carry out deportations to third countries after a Massachusetts judge barred removals without proper notice. [Oklahoma Voice]
GOP leaders in US Senate struggle to lessen pain of Medicaid cuts for rural hospitals: U.S. Senate Republicans were scrambling Tuesday to restructure several proposals in the "big, beautiful bill" that don't meet their chamber's strict rules for passing a reconciliation package. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin said there are concerns among his fellow Republicans about all of the provisions that must be removed or significantly reworked. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
After outcry from tribes, federal agency scales back tribal school choice plan: Days after taking office, President Donald Trump stunned tribal nations when he signed an executive order mandating the expansion of school choice to Indian Country by this fall, including parents and educators, who feared the proposal would harm tribal schools that in many cases offer the only educational option for families living on remote reservations. [The Hechinger Report]
Q&A: 'Statistical Unmarked Graves' — How Data Erasure Masks Native American Deaths: A 2022 study by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control made headlines for revealing that Native Americans die on average 6.5 years younger than the general population. But new research shows that the life expectancy gap is likely much larger. [Native News Online]
Opinion: The Big Ugly Bill Attacks Tribes, Our Lands, and Our Rights: The U.S. Senate has added an attack on Tribal Sovereignty to it's Big Ugly Budget. If passed, this provision would put over 250 million acres of public land, across 11 states, up for sale -- mandating the sale of at least 3 million of those acres. [Judith LeBlanc / Native News Online]
Opinion: Sovereignty is real, and tribes' leadership helps all of Oklahoma: Over the past several years, I've watched something remarkable take shape in Oklahoma, something too many people still overlook. Our Native American tribes have quietly built one of the most impactful success stories in this state's modern history. [Former Oklahoma House Rep. Mark McBride / The Oklahoman]
Education News
Ryan Walters issues memo on how he wants Oklahoma schools to teach Israel-Iran conflict: State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters has sent a memo to Oklahoma school districts about teaching about the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, saying "there will be zero tolerance for a Liberal, pro-terrorist agenda indoctrinating Oklahoma students." [The Oklahoman]
Health News
'Razor blade throat' among new COVID variant symptoms: Has it reached Oklahoma?: NB.1.8.1 is one of the latest variants of COVID-19. NB.1.8.1 has been detected in at least 16 states as of June 20, according to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. The Oklahoma State Department of Health did not confirm or deny to The Oklahoman whether any cases have been reported in the state. [The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Oklahoma Police Continue to Seize Millions From Motorists: Almost every state allows police to take cash and property it believes was illicitly obtained, but regulations and the burden of proof required for seizure vary widely. In Oklahoma, the money is typically split between the agency that seizes the property and the local district attorney's office. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma County looks at suing website owner, registrar to nip potential fraud in the bud: Oklahoma County is considering going to court to stop the owner and registrar of a website charging money to search for public court records, in order "to prevent or halt fraud being perpetrated in the name of (the) Court Clerk." [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Mayor, Police Chief, Councilors outline strategies for addressing citywide violence: Tulsan Mayor Monroe Nichols and Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen outlined their plan for addressing rising violence in Tulsa, including the recent incidents involving teens in four separate incidents over the Juneteenth weekend. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- 883 illegal guns seized, 21 dead by gun violence in last six months in Tulsa [Tulsa World]
- Juneteenth shooting angers Greenwood community [Tulsa World]
Cops led fatal chase over car's paper tag. Body cam raises questions about why.: Two Mannford police officers misled colleagues by falsely alleging a driver had tried to run over them when she fled a traffic stop for a paper tag issue, a Tulsa World investigation shows. [Tulsa World]
McGirt pleads guilty to violating sex offender registration law: Jimcy McGirt, whose 2020 U.S. Supreme Court tribal jurisdiction case reset the way many criminal cases are handled in the eastern portion of Oklahoma, had faced four counts of failure to register as a sex offender following his release from federal custody in May 2024. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Tulsa Housing Authority to build 106-unit affordable housing in downtown Tulsa: Tulsa Housing Authority has secured funding to begin development for The Hilltop, a 106-unit affordable multifamily apartment complex in downtown Tulsa. [The Journal Record]
Merchant Tulsa zoning application postponed to July after contentious meeting: The Tulsa Board of Adjustment postponed until July 22 a vote on whether to allow a social services provider for the homeless to relocate near two schools and a neighborhood a few miles east of downtown. [Tulsa World]
Homelessness in OKC: Nonprofit plans to meet people where they are with showers, counseling: Oklahoma City has a new way to help people experiencing homelessness, and it's on wheels. A trailer operated by Tulsa-based BeHeard Movement features three shower rooms, four washers and dryers, charging stations, sinks and an office area where people can meet with case managers. [The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Is Oklahoma among the top states for wind power production?: Yes. Oklahoma generated 37,731 GWh of energy from wind in 2023, making it the No.3 state in this regard. [Oklahoma Watch]
Community News
Parade a perfect ending for Thunder squad that couldn't be denied: Before the sun rose, Oklahoma City lined the barricades outlining Walker Avenue. By the time it beamed, water bottles hot to the touch and pavement sizzling, thousands shed pounds in sweat. They waited hours to share this moment, even if brief. [The Oklahoman]
- Searching for Scissortail Park: Hot times and high security at the Thunder parade [NonDoc]
- 'Okies finally have a top dog': Oklahoma City comes out to celebrate Thunder champions parade [KOSU]
- OKC Thunder parade: Officials report 100 heat calls, 24 hospital emergencies during event [The Oklahoman]
- 'Don't ever forget this': OKC Thunder celebrates NBA championship with raucous downtown parade [The Tulsa World]
Local Headlines
- After years of litigation, Edmond Walmart proposal again denied by planning commission [NonDoc]
- Edmond will enlist resident experts to help review, reform budget [The Journal Record]
- Tinker Air Show returns with Thunderbirds, community pride [The Journal Record]
