Oklahoma News
What children in poverty could lose from the 'Big Beautiful Bill': Low-income children and families would be among the groups hit hardest by Republicans' One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In an effort to pay for an extension of the 2017 Trump tax cuts, Republicans in both the House and Senate want to change or reduce key social safety net programs that provide health care, food benefits and financial assistance for millions of children. [NPR]
Utility regulator: Oklahoma's energy demand to grow at 'unprecedented' rate: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which oversees utilities and the oil and gas industry, will be challenged with historically high electricity demand in the coming years, they said. [KOSU]
Thunder fans celebrate Oklahoma City's first-ever major professional sports league title: The Oklahoma City Thunder's victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 of the NBA Finals is a big deal. As Oklahoma City's only Big Four sports franchise, this is the city's first-ever major championship in a professional sport.[KOSU]
- OKC Thunder fans celebrate city's first NBA championship [The Oklahoman]
- OKC preparing for potential Thunder championship to be followed by record parade crowds [The Oklahoman]
- Gunshot victim reported in downtown Oklahoma City after Thunder win NBA Finals [Fox 25]
- Opinion: The Thunder's victory is for every Oklahoman who's been underestimated [Laura Albritton / The Oklahoman]
- Opinion: OKC residents may have different priorities (cartoon) [Todd Pendleton / The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Ryan Walters' agency has a new lead attorney, who's the fourth in less than three years: The top attorney for the Oklahoma State Department of Education is leaving the agency, court filings indicate. Michael Beason, who has served as the agency's general counsel since May 2024, has within the past two weeks withdrawn from at least five state and federal cases in which he was representing the agency, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, or both. [The Oklahoman]
State agency employee count discrepancies inspire lawmakers' scrutiny on budgets: Lawmakers likely will approach budget hearings with state agency heads in the coming year with a greater degree of caution after financial turmoil at the Mental Health Department raised concerns that that agency and others in the past might have routinely overstated the number of people they employed. [Tulsa World]
Federal judge finds poultry waste is still polluting eastern Oklahoma waters: Now with a critical court decision in hand, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said he hopes to settle a 20-year-long lawsuit over pollution to the Illinois River Watershed. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma senator seeks legal opinion on drag shows: A state senator has asked for a legal opinion about whether drag shows violate a recently enacted state law on obscenity. Senate Majority Floor Leader Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, asked Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond for an official opinion, which could be legally binding. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma lawmaker asks AG if new obscenity law bans drag shows [KOSU]
- Political notebook: Bartlesville senator requests AG's opinion on drag shows [Tulsa World]
Legal roundup: While Walters declares court victory, Stitt v. Drummond heats up: Over the past two weeks, courts made a pair of rulings regarding two of Oklahoma's most controversial education policies: HB 1775 and Oklahoma's latest social studies standards. [NonDoc]
Capitol Update: Reviewing the 2025 Oklahoma Legislative Session: The work of the 2025 legislative session is officially over. All bills and resolutions passed have been accounted for through action or inaction by Governor Kevin Stitt. What's the final tally? [KGOU]
Federal Government News
Trump: Iran nuclear facilities 'completely and totally obliterated' in U.S. strike on 3 sites: President Donald Trump said Saturday night that the United States has attacked three nuclear sites in Iran, and all U.S. planes were outside Iran and on their way back to the United States. [Oklahoma Voice]
- US on high alert after strikes on Iranian nuke sites; Trump floats regime change: Updates [The Oklahoman]
- Trump hints at regime change in Iran amid escalating tensions [Fox 25]
- Oklahoma leaders react to U.S. strikes in Iran [KGOU]
- Watch: Bernie Sanders reacts to U.S. strikes in Iran at Oklahoma event [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma's congressional delegation, Gov. Stitt react to U.S. strikes on Iran [The Oklahoman]
- Hern backs Trump's view of Iran's nuclear capabilities as Oklahomans evacuate Israel [Public Radio Tulsa]
Supreme Court rejects one-size-fits-all standard in Oklahoma-Utah EPA cases: The question of federal overreach by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) came into focus when the U.S. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Oklahoma's ability to pursue judicial review in its circuit court, rejecting what some describe as a "one-size-fits-all" approach to federal environmental regulation. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Trump Breaks Tradition by Ignoring Juneteenth Holiday: President Donald Trump did not recognize the Juneteenth Holiday yesterday, breaking from a tradition observed by past administrations. [The Black Wall Street Times]
D.C. Digest: Oklahoma hospitals watch provider tax debate: Oklahoma hospitals, particularly outside the two major metros, could be affected by a provision of the Republicans' reconciliation bill that would tighten their access to Medicaid funds. Since 2011, Oklahoma has been among states that assess hospitals a tax or fee used as matching funds for federal Medicaid dollars. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Whoever chose early June for weather radio updates needs a history lesson on Oklahoma tornado season: As tornado warnings popped up across the Oklahoma City metropolitan area during rush hour earlier this month, it became abundantly clear that somebody didn't know – or didn't care – that it was smack dab in the middle of tornado season across much of the central and southern United States. Because why else would federal officials choose a peak period for tornado outbreaks to perform routine and needed maintenance on weather radios? [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: Trump isn't just 'enforcing the law' on immigration: It's safe to say a great many Americans who don't necessarily support Trump on other issues were hoping and expecting him to finally start enforcing America's immigration laws. What they've gotten instead is a counterproductive and often lawless approach to immigration enforcement, one that weaponizes the issue for the sake of partisan politics, with a foundation of abject cruelty that every American should be ashamed of. [St. Louis Post Dispatch via Tulsa World]
Editorial: The Oklahoman applauds the 'No Kings' rally ― an essential 'check and balance': Although no one kept track, the crowd undoubtedly included many who voted Trump into office, since he received overwhelming support from Oklahomans in all three of his presidential campaigns, even the one he lost narrowly to Joe Biden. The protest marches were an effort to say: "There is a limit to what we will put up with." [The Oklahoma Editorial Board]
Tribal Nations News
Ahead of Claremore Indian Hospital transition Oct. 1, a spotlight on concerns: The proposed changes to the Claremore Indian Hospital are drawing a mixed reception from the facility's staff and patients. [Tulsa World]
'It's a restorative process': Kiowa Tribe already preparing to expand new buffalo herd: More than a century after the decimation of Oklahoma's bison population, the Kiowa Tribe is bringing back an integral part of their culture and connection to the Creator. In March, the Kiowa community welcomed 10 young buffalo to their homelands in southwest Oklahoma and is already looking to expand the herd. [KOSU]
Oklahoma Attorney General says 'No' to United Keetoowah Band casino: Questions are swirling around a gaming compact between Oklahoma and the United Keetoowah Band. [KOSU]
Education News
Parents Swallow Junk Fees to Pay for School Lunches: Parents collectively pay $100 million in fees each year, a couple of bucks at a time, while school districts do little to mitigate. Families on reduced-price lunches, earning less than $32,000 per year for a family of four, pay as much as 60 cents in fees for every $1 spent on lunch, regulators said. Even a $3 fee on a $30 deposit, enough to buy eight lunches, is a 10% surcharge, three to four times more than typical credit card processing fees. [Oklahoma Watch]
Langston University secures $10.1 million for campus maintenance upgrades: In a significant development for Oklahoma's only historically Black college, Langston University has been awarded $10.1 million from the state legislature to address long-standing campus infrastructure needs. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Opinion: I'm more confused than ever where money in higher education is going: Skyrocketing costs of universities isn't news. After a year of going through the college and financial aid application processes, I'm more confused than ever about where higher education money is going. Like, why does it cost $9,900 a year for housing and a meal plan at a private school in upstate New York but the equivalent at OSU is $11,000 and at OU it's about $14,000? [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: It's past time to train everyone at a school in trauma-informed instruction: Research in child development underscores the profound, and often long-lasting, consequences of early life trauma. In classrooms across Oklahoma, educators witness these detrimental impacts firsthand. Yet, there is no requirement for certified teachers, school administrators or support staff to be trained in trauma-informed instruction. [Annie Keehn / Tulsa World]
Opinion: How to use tensegrity to help grow the next generation of leaders: Leaders are often told to "just be better" — be more charismatic, delegate more or think up better ideas. But that kind of advice isn't enough for most people. Real leadership growth comes from growing your people. When you help people improve, your organization's results will follow. [George Horton / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Oklahoma is rebuilding trust after Ryan Walters' change in student test scores: At a time when too many states are blurring the truth when it comes to student achievement, Oklahoma education leaders deserve a round of applause for their recent decision to restore transparency, academic integrity and trust for educators and families. [Patricia Levesque / The Oklahoman]
Editorial: Should a conspiracy theory be part of social studies standards? We don't think so: When Oklahoma high school students studying U.S. history this school year get to the chapter on conspiracy theories about whether Donald Trump won an election he lost, blame state Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Legislature. One started it. The other let it happen. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Health News
Oklahoma's health care system ranked 49th nationally by Commonwealth Fund: Oklahoma's health care system ranks 49th in the nation, ahead of only Texas and Mississippi, according to this year's evaluation by the Commonwealth Fund. Oklahoma held the same position two years ago when the Commonwealth Fund scorecard for the 50 states and the District of Columbia was last issued. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma's Narcotics Bureau: Drug overdoses increased in the state, cocaine use surged: Substance use and fatal overdoses are increasing in Oklahoma, with concerning trends emerging regarding different illegal drugs, according to an annual assessment by the Oklahoma Narcotics Bureau. [The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Violence disrupts Tulsa's Juneteenth Celebrations in the Greenwood District: A 22-year-old male was shot and killed while trying to regain control over the area under the Greenwood overpass, Tulsa Police said. Seven other individuals, ranging in age from 17 to an elderly woman were hit by gunfire and transported to local hospitals for treatment, the TPD report said. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
- One dead, seven wounded in Saturday night shooting at Tulsa's Juneteenth Festival [Tulsa World]
Opinion: The false promise of bail: What Tulsa's new report reveals: Nearly 3 in 5 people booked into jail in the United States remain behind bars simply because they can't afford bail. That's not justice — it's a pay-to-play system that erodes our constitutional ideals. And The Bail Project's new report, The False Promise of Bail, confirms just how broken the system is. [Cameron Pipe / Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Tenants left without help after management quits: Several Oklahomans are frustrated with problems at their apartment complex. Now, they say there is nowhere to turn to get answers. They told News 4 that management had quit earlier this week. [KFOR]
Opinion: Gatesway housing project meeting needs for more than just its clients: A planned $48.5 million, 180-unit housing project in Broken Arrow by the Gatesway Foundation is much more than a typical development. It protects a vulnerable population from homelessness and encourages people without disabilities to be their neighbors. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
Defense contractor to expand Bristow facility, potentially adding more than 200 jobs: Kratos Defense and Security Solutions says it will expand its operation in Bristow to include a new advanced manufacturing facility to produce turbofan engines for missiles and drones used in combat, a move that could result in the creation of more than 200 jobs in the Creek County town. [The Oklahoman]
Meet the Tulsa entrepreneur whose plant-based energy drinks are gaining momentum: Anna Cobb founded Rejuvenation, which makes plant-based energy fruit drinks that are sold online and also in more than 75 locations in eight states, including Akin's Natural Foods. [Tulsa World]
USDA releases plan to halt the spread of New World screwworms: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has released a plan to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm this week. The screwworm is a fly that lays eggs in the wounds of living animals. Its larvae burrow into healthy flesh and can cause illness or death. [KOSU]
Trump revives supersonic air travel five decades after a sonic boom test annoyed OKC: President Donald Trump has ordered the Federal Aviation Administration to end the 52-year ban on supersonic flights in the United States, which will clear the way for commercial passenger aircraft to exceed Mach 1. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Beyond rainbow logos — Why real LGBTQ+ inclusion is good business: Every June, some brands roll out rainbow logos as a nod to Pride. But inclusion isn't a marketing moment; it's a reflection of your values. It shouldn't be performative, but rather part of a growth strategy that transforms culture and improves performance through an intentional commitment to people, performance and purpose. [Cheena Pazzo / Tulsa World]
Community News
Thousands attend Bernie Sanders' 'Fight Oligarchy' tour Saturday in Tulsa: Vermont U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders made the 22nd stop on his "Fighting Oligarchy" tour in front of thousands of Tulsans on Saturday as President Donald Trump was announcing the U.S. had struck three sites in Iran. [Tulsa World]
'Target on our back': Details from the City Council's discussion on LGTBQ protections: What turned up the tension — and helped draw members of the LGBTQ community to City Council chambers Wednesday night — was a proposal to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the city's anti-discrimination ordinances related to public accommodations. [Tulsa World]
- Tulsa city council postpones ordinance expanding human rights protections [Public Radio Tulsa]
Local Headlines
- It's time for new annual water quality reports. Here's how Oklahomans can check theirs [KOSU]
- Oklahoma City to get EPA funds for brownfield site cleanup [KGOU]
- OKC eyes October vote on $2.7B plan for streets, parks [The Journal Record]
- OK County property market hits $105 billion. How much have real estate values gone up? [The Oklahoman]
- Tulsa Approves $1 Million to Continue 1921 Mass Graves Probe [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Opinion: Tulsa Fire Department celebrates 125 years of collective community service [Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker / Tulsa World]
