Oklahoma News
Rate of immigration arrests doubled in Oklahoma since Trump took office: Immigration arrests in Oklahoma have more than doubled since President Donald Trump took office when compared to 2024 rates, according to a Tulsa World analysis of Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrest data. [Tulsa World]
Oklahoma Policy Institute warns against revamping private prisons for immigration detention: As some of Oklahoma's older privately owned prisons are eyed as opportunities for expanding federal immigration detention capacity, one Oklahoma think tank aims to remind residents why more privatized incarceration is a bad deal for them and the state. [KOSU]
A growing lack of attorneys in rural Oklahoma counties is creating access disparities: Many rural counties are grappling with a shortage of lawyers, which experts say is requiring Oklahomans to travel further to obtain legal representation and creating access disparities between those who can afford attorneys and those who cannot. [Oklahoma Voice]
State Government News
'Comprehensive review': Slavonic digs into contracts, payments at Oklahoma mental health agency: Attending his first meeting of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Board on Friday, interim Commissioner of Mental Health Greg Slavonic provided a broad update on his priorities, the agency's ongoing "reorganization" and the need to flip over an "upside down" financial picture that portends potential service cuts. [NonDoc]
Lawmakers Submit More than 200 Interim Study Requests: Oklahoma lawmakers are preparing to host more than 200 interim studies at the Capitol this fall. Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, approved 77 requests from senators on July 2. About 150 requests from state representatives are awaiting approval from House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow. This Friday, July 25, is the deadline for him to approve the studies and assign them to a committee. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma Workforce Commission CEO outlines goals as the world of work has changed: The CEO of the relatively new Oklahoma Workforce Commission outlined several ways she is aiming to improve the state's workforce, for both employers and people who need jobs or will need them in the future. [Tulsa World]
George Kaiser Family Foundation's Tulsa Remote program earns continuing state support: The highly successful Tulsa Remote program earned another vote of confidence from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. Members of the department's Incentives Approval Committee signed off on a continuation of state support that has helped offset the costs of administering the program. The support will continue for at least another 2½ years. [Tulsa World]
Phone-friendly portal eases access to state unemployment help: A new cellphone-friendly portal to access the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission should make it easier and less stressful for people to file claims for unemployment benefits or take care of other business. [Tulsa World]
Capital Insider: Supreme Court delays implementation of business courts law: One of Gov. Kevin Stitt's major goals has been to create new courts in Oklahoma - business courts that exclusively handle business disputes. A bill passed this last session establishes those courts, but that bill has been challenged and the Oklahoma Supreme Court issued a stay to delay implementation of the new law. [KGOU]
Rep. Mark Lepak: A session of real, lasting tax relief for working Oklahomans: This session, the Legislature passed one of the most important pieces of tax reform in recent history, House Bill 2764. As someone who has worked for years to bring meaningful tax relief to Oklahomans, I believe this is a major win for taxpayers across our state. [Rep. Mark Lepak / Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
Some frozen federal funds for schools released to states by Trump administration: President Donald Trump's administration confirmed Friday that it's releasing funds that support before- and after-school programs as well as summer programs, a portion of the $6.8 billion in withheld funds for K-12 schools that were supposed to be sent out two weeks ago. [Oklahoma Voice]
CareerTech sees $7.5M in adult education funding frozen by Trump administration: Over $7.5 million in federal grants were not distributed to Oklahoma CareerTech at the beginning of the fiscal year to fund adult education programs, the agency's director said. [Oklahoma Voice]
Congress approves Trump's $9 billion cut to public broadcasting and foreign aid: The House gave final approval to President Donald Trump's request to claw back about $9 billion for public broadcasting and foreign aid early Friday as Republicans intensified their efforts to target institutions and programs they view as bloated or out of step with their agenda. [AP News]
Trump administration unveils $50B plan to aid rural hospitals: The Trump administration is moving quickly to launch a $50 billion rural health care fund aimed at propping up struggling hospitals before sweeping Medicaid cuts go into effect in 2027. Officials say the fund is part of a broader effort to modernize rural health care. [KFOR]
- Federal Medicaid Cuts Would Force Rural Hospitals to the Brink of Closure [Families USA]
D.C. Digest: Less spending only way to control deficit, Hern says: First District Congressman Kevin Hern, one of House Republicans' leading figures on tax policy, came close last week to acknowledging that preventing the 2017 tax cuts from expiring was the first priority of the One Big Beautiful Bill signed by President Donald Trump on July 4. [Tulsa World]
Editorial: Forget Congress! Let's help keep our OETA, NPR stations on the air: For years Republicans have complained that "the elites" are running Washington, but the stench of people with power and influence denying something essential to the poor and working class is all over the legislation from Congress this week. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Tribal Nations News
Who prosecutes who? Explaining Tulsa's agreement with Oklahoma tribe: The City of Tulsa recently agreed to send criminal defendants to Muscogee tribal court if they're a member of any federally recognized tribe and if the crime occurred inside the reservation. The agreement could end a long-running legal dispute. [The Oklahoman]
'Keep going': Efforts to preserve Caddo language continue, despite death of last fluent speaker: The Caddo Nation mourns the loss of beloved elder Edmond Johnson, the tribal nation's last fluent speaker. Despite his recent passing, Caddo language preservation efforts continue, with his legacy in mind. [KOSU]
Opinion: Oklahoma Tribal Consultation Act supports conservative values: Tribal governments operate within our state as sovereign entities, with their own laws, courts and jurisdictions. But despite their central role in Oklahoma's political and economic landscape, the state still has no clear, consistent policy requiring state agencies to consult with tribal governments before taking actions that directly impact them. [Courtney Jordan / Tulsa World]
Voting and Election News
Local election officials worry about federal cuts to security, survey shows: Local election officials across the country fear the loss of federal support for election security, according to a new survey. [Oklahoma Voice]
Democrat Jena Nelson is challenging Stephanie Bice for Oklahoma City-area seat in Congress: In the wake of a loss to Republican Ryan Walters in the 2022 election for state superintendent, Democrat Jena Nelson has remained active in political circles, speaking at events and commenting on issues on social media. [The Oklahoman]
Political notebook: Mullin campaign reports $1.3 million second-quarter receipts: U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin's 2026 re-election campaign took in more than $1.3 million last quarter, according to Federal Election Commission reports. [Tulsa World]
Education News
Oklahoma charter school board sees major turnover after SCOTUS St. Isidore ruling: A nine-person state board that oversees charter schools in Oklahoma is facing significant turnover after just one year in existence. A Statewide Charter School Board meeting on Monday, July 14 included one completely new member, another new member brought back from a now-disbanded board that's been replaced by the new board, and an open seat waiting for a new appointment by Gov. Kevin Stitt. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: I love my hometown. Here's how we make it better: As a parent, I think about what I want for my own children's educational experiences. More than anything, I want them to believe their possibilities are endless. But that kind of belief doesn't come from school alone — it comes from a community. That's where you come in, Tulsa. [Mikeale Campbell / Tulsa World]
Editorial: Oklahoma schools are already struggling. Walters' 'wokeness test' doesn't help: Oklahoma is in dire need of more teachers who can inspire children to read, write and excel in math and science. An ideology test would only exclude excellent teachers. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Health News
Trump administration ends specialized LGBTQ+ suicide prevention services on 988: The Trump administration has halted targeted suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth on the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. As of last week, programming that connected callers under the age of 25 with LGBTQ-trained counselors with the press of a button is no longer available. [KOSU]
Criminal Justice News
Anonymous Source Sheds Light on Panhandle Police Impunity: Among the deluge of tips received by Oklahoma Watch in February after it exposed a Texas County DA-run drug task force ticketing scam targeting truckers passing through the panhandle, one stood out for the anonymous writer's claim of having lately been employed as a patrol officer in the Guymon Police Department. [Oklahoma Watch]
The fight against human, sex trafficking now extends to lawsuits against OKC hotels: Over the years a movement has grown nationwide to combat human trafficking by suing hotels. The intent is to hold them accountable for their alleged roles in either failing to prevent or outright facilitating exploitation on their premises. [The Oklahoman]
Do you have experience at the Tulsa Municipal Jail? The Frontier wants to talk to you: The news organization is gathering information to better understand the conditions for detainees at the Tulsa Municipal Jail. If you've had any involvement with the facility — as a detainee, employee, contractor, attorney, service provider, or family member — they'd like to hear from you. [The Frontier]
Legal opinion requested after plan detailed to pull trooper patrols in Tulsa, OKC: A plan that would give the Tulsa Police Department sole responsibility for routine patrols on more than 40 miles of interstate highway would saddle the Oklahoma City Police Department with the responsibility for patrolling 107 miles of interstate highway. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Oklahoma's poorest rural areas are seeing increases in serious crimes: A report published by Oklahomans For Criminal Justice Reform reveals that Oklahoma's most populous cities have seen a dramatic decline in crime since 2018. This positive data obscures the fact that during that same period, some of Oklahoma's poorest rural communities experienced a 35% increase in serious crime. [Damion Shade / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Beware that buying a stolen gun can bring jail time: If someone offers to sell a $300 handgun in exchange for $100 and free haircuts, be suspicious. Also, don't leave your firearms unsecured in your parked car. Those are the takeaways from the latest "Where's Your Gun?" blurb on the Tulsa Police Department's Facebook page. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Opinion: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is accurately named. Maybe they should remember their role: The Oklahoma Highway Patrol needs to take a hard look at themselves in the rearview mirror and figure out their priorities. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Another large south Tulsa apartment complex facing water service cutoff: The management company operating One Eton Square apartments in south Tulsa insisted Friday that it will pay a $36,429 past-due water bill before the city turns off its service on July 28. [Tulsa World]
Editorial: Let's not be a BANANA when it comes to our housing shortage: In these next five years, we want Tulsans to be realistic about where their back yard ends. We need more housing. We need to set up places to serve those who don't have shelter and need rehab or treatment. [Tulsa World Editorial Board]
Economy & Business News
Is Oklahoma good for business? This is how it ranks against other states: The cost of doing business in Oklahoma is among the lowest in the country, but Oklahoma is far from being the best state for business. While the state ranks high in cost of living (#18), cost of doing business (#1) and overall business friendliness (#20), the remaining seven categories sit below the halfway point of the 50 states. [The Oklahoman]
- America's Top States for Business 2025: The full rankings [CNBC]
$2 billion Vinita theme park remains in limbo two years after announcement: A planned $2 billion Disneyland-like theme park announced two years ago remains in limbo — and may not happen at all — amid a shakeup between the project's financial backer and those initially hired to make it happen. [Tulsa World]
Community News
Black America in Crisis: Urban League Declares State of Emergency: On Thursday, July 17, the National Urban League declared a "State of Emergency" in Black America. It cited attacks on civil rights, democratic principles, and past progress. The report, titled "State of Emergency: Civil Rights, Democracy & Progress Under Attack," exposes an extraordinary assault on our democracy and freedoms. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Good trouble: Tulsans evoke John Lewis' legacy to remain hopeful: On the fifth anniversary of John Lewis' death, about 30 Tulsans gathered on Thursday to remember his legacy and project hope. "You're here and you're in trouble, but it's good trouble. It's the right kind of trouble," a Greenwood historian told a group of Tulsans last week. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Opinion: To face modern challenges, Oklahomans must build 'networks of resilience': Many Oklahomans are wrestling with stress from forces beyond our control, whether it be rapid change in the digital world, physical and mental health crises, or social, economic and political conflicts. As the Mayo Clinic explains, we need to "harness the inner strength" that is necessary to deal with these stressful challenges. Until recently, however, we have focused on individual resilience, i.e. the ability for a person to cope with tough events. [John Thompson / NonDoc]
Local Headlines
- 'We knew it was coming': Oklahoma deploys tiny wasps to control invasive forest pest [Public Radio Tulsa]
- Seen a horned lizard lately? Oklahoma's wildlife biologists want to know about it [KOSU]
- Oklahoma City man charged after vandalism of TV station's weather radar [KGOU]
- Edmond cuts ribbon for new city hall [The Oklahoman]
- Classen Curve, Nichols Hills Shopping Plaza sold for $212 million as owner closes shop [The Oklahoman]
- Small panel falls off stealth fighter after taking off from Tinker AFB [The Oklahoman]
