Oklahoma News
From hungry goats to property taxes, Oklahoma senators unveil interim study plans: State senators in the interim will take a look at sports betting, removing elected officials and the use of goats to eradicate red cedar trees. Those are just a few of the 74 Senate interim study requests Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, recently assigned to committees. The studies, which can help shape legislative priorities, are expected to be completed by Oct. 31. [Oklahoma Voice]
State Government News
Oklahoma's total tax revenue collections up slightly compared to last fiscal year: Oklahoma's tax revenues are up by a fraction of a percent compared to this time last year, according to a June report by the state treasury department. It's largely attributed to a tax lawmakers want to get rid of — and that makes up much of the state's budget. [KOSU]
Education Watch: Walters' School Meal Plan Draws Criticism: This week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters said he wants schools to provide meals at no cost to all students, using existing state and federal money.Compliance, though, would cause drastic cuts — dozens of teachers laid off and all administrators, plus programs. [Oklahoma Watch]
- Oklahoma school leaders say Walters' meals mandate would cause 'drastic' cuts [Oklahoma Voice]
- Walters' meals mandate is an 'empty threat,' Oklahoma House education leader says [Oklahoma Voice]
- Oklahoma House education leader calls Ryan Walters' school lunch mandate an 'empty threat' [The Oklahoman]
Report finds years of mismanagement at Oklahoma mental health agency: More than a decade of faulty budgeting practices and mismanagement at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services contributed to the agency's recent financial crisis, according to an investigative report. [KOSU]
Federal Government News
How Immigrants Will Help Fund Trump's Tax Cuts: To help cover the cost of their marquee tax-and-spending package, Republicans have turned to a community President Trump has often targeted: immigrants. The package, which is heading to Trump's desk, includes new fees on immigrants navigating the legal process, and cutting legal immigrants out of certain federal safety-net programs. [The Wall Street Journal]
Judge turns down attempt by Trump administration to dismiss Abrego Garcia suit: A federal judge in Maryland on Wednesday denied the Trump administration's attempts to dismiss a lawsuit by wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was returned to the United States last month. [Oklahoma Voice]
US Senate panel approves Trump pick to head Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: President Donald Trump's candidate to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advanced out of a Senate committee Wednesday following a party-line vote, moving her one step closer to confirmation. [Oklahoma Voice]
USDA chief outlines plan to block China from U.S. farmland ownership: President Donald Trump's administration will pursue a ban on Chinese ownership of U.S. farmland as part of an effort to strengthen farm security, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said Tuesday. [Oklahoma Voice]
IRS says church leaders can endorse candidates: How OKC pastors responded: Houses of worship that blend religion and politics have been a particularly hot topic for decades and the recent IRS clarification seems destined to intensify debates over the issue. Some local religious leaders like Blair welcomed the latest development, while several others said they were seriously concerned about it. [The Oklahoman]
Advocate warns of cuts to free school meals as federal funding shifts to states: In 2024, 267 school districts in Oklahoma participated in CEP. The program allows schools to offer no-cost meals districtwide, covering about 280,000 students. However, following the passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill", which shifts Medicaid and SNAP funding responsibilities to individual states, the future of the program could be at risk. [News on 6]
US Education Department to revive student loan interest for borrowers in SAVE program: Interest accrual on the debt of nearly 7.7 million student loan borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education plan will resume Aug. 1, the U.S. Education Department said Wednesday. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: From Slavery to ICE: The Paper Trail of Oppression: In the United States, power often comes down to documentation. For centuries, those in power have used documents to police freedom. From the plantation to the border, a lack of paperwork has always meant danger for Black and Brown people. America has a paper trail of oppression. [Nehemiah Frank / The Black Wall Street Times]
Tribal Nations News
Keith Stitt petitions SCOTUS to review Oklahoma criminal court's Indian jurisdiction ruling: Attorney and Cherokee Nation citizen Keith Stitt filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday seeking determination of whether Oklahoma "may exercise criminal jurisdiction over an Indian for conduct in Indian County absent a valid congressional grant of authority." [NonDoc]
Muscogee Nation files lawsuit against Oklahoma town for violating 'McGirt': The Muscogee Nation filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against the City of Henryetta and its attorney, John Insabella, for violating jurisdictional laws as established in McGirt v. Oklahoma. [KOSU]
Caddo Nation partners with Oklahoma university for job training program: An Oklahoma technology university announced it has formed a partnership with the Caddo Nation to give its members enhanced training in the renewable energy and construction fields. Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology said it will work with the Caddo Nation Economic Development Authority to have the new program operational by fall. [Oklahoma Voice]
- OSU, Caddo Nation partnership to create bolster tribal economy, workforce development [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Meet two new Republican candidates in the race for Oklahoma governor: The Republican field for the 2026 race for Oklahoma governor is growing. Former state Sen. Jake Merrick and small business owner Kenneth Sturgell are the most recent candidates to join the race to replace current Gov. Kevin Stitt, who is term limited. [The Oklahoman]
New Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Waldron discusses AI controversy and party plans (transcript): The Oklahoma Democratic Party elected a new chair earlier this month, but it wasn't without controversy. KWGS' Zach Boblitt spoke with John Waldron about his party's challenges ahead and an AI-generated recording that faked his voice in the run-up to his party chair nomination. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Education News
100 years after Scopes Monkey Trial, a new religious culture war emerges in Oklahoma: A century after the famed Scopes Monkey Trial in Tennessee brought the concept of teaching evolution in public schools into a courtroom, thus testing cultural and religious norms of that era, another state is pushing to put the Bible back into the regular classroom rotation. [The Oklahoman]
- Trial of the century: Why 100 years later, the Scopes case still matters [The Oklahoman]
Health News
Rural Oklahoma has limited food access. Banning dyes won't help, experts say: Oklahomans who rely on government assistance for groceries may soon be barred from purchasing foods with artificial dyes. But experts say restricting food options, especially in rural areas, is not the best way to improve nutrition and health. [The Oklahoman]
OK doctor weighs in on prior authorization for select Medicare services starting Jan. 1, 2026: In 2026, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services will implement a prior authorization for certain services covered under Medicaid in Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, Arizona, New Jersey, and Washington. With the impending changes, local doctors have concerns about the accessibility of treatment for patients. [KFOR]
Criminal Justice News
Attorney for downtown Tulsa business owners urges city to enforce nuisance laws: An attorney representing business owners concerned about homelessness and associated crime downtown met Wednesday with Mayor Monroe Nichols to urge the city to enforce the laws related to nuisances. [Tulsa World]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma rent hikes cool as new construction booms: Rent prices are leveling off midway through 2025 at a time of year when they typically accelerate. The surprising softening trend signals that the market may be entering a new phase of stabilization, suggesting that property owners likely are prioritizing lease renewals over pricing power, according to the report. [The Journal Record]
Economy & Business News
Oklahoma's renewable energy development expected to slow under megabill policies: More than 40% of Oklahoma's energy generation comes from wind turbines, and solar companies are showing increased interest in building projects in the state. But advocates say Oklahoma's leadership position in renewable energy investments may fade with the passage of the megabill. [StateImpact / Public Radio Tulsa]
Community News
Lawsuit asks for reimbursement of 20 years of some Tulsa-area tolls: A lawsuit filed this week is attempting to make a portion of the Will Rogers Turnpike toll-free and reimburse motorists. Easley argues motorists should not have to pay tolls due to a 50-year lease agreement mandated between the Oklahoma Transportation Commission and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority in 2000. [KOSU]
Oklahoma ranks seventh among top 10 states for weather damage: As deadly floods wreak havoc in states across the U.S., a new study shows Oklahoma ranks seventh among the top 10 states suffering weather-related damages to life and property. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Eastern Oklahoma children evacuated from Boys and Girls Club after flash flooding: An eastern Oklahoma Boys and Girls Club was evacuated Tuesday after flash flooding brought water into the building. About a foot of water entered the building, the organization posted on Facebook, and the club will be closed for at least the remainder of the week for clean-up and repairs. [The Oklahoman]
Local Headlines
- Felker, Carll kick off packed WoodyFest 2025 lineup [NonDoc]
- Turner Turnpike 'Midway' travel stop in Stroud to close permanently [The Oklahoman]
