Oklahoma News
Oklahoma's fertility rate continues to decline, report finds: Fertility rates in Oklahoma and around the nation are on a "decades long downward trend" which has the potential to create state budget shortfalls, according to a report from Pew Charitable Trusts. Factors contributing to the decline include fewer teen pregnancies, women having children later in life and less births following economic recessions, according to the report. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma ranked in worst 10 for quality of life by new survey. Here's why: Oklahoma has recently been ranked home to two of the most boring cities in the nation, and a new survey also puts the Sooner state at the bottom for quality of life. Oklahoma scored 97 out of a possible 265 points; here's why. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
The Man Who Brought You Trump Bibles in Schools Is Truly Back at It Again: Oklahoma's education department announced an innovative new approach to screening aspiring teachers in the state: any applicants from "woke" states would need to first pass an ideology test created by the right-wing group PragerU. The proposal comes from Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, and even if you don't know his name, you're almost certainly familiar with his work. Walters' proposals for the school system have included a mandate that all public schools teach the Bible; a plan to collect children's immigration status when they register for public school; and new social studies standards proposals that would have high school students "identify discrepancies in 2020 election results." [Slate Magazine]
Federal Government News
One man's story shows the quandary of Medicaid's benefit cliff (audio): Medicaid work requirements are a prominent feature of the big federal budget bill, but working full time can jeopardize some people's health coverage. [NPR]
Trump tax law runs up deficit by $3.4T, throws 10 million off health insurance, CBO says: Republicans' "big, beautiful" law will add $3.394 trillion to deficits during the next decade and lead 10 million people to lose access to health insurance, according to an analysis released Monday by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. [Oklahoma Voice]
Judge orders Trump administration to 'stop violating the law!' and publish spending details: A federal judge on Monday ordered the Trump administration to once again publish details about the pace at which it plans to spend money approved by Congress. U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia Judge Emmet Sullivan wrote in his ruling that Congress "has sweeping authority" to require the president to post a website detailing how it doles out taxpayer dollars throughout the year. [Oklahoma Voice]
No one knows whether Trump's $50B for rural health will be enough: Congress set aside $50 billion for rural hospitals and medical providers to allay fears over the billions more in historic cuts to federal health care spending that President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day. But is that bandage big enough to save struggling rural hospitals? [Oklahoma Voice]
Federal cuts target EPA research center in Ada: On Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency said it will eliminate the Office of Research and Development and reduce its workforce. The termination includes the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center in Ada, which employed about 60 federal workers before the restructuring notice. [StateImpact via KGOU]
Oklahoma mom honors daughter killed by fentanyl by joining President Trump for bill signing: The Halt Fentanyl Act puts fentanyl-related substances into the government's strictest drug classification, creates harsher penalties and fewer loopholes. Meanwhile, Rain's Law has made it through the Oklahoma House of Representatives and sits inside the Senate. Rain's Law would put fentanyl education into Oklahoma schools. [KOCO]
- Oklahoma mom seeks to bring fentanyl education to classrooms [Fox 23]
Congress Targets Toxic Beauty Products Marketed to Black Women: For decades, Black women have used hair care products that promised beauty—but concealed the dangers of toxic beauty products. Now, lawmakers are taking action. Last Wednesday, federal legislators introduced the Safe Beauty Bill Package, a suite of four bills aimed at banning or regulating harmful chemicals in personal care products disproportionately marketed to Black women. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tribal Nations News
Kiowa Tribe receives $70,000 in health funds: The Indian Health Service has awarded over $1.4 million in the second round of fiscal year 2025 tribal management grants to 13 tribes and tribal organizations, including the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, as part of a competitive program to develop and improve tribal capacity to manage health programs under the authority of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. [The Lawton Constitution]
Indigenous storytelling, journalism celebrated through new 'Killers of the Flower Moon' photobook: The Making of Killers of the Flower Moon features 190 pages of reporting and photography from the filming of Killers of the Flower Moon, courtesy of the Indigenous news outlet Osage News. The collection features article snippets and images that tell the story of the Osage Nation's role in the film, from casting calls to tribal dancers walking the red carpet. [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
Recreational marijuana petition drive to begin in Oklahoma: Oklahomans who want recreational marijuana use to be legalized have been cleared to begin collecting signatures on an initiative petition for another state question on the issue. The proposed constitutional amendment would make it legal for people 21 and older to grow, buy, consume or transport cannabis in Oklahoma. It would do away with a 7% excise tax currently paid by people who are licensed to use medical marijuana. [Tulsa World]
- Oklahoma recreational marijuana supporters can soon collect petition signatures, state leaders say [News 9]
Education News
Textbook Publishers Reveal How They Incorporated Controversial New Standards: The state's social studies standards, ideologically aligned with conservative values, American exceptionalism and Christianity, will guide a committee's review of dozens of textbooks and materials for use in Oklahoma classrooms. Most textbook publishers made little effort to embrace the controversial aspects of the new standards. Some made minor adjustments. And a few refused to do business with Oklahoma altogether. [Oklahoma Watch]
Former AG, parents challenge judge's decision on academic standards lawsuit: A Represented by former Attorney General Mike Hunter, the group is challenging a ruling by District Judge Brent Dishman that their objection to the state's new social studies standards is a political question rather than one that can be addressed by the courts, according to a July 14 filing with the Oklahoma Supreme Court. group of parents, grandparents and teachers are appealing an Oklahoma County district judge's decision to dismiss their lawsuit over Oklahoma's new social studies academic standards. [Tulsa World]
Gov. Kevin Stitt appoints newest member to Statewide Charter School Board: Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed a Jones woman to an open seat on the Statewide Charter School Board. The Legislature created the board in 2023 "to support education choice through the authorization of charter schools and virtual charter schools and the development and implementation of educational online learning courses and tools." [The Oklahoman]
Despite funding increases for Langston University, some legislators wary as needs remain: For the second consecutive year, the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated additional money to Langston University for campus maintenance efforts and the expansion of an agriculture outreach program, but both Black members of the State Senate say more resources are needed for the 1897 land-grant institution as it navigates a changing and competitive higher education landscape. [NonDoc]
Graduate of adult work program says education changed her life amid federal funding freeze: Adults in Oklahoma may face new challenges in earning high school diplomas or GEDs due to the Trump administration's decision to freeze billions in federal dollars supporting education programs. Approximately 30,000 adults in Oklahoma have not earned a diploma or GED, and this number could rise after the Trump administration froze $7.5 million intended for adult education programs across the state. [KOCO]
- Over $7.5 million in adult education federal funding frozen for Oklahomans [KFOR]
Health News
Oklahoma Mercy Hospital leaders brace for Medicaid cuts to mitigate potential service loss: Several Oklahoma hospitals face the risk of closure following the passage of sweeping federal Medicaid cuts. However, the changes in the new law won't go into effect until late 2026 and beyond. One leader at Mercy Hospital said the cuts would eliminate certain healthcare services. However, he said the hospital system would pursue alternative ways to make up for future budget cuts. [News on 6]
OKC's heat wave sparking heat-related illness, emergencies as temperatures rise: Oklahoma's summer heat comes with a health risk each year, and 2025 is no different. Looking ahead, Oklahoma City likely will see the heat index surpass 100 degrees several times before August. Eastern Oklahoma will be even hotter with nearly all areas experiencing maximum heat index of over 100 degrees every day, according to the National Weather Service. [The Oklahoman]
- It's heating up in Oklahoma. Here are 10 things you shouldn't leave in a hot car this summer [The Oklahoman]
St. Anthony Hospital debuts next gen robotic surgery system: Surgeons at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital have begun using a new $2.5 million robotic surgical system that translates to less time in surgery and less time in recovery for their patients. The hospital is the first in Oklahoma City to upgrade to the da Vinci 5 surgical system, which has 150 design innovations over the previous version. [The Journal Record]
Editorial: Medicaid cuts could devastate hospitals: Oklahoma residents should be concerned about what could happen to their hospitals if Medicaid funds are slashed to the degree the Trump administration is promising. Most Okies don't live in Tulsa or Oklahoma City, where they can readily access St. Francis, St. John, Mercy Hospital, or OU and OSU medical centers. Instead, they've long relied on rural facilities for basic care, and in some hospitals – like Tahlequah's – they've been able to get more specialized treatments. [Tahlequah Daily Press]
Criminal Justice News
Work on the new jail health center has a strict timeline. It has county officials concerned: Weather delays in construction aren't surprising with spring and summer rains for the record books, but unanticipated "poor soils" also slowed work on the $44 million federally funded Oklahoma County jail Behavioral Care Center, which has a strict timeline. It's enough to have officials "concerned." [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma City Council approves AI facial comparison software for police department: Last week, the Oklahoma City Council approved the police department's request to purchase AI facial comparison technology. The company providing the technology has been involved in a nationwide class-action lawsuit over biometric privacy. [KGOU]
Oklahoma Highway Patrol shares plan to reallocate resources away from the Tulsa area (video): Oklahoma Highway Patrol Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton detailed the agency's plan to reallocate resources away from the Tulsa and Oklahoma City metro areas during a press conference on Thursday. [News 9]
Oklahoma courthouse hosts bond hearing as Glossip's plea deal remains in legal limbo: Almost a week ago, Glossip's attorneys filed a motion to enforce a plea deal they say was agreed upon by the Attorney General Gentner Drummond and his office. According to Glossip's attorney, Don Knight, the plea deal was acknowledged on multiple occasions and even on the record. However, his team says Drummond never finalized the agreement. [Fox 23]
Attorney General Drummond takes over prosecution of former Choctaw teacher accused of sex crimes: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is assuming control of the prosecution in the case against former Choctaw High School teacher Samuel Melton, who is facing multiple sex crimes involving a student. [News 9]
- Former Choctaw High School choir teacher was sexual 'predator,' attorney general says [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma County unveils comforting space for children going through court system: Oklahoma County has unveiled The Children's Room, a new space designed to provide comfort and support for children going through the court system. The welcoming space features books, toys and calming machines. [KOCO]
Economy & Business News
OKC aerospace adds $3.9B in output, nearly 9K jobs since 2015: As the state's second largest industry, aerospace supports nearly $9 billion in goods and more than 80,000 jobs in Oklahoma City, according to a report. The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber this month released its latest Aerospace and Aviation Industry Survey. The report, a collaborative effort with RegionTrack, Inc., highlights the industry as a key economic driver in the area. [The Journal Record]
Cities collect less sales tax, forecast marginal growth: Sales tax collections for most cities in the southwest part of Oklahoma dovetailed a flat growth trend in revenue for the state, which triggered some municipalities to cut spending. The state experienced a 0.2% growth in sales tax revenue, according to a report from the Oklahoma State Treasurer's Office. From the state's largest city to small towns, revenue fell below expectations. [Southwest Ledger]
Oklahoma state park restaurant remains closed months after fire: A restaurant at an eastern Oklahoma state park remains closed during peak tourism season, over seven months after a fire. State parks officials would not answer questions seeking a dollar estimate of damage, the cause of the fire, where it originated, or if the restaurant, which is attached to the lodge, was also insured. [Oklahoma Voice]
Opinion: Tax credit approved by Legislature will bring more engineers to Oklahoma: Oklahoma's future depends on its ability to grow and retain talent. House Bill 2260, which was recently passed with more than 70% bipartisan support, delivers a powerful message by offering a $25,000 tax credit to early career civil and environmental engineers who choose to live and work in our state. [John Klier / The Oklahoman]
Community News
'Giving Hope Day': Jasco marks 50 years with acts of service: A small army of volunteers in bright blue JASCO T-shirts filled the vast warehouse space at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, their hands working as they bagged thousands of carrots while high-energy music pounded through the speakers and laughter echoed off the walls. The scene was repeated across Oklahoma City as nearly 350 employees from the electronics manufacturer shut down normal operations Friday to mark the company's 50th anniversary with a day of giving back. [The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
