Oklahoma News
Ryan Walters says he's not responsible for images of naked women shown during a meeting: In a fiery press release, state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters says he "will not be distracted" by an investigation after two State Board of Education members said they saw images of naked women on a television in Walters' office during a meeting. [The Oklahoman]
Is Oklahoma a Top 10 state? How Gov. Stitt tracks education, health and more: Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has long envisioned and championed Oklahoma as a "Top 10" state. But the slogan has been met with much discussion, particularly over its validity. Oklahoma often ranks among the worst states for education, health outcomes and poverty. [The Oklahoman]
State Government News
Oklahoma Completes Takeover of Lawton Prison: For the first time since the mid-1990s, Oklahoma is out of the private prison business. The Oklahoma Department of Corrections took control of the Lawton Correctional Facility, a 2,697-bed prison previously owned and operated by the GEO Group, last Friday, July 25. The Legislature authorized the $312 million prison purchase in May. [Oklahoma Watch]
Oklahoma lawmakers to tackle dark money, water and artificial intelligence during the interim: The Oklahoma House during the interim will take a look at dark money in elections, abandoned medical marijuana facilities and water depletion. Those are just a few of 127 House interim studies that will be held. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma's largest utility company references criticized bill in OCC application: Oklahoma Corporation Commissioners (OCC) on Wednesday approved OG&E's application to withdraw its rate review request, which cites a bill regulators say could raise customers' monthly bills. [KGOU]
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt assumes lead role in National Governors Association: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, entering his final 17 months in that office, is the new chair of the National Governors Association. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma seeks changes to food assistance program (podcast): KOSU's Michael Cross talks with KOSU agriculture and rural issues reporter Anna Pope about her recent story on Oklahoma asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restrict candy and soft drinks from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. [KOSU]
Legal roundup: Epic case lingers, OTA sued to stop Will Rogers Turnpike tolls, Okmulgee jailer case stalled: Amid the release of new arena renderings for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the launch of new inquiries into whatever was on State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters' TV screen, Oklahomans could be excused for missing out on other important statewide happenings. [NonDoc]
Capitol Insider: Walters runs into resistance from State Board of Education members: The State Board of Education met Thursday and again took exception to decisions of State Superintendent Ryan Walters. This is not the first time the board has pushed back. [KGOU]
Opinion: Oklahoma's education department wants to hide resignation letters. They've always been public: Ryan Walters and his merry band of administrative leaders should not be operating the State Department of Education like their own private fiefdom, oblivious to the laws that govern public access. Yet our state superintendent and those leaders he's entrusted to serve us appear to be happily doing just that in denying access to one of the most basic records that's long been released through our state's Open Records Act — resignation letters. [Janelle Stecklein / Oklahoma Voice]
Editorial: Are Oklahomans being overcharged for homeowners insurance? Let's find out: "Oklahoma is open for business," so the saying goes. But in their enthusiasm for boosting economic growth, state officials have been neglecting their equally important responsibility to protect the interests of the people they serve — particularly homeowners alarmed by insurance premiums shooting up and up in price but offering less and less protection from disastrous loss. [The Oklahoman Editorial Board]
Federal Government News
Fewer than half of ICE arrests under Trump are convicted criminals: Despite Trump administration rhetoric accusing Democrats of protecting violent criminals and drug-dealing immigrants, the administration's arrests have been catching a smaller share of criminals overall, and a smaller share of people convicted of violent and drug crimes, than the Biden administration did in the same time frame. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahomans celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act: State officials on Friday celebrated the 35th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which they said continues to change Oklahomans' lives for the better. [Oklahoma Voice]
Democrats, education groups call for Trump to unfreeze K-12 funds: U.S. Senate Democrats on Thursday slammed the "assault" on public education by President Donald Trump's administration, underscoring the impact of billions of dollars in funds still frozen for K-12 schools and ongoing efforts to dismantle the Education Department. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma Sen. Mullin blocks Epstein file release from DOJ, proposes limited court document unsealing: Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., blocked a resolution that would require the Department of Justice to release all documents related to deceased, convicted child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday. [KOSU]
Opinion: Recess or retreat? Congress skips out amid crisis: They'd never admit it publicly, of course, but Oklahoma's all-Republican U.S. House delegation was undoubtedly ecstatic to start its traditional August recess early. The calculation: It may be easier to soothe GOP primary voters angry over well-paid Congress critters ($174,000 base salary with platinum health benefits) gifting themselves more time off than to explain why they dodged a vote on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files. [Arnold Hamilton / The Journal Record]
Opinion: What would you ask our congressional delegation at a town hall?: To avoid a vote to compel the Trump administration to make good on the president's campaign promise to release documents on the late alleged human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned Congress two weeks early. Now that our U.S. representatives have extra time on their hands, how about holding in-person town hall meetings? What a great opportunity to meet with constituents. The U.S. Senate hasn't recessed and is set to meet at least on Monday. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Tribal Nations News
Who's responsible for cleaning up abandoned oil wells on the Osage Reservation?: Reclaiming Our Water, Part 1: Ever since the Osage Nation received a grant totaling over $19 million, the Department of Natural Resources has been trying to accurately identify how many wells are orphaned or abandoned. They've also been trying to answer an important question: who is responsible for cleaning up the land and these wells? [KOSU]
Creek Freedmen descendants celebrate legal citizenship victory: The Muscogee Supreme Court unanimously ruled Wednesday that Rhonda Grayson and Jeffrey Kennedy were unjustly denied their tribal citizenship when they applied in 2019. Grayson and Kennedy are descendants of Black people once enslaved by the tribe. [Public Radio Tulsa]
Remembering Louis Gray Sr., Osage Nation Member and longtime Oklahoma Eagle Editor: Louis Gerard Gray Sr. a longtime Oklahoma Eagle editor and beloved member of the Osage Nation, died on July 23 according to family members. He was 71. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Opinion: Tribal leadership continues to make improvements benefiting us all: The increase in Oklahoma tribal economic impact reflects the growth and investment that tribes have made, unilaterally, with co-sovereigns and in partnerships with private investors. The growth and overall impact are largely due to the perspective that tribes have regarding collective investment in people, public services and programs, which support not just tribal citizens but non-Native Oklahomans, as well. [Carly Griffith Hotvedt / Tulsa World]
Education News
Oklahoma Education Ranked Worst in Nation: The Oklahoma education system has plummeted to 50th in the nation, according to WalletHub's 2025 education rankings. Once hovering in the mid-40s, the state now claims the lowest spot in the country for K-12 school quality, safety, funding, and student outcomes. The announcement marks a sobering moment for Oklahoma families, educators and policymakers—and could reshape the state's economic future. [The Black Wall Street Times]
State Lawmakers say Private Virtual School can't come to Oklahoma without proper approval: State Superintendent Ryan Walters says the state has partnered with a virtual private school, but state lawmakers from both chambers and both sides of the aisle are pointing to multiple areas of state statute to show the reasons the school can't operate in Oklahoma right now. [News 9]
Rural Oklahoma kids were getting more counselors — then federal cuts pulled funding: A program to increase school counselors in rural areas is in flux when federal officials said they were going to stop paying out grant money that supports that program and many others. [NPR]
Teacher coaching, bilingual students help schools meet English learner needs amid teacher shortage: English learners are one of the fastest growing student populations in Oklahoma, yet educators with specialized certifications to serve them are scarce amid the state's chronic teacher shortage. Some local schools and teacher preparation programs are leaning into the challenge. [Tulsa World]
Federal funds released for after-school programs: 'Huge sigh of relief for our kids': With classes starting as early as Aug. 1 for some local schools, several Tulsa-area organizations are exhaling after the lift of a federal funding freeze for before- and after-school programming. [Tulsa World]
New Oklahoma law bans cell phones in schools: What to know before fall semester begins: School boards across Oklahoma are implementing new policies to limit student cell phone use, following the passage of a new state law. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion, TCC President: New TCC Advantage Scholarship will cover costs for students outside Tulsa County: Starting in the fall 2025 semester, TCC Advantage will cover tuition and mandatory fees for one academic year for eligible students from Broken Arrow, Charles Page, Jenks and Sapulpa high schools and who live in Creek, Osage and Wagoner counties. [Dr. Leigh Goodson / Tulsa World]
Opinion: A parent says Oklahoma deserves better than the chaos Ryan Walters brings: Oklahoma parents and taxpayers deserve better than the chaos Ryan Walters has brought to our state's education system. Last week's shocking revelations — inappropriate content displayed in the superintendent's office and partnerships with failing schools — represent the culmination of a leadership crisis that has pushed Oklahoma to dead last in national education rankings. [Christy Taylor / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Worries for Oklahoma nursing homes shift to Medicaid cuts after Biden-era mandate blocked: What had been a dismal, and darkening, outlook for many nursing homes in Oklahoma improved significantly when a judge ruled that a controversial new mandate addressing minimum staffing requirements would not stand. But the outlook remains far from rosy, especially for nursing homes that most heavily depend on Medicaid to reimburse them for patient care. [Tulsa World]
Despite assurances, Oklahoma hospitals still worried about Medicaid cuts: About one-fourth of Oklahomans — just over 1 million people — are enrolled in Medicaid/SoonerCare at any one time. Closer to 30% — 1.3 million — are covered at some time during a one-year period. Nevertheless, at least some members of Oklahoma's congressional delegation insist their constituents will barely notice the recent reconciliation bill's $1.1 trillion reduction in Medicaid spending over the next 10 years. [Tulsa World]
Why Latinos in Oklahoma suffer some of the worst diabetes outcomes, despite low prevalence rates: Experts call diabetes a public health epidemic in Oklahoma. Special barriers for Latinos around accessing basic preventative health care and education mean they are among the most harmed by the disease in the state. [KOSU]
Opinion: At Saint Francis Health Systems, we're growing fast, hiring about 800 new employees: Leading the way is the individual and family services sector, projected to add more than 1 million jobs and grow annually at 3.4%. This broad category includes roles such as physicians, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, physical therapists and occupational therapists. This national trend is mirrored in our own backyard. At Saint Francis Health System, we're growing — fast. [Dr. Cliff Robertson / Tulsa World]
Criminal Justice News
Games over? Crooked Oak district demands answers, help with jail site promised by OK County: Oklahoma County offered to buy, then went under contract to buy, then broke the contract to buy land to trade to put some separation between Crooked Oak Public Schools' sports complex and the site for a new Oklahoma County jail almost literally next door. [The Oklahoman]
Opinion: Vape shops are warning lights on Oklahoma's crime radar: Today in Oklahoma, vape shops selling illicit Chinese vapes have become those warning lights, flickering at our storefronts and strip malls, signaling a broader criminal ecosystem beneath the surface. [Carlos Sandoval / Tulsa World]
Opinion: Owasso Police mocked gang violence. Black families are still burying kids: In a post taken straight out of a 1920s minstrel show, Owasso Police Department (OPD) drew attention to an upcoming community blood drive by demonizing the Black community. [Deon Osborne / The Black Wall Street Times]
- Some Owasso residents frustrated with now-deleted OPD social media post with gang references [News on 6]
- 'Racism is alive': Complaints rise after gang-related posts from Owasso PD [KJRH]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
First-time homebuyers face low inventory, high rates: First-time buyers facing high home prices, high mortgage interest rates and limited inventory are struggling to make their dream of home ownership come true. [The Journal Record]
Affordable housing project being fast-tracked via new city program: The City of Tulsa's new Housing Acceleration Team has begun work on expediting the development of The Hilltop, a recently announced 106-unit affordable housing complex north of downtown. Twenty of the units will be designated for chronically homeless people, with wraparound services available for those who need them. [Tulsa World]
Opinion: Find out when Tulsa plans to get aggressive on homeless camp clearings: The process of solving the problem of increasing homelessness isn't moving fast enough for everyone, but progress is happening. Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and I spent our monthly video interview focused on the city's homeless initiatives. [Ginnie Graham / Tulsa World]
Economy & Business News
American Heartland investor says he was scammed by 'God' emails; files suit, RICO complaint: A lawsuit filed in federal court alleges that the proposed American Heartland Theme Park in Vinita has "fallen apart" and that the lead investor, Gene Bicknell, 91, was "coerced" into sinking more than $60 million into the project's design and construction. [The Oklahoman]
- Vinita theme park backer claims he was duped out of $60 million for failed project [Tulsa World]
Tulsa Innovation Labs director says aeropace is on a solid foundation: The aerospace and drone presence in Tulsa is on a solid track to make the city a leader in the industry, the director of Tulsa Innovation Labs said. [Tulsa World]
Community News
'Focus: Black Oklahoma': Ban the Box, Tulsa's youth curfew, AmeriCorps budget cuts (podcast): This episode of Focus: Black Oklahoma features stories on how the "Ban the Box" movement makes higher education accessible to people convicted of crimes, the new curfew restricting minors from downtown Tulsa after 9 p.m. on weekends and the effects of federal funding cuts to AmeriCorps in Oklahoma. [KOSU]
Opinion: Nonprofits doing more with less… again: It is difficult to argue that any sector has been called on more often to do more with less – especially when times are hard – than the nonprofit sector. [Marnie Taylor / The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- Lottie House in northeast OKC wants to relocate ahead of MAPS 4 Crisis Center construction [The Oklahoman]
- Four-story mix of housing, retail set to be built at gateway to OKC's Western Avenue District [The Oklahoman]
- South Tulsa residents have questions about Vista Shadow Mountain's planned reopening [Tulsa World]
- Fifth annual Back to School Bash offers free supplies to Tulsa families [The Black Wall Street Times]
- Elliot Nelson wants to add Tulsa's iconic Utica Square to his portfolio [Tulsa World]
