In The Know: New state superintendent has ‘no plans to distribute Bibles’ in Oklahoma public schools | The 2026 cost of living adjustment for Social Security is coming | Ryan Walters was a test; Oklahoma leaders flunked

In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2025 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: Ryan Walters was a test; Oklahoma leaders flunked   Now that Ryan Walters has resigned as State Superintendent, Oklahoma's political establishment is rushing to express outrage, regret, and promises of investigation. But the real question is: where was this outrage when Walters was actively undermining trust in our public schools? [Shiloh Kantz / Journal Record] 24%   The share of adults ages 18–64 in families receiving SNAP who reported their benefits were stopped or interrupted in 2024. Among them, 13% lost benefits because of problems recertifying on time, and 8% were told they were no longer eligible. [Urban Institute] Paperwork Burdens Cost One in Eight Working-Age SNAP Recipients Their Benefits in 2024   SNAP continues to play a crucial role in reducing food insecurity, but families are increasingly losing benefits not because they're ineligible, but because of paperwork and administrative hurdles during recertification. Many recipients never receive proper notices or don't have enough time to respond, leading to churn that disrupts access to food and increases hardship. Upcoming federal changes — including expanded work reporting requirements, stricter documentation rules, and higher state cost-sharing — are expected to worsen these disruptions. Without stronger safeguards like clearer communication, system upgrades, and outreach support, eligible families risk falling through the cracks while states face higher administrative costs and mounting pressure. [Urban Institute] "When people's basic needs are met—education, food, opportunity—crime is low. Health issues are low. The question is whether we have the political will to build a nation where people are at the center—not corporations, not parties, not candidates."   - LaTasha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, speaking about the need to build a more just and compassionate America — one grounded in justice and humanity rather than punishment. [The Black Wall Street Times] The Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee will hold an interim study at 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 15, to examine the minimum age for legal proceedings against minors, also known as the age of adjudication. Under current law, children as young as seven can be referred to the Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) and face court proceedings. The study will feature testimony from a former juvenile court judge, representatives from OJA and the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System, law enforcement officers, and other experts.  Watch Online Oklahoma News   New state superintendent has 'no plans to distribute Bibles' in Oklahoma public schools: State Superintendent Lindel Fields, who was appointed to the position this month, indicated Wednesday he will not fight in court to defend Walters' order that Oklahoma public schools teach from the Bible and keep a copy of it in every classroom. [Oklahoma Voice] No Plans to Distribute Bibles to Public School Classrooms, New Superintendent Says [Oklahoma Watch] Education Watch: Is this the end of Walters' Bible mandates? [Oklahoma Watch] New state superintendent says he's dropping Bible-teaching mandate issued by Ryan Walters [The Oklahoman] Lindel Fields announces end to Ryan Walters' Oklahoma classroom Bible mandate [KOSU] OSDE says goodbye to Bible mandate, eyes Social Studies Standards next [KFOR] Walters' edict on Bibles being dropped, Oklahoma State Department of Education says [Tulsa World] Oklahoma's new state superintendent to drop Bible teaching mandate (video) [The Oklahoman] How bad is the government shutdown for Oklahoma? One of the worst according to new study: As the U.S. remains in one of the longest government shutdowns in the nation's history, Oklahoma is poised to be among the worst affected if things don't change, according to a new study. [The Oklahoman]   State Government News   New OSDE administration tackles lawsuits, staffing changes, missing contracts in first weeks on the job: It's been just over two weeks since State Superintendent Lindel Fields and his Turnaround Team were brought in to fix a list of problems at the State Department of Education. During a briefing today, the interim communications director gave an update on what the team has worked on so far, and the many answers they're still working to find. [News 9]   Oklahoma lawmakers explore impacts of federal cuts to Medicaid in interim study: Lawmakers hosted an interim study Tuesday on the impacts of federal cuts to Medicaid that were signed into law in July. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU] Oklahoma Medicaid changes spark concerns over hospital closures [KOCO] What's next as Oklahoma's highway system strains against growth?: By 2037, the ACCESS Oklahoma turnpike program expects to complete more than 150 miles of widening, reconstruction, and new routes. That plan comes with plenty of controversy. [KGOU]   Federal Government News   The 2026 COLA announcement for Social Security is coming. When Oklahomans could see increase: Whether the government stays shut down or reopens, the 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be announced this month. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said it will publish the September Consumer Price Index on Friday, Oct. 24, at 8:30 a.m., so the Social Security Administration can calculate and release the COLA information. [The Oklahoman]   Federal judge blocks Trump from carrying out thousands of layoffs during shutdown: A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order Wednesday, blocking the Trump administration from moving forward with the thousands of layoffs it initiated after the government shutdown began Oct. 1, as well as any others that officials might want to carry out. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump targets 'Democratic programs' as shutdown standoff heads for third week: The U.S. Senate returned to Capitol Hill on Tuesday following a four-day weekend, but neither Republicans nor Democrats appeared ready to work toward ending the government shutdown following another failed vote to advance a short-term funding bill. [Oklahoma Voice]   Democratic governors launch multistate public health alliance to counter Trump, RFK Jr.: In a clear rebuke of recent federal health policy, 15 Democratic governors announced today they've formed a public health alliance that breaks with guidance from the Trump administration and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Muscogee Freedmen object to transfer of sacred tribal land as citizenship bids languish: Relatives of former slaves owned by the Muscogee Nation are objecting to a transfer of city land to the tribe. Chairman of the Muscogee Creek Freedmen Coalition Ron Graham exhorted city councilors Wednesday night to deny the tribe as it continues to withhold citizenship from descendants despite legal rulings. [Public Radio Tulsa]   Citizen Potawatomi Nation makes college application process easier with no-cost advising services: The Citizen Potawatomi Nation is offering educational resources at no cost for anyone looking to go to college. That includes services to help polish college applications and disability forms, find available scholarships or just an extra set of eyes to review essays. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Roundup: 15 #oklaed districts pass bonds, others fail: Voters in 19 public school districts across the Oklahoma cast ballots for school bond packages Tuesday, with 15 districts seeing their projects approved and others heading back to the drawing board after measures failed. [NonDoc] OKC's historic $2.718 billion bond passes, will fund 547 projects [The Oklahoman] A look at what's next after OKC bond passes [KFOR] Voters approve Lone Star, Oologah bond packages [Tulsa World] Oklahoma AG race 2026: Who's running and what they stand for: Oklahoma's 2026 attorney general race features candidates from both parties, and this guide outlines their backgrounds, priorities and key quotes. [News 9]   LaTasha Brown Warns: Gutting Voting Rights Betrays Democracy: Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will rehear Louisiana v. Callais, a case that could effectively erase Section Two of the Voting Rights Act — the very clause that guards against racially discriminatory redistricting. Legal scholars warn it could shift the balance of political power for a generation, silencing millions of Black and Brown voters across the South. [The Black Wall Street Times]   Education News   Hundreds of preschoolers are being suspended in Tulsa schools, sometimes for assault: Hundreds of students are suspended from Tulsa County school districts each year, but they aren't limited to high schoolers starting fights. In fact, hundreds of 4-year-old children are being suspended too — some for serious offenses, like assault. [Tulsa Flyer via KOSU]   Health News   Opinion: Medicare cuts to home health programs will hurt rural Oklahomans: Home health providers are already forced to operate with inadequate funding. Additional funding cuts will cause more agency closures and strain resources in those still open. [Amanda Merriott / The Oklahoman]   Criminal Justice News   Judge asked to fine Oklahoma Mental Health Department in competency restoration settlement: Attorneys representing plaintiffs in a competency restoration settlement agreement are asking a judge to fine the Oklahoma Mental Health Department $10,000 a day for failing to meet required benchmarks. [Oklahoma Voice]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   Opinion: Oklahomans face high insurance bills. Public hearings needed before rate hikes: When your car or home insurance bill suddenly jumps, there's rarely an explanation — just a bigger number and a lot of frustration. As Oklahomans face some of the steepest premium increases in the country, it's time we demand more transparency and accountability from the companies setting those rates. [David Myers / The Oklahoman]   Economy & Business News   Opinion: Oklahoma's economic destiny depends on getting education, health care right: Oklahoma has momentum. We're landing new investments, growing aerospace and defense, advancing world-class medical research, and even shining on the national sports stage. But momentum alone is not a strategy. The truth is simple: Our long-term economic destiny will be determined not by oil prices or tax incentives, but by whether we get two fundamentals right — education and health care. [Mark Funke / The Oklahoman]   Community News   Thousands of 'No Kings' protests set across US, including in Oklahoma. Where, what to know: "No Kings" protests against President Donald Trump and his administration are planned for this weekend in thousands of locations nationwide, including nearly 20 in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Tulsa town hall on shutdown hosted by Oklahoma Democrats, federal labor union [Tulsa World] Tulsa City Council looks to modify downtown youth curfew [Tulsa World] Tulsa library breaks ground on new Owasso branch with apartments [Public Radio Tulsa] Tulsa Flyer launches free daily news site for Tulsa readers [Tulsa Flyer via The Black Wall Street Times] Proposal to tighten public comment rules at Oklahoma County meetings fails [KOCO] You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. In The Know is your daily briefing on Oklahoma policy-related news. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription. OK Policy encourages the support of Oklahoma's state and local media, which are vital to an informed citizenry. Support Our Work with a Donation Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. 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