In The Know: Details on data center secrecy deals signed in Oklahoma | Tulsa pastor backed by Trump quits Congressional race | SQ 832 fell short, but working families still need action

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. Inclusion of a story does not necessarily mean endorsement by the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Some stories included here are behind paywall or require subscription.

THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2026 NOTE: In The Know will be on hiatus Friday, June 19, in observance of the Juneteenth holiday. It will return Monday, June 22.    Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Opinion: SQ 832 turnout shows Oklahomans don't feel their vote matters   In the coming weeks, political observers will dissect the results of State Question 832. They’ll look at county-by-county results, which groups opposed it, and what the vote says about Oklahoma’s political landscape. But the most powerful voting bloc in this election will likely receive far less attention: the nearly 75% of Oklahoma voters who stayed home on Election Day. And that should give pause to everyone who cares about our state’s future. [Shiloh Kantz / The Oklahoman] Policy Matters: SQ 832 fell short, but Oklahoma families still need action   An election can end a campaign, but it cannot change reality. Even though State Question 832 did not pass during Tuesday’s election, the struggles Oklahoma families face did not disappear when the votes were counted. Thousands of our neighbors will still wake up tomorrow with jobs that do not pay enough for basic living costs. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record]  NEW: OK Policy is now hiring a Tribal-State Policy Analyst!   We are hiring for a Tribal-State Policy Analyst to conduct research and analysis on Tribal-State policy in Oklahoma, in direct collaboration with OK Policy team members, Tribal partners, and Inter-Tribal organizations on Tribal-state-specific policy issues.    Deadline to apply is Friday, July 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (CST) Learn More & Apply OK Policy & Together OK are bringing the voices of your community to the Capitol.   This summer, we’re hosting listening sessions in towns and cities across the state to provide an opportunity for the public to have conversations with our fellow Oklahomans about issues that matter most in their communities. By hearing directly from residents, we can better advocate for state policies that reflect your priorities.   Sessions are free and open to the public, and participants will be compensated for their time (in-person events only). [Learn More] Find A Listening Session Near You 2 years, 5 months, and 19 days   On June 19, 1865, nearly two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas with news of freedom. More than 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Freedom Day. [National Museum of African American History & Culture] Who Is Opal Lee? The Story Behind the Grandmother of Juneteenth   Opal Lee, the 'Grandmother of Juneteenth,' is a woman of remarkable vision, unshakable determination and boundless compassion. In 2016, at the age of 89, Lee started her campaign to call for Juneteenth's recognition as a national holiday. She started her journey, walking from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C. Each day, she walked 2.5 miles to symbolize the two and a half years enslaved people in Texas waited to learn they had been freed after the Emancipation Proclamation. [National Museum of African American History & Culture] “By the time the citizens even get a voice or even find out what’s going on, the decision’s already been made and the rest is a mere formality.”   — Kyle Schmidt, a Sand Springs area resident, speaking about the secrecy and nondisclosure agreements that are common in the development of data centers. Google worked with developers and Sand Springs officials on a data center near his home. Schmidt said he found out about the project's annexation into the city on the day after the council approved it. He is now the president of Protect Sand Springs Alliance, a group formed to fight against data center development. [The Frontier] Oklahoma News   How data center developers won secrecy pledges from Oklahoma officials: One contract required public officials to keep secret that a confidentiality agreement even existed. At least one agreement allows the companies to sue cities to enforce the terms of the deals, sometimes in other states. [The Frontier] All the details on data center secrecy deals Oklahoma communities have signed [The Frontier] Oklahoma Holding Back on AI Regulations Amid Trump’s Order for States Not to Stifle the New Technology [Oklahoma Watch] What are data centers, what do they do? See how many are in Oklahoma [The Oklahoman] Annual report shows Oklahoma lags in child well-being: A new report shows that many children and teens aren’t thriving in Oklahoma, and that all 50 states could do much better to brighten the outlook for young people. The 2026 KIDS COUNT Data Book produced by the Annie E. Casey Foundation ranked Oklahoma 44th — in a tie with Texas — among states for childhood well-being. In last year’s report, Oklahoma was ranked 46th. [Tulsa World] From OK Policy: 2026 KIDS COUNT: Oklahoma ranks 44th for child well-being KIDS COUNT Interactive Data Book | Oklahoma Data Profile Snapshot State Government News   New Oklahoma law disrupts gender-affirming care for transgender adults: Studies show mental health and quality of life significantly improve for many adults seeking gender-affirming care. But healthcare for people seeking such care was quickly interrupted by a new state law, which went into effect after the governor signed it May 12. Senate Bill 904 was one of several measures introduced this session focusing on restricting gender-affirming care. [KGOU]   Long Story Short: Helter Smelter, Jail Visitations and Norman’s Homelessness Crisis (podcast): Reporters talk about Inola residents who actually want a controversial $4 billion aluminum smelter built in their town, discuss a major shift in how Oklahoma county jails handle inmate visitations, and break down the complex factors driving the homelessness crisis in Norman. [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   Special ed, civil rights to be shifted out of Trump’s shrinking Department of Education: The U.S. Department of Education announced sweeping efforts Tuesday to outsource its special education programs and civil rights enforcement to other agencies, in another major step by President Donald Trump’s administration to dismantle the department. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Mental Health Association, Muscogee Nation celebrate Walker Hall redevelopment: Walker Hall has served as a transitional housing program for people facing mental health challenges for more than 35 years. Now, through a new partnership between Mental Health Association Oklahoma and the Muscogee Nation, Walker Hall is beginning a new chapter — one designed specifically to support Muscogee boys aged 16 to 18. [Tulsa World]   Voting and Election News   CD 1: Jackson Lahmeyer drops out day after primary, Trump flips endorsement: Jackson Lahmeyer is withdrawing from the race for Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District less than 24 hours after making the Republican runoff and three days after an article from the Daily Mail detailed extramarital flirtations with a former Miss Oklahoma. [NonDoc] Lahmeyer says he will withdraw from race following texts that crossed 'boundary line' [KOSU] Lahmeyer ends Oklahoma congressional run, Trump instead endorses opponent [Oklahoma Voice] Pastor Once Backed by Trump Quits Oklahoma House Race [Oklahoma Watch] Jackson Lahmeyer drops out of CD-1 race a day after advancing to the runoff [Tulsa Flyer] Lahmeyer ‘suspends’ campaign; Trump switches endorsement in U.S. House race in Oklahoma [Tulsa World] Oklahoma pastor Jackson Lahmeyer drops out of US House race, Trump endorsement shifts [The Oklahoman] Rural opposition blocked measure to raise Oklahoma's minimum wage: Due to overwhelming opposition from rural counties, Oklahoma voters decisively rejected State Question 832, defeating the measure that would have raised the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and tied future increases to a national inflation metric. [The Oklahoman]   Voter turnout in primary election was dismal, but typical: Imagine four people sitting in a room where the future of Oklahoma's government will be decided. Three of those people ignore the discussion, leaving just one person to make all the decisions. That's what happened on June 16 in the Oklahoma primary election. [The Oklahoman] Primary voter turnout down, state election results show [Oklahoma Voice] Competitive primaries failed to interest Oklahoma voters [Tulsa World] Election roundup Voters thin out Oklahoma’s crowded federal races, send two contests to runoffs [Oklahoma Voice] Drummond, Mazzei target each other as they prepare for runoff election [The Oklahoman] Upsets, scandals, failed endorsements: 5 takeaways from Oklahoma 2026 primaries [The Oklahoman] Oklahoma voters boot one incumbent, send others to runoff primaries [Oklahoma Voice] Legislature elections: ‘Swamp 7’ sweep hardline challengers, some incumbents win outright [NonDoc] Deevers loses seat, Oklahoma Freedom Caucus-backed candidates struggle against incumbents [KOSU] Runoffs set for 15 seats in the Oklahoma Legislature [NonDoc] Oklahoma primaries send key races to August runoffs [The Journal Record] Oklahoma primaries drew more Tulsans to vote in 2026 than four years ago, data shows [Tulsa Flyer] Incumbent Tulsa County commissioner, treasurer win their GOP primaries [Tulsa World] What is a runoff election? What to know ahead of next vote, how it works [The Oklahoman] Editorial: Endorsements are powerful, but democracy requires more: As our reporters spoke to voters on Election Day, we heard over and over that many were relying on President Donald Trump's endorsements to guide them, even when they had mixed feelings about the candidate. As we head to the runoffs and to the November general election, we urge voters to consider whether the candidates are not only good for Trump, but also good for Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]   Education News   University of Oklahoma Regents approve budget with 3% tuition increase: The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents approved the university’s fiscal year 2026-27 budget, authorizing a 3% increase in tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate and graduate students on the Norman campus while continuing investments in enrollment growth, research and workforce development. [The Journal Record]   Mississippi governor says Oklahoma can achieve his state’s reading ‘miracle’: Touting his state’s soaring literacy scores, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves urged Oklahoma leaders to commit to tough reading policies. This year, Oklahoma enacted similar literacy laws as Mississippi, whose fourth-grade reading scores have surpassed the national average after decades of ranking near the bottom. The state’s meteoric rise has been called the “Mississippi miracle.” [Oklahoma Voice]   Health News   Oklahoma blood bank issues urgent plea for donors amid shortage: An Oklahoma blood bank is declaring an emergency shortage and is urging donors of all blood types, especially O-negative and B-negative, to give blood. [The Oklahoman]   Justice System News   Oklahoma County jail fails 12th consecutive health inspection: The Oklahoma County jail has failed its latest surprise health inspection due to missed safety checks, unsanitary conditions and staffing shortages. Health inspections are conducted annually at all county lockups to ensure they’re in compliance with state laws and regulations. The Oklahoma County jail has failed a dozen consecutive inspections since 2020, according to records from the Oklahoma State Department of Health. [KOSU]   Local Headlines Councilors unanimously approve $1.23 billion City of Tulsa budget for FY 2026-2027 [Tulsa World] Support Our Work with a Donation 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. You can sign up here to receive In The Know by e-mail. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. 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