Oklahoma News
Oklahoma politicians announce future plans, considering open Senate seat: As Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin prepares to take on the role of Secretary of Homeland Security, some of the state's politicians are making announcements about their political futures. Mullin's departure from the Senate means Gov. Kevin Stitt has the authority to appoint someone to finish his term, which will close in January 2027. [KOSU]
The state finalizes a deal to pay for housing after Gov. Stitt cleared homeless encampments in Oklahoma City: Oklahoma has agreed to spend up to $800,000 to house about 40 people after Gov. Kevin Stitt's Operation SAFE — a shift from his earlier opposition to using tax dollars for homelessness housing. It's the only time The Homeless Alliance, an Oklahoma City shelter, can remember the state agreeing to pay for housing for people experiencing homelessness in the area. [The Frontier]
State Government News
State prepares for 2030 census with new outreach and funding plan: With the end of the decade only a few years away, Oklahoma is gearing up to improve the state's census error rate by creating a comprehensive outreach strategy, featuring a multilingual, multimedia awareness campaign and partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations. [The Journal Record]
Oklahoma insurance commissioner approves CompSource conversion plan amid policyholder opposition: Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready on Thursday approved CompSource Mutual Insurance Co.'s conversion plan, which drew immediate pushback from some policyholders, who still must vote to approve the plan. [The Journal Record]
OETA brings back live pledge nights after federal funding loss: OETA launched its spring fundraising drive on Feb. 28, the same day that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced on social media that it had formally dissolved after the Republican-led Congress last year fulfilled President Donald Trump's request to claw back $1.1 billion that had been allocated for public broadcasting, eliminating a significant source of financial support for hundreds of public radio and TV stations across the country, including in Oklahoma. [The Oklahoman]
Legislative Roundup
- Oklahoma Senate advances bill creating fund to pay for Summer Olympics [Oklahoma Voice]
- Laws honoring Charlie Kirk did not advance in Oklahoma Legislature [The Oklahoman]
- Two measures to reshape Oklahoma education board, superintendent selection advance [KSWO]
- Bill in OK Legislature seeks to help with online ticket bot problem [KFOR]
Federal Government News
Rep. Kevin Hern Appears to Have Tardy Stock Disclosures; His Office Disputes He's Late: Rep. Kevin Hern, a Republican from Oklahoma, appears to have failed to properly disclose millions of dollars worth of stock and corporate-security trades during the past year, which would be a violation of a federal transparency law, according to a NOTUS analysis of congressional financial records. [Oklahoma Watch]
4 things to know about Markwayne Mullin: Last week, the only Native American in the U.S. Senate, Markwayne Mullin, was nominated by President Donald J. Trump to join his cabinet as Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security. Here are four things to know about him. [ICT]
Tribal Nations News
Native American Life Expectancy Increases but Still Lowest Among U.S. Populations: New health data released last week showed that life expectancy rates for American Indian and Alaska Natives increased by 4.5 years, the largest increase among racial and ethnic groups, according to a new KFF analysis of mortality rates from 2021-2023. [Native News Online]
Peoria Tribe Chief wins reelection by 2 votes: Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Chief Rosanna Dobbs won reelection Saturday by two votes, narrowly defeating Charla EchoHawk. [KOSU]
Cherokee Nation bringing job fairs to Tulsa, Muskogee this week: Small business owners, contractors and those looking for employment are invited to Cherokee Nation's job fairs in northeastern Oklahoma this week. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Education News
Lawmakers grapple with future of Oklahoma high school sports governing body: Over a month after Oklahoma's governor called for the abolition of an organization that governs high school athletics, lawmakers remain divided over whether the century-old body needs an overhaul. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma board again rejects Jewish charter school but vows to support it in court: The Statewide Charter School Board on Monday voted to deny a resubmitted application to open Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School. Board members said they had no choice but to comply with a 2024 decision from the Oklahoma Supreme Court that prohibited the concept of taxpayer-funded religious schools. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Statewide Charter School Board rejects revised Ben Gamla proposal [Tulsa World]
Former Cherokee Supreme Court justice to lead University of Tulsa: The University of Tulsa announced Monday that former Cherokee Nation Supreme Court Justice Stacy Leeds would become the university's new president starting July 1. [Public Radio Tulsa]
- University of Tulsa names new president, an alumna of TU College of Law [Tulsa World]
- Cherokee citizen and TU law school grad Stacy Leeds named university's next president [Tulsa Flyer]
Opinion: Oklahoma needs to fund afterschool programs. They work.: States like Missouri, Alaska and Alabama, as well as 25 others, have committed to funding afterschool programs, programs that have proven time and time again to improve academic outcomes and graduation rates. And so far, Oklahoma has not. [Tristy Fryer / The Oklahoman]
Health News
Taxpayer dollars flood pregnancy centers. Oversight hasn't followed.: In Oklahoma, state auditors discovered that an anti-abortion nonprofit disbursed less than 7% of the $1.6 million it promised to nonprofits under the state's Choosing Childbirth program. Oversight of taxpayer funding remains weak, either blocked by legislators or ignored by state agencies. [Oklahoma Voice]
INTEGRIS Health and United Healthcare reach agreement: A deal was reached between INTEGRIS Health and UnitedHealthcare on Monday night after thousands of Oklahomans were at risk of potentially losing care. [KFOR]
- UnitedHealthcare remains in-network for INTEGRIS Health patients after agreement is reached [News 9]
Criminal Justice News
Domestic Violence Intervention Court in the works for Oklahoma County: A federal grant will help Oklahoma County establish a new treatment court to support services for victims of domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Intervention Court could be in place by November. [The Oklahoman]
County jail trust erupts over apparently unauthorized staff pay raises: Some employees at the Oklahoma County jail recently received pay raises despite the Criminal Justice Authority, the trust that runs the facility, voting to postpone all salary increases, according to perplexed trustees who got in a shouting match while trying to determine who approved the raises. [The Oklahoman]
- 'Unilateral override': Jail pay raise debacle sees Kimrey accused of 'insubordination' [NonDoc]
- OK County jail trustee, admin argue over pay raises at latest meeting (video) [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma man pleads guilty in case swept up by McGirt controversy: A Norman man has pleaded guilty to arson and gun charges after being accused of setting fire to the home and vehicles of a McClain County sheriff's deputy. [The Oklahoman]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Opinion: Collaborative approach helps stabilize Oklahoma foster care: As someone who works daily with foster families and children, I can tell you that the need for foster homes remains urgent. Community support matters. We need employers who support foster parents, churches that surround families with encouragement and neighbors who offer practical help, but mostly we need individuals who are willing to consider fostering so children are not left waiting. [Katherine Craig / The Oklahoman]
Economy & Business News
Gas prices spike across US amid Iran war: Global prices for Brent crude oil, the international standard, climbed over $100 a barrel. Prices were just above $70 a barrel in the days before the U.S. and Israel launched a surprise Feb. 28 attack on Iran, killing the regime's top leader and other powerful government figures. [Oklahoma Voice]
Stitt's Call for Medical Marijuana Revote Sparks Pushback Across Oklahoma: On Feb. 2, his final State of the State address, Stitt proposed a statewide revote to possibly end the medical marijuana industry in Oklahoma. That leaves dispensaries, growers and medical marijuana patients facing an uncertain future. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Tulsa City Council to discuss possible moratorium on new data center construction: Tulsa city councilors on Wednesday will discuss a proposal to impose a 365-day moratorium on the construction of new, large-scale data centers in the city. [Tulsa World]
Companies behind Inola aluminum smelter outline project details, address concerns: A planned $4 billion aluminum smelter to be built at the Port of Inola will be a game changer for the Tulsa area and the U.S., officials behind the project told the Tulsa World in an exclusive interview. [Tulsa World]
AfroPop Soda Announces Distribution Partnership With RNDC, Expanding Path Toward National Growth: AfroPop Soda, the culturally driven Black-owned beverage brand known for its bold flavors and celebration of Black creativity, has announced a new distribution partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), positioning Oklahoma's only Black-owned soda brand for expansion and national growth. [The Black Wall Street Times]
Local Headlines
- Rejected Edmond Walmart Neighborhood Market wins second court battle [NonDoc]
- Jenks leaders believe The Ranch can be a 'Gathering Place contender.' Some are skeptical. [Tulsa Flyer]
