Oklahoma News
Oklahoma House sends $12.82 billion budget to governor’s desk: A $12.82 billion state budget is on its way to Gov. Kevin Stitt after passing a House vote Thursday, despite facing questions about whether it properly meets public needs. The rapid budget agreement could bring the legislative session to an early end. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma senators delay vote on measures that would send Medicaid expansion back to the ballot: Lawmakers held over two measures Thursday, which would send state questions to voters that could pave the way for changes to Medicaid expansion. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said lawmakers need more time to meet with health care leaders on their provisions. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]
State Government News
Any ad valorem change would have major fiscal impact: Oklahoma State Question 843, slated for the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot, proposes to eliminate property taxes on owner-occupied homesteads through a three-year phase-in (33.33% in 2027, 66.67% in 2028, 100% in 2029). The initiative aims to protect homeowners from rising taxes but faces criticism over a projected $1.2 billion in lost revenue for local schools and public services. [Southwest Ledger]
Oklahoma Governor’s Vote Steered $2 Billion Advisory Role to Former Business Partner’s Firm: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt voted to award a lucrative investment advisory contract to a firm owned by his former chief of staff and one-time business partner — a company that has the power to steer more than $2 billion in state pension, endowment and sovereign wealth fund money. [Oklahoma Watch]
State lawmakers consider what's next for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health: Oklahoma lawmakers are advancing a measure that could lead to the consolidation of state health care agencies that have been separated for decades. [KOSU]
Legislative Roundup
Opinion: A quietly capable state leader is leaving politics. Here's why: Leslie Osborn is coming to the end of her second term as Oklahoma's labor commissioner, an elected office established in the state Constitution to ensure fair labor practices and safety in the workplace. She's term-limited from running again. [William C. Wertz / The Oklahoman]
Federal Government News
Oklahoman will be the first face seen by Artemis II astronauts after splashdown: Cushing native Laddy Aldridge, a senior chief hospital corpsman on board the U.S.S. John P. Murtha, will be the first person to make contact with the crew after they splash down in the Pacific Ocean on Friday, April 10. [The Oklahoman]
America barely uses Middle East oil. So why did gas prices rise?: It’s true that the United States is less reliant on foreign oil than at times in the past. And of the oil we do import, only 8% comes from the Middle East. Why, then, have gasoline prices gone through the roof at America’s pumps? [USA Today via The Oklahoman]
Did Barack Obama drop more than 26,000 bombs on six different countries without congressional approval, as Secretary Mullin claimed? Yes.: Former President Barack Obama dropped a collective 26,172 bombs on seven countries without congressional approval, relying on the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, which authorizes the president to use force against al-Qaeda and its affiliates, as legal justification. [Oklahoma Watch]
Opinion: Oklahoma can’t address poverty at home while ignoring how it’s created abroad: Oklahomans understand poverty. About 1 in 7 residents lives below the poverty line, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. While we focus on poverty at home, national policy decisions continue to shape it on a global scale, particularly through war and conflict. [Tiffany Tagbo / Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
Tribal attorney says a case challenging Oklahoma tax law may not be over just yet: A tribal attorney says a case challenging Oklahoma tax law may not be over just yet. This is after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a state court ruling requiring tribal members to pay state income taxes. [News on 6]
White House Requests $1.1 Billion Boost for Indian Health Service: Included in the White House’s $1 billion budget increase request for the Indian Health Service (IHS) — released Friday with the president’s 2027 budget proposal — are cuts to some of the agency’s critical programs as it struggles from years of underfunding. [Native News Online]
Voting and Election News
Senate passes ballot measure to overhaul Oklahoma judicial selection, but rejects Aug. 25 election: The Senate on Thursday passed a measure that seeks to give Republicans more control over a panel that assists the governor in selecting judges. But the upper chamber fell short of the needed 32 votes to put the House Joint Resolution 1024 on the Aug. 25 ballot, which traditionally has the lowest voter turnout. [Oklahoma Voice]
- Dems, Oklahoma Freedom Caucus derail GOP push for August state question [The Oklahoman]
Criminal Justice News
Inmate dies at Oklahoma County jail, the second death of 2026: An inmate at the Oklahoma County jail died Wednesday, April 8, the same day she was booked. It was the second death at the jail this year. [The Oklahoman]
- Oklahoma County investigating death of inmate [Fox 25]
Pauls Valley school shooter wanted another 'Columbine,' affidavit says: An Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation special agent filed the affidavit after speaking with Victor Hawkins, 20, who is accused of entering the school with a firearm and attempting to shoot students. The incident was quickly stopped when Principal Kirk Moore and others rushed Hawkins to disarm him. [The Oklahoman]
Oklahoma man sentenced to die for Tulsa torture murders one step closer to execution: The Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board voted unanimously against recommending clemency on Wednesday for death row inmate Raymond Eugene Johnson. [The Frontier]
Marsy’s Law Oklahoma prepares for National Crime Victims’ Rights Week: Marsy’s Law Oklahoma is joining victims’ rights organizations across the state and country during National Crime Victims‘ Rights Week, observed April 19-25, in an effort to confront barriers to justice for crime victims. [The Journal Record]
Housing & Economic Opportunity News
Oklahoma's housing costs rising much faster than incomes, report finds: Oklahoma has long been regarded as one of the most affordable states in the U.S., but a recent report shows that reputation could be in jeopardy. [The Oklahoman]
Tulsa Housing Authority board hears possible THA rebrand, audit timeline goals: Three newly appointed members of the Tulsa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners joined new Chairwoman Kim Holland for the agency’s monthly meeting Thursday, hearing about plans for a potential name change and rebrand for the organization that operates a slate of subsidiary corporations. [NonDoc]
Long Story Short: Oklahoma Battles: State Farm Standoff to Corporate Landlords (podcast): Homeowners insurance disputes hit the high court as the Hursh family’s battle with State Farm reaches the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Plus, we look at the human cost of corporate housing through the lens of a recent Edmond eviction. [Oklahoma Watch]
Economy & Business News
One of the companies behind a planned Oklahoma smelter has a history of air pollution violations: One of the companies that plans to build the first new aluminum smelter in the U.S. in nearly 50 years near Tulsa has a history of air pollution violations, including a lawsuit from residents who said emissions made them sick. [The Frontier]
U.S. farm bankruptcies increased in 2025. What does that look like in Oklahoma?: Oklahoma and most of its neighbors saw a year-over-year increase in the number of farms going under in 2025. Compared to 2024, the nation's bankruptcies were up by 46% and in the southwest, where Oklahoma is located in the report, they increased by 75%. [KOSU]
‘A ton at stake’: Judge issues temporary restraining order in CompSource reorganization lawsuit: CompSource, an Oklahoma mutual company with its origins in the 1930s as a state-owned insurer of last resort for workers’ compensation insurance, became a private mutual company a decade ago. Noble County District Court Judge Lee Turner issued a temporary restraining order delaying the proposed reorganization of CompSource from a mutual company to a stock company Wednesday afternoon. [NonDoc]
Where are the best jobs in 2026? Indeed ranks top careers with long-term growth: The job search website Indeed has released its 2026 index of the "best" jobs in the United States this year. The rankings are based on metrics like the number of job postings, the growth of wages and estimated median salary. [The Oklahoman]
UFL will expand pro football to Oklahoma City in 2028: Professional football is coming to Oklahoma, after the United Football League (UFL) announced on Thursday it will expand to Oklahoma City in spring 2028. [KOSU]
Community News
Families mourn after OHP trooper, mother, child die in I-35 crash: Families are looking for answers after an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper, a mother and her 4-year-old child were killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 35 in Oklahoma City. [The Oklahoman]
LA28 opens Olympic ticket sales globally after strong local presale: Ticket sales for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics opened globally on Thursday after what organizers said was a record-setting first week of local presales, underscoring strong early demand for a Games that must rely heavily on private revenue. [Reuters via The Journal Record]
Local Headlines
- Councilor proposes expanding uses for Kirkpatrick Heights-Greenwood Master Plan funding [Tulsa World]
- 20 Immigrants receive U.S. citizenship at Tulsa City Hall [Tulsa Flyer]
- Tulsa to host Main Street America’s annual conference, highlighting main street districts [Tulsa Flyer]
