In The Know: Poultry companies agree to pay $44 million in Oklahoma's longtime pollution lawsuit | Lawmakers approve dozens of interim studies ahead of the 2027 #okleg session | Oklahoma’s success depends on our Tribal Nations

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.

TUESDAY, JULY 14, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Oklahoma’s success depends on our Tribal Nations   Tribal Nations are the backbone of Oklahoma, and it’s time for state leaders to act like it. Tribal governments existed before statehood, before Oklahoma’s borders were drawn, and before state leaders claimed authority over this land. Tribes are not special interest groups. They are not temporary political actors. They are Sovereign Nations with responsibilities to their citizens and communities. [Taylor Broadbent / OK Policy] From OK Policy: Tribal-State Policy 101: What is Tribal sovereignty? 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 Take Our Quick Online Survey $30.79 billion   The projected economic impact of Oklahoma's Tribal Nations by the year 2030, based on recent growth trends. [United for Oklahoma] The Influence of Tribal Nations   Over recent years, the Native American tribes of Oklahoma have created one of the most remarkable success stories of modern times. Tribal nations are vital drivers of the Oklahoma economy and their impact can be seen in community after community, household after household. The tribal nations of Oklahoma were responsible for an incredible economic impact of more than $23.4 billion in 2023 alone. In addition to direct contributions by tribal businesses, the tribes generate billions more in production by companies that support their business operations. [United for Oklahoma] | [Read the Report] | [View One-Sheet] "Tribal Nations are not obstacles to Oklahoma’s future: they are one of the strongest reasons Oklahoma has a future worth building."   — Taylor Broadbent, OK Policy Tribal-State Policy Analyst, on why the state's decade of conflict with Tribal Nations has cost Oklahomans, and why state leaders can't afford to keep treating a $27 billion partner like an adversary. [OK Policy] Oklahoma News   $44 million settlement marks second try to resolve poultry pollution lawsuit: Attorney General Gentner Drummond on Monday announced a settlement with poultry companies appealing a judgment in a long-running court battle over pollution in the Illinois River watershed. [Tulsa World] Poultry companies agree to pay $44 million in Oklahoma's longtime pollution lawsuit [KOSU] Oklahoma AG to try again to settle poultry pollution lawsuit [Oklahoma Voice] Oklahoma poultry companies, AG Drummond agree to new $41M settlement [The Oklahoman] State Government News   Oklahoma lawmakers approve dozens of interim studies ahead of the 2027 legislative session: Oklahoma lawmakers are already preparing for next year’s legislative session after House and Senate leaders approved dozens of interim studies covering everything from artificial intelligence and housing to education, water policy and tourism. [KRMG] From OK Policy: Interim Study — What's That? Oklahoma senator renews push for new agency that focuses on child welfare services: After a similar bill stalled in the House last year, Sen. Paul Rosino is again proposing a standalone children’s agency that would combine child welfare, foster care, behavioral health and juvenile services under one roof. [News on 6] From OK Policy: 2026 Session Recap: Oklahoma children deserve investment. When will lawmakers act? Federal Government News   The first major overhaul of public lands grazing regulations in a generation looks to cut out public involvement: For the first time since 1995, the Bureau of Land Management is rewriting its grazing regulations. The new rule, which governs ranching across 155 million acres of public lands in the West, would heavily favor the livestock industry. [ProPublica and High Country News via ICT]   DHS extends permits for immigrants set to lose status when justices’ order takes effect: The Department of Homeland Security agency issued new guidance to employers saying work authorization for hundreds of thousands of immigrants with Temporary Protected Status impacted by a recent Supreme Court decision would expire in one to two weeks, instead of Friday. [Oklahoma Voice]   Appeals court reverses decision on immigrant detention, leaving no-bond policy in place: The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a July 2 panel decision requiring bond hearings for immigrants held under the Trump administration’s mandatory detention policy. [Oklahoma Voice]   Judge blasts Trump for using the presidency to ‘manipulate’ courts in IRS case: President Donald Trump “acted in bad faith” when he swiftly dropped his tax return lawsuit and directed his Cabinet members to establish a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, a federal judge in Florida ruled Monday. [Oklahoma Voice]   Tribal Nations News   Oklahoma-based Osage Nation inaugurates first new principal chief in 12 years: For the first time in 12 years, the Oklahoma-based Osage Nation has a new principal chief. Joe Tillman was ushered in as the new principal chief of the Native American tribe during the 2026 Osage Nation Inauguration Ceremony Saturday, July 11, at the Osage Casino & Hotel in Tulsa. [The Oklahoman] Osage Nation swears in new chief, elected officials [KOSU] Absentee Shawnee Olympics bring elders together, raise elder abuse awareness: The Absentee Shawnee Tribe Elder Olympics brings Indigenous seniors out of isolation and onto the court. But due to federal funding cuts, it’s unclear if the growing event can continue. [KOSU]   Voting and Election News   Deadline for Oklahomans to register, update voter information nears: Oklahomans looking to cast their ballot in the Aug. 25 partisan primary runoff election have until the end of the month to register to vote or update their voter registration, though they cannot change their party affiliation. [Oklahoma Voice] Voters can update their registration online through the state’s voter portal In public and on TV: Robert Franklin, James Taylor set for superintendent runoff debate: State superintendent of public instruction candidates Robert Franklin and James Taylor have agreed to participate in a public debate at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13, that will be broadcast live on KSWO-7 across southwest Oklahoma. [NonDoc]   Trump guts election commission in move seen as increasing his sway over midterms: As of Thursday night, the U.S Election Assistance Commission has no members. The White House in an email dismissed Democrats Thomas Hicks and Benjamin Hovland. Republican Christy McCormick resigned, and GOP member Donald Palmer left earlier this year. [Oklahoma Voice]   Education News   Oklahoma City Public Schools votes to add 20 minutes to school day after new recess law: Oklahoma City Public Schools students will have longer school days beginning this fall. District leaders said the change was necessary to comply with a new state law doubling the amount of recess time in schools. [KOCO] Owasso Public School extending school day to comply with Oklahoma recess mandate [News on 6] Health News   Medicaid cuts could further strain rural health care in Oklahoma: The Oklahoma State Medical Association is raising concerns about the long-term impact of Medicaid funding reductions, saying cuts to health care programs could threaten access to care across the state, particularly in rural communities. [News 9] From OK Policy: The federal reconciliation bill doesn’t just cut Medicaid; it destabilizes the entire health care system that Oklahomans rely on. CDC: Oklahoma records 11 cases of cyclosporiasis in 2026: As the number of cyclosporiasis cases continues to rise across the country, we're starting to see cases pop up in Oklahoma. Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the microscopic parasite Cyclospora cayetanensis. People become infected after eating food or drinking water contaminated with the parasite. [Fox 25]   Oklahoma agencies warn retailers over illegal high-potency kratom sales after deaths: Kratom is not currently a controlled dangerous substance in Oklahoma, but there is a legal threshold regarding potency. According to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office, Kratom products have contributed to more than 50 deaths in Oklahoma since January of 2025. [Fox 25]   After an OU student's death, new law will help monitor blood clot cases: Six years ago, University of Oklahoma student Blake Burgess passed out in his house. A roommate called 911, and paramedics took him to Norman Regional Hospital. Almost a week later, Blake, 21, died of cardiac arrest after severe blood clotting with an underlying cause of COVID-19 on Oct. 4, 2020. [The Oklahoman]   Justice System News   Body cam video appears to show OKC police taunting woman who called for help: A 30-year-old Oklahoma City woman called emergency services for medical help and ended up handcuffed by police. Her arrest has sparked calls for police accountability after body-worn camera footage showed an officer roughly twisting the woman's arm and calling her offensive names. [The Oklahoman]   Oklahomans are a top target for tax identity theft. What's going on?: Oklahoma ranks second for tax identity theft in the U.S., according to a recent study. Close to 1 in 58 tax returns are flagged for potential identity theft in the U.S., according to study data, but this type of fraud happens with greater frequency in some areas like the south. [The Oklahoman]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   As ‘Vesta Empire’ collapses, former arms dealer Efraim Diveroli takes over 26 Oklahoma apartments: Thousands of Oklahomans appear to have a new landlord after former arms dealer Efraim Diveroli exercised his option on an extremely high-interest loan to claim ownership of a large real estate portfolio, including apartments in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Stillwater and Bartlesville. [NonDoc]   Economy & Business News   “Where You Want to Put Your Data Center Is Not a Trade Secret.” Oklahoma’s NDA Debate, Explained.: Nondisclosure agreements, known as NDAs, are common in economic development. But the practice has drawn increasing scrutiny as communities across the state negotiate with developers proposing billion-dollar data centers that may require new transmission lines, water infrastructure and, in some cases, public incentives. [Oklahoma Watch]   What you can (and can't) buy during Oklahoma's tax-free weekend: Each year, the state of Oklahoma waives the collection of sales tax on certain items over a three-day period in August. Also known as a sales tax holiday, it was created to give parents a tax break on new clothes for the return to school. [The Oklahoman] From OK Policy: Sales Tax Holiday — What's That? Summer heat could pave way for New World screwworm to make its way to Oklahoma: Many insects like summer weather: including the New World screwworms, a flesh-eating parasitic fly that has captured headlines. As the Oklahoma heats up, it makes prime conditions for the pests. [KOSU]   Community News   Oklahoma State University will have a surprising hand in the World Cup finals: Oklahoma State University will have a presence in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final game, but not in the way you might expect. The school's presence will be in the form of the warm-season bermudagrass developed by OSU Agriculture researchers, Tahoma 31, which is used in sports complexes worldwide. [The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Bookkeeper sentenced in Hominy bank fraud totaling $400,000 [Tulsa World] Proposed tax incentive program could assist large south Tulsa developments [Tulsa World] Broken Arrow Board of Education approves Steve Dunn as incoming superintendent [Tulsa World] Developer stalls on record skyscraper, expands plans for OKC project [The Oklahoman] 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. 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