Oklahoma News
Petition on high electricity bills gets attention: 'We've finally reached a breaking point': More than 25,000 people have signed an online petition started by a Tulsa woman protesting electricity bills that have jolted consumers this summer. [Tulsa World]
Federal Government News
A summer of recalls exposes holes in the nation’s food safety net: A summer of food recalls, including the record-shattering cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce that has sickened thousands, has raised many Americans’ fears of contracting a foodborne illness. The recalls have focused attention on the Trump administration’s decision to cut funding and staff at several public health agencies, and prompted questions about whether those changes have made consumers more vulnerable. [Oklahoma Voice]
Oklahoma ranchers have mixed reactions to Trump's imported beef plan: President Donald Trump's plan to temporarily increase imports and waive tariffs on ground beef in an effort to bring down grocery prices has drawn mixed reactions from Oklahoma cattle producers and prompted the governor to create a council with industry leaders in the state. [The Oklahoman]
Voting rights struggle continues, advocates say at March on Washington anniversary: Just over two months from midterm elections and four months removed from a U.S. Supreme Court decision that gutted Voting Rights Act protections for majority Black U.S. House districts, and 63 years after Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech there, thousands gathered again at the Lincoln Memorial Friday. Organizers focused the anniversary march around a “Defend the Vote” message. [Oklahoma Voice]
Tribal Nations News
State, national leaders worry about prediction markets' impact on tribal sovereignty: State- and national-level gaming leaders are continuing to express objections to prediction markets' impact on tribal sovereignty. [Tulsa World]
- Tribal nations in Oklahoma: prediction markets threaten sovereignty [KOSU]
Voting and Election News
‘Trump fatigue’: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice addresses leaked audio: U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice is responding to accusations following the release of a leaked audio recording in which she relays a comment about “Trump fatigue” made by a business executive. The recording captured Bice speaking to a group of Republicans. In response to the leaked audio, Bice’s campaign issued a statement asserting that her comments were taken out of context and that she was emphasizing party unity. [KFOR]
What trends to watch as Oklahoma heads toward the November election: Oklahomans are turning to the November general election after months of highly contentious and dramatic primary races. The elections exposed splinters within both the Democratic and Republican parties as differing factions formed within them. But the races are now party versus party, meaning Oklahomans will see new themes and narratives play out ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. [The Oklahoman]
Mayor Nichols’ PAC contributed to City Council challengers, records show: Mayor Monroe Nichols’ political action committee donated nearly $4,000 to candidates in this year’s City Council elections, including $2,000 that went to two challengers of incumbent councilors, according to campaign finance reports filed with the state. [Tulsa World]
Judicial candidate Warren Plunk dies, OK County special election to be called: Oklahoma County attorneys will have a second chance to file for the District 7 Office 10 judicial seat after the death of candidate Warren Plunk, who had filed to run against incumbent District Judge Susan Stallings this year. [NonDoc]
Education News
Oklahoma’s Teacher Certification Pass Rates Range From 100% to 15%. The Data Has Problems Too.: Despite shows of support from education board members, other policymakers and programs such as Inspired to Teach, the number of people completing education preparation programs continues to decline. Even when people do attend these educator programs, only a few institutions in Oklahoma boast consistently high certification exam pass rates. [Oklahoma Watch]
‘It will make an impact’: Amid literacy push, teachers receive special summer training: Roughly 450 teachers from 250 Oklahoma school districts spent part of their summer participating in reading instruction training to earn a micro-credential in early childhood literacy. [NonDoc]
Expanded Epic program gives students, including Afghan refugees, ‘second chance’ at high school: A program Epic Charter School created, called Pathways, has given Oklahoma students age 21 to 30 the chance to earn a U.S. high school diploma. Recent changes the Oklahoma Legislature enacted in state law have helped the program grow significantly. [Oklahoma Voice]
New OSSAA rule raises questions over student-athlete transfers: Many schools in Oklahoma are questioning a new rule change for high school athletes looking to transfer. Those against the change question if it really benefits a student’s education, or if it’s just a way to bring in star athletes. The new rule allows a one-time pass for families moving into a new district, while keeping their home residence in their old district. [KFOR]
Health News
Federal judge pauses case on mifepristone access until after midterm elections: A federal judge in Texas on Sunday paused a lawsuit seeking to revoke nationwide approval of the abortion drug mifepristone, saying the case won’t be heard until at least Dec. 1 and granting the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s request for a stay to continue its safety review of the drug. [Oklahoma Voice]
Research indicates higher heat-related death tolls than reported: Since heat isn’t included on many death certificates, the data gets skewed, hiding the true danger of the high temperatures. This issue affects the whole U.S., including Oklahoma. In August alone, Oklahoma saw 22 days with highs of 100 degrees or warmer. [KOSU]
As abundant ticks spread alpha-gal syndrome, Oklahomans are being forced to adapt.: Many Oklahomans are living with alpha-gal syndrome — a condition that existed relatively under the radar for years. Alpha-gal is a tick-borne condition that causes people to be unable to eat beef, dairy or other mammalian products without having a severe allergic reaction. [KOSU]
She Fought the State Over Her Son’s Cancer Treatment. Then He Got Sicker: An Oklahoma mother chose alternative remedies over the recommendations of her son’s doctors. Was that her right as a parent or a threat to his care? [New York Times]
Justice System News
Tulsa police said Michael Glunt was shot 3 times. The autopsy shows it was 9.: Seven months after Tulsa police shot and killed 33-year-old Michael Glunt, a report from the medical examiner’s office shows he was shot nine times — six times more than police originally said. [The Oklahoma Eagle]
Economy & Business News
El Reno Bitcoin mining facility had no permits, built unauthorized fire hydrant, and differs from data centers driving statewide debate: The Bitcoin mining facility at the center of El Reno’s massive water leak never had city permits to operate, built a fire hydrant the city didn’t know about, and violated multiple codes—and raises new questions about how it fits into the broader statewide data center debate. [KFOR]
Local Headlines
- Federal officer dies while responding to Oklahoma wildfire [Oklahoma Voice]
- Feds hail 'extraordinary courage' of officer who died in Oklahoma fire [The Oklahoman]
- City Manager of Mannsville arrested for voter registration fraud [KFOR]
- Overnight fire prompts temporary closure of westside Tulsa school [Tulsa World]
- Dozens of Tulsa Public Schools sites hit with air conditioning issues as triple-digit heat continues [Tulsa Flyer]
- OKC United owners offer $9M for stadium construction. What to know [The Oklahoman]
- Gilcrease Museum officials offer look at new gallery spaces in final months ahead of reopening [Tulsa World]
- New photo exhibit is a ‘love letter’ to LGBTQ+ Tulsans who keep the city running [Tulsa Flyer]
