In The Know: Oklahoma set to more than double 287(g) immigration arrests in 2026 | Trump approval rating falls to record low. Where does Oklahoma stand? | Good state policy starts with good information

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, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026 Subscribe // View web version (current and archived) Policy Matters: Good state policy starts with good information   The federal government released new poverty data last week, but a key part of the story is still missing for Oklahomans. The Census Bureau‘s Current Population Survey provided national estimates but lacks the state-level data Oklahoma policymakers need. The newly released data reminds us that programs like SNAP and Medicaid help reduce poverty and strengthen families’ financial stability. However, national statistics can only tell us so much about what Oklahomans are experiencing. [Shiloh Kantz / The Journal Record] From OK Policy: Latest Census Bureau poverty data misses state-by-state trends What’s on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 elections in Oklahoma?   Oklahoma voters will head to the polls for a statewide general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Our election resource page covers SQ 845 and SQ 847, the federal and statewide races, judicial retention, key voting deadlines, and a link to your sample ballot. [OK Policy] Know what’s on your ballot before you vote: SQ 845 & SQ 847 Town Hall   The Nov. 3 general election is your chance to help shape Oklahoma’s future. Before you head to the polls, join the Oklahoma Policy Institute for a free, nonpartisan town hall that will explain the statewide ballot measures and answer your questions. [Learn More] RSVP for the Town Hall Join us for Voices in Action — Turning community conversations into statewide change   This summer, we hosted 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. This October, we’re coming back to share what we heard in those communities and statewide, and to discuss ways we can use our collective power to make a difference on those issues.  Register Now 70%   The average share of income a family can lose within six months when a parent is detained or deported over immigration status. That sudden loss can make it difficult to afford groceries, housing, and other essentials. [American Immigration Council] "Show Me Your Papers": A Deep Dive into the Dangerous 287(g) Task Force Model   The Trump administration is determined to radically transform every law enforcement agency (LEA) in the United States–local, county, state, and federal–into cogs in a sweeping immigration enforcement machine. What was once the purview of federal agents is becoming the day to day activity of police officers, through the proliferation of 287(g) agreements. Through 287(g) agreements, ICE is extending its arm deep into communities, threatening everyday life in neighborhoods across the country. With that extended reach comes a new expansion of well-documented harms: rampant racial profiling, overpolicing of historically targeted communities, and the rollback of police reforms aimed at transparency and accountability. [Immigrant Legal Resource Center] "It definitely increases the chances that, you know, a routine traffic stop may result in some form of immigration entanglement and not just for undocumented individuals, but anyone."   — Gabriela Ramirez-Perez, Immigration Policy Analyst at OK Policy, on the harms of 287(g) agreements, which have expanded rapidly across Oklahoma and allow local law enforcement officers to carry out immigration enforcement. [KOCO] Oklahoma News   'An explosion of the number': Oklahoma set to more than double 287(g) immigration arrests in 2026: Oklahoma’s immigration arrests through 287(g) partnerships are set to more than double in 2026 as more local agencies join ICE agreements. [KOCO] From OK Policy: Entering into 287(g) agreements harms Oklahoma families and communities | Which Oklahoma counties, cities and agencies have federal 287(g) agreements for immigration enforcement? State Government News   Two ethical oddities part of Rep. Danny Williams probe: After Rep. Danny Williams authored the bill that created the Oklahoma Education Commission in 2022, he was quickly appointed chairman of the new 17-member government body tasked with producing a report about “how to improve the quality of instruction and learning through distance and remote modalities.” More than two years into Oklahoma Education Commission meetings, however, Williams registered a nonprofit under the same name — the Oklahoma Education Commission — at his home address. [NonDoc]   'Public intoxication charge dismissed against Oklahoma secretary of state: A misdemeanor charge of public intoxication against Oklahoma’s secretary of state has been dismissed with costs, the City of Edmond said Wednesday. [Oklahoma Voice]   Oklahoma’s next state auditor plans to tackle backlog by modernizing tech, rebuilding workforce: Though the work might not be glamorous, the next state auditor says she finds fulfillment in holding government entities accountable for how they use Oklahomans’ money. [Oklahoma Voice]   Lawmakers consider ways to reduce Oklahoma’s high veteran suicide rate: Oklahoma had the nation’s third highest rate of veteran suicide deaths in 2023. The statistic was among several concerning trends raised during an interim study at the State Capitol this week. The meeting focused on whether legislative action is needed to improve access to care for Oklahoma’s more than 270,000 veterans. [KOSU]   Long Story Short: Missing County Gear, Federal Housing Bills and Cedar Lake Water Wars (podcast): A breakdown of findings from county audits revealing how rural sheriffs lost track of guns, cars, and even a meat slicer with millions in property marked missing. Plus, an examination of how a sweeping federal housing bill will impact Oklahoma’s affordable housing deficit and tenant protections, and an exploration of the next phase of a contentious regulatory water battle at Cedar Lake. [Oklahoma Watch]   Federal Government News   Oklahoma Republicans have been in-fighting over the state's vacant U.S. Senate seat: Oklahoma's recently appointed U.S. Senator and a potential successor have been quietly clashing over who gets to serve out the rest of former Sen. Markwayne Mullin's term after November's election. [KGOU]   Democrats, experts call for revocation of school voucher program under adoption by states: Education experts and advocates on Tuesday urged Congress to repeal an incoming national school voucher program over concerns that it will divert critical funds away from public schools to private institutions. [Oklahoma Voice]   Trump approval rating falls to record low. Where does Oklahoma stand?: President Donald Trump's national approval rating is creeping to new lows after more than six months of involvement in the Iran war and as media organizations begin taking stances against the president's recent behavior toward some of the largest outlets. [The Oklahoman]   Tribal Nations News   Fatal 2025 Choctaw Nation Capitol fireworks explosion draws charges: More than a year after a deadly July 2025 fireworks explosion on the grounds of the Choctaw Nation’s Capitol in Tuskahoma, three men have been federally indicted on charges of second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and efforts to conceal evidence from investigators. [NonDoc]   Osage Congress overrides veto, transfers closed school's equipment to charity foundation: The Osage Nation Congress transferred school supplies from the tribe’s recently closed private school to its nonprofit charity last week, overriding the chief’s veto. [KOSU]   Education News   Education Watch: Why is the Epic Embezzlement Case Taking So Long?: It’s been four years since prosecutors charged the founders of Epic Charter Schools with embezzlement and other financial crimes related to the school’s management. [Oklahoma Watch] Eye on Oklahoma: Epic Charter Trial Delays (video) [Oklahoma Watch]  ‘More than just a school’: Community members concerned about how neighborhoods and kids may be affected by Tulsa Public Schools closures: District leaders publicly shared school closures were a real option Sept. 8. Student enrollment has steadily declined at TPS, which currently has 78 school sites of varying sizes and a multimillion-dollar budget deficit. [Tulsa Flyer]   Health News   A Medicare Trial Program Is Helping Oklahoma Dementia Caregivers, but Only 128 Patients Are Enrolled: The GUIDE model is entering its third year of providing services and support to patients with dementia and their caregivers. Its purpose is to improve dementia patients’ quality of life, keep patients at home longer, and reduce caregiver burden. [Oklahoma Watch]   ‘What happened to me wasn't right’: Magon Hoffman speaks out about Oklahoma abortion lawsuit: Two Oklahoma mothers are challenging state abortion bans in a new lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights last week. The women are seeking to prevent the laws from applying to pregnant Oklahomans who receive fatal fetal diagnoses, which means a pregnancy is likely to end in miscarriage or stillbirth or, in the event of live birth, the infant will not survive with or without medical support. [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Ascension St. John Nowata lost inpatient care. What happens next?: Ascension St. John Nowata has become a rural emergency hospital, losing inpatient services despite a months-long community battle to keep them. Tanner Holt, the hospital’s president, said in a press release the new status allows the facility to “better align our resources with the healthcare needs of the community.” [StateImpact Oklahoma via KGOU]   Oklahoma oil executive Harold Hamm commits $150M to advance health education, research: The University of Oklahoma announced a $150 million donation from billionaire oil executive Harold Hamm Tuesday. [KOSU]   Justice System News   Who is killed in police chases and why? 5 takeaways from a Tulsa World investigation: The Tulsa World and Lee Enterprises’ Public Service Journalism Team created a database of Oklahoma’s deadly police pursuits to learn who was being killed, which agencies were pursuing and why. [Tulsa World]   Housing & Economic Opportunity News   It's getting harder to afford rent in the U.S., even for middle-income families: A growing number of renters in the U.S. are struggling to pay for housing each month, according to new research that found more middle-income families may be defaulting on rent and becoming vulnerable to eviction. [KGOU] From OK Policy: Housing is out of reach for working Oklahomans, seniors and people with disabilities  Economy & Business News   Oklahoma officials open emergency funding to address drought damage: The Oklahoma Emergency Drought Committee voted to open $2 million in drought mitigation funding on Tuesday. [KOSU]   This rural Oklahoma town doesn’t want a data center. It may not be able to stop the project: The international developer Aligned Data Centers quietly bought roughly 850 acres of land just half a mile outside of Amber city limits for $17 million in late July. About 45 minutes southwest of Oklahoma City, the more than 400 people who live in Amber are surrounded by cattle pastures and agricultural fields. Residents described it as quiet and peaceful. [The Frontier] Amber abandons annexation of proposed data center land [KOSU] Opinion: Oklahoma farmers face flash crisis as costs soar, prices fall: Tractors, combines and trucks are currently rolling across Oklahoma fields for the fall harvest and fieldwork season. It is a time of year that is usually filled with hope and excitement for what is to come, but in 2026, our family farmers and ranchers are facing unprecedented times of high input costs, depressed commodity prices and the ever-unpredictable Oklahoma weather. [Stacy Simunek / The Oklahoman]   Local Headlines Tulsa City Council reschedules vote on public safety oversight board proposal [Tulsa World] Divided Tulsa council punts on decision for independent police monitor [Tulsa Flyer] Former mayor wonders if Tulsa needs a police review board now [Public Radio Tulsa] Former TU, OU-Tulsa president joins Mayor Nichols’ office as special adviser [Tulsa Flyer] OKC says water release from Canton Lake enough despite water loss [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. Contact Oklahoma Policy Institute 907 S. 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