KGOU AM NewsBrief: Recent Episodes
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New Superfund Site In Oklahoma
There’s a new Superfund site in Oklahoma. The site covers 105 acres in Muskogee on Cherokee Nation land.
For three decades, Fansteel Metals Incorporated processed uranium ore into metals for electrical circuits. The radioactive and toxic leftovers were stored in waste pits and ponds on the site. Radioactivity has already seeped into the site’s soil and groundwater and poses a threat to the nearby Arkansas River.
In January, Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote a letter to the EPA requesting Fansteel be added to the National Priorities List of Superfund sites. The EPA announced its intentions to list the site in March and finalized it this week.
Fansteel is Oklahoma’s 18th Superfund site on the National Priorities List. These sites receive federal funds to clean up industrial waste that endangers nearby people and the environment.
Records Request Shows State Spent Over $22,000 On Anti-Teacher Union Video
Over $22,000 of state money went to fund the creation of an anti-teacher union video from Oklahoma’s State Department of Education.
According to documents StateImpact obtained from an open records request, $22,500 was paid to Texas-based Precision Outreach LLC to make this video:
The video was unveiled at a May State Board of Education meeting and was part of what State Superintendent Ryan Walters calls a “public awareness campaign” about teachers’ unions. It features speakers from the National Education Association’s 2022 conference, footage from Walters’ interview with Fox News, and an interview with the author of a young adult LGBTQ+ book. It also included a video from Texas and another from Pennsylvania defending pedophiles - it’s unclear what the connection is to Oklahoma teacher unions.
The state money was used for video production, onsite shooting, use of equipment, and post-production editing.
Woman Wins $200,000 In Settlement With OKC, Claims Her Arm Was Broken By Police
An Oklahoma City woman who claims her arm was broken by police officers after entering her home without a warrant in 2020 will receive $200,000 in a settlement.
A federal court judge ordered the guardian of 77-year-old Ruby Jones to be paid $200,000 in a settlement with Oklahoma City.
Jones claims police entered her home in August of 2020 without a proper warrant during a search for her mentally ill son, Chauncey Jones, who had called in a bomb threat earlier that day. According to the police report, Jones’s son threw a knife when an officer entered the house.
The lawsuit filed after the incident said an officer handcuffed Jones and pulled her arm upward and at an angle “beyond its physical capabilities.” She then fell to the floor and was ordered to walk to the patrol car outside.
The settlement is made without the city admitting liability in the incident.
Oklahoma Human Services Announces Grant To Combat Food Insecurity
Oklahoma Human Services announced a $12.5 million grant this week to support the availability of affordable and nutritious foods after the COVID-19 pandemic impacted access. StateImpact’s Jillian Taylor has more.
The food insecurity grant will be funded by an allocation of recovery funds from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Applicants must be programs like food pantries, distribution centers and other nonprofits addressing food insecurity. Funding can be used to make physical improvements or purchase equipment to increase the distribution and storage of food.
Grant amounts will be based on the needs of applying programs and the number of applicants. Programs in census-designated food deserts or low- to moderate-income areas with less access to supermarkets will be prioritized. Applicants must fill out a grant interest form on the department’s website by Oct. 6.
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Norman Entertainment District Announced
A coalition of Norman’s economic leaders called “Team Norman” announced plans for a billion-dollar entertainment district on Wednesday.
Plans for a new development at Rock Creek Road and 24th Avenue Northwest include shops, restaurants, and a multi-purpose performance venue designed to host a variety of events from concerts to OU basketball games and gymnastics competitions.
The development will also include a dense and walkable area for single and multi-family housing.
The coalition expects 80% of the $1 billion cost to be covered by private investments with the remaining 20% coming from public sources, though no money is to be taken from city or county general funds.
Team Norman includes the Norman Economic Development Coalition, the Norman Chamber of Commerce, the University of Oklahoma, and the city and county governments.
Superintendent Walters Faces Another Lawsuit
State Superintendent Ryan Walters is facing his seventh lawsuit. This one comes from a former State Department of Education employee who was terminated after she spoke at her children’s school board meeting.
Former department employee Janessa Bointy filed suit last week against the state department and its head, Superintendent Ryan Walters, alleging she was wrongfully terminated and her First Amendment rights were violated.
Bointy is the parent of four Edmond Public Schools students. At an Edmond school board meeting’s public comment period, she spoke about mental health resources in light of a student’s recent death from suicide. That, according to the state department, constituted a breach of confidentiality and a violation of the agency’s media policy.
"I just felt compelled to speak at the school board meeting just to share some of the current statistics, data, surrounding child and adolescent mental health. I never thought for a minute that I was doing anything that was violating any policies at work, or would put my job in jeopardy" said Bointy.
Asked for a response, a spokesperson for Walters says the office doesn’t comment on personnel matters.
Cover-up Alleged in Pottawatomie County Jail Deaths
Pottawatomie County is allegedly keeping details on deaths in the county jail from the deceased detainees’ family members and from reporters.
Oklahoma Watch journalist Whitney Bryen reported that the county ignored the families’ requests for information on the deaths and refused to comply with court orders to produce records on the seven people.
"Of those people, only two of them were reported to the state health department, which the jail is supposed to do by law any time somebody dies," Bryen said.
Bryen also said officials cancelled and interview she had with them about the jail deaths, claimed an attorney told them to not do the interview and refused to tell her who their attorney was. One of the seven was Ronald Given, who died in 2019 after he struggled with jailers while he was naked and hallucinating.
Bryen said three of the families of the deceased, including Given’s family, have sued the jail over the lack of information about the deaths.
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Gov. Stitt Appoints Native American Affairs Liaison
Gov. Kevin Stitt has appointed former Cherokee Nation tribal council member Wes Nofire to serve as the state's Native American liaison.
Nofire vacated his seat on the tribal council to run for Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation last spring. He has openly criticized the McGirt decision as tribal nation leaders tout it as a win for their sovereignty.
Stitt says he's bringing NoFire to build bridges with his office and tribal communities throughout the state. But Cherokee Nation officials have already called the appointment disappointing.
Former state Representative and current Chickasaw Tribal Legislature member Lisa Billy served as the first Secretary of Native American Affairs in the Stitt administration. She left in 2019 after saying Stitt was creating "unnecessary conflict" with the tribes in the state in her resignation letter.
She was replaced by Brian Bingman, who serves double-duty as Secretary of State.
Tulsa Begins New 1921 Race Massacre Gravesite Search
The city of Tulsa is officially conducting its third excavation to find gravesites of victims of the 1921 Race Massacre.
At a press conference at City Hall Tuesday morning, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum says the city has already begun searching for more graves of massacre victims.
“We will follow this investigation wherever it leads us," said Bynum.
Bynum was joined by state archeologist Dr. Kary Stackelbeck and Brenda Nails-Alford, a descendant of massacre survivors.
Dr. Stackelbeck says her team found a series of bricks that were laid out in a way consistent with makeshift headstones.
“We had one... and then we had another, and then we had another until we ended up actually exposing a row of these," said Stackelbeck.
Bynum said the city’s goal is to use DNA analysis to connect any possible remains of victims with their living descendants.
Crews at Oaklawn Cemetery will be using heavy equipment before hand-excavating the site as work continues for roughly a few weeks.
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoma Kindergarten Vaccination Exemptions Now Highest In Region
An analysis by the non-profit news outlet Oklahoma Watch shows Oklahoma's kindergartners are now the least-vaccinated in the region.
The latest survey of school-year exemption rates shows that 3.5% of kids entering kindergarten got an exemption from getting the standard vaccines to start school. That's up a full percentage point from the previous year.
The growth is almost entirely for religious or philosophical reasons.
Health officials say vaccinations—and a critical mass of children getting them—prevent the spread of disease in classrooms.
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoma State Department of Education Partnership With PragerU
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters announced the State Department of Education is partnering with PragerU for the state’s history curriculum.
Founded by conservative talk show host Dennis Prager, PragerU is not a university but rather a non-profit media organization that aims to offer an alternative to what it calls QUOTE “the dominant left-wing ideology in culture, media, and education.”
PragerU Kids is geared toward younger audiences. Its materials center around videos featuring quick vlog-style edits. They’re narrated by young people through a lens of what the Oklahoma Department of Education’s website calls “traditional American values that inspire self-reliance, patriotism, and resiliency.”
Some of the videos cover topics in American civics.
Others address sociocultural topics, like gender expression.
State Department of Education spokesperson Dan Isett says the partnership will offer a more robust history curriculum than the state has provided educators in the past.
He couldn’t provide many details about differences in the curricula but says the state is working with PragerU to develop Oklahoma-specific materials. Isett says it’s yet to be determined whether any of the PragerU Kids content will be required teaching curriculum in Oklahoma’s public schools.
Del City Officer Shooting Update
Demetrize Carter, 43, was shot in the chest by an off-duty Del City police officer at a Choctaw high school football game where one student was shot and killed by a minor who has since been arrested.
Billy Clark, an attorney hired by Carter’s family, said Carter was attempting to help Cordea Clark — no relation — when the off-duty officer shot him.
"He had his hands up speaking with one of the Del City officers, basically explaining that, you know, the kid that was shot was on the ground dying. He was attempting to help him as best he can, and his hands were up the whole entire time. No weapon, nothing in his hands that was of a threat. And then all of a sudden he got shot," Clark said.
Clark said Carter is still in the hospital. The Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the shooting.
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Oklahoma Charter School Board Approves Application For Nation’s First Publicly Funded Religious School
Oklahoma’s Statewide Virtual Charter School Board is moving forward with a proposal to create the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school.
St. Isidore would be funded like any other charter school in Oklahoma, which are considered public schools. The application from the St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Catholic Charter School to the Board has been sitting on the table since early April. That’s because no matter what the board decided, it’s expected to face legal challenges.
Erika Wright is the founder of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition. She says the decision is a slippery slope.
"Everyday Oklahomans are not clamoring for this. And everyone in this room knows full well that this will not stop with a virtual charter school," said Wright.
The Statewide Virtual Charter School Board is set to dissolve soon, following the governor’s signature Monday on a bill that would create a new Statewide Charter School Board. That board would oversee both virtual and in-person school districts.
- Read more about this story here.
Medical Examiner: Cookie Cottage Owner Shannon Hanchett Died of Natural Causes, Heart Defect
Months after a local business owner died at the Cleveland County Detention Center late last year, the state’s Chief Medical Examiner has released a report on the cause of her death.
A report released by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner last Friday says 38-year-old Shannon Hanchett, the owner of Norman’s Cookie Cottage, died of natural causes related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a common form of genetic heart disease.
The report also includes dehydration and psychosis with auditory and visual hallucinations as contributing conditions.
Hanchett was arrested for allegedly making false 911 calls and obstructing an officer. After the bodycam footage of her arrest went viral, several members of the community expressed their concern about Hanchett’s mental state.
She was scheduled for a mental health assessment on the day she died.
Oil-Laced Mud Spills Into Northern Oklahoma Creek
Cleanup is underway after more than 40,000 gallons of mud containing crude oil and drilling waste spilled out of a pit and into a northern Oklahoma creek.
Not all of that is crude oil. The pit holds drilling mud and materials leftover from boring oil wells. A company called Nemaha Environmental Services stores these materials until they can be used or disposed of.
But when the area received heavy rains last week, the mud pit took on water. The resulting slurry either leaked through or spilled over the pit’s wall and into Nine Mile Creek. Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission says it’s rare for heavy rains to cause a spill of this size.
Skinner says the pit is secure, and the spill has been contained along three miles of the creek. The cleanup crew is using pumps and other equipment to remove the oily mud. They had recovered about 20,000 gallons by Monday afternoon.Skinner says there’s no way of knowing how long it will take to recover the rest.
Update On Clinton Hospital
Clinton residents may not have to wait as long as originally anticipated for their hospital to reopen.
Since the beginning of the year, the city of Clinton has been without a hospital after the company managing it pulled out and canceled state and federal licenses to operate the facility.
Recently, the city hired a new consultant to work on getting the hospital reopened.
The Clinton Daily News reports the consultant is in talks with the state health department to allow the hospital to meet the existing standards of its previously terminated license, rather than the standards for a new hospital.
If OSDH agrees, the facility would only need to meet the codes from the 1970s when the hospital was originally opened. The newspaper reported by meeting the existing requirements, the hospital could avoid $6.2 million in upgrades estimated to take 15-18 months
Discriminatory Real Estate
Owning or leasing an older property can reveal a disturbing history. A new law in Oklahoma that passed this legislative session targets discriminatory language in real estate covenants.
The new law makes language from real estate contracts that are discriminatory “null and void” and would remove the language with a simple request to a county clerk.
These legal agreements were used throughout the early 20th century United States, mostly to keep Black people from moving into certain neighborhoods. They often targeted other minority groups, too.
The racist covenants haven’t been enforced for decades. But they’re often still on the books.
That’s why Oklahoma lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to strip them from legal documents without barriers or delay. Their action comes more than 75 years after two U.S. Supreme Court cases which disallowed the enforcement of all racial covenants.
The new law goes into effect in November.
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For additional news throughout the day visit our website, KGOU.org and follow us on social media.
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Cherokee Nation Elections
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner were re-elected over the weekend.
The unofficial results point to a landslide victory for incumbents Hoskin Jr. and Warner. Both walked away with more than 60% of the vote on Saturday – that's 30 points more than their next closest challenger.
Hoskin Jr. said he will continue to focus on criminal justice issues and health care over the next four years.
"...Finishing some really big projects that we've started in health care. The ones that are most important to me are the drug treatment effort that we are doing over the next five years," said Hoskin Jr.
Districts 1, 3 and 8 will head to a runoff next month after no one secured more than half of the vote for those seats.
More than 16,000 Cherokee citizens voted in this election cycle. That's up from 13,870 voters in 2019.
NLRB's Complaint Against Apple For Labor Violations At OKC Store
The National Labor Relations Board has issued a complaint against Apple for violating labor laws in Oklahoma City.
Region 14 of the NLRB has issued a complaint alleging Apple has engaged in multiple unfair labor practices at its Oklahoma City store, which formed a union last year.
The complaint alleges Apple attempted to prevent employees from freely exercising their right to organize by committing National Labor Relations Act violations such as interrogating employees about their support for the union and threatening employees with retaliation if they selected the union as their bargaining representative.
Workers at the store began contract negotiations with the company last month.
Oklahoma City Animal Shelter Closes Again Following Another Canine Respiratory Outbreak
The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter has closed its doors once again to prevent the spread of a canine respiratory infection.
According to shelter officials, around 130 dogs are currently showing symptoms such as coughing and runny nose. No deaths have been reported so far.
The shelter suspects the infection is caused by the canine flu virus, the same virus that led to a previous closure in March that killed five dogs. While the shelter remains closed to the public, they will continue to accept sick, injured and dangerous animals.
People who adopted dogs from the shelter recently are advised to monitor their dogs for symptoms and seek veterinary advice if needed.
Oklahoma Cattle Ranchers See Improving Conditions, But Drought's Effects Linger
Recent rainfall across Oklahoma has chipped away at drought-stricken areas, bringing some relief to cattle ranchers. But full drought recovery is still a ways away.
With dried-up ponds and little to no forage, the drought has forced some ranchers to sell their livestock early for the past two years.
Derrell Peel is a livestock marketing specialist for Oklahoma State University Extension. He says building back herds will be a slow process.
"I think at this point it's highly unlikely that we could actually turn this thing around and stop the liquidation completely. Now, we don't expect a lot of liquidation, but it does depend on what happens to the drought as we go forward,," Peel said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's crop progress report shows pasture conditions are improving with recent rains.
Peel says there will be a slowdown in beef production this year as cattle ranchers try to maintain their smaller cattle herds and rebuild their herd size… which could lead to higher prices for shoppers at the grocery store.
Tornado Season Snapshot
The Oklahoma Climatological Survey found that in May, a record number of tornadoes occurred in several Oklahoma counties during the first half of the year.
Oklahomans are used to being weather aware - especially during tornado season. And so far this year, it’s been busy.
According to the OCS Mesonet, both Cleveland and McClain Counties have already broken records for the number of tornadoes in a calendar year. Cleveland County has seen 13 tornadoes, while McClain saw 11. The previous records there were both over a decade old.
It was busy in that part of the state last month. Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie Counties saw more than two dozen tornadoes combined. One storm in mid-May even dropped 11 funnels.
So far this year, Oklahoma has had a total of 50 tornadoes. In 2022 - the state had 57 twisters.
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OKC's Point-In-Time Report Results
The number of people experiencing homelessness appears to be rising in Oklahoma City. Here's details from the city’s 2023 Point in Time count released Thursday.
Census takers identified almost 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City during the annual January count. Last year’s count found a little more than 1,300.
The point-in-time count is federally mandated and meant to serve as a snapshot of homelessness in the city. It is not a full picture of homeless people in OKC, but offers several insights.
One major problem detailed in the report is a lack of affordable housing in Oklahoma County. The authors write that more than 4,500 units are needed to meet housing demand.
They also found that $50 million in investments by the city toward affordable housing will help ease the burden in years to come. Voters approved that investment as part of the MAPS 4 program in 2019.
Gov. Kevin Stitt sends National Guard troops to southern border
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced Thursday he is committing to send Oklahoma National Guard Troops to the Southern Border in response to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s call for reinforcements.
Stitt is joined by 12 other Republican governors in stating their commitment to send troops. All told, the governors plan to send more than 1,300 national guardsmen and more than 200 law enforcement personnel.
Also on Thursday, state Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced he's suing the Biden Administration over a proposed new rule to regulate the entry of asylum seekers into the U.S. following the expiration of pandemic-related rules that had given authorities greater ability to crack down on illegal immigration. Seventeen other states are joining with Drummond in the suit, which claims the new rule redefines -quote- previously illegal border crossings as lawfull pathways.
Cherokee Nation Elections
It's election season for the Cherokee Nation. Cherokee citizens living in at-large areas and the tribal nation's 14 county reservation will decide whether or not Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. should get to keep his job.
Hoskin Jr. says he's running on his record: over the last 3 1/2 years he led the tribal nation through the pandemic, the landmark Supreme Court ruling in McGirt v. Oklahoma and has built up the tribal nation's health care system.
His three opponents say his administration lacks transparency and one of them would be better suited for the top job.
"So this group has epically failed to increase the wages for not just our behavioral health, but for all of our health care providers and staff," said former tribal council woman Cara Cowan Watts.
Wes Nofire and David Cornsilk, the two other candidates running for the top job say there needs to be a plan to staff the new hospital the nation is building and more accountability for the $3 billion in COVID-19 relief funds the tribal nation received.
If no candidate for Principal Chief gets more than half the vote, there will be a runoff in.
The election will take place Saturday, June 3 and polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will also include Deputy Principal Chief and several tribal council seats.
- Read more about tribal elections here.
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Law
A new law gives the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority more ways to test for compliance to state standards.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Republican Senator Jessica Garvin’s Senate Bill 813 on Wednesday.
The law now allows the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to operate its own quality assurance laboratory in addition to contracting with a private lab to conduct compliance testing on medical marijuana businesses licensed in the state.
The new law also creates a petty cash fund for the authority to conduct undercover operations, including providing money for secret shoppers to purchase medical marijuana to prove compliance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act.
WCWS Softball Update
The Women's College World Series began Thursday at the USA Softball Hall Of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
The defending national champion Oklahoma Sooners won their opening contest against the Stanford Cardinal, by a score of 2 to 0. OU's Jordy Bahl pitched a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts, as the Sooners now move on to face Tennessee on Saturday afternoon at 2.
Meanwhile, the Florida State Seminoles run-ruled the Oklahoma State Cowgirls by a score of 8 to 0. The game was delayed twice by rain for a total of nearly three hours.
The Cowgirls now play the loser of Washington and Utah Friday at 8:30.
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Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules Two Anti-Abortion Bills Unconstitutional
The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that two bills banning abortions are unconstitutional.
The state's high court ruled Oklahoma's abortion bans passed last year are too restrictive and vague for doctors. Those laws made abortion illegal, except in a QUOTE “medical emergency.” It was unclear to justices and doctors across the state what exactly that means.
Tamya Cox-Toure is the ACLU of Oklahoma Executive Director. She says the ruling gives further guidance on when Oklahomans can receive care.
"However, because of our pre-Roe abortion bans, Oklahoma does not have full access to abortion care, even in light of these laws being struck down as unconstitutional," said Cox-Toure.
A 1910 law prohibiting abortion is still in place. It only allows the procedure if it will save a mother’s life – but doesn’t have the medical emergency requirement.
- Read more about this story here.
More OKSDE Lawsuits
More Oklahoma State Department of Education employees are taking legal action over employment issues. Now, three former employees are taking their cases to court.
Cheryl McGee served as the executive director of school based mental health, and Matt Colwell served as the executive director of school success. Both filed lawsuits claiming they were wrongly fired for sharing information from the agency.
The department sent out an email Thursday threatening employees with termination if they were found to have leaked information. A state official later posted on social media different versions of the email were sent to employees to track who leaked them.
Another employee, Janessa Bointy, served as a school counselor specialist for about two and a half years. According to the filing, Bointy spoke about adolescent mental health during the public comment section of an Edmond Public Schools School Board meeting, which took place in the wake of a student suicide. Bointy has four children enrolled at Edmond. She was fired for allegedly breaching the agency’s confidentiality agreement and violating its media policy.
A spokesperson for State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ office provided a statement, “Contrary to public servants, these individuals are political activists who have no business being funded by Oklahoma taxpayers.”
OKCPS Teacher Fired
An Oklahoma City Public Schools teacher was fired after allegedly physically abusing a student in February.
The Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate Webster Middle School special education teacher Stephen Gainor earlier this week.
Gainor is accused of holding an 11-year-old student against the floor for more than three minutes. The school’s assistant principal witnessed the incident and told Gainor to stop multiple times. Other administrators reported seeing Gainor sitting on top of the student.
Gainor was later placed on administrative leave. The school’s principal recommended Gainor’s employment be terminated in April.
Stitt Vetoes Tobacco, Tag Compacts
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed legislation that would have extended tobacco and vehicle tag compacts between the state and the tribal nations.
The move comes after the legislature negotiated a deal to extend them through 2024 in one of the last days of the regular session.
It's now in the hands of lawmakers on whether they will return to override the veto.
In a statement Choctaw Chief Gary Batton said that these compacts provide important benefits to the people of Oklahoma.
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OKSDE Lawsuit
Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is facing legal challenges for a whistleblower trap set for State Department employees. The suit was filed by an employee who was terminated for sharing information to the Attorney General and a state representative.
According to the filing, Matthew Colwell was working as the Program Manager of School Success since January. That was, until Friday, when Walters’ chief policy advisor, Matt Langston, sent out an email threatening employees with termination if they were found to have leaked information to the press.
Langston later posted on Twitter the email had been a ruse — different versions were sent to employees to track who leaked them.
Colwell’s attorney argues for two counts against Langston and Walters: that the email had a chilling effect on employees exercising First Amendment rights and it unlawfully violated Colwell’s First Amendment rights; and that Colwell was terminated in a manner described as, “willful, malicious or, at the least, in reckless disregard of the Plaintiff’s federally protected rights.”
More employment-related lawsuits against the department are likely on the way.
Oklahoma Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Upgrade NWS Radio Service
Oklahoma lawmakers are focusing on weather-related legislation during the ongoing storm season.
KOCO reports Congresswoman Stephanie Bice leading efforts to enhance storm warning radio infrastructure. Bice has introduced the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act, a bill that aims to upgrade the existing national weather radio technology.
"It was almost three decades ago, in the late ’90s, that the NWR network received its last upgrade," Bice said.
The bill seeks to address the limitations of storm sirens, which Bice says have a limited range of about two miles, leaving rural communities vulnerable if they are not within earshot of the sirens or have poor cell service.
The proposed legislation includes the installation of additional broadcast equipment to extend the reach of the NOAA Weather radio signal, as well as software upgrades.
The bill was recently assigned to a committee for further consideration.
Guthrie City Pool Closed This Summer Due To Drought
Guthrie’s only city pool will stay closed for the summer due to the effects of the ongoing drought.
Due to a combination of low lake levels and the ongoing drought, Guthrie city officials say opening the community pool would have strained the city’s water supply. The city gets its water from Liberty and Guthrie Lakes.
The pool requires more than 200,000 gallons of water to be filled, and another 40,000 gallons a day to maintain the pool's water levels.
Officials say they are exploring partnerships with nearby community pools as an alternative way to keep cool this summer.
The city says it will keep both its splash pads open on the weekends and will consider opening them up on more days if the lakes’ water levels rise.
Oklahoma City Plans To Address Potholes
Oklahoma City plans to aggressively tackle potholes this year as part of the Better Streets Safer City Program.
During the city council meeting Tuesday, city leaders said over 140 miles of streets are set to be resurfaced, and around 60,000 potholes will be fixed this year.
With allocated funds running low, the City will use bonds to continue repairs.
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For additional news throughout the day visit our website, KGOU.org and follow us on social media.
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Bill With Superintendent Guardrail Advances
Amid weeks of confusion surrounding whether State Superintendent Ryan Walters had applied for crucial federal grants, lawmakers are looking to put some guardrails on which grants Walters can refuse to apply for. A measure that passed the state’s House Friday that would do just that.
Senate Bill 36X would force the Superintendent to get permission from the Speaker of the House and Senate Pro Tem if the office wants to not apply for grants it’s received in the past.
With key funding issues on the line, like free and reduced lunches and Title I grants for economically disadvantaged kids, some lawmakers felt the need to step in. Tulsa Representative and former teacher, John Waldron, dared Republicans to vote against it and deal with the political fallout.
"I will tell you, as a Democrat, that by all means, vote against this limits bill, give him unfettered access, and we will tie vulnerable members of your caucus to his extremism and we will win at the ballot box," said Waldron. "Sure, he may have won in a statewide election, but he was the second lowest of statewide vote recipients after the governor. He’s vulnerable in districts we seek to target. So, Mr. Speaker, I leave it to you, make the political calculus."
The bill passed in the ongoing special session. It now heads to the governor’s desk, though it’s unclear whether he’ll sign it.
Governor Says He May Call For Another Special Session
As the 2023 regular Legislative session was coming to an end on Friday, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he might call for another special session.
Even though there’s already an ongoing special session, Governor Stitt said he’s considering calling for another to address income and grocery tax cuts that did not get passed.
"If we have $6 billion in savings and we have $1 billion too in excess revenue above expenses, you shouldn’t just spend all that money. You should give some of that back to the taxpayer. And so, the fact that we weren’t able to get that done to me is just unbelievable," Stitt said.
At the beginning of this session, Stitt called for corporate and personal income tax cuts as well as eliminating the sales tax on groceries.
Selman Bat Cave Watch Paused
After 26 years, the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife recently announced it’s pausing its Selman Bat Watch program this summer.
Each summer, visitors could watch hundreds of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats pour from the Selman Bat Cave to feast on insects near Woodward.
But that Oklahoma bucket list item is now on hold.
Micah Holmes is a spokesperson for the state department of wildlife.
He says wildlife officials put a pause on the outreach program due to staffing shortages and wants to review how to better serve visitors.
"I want to emphasize that the bat population is very healthy. There's nothing going on with the bats in particular. So we'll continue to do some basic habitat management on that area," said Holmes.
The bats travel as much as 1,400 miles to Oklahoma each spring to give birth to their pups in the Selman Bat Cave.
Unregistered visitors aren’t allowed on the site to prevent the habitat from being disturbed by people.
OKC Continues To Grow
Oklahoma City continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in the country.
Census data estimates released earlier this month show nearly 695,000 people call Oklahoma City home.
That makes OKC the 20th largest city in the country after adding more than 10,000 people since the official census in 2020.
The city had the sixth-highest percentage growth of any city in the country, beating out two metros south of the Red River in Austin and Houston.
Mayor David Holt touted the new numbers on social media, pointing out that Oklahoma City’s population ranking keeps climbing. Just five years ago, it was at No. 27.
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Oklahoma State Superintendent Launches ‘Public Awareness’ Campaign Against Teachers’ Unions
State Superintendent Ryan Walters is again taking aim again at teachers’ unions. Walters presented a video during Thursday’s State Board of Education meeting that critics say rises to the level of propaganda.
The video is part of the launch of what Walters calls a “public awareness campaign” to inform people of teacher union positions. It features speakers from the National Education Association’s 2022 conference, footage from Walters’ interview with Fox News, and an interview with the author of a young adult LGBTQ+ book. It also included a video from Texas and another from Pennsylvania defending pedophiles - it’s unclear what the connection is to Oklahoma teacher unions.
The Oklahoma Education Association fired back in a statement saying, in part, “We want to build positive relationships and improve public education in Oklahoma, rather than having to continually defend hardworking educators after every board meeting by responding to inflammatory and dangerous accusations.”
- Read more about this story here.
OETA Veto Overridden
Oklahoma lawmakers took another look at several of the bills the governor vetoed amid an education funding standstill. Lawmakers overrode the veto that would have led to the end of Oklahoma’s public television broadcaster.
Big Bird fans can rest easy. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate voted to override the Governor’s veto that would have led to the end of Oklahoma’s public television broadcaster, OETA.
At the time of his veto - Gov. Kevin Stitt said that Oklahoma Educational Television Authority’s long-term strategic value was quote “unclear if not outright imagined.”
But lawmakers defended the public broadcaster known for airing programs like Sesame Street and NOVA. State law requires the agency to have its board’s authority renewed by the legislature every three years.
Lawmakers in both chambers overwhelmingly supported the veto override - with a supermajority vote both times.
Lawmakers Override Stitt's Veto On OTA
Oklahoma lawmakers overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of a bill changing the way the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s members are appointed.
Republican Representative Danny Sterling’s vetoed House Bill 2263 was overridden by the House and Senate a mere day before the deadline.
The bill divides who gets to appoint the six members of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority equally among the Governor, the Speaker of the Oklahoma House, and the President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate. Currently, the Governor appoints all six members.
The bill also prohibits members of the OTA from voting on issues in which they have direct financial interest. It will officially go into effect later this year.
Tribal Regalia Override
Oklahoma lawmakers voted to override Gov. Kevin Stitt's veto on a bill to protect tribal regalia at graduation ceremonies.
The new law approved Thrusday would allow Native American students to wear eagle feathers, beaded caps and other forms of tribal regalia at public school ceremonies.
An overwhelming majority of House and Senate lawmakers voted in favor of Senate Bill 429.
The law is set to take effect July 1.
West Nile Detected In Oklahoma County Mosquitoes
The OKC-County Health Department says mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus are back in central Oklahoma for the summer.
This is right when the virus tends to show up in central Oklahoma — the OKC-County Health Department says West Nile season usually runs from May through November. Now that the Department has detected the virus in mosquitoes, it’s encouraging residents to drain standing water and protect themselves with insect repellent and high-coverage clothing.
Last year, the state recorded two cases where people came down with West Nile — one in Oklahoma County and the other in Seminole County. Those patients both had serious, neuroinvasive symptoms that only occur in about 1 of every 150 people who get the virus.
The OKC-County Health Department runs a “Skeeter Meter” where they monitor the latest local buzz. Visit it at their website.
DOC Lifts Lockdown For All Correctional Facilities Except Dick Connor
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is lifting the lockdown on facilities except the Dick Conner Correctional Center following a stabbing incident last week.
The department said Thursday all correctional facilities except the Hominy facility will return to normal operation. The DOC is allowing structured movement of inmates, and visitation will return to all other Oklahoma correctional facilities.
Correctional centers across the state went on lockdown last Friday after an inmate died from a stabbing at the Dick Conner Correctional Center.
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Eco-Friendly Refinery Coming To Cushing
A $5.6 billion refinery is coming to Cushing.
The city and company promise the facility will be more eco-friendly than existing refineries.
Southern Rock Energy Partners says when the refinery opens in 2027, it should only produce 5% of the greenhouse gas emissions and use a tenth of the water a normal refinery would.
If all goes according to plan, the facility will only use renewable energy to power the refining process.
The City of Cushing says it expects the project to create hundreds of jobs and generate $13 billion in economic benefits over its first decade.
Cushing beat out a site near the Gulf Coast in Texas for the refinery.
This announcement comes just days after a company called Enel unveiled plans to build a $1 billion solar panel factory in Inola, about 70 miles east of Cushing.
Oklahoma Senate Approves Maternity Leave For State Employees
The Oklahoma Senate has approved a measure that allows maternity leave for state employees.
The bill gives 6 weeks of paid maternity leave for Oklahoma’s full time state employees after the birth or adoption of a child.
Duncan Republican Sen. Jessica Garvin introduced the reform at the start of the 2023 session. Garvin praised her colleagues for supporting the policy.
"You know as a Republican we always talk about being pro life, well this is part of that. We’ve got to support families after the birth and not just through birth," said Garvin.
Garvin also says this will help with recruitment and retention of state employees.
"This is a huge benefit and a huge win for state employees, this incentivizes people to come in to work for state agencies and when we are able to hire and recruit and retain high quality employees in state agencies that helps with government efficiency."
The benefit would be available to state employees who have been on the job for at least two years. The bill now moves to the house.
Former Oklahoma County Jail Inmate To Receive $3M
Oklahoma County commissioners have agreed to pay $3 million to settle an excessive use of force case stemming from a 2017 incident.
A former inmate of the Oklahoma County jail will receive $3 million in a settlement after suing the Board of County Commissioners, former Sheriff P.D. Taylor, and three guards.
In the lawsuit, Torrance Gene Jackson claims he was slammed to the ground and held in an unapproved wrist lock by one guard while two others observed after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in 2017. As a result, the lawsuit also claims Jackson was diagnosed with quadriplegia and is permanently paralyzed.
An internal investigation by a sheriff’s lieutenant found the guard’s use of force was disproportionate and his use of unapproved techniques came with the possibility of injury.
Plan To Extend Tribal Nations’ Tobacco, Tag Compacts Moves Ahead
The Oklahoma Senate Wednesday moved forward a plan to extend Native American tribal nations’ tobacco and tag compacts – without the approval of Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Lawmakers are aiming to extend existing compacts with tribal nations for tobacco and car tags by one year. Many of those compacts are set to expire in the coming months.
The move comes amid stalled negotiations between Stitt and the tribes.
Choctaw Nation Chief Gary Batton told The Oklahoman the terms Stitt brought to the table were a “non-starter.”
Leaders of the state’s five largest tribes endorsed Stitt’s Democratic opponent Joy Hofmeister last year. That move came after Stitt unsuccessfully tried to re-negotiate the state’s gaming compacts with tribal leaders.
The bill would mean existing tobacco and tag compacts would run through December 2024, giving time for Stitt and the tribal nations to repair their fraught relationship. But if that can happen remains to be seen.
Livestock Owners Encouraged To Seek Out Veterinarians Following New FDA Rule
Oklahoma livestock owners are being urged to familiarize themselves with their veterinarians following a new Food and Drug Administration rule.
Starting next month, the FDA will require a prescription for obtaining antibiotics for animals, a move that supporters say will help reduce antibiotic use.
A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Veterinary Board says there is a shortage of large animal veterinarians in the state.
The board is encouraging farmers and ranchers to seek out and establish strong relationships with veterinarians to comply with the new FDA rule.
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Largest State Budget In History Moves Out Of Committee
Oklahoma's largest-ever state budget, nearly $13 billion, has advanced from committee in the final week of the 2023 legislative session.
The Oklahoman reports the budget includes increased funding for education, healthcare and state building renovations.
Proposed cuts to the grocery tax, personal income tax and corporate income tax won't happen this year, but smaller cuts and a tax credit for family caregivers were approved.
Lawmakers aim to wrap up work by Friday, with a possibility of reconvening in June if needed.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules Against Group Opposing Turnpike Plan
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled against a group opposing the highly-contested ACCESS turnpike project.
The court ruled that the group “failed to establish that they have a clear legal right to the injunctive.” Pike Off OTA, the group opposing the plan, had sued the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority over the construction of three proposed turnpikes.
Despite the court’s ruling, the OTA still cannot proceed with the project or secure funding. Pike Off remains confident and awaits the Supreme Court's decision on if the OTA can enter the bond market to pay for the projects.
Meanwhile, the state attorney general has requested an audit of the OTA.
Commuter Rail In The Metro
Another step toward implementing more commuter rail and transportation options in the metro may be coming by 2025.
Voters in Oklahoma City, Norman and Edmond may want to keep a lookout for a special sales tax vote in the next few years to fund a regional transit system.
The Oklahoman reports that the Regional Transportation Authority of Central Oklahoma has a timeline for choosing routes running across the metro: from Edmond to Norman to Will Rogers Airport – by fall 2024.
This proposal from the Regional Transit Authority comes as other projects are gaining steam: including an Amtrak Heartland Flyer line into Kansas and an expansion of OKC’s EMBARK bus rapid transit.
RTA’s proposals could include a mix of community stations or platforms and larger park and ride lots to be spread throughout the metro area.
Wynnewood Refinery Explosion Injures 2
An explosion at a refinery in Wynnewood injures two people.
The incident happened Tuesday morning at Wynnewood Refining. According to multiple media reports,two refinery employees were injured and airlifted to a hospital.
Emergency crews were able to contain and extinguish the fire within a couple of hours. CVR Energy, the refinery's owner, is investigating the cause of the explosion. The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality is also conducting an investigation into the incident.
It’s not the first time the refinery has experienced problems. Multiple explosions have occurred at the facility between 2006 and 2012.
Survivorship Act Retroactivity
Supporters of domestic abuse survivor justice met at the Oklahoma State Capitol Tuesday to advocate for loved ones who may be left behind from one of this legislative session’s criminal justice reform bills.
Advocates and family members of criminalized survivors of domestic abuse expressed their frustration over retroactivity being removed from House Bill 1639, which creates an opportunity for criminalized survivors to present evidence of their abuse at the time of their crime against their abuser to the court for a chance at a lighter sentence.
Amanda Ross, the niece of April Wilkins, who is serving a life sentence for shooting and killing Terry Carlton in 1998, says her aunt acted in self-defense.
"The state of Oklahoma and in particular, the district attorneys, have extracted their pound of flesh from my aunt but still want more," said Ross.
Supporters urged members of the legislature to add retroactivity back into the bill in the next few days before the end of the session.
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Stitt Vetoes Bill That Would Restructure The OTA
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill relating to the membership of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on Monday.
Republican Rep. Danny Sterling’s House Bill 2263 passed in the legislature earlier this month but was vetoed by Gov. Stitt.
The bill would have changed the makeup of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority from being six members appointed by the Governor to being two members appointed by the Governor, two appointed by the Speaker of the Oklahoma House, and two appointed by the President Pro Temp of the Oklahoma Senate.
In his veto message, Stitt said because the OTA carries out executive functions, having a majority of appointments made by the legislative branch would be unconstitutional and could open the OTA up to legal challenges.
Oklahoma Legislature Appropriates Remaining ARPA Funds
Two years and nearly $2 billion later, the Oklahoma Legislature is set to assign the last of its money from the American Rescue Plan Act.
President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law in early 2021, earmarking money for state, tribal and local governments to help their communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oklahoma’s state government received nearly $2 billion.
To divvy it up, the legislature’s Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding had to select from project applications totaling $18 billion in requested funds.
The committee just recommended projects to receive the last of the funding on Friday. But Rep. Kyle Hilbert, who sits on the committee, says its job isn’t quite done yet.
“Of course, getting the money out the door was the first piece, but the second and probably even more important piece is oversight, making sure that these dollars are going where they're supposed to be going,” Hilbert said.
The full legislature still needs to approve these most recent funding recommendations, and recipient projects will need to spend the money by the end of 2026.
Solar Panel Factory Coming To Tulsa Area
A solar panel manufacturer is planning a $1 billion dollar factory in Inola.
Enel North America will build the two million sq. ft. facility at the Port of Inola, 25 miles east of Tulsa. The Italian manufacturer constructs solar panels.
Gov. Kevin Stitt is praising the deal as a major economic development win.
“It is over $1 billion worth of investments, over 1500 jobs. When you put both of those together, that's the largest in state history,” Stitt said.
The announcement comes in the wake of a more than $200 million package of incentives approved by the legislature and governor last week for the company.
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Final Education Budget Package Update
The long-awaited education budget worth $785 million has passed through the legislature and now sits on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis sums up what will change for Oklahoma schools next year if he does.
Teachers would get more employment benefits: a $3,000-$6,000 raise, depending on years of experience, and guaranteed six weeks of paid maternity leave.
Needy schools could see a boost too — $125 million would go to the state’s Redbud Fund, which helps districts with lower local property taxes with buildings and infrastructure.
$214 million would also be added to the school funding formula to be used for certain things that largely affect rural schools, like transportation.
All public schools regardless of size would get about $96,000 over three years to put toward safety and security, like adding school resource officers or upgrading security systems. Schools will also have access to a literacy instructional team stationed around the state to help schools meet reading proficiency goals.
And lastly, a controversial bill that has been held for leverage in funding negotiations was finally released to the governor Friday — and that’s the voucher-like tax credit bill that would allow public dollars to pay for private schools and homeschooling.
State Budget Heads Legislative Agenda For Last Week Of Regular Session
It’s the final week of the legislative session, and with an agreement on education funding, lawmakers can turn their attention to the larger state budget.
During the latest edition of Capitol Insider on KGOU, Quorum Call publisher Shawn Ashley lays out how the process is expected to go, and why it’s taking place during a concurrent, special session.
"With the budget bills being considered in special session, lawmakers can come back in June to override any budget bill vetoes Stitt issues," said Ashley. "And their plan appears to be to come back, probably one day in June, for just that purpose."
Ashley also says to be prepared for possible surprises and shake-ups as adjournment nears.
Hear the full conversation on Capitol Insider at KGOU.org and subscribe to the Capitol Insider podcast.
ODOC Lockdown Following Stabbing
All Oklahoma correctional facilities were put on lockdown over the weekend following a stabbing incident.
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections implemented a statewide lockdown of all correctional facilities on Friday of last week following an inmate-on-inmate stabbing at the Dick Conner Correctional Center, which is a medium security men’s prison in Hominy. All visitation is canceled at least through Monday.
The department also issued a statewide lockdown in 2021 following multiple inmate injuries from what authorities described as gang-related attacks. The Dick Conner Correctional Center was one of six prisons where the attacks occurred.
Mexican Consulate Opens In Oklahoma City With Ceremony
State and national officials celebrated the grand opening of the Mexican consulate in Oklahoma City with an inauguration ceremony Saturday.
The consulate is in Film Row in downtown OKC and has been a work in progress with the Mexican government.
The ceremony featured music, food and local vendors. Ambassador of Mexico to the United States, Esteban Moctezuma was in attendance.
"Today is a party day here in Oklahoma because we're opening the consulate of Mexico, which will serve a community of almost half a million people," said Moctezuma.
Previously, citizens of Mexico living in Oklahoma had to travel out of state to receive consular services.
Gov. Kevin Stitt praised the efforts of Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt in bringing the consulate to OKC.
Driver's Permit For Farm Kids
Farm kids in Oklahoma as young as 14 can apply for a special driver’s license later this year. Gov. Kevin Stitt recently signed the farm permit into law.
House Bill 1962 allows 14 year-olds who live or work on a farm to apply for a Class D driver's license – but only drive under certain conditions.
The permit allows the teens to drive a car to and from farm related work. It also allows teens that live on a farm to drive to and from school on the most direct route from their home.
Teens under 16 will also be able to drive cars anywhere – except on an interstate or turnpike – as long as a licensed driver is sitting in the passenger seat, similar to an Oklahoma learner’s permit.
Other states like Kansas have similar restricted licenses like the one Gov. Stitt signed off on. The new law goes into effect Nov. 1.
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State AG Signs Agreement Not To Enforce New Law Banning Gender-Affirming Healthcare For Minors
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors in May. Republican Attorney General Gentner Drummond is signing on to an agreement to not enforce that law for now.
Despite fervent protests from the state’s few Democratic lawmakers and trans-rights advocates, the ban on gender-affirming care passed through the state legislature and was eagerly signed by the governor.
But now, Attorney General Drummond is joining with the ACLU, the families of transgender adolescents and medical providers in a non-enforcement agreement as federal litigation over the law continues.
While the agreement makes it clear the AG isn’t conceding anything or acknowledging any harm, it does instruct him not to enforce the law for the time being.
In a statement, Drummond's office says a temporary stay of enforcement allows more time to mount the strongest possible defense of the legislation.
Legislation To Cut Stitt Out Of Negotiations With Native American Tribes On Tobacco, Fuel Compacts
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering measures to cut Gov. Kevin Stitt out of negotiations with the state’s Native American tribes on tobacco and fuel compacts.
Stitt’s frosty relationship with tribal nations has made negotiations tough in the past.
During his first term, the governor and the tribes publicly feuded over gaming compacts.
Representative Kevin Wallace says the two measures up for consideration – House Bills 2898 and 2899 would simply keep the status quo on tobacco and fuel compacts.
"This just extends the existing language of the compacts that was already in place. And of course the sunset or the expiration would be January 2028," said Wallace.
That’s after Stitt will be term limited out of office.
It’s unclear if the bills will ultimately pass both chambers, and Stitt has used his veto pen liberally so far this session. But, lawmakers did recently take action to potentially override his vetoes and take up other matters after the traditional end to the legislative calendar next week.
School Reading Program Bill
The education funding stalemate is coming to a close. So after months of negotiations, what made the cut? Here's a break down one of the recent additions to the final package — a 3-year pilot program supporting reading proficiency.
Senate Bill 1118 would put $10 million over three years into the program, which would employ a literacy instructional team of five people placed regionally around the state. The team would help districts with screening and support for dyslexia and other reading disabilities. A minimum of ten additional people would also be designated as literacy specialists.
Tulsa Republican Sen. Dave Rader presented the bill, and he says more specifics are still to-be-decided.
"The details are for the state board to set up, and for them to use the funds in this pilot program as best they can to improve, or meet the goals, or attempt to meet the goals that are set out in the bill," said Rader.
The department would submit a report to the governor, pro tem and house speaker by the end of 2026, which includes districts’ evaluations of the program, data on the program’s literacy impact, and any recommendations on the Reading Sufficiency Act — that’s the state’s effort to ensure all Oklahoma third-graders are reading on-level.
The joint committee report still needs to go through the House before it hits the governor’s desk.
Former Oklahoma Lt. Governor To Be Next President of UCO
A former Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor will be the next president of the University of Central Oklahoma.
The Board of Regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma announced they were appointing Todd Lamb as the next president of the Edmond school.
Lamb was Lt. Governor during the Mary Fallin administration after serving as a state senator for six years.
He will officially start his new job July 1.
Chickasaw Language Keyboard Now Available On Apple Devices
A collaboration between the Chickasaw Nation and Apple is helping bring the Chickasaw language into the digital age-one keyboard stroke at a time.
The Chickasaw language is called Chikashshanompa. And for the first time, a keyboard for it is available now for iPhone, iPad and Apple computers.
The new keyboard enables users to type in the Chickasaw language on their apple device and includes a special character for pitch accents and nasal vowels.
Gov. Bill Anoatubby says this device and collaboration with Apple is a positive step towards language revitalization, a major priority for the tribal nation.
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Oklahoman Convicted For January 6 Insurrection
Another Oklahoman has been convicted for his actions during the Jan. 6 insurrection.
Anthony Alfred Griffith is an electrician from the Muskogee area who participated in the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
Griffith was found guilty of four misdemeanors related to disrupting government business and trespassing.
He stormed the Capitol with his former employee Jerry Ryals, who pleaded guilty last year to charges for his actions that day and was sentenced to nine months in jail.
Griffith is one of at least 11 Oklahomans and more than 1,000 people charged with crimes related to the insurrection.
Stitt Vetoes Crime Bill
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill that would expand the list of 85% crimes in the state’s criminal code.
Republican Representative Rande Worthen’s House Bill 1612 passed its fourth reading last week but was vetoed by Gov.Stitt on Tuesday.
The bill would have added the crime of shooting into a dwelling or a building used for public or business purposes to the list of 85% crimes, which are crimes that require the convicted person to serve at least 85% of their sentence before being eligible for parole. Other crimes on this list range from first degree murder to human trafficking.
In his veto message, Stitt wrote that while he is in favor of reforming the felony classification system, this bill is simply attempting to piecemeal together the state’s criminal code.
Oklahoma County Considering Vacant Hospital For Jail Health Unit
A vacant hospital could be the new mental health facility for the beleaguered Oklahoma County Jail.
The Oklahoman reports the county is considering buying and renovating the vacant hospital at SW 59th and Penn.
The newspaper reported that the facility would need several upgrades and repairs before it could house inmates. It’s estimated the county would spend up to nearly $26 million to acquire and renovate the property.
The facility was last used by SSM Health St. Anthony as a psychiatric hospital.
Officials say a proposal to evaluate the property will be submitted to Oklahoma County's policy and governance committee soon.
'Killers of the Flower Moon' At Cannes
Killers of the Flower Moon is a bestselling book about the 1920s era murders of Osage people. It’s now being turned into a movie set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in Southern France. OPMX's Allison Herrera has been talking with Osage citizens about how they feel in the spotlight.
"It's Oklahoma's dirty little secret," said Osage citizen Margaret Sisk.
Growing up, Sisk was told by her dad and others that you just didn't talk about what happened to Osage people during the Reign of Terror.
But, with a new movie about to hit the world stage, Sisk thinks it's time everyone knows .
"It's part of history that needed to be told because it's not in Oklahoma history," said Sisk.
Killers of the Flower Moon examines the story of the 1920s Osage murders after oil was discovered on their land. White people flocked to Osage County to get wealth for themselves. And dozens of Osages were murdered in a plot to obtain money and headrights.
Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear says he was concerned about how Osages would be depicted in the movie.
"We're used to Hollywood stereotypes and not being accurate to our language, our culture…and so that was always a concern," said Standing Bear.
The film premieres at Cannes on Saturday and will be in wide release this fall.
OU Men's Golf Team Moves To NCAA Championship
The OU men’s golf program is heading to the NCAA Championship.
The Oklahoman reports the Sooners advanced out of the Norman Regional on Wednesday, placing second with a three-round total of 25-under 839 and three strokes behind Alabama.
The championship begins May 26 at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Oklahoma has won two national championships in 1989 and 2017, and finished runner-up in 2021.
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Lawmakers Call For A Concurrent Special Session
Oklahoma lawmakers are buying themselves some extra time by calling for a concurrent special session.
The Oklahoma Constitution says lawmakers must have the upcoming fiscal year’s budget done by the final Friday in May. That typically is the last day Senators and Representatives meet for the year.
But thanks to the contentiousness of an education budget compromise only unveiled this week, they’re asking for a bit more time. In their request, lawmakers say they will consider addressing state budget appropriations, other legislation and federal American Rescue Plan money.
By adding extra time, lawmakers can also override any of Gov. Kevin Stitt’s vetoes that they may not have otherwise. Stitt has vetoed dozens of bills this session and could be posed to veto more.
Court Rules Northeast Oklahoma Reservations Still Exist
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals says the reservations of three tribal nations in Northeast Oklahoma were never disestablished.
Winston Whitecrow Brester is a citizen of the Seneca-Cayuga nation. He filed for post-conviction relief in November of 2020 over a string of convictions for crimes in Ottawa County.
After the landmark McGirt ruling, Brester claimed he was tried in the wrong court and his crimes were committed on the Ottawa, Peoria and Miami Tribes' reservations. So, he should be tried in federal court instead of state court because their reservations were never disestablished.
Last week, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals sided with Brester after the state objected, saying the reservations were terminated and tried to assert concurrent jurisdiction under last summer's Castro-Huerta ruling.
Public Safety Bill Fails
A bill that would give the Governor the power to launch investigations through the Department of Public Safety failed on Tuesday.
Republican Representative Justin Humphrey’s House Bill 1976 was met with bipartisan opposition during its fourth reading on Tuesday.
The bill would have given the Commissioner of Public Safety, who takes direction from the Oklahoma Governor, the ability to launch investigations on anyone “reasonably believed to be engaged in terrorism, threats to public safety, organized crime, criminal conspiracies, or any other threats of violent crime.”
Democratic Rep. Jason Lowe spoke in opposition and said the bill was full of unconstitutional provisions and due process violations.
"You can be investigated for anything. We’re not just talking about terrorism. Anything," said Lowe.
The bill failed with a vote of 30 to 63.
Oklahoma City Animal Shelter Sees Influx of Animals
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is facing a new challenge after recently reopening its shelter.
Following a 47-day closure due to a rapidly spreading upper respiratory infection among the animals, the facility reopened to the public on Monday.
Officials say the shelter took in 143 abandoned animals the first day of reopening. In a post on social media, the shelter says they are now over capacity for dogs and are needing help to clear the shelter.
To encourage adoptions, the shelter has waived all dog adoption fees.
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Education Funding Stalemate Ends
After a months-long standoff, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders are celebrating a deal on education funding. The plan increases recurring funds in the annual education budget by $625 million.
Here’s how it breaks down: $500 million is going into the funding formula, and much of that is aimed at getting more money to rural schools. Teachers and other certified staff will see a $3,000-$6,000 raise depending on years of experience, and teachers will also get six weeks of paid maternity leave.
The remaining $125 million of added recurring funds will go to the Redbud fund, which largely benefits rural districts and is for buildings and infrastructure improvements.
"We hear you, teachers. We need you to stay in the classroom," said Edmond Sen. Adam Pugh, who shepherded much of the Senate’s package. "Moms and dads, we want you to find the right education experience so that your children can thrive. And we hope that this great investment in education will allow that to happen."
A couple of other measures also made the cut: a $10 million, three-year reading proficiency program and $150 million three-year school safety and security pilot program.
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoma City Apple Retail Union Begins Contract Negotiations With Apple
Months after winning their union election, the Oklahoma City Apple Retail Union is beginning contract negotiations with the corporation.
After successfully becoming the second Apple store in the country to join the Communications Workers of America last October, the Oklahoma City Apple Retail Union began its contract negotiations with the corporation on Monday.
This follows the CWA filing an unfair labor practice charge against Apple with the National Labor Relations Board last month after they say an Oklahoma City employee was illegally fired without union representation.
Union members will meet with Apple for two days of bargaining a month. According to a Bloomberg Law analysis from 2022, signing a union contract can take around two years to complete.
Despite Recent Rain, Drought Persists In Driest Areas
Depending on where you’re listening, your umbrella might have seen a lot of action in the last week. Here's more on what this rain means for the parts of Oklahoma that are still dealing with drought.
Just about everything northwest of a line that stretches roughly from Altus to Miami is in some stage of drought right now. And the worst of it is in the panhandle. Unfortunately, that’s not the part of the state that’s been getting drenched for the last few days.
Oklahoma Mesonet measurements show most of central and eastern Oklahoma received between 1 and 6 inches of rain over the last week. That was enough to put huge swaths of the state under a days-long flood watch. The panhandle and northwestern corner got some rain too, but it was less than an inch over the whole week.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows about 60% of the state is in drought. That could change when a new report comes out later this week.
ONEOK Acquires Magellan
Two major energy infrastructure companies in Tulsa are about to become one. ONEOK’s acquisition of Magellan Midstream Partners.
ONEOK primarily deals with natural gas pipelines while Magellan mostly works with crude oil transportation. The newly combined company will do both.
The $18.8 billion dollar deal will result in an enterprise worth roughly $60 billion.
Combined, ONEOK and Magellan have more than 25,000 miles of liquid pipeline with a heavy presence in the middle of the country.
Both are based in Tulsa and combined have thousands of employees. The deal is anticipated to close later this year.
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911 System Update Bill
A bill that would update Oklahoma’s 911 system for the first time since 1975 is headed to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s office.
Republican State Rep. Jim Grego’s House Bill 1590 passed its fourth reading late last week.
The bill requires the state’s 911 system to undergo infrastructural upgrades to improve dispatch centers’ accuracy and to reduce delays. The bill also requires emergency telecommunicators to receive CPR training.
The bill is called the Haiden Fleming Memorial Act, named for an Oklahoma man who died from a cardiac incident in Peggs in 2021. 911 was called but dispatch struggled to locate where he lived. He died before the ambulance arrived.
OU Retiring COVID-19 Plan
After three years, the University of Oklahoma is retiring its COVID-19 response plans.
The University issued a statement Friday saying the decision was made in response to the expiration of the federal Public Health Emergency declared for COVID-19.
Established in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic, OU’s Response Plan included resources such as the Healthy Together App and the online COVID-19 Screening and Reporting Tool.
In the email, the university encouraged employees to view resources regarding COVID-19 related health insurance benefits, protocols for returning to work after testing positive, vaccine policies, and masking requirements in clinical settings.
Man Writes Bogus Check To Buy Cows
A Guymon man is accused of writing a bogus check to buy more than one hundred cows and resell them.
Truth Allen Stephens was arrested earlier this month for allegedly writing a false check for nearly $200,000 to buy nearly 140 cows and 50 newborn calves from an Okmulgee rancher.
Stephens then allegedly transported the cattle to western Oklahoma to sell them.
Officials with the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association say the Okmulgee rancher tried to contact Stephens after they discovered the check was invalid but Stephens avoided the rancher.
Authorities also accuse Stephens of buying additional sets of cattle, horses, ranching equipment, and a semi-truck with the same set of checks from a closed checking account.
Special rangers with the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association continue to investigate and advise cattle sellers to refrain from accepting personal checks.
XFL Championship
Bob Stoops has won another championship. The former OU football coach led the Arlington Renegades to the XLF title on Saturday, beating the D.C. Defenders by a score of 35 to 26 in the championship game.
Stoops says he's proud of the team.
"If you're gonna do something, you wanna win and you wanna be the champion at it. Fortunately, we did what we needed to do here in the last few weeks to get that done."
The 62-year-old last won it all at the college level, with the Sooners during the 2000 season.
This was the first season of the third iteration of the X-F-L, following a failed venture in 2001 and a COVID-shortened season in 2020.
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Treat, Stitt Disagreement On Education Funding Update
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt announced in a Thursday press conference he felt the months-long legislative stalemate over education funding was coming to an end. Senate leaders say that’s not the case.
"We are so, so close. We got the bones of a framework, and now the Speaker and the Pro Tem have their education chairs kind of fine-tuning and getting the last little details," said Gov. Stitt, describing the state of education funding negotiations.
But despite the talks being mediated by a former state Supreme Court Justice and ending in an agreement, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat says they’re even further away from a resolution today than yesterday.
"Last night in this very room, the governor and Justice Taylor and the entourage that followed them came in a very celebratory mood to tell us that they were excited about the deal that was struck between the House negotiators and the Senate negotiators," Treat said. "Unfortunately, the House has come back today and wants to do some modifications to the agreement, and so we’re not where we thought we’d be today standing before you."
Treat says the Senate made several concessions to meet the big House priority of getting more funds to rural districts — like increasing the weights in the funding formula to have a bigger impact on rural schools, and more than doubling the proposed allocation to the Redbud Fund, which grants schools money for infrastructure projects.
Treat reiterated his call for public negotiations, saying Oklahomans deserve to know what’s on the table.
New Law Allows Police To Issue Warnings For Misdemeanor Warrants
A new law aims to lower county jail populations in the state by giving police officers greater discretion in low-level arrests.
House Bill 2041 lets police issue warnings for people with misdemeanor warrants instead of being required to take them to jail.
State Rep. Monroe Nichols, who authored the bill, said the legislation was in part inspired by a man who was arrested for a misdemeanor warrant and died in the Oklahoma County Jail. He also said he knows two people who were put in jail on misdemeanor warrants around Thanksgiving.
"Both spent a couple weeks in jail, missed a portion of the holidays, weren’t able to work to be able to do things for their kids and their family. And for me, I’m just thinking, it’s like, 'Does it make sense for us to increase the jail population with folks who shouldn’t be there?'", said Nichols.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2041 even though Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat is a co-author. Stitt had vetoed several bills during a standoff with Treat over education plans.
Nichols said the fact that Stitt signed the bill speaks to the strength of his legislation, and the bipartisan agreement on what the bill aims to accomplish.
Shawnee High School To Reopen
Shawnee High School will reopen for in-person learning. School officials say the high school will reopen May 15. This comes after a tornado struck the school nearly a month ago.
Initially, students were going to finish the school year virtually, but following a slew of safety and structural inspections, the school will reopen.
Some areas will remain inaccessible, but the approved areas have been deemed safe.
Oklahoma City Sues Plaza Inn
Oklahoma City is taking legal action against a hotel due to its alarming history of violence.
According to records, police have responded to the Plaza Inn 784 times between January 2022 and May 10, 2023.
In a lawsuit filed by the city, recent incidents include a kidnapping, a shooting and a stabbing.
Despite warnings, the hotel has neglected to address the issues, making it a dangerous place.
The lawsuit goes on to say that the city is seeking complete closure of the facility or mandatory restrictions to ensure public safety.
Oklahoma City Animal Shelter Reopens
Oklahoma City’s Animal Shelter is reopening for adoptions and intakes after more than a month long closure. An outbreak of canine influenza forced the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter to close to the public in March.
Hundreds of dogs were infected and five died from the disease. But now things are under control.
Adoptions will resume this weekend at the shelter, and the facility will start intaking new animals again on Monday.
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OKC Settles Lawsuit Over Stolen Water
Oklahoma City and the city’s Water Utilities Trust have reached a settlement in their suit against an oil company for stealing water and harming protected lands at the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge.
The City filed a lawsuit saying Revolution Resources and contractor Select Energy Services had built water lines from the North Canadian River to a drilling site at the Wiley Post Airport in Bethany, even though the city had rejected their permit application. The city says the companies damaged the Stinchcomb Wildlife Refuge and took water intended for emergency drought relief last summer.
In the original suit, the city requested compensation for at least $75,000 worth of damages. A judge refused Revolution’s request to dismiss the suit and have the city reimburse the company’s legal fees.
Revolution offered to settle last month. The Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously to approve the settlement for almost $250,000.
Texoma Food Banks See Surge Following SNAP Cuts
Food banks are getting busier because of February cuts to SNAP benefits as the pandemic waned. The impacts are being felt now in the Texoma area.
Executive Director of Lawton Food Bank, Mac Lechel says cuts caused a huge increase in demand for her organization’s services.
“They were drastic cuts to families' SNAP benefits. Our numbers they nearly doubled just from that one month difference from having SNAP to not having SNAP.”
And Lawton’s not the only area feeling the impact. Southwest Community Action Group in Altus says their clients have tripled, and Food and Resource Center of South Central Oklahoma in Ardmore says they’re seeing 10 new clients a day and people who had been using SNAP benefits are coming back.
Hannah McKenzie Act Advances Through The Legislature
A bill aims to regulate opioid substitution treatment programs is advancing through the Legislature.
Republican Rep. Rick West’s House Bill 2686 passed its fourth reading unanimously on Wednesday.
The Hannah McKenzie Act would require opioid substitution treatment programs to comply with federal requirements, including providing drug abuse testing services that are directly observed by an employee of the treatment program.
Hannah McKenzie was a young woman from West’s district who died of a methadone overdose in 2017. Methadone is a common drug used in opioid substitution treatment programs to treat opioid dependency, but it can be fatal if taken in improper amounts.
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt Named Dean of OKC University School of Law
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt can add another job title to his resume: Dean of the Oklahoma City University School of Law.
The new role doesn't mean he'll be giving up public office. Oklahoma City's strong city manager form of government means the mayor and city council members can have outside employment.
Holt is an alum of the college's law school. He had been working at the investment firm Hall Capital for the previous nine years.
His first day in the new role will be July 1.
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Dr. Phil, Supporters For Richard Glossip Rally At State Capitol
Death Row inmate Richard Glossip was scheduled to be executed next week until the U.S. Supreme Court intervened. So the execution is off for now, and there’s more to come. In the meantime, a rally was held in Oklahoma City in support of a new trial for Glossip that featured daytime TV celebrity Dr. Phil.
Several dozen people turned up at the Capitol to hear from Glossip’s family members, defense team, legislators – and from Oklahoma native Phil McGraw, who expressed his concerns about whether justice is being properly served in this case.
"…But it is not an error-free system. We’re here today to make sure Richard Glossip at least gets a fair trial. I think he should be set free, personally," said Dr. Phil. "But he at least deserves a fair trial, and has never had a fair trial."
Glossip was convicted for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot in the late 90s that left motel owner Barry Van Treese dead. But there are significant questions about whether Glossip’s prosecution was handled properly, and if he was actually behind the crime.
Voters In 22 Counties Cast Ballots In Local Elections
Voters in 22 Oklahoma counties cast ballots in local elections Tuesday.
In Norman, nearly 70% of voters approved an increase of their hotel room excise tax from 5% to 8%. The tax will only be paid by visitors staying in Norman, not residents.
For the second time since 2016, voters in Moore said no to a curbside recycling program, with nearly 55% of the vote against. The program would have cost residents nearly four dollars more per month, with an increase of 2% every year for five years.
In Garfield County, a 0.3% sales tax increase to expand and renovate the county jail was resoundingly voted down. The increase would have funded 82 additional beds and 16,000 more square feet to ease overcrowding of the jail. Voters rejected a similar proposal last fall.
OKC Council Votes Against Development On Aquifer
After hearing nearly three hours of public comment, the Oklahoma City Council voted not to approve an application to build 655 homes on an area residents say is environmentally important.
Councilwoman Nikki Nice represents the plot of land in question. She says among concerns about flooding, increasing traffic and overwhelming local schools, the Garber-Wellington Aquifer was key to her decision.
Residents say the development will hurt the underground water store feeding their wells, but the developer says they’re just using water issues to fight affordable housing.
Nice says she wishes the city had its own assessment on how development affects groundwater.
"Our city should also have an opinion, quite frankly, about what this is and what this can or cannot do as far as complementing or supporting a development.," said Nice.
The vote on the rezoning application ended in a tie after several council members recused themselves. That means the land won’t be rezoned for Ideal Homes's proposed development.
Juvenile Sentencing Reform Bill Moves Forward
A bill that could help protect children who are victims of sexual abuse or sex trafficking is advancing through the Legislature.
Republican Representative Marilyn Stark’s House Bill 2210 passed its fourth reading unanimously on Tuesday. The bill would allow courts to depart from mandatory minimum sentencing for minors convicted as adults for offenses they committed against a person who is found to have sexually abused or trafficked the minor within 90 days of the offense.
The bill also allows the court to suspend portions of the sentence or to send the minor to the juvenile division for further proceedings.
Earlier versions of this bill allowed for a window of one year between the instance of sexual abuse or trafficking and the criminal offense committed by the minor.
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FEMA Assistance For Cleveland County
The recovery from the damaging and deadly tornadoes in central Oklahoma on the evening of April 19 continues. Cleveland County residents and businesses impacted by those storms can now qualify for disaster relief.
Significant destruction in the Shawnee area and the tiny town of Cole prompted quick approval of a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government for Pottawatomie and McClain Counties in the days following the storms.
Gov. Kevin Stitt in a news release Monday announced Cleveland County residents and businesses can now also qualify for assistance through FEMA to help with housing repairs, get low-interest federal loans to replace damaged property and grants for other necessary needs and expenses.
The statement goes on to say nearly a million dollars in FEMA aid has already been disbursed related to the April storms.
Election Day Summary
Voters in 22 counties across Oklahoma will head to the polls today.
Garfield County residents will vote on a 0.3% percent sales tax increase to expand and renovate the county jail. Approval would help ease overcrowding by adding 82 beds and 16,000 square feet. The same proposal was rejected by voters last fall.
Voters in Moore will consider a curbside recycling program, at a residential rate of nearly $4 per month. A similar proposal was defeated by voters in 2016.
In Norman, voters will decide whether to increase their hotel room excise tax from 5 percent to 8 percent. The tax will NOT be paid by Norman residents.
You can check your polling location and view a sample ballot at elections.ok.gov.
Sen. Dahm To Lead Oklahoma GOP
The Oklahoma Republican Party has new leadership.
Oklahoma Senator Nathan Dahm will take over as the new GOP chairman for Oklahoma’s Republican Party. He is widely known for being one of the most conservative Republicans in the state legislature.
The Broken Arrow senator pushed anti-abortion legislation and pro-gun laws and has been a candidate for open Congressional seats in the past - losing in primaries.
As state party leader, Dahm will be responsible for things like fundraising efforts, voter registration and recruiting candidates - which he says will be a major focus.
Dahm takes over for former chairman A.J. Ferate - who filled a vacancy left by GOP Chairman John Bennett.
Dahm will hold the chairman position for the next two years. He also says he will retain his state senate seat.
'Twister' Sequel Begins Filming In Oklahoma City
The sequel to the 1996 blockbuster movie "Twister" has begun filming in downtown Oklahoma City.
Crews are transforming the area to look like New York City, with signs and street vendor stands being set up along Park and Robinson Avenues. Portions of both streets will be closed today (Tuesday 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.) to accommodate filming.
The Oklahoma City Police Department will provide traffic control on surrounding streets so downtown workers and people needing to do business can access the area.
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U.S. Supreme Court Halts Richard Glossip’s Execution
Death row inmate Richard Glossip’s execution has been stayed again, this time by the U.S. Supreme Court. The decision comes less than two weeks away from Glossip's execution date.
The Supreme Court granted Richard Glossip’s application for stay of execution on Friday.
Glossip filed the application following the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s split vote at his clemency hearing late last month, which resulted in no recommendation for clemency.
Glossip was given the death penalty after being convicted of the 1997 murder-for-hire of Barry Van Treese. However, recent investigations have found evidence which calls Glossip’s guilt into question.
Glossip has received an unprecedented amount of support from Oklahoma lawmakers and officials, including Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who supported both his application for clemency and for stay of execution.
The Supreme Court’s order stays the execution pending existing petitions from Glossip.
AG Investigation Into McCurtain County Sheriff
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has requested that the OSBI expand its investigation into McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy, following allegations of racist remarks and a murder plot on journalists.
In a letter from the AG, the investigation revealed evidence of wrongdoing, and includes eight potential grounds for removal.
Community members and Gov. Kevin Stitt have called for the Sheriff's resignation, but he has refused to step down, claiming that the audio recording was altered.
Tribal Nations Call for Veto Override of Regalia Bill
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed a bill that would've allowed Native students the right to wear tribal regalia at their graduation ceremonies. Tribal and national leaders are calling for an override of his veto.
Five tribal nations including the Osage Nation and the Quapaw Tribe have called for an override of Stitt's veto of the tribal regalia bill-which had bipartisan support from Oklahoma lawmakers.
Other national organizations are joining them. In a press release, the Native American Rights Fund says the veto sends a message to Native students that they, "must choose between their culture and religious freedoms and celebrating their achievements."
Stitt has vetoed several bills that support tribal nations in the state. That includes SB 267 which would have added Native health experts to the Advancement of Wellness Advisory council and HB 2820, which would have improved coordination between state, tribal and federal officials when monitoring sex offenders.
It’s unclear if lawmakers will override the vetoes. The legislative session will end this month.
Recent Rain Helps Oklahoma Drought
Drought still persists across northwestern Oklahoma, but recent soaking rain has helped put a dent in the dry conditions.
Areas experiencing the two highest levels of drought decreased by about ten percent, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor report. But State Climatologist Gary McManus says there’s still a way to go.
"It’s not just the northwest, most of the state has bigger deficits over the last 365 days. Remember, we had that horrible flash drought last summer. The deficits really built during that time frame, and we don’t get out of those quickly. We do need repeated rainfall events like we’ve seen over the last few weeks," said McManus.
And we may see that. McManus says the precipitation outlook is leaning above normal. He says that’s significant considering this is our wettest time of the year, and the last few years have favored dryer conditions.
"So just getting that equal odds for above, below or near normal precipitation. I think that’s a win for itself, "McManus said.
McManus says we’ve now come out of the La Nina weather pattern and are now in what are considered neutral conditions, which hopefully will continue to bring more drought relief.
OU Board of Regents Approves Move To SEC
The University of Oklahoma has finalized its departure from the Big 12 Conference. OU will officially join the SEC on July 1, 2024.
The OU Board of Regents approved the move Friday, with university leaders saying it was a "great decision" for everyone involved.
The move solidifies OU's early arrival to the S-E-C by one year. While the move will cost OU $40 million in TV rights with the Big 12, school leaders say they're optimistic about the opportunities the SEC will bring.
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DEQ Issues Order Not To Use City of McAlester Water
The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued an order notto use water from the City of McAlester and several nearby Rural Water Districts.
An electrical problem shut down the pumps that feed McAlester’s water towers on Wednesday.
Later that evening, the city told residents it had bypassed the pumps and restored water.
That bypass involved using a fire truck as a pump. A DEQ spokesperson says a fire truck is “not approved equipment” for moving potable water.
The DEQ issued an order not to use the water Thursday morning.
This is not a boil order. Boiling water kills bacteria but doesn’t help with other contaminants, and the DEQ doesn’t know what McAlester’s water might contain.
The agency says affected residents should use bottled water for drinking, cooking, doing dishes, brushing teeth and washing hands.
It’s unclear when the DEQ will lift the order. But an agency spokesperson estimates next week. For now, the National Guard is in McAlester providing assistance.
- Read more about this story here.
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat Losing Hope On Ability To Override Governor's Vetoes
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat says he's losing hope the Oklahoma legislature will be able to override Governor Kevin Stitt’s dozens of vetoes.
The comments come amid a fight over education funding, where the House and Governor are pressuring the Senate to adopt their plan.
Treat says many state programs are getting caught in the crossfire.
"A lot of people are going to pay for that because the speaker is not going to override those vetoes that were vital because he doesn't want to upset his new friendship and it’s very frustrating to me," Treat said.
Stitt has vetoed bills that do things like fund public television, Native American education programs and bring Oklahoma in line with other states on Name, Image, Likeness regulations for college sports.
The legislative session is scheduled to end in three weeks.
TurboTax Settlement
Thousands of Oklahomans who were tricked into paying for tax services that should have been free will soon receive a check from a settlement.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond says Oklahoma will receive more than $1.7 million from a multi-state settlement with TurboTax's owner Intuit.
Eligible consumers include those who paid to file their federal tax returns through TurboTax for tax years 2016, 2017 and 2018... but were eligible to file for free through the IRS Free File Program.
Drummond says more than 56,000 people in Oklahoma will receive a check in the mail this month.
Lawmakers, Faith Leaders Gather In Support Of Richard Glossip
With Richard Glossip’s execution date coming up in just two weeks, some Oklahoma lawmakers and faith leaders are ramping up their efforts to intervene. KGOU’s/OPMX Hannah France has more.
On Thursday morning, lawmakers and faith leaders gathered at the state capitol to ask Gov.Kevin Stitt to stop the execution of Richard Glossip.
Republican State Representative Kevin McDugle said the juries at both Glossip’s original trial and his retrial were deprived of important evidence, including letters suggesting the key witness wanted to recant his testimony implicating Glossip in the 1997 murder of Barry Van Treese. He said some people in power are ignoring this evidence.
"It’s no longer about the evidence in this case. It’s literally about the DAs of Oklahoma wanting this guy dead," said McDugle.
Death penalty abolitionist and subject of the 1995 movie Dead Man Walking, Sister Helen Prejean, was also in attendance.
"I understand that a lot of people support the death penalty. You hear about a terrible crime and you say we got to have the death penalty. These people don’t deserve to live. The question is, who deserves to kill them?," said Prejean.
The Pardon and Parole Board voted against recommending clemency for Glossip last week. He is scheduled to be executed on May 18.
Murdered And Missing Indigenous People's Day
President Joe Biden officially declared May 5 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Day. Organizations across Oklahoma have been calling for more accountability around this issue that they're calling a crisis.
Oklahoma has some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the country; many of the victims are Indigenous.
Kayla Woody is the prevention specialist for House of Hope, an organization run by Citizen Potawatomi Nation. They help Native and non-Native survivors of domestic violence.
"There is a lot of gaps between those different entities working together," said Woody.
Last month, local organizations including House of Hope gave blistering testimony to the Not Invisible Act Commission saying that the response to MMIP cases were inadequate and that local law enforcement needed more education on the issue.
"There's a different process that needs to be taken when Native individuals are experiencing these types of crimes or when homicides are happening," Woody said.
Oklahoma has recently passed two laws to help in MMIP cases: Kasey's Act, which is an alert system for missing Indigenous Adults and Ida's Law: designed to get state, federal and tribal officials on the same page and solve MMIP cases.
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Richard Glossip Requests Clemency Hearing Be Deemed Null And Void
Death row inmate Richard Glossip is asking the Oklahoma County District Court to declare his recent clemency hearing null and void.
Following last week’s split Pardon and Parole Board vote that resulted in no recommendation for clemency, Richard Glossip filed an amended petition to ask the Oklahoma County District Court to nullify the hearing.
Only four of the five board members were present at Glossip’s clemency hearing. Richard Smothermon, who is married to a prosecutor from Glossip’s 2004 retrial, recused himself. The petition argues the board should have found a substitute member to vote in the hearing and further says state statute and code that does not require this is in violation of the state constitution.
In addition to requesting the statute and code be deemed unconstitutional, Glossip seeks an emergency stay of execution and a permanent injunction preventing him from being executed without a new clemency hearing.
He is scheduled to be executed on May 18.
Opioid Antagonist Bills Vetoed
Senate Bills 711 and 712 would have used state funding to pay for overdose reversal drugs — the first providing it to people who were just released from prisons or county jails, and the second to people just released from overdose care at the hospital. They also would create a program to educate these people on signs of overdose and how to administer the medication.
Access to naloxone or narcan has become a major public health initiative since the onset of the opioid epidemic, and even more so after synthetic fentanyl has been showing up in supplies unexpectedly and causing people to overdose.
"They need some help. We want to save their lives just like we would anybody else," said Senate Health and Human Services chairman Paul Rosino, the author.
But in an effort to pressure the Senate into taking up his education plan, Gov. Stitt has been mass vetoing Senate bills, including these.
"I hope and pray that no one in Oklahoma dies ‘cause of these vetoes. But, you know, I used to tell my children: actions have consequences," said Rosino.
The Legislature could vote to override the veto.
In 2021, 960 Oklahomans died of a drug overdose, according to the CDC.
McCurtain County Jail Administrator Placed On Administrative Leave
One of the McCurtain County sheriff’s officials who’s been asked to resign following the publication of racist and violent recordings has been placed on administrative leave.
McCurtain County Commissioners’ secretary Heather Carter confirmed on Wednesday that the county jail trust moved to place jail administrator Larry Hendrix on administrative leave. Carter wouldn’t say why Hendrix was placed on leave; however, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office has launched an investigation into the county government.
Gov. Kevin Stitt called for Hendrix, Sheriff Kevin Clardy, Captain Alicia Manning and former county commissioner Mark Jennings to step down in mid-April after the McCurtain Gazette-News published recordings of them allegedly plotting to kill journalists, lamenting police can’t lynch Black people and making fun of a deceased arson victim in a public meeting. Only Jennings has reportedly stepped down — the sheriff’s office released a statement claiming the audio was altered and obtained illegally.
After this statement, Stitt said his office was exploring options to remove the sheriff from office and said the sheriff can’t do his job effectively following the recordings.
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New Move In Education Funding Debacle
On Tuesday, the National Day of Teacher Appreciation, the Oklahoma House of Representatives rejected a hefty teacher pay raise proposal and passed a voucher-like tax credit program — sort of. Here's the newest legislative chess move and what that could mean for education funding.
House Bill 1934 would give public dollars to families to use for private school or homeschool tuition and expenses. The issue has spawned weeks of back-and-forth at the Capitol, with the most recent iteration including a few guardrails the House doesn’t love, but appears to be stomaching. But it’s not hitting the governor’s desk just yet.
"Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to serve notice that on some future legislative date, I might like to reconsider the vote whereby House Bill 1934 passed," said House Speaker Charles McCall.
That's House Speaker using the rare procedural move of capturing a bill. That gives the House some leverage to negotiate on the Senate’s newly amended version of the other big education bill — House Bill 2672. That includes teacher raises, school employee stipends and new school funding. But House leaders claim the measures aren’t fully funded, and the bill lacks the House’s Oklahoma Student Fund, which gives smaller districts disproportionately more money per student than large districts.
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat says the House is trying to force the Senate’s hand to revisit the funding bill, or else the House will kill the tax credit bill. He calls for state leaders to hold a public meeting with all plans on the table, to “let the public see what we continue to argue about.”
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoma County Jail Trust Selects Brandi Gardner As New CEO
The Oklahoma County Jail Trust has selected a new CEO.
Brandi Gardner, who has served as the jail trust’s interim CEO since last December, was chosen to take on the position permanently earlier this week.
She succeeds Greg Williams, who resigned in December amid safety and health concerns about the Oklahoma County Jail, including many inmate deaths at the facility. Forty-three inmates have died since the trust took control of the jail in 2020 - seven of which died since Gardner became interim CEO.
This comes after a multi-county grand jury released a report in March which cited issues with the administration as the main causes of inmate deaths. The report also recommended the jail trust dissolve and return control of the jail to the county sheriff.
Kansas Tribal Nation Can Offer Sports Betting
Oklahoma's tribal nations may not be able offer sports betting, but in neighboring Kansas-that's not the case.
The Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation is on track to become the first tribal nation in Kansas to offer sports betting at its casino after the state legislature updated its existing gaming compact.
The tribal nation negotiated a gaming compact with the state in 1995. In 2017, it was a multimillion dollar enterprise with an expansion to its casino and resort that included more floor space and gaming machines.
Sports betting was legalized in Kansas in 2022. Oklahoma's efforts to legalize sports betting have failed in both the 2022 and 2023 legislative sessions.
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7 Found Dead In Okmulgee County Following AMBER Alert
Seven people have been found dead in Henryetta, including two teenagers reported missing Monday.
14-year-old Ivy Webster and 16-year-old Brittany Brewer were among the bodies identified by Okmulgee County officials on Monday afternoon. Another was 39-year-old Jesse McFadden. An Amber Alert for the girls had been issued earlier in the day stating they may be with suspect Jesse McFadden in a Chevy Avalanche.
According to officials, Webster and Brewer were spending the weekend with the McFadden family, along with his three children and their mother, Holly McFadden. Their plan was to go swimming in McAlester, but officials say the family never arrived.
Jesse McFaden is a convicted sex offender, and previously spent 17 years in prison for first degree rape, and was released in 2020. He was charged with using a contraband cell phone to send sexual messages to a teenage girl in 2017, and was supposed to appear before a court the same day authorities discovered the bodies.
- Read more about this story here.
Superintendent Ryan Walters Attends A House Committee Meeting, Answers Questions About Policies, Rhetoric
After initially refusing invitations earlier this session, Superintendent Ryan Walters attended a House committee meeting Monday to answer questions about his policies and rhetoric.
Walters responded to a question from Democratic Representative Forrest Bennett, who asks how Walters’ recent video encouraging more Bibles in classrooms wouldn’t be considered indoctrination — a refrain Walters uses often. Walters says the representative’s question was illustrative of how, “Democrats want to strike out any mentions of the Bible from our history.”
And that was one of several contentious moments during Monday’s hearing, which also included Walters calling teachers’ unions “terrorist organizations,” and saying his agency was an “absolute dumpster fire,” when he started and one that previous Superintendent Joy Hofmeister “ran… into the ground.”
Walters was also tasked with providing data to back up his claims that indoctrination is what’s keeping Oklahoma students from reaching higher academic outcomes.
Oklahoma Legislature Moves To Exempt Natural Gas Industry From Price Gouging Law
Legislation to exempt the natural gas industry from an Oklahoma price gouging law is headed to the Governor’s desk.
The existing Emergency Price Stabilization Act prohibits anyone from increasing prices more than 10% after a declared emergency in Oklahoma.
Rep. Mark McBride authored House Bill 2561, which exempts the natural gas industry from the rule. He says Oklahoma’s natural gas utilities can’t control the market and shouldn’t have to foot the bill after emergencies.
But Democrats say this leaves Oklahoman utility customers no recourse against natural gas price surges, like those after Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
Del City Rep. Andy Fugate says the new amendment could prevent future state investigations into potential natural gas price gouging.
"We should allow an attorney general the opportunity to go look the next time around, instead of writing into statute, 'You will turn a blind eye.,'" said Fugate.
The bill cleared the Senate last week, and is now awaiting the governor’s approval.
- Read more about this story here.
Attorney General Stands Behind Richard Glossip’s Application For Stay Of Execution
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is continuing his support of death row inmate Richard Glossip’s application for stay of execution.
AG Drummond filed a response in support of Richard Glossip’s stay of execution application to the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday.
Glossip filed the application following the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board’s vote against recommending clemency last week.
Earlier this year, Drummond ordered an independent counsel to review Glossip’s murder conviction and death sentence. Following the results of the investigation, he filed a request with the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to vacate Glossip’s conviction. Last week, he made an unprecedented move as AG to ask the Pardon and Parole Board to recommend clemency.
Glossip is scheduled to be executed on May 18.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt Says He Won't Further Stay Execution of Richard Glossip
Oklahoma Death row inmate Richard Glossip is asking the U.S. Supreme Court for a stay of execution. KGOU’s/OPMX’S Hannah France has more.
Following the Pardon and Parole Board’s decision against recommending clemency last week, Richard Glossip filed an unopposed application for stay of execution to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Gov. Kevin Stitt, who has stayed Glossip’s execution in the past to allow time for the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals to examine claims of innocence and prosecutorial misconduct, says he will not attempt to further stay Glossip’s execution.
This person has been through two different trails and was convicted by a jury of their peers twice. And unless the courts intervene or act, we’re going to follow the law.
Glossip is scheduled to be executed on May 18.
Gov. Stitt Praises Senate Education Funding Plan
The Oklahoma Senate made a move Thursday to end the education funding stalemate.
In a resounding answer to the House’s education plan, the Senate’s is markedly different: instead of the $2-5,000 teacher raises from the House, the Senate’s plan bumps that to $4-8,000 depending on experience.
That’s in addition to a new $3,000 one-time stipend for all full-time school employees returning from the last school year.
Also on the table is 8 weeks of paid maternity leave for teachers, a student literacy pilot program, and $150 million added to the funding formula.
The Senate plan also includes voucher-like tax credits for private and homeschool students, but notably, the Senate’s plan divorces that from the rest of the education funding package - meaning it would not have to pass for the rest of the measures to pass.
Gov. Kevin Stitt praised the new package as a move toward resolution.
Proposed Heartland Flyer Extension
It’s still going to be a while until passenger rail connects Oklahoma City to Kansas. But there’s some movement on the proposed Heartland Flyer Extension.
The Kansas and Oklahoma Departments of Transportation are hoping to connect Oklahoma City with much of the rest of the country via Amtrak. The states are applying for the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor Identification and Development Program - paid for by the bipartisan infrastructure bill.
K-DOT’s Cory Davis says there’s still a long way to go.
"Right now we’re in the planning phase where we are developing a service development plan that kind of provide a roadmap for moving the service forward… Our goal right now is to get in that pipeline to be able to access those federal fund," said Davis.
If the states do get the federal funding, the development of the project would still be years away.
If and when the program is completed, the Heartland Flyer Extension would reconnect Oklahoma and Kansas communities north to the national Amtrak network.
Oklahoman's Journey On American Idol Concludes
Lawton native PJAE’s American Idol Journey has concluded, but he’s not done with music. Here's what’s next for him.
PJAE made it to the Top 26. He says his American Idol journey was fun, but there’s more on the horizon he’s excited about.
"From what I can say, I have more music coming, which is exciting to say, so that’s one thing that’s next. There’s more that I can’t necessarily share. But I think honestly a fresh attitude is the biggest thing." PJAE said.
PJAE says he was touched by the support of the Lawton-Fort Sill Community.
“It was really awesome to kind of see the community band together and support me… it taught me a lot about community and my hometown honestly.”
PJAE’s time on American Idol ended in Hollywood when the top 20 contestants were announced last week.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt Vetoes A Slew of Bills
The stalemate between House and Senate Republican leaders is being injected with more urgency after a veto threat from Gov. Kevin Stitt. Stitt says unless the Senate passes his education plan, he’s holding his veto pen ready.
Stitt vetoed 20 bills Wednesday, including measures that passed unanimously through both chambers.
In his explanation, Stitt says, “until the people of Oklahoma have a tax cut, until every teacher in the state gets the pay raise they deserve, until parents get a tax credit to send their child to the school of their choice,” he will veto any measures authored by Senators against his plan.
This comes a day after House Speaker Charles McCall used a rare procedural move to advance a new Stitt-endorsed education funding package, which includes teacher raises, a voucher-like tax credit program and $300 million in new school funding that shorts larger schools.
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat told online nonprofit outlet NonDoc yesterday the new package wouldn’t pass through the Senate, and the House move equated to, “playing games and giving false hope.”
- Read more about this story here.
Fentanyl Test Strip Bill
Soon, there could be no legal concerns about giving out fentanyl strips. A bill making its way to the governor protects the tests people can use to protect themselves from accidental opioid overdoses.
The Senate gave final passage to House Bill 1987 on Thursday. It ensures that fentanyl test strips aren’t considered drug paraphernalia.
Without the measure, there’s some ambiguity. Drugs such as cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine can be clandestinely laced with lethal doses of fentanyl. The strips are a protection device. T
The author, Rep. Mickey Dollens faced some opposition during the bill’s House floor hearing.
"Representative, why would you carry these strips, except to test drugs?, said Crosswhite Hader. "That’s the entire purpose," said Dollens. "You know, we do not condone drug use, but we want to help people get rehabilitated. And in order to do that, they must be alive.
Twenty-two House members voted against it, but it passed out of the Senate unanimously.
PSO Guarantees Customer Protections As Corporation Commission Considers Rate Hike
Public Service Company Oklahoma is one step closer to raising energy bills to pay for solar and wind projects. The company has reached a settlement with Attorney General Gentner Drummond and customer advocacy groups to protect customers weary of rate hikes.
If the Corporation Commission approves this agreement, PSO could build three new solar farms and three wind farms in Kansas and Texas. They’re expected to produce enough electricity to power more than 16,000 homes.
PSO would raise customers’ rates for a few months to cover costs. But after that, Attorney General Gentner Drummond says clean energy tax credits and lower fuel costs are expected to shrink the average monthly bill by a few dollars.
The new agreement caps the projects’ combined budget at nearly $2.5 billion. If they end up costing more, PSO can’t charge customers to make up the difference.
If PSO fails to deliver on its side of the agreement, the company will have to pay customers back. PSO says these projects will “help provide long-term stability in energy costs.” The company has hiked rates twice since December 2021
- Read more about this story here.
New DOJ Guidelines On Missing And Murdered Indigenous People
The Department of Justice has new guidelines as part of their strategy to combat missing and murdered Indigenous people.
The new guidelines include standards on data collection, coordinating law enforcement agencies responsible for updating databases and improving law enforcement agency response rates. Another big piece is increasing follow-up responses to missing persons cases.
The guidelines shore up blind spots that Oklahomans brought up at a federal commission meeting in Tulsa earlier this month.
At that meeting, one person said local law enforcement were often dismissive when cases of missing Indigenous people hit their desks. Another said it took them 20 minutes to locate a missing individual whom law enforcement couldn’t find for 20 days.
The new guidelines are some of the earliest tangible work from the listening sessions set up by the Not Invisible Act and Savanna's Act-both passed in 2020 to combat the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous People.
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Bill Banning Gender-Affirming Care For Minors Moves Forward
A bill banning gender-affirming care for minors is nearing the finish line. The measure criminalizes care.
Senate Bill 613 mirrors the state’s abortion bans, in that it makes performing the service a felony, threatening medical providers with up to a decade in prison and $100,000 in fines. It also mirrors the abortion ban that allows private citizens to file lawsuits for damages against doctors in civil court. It also adds providing gender-affirming services to children as a cause for medical and nursing license revocations.
The bill bans surgeries, which medical providers generally recommend only for adults, as well as less intense and non-permanent treatments such as puberty blockers.
The bill passed off the House floor Wednesday night along party lines.
There is a House bill that bans the care for minors, as well as all public funding and insurance coverage for gender-affirming care for Oklahomans of any age. It didn’t get a hearing in the Senate.
The bill is headed back to the Senate for another vote before it can go to the governor’s desk.
Death Row Inmate Glossip Denied Clemency
Despite an unprecedented amount of support from state officials, a split vote from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board led to no recommendation for clemency for death row inmate Richard Glossip.
Glossip was found guilty of the 1997 murder-for-hire of motel owner Barry Van Treese.
Prior to the clemency hearing, several state lawmakers pushed for an independent investigation of Glossip’s case.
That investigation found several problems with the trial, including the state’s destruction of material evidence and false testimony from the key witness.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond also spoke to the board.
“I’m not aware of any time in our history that an attorney general has appeared before this board and argued for clemency. I’m also not aware of any time in the history of Oklahoma when justice would require it,” Drummond said.
The Pardon and Parole Board is meant to have five members, but the fifth member, Richard Smothermon, recused himself from this vote. His wife was a prosecutor in Glossip’s 2004 retrial.
Glossip is scheduled to be executed on May 18th.
Oklahoma House Passes Surprise Bill Tying Teacher Raises To Stitt's Voucher-like Tax Credit Program
Oklahoma House Republicans bypassed standard legislative procedure to advance Gov. Kevin Stitt’s education plan. The last-minute change ties teacher raises to tax credits for private and home school families.
Senate Bill 561 was all about updating a state assistance program for needy families.
But House Speaker Charles McCall changed it on the chamber’s floor – amending the bill to get rid of all its original contents and replace them with an incentive to pass the governor’s education plan.
McCall’s amended bill says teachers won’t see pay increases unless two other education measures pass. House Bill 1935 sets up a voucher-like tax credit program for private and home school students, and Senate Bill 2775 sets aside hundreds of millions dollars for public education.
After about an hour of debate, McCall’s new bill passed the House.
All three now head to the Senate.
USDA Offers Producers Funding To Transition Farms To Organic Operation
The USDA is offering producers $75 million to help transition their farms to become certified organic operations.
Demand for organic produce and meat has been on the rise in Oklahoma. From 2016 through 2019 organic product sales doubled.
But as of 2021, there were only six certified organic operations in the state.
The USDA is hoping to change that by assisting producers – here and across the country – through the Organic Transition Initiative.
From managing land without using prohibited pesticides, to logistical challenges, farmers face a multitude of struggles during the first few years of certification. The National Resources Conservation Service will dedicate financial and technical assistance to help.
Farmers, ranchers, and other producers beginning or in the process of transitioning to organic certification are eligible to apply.
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Following State Supreme Court Ruling To Life-Saving Abortions, New Study Finds Oklahoma Hospitals Unclear On Legal Line
The state’s supreme court ruled last month Oklahomans have a right to life-saving abortions, whether it’s an emergency or not. A new study finds hospitals are still unclear on where the legal line is.
Physicians for Human Rights partnered with the Oklahoma Call for Reproductive Justice and organized the study. Researchers posed as prospective patients and spoke with representatives at 34 of the 37 Oklahoma hospitals that offer obstetric care, asking about what would happen if their health suddenly took a turn for the worst, and they needed an abortion.
"Overall, hospital staff could not clearly articulate their hospitals’ emergency policies," said Dr. Michelle Heisler, one of the study's lead authors.
She says 22 of the 34 hospitals weren’t able to give the callers any information about procedures, policies, or support provided to doctors when an abortion becomes medically necessary. And only two hospitals described providing legal support for doctors in that situation. This is important, in part, because malpractice insurance doesn’t apply to criminal proceedings, and performing an unnecessary abortion is a felony.
New Law To Reduce Number Of Professional Development Courses For Certified Teachers
Oklahoma’s certified teachers are required to take a lot of professional development courses, and they have to do it frequently. But amid the state’s teacher shortage crisis, a big change to those requirements was just signed into law.
House Bill 1441 is authored by Tulsa Democrat and former educator, Rep. Melissa Provenzano. Lawmakers are working through a slate of bills this session to make teaching more attractive and sustainable amid the state’s massive shortage, and this one cuts down some professional development requirements.
First, it caps the requirement for professional development at 150 hours per every 5 years. Second, courses that have been required annually now just need to be taken once during a teacher’s first year, then every five years after that. And, as Provenzano points out:
"There’s nothing in this bill that prohibits a district from offering these trainings on a more frequent basis if they need."
In a press release, Provenzano says the bill will help to “balance the load” of everything teachers have on their plates. It was signed into law last week by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Shawnee High School Shifts To Virtual Learning Following Tornado
Shawnee High School will finish the year virtually following a direct hit from a tornado last week. The district is distributing internet hotspots and take-home devices for school work.
According to a report from The Oklahoman, school officials say the April 19 storms caused more than $20 million worth of damage across Shawnee Public Schools. Extensive damage to the high school’s football stadium and performing arts center will force next month’s graduation ceremony to be held at another location.
Shawnee’s elementary schools sustained less damage and are expected to resume in-person classes Thursday. The middle school could potentially reopen by next week.
Former Guthrie City Councilman Guilty Of First-Degree Murder
A former Guthrie city councilman was found guilty of first-degree murder.
After claiming self-defense, Dan Triplett was found guilty Tuesday of fatally shooting and burying the body of his employee, Brent Mack, under a septic tank in 2021. After finding Mack’s body, a medical examiner determined he had been shot in the back.
Following the verdict, the Mack family’s attorney, Damario Solomon-Simmons, said the ruling sends an important message.
"This jury today let Dan Triplett know that Brent Mack’s life mattered. And hopefully every single day Dan Triplett and others in this country, in this county, in this state that believe they can do anything to others without repercussion understands that is not the law here," said Solomon-Simmons.
Triplett is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and an additional seven years for desecration of a human corpse. The sentencing hearing is set for June 16.
Much-Needed Rain Continues Across The State
This week’s rain has made way for budding plants and budding questions about drought and flash flooding.
Longterm drought can harden dirt, making it less absorbent and more prone to flash flooding. That’s what happened in 2013, when central Oklahoma saw its wettest spring on record after years of harsh drought. But JJ Gourley, a researcher with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, says we’re getting the right kind of rain to avoid a flashback to those flash floods.
"This is really the way we want to receive the rainfall, is kind of steady gradually and over a long period of time," said Gourley.
Still, Gourley says cities might be a little more prone to flooding than places with lots of springtime greenery. Concrete surfaces just aren’t as good at absorbing rainfall as soil and plants.
Gourley says many areas will still need days and days of rain to break the drought. According to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor report, the entire northwestern part of the state is still in moderate to exceptional drought.
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1 Person Dead In Shooting At Rose State College In Midwest City
There was a shooting on a college campus just outside Oklahoma City on Monday. One person is dead, and the shooter was taken into custody.
Midwest City Police Department responded to the shooting at Rose State College. As of Monday evening, few details had been released, but police say there was one shooter, one victim, and that the two seem to have known each other.
"It appears this is some type of related — domestic-related — incident," said Chief Sid Porter.
Rose State announced all classes were canceled through the end of Tuesday, and that the administration is working to coordinate counseling services for those who might need them.
Monday night, Midwest City Police identified the suspect in the shooting as 30-year-old Brandon Morrissette.
Another Inmate Dies At The Oklahoma County Jail
Another Oklahoma County Jail inmate has died.
Early Monday morning, 40-year-old Amber Owens died after authorities say she was already at the hospital being monitored when she fell and died from her injuries. She was scheduled to be released on a medical own recognizance bond once deemed medically fit for transport. She had been in the detention center since March on multiple charges including assault and battery upon a medical provider.
Two other inmates, Courtenay Doyle and Frank Ramirez, both aged 37, died last week. Doyle was found unresponsive in her cell on Friday morning and Ramirez was found in distress in his cell on Saturday evening. Both were transferred to the hospital and later pronounced dead.
Six Oklahoma County Jail inmates have died this year.
Widespread Rain Welcome in Drought-Stricken Oklahoma
Oklahoma is expected to receive widespread rain over the next few days, and the rain could put a significant dent in drought.
Conditions across the northwestern half of Oklahoma have been getting drier with extreme to exceptional drought taking its toll.
Much of western Oklahoma hasn’t seen a quarter inch of rain in over two months, and parts of the panhandle haven't seen even a tenth of an inch in over 100 days, according to the Oklahoma Mesonet.
But that could be coming to an end as much needed rain is expected across Oklahoma.
State Climatologist Gary McManus says that this system is “shaping up to be a drought-quencher, if not a drought-ender, for some parts of the state.”
McManus says flooding will be a concern over the next few days because the ground is so hard due to a lack of moisture. It could take some time for the rain to start soaking in.
He says storms could produce up to 3 inches of rainfall within just a couple of hours. No major severe weather outbreaks are expected.
Families Are Sacred Summit Held In Tulsa
Oklahoma has one of the highest domestic violence rates in the country. The Cherokee Nation has assembled law enforcement, healthcare workers and other first responders to work toward solutions.
National statistics show acts of domestic violence occur every 15 seconds in the US. And the issue disproportionately affects Indigenous people. Four in five American Indians – both women and men – have experienced violence in their lifetime.
The Families Are Sacred Summit last week in Tulsa was designed to bring together organizations that can provide wrap-around services like job training, financial literacy courses, housing resources and health care all in an effort to prevent domestic violence.
Cherokee Nation is partnering with Oklahoma State University to help victims of domestic violence by offering them culturally appropriate care and telemedicine for counseling.
Last year, the Cherokee Nation opened a shelter for those experiencing domestic violence in Stilwell.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt Seeks Federal Aid From Tornadoes
Gov. Kevin Stitt Sunday requested an expedited major disaster declaration from the federal government following last week’s tornadoes. The governor requested a disaster declaration for McClain and Pottawatomie counties.
If the request is approved, anyone with damage may be eligible for federal assistance for housing repairs or temporary housing.
The damage done by last week’s tornadoes and severe storms is estimated to be upwards of $9 million according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
According to the National Weather Service, supercells across the state produced at least 12 tornadoes and hail between 1-3 inches in diameter.
Two Inmates Die At The Oklahoma County Jail
Two inmates at the Oklahoma County Jail have died within just days.
The year’s fourth and fifth inmate deaths at the Oklahoma County Detention Center occurred in two days.
37-year-old Courtenay Doyle was found unresponsive in her cell on Friday morning and died about an hour later after being transferred to the hospital. She had been in the detention center since March on drug trafficking and possession of paraphernalia charges.
On Saturday evening, 37-year-old Frank Ramirez was also found unresponsive in his cell. Like Doyle, Ramirez died about an hour after being found in his cell and being transferred to the hospital. He had been in the detention center since August 2021 on multiple charges including robbery with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery.
All jail deaths are investigated as homicides until a final determination is made.
Over 50 Oklahoma United Methodists Churches Leave Denomination
Over 50 United Methodist churches in Oklahoma voted on Saturday to leave the denomination due to disagreements over its direction.
In a special conference, requests from 55 churches to sever ties with the denomination were ratified. The move comes as the denomination banned same-sex marriage and gay clergy.
The largest United Methodist church in Oklahoma, St. Luke’s, was among those that left. The disaffiliations become permanent on May 6.
Gov. Stitt Looking To Remove McCurtain County Sheriff
Gov. Kevin Stitt is calling for the Attorney General to investigate complaints of official misconduct against McCurtain County Sheriff Kevin Clardy and to remove Clardy from office.
Clardy, county commissioner Mark Jennings and two other members of the sheriff’s office were allegedly recorded at a meeting making racist and violent remarks about journalists and Black people.
Stitt called for the four to immediately resign after hearing about the alleged remarks last week. At a news conference Friday, Stitt confirmed his office is “looking at all legal avenues” for impeachment. But he said Clardy should take the first step before the governor’s office has to intervene.
"This guy needs to do the right thing, and he needs to step down because he's only hurting himself. He's only hurting Oklahoma. I don't think he can be effective at this point, and that would be the right thing to do," Stitt said.
The sheriff’s office responded to Stitt’s and others’ calls for resignation in a statement claiming the recordings were obtained illegally and were altered. On Tuesday, Idabel mayor Craig Young called the sheriff’s statement a joke.
Jennings resigned from his office on Wednesday. In one of the recordings, he allegedly told Clardy he would run for sheriff if police could still lynch Black people.
Famous American Architect Frank Lloyd Wright House For Sale In Tulsa
A historic Tulsa home designed by a famous American architect is for sale.
Westhope, located at 3704 South Birmingham Avenue, hit the market last week with a price tag of nearly $8 million.
The more than 10,000 square foot home was designed in 1929 by Frank Lloyd Wright, who enthusiasts say is the “greatest American architect of all time.”
Listing agent Rob Allen said the home is somewhat unique among Wright’s creations.
"Frank Lloyd Wright designed and had built only a handful of this style of home where it's made up of textile cement blocks that are all the same size. This is the only one that is outside the state of California," said Allen.
The home is also different because Allen said most of Wright’s other designs were significantly smaller than the house that sits on 1.5 acres.
The current owner is Tulsa investor Stuart Price, who, according to Allen, took care to restore a floor that had been carpeted. Price also replaced and repaired the house’s windows consisting of thousands of panes of glass.
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Shawnee Residents Pick Up The Pieces From Wednesday's Tornado
A preliminary EF2 tornado swept through Shawnee Wednesday night. It didn’t injure anyone in town, but it destroyed buildings, uprooted trees and disrupted the school year for Shawnee students.
"Power lines are down everywhere, poles are down. We saw three semis blocking the street over there by Big Lots," said Shawnee resident Buffy Dunk.
She described her drive to Oklahoma Baptist University. She’s the mom of two OBU students, so Dunk and her family spent their day clearing tree limbs and picking up debris on campus. She says they found car bumpers, clothes, and old photographs.
"A lot of the shingles of Raley Chapel's roof that are all signed. And we were trying to save them at first. But now there's been so many, we haven't been saving them," Dunk said.
Raley Chapel now has a large hole in its roof, as do several other university buildings.
OBU’s students escaped the night without any recorded injuries.
Down the road from OBU, Shawnee High School lost several structures, including a gym, an ag barn and the press box at their football stadium, where graduation is supposed to take place next month. District Superintendent April Grace says she’s just glad no students or staff were hurt.
"We know we have a lot of staff and community members that are suffering from losing homes. I mean, this is a temporary home during the day for people, but it's not a place where people have to live day in and day out. So our heart goes out to the community," said Grace.
Gov. Kevin Stitt visited Shawnee Wednesday morning to talk with residents and survey the damage. Stitt has declared a state of emergency for five counties.
The National Weather Service sent crews out Thursday to other locations in central Oklahoma to survey damage. The Weather Service says at least one home in Cole suffered EF-3 tornado damage. Preliminary estimates found EF-0 damage just south of Tinker. Damage surveys continue today.
Oklahoma Appeals Court Denies AG’s Motion To Stay Glossip Execution
Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s request to vacate Richard Glossip’s death penalty sentence was denied on Thursday morning.
After more than two decades on death row and five previous delays to his execution, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals will not vacate Richard Glossip’s sentence or grant him a new stay of execution.
The court said they “found no credible claims to prevent the carrying out of Glossip’s sentence on the scheduled date” which is now May 18.
Earlier this month, AG Drummond’s office released an independent report highlighting the issues with Glossip’s case, including undisclosed documents and prosecutorial failures. The report came with the recommendation to vacate Glossip’s conviction.
Glossip was found guilty of hiring another man, Justin Sneed, to kill motel owner Barry Van Trese in 1997.
Drummond says he will continue his efforts to delay and stop Glossip’s execution.
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoman Named National Teacher of the Year
An Oklahoma teacher has been named National Teacher of the Year.
The Council of Chief State School Officers has chosen Union Public Schools teacher Rebecka Peterson as the 2023 National Teacher of the Year. Peterson was named Oklahoma’s teacher of the year for 2022 to 2023. She has taught high school math at Union for 11 years and founded a blog where teachers can track good things happening in their classrooms.
According to a news release from the State Superintendent’s office, Peterson will travel throughout the United States highlighting teachers’ achievements and representing students.
"I’m trying to frame it as, I’m not leaving my classroom, but my classroom is expanding," Peterson said.
In the news release, state superintendent Ryan Walters said he’s “incredibly proud” of Peterson because she’s inspired Oklahoma children and lifted teachers’ potential across the state.
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Tornadoes Cause Widespread Damage In Central Oklahoma, At Least Two Fatalities
An outbreak of tornadoes in central Oklahoma Wednesday evening leveled homes, tossed vehicles and killed at least two people.
The tiny town of Cole took a direct hit from a large tornado. As of early Thursday morning there were two confirmed deaths in that area.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Foster addressed the media as the search and rescue effort was ongoing.
"We’re having to park and walk up miles to get into a lot of these places. And so it will take us time to search that. We do know that there are injuries. We do know that there’s significant damage to property," Foster said.
Shawnee also took significant damage, including the campus of Oklahoma Baptist University.
I-40 had to be closed in both directions in that area. Nearly 20,000 OG&E customers lost power overall. The hail damage is extensive.
The high school in Washington, Oklahoma, near Cole, canceled class for Thursday as it’s being utilized as a shelter.
Lawmakers Work To Override A Veto, Spend $600 Million In Medicaid Surplus
Despite the governor’s best efforts, Oklahoma lawmakers are going to spend the state’s $600 million Medicaid surplus. A fight over leftover federal funding ended this week with a veto override.
Throughout the pandemic, the federal government was giving states extra funding for their Medicaid programs. Oklahoma’s Medicaid agency held onto that money and put it in a special fund, kind of like a savings account.
The Legislature passed Senate Bill 1130, which ordered the agency to use the money for normal operations. The half-billion would replace appropriations that would otherwise come from the Legislature, so it shores up resources for members to send elsewhere. Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed the bill. He wanted to safeguard the money for longer-term health policy initiatives.
The Senate voted almost unanimously to override the veto. Appropriations Chairman Roger Thompson said the Legislature designs the budget, not the governor.
He bristled at Stitt calling the bill imprudent in his veto message.
Teacher Raise Bill Undergoes Changes
A bill that would’ve given teachers a $3-6,000 raise depending on experience underwent a major facelift Wednesday.
Senate Bill 482 was making its way through the legislature with virtually no pushback. But in Wednesday’s House Appropriations and Budget committee meeting, lawmakers were presented with a completely different bill.
That’s because there’s a teacher raise in another bill — House Bill 2775. And that bill is part of the massive education funding package currently stalled out between House and Senate leaders. Earlier this week, a conference committee was called in the hopes of hashing out a resolution.
Representative Dick Lowe says because the raises are being negotiated there, it opened an opportunity to resurrect one of his bills:
"We decided we wanted to go ahead and send back a bill that we had sent over earlier, as this is the exact language of House Bill 2162," said Lowe.
The newly worded Senate Bill 482 would extend teachers’ yearly step raise from up to 25 years to now up to 35 years. It passed committee, but with all those changes, it’s got a few more hurdles to clear.
McCurtain County Commissioner Resigns After Outcry Over Racist Remarks
An embattled McCurtain County official resigned Wednesday.
Commissioner Mark Jennings who was reportedly caught on tape saying he would run for public office if violence against Black people was legal announced his resignation. The tendering comes after Idabel Mayor Craig Young called for Jennings to step down.
"So we can start rebuilding here at the county. I think a lot of this [expletive] would go away," said Young.
Young was not Jennings’ only detractor. Gov. Kevin Stitt also asked for the former commissioner to step down. Stitt’s office said Jennings submitted his resignation through a handwritten note.
Officials are still calling for the resignations of others allegedly involved in the discussion. State Senator George Burns, who represents McCurtain County, said Sheriff Kevin Clardy, sheriff’s investigator Alicia Manning, and jail administrator Larry Hendrix who were also apparently involved in the “racist, hateful comments” should also resign.
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Idabel Mayor Reacts To McCurtain County Sheriff's Response To Recorded Conversation
Following a bomb threat at a local hospital, Idabel mayor Craig Young called out the McCurtain County Sheriff’s Office for doubling down amid allegations of racism and violent threats.
Four county officials including three members of the sheriff’s office were allegedly recorded at a March meeting saying they missed when racial violence in law enforcement was acceptable, discussing killing journalists and mocking a burn victim. Governor Kevin Stitt has called for their immediate resignations.
In a Monday statement, the sheriff’s office claimed the audio was altered and that the recordings violated Oklahoma’s Security of Communications Act.
Young didn’t mince words when asked about the sheriff’s statement.
"It’s a joke. I think it’s terrible. I mean, the damage is done, the trust is gone. I mean, even if the audio recording was illegal, it’s still audio recording out there," said Young.
Young said he doesn’t know if the recordings were altered, but said the subject matter was horrible.
Young’s remarks came just hours after a threat was called in to McCurtain County Community Hospital saying they would detonate a bomb if the officials didn’t resign from their positions and their roles on the hospital board. He said incidents like the bomb threat wouldn’t happen if they resigned.
Canine Flu Continues To Impact The Metro
As the canine influenza has ravaged dogs across the Oklahoma City Metro, it continues to impact the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter.
Almost 300 out of 400 dogs at the Oklahoma City shelter have gotten sick from a respiratory virus and five have died.
Many are doing better, but staff are still treating sick ones.
The closure that began in March is likely to continue for some time. The exact reopening date is unclear but shelter management says the soonest it could be is early May.
Symptoms of the flu in dogs include coughing, runny nose, labored breathing and loss of appetite. Animal experts are urging dog owners to talk to their vet about precautions and when it's safe for their dogs to be around other dogs again.
Sports Betting Bill Fails
A bill allowing sports betting in Oklahoma is dead following a recent deadline. KOSU's Allison Herrera has been following the story and has more.
House Bill 1027 would've allowed in person and mobile sports betting. But it failed to advance in the Senate.
Sen. Bill Coleman of Ponca City was a co-sponsor and he says the demise of the bill was partly due to lack of coordination between Governor Kevin Stitt and the tribes.
"We just felt, including myself that for the bill to move any further we really needed to make sure a conversation between the tribes and the governor took place so we could be fully confident they were in agreement about how sports betting would operate in the state of Oklahoma," Coleman said.
This is the second time a sports betting bill has not passed. Coleman says in the coming months, he'll be having conversations about a bill that will work for the upcoming legislative session.
Sexual Assault Forensic Exams Legislation
Oklahoma lawmakers are working for better access to sexual assault forensic exams. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports
Senate Bill 572 would create a new funding source for the state department of health. The specifics on how the department would use that funding to improve access? Still in the works. The title is off, which means the bill is in the draft process.
But the goal is to make it easier for sexual assault survivors to get these exams.
The author, Lawton Sen. John Michael Montgomery, says the district attorney’s council has a fund to help people pay for them.
"What we’re looking to do is supplement that … so that it is not as inconvenient to actually try to be able to get these kinds of exams when they’re necessary," said Montgomery.
The measure passed out of the House appropriations committee on Tuesday, but again, it’s going to require a bit more work before it can become law.
Education Funding Stalemate
The stalemate over education funding between Oklahoma’s House and Senate continues, despite the Senate advancing the package nearly three weeks ago. Here's more on what’s causing the holdup in the House.
$540 million in new education funding is still sitting on the table, and here’s what’s happened so far: House Bill 2775 and House Bill 1935 are linked — one is a massive new funding bill, the other is a $100 million voucher-like tax credit program, and the bills are written so that one can’t pass without the other.
But the Senate amended the House version in some big ways, and like Republican House Speaker Charles McCall warned at the beginning of the process, any changes to these bills would be non-starters for his chamber.
The versions have some pretty big differences, and here are some of them: the Senate’s gives bigger raises to more categories of educators, and it includes a merit pay bonus program for teachers. It also applies funding increases equally to all districts, citing substantially disproportionate funding in the House version that shorts big schools.
Lawmakers hope a special conference committee granted Monday can hash out a resolution.
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McCurtain County Officials Face Multiple Calls To Step Down Over Racist, Threatening Remarks
Gov. Stitt called on several McCurtain County officials to resign after they allegedly made racist, violent and unprofessional remarks, but it was unclear Monday if they had done so.
At a March 6 meeting, the four county officials were allegedly recorded saying they miss when racist violence in law enforcement was acceptable, threatening to kill two journalist and making fun of a burn victim.
In the recordings, county commissioner Mark Jennings can be heard telling sheriff Kevin Clardy he would run for sheriff if violence toward Black people was still acceptable.
We must note, the clip contains descriptions of racist violence that some may find disturbing.
"Well it's not like that anymore," said Clardy.
"I know. Take them down to Mud Creek and hang them up with a [expletive] rope, but you can't do that. They've got more rights than we've got," said Jennings.
Stitt called for the immediate resignation of Jennings, Clardy, investigator Alicia Manning and jail administrator Larry Hendrix, but media outlets could not confirm after the commission’s Monday morning meeting if they had resigned. None of them were present at the meeting, which lasted only a few minutes and consisted of routine county business.
The meeting drew a crowd of demonstrators outside the building and in the meeting room. Before the meeting, Idabel mayor Craig Young called for the four officials’ resignations.
"The governor has asked them to resign. We are waiting on results," said Young.
The state attorney general's office has confirmed it is looking into the matter.
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoma Reportedly Signs A Contract With Panasonic
Oklahoma has reportedly signed a contract with Panasonic to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Pryor. But there may be some complications with the agreement.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt says the state has inked a contract to open a battery plant at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor. It’s been widely reported to be with Japanese manufacturer Panasonic.
The company would employ thousands.
“When you have a manufacturing facility with 3,500 employees, it leads to like 20,000 indirect jobs that are around supporting that. So it’s just an amazing opportunity for us." Stitt said.
But it’s unclear who will pay for the hundreds of millions in infrastructure improvements at the park. Lawmakers have shown some hesitation to do so. House Speaker Charles McCall told the Tulsa World the deal does not meet all the qualifications for Panasonic to receive almost $700 million allocated for economic development by the legislature last year.
Stitt says the project would bring a $5 billion investment to the state.
Wildfire Forces Evacuations In Logan County
Logan County faced another wildfire on Monday afternoon as emergency officials responded to the rapidly spreading blaze.
The fire, which started southwest of Meridian and north of Arcadia, prompted evacuations.
This comes just weeks after a previous wildfire outbreak scorched tens of homes and thousands of acres in Edmond and Guthrie. Meteorologists have warned of elevated to critical "fire weather" conditions later in the week for western and central Oklahoma, especially on Wednesday.
The National Weather Service says drought conditions have exacerbated the risk of wildfires, and outdoor burning and other activities that could start fires should be avoided.
Chairman Of The Quapaw Nation Resigns
Over the weekend, Chairman of the Quapaw Nation Joseph Byrd resigned.
Citing death threats and continued criticism over his character and integrity, Joseph Byrd, resigned.
"The reality is that I can no longer do what is necessary because it requires me to stay on the warpath. And even though it's something I am good at, it's a path I'm unwilling to continue down, especially while I help my partner raise our two daughters," said Byrd.
Byrd was elected in 2020 after ousting longtime chairman John Berrey, who was accused of financial management and embezzlement.
Last week Byrd received notice that a recall petition had met the required amount of signatures necessary to call a special election for his position. He had drawn criticism for his decision to run for District 3 of the Cherokee Nation tribal council.
It's unclear who will take over a chairman of the business committee before a special election happens to replace Byrd. Tribal nation rules say an election must be held within 90 calendar days of Byrd’s resignation.
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Marijuana Legislation Update
Last week, Oklahoma lawmakers pushed through several bills related to marijuana.
Lawmakers continue tinkering with Oklahoma’s medical marijuana laws. Measures that would limit THC levels in products, monitor cannabis growers water and power usage - and authorize a quality assurance lab - are still alive.
Even after Oklahomans voted down recreational marijuana last month, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat says he wants to proceed cautiously.
“You don't want to overreact on a state question going down. But you do see that there's a will to make modifications to make the industry safer and more responsive," said Treat.
Bills are now being considered on chamber floors before potentially heading to the Governor’s desk.
Tribal Regalia Bill
A bill that would allow Native students to wear tribal regalia at high school graduations and other ceremonies is one step closer to becoming law.
Senate Bill 429 would ensure students in public and charter schools are allowed to wear tribal regalia at graduation. It's on its way to the house floor for a vote.
The ACLU of Oklahoma advocated for the bill after hearing from several students about the importance of wearing their tribal regalia. Some schools say that if they allowed Native students an exception to the dress code-then they would have to do it for everyone. The ACLU asks what's the problem with that?
If the bill passes and is signed into law by the Governor, it would go into effect July 1.
Capitol Insider Preview
Last week, we reported that State Superintendent Ryan Walters lost his spot on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s cabinet as Education Secretary. It’s not because of any particular policy disagreement, but due to concern over Walters serving in both positions at once. Quorum Call’s Tyler Talley explains the opinion from Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
"Oklahoma prohibits state officers and deputies from simultaneously holding another state office or serving as the deputy of any other state office. There are exemptions, but Drummond said none of them apply to the secretary of education or state superintendent," said Talley.
You can hear more of that conversation from the latest edition of Capitol Insider online at KGOU.org.
OU Women's Gym National Champs
The OU women’s gymnastics team is the national champion once again.
Florida, Utah, and LSU just couldn’t hold up against the Sooners. Fifth year senior Olivia Trautman’s amazing performance on the vault was key, and ESPN talked with her after the result was announced.
"Your coaches told us you wanted it to end in a certain way — your career, of course. Was it worth it?," said an ESPN interviewer.
"It was definitely worth it. Natty champs, baby!," said Trautman.
Coach K.J. Kindler called the team’s performance absolutely incredible — and perhaps spurred by one of her assistant coaches going into labor and giving birth earlier in the day Saturday.
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Listeners like you provide essential funding for KGOU’s news reports, available in podcasts, online and on the air. Information on how to contribute is at KGOU.org.
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Joe Exotic for President
The Tiger King is running for president - again. Joseph Maldonado, better known as Joe Exotic, is well-known in Oklahoma, but rose to national fame during the pandemic as the star of the Netflix series “Tiger King.” Now he’s launching a 2024 presidential bid from prison. He’s running as a Democrat. He also ran in 2016 as an Independent, and in 2018 ran for governor as a Libertarian.
Maldonado’s Twitter account says he changed his affiliation to force the Democratic Party to "answer legitimate questions and meet in the middle on hot-button issues."
His platform: Responsible gun regulation, reproductive rights, mental health and criminal justice reform. Maldonado is currently serving a 21-year federal sentence for multiple crimes, including violations of the Endangered Species Act while running his zoo in Wynnewood, and a murder-for-hire plot against his rival and fellow wildlife park owner Carol Baskin.
Drummond Sues Biden
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has sued the Biden Administration over a rule designating the lesser prairie chicken as a threatened species.
Drummond sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, alongside attorneys general from Texas and Kansas, over a rule that designates the lesser prairie chicken as threatened and endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
The ruling took effect last month. It requires companies, farmers and ranchers to take special care - that can prove costly - not to harm the birds. Drummond says the rule places burdensome restrictions on Oklahoma ranchers who graze livestock and impedes the development of energy pipelines, oil drilling, wind farms and roads. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ruling states the primary risk for the lesser prairie chicken is habitat loss and land fragmentation. The agency estimates there are about 32,000 in the wild.
Drummond says he’ll be using a fund that was recently created by the state legislature to help Oklahoma in litigation against the federal government for the suit.
Smell Test for Dogs
Before dogs can sniff out explosives they have to pass a test. One of those tests was held recently at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.
About 20 K9 units are in Oklahoma City for the AFT national odor recognition test. Trained on almost 19,000 smells, the dogs are tested on their ability to distinguish the difference between explosive materials and distracting odors. The test consists of 15 cans, containing a multitude of odors.
2-year-old K9 officer Jasmine was able to identify all the “hot” or explosive materials in her test. Jasmine is trained to work with a bomb squad. Her handler is Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Tschetter. And he has a lot of respect for his partner. That kind of bond is common between officers and their canines, says Special agent Kevin Brown.
"Without a doubt, they are the heroes of the heroes," he said.
Once the animal has passed its test, the dog and their handler are federally certified.
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Board of Education Responds To Biden Administration Rules Related To Transgender Students, Title IX
The Oklahoma State Board of Education held a special meeting Wednesday to respond to recently proposed rules from the Biden Administration related to transgender students and Title IX. The proposal is in conflict with a state law passed last year banning transgender girls and women from playing on female teams.
The state school board voted unanimously, ordering all Oklahoma schools to submit reports that list sports offered by each district, broken down by grade level and which sports are separated into boys’ and girls’ teams. The reports should also contain any district policies on sex-separated sports, and a list of sports, if any, that don’t comply with current state law.
The Biden Administration’s proposed changes would prohibit categorical bans on transgender students from playing on K-12 and college sports teams that align with their gender identity. But there’s some flexibility: schools would still be able to have sex-separated teams if the nature of the sport is highly competitive — like a high school team with try-outs and cuts — or is a contact sport.
Oklahoma schools have 21 days to submit the reports to the board.
Oklahoma Health Officials: Public Health Lab Needs More Money
Lawmakers say they’re planning to give the state’s health department $3-9 million more for the public health laboratory. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports the funding should cover a final round of renovations as well as advanced biosafety equipment.
During a Senate hearing last week, Oklahoma lawmakers said the state’s public health laboratory is still outsourcing several tests, and they plan to include a final round of investment to get the equipment the state needs to bring those in house.
The lab had been outdated and falling apart for decades before the Stitt Administration announced it would move the lab from Oklahoma City to Stillwater in 2020.
Health labs are assigned different biosafety levels, based on how much health risk the lab can contain with its equipment and protocols. There are four levels. The first level doesn’t require much: standard personal protective equipment, a sink for handwashing. Those are allowed to work with microbes that aren’t very dangerous. Right now, Oklahoma’s health lab is at a level 2. A spokesperson for the lab said the state is outsourcing tests that require level 3 biosafety, such as tuberculosis.
The legislative session ends in May, and lawmakers tend to write and vote on the state’s budget shortly before they adjourn.
Tulsa Race Massacre Investigators Say They've Sequenced DNA From 6 Possible Victims
Tulsa's search for graves of 1921 race massacre victims took a step forward (Tuesday). Officials announced that genetic profiles have been extracted from exhumed remains.
Mayor G.T. Bynum announced that the remains of six people exhumed at Oaklawn Cemetery have yielded DNA profiles traceable to people currently alive.
“We do not believe a match of this type has ever been achieved before,” said Bynum.
It's still unclear whether the six people are race massacre victims. Allison Wilde, who works in genealogy for DNA testing nonprofit Intermountain Forensics, said a good way to help clear up the identities of the dead is to donate to the DNA database.
“The very best way you can help...is to participate in this project by using DNA,” said Wilde.
However, the nonprofit Justice for Greenwood that is active in suing the city on behalf of living race massacre victims, has urged people to avoid giving DNA. Justice for Greenwood argues that is it unwise to let the city build a database full of DNA from Black people that could be accessed by the public. Wilde said there are privacy options available, spelled out on Intermountain's website.
“You can use our chart to select different upload options,” said Wilde.
So far, 27 people have been exhumed in the search for race massacre victims.
Fort Sill Death
Officials are investigating after a soldier serving on Fort Sill was found dead in his home off-post.
Fort Sill officials announced that a drill sergeant with the 434th Artillery Brigade was found dead in his home off-post Tuesday morning.
Brigade Commander Colonel Michael Stewart was solemn in a statement included in the announcement.
He said, “We are saddened by the loss of a teammate, our thoughts are with the family, loved ones and fellow Soldiers during this difficult time.”
Lawton Police Department and Fort Sill’s Criminal Investigations Division is investigating.
Fire Chances Rising In Western Oklahoma As Drought Persists
Oklahomans can brace for another hike in fire danger at the end of this week and on into the next.
Although drought conditions continue to improve across the state, the panhandle and northwestern Oklahoma remain in exceptional or extreme drought, putting them particularly at risk for fires.
The Oklahoma Forestry Service says most of western Oklahoma has gone more than 40 days since receiving any significant moisture. In the panhandle, Texas County has gone almost eight months. As a cold front blows more dry air across the state on Friday, the Forestry Service says fire-favoring conditions will reach “a crescendo.”
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Superintendent Ryan Walters Out As Oklahoma’s Secretary of Education
Oklahoma’s State Superintendent Ryan Walters will no longer have a spot on Gov. Kevin Stitt’s cabinet.
Walters has courted controversy in his brief time running for and now occupying office.
That’s both for his rhetoric about transgender students and so-called woke teachers… and for drawing two salaries as an elected official and appointed cabinet member.
Now, that second job has come to an end.
With little fanfare Stitt announced he’d appoint OSU-Tulsa education professor Katherine Curry to Walters’ role on his cabinet.
Walters – who hadn’t yet been re-confirmed for his appointed job by the state senate – keeps his elected role as State Superintendent.
- Read more about this story here.
OTA Halts Work On Turnpike Expansion Project Amid Legal Matters
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is running into a major roadblock on its 15-year, $5 billion ACCESS Oklahoma Turnpike Project. As of Friday, all work will cease on the several ACCESS projects already underway.
The stoppage comes as several pending legal matters work their way through the courts, and there are a few: an alleged Open Meeting Act violation case, a case challenging the agency’s legislative authority to build in several areas, and an impending state investigative audit. Because of these, the OTA has been prevented from accessing the bond market to further fund the ACCESS projects.
The stoppage includes current work on the Turner Turnpike as well as other major ACCESS projects around the state the agency calls “high priority.” OTA says normal operations and maintenance won’t be affected by the stoppage.
OTA Executive Director Tim Gatz says despite the stoppage, the agency is still in a “strong financial position.” Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond weighed in with a press release, saying the stoppage shows the investigative audit is “needed now more than ever.”
Members Of The Not Invisible Act Commission Meet In Tulsa
Members of the Not Invisible Act commission met at the Osage Casino in Tulsa Tuesday and heard from people who combat domestic violence, help survivors and are part of grassroots organizations to help families find their loved ones.
In 2021, there were 138 domestic violence related fatalities in the state of Oklahoma. Eighty six of those were indigenous," said Melody Ybarra, a domestic violence advocate for the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She says Oklahoma isn't a safe place for Indigenous women.
During the listening session, four panelists shared their experiences and frustrations with a system they say is understaffed and under-resourced. Ybarra says there isn’t enough coordination.
"We've I've had another lady who say that she showed up to the police station in a small town in Oklahoma, and she said, my son's missing. I need to file a police report. And his comment was, 'What do you want me to do about it?' That's how she was approached," Ybarra said.
Panelists testified relationships between tribal and state law enforcement vary depending on the community. And without centralized information or communication, things slip through the cracks.
The commission’s next step includes creating a database to track missing and murdered Indigenous people that will help in finding and solving crimes.
The commission's next listening session is in Arizona.
College Athlete Compensation Bill Moves Forward
A bill aiming to help Oklahoma attract more college athletes is advancing in the State Legislature.
Republican Senator Greg McCortney’s Senate Bill 840 would get rid of the requirement for Oklahoma student athletes wanting to profit off their name, image, or likeness to hire a registered sports agent or attorney to negotiate their contracts. Instead, any individual could negotiate for the student.
Proponents of the bill say it would help make Oklahoma’s college sports programs more competitive with programs in other states where there are no restrictions for student athletes to be compensated through NIL.
The bill was granted a conference on Tuesday after House amendments were rejected last week.
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Oklahoma City Chosen For NOAA's Urban Heat Island Mapping Campaign
Oklahoma City has been selected to be part of an Urban Heat Island study. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has chosen OKC among 17 other cities to take part in this national effort to map extreme heat cities.
The mapping campaign aims to identify places with extreme heat where the city might take action to alleviate the effects of heat on residents. NOAA Chief Scientist Dr. Sarah Kapnick explains these so-called heat islands.
"Roads and buildings gain heat during the day and then radiate the heat into its surrounding air. Some areas of cities can be 15 to 20 degrees warmer than areas with more green spaces," said Kapnick.
The heat mapping initiative will rely on volunteer citizen scientists who will travel through Oklahoma City with special heat sensors mounted on their cars, recording temperature, humidity, time and location. The data will be used to develop strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of heat in these areas.
Other metros selected for heat island mapping include Dallas, Little Rock and Salt Lake City.
Citizens interested in volunteering for the heat mapping campaign in Oklahoma City can find more information at KGOU.org.
Murray State College, Chickasaw Nation Receive Grant For Promoting Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Murray State College and the Chickasaw Nation will receive a $5 million grant promoting sustainable agriculture practices and education to underserved students under the USDA Climate SMART grant.
Murray State College has partnered with the Chickasaw Nation on the grant, providing start-up funding for the Small Farm and Ranch Institute, to be located at Murray State’s Ardmore campus.
The program provides education of small scale farming to underserved students and local farmers. Murray State will build a curriculum to educate students on the importance of agriculture and sustainable farming practices in specialty crops, such as pecans.
Through this project, the Chickasaw Nation will work to divide verified climate-smart native pecans from non-verified native varieties. Local farmers will also learn how to use climate-smart practices in the hopes of providing underserved families with the opportunity to source their produce locally.
State Health Departments Recommends STI Screenings
The State Department of Health is recommending screenings for sexually transmitted diseases.
Oklahoma consistently ranks high nationally for STI rates. In 2020, it was in the top five for gonorrhea, syphilis and babies born with syphilis, and the state came in at 11th for chlamydia. The department says all of these infections are easily treatable once they’ve been diagnosed.
The CDC recommends annual STI screenings for adults, and more frequent testing for those with multiple partners — more like every 3 to 6 months.
Oklahoma’s county health departments offer free, confidential STI screenings. You can find locations and contact information for those offices at oklahoma.gov/health.
Not Invisible Act Hearing
In the fall of 2020, then-President Donald Trump signed two bills to combat the growing number of Indigenous people who go missing or are murdered. Law enforcement, tribal leaders and the community in Tulsa will meet Tuesday to talk about progress made under one of them.
The Not Invisible Act was authored by then New Mexico Representative Deb Haaland. Part of the Act's responsibility was to create a commission to figure out how to help families of victims when their loved ones go missing.
Members of the commission are meeting today to hear from tribal leaders and those who have been affected by violence.
In 2021, the Government Accountability Office released a report a year after the Not Invisible Act and another federal law known as Savanna's Act were passed. Federal investigators noted that certain benchmarks had not been met including requirements to collect better data when a Native person goes missing and coordinating between different law enforcement agencies. It's unclear what has been done to fully meet those requirements in the two years since.
Love's Travel Stops Announces Upgrades
Love's Travel Stops has announced plans to invest over $1 billion to upgrade 200 of its locations over the next five years.
The company says the improvements will bring older properties up to current brand standards.
The upgrade will include a more modern look with open-concept stores, more restaurant options, updated truck service centers, and dog parks where space allows.
In addition to the remodeling initiative, the company plans to open 25 new locations this year.
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University of Oklahoma Friday Night False Shooting Incident
Calls that triggered an active shooter response at the University of Oklahoma Friday night were a hoax.
Initial alerts from the University warned there was an active shooter situation at the Van Vleet Oval and ordered a shelter in place, or to “Run. Hide. Fight!.”
After about an hour and a half and a thorough search of the area, OU issued the all clear. There was no shooting, no victims, and no threat to campus.
OU Police Department Chief Nate Tarver said at a press conference more than 100 law enforcement came to the scene and their quick response is appreciated.
A statement from OU President Joe Harroz says it has been confirmed this was a “swatting” incident, where false calls to police are made to elicit a strong response from them. He also says it’s believed the calls came from outside the country.
Rep. Kevin McDugle Reacts To AG's Request To Vacate Richard Glossip's Conviction
In light of state attorney general Gentner Drummond’s request for death row inmate Richard Glossip's conviction to be vacated, a state representative has reiterated that he believes Glossip is innocent.
Republican state representative Kevin McDugle of Broken Arrow says he has "zero" doubt in his belief that Glossip is not guilty in a 1997 murder-for-hire scheme that's landed him behind bars for more than 25 years. Glossip has had his last meal three times since his conviction.
"The one thing they have is a witness that says that he was the one that told him to commit the murder. Guess who that witness was? The actual murderer who beat him with a baseball bat. He’s the witness, and what did he get for that testimony? He got off of death row himself and got life in prison," said McDugle.
McDugle said he was "ecstatic" about Drummond's request.
While he's not against the death penalty, McDulge has also spoken out about former death row inmate Julius Jones and called for a moratorium on Oklahoma's executions because he believes the process isn't sound.
State Superintendent's Involvement In The Legislature
Education policy and funding are the top issues at the state legislature, with the House and Senate at odds over competing plans. KGOU general manager Dick Pryor asked Quorum Call publisher Shawn Ashley how involved State Superintendent Ryan Walters has been in working with both chambers.
"Not very, according to some," Ashley said. "Senate President Pro Temp Greg Treat, Senate Education Chair Adam Pugh, and Senator David Bullard, who authored the merit pay portion of the Senate’s education plan, said recently that they didn’t have any conversations with Walters about the plan. Asked if they even knew who the state Department of Education’s legislative liaison was, they said they didn’t."
The Oklahoma House and Senate remain at an impasse over their competing education plans.
- Hear more on KGOU's weekly Capitol Insider podcast.
Oklahoma County Jail Inmate Dies
Another inmate has died at the Oklahoma County Jail. Officers discovered 26-year-old Dina Kirven unresponsive in his cell just before 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Kirven had been booked in the detention center for less than six hours.
According to a news release, police had detained Kirven for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
This is the jail's third death for 2023.
Oklahoma State University Awarded Federal Funds For IAC Expansion
Oklahoma State University is one of five institutions to receive federal funding to host new Industrial Assessment Centers - which helps manufacturing businesses improve productivity, reduce waste and find energy efficiencies.
Nearly $19 million dollars will be shared across the five universities chosen. OSU is receiving nearly $7 million of those funds to establish the Great Plains Center of Excellence.
Late last week, the move was announced by Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff and U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
"This initiative is one piece of a grand strategy for us as a country to be able to get back the manufacturing jobs that we have lost over the past couple of decades," said Granholm.
The investment is paid for by congressional infrastructure legislation. The initiative hopes to pay for a ‘clean energy’ economy here in Oklahoma - where oil and gas is a major employment sector.
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Oklahoma AG Says Conviction of Death Row Inmate Richard Glossip Should Be Vacated
Attorney General Gentner Drummond says Oklahoma should vacate the conviction of Richard Glossip in court filing Drummond issued Thursday.
Drummond doesn’t say Glossip is innocent. However, he argues there isn’t enough evidence for him to be executed for the 1997 slaying he’s been convicted for twice.
The move comes after the AG asked an independent counsel to review Glossip’s case.
Glossip was convicted of hiring an accomplice to murder his boss—motel owner Barry Van Treese.
He has been on death row for more than two decades. His supporters claim — and it appears Drummond now agrees – he was condemned largely by bad police work, ineffective defense attorneys and false testimony.
- Read more about this story here.
AG Drops Charges Against Rep. Terry O'Donnell
Attorney General Gentner Drummond is dropping all charges against Representative Terry O'Donnell and his wife.
The Catoosa Republican had been indicted on conspiracy charges by an Oklahoma County grand jury in 2021 after he authored and supported bills to allow his spouse to take over her mother's motor vehicle tag agency.
Drummond writes that he questions O'Donnell's judgement and conduct in authoring legislation that benefited his immediate family.
However, Drummond says previous prosecutors concealed their motives in investigating the O'Donnells. And that led to over-judicious pursuit of the case.
Stitt Confirms Project Ocean Is Back In The Running For LEAD Act Funds
As the deadline on the multi-million dollar incentive to bring a major company to Oklahoma looms, Panasonic, whose code name is Project Ocean, is in the conversation again. During a press availability yesterday, Gov. Kevin Stitt confirmed that Project Ocean is back.
"We’ve had a company that has applied for that LEAD Act funds. I'm not sure if it obligates them post that, or if there has to be a contract, so we’re still working through those details," Stitt said. "The good news is it’s a major company that feels like that they apply or they can qualify for that. ...That’s Project Ocean that has applied for that LEAD funds, yes."
The nearly $700 million in LEAD Act funding has been in limbo over the past year after Panasonic and, more recently, Volkswagen chose other locations to build electric vehicle battery manufacturing plants.
Lawmakers have set an April 15th deadline on the LEAD Act funds. If the money isn’t claimed by that date it will be returned back to the general revenue fund.
DA Seeks To Close Hughes County Jail
The newly elected district attorney of Hughes, Pontotoc and Seminole counties has recommended closing the Hughes County jail. D.A. Erik Johnson is wanting to shut down the jail due to unsafe conditions for both detainees and detention officers.
According to reporting from Oklahoma Watch, the jail has failed seven health inspections over the past four years. Inspectors found numerous violations such as detainees wearing torn clothing, sleeping on the floor in cells with leaking toilets and blocked emergency exits.
The jail is located in the basement of the courthouse, and it’s designed for 36 prisoners, but last year, there were nearly 12 times that number detained there pushing the facility well past capacity.
Johnson has proposed a plan to house detainees in nearby Seminole County. If the jail is shut down, Hughes would become the only county in Oklahoma without its own jail.
OKC Wants Public Input on Park Plan
Do you want to have a hand in shaping Oklahoma City parks?
The city is seeking public input on a nearly $70 million park improvement plan.
The improvements are being funded by MAPS 4 - a sales tax passed by voters in 2019 for a variety of projects throughout the city..
The Neighborhood and Community Parks project of MAPS 4 aims to make improvements to all 105 community and neighborhood parks in Oklahoma City.
Officials estimate they’ll be making around $69.6 million dollars in improvements.
City officials are hoping to use community input they gather this month to develop a master plan and assess current park conditions, accessibility or potential expansion needs.
There are six scheduled days in April for public comment meetings - also a survey is available for residents to take in both English and Spanish at maps4parks.com.
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Oklahoma State Parks Announces New Restaurant Operator
A new vendor has been chosen to run the restaurants at six of Oklahoma’s state parks.
The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department has chosen Oklahoma-based company La Ratatouille as the new restaurant operator for Oklahoma State Parks.
La Ratatouille owns and operates Falcone’s Pizzeria, Jonny Cakes Bakery, multiple food trucks and a catering business that has served the OKC Thunder and the Zoo Amphitheater.
This follows last year’s termination of the contract between the state and the former restaurant operator, Swadley’s Barbeque, over suspected fraudulent activity that is under investigation.
Shelley Zumwalt, the executive director of the tourism department, says integrity and transparency are the department’s main priorities in reopening the state park’s restaurants.
"The state is not subsidizing the restaurant group. The state, as part of the contract, will be receiving 13% of gross receipts each month," Zumwalt said.
Six restaurants in existing facilities at six different state parks will be open by Memorial Day weekend.
Dozens of Oklahoma United Methodist Churches Aim To Leave Denomination
Fifty-five Oklahoma United Methodist Churches are trying to leave the denomination, per a list obtained by The Oklahoman newspaper.
The move comes as the denomination banned same-sex marriage and gay clergy.
The newspaper reports the churches are seeking disaffiliation and a regional board recommends that 40 be allowed to do so.
One of the 15 not recommended for disaffiliation: the state's largest St. Luke's in Oklahoma City. More than 1,000 members of the church's congregation voted to leave the United Methodist church last month.
Church leaders say in a letter to the congregation they're still hopeful the disaffiliation will continue as United Methodist leaders do their due diligence in processing paperwork.
Custer County Fire Update
Firefighters continued to work hot spots yesterday following a wildfire that blazed across Custer County on Tuesday.
The Weatherford Fire Department reports there are no active fires in the area.
Reports say the blaze consumed nearly 1,500 acres.
New Cherokee Nation Hospital
Cherokee Nation will break ground on a new 400,000 square foot hospital expanding services for Cherokee and Native citizens today.
The new facility will replace the aging W.W. Hastings hospital in Tahlequah. It will include 127 beds, an ICU, pharmacy and a helipad for emergencies. The price tag: $400 million.
This new hospital will have a connecting bridge between it and the existing Cherokee Nation Outpatient Health Center.
Officials from the Cherokee Nation say the project will take two years to complete.
Langston University President To Step Down
The president of Oklahoma's only historically Black university will end his tenure after 11 years.
Langston University announced Tuesday its president, Kent J. Smith Jr., will depart at the end of the current spring semester.
Smith said he will retire from his 30-year career in education to follow entrepreneurial pursuits.
The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents will conduct a national search for a successor.
Village Memorial Wall To Be Demolished
Community members are protesting against the planned demolition of the Village Green Donor wall.
The brick wall contains personalized bricks in honor of deceased loved ones and is being torn down as part of a $12 million project to renovate the Village library and build a new park with other outdoor amenities.
While city officials claim that the donor wall is obstructing the sidewalk renovation, citizens argue that the wall holds much history and personal connections to the community.
The Village mayor, Sonny Wilkinson, said the city plans to create a new, more permanent memorial wall on the side of the library.
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Civil Rights Curriculum Advances Through The Senate Education Committee
After an emotional hearing, a bill that would require the State Department of Education to develop certain civil rights curriculum advanced through the Senate Education Committee. The bill says it represents a “reaffirmation of the commitment of the people of this state to reject bigotry.”
House Bill 1397 directs state education officials to develop a stand-alone unit of curriculum on the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s. The measure outlines several curriculum objectives, like a focus on the nonviolent philosophies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and genocides committed elsewhere around the world.
The measure comes from Adair Republican and former history teacher Rep. Michael Bergstrom.
"I grew up in a home with two parents that I loved and who loved me, but who were both bigots," said Bergstrom. "There were two things that helped me, that carried me to rise above and stand against the bigotry that existed in my home as a child and as a teenager — that was my Christian faith and the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We desperately need our children to think critically as he did. We need peacemakers to overcome bigotry."
The measure can now be heard on the Senate Floor.
Rogers State Announces New Nursing Program
Another university is expanding the number of nursing school slots in Oklahoma.
Rogers State University is partnering with St. Francis in Tulsa to offer a new bachelor’s of nursing program. Students will take their prerequisites on the Claremore campus, and then they’ll spend junior and senior year taking classes and undergoing training at the hospital.
In the fall, 16 students will be enrolled in the program, but the goal is for 32 students to graduate annually.
This announcement comes a few days after Oklahoma State University announced it would create a bachelor’s of nursing program on its campus and about a year after the University of Oklahoma announced it would expand its nursing program.
Oklahoma City Animal Shelter Remains Closed Following Infection Outbreak
The Oklahoma City Animal Shelter will be closed for at least another week.
More than 100 dogs at the Oklahoma City Animal Shelter have been diagnosed with an infectious upper respiratory disease since the shelter temporarily closed on March 29. Since then, several dogs have died from the disease and more have been euthanized due to the severity of their illness.
OKC Animal Welfare Superintendent Jon Gary says the shelter will be closed for at least another week so the disease can be identified and the dogs can be treated.
In the meanwhile, the shelter is asking the community to try to provide temporary housing and locate the owners of stray animals themselves. Dogs at the shelter cannot be adopted at this time, but lost pets can still be reclaimed by their owners.
OTA Authorizes Tolling Equipment For Turner Turnpike, Approves Speed Limit Increase
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has approved a $500,000 contract for tolling equipment to convert the Turner Turnpike to PlatePay, eliminating the need for cash tolling. The OTA plans to convert all Oklahoma toll roads to PlatePay by the end of 2024.
Additionally, the speed limit on select portions of the H.E. Bailey, Cimarron, and Muskogee turnpikes will be raised from 75 mph to 80 mph pending completion of several factors including PlatePay conversion and new speed limit signs.
Hummingbirds Are Back In Oklahoma
Oklahoma birders are heralding the arrival of ruby-throated and black-chinned hummingbirds in our state.
They spend their winters in Central America and fly up each spring to nest. Tim O’Connell, an ornithologist at Oklahoma State University, says these tiny beacons of spring will be flying all the way across the Gulf of Mexico every night for the next couple of weeks.
"If you've lived through a long, hard, dark, cold winter and suddenly, you know, the ground is starting to warm up and and the first flowers are starting to bloom, and then you get these like little feathered jewels that show up. It is such a feeling of hope and renewal," said O'Connell.
Hummingbirds drink the sugarwater people leave out for them, but their natural diet is nectar and insects. If you want to welcome the hummingbirds to Oklahoma, O’Connell says the best ways are to cultivate native flowers and be judicious with pesticides.
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Suspected Arrested In Weekend Oklahoma Mass Shooting
A suspect in connection with a shooting in Oklahoma City over the weekend has been arrested.
Three people were killed and three more were wounded in a shooting at the Whiskey Barrel Saloon in Oklahoma City on Saturday night. Among those killed were 38-year-old Fransico Tanajara and 29-year-old Eric Oberholtzer. The third deceased victim has not yet been identified.
Among the wounded was 34-year-old Tyler Myers, who was arrested for first-degree murder on Sunday after being released from the hospital. He is being held at the Oklahoma County Detention Center.
According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, a fight between several biker gangs broke out inside the bar, resulting in multiple people exchanging gunfire.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are possible.
Walters Sends Package To Lawmakers Detailing 'Inappropriate Materials' In School Libraries
Oklahoma's State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, has taken further action to address what he considers inappropriate materials in school libraries.
Walters sent a nearly 60-page package to state lawmakers Monday claiming some books with sexual material have been found in Oklahoma public schools.
The list includes books such as 'Flamer' and 'Gender Queer: A Memoir,' which are said to be found in Owasso, Bixby and Tulsa Public Schools.
Walters also lists two other books said to be found in schools, but doesn’t include the school names. In addition, the package lists books that are for sale online but haven't been found in Oklahoma schools.
Walters said his letter fulfills lawmakers’ request for evidence of inappropriate material in school libraries.
High Fire Risk For Oklahoma
Much of Oklahoma is facing a high fire risk today.
The National Weather Service is issuing Red Flag and High Wind Warnings for central, northern and western Oklahoma with gusts reaching near 60 miles an hour.
Meteorologists say a combination of the strong winds, low humidity and warm temperatures will contribute to extreme fire behavior. Outdoor burning is discouraged as any fires developing could spread quickly.
Cattle Producers Prepare For Fire Danger
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is urging producers to prepare for dangerous fire conditions.
Jeremy Kinder is the owner and operator of Six Kay Ranch in Faxon, Oklahoma -- about 20 miles southwest of Lawton. Kinder says there are multiple steps he's taking to keep his cattle safe.
“We try to keep cattle bunched up a smaller more accessible area, we also make sure that we’ve got some water stationed around in case of a fire outbreak on our ranch," said Kinder. "And then obviously communication with our neighbors and fellow cattlemen and cattlewomen and if they need something to don’t hesitate to give us a call and we'll come running.”
The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association says if you see smoke to call 911 immediately and if you find yourself in the line of fire remember your personal safety.
Eagle Baby Hatches In Bartlesville
A monitored eagle's nest in eastern Oklahoma is seeing new life.
Despite wind and wildfires over the weekend, a baby eagle hatched in a Bartlesville nest monitored by the Sutton Avian Research Center.
Baby eagles remain with their parents for about twelve weeks, and the center is urging interested people to tune in to its live cam to get a look at the baby bird in its element.
As of Monday morning, there were two other unhatched eggs in the nest that the center says should be opening soon.
The Sutton Avian Research Center has been working on bald eagle restoration since the 1980s and says there are now more than 300 active nests in Oklahoma. You can find the bald eagle live cam at SuttonCenter.org
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Oklahoma Wildfires Injures 32, Destroys Dozens of Homes
Oklahomans should continue to be on the lookout for wildfires across the state early this week.
Friday and over the weekend, 97 wildfires blazed in various parts of Oklahoma. Many were knocked down by firefighters quickly, but crews are continuing to mop up hotspots.
At least 40 homes were destroyed by fires in Logan, Oklahoma and Washington Counties.
State health officials report 32 injuries related to the fires, fire weather and high wind.
High winds with little no rain chances in the forecast means more blazes could be likely across the state at least into Tuesday.
Ongoing Drought Conditions Spell Trouble For Wheat Crop
As we start April, drought continues to grip nearly half of the state. The extremely dry conditions are causing alarm for wheat farmers.
Divide the state down the I-44 corridor and you’ve got the latest drought monitor map. All areas east of I-44 are considered drought free, but just to the west conditions deteriorate quickly.
Western Oklahoma is known for wheat production, and some Ag officials are already sounding the alarm about this year’s crop. Richard Metscher with Farmers Cooperative of Western Oklahoma told the Clinton Daily News that producers are just hoping they can get some rain soon. Metscher said last year’s harvest was one of the worst he saw in years, and he's hoping this year won’t be a repeat of last year.
There could be some relief on the way. According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 6-10 day outlook, rain chances are leaning above normal for that part of the state.
Oklahoma Gun Legislation
The tragic school shooting in Nashville last week is putting a spotlight on what the Oklahoma Legislature is doing to ensure such a thing doesn’t happen here. And there are plenty of gun-related bills. The House is going with the idea that schools need more teachers with guns.
"Now the House took another approach: The 'good guy with a gun' approach. It passed House Bill 2139, which permits local school boards to authorize school personnel, such as teachers who have a concealed-carry permit, to carry handguns on school property," said Quorum Call publisher Shawn Ashely.
On the Senate side, there are bills to require districts to conduct risk assessments of their campuses, provide grants for increased security, and mandate local law enforcement to participate in security drills at schools in their areas. Other gun-related bills would allow guns to be carried on boats, and lower the age requirement for purchasing a firearm from 21 to 18.
You can hear the full conversation on Capitol Insider at KGOU.org and on the Capitol Insider podcast.
Dozens Gather For Transgender Day of Visibility At OKC's Factory Obscura
Dozens of people celebrated Transgender Day of Visibility at Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City on Friday.
Attendees enjoyed the Mix-Tape immersive art experience, watched drag performances, and heard speeches from Kelley Blair, the CEO of the Diversity Center of Oklahoma and Democratic Representative Mauree Turner, the country’s first openly non-binary state lawmaker.
Turner spoke to supporters in attendance and said they hope people continue to show up when the party's over.
"The hope is that you’re not just sitting back and watching us put our necks and our bodies on the line day after day to survive a state like Oklahoma, but you’re actually saying, 'how do I put my neck, my body on the line for the community that I care about,'" said Turner.
The event was held in collaboration with Freedom Oklahoma, the OKC Pride Alliance, and the ACLU of Oklahoma.
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Compounding Pharmacy Bill
The FDA discourages pharmacists from making their own versions of common over-the-counter treatments. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports one Oklahoma lawmaker is pushing back and trying to ensure the practice is protected.
The practice is called compounding. Before major pharmaceutical companies rose to prominence in the early 20th century, that was how most people got medicine.
Sen. Rob Standridge, a former pharmacist, says compounding those over-the-counter treatments is one of the most important parts of the job.
"I would flavor cough syrups and other medications over-the-counter for babies. They would not take the, you know, the bad tasting stuff, " said Standridge.
He filed Senate Bill 827 in an effort to protect the practice in Oklahoma.
The FDA issued a guidance in 2018 that urges pharmacists not to make copies of existing drugs for a few reasons — one being that it could discourage pharmaceutical companies from creating inexpensive generic versions.
The guidance isn’t enforceable, but Standridge says it has made some pharmacists uneasy, and the bill is designed to give them some relief. The measure passed out of the Senate and is waiting for a House committee hearing.
House Speaker McCall Says No To Senate Education Funding Amendments
Senate Republicans are celebrating the advancement of bills that would fund Oklahoma’s education system at historic levels and get closer to achieving long-held, so-called “school choice” goals.
Republican House Speaker Charles McCall will not be considering the Senate’s amended versions of House bills to give public ed more than $500 million in new funding and create a voucher-like tax credit program to subsidize private and homeschool costs. Earlier in the session, McCall warned if the Senate amended his package, he would kill it.
The Senate amendments feature bigger teacher pay raises and expand them to support staff. The amendments would also remove a funding limit that kept larger schools from receiving proportionate funding, and add an income cap on the tax credit program.
After the Senate passed the bills off the Floor, there was hope Speaker McCall might be willing to budge on his ultimatum, but StateImpact verified with a spokesperson for the House Republican Caucus that while McCall is open to conversations about teacher raises and other Senate education bills, the two amended funding bills QUOTE “don’t have a chance” in the House.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Visits Oklahoma City, Highlights Aviation Industry
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg visited Oklahoma City Thursday. The visit was part of the Biden Administration’s “Investing in America” tour.
Secretary Buttigieg met with Gov. Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center on Thursday to try out some air traffic control training simulators.
He later spoke with teachers, students, and staff at the Federal Aviation Administration Academy about how funding from 2021’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be used to improve airfield safety and the future of aviation careers.
"We have a once-in-a-lifetime investment from President Biden’s leadership plus an explosion of new technological possibilities creating all this potential," Buttigieg said.
This follows the FAA’s Safety Summit that addressed the uptick in the number of recent incidents, from near misses between aircraft to unruly passengers.
New Superfund Site In Muskogee
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing a a new Superfund site at Oklahoma’s Fansteel Metals, Inc. KOSU/OPMX’s Graycen Wheeler has the details.
The 105-acre site is in Muskogee on Cherokee Nation land. After more than thirty years of processing uranium ore, the facility contains radioactive and toxic materials that could pose a threat to Muskogee’s groundwater and the Arkansas River.
In January, Gov. Kevin Stitt wrote a letter to the EPA, requesting a Superfund designation for Fansteel. Existing federal funds for containing the waste are dwindling, but Superfunds receive long-term money and support for cleanup.
On Wednesday, the EPA announced it was proposing the Fansteel facility be listed as a Superfund site, along with four facilities in other states. The EPA credits the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law with providing $3.5 billion to the Superfund program, making it possible to clean up these new sites.
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Legislative Education Funding Standoff
Squabbles over education funding bills are creating a standoff between the Oklahoma House and Senate.
The House passed two enormous, conjoined bills at the beginning of this legislative session: one for a $500 million spending plan, the other for a voucher-like tax credit program to use state dollars for private school tuition. At the time, Republican House Speaker Charles McCall threatened to kill the whole package if the Senate amended it — and on Monday, Senate committees did just that.
Some of the biggest changes from the Senate were made to House Bill 2775, which among other things, originally gave teachers a $2,500 raise. The Senate version expands teacher raises to $3-6,000, depending on experience, and implements a new merit pay program for teachers and support staff.
Oklahoma City Senator Carri Hicks, a Democrat and a former teacher, voted against both bills in committee and condemns the infighting between the two chambers.
"By creating cracks or opportunities to get us to fight one another, it is a distraction from the fact that, again, there's not enough to go around in the proposal," said Hicks.
The Senate plans to vote on the amended bills today.
PEBT Cards Sent To Several Families By Mistake
Oklahoma has halted a program to feed the state’s poorest children after the State Department of Education sent debit cards to a number of families who don’t qualify.
The cards are to provide supplemental nutrition assistance benefits to children for free or reduced-price meals at school.
According to a report by CNHI Newspapers, an unknown number of cards were sent to parents around the state who made too much money.
In response, the Department of Human Services has halted use of all cards – whether students qualify or not – until the State Department of Education works through the issue.
Education officials are encouraging anyone who has received the card in error to destroy it. The department told CNHI it is working to rectify the problem, but refused to acknowledge there was an error made by the state.
A similar incident occurred during the early days of the pandemic in 2021 under then-state superintendent Joy Hofmeister.
OSU Announces New Nursing Program
Oklahoma State University is adding a bachelor’s of nursing program to its Stillwater campus this fall. The addition will help combat the state’s nursing shortage.
Oklahoma has been in a nursing shortage for decades, and the pandemic worsened it. The state ranks 46th for nurses per capita. One of many contributing factors: nursing school barriers. Nursing programs are expensive for students and colleges, and nursing faculty are hard to find, so colleges offer a finite number of slots every year.
But there will be more in Oklahoma this year, thanks in part to the new nursing program at OSU. The program’s 50 new slots have already been filled, and the school aims to offer 100 slots in the coming years.
Last year, the University of Oklahoma expanded its nursing program and created about 100 new slots, including partnership slots in Norman and Duncan.
Oklahoma City Housing Authority Adds Housing Units For People Experiencing Homelessness
The Oklahoma City Housing Authority will add 500 supportive housing units for people experiencing homelessness, thanks to funds from MAPS 4.
MAPS 4 is a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax that is projected to raise $1.1 billion over eight years.
The project aims to reduce Oklahoma City’s homeless population with a $55.7 million investment in truly affordable housing. The project’s strategy is to maintain and expand affordable housing, serving vulnerable and low-income people and families.
The Oklahoma City Housing Authority will work closely with partners at the Homeless Alliance, Mental Health Association of Oklahoma and Pivot to reach homeless and low-income families who have a need for housing and other supportive services.
More than 1,300 unsheltered people were counted in the city’s 2022 Point in Time Count. And thousands of people are on an OCHA waiting list for low-income housing.
Infection Closes OKC Animal Shelter
The Oklahoma City Animal shelter has been closed temporarily due to infection.
City officials say the shelter will remain closed for at least a week to identify and contain a contagious upper respiratory infection that has spread to more than 100 dogs in the last three days. Three dogs have died due to the infection.
Samples have been sent to a lab to identify the disease.
U.S. Transportation Secretary To Visit Oklahoma City
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg is visiting klahoma City today as a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s “Investing in America” tour.
The last stop on a two-day tour, Buttigieg will visit the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center and the Will Rogers World Airport in OKC to highlight upcoming federal funding for safety improvements to airfields.
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Death Row Spiritual Advisor Sues
The spiritual advisor for several of Oklahoma’s death row inmates filed a lawsuit against the Department of Corrections last Friday.
Rev. Jeff Hood is seeking $10 million from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for allegedly defaming him in a press release in January.
The DOC released a statement prior to the execution of Scott Eizember, who Hood was a spiritual advisor for, saying Hood would not be allowed in the execution chamber due to his history of arrests for “outbursts” in the past. The statement also said Hood has demonstrated “blatant disregard” for the families of death row inmates’ victims.
They later reversed the decision to avoid a postponement from any legal challenges.
Hood says while he has been arrested three separate times at protests across the country, he has never disrupted an execution and has never been disrespectful to victims’ families.
Economic Development Subcomittee
Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat is calling on a newly formed select committee to improve Oklahoma's economic development efforts.
The move comes after a trio of high profile competitions for high tech manufacturers where the state ultimately lost out.
Treat says he recognizes competition for these types of projects will be stiff.
"But I do want to see what we can do to put ourselves in a better position to attract the type of investment we're looking for and to land those investments ultimately," said Treat.
Most recently Oklahoma lost out to Ontario, Canada on an electric vehicle battery plant to be built by Volkswagen. The state had offered the German automaker roughly $700 million dollars in tax incentives to build in Pryor.
Panasonic Reportedly Interested In Oklahoma Again
Panasonic is reportedly seeking incentives to build a manufacturing facility in Oklahoma after all.
According to The Oklahoman newspaper, lawmakers said Tuesday that Panasonic, whose code name has been Project Ocean, came back to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to seek an incentive package that's currently worth nearly $700 million.
The funding has been in limbo over the past year after both Panasonic and then Volkswagen chose other locations to build electric vehicle battery manufacturing plants.
Lawmakers have put an April 15 deadline on the state's LEAD Act. If no company successfully claims the $698 million in LEAD Act funding by that date, the money will be returned to the state's general revenue fund to be appropriated elsewhere.
Edmond Santa Fe Students, Staff Exposed To Tuberculosis
Oklahoma City-County’s Health Department is testing students and staff at Edmond Santa Fe after determining some may have been exposed to tuberculosis.
A spokesperson for the Health Department said the agency will be testing individuals this week as it attempts to maintain the health and safety of the community.
The Health Department did not provide specifics about who or how many of Santa Fe's population may have been exposed to TB.
Women Bill of Rights
House Bill 1449, clarifies how people of both biological sexes are treated under state law by defining “sex” as a person’s biological sex whether they were born a male or female. Republican Toni Hasenbeck is the measure’s author.
Nicole McAfee, Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma, says the bill would prevent Trans women and girls from getting the help and resources they need.
"What this does is uses this kind of innocuous language of being a bill of rights that paves the way for years of discrimination for years to come," said McAfee.
McAfee also says that Trans Women and Girls aren’t going anywhere. And condemns efforts to limit their rights.
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House Education Funding Bills Pass Committee
Two Senate committees conducted a rare joint meeting Monday to vote on new versions of two House bills that feature massive education measures.
House Bill 1935 is Oklahoma’s version of a private or homeschool voucher, but it’s paid in the form of tax credits. The bill’s seen some changes since its House Floor vote - changes Democratic Sen. Carri Hicks says members received only 45 minutes before the meeting.
This version adds an income cap of $250,000 for eligibility, raises the private school credit amount to $7,500 per student and the homeschool credit to $1,000 per family. One major change is the removal of the trigger clause that would have eliminated the tax credit program if public education funding dipped.
But all of this is contingent on the passage of House Bill 2775, which the committees also reviewed. This one adds about $530 million to the state aid formula for public ed, with $284 million of that earmarked for teacher raises. Both bills passed and can now be heard on the Senate Floor.
Attorney General Requests Stay of Execution For Richard Glossip
Oklahoma's Attorney General has filed a motion to delay death row inmate Richard Glossip‘s execution once again.
Glossip is set to be executed May 18, but The Oklahoman newspaper reports, Attorney General Gentner Drummond Monday asked for another delay in the death row inmate’s execution until August 2024. Drummond made the request as Glossip filed another new challenge to his conviction.
The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals is expected to grant the delay.
Glossip has been on death row for 25 years for the murder of Barry Van Treese.
House Votes To Censure Rep. Dean Davis
Oklahoma’s House of Representatives is censuring Broken Arrow Republican Dean Davis.
Oklahoma City Police accuse Davis of public drunkenness. He was arrested outside a Bricktown bar in the early morning hours last week.
A majority of lawmakers say his conduct is unbecoming of a legislator. This comes in the wake of a censure of Democrat Mauree Turner after they were accused of sheltering a person wanted for questioning in a law enforcement investigation at the Capitol.
Turner and a number of Democrats defended Davis during the vote.
The move means Davis is stripped of his committee assignments. But he was told if he apologizes in writing to OKC police and to other members he will get them back.
Davis serves on several committees including the House Alcohol, tobacco and controlled substances committee.
'Killers of the Flower Moon' Release Date
The highly anticipated “Killers of the Flower Moon” has a release date.
The announcement was reported first by Osage News. Killers of the Flower Moon will be coming to the big screen in October.
Apple Original Films says the movie will have a limited theatrical release in partnership with Paramount Pictures worldwide on October 6, before being widely released on Oct. 20, then streaming later on Apple TV.
The film directed by Martin Scorsese is based on David Grann's bestselling book about a series of brutal murders committed against Osages that came to be known as the reign of terror.
The movie has some serious star power including Lily Gladstone, Leonardo di Caprio and Robert de Niro. It was mostly filmed within the Osage Nation reservation communities of Pawhuska, Fairfax and Ralston.
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Treat Discusses House-Senate Impasse Over Education Bills On Capitol Insider
Education policy is perhaps the biggest hot button issue at the state capitol this legislative session. More access to school choice, teacher pay raises, maternity leave, and more all hang in the balance between the House and Senate.
Quorum Call Publisher Shawn Ashely talked to Senate President Pro Temp Greg Treat about an impasse that could mean none of those ideas become law.
"We’re coequal partners in this arrangement, and we will not be told that we cannot amend one way or the other," Treat said. "The House plan as it came over would not pass the Senate, absent modifications."
At issue is the insistence that the Senate pass the House’s education package without amending it, or else the House won’t take up the Senate’s education bills.
- Hear more of this conversation from the latest edition of Capitol Insider on KGOU.org.
Legislation Aims To Make Landlords Accountable For Unsafe Living Conditions
A new bill that would hold landlords accountable for unsafe living conditions was passed in the House last week.
House Bill 2109 would protect tenants from retaliation from landlords and allow courts to require landlords to make necessary repairs for health and safety.
It is authored by Lawton Republican Daniel Pae.
"This bill applies to landlords renting more than 10 units and prevents landlords from raising rent, threatening eviction, or decreasing services, as retaliation," said Pae.
It now moves to the Senate where it is sponsored by Lawton Republican John Michael Montgomery.
Patient Bill of Rights Act Moves Forward
A bill that would establish a patient’s right to visitation in the hospital is advancing through the State Legislature.
House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols’ House Bill 1013 passed unanimously on the House floor last week.
The Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act includes 30 rights a patient has in Oklahoma hospitals, including the right to visitation by loved ones.
The act is named for Lori Brand, a woman who died in an Oklahoma City hospital in 2020. Brand’s husband, Gerald Brand, said in a press release his family had to beg hospital staff to get access to Brand during her hospitalization.
Other rights listed include the right to receive the names of the health care providers seeing the patient and the right to be advised of the hospital’s complaint process.
Echols says he believes Oklahoma hospitals should always provide a list of rules and procedures to their patients.
New Professional Pickleball League Brings Team To Oklahoma
Oklahoma is set to welcome a new team from a professional league dedicated to the fast-growing sport of pickleball.
The National Pickleball League's pre-draft combine for champion-level professionals took place in Oklahoma City over the weekend.
The OKC-based team, named the Oklahoma City Punishers, secured the sixth and final spot in the competition with a $100,000 prize in its first year.
The NPL is set to kick off later this year, spanning six weekends and taking place at Chicken N Pickle venues all over the country. Players will be drafted in April, with the season running from June to October.
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State Board of Education Adopts New Rules On Sex Education Materials, Student Gender Identity
The State Board of Education unanimously approved a set of new rules at its Thursday board meeting.
One rule would require school personnel to out students to their parents or guardians if they show “material changes” related to a student’s gender — like using different pronouns or names.
Another rule would force schools to pull library materials on sex education if a parent objects to them. Superintendent Ryan Walters presented illustrated pages from several books he says are in schools, though when asked later how prevalent they were, he didn’t give a number:
"So you know, I think if it’s in one school library, if it’s in one classroom, it’s too much," Walters said.
Walters also announced the creation of an online portal to file complaints about materials in schools, called “Parent Watch.”
This all comes after Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a non-binding opinion that the Board does not have the authority to create rules without direction from the legislature. It’s unclear if a formal opinion will be released.
Grand Jury Releases Report On Oklahoma County Detention Center, Jail Trust
Oklahoma's Multicounty Grand Jury is recommending the Oklahoma County Jail Trust dissolve and return administration of the beleaguered detention center it oversees to the Sheriff's Office.
The recommendation is based on dozens of interviews and a review of evidence of poor administration at the facility.
Investigators found the building in disrepair. Additionally, there are concerns about the 37 people who have become gravely ill or died while detained there since July of 2020.
In order for the trust to be terminated, a majority of members must vote to dissolve it. Then the dissolution would need to be approved by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Bill To Get Maternal Deaths Reported Faster
Oklahoma lawmakers are working to get maternal deaths reported more quickly. The hope is better information on the state’s high maternal mortality rate.
Oklahoma health providers have to report maternal deaths to the medical examiner, but there’s not a clear time frame in the law. House Bill 2152 would create one: 72 hours.
Dr. Angela Hawkins is an OB-GYN who works with the state’s maternal mortality review board. She says in some cases the death is reported after a funeral.
"We could have looked to see if they had an enlarged heart or some other risk factor, but then it’s already too late. It gives the medical examiner time to decide if they feel like an autopsy needs to be done," Hawkins said.
The bill also requires deaths within one year of delivery to be reported. Patients can die weeks or months after birth because of complications.
Weed Growing Regulations Advance Through Oklahoma Legislature
Since Oklahoma voters rejected recreational cannabis earlier this month, the state legislature has advanced several bills to further regulate the medical cannabis industry.
House Bill 2095 would allow the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to inspect grow facilities without warning and work with law enforcement agencies on enforcing cannabis regulations. It would further extend a moratorium on new grow licenses into 2026.
Senate Bill 913, would require cannabis growers to purchase a $50,000 bond from the state to work as a security deposit. If the grower abandons their property, violates a law or loses their license, that money will be used to restore the property and correct environmental damage.
Other bills would require proof of land ownership for grow licenses, allow the OMMA to revoke a grower’s license if their operation damages the environment, and make it illegal to grow cannabis within 1,000 feet of a place of worship.
All the bills have been approved by their chamber of origin and are moving through the legislative process.
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Oklahoma House Republicans Advance So-called 'Don't Say Gay' Education Bill
Oklahoma House Republicans are aiming to ban classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill uses nearly identical language to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” Bill.
House Bill 2546 by Catoosa Republican Representative Terry O’Donnell goes further than the Florida bill, which bans any classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for kindergarten through third grade. Oklahoma’s expands that to pre-K through fifth grade, and after fifth grade, any instruction on orientation or gender must be age or developmentally appropriate.
O’Donnell says the measure is intended to protect the rights of parents to make decisions for their children in public schools.
House Democrats voiced several concerns with the measure, saying the wording is too vague as it lacks any enforcement mechanism and it doesn’t define “classroom instruction,” and that it’s “cookie cutter legislation” derived from nationalized political rhetoric.
“There is harm that will be done to our teachers and what happens in our classrooms. But most importantly, it harms LGBTQ Oklahomans and we know that. They should be able to feel safe being who they are," said Minority Leader Cyndi Munson.
The bill can now be heard in the Senate.
- Read more about this story here.
Bill To Lower Punishment For Cockfighting Moves Forward After Being Reconsidered
Oklahomans voted to outlaw cockfighting and make it a felony in 2002. But a bill working its way through the legislature is looking to change that.
House Bill 2530 would allow counties to vote on whether to reduce cockfighting from a felony to a misdemeanor.
In a committee hearing last month, the measure’s author Republican Justin Humphrey said the crime doesn’t fit the punishment.
“We've had many laws like heroin and fentanyl now reduced to a misdemeanor. And so what we're trying to do is to create fairness in punishment. When we're looking at 800 people died from fentanyl and not one person died from chickens.”
The bill has faced opposition from former Attorney General Drew Edmondson and animal rights groups.
The bill failed by one vote on Monday but was reconsidered and passed with a majority vote on Tuesday. It now heads to the Senate.
Survivorship Act Passes House
A slimmed-down version of a bill to protect survivors of domestic violence from long prison sentences advanced to the Senate on Wednesday.
Republican Representative Toni Hasenbeck’s House Bill 1639, which would create the Domestic Abuse Survivorship Act, passed unanimously on the House floor on Wednesday.
The original version of the bill created mandatory sentencing ranges for criminalized survivors of domestic violence who can prove they were abused in the year leading up to their crime against their abuser. The version passed leaves those sentencing ranges up to the discretion of the courts.
Additionally, it does not allow for the law to be applied retroactively, meaning it would not immediately apply to criminalized survivors currently serving decades-long sentences.
Colleen McCarty with the Oklahoma Survivor Justice Coalition says retroactivity is an important part of survivor justice reform.
"Oklahomans broadly support retroactivity on criminal justice reform issues. When we realize we’ve made a mistake and we need to go back and correct it, I mean, that’s kind of what justice is," said McCarty.
The title was stricken from the bill, meaning it can still be changed before the end of the session.
Ukrainian Soldiers Wrap Up Training At Fort Sill
Ukrainian soldiers are nearing the end of their 10-week training at Fort Sill. Since January, 65 Ukrainian soldiers have been training on how to use the Patriot missile system at Fort Sill just outside of Lawton.
According to the Associated Press, the soldiers are expected to leave Oklahoma in the next several days for additional training in Europe before they deploy to Ukraine with a Patriot missile battery.
U.S. Army soldiers at Fort Sill who trained the Ukrainians said they were surprised how quickly the visiting soldiers grasped the concepts and learned how to operate the equipment.
The training of the Ukrainian soldiers is part of a larger international effort involving more than 50 countries who are providing security assistance to Ukraine.
Oklahoma Opens Applications For Water, Sewer Bill Assistance
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services is accepting applications for household utility assistance.
The Low-Income Water Assistance Program uses federal funds to help Oklahomans maintain their access to water and wastewater services. The program provides a one-time stipend that goes directly to the recipients’ utility provider to cover bills.
Additional emergency assistance is available for housholds in danger of losing access to those utilities. Households that receive a shutoff notice from their water or wastewater provider have three days to apply.
A similar program for energy assistance is available twice a year; but right now, the Department of Human Services is only accepting applications for emergency assistance.
Some tribal nations also offer assistance programs to members who live within their area. Many households may be eligible to apply for both state and tribal assistance, but can only receive funds from one source each fiscal year.
There is no fee to apply or receive assistance from the water assistance program. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says people should contact their fraud hotline if anyone offers them a direct grant to cover water utilities or tries to charge a fee to apply for assistance.
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State Supreme Court Rules Oklahomans Have Right To Life-Saving Abortions, Emergency or Not
The Oklahoma Supreme Court issued a ruling Tuesday to clarify medical exemptions in the state’s abortion ban. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports.
When lawmakers passed several bills banning abortion last year, they included an exception for medical emergencies. The wording was vague. It didn’t have a list of qualifying conditions. Medical and legal experts raised concerns that this would leave doctors wondering how much danger was enough to protect them from a decade in prison.
The court ruled on Tuesday that Oklahomans have a right to life-saving abortions at any time during pregnancy. The majority wrote, “Requiring one to wait until there is a medical emergency would further endanger the life of the pregnant woman and does not serve a compelling state interest."
Abortion access advocates filed several lawsuits last year challenging the bans in an effort to get them overturned. In the ruling Tuesday, the Court said it would not rule on elective abortions. The other lawsuits are still under consideration.
- Read more about this story here.
State Legislature Advances Two Teacher Pay Raise Bills
The state legislature has now advanced two teacher pay raise bills, one from the Senate and one from the House. The Senate voted Tuesday to give educators a $3,000-$6,000 raise.
Senate Bill 482 by Edmond Republican Adam Pugh would give raises to public school teachers and other certified personnel such as counselors and nurses. Personnel with 0-4 years of experience would get $3,000, those with 5-9 years of experience would get $4,000, 10-14 years of experience would get $5,000 and 15 years of experience and up would get $6,000.
Notably, there were no questions asked and no debate presented about the bill in the hearing. And, it passed almost unanimously, with the lone nay vote belonging to Broken Arrow Republican Nathan Dahm.
The House also has a pay raise bill, though it’s just a $2,500 across-the-board raise. House Bill 2775 by Republican Representatives Mark McBride and Charles McCall passed through the chamber in February. It’s tied to another bill that creates a tax credit system to allow public dollars to go toward private education.
It remains to be seen whether the House bill, the Senate bill, or neither will ultimately prevail.
House Approves Bill Banning Corporal Punishment
A bill to eliminate corporal punishment of students with disabilities was reconsidered by the Oklahoma House of Representatives Monday, after failing to meet a majority vote last week.
House Bill 1028 passed the House with a vote of 84-8, after it was reconsidered by state representatives.
The bill would prohibit corporal punishment - such as spanking or hitting - on special education students with disabilities.
Dozens of lawmakers changed their stances on the bill. It had failed on the house floor earlier this month with a vote of 45-43. A bill must receive a majority 51 votes to clear the chamber.
House Democratic Leader, Representative Cyndi Munson, says in a press release that although she is glad the bill was reconsidered - it doesn’t go far enough to protect special education students.
The bill can now be considered by the Senate.
Sports Betting Bill Moves Forward
Oklahoma may soon legalize in-person and mobile sports betting. The Oklahoma House approved House Bill 1027 on Tuesday.
Ponca City Republican Ken Luttrell says Oklahoma and tribal nations are missing out on more than $9 million dollars per year because the state has not legalized sports betting. He also thinks this is the best way to curtail illegal and unregulated gambling.
If HB 1027 becomes law, tribal nations would have the option to add sports betting to gaming operations they already have and would pay a tiered fee of 4% on the first $5 million made in one month, 5% on the next $5 million and 6% on additional revenue.
Luttrell filed similar legislation in 2022 but it never became law.
Food Distributor Halts Deliveries Following Possible Cyber Attack
One of the largest food distributors in the country has disabled its delivery operations after the company detected "unusual activity" in their network. That leaves some Oklahoma businesses scrambling.
Ben E. Keith likely disabled its services due to a possible cyber attack but the company hasn’t confirmed this.
The Oklahoman newspaper reports local restaurants such as the Olde Orchard Restaurant in Yukon have publicly posted about facing delivery issues and having to drive to the warehouse themselves to pick up their shipment.
Oklahomans may also notice a shortage of their favorite food items when visiting local restaurants.
Ben E. Keith services a 14-state area from New Mexico to Florida and Texas to Nebraska, and distributes food to schools, hospitals and nursing homes in addition to restaurants.
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EPA Says Oklahoma And Other States Can't Refuse Hazardous Waste From Ohio Derailment
After a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, generated thousands of tons of contaminated soil, the company responsible must find licensed facilities to take that waste. Governor Kevin Stitt blocked a shipment to Oklahoma, but the EPA says he can’t legally do that.
Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency notified Stitt’s office it intended to send 3,640 tons of waste from the derailment site in Ohio to the Clear Harbors Lone Mountain hazardous waste facility near Waynoka. Stitt quickly announced he was working with Oklahoma’s federal delegation to stop the shipment.
In response to Stitt’s refusal and concerns from other states, the EPA sent a memo to state environmental agencies. It indicates refusing the waste is illegal, citing federal laws and court cases. It also assures state regulators the waste from East Palestine receives more testing and analysis than the industrial waste these facilities typically accept.
The Governor’s office says Stitt is standing firm and will continue his efforts to block the shipment.
School Employee Mental Health Program
A measure aiming to lighten the mental health load on education professionals advanced through the Oklahoma House of Representatives Monday.
The Education Employee Assistance Program outlined in House Bill 1424 by former teacher and current Owasso Republican Representative Mark Vancuren and would be housed in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It would provide financial assistance to public schools to help with employees whose personal problems may negatively impact their job performance.
If passed, it would provide for assessment, referral, consultation and problem resolution assistance to school employees and their families seeking help for medical or mental health problems, including things like drug and alcohol abuse, marital and familial stress, or financial issues.
The bill is in the same vein as a bipartisan measure currently working through Congress, the Supporting the Mental Health of Educators and Staff Act. A 2022 survey from the RAND Corporation shows more than a quarter of teachers and principals are experiencing depression symptoms, and more than twice as many teachers experience frequent job-related stress, compared to other working adults.
Bill To Lower Punishment For Cockfighting Fails
A bill to lower the punishment for cockfighting failed in the House on Monday. House Bill 2530 would reduce the cockfighting punishment from a felony to a misdemeanor. The bill failed by just one vote.
Advocates for animal welfare criticized the proposal, arguing that it would weaken the state's anti-cruelty laws.
Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly passed State Question 687 in 2002 outlawing cockfighting and related activities.
St. Luke's To Withdraw From The United Methodist Church
Oklahoma's largest Methodist congregation has voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.
The Oklahoman newspaper reports 92% of 1,300 members in St. Luke's congregation voted to withdraw from the Methodist church.
The move comes as the denomination banned same-sex marriage and gay clergy.
There are still several other housekeeping measures related to the disaffiliation, but it's likely the congregation will formally withdraw next month.
The newspaper reported it will retain the St. Luke's Methodist Church name.
Bison Donated To Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma
The city of Denver, Colorado has donated 35 bison to multiple tribes in Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming. This marks another example of Indigenous people reclaiming stewardship over land and animals that their ancestors managed for thousands of years.
The animals were loaded onto trucks and shipped to tribal lands, following a ceremony on Wednesday. About a half dozen went to the Yuchi Tribe of Oklahoma, which will be used to establish a new herd.
"We have a special song that keeps that connection with the buffalo." said Richard Grounds, Executive Director of the Yuchi Language Project.
Grounds accepted the bison on behalf of his tribe. He says when he was in grad school he read that the Yuchis were “extinct” in a textbook.
The Yuchi Tribe will use the bison to form a new herd for the tribal nation based near Tulsa.
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Oklahoma’s AG Seeks Additional Time To Resolve Poultry Litter Lawsuit
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is requesting more time to reach an agreement on an 18-year-old lawsuit with poultry companies over environmental damage to the Illinois River Watershed and Lake Tenkiller.
Attorney General Drummond will have 90 more days to negotiate a deal with 11 companies and their subsidiaries to mitigate poultry litter pollution in northeast Oklahoma. The deadline had been March 17, after a judge decided in favor of Oklahoma in the lawsuit earlier this year.
Drummond said in a press release productive and lengthy discussions are ongoing, and that the poultry industry has made significant improvements in litter abatement in the years since the lawsuit was filed. He said he’s hopeful a plan can be crafted that "protects Oklahoma natural resources without placing unreasonable burdens on the companies."
Hundreds Gather At State Capitol To Protest Against Release of Patient Health Information
Hundreds of Oklahomans marched to the Oklahoma State Capitol Saturday to advocate for mental health privacy. The group protested a proposed state rule that would require mental health providers to disclose patient names and diagnoses information to regulators and other health professionals through a health information exchange.
The providers argued that the rule would violate patients' rights under federal law and that sharing confidential information across a statewide health information exchange system would violate their own ethical codes.
The proposed rule is set to be considered for adoption by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority on Wednesday, March 22, and if adopted, all healthcare providers would be required to connect to the exchange system by July 1.
The healthcare authority argues that the exchange would benefit all Oklahomans and improve the healthcare delivery system's efficiencies.
OSU Rural Medicine Grant
Oklahoma State University’s rural health program got a $3 million federal grant. About half of it will go to training more doctors and physician assistants in rural areas.
The OSU Center for Rural Health was one of several state organizations receiving some of this health equity funding from the CDC.
About $1.4 million will pay for scholarships to Oklahoma State’s medical school, allowing more future doctors and PAs to focus on tribal and rural medicine. The rest will go to vans used as mobile clinics and programming under OSU extension offices that will focus on nutrition, water quality and broadband access.
OU Health Data Breach
OU Health is notifying 3,000 patients that their protected health information may have been compromised after an employee's laptop was stolen at the end of last year.
The stolen information may include patients' names, social security numbers, driver's license numbers, dates of birth, medical record numbers and account numbers, among other personal information.
OU Health is sending out letters in the mail to notify possible victims.
Affordable Housing Bill
A bill that would give Oklahomans an incentive to contribute to affordable housing funds passed through the House last week.
Democratic Representative Forrest Bennett’s House Bill 2098 was voted through the House 76-6.
It would allow Oklahomans to make a tax-deductible donation of 1% of the proceeds from selling their home to the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. Donations are capped at $5 million.
The fund created by these donations would be used by Oklahoma cities and towns to develop affordable housing solutions.
The bill now moves to the Senate, where it will be sponsored by Republican Senator John Michael Montgomery.
Oklahoma House To Reconsider Student Corporal Punishment Bill
We reported last week on the failure of legislation to ban corporal punishment for disabled public school students in Oklahoma — a bill one sponsor called a “no-brainer.” It’s not dead after all. Quorum Call’s Shawn Ashley tells KGOU general manager Dick Pryor the measure will be reconsidered.
"Now, there were more votes for the bill Tuesday than there were against it. But a bill must receive 51 votes to pass so it failed 45-43. Since it was spring break week a number of members were absent," Ashley said.
A motion to reconsider must be brought up today for the bill to stay alive. It will be a busy week at the legislature with a looming Thursday deadline for bills to be heard in their chamber of origin. You can hear Dick Pryor and Shawn Ashley’s full conversation on the Capitol Insider podcast.
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Fire's Strong Start
The Potawatomi Fire is back. Oklahoma's first tribally owned basketball team is off to a strong start in their second season. Last year, the Fire ended up in the semifinals of their league playoffs only to get knocked out by the Shreveport Mavericks. Now, new head Coach Mark Danhoff wants to make sure they go all the way.
"We have a list of 12 standards of excellence we hold ourselves to. But in terms of our success for the entire year and the season, we're trying to take it one step at a time and we kind of picture it as a staircase. And each game is a different step," he said.
The Potawatomi Fire have won their first three games -- all on the road. Their first home game tips off Friday where they'll play the Rockwall 7'ers at the Fire Lake Arena in Shawnee. Citizen Potawatomi Nation bought the basketball team last year in an economic development effort between the tribal nation and the City of Shawnee.
Medical Data Portal
State health officials are building a central medical data portal for doctors, hospitals and other providers. But therapists are raising concerns about their patients’ privacy.
Digital medical records are notoriously hard to share. Some clinics and offices still rely on fax machines. Competing software companies can make their products incompatible with others. Some argue this is good because it protects patient privacy. But it can cause problems too.
The new central database for medical providers would operate under privacy restrictions like HIPAA. It is scheduled to go live this summer with all licensed health providers required to participate. Some of the most vocal critics have been therapists. Dr. Shannon Beach, president of the Oklahoma Psychological Association, said it’s unclear what exactly therapists would have to share. He said some patients might not want records showing they’re engaged in behavioral health at all.
"There are some pretty negative stigma around that, including stigma held by medical providers who have less of an understanding about behavioral health," Beach said.
In a survey of the organization’s members, nearly all said they’re concerned this could violate privacy ethics.
Suing the EPA
Regulators are working to cut down on smog-causing emissions that travel across state lines. But Oklahoma officials are at odds with the EPA on how to do that.
The EPA says reducing emissions, which generate low-lying ozone smog, will improve health and quality of life for millions of people living downwind of industrial smog sources. The EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan covers 23 states, including Oklahoma, that were found to be exporting significant amounts of pollution to downwind neighbors.
Last month, the EPA fully rejected Oklahoma’s proposed plans for cutting those emissions, saying it didn’t include any permanent and enforceable measures. Now the agency has announced a federal plan to curb emissions. Under it, Oklahoma’s power plants and other industrial emitters will need to produce nearly 10,000 tons less pollutants each year by 2026.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has filed a lawsuit against the EPA for its rejection of Oklahoma’s implementation plan, calling the federal plan “overreach of the first order.” In Oklahoma City,
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Auditing the OTA
The Oklahoma Attorney General has called the state auditor to conduct an investigative audit of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
In a news release Wednesday, attorney general Gentner Drummond said the audit will look at transactions between OTA and the Department of Transportation, contracting and purchase practices, and the agency’s finances. This announcement comes on the heels of OTA losing a lawsuit that accused the agency of violating the state Open Meetings Act leading up to the announcement of a plan to expand the state’s turnpike network.
The plan was announced in February 2022 without giving any notice to residents in the path of construction. A state representative was also paid far above appraised value for her home in the eminent domain process. Norman city councilor Rarchar Tortorello, who represents an area greatly affected by the plan, was pleased with the announcement.
"The time has come for the citizens of Oklahoma to finally get the view from the top, the middle and the bottom of what OTA has been doing, and this audit is that tool that provides us what we would like to see and hear," Tortorello said.
In his own news release, Tortorello said he and attorneys who have sued OTA look forward to working with Drummond.
Limiting Forever Chemicals
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new rule to set legally enforceable limits for PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”
PFAS are human-made chemicals used in non-stick cookware and waterproof clothes. They’re called forever chemicals because they don’t break down over time. Instead, they build up in the environment and in our bodies, where their health effects are still unclear.
This rule would require public water suppliers to monitor PFAS levels and let customers know what they find, which currently isn’t required. If the rule goes into effect, water suppliers with PFAS levels above the limit would need to take action to lower them. For some forever chemicals, the limit would be 4 parts per trillion.
The EPA’s current unenforced recommendation is 1000 times lower than the proposed enforceable limit. Earlier this month, the EPA also announced that it would allocate almost $21 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for grants to help Oklahoma water supplies address PFAS contamination.
SQ 820 Analysis
We have more analysis of last week's defeated ballot measure to legalize recreational marijuana. OPMX's Kateleigh Mills spoke with an OU political scientist about what can be gleaned from the results.
61 % of voters who cast a ballot on State Question 820 rejected the measure to bring recreational pot to the Sooner state. But that doesn’t necessarily reflect the full voting population: voter turnout was only 25 percent.
Allyson Shortle, studies group identity in American political behavior. She says many voters were just fatigued with the marijuana issue - especially as the industry has exploded.
“I do have a sense that people are a little tired… I've heard a lot from people around Oklahoma not necessarily wanting to expand something that they think has saturated not just politics, but, again, their everyday life,” Shortle said.
She said she’ll keep a close eye on Oklahoma’s lawmakers as they weigh how to respond to the vote. Governor Kevin Stitt has said he thinks the vote means Oklahomans want to tighten the medical marijuana industry and that it’s time for lawmakers to look at further regulations.
Corporal Punishment for Disabled Students
On Tuesday, the Oklahoma House of Representatives failed to move a bipartisan bill that would ban corporal punishment for students with disabilities to the Senate.
The House voted 45 to 43 on House Bill 1028, failing to meet a majority of 51 members needed to move the bill along. Fifteen members were absent for the vote. Representatives Jim Olsen and Randy Randleman argued against the bill by pointing out that parents must sign off for schools to use corporal punishment on their disabled children.
Representative Anthony Moore, one of the bill’s sponsors, said he told lead sponsor John Talley he would happily sponsor the bill because it seemed like a no-brainer to him.
"I told the author that, number one, I would co-author this with him, but that this would be an easy bill to carry because there's nobody that's going to be for corporal punishment on students with disabilities. I apologize to the author, because apparently, I was wrong," Moore said.
Talley said many school districts urged him to pass the bill, and that corporal punishment was used on disabled students more than 400 times between 2021 and 2022 in Oklahoma. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against the practice.
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OK House Passes Measure Influencing Law Enforcement Oversight
A bill that passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives on Monday would require public bodies that may influence the discipline of police officers be comprised mostly of police officers.
House Bill 2161 would guarantee that police advisory boards in Oklahoma be two-thirds members of law enforcement.
While these boards only make recommendations, they can influence decisions around officer discipline or termination.
Tulsa representative Regina Goodwin said the bill should have never made it to the House floor.
“If there's an officer charged with misconduct, let's let all the officers determine his fate,” said Goodwin. “Why does that make sense?”
Several democrats pointed out that internal affairs divisions in police departments are already staffed entirely with police and actually hold the power to fire or discipline officers.
Bill author Ross Ford of Broken Arrow, who has a law enforcement background, claimed his bill strives for community safety by ensuring law enforcement presence on the committees.
“We’re not getting the ones who are truly wanting to make the community safer and better,” said Ford. “They’re looking for social justice.”
The bill passed 54-36 and now moves to the Senate.
OK Senate Sends Education Bills To House
A handful of education-related bills are on their way to the Oklahoma House.
The Tulsa World reports that bills passed Tuesday by the Senate are largely intended to bolster schools’ ability to attract new teachers and retain existing ones.
SB 529 would offer scholarships to Oklahoma university students who commit to teaching for a minimum of four years in a low-income school.
SB 525 would require school districts to pay costs associated with additional required education for certified teachers.
SB 531 creates the “Rewarding Student Outcomes Act.” It incentivizes school districts, charter schools and virtual charters that show at least a 1% increase in the number of graduates demonstrating college, career or military readiness above the prior school year. These monetary incentives include $1,500 awards for each economically disadvantaged graduate and $500 for each non-economically disadvantaged graduate.
Additional Senate-authored measures under consideration include legislation that provides 12 weeks of paid maternity leave for teachers and makes raises of between $3k and $6k available.
National Labor Relations Board Targets OK Starbucks
In a press release, Starbucks Workers United said the National Labor Relations Board has investigated their complaints about the company’s federal labor violations at two stores in Oklahoma City, one in Nichols Hills, and one in Norman. The NLRB will be pursuing civil prosecution.
The labor violations reported include interrogating workers about union activity, threatening disciplinary action and loss of previously announced pay raises and benefits, and firing a barista for participating in union activities.
This follows Starbucks CEO Howard Shultz agreeing to testify to a U.S. Senate committee investigating Starbucks’ labor practices.
A hearing is set for April 11 in Austin, Texas.
OKC Thunder Win At Home
The Oklahoma City Thunder Tuesday earned a victory at home over the visiting Brooklyn Nets.
Despite a slow start, point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points to lead OKC to a 121 to 107 win in the Paycom Center.
Oklahoma City is currently ranked eighth in the West.
The Thunder take on the Toronto Raptors in an away-game Thursday evening.
Oklahoma Rejects EPA Plan To Transfer Contaminated Soil From East Palestine, Ohio
Governor Kevin Stitt tweeted that he stopped a shipment of contaminated soil from East Palestine, Ohio, to a waste disposal facility in northwestern Oklahoma.
According to an email obtained by The Frontier, the Environmental Protection Agency notified the governor’s office on Saturday that it planned to send 3,640 tons of waste to the Clean Harbors Lone Mountain facility near Waynoka.
Debra Shore, the EPA regional administrator for Ohio, said East Palestine’s contaminated soil and water need to be transferred to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
"We know it’s far better to have it safely stored in a properly constructed and monitored disposal facility than to have it remain here any longer than necessary when there are licensed, regulated disposal facilities available that routinely dispose of similar wastes," Shore said.
But Stitt said there are too many questions about the safety of shipping and storing the toxic materials. According to EPA data, this shipment contained more than twice as much waste as the Lone Mountain facility normally deals with in a year.
Stitt says he worked with Oklahoma’s federal delegation to stop the shipment.
Volkswagen Chooses Canada For Battery Manufacturing Plant
After being on a shortlist for car maker Volkswagen’s new battery manufacturing plant, Oklahoma lost out on the project to Canada.
Modifications to incentives for Volkswagen to build a new electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant in Oklahoma, including nearly $700 million in state rebates if certain spending and employment benchmarks were met, were not enough to convince the company to open the plant at the MidAmerica Industrial Park in Pryor.
If Volkswagen had accepted Oklahoma’s offer, the company would have needed to start with 500 full-time employees and reach 3,500 by its fourth and fifth year.
Instead, the plant will be opened in St. Thomas, Ontario.
This follows a similar loss for the state last year, when Panasonic chose to open an EV battery manufacturing plant in neighboring Kansas, and in 2020, when Tesla chose Austin over Tulsa for an assembly plant.
OK AG Clears Major Backlog Of Open Records Requests
Attorney General Gentner Drummond says his office has cleared a sizable backlog of Open Records requests.
When Drummond took on his role in January, the office of Attorney General had a number of unfulfilled Open Record requests, some dating back several years. Since that time the AG has fulfilled a total of 100 requests.
The Oklahoma Open Record Act says public records can be requested by anyone and no statement of purpose is required. In recent years, there has been an increase in cases where individuals were faced with filing lawsuits to get access to public documents. Responsive documents can be restricted. And the law does not specify a time limit for responses to requests.
Oklahoma Lawmaker Injured In Weekend Helicopter Crash
An Oklahoma state representative was injured in a helicopter crash over the weekend while hunting feral hogs.
Ardmore Representative Tammy Townley was hunting feral hogs along the banks of the Red River when the helicopter she was riding in went down.
The Southwest Ledger, a Lawton newspaper, reported she was temporarily hospitalized following the incident.
Townley wrote on Facebook she suffered a broken wrist and her daughter received a concussion in the crash.
Hunting feral hogs from a helicopter is popular in southern Oklahoma, following the passage of a law to allow it in 2013. The hogs are a nuisance across the state and region, causing damage to agricultural lands, spreading disease and threatening wildlife.
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Voter Apathy Attributed To Failure Of Recreational Marijuana
Analysis of last week’s recreational marijuana vote shows voter apathy may have led to its failure. Nearly the same number of Oklahomans voted against State Question 820 on Tuesday at 349-thousand compared to medical marijuana in 2018 at 385-thousand.
However, yes votes for the measure came in at fewer than 217-thousand compared to more than 507-thousand in 2018.
Overall turnout was extremely low with only about 26-percent of registered voters, or 566-thousand, Oklahomans participating.
For his part, Governor Kevin Stitt suggested the rejection of recreational marijuana was at least due in part to a need to better regulate the medical marijuana industry.
In a press conference Friday Stitt said the results clearly mean people across the state are fed up with the proliferation of the cannabis industry. And it's time for lawmakers to look at further tightening.
Stitt has signed several measures regulating medical cannabis, including a moratorium on new licenses and an effort to track cannabis plants from seed to sale to ensure everything is above board.er apathy may have led to its failure.
OK Dept. Of Veteran Affairs Leader Fired
The executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veteran Affairs was fired late last week following a long history of tensions between that office and Governor Kevin Stitt.
The Oklahoma Veterans Commission voted 5-1 to remove Joel Kintsel from his position as executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday. The chair of the commission, Robert Allen, cited insubordination as the reason for Kintsel’s termination.
This follows claims from Kintsel, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and members of the state Legislature that Governor Stitt broke the law when he appointed some of the members of the commission by not consulting local veterans groups first. As a result, Kintsel declined to attend recent commission meetings.
U.S. Navy Under Secretary Greg Slavonic will serve as interim director.
Teacher Of The Year Ceremony Organizer Fired
The organizer of Oklahoma's Teacher of the Year ceremony who was fired shortly after this year's event says the department of education has changed.
Stormie Honeysuckle - who worked at OSDE for 20 years -told Fox 25 new Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters has altered the atmosphere of the department.
OKC Thunder Add Win On Road
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the San Antonio Spurs in Texas.
Forward Jalen Williams scored 21 points and had ten assists as the Thunder used a balanced effort on offense without Shai-Gilgeous-Alexander to beat the Spurs 102 to 90 Sunday night.
It’s the second win in a row for OKC and the fifth in six games. OKC is now tied with Utah for tenth place in the West.
The Thunder return home to host the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday night at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.
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Psychedelic Bill Passes House
Oklahoma lawmakers are again considering a bill that would allow medical researchers to look into psychedelics to treat mental illness.
House Bill 2107, like its predecessor last year, would let colleges and research facilities study the effects of psilocybin on Oklahoma residents who struggle with conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder and treatment-resistant depression. Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound in mushrooms.
The measure doesn’t require veteran status, but supporters tout the potential benefits to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidality.
The bill got a lot of pushback in its hearing Thursday. Critics said the measure isn’t financially responsible, and Oklahoma should let other states take the lead on this research.
"I want us to make sure we’re at the decision-making table, having this nationwide conversation — because, again, this is about research, this is about saving lives, and this is about addressing the mental health crisis that’s facing our country and our state right now," said the bill's author, Lawton Rep. Daniel Pae.
The measure passed and is headed to the Senate, where it died last year.
Sexual Assault Evidence Bills
Two bills that could help in the collection and processing of evidence following sexual assaults are advancing through the state legislature.
Democratic Senator Kay Floyd’s Senate Bill 993 would create a statewide sexual assault nurse examiner coordinator position to oversee forensic medical examination training across the state. The new position would also be responsible for creating and expanding local sexual assault nurse examiner programs.
Senator Floyd says having a dedicated coordinator would be especially helpful for sexual assault survivors in rural areas.
The rural areas sometimes don’t have access to a nurse with those kinds of qualifications.
Another of Floyd’s bills, Senate Bill 1000, would authorize the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations to contact local law enforcement agencies to inquire about unsubmitted sexual assault evidence kits.
Both bills passed unanimously out of the Senate Thursday, and are headed to the House.
Non-binary Oklahoma Lawmaker Talks About Harassment Received Since Censure
Oklahoma City Representative Mauree Turner is the target of attacks on their race, gender and religion following a move earlier this week by House Republicans to formally censure the democratic lawmaker. Turner’s office says it’s received many threatening calls and emails since the censure.
Turner is the legislature’s only open nonbinary member, and in one email, they’re called worthless, a terrorist, a homophobic slur, multiple racist slurs, and their religion, Islam, is ridiculed. It’s so obscene, there’s not much I can quote on the radio.
House Republicans stripped the lawmaker of their committee assignments, alleging after a bill hearing to ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, Turner hid a transgender person in their office who was wanted for questioning following a scuffle with a state trooper. Turner’s censure can be overturned if they issue an apology, but they say that’s not happening.
"I absolutely will not apologize for being able to create a safe space where the Oklahoma legislature continues to tell trans folks that they should not show up here. I will absolutely continue to create a space to show trans folks, gender nonconforming folks, two-spirit folks that this is a safe space, right, that even in the midst of everything going on in the Oklahoma legislature, that they can always come to my office," said Turner.
"Do you feel safe right now?," asked StateImpact reporter Beth Wallis.
"No. When the people who are supposed to protect you are those that are the folks that you fear, right? Or that might cause you to think twice about, like, should I be doing this work? It creates a hostile work environment and I think that wouldn’t make anybody feel safe," Turner said.
Turner says even if they aren’t allowed to speak in committee meetings, they’ll still be there.
OK Black Caucus Criticizes Bill For Private School Tax Credits
Members of Oklahoma's Black Caucus are criticizing Republican legislation that proposes tax credits for families with students enrolled in private schools. Rep. Jason Lowe said at a press conference earlier this week that there is not enough oversight included in House Bill 1935 allowing for a $5,000 tax break per private school student.
"There is very little protection for fraud and abuse. We don't want another EPIC. We don't want another Class Wallet," said Lowe.
Tulsa Rep. Regina Goodwin called the proposed tax credits a gift to the wealthy.
"It's unfair. We are taking public dollars to fund private entities, and that is not what our public education is about," said Goodwin.
The Black Caucus also criticized State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, who this week published details about so-called school choice on the state department of education website. Rep. Lowe said Walters should focus on keeping quality teachers in Oklahoma and improving educational outcomes for students.
Indigenous Comic Con To Take Place This Weekend
The only Indigenous centered comic con comes to Oklahoma City after a pandemic hiatus.
The event known as Indigipopx features Native interpretations of everything from Marvel Super Heroes to cosplay to Strawberry Shortcake to Grogu. Kristin Gentry is the director of community engagement at the First Americans Museum.
"Think of everything pop culture, but indigenous pop culture. So all the fandoms that, like everybody loves everything from the 1960s, 70' 80s, all the way through to today," said Gentry.
Events include Indigenous super heroes, cosplayers, artists-both local and national, panels on Indigenous representation in media and entertainment and a cosmic yoga glass. There will also be a screening of the film Prey in Comanche and a screening of Star Wars in the Navajo language.
The full schedule and ticket information is available at their website.
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Non-binary Oklahoma Representative Censured, Removed From All Committees
Oklahoma House Republicans are removing Oklahoma City Democrat Mauree Turner from all committee assignments. GOP lawmakers allege Turner “harbored a fugitive” in their office last week.
Republicans voted Tuesday morning to formally censure Turner — the body’s only openly nonbinary representative.
GOP lawmakers allege after last week’s House vote to restrict gender affirming medical care for minors, a transgender person assaulted a Highway Patrol trooper. They say that individual then took refuge in Turner’s office, and Turner refused to hand that person over to authorities.
"I know that I represent a culmination of things that you all deeply hate. People do not feel represented or protected by the people in this body. They come to find refuge in my office, they come to decompress from some of the most stressful times. And I understand them because I do it too," said Turner.
House Democrats issued a press release condemning the move, stating Turner did not impede law enforcement from their duties.
- Read more about this story here.
Clinton Hospital Fund Proposal Passes
After a private management company shuttered their hospital, Clinton residents approved an $11 million effort to re-open it.
Clinton is about 85 miles west of Oklahoma City. It created its public hospital in 1973 with local funding, according to reporting by nonprofit news outlet NonDoc. That fund has been locked and accruing interest and other revenue since, now totalling about $11 million. But voters have to sign off on any spending. They did just that in an election this week.
Management company AllianceHealth had been running the facility, but announced last year it was closing. And instead of transferring the hospital’s state and federal licenses back to the local government, which had been the precedent, AllianceHealth canceled them. The city wants to re-open the hospital, and it will have to spend millions in maintenance to meet standards for new licenses.
Local officials told NonDoc they weren’t sure how long improvements would take or how much they would cost.
Train Derails In Northeast Oklahoma
A train derailed in Verdigris, just northeast of Tulsa Tuesday night. That the minor derailment didn’t result in any injuries or harmful spills.
[Train derailment sounds from Jake Powell’s video.]
This is sound from a video Verdigris resident Jake Powell took of the train derailment.
The video shows a tanker car separating from the car in front of it. The car’s wheels appear to catch as the train reaches a street crossing. The tanker car runs off the tracks and comes to a stop
Powell says he started recording because he could tell something was off.
"The cars started bouncing and you could hear it and it was sparking," said Powell.
BNSF, which operates the railroad, says the derailed cars were empty and no hazardous materials were involved. The company reopened the crossing later Tuesday night and says it’s investigating what caused the incident.
State Senate Passes Bill Making It More Difficult To Get State Questions On Ballot
The State Senate passes a bill making it harder to get initiative petitions on the ballot.
Senate Bill 518 increases the cost for publication and protest period as well as adding date of birth to what registered voters need to fill out on the petition.
The bill’s author, Bartlesville Republican Senator Julie Daniels, says it makes sure the process is reliable and secure, but critics call it an attack on citizen-led legislation.
The measure passed the GOP-majority Senate, 38 to eight, and now heads to the House for consideration.
Juvenile Victim Sentencing Bill
Legislation to protect children who are victims of sexual abuse from lengthy prison sentences is advancing through the state legislature.
Republican Representative Kevin West’s House Bill 2210 was voted through the House unanimously on Tuesday and was heard in the Senate for the first time on Wednesday.
The bill would give courts the option to depart from mandatory minimum sentencing if a minor is convicted as an adult for committing a crime against a person who trafficked, sexually abused or assaulted them within one year of the crime.
The court could also transfer the minor to the juvenile division for further proceedings.
The bill also says children who are victims of sexual assault are four times more likely to become addicted to drugs or experience PTSD than children who are not.
Daylight Saving Time
This Sunday, March 12, people across the country will lose an hour of sleep due to Daylight Saving Time.
Daylight savings time is upon us - but it may not be for long
There’s renewed support in Congress for the Sunshine Protection Act, which was reintroduced by Marco Rubio of Florida in the Senate. Last session, the The Senate passed the measure unanimously, but it wasn’t voted on in the House.
Here’s Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford, who is a co-sponsor of the bill, in a video he posted on Twitter.
"It has been an issue that I’ve heard over and over again from moms of young kids at how much they hate all the time change stuff because it’s so hard on their kids…We need to actually lock the clock and be able to keep us at one time period on it," said Lankford.
With bipartisan support and several states who have already adopted their own statewide version of this sort of measure - it remains to be seen if the bill passes during this session.
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Oklahoma Voters Reject State Question 820
Oklahoma voters soundly rejected a ballot initiative to become the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana last night.
Special election results show roughly 60% of voters cast their ballot against approving State Question 820. This comes even though marijuana is widespread in the Sooner state.
There are thousands of dispensaries here and almost 10% of Oklahomans carry a medical marijuana card.
But, that obviously didn’t mean it was popular with Oklahomans, says Vote No campaign consultant Pat McFerron.
"It should be considered a strong message to the legislature that Oklahomans reject recreational marijuana. And that's really what we have with our current medical program. So I hope this gives them the ability and political cover to really make our medical program truly medical," said McFerron.
The campaign behind the legalization amendment, spent more than $4 million on the effort.
Campaign advisor Ryan Kiesel was succinct in his assessment of the loss.
"Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. And well tonight, we came up short," Kiesel said.
Rural voters were critical in knocking down the effort. Marijuana farms are commonplace throughout rural Oklahoma and despite the loss, they’re likely here to stay.
Many cannabis business owners were hoping for legalization of recreational weed Tuesday.
Industry leaders like Blake Cantrell – who owns The Peak Dispensary in Oklahoma City – had this advice for his fellow marijuana business owners.
“Stick it out, because while this doesn't help us necessarily directly as it would have if it were to pass, it also doesn't directly hurt us," said Cantrell.
The booming medical marijuana industry has hundreds of thousands of customers and will continue to operate in the state.
Library Restriction Bill Advances
Senate Republicans are moving closer to significantly restricting what kinds of material can be in public and school libraries as a bill moved off the Senate floor yesterday.
GOP State Senators Warren Hamilton and George Burns are the authors of Senate Bill 397, which would divide library material into four age categories: ‘Elementary’, ‘Junior High’, ‘Under 16’, and ‘Juniors and Seniors.’
Materials listed under ‘Juniors and Seniors’ may include material not suitable for minors and would be relegated to a section of the library only accessible to staff. Materials would only be made available to individuals under eighteen if they present written permission from parents or guardians.
The bill also bans any material at libraries that a legal adult “applying contemporary community standards would find has a predominant tendency to appeal to a prurient interest in sex.”
"We know the underlying currents that are in effect right now that are trying their best to stop education from being a process that is open. This is a problem that we are creating, not a problem that is trying to be solved, said Oklahoma City Democrat George Young.
The bill can now be heard in the House.
Love's Travel Stops Founder Dies
The founder of one of Oklahoma’s most iconic businesses has died.
Tom Love, founder of Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores, died Tuesday at age 85.
In 1964, Tom and his wife, Judy, opened their first store in Watonga. Over the next several decades, their family business grew into a multi-billion dollar company with 600 locations as of last October.
Born in Oklahoma City, Love was involved with the Oklahoma City Thunder, OU and OSU, and multiple charities.
A member of the Chickasaw Nation, Love was inducted into the Chickasaw Hall of Fame in 2019.
Several state elected officials released statements of their condolences on Tuesday.
Muscogee Nation EMS To Receive Upgrades To Communications System
Muscogee Nation's Lighthorse police, emergency responders and hospitals are receiving an upgrade to their communications system.
Citing public safety concerns for their employees, tribal leaders within the Muscogee Nation bought more than 300 new radios and dispatch systems that will reach EMS, police and healthcare facilities enabling each department to respond quicker when people need help.
The purchase was made possible by a collaborative effort between L3 Harris, a communication and technology company, the City of Broken Arrow and Muscogee Nation. The overall cost was more than $3 million.
The move comes as the tribal nation continues ramping up public safety efforts. Since the landmark McGirt vs Oklahoma decision determined that the Muscogee Reservation was never disestablished, Muscogee Nation has spent millions of dollars hiring more police officers, prosecutors and judges.
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Voters Head To The Polls For State Question 820
Almost five years ago, voters legalized medical marijuana by approving State Question 788. Now, they’re heading back to the polls today to vote on another referendum. This time on cannabis for recreational adult-use.
Voters will decide if Oklahoma will be the newest state to approve recreational marijuana use for adults 21 and older.
The state question would impose a 15% excise tax for recreational customers. It would allow people to have up to one ounce of weed for adult use and grow up to six cannabis plants. It would also expunge some marijuana criminal offenses.
Oklahoma would be the 22nd state to legalize recreational pot. Opponents zero in on that, saying there shouldn’t be a patchwork of state regulations throughout the country.
The state’s cannabis industry has seen rapid development since 2018 - with more than 7,000 growers, 2,800 dispensaries and 369,000 medical marijuana patients.
Polls are open from 7am to 7 pm.
Proposed Changes To The State Medical Licensure Board
Oklahoma lawmakers are deciding who should regulate doctors and their medical licenses: Industry experts or the state’s top elected officials. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports a bill to shake up the state medical board is garnering some criticism.
Under current law, the state’s physician trade group — the Oklahoma State Medical Association — nominates doctors for the board, and the governor chooses from that list. If governors don’t like the first batch of names, they can request more.
Bartlesville Sen. Julie Daniels argues this gives too much power to the association, and she authored Senate Bill 303 to nix the process. Instead, the governor would directly appoint doctors. The top lawmaker in the House and Senate would get a pick too.
But lawmakers have concerns about inserting politics into medical licensure. So does the president of the state medical association, Dr. David Holden.
"It doesn’t serve the people of Oklahoma. And it doesn’t serve the practice of medicine," said Holden.
The bill has made it out of committee and it’s waiting for a floor vote.
- Read more about this story here.
State Question 780 Management Bill
A bill that would specify who will manage and calculate funds accrued from a criminal justice reform initiative approved in 2016 passed the Senate unanimously Monday.
Republican Sen. Roger Thompson’s Senate Bill 844 would put the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services in charge of the County Community Safety Investment Fund.
The fund was created following the passage of State Questions 780 and 781 in 2016, which reclassified some drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors and designated the money saved from the reclassification would be used to cover the costs of mental health care services in all 77 counties.
Legislators have not put any money into the fund. Instead, they have appropriated money to individual agencies and programs. If passed, Senate Bill 844 would put the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency in charge of calculating the annual savings from the reclassification and providing a report of the amount awarded to each county.
Sovereignty Exhibit Opens In Tulsa
The Oklahoma Center for the Humanities opened a new exhibit in Tulsa. It’s titled the "Work of Sovereignty" and features Indigenous artists reacting to tribal sovereignty in Oklahoma before and after the US Supreme Court's landmark ruling in the McGirt case.
Muscogee Nation citizen Carly Treece says the exhibit is inspired by 13 counties in Oklahoma that are named after tribal nations-including Muscogee, Cherokee, Caddo and Osage. She says the Work of Sovereignty examines some of the struggles Native people have experienced.
"Our connection to the land to the space here, to the plants to everything...I think that that's highlighted in the show. Not just physically but emotionally, spiritually, that connection goes along with sovereignty I think," said Treece.
One of the 15 Indigenous artists showing their work is Brittney Postoak. She created three pieces for the show-one is a beaded topographical map of her family's allotment in Sand Springs, which was sold without her family's permission. She says sovereignty to her means.
"Maybe someday see. Kind of those things given back to us. You know, those those land rights, the ability to govern ourselves, the ability to make decisions as a nation concerning our land and our people," said Postoak.
The exhibit features established and up and coming artists including Ryan Redcorn, one of the writers who works on Reservation Dogs, singer and songwriters Desi and Cody, mixed media artist Kindra Swafford and Hailey Madden.
The Work of Sovereignty will be up through April 22nd
Norman Principal Sits On School Roof For Fundraiser
A Norman principal sat on the school roof for a good cause. The Norman Transcript reports assistant principal Greg Willis spent yesterday on the roof of Norman High School to help kick off the final week of the school's annual fundraiser, known as Tigerpalooza week.
The event is aimed at raising funds for a different nonprofit in the community each year. This year’s beneficiary is Not Your Average Joe, a coffee shop that employs students and adults with intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities.
The money raised will be used to hire a special education teacher to help train employees to work with those with disabilities.
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Grocery Reduction Tax Bill Moves Forward
A bill to reduce grocery and income taxes is one step closer to becoming a law. Grocery and income tax bills passed out of the appropriations committee late last week
A bill to eliminate Oklahoma’s 4.5% sales tax on groceries is making its way through the state Legislature
Gov. Kevin Stitt says he continues to support the bill authored by House Speaker Charles McCall.
"I just think it's very reasonable. It's a regressive tax to remove the state portion. And if if McCall's bill does that, you know, I think it's I think it's the right thing to do," Stitt said.
Republicans continue to look at ways to cut taxes this session.
House Bills 1953 and 1954 have also passed in Committee and are eligible to be heard on the house floor. HB 1953 proposes a quarter percentage point reduction in personal income tax rates - and HB 1954 proposes a half percentage point cut to the income tax rate.
Other proposals are still alive. So which tax cuts ultimately pass remains to be seen.
Bill To Require Schools To Publish Curriculum Materials Online Struck Down
A bill that would have required all public schools in Oklahoma to publish their curriculum materials online was struck down in committee Thursday.
House Bill 2077, sponsored by Republican Chad Caldwell, would have allowed anyone to view all public-school curriculum materials throughout Oklahoma through an online portal. Caldwell argued the bill would create greater transparency among the state’s public school districts.
Before the vote, Tulsa Democrat Melissa Provenzano pointed out that parents are already allowed to ask to see curriculum materials in person. She also said she was concerned about how the bill would impact school board meetings.
"I'm concerned about these activist groups that are showing up at our school boards and creating chaos that don't have kids in the system that this is what's going to empower them to create more chaos." said Provenzano.
The bill was defeated by a margin of 24-8, with all Democrats and several Republicans in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee voting against.
Central Oklahoma Communities To Receive Millions In Federal Funding For Transportation Projects
The Association of Central Oklahoma Governments announced almost $44 million in federal funding for transportation projects in and around the Oklahoma City metro.
Most of this federal money is available annually, but the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments had about 9 million extra dollars this year from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.
Rachel Meinke with the Association says the funding application process for tribes, local governments, schools and transit agencies began last fall
"We're just really excited to award all of this money to our central Oklahoma municipalities and get some projects that everyone has been wanting to complete, get those started," said Meinke.
Those projects include trails in Yukon and Edmond, a bike-friendly streetcar plan in Oklahoma City, school zone safety upgrades in Choctaw and accessibility improvements in Norman.
Capitol Insider Talks With House Speaker Charles McCall
The latest edition of the Capitol Insider features Atoka Republican and state House Speaker Charles McCall. KGOU general manager Dick Pryor and Quorum Call Publisher Shawn Ashely talk with Speaker McCall about a variety of education issues, including tax credits for private school education, sustaining rural districts, and teacher pay raises.
"On the teacher pay raise component, I think it’s also worth mentioning in the House plan the 2,500 is the minimum. The school districts can use the money to pay over that. And we hope that they will for teacher pay raises." McCall said.
Hear more of their conversation on our Capitol Insider podcast available now on KGOU.org and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Rewarding Student Outcomes Act
The state’s A-F school district report card system has taken heat in the past for judging districts by controversial metrics, like chronic absenteeism. The State Senate is looking to reform that program, as well as reward districts for improvement.
Senate Bill 531, the ‘Rewarding Student Outcomes Act,” was authored by Republican Senator Adam Pugh. It does two main things: it changes the A through F district report card system by removing chronic absenteeism from the grading formula and replacing it with climate surveys for students, staff and guardians.
It also would reward schools that achieve at least a one percent increase from the previous year in the number of graduates who are college, career or military ready. The bill defines readiness in a few ways: like attaining certain scores on the ACT, SAT or Advanced Placement tests, as well as earning industry credentials or concurrent college credit, or being accepted for enlistment in the Armed Services.
Districts would get a bonus of $1,500 per student for economically disadvantaged graduates and $500 per student for graduates not economically disadvantaged. The bill passed committee Wednesday and can now be heard on the Senate Floor.
Bill To Strengthen Protections For Consumers Passes Senate
A bill that aims to strengthen protections for consumers is moving forward. Oklahoma Democratic Senator Kay Floyd’s Senate Bill 871, also known as the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act, would prevent scammers from posing as state agencies to deceive citizens.
"It’s one of the leading forms of scamming in the entire country. So, people will send something out that looks like an official document and we can file this or do that, but it would be a $50 charge or a $100 charge when, in fact, you could go down to, for example, the Secretary of State do the exact same thing, do the exact same filing for free or $25," said Floyd.
According to Floyd, the new legislation will provide more tools for fighting imposter scams, which have become increasingly common and caused consumers to lose over $2.3 billion in 2021. The bill passed unanimously and now goes to the House for consideration.
State Purges More Than 86,000 Voters
In the state’s latest voter purge more than 86,000 voters were removed from the rolls, due to inactivity or duplicate registrations.
The state election board conducts what they call “voter list maintenance” on odd-numbered years. This year, that maintenance was conducted on Jan. 13 and removed nearly 2,900 duplicate voter registrations and more than 83,000 inactive voters.
Oklahoma removed more than 88,000 names from its voter rolls in 2019 - and more than 115,000 in 2021.
Voters are removed after not voting in two consecutive general elections or failing to respond to an address confirmation from the State Election Board.
Voters who are prepping to cast their ballots next week for State Question 820 should check to see if they are still eligible to vote. You can contact your county election board to confirm your registration status.
Cherokee Meat Company To Accept SNAP Benefits
The Cherokee Nation will now accept SNAP at their meat processing facility.
In 2022, more than 400,000 Oklahoma families received SNAP benefits. The program expanded to help families during the pandemic. That expansion ended on March 1.
But, Cherokee Nation will now accept SNAP benefits at their recently opened meat processing facility with discounts available for veterans, and Cherokee Citizens-so they can purchase locally sourced meat sold by the tribal nation.
Cherokee officials say that becoming a SNAP retailer is an important way they can ease food insecurity among tribal citizens.
For more information about Cherokee Nation's meat facility go to their website.
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Agriculture Organizations Oppose State Question 820
As a special election nears, State Question 820 campaigns are gearing up to get Oklahomans out to vote on March 7. Three of the state’s leading agriculture organizations recently spoke against the ballot initiative.
The Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association and American Farmers and Ranchers are the latest organizations to endorse Protect Our Kids — No 820.
The campaign group opposes State Question 820, a ballot initiative that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana for adults 21 and older.
Scott Blubaugh is the president of American Farmers and Ranchers. He says the medical marijuana industry has already strained rural infrastructure.
“Marijuana growing facilities require a large amount of water and electricity. Additional growth in the marijuana industry will only make these infrastructure issues worse," said Blubaugh.
Meanwhile, Yes on 820 has spent more than 4 million.. mostly toward getting the initiative through the petition process and to a statewide ballot. It’s endorsed by groups like the ACLU of Oklahoma and Oklahomans for Criminal Justice reform.
Several Teacher Bills Pass Through A Senate Committee
The state Senate Appropriations Committee passed several pieces of legislation Wednesday related to the teaching profession.
A few of the bills are geared toward benefitting teachers. Senate Bill 16 is a $7 million ask that would create a two-year pilot program providing grants to public schools to set up childcare programs for district employees. Republican Senator David Bullard, the bill’s author.
"A lot of why we’re looking at this is teacher recruitment and retention. And as you’ll see in there, part of the reporting requirement is, did it do its job on retaining and recruiting new teachers?" said Bullard.
Senate Bill 473 would allow teachers on unpaid leave for holding a national, state or district level office to be able to retain their insurance benefits during that leave period.
And as for retirement, Senate Bill 634 would allow educators at retirement to elect to receive a partial lump-sum payment after 20 years of service, which is a reduction from the previous 30-year requirement.
Power Has Been Restored In Norman, At Least 11 Tornadoes Confirmed From Sunday
The lights are now back on for thousands in Norman following Sunday’s tornado that struck the city.
OG&E says power was restored to all Norman residents around noon yesterday. Over 9,000 customers were without power when the tornado hit.
The National Weather Service has confirmed that at least eleven tornadoes spun up during Sunday night's severe weather outbreak across Oklahoma. Two additional areas are still being investigated. The confirmed count is projected to rise as crews continue to assess the destruction. The current count of eleven tornadoes in February already breaks the previous record of six, which was set in 1975 and 2009, marking a historical high for the month in Oklahoma.
2023 Oklahoma Teacher Of The Year Announced
A teacher of the year in Oklahoma was crowned yesterday at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. Oklahoma's Teacher of the Year is Traci Manuel from Tulsa Public Schools. Manuel teaches English at Booker T. Washington High School. She emphasized at the ceremony the need to support exceptional students, citing personal experience.
"In fact, growing up I was that child that took longer on any test taken. I was that child who had to go to a reading program for two days a week for years while my friends sat, played and relaxed." said Manuel.
According to the district, Manuel began teaching for TPS in 2005. She'll now have the opportunity to participate in the National Teacher of Year Competition.
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Gender-Affirming Care Bill Passes Off House Floor
Conservative Oklahoma lawmakers are working to crack down on gender-affirming health care. One of the several bills to do so passed off the House floor Tuesday.
House Bill 2177 is broad in scope, but supporters tout two major provisions: one that requires Oklahomans to wait until they’re at least 18 to receive care, and another that blocks all public funding from gender-affirming services.
Rep. Kevin West presented the bill Tuesday. He argues it is not discriminatory.
"This has nothing to do with anything to do against the transgender community. This has everything to do with protecting children and protecting state funds," West said.
Another major provision would ban private insurance companies from covering the care — for anyone. Here is the state’s only openly nonbinary member, Rep. Mauree Turner.
"We are saying that if you cannot afford — it doesn't matter if you're 18 or younger — if you cannot afford health care, then you do not have the opportunity to stay in Oklahoma and live your life," said Turner.
The bill passed 80-18 and is headed to the Senate. It’s one of several gender-affirming care bills.
Bill That Would Remove Sales Tax Exemptions For Cannabis Growers, Monitor Their Water Use Moves To Senate Floor
Oklahoma farmers and ranchers are exempt from paying sales tax on many materials and equipment they use in their agriculture. A bill disqualifying cannabis producers from this exemption is advancing to the Senate Floor.
Republican David Bullard of Durant authored Senate Bill 133. He says cannabis producers haven’t been using the exemption to save much money on sales tax. But it prevents the state from monitoring their water use.
"We have no way to know how much water they're tapping into." said Bullard.
The bill would declassify cannabis as an agricultural product and subject producers’ water use to state monitoring.
This exemption has been in place for agricultural goods produced in Oklahoma since 1942. Democratic Sen. Julia Kirt of OKC says she doesn’t think cannabis should be treated differently from other crops.
"If we're going to start assessing businesses around those kinds of metrics. We need to do it for all businesses, not just for medical marijuana businesses," Kirt said.
The Senate Finance Committee approved the bill, which will move on to the full Senate.
New Curfew For Oklahoma City's Bricktown District Passes
Oklahoma City's Bricktown Entertainment District has a new curfew for unaccompanied minors under the age of 18.
The City Council yesterday approved the earlier curfew, lowering it from 11 p.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
The new rules take effect immediately and cover Bricktown and Lower Bricktown to the Oklahoma River.
The move is intended to increase safety in the district.
Officials say exceptions will be made for minors who are working or attending an event in the area.
Publicly Funded Catholic Charter School
A question about a publicly funded Catholic charter school is likely headed to court. The school is getting support from Gov. Kevin Stitt.
St. Isidore of Seville is the patron saint of the internet. And the Archdiocese of OKC and diocese of Tulsa want to co-sponsor a virtual private charter school in his name.
The board overseeing virtual charters has shown some reluctance. And Oklahoma’s new Attorney General Gentner Drummond withdrew an opinion issued by his predecessor supporting religious schools funded by taxpayer dollars.
But the school does have support from Gov. Stitt. He wrote Drummond a four-page letter this week calling for support of the school, saying religious liberties guaranteed in the constitution should allow for public funds to go to religious-based education.
Regardless of what anyone does or decides, the fate of the Catholic charter school will likely be decided in the courts.
Early Voting Begins Thursday For March 7 Special Election
Early voting for the March 7 Special Election begins tomorrow. All registered voters will have the opportunity to vote on State Question 820, and some will have local propositions or county questions on the ballot.
In-person early voting will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday at your early voting location. Mail absentee ballots must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on election night.
Voters can view a sample ballot and find their early voting location using the OK Voter Portal at elections.ok.gov.
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House GOP Call For Oversight On Federal Education Funds
Republican House leaders are calling on State Superintendent Ryan Walters to hire a federal programs director for the State Department of Education. The recommendation comes as nearly $18 million of federal funding is still sitting untouched.
The state’s mishandling of pandemic-era federal education dollars has cast a long shadow on the newest round of funds. The Bridge the Gap Digital Wallet program, for which Superintendent Walters was a key administrator, saw at least $650,000 of federal funds go to non-education-related expenses like TVs and Christmas trees, according to federal auditors.
The state has until January next year to fully spend $17.7 million in new federal education funds that so far haven’t been allotted to any programs. Oklahoma Watch education reporter Jennifer Palmer.
"It’s kind of a ripple effect, because they didn’t handle the first batch well enough, and they’re trying to get better processes in place," Palmer said. "But it’s holding up the second batch of funds that we may or may not be able to spend in time."
Now House education committee chairs Mark McBride and Rhonda Baker want Walters to bring in an expert to handle the money. The lawmakers say without these dollars, students will lack vital classroom materials and many will go hungry.
One Dies In Cheyenne Tornado
One weather-related death in Cheyenne has been confirmed following severe weather that included at least confirmed nine tornadoes across the state on Sunday night.
Family members identified the deceased as Billy Trammell.
Additionally, five homes in Cheyenne have been deemed a total loss and several others have roof damage. The National Weather Service continues their damage survey around the state today.
Special Enrollment Period For People Losing Medicaid Coverage
Oklahomans who are losing SoonerCare coverage have an opportunity to sign up for private insurance. The federal government has created a special enrollment period for them.
The insurance exchange created under the Affordable Care Act isn’t open year-round. Open enrollment starts in November and runs through mid-December. Otherwise, applicants need to have a qualifying life-changing event — like losing coverage or having a baby.
But the federal government is opening a special enrollment period for the millions of people who will lose Medicaid coverage this year.
A pandemic relief policy allowed members to stay in the program, even if they technically lost eligibility because of increased income or other factors. But that program ends this spring.
Oklahoma’s program, SoonerCare, is phasing that coverage out instead of suddenly dropping members. But by the end of the year, 300,000 people are expected to lose coverage.
Residents can apply for private coverage at healthcare.gov.
The enrollment period opens March 31, and it will run until July 31.
Oklahoma County Jail Inmate Dies
An Oklahoma County Jail inmate died Monday morning at a hospital.
According to jail officials, 69-year-old Kenneth Parrott was hospitalized Feb. 18 for preexisting medical issues and later died.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office will make a final determination as to the cause of death.
This is the jail’s second detainee death this year. Sixteen inmates died last year.
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Severe Storms Impact Thousands of Oklahomans
Severe thunderstorms brought strong straightline winds and multiple tornados to the central plains late Sunday night. The storms damaged homes and left thousands without power.
As the line of storms moved across the plains, it generated roughly 50 tornado warnings in Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas, including a damaging tornado that reportedly stayed on the ground for 15 miles east of Norman. The National Weather Service confirmed 114 mile-per-hour winds in the Texas panhandle.
The storm blew over powerlines, trees and tractor trailers, but injury numbers are unclear. Utilities companies say nearly 70,000 households in Oklahoma lost power, mostly in the western and central parts of the state.
For updates on power outages in your area, visit poweroutage.us.
Storm Damage In Norman
Significant damage from last night’s storm has been reported across the city of Norman.
Areas affected include Classen Blvd, 12th Avenue, and businesses and neighborhoods along Highway 9. The OnCue on Classen Blvd. took heavy damage, with a sizeable portion of its roof missing.
Power lines are down in the area, and reportedly a stretch of Highway 9 was closed due to fallen electrical wires.
Various apartment complexes such as Alight 12th, Alight Norman, and The Ave have sustained roof and structural damage. A gas leak was also reported in the area.
Norman Regional’s new hospital off Highway 9, along with the USPS center, have also taken damage. The surrounding neighborhoods had overturned vehicles and damaged garages. There were various power outages across Norman, including campus.
First responders warned people of hazardous debris on the road, and to use caution while driving.
Walters Sets Up Committee To Protect Prayer In Schools
State Superintendent Ryan Walters is looking to establish a blue-ribbon committee to report on religious practices in Oklahoma public schools.
Superintendent Walters announced the formation of two blue-ribbon committees at Thursday’s state board meeting. One committee will “advise and recommend guidance to local school systems on how to protect every student and parents’ freedom to worship.”
Walters says he put together the committee because of a letter:
"A letter that I received from religious and community leaders asking that I take a deep look at prayer in school and the role of faith in our K-12 schools," Walters said.
The letter is signed by faith leaders as well as the president of the lobbying group, the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee. Notably, none of the faith leaders espouse a religion other than Christianity, and one of the six represented organizations is founded on Christian nationalism.
Since 1962, students have been legally protected to pray privately at public schools and join after-hours religious clubs.
- Read more about this story here.
Inmate Dies At The Cleveland County Jail
The first detainee death in the Cleveland County jail of 2023 occurred late last week.
44-year-old Joe Allen Sims Jr. was found unresponsive from an apparent hanging in his cell at the Cleveland County jail on Friday afternoon.
The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations are investigating his death and the Medical Examiner’s Office will determine an official cause of death.
This follows the resignation of two high-ranking jail officials last month - Deputy Chief Scott Sebrook, who was in charge of overseeing all jail operations, and Major Dennis Hansen, who was an administrator in charge of support services. The month prior, one woman was found dead in her jail cell and another died after being transported to a hospital for a medical emergency. Their deaths are also under investigation.
Capitol Insider: Attorney General Withdraws Opinion For Misusing Religious Liberty
During the latest edition of Capitol Insider, KGOU general manager Dick Pryor talks with Quorum Call Publisher Shawn Ashley about public funding for religious charter schools, bills to crack down on drag performances, and efforts to ‘box-in’ new state schools superintendent Ryan Walters. Ashley also looks ahead to the coming week.
"Thursday is the deadline for bills to be heard in a committee of their chamber of origin. House bills and joint resolutions in a House committee. And Senate bills and joint resolutions in a Senate committee. It will be a fast-paced week as members work to move their proposals on to the next step in the legislative process," said Ashley.
Stay up to date with the latest in Oklahoma politics, policy and government with our weekly Capitol Insider podcast available now on KGOU.org and wherever you get your podcasts.
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House leaders respond to Walters' comments
Republican leaders are firing back after they say State Superintendent Ryan Walters disparaged Oklahoma’s higher education system at a Thursday State Board of Education meeting.
Walters’ remarks came at the end of the meeting.
"I have great concerns about our state universities, of, are they doing the role that’s properly necessary for our young people? Are they setting up our young people to be successful in the workforce, or are they worried about ideology? Makes me question whether we should continue to be recommending young people go into these universities," said Walters.
And soon after, Republican Reps. Rhonda Baker, Mark McBride and Anthony Moore issued a statement condemning the superintendent’s comments, clarifying he has no authority over universities and colleges - which are overseen by the State Regents. The representatives all chair education-related committees. “We implore the state superintendent to focus on the job he was elected to do, which includes supporting increased outcomes for the children and the educators in our pre-K through 12 classrooms.”
Oklahoma receives a failing grade for lead monitoring
An environmental advocacy group examined lead in schools across America, and it assigned Oklahoma a failing grade on its efforts to block the contaminant.
Environment America Research and Policy Center is a federation of advocacy organizations across the country. It released a report that takes a look at lead policies in schools - such as filter requirements, the quality of plumbing infrastructure and testing frequency.
The report assigned Oklahoma an F grade. It says Oklahoma has no state laws or regulatory requirements to address lead in schools’ drinking water. The state did get partial credit for having a voluntary EPA-funded testing program. States that received high grades have policies in place such as mandatory lead filters on water fountains, testing required in all schools and readily accessible lead-level data.
New poll says Oklahoma voters support pausing executions
A new poll indicates a majority of Oklahoma voters support pausing executions in the state.
State lawmakers and pro-life faith leaders met with the Oklahoma chapter of Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty at the State Capitol on Wednesday to call for a moratorium on the practice.
Demetrius Minor, the national manager for the organization, shared new poll data collected by local polling firm Cole Hargrave Snodgrass and Associates which shows 78% of Oklahoma voters support pausing executions in the state.
"I believe that these results say clearly, confidently, and concisely that it is time for the state of Oklahoma to put into place a moratorium for the use of the death penalty," said Minor.
Republican Rep. Kevin McDugle said he does not expect the Legislature to pass a bill instating a moratorium this session and the only other option is for Gov. Kevin Stitt to issue one himself.
Oklahoma Gas And Electric reports profit for 2022
Oklahoma Gas and Electric has announced a profit for 2022. According to The Oklahoman, the utility company had a profit of nearly $440 million dollars last year, an 18% increase over the previous year, despite total operating revenue dropping.
OG&E raised its customers’ bills by nearly $23 per month through four separate increases, though executives made no direct connection between these increases and the company's profits. A spokesperson said most of the increases were due to higher fuel costs and that the company could not profit on fuel purchases.
OG&E attributed its higher profits to increased power sales due to economic growth and more hot days, as well as recouping money on its capital investments.
Red River Rivalry kickoff time
In a recent town hall forum, University of Texas Athletic Director Chris Del Conte said he has asked SEC officials about moving the annual Oklahoma vs. Texas football game to a later start time. For 14 of the last 16 years, the game has been played at 11a.m. in the midst of the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.
“I love the state fair… the game… one of the things I did ask the southeastern conference about, I’d love to move that game to 2:30 p.m. ABC, 2:30 p.m., that would be awesome," said Conte.
While nothing is set in stone regarding any time change, Del Conte confirmed that the Red River Showdown will remain in the Cotton Bowl for at least the next 3 years.
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Drag Ban Bill
Hundreds of people met at the State Capitol on Wednesday to protest proposed legislation that would ban certain drag performances from being held in public.
The hundreds of protesters who gathered outside the House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday booed as they saw Republican Rep. Kevin West’s House Bill 2186 pass with a vote of 5-2.
The original language of the bill would have outright banned drag performances, including drag queen story hours, from being held in public where minors could see them. However, the amended bill specifies such performances cannot be “harmful to minors”, which under Oklahoma statute includes nudity, sexual conduct or sexual excitement, or sadomasochistic abuse.
Freedom Oklahoma Executive Director Nicole McAfee says the message the bill sends is harmful to LGBTQ+ Oklahomans.
"We know this rhetoric extends harm to all of our two-spirit, transgender, and gender-nonconforming community," said McAfee.
Busty Springfield, a drag performer and founder of a drag queen story hour in Norman, says story hours provide safe spaces for LGBTQ+ youth.
"I cannot emphasize enough how important it is for us to provide safe spaces for young queer people and their parents and their families to better understand themselves and who they are," Springfield said.
The bill now moves to the House floor, which McAfee says opponents will continue to try to disrupt.
- Read more about this story here.
House Education Plan
Oklahoma’s House of Representatives pushed through a pair of education measures Wednesday.
House Bills 2775 and 1935 are the centerpieces of House Speaker Charles McCall’s $500 million education reform plan that features teacher raises and tax credits for private school families.
Lawton Representative Trey Caldwell says the measure will help public schools across the state.
"These sister bills give us an opportunity to let every child in the state of Oklahoma win. Not a single school in the state of Oklahoma, if these sister bills pass, will receive less money than they did today," Caldwell said.
The House spent hours on questions and debate about the bills’ specifics related to tax credits. Republicans say many of those would be determined by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
Democrats like Representative Forrest Bennett bristled at the uncertainty.
"When we're going to send half a billion dollars into this program, I think we should probably I think we probably could have figured it out a little bit more specifically," said Bennett.
The bills passed overwhelmingly with Republican support, now they move on to the senate.
New Fairgrounds Coliseum
Oklahoma City broke ground Wednesday on a new coliseum at the OKC Fairgrounds.
The new coliseum, which hasn't been named yet, will replace the aging Jim Norick Arena. The project will cost around $121 million using money from MAPS 3 and 4, and other sources.
The new arena will have a seating capacity of 7,500 Construction is expected to be complete in 2025.
Researchers say the Arkansas River will slow over the 21st century
Researchers from Oklahoma State University project that the Arkansas River and its tributaries will have less water flowing through them by the end of the 21st century.
Many Oklahomans rely on rivers and lakes in the Arkansas River Basin for drinking water, crop irrigation and hydroelectric power. But OSU researchers predict that up to 28% less water will be flowing through the basin by 2099. Ecosystem modeler Jia Yang says that’s mostly due to climate change.
"Climate change is going to have a very large impact on the water resources in Oklahoma," said Yang.
The study predicts the Canadian and Cimarron Rivers will slow down the most thanks to rainfall patterns in the western plains. Yang says he hopes these findings will encourage water conservation,
"River flow reduction is related to everyone, so everybody can do something to help us to mitigate the impact of the reduction," Yang said.
He says it’s especially important in Oklahoma City, which relies on the most affected rivers.
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Oklahoma ACCESS Turnpike Anniversary
Today marks one year since the Stitt administration announced it would embark on its 15-year, $5 billion ACCESS Oklahoma Turnpike program. Here's where the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s highly-contested project stands today and how much further it has to go.
"...Such an exciting announcement for Oklahoma infrastructure," said Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Feb. 22, 2022, hundreds of residents learned their homes may be bulldozed to make way for new toll roads. And even though Stitt said the routes wouldn’t affect many — "It’s really just farmland, pastureland, so you’re not disrupting," he said.
Residents disagreed.
Soon, the opposition group Pike Off OTA was formed. And since, it hasn’t been smooth sailing for ACCESS. One lawsuit from Pike Off challenges how the OTA interprets its legislative authorization for certain ACCESS routes, and that one’s tied up in the State Supreme Court.
Another lawsuit alleges the agency violated the state’s Open Meeting Act by using vague wording in agendas for meetings that approved the project. Though a district judge sided with Pike Off, the OTA appealed and another hearing is set for March 3.
And, lawmakers are pushing a flurry of bills this session to put guardrails on the OTA, like requiring a vote of approval from affected homeowners before a project can be authorized and ending the agency’s practice of using revenue from one turnpike to fund another.
School Safety Bill
A bill aimed at reducing school vulnerabilities is heading to the Oklahoma Senate floor.
Sen. Dewayne Pemberton of Muskogee filed Senate Bill 100 after chairing a bipartisan School Safety Working Group.
Pemberton says Oklahoma’s school sites and Career Techs need to be assessed to make sure facilities are as safe as possible - and that there needs to be proper administrative protocols in place to address any emergency.
The bill would require each school district to have a risk and vulnerability assessment by the Oklahoma School Security Institute - which would need to be completed by July 2026.
Pemberton says the OSSI would also need to hire more people to complete the assessment over the next three years, which is estimated to cost $1.4 million per year.
The bill heads to the full Senate for consideration.
House Gun Bills
Two bills expanding the circumstances under which handguns are allowed to be carried in certain places are advancing through the state House.
Two of Republican Representative Kevin McDugal’s bills allowing for certain people to be authorized to carry handguns in some city and town buildings and in schools passed through the House Public Safety Committee on Monday.
House Bill 2136 would allow municipalities to authorize certain employees or public officials with valid handgun licenses to carry concealed or unconcealed firearms when acting in the scope and course of their employment.
House Bill 2139 would allow those with a valid handgun license to be authorized by the board of education to carry a handgun on school property.
The bills will now move to the House floor for further consideration.
Maternal Mortality Reporting Legislation
Oklahoma ranks among the worst states in the country for maternal mortality, but data on those deaths is difficult to compile. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports a bill making its way through the Legislature now could make it easier.
There are a host of reasons getting those statistics has been hard. Both the federal and state government rely on death certificate information. Those certificates can take several months to be released.
The state department of health oversees a committee that reviews maternal mortality. They look at all death records for women between the ages of 10 and 59 to see if the medical provider indicated a pregnancy-related condition in the certificate.
Rep. Cynthia Roe authored House Bill 2152, which passed out of its first committee hearing on Tuesday.
"This would require a hospital or birthing center to, ya know, report these deaths in a timely fashion so they can be investigated," said Roe.
It would also order the medical examiner to investigate all deaths of women who were either pregnant or had delivered a baby within the past year.
Potential Hunting, Fishing License Increases
Oklahoma hunting and fishing licenses have been the same price for at least 20 years. But that could soon change.
The Oklahoma legislature is considering a bill to raise and change some fees for hunting and fishing licensure.
Senate Bill 941 updates the state’s fee structure and directs the Wildlife and Conservation Commission to prepare a report every five years to potentially allow the legislature to raise fees again.
Sen. David Bullard is the bill’s sponsor. He says the bill also reduces the number of hunting and fishing licenses, consolidating what you get for purchasing a hunting or fishing license.
"It combines 46 licenses down into 14. That’s a smart move," said Bullard.
The measure passed out of committee this week, but still has a long way to go before it reaches the governor’s desk.
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Child Abuse VPO Bill
The state Senate has passed a bill that aims to protect child abuse victims from their abusers.
Republican Sen. Casey Murdock’s Senate Bill 291 was passed unanimously on Monday. The bill would add victims of child abuse to the list of people who are eligible for victim protective orders, which currently includes victims of domestic abuse, stalking, harassment, and rape.
Under the provisions of the bill, an adult could file on the behalf of a minor who is the victim of child abuse, which is in line with current rules for obtaining VPOs for minors.
The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. If approved, the bill would take effect on Nov. 1.
Clinton Hospital Closure Update
Since the start of the year, Clinton residents have been without a hospital following Alliance Health's decision not to renew its lease for the city-owned facility. Now, the hospital is now taking first steps toward reopening.
The hospital recently went through a preliminary state inspection with additional ones to follow to determine what modifications will be needed to bring the facility up to code. And there is some encouraging news. A spokesperson for Carrus Health says the state’s inspection went well, and that the hospital's condition was better than anticipated. This could potentially reduce the time required to get the hospital up to code and open again.
According to the Clinton Daily News, Carrus plans to reopen the hospital in phases. The first phase will include the emergency room, surgical unit and all outpatient services. Although a specific opening date for the first phase is still to be determined, an urgent care facility providing minor medical care is expected to open soon.
Chickasaw Nation Medical Center Expansion
The Chickasaw Nation is set to expand its medical center. Construction began last week to add new services to the tribal nation's campus in Ada.
The construction project includes an expansion of Chickasaw Nation's surgery department, a new administration building, an employee gym and a parking garage.
The 12,000 square-foot surgery addition will include new operating rooms to reduce wait times for patients seeking care.
Chickasaw Nation Medical Center opened in 2010 and served more than 1.2 million patients last year.
State Tourism Department Launches New Marketing Campaign
The state Tourism Department is launching a one-point-two-million-dollar marketing campaign.
The “Imagine That” promotion includes new television and digital ads to inspire residents to travel close to home and lure more tourists to the state.
The TV ads will air across Oklahoma and in neighboring states such as Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Texas, while digital marketing efforts will target a larger audience online.
In 2021, tourism was the third largest industry in the state generating a record of more than ten billion dollars from the more than 17 million visitors.
Stanley Rother Shrine
A massive new shrine honoring Stanley Rother – the first American Catholic martyr is now open.
The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City opened last week with a Mass.
The shrine has a 2,000-seat sanctuary, a visitor center, gift shop and a small chapel serving as Rother's final resting place.
The archdiocese’s goal is to serve a growing hispanic community on OKC’s Southside with the centrally located church.
“We gather here to honor the God who created all of this and the God who is glorified in his saints. We honor blessed Stanley because we are giving glory to God," said Archbishop Paul Coakley memorializing Rother during his homily.
Rother was born in Okarche. The 46-year-old priest was killed in Guatemala in 1981, becoming the first person born in the United States to be declared a martyr by the Catholic Church.
OU Softball First 2023 Loss
The No. 1 ranked Oklahoma Sooner softball team suffered their first defeat of 2023.
A 4 run third inning is all it took for unranked Baylor to defeat National Championship favorite Oklahoma on Saturday. Despite out-hitting the bears, timely pitching kept the powerful OU offense at bay.
The loss is just the 8th in the last 3 years for the Sooners, who’ve amassed 123 wins in the same span. In a team twitter post, Head Coach Patty Gasso remarked, “What just happened is extremely valuable. What's valuable is the response, the rebound and the extra work that is going to be put in to make us better.”
This weekend, the Sooners head to California for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, where they will face No. 2 UCLA among several others for tournament number 3 of 6 this season. OU softball will also see Baylor again in Waco April 21-23 for Big 12 play.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt holds weekly press conference
In the first of what will be weekly press availabilities for Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday, he took questions on education, drama with the state Department of Veterans Affairs, and weighed in against recreational marijuana.
There were the usual generalities around education — that, big picture, more money in education is good and he supports more school choice. And he made his position clear on State Question 820, which would legalize recreational cannabis in Oklahoma.
"The reason I think it’s a bad idea is because it’s still illegal federally. And I believe the Feds need to make a decision about marijuana," Stitt said.
Stitt also said if he could, he would fire Veterans Affairs Director Joel Kintsel, who contends Stitt illegally appointed some of the board members on the agency’s commission.
Budget surplus money
Lawmakers are getting an extra two billion dollars to spend in the coming budget.
According to the Associated Press, the Board of Equalization certified $12.6 billion for the Legislature in the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The state also has more than a billion dollars stashed away in its Rainy Day Fund and $700 million appropriated last year to help lure a manufacturing facility to Oklahoma.
Lawmakers must craft a budget for the 2024 fiscal year by the end of the legislative session on May 26.
Capitol Insider preview
In the latest edition of Capitol Insider, KGOU general manager Dick Pryor asks Quorum Call Publisher Shawn Ashley about how state House Republicans’ plans for education are taking shape so far this session.
"The House Republican plan, which was unveiled Thursday and passed the House Appropriations and Budget Committee later that day, has two parts. House Bill 2775 is a 500-million dollar appropriation to common education. And it includes 150-million for the financial support of schools, including a 25-hundred dollar salary increase for classroom teachers," Ashley said.
Stay up to date with the latest in Oklahoma politics, policy and government with our weekly Capitol Insider podcast. Hear more and subscribe at KGOU.org.
Research from OU finds investments in rural water infrastructure improve economic outcomes after 8 years
A rural sociologist at the University of Oklahoma found that investments in water infrastructure have positive impacts on rural communities—but they may require some patience.
OU professor Tom Mueller found that when rural communities spend bigger chunks of their budget on water infrastructure, they tend to have lower poverty rates, higher average incomes and less unemployment. It just takes about eight years for most communities to see those improvements.
"The US in general, doesn't have very great water infrastructure. We need to invest in it. Hence the bipartisan infrastructure law, right? But also in rural areas there's a lot of extra challenges," Mueller said.
As the U.S. population shifts toward cities and suburbs, many rural communities are losing the tax base they need to update their water infrastructure. And the study found that communities with more Latino, Black or Indigenous people tended to see fewer benefits from water investments, which Mueller attributes to the long-term effects of systemic racism.
- Read more about this story here.
Oklahoma sees drought improvement
Recent moisture has made a considerable impact in mitigating Oklahoma's drought situation.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, only 36% of the state is experiencing extreme drought or worse, which is a significant decrease from the previous week's 56%.
You could divide the state along the I-44 corridor—extreme drought to the north and west with conditions generally improving as you move southeast. State Climatologist Gary McManus says while 80% of the state is still in at least moderate drought, that's the lowest percentage it's been since July 19th. He emphasized the significance of receiving this moisture since the next few weeks are expected to be drier.
Five Moons Ballerinas
The U.S. Mint released a new $1 coin this month, featuring five Native American women known as the ‘Five Moons Ballerinas.’
The U.S. Mint is featuring Osage ballerina Maria Tallchief and the rest of the ‘Five Moons Ballerinas,’ on this year's $1 coin.
Born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, Tallchief was a world class ballerina who performed alongside her sister Marjorie and three other Native American dancers in the early 20th century.
The other side of the gold coin will feature Sacagawea carrying her infant son Jean Baptiste, as it has in the past.
Maria Tallchief is also slated to be on a newly minted quarter later this year as part of the American Women's Quarters Program. Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller debuted on a quarter as part of the program last year.
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Public School Funding Increase
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is looking to give public schools a $500 million funding increase.
The $500 million increase is divided up like this: $150 million would go to across-the-board $2,500 teacher raises. These raises would be added to what teachers are currently being paid, rather than other proposals that adjust the minimum salary schedule.
$50 million would go to districts with below-average funding from local tax revenue; and $300 million would be distributed to schools based on their attendance size, with a cap at $2 million per district.
And that money could be used for a host of district expenses, like upping support staff salaries or adding more to that teacher raise, new curriculum, facility expansions, and student support services, to name a few.
Like all proposals, bills have to pass through the legislative process before they can become law.
Private School Tax Credit
Last year, vouchers for families to pay private school tuition were the talk of the legislative session. But House Speaker Charles McCall opposed the measure and it never passed.
Now, McCall is proposing a tax credit system instead that would allow families to receive up to $5,000 in tax deductions for paying for educational services like private school tuition.
The idea met some resistance from Democrats like Tulsa’s Melissa Provenzano as it was heard in the House Appropriations and Budget Committee Thursday.
"With this bill, we’re creating two systems and tracks for kids: the public schools who take everyone and the private schools who pick and choose. If we do this to our state, we will deepen the divide between our kids in poverty and the kids who can use this bill as a coupon for a discount on tuition," said Provenzano
The GOP supermajority in the committee passed the measure despite the Democratic resistance. It can now be heard on the House Floor.
- Read more about this story here.
More Jail Medical Releases
The Oklahoma County jail is seeking more medical releases for seriously ill inmates in an effort to reduce inmate deaths.
After 16 inmates died in the Oklahoma County jail last year, the jail has increased the number of medical own-recognizance bonds it requests for inmates who need medical attention beyond what the jail can provide.
Interim CEO Maj. Brandi Garner says medical OR bonds are an important part of jail population management.
"You can’t just take what you get from the arrest on the street. You really need to look at the individual and see if jail is really the appropriate place for them," said Garner.
In January, the jail requested 30 medical OR bonds and was granted 19 compared to the five requested and two granted in October and November of last year combined.
Raises for Elected Officials
Oklahoma lawmakers have advanced a bill to give statewide elected officials a raise.
The pay increase wouldn't go into effect during the current term of any of Oklahoma's 11 statewide elected offices, but would begin after the next election. For many that's in 2026.
The measure passed through the House Appropriations and Budget Committee and now moves to the House floor.
If it passes in the senate and Gov. Kevin Stitt signs it, he wouldn't benefit. He's term-limited. But his successor would be paid $190,000 annually, up from the current governor's salary of $147,000.
AG takes over drug trafficking prosecution of former Stitt adviser
Oklahoma’s Attorney General is taking over the drug trafficking prosecution of a former Governor Kevin Stitt adviser.
Attorney Matt Stacy is charged with 13 felonies for helping out-of-state investors set up cannabis grow operations in Garvin County.
Before that, he worked as an adviser for the Stitt administration’s COVID-19 hospital surge plan and was appointed to a science and innovation council by the governor.
State narcotics officials allege Stacy set up fraudulent schemes with international drug trafficking organizations and engaged in “industrial-scale black-market marijuana manufacturing and trafficking.”
This is another high profile case Attorney General Gentner Drummond has taken on since assuming office. And not the first of someone who has connections to Stitt.
NBA All-Star Game
NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off tonight in Salt Lake City.
It’s the first All-Star Game appearance for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who becomes the first Thunder player to earn that honor since Chris Paul three seasons ag
The young Thunder star has had a career season thus far, averaging more than 30 points per game and leading the league in total free throws made.
Joining him this weekend are Thunder teammates Josh Giddey and Jalen Williams, who will both compete in tonight’s Jordan Rising Stars showcase.
OKC heads into the weekend holding onto the last playoff play-in spot in the Western Conference.
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Trans healthcare bill
The Oklahoma Legislature took another step toward banning gender affirming healthcare for transgender youth Wednesday. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis reports the state senate voted overwhelmingly to pass a bill that would ban transgender youth healthcare interventions like hormone therapy and surgery.
BW: Senate Bill 613 by Bartlesville Republican Julie Daniels would punish doctors found in violation of the law by having their licenses revoked and charging them with a felony that could result in up to $100,000 in fines or ten years in prison. On the Senate Floor, lawmakers battled over their ideals. Some, like Shawnee Republican Shane Jett, compared gender affirming care for kids to parental abuse -
SJ: We have some parents who chain up their little baby boy and put him in a cage. This happened, I’m not making this up. We have parents who kill their children.
BW: Oklahoma City Democrat Carri Hicks spoke directly to her constituents:
CH: To the families who have reached out time and time again as their children are being attacked by this body in our words and in our deeds: I do not condone the actions of my colleagues who would seek to deny your mere existence by denying you access to best medical treatments - safe medical treatments.
BW: The bill now heads to the House. For StateImpact, I’m Beth Wallis.
Legislation to combat fentanyl overdoses passes through committee
Legislation to combat the rising number of fentanyl overdose deaths in Oklahoma has passed through a House Committee. Rep. Mickey Dollen’s House Bill 1987 would allow citizens to legally carry fentanyl test strips without them being considered drug paraphernalia. According to the State Health Department, Oklahoma has seen a sharp rise in fentanyl-related deaths, with 300 in 2022 compared to just 47 in 2019. The Oklahoma State Department of Health has welcomed the proposed legislation. It now heads to the House floor for further discussion.
Carbon monoxide warning stickers on boats
The Oklahoma House Public Safety committee passed a bill requiring all boats purchased or operated in Oklahoma to prominently display a carbon monoxide warning sticker. OPMX’s Graycen Wheeler has more.
GW: The bill is named after Andrew Free, a nine-year-old from Broken Arrow who died of carbon monoxide poisoning after a day of boating on Lake Eufaula in 2020. Broken Arrow Representative Dean Davis authored Andy's Law. He says Free’s death hit close to home.
DAVIS: I have nieces that are boaters and they wakeboard and we sit on the boat. And so many of my friends and family just never had the realization that this was a danger.
GW: Gasoline-powered boat engines and generators release carbon monoxide. The colorless, odorless gas can build up in a boat’s cabin and around its open-air swim deck, especially on crafts that have been idling or moving at slow speeds. Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, dizziness, weakness and confusion. In Oklahoma City, I’m Graycen Wheeler.
Bill filed to bring competition to Oklahoma's electricity market
An Oklahoma lawmaker has filed a bill that aims to bring competition to Oklahoma’s electricity market. Rep. Ryan Martinez’s House Bill 1602 would give business owners and homeowners the option to choose their electricity provider, rather than having one assigned based on geography. If the measure passes, Commercial and industrial customers currently within the territories of OG&E or PSO would be given the option to purchase electricity from other vendors beginning in January 2025, with residential consumers following in January 2027. The proposal has drawn criticism from the utilities, but has been endorsed by the Alliance for Electrical Restructuring in Oklahoma, with supporters arguing it will increase competition and reduce prices for consumers.
Curfew for Bricktown
Young visitors to Oklahoma City’s Bricktown might have to call it a night a little bit earlier. OPMX’s Robby Korth reports on a new curfew proposal for the entertainment district.
RK: Under a proposal to the Oklahoma City Council, minors would need to clear out of Bricktown by 9 p.m. The current curfew in the area is 11 p.m., and OKC’s city-wide curfew for anyone under 18 is a minute after midnight during the week and 1 am on weekends. Bricktown’s business association supports the move, saying it will increase safety in the district. City officials say they still hope young people will go to Bricktown, but will leave earlier to return to their families or engage in “other youth-oriented activities.” The ordinance is due to have a public hearing before council on February 23rd and would be up for a full vote on March 14th. It would go into effect immediately upon approval. In Oklahoma City I’m Robby Korth.
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Statewide Virtual Charter Board hears cases for and against a taxpayer-funded Catholic school
The Statewide Virtual Charter Board heard cases for and against a taxpayer-funded Catholic school at its meeting Tuesday. StateImpact’s Beth Wallis reports the presentation from the Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City was met with opposition from proponents of keeping church and state separate.
BW: At the meeting, Board President Robert Franklin questioned the mandatory nature of religious instruction:
RF: Is there a required religious indoctrination type of course that’s embedded into an elementary or a middle school or a high school course of matriculation, or is that something that a student chooses to - how does that work?
AOC: In the Catholic schools, the Catholic faith is a required course all the way, all the way through.
BW: And public commenters pushed back on the proposal. Here’s Sherri Brown from the Oklahoma Parent Legislative Action Committee:
SB: St. Isidore’s application makes it clear that they intend to function the same as a fully private Catholic school without compromising any of their religious beliefs in setting policy. Will LGBTQ+ students or their families be excluded? Will students who become pregnant be expelled? What will happen to students who misbehave? Will they be expelled without due process?
BW: The board can’t vote to accept or deny the application until its next meeting in March at the earliest. For StateImpact, I’m Beth Wallis.
Bills aimed at retaining and recruiting Oklahoma teachers
With enrollment in Oklahoma teaching programs dwindling, the state is struggling to helm its classrooms with traditionally certified educators. OPMX's Graycen Wheeler reports on two bills aimed at retaining and recruiting Oklahoma teachers.
GW: Representatives Mark McBride of Moore and Rhonda Baker of Yukon are the authors of House Bill 2559. It would expand eligibility for an existing scholarship that gives education students up to $5500 to teach in Oklahoma after they graduate.
MCBRIDE: We have over 2,000 people currently that have applied for the scholarship since July. So it's pretty large. It's working.”
GW: McBride and Baker also authored House Bill 2558, which would give teachers who receive their National Board Certification a $5000 annual bonus rather than the existing $1100 salary bump. Both bills have passed the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee for Education. In Oklahoma City, I’m Graycen Wheeler.
Oklahoma City Council Results
Valentine’s Day was also election day for many Oklahomans. KGOU’s Logan Layden has the results from city council races in the OKC metro.
LL: In Oklahoma City, Mark Stonecipher was reelected in Ward 8. JoBeth Hamon was able to keep her seat in Ward 6 over challenger Marek Cornett in a race that got pretty contentious. Ward 5 will be decided in an April runoff. There were a couple of interesting races for the Norman City Council. In Ward 5 there will be a runoff between incumbent Rarchar Tortorello and Michael Nash, who are both against turnpike expansion in the Norman area. There was a legal question over whether Ward 3 Councilman Kelly Lynn could continue to serve in that role after an appointment as a judge. But he lost his reelection bid, bringing an end to that controversy. In Oklahoma City, I’m Logan Layden.
Bond proposals pass in Norman, Stillwater and Mustang
Voters across Oklahoma also considered a number of school bond proposals yesterday. In Mustang, Norman and Stillwater, they approved them overwhelmingly. In Norman, the package will pay for a new football stadium for Norman North and renovations at Norman High’s stadium. In Mustang and Stillwater, students will get new classrooms and other facilities. Passage means bond issues are very popular in the communities that approve them. In Oklahoma 60 percent of voters must approve a local school bond issue for it to pass.
Thousands of Oklahomans to lose Medicaid coverage
The federal government is rolling back some Medicaid policies that kept hundreds of thousands of Oklahomans covered throughout the pandemic. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports SoonerCare officials are working to avoid coverage gaps.
CS: In early 2020, the federal government created a policy that allowed anyone who enrolled in Medicaid during the pandemic to stay on it, even if they’ve lost eligibility - usually by getting a raise or new job that makes their income too high. That policy stops at the end of March. Secretary of Health Kevin Corbett says that’s going to mean a big drop in enrollment.
KC: At this point in time, about 300,000 individuals by our estimation are no longer eligible.
CS: That’s of the 1.3 million currently enrolled. The state is going to phase these people out of the program instead of suddenly dropping them. Corbett says many of the adults who lost eligibility already have traditional health insurance, so they’ll be the first to lose that coverage. Next will be adults who haven’t been using their benefits. Some have lost eligibility because of paperwork issues, so the Oklahoma Health Care Authority is urging members to get in touch and ensure their documents are up to date. For StateImpact, I’m Catherine Sweeney.
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Big school bond proposals on the ballot in Norman
Oklahomans across 62 counties have something to vote on during the primary and special election today.
More than a dozen school bond proposals also appear on ballots. Norman will decide on a massive 10-year, $353.9 million bond proposal package. Big ticket items to be funded by the package include a more than $24 million upgrade to the Norman North football stadium and more than $32 million will go toward the construction of a stand-alone facility for the Oklahoma Aviation Academy at Max Westheimer Airport. Norman High’s football stadium will also see some upgrades.
Other projects to be funded include a new all-schools fine arts performance auditorium, a new animal barn for the FFA program and dozens more. Officials say approval of the bond package will not result in new taxes for residents. Polls are open from 7 am to 7 pm. For your voting location visit the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website.
Black History Day at Oklahoma Capitol
Throngs of people flooded the State Capitol Monday to take part in the first Black History Day held there. Education reform was a common topic, in response to the legislature’s focus on diversity discussions in the classroom.
Civil rights activists, artists, students and community leaders spoke and performed to a packed rotunda at the Capitol. After 2021’s House Bill 1775, Oklahoma’s so-called Critical Race Theory ban, Black community leaders called attention to concerns of stifling historical discussion in the classroom.
"It might not be taught to you in the classroom, but it doesn’t make any difference. ‘Cause we can teach ourselves our history," said Marilyn Luper Hildreth, daughter of civil rights icon Clara Luper.
Oklahoma City rapper and activist Jabee spoke pointedly.
"White Republicans in this state have decided to make our classrooms, our teachers and our children their battleground — their battleground for racism," said Jabee.
Lawmakers are considering more classroom content restrictions this session.
Congenital syphilis legislation
Oklahoma has seen its rate of congenital syphilis soar. Lawmakers are considering a bill that could get those babies help before they’re born.
For decades, syphilis seemed all but eradicated. But ten years ago, new cases started to skyrocket. That included cases in newborns, who contract the bacterial infection while passing through the birth canal.
The CDC estimates that from 2016 to 2020, the rate of babies born with syphilis in Oklahoma went up by nearly 2,000%. Back in 2016, congenital syphilis was rare. And by 2020, Oklahoma ranked 5th in the nation for babies born with the disease.
State law requires medical providers to test pregnant patients for syphilis once — at the beginning of the pregnancy. Public health and medical experts have been pushing for more screening throughout pregnancy.
Senate Bill 292, filed by Midwest City Senator Brenda Stanley, would up that requirement to three times in pregnancy, including right before delivery. The bill advanced out of the Senate health committee last week.
Tiny home pushback in Tulsa
A Tulsa neighborhood association is pushing back against planned affordable housing communities.
The Tulsa World reports members of the Chamberlain Area Neighborhood Association are speaking out against City Lights Village, a planned 10-acre tiny-home community for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
The community would provide 400-square-foot homes for about $400 a month in addition to a community center, gardens, a laundry facility, and other services for residents.
Jane Malone, the president of the association, says she is concerned the community would decrease property values and increase foot traffic in the area.
The Tulsa Metropolitan Area Planning Commission will discuss whether to recommend approval of City Lights Village on Wednesday.
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Lawmaker Sells House To OTA
A state lawmaker was paid one-hundred-thousand-dollars above the appraised value of her home to sell it to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
The Oklahoman newspaper reports state representative Sherrie Conley of Newcastle was the first to sell her house to the turnpike authority after she noticed it was within an expansion route.
Appraisers visited Conley’s house a week after the turnpike authority revealed its $5 billion expansion plan last year called Access Oklahoma.
Conley is one of only nine landowners that sold their property to the turnpike authority last year.
She was paid more than one-hundred thousand-dollars over the appraised home value, given nearly $26,000 in moving expenses and gets to live in her home rent free for a year.
While OTA records show they have a history of paying more than the appraised home value, critics are skeptical of the agency’s early acquisition of the home of a lawmaker who also sits on the House’s transportation committee.
Labor Secretary Visits Tulsa
The United States' Labor Secretary discussed federal actions he believes will improve Black Americans' economic situation during his recent visit to Tulsa.
During his tour of Greenwood Avenue in Tulsa on Thursday, US Labor Secretary Marty Walsh touted legislation passed under the Biden Administration like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction act, which he believes will help provide Black Americans pathways to economic stability.
His statements were two days after the State of the Union address, in which President Biden pointed out that the unemployment rate for Black Americans was the second-lowest it’s been in recorded history.
"The president has been very focused on, we can talk about celebration and say, ‘We’ve done good things here,’ but our work isn’t done," said Walsh.
During his visit, Walsh met with the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and several small business owners. Cleo Harris, a descendant of a survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre and owner of Black Wall Street tees and souvenirs, said his visit with Walsh was impactful.
Walsh said his visit was “an important history lesson.”
Capitol Insider Preview
The governor has prominently called for the legislature to ban all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors. In the latest edition of Capitol Insider, our own General Manager Dick Pryor and Quorum Call Publisher Shawn Ashley discuss a bill that is moving forward.
"The Senate Rules Committee advanced a bill Wednesday that prohibits health care professionals from providing most gender transition services to children under 18 years of age. Senator Julie Daniels, the bill's author, said, 'This legislation speaks to what we in the legislature believe is the best policy for our state to protect children under the age of 18 from these irreversible medical transitions.' Senate Minority Leader Kay Floyd, however, noted in questions and debate on the bill that the legislature is and I quote, 'interfering with a parent's right to make medical decisions for their child. And that's a very slippery slope,'" said Ashley.
More on Oklahoma politics, policy and government on our weekly Capitol Insider podcast. Listen and subscribe at KGOU.org.
Osage Designer At NY Fashion Week
Sky Eagle design is making their debut at New York Fashion Week. OPMX's Allison Herrera spoke with the Osage citizen behind the company and has more.
Dante Biss Grayson started Sky Eagle in 2019. He studied fine art in Spain and Holland and was originally a painter.. But he put his art career on hold after joining the military and returned to it as a way to cope with PTSD. Eventually, his artistic practice became a way for him to raise awareness about issues affecting Native people. He labels his brand as New Native Fashion
"The patterns are like plainswork ribbon work and its really like modernized and contemporary and for everybody to enjoy-not just Natives," said Biss Grayson.
Biss Grayson has shown in Santa Fe during the annual Indian Market and, he's set to make his debut at New York Fashion week. Models will be wearing his line of dresses, shoes, ribbon skirts, scarves and jewelry.
NYFW is one of the four major fashion weeks globally, followed by Milan, London and Paris.
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Sexual Assault Task Force
A state task force addressing the backlog of untested rape kits was renewed by Gov. Kevin Stitt Wednesday after it briefly dissolved due to inaction.
The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Task Force was formed by former Gov. Mary Fallin in 2017 to help handle a backlog of untested rape kits. It had been renewed by Stitt in 2019, but lapsed in January of this year after he didn’t sign a followup executive order to renew it.
The new order gives the task force a number of objectives related to improving rape kit testing efficiency. The state task force has made a number of policy recommendations following a 2018 audit that found more that 7,200 untested rape kits in Oklahoma.
Some of the advancements made in the wake of the task force’s creation include a statewide electronic system that allows survivors to track their kits, and directions to law enforcement that completed kits be delivered to a testing lab within 20 days.
Postpartum Medicaid Benefits
Oklahoma has extended Medicaid coverage for new moms. Maternal health advocates are hopeful this policy will reduce maternal mortality and serious post-delivery complications.
Under SoonerCare, Oklahomans who wouldn’t otherwise qualify for Medicaid can get coverage while they are pregnant, and the coverage runs until 60 days after birth. That changed in January, when the program’s governing board voted to expand benefits to 12 months.
For years, maternal health advocates and the medical community have called to extend that coverage to one year postpartum. According to the Commonwealth Fund, 52% of pregnancy-related deaths take place after birth.
New moms can have non-lethal but still very serious issues with infections, clotting, blood pressure and mental health. Oklahomans who make up to 205% of the federal poverty level qualify. That’s $38,460 annually for a single person.
Norman Fire Department Faces Allegations of Fraud
The Norman Fire Department is facing allegations of fraud for falsifying records, which may have affected their annual Insurance Services Office, or ISO rating. The rating determines how well a fire department serves the community, and it has an impact on insurance rates. The city of Norman confirmed to KOCO that the fraud allegations have been sent to the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office, but the office declined to comment on whether an investigation is active.
OU To Join The SEC Early
The question of when OU will actually join the SEC has vexed us all for more than a year. Now we have clarity. A new agreement will send the Sooners to their new conference next year.
The 2023 athletic season will be OU’s last in the Big XII Conference. The same is true for Texas. Both schools are moving to the SEC, and the agreement announced Thursday means that will happen one year early. And it’s going to cost them.
ESPN reports the two schools will pay the Big XII $100 million to join the SEC early. That’s subject to approval by the Board of Regents, and there are offsets to ease the financial burden.
OU President Joe Harroz says the deal gives OU “command of its own future” and that he’s “eager to contribute OU’s iconic traditions and competitiveness to the SEC.”
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Committee Moves Forward Trans Bills
An Oklahoma Senate committee moved forward two bills Wednesday aimed at restricting transgender transition. Senate Bill 613 by Republican Sen. Julie Daniels would allow the state to revoke the license of a doctor, nurse practitioner or advanced practice registered nurse who offered gender transition services to minors under the age of 18.
The Senate Rules Committee also moved forward Senate Bill 129 by Republican Sen. David Bullard. The bill blocks public funding to any hospital, entity or individual who provides transgender medical care. If the bill becomes law, only privately funded medical professionals and hospitals would be allowed to offer gender reassignment services. Bullard’s bill will receive a second committee hearing because of its budget implications.
Cherokee Candidate Filing Deadline
Incumbents Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. and Deputy Chief Bryan Warner are two of the candidates running for office in this summer's Cherokee Nation general election. But more people are set to throw their name into the hat.
The deadline to file to run in the Cherokee Nation's general election is Feb. 9.
According to Cherokee Nation election officials, after the filing deadline, people have five days to challenge someone’s candidacy and the election commission has 12 days to certify the candidates running for Principal Chief, Deputy Chief, seven district seats and one at large seat.
The deadline for Cherokee citizens to register to vote is March 31st and the last day to request an absentee ballot is April 10.
The general election takes place on June 3. A runoff election should some candidates not receive more than half of the vote is July 8.
Oklahoma County Jail Trust Member Resigns
Oklahoma County’s jail trust has lost another member. The Oklahoman newspaper reports Adam Luck, who was appointed to the board in September, has resigned effective immediately. Luck cited a change in circumstances and a need to focus on his family and full-time work as the reason for his resignation.
Luck had previously resigned from the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board at the request of Gov. Kevin Stitt due to their differing beliefs on the death penalty.
This departure comes the same week a new member was appointed to the trust, Steven Buck, a former executive director of Oklahoma’s Office of Juvenile Affairs.
State Tax Collections
Rising interest rates are concerning for Oklahoma’s economy. But State Treasurer Todd Russ says the state’s tax collections are still booming.
Oklahoma’s tax collections were up almost $2 billion year-over-year. That’s more than a 12% increase from the previous 12-month period.
Russ touted what he called “noteworthy improvement” in tax collections, but he says there are signs for concern.
Interest rates doubled over the course of 2022 and that means a previously hot housing market has slowed down as fewer people are buying homes. On top of that rising inflation has also slowed some purchases, though sales tax collection remains high.
Some other areas have shown significant growth during the past year, including energy and use taxes and Oklahoma’s unemployment rates.
SQ 820 Forum
The League of Women Voters of Oklahoma held a forum Tuesday night at OU Tulsa on State Question 820 that'll see Oklahomans voting on recreational marijuana. A panel spoke on both sides of the issue. Michelle Tilley of Yes on 820 pointed to the economic benefits of recreational sales.
"A study from one of the leading economic firms estimated that by passing State Question 820 we will bring almost a half billion dollars of new tax revenue in the next five years to Oklahoma. That means a hundred million dollars annually we will be able to spend on schools, law enforcement, health care, and other priorities,” said Tilley.
Dr. Bruce Dart of the Tulsa Health Department said the social costs are just too high, though. He said the increase in traffic fatalities, workplace accidents, and the risks to children have medical professionals concerned.
“Some of the public health associations that oppose legalizing marijuana for recreational use include the American Medical Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine, the American Academy of Children and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the American Academy of Pediatrics,” said Dart.
Oklahomans will vote on State Question 820 on March 7. This Friday, Feb. 10, is the last day to register.
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Oklahoma's congressional delegation reacts to Biden's State of the Union
Oklahoma’s congressional delegation is reacting to President’s Biden's State of the Union Address. Representatives Stephanie Bice and Kevin Hern told KOCO that the southern border, along with the economy and energy, are issues that they would have liked to have seen the president address in his speech last night. Bice says not enough is being done to secure the border.
“We’ve had 4.5 million people illegally cross into the U.S. the last two years. That is more than the entire population of the state of Oklahoma," Bice said.
Bice also said that she thinks more needs to be done to help families in this time of inflation. Hern and Bice also say the Biden administration needs to do more to support energy policies in the state. In a statement, Congressman Tom Cole echoed similar reaction.
Business Friendly State and Tribal Nations
During his state of the state Monday, Gov. Kevin Stitt said he wanted to make Oklahoma one of the best states to attract businesses. He touted Amazon, Google and American Airlines presence. However, last year a report touted another job creator: tribes.
Tribal nations are a big employer in Oklahoma. A 2022 report by the Oklahoma Tribal Finance Consortium found tribal nations employ more than 54,000 people and have a $2.6 billion dollar impact.
Stitt talked about training workers for the future. But he left out examples of work done by tribes like the Cherokee Nation, which is set to open a new career readiness center this year.
Kyle Dean is the director for the Center for Native American and Urban Studies at Oklahoma City University. He co-authored the tribal impact report.
"Think about any company in the United States that would say, yes, we will do all of that and locate and Durant Oklahoma. There's not one. And that's essentially what I just described, is what the tribes do in communities throughout the state and have been doing for years," said Dean.
Dean says tribal nations provide the infrastructure, job training, health care and dollars to local schools-without tax incentives. He said it would be a different story if you asked any business to do that without offering something in return.
Stitt on Foster Care
Gov. Kevin Stitt announced a new focus for his administration: protecting children in foster care.
Monday marked Stitt’s fifth State of the State address, but it was the first where he said foster care needed to be a major priority for the state.
"Protecting Oklahomans means making sure our foster care system prioritizes kids and making families whole," Stitt said.
Stitt says the number of children in “out of home” care, which includes those in foster care, has decreased from 11,300 to 6,500 over the past 8 years.
That time frame includes efforts taken under Gov. Mary Fallin. Foster care was a major issue then — starting in 2012. That year, the state settled a class action lawsuit against the state, arguing its foster care system was failing to protect children from abuse and neglect. The settlement led to The Pinnacle Plan, a years-long improvement project that brought in neutral third-party monitors. That plan is ongoing.
Oklahoma sees slight improvements after months of harsh drought
After months of worsening drought, Oklahomans saw some improvement last week. But most of the state is still exceptionally dry.
The U.S. Drought Monitor releases a report every week. It classifies areas by five different stages of drought based on precipitation, soil moisture and other statistics.
Last week, Oklahoma’s report showed improvements in all five categories. From July to the beginning of December, 100% of the state was in some stage of drought.
But even after snow and rain over the last few weeks, 95% of the state is still there. Northern Oklahoma remains in extreme or exceptional drought, which can lead to water shortages and agricultural losses. But parts of the state’s southeast corner have escaped drought classification for now.
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Gov. Kevin Stitt delivers State of the State address
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt delivered the first State of the State address of his second term Monday.
Stitt has taken his re-election as a mandate from conservative voters: grow school choice, cut taxes and ban gender affirming care for transgender minors. He laid out those priorities in a 32-minute speech and reflected on what he says were wins during his first term.
"We said that we would put a fresh set of eyes on state government, cut red tape, and create a more transparent government - and we delivered," said Stitt.
What Stitt can deliver next remains to be seen. Some of his policy priorities - like growing private school voucher programs - aren’t too popular with all Republicans. But regardless, he says, he’ll continue to tout them.
Oklahoma Democratic leaders react to Stitt's speech
Oklahoma Democratic leaders held a press briefing in response to the priorities laid out by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Democrats account for nearly 19% of the entire state legislature. The minority party leaders say they weren’t surprised by Stitt’s State of the State speech. They still say they’re uneasy with many of his proposals like private school vouchers, restrictions to abortion access and other issues.
Stillwater Democrat Trish Ranson says she’s concerned the GOP is keeping too much money - almost $4 billion - in its reserves, instead of spending on government services.
"We call on the Republican Party to invest in Oklahoma. All of Oklahoma," said Ranson.
Democrats say investing in healthcare, education and other critical programs would be a good start. They are preparing to work across the aisle to eliminate grocery tax and advance criminal justice reform.
Stitt on Gender-affirming care
During his State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt ensured that trans rights will remain a major social issue during this year’s legislative session.
Hundreds of trans rights demonstrators gathered at the Capitol ahead of Stitt’s speech. They were protesting a spate of bills that aim to criminalize gender-affirming treatments, including reversible hormone therapies. The messaging around these bills focuses on care for minors. But one bill affects Oklahomans as old as 21, and another, those as old as 26.
Among the demonstrators was Nicole McAfee, the executive director of 2SLGBTQ+ rights organization Freedom Oklahoma.
“Trans folks are here. We belong here… We’re here now to make sure the governor knows we’re not going anywhere," said McAfee.
During the speech, Stitt joined a host of high-profile conservatives across the country criticizing gender-affirming care for young people.
"Minors can’t vote, can’t purchase alcohol, can’t purchase cigarettes… We shouldn’t allow a minor to get a permanent gender altering surgery in Oklahoma," Stitt said.
Gender-affirming care is the latest trans issue to catch fire in Oklahoma politics. Conservative lawmakers have already cracked down on trans athletes in girls’ and women’s sports and have banned gender-inclusive bathroom policies in schools.
Tribal-State relations not mentioned in Stitt's State of the State
While Gov. Kevin Stitt outlined his priorities for education, tax cuts and making Oklahoma one of the top ten states for business, OPMX's Allison Herrera noticed one topic wasn't there: tribal-state relations.
In the last couple state of the state addresses, Stitt has highlighted the landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma decision, saying that it was causing chaos for law enforcement and crime victims in Northeast Oklahoma. That decision says Muscogee Nation’s reservation was never disestablished and that the tribe has criminal jurisdiction in its boundaries. The ruling has since grown to also apply to the Cherokee Nation.
Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. says he appreciates the governor’s new tone, even if he didn’t talk about tribal nations.
"Education, infrastructure and health care-I think those are opportunities to touch upon that any governor of the state of Oklahoma could touch upon the relationship between the tribes in the state and how it's positive. And I think, you know, those are the kind of opportunities I'd like to see Governor Stitt take in the future," said Hoskin Jr.
Before his inauguration for a second term, Stitt reached out to a number of tribal leaders inviting them to the ceremony asking for a fresh start after nearly three years of tense relations over McGirt and tribal gaming.
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OU researchers aim to get more counselors, behavior analysts, social workers in rural schools
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are implementing a new initiative to get more counselors, social workers and behavior analysts in rural schools. The project is being funded by a $5.6 million federal grant.
It’s called “Project Rural Innovation for Mental health Enhancement,” or PRIME. Its aim is to fill the gaps in rural school districts by recruiting and training 64 future counselors, social workers and behavior analysts from rural communities and paying for their graduate tuition, fees and costs while in the program. In exchange, graduates agree to serve two years in a rural, high-need school for every year they received program funding.
The project’s lead researcher, Brittany Hott, says rural communities have been clamoring to be part of the program.
"There’s so much need that this is just the start, and we’re hoping to create a ripple effect once we have this set of scholars trained. I want every district and every child in the state to have access to the services that they need and for the teachers and administrators to have the support that they need, " said Hott.
Hott says the team plans to reapply for the grant when it runs out in 5 years and expand the PRIME program even more.
- Read more about this story here.
State of the State address highlights start of 2023 legislative session
During the latest edition of Capitol Insider, our podcast discussing Oklahoma politics, policy and government, KGOU general manager Dick Pryor asks Quorum Call’s Shawn Ashley about themes of the bills filed for the new session. There’s something for everyone among the thousands of bills. But issues related to abortion, firearm regulations, and transgender children will be featured. And, of course, education.
"Well, as usually is the case, there are a lot of bills related to education. Nearly 300. Some deal with what should and what should not be taught in classrooms. Some would modify graduation requirements. And others support raises for teachers and support personnel.," said Ashley.
You can hear the full conversation on weekly Capitol Insider podcast.
OKC Traffic Safety Grant
Oklahoma City will receive an $800,000 grant to improve safety on its roads.
The federal grant will pay for a detailed plan to reduce roadway deaths and injuries to drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. It’s part of a broader Department of Transportation initiative to improve safety on roads and sidewalks across the country.
OKC had 402 vehicle-involved deaths between 2016 and 2020, the fourth highest rate of deaths for any city in the nation.
The city has more than 3,500 miles worth of streets.
The plan will take a year and a half to complete and officials will invite public comment as it shapes how OKC improves infrastructure in the future.
Native Athletes Hall of Fame
Two Indigenous Oklahomans are set to be inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame.
Ask any baseball fan: who's the greatest catcher of all time? They'll say Johnny Bench. Bench is a Choctaw Citizen who grew up in Binger and played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967-1983 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.
Cherokee Citizen Sam Bradford played for nine years in the National Football League for the St. Louis Rams and Minnesota Vikings after winning the Heisman trophy while at the University of Oklahoma.
Both will be inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in April at the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City. The hall is set to move to OKC from its current location at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas.
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TSET investment in rural medicine
One of Oklahoma’s public health agencies will invest $4.5 million in the state’s rural health care.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, otherwise known as TSET, announced a major investment in continuing education and mentorship for Oklahoma’s rural health providers on Thursday. TSET is a state agency that oversees several public health initiatives, including smoking cessation.
It will be investing in an Extension for Community Health Care Outcomes — or ECHO — program. That model is designed to connect medical providers in underserved areas virtually with specialists who can mentor them and help improve care. They exist across the globe, and Oklahoma State University’s Center for Health Sciences manages the one here. The hub connects rural providers with specialists in obesity medicine, infectious diseases, obstetrics, and palliative care.
The new TSET funding will help the project incorporate more specialities into the program, including diabetes, pediatric obesity and hypertension management.
Legislative session preview - Broadband
Oklahoma lawmakers are looking to get the ball rolling on broadband internet expansion.
The state’s broadband office aims to bring high-speed internet to 95% of homes by June 2028.
So this year, legislators are looking to open up permission for electric companies to expand broadband services and encourage internet providers to work with the state’s broadband office.
Republican senator Brent Howard of Altus filed a bill easing regulations for electric companies to provide broadband services to customers.
And Republican Senator Lonnie Paxton of Tuttle filed a bill that would encourage internet providers to share information with the Oklahoma Broadband Office.
The state’s broadband office was established last year to oversee millions of dollars in broadband spending, but continues to struggle to find a permanent director.
Update on OKCPD lawsuit
The Oklahoma City Police Department will amend protocol for stopping people on FBI terror watchlists following a lawsuit filed last week.
Saadiq Long, the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed against OKCPD by the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Affairs, will withdraw his motion in exchange for the police department instructing officers not to stop anyone based solely on their appearance on FBI terror watchlists.
Long is a Muslim-American Air Force veteran who has been stopped by OKCPD five times since November of last year, including a stop last month which resulted in him being handcuffed and arrested at gunpoint while his car was searched.
Long sued the federal government in 2015 for placing him on a terror watchlist without explanation. He has never been charged with any terrorism-related crimes.
Tulsa County sheriff refuses to enforce new gun mandate
The Tulsa County sheriff is openly refusing to enforce a new federal mandate concerning a gun accessory, arguing it’s punishes law-abiding citizens.
Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado refuses to enforce the federal government’s new pistol brace rule, which requires owners of the gun accessory to register with the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives within the next four months.
The DOJ argues the braces turn pistols into short-barreled rifles. The accessory was used in at least two high-profile mass shootings in recent years.
"We can spend all day talking about the dynamics of a mass shooter and why we're having those and why we're seeing them, what appears to be more in recent history, but braces are not the cause of that problem," said Regalado.
Regalado also said he doesn’t expect his noncompliance to trigger federal enforcement or legal action against the county. He said he’s worked with ATF agents, and that they’re "solid individuals who care about their communities and the safety of their citizens."
In response to Regalado’s statement, an ATF spokesperson simply said it’s his agency’s job to enforce such federal mandates.
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Senate Budget Hearing
Newly elected State Superintendent Ryan Walters is hoping the legislature will allocate about $330 million more than last year to fund his new education initiatives and address the teacher shortage. Walters presented his proposal to lawmakers Wednesday — and got some push back.
Agencies present wishlists, but only the legislature can set the final budget. And Walters got a peek into how some lawmakers feel about his plans after he began the hearing with familiar talking points, denouncing what he calls CRT and indoctrination in the classroom.
"One of the things we could do to improve teacher retention in the state is to stop talking about the profession in terms like that. Can I get your assurance that you’re going to drop the campaign rhetoric and work constructively to encourage people to build long term careers in education?", said Tulsa Representative John Waldron.
"I absolutely will not apologize, nor will I ever apologize for speaking on behalf of Oklahoma parents. I will never stop fighting radical indoctrination in the classroom," Walters said.
The final budget will come from lawmakers later this spring.
Stitt Signs Letter Opposing New Waters of the U.S. Rule
Oklahoma’s Kevin Stitt is among 25 Republican state governors who signed a letter to President Joe Biden opposing a new rule defining the scope of the Clean Water Act.
The Clean Water Act gives the Environmental Protection Agency authority to regulate pollution in what it calls “the waters of the United States.” But how the EPA defines those waters has changed under the last three presidential administrations.
The most recent update is based on a definition the EPA used before 2015. Upstream waters that “significantly affect” the integrity of Federal waters will fall under the Clean Water Act; otherwise, their regulation is up to the tribes and the states.
Half of the country’s governors signed the letter opposing the rule change, saying it would make the Clean Water Act’s protections too broad and burden private landowners.
The letter requests a delay in the implementation of the new rule until the Supreme Court makes a decision on a pending case about how to define federally regulable waters.
As of right now, the rule will go into effect in March.
Legislative Session Preview - Marijuana Legislation
Voters will head to the polls next month to give a thumbs up or down to recreational marijuana in Oklahoma. But before that lawmakers will discuss an array of bills related to the cannabis industry.
Last year, lawmakers reigned in the number of Oklahoma’s marijuana business licenses, and pushed through funding to bolster law enforcement around illicit grow operations.
The legislature is again looking at further regulations, like bills that protect people who have medical marijuana licenses from discrimination and direct Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority employees to collect and submit samples for testing.
A special election on March 7 could upend the cannabis industry – and how lawmakers regulate it. That’s when voters will consider State Question 820, which would make recreational cannabis legal and provide for some cannabis convictions to be reversed and criminal records expunged.
Mustang School Sex Crimes
A Mustang Public Schools teacher has been arrested for sex crimes against a student.
Mustang High School teacher Raymond Thomas Garner was arrested earlier this week following an investigation by the Mustang Police Department and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations which resulted in multiple charges including first degree rape.
The investigation began after a Mustang Resource Officer notified the police department of rumors of Garner having sexual contact with a female student hundreds of times from 2014 to 2017 while he was her science teacher and National Honor Society advisor.
Garner has since been suspended from Mustang Public Schools and is being held in the Mustang County Jail.
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Drummond drops GEER lawsuit
Last year, an investigation revealed millions in federal funds intended for Oklahoma students and their families were distributed by a Florida tech company with little oversight. The previous state attorney general sued the company, but Oklahoma’s new AG says state actors are ultimately responsible.
The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, or GEER, was a federal program giving states millions of dollars to help students’ families recover from the pandemic by aiding with educational expenses. Oklahoma gave Florida-based company ClassWallet a no-bid contract to administer the program.
But an investigation released in May by Oklahoma Watch and The Frontier found the funds went to all kinds of things: Christmas trees, smart watches, nearly 550 TVs… And even though Education Secretary and now State Superintendent Ryan Walters gave blanket approval for the purchases, former state Attorney General John O’Connor filed suit against ClassWallet in August.
Now-Attorney General Gentner Drummond says he’s dropping that suit and instead turning his office’s focus to holding state officials accountable, saying, “It is clear that a number of state actors and other individuals are ultimately responsible.”
- Read more about this story here.
Legislation session preview - Tax Cuts
Tax cuts are a major goal for Oklahoma Republicans. With a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, they’re likely to be a focus for lawmakers.
Oklahoma has a record savings account right now: almost 3 billion dollars.
That means, Republicans are likely to explore many different ways to use that money. Last year, there was disagreement within the GOP on how best to do it.
Gov. Kevin Stitt has touted a cut to the state’s grocery tax, while House Republicans pushed for one-time rebate checks toward the end of 2022.
Regardless of what comes to be, the nuts and bolts of tax cuts and general spending will mostly play out during budget negotiations – a process that’s largely secretive as leaders in the House, Senate and Governor’s Office craft a budget behind closed doors.
IHS Diabetes Funding
Indian Health Services will receive nearly $140 million dollars from the federal government to support diabetes prevention programs throughout the country. Tribal nations in Oklahoma will be big beneficiaries.
The Indian Health Service began its special diabetes program in 1997 after research determined American Indians and Alaska Natives were more likely to develop the disease than non-Natives. IHS says since implementing the program, diabetes-related kidney disease rates have been cut in half.
Twenty-six tribal nations and health care centers dedicated to caring for American Indians will receive funding – including the Northeast Tribal Health System and the Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa.
Three of the largest tribal nations in the state, the Cherokee Nation, Choctaw Nation and the Muscogee Nation, will receive nearly $12 million dollars
IHS awards were given to 302 tribal nations in 35 states.
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Oklahoma's attorney general announces lawsuit against federal health officials
Oklahoma’s new attorney general is suing the Biden Administration. StateImpact’s Catherine Sweeney reports the lawsuit echoes Former President Donald Trump’s ire toward a global public health agency.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced a lawsuit against federal health officials on Monday. It alleges the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving too much power to the World Health Organization.
It focuses on a section of federal law that explains what the department is supposed to do when there’s a threat of communicable disease. It lays out what “public health emergency” means. A few of the criteria rely on the WHO declaring a threat bad enough to cause international concern.
Drummond argues that means the WHO is deciding for the country, and that threatens America’s sovereignty. The federal government argues that the section just gives insight into the department’s decision-making process.
Trump was a vocal WHO critic, and threatened to pull the country’s share of the agency’s funding — $400 million annually — arguing that it bungled its COVID response and it has too close of a relationship with China. Drummond makes similar statements in his press release.
Jail death footage
Video evidence of an incident that might have led to the death of an inmate having a mental health crisis at Pottawatomie County Jail in 2019 was released late last week.
Pottawatomie County Jail officials released video footage of officers tackling and pinning down Ronald Gene Given in a holding cell a week before he died in an Oklahoma City hospital.
Given was originally taken to a mental health facility by police for causing a disturbance at the Shawnee Tractor Supply store but was later taken to the jail after allegedly shoving an officer.
The state medical examiner found Given had died of organ failure caused by the officers restraining him and ruled his death a homicide, though no charges have been filed in connection with his death.
A federal lawsuit filed by Given’s aunt in 2020 claiming the officers caused his death is still ongoing.
Legal protections delayed for Lesser-prairie chicken, northern long-eared bat
The Biden Administration has delayed the implementation of increased legal protections for two species amid pushback from congressional Republicans
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has postponed reclassifying the northern long-eared bat from “threatened” to “endangered” until March 31, and new designations for the lesser prairie chicken have been postponed until March 27.
The Administration says the delay will allow regulators and those affected by the changes time to adjust. The listings drew criticism from GOP lawmakers who argued they would disrupt infrastructure projects and economic activity.
The northern long-eared bat is on the brink of extinction due to white-nose syndrome, while the lesser prairie chicken is considered severely at risk due to human activity such as oil and gas development, livestock grazing and construction.
Sooner Alums in Super Bowl
The Super Bowl 57 matchup is all set with the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs taking care of business in their respective NFL Championship Rounds. And there will be no shortage of O-U football alumni playing in the big game.
Former Sooner Quarterback Jalen Hurts now commands the Eagles offense and according to Sports Illustrated’s Josh Calloway, he is the youngest QB in Philadelphia franchise history to lead his team to the Super Bowl at just 24 years old.
Protecting Hurts will be 2013 first round pick Lane Johnson on the offensive line. For the AFC champion Chiefs, 4 former Sooners will participate including Lineman Orlando Brown and Creed Humphrey, TE Blake Bell, and Long Snapper James Winchester.
In total, OU’s 6 players are the most out of any college football program in the country. Super Bowl 57 will be played in Phoenix on February 12th with game time at 5:30 p.m.
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