Oklahoma Education Dept keeps staff resignations secret
Oklahoma’s Education Dept. under Ryan Walters won’t release staff resignation letters after top officials exit. Experts say it may violate open records law.
Data ties evictions to chronic school absenteeism among kids
Evictions and housing instability are fueling chronic absenteeism in Oklahoma schools, with 60% of unhoused students missing too many days. #oklaed #housing
EPA site debunks contrail myths, Lankford backs it
The EPA launched a site debunking contrail conspiracies. Oklahoma Sen. Lankford supports the move, saying transparency helps counter false claims.
Walters’ meals mandate could prompt ‘drastic’ school cuts
OK superintendents say Walters’ free meals mandate could force layoffs, cut programs and upend budgets with no plan to fund the sweeping changes
Oklahoma Highway Patrol to pull resources from metros
OHP plans to pull troopers from Oklahoma’s largest cities by Nov. 1; top GOP leaders won’t say if they support the move or when they learned of it.
Cell no! After 2-yr debate, schools get months to ban phones
Oklahoma schools have just a few months to implement the state’s new “bell-to-bell” cell phone ban before the school year starts in August.
Trump admin freezes $70M+ in Okla federal education funds
The Trump Administration is freezing funds that support before-after school programs, language instruction for English language learners, and other programs.
Oklahoma police continue to seize millions from motorists
No arrest or criminal conviction is required for Oklahoma law enforcement officers to seize funds they believe are linked to criminal activity.
Uncertainty at Epic Charter Schools after cuts, resignations
Families and educators at Epic Charter School face a summer of uncertainty as the charter school system downsizes its staff, facilities and course offerings.
Poverty rate persists as Oklahoma lawmakers debate the fix
Oklahoma faces a worsening cycle of poverty amid population growth, stagnant wages, and political divides over how best to solve the deepening crisis.
Okla inks $74 million deal to privatize prison food service
Oklahoma DOC will spend $74M outsourcing prison food to Trinity Services Group, despite past complaints in other states. 2 hot meals, cold lunches are planned.
Trump-backed tax, spending bill adds $2.4T to deficit: CBO
The CBO says the GOP-backed tax and spending bill would add $2.4T to the deficit and cause 10.9M to lose health coverage by 2034 if enacted as written.
Lawmakers fire Okla mental health commissioner against governor’s wishes
Oklahoma lawmakers voted to remove Mental Health Commissioner Allie Friesen, citing lost confidence amid financial turmoil. Gov. Stitt called it political.
Oklahoma enacts fines, fees reform — tougher sentencing laws
New Oklahoma laws cut some court fees, boost rural mental health funding, and toughen sentences for DUI, shootings, and other serious crimes.
Oklahoma parents look to opt out of new religious social studies content
Frustrated with “ideologically charged” content, Oklahoma parents are using opt-out rights to reject new standards on the Bible and 2020 election in schools.
