AGRICULTURE & WATER

Can Oklahoma's water survive the data center boom?
(The Oklahoman) — Google has pledged $30 million to support Oklahoma water resources as the state weighs the infrastructure demands of continued data center development. The company says the investments could improve water availability by more than 150 million gallons annually.

'We failed': El Reno vows to bill Bitcoin mine after water leak
(The Oklahoman) — El Reno officials say a Bitcoin mining facility will be billed after a leak released roughly 3.8 million gallons of water and disrupted service for residents and businesses.

Oklahoma ranchers have mixed reactions to Trump's imported beef plan
(The Oklahoman) — Oklahoma cattle producers are divided over a federal proposal to temporarily increase beef imports, while Gov. Kevin Stitt has created an advisory council to examine the impact on the state's cattle industry.

Gov. Stitt pushes for expanded interstate sales for state's qualified meat processors
(KSWO) — Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging federal officials to expand interstate sales opportunities for state-inspected meat processors, arguing the change could increase competition and create new markets for Oklahoma producers.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE & COURTS

Mental health backlog leaves accused defendants waiting months in Oklahoma county jails
(KOAM) — Oklahoma defendants found incompetent to proceed are spending months in county jails while awaiting state mental health treatment, creating pressure on local jail systems and highlighting a shortage of treatment capacity.

Oklahoma prison inmates operated political, insurance call centers behind bars
(Oklahoma Voice) — Inmates at four Oklahoma prisons have worked in call centers making insurance and political calls, raising questions about prison labor compensation, state revenue and the use of incarcerated workers in political activity.

$50 and a Bus Ticket
(Oklahoma Watch) — Oklahoma's approach to prison reentry often leaves newly released individuals with limited financial and transportation support while criminal records create significant barriers to housing and employment.

AG's Inola aluminum smelter lawsuit sent back to an Oklahoma district court
(Oklahoma Voice) — A federal judge returned Attorney General Gentner Drummond's lawsuit challenging the proposed $4 billion Inola aluminum smelter to Rogers County district court after finding insufficient grounds for federal jurisdiction.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Greenheck plans $300M investment, 700-job Owasso expansion
(The Journal Record) — Greenheck announced plans for a $300 million expansion in Owasso expected to create approximately 700 jobs, adding another major manufacturing investment to northeast Oklahoma.

OKC United owners offer $9M for stadium construction. What to know
(The Oklahoman) — The owners of OKC United have offered up to $9 million toward construction of a new multipurpose stadium, with Oklahoma City potentially matching the contribution and increasing the project's total budget.

Federal delays are holding up $21 billion for rural internet projects, as states wait for guidance
(KCUR) — States are waiting on federal guidance for billions of dollars in remaining rural broadband funding, slowing planning for programs intended to expand internet access and digital connectivity.

EDUCATION

Oklahoma reading law rollout to cross multiple state agencies, administrations
(Oklahoma Voice) — Oklahoma has begun implementing its new literacy law, including selection of a statewide reading and math screener. Key decisions are expected to span the transition to a new governor and state superintendent.

Oklahoma's Teacher Certification Pass Rates Range From 100% to 15%. The Data Has Problems Too.
(Oklahoma Watch) — Teacher certification pass rates vary widely among Oklahoma educator preparation programs, while limitations in the state's data make direct comparisons difficult and raise broader questions about teacher preparation.

Expanded Epic program gives students, including Afghan refugees, 'second chance' at high school
(Oklahoma Voice) — Epic Charter School's Pathways program has grown following changes in state law, allowing older students who previously left school to work toward an Oklahoma high school diploma.

ELECTIONS & POLITICS

National Democratic group targets 4 Oklahoma House seats to flip blue, including one in Lawton
(KSWO) — The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee has identified four Oklahoma House districts as potential November targets, providing an early indication of where national resources may flow during the general election.

Flock cameras draw opposition from across the political spectrum
(KGOU) — Opposition to automated license-plate reader systems is bringing together groups from across the political spectrum, with privacy and government surveillance concerns driving debate over their use.

Manager of small Oklahoma town accused of voter registration fraud
(The Oklahoman) — The manager of a small Oklahoma town faces a felony voter-registration fraud charge, adding a new election administration case as the state moves toward the November general election.

ENERGY

Petition against rising electricity bills catches attention of Oklahoma utility regulators
(KGOU) — A petition signed by more than 26,000 people is drawing attention to rising electricity costs as the Oklahoma Corporation Commission considers a pending PSO rate case.

Diversified Energy announces $1.8 billion acquisition
(Oklahoma Energy Today) — Diversified Energy announced a $1.8 billion acquisition involving oil and gas assets that include significant Oklahoma operations.

GOVERNMENT & REGULATION

What Oklahoma state lawmakers will study ahead of 2027 session
(The Oklahoman) — Oklahoma lawmakers are beginning interim studies ahead of the 2027 legislative session, with topics spanning education, health care, taxes, artificial intelligence, utilities, water, data centers and criminal justice.

ISS Files Suit to Block Oklahoma's Anti-ESG Proxy Advisory Law
(Oklahoma Watch) — Institutional Shareholder Services is asking a federal court to block Oklahoma's new proxy advisory law before it takes effect Nov. 1, arguing the law's requirements violate the First Amendment.

Oklahoma weighs regulation of prediction markets as sports betting remains illegal
(KOCO) — Oklahoma policymakers are examining prediction markets as questions grow over consumer protection and how the products fit within a state where traditional sports betting remains illegal.

HEALTH CARE

New work requirements could affect 250,000 Oklahomans on SoonerCare, agency warns
(Oklahoma Voice) — More than 250,000 SoonerCare expansion members have received notices about new federal work requirements scheduled to begin Jan. 1, with OHCA urging recipients to determine whether the rules apply to them.

Are there maternity care deserts in Oklahoma?
(Oklahoma Watch) — Thirty-eight Oklahoma counties are considered maternity care deserts, lacking obstetric clinicians or birthing facilities and highlighting continued challenges in rural maternal health access.

HIGHER EDUCATION & WORKFORCE

Reduced credit hour bachelor degrees approved at 3 Oklahoma colleges
(Oklahoma Voice) — The State Regents approved Oklahoma's first reduced-credit bachelor's degree programs at OU, OSU and Rogers State, allowing some students to complete degrees with 90 to 103 credit hours and potentially reduce both time and cost.

Eye on Oklahoma: Eliminating Tenure
(Oklahoma Watch) — Oklahoma's changes to tenure policy are creating recruiting concerns at some regional universities, where administrators say uncertainty over tenure has made it harder to attract faculty for difficult-to-fill positions.