AGP Executive Report

Oklahoma Politics & Courts: Gov. Kevin Stitt is pushing a long-delayed constitutional convention vote, setting an April 6, 2027 special election after lawmakers ignored the state’s 20-year requirement for decades. Education Watch: Oklahoma’s teacher pipeline is uneven: certification pass rates vary wildly by educator prep program, from 100% at Oklahoma Christian University to about 15% at Langston University, raising questions about support and tutoring. Public Safety & Health: Oklahoma City Public Schools is expanding hands-on healthcare training through new college-and-career center programs, letting students earn credentials like certified nursing assistant earlier. Marijuana Industry Fallout: After a deadly Sand Springs cannabis extraction explosion, the owner faces murder charges and OMMA is defending its oversight, including claims about licensing at the time of the blast. Business & Jobs: Wall Colmonoy won a five-year, $5M–$6M contract tied to Tinker Air Force Base to manufacture F-16 heat exchangers, with plans to add jobs. SNAP Fraud Crackdown: Oklahoma Human Services wrapped up a multi-county warrant roundup over alleged SNAP fraud, accusing suspects of more than $150,000 in improper benefits.

NBA Fallout in Oklahoma City: The NBA handed the Clippers a $30 million fine, suspensions for top executives, and five first-round pick forfeitures (2029-2033) over salary-cap circumvention tied to Kawhi Leonard—while the Thunder’s 2027 pick-swap rights remain intact. Local Governance: Oklahoma City’s Gold Dome future is in limbo after a sheriff’s sale; a court process and possible redemption could still derail a $3 million redevelopment deal. State Economy & Jobs: Kansas City Fed economists say worker shortages are the biggest short-term drag on growth across Colorado and nearby states, including Oklahoma, with rising costs tied to steel and data-center demand. Water & Conservation: Guymon partnered with Tomorrow’s Water to restore playas in Texas County, aiming to recharge aquifers and support wildlife, with 80% cost-share available. Health Policy: A national review finds menopause is largely missing from public prison policies, with Oklahoma among the few states that address it—but not in a comprehensive way. Oklahoma Cannabis: Oklahoma’s medical marijuana boom has collapsed, with licensed grows down about 85% and only a fraction of growers still operating. Public Safety: OKC police say a six-week investigation netted two men accused of a $25,000 metro retail theft ring targeting major stores.

Amazon Antitrust: The FTC and 22 states, including Oklahoma, sued Amazon over alleged “invented auction participant” tactics that secretly inflated ad prices for more than seven years, potentially costing small and mid-sized businesses tens of billions. Local Courts & Policy: A federal judge struck down New York’s Climate Change Superfund Act as beyond state law, a reminder of how quickly environmental policy can get tied up in federal limits. Oklahoma Economy & Jobs: MISTRAS Group opened new field service locations, including Tulsa, expanding industrial inspection and testing capacity for energy, aerospace, defense, and data centers. Tech in Oklahoma Businesses: An Oklahoma Taco Bell operator selected Oscar AI to turn store and labor data into real-time actions to lift sales, margins, and efficiency. Public Safety & Surveillance: Oklahoma’s debate over Flock license plate cameras continues as the state moves to end funding for the program, while critics warn about misuse and privacy. Health & Community: Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler is pushing tougher medical marijuana enforcement after the Sand Springs explosion, calling for stronger oversight and possible bond action. Weather & Water: USDA reports hard red winter wheat planting is delayed in key states as topsoil moisture stays critically low, with Oklahoma among the driest. Sports (Oklahoma angle): Oklahoma’s John Mateer is listed as the starting QB for 2026 Power 4 play, while Brad Powers’ Week 1 power ratings show Oklahoma climbing in his rankings.

Marijuana crackdown after deadly blast: Tulsa County DA Steve Kunzweiler says Ryan Bassham, owner of Solo Extracts, faces two first-degree murder charges after an Aug. 27 explosion killed two workers, and he’s pushing lawmakers for tougher medical marijuana rules and stronger oversight. Public safety + heat stress: Tulsa parents and the teachers union say some classrooms are too hot, with crews working on about 180 AC work orders and the union warning it may seek school closures. Local redevelopment surprise: OKC approved a $3 million incentive for Gold Dome redevelopment, but the Route 66 landmark was sold at a sheriff’s auction to a different bidder hours later. Banking expansion: Truity Credit Union bought property in Collinsville for a full-service branch expected to open in 2027. Education + workforce: UCO launched an AI-focused MBA program this fall, and Wyandotte schools offer EMT certification to seniors. Economy + growth planning: Greater OKC Chamber leaders discussed defense-industry expansion and transit upgrades to keep up with regional growth. Community help: Donations are pouring in for OKC apartment fire victims facing homelessness again. Business news: 7 Brew won an auction for 73 former Salad and Go locations, including sites in Oklahoma.

OKC Development: OKC City Council will consider an economic development deal that could provide up to $3 million to redevelop the Gold Dome into a hospitality and entertainment venue, with funds structured as a loan that lands in escrow until the developer meets requirements, and a target completion date of Dec. 31, 2027. Public Safety & Courts: New details in the Sand Springs explosion case add to the legal picture, including claims tied to alleged illegal manufacturing and missing required registrations, as prosecutors pursue felony charges after two deaths. Food Costs & Assistance: A federal court ruling has paused “junk food” SNAP restrictions in some states, while Oklahoma remains among those with limits already in place—keeping the debate over what families can buy with benefits in the spotlight. Education Accountability: Oklahoma’s teacher certification pass rates vary wildly, and reporting highlights how testing hurdles can block would-be teachers from getting into classrooms. Prison Labor & Politics: Oklahoma prison inmates have been used in call centers making insurance and political calls under contracts with the Department of Corrections, raising fresh questions about how elections and marketing are being run. Big Tech Scrutiny: Oklahoma’s AG Brenna Bird joined a multi-state lawsuit accusing Amazon of secretly inflating advertising prices through “hidden surcharges,” with claims that small businesses and shoppers pay the price.

OSU Leadership Shake-Up: Oklahoma State University is making changes at the top, with Provost Jeanette Mendez requesting a sabbatical and Senior Vice Provost Chris Francisco stepping in as interim provost; Spears College of Business also gets an interim dean as Jim Payne moves to a faculty role. Sand Springs Explosion Case: A deadly cannabis extraction blast in Sand Springs killed two workers and left major damage; Ryan Bassham has been charged with murder, and court records say the business’s marijuana licensing and narcotics registration were invalid at the time. Amazon Ad Pricing Lawsuit: The FTC and 22 states, including Oklahoma, sued Amazon over alleged “hidden surcharges” and inflated ad auction prices, claiming advertisers were misled and overcharged for years. Water + Data Centers: Google announced a $30 million Oklahoma investment aimed at water conservation, including research into how removing cedar trees could improve water availability as data centers expand. Oklahoma Business + Energy: Century Aluminum says it made further progress on its Inola smelter plans, including engineering work, energy contract talks, and financing momentum. Local Justice: An Alva police officer and his wife were arrested in an elderly exploitation case tied to alleged misuse of an 82-year-old man’s money. Oklahoma Sports: Oklahoma football game-week focus is on a more explosive offense, with Brent Venables emphasizing belief, alignment, and physicality as the opener approaches.

Inola Smelter Fight: The U.S. Justice Department backed a proposed primary aluminum plant in Inola, arguing Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond’s lawsuit tries to block environmental review before permits are finalized—an issue local residents have raised for environmental and community impacts. Sand Springs Explosion: OSBI and the ATF are still investigating a deadly THC extraction facility blast that killed two and damaged at least 25 businesses; the suspect, Ryan Bassham, turned himself in and faces two first-degree murder charges. OKC Housing Fire: An Oklahoma City apartment fire at the Meadows Apartments displaced about 50 people after a domestic disturbance started the blaze; firefighters reported no injuries and the Red Cross is assisting. State Politics: Oklahoma GOP gubernatorial runoff winner Mike Mazzei eked out a win by just over 2,000 votes, underscoring how split the party base remains heading into the general election. Energy & Business: ONEOK kicked off cash tender offers tied to a $5 billion debt repayment plan, while VENU reported strong pre-opening sales for premium FireSuites in the Tulsa market. Health Research: OMRF will lead an NIH-funded study exploring a potential treatment for meth and cocaine addiction. Public Safety: An Alva police officer and his wife were arrested for allegedly exploiting an elderly man, including withdrawals from his bank accounts.

Sand Springs Public Safety: Ryan Bassham turned himself in after being charged with two counts of first-degree murder tied to a deadly chemical-related explosion at a THC extraction facility that killed two people and damaged at least 25 businesses; investigators say the blast was captured on nearby surveillance and the OSBI is working with the ATF. Local Governance & Policing: Beggs is searching for a new police chief after its interim chief resigned, with the city administrator saying the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office is stepping in to provide 24-hour coverage while staffing is rebuilt. Energy & Business: ONEOK agreed to buy Brazos Midstream’s Permian Midland Basin gas gathering and processing assets for $4.425 billion, funded by an Apollo minority equity investment and paired with $5 billion in debt reduction. Federal Policy & Tribes: The U.S. Department of Energy halted a proposed Tribal Energy Access Corridor meant to help reservation power reach the market, ending the Biden-era corridor designation process. Media & Politics: President Trump escalated his fight with NBC’s Kristen Welker, demanding FCC action after she described his endorsement results as “mixed.” Health Costs Watch: New Medicaid spending figures show sharp local spikes in categories like durable medical equipment and anesthesia across Oklahoma communities, underscoring how taxpayer-funded billing shifts by town.

Medicaid Spending Watch: Oklahoma’s Medicaid bills keep climbing in small towns: Okeene paid $792 for pathology/lab in 2024 (+668.9%), Okmulgee logged $2,901 for surgery (+23.4%), Cherokee hit $25,203 for medicine services/procedures (+326.7%), Atoka billed $5,464 for vision (+105.3%), Sulphur jumped to $84,123 for dental (+191%), and Minco rose to $5,740 for pathology/labs (+139.3%). Prison Labor & Politics: Oklahoma prison inmates worked call centers for insurance lead-gen and political polling, with contracts tied to HBW Leads and the Department of Corrections. Beef & Trade Pressure: A cattle producer warns Trump’s beef import push may not cut grocery prices much but could discourage rebuilding herds. Insurance Fight: An Oklahoma City couple sued to force release of a stalled State Farm roof-claims review by the Insurance Department. Public Safety: Sand Springs issued a warrant for Ryan Bassham in connection with a deadly THC extraction facility explosion. Tribal Sovereignty: The Indian Gaming Association warned Tulsa-area tribes that illegal prediction markets threaten tribal gaming jurisdiction. Immigration Enforcement: The U.S. expanded a deportation list to 134 Nigerians, publishing names and photos.

Sand Springs Tragedy: A deadly blast at a THC extraction facility in the Morrow-Gill business complex killed two people and damaged at least 25 nearby businesses, and investigators say the explosion was chemical-related. Public Safety & Justice: A warrant has been issued for Ryan Bassham, charged with two counts of first-degree murder, with prosecutors saying they believe he may be trying to avoid arrest. Oklahoma Politics: Inola-area cattle and fish-farm families say the proposed aluminum smelter could decide how they vote in November, even after the GOP runoff—criticizing Mike Mazzei’s stance. Federal Immigration Fight: The Trump administration sued Arizona (and also challenged other states) over voter-approved in-state tuition and aid for students without lawful immigration status. Election-Year Politics in Oklahoma: Leaked audio shows Rep. Stephanie Bice warning about “Trump fatigue” and fears voters may stay home or switch. Energy & Economy: Researchers say 2027 could bring the biggest year yet for state energy siting bills, as data centers and affordability concerns drive policy. Weather Risk: A new study warns tornado danger could spread beyond traditional Tornado Alley later this century.

Immigration Crackdown: ICE arrested nearly 50,000 migrants in July, the highest total of Trump’s second term, with Texas and Florida driving most of the surge and more local police partnerships fueling the numbers. Energy Policy Watch: Oklahoma Voice reports researchers expect 2027 to be the biggest year yet for state energy siting bills, as lawmakers keep debating how to handle new power demand from data centers and affordability concerns. Local Earthquake: A magnitude 1.9 quake rattled near Newcastle, southwest of the OKC metro, with shallow depth making it more noticeable even though it’s far below damage levels. Social Security in Oklahoma: New coverage highlights how many people receive benefits by ZIP code, while Congress weighs multiple proposals to address Social Security’s long-term shortfall. Housing Pressure: Foreclosure filings rose 10% year over year in July, signaling continued financial strain for some homeowners.

Tribal Politics & Voting: Tribal leaders met at the University of Tulsa for the first 2026 General Election preview, with candidates and statewide issues on the table and a focus on boosting Native voter turnout through UINO’s Warrior Up to Vote. Campaign Watch: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cyndi Munson told News 9 she’s centering education and health care, saying Oklahomans are “ready for change” as the race heads into the final stretch. Election Set-Up: Oklahoma’s general election races are now set after the primary runoff, with Capitol Insider highlighting how the governor’s nomination flipped in the runoff. Food Safety: A lettuce-linked cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded into three more states, with the CDC reporting thousands of lab-confirmed cases nationwide. Local Schools: In Savanna, voters rejected a bond again for a nearly 90-year-old elementary school, leaving officials scrambling as engineers warn the building’s remaining life is short. Public Safety: Tulsa-area officials and residents are dealing with fallout from a Sand Springs business explosion that damaged dozens of businesses and left two people confirmed dead.

Education & Oversight: Democratic superintendent candidate Jennettie Marshall says she’ll focus on stronger leadership, curriculum improvements, and an audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education as she heads into November. Childcare Fraud Scrutiny: Oklahoma is moving to curb potential fraud in its federally funded childcare subsidy system after a state audit found safeguards are limiting large-scale problems. Big Money, Big Questions (Investing): TSET’s “Oklahoma values” investment policy is drawing legal heat, with critics saying the board lacks clear definitions for what those values mean and how they affect hiring. Housing & Insurance: State Farm documents tied to an Oklahoma hail-claim lawsuit are going public, with plaintiffs alleging the insurer profits by denying claims. Public Safety Tech: Bernalillo County is ending Flock surveillance contracts over privacy concerns, adding to the debate over how license-plate data is collected and stored. Local Disaster: A deadly explosion at a Sand Springs business complex damaged at least 25 businesses; investigators are working with federal agencies to determine the cause. Economy & Cost of Living: New research finds Americans are spending more of their disposable income on auto loans as car prices rise. Energy & Industry: Nextnova announced plans for a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Yukon, aiming to start construction in November 2026. Politics & Immigration: The DOJ is suing multiple states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, arguing federal law bars residency-based benefits for people not lawfully present.

Immigration & Higher Ed: The U.S. Justice Department sued New Mexico, Arizona, Oregon and Washington over in-state tuition and aid rules that let some undocumented students qualify, arguing the policies unlawfully discriminate against U.S. citizens. Oklahoma Families & College Costs: A Tulsa report highlights how parents are planning for rising tuition even as the University of Tulsa moves to cut tuition in half for the next school year. Local Water Crisis: El Reno’s massive leak is plugged after about 3 million gallons were lost, and officials are asking residents to limit water use while pressure returns to normal. Beef Prices Fight: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt created a beef industry advisory council in response to Trump’s plan to temporarily waive tariffs on imported beef trimmings—ranchers say it could backfire. Public Safety Tech: Fort Smith, Arkansas changed its Flock camera policy, limiting other agencies’ access and shortening license plate data retention. Childcare Fraud Watch: Oklahoma’s legislative review says the state’s childcare subsidy system is unlikely to face large-scale coordinated fraud, though risks remain. Oklahoma City Food Scene: Gorō Ramen marked 10 years in Oklahoma City, celebrating the city’s growing culinary draw.

Health Policy: The FTC finalized divestiture terms for Ascension’s $3.9B AMSURG deal, requiring sales of six ASCs in Oklahoma and other states to SCA Health, with extra limits on future ASC acquisitions. Public Safety: Sand Springs police report two deaths after a massive warehouse explosion early Thursday; businesses along Morrow Road stayed closed while investigators work to determine the cause. Education: Oklahoma Watch reports Robert Franklin won the GOP runoff for superintendent, setting up the next phase of Oklahoma’s education leadership fight. Rural & Community Services: A $50B rural health program is facing transparency complaints a year in, with groups saying late or limited state reporting makes oversight harder. Tech & Economy: PowerCompute says its Oklahoma GPU deployment hit “Verified” status on Vast.ai and plans to add a second GPU; meanwhile, 39 state banking groups are forming a BankChain Alliance aiming for a 2027 blockchain-based network for modern banking tools. Local Governance: Norman City Council voted against supporting three proposed turnpike interchanges, even as construction can still move forward.

Oklahoma Politics: Trump-backed candidates kept rolling in Tuesday’s runoffs, with Sen. Darline Graham winning South Carolina’s GOP Senate nomination and Oklahoma’s Gov. race turning on a razor-thin GOP runoff: Mike Mazzei edged Gentner Drummond by about 2,000 votes, setting up a November matchup with Democrat Cyndi Munson. Voter Turnout: Coverage notes August turnout stayed low statewide and in Tulsa, with many races drawing under 40% of eligible voters. Meta Settlement: Meta agreed to pay up to $17.1 billion across 47 states (including Nevada) and implement child-safety reforms for Instagram and Facebook, ending a trial over claims of addictive design harming teens. Health & Science: FDA approved a new pancreatic cancer drug (Rasonque) after promising trial results, while OSU researchers are testing ozone nanobubbles to reduce antibiotic resistance in livestock wastewater. Local Oklahoma: Claremore finished a $28 million water treatment plant upgrade, and Enid honored Sgt. Lee Frisendahl after his death in an off-duty crash.