A divided Legislature passed a new congressional map Friday that could transform Oklahoma’s political landscape for the next decade.
Posted inVideos
The Invisibles: Dealing With a Gambling Addiction
Nearly eight years into addiction recovery, Nicole Zoellner is still paying off $180,000 in gambling debt.
Posted inUncategorized
Long Story Short: Millions More Go To Oklahoma Hospitals As Managed Care BeginsLong Story Short:
Oklahoma Watch · Millions More Go To Oklahoma Hospitals As Managed Care Begins Paul Monies looks into how hospitals across Oklahoma are getting extra payments as part of the state’s move to a managed care payment model for its Medicaid program. Keaton Ross on several consequential bills affecting Oklahoma’s courts, prisons and jails. Jennifer Palmer […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Key Criminal Justice Bills in Limbo as Session Winds Down
One bill cracking down on retail theft would partially roll back a voter-approved criminal justice reform effort. Lawmakers face a May 31 deadline to finalize business.
Posted inHealth
Millions More Go To Oklahoma Hospitals As Managed Care Begins
An extra $500 million a year will be going to Oklahoma hospitals as the state transitions to a managed care model for its Medicaid program. The money is meant to close the gap between what the government pays for health care for children and low-income people covered by the program and what hospitals get for providing care to patients with private insurance.
Posted inPodcasts
Long Story Short: How Oklahoma Zoning Laws Contribute to the Housing Crisis
Oklahoma Watch · How Oklahoma Zoning Laws Contribute to the Housing Crisis Heather Warlick recently wrote about how Oklahoma’s restrictive zoning ordinances may stand in the way of solving the state’s affordable housing shortage. Paul Monies discusses the latest developments at the Capitol, where lawmakers are in the last month of the regular session. Keaton […]
Posted inCriminal Justice
Staff Oversight Lax As Lawton Prisoner Murdered, Left Undetected in Trash Can
Three Lawton Correctional Facility officers were terminated after footage showed they failed to conduct required prisoner counts and investigate suspicious behavior.
Posted inPodcasts
Long Story Short: The Unique Challenges of Health Care for The Unhoused
Oklahoma Watch · Sick to Death: The Unique Challenges of Heath Care for The Unhoused Reporter Jennifer Palmer discusses her story about the high rate of teacher turnover in Oklahoma, Paul Monies reports on the state’s Free Speech Committee, and Heather Warlick talks about the health care challenges unique to those experiencing homelessness. Ted Streuli […]
Posted inDemocracy
Stitt Signs Hundreds of Bills Into Law as Budget Negotiations Continue
With less than a month left to go in the legislative session, House and Senate leaders are inching closer to a budget agreement and Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed hundreds of bills into law. But disagreements over potential income tax cuts remain a sticking point among the Republicans in charge at the Capitol.
Posted inHousing
Zoned Out: How Oklahoma Zoning Laws Contribute to the Housing Crisis
In Oklahoma’s three largest cities, single-family zoning regulations create obstacles for affordable housing development. As Tulsa and Oklahoma City budget large influxes of tax dollars for housing, some policymakers recommend reconsidering zoning laws.
Posted inDemocracy
As Israel-Hamas War Sparks Campus Protests, Oklahoma Higher Education Officials Take Free Speech Training
As campuses across the country see protests over the Israel-Hamas War, Oklahoma’s Free Speech Committee wants to ensure Oklahoma colleges and universities can be centers of robust discussion and peaceful protests without trampling on individual rights.
Posted inFact Briefs
Is Oklahoma ranked the most business-friendly state?
According to rankings from US News, Forbes, the World Economic Forum, CNBC, WalletHub, and the Tax Foundation, Oklahoma does not rank in the top 10 of states that are best for business. Various outlets constructed their 2023 rankings based on diverse metrics such as economic strength, tax policies, workforce availability, cost of doing business, legal […]