Oklahoma will have a new governor in 2027. Gov. Kevin Stitt, elected in 2018, is serving the final year of his second term and has reached his constitutional term limit. In April, 15 candidates filed the paperwork and paid the fees to jump into the 2026 race. Nine of those candidates are Republicans: Jennifer Domenico, […]
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Senate kills Stitt-backed proposal to make state superintendent appointed role
A proposal that could make the state’s top education office an appointee of the governor, rather than an elected position, has failed in the state Senate. House Joint Resolution 1055, which would put the idea to a vote of the people, failed to receive a Senate committee hearing before a deadline last week, despite calls […]
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Oklahoma treasurer sued over alleged open records violation
A government transparency nonprofit sued the Oklahoma Treasurer’s Office Wednesday alleging the treasurer failed to release copies of contracts related to a program processing state employee pay. Oklahomans for Transparency in Government, represented by attorney Richard Labarthe, filed the lawsuit in Oklahoma County District Court and alleged that state Treasurer Todd Russ did not respond or recognize […]
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Thunder Mattress Debacle
The Oklahoma City Thunder told Bob Mills Furniture to kindly stop giving away free mattresses tied to the team’s success –– because nothing says brand confusion like sleeping on a playoff run. The promotion, which promised freebies if the Thunder wins it all, apparently crossed a legal line. Now fans must choose: restful sleep or […]
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Tourism Takes a Detour
Former Oklahoma Department of Tourism head Shelley Zumwalt didn’t just ride off into the sunset—she apparently took a parting gift with her. After “retiring” amid a cloud of ethics questions, Zumwalt secured a severance package that’s raising eyebrows across the Capitol. Details remain murky (naturally), but the optics are crystal clear: controversy in, cash out. […]
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Floor Fight Goes Full Soap Opera…
Oklahoma politics took a petty turn when House Speaker Kyle Hilbert fired off a scathing letter to Chuck Hoskin Jr., effectively banning him from the House floor. The dust-up stems from Hoskin’s criticism of state leaders over Medicaid — apparently enough to earn a written smackdown and revoked access. Nothing says “robust public discourse” like […]
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Oklahoma Should Give Todd Russ The Byrd
If Oklahomans are serious about competence, credibility and basic fiduciary responsibility, then the choice for State Treasurer in June’s Republican primary shouldn’t be close. It’s time to de-elect Todd Russ and replace him with someone who understands stewardship of public funds: Cindy Byrd. Let’s be blunt: Todd Russ has turned what should be a nuts-and-bolts […]
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Funding Forward
What do you picture when someone says “the arts”? For many, it’s the curtain rising on an Oklahoma City Ballet performance; it’s the sound of the Philharmonic as it tunes up. It’s a festival crowd spilling through the downtown streets; it’s opening night at Lyric. It’s true: those touchstones are such an important part of […]
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New Questions Emerge Over Oklahoma’s Invest in Oklahoma Contract After Shared Lobbyist Discovered
Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ hired the same lobbying firm as the parent company of a financial firm he later recommended for a state contract, raising more questions about whether the treasurer’s compressed selection process was fair and transparent. The contract gives 311 Capital Management LLC, a subsidiary of Citizen Capital LLC, a potentially lucrative investment […]
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State of Homelessness Address set for May 7 in OKC
Oklahoma City residents are invited to take part in an upcoming community conversation on homelessness, as the Key to Home Partnership hosts its annual State of Homelessness Address on Thursday, May 7. The event will run from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Yale Theater and is free and open to the public. Organizers say […]