AGP Executive Report

Oklahoma Courts & Public Safety: Lawmakers and family-court officials are reviewing whether supervised visitation rules have enough safeguards after a 6-year-old was shot during a visit and her father later died by suicide. Elections: The last day to register for Oklahoma’s Nov. 3 general election is Oct. 9. Tribal & Federal Policy: Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. urged Congress to advance a bill to designate Tulsa’s Greenwood District as a national monument. State Government & Regulation: Oklahoma lawmakers held an interim study on how to regulate data centers amid concerns about utility bills and water use; Grady County commissioners rejected a plan to create a county planning commission for data-center oversight. Weather & Emergency Planning: Hurricane Polo’s remnants are driving flood watches from the Southwest into the Plains, with Oklahoma among areas facing heightened rain risk. Federal/Defense: U.S. and Singaporean forces trained together at Fort Sill, firing HIMARS and other artillery during “Daring Warrior.” Corrections: An Oklahoma escapee, Logan Palmer, was captured in Rhode Island and is expected to be returned to Oklahoma.

Midterm Politics: President Trump is set to rally in Durant, Oklahoma, as the RNC frames the stop as part of a nationwide push to energize GOP voters ahead of November. Education & Discipline: State Rep. Rob Hall is studying ways to strengthen Oklahoma classroom discipline, citing teacher stress from persistently disruptive behavior. Courts & Accountability: The Oklahoma Supreme Court publicly reprimanded Tulsa County Judge Sharon Holmes for multiple judicial conduct violations, though it stopped short of removing her from the bench. Tribal & Community: Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes led a ground blessing at Gold Strike Park as Arvada begins a major redesign expected to finish in fall 2028. Veterans: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded nearly $3 million in Oklahoma grants to organizations focused on veteran suicide prevention and mental health connections. Open Records Fight: The Frontier sued Tulsa and its jail contractor, seeking access to records tied to deaths at the closed municipal jail.

Oklahoma Courts & Religion: A federal judge cleared the way for Ben Gamla’s proposed Jewish charter school to move forward after the U.S. Supreme Court deadlocked on a similar Oklahoma religious charter fight, keeping the state’s public-funding rules for faith-based schools in the spotlight. Immigration & Federal-State Tensions: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin opened a new USCIS field office in Edmond, calling immigrants “customers” and promising fraud screening as Oklahoma cattle groups warn enforcement is disrupting legal work and operations. Education & Local Governance: Tulsa Public Schools floated closing 17 schools amid Oklahoma’s steep enrollment decline, part of a broader statewide pattern that’s reshaping both rural and urban districts. State Politics & Campaign Trail: Reporting says President Trump is planning a midterm rally in Durant tied to GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei, as Republicans try to shore up turnout in increasingly competitive territory. Workplace Rights: The EEOC sued Continental Inn over alleged pregnancy discrimination at a Blackwell hotel, alleging harassment, demotion, and a firing after the employee complained. Energy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma’s Osage Nation Congress introduced a bill requiring tribal approval before hyperscale data centers can be developed on tribal territory, aimed at projects like “Project Spring” near Sand Springs.

Trump’s Oklahoma midterm push: President Donald Trump is set to hold a midterm rally Thursday in Durant at the Choctaw Event Center, his first official Oklahoma appearance in six years, as political scientists warn the move signals GOP panic and that Trump’s endorsement may be losing value with voters. Courts & transparency: A Cleveland County judge denied State Farm’s bid to dismiss Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond’s case, which alleges consumer-protection and racketeering violations; separately, a judge unsealed some State Farm documents and attorneys are weighing whether cameras should be allowed in future proceedings. Local government accountability: Grady County commissioners voted to request a special state audit of the sheriff’s office property after lawsuits and claims that recovered items weren’t returned. Election readiness: LeFlore County election officials urged voters to verify registration through the OK Voter Portal ahead of the deadline. Public safety: Tulsa County Judge Sharon Holmes was publicly reprimanded by the Oklahoma Supreme Court for multiple conduct violations. Immigration & beef prices: Ranchers and cattle groups renewed warnings that ICE raids are disrupting the workforce and could push beef prices higher.

Midterm Politics: President Donald Trump is set to return to Oklahoma for a midterm rally in Durant this week, his first stop in the state since 2020, with local GOP leaders and endorsed candidates expected to appear at the Choctaw Event Center. Health Policy: CMS and 37 states are shifting Medicaid quality measurement toward whether patients get healthier, not whether providers complete paperwork steps—an approach that could reshape incentives for care in Oklahoma. State Government: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission agreed to pay more than $310,000 in severance to three former employees, including a $155,189 payout tied to sick leave and long service. Courts & Accountability: A Tulsa County petition seeks a citizens’ grand jury to investigate District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler and his office, alleging misconduct and misuse of public resources. Immigration & Agriculture: Oklahoma cattle groups joined Kansas and Texas counterparts warning that ICE enforcement disruptions are chilling the workforce and could raise beef prices. Public Safety: Oklahoma City police are investigating a northwest OKC shooting that left two teens wounded but expected to recover.

Midterm Politics: President Trump is set to stump in Oklahoma next week, starting with a Durant rally Oct. 1 supporting GOP gubernatorial nominee Mike Mazzei at the Choctaw Nation event center, as he also plans stops in Alabama and then Ohio for Sen. Jon Husted. Voting Deadlines: Oklahoma voters have until Oct. 9 to register for the Nov. 3 general election, with county election officials reminding residents they must be at least 18 to vote. Local Government: Broken Arrow is asking a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the city’s rejection of an Islamic center and mosque rezoning request, arguing the project must meet the same land-use and infrastructure rules as other developments. Immigration Enforcement: DHS denied a report claiming ICE would pause arrests of non-criminal immigrants, saying “no one is off the table,” while Kansas agriculture groups warn raids are disrupting the beef supply chain. State Fiscal Watch: Oklahoma reported $2.9 billion in total tax revenues in Q1 2026, led by sales/gross receipts and income taxes.

Cost of Living at the Pump: Oklahoma diesel is edging toward $6 a gallon, with AAA tracking regular gas around $4.15 and freight groups warning the jump could ripple into grocery and other prices. Immigration Enforcement vs. Agriculture: Cattle and meatpacking groups in Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma say ICE activity is disrupting shipments and workforces, raising costs and warning of higher beef prices; DHS disputes claims that non-criminal arrests were paused. Veterans Policy: Sen. Brenda Stanley hosted an interim study on improving care for Oklahoma’s 275,000-plus veterans, focusing on the state’s veterans homes and long-range planning. Oklahoma Politics & Campaign Trail: Oklahoma Republicans and Democrats are reacting to Trump’s planned Durant rally tied to GOP gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei, with Democrats calling it a sign of trouble for Mazzei. Energy Infrastructure: A D.C. report says federal investment is set to expand Oklahoma’s energy grid, including a planned high-voltage transmission line from the Panhandle toward Colorado.

Veterans Care Study: Sen. Brenda Stanley hosted an interim study with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs and the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to map ways to improve care for the state’s 275,000+ veterans, including upgrades to the state’s seven veterans’ homes and a long-range plan aimed at quality and financial sustainability. Midterm Politics & Trump Numbers: A Wall Street Journal poll puts President Trump’s approval at 37% ahead of the midterms—the lowest for any president in WSJ polling since 1990—while other reporting highlights Republicans’ growing worry about a Democratic “blue wave.” Immigration Enforcement vs. Beef Prices: Texas, Kansas and Oklahoma cattle groups say ICE activity is creating a “massive chilling effect” on documented workers, delaying cattle shipments, and raising costs—warnings that could translate into higher beef prices. Oklahoma Election Trail: Trump is set to hold a midterm rally in Oklahoma at the Choctaw Nation Event Center, as he leans into deep-red stops amid tightening national sentiment. Court & Civil Rights: A ruling on Oklahoma’s anti-racism law is framed as a victory for “common sense,” keeping the legal fight in the spotlight. Public Safety: Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports a fatal early-morning crash in Pawnee County that killed a 20-year-old man.

Immigration & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states to use a revamped federal citizenship database (SAVE) to check voter eligibility ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms, lifting a lower-court block while privacy and wrongful-purge concerns remain. Federal Politics: Trump’s approval rating fell to 37% in a Wall Street Journal poll, the lowest for any president heading into midterms, as Republicans brace for trouble. Oklahoma Courts & Policy: A federal judge allowed Oklahoma’s Jewish charter school bid to move forward, rejecting the state’s religious ban for now. State Government & Courts: Oklahoma’s attorney general race is heating up: GOP nominee Jon Echols says he’ll “root out corruption” and target illegal “Chinese grows,” setting up a Nov. 3 matchup with Nick Coffey. Public Safety: Oklahoma County prosecutors say a man accused in a December 2025 crash that killed a mother and injured her daughter is headed to trial. Health Policy: CMS is shifting Medicaid/CHIP quality focus toward health outcomes, not paperwork, with 37 state partners. Economy & Food Supply: ICE raids in cattle country are disrupting beef processing in Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma, with industry groups warning of higher prices.

Federal Courts & Civil Rights: A federal judge blocked Oklahoma from using religion as an automatic bar to a Jewish charter school application, issuing a preliminary injunction that lets the Ben Gamla Jewish virtual charter school keep moving forward while the case continues. Elections & Voting Access: The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily lifted restrictions on states using the Trump administration’s SAVE voter eligibility database, a move that could affect how Oklahoma and other states verify voter status ahead of November. Campaign Politics: President Trump is set to rally in Durant, Oklahoma, as part of a midterm push that also includes Alabama, underscoring the GOP’s focus on reliably red states. Education Policy: Oklahoma governor candidates Mike Mazzei and Cyndi Munson both pitched education fixes, with Mazzei emphasizing a statewide literacy director and a third-grade reading “gate.” Immigration & Agriculture: Oklahoma cattle groups joined Texas and Kansas counterparts warning ICE activity is disrupting the beef supply chain and could drive higher prices. State Finances: Oklahoma’s severance tax collections fell sharply in 2024, dropping to $1.1 billion from $1.8 billion the year before. Energy & Infrastructure: The DOE announced major grid-improvement funding, including $250 million tied to Oklahoma’s Three Corners Connector transmission project.

Data Center Fight: Residents in Noble County and Sand Springs are pushing back as new AI/data-center plans move forward, raising fears about environmental impacts, light/noise pollution, and land-use restrictions tied to conservation easements. Dark Money & Elections: A new push argues anonymous “dark money” continues to shape campaigns by steering elections through hard-to-track funding. AI Oversight: Oklahoma is among a coalition of attorneys general urging Congress to regulate AI for safety, transparency, and state oversight. Public Safety: Oklahoma school districts are reviewing gun-safety measures after reports of students bringing weapons near campuses, including incidents in the metro and Stillwater. Courts & Health Policy: A federal judge ruled Oklahoma can’t block a Jewish charter school’s opening, while a separate Oklahoma Watch report highlights delays in the Epic Charter case. Veterans: Lawmakers heard Oklahoma’s veteran suicide rate remains alarmingly high and discussed ways to improve access to care, especially in rural areas. Energy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma is set to benefit from federal electricity-transmission funding, part of a broader grid upgrade push. Local Politics: A Moore police officer filed for a protective order against an Oklahoma County DA investigator, with the investigator placed on administrative leave pending a hearing.

AI Oversight Push: Wisconsin and a bipartisan pack of state attorneys general are urging Congress to set federal AI safety rules after incidents they say show “unchecked” risk to finance, infrastructure, and national security. Religious Charter School Fight: A federal judge ruled Oklahoma can’t block a Jewish charter school from opening with taxpayer funds, clearing the way for Ben Gamla to proceed while appeals loom. Oklahoma Senate Seat Timing: Oklahoma lawmakers are debating when the winner of the Nov. U.S. Senate election can take office after certification, after Gov. Stitt’s temporary appointment following Sen. Mullin’s departure. Energy & Grid Funding: The DOE is sending $250 million to Colorado for transmission upgrades, part of a broader $1.9 billion push that also includes Oklahoma’s grid projects. ICE Raids vs. Beef Supply: Oklahoma cattle groups warn ICE enforcement is disrupting shipments and workforce needs, raising the odds of higher beef prices. Local Watch: A Hennessey student was arrested after concerning social media activity; officials say the situation wasn’t a threat. Gas Prices: Tulsa-area regular hit $3.59 in the week ending Sept. 19, while statewide averages edged up.

Oklahoma Politics & Courts: Oklahoma’s vacant U.S. Senate seat is turning into a legal-and-political tangle, with competing claims over who should hold the seat after the Nov. results are certified—Gov. Kevin Stitt’s appointee Alan Armstrong versus likely winner Rep. Kevin Hern. State Government: The state’s next auditor, Melissa Capps, says she’ll tackle a backlog by modernizing the office with AI and rebuilding staffing, aiming to speed up audits and improve public accountability. Public Safety: AT&T network issues disrupted 911 service across parts of Oklahoma, with wireless calls rerouted while wireline calls may fail. Health & Policy: Two Oklahoma mothers are suing to block abortion bans from applying when fatal fetal diagnoses are involved, arguing the laws should not cover pregnancies likely to end in miscarriage or stillbirth. Elections & Rights: A new lawsuit challenges Medicaid work requirements tied to federal rules, arguing eligibility limits would wrongly exclude medically frail enrollees. Energy & Cost of Living: Diesel prices remain volatile, with one Grady County station hitting $5.19 in the week ending Sept. 19. Legal System Watch: A look at the 10th Circuit finds judges vary widely in how fast they issue decisions after oral arguments.

Elections & Voting Access: Oklahoma’s Oct. 9 voter registration deadline is the last stop before the Nov. 3 general election, with online registration through the Oklahoma Election Board and in-person help at county election boards. Public Safety: Multiple Oklahoma law enforcement agencies reported a 911 service outage, including Norman, with residents told to call specific backup numbers while calls are rerouted. Immigration Enforcement: Oklahoma is set to more than double 287(g) immigration arrests in 2026 as more local agencies join ICE partnerships, with the Oklahoma Policy Institute pointing to a rapid expansion across the state. State Politics: Oklahoma Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton is asking the attorney general for a formal opinion on when the winner of the Nov. 3 U.S. Senate election can take office, after Gov. Kevin Stitt’s temporary appointment of Alan Armstrong. Attorney General Race: Democratic nominee Nick Coffey is pitching a “public integrity” focus for the attorney general’s office, arguing Oklahoma needs courtroom-tested independence to tackle corruption. Jail Healthcare & Accountability: Families and Coffey’s campaign are pressing for criminal charges tied to deaths at county jails under TK Health, a contractor connected to Republican AG nominee Jon Echols. Local Government & Land Use: A rural Oklahoma town near OKC is facing a data center push, with residents questioning transparency and studies before construction. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices remain a hot-button issue, with multiple county-level reports showing the lowest E85 and premium rates for the week ending Sept. 12.

Federal Courts & Voting Rights: Alabama AG Steve Marshall urged the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Arizona’s documentary citizenship check and voter purge rules, arguing states set voter qualifications. Oklahoma Courts & Public Safety: A federal judge upheld a jury verdict under the RICO law against two Cayuga Nation members, ordering more than $240,000 plus extra fees. State Government Accountability: Oklahoma sheriff offices face fresh scrutiny after lawsuits alleging deputies kept or mishandled seized or stolen property, including a Grady County case tied to an ATV titled to the sheriff’s office. Education & Elections: Oklahoma voters will decide the fate of state taxes this fall, with sample ballots and registration deadlines approaching. Wildlife Rules: Oklahoma deer season starts Oct. 1, and new rules require out-of-state hunters to buy licenses at least 48 hours before hunting. Defense & Tech: A new stealth cruise missile engine testing push in Oklahoma is tied to expanded U.S. missile production plans. Public Health: Oklahoma’s “Rain’s Law” is driving fentanyl education in middle schools, including hands-on overdose response training.

Military & Higher Ed: Sen. Kelly Hines’ interim study is weighing whether Oklahoma could relocate Valley Forge Military College from Pennsylvania—potentially to Oklahoma City—if state requirements are met, framing it as a debt-free, military-linked education pipeline. Housing & Courts: Tulsa City Council unanimously backed a right-to-counsel style eviction prevention program, aiming to give low-income tenants and landlords legal representation during eviction cases. Public Safety & Violence Prevention: Oklahoma lawmakers heard testimony on community violence intervention programs, with advocates arguing prevention and mentorship can steer at-risk youth away from gun violence. Domestic Violence Tech: An Oklahoma survivor-advocate is rolling out the TINA app to help people keep protective orders and related case info on their phones. Elections & Voting Access: Oklahoma election coverage highlights the Oct. 9 voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 general election, plus local updates on early voting logistics. Criminal Justice: Oklahoma County’s jail population is down as officials expand pretrial release and mental health diversion efforts, according to a Criminal Justice Advisory Council report.