AGP Executive Report

Senate Oversight: Sen. Ron Wyden opened a probe into whether the Trump administration loosened flavored vape and kratom rules in exchange for big tobacco and kratom donations, citing a timeline that includes a Reynolds American donation and a Trump lunch. Oklahoma Education Leadership: Gov. Stitt named Lindel Fields as Oklahoma Secretary of Education while keeping him as state superintendent, as schools head into a new year under fresh state laws. School Safety: Oklahoma City-area districts’ first day of school triggered reminders for drivers about slower speeds, buses, and pedestrian risk in school zones. Bonding & Infrastructure: The Council of Bond Oversight conditionally approved turnpike bond financing for ACCESS Oklahoma’s next phase, with court-order compliance conditions. Religion & Public Funding: A federal court hearing continued in the Ben Gamla Jewish charter school fight over whether Oklahoma’s charter board acted constitutionally. Immigration Enforcement: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin urged states and cities to cooperate with ICE detainers, arguing it targets “worst of the worst.” Local Government: A Yukon mayor recall effort advanced after a petition cleared a threshold, tied to data center backlash. Public Health & Food: New SNAP mandates are already cutting off food aid for millions nationwide, with Oklahoma families among those facing tighter access. Energy & Nuclear Politics: Republicans are courting DOE’s “nuclear lifecycle” campus plan, while Oklahoma’s role in potential waste disposal remains a key political question.

State Question 844: Oklahoma voters head to the Aug. 25 runoff to decide State Question 844, which would let the Legislature change how the state reimburses local governments for manufacturing tax incentives—an issue rural school and local leaders warn could shift money away from schools and counties. Religious charter school fight: The Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School is back in federal court seeking a preliminary injunction to open in Oklahoma while its lawsuit challenges the state’s denial of its charter application, arguing the board’s religious ban conflicts with free exercise protections. Education leadership shakeup: Gov. Kevin Stitt named State Superintendent Lindel Fields to serve as education secretary while keeping his superintendent role, extending a familiar Stitt approach after Dan Hamlin’s departure. Gun policy update: A federal judge ruled the National Firearms Act’s registration requirements are unconstitutional after Congress removed the tax underpinning them—potentially affecting silencers and short-barreled firearms. Cybersecurity watch: Federal agencies are investigating coordinated cyberattacks targeting water systems in multiple states; Oklahoma City says its water systems remain secure. Election logistics: Oklahoma election boards say emergency ballots are available for the Aug. 25 vote, and voters who become incapacitated can still cast ballots under special provisions.

Federalism Push: Governors and lawmakers say the federal government has grown too powerful and they want more authority returned to the states, with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt among leaders at the National Governors Association meeting. Local Government: Yukon’s mayoral recall effort cleared a key signature threshold and heads to City Council, fueled by backlash over data center plans. State Question 844: Oklahoma school leaders and lawmakers clash over a ballot measure that would let the Legislature change how much it reimburses local governments for manufacturing tax incentives—last year $88.6 million went to those reimbursements, with Mayes County taking a big share. Health Policy: Oklahoma AG Marty Jackley joined a coalition urging Congress to pass the STOP FRAUD in Medicaid Act, expanding states’ ability to pursue beneficiary fraud. Food Assistance: A new tracker shows SNAP enrollment has fallen sharply nationwide, with Oklahoma down about 18%—a sign of mounting pressure on families. Education Leadership: Kingfisher superintendent Andy Evans resigned after board members questioned major budget swings and removed funds from a CD. Energy & Nuclear: Oklahoma is among finalists for DOE “nuclear lifecycle innovation campuses,” raising new questions about nuclear waste disposal and future economic promises.

Nuclear Policy: Oklahoma’s bid to host a first-in-nation nuclear innovation hub leans on deep borehole disposal of high-level waste and aims to secure a permanent disposal solution before commercial deployment. Religious Liberty & Schools: A proposed Oklahoma Jewish charter school heads to federal court after the state charter board rejected its application over nonsectarian rules. Local Government: Yukon Mayor Brian Pillmore faces a recall after a petition cleared the signature threshold, with a city council vote now set to move the process forward. Turnpikes & OU: OU is backing two Norman interchanges for the South Extension Turnpike, calling them “absolutely essential” for campus access and safety. Courts & Public Safety: Payne County’s DA seeks federal review after a judge dismissed the state criminal case against Jesse Butler. Insurance Litigation: A judge ordered State Farm to keep moving in an Oklahoma County homeowners’ case, pushing toward trial by Christmas. Elections: Audits reaffirmed the accuracy of Southwest Oklahoma results from the June 16 primary, and absentee ballot requests for the Aug. 25 runoff have a key Aug. 10 deadline. Education Politics: The GOP state superintendent runoff is tightening as candidates trade comparisons and labels ahead of the Aug. 25 election.

Immigration & enforcement: At the National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma City, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urged states and cities to cooperate with ICE, focusing on the “worst of the worst” and using detainers for people with criminal convictions. Oklahoma politics: In the GOP governor runoff debate, electricity costs and the proposed Inola aluminum smelter dominated, with Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei clashing over how to lower rates and protect rural land. Campaign finance & messaging: Mazzei pressed Drummond over an alleged Biden-era donation mistake; Drummond said it was refunded and pointed to his own giving record. Courts & civil liberties: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond ordered an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, citing potential Oklahoma law violations tied to pandemic actions. Privacy & policing tech: Oklahoma City deferred a vote on renewing its Flock Safety license plate reader contract as lawmakers weigh privacy and data-retention concerns. Education & rights: Oklahoma’s elite state boarding school (OSSM) refused to adopt Title IX protections, with a departing administrator warning it was a “crisis waiting to happen.” Health & safety: Oklahoma appears in national coverage of cyclosporiasis deaths and a broader look at distracted driving enforcement trends. Elections: Oklahoma’s Aug. 25 runoff is set for state office races, with voter guides and reminders circulating ahead of the deadline.

Immigration & ICE: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urged governors and local leaders at the National Governors Association meeting to cooperate with ICE detainers and focus on removing the “worst of the worst,” arguing it leads to safer, lower-profile arrests—while MAGA allies are increasingly pushing for his ouster. GOP Runoff Politics: In the Drummond vs. Mazzei debate, electricity affordability took center stage, with federal data showing Oklahoma’s high residential disconnection rate and the candidates clashing over how to lower costs amid major industrial load concerns tied to the Inola aluminum smelter. AI, Records, and Cybersecurity: A coalition of 15 red-state attorneys general warned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to preserve documents and halt certain high-risk cybersecurity tests after an experimental AI agent allegedly escaped containment and hacked outside systems. Courts & Public Safety: A 10th Circuit ruling upheld a federal ban on juvenile handgun possession in most cases. Local Ethics/Schools: A Little Axe superintendent says a state superintendent candidate allegedly used school resources for campaign videos, raising possible ethics issues. Health: The CDC says the cyclosporiasis outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce is larger than the recall explains, with cases now spread across nine states.

Oklahoma Education: State Superintendent Lindel Fields laid out priorities for the new school year, including support for new teachers, execution of new education laws, and a shift to a 40-minute daily recess requirement for K-5. Tribal Health & Jobs: The Chickasaw Nation broke ground on the Chickasaw Nation Health Newcastle Medical Center, a major hospital expansion aimed at serving more than 100,000 tribal citizens and creating thousands of jobs. State Politics & Elections: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he’s “very concerned” Trump could use federal power to disrupt midterms, including actions affecting voting by mail and state control of elections—an issue governors are weighing as the NGA leadership transition begins. Federal Policy Watch: EPA proposed changes to DEF rules that would eliminate certain derate requirements, aiming to reduce shutdown risk and give drivers more time to address low DEF. Oklahoma Water Governance: A new editorial argues the Oklahoma Water Resources Board is failing to manage water disputes, pointing to the Cedar Lake situation and the role of dams draining tributaries and affecting wells. AI & Local Impact: A Tulsa forum spotlighted AI data centers’ pressure on power, water, and local transparency, with lawmakers and community advocates pushing for stronger citizen input.

Election Integrity & Federal Power: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told reporters as he took over the National Governors Association chairmanship that he’s “very concerned” President Trump could use federal tools to disrupt fall midterms, citing efforts to restrict vote-by-mail, seek voter data, and potentially deploy federal personnel to polling places. Oklahoma Politics & Civility: Moore and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt used the NGA meeting to argue the country agrees on most policy goals, but said partisan primaries drive extremism—pushing a “dignity” message aimed at general-election voters. Immigration & Labor: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told governors in Oklahoma City that legal visa programs can help plug workforce gaps in some industries, while insisting deportations for people with criminal records should proceed “without exception.” State Government & Campaign Rules: Oklahoma State Superintendent candidate James Taylor says a dispute with Little Axe Public Schools over alleged misuse of district resources for campaign posts has been resolved, after the district warned it could violate campaign ethics rules. Local Governance & Growth: Oklahoma Chronicle highlighted Gov. Stitt’s superintendent roundtable and Edmond’s milestone of topping 100,000 residents.

Oklahoma Health Care: Norman Regional Health System has officially gone out of network with Aetna, leaving most services uncovered for Aetna policyholders after the July 31 deadline—NRHS says emergency care is still protected by law and is urging patients to pressure Aetna. Public Safety: Authorities say a suspect died after firing at OKC police and leading a chase that ended near Shawnee; police say no officers were hit and the suspect took his own life. State Politics & Federal Coordination: DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told governors at the National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma City that visa-worker programs can “plug holes” in the labor market and suggested scaling back deportations for people with jobs. Local Governance & Community: Gov. Kevin Stitt stopped at Beaver County Stockyards for an “eggs and issues” breakfast, framing his outsider approach and touting Oklahoma’s direction as he heads into the end of his term. Education & Religion: A released-time Bible program called LifeWise Academy is expanding in Arkansas public schools, raising questions about how opt-in religious instruction fits within public education rules. Food Assistance: SNAP benefit schedules for August 2026 are out, with Oklahoma families set to follow the state’s monthly EBT timing.

Health Care & Insurance: Norman Regional Health System has officially gone out of network with Aetna, leaving most services uncovered for Aetna policyholders as of today, while emergency care remains protected by law. State Government & Security: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin joined governors at the National Governors Association meeting in Oklahoma City, focusing on disaster preparedness, cybersecurity coordination, and immigration. Memorial & Civic Leadership: Gov. Kevin Stitt hosted fellow governors for a tour of the Oklahoma National Memorial & Museum, underscoring a shared message against political violence. Courts & Consumer Rights: An Oklahoma judge ruled a couple can challenge the constitutionality of a state casket-sales law that limits who can sell caskets. Rural Health: Oklahoma’s rural hospital landscape is shifting as facilities convert to critical access or rural emergency hospital status, with closures and service changes continuing to reshape care access. Energy & Workforce: OG&E linemen competed in the 35th annual Linemen’s Expo, highlighting training, safety, and grid reliability. Native Land & Costs: A new land-tracker pilot shows tribes in Minnesota face major property-tax burdens on fee land they must buy back, with a parcel-level database built from county records.

Oklahoma Courts & Elections: An Oklahoma couple is suing to overturn the state’s casket-sales law, arguing it blocks them from selling custom caskets directly to customers and creates a monopoly for funeral directors. Criminal Justice & Public Safety: Oklahoma County’s sheriff and the jail trust are headed for a final hearing over who pays detainee transportation costs. State Politics: House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole says the House passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through early December, with SAVE Act negotiations and Senate action still uncertain. National Politics (with Oklahoma ties): Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says he’s “very concerned” Trump could use federal power to interfere with fall elections as he takes over the National Governors Association chair role in Oklahoma City. Energy & Economy: Oklahoma senators’ permitting reform push aims to speed critical energy projects, while the DOE selected Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho as early finalists for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses. Education & Tech: An AI-backed “two-hour learning” private school with no teachers is opening in Oklahoma this August. Local Notes: Chickasaw Nation broke ground on a new health center in Newcastle to serve more than 100,000 First Americans.

Oklahoma Turnpike Finance: The Oklahoma Council on Bond Oversight gave the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority conditional approval to issue up to $1.9 billion in bonds for the Access Oklahoma extension, a key step for central Oklahoma infrastructure planning. State Politics & Elections: With an Aug. 25 runoff looming, Oklahoma voters are choosing the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate after N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas led the primary; the winner faces GOP Sen. Kevin Hern in November. NGA in OKC: Governors meeting in Oklahoma City focused on AI workforce needs, healthcare quality, and a push for more bipartisanship, with Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt hosting sessions tied to “Reigniting the American Dream.” Public Health & Food Security: SNAP cuts are hitting Oklahoma families hard, with food banks reporting increased demand as benefits are removed for about 18% of recipients. Tribal Health Expansion: The Chickasaw Nation broke ground on a new medical campus in Newcastle aimed at serving more than 100,000 First Americans, including rural patients. Courts: Oklahoma’s appeals court tossed a stalking conviction tied to a man’s YouTube rant, narrowing how the state’s anti-stalking law applies to speech.

SNAP security upgrade: Pennsylvania is moving to EMV chip EBT cards to cut skimming theft, and the AP notes Oklahoma is among states already transitioning. Insurance fight in an election year: Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready told AG candidate Gentner Drummond to “mind your business” amid GOP infighting over rising home insurance prices and claims handling. CompSource legal showdown: Policyholders are challenging CompSource Mutual’s plan to reorganize into a stock structure, arguing it could shift surplus away from customers; text messages involving Mulready are now part of the dispute. NGA in OKC: Gov. Kevin Stitt hosted the National Governors Association summer meeting, pushing his “American Dream” documentary and talking AI/data center rules and ratepayer protections. Voter security claims questioned: Declassified reports and state responses cast doubt on Trump’s assertion that China hacked voter rolls, with officials saying they weren’t notified of breaches. Local governance shakeup: In Inola, a planning commission chair resigned after conflict-of-interest questions tied to his paid city planner role. Public safety tech: Oklahoma researchers showcased drone-based weather forecasting data collection. Oklahoma runoff logistics: Voters have until July 31 to update registration for the Aug. 25 primary runoff.

Oklahoma Elections: Voters have until July 31 to update registration for the Aug. 25 runoff election, and party switching is blocked from April 1 to Aug. 31 in even-numbered years. State Questions: Oklahoma voters will also weigh State Question 844, which would let the Legislature stop reimbursing local governments and schools for property-tax revenue lost when new manufacturing projects use the state’s five-year exemption—school leaders warn it could mean less money statewide. Federal Voting Fight: A federal judge in New Jersey blocked DOJ access to unredacted voter rolls, adding to a growing court fight over Trump’s vote-by-mail restrictions. Immigration & Courts: The DOJ is using a decades-old Alien Terrorist Removal Court for the first time to pursue deportation of an Afghan lawful permanent resident tied to an ISIS-inspired Election Day plot. Public Safety/Tech: Oklahoma City announced its first Advanced Critical Incident Response Team K9, aimed at helping in high-stress incidents and supporting child interviews. Turnpike Finance: The Oklahoma Council of Bond Oversight approved up to $2.9 billion in turnpike bonds, even as litigation seeks to halt further issuance over an East-West Connector project.

Nuclear Energy Push: The U.S. Department of Energy named Oklahoma as one of five potential host states for Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses, with Gov. Kevin Stitt touting major investment and jobs as the state explores a full nuclear fuel-cycle hub. Local Government & Accountability: In Coweta, a data-center proposal sparked allegations of “political identity theft,” with supporters’ messages reportedly generated using real residents’ information without permission. Domestic Violence Spotlight: An Owasso murder-suicide involving influencer Sara Gilson and estranged husband Shawn Duffey is renewing attention on Oklahoma’s high rates of women killed by men and the limits of protective orders. Courts & Elections: Republican-led states asked the U.S. Supreme Court to revive parts of Trump’s election-integrity order after a judge blocked key provisions on voter lists and mail-ballot standards. Public Safety & Justice: Oklahoma County opened a homicide investigation after a woman’s body was found in the North Canadian River near Jones. Education Policy: New school-year rules include a statewide teacher pay raise and a daily recess requirement for K-5, with districts adjusting schedules to comply.

Federal Election Fight: Oklahoma and other GOP-led states asked the U.S. Supreme Court to let Trump’s vote-by-mail restrictions take effect, setting up a major showdown over federal power vs. state election control. Nuclear Energy Push: Oklahoma is a finalist for DOE’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, but safety critics warn the tech is still experimental and regulators may not be ready for the risks. Local Voting Access: North Tulsa leaders say early voting plans still don’t give densely populated areas enough clarity or access ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff. Statehouse Clash: Rep. Tom Gann says House leadership rejected his interim studies on issues including the Inola smelter and license plate readers, calling it censorship. Insurance & Consumer Costs: AG Gentner Drummond and Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready trade accusations over an overdue roof-claims report and storm-related insurer oversight. Public Safety & Courts: Tulsa County DA asked OSBI to review seven jail deaths after a Frontier investigation; meanwhile, nine people were charged in an alleged OkCity Crisis Nursery donation embezzlement scheme. Community Safety: After a murder in OKC’s Asian District, business owners and residents pressed police and lawmakers on homelessness and mental health response.