AGP Executive Report

Oklahoma Education & Culture: Lawmakers and parents are pushing back on how schools use technology, with a House-passed effort to cap elementary screen time stalled in the Senate and Sen. Ally Seifried signaling another push. Classroom Discipline: A new Oklahoma legislative study argues stronger discipline is key to better outcomes, blaming past federal pressure for limiting meaningful consequences. Mental Health Oversight: Two state reps raised concerns about “fill-in-the-blank” resignation emails they say Oklahoma mental health employees received, asking for answers from the governor and agency commissioner. Food Aid in Rural Oklahoma: A small-town SNAP grocer in Pond Creek says Oklahoma’s SNAP restrictions cut sales by about 90%, showing how policy changes hit rural families hardest. Cherokee Nation Arts: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. backs the Artist Resiliency Act to make tribal support for Cherokee artists permanent. Energy & Courts: A Supreme Court recusal request targets Justice Samuel Alito over reported oil and gas ties, including a mineral lease involving Oklahoma family land. Federal War Powers: The U.S. House passed a War Powers Resolution to require approval before Trump can continue the Iran war, with several Republicans joining Democrats.

School Tech Fight: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing to limit or remove classroom screens after pandemic-era device rollouts, while a state Senate leader says new screen-time limits are back on the agenda. Water Policy Clash: The Cedar Lake dispute is heating up as residents and an independent hydrologist challenge an Oklahoma Water Resources Board dam report, arguing the science doesn’t match claims that upstream dams aren’t to blame. Federal Immigration Power: The White House withdrew an Oklahoma former state trooper’s nomination to lead ICE, as the administration faces continued scrutiny over how far it can go on immigration enforcement. War Powers Showdown: In Washington, House Republicans split with Democrats to require congressional approval for Trump to continue the Iran war, a sign of growing GOP fractures. Energy & Gas Prices: New reporting tracks Oklahoma fuel costs and highlights how global oil and refinery conditions tied to the Iran conflict keep prices volatile. Tribal Energy & Housing: A Senate hearing spotlighted native housing needs and federal barriers, while other coverage points to tribal energy development funding gaps.

ICE Nomination Fallout: The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement after GOP opposition in the Senate, keeping immigration enforcement leadership in limbo. Abortion Rights Lawsuit: Two Oklahoma women sued over the state’s abortion ban after fatal fetal diagnoses, arguing the law forces patients to leave Oklahoma for care. Election Access & Voting Rules: A U.S. Supreme Court decision blocked a Trump mail-voting rule, while Oklahoma’s own voting deadlines and guidance continued to circulate ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Workforce Training Funding: Oklahoma’s CareerTech board may seek a $67.87 million budget increase to expand workforce training, with a $249.56 million request for FY2028 heading toward a board vote. Public Safety: Yukon police investigated a student found with an unloaded handgun at Yukon Middle School, and Tulsa officials highlighted a federal fentanyl warning about potent fentanyl analogues. Energy & Industry: Oklahoma’s Oil and Natural Gas Expo returns to OKC Oct. 15 with a new career fair, and Oklahoma National Guard aviation helped Arkansas fight a wildfire near defense contractors.

ICE Leadership Shake-Up: The White House withdrew Oklahoma law enforcement veteran Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after it stalled in the Senate, setting up a new fight over who runs the agency. Abortion Ban Lawsuit: Two Oklahoma women sued state officials after fatal fetal diagnoses forced them to leave the state for care, arguing the ban effectively blocked emergency options. AI in Campaigns: Oklahoma’s Ethics Commission is still weighing whether to regulate AI-generated political ads, with no statewide rule yet and First Amendment concerns looming. Education Staffing: Oklahoma lawmakers heard that thousands of adjunct teachers are covering classes without matching certification, raising questions about how districts staff classrooms. Defense & Jobs: KIHOMAC announced a $25 million Oklahoma City-area expansion aimed at supporting Tinker Air Force Base, while Oklahoma’s primary aluminum smelter project in Inola remains delayed amid a moratorium extension and legal challenges. Public Safety: Yukon police investigated a middle school student found with an unloaded handgun in a backpack. Energy & Industry: Oklahoma Oil and Natural Gas Expo returns to OKC Oct. 15 with a new career fair. Regional Response: Oklahoma and Mississippi National Guard aviation assets helped Arkansas fight a wildfire near defense contractors.

ICE Leadership Shake-Up: The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer, a former Oklahoma Highway Patrol major, from consideration to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after his nomination stalled in the Senate amid GOP objections and internal administration doubts. Oklahoma Education Politics: Democratic state superintendent candidate Dr. Jennettie Marshall unveiled a six-pillar education plan centered on academic standards, teacher support, student well-being, and rural education ahead of the Nov. election. Energy Costs & Data Centers: A House-passed “Ratepayer Protection” bill would require large-load customers to cover incremental grid upgrade costs, echoing Oklahoma’s earlier stalled approach as critics warn data centers are already driving higher power bills. Local Water Fight: The Oklahoma Water Resources Board approved a dam-safety settlement tied to Cedar Lake in Canadian County, but new stream-permit disputes could trigger protests from downstream landowners. Aluminum Smelter Roadmap: Trump’s Oklahoma aluminum smelter push faces fresh hurdles in Inola, where a permit moratorium was extended and a referendum is planned. National Context: AP reports a decade-long border surge reshaped U.S. destinations for 4.5 million migrants released after crossing the Mexican border.

ICE Leadership Shake-Up: The White House withdrew former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leaving ICE without a Senate-confirmed director and extending uncertainty over the administration’s deportation plans. Voting Rights Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court kept in place a lower-court block on Trump’s mail-voting restrictions for the 2026 midterms, signaling the rule’s legality is still very much in play. Legal Battle in Oklahoma: A federal appeals court is set to hear a challenge to the Oklahoma Bar Association’s required membership/dues for lawyers, with Tulsa attorney Mark Schell at the center of the case. Native Housing Push: Oklahoma tribal leaders urged Congress to modernize the landmark Native American housing law, arguing funding gaps have left communities short on homes. Education & Civic Debate: Rose State professors discussed how an Oklahoma constitutional convention could be structured, tied to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s push for a vote. Consumer Protection: Oklahoma AGs joined a multistate $694 million settlement with subprime auto lender Credit Acceptance, aimed at predatory lending practices. Workforce Training: Oklahoma CareerTech is seeking a major budget increase to expand workforce training and reduce waitlists. Courts & Abortion: A lawsuit says two Oklahoma women with fatal fetal diagnoses were forced to leave the state for abortions, challenging Oklahoma’s abortion ban.

Health Care Policy: Trump says the federal government will refund hundreds of millions in Obamacare “user fee” overcharges, including payments for Oklahoma residents in states using the federal exchange. State & Local Politics: McClain County GOP is set to host T.W. Shannon, a lieutenant governor candidate, at a Newcastle shelter meeting. Public Safety & Training: OSBI academy training is highlighted in a Newcastle detective’s specialized investigation development story. County Government: McClain County leaders and lawmakers debate how fast growth should shape county facilities and water infrastructure, with commissioners urging business investment to avoid becoming a “bedroom county.” Courts & Rights: Oklahoma abortion advocates file a lawsuit after women say they were denied care following fatal fetal diagnoses and had to leave the state. Education: USAO’s president responds to faculty and student concerns over regents-approved program and tenure-related policy changes tied to federal financial aid rules. Housing & Schools: Tulsa eviction impacts on children are spotlighted, with faster state timelines leaving families scrambling to keep students enrolled. Tribal Affairs: Chickasaw Nation’s Annual Meeting and Festival runs Sept. 25-Oct. 3, culminating in the governor’s State of the Nation address.

Fuel Costs & Supply: Diesel in Oklahoma is nearing $6 a gallon, with economists warning higher trucking costs could ripple into restaurant and store prices. Wildfire Preparedness: Oklahoma officials stress planning before an evacuation order, pointing residents to Mesonet OK-FIRE and burn-ban maps. Local Consumer Watch: GasBuddy reports show scattered low prices across counties, including E85 at $2.67 in Payne County and diesel lows around $4.99 in Pawnee County. Workplace & Courts: Oklahoma County fired a courthouse deputy after a protective order and felony stalking allegations tied to a dating-app relationship. Government Accountability: Oklahoma County commissioners move toward a possible state audit after financial confusion in the County Clerk’s Office. Labor Enforcement: The U.S. Department of Labor sued Oklahoma’s Not Your Average Joe over overtime, tip handling, and child labor claims. Legal/Policy: A federal appeals court is set to hear a challenge to required Oklahoma Bar Association dues. Public Safety & Security: TSA expanded military lanes at 30+ airports for faster screening for eligible service members and veterans.

Inola Aluminum Fight: Oklahoma Primary Aluminum and the Tulsa Ports Authority signal they may sue after Inola extended a smelter moratorium and set an April vote on a permanent ban, with Gov. Kevin Stitt calling the reversal unconstitutional. Election Integrity: AG Todd Blanche says the Justice Department is investigating election practices in multiple states as the administration pushes voter-roll enforcement ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Courts & Judges: The White House is racing to confirm federal judges before a possible Senate power shift after midterms. Housing & Schools: A Tulsa eviction story highlights how fast Oklahoma’s process can push families out—evictions affecting hundreds of children in Tulsa Public Schools. Public Safety Accountability: An audit of the Osage County Sheriff’s Office found major gaps in missing evidence items, including 17 vehicles and dozens of guns/cameras. Water Rights: Cedar Lake residents continue pressing the Oklahoma Water Resources Board over alleged unpermitted dams drying wells, while the board approved a consent-order summary disposition. Campaign Trail: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cyndi Munson plans a stop in Cordell. Federal Health Policy: New records show Medicare AI prior-authorization requests in Oklahoma and other states often missed a 72-hour response goal.

Oklahoma Insurance: A stayed homeowners insurance competitiveness case is back in the hands of Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready after an indefinite pause tied to a disqualification fight involving Mulready, hearing examiner John Miller, and calls from AG Gentner Drummond and GOP candidate Bob Sullivan. Labor & Nonprofits: The U.S. Department of Labor sued Oklahoma City nonprofit Not Your Average Joe over alleged wage, tip, and overtime violations, including claims some work was treated as unpaid “volunteer time.” Housing Costs: Oklahoma lawmakers and housing advocates met to discuss ways to ease the workforce housing shortage, including how new federal rules under the Road to Housing Act could help. Immigration Enforcement: A report highlights how ICE agreements can deputize state and local law enforcement to boost immigration arrests, raising concerns about expanded local involvement. Water Governance: Cedar Lake residents accused the state of allowing an unpermitted upstream dam to remain, sparking outrage at an Oklahoma Water Resources Board decision. Public Safety/Scams: The FBI warned of rising scams impersonating banks and federal agents, urging Oklahomans to hang up and verify independently.

Mail Voting Fight in Court: The U.S. Supreme Court blocked President Trump’s attempt to tighten mail-in voting rules, keeping states’ existing ballot processes in place as early voting ramps up. State Election Watch: Oklahoma is among states starting to mail ballots soon, making the ruling a direct near-term factor for the Nov. 3 election. Higher Ed Under Pressure: An AAUP survey of faculty in southern states, including Oklahoma, finds growing concerns about political influence in university curriculum and a majority of respondents saying they wouldn’t recommend working in their state. Local Governance: Inola trustees extended a moratorium on a proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter through April 7, 2027, and set a ballot measure to ban primary aluminum smelting in town limits. Oklahoma City Transit Plan: Oklahoma City’s proposed rail-and-bus expansion would seek voter approval next year via a dedicated sales tax to fund bond-backed transit upgrades. Energy & Prices: Diesel and gasoline prices climbed again amid Middle East supply disruptions, with Oklahoma-area drivers seeing rising pump costs. Constitutional Debate: A new Oklahoma-focused analysis raises the big question of whether the state should hold another constitutional convention—and who would control the process.

AI & Kids Safety: Oklahoma Sen. Warren Hamilton’s first-in-the-nation AI child-safety bill (SB 1521) stalled in the Legislature after a House amendment, but he says he plans to reintroduce it in 2027 with suicide/self-harm guardrails and crisis referrals for chatbot users. Federal Immigration Rule: DHS finalized a rule ending “duration of status,” tightening F-1/J-1/I student stays, shortening grace periods, and adding new limits on transfers—an issue OU law professor Kit Johnson says is too new to fully predict. State Government & Courts: Oklahoma Voice reports private records from a shuttered OKC charter school were finally secured after a dispute over access and an emergency court order. Local Politics: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cyndi Munson campaigned in Norman, arguing for more public education funding, higher teacher pay, and a moratorium on new AI data centers pending studies. Health Policy: A Medicare AI prior-authorization pilot is drawing fire after newly released records describe “lengthy treatment delays,” raising concerns about testing and process bottlenecks. Transportation: TSA’s “Gateside” program will let TSA PreCheck members escort guests to gates at 13 airports, including Will Rogers International Airport in OKC.

Medicare AI Oversight: Newly released records show Oklahoma was among six states hit by delays and technical problems in CMS’s WISeR Medicare prior-authorization pilot, including requests taking far longer than the promised 72-hour turnaround. Health Care Costs: President Trump announced $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, tied to federal exchange “user fees.” Housing Policy: Oklahoma advocates say Congress’s big new housing affordability law could help, but the state still faces gaps on supply, zoning, and eviction pressures. Immigration & College Access: DOJ sued Oklahoma and other states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, arguing the policies violate federal law and disadvantage other students. Broadband for Tribes: BEAD is getting a supplemental funding round that may include additional unserved locations, pushing tribes to quickly coordinate with state offices. Public Safety & Government: Oklahoma prisons reportedly ran telemarketing/polling call centers, raising new questions about how state contracts are used. Defense: Northrop Grumman won a $18.73M DLA modification for B-2 trailing-edge production work managed from Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. Local Tragedy: An Owasso man died after being struck by a vehicle on I-44 in Comanche County.

Health Care & Cost Relief: President Trump announced $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, tied to alleged Biden-era federal exchange “user fee” overcharges. Tribal Broadband: The federal BEAD program is opening a supplemental funding round that could affect which unserved locations—possibly including tribal lands—get reviewed for another round, with tribes urged to move quickly through state channels. Public Safety: An Oklahoma mom is pushing for a federal nitrous oxide (“whippets”) ban after her son was killed in a Cleveland County crash; Oklahoma’s Maddix Bias Act is cited as a deterrent effort. Courts & Oklahoma Politics: A federal case over Oklahoma’s anti-ESG proxy advisory law continues to draw attention as groups seek to block or narrow it. Local Crime: OSBI says a 23-year-old was arrested after a Seminole home break-in and assault led to a man’s death. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma regular gas averaging about $3.66 per gallon in the week ending Sept. 5, with county-by-county lows and highs continuing to vary. Remembrance: Oklahoma marked Vietnam War service members’ anniversaries this week ending Sept. 19.

Health Care & Courts: The White House says it will send $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, tied to alleged federal exchange “user fee” overcharges. Elections & Voting Access: Rogers County election officials plan to keep the office open until midnight for National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 15, aiming to help residents register, update info, and get ready for upcoming elections. Public Safety: Oklahoma Highway Patrol is asking for dash-cam footage after a pedestrian was killed on I-44 near the Arkansas River bridge in Tulsa, with investigators targeting the Sept. 10, 7–8:30 p.m. window. Criminal Justice: Oklahoma County prosecutors filed murder charges against a pair of parents after their toddler died in a suspected pit bull mauling, with allegations that the dog was left in the child’s bedroom. Corporate Governance: Oklahoma Watch reports ISS has sued to block the state’s Anti-ESG proxy advisory law, arguing it unlawfully targets how proxy firms give voting recommendations.

U.S. Supreme Court Fight Over Voting: More than 250 current and former members of Congress filed a brief arguing President Trump’s USPS mail-in voting rule oversteps Congress and intrudes on states’ election authority. Immigration Enforcement in Oklahoma: Oklahoma law enforcement partnerships with ICE have produced record immigration arrests—over 1,800 from January through July—with most arrestees having no criminal convictions. Education Policy in Oklahoma: A federal appeals court upheld and narrowed Oklahoma’s HB 1775, ruling it bars schools from teaching certain race and sex-related “concepts” as facts. Health Care Costs: The White House says it will issue $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma. Energy Pressure on Families: Gas prices are rising again, adding strain to household budgets already hit by inflation. Public Safety Remembrance: Oklahoma leaders and first responders marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in Tulsa, emphasizing unity and collaboration.