AGP Executive Report

Oklahoma Politics & Government: A NOTUS review says newly sworn-in Sen. Alan Armstrong, R-Oklahoma, violated the STOCK Act by disclosing about 700 stock trades more than two months late, with the trades valued in the millions. State Policy Watch: Oklahoma lawmakers’ push to cap early-grade classroom screen time failed, even as other states moved ahead with limits and device rules. Tribal Legal Fight: Freedmen descendants filed a federal lawsuit seeking to force the Muscogee Nation to recognize their tribal citizenship after a 2025 ruling and a subsequent pause on citizenship cards. Public Safety & Courts: A federal lawsuit challenges South Carolina’s 1,000-foot tattoo ban near churches and schools—Oklahoma is cited as the only other state with similar rules. Economy & Jobs: Park Aerospace announced a $65 million Tulsa-area composites facility at Tulsa International Airport, targeting 100+ jobs by 2028. National Health: CDC reports U.S. measles cases hit a 35-year high, with most cases tied to unvaccinated people.

Oklahoma Attorney General Race: With the general election 100 days away, both AG candidates laid out what they’d do in the first 100 days, including proposals aimed at public integrity and enforcement priorities. State Government & Tech: Oklahoma is rolling out BEACON, an AI platform meant to modernize state government, as other states push to regulate AI and data-center impacts on residents. Water & Housing Accountability: An OKC mother says her family’s apartment complex went nearly a month without running water, raising questions about property management and tenant protections. Public Safety & Health Policy: A new study links state abortion bans to increased suicidal thoughts among female teens, adding pressure to the policy debate. Military: The Oklahoma National Guard’s Brig. Gen. Andrew Ballenger retired after 34 years of service. Tribal Gaming Development: Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes broke ground on a new Lucky Star Casino in Elk City, expanding gaming and related amenities.

Oklahoma Politics & Government: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, former Sen. Mike Mazzei, and the third remaining GOP gubernatorial candidate squared off at a Tulsa agriculture forum, with Drummond leaning on his rural background and Mazzei pushing a no-income-tax pitch. Elections & Courts: A federal appeals court setback keeps Trump’s 2026 election-integrity order blocked in 23 states and D.C., preventing DHS from distributing federal citizenship lists and limiting USPS mail-ballot changes. Immigration & Education: The DOJ’s push against in-state tuition for illegal immigrants continues, with courts backing the administration’s view that states can’t treat illegal residents more favorably than citizens. Public Safety: Claremore Police earned reaccreditation from the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Local Economy/Tribal Gaming: Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes broke ground on a new Lucky Star casino in Elk City, with plans for a hotel, convention center, and more phases. Crime & Courts: The Sara Gilson case in Owasso remains in focus after police said she was killed by her estranged husband, who then died by suicide.

Election Integrity Fight: A Biden-appointed majority on the First Circuit refused to lift an injunction blocking key Trump election-integrity steps in 23 states and D.C., keeping limits on DHS citizenship lists and new mail-ballot requirements through the 2026 cycle. Immigration & Education: The DOJ sued Colorado over in-state tuition and financial aid for illegal immigrants, arguing it violates federal law that bars unequal postsecondary benefits. Health Care Policy: A nationwide Medicaid ban on routine care at Planned Parenthood expired, restoring eligibility for non-abortion services in states that allow reimbursements. Food Safety: The CDC expanded its cyclospora investigation tied to shredded lettuce at Taco Bell, now including Oklahoma and bringing confirmed cases to 1,947 with 98 hospitalizations. Tribal Gaming: Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes broke ground on a new Lucky Star Casino in Elk City, with a casino, hotel, and plans for expansion phases. Oklahoma Politics & Government: Sen. James Lankford pushed a bill to prevent federal shutdowns by keeping lawmakers in Washington during funding lapses. Local Watch: Oklahoma City’s child-advocacy group OICA held details on its Heroes Ball and ongoing policy concerns for kids. Sports Business: Spencer Jones agreed to a two-year, $12 million offer sheet with the Thunder, with Denver having until Sunday to match.

Oklahoma Politics: House Speaker Kyle Hilbert says Rep. Danny Williams has been removed from committee chair roles and his Capitol office after a complaint alleging “improper conduct” toward a House employee, with the matter referred to the House Rules Committee and an outside investigation launched. Public Health: The CDC expanded a cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell to include Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania; cases now total 1,947 with 98 hospitalizations, and officials say the likely source is Taylor Farms lettuce. Energy & AI: Oklahoma utilities and data-center backers are rallying around the White House’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge, arguing AI growth shouldn’t hike bills for existing customers as projects like Meta’s Project Anthem move forward. State Government Tech: Oklahoma launched BEACON AI to modernize state government, including tools aimed at helping legislators and procurement. Weather & Safety: A heat advisory covers Kiowa County Sunday with temperatures expected around 100–105 degrees, warning of heat illness risk. Community: An Oklahoma City nonprofit, Operation Christmas Train Set Foundation, opened a permanent facility to distribute school supplies and other essentials year-round.

Oklahoma Politics: House Speaker Kyle Hilbert says Rep. Danny Williams is under investigation for “improper conduct” toward a House employee, with Williams removed from committee chair roles and moved from his Capitol office while an outside review is underway. Education & Elections: Oklahoma voters head to an Aug. 25 decision on State Question 844, which would end the Legislature’s requirement to reimburse local governments and schools for property-tax revenue lost to the state’s five-year manufacturing tax exemption. Public Safety & Courts: Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols ordered the city to close its municipal jail after a Frontier investigation into a detainee death; most detainees are to be transferred by July 31. Health: The CDC expanded a Cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell to include Oklahoma, with 1,947 reported illnesses and 98 hospitalizations. State Tech: Oklahoma launched BEACON, a statewide AI platform meant to help agencies modernize operations and speed up work on regulation review and procurement. National/World: Measles cases hit a 35-year high nationwide, and LeBron James announced he’s signing with the Philadelphia 76ers.

Tribal Citizenship Fight: Freedmen descendants are suing the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in federal court, alleging the tribe is ignoring its own Supreme Court ruling on full citizenship rights under the 1866 treaty. Local Government & Transparency: Coweta residents are pushing back on a proposed data center after an open-records dispute surfaced alleged misleading or fraudulent email support for the project. Data Centers & Utilities: Congress and the White House are moving to stop large data centers from shifting grid upgrade costs onto regular ratepayers, while Oklahoma’s OG&E signed the White House ratepayer protection pledge. Public Health: Oklahoma’s naloxone kiosks face an uncertain future as funding and legal protections for harm-reduction supplies—especially fentanyl test strips—remain in flux. Elections: Oklahoma voters have a fast-approaching deadline to request absentee ballots for the Aug. 25 runoff/special elections. State Politics: Rep. Danny Williams is under investigation over misconduct allegations, with House leadership saying he was removed from his Capitol office. Education Tech: An AI-powered, teacher-light private school chain is set to open in Oklahoma this August. Energy & Cost of Living: Gas prices in multiple Oklahoma counties stayed near the low-$3 range in the week ending July 18, according to GasBuddy.

Oklahoma Tribal Rights Fight: Black members of the Muscogee (Creek) Freedmen are suing in federal court to force the Muscogee Nation to issue citizenship cards after a 2025 tribal Supreme Court ruling—claiming officials are stalling and blocking their voting rights. SNAP Cuts Pressure Oklahoma: A new report and state-by-state data show SNAP enrollment falling sharply since last year’s federal changes, with Oklahoma down about 18%—and mayors across the country, including Oklahoma City, urging Congress to reverse the cuts. Heat, Safety, and OKC Impacts: Oklahoma is bracing for another week of triple-digit temperatures; the OKC Zoo is shortening hours to 8 a.m.-2 p.m. and officials are warning residents to limit outdoor time and watch for heat illness. Courts and Public Safety: An ex-convict accused of spitting food on an Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper is headed for a mental competency exam ahead of an Aug. 27 hearing. Education & Community: A Pauls Valley High School shooting suspect appeared for a preliminary hearing as testimony described the moments before the principal tackled him.

Oklahoma Housing & Courts: Tenants at former Vesta Realty properties in OKC say they’ve endured weeks without running water plus mold, leaks, and other damage, with Legal Aid saying Oklahoma law offers limited repair and utility remedies even as residents weigh options like lease termination. Federal Immigration & Oklahoma Politics: A report says ICE has used neck restraints, chokeholds, and other dangerous tactics repeatedly during 2025 enforcement, adding pressure to a White House push that’s already sparked tension with DHS leadership. Defense & Congress: The House passed the $1.15 trillion NDAA in a near-party-line vote, with Oklahoma Rep. Josh Brecheen among the Republicans voting no, setting up a Senate fight. Elections & Deadlines: Oklahoma voters face an Aug. 25 runoff election, with registration due July 31 and absentee requests due Aug. 10. State Government & Health: Oklahoma AG launched a probe into alleged Medicaid fraud failures at the state agency. Military in Oklahoma: Rep. Frank Lucas highlights Vance AFB’s role as a main operating base for the Air Force’s new T-7A Red Hawk training program. Public Safety: Law enforcement is searching for a missing 42-year-old mother near Kaw City. Local Government: The Will Rogers Memorial Museum in Claremore will break ground Aug. 14, with new exhibits using AI.

Oklahoma Elections: Oklahoma voters have a hard deadline of July 31 to register for the Aug. 25 runoff primary, with Aug. 10 as the last day to request a mailed absentee ballot. Local Government & Courts: Medford, in Grant County, adopted Ordinance No. 519 adding costs of incarceration that courts can order defendants to reimburse after conviction or deferred judgment. Public Safety: Authorities are searching for Logan Palmer, a walkaway inmate who escaped the Jackie Brannon Correctional Center in McAlester. State Government & Health Care: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond opened an investigation into the Oklahoma Health Care Authority over alleged Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse, after OHCA leadership allegedly failed to report a large foreign-based enrollment scheme. Housing/Property Dispute: In Tulsa-area apartments, tenants face confusion as Vesta and YSA both claim ownership of 11 complexes, with lock changes and rent-payment instructions tied to an ongoing federal fight.

Insurance Commissioner Runoff: Republicans Bob Sullivan and Marty Quinn are set for the Aug. 25 runoff for Oklahoma’s next Insurance Commissioner, with both promising more carrier competition, tougher accountability on claims, and more transparency—while a residency question raised by Oklahoma Watch hangs over Quinn. State Government & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld Oklahoma’s girls’ sports law, reinforcing states’ authority to restrict male participation in women’s athletics. Election Prep: Sample ballots are now available for the Aug. 25 Runoff Primary Election via the State Election Board’s OK Voter portal and at the Sequoyah County Election Board. Public Safety & Justice: A Muskogee County jury convicted Cherie Walker on all counts tied to enabling her husband’s sexual abuse and neglect of their 11-year-old daughter, after prosecutors said the child gave birth at home without medical care. Local Housing: Tulsa-area apartment ownership is in turmoil as YSA Investments says it owns 11 complexes while a former owner disputes it, leaving residents with conflicting instructions about rent and repairs. Energy & Federal Aid: FEMA approved more than $76.3 million in disaster funding that includes Oklahoma projects. Economy & Jobs: Park Aerospace announced a $65 million Tulsa composite materials facility, expected to create at least 100 jobs.

Medicaid Fraud Probe: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond launched an investigation into the Health Care Authority after OHCA said it found thousands of fraudulent Medicaid enrollments tied to an alleged international crime ring, with Interim Director Aaron Morris saying no taxpayer dollars were lost and disenrollments are underway. Health Policy: Oklahoma lawmakers advanced stricter medical marijuana packaging rules aimed at keeping edible products from being “attractive to children,” with $500-per-product fines drawing pushback from advocates over confusing compliance. Elections & Voting Access: Oklahoma voter registration deadlines are closing for the Aug. 25 runoff election, with county officials urging residents to submit applications by July 31 to be processed in time. Public Safety & Courts: Santa Fe police arrested an Inola man after a multi-state warrant pursuit tied to an alleged motel shooting at officers, and a separate Oklahoma case saw a jury convict an 11-year-old’s mother in a severe neglect and child sexual abuse case. Sports & Eligibility: Tulsa National Little League was disqualified from the Southwest Region tournament after eligibility documentation disputes, and the U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ authority to restrict male participation in girls’ sports. Food & Consumer Safety: FDA said a Taylor Farms cyclospora lettuce test was a false positive while the recall remains tied to the outbreak investigation.

Local Education & Workforce: Oklahoma City metro districts are scrambling to fill nearly 200 teacher vacancies ahead of the new school year, with special education and early childhood hardest to staff. Public Safety & Privacy: Oklahoma City is set to revisit its expired Flock Safety ALPR contract (pushed to August), as residents and the ACLU of Oklahoma push to end use and lawmakers call for an interim study. Justice & Courts: A judge moved sentencing for Oklahoma businessman Brent Swadley to July 22 and denied his team’s request for a bond appeal amid claims of improper monitoring of attorney-client calls. Tribal & Community Support: Cherokee Nation is using opioid settlement money to expand housing and reentry support for people rebuilding after incarceration and addiction. Health & Emergency Response: EMSA issued a heat alert after responding to multiple heat-related illnesses, warning conditions could worsen as international athletes arrive for the canoe slalom championships. State & Federal Legal Fight: The U.S. DOJ sued Maryland over in-state tuition policies for undocumented students, adding to a growing list of states targeted in similar challenges. National Economic Pressure: Student loan defaults hit record levels as pandemic-era protections ended, leaving millions behind on payments. Local Law Enforcement Loss: Creek County Deputy Adam James Heitman died after a medical emergency following an arrest operation.

Transit Tax Push: A regional transportation network says it will seek a new penny sales tax next year to fund expanded Oklahoma City commuter rail plus upgrades to light rail and bus service, with voters in Oklahoma, Cleveland and Canadian counties deciding. Osage Leadership: The Osage Nation inaugurated Joe Tillman as principal chief, setting priorities that include diversifying the tribe’s economy and expanding gaming. Abortion Pills Crackdown: Sen. Josh Hawley urged criminal charges against “Plan C,” calling it a logistics hub for mailing illegal abortion pills into states including Oklahoma. School Schedule Change: Glenpool Public Schools adjusted its bell schedule to add required recess time, shifting start/end times across elementary and intermediate campuses. Student Loan Fallout: New federal data shows defaults have surged nationwide to about 9.5 million borrowers (roughly 1 in 5), with Oklahoma among states seeing high concentrations. Election Policy Debate: Oklahoma voters head to the Aug. 25 runoff and also face State Questions 844 and 846, including a proposal to codify voter ID requirements in the state constitution. Tribal Gaming Conference: Thousands are expected for the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association conference and trade show in downtown OKC. Defense Tech in Oklahoma: Lockheed Martin unveiled a counter-drone system, saying testing included Oklahoma, as it targets drone swarms with a reusable, one-to-many approach. Local Public Safety: Tulsa Police Chief Dennis Larsen announced his retirement after decades with the department.

Oklahoma Election Security: Oklahoma election officials pushed back on claims tied to declassified documents, saying the disclosures mislead the public about any breach of voter rolls and stressing safeguards are intact. Campaign Finance: A new Oklahoman analysis flags “rich politicians” loaning themselves huge sums, including Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mike Mazzei, raising fresh questions about how personal money shapes the race. Civics in Schools: Brookings’ “Civics at 250” event spotlighted Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford and argued civics education should regain priority as standardized testing squeezes social studies. Marijuana Regulation: Oklahoma’s medical marijuana testing system is under fire after a Tulsa couple sued Graves Farm Organics, alleging inconsistent lab results and contamination/potency problems—plus broader concerns that different labs produce different answers. Jail Oversight: A University of Tulsa professor launched a project to track jail deaths across Oklahoma, citing rising totals, lawsuits, and inmate-care concerns. Foreign-Owned Farmland: A national look at foreign-owned agricultural land shows Oklahoma among states with notable acreage changes, as lawmakers consider new rules.

World Cup & Sports: Spain beat Argentina 1-0 in the men’s World Cup final, with Ferran Torres scoring in the 106th minute, capping a record 48-team tournament. Oklahoma & Elections: Oklahoma election officials pushed back on claims of voting-system breaches, and a fact-check examined whether DHS really had “zero releases” under Trump—finding releases still happening. State Government & Courts: Oklahoma’s Illinois River pollution fight faces renewed procedural fights as parties challenge a special master plan tied to the long-running poultry litter case. Public Safety & Policy: Oklahoma’s Insurance Commissioner race and election security drew fresh attention, including questions about residency rules for candidates. Federal Immigration: DHS under Markwayne Mullin is reportedly trying to rebuild ties with business groups after ICE arrests surged, aiming to assess impacts on staffing needs. Energy & Economy: EIA says Cushing crude inventories may have neared “tank bottom” operational limits, a reminder of how global shipping disruptions can hit Oklahoma’s oil hub. Local Events: Oklahoma City is gearing up for major 2028 Olympics-related planning, including canoe slalom at Riversport OKC. Health & Food Safety: A Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce recall tied to possible cyclospora contamination has reached multiple states, including Oklahoma. Weather: Heat advisories are active across 22 states, with Oklahoma included.