National political reporter Grant Hermes joins Andy to unpack media literacy in a chaos-speed news cycle. We dig into how Grant chooses stories, his “harm principle” for coverage, and why tariffs are probably overcovered while the quiet loss of good government data (census, labor, health, weather) is dangerously undercovered. We also talk DC’s National Guard optics, crime stats confusion, and how algorithms silo our news diets.

Plus: why “nerds with clipboards” keep your groceries, schools, and weather forecasts on track; a quick tour of bias tools like AllSides; and practical tips for building a saner, more reality-based media routine.

Listen to Grant’s podcast and Substack, Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes, and follow him on social: @granthermes (Bluesky/X/IG/TikTok) and @GrantHermesTV.

We're joined by Paul Monies, reporter at Oklahoma Watch, to discuss the issue of money in candidate races and how the State Treasurer, Todd Russ, is attempting to use Oklahoma's Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) to influence corporate policy.

Articles discussed:

• Show Me the Money: Some Oklahoma Candidates Carry Huge Campaign Debts
• Oklahoma Treasurer Making Another Attempt to Change Corporate Policies

Our new intern, Lena, joins the show to discuss campaign finance issues and to do a "Gerrymandering 101" conversation with Andy.

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News stories mentioned:

• After Minnesota murder, Oklahoma Ethics Commission to let lawmakers use campaign funds for security (NonDoc)
• Show Me the Money: Some Oklahoma Candidates Carry Huge Campaign Debts (Oklahoma Watch)
• Mullin’s Late Disclosures Show Millions More in Stock and Bond Sales (Oklahoma Watch)

Andy visits with Dr. Keith Gaddie to discuss gerrymandering, why it's suddenly back in the news, and what we can do to prevent it.

Books discussed:

• Democracy's Meanings by Davis, Goidel, & Gaddie
• Bragging Rites by Keith Gaddie

Scott's back; he and Andy reflect on 8 years, 300 episodes, and where we find ourselves in American history.

This week it's Trump vs. Musk, last week it was Gov. Stitt vs. the Legislature, and the perpetual Ryan Walters vs seemingly everyone, we can't help but wonder - are men too emotional to be in leadership positions?

The legislature has adjourned sine die, but before they did, they voted to override more than 2/3rds of Governor Stitt's vetos and oust one his appointee who lead the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS).

We're just a week away from the Oklahoma Legislature adjourning sine die, and that means (1) they have a budget and (2) they're going to ram through a few more contentious bills, like SB1027, which makes significant changes to the initiative petition process.

Governor Stitt vetoed two good (and popular) bills - but why? Also, ODMHSAS troubles somehow continue to deepen, and a train is running out of track, so to speak.

Andy's niece, Penny, provides some severe weather reminders, and then we discuss the new social studies standards, the wildfire task force report, and what to expect with the state budget.