Long Story Short

Jennifer Palmer has been following new rules proposed by the State Education Department addressing school library content and student identity at school. Jennifer (11:55) shares what she heard last week from public hearings on the rules.

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*Reporter Paul Monies (0:37) has been following the money on the state’s $1.87 billion share of federal coronavirus relief funds under the American Rescue Plan Act. His latest story looks at the pace of spending that money. 

*Keaton Ross’ latest story for Oklahoma Watch examines a legislative proposal that seeks to clarify when Oklahomans convicted of a felony have their voting rights restored. He shares his reporting (5:22) on confusion with the current law, who is trying to change it and why.

Oklahoma state Rep. Mauree Turner has been stripped of committee assignments by the GOP House leadership, which alleges Turner impeded a law enforcement investigation at the Capitol.

Lionel Ramos (10:44) covers race and equity for Oklahoma Watch. He's been looking into the censure of Turner, the state's only openly nonbinary legislator, and contrasts between Turner’s treatment and that of two sitting Republican leaders facing felony charges.

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Keaton Ross (5:07) covers democracy for Oklahoma Watch. To mark Sunshine Week, which promotes access to public information, Freedom of Information and FOIA, sunshine laws, open government meetings, and records, he talks about notable open records bills that are pending in the state Legislature. Ross covered those bills in his most recent Democracy Watch newsletter.

Reporter Paul Monies (0:34) has been following the growth of marijuana in Oklahoma and voters’ rejection of State Question 820, which would have legalized it for adults 21 and older. He shares takeaways from the March 7 election, turnout and the future of criminal justice reforms that were included in SQ820.

Oklahoma Watch executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

As significant changes are being proposed to K-12 education in Oklahoma, there is a lack of experience on the Oklahoma State Board of Education. Jennifer Palmer, (5:00) who covers education for Oklahoma Watch, discusses the board's future and news that one recently appointed board member resigned before ever attending a meeting.

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Fallout continues from the massive charges to most Oklahoma utility customers from a 2021 winter storm, including recent revelations about natural gas price spikes. Oklahoma Watch's Paul Monies (0:30) discusses the allegations of a lawsuit filed by Kansas' attorney general and potential ripples through Oklahoma.

Attorneys representing Oklahomans stuck in jail while waiting weeks and months for court-ordered mental health treatment filed a class action lawsuit last week against state mental health officials. Whitney Bryen, (9:28) who covers mental health for Oklahoma Watch, discusses systemic problems alleged in the lawsuit and the purpose of the delayed treatment.

Shaun Witt, audience development manager for Oklahoma Watch, hosts.

Oklahoma Watch reporter Paul Monies has been following the campaign for the Tuesday, March 7 special election on State Question 820, which would legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older. Paul (0:33) discusses the provisions of 820 and how it got to a March special election. Also:

*A Mexican consulate is expected to open this spring in Oklahoma City. Lionel Ramos (6:03), a race and equity reporter at Oklahoma Watch, is following its progress and sat down to talk with the person Mexico selected to run the operation.

*Catholic leaders in Oklahoma have proposed opening a new online charter school, and are seeking state authorization and funding. Education reporter Jennifer Palmer (10:52) discusses the controversial proposal.

*Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch's Whitney Bryen reports on the mental health care problems at the Cleveland County jail in the wake of two women's deaths. Paul Monies discusses his Q&A with Attorney General Genter Drummond. Keaton Ross discusses state Sen. Julie Daniels' bill that would add new hurdles for Oklahomans trying to get a state question on the ballot. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch's Democracy reporter Keaton Ross details a bill that would separate state and federal elections if national voting rights are enacted. Also: Ashlynd Huffman talks about slowing down Oklahoma's execution rate, and Lionel Ramos discusses Black History Day at the Capitol. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch reporter Paul Monies reviews the governor's State of the State speech.

Ari Fife previews a spate of bills targeting LGBTQ Oklahomans, and Paul Monies comes back to talk about our joint investigation with KWTV News 9 into the higher energy bills Oklahoma consumers will be paying for decades.

Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch reporter Whitney Bryen discusses the video, released after four years, that shows how a Pottawatomie County prisoner died while in custody. Also:

* Keaton Ross reports on legislative proposals that would change the initiative petition process and others that would affect the election process.

* Jennifer Palmer discusses a viral Tik Tok video, filmed by the leader of a Tennessee hate group and posted to social media by the state's schools superintendent. Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross, who covers democracy for Oklahoma Watch, reviews activity on the bill filing deadline for the 2023 state legislative session, which opens on Feb. 7. Lionel Ramos covers issues of race and equity for Oklahoma Watch. He discusses how the southwest Oklahoma town of Clinton is coping without its recently closed hospital and urgent care clinic.

Education writer Jennifer Palmer talks about Ryan Walters' dual role and dual state paychecks as state superintendent and secretary of education.

Executive director Ted Streuli hosts.

Oklahoma Watch education reporter Jennifer Palmer explains why the state's virtual charter school board remains in limbo. Keaton Ross talks about Oklahoma Watch's legislator personal finance database. Ashlynd Huffman discusses her story about a lower cap on prison phone rates. Executive editor Ted Streuli hosts.