Oklahoma Memo

Michigan football made its most consequential decision in years, hiring longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham in a move that signals a sharp break from the chaos of the Jim Harbaugh–Sherrone Moore era.

Ryan and Jeremy unpack:

A breaking-news conversation with national implications — even if you don’t wear maize and blue.

⭐ If you enjoy the show, leave a 5-star review — it helps more than you think.

The day after Christmas is usually slow — but that doesn’t mean it’s empty.

In this episode, I talk candidly about my flu shot reaction (for the third year in a row), why I still believe the vaccine matters, and what this flu season is revealing about risk and prevention.

Then we focus on the standout Oklahoma story of the day from Oklahoma Watch: a Broken Arrow high school class teaching students that homelessness is not a personal failure — and that most people are only one event away from crisis.

Also in the rundown:

If you value calm, fact-based local news — this one’s for you.

⭐ Leave a 5-star review if this helps you stay informed.

It’s Christmas Eve in Oklahoma — with temperatures pushing the upper 70s and a news cycle that refuses to slow down.

In today’s episode of Oklahoma Memo, Ryan Welton walks through the most important stories from across the state, including:

Oklahoma Memo is a daily local news recap designed to keep you informed — quickly.

⭐ If you enjoy the show, please leave a 5-star review. It helps others find it.

Festivus is here — and Ryan and Jeremy are airing their grievances.

In this special holiday edition of Bedlam Buds, the guys channel Frank Costanza and unload on everything that drives them crazy this time of year (and all year long).

From sports spoilers and bad drivers to daylight saving time, grammar policing, loud eaters, and people who refuse to let others enjoy things — nothing is safe.

This episode is funny, honest, slightly unhinged, and extremely relatable.

In this episode:

🎧 If you enjoy the episode, please leave a 5-star review — it helps others find the show.

Festivus is here — and Ryan and Jeremy are airing their grievances.

In this special holiday edition of Bedlam Buds, the guys channel Frank Costanza and unload on everything that drives them crazy this time of year (and all year long).

From sports spoilers and bad drivers to daylight saving time, grammar policing, loud eaters, and people who refuse to let others enjoy things — nothing is safe.

This episode is funny, honest, slightly unhinged, and extremely relatable.

In this episode:

🎧 If you enjoy the episode, please leave a 5-star review — it helps others find the show.

Oklahoma feels like spring — but the politics are getting hot as we head toward 2026.

In today’s Oklahoma Memo podcast, Ryan walks through the stories shaping conversations across the state:

📬 Subscribe to the daily Oklahoma Memo newsletter: https://oklahomamemo.com/subscribe

⭐ Five-star reviews help this get get found by other listeners. Thank YOU for listening.

An Oklahoma insurance dispute has evolved into a high-stakes legal and political fight.

Ryan Welton is joined by J.C. Hallman of Oklahoma Watch to walk through his reporting on State Farm, including allegations that the company systematically reduced or denied hail damage claims.

The conversation covers:

Hallman also shares how he approaches investigative reporting, how journalists find “the angle,” and why some of the most consequential stories are the hardest to pursue.

This episode of Oklahoma Memo looks ahead to what may be the most consequential week before Christmas — both for Oklahoma’s weather and its finances.

Inside this episode:

• Why near-80° December temperatures raise wildfire concerns statewide

• The key takeaways from Oklahoma’s latest revenue forecast

• Gov. Kevin Stitt’s push for flat agency budgets despite rising costs

• How the end of food assistance led to eviction filings within days

• A preview of national political developments worth watching

Plus, a rundown of local reporting worth your time — from housing insecurity to military pay raises and standout Oklahoma schools.

Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo at oklahomamemo.com/subscribe

Late-breaking developments reshaped this week’s in-person Oklahoma Memo conversation between Ryan Welton and Grant Hermes, host of Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes.

After their Friday discussion wrapped, a partial release of the Epstein files revealed that the full disclosure ordered by law has still not occurred — raising fresh questions about transparency and accountability.

The conversation also dives into a major Vanity Fair profile by Chris Whipple, based on 11 months of interviews with Susie Wiles. What does her account reveal about how Donald Trump governs — and how he sees the presidency?

Ryan and Grant also analyze the president’s mid-week address, a speech that was unusually fast-paced and loud. It was as if he didn't want to be there, giving that address. From there, they turn to a busy Thursday: the renaming of the Kennedy Center, the reclassification of marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, and the civic foundations behind birthright citizenship — a topic Grant recently explored in depth.

Topics Covered

Follow & Subscribe

Oklahoma jumped out to a 17–0 lead. Alabama adjusted. The Sooners never recovered.

In this emergency episode of Bedlam Buds, Ryan and Jeremy react to Oklahoma’s 34–24 loss to Alabama and break down what changed after the opening quarter.

Topics include:

• How Alabama flipped the game after a slow start

• Oklahoma’s failure to force turnovers

• Offensive struggles after scripted drives ended

• Special teams mistakes and missed chances

• Quarterback play and the NIL-era offseason questions ahead

• What this loss means for Brent Venables moving forward

• Alabama’s outlook in the next round of the playoff

A season recap, a reality check, and a look at what comes next.