Oklahoma Memo

America’s national debt has reached $40 trillion—but what does that number actually mean for Oklahomans?

Democratic congressional candidate John Croisant joins Oklahoma Memo host Ryan Welton to discuss the consequences of federal borrowing, the bipartisan failure to balance the budget and his argument that tax breaks should be viewed as another form of government spending.

The conversation also covers:

John Croisant is the Democratic nominee in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District. Learn more about John and follow his journey at https://www.croisantforcongress.com

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

Democratic Congressional District 1 candidate John Croisant joins Oklahoma Memo founder Ryan Welton for a wide-ranging conversation about Oklahoma politics and the approaching election.

Croisant explains why he opposes State Questions 844 and 846, including his concerns about public-school funding, voting requirements and legislative power. He and Ryan also examine Oklahoma’s low voter participation, the limits of political polling, the importance of television advertising, and elected officials' responsibility to serve every constituent—not only their supporters.

Plus, Croisant discusses his campaign against Republican Mark Tedford, calls for debates before November and explains why he believes Oklahoma needs to focus less on partisan blame and more on measurable outcomes.

Follow John's journey to Congress at https://www.croisantforcongress.com

Subscribe to the Oklahoma Memo daily local news recap at https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subcribe

President Donald Trump reportedly escaped a potential Iranian threat by secretly changing aircraft—leaving members of his Cabinet, staff and the White House press corps aboard what became a decoy Air Force One.

Ryan Welton and Grant Hermes discuss the unsettling security, ethical and political questions raised by the operation, including what passengers knew, why the president traveled without much of his usual support system and whether the episode contributed to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt’s departure.

Then, they examine alarming reports from the USS Abraham Lincoln, where sailors have spent more than 200 days without making port. Families have described deteriorating conditions, inadequate food and supplies, serious maintenance concerns and a devastating decline in morale. What does the situation reveal about military leadership—and the mounting cost of America’s war with Iran?

Also in this episode:

Ryan and Grant’s weekly conversation offers candid analysis of national politics, political media and the stories that deserve more attention.

Follow Grant on YouTube @mimsnewspod, and you can find him on Substack by looking up "Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes."

Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jim Priest joins the Oklahoma Memo Podcast ahead of his August 25 runoff against Jasmine Thomas.

Priest tells Oklahoma Memo founder Ryan Welton why he believes he is the stronger general-election candidate against Republican Sen. Kevin Hern—and why Democrats cannot win statewide without support from independents and crossover Republican voters.

The conversation turns to the rapid arrival of large industrial projects in Oklahoma, including hyperscale data centers. Priest calls for greater transparency, a national vetting framework and stronger support for local officials being asked to evaluate extraordinarily complicated proposals.

Ryan and Priest also discuss rural hospital closures, healthcare affordability, presidential power, tariffs, congressional stock trading, religious freedom and how Democrats can reconnect with working Oklahomans.

The episode concludes with Priest’s argument that restoring trust in government will require transparency, accountability and leaders who are willing to listen.

Oklahoma’s Democratic Senate runoff is August 25, 2026.

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

Learn more about Jim Priest:
https://www.jimpriest.com

Oklahoma’s Republican gubernatorial runoff is a dead heat.

A new poll from Cole Hargrave Snodgrass & Associates (CHS) finds Attorney General Gentner Drummond and former state Sen. Mike Mazzei tied at 44%, with 12% of likely Republican voters still undecided ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff.

Oklahoma Memo founder Ryan Welton speaks with longtime Oklahoma pollster and the president of CHS, Pat McFerron, about what the topline numbers don’t show — including Drummond’s potential advantage among frequent primary voters.

They also discuss:

Read the polling analysis at CHS.

The Oklahoma Memo Podcast brings you conversations about the people, politics and stories shaping Oklahoma.

Subscribe to the free Oklahoma Memo newsletter and get the state’s essential news delivered at 7 a.m. six days a week: OklahomaMemo.com

Oklahoma State football is back on the practice field—and the Cowboys already look markedly different under new head coach Eric Morris.

Jeremy Cook has been inside OSU’s fall camp and joins Oklahoma Memo founder Ryan Welton to share what he saw from Drew Mestemaker, Caleb Hawkins, Wyatt Young and the rest of Oklahoma State’s rebuilt offense.

The early identity is becoming clear: quicker practices, faster transitions, short throws, bubble screens and a no-huddle attack that demands urgency from everyone on the field. Jeremy explains why Mestemaker looks comfortable leading the offense, how the former North Texas players are accelerating the transition and why Hawkins may be more physically imposing than fans expect.

Ryan and Jeremy also debate how much of the playbook OSU should reveal against Tulsa, imagine the atmosphere if the Cowboys land an early punch against Oregon and set a realistic benchmark for Morris’ first season in Stillwater.

Plus: Could we someday get Bedlam in the College Football Playoff?

Bedlam Buds will follow Oklahoma State throughout the 2026 season with previews, analysis and postgame reactions. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.

And be sure you're subscribed to the Oklahoma Memo, a daily local news recap that hits your inbox six days a week at 7 a.m. Sign up for free at https://www.OklahomaMemo.com/subscribe.

A loved one calls from jail. They need money immediately—or so you're told.

But what if it's all a scam?

In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton talks with Oklahoma Bondsman Association President Tracey Halley Terrell about a growing fraud scheme targeting Oklahoma families.

You'll learn:

This conversation could help you—or someone you know—avoid losing thousands of dollars to criminals exploiting families during moments of crisis.

Sign up for the Oklahoma Memo, a daily local news recap that hits your inbox at 7 a.m. six days a week. Go to https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe.

Oklahoma Gazette owner Drew Williamson joins Oklahoma Memo’s Ryan Welton for a wide-ranging conversation about the people, money and controversies shaping Oklahoma’s 2026 elections.

Williamson explains why he believes Gentner Drummond may have gained momentum following the gubernatorial debate—and why Mike Mazzei’s decision to pour millions of borrowed dollars into his campaign represents such an extraordinary political gamble.

Ryan and Drew also examine the proposed aluminum smelter near Inola, growing public resistance to AI data centers, Oklahoma’s relationship with its tribal nations and Gov. Kevin Stitt’s apparent interest in national office.

Plus, they discuss whether Cyndi Munson could make the governor’s race competitive, Jena Nelson’s challenge to U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice and the candidates competing to become Oklahoma’s next state superintendent.

The conversation also explores Williamson’s restoration of the Oklahoma Gazette, the return of its print edition and the publication’s role in Oklahoma’s arts, culture and political communities.

Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo:
Get the essential Oklahoma news in your inbox free at 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday:
https://oklahomamemo.com/subscribe

Listen to Drew’s podcast:
Find Clowns Left, Jokers Right: Stuck in the Middle with Drew on Spotify for Williamson’s monthly conversations about Oklahoma politics from the “radical center.”

https://open.spotify.com/show/033yUB3GOF6eA1fCBGtAsr

Oklahoma is one of the reddest states in America — but 2026 is starting to look considerably less predictable than that description suggests.

Political journalist Grant Hermes, host of Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes, joins Oklahoma Memo's Ryan Welton for their weekly conversation about the politics behind politics.

This week, Ryan and Grant start in Michigan, where a surprisingly close Democratic U.S. Senate primary raises new questions about polling, turnout, the future of the Democratic Party and what both parties face heading toward November.

Then they turn to Oklahoma.

Ryan and Grant break down the Republican governor's debate between Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei, Mazzei's difficult opening, Trump's endorsement and whether Oklahoma's deeply rooted populist streak could matter more than national partisan politics as communities push back against AI data centers, the proposed Inola aluminum smelter and other major projects.

They also ask whether Democrats are overlooking Oklahoma.

Could congressional candidates including Jena Nelson, Suzie Byrd and John Croissant make their races more competitive than expected? What happens when Cyndi Munson finally gets the political spotlight after the Republican governor's runoff? And could Oklahoma force national Republicans to spend money in a state they normally take for granted?

Plus: Markwayne Mullin's latest difficult week in Washington, the politics of immigration and DHS, Grant's reporting on America's missile shortage and the possibility of Detroit automakers helping produce weapons for the war in Iran.

And because it's Friday, things eventually wander into cleaning the house, clutter, marriage, astrology and why Ryan thinks Mad Men is the greatest television series ever made.

It's politics, campaigns and a little nonsense with Ryan and Grant.

You can follow Grant's work on Substack and YouTube. Just look for "Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes."

Substack: https://makeitmakesensepod.substack.com/

And be sure to sign up for the Oklahoma Memo at https://www.oklahomamemo.com/subscribe

Suzie Byrd decided to run for Congress at almost the last possible moment.

Now the Democrat from Enid is challenging longtime Republican U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas in Oklahoma’s sprawling 3rd Congressional District.

In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo podcast, Byrd joins Ryan Welton for a wide-ranging conversation about why she entered the race and what she would try to accomplish in Washington.

They discuss the future of rural health care, Byrd’s support for universal health coverage, the growth of AI data centers and concerns about Oklahoma’s water supply.

Byrd also lays out ideas for supporting smaller family farms and more affordable housing, protecting Social Security and reducing the influence of corporations and wealthy donors in American politics.

And while she’s running as a Democrat, Byrd describes hers as a “purple campaign.” She explains where she differs from the Democratic Party, why she believes politicians need to move toward the middle and why she says she would serve no more than four years if elected.

Plus: Byrd talks about becoming Oklahoma State University’s first female All-American athlete, her years as a journalist and business owner, and why she sees running against a three-decade incumbent as her latest “hard thing.”