This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about more testimony from the struggling Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the U.S. Supreme Court taking up the issue of a Catholic charter school in Oklahoma and one of Gov. Kevin Stitt's four nominees to the State Board of Education failing to get a sponsor.

The trio also discusses the Ethics Commission's dismissal of an investigation against Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett and Texas lawmakers choose to not fund their portion of the Heartland Flyer.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about controversial social studies standards surviving a deadline at the State Capitol, Governor Stitt appointing a new person to the State Board of Education and the governor's task force on March wildfires releases its first report.

The trio also discusses the final month of the 2025 state legislature as lawmakers work to craft a budget for the fiscal year starting on July First and the Oklahoma Arts Council cancels its biennial conference amid uncertainty in state and federal funding.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about State Superintendent Ryan Walters crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion and a four-hour hearing in the State House over concerns with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

The trio also discusses Governor Stitt calling for more power over picking supreme court justices and the impact of Trump Administration tariffs on Oklahoma farmers.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about Governor Stitt ordering a review of contractors in state agencies, the Department of Mental Health is asking for an extra $6.2M this fiscal year to continue services through June and a Woodward lawyer is taking a seat on the state Supreme Court.

The trio also discusses the candidacy of House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson who becomes the first Democrat to run for governor in 2026 and the Republican Party suing to stop a state question designed to open primaries to all voters.

April 19, 2025 marks 30 years since a bomb destroyed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City. 168 people were killed — including 19 children — and hundreds more were injured. It forever shaped our community.

"That April Morning: The Oklahoma City Bombing" is a production of KOSU, KGOU, StateImpact Oklahoma and our partners with the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about Governor Stitt's fight against the Oklahoma Forestry Service heating up, Governor Stitt's DOGE-OK release a report calling for major shifts in policy and a mental health program in Tulsa gets funding after originally being cut by the state.

The trio also discusses tribal leaders raising concerns about cuts to the federal Health and Human Services agency and a new effort has started on legalizing recreational marijuana in the state.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and Civic Leader Andy Moore about the State Board of Education meeting canceled over concerns of violating the Open Meetings Act, Democrats at the State Capitol filing resolutions to reject social studies standards from the SBE and Superintendent Ryan Walters suing a national watchdog group over religion in public schools.

The trio also talks about Governor Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond trading jabs over religion in public schools and Stitt coming under fire for critical remarks against the former state forestry chief over recent wildfires.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former Democratic House Leader Emily Virgin about President Trump's executive order calling for the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, State Superintendent Ryan Walters legal victory in a case regarding anti-bullying enforcement and a legal fight between the City of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation getting two new participants: Governor Stitt and tribal freedmen.

The trio also discusses the State Health Department's creation of a measles outbreak page on its website and the State Insurance Commissioner warning of increased premiums if ACA subsidies are allowed to expire at the end of the year.

This Week in Oklahoma Politics, KOSU's Michael Cross talks with Republican Political Consultant Neva Hill and former House Democratic Leader Emily Virgin about a settlement between State Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Ethics Commission over his use of social media to support President Trump, Governor Stitt's support of cuts by Elon Musk and DOGE and the Trump Administration announces it is investigating the OU School of Community Medicine.

The trio also discusses Attorney General Gentner Drummond hiring a former colleague and mentee of Chief Justice John Roberts to argue the case of an OKC Catholic charter school and lawmakers amended a bill to ban homeless shelters and services outside of Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

Join us for a celebration of the life of KOSU friend and colleague, and host of This Week in Oklahoma Politics, Ryan Kiesel.

It's come-and-go on Thursday, March 20 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City.

It'll be a night of laughter, music and making new friends -- all passions of Ryan's.

All fundraising will go to benefit the Oliver and Claire Kiesel Education Fund and KOSU.