After taking over for Ryan Walters, Oklahoma’s interim state superintendent faced low morale, a backlog of records requests and lawsuits, and an agency consumed by controversy. Fields said his goal was to “clear the runway” to give his successor a chance to focus on students.
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Posted inHealth
Construction begins on new labs in Tulsa for foundation created by Oklahoma opioid lawsuit
Oklahoma’s unique opioid settlement with Purdue created an independent addiction research foundation. Seven years later, its leaders are building a headquarters in Tulsa.
Posted inSchools & Families
University of Tulsa cuts staff positions in 9% reduction in force
The university plans to leave some vacancies unfilled and restructure operations while keeping faculty positions intact and minimizing effects on students.
Posted inHealth
The Trump administration is shifting funding for HIV prevention. Vulnerable Oklahomans could suffer
For decades, community-based organizations have been on the front lines of providing HIV prevention, receiving funding directly from the federal government. Now, the Trump administration is changing course.
Posted inGovernment
Stitt calls on Oklahoma voters to decide if they want a constitutional convention
Gov. Kevin Stitt wants voters to choose whether to start the process for a Constitutional Convention. And he’s done it in a way that skirts the legislature’s authority in the process.
Posted inGovernment
Oklahoma Republicans raise millions ahead of key runoff elections
Millions more dollars have poured into an already historically expensive GOP primary race for Oklahoma governor leading up to an Aug. 25 runoff.
Posted inSchools & Families
Osage Congress considers language charter school following immersion school closure
The Osage Nation Congress is considering a public charter school with the state of Oklahoma after the executive branch recently closed the immersion school.
Posted inGovernment
Fact-check: Candidates clash over past allegations in Oklahoma superintendent runoff debate
We fact-checked claims from Republican candidates Robert Franklin and James Taylor ahead of the Aug. 25 runoff.
Posted inNews
Cleanup is underway after large natural gasoline tank fire in Glenpool
A lightning strike at a petroleum tank farm caused a fire that spread to two other tanks.
Posted inGovernment
Will Oklahoma join more than 30 other states regulating AI in elections?
The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is weighing the need for new rules around the use of artificial intelligence-generated campaign advertisements. But new ethics regulations involve political will, and while other states have addressed the issue, Oklahoma lawmakers have yet to act.
Posted inBusiness
Will data centers pay off for Oklahoma communities? It depends
Oklahoma communities are considering data centers projects mainly to bring in revenue but Oklahoma State University economists say the economic impact on local areas is uncertain.
Posted inGovernment
Long-running Cherokee Nation–UKB dispute continues as Biden, Trump get involved
Tahlequah is home to two federally recognized Cherokee tribes. But only one, the Cherokee Nation, is the successor to the reservation in the eyes of the U.S. government.