StateImpact Oklahoma

Oklahoma is again ground zero for a battle over publicly funded religious education as a proposed Jewish charter school looks to the courts for vindication. That’s despite members of the state’s Jewish community saying they weren’t consulted and are “deeply concerned” about the threat to the separation of church and state. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahoma Republicans want to send Medicaid expansion back to voters so lawmakers can have more control in addressing spending. But medical and policy experts worry the effort is shortsighted. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Incarcerated people at four correctional facilities are planting native gardens with the help of a nonprofit conservation organization. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Some educators are raising concerns about content in the newly approved, proposed 2026 academic standards for social studies — and the process by which the standards were revised. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Following a much dryer and warmer than normal winter in Oklahoma, the possibility of a so-called super El Niño is in the forecast for later this year. StateImpact’s Logan Layden talks with State Climatologist Gary McManus about what that could mean for the state. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

An increasing number of providers and patients are participating in direct primary care. It’s not insurance, but rather a business model where patients can purchase a membership, allowing them unlimited access to certain primary care services. Dr. Kyle Rickner is the co-founder of Primary Health Partners, which is Oklahoma’s largest direct primary care provider. StateImpact’s Jillian Taylor spoke...

A fluid leak has created a months-long dispute between a family and regulators over what the state can do to remediate what the family says is oil seeping into their home. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Nearly 2,000 Oklahomans die from stroke-related complications annually. That burden is felt more in rural communities, where access to specialized care is limited. Oklahoma officials are working to change that by investing in telemedicine for stroke care. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Proposed Oklahoma legislation would authorize companies to convert abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal and energy storage use. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The Oklahoma legislature is considering measures to push back against the rising tide of ed tech. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The federally threatened plant commonly known as Tiny Tim was discovered in Oklahoma within the past few years. Now it’s on the road to being removed from a federal list of endangered species. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Enhanced premium tax credits for the ACA Marketplace expired last year, leaving people to pay a larger share of — or full price for — their health coverage. This year, nearly 50,000 fewer Oklahomans selected a plan, and even more are expected to drop out amid higher costs. Consumers are now navigating the consequences of this expiration with limited choices. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media...

Electricity demand is up nationwide and in Oklahoma, partly because of large load customers like data centers. Several initiatives are addressing concerns of rising residential rates. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The Oklahoma Legislature is back in session for 2026, with thousands of bills up for consideration. StateImpact Oklahoma focuses on health, education, science and the environment. Logan Layden talked with the team about what they’ll be watching. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt kicked off the 2026 legislative session with his eighth and final State of the State address on Monday. After boasting about his accomplishments over the past seven years, the governor laid out his policy priorities for the session. Those include bolstering school choice by removing the cap on the Parental Choice Tax Credit, as well as eliminating the Oklahoma Seconda...

After overhauling literacy policy in 2013, Mississippi went from 49th to a top 10 state in fourth-grade reading. It’s been dubbed the “Mississippi Miracle,” but those involved say it was more of a marathon. State lawmakers are now hoping to perform that same miracle in Oklahoma this legislative session. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

2026 starts with drought across much of southern Oklahoma and La Niña still in place. What does that mean for the rest of the year? StateImpact’s Logan Layden talks to state climatologist Gary McManus about what to expect. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

Traditional Medicare rarely requires providers to seek approval before delivering care. That is changing this month in six states, including Oklahoma. A federal pilot is using private companies with AI tools to process prior authorizations and reduce spending on certain treatments. Oklahoma providers and patients are concerned about how the program could impact access to care for the nation’s grow...

One of the longest-running citizen science projects wrapped its annual event Monday. Birders across Oklahoma had eyes to the skies to find out which species are living in or visiting the state during early winter. StateImpact’s Chloe Bennett-Steele joined some of them earlier this week. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

2025 is coming to a close, and StateImpact Oklahoma’s Logan Layden sat down with StateImpact’s reporters to talk about some of the issues they’ve covered this year and how they’ll evolve in 2026. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

The federal government has a trust responsibility to fund Indigenous health care. But the Indian Health Service (IHS) has long been  underfunded by it . June Zhao, an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma Hudson College of Public Health, said she learned about this issue in conversation with leadership at an IHS clinic in the state. They shared how limited financial resources resu...

Oklahoma ranks high nationally for its pricey home insurance premiums. As climate change brings more extreme weather and inflation affects purchasing power, some look to policy changes to settle escalating insurance costs.  Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

StateImpact’s Logan Layden sat down with Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell, who also serves as chairman of the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission, to discuss the significance of America’s Main Street and  plans to celebrate its 100 year anniversary in 2026 . Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags

America’s opioid epidemic has been a prolonged public health crisis, resulting in  countless overdose deaths and  billions in settlement funds  from opioid manufacturers, distributors and retailers. But another crisis is afoot. That’s what investigative reporter Shoshana Walter from The Marshall Project presents in her first book, “ Rehab: An American Scandal. ” StateImpact’s Jillia...

Alongside the passage of billions of dollars in Medicaid spending reductions over a decade, Oklahoma is also vying for an opportunity available to all 50 states to fund sustainable rural health care initiatives. Mentioned in this episode: Social Media tags