Oklahoma Watch
Long Story Short
Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit news organization specializing in investigative journalism. Long Story Short, a weekly podcast, lets you hear directly from our journalists as they provide deeper insight into their recently published stories.
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Episodes
Edmond School Job Cuts, Medicaid Shortfalls and an Expiring Law 07.07.2026 16:46
Andrea Eger reveals how Edmond Public Schools renewed several administrator contracts only to eliminate their positions weeks later. Plus, Paul Monies reports on lower Medicaid payment estimates for Oklahoma hospitals, and summer intern Maya Henry breaks down the consequences of the expiration of a 2021 harm reduction law. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt...
Supreme Court Climax, Bail Scams, and AI Data Centers 30.06.2026 17:05
J.C. Hallman discusses the climax of the State Farm and Hursh saga following a major Supreme Court ruling, while intern Maya Henry investigates a surge in bail scams that victims say law enforcement is failing to adequately address. Plus, Stephen Martin details how a new $72 million transmission line built to fix Oklahoma’s power congestion has instead sparked secret real estate deals and attracte...
Outside Political Money & Oklahoma’s Frozen AI Legislation 23.06.2026 13:55
Keaton Ross and summer intern Maya Henry track a historic flood of outside political spending and targeted ad campaigns shaking up the June 16 primary elections. Plus, as states push forward with artificial intelligence laws despite federal warnings, reporter Andrea Eger reveals why nearly all AI legislation in the Oklahoma Legislature has hit a dead end. Catch these stories and more on the latest...
Helter Smelter, Jail Visitations and Norman's Homelessness Crisis 16.06.2026 22:15
Reporter Andrea Eger heads to Inola to find the local residents who actually want a controversial $4 billion aluminum smelter built in their town. Plus, Jennifer Palmer and Maya Henry investigate a major shift in how Oklahoma county jails handle inmate visitations, and Jake Ramsey breaks down the complex factors driving the homelessness crisis in Norman. Catch these stories and more on the latest...
A Cannabis Crash, The Inola Smelter and A Treasurer’s Commute 09.06.2026 13:10
Stephen Martin breaks down how oversupply and regulation are crashing Oklahoma’s cannabis boom, while Elizabeth Caldwell investigates how two gubernatorial candidates view a massive proposed aluminum smelter in Inola. Plus, Paul Monies details an investigation into the state treasurer’s frequent use of a state vehicle to commute to a rural satellite office. Catch these stories and more on the late...
A Panhandle Tragedy, Reading Overhauls and The Cost of Play 03.06.2026 16:38
J.C. Hallman discusses the devastating fallout of a fatal Panhandle accident, while reporter Andrea Eger takes the temperature of classrooms navigating a massive legislative overhaul of how Oklahoma children learn to read. Plus, Jennifer Palmer details a new federal crackdown on the soaring, hidden costs of youth sports, from steep registration fees to mandatory "stay-to-play" hotel rules. Catch t...
The Treasurer, the Whistleblower, and the Eviction Engine 26.05.2026 18:47
Reporter Paul Monies digs deeper into the state’s Invest in Oklahoma program, tracking a campaign contribution linked to State Treasurer Todd Russ’s re-election campaign. Plus, J.C. Hallman returns with an exclusive look into a mysterious State Farm whistleblower with deep Oklahoma roots, and Jake Ramsey breaks down the proposed eviction reform bills from this year's legislative session. Catch the...
The Funding Paradox & The Soybean Squeeze 19.05.2026 18:41
Oklahoma’s education funding paradox takes center stage as Andrea Eger untangles why historic state investments clash with rock-bottom national rankings. Plus, Raynee Howell explores how global conflicts are squeezing local soybean farmers, and Jennifer Palmer breaks down the most consequential new education laws. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
Abolitionists, Assets, and the Minimum Wage 12.05.2026 16:46
Ben Fenwick breaks down how an ultra-ideological faction is quietly capturing control of the state Republican Party and targeting incumbent lawmakers. Plus, Paul Monies reports on the fallout after the governor’s former chief of staff wins a bid to manage key state pension assets, and Keaton Ross examines an upcoming state question proposing a gradual minimum wage increase to $15 per hour. Catch t...
Red Flags and Silent Journals 06.05.2026 22:22
Investigative leads from Jennifer Palmer reveal the missed warning signs behind the tragic dog mauling of an Oklahoma City toddler, while J.C. Hallman explores the high-stakes mystery surrounding a deputy’s death and the journals he left behind. Plus, Jake Ramsey examines new data exposing how Oklahoma’s eviction process is being used as a tool for rent collection. Catch these stories and more on...
Air Alerts, Ethical Pledges, and Invest in Oklahoma 29.04.2026 18:16
A previously unseen toxin surfaces in Oklahoma, raising urgent questions about the safety of industrial biosolids and the transparency of our air-monitoring systems. Plus, we look at the rising trend of Republican primary challengers vowing to reject lobbyist gifts, and the latest developments in the ongoing investigation into financial links within the state’s Invest in Oklahoma program. Catch th...
Shadowed Reports and Unfinished Business 22.04.2026 17:22
Deep dives into accountability and legal stalemates lead this week’s episode. Investigative reporter Andrea Eger explores a lingering thread in the Epic Charter Schools investigation that just wouldn't stay buried, while J.C. Hallman details a high-stakes standoff between State Farm and a retired federal judge over a hidden adjuster’s report. Plus, Keaton Ross breaks down the legislative push to t...
Money, Mismanagement, and Mutuals 14.04.2026 18:48
Reporter Paul Monies investigates the state’s hiring of a private firm to manage pension fund deals, while Jake Ramsey breaks down a high-stakes lawsuit against Vesta Realty CEO Marc Kulick. Plus, J.C. Hallman reports on a pivotal hearing for CompSource Mutual, the state’s former "insurer of last resort." Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
Oklahoma Battles: State Farm Standoff to Corporate Landlords 07.04.2026 19:50
Homeowners insurance disputes hit the high court as the Hursh family’s battle with State Farm reaches the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Plus, we look at the human cost of corporate housing through the lens of a recent Edmond eviction, and Paul Monies breaks down the legislative state questions set to shape the August primary runoff. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun...
The Republican Future & Bicycle Busts 31.03.2026 15:02
Struggling developers face a high-stakes paradox as they fight to revive Oklahoma’s dilapidated properties. Plus, we dive into the potential fallout of the state’s Republican primary and launch a new series, Unaccountable, with a look at the unsettling reality of bike stops in Duncan. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
OCAST Leadership Shifts and the Guardianship System 24.03.2026 17:52
A sudden leadership shakeup at the state’s tech-startup agency and a new policy allowing e-cigarette sales in Oklahoma prisons. We also return to the complex world of state guardianship with three interconnected stories on the system's impact. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
Inola Residents Say Trump’s Industrial Push Is Coming at Their Expense 18.03.2026 15:49
Plans unfold for the nation’s largest aluminum plant at the Port of Inola, sparking a clash between economic promises and local outcry. Plus, we examine a possible $175 million surge in federal immigration funding for Oklahoma law enforcement and AG Gentner Drummond’s escalating legal battle over a controversial Jewish charter school application. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Sto...
Vesta Realty Rental Crisis 10.03.2026 15:08
Stephen Martin’s latest takes a look at Oklahoma's fatal police encounters, ranking third in the nation. Jake Ramsey wrote about problems that have continued to pile up at rental properties owned by Vesta Realty. Paul Monies has an update on the planned conversion of the state’s largest workers compensation insurer to a new type of company. Shaun Witt hosts.
Twin Chickasha Hearings Reveal Agents Knew of Hail Claim Practice 03.03.2026 19:46
J.C. Hallman’s work on State Farm continued with a story about two motion to dismiss hearings in Chickasha. Keaton Ross wrote about legislative efforts to change how Oklahoma courts determine bond amounts. Jennifer Palmer on Oklahoma’s fall in the state education rankings. Shaun Witt hosts.
More Than 30 Oklahoma Agencies Sign Immigration Enforcement Agreements 24.02.2026 17:44
J.C. Hallman updates the State Farm hail claim saga, Paul Monies details shifts in the state’s $2.2 billion tobacco trust fund, and Ben Fenwick examines the rise of "Operation Guardian" immigration enforcement. Shaun Witt hosts.
Federal Health Care Windfall Meets Fiscal Warnings in Oklahoma 17.02.2026 17:52
Keaton Ross reported on ongoing technical issues that have prevented municipal voters from accessing campaign finance reports. Paul Monies looked into how one state agency is dealing with the uncertainty over federal funds under the Trump administration and government shutdowns. Elizabeth Caldwell updates us on the case of Stillwater teenager Jesse Butler who was convicted last year on 11 counts r...
Gubernatorial Candidates Rely on Personal Money to Launch Campaigns 10.02.2026 14:41
Jake Ramsey discusses the proposed Senate Bill 1545. Paul Monies has an update on some of the lawsuits still pending stemming from the significant natural gas costs for Oklahoma utility customers following a winter storm in 2021. Keaton Ross talks about how Republican gubernatorial candidates have loaned themselves millions to launch their campaigns ahead of the June 16 primary election. Shaun Wit...
Oklahoma Farmers Face Uncertain Future as Comprehensive Farm Bill Splinters 03.02.2026 17:28
Stephen Martin provides an overview of recent developments in the Farm Bill and its specific impact on Oklahoma farmers. Jennifer Palmer's latest story digs into the latest school enrollment data for Oklahoma public schools. Ginnie Graham wrote about a projected $18 million deficit at the OU School of Community Medicine in Tulsa and how it is addressing the shortfall. Shaun Witt hosts.
How Oklahoma’s Domestic Violence Sentencing Law is Failing in Practice 27.01.2026 18:57
Stephen Martin's latest story was a deep dive into the Survivors' Act and how, a year after it became law, implementation hasn't been what everyone hoped. Paul Monies looked into the large numbers of lawmakers running for higher office and how they are able to keep their leadership positions in the Legislature. J.C. Hallman returns with another story about State Farm, which over the past two month...
Lawmakers Seek Balance in Oklahoma’s Landlord-Tenant Act 20.01.2026 19:50
Jake Ramsey detailed several proposed bills in the upcoming legislative session that could provide balance to Oklahoma’s Landlord-Tenant Act. Keaton Ross reported on a dip in parole grant rates when the five-member Pardon and Parole Board is operating at reduced capacity. After reporter J.C. Hallman's latest story focuses on an Edmond family and offers details on State Farm practices across the co...
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