Articles
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Education
New literacy law brings science-of-reading training to hundreds of Oklahoma teachers
Oklahoma is beginning to implement a major overhaul of its approach to reading instruction after years of dismal literacy outcomes, with hundreds of teachers now receiving training grounded in the science of reading.Ray Carter | September 2, 2026
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Local Government
OKC views Charlotte rail as model despite murder, crime
Oklahoma City metro officials continue to hold Charlotte’s regional rail system up as a model for the proposed commuter rail line connecting Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman—but Charlotte’s experience raises serious questions about that comparison.Ray Carter | September 1, 2026
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Law & Principles
Edmond-OKC-Norman rail plan raises questions about homeless encampments, crime
Have Edmond, Oklahoma City, and Norman adequately considered how a new rail corridor could affect homelessness, public safety, and the communities surrounding its stations?Ray Carter | August 27, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
State data contradict Munson’s claims about taxes, education funding, teacher pay
Oklahoma House Democratic Caucus leader Cyndi Munson has made several claims about state taxes and education policy that conflict with publicly available government data.Ray Carter | August 26, 2026
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Law & Principles
Democratic Socialist wins Oklahoma Senate nomination
N’kiyla “Jasmine” Thomas won the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Oklahoma’s primary runoff Tuesday. Thomas describes herself as a Democratic Socialist.Ray Carter | August 26, 2026
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Culture & the Family
Researchers project Oklahoma population growth will continue
Oklahoma's population growth is projected to continue for decades, according to researchers at the University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service. After growing 5.5 percent from 2010 to 2020, Oklahoma's population is projected to increase 7.6 percent from 2020 to 2030 and to grow 11.4 percent overall by 2050.Ray Carter | August 25, 2026
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Education
In both Florida and Oklahoma, education increases don’t go to teachers
A new analysis of Florida’s public schools reveals trends strikingly similar to those in Oklahoma: Inflation-adjusted school spending and per-student expenditures have risen substantially even as enrollment has declined. Much of the new money has gone toward non-teaching positions rather than teachers.Ray Carter | August 24, 2026
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Budget & Tax
ONE Transit approves consulting contract for proposed OKC commuter rail
Oklahoma City-area officials are moving ahead with preparations for a proposed commuter rail system from Edmond through Oklahoma City to Norman even though voters have not yet decided whether to approve the tax increase expected to help fund the project.Ray Carter | August 21, 2026
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Higher Education
Pentagon orders Oklahoma universities to scrutinize foreign partnerships
The U.S. Department of War has ordered 30 domestic universities, including Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University, to conduct comprehensive reviews of academic, financial, and research relationships with foreign entities identified as posing potential national-security concerns.Ray Carter | August 20, 2026
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Health Care, Higher Education
HHS report flags OU Physicians-Tulsa claims involving puberty blockers; OU says it complies with state law
A newly released U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report has identified OU Physicians-Tulsa among health-care providers whose insurance claims for puberty blockers warrant further review. The University of Oklahoma said OU Physicians-Tulsa complies with Oklahoma law and will fully cooperate with any review.Ray Carter | August 19, 2026