Articles
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Higher Education
As Trump seeks higher-ed transparency on foreign influence, an Oklahoma lawmaker moves to ban foreign funding
Foreign entities have poured more than $150 million into Oklahoma universities through contracts, restricted gifts, and donations. President Donald Trump is ramping up federal enforcement and transparency requirements for such funding, while one Oklahoma state lawmaker is taking an even more aggressive approach.Ray Carter | January 7, 2026
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Budget & Tax, Education
Oklahoma school spending and staffing up, but ACT scores fall
Oklahoma’s public schools are spending more than ever and hiring faster than enrollment grows, yet ACT scores have dropped to a new low.Ray Carter | January 6, 2026
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Law & Principles
Oklahoma restaurant owner warns SQ 832 will kill jobs, businesses
Restaurant owner and state Sen. Kristen Thompson warns that SQ 832 would devastate independent restaurants, pointing to California’s recent wage hike that led to job losses, reduced hours, higher menu prices, and increased automation.Ray Carter | January 6, 2026
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Higher Education
OU backs down in anti-Christian grading controversy
After weeks of controversy, the University of Oklahoma has removed a graduate teaching assistant from classroom duties following an investigation into the zero he gave student Samantha Fulnecky for a paper expressing her Christian beliefs.Brandon Dutcher | December 29, 2025
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Law & Principles
OKC mayor urges ‘top two’ primaries, but California’s track record undercuts the pitch
Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt is urging Oklahomans to adopt a California-style “top two” election system, arguing it produces more pragmatic officeholders. But California’s real-world results tell a different story.Jonathan Small | December 29, 2025
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Law & Principles
‘Top Two’ jungle primaries would be death knell for Independent, alternative-party candidates in Oklahoma
Independent and alternative-party candidates have played a meaningful role in Oklahoma statewide elections for decades. State Question 836, with its California-style “Top Two” primary, would make it nearly impossible for alternative parties to survive, reducing voter choice and silencing non-establishment voices.Chris Powell | December 22, 2025
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Education, Law & Principles
New Oklahoma law closes loophole allowing abusive school employees to hop districts
A new Oklahoma law aims to end the practice known as “passing the trash,” in which school employees accused of abusing students resign and quietly move to another district without their misconduct being disclosed.Ray Carter | December 22, 2025
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Budget & Tax, Education
Lawmakers seek to address Oklahoma’s reading crisis
After a decade of steep declines in student reading performance, two Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced legislation aimed at restoring literacy as a core focus of K-12 education.Ray Carter | December 19, 2025
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Higher Education
Out-of-state students leave Oklahoma after graduation
State data show that two-thirds of nonresident OU graduates leave Oklahoma within five years, compared to more than 80 percent of in-state graduates who remain.Ray Carter | December 18, 2025
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Health Care
GAO finds Obamacare fraud is easy
Government Accountability Office officials told Sen. James Lankford that 19 of 20 fraudulent test applications for Obamacare—submitted using entirely fake identities, Social Security numbers, and documents—were approved through HealthCare.gov or insurance brokers.Ray Carter | December 17, 2025