Oklahoma Watch

Two highly anticipated teacher retention bills received the governor's signature Tuesday.

A legal challenge is expected after Gov. Kevin signed a measure that puts more restrictions on the process voters use to get issues on the ballot.

A deadlocked Supreme Court blocked the creation of the nation's first publicly funded religious charter school, but some lawmakers said this isn't where the fight ends.

Those include work requirements and a moratorium on new or increased provider taxes.

Puzzled weather experts wondered whether that might be an excuse to stifle questions, as the data used to blame hail shows the opposite: Oklahoma has had less hail than states with lower rates.

Oklahoma public schools have weathered significant challenges to keeping student numbers up. The coronavirus pandemic. Private school vouchers. Shifting demographics.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, a Native American nation in Oklahoma, is trying to negotiate with the Trump administration to see if it can help win back a piece of land that was taken over by the federal government more than 150 years ago.

"The very discussion about reducing our investment in our scientific research and our weather forecasting causes me to have stomach cramps," Rep. Frank Lucas said.

Oklahoma released the names and tax credit amounts for thousands of residents using the Parental Choice Tax Credit, which mostly benefited higher-income families. The data release came after months of delay and pressure from Oklahoma Watch under the state's transparency laws.

Oklahoma Watch, April 2, 2025