Long Story Short

Keaton Ross reports on the cancellation of a $74M prison food contract. Paul Monies covers Treasurer Todd Russ' push against DEI/ESG in state investments. Jennifer Palmer and Maria Guinnip examine hidden fees in school lunch payments. Hosted by Ted Streuli.

Jennifer Palmer talks about the latest turmoil at Epic Charter Schools, the state's largest online school. Keaton Ross on the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' $74 million deal to outsource its prison food service to a Florida-based company. J.C. Hallman reported on a medical parole case now the OK Supreme Court is weighing in after the story's publication. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies looked into the fallout from an election email sent by a private religious school. Keaton Ross wrote about a successful effort to consolidate Oklahoma's campaign finance document filing system. JC Hallman made some discoveries about legal disparities in rural parts of Oklahoma. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies talks about a lawsuit Oklahoma Watch filed against OSDE. Keaton Ross breaks down several criminal justice measures that passed this session, from fines and fees reform to tougher sentencing laws. JC Hallman discusses a woman who was being held on an old warrant in the Tulsa County Jail. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross examined how the state's pending purchase of the Lawton Correctional Facility could impact the people who live and work there. Jennifer Palmer's latest story dives into the public school enrollment numbers for the 24-25 school year. Paul Monies has an update on Gov. Kevin Stitt's executive order mandating that state employees return to the office. Ted Streuli hosts.

J.C. Hallman discusses maintenance problems at an Oklahoma City apartment complex. M. Scott Carter on Stitt's veto of a bill that would slow the eviction process. J.C. on his investigation of Oklahoma's high homeowners' insurance rates.

Em Luetkemeyer discusses Rep. Tom Cole's bipartisan reputation at the Capitol. Keaton Ross talks about an influential order in an ongoing lawsuit alleging Oklahoma mistreated several state prisoners. Paul Monies investigated who qualified for Oklahoma's new program to provide tuition and fees for private school students through a state income tax credit. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross reported on the case of Channen Smith, an Oklahoma prisoner whose innocence claim is progressing through the federal court system. J.C. Hallman talks about Oklahoma's two women's prison newspapers. Paul Monies with the latest on the financial implosion of the state's mental health agency. Shaun Witt hosts.

Jennifer Palmer discusses St. Isidore, an Oklahoma Catholic online charter school, whose case will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Paul Monies examined a pending lawsuit involving the state treasurer's office and a request for open records regarding the state's anti-ESG policies. Jennifer returns to discuss how two recent hires at the State Department of Education have resumes stacked with experience managing campaigns, not education. Shaun Witt Hosts.

KFOR's Spencer Humphrey talks about OSDE personnel payments. Paul Monies has some updates to a story he wrote recently about police pensions and a powerful police union in Oklahoma. Keaton Ross discusses the progression of a bill that makes several changes to Oklahoma's initiative petition process. Ted Streuli Hosts.

Keaton Ross about a pending legal challenge to a primary reform ballot initiative. Paul Monies with an update on the latest efforts in the Legislature to pass cell phone bans for Oklahoma schools. Keaton on how Oklahoma's prison communications provider is responding to new federal regulations on phone calls from correctional institutions. Ted Streuli Hosts.

Keaton Ross wrote about tnew initiative petition that aims to legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma. Paul Monies discusses pension board changes that some retirees fear favor a powerful police union. JC Hallman on an old law getting new life in Oklahoma. Ted Streuli Hosts.

Keaton Ross wrote about the Legislature's push to add several crimes to the state's 85% offense list. Heather Warlick on serial evictions and how thousands of Oklahoma tenants are being repeatedly evicted, but still allowed to stay in their rentals. Paul Monies discusses bonuses at the State Department of Education. Ted Streuli Hosts.

Keaton Ross looks at the rapid aging of the state's prison population and how officials are responding. Jennifer Palmer tells us more about her investigation into stay to play in the world of competitive youth sports. JC Hallman discusses how Sheridan Church's tax status holds up while showcasing politicians to their congregation. Ted Streuli Hosts.

Jennifer Palmer digs into a practice in the world of competitive youth sports known as stay-to-play. Keaton Ross talks about a controversial state-level immigration measure moving through the Legislature. JC Hallman looks at the state's arbitrary IQ rule and how it doesn't mesh with scientific recommendations. Shaun Witt Hosts.

Keaton Ross talks about an effort to boost rural participation in a statewide county mental health program. Paul Monies looked into the latest effort by Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ to rein-in what he calls “woke investing.” and Superintendent Ryan Walters. Shaun Witt fills in for Heather Warlick who wrote about an OKC woman evicted who is filing an appeal to buy herself more time to move. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross discusses several voting and election bills moving through the Legislature. Paul Monies joins to discuss the new version of social studies standards approved by the OK State Board of Ed and Superintendent Ryan Walters. Heather Warlick covers a zoning change application from Sisu Youth Services that has some neighbors of the homeless shelter speaking out. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross wrote about the push to reduce court fines and fees and how lawmakers are approaching the issue. Jennifer Palmer talks about OSDE is now trying to buy instructional materials that weave Bible lessons into character education. Keaton rejoins to discuss a new lawsuit challenging Gov. Kevin Stitt's return-to-office mandate for state employees. Ted Streuli hosts.

Heather Warlick looked into funding issues at some Oklahoma housing authorities. Paul Monies joins to talk about the simmering feud at the Oklahoma Capitol among several of the state's top elected officials. JC Hallman discusses a Texas County ticket writing scheme. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross on the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' efforts to pay a private company to overtake its food service operations. Heather Warlick looked at some legislation filed this year that affects evictions in Oklahoma. Paul Monies talks about Gov. Kevin Stitt's latest effort in his administration's quest for government efficiency, Oklahoma's version of the Division of Governmental Efficiency.Ted Streuli hosts.

Heather Warlick on bills filed that could affect Oklahomans experiencing homelessness. Jennifer Palmer on the latest release of the Nation's Report Card. Paul Monies talks about Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt's State of the State address to kick off the legislative session. Shaun Witt hosts.

Heather Warlick highlights a growing trend of people feeling forced to move in their senior years. Keaton Ross talks about some notable criminal justice bills filed ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Jennifer Palmer covers the Ethics Commission's investigation into Superintendent Ryan Walters. Shaun Witt hosts.

Paul Monies covered a plan by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt to revive the Oklahoma State Guard. Jennifer Palmer talks about her top education bills to watch this session. Paul Monies has another story from his investigation into Berry-Rock Homes, the company that a state investment plan put $8 million into back in 2022. Shaun Witt hosts.

Jennifer Palmer on the Department of Education's new proposed social studies standards. Keaton Ross discusses a decline in new death sentences in Oklahoma. Heather Warlick talks about Oklahoma's new Housing Needs Assessment and a big investment by the state into increasing the housing supply. Ted Streuli hosts.

Jennifer Palmer on the Department of Education's new proposed social studies standards. Keaton Ross discusses a decline in new death sentences in Oklahoma. Heather Warlick talks about Oklahoma's new Housing Needs Assessment and a big investment by the state into increasing the housing supply. Ted Streuli hosts.

Heather Warlick wrote a follow-up about a Duncan apartment complex that has lost Section 8 funding. Keaton Ross reported that Oklahoma's parole rate is on the rise after years of decline. Paul Monies is here to review his year in reporting for Oklahoma Watch in 2024 and what he learned by covering the Legislature and state agencies. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies examines how the Commissioners of the Land Office invested in an Oklahoma City-based rent-to-buy company. Paul also discusses the state's new mental health hospital's massive cost overruns just months after officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking. Keaton Ross reflects on his top stories of 2024 regarding prison conditions in Oklahoma and the influence of money in politics. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies gives us an update on bill filing and other things at the Legislature as we await the start of session in February. As we near the end of 2024, we've asked our staff to reflect on some of our top stories of the year. Jennifer Palmer, who covers education for Oklahoma Watch, is here to talk about the state superintendent's push for Bibles in public school classrooms. Paul returns to talk about how one customer got behind after signing up for a contract-for-deed home company based in Oklahoma City. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross reported on a new open primaries ballot initiative that organizers hope to get on the ballot in 2026.Heather Warlick with an update on camping bans and other actions in Oklahoma that some say target people experiencing homelessness. Paul Monies talks about a recent story by Jennifer Palmer about cell phone bans in schools. Ted Streuli hosts.

Jennifer Palmer has been following Superintendent Ryan Walters' latest announcements, which included buying Trump Bibles and a new video message mandate. Keaton Ross covered straight-party voting declining in the 2024 presidential election. Heather Warlick recently wrote about the end of the federal emergency rental assistance program, through which thousands of Oklahoma renters received assistance during the pandemic.Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross breaks down the 2024 election results. Paul Monies continues to cover the fallout for utility customers from the massive winter storm that hit Oklahoma in February 2021. Jennifer Palmer with an update on the Education Department's effort to buy 55,000 King James, leather-bound Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms.Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies covered the latest report into spending by the OSDE under State Superintendent Ryan Walters. Jennifer Palmer's latest Education Watch newsletter reported on staff layoffs happening at Epic Charter Schools. Keaton Ross talks about millions of dollars of political spending leading up to the Nov. 5 election. Shaun Witt hosts.

Paul Monies has an update on the state's law that forbids pension funds and others from using banks and financial firms perceived to be boycotting the oil and gas industry. Jennifer Palmer with an update on the Board of Education. Heather Warlick on some surprisingly low inspection scores for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority's public housing program. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross wrote about State Question 833, a ballot initiative that proposes allowing municipalities to create public infrastructure districts. Paul Monies discusses a scathing grand jury report into spending under an education relief fund directed by Gov. Kevin Stitt and his allies during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Palmer talks about an effort to stop the state OSDE from spending $3 million to buy Bibles, and from requiring the Bible be taught in public schools in the first place. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies updates you on the State Department of Education's plan to buy 55,000 Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms. Keaton Ross discusses a pending constitutional amendment that seeks to change Oklahoma election law. Heather Warlick wrote about how Oklahoma tenants have little recourse against bad landlords. Shaun Witt hosts.

Keaton Ross discusses the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' rollout of more than 1,000 body cameras for correctional officers to wear while on duty. Paul Monies looked at how some campaign advertising for Oklahoma Supreme Court elections is hoping to tip the ideological balance of the state's high court. Paul Monies and Heather Warlick talk about how they and Jennifer Palmer reported on an RFP from the Oklahoma State Department of Education asking for bids for classroom Bibles. Ted Streuli hosts.

Jennifer Palmer covered the latest Board of Education meeting, where much of the conversation focused on the agency's budget request. Keaton Ross wrote about one lawmaker's push to move school board elections to the November ballot. KFOR Reporter Dylan Brown joins to discuss the station's lawsuit against the OSDE. Ted Streuli hosts.

Heather Warlick covered an announcement from Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma and Oklahoma Impact Investing Collaborative regarding a partnership in financing Right-to-Counsel services for Oklahomans. Jennifer Palmer recently analyzed the state test scores for the 2023-2024 school year. Heather rejoins to talk about a mega-landlord with project-based apartment complexes in Oklahoma that have failed recent inspections. Shaun Witt hosts.

Keaton Ross about Gov. Kevin Stitt setting a June 2026 election date for a ballot initiative that proposes an incremental minimum wage increase to $15 per hour by 2029. Jennifer Palmer covers why the Department of Education is trying to decertify a teacher over a 5 year old Instagram photo. Keaton rejoins to discuss a revised federal lawsuit that claims Cleveland County Detention Center staff grossly neglected a woman's fatal mental health crisis in late 2022. Ted Streuli hosts.

Keaton Ross discusses the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' push to revive the prison rodeo. Jennifer Palmer has been working to find out why the Education Department moved to revoke the teaching certificate of an Edmond high school teacher. Reporter Paul Monies on the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that went against Oklahoma on federal grants. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies discusses his recent story on Oklahoma's love-hate relationship with federal grant money. Keaton Ross examined an ongoing legal battle between a private prison company and the town of Hinton and how it's affecting the rural community. Ted Streuli hosts

Jennifer Palmer reveals how little private school accreditation means in light of the new state tax credit program. Heather Warlick on the gender and racial disparities common in eviction filings. Jennifer rejoins to discuss the most recent meeting of the state Board of Education and the significant transparency issues being raised. Ted Streuli hosts.

Jennifer Palmer discusses the growing friction between Superintendent Ryan Walters, the state Legislature and the attorney general. Keaton Ross gives an update on the minimum wage petition progressing through Oklahoma's ballot initiative process. Jennifer rejoins to talk about Ruby Topalian's story about extortion in prisons.

Ruby Topalian on a statewide private school tuition increase due to the Parental Choice Tax Credit Program. Jake Ramsey talks about a lawsuit alleging Oklahoma doesn't adequately consider juvenile offenders' potential growth and rehabilitation. Both return to wrap up their summer internships at Oklahoma Watch. Shaun Witt hosts.

Jennifer Palmer updates on the state's delay in complying with an order by the Oklahoma Supreme Court over St. Isidore Catholic Virtual School. Heather Warlick discusses collective action taken by tenants in several tenant unions in the state. Paul Monies on how Oklahoma lawmakers have boosted funding for religious-affiliated crisis pregnancy centers even as the state has outlawed abortion. Ted Streuli hosts.

Paul Monies talks about mental health and jail diversion grants to counties after the criminal justice reforms passed by voters in 2016. Jessica Pearce reported on the upcoming sunset of Oklahoma's Counselor Corps grant program. Jake Ramsey covered the excessive backlog that three federal judges in the Western District Court had and how it affected Oklahomans. Ted Streuli hosts.

Heather Warlick discusses Oklahoma Attorney General Getner Drummond's opinion on eviction prevention groups. Jennifer Palmer covers the upcoming court date for the embezzlement case involving Epic Charter Schools' co-founders. Keaton Ross reports on the state's effort to dismiss a lawsuit by seven prisoners alleging cruel and unusual punishment. Ted Strueli hosts.

Keaton Ross talks about petitioners who submitted nearly 180,000 signatures to raise Oklahoma's minimum wage. He discusses what's next for the initiative and when it might reach voters. Heather Warlick explores rising rent costs in Oklahoma, interviewing housing experts who disagree on its causes. Ruby Topalian, a summer intern, reported on Oklahoma City's efforts to enhance law enforcement responses to mental health crises last week.

Heather Warlick reports on a US Supreme Court ruling on public camping bans. Jennifer Palmer covers education for Oklahoma Watch, detailing the state superintendent's extension of a contentious PR contract. Heather also updates you on eviction rights and HUD grants in Oklahoma. Shaun Witt hosts.

Jennifer Palmer reports on the Department of Education's order for Bibles in classrooms and a court order declaring a publicly funded religious school unconstitutional. Ruby Topalian discusses a deal to phase out the state's final private prison operator, and Paul Monies explains the latest developments in lawsuits over the 2021 natural gas price spike.

Reporter Paul Monies investigated efforts by lawmakers to boost pensions for police officers. Heather Warlick covered Oklahoma's new anti-camping law and its clash with local homeless initiatives. Ruby Topalian talks on the primary election for McCurtain County Sheriff.