In The News 05.14.2026

In The News

Here are the headlines shared on Thursday, May 14, 2026.

• Oklahoma lawmakers have left the building. Here’s a brief recap of the session (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma House, Senate adjourn sine die for 2026 legislative session (KOKH)

• Gov. Stitt signs 48 bills into law; vetoes 4 others (KOKH)

• Gov. Stitt vetoes Oklahoma’s ‘human composting’ bill (KOSU)

• Gov. Stitt launches webpage explaining 2026 vetoes (KSWO)

• Veto override to save OETA fails in Oklahoma Senate (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma Senate unanimously passes Leo’s Law, now advances to governor’s desk (KWTV)

• Oklahoma Governor signs bill expanding access to affordable insulin (KSWO)

• Oklahoma Democratic fundraising committee settles with ethics board (Oklahoma Voice)

• Up to 5 state questions from Oklahoma lawmakers coming up this election season (KGOU)

• Oklahoma voters to decide on minimum wage increase that could reach $15 an hour (KJRH)

• Muscogee Freedmen denied last-minute appeal to get voting rights before tribal election (KOSU)

• Oklahoma’s Education Overhaul: What’s Changing in Schools Next Year (Oklahoma Watch)

• Federal rural hospital program offers a lifeline in Oklahoma, but hurdles remain (KGOU)

• Ryan Walters facing new defamation lawsuit (KFOR)

• Oklahoma attorney general sues Chinese shopping platform Temu (KSWO)

• Alpha-gal syndrome added to Oklahoma’s list of tick-borne illnesses (Oklahoma Voice)

• Vance AFB bids farewell T-1-A Jayhawk pilot training program (KFOR)

• PSO to invest $1.2 billion in new energy projects to meet growing demand (KGOU)

Oklahoma Drought Monitor

Oklahoma is facing a severe intensification of drought, with Exceptional Drought (D4), the highest possible intensity, being introduced this week in southwest and northwest Oklahoma, as well as the Panhandle. While the Gulf Coast saw torrential rains, Oklahoma remained parched with precipitation totals 1.5 to 3 inches below average, and Extreme Drought (D3) was expanding across the western tier. This dryness is having a devastating impact on agriculture; the 2026 wheat crop is projected to be half the size of previous years, with nearly 50% of the crop rated in poor or very poor condition as it enters an early, heat-stressed harvest.

Oklahoma summary of the National Drought Summary for May 12, 2026 / South

Oklahoma Elections

Primary Election

The next election is Oklahoma’s Primary election on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. The last day to register to vote for this election is May 22. Absentee ballots must be requested before June 1st.

There is one State Question on the Primary Election ballot. All eligible voters can vote for the State Question regardless of political party.

For details on voting in Oklahoma, please visit the Oklahoma Elections Board’s website, here.

More State Questions

The Oklahoma legislature has submitted a few State Questions for inclusion on future ballots. At this time, they are being processed and not yet scheduled. Keep an eye on the August primary run-off ballot; a few might get scheduled then instead of on the Oklahoma general election in November.

You can read the status of these state questions on the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s website, here.

Extras

Oklahoma Gardening episodes on YouTube

Pocket Soup for the 18th Century Traveler (Tasting History with Max Miller)

Once Upon A Dance Time -Peach Boy- (KOMEANIME)

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Until next time.

– K. @}-;--

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