In The News 06.18.2026

Here are the headlines shared on Thursday, June 18, 2026.

• Primary voter turnout down, state election results show (Oklahoma Voice)

• Runoffs set for 15 seats in the Oklahoma Legislature (Nondoc)

• SQ 832: Oklahoma voters reject minimum wage hike (Nondoc)

• Jackson Lahmeyer withdraws from GOP runoff in Oklahoma’s 1st Congressional District (KOKH)

• Second objection filed to rejection of state question for open primaries in Oklahoma (Oklahoma Voice)

• How data center developers won secrecy pledges from Oklahoma officials (The Frontier)

• Oklahoma holding back on AI regulations amid Trump’s order for states not to stifle the new technology (KWGS)

• How Indigenous-led efforts in Oklahoma fill eagle conservation gaps, bring tribes together (KOSU)

• Officials go quiet as sheriff sues County Government (OKC Free Press)

• New World screwworms threaten agriculture, prompt state response (KGOU)

• Screwworm cases confirmed in Texas cattle, pets (KXII)

• Big 12 sues Texas Tech, Paxton over Sorsby case (KFOR)

• Animal Wellness Action praises OKCPD after cockfighting arrest in Oklahoma City (KOKH)

• New Osage program will help citizens get food from tribe’s butcher, local farm (KOSU)

• Durant teacher with unconventional classroom wins Oklahoma Teacher of the Year (Oklahoma Voice)

• Route 66 mural truck restored by Francis Tuttle students for centennial (The Journal Record)

• Tulsa museum highlights ‘Indigenous independence’ (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Pro soccer’s return to Oklahoma City nears as former pro helps develop young talent (KOKH)

• What’s closed for Juneteenth in Oklahoma? (KWTV)

The June 16, 2026, Oklahoma primary elections have concluded. You can view the full results here.

State Question 832 was defeated, with 55% of voters casting a “No” vote.

With several races heading to a runoff, mark your calendars for August 25, 2026. I will share a complete list of runoff races as soon as the State Election Board publishes the official report.

Races to watch include:

• Republican Gubernatorial Runoff: Gentner Drummond vs. Mike Massei

• Democratic U.S. Senate Runoff: N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas vs. Jim Priest

For official voter information, polling locations, and updates, please visit the Oklahoma State Election Board website.

My Thoughts

I was very disappointed with the voter turnout in this primary election, and I’m afraid the turnout for the August runoff will be even lower. I hope we have a better turnout in November.

Even though I think it might be too late to get them scheduled for August, I’d still watch for any news about State Questions popping up on that runoff ballot.

UPDATE!! I went to grab the link for the State Questions, and we do have State Questions scheduled for August, 844 & 846. Oh great. I’ll post more information about them in next week’s newsletter.

In my opinion, State Question 832 was defeated by a combination of voter apathy and a strong rural campaign aimed at farmers, ranchers, and local small businesses. The propaganda was thick out here in Western Oklahoma for the NO camp.

I am grateful that many Oklahoma businesses offer starting wages well above the bare minimum, but some don’t. We still need to raise the minimum; $7.25 is not a livable wage, even here in relatively affordable Oklahoma.

Recent rainfall across Oklahoma has brought a significant, albeit uneven, shift in the state’s drought conditions. Eastern Oklahoma has benefited from substantial rainfall, which has contributed to a notable reduction in abnormal dryness and overall drought intensity in that part of the state. Conversely, western Oklahoma and the Panhandle have largely missed out on this relief, with extreme to exceptional drought conditions persisting. While the recent moisture has provided a welcome recovery for soil moisture and agricultural conditions in the east, the stark contrast in precipitation distribution leaves many western communities still grappling with severe, long-term moisture deficits.

Oklahoma summary of the National Drought Summary for June 16, 2026 / South.

Oklahoma election board says party changes are frozen before Aug. 25 runoff voting (KOCO)

Why Do Best-Selling Writers Use a 40 year-old Word Processor? (HuwsTube)

I was an avid PC-Write user back in the DOS days. I did use WordPerfect for a while, but that ended when Windows 95 came out. Now I’m all in on MS Word with a minor in LibreOffice Write.

Volcanic Whirlwind Slams Camera with Flying Tephra at Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii - Jun 14, 2026 (afarTV)

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Until next time.

– K. @}-;--