In The News 08.13.2026

In The News

Here are the headlines shared on the week of Thursday, August 13, 2026.

• Despite warnings even more OK rural hospitals set to close (KFOR)

• New professional course aims to strengthen Oklahoma rural healthcare leaders (KGOU)

• Tulsa TV news station KJRH cuts staff as Scripps shifts focus to streaming (The Oklahoma / Yahoo News)

• Stitt orders investigation, possible terrorist designation for Oklahoma Muslim groups (KGOU)

• Oklahoma Senate Democratic leader condemns Stitt order seeking probe of CAIR (KOKH)

• Landlords Are Failing To Provide Essential Services, But Tenants Have Little Recourse (Oklahoma Watch)

• Lawmakers scrutinize Oklahoma’s pretrial system after concerns over unconstitutional bail hearings (The Frontier)

• Oklahoma Governor’s Office threatens to invoice Tulsa, Oklahoma City for Operation SAFE (KOSU)

• ‘Extremely angry’: Barry Christian’s family questions suicide finding by medical examiner (Nondoc)

• Oklahoma among five finalists for nuclear research campus (KTEN)

• University of Tulsa cuts undergraduate tuition in half (KWGS)

• Langston University offering concurrent enrollment for high school juniors and seniors (KTUL)

• OETA adds FNX channel to expand Native American programming access (The Journal Record)

• Federal judge vacates illegal federal approvals for fracking on Pawnee trust land in Oklahoma (KOSU)

• Voters to decide sales tax hike for new jail as City reveals dev plans (OKC Free Press)

• Oklahoma Cotton Crop Face Heat and Drought Stress (Oklahoma Farm Report)

• City of Coweta declines to renew contract for Flock cameras (KJRH)

• Flock Updates Privacy, Transparency Safeguards, Data Retention Policies (KWTV)

• Small gain in crude oil held at Oklahoma’s Cushing Hub (Oklahoma Energy Today)

• OSSAA approves ADM numbers for 2026-27 Oklahoma high school sport year (The Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma Little League teams call for leadership purge after disqualification scandals (The Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma prison hires 100 goats to restore historic rodeo arena (The Journal Record)

• Osage Nation Congress asks for principal chief to consider reopening language immersion school (KGOU)

• AG Gentner Drummond files motion to block construction of aluminum smelter in Inola (KOKH)

• Experts warn Oklahomans should expect health insurance costs to spike (Oklahoma Voice)

Oklahoma Drought Monitor

Read the National Drought Summary for August 11, 2026 for forecast statements.

Oklahoma Elections

The next election is the Oklahoma Primary Runoff on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Early voting is available on August 20 & 21 (8:00 AM to 6:00 PM) & 22 (8:00 AM to 2:00 PM).

There are two state questions on this ballot; everyone is encouraged to go vote, regardless of political party. The state question ballot is open to everyone.

More: State Questions 844 & 846

Visit the Oklahoma Elections Board website for more information on voting in Oklahoma: oklahoma.gov/election.

Extras

Smoked Bologna: The Ultimate Budget BBQ (Fork & Embers)

How a One-Shot Became an Accidental Series: Road Runner & Coyote Origin (Anthony’s Animation Talk)

How to Play Scoundrel | The Best 1-Player Card Game of All Time (Rulies)

Feedback Welcome

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any comments or questions. You can leave a comment on Substack, send me an email, or connect with me on social media at Mastodon, Bluesky, or Threads.

This newsletter is always free; no paid subscription is required. However, if you’d like to support me in all that I do at Blog Oklahoma, you can become a paid subscriber of our Substack newsletter or buy me a coffee on Ko-Fi. It’s really not necessary, but it’s always appreciated. Thank you.

Until next time.

– K. @}-;--

.