StateImpact Oklahoma

Nearly 40% of Oklahomans live in rural areas, where stroke mortality rates are higher and access to specialized care is limited. Officials are investing in telemedicine to help rural hospitals better evaluate and care for stroke patients: bit.ly/47KJMUn

Gov. Kevin Stitt wants an official accounting of "spending efficiency" at Oklahoma public schools. Stitt signed an executive order Friday calling for the creation of an Oklahoma Public Schools Revenue Report: kgou.org/education/2026…

Proposed legislation would allow companies to convert abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal and energy storage use. With more than 19,000 orphaned wells, the bill could be a small solution to the state's large environmental problem: kgou.org/abandoned-oil-…

Oklahoma elementary students may get double the play time next school year, thanks to a bill that passed off the Senate floor Tuesday: kgou.org/education/2026…

Funding will support one-time purchases of equipment and other assets. The goal is to improve health care access, outcomes and community wellness in rural areas: bit.ly/3NL46hn

As lawmakers eye measures to push up the cap for the Parental Choice Tax Credit, this year's window for applications is now open: kgou.org/education/2026…

The study, prepared by economist Dr. Russell Evans, found that rural long-term care facilities in Oklahoma support thousands of jobs and generate more than $1.8 billion in economic activity across the state: bit.ly/4lAhwcL

Oklahoma House and Senate floors saw several controversial education bills this week. StateImpact has this round-up: kgou.org/education/2026…

The great ed tech debate has hit Oklahoma schools, as lawmakers eye policies to limit screen time in the classroom: kgou.org/screens-in-okl…

Oklahoma’s new generation came online the same year the Trump administration set expirations on federal incentives for some forms of renewable energy, including solar. kgou.org/2026-03-11/okl…

A policy passed the House floor that would prevent the state from enforcing certain requirements on crisis pregnancy centers and allow those centers to sue those who violate the bill's provisions: bit.ly/4deanwg

Reports say a mother and daughter died in their vehicle after being struck by a tornado. kgou.org/weather-and-cl…

The bill author said he could not quantify how frequently deceased individuals remain on Medicaid rolls in Oklahoma, as he didn't review that with the state Medicaid agency: bit.ly/4rbOUYb

Governor Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma lawmakers removed state agency administrative rules that allow people to change their sex markers on state driver’s licenses Tuesday evening. bit.ly/3N2pMoM

The policy seeks to help providers detect symptoms early and connect patients to care before their mental health condition worsens and treatment becomes more costly: bit.ly/4crnk5F

State records dating back to 1895 show mild temperatures from December 2025 through February 2026 were the highest yet. kgou.org/weather-and-cl…

The AG instructed the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to withdraw a proposed rule that establishes prior authorization for certain dental extractions. He alleges agency staff changed its language twice after it was published for public comment: bit.ly/4rDXAaV

Oklahoma lawmakers advanced a bill that would create an income tax deduction for members of a community-based option to cover medical expenses, called health care sharing ministries: bit.ly/407t7Gl

This year, nearly 50,000 fewer Oklahomans selected a Marketplace plan compared to last year, and even more are expected to drop out amid higher costs. Consumers are now navigating the consequences of expired enhancements with limited choices: bit.ly/4u2fXrV

Districts are facing growing pressure from lawmakers to enforce discipline against students who participate in ICE walkouts. Mustang Public Schools has suspended 122 students after a Feb. 5 walkout: kgou.org/education/2026…