Saturday, August 1, 2026 • Not as oppressively hot. Highs 89-93. ☀️

Oklahoma Memo Podcast 🎙️ (At the bottom of this newsletter:) My weekly conversation with Grant Hermes, host of the “Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes” podcast. Our big topic is the latest in the Iran War, including news that Iran hacked into an American water system.

We received 194 votes on the Friday poll, “Would you support a mosque being built in your city or town?”

• 126 said Yes
• 52 said No
• 16 said they were not sure

New poll question at the bottom of today’s newsletter. (You can also suggest a poll question by emailing me at [email protected].)

By Graycen Wheeler, KOSU
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As Inola weighs a proposed aluminum smelter with massive federal backing, four of the town’s five planning commissioners have resigned in recent weeks.

Chairman James Shaffer stepped aside from the Inola Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this month amid questions about his multiple roles in the town’s government.

Shaffer had served on the commission for three years. Commissioners are appointed by the Inola Board of Trustees and serve on a volunteer basis.

In June, the Board of Trustees created the paid staff position of city planner and approved Shaffer’s hiring for the role.

But at their next meeting on July 13, trustees and meeting attendees raised concerns over the appearance of conflicts of interest, citing Shaffer’s ongoing role on the Planning and Zoning Commission and his job as a local realtor.

Although several commended Shaffer’s work and personal integrity, they cited concerns about how he was hired as city planner: at the suggestion of Town Administrator Scott Devers rather than via a competitive, widely advertised application process.

The Board of Trustees voted 3-2 not to terminate Shaffer as city planner. But as they considered whether to initiate a more competitive hiring process for the position, Shaffer approached the podium to resign from both his job as city planner and his volunteer role on the commission. 

👉 Click here to read the full story

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