What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Thursday, August 21, and there is no place like home. There is no place like home.

And I’ll be back in Oklahoma City later today, but let’s talk about Tulsa for a minute.

It definitely caught my attention that Mayor Monroe Nichols was establishing an office of health and well-being. What made my ears perk up was how it was being connected to folks to resources that will have practical impact on their lives.

Here are a few things to know about the mayor’s new initiative, including this link to Wednesday’s report from The Oklahoma Eagle.

1. This is Tulsa’s first office focused solely on health.
It’s meant to connect hospitals, public health agencies, and community groups so services aren’t duplicated and families can get more coordinated care.

2. No tax dollars were used to create it.
The startup money — $260,000 — comes from Community Care and the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF). City leaders want residents to know this office is privately funded.

3. Mental health is a priority.
The office will launch citywide mental health initiatives. That means Tulsans should watch for new resources around counseling, crisis care, or community programs.

4. Your neighborhood’s needs will guide the work.
Leaders plan to use the Neighborhood Conditions Index (NCI) to target help where it’s needed most — places with poor health, high unemployment, and higher crime.

5. A new Health Coalition is coming.
In the months ahead, a Health Coalition will form — bringing together doctors, nonprofits, and community voices. If you run a neighborhood group or church ministry, this may be a way to get involved.

Breaking News: Stitt asks state’s top court to overturn tribal agreement with Tulsa

🚨 We had some breaking news on Wednesday night as well as Gov, Stitt asked the state Supreme Court to overturn an agreement between the city of Tulsa and the Muscogee tribe to send misdemeanor cases to tribal court, per Tulsa World.

From the first two paragraphs:
Gov. Kevin Stitt late Wednesday asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to invalidate an agreement between the city of Tulsa and the Muscogee Nation that sends misdemeanor cases involving tribal citizens to tribal court.

In a written statement, Stitt accused Mayor Monroe Nichols of making Oklahoma "less safe" by entering into the agreement.

We’ll definitely have more on that in Friday’s ‘Oklahoma Memo,’ and I guarantee Tulsa World will be leading the way throughout the day on Thursday. I would also recommend you keep an eye on Mvskoke Media, too.

And I know I’m behind on messages. I will be responding to them, and looking into the things you asked me to look into. Please continue to message me anytime at [email protected].

Weather Update ☀️

The downward trend in temperatures continues. Next week is looking rainy!

🌡️ Thursday's high in OKC 90°
🌡️ Thursday’s high in Tulsa 90°

Who’s running for lieutenant governor in Oklahoma? 5 candidates have filed

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to read the story.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Four Republicans and one Democrat have filed paperwork indicating they are running for lieutenant governor.

Republican Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell is serving his second term and can’t seek reelection to the post.

Republicans seeking the post are State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd, state Sen. Darrell Weaver, state Rep. J.J. Humphrey and political newcomer Victor Flores.

Kelly Forbes of Oklahoma City is the sole Democrat thus far to file paperwork with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission indicating an intention to run.

Byrd, 52, of Coalgate, wants to focus on promoting tourism and the music industry.

She said the lieutenant governor sits on a lot of boards and commissions that drive economic development involving millions of dollars. Her skill set makes her ready to start on the first day, she said.

About 80% of every tax dollar is spent on education and health care, but the state ranks at the bottom in outcomes, she said. She wants to do a deep dive into the reasons and assist the next governor on making improvements, she said.

Weaver, 63, of Moore, is the former head of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Dangerous Drugs Control, an agency in which held various positions.

He and his wife operate Weaver clinics, which provide medical care.

Weaver said his relationships in the Capitol and law enforcement and business background make him a good fit for the office.

He said his background as a pilot has taught him about all of the opportunities the state has in the aerospace industry.

Flores, 47, of Edmond is a small business owner and a partner with a national accounting firm.

He would like to improve the relationships between the tribes, state agencies and the executive branch.

Flores said he wants to focus on making sure economic development is happening statewide, especially in rural areas.

Humphrey, 59, of Lane, is a rancher and retired probation and parole officer.

He said the Oklahoma House leadership has shut down his efforts to expose problems at the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

“I hope to use the lieutenant governor’s position to make the state aware of these things and expose corruption,” he said.

He also wants to improve the state’s educational system and broadband access in rural Oklahoma so businesses can grow.

Forbes could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

The filing period is April 1-3 at the state Capitol for federal, state, legislative and judicial offices.

The primary election is June 16, followed by a Aug. 25, 2026, runoff. 

The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.

Oklahoma hospitals deliver more than 1 million pounds of food to limited-access patients since 2020

By Jillian Taylor, StateImpact Oklahoma
Click here to read the story.
Donate to KGOU

The Oklahoma Hospital Association announced more than 1.2 million pounds of food have been delivered through 55 hospital- and clinic-based food pantries since 2020.

The effort is coordinated with the association’s health improvement initiatives team and in partnership with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. It has served 36,953 patients and families over the past five years, according to a press release.

The goal is to address food insecurity, which affects 15.4% of Oklahoma households.

“Food insecurity is a health issue, and our hospitals and clinics are treating it like one,” said Greg Marshment, the association’s manager of public health programs. “By identifying and supporting patients facing food insecurity, we’re not just filling pantries, we’re creating healthier pathways for thousands of families.”

Food insecurity can exacerbate chronic illnesses, like kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes and obesity, according to Hunger Free Oklahoma. The hospital association noted that addressing health-related social needs like food insecurity can improve chronic disease prevention, management and quality of life.

Hospitals and clinics have screened patients for food insecurity and developed workflows to connect them with community resources. The association said its partnership with the Regional Food Bank, which is the state’s largest domestic hunger-relief nonprofit, has “enabled this success on a wide scale.”

“Together, we’re ensuring patients leave with more than a diagnosis — they leave with dignity, support and nourishment,” said food bank CEO Stacy Dykstra.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:

• Amid growing food insecurity, Oklahomans brace for SNAP cuts (NonDoc)

• 'A perfect storm:' Cuts to COVID-era funding, Medicaid may have devastating effects in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)

• Proposed HUD Timeline Puts Working Families At Risk Of Eviction (Oklahoma Watch)

• City of Tulsa approves $6 million needed for Safe Move Tulsa plan to combat homelessness (Fox 23)

• Why the push to get rid of property taxes has Oklahoma County officials on edge (The Oklahoman)

• Muscogee Nation Supreme Court rejects rehearing request in freedmen case (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma County jail trustee Rev. Scobey quarrels with admin over costs, lengths of stay in jail (The Oklahoman)

• Shooting at Lawton Walmart sends shoppers scrambling (The Lawton Constitution)

• Suspicious death investigation underway after 2 bodies found in Poteau house fire (KTUL)

• Oklahoma man found in the road with mysterious injury is taken off life support (KOCO)

• Man killed after falling 80 feet from wind turbine in Enid (KOCO)

• Multi-agency investigation halts meth trafficking operation in central and northern Oklahoma (Kay News Cow)

• Fatal crash kills 2 people and injures driver in McCurtain County (KTEN)

• OKC police chase ends with arrest after driver plows through yards, hits car (News 9)

• OHP: Crowder man drowns in Pittsburg County (McAlester News-Capital)

• Hartshorne man enters guilty plea in explosives case (McAlester News-Capital)

• Oklahoma TSET board hopes to pressure some major companies to change their policies (Oklahoma Voice)

• West OKC encampment residents move into housing with support (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Growth continues in Cherokee Nation’s capital city (Cherokee Phoenix)

• OSDE releases five sample questions for required out-of-state teacher test (Fox 25)

• Red Dirt Riches: Historic Dolese Mansion in Crown Heights hits the market for $2.5M (Fox 25)

• Northwestern unveils new Ranger statue at Ranger Field (Woodward News)

• Hank Williams Jr. cites illness as reason for rescheduling Oklahoma concerts (Tulsa World)

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