In partnership with
Thursday, Dec. 4, 2025 • Wintry precipitation very early in western and central Oklahoma. Then it will warm up a bit, and the sun will shine. Upper 30s for a high.
Note: Oklahoma Memo has a Patreon now if you’d like to support the effort with a few dollars. Paid subscribers will get the newsletter the night before it comes out — and you’ll get extra content, chat, video, and more!
Today’s Memo:
New renderings offer a first look at OKC’s planned multipurpose stadium south of downtown.
OG&E wants Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett to step aside from a case tied to expanding power generation.
As education groups shape Oklahoma’s future, teachers say they’re being left out of the conversation.
TOP STORY:
First look at Oklahoma City’s new multipurpose stadium
Images courtesy of MAPS
We’re getting a first look at a new multipurpose stadium being built south of downtown Oklahoma City. The $121 million facility will be the centerpiece of a new entertainment district and the future home of football club OKC United.
It should be noted that OKC United hasn’t been officially announced as the new club's name… yet. It should also be noted that this stadium is the second sports facility being built in the area, with a new arena being constructed north of this location downtown.
Work on the new stadium will start in 2026 with a projected opening in early 2028.
Oklahoma utility asks for corporation commissioner’s recusal
Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett during a meeting on July 23, 2024. (PHOTO by Kennedy Thomason/ Oklahoma Voice)
By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to support this newsroom.
OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma electric utility company requested that a commissioner on a governing board recuse himself from a case because of an “unacceptable bias.”
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, or OG&E, requested on Nov. 26 that Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett recuse himself from a case that would allow the company to expand its power generation sites. This includes building natural gas turbines at the Horseshoe Lake Power Plant in Oklahoma County, which OG&E estimated would total more than $506 million in capital costs.
Hiett said in a filing that OG&E would recover these millions from ratepayers.
Oklahoma teachers call for more input in education policy
A student raises his hand in a kindergarten classroom in Oklahoma City on Aug. 13. (PHOTO by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to support this newsroom.
OKLAHOMA CITY — While state leaders, the business community and political candidates intensify their focus on improving Oklahoma public education, complaints have grown among teachers that they should have a more prominent role in those policy discussions.
“I’ve been begging people for years, for years, to ask actual teachers, ‘What do you need? What do you think would make these improvements?’” longtime Oklahoma public school teacher Jami Cole said. “We know what would do it, but we’re never asked. We’re just passed over for people who have more influence and power than what we have.”
Education, particularly reading proficiency, is primed to be a top legislative issue over the coming year, with the Oklahoma State Chamber and new state Superintendent Lindel Fields already suggesting policy changes. Student literacy has emerged as a priority issue in the 2026 governor’s race, as well.
Quick national links:
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Pentagon IG finds Hegseth could have endangered troops with Signal chat, sources say (ABC News)
Federal agents begin immigration operations in New Orleans and Minneapolis (NBC News)
Lawmakers obtain Epstein banking records, release photos of his private island compound (CBS News)
Trump proposes slashing fuel efficiency standards for passenger cars (CNBC)
Trump says he's pardoning Democratic Rep. Henry Cuellar after bribery indictment (ABC News)
Doctor sentenced to 30 months in prison in connection with Matthew Perry's fatal ketamine overdose (ABC News)
The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
A hand-curated list of the best journalism from across the state:
• OKC Mayor David Holt draws lone challenger in reelection bid; others file in Oklahoma County (NonDoc)
• 6-year-old dies after being hit by a school bus in SW OKC (News 9)
• Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis is a century-old problem. Akey Ulteeskee's story proves it (KOSU)
• Oklahoma politicians, Ryan Walters defends OU student’s Bible-based essay, call for university action (OU Daily)
• Ashley, Lamkin challenged for TPS seats; 18 Tulsa County races decided by default (NonDoc)
• Drummond announces next phase of his crackdown on robocalls (KSWO)
• Oklahoma nonprofits receive $5 million from Bezos family to address homelessness (OPMX)
• MetroLink Tulsa wants AI to answer most customer calls for paratransit and microtransit (Public Radio Tulsa)
• Greenwood Legacy Corp. has been surrounded by controversy. Now it has a new leader. (The Oklahoma Eagle)
• As Oklahoma cuts mental health funds, Black counselors seek to expand services in Tulsa (The Oklahoma Eagle)
• SNAP cuts contributed to evictions across Oklahoma (Oklahoma Watch)
• Tornado siren — or lack thereof — prompt questions from Tulsa city councilors (Tulsa World)
• Chaos erupts at Tecumseh juvenile facility as inmates escape, staffer is stabbed (KOCO)
• New location for ‘Kicks’ Route 66 sculpture decided (KFOR)
• Oklahoma Music News: Governor's Arts Awards, Okies at Bonnaroo & more (KOSU)
Turn AI Into Your Income Stream
The AI economy is booming, and smart entrepreneurs are already profiting. Subscribe to Mindstream and get instant access to 200+ proven strategies to monetize AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and more. From content creation to automation services, discover actionable ways to build your AI-powered income. No coding required, just practical strategies that work.
Your ad here? 💰
If you’re interested in partnering with Oklahoma Memo, reach out to me at [email protected]. We have ad spaces available in this newsletter, on social media and in our podcasts.
Oklahoma Memo’s Mission
The ‘Oklahoma Memo’ mission is simple: Reignite the daily local news habit by connecting Oklahomans and those who love Oklahoma to quality sources of news and vetted information.
✅ Save you time.
✅ Make you smarter.
✅ Strengthen your community.
‘Oklahoma Memo’ is on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. There is also a YouTube channel — and it’s all growing day by day.
Message me anytime at [email protected].