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Thursday, July 23, 2026 • Stuck in the mid-90s. ☀️ 100s coming!
Poll results:
We received 176 votes on the Wednesday poll, “Do you think Oklahoma city and state governments are transparent enough when making major decisions that affect local communities?”
• 12 said Yes
• 146 said No
• 18 said, “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].)
A $40,000-per-year AI school with no teachers is opening in Oklahoma this August
Students work on a project at an Alpha School summer camp in the Hamptons. Alpha School advertises 2-hour, daily learning blocks customized by AI followed by hands-on projects and life skills lessons. It's on track to open locations in Edmond and Tulsa this fall. (Courtesy Photo/Alpha School)
By Maya Henry, Oklahoma Watch
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An AI-powered, billionaire-backed chain of private schools promises to educate students with two hours of virtual learning a day and entrepreneurship workshops.
There are no teachers, and tuition is nearly double the most expensive private school in the state.
This is Alpha School and, come August, it’s touching down in Oklahoma.
Here’s how it works, according to Alpha: Students start each morning on a laptop, with two hours on Alpha’s adaptive, AI learning platform. Half an hour is allotted to each core subject: math, reading, science and social studies. Then, in the afternoon, students learn through projects and workshops that build life skills.
Alpha’s rejection of tradition is its draw; for one soon-to-be Alpha parent, whose son will start eighth grade at the Tulsa location, the workshops and highly personalized learning convinced her family to commit.
Alpha opened its first school in Austin, Texas, in 2014 and has since expanded to six states and 12 spinoff schools. Alpha is opening 28 new campuses this fall, including in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, more than tripling its footprint across the country.
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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
Brent Swadley sentencing delayed again in fraud case (Fox 25)
Citing a hunger ‘crisis,’ Oklahoma City mayor, over 200 others call for end to federal SNAP cuts (Oklahoma Voice)
Clara Luper Civil Rights Center breaks ground in Oklahoma City (KOCO)
Oklahoma records 170 ‘explosive diarrhea’ cyclosporiasis cases as spike continues (Oklahoma Voice)
Air Force includes Vance in next generation flight training (News On 6)
Oklahoma inmate with Caddo County ties walks away from McAlester correctional facility (KSWO)
OSBI called in to investigate fatal Pontotoc County officer involved shooting (KXII)
ATTACK ON VIDEO: Sand Springs police said cameras caught assault on teen (KJRH)
Search underway for missing Oklahoma mother after kids, husband find truck (KOCO)
Man sentenced for ambushing, stabbing Edmond police officer (Fox 25)
Hundreds of birds euthanized to prevent illness spread after mass Oklahoma City animal rescue (StateImpact Oklahoma)
Oklahoma agriculture leaders praise FTC 'right to repair' settlement with John Deere (OPMX)
A year after opening, Santa Fe Square doubles down on bid to bring more foot traffic to downtown Tulsa (The Oklahoma Eagle)
Manna Air Delivery’s CEO answers Tulsans’ questions about drone deliveries (Tulsa Flyer)
Ryan Walters, top adviser settle lawsuits with fired state employees (Oklahoma Voice)
Byron Berline posthumously named to Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame (KOSU)
Stillwater Police identify suspect in theft investigation at OSU fraternity house (News On 6)
'GOOSEBUMPS!': Superstar Kristin Chenoweth in Broken Arrow for Broadway Bootcamp (KJRH)
Thursday Poll
Would you send your child to a private school where AI does most of the teaching and there are no certified teachers?
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