Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025 • Enjoy one more beautiful day for now. Almost 80 today, but we start to chill down on Sunday. ☀️

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In today’s Memo:

By J.C. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch
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The Oklahoma Insurance Department announced a package of preliminary legislative proposals that fail to directly address skyrocketing premiums and suggest measures that would make it more difficult for policyholders to fight back, critics say.

Instead, the proposals announced Dec. 10 seek to expand Oklahoma’s fortified roof program and require insurance companies to cover roofs that are not too old or worn out, presumably to address the types of wind and hail damage that have become a flashpoint in Oklahoma. In addition, the proposals call for shorter response times from companies on claim acknowledgement and decisions and propose a not yet detailed homeowners bill of rights.

Most troubling to critics, the proposals seek to impose new obstacles to policyholders suing insurance companies, on the claim that litigation costs translate to rate increases. Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Jenks, and Sen. Aaron Reinhardt, R-Jenks, in a press release, laid blame for rate hikes on attorneys’ fees in lawsuits rather than the peculiarities of Oklahoma law that permit insurers to raise rates without scrutiny.

Tedford, who in November acknowledged that there had been discussions among politicians about modifying the problematic Property and Casualty Loss Cost Rating Act that governs homeowners insurance, confirmed that the Insurance Department had specifically requested that the law not be altered.

Now writing bills for the upcoming legislative session based on the department’s requests, Tedford expressed preference for third-party adjusters to settle claim disputes.

“I really don’t like litigation in a property claim,” Tedford said. “In my opinion, when there’s litigation it drags the claim out, adding costs to both sides.”

Oklahoma Insurance Department Commissioner Glen Mulready did not respond to an interview request.

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By Ryan Welton, Oklahoma Memo
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A dispute over hail damage claims in eastern Oklahoma has grown into a sprawling legal fight that could have implications far beyond the state.

In a wide-ranging conversation on the Oklahoma Memo podcast, investigative reporter J.C. Hallman detailed his ongoing reporting for Oklahoma Watch into State Farm and allegations that the insurer systematically reduced or denied certain hail and wind damage claims.

Hallman traced the story back to an anonymous tip last summer that led him to court hearings, internal documents, and a growing number of lawsuits. Attorneys allege State Farm implemented practices designed to cut payouts — sometimes by as much as 50% — while avoiding broader disclosure.

The stakes escalated when Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond moved to intervene, citing concerns that extend beyond individual lawsuits. Hallman said the attorney general’s involvement could unlock subpoena power not available to private litigants.

The reporting also draws parallels to a past State Farm case in Illinois, where the company was accused of influencing a judicial election to reduce liability — a history Hallman says helps explain why Oklahoma officials are taking the allegations seriously.

While the legal process could stretch on for years, Hallman says the response to his reporting has already been national, with policyholders and attorneys from multiple states reaching out.

“This is no longer just an Oklahoma story,” he said. “It’s about how insurance claims are handled across the country.”

🔗 Full reporting is available at Oklahoma Watch

• State Farm dodged billions in 2018 settlement, now faces fresh RICO charges in Oklahoma (Dec. 18)

• AG intervenes in State Farm lawsuit (Dec. 4)

• “It Made Me Feel Like a Sucker”: Long-Running Lawsuits Accuse State Farm of Billion-Dollar Hail Scheme (Dec. 1)

By Ryan Welton & Jeremy Cook, Oklahoma Memo
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The Oklahoma City Thunder’s 117–102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Christmas Day wasn’t a warning siren — but it is concerning.

Three of Oklahoma City’s losses this season have come against San Antonio, and the common thread isn’t just Victor Wembanyama. It’s depth, balance, and experience.

San Antonio is ahead of schedule, possibly way ahead.

The Spurs spread the scoring, defended in waves, and forced Oklahoma City into uncomfortable possessions without the Thunder playing especially poorly. That’s what makes the matchup notable: OKC didn’t beat itself.

We didn’t think so, at least.

San Antonio’s roster construction looks familiar. Patient development. Smart veteran additions. Young stars allowed to grow without being rushed. It’s a blueprint Oklahoma City itself followed.

For the Thunder, there’s no obvious counter move. There’s no single player to acquire, no rotation tweak that suddenly neutralizes Wembanyama’s reach and the Spurs’ supporting cast. The answer, for now, is chemistry and continuity — letting the core group continue to settle back in together.

Oklahoma City remains elite. The Spurs just might be the one team built specifically to challenge them.

Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

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

• Funding, staffing cuts hamper release of special Oklahoma audits (Oklahoma Voice)

• As Oklahoma’s uninsured population drops, care still costs Tulsa-area hospitals millions (Tulsa Flyer)

• Dozens of people found at unsanctioned rehab facility in Cleveland County (The Oklahoman)*

• Bones to bowling, 13 places to find winter break family fun in Oklahoma (The Oklahoman)*

• New Oklahoma law to offer $5 million for teacher pipeline programs (Oklahoma Voice)

• Surprise military homecoming brings Christmas miracle to Thunder game (KOCO)

• 'Santa loves you. Santa loves Oklahoma,' President Trump tells child during Christmas Eve call (KOCO)

• FBI report in released Epstein files linked to Kiefer suicide (Tulsa World)*

• Tulsa on track for warmest Christmas in recorded history (Tulsa World)*

• Held without bail in Oklahoma’s ICE facilities, immigrants turn to federal courts for release (The Frontier)

• Lawmakers hope to bring ‘Mississippi Miracle’ to Oklahoma classrooms through proposed legislation (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• As the Oklahoma GOP begins to fracture and a far-right takeover looms, open primaries are a threat (KOSU)

• After food aid vanished, calls for rent help surged and some faced eviction (The Frontier)

• Leaders will have 5.6% less to spend on Oklahoma’s next budget (Oklahoma Voice)

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