Friday, May 1, 2026 • Cloudy, upper-60s. ☁️

🍸 5 ways to spend your weekend in Tulsa

👀 Tulsa’s ‘Gypsy’ is a must-see

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — After two years of reviewing evidence, hearing testimony and enduring lengthy delays, an Oklahoma County judge has decided the major embezzlement and racketeering case against the co-founders of Epic Charter School can continue to trial.

The decision from Special Judge Jason Glidewell on Thursday brought an unusually delayed preliminary hearing to its final conclusion. Glidewell determined prosecutors from the Attorney General’s Office have established sufficient probable cause to bring most of the charges to trial against David Chaney and Benjamin Harris.

The judge dismissed two counts against Chaney and one against Harris while allowing most of the case’s key charges to proceed.

“Mr. Chaney is encouraged by the fact that two charges against him were dismissed today,” his attorney, Gary Wood, said afterward. “The state failed on two charges, and they will fail at trial on the remaining charges that are pending against him.”

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Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:

• ‘Oklahmoa City’: Misspelled Thunder hats hit Target shelves (KFOR)

• SD 38 candidate Barry Christian found dead after disappearance (NonDoc)

• Cleveland County Commissioners open applications for new sheriff, want ‘a new day’ for the county (OU Daily)

• OG&E announces contract with Google related to Stillwater, Muskogee data centers (Tulsa World)*

• Piedmont’s outdated water system struggles with growth while residents combat data center proposal (KFOR)

• HISTORIC HOSPITAL REBORN: New tech hub opens in Greenwood (2 News Oklahoma)

• Voters should hold absent state representative accountable: Oklahoma House leader (Oklahoma Voice)

• Ban on abortion-inducing drugs heads to Oklahoma governor (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma’s eviction process is being used as a form of rent collection, data shows (Oklahoma Watch)

• Man sentenced to life for murdering wife after she wanted a divorce (News On 6)

• National Council rebukes high court, cites “by blood” ruling in no-confidence vote (Mvskoke Media)

• Tulsa trainer didn’t see Black representation in run clubs. So he started his own.  (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Roosevelt Bridge replacement to begin this fall: What drivers need to know, plus a first look at designs (KXII)

• Background actors wanted for film production shoot in Broken Arrow (Fox 23)

• Shrinkflation? Your favorite grocery brands have different price tags around Tulsa. (Tulsa Flyer)

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Saying the state’s second experiment with managed care is “failing to deliver on its promises,” the state’s chief law enforcement officer has asked for an audit of the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond said the state’s Medicaid agency is failing to hold accountable three companies accountable administering the state’s managed care Medicaid program. 

“Providers are reducing staff,” Drummond wrote in a letter to State Auditor and Inspector Cindy Byrd. “Patients are being denied essential care. Out-of-state corporations are controlling access to critical services without accountability, provider and patient complaints are increasing and OHCA leadership highlights the MCO’s (managed care organizations) numbers to deny that these problems persist.”

In 2023, Oklahoma switched from a fee-for service model to a privatized health care model after Gov. Kevin Stitt said it would help reduce costs and provide better quality care.

Providers across the state have reported payment delays, barriers to claims processing and incorrect or inconsistent reimbursement, Drummond said.

The agency has failed to provide complete and substantive responses to his inquiries, Drummond said.

He asked Byrd to also look into the denial of claims for medically necessary and life sustaining equipment.

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