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Friday, June 5, 2026 • Cloudy, warm. Upper 80s. ☁️
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We received 56 votes on the Thursday poll, “Will you be voting for SQ 832, which would gradually raise the minimum wage?”
• 39 said YES
• 17 said NO
New poll question at the bottom of today’s newsletter. (You can also suggest a poll question by emailing me at [email protected].)
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From Gaylord News reporter Emarie Butler:
SQ 832 would gradually raise state minimum wage to $15/hour
Former Tulsa schools official, construction contractors charged with stealing school bond money
A former bond director for Tulsa Public Schools has been charged with embezzling funds and receiving kickbacks from a construction contractor. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
By Nuria Martinez-Keel
👉 Click here to support this newsroom
OKLAHOMA CITY — A former Tulsa Public Schools administrator and the owners of a construction contractor have been accused of an “elaborate” scheme to defraud the district of $779,317 in bond funds.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler on Thursday filed 27 criminal charges against TPS’s former bond director, Charles Christopher Hudgins, and Gayle Gwinup and Thomas McKenna, partners of Allied Engineering Group.
Investigators allege Hudgins from 2019 to 2024 used his position at TPS to have the district pay Gwinup and McKenna’s company for dozens of school roofing projects that ultimately weren’t performed. Allied Engineering Group then, in turn, paid most of that money to Hudgins’ personal business, court documents contend.
Hudgins, Gwinup and McKenna have been charged in Tulsa County District Court with conspiracy to defraud a school district, several counts of embezzlement, and making and receiving numerous kickbacks.
Allen Smallwood, an attorney representing McKenna, said everything his client did was legal and contractually approved by appropriate authorities.
“He was never paid a kickback, and he’s committed no crimes,” Smallwood said. “This is going to be a very defensible allegation. He didn’t do anything wrong, and his life’s been wrecked. Whoever’s responsible for this may end up paying for it.”
Hudgins’ attorney, Rick Cella, declined to comment. Gwinup’s attorney, Corbin Brewster, did not immediately return a request for comment.
Where to Invest $100,000 Right Now, According to Experts
Investors face a dilemma. When the S&P 500 finished its worst quarter since 2022 last month, diversifiers like bonds and bitcoin fell too.
Even with the turnaround in mid-April, analysts at Goldman Sachs and Vanguard have projected low-single-digit annualized returns from 2024-2034.
Bloomberg asked where experts would personally invest $100,000 for their March monthly edition.
One answer that surfaced for a second time? Art.
It's what billionaires like Bezos and the Rockefellers have privately used to diversify for decades.
Why?
Appreciation. The ArtPrice100 Index outpaced the S&P 500 overall from 2000 to 2025
Low-correlation. The postwar contemporary segment has moved independently of traditional investments like stocks since ‘95.*
Resilience. A scarce, physical, and global asset class with decades of demonstrated demand.
Thanks to the world's premier art investing platform, now anyone can invest in works featuring legends like Banksy, Basquiat, and Picasso, without needing millions.
Shares in new offerings can sell quickly but...
*According to Masterworks data. Investing involves risk. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. See important Reg A disclosures at masterworks.com/cd.
The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
• As Mazzei changes tone on smelter project, Drummond moves to block it (Oklahoma Watch)
• Tissue maker Sofidel launches $775 million expansion at Port of Inola (Tulsa World)*
• Brent Swadley discusses 'political favors' in calls from county jail, prosecutors say (The Oklahoman)
• Oklahoma Commerce identified problems before Weatherization Audit uncovered alleged abuse (Fox 25)
• City passes budget despite resident calls for more participation (Oklahoma City Free Press)
• Claremore charging $17,125.44 for Open Records Request (Fox 23)
• The cost of childcare is too high for many Oklahoma families. How are lawmakers responding? (KOSU)
• Norman Public Schools brings back the Learning Bus this summer (News 9)
• Boley plaza project will greet visitors at Oklahoma Civil Rights Trail destination (KOSU)
• As Wichita Mountains refuge celebrates 125 years, outdoor enthusiasts bury time capsule (KOSU)
• New details about arrest of kidnapping suspect in Atoka (KTEN)
Friday Poll
🥎 WCWS Softball in Oklahoma City 🥎
WCWS Finals, Game 2:
Texas 4, Texas Tech 1 (Texas wins 2-0)
The Longhorns repeat as college softball national champions.
How to support Oklahoma Memo
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