What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Thursday, July 10, and I have some news.

Oklahoma Memo has a podcast now, and it’s going to be a daily podcast — an ambitious goal. You can find it on Spotify and Apple, and soon on YouTube. We also have a YouTube channel!

I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to do a podcast every day, but I’ll do one as many days as I can. Also, I’d like it to be more than an audio recitation of the daily newsletter.

This podcast could include:

• Interviews with newsmakers
• Interviews with business leaders
• Conversations with journalists from across the state
• Small town reports!
• Sports commentary (hello, football season?)

Something I’m figuring out as an entrepreneur is that everything is hard before it is easy.

If you dig what I’m doing here, please subscribe in all the places.

And ping me at [email protected] if you’d like to be featured in the podcast!

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✅ 1 ad placement in every Oklahoma Memo newsletter for 1 month
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This is a great way to tell your story, highlight what makes you unique, and connect with thousands of Oklahomans who care about local.

If you’re ready to make an investment in your business with an ad in ‘Oklahoma Memo’ — message me: [email protected]

Weather Update ☀️

Sunny and hot, but I’m seeing a lot of rain in the forecast once we get to Saturday.

🌡️ Thursday's high in OKC 94°
🌡️ Thursday’s high in Tulsa 92°

News 9 radar damaged in apparent attack by anti-government militia group

By Anna Pope, KOSU
Click to read the story.
Donate to KOSU.

Early this week, security video footage shows an individual damaging News9’s NextGen Live Weather Radar, temporarily knocking it offline.

The news outlet reports Veterans on Patrol, which the Southern Poverty Law Center defines as an anti-government militia, is claiming responsibility and targeting other Oklahoma radars. Michael Lewis Arthur Meyer, the founder of Veterans On Patrol, told the station he posted a sign warning of other radars being targeted near weather radar. He said he believes the government is modifying the weather, according to the article.

"They can embed their technology and civilian infrastructure in every home and every household utilizing the phones and their network towers to not only control the weather, modify the weather, but they can (target) individuals,” Meyer said in the article.

But David Payne, News 9 Chief Meteorologist, said that’s not what weather radars do and without it they cannot track weather events like tornadoes.

“I wish it were that easy,” Payne said in the article. “I wish that we could turn it on and say ‘Oh let’s make that tornado go away,’ but our weather radar and all of the weather radars in the U.S. are built strictly to inform and warn the public, and keep the public safe and that is exactly why we have our live radar.”

News 9 reports the individual suspected of damaging the radar is under arrest in an unrelated case.

Click to finish the story.

Walters’ meals mandate is an ‘empty threat,’ Oklahoma House education leader says

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
Click to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A mandate that all Oklahoma public schools offer cost-free cafeteria meals is “nothing more than an empty threat,” a House Republican leader said.

The head of the House Common Education Committee, Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, said Wednesday there is no legal basis for the edict state Superintendent Ryan Walters issued this week. Ordering all districts to pay for free meals would overstep the powers of Walters’ office and infringe on local school boards’ authority, said Lowe, a former agriculture teacher.

“Addressing student hunger and streamlining administrative costs are both worthwhile endeavors, but these changes must be implemented legislatively, not through an unfunded mandate,” Lowe said.

Walters, a fellow Republican, contended that public schools have enough state and federal funds to afford universal free meals for students. He urged districts to cut back on administrator salaries to make room in their budgets to implement the mandate in the 2025-26 school year. Doing so, he said, will ensure every student receives full educational opportunities.

“This isn’t negotiable,” Walters said on Monday. “Bureaucrats who can’t prioritize students over their own perks will be shown the door.”

Districts are legally obligated to submit their annual budget plans no later than Oct. 1 to the Oklahoma State Board of Education, which approves accreditation ratings for every school in the state. A public school cannot operate in the state without accreditation from the board.

Walters said he would pursue penalties against districts that don’t comply with his order, including a potential accreditation downgrade, withholding of state funds and a financial audit. He said he would consider revoking the certification of any educator who fails or refuses to incorporate no-cost meals into their budgets.

Oklahoma law doesn’t require schools to provide free meals to all students, though some already do so voluntarily, Lowe said. He also noted there’s no state law enabling Walters to retaliate against districts for not offering breakfasts and lunches for free.

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• 'It's got me speechless': Wheel from semitrailer crashes into Oklahoma apartment (KOCO)

• Ryan Walters, OSDE partner with PragerU to vet teachers with 'America First' test (News On 6)

• Man dies following Tuskahoma fireworks explosion (Fox 23)

• 'They're more than just cows': Search for 4 stolen heifers in Locust Grove (2 News Oklahoma)

• Cook speaks out after sudden closure of six Oklahoma State Park Restaurants (News 9)

• Mike Gundy's vacation is set, but Oklahoma State football 2025 roster is not (The Oklahoman)

• Mountain Lion sightings make their way to SW Oklahoma (Lawton Constitution)

• Turner Turnpike 'Midway' travel stop in Stroud to close permanently (The Oklahoman)

• Muscogee Nation sues Henryetta over prosecutions of tribal citizens (Tulsa World)

• Keith Stitt petitions SCOTUS to review Oklahoma criminal court’s Indian jurisdiction ruling (NonDoc)

• Local investors revitalize Muskogee homes as city tackles housing supply challenges (KTUL)

• Norman City Council approves On-Demand extension, land purchase for housing project (OU Daily)

• Attorney for downtown Tulsa business owners urges city to enforce nuisance laws (Tulsa World)

• Major Love County road set to be reconstructed (KXII)

• GoFundme campaigns created for Blackwell firefighter and area accident victim (Kay News Cow)

• Pedestrian killed in Atoka County crash (KXII)

• New Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Waldron discusses AI controversy and party plans (KWGS)

• July tribal election preview: Where the Five Tribes’ 2025 election cycles stand (NonDoc)

• From hungry goats to property taxes, Oklahoma senators unveil interim study plans (Oklahoma Voice)

• 'McGirt' decision has reshaped Indigenous sovereignty in Oklahoma. KOSU has been here along the way (KOSU)

• Oklahoma’s renewable energy development expected to slow under megabill policies (KGOU)

• Caddo Nation partners with Oklahoma university for job training program (Oklahoma Voice)

• Stillwater Public Library construction ends, main building reopens (The O’Colly)

• Oklahoma State women's tennis makes coaching change after recruiting violations (The Oklahoman)

• OSU Cowboys embrace new season with fresh faces at Big 12 Media Days (KOCO)

• Cameron University holds meet and greet for new University President (KSWO)

• OKC National Memorial & Museum unveils new photo featuring NBA Finals win (The Oklahoman)

• ODOC Fights to Prevent Medical Parole Hearing for Dying Prisoner (Oklahoma Watch)

🗣️ Our Mission, Social Media & Feedback

The ‘Oklahoma Memo’ mission is simple: Reignite the daily news habit by connecting Oklahomans and those who love Oklahoma to quality sources of news and vetted information.

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Enjoy your Thursday! Get the yard work done by Friday night. Rain is on the way!