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Monday, August 31, 2026 • Sunny and still very hot. 99-100. ☀️
Poll results:
We received 231 votes on the Saturday poll, “Should ‘Oklahoma values’ be a factor when the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust selects investment managers?”
61 said YES
125 said NO
45 said they were 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].)
Oklahoma House set to hear evidence in staff allegation of lawmaker’s ‘improper behavior’
Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, listens to the State of the State Address on Feb. 2, 2026, at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)
By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
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Oklahoma House Republican leaders have blocked off three days next month to look into allegations of misconduct against a member of their own party.
Rep. Mike Osburn, who chairs the House Rules Committee, said lawmakers will meet behind closed doors Sept. 8 to discuss the allegations made by House staff against Republican Rep. Danny Williams, as well as the outcome of related investigations ordered by House staff.
Details of the allegations have not been made public. The committee’s actions could range from determining Williams was innocent of the accusations to recommending expulsion or sanctions.
Williams, R-Seminole, did not return a phone call seeking comment Friday as of publication. He previously told a KFOR reporter that he was told not to publicly discuss the allegations, and that he didn’t remember what all the claims were. Williams said they weren’t sexual in nature and denied any wrongdoing.
Osburn, whose committee has been tapped by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert to lead the legislative probe, said Thursday that he has not yet seen the reports from the investigations, and that he was not sure exactly what the hearings will look like.
The public will be allowed to attend at some point, Osburn said, but the first day will not initially be open because the House does not want to jeopardize the privacy of anyone who made allegations against Williams. Osburn said the committee may also meet Sept. 9 and 10 if more time is needed.
“This is uncharted territory, and we are going to build the plane as we’re flying it, I think,” said Osburn, R-Edmond.
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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
Federal wildlife officer believed to have died while evacuating homes during Oklahoma wildfire (KOCO)
Railroad South Fire at 515 acres, 30 percent contained, as Cache Fire seeks donations for crews (KSWO)
Man arrested, charged with 2 murders after deadly Sand Springs explosion (News On 6)
$100 MILLION to a school district: the financial deals for Claremore data center (KJRH)
Massive El Reno water leak traced to Bitcoin mining data center facility (KFOR)
Warren Plunk, who was running for Oklahoma County district judge, has died (The Oklahoman)*
Was your license plate searched in Flock? Oklahoma drivers can check (The Oklahoman)*
Oklahoma Chronicle: Many schools on the clock after losing access to meals program (KOCO)
‘No winner’: Choctaw County property owners face tax hikes after 3 costly lawsuits (NonDoc)
Lawton dispensary owner fights license revocation over four alleged sales (Fox 25)
Community rallies around 12-year-old daughter of couple killed in Tulsa tow company shooting (KJRH)
Alva police officer and wife arrested, accused of exploiting 82-year-old man (KOCO)
New owners plan $25 million dollar makeover for Waterford Hotel (The Oklahoman)*
Tulsa artist and academic adviser pours his time, music and heart into helping others (Tulsa World)*
India Fest 2026 celebrates Indian culture and tradition in Tulsa (News On 6)
Rising stars set to light up the Plaza Fest stage with rock, soul, R&B (Oklahoma City Free Press)
Monday Poll
Should Oklahoma lawmakers be allowed to investigate one of their own behind closed doors?
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