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Monday, August 17, 2026 • Early rain chances. Highs between 94-96. ⛅
Poll results:
We received 176 votes on the Saturday poll, “Compared with last summer, how has your household electric bill changed?”
58 said, “Increased significantly”
79 said, “Increased somewhat”
30 said, “Stayed about the same”
2 said, “Decreased”
7 said, “I’m 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].)
“I can’t believe this is ours.” OKCPS opens new high school on city’s south side.
Candice Leinneweber, director of design for MA+ Architecture, which designed the school, points out elements of the new building on Aug. 10, 2026. (Brent Fuchs/Oklahoma Watch)
By Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch
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Oklahoma City Public Schools welcomed students to its newest high school campus Tuesday, a $116 million, 292,000-square-foot school on the city’s south side.
As students walked around the new Capitol Hill High School before the first day, finding their classrooms and learning the space, they were in disbelief, said Principal Shari Gateley. The students, she said, are saying, “I can’t believe this is ours.”
Funded by a nearly $1 billion school bond approved by voters in 2022, the new Capitol Hill High School was the priciest of the district’s bond projects, which include several other new schools and additions at existing sites. It’s an investment community advocates hope raises expectations for academic success.
Facilities don’t automatically create a culture of academic success, but they can help attract and retain the people who do, said Gloria Torres, a community leader and former Oklahoma City Public School board member. While on the board, she advocated for the new Capitol Hill High School to help relieve overcrowding and attract new students and families to the predominantly Latino community.
Last school year, Capitol Hill was the 28th largest high school in Oklahoma with 1,460 students. Its students scored below state averages on many measures of achievement and struggled with absenteeism. But there were bright spots, too, including a 7% improvement in average test scores in 2025 while statewide scores trended downward.
Built adjacent to the former Capitol Hill High School, a historic, 1920s Gothic-style building, the new school is strikingly modern with an angled roof, abundant glass windows and elevated bridge connecting the school to the new fieldhouse.
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Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
Anadarko schools investigating video involving junior high football team (News 9)
Caney Public Schools investigating hazing, bullying allegations after extracurricular event (KXII)
Law enforcement notified about threats made towards some Antlers high school students (KXII)
Health records in GOP race for Oklahoma governor could help sway voters, experts say (Oklahoma Voice)
Rural Oklahoma hospitals face 'immediate' risk of closure (The Oklahoman)*
Agents from AG's office temporarily filling in for vacant Beggs police posts (KJRH)
State trooper who caused fleeing truck to roll with people in its bed gets 5-day suspension (Tulsa World)*
City breaks ground on MAPS 4 Mental Health Crisis Center (Oklahoma City Free Press)
Both GOP state superintendent candidates resolve ethics concerns over school videos (Oklahoma Voice)
Oklahoma rehabilitation agency names new director (Oklahoma Voice)
Burnt Canyon Wildfire scorches more than 1,800 acres in Woodward County (KOCO)
Tulsa Public Schools cafeteria staff are training with master chefs as the district starts to move school meals back in house (Tulsa Flyer)
School year off and running for Guthrie Public Schools (Guthrie News Page)
The Oklahoman’s 2026 Class 6A-I high school football preseason rankings (The Oklahoman)*
‘Master collaborator’: Remembering legendary sideman Terry ‘Buffalo’ Ware (NonDoc)
Interurban to close Norman restaurant after nearly 50 years (Fox 25)
🎙️ Oklahoma Memo Podcast 🎙️
OKLAHOMA MEMO
John Croisant on SQ 844, SQ 846 & Oklahoma's Runoff Elections
Monday Poll
How much difference can a new school building make in student success?
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