The second edition of the weekly version of my Oklahoma Memo podcast will drop at 1800 hours on YouTube. If you haven’t subscribed to the channel, please do so — and check out last week’s podcast. If you like sports, check out ‘Bedlam Buds,’ too.

This week’s scheduled guests include John Kennedy, co-chair of the committee behind the new Clara Luper plaza in downtown Oklahoma City. We’ll talk about the significance of this tribute to a hero of the civil rights movement and the dedication event coming up in a few weeks.

And then I’ll have my conversations with regularly scheduled guests Scott Mitchell, political analyst with News 9 and News On 6, and Grant Hermes, host of the national podcast, “Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes,” where he talked Thursday about why President Trump wants to make the federal government shutdown as painful as possible.

Anyway, it will all be live on YouTube by 6 p.m. Friday. Please. Go. Subscribe!

Onto the Friday list:

‘Oklahoma Memo’ is on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. There is also a YouTube channel — and it’s all growing day by day.

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

Downright summer-like with plenty of sunshine for the weekend.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 89°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 88°

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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TULSA — While announcing wholesale changes at the Oklahoma State Department of Education, Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed a retired CareerTech administrator to lead the agency along with a “turnaround team” of officials from across the state.

Lindel Fields is Stitt’s choice to lead that turnaround as state superintendent, replacing Ryan Walters who resigned from the position on Tuesday. Fields, of Tulsa, said he will step into the role with the aim of “steadying the ship” at the Education Department, which had a tumultuous 33 months with Walters in charge.

“We’ll lead with honesty and respect,” Fields said at a news conference at Eisenhower International School in Tulsa on Thursday. “I believe in the principle ‘Do what you say. Say what you mean. Don’t say it mean.’ That’s how we’ll operate as a state agency, and that’s how we’ll treat one another.”

His remarks signal a shift away from the culture-war politics and combative tone that Walters prioritized while leading the agency. Walters ultimately left office to lead an anti-teacher-union nonprofit, prompting the governor to appoint a candidate to finish the final 15 months of his vacated term.

Fields said he isn’t interested in running in 2026 to keep the office for another four years. He said he is “laser-focused on what needs to be done at the state agency,” listing student reading proficiency, teacher recruitment and retention, and expanding students’ future career options as his priorities.

Stitt said that’s exactly the response he hoped for.

“That was a question I asked in the interview process because I wanted somebody not focused on the next election,” Stitt said. “Let’s focus on the kids.”

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By Jillian Taylor, StateImpact Oklahoma
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Governor Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of current Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) CEO Ellen Buettner to a new role as CEO of the state’s largest four-year university system.

Abegail Cave, a spokeswoman for Stitt, confirmed Buettner will be stepping down as OHCA’s CEO, a role she’s worked in for more than two years. Buettner’s tenure included Oklahoma’s transition to managed care, or SoonerSelect, where OHCA went from paying providers directly to paying private companies to coordinate some enrollees’ care.

In a press release, Buettner was praised for her work in maternal health access and management of the transition of state employee benefits administration to OHCA.

“OHCA is grateful for Ellen’s leadership over the past six years and we are excited about her next chapter,” an OHCA spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “The agency will continue to provide the highest level of service to Oklahoma and its providers as we await the Governor’s appointment to the agency.”

The OHCA spokesperson said Friday is Buettner’s last day. Cave said her replacement will be announced soon.

The Regional University System of Oklahoma governs six of the state’s universities, including East Central University, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and University of Central Oklahoma.

Buettner is replacing Brandon Tatum, who announced his departure in August.

“Her experience and proven track record make her the right leader to guide RUSO into the future. I am confident she will be a strong advocate for students and institutions across our state,” Stitt said in the release.

Through her career, Buettner served in leadership roles at OHCA, the Oklahoma Attorney General’s office and the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, according to the release. She said she is excited for the opportunity to serve in her new role.

“I’m thankful to the RUSO board of regents for the opportunity to continue to serve our state in this new capacity,” Buettner said. “Our regional universities play an essential role in the development of Oklahoma’s workforce. I’m eager to get to work making our regional university system top ten in the nation.”

If you’d like to advertise in the Oklahoma Memo newsletter daily, reach out to me at [email protected]. I’d be happy to send you a rate card.

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

• Senate education leader launches campaign for Oklahoma state superintendent (Oklahoma Voice)

• Former El Reno schools leader Craig McVay joins race for state superintendent (KOSU)

• Stitt appoints new Oklahoma Secretary of State after first choice found ineligible (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board tables approval of abortion-related emergency rule (KOSU)

• University of Oklahoma eyes closure of African American Studies (The Black Wall Street Times)

• Tulsa-area mental health providers hit with more state cuts (Tulsa World)

• Bills could rise as PSO considers billion dollar investment in power grid (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Oklahoma teen rescued from sex trafficking in Georgia (KOCO)

• A new facility in Oklahoma City will seek to help people too sick to stay in a homeless shelter (The Frontier)

• Oklahoma prisons one step closer to blocking contraband cell phone signals (Oklahoma Watch)

• ODOC to test new drone technology targeting contraband at Red Rock Correctional (KSWO)

• Ryan Walters took down portraits of Hall of Fame teachers at OSDE. Now they're going back up (The Oklahoman)

• Final agreement reached in separation of $200 million foundation from OSU (Tulsa World)

• Affirming The Oklahoman libeled teacher, appellate court would cut $25 million damages to $7.5 million (NonDoc)

• Tulsa County names new emergency manager after Kralicek's arrest (2 News Oklahoma)

• Cherokee Nation opens language office, Marshal Service substation in Kenwood (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Former Ponca City Fire Department Capt. faces felony charges in Kay County District Court (Kay News Cow)

• Oklahoma City bombing memorial to remain open despite government shutdown (Oklahoma Voice)

• Remains of seven unaccompanied veterans to be buried in Ardmore (KXII)

• Oklahoma providers offer free eye exams as part of annual ‘Giving Sight Day’ (KGOU)

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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