What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is May 13, and here are a couple of headlines before we get started:

• President Trump and China come to a 90-day thaw in trade war.

• That deal, even if only temporary, appears to be getting the supply chain moving.

• The stock market responded with a huge rally, but stock futures are flat tonight. Investors are waiting to get results from an inflation report in the morning.

Recession averted?

• Two quick viral stories: Morgan Wallen reveals why he left the SNL set early before returning to “God’s Country,” and new Jacksonville Jaguars star Travis Hunter gets the good dude award for his kindness on a recent flight.

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Weather Update ☀️

You’re getting warmer!

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 85°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 85°

Allergy report: grass pollen (very high)

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Oklahoma approves new online school to focus on struggling students

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — A virtual charter school aiming to someday serve thousands of Oklahoma students at risk of not finishing high school has been approved to open in 2026.

The Statewide Charter School Board voted unanimously Monday in favor of establishing ThrivePoint Academy of Oklahoma. The online alternative school plans to enroll about 400 students statewide in grades 6-12 for the 2026-27 school year but has goals to reach 2,000 students after five years, according to its application.

Oklahoma is the fifth state where the Arizona-based Learning Matters Educational Group will establish and manage a charter school. The organization has opened ThrivePoint schools in Arizona, California and Nevada and is preparing to open a school in Utah next year.

The Oklahoma school, with teachers and staff based in the state, would focus on students who have fallen behind on credits needed to graduate. 

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Oklahoma Human Services extends child care accreditation deadlines following feedback

By Jillian Taylor, StateImpact Oklahoma
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Oklahoma Human Services (DHS) is extending the deadline for certain licensed child care facilities to submit proof of an application for or achievement of national accreditation in response to stakeholder feedback.

Providers have said the timeframe to meet these emergency rules was too short and could cost them thousands.

How did these rules come about? 

Licensed providers participate in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), known as the Stars Program. It awards different ratings to early childhood programs based on their abilities to meet standards related to curriculum, child outcomes and learning environments.

DHS assigns programs a quality rating between one and five stars. Star levels are tied to reimbursement rates for facilities serving families through the state’s child care subsidy program, which helps eligible low-income families access child care.

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What's passed, what's failed and what's coming for Oklahoma's legislature

By Lionel Ramos, KOSU
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Oklahoma lawmakers have entered the final three weeks of the 60th regular legislative session. Hundreds of bills have been sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt, and he’s already acted on some. Still looming: budget negotiations.

Lawmakers have sent nearly 300 bills to Stitt so far, and the governor has been quick to act. Stitt has signed over 50 measures into law and vetoed more than a dozen. Meanwhile, lawmakers are shifting their focus to budget talks.

And among the many money-related rabbit holes lawmakers could dive into these next two weeks, Senate Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton says the $42 million hole in the state’s mental health department budget is the most concerning.

“Time is of the essence,” Paxton said. “We need an answer because we have to get something budgeted in. The note we had last week about this time was, ‘Oh, we can't make payroll next week.’ That kind of came out of nowhere.”

No bottom to the pit means no bottom line for the state budget. And that could mean a special legislative session, no income tax cut or any number of trade-offs.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A concise summary of the latest news from across the state:

• Muskogee County District Attorney found dead (2 News Oklahoma)

• Ammunition company to invest $300 million, bring 350 jobs to MidAmerica Industrial Park (Tulsa World)

• OSU President says veterinary school faces existential crisis without state funding (News 9)

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says staffing shortages will limit lake life for Oklahomans, visitors (KOSU)

• Norman City Council to hear Central Oklahoma transit plan updates, consider $100,000 settlement (OU Daily)

• Oklahoma pet groomer charged with animal cruelty after video surfaces (KOCO)

• Police identify man killed by 2 suspected gunmen at northwest OKC apartment (KOCO)

• Ducks once covered in diesel fuel released back to University of Oklahoma pond (KGOU)

• Plans to overhaul Oklahoma mental health hospital move forward (Oklahoma Voice)

• Xaviar Babudar 'Chiefsaholic' sentenced to 32 years in prison (News On 6)

• LA Zoo sued over plan to move elephants to Tulsa (News On 6)

• Tulsa-grown musician kicked off Zach Bryan album (2 News Oklahoma)

• Failure to Yield Leads to Flipped SUV in Sapulpa Neighborhood (Sapulpa Times)

• Man found dead near tracks in southside Oklahoma City; homicide suspected (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Broken Bow student athlete dies in truck crash (KTEN)

• Gentling reflects on successes and gratitude in final message to Guthrie (Guthrie News Page)

• Judge denies request to toss lawsuit from prisoners confined in Hinton prison shower stalls (Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma County jail detainee dead at 26 (KOCO)

• Pride organizers willing to fight back if law banning 'obscene' performances is enforced incorrectly (KOCO)

• OSBI seeks help with 25-year-old cold case (KFOR)

• "You're as big of a jerk as I heard you are": OKCPD officer to Canadian County Sheriff during traffic stop (Fox 25)

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