What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Tuesday, July 15, and I’m pondering whether AI is really, actually going to destroy the content business.

I don’t think it is — and I stumbled upon a fantastic piece Monday that outlines why.

Jason Koebler wrote, “The Media’s Pivot to AI is Not Real and Not Going to Work,” for his publication 404 Media. You’ll need to sign up to read it.

But the gist of it is this: Publishers have to connect or re-connect with their core audiences. As humans.

Me and you.

If you don’t know me but like what we’re doing here, message me at [email protected]. Likewise, if there are things I could be doing different or better, message me.

Although a chatbot could transactionally do this work, it’s not what people are looking for.

How many times have you been on hold with a company only to shout, “Give me a human! I want to talk to a human! HUMAN!”?

So, I read that article from 404 Media and came away excited about what we’re doing here at Oklahoma Memo, if only because I’m eschewing the readily available opportunities to use AI, except for one. I prompt ChatGPT to rank the order of the headlines in The Oklahoma Rundown so that I take my personal biases out of the equation.

I also came away relieved after reading the article.

Because I think, and I sure hope, Jason is right.

Humans, forever!

Ad: Your business needs a podcast — but not for the reasons you think.

It’s not just about downloads.

It’s about:
✅ Video clips for LinkedIn & Instagram
✅ Blog posts pulled straight from your conversations
✅ Authority that drives AI mentions & search snippets — giving you a real edge.

But who’s got the time or team to pull it off?

👉 That’s where I come in.

You send me the audio (or video) — your CEO talking at an event, a team Zoom call, even a smart-phone recording.

I’ll turn it into a polished podcast with music, cover art, full hosting & distribution — plus clips and articles to fuel your entire content strategy.

🎯 Totally turnkey.
🎯 Just $500 per episode (4-episode start).
🎯 Only 5 slots open — then I’m booked.

Proof?
Here’s one I built for Local Media Association, from a simple Zoom call:
[https://open.spotify.com/episode/25IGhTfWLiq8DdntNnpyBj]

Want to launch yours before fall?
👉 Email me now: [email protected]

Weather Update ⛅

Mostly sunny and hot.

🌡️ Tuesday's high in OKC 90°
🌡️ Tuesday’s high in Tulsa 90°

FEMA cuts sink Norman’s automated flood warning plan

By Anna Kramer, Oklahoma Watch
Click to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Watch.

The city of Norman was prepared to build an automatic flood warning system this year, the same kind of early warning system that Kerr County, Texas, could have used to help save lives during the deadly floods over the July Fourth weekend.

But in April, the Trump administration said it was ending the wasteful and ineffective program that would have paid for it. The city, which dealt with flooding as recently as June, was forced to table its $313,000 project to install automated sensors and cameras to monitor water levels and provide real-time alerts to the public.

“Now we don’t have that automated system that we would very much like to have if there was funding available for it,” Tiffany Vrska, a spokesperson for the city of Norman, said of the administration pulling back the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.

President Donald Trump’s administration has systematically reduced states’ access to resources to safeguard their people against natural disasters, frustrating city and state leaders across the country, including from communities that overwhelmingly voted for Trump.

Click to finish the story.

Former Oklahoma agency head prohibited from working for state, under settlement agreement

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
Click to read the story.
Donate to Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A former Oklahoma agency head and Cabinet secretary will pay a $20,000 fine and is prohibited from holding public office for two years for violating state ethics rules, according to the terms of a settlement agreement made public Monday. 

Shelley Zumwalt signed the settlement agreement with the Ethics Commission to resolve a conflict of interest case stemming from contracts awarded while she was head of the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. 

The terms of the settlement also includes a two year prohibition on seeking or accepting any position funded with state dollars, serving as a compensated consultant for any state entity, or engaging in any compensated lobbying activity in the state. The $20,000 fine is to be paid to the state general revenue fund within 30 days. 

The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office also agreed to not pursue criminal proceedings as long as Zumwalt complies with all terms of the settlement. 

Zumwalt’s husband worked as a vice president for a company that had a contract with the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, according to the settlement agreement. Zumwalt was required to complete annual forms attesting that no related party transactions existed, and she checked “no” on the forms, according to a scathing audit. 

Zumwalt admitted in the settlement she should have recused herself from the contract decisions with her husband’s company, although the conflict of interest rule violations were not intentional, the settlement reads. 

“I want to acknowledge the collaborative efforts of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission and Attorney General’s Office to achieve this outcome,” Zumwalt said in a statement to Oklahoma Voice on Monday. “Neither my husband nor I financially benefited from the contracts, and there was no finding by the ethics commission of any financial gain.”

Click to finish the story.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Paycom will not retain naming rights for new OKC Thunder arena (News 9)

• New $70 million retail development coming to Broken Arrow to include top retailers (Tulsa World)

• As water leaks plague Oklahoma City, officials double budget for line replacement (KGOU)

• New gambling tax will hit you in both Las Vegas and Oklahoma tribal casinos (Fox 23)

• Oklahoma State Tourism and Recreation Department reopens state park restaurants (KFOR)

• TU offensive coordinator and former OU player arrested, accused of DUI (News On 6)

• Judge throws out Tulsa widow’s lawsuit, cites fewer “civil rights protections” for tribal members (KJRH)

• NSU social work students get extra support to help close mental health care gaps (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Seminole Nation announces initiative for small Oklahoma business owners (KGOU)

• Intruder killed while trying to invade Pontotoc County home (KXII)

• Tulsa Police identify man shot after attacking officers with shovel (News On 6)

• Woodward man dead after being struck by a train (Woodward News)

• 9 Years Missing: Family of Jerry Ross Cottcil approval (The Oklahoman)

• Chickasaw Lighthorse police investigate fatal shooting (KTEN)

• Oklahoman charged with 16 counts of animal abuse in Missouri after dead dogs found inside box truck (KOCO)

• Suspect accused of shooting at dogs in Moore neighborhood in custody after standoff (KOCO)

• Boil water order lifted for Bartlesville after successful water testing (KTUL)

• 2025 SEC Media Days: OU football highlights (OU Daily)

• Former Cowboy Julian Caskes Wimbledon Doubles ti(The O’Colly)

• football announces game ts for 2025 season (The O’Colly• 'Stillwater's JumpLittle Juke Joint' turns 50: Eskimo Joe's hosting big anniversary baThe Oklahoman)

• OKC’s preparedness work moves fod withoutA (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Durant man dies in motorized bikesh (KXII)

• Arkansas City man faces manslaughter charge following fatality accident north of Newkirk (Kay News Cow)

• Joseph Franco resigns council seat (Purcell Register)

• Southeastern Oklahoma State University names interim president (KTEN)

• Convicted doctor seeks bond before sentencing (Lawton Constitution)

• Local man pleads guilty to threatening to perform act of violence, receives deferred sentence (Tahlequah Daily Press)

• MIllion dollar story: Red Dirt Relief Fund was 'lifesaver' for music artist after cycle crash (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma St. Isidore lawsuit dropped in light of spring SCOTUS ruling (KGOU)

�ur Mission, Sociedia & 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.

Frictionless. Painless. Stress-free.

Social Media

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

We also have a YouTube channel! It’s new. Pardon our dust.

Contact Us

Message Oklahoma Memo at [email protected].pp