Wednesday, April 22, 2026 • Low-to-mid 70s, and cloudy. ☁️

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By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Major changes to early childhood reading policies, including a return to strict third-grade retention, are now law in Oklahoma after being a top talking point throughout the 2026 legislative session.

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed Senate Bill 1778 while surrounded by state leaders and students at John W. Rex Charter Elementary on Tuesday morning. Multiple children at the downtown Oklahoma City school asked for the governor’s pens as a souvenir.

The legislation implements stricter requirements, starting in the 2026-27 academic year, for public schools to intervene when students fall behind grade-level expectations in reading. Third graders who score below a basic level on state reading tests and fail a second state-approved literacy assessment would be held back from advancing to fourth grade, unless they meet limited criteria for an exemption.

“This is about early support, strong instruction and giving parents the information that they need to stay involved in their child’s progress,” Stitt said. “And it ensures that when a student is struggling, we act quickly before that gap becomes a lifelong challenge.”

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

• New deal puts legal sports betting within reach in Oklahoma, aiming to take effect Nov. 1 (KOCO)

• Judge rules against Jesse Butler victims in Marsy's Law case (Fox 25)

• Domestic violence bill would track abusers released on bail, notify victims (News 9)

• It's official: Meta will operate hyperscale data center in east Tulsa (Tulsa World)*

• Second attempt at adding Medicaid expansion to August ballot heads to Oklahoma Senate (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma physicians group criticizes second effort to place Medicaid expansion on August ballot (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Oklahoma City leaders approve data center moratorium (KOSU)

• Former News 9 employee arrested over hidden cameras in station's dressing rooms (The Oklahoman)*

• When her chronic pain got out of hand, she turned to kratom. It landed her in rehab. (Tulsa Flyer)

• Tulsa leaders turn to churches to help solve housing crisis (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Oklahoma Legislature sends governor measure allowing mail tracking of driver’s licenses (Oklahoma Voice)

• 100 years of neon: Meet the Tulsa business keeping the Mother Road glowing (Tulsa Flyer)

• Anthony DeVore runs House District 19 race amid legal, financial scrutiny (NonDoc)

• Osage Nation Attorney General Clint Patterson resigns (Osage News)

• New Lawton superintendent to present 100-day plan at public meetings (KSWO)

• Family faces charges in connection to high-profile death of Fort Gibson teen (Public Radio Tulsa)

• OU greek life concerts raise questions of crowd safety, noise regulation (OU Daily)

• Whiskey Cake to close Oklahoma City restaurant after 12 years (The Oklahoman)*

A daily briefing connecting Oklahomans to the state’s best journalism — and original content from Oklahoma Memo. Got a news tip? Somebody I need to interview? Message me at [email protected].

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