Monday, Dec. 1, 2025 • Cloudy, cold with a very slight chance of light wintry precipitation. No major travel issues expected.

Today’s Memo:

• The University of Oklahoma issued a statement Sunday about a controversy surrounding a student’s discrimination claim.

• The Center for Effective Lawmaking has named three Oklahoma lawmakers as “highly effective.”

A graduate student psychology teacher at the University of Oklahoma has been placed on administrative leave, as part of an investigation into possible discrimination.

Samantha Fulnecky was asked to write a paper about societal expectations of gender and how people are perceived. She cited the Bible, noting that gender is more than stereotypes and that eliminating gender would go against God’s plans.

The teacher gave Fulnecky a 0 out of 25 points, noting that empirical research should have been cited instead of the Bible and that parts of Fulnecky’s paper were “offensive.”

Fulnecky took her case public, to Gov. Kevin Stitt and former State Superintendent Ryan Walters. Stitt had this to say after OU announced it had suspended the teacher:

The 1st Amendment is foundational to our freedom & inseparable from a well-rounded education. The situation at OU is deeply concerning. I’m calling on the OU regents to review the results of the investigation & ensure other students aren’t unfairly penalized for their beliefs.

Here is the university’s statement in full:

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
Click here to support this newsroom

OKLAHOMA CITY — Three of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation members were ranked as “highly effective” lawmakers, according to a report. 

The Center for Effective Lawmaking analyzed the 118th Congress by party and chamber to determine who the most effective lawmakers were overall and by policy area. The Center is a joint partnership between schools at Vanderbilt University and University of Virginia.

Click here for the story.

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

• ONEOK benefits from 'Big Beautiful Bill' and poised to help with AI data centers, officials say (Tulsa World)

• After completing fundraising mission, OKPOP gets rolling with plans to open in 2028 (Tulsa World)

• Oklahoma lawmakers reflect on challenges in Congress with major deadlines ahead (News 9)

• Oklahoma leaders share Thanksgiving gratitude and look ahead to a big 2026 (News 9)

• Oklahoma attorney general urges passing of Tribal Warrant Fairness Act (KTEN)

• A family is relieved that their son will receive the life-saving infusion after insurance denial is overturned (KFOR)

• Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police mourning loss of officer (KXII)

• Community mourns the passing of Judge Louis “Luke” Duel Jr. (Guthrie News Page)

• Thousands of migrating cranes will stop at an Oklahoma wildlife refuge this fall. Here's how to see them (KGOU)

• Focusing on rural issues, 5 Republicans campaign for HD 35 special election (NonDoc)

• CompSource Flub Raises Questions About a Secretive Reorganization Plan (Oklahoma Watch)

• Multiple agencies, drone team find man and dog lost in Atoka County (2 News Oklahoma)

• Kristin Chenoweth is proud of so-called ‘MAGA musical’ on Broadway (The Oklahoman)

• INTERACTIVE MAP: Events and light displays to enjoy this holiday season across Oklahoma (KOCO)

• How OU’s 1984 Supreme Court case reshaped college football economics (News 9)

• SGA scores 26 to lead Thunder past Trail Blazers, improve to 20-1 (AP)

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