October 1 is the day that State Superintendent Ryan Walters starts his new job as the CEO of Teacher Freedom Alliance. However, he hasn’t formally submitted his resignation yet, and that could cause ethics concerns if he doesn’t do so by Wednesday.

Walters was the big topic of conversation on the first edition of the Oklahoma Memo weekly podcast. It is available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Just look for ‘Oklahoma Memo.’

My guests this week were Oklahoma education advocate Sandra Valentine, News 9 / News On 6 political analyst Scott Mitchell and Grant Hermes, host of the ‘Make It Make Sense’ podcast with Grant Hermes.

If you’d like to be a guest on the podcast, hit me up.

Let’s get to the rest of our Monday list:

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Second summer is upon us. Mid-to-upper 80s all week, and no rain in the forecast.

🌡️ Monday's high in OKC 84°
🌡️ Monday’s high in Tulsa 83°

By Jillian Taylor, StateImpact Oklahoma
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A few months ago, Oklahoma officials removed the state’s recommendation for fluoride in drinking water as part of the "Make Oklahoma Healthy Again" campaign, which was announced alongside the U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. But according to a recent report, ending community water fluoridation could come with a hefty cost.

Data from the American Dental Association estimates a nearly $507 million price tag over five years in dental care costs for Oklahomans if fluoride were removed from community water systems. Around 57% of the state has fluoride exposure due to community water systems, according to the report.

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral in almost all water supplies, and many communities add small amounts to their water to prevent cavities and promote oral health, per the CDC. The federal agency notes that fluoridated water reduces cavities by about 25% in both children and adults.

Kennedy has called fluoride an “industrial waste” and said it could lead to serious health problems when added to public water. But in a statement amid his confirmation process, the American Dental Association emphasized an analysis Kennedy cited refers to much higher concentrations than the 0.7 mg per liter recommended in the U.S.

Conversations around community water fluoridation have been inflamed under the Trump administration, with at least 21 states introducing bills during 2025 legislative sessions to prohibit or repeal provisions related to the addition of fluoride in public water systems.

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

• ‘It’s a good day in Oklahoma’: Tulsa teachers union, districts and lawmakers react to Ryan Walters resignation (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Choctaw, Chickasaw Nations sue social media giants over youth addiction, mental health issues (NonDoc)

• Report: Oklahoma agency not meeting benchmarks of competency restoration settlement (Oklahoma Voice)

• Report: Oklahoma plan to reform mental health treatment 'marred by inconsistencies,' flawed data (KOSU)

• Seized for seizing: Lack of training endangers Oklahomans with epilepsy (Oklahoma Watch)

• Citing water concerns, community pushes back against proposed data centers (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Polar vortex stirring up. When should Oklahoma expect its first frost? What the data says (The Oklahoman)

• Police looking for suspect following shooting outside of Sapulpa High School (Sapulpa Times)

• Tulsa World loses seven employees as layoffs hit newsroom (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma lawmakers attend White House leadership conference as shutdown looms (News 9)

• Byron Mason scores five TDs as Norman North rallies to stun Edmond Memorial in OT thriller (The Oklahoman)

• NIL, transfer portal impact on non-big revenue college sports (KOCO)

• Texas man making bucket list trek through Oklahoma with trusty mule (KOCO)

• 20th anniversary of Fiesta de las Américas OKC draws thousands (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Local business owners say Tulsa State Fair boosts business (2 News Oklahoma)

• 'Anybody can do anything': Belle's Kitchen aiming to give Oklahomans a second chance (2 News Oklahoma)

• Numerous fans turn out for Red River Comic Con (KXII)

• Mack’s Wings opens new location in south Tulsa (The Oklahoma Eagle)

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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