The Tulsa World reported late Tuesday afternoon that Gov. Kevin Stitt had selected retired CareerTech executive Lindel Fields to be the replacement for outgoing State Superintendent Ryan Walters.

However, that report had to be a ‘sources say’ situation because the governor’s office couldn’t officially offer anybody. The reason?

Ryan Walters waited until almost 5 p.m. Tuesday to submit his official resignation.

But the announcement is expected today, and by all accounts, it will be considered a refreshing pick. Tulsa World reporter Andrea Eger talked to Claremore’s city manager, John Feary, who said of Fields, "If there is ever anybody that I thought could calm the waters, like I think we sorely need right now, it is him."

The question will be: Would he consider running for the office full-time?

Onto the Wednesday list:

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It’s October, folks, and somebody in Oklahoma might see 90.

🌡️ Wednesday's high in OKC 88°
🌡️ Wednesday’s high in Tulsa 86°

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma lawmakers Tuesday probed why Oklahoma consumers face the highest insurance rates in the nation and what steps they can take to mitigate those soaring costs.

The bipartisan legislative interim study is expected to be the first of two interim studies, digging into why Oklahomans have seen their homeowner’s insurance premiums top $6,100 annually, more than double the national average. Lawmakers often use interim studies to help craft legislation on issues. 

The high insurance costs hurt everyone, said Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Oklahoma City, who led the study. Homeowners lose protection, insurance agents lose business and home ownership is harder to attain, he said.

Fugate said he wants to find a way to keep homeowner’s insurance affordable, fair and reliable for Oklahoma families without cutting coverage. 

“I’m a big believer in trying to identify a problem in a way that helps other people get on board,” he said. “And it’s great that we have a number of experts who are going to be here today, not the least of which is our (Insurance) Commissioner, to help us kind of dig in and navigate what’s driving the cost and what we might do to mitigate.” 

Glen Mulready, Oklahoma’s insurance commissioner, told lawmakers Tuesday that rising homeowner’s insurance costs are not just an Oklahoma problem but a national one. 

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By Anna Pope, KOSU
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Nearly a week after Ryan Walters announced his resignation as state superintendent on FOX News, he submitted his resignation letter to Gov. Kevin Stitt today.

He leaves the office with more than a year left in his term to become CEO of the Teacher Freedom Alliance, a project of the conservative Freedom Foundation that describes itself as a non-union alternative for educators.

“We’re going to destroy the teachers’ unions,” Walters said while making his announcement.

For their part, education leaders have been celebrating his departure for the last week. Walters was unpopular with many in the educational community.

In his resignation letter, Walters said serving as an elected official is one of the highest honors any citizen can be entrusted with, and he is grateful to Oklahomans for the opportunity.

“From the beginning, my mission was clear: restore parental rights, strengthen accountability, and ensure every Oklahoma child has the opportunity to succeed,” Walters wrote.

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

• Hundreds of air traffic control trainees in OKC could be furloughed if government shuts down (The Oklahoman)

• 'Extremely irresponsible': Rep. Tom Cole talks impact a government shutdown would have on Oklahoma (KOCO)

• Oklahoma Democrats to hold emergency town hall over government shutdown (KOCO)

• Tribe claims lawmaker is blocking it from getting its land (Oklahoma Watch)

• Jurisdiction decisions: Alicia Stroble asks SCOTUS to take tax case as court considers Keith Stitt petition (NonDoc)

• ‘The social climate is very different;’ Fulton Street owner talks how state law and a local downturn led to closure (Public Radio Tulsa)

• 'Proud of our team': Saint Francis becomes Tulsa's second Level 1 trauma center (2 News Oklahoma)

• City negotiating with Dallas developer to build downtown convention hotel (Tulsa World)

• Committees for Oklahoma's 2026 legislative session announced (KOSU)

• Two Oklahoma County men sentenced in federal pipe bomb case (Oklahoma City Free Press)

• Tishomingo schools employee resigns after homecoming game incident (KTEN)

• ‘5 exhausting years’: HOA dispute over short-term rental could hit OK Supreme Court (NonDoc)

• Rural America still needs fast internet. Some worry new federal plans will fall short (KOSU)

• How one tribal nation in Oklahoma is combating uncertainty in federal support for food (KOSU)

• Tulsa County Commissioners unanimously pass Project Clydesdale (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus recognizes decision by Muscogee (Creek) Nation court ruling (KSWO)

• Police: Man told partner's mother, 'I’m going to end this' before fatal crash (News 9)

• Logan County offices to close for move into new Administration Building (Guthrie News Page)

• Why Chet Holmgren is most intriguing player for OKC Thunder in 2025-26 season (The Oklahoman)

Jerm and I took the mics again this week to talk all things Bedlam, that is all things Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. With there being no Sooners game this weekend, we focused mostly on the Cowboys and the 45-27 loss to Baylor.

But there were some good things for the Pokes, too.

We also talked about the latest on John Mateer’s thumb injury, the full day in college football, pro football and then a look at Major League Baseball’s playoffs.

We’d love it if you gave it a listen — and if you do, like and subscribe!

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

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.

✅ Save you time.
✅ Make you smarter.
✅ Protect Democracy.