What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Thursday, June 26, and I might be ready for fall temperatures already. Yeesh.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will join Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt for a press conference Thursday at 11 a.m. to discuss a new campaign aimed at improving the state’s health outcomes.

In a post shared by the advocacy group Oklahomans for Health and Parental Rights, Stitt said the campaign will emphasize “common-sense health policies, medical freedom, and a return to personal responsibility.”

While no official policy proposals have been released, the campaign is expected to focus on initiatives such as restricting SNAP (food stamp) benefits to healthier food options, removing fluoride from public water systems, and possibly revisiting vaccination policies.

These proposals come at a time when Oklahoma ranks 46th in public health and 48th in health care, according to U.S. News & World Report. But improving health outcomes may require more than individual responsibility—it may require economic reform.

A Structural Challenge

One challenge with promoting healthier diets among low-income residents is affordability. Fresh produce, lean meats, and organic goods often cost more than processed alternatives. For many families using SNAP, those higher costs are prohibitive.

Improving access to healthy food might start with addressing wages. Oklahoma’s minimum wage remains at the federal level of $7.25 an hour, unchanged since 2009. Meanwhile, grocery prices have steadily increased, outpacing wage growth for many working-class families.

If the aim is to truly improve health outcomes, the conversation might need to expand beyond food choices to include income and purchasing power. Raising the minimum wage—or otherwise boosting income for the lowest earners—could be a more direct and sustainable way to make nutritious food accessible to more Oklahomans.

In short: healthy choices depend on healthy options, and healthy options depend on affordability.

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Hot and steamy, and a very slight chance of storms in the afternoon.

🌡️ Thursday's high in OKC 88°
🌡️ Thursday’s high in Tulsa 89°

By Keaton Ross and Haley Parsley, Oklahoma Watch
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Jimmy and Jabrion Hardin were cruising down Interstate 44 just south of Vinita when flashing blue and red lights appeared behind them. 

The brothers, en route from Texas to their native Illinois, didn’t think they would be a target of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol vehicle camped out on the shoulder. They weren’t speeding. Their brand-new pickup truck couldn’t possibly have a broken taillight or brake light.

Trooper Seth Hudson cited an improper lane change from the highway to the toll booth as the reason for the stop, but he didn’t write a citation or issue a warning. He wanted to search the vehicle because he smelled marijuana.

“It felt hostile,” Jimmy Hardin said of the Sept. 20 encounter. “Forget why I stopped you, I’m getting in your truck.”

Hudson found a pipe with marijuana residue, a trace amount punishable by no jail time and a maximum fine of $400. The more notable discovery was a bag containing $62,650 in cash and three firearms. 

Jabrion Hardin said he tried to address the officer’s suspicions by providing documentation that the money came from a $90,233 settlement with Juul Labs. The officer was unconvinced, prompting an ongoing battle to retrieve the money, guns and three cell phones confiscated under Oklahoma’s seizure and forfeiture statute.

The Department of Public Safety agreed to return the cell phones in March after the brothers retained Tulsa attorney Aaron Grubb. Negotiations to have the cash and guns returned were unsuccessful. A civil application for the return of the property, with a copy of the settlement check included, is pending.

The Department of Public Safety has yet to file an official notice of forfeiture, which is required within one year of obtaining property. The Craig County District Attorney’s office has not filed criminal charges, either. 

Jimmy Hardin called the decision to return the cell phones, but not the money or guns, confusing. He said officers informed them their investigation would hinge on information gathered from the devices. 

“You can’t get evidence off of money,” he said. “At this point, it’s just a waiting game that I feel is unfair to anybody, no matter what color you are, what you do or what your background is. It’s just unjust.” 

Craig County District Attorney Matt Ballard refused an interview request, citing an internal policy against commenting on pending cases. In a prepared statement, he wrote that civil asset forfeiture is necessary to stop the flow of drug money and weapons and that the use of the money is restricted. 

Department of Public Safety spokesperson Sarah Stewart did not respond to several voicemails and emails requesting comment. 

Click to finish the story.

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

• Woman shot, killed near theater in Bricktown (KFOR)

• 6 hurt in northwest Oklahoma City apartment fire (News 9)

• Duncan Police seeks public assistance in investigating potential homicide (KSWO)

• Stratford woman dies in Garvin County crash (KXII)

• University of Oklahoma AD weighs in on college athletic changes, challenges (Oklahoma Voice)

• Over a dozen Oklahoma colleges and universities request tuition hikes (Oklahoma Voice)

• Muscogee Nation, City of Tulsa sign law enforcement jurisdiction agreement (2 News Oklahoma)

• Oklahoma Supreme Court hears challenge to open primary initiative petition (Oklahoma Voice)

• OKC Thunder selects Georgetown center Thomas Sorber 15th overall in 2025 NBA Draft (The Oklahoman)

• OU’s Jeremiah Fears selected 7th in NBA Draft, goes to New Orleans Pelicans (Sooner Sports)

• Cops led fatal chase over car's paper tag. Body cam raises questions about why. (Tulsa World)

• City of Norman resolves to join age-friendly community initiative (KGOU)

• Debunking the ‘yuck factor’: Research shows Oklahomans support affordable wastewater reuse (KGOU)

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