Wednesday, February 25, 2026 • Windy and low-70s. ☁️

As of Tuesday night, there was no elevated or critical fire risk in Oklahoma today.

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — A $254 million plan from Senate Republican leadership would raise teacher pay, support literacy initiatives, and increase funding for public and private school students by capping extra funds put into the state’s teacher pension system.

Improving the state’s poor elementary reading scores has been a top issue for lawmakers this year, and the Senate announcement on Tuesday — coincidentally falling on the Capitol’s Public Schools Day — revealed the first funding plan to do so.

The chamber’s GOP leaders said their plan would significantly increase public education funding in a revenue-neutral way, which could be essential in a tight budget year. Their proposed method already has drawn opposition from legislative Democrats who opposed limiting pension contributions.

The Senate’s budget leader, Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, said he’s shared the plan with his House counterpart, Rep. Trey Caldwell, R-Faxon, and would present it to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s staff on Tuesday.

Capping apportionment funds for the state’s teacher pension system at $200 million could free up $254 million needed for the education plan, Hall said. 

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By Ashlynd Baecht, The Frontier
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Less than a week after a wealthy Norman woman’s release from prison after only 73 days, Oklahoma lawmakers have introduced legislation to change the rules for the Department of Corrections’ GPS monitoring program.  

The program allows prison officials to release people convicted of nonviolent crimes back into the community, who are then monitored via GPS tracking devices and probation and parole officers. 

GPS monitoring has come under new scrutiny after Sara Polston was released earlier this month. McClain County District Court Judge Leah Edwards sentenced Polston in December 2025 to 15 years, with all but eight years suspended for a DUI crash that nearly killed 20-year-old Micaela Borrego. Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, wants to keep anyone who has been sentenced to prison after they caused severe injuries to others while driving under the influence from getting released early through the program. Hamilton has amended Senate Bill 137 to exclude anyone convicted of DUI-causing great bodily injury from GPS monitoring.

Lawmakers heard the bill in the Senate public safety committee Tuesday and it passed unanimously. 

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Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.

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

• Fire weather danger has Oklahoma emergency management officials on high alert (StateImpact Oklahoma)

• Oklahoma cattle ranchers search for feed after wildfires (The Oklahoman / Reuters)*

• 3 injured in oilfield accident in Canadian County (KFOR)

• Durant truck-driving course changing lives (KTEN)

• Bills seek to clawback powers given Oklahoma governor (Oklahoma Voice)

• Some refugees in Tulsa could be arrested, detained under new federal policy (Tulsa World)*

• Oklahoma bill would increase penalties for impersonating a police officer (News 9)

• Rape charges dismissed against former Tulsa massage therapist (News On 6)

• This federal program has helped 26K Tulsans get college degrees, including Tulsa’s second in command (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma schools race to hire teachers amid statewide shortage (KOCO)

• Tulsa Public Schools board votes to recoup legal fees from board member E’Lena Ashley (Tulsa Flyer)

• After father’s death, family pushes for Oklahoma to require liability insurance for nursing homes (KOCO)

• Cherokee Nation opens elder nutrition site in Dewey (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Oklahoma bill would extend foster care to age 21 (KFOR)

• Despite ‘clear’ constitutional issue, Edmond ‘freeholder’ requirement lingers in charter (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma couple living with ALS grateful for renewed awareness (KSWO)

• New restaurants opened in Oklahoma City this month, including 2 breakfast spots (The Oklahoman)*

Oklahoma State wrestling didn’t just beat Iowa — they put on a show. Sold-out Gallagher-Iba. ESPN broadcast. Dan Cormier leading the team out. And three pin-cannon explosions as the Cowboys racked up bonus points in a statement win. If you’ve ever wondered why “how you win” matters, this one explains everything ahead of Big 12s in Tulsa and Nationals later this month.

We also break down OSU football media day, where QB Drew Mestemaker and RB Caleb Hawkins set a tone that feels different — thoughtful, grounded, and focused on improvement, not hype. With Oregon looming in Week 2, the expectations conversation is getting real. Watch the full Bedlam Buds episode above, and subscribe to Oklahoma Memo on YouTube.

A daily briefing connecting Oklahomans to the state’s best journalism — and original content from Oklahoma Memo.

What’s the most important story in Oklahoma right now? Hit reply — I read and respond to every one.