Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 • Sunny and cool. Low 50s. ☀️

A WINTER STORM WATCH has been issued by the National Weather Service for Friday, Jan. 23, starting at noon.

In today’s Memo:

🧊 Utilities brace for extreme cold
• Oklahoma utilities say they’re ready for single-digit temperatures, snow, and ice expected to arrive Friday and last through the weekend, with power plants running at full capacity to meet demand.

⚖️ Poll shows overwhelming support to sue insurers
• A new statewide poll finds 88% of Oklahomans support legislation allowing consumers to sue insurance companies, reflecting deep frustration after rate hikes and bad-faith lawsuit revelations.

By Barbara Hoberock, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s public utilities and transportation agencies say they are prepared for dangerously cold temperatures, snow and ice moving into the state.

The brunt of the storm is expected to hit Friday and continue through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Some will see low temperatures in the single digits. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, the National Weather Service was predicting over 6 inches of snow in central parts of the state, and a glaze of ice south of Interstate 40.

OG&E has both coal and natural gas fuel in storage for the upcoming cold snap, the company said Tuesday.

“Exreme cold can result in higher demand for electricity,” the company said. “All available units at OG&E’s power plants will be in operation during the event and ready to support the grid. The Southwest Power Pool will dispatch power generation as needed to meet electricity demand.”

PSO has winterized critical assets, upgraded equipment and strengthened fuel supply for power plants since Winter Storm Uri, the company said.

The company said its generating operating reserve margins, which are set by the Southwest Power Pool, have increased since 2021 to ensure reliable service. The Southwest Power Pool manages the electric grid for states across the central United States.

Click here to read the full story.

By J.C. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch
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How much do Oklahomans dislike insurance companies?

Think toe fungus. Think root canal, head lice, colonoscopies and Brussels sprouts.

On Monday, as the proposed insurance law makes its way toward the legislative session scheduled to begin February 2, the Oklahoma State Medical Association released a poll conducted by Moore-based pollster Cole, Hargrave, Snodgrass and Associates, offering insight into Oklahomans’ attitudes toward insurance companies at the start of an election year.

Insurance companies came under fire in May with criticism of explanations behind skyrocketing homeowners’ rates. Those criticisms were echoed in August by Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who chastised Oklahoma Insurance Department Commissioner Glen Mulready for failing to take action. Scrutiny of the insurance industry hit a fever pitch in December as news broke of hundreds of bad-faith lawsuits against Oklahoma’s largest writer of homeowners insurance, State Farm.

Oklahomans have taken notice.

In the CHS poll, 88% of the poll’s respondents voiced support for legislation that would allow consumers to sue insurance companies. Eight percent opposed such legislation.

Click here to read the full story.

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

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

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

• TIMELINE: Snow totals changing in Oklahoma ahead of Arctic blast and winter storm (KOCO)

• Letter reveals ICE facility proposal for SW Oklahoma City warehouse (News 9)

• Lawmakers and Oklahoma City officials address possible actions against ICE facility plans (KFOR)

• Little can be done to stop ICE detention center in OKC, attorneys say (The Oklahoman)*

• Coweta planning commission denies data center proposal. Now it heads to a council vote. (Tulsa Flyer)

• PSO asks judge to let it expand power generation in Oologah after board rejection (Tulsa World)*

• Oklahoma City teen arrested for fatally stabbing brother during video game dispute (KFOR)

• George Cole, Caddo County stepfather charged with child abuse, dies after state ends life support (KOCO)

• Former Ponca City teacher faces charges in Noble County (Kay News Cow)

• Madill house fire leaves 2 dead, 4 hospitalized (KXII)

• EPS bond election seeks funding for east Edmond schools, buses (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma schools using AI education to prepare future workforce (News 9)

• Rogers County seeks FEMA reimbursement for road damage after 2024 tornado (News On 6)

• Choctaw Nation gets $2 million grant for health care innovation (KTEN)

• Indigenous leaders in Oklahoma raise concerns, advise tribal citizens on ICE encounters (Oklahoma Voice)

• Muscogee Rep. Robyn Whitecloud charged with 4 counts of preventing official acts (NonDoc)

• Oklahoma lawmakers hope to balance better education outcomes and potentially massive tax reforms (KOSU)

• Capping rent and tax-free diapers: These bills could impact Tulsa’s cost of living (Tulsa Flyer)

• Clinical trial including OU patients finds proton therapy improves head, neck cancer survival (KGOU)

• Crescent city manager resigns from Guthrie-Edmond Regional Airport board amid political tensions (Guthrie News Page)

• Oklahoma program connects hundreds of schools with local agriculture products (Oklahoma Voice)

• Tulsa’s growing Latino community finds voice — and representation — on city commission (La Semana)

• Tulsa company says geothermal push will be ‘game changer’ (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Fort Sill preps for 'modest growth opportunities" from new missions, technologies (The Lawton Constitution)

• Tulsa is home to 1K Iranian immigrants. Many can’t reach family due to government crackdown. (Tulsa Flyer)

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