What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is Friday, August 29, and I’m ready for a three-day weekend.

Do you know who else needs a vacation? Rep. Ty Burns (R-Pawnee). He pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of domestic violence from incidents earlier this year. In one, he tried to gouge his wife’s eyes out. In the other, he tried to run a family friend and his own daughter off the road with his truck.

Somehow, Burns’ plea was only to misdemeanor charges and not felonies — but that distinction should not change what the Legislature needs to do.

They need to send him packing.

We simply must stop putting up with truly bad actors in leadership roles. This would be a stand on real principle, not just one dreamed up in the heat of political theatre and the culture wars.

Burns tried to gouge his wife’s eyes out.

He tried to run his daughter off the road.

This person should not be allowed to represent anybody in this state. Burns gets a second chance to be a husband, a father, a free citizen — but he should not get a second chance to make law in the state of Oklahoma.

According to the NonDoc report, Attorney General Gentner Drummond said of Burns:
“These are serious charges. While there is no excuse for domestic violence, I am encouraged that the representative has taken responsibility for his actions and will receive counseling under terms of his sentence. Domestic violence is tragically all too common in our state. It must stop.”

Let me stop you right there, Mr. Drummond. You didn’t need the word “while.”

Speaker of the House Rep. Kyle Hilbert issued a statement to The Oklahoman:
“There is no place in society for domestic violence of any kind," he said. "I appreciate Rep. Burns taking ownership for his actions and seeking treatment.”

According to The Oklahoman, Hilbert wouldn’t say whether the Legislature would take action against Burns beyond stripping him of his position as chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee.

The Oklahoma Legislature loses a ton of credibility if its next order of business isn’t to remove Ty Burns from office.

Speaker Hilbert, sir, if you don’t — you’ll have to explain that decision to your wife and daughters.

You can message me anytime at [email protected].

Weather Update 🌧️

We might get a break from the rain tomorrow, but chances are back at 45-60% this weekend.

🌡️ Friday's high in OKC 77°
🌡️ Friday’s high in Tulsa 80°

Oklahoma state auditor flags nearly $100 million in mismanaged pandemic relief dollars in new report

By Lionel Ramos, KOSU
Click here to read the story.
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Oklahoma State Auditor and Inspector Cyndi Byrd says state agencies mismanaged or questionably spent almost $100 million in pandemic relief funds during the 2023 fiscal year. The most in a single year so far, by a long shot.

Over the course of the state’s fiscal year 2020, the questionably spent federal funds totaled around $34.1 million. In FY 2021, the amount decreased to $29.2 million. Then up again in 2022, to $30.1 million.

In FY 2023, the federal money that has reportedly gone missing or been otherwise misspent by state agency and nonprofit officials on something other than its federally directed use has nearly tripled compared to the previous years, according to state auditor and inspector Cyndi Byrd.

“While we've seen a substantial increase in questioned costs ever since COVID, $93.4 million is an unprecedented number,” Byrd said during a Wednesday press conference at the State Capitol.

From 2020 to 2023, she said, Oklahoma state agency and nonprofit officials have mismanaged about $186 million of pandemic relief money. It was meant to bolster public services like rental and utility assistance for families, or quality childcare in areas with high need in the state.

Instead, some state agency officials are accused of using federal dollars to fund home remodeling projects and, in one case, to pay off a Cadillac.

The federal government can request the return of any mismanaged or questionably spent money, a prospect that could mean Oklahoma taxpayers shelling out millions of dollars needed by the state to pay federal authorities back.

In April, the U.S Department of Treasury requested a refund of $1.6 million Byrd found questionable back in 2021. That number could go up by tens of millions in the coming years, as the department clears a backlog of questioned dollars from across the country.

“The feds are several years behind in reviewing audits, which is why they've only just begun to request repayment for question costs from four years ago,” Byrd said. “One thing is clear: for now, questioned costs are continuing to accumulate year after year after year.”

Click here to finish the story.

Labor Day events around Oklahoma

The traditional end of summer is upon us, and it looks like temperatures are headed straight into autumnal awesomeness here in Oklahoma. Of course, we know we’ll be due some heat sometime in September.

We always get it.

But let us enjoy Labor Day 2025. The rain chances are with us throughout the weekend, although I don’t sense that it will be a washout.

Oh, and we have football, glorious football. High schools start this week, and my wife and I plan to be at Deer Creek vs. Bishop McGuinness.

The Oklahoma Sooners kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday against Illinois State. You can watch that game on ESPN+ and SECN+. Listen to it on 107.7 The Franchise here in Oklahoma City.

Tulsa’s Golden Hurricane kick off at 7 p.m. Saturday against Abilene Christian. You can watch that game on ESPN+ or listen to it on Big Country 99.5 FM.

Here are some more Labor Day fun ideas for you and the family!

• Looking for Labor Day fun? Oklahoma events range from music festivals to tribal celebrations (The Oklahoman)

• Labor Day weekend ideas (Visit OKC)

• Labor Day trip ideas (TravelOK)

• Events in Tulsa this weekend (Tulsa Kids)

• City of Oklahoma City announces closures, service changes for Labor Day (News 9)

• Oklahoma City’s Labor Day 2025 holiday schedule (Oklahoma City Free Press)

Would you like to be here? 💰

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Monthly contracts available, and I can be super flexible to make the partnership meet your business needs.

The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

• Oklahoma State football defeats UT Martin 27-7 in season opener (The O’Colly)

• Oklahoma State Board of Education calls its own meeting after Walters ‘refused to schedule’ (Oklahoma Voice)

• After canceled board meeting, Ryan Walters' opponents meet to brainstorm next steps (The Oklahoman)

• Capitol forum exposes frustration with education, State Superintendent Ryan Walters (Tulsa World)

• Muscogee Nation will pause new citizenship cards following Freedmen descendant ruling (KOSU)

• Oklahoma agencies seek input for Rural Health Transformation Program state plan (KGOU)

• Oklahoma Corporation Commission takes first step toward nuclear energy study (KGOU)

• Oklahoma students navigate a declining vaccination landscape this back-to-school season (KGOU)

• Jury finds Rose State College shooting suspect guilty of murder, recommends life sentence (News 9)

• Thieves caught on camera stealing $15K in guns from Blanchard outdoor store, federal agents investigating (KFOR)

• Oklahoma broadband expansion proposal leaves money on the table, critics say (Oklahoma Voice)

• Despite inspection progress, Comanche County still seeks ‘long-term solution’ for jail capacity (NonDoc)

• Okmulgee's head football coach arrested, charged after traffic stop (Tulsa World)

• From Oregon to Oklahoma: Missing cat found alive after 25 days in moving container (News On 6)

• Cotton County man accused of attacking deputies during traffic stop (KSWO)

• Ponca City man sentenced in 1969 murder case in Nebraska (Kay News Cow)

• UPCOMING ELECTION: Town of Luther Franchise Renewal Agreement with OG&E (The Luther Register)

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