Wednesday, February 4, 2026 • Cloudy and cooler. Upper 40s, maybe 50. ☁️

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By Hannah France, KGOU
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On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled a petition to put the construction of a proposed $1 billion entertainment district up to a vote of the public was insufficient.

The ruling clears the way for the project to continue.

The petition, organized by Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development, got over 10,600 signatures in 2024.

The entertainment district plans include a new arena to host OU’s men’s and women’s basketball and gymnastics events. Tax increment financing will be used to pay for $600 million of the total cost, and the rest of the funding will come from private donors.

In a statement released following the ruling, OU said it has been working with the County Trust during the legal delay to prepare the development for construction.

By J.C. Hallman, Oklahoma Watch
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A curious bill from Oklahoma’s last legislative session has some politicians wondering how much Oklahoma insurance law is being written by insurance companies.

On May 8, the 54^th day of the first regular session of the 60^th Legislature, Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, presented Senate Bill 726 to the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The bill proposed a modification to Section 3629 of Title 36, which exempts uninsured motorist claims from a 15% interest penalty when consumers successfully sue an insurance company. SB 726 sought to add property insurance to the exemption.

In other words, insurance companies would avoid extra losses as they continued fighting homeowners’ insurance lawsuits even after they had been found to have acted in bad faith.

The one-hour House Floor session stretched to more than two hours before Tedford rose to present SB 726.

Rep. Emily Gise, R-Oklahoma City, took the floor to pose a question to Tedford.

“Can you please help explain to me why we are removing the 15% penalty that would enforce timeliness, as it’s our only existing mechanism for timeliness at this time?” Gise asked. “How does that help our constituents, especially mine in tornado alley or Speaker Hilbert’s with the fire damage, or my deskmate in Atoka who had the tornado damage?”

Tedford responded that property claims should be excluded because the disputes he had seen were about settlement amounts, not a failure to offer a settlement.

“I don’t think we’re seeing a lot of claims out there where, within sixty days, the carrier has not responded at all,” Tedford said.

That may not be true. A lawsuit pending against the Oklahoma Insurance Department is based on a claim that State Farm routinely ignores deadlines.

“May I ask who requested this?” Gise said.

“This is a State Farm request bill,” Tedford said.

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

• Gov. Stitt calls for limits on tribal sovereignty, tribal leaders respond (KOSU)

• Drummond leads GOP gubernatorial money race; Keating enters race with a splash (Tulsa World)*

• Illegal Oklahoma pot operation tied to China has been 'crushed,' AG says (The Oklahoman)

• Victim challenges Jesse Butler's plea deal in sexual assault case, citing violation of Oklahoma law (KOCO)

• Oklahoma seeks interstate designation for two more turnpikes (Oklahoma Voice)

• Lawmakers eye long-term solutions to Oklahoma child care crisis (Oklahoma Voice)

• 'It would be significantly more challenging for us': Bill filed to remove OSSAA (2 News Oklahoma)

• Sen. James Lankford releases 2025 “Federal Fumbles” report (News 9)

• Fort Sill garrison commander relieved of duties (KSWO)

• Author visit prompts apology to Jenks East parents (Tulsa World)*

• Perry police officer and woman charged after allegations of child abuse (KOCO)

• Fifth graders at Tulsa’s Clinton West Elementary report ‘terrible’ lunches to school board (Tulsa Flyer)

• Tulsa’s Route 66 was supposed to have new bus line before centennial. What happened? (Tulsa Flyer)

• OKC mayoral candidate Matthew Pallares discusses private equity, local ownership (KOSU)

• Oklahoma’s Black rodeo culture takes center stage with February exhibit, live event (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Black Wall Street Heritage & History Festival returns for 13th year with celebration of Tulsa authors (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• Beloved Tulsa gardener dies, GoFundMe launched for family (2 News Oklahoma)

• Jimmy Webb Stillwater show with Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett to air on PBS (The Oklahoman)*

• Oklahoma Hip-Hop artist Jabee blends music, history and activism (News On 6)

• Oklahoma referee ejects entire section of fans during boys basketball game (KFOR)

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