I’m trying something new with Oklahoma Memo — a Saturday edition.

This won’t be the same newsletter as I send out throughout the week. There will be some Friday headlines in the Saturday edition, yes. But this will be much more of a conversation and catch-up from the week gone by.

And it’s a fantastic way to showcase the work of my good friend Grant Hermes. He and I worked together at News 9 several years ago, and Grant has since worked in the Boston and Detroit markets. These days, he’s a national podcaster, a news creator if you will, the same as I.

Every Friday, we talk about national politics and their impact on Oklahoma. This week, it’s all about the federal government reopening and its unintended (or perhaps intended) impact, to get all the Epstein files out into the open.

They’re inextricably tied together, but Grant can make sense of it all. Heck, that’s the name of his podcast, “Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes.” It’s also the name of his Substack.

Enjoy the conversation.

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

By Ryan Welton, Oklahoma Memo
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Oklahoma Virtual Charter Academy (OVCA) has quietly become one of the state’s most adaptable public-school options — a tuition-free, fully accredited K-12 program that serves more than 4,300 students statewide.

Founded in 2011 by a small group of parents looking for new learning options, OVCA operates under authorization from the Oklahoma Statewide Virtual Charter School Board. Head of Schools Audra Plummer told Oklahoma Memo that every teacher is Oklahoma-certified, every course meets state standards, and students still participate in traditional activities such as 4-H, FFA, and in-person social events — including the annual “Winter Blast” at ice rinks in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

The school draws families from all 77 counties, including military households that move frequently, elite athletes who travel for tournaments, and students seeking smaller, more flexible learning environments. OVCA is even NCAA-approved, giving college-bound athletes the academic credentials they need.

Each student is paired with a community family advisor — a staff member who lives in the region and stays with the family year after year. Those advisors coordinate local meetups, check in after severe weather, and connect families with resources.

Beyond academics, the school’s counselors and social-work team support students through small-group sessions, mental-health check-ins, and customized career-planning. Graduates have gone on to careers in nursing, oil and gas, and technology, while others continue in career-tech programs across the state.

Enrollment at OVCA is open statewide at ovca.k12.com. The school is free for all Oklahoma residents.

By Ryan Welton & Jeremy Cook, Oklahoma Memo
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It’s College Football Pick ’Em time with Bedlam Buds — Ryan (Boomer Sooner) and Jeremy (Go Pokes). We break down Oklahoma–Alabama, Oklahoma State–Kansas State, a packed Top 25 slate, plus the 112th Grey Cup for dessert.

We talk playoff scenarios, style points, revenge games, and where the best upset potential might be hiding.

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

Instead of the top reads of the day like we do on Monday through Friday, this is a collection of the top reads of the week:

• Oklahoma won’t adopt social studies textbooks with academic standards on hold (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma panels that hiked pay to meet again after ineligible member voted (Oklahoma Voice)

• State official salary hike votes may have been invalid (NonDoc)

• Isolation, illness and guns: Why more older Oklahomans are dying by suicide (Oklahoma Watch)

• Judge declines to issue monetary sanctions against Oklahoma agency (Oklahoma Voice)

• Federal judge affirms Tulsa prosecutor's right to charge non-Muscogee citizens on reservation (KOSU)

• Disposal well linked to Caddo County saltwater leak said to have killed cattle, wildlife (KGOU)

• Operation SAFE has moved from Tulsa to Oklahoma City. Here's how they compare, differ (KOSU)

• Veterans find camaraderie and community at Tulsa’s Coffee Bunker (Tulsa Flyer)

• Weatherford chemical spill sends several to hospital, 2 in critical condition (News 9)

• How Tulsa finds itself in the middle of a statewide data center race (The Oklahoma Eagle)

• ‘Be serious about reality’: Tulsa mayor talks tough topics in State of the City speech (NonDoc)

• OU Stephenson cancer hospital breaks ground in Tulsa, aims for 2028 opening (Tulsa World)*

• New Tulsa health coalition brings experts and patients together for better outcomes (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma mental health agency buys vacant OKC hospital for Griffin Memorial relocation (The Oklahoman)*

• Oklahoma State University reveals $2 billion fundraising campaign (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma Health Care Authority pauses requiring providers to disclose abortion-related activities (KGOU)

• Oklahoma’s senators discuss health care subsidies and the filibuster’s future (Public Radio Tulsa)

It’s a May in November kind of Friday!

🌡️ Saturday’s high in OKC 81°
🌡️ Saturday’s high in Tulsa 80°

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✅ Save you time.
✅ Make you smarter.
✅ Strengthen your community.

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