In partnership with
Monday, July 20, 2026 • Sunny, hot. Highs in the upper 90s. ☀️
(Editor’s note: We’re just returning from our Gulf Coast vacation, which means we spent all day and evening driving home on Sunday. Monday’s Oklahoma Memo is relatively abbreviated, but it will be back with full force on Tuesday!)
Poll results:
We received 193 votes on the Saturday poll, “Do you believe we have secure elections in the United States?”
• 141 said Yes
• 52 said No
New poll question at the bottom of today’s newsletter. (You can also suggest a poll question by emailing me at [email protected].)
A loophole leaves Oklahoma data center water consumption largely untracked
Pencia Truhan, who lives near the Oklahoma City–Yukon city limits, stands beside the natural, spring-fed pond bordering her property on June 27, 2026. She says the pond has dried up before and worries the proposed data center could affect both the pond and the well water her family and animals rely on. (Photo by Juan Vassallo, Investigate Midwest)
By Juan Vassallo, Investigate Midwest
👉 Click here to support this newsroom
On the western edge of Oklahoma City, just south of Route 66 and the city limits of Yukon, Pencia Truhan built the retirement she had always dreamed of. Her five-acre property is home to rescue horses, chickens and, most recently, a pig, surrounded by a spring-fed pond, scattered homes and open farmland.
But part of that rural landscape may soon give way to a $15 billion data center campus by Beltline Energy, less than half a mile away from her property — a project she believes will upend her life.
Truhan’s concerns are shared by many other rural Oklahomans facing similar proposals, ranging from noise and declining property values to rising electricity bills and the loss of farmland. But their biggest frustration is the frequent lack of transparency by developers and local government officials, particularly regarding water use.
“They don’t have to tell us what they’re going to do about water, how much they’ll use,” Truhan said. “I’ve talked to the guys from Beltline a few times at these meetings, and I’ve gotten different answers. They don’t even know what they’re doing or what their plan is.”
Investigate Midwest is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Their mission is to serve the public interest by exposing dangerous and costly practices of influential agricultural corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism. Visit them online at www.investigatemidwest.org
Your Retirement Has a Vulnerability Most Advisors Never Mention.
Dollar-denominated accounts — 401(k)s, IRAs, savings — are fully exposed to inflation, currency debasement, and government policy. Most financial advisors won't tell you that, because most of them don't profit when you know. Here's what's actually available to you:
A Gold IRA uses the same tax protections you already have
Physical gold sits outside inflation and banking risk
Accounts can go live in as little as 24 hours
Zero setup fees, zero-fee buyback guaranteed
Free 2026 kit explains everything — no obligation
The Oklahoma Rundown 📰
Editor’s note: Links requiring subscriptions have an *.
Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:
Former Oklahoma City Police Department Chief M.T. Berry dies after cancer battle (KOCO)
Lu Dort going from Thunder to Hawks, Risacher going to Mavericks in 3-team trade, AP source says (AP / KOCO)
Lu Dort leaves Thunder after giving OKC seven seasons of defensive decadence (The Oklahoman)*
Paragon Industries CEO Derek Wachob expected to enter plea deal (News On 6)
Cost of repairs considered for Tulsa Route 66 monuments after theft, car crashes (News On 6)
Asian District mourns the loss of Cap Nguyen, invites community to public safety meeting (Fox 25)
What is permitting reform? Oklahoma Sen. Alan Armstrong says it’s key to lower energy costs (News 9)
Coweta water sampling suffers due to Public Works turnover (Broken Arrow Sentinel)
Oklahoma businesses tied to costly D.C. reflection pool renovation mess (The Oklahoman)*
Downtown OKC parking to get more complicated with county garage partially closing (The Oklahoman)*
Rose State College unveils $9.4 million Health Sciences Center expansion (News 9)
OSU-Tulsa STEM camps introduce students to engineering through hands-on projects (News On 6)
Drummond settles 23andMe data breach lawsuit (KFOR)
Putnam City School District’s new superintendent sets goals for first year (News 9)
Cherokee Nation leaders OK NSU partnership (Cherokee Phoenix)
Red Earth Festival returns to OKC soon with Native dancing and art (The Oklahoman)*
Tillman begins filling key Osage Nation leadership vacancies (Osage News)
New season of 'The White Lotus' will include Oklahoman in cast (Tulsa World)*
Ann Felton Gilliland: ‘You simply cannot let doubt shrink the dream’ (NonDoc)
Don Thompson bore witness to Tulsa history. Now his photography is in the spotlight at Hulett Collection. (Tulsa Flyer)
Oklahoma’s soil can wreak havoc on your home foundation. Save yourself the headache. (Tulsa Flyer)
Monday Poll
Have you watched the new Christopher Nolan film, "The Odyssey," yet?
How to support Oklahoma Memo
✅ Want to partner with Oklahoma Memo? Click here.
✅ Message me anytime at [email protected].
✅ Tip jar or monthly support: @Ryan-Oklahoma-Memo (Venmo)
✅ News tips and reader comments: [email protected]
✅ NEW! Follow Oklahoma Memo on LinkedIn