Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025 • Sunny and nice. Lower 60s.

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Today’s Memo:

By Anna Colletto, Tulsa Flyer
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Oklahoma is the only state in the country that allows taxpayers to earmark part of their state income taxes for public and private schools — but some say schools are missing out on tens of millions of dollars because few people know it’s an option.

LaunchOK is a Tulsa-based nonprofit that encourages students to pursue STEM and aerospace careers. It is one of three education improvement grant organizations that uses donations to fund new initiatives outside typical public school curriculum — then gives income tax credits to donors. 

“This is the only tax credit that actually goes straight into a seat in a classroom,” said Sarah Guardiola, CEO of LaunchOK. “It allows parents who are actively in the public school to redirect tax dollars and choose where it goes to expand access for their own kiddos.”

The Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act was passed in 2011. It created scholarship granting organizations to help families afford private school through scholarships and education improvement grant organizations to fund new innovative public school programs. 

Click to read the full story.

By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — The Attorney General’s Office settled a lawsuit with CVS Caremark over allegations the company was under-reimbursing Oklahoma pharmacies.

While CVS Caremark did not admit to wrongdoing, the company will pay over $5 million to Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s office and agreed to certain reforms to avoid further litigation, according to the settlement first publicized Monday. 

Reforms include reviewing pharmacy payment disputes against national cost benchmarks, responding to disputes within 10 days and working with the Attorney General’s Office to resolve additional complaints, according to a news release. 

Click here to read the full story.

By Ryan Welton & Jeremy Cook, Oklahoma Memo
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Oklahoma State fans packed the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center on Monday for Eric Morris’ official introduction. Bedlam Buds co-hosts Ryan Welton and Jeremy Cook came away impressed with the new Cowboys head coach’s mix of humility and edge.

Morris admitted he’s never won in Boone Pickens Stadium and made it clear he intends to change that. They also liked that he didn’t promise instant glory, instead leaning into family, fit and work ethic as he settles into his first Power Four job.

With just 10–12 signees in the current class and roughly 20 players out of eligibility — plus expected transfer attrition — the show framed this offseason as a massive transfer-portal test for OSU. Last year’s portal haul didn’t move the needle, they argued, and Morris and his newly arriving staff will have to live in the portal to rebuild quickly.

Quarterback will be the headline position, and North Texas star Drew Mestemaker will be one of the most coveted transfer QBs in the country and wondered if he might follow Morris to Stillwater, while also hoping incumbent options stay to create real competition. “Iron sharpens iron,” Jeremy said, warning against handing anyone the job.

Roughly 1,100 fans reportedly showed up for Morris’ debut, a turnout Ryan and Jeremy saw as evidence that Cowboy Nation is ready to buy in. After back-to-back winless conference seasons, they argued there’s nowhere to go but up, and that a few impact transfers could turn OSU around quickly.

Watch the full video on YouTube, and like/subscribe. It’s also available as a podcast wherever you get your podcasts. Please leave us a 5-star review, so more OU and OSU fans can find this content.

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

• 'He loved everybody': Hinton superintendent remembers coach Craig Pruitt killed in crash (KOCO)

• Oklahoma teen convicted of rape avoids jail time, sparks protests at court hearing (News 9)

• Coal County commissioners suspend sheriff, undersheriff after indictments (KXII)

• Insurance Commissioner announces new probe into homeowners claim practices (The Oklahoman)*

• ‘Phalanx of literacy coaches’: Experts, state leaders eye Oklahoma expansion (NonDoc)

• Counting the invisible: Why rural homelessness stays hidden (Oklahoma Watch)

• Tulsa challenges Arkansas-issued sewage permit, says it violates 2003 federal court settlement (Public Radio Tulsa)

• As frustrations deepen, OKC charter school allowed to remain open for now (Oklahoma Voice)

• New student loan rule could dissuade Oklahomans, others from seeking advanced nursing degrees (Oklahoma Voice)

• Oklahoma Democratic Party chairman resigns (Tulsa World)*

• Bixby 6th grader in custody after injuring another student with knife (2 News Oklahoma)

• Higher insurance premiums, reduced federal subsidies stoke fears among Oklahomans (Oklahoma Voice)

• Okmulgee site added to National Register of Historic Places (KGOU)

• Downtown Stillwater feels impact of small business crunch amid high costs, slow sales (KOSU)

• Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education terminates 16 OU degree programs, suspends 3 others (OU Daily)

• Tulsa Community College a step closer to offering first bachelor's degree (Public Radio Tulsa)

• Oklahoma’s first business incubator catering to immigrant entrepreneurs was set to open this year. What happened? (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma fire prevention law ignites new costs for Tulsa food truck owners (Tulsa Flyer)

• Jackpot: How ‘90s leadership kicked off 35 years of gaming growth for Cherokee Nation (Tulsa Flyer)

• Oklahoma Rock Show's top 25 songs of 2025 (KOSU)

• The Gatlin Brothers return to Guthrie for Christmas Concert on Dec. 12 (Guthrie News Page)

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