Walters' hires political ops, not educators; Corporation Commission meeting gets heated — Norman Music Festival opens

What’s happening, Oklahoma? It is April 24, and here are a few quickies:

• America’s biggest CEOs warning President Trump that “empty shelves” likely to be the result of his tariff plan.

• “Come and knock on my door…” Mrs. Roper Romp event to benefit nonprofit that serves unhoused families.

• Norman Music Festival ‘25 gets under way tonight. Catch these must-see acts!

• A little good news? Stock futures rise after back-to-back gains. Click here for live updates.

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🌡️ Thursday's high in OKC 79°
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Walters’ New Hires Steeped in Politics, Not Education

By Jennifer Palmer, Oklahoma Watch
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Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, who some pollsters predict is eyeing a run for governor in 2026, now has a team on the state’s payroll who have built their resumes managing political campaigns. 

One recent hire is Matt Mohler, a political strategist from Florida. Another is Chad Gallagher, who founded a consulting company and is a longtime advisor to former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. 

They join another political operative at the agency, Matt Langston, who is Walters’ chief policy advisor. Langston ran Walters’ 2022 campaign for superintendent and joined the staff in January 2023. He runs a Texas-based firm, Engage Right. 

Mohler was a special projects manager at Florida Power & Light for the past four years, according to his LinkedIn profile, and a senior strategist at Front Line Strategies for 17 years until May 2024. Front Line Strategies is one of Florida’s most prominent political consulting firms. Front Line and its founder, Brett Doster, have worked with Jeb Bush, Pam Bondi and Mitt Romney, according to Florida Politics, a news site covering campaigns and politics in Florida.

Langston, too, worked for Front Line Strategies. He was a consultant there from 2012-2013, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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Oklahoma’s Energy Debate Heats Up: Corporation Commission Pushes Back on Controversial Natural Gas Bills

In one of the most fiery public meetings in recent memory, Oklahoma’s Corporation Commission took a unanimous stand against two controversial energy bills — HB 2747 and SB 998 — that proponents argue will promote natural gas, but that critics warn could cost consumers and sidestep regulatory oversight.

During the latest Mitchell Talks Energy podcast, Scott Mitchell and energy journalist Jerry Bohnen unpacked the explosive session, where all three Corporation Commissioners — Todd Hiett, Kim David, and Brian Bingman — voiced sharp opposition to the proposed legislation.

Click here for the full story on MitchellTalks.com.

Proposal to check Oklahoma students’ citizenship status draws bipartisan concerns in state House

By Nuria Martinez-Keel, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — Proposed rules that would require schools to collect Oklahoma students’ immigration status and mandate that teachers pass the U.S. Naturalization Test face bipartisan opposition in the state House.

Republicans and Democrats on the House Administrative Rules Committee expressed concerns with the proposals from the Oklahoma State Department of Education during a meeting Wednesday.

The immigration rule, which drew outcry from Gov. Kevin Stitt and many Oklahomans, could overstep the state agency’s authority, committee members of both political parties said.

The Oklahoma State Board of Education approved the rule on Jan. 28, sending it to the state Legislature for review. 

The proposed rule would require schools to ask families to provide proof of citizenship or legal residency during enrollment. Schools would have to report to the state the number of children they enroll whose families were unable to provide this documentation.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters said he proposed the idea to better account for the resources needed in schools to accommodate immigrant students, like English learner programs. He said the state Department of Education would turn over the information to federal authorities, if asked, and would support immigration raids in schools.

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Oklahoma lawmakers eye investing millions to upgrade schools on Altus, Enid air force bases

By Janelle Stecklein, Oklahoma Voice
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OKLAHOMA CITY — State senators on Wednesday advanced a measure out of committee that would allow public schools located on military bases to receive millions of dollars in special state aid to make needed renovations.

Critics of the plan though said providing carving out funding for schools only located at military installations does nothing to help other communities that need state assistance to upgrade their own aging school infrastructure.

Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, said House Bill 2516 creates the Base Infrastructure Needs and Development-Schools Revolving Fund, which would serve as the framework for lawmakers to spend funds to improve public schools on military installations. The funding would be aimed at decreasing the likelihood of military base closures or increasing the chances of expansion. 

While the measure does not yet provide any direct funding for the schools, he said lawmakers are looking at potentially investing about $21 million to make needed repairs to education infrastructure at military installations in Enid, Altus and McAlester. Under proposed budget talks, the school at Vance Air Force Base in Enid would receive about $5 million and Altus Air Force Base’s school would receive about $6.2 million. He said legislators are also considering providing funding for a 2-mile road project at McAlester Army Ammunition Plant.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

A concise summary of the latest news from across the state:

• Oklahoma governor disapproves of social studies standards switch (KFOR)

• Democrats call for rejection of social studies standards; Stitt expresses frustration (Tulsa World)

• OU not among signees on national statement condemning federal interference with higher education (OU Daily)

• Gov. Stitt names new member to University of Oklahoma’s governing board (Oklahoma Voice)

• OTA pumping millions of dollars into Interstate 44 and H.E. Bailey Turnpike (KOCO)

• Tulsa's 'Stonehenge' construction continues thanks to massive grant after years-long delay (News On 6)

• Photos: Protesters gather as Sen. James Lankford speaks downtown (Tulsa World)

• Lankford: 'Obviously, with 4 million people in Oklahoma, we don't all agree' (Tulsa World)

• Amicus briefs set the tone for oral arguments in St. Isidore’s v. Drummond Supreme Court case (Gaylord News)

• As accreditation probation ends, OSU seeks $295 million for new College of Veterinary Medicine (NonDoc)

• OKC Downtown Library temporarily closed due to body lice (KFOR)

• FOR SALE: Clanton's Cafe on Route 66 seeks new owner (2 News Oklahoma)

• Deported after killing infant, Mexican national in Catoosa is arrested for illegally reentering U.S. (News On 6)

• Shawnee schools names Jason James as superintendent after Aaron Espolt's exit (Oklahoman)

• OKC fights deluge of leaks: 550 water main breaks, leaks since February storm (Fox 25)

• Maplewood sidewalk saga continues (KTUL)

• 9-year-old boy killed in UTV crash in Ottawa County (News On 6)

• 36-year-old man killed, 2 injured in crash near Pryor after deer strike (News On 6)

• The National Weather Service confirms 10 tornadoes from Saturday night (KTEN)

• Damage Control: City of Ardmore recovering from weekend flooding (Ardmoreite)

• New tornado siren installed in Centrahoma (KTEN)

• Marietta man arrested in weekend motorcycle pursuit (KXII)

• Wilma’s Warriors provides employee volunteer opportunities (Cherokee Phoenix)

• Osage Nation health leader testifies on lifesaving impact of tribal self-governance (Osage News)

• Indigenous-owned clinical laboratory opens new location in Oklahoma (Mvskoke Media)

• Jackson County man killed in rollover crash near Altus (KSWO)

• Carol Herrick named interim CEO of United Way of Southwest Oklahoma (KSWO)

• City awards bid for 9th Street sewer project (Woodward News)

Community Notes & Events 🏡

YMCA Partners with Bee Healthy Cafe to Bring Healthy Eats to Local Y Locations

The YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City is teaming up with Bee Healthy Cafe to offer fresh, nutritious meals and snacks at select Y locations across the metro. The first in-YMCA cafe opens at Earlywine Park YMCA later this month, with a community launch event set for Saturday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to noon featuring free smoothie samples, giveaways, and family fun.

Both organizations say the partnership aligns with their shared mission to promote healthy lifestyles and make wellness more accessible. More locations are in development. Learn more at ymcaokc.org and beehealthycafe.com.

SPORTS 🏀⚾🥎🏈

NBA Playoffs Game 3: Oklahoma City @ Memphis
8:30 p.m. / TNT

• T-shirts at home have become point of contention for Thunder fans (Oklahoman)

• Oklahoma City leaders hoping for boom from Thunder playoffs (KOCO)

• Ex-NBA Player Says Teams Should Follow OKC Thunder's 'Blueprint' to Build Championship Contender (Athlon Sports)

More headlines:

• Oklahoma State football quarterback Garret Rangel enters transfer portal, per report (The O’Colly)

• OSSAA approves use of shot clocks in Oklahoma high school basketball games (KOCO)

• Ben Arbuckle re-creates Lincoln Riley's Easter brisket, showing OU fans his sense of humor (Tulsa World)

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