Poll results:

We received 257 votes on the Friday poll, “Should the U.S. allow more tariff-free beef imports to try to lower grocery prices, even if it could reduce what Oklahoma cattle producers earn?”

24 said YES
200 said NO
33 said they were not sure.

New poll question at the bottom of today’s newsletter. (You can also suggest a poll question by emailing me at [email protected].)

TSET Investment Policy on Oklahoma Values Draws Legal Questions

Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ, seen through a window, discusses options with attorneys during an executive session of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Board of Investors at the Capitol in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (Paul Monies/Oklahoma Watch)

By Paul Monies, Oklahoma Watch
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State Treasurer Todd Russ’ push for so-called Oklahoma values to be a big factor in awarding investment manager contracts could land the board that oversees the state’s $2 billion tobacco settlement trust in hot water, one board member said.

The dispute is the latest chapter in the long-running fight over environmental, social and governance factors and state investments from endowment funds and retirement systems.

John Waldo, who sits on the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust’s Board of Investors, retained former attorney general Mike Hunter to seek clarity on the policy approved at a February board meeting. Waldo voted no at the time.

In the 3-1 vote, TSET’s investor board approved a policy called the Oklahoma Values Alignment Assessment. Innovest, the board’s new investment consultant, helped develop the policy.

Russ has been a leader among Republican state treasurers in the battle over corporate values and ESG issues. He said corporate boards have strayed from their mission to return value to shareholders. But Waldo said the TSET board wasn’t given any clear definitions of what Oklahoma values were or how they might guide investment decisions and the hiring of investment managers for the trust.

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The Oklahoma Rundown 📰

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

Here’s what’s happening in Oklahoma today:

Trump administration throws more support behind Inola smelter in new court filings (KOSU)
Q&A: Democratic gubernatorial nominee Cyndi Munson says Oklahomans are “ready for change” (News 9)
Oklahoma House set to hear evidence in staff allegation of lawmaker’s ‘improper behavior’ (Oklahoma Voice)
‘Go home’: Norman senator backs Stitt’s homelessness sweeps and considers making cities pay (The Frontier)
Sand Springs business where explosion occurred had been told to cease operations (Tulsa World)*
Claremore data center is still a go, though the company behind it is yet to be revealed (Tulsa World)*
2 dead and one injured following shooting at Tulsa tow company (KJRH)
OU Health patients part of global trial for newly approved pancreatic cancer drug (News On 6)
City of Newkirk owed thousands on inmate medical transport bills (Kay News Cow)
Oklahoma’s college educated workforce largely graduated from Oklahoma higher education, study shows (StateImpact Oklahoma)
Oklahoma officials outline progress on Rural Health Transformation Program initiatives (StateImpact Oklahoma)
Researchers from TU, Gilcrease collecting oral history from 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre (News On 6)
OSSAA votes to change controversial ‘Linked Rule,’ but leaves parts intact (StateImpact Oklahoma)
Lake Ontario name change erases Indigenous history, Wyandotte Nation leader says (KOSU)
🎧 This Week In Oklahoma Politics: Mazzei wins GOP nomination for Oklahoma governor, Stitt creates beef council and more (KOSU)
Alleged serial defecator arrested: Man accused of smearing his feces on Tulsa businesses in custody (KJRH)
Former Carney principal charged with lewd acts involving student (KOCO)
Former Ninnekah Superintendent pleads no contest in court (KFOR)
Old Ardmore High School could become new housing (KTEN)
Crews begin demolition at Heritage Park Mall site (The Oklahoman)*
Tulsa Parks see shifts in director leadership, Anna America staying on with city (Tulsa Flyer)
Midwest City native cast on upcoming 'Survivor' season (The Oklahoman)*
5 ways to spend your weekend in Tulsa Aug. 28-30 (Tulsa Flyer)