AGP Executive Report

Flooding: Heavy storms set an Oct. 14 rainfall record in Oklahoma City, with more than 3 inches at Will Rogers Airport by morning; flooding stranded vehicles and closed roads as a flood watch remained in effect. Data Center Dispute: Oklahoma’s attorney general is seeking to join a lawsuit challenging Sand Springs’ annexation of land for a proposed Google data center. State Policy: Lawmakers are weighing State Question 847, which would cap property-tax growth, while officials also examine cleanup problems at abandoned marijuana grows. Schools: Oklahoma City Public Schools improved in 12 of 16 test areas, while the state charter board again rejected a Jewish school application. College Football: Oklahoma stunned No. 1 Texas with a last-second field goal, and Oklahoma State stayed unbeaten in Big 12 play with a 42-28 win over UCF.

Weather: Severe storms were possible Tuesday, with flooding risks forecast to continue Wednesday. Schools: Oklahoma City Public Schools reported improvement in 12 of 16 tested areas, outpacing statewide gains. Charter Schools: Oklahoma’s charter board again rejected the Ben Gamla Jewish school application, despite a recent federal court ruling clearing a path for it to open. Tulsa: Leaders are proposing a hotel-tax increase from 5% to 9.9% to fund venues and attract major events; the city is also considering independent oversight of police and other public-safety employees. State Policy: Lawmakers are weighing tighter marijuana-testing rules amid concerns about mistrust, while kratom regulation or a possible ban is also on the agenda. Sports: The Thunder host the Pacers in a preseason Finals rematch as Tyrese Haliburton returns to Paycom Center after an Achilles injury. Oklahoma prepares to host No. 15 Kentucky, while No. 18 Oklahoma State readies for Houston.

Public Safety: Two children were hospitalized after falling through a rooftop skylight at an Oklahoma City elementary school; one was reported in critical condition. A Midwest City mobile-home fire killed a 62-year-old man, and investigators are working to determine its cause. Tribal Affairs: A small Oklahoma tribe’s partnership with prediction-market company Kalshi has sparked a sovereignty dispute, with more than 140 tribes opposing the deal. State Government: Oklahoma’s Supreme Court is launching a three-year pilot to record court proceedings, while the state has proposed a reinsurance program aimed at lowering health insurance premiums. Education: The state charter school board again rejected a Jewish school application, this time by one vote. Sooners & Cowboys: Oklahoma stunned No. 1 Texas, 27-24, on Tate Sandell’s last-second 47-yard field goal. Oklahoma State beat UCF 42-28 to remain unbeaten in Big 12 play.

Severe Weather: Storms could hit Oklahoma Tuesday, with flooding possible Wednesday; forecasters also warn of a sharp fall transition, including freezing temperatures in the Panhandle. Oklahoma City: Leaders have made Indigenous Peoples’ Day a permanent city designation. Elections: A brief voter-registration portal failure on the final registration day affected some applicants, but officials expect minimal impact; nearly 800 applications went through after service was restored. Sooners: Oklahoma stunned No. 1 Texas, 27-24, on Tate Sandell’s last-second field goal, and Brent Venables earned a national coach-of-the-week honor. Cowboys: Oklahoma State beat UCF 42-28 to stay unbeaten in Big 12 play; linebacker Ethan Wesloski and kicker Sam Keltner each earned conference weekly honors. Courts: The state Supreme Court is launching a three-year pilot of AI-assisted hearing recordings in counties short on court reporters; its draft transcripts won’t count as official records. Charter Schools: Oklahoma’s charter board again rejected Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School, a 4-3 vote that came despite a federal court ruling in its favor.

Red River Shock: Oklahoma stunned then-No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Tate Sandell’s last-second field goal. Texas fell to No. 7, while the Sooners remain unranked. Oklahoma State also stayed hot, beating UCF 42-28 and holding at No. 18. OKC Civic Life: City leaders made the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day permanent, recognizing Oklahoma’s tribal nations and expanding a celebration long championed by local advocates. Air Quality: Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned a proposed state rule could make it easier for a controversial aluminum smelter to operate, despite DEQ assurances the change would not apply to the project. Election Tech: Oklahoma City consulting firm Saxum says its AI tool nearly nailed a recent gubernatorial primary prediction; experts question how reliable its forecasts will be beyond that result. Edmond Arts: A planned 62-acre sculpture park near Route 66 will feature more than 60 artworks, an arts facility and a large playground.

Sooners’ Red River stunner: Oklahoma beat top-ranked Texas 27-24 on Tate Sandell’s last-second 47-yard field goal, shaking up the rankings: Georgia is now No. 1, Texas fell to No. 7, and the Sooners remain unranked. Cowboys keep climbing: No. 18 Oklahoma State beat UCF 42-28 in Stillwater and is No. 20 in the coaches poll, improving to 2-0 in Big 12 play. Tulsa concert canceled: Ella Langley says she called off her sold-out BOK Center show after a security threat, saying safety came first. Tulsa police said they found no credible threat and did not advise canceling. Oklahoma issues: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, its first filing since 2023. A voter-registration portal failure on deadline day also left Oklahomans unable to register for November’s election.

Red River Rivalry: Oklahoma stunned No. 1 Texas 27-24 on Tate Sandell’s 47-yard field goal as time expired. The Sooners turned two Arch Manning interceptions into a comeback, with special-teams and defensive touchdowns helping seal the upset. Cowboy Football: Oklahoma State beat UCF 42-28 in Stillwater, pulling away after a fumble-return touchdown shifted momentum. Utility Costs: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, its first rate filing since 2023. West OKC Housing: The Oklahoma City Housing Authority broke ground on West Haven Flats, a workforce housing project. Camera Privacy: An Oklahoma federal judge ruled that a deputy’s warrantless searches of Flock license-plate camera data violated the Fourth Amendment, amid wider debate over surveillance technology.

Red River Shock: Oklahoma stunned No. 1 Texas 27-24 as Tate Sandell drilled a 47-yard field goal on the final play. The Sooners’ defense and special teams supplied two touchdowns, and Arch Manning’s late interception set up the winner. Cowboys Roll: Oklahoma State beat UCF 42-28 in Stillwater for its fourth straight win. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score. Utility Costs: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, its first rate filing since 2023. Food Assistance: Oklahoma SNAP enrollment has fallen 20%, even as local food banks report growing pressure to meet need. Election Access: Oklahomans trying to register for the November election faced a voter-portal outage on the deadline day. Tulsa Concert: Ella Langley canceled her show over a reported security threat; police later said they found no credible threat.

College Football: Oklahoma meets No. 1 Texas in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas, while No. 18 Oklahoma State hosts UCF in Stillwater. Tulsa Concert: Ella Langley canceled her sold-out BOK Center show after a threat prompted a security sweep; Tulsa police said they found no credible threat. Food Assistance: Oklahoma SNAP enrollment fell 20.8% in a year, leaving about 144,000 fewer people receiving benefits as food banks respond to rising need. Election Access: Oklahomans trying to register for November’s election reported voter-portal failures on the deadline day. State Watch: The Oklahoma Supreme Court rejected a proposed property-tax elimination ballot measure, ruling it invalid.

Election Access: Oklahoma’s voter-registration portal failed on the Oct. 9 deadline, leaving some would-be voters unable to register online and scrambling to mail paper forms before post offices closed. Red River Rivalry: No. 1 Texas meets Oklahoma in Dallas today at 2:30 p.m.; OKC venues are hosting watch parties as the Sooners look to pull off an upset. Tulsa Concert Cancellation: Ella Langley’s BOK Center show was canceled after a threat, though Tulsa police said sweeps found no credible danger and that they did not advise canceling. Public Safety: Five people, including two teenagers, were arrested after an armed robbery at a Cleveland County marijuana grow left workers assaulted; investigators are seeking a sixth suspect. Privacy Debate: Oklahoma gubernatorial candidates Mike Mazzei and Cyndi Munson weighed in on Flock license-plate cameras, with concerns over surveillance and safeguards sharpening after a court ruling. Weather: Cooler mornings will give way to highs near 90 this weekend, with rain chances and possible severe weather expected to increase Tuesday through Friday.

Election Deadline: Oklahomans have until today, Oct. 9, to register for the Nov. 3 election. Voters will decide State Question 847, which would slow annual increases in taxable property assessments; separately, the state Supreme Court struck down a proposal to eliminate property taxes. Utility Costs: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, its first since 2023. Tulsa: Journey’s concert at the BOK Center paused Thursday after drummer Deen Castronovo suffered a medical emergency two songs in; the band resumed with his drum technician. Red River Rivalry: Oklahoma faces No. 1 Texas Saturday at the Cotton Bowl, with the Sooners looking to reverse a recent run of lopsided losses. Oklahoma Business: A Braman farm has opened the state’s first stone mill dedicated to gluten-free grains, turning locally grown sorghum into flour. Storm Recovery: Four Oklahoma counties received federal assistance for costs tied to July storms.

OU Football: Oklahoma dismissed freshman receiver Jahsiear Rogers days before the Red River Rivalry; the school gave no reason. Housing: The Oklahoma City Housing Authority broke ground on West Haven Flats, a workforce-housing project in west OKC. Child Care: Advocates urged lawmakers to expand subsidy funding and update policies during a state interim study. Tragedy: Southeastern Oklahoma State football player Dylan Sebock died in a rollover crash in Sherman, Texas; his teammate was arrested on an intoxication-manslaughter charge. OSU Basketball: The Cowgirls were picked as Big 12 women’s basketball preseason favorites for the first time, with transfers Audi Crooks and Liv McGill earning top honors. Tulsa Courts: Jald Jensen, a former Biz-Jet executive accused in a foreign bribery scheme, was arrested in Panama and is expected to face trial in Oklahoma.

Diesel Relief: Gov. Kevin Stitt has asked state agencies to seek a pause on penalties and taxes for farmers using dyed diesel on Oklahoma roads. The potential savings are about 20 cents a gallon, but the state is waiting on the IRS. Privacy and the Courts: An Oklahoma federal judge ruled that warrantless searches of monthlong Flock license-plate camera data violated the Fourth Amendment. Separately, lawmakers are studying courtroom cameras to help address court-reporter shortages, while stressing recordings would not be public broadcasts. Utility Bills: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, its first filing since 2023. Governor’s Race: Republican Mike Mazzei and Democrat Cyndi Munson are sharpening their appeals as the campaign turns toward November, with affordability a major theme. Rivalry Weekend: Oklahoma faces No. 1 Texas in the Red River showdown in Dallas; Sooners quarterback Michael Fasusi is listed as doubtful, and the offensive line is under pressure. Oklahoma State hosts UCF in its Big 12 home opener.

Red River Rivalry: Oklahoma left tackle Michael Fasusi is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game against No. 1 Texas after a shoulder injury sidelined him for three games. Privacy and Courts: A federal judge ruled that a deputy’s warrantless searches of Flock license-plate camera data violated the Fourth Amendment, a decision that could constrain how Oklahoma law enforcement uses the system. County Finances: State auditors found a $10 million discrepancy in Oklahoma County’s books, apparently caused by a spreadsheet error; officials say there’s no indication money is missing, and the review continues. Energy and Data Centers: OG&E is seeking a $395 million rate increase, its first filing since 2023, as lawmakers consider rules for data centers amid concerns about electricity bills and water use. Jobs and Investment: Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry generates $52.5 billion in annual economic activity and supports more than 250,000 jobs, according to new state figures; Tulsa’s sector contributes over $11 billion regionally. Housing Debate: Oklahoma’s gubernatorial candidates are offering competing approaches to rising housing costs, with Republican Mike Mazzei emphasizing economic growth and Democrat Cyndi Munson proposing a different path.

Election Watch: Fifty-five of Oklahoma’s 101 House seats will be contested Nov. 3, up from 32 in 2024; 43 incumbents face challengers. Health Care: Oklahoma City-based Integrity Care Group acquired 15 NextCare clinics in Oklahoma, Missouri and Nebraska, expanding its network to 100 locations across five states. About 200 employees joined, with facility and equipment upgrades planned. Property Taxes: The Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down a proposed property-tax ballot measure, dealing a setback to efforts to put it before voters. Privacy Rights: A federal judge ruled that a deputy’s extended searches of Flock license-plate camera data violated the Fourth Amendment. State Economy: A new study puts Oklahoma’s aerospace and defense industry at $52.5 billion in annual economic activity, while state senators are exploring solutions to rural water infrastructure problems.

ICE Training Cuts: Emails reviewed by The Washington Post say DHS sped up ICE training for deputized officers by trimming in-person instruction from four weeks to 40 hours of virtual learning, including removing parts on real-world field scenarios. State Leadership: Oklahoma Emergency Management Director Annie Mack Vest will leave Oct. 30 for the private sector; John Dean steps in as interim director. STEM in OKC: Science Museum Oklahoma’s Innovation Week drew 1,300 seventh graders for hands-on robotics, electricity and virtual reality activities. Aerospace Boom: A new Oklahoma study says aerospace and defense generates $52.5B in annual economic activity and supports 250,000+ jobs statewide. Housing Policy: Senate Democrats discussed land banks as a way to redevelop 200,000+ vacant homes and expand affordable housing. Food Safety: Flowers Foods recalled Nature’s Own Hawaiian Bread in multiple states, including Oklahoma, due to undeclared milk. Sports (Local Angle): Oklahoma’s Red River Rivalry vs. Texas headlines the weekend slate, with QB John Mateer facing scrutiny after recent turnover issues.