Ok Policycast

The OK PolicyCast brings you the most important news in Oklahoma, and what it means. This week we talk with David Blatt about the state of Oklahoma's democracy. It's election season, but a whole lot of Oklahomans aren't voting or participating in any way in choosing who will take office. What's holding us back? We also share the top headlines, numbers of the week, and more.

This week we discuss the growing crisis in Oklahoma's prisons and signs that state leaders might actually do something about it; yet another controversy around state Superintendent Barresi; how the Oklahoma governor's race is heating up on the airwaves; & more...

This week we discuss new Census data that shows what's happening with poverty in Oklahoma; controversy over special needs students and newly released A-F grades for schools; how Oklahoma's doing on the health of our people and the health of our democracy; & more...

In this week's OK PolicyCast, we talk about a new event series aimed at growing citizen involvement across Oklahoma. We also discuss controversy over militarized police in Oklahoma, and a private firm that has been training police officers to seize cash from drivers at highway stops, even though they have not been charged with a crime. We also talk about a push to increase the tipped minimum wage for Oklahoma service workers, a new study on wage theft, and how rising court fees are feeding Oklahoma's incarceration crisis, as well as what the City of Tulsa is doing to prepare for climate change and attract millenials.

Each week we bring you the most important news affecting Oklahoma, and what it means. This week, we discuss a couple of lawsuits before the Oklahoma Supreme Court that could dramatically change tax politics in the state. We also talk about controversies over tax incentives for private businesses, a new campaign by the mayors of OKC and Tulsa to reduce their cities' dependency on sales tax, a state lawmaker's comments that has Oklahoma Muslims upset, key numbers of the week, & more.

We're back from vacation, rested and ready to share the most important Oklahoma news and analysis. This week, we discuss a recent book by journalist Amanda Ripley, "The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got that Way." The book looks at what countries with the highest performing education systems are doing right, and Oklahoma plays a prominent role in the story. We also talk about the loss of Oklahoma's No Child Left Behind waiver, new details on the investigation of a botched execution, numbers of the week, and more...

Today's episode shares highlights from the education panel at the 2014 Summer Policy Institute. Guests include Jenks Principal Rob Miller, Sapulpa Superintendent Kevin Burr, Booker T. Washington high school teacer Dr. Anthony Marshall, and OU professor and education researcher Dr. Curt Adams.

Another 5,000 unaccompanied immigrant children may be placed at U.S. military bases; Joe Dorman releases education funding plan; OSU researchers awarded grant from NASA; & more...

Oklahoma City sees surge in low-wage jobs; Oklahoma treasurer points out state fiscal pitfalls; Senate interim study to look at raising speed limit on the Turner Turnpike; & more...

Full Supreme Court to hear Common Core challenge; Lawmakers move money out of uncompensated trauma care fund; Oklahoma spends least in nation on prisoner health care; & more...

Federal highway funds to Oklahoma to be reduced beginning August 1st; Common Core repeal leads to legal and regulatory limbo; proposed strip club prompts legislator to request special legislative session; & more...

Hearings for thousands of injured workers delayed; Volunteers sought to help advise undocumented Fort Sill youth on immigration system; Out-of-state students more than double at Oklahoma colleges; & more...

Schools destroyed in Moore tornado on track to reopen for new school year; Number of immigrant minors at Fort Sill tops 1,100; Last month was Oklahoma's second-wettest June on record; & more...

Medicaid providers see almost 8 percent rate cut; Oklahoma ranks No. 5 in rate of painkillers prescribed; Supporters confident medical marijuana legalization will be on ballot; & more...

Oklahoma doctors and hospitals face sweeping Medicaid cuts; Insure Oklahoma health care plan given one year extension; Supreme Court rules for Hobby Lobby in contraceptive insurance case; & more...

State budget cuts threaten juvenile intervention center; Flat-rate tuition coming to three more Oklahoma campuses; journalists give ‘Golden Padlock’ award to Gov. Fallin; & more...

Health Care Authority Board votes to raise Medicaid copays; Board of Education won't renew contract with testing vendor; agencies get additional across the board budget cut; & more...

Lawsuit asks Oklahoma Supreme Court to throw out repeal of Common Core; court referee hears arguments in legal challenge to Oklahoma income-tax cut; 21 death-row inmates challenge state execution protocols; & more...

Joy Hofmeister of Tulsa beats incumbent Janet Barresi for state superintendent; Lankford wins Republican primary in Senate race; Gov. Mary Fallin expects Insure Oklahoma to continue another year; & more...

State fails to autopsy most executed inmates; Oklahoma Health Authority weighs $252 million in Medicaid cuts; website aiming to encourage voters stirs mixed feelings among Oklahomans; & more...