AGP Executive Report

Medicare AI Oversight: Newly released records show Oklahoma was among six states hit by delays and technical problems in CMS’s WISeR Medicare prior-authorization pilot, including requests taking far longer than the promised 72-hour turnaround. Health Care Costs: President Trump announced $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, tied to federal exchange “user fees.” Housing Policy: Oklahoma advocates say Congress’s big new housing affordability law could help, but the state still faces gaps on supply, zoning, and eviction pressures. Immigration & College Access: DOJ sued Oklahoma and other states over in-state tuition for undocumented students, arguing the policies violate federal law and disadvantage other students. Broadband for Tribes: BEAD is getting a supplemental funding round that may include additional unserved locations, pushing tribes to quickly coordinate with state offices. Public Safety & Government: Oklahoma prisons reportedly ran telemarketing/polling call centers, raising new questions about how state contracts are used. Defense: Northrop Grumman won a $18.73M DLA modification for B-2 trailing-edge production work managed from Tinker AFB in Oklahoma. Local Tragedy: An Owasso man died after being struck by a vehicle on I-44 in Comanche County.

Health Care & Cost Relief: President Trump announced $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds for nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, tied to alleged Biden-era federal exchange “user fee” overcharges. Tribal Broadband: The federal BEAD program is opening a supplemental funding round that could affect which unserved locations—possibly including tribal lands—get reviewed for another round, with tribes urged to move quickly through state channels. Public Safety: An Oklahoma mom is pushing for a federal nitrous oxide (“whippets”) ban after her son was killed in a Cleveland County crash; Oklahoma’s Maddix Bias Act is cited as a deterrent effort. Courts & Oklahoma Politics: A federal case over Oklahoma’s anti-ESG proxy advisory law continues to draw attention as groups seek to block or narrow it. Local Crime: OSBI says a 23-year-old was arrested after a Seminole home break-in and assault led to a man’s death. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma regular gas averaging about $3.66 per gallon in the week ending Sept. 5, with county-by-county lows and highs continuing to vary. Remembrance: Oklahoma marked Vietnam War service members’ anniversaries this week ending Sept. 19.

Health Care & Courts: The White House says it will send $500 Obamacare refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, tied to alleged federal exchange “user fee” overcharges. Elections & Voting Access: Rogers County election officials plan to keep the office open until midnight for National Voter Registration Day on Sept. 15, aiming to help residents register, update info, and get ready for upcoming elections. Public Safety: Oklahoma Highway Patrol is asking for dash-cam footage after a pedestrian was killed on I-44 near the Arkansas River bridge in Tulsa, with investigators targeting the Sept. 10, 7–8:30 p.m. window. Criminal Justice: Oklahoma County prosecutors filed murder charges against a pair of parents after their toddler died in a suspected pit bull mauling, with allegations that the dog was left in the child’s bedroom. Corporate Governance: Oklahoma Watch reports ISS has sued to block the state’s Anti-ESG proxy advisory law, arguing it unlawfully targets how proxy firms give voting recommendations.

U.S. Supreme Court Fight Over Voting: More than 250 current and former members of Congress filed a brief arguing President Trump’s USPS mail-in voting rule oversteps Congress and intrudes on states’ election authority. Immigration Enforcement in Oklahoma: Oklahoma law enforcement partnerships with ICE have produced record immigration arrests—over 1,800 from January through July—with most arrestees having no criminal convictions. Education Policy in Oklahoma: A federal appeals court upheld and narrowed Oklahoma’s HB 1775, ruling it bars schools from teaching certain race and sex-related “concepts” as facts. Health Care Costs: The White House says it will issue $500 Obamacare overcharge refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma. Energy Pressure on Families: Gas prices are rising again, adding strain to household budgets already hit by inflation. Public Safety Remembrance: Oklahoma leaders and first responders marked the 25th anniversary of 9/11 in Tulsa, emphasizing unity and collaboration.

Obamacare Refunds: The White House says it will send $500 refunds to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, arguing Biden-era Obamacare “user fees” overcharged consumers on the federal exchange. Federal Immigration Lawsuit: DOJ filed final lawsuits targeting state in-state tuition and aid for immigrants living in the U.S. without permission, including Hawaiʻi, Arkansas, Utah, and D.C., saying the policies conflict with federal law. Oklahoma Criminal Case: Tulsa police accuse 50-year-old Marshall Dixon of kidnapping a 1-year-old from a mother’s Walmart shopping cart; he allegedly admitted it and was arrested. CLARITY Act Watch: Sen. James Lankford is pressing on how the Senate’s Sept. 15 CLARITY vote could affect deposits at smaller banks, arguing the data doesn’t show community-bank “deposit flight.” Local Public Safety: Edmond police say an 11-year-old girl was arrested after a shooting that killed her 15-year-old brother, then she called her mother claiming someone else did it. Oklahoma Economy/Industry: Inola ranchers and residents oppose a proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter, warning it could upend local hay and cattle livelihoods.

Federal health policy: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states—including Oklahoma—will get $500 Obamacare refunds tied to alleged Biden-era premium “user fee” overcharges. Education & courts: A federal appeals court upheld and narrowed Oklahoma’s HB 1775, ruling it bars schools from teaching certain race-and-sex “discriminatory concepts” as facts. Public safety & water: Oklahoma DEQ issued a mandatory boil order for Copan and two rural water districts (RWD 7 and RWD 20) due to high turbidity and low disinfectant levels. Terror & immigration enforcement: DOJ announced the first use of the Alien Terrorist Removal Court to deport an ISIS-inspired election plot participant from Texas to Afghanistan. Local remembrance: Oklahoma law enforcement leaders gathered in Tulsa to mark 25 years since 9/11 and discuss how coordination failures still shape public safety today. 9/11 in Oklahoma: A Hobart museum is preserving a bent 14-foot World Trade Center beam as a centerpiece of its 9/11 exhibit.

Health Care Politics: President Trump says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, will get $500 ACA refunds starting in October, arguing Biden-era “user fees” overcharged consumers via the federal exchange. Immigration & Higher Ed: The Justice Department filed final lawsuits against Hawaii, D.C., Arkansas, and Utah over in-state tuition and aid for illegal immigrants, saying the policies improperly favor noncitizens over citizens. Courts & AI Misconduct: A Stephens County judge acknowledged an order used fictitious case citations generated by ChatGPT, after prosecutors flagged fabricated legal authorities. Public Safety: Storms knocked out power to 3,000+ OKC metro customers after record heat; separately, an 11-year-old was arrested in Edmond for the fatal shooting of her 15-year-old brother. Legal Accountability: Former NFL RB LeShon Johnson of Broken Arrow was sentenced to five years for running a large-scale dogfighting operation. Local Economy: Enid unveiled a massive 3.3-gigawatt data center plan, raising questions about water and power impacts. Tribal Tech: Muscogee Nation Gaming renewed ZeroEyes AI gun-detection across its properties.

Health Care & Federal Policy: The White House says nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states, including Oklahoma, will get $500 refunds tied to alleged Obamacare “user fee” overcharges from the Biden era. Criminal Justice: Former NFL running back LeShon Johnson, from Broken Arrow, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for running a large-scale dogfighting and trafficking ring out of Oklahoma; prosecutors say 190 dogs were seized. Education Courts: A federal appeals court allowed enforcement of Oklahoma’s HB 1775 to move forward while narrowing how it’s applied, keeping the fight over limits on race and gender-related classroom conversations alive. Public Safety & Community: Oklahoma Firefighters Foundation will hold its 15th annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb in downtown OKC, honoring first responders with a 110-floor climb. State & Local Government: Oklahoma County says a bookkeeping error leaves its reserve fund about $10 million short of what officials previously reported. Politics: GOP AG candidate Jon Echols told a Dallas convention crowd Republicans should lead with a positive message focused on economic development, personal freedom, and religious liberty.

Child Welfare Overhaul: Oklahoma lawmaker Sen. Paul Rosino is pushing to move child welfare out of DHS into a new “Oklahoma Department of Child Safety and Wellbeing,” arguing the current setup is too big and not focused enough on keeping kids safe. Local Government & Elections: Inola’s proposed ban on primary aluminum smelting cleared a signature hurdle in court, setting up the next step in the municipal initiative process. Water & Infrastructure: Oklahoma City’s wastewater operations are getting a new five-and-a-half-year O&M contract with Jacobs, aimed at improving reliability and regulatory compliance. Public Safety: Oklahoma immigration arrests are rising through local ICE partnerships, while ICE also launched a CDL fraud tipline tied to deadly crash concerns. Higher Ed & Tech: OU’s trustees advanced a data center plan amid protests, with supporters saying it’s needed for research and opponents warning about impacts. Energy & Environment: Residents near Cedar Lake say wells are running dry, while Oklahoma officials offer different explanations. Election Integrity Fight (National): Kentucky AG Russell Coleman joined a Supreme Court bid to protect states’ proof-of-citizenship voting rules and speed removal of noncitizens from rolls.

Oklahoma Courts & Elections: Former state House speaker Mark McBride sued the state to block Gov. Kevin Stitt’s plan to put a constitutional convention question on the April 6, 2027 ballot, arguing Stitt can’t call it the way he did and seeking an Oklahoma Supreme Court injunction. State Government & Higher Ed: Faculty at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma are in open conflict with the administration, voting no confidence in President Kayla Hale and warning proposed changes could reshape the 118-year-old public liberal arts college. Public Safety & Privacy: Oklahoma City Fire Department reminded parents about safe haven baby boxes at three stations for newborns 30 days old or younger. Immigration Enforcement: A new analysis says Oklahoma’s partnerships with ICE under 287(g) led to more than 1,800 immigration-related arrests from January through July, with most detainees having no criminal convictions. Consumer Protection & Tech Scams: A free community presentation in Tahlequah will focus on AI scams and identity theft. Airport Policy: TSA’s “Gateside” program is bringing back some gate access for non-ticketed visitors at select airports, including OKC Will Rogers International Airport.

TSA Security Shake-Up: TSA PreCheck’s new “Gateside” program lets eligible non-ticketed visitors pass airport security and reach gate areas for one day at 13 airports, including Will Rogers International Airport (OKC). Local Government & Energy: A Newcastle earthquake discussion turned into a reminder that Oklahoma law blocks cities from regulating oil and gas after 2015’s SB 809, leaving local leaders limited. Oklahoma Higher Ed: OSU announced sites for a new veterinary teaching hospital and an Agronomy Discovery Center in Stillwater, backed by major state funding. Courts & Local Development: A judge ruled Norman’s Rock Creek Entertainment District can keep moving forward in a lawsuit over tax increment financing, denying a pause request. Student Debt Pressure: An Oklahoma borrower describes how federal student loan plan changes have tripled payments, pushing her deeper into credit card debt. Public Safety Tech: Tulsa residents pressed privacy concerns over Flock cameras at a town hall, with police saying policies are auditable and review could come after a leadership change. State Politics: A former lawmaker sued to block Gov. Stitt’s constitutional convention ballot question.

Airport Security Policy: TSA is rolling out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck,” letting some non-ticketed people pass through security and reach airport gates at 13 airports, with passes tied to PreCheck/KTN and limited by each airport. Oklahoma Legislature: House lawmakers met behind closed doors for hours over allegations involving Rep. Danny Williams, took no formal action, and plan to reconvene after requesting more info. Education: Oklahoma schools are adjusting to a new elementary recess requirement, with districts extending the day or reshuffling schedules to fit extra minutes despite heat. Health Care Policy: SoonerCare recipients are being notified of new work requirements starting Jan. 1, 2027, with OHCA urging people to update contact info in MySoonerCare.org. Local Government & Courts: Cleveland County commissioners approved a $20 million settlement tied to the 2022 jail death of Shannon Hanchett during a mental health crisis. Public Safety: A Wellston firefighter, Joe Flake, died after a medical emergency while battling a Lincoln County wildfire; Stitt ordered flags at half-staff. Foster Care: CASA of Northeast Oklahoma is seeking volunteers to advocate for children in foster care. Tech & Privacy: Oklahoma City’s Flock Safety camera program faces ongoing scrutiny, with a cybersecurity expert saying new logging and oversight changes address earlier concerns.

Oklahoma Marijuana Regulation: An Oklahoma attorney says legal marijuana businesses are getting crushed by slow approvals and strict enforcement, arguing that minor documentation issues can trigger shutdowns even when operators follow seed-to-sale rules. School Food Program Fallout: Oklahoma districts are reeling after the state ended a federal extended-day “third meal” supper option, leaving places like Hartshorne scrambling and lawmakers frustrated over the late timing. AI School Safety Scare: Officials are warning parents about viral “Cat in the Hat” AI posts that can include threatening captions; law enforcement says there’s no credible threat in at least one Florida case, but they’re asking people not to share and to report. Teen Pregnancy Prevention Funding: Oklahoma County teen pregnancy prevention programs face major disruption after the federal government terminated nearly $2 million in grant funding tied to reproductive health education. Airport Security Change: TSA’s new “Gateside” program lets some trusted-traveler users pass security without a plane ticket at select airports, including in Oklahoma’s travel orbit. Energy & Water Pressure: Oklahoma’s data-center boom is raising fresh questions about aging water systems after recent leak and contamination disputes elsewhere. Federal Ethics Watch: Coverage also flags Oklahoma AG Ken Paxton’s financial disclosures as potentially violating federal ethics rules.

Federal Policy & Labor: Rep. Stephanie Bice (with Steve Womack) introduced the “No Preference Act,” aiming to stop the executive branch from favoring federal contractors based on whether workers are in collective bargaining agreements. Education Policy: Oklahoma’s reading law rollout is moving across agencies as officials line up a universal reading screener for the next phase. Government Transparency: Oklahoma AG rules a city can’t charge more than about $17,000 for records tied to an arrest of a farmer who objected to a data center project. Courts & State Agencies: Oklahoma Voice obtained and published a severance agreement from the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission after a long legal fight. Public Safety: TSA called in the OKC bomb squad after suspicious items in checked baggage were flagged during screening; officials say they were demonstration tools. Travel & Security: TSA expects heavy Labor Day travel and urges early arrival at OKC and Tulsa; TSA also rolled out “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” at select airports. Economy & Politics: A growing GOP debate is emerging over Social Security funding, including raising the payroll tax cap. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma County’s lowest E85 at $2.49 and diesel prices still hovering around the $5 range statewide.

Immigration Enforcement: Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers are helping ICE carry out a deportation push under “Operation Guardian,” with the state training all troopers to identify people in the country illegally during traffic stops. Tribal Governance: Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. delivered his final State of the Nation address, pitching last-year proposals on housing, childcare, workforce training, and inflation-adjusted policy changes. Federal Courts/Politics: A Missouri GOP appeal seeks to keep a revised congressional map in place for the Nov. 3 election after a state court fight over referendum signatures. State Policy/Legal Ethics: Oklahoma AG Ken Paxton’s financial disclosures are under scrutiny, with experts saying his property valuations may violate federal ethics rules. Infrastructure & Broadband: States are still waiting on federal guidance to spend about $21B in rural broadband money under BEAD, after missed deadlines and unclear rules. Aviation Access: TSA launched “Gateside by TSA PreCheck” at 13 airports, letting some non-ticketed visitors reach gates with advance online approval. Local Business/Jobs: Greenheck Group plans a major Owasso expansion at a former Macy’s distribution site, aiming for 700+ jobs.

Identity & Travel Tech: Oklahoma driver licenses and state IDs are now available in Apple Wallet, and can be used at TSA checkpoints at Tulsa, OKC Will Rogers, Stillwater, and Lawton-Fort Sill (plus 250+ airports nationwide, with acceptance varying). Federal Communications: FCC Chair Brendan Carr says Trump is “over the target” after demands to punish NBC’s Kristen Welker, and hints the FCC could issue guidance on broadcasters and “fake polls.” Military & Energy: Fort Sill is rolling out a $63M geothermal heat-pump upgrade for 1,700+ family homes, aiming to cut energy use and modernize housing without upfront taxpayer cost. Public Safety: A federal wildlife officer, David Taylor, is believed to have died while helping Oklahoma residents evacuate the Railroad South Fire in Comanche County. Local Notes: A high school football game ended early after a brawl near the end of the third quarter. Sports Betting Policy: Oklahoma Chronicle looks at how predictive market apps are used for wagers despite sports betting remaining illegal in the state. Gas Prices: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma regular prices averaging about $3.75 per gallon for the week ending Aug. 29, with notable lows in multiple counties.