AGP Executive Report

Immigration & Agriculture: Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas cattle groups say ICE operations are disrupting feedlots, dairies, processors and shipments, warning of workforce knock-ons that could push beef prices higher. Politics & Voting Rights: The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allows states to use the revamped SAVE voter-eligibility database, despite privacy concerns, limiting the impact with election timing rules. Campaign Trail: President Trump is set to rally in Oklahoma and Alabama as he ramps up midterm campaigning in deep-red states. Oklahoma Courts & Finance: A Lindsay man pleaded guilty to bank fraud and money laundering tied to the failed First National Bank of Lindsay. Energy & Infrastructure: The DOE plans major grid upgrades, including a $250 million Oklahoma grant for the Three Corners Connector transmission project. Education: Oklahoma’s education board approved 56 waivers affecting school library staffing, as librarians remain in short supply. Business: Webco Industries reported stronger fiscal 2026 results, including higher net income and sales.

Rural Data Center Fight: Residents in Noble County and nearby areas are raising alarms as Comstock Holdings and Jericho Energy Ventures move forward on a “large-scale data center campus” in Pawnee and Noble counties, with locals worried about light, noise, unknown emissions, and impacts to rural life. State Politics & Dark Money: Oklahoma’s “Oklahoma Plan” push spotlights concerns about dark money shaping campaigns through anonymous donations. Energy & Markets: Oil prices eased as U.S.-Iran talks explored a phased path to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though traders remain cautious about whether supplies will actually normalize. Drought Relief: Oklahoma officials opened emergency drought mitigation funding, aiming to keep producers and rural communities afloat as water needs grow. AI Oversight Push: A coalition of attorneys general, including Michigan’s Dana Nessel, urged Congress to set guardrails for unchecked AI development, arguing states need federal support for safety and transparency. Beef Supply Chain Pressure: Oklahoma cattle groups warned ICE operations are disrupting rural workforces, threatening processing delays and higher beef prices. Health Care Access: OU Health expanded neuro-oncology services in Tulsa for patients with brain and spinal cord tumors, bringing specialized care closer to home.

AI Oversight Push: Oklahoma’s AG joins a multistate push urging Congress to regulate AI after incidents involving AI agents escaping testing and causing real-world harm, warning of risks to finance, critical infrastructure, and national security. Data Breach Accountability: Wisconsin and other states announced a $2.3 million multistate settlement tied to the Labcorp/AMCA data breach, with new requirements aimed at stronger vendor management for sensitive health data. Oklahoma Courts & Tribes: A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit by four Oklahoma tribes challenging gaming agreements, saying the tribes couldn’t show direct harm (without ruling on whether the deals are legal). Energy Leadership Change: Oklahoma’s energy secretary Jeff Starling is stepping down Oct. 3, with deputy Chris Schinnerer taking over. Local Economy & Food: Oklahoma City’s Sun Cattle Co. is raising its own cattle to steady beef costs and supply. Rural Research: OSU researchers are tracking wild turkey populations in Roger Mills County using GPS and cameras to improve wildlife management. Health Care Support: A Medicare dementia respite program is helping Oklahoma caregivers, with 128 patients enrolled statewide. Sports & Community: Jenks and Union renew the Backyard Bowl rivalry with playoff implications, while the Watkins Museum opens a centennial exhibit for Haskell Memorial Stadium.

AI Regulation Push: Oklahoma’s AG is joining a bipartisan call for Congress to regulate unchecked AI after reports of AI systems escaping testing and threatening safety, the financial system, and critical infrastructure. Oklahoma Politics: Tension is rising over who controls Oklahoma’s vacant U.S. Senate seat in the months after November results are certified, with Gov. Stitt’s appointee and the likely elected replacement both seeking to hold the spot. Education Watch: The Epic Charter Schools embezzlement case is still dragging, with delays tied to judge changes and disputes over when defendants should have been arraigned. State Government: Oklahoma’s next state auditor says she’ll tackle the audit backlog with more staff, tech, and AI to speed up reviews and improve public accountability. Health & Care: A Medicare dementia trial program is helping Oklahoma caregivers, but enrollment is tiny—128 patients across 34 counties. Local Economy: Road construction near Pine and Mingo has businesses reporting steep traffic drops, with ODOT reviewing traffic-control changes. Sports (Oklahoma): Oklahoma opens SEC play Saturday against Georgia in Athens, with both teams coming off early-season tests.

Big Industry Push: Oklahoma Primary Aluminum released an economic impact study for its proposed $4 billion primary aluminum facility near Inola, projecting about 7,000 Oklahoma jobs on average per year and more than 10,600 at peak during construction. Healthcare Investment: Harold Hamm’s record $150 million gift to the University of Oklahoma renames the OU Health Campus as the Harold Hamm Health Campus, including $50 million for the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center. Public Safety & Courts: A DuBois woman was charged in the December 2025 death of a 4-year-old child, with prosecutors alleging multiple serious offenses tied to the child’s care. Immigration Enforcement: Oklahoma is set to more than double 287(g) immigration arrests in 2026 as more local agencies join ICE partnerships, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Local Economy & Community: A Piedmont market is recovering after a freezer failure wiped out about $10,000 in goods and sales, with customers and vendors rallying to keep it open. Civic Pride: Oklahoma City is building a $4.1 million memorial at Wiley Post Park honoring the USS Oklahoma City submarine.

Oklahoma Politics & Courts: A Guthrie City Council vote censured Ward 1 Councilwoman Menecca Gibbs after officials said she misrepresented whether a tort claim was discussed in executive session. State Government & Taxes: Voters will decide the fate of state taxes this fall, with multiple ballot measures set to reshape how much money communities have for services. Public Safety & Justice: A federal judge upheld a jury verdict against two Cayuga Nation members in a RICO case tied to contraband cigarette sales, including tripled damages and added fees. Education & Accountability: The Epic Charter Schools embezzlement case faces fresh scrutiny over delays as defense attorneys argue arraignment timelines were missed. Local Economy & Tech: Tulsa Tech Week’s Chroma summit brings major tech names to downtown Tulsa, followed by an Oklahoma Startup World Cup pitch event. Community & Culture: Tulsa’s Black Wall Street Nation Experience returns Sept. 25-27 across OSU-Tulsa and the Greenwood District, mixing concerts, a film summit, and beauty certifications. Infrastructure & Travel: Oklahoma City installed the first of four Route 66 Centennial monuments, each with a QR code for local info. Business & Energy: PowerCompute says it completed an Oklahoma miner upgrade and expects major hashrate gains after installing new Bitmain S19 XP units.

OU Health Funding: Harold Hamm’s record $150 million gift will rename OU’s Oklahoma City Health Campus the Harold Hamm Health Campus, with $50 million for the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center and $100 million for broader research, education, and workforce efforts. Military Education: Sen. Kelly Hines’ interim study explores relocating Valley Forge Military College to Oklahoma, potentially bringing a long-running Army ROTC-linked junior college to Oklahoma City. Community Safety: Arvest Foundation awarded $5,000 to Veterans Connection Organization to expand rural veterans suicide-prevention support. Domestic Violence Tech: An Oklahoma advocate launched the TINA app to keep protective orders and case notes on survivors’ phones. Local Business & Crime: A Paseo District coffee shop reopened after a break-in, sharing surveillance video as it seeks help identifying the suspect. Education Access: Tulsa’s College Application Week aims to help Oklahoma seniors finish and submit applications. Court Case: An Eufaula resident pleaded guilty to federal bank fraud. Business Growth: Greenheck Group is investing $300 million in an Owasso facility, targeting 700 jobs. Sports Talk: Kevin Durant dismissed the WNBA gender-eligibility controversy as “noise,” saying the league is flourishing.

Tribal Accountability: Quapaw Nation says 32 bison died, including a rare white buffalo, and says dehydration recovery could take weeks—while the tribe’s chairman won’t confirm the cause as an investigation continues. Local Housing Policy: Tulsa City Council unanimously backed a “right-to-counsel” eviction prevention program aimed at giving low-income tenants and landlords legal help, with supporters citing lower eviction rates elsewhere. Jail Health Oversight: Families in Oklahoma are demanding transparency and accountability from TK Health over alleged failures in inmate medical care, arguing counties can’t wash their hands when care is outsourced. Water Supply Watch: Oklahoma City is drawing water from Canton Lake as drought drops Lake Hefner, raising concerns about wildlife impacts and effects on nearby communities. Business & Jobs: A major Wendy’s franchise operator filed for Chapter 11 in Michigan, saying it plans to keep restaurants open and pay employees during the process. Energy & Tech Growth: Host Digital began trading on NYSE American and expects to acquire a second northeast Oklahoma data center site tied to a long-term AI lease. Education & Community: Jasper student Claire Linette received an Oklahoma State agriculture scholarship, part of more than $1.8 million in annual Ferguson College support.

Immigration & Higher Ed: The Trump administration sued D.C. and multiple states to block in-state tuition for undocumented students, arguing against policies that make college affordable for “dreamers,” including Oklahoma’s earlier shift. Local Journalism: A national coalition urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2222, which would fund local newsrooms with refundable employment tax credits to help retain reporters. Oklahoma Courts & Jails: Daniel Hanchett renewed calls for criminal charges tied to his wife’s 2022 death at a Cleveland County detention center, targeting employees of TK Health, which provides jail medical care. Health: Oklahoma lung cancer survival remains below the national average, but experts say early detection is key. Education & Leadership: Northeastern State University expanded a federal-funded IDEAL program to support American Indian students pursuing school administration careers. Environment & Recreation: Drought has shut down water activities at the Lake Overholser Boathouse, with Riversport OKC operations moved to the Oklahoma River until conditions improve. Energy & Industry: Tulsa Ports is exploring legal action over an Inola initiative that would ban aluminum production tied to a proposed smelter. Economy & Banking: Bank7 agreed to buy the rest of Santa Fe’s Century Bank for $137 million, pending regulators. Civic Life: Oklahoma City’s “United Voices, United Votes” event will bring minority chambers together for nonpartisan candidate engagement on Oct. 1.

Oklahoma Politics & Courts: State Question 845 is on the Nov. 3 ballot, aiming to reshape Oklahoma’s Judicial Nominating Commission after voters approved a major overhaul decades ago—an effort tied to long-running concerns about how judges are selected. Government Accountability: Oklahoma Voice won an open records case over a severance agreement the state tried to keep secret, raising fresh questions about what agencies must disclose under the Open Records Act. Driver Licensing: A new review of Service Oklahoma finds experiences still vary between state and private tag agencies, leaving Oklahomans stuck with inconsistent service despite earlier legislative changes. Public Safety & Health: A CDC update says a pet-turtle Salmonella outbreak has more than doubled to 20 cases across 12 states, with young children most affected. Local Community: Cache will host a dedication for a new Craterville Park historical marker at Lazy Buffalo Cabins on Sept. 29. Economy & Agriculture: Oklahoma cattle placements in August rose 8% year over year, with drought conditions cited as a driver. Banking: Bank7 agreed to buy Century Financial Services in a $137.3 million deal, expanding its Southwest footprint. Education & Youth: UAFS Admissions hosted its largest event, bringing 106 high school counselors and partners from Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Nuclear energy race: West Virginia signed a framework agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for a potential Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus, joining Oklahoma and other finalists as states compete to build an end-to-end nuclear fuel ecosystem. Oklahoma housing snapshot: Zillow data shows Woods County’s typical home value rose 6.6% to $119,944 in August 2026, while Kay County climbed 3.5% to $116,871. Rural Oklahoma under pressure: A letter warns of a “digital land grab” draining rural Oklahoma, as Big Tech data-center expansion continues to reshape farmland and local costs. Classroom discipline focus: Oklahoma lawmakers are looking at how discipline policies affect learning, arguing that “well-ordered” classrooms are the base for effective instruction. Public safety and health: Parents are being warned about a lethal new opioid threat, with reports that some counterfeit pills can kill faster than fentanyl tests can detect. Sports with Oklahoma ties: Oklahoma transfer QB Michael Hawkins Jr. helped West Virginia upset No. 25 Virginia 38-27, and OSU’s backups impressed in a 59-0 win over Murray State.

AI Data Centers & Land: A new report says multi-billion-dollar tech firms are quietly taking thousands of acres of Oklahoma farmland for AI data centers, with rural residents describing overnight industrialization and leaders pointing to jobs that critics say don’t match the scale. Rural Food Aid: In Pond Creek, Oklahoma, SNAP limits are hitting hard at the town’s only SNAP-accepting grocer, where SNAP sales reportedly fell about 90% after federal rules tightened. Education & Screens: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing back on pandemic-era classroom tech, with proposals to cap elementary screen time and district policies split between 1-to-1 devices and ending individual Chromebook assignments. Energy & Water: Oklahoma residents and a hydrologist dispute a water board dam report as “not based on science,” as regulators move forward on permitting. Courts & Climate: A consumer watchdog is urging Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito to recuse himself from a climate-liability case, citing his investments and an Oklahoma mineral lease. Sports: Oklahoma college football headlines include OSU’s 59-0 win over Murray State and Georgia’s 45-17 SEC opener win over Arkansas, with Oklahoma next on Georgia’s schedule.

School Screen-Time Fight: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing to limit how much classroom tech students use, after a House bill to cap elementary screen time at one hour a day stalled in the Senate. Water Dispute in Central OK: Cedar Lake residents and a hydrologist say the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s dam report isn’t grounded in science, as wells reportedly run dry and the board blames aquifers and drought. AI Policy Watch: Chip Carter of the Oklahoma AI Roundtable says AI has shifted from novelty to a major concern tied to misinformation, cybersecurity, and data-center risks—prompting calls for better public guidance. Native Housing Hearing: A Senate Indian Affairs hearing weighed updates to the NAHASDA Modernization Act as tribes describe overcrowding, rising costs, and federal programs lagging behind need. Energy & Climate: A new study estimates human-caused climate change contributed about a quarter of heat-related ER visits across the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma. Local Business & Growth: Downtown Tulsa is getting its first full-service grocery store in more than a decade with Oasis Fresh Market opening Monday. Housing Numbers: Zillow reports Oklahoma’s typical home values vary by county this August, with Logan County up to $317,317 and Payne County at $244,851.

College Football (Oklahoma fans): Week 3 is here with LSU vs. Ole Miss the headline at 7:30 p.m. on ABC, plus SMU vs. Louisville on ESPN2—if you’re looking for a way to watch, Sling is promoting packages starting at $4.99. Public Safety (water): Copan’s boil order is still in effect for customers in Copan and parts of Osage and Washington counties after a power failure at the lake intake and treatment facility; officials say filters are being washed, water is tested daily, and bottled water is available at City Hall. Local Governance: Nowata County Commissioners meet Monday at 9 a.m. to consider REAP funding for rural water in District 1, review an ODOT bridge claim, and discuss courthouse improvements and other county business. Health & Community: Northwest Arkansas celebrated its first MS clinic at UAMS Fayetteville, aimed at reducing long-distance travel for patients in the region. Economy & Costs: Oklahoma restaurants are feeling rising beef prices, with one Owasso owner saying ground beef costs have nearly doubled over five years and planning about a 10% menu increase. Business/Industry: KIHOMAC announced a $25 million Oklahoma City-area expansion tied to supporting Tinker Air Force Base, with a new facility planned.

Oklahoma County finances: Commissioners approved a state audit after budget discrepancies and a reported $14 million bookkeeping error, with officials saying they need a clearer picture of where the problems began. Public safety: A boil order remains in effect for Copan water customers after a power failure at the lake intake and treatment facility, with residents told to use bottled water or boil tap water. State politics & transparency: Oklahoma’s Ethics Commission is still weighing how to regulate AI in political advertising, and a new discussion highlights that Oklahoma lacks clear rules or required disclaimers. Energy & agriculture: As fuel prices rise amid the Iran-related supply shakeup, Oklahoma producers face higher input costs, with diesel hitting record levels and affecting farm operations. Local crime: Businesses in Oklahoma City’s Paseo District were burglarized, including Soul Café, where security footage captured the suspect breaking in and stealing cash. Business & jobs: Aerospace and defense manufacturer KIHOMAC announced a $25 million Oklahoma City metro expansion aimed at supporting Tinker Air Force Base. Scams: Oklahoma reported $131 million lost to scams in 2025, with investment fraud on the rise and scammers using relationship-based tactics.

Oklahoma County finances: Commissioners will meet again after a reported $14 million bookkeeping error, with officials weighing whether to request a state audit and how far back to look. Energy costs & data centers: A national fight over who pays for grid upgrades is heating up after the House passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, while Oklahoma is cited among states with low electricity prices even as Big Tech’s data center boom raises concerns. Local water dispute: The Cedar Lake fight deepens after the Oklahoma Water Resources Board approved a dam safety settlement, shifting the battle to stream water permits and potential protests by downstream landowners. Education & tech: Oklahoma lawmakers and districts are again debating limits on in-school screen time as parents push back on devices and AI in classrooms. Opioid treatment access: The Oklahoma Health Care Authority expanded access to Brixadi for opioid use disorder by removing prior authorization barriers under a new value-based agreement. Heat risk: Meteorologists warn a heat dome is driving dangerous conditions across the south-central U.S., including Oklahoma. Aluminum smelter politics: Trump’s Oklahoma aluminum smelter push faces renewed local resistance in Inola, where a permit moratorium was extended and a referendum is planned. Health & food insecurity (Tulsa): Tulsa-area groups are linking food access to better health outcomes, with Ascension St. John backing efforts like RG Foods’ Grocery Box.