AGP Executive Report

Black Wall Street Nation Experience: Tulsa’s OSU-Tulsa and Greenwood District host a three-day festival (Sept. 25-27) blending live music, a public film summit, and a tuition-free beauty certification track—built to connect the legacy of Black Wall Street to today’s creative and tech pathways. Court Delay Watch: Oklahoma’s Epic Charter Schools embezzlement case drags on as defense attorneys argue the state is moving too slowly, raising fresh questions about what’s taking so long. Civic Life & Voting Rights: Alabama AG Steve Marshall urges the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Arizona’s documentary proof of citizenship and voter purge rules, a fight that could reshape how states handle voter rolls. Public Safety & Community: Oklahoma City groups call for more funding and cooperation after a run of deadly shootings involving juveniles, pushing community violence intervention as a key strategy. Local Culture & Learning: Lawton adds flashing yellow turn signals, and residents report confusion—another reminder that everyday tech changes need time to land. Health & Education: Salina students hear fentanyl warnings under Oklahoma’s Rain’s Law, with parents sharing real overdose stories and training on Narcan.

Major Gift for OU Health: Harold Hamm’s $150 million commitment will fund health education, research, and workforce growth, and OU’s Oklahoma City Health Campus will be renamed the Harold Hamm Health Campus. Education & Access: College Application Week (Sept. 21-25) is pushing Oklahoma high school seniors to finish and submit applications with help from the Tulsa Higher Education Consortium. Workforce & Community Growth: Greenheck Group’s $300 million Owasso expansion is set to bring 700 jobs and more local manufacturing opportunities. Higher Ed Spotlight: OU remains the top Oklahoma school in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Colleges, even after a six-spot drop. Military College Watch: Sen. Kelly Hines’ interim study examines whether Valley Forge Military College could relocate to Oklahoma City. Culture & Pride: Choctaw Nation launched a free language-learning app, adding to Oklahoma’s growing push for Indigenous language access. Sports & Identity Debate: Kevin Durant dismissed the WNBA’s gender-eligibility controversy as “noise,” pointing to women’s basketball growth and visibility. Community Recognition: Dan Droege received the Bartlesville Community Foundation’s 2026 Community Catalyst Award for decades of service.

Education & Workforce: Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence is taking applications for 2027 mentoring grants, offering up to $3,000 for K-12 programs that run background checks and report outcomes. Community Health: Delta Dental of Oklahoma and the OKC Thunder teamed up for Full Court Smiles at Paycom Center, delivering $82,315 in free dental care to 259 third- and fourth-graders. Native Culture & Language: The Choctaw Nation launched a free Choctaw language-learning app with Rosetta Stone, featuring lessons built around Choctaw families, traditions, and stickball. Housing Justice: Tulsa City Council unanimously backed a right-to-counsel style eviction prevention program aimed at giving low-income tenants and landlords legal representation. Higher Ed Expansion: Cameron University regents approved new associate degrees in Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapy Assistant, plus major campus construction contracts. Health Training Pipeline: Rogers State University and Saint Francis partnered to create a faster medical laboratory science pathway to address Oklahoma’s lab workforce shortage. Arts & Heritage: Photographer Ivan McClellan spotlights Black rodeo culture, challenging the cowboy image with a decade-long project rooted in Oklahoma rodeos. Sports & Culture: The Oklahoma City Thunder’s Chet Holmgren sparked fresh buzz with a viral personality quote, while local sports partnerships and school programs keep tying athletics to everyday community life.

Immigration & Education: The Trump administration sued D.C. and multiple states to block in-state tuition for undocumented “dreamer” students, arguing against access to affordable higher education. Local Journalism: A national journalism coalition urged California Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign AB 2222, which would offer refundable employment tax credits to help local newsrooms hire and retain reporters. Oklahoma Schools & Workforce: Oklahoma lawmakers are weighing how adjunct teachers are used; state data shows more than 2,700 adjunct instructors teach without related certification, often in different subjects/grades. Community & Culture: Oklahoma City’s minority chambers are teaming up for “United Voices, United Votes,” a nonpartisan civic engagement night bringing diverse communities together with candidates. Indigenous Education: Northeastern State University expanded its IDEAL program with federal support to boost American Indian leadership in school administration. Arts & Youth Sports: A new rowing league backed by a $1 million Inasmuch Foundation grant aims to make school rowing teams free for Oklahoma students starting in 2027. Public Safety & Research: Oklahoma State University is hosting the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation’s Institute for Firefighter Survivability, focused on improving firefighter outcomes. Campus Life: OU sanctioned Pi Kappa Alpha after a hazing investigation found physical calisthenics during new member activities.

Oklahoma History & Community: The Oklahoma Historical Society will dedicate a new historical marker for Craterville Park at the Lazy Buffalo Cabins in Cache on Sept. 29, spotlighting the 1920s Wichita Mountains destination and its Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Indian Fair roots. Native Culture & Education: Bacone House at Northeastern State University is set to reopen in November as a cultural center and event space for Native student organizations, restoring a key site tied to Indigenous education history. Local Higher Ed: Eastern Oklahoma State College reports an 11.6% fall 2026 enrollment jump—its strongest since 2010—citing recruitment and student-centered access. Civic Life & Voting: State Question 845 is on the Nov. 3 ballot, proposing changes to Oklahoma’s Judicial Nominating Commission and how judicial candidates are vetted. Sports & Culture: Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss surged in the Heisman conversation after a 32-24 Week 3 win over LSU, while Oklahoma’s poll status took a hit after a 14-6 win over New Mexico. Immigration & Faith in the News: National coverage highlights ICE-related violence and the White House withdrawing Lance Schroyer’s nomination, alongside protests tied to abortion politics and Christian interpretation.

Higher Ed & Community: Eastern Oklahoma State College logged an 11.6% fall 2026 enrollment jump, its biggest since 2010, as it pushes recruitment and student support. Local History: The Oklahoma Historical Society will dedicate the Kate Barnard historical marker in Guthrie on Oct. 1, honoring the first woman elected to state office in Oklahoma. Culture & Faith: Oklahoma City-area churches list religious gatherings for Sept. 20-26, including multiple adoration and confession events across the metro and North Central Oklahoma. Immigration & Safety: An ICE officer shot a man in Austin, Texas; officials say the victim is in serious but stable condition, and calls for an independent investigation are growing. Civil Rights & Memory: A new report on recent lynching imagery in the U.S. South highlights how Black communities are being forced to relive trauma. Sports (Oklahoma angle): Oklahoma State QB Drew Mestemaker poured in 324 yards and five TDs in a 59-0 win over Murray State, while Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss’ Week 3 upset over LSU reshuffled national rankings. Food Access: In rural Oklahoma, SNAP restrictions are hitting small stores hard, with one SNAP-only grocer reporting steep sales drops.

College Football (Week 3): Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss delivered a headline-making win over LSU, while Kentucky stunned Texas A&M and OSU routed Murray State 59-0 behind Drew Mestemaker’s five-touchdown day. Local Sports & Community: Oklahoma’s football weekend also included OSU’s Heisman-fueled momentum and a busy slate of games on TV/radio. Education & Daily Life: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing back on classroom screen time, as districts weigh tech benefits against lost handwriting and reading time. Food Access: A rural Oklahoma SNAP grocer is seeing sharp drops after federal restrictions, showing how policy changes hit families at the register. Arts & Culture: Parkland College’s faculty art exhibition at Giertz Gallery wraps soon, and Cherokee Nation leaders are backing the Artist Resiliency Act to keep Cherokee art thriving. Immigration & Justice: Court and ICE-related reporting highlights ongoing detention and deportation impacts, including allegations involving a Huntsville teacher and a withdrawn ICE nomination tied to Oklahoma. Environment: A data center diesel spill in New Jersey underscores how tech infrastructure can still create real-world pollution risks.

Classroom Tech Debate: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing to pull screens from classrooms as districts wrestle with pandemic-era 1-to-1 devices, with a push to limit elementary screen time resurfacing in the Legislature. Immigration & ICE Shakeup: The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead ICE, after months of Senate blockage—an Oklahoma-linked story with national ripple effects. Health Check Reminder: OU Health’s chief cardiologist urged cholesterol screening during National Cholesterol Education Month, tying prevention to Oklahoma’s heart-disease burden. Indigenous Campus Milestone: Haskell Indian Nations University marked the centennial of its stadium and memorial arch, with former students sharing memories and advice. AI in Oklahoma: Chip Carter of the Oklahoma AI Roundtable discussed AI risks and opportunities on “Hot Seat,” including how AI connects to data centers and misinformation concerns. Sports Culture Watch: A Big 12-related controversy over offensive chants at BYU games continues to draw attention, including Oklahoma-linked conference fallout. Community Grants: Taco Bell Foundation funding—via a franchisee effort—includes support for youth programs like the Boys & Girls Club of Magnolia.

Health & Wellness: OU Health’s chief cardiologist urged Oklahomans to get cholesterol checked during National Cholesterol Education Month, tying heart risk to timely screening. Education & Tech in Schools: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing to cut in-school screen time as a growing screen-time debate reaches classrooms. Workforce Training Funding: Oklahoma CareerTech is seeking a $67.87M budget increase for 2028 to expand training, reduce waitlists that hit 7,500 students, and add career exposure for grades 5–12. Local Governance & Accountability: Oklahoma County commissioners approved a state audit after concerns about budget discrepancies, aiming to clarify where numbers went off. Culture & Community: Haskell Indian Nations University marked its 100th stadium and arch dedication with a bison harvest homecoming weekend that brought students and the Lawrence community together. Sports (Oklahoma angle): Week 3 college football includes New Mexico at Oklahoma, plus the Lane Kiffin return storyline in LSU vs. Ole Miss prime time.

Workforce Training Push: Oklahoma CareerTech is asking lawmakers for a $67.87M budget increase for FY2028, aiming to cut waitlists that topped 7,500 students and expand career training access statewide. Local Accountability: Oklahoma County commissioners approved hiring the state auditor to investigate budget discrepancies from January 2025 to the present, after residents raised concerns about changing numbers and fund balances. Arts & Culture Calendar: Fall is rolling in with Oklahoma event picks, including Día de los Muertos programming at Norman’s Sam Noble Museum and a Día de los Muertos exhibit running through Jan. 3. Indigenous Culture Spotlight: Haskell Indian Nations University is marking its 100th stadium and arch dedication with a bison harvest tied to USDA programming, bringing students and the community together. Education Staffing Reality Check: Oklahoma reports thousands of adjunct teachers covering classes without matching certification, as lawmakers discuss what “appropriate use” should look like. AI in Politics: Oklahoma’s AI political advertising rules remain largely unregulated, with the Ethics Commission still weighing whether to pursue content limits or disclaimers. Nature for Everyone: BioBlitz Oklahoma returns Oct. 2-4 at Beavers Bend State Park, inviting citizen scientists to document biodiversity.

ICE Shake-Up: The White House withdrew Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ending a stalled Senate path for the former Oklahoma state trooper and Mullin ally; ICE remains under an acting director. Education & Tech: Oklahoma parents and lawmakers are pushing to cut kids’ in-school screen time and limit classroom tech and AI, after a bill to cap elementary screen use didn’t pass the Senate. Classroom Climate: Oklahoma educators told lawmakers behavior problems in elementary classrooms have worsened since 2020, citing threats, evacuations, and psychiatric holds—and arguing for more staff and behavioral health support. Teachers vs. Literacy: A new analysis links stronger teachers’ unions with fewer early literacy reforms, with Oklahoma cited among states near the bottom. Local Culture & History: Enid’s Cherokee Strip Regional Heritage Center hosts “Sorting Out Race,” prompting debate over how thrift-store items tied to racism and stereotypes should be handled. Arts Fundraising: Tulsa’s Lyric Theatre launches a facade fundraising push with “50/50 for Change,” aiming to make the historic building more accessible. Water Fight: Cedar Lake’s dispute deepens after the state approved a dam settlement, shifting attention to who can use stream water feeding the lake.

Immigration & Power Struggle: The White House withdrew former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer’s nomination to lead ICE, leaving the agency without a Senate-confirmed director and underscoring how Senate politics can stall major federal moves. Native Housing & Policy: Oklahoma tribal leaders urged Congress to modernize the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act, arguing long-frozen funding is widening gaps in homebuilding. Education & Student Life: Oklahoma educators told lawmakers elementary classrooms are seeing sharper behavior problems since 2020, including threats, evacuations, and psychiatric holds—pushing for more staff and behavioral health support. Free Speech on Campus: OSU landed low in a national free-speech ranking, with students pointing to disputes over campus speech and inclusion. Civic Engagement in Oklahoma: Rose State College faculty debated how an Oklahoma constitutional convention could be structured, while Grove Public Schools launched a Student Advisory Council to put student concerns directly into district planning. Culture & Community Events: Guthrie’s Oklahoma Historical Society plans a new Kate Barnard historical marker dedication, celebrating the state’s first woman elected to office. Workforce & Local Growth: Oklahoma CareerTech is seeking a major budget increase to expand workforce training and reduce waitlists.

Local Business & Community: Peak Performance Roofing & Construction joined the Tulsa Regional Chamber, signaling more local civic involvement through the Chamber’s “Tulsa’s Future” push. Music & Live Entertainment: Hans Zimmer announced “Hans Zimmer Live – The Next Level” will hit U.S. and Canada stages starting Feb. 17, 2027. Chickasaw Culture: The 66th Chickasaw Annual Meeting and 38th Chickasaw Festival runs Sept. 25–Oct. 3, with events across Tishomingo, Ada and Sulphur. Education & Equity: Oklahoma’s eviction process is moving fast enough to disrupt kids’ schooling, and Tulsa schools are trying to change what happens when families get displaced. Mental Health & Youth Safety: An Oklahoma boarding school promised help for troubled girls; former students say they faced punishment, isolation and restraints instead. Arts & Representation: Circle Cinema hosts a one-night “Nope” screening tied to Black Western Heritage, featuring local photographer Adam Davis and his “Black Magic” portraits. Community Growth: McClain County leaders discussed rapid growth, water infrastructure needs, and how to avoid becoming just a “bedroom county.”

Skilled Trades & Education: High Plains Technology Center’s new Skilled Trades Center is set to open Sept. 25, aiming to expand career-tech pathways for Northwest Oklahoma students. Healthcare & Community: A local healthcare provider says care should be personal, not one-size-fits-all, as it highlights how relationships improve outcomes. Youth Health: Oklahoma has dropped out of the nation’s top five for teen birth rates, with local groups crediting long-term community investment and teens making healthier choices. Local Higher Ed: OSU President Jim Hess says he wants to explore a possible merger between OSU Tulsa and Tulsa Community College, while TCC insists nothing formal is on the table. Food Access: Tulsa organizations are spotlighting Hunger Action Month efforts, including grocery-box models that bring healthy food closer to where people live. Arts & Culture: Oklahoma City’s Oklahoma Hall of Fame gallery is debuting a new exhibit of six artists’ abstract, texture-forward work, and the Ocmulgee Nation unveiled a stickball-themed bronze sculpture in Georgia with Oklahoma ties. School & Music: Southmoore High School’s band has been invited to perform in London’s New Year’s Day Parade. Sports & Identity: Oklahoma State’s Eric Morris frames its Oregon upset as a “hard reset,” while Oklahoma’s college football week looks packed with big matchups.

College Access: Oklahoma College Application Week is set for Sept. 21-25, with volunteers helping high school seniors complete online applications across 77 counties—aimed especially at first-generation students. Housing & Kids: A new report spotlights how fast Oklahoma’s eviction process can derail families, with Tulsa Public Schools seeing evictions affecting hundreds of children last school year. Native Culture & Learning: Kuwohi Connection Days brought Cherokee language and traditional plant knowledge to students at the Great Smoky Mountains, linking schools with tribal educators and community partners. Local Education Costs: Langston University’s in-state tuition and required fees for 2024-25 were $6,863 in Logan County, underscoring how sticker prices vary widely across Oklahoma counties. Community Mental Health: Atoka’s 5th annual Out of the Darkness Walk on Sept. 19 raises funds for suicide prevention and local support. Sports & Community Life: OSU announced sites for a new veterinary teaching hospital and Agronomy Discovery Center in Stillwater, while OSU-Tulsa talks continue—no merger yet, but a closer partnership is being discussed. Arts & Entertainment: “The Hip Hop Nutcracker” launches a 20-city national tour with Kurtis Blow and Da Brat as special guest MCs.

Education & Housing Stability: Green Country Habitat for Humanity is expanding its “Education Begins With Home” program beyond Tulsa Public Schools to Union Public Schools and seven Tulsa-area charter schools, aiming to help about 50 more teachers with down-payment and closing-cost support. Classroom Tech Debate: Stillwater parents are pushing back on classroom screens, arguing for “proof” that devices help long-term and raising concerns about how much time kids spend on Chromebooks. Tribal Community & Culture: The Cherokee Nation rolled out a redesigned Cherokee.gov focused on making services easier to reach by “life events,” while a Tahlequah-area powwow story spotlighted families keeping traditions alive through dance. Hispanic Heritage Month: Oklahoma City kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with its first outdoor “El Grito” celebration at Plaza Calle Dos Cinco, featuring music, performances, and community activities. Immigration Enforcement & Voting: A federal lawsuit challenges a Trump administration policy allowing ICE officers at polling places, arguing it violates election-site protections. Arts & Community Events: Iranian students hosted “A Place to Breathe,” a Persian-language poetry and music event centered on art, storytelling, and reconnection. Local Governance & Records: Oklahoma City says private records from a shuttered charter school are now secured after months of delay and dispute.