Oklahoma ranks 3rd in the nation for fatal police encounters. Plus, we dive into the Vesta Realty rental crisis and the future of the state's largest workers' comp insurer.
Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt. 🎧
https://ow.ly/Rcjm50YsqzY
A rural community in eastern Oklahoma is set to be the site of the country’s largest aluminum plant. Residents don’t want it and feel like no one cares.
https://ow.ly/LL8z50YshKP
Oklahoma Rep. Kevin Hern appears to have filed up to $17.6 million in stock trades late. His office says the filings aren't late.
https://ow.ly/R0nf50YrvVh
Andrea Eger is joining Oklahoma Watch! She is an award-winning investigative and education reporter who has been a staple of Oklahoma journalism for over two decades. We are very excited to have her on our team!
https://oklahomawatch.org/
Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready approved a plan for CompSource Mutual Insurance Co. to convert from a mutual insurer to a stock company, allowing it to raise capital and expand. The proposal now heads to policyholders for a vote. #insurance #okleg #okgov
https://ow.ly/QGwK50Yr3Nz
Mark your calendars for March 9th, Oklahoma Watch has a major announcement you won’t want to miss! Stay tuned...
https://oklahomawatch.org/
Is the ICE budget for converting warehouses to detention facilities more than Oklahoma’s total annual spending? @factbriefs
https://ow.ly/ZvRi50YqkWy
Oil tycoon and major GOP donor Harold Hamm has reportedly approached Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt to request an appointment to the state's newly vacant U.S. Senate seat.
https://ow.ly/OxLm50YqjIU
Tenants in Oklahoma have few options for holding bad landlords accountable, and one real estate company’s problematic management highlights the lack of protections for tenants across the state.
https://ow.ly/1spK50YpY5v
President Donald Trump announced Thursday that Kristi Noem is out as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin will take her place effective March 31.
https://ow.ly/mMHp50YpQal
Over 12 years, Oklahoma has recorded 383 fatal encounters involving police. Annual totals have remained remarkably consistent, ranging from 20 to 38 deaths.
https://ow.ly/IN6350YoWHN
The eviction of Frank Myers from Fair View Mobile Homes highlights the minimal tenant protections in Oklahoma, and the questionable nature of rent-to-own deals.
https://oklahomawatch.org/2026/03/03/rent-to-own-scheme-highlights-lack-of-tenant-protections/
Proposals to create a bail hearing pilot program and standardize pretrial risk assessments are headed to the Senate floor, though with lingering fiscal questions.
https://ow.ly/kzWz50YnZeH
As the Oklahoma Supreme Court weighs the attorney general’s attempt to intervene in Oklahoma’s ongoing hail claim saga, two Chickasha cases reveal how the number of cases has exploded.
https://ow.ly/AFbh50YmcUK
💥News that hits different 💥
Download the new Oklahoma Watch app and learn how investigative journalism can impact you!
https://ow.ly/5cQf50YmAvI
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Tribal leaders say Trump’s push to dismantle the Department of Education has left Native education programs in limbo. Many felt excluded from a February consultation.
Read: https://oklahomawatch.org/2026/02/26/native-american-leaders-are-furious-with-trumps-tribal-education-shakeup/
A new report shows Oklahoma’s student outcomes are at the lowest level on record, ahead of only West Virginia, Alaska and New Mexico. #oklaed
https://ow.ly/3Grb50YlQF3
The Oklahoma Watch app is upgraded! Get trusted investigative journalism with a fresh look and improved features. No Favorites. No Falsehoods. No Fear. Download now on the Apple App or Google Play Store!
https://ow.ly/GOOo50YljWb
A rental registry would have allowed for tenants to easily find information on their landlord. One problem: Oklahoma law bans municipalities from having mandatory rental registrations.
https://ow.ly/gqZ850YkNw1
Here is the audio of Oklahoma Watch’s published stories for the week of February 16, 2026.
https://ow.ly/5otZ50Ykjxl
Burnt bacon at breakfast started one of Washington's most productive friendships. Here's how Cole and DeLauro are making Congress work.
https://ow.ly/iOtX50YjKVF
Did Kamala Harris only win in states that do not require voter ID, as Sen. Mullin claimed? @Factbriefs
https://ow.ly/mNI450YiUHS
“I don’t think that data centers are being taken seriously by a lot of my own party right now,” —Oklahoma state Sen. Kendal Sacchieri, R-Blanchard.
https://ow.ly/xv2T50YhVsl
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Board of Investors approved new anti-ESG investment rules championed by Treasurer Todd Russ, requiring its $2.2 billion fund to reflect “Oklahoma values” in proxy voting and asset management decisions. #ESG #okleg #okgov
https://ow.ly/qFUA50YhWta
Gov. Kevin Stitt will attend Saturday's White House dinner but stripped it of National Governors Association status after President Trump barred two Democratic governors. Trump called Stitt a RINO in response.
https://ow.ly/6mwC50YhRAl
State Farm's own claims specialist said he'd do "creative writing" to get a roof approved. Management denied it anyway. He told the customer in a voicemail.
https://ow.ly/fYBl50YhCs9
Keaton Ross reports on issues blocking access to municipal campaign finance data. Paul Monies looks at state agencies prepping for federal funding uncertainty. Elizabeth Caldwell on the outcry over a Stillwater teen’s sentence for rape and strangulation. Shaun Witt hosts.
https://ow.ly/u5mk50YhknC
More than 30 Oklahoma law enforcement agencies have signed federal agreements deputizing officers as ICE agents. A raid in OKC's Asian District in January sent shockwaves through the Vietnamese community.
https://ow.ly/r92350Yh4Py
Federal funding giveth — and taketh away. As Washington orders Medicaid cuts, Oklahoma prepares to roll out a sweeping rural health overhaul funded by guess who? The feds. #okgov #okleg #okhealth
https://ow.ly/mKO050Ygjo7
