Oklahoma Watch
Oklahoma Watch is a non-profit organization that produces in-depth and investigative journalism on important public-policy issues facing the state. Oklahoma Watch is non-partisan and strives to be balanced, fair, accurate and comprehensive. The reporting project collaborates on occasion with other news outlets. Topics of particular interest include poverty, education, health care, the young and the old, and the disadvantaged.
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The Oklahoma Department of Securities is suing Vesta Realty for failing to produce documents it subpoenaed, the latest in at least 28 lawsuits filed in 2026 against CEO Marc Kulick, his company or properties he controls. -
State Question 847, on the November 3 ballot, would lower Oklahoma's annual property assessment growth caps from 3% to 1.75% for homesteads and from 5% to 4% for commercial and rental properties. Supporters say it eases inflation pressure on homeowners and farmers. Critics say it will squeeze schools, counties and cities. -
Oklahoma Watch, Oct. 7, 2026 -
AI detection software is so unreliable it shouldn't be used, Oklahoma's Education Department says. Instead, schools are rethinking how they assign work. -
Oklahoma Watch, Sept. 30, 2026 -
Sen. Julia Kirt held a September interim study on land banks, quasi-governmental entities that acquire vacant and blighted properties for development, after her land bank bill died in committee this spring. -
A Medicare trial program is helping Oklahoma dementia caregivers, but only 128 aatients are enrolledA Medicare trial program called GUIDE is helping Oklahoma dementia patients stay home longer and reducing caregiver burden through care navigators, 24/7 hotlines and $2,500 in annual respite funding. -
The criminal case against Epic Charter Schools' co-founders is now more than four years old with no trial date set, no arraignment entered and a new attorney general taking office in January. Defense attorneys have delayed the case at every turn, and the next AG will inherit a prosecution of historic complexity and political sensitivity. -
Oklahoma Watch, Sept. 23, 2026 -
The Legislature is asking Oklahoma voters to consider changing the state Constitution to restructure the Judicial Nominating Commission.
