House members study biochar production and potential for Oklahoma

Dobrinski Studies Biochar Impacts for Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 20th) – Rep. Mike Dobrinski, R-Okeene, on Tuesday held an interim study before the House Agriculture Committee examining biochar production and its potential applications in Oklahoma.

Study participants first had to learn what biochar is.

Dr. Lori Han, with the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Science at the University of Oklahoma, explained biochar is a carbon-rich material made from biomass that undergoes a thermochemical conversion process known as pyrolysis. A simpler way to say this is a once living material, exposed to high heat, becomes a material with new properties.

New state agency rules transparency reforms take effect

New Admin Rules Transparency Reforms Take Effect

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 30th) – Two new laws taking effect Nov. 1 will further strengthen Oklahoma's administrative rules process by requiring state agencies to demonstrate clear legal authority for their regulations and making agency guidance documents more accessible to the public.

OK joins FTC, 19 states in suing Dollar General for unlawfully overcharging consumers

Drummond sues Dollar General for charging consumers more than advertised

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 27, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has sued Dollar General Corporation for engaging in deceptive pricing practices that routinely charged customers more at the register than the prices displayed on shelves, price tags and advertisements.

Drummond, the Federal Trade Commission and a coalition of 19 other state attorneys general filed the complaint yesterday, noting that Dollar General’s unfair practices have cost consumers millions of dollars. The complaint alleges that Dollar General has, for years, repeatedly mislabeled prices, overcharged consumers and failed to correct the issue despite extensive corporate knowledge of the problem.

AG opinion says Nov. 3rd U.S. Senate winner will take office upon election certification

Drummond: Nov. 3 winner will fill remainder of U.S. Senate term

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 29, 2026) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond today issued a formal opinion on the U.S. Senate seat vacated by former Sen. Markwayne Mullin. The opinion concludes that the candidate elected to the seat on Nov. 3 will also fill the rest of the term. That candidate will be eligible to take office once the State Election Board certifies the results. 

MuskogeePolitico's recommendations for the 2026 Election

Tuesday, November 3rd, is the Oklahoma General Election, and voters all across the state will be heading to the polls to decide who will hold elected offices for the next two to six years (depending on the position). Below are my voting recommendations. I know I'm just a lowly blogger, but hopefully the information in this post will be helpful with your voting plans.

If you don't know where to vote, or want to see your sample ballot, use this helpful link from the Oklahoma State Election Board to find out. Early voting continues tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 31st), from 8am to 2pm, at these locations. Election day voting is 7am to 7pm at your polling place.

Stitt appoints Judge Marion Fry to Court of Criminal Appeals

Gov. Kevin Stitt has picked a successor to retiring Judge Gary Lumpkin on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals:

Governor Stitt Appoints Judge Marion D. Fry to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 29, 2026) – Today, Governor Kevin Stitt appointed Judge Marion D. Fry to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, District 3.

"Judge Fry has spent his whole career fighting for law and order,” said Governor Stitt. "He knows the law, he respects the Constitution, and he understands that public safety matters to every Oklahoma family. I'm confident he'll serve the people of eastern Oklahoma and our entire state well on the Court of Criminal Appeals."

Vote against Judge Jane Wiseman

Among the statewide judges up for retention this year is Judge Jane P. Wiseman of the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals (read more about this year's judicial retention ballot here). 

A key figure in the Left's long march to reshape Oklahoma's conservative, Christian-rooted culture, Wiseman officiated Oklahoma's first same-sex marriage, calling it a "joyous occasion." Her liberal record stretches much further back, but this distinction sets her apart from the other judges on Oklahoma's appellate courts. Christians and conservatives have strong grounds to oppose her.

Lawmakers study use of Flock cameras in Oklahoma

Sen. Boren presents interim study on use of Flock cameras in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 13rd) – Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, asked the Public Safety Committee to examine the rapid expansion of Flock license plate reader cameras across Oklahoma. With billions of vehicle images stored in databases nationwide, the technology has intensified debate at the Capitol over the Fourth Amendment, law enforcement, and mass surveillance. The interim study brought this growing national dispute before members Wednesday.

“Before the study, I reviewed feedback from across the state and was impressed by Oklahomans’ understanding of their right to be free from unreasonable surveillance and warrantless searches. People should feel secured by their government, not stalked by it,” Boren said.

The hearing addressed several issues, including Oklahoma law governing Flock camera use, relevant case law, Fourth Amendment protections, and public safety concerns.

Early voting begins Wednesday for Oklahoma voters

Early Voting Begins Wednesday for November General Election

(Oklahoma City, Oct. 23rd) – State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced today that in-person absentee voting (also known as “early voting”) for the November 3 General Election begins Wednesday across the state. Early voting locations will be open Wednesday, October 28 through Friday, October 30 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, October 31 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

Secretary Ziriax encourages voters to make a plan to vote. “With four days of early voting and Election Day on Tuesday, there are plenty of opportunities for voters to cast their ballot. Remember, no excuse is needed to vote early. However, you will need to complete an in-person absentee ballot application when you check in at your early voting location.”

City Foundation rejects request to fund Muskogee's $29M judgment, then gives $10M to help with expenses

At their bimonthly meeting this evening, the City of Muskogee Foundation rejected Muskogee Mayor Ryan Lowe's proposal to use the equivalent of (approximately) half of the foundation's annual return on investment to pay Muskogee's pending $29.25M legal bill stemming from three lawsuits over improper condemnation and demolition of derelict properties in 2005 and 2006. The city's other options for payment are either back-breaking property tax hikes or a hefty sales tax hike, or some combination of the two.

At the same time, the Foundation did approve another request by the city for a $10M grant (spread out over 5 years) so the city could reallocate other funds to put toward that debt service. Read more on the meeting from the Muskogee Phoenix and KJRH.

CITY OF MUSKOGEE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES $10 MILLION FUNDING AGREEMENT WITH CITY OF MUSKOGEE 

MUSKOGEE, OK (Oct. 26th) - The City of Muskogee Foundation today announced a five-year, $10 million funding partnership with the City of Muskogee to support eligible industrial development activities while providing the City with greater flexibility to address its financial obligations. The request from the City was approved during the Foundation’s bimonthly board meeting, with 12 members voting in favor and two abstaining.

Here's what you need to know about the State Questions on Oklahoma's 2026 ballot

Two weeks ago, I published Here's what you need to know about the judges on Oklahoma's 2026 ballot. In this post, I'll focus in on the two state questions that are on the ballot. I got some of my information from these helpful articles (SQ 845, SQ 847) at Ballotpedia, in addition to information from various blogs and sites.

State legislators urge US Senate to protect rural postal services

Oklahoma Lawmakers Urge U.S. Senators to Protect Reliable Rural Postal Service

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 19th) — As the U.S. Senate considers nominees to the United States Postal Service Board of Governors, Oklahoma lawmakers and rural community leaders are urging the state's U.S. Senators to ensure the Postal Service remains committed to dependable mail service for rural communities.