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.

Stitt applauds court ruling over environmental policy on tribal lands

Governor Kevin Stitt Applauds Federal Court for Clarifying the Narrow Nature of the McGirt Ruling

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 20, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt today released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s approval of Oklahoma’s authority to administer federal environmental programs on tribal lands.

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

It's almost voting time, and you're likely here because you don't want to be surprised when you see nine justices and judges on your ballot whom you know nothing about. Thanks for dropping by!

If you've ever done the frustrating task of searching for information on these courts and judges, I feel your pain. As I mentioned in previous election years, finding information on the justices and judges on the retention ballot can be a difficult task for the average voter, so I've tried to do the work for you.

In this post, I'll cover the following justices and judges who are on every Oklahoma voter's ballot:

• Supreme Court - M. John Kane IV
• Supreme Court - Travis V. Jett
• Supreme Court - Dana Kuehn
• Supreme Court - Richard B. Darby
• Court of Criminal Appeals - Robert L. Hudson
• Court of Civil Appeals - Stacie L. Hixon
• Court of Civil Appeals - Deborah B. Barnes
• Court of Civil Appeals - Jane P. Wiseman
• Court of Civil Appeals - James R. Huber
  

Attorney General Drummond asks DEQ to revise proposed rules in fight over Inola smelter

Drummond asks DEQ to revise proposed rules, continues fight against Inola aluminum smelter

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 8, 2026) -- Attorney General Gentner Drummond has asked the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to ensure that a proposed air quality rule cannot be used to permit the aluminum smelter planned for Inola if the project fails to meet federal ozone limits on its own.

ODOT head Tim Gatz to retire, Stitt appoints TJ Dill as interim director

Secretary of Transportation and ODOT Executive Director Tim Gatz

Governor Stitt Thanks Secretary Tim Gatz for 37 Years of Service, Appoints TJ Dill as Interim Director

OKLAHOMA CITY (October 7, 2026) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced that Secretary of Transportation and Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) Executive Director Tim Gatz will retire from the agency, effective October 31, 2026.

"Tim has been with my administration since the very beginning, and he's been my go-to on every road, bridge, and turnpike question for nearly eight years," said Governor Stitt. "When we took office, we said we wanted Oklahoma to be a Top Ten state, and Tim took that personally. Today, Oklahoma ranks fourth in the nation for bridge conditions, a long way from where we were two decades ago. I wish him the best in this next chapter."

Rep. Gann: Greater reforms needed to deliver true property-tax relief

Rep. Gann: Greater Reforms Needed to Deliver True Property-Tax Relief

INOLA, OK (Sept. 28) – State Rep. Tom Gann today said State Question 847 may slow future increases in taxable property values, but Oklahoma cannot deliver true property-tax relief without reforming the corporate exemptions, reimbursements and tax increment financing districts that shift public costs onto homeowners and other taxpayers.

Beginning in 2027, SQ 847 would reduce the maximum annual increase in taxable value from 3% to 1.75% for homestead and agricultural property and from 5% to 4% for most other real property. It also would establish lower, income-based valuation caps for certain homeowners age 65 and older.

“SQ 847 may slow the property-tax escalator, but it does not turn it off,” Gann said. “It will not reduce anyone’s current tax bill, cap millage rates or prevent new bond levies. More importantly, it does not address the preferential tax treatment government provides to selected businesses.”

Mazzei launches first general election ad

Mike Mazzei Launches First General Election Ad: “Trusted”

Tulsa, OK (Oct. 6th) — Mike Mazzei has spent his life making life more affordable for Oklahomans, and today he released his first general election ad highlighting his plan to continue making life more affordable by eliminating the income tax and abolishing property taxes for seniors and veterans.

Bad to worse: City manager lists options for Muskogee's repayment of $29.25M judgment

Muskogee is in a world of hurt over past decisions to kick the can down the road regarding three lawsuits from 2007 over the city's improper condemnation and demolition of derelict properties in 2005 and 2006. Now, the original property damages have ballooned to almost thirty million dollars with interest and legal fees.

City Manager Kendal Francis, the man with an unenviable job at the moment, wrote an open letter to Muskogee residents detailing the options the City has for repayment of the $29.25M judgments. They range from bad to worse based on the limited options the City has available to raise revenue. Read 'em and weep:

City Manager Kendal Francis Details Repayment Options for Court Judgments

September 28, 2026

Dear Citizens of Muskogee,

I recently wrote to you about three court judgments against the City totaling $29.25 million. I promised to explain our options as we worked through them. We now have a clearer picture of those options and the path forward.

The judgments are a legal obligation of the City. The question is no longer whether they must be paid, but how do we pay them and how much of that cost falls on Muskogee property owners each year.

There is no painless option. Each choice has a cost. My goal is to explain the four options in plain language so you can understand what each one could mean for you.

Congressman Brecheen's office still accepting 2026 service academy nomination requests

Service Academy Nominations

(Tuesday, Sept. 22nd) – The office of Congressman Josh Brecheen is still accepting service academy nomination requests. 

The honor of attending a service academy comes with the obligation and commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.

OETA debate still on; Mazzei, Munson will pre-tape before Trump rally

One of the first questions political reporters and observers had after the announcement of President Trump's October 1st rally in Durant was whether the previously scheduled OETA gubernatorial debate between Republican nominee Mike Mazzei and Democratic nominee Cyndi Munson would still take place, after it was also announced that Mazzei would be joining the president at his Midterm Rally.

The debate is still on. OETA and the candidates will be pre-taping it earlier in the day, and airing it twice over the next few days:

Mike Mazzei Agrees to October 1 OETA Debate Following Schedule Accommodation

Tulsa, OK — With President Donald Trump scheduled to visit Oklahoma on Thursday, October 1, OETA has graciously agreed to pre-tape the gubernatorial debate earlier that day, allowing the debate to move forward as planned. The debate will air Thursday, October 1, 2026, and re-air Saturday, October 3, 2026.