Stories You May Have Missed: Oklahoma Politics, Epic Schools And More
- mike33692
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Stories You May Have Missed: Oklahoma Politics, Epic Schools, Texas Flooding And More
From a major shift in the Oklahoma governor's race to new questions surrounding Epic Charter Schools, Oklahoma news moved quickly this week. State leaders also responded to devastating Texas flooding, authorities targeted suspected illegal marijuana operations, and Oklahoma cattle producers confronted threats ranging from New World screwworm to drought.
Here are five Oklahoma stories you may have missed and the developments that could continue making headlines.
Oklahoma Stories You May Have Missed This Week
Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei is explaining why he reversed his position on the controversial Inola aluminum smelter project, a change that has become a major issue in his runoff battle with Attorney General Gentner Drummond.
Mazzei told News 9 and News On 6 that his initial concerns focused on financial incentives for the project, but said additional research convinced him the smelter could create thousands of jobs and strengthen national security by increasing domestic aluminum production.
Drummond has accused Mazzei of changing his position to secure President Donald Trump's endorsement, while Mazzei maintains his decision came after learning more about the project's potential economic impact.
Epic Charter Schools says improving student achievement is now its top priority following a forensic audit that identified serious financial management failures and state testing results showing students performing below Oklahoma averages.
The recent audit found no evidence of fraud or embezzlement involving the district's current budget crisis but identified weak financial controls and inaccurate enrollment projections that contributed to layoffs and program cuts.
The district says it has completed 15 corrective actions required by the Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board and repaid a $30 million line of credit. However, academic performance remains a major concern, particularly among special education students and other vulnerable groups.
Oklahoma Responds To Emergencies And Illegal Operations
Oklahoma answered a request for mutual aid by deploying two Type 3 Swift Water Rescue Teams to assist with devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country.
The 24-person deployment included members of Oklahoma Task Force 1 and emergency responders from multiple Oklahoma communities. The teams staged near San Antonio for a seven-day mission supporting flood response operations.
The deployment was coordinated through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, which allows states to share emergency personnel and resources during governor-declared disasters.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond's Organized Crime Task Force raided marijuana businesses in Bristow and Tulsa as part of an ongoing crackdown on suspected illegal activity within Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry.
Agents seized marijuana products during operations in Bristow and made arrests. In Tulsa, investigators reported finding more than 1,000 fentanyl pills, along with heroin, ecstasy, cocaine and 118 pounds of processed marijuana at Black Purple Kush Dispensary.
The operations involved cooperation between the Organized Crime Task Force, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and local law enforcement agencies.
Cattle Producers Watch Screwworm Threat And Drought
Oklahoma cattle producers are closely watching the growing New World screwworm threat while also navigating record cattle prices, drought conditions and questions about profitability.
Payne County cattle producer Clay Burtrum told the Oklahoma Farm Report that producers are particularly concerned about how close the parasite could move toward Oklahoma and the Red River. The pest can cause severe and potentially fatal wounds in livestock.
At the same time, high cattle prices are creating challenges for some stocker operators trying to determine whether buying cattle for wheat pasture will remain profitable. Producers in western and southwestern Oklahoma are also dealing with persistent drought conditions while other parts of the state have benefited from recent rainfall.
Industry leaders gathering for the 2026 Summer Cattle Industry Business Meeting are also examining risk management programs and policy changes that could help producers rebuild the nation's cattle herd while managing continued financial uncertainty.
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