AGP Executive Report

Utility Regulation: Oklahoma’s PSO rate case stays in the spotlight as the Corporation Commission reviews a proposed $600 million increase; after AG Gentner Drummond pushed for a settlement, the interim impact was framed as about a $2.45 monthly rise for typical residential customers, with critics warning methodology could shift costs toward industry. Public Safety & Compliance: The Marissa Murrow Act took effect, requiring specialized licensing and in-person alcohol service training for bartenders at Oklahoma event venues—aimed at closing a loophole that left private rentals less regulated than bars and restaurants. Energy & Data Centers: The PSO fight also ties into a separate “large load tariff” for data centers and other high-demand users, as industrial groups and federal stakeholders question how demand is measured and allocated. Banking & Deals: Sovereign Bank is acquiring Leader First Bancorp, parent of The First National Bank in Marlow, expanding its southern Oklahoma footprint under the Sovereign brand. Local Business: Enid Brewing owner Brady Sidwell bought Stillwater’s Iron Monk Brewing, combining operations to serve customers across northern Oklahoma. Sports Business: The NBA’s biggest headlines include the Celtics trading Jaylen Brown to the 76ers for Paul George and multiple draft picks, while LeBron James enters free agency after leaving the Lakers.

Banking & Hiring: Arvest Bank hired former Bartlesville Schools Superintendent Chuck McCauley as a commercial banker for Bartlesville and surrounding communities, tapping his 30+ years in education leadership. Housing & State Incentives: Oklahoma’s Housing Stability Program has put $170.4 million to work to expand affordable homebuilding and rentals, with 1,058 homes in the pipeline across 29 counties and 0% builder loans plus down-payment help for buyers. Utilities & Consumer Costs: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond announced a settlement that cuts PSO’s proposed residential rate increase from about 15% to roughly $2.45 per month, pending Oklahoma Corporation Commission approval. Insurance & Litigation: Drummond also filed a new lawsuit against State Farm alleging a coordinated scheme to underpay or deny Oklahoma hail and wind claims. Local Business/Community: Sparklight says it invested more than $11 million over three years to expand fiber in Ada, Ardmore, Sulphur and nearby areas. Public Safety/Local Economy: Oklahoma lawmakers’ “Rocket’s Red Glare Act” restores statewide sales of bottle rockets for the Fourth of July, while urging residents to follow local bans and burn/Red Flag rules.

NBA Business: The LA Clippers agreed to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, multiple draft picks and a 2027 pick swap, ending Leonard’s seven-year run in Los Angeles and reshaping the Clippers’ roster plans. Sports & Economy: LeBron James also informed the Lakers he’ll play elsewhere, with multiple contenders now watching the free-agent market. Oklahoma Ballot & Labor: Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 832, keeping the state minimum wage at $7.25 and turning back a proposal that would have ramped pay to $15 by 2029. Utilities & Rates: PSO’s rate case remains a flashpoint as regulators weigh proposals tied to capacity expansion; a judge also overturned a Rogers County decision blocking part of PSO’s power plant project. Local Development: Tulsa’s downtown hotel project leadership shifted as Nichols appointed former Mayor Kathy Taylor to lead the effort. Community Finance: Arvest Bank’s Million Meals campaign raised $40,000 for the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, supporting 160,000 meals. Energy & Industry: Inola paused approvals for a proposed $4 billion aluminum smelter amid resident concerns over emissions and impacts.

NBA Free Agency Watch: LeBron James told the Lakers he’ll play elsewhere in 2026-27, setting off a scramble for his next destination as the free-agent window opens Tuesday. Raptors-Clippers Trade: Kawhi Leonard is reportedly headed back to Toronto in a deal for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-rounders, a major reset for both franchises. Oklahoma Housing Grants: Five Oklahoma tribes won $1.6 million for affordable housing and community projects, including tiny homes, rental assistance and RV-to-housing conversions. Energy Rates in Oklahoma: PSO will add about $11 per month via an interim rate increase starting July 1 while regulators review a larger request. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Oklahoma’s Invest in Oklahoma Board met on the state’s $200 million sovereign wealth fund, projected to top $670 million in five years with oil-and-gas production tax deposits. Oil & Gas Deals: Bear River Midstream launched as an independent natural gas storage operator backed by I Squared after acquiring assets in Wyoming and Oklahoma. Infrastructure Litigation: A lawsuit seeks to stop Oklahoma Turnpike Authority bond financing for an East-West Connector project over alleged environmental permit and review issues. Business & Tech Capital: Ionic Digital secured $400 million in equity investment ahead of an IPO, valuing the AI/HPC-and-mining firm at $2 billion.

NBA Free Agency Watch: With the window opening Tuesday, the biggest storyline is still LeBron James’ next move, while the league’s early offseason churn keeps coming—most notably the Memphis Grizzlies trading Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. Oklahoma Health Care Authority: The OKHCA board approved a balanced budget for 2027 despite receiving only about half the funding increase it requested, leaving Medicaid with “razor-thin margins” as it navigates eligibility and cost-growth assumptions. Aviation & Innovation in OKC: The Trump administration is breaking ground on an FAA test site at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center to evaluate vertical takeoff and landing tech for flying cars and electric air taxis. Inola Aluminum Fight: In Rogers County, Inola City Council is weighing a proposed six-month moratorium that could delay a $4 billion aluminum smelter, as Trump and Gov. Kevin Stitt weigh in on the dispute. Energy & Oil Patch: SandRidge Energy agreed to buy Cherokee Play assets for $65 million, adding production and acreage in Oklahoma’s Mid-Continent region. DOJ vs. Tuition Policies: The Justice Department sued Massachusetts and Rhode Island over in-state tuition and aid for certain undocumented students, arguing the laws unlawfully discriminate against U.S. citizens. Local Business & Enforcement: Two OKC boutique owners face felony charges tied to an alleged $3M+ counterfeit luxury goods operation.

NBA Free Agency Watch: The NBA’s free agency window opens Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET, with teams already reshuffling via trades and extensions—most notably the Heat’s Giannis Antetokounmpo deal and a Celtics-Jaylen Brown trade storyline. OKC Roster Moves: The Thunder exercised Luguentz Dort’s 2026-27 option and reportedly declined Kenrich Williams’ option, keeping a key defensive piece in place as the team continues its offseason churn. Oklahoma Energy & Deals: SandRidge Energy agreed to buy Cherokee Play assets in the Mid-Continent for $65M cash, adding about 3,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. AI/HPC Expansion: LM Funding says it will repurpose power and capacity from its Oklahoma Bitcoin mining site to launch AI and high-performance computing infrastructure. Data Center Backlash: American Tower withdrew a proposed 4MW Edge data center plan in New Jersey after local opposition. Legal/Policy: The DOJ sued Massachusetts and Rhode Island over in-state tuition and aid for undocumented students, arguing it conflicts with federal law. Oklahoma Infrastructure Lawsuit: An anti-turnpike group sued the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and federal agencies to halt parts of the East-West Connector expansion, alleging environmental review failures. Banking: BOK Financial will hold its Q2 2026 earnings call July 21.

Oklahoma Youth Services: Oklahoma’s child welfare director Michael Williams launched the state’s first youth advisory board, giving current and former foster youth a formal voice in shaping policy, including changes like letting youth meet potential foster placements before moving. Education Policy: New Oklahoma education laws take effect July 1, including guardrails for AI in classrooms, updates to statewide testing, and efforts tied to teacher pipeline needs. Energy & Deals: Tulsa-based Williams is reportedly nearing a $5.5 billion acquisition of Momentum Midstream, a move that would expand gas pipeline capacity tied to Gulf Coast LNG exports. Critical Minerals Incentives: Iondrive won a letter of support from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce that could unlock up to $15 million in performance-based incentives for its rare-earth processing and recycling module. Local Industry Debate: Inola leaders will revisit concerns over a proposed aluminum smelter, including an EPA/DEQ permitting overview and discussion of a potential moratorium. Economy Snapshot: WalletHub ranked Kansas 23rd for 2026 state economic performance, with Oklahoma at 43rd.

Local Infrastructure: Marietta’s downtown sidewalk overhaul is set to start July 6, with new ADA-compliant sidewalks planned for the 100 block of Main Street (estimated $578,000) and up to 90 days of work—residents and businesses will need to move potted decorations before crews begin. Immigration & Higher Ed: The U.S. DOJ is suing Kansas over its in-state tuition law for undocumented students, arguing it violates federal rules; Gov. Laura Kelly says she’ll fight back by seeking to intervene. Public Policy & Business: Oklahoma’s governor signed a late-May law expanding raw milk sales to more than 10 times prior limits, even as illness clusters were reported in multiple states—raising renewed questions about consumer choice versus food safety. Energy & Water: AI data centers are increasingly being proposed over the Ogallala/High Plains groundwater system, putting water availability at the center of local economic debates. Community & Food Security: Arvest Bank’s Million Meals campaign reported a record $633,513 raised, supporting hunger relief across its four-state footprint, including $13,927 for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas. Sports Business: Trump nominates former Oklahoma trooper Lance Schroyer to lead ICE, a move that could reshape enforcement priorities and staffing.

ICE Leadership Shake-Up: President Trump says he’ll nominate former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead Immigration and Customs Enforcement, replacing acting director David Venturella, as the administration pushes harder deportation enforcement. Cybersecurity & Insurance: AssuranceAmerica says a data breach may have exposed sensitive information, including Social Security data, for at least 1.1 million people across seven states, with Oklahoma among the affected locations. NBA Front-Office Moves (OKC): The Thunder are leaning into roster and salary flexibility after signing Isaiah Hartenstein to a three-year, $75 million deal, while also reshaping the team with new draft additions. Rural Data Center Backlash: An unexpected coalition is forming to fight data centers in rural America, with public meetings drawing heavy scrutiny over deals and development details. Food Policy Impact: Arkansas begins enforcing a SNAP ban on soda and certain other items starting July 1, a move that also highlights Oklahoma’s similar waiver approach. Energy Efficiency in Schools: SWEPCO delivered a $49,505 incentive check to Kilgore ISD for energy-saving upgrades tied to its new high school.

NBA/OKC Deals: The Thunder locked in center Isaiah Hartenstein on a three-year, $75 million extension, keeping OKC’s frontcourt depth intact as it works around second-apron limits. Immigration Enforcement: President Trump nominated former Oklahoma state trooper Lance Schroyer to lead ICE, as detainee deaths in custody are investigated. Local Business/Community Aid: An Oklahoma City business, VeneBurgers, is collecting donations for Venezuela earthquake relief after deadly quakes this week. Oklahoma Courts/Insurance: The Oklahoma Supreme Court’s rulings in the State Farm litigation could push disputed “hot documents” toward public view, shaping the next phase of the fight over denied claims. Energy Efficiency: Kilgore ISD’s new high school is getting a SWEPCO-backed incentive check of $49,505.62 tied to energy savings from upgraded lighting and HVAC. Health & Litigation: An Oklahoma family expanded a lawsuit alleging an Arby’s franchise employee intentionally contaminated food with herpes. Markets/Agribusiness: Grain markets are trying to find a bottom ahead of USDA reports, with crop conditions and export demand driving volatility.

Thunder Contract News: Isaiah Hartenstein is set to sign a three-year, $75 million extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, keeping him in OKC through 2028-29, with a maximum 15% trade kicker and a mutual option that lets both sides revisit terms in 2028. Thunder Roster/Cap Move: OKC also traded sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks, a financially motivated salary-shedding move aimed at improving OKC’s luxury-tax outlook and Detroit’s need for perimeter shooting. Oklahoma Public Health: State officials are warning about rising overdoses tied to a potent synthetic kratom compound (7-OH) after an Oklahoma man’s death, urging parents and retailers to treat the product as dangerous. Local Business/Community: Arvest Bank’s Million Meals campaign raised a record $633,513, funding more than 3.16 million meals across its four-state footprint, including $40,000 for the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Education/Workforce: Oklahoma’s education conversation also surfaced in coverage of schools failing to teach practical skills like counting change and using a tape measure.

Higher Education: Oklahoma State Regents approved 2026-27 tuition and mandatory fee increases averaging 2.2% systemwide, with campus hikes ranging from 1.8% at Western Oklahoma State College to 4.7% at Oklahoma State University, as officials cite rising costs not covered by state appropriations. Thunder Moves: The Oklahoma City Thunder traded sharpshooter Isaiah Joe to the Detroit Pistons for two future second-round picks (2030 via Minnesota and 2031), a salary-tax move that keeps OKC trimming payroll while Detroit adds perimeter shooting for Cade Cunningham. Tribal Education: Cherokee Nation leaders approved legislation to bring full tribal oversight of the Cherokee Immersion School, shifting it from an Oklahoma public charter model to an independent Cherokee Nation institution. State Policy Fight: Seventeen GOP attorneys general, including Oklahoma’s, sued California over its plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide. Local Business & Community: Oklahoma City Animal Shelter paused intake after seizing 350+ animals from a southeast OKC home, while the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association opened registration for its July 24-25 Tulsa convention and trade show.

Utility Rates Watch: The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is holding another public comment meeting on PSO’s proposed $600 million rate increase, which PSO says would add about $25 per month for the average residential customer as regulators weigh whether the higher bills are tied to needed grid upgrades and demand growth. Insurance Crackdown: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond sued State Farm, alleging the insurer used deceptive practices to deny or underpay homeowners’ roof damage claims and engaged in racketeering since 2020. Education Funding: Sixteen Oklahoma colleges are seeking tuition and fee increases averaging 2.96% as the State Regents consider requests that could raise undergraduate costs systemwide. Private School Tax Credit: Oklahoma’s Parental Choice Tax Credit Program is set to spend at least $255 million next year, with participation shifting toward higher-income and other nontraditional priority groups. Local Business Disruption: Big Truck Tacos will temporarily close June 29–July 5 due to Northwest 23rd Street streetscape construction in OKC’s Uptown District. Community Relief: Enid-area nonprofits are building a joint “Enid Strong Grant” process for tornado victims after receiving more than $300,000 in donations. Public Safety: Owasso lifted an evacuation order for Cornerstone Shopping Center after methane monitoring and a venting system showed no hazardous concentrations.

Olympic Push: Oklahoma’s Department of Commerce says it’s investing more than $100 million to prep for the 2028 Summer Olympics, with softball upgrades at Devon Park, canoe slalom work at RIVERSPORT, and Oklahoma City University set to host the Olympic satellite village. Local Governance: Norman City Council approved a data center moratorium on permit approvals to study impacts and consider zoning changes, joining other metro cities moving to slow the pace. State Courts/Insurance: The Oklahoma Supreme Court denied AG Gentner Drummond’s bid to intervene in the State Farm fight but laid out a path for an independent action that could open the door to criminal charges. Health Insurance: Nonprofit Medica will exit Oklahoma’s ACA Marketplace for 2027, affecting about 8,400 members, as insurer pullbacks continue. Business & Community: Paycom donated $50,000 to Free Mom Hugs, supporting LGBTQIA+ visibility and education, while Oklahoma City’s OKC For Soccer investor group adds Baker Mayfield and Jalen Williams. Energy/Policy: Oklahoma’s sweepstakes casino ban takes effect Nov. 1, reshaping the state’s online gaming landscape.

NBA Business & Local Sports: Austin Reaves is set to re-sign with the Lakers on a four-year, $185 million deal, after declining his $14.9 million player option, while Oklahoma’s presence in the draft continues with OKC selecting Michigan’s Otega Oweh (No. 41) and Thunder moves that include trading for Bennett Stirtz. Energy Markets: Oil prices slid as Hormuz reopening boosted supply; Brent fell back near pre-war levels while Cushing inventories dropped to their lowest in years, keeping traders focused on how quickly barrels can move. Legal & Consumer Protection (Oklahoma): Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond sued State Farm, alleging fraud and improper handling of homeowners’ roof-damage claims. Trade & Industrial Policy: AG Chris Carr joined a coalition challenging California’s plastics packaging law, arguing it raises costs and overreaches. Immigration & Higher Ed: Kansas joined DOJ efforts to end in-state tuition benefits for certain undocumented students. Oklahoma Governance: Oklahoma County commissioners rejected a proposed sales tax for new jail funding, as local leaders weigh public safety costs.

Insurance & AG Action: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond filed a new lawsuit against State Farm in Cleveland County, alleging a “corporate scheme” to fraudulently deny or underpay homeowners’ wind and hail claims, after the Oklahoma Supreme Court barred him from intervening in an earlier State Farm case. Banking & Lending: Truist is being sued over alleged citizenship-status discrimination after a Tulsa-area loan denial tied to an Obama-era DACA recipient. Healthcare Fraud: The DOJ announced a massive Medicaid fraud takedown totaling $208M tied to behavioral health and other provider billing and kickback allegations. Hospital Pricing Transparency: Federal regulators issued warning letters to more than 500 hospitals nationwide, including eight in Oklahoma, for alleged noncompliance with price transparency rules. Minimum Wage: Minimum wages rise in more than 20 cities and states in July, while Oklahoma voters rejected a state minimum-wage hike. Education Safety: Oklahoma unveiled a statewide school safety training and assessment partnership led by the Department of Public Safety and the State Department of Education. Higher Ed Costs: Sixteen Oklahoma universities, including OU and OSU, are seeking tuition and fee increases averaging 2.96% for regents approval. Food Recall: MorningStar Farms recalled two products in Walmart markets across Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri due to possible plastic pieces. Telecom: Carolina West Wireless will sell its network to Verizon and end service by Sept. 30, pushing customers to switch.