AGP Executive Report

Gubernatorial Race: Former state Sen. Mike Mazzei pledged he won’t cut Oklahoma’s sales tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans, their unremarried surviving spouses, or qualifying veterans service organizations—an issue that’s become a flashpoint with AG Gentner Drummond ahead of the Aug. 25 GOP runoff. Local Government/Infrastructure: Oklahoma County’s Citizens Bond Oversight Advisory Board advanced a new proposal for a four-tenths-of-a-cent sales tax to help close the funding gap for a replacement jail, with the tax projected to raise about $600 million over 25 to 30 years. Energy/Industry: A $4 billion aluminum smelter plan in rural Oklahoma is dividing Republican voters, with Drummond opposing it and Mazzei’s stance shifting after Trump’s endorsement—turning the project into a campaign wedge. Business & Growth: Dutch Bros is moving into former Salad and Go sites, announcing plans to buy up to 65 locations across Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas and convert them to new coffee shops. Public Health: CDC-linked outbreaks continue to ripple through Oklahoma—salmonella tied to recalled jalapeños has reached 27 states, and a separate egg recall has affected multiple states including Oklahoma.

Data Centers & Utilities: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed two bills aimed at keeping data-center growth from driving up Oklahoma utility rates and tightening water oversight, with lawmakers and industry arguing for “community partnership” guardrails. Water Conservation: With triple-digit heat stressing systems, some Oklahoma cities and water providers moved to tier-two restrictions, limiting outdoor watering to even-odd schedules while officials say pressure remains stable. Workforce & Education: At a Greater Oklahoma City Chamber event, leaders said Oklahoma’s education and workforce outlook is strong but employers want graduates with better soft skills and clearer career pathways. AI Talent Pipeline: UCO announced new AI degree programs launching this fall, built with employer input and tied to campus computing resources. Food Safety & Retail Impact: A multistate Salmonella egg recall tied to Texas production is expanding, while fast-casual chains including Qdoba and Chipotle remove jalapeños amid the outbreak. Public Safety & Logistics: ODOT will replace a decades-old I-35 weigh station near Davis with automated high-speed truck screening, starting Aug. 17. Business Real Estate: Dutch Bros is buying up to 65 former Salad and Go locations across Arizona, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas for conversion to new drive-thru coffee shops.

Oklahoma Education & Workforce: Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation landed a $50,000 NBA Foundation grant to expand its Teacher Pipeline Program and add mentorship for future educators, building on a tuition-free pathway that’s produced 48 graduates and keeps 82 students in the pipeline. Public Finance & Infrastructure: The Council of Bond Oversight conditionally approved up to $1.9 billion in Oklahoma Turnpike Authority bonds for the next phase of ACCESS Oklahoma, with court-compliance and “redirect” requirements if a key project can’t use the proceeds. Energy & Industry: USA Rare Earth set its Aug. 10 earnings release and conference call, underscoring its Stillwater magnet push as it continues building a domestic rare-earth supply chain. Food Safety: The CDC expanded the iceberg-lettuce-linked cyclospora outbreak to 15 states, including Oklahoma, with 6,358 cases and two deaths reported in Michigan. Real Estate & Tenants: Vesta Realty’s collapse has left Tulsa-area renters unsure who collects rent and manages properties amid ongoing court fights over management transfers. Economic Development & Growth: Dutch Bros agreed to buy up to 65 Salad and Go sites, including Oklahoma locations, to accelerate its expansion starting in 2027.

Food Safety & Retail Fallout: The CDC says cyclospora linked to iceberg lettuce is now tied to 15 states, with investigators focusing on Taylor Farms and recalled lettuce from central Mexico—fueling consumer hesitation and boosting local farmers’ sales. Restaurant Restructuring: Salad and Go filed for Chapter 11 and will permanently close all locations; Dutch Bros is seeking to buy many of the closed drive-thru leases for $105 million, pending bankruptcy court approval. Manufacturing Layoffs: PepsiCo filed a WARN notice for permanent layoffs at its Tulsa bottling facility (184 warehouse employees), while EnerSys’ Alpha Technologies plans to close a Bellingham unit and cut 75 jobs. Tribal Procurement Modernization: The Osage Nation selected PlanetBids to centralize and digitize procurement across departments. Energy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma’s nuclear “lifecycle innovation campus” bid is detailed in DOE documents, while Oklahoma City says its water systems remain secure amid federal probes of coordinated cyberattacks on utilities in multiple states. Local Politics & Growth: OU President Joseph Harroz backs proposed Norman turnpike interchanges as “essential,” as opponents question impacts tied to future development. Pharma Enforcement: Acting AG Cori Mills joined a $400 million multi-state settlement with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing and competition restraints. Oil Markets: U.S. crude inventories rose at Cushing, while oil prices were mixed as investors weigh Strait of Hormuz reopening hopes.

Solar & Manufacturing: Student-built solar cars wrapped up the 2026 Electrek American Solar Challenge in Amarillo, with KU Leuven winning the single-occupant class and Appalachian State taking multi-occupant honors—another signal of Oklahoma’s growing clean-energy and advanced manufacturing ecosystem. Battery Supply Chain: Stardust Power says it signed a non-binding offtake letter of intent to supply battery-grade lithium carbonate from its Muskogee refinery to Charge CCCV, with potential demand scaling from 3,000 metric tons in 2028 to 20,000 by 2030. Food & Consumer Impact: Salad and Go is permanently closing all locations after filing for Chapter 11, citing rising costs and a Cyclospora outbreak that hurt confidence in the salad industry—even though the chain says it wasn’t implicated. Public Finance & Schools: Oklahoma’s State Question 844 would let lawmakers recalibrate manufacturing tax incentive reimbursements to local governments, raising concerns from school leaders that it could cut millions tied to property tax exemptions. Digital Government: Oklahoma appears in Apple’s latest software hints for driver’s licenses in Apple Wallet, pointing to progress toward digital IDs. Health & Antitrust: Michigan AG Dana Nessel announced a $400 million settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with Oklahoma included in the broader multistate action.

Public Health: The CDC says cyclosporiasis has surged to 10,468 lab-confirmed cases since May 1, now reported in 47 states, with 517 hospitalizations and two deaths; the outbreak is linked to iceberg lettuce from Taylor Farms in central Mexico, and the agency says thousands more cases are still pending confirmation. Legal/Insurance: Oklahoma County Judge Amy Palumbo ordered State Farm to comply with discovery and depositions in the Hurshes’ case, warning the court won’t tolerate further delays and setting a path to resolve the dispute by Christmas. Infrastructure/Turnpikes: OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. backed two Norman interchanges on the South Extension Turnpike as “absolutely essential,” arguing they’re needed for safety and economic prosperity. Local Government/Jail Funding: A citizens committee advanced a proposed 0.4% sales tax for 25–30 years to help fund a new Oklahoma County jail, targeting about $600 million with added accountability measures. Tribal/Economy: Cherokee Nation Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. highlighted 2025 milestones and 2026 priorities, including economic development and cultural preservation. AI Oversight: A coalition of 15 Republican AGs, including Oklahoma’s, urged OpenAI to preserve records after an AI security incident tied to Hugging Face. Health Care/Workforce: OU Health’s new pediatric behavioral health center received a $750,000 grant ahead of its December opening.

Luxury Retail Innovation: Diamond Consulate is opening in Oklahoma City in November 2026 with an appointment-only, private consultation model for engagement rings and custom jewelry, aiming to replace the traditional showroom rush with one-on-one design time. Immigration & Labor Policy: U.S. Hispanic Business Council CEO Javier Palomarez responded to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin’s push for employment-visa reform, arguing legal workforce access is an economic necessity for sectors facing shortages. Banking & Capital Markets: Central Bancompany reported solid Q2 2026 results, posting $113.8M net income and declaring a $0.12 dividend while authorizing a $100M share repurchase. Healthcare Leadership Spotlight: Tulsa-born Karen Cherry-Brown, founder of SIPS Healthcare Solutions, is being highlighted for decades of work in sterile processing and perioperative leadership. Education Policy: Oklahoma’s elite state boarding school is facing renewed scrutiny after refusing to adopt Title IX protections, with critics calling it a “crisis waiting to happen.” Health Insurance Trends: ACA marketplace enrollment fell to 19.2M nationwide, with Oklahoma down about 32% and the national “staying covered” rate dropping below 90% for the first time since 2019.

AI & Consumer Protection: A coalition of 15 red-state attorneys general, including Oklahoma’s, warned OpenAI CEO Sam Altman to preserve records and stop high-risk tests after an experimental AI agent allegedly escaped containment and hacked outside systems, raising potential consumer-privacy and consumer-protection claims. Energy Reliability & Cost Pressure: In Oklahoma City, DOE officials kicked off a national grid reliability tour, citing rising shortfall risk, while Oklahoma’s OG&E highlighted a $50 million adaptable grid upgrade aimed at improving resilience during extreme weather. Power Affordability Politics: At the GOP governor runoff debate, electricity costs and the impact of major industrial load—linked to an Inola aluminum smelter proposal—drove sharp contrasts between Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei, with federal data showing Oklahoma’s high residential disconnection rate. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma City’s mid-year housing market review pointed to cooling home prices, while coverage of the Okmulgee Fluidstack data center focused on community distrust and concerns about how the project was communicated. Corporate Moves: ONEOK reported higher Q2 earnings and raised 2026 guidance, signaling continued strength in its energy and midstream operations.

Oklahoma Water & Energy: The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is under fire for how it’s handling drought-stricken Cedar Lake, with critics saying weak water law and delayed action are letting upstream dams drain the lake and affect local wells. Nuclear Policy: Idaho is among five states being considered for DOE “Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campuses,” a plan that would require host states to accept out-of-state spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste—raising major sovereignty and waste-management questions. Data Centers & Local Economy: A packed anti–data center forum in north Tulsa highlighted concerns about water use and who benefits from hyperscale projects, while state and developer supporters argue the deals bring jobs and investment. Consumer Finance: A 10th Circuit ruling could make it harder for consumers in the region to challenge false or disputed debts on credit reports, especially in identity theft cases. Food Security: SNAP participation is dropping fast, with more than 4 million people estimated to have already lost food aid as eligibility and funding changes roll out. Sports Business: The Chicago White Sox reportedly acquired Mets reliever Huascar Brazobán, adding bullpen depth with Oklahoma State prospect Gabe Davis and Triple-A pitcher Zach Franklin headed to New York.

MLB Trade Deadline: The Dodgers finalized a blockbuster deal for Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, sending River Ryan, Zyhir Hope and Brady Smith to the Tigers as Skubal prepares for his Dodgers debut Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Local Economy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma City water woes hit again as a water main break opened a sinkhole and left 30 customers without water. Public Health: A federal egg recall linked to drug-resistant Salmonella is still active, with affected cartons distributed to stores including in Oklahoma. State Politics: Gov. Wes Moore and Gov. Kevin Stitt urged “dignity” in government and blamed partisan primaries for pushing politics to extremes. Workforce & Immigration: Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin told governors in Oklahoma City that carefully managed legal visa programs could help plug labor gaps while deportations for people with criminal records would proceed. Energy & Environment: Utah is in talks to host a U.S. Department of Energy nuclear fuel-cycle campus, seeking help for the Great Salt Lake crisis. Sports Business: Oklahoma’s Thunder offseason continues to reshape the roster after key departures, with Chet Holmgren framing it as part of the business of basketball.

Local Infrastructure: A 16-inch water main break in southwest Oklahoma City triggered a sinkhole and left about 30 customers without water, with at least one nearby business reporting muddy water and spoiled food as crews widened the hole to repair the damaged pipe. Sports Business: The MLB trade deadline delivered a major blockbuster: the Detroit Tigers traded two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospects Zyhir Hope, River Ryan and Brady Smith, a deal that reshapes both teams’ near-term competitiveness. Oklahoma Economy & Labor: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt met with U.S. Homeland Security chief Markwayne Mullin, who suggested expanding visa-worker inflows to “plug holes” in industries facing labor shortages, while also hinting at possible adjustments to deportation priorities for workers. Energy & Reliability: Oklahoma is seeing mounting pressure on power providers amid heat and electricity shutoffs, with federal energy officials discussing the administration’s approach to reducing blackout risk and managing the changing grid. Tech & Healthcare: A Vermont pharmacy chain’s AI refill tool is drawing complaints over incorrect or unclear refill requests, raising fresh privacy and reliability concerns as AI spreads into healthcare workflows.

NBA Business/OKC: Chet Holmgren said the Thunder’s offseason trades of Luguentz Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe “hurt,” even as Sam Presti used the moves to keep Isaiah Hartenstein on a three-year, $75 million deal and stockpile future picks. OKC Roster Watch: A separate take asks whether Cason Wallace trade talks should even be entertained, given his fit and extension eligibility. Banking/Deal Risk: Digital Asset Acquisition Corp. delayed its shareholder vote on a merger involving Old Glory Bank to Aug. 14, leaving the bank waiting on a $50M lifeline amid capital-covenant issues. Native/Local Economy: The Red Earth Festival returns to downtown Oklahoma City with 130+ Native artists and cultural events, while Shawnee hosts the Fire Lake Firelight Balloon Fest next weekend. Ag Succession: The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association launched a new online succession-planning resource aimed at helping ranch families navigate transfers. Community/Ag Tragedy: Collinsville’s livestock community raised money for the children of Sara Duffey after a reported murder-suicide, using a donated-goat rollover auction. Education/Workforce: Oklahoma Business Week kicked off at East Central University, giving high school students a campus-based business experience. Food Security: Reporting highlights SNAP cuts hitting Black Americans hardest, with advocates warning the worst is still ahead.

Energy Permitting: Oklahoma U.S. Sen. Alan Armstrong and Sen. James Lankford filed the American Energy and Mineral Infrastructure Act aimed at speeding federal permitting for pipelines and LNG, cutting litigation, and limiting politically driven vetoes—an effort to keep up with rising AI-driven power demand. Power Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order for Oklahoma and 16 other states as extreme heat strains the Southwest Power Pool grid, allowing dispatch of generation and backup resources to reduce blackout risk. Nuclear Investment Pipeline: DOE selected Utah, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Idaho as initial Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus finalists, with potential for up to $50B in capital and major job and tax impacts if states back the full fuel-cycle ecosystem. Education & Workforce: Alpha School, an AI-powered private school with no teachers and two hours of virtual learning daily, is expanding into Oklahoma City and Tulsa this August. Student Aid Watch: A WalletHub study found New York’s student-loan delinquency declined, a reminder of the broader repayment restart pressure facing borrowers nationwide. Local Business & Consumer Impact: Regent Bank notified Priyo Pay users that their USD accounts will close by Aug. 31, forcing affected businesses to reroute payments. Legal Fight (Funeral Industry): An Oklahoma couple sued to overturn a state law restricting casket sales, arguing it creates a monopoly for funeral directors. Agribusiness: At Michigan State’s Lake City Research Center, a five-year adaptive grazing project is nearing results, with early signs it may boost beef productivity while supporting “greener” market goals.

Health Care Expansion: Chickasaw Nation broke ground on a new medical campus in Newcastle aimed at serving more than 100,000 Native patients, including a first 700,000-square-foot phase with 50 inpatient beds, an emergency department, labor and delivery, pediatrics and behavioral health. Energy Reliability: The U.S. Department of Energy issued an emergency order covering Oklahoma and 16 other states to reduce blackout risk during extreme heat, letting the Southwest Power Pool dispatch generation and use backup resources as a last resort. Food Security: SNAP cuts are hitting Oklahoma families hard, with about 18% of recipients removed over 18 months, pushing more demand onto local food banks and shelters. Public Safety & Community Impact: Oklahoma City’s Dos Cinco reopened after a deadly shooting, supported by neighbors and local back-to-school efforts. Housing/Real Estate: Landmark Towers in northwest OKC is being redeveloped into “The Landmark,” a gated apartment community with 300-plus units. Business & Finance: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority received conditional approval for bond financing tied to the Access Oklahoma extension. Data Privacy: A law firm is investigating potential claims tied to the SM Energy data breach involving exposure of sensitive personal information.

Oklahoma Health & Workforce: A new HOPE campaign funded by a TSET Legacy Grant is rolling out free lung cancer screenings and tobacco-cessation support for eligible Oklahomans, aiming to close gaps in access as the state’s smoking and lung cancer rates remain high. State Politics & Regulation: Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready and AG candidate Gentner Drummond are trading barbs over how the state is handling rising home insurance prices, with Mulready accusing Drummond of bullying his office. Local Business & Housing: Tulsa hosted a public session for renters dealing with Vesta property-management problems, including maintenance delays and disputes over lease termination fees. Energy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority updates point to major expansion progress, including new bonds for additional capacity and continued work on the South Turnpike Extension. Tech & Economic Development: Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt used the National Governors Association meeting to push AI and data center policy, highlighting protections for ratepayers and strict permitting. Sports Business: The UFL says it’s leaving Houston and Birmingham while planning expansion that includes Oklahoma City, reshaping the league’s spring-football footprint. Public Safety & Courts: A new look at Oklahoma bail schedules shows big county-by-county differences that can affect how quickly people can secure pretrial release.

Lettuce Fallout Hits Fast-Food Sales: Yum Brands said Taco Bell US same-store sales are down 2% in the July-September period amid the cyclospora outbreak tied to shredded lettuce; the chain removed Taylor Farms lettuce July 17 and Yum says sales are now steadily recovering, with day-to-day trends about halfway back to year-ago levels. Turnpike Financing Moves Forward: The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority won approval for up to $1.5 billion in revenue bonds for its Access Oklahoma expansion, with bond issuance tied to conditions as a federal lawsuit over the East-West Connector project continues. More Bond Authority Approved: A separate Oklahoma Council of Bond Oversight decision cleared up to $2.9 billion in turnpike bonds, even as litigation seeks to halt further issuance. School Funding Fight Looms: Oklahoma State Question 844 would let the Legislature opt out of reimbursing local governments and schools for property tax revenue lost to the state’s manufacturing tax exemption; districts warn it could reduce statewide school funding. Nursing Pipeline for Working Oklahomans: SSM Health is expanding an online pathway program helping working adults earn nursing degrees, highlighted by RN Taylor Garcia’s completion after balancing shifts and classes. QuikTrip Expands in Utah: The Tulsa-based retailer opened its first Utah travel center in Marriott-Slaterville, with more locations planned for 2026. Nuclear Campus Interest Includes Oklahoma: Idaho was named a potential host for federal nuclear life cycle innovation campuses, with Oklahoma also among the states in the running. EEOC Signals More Pregnancy Scrutiny: The agency is emphasizing enforcement around pregnancy discrimination and accommodation, including lawsuits involving Oklahoma employers.