Monday - May 25, 2026
News Tipoffs - Oklahoma Editors Newsletter for Thursday May 14, 2026 ( 31 items )  

At Republican Rerun Hearing on Sharia Law, Ranking Member Raskin Slams GOP's Unconstitutional Attack on Religious Liberty
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Maryland, ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following opening remarks on May 13, 2026, at a Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government hearing entitled "Sharia-Free America: Why Political Islam & Sharia Law Are Incompatible with the U.S. Constitution II": * * * At Republican Rerun Hearing on Sharia Law, Ranking Member Raskin Slams GOP's Unconstitutional Attack on Religious Liberty Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranki  more

CMS Announces Aggressive Nationwide Crackdown on Fraud with Six-Month Hospice and Home Health Agency Enrollment Moratoria
BALTIMORE, Maryland, May 13 -- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued the following news release: * * * CMS Announces Aggressive Nationwide Crackdown on Fraud with Six-Month Hospice and Home Health Agency Enrollment Moratoria * In coordination with Vice President JD Vance's Anti-Fraud Task Force, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is taking decisive action to protect Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayer dollars throu  more

Committee Approves FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Committee Approves FY27 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act Today, the House Appropriations Committee met to consider the Fiscal Year 2027 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The measure was approved by the Committee with a vote of 32 to 28. Commerce, Justice, and Science Sub  more

Defense Secretary Hegseth on the Hill: Appropriators Weigh FY27 Defense Request
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Hegseth on the Hill: Appropriators Weigh FY27 Defense Request The Defense Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), hosted Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Acting Undersecretary of Defense Jules Hurst for a hearing on the Department of Defense's FY27 budget request. App  more

ESPN's Squeeze Play returns Thursday, May 14, providing live whip-around coverage of more than 20 college baseball games
BRISTOL, Connecticut, May 13 [Category: BizMedia] -- ESPN, a sports media company, posted the following news release: * * * ESPN's Squeeze Play returns Thursday, May 14, providing live whip-around coverage of more than 20 college baseball games * * Matt Schick and Mike Rooney host live coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN+ beginning at 6 p.m. ET * Four-and-a-half-hour show to feature action from the ACC, SEC, Big 12 and American Conference ESPN's fan-favorite Squeeze Play returns Thursday, May 1  more

First Lady Melania Trump's 10 Achievements Transforming Outcomes for Foster Youth Since the Signing the Fostering the Future Executive Order 180 Days Ago
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- The White House issued the following news on May 12, 2026: * * * First Lady Melania Trump's 10 Achievements Transforming Outcomes for Foster Youth Since the Signing the Fostering the Future Executive Order 180 Days Ago First Lady Melania Trump marked the 180-day milestone following the signing of the Executive Order on Fostering the Future for American Children and Families, highlighting 10 achievements made to expand opportunities, strengthen public and private supports  more

Gayle wins Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize
LINCOLN, Nebraska, May 13 -- The University of Nebraska posted the following news: * * * Gayle wins Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize * The winner of the 2026 Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize is "Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State" by Caleb Gayle (Penguin Random House). For two decades, the Center for Great Plains Studies' book prize has celebrated the most outstanding work about the Great Plains during the past year, chosen by  more

Governor Stitt Launches Veto Website for 2026 Session
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 13 -- Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news: * * * Governor Stitt Launches Veto Website for 2026 Session * OKLAHOMA CITY (May 13, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt today launched a 2026 veto website to give Oklahomans a direct look at his reasoning for vetoing bills this legislative session at the Capitol. "If you ever wonder why I veto something, go read the message attached to that bill on my website," said Stitt. "This gives Oklahomans the chanc  more

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNS 15 BILLS INTO LAW, VETOES 2
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 13 -- Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news: * * * GOVERNOR STITT SIGNS 15 BILLS INTO LAW, VETOES 2 * OKLAHOMA CITY (May 13, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt signed the following bills into law, vetoing two. SIGNED SB 171: An Act relating to state government; amending Section 1, Chapter 11, O.S.L. 2023 (74 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 465), which relates to the commissioning of peace officers; directing the Commissioner of Public Safety to commission  more

Governor Stitt Signs Bill Delivering More Education Freedom for Oklahoma Families
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 13 -- Gov. Kevin Stitt, R-Oklahoma, issued the following news: * * * Governor Stitt Signs Bill Delivering More Education Freedom for Oklahoma Families * Governor Kevin Stitt proudly signed House Bill 3705 into law, marking a major milestone in Oklahoma's continued effort to expand educational freedom for families across the state.  HB 3705 increases the cap on the highly successful Parental Choice Tax Credit program to $275 million, ensuring thousands more Okla  more

House Homeland Security Chairman Garbarino Issues Letter to Instructure Holdings CEO Regarding Cybercriminals
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-New York, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, has issued a letter to Instructure Holdings CEO Steve Daly regarding cybersecurity incidents involving a criminal group called ShinyHunters: * * * Here is the text of the letter: May 11, 2026 Mr. Steve Daly Chief Executive Officer Instructure Holdings, Inc. 6330 South 3000 East, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84121 Dear Mr. Daly: The Committee on Homeland Security (Committee) is   more

Julius Tennon to serve as UTulsa's 2026 commencement speaker
TULSA, Oklahoma, May 13 -- The University of Tulsa posted the following news: * * * Julius Tennon to serve as UTulsa's 2026 commencement speaker * The University of Tulsa is proud to announce that actor, producer and alumnus Julius Tennon will serve as the keynote speaker for its 2026 commencement ceremonies. Events are scheduled for May 15-16 at the Donald W. Reynolds Center, where graduates, families, administration and faculty will gather to celebrate the Class of 2026. Tennon's disting  more

OKC Zoo and Dallas Zoo are Using Technology to Track Monarch Butterflies During Spring Migration
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 11 -- The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden issued the following news release: * * * OKC Zoo and Dallas Zoo are Using Technology to Track Monarch Butterflies During Spring Migration Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) members, the Oklahoma City Zoo and Dallas Zoo, in partnership with Monarch Watch, are collaborating to tag and track monarch butterflies on their spring migration from central Mexico to Canada. This will be the first time this new technology  more

Okla. A.G. Drummond Hails New Law Strengthening Protections for Peeping Tom Victims
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 14 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Drummond hails new law strengthening protections for peeping tom victims Attorney General Gentner Drummond today applauded the signing of House Bill 4104, which strengthens penalties for repeat peeping tom and secret recording offenses and requires those convicted to register as sex offenders. "Victims of peeping toms deserve stronger protection, and Oklahoma  more

Oklahoma City Surges to the Top of the Leaderboard at NAIA Men's Golf National Championship
KANSAS CITY, Missouri, May 14 -- The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics posted the following news release: * * * Oklahoma City Surges to the Top of the Leaderboard at NAIA Men's Golf National Championship SILVIS, Ill. -- Oklahoma City fired the best round of the 74th Annual NAIA Men's Golf National Championship today to take the team lead at TPC Deere Run. The 11-time national champions posted a 2-under-par 278 to take a six-shot lead at the midway point of the championship. T  more

Oklahoma State University: Policy Brief From the Hamm Institute for American Energy Outlines Trilateral Path to Energy Resilience After Strait of Hormuz Disruption
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, May 14 (TNSrpt) -- Oklahoma State University issued the following news: * * * New policy brief from the Hamm Institute for American Energy outlines trilateral path to energy resilience after Strait of Hormuz disruption The Hamm Institute for American Energy's Trilateral Energy Security Committee has released a new policy brief examining how a major disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is affecting the United States, Japan and South Korea, and what a stronger trilateral res  more

Oklahoma State University: Study Highlights Growing Importance of Multi-day Storms in Future U.S. Flood Risk
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, May 14 (TNSjou) -- Oklahoma State University issued the following news: * * * Study highlights growing importance of multi-day storms in future U.S. flood risk Research conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory by Dr. Gabriel Perez, in collaboration with researchers involved in the U.S. Department of Energy's Southeast Texas Urban Integrated Field Laboratory (SETx-UIFL) initiative, found that while extreme rainfall is projected to intensify across the United States, som  more

OMRF breaks ground on center for patient care, clinical studies
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 13 -- The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation posted the following news: * * * OMRF breaks ground on center for patient care, clinical studies * The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation broke ground Wednesday on a center aimed at transforming patient care and chronic-disease research. The three-story building will house the TSET Institute for a Healthier Oklahoma and the David R. Brown, M.D., Advanced Human Imaging Center. It is funded by a $9.9 million Legacy  more

OSU Celebrates Class of 2026 at Spring Commencement Ceremonies
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, May 9 -- Oklahoma State University Spears School of Business issued the following news: * * * OSU celebrates Class of 2026 at spring commencement ceremonies In an era defined by rapid technological changes, Joe Eastin inspired Oklahoma State University graduates to adapt and press forward as they embark on their career paths. Eastin, a 1992 business administration graduate, was the keynote speaker for OSU's spring 2026 commencement, which celebrated the more than 4,500   more

OSU Wheat Variety Testing Plot Tours Benefit Producers
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, May 14 -- Oklahoma State University issued the following news: * * * OSU wheat variety testing plot tours benefit producers Oklahoma State University is hosting wheat variety testing plot tours across the state as part of the annual wheat variety trials to allow producers to learn about local growing conditions and how different wheat varieties respond to them. Funded by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and the Oklahoma Wheat Research Foundation in partnership with OSU Ext  more

OSU-OKC Partners With The Lifelines Initiative to Connect Students With Career and Financial Literacy Opportunities
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, May 14 -- Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City issued the following news: * * * OSU-OKC partners with The Lifelines Initiative to connect students with career and financial literacy opportunities On Monday, Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City partnered with The Lifelines Initiative to host 150 high school students for the inaugural Everything Earned Youth Financial Literacy and Careers Experience. The event connected students with industry professionals throug  more

OSUIT Expands Middle School Day to Showcase Career-readiness Programs
STILLWATER, Oklahoma, May 14 -- Oklahoma State University issued the following news: * * * OSUIT expands Middle School Day to showcase career-readiness programs OSU Institute of Technology hosted two Middle School Day events last week, giving Oklahoma youth a fun look at OSUIT's many career-readiness programs. Middle School Day was held on May 6-7. OSUIT staff led large groups of middle schoolers on tours spanning the entire campus, giving them a first-hand look at the specialized programs a  more

OU Philosophy Ph.D. Program Surpasses National Placement Rate
NORMAN, Oklahoma, May 13 -- The University of Oklahoma issued the following news: * * * OU Philosophy Ph.D. Program Surpasses National Placement Rate * NORMAN, OKLA. - The Shyam Dev Patwardhan Department of Philosophy at the University of Oklahoma is outperforming national benchmarks for doctoral student success, according to newly released 2026 data from the Academic Placement Data and Analysis project. Over the past 10 years, 48% of OU philosophy Ph.D. graduates secured permanent academi  more

Overview of the Medicare Wasteful & Inappropriate Service Reduction Model Topic of White Paper From CRS
WASHINGTON, May 13 (TNSLrpt) -- The Congressional Research Service issued the following In Focus white paper (No. IF13133) by health policy analyst Thomas P. Hackman and senior research librarian Michele L. Malloy. Here are excerpts: * * * Overview of the Medicare Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model On June 22, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new prior authorization (PA) initiative in traditional Medicare, the Wasteful and Inappropr  more

Robert Madden Industries Announces Acquisition of AC Supply Co.
COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 11 -- The Heating, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International issued the following news release: * * * Robert Madden Industries Announces Acquisition of AC Supply Co. Over 65 Years of HVAC Supply Experience Continues Throughout Tarrant County Expanded DFW Footprint Supports Robert Madden Industries' Mission of Building Dependable Partnerships * LUBBOCK, TX -- Robert Madden Industries announced its acquisition of AC Supply Co., expanding its presence a  more

S.D. A.G. Jackley Joins Amicus Brief Requesting U.S. Supreme Court Uphold Stay on Mifepristone Requirements
PIERRE, South Dakota, May 14 -- South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley issued the following news release on May 12, 2026: * * * Attorney General Jackley Joins Amicus Brief Requesting U.S. Supreme Court Uphold Stay on Mifepristone Requirements South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announces he has joined 22 other Attorneys General in filing an amicus brief requesting the U.S. Supreme Court uphold a lower court's stay of a federal regulation that removed the longstanding in-person di  more

Sen. Collins Urges FBI to Aid Maine Crackdown on Marijuana Grow Houses
WASHINGTON, May 14 -- Sen. Susan M. Collins, R-Maine, chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Sen. Collins Urges FBI to Aid Maine Crackdown on Marijuana Grow Houses At a hearing to review federal law agencies' FY 2027 budget request, U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Appropriations Committee, asked FBI Director Kash Patel and Drug Enforcement Administrator Terrance Cole to work closely with local law enforcement to pro  more

SWOSU Faculty Senate Honors 2026 Retirees
WEATHERFORD, Oklahoma, May 14 -- Southwestern Oklahoma State University issued the following news release: * * * SWOSU Faculty Senate Honors 2026 Retirees Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) recognized five retiring faculty and staff members during a retirement reception hosted by the SWOSU Faculty Senate in the SkyView Room of the Pioneer Event Center. Together, the retirees dedicated more than 130 years of service to the university and generations of students, colleagues, and cam  more

Symposium To Bring Regional Health Finance Leaders To Kansas City Region Aug. 3-4
JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri, May 13 [Category: Health Care] -- The Missouri Hospital Association posted the following news: * * * Symposium To Bring Regional Health Finance Leaders To Kansas City Region Aug. 3-4 * The Kansas City region will host hospital finance, reimbursement and managed care leaders at the Midwest Managed Care Symposium on Monday, Aug. 3, and Tuesday, Aug. 4. The two-day gathering is designed to help hospital teams navigate a rapidly changing payer landscape and strengthen f  more

USDA Reminds Agricultural Producers of Available Wildfire Recovery Resources
WASHINGTON, May 13 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency issued the following news release: * * * USDA Reminds Agricultural Producers of Available Wildfire Recovery Resources * Nebraska Lincoln, Neb., May 13, 2026 - Agricultural operations in Nebraska have been significantly impacted by wildfires over the past several months. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has technical and financial assistance available to help farmers and livestock producers recover from th  more

W.Va. A.G. McCuskey, Coalition of AGs Urge SEC to Review OpenAI
CHARLESTON, West Virginia, May 14 -- West Virginia Attorney General John B. McCuskey issued the following news release on May 13, 2026: * * * Attorney General McCuskey, coalition of AGs urge SEC to review OpenAI West Virginia Attorney General JB McCuskey joined a coalition of 10 states in a letter to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), raising concerns about OpenAI going public and the integrity of public markets. Led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, the coalition is  more