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Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit news organization specializing in investigative journalism. Long Story Short, a weekly podcast, lets you hear directly from our journalists as they provide deeper insight into their recently published stories.
231 Episodes
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Homeowners insurance disputes hit the high court as the Hursh family’s battle with State Farm reaches the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Plus, we look at the human cost of corporate housing through the lens of a recent Edmond eviction, and Paul Monies breaks down the legislative state questions set to shape the August primary runoff. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
Struggling developers face a high-stakes paradox as they fight to revive Oklahoma’s dilapidated properties. Plus, we dive into the potential fallout of the state’s Republican primary and launch a new series, Unaccountable, with a look at the unsettling reality of bike stops in Duncan. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
A sudden leadership shakeup at the state’s tech-startup agency and a new policy allowing e-cigarette sales in Oklahoma prisons. We also return to the complex world of state guardianship with three interconnected stories on the system's impact. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
Plans unfold for the nation’s largest aluminum plant at the Port of Inola, sparking a clash between economic promises and local outcry. Plus, we examine a possible $175 million surge in federal immigration funding for Oklahoma law enforcement and AG Gentner Drummond’s escalating legal battle over a controversial Jewish charter school application. Catch these stories and more on the latest Long Story Short with Shaun Witt.
Stephen Martin’s latest takes a look at Oklahoma's fatal police encounters, ranking third in the nation. Jake Ramsey wrote about problems that have continued to pile up at rental properties owned by Vesta Realty. Paul Monies has an update on the planned conversion of the state’s largest workers compensation insurer to a new type of company. Shaun Witt hosts.
J.C. Hallman’s work on State Farm continued with a story about two motion to dismiss hearings in Chickasha. Keaton Ross wrote about legislative efforts to change how Oklahoma courts determine bond amounts. Jennifer Palmer on Oklahoma’s fall in the state education rankings. Shaun Witt hosts.
J.C. Hallman updates the State Farm hail claim saga, Paul Monies details shifts in the state’s $2.2 billion tobacco trust fund, and Ben Fenwick examines the rise of "Operation Guardian" immigration enforcement. Shaun Witt hosts.
Keaton Ross reported on ongoing technical issues that have prevented municipal voters from accessing campaign finance reports. Paul Monies looked into how one state agency is dealing with the uncertainty over federal funds under the Trump administration and government shutdowns.
Elizabeth Caldwell updates us on the case of Stillwater teenager Jesse Butler who was convicted last year on 11 counts related to rape and strangulation. He received a sentence of counseling and community service, which has caused an outcry. Shaun Witt hosts.
Jake Ramsey discusses the proposed Senate Bill 1545. Paul Monies has an update on some of the lawsuits still pending stemming from the significant natural gas costs for Oklahoma utility customers following a winter storm in 2021. Keaton Ross talks about how Republican gubernatorial candidates have loaned themselves millions to launch their campaigns ahead of the June 16 primary election. Shaun Witt hosts.
Stephen Martin provides an overview of recent developments in the Farm Bill and its specific impact on Oklahoma farmers. Jennifer Palmer's latest story digs into the latest school enrollment data for Oklahoma public schools. Ginnie Graham wrote about a projected $18 million deficit at the OU School of Community Medicine in Tulsa and how it is addressing the shortfall. Shaun Witt hosts.
Stephen Martin's latest story was a deep dive into the Survivors' Act and how, a year after it became law, implementation hasn't been what everyone hoped. Paul Monies looked into the large numbers of lawmakers running for higher office and how they are able to keep their leadership positions in the Legislature. J.C. Hallman returns with another story about State Farm, which over the past two months has come under significant scrutiny over bad-faith roof claims. This story is a little different and much more tragic. Ted Streuli hosts.
Jake Ramsey detailed several proposed bills in the upcoming legislative session that could provide balance to Oklahoma’s Landlord-Tenant Act. Keaton Ross reported on a dip in parole grant rates when the five-member Pardon and Parole Board is operating at reduced capacity. After reporter J.C. Hallman's latest story focuses on an Edmond family and offers details on State Farm practices across the country. Ted Streuli hosts.
Ben Fenwick examined Oklahoma's high burnout rate among family caregivers. Jennifer Palmer digs into the behind-the-scenes chaos of the financial crisis at Epic Charter School. J.C. Hallman looks at Molly Bullock’s years of reporting on the Arkansas River to examine if Oklahoma is at risk for a catastrophic flood similar to the one that killed 138 people in Texas in July 2025. Ted Streuli hosts.
Keaton Ross reported on a settled dispute over Oklahoma’s medical parole statute. Paul Monies looked into the Oklahoma State Department of Health and its policy in not sharing measles cases by county. On Dec. 30, Oklahoma County District Court Judge Amy Palumbo issued an important ruling in Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s motion to intervene in cases involving State Farm. J.C. Hallman has been covering the story for weeks now. Ted Streuli Hosts.
J.C. Hallman’s coverage of insurance in Oklahoma continued this week with a wrap-up of voices responding to the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s suggestions of new insurance laws for the legislative session starting in February. Keaton Ross reported that Oklahoma’s prison population increased for a third consecutive year in 2025. Reporter Paul Monies looked into the spread of the Save Oklahoma Plan, a conservative policy proposal developed by a freshman lawmaker that has been adopted by some statewide GOP candidates. Shaun Witt hosts.
Jake Ramsey on an out-of-state trailer park owner hiking rents and forcing vulnerable tenants into rent-to-own deals. Keaton Ross about the Ethics Commission’s decision to restore public access to an online campaign finance database. A couple weeks ago, J.C. Hallman broke the story of a large number of lawsuits involving State Farm Insurance Company, and followed that up with news of Attorney General Gentner Drummond stepping in to intervene in the case with a charge that the insurance giant may be guilty of racketeering. Now, J.C. does a deep dive on the history of insurance and racketeering. Shaun Witt hosts.
Paul Monies looked into delays by the Commissioners of the Land Office that led to the state missing out on revenue from a data center on school lands. Keaton Ross wrote about the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ refusal to release body camera footage under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. Ted Streuli hosts.
Jake Ramsey reported on the effects of the government shutdown on evictions. Ginnie Graham's latest story explored the unique challenges rural areas have when trying to quantify homelessness. J.C. Hallman filed two more stories about insurance in Oklahoma this time about a series of cases involving State Farm and homeowners' insurance.
Paul Monies has more on Oklahoma Treasurer Todd Russ's continuing efforts to change the investment focus of the state’s tobacco settlement trust fund. Jennifer Palmer talked to a domestic violence advocate who resigned in protest from the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board. J.C. Hallman’s published a second piece about the effort of CompSource Mutual to “demutualize.” Ted Streuli hosts.
Keaton Ross' latest is about an ongoing legal challenge to a bill that makes it more cumbersome to get an initiative petition on the ballot. J.C. Hallman explores how the idea of competition is defined in Oklahoma law, and what that has to do with how much you pay to insure your home. Maria Guinnip reported the latest installment in our series “Justice in No Man’s Land”. Shaun Witt hosts.
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