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'Oklahoma Memo' is an audio newscast introducing you to the best journalism being done across Oklahoma. Host Ryan Welton curates the stories and headlines each weekday — and talks to Oklahoma newsmakers and business movers and shakers.
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Ryan Welton is joined by Grant Hermes for a wide-ranging conversation on the week’s biggest political developments.They discuss Kevin Hern’s Senate bid and why it could trigger major consequences not just in Oklahoma, but in the U.S. House. They also look at Gov. Kevin Stitt’s possible ambitions, the uncertainty around Markwayne Mullin’s future, and the larger political calculations underway.The second half of the conversation turns to the Senate’s role in confirming cabinet officials, how that process really works, and why the escalating Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption could send shockwaves through oil markets and beyond.Topics include:Kevin Hern’s path to the U.S. SenateWhat Gov. Kevin Stitt may be thinking politicallyWhy Markwayne Mullin’s future mattersHow cabinet confirmations actually workTrump, donor access and power politicsIran, the Strait of Hormuz and the oil shock threatWhat this all could mean for OklahomaSubscribe to Oklahoma Memo: oklahomamemo.com/subscribeSubscribe to Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspod
A heartbreaking tragedy is now driving a push for legislative change in Oklahoma.In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton speaks with Jacob Towe, whose young son Leo died from fentanyl poisoning.After learning the true cause of Leo’s death, Towe began pushing for a new law that would require the Oklahoma Department of Human Services to test parents for fentanyl before reunifying children with them.The proposed legislation, known as “Leo’s Law,” would simply add fentanyl to the panel of drugs already tested during child welfare investigations.Towe shares:• The story of his son Leo • How he discovered fentanyl poisoning caused Leo’s death • Why he believes the tragedy could have been prevented • The grassroots effort to pass Leo’s Law • Why other states — and Congress — are watching OklahomaTowe says if the law saves even one child, the effort will be worth it.Resources mentioned in this episode:• Leo’s Law Facebook group• Families Supporting Families in Oklahoma
Improving reading outcomes has become a major policy focus in Oklahoma.But what actually helps children learn to read?In this episode of the Oklahoma Memo Podcast, Ryan Welton talks with longtime Oklahoma educator and historian John Thompson about the literacy debate, including the widely discussed “Mississippi Miracle.”Thompson explains why some tutoring programs fail, how high-dosage tutoring works, and why background knowledge and classroom culture play a critical role in literacy development.He also raises concerns about the growing push toward AI-based tutoring systems and what that could mean for the future of public education.Topics covered• The “Mississippi Miracle” reading debate • What research says about tutoring programs • High-dosage tutoring explained • Why test pressure can undermine reading comprehension • The role of knowledge and curriculum in literacy • Concerns about AI tutoring tools • Lessons from decades in Oklahoma classroomsLeave this episode a 5-star review and help the Oklahoma Memo podcast get discovered easier!
This week on the Oklahoma Memo Podcast:Ryan Welton is joined by Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D–Tulsa) and congressional candidate John Croisant for a wide-ranging discussion on Oklahoma’s fiscal future.Topics include:EducationMississippi’s reading model vs. Oklahoma’s funding historyThird-grade retention debateTeacher pay, emergency certifications and workforce pipelinePrivate school tax credits vs. public investmentHealthcareFederal Medicaid reductions and SoonerCare implicationsInsurance premium spikesAI-based claim denialsAffordabilityDynamic grocery pricingInsurance oversightMinimum wage proposalsEconomic DevelopmentData centers and AI expansionEnergy and water usage concernsWorkforce readiness and corporate relocation decisionsConnect with:Rep. Melissa Provenzano — melissa.provenzano@okhouse.gov John Croisant — croisantforcongress.comSubscribe to the Oklahoma Memo newsletter at OklahomaMemo.com/subscribe.
Trump’s address was historic for its length — but the political tells were in the omissions. Ryan Welton is joined by national journalist and podcaster Grant Hermes (Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes) to break down State of the Union week, the messaging strategy behind what got left out, and what it could signal heading into the midterms.Then, the conversation turns to Oklahoma: Gov. Kevin Stitt’s NPR interview and why his “return to integrity” tone — plus a states’ rights framing — sounds like he’s testing a national lane.In this episodeWhy Trump barely touched ICE — despite immigration enforcement being central to the administrationWhat it means that the “One Big Beautiful Bill” didn’t get a direct mentionThe “SAVE America Act” and the bigger elections-power fight behind itHow courts, procedure, and politics collide if executive actions push too farKevin Stitt’s NPR interview: states’ rights, immigration tone, and 2028 vibesLinksSubscribe to Oklahoma Memo: oklahomamemo.com/subscribeGrant Hermes / Make It Make Sense: (https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspod)(https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/)Follow / SupportIf you found this useful, share the episode! We appreciate you!
Welcome to the first Oklahoma Memo Newscast.Today’s top story:Senate Republican leadership unveils a $254 million education plan that would raise teacher pay and fund literacy initiatives by capping additional contributions to Oklahoma’s teacher retirement system.Teachers push back.Plus:• Rob Miller withdraws from state superintendent race• Markwayne Mullin confronts Al Green at State of the Union• Severe weather risk developing for next week• OU baseball walk-off win• OSBI investigating Harmon County Sheriff’s Office• Bryan County ranchers aid Beaver County wildfire victimsSubscribe to the Oklahoma Memo newsletter for daily curated reporting from across the state. You can do so at OklahomaMemo.com/subscribe
Ryan Welton is joined by Grant Hermes (Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes) for a wide-ranging conversation that connects a local Oklahoma education controversy to larger questions about power, institutional trust, and international pressure. They discuss Mustang Public Schools suspending 122 students after a Feb. 5 walkout, how lawsuits and discovery could reveal more behind the scenes, the mechanics of protest movements, and why Grant is watching signs of possible escalation involving Iran. They also touch on international developments connected to the Epstein files — and why weekends, especially Fridays, can be pivotal for breaking news.Key topics:Mustang’s 122 suspensions after the Feb. 5 walkoutStudent protest protections and the disruption standard“Unexcused absence” vs. viewpoint discipline — and why that distinction mattersWhat discovery could reveal if litigation happensProtest spillover: how crackdowns can multiply movementsInternational pressure around the Epstein files and credibility questionsIran escalation signals + coalition dynamicsMedia literacy: the Friday news dump and why “alerts” matterWeekly guest: Grant Hermes — Make It Make Sense:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspodSubstack: https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/Subscribe: Oklahoma Memo (daily newsletter) — OklahomaMemo.com/subscribe
Senate Bill 1421 advanced out of committee this week with unanimous support — but what does it (or could it if it becomes law) actually change?Ryan Welton sits down with Brandy Torres-DeMark, founder of the Our Kids Deserve Better Coalition, to break down the bill’s purpose and process.In this episode:• What SB 1421 would codify into law• Why the bill has no fiscal impact• How trauma-informed standards could reduce long-term costs• What bipartisan cooperation looks like behind the scenes• Concerns about “more training” in an already overwhelmed system• What happens next on the Senate floorBrandy also discusses the Great American Reset Experiment, a nonpartisan effort encouraging Americans to commit to voting through 2030.📩 Questions? Email news@oklahomamemo.com⭐ Leave a five-star review to help more Oklahomans find this conversation.
Adrianne Marsh (Altum Insight) joins the show to unpack lessons from presidential-era campaigning, why Barack Obama 2008 was a once-in-a-generation “unicorn,” and what his team’s qualitative research is revealing right now: in rural communities, AI is landing as a major trust threat — tied to privacy, kids’ futures, community values, and a broader sense of being talked down to rather than listened to.We also get into:Accountability systems that actually work (even down to volunteers)Why authenticity and message discipline scaleHow corporate research builds narratives that move behavior (and why politics often doesn’t)The “ballot initiative paradox”: progressive issues pass… until there’s a party label attachedWhy rebuilding trust starts with listening, not persuasionIf you enjoy this episode, please leave it a 5-star review. This helps the podcast to grow because it primes the algorithm. Many thanks to you in advance!
This week: Ryan Welton sits down with Grant Hermes (Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes) to unpack a fast-moving national story with Oklahoma fingerprints — and the bigger questions it raises about federal power, state authority, and civil liberties.What we coverWhy Gov. Kevin Stitt’s role as chair of the National Governors Association mattersThe White House meeting controversy and why Stitt publicly pushed backThe “governors are different” dynamic — why red and blue governors sometimes close ranksFederalism in plain English: who controls what — and why it’s flaring up againThe new masking debate: protesters, legislation, and why identification rules aren’t applied evenlyA discussion of voting-law proposals and what critics argue are the real downstream effectsMentioned in the episodeGrant’s newsletter: Things You Forgot From Civics ClassGrant’s new newsletter: Make It Make NonsenseThe Make It Make Sense podcast (search: “MIMSpod”)Follow + subscribeOklahoma Memo newsletter: oklahomamemo.com/subscribeGrant Herms: Make It Make Sense (podcast / YouTube / Substack)https://mimsnewspod.substack.com/https://www.youtube.com/@MIMSnewspod
World Neighbors began with a sermon at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Oklahoma City 75 years ago. Today, it operates in 14 countries and has helped nearly 30 million people.In this episode of Oklahoma Memo, Ryan Welton talks with World Neighbors President & CEO Dr. Kate Schechter about:The World War II experience that inspired founder Dr. John L. PetersWhy World Neighbors refuses in-kind donations and cash handoutsHow savings-and-credit groups work in remote villages without banksWhat “graduating” 49 communities actually meansHow World Neighbors works with governments to scale impactA powerful story from Nepal about breaking caste barriersThe upcoming 75th anniversary symposium at Oklahoma City UniversityWorld Neighbors operates on a $3.5 million budget funded primarily by private individuals and family foundations. It remains non-partisan and focused on long-term, sustainable development.🔗 Learn more: https://www.wn.org🔗 Sign up for the 75th anniversary symposium 📰 Subscribe to Oklahoma Memo daily newsletter: https://oklahomamemo.com/subscribeIf you enjoyed the episode, leave a five-star review. It helps neighbors find neighbors.
The NFL playoffs are here, and Bedlam Buds is back with a full Wild Card preview.Ryan Welton and Jeremy debate every matchup, from Rams–Panthers to Texans–Steelers, weighing quarterback experience, coaching, injuries, weather, and playoff history. Plus: Super Bowl predictions, rooting interests, and why some teams feel scarier than their seed.Timestamps (approximate):Rams vs Panthers — experience winsPackers vs Bears — snow, youth, and pressureBills vs Jaguars — best game of the weekend?Eagles vs 49ers — injuries matterPatriots vs Chargers — coaching chess matchTexans vs Steelers — defense travelsSuper Bowl predictionsSubscribe, rate, and leave a review — and by all means, argue with us online.
This week’s Friday conversation with journalist/podcaster Grant Hermes (“Make It Make Sense with Grant Hermes”) focuses on Minneapolis and the ICE shooting that has ignited protests and political fallout. We talk about who controls the investigation, why transparency gaps fuel distrust, how enforcement tactics can escalate risk, and what this moment could mean heading into the 2026 midterms. We also zoom out to foreign-policy escalation signals — including Greenland — and why “chaos on multiple fronts” might be the actual strategy.What we coverWhy the investigation process itself has become a credibility battleThe implications of state/local investigators saying they’ve been cut outUnmarked vehicles, unclear identification, and why that escalates fear fastThe politics of 2026 vs. 2028 — and who can actually harness public angerThe “snowball” moment: how small sparks can become historic flashpointsDoor-to-door operations and why volatile encounters may riseGreenland/Venezuela/Mexico: what escalation talk signals abroadA bigger theme: trust collapse and polarization hardening into “sides”Calls to actionSubscribe to Oklahoma Memo: OklahomaMemo.com/subscribeFollow Grant Hermes / MIMS Pod: Substack | YouTubeIf you found this useful: leave a 5-star review and share the episode
On this episode of Bedlam Buds, Ryan and Jeremy break down one of the biggest transfer-portal storylines in the country: Oklahoma State Cowboys landing the North Texas “triplets”—quarterback Drew Mestemaker, wide receiver Wyatt Young, and running back Caleb Hawkins (from Shawnee).Jeremy called it before it happened, and now that all three are officially headed to Stillwater, we unpack why this isn’t just a splashy portal moment, but a potential Indiana-like moment.We cover:• Why these weren’t just good transfers—but elite, nationally ranked portal players• How familiarity with the offensive system accelerates improvement on Day 1• Why following their coach says a lot about leadership and development• What the numbers actually say (and why they matter)• Why Oklahoma State may be the Big 12’s most overlooked turnaround candidateCould Eric Morris turn Oklahoma State around overnight?🎧 Subscribe to Bedlam Buds wherever you get your podcasts 📺 Full episode available on YouTube
The Oklahoma State Cowboys’ quarterback room is turning over fast. With Hauss Hejny and Zane Flores entering the portal, all signs point to a major NIL-backed move for North Texas QB Drew Mestemaker — possibly with skill players coming with him.Jeremy and Ryan break down what this means for Eric Morris, and this new era of Oklahoma State football.In this episode:• Oklahoma State’s quarterback room clearing as portal season opens• Why Hauss Hejny’s departure matters more than it looks on paper• Signs OSU is preparing for a major NIL quarterback addition• The possibility of a ready-made North Texas offensive package• Risks and rewards of importing a full offensive core at once• What this move signals about OSU’s urgency to reset the programIf you enjoy this episode, please leave us a 5-star review so that the algorithm will connect us with more listeners. (Thank you in advance!)
The playoff reset is here, and Bedlam Buds is back to break down what actually matters.Ryan and Jeremy run through every College Football Playoff matchup with real analysis, gut instincts, and just enough nonsense to keep it fun. From Miami’s swagger to Texas Tech’s slow-burn rise, Alabama’s experience edge, and Georgia’s inevitable march — it’s all on the table.Also discussed:Why the Pop-Tart Bowl is America’s true championshipWhat bowl game marketing gets rightAnd how Notre Dame still finds a way into the conversationLeave us a 5-star review if you enjoy smart football talk without pretending we’re Vegas sharps.
Cold mornings, dry conditions, and rising fire danger across Oklahoma start today’s Oklahoma Memo.Also:Why high-profile Oklahoma audits are still unfinishedWhat staffing and funding cuts inside the State Auditor’s office mean for accountabilityA Tulsa Flyer report showing how uninsured care quietly costs hospitals—and consumersA quick national headlines checkYour Oklahoma Rundown, plus a Thunder win recapOklahoma Memo is your daily, efficient guide to the stories shaping Oklahoma—delivered every weekday morning.Subscribe to the newsletter at oklahomamemo.com/subscribe.
Oklahoma City’s Christmas Day loss wasn’t about effort, coaching, or roster holes — it was about matchups.Ryan and Jeremy break down why the San Antonio Spurs have quietly become the Thunder’s toughest opponent:Why San Antonio’s balanced scoring matters more than star powerHow veteran pieces and young development are clicking at the same timeWhy Oklahoma City doesn’t need to “fix” anythingThe playoff chess game OKC may need to play to avoid an early Spurs matchupWhy patience — not panic — is the correct responseA grounded Thunder conversation that looks ahead instead of overreacting.⭐ Enjoying Bedlam Buds? A 5-star review helps more than you know.
Michigan football made its most consequential decision in years, hiring longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham in a move that signals a sharp break from the chaos of the Jim Harbaugh–Sherrone Moore era.Ryan and Jeremy unpack:Why Whittingham is the opposite of Michigan’s recent leadershipHow his reputation for discipline and stability fits a program under scrutinyThe pressure this puts on Michigan’s athletic departmentWhy this move could slow — or stop — Michigan’s transfer portal bleedingWhat it means for the Big Ten power balance moving forwardA breaking-news conversation with national implications — even if you don’t wear maize and blue.⭐ If you enjoy the show, leave a 5-star review — it helps more than you think.
The day after Christmas is usually slow — but that doesn’t mean it’s empty.In this episode, I talk candidly about my flu shot reaction (for the third year in a row), why I still believe the vaccine matters, and what this flu season is revealing about risk and prevention.Then we focus on the standout Oklahoma story of the day from Oklahoma Watch: a Broken Arrow high school class teaching students that homelessness is not a personal failure — and that most people are only one event away from crisis.Also in the rundown:Weekend events in TulsaPowerball’s $1.8B winnerOklahoma City Thunder vs. Spurs strugglesDeveloping national and weather newsIf you value calm, fact-based local news — this one’s for you.⭐ Leave a 5-star review if this helps you stay informed.
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