AGP Executive Report

New World screwworm threat: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins toured Texas as sterile flies are released to stop the parasite’s return, warning Oklahoma ranchers and producers to stay vigilant and treat infestations fast. Energy policy: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and new coal capacity, using Defense Production Act authorities—drawing criticism from renewable advocates. Oil & gas watch: Oklahoma’s rig count shows small shifts week to week, while jet fuel demand is climbing on Middle East disruptions and refinery output. State infrastructure: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority crews begin Monday on a $9 million SH-375/Indian Nation Turnpike diamond interchange near Blanco, with drainage and resurfacing and an early-2027 target. Local governance: Inola trustees tabled an industrial district moratorium and approved an ICARE committee after legal pressure tied to an aluminum smelter. Labor cost debate: Oklahoma voters weigh State Question 832, with supporters and opponents clashing over how a $15 minimum wage by 2029 would hit employers and prices. Agriculture regulation: Oklahoma tightens animal inspections to block flesh-eating screwworms as the state responds to confirmed cases.

Agriculture Watch: Oklahoma State University Extension says New World screwworm is back in the U.S., urging ranchers to stay vigilant and treat quickly as the pest can hit livestock, pets and wildlife. Energy & Oil Markets: A report flags Cushing, Oklahoma storage levels dropping sharply, warning the Strait of Hormuz situation could tighten supplies and pressure gas prices. Tribal Rights in Court: An Oklahoma judge ruled Oklahoma officials must face challenges to a plan that would require tribal citizens to get state hunting and fishing licenses for reservation lands. Higher Ed & Construction: OU Regents will consider tuition and mandatory fee increases plus $420M in construction project bonds, along with updates to academic integrity policies. Workforce & Training: Oklahoma’s Teacher of the Year, Kasey Bennett, highlights hands-on robotics and makerspace learning in Durant. Local Business Marketing: Tulsa-based BodyShop Marketing released an AI search report for collision shops, warning that AI-driven search answers are changing how customers find local repair businesses. Infrastructure: Medicine Park approved a design for a replacement Medicine Creek Bridge and is asking ODOT to include pedestrian access.

Agriculture Biosecurity: USDA is stepping up the fight against New World screwworm after new cases, including sterile-fly releases in Texas and renewed warnings to ranchers to watch wounds and treat infestations fast. State Policy & Elections: Oklahoma voters are heading to the polls next Tuesday with early voting underway; State Question 832 would raise the minimum wage to $15 by 2029, and coverage also highlights uncertainty about how it could affect OU student workers. Energy & Markets: USDA cut the U.S. winter wheat outlook after Plains drought, with Oklahoma among key harvest states facing tighter supplies. Trucking & Safety: The Truckload Carriers Association named Eugenia Churilov of Kriska Transportation Group its 2026 Safety Professional of the Year. Tourism: Oklahoma tourism hit nearly $12.8B in 2025 visitor spending, supporting about 109,300 jobs. Broadband Readiness: Connected Nation says Oklahoma communities need more than fiber—affordability, digital skills, and device access are key to making federal broadband funding pay off.

Livestock Protection: Oklahoma is tightening animal inspections and permits for animals coming from New World screwworm-affected areas in Texas and New Mexico, aiming to keep the flesh-eating parasite out of the state even as USDA says beef remains safe. Federal Policy & Energy: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and new coal capacity, using Defense Production Act authorities—an effort aimed at grid reliability that critics call an unnecessary subsidy. Oil & Supply Chain: Weather and a power outage at a major Canadian oil sands producer are tightening crude export supply, with potential knock-on effects for Cushing storage in Oklahoma and Midwest refineries. Workforce & Aviation: The University of Oklahoma is expanding an FAA-approved air traffic controller training pathway to help address staffing shortages that can slow travel and cargo operations. Local Tech & Governance: Yukon residents are gathering signatures to recall Mayor Brian Pillmore over concerns tied to a $1 billion data center deal and alleged lack of transparency. Education & STEM: Teachers gathered in Oklahoma City for a STEM summit with hands-on tools and industry-backed support, including Devon Energy involvement.

Agriculture & Livestock: U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited Texas after the New World screwworm was detected again, warning ranchers to stay vigilant as sterile-fly releases aim to protect cattle herds. Energy & Power: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization and two new plants, while Oklahoma’s GRDA and OG&E are set to receive $51 million for upgrades to extend coal units and boost reliability. Wheat Outlook: USDA cut the U.S. winter wheat harvest outlook after Plains drought, with hard red winter wheat projected at the lowest level since 1957. Banking & Deals: BancFirst agreed to buy Tulsa-based SpiritBank, a move that would deepen its Tulsa deposit footprint. Workforce & Education: OKCPS is launching college and career centers this fall to help students earn industry certifications early, including OSHA 10 and CNA pathways. Local Business & Community: All My Sons Moving & Storage joined Yukon’s Touch A Truck event, putting a moving truck in front of families ahead of the busy season. Historic Preservation: Okmulgee’s Commerce Building was named one of Oklahoma’s most endangered historic places. Inflation Watch: May inflation jumped to 4.2%, driven largely by higher energy prices.

Energy & Geopolitics: Oil prices jumped after fresh U.S. strikes on Iran, with Iran warning of a halt to all vessels through the Strait of Hormuz—raising fears of supply disruption and keeping fuel markets jumpy. Oklahoma Energy/Markets: Oklahoma City-based Western Natural Resources drew backing from commodities trader Gunvor as investors look to expand U.S. natural gas production amid rising demand tied to global supply shifts. Workforce & Policy: A new Oklahoma childcare law (HB 4298) aims to ease provider costs by adjusting teacher-to-child ratios, but could add fees for families using subsidies. Agriculture Threat: New World screwworm was confirmed again, with USDA scaling up sterile fly releases as the livestock risk spreads beyond Texas. Local Business/Construction: Holy Family Cathedral restoration in Tulsa is progressing after storm damage, with crews tackling major roof work on the historic landmark. Tech & Power Debate: Oklahoma’s data center landscape is expanding, but metro moratoriums and zoning fights show big differences between existing facilities and new high-load proposals. Healthcare & Courts: A federal lawsuit alleges a hospital violated workers’ rights by denying religious and medical exemptions from a COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Workplace Tech Recognition: Paycom was named to Newsweek’s America’s Greatest Workplaces in Tech 2026 list.

Energy & Markets: U.S. crude and distillate inventories shifted in the latest EIA update, with crude down and gasoline stocks up, while oil prices climbed amid renewed Iran-U.S. tensions. Coal Policy: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization and two new plants, using Defense Production Act authorities—drawing fresh criticism from opponents who call it an uncompetitive subsidy. Agriculture & Food Costs: Beef prices hit a fresh record as drought and the New World screwworm keep the cattle herd smaller for longer, raising pressure on grocery budgets. Livestock Risk: Oklahoma and regional ranchers are responding to screwworm developments, with industry groups urging preparedness rather than panic. Workforce & Wages: Oklahoma voters are deciding on a $15 minimum wage; economists point to high turnover and argue higher pay could reduce churn and retraining costs. Local Governance: Norman City Council dropped a front-yard camping ordinance after backlash, while Oklahoma County leaders weigh funding moves for a behavioral health care center aimed at keeping people out of jail. Business & Industry: Inola’s aluminum smelter plan remains a flashpoint, with supporters largely staying quiet while schools and career tech leaders prepare for potential economic change. Energy Prices at the Pump: GasBuddy reports show continued county-by-county fuel price swings across Oklahoma, with averages generally easing from earlier weeks.

Energy & Power Policy: The Trump administration announced $850M for coal plant modernization plus two new plants, using the Defense Production Act to boost grid reliability—while critics call it an uncompetitive subsidy. Oil Patch: Jet fuel output hit record highs as Middle East disruptions lift demand; Oklahoma’s rig count ticked up slightly, with one rig down year-over-year. Livestock Health: New World screwworm is now confirmed in the U.S., and Oklahoma State Extension is urging fast reporting and wound care to protect cattle and other animals. Construction & Housing Costs: An Oklahoma building code committee is weighing changes to the International Residential Code to expand “missing middle” housing and potentially cut construction costs. Local Governance & Data Centers: Luther postponed a data center meeting after a large protest turnout; Edmond also moved toward a moratorium, reflecting growing public pressure over water and electricity impacts. Industry & Jobs: Oklahoma tourism reported nearly $12.8B in 2025 visitor spending and more than 100,000 jobs supported statewide. Legal/Regulatory: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond sued to block a major aluminum smelter in Inola, citing pollution and foreign ownership concerns. Agriculture/Business: USDA confirmed New World screwworm cases in the region, prompting expanded outreach and inspections. Education Finance: A rural Washington County district is scrambling after a budgeting miscalculation tied to enrollment changes left a nearly $500K gap.

Coal & Power: The Trump administration announced $850 million for coal plant modernization, including Defense Production Act support for upgrades and two new coal plants, aiming to boost grid reliability and lower costs while drawing criticism as a subsidy for an uncompetitive fuel. Oil Patch Watch: A new report says jet fuel output is hitting record highs as refineries push more jet-fuel yields amid Middle East disruptions, while Oklahoma’s rig count edged down by one. Fuel Prices (Oklahoma): GasBuddy data shows midgrade lows of $4.43 in Woods County and $3.88 in Canadian County, with diesel lows like $4.30 in Canadian County and $4.58 in Adair County—prices still tied to global oil moves and refinery outages. Workforce & Community: Buffalo Roam Productions finished renovating a former church in Bartlesville into a film-production and workforce hub. Education for Jobs: Oklahoma City Community College won a national COE award for scaling TRIO Student Support Services campus-wide, backed by a $10,000 grant. AI & Infrastructure: Crusoe says it has contracted 4.9 gigawatts of AI infrastructure capacity across data centers and cloud. Agriculture: Oklahoma peanut acreage may drop sharply, with contract prices this spring coming in below what growers say pencil out.

Clean Power Watch: Utility-scale solar overtook wind in U.S. clean power capacity, pushing total clean capacity past 370 GW in Q1 2026, with Oklahoma at just over 15 GW. Data Center Workforce: Meta announced a $115 million, cost-free “America’s Workforce Academy” to train data center technicians, with guaranteed job offers via general contractors—aimed at scaling AI infrastructure hiring. Local Industry Tension: Inola residents and officials moved to form an ICARE committee after pushback on a proposed aluminum smelter; a six-month moratorium proposal was discussed as the city weighs safety and permitting. Mining Expansion Pushback: Residents near E. 66th Street north in Owasso are challenging mining permit efforts, citing impacts on nearby schools and neighborhoods. Energy Costs in Oklahoma: AAA reports gas prices are cooling nationally, while Oklahoma-area GasBuddy updates show lower E15 and premium prices in multiple counties during the week ending May 30. Legal/Regulatory: Nevada AG Ford joined an amicus brief opposing a Meta antitrust ruling, keeping pressure on the broader case. Oklahoma Agriculture: Oklahoma’s screwworm planning continues as officials warn about protecting producers and keeping livestock markets moving.

Energy & Jobs: The Energy Workforce & Technology Council says energy services employment is still climbing, with Oklahoma up to 148,180 workers in May—an increase of more than 400 since March—while the U.S. added 172,000 jobs overall. Agriculture & Livestock Health: Texas activated an “escalated response” after New World screwworm was detected again, mobilizing state resources and warning of potential impacts to cattle production and food supply chains. Education & Public Funds: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond charged a former Tulsa Public Schools executive and two others in a case tied to conspiracy, embezzlement and kickbacks, following an audit that found hundreds of thousands in misspent funds. Local Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a small craft advisory for the Arkansas River navigation system after heavy rain pushed flows above 70,000 cfs, with a crest forecast near 100,000 cfs. Fuel Prices Watch: GasBuddy reported midgrade and regular price snapshots across Oklahoma counties for the week ending May 30, with statewide averages for regular around $3.90 and midgrade around $4.32. Tribal Leadership: Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby announced retirement effective June 26 after nearly four decades as governor.

Energy & Markets: U.S. commercial crude inventories plunged by 8 million barrels to 434 million for the week ending June 1, with Cushing stocks also falling to 22.4 million—tightening supply as exports and refinery runs keep drawing down barrels. Insurance Regulation: Oklahoma’s new law requires insurance rate filings to be reviewed before they take effect, shifting the state from “use-and-file” to “file-and-wait” starting July 1, 2027. Industrial Policy: Gov. Stitt defended an Inola aluminum project as critical to national security and domestic manufacturing after AG Drummond moved to block it. Local Growth & Water: Edmond leaders are weighing a temporary moratorium on new data centers over water use, infrastructure strain, and lack of specific zoning rules. Agriculture & Water Risk: Oklahoma farmers and the broader Plains face mounting groundwater depletion pressure, with the Ogallala Aquifer highlighted as a major irrigation lifeline under threat. Public Health: A new analysis says dangerously humid heat days are rising across the Midwest and South, raising risks for farmworkers and others outdoors.

Energy & Fuel Costs: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma drivers still see uneven prices by county, with Kay County’s lowest premium at $4.34 (week ending May 30) and Tillman County’s lone premium station at $4.09; E85 also varies, including Le Flore County at $3.21 and diesel lows like Le Flore’s $4.77 and Pittsburg County’s $4.54. Industrial Decarbonization: LSB Industries says it has a pathway to take full ownership of its El Dorado carbon capture and sequestration project, moving toward 100% control and more operational flexibility. Tribal & Agriculture Policy: Native Farm Bill Coalition urges Congress to restore a tribal food purchasing pilot left out of the House farm bill, warning it could jeopardize culturally relevant food access for reservations. Tribal Housing Finance: Lakota Funds secured $764,000 through USDA’s home loan program to expand mortgage financing on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Oklahoma Politics & Heavy Industry: A proposed aluminum smelter remains a flashpoint in the governor’s race, with candidates citing public safety, electricity and water use concerns.

Energy Policy: A new push to “drill, baby, drill” is reshaping U.S. wind power, with reported “pay-not-to-play” deals reimbursing developers to abandon projects midstream, including a $1 billion offshore wind lease exit tied to TotalEnergies. Forestry & Tax: Oklahoma made a commercial forestry equipment sales tax exemption permanent, removing a 2027 sunset and extending savings to logging and tree-farming operators starting Nov. 1. Electric Grid Governance: Kansas lawmakers urged federal energy regulators to protect competitive bidding for transmission projects after a southcentral Kansas line was awarded without a formal ownership bid process. Inflation Watch: A fresh debate over whether inflation is a “red state vs. blue state” issue is being challenged by economists, who say higher gas and shipping costs are driving prices across regions. Agriculture Biosecurity: Officials are bracing for the New World screwworm fly’s spread, warning it could disrupt cattle and raise meat prices. Local Business/Construction: Oklahoma Voice reports Tulsa Public Schools bond fraud charges against a former bond director and construction contractor partners, alleging $779,317 in bond fund theft. Fuel Prices (Oklahoma): GasBuddy data shows Oklahoma regular gas averaging about $3.90 for the week ending May 30, with localized lows like $3.54 in Cherokee County.

Defense & Engineering Readiness: Oklahoma and Minnesota Air National Guard engineering installation Airmen met at Camp Gruber for Exercise Thunderwolf, focusing on vehicle operations, cabling, antenna and tower maintenance, plus base defense and CBRN training to improve interoperability. Livestock Health & Food Prices: New World screwworm is spreading through Mexico and Central America, and officials warn it could reach the U.S., threatening livestock and adding pressure to already record beef prices. Energy Costs Watch: GasBuddy data shows Oklahoma fuel prices easing in the week ending May 30, with multiple counties reporting low regular gas near $3.49–$3.99 and E15 around $3.54–$3.84, while diesel and premium remain higher. Native Housing & Processing Funding: Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka opened a $4M Native housing grant window (up to $500k each) for Oklahoma and three other states, and USDA launched a $60M meat processing funding round for tribes and small processors. Public Finance Crime: Tulsa Public Schools bond fraud charges allege a scheme tied to unperformed roofing projects, kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud. Coal Push: The Trump administration plans nearly $700M for coal power via wartime-era authorities, including support for plants that include Oklahoma Gas & Electric.

Housing & Homelessness: Tulsa’s Point-in-Time Count puts the spotlight on a widening affordable housing gap, finding 1,443 people experiencing homelessness on a single night, with 71% saying they lost housing in Tulsa and 77% reporting disabling conditions—driving momentum for permanent solutions like City Lights Village. Energy Policy: President Trump’s Defense Production Act push would send $700M toward coal power—$425M to extend 13 plants (including Oklahoma) and $350M for new/expanded coal projects—while officials frame it as grid reliability and job support. Electricity Costs: New EIA-based mapping shows residential power prices rising fastest in some regions, with Oklahoma up about 9.6% year over year, as grid investment and demand climb. State Fireworks Law: Oklahoma’s Rockets’ Red Glare Act legalizes bottle rockets and year-round sales in some areas, but cities like Oklahoma City keep local bans intact. Local Workforce Training: Oklahoma CareerTech broke ground on a new Skills Center instructional facility at the John H. Lilley Correctional Center in Boley to expand trades and career readiness training for reentry. Agriculture Biosecurity: Oklahoma ranchers are watching after a deadly livestock pest was confirmed in Texas, prompting state monitoring and protective steps.