Long Story Short

Dec 08 2024 165 ep. 21 mins 8

Long Story Short Podcast artwork

Oklahoma Watch is a nonprofit news organization specializing in investigative journalism. Long Story Short, a weekly podcast sponsored by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, lets you hear directly from our journalists as they provide deeper insight into their recently published stories.

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How Ex-Secretary’s Investment Ties Sparked Lawsuits, Audits and Controversy

Dec 08 2024 23 mins

Paul Monies examines how the Commissioners of the Land Office invested in an Oklahoma City-based rent-to-buy company. Paul also discusses the state’s new mental health hospital's massive cost overruns just months after officials held a ceremonial groundbreaking. Keaton Ross reflects on his top stories of 2024 regarding prison conditions in Oklahoma and the influence of money in p

Bill filling period begins

Dec 02 2024 30 mins

Paul Monies gives us an update on bill filing and other things at the Legislature as we await the start of session in February. As we near the end of 2024, we’ve asked our staff to reflect on some of our top stories of the year. Jennifer Palmer, who covers education for Oklahoma Watch, is here to talk about the state superintendent’s push for Bibles in public school classrooms.

A new open primaries ballot initiative hopes for 2026

Nov 26 2024 21 mins

Keaton Ross reported on a new open primaries ballot initiative that organizers hope to get on the ballot in 2026.Heather Warlick with an update on camping bans and other actions in Oklahoma that some say target people experiencing homelessness. Paul Monies talks about a recent story by Jennifer Palmer about cell phone bans in schools. Ted Streuli hosts.

Superintendent Ryan Walters’ new video message mandate

Nov 18 2024 20 mins

Jennifer Palmer has been following Superintendent Ryan Walters’ latest announcements, which included buying Trump Bibles and a new video message mandate. Keaton Ross covered straight-party voting declining in the 2024 presidential election. Heather Warlick recently wrote about the end of the federal emergency rental assistance program, through which thousands of Oklahoma renters

Education Department Abruptly Cancels Search for Bible Vendor

Nov 11 2024 21 mins

Keaton Ross breaks down the 2024 election results. Paul Monies continues to cover the fallout for utility customers from the massive winter storm that hit Oklahoma in February 2021. Jennifer Palmer with an update on the Education Department’s effort to buy 55,000 King James, leather-bound Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms.Ted Streuli hosts.

LOFT Report Details Lack of Communication in Sending Funds to Schools

Nov 05 2024 15 mins

Paul Monies covered the latest report into spending by the OSDE under State Superintendent Ryan Walters. Jennifer Palmer's latest Education Watch newsletter reported on staff layoffs happening at Epic Charter Schools. Keaton Ross talks about millions of dollars of political spending leading up to the Nov. 5 election. Shaun Witt hosts.

GOP Lawmakers Remain Committed to Anti-ESG Law

Oct 29 2024 24 mins

Paul Monies has an update on the state’s law that forbids pension funds and others from using banks and financial firms perceived to be boycotting the oil and gas industry. Jennifer Palmer with an update on the Board of Education. Heather Warlick on some surprisingly low inspection scores for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority’s public housing program. Ted Streuli hosts.

What to Know About State Question 833

Oct 22 2024 25 mins

Keaton Ross wrote about State Question 833, a ballot initiative that proposes allowing municipalities to create public infrastructure districts. Paul Monies discusses a scathing grand jury report into spending under an education relief fund directed by Gov. Kevin Stitt and his allies during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer Palmer talks about an effort to stop the s

Education Department Updates Bible Plan After Concerns By State Purchasing Agency

Oct 15 2024 16 mins

Paul Monies updates you on the State Department of Education’s plan to buy 55,000 Bibles for Oklahoma classrooms. Keaton Ross discusses a pending constitutional amendment that seeks to change Oklahoma election law. Heather Warlick wrote about how Oklahoma tenants have little recourse against bad landlords. Shaun Witt hosts.

State Education Department Seeks Bids for 55,000 Classroom Bibles

Oct 08 2024 32 mins

Keaton Ross discusses the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ rollout of more than 1,000 body cameras for correctional officers to wear while on duty. Paul Monies looked at how some campaign advertising for Oklahoma Supreme Court elections is hoping to tip the ideological balance of the state’s high court. Paul Monies and Heather Warlick talk about how they and Jennifer Palmer