AGP Executive Report

Beef Tariffs Backlash: Oklahoma ranchers and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association are pushing back hard on President Trump’s plan to bring in cheaper foreign beef, warning it could undercut local producers and destabilize the cattle industry. Energy Siting Watch: Oklahoma Voice reports researchers expect 2027 to be the biggest year yet for state energy siting bills, with data-center growth and power affordability driving the debate. Tech Settlement: Oklahoma will receive at least $235.6M from a landmark Meta settlement tied to youth social media safety, with required platform changes aimed at reducing addictive design. Agriculture Labor Legal Update: A federal court ordered the U.S. Department of Labor to redo the H-2A adverse effect wage rate method, creating uncertainty for agricultural employers and wage planning. Local Infrastructure: Okmulgee broke ground on a new airport terminal after decades of planning, with federal, state and local funding and about a year-plus construction timeline. Public Safety: Oklahoma City police are investigating after a car was hit by a train overnight in NW OKC. Drug Enforcement: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agents raided an Okmulgee marijuana grow, seizing thousands of plants and processed product and taking people into ICE custody.

Migration Watch: BirdCast estimates 8,407,200 birds crossed Oklahoma overnight during fall migration, with WildCare Oklahoma noting peak nights can top 20 million and warning that artificial light can disrupt navigation. Aerospace & Aviation: Okmulgee broke ground on a new $2.5M airport terminal after decades of planning, with federal, state and local funding and a build expected to take just over a year. Agriculture Labor Policy: A federal court ordered the U.S. Department of Labor to redo its H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate method, raising uncertainty for Oklahoma farms and farm labor contractors. Energy & Industry Legal Fight: The federal government urged a judge to dismiss or pause Oklahoma’s challenge to a major Inola primary aluminum smelter, arguing the project is tied to national security. Local Construction & Infrastructure: Broken Arrow’s Regent Bank Amphitheater nears completion, with remaining traffic-management road work pending final railroad approval. Food Safety: The Cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce has expanded to 20 states, including Oklahoma, with thousands sick and multiple hospitalizations reported. Education & Health: TSET’s “Shape Your Future” program is pushing healthier back-to-school habits as Oklahoma marks Childhood Obesity Month.

Oklahoma Beef & Policy: Oklahoma ranchers and the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association are pushing back on President Trump’s plan to lower beef prices with more tariff-free foreign beef, arguing it could hurt producers long-term. Inola Aluminum Smelter: A proposed multi-billion-dollar aluminum smelter at the Tulsa Port of Inola is still under regulatory review, and project leaders say fluoride emissions and environmental safeguards will be monitored to keep the facility safe for nearby farms and ranches. Solar Manufacturing: Nextnova announced plans for a 2 GW solar cell manufacturing facility in Yukon, with construction starting in November 2026 and mass production targeted for March 2027, aiming to add hundreds of jobs as capacity scales. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded the cyclospora-linked lettuce recall to the highest risk level and expanded the outbreak to 20 states, including Oklahoma, tied to Taylor Farms products. Insurance Watch: New public State Farm documents in an Oklahoma home insurance lawsuit allege the insurer profits by denying claims, with plaintiffs citing internal emails and denial rates. Local Business & Hospitality: Oklahoma City Convention Center promoted Joshua Moore to director of food and beverage, with a focus on expanding partnerships with Oklahoma producers. Construction Jobs: A new national analysis shows construction employment rising across many states, including Oklahoma, while warning tariffs, highway funding, and data center opposition could slow momentum.

Oklahoma Beef Policy: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order creating an Oklahoma Beef Industry Advisory Council to push back on Trump’s plan to temporarily waive tariffs on imported lean beef trimmings, arguing it could undercut Oklahoma ranchers and distort beef markets. Childcare Oversight: Oklahoma lawmakers’ LOFT Oversight Committee released findings on DHS childcare subsidy verification, saying the system is unlikely to face large-scale coordinated fraud, while still flagging risk areas. Food Safety: Whole Foods recalled multiple dip products across 13 states, including Oklahoma, tied to potentially Salmonella-contaminated jalapeños. Local Business & Community: Oklahoma Baptist University reopened for fall after tornado repairs, highlighting restored Shawnee Hall. Workforce Housing: “Work Here. Live Here” in Mississippi County is nearing its 250-home milestone as major employers add funding, including Big River Steel and Zekelman subsidiaries. Energy & Agriculture: Renewable diesel demand is lifting canola acreage in the High Plains, with Oklahoma and Kansas seeing growth as producers look to feedstock-driven fuel expansion. Elections: Oklahoma saw higher turnout in August runoff elections, including governor and state superintendent races plus two state questions.

Oklahoma Infrastructure & Water: Claremore finished a $28 million water treatment plant upgrade, adding greensand filtration and chemical feed improvements to boost water quality and reliability while preparing for future manganese regulation. Local Governance & Construction Impacts: Norman City Council voted 5-4 against supporting three Oklahoma Turnpike Authority interchanges, even as OTA can still proceed; nearby businesses like Cook Feed and Outdoor and HeyDay say construction is forcing closures. Energy & Climate Watch: A new NOAA-style outlook warns El Niño impacts haven’t been as bad as past “super” events yet, but conditions could still worsen later. Tech & Industry Growth: PowerCompute says its Oklahoma GPU deployment hit Verified status on Vast.ai and is ordering a second GPU, aiming to expand its HPC/AI capacity. Business & Compliance: A federal jury convicted Sioux Erosion Control and others in a $100M+ Oklahoma transportation price-fixing conspiracy, including bid-rigging and contract allocation. Agriculture & Policy Pressure: Oklahoma cattle groups criticized Trump’s plan to lower beef prices via large ground beef imports, arguing it could hurt producers long-term. Finance & Payments Innovation: 39 state bankers associations formed the BankChain Alliance, targeting a 2027 launch of a bank-owned blockchain network for tokenized deposits and smart payments. Workforce & Rural Access: Rural Oklahoma libraries are rolling out free broadband “portals” to expand access to education, telehealth, and workforce services.

Oklahoma Energy & Fuel Costs: GasBuddy reports show midgrade prices easing in parts of the state, with Nowata County hitting $3.93 and Custer County’s lowest at $3.87 for the week ending Aug. 15, while Oklahoma’s statewide midgrade average rose to $4.05. Local Development: Oklahoma City’s Asian District won approval to revive a building into Lotus Apartments, a 49-unit project with a restaurant, dog park and office space. Water Infrastructure: Claremore completed a $28M water treatment plant upgrade aimed at improving water quality and reliability, including new greensand filtration to address heavy metals like manganese. Manufacturing & Policy: Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 844, which would have let lawmakers reduce reimbursement rates tied to a manufacturing tax incentive. Agriculture & Livestock: Oklahoma ranchers and cattle groups criticized a federal ground beef import plan meant to lower prices, warning it could undercut producers. Industry Leadership: The Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance named Chris Benge president, tasking him with expanding partnerships across government, Native nations, education and economic development. Native Community & Culture: Tickets are on sale for “Nanyehi – The Story of Nancy Ward” returning to Hard Rock Live Oct. 9-10, and a Stilwell post office mural—“Cherokee Indian Farming and Animal Husbandry”—was reinstalled after restoration.

Oklahoma Politics: Mike Mazzei won the GOP runoff for governor by just over 2,000 votes and will face Democrat Cyndi Munson in November, while Robert Franklin dominated the state superintendent runoff and N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas advanced to the U.S. Senate general election; voters also approved SQ 846 (ID required to vote) and rejected SQ 844 (no reimbursement for manufacturing tax exemption losses). Energy & Utilities: Tulsa residents are pushing back as summer heat drives electric bills higher, with PSO’s proposed rate hike reduced to 1% in a settlement while regulators still face pressure over deposits and affordability. Insurance & Housing: A Comanche County judge ordered State Farm to release 31 internal documents in a hail/wind claims fight, including emails tied to a “Fix Profit Task Force” that plaintiffs say pressured claims handling. Tech & Data Centers: PowerCompute says its Oklahoma GPU hit Verified status on Vast.ai and plans to add a second GPU in September as it works toward higher marketplace placement. Local Business: Cheba Hut is opening in Edmond Aug. 31, adding another franchise stop in the “Chebaverse” across Oklahoma. Wildfire Response: Crews contained a 500–600-acre wildfire north of Stringtown, with state forestry firefighters still reinforcing containment lines.

Oklahoma Politics & Ballot Measures: AP projects Democratic newcomer N’Kiyla Jasmine Thomas wins Oklahoma’s U.S. Senate runoff and will face Rep. Kevin Hern in November, while SQ 844 is projected to fail—voters reject changes to how the state reimburses local governments for property tax exemptions tied to new manufacturing. Beef & Agriculture: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order creating an Oklahoma Beef Industry Advisory Council to develop recommendations after federal moves aimed at increasing imported beef; Stitt and cattle leaders are pushing back on any plan they say would undercut ranchers. Business & Real Estate Tech: Collier & Associates in Oklahoma-linked real estate announced a private-label partnership with Compass International to use Compass technology while keeping full ownership. Energy & Local Costs: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma fuel prices easing in parts of the state, with the lowest regular at $3.57 in Washita County and E15 at $2.97 in Oklahoma County for the week ending Aug. 15. Health & Treatment Capacity: CREOKS Health Services plans a Tulsa detox and residential treatment center with medically supervised beds and a targeted opening in late 2027. Oversight: An Oklahoma state audit flags nearly $25M in questioned federal grant costs across agencies in the latest Federal Single Audit.

Agriculture & Law: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond says farmers hauling equipment between fields on state highways don’t need escort vehicles, ruling that farm machinery and trailers used to move it fall under “implements of husbandry,” after a trooper cited a swather haul. Public Finance Oversight: Oklahoma State Auditor Cyndi Byrd flagged nearly $25 million in questionable federal spending across three agencies in its FY2024 federal audit, including issues tied to the Department of Human Services. Oil & Gas Cleanup: The Kiowa Tribe is using $1 million in new federal funds to identify and assess potentially dozens of orphaned oil and gas wells on its land, aiming to plug and remediate sites. Energy & Industry: Woodside Energy abandoned a longer-term clean energy spending plan and a Scope 3 emissions target, citing weak customer demand, including after scrapping its Oklahoma green hydrogen project. Elections & Business Impact: Oklahoma voters head to the Aug. 25 runoff, deciding the GOP governor race plus state questions and a Tulsa Oklahoma Natural Gas franchise vote, with early voting setting an August record in Tulsa County. Precious Metals Retail: APMEX marks 26 years with “any quantity pricing” sitewide through Aug. 27, aiming to cut per-unit costs for small and large buyers alike. Local Economy & Housing: A Tulsa-area housing and retail development near Scissortail Park is underway, while Oklahoma’s after-school meal funding rules remain a flashpoint for lawmakers.

Food Safety Watch: A fresh wave of U.S. food recalls is drawing scrutiny, but a new report says there’s no single official count showing recalls are at record levels—one contamination event can trigger multiple recalls across brands and states. Oklahoma Education Funding: Oklahoma lawmakers are pushing back on the state Department of Education’s move to cut federal reimbursement for a third meal option at 50 school sites, with legal action being considered. State Oversight: An Oklahoma audit found $25 million in questioned costs across agencies, including major issues tied to the Department of Human Services’ childcare spending and oversight. Water Infrastructure: Sen. Roland Pederson joined officials to celebrate completion of the $350 million Kaw Lake Water Treatment Facility, a key step for Enid and northwest Oklahoma’s long-term water supply. Energy & Prices: GasBuddy reports the cheapest premium gas in Latimer County hit $4.34/gal (week ending Aug. 15), while Oklahoma’s premium average rose to $4.35. Agriculture & Policy: Oklahoma cattlemen criticized the decision to allow tariff-free beef imports, arguing it could disrupt cattle markets and ranchers’ timing. Craft Beer Growth: Tulsa’s American Solera marks 10 years, crediting local roots and community ties for its decade of taproom-first momentum.

Oklahoma Politics & Elections: Oklahoma voters head to the polls Tuesday for a high-stakes GOP governor runoff between Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei, plus statewide runoffs for U.S. Senate, labor and insurance commissioner, and state superintendent, along with two constitutional questions. Energy & Infrastructure: Downtown Tulsa’s South Boulder Ave/West 7th St intersection closes for months as Oklahoma Natural Gas builds a parking garage and skybridge, with the project expected to run into January 2027. Data Centers & Community Impact: A Muskogee town hall drew dozens of residents and Native advocates pushing for clearer answers as Oklahoma’s data center boom expands. Agriculture & Trade: Trump temporarily waives higher tariffs on imported ground beef to lower grocery prices, but Oklahoma cattle producers and lawmakers push back, warning it could undermine efforts to rebuild the herd. Retail & Food Supply: Love’s plans to roll out a premium private-label baked goods line nationwide starting Aug. 30, expanding its Sweet Snacks program. Manufacturing/Tech Business: Insi achieved SAP PartnerEdge Sell status in the U.S. and Canada, aiming to sell SAP Cloud ERP directly across North America. Environment & Water: Oklahoma’s wetland restoration push continues through the ReNEW grant program, targeting landowners to rebuild degraded wetlands.

HVAC/energy deal: Powers sold its HVAC/control divisions across Mississippi, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Alabama to Albireo Energy (Huron Capital portfolio), keeping Arkansas operations and federal projects with Powers. Insurance/consumer protection: A Comanche County judge ordered State Farm to release internal hail/wind claim documents tied to allegations of underpaying homeowners, with regulators and courts scrutinizing claims quotas and cost-cutting practices. Agriculture/energy policy: Oklahoma ranchers and lawmakers condemned Trump’s plan to allow 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free ground beef imports for 90 days, arguing it undercuts a tight U.S. supply and threatens Oklahoma producers. Energy infrastructure debate: Texas Gov. Abbott said data center developers “dug their own grave” over local backlash, pausing approvals for new facilities while statewide standards address power, water and community approval. Local business & housing: Vic Centre in east Fort Worth secured $36.5M credit for 268 units of workforce housing, highlighting ongoing demand for worker-focused apartments. Fuel watch: GasBuddy reported Oklahoma premium and diesel prices edging up in the week ending Aug. 15, with county-level lows noted across the state.

Food Safety Watch: A Midwest Poultry Services egg recall’s carton sell-by/best-by dates have now expired, but the FDA’s Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak investigation is still listed as ongoing—leaving households with no code to check and an open question about whether other foods are contributing to illnesses across 17 states. Energy & Infrastructure: Keystone XL is back in focus as Trump-era pipeline talk returns to U.S.-Canada trade discussions; the original project was halted after a 2021 permit revocation, and TC Energy is now weighing a related “Prairie Connector” path. Oklahoma Economy & Industry: OU athletic director Roger Denny says the $450 million stadium renovation is still on track to start after the 2027 season, with reseating and an operator for a new basketball/gymnastics arena nearing selection. Workforce & Policy: Oklahoma’s GOP labor commissioner runoff features Rep. John Pfeiffer vs. Rep. Kevin West, with a debate fact-check highlighting claims about state licensing and an OSHA-embedding program. Agriculture: Kansas and Oklahoma wheat producers are digesting a tough 2026 season—freeze, hail, and late wet harvest conditions—while researchers discuss what management and genetics can carry into next year.

Oklahoma Economy: Oklahoma’s July 2026 Economic Outlook points to steady growth, with manufacturing, jobs, and energy production helping keep the state on stable footing. OU Athletics: OU athletic director Roger Denny says the $450 million stadium renovation is still on track to start after the 2027 season, with reseating planned and an operator for a new basketball/gymnastics arena nearing selection. Energy & Markets: The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association calls Trump’s plan to lower beef prices via tariff-free imports “political theater,” warning it undermines U.S. ranchers’ ability to plan herd rebuilding. Agriculture & Trade: New world screwworm is squeezing ranchers on both sides of the border as the U.S. moves to reopen Mexican cattle trade. Consumer & Fraud: BBB Scam Tracker shows Tecumseh with three scam reports in July, and Oklahoma cities continue to rack up losses—online purchase scams lead. Infrastructure & Tech: Oklahoma’s push to expand EV charging continues, with Edmond adding more public stations. Public Safety & Privacy: GOP runoff candidate Mike Mazzei argues surveillance cameras should be used only with judicial warrants.

Utility & Consumer Watch: A Change.org petition is pushing Public Service Company of Oklahoma to explain higher electric rates after Tulsa-area customers say the math behind their bills isn’t clear, while PSO says the increases fund rising costs and grid investment. Public Health & Safety: Optimal Balance Pharmacy issued a voluntary recall of Glutathione Injection vials after FDA flagged elevated endotoxin levels tied to reports of fever, chills, and other reactions in 14 states. Energy & Industry Policy: The Oklahoma Sooners’ defense is getting national buzz as a potential top unit under Brent Venables, but the bigger Oklahoma business story is the state’s push to keep manufacturing incentives—State Question 844 would change how the state reimburses schools and local governments when new factories use the five-year property tax exemption. Education & Workforce: Oklahoma ended a federal program funding third meals for schools with expanded hours, and parents in Kiefer are demanding fixes after kids ate lunch in hot, non-air-conditioned gyms during extreme heat. Local Community Support: The Salvation Army in Tulsa says extreme temperatures are driving more utility-bill requests, and it’s also handing out fans to help families stay safe. Research & Federal Scrutiny: The Department of War ordered immediate reviews of foreign-linked research partnerships at 30 U.S. institutions, including Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University. Energy in Indian Country: DOE’s Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs outlined a plan to support 450 tribe-led energy and infrastructure projects, aiming to streamline permitting and expand technical help.

Insurance & Consumer Protection: A Comanche County judge ordered State Farm to turn over internal documents tied to Oklahoma hail-damage claims, ruling most “trade secret” labels don’t hold and giving the insurer 30 days to re-designate what’s truly confidential. Energy & Investment: Energy Transfer co-founder Kelcy Warren bought about 1.0 million units for ~$21.3 million, nudging his stake higher and signaling continued confidence in the midstream giant. Workforce & Education: Cherokee Nation and Rogers State University signed MOUs to expand hands-on training into college credit, including a new academic link tied to the Cherokee Film Institute and a joint work group on regional nursing needs. AI & Research Security: The Pentagon ordered Oklahoma State University and Northeastern State University to scrutinize foreign research partnerships, citing national security and technology-transfer concerns. Local Business Growth: USDA Rural Development announced grants supporting small business expansion in Laverne and Ponca City, with Pioneer Technology Center’s incubator included. Construction & Traffic: Oklahoma Natural Gas will close a Tulsa intersection Aug. 24 through January 2027 for a new parking garage and skybridge. Agriculture: OSU will host a Peanut & Cotton Field Day Sept. 17 in Fort Cobb, focusing on varieties, pest management, and soil fertility. Elections: Oklahoma’s Aug. 25 primary runoff heads to voters Tuesday, including governor and state superintendent matchups plus statewide questions 844 and 846.