AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Utilities: Google’s 506-acre “Project Clydesdale” campus is under construction in unincorporated Tulsa County, with Google identified as the end user—while Oklahomans weigh utility and groundwater impacts and who pays for the infrastructure. Energy & Industry Legal Fight: AG Gentner Drummond is asking a federal judge to send the Inola aluminum smelter lawsuit back to Rogers County, arguing it’s based on Oklahoma law and seeking costs and attorney fees. Education & Food Security: Oklahoma lawmakers are pushing back on the state’s move to end a federal third-meal program for students in extended school days, warning of hunger and questioning timing and authority. Workforce & Health Care Training: The Cherokee Nation and Rogers State University signed an MOU to expand clinical training across northeastern Oklahoma, supported by a $4 million tribal investment. Agriculture Resilience: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on CRP acres for wildfire-impacted livestock producers, including Oklahoma counties. Construction & Housing: Owasso’s Eddy Gibbs Library Lofts construction is progressing, with a late-2027 opening planned for apartments above the library. Logistics & Jobs: United Petroleum Transports and Florida Rock & Tank Lines announced up to a 20% pay increase for company drivers. School-to-Work Pipeline: Tulsa Union High School students are turning donated medical equipment into hands-on learning kits for younger students through a health care career pathway.

Oklahoma Runoff Election: In-person absentee voting for the Aug. 25 runoff starts Thursday, with polls open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Thu/Fri and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sat; the big race is the GOP governor nomination between Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei, plus runoffs for State Superintendent and insurance and labor commissioners, while voters also weigh State Questions 844 and 846 and local school bond and tax measures. Public Finance Watch: A new Oklahoma State Auditor report says Tulsa Public Schools bond funds were mismanaged, alleging fraud and improper payments totaling $3.73 million tied to the district’s former bond and energy management executive. Energy & Infrastructure: OTA approved a low bid of $8.03 million for utility relocations tied to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority’s Newcastle project, while ONEOK is moving into AI data centers with a natural gas supply deal for a 1-gigawatt plant. Workforce & Training: Mid-America Technology Center is building a new Diesel Technology/Fleet Maintenance facility, with a target completion in early 2027. Health & Food Safety: CDC reports cyclosporiasis cases topping 15,000 nationwide, with lettuce linked to Taylor Farms tied to the largest outbreak. Business Moves: Planet hired mortgage veteran Ted Newton as an Oklahoma area sales manager, and Albireo Energy completed its acquisition of Powers’ regional building controls divisions covering Oklahoma and parts of the Gulf South.

Food Safety Watch: U.S. cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled Mexican iceberg lettuce appear to be trending down, but the CDC still reports more than 15,700 confirmed cases since May 1, with hundreds hospitalized and two deaths. Big Recalls: The FDA’s 2026 recall streak includes major withdrawals tied to outbreaks—Taylor Farms lettuce, blueberry and egg recalls, plus jalapeño-linked salmonella—showing how quickly one ingredient can ripple across grocery shelves. Tribal Health & Jobs: Cherokee Nation broke ground on a $400 million Claremore outpatient and emergency health center, planned for completion in summer 2029 and expected to nearly double staffing to about 750 employees. Energy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma City crews will run nightly NW Expressway closures at May Avenue (8 p.m.–6 a.m.) through Thursday for bridge reconstruction work. Telecom Security: AT&T says copper theft is rising in Oklahoma and is offering up to $10,000 for tips leading to arrests and convictions, after reporting 300+ incidents impacting its network. Water Planning: Edmond escalated to Stage 2 of its regional water conservation plan due to record heat and drought-driven outdoor water demand.

Autonomous Freight Rules Clash: Teamsters sued California’s DMV over new rules for AI-driven trucks, arguing driverless semis threaten jobs and that the state didn’t properly weigh economic impacts—while the industry says the tech can save lives. Energy & Oil Leasing: The Interior Department is auctioning 26 oil-and-gas parcels totaling 20,000+ acres across New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, betting on Permian upside as permitting and royalty terms shift. Grid & Data Centers: Oklahoma lawmakers and regulators say electric bills are rising for multiple reasons—transmission costs, aging infrastructure and summer demand—while data centers add pressure, sparking fresh public scrutiny. Local Water Infrastructure: Chandler Municipal Authority heard updates on water and wastewater plant expansion work, including fixes tied to broken valves and a tie-in that worsened a short-term water shortage. Public School Bond Audit: Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd reported Tulsa Public Schools bond funds were misspent and mismanaged, alleging falsified invoices and a long-running scheme tied to the bond director’s engineering firm. Agriculture Heat Stress: OSU Extension highlighted heat stress risks for cattle and urged producers to watch for early warning signs like open-mouth breathing and reduced feed intake. Food Safety Watch: FDA upgraded a large egg recall tied to salmonella to the highest risk level, with major retail distribution and illness concerns driving the latest action. Community Tech Investment: Google pledged $6 million to nonprofits in West Texas data-center communities after residents raised concerns about infrastructure and emergency-service burdens.

Food & Health Watch: Oklahoma reported 544 cyclosporiasis cases this year (533 confirmed, 11 probable), with officials saying the outbreak curve may be starting to decline as diagnosis/reporting delays are worked through. Courts & Industry Accountability: A federal appeals court paused a judgment against six poultry companies after Oklahoma’s nearly $44 million settlement over poultry litter pollution in the Illinois River Watershed—aimed at cleanup, oversight, and reduced litter application. Education Finance: Oklahoma State Auditor Cindy Byrd released more findings in Tulsa Public Schools’ bond audit, alleging $3.73 million in improper spending tied to former TPS bond/energy director Chris Hudgins and vendors. Energy & Land Use: The U.S. DOE said it won’t move forward with designating three National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors, including a Southwestern Grid Connector segment affecting the Oklahoma Panhandle. Construction & Growth: Cherokee Nation broke ground on a new $400 million Claremore Outpatient and Emergency Health Center, targeting a late-2028 opening. Business & Energy Infrastructure: A geothermal-powered office tower in Oklahoma City (Berry Rock Building) is nearing completion, using 75 geothermal wells for HVAC. Agriculture & Livestock: OSU’s beef extension highlights heat stress warning signs in cattle—panting, crowding, reduced grazing/feed intake—and urges early action.

Energy & Supply Chain: Lightning sparked a major fire at Explorer Pipeline’s Glenpool tank farm near Tulsa, igniting three natural gasoline tanks and forcing shutdowns at the hub; officials warned nearby residents to shelter in place while operations outside the facility stayed functional. Food Safety: A multistate Salmonella outbreak tied to fresh jalapeños has expanded recalls for salsa, guacamole, pico de gallo, taco dips and other ready-to-eat items sold through major retailers including Walmart and Whole Foods. STEM & Workforce: Society for Science picked 100 educators for its 2026–2027 Advocate Program, funding $326,000 to expand student research access and science competitions. Transportation Costs: The Zebra reports transportation affordability is worsening as gas, car prices and auto insurance costs rise together. Healthcare Business: TMF Health Quality Institute installed new board officers, including Dr. Eddie Patton Jr. as chair. Retail/Consumer: Fabletics is expanding its College Shop to 200+ campuses, including Central Oklahoma, signaling continued growth in collegiate apparel. Local Economy & Education: Oklahoma superintendent runoff debate focused on rebuilding trust and teacher pay plans. Weather & Risk: Extreme heat persists across Oklahoma, with burn bans spreading as wildfire risk climbs.

Oklahoma Education Politics: Tulsa debate spotlights the Aug. 25 runoff for state superintendent, with Robert Franklin and James Taylor pitching different ways to rebuild trust after Ryan Walters. Nuclear Development: A new Nuclear Innovation Association guide says states can speed nuclear power by focusing on workforce, permitting, and reducing financial risk as electricity demand rises. Food Safety: FDA escalated a massive egg recall tied to Salmonella to its highest risk level, affecting about 1.6 million cartons sold in Oklahoma and other states; separately, Walmart’s Marketside tomato bisque soup kit recall continues over possible Listeria. Energy Efficiency: Fort Sill’s $63M military housing modernization is using geothermal tech from ClimateMaster to cut energy use by about 57% and drive millions in annual savings. Workforce & Training: OSU-OKC and OSUIT are expanding credential-to-degree pathways for CareerTech students, aiming to turn industry training into college credit. Healthcare Operations: SSM Health St. Anthony is building a full-scale cardboard mockup of its redesigned cardiology floor and running a heart-attack simulation to refine emergency flow. Transportation: The Heartland Flyer’s service funding has been extended through 2027, keeping the Fort Worth–Oklahoma City route on track. Fuel Watch: GasBuddy reports show localized diesel and gas price dips across multiple Oklahoma counties in the week ending Aug. 8.

Energy Costs & Consumer Pushback: PSO customers are rallying against what they call unjust electric rate hikes, with a Change.org petition nearing 8,000 signatures after a viral customer video. Tribal Data Center Moratorium: Cherokee Nation has banned hyperscale data centers on its reservation lands, citing concerns over energy and water use, air quality, noise, and cultural resources, and says it won’t back projects without early consultation. Construction & Tourism Expansion: Rock & Brews Casino is moving ahead with a new 25,000-square-foot entertainment center (R&B Live) and a 21-space RV park, with the RV park due in October 2026 and the venue targeted for August 2027. Uranium Exploration Update: Premier American Uranium says its Kaycee project drilling in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin is finding uranium mineralization in multiple holes and sandstone units. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a large egg recall tied to Salmonella to its highest risk level, affecting stores including Kroger and Brookshire’s with distribution reaching Oklahoma. Homelessness Enforcement: Oklahoma Highway Patrol cleared another Norman homeless encampment near a shelter, with residents given time to remove belongings. Oklahoma Politics: Runoff elections are set for Aug. 25, with bond and tax measures plus GOP governor-race fallout on the ballot. Workforce & Training: RSU and Oklahoma CareerTech announced a new pathway linking career training to college degrees.

AI & Elections: Super PACs are pouring money into state races as lawmakers fight over AI regulation, with Oklahoma among the biggest targets for spending tied to big tech and pro-innovation vs. pro-safety agendas. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a massive salmonella egg recall to its highest risk level, and separate recalls expanded to other products tied to salmonella concerns, keeping grocery shelves and supply chains in the spotlight. Agriculture & Drought: USDA expanded emergency haying and grazing options on Conservation Reserve Program acres for fire-affected areas that include Oklahoma, while Oklahoma heat and drought pressures continue to mount for farmers. Energy Costs (Oklahoma): GasBuddy reported some of the lowest local prices in the Aug. 8 week, including premium at $3.72 in Cleveland County and E15 at $3.34 in Lincoln County, showing continued volatility across the state. Local Industry (Rogers County): Two veterinary-sector companies in Rogers County each received FDA inspections in July, with both results listed as “No Action Indicated.” Commercial Refrigeration: Hoshizaki America tapped a South-Central manufacturers’ rep group to cover Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas for ice and refrigeration equipment.

Ethanol Policy: U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says year-round E15 would likely require “compromising” with small oil refiners, putting the House-passed plan on shaky ground. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a massive shell-egg recall to its highest risk level (Class I), with sell-by dates running into mid-August and illnesses reported across multiple states. Local Brewing & Hospitality: Oklahoma City’s Native American-owned Skydance Brewing Co. is expanding and adding a fuller food-and-cocktail experience as craft beer competition squeezes other metro venues. Energy & Water: Lake Mead hit a new historic low, underscoring how Colorado River drought is pressuring farmers, industry, wildlife and hydropower across the basin. Oklahoma Fuel Watch: GasBuddy price reports show Oklahoma regular averaging about $3.60 statewide for the week ending Aug. 8, with county-by-county lows still varying widely.

Food Safety Recall: FDA upgraded a Texas shell-egg recall affecting about 19 million eggs to Class I, its highest risk level, tied to salmonella; eggs were sold in Oklahoma and several other states with sell-by dates running into mid-August, so shoppers need to check codes and dates before they expire. Retail Food Safety: Kettle Cuisine LLC is recalling 3,240 Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits sold at select Walmart stores across 29 states due to possible Listeria contamination; no illnesses were confirmed. Local Brewing & Hospitality: Skydance Brewing Co., a Native American-owned Oklahoma City brewery, is expanding its space and rolling out a fuller menu and cocktails to keep up with how craft beer customers now expect a full experience. Workforce Training & Education: Rogers State University and Oklahoma CareerTech set up a new pathway that converts CareerTech training and certifications into college credit toward an associate in applied science. Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show county-level regular and E85 prices fluctuating across Oklahoma in the week ending Aug. 8, with some locations seeing notably low regular and E85 rates. Aviation Infrastructure: Norman’s airport is getting a new control tower as the Oklahoma Aviation Academy grows, replacing an older tower built from recycled materials.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a recall of about 19 million eggs to a Class I (highest risk) status after potential Salmonella contamination, with eggs produced in Texas and sold in Oklahoma and other states; regulators say there’s a reasonable probability exposure could cause serious harm or death. Public Health & Retail: A separate Walmart recall hit Marketside Tomato Bisque Soup Kits in 29 states, including Oklahoma, after a presumptive Listeria result; the FDA warns vulnerable people face serious illness risks. Energy & Cost of Living: Oklahoma families are reporting sharp electricity bill spikes tied to temporary PSO rates and added charges, with one Lawton customer seeing a bill jump to $551. Agriculture Under Pressure: Oklahoma drought conditions are worsening, forcing some cattle producers to buy more feed and contributing to crop losses, including winter wheat. Workforce & Education: RSU and Oklahoma CareerTech signed a pathway deal to convert industry certifications into college credit toward an associate degree. Industry Watch: A poll suggests scrutiny of the proposed Inola aluminum smelter is reshaping Oklahoma’s GOP runoff race, with candidates tied.

Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Midwest Poultry Services egg recall to “Class I,” the highest risk level, tied to Salmonella Enteritidis; about 1.6 million dozen eggs sold with sell-by/best-by dates through Aug. 17 were distributed to retailers including Kroger and Brookshire’s, reaching Texas, Oklahoma, and more states—consumers are told not to eat and to return for refunds. Public Health/Imports: FDA and CDC officials are traveling to Mexico to keep investigating a cyclospora outbreak linked to Taylor Farms’ shredded iceberg lettuce, with Oklahoma among the affected states as cases climb. Local Government & Cleanup: Sperry received a $47,000 Oklahoma DEQ grant for free community cleanup days, adding dumpsters so residents can dispose of unwanted trash. Energy Policy: The U.S. DOE canceled its National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors plan after rural pushback, ending proposed corridor designations. Housing/Homelessness: Oklahoma Highway Patrol cleared a Norman homeless encampment again, while the state threatens to bill Tulsa and Oklahoma City for prior cleanup costs. Industry/Politics: A new poll says scrutiny of the proposed Inola aluminum smelter is a key factor in the Drummond–Mazzei GOP runoff, with both tied at 44%. Business/Finance: Oklahoma City-based FullNet Communications declared a quarterly cash dividend. Infrastructure: Construction began on the MAPS 4 Robert Ravitz Crisis Center to expand mental health and substance-use crisis services.

Energy & Deals: Diversified Energy is in early talks to buy Permian Basin producer Birch Resources in a deal that could value Birch at more than $1.7B, following Diversified’s 2025 Permian acquisition. Power Costs: Oklahoma lawmakers and regulators say higher electric bills this summer reflect more than data centers—rate changes, transmission costs, air-conditioning demand, and grid upgrades are all in the mix. Agriculture Policy: Conversations on year-round E15 ethanol are continuing in the Farm Bill debate, with Thune saying House language may pass but Senate action is tougher. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded a Midwest Poultry Services egg recall to Class I, its highest risk level, affecting more than 38 million eggs; separate recalls tied to jalapeños and cyclospora are also expanding. Local Industry & Infrastructure: Oklahoma’s Rock Creek Entertainment District fight continues as Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development seeks to halt arena and parking garage construction while a lawsuit plays out. Oklahoma Business & Jobs: The Tulsa Regional Chamber forum put governor candidates on the record on education and workforce priorities, with business leaders pushing for clearer plans ahead of runoff elections.

Energy & Fuel Prices: GasBuddy reports show Oklahoma midgrade and E85 prices easing in the week ending Aug. 8, with Alfalfa County’s lowest midgrade at $4.55 and E85 at $3.60, while statewide averages for midgrade and E85 both trend down. Wildfire Readiness: Burn bans expanded across the ArkLaTex, with Oklahoma counties added to the list as fire danger worsens. Space & Battery Supply Chain: Oklahoma is pushing its “space race” inland through OASIS, aiming to build aerospace and satellite capabilities around workforce and infrastructure; meanwhile, Stardust Power says it has started site prep for a Muskogee lithium refinery tied to battery-grade lithium carbonate. Local Business & Legal Watch: Oklahomans for Responsible Economic Development is seeking to halt Norman’s Rock Creek Entertainment District arena and parking garage work while its lawsuit moves through court. Food Safety: The FDA upgraded an egg recall to its highest risk level after a Salmonella outbreak, with affected products sold across multiple states including Oklahoma. Insurance & Weather Claims: A Comanche County hearing is set in a lawsuit accusing State Farm of underpaying Oklahoma wind and hail claims, including requests for documents and possible CEO testimony. Workforce & Education: A Choctaw-area schools forum highlights how growth is straining districts and why career tech, colleges, and employers must coordinate to meet workforce needs. Aerospace/Tech Talent: Oklahoma’s aerospace momentum also surfaced in Tulsa-area coverage tied to space-industry growth and development.

Food Safety & Manufacturing: Taylor Farms expanded its jalapeño recall tied to a multistate salmonella outbreak, with Whole Foods also pulling select salsas, guacamole, pico de gallo and prepared foods sold in 12 states; federal updates say illnesses linked to the outbreak strain began months before the earliest recalled eggs left farms, keeping investigators focused on possible additional sources. Local Business & Tourism: Lelantos Holdings reported $243,079 in unaudited revenue for Airtopia Adventure Parks’ first full month in McAlester, tracking guest check-ins, memberships and booked events. Energy & Tech Innovation: Tulsa’s Rose Rock Bridge Showcase selected four energy-focused startups for $400,000 in nondilutive funding, aiming to pilot tools that improve recovery, efficiency, and safety in oil and gas operations. Oklahoma Policy & Industry Impact: Oklahoma voters will decide State Question 844, which would let the Legislature amend the state constitution on property tax reimbursements tied to manufacturing subsidies—raising concerns about funding for schools and local services. Public Safety Funding: Oklahoma County commissioners advanced a November ballot measure for a permanent sales tax to help finish and operate a new jail, projecting $70 million a year for 25 years.