By Janelle Stecklein | Editor
“As both an educator and a candidate for State Superintendent, I take full responsibility for the content that was posted and at no point did Little Axe Public Schools have anything to do with my filming in the school.” - James Taylor of removing a campaign video that contained content filmed in his classroom
James Taylor, a Republican candidate for state superintendent, sits in the sanctuary of First Christ's Church of Norman on July 24. Taylor, a teacher and pastor, founded the church in 2013. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
By Nuria Martinez-Keel
A Republican candidate for state superintendent said he removed campaign video content filmed in his Little Axe High School classroom after receiving a complaint from the district’s leadership.
James Taylor, a U.S. history and government teacher, said on Saturday he had no intent to misuse school resources, and the district had nothing to do with the videos. He said his campaign removed the content from his social media platforms after the superintendent of Little Axe Public Schools emailed him Saturday with concerns.
“As both an educator and a candidate for State Superintendent, I take full responsibility for the content that was posted and at no point did Little Axe Public Schools have anything to do with my filming in the school,” Taylor wrote in a statement.
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin speaks with Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt Saturday at the National Governors Association summer meeting in Oklahoma City. Mullin, a former U.S. senator from Oklahoma, urged states to cooperate with federal immigration arrests. (Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline)
By Kevin Hardy
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin this weekend implored states and cities to cooperate with federal immigration officials, which he said would lead to safer and lower-profile arrests and deportations.
Voters mark their ballots in the Oklahoma County Election Board on June 11, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Courtney Bell/Oklahoma Voice)
By Janelle Stecklein
Oklahoma Voice released its Aug. 25 primary runoff voter guide Monday to help Oklahomans learn more about two nonpartisan state questions and the partisan candidates who will appear on the ballot.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears at his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill July 15, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Eric Lee/Getty Images)
By Ashley Murray
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general appeared on track Monday after he submitted a written assurance to Senate Judiciary Committee lawmakers that the administration’s nearly $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that could potentially pay pardoned violent Jan. 6 defendants is dead.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D), at podium, takes over the National Governors Association chairmanship from from Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R), right, on Aug. 1, 2026. Chairmanship of the bipartisan organization shifts between parties every year. (Photo by Kevin Hardy/Stateline)
By Kevin Hardy
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore officially took over as chair of the National Governors Association on Saturday, assuming the prominent position just ahead of a high-stakes national election that could reset the balance of power in Washington and across the states.
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