By Janelle Stecklein | Editor
“There are certain schools where the vast majority of all of their third graders, historically speaking, haven’t met that standard. I don’t know if that’s the intent of the law, but it seems very punitive to children and not really a way to progress the work.” - Chris Brewster of Oklahoma’s new literacy law that would retain students
Families enter Adelaide Lee Elementary on Tuesday, the first day of school, in Oklahoma City Public Schools. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)
By Nuria Martinez-Keel
Hundreds of thousands of Oklahoma children returned to school this week for their first academic year under strict new literacy laws. It will be their final school year before reading scores carry even higher stakes.
More than 21,100 Oklahoma third graders, or 44%, scored below a basic level on statewide reading tests this past spring, according to state Department of Education data. Future third graders, starting in the 2027-28 school year, would risk being held back a year for scoring below basic, which the state defines as failing to demonstrate even partial mastery of grade-level expectations.
District leaders are pouring over students’ literacy data as state laws now require extra help for low-scoring readers. Some schools have increased class time spent on reading instruction, knowing the gravity third-grade reading tests will have in the near future.
Crews use a front loader to clean up a former homeless camp on state property in Tulsa. (Screenshot of Operation SAFE video footage)
By Emma Murphy
The state spent nearly $900,000 to clear homeless encampments in Oklahoma’s largest cities last year, according to letters sent by the state’s chief operating officer.
Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez is sworn into his clemency hearing through a video call from Oklahoma State Penitentiary on July 14, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Courtney Bell/Oklahoma Voice)
By Barbara Hoberock
Oklahoma County killer Carlos Cuesta-Rodriguez was put to death Thursday at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester.
Students walk across the University of Louisville campus. Kentucky is one of 17 states the Trump administration sued to block in-state tuition for students in the country without permanent legal immigration status. (Photo by McKenna Horsley/Kentucky Lantern)
By Shauneen Miranda
The U.S. Department of Justice has sued New York, Connecticut and Vermont over laws that allow immigrants in the country without permanent legal status to pay in-state college tuition in the states where they live.
Marine Corps Reserve Pfc. Samuel Compail of Massachusetts, with his dog Chopper. Fredericksburg resident Wendy Weldon is fostering Chopper during Compail’s deployment. (Photo courtesy Wendy Weldon)
By Ian M. Stewart
Operation Foster specializes in placing the pets of military personnel into temporary foster homes while the service members are deployed or are seeking treatment for conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Operation Foster falls under the umbrella of the PACT Act, which is part of veterans’ healthcare benefits.
ICYMI
Trump press secretary Leavitt to leave White House | Ashley Murray
GOP candidates vow to tackle soaring insurance rates, but differ on solution | Janelle Stecklein
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