By Janelle Stecklein | Editor
“The work is so important. The work is so important for state government, and however I can help everyone understand that or continue to understand that, is what I want to do.” - Melissa Capps of state auditing
President Donald Trump gives a speech at the World Economic Forum on Jan. 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
By Emma Murphy
In what would be his first official visit to Oklahoma in six years, President Donald Trump is set to attend a rally Thursday in Durant, the Republican National Committee announced.
The “midterm rally” featuring Trump is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. at the Choctaw Event Center. The rally will be hosted by the Trump 47 Committee, a fundraising arm that links the 47th president’s campaign, the Republican National Committee and state GOP chapters.
The president has endorsed several Oklahoma politicians seeking both state and congressional seats, including Republican Mike Mazzei who won the statewide GOP primary last month by just over 2,000 votes in his bid to be the state’s next governor.
Rep. Danny Williams, R-Seminole, speaks to the House Rules Committee meeting Sept. 24, 2026 at the state Capitol ahead of a vote to censure him as well as recommend that he resign and end his bid for reelection following allegations of misconduct and sexual harassment. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)
By Emma Murphy
State lawmakers recommended Thursday that a Republican colleague resign immediately and not seek reelection after substantiating allegations of repeated sexual harassment against multiple female Oklahoma House employees.
Oklahoma’s next State Auditor and Inspector Melissa Capps smiles in the State Auditor and Inspector’s office in the state Capitol on July 17, 2026 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Courtney Bell/Oklahoma Voice)
By Courtney Bell
Though the work might not be glamorous, the next state auditor says she finds fulfillment in holding government entities accountable for how they use Oklahomans’ money.
ICYMI
Public intoxication charge dismissed against Oklahoma secretary of state | Nuria Martinez-Keel
Oklahoma can’t deny Jewish charter school from opening, federal judge decides | Nuria Martinez-Keel
UPCOMING EVENTS
Oklahoma Voice staff will participate in the following events:
5 p.m. Sept. 30, Bricktown Brewery in Oklahoma City. Editor Janelle Stecklein will participate in a panel that focuses on the role legal support plays in accountability reporting. Host: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
2:30 p.m. Oct. 23, Tulsa Central Library. Editor Janelle Stecklein will participate in a panel discussing how to cover state government. Host: Oklahoma Local News Summit
9 a.m. Oct. 27, Omni Hotel in Oklahoma City. Education reporter Nuria Martinez-Keel will moderate a panel at The Oklahoma Education Policy Conference. Host: University of Oklahoma
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Janelle Stecklein at [email protected]
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