Today’s Weather: Storms moved out overnight; sunshine emerges along with hot and humid temps; 80s in the eastern part of the state and 90s elsewhere. Labor Day weekend expect more of the same.
Shots fired: As NPR reports, “Oklahoma Secretary of Education Ryan Walters called on the state board of education to revoke the teaching certificate of Summer Boismier, a former teacher at Norman High School…following a complaint from a parent who suggested that Boismier had made political comments in the classroom.”
In case you missed it: Boismier resigned her teaching position earlier in the week.
Now this: Walters claims, “Upon review of the situation, the teacher resigned rather than face removal. There is no place for a teacher with a liberal political agenda in the classroom. Ms. Boismier's providing access to banned and pornographic material to students is unacceptable and we must ensure she doesn't go to another district and do the same thin.”
What they’re saying: A Oklahoma State Department of Education spokesperson said the agency has no plans to seek revocation of Boismier's teaching certificate.
Thought bubble: While a complex, divisive issue, this may be a good fight to pick politically for the conservative Walters, who is running for State Superintendent of Education in November’s election.
Sides Emerging in Coming Electricity Deregulation Battle
First swing: The Alliance for Electrical Restructuring in Oklahoma Coalition, or AERO, a group seeking to deregulate Oklahoma’s electricity market, began circulating a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration suggesting electricity prices in Oklahoma are climbing at the fastest rate in the nation.
What the report says: It suggests Oklahomans saw electricity prices surge 49 percent - from 7.3 cents per kilowatt hour to 10.87 cents per kilowatt hour across residential, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors between June 2021 and June 2022.
What does “restructuring” or “deregulation” mean: Oklahoma’s electrical market would open to more electricity vendors from which consumers could purchase power.
Mike Boyd, AERO’s executive director says:
“Oklahomans are at the mercy of monopoly utilities that are demanding rate increases while they reap record profits. Customers, meanwhile, have no options, no recourse, and no way to escape being ripped off.”
Not so fast: An opposing group ostensibly backed by the existing electric providers, The Alliance for Secure Energy, hit back:
“I’m troubled by AERO’s blatant misrepresentation of Oklahoma as having the highest electricity rates in our region. This is simply untrue. Reports released by the Public Utility Commission of Texas clearly show that Texas’ deregulated prices are continuing to climb at a dramatically higher rate than Oklahoma’s when comparing 2021 rates to 2022 rates. While Oklahoma electricity prices are at 10.87 cents, Texas is seeing prices between 20 and 30 cents, and some service areas are seeing as much as 150% increase.”
Either way: Oklahoma dropped from having the nation’s most affordable electricity prices in the nation in June of 2021 to 18th today.
What’s next? Expect both groups to wage an ugly battle in the state’s next legislative session.
Certain winners: The lawyers, lobbyists, and consultants fighting to win our hearts and minds.
Go deeper: Read the full U.S. Energy Information Administration report here.
Cowboys win opener in shootout
Final score: No. 12 Oklahoma State dropped Central Michigan 58-44 last night in Stillwater.
Sanders’ big night: QB Spencer Sanders threw for a career-high 406 yards and had six touchdowns.
Coach Mike Gundy’s analysis via ESPN:
“We were very effective playing fast. And one thing that works against us a little bit is once you get ahead...obviously, you don’t want to play fast. So then you slow down, and we’re probably not as good at that as we are playing fast. But I was pleased with our ability to play fast and make plays in space.”
A milestone victory: The win was the 150th of Mike Gundy’s coaching career, and his career mark is 150-69 over 18 seasons at his alma mater.
Next Up: OSU hosts Arizona State on Saturday, Sept. 10.
And the Sooners? The 9th-ranked Sooners kick off their 2022 campaign against UTEP in Norman on Saturday at 2:30 CT and are a ~30-point favorite.
Cowboys win opener in shootout
Final score: No. 12 Oklahoma State dropped Central Michigan 58-44 last night in Stillwater.
Sanders’ big night: QB Spencer Sanders threw for a career-high 406 yards and had six touchdowns.
Coach Mike Gundy’s analysis via ESPN:
“We were very effective playing fast. And one thing that works against us a little bit is once you get ahead...obviously, you don’t want to play fast. So then you slow down, and we’re probably not as good at that as we are playing fast. But I was pleased with our ability to play fast and make plays in space.”
A milestone victory: The win was the 150th of Mike Gundy’s coaching career, and his career mark is 150-69 over 18 seasons at his alma mater.
Next Up: OSU hosts Arizona State on Saturday, Sept. 10.
And the Sooners? The 9th-ranked Sooners kick off their 2022 campaign against UTEP in Norman on Saturday at 2:30 CT and are a ~30-point favorite.