AGP Executive Report

NBA Conference Finals: The Knicks are set for Game 2 vs. the Cavaliers after a Game 1 collapse that Cleveland couldn’t recover from, while the Thunder open their West matchup with the Spurs as top seeds clash again. Autonomous Trucking in Oklahoma: Driverless semitrucks are expanding from Dallas to Oklahoma City, with Oklahoma Highway Patrol training underway and new public-safety questions for first responders. Data Centers & Homes: A report suggests properties near data centers may sell for more in limited regions, but broader “boosts” look unlikely. OSU Research & Health: OSU entomology work is using insect biology to tackle pest control and health impacts, and UCO’s John Barthell was elected to lead the Council on Undergraduate Research. Student Housing Pressure: Rising Stillwater rents are squeezing OSU students, pushing some toward extra work or tougher tradeoffs. Wheat Field Updates: Lahoma Wheat Field Day highlighted early harvest pressure and wheat streak mosaic virus management.

NBA Conference Finals Kickoff: The Knicks are set for Cleveland after a Game 2 swing led by an early 18-0 third-quarter run, with Jalen Brunson acting more like a distributor and Josh Hart hitting key threes as New York looks to keep momentum after Cleveland’s Game 1 collapse. Thunder-Spurs Showdown: In the West, Oklahoma City and San Antonio are tied 1-1 heading into the next matchup, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander driving the Thunder’s response and Victor Wembanyama facing a more physical OKC approach. Oklahoma Policy Watch: The Tulsa Regional Chamber Executive Committee is opposing State Question 832, arguing the minimum wage plan’s inflation-linked increases could raise costs and reduce entry-level opportunities. STEM & Skills Spotlight: Oklahoma hosted the National Land and Range Judging Contest, drawing 750 students from 32 states to compete on soil and land traits—real-world science for future careers.

NBA Conference Finals (OKC–SA): The Thunder evened the Western Conference finals 122-113 over the Spurs, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bouncing back for 30 points and Victor Wembanyama leading San Antonio with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks; Game 3 heads to Texas with the series tied 1-1. Climate & Water: A new U.S. Drought Monitor map shows parts of Oklahoma and the South in “exceptional” drought, while “extreme” drought stretches across more of the Plains and West. Energy & Policy: Oklahoma City approved final plans for the MAPS 4 Robert Ravitz Crisis Center near OU Health Sciences, aiming to open in 2027 to route mental health and substance-use crises away from hospitals and jails. Tech/Workforce: A Newsweek analysis finds big state-by-state gaps in H-1B approvals per capita, with some states far higher than others. STEM/Industry: USA Rare Earth says DOE selected it for up to $19.3M to build pilot-scale rare earth separations capacity—targeting a key bottleneck for U.S. clean energy and defense supply chains.

NBA Playoffs (OKC vs. San Antonio): The Oklahoma City Thunder evened the Western Conference finals at 1-1, beating the Spurs 122-113 in Game 2 behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 30 points and 9 assists, plus 21 Spurs turnovers and 34 Thunder assists. Next Up: Game 3 heads to San Antonio on Friday, with Victor Wembanyama still posting monster numbers—21 points, 17 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks in the loss. Oklahoma Schools: Marietta Public Schools reports ACT gains across English, math, reading, and science after adding year-long ACT prep and tightening instruction through professional learning communities. Local Infrastructure: Glenpool is nearing completion on a nearly $60M wastewater treatment upgrade, shifting to a Sequencing Batch Reactor system and adding UV disinfection and odor-control tech. Health & Policy: Oklahoma psychiatrists are developing mental-health screening for private astronauts, aiming to match people to the stress and isolation of spaceflight. Medicare AI Fight: Democrats push to stop Medicare’s WISeR AI prior-authorization pilot, which includes Oklahoma.

Health Policy Showdown: Senate and House Democrats are pushing for a vote to end Medicare’s AI prior-authorization pilot (WISeR), after a GAO ruling said it should’ve gone through Congress first—Oklahoma is named among the states already using it. Border Funding Firestorm: Republicans are accused of steering $1B in taxpayer money toward the Trump administration’s ICE/CBP “ballroom” security plan, despite claims it was private. Oklahoma Education Wins: Mustang High says a new digital hallway system cut student tardies by 82% as attendance mandates tighten. STEM & Research Spotlight: Oklahoma Heart Institute became the first U.S. site using a new heart device in the SUPPORT II trial. Campus Innovation: OSU students are continuing paid rural research internships in 2026, including smart water metering work in Altus. Sports (Oklahoma Front Row): Thunder vs. Spurs is set for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, with OKC looking to bounce back after a double-overtime opener.

AI Power Policy: Oklahoma just passed the “Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026,” requiring big AI data center customers (75 MW+) to sign long-term agreements for infrastructure costs instead of pushing those bills onto everyone’s electric rates. It also adds transparency rules for land and development tied to large-load projects, effective July 1. Education Leadership: Chandler Public Schools filled key roles, hiring new principals for East Side Elementary, the junior high, and the high school. Severe Weather Science: A UNL professor says cutting the meteorology program will hurt Nebraska’s severe-storm research and the pipeline to the National Weather Service. Autonomous Trucks: Oklahoma Highway Patrol and DOT are preparing for driverless commercial semis, with training and safety plans as early as June. STEM in Action: Oklahoma soil judging is drawing 750 students from 32 states to compete in a top national contest.

Sports Spotlight: Victor Wembanyama answered Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s back-to-back MVP night with a statement—41 points, 24 rebounds, and a double-overtime 122-115 win that puts the Spurs up 1-0 over the Thunder in the West finals. Autonomous Trucking: Oklahoma Highway Patrol and ODOT are teaming up with industry partners to roll out autonomous commercial trucking “safely and responsibly,” building on state laws from 2019 and 2022. Medicaid + AI: New Mexico and Oklahoma are among a handful of states using AI to handle new federal Medicaid work requirements starting in 2027. Health Care Watch: CMS nursing-home ratings keep rolling in across Oklahoma—some facilities hit top scores, others land low, with fines and penalties still showing up in the data. Community + Safety: A Red Cross push for water safety ramps up for summer, urging swim lessons and constant supervision. Education: Fort Hays State’s student media team again took national top honors for live sports production.

Sports Spotlight: The Western Conference Finals start tonight with Oklahoma City hosting San Antonio in Game 1, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander chasing a second straight MVP and Victor Wembanyama bringing the Spurs’ matchup-changing size to Paycom Center. Public Safety: May is National Water Safety Month, and the Red Cross is urging Oklahoma families to review swim skills, keep constant supervision near water, and take swim lessons to cut drowning risk. Tech & Industry: Aramco Digital named Dr. Ashraf AlTahini as CEO, signaling a push to scale industrial AI and connected digital systems. Health & Training: UAMS held commencement for 1,237 health professionals, while Oklahoma Baptist University announced a new Doctor of Physical Therapy program launching in fall 2027. Care Capacity Watch: CMS data highlights Cimarron Nursing Center as Kingfisher County’s top-capacity nursing home in Q1 2026, with a perfect overall rating. Weather Alert: A major storm system is threatening parts of the Midwest and could bring tornadoes and flash flooding, with Oklahoma mentioned among areas at risk.

Air Traffic Control: Oklahoma’s air-traffic system is in the spotlight as a union says the FAA cut its staffing target without including NATCA, leaving a bigger shortage than the agency claims. Severe Weather Watch: Oklahoma meteorologists are warning that today could bring hail, damaging winds, and the highest tornado risk so far this year—so keep NOAA alerts on. Education Policy: Gov. Stitt signed a law raising required school days from 166 to 173, putting pressure on Oklahoma districts still running four-day weeks. Broadband & Data Centers: Uniti says it’s expanding fiber and colocation in Tulsa, adding a new 50-rack deal and metro-ring buildout. Health & Nursing: Joyce University’s MSN program earned the maximum 10-year CCNE accreditation. Sports (OKC): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s back-to-back MVP headlines the Thunder–Spurs West finals starting tonight.

Sports Spotlight: The NBA conference finals are set, and Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the headline—he’s reportedly won back-to-back MVPs, matching Steve Nash’s rare feat, as the Thunder open the West finals vs. the Spurs. Health & Science: A new phase 2 ARASEC update adds U.S.-focused data for darolutamide in metastatic prostate cancer, aiming to fill gaps left by earlier global results. Energy & Tribes: The Southern Ute Tribe secured the first-ever federal approval of a Tribal Energy Resource Agreement, expanding tribal control over energy development on trust lands. Education Watch: Oklahoma is spending more per student, but still ranks near the bottom in regional comparisons—catch-up remains expensive. Environment: Pollution alerts hit multiple states with temporary ozone and particle restrictions, including Oklahoma City-area guidance to cut outdoor activity and emissions. Local Oklahoma: A small town in Ponca City is asking for help after mysterious black dust blankets neighborhoods, raising health and contamination fears.

NBA MVP Watch: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is reportedly set to win back-to-back NBA MVPs, matching rare company and setting the stage for the Thunder’s Western Conference Finals opener vs. the Spurs. Local Sports Spotlight: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network swept top honors at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland Chapter for a live men’s basketball broadcast, showing how student media skills translate into real-world production wins. Courts & Health Policy: The U.S. Supreme Court paused a ruling that would have restricted mail and telehealth access to the abortion pill mifepristone, keeping the fight alive in a rightward-leaning appeals landscape. Energy & Weather: Oklahoma’s severe-weather season continues to raise shelter-safety questions, while national debate over wind power and energy policy keeps heating up. Tech & Everyday Life: Amazon is pushing 30-minute delivery through small local hubs, aiming to reshape what “fast” means for shoppers.

Ultrafast Commerce: Amazon is rolling out “Amazon Now,” aiming for 30-minute deliveries for an extra fee via small order hubs stocked with about 3,500 items—another speed push after Prime’s two-day era. Public Health Logistics: Kansas-Oklahoma partners are moving donated breast milk where it’s needed, using a “milk relay” model that highlights how regional coordination can save lives. Substance Safety: A mother describes how kratom use turned into a traumatic addiction path, renewing calls to ban or regulate the unregulated herbal drug. Investigations: OSBI is looking into a suspicious death in Norman, while other local reports spotlight how quickly personal lives can unravel. Community & Equity: Black Mothers March is calling out racial disparities in child welfare, and UND commencement coverage underscores the role of community in student success. STEM/Training Spotlight: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network won national top honors for live sports production and also took talent awards.

Severe Weather & Safety: An EF4 tornado ripped through Enid’s south side on April 23, damaging or leveling 40+ homes—but the big takeaway is that no one died, thanks to early warnings and shelter access that still isn’t available for everyone in Oklahoma. Public Health Access: A national fight over abortion medication via telehealth is still shifting—after a Supreme Court stay, remote access can resume while lawsuits continue. Energy & Climate Tech: Oklahoma lawmakers are weighing a path to reuse abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal heat and underground storage, aiming to turn liabilities into clean power options. STEM & Skills Spotlight: Fort Hays State’s student media team won national top honors for a live sports broadcast, and Oklahoma BPA students returned with Hall of Fame recognition and multiple awards. Local Education: DuBois Area School Board approved food service, summer programs, and an Elementary STEM Camp staffing boost for 2026-27.

AI at Work vs. AI Trust: A new national survey finds Oklahomans are using workplace AI at higher-than-average rates (80% vs. 72% nationally) but trusting it less (67% trust vs. the national average). Local STEM & Training: Fort Hays State’s Tiger Media Network kept winning—again—at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Heartland awards, including top honors for a live sports broadcast. Oklahoma Policy: State Question 832 is on the June 16 primary ballot, gradually lifting Oklahoma’s minimum wage to $15—supporters say it helps families; opponents warn it could raise costs and cut hours. Energy & Infrastructure: Oklahoma’s governor signed a data-center ratepayer protection bill aimed at stopping new large loads from pushing infrastructure costs onto residents. Weather & Food Systems: Wheat growers across the region are still dealing with drought, freezes, and hail damage, with OSU and partners pushing variety testing tours to help producers pick what performs locally.

Data Center Policy Push: Oklahoma’s governor signed the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, aiming to stop residents from footing the bill for grid and infrastructure upgrades tied to big data center builds. Wind Power Stalemate: Lawmakers again failed to agree on residential wind turbine setback rules, so turbines keep operating without new distance limits. Air Safety Upgrades: The Trump administration announced $835M+ in air traffic control upgrades at eight airports, including Lawton, Oklahoma. AI + Power Pressure: Policymakers are weighing whether to temporarily pause AI data center construction as opposition grows over electricity strain and local impacts. Health Access Fight: A nationwide telehealth abortion pause is back in flux after a Supreme Court stay—leaving states and providers scrambling over what’s allowed. Community STEM & Sports: Fort Hays State’s student media team won national TV production honors, while Citizen Potawatomi Nation broke ground on a major softball stadium in Shawnee. Agriculture Defense: New world screwworm response continues as officials plan sterile fly releases near the U.S. border.

Oklahoma Data Center Push Gets a Ratepayer Shield: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026, aiming to stop everyday utility customers from footing the bill for big infrastructure upgrades tied to data center growth. The law takes effect in July and includes an emergency clause. Local Impact Debate: In Piedmont, residents are still pressing concerns over water use, grid capacity, and future growth tied to a proposed massive data center near the Matthewson substation. Privacy Fight: The ACLU of Oklahoma and OKC partners are hosting a town hall (“Get the FLOCK Out”) on May 27 to challenge automatic license plate reader surveillance and what it means for Oklahomans’ privacy. STEM & Defense Manufacturing: Oklahoma-based Saxum launched Foundry DST, an AI tool that stress-tests messaging across all 77 counties, while ARC and ORNL announced an AI-enabled defense manufacturing partnership to speed production and qualification timelines. Space Industry Watch: Quantum Space says it’s targeting 1,000 satellites a year in the long run, starting with getting its first Ranger Prime satellite launched.