{"id":698844,"date":"2022-05-23T14:40:44","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T19:40:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/?page_id=698844"},"modified":"2025-10-17T13:59:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T18:59:48","slug":"impact","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Influence"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Impact-OSDE-Bids-1.png?resize=600%2C200&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751996\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:719px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Impact-OSDE-Bids-1.png?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Impact-OSDE-Bids-1.png?resize=300%2C100&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Impact-OSDE-Bids-1.png?resize=400%2C133&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Copy-of-Impact-OSDE-Bids-1.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Oklahoma Watch serves Oklahomans by delivering impactful investigative journalism. Our commitment lies in holding government and public officials accountable, shedding light on issues often obscured from public view. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We uncover and scrutinize critical challenges facing our state through rigorous, fact-driven reporting, fostering informed public discourse. By engaging all Oklahomans and amplifying essential conversations, Oklahoma Watch drives meaningful change, guided by our No Favorites, No Falsehoods and No Fear principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Oklahoma Watch Influence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\"><strong>Hail Storms Do Not Explain Oklahoma\u2019s Outrageous Homeowners\u2019 Insurance Rates<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/influence-hail-storms-do-not-explain-oklahomas-outrageous-homeowners-insurance-rates\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-752042\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Influence-Hail-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">J.C. Hallman\u2019s reporting exposed the truth behind Oklahoma\u2019s soaring homeowners\u2019 insurance costs, revealing that hail and storms aren\u2019t the real culprits. His investigations revealed that weak oversight, lenient regulations, and industry-friendly policies have enabled insurers&#8230; [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/influence-hail-storms-do-not-explain-oklahomas-outrageous-homeowners-insurance-rates\/\">Read More <\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\"><strong>Traffic Scheme Nets Texas County DA&#8217;s Office Millions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-traffic-scheme-nets-texas-county-das-office-millions\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751921\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Impact-Texas-County-Scheme-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">An investigation by J.C. Hallman uncovered how the Texas County district attorney\u2019s office quietly turned traffic stops into a multimillion-dollar cash machine. Drivers were pressured to pay \u201cdonations\u201d directly to the DA\u2019s office&#8230; [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-traffic-scheme-nets-texas-county-das-office-millions\/\">Read More<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\"><strong>OSDE Seeks Bids for 55,000 Bibles<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-osde-seeks-bids-for-55000-bibles\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751888\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">Oklahoma Watch reporters discovered a request for proposals from the Oklahoma State Department of Education seeking bids for 55,000 Bibles to be placed in classrooms statewide. The bid specifications were written so narrowly&#8230; [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-osde-seeks-bids-for-55000-bibles\/\">Read More<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\">Epic Charter Schools Scandal<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/epic-charter-school-scandal\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-736453\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Epic-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Jennifer Palmer\u2019s investigation into the Epic Charter Schools began in 2016. Her reporting shone a spotlight on the school\u2019s leaders, who are now charged with embezzlement. Jennifer continues to follow this story as the trial unfolds. [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/epic-charter-school-scandal\/\">Read More<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\">American Rescue Plan Act Funds<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-american-rescue-plan-act-funds\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-736452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-ARPA-300-x-300-1-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In February of 2022, Paul Monies started investigating the $1.87 Billion in (ARPA) American Rescue Plan Act Funds Oklahoma received. In April 2022 Oklahoma Watch filed a transparency lawsuit against OMES over federal relief funds. [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-american-rescue-plan-act-funds\/\">Read More<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\">OSSM Harassment Coverups<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-oklahoma-school-of-science-and-mathematics-harassment-coverups\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-736456\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-OSSM-300-x-300-1-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Jennifer Palmer investigated the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics revealing a school fraught with sexual harassment and coverups. Jennifer continues to follow the school and will provide updates. [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-oklahoma-school-of-science-and-mathematics-harassment-coverups\/\">Read more<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-normal-font-size\">Winter Storm Uri<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-winer-storm-uri\/\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-736455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Impact-Uri-300-x-300-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Paul Monies looked into the reasons behind Oklahomans being saddled with a $1.4 billion bill after Winter Storm Uri and explored why the Attorney General has taken legal action against natural gas companies. [<a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact-winer-storm-uri\/\">Read more<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-huge-font-size\">Influence Archive&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>We <a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2019\/03\/02\/choice-for-veterans-department-head-accused-of-underpaying-veterans\/\">reported<\/a> that Gov. Kevin Stitt\u2019s nominee for secretary for veterans and military affairs led a company being accused in a lawsuit of violating federal labor laws by underpaying veterans. More than a week later, the nominee <a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2019\/03\/13\/stitt-veterans-secretary-nominee-withdraws-name\/\">withdrew his name<\/a> from being considered for the cabinet position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2018\/01\/17\/scholarship-schools-exclude-disabled-students-from-discrimination-protections\/\">investigation<\/a> found that dozens of private schools offering tax-credit scholarships exclude disabled students from their posted policies against discrimination. <a href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2018\/01\/31\/scholarship-fund-orders-private-schools-to-revise-discrimination-policies\/\">In response,<\/a> the state\u2019s largest tax-credit scholarship fund told at least 60 schools to comply or be removed from the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Our report revealed that Oklahoma schools were <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2017\/05\/04\/students-sometimes-face-lunch-shaming-when-they-cant-pay\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">\u201clunch shaming\u201d<\/a> students who had overdue meal accounts, stamping their hands and giving them a cold sandwich instead of a hot plate. In response, a church donated money to Tulsa schools to pay for all students\u2019 meals, and an individual launched a GoFundMe campaign to pay for meals for Oklahoma City students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>An <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2016\/04\/23\/appeals-court-sodomy-law-doesnt-apply-to-cases-with-unconscious-victims\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">exclusive<\/a> revealed an overlooked Appeals Court ruling that&nbsp;found the state\u2019s sodomy law doesn\u2019t apply when the victim is&nbsp;unconscious. An uproar caused the legislature to quickly revise the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>After our <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2016\/09\/28\/five-virtual-charter-schools-five-different-ways-to-track-attendance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">investigation<\/a> found that each virtual charter school&nbsp;counts attendance&nbsp;differently, legislation was passed to revise attendance rules for online schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Facts unearthed in our 2014 investigative report on <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2014\/07\/23\/information-scarce-on-dark-money-group-in-superintendent-campaign\/\">\u201cdark&nbsp;money\u201d<\/a> were central elements in <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2016\/11\/03\/hofmeister-charged-with-campaign-violations-conspiracy\/\">criminal charges<\/a> filed in 2016&nbsp;against the state schools\u2019 superintendent. We were highlighted&nbsp;in the criminal affidavit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Amid public outcry after Oklahoma Watch\u2019s <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2016\/06\/17\/governor-delays-use-of-card-scanners\/\">story<\/a>, Gov. Mary Fallin directed the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2016\/06\/17\/governor-delays-use-of-card-scanners\/\">delay use<\/a> of recently obtained portable card readers capable of freezing or seizing funds from prepaid debit cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>An official in the governor\u2019s office confirmed \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2016\/03\/30\/unprofitable-wells-now-a-big-tax-break\/\">Unprofitable Wells Now a Big Tax Break<\/a>,\u201d added momentum to a&nbsp;proposal, which passed, to cap this tax break in order to help plug the budget shortfall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In direct response to an Oklahoma Watch <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2015\/07\/29\/state-withholds-school-graduation-rates\/\">story<\/a>, the state school board voted to change the Department of Education policy to allow for release of&nbsp;graduation rates for all Oklahoma school districts, regardless of the size of the student body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>State Senator Kay Floyd says Oklahoma Watch\u2019s 2014 <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2014\/11\/17\/oklahoma-ranks-fifth-worst-in-child-homelessness\/\">story about homeless children<\/a> was the tipping point in her deciding to propose a bill in the&nbsp;2015 session, which passed to conduct a study of homeless students in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Watch followed up with another <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2015\/05\/28\/in-schools-a-persistent-rise-of-homelessness\/\">in-depth story<\/a> in May 2015.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In response to an Oklahoma Watch inquiry, Norman police revived a probe into a wrongful-conviction rape case and <a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2014\/07\/14\/miss-man-charged-in-case-of-32-year-old-rape\/\">charged a&nbsp;new suspect<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"140\" height=\"140\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?resize=140%2C140&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-751995\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=140%2C140&amp;ssl=1 140w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=200%2C200&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?resize=100%2C100&amp;ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px.png?w=300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=370&amp;ssl=1 370w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/oklahomawatch.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Copy-of-Impact-Epic-Charter-Schools-300-x-300-px-140x140.png?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A public defender claims Oklahoma Watch\u2019s report, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/2014\/09\/29\/new-push-for-juvenile-competency\/\">New Push to Allow Juvenile Competency Hearings<\/a>,\u201d&nbsp;helped in the successful effort to get the state legislature to permit court hearings to determine whether juvenile offenders&nbsp;are competent to stand trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:11px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Oklahoma Watch serves Oklahomans by delivering impactful investigative journalism. Our commitment lies in holding government and public officials accountable, shedding light on issues often obscured from public view. We uncover and scrutinize critical challenges facing our state through rigorous, fact-driven reporting, fostering informed public discourse. By engaging all Oklahomans and amplifying essential conversations, Oklahoma Watch [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1503485,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"gigafact_has_fact_brief":false,"gigafact_remote_fact_brief_post_id":0,"gigafact_remote_sync_timestamp":"","gigafact_remote_sync_status":"","gigafact_remote_sync_response":"","gigafact_has_been_published":false,"newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_popups_has_disabled_popups":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"everlit_article_id":"","everlit_hide_embed":false,"everlit_embed_size":"","everlit_generation_settings":[],"_everlit_article_id":"","_everlit_hide_embed":false,"_everlit_embed_size":"","_everlit_generation_settings":[],"_everlit_content_hash":"","_everlit_metadata_hash":"","newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_hide_page_title":true,"newspack_show_share_buttons":false,"footnotes":""},"coauthors":[404],"class_list":["post-698844","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"fact_brief":null,"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Our Influence - Oklahoma Watch<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/oklahomawatch.org\/impact\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Our Influence - Oklahoma Watch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Oklahoma Watch serves Oklahomans by delivering impactful investigative journalism. 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