***BREAKING*** The Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame Wall has been restored at the Oklahoma State Department of Education Building. KFOR

🚨 BREAKING 🚨 One day since Ryan Walters formally resigned, a top Oklahoma State Department of Education official tells me OSDE Chief Policy Advisor Matt Langston “will not be returning” to the department. Unclear if he’s still actively on the payroll. KFOR (1/2)

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Governor Stitt press conference in Tulsa about to get underway.

Newly appointed Oklahoma State Superintendent Lindel Fields gave a heartfelt speech, getting emotional when discussing “steadying the waters” of Oklahoma’s education department.

Not every reporter gets selected during a Gov. Stitt news conference, but today, the same station got selected twice while others were looked over. There is something typically entertaining about this process with his staff--but I will say I had the highest hand in the room. haha

OPERATION SAFE COST: ODOT tells me they have a number of closer cleanup contractors, but due to the "rapid response" they needed one with immediate availability. I did not get an explanation into what was so urgent. The company billed $93, 286.14 in travel charges alone.

When he entered a news conference, he shook hands and introduced himself to all the journalists in the room. Apparently, after former Superintendent Ryan Walters left, the Oklahoma Educators Hall of Fame was rehung in the building. More at go.tulsaworld.com/mikesimons #oklaed

It is difficult to describe the vibe difference with a new OSDE superintendent. I don’t even think I realized the degree of dignity-sucking that had been taking place for the board.

I’m from Oklahoma but when I pronounce orangutan or sherbet the way they are spelled, I get accosted.

2 1/2 hours into OSDE Executive Session. Dylan Brown prediction of 3 hours not a bad bet, after all.

When Kortney Smith agreed to testify in his brother’s trial for murder, the state promised immunity and dropped his accessory charge. Immediately after testifying, he was charged again with accessory. SharonPhillips1 is following and will post story shortly.

Tulsa attorney claims prosecutors broke immunity promise, arrested witness kjrh.com/news/local-new…

😂

OSDE new leadership cannot locate contracts for Prager U or Lee Greenwood. A spokesperson said there is a possibility what Ryan Walters told the media “may have been misrepresented.”

We have a big free concert coming up THIS SATURDAY at 8 p.m. at Scissortail Park. Make plans to welcome Indigo Girls back to OKC!

The Tyners’ attorney says, if the county had settled the max would have been $175,000. Between changing laws from the time the suit was filed, the lengthy legal process and jury recommendation, the judge could decide nearly $2 million in this case. kjrh.com/news/local-new…

Langston University police are investigating a sexual assault reported on 8/19 at Langston Univ. Commons Apts. I wish I could share more (stranger? do they know suspect? public safety threat?), but neither the university nor police will speak other than "ongoing investigation."