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Articles by Michael Mcnutt
HD 40: Kinsley Jordan, Torry Turnbow face off for open Enid seat
From left: Republicans Kinsley Jordan and Torry Turnbow will compete to represent House District 40 in the GOP primary set for Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (NonDoc) An Enid Public Schools Board member and a U.S. Air Force veteran say they want to continue their public service in a different venue as they seek election to Oklahoma House District 40, a race for an open seat that will be decided in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
‘The laws are broken’: Plea ends 3-year cockfighting-related criminal case
After pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge, Eli Grino signs documents with his attorney, Billy Coyle, at the Oklahoma County Courthouse on Monday, April 20, 2026. (Michael McNutt) A Newalla man who was charged three years ago with nearly 60 cockfighting-related felony counts after authorities seized nearly 100 game-type birds from his Oklahoma County property entered an Alford plea today on a sole count of possessing birds with the intent to engage in cockfighting.
‘They’re here’: Bill seeks to protect Oklahoma ratepayers from data centers, other large energy users
Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) presents a bill on the Oklahoma House floor Wednesday, May 8, 2024. (Michael Duncan) With data centers already in Oklahoma — and more on the way — legislation intended to protect residential ratepayers from bearing the brunt of infrastructure costs for large-load electric use is sailing through the House of Representatives with bipartisan support.
‘The Ballad of Rick and Larry’: Duo accused of $60 million RICO scam with American Heartland project
From left: Rick Silanskas and Larry Wilhite were accused in federal court by Gene Bicknell of orchestrating a $60 million fraud with the American Heartland Theme Park project announced for Vinita, Oklahoma. (NonDoc) Gene Bicknell, the financial backer of the American Heartland Theme Park, has accused his former business partners of orchestrating a “predatory conspiracy of psychological manipulation” to convince him that “God himself was commanding him” to pay for the project.
Federal memo finds United Keetoowah Band 'successor in interest' to Cherokee Reservation
Ahead of the presidential administration change in January, a last-minute solicitor general memo from the U.S. Department of Interior recognized the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians “has an ownership interest in the Cherokee Reservation as a successor in interest to the tribal signatory of the Treaty of 1846.” The memo could have extensive implications for the UKB’s criminal jurisdiction, casino compacts and, as the UKB argues, even health care for UKB members.
Birthday Rant: Lack of public comment fosters ‘failure to communicate’ with citizens
When it comes to how state boards and commissions listen to Oklahomans, a famous line from a 1967 Paul Newman movie comes to mind. “What we’ve got here is failure to communicate,” the captain of the prison camp says about Newman’s character in Cool Hand Luke. Most boards and commissions governing state agencies don’t include a section for public comment on their agendas.
As DA tenure ends, Greg Mashburn hired to lead OSBI
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission today hired longtime District Attorney Greg Mashburn to head the OSBI less than a month after commissioners accepted the resignation of the agency’s previous director amid continued rumors about employee unrest. Commissioners voted 7-0 to hire Mashburn, of Norman, who was first elected in 2006 to serve as DA for District 21, which covers Cleveland, McClain and Garvin counties.
Legal roundup: Airsoft guns banned for felons, cockfighting arrests made, banker pleads to fraud
The Court of Criminal Appeals has upheld the death sentence of Daniel Raul Santiago Vasquez, convicted for murdering a woman in 2018 while she was seven months pregnant. The same day the court upheld Vasquez’s death penalty, it also held that refusing a breathalyzer test during a DUI traffic stop is admissible evidence and issued an order barring felons from owning airsoft guns.
OSBI Commission names interim director
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Commission accepted the resignation of retiring director Aungela Spurlock on Thursday and named Steven Carter interim director at a meeting originally scheduled to discuss “performance” concerns. Commissioners voted 7-0 to approve Carter, who has 30 years in law enforcement and who had served as OSBI’s deputy director for nearly a year. Spurlock’s last day on the job was Thursday, and her terminal leave runs until her official retirement March 1.
Hiett's Broadway 10 statement 'isolated,' Minneapolis incident omitted
A five-month investigation into the conduct of Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett, spurred by reports he allegedly got blackout drunk and groped an energy industry employee at a conference last summer in Minneapolis, has produced a 10-page report that found the commissioner did not say or do anything that constituted sexual harassment during a 2023 party at an Oklahoma City steakhouse.
2nd ethics probe examines Ryan Walters for social media, political activity
News this is a test NURIA MARTINEZ-KEEL OKLAHOMA VOICE  OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma Senate Democrats have unveiled a set of policy priorities focused on worker wages, education funding, health care and the public’s voice in government. Members of the minority... this is a test Polling places for two precincts in Sequoyah County have changed, says Ruby Brunk, secretary for the Sequoyah County Election Board. The location changes are: Precinct 103 — The former location was Mu...
Roundup: Tulsa Race Massacre report released, Stavian Rodriguez suit settled, Keyes case kicked
It has been a fraught few weeks for Oklahoma’s relationship with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Accused of conflict, Todd Hiett calls Ethics Commission investigation 'a political witch hunt'
With an independent misconduct probe authorized by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission ongoing, Commissioner Todd Hiett is also being investigated by the Oklahoma Ethics Commission on complaints he violated conflict-of-interest ethics rules by giving his approval to issues involving Oklahoma Gas & Electric, including an interim order in November approving the utility’s proposed $126.6 million rate hike.
Second ethics probe examines Ryan Walters for social media, political activity
With his handling of 2022 campaign funds already being questioned, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters is also being investigated over whether certain posts on social media and certain comments on issues mostly concerning President-elect Donald Trump violate ethics rules about the use of state money, property or time.
Ethics Commission to subpoena Ryan Walters for campaign records
Rebuffed in its original request, the Oklahoma Ethics Commission voted Thursday to file a subpoena seeking campaign records related to Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ successful 2022 election. In October, the Ethics Commission authorized a formal investigation of alleged campaign finance rule violations by Walters’ 2022 campaign.
Ahead of special board meeting, OSBI director Aungela Spurlock resigning
(Editor’s note: The following article includes reference to racial slurs.) Two weeks ahead of a special meeting with her agency’s governing board to discuss “performance” concerns, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation executive director Aungela Spurlock announced today she is retiring from the agency amid continued rumors about OSBI employee unrest.
Bob Anthony reformed OCC, worked undercover for FBI
Bob Anthony had never been to an Oklahoma Corporation Commission meeting until he was encouraged in 1988 to run for a seat on the three-member utility-regulating panel. Devoid of a political background and lacking ties to the oil and gas industry or utility companies, Anthony — like many Oklahomans — didn’t really know what the agency did. But today, 36 years after taking his first oath as an elected state officeholder, his tenure as a corporation commissioner ends.
Stitt says governor should appoint most statewide officials
Posted in: Gov. Kevin Stitt has a simple solution to deal with statewide elected officials who fall out of favor with voters while in office: Let the governor appoint them in the first place....
Stitt says governor should appoint most statewide officials
Gov. Kevin Stitt has a simple solution to deal with statewide elected officials who fall out of favor with voters while in office: Let the governor appoint them in the first place. “I think that the governor should appoint all these positions because you’ve got one neck to choke, and the four million Oklahomans vote on the governor,” Stitt said Dec. 20.
More than 260 animals seized, possible rooster 'fighting pit' found in Grady County
NINNEKAH — Acting on a tip alleging an illegal marijuana growing operation, Grady County deputies instead discovered indications of cockfighting, hundreds of malnourished animals and children living in filth. On Oct. 7, deputies discovered chained dogs, more than 20 fighting roosters — most without water — and a suspected “fighting pit,” as well as ornamental fish living in murky water and more than 200 exotic birds kept in stacked cages. Returning Dec.
Roundup: FY 2026 budget projection down, Wellston substitute gets 4 years, Mashburn retiring
B.C. Clark’s anniversary jingle is back on airwaves for the 68th year, and people on Twitter are complaining about the Thunder’s absence from the NBA’s coveted Dec. 25 schedule, which can only mean one thing: Christmastime is here.
Legal roundup: Jeff Myers heads to trial, PPB drama causes delays, Drummond rebukes Russ
Despite a stay in the civil case against Swadley’s Foggy Bottom Kitchen that had been set to begin this week, several other high-profile legal happenings in the state deserve your attention. The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department’s civil case against Swadley’s was stayed in October pending the outcome of the criminal fraud case against its officers, which alleges the restaurant overcharged the state for construction costs and other services. The civil trial was supposed to begin Monday.
Great escape-goat? Stitt fires McQueen for attending poultry lawsuit hearing
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt fired Ken McQueen as his secretary of energy and environment and as director of the Department of Energy today, replacing him with Jeff Starling and criticizing McQueen in a public statement. “I’m disappointed that Ken McQueen would join AG Drummond, former AG Drew Edmondson and environmentalists in opposition to Oklahoma farmers and landowners by appearing at a court hearing today in his capacity as secretary,” Stitt said on Twitter.
Roundup: Cherokee tag deal struck, pagan prayer irritates politicians, OU finances improve, JNC busy
Did you rest up this Thanksgiving weekend? Enjoy family time? Watch football? Get a start on your holiday shopping? As you return to a normal routine this week, make sure to catch up on these nine news items you may have missed, including a major deal between Oklahoma and the Cherokee Nation, as well as an unusual pagan prayer in Tulsa that has been misrepresented as “satanic” by politicians.
Commission approves OG&E, PSO rate increases
OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision looming on whether Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett may vote on cases involving companies with direct knowledge of his alleged misconduct, he took part in actions Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, that allowed large rate increases to proceed for the state’s two biggest electric utilities.
Corporation Commission advances 'huge' PSO, OG&E rate increases
Despite an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision looming on whether Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett may vote on cases involving companies with direct knowledge of his alleged misconduct, he took part in actions Tuesday that allowed large rate increases to proceed for the state’s two biggest electric utilities.
Commission approves OG&E, PSO rate increases
OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision looming on whether Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett may vote on cases involving companies with direct knowledge of his alleged misconduct, he took part in actions Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, that allowed large rate increases to proceed for the state’s two biggest electric utilities.
Spurlock suggests OSBI Commission reform, spurs special meeting
Following a trio of new gubernatorial appointments with connections to Department of Public Safety Commissioner Tim Tipton, the commission overseeing the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation has scheduled a special meeting in January to discuss director Aungela Spurlock’s “performance” after she recommended that the Legislature consider restructuring her governing body. Spurlock provided a PowerPoint presentation for a Sept.
Effort launched to open Oklahoma’s primary elections
Share Every registered voter, regardless of political affiliation in Oklahoma, would have the ability to cast a vote in all contested state and county elections if an initiative petition effort announced Tuesday is successful and if voters approve the state question. About 200 supporters of the proposal showed up Tuesday at the Oklahoma History Center to show their enthusiasm to eliminate Oklahoma’s closed primary system and replace it with an open primary.
Effort launched to open Oklahoma's primary elections
Every registered voter, regardless of political affiliation in Oklahoma, would have the ability to cast a vote in all contested state and county elections if an initiative petition effort announced Tuesday is successful and if voters approve the state question. About 200 supporters of the proposal showed up Tuesday at the Oklahoma History Center to show their enthusiasm to eliminate Oklahoma’s closed primary system and replace it with an open primary.
Roundup: Slap fighting, cockfighting, in-fighting over St. Isidore and religious education
If attorneys for St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtue School have their way, Oklahoma could become the birthplace of the U.S. Supreme Court’s latest , with proponents for and against the Catholic charter school all alleging infringements of the First Amendment right to exercise religion freely. Along with a laundry list of religious institutes and Republican attorneys general, Gov.
Deal reached to settle mental health competency lawsuit
(Update: A joint status report filed with the court Monday, Nov. 18, outlines the modifications to the proposed consent decree discussed below. The following article remains in its original form with the report linked and embedded below.) An agreement has been reached to settle a lawsuit alleging unconstitutional delays of mental health competency restoration services for pre-trial defendants in Oklahoma who have faced extraordinary wait times for treatment of severe mental illness. Gov.
Justices hears request to disqualify Commissioner Todd Hiett
Three members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives seeking to disqualify Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett from voting on cases involving companies with direct knowledge of his alleged criminal conduct should initiate impeachment proceedings against him instead of asking the Oklahoma Supreme Court to step in and order his recusal, the attorney for the embattled statewide official argued during a Tuesday hearing.
Supreme Court ruling could hike bills further from Winter Storm Uri
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has struck down an Oklahoma Corporation Commission order that prohibited utility companies from billing customers for any franchise fees, municipal fees and any other taxes allowed by state law on costs related to Winter Storm Uri, the 14-day megastorm that struck the region in February 2021.
Drummond fires Stitt's hire, Texas pays for Red River dispute, Behenna lawsuit tossed
The University of Texas may have won the Red River Rivalry this year, but Oklahomans may take some consolation in learning the state of Texas has paid the state of Oklahoma $10 million to settle a dispute about the actual Red River. Meanwhile, Attorney General Gentner Drummond continues to butt heads with Gov.
SQ 833's public infrastructure districts rejected while SQ 834 passes
Voters Tuesday flushed a state question down the drain that would have authorized the creation of public infrastructure districts that could help cities finance improvements if all the property owners within the district agreed. Meanwhile, those going to the polls overwhelmingly supported a state question that makes it clear only U.S. citizens are qualified to vote in Oklahoma.
As 30 legislators seek reelection, harassment case resurfaces in HD 83
Nearly one-third of Oklahoma’s legislative seats will be determined by Tuesday’s general election. Thirty incumbents — 27 members in the House of Representatives and three in the Senate — are vying for reelection. Fourteen other legislative seats will be filled by new faces after their incumbents either chose not to seek another term, were prohibited from filing owing to the state’s 12-year term limit or lost in primary or runoff elections earlier this year.
Roundup: Theme park delayed, energy issues percolate, OKC-area projects inch along
Building big things can be hard to do. In Oklahoma City, a new publicly funded basketball arena for the OKC Thunder has an architect and a contractual obligation to open by June 2030. Plans for the new Oklahoma County Jail, however, are less clear as the city and the county prepare for a court date in unusual litigation between government jurisdictions. The proposed American Heartland Theme Park, meanwhile, is having even less success.
Wolverine Lake Village 2024 General Election results
Check the Michigan 2024 Nov. 5 General Election results here Published: October 27, 2024 at 3:26 PM Tags: Michigan General Election 2024, Michigan Election Results, Oakland County, Wolverine Lake Village Decision 2024 (WDIV) Here’s where you’ll find the Nov. 5, 2024 General Election results for Wolverine Lake Village, Michigan. ---> Click here to view full Michigan General Election coverage. Michigan 2024 General Election Results Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
Trio trying to succeed longest-serving Corporation Commission member
For the first time in 36 years, Bob Anthony will not be on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission next year. Voters in the Nov. 5 general election will choose among three candidates seeking to succeed Anthony, the longest-serving utility commissioner in the United States and the longest-serving statewide-elected official in Oklahoma. First elected to the OCC in 1988, Anthony cannot seek reelection because of term limits.
Proposed new property tax districts draw praise, concerns Original
A proposal authorizing the creation of new taxing districts that could help cities finance infrastructure improvements — if all the property owners within the district agree — will be decided by voters taking part in Oklahoma’s Nov. 5 general election.
One-word change debated as noncitizens already ineligible to vote
Voters will decide a state question on the Nov. 5 general election ballot that is intended to clarify that only U.S. citizens are qualified to vote in Oklahoma. Supporters say State Question 834 is necessary to preserve the integrity of elections, while critics say it functionally does nothing except encourage fear-mongering with political rhetoric. If you thought noncitizens already are ineligible to register to vote, you’re correct.
State Question 833: Proposed new property tax districts draw praise, concerns
A proposal authorizing the creation of new taxing districts that could help cities finance infrastructure improvements — if all the property owners within the district agree — will be decided by voters taking part in Oklahoma’s Nov. 5 general election.
State Question 834: One-word change debated as noncitizens already ineligible to vote
Voters will decide a state question on the Nov. 5 general election ballot that is intended to clarify that only U.S. citizens are qualified to vote in Oklahoma. Supporters say State Question 834 is necessary to preserve the integrity of elections, while critics say it functionally does nothing except encourage fear-mongering with political rhetoric. If you thought noncitizens already are ineligible to register to vote, you’re correct.
Roundup: Drummond criticizes Walters, Tulsa mayoral candidates spar, Swadley strikes back
Fall is finally here, and so begins the sacred October tradition of shivering when you leave the house and sweating by the time you come home. While you’re layering up, Brent Swadley remains lawyered up. And as the leaves change, Tulsa is preparing for a change in leadership with a second mayoral candidate debate.
Judge advances terms of mental health lawsuit settlement, governor’s office still opposed
Although a federal judge has advanced an amended consent decree to settle a class-action lawsuit dealing with Oklahoma’s competency restoration system for those accused of crimes while afflicted with severe mental illness, Gov. Kevin Stitt and his appointed mental health commissioner still oppose it.Stitt plans on calling another meeting of the Contingency Review Board to decide whether to accept… Premium Content is available to subscribers only.
Judge advances terms of mental health lawsuit settlement, but Stitt administration still opposed
Although a federal judge has advanced an amended consent decree to settle a class-action lawsuit dealing with Oklahoma’s competency restoration system for those accused of crimes while afflicted with severe mental illness, Gov. Kevin Stitt and his appointed mental health commissioner still oppose it. Stitt plans on calling another meeting of the Contingency Review Board to decide whether to accept the consent decree as crafted, a spokeswoman for the governor said last week.
Legal battle between Hiett, Anthony continues as OCC considers electricity rate cases
As the Oklahoma Corporation Commission holds a public hearing today on a $218 million rate hike proposed by Public Service Company of Oklahoma, two of its three elected members remain engaged in a legal battle before the state Supreme Court that has drawn three state lawmakers into the fray.
Enid event provides time to reflect, discuss city challenges
ENID — I find it intriguing to get out of town, and especially so when the destination is somewhere I once lived. As a result, I was glad to have the opportunity to hit the road for NonDoc’s Enid Envoy this summer. It provided an occasion for Garfield County residents to meet us and our Enid News Ambassadors — Lisa Bland-Selix and Sally Clickner — who introduce NonDoc to those unfamiliar with our independent journalism.
Logan County grandmother
More than two years after she sustained a broken nose, seven broken ribs and a broken foot in an altercation with a state trooper during a traffic stop, Nancy Kemp pleaded no contest to a pair of charges this week in exchange for two other counts being dropped.“I’m just too tired to continue to jury trial,” Kemp said Thursday after pleading on the DUI and obstructing-an-officer charges facing her…
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