AGP Executive Report

FEMA Disaster Funding: FEMA approved more than $76.3 million for post-disaster repairs and hazard mitigation across Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, including debris removal and infrastructure fixes. Agroforestry in Oklahoma: USDA and The Nature Conservancy are offering a three-year agroforestry program with technical help plus incentive payments for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers to plant trees and shrubs; applications run until Aug. 11. Wildlife & Heat: Oklahoma’s heat waves are driving more wildlife sightings, with local reports of animals seeking shade and water. Water Infrastructure: Canute is getting a nearly $1 million Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with full principal forgiveness to replace aging water mains, aiming to cut leaks and improve pressure. Ticks & Public Health: A new national look at tick bite ER visits shows summer tick risk remains elevated as tick season expands. Cattle Health Threats: Oklahoma cattle leaders are watching both the New World screwworm threat in Texas and the Asian longhorn tick spreading in northeast Oklahoma. Data Center Scrutiny: In Okmulgee, residents raised environmental and endangered-species concerns tied to a proposed AI data center near Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. Groundwater Mapping: An Arizona State University expert is set to receive a UN water prize for using NASA satellites to track groundwater depletion.

Heat & Storm Risk: A heat advisory remains for parts of Oklahoma’s Panhandle, with heat index values up to 105 and guidance to limit outdoor work and watch for heat illness. Water Infrastructure: Canute is getting nearly $1 million in state funding to replace about 2,750 feet of aging water main, aiming to cut leaks and improve pressure reliability. Wildlife & Habitat: Residents in Okmulgee County are raising concerns about an AI data center near Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge, while the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service points to Endangered Species Act rules that exempt certain habitat modifications in the Southern Plains. Fishing & Conservation: ODWC temporarily suspended trout stocking on the Lower Illinois River, and is running free adult-focused “Tackle the Basics” fishing clinics in Jenks. Data Centers in Politics: Across the country, more gubernatorial candidates are backing temporary data center moratoriums, citing water and power impacts. Agriculture Health: Oklahoma livestock producers are urged to prepare for hot, dry conditions that can worsen issues like summer pneumonia in nursing calves.

Extreme Heat & Public Safety: Oklahoma’s Panhandle heat advisory and broader extreme-heat warning are in effect, with heat index values pushing toward 105–115 degrees—officials urge hydration, staying indoors, and checking on vulnerable neighbors. Local Climate Impacts: A hot, dry setup is raising livestock health concerns across Oklahoma, including risks like heat stress and summer pneumonia in nursing calves. Flood Science Beyond Oklahoma: New research on the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods highlights how better forecasting could improve predictions of where intense rainfall will hit—relevant for Oklahoma’s flash-flood risk planning. Energy & Industry in Oklahoma: Tulsa International Airport landed Park Aerospace’s $65 million advanced composites facility, expected to employ 100+ people by 2028. Data Centers & Community Concerns: In Okmulgee, residents questioned a proposed Fluidstack data center over water use, health impacts, and electricity, while developers emphasized transparency and full property tax payments. Wildlife & Habitat Research: An OSU biology professor earned a Fulbright to study animal communication in Portugal, supporting broader biodiversity research.

Water Safety in Piedmont: Piedmont residents are facing continued water issues after crews found a leak near Piedmont Road and Edmond Road; the city says towers are being isolated to refill, which could mean widespread outages and low pressure, and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality recommends a precautionary boil advisory for drinking and cooking. Pollinator Protection in Oklahoma: Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the Lucile Morehouse Pollinator Act into law, creating four official Oklahoma insect designations—European honeybee, American bumblebee, Carolina mantis, and rainbow scarab—highlighting their roles in agriculture, conservation, biodiversity, and soil health. Wildlife & Habitat Research: An OSU biology professor, Michael Reichert, was named a 2026–27 Fulbright Scholar to study animal communication in Portugal, supporting biodiversity-focused behavioral ecology work. Public Health & Outdoor Risk: Oklahoma’s tick season is getting longer, and health officials warn that expanding tick populations and warmer conditions are driving more tick-bite-related ER visits. Agriculture & Rural Environment: The EPA announced new members for its Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities Federal Advisory Committee, bringing agriculture and rural perspectives to environmental policy discussions.

Data Centers vs. Tribal Lands: A new report says big tech is mapping at least 37 data center projects on or near Native American tribal lands, with some estimates topping 150 across Native and rural frontline communities—fueling fights over water, power, and land use as federal policy pushes development. Oklahoma Timber Theft Crackdown: Oklahoma officials and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are investigating organized timber theft rings in northeast Oklahoma, urging landowners to inspect property and report suspicious logging activity. Oklahoma Poultry Pollution Settlement: Oklahoma’s 21-year poultry litter pollution case has ended in a nearly $44 million settlement, closing out long-running river pollution claims. Extreme Heat Watch: Heat advisories are active across multiple states including Oklahoma, with “feels-like” temperatures pushing dangerous levels and warnings to stay inside and out of the sun. Wildlife Under Review: Federal protections are being considered for an Oklahoma plains spotted skunk, as wildlife advocates push to safeguard habitat and survival. Tick Season Stretching: States are scrambling as tick season lengthens and tick-bite ER visits rise, driven by shifting conditions and greater exposure.

Data Center Push on Tribal Lands: A new report says big tech is mapping at least 37 data center projects near Native American tribal areas, with some estimates topping 150, as federal policy accelerates development and tribes face pressure over land, power, and water. Public Lands Backlash: Trump reduced two Utah national monuments by about 90% each, rolling back protections tied to Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante and reigniting fights over conservation and tribal consultation. Oklahoma Poultry Pollution Case: Oklahoma’s long-running Illinois River poultry litter lawsuit is headed to a nearly $44 million settlement, with companies agreeing to cleanup, oversight, and tighter controls. Wildlife & Health: Oklahoma is changing how it tracks Alpha-gal syndrome after tick bites, with a new reporting requirement aimed at better mapping risk. Heat & Outdoor Safety: Extreme heat advisories are active across 22 states, including Oklahoma, with “feels-like” temperatures pushing dangerous levels. Food Safety: Taylor Farms expanded an iceberg lettuce recall tied to cyclospora to 27 states, including Oklahoma, urging people to discard affected products. Local Governance: A judge ordered Oklahoma’s Wildlife Conservation Commission to release a severance agreement tied to the former director.

Data Centers vs. Tribes: A new report says big tech is mapping dozens of data center projects near Native American tribal lands, with federal policy pushing development onto federal and military lands—raising alarms about land, water, power, and sovereign permitting. Extreme Heat Watch: The National Weather Service issued heat advisories across 22 states, including Oklahoma, warning of dangerous “feels-like” temperatures and urging people to stay inside and out of the sun. Tick Season Rising: Health officials say tick populations and tick-bite ER visits are climbing, and Oklahoma is among states tracking expanding risks like Alpha-gal syndrome. Alpha-gal Tracking in Oklahoma: Oklahoma is changing how it tracks Alpha-gal cases after tick bites, with new reporting requirements aimed at better mapping where the risk is spreading. Poultry Pollution Settlement: Oklahoma’s long-running Illinois River poultry litter pollution case is set to end with a nearly $44 million settlement and tighter cleanup commitments. Public Record Ruling: An Oklahoma judge ordered the state wildlife commission to release a severance agreement tied to the departure of its former director. BLM Oil & Gas Lease Input: The Bureau of Land Management opened a public comment period on proposed federal oil and gas parcels in Oklahoma and neighboring states ahead of a November 2026 lease sale. Food Safety Alert: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, with Oklahoma included on the updated list.

Illinois River cleanup fight: Oklahoma and poultry companies asked a federal judge to scrap a proposed “inquisitorial” special master setup, arguing their settlement compromise can’t coexist with the oversight regime after a 21-year pollution case. Public records in wildlife governance: An Oklahoma judge ordered the Wildlife Conservation Commission to release a severance agreement tied to former director J.D. Strong, saying it should be public record. Tick season + Alpha-gal tracking: Oklahoma is changing how it tracks Alpha-gal syndrome after tick bites, with a new reporting requirement aimed at mapping lone star tick risk as tick season expands. Data centers vs. communities: Reports highlight growing opposition and scrutiny of data centers, including Native land development concerns and local ordinance debates like Murray’s proposed rules. BLM oil-and-gas leasing input: The Bureau of Land Management opened a 30-day comment period on 30 parcels (8,071 acres) across NM, OK, KS and TX ahead of a November 2026 lease sale. Water safety notice: Coweta sent drinking-water notices after monitoring gaps for several contaminants, saying customers aren’t at risk and sampling is underway. Food safety: Taylor Farms expanded its iceberg lettuce recall to 27 states tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, including Oklahoma.

Poultry Pollution Settlement: Oklahoma’s 21-year poultry litter pollution fight in the Illinois River watershed is ending with a nearly $44 million settlement, with six companies agreeing to cleanup, oversight, and tighter controls after a federal judge ruled against them. Tick-Borne Health Watch: Oklahoma is changing how it tracks Alpha-gal syndrome, the “red meat allergy” linked to lone star tick bites, with a new reporting requirement for doctors and expanded statewide data collection. Federal Energy Leasing: The BLM opened a 30-day comment period on proposed November 2026 oil and gas lease sales covering 8,071 acres across New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, with environmental review underway. Data Center Pressure on Communities: A new push is mapping major data center projects near Native and rural frontline communities, with advocates pointing to federal policy accelerating development on federal and military lands. Drinking Water Notice: Coweta sent residents notices about missed monitoring/testing for several contaminants over past years, saying customers aren’t at risk and that new samples are being taken. Wildlife Protection Review: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will conduct a formal 12-month review of the plains spotted skunk to decide whether it should get federal Endangered Species Act protection. Food Safety Recall: Taylor Farms launched a 27-state recall of iceberg lettuce tied to a cyclosporiasis outbreak, urging people to discard affected products.

Data Centers & Tribal Lands: A new report says big tech is mapping at least 37 data center proposals near Native American tribal areas, with federal policy and state bills accelerating the push. Public Health & Ticks: Oklahoma is changing how it tracks Alpha-gal syndrome, a red-meat allergy linked to lone star tick bites, as Senate Bill 1644 makes reporting mandatory. Wildlife Protection: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will review Oklahoma’s plains spotted skunk for possible Endangered Species Act protections after new data suggest a shrinking range. Drinking Water Oversight: Coweta, Oklahoma, notified residents it missed required monitoring/testing for several contaminants over multiple years, though it says customers aren’t at risk and sampling is now underway. Extreme Weather Watch: Flash flooding in Texas killed at least two people as rivers rose rapidly again, echoing last year’s disaster. Agriculture & Markets: Oklahoma State University Extension says tick-driven health concerns and midsummer “doldrums” are shaping conditions for producers and beef demand.

Indigenous Rights & Data Centers: A new report says big tech is mapping at least 37 data center proposals near Native American tribal lands, with some estimates topping 150 projects affecting Indigenous and rural frontline communities; it points to federal policy pushing development on federal and military lands. Wildlife Protection: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the plains spotted skunk for possible Endangered Species Act protections after new data suggest a reduced distribution, including in Oklahoma. Public Health: Oklahoma reported 57 cyclosporiasis cases as a nationwide outbreak continues, with most illnesses tied to contaminated food or water. Severe Weather: Flash flooding in Texas has killed at least two people, with rivers expected to rise again and rescues continuing. Mosquitoes & West Nile: West Nile virus is surging early in 2026, with Phoenix-area deaths already reported at levels not seen since the early 2000s. Local Environment & Land Use: Federal agents carried out search warrants in northeast Oklahoma tied to alleged illegal black walnut timber harvesting. Agriculture & Risk: Oklahoma State University Extension says cattle markets have softened in midsummer, but fundamentals haven’t changed.

Indigenous Rights vs. AI Boom: A UN forum and advocacy group Honor the Earth say hyperscale data centers are increasingly being planned on or near Native lands, raising alarms about water use, land impacts, and inadequate consultation, even as some tribes weigh potential economic benefits under free, prior, and informed consent. Wildlife Transparency: An Oklahoma judge ordered the state wildlife commission to release a severance agreement tied to former director J.D. Strong, ruling it’s a public record. Public Health Watch: Oklahoma reported 57 cyclosporiasis cases amid a nationwide outbreak, with most illnesses tied to contaminated food or water. Conservation Update: Federal officials are reviewing whether Oklahoma’s plains spotted skunk should get Endangered Species Act protections. Local Environment & Permits: Federal raids in northeast Oklahoma targeted alleged illegal black walnut timber theft, leading to four arrests. Funding for Trees: Oklahoma Forestry Services opened applications for the 2026 Urban & Community Forestry Assistance Grant Program, with match-free grants up to $50,000.

Data Centers vs. Tribal Rights: A new report says big tech is mapping at least 37 data-center projects near Native American lands, with some estimates topping 150, as federal policy accelerates development and Indigenous advocates push for free, prior and informed consent. Oklahoma Digital Access: Oklahoma’s $14.5 million plan would fund up to 175 broadband-enabled library “community access portals” to expand digital skills and online services in secure settings. Air Quality Watch: Saharan dust is expected to return to Oklahoma later this week, with possible PM10 irritation for sensitive groups—watch the AQI and limit outdoor exposure if it climbs. Public Health—Ticks: States are tracking a longer tick season as tick-bite ER visits stay elevated, driven by expanding tick populations and warmer conditions. Public Health—West Nile: West Nile activity is starting earlier and harder than usual, with CDC warning peak risk hasn’t arrived yet. Water & Climate Resilience: Louisiana’s “Glass Half Full” is turning recycled glass into sand to rebuild eroding wetlands, but says it’s constrained by supply and funding. Severe Weather: Texas flooding has forced evacuations and rescues, with at least one death reported as storms intensify.

Oklahoma Water Cleanup: Oklahoma AG Gentner Drummond is asking a federal judge to approve a nearly $44 million, seven-year settlement with six poultry companies (Tyson, Cargill, George’s, Peterson Farms, Cal-Maine, Simmons Foods) to resolve a 21-year poultry litter pollution case affecting eastern Oklahoma waterways, with funding for conservation, penalties, independent compliance monitoring, and reduced litter application. Air Quality Watch: Saharan dust is expected to return later this week, with PM10 possibly pushing Oklahoma air into yellow-to-red conditions by the weekend—especially risky for people with respiratory or heart issues. Wildlife & Climate Resilience: OU researchers report that some animals’ ability to survive climate change relies heavily on older inherited genetic variation, not just new adaptations. Native Lands & Data Centers: A new report says big tech is mapping data center projects near Native American tribal lands, citing federal policy momentum and concerns about water, power, and permitting impacts. Local Learning: The Drummond Museum will host a migratory bird discussion July 18-19 with ODWC biologists at 2 p.m. Agriculture Admin: USDA’s FSA is rolling out a modernized acreage reporting pilot in Canadian County, with producers urged to file by Oklahoma deadlines.

Wildlife Protection: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing whether Oklahoma’s plains spotted skunk should get Endangered Species Act protections, after a petition and new research suggesting the species may be stable in parts of the state. Water Quality & Accountability: Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is pushing a new attempt to settle a 21-year poultry litter pollution lawsuit, with a proposed nearly $44 million, seven-year deal for watershed conservation, penalties, and independent compliance monitoring. Clean Energy Buildout: Cypress Creek and Google have started construction on the U.S.’s largest solar-plus-storage project, with phased work targeting major solar and battery capacity by 2029. Data Center Backlash: New York’s one-year moratorium on large data centers is raising alarms nationwide, while Oklahoma’s own debate over NDAs and local impacts highlights concerns about power, water, and transparency. Public Health: West Nile virus activity is surging early in 2026, with CDC-linked reports showing the season is already the worst in more than 20 years.

Poultry Pollution Settlement: Oklahoma reached a nearly $44M deal to end a 21-year poultry litter pollution lawsuit tied to the Illinois River watershed, resolving claims against six companies after a federal judge found liability. Data Center Pressure: New York became the first U.S. state to impose a one-year moratorium on new large data centers (50MW+), pausing permits while it drafts a generic environmental review covering energy, water, and air impacts. Tribal Land Concerns: A new report says big tech is mapping dozens of proposed data centers near Native American and rural frontline communities, warning federal policy is accelerating the buildout. Oklahoma Energy Transition: Vicinity Energy’s Oklahoma City plant is moving toward zero carbon emissions by 2050, using district heating/cooling to decarbonize large facilities. Public Health Alert: West Nile virus is surging early—CDC reports the 2026 season is the worst start in over 20 years, with transmission peaking in late summer. Wildlife Protection: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will review whether the plains spotted skunk should get federal protection after new information prompted a fresh status review. Home Climate Costs: A new analysis finds homeowners in Oklahoma pay more for insurance than property taxes, reflecting disaster-driven premium pressure.