Before we get started with this week’s Dumpster Fire, I wanted to offer my condolences to my sister-in-law, Lisa, and the rest of the Jayroe family on the sudden, unexpected passing of her dad, Mike, following a medical emergency last weekend.
Mike was the longtime owner of Right Way Cleaners on 50th and Portland and was one hell of a guy – kind, friendly, a great husband, dad and grandpa, and someone who left a positive impression on just about everyone he met. He passed away way too soon. RIP.
To the Dumpster Fire…
Health Department Insiders Question Role and Influence of an External Consultant…
According to the Ogle Mole Network, staff at the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health are questioning whether an outside consultant has taken on an outsized, quasi-executive role – directing employees, influencing personnel decisions, and helping move contracts along without the usual guardrails.
It’s something we may take a deeper look at, but if you have any scoop or details, hit us up on the TLO Tip Line.
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Lawmakers Make Light of Their Capitol Altercation…
Earlier this week, we told you about the dust-up between lawmakers Josh West and Trey Caldwell. Not too long after our story was published, Ogle Moles claimed Caldwell was roaming the Capitol rotunda complaining to anyone who would listen about “the bullsh*t Lost Ogle story,” while West sat around the House floor smirking like a guy who just won a bar fight he swears he didn’t start.
A few hours later, this photo was shared on social media:
I’m still not 100% sure what happened between Josh and Trey, but I’m glad they were at least able to patch things up long enough to joke about it. Hopefully they milk this for all it’s worth and finally get those podcast listens into the triple digits.
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T.W. Shannon Scores Trump Endorsement…
For as long as I’ve been alive, the Lt. Governor’s office has basically been a quiet little gig that helps with tourism, economic development photo ops, and ceremonial ribbon cuttings.
T.W. Shannon is apparently trying to turn that on its head and give it the Ryan Walters treatment – using the office as a launching pad for national attention and cable news hits. Step one? Securing the endorsement of Donald Trump:
I know the Lt. Governor’s race isn’t exactly must-watch TV, but having T.W. there would be a disaster. Once again, he’d likely use the office the same way Walters used OSDE – as a tool to grandstand, wage culture war crusades, and build his personal brand.
Sure, that’ll be great for pageviews and local news rankings, but it’ll suck for taxpayers… so yeah, expect him to win in a landslide.
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Right Wing Nuts Are Pouty
Apparently frustrated that their bills aren’t getting fast-tracked through the legislative process, members of Oklahoma’s Freedom Caucus are now attempting to slow everything down like a messed-up Braum’s drive-thru order. Unfortunately, some real legislation that matters is trapped in the car behind them.
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Lawmakers Take Steps to Prevent Future Sarah Polstons…
I guess the question is whether this law will work retroactively and put Polston back behind bars where she belongs. As I mentioned when we last covered the story, that seems unlikely.
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Man Shares Permanent Facial Views on Police…
That may seem like an odd tattoo, but in fairness, there aren’t a lot of N.W.A. lyrics a white guy can put on his face.
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Morel to Be Official State Mushroom of Oklahoma
Considering the maturity level of our lawmakers, I’m honestly surprised they didn’t go with the shiitake just for the jokes.
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Today’s Kids Get All the Breaks
Next thing you know they’ll be getting longer lunch periods.
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Homeland Is Where the Carrots Aren’t…
After numerous news reports and Reddit posts about their bare shelves, Homeland announced they are closing four locations across the state.
Although it sucks for the people who shopped at these stores, this seems like a smart decision, as it’s probably easier to shut down a grocery store than explain why it looks like it was looted by a swarm of locusts.
