AM NewsBrief: Aug. 12, 2026

The state's AG files a motion to halt construction of an aluminum smelter, and Oklahoma cyclosporiasis cases climb past 500. That and more coming up on the KGOU AM News Brief for Wednesday, August 12th. I'm McDaniels. State Attorney General Gettner Drummond is asking a federal judge to pause development of a proposed aluminum smelter in Inola. It's the latest in a lawsuit the Attorney General's office filed against the companies behind the smelter in June. Drummond's office says the project could produce high levels of emissions that could harm people, animals, and plants. Inola has its own construction pause in place, but it expires at the end of August. If the judge grants Drummond's new motion, it would stop the companies from beginning or continuing construction on the smelter until the court decides the lawsuit. The smelter has support from state and federal officials, while nearby residents and the Muskogee and Cherokee nations have opposed the project. Reported cyclosporiasis cases have climbed to more than 500 in Oklahoma. It's according to the latest information from the State Department of Health. State impacts Jillian Taylor has more on what you need to know as cases climb across the U.S. The state has reported 496 confirmed and 10 probable cases. 32 cases have resulted in hospitalization. The intestinal illness caused by a parasite called cyclospora includes symptoms like watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and a loss of appetite. The CDC has reported more than 10,000 confirmed cases in 47 states since May 1st. About 6,000 of these cases are linked to recalled iceberg lettuce grown by Taylor Farms in central Mexico. The CDC says best-by dates for the recalled products have passed, and they should know... longer be available in stores or restaurants. Consumers can reduce their risk of infection by washing their hands and any fresh produce before eating and cooking and cooking produce to at least 158 degrees. For state impact, I'm Jillian Taylor. The city of Yukon has set a recall election for Mayor Brian Pilmore's Ward 3 City Council seat for November 3rd. The election follows a petition that gathered enough valid signatures to trigger the recall amid controversy over a proposed $1 billion data center. Pilmore can run to keep his seat while other candidates can file between August 24th and 28th. The winner will serve the remainder of the term, which runs through May of 2028. Osage Nation Congress is determining how to move forward after the Triumph's executive branch shut down a language emergent school, the visitor center, and harvest land farm. Sarah Leasy has more on congressional hearings addressing the closures. Osage Nation citizens gathered in Paul Huska this week to complain of cuts. What has happened this week is not a budget dispute. It is an attack on Osage sovereignty. The children are now the language keepers. We want our school written into law. Despite the turmoil, Congressman Eli Potts says citizens should not give up on the nation. What I can say from my colleagues here, we will do something. I don't know what it's going to be, and I don't have an answer for you today, but we're not going to do nothing.

This all comes after the principal chief declared a state of emergency over budget shortfalls. But Congress says, quote, the Osage government is not financially stressed. I'm Sarah Leasy. The Osage Congressional Education Committee has since sent a letter to the principal chief asking him to reconsider the closure of the immersion school. All members of the Osage Congress signed the letter. Oklahoma City has recorded 16 days of triple-digit heat this year, with more 100-degree temperatures expected through next week. Forecasters say a persistent heat dome will keep temperatures in the triple digits with little rain in the forecast. The city's record is 63 days of 100-degree heat set in 2011. Read more news at KGOU.org and follow the KGOU-PM News Brief podcast. The fatal shooting of a teenager at a protest in Seattle has gone unsolved for six years. This is open in your face. How are there no answers? Our investigation has uncovered new evidence and witnesses who say they've never talked to police. Did police ever call you? Not once. Listen to We Keep Us Safe, a new true crime series on the Embedded podcast from NPR.