.

>>> WHAT'S BEHIND MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

>> WE WERE ALERTED THAT THERE WERE SOME POTENTIAL CONCERNS WITH OUR TITLE 19 FUNDING AND THAT WE MAY BE SHORT OF THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WE REALLY NEEDED FOR THIS YEAR.

>>> RYAN WALTERS CONVENES ANOTHER MEETING OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE INDIVIDUAL THAT MADE THE DECISION ON WHAT'S IN THE STANDARDS, I'M RIGHT HERE.

ULTIMATELY I MAKE THE DECISION ON WHAT'S IN THE STANDARDS AND WHAT'S NOT.

>>> THE LEGISLATURE LOOKS TO ADDRESS THE GROWING POPULARITY OF FORAGING ON STATE LAND.

>> LIKE YOU JUST FIND THEM AND YOU KEEP FINDING THEM AND THEN YOU DON'T WANNA LEAVE SO YOU JUST KEEP GOING BACK OUT, LOOKING FOR MORE.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY'S VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY COMMEMORATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FALL OF SAIGON.

>> A LOT OF ANGER AND A LOT OF SADNESS CAME ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO DURING THIS TIME BECAUSE PEOPLE LOST THEIR NATION.

>>> IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON, A FUN AND PROFITABLE TIME OF YEAR FOR MANY OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE STATE CAPITOL, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"!

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS AND THE THREE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ARE AT ODDS CONCERNING THE NEW SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS DEVELOPED BY WALTERS AND CURRENTLY UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THE BOARD MEMBERS SAID THEY HAD NOT BEEN GIVEN ENOUGH TIME TO STUDY WALTER'S PROPOSED CHANGES BEFORE HE SUBMITTED THEM TO LAWMAKERS.

WALTERS SAID THAT WAS INACCURATE AND MISLEADING.

HERE ARE EXCERPTS FROM A BACK-AND-FORTH DISCUSSION LASTING MORE THAN 20 MINUTES.

>> THAT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE TRUE.

SO WE HAVE NOW CREATED A FAKE CONTROVERSY THAT THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT.

BUT WE'VE GIVEN THEM ALL THE DOCUMENTS TO HELP CLEAR THAT UP.

BUT THIS WAS CREATED BY BOARD MEMBERS SAYING THINGS OUTWARDLY, PUBLICLY THAT ARE SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

>> IT IS A CONTROVERSY BECAUSE THE CHANGES WERE NOT KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC OR THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INVOLVED IN DEVELOPING THE BASELINE STANDARDS.

AND THEY FEEL THERE WAS A BAIT-AND-SWITCH.

>> I THINK THIS WHOLE ISSUE WOULD'VE GONE BY IF WE WOULD'VE JUST SLOWED THE PROCESS AND LET US UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS IN THERE.

AND QUITE FRANKLY, WE MAY HAVE AGREED WHAT WAS IN THERE.

I - I DON'T KNOW.

>> IT IS UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE THESE RULES.

IF THEY DON'T LIKE THEM, IF THEY FEEL WE DIDN'T DO IT APPROPRIATELY, THEY WILL SEND THEM BACK TO US WITH VERY CLEAR COMMENTS.

>> THERE MAY HAVE BEEN SOME COMMENTS THAT WEREN'T 100% ACCURATE, BUT I WOULDN'T SAY THAT'S NEW TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SO LET'S JUST CALM DOWN AND MOVE ON.

>>AS ALWAYS, WE NOTE, RYAN WALTERS IS A MEMBER OF THE O.E.T.A.

BOARD, BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION.

>>> THERE ARE NO FEWER THAN FOUR INVESTIGATIONS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY, OR ABOUT TO BEGIN REGARDING FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

THE DEPARTMENT IS RUNNING A HUGE DEFICIT AND NEEDS ADDITIONAL MONEY TO PAY ITS BILLS.

WHAT WENT WRONG?

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED BY CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, JASON DOYLE.

JASON, THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND A LOT OF FINGER POINTING THUS FAR.

>> RICH, ON TOP OF THE FINGER POINTING, IT IS HARD TO GET EXACTLY HOW MUCH OF A SHORTFALL THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IS FACING.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY THEY HAVE TO SHORE UP SERVICES.

>> CAN YOU JUSTIFY THAT DIFFERENCE PLEASE?

>> YES.

HAPPY TO DO SO.

HOWEVER, AGAIN, I WOULD REQUEST THAT MR. LEONARD GO INTO THAT SPECIFIC DETAIL AS TO HAVE PRECISE >> OUR BUDGET THAT CAME OUT IN JULY, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH CONTRACT WAS A FEW MILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN A FEW YEARS BEFORE.

>> THE AGENCY SERVES AROUND 8,000 OKLAHOMAENS ANNUALLY.

>> EVERY YEAR, WE HAVE, ADDED ANOTHER 5 TO 600 PEOPLE AND WE'VE GROWN.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE OKAY.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE'LL HAVE A HUGE DIP IN THAT.

I WOULD GUESS AROUND 7600 THIS YEAR.

>> IT WAS OVER A MONTH AND A HALF AGO WHEN IT CAME TO A $64 MILLION GAP IN FINANCES FOR THE AGENCIES.

>> WE WERE ALERTED THERE WERE CONCERNS WITH THE TITLE 19 FUNDING AND WE MAY BE SHORT OF THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WE REALLY NEEDEDED THIS YEAR.

>> IT'S THE MEDICAID SERVICES PROGRAM IN THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

SINCE THE LEADERSHIP DISCOVERED THE SHORT FALL, THEY FOUND THE GAP WAS SMALLER THAN FIRST THOUGHT.

>> THE NUMBER AT THAT POINT WAS NOT QUITE SOLID, BUT SHORTLY AFTER WE WERE CLOSE TO $63.7 MILLION, AND AFTER -- >> THE DEPARTMENT IS ASK FOR $6.2 MILLION.

LESS THAN THE GAP.

ASKED WHY THE GAP AND THE -- WERE DIFFERENT, WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LAWMAKERS HAD THE RIGHT ANSWER.

>> CAN YOU JUSTIFY THAT ANSWER?

>> HAPPY TO DO SO.

ACCURACY FOR YOU.

>> THAT INFORMATION CAME A WEEK LATER WHEN INTERIM CFO SKIP LEONARD TESTIFIED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE.

HE GOT HELP FROM STATE'S CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WHO HELPED FIND THAT $20 MILLION DIFFERENCE.

>> WE BEGAN TO - BEGAN THE REVIEW AND REALIZED THERE WAS ABOUT $20 MILLION THAT WERE ACTUALLY BUDGETED FOR, FOR TITLE 19 THAT WERE NOT WITHIN THE TITLE 19 FUND ACCOUNT LINE.

HENCE THAT NUMBER WENT FROM 63 TO 43 WHEN WE IDENTIFIED WE HAD OTHER BUDGET AREAS THAT - THAT MADE UP THAT DIFFERENCE.

AND THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP AT 43.

>> FRIESEN SAYS SHE INHERITED THE PROBLEMS FROM THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION AND HAS BEEN TRYING TO CHANGE THE CULTURE TO BRING UP ISSUES RIGHT AWAY.

>> THE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS TO THIS CULTURE SHIFT, FRANKLY, IS ONE OF THE DRIVING REASONS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE NO LONGER WITH THE ORGANIZATION.

WHAT THIS ADMINISTRATION WILL NOT TOLERATE IS MAKE IT LOOK GOOD AND DON'T SHOW ANYBODY THE BAD.

>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT ALSO ORDERED AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE DEPARTMENT LAST WEEK TO ASSIST COMMISSIONER FRIESEN WITH ROOTING OUT THE PROBLEMS WITHIN THE STATE AGENCY.

>> WHAT YOU'RE SEEING NOW IS BECAUSE SHE GOT RID OF HER CFO AND SHE GOT RID OF LIKE FOUR OR FIVE OF HER LIEUTENANTS, AND THEN EVERYTHING STARTED COMING UP.

SO SOMETIMES WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE AT AGENCIES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR 30, 40 YEARS, THEY'RE MOVING THE BALL PRETTY GOOD.

THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THIS, HOW THIS BUILDING WORKS.

>> OTHER ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS INCLUDE THOSE FROM THE LEGISLATIVE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY OR LOFT, AND THE STATE AUDITOR AND INSPECTOR'S OFFICE.

>> THE NUMBERS THAT I'VE SEEN, WE HAVE SOME PROVIDERS CHARGING THE STATE.

THIS IS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SIDE, UP TO $6,700 PER PATIENT PER MONTH.

AND THEN SOME ARE CHARGING $2,700.

SO THAT'S A QUESTION THAT I'M, WE'RE ALL DIGGING INTO.

>> NO CORE CONTRACTS HAVE BEEN CUT ACCORDING TO GOVERNOR STITT AND COMMISSIONER FRIESEN.

HOWEVER, ONE PROGRAM MEANT TO PAY BONUSES FOR INDIGENT CARE WAS INTERRUPTED.

THAT MONEY HAS BEEN REQUESTED AS PART OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS REQUEST.

>> THESE WERE NOT CORE SERVICE CONTRACTS.

HOWEVER, UPON HEARING VERY CLEARLY FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY NEED THESE PAYMENTS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE OPERATIONS, WE PIVOTED AS QUICKLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE AND THAT, THAT CERTAINLY IS, IS A PART OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL REQUEST.

>> THAT INDIGENT CARE BONUS IS IMPORTANT TO PLACES LIKE HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES.

AND THIS YEAR WE GOT A VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT.

WE NORMALLY GET ABOUT 60% OF WHAT WE SPEND ON INDIGENT CARE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

AND WE GOT 20% THIS YEAR.

>> THAT EQUATES TO ABOUT $2 MILLION IN FREE SERVICES THAT HOPE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROVIDED FOR CLIENTS WHO COULD NOT PAY.

>> IT IS DESIGNED ON PAPER AS A BONUS PROGRAM, BUT OVER TIME, DUE TO THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND CLARITY FROM THE DEPARTMENT TO OUR PROVIDERS, THEY BECAME, THEY CAME TO RELY ON THEM FOR CORE FUNCTIONING SERVICES.

>> FRIESEN REASSURED THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE LAST WEEK.THAT SHE AND HER TEAM AND WORKING TO CORRECT NOT JUST THE FINANCIAL ISSUES, BUT HOW SERVICES ARE DELIVERED.

>> THERE ARE CONCERNS ACROSS MULTIPLE AREAS, MANY OF WHICH WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE WITH AMENDING INTERNAL PROCESSES AND, AND STANDING UP CHECKS AND BALANCES AND ACCOUNTABILITY PRACTICES, LOOKING AT OUR CONTRACTING OPTIMIZATION.

SO A LOT OF THAT IS JUST GOOD, GOOD BUSINESS, RIGHT, TO IMPROVE YOUR INTERNAL SYSTEMS.

>> INTERIM CEO SKIP LEONARD DID TELL THE COMMITTEE THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH SHOULD HAVE A FIGURE FOR THE AGENCY'S BUDGET REQUEST FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR TO THE COMMITTEE NEXT WEEK.

AND COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST, QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY WILL JOIN US WITH MORE ON OTHER BREAKING LEGISLATIVE NEWS HERE AT THE CAPITOL RICH, BACK TO YOU.

>>> AT HIS WEEKLY NEWS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT CALLED OUT THE MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION FOR SEEKING WHAT HE CALLS A SPECIAL DEAL ON A NEW COMPACT ON TOBACCO AND CAR TAGS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS AGREED TO A 2-YEAR EXTENSION ON THE COMPACT WITH SEVERAL OTHER LARGE TRIBES.

BUT HE SAYS THE MUSKOGEE CREEKS ARE CIRCUMVENTING HIS AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE WITH LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL.

>> THEY REFUSE TO NEGOTIATE, THEY HAVEN'T BEEN GOOD FAITH PARTNERS, AND NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT THE GOVERNOR OF OKLAHOMA AND GO DIRECTLY TO THE LEGISLATURE TO GET A SPECIAL DEAL.

THIS IS WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR OKLAHOMANS TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT A SPECIAL DEAL.

THEY BELIEVE THEY SHOULD DRIVE ON THE ROADS, ON THE TURNPIKE AND NOT PAY THE TOLLS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

I'M NOT GONNA LET ONE RACE NOT PAY A TOLL, AND THEN CHARGE EVERY OTHER RACE.

RIGHT?

LET'S MAKE TOLLS FREE FOR EVERYBODY.

LET'S GET RID OF THE TOLLS COMPLETELY BEFORE WE DO THAT.

RIGHT?

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

>> WE ASKED MUSKOGEE CREEK CHIEF DAVID HILL TO RESPOND AND HERE'S A PORTION OF HIS WRITTEN STATEMENT TO US: THE NATION IS NOT TRYING TO CIRCUMVENT ANYTHING BY COMMUNICATING WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

WE'RE SIMPLY ENGAGING THE ONLY RESPECTFUL PARTNERS WE HAVE TO CO-GOVERN WITH US AS SOVEREIGNS.

THIS PERSONAL AND POLITICAL GAME THAT THE GOVERNOR REFUSES TO STOP PLAYING, AND THE CONSTANT MISINFORMATION HE SHARES, ONLY HURTS THE STATE'S ECONOMY, BUSINESS OWNERS AND CITIZENS.

STATE TREASURER TODD RUSS HAS FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND, CLAIMING HE HAS NO RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH THE TREASURY'S BOARD EFFORTS TO ENTER INTO LEGAL AGREEMENTS WITH INVESTMENT MANAGERS.

RUSS FILED THE SUIT WITH THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT, SAYING IT'S URGENT THAT THE ISSUE BE DECIDED AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

DRUMMOND CLAIMS RUSS BROKE THE LAW BY NOT SECURING THE A.G.'S APPROVAL ON A DEAL INVOLVING T-SET, THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT FUND.

>>> FORAGING FOR FOOD AND MEDICINE HAS BEEN A PART OF OKLAHOMA FOR HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

TODAY, SOME FOLKS DO IT JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT, WHILE OTHERS STILL COUNT ON WHAT THEY CAN DIG OUT OF THE EARTH OR PICK OFF A TREE OR PLANT TO HELP SUSTAIN THEM.

BUT WHAT DOES MODERN DAY OKLAHOMA LAW SAY ABOUT THAT?

LET'S FIND OUT WITH NOAH MACK.

NOAH?

>>> RICH.

AS IT STANDS NOW YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO FORAGE ON STATE LAND.

BUT THE SENATE PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD REVERSE THAT.

AS IT SITS, AWAITING APPROVAL, IN THE HOUSE CHAMBER.

OKLAHOMA FORAGERS SAY, WHY NOT?

>> YOU JUST FIND THEM AND KEEP FINDING THEM, AND YOU DON'T WANT TO LEAVE.

>> FOR JESSICA, THERE'S NOTHING MORE EXCITING THAN FINDING FUNGI.

A NATIVE EDIBLE OKLAHOMA MUSHROOM.

>> THEY LOOK -- >> YOU PINCH THE BOTTOM HERE.

AND THEN MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE THE VERY BOTTOM OF IT IN THE GROUND.

>> YOU WANT TO TAP THEM.

AND RELEASE THE SPORES.

>> HER EX-- >> THEY'RE A PART OF THE GROUP.

ROD SAYS THERE'S A SWEET SPOT FOR THE MORALE.

>> REALLY LOOK FOR THEM ONCE THE NIGHT TIME TEMPERATURES CENTER BEEN ABOVE 50 DEGREES.

>> AND THEY NEVER MISS A SEASON.

>> UNTIL ABOUT 15 YEARS AGO, WHEN I GOT MARRIED AND HE GOT ME MORE COUNTRYFIED, THEN WE STARTED MUSHROOM HUNTING.

AND IT'S A -- IT'S THE THRILL OF THE HUNT.

AND THE DOUBLE THRILL WHEN IT'S TIME FOR SUPPER TIME.

>> NOW BREAD CRUMBS FRIED TO A CRISP, THE MUSHROOMS WERE WORTH THE HIKE.

>> SO GOOD.

>> GENERALLY JESSICA AND HER CREW FORGE ON EACH OTHER'S PROPERTY.

BUT A NEW BILL MAY STIR UP A NEW TERRITORY.

THE SENATE PASSED IT AND THE UTTER HOPES IT'LL GAIN THE SAME MOMENTUM IN THE HOUSE THAT'LL SEND IT OFF TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> NOT LIKE THE REST OF MY BILLS, BUT I THINK HE'LL LIKE THIS ONE.

>> PILFERING PLANTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY IS NOT ENFORCED -- SPROUTED FROM THE -- >> THEY STARTED PICKING THEM UP AND A PARK RANGER KIND OF SCOLDED THEM FOR PICKING UP PECANS AND TOLD THEM YA'LL AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE DOING THAT.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW TALKED HERSELF OUT OF IT, AND CAME HOME WITH THEM ANYWAY.

THEY WERE GIGGLING AND LAUGHING ABOUT GETTING IN TROUBLE.

I THOUGHT IT WAS FUNNY TOO BUT THE LAWYER PART OF ME AND THE LEGISLATOR PART OF ME, SURELY THAT'S NOT THE LAW.

>> TO HER SURPRISE IT WASN'T.

SO THE BILL WAS BORN.

AND THE SENATOR FIELDED THE CONCERNS OF SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY.

CLARIFIES THIS IS PERSONAL CONSUMPTION.

AN AMOUNT CONSUMED IN A FEW DAYS.

AND WEARING HUNTER ORANGE AND DOING THE NECESSARY RESEARCH TO KNOW WHAT'S SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION.

>> IT CHECKS A LOT OF BOXES OF WHAT WE VALUE AS OKLAHOMAENS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE LAW REFLECTS OUR WAY OF LIFE AND CULTURE AND VALUES.

>> FORGING IS WITH HISTORY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES.

HE RECALLS HOW HE USED TO GATHER GREEN ONIONS, AND HE HELPED DRAFT THE BILL.

IT'S NOT JUST FOOD THAT THEY FORGE FOR.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST OKLAHOMA THINGS THAT OAKIES DO.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ABLE TO LIVE OFF THE LAND, THAT'S PART OF IT.

BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE LAND AND WE COMMEND SENATOR WARREN FOR THIS BILL.

>> ONE OF THE SPOTS THAT'S FREE TO FORGE IF THE BILL IS PASSED IS LIBERTY LAKE STATE PARK.

JESSICA AND HER KIDS -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> IF YOU LIKE MUSHROOMS -- >> ANOTHER -- FORGE BILL WAS -- >> TO BE CONNECTED BACK TO WHERE FOOD ORIGINATES IS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT, A WAY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN TO SEE THAT FOOD COMES FROM SOMEPLACE.

AND HOW WE CARE FOR IT AND HOW WE INTERACK WITH IT MATTERS.

>> SHE RECALLS FORGING WITH HER FAMILY WHEN SHE WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

MEMORIES LIKE THOSE ARE INDELIBLE.

>> SOMETHING TWINKLES IN YOUR EYE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FORGING.

IT'S LIKE WE GET TO BE IN LORD OF THE RINGS FOR A BIT, RUNNING AROUND IN NATURE AND FINDING SOMETHING GOOD TO EAT, AND SHARING WITH PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE.

IT HAS A MAGICAL QUALITY TO IT.

>> I THINK MORE PEOPLE NEED TO GET OUT AND SEE WHAT THERE IS TO LOOK AT.

>> IT'S FUN HANGING OUT TOGETHER.

>> MAYBE AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WASN'T JUST THE MUSHROOMS THEY WERE SEARCHING FOR.

>> THE DEADLINE FOR THE HOUSE TO PASS THAT BILL IS COMING UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON IT.

RICH.

>>> SPRINGTIME IS FESTIVAL SEASON IN OKLAHOMA--- THE NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL, AND THE OKLAHOMA CITY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, ARE UNDERWAY.

AND TULSA'S MAYFEST IS JUST A FEW WEEKS OFF.

THESE EVENTS GENERATE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN COMMUNITIES LARGE AND SMALL.

AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> BESIDES BEING REALLY JUST BEAUTIFUL AND A COMMUNITY HEALING THING.

AND THE THING THAT BUOYS US THROUGH THE GOOD TIMES AND THE HARD TIMES, THE ARTS ARE A REALLY POWERFUL ECONOMIC DRIVER.

AND WE ESTIMATE THAT WE GENERATE ABOUT THREE AND A HALF TO $4 MILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY OVER THAT WEEKEND.

THAT BENEFITS MOSTLY OUR LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESSES DOWNTOWN.

>> THE COOL THING ABOUT FESTIVALS IS THAT YOU'RE GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO STAY IN HOTEL ROOMS.

YOU'RE GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO GO AND DINE OUT.

AND SPECIFICALLY FOR A FESTIVAL LIKE MAYFEST WHERE THERE IS NO FEE TO ENTER INTO THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS, WE FEEL REALLY GREAT ABOUT EMPOWERING THOSE BUSINESSES AROUND US.

>> ON THE ARTIST SIDE, YOU GET TO SHAKE HANDS WITH PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, ANY MUSIC CAREER IS BUILT ONE HANDSHAKE AT A TIME, AND IT'S AT THESE KINDS OF FESTIVALS WHERE YOU CAN SHAKE THE RIGHT HANDS AND AND REALLY BRING YOUR CAREER TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION, COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> APRIL IS NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH.

IT'S A CHANCE TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN, AND RECEIVED THE GIFT OF LIFE.

TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS ON EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS ON WHY ALL OF US SHOULD CONSIDER ORGAN DONATION.

>> THE NEED FOR ORGAN DONORS IS REAL AND IT'S GROWING EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> AS OF APRIL 21, MORE THAN 1 MILLION AMERICANS ARE CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT.

>> RIGHT NOW IN OKLAHOMA, THERE'S 800 PEOPLE WAITING FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE.

>> WHEN A -- A HOSPITAL STAFF GIVES US A CALL, AND WE DETERMINE IF SOMEONE IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A DONOR.

LESS THAN 2% OF PEOPLE WHO DIE IN A HOSPITAL ARE ELIGIBLE TO BE A DOORP.

AND SO -- DONOR AND THAT'S ANOTHER REASON IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT EVERYONE REGISTER THEIR DECISION.

>> THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH 145 HOSPITALS AND TWO TRANSPLANT CENTERS IN THE STATE TO ENSURE THAT PATIENTS ARE MATCHED TO A DONOR.

>> STARTED BACK SEVERAL YEARS AGO, I STARTED GETTING SICK.

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH FATTY LIVER DISEASE.

AND IT WAS -- I'M NOT GOING TO SAY MISDIAGNOSIS, BUT IT PROGRESSED ON TO CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER.

>> HIS HEALTH BEGAN TO DECLINE.

>> MY KIDNEYS STARTED TO FAIL ME.

AND SO AT THAT POINT, AND THEY REALLY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG, BUT IT HAPPENED TO BE MY BIFR CAUSING -- LIVER CAUSING THAT.

>> HE WAS IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL MILITARY TIMES.

HIS -- THE DOCTOR SPECIALIZES IN A DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF LIVER DISEASE.

HODGES WAS PLACED ON THE DONOR WAITING LIST APRIL 18, 2024.

TWO DAYS LATER ON APRIL 20, HE RECEIVED WORD HE WAS MATCHED.

>> I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET MINE IN AS LITTLE AS THREE DAYS.

THAT'S UNHEARD OF.

>> INDIVIDUALS ON THE WAITING LIST OFTEN WAIT MONTHS OR YEARS BEFORE RECEIVING A TRANSPLANT.

17 PEOPLE DIE EACH DAY WAITING ON AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT.

>> FOR NATIONAL DONATE A LIFE MONTH, WE'RE OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

ONE IN THE HOSPITAL COMMUNITIES MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE EDUCATED AND WE THANK THEM FOR THE COOPERATION.

>> SHE SPENDS HER FREE TIME VOLUNTEERING AND BRINGING AWARENESS IN HONOR OF HER SON CHI.

>> HE WAS BEAUTIFUL SOUL, GENTLE AND LOVING.

>> ONE ORGAN DONOR CAN SAVE A LIFE.

HIS DONATION SAVED THREE PEOPLE.

>> BUT, THERE IS SOMEBODY OUT THERE WITH HIS LEFT KIDNEY THAT'S OUT THERE, AND IT'S WONDERFUL.

MAYBE THE PERSON WHO'S WITH KYE'S KIDNEY IS DOING GREAT THINGS WITH THEIR FAMILY.

SHARING A MOMENT WITH A GRANDSON OR GRANDCHILD.

I HOPE FOR THAT KIND OF BLESSING.

>> REGISTERED AS AN ORGAN DONOR WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG CHILD.

>> AND I SAID TO HIM THAT, IF IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME AND I CAN'T BE WITH YOU, I WANT THE DOCTORS TO TAKE THE PARTS OF ME TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE LIVE SO THEY CAN BE WITH THEIR FAMILY A LONGER TIME.

AND HE'S LIKE, OH, THEY CAN DO THAT?

THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> IN 2017 HE DECIDED TO REGISTER AS AN ORGAN DONOR AS WELL.

>> I REMEMBER, MOM, LOOK WHAT I DID.

AND HE PULLED OUT THE ID, AND SAID, SEE WHAT I DID.

>> HE WAS ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY FROM DRUG ADDICTION, RELAPSED AND DIED IN 2018.

>> BITTERSWEET.

BUT IN FEBRUARY OF VALENTINE'S DAY, DUE TO A DRUG OVERDOSE HE GOT TO HONOR THAT WISH.

FEBRUARY 14 IS NOT ONLY VALENTINE'S DAY BUT ALSO DRUG AND -- NATIONAL DONOR DAY.

I REALLY FEEL LIKE OUTSIDE OF JUST KIND OF HAVING THIS DISCUSSION THERE'S A GREATER PURPOSE IN LIFE.

>> IN 2024, THE NATIONAL NUMBER ORGAN TRANSPLANTS, EXCEEDED -- IT'S ALL POSSIBLE THANKS TO 24,000 DECEASE AND HAD -- DECEASED AND LIVING DONORS.

>> NOW ONE YEAR SINCE HODGES RECEIVED A GIFT OF LIFE.

>> I CAN'T REALLY PUT IT IN WORDS.

AND YOU KNOW, THAT MY DOCTORS TOLD ME THAT I WAS SICK.

I DIDN'T BELIEVE THEM.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS ME BEING BULL HEADED OR WHAT.

I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER NOW.

LIFE IS SO MUCH BETTER.

AND I SEE EVERYTHING IN A DIFFERENT LYING NOW.

-- LIGHT NOW.

THERE'S NOT A DAY THAT GOES BY I TAKE FOR GRANTED.

I DON'T HAVE BAD DAYS.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A TOUGH DAY TO ME ANYMORE.

>> IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN ORGAN DONOR, VISIT LIFESHARE.ORG.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> ON APRIL 30, 1975, SAIGON FELL, LEAVING THOUSANDS OF VIETNAMESE TO FLEE THEIR COUNTRY IN SEARCH OF NEW LIVES ELSEWHERE.

HUNDREDS OF THEM EVENTUALLY MADE THEIR WAY TO OKLAHOMA CITY, WHERE THEY'VE BUILT A THRIVING COMMUNITY IN THE ASIAN DISTRICT NEAR 23RD STREET AND CLASSEN BOULEVARD.

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR STAFF, ADAM KEMP, REPORTS ON 50TH ANNIVERSARY PLANS TO MARK THE OCCASION.

>> THE BOAT IS AND WAS THE VESSEL OF FREEDOM.

>> UNDER AN OAK TREE IN THE HEART OF MILITARY PARK, A 30 FOOT LONG FISHING BOAT DECORATED WITH SYMBOLS OF PROSPERITY, GOOD LUCK AND HOPE AND JOY.

IT WAS CREATED TO REPRESENT THE ESCAPE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS BY BOAT FROM VIETNAM.

>> THE PEOPLE FIGHTING WITH THEM KNEW THE DAY ISN'T HAVE -- THEY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF CHOICE.

MOST PEOPLE FIGHTING AGAINST THE NORTHERN COMMUNIST REGIME KNEW IF THEY WERE CAUGHT THEY WERE IN PRISON OR EXECUTED.

>> THEY BEGAN THE ESCAPE ON A BOAT JUST LIKE THIS.

IN HONOR OF THAT JOURNEY THEY NAMED THIS ART PIECE, "WE HAVE ARRIVED".

>> THE ESTIMATES OF THE POPULATION -- THE DISTRICT ATTRACTS MILLIONS EACH YEAR.

THEY FLED WHEN HE WAS 4 YEARS OLD, FORCED TO LEAVE BEHIND HIS FATHER AND SISTER.

>> A LOT OF HURT, ANGER, AND A LOT OF SADNESS CAME ABOUT 50 YEARS AGO.

>> NOW IN HIS ROLE AS PRESIDENT, WHEN HE APPROACHED TWO YEARS AGO THE IDEA OF CREATING AN ART PIECE REPRESENTING THE JOURNEY SO MANY TOOK TO LEAVE FOR A BETTER LIFE.

IT WAS PRIMARILY COMMUNITY FUNDED.

>> THE UNVEILING OF "WE HAVE ARRIVED" IN MILITARY PARK.

THE BENCHES THAT HE HOPES PEOPLE WILL TAKE TIME TO SIT AND LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF THOSE SURVIVED.

>> THE HURT AND SADNESS AND HEART ACHE FROM THOSE BEFORE HERE, SYMBOLIZES HOPE AND LOVE AND COMPASSION AND FORGIVENESS.

>>> GREAT TO HAVE ADAM WITH US.

THE FIRST BILL OF THE SESSION HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, AND THERE ARE SEVERAL MORE AWAITING HIS SIGNATURE.

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED BY A QUORUM CALLED PUBLISHER, SHAWN ASHLEY FROM OUR OETA STUDIO IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

AND SHAWN, TELL US MORE ABOUT SENATE BILL -1062?

>> SENATE BILL -1062 ALLOWS A REAL ESTATE BROKER OR A PROPERTY OWNER TO PAY A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL FOR THE SERVICES THAT THEY PROVIDE IN 2024.

A SUPREME COURT RULING GREATLY ALTERED THE WAY REAL ESTATE AGENTS AND OTHERS IN THAT INDUSTRY ARE, ARE PAID.

AND THIS IS THE STATE'S RESPONSE TO ADDRESSING THAT.

>> AND SHAWN, SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING LAWMAKERS TO REJECT CONTROVERSIAL CHANGES TO THE SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM PASSED BY THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT HAPPENING?

>> IT SEEMS AS EACH DAY GOES BY LESS AND LESS REPUBLICAN LEADERS SEEM UNWILLING TO MOVE FORWARD ON A JOINT RESOLUTION EITHER TO APPROVE, DISAPPROVE, OR AMEND THOSE STATE STANDARDS.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE LEGISLATURE ONLY HAS UNTIL MAY 1 IN WHICH TO ACT.

SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO BEGIN MOVING A JOINT RESOLUTION FORWARD PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> YOU WROTE IN QUORUM CALL THIS WEEK ABOUT A SENATE COMMITTEE THAT HAS ADVANCED A BILL THAT WOULD CRIMINALIZE THE DISTRIBUTION OF CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS IN OKLAHOMA.

NOW IN SOME CASES, THOSE DRUGS ARE LEGAL, SO HOW EXACTLY WOULD THAT WORK?

>> WELL, HOUSE BILL-1168 WOULD ALLOW THOSE PILLS TO BE SHIPPED TO PHARMACISTS AND OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, BUT WHAT IT WOULD PROHIBIT IS FOR THOSE PILLS TO BE SHIPPED TO ANYONE ELSE IN THE STATE.

THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED TRAFFICKING AND THAT WOULD BE A CRIME SUBJECT TO PUNISHMENT BY BOTH A FINE AND POSSIBLE IMPRISONMENT.

>> SENATOR SHANE JETT OF SHAWNEE WANTED TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE THE FILING FEE FOR INTERNATIONAL LOBBYISTS, BUT THAT IDEA WAS REJECTED.

GIVE US THE DETAILS ON THAT?

>> WELL, THIS IS A RATHER UNIQUE PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

HOUSE BILL-2762 LOBBYISTS ARE ALREADY REQUIRED TO REGISTER WITH THE OKLAHOMA ETHICS COMMISSION.

THIS BILL WOULD REQUIRE THOSE LOBBYING ON BEHALF OF FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND FOREIGN CORPORATIONS TO REGISTER WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND TO PAY A $25 FEE.

SENATOR JETS SUGGESTED THAT THAT FEE BE INCREASED TO $2,500.

MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HOWEVER, WERE CONCERNED THAT THAT MIGHT BE TOO STEEP A FEE FOR SOME OF THE LOBBYISTS TO PAY AND THAT IT MIGHT AFFECT SOME WHO OTHERWISE WOULD NOT BE ANTICIPATING IT, SUCH AS THOSE WHO WORK FOR VARIOUS FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL CORPORATIONS.

>> AND FINALLY SHAWN, LOOKING AHEAD, HOW MUCH PROGRESS WOULD YOU SAY IS BEING MADE ON FINALIZING THAT BUDGET AND DO YOU EXPECT NEGOTIATIONS TO CONTINUE RIGHT DOWN TO THE WIRE AS ALWAYS?

>> WELL, WE HAVEN'T HEARD A LOT OF TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET IN RECENT DAYS OR WEEKS FOR THAT MATTER, SO IT SEEMS MORE AND MORE LIKELY THOSE NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING TO CONTINUE AND UNLESS THEY HAVE A CERTAIN BREAK, A SUDDEN BREAKTHROUGH CONTINUES UNTIL NEAR THE END OF SESSION.

I WILL NOTE THAT ON WEDNESDAY, THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE APPROVED HOUSE BILL-1200.

THIS REDUCES THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX BY 0.05, PERCENTAGE POINTS TO 4.7%, ELIMINATES THE BOTTOM THREE TAX BRACKETS AND SETS IN PLACE A TRIGGER FOR FUTURE RATE REDUCTIONS.

SO IT'S NOT A "HALF AND A PATH" AS ASKED FOR BY THE GOVERNOR, BUT IT IS SOMEWHAT OF A REDUCTION AND A PATH TO ZERO.

IT HAS A $50 MILLION FISCAL IMPACT IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.

SO IT MAY BE PART OF THOSE NEGOTIATIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE.

WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

OKAY, SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL.

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO JOIN US.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> BANCFIRST HAS RELEASED ITS LATEST EARNINGS REPORT.

WITH MORE ON THAT, HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH OUR STATE-WIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY BASED BANCFIRST CORPORATION REPORTS FIRST QUARTER NET INCOME OF $56.1 MILLION.

THAT'S COMPARED TO FIRST QUARTER 2024 PROFITS OF $50.3 MILLION.

HIGHER LOAN VOLUMES AND GENERAL GROWTH IN EARNING ASSETS HELPED TO PUSH UP INTEREST INCOME FOR THE COMPANY.

NON-INTEREST GENERATED INCOME ALSO GREW IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR FOR BANCFIRST.

WHILE THIS HAS BEEN A SOLID YEAR SO FAR, BANCFIRST LEADERS ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON THE BOND AND EQUITY MARKET VOLATILITY, BELIEVING AN ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN COULD BE COMING.

TULSA BASED ALLAN EDWARDS IS SPINNING OFF ITS MANUFACTURING OPERATIONS INTO A STANDALONE, WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY CALLED A-E MANUFACTURING INC.

THE PARENT COMPANY WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON PIPELINE MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION, WHILE THE NEWLY FORMED AE MANUFACTURING WILL BE DEDICATED TO STEEL MANUFACTURING FOR CUSTOMERS LIKE CUSTOM FORMING AND ROLLED METALS.

DIABETES PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS AND DISTRIBUTORS WILL BE ON HAND AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL NEXT TUESDAY TO PROVIDE DEMONSTRATIONS TO THE PUBLIC AND LAWMAKERS.

VENDORS WILL PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT RESOURCES TO HELP WITH DIABETES MANAGEMENT.

THE VENDORS ALSO ARE ADVOCATING FOR IMPROVED ACCESS TO DIABETES TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES.

OKLAHOMA HAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE DUE TO DIABETES IN THE NATION.

THE AVERAGE HOME IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO IS NOW AROUND $234,774.

REAL ESTATE WEBSITE COMPANY ZILLOW'S MARCH MARKET REPORT SAYS THAT IS A 1.4% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

THE REPORT ALSO SHOWS THERE IS A MORE THAN 10% INCREASE IN HOME INVENTORY THAN A YEAR AGO, WHICH IS STARTING TO TURN OKLAHOMA CITY INTO A BUYERS MARKET.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> OKLAHOMA HOSTS HUNDREDS OF FESTIVALS EACH YEAR-- MUSIC FESTS, ART FESTS, MOVIE FESTS, DANCE FESTS-- YOU NAME IT AND THERE IS PROBABLY A FESTIVAL THAT CELEBRATES IT!

AND, THINGS REALLY CRANK UP DURING THE SPRINGTIME.

SO, WHAT DO THESE EVENTS MEAN FOR THE COMMUNITIES, LARGE AND SMALL, THAT HOST THEM?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD.

CASSIDY?

>> WE'RE JOINED LATER BY COREY TAYLOR II.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> OF COURSE.

SHERRY, LET'S START IN NORMAN.

THE STREET FESTIVAL, GIVE US HISTORY ON NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL.

AND DESCRIBE TO US WHAT IT TAKES TO GET SOMETHING LIKE THAT OFF THE GROUND.

>> WE LOVE IT, THE DREAM OF A FEW PEOPLE IN 2008, TO TALK THE CITY TO SHUT DOWN MAIN STREET AND POP A STAGE, WHICH THEY DID IN 2008.

AFTER TALKING TO THE NORMAN ARTS COUNCIL AND GETTING GREAT SUPPORT TOGETHER, AND THEY TALKED THE CITY INTO IT.

AND ABOUT 13,000 PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO WATCH A FEW BANDS PERFORM ON A STAGE.

AND THOUGHT, MAYBE WE'RE ON TO SOMETHING.

IT'S GROWN EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN, AND NOW MY TAKE IS THREE DAYS OF ORIGINAL MUSIC, FREE TO EVERYONE ON FOUR OUTDOOR STAGES AND FOUR INDOOR VENUES, WHERE 70,000 OF OUR CLOSEST FRIENDS COME TO PLAY.

>> YOU'VE TOURED ALL OF THE WORLD AND NOW YOU'RE BACK TO PERFORM IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT'S IT FEEL LIKE TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING SO EXCITING.

>> IT FEELS A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT.

I'VE ALWAYS MADE A POINT OF DOING MORE HOME GROWN, MORE DYI KIND OF STUFF.

AND THIS IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY.

>> AND WHERE OVER THE WORLD HAVE YOU TRAVELED, THE FARTHEST PLACE?

>> ONE OF THE MOST SPECIAL PLACE IS COSTA RICA.

I HAVE A FOLLOWING THERE.

>> REALLY?

>> THE BEST PART IS AFTER YOU PLAY THE SHOW, YOU'RE IN COSTA RICA.

>> FOR THE WEEKEND, SHERRY, HUNDREDS OF FESTIVALS HAPPEN EVERY YEAR IN OKLAHOMA, WHY DO WE THINK THAT FESTIVAL CULTURE TAKES THROUGH THE SPRINGTIME?

>> OBVIOUSLY, IN MY OPINION, THE WEATHER BREAKS, THE COLD GOES AWAY, PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO BE OUTDOORS AGAIN.

AND FOR US, SPRINGTIME IS OUR TIME FOR FESTIVALS BECAUSE FALL IS FOOTBALL.

WE DO -- WE HAVE A SPRINGTIME FULL OF FESTIVALS HERE IN NORMAN AND WE'RE HAPPY TO BE ONE OF THE BIG ONES.

>> AND SOMETHING YOU TOUCHED ON EARLIER, IS THE LOCAL IMPACT.

WHY DOES NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL TAKE SUCH PRIDE IN SHOWING OFF THE LOCAL FLAVOR?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR ME IT'S WATCHING THE OKLAHOMA MUSIC SCENE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

WE KNOW THE BIG NAMES LIKE IN COUNTRY MUSIC COME OUT OF OKLAHOMA.

BUT I'M NOT SURE OF HOW EXTRAORDINARY OKLAHOMA MUSICIANS ARE IN EVERY GENRE.

>> AND JW, IS THIS YOUR FIRST TIME PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVAL?

>> IT IS.

>> WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN PERFORMING.

>> AN E-MAIL FROM SHERRY PROBABLY.

>> AND SHERRY WE SPOKE EARLIER THIS WEEK, BUT YOU ARE THE ONLY PAID EMPLOYEE OF NORMAN MUSIC FESTIVAL.

WHAT IS -- >> CORRECT.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS VOLUNTEERING AND HOW DO WE GET PEOPLE SO EXCITED TO TAKE PART IN THIS?

>> I FIND SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING BECAUSE FROM THE EXTRAORDINARY TECH HUMANS THAT CREATED THE GORGEOUS WEBSITE.

THE GROUPS HANDLING THE MERCHANDISE.

MOST OF THE THE PRODUCTION STAFF ON THE STAGES.

THEY ALL LOVE OKLAHOMA LIVE MUSIC AND JUST WANT TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN.

WE'RE IN THE TOP TEN MUSIC FESTIVALS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND IT'S JUST A GRASS ROOTS COMMUNITY EFFORT THAT PULLED IT OFF.

>> THE TOP TEN, THAT'S IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> YEP.

>> THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT BRIEFLY.

70,000 PEOPLE COMING APPROXIMATELY FOR THESE, IS THAT OVER THE THREE DAYS OR JUST ONE DAY?

>> THAT'S OVER THE THREE DAYS.

>> OKAY.

>> THE PEAK FRIDAY THROUGH SUNDAY, THERE'S AT LEAST 70,000 UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS THAT VISIT THE FESTIVAL OVER THE THREE DAYS.

WE'RE PROUD TO NOTE THE AMERICANS -- THEY DO AN IN-DEPTH STUDY ON THE ECONOMIC POWER OF THE ART.

BESIDES BEAUTIFUL AND A COMMUNITY HEALING THING AND THE THING THAT -- WE GENERATE 3.5 TO $4 MILLION.

>> THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

JW, TELL US ABOUT THE COMMUNITY IMPACT.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE A PART OF SUCH AN INCREDIBLE EVENT.

>> THERE'S A MEASURABLE COMPONENT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

AND THERE'S THIS ALMOST MORE IMPORTANT IMMEASURABLE EFFECT OF THE LOCAL PRIDE PEOPLE GET IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND PEOPLE OUTSIDE COMING IN AND SEEING HOW COOL OKLAHOMA IS.

YOU GET THE SYNERGY WHEN YOU MIX PEOPLE LIKE THAT.

ON THE ARTIST SIDE YOU GET TO SHAKE HANDS WITH PEOPLE.

ANY MUSIC CAREER IS BUILT ONE HANDSHAKE AT A TIME.

>> FESTIVALS LIKE THESE HELP BOOST A MUSICIANS'S CAREER.

>> ABSOLUTELY, 100%.

>> THAT'S WELL KNOWN TO YOU AND THAT'S THE GOAL BPD THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

NOT JUST PUTTING ON A FANTASTIC SHOW BUT REPRESENTING AND PUTTING FORWARD THE MUSICIANS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO LEAD INTO IS TO HELP DOING WHAT WE CAN TO ADVOCATE THE MUSIC ECONOMY HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE LOVE IT WHEN THEY FEEL THEY CAN STAY AT HOME.

WE'RE KICKING OFF THE FESTIVAL TONIGHT AS A MATTER OF FACT.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR THIS WEEKEND.

JW, YOU'RE PERFORMING FRIDAY NIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SHERRY JACKSON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> LOVE TO BE HERE.

>> JOINING US NOW TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION IS COREY TAYLOR II.

WITH THE CHAIR OF THE CREATIVE STRATEGY AND PARTNERSHIP FOR TULSA MAYFEST.

THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

SOUND LIKE IT'LL BE A LOT OF FUN.

>> LET'S DO IT THEN.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR POSITION, HOW YOU GOT STARTED AND TELL US ABOUT TULSA MAYFEST.

>> I'M THE CHERRY WITH TULSA MAYFEST.

I STARTED COMING BACK AROUND, I'M ON THE FACULTY WITH THE UNIVERSITY.

THEY ASKED ME TO HELP OUT, AND THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN USHER INTO A NEW ERA.

OPERATION AND PROGRAMMING, AND SO I SAID, WHY NOT.

I JOINED UP ON THE TEAM FIRST AS THE CHAIR OF MUSIC OF PERFORMING ARTS, AND THIS YEAR DECIDED TO TAKE ON A NEW ROLE.

>> NOW, COREY AS YOU KNOW MAYFEST HAS DECADES OF RICH HISTORY BEHIND IT.

HOW DOES YOUR TEAM KEEP THE LINEUP FRESH?

>> FOR SURE.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE DID ONCE WE TOOK OVER THE FESTIVAL IS MAKING SURE THAT WE WELCOMED THE OLD TEAM BACK.

AND ALWAYS REACHING OUT TO THEM, HOW DOES IT FEEL WITH THE SPIRIT, AND THINKING ABOUT, OKAY, LET'S NOT COMPLETELY REINVENT THE WHEEL.

THERE'S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES AND ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

LET'S FOCUS ON THOSE THINGS AND EACH YEAR GET BETTER TO PROVIDE THE CITY WITH THE GRACIE CELEBRATION OF -- GREATEST CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND ART.

>> FRANCIS IS A MUSIC STAR, HOME GROWN, COREY, HOW DOES YOU AND YOUR TEAM BALANCE HAVING THE LOCAL FLAVOR WITH THE BIG NAMES THAT WE SEE?

>> I TELL YOU, THE FIRST THING THAT WE DO IS WE SCOUR THE SCENE LOCALLY.

WE'RE OUT AT THE BARS AND ALL THE DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE VENUES, WHICH ARTISTS ARE NOT JUST CONTINUOUSLY WORKING AT THEIR CRAFT, BUT WHICH IS ADDING AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE TO THE FESTIVAL OVERALL.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR THOSE ARTISTS ALWAYS.

AND FIGURING OUT HOW TO PAIR THOSE ARTISTS WITH OUR MORE RECOGNIZED AND NATIONAL TALENT TO ALLOW ROOM FOR AUDIENCE ADOPTION.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE TAKEN SERIOUSLY, AND PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE THUS FAR.

>> AND JW, EVERY ARTIST REMEMBERS THE SPECIAL SHOWS.

COSTA RICA, WHAT'S SO SPECIAL WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT PLAYING IN FRONT OF OKLAHOMAENS SPECIFICALLY.

>> OKLAHOMAENS SPECIFICALLY HAVE A REALNESS TO THEM.

THEY'RE NOT JADED, THEY'RE ENGAGED.

THEY'RE SPECIAL BECAUSE WE GET BORED.

AND WE HAVE TO GET CREATIVE.

>> THERE'S NOTHING TO DO.

>> WE GET BORED AND SEE THE WORLD AND COME BACK AND REALIZE THAT YEAH, APPLYING FOR OKLAHOMANESS -- PLAYING FOR OKLAHOMAENS IS ATMOSPHERE.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN TO TULSA MAYFEST?

>> I HAVEN'T.

I GOT TO GO.

>> AND COREY, SO THE FESTIVALS ARE NOT JUST FUN AND ENGAGING, BUT THEY BRING IN THE BIG ECONOMIC IMPACT.

WE SPOKE EARLIER OF THE IMPACT IN NORMAN, TELL US OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IN TULSA.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.

AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY CHOOSE TO PRIORITIZE, UNDERSTANDING AND BUILDING OFF OF.

THE COOL THING ABOUT FESTIVALS IS YOU'RE GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO STAY IN HOTEL ROOMS, YOU'RE GETTING MORE PEOPLE TO GO AND DINE OUT.

AND SPECIFICALLY FOR A FESTIVAL LIKE FAYE MAY-- MAYFEST, THERE'S NO FEE.

WE FEEL GREAT ABOUT EMPOWERING THE BUSINESSES AROUND US.

A LOT OF TIMES, PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE COMING TO THE ARTS DISTRICT, THEY'RE HAVING TWO, AND SPEPGD MUCH MORE TIME.

WE FEEL REALLY GOOD ABOUT THAT AND WE ALWAYS HEARD REALLY GREAT FEEDBACK FROM THE BUSINESSES IN THE AREA.

>> AND JW, THE HAPPENED SHAKES -- HANDSHAKES, MEETING THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

COME BACK.

>> THE COMBATING FOR THE MOUGS -- IMPACT FOR MUSICIANS ARE HUGE.

YOU MAKE A CAREER ONE HANDSHAKE AT A TIME.

WHEN YOU'RE AT THE FESTIVALS YOU'RE SHAKING A LOT OF HANDS, PEOPLE WHO ARE PUTTING YOU ON THE STAGES LIKE YOU'RE SAYING.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT.

>> A REALLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE LISTENING, MUSICIANS AND ALSO FOR THE COMMUNITY CRAB CLAB -- ANY THOUGHTS?

>> IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU GO.

WE WANT YOU TO COME TO MAYFEST, IN THE ARTS DISTRICT, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING ABOUT FESTIVALS IS BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER FROM ALL DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE TO CELEBRATE MUSIC AND ARTS.

IT'S A POWERFUL FORCE, GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUTSIDE.

MAKE SURE TO DO THAT, GET SOME FRESH AIR AND FELLOWSHIP WITH YOUR FELLOW CITIZEN.

>> AND IT KICKS OFF ON MAY 9?

>> MAY 9 THROUGH 11.

>> IT'S FREE?

>> FREE.

FOD AND BEVERAGE YOU HAVE -- FOOD AND BEVERAGE YOU HAVE TO PAY.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> GO TO MAYFEST.

COME OUT AND GATHER THAT'S WHAT SPRINGTIME IN OKLAHOMA IS ABOUT.

>> AND QUICKLY FOR THE VIEWERS, DO YOU HAVE A TOUR COMING UP?

>> I DO.

PLAYING NORMAN MUSICFEST FRIDAY NIGHT, AND THEN ON TOUR WITH AN OKLAHOMA BAND CALLED HUSBANDS FROM-OKC HERE.

DOING NASHVILLE, AND BACK IN OKC AT THE MUSIC HALL.

>> WHEN ARE YOU BACK IN OKLAHOMA CITY?

>> MAY 3.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE, THANK YOU BOTH VERY MUCH FOR JOINING IN THE CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> MILLIONS OF YOUNG AMERICAN BOYS GREW UP PLAYING AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE CONCEPT WAS INVENTED?

IN A SMALL SOUTH DAKOTA DOWN CALLED MILBANK.

WE LEARN MORE IN THIS REPORT FROM OUR PBS PARTNERS AT "DAKOTA LIFE".

>> IT'S REALLY NEAT, ONLY ONE COMMUNITY IN THE COUNTRY THAT GETS TO WEAR THAT TITLE.

AND FORTUNATELY IT'S MILLBANK.

THE HISTORY IS LONG AND IT'S REALLY SPECIAL.

OUR CORE BASEBALL GROUP IS VERY STRONG.

AND AT A TIME, IT'S CROSSES THE CASUAL OBSERVER.

IT'S A GOOD DEAL.

THE LEGION CONVENTION IN 1925 WAS HELD HERE.

AND ONE OF THE GUYS RECRUITED A GENTLEMAN I BELIEVE IT WAS A GENERAL, RETIRED GENERAL TO COME AND SPEAK.

AND AS PART OF HIS SPEECH HE CHALLENGED THE LEGION MEMBERS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTH IN THE COUNTRY.

AND MADE THE SUGGESTION OF BASEBALL.

THAT'S WHERE -- THAT'S WHAT GOT EVERYTHING TICKING.

AND THEY PASSED A RESOLUTION AT THE MEETING THAT THE LEGION SHOULD START A BASEBALL PROGRAM.

THAT'S WHAT GOT THE BALL ROLLING WAS ONE GENTLEMAN'S URGING TO THE LEGION MEMBERS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE YOUTH.

AND HERE WE SIT TODAY.

I AM SURE THAT NONE OF THEM HAVE THE FORESIGHT -- WE SHOULD DO THAT AND WATER TOWN AND SIOUX FALLS.

AND TO SEE IT GROW INTO WHAT IT'S BECOME.

I AM SURE THEY WOULD RESPECT THAT.

>> SO VALUABLE HERE, WE HAVE A [INAUDIBLE].

>> REALLY EYE CATCHER.

AND IT'S BEEN THERE FOR MANY MANY YEARS.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE TROPHY CASE, THE PEOPLE THAT PLAYED, THEY'RE SOMETHING SHA STARTED IT.

THE GENERATION AS WE GET OLDER, THAT'S PROBABLY ONE OF THE REASONS I'M STILL COACHING.

I HAVE SO MANY VALUES FROM AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL THAT NEEDS TO BE CARRIED THROUGH THE GENERATION WITH -- NO MATTER WHAT STATE IN THE UNION IT IS, IT'S THE GAME AND REALLY A TRADITIONAL THING THE AMERICAN LEGION HAS DONE.

AND ADHERES TO EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE.

FOR MANY MANY YEAR.

>> IT'S FUNNY, I THINK THE CULTURE AND THE COUNTRY HAS CHANGED SO MUCH SINCE 1925.

THERE'S SO MUCH MORE TO DO FOR CHILDREN THESE DAYS AND BASEBALL IS ONE OF THOSE GAMES -- SO IT TAKES A SPECIAL KIND OF PERSON TO -- AND -- BASICALLY THE COMPETITIVE TEAMS.

>>> ON THE NEXT "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

THE SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR ARGUMENTS NEXT WEEK ON OKLAHOMA'S PROPOSED PUBLIC RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL.

THE COURT'S RULING COULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION IN AMERICA.

FRIDAY AT 7.

>>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS AT BICENTENNIAL PARK, PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY O.E.T.A.

'S KACI FERGUSON.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND "X" BY SEARCHING "OETA.

O.N.R".

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK-- I'M RICH LENZ, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!