>>> TWO JAILS, TWO DEATHS.

ONE, AN INMATE, THE OTHER, A GUARD.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE OKLAHOMA JAILS SAFER FOR EVERYBODY?

>> WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

ALL OF US AS OKLAHOMANS, AS PEOPLE OF A HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT DISAGREE ON A CHANGE IN THE FUNDING FORMULA FOR OKLAHOMA CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> I WAS OPPOSED TO THAT.

THERE IS A VERY STRONG REASON THAT OUR BOARD SHOULD NOT HAVE MADE THAT DECISION.

>> I THINK THE BOARD MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

UM, IF THIS PANDEMIC HAS SHOWED US ONE THING, THERE'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH TO EDUCATION.

>> A BUSINESS BORN IN OKLAHOMA THAT COULD REVOLUTIONIZE HOW AIRPORTS OPERATE.

>> LESS EMISSIONS, NOISE, WE HAVE POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, SO THERE ARE LESS COLLISIONS.

ALL OF THE BENEFITS START KICKING IN ONCE THEY ENTER OUR SYSTEM.

>>> OU PHYSICIANS AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD, LOCKED IN A TOUGH NEGOTIATION THAT COULD IMPACT PATIENTS.

>> THEY CAN STILL REACH AN AGREEMENT AND IT WILL ALL BE OVER IF THEY CAN DO THAT BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.

BUT COME JULY, IF THAT'S NOT RESOLVED, UM, THEY'LL BE OUT OF NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE LATEST ON THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

IN THE LAST TEN DAYS, THERE HAVE BEEN TWO VIOLENT DEATHS INSIDE OF OKLAHOMA JAILS.

A CORRECTIONS OFFICER WAS KILLED BY AN INMATE FOLLOWING IN ALTERCATION IN BARTLESVILLE.

AND AN INMATE WAS KILLED BY OFFICERS FOLLOWING A STAND-OFF IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

AND WHILE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF EACH INCIDENT ARE UNIQUE, THEY RAISE THE SAME QUESTION.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE INCARCERATION LESS DANGEROUS FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED?

REPORTER JASON DOYLE EXAMINES THE DETAILS OF BOTH DEATHS AND THE PROTESTS THAT HAVE FOLLOWED.

>> TWO SETS OF FAMILIES ARE MOURNING THE DEATHS OF LOVED ONES.

THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY IN WASHINGTON COUNTY AND THE FAMILY OF AN INMATE KILLED IN THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

>> THEY KILLED MY BABY AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO KILL HIM.

THEY DIDN'T.

>> CURTIS WILLIAMS WAS KILLED WHEN OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE OFFICERS RAIDED THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL DURING THE MARCH 27 RIOT.

THE POLICE CLAIM WILLIAMS WAS HOLDING A MAKESHIFT WEAPON TO THE THROAT OF THE DETENTION OFFICER BEING HELD HOSTAGE.

TWO OFFICERS FIRED, STRIKING AND KILLING WILLIAMS.

HIS FAMILY TELLS ANOTHER STORY.

THEY SAY WILLIAMS WAS PROTESTING THE CONDITIONS IN THE JAIL, NOT TRYING TO HURT SOMEONE.

>> THIS MAN LOST HIS LIFE STANDING UP FOR THE REST OF THE PEOPLE THAT WAS IN THERE, TELLING THEM THAT I'M FED UP WITH THESE THINGS THAT GOING ON UP IN HERE.

AND IF I'M GOING TO BE ONE TO STAND UP, THEN I'M GOING TO DO IT TODAY.

>> THE DEADLY INCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, ON MARCH 22ND, CORPORAL DEPUTY KYLE DAVIS WAS KILLED WHEN A SUSPECT BEING BROUGHT INTO THE JAIL BECAME AGGRESSIVE AND BEGAN FIGHTING WITH THE JAIL STAFF.

DAVIS WAS INJURED AND DIED AT A BARTLESVILLE HOSPITAL.

THE COMMUNITY IS IN MOURNING, HOLDING A MEMORIAL AND SEVERAL EVENTS COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF DAVIS.

EVEN THE ACTING U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA, CLINT JOHNSON, WAS STRUCK BY CORPORAL DAVIS' DEATH, ISSUING A STATEMENT SAYING IN PART.

ON BEHALF OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OKLAHOMA, I EXTEND MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF CORPORAL KYLE DAVIS, WHO SERVED HIS COMMUNITY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 13 YEARS.

WE STAND WITH YOU AND WITH THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN MOURNING A TREMENDOUS LOSS.

AUTHORITIES, INMATES, AND ADVOCATES FOR BOTH SIDES ARE CALLING TO MAKE JAILS SAFER.

IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, THE JAIL IS NO LONGER UNDER THE SHERIFF'S AUTHORITY.

AS OF JULY 2020, THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE AUTHORITY TOOK OVER JAIL OPERATIONS.

>> OUR CONCERNS ARE PARAMOUNT FOR THE SAFETY OF NOT ONLY THOSE THAT ARE RETAINED HERE AND THEIR WELL-BEING, BUT PARTICULARLY, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT COME HERE TO WORK AND ARE WILLING TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM.

>> SO FAR IN 2021, FIVE INMATES, INCLUDING WILLIAMS, HAVE DIED IN THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

EVEN BEFORE THE AUTHORITY TOOK OVER OPERATIONS, JAIL DEATHS AVERAGED SIX TO SEVEN INMATES A YEAR.

OUR CONTENT PARTNER, THE FRONTIER, TRACKS JAIL DEATHS IN OKLAHOMA.

THEIR COUNT PUTS THE NUMBER OF JAIL DEATHS IN 2020 STATEWIDE AT 21.

NEARLY A THIRD OF THOSE DEATHS WERE IN THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL WAS FORMED TO HELP ADDRESS THAT AND OTHER SAFETY ISSUES.

>> THE BUILDING IS 30 YEARS OLD.

IT HAS NOT BEEN MAINTAINED WELL, AND IT WAS BUILT FOR 1200 PEOPLE, AND IT HAS BEEN SERVING MORE THAN 2500 AT A TIME.

>> THE ADVISORY COUNCIL HAS BEEN WORKING WITH CITIES IN THE COUNTY TO HELP REDUCE THAT NUMBER.

>> WHAT ARE THE KINDS OF PEOPLE THAT WE NEED IN A JAIL BECAUSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THEN WHO ARE THOSE PEOPLE THAT NEED MENTAL HEALTH CARE OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT THAT ARE BETTER SUITED TO BE IN A TREATMENT PROGRAM VERSUS IN OUR COUNTY JAIL.

>> THE LIVING CONDITIONS INSIDE THE JAIL ARE ALSO BEING QUESTIONED.

>> I SEEN THE VIDEO.

I SEEN THE TOILETS WAS OVERFLOWING.

I SEEN HE SAID THE FOOD WAS MOLDY.

I SEEN THEY SAID THEY HAVEN'T GOT NO MEAL, THEY HADN'T GOT NO SHOWER.

THEY WAS JUST LOCKED UP IN THERE, BASICALLY JUST LIKE THEY WAS FORGOT ABOUT.

THAT AIN'T RIGHT.

>> MOST OF THOSE ARE ISOLATED INCIDENTS.

EVERY SINGLE TOILET WAS CHECKED, EVERY TELEPHONE WAS CHECKED, EVERY SINK WAS CHECKED, EVERY SHOWER WAS CHECKED.

EVERY INMATE GOT OUT FOR A SHOWER.

EVERY INMATE GOT OUT FOR VISITATION.

THEY RECEIVED FULL COMMISSARY ON FRIDAY.

>> DETENTION CENTER ADMINISTRATOR GREG WILLIAMS SAYS THE MAJOR ISSUE HE'S FACING IS A LACK OF STAFF.

OKLAHOMA COUNTY RECENTLY AGREED TO RAISE THE SALARIES OF THOSE WORKING AT THE JAIL IN HOPES OF ATTRACTING MORE WORKERS.

THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 70 OPEN POSITIONS OUT OF 400.

>> UNDERSTAFFING JUST CONTRIBUTES TO REALLY PASSING OUT FOOD, PASSING OUT MEDICATION, TIMELY DELIVERY OF THOSE SERVICES.

>> THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL HAS BEEN PLAUGED WITH ISSUES SINCE ITS FIRST WEEK OF OPERATION IN 1991.

AN INMATE ESCPAED BY SCRAPING GROUT AWAY FROM GLASS BLOCKS AND CRAWLING OUT.

DURING THE TERRY NICHOLS STATE TRIAL HEARING HELD IN THE BASEMENT OF THE JAIL IN 2004, THE FACILITY WAS FLOODED WITH SEWAGE BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW IN THE PLUMBING WHICH ALLOWED INMATES TO SOCK BOMB THE SYSTEM.

TEN YEARS LATER, IN 2014, THE KITCHEN WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL AND A TEMPORARY SOLUTION HAD TO BE FOUND.

>> SO, PART OF THE CHALLENGE, THE 1991 JAIL THAT WAS BUILT HAD NUMEROUS DEFECTS, NUMEROUS PROBLEMS.

AND 30 YEARS LATER, WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THEM BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY CAN'T BE FIXED SHORT OF BUILDING A NEW JAIL.

>> WHILE EFFORTS ARE UNDERWAY TO MAKE THE JAIL CONDITIONS BETTER, FAMILIES OF INMATES ARE CALLING FOR OFFICIALS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS.

>> HELP US BY COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS AND DIFFERENT THINGS SO THAT WE CAN ERADICATE THIS AND DO AWAY WITH THE THINGS THAT'S GOING ON.

>> BELIEVING THAT EVEN IF SOMEONE COMMITS A CRIME, HE OR SHE SHOULD STILL BE TREATED HUMANELY.

>> WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

ALL OF US AS OKLAHOMANS, AS PEOPLE OF A HUMANE SOCIETY.

>> COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST, AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON PROPOSED LEGISLATION DUBBED THE "SARAH STITT ACT," THAT WOULD IMPROVE ACCESS TO JOB TRAINING AND EDUCATION FOR INMATES TO BETTER PREPARE THEM FOR LIFE AFTER THEIR RELEASE.

>>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR ROLLING 7-DAY COVID-19 NUMBERS.

NEW INFECTIONS DAILY AVERAGE IS 311 AS OF FRIDAY.

A WEEK AGO IT WAS 354.

HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO TREND DOWNWARD, WITH 203 AS OF FRIDAY.

LAST FRIDAY THAT TOTAL WAS 225.

THE 7-DAY DEATH TOLL HAS RISEN.

150 THIS WEEK AND 109 LAST WEEK.

THE TOTAL STANDS AT 7,932.

>> VACCINATIONS HAVE REACHED A NEW BENCHMARK IN OKLAHOMA, WITH OVER A MILLION PRIMARY DOSES GIVEN.

AND, WE'RE GETTING VERY CLOSE TO 600,000 OKLAHOMANS WHO ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> PHASE-4 OF THE STATE'S VACCINATION PROGRAM BEGAN ON MONDAY.

NOW, ANYONE OVER THE AGE OF 16 CAN RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE GOVERNOR, WHO RECEIVED THE SINGLE SHOT JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE EIGHT MONTHS AFTER BECOMING THE FIRST U.S.

GOVERNOR TO ANNOUNCE HE HAD TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

HOSPITALIZATIONS, THEY'RE ALSO DOWN NEARLY 90%, AND THEY'RE AT THEIR LOWEST LEVELS THAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS.

SO WE ARE GOING TO GET OUR SUMMERS BACK, OKLAHOMA, AND THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL HAS NEVER BEEN BRIGHTER.

>> LET ME BE VERY CLEAR, THIS VACCINE IS VERY SAFE AND IT WORKS.

THE VACCINE PREVENTS YOU FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY ILL OR DYING FROM COVID-19.

BUILDING PERSONAL IMMUNITY AND HERD IMMUNITY ARE KEY TO HELPING US GET BACK TO OUR NEW NORMAL.

>> AT THAT SAME NEWS CONFERENCE, GOVERNOR STITT APPLAUDING A 4-3 VOTE BY THE BOARD OF EDUCATION THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY ALTER THE WAY CHARTER SCHOOLS RECEIVE THEIR FUTURE FUNDING.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT PUTS HIM AT ODDS WITH STATE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT, JOY HOFMEISTER.

REPORTER RORY TAYLOR EXAMINES WHAT'S AT STAKE FOR THOUSANDS OF OKAHOMA SCHOOLCHILDREN.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO, THE STATE CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, PROTESTING THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS DON'T RECEIVE THE SAME PER-STUDENT FUNDING AS OTHER PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

JOY HOFMEISTER IS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE CHAIR OF THE OETA BOARD.

>> THOUGH THERE HAD BEEN ATTEMPTS TO SETTLE IT IN PREVIOUS YEARS, UM, THERE WAS NOT A STANDING OFFER TO SETTLE.

AND AFTER THE BOARD AGENDA WAS POSTED, UH, TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THIS, A, UM, SETTLEMENT OFFER CAME IN, UM, RIGHT BEFORE THE NEXT DAY WHERE THIS WOULD BE, UH, DISCUSSED.

>> THAT DISCUSSION LED TO AN APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT BY A 4-3 VOTE, CARRIED BY FOUR STITT-APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS >> MR. SMITH.

>> YES.

>> SUPERINTENDENT HOFMEISTER.

>> NO.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT MOTION CARRIES.

>> IN OKLAHOMA, PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED FIRST BY LOCAL TAX DOLLARS, AND THEN SUPPLEMENTED WITH STATE FUNDING.

CHARTER SCHOOLS, OPERATING MORE LIKE BUSINESSES, HAVE NOT HAD THE SAME ACCESS TO THOSE LOCAL TAX DOLLARS, UNTIL NOW.

>> MANY OF PARENTS DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THEIR KIDS ARE ACTUALLY GETTING LESS FUNDING FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

ROBERT RUIZ IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHOICE MATTERS, A NON-PROFIT PROGRAM FOCUSED ON HELPING PARENTS MATCH CHILDREN WITH SCHOOLS.

HE SAYS THE SCHOOL BOARD RULING IS A STEP TOWARD EQUITY FOR CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> WHEN I MOVED MY SON TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL, HE DIDN'T TAKE ALL OF HIS PER PUPIL FUNDS WITH HIM.

HE ONLY TOOK A PORTION OF THEM, RIGHT?

SO HE LEFT SOME OF THAT BEHIND IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT WAS NO LONGER TEACHING HIM, RIGHT?

AND SO THE ONLY THING THAT THIS DECISION MAY, YOU KNOW -- MAKES HAPPEN IS BASICALLY THAT ALL OF MY SON'S PER PUPIL ALLOCATION WILL NOW BE MOVING WITH HIM.

>> AND THAT INCLUDES NOT ONLY BRICK AND MORTAR CHARTER SCHOOLS SERVING SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES, BUT ALSO VIRTUAL SCHOOLS LIKE EPIC, RECEIVING LOCAL TAX DOLLARS ON A BASIS OF PER-PUPIL ALLOCATION.

BUT THE STATE'S TWO LARGEST TRADITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE CONCERNED THE SETTLEMENT IS INVALID, AS THEY SAY THEY WERE LEFT OUT OF THE SETTLEMENT NEGOTIATIONS.

>> BOTH TULSA, PUBLIC AND OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SAID WHEN THIS LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY THE OKLAHOMA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS ASSOCIATION AGAINST THE STATE BOARD, OUR TWO DISTRICTS INTERVENE AND BECAME AT THAT TIME PARTIES TO THIS CASE.

AND SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A SETTLEMENT CAN OCCUR WHEN THE TWO LARGEST DISTRICTS WHO ARE A PARTY TO THE CASE HAVE NEVER BEEN A PART OF A SETTLEMENT.

>> ON WEDNESDAY OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FILED A PETITION FOR A HOLD ON THE REALLOCATIONS AND A JUDGMENT ON THE LEGALITY OF THE SETTLEMENT.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT HOFMEISTER AGREES THE BOARD'S VOTE WAS INAPPROPRIATE AT BEST, AND ILLEGAL AT WORST.

>> IT'S VERY CLEAR IN STATE STATUTE AND IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALREADY SPOKEN.

THIS VIOLATES THOSE PROVISIONS IN THE LEGISLATION AROUND CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING AND HOW CHARTER SCHOOLS, UM, ARE TO OPERATE.

UM, THERE WAS ACTUALLY LAW IN 2006 THAT EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED.

WHAT HAS NOW BEEN, UH, A VOTE AND SETTLEMENT BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> WHILE HOFMEISTER OPPOSES THE SETTLEMENT, GOVERNOR STITT FULLY SUPPORTS IT AND SAYS HE DID NOT DISCUSS THE SETTLEMENT WITH HIS -- WITH ANY OF THE BOARD MEMBERS BEFORE APPOINTING THEM.

>> I THINK THE BOARD MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

UM, IF THIS PANDEMIC HAS SHOWED US ONE THING, THERE'S NOT A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH TO EDUCATION.

PARENTS WERE FRUSTRATED.

UH, BUT THIS ISSUE PARTICULARLY, UH, HAS BEEN A PROBLEM LONG BEFORE I WAS GOVERNOR.

UH, BUT THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, STUDENTS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS, UH, WE BELIEVE THAT THEY DESERVE, UH, EVERY ACCESS, EVERY OPPORTUNITY THAT, UH, THAT EVERYONE ELSE DOES, UH, IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THEY ARE DEFINITELY FILLING A NEED.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN MORE SO OVER THE PAST YEAR, UH, BECAUSE REGARDLESS OF WHAT INFORMATION HAS IS OUT THERE AND, YOU KNOW, UH, PENDING LITIGATION OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS, UM, THEY ALMOST DOUBLED IN SIZE LAST YEAR.

SO OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE PROVIDING A SERVICE THAT IS NEEDED HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> BUT HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE ANDY FUGATE SAYS THAT FUNDING ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL CHOICES ISN'T THE STATE'S JOB >> IF YOUR CHILD IS IN A SCHOOL THAT IS NOT PERFORMING, IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS A LEGISLATURE TO FIX THAT PROBLEM, NOT TO PROVIDE AN ESCAPE, NOT TO PROVIDE COMPETITION BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT, ANYTIME YOU HAVE COMPETITION, SOMEBODY IS LOSING AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE LOSING THE CHILDREN OF OKLAHOMA.

>> WITH BOTH THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND MANY LAWMAKERS OPPOSED TO THE BOARD'S DECISION, MORE LAWSUITS ARE LIKELY, IN ADITION TO REVIEW BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SEE A NUMBER OF LAWSUITS THAT ARISE OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR ACTION BY THE BOARD.

AGAIN, UH, IT IS THE BOARD ACTING BEYOND ITS AUTHORITY, UH, TO CHOOSE HOW THEY'RE GOING TO ALLOCATE MONIES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN STATUTORILY CONSTRAINED OR IN SOME CASES, CONSTITUTIONALLY CONSTRAINED.

IT'S NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

THEY ARE UNELECTED PEOPLE JUST APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

>> RORY, THANKS.

BECAUSE THE SETTLEMENT OPENS UP LOCAL FUNDS TO ALL CHARTERS, INCLUDING VIRTUAL, IT IS EXPECTED TO IMPACT THE BUDGETS OF EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE.

>>> TWO MAJOR EDUCATION BILLS WERE PASSED ON WEDNESDAY AND SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR THAT SAME AFTERNOON.

E-CAPITOL NEWS DIRECTOR SHAWN ASHLEY JOINS US FROM 23RD AND LINCOLN, TO EXPLAIN SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGES FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

>> SENATE BILL 783 WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE LARGEST IMPACT DIRECTLY ON STUDENTS AND PARENTS BECAUSE IT EXPANDS OKLAHOMA'S OPEN TRANSFER POLICY AND REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CALCULATE THEIR CAPACITIES, AND THEN ESSENTIALLY ACCEPT STUDENTS UP TO THOSE LEVELS.

PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, IT ALSO PREVENTS SENDING SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM VETOING, A TRANSFER HOUSE BILL 27, 2078 WILL AFFECT THE WAY MONEY IS ALLOCATED TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO ARE SEEING THEIR ENROLLMENTS DECLINE.

WHAT THIS DOES IS TO ADJUST THE CALCULATION FOR DETERMINING HOW THAT MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED, REDUCING THE TIME PERIOD THAT THEY CAN LOOK BACK ON IT.

SENATOR ZACH TAYLOR, A REPUBLICAN FROM SEMINOLE SAID THAT MEANS SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH DECLINING ENROLLMENTS WILL SEE THEIR MONEY DROP MORE QUICKLY, WHILE THOSE WITH INCREASING ENROLLMENTS WILL GET A BOOST SOONER.

>> SHAWN, SOME LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING TO MAKE OKLAHOMA A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY STATE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> THE HOUSE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE PASSED A BILL EARLIER IN THE WEEK THAT WOULD DECLARE OKLAHOMA A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY STATE THAT HAS A COUPLE OF IMPACTS.

FIRST OF ALL, IT WOULD MEAN THAT ONLY THE LEGISLATURE AND NOT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, COUNTY OR CITY COULD MAKE ANY LAWS REGARDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND FIREARMS.

IT ALSO PROHIBITS ANY LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT WOULD INFRINGE ON THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

AND FINALLY, IT PROHIBITS ANY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FROM ACCEPTING ANY FUNDING, UH, WHICH WOULD SUPPORT PROGRAMS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO LIMIT THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

>>> THE SENATE IS CONSIDERING A WORKERS COMP BILL THAT INCLUDES STIFF PENALTIES FOR LYING ABOUT YOUR EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME.

>> YOU KNOW, THIS WAS REALLY A FUN COMMITTEE TO WATCH.

SENATOR DARRELL WEAVER'S BILL PROPOSED MAKING IT A FELONY FOR SOMEONE RECEIVING TOTAL DISABILITY WORKERS COMPENSATION BENEFITS, NOT TO REPORT ANY MATERIAL CHANGE IN THEIR INCOME.

AND THAT WAS THE CONCERN AMONG MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE.

EXACTLY WHAT CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL CHANGE?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE EXPLAINED THAT SOMEONE RECEIVING TOTAL DISABILITY BENEFITS SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY EARNED INCOME.

AS SENATOR WEAVER LISTENED TO THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, HE PROPOSED AN AMENDMENT THAT CHANGED THE BILL TO SAY EXACTLY THAT, THAT SOMEONE RECEIVING TOTAL DISABILITY PAYMENTS, WHO -- WHO FAILS TO REPORT ANY EARNED INCOME WOULD THEN BE SUBJECT TO THE FELONY.

>> SHAWN, IS THERE ANY WAY TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THE BLACK LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS DURING THE SESSION CONCERNING ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM?

>> YOU KNOW, TIME IS REALLY RUNNING SHORT.

THERE'S ONLY ONE MORE WEEK BEFORE BILLS ARE DUE OUT OF COMMITTEE OF THE OPPOSITE CHAMBER.

AND IT SEEMS TO BE A MATTER OF, NO ONE IS ON THE SAME PAGE ON THIS ISSUE AT THE PRESENT TIME, BUT INDIVIDUALS LIKE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT HAVE MENTIONED THAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM REMAINS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THEM AND THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME WORK DONE IN THAT AREA.

IT MAY NOT COME THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW, ONE THING THOUGH, I'VE LEARNED AFTER 25 YEARS IN THIS BUILDING IS YOU NEVER SAY NEVER.

SO AN AGREEMENT OF SOME SORT COULD BE REACHED BEFORE THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> SHAWN, I KNOW YOU'RE VERY BUSY THESE DAYS.

THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME >> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF 28 STATES THAT CURRENTLY REQUIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLECT AND RELEASE DATA ON HATE CRIMES.

ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, IT'S CLEAR THAT HATE CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST ASIAN-AMERICANS HAVE RISEN SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

IN SOME CITIES LIKE NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES, BY AS MUCH AS 150% OR MORE.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN OKLAHOMA, BUT THE SITUATION HERE IN NOT BEING IGNORED.

THERE HAVE BEEN VIGILS AND PROTESTS, LIKE THIS ONE IN DOWNTOWN TULSA LAST WEEK, FOCUSING ON STOPPING THE VIOLENCE IN THE WAKE OF A MASS SHOOTING IN ATLANTA ON MARCH 16TH THAT KILLED EIGHT PEOPLE, SIX OF THEM ASIAN-AMERICAN WOMEN.

AND THAT ISSUE WAS ALSO ADDRESSED IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE ON MONDAY, WHICH UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING HATE CRIMES, HATEFUL RHETORIC AND VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN-AMERICANS.

REPRESENTATIVE CYNDI MUNSON, WHO IS ONE OF THREE ASIAN-AMERICAN HOUSE MEMBERS, AUTHORED THE RESOLUTION.

>> AS AN ASIAN-AMERICAN WOMAN, LEARNING OF THE NEWS IN ATLANTA WAS AND STILL IS HORRIFIC.

THIS INCIDENT BUBBLED UP LIFE LONG FEARS, PAIN AND HURT.

OUR WORDS MATTER.

THE TONGUE HAS THE POWER OF LIFE AND OF DEATH.

I DISTINCTLY REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I WAS CALLED A CHINK.

I WAS IN KINDERGARTEN.

I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD.

I REMEMBER TELLING MY PARENTS THAT I DID NOT WANT TO BE ASIAN ANYMORE.

>> THE RESOLUTION'S LANGUAGE ALSO ENCOURAGES OKLAHOMANS TO REPORT INSTANCES OF DISCRIMINATION TO THE PROPER AUTHORITIES.

>>> HISTORY MADE AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON MONDAY WHEN IMAD ENCHASSI BECAME THE FIRST IMAM TO OFFER A PRAYER ON THE OKLAHOMA SENATE FLOOR.

THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN-ISLAMIC RELATIONS, OR "CARE", CALLED THE MOMENT A STEP TOWARDS HEALING AND CAUSE OF CELEBRATION.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME ON TUESDAY, A PRESS POOL WAS ALLOWED INSIDE OF A MIGRANT DETAINMENT FACILITY IN DONNA, TEXAS.

THE SAME FACILITY THAT WAS TOURED AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY OKLAHOMA SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD LAST WEEK THERE ARE EIGHT SEPARATE AREAS WRAPPED IN PLEXI-GLASS THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION REFERS TO AS PODS.

EACH POD IS DESIGNED TO HOLD 80 MIGRANTS.

LANKFORD SAID ON THE DAY HE WAS THERE, ONE POD HELD 709 CHILDREN, WHO WERE TAKING TURNS LAYING DOWN, DUE TO A LACK OF SPACE.

LANKFORD ALSO SAID HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19, AND WERE ARE UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> LITERALLY WALL TO WALL, IN EVERY ONE OF PLEXIGLASS, LITTLE CELLS THAT THEY HAVE, AND THEN PEOPLE FLOODING OUT INTO THE HALLWAY IN-BETWEEN THEM, 709 PEOPLE IN A POD SET UP FOR 80.

SO THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS TO UNACCOMPANIED MINORS.

FAMILIES ARE RELEASED INTO THE COUNTRY IMMEDIATELY.

AND FOR SINGLE ADULTS THAT ARE CROSSING THE BORDER, HERE'S THE BASIC THING THAT'S OCCURING, AND EVERYONE DOWN KNOWS IT.

AND SO DO THE CARTELS THEY'LL RELEASE A HUNDRED OR MORE ADULTS TO BE ABLE TO GO ONE DIRECTION WHILE A HUNDRED OR MORE CHILDREN AND FAMILIES GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

THEY TURN THEMSELVES IN, WHICH MEANS BORDER PATROL HAS TO MOVE TO THAT SPOT, LEAVING THE REST OF THE BORDER OPEN FOR ADULTS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS AND OTHERS TO BE ABLE TO COME ACROSS.

>> AS OF TUESDAY, THIS FACILITY IN DONNA, TEXAS WAS HOLDING 3400 MIGRANT AND UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY ABOUT 18,000 MIGRANT CHILDREN BEING HELD IN THE UNITED STATES.

BY LAW, THEY CAN ONLY BE DETAINED FOR THREE DAYS, BUT BORDER OFFICIALS SAY SOME HAVE BEEN LIVING IN THESE CONDITIONS FOR AS LONG AS TWO WEEKS.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY IS WARNING PATIENTS TO MAKE SURE THEIR EDIBLES ARE FROM OKLAHOMA, AFTER PRODUCTS THAT CAME FROM OUT-OF-STATE RESULTED IN PEOPLE GETTING SICK AND IN SOME CASES HOSPITALIZED.

>> THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS AND DANGEROUS DRUGS IS INVESTIGATING HOW THE CALIFORNIA EDIBLES ARRIVED IN OKLAHOMA.

AUTHORITIES AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE ALSO ADVISING THAT THC PRODUCTS SHOULD ALWAYS BE KEPT OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE PACKAGED LIKE REGULAR FOODS.

>> IF YOUR KID HAPPENS TO SEE YOU TAKING THEM, SAY, THIS IS MEDICINE, THIS HELPS MOM OR DAD WITH THEIR ANXIETY OR THEIR PAIN, AND THAT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS FOR YOU.

SO WE DON'T TOUCH THESE, YOU KNOW, AND JUST BE HONEST WITH THE KIDS.

SYMPTOMS CAN BE WIDE RANGING IN KIDS, AND IT REALLY DEPENDS ON HOW MUCH THEY TOOK, HOW STRONG THEY, THE MARIJUANA OR THC COMPOUND WAS.

UM, AND THEN HOW BIG IS THE KID?

SO, UM, WE SEE ANYWHERE FROM JUST KIND OF THE PATIENTS ACTING STRANGELY AND OFTEN THE PARENTS ARE WORRIED MAYBE THAT THEY'VE HAD A STROKE OR THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON.

>> MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTS MADE IN OKLAHOMA MUST MEET CERTAIN PACKAGING AND LABELLING REQUIREMENTS TO MAKE THEM CHILD RESISTANT.

>>> BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD IS THE LARGEST HEALTHCARE INSURANCE PROVIDER IN OKLAHOMA, AND RIGHT NOW THEY ARE EMBROILED IN RATE NEGOTIATIONS WITH OU PHYSICIANS THAT COULD IMPACT WHO YOUR DOCTOR IS, AND MAKE ACCESS TO THE STATE'S ONLY LEVEL ONE TRAUMA CENTER, MORE EXPENSVE.

REPORTER CATHERINE SWEENEY IS COVERING THIS STORY FOR OUR CONTENT PARTNERS AT STATE IMPACT OKLAHOMA.

CATHERINE, LET'S BEGIN WITH THE PLAYERS.

WHO AND WHAT COMPRISES OU PHYSICIANS?

AND JUST HOW BIG IS BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD IN OKLAHOMA?

>> OU PHYSICIANS IS THE PHYSICIAN'S GROUP OF DOCTORS AND OTHER SPECIALISTS WHO WORK FOR OU IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA AND BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OKLAHOMA IS THE STATE'S TOP INSURER.

THEY COVER ABOUT 800,000 PEOPLE.

UM, SIMILARLY OU PHYSICIANS PROVIDED ABOUT 800,000, UH, PATIENT VISITS LAST YEAR.

SO THEY'RE ABOUT THE SAME SIZE.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD MEMBERS, THEY PAY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

THE INSURANCE COMPANY THEN PAYS, UM, OU PHYSICIANS AND OTHER PROVIDERS ON A FEE SCALE.

THEY ARE ARGUING ABOUT THAT RATE.

>> OU PHYSICIANS ARE SAYING THEY NEED MORE MONEY.

THEN YOU HAVE BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD SAYING, WELL, THAT MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE AND OUR MEMBERS CAN'T KEEP HAVING THEIR PREMIUMS GO UP.

SO THEY JUST CAN'T REACH A MIDDLE GROUND.

>> HAVING THESE TYPES OF NEGOTIATIONS AND DIFFICULT NEGOTIATIONS IS NOT UNUSUAL, BUT WHAT -- WHAT MAKES THIS ONE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT?

>> YOU'RE RIGHT, THESE KINDS OF NEGOTIATIONS ARE TOUGH.

THEY'RE HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THIS ONE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, ACCORDING TO SOME OF THE ATTORNEYS I TALKED WITH, BECAUSE IT IS SO PUBLIC, UM.

OU PHYSICIANS HAVE BEEN TAKING FULL PAGE ADS OUT IN THE OKLAHOMAN.

IT'S VERY MUCH IN THE PUBLIC REALM.

AND THAT'S USUALLY NOT THE CASE.

>> THIS WILL BE BAD IF IT DOESN'T GET WORKED OUT FOR PATIENTS.

BOTH SIDES SAY THAT'S THE CASE.

SO WHAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED OR COMPROMISED, AND WHEN?

>> THEY ARE TECHNICALLY OUT OF THE NEGOTIATION PHASE NOW.

THEY HAVE UNTIL THE END OF JUNE, UH, TO HAVE THIS TRANSITION PERIOD, RIGHT?

SO THEY HAVE TO HAVE A FEW MONTHS TO TELL ALL THESE PEOPLE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK FOR A NEW DOCTOR.

THEY CAN STILL REACH AN AGREEMENT AND IT WILL ALL BE OVER IF THEY CAN DO THAT BEFORE THE END OF JUNE.

BUT COME JULY, IF THAT'S NOT RESOLVED, UM, THEY'LL BE OUT OF NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER.

>> SO WHAT'S THE WORST CASE SCENARIO FOR A PATIENT THAT'S CURRENTLY IN THIS SYSTEM?

>> LET'S SAY THAT YOU'RE A CANCER PATIENT AT STEVENSON, AND YOU'VE BEEN GOING TO THE SAME DOCTOR, YOU KNOW, FOR TWO YEARS.

YOU HAVE TO GO TO A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PRACTICE.

OR YOU CAN BE A PATIENT WHO NEEDS A SERVICE IT'S ONLY AVAILABLE AT OU AND YOU HAVE TO PAY A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE FOR IT.

OF COURSE, IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, HOSPITALS HAVE TO PROVIDE CARE, BUT THEN THEY WILL BILL YOU LATER.

AND IF YOUR INSURANCE ISN'T A NETWORK, THAT COULD BE IN A SIGNIFICANTLY MORE COSTLY BILL.

>> IS IT SIGNIFICANT THAT BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD IS GOING TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER IN UH, MEDICAID GOING FORWARD?

>> OKLAHOMA, UNDER KEVIN STITT, IS NOW TRYING TO PARTIALLY PRIVATIZE MEDICAID UNDER A PROGRAM CALLED MANAGED MEDICAID, OR IN OUR CASE SOONER SELECT.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD IS ONE OF THE VENDORS IN THIS PROGRAM.

BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD IS ABOUT TO HAVE A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND MORE MEMBERS AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO, UM, INTERACT WITH OU PHYSICIANS IN THAT CAPACITY AS WELL.

SO I THINK THAT'S PUTTING A LITTLE BIT MORE PRESSURE ON BOTH SIDES.

>> CATHERINE, IF SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO READ YOUR ARTICLE OR YOUR COLLEAGUES ARTICLES, WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> THEY CAN GO TO STATE IMPACT.NPR.ORG/OKLAHOMA.

>>> AN OKLAHOMA CITY COMPANY SAYS IT'S DEVELOPING A TOWING SYSTEM THAT WILL REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY AIRPLANES MANUEVER AROUND AIRPORTS.

IT'S AN AUTOMATED TAXI SYSTEM THEY SAY WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY AND PROMOTE GREEN ENERGY.

REPORTER STEVE SHAW HITS THE ROAD FOR ARDMORE'S MUNICIPAL AIRPORT TO FIND OUT HOW IT WORKS.

>> FOR THE PAST 18 MONTHS ON THE SOUTH END OF THIS ARDMORE MUNICIPAL AIPORT RUNWAY BUILT DURING WORLD WAR TWO, A COMPANY CALLED AIRCRAFT TOWING SYSTEMS HAS BEEN BUILDING SOMETHING THEY BELIEVE WILL COMPLETELY CHANGE WHAT WE SEE WHEN WE FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES.

>> I WISH WE COULD FAST FORWARD 100 YEARS FROM NOW, BECAUSE HE SAID THIS IS THE WAY WE WILL MOVE AIRCRAFT AROUND AIRPORTS.

>> AIRCRAFT TOWING SYSTEMS, OR ATS WORLDWIDE, CEO VINCE HOWIE SPENT 29 YEARS IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE.

AFTER HIS RETIREMENT IN 2013, HE BECAME OKLAHOMA'S AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE DIRECTOR.

A FEW YEARS LATER, VINCE RAN ACROSS A WEALTHY BUSINESSMAN FROM POLAND, STAN MALICKI.

MALIKI HAD PATENTED AN UNDERGROUND CHANNEL PATHWAY.

USING AN ELECTRIC POWERED DOLLY SYSTEM, IT AUTOMATICALLY TRANSPORTS AIRCRAFT AT AIRPORTS WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE'RE JUST AUTOMATING A TOW AND MANUAL SYSTEM.

WHEN AN AIRPLANE COMES IN AND LANDS AT AN AIRPORT, IT'S TYPICALLY PASSED OFF BETWEEN FOUR DIFFERENT PEOPLE BEFORE IT EVER MAKES IT TO THE GATE.

AND ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME IT IS JUST DRIVEN AUTONOMOUSLY BY THE PILOT.

WHAT OUR SYSTEM DOES IS IT PUTS IT INTO AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM THAT OPTIMIZES WHERE TO MOVE THOSE AIRCRAFT AND WHAT GATE WITH INPUT FROM THE AIRLINES, AND TOTALLY AUTOMATES THIS MANUAL SYSTEM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> FIVE YEARS AGO, ATS WORLDWIDE HIRED FIVE OKLAHOMA STATE PHD'S IN VARIOUS ENGINEERING FIELDS TO BEAR DOWN EXACTLY HOW TO DESIGN IT.

THINK OF THIS KIND OF LIKE PULLING INTO AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH. >> SIMILAR.

>> I'VE HEARD IT COMPARED TO A CAR WASH, AND A CATAPULT ON AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER.

BUT IT ACTUALLY IS BECAUSE ONE OF THE OPTIONS WE ARE COMING UP WITH IS A LOOP THAT WOULD PULL AN AIRCRAFT THROUGH DE-ICING, SO IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO A CAR WASH. >> THE BIGGEST SELLING POINT FOR THIS IS PLANES USE A LOT OF GAS.

>> 80% OF THE COMMERCIAL FLEETS OUT THERE ARE 737'S OR 320'S.

THOSE AIRCRAFT BURN ON THE AVERAGE ABOUT NINE GALLONS OF FUEL A MINUTE DURING TAXI.

THE AVERAGE TAXI TIME IN THE UNITED STATES AT MAJOR AIRPORTS IS 16 TO 27 MINUTES.

SO IF YOU TAKE THAT NINE GALLONS OF FUEL BURNED PER MINUTE TIMES 16 MINUTES, AND AIRPORTS CAN HAVE TWO TO 800,000 MOVEMENTS PER YEAR, TIMES THE $3 OR $4 A GALLON, IT TURNS TO REAL MONEY REALLY QUICKLY.

>> HOWIE SAYS THIS ELECTRIC SYSTEM WILL BE MUCH MORE COST EFFICIENT THAN USING GAS.

>> ONCE THE AIRCRAFT ENTERS ONTO THE TOW DOLLY, WE CHUCK THE LANDING GEAR, HE CAN SHUT OFF HIS ENGINES THEN.

THEN HE STARTS SAVING FUEL.

THERE IS LESS EMISSIONS, NOISE, WE HAVE POSITIVE CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, SO THERE ARE LESS COLLISIONS.

ALL OF THE BENEFITS START KICKING IN ONCE THEY ENTER OUR SYSTEM.

>> IT'S UNBELIEVABLY COOL.

>> MICHAEL SHOEMAKER'S OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS BUILDING THE CONCRETE CHANNEL, STRUCTURAL STEEL, AND ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS THAT WILL MAKE UP THE PROTOTYPE.

HE SAYS IT WILL BE FINISHED AND READY FOR TESTING BY JUNE.

>> IT'S NOT A PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT BUILD.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE AERONAUTICS SIDE OF THIS, THEIR LEVEL OF TOLERANCE VERSES VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION IS THE PERCENTAGES ARE MUCH DIFFERENT.

MY LEVEL OF TOLERANCE ON A PROJECT OF THIS NATURE IS FRACTIONS OF A PERCENT.

>> WHEN YOU SAY LEVEL OF TOLERANCE, YOU JUST HAVE TO BE RIGHT.

>> YOU HAVE TO BE RIGHT ON.

>> STATE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BRENT KISLING SAYS OKLAHOMA ALREADY HAS THE WORLD'S LARGEST MAINTENANCE REPAIR AND OVERHAUL FACILITY AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, AND THE WORLD'S LARGEST COMMERCIAL MRO, AMERICAN AIRLINES IN TULSA.

HE THINKS ATW WORLDWIDE IS ONTO SOMETHING THAT WILL CHANGE THE WORLD OF AVIATION.

>> WE ARE AN AIRPLANE STATE.

A LOT OF FOLKS DON'T REALIZE THAT IN OKLAHOMA.

BUT OUR SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER IS THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK WE DON'T KID OURSELVES.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE WILL BE THE FAA TO GET THIS CERTIFIED FOR SURE.

>> THE FIRST ONES WE INSTALL WILL PROBABLY BE AT AIRPORTS AND FACILITIES THAT DON'T REQUIRE FAA CERTIFICATION.

THE FIRST FULL SYSTEM MAY EVEN BE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.

I DON'T SEE THAT AS A BAD THING, BECAUSE THEN THE FAA WILL BE ABLE TO STUDY IT.

>> ONCE WE'RE DOWN THE ROAD WITH THIS, IT WILL TAKE NO PERSONNEL TO ACTUALLY MOVE AN AIRPLANE OR EQUIPMENT, AND IT'S DONE ELECTRICALLY, NOT WITH DIESEL POWERED OR GASOLINE POWERED TUGS.

>> HOW MANY TIMES IN YOUR LIFETIME DO YOU GET INVOLVED WITH SOMETHING WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY CHANGE THE WORLD?

WELL, WE'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD ONE AIRPORT AT A TIME.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> AND VINCE HOWIE TELLING STEVE, THAT WHILE THE PANDEMIC SET THEM BACK SEVERAL MONTHS, IT ALSO GAVE THE OSU ENGINEERS MORE TIME TO REFINE HOW THE SYSTEM WILL WORK.

>> BY DEFINITION, COMPREHENSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM SEEKS TO ADDRESS WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER A PERSON ENCOUNTERS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

SENTENCING REFORM, BETTER CONDITIONS BEHIND BARS, AND IMPROVING THE CHANCES FOR SUCCESS AFTER TIME SERVED.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION, WE'LL DISCUSS A LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL THAT HOPES TO GIVE FORMER INMATES THE HELP THEY NEED TO SUCCEED ON THE OUTSIDE.

HERE'S MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT AND HER DISTINQUISHED PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'RE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT'S BEING KNOWN AS THE SARAH STITT ACT IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

AND I HAVE FOUR PANELISTS TO EXPLAIN WHAT THAT IS AND HOW IT COULD AFFECT SOME OKLAHOMANS WHO ARE TRULY IN NEED.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR GUEST, MARILYN STARK, WHO IS AN OKLAHOMA REPRESENTATIVE FROM BETHANY.

WE HAVE JIMMY MAZE WITH THE OKLAHOMA MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE.

JUSTIN WOLF AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOR THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

AND SAMANTHA FAULKNER.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

REPRESENTATIVE STARK I WANT TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

WHAT IS THE SARAH STITT ACT?

>> IT'S A CULMINATION OF SEVERAL YEARS WORK WHERE WE WILL UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON EACH INMATE WILL AT LEAST RECEIVE A PHOTO I.D., A STATE ISSUED PHOTO I.D.

THAT LOOKS LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE'S AND THEY WILL RECEIVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, ANY CERTIFICATIONS AND TRAINING THAT THEY HAVE RECEIVED WHILE IN PRISON.

THEY'LL HAVE A RESUME AND THEY'LL ALSO HAVE CONDUCTED A MOCK INTERVIEW.

>> I UNDERSTAND YOU AUTHORED THIS BILL WITH REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN HILL.

TELL ME HOW THAT CAME TO BE.

>> YES.

WELL, I ACTUALLY HAVE A BACKGROUND, SO BEFORE I RAN FOR OFFICE, I INTERACTED WITH PEOPLE WHO WOULD COME OUT OF PRISON AND THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SHOW WHO THEY WERE EXCEPT A PRISON I.D.

CARD.

AND SO WHEN I RAN IT WAS PART OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO WAS TO MAKE SURE THEY GOT AN I.D.

WITH THE EARLY COMMUTATIONS THAT HAPPENED, OUR FIRST LADY GOT VERY INVOLVED WITH THOSE, AND REALIZED THAT THERE WERE -- THERE WAS A NEED FOR A LOT OF THINGS TO HAPPEN.

AND SO SHE COORDINATED WITH REPRESENTATIVE HILL AND THEY CAME UP WITH THE PART THAT IS THE JOB TRAINING AND THE RESUME AND THE THINGS TO EQUIP THEM FOR THE WORKFORCE, AND SO WHEN COVID HIT WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO PUT THEM TOGETHER, BUT COVID CAME AND WE DIDN'T GET THAT DONE.

AND SO THIS YEAR WE WORKED VERY HARD AND GETTING IT TOGETHER SO THAT EVEN IF YOU CAN'T GET ALL THE IDENTIFICATION YOU NEED, THAT WE WILL ALLOW YOU TO HAVE A PHOTO I.D., BASED ON YOUR PRISON CARD, THAT IS CALLED BRC CARD AND THAT'S FOR IDENTIFICATION.

AND SO IT'S PUTTING THE TWO TOGETHER HAS MADE ONE REALLY GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

>> I WANT TO JUMP TO JUSTIN.

TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS MEASURE AND THE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE.

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ONE OF OUR MANTRAS IS TO BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

THAT SAID, WE HAVE A LOT OF REENTRY SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE TO OUR INMATES.

BUT THERE IS STILL BARRIERS AND OBSTACLES TO THEIR SUCCESS WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED.

ONE OF THOSE WAS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS AFTER THE RELEASE.

INMATES WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THINGS LIKE VEHICLES CAN HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME GOING AROUND THE CITY TO ACQUIRE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS.

WHAT THIS HAS DONE IS SUPPLEMENTED WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY BEEN DOING IN THAT IT ALLOWS US TO SEND FUNDING TO COOPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO LINE UP THOSE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS BEFORE AN INMATE IS EVEN RELEASED.

IT WILL HELP US STREAMLINE THAT PROCESS.

AND IT HELPED US CEMENT THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HELP IT BECOME MORE EFFECTIVE AT PROVIDING THOSE DOCUMENTS TO OUR INMATE POPULATION BEFORE THEY'RE RELEASED, WHICH LETS US DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS.

>> WHY IS THE MANUFACTURING ALLIANCE SOLVED IN THIS?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, WITH THE THOUSANDS OF MANUFACTURERS ACROSS THE STATE, ONE OF THEIR BIGGEST PROBLEMS IS FINDING EMPLOYEES AND KEEPING EMPLOYEES.

AND SO IT -- SEVERAL YEARS AGO, 2818, WE GOT INVOLVED AND HIRED A WORKFORCE PERSON OVER AT THE OMA, AND JUST SAID HOW DO WE LOOK AT ALL AVENUES FOR FINDING WORKERS, ATTACKING WORKERS, AND CERTAINLY ONE OF THE CATEGORIES IS THAT IS NEAR AND DEAR THE MY HEART BEING PART OF A LARGE GLOBAL COMPANY IS LOOKING AT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE JUST INVOLVED FOLKS WITH WORK.

I SPEND A GOOD AMOUNT OF 2018 DOING RESEARCH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO AND -- WHO WAS INVOLVED, HOW WERE THEY INVOLVED AND WHAT THE GAPS WERE, AND THEN BUILDING LONG LISTS OF MANUFACTURERS THAT WERE EITHER ALREADY INVOLVED, WITH SECOND CHANCE, OR WANTING TO JOIN THE EFFORT.

AND THEN JUST A LOT OF CROSS COMMUNICATION.

I GOT INVOLVED WITH THE COME MEW TASTE, WENT TO 14 OF THE PRISONS AND INTERVIEWED HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AND THEN YOU KNOW WE TRIED TO MARY THEM UP WITH OUR REP THAT COVERED THE WHOLE STATE, AND THEN NETWORKED THEM INTO MANUFACTURING JOBS.

SO YOU KNOW, RESTAURANT WORK IS GREAT.

SOME OF THE OTHER PART-TIME JOBS THEY CAN GET ARE GREAT BUT MANUFACTURING JOB IS A LIFE CHANGER IN REGARDS TO GIVING THEM A LONG TRAJECTORY AND A GOOD PATH FORWARD.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> THE COMMUTATION THAT WAS BROUGHT UP THEY HELP SHINE A LIGHT ON THE QUESTION HOW DO WE ENSURE SUCCESS IN THE INMATE POPULATION THAT IS BEING RELEASED.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE CATALYSTS FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTION, HOW DO WE SET UP INMATES FOR SUCCESS WHEN WE KNOW THEY'RE GOING TO BE RELEASED.

I THINK THE COMMUTATIONS IDENTIFIED THAT MOMENT IN TIME WHERE WE ASKED THAT QUESTION AND WE COULD SEE THE BEST WAY WE COULD ANSWER THAT QUESTION WHEN WE COULD SEE FOR A LARGE GROUP OF INMATES THE CHALLENGES AND ADDRESS THOSE ON THE FRONT END AND WE SAW THEM COMING BEFORE THEY ARRIVED SO WE COULD DO EVERYTHING WE NEEDED TO TO ENSURE THAT SUCCESS.

>> WE HAVE SAMANTHA HERE TO GIVE US A FIRSTHAND ACCOUNT OF WHAT IT'S LIKE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I WANT TO ASK YOU FIRST OF ALL CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR STORY AND ABOUT RESIDENTS?

>> SO I WAS RELEASED IN OCTOBER OF 2017.

I WENT THROUGH RESIDENCES TAKE TWO PROGRAM.

IT'S A SIX-MONTH RECOVERY PROGRAM.

THEY ALSO EMPLOYED US DOWNSTAIRS AT THE CAFE.

I WORKED THIS FOR SIX MONTHS.

I STARTED GOING TO COLLEGE FOR HUMAN SERVICES.

I WENT DIRECTLY INTO THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION, AND THEY CALLED ME ONE DAY, AND THEY HAD A REENTRY CASE MANAGER POSITION OPEN FOR RESIDENTS, AND I'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER A YEAR.

AND SO YOU KNOW ON THE FRONT END SARAH STITT IDENTIFICATION, WE WORK WITH WOMEN WHO ARE IN PRISON THROUGH THE PROGRAM, SO WE ALWAYS -- WE ALSO WORK WITH THE WOMAN WHO ARE DIRECTLY RELEASED FROM PRISON.

SO HAVING THEIR IDENTIFICATION AND THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE THAT IS THEIR FIRST STEP.

AND WE CAN SECURE EMPLOYMENT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY HAVE YOU HEARD STORIES FROM OTHERS WHO -- I READ SOMEWHERE THAT SOMETIMES THE ONLY I.D.

NEWLY LEASED OFFENDER HAS IS THEIR PRISON I.D., IS THAT TRUE?

>> YES, AND IT'S REALLY HARD, BECAUSE ONCE WE'RE RELEASED LIKE I TOOK MY PRISON I.D., I TOOK MY CRC CARD AND THIS IS ALL I HAVE.

WE CAN'T GIVE YOU AN I.D.

WE CAN'T GIVE YOU A STATE I.D.

WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR YOU.

I'M LIKE THIS IS ALL I HAVE.

LIKE I HAVE TO HAVE IDENTIFICATION TO WORK.

I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PUT IN APPLICATIONS AND I CAN'T BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A SOCIAL.

I DON'T HAVE MY I.D.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE FIRST STEP TO TAKE, YOU KNOW.

SO IT'S EXTREMELY HELPFUL THAT THESE WOMEN HAVE THESE ITEMS BECAUSE THEY'RE ABLE TO SECURE, YOU KNOW, EMPLOYMENT.

THEY WERE ABLE TO SECURE OTHER THINGS ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH THOSE.

>> WHY DON'T THEY HAVE A SOCIAL?

HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE A SOCIAL?

THEY HAVE THEM WHEN THEY GO INTO THE SYSTEM.

WHAT'S THAT ABOUT?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CHALLENGES THAT THE INMATE POPULATION FACE, AND ONE OF THOSE IS WHEN THEY'RE BROUGHT INTO THE PRISON SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, HOUSING THAT THEY MAY HAD MAY HAVE GONE AWAY.

FAMILY MEMBERS THAT THEY HAD THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN OBSERVING THOSE DOCUMENTS FOR THEM MAY HAVE HAD CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.

PEOPLE MOVE, AND SO OFTENTIMES INMATES PLANS CHANGE DRAMATICALLY FROM WHEN THEY ENTER PRISON TO WHEN THEY LEAVE AND KEEPING TRACK OF THINGS LIKE VITAL DOCUMENTS CAN BE CHALLENGING.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS IS THE INMATE CASE PLAN, BECAUSE ALL INMATES HAVE SOME DEGREE OF NEEDS WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO BE RELEASED.

I THINK THE STATUS IS 98% OF OUR INMATES ARE GOING TO BE RELEASED AT SOME POINT IN TIME.

THEY'LL HAVE WHETHER IT BE JOB SKILLS THAT THEY NEED, OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TRAINING, OR JUST SIMPLE MENTORING AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES WE TRY AND ADDRESS THOSE THROUGH THE CASE PLAN.

PART OF THAT CASE PLAN IS TO TRY AND ACQUIRE THE VITAL DOCUMENTS THOSE INMATES MAY BE MISSING.

LIKE YOU OR I SOMETIMES HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CHALLENGE OF GOING THROUGH THE DMV PROCESS OR GOING TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE TO GET OUR VITAL DOCUMENTS THOSE SAME CHALLENGE KNOWLEDGES EXIST FOR INMATES WHEN THEY'RE RELEASED.

WITH THE ADDITIONAL CHALLENGE OF NOT HAVING CONVENIENT MODE OF ADVANCE TAGS AND RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION.

AND THEY HAVE TO DO ALL THOSE THINGS QUICKLY AND TRYING TO DO THAT WHILE OBTAINING A JOB IS JUST ONE OF THOSE OBJECT STAYEL WITHS OR BARRIERS WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS.

>> WELL IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO GO THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND GET THOSE DOCUMENTS, EVEN WHEN YOU HAVEN'T LOST TRACK OF YOUR VITAL RECORDS.

SO WITHOUT EXTRA CHALLENGES THAT CAN BE A FIRST STEP THAT IS ALREADY -- I'M NOT GOING TO TRY ANYMORE, BECAUSE JUSTIN MENTIONED TRANSPORTATION, SAMANTHA, AND IS THAT A FIRST STEP THAT CAN IMMEDIATELY JUST REALLY DISCOURAGE SOMEONE?

>> YEAH, FOR SURE.

YOU KNOW, YOU'VE BEEN IN PRISON.

YOU GET OUT.

YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR IDENTIFICATION.

NOW MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT EVEN FAMILIAR WITH, SO NOW YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE BUS SYSTEM.

AND IT'S REALLY DISHEARTENING BECAUSE ALL THE NEW THINGS ARE THROWN AT YOU.

YOU DON'T YOUR BASIC NEEDS OF YOUR IDENTIFICATION, AND IT MAKES IT HARD TO RE-ENTER SOCIETY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS THAT ARE NECESSARY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE STARK WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION TO THIS MEASURE THAT YOU'VE INTRODUCED?

I KNOW IT WAS INTRODUCED BEFORE.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE REACTION AMONG YOUR COLLEAGUES FOR THIS MEASURE?

>> WE HAVE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THIS MEASURE.

IT'S BIPARTISAN.

IT'S BY CAM RECALL.

EVERYBODY SEES THE NEED AND REALIZES MAN, WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO.

AND SO I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE A PART OF THAT PROCESS, AND APPRECIATE DOC AND DPS WORKING WITH US TO GET THIS TO HAPPEN, AND I TOTALLY AGREE WITH JUSTIN THAT THE COMMUTATION JUST SHOWN A SPOTLIGHT ON WHAT MANY OF US HAVE SEEN, BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO TELL THE POPULATION AND GET THE PUBLIC INVOLVED AND GET THE WHOLE LEGISLATURE INVOLVED.

BUT WHEN THAT WAS SUCH A BIG DEAL, THEN EVERYBODY WAS ABLE TO SEE IT AND I THINK IT ACTUALLY MADE IT EVEN MORE REAL FOR EVEN DOC TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO WHO GOT AN I.D., WHO HAD TALL PAPERWORK TO GET AN I.D.

AND THOSE WHO DIDN'T.

AND I KNOW I WORKED WITH THE PERSON IN OUR SILVER LYNNING PROGRAM FOR ALMOST A YEAR TO GET THAT PAPERWORK AND I WAS WORKING WITH HIM SO DILIGENTLY.

IT WAS JUST HARD.

IT JUST KEPT HITTING WALL AFTER WALL AFTER WALL.

THE OTHER POPULATION THAT I THINK ABOUT IS THOSE WHO COME THROUGH FOSTER CARE, AND YOU KNOW WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF FOSTER CARE THAT BETWEEN 18 AND 26 END UP INCARCERATED.

IF THEY'VE GONE THROUGH FOSTER CARE DEPENDING ON HOW THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THEY MIGHT NOT EVER HAVE SEEN A BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

SO THAT IS A WHOLE ANOTHER LAYER TO IT.

THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON FOR THAT POPULATION RIGHT NOW, TOO, THAT THIS WILL HELP THAT, AS WELL.

AND IT'S ACTUALLY EVEN LOOKING TO GET TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE HAVE THESE PAPERS BEFORE THEY AGE OUT, WHICH IS -- SO IT'S JUST KIND OF SPURRED A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS.

I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.

REALLY QUICKLY, HAS THERE BEEN ANY APPREHENSION ON LOCAL EMPLOYERS, MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS, IN HIRING OR EMPLOYING THOSE WHO ARE JUST OUT OF PRISON?

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S DEFINITELY EDUCATION PROCESS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF EVEN UNDERSTANDING WHAT A SIMPLE FELONY CAN BE, AND SO A LOT -- THERE ARE GOOD HANDFUL ALONG LIST OF EMPLOYERS ON THE FRONT END OF THIS AND VERY EXCITED AND EDUCATED ABOUT IT.

AND THEN THERE ARE SOME THAT WE AS PART OF LMA IS A SKILL THAT WE HELP PROVIDE THEM BUT THERE IS A GREAT TOOL KILL OUT THERE CALLED GETTING TALENT BACK TO WORK THAT HAS BEEN EXCELLENT.

WE HAVE BEEN GIVING THAT TO EMPLOYERS THAT HELPS THEM UNDERSTAND THE TAX CREDITS THEY CAN GET FROM HIRING THESE FOLKS, HOW TO GET YOUR CULTURE READY FOR IT.

AND SO THERE'S CERTAINLY A SMALLER PERCENTAGE THAT WE'RE DOING MORE EDUCATION WITH, TRYING TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THE BENEFITS OF HIRING GOOD PEOPLE, THAT JUST NEED A SECOND CHANCE.

>> DO YOU KNOW IF ANYONE HAS COME TO TRY TO GET HIRED THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE PROPER IDENTIFICATION?

DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> THAT DOES HAPPEN.

THAT DOES HAPPEN.

GENERALLY THE EMPLOYERS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE FRONT OF THIS KNOW HOW TO HELP THEM GET IT, OR DIRECT THEM TO FOLKS THAT THOSE OF US WHO DO HELP DO THAT -- I WAS VERY, VERY INVOLVED WITH THE FOLKS THAT WERE COMMUTED IN MAKING SURE WE GOT ALL OF THEM THAT WE COULD IN A BUS TO A UPS FACILITY.

EVEN IF THERE WAS A GAP FOR FUNDING WE FOUND FOLKS TO PEP HP PAY FOR THAT.

HOW CAN WE GET -- AND JUSTIN I HAVE TO -- WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AFTERWARDS TRYING TO REDIRECT HOW CAN WE REDIRECT INTERNAL POLICY AT DOC TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO THIS GOING FORWARD.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN A GOOD NUMBER OF INSTANCES SINCE THEN.

I KNOW PRECOVID WHEN WE WOULD TAKE INMATES TO GET THEM THEIR I.D.

SO THERE IS GOOD PROGRESS BEING MADE.

>> SEEMS LIKE A SMALL THING TO MOST OF US.

HOW BIG OF A DEAL IS THIS?

HOW MUCH IS THIS GOING TO HELP?

ESPECIALLY IF YOU AT RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME GETTING I.D., HOW MUCH QUICKER CAN WE -- REENTRY BEGIN?

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES THIS MAKES?

>> IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE, ESPECIALLY NOW WITH COVID.

EVERYTHING IS BY APPOINTMENT.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE I CAN JUST TAKE THEM DOWN THERE AND TRY FE IT OUT WITH THEM.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

IT'S MONTHS OUT.

IT'S EXTREMELY HELPFUL FOR US, AND THE REENTRY, AND THE REUNIFICATION WITH EVERYONE.

IT MAKES IT SO MUCH EASIER.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT YOU ASKED ME WHAT THE SUPPORT HAS BEEN.

THE NONPROFITS WHO WORK WITH OUR INMATES ARE THRILLED, BECAUSE THIS -- THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO SPEND SO MUCH TIME GETTING THE I.D.

THEY CAN ACTUALLY WORK ON WHAT JOBS DO YOU QUALIFY FOR, WHAT EDUCATION DO WE NEED, WHAT OTHER THINGS ARE OUT THERE, WHAT CLIENTS DO YOU HAVE.

AND A LOT OF THEIR ENERGY WILL NOT HAVE TO JUST GO TO GETTING THAT I.D.

>> WE BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND, AND EACH INMATE AS CASE BRAIN IS DEVELOPED AS SOON AS THEY ENTER THE PRISON SYSTEM AND THAT PROCESS INVOLVES IDENTIFYING DOCUMENTS THAT MIGHT BE MISSING, THINGS LIKE IDENTIFICATIONS OR BIRTH CERTIFICATES.

BUT AS ANYONE WHO HAS GONE TO AN AGENCY SOMETIMES ACQUIRING THE DOCUMENTS CAN TAKE TIME.

>> DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO ADD?

>> WE DID MENTION OUR CAREER TECH PARTNERS, MANY OF THE PRISONS HAVE A CAREER TECH PARTNER IN THE PRISON.

I SEE A LOT OF FOLKS AND NETWORK WITH A LOT OF THOSE COACHES, CAREER COACHES.

THEY SEND US FOLKS.

EVERYONE COMES WITH A RESUME.

THERE IS SOME GOOD WORK BEING DONE FOR SMALL POPULATION OF THE FOLKS THAT GET CAREER TECH OR COME OUT OF THE PRISON HAVING WORKED FOR OCI, OKLAHOMA CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRY.

THOSE FOLKS ON COME OUT WAY PORTFOLIO OF THEIR WORK AND RESUME.

SO YOU KNOW WE HAVE SOME GOOD EXAMPLES THAT WE CAN USE AS WE DEVELOP THIS.

AND FIGURE OUT YOU KNOW HOW TO IMPLEMENT.

>> I'M GOING TO LET REPRESENTATIVE STARK WRAP THIS UP.

WHERE DOES THIS BILL GO FROM HERE?

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE -- WE JUST CAME OUT OF THE SENATE COMMITTEE, AND WE NEED TO GO FROM HERE TO THE SENATE FLOOR, AND THEN TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> I KNOW WE COULD TALK MORE ABOUT THIS.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US AND FOR ALL OF YOUR GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> BETWEEN 1830 AND 1850, ABOUT 100,000 NATIVE AMERICANS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMES AND RELOCATE.

IN WHAT CAME TO BE KNOWN AS THE TRAIL OF TEARS, OVER 5,000 MILES LONG AND PASSING THROUGH NINE STATES, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA.

THE PONCA TRIBE WAS REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA AND BROUGHT TO HERE.

IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW," WE'LL RETURN TO NEBRASKA TO LEARN HOW A TRAGEDY ON THE TRAIL HAS BEEN MEMORIALIZED AND CARE FOR EVER SINCE.

HERE'S PRODUCER CHRISTINE LESIAK, WITH OUR P.B.S.

PARTNERS IN LINCOLN, NEBRASKA.

>> SPANS THE MISSOURI RIVER, NEAR THE TOWN OF NIABRARA IN NORTHEAST NEBRASKA.

>> YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU CAME FROM, WHO YOUR PEOPLE WERE.

>> AS MEMBERS OF THE PONCA TRIBE, JANET AND HER GRANDSON GABRIEL FEEL POWER ANY TIED TO THE LANDSCAPE.

>> THIS IS OUR HOME.

THIS IS OUR ANCESTORIAL HOME.

THIS IS WHERE MY MOTHER'S AND MR FATHER AND HER MOTHER'S SIDE CALLED HOME.

AND TO ME WHENEVER I COME BACK HERE, I GET THAT FEELING OF HOME, THAT THIS IS WHERE I WANT TO BE.

AND I'VE TOLD MY CHILDREN THIS IS WHERE I WANT TO REST.

>> JANET'S WISH ECHOS THE TRADITIONAL NATIVE BELIEF, THAT THE SPIRITS OF THOSE WHO ONCE LIVED IN THIS PLACE ARE SOMEHOW STILL HERE.

TO ABANDON ONE'S HOME HAND IS TO LEAVE BEHIND THE HEART, THE HISTORY, THE VERY SOUL OF THE PEOPLE.

>> IT WOULD TO BE TERRIBLE.

>> JUST TO BE SENT AWAY WITH YOUR HOME.

>> AND YOUR HOME.

>> SO FORCEFULLY.

>> RIGHT.

AND NOT EVEN TAKE YOUR THINGS WITH YOU THAT YOU MAY HAVE MADE FOR YOUR HOME.

YOU COULDN'T -- THEY DIDN'T GET TO TAKE ANYTHING.

>> THEY JUST NAILED UP WITH ALL THEIR STUFF IN IT.

>> ESPECIALLY WANTING TO TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN.

>> A LOT OF THE CHILDREN DIED.

>> RIGHT.

>> ON THE TRIP.

>> MAY OF 1887 WAS THE SPRING FROM HELL.

>> IT WAS THE SPRING THAT HUNDREDS OF PONCA PEOPLE, MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN, WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THEIR NEBRASKA HOMELAND AND SENT ON A NIGHTMARE JOURNEY INTO INDIAN TERRITORY.

>> REAGAN IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF MAY 19th TO THE BEGIN TO MOVING THE ENTIRE VILLAGE, MORE OR LESS ON FOOT, FROM THE SOUTH DAKOTA BORDER TO OKLAHOMA.

JUST FOUR DAYS INTO THE 55-DAY JOURNEY, OUR BABY GIRL BECAME SICK DURING THE NIGHT AND SHE DIED ON THE AFTERNOON OF MAY 23rd.

HER NAME WAS WHITE BUFFALO.

THE AGENT WENT AND FOUND A TOWN CARPENTER AND ASKED IF HE COULD MAKE A WOODEN CROSS FOR WHITE BUFFALO GIRL.

AND THE CARPENTER MADE A VERY NICE OAK CROSS, AND THE NEXT MORNING MAY 24th, THEY HAD A GRAVESIDE CEREMONY ON THE TOP OF A KNOLL THAT OVERLOOKED THE ELKHORN RIVER AND THE ELKHORN RIVER VALLEY.

AND THE FATHER OF THAT BABY, WHO LOST HIS HOME, HAS NOW LOST HIS BABY GIRL.

AND YET THE BAYANETS OF THE CALVARY WERE AT HIS BACK.

HE CAN'T STAY HERE.

HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE TIME TO GRIEVE SO HE DOES THE ONLY THING HE CAN THINK OF.

HE ASKS THE TOWNS PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY HE BEGS THEM TO TAKE CARE OF THAT BABY GIRL, TO TREAT WHITE BUFFALO GIRL, HIS DAUGHTER, AS THOUGH SHE WERE ONE OF THEIRS.

SO IT WAS NOT A BIG LEAP IN FAITH FOR THE TOWNS PEOPLE OF NEELY TO SAY YOU'VE BEEN OUR FRIENDS FOR MANY YEARS.

WE UNDERSTAND YOU'RE LOSING YOUR HOME AND NOW YOU LOST YOUR DAUGHTER.

DON'T WORRY.

WE WILL TAKE CARE OF WHITE BUFFALO GIRL JUST AS THOUSAND SHE WERE BORN TO ONE OF THE WHITE SETTLERS IN NEELY.

AND FOR 131 YEARS, THE WHITE SETTLERS OF NEELY HAVE HONORED THAT PLEDGE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE FIRST OF SEVERAL ART INSTALLATIONS WERE UNVEILED AT THE HISTORIC AME CHURCH IN TULSA ON WEDNESDAY.

A TRILOGY IN REFLECTION INCLUDES THREE METAL SCULPTURES DEPICTING THE RESILIENCE OF BLACK WALL STREET.

THANKS TO A $1 MILLION GIFT FROM THE BLOOMBERG FOUNDATION NATIONAL PUBLIC ART CHALLENGE.

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

GOVERNOR STITT HAS HIRED MORE WOMEN TO BE CABINET SECRETARIES THAN ANY PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, INCLUDING FORMER GOVERNOR MARY FALLIN.

A WHO'S WHO OF WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH A LOOK AT THE EARLY SPRING FOLIAGE.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY ERIC WALDMAN AND JONATHON THOMSON.

I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY.

STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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