>> PROOF THAT HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IS CHANGING LIVES IN RURAL AND UNDER-SERVED AREAS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> MANY OF OUR LARGE FARMERS, RANCHERS, THEY TRADE IN COMMODITIES IN REAL TIME.

WITHOUT THE HIGH SPEED INTERNET, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT.

>> A PRELIMINARY LEGAL HEARING CONTINUES FOR THE FOUNDERS OF EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THERE ARE ABOUT A DOZEN CHARGES, YOU KNOW, MOSTLY EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES, ALSO SOME FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

>> A TRAINING PROGRAM PRODUCING CERTIFIED PARAMEDICS IN ABOUT HALF THE TIME.

>> IT'S HUGE.

IT'S A GAME CHANGER TO BE ABLE TO PUT PARAMEDICS IN THE FIELD QUICKER.

>> A MOBILE STEM LIBRARY IS PROVIDING BOOKS AND TUTORING FOR CHILDREN IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> IT WAS DEFINITELY A NEED, ESPECIALLY IN THE LOWER INCOME AREAS.

THEY DON'T HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY, TO BOOKS.

>> HONORING OKLAHOMA'S 36 MEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS.

>> I'M HONORED, HUMBLED AND, YOU KNOW, PROUD TO SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE FOR FUTURE PEOPLE FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> PLUS, AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE SUCCESS OF NEW LAWS GOVERNING THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SENDING WELL OVER A BILLION DOLLARS TO OKLAHOMA TO INCREASE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS TO RURAL AND UNDER-SERVED AREAS.

IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO DRAMATICALLY TRANSFORM AND IMPROVE THE LIVES AND HEALTH OF THOUSANDS OF OUR CITIZENS.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW WITH IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE ALREADY BEGINNING TO DO JUST THAT.

JASON?

>> RICH, THE FIRST ROUND OF BROADBAND GRANT MONEY HAS BEEN AWARDED AND THE PROJECTS ARE PREPARING TO BEGIN.

I TALKED WITH A WALTERS, OKLAHOMA, FARMER AND RANCHER WHO HOPES THAT PRECIOUS HIGH SPEED FIBER MAKES IT TO HIS PLACE.

>> JIMMY KINDER SHARED WITH ME -- >> CATTLE AND WHEAT, SOME OTHER CROPS LIKE COTTON, GRAIN SORGHUM.

>> A LOT OF TIMES YOU WON'T FIND THIS FARMER OUTSTANDING IN HIS FIELD.

YOU'LL FIND HIM IN FRONT OF THE COMPUTER.

I'LL SPEND ALMOST PROBABLY 20 HOURS A WEEK IN FRONT OF THIS DOING PROCUREMENT FOR CHEMICALS, FERTILIZERS, INPUTS, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> HOWEVER, KINDER DOESN'T HAVE BROADBAND INTERNET.

>> SO WE HAVE PRETTY GOOD INTERNET HERE, NOT BROADBAND, THOUGH.

>> THAT MEANS IF HE'S GOT A ZOOM MEETING OR IS VIEWING A VIDEO, HE'S GOT TO RATION THE INTERNET.

>> I HAVE TO TELL MY WIFE, STAY OFF THE INTERNET.

YOU CAN'T BE ON THE INTERNET, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH BROADBAND FOR YOU TO E-MAIL ANYONE AND MUCH LESS FOR US TO TRY TO BE VIDEO -- WATCHING A VIDEO ON THIS MEETING THAT WE'RE TRYING TO WATCH AND TO HAVE INPUT WITH.

>> WHEN YOU'RE FARMING AND RANCHING ON THE SOUTHERN PLAINS OF OKLAHOMA, YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT TO GET THE JOB DONE, AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, BROADBAND ALL THE WAY OUT HERE COULD HELP FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> MANY OF OUR LARGE FARMERS, RANCHERS, THEY TRADE IN COMMODITIES IN REAL TIME.

WITHOUT THE HIGH SPEED INTERNET, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO THAT.

>> OF COURSE, WITH WHEAT, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE MARKETS AND HOW THE MARKETS MOVE DAILY BY THE MICRO SECOND NOW, NOT BY -- 10 MINUTE OLD DATA IS OLD DATA.

>> JIMMY KINDER HOPES HIS INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER WILL LAND ONE OF THOSE GRANTS ADMINISTERED RIGHT HERE.

>> THE OKLAHOMA BROADBAND GOVERNING BOARD IN LATE JANUARY APPROVED 142 PROJECTS, TOTALING $370 MILLION AND SOME CHANGE.

>> YOU CAN SEE ON THIS MAP CONTRACTORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE WON AN AWARD FROM THAT INITIAL POT OF MONEY.

>> WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT THAT PROCESS WAS WE THOUGHT -- ALTHOUGH THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY, WE THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE 20 TO 25 PROJECTS BEING SELECTED BECAUSE LAYING FIBER AND HIGH SPEED INTERNET IS PRETTY EXPENSIVE.

COME TO FIND OUT, THROUGH THAT ENTIRE PROCESS, 1 42 PROJECTS, COVERING 57 OUT OF 77 COUNTIES.

>> SANDERS SAYS THE OKLAHOMA BROADBAND OFFICE IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST OF THREE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE ADMINISTERING THESE FEDERAL GRANTS.

THE ARPA, STATE AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY WAS WHAT WE DID IN JANUARY.

WE HAVE THE OTHER HALF OF OUR ARPA, WHICH IS CALLED OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND.

THAT'S TOTALING ABOUT $159 MILLION.

>> THAT WILL SEEM LIKE PRACTICE COMPARED TO WHAT GRANTS ARE IN STORE FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> AND NEXT YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE IMPLEMENTING ANOTHER PROGRAM TOTALING $797.4 MILLION, SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS TO GET OUT TO THOSE AREAS THAT ARE UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> NEARLY 20% OF OKLAHOMANS EITHER DO NOT HAVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET IN BROADBAND IN THEIR AREA.

>> WE ESTIMATE THERE'S ABOUT 700,000 OKLAHOMANS THAT DO NOT HAVE GOOD QUALITY HIGH SPEED OR ABSOLUTELY NO HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

>> ONE OF THE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS RECEIVING ONE OF THE FIRST GRANTS FROM THE BROADBAND OFFICE IS 360 BROADBAND IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

>> WE HAVE 250 BROADBAND TOWERS, ABOUT 150 MILES OF FIBER TODAY, SERVING CLOSE TO 16,000 SUBSCRIBERS.

>> DREW IS THE COO OF THE COMPANY.

>> WE WERE JUST AWARDED JUST NORTH OF $10 MILLION TO BRING FIBER IN ATOKA AND -- COUNTY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO CONNECT A LITTLE OVER 700 WITH THIS SPECIFIC GRANT, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE PASSING A LOT MORE HOUSES THAT ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET UPGRADED FOR SERVICES AND BRING ONE GIG SYMMETRICAL FIBER SPEEDS.

>> ANOTHER GRANT AWARD WINNER IS CHISM BROADBAND IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA.

>> WE WERE AWARDED 10 AWARDS IN 10 DIFFERENT COUNTIES, AND 6 OF THOSE ARE COUNTIES THAT WE CURRENTLY DO NOT HAVE COVERAGE IN, SO THAT WILL EXPAND OUR COVERAGE TO 25 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THAT WILL HELP CONNECT 3,000 CUSTOMERS TO BROADBAND SERVICES.

>> AND OUT OF THOSE 3,000, ABOUT 82 OR 83% ARE TOTALLY UNSERVED CURRENTLY.

SO WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONNECT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD NO OPTIONS.

>> MICHELLE WITH CHISM SAYS HER TEAM IS READY TO GET THE PROJECT UNDERWAY.

>> SO THE TIMELINE IS ACTUALLY PRETTY STRINGENT.

WE HAVE TO HAVE PROJECTS COMPLETED BY THE END OF 2026, WHICH IS A HUGE FEAT FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONIES THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

>> ONCE THE NEW BROADBAND SERVICES ARE EXTENDED TO RURAL OKLAHOMA, A LOT OF RURAL LIFE WILL BE IMPROVED IN AREAS LIKE HEALTHCARE, ACCORDING TO OKLAHOMA BROADBAND GOVERNING COUNCIL CHAIR.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO GET DOCTORS OUT INTO OUR RURAL AREAS.

BY USING THE HEALTHCARE, THE TELEHEALTH, THAT OPENS THE DOOR.

>> IT WILL HELP WITH ATTRACTING BUSINESSES TO OKLAHOMA AS WELL.

>> NEW INDUSTRIES ARE SOMETIMES RELUCTANT TO MOVE TO RURAL OKLAHOMA BECAUSE THERE IS NOT BROADBAND THERE.

THEY RELY IT FOR THEIR MARKETING, SALES, TRAINING.

>> OF COURSE, GETTING BROADBAND TO OPERATIONS LIKE KINDER FARMS IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO OKLAHOMA'S RURAL ECONOMY AND BEING COMPETITIVE ON THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE TO PLACES LIKE WALTERS, OKLAHOMA.

>> WE'RE PROBABLY AT THE END OF THE LINE FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I WILL ADD THAT THERE IS A LOT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT HAPPENS OUT ON FARMS.

WE'RE A 7 BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY THAT WE PRODUCE THAT MUCH EVERY YEAR THAT COMES OFF THE FARM.

OF COURSE, THERE'S AN ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER THAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT.

>> JIMMY KINDER SHARED WITH ME THAT BROADBAND CAN EVEN HELP WITH THE CROPS.

SELF-DRIVING DRONE TRACTORS ARE COMING!

THEY CAN REPORT BACK PROGRESS AND ANY EQUIPMENT PROBLEMS FROM THE FIELD, WHICH SAVES TIME AND RESOURCES.

RICH.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

>> 36 OKLAHOMANS HAVE RECEIVED THE MEDAL OF HONOR, AND ON MONDAY, A SPECIAL PLAQUE WAS UNVEILED AT THE STATE CAPITOL TO RECOGNIZE THEIR BRAVERY, SACRIFICE AND INTEGRITY.

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT AND U.S.

REPRESENTATIVES TOM COLE AND STEPHANIE BICE WERE ON HAND ALONG WITH TWO OF THE THREE LIVING RECIPIENTS FOR THE CEREMONY, STAFF SERGEANT EARL PLUMLEE AND SPECIALIST 5 DWIGHT BIRDWELL.

THE MEDAL OF HONOR IS THE HIGHEST AWARD BESTOWED FOR MILITARY VALOR IN ACTION.

>> I'M HONORED, HUMBLED AND, YOU KNOW, PROUD TO SERVE AS AN EXAMPLE FOR FUTURE PEOPLE FROM OKLAHOMA.

YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE OF THE FIRST NARRATIVES I EVER READ WAS, YOU KNOW, BIG CHIEF EVANS, THE CAPTAIN OF THE JOHNSON.

SO THAT WAS A STORY THAT INSPIRED ME TO SERVE, AND I'M HONORED TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE ON THE PLAQUE.

>> IT'S A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE, BUT I CONSIDER IT MORE OF AN ACTIVE APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WHO SERVED BEFORE ME, WITH ME AND WHO ARE SERVING NOW.

IT'S RECOGNITION FOR THEM.

>> AS WE REFLECT ON THEIR STORIES OF HEROISM, I PRAY THAT THIS PLAQUE STANDS AS A TESTAMENT, AS A LASTING TRIBUTE TO THEIR PATRIOTISM AND THEIR SACRIFICE.

YOU ANSWERED YOUR NATION'S CALL TO SERVE, AND WE'RE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR HOW YOU FOUGHT TO DEFEND FREEDOM AND PROTECT DEMOCRACY.

>> THE THIRD LIVING RECIPIENT, STAFF SERGEANT MELVIN MORRIS FROM OKMULGEE, WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND MONDAY'S CEREMONY.

>> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CARRIED OUT ITS FIRST EXECUTION OF THE YEAR ON THURSDAY.

MICHAEL DWAYNE SMITH WAS ADMINISTERED A LETHAL INJECTION AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY IN MCALESTER AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF MURDERING TWO PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN 2002.

>> DURING LAST YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LAWMAKERS ENACTED SEVERAL BILLS TO INCREASE THE REGULATION AND SCRUTINY OF OKLAHOMA'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY, WHICH CRITICS SAYS WERE MUCH TOO LAX.

ALMOST 12 MONTHS LATER, ARE THE NEW LAWS HAVING AN IMPACT?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

HERE'S A PREVIEW: >> THE MAJORITY OF THE INDUSTRY WELCOMES REGULATION.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A REGULATED INDUSTRY, SO THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IN ORDER TO BE LEGAL AND TO DO BUSINESS LEGALLY, REGULATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

WE'VE SEEN A POSITIVE IMPACT AS FAR AS COMPLIANCE, AND WE'VE GOTTEN MORE COMPLIANCE INSPECTORS OUT IN THE FIELD ACROSS THE STATE TO HELP ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE REGULATIONS.

SO OVERALL, I WOULD SAY NET POSITIVE FROM A REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE.

>> OUR LAWS ARE PRETTY LIBERAL, IT'S EASY TO OPERATE WITHIN THOSE LAWS UNLESS YOU ARE A BAD ACTOR, OR A BAD ACTOR IS GOING TO BE A BAD ACTOR NO MATTER WHAT OUR LAWS ARE.

IT JUST KEEPS AN HONEST PERSON HONEST, TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BAD ACTORS COME IN, AND THEY EXPLOIT OUR LAWS TO STILL OPERATE WITHIN AN ILLEGAL MARKET.

AND THAT'S WHAT'S WENT ON IN OKLAHOMA FOR SOME TIME NOW.

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

>> THIS WEEK DOZENS OF CANDIDATES FILED TO RUN IN LEGISLATIVE, CONGRESSIONAL, AND OTHER POLITICAL RACES FOR THE 2024 OKLAHOMA ELECTION CYCLE.

ALL 101 OKLAHOMA HOUSE SEATS AND HALF OF THE 48 SENATE SEATS ARE EXPECTED TO BE ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR.

AND ALL FIVE OF OKLAHOMA'S CONGRESSIONAL SEATS ARE ALSO UP FOR ELECTION, AS THEY ARE EVERY TWO YEARS.

>> IMAGINE BEING ABLE TO BECOME A CERTIFIED PARAMEDIC IN ABOUT HALF THE TIME IT USED TO TAKE.

THAT WOULD GO A LONG TO SOLVING THE SHORTAGE OF PARAMEDICS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN OKLAHOMA.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH A NEW PROGRAM THAT'S MAKING THAT HAPPEN.

STEVE?

>> RICH, THE PANDEMIC ROCKED OUR HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY.

DROVES OF NURSES QUIT.

AND THIS STATE ALREADY GRAPPLING WITH A SHORTAGE OF PARAMEDICS HAS STRUGGLED MIGHTILY TO CATCH UP EVER SINCE.

THIS SOLUTION MANY SAY IS UNIQUE.

>> SEB ROBBINS IS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN OR EMT AT THE GUTHRIE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN LOGAN COUNTY.

>> BE EN ROUTE TO LOCATION FOR TRAUMA CALL.

>> HE'S ALSO ABOUT 17 WEEKS IN TO TRAINING TO BE A PARAMEDIC THROUGH AN ONLINE EMERGENCY AND FIRST RESPONDER TRAINING ORGANIZATION CALLED THE SCHOOL OF EMS.

THE SCHOOL OF EMS HAS PARTNERED WITH THE OKLAHOMA KNOB PROFIT, HEARTLAND EDUCATION, TO OFFER A 45-WEEK LONG PARAMEDIC TRAINING PROGRAM.

MOST OF THE INSTRUCTION, AGAIN, IS DONE ONLINE.

STUDENTS SPEND JUST 3 OF THE 45 WEEKS AT THE GUTHRIE FIRE DEPARTMENT GETTING HANDS ON TRAINING AND INSTRUCTION.

>> THIS MAKES IT SO MUCH BETTER.

WITH WORKING HERE AT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR HOURS ARE STRENUOUS.

THEY INVOLVE US TO WORK MULTIPLE 24 HOURS, MULTIPLE CALL BACKS OVER TIME, ET CETERA, SO HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO TAKE MY OWN TIME AND PICK WHAT I NEED TO DO, WHICH COURSES FOR WHICH DAY, AND OUR WEEK SEGMENT THAT WE DO HAVE, JUST TO BE ABLE TO ALLOCATE MY OWN TIME WHILE I'M OFF OF WORK OR WHILE I'M AT WORK.

IT MAKES IT SUPER BENEFICIAL.

>> RIGHT NOW IN A TRADITIONAL SETTING, IT TAKES 18 TO 24 MONTHS TO BE CERTIFIED AS A PARAMEDIC IN THE SOONER STATE.

THIS ALLOWS SOMEONE TO GET CERTIFIED IN JUST UNDER A YEAR.

>> THAT'S HUGE.

>> IT'S HUGE.

IT'S A GAME-CHANGER TO BE ABLE TO PUT PARAMEDICS IN THE FIELD QUICKER.

>> DR. BILL WARDEN IS MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF HEARTLAND EDUCATION.

THEY PROVIDE PREHOSPITAL DIRECTION TO POLICE, FIRE, EMS AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS ACROSS 47 COUNTIES.

HEARTLAND EDUCATION LAST YEAR RECEIVED A 200,000-DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE FEDERAL SUBSTANCE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

IT'S BASICALLY A RURAL EMS TRAINING GRANT.

THAT MONEY ALLOWED THE SCHOOL OF EMS TO START THEIR ONLINE PARAMEDIC TRAINING PROGRAM 5 MONTHS AGO.

>> THIS ONE WILL PROBABLY BE THE EASIER ONE TO GO THROUGH.

>> THERE WERE 20 STUDENTS IN THAT FIRST CLASS THAT'S ALMOST HALFWAY THROUGH.

A SECOND CLASS WITH 24 STUDENTS JUST STARTED A WEEK AGO.

>> NOW THE MAJORITY OF THE PARAMEDIC PROGRAMS ARE IN THE LARGER METROPOLITAN AREAS, SO TULSA, OKLAHOMA CITY, LAWTON, BUT YET WE STILL HAVE THE NEED FOR PARAMEDICS IN GOOD WELL AND HEEL TON AND THE SMALL TOWNS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> YOU CAN TRAIN TO BE CERTIFIED AS AN EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN OR E.M.T.

IN AS LITTLE AS THREE MONTHS.

IDEALLY, AN AMBULANCE HAS AN E.M.T.

AND PARAMEDIC ON BOARD.

BUT DR.

WARDEN SAYS IN RURAL OKLAHOMA, THAT'S A PIPE DREAM RIGHT NOW.

>> WE JUST CAN'T PRODUCE ENOUGH PARAMEDICS TO FILL THE NEED IN THE RURAL AREAS.

>> THAT HEARTLAND EDUCATION FEDERAL GRANT MONEY ALSO ALLOWED THE SCHOOL OF EMS TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 6 STUDENTS WHO ARE NOW TRAINING TO BE PARAMEDICS.

MELANIE COLVIN IS AN E.M.T.

INSTRUCTOR AT WILL RODGERS WORLD AIRPORT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SHE WAS ALSO A NURSE FOR 20 YEARS.

SHE'S ONE OF THE SIX WHO GOT A SCHOLARSHIP TO LEARN TO BE A PARAMEDIC.

>> WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP THAT HEARTLAND MEDICAL HAS WITH THE SCHOOL OF EMS AND THE PARTNERSHIP, I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT.

I'M A SINGLE PARENT, SO FINANCIALLY IT WOULDN'T BE FEASIBLE.

>> ROBBINS SAYS FOR HIM, BECOMING A PARAMEDIC SEEMED LIKE A LOGICAL PROGRESSION AND THE FACT PARAMEDICS GENERALLY ARE PAID DOUBLE WHAT AN E.M.T.

MAKES MADE IT EVEN MORE OF A NO-BRAINER.

>> I'M NOT SURE ABOUT NUMBERS, BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S JOBS AROUND THE METRO AREA AND OKLAHOMA CITY THAT WILL PAY AROUND $50 AN HOUR FOR A PARAMEDIC, JUST BUT THE NEED IS SO GREAT.

>> BLAKE LANDON IS A 2016 DEER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY OF TULSA GRAD WHO LOGGED TWO YEARS AT OKLAHOMA STATE'S MEDICAL SCHOOL BEFORE SWITCHING GEARS.

HE'S CURRENTLY AN E.M.T.

FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AUTHORITY OR EMSA, AND HE'S NOW IN HIS SECOND WEEK OF PARAMEDIC TRAINING THROUGH HEARTLAND AND THE SCHOOL OF EMS.

>> THIS IS JUST SUCH AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY, SO ONE, TO BE SPONSORED AND GO TO SCHOOL FOR FREE, BECAUSE HEARTLAND IS SPONSORING MY SCHOOL, AND ALSO CONTINUING TO GET TO WORK WITH MY PARTNER, SET MY SCHOOL, WATCH THE LECTURES, DO THE ASSIGNMENTS ON MY OWN TIME, ON MY OFF DAYS, IT JUST SEEMS PERFECT, HONESTLY.

>> WARDEN SAYS THESE FIRST TWO ONLINE SCHOOL OF EMS PARAMEDIC CLASSES LOOK LIKE THEY'LL YIELD 44 NEW PARAMEDICS THIS YEAR.

HE SAYS THEY NEED 200 MORE.

>> THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE A LITTLE SCARED AWAY FROM EMS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

TRAINING PROGRAMS CHANGED THE WAYS THEY DID THINGS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND WE EVEN SAW SOME JUST CLOSE.

>> HE SAYS MOST, IF NOT ALL OF THE STATE'S TECHNICAL SCHOOLS USED TO OFF HANDS-ON TRAINING PROGRAMS.

NOW THERE'S JUST A HANDFUL.

THE ONLINE PROGRAM, HE SAYS, DOESN'T SKIMP.

>> THEY STILL PRACTICE THEIR SKILLS OVER THE COURSE OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM, AND THE STUDENTS ARE STILL REQUIRED TO HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF CLINICAL HOURS OF RIDING IN THE BACK OF AN AMBULANCE, GOING TO A HOSPITAL, THOSE THINGS, AS A TRADITIONAL PROGRAM.

>> GUTHRIE FIRE CHIEF SAYS THE ONLINE TRAINING OPTION ACTUALLY ENHANCES THE QUALITY OF PARAMEDIC TRAINING.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SITTING IN A CLASSROOM TO GET THIS STUFF.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

AND IT'S JUST BENEFICIAL TO THE STUDENTS BUT MOST OF OUR GUYS HERE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE FULL TIME.

MOST OF THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASS HAVE A FULL-TIME JOB, SO THIS IS JUST A BENEFICIAL WAY TO NOT ONLY STILL WORK YOUR FULL-TIME JOB BUT ALSO GET YOUR CERTIFICATION AS WELL.

>> EMSA BY FAR IS THE LARGEST PRE-HOSPITAL EMERGENCY CARE PROVIDER IN OKLAHOMA.

THIS MORNING THEIR SPOKESMAN TOLD ME WHILE THEY OFFER PARAMEDIC AND EMT TRAINING.

IT'S ALL IN-PERSON TRAINING.

HE SAID THEY DON'T HAVE AN OPINION ABOUT WHAT THE SCHOOL OF EMS IS DOING IN GUTHRIE.

RICH.

>> VERY GOOD.

APPRECIATE THAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, STEVE.

>> THE FOUNDERS OF EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE EACH FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES RELATED TO THEIR OPERATION OF THE ONLINE CHARTER PROGRAM.

THEIR PRELIMINARY HEARING IN OKLAHOMA CITY BEGAN LAST WEEK AND WILL CONTINUE IN EARLY MAY.

REPORTER JENNIFER PALMER WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNER, OKLAHOMA WATCH, WAS THERE, AND I SPOKE WITH HER ABOUT WHAT'S TRANSPIRED IN THE COURTROOM THUS FAR.

>> JENNIFER, LET'S BEGIN WITH THE CHARGES FACING DAVID CHENEY AND BEN HARRIS.

>> THERE ARE ABOUT A DOZEN CHARGES, YOU KNOW, MOSTLY EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES, ALSO SOME FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING.

SOME OF THE CHARGES DON'T APPLY TO ALL OF THE DEFENDANTS IN THE CASE, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES THEIR FORMER CFO JOSH BROCK.

>> JENNIFER, YOU WERE IN THE COURTROOM ALL WEEK.

WERE THERE ANY BOMBSHELL REVELATIONS FROM WHAT YOU HEARD?

>> THERE WERE A COUPLE OF REALLY INTERESTING REVELATIONS.

ONE WAS JUST THE SHEER AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THESE FOLKS, THESE THREE DEFENDANTS, RECEIVED OVER THEIR TIME MANAGING THE SCHOOL, WHICH WAS ABOUT A DECADE.

THE TOTALS WE WERE GIVEN IN COURT WERE EIGHT -- ABOUT $8 MILLION FOR JOSH BROCK, $23 MILLION FOR DAVID CHENEY, AND $24 MILLION FOR BEN HARRIS.

AND THAT COMES FROM THE BANK RECORDS THAT THEY NOW HAVE AS EVIDENCE.

ANOTHER REALLY INTERESTING THING WE LEARNED WAS THAT, YOU KNOW, JOSH BROCK, THE CFO, HAS AGREED TO COOPERATE WITH PROSECUTORS AND TESTIFY AGAINST HARRIS AND CHENEY.

AND FOR THAT, HE HAS BEEN TOLD HE'LL GET A DEAL THAT INCLUDES NO PRISON TIME.

IT WOULD BE 15 YEARS OF PROBATION AND RESTITUTION IN AN AMOUNT THEY HAVEN'T YET DETERMINED.

>> THAT'S SO INTERESTING THAT HE'S BEEN CALLED BY THE PROSECUTORS TO TESTIFY.

HAS THAT BEGUN?

>> BROCK DID TAKE THE STAND ON FRIDAY, WHICH WAS THE FIFTH DAY SCHEDULED FOR THIS HEARING, AND HE WAS QUESTIONED ALL DAY BY PROSECUTORS.

WHEN THE DAY DID END, HE WAS STILL ON THE STAND.

SO THEY HAVE CONTINUED THAT HEARING FOR TWO MORE DAYS THEY'VE SCHEDULED, BUT NOT UNTIL MAY 7TH AND 8TH.

>> JENNIFER PALMER WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, THERE WAS A LOT OF SCRUTINY ABOUT SOMETHING CALLED THE LEARNING FUND.

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> THE LEARNING FUND REALLY IS TWO THINGS.

ONE IS IT'S A FEATURE OF EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS WHERE THE PARENTS GET TO CHOOSE SOME ITEMS RELATED TO THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

SO THEY'RE GIVEN AN ALLOTMENT, YOU KNOW, NOT CASH, BUT A KIND OF A VIRTUAL FUND.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT THEY TALKED A LOT ABOUT WAS THE MONEY IN THIS BANK ACCOUNT, YOU KNOW, FOR THE STUDENTS, AND THEN WHAT WAS SPENT OUT OF THAT BANK ACCOUNT.

>> SO PERHAPS THEY'RE SAYING CHANEY AND HARRIS ARE TAKING MONEY OUT OF THAT ACCOUNT FOR THEMSELVES?

>> DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARE ASKING QUESTIONS IN A WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, SEEMS TO SHOW THEIR ARGUMENT IS GOING TO BE THAT THESE WERE PRIVATE FUNDS, BECAUSE THEY WERE HELD IN A PRIVATE BANK ACCOUNT.

AND THERE WAS SOME TESTIMONY THAT SHOWED, YOU KNOW, THAT EPIC USE SERVICES SPENT THIS MONEY ON THINGS THAT WOULD NOT TYPICALLY BE ALLOWED FROM A PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCOUNT.

>> THE FOUNDERS OF EPIC ALSO DONATED TO POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> THERE WAS ONLY ONE BRIEF MENTIONED BY A DEFENSE ATTORNEY, ACTUALLY FOR BEN HARRIS, WHERE HE SOMEWHAT CONFIRMED SOMETHING A LOT OF FOLKS HAD SUSPECTED, WHICH WAS THAT CHENEY AND HARRIS HAD CONTRIBUTED SOME -- A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO OPPOSE CINDY BYRD.

IN 2022.

SHE'S THE STATE AUDITOR AND, YOU KNOW, WAS LEADING THE EFFORT TO AUDIT EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IN 2019, 2020.

>> SO, JENNIFER, THE PRELIMINARY HEARING CONTINUES.

KIND OF LAY OUT THE NEXT STEPS IN THE LEGAL PROCESS HERE.

>> YEAH.

SINCE THE PRELIMINARY HEARING DID NOT FINISH LAST WEEK AS IT WAS SUPPOSED TO -- THEY SCHEDULED FIVE DAYS FOR IT.

AND SO THE JUDGE HAS SCHEDULED ANOTHER TWO DAYS IN MAY, MAY 7TH AND 8TH, WHERE WE WILL COME BACK TO THIS.

AND ONCE THE PRELIMINARY HEARING IS COMPLETED, THE JUDGE WILL DECIDE WHETHER THERE'S ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO HOLD CHENEY AND HARRIS OVER FOR TRIAL, AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE A TRIAL DATE SET.

SO THAT'S WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT WITH THAT.

>> VERY INTERESTING, AS ALWAYS, JENNIFER PALMER WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIM >> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> SEAS THE DAY IS A MOBILE LIBRARY IN OKLAHOMA CITY THAT TAKES STEM LEARNING ON THE ROAD.

YOU DON'T COME TO IT.

IT COMES TO YOU!

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, WE FIRST MET SEAS THE DAY MOBILE LIBRARY BACK IN 2022 WHEN THEY RECEIVED MOBILE HOT SPOTS FOR THE BUS.

THANKS TO GRANTS AND DONATIONS, SEAS THE DAY HAS EXPANDED BEYOND JUST LITERACY IMPROVEMENT.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE, BLASTOFF!

>> SEAS THE DAY MOBILE LIBRARY WAS CREATED BY THREE SISTERS.

>> WE COME UP WITH THE IDEA FOR THE KIDS THAT WE WOULD HAVE A MOBILE LIBRARY COME AROUND.

IT WOULD COME AROUND EVERY SATURDAY.

WE COULD CHECK OUT BOOKS.

THEY COULD DO STORY BOOKS FOR US AND READ WITH US.

>> THE SISTERS BELIEVED OKLAHOMA CITY NEEDED SOMETHING DOLLAR.

>> IT WAS DEFINITELY A NEED ESPECIALLY IN THE LOW INCOME AREAS.

THEY DON'T HAVE EASY ACCESS TO THE LIBRARY, TO BOOKS.

>> I ENJOY IT, BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET THAT LOVE AT HOME, AND SO THEY LOVE ON ME A LOT.

I DON'T WANT TO FAIL THEM, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THEIR PARENTS ARE ALREADY FAILING THEM.

I DON'T WANT TO BE ANOTHER FAILURE IN THEIR LIFE.

>> SEAS THE DAY GIVES CHILDREN IN LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES MUCH-NEEDED ACCESS TO BOOKS ON ALL SUBJECTS WITH A PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

>> WE HAVE OUR OWN LIBRARY CARD.

THE KIDS CAN GET THAT CARD, CHECK OUT BOOKS.

THEY CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE, AND IT TAKES THEM TO A LINK.

IT GIVES THEM ACCESS TO OUR ENTIRE CATALOG.

THEY CAN PLACE BOOKS ON HOLD AND CHECK THEM OUT IN THE FUTURE.

THEY CAN EVEN CHECK THEM OUT ONLINE AND WE VISIT THEIR SIDE.

SITE.THEY CAN BYPASS THE PROCESF WAITING TO CHECK OUT A BOOK.

>> THANKS TO MULTIPLE GRANTS, THE GROUP HAS BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE FIELD TRIPS FOR SOME COMMUNITY KIDS.

>> WE HAVE TAKEN THEM TO THE BOATHOUSE DISTRICT, TO THE ZOO.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN UPCOMING TRIP COMING WHERE WE WOULD TEACH THE KIDS HOW TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, AND WE WOULD TAKE THE TRAIN DOWN TO FORT WORTH AND GO TO LEGOLAND.

>> THE MOBILE LIBRARY ALSO OFFERS AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING.

>> SOMETIMES KIDS DON'T WANT TO GO TO THEIR MOM AND SAY I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M DOING IN MATH.

WE'RE BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN WORKING CLASS PARENTS AND HELPING OUT THE TEACHER AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

WHEN WE COME TO THE SCHOOLS, WE SPEAK TO A DIRECTOR AND THINGS, LIKE, HEY, WHAT CAN WE WORK ON WITH YOUR KIDS.

>> SHE CREDITS HER SISTER FOR POURING EXTRA TLC INTO EACH CHILD.

>> SHE GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND AND ASSISTS THESE KIDS WITH OUTSIDE THINGS THAT DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH EDUCATION.

SHE'S SUCH A MOM, SO SHE'S MAKING SURE THESE KIDS HAVE THEIR HAIR DONE, THE CLOTHES AND SHOES THEY NEED.

ANY RESOURCES WE CAN'T FIND, WE FIND THE RESOURCE.

>> SHE IS THE CREATIVE DIRECTOR FOR SEAS THE DAY AND IS IN CHARGE OF CREATING FUN PROJECTS FOR THE KIDS.

>> I GET ON PINTEREST, I GET ON YOUTUBE, RESEARCH DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND I PRACTICE THEM AT HOME.

MOST OF THE TIME IT'S ME ANDTEREES A.

AND TERESA, WE KIND OF PRACTICE THEM TOGETHER.

IT'S A PROCESS.

BUT WE -- >> THE MOBILE LIBRARY CAN BE FOUND AT SCHOOLS, APARTMENTS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS DURING THE WEEK.

>> WE HAD IT THAT THE SCHOOLS AND ORGANIZATIONS WOULD REACH OUT TO US AND GIVEES THEIR GIVER SCHEDULES AND WE WENT FROM THERE.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHEN CAN YOU COME OUT?

WHAT DAY ARE YOU FREE?

BECAUSE WE GO TO DAYCARES.

WE GO TO APARTMENT COMPLEXES, SCHOOLS, SMALLER SCHOOLS, ANY TYPE OF ORGANIZATION.

WE DO A LOT OF COMMUNITY WORK AS WELL WHERE WE'LL BRING THE BUS OUT.

>> THIS WEEK'S SEAS THE DAY SPENT TIME AT SANTA FE SOUTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

>> SO WE ARE MAKING ROCKETS OUT OF PAPER, DUCT TAPE AND STRAWS, AND THEY ARE -- YOU HAVE THEM ROLL IT TOGETHER, AND I DON'T KNOW THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT.

IT'S JUST REALLY FUN.

IT IS AN ACTIVITY THAT KIND OF GETS THEM THINKING ABOUT THE, LIKE, SCIENTIFIC PROPERTIES, BECAUSE IF I TAPE IT THIS WAY, WILL IT GO THIS WAY.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

WE JUST MADE SOME ROCKETS, AND IT'S BEEN A BLAST.

>> AFTERWARDS, STUDENTS TESTED THEIR STRAW ROCKETS AGAINST GRAVITY.

THOMPSON SAYS STEM IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF SEAS THE DAY.

>> ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WE FOCUS PRIMARILY ON, THERE AREN'T A LOT OF FUNDING OR PROGRAMS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, STEM BROWN AND BLACK FOCUSED AT ALL.

EVEN THOUGH NOW IT'S BECOMING THE NORM FOR SCHOOLS TO HAVE A STEM PROGRAM, THE KIDS DON'T HAVE A THIRD SPACE.

THEY GO HOME AND TO SCHOOL, AND THAT'S.

IT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE THAT THIRD SPACE WHERE THEY'RE ALSO HAVING SOMEWHERE ELSE TO GO AND DO THESE THINGS, ALSO BECAUSE STEM IS NOT ONLY FUN, BUT IT'S INFORMATIVE.

>> AND WE ALSO OFFER AFTERNOON SNACKS, TOO, BECAUSE A LOT OF KIDS DON'T HAVE FOOD OR THAT SNACK AFTER SCHOOL.

>> THE NONPROFIT MOBILE LIBRARY RELIES PRIMARILY ON GRANTS AND DONATIONS.

>> IT'S STUFF WE HAVE TO DO ON OUR OWN PERSONAL TIME AND PUT MONEY INTO AN ACCOUNT, BUT WE DO TRY TO GET AS MANY GRANTS IN, DONATIONS AS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE DONATION-FUNDED.

THE COMMUNITY IS WHAT MAKES THIS POSSIBLE.

>> THE THREE SISTERS SAY THEY ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HELP CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE'VE CREATED SUCH A COMMUNITY HERE, AND OUR COMMUNITY IS RALLYING BEHIND US LIKE WE'RE RALLYING BEHIND THEM.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MOBILE LIBRARY, YOU CAN VISIT THEIR WEBSITE LIBRARYATSEA.ORG.

RICH?

>> TAELYR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AS WE DO EACH WEEK DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT'S TIME TO CHECK IN WITH QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY WHO JOINS US FROM THE OETA STUDIO?

THE STATE CAPITOL.

THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT REACHED A UNANIMOUS RULING.

GIVE US THE DETAILS ON THAT.

>> BACK IN JULY OF 2023, GOVERNOR STITT FILED A -- ON TUESDAY THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT RULED THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.

THE COURT SAID THAT THE BILLS HAVE BEEN PASSED PROBABLY DURING THE 2023 SPECIAL SESSION.

THEY ALSO NOTED THAT THE ISSUE OF COMPACTING WAS ONE THAT WAS NOT CONSTITUTIONALLY LIMITED TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT WAS STATUTORILY LIMITED AND THEREFORE LAWMAKERS HAD A ROLE TO PLAY IN THAT.

GOVERNOR STITT IN ACKNOWLEDGING THAT HE HAD LOST THE COURT CASE INDICATED THAT THE DECISION, THOUGH, CLARIFIES THE ROLE OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE LEGISLATURE IN THE TRIBAL COMPACTING PROCESS.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL GETENER DRUMMOND WAS ARGUING A CASE IN PERSON BEFORE THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT THIS WEEK.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMOND IS CHALLENGING THE APPROVAL BY THE STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD OF A CONTRACT WITH THE ST. ISIDORE ROMAN CATHOLIC ONLINE CHARTER SCHOOL WHICH WAS APPROVED BACK IN JUNE.

ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, THE CONTRACT VIOLATES THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION AND THE OKLAHOMA CHARTER SCHOOL ACT, WHICH PROHIBITS SECTARIAN SCHOOLS FROM BEING CREATED WITH PUBLIC FUNDS.

HE ALSO ARGUES THAT THE CREATION OF THE SCHOOL WOULD VIOLATE THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

THE SUPPORTERS OF THE SCHOOL, HOWEVER, ARGUE THAT EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

IT IS A PRIVATE ENTITY.

THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTRACT WITH THE STATE FOR OPERATION OF THE CHARTER SCHOOL.

THE COURT DID NOT INDICATE WHEN IT WOULD MAKE THE DECISION.

>> SHAWN, SENATE PRO-TEM GREG TREAT ISSUED A WARNING TO GOVERNOR STITT THIS WEEK ABOUT WHAT?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN RUMORS CIRCULATING AROUND THE CAPITAL THAT GOVERNOR STITT MAY BE LOOKING TO BECOME INVOLVED IN SOME LEGISLATIVE RACES, PARTICULARLY IN THE SENATE, AND FOCUSING ON INCUMBENTS, PERHAPS TRYING TO KNOCK SOME INCUMBENTS OUT OF THE SENATE.

PRO-TEM TREAT INDICATED THAT SUCH INVOLVEMENT WITHIN BE WELCOMED AND, IN FACT, WOULD ACTUALLY HARM THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WHICH IS NOT ALWAYS BEEN ON PARTICULARLY GOOD TERMS.

>> THAT'S PRETTY INTERESTING.

SHAWN, ALSO THE HOUSE HAS ADVANCED A BILL THAT WOULD PROTECT THOSE WHO SUPPLY THE DRUGS USED IN OKLAHOMA EXECUTIONS.

HOW SO?

>> COMPANIES PROVIDING DRUGS FOR EXECUTION HAVE LONG BEEN THE TARGET OF ANTIDEATH PENALTY PROTESTORS, AND THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS WITHIN OKLAHOMA LAW THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS ACT THAT THAT INFORMATION POTENTIALLY COULD BE OBTAINED.

LAWS ALREADY EXIST TO PROTECT THEM, BUT A BILL PASSED THIS WEEK TAKES THOSE A STEP FURTHER, INSURING THAT THROUGHOUT EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS THAT THAT INFORMATION AND THOSE SUPPLIERS ARE PROTECTED.

>> SHAWN, ONE MORE QUESTION FOR YOU.

THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSALS THAT MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FORGET STATEWIDE QUESTIONS ISSUED ON BALLOTS.

WHERE DOES THAT STAND?

>> SEVERAL BILLS CONTINUE TO MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THAT ADDRESS THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS.

SOME WOULD REQUIRE THAT THERE BE A FILING FEE INVOLVED WITH THOSE INITIATIVE PETITIONS.

OTHERS REQUIRE THAT THERE WOULD BE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD BE CIRCULATING THE PETITION.

AND SOME OF THE OTHER PROPOSALS ALSO CHANGE THE TIME DURING WHICH INDIVIDUALS CAN CHALLENGE THE PETITIONS IN COURT, EXTENDING THAT TIME PERIOD AND ULTIMATELY THEN DELAYING THE TIME BETWEEN WHEN SIGNATURES ARE GATHERED AND WHEN THE MEASURE WOULD APPEAR ON THE BALLOT.

AND THEN FINALLY, SOME OF THE PROPOSALS WOULD CHANGE THE WAY THE SIGNATURES ESSENTIALLY ARE COUNTED, REQUIRING THAT EACH COUNTY PROVIDE ENOUGH SIGNATURES FOR THE MEASURE TO GO ON THE BALLOT RATHER THAN LOOKING AT IT ON AN AGGREGATE OR STATEWIDE BASIS.

>> SHAWN, BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, WHAT ABOUT NEXT WEEK?

WHAT'S ON THE RADAR?

>> THE DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO BE HEARD IN COMMITTEES OF THE OPPOSITE CHAMBER IS RAPIDLY APPROACHING.

HOUSE BILLS BEING HEARD IN SENATE COMMITTEES AND SENATE BILLS BEING HEARD IN HOUSE COMMITTEES.

IT SEEMS THERE'S A FAIR AMOUNT OF WORK YET TO BE DONE, SO LAWMAKERS WILL BE SPENDING A LOT OF TIME IN COMMITTEE.

>> SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE ANNUAL AEROSPACE DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY.

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERS IN OKLAHOMA'S SECOND-LARGEST INDUSTRY TO SAY THANKS, AND HERE'S WHAT WE'D LIKE TO SEE ADDRESSED GOING FOREWARD.

THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA REPRESENTS 1100 DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT GENERATE $44 BILLION IN REVENUE AND SUPPORT MORE THAN 200,000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS.

>> OIL AND GAS, YOU KNOW, AGRICULTURE ARE BIG TO OUR STATE, BUT THEY'RE A COMMODITY, AND THEY HAVE A VERY CYCLICAL NATURE.

AND SO WHEN OIL AND GAS PRICES ARE DOWN, THE STATE HURTS.

AND SO WE WANT AEROSPACE TO BE THAT INDUSTRY THAT HELPS FLATTEN THINGS OUT A LITTLE BIT, HELPS SMOOTH OUT THE PEAKS AND VALLEYS THAT WE'VE SEEN ECONOMICALLY AS A STATE OVER THE LAST HALF CENTURY.

AND WE THINK AEROSPACE HAS BEEN DOING THAT.

>> ARDIES SAYS THE GROWTH OF THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY HAS MADE RECENT ECONOMIC DOWNTURNS LESS SEVERE THAN THOSE EXPERIENCED BACK IN THE '70S AND '80S.

>> THE VERY SUCCESSFUL SON OF ONE OF THE WORLD'S RICHEST MEN WAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK, SHARING HIS THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST ECONOMIC TRENDS.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> HOWARD BUFFETT IS WORRIED THAT RUSSIA'S WAR ON UKRAINE WILL HAVE A LONG-LASTING EFFECT ON THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

HE CONTENDS THE U.S. SHOULD HELP FUND UKRAINE'S DEFENSE EFFORT NOW, OR OUR CHILDREN WILL BE FIGHTING THAT WAR IN FIVE YEARS.

BUFFETT ADDS RUSSIA IS RECEIVING ASSISTANCE FROM CHINA, IRAN, AND NORTH KOREA TO PROSECUTE ITS ATTEMPT TO TAKE OVER THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC.

HOWARD BUFFETT IS THE SON OF BILLIONAIRE WARREN BUFFET.

>> THE OKLAHOMA PROTON CENTER IS CELEBRATING ITS 5,000TH PATIENT WHO HAS UNDERGONE SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT AT THE FACILITY.

THE CENTER OPENED IN 2009 IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT IS JUST ONE SUCH CANCER TREATMENT CENTER IN THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES.

PROTON THERAPY IS USED TO TREAT MANY TYPES OF CANCER WITH PRECISION.

THE OKLAHOMA PROTON CENTER AVERAGES ABOUT 600 PATIENTS A YEAR.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY RILEY EXPLORATION PERMIAN HAS STARTED OFFERING 2.1 MILLION SHARES OF ITS COMMON STOCK.

700,000 SHARES WILL COME FROM THE COMPANY ITSELF, WHILE THE REMAINING 1.4 MILLION ARE BEING OFFERED BY CERTAIN SHAREHOLDERS.

RILEY PERMIAN EXPECTS TO USE THE MONEY FROM THE OFFERING FOR >> WE'VE DONE HUNDREDS OF THOSE.

WHENEVER I FIRST CAME INTO THE BUREAU 4 YEARS AGO, WE WERE RIGHT AROUND 10,000 GROWS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

RIGHT NOW, RIGHT AROUND THE 3200 MARK.

>> WHAT ARE SOME ISSUES THAT YOUR TEAM AND AGENTS ARE SEEING WHENEVER TRYING TO DETERMINE IF A GROW IS ILLEGAL OR LEGAL.

>> WELL, GOING BACK TO WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT IN REFERENCE TO OUR LAWS ARE PRETTY LIBERAL.

IT'S EASY TO OPERATE WITHIN THOSE LAWS UNLESS YOU ARE A BAD ACTOR.

A BAD ACTOR IS GOING TO BE A BAD ACTOR NO MATTER WHAT OUR LAWS ARE.

IT JUST KEEPS THE HONEST PERSON HONEST, TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT WHAT HAPPENS IS THE BAD ACTORS COME IN AND THEY EXPLOIT OUR LAWS TO STILL OPERATE WITHIN.

>> ARE THERE ANY LAWS THAT YOU THINK WOULD MAYBE HELP WITH THOSE BAD ACTORS?

>> WE CAN PUT LAW IN AFTER LAW AFTER LAW.

I THINK OUR LAWS ARE GOOD, I REALLY DO.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO ADD ADDITIONAL LAWS.

I JUST THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE WITH WHAT DIRECTOR BARRY IS DOING AND WHAT I'M DOING ON THE REGULATORY AND CRIMINAL SIDE, AND JUST WORK ON THAT.

IT'S PROVEN, IN MY OPINION, PRETTY EFFECTIVE THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS WITH WHAT WE'VE WENT DOING, AND WE BOTH OPERATE BY NUMBERS.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS, IT IS BEING EFFECTIVE.

I ACTUALLY SEE LIGHT IN THE TUNNEL NOW.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, DIRECTOR, BUT I FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENED THE LAST COUPLE YEARS AND WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING.

>> TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THAT.

WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU GUYS DOING AND HOW ARE YOU WORKING TOGETHER TO END THIS PROBLEM?

>> SURE.

THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER MORE THAN I WOULD SAY WE HAVE HISTORICALLY.

A LOT OF KUDOS TO DIRECTOR ANDERSON FOR MAKING SURE HIS TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO MY TEAM.

WE ARE A VERY YOUNG AGENCY, SO WE'VE BEEN BUILDING A TEAM FROM SCRATCH, AND WE HAVE NEEDED TRAINING.

WE'VE GONE THROUGH TRAINING WITH THE AGENTS AT DIRECTOR ANDERSON'S AGENCY, AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CALL THEM AND SAY, HEY, WE NEED SOME HELP OUT HERE IN THE FIELD.

SO WE'VE REALLY INCREASED OUR WORK TOGETHER.

WE HAD THE ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING SIDE.

THEY HAVE THE CRIMINAL SIDE.

WE REALLY TRY NOT TO DUPLICATE ANY EFFORTS.

WHEN WE'RE OUT IN THE FIELD AND WE SEE SOMETHING THAT WE KNOW THAT NEEDS ATTENTION FROM A CRIMINAL PERSPECTIVE, WE CONTACT NOT ONLY DIRECTOR ANDERSON'S AGENCY, BUT WE'LL CONTACT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, SHERIFFS AGENCIES, WHOEVER IS AVAILABLE TO ASSIST US ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE.

>> SO THIS IS REALLY A GROUP EFFORT, NOT JUST FROM OBN, NOT JUST OMMA, IT'S STATEWIDE.

>> YES.

NEITHER ONE OF US ALONE OR EVEN JUST TOGETHER WOULD BE EFFECTIVE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS WITH BOTH OF US THAT MAKES THIS WHAT IT IS, AND IT'S FROM OUR SHERIFFS TO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, POLICE, ALL OVER THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.

>> WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO, SAY, LIVING NEAR MAYBE AN ILLEGAL GROW OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, AND THEY SEE SOME POTENTIALLY WRONGDOING AND BAD ACTIVITY?

WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> WELL, THERE'S A LOT OF WORDS THAT ARE PUT ON THIS WHEN THEY SAY ILLEGAL GROWS.

YOU CAN'T JUST LOOK AND SAY, HEY, THAT'S AN ILLEGAL GROW.

WHAT MAKES THIS BECOME ILLEGAL IS WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT'S DEEMED THE ILLICIT MARKET.

THE MARKET IS ACTUALLY OUT OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

YOU CAN GET FIVE, SIX, SEVEN TIMES FOR THAT PRODUCT IN NEW YORK THAN YOU CAN IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S WHY WE SEE SEMI TRUCKS LOADING UP AND GOING TO THE EAST COAST.

>> THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS RECENTLY SAID OKLAHOMA IS NOW, LIKE YOU JUST SAID, THE NO.

1 BLACK MARKET SUPPLIER OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA IN THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> WE WERE.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE WOULD SAY THAT WE ARE NOW.

WE STILL SUPPLY A LOT TO THE U.S., BUT WHEN YOU GO FROM 10,000 GROWS TO 3200 GROWS, WE'RE MOVING A LOT OF THAT FROM THAT MARKET.

BUT WE'RE STILL, I THINK, WAY SATURATED WITH WHAT WE'RE DOING, AND I THINK THAT HURTS OUR LEGITIMATE -- BECAUSE WE HAVE SOME LEGITIMATE PEOPLE IN THIS BUSINESS, AND IT IS HURTING THEM BY THIS ILLICIT MARKET AND DRIVING THAT PRICE DOWN, AND THEY GO IN UNDER THEM, EVEN ON THE MARKET HERE IN THE STATE AND UNDERSELL THEM, YOU KNOW, 20 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR.

>> THAT'S NOT FAIR FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, GOING THROUGH THIS LEGALLY.

ADRIAN, WOULD YOU SAY THAT OKLAHOMA IS PRODUCING TOO MUCH WEED OR -- YOU WOULD SAY THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

TO ADD ON TO WHAT DIRECTOR ANDERSON IS SAYING, ILLICIT MARKET IT ONE PIECE OF IT, BUT OUR MARKET IS JUST SATURATED, EVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE WELCOMING REGULATIONS AND WANTING TO FOLLOW REGULATIONS, THEY'RE NOT ALL GOING TO MAKE IT.

IT'S A SUPPLY AND DEMAND BASED INDUSTRY.

THERE ARE NO OTHER STATES THAT HAVE THAT MANY CULTIVATORS AT ALL, JUST PERIOD.

WHEN WE LOOK AT PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO FOLLOW THE LAWS AND WILLING TO BE GOOD ACTORS, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT'S GOING TO BE THEIR KEY TO MAKING IT IN THIS INDUSTRIAL.

IT'S SUPPLY AND DEMAND, MARKET DEMAND IS GOING TO SPEAK REGARDLESS.

SO OUR JOB AS THE REGULATORS IS TO APPLY REGULATIONS EQUALLY, AND THEN THE MARKET FIGURES THE REST OUT.

>> DONNY, WE'RE SEEING THESE VERY CONCERNING NATIONAL HEADLINES OF GANGSTERS, MONEY AND MURDER.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US HOW AND WHY THESE CRIME SYNDICATES HAVE COME THEIR WAY INTO THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> WELL, ONCE AGAIN, THE PEOPLE THAT CAME INTO THE STATE DOING THIS WHO ARE TRANS NATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIMINALS WERE TRANS NATIONAL ORGANIZED CRIMINALS BEFORE WE EVER PUT THIS MARKET INTO PLACE, BUT THEY TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS MARKET.

CURRENTLY, SOME OF OUR CHINESE NATIONAL CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS, THEY ACTUALLY ARE THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR LAWNDZERRING MONEY FOR THE CARTELS.

-- LAUNDERING MONEY FOR THE CARTELS.

THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT THAT.

THEY HAVE ALSO TAKEN OVER THE MARKET FOR MARIJUANA PRODUCTION IN THE U.S., BUT THEY'RE ALSO -- THAT'S WHERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND ALL THE PRECURSORS FOR FENTANYL AND METHAMPHETAMINE COMES FROM CHINA TO THE CARTEL TO THE U.S.

THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED OVERNIGHT.

THEY'RE VERY WELL ORGANIZED.

AND WHAT THEY DO, THEY'RE SOME OF THE BEST CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE WORLD, AND THEY'RE VERY INFLUENTIAL.

THEY EMBED THEIRSELVES IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EVEN IN OUR POLITICS.

IT'S CHINESE ESPIONAGE 101 IS WHAT IT IS, AND THEY'RE WAY AHEAD OF THE U.S. ON THIS STUFF.

IF YOU'LL LOOK BACK AT WHAT HAPPENED FROM 9/11, WE KIND OF GOT AWAY FROM SOME OF THAT AND STARTED FOCUSING ON OTHER STUFF, OUR GOVERNMENT DID, AND THAT HAS A LITTLE BIT TO DO WITH IT.

BUT YOUR TRANS NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY CHINESE TRANS NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, THEY'RE VERY SECRETIVE AND NOT A LOT KNOWN ABOUT THEM TO, BE HONEST WITH YOU.

>> ADRIAN, WHAT IS OMA'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO THIS, AND HOW IS YOUR ORGANIZATION, AGAIN, KIND OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, WORKING WITH THE OBN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SPECIFICALLY?

>> ABOUT THE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION ISSUE?

>> YES.

>> AS I WAS LISTENING TO DIRECTOR ANDERSON SPEAK, I HAVE A LOT OF GRATITUDE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE IN TERMS OF LARGE SCALE INVESTIGATIONS, LARGE SCALE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THINGS THAT WE MAY NEVER KNOW ABOUT.

WE HAVE LICENSEES WHO SUBMIT PAPERWORK TO US.

WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO DO OUR DUE DILIGENCE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT RECEIVING FRAUDULENT DOCUMENTS AND THAT WE ARE ONLY LICENSING LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES.

HOWEVER, DUE TO THE WAY THIS INDUSTRY WAS SET UP, AS DIRECTOR ANDERSON ALLUDED TO THE FIRST FEW YEARS, PEOPLE WERE GIVEN LICENSES THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN LICENSED.

IT'S JUST A FACT.

IT WAS SO EASY TO GET A LICENSE.

A LOT OF THE CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS HID BEHIND AN OMA LICENSE.

AND THAT'S WHERE NOW WE HAVE TO COME IN AND BE MORE -- REALLY STRICT WITH WHO WE WILL GRANT A LICENSE TO, BUT THAT REQUIRES CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION WITH THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS SAYING, HEY, WE HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS LICENSEE, AND GIVING THEM INFORMATION SO THAT WE CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISION POSSIBLE AS TO WHETHER A BUSINESS SHOULD HAVE AN OMA LICENSE OR NOT.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> AND IF I MAY, JUST TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT DIRECTOR BARRY SAID, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

THESE PEOPLE ARE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

THERE WAS ONE OF THESE ORGANIZED GROUPS THAT CAME TO MY OFFICE, , AND I JUST HAPPENED TO BE THERE LATE ONE DAY.

IT WAS AFTER 5 O'CLOCK.

I WAS JUST WORKING LATE.

TWO MEN CAME TO MY OFFICE AND RANG THE DOORBELL AND I WENT TO IT, AND THEY HAD THIS DOCUMENT, A VERY GOOD FORGED DOCUMENT WHERE THEY WERE SAYING THAT SOMEONE TOOK THEIR LAND.

WELL, IT WAS US.

WE SEIZED THEIR LAND, AND I RECOGNIZED THROUGH PEOPLE BEFORE THAT IT WAS PEOPLE WE HAD ALREADY ARRESTED AND INDICTED ON CRIMINAL CHARGES.

THEY HAD TOTALLY FABRICATED A COMPANY AS A REAL ESTATE COMPANY AND PRESENTED FORGE DOCUMENTS, DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE PRESENTING THEM TO ME, BUT PRESENTED THEM TO ME AS OWNERS OF THAT PROPERTY.

>> SO THEY CAN -- >> THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO.

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

ADRIAN, ARE THERE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE VIEWERS HERE?

>> I'D LIKE TO LET OKLAHOMANS KNOW THAT THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL WHERE THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS PEOPLE WERE KIND OF QUESTIONING WHY ARE THERE SO MANY GROWS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

THE WATER USAGE WAS AN ISSUE.

THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS AROUND WHETHER A GROW IS ILLEGAL OR NOT.

I WANT OKLAHOMANS TO KNOW THAT BETWEEN THE OBM, THE OMA AND ALL OF OUR PARTNER AGENCIES, AND IT'S NOT JUST LAW ENFORCEMENT.

IT'S ALSO DEQ AND DEPARTMENT OF AG.

WE REALLY DO NOT WORK WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE.

BUT I DO WANT OKLAHOMANS TO KNOW THEIR GOVERNMENT IS WORKING REALLY HARD TO TACKLE THE ISSUE AND TO INSURE IF THEY SEE A GROWTH FACILITY, WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING IN OUR POWER TO MAKE SURE THAT IS A LEGITIMATE LICENSED BUSINESS, AND DIRECTOR ANDERSON'S TEAM IS DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB OF LOCATING AND SHUTTING DOWN THOSE TIED TO CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS.

>> ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS TOPIC?

>> I AGREE WITH ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING SHE SAID, BUT WE ALSO OWE A BIT OF GRATITUDE TO OUR LEGISLATURE, BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN VERY -- THEY'VE SAT DOWN WITH US, AND SINCE DIRECTOR BARRY HAS CAME IN, WE'VE >> 17-YEAR-OLD SENIOR WHOLE YO S THE ROBOT'S DRIVER AND LEADER.

>> JUST WANTED TO KEEP THINGS IF SIMPLE FOR US.

I DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TOO CRAZY, SO WE DECIDED TO GO WITH A VERY SIMPLE DESIGN WHERE IT'S ONE ARM CONTROLLING AND YOU CAN SCORE IT TWO DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> THE STUDENTS ARE COACHED BY A FORMER AEROSPACE ENGINEER WHO CHANGED CAREERS TO MAKE MORE OF A DIFFERENCE AND BRING IN NEW KIND OF SPORTS TO LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> WE HAVE AN AMAZING FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

WE HAVE AN AMAZING PROGRAM.

WE ALSO HAVE VERY SMART KIDS WITH GREAT ACADEMIC SCHOOLS.

>> EVERY KID WHO PARTICIPATES CAN GO ON TO BE THE CEO OF A COMPANY AND LEADER IN A TECHNOLOGY ENVIRONMENT.

>> SOME OF THE LINCOLN TEAMS SENIORS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ACCEPTED INTO COLLEGE FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT FIRST, HOUSTON, HERE THEY COME.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, SOME OF NASA'S GREATEST ASTRONAUTS TRAVEL TO OKLAHOMA TO PAY TRIBUTE TO ONE OF THEIR OWN.

A REPORT FROM WEATHERFORD ON FUNERAL SERVICES FOR GENERAL THOMAS STAFFORD.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE MURALS PAINTED ON THE WALLS OF THE PLAZA DISTRICT IN OKLAHOMA CITY, PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S KACI FERGUSON.

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

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

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.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

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