>>> A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION IS CALLING OUT OKLAHOMA HOSPITALS OVER PRICE TRANSPARENCY FOR PATIENTS.

>> AND NEARLY EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY HAS A STORY OF THEMSELVES OR A FAMILY MEMBER BEING OVERCHARGED BY A HOSPITAL OR AN INSURANCE COMPANY.

>>> THERE'S A CALL TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN CLINICAL TRIALS TO DEVELOP MORE COMPREHENSIVE NEW TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES.

>> IT PUT A HUGE SPOTLIGHT ON THE URGENT NEED TO DRIVE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND ACCESS TO THESE TREATMENTS.

>>> AN OKLAHOMA CITY CELEBRITY AND ACTIVIST TRYING TO REDUCE VIOLENCE THROUGH A GRASSROOTS EFFORT.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO, YOU KNOW, REDUCE VIOLENT CRIMES, GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY SIGNIFICANTLY, SIGNIFICANTLY THIS YEAR.

>>> TECH COMPANIES ARE INTERESTED IN TRAINING OKLAHOMA WORKERS TO ADVANCE IN THE WORKPLACE.

>> SO I WOULD SAY THAT IT HAS TRANSFORMED OUR LIFE AND, AND JUST A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THOSE STORIES AND AN IN DEPTH CONVERSATION FOCUSED ON TRIBAL COMPACTS COMING UP.ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

.

>>> WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, IM TAELYR JACKSON.

RICH LENZ WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

IN 2021, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRED MOST MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE U.S TO POST THEIR STANDARD CHARGES, SO PATIENTS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR UP FRONT.

BUT ARE OKLAHOMA HOSPITALS COMPLYING WITH FEDERAL REGULATIONS?

A NATIONAL ORGANIZATION SAYS NO, WHILE OKLAHOMA'S HOSPITALS DISPUTE THE ORGANIZATION'S CLAIMS.

STEVE SHAW JOIN NOW WITH MORE.

>> A HOSPITAL PATIENTS' RIGHTS GROUP BASED IN NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS LAST MONTH SENT US A LIST OF CLAIMS.THEY SAY SHOW MOST OF THE HOSPITALS IN THE SOONER STATE ARE NOT TRANSPARENT WHEN IT COMES TO WHAT THEY CHARGE FOR SERVICES.

SEVERAL OF THOSE HOSPITALS TELL ME THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> WELL, IT'S REALLY STARTS AT THE TOP.

THE PRICING FILES ARE EASY -- >> SHE'S A FOUNDER OF THE NONPROFIT, PATIENTS RIGHT ADVOCATE.

THERE THE HOSPITAL WATCHDOG GROUP BASED IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THEY SAY, THEY MONITOR WHAT HOSPITALS IN THE U.S.

CHARGE FOR SERVICES.

>> WHEN HOSPITALS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES HIDE THEIR PRICES, THEY CAN CHARGE WHATEVER THEY WANT.

AND THAT HAS BEEN THE CASE IN 100 MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE IN MEDICAL DEBT.

OR HAVE BAD CREDIT OF HOSPITAL CREDITORS AND COLLECTORS OF HUGE CHARGES THEY NEVER EXPECTED TO PAY.

>> IN JANUARY OF 2021, AN AGENCY ENACTED SOMETHING CALLED THE HOSPITAL PRICE TRANSPARENCY GROUP.

ACCORDING TO THAT, EACH OF THE MORE THAN 4,000 HOSPITALS IN THE U.S. ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CLEAR PRICING INFORMATION ONLINE OF THE ITEMS AND SERVICES THEY PROVIDE.

FISHER SAYS OF THE 2,000 HOSPITALS, THE WATCHDOG GROUP STUDIED SO FAR, ONLY 741, 36% ARE FULLY COMPLYING WITH THE PRICING TRANSPARENCY RULES.

IN OKLAHOMA, SHE FOUND ONLY TEN OF 43 HOSPITALS THEY REVIEWED WERE FULLY COMPLIANT WITH THE PRICING RULE.

THAT'S JUST 23%.

>> WHEN PATIENTS CAN SEE THE PRICES, THEN THEY CAN KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY'VE BEEN OVERCHARGED WHEN THEY GET THEIR MEDICAL BILL.

AND NEARLY EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTRY HAS A STORY OF THEMSELVES OR A FAMILY MEMBER BEING OVERCHARGED BY A HOSPITAL.

OR AN INSURANCE COMPANY.

>> HERE'S A LIST OF THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL PATIENT RIGHTS ADVOCATE SAYS, ARE FULLY COMPLIANT.

THEY INCLUDE SOME OF THE BIGGEST IN THE STATE.

ST. ANTHONY'S IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND OU HEALTH.

THEY SINGLED OUT THE SURGERY CENTER OF OKLAHOMA HAS ONE OF THE BEST ANYWHERE WHEN IT COMES TO PRICE TRANSPARENCY.

>> WE APPLAUD THEM, AND IN FACT, THEY WERE SHOWCASED IN SO MANY OTHER SURGICAL CENTERS LIKE THEM HAVE COME ONLINE TO BE PRICE TRANSPARENT.

IN -- THEY FOLLOW THEIR LEAD TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY PATIENTS.

>> HERE'S THE LIST OF HOSPITALS, PATIENTRIGHTSADVOCATE.ORG SAYS NOT COMPLY.

THEY INCLUDE THE LARGEST IN THE STATE.

ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STATE.

IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, THEY INCLUDE MERCY, AND OKLAHOMA REGIONAL HOSPITAL.

I ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT EVERY HOSPITAL OR HOSPITAL GROUP ON THAT LIST.

I HEARD BACK FROM MOST OF THEM.

THEY ALL CLAIM THEY ARE PRICED TRANSPARENT.

AND THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE NEW FEDERAL RULES.

THIS WAS NORMAN REGIONAL'S RESPONSE.

NORMAN REGIONAL IS COMPLIANT WITH LAW AND CMS REGULATIONS TO PROVIDE CLEAR AND ACCESSIBLE PRICING INFORMATION ONLINE.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THIS REPORT CLAIMS WE'RE NONCOMPLIANT.

WITHOUT SPECIFYING WHAT SPECIFIC PRACTICE IS NINE COMPLIANT.

>> THEY DO HAVE A FILE, THEY ARE PUTTING UP SOME INFORMATION BUT THE INFORMATION IS NOT COMPLETE.

>> OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER IS ALSO ON THE ALLEGED NONCOMPLIANT LIST.

THEY REFERRED US TO -- THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

>> WE'LL BE COMPLIANT BUT WE'LL DO WHATEVER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIRES OF US.

>> THE FACT ONLY 7 HOSPITALS NATIONWIDE HAVE BEEN FINED OR PENALIZED SINCE THE TRANSPARENT RULES BEGAN ALMOST THREE YEARS AGO.

>> IT'S SIGNIFICANT.

WHEN THIS ROLED OUT, THERE WAS NO GUIDELINES FOR THE HOSPITAL.

WE HAD TO HAVE A READABLE FILE, TOP PROCEDURES, AND NOT A LOT OF GOVERNANCE.

>> AND HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE OF THE PATIENTRIGHTADVOCATE.ORG.

>> THE THIRD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS, LIKE TO GO OUT AND PURCHASE DATA, THEY'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

USE IT TO DISCREDIT THE HEALTH CARE ORGANIZATIONS.

THEY DON'T INTERPRET IT THE SAME WAYS AS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

FOR HOSPITALS, WE RELY ON WHAT CMS TELLS US.

>> HOWEVER, STATE SENATOR SAYS THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITALS DO HAVE SERIOUS PRICE TRANSPARENT ISSUES.

HE SPONSORED A BILL LAST SESSION.

>> THIS IS A VERY BROKEN SYSTEM THAT NEEDS TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST SECTORS OF THE ECONOMY, THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AND THERE'S NOT REAL TRUE TRANSPARENTSY IN VIOLATION OF FEDERAL RULE AND STATE LAW, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED.

>> THIS FALL, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL ADD MORE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES, HE SAYS THAT'LL FURTHER CLARIFY PRICE TRANSPARENCY RUMORS.

>> IT'S NOT BROKEN, IT'S COMPLICATED.

IT REALLY IS.

YOU LOOK AT WHAT GOES IN AN AVERAGE BILL AND CERTAINLY THE INFORMATION WE'RE UPLOADING, WHICH INDIVIDUAL ITEM COST OR INDIVIDUAL ITEM CHARGES, THERE'S HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS, DEPENDING ON THE PROCEDURE THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>>> SENATOR NATHAN DAHM SAYS HIS BILL MADE IT TO A SENATE COMMITTEE THIS YEAR.

AND HOPES IT GETS TO THE FULL STATE SENATE NEXT SESSION.

BY THE WAY.THE LARGEST HOSPITAL IN THE STATE IS ST. FRANCIS IN TULSA.

I'VE REACHED OUT TO THEM TWICE IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS.

NO RESPONSE.

TAELYR.

>>> WHEN THE RESULTS OF THE COVID-19 CLINICAL VACCINE TRIALS WERE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, IT REVEALED A FAMILIAR PATTERN: WOMEN AND MINORITIES PARTICIPATED IN THE TRIALS FAR LESS THAN CAUCASIAN MEN.

TO LEARN MORE, RICH LENZ SPOKE WITH A LEADING AUTHORITY ON WAYS TO LESSEN GENDER DISPARITY IN THE PURSUIT OF NEW TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES.

.

>>> IN 2020 NEARLY 65% OF DEATHS IN THE STATE WERE CAUSED BY FIREARMS.

LOCAL ACTIVIST JABEE WILLIAMS IS WORKING TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF >> THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALE AND FEMALE.

WE BATTLE FOR EQUITY.

IT COULD PUT MEN AT HIGHER RISK.

ON THE IMPACT ON THE NEWBORN BABIES YET TO BE BORN.

WOMEN ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE MEN DOMESTIC FRONT THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR THEM TO SAY, IF THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL TO A BRICK AND MORTAR SITE.

>> ARE THERE WAYS AROUND THAT NOW?

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS MORE DIVERSE?

>> TRIALS ARE MANDATED, TO GENDERTY.

AND DIVERSITY.

BUT IT MAY NOT BE A TRUE -- CLINICAL TRIAL YET.

AND INDUSTRY IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE MEN AND CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S ONE MAJOR -- WE HAVE TO OVERCOME.

>> WHAT ARE THE CLINICAL TRIALS OR DCT'S?

>> DECENTRALIZED CLINICAL TRIALS ARE BASICALLY A NEW WAY OF SAYING HOME BASE OF REMOTE CLINICAL TRIALS.

BY WHICH, NEW ARE TESTED FOR SAFETY AND EFFICACY.

HAVE BEEN RESTRICTED TO BRICK AND MORTAR SITES.

FOR CANCER OR OTHER DISEASES, THE MEDICAL CENTERS, THAT ARE CONCENTRATED IN CALIFORNIA, TEXAS, AND BOSTON.

THAT LEAVES OUT 95% OF THE AMERICANS ACCESSING THE TRIALS.

AND MANY COMPANIES THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED TECHNOLOGIES TO ESSENTIALLY ENABLE TELEMEDICINE VISITS AND REMOTE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PATIENTS, CAN PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE.

THAT'S THE REMAINING 95% OF AMERICANS WHO HAVE A SHOT AT A CLINICAL TRIAL -- >> WOULD MORE OF DIVERSE PARTICIPATION NECESSARILY LEAD TO MORE EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS AND DRUGS?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

100%.

EVERYONE AGREES IT'S SCIENCE, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM LESSONS FROM THE PAST.

WHICH IS CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS, CHOLESTEROL DRUGS, ALL CONNECTED ON OLDER MEN.

AND LESS EFFECTIVE ON WOMEN AT LARGE.

EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE BY THE INDICATIONS.

THE PARTICULAR CASE, THE -- WOMEN THAN MEN.

LESS LIKELY TO BE IN CLINICAL TRIALS.

CERTAINLY, MAKING SURE THAT ON THE PACKET, THIS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IS SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS TAKEN UP ON PRIORITY NUMBER ONE.

>> DOCTOR, IN THE COVID CLINICAL TRIALS, DID THAT FOLLOW THE PATTERN OF MORE MEN INVOLVED IN THE TRIALS THAN WOMEN?

>> THE FIRST COMPANY TO GO OUT AND PUT A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT OF ALL PAST TRIALS.

AND REPORT THE DEMOGRAPHIC.

80% ARE CAUCASIAN, MALE, FROM AFFLUENT ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.

THAT HASN'T CHANGED MUCH.

UNTIL NOW.

AND HENCE, HUGE SPOTLIGHT ON THE URGENT NEED TO THRIVE DIVERSITY, HE CAN CITY, INCLUSION AND ACCESS TO THE TREATMENTS, AND THAT AFFLUENCE GENDER -- INFLUENCE GENDER, AND PEOPLE FROM LOWER TO MIDDLE INCOME RANGES ARE LESS LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN A TRIAL.

AND HIGH END BACKGROUNDS.

AND LGBTQ COMMUNITY ARE ALSO LESS REPRESENTED.

AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN, ASIAN, AND HISPANIC COMMUNITIES ARE STILL UNDER.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FASCINATING INFORMATION, THANKS FOR GIVING US THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

THIS IS A -- TOPIC IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY, GREAT TO BE HERE.

>>> IN 2020 NEARLY 65% OF DEATHS IN THE STATE WERE CAUSED BY FIREARMS.

LOCAL ACTIVIST JABEE WILLIAMS IS WORKING TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENT CRIMES IN THE OKC METRO.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US WITH HOW THOSE EFFORTS ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED.

JASON?

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY HIP-HOP ARTIST HAS BEEN PERSONALLY IMPACTED BY VIOLENCE.AND HE WANTS TO ENSURE OTHERS GET THE HELP THEY NEED WHILE PROVIDING HOPE FOR A BETTER COMMUNITY.

>> WHILE JABEE WILLIAMS IS USED TO HEARING APPLAUSE WHILE ON STAGE, THIS DAY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

HE'S NOW LEADING A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION CALLED LIVE FREE OKC.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO, YOU KNOW, REDUCE VIOLENT CRIMES, GUN VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY SIGNIFICANTLY, SIGNIFICANTLY THIS YEAR.

>> YOU CAN SAY LIVE FREE OKC'S MISSION IS PERSONAL TO WILLIAMS.

HE GOT THE CALL IN 2001 FROM HIS MOTHER THAT HIS BROTHER WAS SHOT.

>> SO I GOT TO THE HOSPITAL SUNDAY NIGHT.

I REMEMBER BEING THERE ALL NIGHT SUNDAY, AND YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S JUST LIKE TRAUMATIZED.

HE WAS 16.

>> MY PEN MOVES, I'M REALLY TRYING TO HEAL WOUNDS.

YEAH.

EYE FOR AN EYE CAN MAKE THE WHOLE WORLD BLIND.

WHAT WOULD I DECIDE IF I GO BACK AND PRESS REWIND.

>> WILLIAMS SAYS IF IT WASN'T FOR SOMEONE STEPPING IN TO TAKE HIM OUT OF THAT TRAUMATIC SITUATION OF HIS BROTHER'S KILLING BACK THEN.HE WOULDN'T KNOW WHERE HE WOULD BE TODAY.

>> SEEING THE, THE EFFECT IT HAD, THE IMMEDIATE EFFECT, YOU KNOW, THAT THE, THE THOUGHTS OF RETALIATION, THE, THE ANGER AND HAVING SOMEBODY COME AND INTERVENE AND KIND OF PROVIDE SOME INTERVENTION FOR ME REALLY HELPED ME.

>> AS A KID I NEVER SMILED.

FUNNY HOW THE PAIN CAN AFFECT YOU AS A CHILD.

>> OBVIOUSLY HIS MUSIC HAS BEEN A WAY TO DEAL WITH THE TRAUMA OF LOSING HIS BROTHER TO GUN VIOLENCE.

>> MY OUTLET WAS MY MUSIC TO TALK ABOUT IT AND, YOU KNOW, AND THEN IT JUST DEVELOPED INTO OTHER THINGS.

AND SO NOW I'M, I'M AT A POINT IN MY LIFE WHERE I FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I CAN REALLY DO AND NOT JUST TELL THE STORIES AND SPREAD THE MESSAGE AND, AND BE A VOICE, BUT ACT ACTIVELY PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING THE VIOLENCE.

>> AND NOW.HE'S TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE HE GREW UP.

>> WE ARE STARTING RIGHT HERE ON THE EAST SIDE WHERE I GREW UP.

WARD SEVEN.

THIS IS WHERE OUR PILOT IS.

AND YOU KNOW, THE GOAL IS OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, TO BRANCH OUT, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE START HERE WHERE I'M FROM AND WHERE I HAVE THE MOST CONNECTION AND, AND IN MY COMMUNITY.

>> I AM.

I AM.

A PEACEMAKER.

A PEACEMAKER MAN.

WHAT A, WHAT A DOPE DAY THIS IS.

>> COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS PASTOR MIKE.IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL LIVE FREE USA ORGANIZATION.

>> LIVE FREE IS A PART OF A NATIONAL ECOSYSTEM OF VIOLENCE INTERVENTION, CREDIBLE MESSENGERS, ORGANIZERS, PEACEMAKERS WHO HAVE HONED STRATEGIES THAT FOCUS ON THE LESS THAN 1% OF THE CITY'S POPULATION.

THAT DRIVES ABOUT 60% OF OUR VIOLENCE.

>> MCBRIDE SAYS LIVE FREE OKC WILL USE DATA TO HELP IDENTIFY PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF BEING SHOT OR SHOOTING SOMEONE ELSE.

THE ORGANIZATION THEN MAKES A TAILORED INTERVENTION FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

>> IT ALLOWS US TO GET INVOLVED IN THEIR LIFE AND OFFER THEM SOME ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE TO DEAL WITH THEIR CONFLICTS, SOME OPPORTUNITIES TO GET THEM PERHAPS OFF OF THE KIND OF UNDERGROUND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT MAY GET THEM MORE, YOU KNOW, CONNECTED TO VIOLENT ACTIVITY.

IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO GET THERAPY.

>> MY LITTLE COUSIN OUT HERE CRIPPIN.

I WISH HE WASN'T.

I JUST WANT TO TAKE HIM ON THE ROAD.

SHOW HIM SOMETHING BETTER.

HE GOT TO LEARN IT ON HIS OWN.

>> IN 2022, THE OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT WORKED 74 HOMICIDES.73% OF THOSE KILLINGS INVOLVED A FIREARM.

13 OF THE HOMICIDE VICTIMS WERE KNOWN TO HAVE GANG INVOLVEMENT.

WHILE 11 OF THOSE ARRESTED AS MURDER SUSPECTS ALSO ALLEGEDLY BELONGED TO A GANG.

MCBRIDE NOTES.THAT EVEN THE HARDEST GANG MEMBER.IS SEARCHING FOR PEACE.

>> THE HARDCORE GUYS ARE WAITING ON US.

YOU KNOW, YOU'D BE SURPRISED, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF US HAVE THIS IMAGE OF, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITIES NOT WANTING HELP.

RIGHT.

BUT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE WORK WITH ACROSS THE COUNTRY TAKE THE HELP WHEN IT'S OFFERED TO THEM IN A CONCRETE WAY, THEY TAKE IT.

>> WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES, ISSUES OF VIOLENCE AND DISRUPTION AND IN ANY SITUATION, THE WAY IN WHICH YOU GET TO PEACE IS THROUGH RELATIONSHIP AND COLLABORATION THAT'S IN ANY SITUATION.

>> JABAR SHUMATE WITH THE OKLAHOMA CITY URBAN LEAGUE BELIEVES LIVE FREE OKC.WILL BRING TOGETHER THOSE TRYING TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY WITH THOSE WHO NEED HELP TO GET OUT OF THAT CYCLE.

>> WE CAN GET PEOPLE THE KIND OF THINGS THEY NEED TO DEVELOP SO THAT THEY CAN BE TALENTED IN THE WORKFORCE, THEY CAN GET BETTER HOUSING, THEY CAN NOT RETURN TO SOME OF THE SAME ISSUES THEY FACE FOR THEIR LIFE.

SO I SEE THIS AS TRANSFORMATIONAL AT ITS BEST, THE WORK BEING DONE HERE.

>> WILLIAMS SAYS LIVE FREE OKC.WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HOPES THAT DIFFERENCE SPREADS THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND THE STATE.

>> EVERYBODY WANTS PEACE.

NOBODY'S GONNA STAND UP AND SAY, NAH, I KIND OF LIKE GUN VIOLENCE.

SEE WHAT I'M SAYING?

>> GOT ME TRIPPING ON THE MURDER RATE.

THANK GOD, MY HOMIE BEAT A MURDER CASE.

>> JABEE WILLIAMS SAYS JUST DAYS AFTER LIVE FREE OKC WAS LAUNCHED LAST WEEK.OTHER COMMUNITIES WITHIN OKLAHOMA CITY REACHED OUT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM.

TAELYR?

>>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION RYAN WALTERS IS CALLING OUT TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AHEAD OF A DECISION ON THE DISTRICT'S ACCREDITATION.

WALTERS, WHO SITS ON THE OETA BOARD DUE TO THE VIRTUE HIS ELECTED POSITION, RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL MISMANAGEMENT, LOW READING AND TEST SCORES.

DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE IN TULSA ON MONDAY, WALTERS SAID MORE MONEY NEEDS TO GO INTO THE CLASSROOM AND NOT TO ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DEBORAH GIST CONTENDS THE MONEY IS GETTING INTO THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE KNOW ABOUT THE $1 MILLION OF MISAPPROPRIATED FUNDS, $1 MILLION.

THIS IS THE LARGEST AMOUNT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH THE AUDIT FINDINGS OF THE LAST THREE YEARS.

SO FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW, TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS IN THEIR AUDIT REPORT THAT THEY LACK INTERNAL, THE APPROPRIATE INTERNAL CONTROLS OF FINANCES.

SO THREE YEARS STRAIGHT TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AUDITORS HAVE SAID THAT THEY QUOTE, LACK INTERNAL CONTROLS OF FINANCES.

>> APPARENTLY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT ALSO SAID SOMETHING ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT OUR FINANCES ARE FOCUSED ON OUR STUDENTS.

AND THEY ABSOLUTELY ARE.

IN FACT, WE ARE LOWER THAN THE STATE.

THE STATE HAS A LAW ABOUT MONEY THAT IS SPENT ON ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.

AND WE ARE LOWER THAN THAT.

THE MAXIMUM THAT A SCHOOL DISTRICT OR ANY LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY CAN SPEND IS 5%.

AND OURS IS BELOW THAT.

IT'S LIKE FOUR SOMETHING PERCENT.

>> THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION IS EXPECTED TO TAKE UP TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACCREDITATION AT ITS NEXT MEETING ON AUGUST 24.

>>> THURSDAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR FOR ONE OF THE LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OKLAHOMA.

AS OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS KICKED OFF THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.SUPERINTENDENT SEAN MCDANIEL ASSURED PARENTS, DISTRICT EMPLOYEES AND STUDENTS THE DISTRICT IS READY.

.EVEN WITH A PROJECTED 35000STUDENTS ATTENDING SCHOOL WHILE SOME TEACHING POSITIONS ARE STILL OPEN.

>> THAT REPRESENTS THREE YEARS IN A ROW OF GROWTH IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SO IF YOU FOLLOW US FOR, FOR VERY LONG AT ALL, YOU KNOW, THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR, FOR A LONG TIME, WE'VE BEEN CHARACTERIZED AS A DECLINING ENROLLMENT DISTRICT.

AND SO FOR THREE YEARS IN A ROW NOW, WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN ENROLLMENT.

>> WE'RE AT ABOUT 70 OPENINGS RIGHT NOW.

SO WE, WE, AND, AND I'M TALKING ABOUT CLASSROOM TEACHERS.

SO WE EMPLOY ABOUT 2,600 TEACHERS AND WE HAVE 70 OPENINGS RIGHT NOW.

AND TYPICALLY WHAT YOU'LL SEE FROM US IS IN AREAS OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, SCIENCE, MATH, MAYBE SOME EARLY CHILDHOOD K THREE POSITIONS.

>> A HANDFUL OF DISTRICTS ALSO STARTED THIS WEEK.

TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MANY OTHER DISTRICTS WILL OPEN THEIR DOORS TO STUDENTS NEXT WEEK.

>>> TRIBAL COMPACT EXTENSIONS DOMINATED THE END OF THE LEGISLATURE'S SPECIAL SESSION THIS SUMMER.BUT WHERE DO THINGS GO FROM HERE?

THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM AND NATIVE AMERICAN LEADERS ARE HEADING BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TO WORK OUT REVENUE SHARING DEALS WHICH WILL BENEFIT BOTH THE STATE AND THE TRIBES.

THAT'S THE TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR REECE WETZEL COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>> MCGIRT WAS DECIDED THREE YEARS AGO.

WE'VE NOT SEEN THIS PROLIFERATION OF TOBACCO C STORES OR SMOKE SHOPS, YOU KNOW, THAT GOVERNOR STITT HAS, HAS SAID THERE'S A REASONING WHY IT NEEDS TO, NEEDS TO DO THIS IN THE TOBACCO.

SINCE WHAT, WHAT YOU'VE SEEN IS, I THINK BOTH THE TRIBES THAT, THAT MCGIRT HAS AFFECTED, AND AGAIN, WE, WE NEED TO BE CLEAR THERE, THERE'S ONLY BEEN EIGHT TRIBES WHOSE RESERVATIONS HAVE BEEN REESTABLISHED UNDER, UNDER THE COURT SYSTEM.

>> WELL, THE FALIN ADMINISTRATION CAME IN WITH I THINK A MORE ELEGANT SOLUTION AND BASICALLY ADOPTED A UNIFIED TAX RATE OF, OF A DOLLAR THREE, A PACK WITH THE, THE TAX SPLIT BETWEEN THE TRIBAL NATIONS AND THE STATE.

WELL, THOSE ARE THE COMPACTS NOW THAT ARE UP FOR RENEWAL.

AND AS I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S WANTING TO DO IS LIMIT THE WITHIN TRIBAL JURISDICTION, THE ABILITY OF TRIBES TO HAVE NEW SMOKE SHOPS.

>> MORE ON THAT CONVERSATION LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>>> IMAGINE CALLING 911 DURING AN EMERGENCY AND THERE AREN'T ENOUGH PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE PHONE.

WHILE THE SITUATION ISN'T THAT DIRE YET, REPORTER JOEL FILOMENO JOINS US TO EXPLAIN HOW 911 CALL CENTERS ARE ADDRESSING A SHORTAGE OF WORKERS.

JOEL?

>> TAEYLR, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE 911 ADMINISTRATORS NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF 911 CALL CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY REPORTED AT LEAST ONE JOB VACANCY IN 2022.

ORGANIZATIONS AT THE COUNTY, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVEL ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO COMBAT THE SHORTAGE.

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOUSANDS OF 911 CALLS THE CITY OF MOORE DISPATCH ANSWERS EACH MONTH.

>> IN THE MONTH OF JUNE WE HAD JUST OVER 5,000 CALLS FOR SERVICE FOR THE MONTH.

SO THOSE ARE EITHER CALLS THAT DISPATCH GETS DIRECTLY OR CALLS THAT ARE RECEIVED OVER THE RADIO FROM POLICE OFFICERS.

>> SHE SAYS THE 911 CALL CENTER IS IN NEED OF MORE DISPATCHERS.

>> EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO INCREASE OUR STAFFING BECAUSE WE'RE HIRING MORE AND MORE POLICE OFFICERS AND IT'S GETTING BUSIER AND BUSIER OUT THERE.

AND WE DON'T HAVE HIGH ENOUGH NUMBER OF DISPATCHERS.

>> 911 COORDINATOR FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA LANCE TERRY SAYS THERE IS A GROWING DEFICIT IN DISPATCHERS.

>> WE HAD 1,399 POSITIONS WITH ONLY 829 DISPATCHERS FILLING THOSE POSITIONS.

AND WE SET SHIFT MINIMUMS PRETTY MUCH ALL THE TIME.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, THAT MEANS 32% OF THE TIME SOMEONE'S HAVING TO FILL WITH OVERTIME IN THE STATE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE 911 ADMINISTRATORS, 36% OF 911 CALL CENTERS REPORTED FEWER POSITIONS FILLED IN 2022 THAN IN 2019.

ONE PLACE MITIGATING THE SHORTAGE OF 911 DISPATCHERS IS METRO TECHNOLOGY CENTERS AT THEIR SOUTH BRYANT CAMPUS.

>> WE ARE IN THE NEW PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY BUILDING AND INSIDE THIS ROOM SPECIFICALLY IS GOING TO BE THE 911 CALL CENTER.

>> METRO TECHNOLOGY CENTERS SUPERINTENDENT AARON COLLINS SAYS THE FUNDING FOR THIS NEW FACILITY CAME FROM A 2019 CITY BOND.

>> WE'RE ALREADY SPENDING QUITE A DEAL OF TAXPAYERS' MONEY FOR TRAINING.

SO HOW CAN WE DO THAT IN SUCH A WAY THAT HELPS OUT THE COMMUNITY?

AND SO WE COMBINE THE TWO TRAINING AND A 911 CALL CENTER TOGETHER SUPPORTS OUR COMMUNITY.

>> METRO TECH CENTER STUDENTS WILL LEARN FIRST HAND ON HOW PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATES WHILE OBTAINING ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION.

>> HERE WITHIN THE ENTIRE CENTER, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO CERTIFICATIONS FOR CLEET 1, 2, 3, AND 4 IN ONE PLACE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT, THAT CERTIFICATION ALSO FOR FIRE.

AND SO THIS WOULD BE A PLACE FOR FIRE SAFETY AND BE ABLE TO GET YOUR BASIC FIREFIGHTER SAFETY ONE TRAINING HERE AT METRO TECH.

>> THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PARTNERED WITH METRO TECH CENTERS TO PROVIDE A POLICE OFFICER CERTIFICATION PROGRAM WITHIN THE NEW FACILITY.

>> METRO TECH IS KNOWN FOR PROVIDING STUDENTS WHO ARE WORK READY THE SECOND THEY WALK OUT THE DOOR.

>> PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER AARON BRILBECK SAYS THE NEED FOR DISPATCHERS IS CRUCIAL.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A NEED FOR GOOD DISPATCHERS.

IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT JOB, IT'S A VERY TAXING JOB.

MENTALLY, PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY IT CAN BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

AND OFTENTIMES WHEN PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR THE JOB, THEY DON'T REALLY REALIZE THE HUGE EMOTIONAL TOLL THAT IT TAKES.

>> I'VE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS 34 YEARS, I'VE BEEN A TRAINER, I'VE HAD TRAINEES CRY ALL THE WAY TO WORK AND CRY ALL THE WAY HOME BECAUSE IT'S, IT'S, IT'S VERY INTENSE.

IT'S AN INTENSE JOB.

VERY, VERY REWARDING, BUT VERY INTENSE.

>> LANCE TERRY SAYS ITS DIFFICULT BEING A 911 DISPATCHER WITHOUT PROPER TRAINING >> WHEN YOU'RE AN ARMY OF ONE AND YOU'RE LITERALLY BY YOURSELF IN A SINGLE DISPATCH ENVIRONMENT AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE TRAINING AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE TOOLS TO BE SUCCESSFUL, THERE'S NO WAY THAT YOU'RE GONNA WANNA STAY AT THAT JOB FOR VERY LONG.

>> TAMMY KOEHN ALSO SAYS THE JOB OF A DISPATCHER REQUIRES MULTITASKING.

>> PEOPLE GET INTO THE JOB AND AREN'T REALLY COMPLETELY AWARE OF WHAT ALL WE HAVE TO DO.

BUT WE'RE LISTENING TO RADIO TRAFFIC, ANSWERING PHONES, TALKING ON THE RADIO.

YOU HAVE TO BE A VERY GOOD MULTITASKER.

>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SIGNED HOUSE BILL 1590 INTO LAW THIS PAST MAY.

THE BILL WOULD MODERNIZE THE STATE'S 911 SERVICE AND REQUIRE TELECOMMUNICATOR CPR TRAINING FOR DISPATCHERS.

>> IT'LL INCLUDE TELECOMMUNICATORS, CPR.

SO IF THEY DISPATCH AMBULANCES FROM, FROM THEIR CENTER, THEN THEY'LL HAVE TO HAVE TELECOMMUNICATOR CPR, WHICH INSTRUCTS CALLERS HOW TO, HOW TO PROVIDE CPR OVER THE PHONE.

TERRY SAYS THE BILL ALSO CHANGES HOW LOCATION DATA FROM PHONES ARE COLLECTED.

>> WE GET THAT INFORMATION AND WE CAN TAKE THAT, RUN IT THROUGH SERVERS TO FIND OUT WHERE DOES THE CALL REALLY NEED TO BE SENT AND WHAT'S THE DISPATCHABLE ADDRESS AS SOON AS WE ANSWER THE CALL.

>> PASSING THIS LEGISLATION AND PUSHING IT FORWARD TO CHANGE OUR TECHNOLOGY AND ALSO PROVIDE THIS MANDATORY TRAINING, I THINK HAS HELPED OR WILL HELP WITH THE SUCCESS OF THIS METRO TECH, OKLAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PARTNERSHIP.

>> BRILBECK HOPES THE NEW METRO TECH CENTER PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITY WILL EASE PRESSURE FOR OTHER CALL CENTERS.

>> THAT ROOM RIGHT NOW IS A PRESSURE COOKER AND YOU'RE GETTING CALLS RANGING FROM PEOPLE NEEDING HELP WITH DOMESTIC ISSUES TO PEOPLE WHOSE HOUSES ARE ON FIRE TO POLICE OFFICERS WHO NEED HELP RIGHT NOW.

>> THE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENTS RUNS THE 911 INSTITUTE OF OKLAHOMA.

THE ASSOCIATION HAS TRAINED OVER 1200 DISPATCHERS OVER THE DECADE.

LANCE TERRY SAYS MORE SHOULD BE DONE TO HELP TRAIN FUTURE DISPATCHERS.

>> WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE TOOLS WE NEED TO GIVE THEM THE TECHNOLOGY TO BE ABLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL, BUT THEN WE NEED TO TRAIN 'EM TO BE SUCCESSFUL TOO.

>> KOEHN SAYS THAT THE JOB OF A DISPATCHER IS CRUCIAL SINCE THEY ARE OFTEN FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THEIR ROLE IS VERY CRITICAL IN GATHERING THE MOST IMPORTANT AND PERTINENT INFORMATION TO MAKING SURE THEY GET THE RIGHT ADDRESS, THE RIGHT UNIT SENT FOR PEOPLE.

WITHOUT THE DISPATCHER, NOBODY'S GONNA GET ANY HELP.

>> METRO TECHNOLOGY CENTERS NEW PUBLIC SAFETY ACADEMY IS EXPECTED TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO STUDENTS STARTING THIS SEPTEMBER.

TAEYLR.

>>> TWO MAJOR TECH COMPANIES ARE INVESTING IN OKLAHOMA'S WORKFORCE.

GOOGLE IS PARTNERING WITH THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO ENHANCE OKLAHOMANS WORK SKILLS.

WHILE MICROSOFT HAS FORMED AN ALLIANCE WITH "BLACK TECH STREET" IN THE GREEENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> BY 2025 HALF OF THE WORKFORCE WILL NEED TO RESKILL.

>> OKLAHOMANS NOW HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN THEIR WORK PORTFOLIO THANKS TO OKLAHOMA'S RECENT PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOGLE.

>> SO THIS PROGRAM IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO UPSKILL AND ADD TO THEIR PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO WITH SKILLS THAT ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND ARE RELEVANT TO OUR WORKFORCE NEEDS.

>> THE "GROW WITH GOOGLE PROGRAM" OFFERS 6 DIFFERENT COURSES; CYBERSECURITY, DATA ANALYTICS, DIGITAL MARKETING & E-COMMERCE, IT SUPPORT, PROJECT MANAGEMENT, AND UX DESIGN.

>> SO IT'S A HUNDRED PERCENT VIRTUAL, IT'S ON DEMAND POWERED BY COURSERA.

SO IT'S ONLINE LEARNING, BUT IT'S HANDS ON AND >> TAYVON LEWIS IS THE FIRST OKLAHOMA'S "GROW WITH GOOGLE" GRADUATE.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY TRANSFORMED MY LIFE INTO A CAREER WHERE, WHERE I SEE IT, THE POSSIBILITIES ARE JUST ENDLESS NOW BECAUSE OF THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I'VE GAINED IN THIS POSITION.

>> BEFORE THE PROGRAM LEWIS HAD TROUBLE FINDING A JOB DESPITE HAVING A DEGREE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> AND SOMEONE INTRODUCED ME TO THE GROW WITH GOOGLE PROGRAM, EMILY GEIS AND I WENT THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND THEY, THEY TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN IS THE NEXT BIG THING, HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN.

AND I WAS LIKE, OKAY, LET ME, LET ME GO HOME.

AND I WENT HOME, I RESEARCHED HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN, AND I WAS LIKE, WOW, THIS ALIGNS EXACTLY WITH COMPUTER SCIENCE.

IT, IT ALIGNS WITH TECHNOLOGY.

AND I JUST DOVE IN.

>> SINCE COMPLETING THE PROGRAM LEWIS SAYS MANY OPPORTUNITIES HAVE COME HIS WAY >> NOW I'M ABLE TO TAKE ON DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND, AND BE A PART OF DIFFERENT THINGS ON A GREATER SCALE.

AND AT THE SAME TIME CONTINUING THAT, THAT KNOWLEDGE AND SHARING THAT KNOWLEDGE AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE CAPTURE THOSE NEEDS AND KEEP IT GOING.

>> LEWIS CREDITS HIS GOOGLE CERTIFICATE WITH HELPING HIM ENTER THE WORKFORCE.

>> SO I WOULD SAY THAT IT HAS TRANSFORMED OUR LIFE AND, AND JUST A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE.I SCIENCE DEGREES.

WE HAVE THESE DIFFERENT ENTITIES WHO MICROSOFT IS COMING IN AND PROVIDING DIFFERENT RESOURCES WITHIN, PARTNERING WITH.

>> THOSE RESOURCES INCLUDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND CUTTING-EDGE AI AND CYBER TECHNOLOGY.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE GETTING A COOL OPPORTUNITY.GREENWOOD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO POTENTIALLY LEAD THE ENTIRE WORLD IN EQUITY AS IT RELATES TO A CRITICAL TECH VERTICAL.

BUT BEYOND THAT, THERE'S AN ENTIRE PACKAGE OF GIVES AND GETS, US BEING THE TECH SPARK FELLOW FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THERE, THERE'S AN ENTIRE ENUMERATED LIST, BUT THAT'S NOT THE ENTIRETY OF THE ALLIANCE.

THE ALLIANCE IS GONNA EVOLVE OVER TIME WITH THIS GOAL OF ESTABLISHING NEW GREENWOOD IS THIS CYBER HUB.

>> BILLINGSLEY BELIEVES TECH IS ONE OF THE LEADING WAYS TO CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH.

THIS IS PART OF THE REASON HE CREATED BLACK TECH STREET.

>> TWO TECH IS THE CORE MEDIUM IN WHICH ALL GLOBAL INNOVATION AND THE CREATION OF NEW WEALTH REGENERATING MARKETS TAKES PLACE CONSISTENTLY.

AND THREE, YOU KNOW, BY THE YEAR 2030, THERE WERE PROJECTED TO BE AS MANY AS 4.3 MILLION VACANT HIGH PAYING TECH JOBS DUE TO A TECH TALENT SHORTAGE.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE'S PARTNERSHIP WITH GOOGLE VISIT OKLAHOMA.GOV AND FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK TECH STREET VISIT BLACKTECHSTREET.COM.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY WILL RESUME WORK ON A MASSIVE TURNPIKE EXPANSION PROJECT THANKS TO THE OKLAHOMA REPORTS SECOND QUARTER EARNINGS OF $88.4 MILLION BEATING LAST YEAR'S SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF 73.1 MILLION.

OGE ENERGY BELIEVES IT IS ON TRACK TO HAVE FULL YEAR NET EARNINGS IN THE RANGE OF 387-MILLION TO $416 MILLION.

TULSA BASED ONEOK BROUGHT IN SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $468 MILLION.A 13 % INCREASE OVER THE SECOND QUARTER OF LAST YEAR.

THE MIDSTREAM SERVICES COMPANY IS INCREASING ITS ESTIMATE FOR ITS FULL YEAR INCOME ESTIMATE.

IT IS NOW IN THE RANGE OF 2.26 BILLION TO 2.56 BILLION.

THAT INCREASE IN ESTIMATED INCOME IS DUE TO ONEOK'S VOLUME GROWTH AND HIGHER AVERAGE FEE RATES.

THE GROWTH FOR ONEOK IS COMING FROM THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION AND THE PERMIAN BASIN IN TEXAS.

TULSA BASED MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS REPORTED SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF 239-MILLION.THAT'S DOWN FROM 354 MILLION A YEAR AGO.

MAGELLAN IS WORKING TO EXPAND CAPACITY OF ITS REFINED PRODUCTS PIPELINE TO EL PASO, TEXAS, AS WELL AS CONSTRUCTING A NEW PIPELINE BETWEEN ODESSA AND CRANE, TEXAS.

MAGELLAN MIDSTREAM AND ONEOK ARE CONSIDERING A MERGER LATER THIS YEAR.

TULSA BASED WILLIAMS IS SETTING UP A PUBLIC OFFERING OF UP TO $1.2 BILLION OF SENIOR NOTES.WHICH IS A TYPE OF DEBT COMPANIES ISSUE.

WILLIAMS WILL USED THE MONEY RAISED FOR GENERAL CORPORATE PURPOSES, WHICH INCLUDES REPAYMENT OF NEAR-TERM DEBT.

JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> TRBIAL COMPACTS WERE THE FOCUS DURING THE END OF THIS YEAR'S SPECIAL SESSION, EVEN AS GOVERNOR STITT TRIED TO OFFER NEW COMPACTS FOR TOBACCO AND LICENSE TAGS.

HE FILED A LAWSUIT TO BLOCK THE LEGISLATURE'S COMPACT EXTENSION.

MODERATOR REECE WETZEL AND HIS GUESTS JOIN US NOW TO DISCUSS THE DISPUTE AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR COMPACTING BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE TRIBES.

>> THANK YOU, WE INVITED THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE MEMBER OF THE TRIBAL NATION.

PROBLEMS AROSE.

BUT I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE GUESTS TODAY.

WE HAVE SCOTT -- THE DIRECTOR, AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM, WITH THE OKLAHOMA INDIAN GAME ASSOCIATION.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO JOIN US.

CHAIRMAN, I'LL START WITH YOU.

TELL US OF THE OKLAHOMA INDIAN GAME ASSOCIATION AND WHAT THE ASSOCIATION DOES.

>> SURE, VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT COMMERCE -- ORGANIZED UNDER.

OUR JOB TO ADVOCATE FORWARD, AND EDUCATE THE MEMBERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON TRIBAL GOVERNMENT GAMING INDUSTRY DOES FOR OKLAHOMA AND FOR THE CITIZENS.

>> ALL RIGHT, AND SCOTT, WE'LL TURN TO YOU.

AND YOU'VE WORKED WITH GOVERNOR, AND YOU'VE WORKED WITH THAT, AND -- >> YES, I WAS -- ON BOTH GAMING AND TRIBAL BACK ON THAT.

THOSE ARE MY TWO AREAS.

MY GAMIN -- THAT DROVE THAT TO STATE LEVEL.

WE'RE ABOUT TO LOSE TO THE PARK, AND THE SOURCE OF -- INDUSTRY.

THAT AND PLUS YOU HAVE TRIBES OUT THERE PLAYING THE ELECTRONIC BINGO GAMES THAT LOOKED LIKE SLOT MACHINES AND THEY WERE GETTING PRESSURE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE HAD AN OF THE EFFORT, WE HAD -- OF THE TRIBE, THE STATE COMING UP WITH AN AGREEMENT THAT GOVERNOR HENRY WOULD PERMIT MONEY FOR EDUCATION.

>> AND CHAIRMAN, YOU WERE IN THE GALLERY OF THE LEGISLATURE IN THE OVERRIDE OF THE VETO.

WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> I ENJOY GOING TO LEGISLATURE AND WATCHING THEM DO THEIR WORK.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THINGS STUCK OUT AT ME, ONE, WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SUMMER, SPECIAL SESSION, AND ALL THE LEGISLATORS HAD TO COME BACK.

OVER THE ISSUE.

IN MY MIND, WASN'T NECESSARY, BUT WAS REQUIRED.

AND TWO, I THINK IN THE DISCUSSIONS, LEGISLATORS JUST THE LACK OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE FORGET HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT WE WERE GOING THROUGH AND WHY THE AGREEMENT SO IMPORTANT TO US AT THAT TIME.

AND HOW HARD PEOPLE WORKED TO GET THEM IN PLACE.

AND THAT'S JUST NOT IN THE BUILDING ANYMORE.

>> YOU SAID IMPORTANT AT THAT TIME.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY THE REASON THEY'RE STILL SO IMPORTANT TODAY?

>> I THINK THAT THOSE AGREEMENTS CREATE A FOUNDATION BETWEEN THE SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENT ON SUBJECT THAT EITHER BOTH GOVERNMENTS CAN BENEFIT FROM OR IF DISAGREEING OVER EACH ONE'S RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES AND ALLOWS BOTH PARTIES TO COME TO THE TABLE AND WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A WIN WIN SITUATION FOR EVERYONE, INSTEAD OF SPENDING THIS TIME AND MONEY FIGHTING IT OUT IN LITIGATION IN COURT THAT THE PARTIES THEMSELVES SET AT THE TABLE, POUND OUT AN AGREEMENT.

SOMETIMES THAT'S MORE DIFFICULT THAN OTHERS.

FIND A MIDDLE GROUND.

THE CITIZENS THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.

IT SHOWS HOW TO MOVE TOGETHER, AS SEPARATE GOVERNMENTS, TO UNIFY THE POSITION TO MAKE OKLAHOMA BETTER.

>> AND SCOTT, BEFORE THIS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE TOBACCO COMPACT.

HOW FAR BACK THIS GOES?

>> IT REALLY STARTED IN THE [INAUDIBLE] ADMINISTRATION.

THE STATE ENTERED INTO BIG TOBACCO AND GOT A BIG SETTLEMENT.

AROUND $70 MILLION A YEAR NOW FOR THE AGREEMENT.

IT REQUIRES US TO TAKE ACTION TO GET RID OF CONTRABAND, THAT DOESN'T COMPLY WITH THE STATE LAW REQUIREMENTS.

THAT REQUIRES THE STATE TO ENTER IN WITH COMPACT WITH THE TRIBES.

THE FIRST, REQUIRES THE TRIBES TO PAY 25% OF THE STATE'S 23%% TAX.

AND THE ADMINISTRATION, VIEWS THAT -- GETTING THE ADMINISTRATION TO NOTICE TO -- TERMINATING THE COMPACT AND IS NOT GOING TO RENEW THEM, BECAUSE THERE'S THE DESIRE TO RAISE THE TOBACCO TAX.

WE ENTERED THE COMPACT, OKAY, PHRASE THEM, THE ADVANTAGE OF 23%, AND PAY 100% OF 80% PACK INCREASE.

AND ENTERED -- CREATED MORE CONFUSION.

THE ADMINISTRATION CAME IN WITH MORE SOLUTION, AND THEY SAID, UNIFY THE TAX RATE OF $1.03 A PACK.

THOSE ARE COMPACTS NOW UP FOR RENEWAL, AND AS I UNDERSTAND, THE GOVERNOR IS WANTING TO DO IS LIMIT WITHIN TRIBAL JURISDICTION, THE ABILITY OF TRIBES TO HAVE NEW SPOPZ.

THAT'S INTERESTING -- SHOPS, IT'S INTERESTING, TALK ABOUT THE NATION, THAT'S US GOING TO KANSAS, AND SAYING YOU CAN'T HAVE MORE SMOKE SHOPS IN KANSAS.

OR US GOING TO -- SAYING YOU CAN'T BUILD MORE.

I THINK IT'S -- ORIGINALLY ABOUT CHARITY, NOW IN MY MIND, INVADING THE PROMISE OF SOVEREIGNTY OF THE TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.

>> THE DECISION?

>> THEY LINK IT TO MCGIRT, BUT I DON'T GET THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT'S A NARROW -- UNDER THE FEDERAL ACT, WHERE THE COURT IN A SPLIT DECISION DECIDED THAT NOT STATE FORCE, BUT THE TRIBAL FORCE COULD PROSECUTE CRIME BY TRIBAL CITIZENS ON TRIBAL LAND.

IN FACT, MCGIRT GOT A LICENSE.

SO IT WAS REALLY JUST ABOUT CRIMES UNDER THE CRIMES ACT AND JUST ABOUT WHO PROSECUTES THE CRIMES.

THE STATE OR FEDERAL OR TRIBAL GOVERNMENT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN, THE RELITIGATION, WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE SUPREME COURT DECISION.

>> CHAIRMAN, THAT BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU HEAR THAT -- THE SAME PATTERN.

>> I THINK -- BECAUSE, MCGIRT WAS DECIDED THREE YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN THE PROLIFERATION OF TOBACCO C STORES OR SMOKE SHOPS, THAT GOVERNOR SAID IT WAS THE REASONING BEHIND TO DO THIS IN THE TOBACCO.

WHAT YOU'VE SEEN, AND I THINK BOTH THE TRIBES THAT AFFECTED, WE NEED TO BE CLEAR, ONLY EIGHT TRIBES ON THE RESERVATION, REESTABLISHED UNDER THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND WE HAVE 38 TRIBES IN THE STATE.

THE ONE THAT HAS AFFECTED, I THINK ARE WORKING REALLY HARD EVERY DAY, BOTH IN THE OWN TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AND WITH LOCAL PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S FILL IN THE GAP.

THERE'S CHALLENGES THAT GO WITH THAT, AND WE OPERATE ONE WAY FOR 100 YEARS, AND NOW HAVING TO READJUST, AND SEEING -- WE CAN HELP EACH OTHER.

WHAT WE CONTINUE TO FIND, THIS COLORS EVERY CONVERSATION OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

IT'S NOT HELPFUL OR PRODUCTIVE, WITH MCGIRT ORIGINALLY DECIDED BACK TO THE LEGAL TEAM 43 TIMES ASKING THE SUPREME COURT TO OVERTURN THE DECISION.

STILL SEEING TODAY, OBSTRUCTIVE IN WAYS THAT ARE NOT HELPFUL.

TALK ABOUT GOVERNMENT SERVICES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND I JUST TONIGHT SEW HOW WE ALL LOOK AT THAT, AND NOT SEE THAT AND OPPORTUNITY THE CONTINUE TO GET BETTER.

OKLAHOMA IS A VERY RURAL STATE.

A LOT OF LANDS -- TRIBES BRING IN ADDED ECONOMIC BENEFIT.

THE ADDED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE EXTRA DOLLARS.

AND WE'RE JUST NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT IN A WAY WE SHOULD, IN MY OPINION, WE'RE SO CAUGHT UP ON WHAT THIS MCGIRT DECISION MAY OR MAY NOT SEEM.

FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPLEMENT THAT.

>> SCOTT, WE TALK ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT, ANY DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN GOVERNOR HENRY AND THE TRIBES AND HOW WERE THEY RESOLVED?

>> ABSOLUTELY HAD DISAGREEMENTS.

I REMEMBER APPEARING BEFORE ALL THE TRIBES, AND SAYING, WE'RE NOT GOING TO REKNEW THE CONTRACT.

THAT WAS NOT A PLEASANT MEETING.

DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMPACT.

WITH THAT, YOU NEED -- TRY TO WORK IT OUT.

WE GOT THEM WORKED OUT THERE.

AND WE HAD A DISPUTE WITH THE CHEROKEE.

AND THE CHEROKEES WERE IMPORTING THOSE IN BY -- WE ARGUE -- THEY ARGUED THEY COULD DO IT.

UNDER THE COMPACT, THERE'S AN ARBITRATION.

AND WE WENT TO AG, AND WE WON, CHEROKEES ABIDED BY IT AND WE WENT DOWN THE ROAD.

IT DIDN'T PAINT THE WHOLE RELATIONSHIP, WE USED THE DISAGREEMENT IN THE COMPACT.

>> THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRIBES AT THAT TIME?

>> THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE TRIBES IS NUMBER WITHIN, WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THEM.

WE'RE FROM OKLAHOMA, AND WE SAW THE TRIBES AS MAJOR -- FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

THERE'S STATE INTEREST THAT WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT, AND WE DEALT WITH THEM -- AND PROBABLY AT FIRST, WENT TOO FAR DOWN THE PATH.

WE WERE IN A DISPUTE WITH THE -- AND I WENT TO MEET WITH THEIR TRIBAL COUNCIL.

AFTER THIS CONTENTIOUS MEETING, ONE COUNCILMAN LOOKED AT ME, I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND, THAT YES, I'M A COUNCILMAN BUT I'M ALSO AN OKLAHOMAEN.

AND THAT WAS A REALIZATION FOR ME, AND A WAKEUP CALL.

WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER, LET'S LOOK AT THE FUTURE HERE.

THE LEGISLATURE DECIDED TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING, DOES THAT BRING BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE TO DISCUSS THE GAMING CONTRACT?

>> IDEALLY, THE COMPACT, AND ALLOW FOR WHAT'S CALLED A GAMING -- WE VISIT AND ASK LEGISLATION.

WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IS HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LEGISLATURED AND THE EXECUTIVE, WHERE WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE.

BEFORE THE LEGISLATION IS PASSED, ULTIMATELY THE LEGISLATURE IN MY MIND IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WHETHER THEY WANT TO OFFER SOMETHING.

THEY HAVE THE POWER, AND THE LEGISLATURE IN MY MIND THAT HAS THAT AUTHORITY TO DECIDE IF AND WHEN WE TAKE UP THE SUBJECT ON OUR SO I HAD OF THE TABLE.

-- SIDE OF THE TABLE.

WE'LL BE WELL PREPARED TO HAVE THIS CONFERRING, WHEN THAT -- CONVERSATION WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

TRIBES WILL BE -- WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FROM THE ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW.

AND THEN WHAT'S THAT SHARING ARRANGEMENT FOR THE STATE TO GET SOMETHING DONE.

I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THERE'S A PATH FORWARD THERE, IT'S NOT A DIFFICULT -- IT'S THE ONLY SUBJECT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

I TALK TO EVERY DAY CITIZENS, IN THIS STATE, AND THEY ALL ASK THE SAME QUESTIONS.

THEY WERE GETTING SPORTS BETTING, THAT'S NOT MY DECISION.

I HOPE AT SOME POINT IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE PICK UP THE CONVERSATION.

IF NOT, FOR THE INDUSTRY, LET'S GO A BETTER PATH WITH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE EXECUTIVE OF THE TRIBE, SETTING DOWN AT THE TABLE, AND HAVING A RESPECTFUL AND PRODUCTIVE DISCUSSION.

>> ARE THERE AREAS FOR THE STATE AND THE TRIBE TO CONSIDER NEW COMPACTS AND WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

>> IN MY MIND, COMPACTING IN A WAY, TWO SEPARATE -- TO SHARE RESPONSIBILITY BY SUBJECT, THEY NEED TO BELIEVE THEY CAN GET -- THERE'S DISAGREEMENT OVER WHERE THE LINES ARE.

AND SO, I'LL -- IF THERE'S A SUBJECT THAT WE'RE NOT AGREEING ON WITH THE STATE, THAT'S SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALWAYS LOOK TO.

AS THINGS ARE -- AS TRIBAL GOVERNMENT IS GROWING, THAT'S THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

THERE'S NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS, ACTIVITIES THAT COME IN THE PER VIEW, AND PROJECTS AND SERVICES OFFERED, I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AT WAYS TO PARTNER AND NOT MAKE THE SUBJECTS TO CONTINUE TO PRESENT THEMSELVES.

IT'S A MATTER OF WHETHER TO SET UP THE TABLE.

>> I CAN ASK SPECIFIC -- FIRST OFF, IN THE WAKE OF -- THE FEDERAL -- TOOK ON THE INVESTIGATIVE [INAUDIBLE].

AND COLLABORATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE TRIBE, LOCAL CITIES, WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

THERE NEEDS TO BE THE FBI INVESTIGATING, AND IT'S TRIBAL MEMBER ON TRIBAL LAND WE NEED TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TRIBES ON THE INVESTIGATIONS.

AND ALSO, TRIBES ARE GETTING MORE -- OWNING GROCERY STORES, SALES TAX AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE, WE'RE OUT OF TO HIM.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

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

A NEW AGREEMENT IS LEADING TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

GETTING EXPOSED TO HIGH PAYING AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE JOBS.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON THE EXPANDING CAREER TECH PROGRAM.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH THE LADIES FROM DANCE SKATE 405, AN ALL WOMEN'S SKATE GROUP.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY OETA'S KACI FERGUSON.

PLEASE 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.

O.N.R.

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

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M TAELYR JACKSON.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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