>> Rich: AS TULSA VOTERS PREPARE TO ELECT A NEW MAYOR, WE'LL PROFILE THE SECOND LARGEST AREA.

>> WE SHOULD BE ONE OF THE BEST CITIES IN THE WORLD.

>> Rich: AN IN DEPTH FORUM.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?

>> Rich: MANY KIDS RETURNING TO SCHOOL AND BRINGING THAT VAPING PENS WITH THEM.

>> NICOTINE IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, BUT IT HAS DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS ON THEIR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

>> Rich: TREES ARE VALUABLE AND WHY IS ONE OKLAHOMA CITY GIVING THEM AWAY FOR FREE?

>> IT IMPROVES FOCUS AND ATTENTION SPAN AND TREES ARE KNOWN TO REDUCE STRESS AND INCREASE OUR SENSE OF WELL-BEING.

>> Rich: AN OKLAHOMA STUDENT IS INVITED TO JOIN A PBS JOURNALISM PROJECT.

>> I'M HONESTLY SUPER, SUPER EXCITED.

I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES I DO NOW.

>> Rich: THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

HELLO, EVERYONE.

AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.." IF ONE OF THESE SIX CANDIDATES RECEIVES 50% OF THE VOTE OR MORE, IT'S OVER.

IF NOT, THERE'S A RUN-OFF ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 5th.

WHAT KIND OF CITY WHERE THE WINNER INHERIT FROM THE MAYOR?

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW.

>> RICH, DURING MY TRIP TO GREEN COUNTRY TO FIND OUT THE STATE OF TULSA THIS WEEK, I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH SEVERAL PROMINENT AREA LEADERS INCLUDING THE MAYOR WHO HAS A LITTLE OVER 100 DAYS LEFT IN HIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> THIS IS A COOL THING THAT THE CHIEF OF THE NATION GAVE US.

IT'S A MAP OF THE ORIGINAL TOWN OF TULSA BACK IN 1910.

>> SINCE HE TOOK THE MAYOR's OFFICE IN 2016, HE'S EXPERIENCED MANY HISTORIC SHIFTS IMPACTING THE CITY OF TULSA, INCLUDING THE SUPREME COURT DECISION WHICH CHANGED THE NATURE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POSSIBLY OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICES WITHIN TRIBAL RESERVATION BOUNDARIES.

I VITAL TULSA MAINTAIN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE TRIBES.

>> SOME PEOPLE I RESPECT IN GOVERNMENT AT ANY LEVEL ARE THE CHIEFS OF THE OSAGE NATIONS.

THE CHALLENGE IS THAT THIS COMPLETELY CHANGED ALL NOTIONS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE FRAMEWORK WE HAVE, THAT WE OPERATE WITHIN OVERNIGHT.

>> HE HOPES THE CONFLICTS WHICH HAVE ARISEN BETWEEN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND THE NATIONS ARE RESOLVED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> IT'S LIKE BEING THE KID THAT'S TRAPPED BETWEEN TWO PARENTS FIGHTING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, BUT THEY WON'T COME TO TERMS.

SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT IN THE FUTURE, MAYBE THE NEXT MAYOR WILL BE IN OFFICE AND THERE WILL BE A CHANGE AND THERE WILL BE A BETTER WORKING DYNAMIC BETWEEN THE STATE AND THE TRIBES.

>> HIS TENURE AS OKLAHOMA's 40th MAYOR HAS SEEN OTHER HISTORIC TURNS LIKE THE RECENT IDENTIFICATION OF REMAINS AT OAKLAWN CEMETERY OF A MAN KILLED DURING THE 1921 RACE MASSACRE, THE FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 SURFACED IN TULSA IN MARCH OF 2020 AND A LITTLE LESS BEFORE THAT, A MAJOR FLOOD.

>> YOU KNOW, I KNOW A LOT OF MY PREDECESSORS, THEY MIGHT HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH A TORNADO OR A FLOOD OR TWO AND I REMEMBER IN 2019, THERE WAS A FLOOD AND WE SPENT WEEKS DEALING WITH THAT.

>> LET'S HAD A MIX TO LEAVE TULSA A BETTER PLACE THAN WHAT HE FOUND IT.

>> WHAT WE'VE DONE IS HISTORIC AND PUT TULSA ON A DIFFERENT TRAJECTORY THAN EIGHT YEARS AGO.

PROBABLY THE BIGGEST THING IS THE TURN-AROUND AND THE LEFT OF EXPECTATIONS THAT THEY HAVE.

>> I WANT TO COMPETE.

>> WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE AMAZING COLLABORATION, AMAZING AMAZE SECTORBETWEEN CITY AND COD STATE AND TRIBAL AND FEDERAL.

GOVERNMENTING COMING TOGETHER COLLECTIVELY WORKING TOGETHER IN HARMONY TO REALLY ADVANCE THE KEY PRIORS.

>> IF YOU HAVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CEO MIKE NEIL, HIS WORK HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN SPURRING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, BENEFITING THE ENTIRE TULSA AIR AREA.

AREA.

>> WE HAVE SPORT's ACTIVITY AND OUR FILM IN MUSIC OR WORK AND THAT SPACE IS JUST GOING THROUGH THE ROOF RIGHT NOW.

REALLY ON ALL FRONTS, PHENOMENAL MOMENTUM.

>> WE'RE GETTING HOUSING IN THIS AREA THAT WILL HAVE A MIXTURE OF HOUSING PRICE POINT.

>> THE COMMISSIONER FOR DISTRICT TWO, KAREN KEITH, HAS SEEN A LOT OF CHANGE SINCE TAKING OFFICE IN 2008 AND POINTS TO THE CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN VOTERS APPROVED IN 2003 TO SET THE STAGE FOR THE TULSA AREA's CURRENT RESIDENT RENAISSANCE.

>> I LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT WHEN WE INVEST IN OURSELVES, THEY STEPPED UP.

>> VISION 2025 IS THE COUNTY-WIDE SALES TAX.

SO BROKEN ARROW LOOKS FABULOUS NOW AND AWA SA LOOKING FABULOUS AND EVERYBODY INVESTED AND CHANGED THEIR DOWNTOWN.

SO IT'S A GOOD STORY, BUT I THINK NOW PEOPLE FORGET HOW WE DID IT AND KIND OF TAKE IT FOR GRANTED.

>> IF YOU ASK FOLKS AROUND GREEN COUNTRY, THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT TULSA IS GOING THROUGH A BIT OF A WINNING STREAK, ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS.

THEY POINT TO PLACES LIKE THE GATHERING PLACE AS EVIDENCE THAT TULSA IS GROWING AND PROSPERING AND THAT WILL BE AN INHERITANCE FOR THE NEXT MAYOR OF TULSA.

>> THE GATHERING PLACE WAS A $465 MILLION PROJECT BUILT BY THE TULSA COMMUNITY PROJECT ON THE BANKS OF THE ARKANSAS RIVER AND OPENED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018.

SINCE THEN, IT'S GARNERED NATIONAL ATTENTION.

>> THAT GATHERING PLACE, WE HAVE TWO TO TWO AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE COMING TO OUR CITY EVERY SINGLE YEAR JUST TO SEE THE PARK AND PLAY IN THE PARK.

>> IT WAS BUILT WITH A MAJOR DONATION FROM THE GEORGE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION AND OTHERS MAKING IT THE LARGEST PRIVATE GIFT TO A COMMUNITY PARK IN U.S. HISTORY.

>> I REALLY DO FEEL LIKE WE HAVE THIS PHILANTHROPIC SPIRIT THAT'S BEEN EVIDENT FOR SO VERY LONG IN THE CITY OF TULSA.

WE TRY TO PUT OUT HANDS AROUND HOW TO DEFINE THAT.

WE USE THE MONIKER OF AMERICA's MOST GENEROUS CITY.

>> THEY'RE CELEBRATING THE 25th ANNIVERSARY AND THE CEO SAYS LEADERS ARE LOOKING AT THE POTENTIAL BEFORE THE DOK ARENA AND CONVENTION CENTER.

>> WE JUST ARE STARTING AND TRYING TO REPURPOSE THE ARENA DISTRICT.

SO HOW WE CONNECT, THE OK ARENA WITH A CONVENTION LEVEL HOTEL AND OTHER THINGS THAT GO WITH THAT.

SO WE HAVE RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING THAT VISITORS NEED ALL WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE.

>> AS THE FINAL DAYS TICK AWAY, THE MAYOR SAYS TULSA HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR ITSELF.

>> THAT WILL BE THE ONE THAT HAS THE LARGEST LONG-TERM REPERCUSSIONS.

WITH 100 DAYS LEFT, THE MAYOR HAS A LITTLE LEFT ON HIS PLATE, LIKE THE OPENING OF ZINK LAKE, COMPLETING THE NEW GILLCREASE MUSEUM AND CLOSING ON A DEAL.

>> Rich: COMING UP LATER, WE'LL HAVE AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR MAYOR.

MODERATOR CASTY MUDD WILL BE JOINED BY MONROE NICHOLS AND JOLLEY AND COREY BRADFORD CHOSE NOT TO TAKE PART.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT FOUR MAIN PRIORITIES.

WE HAVE IMPROVEMENT TO STUDENT OUTCOMES AND EXPANDING OUR WORKFORCE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN TULSA ISN'T VERY BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND MANY CONTRACTORS JUST SAY IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH THE CITY.

THEY'RE DECIDING TO LOCATE ELSEWHERE.

THEY MAY GO TO BROKEN ARROW OR BIXBY OR JINX, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO DO BUSINESS IF TULSA.

>> YOU HAVE TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW BEAUTIFUL TULSA IS AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN AND THEN, MAKING IT MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY LIKE, YOU KNOW, MY TWO BUDDIES THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

CASSIDY WILL TACKLE MORE PROJECTS LATER.

>>> VAPING IS A GROWING PROBLEM FOR CHILDREN IN OKLAHOMA BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING IN THE CARTRIDGES.

THE AMOUNT OF NICOTINE IS WAY UP AND SOME TURNING THC, THE ACTIVE INGREDIENT IN MARIJUANA TO SCHOOL.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE F.D.A., IN 2023, ABOUT 2.8 MILLION YOUTH WERE USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

HEALTH EXPERTS ARE URGING PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TO BE AWARE OF THE SERIOUS RISK ASSOCIATED WITH eCIGARETTES AND VAPING.

AS STUDENTS HEAD BACK TO SCHOOL THIS WEEK, HEALTH ADVOCATES ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ON THE DANGERS TOBACCO PRODUCTS HAVE ON YOUTH.

>> SO WITH STUDENTS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, THIS IS A GREAT CHANCE FOR PARENTS AND EDUCATORS TO TALK TO KIDS OF ALL AGES, REALLY, ABOUT THE DANGERS OF NICOTINE AND TOBACCO.

>> THOMAS LARSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC INFORMATION FOR THE TOBACCO ENDOWMENT TRUST KNOWN AS TSET AND SAYS 21.7% OF OKLAHOMA STUDENTS USE VAPES.

>> AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

>> TO COMBAT THAT NATION, THERE IS A CAMPAIGN CALLED "TALK ABOUT TOBACCO."

>> YOU CAN FIND RESOURCES AT TALKABOUTTOBACCO.COM AND THAT WILL HELP YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH YOUR KIDS.

THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS GUIDES THAT ARE AGE APPROPRIATE.

SO FROM GRADE SCHOOL UP TO HIGH SCHOOL, THERE ARE EXERCISES.

THERE ARE GAMES THAT TEACH ABOUT THE DANGERS OF NICK TAO*EPB NICD TOBACCO.

>> HE SAYS AVOIDING SCARE TACTICS WITH HAVING THESE TOUGH CONVERSATIONS.

>> AND FOR EDUCATORS, THERE ARE WORKSHEETS, POSTERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT TEACHERS CAN USE IN TEAR CLASSROOMS TO START THIS CONVERSATION WITH THEIR KIDS.

>> ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, ADVOCATES ARE CALLING ON THE F.D.A.

TO STEP UP EFFORTS TO GET RID OF ALL eCIGARETTES ON THE MARKET.

CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO FREE KIDS YO LANDA RICHARDSON SAYS STOP START USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS AS EARLY AS TEN YEARS OLD.

>> WE KNOW THERE'S MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND HIGH SCHOOLERS USING eCIGARETTES.

WE'VE SEEN THE RATES COME DOWN, BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT THERE'S MUCH MORE THAT CAN BE DONE TO STOP THESE PRODUCTS FROM GETTING IN THE HANDS OF KIDS.

>> ACCORDING TO A 2023CDC REPORT, eCIGARETTES WERE THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCT FOR THE TENTH YEAR.

WHILE CIGARETTES AND CIGARS ARE AT ALL AN ALL-TIME LOW.

SOME PRODUCTS DON'T EVEN LOOK LIKE VAPES AT FIRST SIGHT.

>> MANY OF THEM ARE PACKAGED AS SCHOOL SUPPLY PRODUCTS.

SO THEY COULD BE FLASH DRIVES THAT WOULD NOT BE DETECTABLE BY PARENTS.

SO WHAT IS THE FIRST CALL OF DUTY FOR PARENTS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS WITH KIDS WHEN PACKING AWAY, YOU KNOW, THEIR LUNCH BOXES AND TELLING THEM ABOUT WASHING THEIR HANDS AND NOT SHARING THEIR FOOD.

>> CAMPAIGN FOR TOBACCO FREE KIDS SAYS YOUTH VAPING HAS CAUSED A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

>> THE CONCERN WE HAVE, PARTICULARLY RELATING TO KIDS, IS THAT THESE PRODUCTS HAVE NICOTINE IN THEM.

AND NICOTINE LEVELS HAVE BEEN INCREASING OVER TIME.

AND AS YOU ARE WELL AWARE, NICOTINE IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE, BUT FOR YOUNG KIDS BEYOND THE ADDICTION, IT HAS DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS ON THEIR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE WANT ALL OF THE COMMUNITY, PARENTS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL EDUCATORS AND OUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP THESE PRODUCTS OUT OF THE HANDS OF KIDS.

>> SOME eCIGS CONTAIN MORE NICOTINE THAN TEN PACKS OF CIGARETTES.

TOBACCO CAUSES CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR.

>> NEEDING TO DISRUPT THEIR RETUNE OR DAY-TO-DAY ACTIVITIES, EVEN THEIR SLEEP BECAUSE THEY NEED TO CONTINUE GETTING THEIR NEXT PUFF.

CHANGES IN ATTENTION SPANS, CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR, WE ALSO HAVE -- THERE ARE ALSO OTHER THINGS OTHER THAN THE NICOTINE IN THE eCIGARETTES WITH A LOT OF CHEMICALS AND CARCINOGENS THAT ENDS UP IN YOUR LUNGS WHICH CAN LEAD ALSO TO LUNG INFLAMMATION AS WELL AS OTHER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS.

>> STUDENTS THAT QUIT USING HAVE SOME IMPROVEMENT OVER TIME.

>> DATA RIGHT NOW SHOWS FOR ADULTS THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK FOR HEART DISEASE.

THERE IS AN INCREASED RISK FOR HAVING COPD WITH THE CIGARETTES.

WE WANT TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM NOT ONLY GETTING NICOTINE ADDICTED BUT HAVING LONG-TERM USE THAT WOULD LEAD THAT.

>> REPORTS SHOW VAPING CAN TAKE A TOLL ON MENTAL HEALTH, AS WELL.

eCIGS AND VAPE DEVICES HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO CATCH ON FIRE OR EXPLODE.

>> IF YOU LEAVE THE eLIQUID ALONE AT HOME, THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING YOUNGER CHILDREN GRABBING SOMETHING THAT SMELLS LIKE CANDY AND TRYING TO DRINK IT AND HAVING A NICOTINE OVERDOSE AND POISONING.

>> WE ALL ARE CITIZENS AND WE CAN CALL ON OUR GOVERNMENT TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING THE PRODUCTS OFF THE MARKET.

THE F.D.A.

HAS ONLY AUTHORIZED 34 AND UP TO 34 AUTHORIZED, ONLY FOUR OF THEM HAVE FLAVORED.

ALL THE REMAINING PRODUCTS ARE NOT FLAVORED.

BUT THEY REMAIN ON THE MARKET IN ATTRACTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO USE THEM.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE TSET CAMPAIGN, YOU CAN VISIT TALKABOUTTOBACCO.COM.

>> Rich: TUESDAY MARKED THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AROUND 33,000 KIDS RETURN TO CLASS UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP OF DR. JAMIE FOLT WHO TOLD T TAELYR JACKSON, SHE WILL TAKE A HANDS-ON APPROACH.

>> I WANT TO TRY SOMETHING NEW AND DO A BACK-TO-SCHOOL READ-ALOUD IN REGARDS TO A TEACHER's NOTE TO THE STUDENTS.

SO I WILL READ THAT AND IT WILL BE ONLINE RIGHT BEFORE BEDTIME FOR OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT STORY.

>> Rich: SHE REPLACES DR. SEAN MCDANIEL WHO RESIGNED IN JUNE AFTER SIX YEARS AT THE HELM.

>>> THEY WANT TO REVOKE A CONTRACT WITH A PROPOSED CATHOLIC ONLINE CHARTER SCHOOL, COMPLYING WITH AN ORDER TO DO SO BY THE OKLAHOMA VEHICLE.

SUPREME COURT.IT WOULD BE ST. IL >>> THE BENEFITS OF TREES, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS ARE PLENTIFUL.

THEY PROVIDE SHADE AND ADD BEAUTY AND IN ONE OKLAHOMA TOWN, THEY'RE FREE.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

>> LAST I CHECKED, TEMPERATURES AROUND OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK REACHED NEARLY 100°.

FORESTRY EXPERTS SAY GROWING TREES DOES A LOT MORE THAN PROVIDE SHADE.

TONY AND HIS WIFE MOVED TO NORTH EDMOND TO LAsVEGAS TO RETIRE FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> WE GOT A LITTLE TIRED OF THE DESERT HEAT.

DRY, BROWN, AND NOT A LOT OF TREES.

IT WASN'T VERY PRETTY AND MY WIFE IS FROM HERE, BORN AND RAISED.

SO WE THOUGHT, WHY NOT?

WE'LL COME BACK TO WHERE THERE'S FOUR SEASONS AND WE LOVE IT.

>> THEY CHOSE A HOUSE WITH AN IMPRESSIVE LINE OF TREES.

>> THAT'S WHAT SOLD US AND WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT IT.

WE LIKE OUR NEIGHBOR HERE AND THAT WAS A BIG SELLING POINT FOR US.

WE WANTED SOMETHING THAT HAS SOME GREEN.

EDMOND IRVIN FORESTER LEIGH MARTIN SAYS THEY'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR TREE PROJECTS.

>> THOSE GROUPS CAN APPLY WITHIN THE AREAS THEY MANAGE AND FOR SCHOOLS IT COULD INCLUDE AROUND PLAYGROUNDS.

FOR NEIGHBORHOODS, THAT COULD INCLUDE THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD ENTRANCES OR A COMMON AREA AROUND CLUB HOUSES OR POOLS AND TRAILS.

THERE'S A PROCESS AND SO THE APPLICATION ITSELF, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S FORETHOUGHT THAT GOES INTO IT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT'S MAINTAINED TO GET ESTABLISHED.

>> WATER.

>> YES, WATER, THAT THE TREES ARE PLANTED IN AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION.

>> Rich: EDMOND WELCOMES NEW APPLICATIONS FOR MORE.

SHE SAYS OAK TREES ARE THE MOST POPULAR BECAUSE THEY'RE NATIVE TO THE SOONER STATE BUT THEY'VE PLANTED SEVERAL MAPLE, AS WELL.

COY SAYS TREES SELL THEMSELVES.

>> TREES GIVE US SO MANY BENEFITS.

THEY GIVE THE ECOSYSTEM SO MANY BENEFITS.

THERE'S A MYRIAD OF DIFFERENT THINGS TREES CAN DO FOR US PERSONALLY.

THEY CAN STOP STORMWATER RUNOFF FROM HAPPENING AND HELP TRANSPIRE WATER BACK UP INTO THE CLOUDS AND GIVE US OXYGEN, OBVIOUSLY.

ONE OF THE BIG THINGS THEY DO IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT IS THEY HELP FIGHT HEAT ISLAND EFFECTS, WHICH IS THE SUN, RADIATION BOUNCING OFF THE CONCRETE AND BUILDINGS.

SO MORE OF AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT, THE MORE HEAT.

IN OKLAHOMA, IT CAN BE WARMER FROM ALL OF THE RADIATION BOUNCING AROUND OFF THE CONCRETE.

SO TREES INTERCEPT THAT AND CACHE AND DO ALL SORTS OF WONDERFUL THINGS.

>> Rich: MARK CLIFT IS IN CHARGE OF LANDSCAPING AND SAYS AUTUMN RIDGE PARTICIPATED IN THE TREE GRANT's PROGRAM FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

>> IT'S BEEN AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM.

IN THE TEN YEARS WE'VE TAKEN PART IN THE EDMON TREE GRANT PROGRAM, WE'VE ACCUMULATED 28 TREES AT THE COST OF THE HOA.

>> HOW MUCH WOULD THOSE COST IF YOU DIDN'T GET THEM FREE?

>> TREES DIE AND WE WENT OUT AND PRICED THEM AND ONCE THEY'RE MATURE, THREE YEARS OLD, THEY'RE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THREE AND $4,000 A TREE.

>> Rich: THE TREES ARE FREE, BUT NOTHING IN LIFE IS REALLY FREE, IS IT?

THERE ARE INSPECTIONS, PLANTING PLANS, WATERING PLAN.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT.

17 TREES AUTUMN RIDGE AS ACQUIRED IN THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY NOW CIRCLE HIS POND IN FRONT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> YOU JUST DON'T GO IN AND SAY, I WANT A FREE TREE.

BUT IF YOU ADHERE TO THE CONTRACT, THE PLANTING PLANS, IT'S AN OUTSTANDING PROGRAM FOR EDMOND RESIDENTS.

>> THIS ISN'T SOMETHING ONE PERSON HAS TO DO ALONE.

THAT'S THE GOOD THING ABOUT HAVING NEIGHBORS, YOU GET TOGETHER AND ORGANIZE IT.

>> I IRONIC YOU SAID THAT.

THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

I HAVE A LANDSCAPE COMMITTEE IN AUTUMN RIDGE.

I HAVE PEOPLE IN CHARGE OF WATERING, WEED EATING AND SO IT'S JUST NOT ALL MARKED CLIFF.

>> Rich: RILEY COY SAYS THE STATE DOESN'T GIVE AWAY FREE TREES BUT SELL FREE SEEDLINGS FOR AS LITTLE AS A DOLLAR EACH.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE REQUESTING TREES ALL OF THE TIME.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH A LOT OF THE PRIVATE NURSERIES AROUND THE STATE AND SEND PEOPLE OUT TO PRIVATE NURSERIES TO GET THAT LOCAL NURSERY STOCK.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU CAN PLANT A TREE THAT'S RAISED AND GROWN LOCALLY, THEN YOU'LL BE SET UP FOR SUCCESS RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO.

>> AND COY SAYS THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT TREES BENEFIT MORE THAN JUST THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE'VE ALSO SEEN IN CHILDREN A HIGHER ATTENTION SPAN.

THEY CAN RETAIN MORE INFORMATION.

THIS THEY CAN SEE A TREE FROM THE WINDOW OF THEIR CLASSROOM OR HAVE ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE, ALL OF THAT HELPS A STUDENT MATURE AND LEARN EVEN BETTER THAN THEY COULD OTHERWISE.

>> IT IMPROVES FOCUS AND ATTENTION SPAN.

TREES ARE KNOWN TO REDUCE STRESS AND INCREASE OUR SENSE OF WELL-BEING.

>> WHY NOT?

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE TREES.

YOU KNOW, THE BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, PUT ALONG SOME PARKS AND HIKING TRAILS, I THINK IT'S NICE.

>> Rich: EDMON SAYS IF YOU'RE SELECTED, YOU'RE ELIGIBLE TO AFEW FOR ANOTHER PROJECT IN TWO YEARS.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION OR OMRF WILL REMAIN ONE OF SEVEN INSTITUTIONS NATIONWIDE CHOSEN BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO CONDUCT RESEARCH TO BETTER UNDERSTAND IMMUNE STAOEZS.

DISEASES.

THERE WAS A FIVE YEAR, $3.8 MILLION GRANT FROM THE MIH TO CONTINUE THE WORK DONE SINCE 2009 AT ITS AUTO IMMUNITY CENTER OF EXCELLENCE.

ONE OF THE DISEASES GETTING A CLOSER LOOK ACTS A LOT LIKE MS BUT DOESN'T RESPONSE TO THE SAME TREATMENT.

>> MY PART IS LOOKING AT A NEW TREATMENT FOR NEUROMYLITIS OPTICA IS A DEVASTATING DISEASE WHY YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ATTACKS YOUR BRAIN AND SPINAL CORD AND OPTIC NERVE.

SO YOUR BRAIN TISSUE.

IT LOOKS A LOT LIKE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS, BUT THERAPIES FOR MS MAKE NMO WORSE.

WE DID A STUDY A FEW YEARS BACK WHICH WE LOOKED AT BIOMARKERS OR PROTEINS IN THE BLOOD OF NMO PATIENTS.

WHAT WE FOUND INSTEAD OF IT LOOKING LIKE MS BUYLOGICCALLY, IT LOOKED MORE LIKE LUPUS.

>> Rich: THEY SERVE MORE THAN THREE THOUSAND PATIENTS FROM AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.

>>> A BROADCAST JOURNALISM SENIOR HAS BEEN NAMED AN HBC SCHOLAR.

THE NINE LANGUAGESTON STUDENT TO BE HONORED.

SHE'S ONE OF 110 FROM BLACK COLLEGES TO RECEIVE THE HONOR WHICH INCLUDES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>>> OUR PARTNERS AT PBS CREATING A STUDENT REPORTING LAB THAT FEATURES 15 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY SHARING PERSPECTIVES ON THE UPCOMING NOVEMBER 5th ELECTION.

IT'S CALLED, ON OUR MINDS, ELECTION 2024.

ONE OF THOSE POTENTIAL FUTURE JOURNALISTS IS CURRENTLY A STUDENT AT EDMOND NORTH HIGH SCHOOL.

>> GOOD MORNING.

WE HAVE YOUR DAILY NEWS.

>> QE CRAWFORD IS A STUDENT AT EDMOND NORTH HIGH SCHOOL AND ALSO THE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE PBS NEWS HOUR STUDENT REPORTING LABS, A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO BROADCAST JOURNALISM AND TO LET THEM SEE HOW THE INDUSTRY WORKS.

>> I'M HONESTLY SUPER, SUPER EXCITED.

I STILL, LIKE AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES I DO NOW AND THE FACT THAT I GET TO DO IT WITH THE AMAZING PEOPLE I'VE GONE TO WORK WITH FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW IS SO COOL.

>> STUDENT REPORTING LABS WAS STARTED IN 2009 OF HOW THE WORLD IS VIEWED.

FROM WHEN IT STARTED, THE PROGRAM HAS HELPED TO PRODUCE MORE THAN 100 NEWS STORIES >> WE ARE AN EDUCATION INITIATIVE, PART OF THE NEWS HOUR AND WE WORK WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND EVEN INTERNATIONALLY PROVIDING RESOURCES, CURRICULUM, OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO TELL STORIES IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES.

AND SO WE'RE A HANDS-ON JOURNALISM, EDUCATION PROGRAM.

>> I WON'T SEE ALWAYS INTERESTED, BUT WHEN 2020 HIT AND WE WERE, LIKE, ALL COUPED UP IN OUR HOUSES, ALL I DID WAS WATCH THE NEWS.

EVERY SINCE THEN, I THINK I WANT TO TRY JOURNALISM.

SO I TRIED IT WHEN I GOT TO HIGH SCHOOL AND NEVER TURNED BACK.

>> THE LABS ARE DOING A SEVEN EPISODE SERIES ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS.

THE FIRST AIRING NOVEMBER 21st.

>> WE DON'T OFTEN HEAR A LOT FROM YOUNG PEOPLE IN ELECTION COVERAGE.

WE WANT TO MAKE A PODCAST FOCUSED ON THE YOUTH VOTE AND WHAT ISSUES MATTER AND WOULD YOU ADVISE US?

WE THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT IDEA AND WE HAVE THIS PODCAST ON OUR MINDS WHICH HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON TEEN MENTAL HEALTH AND TEEN WELLNESS.

WELLNESS IN PREVIOUS SEASONS.

WE SAID, WELL, LET'S MAKE A SPECIAL SEASON DEVOTED TO THE ELECTION AND THE YOUTH VOTE.

>> I HONESTLY THINK IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

I MEAN, WE HAVEN'T REALLY HAD THIS MUCH FUN IN QUITE AWHILE AND IT'S KIND OF INTIMIDATING BEING, YOU KNOW, A YOUNGER VOTER WHO -- I WON'T VOTE, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF MY FRIENDS WILL BE OF VOTING AGE.

I WON'T BE, BUT I JUST KNOW THAT IT'S INTIMIDATING BUT EXCITING, ESPECIALLY WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN GOING ON AND ALL OF THE CHANGES THAT HAPPENED IN THE ELECTION RECENTLY.

>> THEY HAVE STUDENTS IN 15 STATES AND PUERTO RICO WORKING IN STUDIOS.

THOSE STUDENTS WORK WITH OTHER STUDENTS IN ALL 50 STATES.

REPORTING ON HOW THIS YEAR's ELECTION WILL UNFOLD.

>> SO WHAT'S DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE ABOUT THIS PODCAST AND IT INCLUDES TOPICS LIKE, WHAT DOES AMERICA EVEN MEAN?

IS THE AMERICAN DREAM SOMETHING YOUNG PEOPLE BELIEVE IN?

>> THIS ELECTION YEAR IS WILD.

>> THIS ELECTION IS AFFECTING ALL OF US.

>> ON THIS SPECIAL SEASON OF "ON OUR MIND" -- >> WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AMERICAN?

>> DOES MY VOTE MATTER?

>> WHAT IS REAL OR FAKE NEWS?

>> WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH EVERYONE.

>> THE UPCOMING PODCAST WILL BE CALLED "ON OUR MINDS, ELECTION 2024".

THERE WILL BE A WRAP-UP ON JANUARY 28th, 2025.

>> IT'S BEEN LUCKILY SOMEWHAT SMOOTH SAILING FOR ME.

WE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A BUMP AT THE BEGINNING BECAUSE WE WEREN'T SURE WHO WOULD BE ON MY EPISODES, REPORTER WISE.

BUT AFTER WE GOT ALL SETTLED, I HAVE TO SET UP MEETS.

MEETINGS.

>> NOVEMBER WILL BE A GOOD WAY FOR THE NEW YOUNG REPORTERS TO CONTINUE THEIR JOURNALISM CAREERS.

>> AS A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, I HAVE TO -- I THINK JUST KEEP EVERYBODY ON TRACK, HONESTLY.

I HAVE A GOOD GROUP AND SO THEY REALLY KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AND HAVE IDEAS AND TO BE EXECUTED WELL.

I JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL OF THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO DO THAT.

>> ANDREW HARTSHORN, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> Rich: WALLET HUB RELEASED THE 2024 SURVEY OF THE BEST STATES AND THE MIAMI ORGANIZATION ISN'T TOO IMPRESSED WITH OKLAHOMA.

SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS, 38th IN HOME OWNER SHIP RAISED 45th IN INCOME GROWTH AND 43rd OF POOR HEALTH AND OUR HIGHEST RANKING, 25th IN RESTAURANTS PER CAPITA.

SO WE'VE GOT THAT GOING FOR US.

>>> CHEROKEE FEDERAL, THE FEDERAL CONTRACTING DIVISION OF CHEROKEE NATION BUSINESSES EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINTS INTO WASHINGTON, D.C. THAT TOPS OUR BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> CHEROKEE FEDERAL OPENED A NEW OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHICH PUTS IT IN CLOSER PROXIMITY TO CUSTOMERS.

IT HOUSES MORE THAN 1,000 EMPLOYEES AND MANAGES 35 TRIBAL OWNED COMPANIES WHICH HAVE A PORTFOLIO OF PROJECTS FOR 60 AGENCIES.

THE PREMIUM OUTLETS OPENED IN JING AND THE NEW MALL HAS 75 DESIGNER AND RESTAURANTS AND A LARGE CHILDREN's PLAY AREA.

OWNED BY THE SIMON PROPERTY GROUP, THE OUTLET MALL IS EXPECTED TO BRING 800 JOBS TO THE AREA.

OKLAHOMA CITY IS FOLLOWING THE TREND OF THE 50 BIGGEST U.S. CITIES WHEN IT COMES TO RENTING A HOME VERSUS BUYING ONE.

REALTOR.COM SHOWS A $580 TKEFS 580DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RENTING AD BUYING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

HIGHER INTEREST RATES IN HOME PRICES.

WHILE RENTAL PRICES ARE FUELING THE TREND.

INVESTORS WILL GET EXTRA CASH NEXT MONTH AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE COMPANY's BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVED A QUARTERRERLY DIVIDEND OF 8 CENTS A SHARE.

IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE DIVIDEND, INVESTORS MUST OWN THE STOCK BY SEPTEMBER 6th.

>>> THIS COMPANY SAYS THIS CLOSER A RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND THEY WILL SHIFT TO GRANITE OKLAHOMA.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED MOCK FALL RESOURCES REPORTS A NET INCOME OF $40 MILLION OFF OF 240 MILLION IN REVENUE.

THAT HAS ALLOWED THE COMPANY's BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO DECLARE A DIVIDEND OF 90 CENTS A SHARE FOR THE SHAREDS.

>> Rich: THE RACE TO REPLACE THE OUTGOING MAYOR WHO HAS CHOSEN NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION IS SET FOR AUGUST 27th.

IN THIS WEEK's SEGMENT, CASSIDY MUDD SITS DOWN WITH THREE OF THE CANDIDATES.

KAREN KEITH AND COREY BRADFORD CHOSE NOT TO PARTICIPATE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU ALL.

CASEY BRADFORD COULD NOT MAKE IT BECAUSE OF ILLNESS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING YOU.

>> REPRESENTING NICHOLS, FIRST DAY ON THE JOB, WOULD WOULD YOUR PRIORITIES BE?

>> ENDING HOMELESSNESS, STRENGTHING OR WORKFORCE AND MAKE SURE TULSA IS THE BIGGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS WOULD PUT US ON THE PAN TO MAKE TULSA THE GREATEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THE MAIN ISSUES FACING TULSA AND FIRST DAY, WHAT WOULD YOU TACKLE?

>> TULSA, A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAIN TULSA ISN'T BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND MANY CONTRACTORS THAT I TALKED TO JUST SAY IT'S DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH THE CITY.

THEY'RE DECIDING TO LOCATE ELSEWHERE.

THEY MAY GO TO BROKEN ARROW, BIXBY, JINX, BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO BUILD AND DO BUSINESS IN TULSA.

SO WE HAVE TO CHANGE THAT AND HAVE TO CHANGE THE PERMITTING PROCESS TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT AND FRIENDLY.

SECONDLY IS HOMELESSNESS IS A HUGE ISSUE RIGHT NOW.

IT GREW BY 26% LAST YEAR AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT IN A PROACTIVE WAY.

SO I HAVE A PLAN TO DO THAT, AS WELL.

AND SO MY PRIORITIES WOULD BE ONE, BUSINESS FRIENDLY AND SECOND, ADDRESSING HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY, 140 POLICE OFFICERS SHORT.

WE NEED TO RECRUIT AND HAVE IDEAS AROUND THAT.

AND LAST WOULD BE TO COME ALONGSIDE AND WORK WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

TULSA SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW ARE NOT RANKED HIGH.

I KNOW WE CAN DO MUCH BETTER AND IT'S A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO SAY THERE'S NO MORE EXCUSES.

THE MAYOR CAN'T SAY IT'S NOT UNDER MY JURISDICTION.

SO THEREFORE, I'LL IGNORE IT.

>> JOHN, FOUR MAIN PRIORITIES.

>> NUMBER ONE WOULD BE THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I THINK THE CITY IS ONLY AS STRONG AS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHICH I THINK WE HAVE GREAT PEOPLE FROM OUR SUPERINTENDENT ON DOWN.

MY DAUGHTER GOES TO TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND I CAN TELL YOU, THERE'S WONDERFUL PEOPLE THERE.

SO I WOULD WANT TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO HAVE BETTER OUTCOMES.

KIDS ARE DIFFERENT.

IF ONE IS TESTING FOR ONE IS NOT THE WAY TO GO.

TWO, WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.

I CAME IN AND IT WAS OIL AND GAS AND THAT'S NOT THERE ANYMORE.

WE'VE SEEN THE WHOLE WIRELESS STUFF COME AND GO.

WE CONTINUE TO EVOLVE.

WE'LL HAVE TO CONTINUE TO EVOLVE AND IF WE DON'T, WE'LL GET LEFT BEHIND.

TO GO WITH THAT, WE HAVE THE HOMELESS THING.

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

IT WON'T GO AWAY OVERNIGHT BECAUSE IT'S BEEN THERE SINCE THE 80's.

AND THE LAST THING I WOULD SAY IS THE MANPOWER TO GET IN AS WE EVOLVE TO HAVE THE MANPOWER.

>> WHAT FROM BINUM's LEGACY WOULD YOU LIKE TO CARRY FORWARD IN.

>> I LIKE THE FACT HE'S TRYING TO BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND BRINGING RECONCILIATION.

TULSA HAS A DIFFICULT PASS ALL PAST.HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

ONE THING I WOULD DO DIFFERENT, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT BEING LABOR LABORED A WELCOMING CITY.

I THINK THAT'S A STEP TOWARDS A SANCTIONING CITY.

WE LIVE IN A CONSTITUTIONAL PUBLIC.

THERE'S THE RULE OF LAW.

LAWS NEED TO BE FOLLOWED.

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE LAW, THERE'S A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS TO DO THAT.

IF A DEFINITION OF A WELCOMING CITY, WE IGNORE THE LAW, I WOULD BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THAT.

>> JOHN, IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT?

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE ABOUT 40 YEARS AND WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MAYOR BINUM, HE'S BEEN THE MOST PROGRESSIVE MAYOR.

THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THAT WERE HORRORS.

I THINK HE'S DONE THE BEST HE COULD TO HEAL THE CITY.

I DISAGREE WITH BRENT ON THE WELCOMING CITY, BECAUSE I'M ABOUT WELCOMING.

TULSA SITS ON INDIAN GROUND.

THAT MAKES ALL OF US IMMIGRANTS.

WE CAME HERE FOR A BETTER LIFE AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE I SEE ALL OF THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE THAT COME HERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM BECOME CITIZENS.

BUT I AM NOT GOING TO CLOSE THE DOORS FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLS, WHAT WOULD YOU CARRY FORWARD?

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?

>> A CONTRAST IN DISTINCTION ON THE WELCOMING PART.

TULSA SCHOOLS, THERE ARE 70 LANGUAGES SPOKEN.

I THINK CONTINUING TO WELCOME PEOPLE HERE AND NOT GET BOG IT'S DOWN WITH THE FAILURES OF WASHINGTON, D.C. TO FIGHT IN A WAY WE CAN ALL LIVE TOGETHER IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

SOMETHING I WOULD CHANGE FROM THE MAYOR's ADMINISTRATION, I SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AND OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THE GOT HAD A ROCKY RELATIONSHIP WITH TRIBES.

THE CITY OF TULSA IS ENGAGED IN LITIGATION WITH THE CREEK NATION.

MY RELATIONSHIP WITH TRIBES WOULD BE NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENT AND HOW THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS DEALING WITH THAT.

WE'LL DROP THE LAWSUIT AND I'VE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO ANNOUNCE A DIRECTOR OF TRIBAL POLICY AND PARTNERSHIP TO MOVE FORWARD WITH TRIBES THAT NOT JUST RESPECT THEM BUT THAT WE'RE STANDING WITH THEM IN THIS FIGHT FOR SOVEREIGNTY AND MAKING SURE WE'RE BUILDING AN EXCELLENT CITY.

>> THIS IS NAVIGATING TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY, HOW WOULD YOU WORK BETTER WITH OUR TRIBAL NATIONS TO CUT OUT THE CONFUSION?

>> I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE MAYOR's OFFICE FOR THE FIRST TIME, HAVING SOMEBODY WHOSE JOB EVERY DAY IS WORKING ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH TRIBES.

WE HAVE SOME REAL IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES TO NAVIGATE.

THEN THERE'S THESE BIG OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT, MEETING CHALLENGES I TALKED ABOUT, FROM HOMELESSNESS TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

I WAS JUST ON A CALL THIS MORNING WITH CHIEF HOSKIN AND HIS TEAM ABOUT BRINGING HEALTH FACILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY THAT NEED IT.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS TO BE DOING BETTER WITH TRIBES.

IT STARTS WITH THAT COMMITMENT IN THE MAYOR's OFFICE AND I ANNOUNCED WE WOULD DO BACK IN 2023, WHEN I FIRST KICKED OFF THE CAMPAIGN.

>> BRENT, IF YOU WERE TO BECOME MAYOR, WOULD YOU TAKE A SIMILAR POSITION TO BINUM's ADMINISTRATION IN PURSUING TRIBAL ADMINISTRATION IN TULSA?

>> YES, I WOULD.

IT IS AN INTERIM STEP.

THE TRIBES ARE NOT ROBUST ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE VOLUME THAT WOULD GO THERE IF SOLID ALL OF THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION HAPPENED IN THE TRIBAL COURTS.

IF THEY WOULD BUILD THOSE UP, IT NEEDS TO BE ORDERLY OR YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO DON'T GET A SPEEDY TRIAL.

WE NEED A TRANSITION PLAN.

I WOULD WORK WITH THE TRIBES CLOSELY AND WHAT I WOULD DO IS HAVE REGULAR MEETINGS AND PUT THEM ON THE CALENDAR AND HAVE SYSTEMIC MEETS WITH THE CHIEFS OF THREE NATIONS AND MY PHILOSOPHY IS SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND AND THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD.

I WOULD WANT TO LISTEN.

HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY AND WORK TOGETHER.

>> JOHN, HOW WOULD YOU WORK ON REBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NATIONS?

>> BOTH OF MY BUDDIES NAILED IT.

THE THING IS, THEY'VE BEEN LEFT OUT AND WE ARE ON THEIR LAND.

AND ALL CAME HERE AND THIS WAS INDIAN TERRITORY.

AND THEY NEED TO BE INCLUDED.

I THINK AS LONG AS WE INCLUDE THEM AND TRY TO WORK WITH THEM, WE CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

LIKE YOU SAID, THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY RIGHT NOW FOR ALL OF THE SPEEDING TICKETS AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

BUT IF YOU CAN WORK WITH THEM AND SEE WHAT THEY NEED FROM US, WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THEM, THAT'S THE KEY.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WE'LL WORK WITH THEM AND OKLAHOMA HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN LIKE THAT AND WE'VE LEFT THEM OUT.

AS LONG THEY KNOW THEY'RE INCLUDED AND HAVE A STAKE IN IT, WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> PEOPLE IN TULSA ARE CONCERNED WITH HOW OUR HOMELESS POPULATION IS BOTH BEING TREATED AND ADDRESSED.

JOHN, WHAT IS THE FIRST ACTION AS MAYOR TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS?

>> IT'S NOT A QUICK FIX.

THIS THING STARTED IN 1980's WHEN WE PUT THE PEOPLE BACK IN THE STREETS.

AND IT'S ONLY INCREASED OVER TIME WITH ADDICTION PROBLEMS AND NOW WE'VE GOT FROM THE PANDEMIC, WE'VE GOT PEOPLE ON THE STREETS THAT DIDN'T THINK THEY WOULD BE ON THE STREETS.

BUT LIFE HAPPENED.

I THINK THE MAYOR HAS BEEN DOING A GOOD THING OF JUST TRYING TO GET THIS ON AND GET THE PEOPLE THAT CAN HELP THEMSELVES GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

THE KEY WITH HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE CAPABILITIES IS TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES.

BECAUSE IF YOU LOSE FAITH AND BELIEF IN YOURSELF, NOTHING GOOD WILL HAPPEN TO YOU BECAUSE YOU'LL GIVE UP.

I THINK YOU HAVE TO GET PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES AND ALSO WORK WITH THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THAT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ADDICTION PROBLEMS OR THEY HAVE MENTAL PROBLEMS.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO HELP THEM GET OFF THE STREETS TO GET TREATED.

>> BRENT?

>> FIRST, I WOULD SAY YOU HAVE -- THE PARADIGM IS THAT HOMELESSNESS IS NOT PRIMARILY A HOUSING SITUATION.

IT'S PRIMARILY A DRUG ADDICTION ISSUE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

AND YOU HAVE TO REALLY START WITH THAT.

WE HAVE TO BEGIN BY LOOKING AT THOSE ISSUES AND HOUSING CAN BE A COMPONENT.

THERE ARE SOME HOMELESS AND THEY HAVE TO DRUG ADDICTION ISSUES AND TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

THAT IS PURELY A HOUSING ISSUE AND WE CAN ADDRESS THAT.

THOSE ARE PROBABLY THE EASIER SITUATIONS THAN DRUG ADDICTION AND MEDICAL.

I WAS AT A CHURCH A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, CALLED GOD SHINING LIGHT.

THEY BOUGHT A HOTEL NEXT TO THEIR CHURCH.

THEY WILL BE BRINGING PEOPLE IN THERE, MANY HOMELESS.

THEY TREAT THE WHOLE PERSON FROM A PHYSICAL STANDPOINT, A MENTAL STANDPOINT AND SPIRITUAL ST. LOUIS AND BOUGHT A RESTAURANT OUT FRONT THAT THEY'LL CONVERT AND HIRE THOSE PEOPLE TO WORK IN THE RESTAURANT.

I WANT TO COME ALONGSIDE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DOING GOOD WORK LIKE THAT AND HELP THEM AND HELP FACILITATE WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLS, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> FOR EVERYBODY WATCHING, WE HAVE A PLAN ON HOMELESSNESS ON THE WEBSITE.

SO MUCH WHAT IS SAID IS TRUE AND HOMELESSNESS IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT ISSUES AND STARTS WITH A COMMITMENT FROM THE MAYOR's OFFICE THAT YOU'LL LEAD THE EFFORT.

THAT EFFORT HAS TO BE ABOUT CARE COORDINATION.

A SHOUTOUT TO PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE LORD's WORK ON THE GROUND, WHO ARE IN-HOUSE CURRENTLY.

BUT WE'RE PROGRAM RICH AND SYSTEM POOR.

THE PROGRAM ONLINE MEANS WE'LL FIX THE SYSTEM SO WHETHER IT'S SUBSTANCE ABUSE, MENTAL HEALTH, FINANCIAL ISSUE, WE'LL GET PEOPLE WHERE THEY NEED TO GO AND IT'S ABOUT COORDINATORRING WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE TAILORING TAILORING INT.

IT'S RARE AND FEW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE IT AND NOT RECURRING.

DON'T FALL BACK INTO IT.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE CITY.

AS MAYOR OF TULSA, HOW WOULD YOU CONTINUE THE DEVELOPMENT ESPECIALLY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> THAT'S AN AREA WHERE AS A BUSINESS PERSON, IT'S SOMETHING I HAVE A GREAT PASSION FOR AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE US HAVE MORE BUSINESS INCUBATORS WITHIN TULSA.

THERE'S A PROGRAM CALLED "TULSA REMOTE," WHERE WE BRING PEOPLE IN AND PAY THEM A STIPEND.

YOU PUT A BUSINESS PLAN TOGETHER AND WE PROVIDE, SAY, $50,000 TO GET OFF THE GROUND AND INVITE YOU TO COME TO TULSA.

WE'RE WORK ALONGSIDE YOU AND HELP YOU THROUGH THAT PROCESS AND HOPEFULLY, IT'S A STREAMLINED PERMITTING PROCESS EASY TO DO BUSINESS IF TULSA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE NICHOLS, HOW WOULD YOU CONTINUE THAT?

>> WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF PERMITTING THOSE THINGS AND I THINK IT STARTS THERE.

A, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT PUTTING A TEAM TO EXPEDITE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS AND YOU SUBMIT THAT 14 DAYS LATER, YOU COME IN AND GET A PERMIT ON THAT 14th DAY.

THE SECOND THING IS, YOU ADD CAPACITY BY CERTIFYING ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHO CAN APPROVE PLANS AT THE CITY TO ADD THAT CAPACITY.

AND THEN YOU START TO RESTRUCTURE THE DEPARTMENT SO THAT PERMITTING FROM A ONE-STOP STANDPOINT ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE, BUT YOU KEEP ALL THOSE OTHER TOOLS IN YOUR TOOLBOX AS WELL.

THEY ACCOUNT FOR 85% OF OUR ECONOMY, THAT'S THE PATHWAY FORWARD AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THE THIRD THING THAT WE'VE TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT DURING THE COURSE OF THIS CAMPAIGN IS, ARE WE ACTUALLY SHORING UP OR WORKFORCE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE JOBS AND HELP US WITH THE ECONOMY.

>> JOHN?

>> YOU HAVE TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW BEAUTIFUL TULSA IS.

THERE'S A LOT OF PLACES TO GO ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WHY THEY WANT TO COME TO TULSA.

YOU HAVE TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW BEAUTIFUL TULSA IS AND THE COST OF LIVING AND GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE CHILDREN AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THEIR KIDS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AND THEN MAKING IT MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY LIKE, MY TWO BUDDIES TALKING ABOUT HERE.

YOU HAVE TO BRING THAT IN AND MAKE IT AN EASIER PERMIT FOR THE OTHER STUFF, TOO, THAT WE CONSTANTLY HEAR ABOUT IS SUCH A NIGHTMARE FOR PEOPLE.

MAKING IT EASIER, THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SHOWING PEOPLE WHY TULSA IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE.

>> MY LAST FINAL THOUGHTS ON YOUR CAMPAIGN, JOHN?

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS A KID, I GOT TO MEET YOGI BERRA AND MY DAD, IT WAS PITCHER DAY AND THESE GUYS WERE WALKING BY AND YOGI BERRA WALKED BY AND SON, THERE'S SOMEBODY TO MEET.

THIS LITTLE GUY TURNS AND LOOKS AT MY DAD AND ME AND SHAKES OUR HANDS.

BUT LIKE YOGI BERRA SAID "IT AIN'T OVER TILL IT'S OVER."

>> SO THE CITY OF TULSA, BULL BILLIONDOLLAR BUDGET.

I WAS A CPA, A PASTOR, AN ATTORNEY AND RUN THREE BUSINESSES.

IT NEEDS BUSINESS EXPERTISE TO COME IN AND MANAGE THE PRIORITIES OF THE CITY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MONROE, FINAL THOUGHTS FOR VOTERS?

>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION IN TULSA IN A VERY, VERY LONG TIME.

THE POTENTIAL THAT WE HAVE TO THE COMMUNITY, IT'S TIME THAT WE PUT THAT IN THE HANDS OF SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE BACKGROUND.

I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE AND SERVED AT CITY HALL AND THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND FOUNDED A NONPROFIT AND WORKED FOR EXPANSION AND SOMEBODY WHO HAS THE BACKGROUNDS.

BACKGROUND.

THIS IS SUCH A CRITICAL ELECTION.

I THINK HOMELESSNESS IS ON THE BALLOT, OUR ECONOMY IS ON THE BALLOT AND I'M THE PERSON TO LEAD THE CITY.

>> Rich: GROANING GREENS IN A HYDROPONIC FARM IS NOT NEW, BUT WE HEARD TO THE GATEWAY CITY OF St. LOUIS WHERE A NEXT GEN IS TAKING FRESHNESS TO A NEW LEVEL.

THAT'S COURTESY OF THE PBS PARTNERS AT 9 PBS IN St. LOUIS.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE TYPE OF FARM YOU'RE IMAGINING.

>> WE HAVE PART FARM, PART RESTAURANT AND WE HAVE DEDICATED TO BUILDING AND GROWING THE FRESHEST SALAD YOU'VE HAD IN YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

>> THAT IS JOSH SMITH, OWNER AND FOUNDER OF NEON GREEN WHICH OPENED IN MARCH OF 2024.

THE RESTAURANT IS IN THE GROVE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A HYDROPONIC FARM THAT SITS NEXT DOOR.

>> WHAT WE DO IS WE PLANT OUR PLANTS IN THESE SEEDLING PLUGS.

THEY GERMINATE AND GROW AND MOVE THEM TO ESSENTIALLY AN IRRIGATION SYSTEM SO THEY'RE SIT VERTICALLY AND SUSPENDED.

AND EVERY DAY, WE SIMULATE THE SUN, VIA LED LIGHTS.

WE SIMULATE THE WATER THINK WOULD GET, NORMALLY GROUNDWATER AND PRECIPITATION AND THAT'S VIA IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

WE MANAGE THE WATER SO WE MAKE SURE IT HAS AMPLE NUTRIENTS AS IT WOULD IN REAL LIFE.

>> ONCE THE GREENS ARE HARVESTED, THEY'RE SENT DIRECTLY INTO THE RESTAURANT ON A CONVEYOR BELT.

SMITH SAYS HE CAME UP WITH THE NEON GREENS CONCEPT LIVING IN NEW YORK.

>> IT STARTED WITH A LITTLE TINY HYDROPONIC DESKTOP KIT AND I STARTED GROWING HERBS AND FLOWERS AND LETTUCES AND IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

I KIND OF WENT DOWN A RABBIT HOLE.

FROM THAT POINT, I ORDERED A BUNCH OF INDUSTRIAL FARMING EQUIPMENT FROM IOWA WITH A TEST SITE IN MY BASEMENT AND I STARTED GROWING EVERYTHING TO GET MY HANDS ON.

>> HE THEN DECIDED TO RETURN TO HIS HOME CITY TO START THE HYDROPONIC FARM AND RESTAURANT.

>> I HAD IDEAS FOR ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY THAT MIGHT WORK AND ALL SIGNS JUST STARTED LEADING BACK TO St. LOUIS.

I STILL HAVE FAMILY HERE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THERE ARE A LOT OF CONCEPTS THAT EXIST IN THIS COUNTRY.

A LOT OF THE CONCEPTS HAVE STARTED ON THE COAST.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT AND A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A CONCEPT THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS GROWTH, THAT WE WANT TO GROW AND SHARE WITH MORE PEOPLE.

>> SMITH SAYS THERE'S MANY BENEFITS TO USING A HYDROPONIC FARM.

ONE IS THEM BEING LESS CROP LOSS.

>> WE HAVE THE PERFECT DAY EVERY DAY.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF SENSORS AND CONTROL MECHANISMS THAT ALLOW US TO MAINTAIN THE WATER, THE AIR TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY AND MAKING SURE THERE ARE NO NEGATIVE FLUBBING WAKESES THAT WOULD AFFECT THE CROPS N. >> BETWEEN THESE TWO FARMS WE HAVE, WE CAN GROW 120 POUNDS OF LETTUCE EVERY WEEK.

THAT AVERAGES TO AROUND THREE ACRES's WORTH OF THE PRODUCE.

>> MOST LETTUCE YOU WOULD EAT IN THE St. LOUIS REGION TRAVELS FOR DAY OR WEEKS TO GET HERE.

ACCORDING TO THE AGRICULTURAL MARKETING RESEARCH CENTER, ABOUT 98% OF OUR NATION's LETTUCE COMES FROM ARIZONA OR CALIFORNIA.

>> AND THE LONG TRAVEL TIME AFFECTS THE AVAILABLE NUTRIENTS IN THE GREEN.

AND THOSE THEY ARE CURRENTLY ONLY GROWING LETTUCE, SMITH SAYS OTHER SALAD INGREDIENTS ARE LOCALLY SOURCED.

AND BESIDES THE TASTY MEAL, CUSTOMERS ARE ALSO WELCOME TO COME IN FOR A TOUR.

>> WE DO TOURS EVERY TWO WEEKS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE FARMS, BUT WE LOVE SHARING THE SPACE WITH PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM A SENSE OF HOW WE GROW HERE AND MORE THAN THAT, HOW THEY CAN GROW THINGS LIKE THIS AT HOME.

SOMETHING THAT ALSO IS JUST INCREDIBLY EXCITING REWARDING IS BEING ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE LOOK IN THESE FARMS FOR THE FIRST TIME AND THE GIANT SMILES THAT SORT OF WIPE ACROSS THEIR FACES.

THERE'S NO WAY TO REPLACE THIS INVASION OF BEING A PART OF GROWING SOMETHING, WHETHER IT'S A COMMUNITY OR PLANTS OR BUILDING TOGETHER.

THERE ARE REALLY INCREDIBLE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND BEING A PART OF A GROWING PROCESS AS PART OF A GROUP IS ONE OF THOSE.

>> Rich: STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS IS NOW DEMANDING LAWMAKERS TO BEGIN AN IMPEACHMENT PROCESS AGAINST HIM MILD.

IMMEDIATELY?

WILL THE LEGISLATURE DO THAT?

WE'LL HAVE TEAM COVERAGE FROM BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WHO INVESTIGATE WALTERS AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG FOR NOW WITH THE SCISSOR TAIL PARK.

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

YOU CAN FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FROM ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!