.

>>>THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SYSTEM RECEIVED ACCREDIDATION AS ITS SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCES SHE'S LEAVING.

>> I THINK THE MESSAGE HAS TO BE VERY CLEAR WE WANT YOU TO SOLVE IT BUT IF YOU DON'T WE WILL.

>>> A FIRED WHISTLEBLOWER FIGHTS BACK WITH THE HELP OF OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS.

>> SO LET ME TELL YOU THE REASON I WAS TERMINATED.

I WAS TERMINATED BECAUSE I DIDN'T REPORT AN INMATE'S DREAM.

OK?

>>> CHUCK HOSKIN JR. SHARES HIS VISION FOR HIS 2ND TERM AS PRINCIPAL CHIEF OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE GOT A GREAT DEAL DONE AND I THINK THE LAST ELECTION WE HAD AT LEAST VALIDATES THAT THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE THINK WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION GENERALLY.

>>> THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF AN ICONIC CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THIS WAS TRULY A WATERSHED MOMENT.

AUGUST 19TH, 1958 WHEN CLARA LUPER AND 13 STUDENTS GO INTO KATZ DRUG STORE.

>>> AN UPDATE ON THE RE-LOCATION OF ELDERLY VETERANS FROM THE TALIHIINA VETERANS HOME.

>> IT BREAKS MY HEART FOR THE EMPLOYEES, BUT THE PATIENTS ARE THE ONES THAT, THEY'RE THE REASON THAT BUILDING IS THERE AND WE'RE HERE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THEM.

THOSE STORIES.AND MUCH MORE, NEXT.ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"!

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

BY A UNANIMOUS VOTE, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS GRANTED THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, "ACCREDITATION WITH DEFICIENCIES".

THAT DECISION COMING TWO DAYS AFTER DR. DEBORAH GIST ANNOUNCED SHE WAS STEPPING DOWN AS T.P.S.

SUPERINTENDENT.

AT THURSDAY'S JAM-PACKED MEETING, BOARD MEMBERS, AND STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, RYAN WALTERS, WHO SERVES ON THE O.E.T.A.

BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION, ADDRESSED WHAT'S NEXT FOR TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE WOULD LOVE FOR THIS TO BE A CORRECTIVE ACTION.WE WILL BE MONITORING IT MONTHLY AND THERE WILL BE A REAL CONSEQUENCES IN A FEW MONTHS IF MEASURES AREN'T MADE.

THEN WE WILL ACT WITH DRASTIC MEASURES TO TURN THIS DISTRICT AROUND.

WHATEVER WE DECIDE HERE TODAY I THINK THE MESSAGE HAS BE VERY CLEAR WE WANT YOU TO SOLVE IT BUT IF YOU DON'T WE WILL.

>> TO UNIFY, TO GET THE STATE, THE LOCAL BOARD, THE PARENTS, THE TEACHERS, TO GET THROUGH THIS TUMULTUOUS TIME THAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH AND BECOME PARTNERS.

>> DR. GIST'S LAST DAY WILL BE SEPTEMBER 15.

SHE HAS SERVED AS TPS SUPERINTENDENT SINCE 2015.

ON TUESDAY SHE RELEASED A STATEMENT THAT READ IN PART: DEAR TEAM TULSA.

WITH A BROKEN HEART, BUT UNBREAKABLE COMMITMENT, I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT I AM IN DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR SCHOOL BOARD TO LEAVE MY POSITION AS SUPERINTENDENT.

IT IS NO SECRET THAT OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT HAS HAD AN UNRELENTING FOCUS ON OUR DISTRICT AND SPECIFICALLY ON ME, AND I AM CONFIDENT THAT MY DEPARTURE WILL HELP TO KEEP OUR DEMOCRATICALLY-ELECTED LEADERSHIP AND OUR TEAM IN CHARGE OF OUR SCHOOLS-THIS WEEK AND IN THE FUTURE.

SO I'M STEPPING AWAY.

>> THE TPS BOARD MET ON WEDNESDAY EVENING AND VOTED TO ACCEPT GIST'S RESIGNATION--- AND THEN OFFERED THESE COMMENTS.

>> I HOPE THAT EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM WHO DOESN'T SUPPORT THIS ACTION WILL BE PRESENT ON THURSDAY AND TO TALK TO THE MAN WHO DEMANDED IT WHILE HE WAS ELECTED AS OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, HE DID NOT WIN THE CITY OF TULSA.

>> FLOOD THE NEWS MEDIA, CALLING THEM, SENDING EMAILS TO THEM.

LET YOUR VOICE BE KNOWN.

LET OKLAHOMA KNOW.

LET THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING ANY TROJAN HORSES IN OUR CAMP.

>> DR. EBONY JOHNSON WILL SERVE AS THE DISTRICT'S INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 16.

>>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND AN OKLAHOMA LAWMAKER ARE AT ODDS FOLLOWING THE FIRING OF A STAFF PSYCHOLOGIST.

DR. WHITNEY LOUIS CLAIMS SHE WAS >>> IN MARCH OF LAST YEAR, IT GOT WORSE.

>> I WAS IN FRONT OF ANOTHER STAFF MEMBER.

>> IT HAUNTS HER TO THIS DAY.

>> WHEN A FEMALE LIEUTENANTED CAME UP BEHIND ME AND GRABBED MY BUTTOCKS, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THIS.

>> SHE REPORTED THE ASSAULT A MONTH LATER AFTER THEY BEGAN AN INVESTIGATION INTO HER AFTER REPORTING THE SIX ALLEGED INMATE RAPES.

THE WITNESS WHO SAW LEWIS GET SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY THAT LIEUTENANT WAS BULLOCKED BY STAFF -- BULLIED BY STAFF INTO LYING THAT IT NEVER HAPPENED.

>> SHE SENT ME AN E-MAIL, AND I'M SORRY, I DIDN'T TELL THEM THE >> THEY'RE FOLLOWING THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURE.

BUT MY POINT IS, AFTER WHAT POINT WILL THEY STOP?

SHE'S GOT ALMOST EIGHT MONTHS, NINE MONTHS WITHOUT A PAYCHECK.

FROM DOC.

THAT'S GOT TO BE TOUGH.

>> THAT PROCESS COULD TAKE ONE TO THREE YEARS.

>> WELL, MY MOM AND DAD HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ME, I'VE PICKED UP SEVERAL SIDE JOBS TO DO WHATEVER I CAN.

AT ONE POINT MY HUSBAND SAID, YOU KNOW, ARE ALL THESE STRANGERS WORTH IT?

LOOK WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO OUR FAMILY.

AND HONESTLY, THEY ARE.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO HAVE A VOICE, AND FOR THEM TO FEEL LIKE SOMEONE CARES ABOUT THEM.

>> FEMALE INMATE.

>> YES.

>> I REACHED OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ABOUT ALL OF THIS, THEY SENT ME A STATEMENT.

THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS STANDS BEHIND THE DECISION TO TERMINATE THE EMPLOYMENT FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE AGENCY.

ADDITIONAL REASONS FOR THE TERMINATION WAS DISCOVERED AFTER SHE WAS NO LONGER AN EMPLOYEE.

THIS MATTER IS CURRENTLY IN JUDICIAL REVIEW IN DISTRICT COURT.

ODOC INVESTIGATIVE CONCERN IS RAISED YOU CAN RESIGN, AND YOU CAN'T DO THAT ON RAPE.

YOU CAN'T BE THE DECIDER.

TURN THAT OVER TO A PROSECUTOR.

THE DA.

OF INDIVIDUALS WITH CLAIMS BASED ENTIRELY ON HEARSAY.

>> YEAH RICH.I'VE TALKED TO THE ONLY ONE WARDEN HAS BEEN TERMINATED.

>> I'M DISHEARTENED, WHEN THIS THING BROKE, EARLIER PROBABLY IN JUNE, AND THE COMMISSION MET AND THEY ANNOUNCED OCTOBER 1, THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED.

EVERYONE WILL BE RELOCATED.

WILL BE RE-RELOCATED.

THAT WAS A 90 DAY WINDOW.

AND THE, AND A LOT OF THESE GUYS HAD NOWHERE TO GO.

OKAY.

SO IT WAS TRAUMATIC.

I WENT DOWN THERE THAT EVENING AFTER THEY BROKE THAT NEWS AND WAS VISITING WITH SOME OF THEM PATIENTS.

AND THEY WERE JUST KIND OF IN A STATE OF DIS JUST KINDA LOST.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE GONNA GO.

>> SO MOVING TO ANOTHER LOCATION REQUIRES A LOT OF MANPOWER ON THE PART OF O D V A TO GET PEOPLE TO THESE OTHER PLACES.

AND, AND, AND THEN ONCE THEY'RE THERE, LIKE I SAID EARLIER, A LOT OF THEM HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE LIVING IN THE TALIHINA AREA, YOU KNOW, THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

IT'S A, IT'S A TRI-COUNTY AREA.

AND WHEN THEY GET, WHEN THEY LOSE THAT IMMEDIATE SUPPORT SYSTEM, PEOPLE VISITING THEM EVERY WEEK, EVERY MONTH, HOWEVER OFTEN IT IS, THEY, THEY LOSE THAT CONNECTION TO, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY, THE THINGS THAT KEEP THEM AROUND FOR THE MOST PART.

>> A CONVERSATION ON A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS.

COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> CHUCK HOSKIN JR HAS BEGUN HIS SECOND AND FINAL TERM AS PRINCIPAL CHIEF OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

WHAT ARE HIS GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS- AND BEYOND?

REPORTER JOEL FILOMENO TRAVELED TO TAHLEQUAH THIS WEEK TO FIND OUT-- AND HE JOINS US NOW.

JOEL?

>> RICH.

IN 2019 CANDIDATE CHUCK HOSKIN JR. MADE PROMISES TO EXPAND HEALTH CARE FOR NATIVES, PRESERVE THE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE, AND TO PUT A DELEGATE IN THE US CONGRESS.

HE REFLECTS ON THE LAST FOUR YEARS WHILE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TERM.

>> THE PRINCIPLE CHIEF OF THE NATION'S LARGEST TRIBE IS PROUD OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS THE CHEROKEE NATION HAS MADE TO OKLAHOMA.

>> WE ARE ONE OF THE -- WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.

>> THE STEWARDSHIP HELPED WITH AN IMPACT THAT EXCEEDS $3 BILLION ANNUALLY.

>> WE'RE BUILDING CELL TOWERS, COMMUNITY CENTERS, HOPE FOR COMMUNITIES THAT NOT IN TERMS OF THE PRIORITIES THE LANGUAGE AND THE CULTURE AND THE LIFE WAYS ARE HELD DEAR.

>> THE RECENT VOTE RETURNS HIM AS THE PRINCIPLE CHIEF INDICATES HE MIGHT BE RIGHT.

>> EACH DAY WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR PARTED.

>> THEY BOTH WON REELECTION IN 2023.

WITH HIM GAINING OVER 63% OF THE VOTE.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE GOT A GREAT DEAL DOWN, AND THE LAST ELECTION, WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> THE FIRST FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE BROUGHT MANY UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES.

>> FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY, TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE AND GETTING READY FOR A TERM, KNEW NOTHING OF COVID, DIDN'T UNDERSTAND, WE WOULD HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT WOULD TRY TO TERMINATE TRIBAL CONTRACTS, AND NOT TO MENTION THE GREAT CHALLENGES AND THE OBJECTIONS BY THE SAME GOVERNOR.

>> HIS WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR, REMAINS TENUOUS.

>> I'M BRACED FOR A GOVERNOR IN MY TERM AND HIS TERM THAT'LL BE AGAINST TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY.

I HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT AND DEAL WITH IT.

>> HE AND HIS TEAM HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO FULFILL THE CAMPAIGN PROMISES, NAMELY, IMPROVING HEALTH CARE, EXPANDING TRIBAL BUSINESS.

VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CHEROKEE BUSINESSES SAYS THE ECONOMY IS GROWING.

>> OUR ANNUAL YEAR END AUDIT SHOWS THE TRIBE ECONOMIC ENGINE, IN 2022, BY SURPASSING $1 BILLION IN REVENUE FOR THE SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE YEARS.

>> IT'S BEEN SPENT ON NATIVE OWNED BUSINESSES SINCE 2018.

>> THE SUCCESSES PROVIDE THE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE THE PARTNERSHIPS, PROGRAMS THAT BENEFIT ALL OF OKLAHOMAENS.

>> IN THE FIRST TERM WAS BREAKING GROUND ON A NEW MEDICAL FACILITY TO REPLACE THE HOSPITAL.

THE FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT, CAME FROM A $440 MILLION INVESTMENT SIGNED BY HIM AND THE CHIEF DEPARTMENT.

>> TO FINISH A LOT OF PROJECTS IN THE FIRST TERM, THAT'S BIG THINGS.

THE MOST EFFECTIVE IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS OF THE HEALTH CARE, SAYS THAT THE TENURE HAS HELPED SERVE UNDERREPRESENTED COMMUNITIES.

>> HE'S AN INCREDIBLE ADVOCATE FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CARE WHO NEED IT.

>> THE MEDICAL FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY RECEIVED UPGRADES AND AN EXPANSION OF UPGRADES.

>> WE'RE SEEING LOTS OF PLANS FOR HEALTH WELLNESS CENTERS AND OTHER INITIATIVES THAT'LL INCREASE THE WELLNESS IN THE TRIBES.

>> AND THE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE IS A PRIORITY.

>> WILL WE BE SUCCESSFUL ON A MISSION TO REVITALIZE THE LANGUAGE OR LOOK BACK, AND WE COULD HAVE DONE IT, WE HAVE THE RESOURCES AND WE DIDN'T DO IT.

THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.

>> THE CHEROKEE NATION OPENED A NEW LANGUAGE CENTER IN NOVEMBER OF 2022.

THE FACILITY HOUSES ALL OF THE CHEROKEE LANGUAGE PROGRAMS.

AND THEY RANGE IN AGE.

THEY ADDED MORE PROGRAMS IN HIS TERM.

>> EXPANDING THE PROGRAM AS THEY GET OLDER, THEY'LL MOVE IN THAT LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE GOAL IS TO EDUCATE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO EMBRACE THEIR NATIVE LAPPING FOR YORES -- LANGUAGE FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> GET THEM READY FOR FIRST GRADE, KNOWING THE WORDS AND NUMBERS AND PUTTING THEM IN WRITING.

>> THE INVESTMENT IN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS IS ADDING STRENGTH TO THE CHEROKEE NATION.

>> HE HAS MADE A LOT OF ACCOMMODATIONS, SO WE CAN BE AFFLUENT LANGUAGE.

>> HARD PRESSED TO HAVE A -- >> HE SAYS HE'LL CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND REPRESENTATION IN THE HALLS OF CONGRESS.

>> OUR OBLIGATION FOR THE UNITED STATES HAS COME THROUGH, AND EXCEEDING THE DELEGATE FOR CONGRESS, IS AMERICA THE COUNTRY OF ITS WORD.

>> WHEN ASKED OF HIS FUTURE POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS, HE DECLINED, SAYING IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE ANYTHING THAT'S HIGHER OR MORE MEANINGFUL THAN SERVING AS CHIEF IN THE CHEROKEE NATION.

WHATEVER I DO IS IN PART, WHETHER I DO A GOOD JOB.

AND HOPEFULLY I DO A GOOD JOB IN THIS SECOND TERM.

>>> THE NEW 400,000 SQUARE FOOT HOSPITAL UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN TAHLEQUAH IS ESTIMATED TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS.

RICH.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD HAS A NEW STORE-FRONT LOCATION IN NORMAN TO HELP "BUILD ITS RANKS".

OFFICIALS CUT THE RIBBON ON THE NEW RECRUITING STATION ON TUESDAY-- HOPING TO PROVIDE AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SERVING.

RIGHT NOW, THE OKLAHOMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD RECRUITMENT IS ACTUALLY HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>>> THE BIRTH OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN OKLAHOMA BEGAN AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY DRUG STORE COUNTER IN 1958.

THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAT ICONIC MOMENT WAS COMMEMORATED WITH A SERIES OF EVENTS LAST WEEKEND.

JASON DOYLE HAS OUR REPORT.

>> A FULL FIVE YEARS BEFORE THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON AND THE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

I HAD A DREAM SPEECH, 13 BLACK STUDENTS ENTERED THE DRUGSTORE.

WHEN THE STAFF REFUSED TO SERVE THEM, STAGED ONE OF THE FIRST CIVIL RIGHTS SIT IN'S IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WE WENT DOWN AGAINST -- FOR THE PURPOSE OF GETTING A HAMBURGER AND DRINKING A COKE.

>> BEFORE THEY MARCHED TO REENACT AT THE DRUGSTORE, A SPECIAL SHOW WAS HELD THE PREVIOUS EVENING IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE ANNUAL COMMEMORATION OF THE DRUGSTORE SIT IN THAT IGNITED DESEGREGATION IN THE CITY, NOW -- >> THERE'S LOTS OF EVENTS IN THE WEEKEND.

THANK YOU FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO BE WITH US.

>> TOOK THE STAGE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE CENTER LEADERS WHO STARTED THE SIT IN.

>> MINE IS TITLED BECAUSE SHE SAT IN.

A NATIONAL -- STRONG FORCE.

A KNOWING OF WHO YOU ARE.

WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT SOMETIMES WE CAN'T COLOR INSIDE THE LINES.

BECAUSE -- WE CAN STAND UP.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

DO WHAT SHE LOVES.

AIN'T NO COMPETITION.

ALL THIS COULD BE GONE.

>> THE FACT THAT GET LOST ON THE WAY TO MANHOOD.

BLACK MALE, LOST HOPE, IRONICALLY WE RUN AWAY FROM OPPORTUNITY TO BE FATHER FIGURES.

>> THE ART WAS ONLY A PART OF THE CELEBRATION.

AND A GALLERY DISPLAYED WORKS FROM LOCAL ARTISTS.

THE SIT IN, THIS IS NATALIE'S SECOND PIECE, IT'S CALLED ECHO.

>> I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN LAST YEAR.

IT'S A MIXED MEDIA.

AND I KIND OF WANTED TO SHOWCASE HOW IT REMINDS ME SHE'S IN HEAVEN, THE MRUS AND THE -- BLUES AND THE WHITES GOING, BUT HER LEGACY IS STILL LIVING ON.

SHE'S A VERY POWERFUL WOMAN.

>> SHE DID NOT LEARN ABOUT CLARA IN SCHOOL.

>> I DID NOT.

>> SHE LOOKED IN THE HISTORY HERSELF.

>> SHE CONTINUES TO LIVE ON, AN EDUCATOR AND EVEN AFTER THAT, SHE WAS SUBSTITUTING, AND THAT'S -- SHE'S A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN FOR THAT.

SHE'S A POWERFUL WOMAN.

>> THE ART AND PERFORMANCES WERE FANTASTIC, THE MAIN EVENT WAS HEARING FROM THE SIT INNERS THEMSELVES.

>> WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IS THE HISTORIC ACTIVISTS WHO LED THAT -- WE ACTUALLY HAVE THE ORIGINAL TROUBLE MAKER.

I CALL HER THAT.

>> 65 YEARS AGO, I WAS A BRAT.

AND STILL SOME SAY I AM.

>> CLARA'S DAUGHTER EXPLAINS HOW A TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY WITH A GROUP OF STUDENTS WHO NEVER LEFT OKLAHOMA BEFORE, GAVE THEM A TASTE OF FREEDOM FROM SEGREGATION.

THAT'S HOW THE IDEA WAS BORN.

>> THE KIDS GOING TO RESTAURANTS, THE KID ON THE BUSES SIT DOWN AND EAT, DRINKING COLA.

AND ON OUR WAY BACK, WE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT WE COULD DO TO MAKE OKLAHOMA A BETTER PLACE.

>> AFTER THE SIT N THEY TOOK ON OTHER BUSINESSES.

>> AND THE HOPE AND DREAMS OF THE HUNDREDS OF -- THAT GAVE THEIR MORNING, OKLAHOMA CITY TO BECOME A BETTER PLACE.

>> THE ATMOSPHERE 65 YEARS AGO, WALKING IN THE DRUGSTORE, STUDENTS DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE WALKING IN TO.

WHETHER PEOPLE BE MEAN TO THEM OR EMBRACE THEM.

>> THE PEACEFUL PROTEST LED TO THE CHAIN TO SEGREGATE THE OKLAHOMA CITY LOCATION BUT 50 LOCATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

IT ALSO PLAYED TO THE PRECURSOR OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN THE 1960S.

>> THIS WAS A MOMENT, A MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

BECAUSE IT LED TO OTHERS HAVING TO COURAGE TO WALK IN AND QUIETLY DEMAND SERVICE IN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> GREAT REPORT, THANK YOU.

>>> OKLAHOMA'S ON-GOING TEACHER SHORTAGE REQUIRES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO OFFER ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES TO HIRE AND RETAIN THEIR EDUCATORS.

IN SOME DISTRICTS, THAT INCLUDES CHILD DAYCARE.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

TAELYR?

>> THE START OF A NEW SCHOOL YEAR CAN BE STRESSFUL FOR EDUCATORS BETWEEN LESSON PLANNING AND DECORATING CLASSROOMS.

BUT TWO OKLAHOMA SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE MAKING THEIR TEACHERS LIVES A BIT EASIER.

>> EDMOND AND TULSA EDUCATORS HAVE ONE LESS PROBLEM ON THEIR PLATE THIS SCHOOL YEAR AFTER THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS OPENED EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE CENTERS.

>> I WAS VERY EXCITED.

I HAVE TWIN GIRLS AND WE WERE STRUGGLING WITH FINDING A CHILDCARE CENTER WHENEVER SHE, SHE ACTUALLY ANNOUNCED IT ABOUT THREE WEEKS AFTER THEY WERE BORN.

SO IT WAS ALMOST LIKE A SIGH OF RELIEF THAT SHE WAS GONNA OPEN IT.

>> MANY EDUCATORS LIKE LEXY BURNETT OFTEN HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE OR FACE A DILEMMA OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY SHOULD RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM AFTER GIVING BIRTH.

>> CHILDCARE IS VERY EXPENSIVE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE TWINS.

IT'S KIND OF, YOU THINK, DO I NEED TO WORK?

CAN I OR CAN I WORK?

AND STILL, YOU KNOW, LET'S SEE, CAN I WORK AND IT ACTUALLY BENEFITS, YOU KNOW, WITHOUT IT TAKING A BIG CHUNK OUTTA MY PAYCHECK.

>> IT WAS, IT WAS DIFFICULT, I'LL BE HONEST, ESPECIALLY FINDING, FINDING SOMEONE TO WORK WITH OUR HOURS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

AND THAT WAS OUR FIRST JOB WAS DURING COVID.

SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE, THE DIFFICULTY WITH THAT.

>> BOTH SCHOOL DISTRICTS WANTED TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THESE BARRIERS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF TEACHERS THAT I WAS SEEING AS AN ADMINISTRATOR HAVING TO LEAVE THE PROFESSION BECAUSE THEY NEEDED TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN CHILDREN.

AND SOMETIMES IT WAS THE FINANCIAL CHALLENGE.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES WE HAVE A TEACHER THAT IS JUST A ROCKSTAR TEACHER WHEN THEY START THEIR FAMILY.

THEY HAVE TO DECIDE, DO I STAY HOME AND BE WITH MY PERSONAL CHILDREN OR DO I GET TO CONTINUE THE CAREER THAT I LOVE AND SERVING OTHER CHILDREN?

>> EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAY CHILDCARE SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A WHILE.

>> SO WE WERE LIKE, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THESE MOMS AND THESE FAMILIES AS THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE THIS DECISION.

>> SO WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING FOR EXCELLENT TEACHERS, AND WE NEEDED SOMETHING TO HELP THEM, HELP US, HELP THE KIDS.

SO FAMILIES AND TEACHERS WANTED TO BE AT SCHOOL AND THEY WANTED A SAFE PLACE >>THE EDMOND EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE CENTER OFFICIALLY OPENED EARLIER THIS MONTH AND UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS OPENED THEIR CENTER CALLED "THE NEST " LAST WEEK.

BOTH CHILDCARE CENTERS SERVE CHILDREN SIX WEEKS TO PRE-K. EDMOND AND UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAY THAT PROVIDING EMPLOYEE CHILDCARE HAS ALREADY HELPED THEM RETAIN TEACHERS AND ATTRACT NEWCOMERS.

>> I MEAN, IT'S GREAT WHEN YOU GET TO PUSH OUT GOOD NEWS AND LOTS OF THANK YOU.

I WOULD, I WOULD'VE HAD TO STAY HOME THIS YEAR IF I WOULDN'T HAVE HAD THIS CHILDCARE CENTER OR I'M ABLE TO REALLY FOCUS AND CONCENTRATE AT WORK.

'CAUSE I KNOW MY, MY PERSONAL BABIES ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF.

>> THERE WERE SOME OPPORTUNITIES, SOME OPENINGS, AND I HAD NEW TEACHERS CALLING AND SAYING, IS THERE ANY WAY, ANY WAY I CAN GET MY CHILD IN?

>> "THE NEST" IS SUCH A HIT FOR UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT THERE'S A WAITING LIST.

>> WE HAVE STARTED WITH 32 SPOTS THAT ARE AVAILABLE THIS YEAR.

AND WE HOPE TO GROW THAT NEXT YEAR AND EACH YEAR CONTINUE TO GROW THE PROGRAM.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EXPANDING FOR UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR TEACHERS AND OUR STAFF AND CONTINUE TO GROW, GROW OUR NEST.

>> THE DISTRICT WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE CHILDCARE SERVICES THANKS TO THE CHILDCARE DESERT GRANT.

AS A PART OF THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT, OKLAHOMA RECEIVED $360 MILLION.

TO HELP INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY TO QUALITY CHILD CARE AROUND THE STATE.

EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT ANGELA GRUNEWALD SAYS THE CHILDCARE CENTER IS OPEN FROM 6:30 AM TO 5 PM.

>> IT'S FROM THE TEACHERS' FIRST START TIMES TO WHEN TEACHERS SHOULD BE FINISHED AND WRAPPED UP.

AND SO OUR, OUR HOURS ARE SHORTER THAN A LOT OF CHILDCARE CENTERS BECAUSE WE JUST NEED TO MEET THOSE TEACHER CONTRACT TIMES.

>> OUR PREVIOUS DAYCARE, THERE'D BE TIMES WHERE SHE WOULD BE CLOSED ON A RANDOM DAY THAT WE STILL HAD SCHOOL.

SO WE KNOW THAT IF WE HAVE WORK, WE HAVE A PLACE FOR OUR BOYS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

AND THEN THEY'RE BOTH ABLE TO BE HERE AND BE WITH KIDS THEIR OWN AGE.

>> LOWE SAYS CHILDCARE HOURS HAVE RELIEVED HIS FAMILY OF EXTRA STRESS.

>> HAVING A THREE AND A NINE-MONTH-OLD, YOU KNOW, BEING ABLE TO HAVE 'EM IN THE SAME BUILDING.

INCREDIBLY CONVENIENT.

OUR, OUR DAYS START VERY, VERY EARLY, SO BEING ABLE, BEING RIGHT DOWN THE STREET, BEING VERY CONVENIENT WITH US.

>> SO FAR IT'S BEEN GREAT.

AND IT'S BEEN NICE THAT CHILDCARE IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMERTIME, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE TEACHERS HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SUMMERTIME PAYING AND ALL OF THAT.

>> BURNETT AND LOWE SAY THEY ARE THANKFUL FOR THEIR SCHOOLS DISTRICTS SUPPORT.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT IS VERY HELPFUL TO FIND THINGS TO HELP OUT THE EMPLOYEES.

THIS WAS A BIG ONE.

>> EDMOND HAS AN AMAZING TRACK RECORD.

THIS CENTER ALSO HAS THAT.

>> UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS PLANS TO EXPAND "THE NEST" NEXT YEAR TO ACCOMMODATE MORE CHILDREN.

RICH.

>>> IT'S GETTING A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN TULSA.

JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> TULSA'S COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASED BY 6.1% OVER LAST YEAR.THE FOURTH HIGHEST INCREASE FOR COST OF LIVING AMONG 200 U.S. CITIES.

THE REPORT BY SMART ASSET SHOWS TULSA'S COST OF LIVING REMAINS LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

PLANO, TEXAS EXPERIENCED THE LARGEST INCREASE IN LIVING COSTS AT NINE AND A HALF PERCENT.

OKLAHOMA CITY'S COST OF LIVING HAS INCREASED BY LESS THAN A PERCENT THIS YEAR.

SPEAKING OF OKLAHOMA CITY.IT REMAINS ONE OF THE CHEAPEST PLACES TO RENT A HOME OR APARTMENT IN THE COUNTRY.

THE REALTOR.COM JULY RENTAL REPORT SHOWS OKLAHOMA CITY RENTERS SPEND ABOUT 18.4% OF THEIR HOUSEHOLD INCOME ON HOUSING.

A TWO BEDROOM RENTAL AVERAGES ABOUT $1,032.

A 4% INCREASE OVER JULY 2022.

THE CITY OF NORMAN HAS LAUNCHED AN APP BASED PUBLIC TRANSIT PILOT PROGRAM CALLED "NORMAN ON DEMAND.

RIDERS CAN USE THE APP TO BOOK A TRIP, EVEN LAST MINUTE AND AFTER HOURS WHEN TRADITIONAL PUBLIC TRANSIT ISN'T AVAILABLE.

THE APP WILL INSTRUCT THE DRIVER TO A NEARBY VIRTUAL PICK UP STOP.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA IS FORMING THE OKLAHOMA CYBER INNOVATION INSTITUTE TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AND IDENTIFY, TEST AND COMMERCIALLY DEPLOY NEW CYBER SOLUTIONS.

MORE THAN 700,000 CYBER RELATED JOBS WERE UNFILLED LAST YEAR.

OFFICIALS ARE HOPING THE INSTITUTE WILL HELP GROW THE CYBERSECURITY WORKFORCE IN OKLAHOMA.

TU IS STARTING THE INSTITUTE WITH AN INITIAL $24 MILLION INVESTMENT.

JASON DOYLE THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> IN LATE JUNE, WE REPORTED ON THE "OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS" DECISION TO "PAUSE" THE CLOSING OF THE TALIHINA VETERANS CENTER--- IT TURNS OUT, THAT "PAUSE" NEVER REALLY TOOK EFFECT-- AND ELDERLY VETERANS ARE STILL BE ASKED TO RELOCATE TO OTHER FACILITIES AROUND THE STATE-- A PROCESS THAT CAN BE DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL.

IN THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" DISCUSSION.

WE'LL SPEAK WITH THE LAWMAKER WHO REPRESENTS THE AREA-- AND A REPORTER WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNER AT "OKLAHOMA WATCH".

>> I WANT TO THANK LIONEL RAMOS WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH FOR JOINING US, ALONG WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE JIM GREGO.

REPRESENTATIVE GREGO, YOUR REACTION TO THE NEWS THAT VETERANS ARE CONTINUING TO BE RELOCATED OUT OF THIS FACILITY AS WE SPEAK?

>> MY REACTION IS SOMEWHAT, I'M KIND OF DISHEARTENED, YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS THING TOTALLY BROKE EARLIER, PROBABLY IN JUNE, AND THE COMMISSION MET AND THEY ANNOUNCED OCTOBER ONE, THE, THE CENTER WILL BE CLOSED, EVERYBODY WILL BE RE RELOCATED.

THAT WAS A 90 DAY WINDOW.

AND THE, AND A LOT OF THESE GUYS HAD NOWHERE TO GO.

OKAY.

SO IT WAS TRAUMATIC.

I WENT DOWN THERE THAT EVENING AFTER THEY BROKE THAT NEWS AND WAS VISITING WITH SOME OF THEM PATIENTS.

AND THEY WERE JUST KIND OF IN A STATE OF DIS JUST KINDA LOST.

THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE GONNA GO.

AND SOME OF 'EM DIDN'T HAVE ANY FAMILY MEMBERS TO HELP 'EM, YOU KNOW, IT WAS PRETTY CHAOTIC IN MY OPINION.

SO WE REACHED OUT TO O D V A AND WE WERE PROMISED A PAUSE.

THEY AGREED OCTOBER ONE WAS TOO SOON.

WE, WE COULDN'T DO IT.

I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PAUSE WOULD LAST SOMETIME AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

AND THEN, THEN THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AGAIN AND START FROM THERE.

AND THEN MY FIRST NEWS OF IT IS WHEN THEY SEND THE LETTER OUT TO ALL THE EMPLOYEES SAYING AS OF NOVEMBER ONE, THIS PLACE WILL NO LONGER EXIST.

SO I I, I SAY MY INITIAL REACTION IS SOMEWHAT SHOCKED.

I FELT LIKE, AGAIN, WE'RE NOT PUTTING THE PATIENTS, OUR VETERANS WAR HEROES AND THEIR FAMILIES FIRST.

I THINK WE'RE PUTTING OTHER THINGS FIRST.

AND THAT'S, THAT'S BEEN MY WHOLE GOAL.

YOU KNOW, IT, IT BREAKS MY HEART FOR THE EMPLOYEES, BUT THE PATIENTS ARE THE ONES THAT, THEY'RE THE REASON THAT BUILDING IS THERE AND WE'RE HERE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO THEM.

>> LIONEL, WHEN WE COVERED THIS STORY, THERE WERE ABOUT 30 VETERANS STILL LIVING IN THE FACILITY THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO ABOUT 175.

HOW MANY ARE THERE NOW?

AND WHAT WAS THEIR REACTION WHEN YOU SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT BEING RELOCATED?

>> I SAW A FACEBOOK POST THIS MORNING THAT THERE ARE NOW 12 INDIVIDUALS LIVING THERE.

>> AGAIN, LAST I HEARD IT WAS 14 FROM AN OFFICIAL SOURCE.

THERE MAY BE FEWER AT THIS POINT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I, WHEN I VISITED THE CENTER, THE REACTION FROM THE FOLKS THERE WAS REALLY ONE OF RESIGNATION.

THEY WERE RESIGNED TO THE WHIM OF THE STATE.

THEY KNEW THAT IT DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CHOICE THAT THEY HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE.

THEY KNEW THAT STAYING THERE WAS NOT AN OPTION FOR THEM.

AND 'CAUSE OF THAT, A LOT OF 'EM WERE DISAPPOINTED.

YOU KNOW, THEY'VE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS IN THIS CENTER WITH THE STAFF AND EACH OTHER.

IMPORTANTLY, A LOT OF THEM HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT ARE LIVING NEARBY THAT WON'T BE ABLE TO TRAVEL, YOU KNOW, 1, 2, 3 HOURS OUT TO ANOTHER VETERAN CENTER.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S KIND OF A, I I WOULD SAY THOSE TWO, THOSE TWO WORDS KIND OF WRAP IT UP PRETTY WELL.

RESIGNATION AND DISAPPOINTMENT.

>> MR. GREGO, THE PLAN WAS TO MOVE THESE VETERANS TO A BRAND NEW FACILITY IN SALLISAW BUT THAT SALLISAW FACILITY IS NOT COMPLETED.

DO YOU HAVE ANY TIMELINE ON, ON WHEN IT WILL BE?

>> THAT'S, THAT'S KIND OF IRONIC BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL TIMELINE WAS FALL OF 23 WHEN THE ORIGINAL BILL WAS PASSED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

AND, AND THIS WAS THE YEAR BEFORE I BEGAN TO SERVE, THE PATIENTS WOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY AT TALIHINA UNTIL THE NEW CENTER WAS OPEN READY FOR OCCUPANCY.

THEY DID NOT NAME SALLISAW BECAUSE AT THAT TIME THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE THE CENTER WOULD BE.

THEY JUST KNEW THERE WOULD BE A NEW ONE, BUT THE PATIENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO REMAIN IN TALIHINA.

THAT WAS PART OF THE NEGOTIATIONS AND GETTING THE LEGISLATURE TO SIGN OFF ON IT AND TO AGREE TO IT THAT THEY WOULD LEAVE 'EM ALONE TILL SALLISAW IS OPEN.

WELL, SALLISAW HAS HAD MANY, I GUESS, SETBACKS.

THEY'VE HAD SOME COST OVERRUNS.

THEY, THEY CAME TO THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR AND ASKED US FOR ABOUT $10 MILLION.

>> I UNDERSTAND THEY'RE ALREADY ASKING FOR ANOTHER 10 MILLION FOR NEXT YEAR.

SO HOPEFULLY IT'LL BE OPEN SOONER THAN LATER.

YOU KNOW, THAT WHAT THEY'RE SAYING NOW IS POSSIBLY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR IN 24, WHICH WILL BE A GOOD FULL YEAR PAST THE ORIGINAL DATE.

SO, BUT IN THE OTHER, OTHER LITTLE PIECE OF THAT, THE, THE LEGISLATORS VOTED TO LET 'EM CLOSE HANINA WITH INTENT THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO STAY THERE TILL THE NEW FACILITY WAS BUILT.

BUT THERE WAS A BILL SLID IN THERE, HAD TO DO WITH SOME BONDING AND THEY TOOK THAT LANGUAGE OUT.

SO THEY, THEY WERE NOT UNDER ANY BIND, ANY BINDING CONTRACT TO KEEP THEM PATIENTS THERE TILL THE NEW ONE IS BILLED.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT EVEN VOTED FOR THAT BILL, POSSIBLY, YOU KNOW, DID THEY KNOW IT WAS IN THERE OR NOT?

I, I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.

IT WAS, IT WAS IN, IN SOME LANGUAGE WITH SOME OTHER STUFF.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM TOO.

THE ORIGINAL INTENT WAS TO KEEP IT OPEN.

THEY WERE GONNA BE BOUND LEGALLY AND THEY'VE SKIRTED THAT AND NOW THEY'RE NOT BOUND, SO.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT, WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES OF JUST RENOVATING THE TALIHINA FACILITY?

'CAUSE IT'S ACTUALLY, I MEAN, IT, IT'S IN A VERY NICE LOCATION?"

>> I WANNA THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP BECAUSE YOU JOGGED MY MEMORY.

ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I WANNA POINT OUT, EVERY TIME I READ ABOUT SOMETHING O D V A PUTS OUT ABOUT TALIHINA, THEY TALK ABOUT THE A HUNDRED YEAR OLD BUILDINGS.

AND THAT IN ITSELF IS, IS THERE'S SOME TRUTH TO IT.

WHEN YOU FIRST DRIVE ONTO THE BEAUTIFUL FACILITY OVER TO THE LEFT, THERE'S TWO BUILDINGS THAT PROBABLY ARE CLOSE TO A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN USED IN 50 OR 60, YOU KNOW, BUT, BUT THEY ARE THERE.

THE REST OF THE FACILITY HAS JUST BEEN ADDED ON AND BUILT ON AND UPDATED.

YOU KNOW, THE VETERAN CENTER ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED THERE IN 1975.

SO AT THAT POINT THEY'VE BEEN CONTINUALLY REMODELING, ADDING ON ABOUT, I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE THE DATE, I'M GONNA SAY 10 OR 15 YEARS AGO, THEY BUILT A ALZHEIMER'S WING, 49 BEDS.

IT WAS BUILT BRAND NEW ONTO THE EXISTING BUILDING.

THEY SHUT IT DOWN.

THEY SAID THERE WAS SOME BLACK MOLD IN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS ONE OF THEIR REASONS WE GOT A CLOSED TALIHINA.

I, I DON'T BELIEVE THAT, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COULDN'T BE CORRECTED.

I THINK THAT MOLD COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED AND COULD HAVE BEEN CORRECTED WHEN THIS WHOLE PROCESS STARTED.

I, I THINK THE NUMBER THEY ESTIMATED TO REALLY BRING THAT CENTER UP TO WHAT THEY WANTED TO CODE WAS IN THE $10 MILLION OR LESS RANGE.

SO WE'VE EVEN NOW APPROPRIATED AN ADDITIONAL 20 MILLION TO COMPLETE SALLISAW, AND IN MY MIND, IF, IF WE'D HAVE JUST TOOK THAT 20 MILLION WHEN WE STARTED, WE COULD HAVE MADE TALIHINA STATE-OF-THE-ART.

AND SOMETHING YOU CAN'T REPLICATE ABOUT TALLAH HANA IS THE VIEW.

THEY'VE GOT, GOT A FISHING POND DOWN THERE IN THE YARD.

THEY'VE GOT A LAWN, THEY'VE GOT THE MOUNTAINS TO THE NORTH, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GOT DEER THAT COME DOWN IN THE LAWN.

YOU CAN SIT THERE AND LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND YOU'LL SEE DEER GRAZING.

IT'S JUST PEACEFUL AND SERENITY.

AND, AND I DROVE BY SALLISAW RECENTLY, AND IT STRIKES ME, IT'S JUST KIND OF IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK AND I JUST, I, I DON'T, I CAN'T IMAGINE LEAVING WHAT WE HAD IN TALIHINA, EVEN THOUGH IT'S GONNA BE A NEW FACILITY AND, AND GOING TO SAU NOW I KNOW AT SALLISAW THERE'S GONNA BE SOME INDIVIDUAL UNITS FOR PEOPLE TO LIVE IN.

AND THAT WAS THE TALK, YOU KNOW, TALAHINA HAS GOT 600 ACRES OF LAND THEY COULD HAVE BUILT HOWEVER MANY OF THEM THEY WANTED.

AND THEY'D HAVE BEEN SAME AGE AS SALLISAW, YOU KNOW.

SO I, I THINK IT WAS, I, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE PRESSURE CAME FROM ORIGINALLY BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I WASN'T IN THE LEGISLATURE.

I DO KNOW FED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COME IN AND SAID, WE'VE GOT SOME MONEY, WE WANNA BUILD A NEW CENTER, BUT YOU'VE GOT TOO MANY BEDS, WE'VE GOTTA GET RID OF SOME OF YOUR EXISTING BEDS.

SO SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE DECIDED HOW MANY WILL BE THE BEDS WE'LL GET RID OF.

AND IT IS JUST WENT FROM THERE.

>> LIONEL, EXPLAIN THE VARIOUS ISSUES THAT THESE VETERANS FACE THAT MAKES RELOCATING SO DIFFICULT FOR THEM?

AND THAT COMPOUNDED WITH THE FACT THAT THEY WOULD BE LEAVING A PLACE THAT THEY ARE COMFORTABLE IN AND RECOGNIZE AND FRANKLY WANT TO CONTINUE LIVING THERE.

A FINAL QUESTION FOR BOTH OF YOU.

WE'LL BEGIN WITH LIONEL, BOTTOM LINE.

WE'RE WERE VETERAN AFFAIRS OFFICIALS JUST PAYING LIP SERVICE, THE IDEA OF PAUSING THIS RELOCATION, DO YOU THINK A PAUSE EVER REALLY OCCURRED?

AND AND HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT, LIONEL, YOU FIRST.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE INTENTIONS OF, OF VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICIALS OR EVEN SOME OF THE LEGISLATORS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN, IN SOME OF THESE NON-PUBLIC CONVERSATIONS.

YOU KNOW, PRO TEM GREG TREAT, ALSO MEMBERS OF GOVERNOR STITTS, CABINET, SECRETARY OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, JOHN NASH, AS WELL AS THE SECRETARY OF STATE, THEY WERE.

IN THIS PLACE WHERE THEY HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS AND THEY DIDN'T, YOU KNOW, OUT OF THAT CAME NEWS REPORTS THAT THERE WAS THIS PAUSE.

WELL, WHEN I SPOKE TO INTERIM DIRECTOR GREG SLO, WHO WAS NOT A PART OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, BY THE WAY, HE HAD TOLD ME THAT HIS UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THERE WAS, IT WAS THIS PAUSE WAS MORE OF AN EXTENSION, IT SOUNDS LIKE REPRESENTATIVE GREGO IS ALSO UNDER THAT IMPRESSION THAT OCTOBER 31, NOVEMBER 1 IS GONNA BE WHEN THAT CENTER IS ULTIMATELY CLOSED AS FAR AS A PAUSE EVER HAPPENING, THERE WAS NOT ONE THAT OCCURRED.

IT WAS, IT WAS A DELAY.

IT WAS, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY WERE TRYING TO HASH OUT WHAT THEY WERE GONNA DO.

EXACTLY.

AND A BIG PART OF THAT AS, AS SLAVONIC EXPLAINED TO ME, WAS THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR REDUCTION IN FORCE.

YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE WAYS THAT THE, THAT THE O D V A IS TRYING TO SAVE MONEY IS BY SWITCHING THEIR, THE MAJORITY OF THEIR STAFF FROM, FROM CONTRACT NURSES AND EMPLOYEES TO STATE EMPLOYEES, CONTRACT NURSES AND EMPLOYEES GET PAID ALMOST TWICE THE AMOUNT OF STATE EMPLOYEES.

AND SO THEY'RE TRYING TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER OF STAFF AND, AND GIVE RAISES TO THE STATE EMPLOYEES.

WITH THAT COMES THE REDUCTION IN FORCE, RIGHT, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE PROPORTIONAL TO THE NUMBER OF VETERANS THAT LIVE IN A PLACE, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY'RE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THEY'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO MOVE THESE VETERANS OUT RELATIVE TO THE TIMELINE THEY, THEY HAVE FOR THE SALLISAW CENTER BEING BUILT.

AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I VENTURE NOT TO SPEAK ON, ON THE INTENTIONS OF, OF FOLKS THAT DIDN'T EXPRESS THEM TO ME, BUT THAT'S MY, MY IMPRESSION OF THE SITUATION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE GREGO, DO YOU FEEL MISLED?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS MISLED OR, OR MAYBE WHEN I FIRST LEARNED OF THE PLAN TO CLOSE IT, OCTOBER 1.

I STARTED, YOU KNOW, I STARTED ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

I KNOW THE SENATOR HAMILTON FROM DOWN THERE STARTED ASKING A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE WERE VERY EFFECTIVE, PUTTING A LOT OF PRESSURE, BUT POSSIBLY WE PUT A LITTLE POLITICAL PRESSURE ON THEM.

SO THEY COME UP WITH THIS PAUSE AND, AND LIKE I TOLD YOU, I WAS LED TO BELIEVE THIS PAUSE WOULD BE GOOD TILL AFTER THE FIRST OF THE YEAR.

AND THEN IT JUST FAST FORWARD TO NOVEMBER ONE.

AND ONE OTHER LITTLE UPDATE IS, LIONEL SAID, HE SAID THERE WAS 12.

I DID CHECK YESTERDAY AND THEY TELL ME THERE'S 11 IN THERE.

AND WHEN THIS ALL STARTED, THERE WAS 36, BUT THEY HAD A PLAN TO MOVE THEM OUT AS QUICKLY AS THEY COULD BECAUSE THEY BROKE THAT NEWS.

THEY SENT A TEAM FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TO THE CENTER TO, TO BREAK THE NEWS TO THE PATIENTS, TO THE EMPLOYEES.

THEY STARTED MOVING THEM OUT THE NEXT MORNING.

YOU KNOW, THEY, THEY HAD LIKE FOUR WENT THE VERY NEXT MORNING AND THEN I THINK ANOTHER FOUR LATER THAT WEEK.

SO I BELIEVE ALL ALONG THEY HAD THIS PLAN, WE'RE GOING TO SHUT IT DOWN JUST AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE GONNA SHOOT FOR OCTOBER ONE.

WE GET SOME KICKBACK.

WELL, WE'RE GONNA PUSH IT TO NOVEMBER 1.

IT'S INEVITABLE, IT'S GOING TO CLOSE.

YOU KNOW, I'VE RESIGNED THAT FACT.

BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PATIENTS.

THAT'S, THAT'S WHY THE CENTER'S THERE.

THAT'S WHY O D V A IS THERE.

THAT'S WHY I'M HERE, IS THEY'RE OUR NUMBER ONE FOCUS.

SO WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO A CENTER THAT THEY'RE HAPPY WITH BECAUSE THAT FIRST DAY, SOME OF THEM HAD NO IDEA, THEY HAD NO ONE TO HELP 'EM.

YOU KNOW, THEY, IT IS LIKE LY SAID, IT, IT IS JUST A, A LOSS, YOU KNOW, YOU GOT A SENSE OF JUST TOTAL HELPLESSNESS.

SO MAYBE SOME MORE TIME IT'LL SOAK IN.

AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PLACE 'EM ALL IN THE HOME THAT THEY'RE HAPPY WITH AND WE'LL MOVE ON.

>> IT, IT'S ALMOST, IT'S KIND OF HEARTBREAKING TO HEAR, BUT WE CERTAINLY HOPE THE VERY BEST OCCURS FOR EVERY ONE OF THESE VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY.

I WANT TO THANK LIONEL RAMOS WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE JIM GREGO FOR YOUR TIME, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU RICH.

I ENJOYED IT.

THERE'S A, IT IS A LOT OF STORY THERE.

>> AND HOPEFULLY IT'S NOT OVER YET.

WE'LL SEE.

>>> THERE ARE FINE EXAMPLES OF "RICHARDSONIAN ROMANESQUE" ARCHITECTURE IN OKLAHOMA- NOTABLY, THE A.W.

PATTERSON HOUSE IN OKMULGEE.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE TRAVEL TO BOSTON.

WHERE OUR FRIENDS AT W.T.T.W.

REPORT ON THE ORIGINS OF THIS BOLD, "MADE-IN-AMERICA" STYLE.

>> WHEREVER YOU LIVE IN AMERICA, YOU PROBABLY SEE BUILDINGS LIKE THIS BOSTON LANDMARK.

CHURCHES, CITY HALLS, AND POST OFFICES WITH HEAVY WALLS OF ROUGH FACED STONE, ROUND ARCHES AND MASSIVE TOWERS.

IT WAS BORN RIGHT HERE AT TRINITY CHURCH.

THE ARCHITECT LIKE THE BUILDING WAS MOUNTAINOUS.

>> IT WEIGHED IN ITS PRIME, OVER 300 POUNDS.

>> HE WAS A CELEBRITY IN THE 1880S, AND LIVED A SHORT LIFE.

HE GOT A CHANCE TO CHANGE THE FACE OF AMERICAN ARCHITECTURE.

HE FLIPPED THE INVITATION OVER, AND SKETCHED THIS DESIGN ON THE BACK.

>> THIS LITTLE SKETCH IS THE EMBRYO.

>> HE MADE IT WITH ONE MAN IN MIND.

PHILIP BROOKS WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE CHURCH, TODAY HE'S BEST REMEMBERED AS THE WRITER OF THE CHRISTMAS SONG LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM.

BUT NOW, A SPELL BINDING PREACHER.

>> THE CHURCH IS AN ENVELOPE FOR HIS VOICE.

>> RICHARDSON DESIGNED IT AS A COMPLEX CROSS.

THAT WOULD DRAW 1400 PARISHIONERS FROM AROUND.

>> IT'S A SPACE THAT DRAWS YOU IN.

YOU WALK IN, AND IMMEDIATELY FEEL THAT YOU'RE PART OF THE CONGREGATION.

>> THE OTHER KEY WAS SOMETHING OF A HAPPY ACCIDENT.

HE ORIGINALLY DREW UP TRINITY WITH A TALL TOWER.

THE ENGINEERS KNEW THAT IDEA WAS LITERALLY ON SHAKEY GROUND.

>> THE ENGINEERS SAID NO, YOU CAN'T DO THAT.

>> THIS IS BOSTON'S BACK BAY.

A MANMADE PIECE OF REAL ESTATE THAT WAS CREATED BY FILLING IN AN OLD MARSH WITH GRAVEL AND SAND.

THE ENGINEERS KNEW THE UNSTABLE GROUND HERE COULDN'T SUPPORT A TALL TOWER.

SO RICHARDSON WAS FORCED TO ADOPT THE DESIGNING FEATURE.

THE BROAD EARTHBOUND TOWER, IT'S HELD UP BY FOUR PIERS, WHICH RUN DOWN TO THE CORNERS.

THE PIERS ARE SUPPORTED BY HUGE GRANITE FOOTINGS BELOW THE CHURCH THAT REST ON 4500 WOOD PILINGS, ESSENTIALLY TREE TRUPGS DRIVEN IN THE GRAVELLED GROUND.

>> THEY PUSH EACH OTHER SO THEIR STABLE.

>> IT CAME TOGETHER TO MAKE THE MOUNTAINOUS FORM.

WHICH RICHARDSON MARRIED ON HIS TAKE OF MEDIEVAL EUROPE.

THE RESULT WAS SOMETHING NEW.

IT'S A FANTASTIC KIND OF ARCHITECTURE.

WITH THIS MASONRY, THAT LOOKS AS IF IT WAS CHISELLED OUT OF THE ROCK ON SITE.

>> IT'S WITH OLD WORLD ROOTS, TRANSFORMED INTO SOMETHING FRESH AND DISTINCTLY AMERICAN.

THIS GREW OUT OF A GOLDEN AGE OF THE CIVIL WAR.

THE WRITERS AND ARCHITECTS WERE ALL ENJOYING AN AMERICAN RENAISSANCE.

>> THE WORK AS AN ARCHITECT REFLECTED THE SENSE OF OPTIMISM AND -- OF THE AMERICAN FUTURE.

>> HE WOULD DIE AT AGE 47, JUST NINE YEARS AFTER COMPLETING TRIPTY.

BUT HIS -- TRINITY, BUT HIS STYLE LIVED ON.

THIS STYLE THAT WAS BORN IN BOSTON WAS ADOPTED BY OTHERS IN AMERICA.

>> IT TOOK AMERICA BY STORM.

IT'S EVERYWHERE, AND IT GOES FROM BUILDING TYPE TO BUILDING TYPE.

IT COULD BE A CHURCH, A LIBRARY.

>> THESE WERE INSTITUTIONS BUILDING A NATION.

THEY WERE THERE TO STAY.

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

OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES OF REPORTS ON OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC "BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS" CONTINUES IN BROOKSVILLE.

HOME TO AN EDUCATOR WHO BECAME THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WHEN HE WAS ADMITTED IN 1948.

>> THE UNIVERSITY HAD TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN THE STATE INSISTENCE THAT THE RACES BE SEPARATED AND THE FEDERAL INSISTENCE THROUGH THE COURT THAT YOU, IF YOU'RE GONNA TEACH WHITES, YOU HAVE TO TEACH BLACKS.

>> JOEL FILOMENO REPORTS FROM BROOKSVILLE, IN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY, NEXT FRIDAY AT 7PM!

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A "LAKE HEFNER SUNSET".

PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY O.E.T.A.

'S KACIE 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 RICH LENZ.

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