>> WE'LL BE ABLE TO FOCUSLASERL.

>> Rich: THEY RECOMMEND PARDON AND CLEMENCY FOR A MURDER.

>> THEY DON'T KNOW ME.

>> Rich: A FIRST EVER WI-FI POWWOW FOR A TRIBE.

>> IT GIVES ME GOOSEGUMPS TO SEE GOOSEBUMPS TO THEDIGITAL DIVIDE.

>> WE HAVE HAD RECENT INCIDENTS THAT ARE CAUSE FOR CONCERN AND I SHARE THAT CONCERN AS A MEMBER OF THE INDUSTRY.

>> ART STUDENTS IN UKRAINIAN SHARE THEIR WORK AT AN OKLAHOMA EXHIBIT.

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

>> Rich: WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

BY THIS TIME NEXT WEEK, STUDENTS TEACHERS IN THE SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM WITH MANY OTHER DISTRICTS SOON TO FOLLOW.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS,IT WILL BE UNDER NEW LEAD.

THIS WEEK, OUR EDUCATION REPORTER, TAELYR JACKSON SAT DOWN WITH HER.

>> SUPERINTENDENT POLK, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE GETTING READY TO START YOUR FIRST YEAR AS SUPERINTENDENT.

CAN YOU KIND OF TELL US, WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE PREPARING TO GET READY TO WELCOME BACK ALL THESE STUDENTS TO CLASS?

>> IT'S TRULY EXCITING AND I RECENTLY SHARED THIS IS YEAR 36 AS A FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AS AN EDUCATOR.

THAT FEELING NEVER GOES AWAY IF INREGARDS TO EXCITEMENT.

>> TELL US THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ROLE YOU HAVE NOW AND THE ROLES YOU WERE SERVING IN.

>> THE ROLE I SERVED THIS WAS ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT FOR ELEMENTARY AND BEING UNDER LEADERSHIP GAVE ME A SMOOTH TRANSITION INTO THE SUPERINTENDENCY.

SO WHAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO AND WHAT WE'LL DO SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT IS LATER IN STUDENT OUTCOME, I AM DATA DRIVEN SYSTEM'S LEADER AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO FOCUS LASERLY ON STUDENTS THEMSELVES.

>> SOMEWHAT YOUR VISION FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> MY VISION AT THIS PARTICULAR WILL PERHAPS REMAIN FOR OUR STUDENTS TO BE GRADUATE READY.

WHEN WE SAY "GRADUATE READY," THEN OUR STUDENTS WILL BE PREPARED FOR HIGHER ED, AS WELL AS, PERHAPS, ENROLLMENT INTO HIGHER ED, WHICH IS THE FIRST.

THE SECOND WOULD BE WHEN WE START THE ENLISTMENT INTO THE ARMED FORCES OF SOME SORT OR EMPLOYABILITY.

>> WE'RE GETTING READY TO START THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR AND HOW DOES THE DISTRICT PLAN TO HANDLE THE NEW MANDATE FOR BIBLE INSTRUCTION?

>> WE'RE GOING TO TOMORROW THE LAW WITH THE OKLAHOMA STANDARDS AND WAIT FURTHER FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA RATHER CARD, 60% DID SCORE BELOW AVERAGE OR BELOW BASICS.

WHAT IS YOUR STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE THAT?

>> IN REGARD OF THE STRATEGY THAT WILL BE PUT IN PLACE FOR PERSONALIZING LEARNING, WE WERE ACTUALLY JUST IN TRAINING AGAIN ON YESTERDAY IN REGARDS TO TAKING THE STUDENTS WHERE THEY ARE AND LISTENING TO THE STUDENT'S VOICE OF WHERE THEY WANT TO BE AND THEN, WE WILL ACTUALLY DEVELOP PLANS INDIVIDUALLY FOR STUDENTS TO GROW IN A DIRECTION THEY WOULD LIKE.

>> ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND TEACHERS ARE A BIG PART OF THAT, HOW DO YOU PLAN TO HELP SUPPORT THE TEACHER WITH THE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION?

>> WE BELIEVE THAT TEACHERS ARE THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR IN REGARDS OF INCREASING STUDENT OUTCOME AND SO, THAT'S JUST NOT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR TRAINING IN ORDER FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTS THAT WE PROVIDE AFTER AN ASSESSMENT SO THAT THEY CAN PLAN LESSONS ACCORDINGLY FOR THAT PARTICULAR CHILD.

AND I'M ASKING TEACHERS TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THIS WORK.

>> TEACHERS IN THE STATE, WE HAVE THE TEACHER SHORTAGE LOOMING AND HOW ARE YOU DOING?

>> WE ALSO HAVE A SHORTAGE AND MORE SO WITH OUR SPECIAL POPULATION TEACHERS.

OUR TALENT MANAGEMENT TEAM HAS COME UP WITH A PLAN WHERE WE DO ADDITIONAL TRAINING WITH OUR EMERGENCY CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

>> HOW DID YOU PLAN TO MANAGE THE TEACHER RETENTION SINCE WE HAVE A SHORTAGE?

>> WE'LL HAVE FUN.

PEOPLE COME TO WORK AND IT'S GOING TO BE FUN.

[LAUGHTER] >> AND PLEASE NOTE THE TEACHING FIELD ITSELF, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE MAJORITY OF OUR TEACHERS ARE PROBABLY TEN YEARS OR MORE.

AND SO THEY COULD RETIRE AND THEY'RE CHOOSING TO STAY.

I KIND OF LIKEN IT TO A GOOD TEAM WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL, PEOPLE WANT TO STAY ON A GOOD TEAM.

>> DR. POLK, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SAY TO THE FAMILIES AND STUDENTS?

>> I WANT TO REITERATE THE IMPORTANCE OF ENROLLING BEFORE THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IN ORDER FOR THE TEACHERS TO BE PREPARED FOR THE STUDENTS TO ARRIVE.

WE HAVE A SEAT FOR EVERY CHILD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH US TODAY.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME!

>> Rich: THANK YOU AND BEST OF LUCK.

>>> THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL BEGIN CLASSES ON AUGUST 20th AND THEIR SUPERINTENDENT, DR. EBONY JOHNSON, IS ENTERING THE SEVENTH YEAR IN THE HELM.

THEY'LL SPEAK WITH DR. JOHNSON AND DR. SHAWN HIME.

HERE IS A PREVIEW.

>> IT'S AN EXCITING TIME IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE IN EDUCATION AND WORKING REALLY, REALLY HARD ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THERE IS JUST A GREAT BUZZ IN THE AIR AROUND EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND I'M HONORED TO SERVE AS A SUPERINTENDENT RIGHT NOW DURING THIS TIME.

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO DR. JOHNSON AND ALL SCHOOL LEADERS, WE HAVE 80,000 EDUCATORS IN THE STATE AND 508 SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW YEAR.

JUST A A REMINDER THEY'RE THERE TO HELP, BUT AS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, IT'S OK TO REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL AND OFFER TO AND READER IN THE CLASSROOM OR VOLUNTEER.

ANYTHING TO HELP OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS, THEY LOVE THAT AND OUR CHILDREN LOVE THAT.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>> THE CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO TRIBE HELD THEIR FIRST POWWOW.

POW.JASON DOYLE JOINS US WITH DETAILS.

>> SEVERAL TRIBAL NATIONS IN OKLAHOMA ARE HOPING TO CONNECT THEIR COMMUNITIES TO OTHERS AROUND OUR STATE.

>> PLEASE RISE FOR OUR 34th NATION POWWOW HOMECOMING CELEBRATION.

>> FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS, THE CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO HAVE HOSTED.

>> WE'RE STILL PRACTICING OUR SONGS AND WE'RE STILL HERE.

BIG CITIES DON'T KNOW WE EXIST.

>> THIS YEAR'S POWWOW IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT'S WIRED FOR WI-FI.

>> THE KIDS, I KNOW THEY'RE ALL ON THEIR PHONES, BUT SAME WITH THAT.

WE STILL WANT THEM TO ENJOY THEMSELVES IN THE ARENA, PARTICIPATE IN OUR CIRCLES AND KEEP THESE TRADITIONS AND CULTURES ALIVE.

>> WE HAVE CONNECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, WE'VE CONNECTED ALL THEIR GROUNDS INTO THE WI-FI MESH NETWORK INTO EVERYBODY WHO IS HERE HAS THE ABILITY TO BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

>> SETTING UP WAS THE BRAIN CHILD OF THE CHEYENNE AND AM RAPAHO TRIBE AND MICHELLE UREKA.

>> NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE OR YOUR RACE OR CULTURE OR ECONOMIC STATUS, WE FEEL THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD BE CONNECTED.

SO NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE AT.

>> THEY HEARD THIS AND DECIDED TO HELP FREE OF CHARGE.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING BY THE GRACE OF MY CEO AND HIS POCKETBOOK, THIS IS SOMETHING TO GIVE BACK AND SOMETHING WE'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT.

TO FEDERAL GRANT MONEY WAS GIVEN FOR IN AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A DONATION THAT WE DID FOR THEM.

>> ONE OF THOSE OUT OF STATE GUESTS IS MISS ARIZONA 2023-2024, LANIE LUPE.

>> SO THAT'S THE WHITE MOUNTAIN APACHE LANGUAGE.

>> SHE'S ALSO A FULL-TIME COLLEGE STUDENT AND THIS HAS ALLOWED HER TO COME TO CONCHO.

>> I'M A FULL-TIME STUDENT AT GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY.

>> SENIOR PRINCESS 2023-204, KENDALL HAMILTON HAS BEEN ABLE TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HER SISTER AS SHE'S TRAVELING OUT OF STATE.

>> I'VE BEEN COMMUNICATING WITH MY SISTER.

SHE'S A SENIOR PRINCESS AND MAKING HER WAY UP TO -- I THINK IT'S IOWA, I BELIEVE.

SHE'S SAD THAT SHE'S MISSING THE POWWOW, BUT I'M KEEPING HER INFORMED.

>> SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO SHARE WHEN WITH HER TRAVELING SISTER.

>> I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GET VIDEOS OF ME DANCING BECAUSE THEY WERE THE SPECIAL CONTEST YESTERDAY AND I CAMPED OUT.

>> THE DEVICE ON THIS LIGHT POLE IS POWERING ALLOWING IT TO BE STREAMING EVENTS TEAM AND FRIENDS NO MATTER WHERE THEY'RE AT.

>> WITH THAT DEVICE, IT PROPAGATES OUR INTERNET SIGNAL TO CREATE WI-FI THROUGHOUT AND SO THAT IS HOW WE DISTRIBUTE WI-FI.

>> IT TOOK TWO CREWS TWO FULL WEEKS TO WIRE THE GROUNDS IN CONCHO.

VENDORS HAD TO RELY ON A CELL PHONE SIGNAL TO PROCESS CREDIT CARD OR DEBIT PAYMENTS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN YOU GET BIG EVENTS, EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO USE THEIR CELL SIGNAL AND GOING OFF ONE TOWER AND IT'S OVERRUN.

IT'S LIKE GOING TO AN ENVELOPE >> OTHERS ARE WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO CONNECT OTHERS IN THEIR AREA.

>> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT OUR TRACE FIBER NETWORK.

>> THE CHICKASAW NATION RECEIVED A $24.9 MILLION GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO PROVIDE HIGH SPEED INTERNET IN CARTER, JOHNSTON AND MARIE COUNTIES TO HELP THE TRIBE BUILD OUT THE CURRENT NETWORK.

>> A TRACE FIBER NETWORK BEGAN IN 2017.

WE MADE AN INITIAL INVESTMENT FROM THE NATION TO BUILD OUT THIS NETWORK AND THEN WE'VE BEEN A RECIPIENT OF THIS GRANT FROM USDA AND ALSO SEVERAL OTHER GRANTS INCLUDING A TOTAL OF ABOUT $78 MILLION.

SO THIS $25 MILLION WAS A BIG SHOT IN THE ARM.

>> THE CHICKASAW NATION'S INITIATIVE TO CONNECT MORE COMMUNITIES BENEFITS MORE THAN JUST TRIBAL CITIZENS.

>> THIS IMPACTS ABOUT A THOUSAND CHICKASAW CITIZENS, BUT IT ALSO IMPACTS, YOU KNOW, LITERALLY SEVERAL THOUSAND OKLAHOMANS IN GENERAL.

IT'S TO OVERSEE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE CHICKASAW PEOPLE, BUT IT LIFTS OF EVERYONE.

>> THE EXPANSION OF BROADBAND THROUGHOUT THE NATION WILL PROVIDE IMPACTS FOR BUSINESS.

KENDRICKS CALLS THIS POWWOW A SUCCESS AND FEELS IT WOULD BUILD A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE YOUNGER MEMBERS OF THE TRIBE AND THEIR CULTURE.

>> WHAT YOU ADD AROUND HERE, THEY WERE TRYING TO MEET THEIR FRIENDS AND ON THEIR PHONES, WHERE ARE YOU?

JUST HAPPY TO SEE THEM HAPPY AND TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH EVERYBODY.

>> THE CHEYENNE-ARAPAHO TRIBES ARE NOT ALONE.

THERE'S BEEN 160 APPLICATIONS TO SHARE AND NEARLY $3 BILLION IN FUNDING.

>> Rich: OVER THE STRONG OBJECTIONS, ON WEDNESDAY, THE OKLAHOMA PARDON AND PATROL BOARD RECOMMENDED CLEMENCY FOR LITTLEJOHN IN THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A ROBBERY AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENIENCE STORE.

THE BOARD VOTED 3-2 IN FORMER OF CLEMENCY WITH LITTLEJOHN SERVING A LIFE SENTENCE WITHOUT PATROL.

>> AS WE WILL SHOW YOU LITTLEJOHN'S ACTION THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE INCLUDING TO THIS DAY AS WELL AS THE SENSELESS MURDER, RENDERING HIMSELF DESERVING OF THE ULTIMATE PUNISHMENT.

THERE'S BEEN NUMEROUS APPELLATE JUDGES THAT HAVE LOOKED AT THIS CASE.

THE ONLY CONCLUSION IS TO DENY LITTLEJOHN'S REQUEST FOR CLEMENCY.

>> THERE'S A VARIETY OF PEOPLE WHO SPEAK OUT AND THEY DON'T KNOW ME AND THEY WERE NOT THERE.

I HAVE ADMITTED TO MY PART.

I COMMITTED A ROBBERY WITH DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES, BUT I'LL REPEAT, I DID NOT KILL Mr.

MARES.

>> Rich: THE GOVERNOR WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON WHETHER TO ACCEPT THE GRANT LITTLEJOHN CLEM CLEMENCY.

>>> RESEARCHES ARE STARTING WAY TO HELP AND HERE IS MORE WITH WHAT THEY'RE WORKING ON.

>> Steve: THIS PAST TUESDAY, A SINGLE ENGINE AIRPLANE CRASHED IN THE YUKON.

FOUR PEOPLE WERE KILLED.

THERE HAVE BEEN CLOSE CALLS INVOLVING LARGE AIRLINES IN THE AIR IN RECENT MONTHS.

GRADUATE STUDENTS IN OU AEROSPACE.

THEY'RE USING A GRANT FROM THE INSTITUTE TO ADDRESS SOME UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS ABOUT THE STATE OF AMERICAN AVIATION.

>> ANY AIRPLANE, LIKE A 747, FOR EXAMPLE, IT HAS ONE MILLION INDIVIDUAL PARTS.

SO THAT MEANS THAT TWO MILLION FASTENERS ON TOP OF THE PARTS.

THERE ARE THREE MILLION THINGS THAT CAN GO WRONG.

AND REMEMBER, THEY ARE SUBJECTED TO THE COLLUSION ON THE GROUND.

SO THINGS CAN GO WRONG.

THE CHANCES OF THINGS GOING WRONG BECAUSE A LITTLE LARGER IN THE CONTEXT OF AN AIRPLANE BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY INDIVIDUAL PARTS.

>> Steve: RETIRED AIR FORCE LIEUTENANT GENERAL DONALD WETEKAM IS IN THE AEROSPACE INSTITUTE AND THE EXECUTIVE IN-RESIDENT AT OU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING.

>> WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THESE CLAIMS?

>> WELL, THE AIRCRAFT ARE AGING AND AIRCRAFT FLEETS HAVE AGED CONSISTENTLY.

WHEN I WAS COMMISSIONED IN THE AIR FORCE IN 1973, THE AVERAGE AGE OF ALL AIR FORCE AIRCRAFT AT THAT TIME WAS ABOUT NINE YEARS.

WE DIDN'T CONSIDER IT A PARTICULARLY MODERN FLEET.

THAT NINE YEARS HAS NOW GROWN TO 28 YEARS, AVERAGE AGE.

WE HAVE FLEETS THAT ARE OVER 60 YEARS OLD.

>> WETEKAM SAYS BECAUSE OF THE COST OF REPLACEMENT IS SO HIGH, THE SYSTEM INSIDE THOSE AIRCRAFT HAVE BEEN UPGRADED SEVERAL TIMES TO KEEP THEM SAFELY IN THE AIR.

HE SAYS THE LIFE OF COMMERCIAL AIRLINERS ONLY LAST TEN OR 15 YEARS.

PROFESSOR RAMEN'S STUDENTS ARE USING WHAT ARE CALLED THREE DIMENSIONAL SCANNERS TO RECREATE PARTICIPANTS.

>> WE CAPTURE THE IMAGE OF THAT OBJECT AND USE THAT IMAGE OF THE OBJECT TO RECONSTRUCT THE GEOMETRY.

WE USE COMPUTER DESIGN TO MAKE A DE-DIMENSIONAL MODEL.

>> ALUMINUM USED TO BE THE MATERIAL MANUFACTURERS USED TO BUILD THOSE PARTS.

HE SAYS NOW BECAUSE OF TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES, OTHER MORE EFFICIENT COMPOSITE MATERIALS ARE BEING USED TO CONSTRUCT PARTS.

>> WE DO 3D SCANNING AND A LOT OF THE WORK WE ARE DOING FOR 3D DIGITAL CONSTRUCTION, WE USE OPTIC PRINCIPLES OF STRUCTURED LIGHT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO WE USE A LOT OF OPTICAL TECHNIQUES THAT ARE PUT INTO SCANNERS.

SO YOU CAN SCAN BIG BUILDINGS OR BIG AIRCRAFTS IN ONE SHOT.

AND YOU CAN TRY TO FIND OUT DETAILS.

SO THAT MEANS YOU CAN SCAN THIS BIG PART AND THAT IS A NEW TECHNOLOGY, WHICH THE TECHNOLOGY WHICH WE ARE DEPLOYING.

>> LIKE A GIANT MRI?

>> RIGHT, EXACTLY.

GIANT MRI.

WE CAN RECONSTRUCT.

WE HAVE BETTER TECHNIQUES TO PROCESS BECAUSE THE PROCESSERS ARE BETTER.

ZAHRA POURFARASK IS A FIRST YEAR OUPHD STUDENTS FROM IRAN WORKING ON THE PROJECT.

>> WHAT'S USUAL FAVORITE PART OF THIS?

>> WORKING WITH THE SCANNERS BECAUSE WE HAVE DIFFERENT SCANNERS HERE AND, ALSO, GIVES US A CHANCE THROUGH ALL OF THEM AND RESEARCH ABOUT HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THEM.

>> BINOY DEBNAEUH/OU SAYS THE INTENTS IS TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE OR A.I.

TO SAVE LIVES.

>> SO IF WE CAN USE A.I.

TO GENERATE AND IF WE USE A.I.

IF INTHAT WAY, IT'S MORE BENEFICIAL FOR US.

>> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS AT LEAST PART OF THE FUTURE.

>> IT'S NOT A BAD THING AT ALL.

AS LONG YOU CLEAN THE SYSTEMS WELL AND DEVELOP THE RIGHT KIND OF INFORMATION, IT CAN BE A POWERFUL TOOL.

>> RAMEN SAYS IF YOU BOIL IT DOWN, THEY'RE CREATING DIGITAL MODELS THAT EVEN SMALL MANUFACTURING COMPANIES WILL BE ABLE TO USE TO MANUFACTURE ALL TYPES OF AIRCRAFT PARTS GOING FORWARD.

>> YOUR GOAL IS TO GIVE THESE SMALL ENGINEERING COMPANIES TOOLS TO BUILD THE THINGS THAT CAN HELP THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY.

>> RIGHT.

AND THAT IS NUMBER ONE.

AND NUMBER TWO, WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR NEWER AND NEWER TECHNIQUES AND NEWER NEWER METHODOLOGIES TO HELP EVERYBODY.

>> WHAT THESE OU GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE DOING WILL MAKE AN IMPACT ON AN AIRLINE INDUSTRY THAT NEEDS A JOLT OF GOOD KARMA RIGHT NOW.

>> IT'S A BIG DEAL.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

YOU KNOW, SAFETY INCIDENTS OCCUR OCCASIONALLY AND HAVE SINCE THE WRIGHT BROTHERS.

CANDIDLY, THE AIRCRAFT TODAY ARE SAFER, MORE RELIABLE THAN THEY'VE EVER BEEN.

WE HAVE HAD RECENT INCIDENTS WHICH IS A CAUSE FOR CONCERN.

>> PROFESSOR RAMEN STRESSES HIS RESEARCHERS ARE FOCUSED ON SIMPLER MECHANICAL PARTS, NOT LIKE LANDING GEAR OR ENGINE TUR TURBINES.

RIVER TODD HEIGHT HAS TURNED HIS COMMISSION OVER TO DAVID.

HE'S BEING ACCUSED OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.

HEIGHT WILL REMAIN BOARD WHILE HE SEEKS HELP FOR PERSONAL ISSUES.

>>> THEY'RE MAKING STRIDES IN DOLPHIN RESEARCH.

THE CAMPUS IS MORE THAN 850 MILES FROM THE OCEAN BUT THANKS TO DRONE TECHNOLOGY, RESEARCHERS ARE NOW ABLE TO COLLECT SAMPLES OF A DOLPHIN'S BREATH AND CAN DOCUMENT THE HEALTH AND STRESS LEVELS.

IT'S A FASCINATING PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OSU'S AEROSPACE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AND A GROUP CALLED DOLPHIN QUEST.

>> WE NEED TO TRY TO GET HEALTH SAMPLES FROM ANIMALS IN THE WILD, SUCH AS DOLPHINS AND IT'S VERY TRAUMATIC WHAT WE DO WITH THEM AND TAKE SAMPLES AND THROW THEM IN THE WATER.

IT ALSO CONTAMINATES YOUR SPECIMEN BECAUSE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ARE HORMONES THAT INDICATE STRESS LEVELS.

SO YOU ALMOST NEED TO DO THIS IN A SUBTERFUGE WAY SO THAT WAY YOU'RE SNEAKING UP ON THEM AND CAPTURING THEM AS THEY SNEEZE PHARMACEUTICALLY.

NATURALLY.

>> IT'S TO DETERMINE HOW THEY ARE IMPACTED BY OIL SPILLS, BOAT NOISE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EVENTS.

>>> A RECORD-SETTING FISCAL YEAR FOR OKLAHOMA'S VENTURE DISTRICT.

>> TEN MILLION VISITORS DROPPED BY THE VENTURE DISTRICTS IN THE NORTHEAST PART OF OKLAHOMA CITY INCLUDING THE ZOO, SCIENCE MUSEUM OF OKLAHOMA, THE NATIONAL COW MUSEUM AND OTHER ATTRACTIONS.

THEY WERE MEASURED FROM JULY 1st OF 2023 TO JUNE 30 OF 2024.

>> TNT INDUSTRIAL WAS ON THE AMERICA'S LIST AND A PRIOR OF EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE SERVICES TO HELP COMPANIES SHORTEN DOWNTIMES.

THE ANNUAL COMPANY'S GROWTH RATE IS 1,758% ACCORDING TO THE FINANCIAL TIMES.

THE COMPANY OF ELECTRIC UTILITY O.G.

& E REPORTED AN INCREASE OF THE PREVIOUS YEARS' SECOND INCOME OF $88.4 MILLION.

A WARMER THAN USUAL APRIL THROUGH JUNE HELPED TO PUSH PROFITS HIGHER.

>>> TULSA BASED ONE GAS THAT TOOK IN SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $27.3 MILLION, A DEVELOP FROM 2023'S SECOND NET INCOME OF $32.7 MILLION.

HOWEVER, THE COMPANY REPORTS AN INCREASE OF $14.7 MILLION IN REVENUE FROM NEW UTILITY RATES, AN INCREASE OF 1.6 MILLION.

>>> DOBSON FIBER IS LOOKING TO BROADEN OUT ITS NETWORK.

THE COMPANY IS ROLLING OUT THE NEXT PHASE INCLUDING SEVERAL NEIGHBORING SUBURBS.

DOBSON FIBER PROVIDES SERVICES IN SEVERAL OKLAHOMA TOWNS AND PARTS OF ARKANSAS.

>>> THEY HAVE DISCOVERED MORE EMPLOYED WORKERS ARE CONCERN ABOUT LAYOFFS.

THE FIGURE WAS 24% INDICATING THAT WORKERS MIGHT BE PERCEIVING A TIGHTENING JOB MARKET.

JASON DOYLE, "THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."

>> Rich: THE OKLAHOMA CONTRARY ART MUSEUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOONER HOPE FOR UKRAINE IS OPENING A NEW EXHIBIT IN OKLAHOMA CITY CALLED "COLORS OF FREEDOM, UKRAINIAN CHILDREN FOR PEACE" AND FEATURES YOUNG ARTISTS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 7 AND 18.

>> SO THIS IS ART OF THE BEAUTIFUL UKRAINIAN CHILDREN AND I LOVE EVERY PICTURE HERE, EVERY PICTURE.

IT TELLS A STORY ABOUT THE CHILD, ABOUT WHAT CHILDREN WANTS TO EXPRESS.

>> THEY PROCESS WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THEN.

THEY SHOW HOPES AND FEARS SINCE RUSSIA'S INVASION OF 2022.

>> IT'S A TOUGH LIFE FOR KIDS.

THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TO SCHOOL IN ALMOST THREE YEARS.

THEY DON'T COMMUNICATE.

FOR THEM, IT'S A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT, SO CHILDREN ARE SCARED, OF COURSE.

THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR LIFE BACK AND THEY WANT TO HAVE THEIR BIRTHDAY PARTY AND THEY WANT TO HAVE A HOLIDAY TOGETHER.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE WATER AND IT'S SCARY AND THEY THINK THAT THEY'RE LOSING THEIR HOPE AND IT'S SAD AND PAINFUL.

SO WE'RE GIVING THEM HOPE AND THEY'RE NOT ALONE.

THEY WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEM AN.

>> THE GALLERY WILL BE ON DISPLAY UNTIL JANUARY 6, 2025.

THIS IS TO REMIND ADULTS AND PEOPLE IN THE U.S. THAT THE WAR IN UKRAINE IS STILL GOING ON AND AFFECTING FAMILIES.

>> WE HAVE AROUND 40 KIDS WHO ARE SHARING IN THIS ART.

WE HAVE ART STUDENTS AND JUST WE STUDENTS GO AFTER SCHOOL.

>> WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH SOME OF THE KIDS WHOSE WORK IS ON DISPLAY AT THE EXHIBIT.

>> THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH.

I AM SO PROUD THAT THE ARTS OF CHILDREN ARE IN AN OKLAHOMA GALLERY.

UKRAINIAN PEOPLE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME NOW, BUT I BELIEVE A BRIGHT LIGHT IS AHEAD AND A PEACEFUL SKY WILL BE ABOVE US SOON.

I BELIEVE IN THE BRIGHT FUTURE OF UKRAINE.

THE ART MEANS ALL FOR ME.

THE ART MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

I LOVE UKRAINE AND BELIEVE IN ITS VERY BRIGHT FUTURE.

THANK YOU, OKLAHOMA, FOR SUPPORTING OUR CHILDREN.

>> COLORS OF FREEDOM HAS 40 KIDS AND YOUNG ADULT'S ART ON DISPLAY AND FIRST APPEARED IN A TULSA LIBRARY.

>> WE ARE HOLDING ON.

I LOVE MY COUNTRY, UKRAINE.

IT'S MY HOME AND MY FAMILY AND I'M GRATEFUL.

>> THERE IS VERY EMOTIONAL.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT JUST A DESTROYED BUILDING.

IT TOOK SOMEBODY'S LIFE AND IT TOOK SOMEBODY'S FREEDOM AND TOOK SOMEBODY'S SAFETY, SLEEP AND FOOD AND AIR AND EMOTIONAL, OF COURSE.

PEOPLE IN UKRAINE, THEY'RE VERY ATTACHED TO THEIR HOUSE AND TO LOSE THEIR HOUSE.

IT'S A TRAGEDY.

IT'S A PART OF YOU THAT YOU'RE WORKING SO HARD TO GET YOUR NEST FOR YOUR FAMILY, TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR FAMILY AND TO GET TOGETHER WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

IT'S A DREAM FOR A LOT OF UKRAINE CHILDREN TO HAVE THEIR OWN CUP.

>> THE IMAGES ON DISPLAY SHOWS HOW REAL THE WAR IS AND IT'S HURTING THE PEOPLE IN UKRAINE.

THE CONFLICT HAS CAUSED MORE THAN TEN THOUSAND CIVILIAN DEATHS AND NEARLY 600 OF THOSE WERE CHILDREN.

>> THE LADY, I TALKED TO HER RECENTLY AND SHE MOVED HER LOCATION 17 TIMES IN ONE MONTH.

WHEN THE CHILD SEE A CUP, SEE SAID MAMA, THAT'S GOING TO BE MY CUP.

WE DON'T THINK OF THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> I'M PROUD TO SHARE MY ART WITH YOU.

THANK YOU, OKLAHOMA, FOR SUPPORTING US AND YOUR ATTENTION.

>> ANDREW HARTSHORN, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT CONSIST.

REPORT ."

>> Rich: THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE ALLOCATED $3.9 BILLION FOR EDUCATION THIS YEAR.

WILL IT RESOLVE IN BETTER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, LARGE AND SMALL, ACROSS OKLAHOMA?

THAT IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH'S CONVERSATION.

>> CASSIDY.

>> RICH, SUMMER IS COMING TO A CLOSE FOR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE JOINED BY DR. SHAWN HME WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION AND DR. EBONY JOHNSON FOR TULSA SCHOOLS JOINING US VIA ZOOM.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE WITH BOTH OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> DR.

HIM e, OVER 5,000 CERTIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN APPROVED WILL THIS BE DIFFERENT?

>> WE'RE EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW WHAT'S IMPORTANT?

WE'LL HAVE ADULTS IN THE CLASSROOM WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND PEOPLE LIKE DR. JOHNSON, OUR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS WILL DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE ADULTS ARE PREPARED TO TEACH CHILDREN.

ON THE BACK SIDE, WE'RE DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITH THE INSPIRE TO TEACH NEW SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS THAT HELPS FUTURE TEACHERS.

THEY CAN MAKE 25,500 OFF THAT SCHOLARSHIP TO BE A TEACHER.

WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE TO COME TO REALITY WITH, IT'S A NEW WORLD WHERE PEOPLE MOVE FROM PROFESSION TO PROFESSION.

LIKE YOURSELF, YOU LIKE TO TEACH GRAMMAR, I BET DR. JOHNSON OR I CAN FIND YOU A JOB IN A SCHOOL.

>> DON'T TEMPT ME.

>> HOW DO THEY MEET ITS NEEDS?

>> WE HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR RECRUITING TEACHERS.

WE'VE REACHED OUT TO COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND, OF COURSE, WE STARTED HERE IN OKLAHOMA REACHING OUT TO LOCAL COLLEGES TO JUST BETTER ASSESS, YOU KNOW, THE READINESS AND THEN HOW MANY CANDIDATES ARE COMING OUT OF THE TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS, MAKING SURE THAT WE MAKE CONNECTIONS SO THAT THOSE CANDIDATES ARE INTERESTED IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND LETTING THEM KNOW WE HAVE POSITIONS AND WE WELCOME THEM.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE SCANNED OUT CANDIDATES WHO WOULD WANT TO MOVE TO OKLAHOMA AND BECOME TEACHERS.

THIS IS A CRITICAL NEED AND DIFFICULT.

BUT, WE ARE IN IT TO WIN IT AND WE HAVE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMMING WE'RE DOING, AS WELL, AROUND ASPIRING EDUCATORS AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE GROW OUR OWN AND BUILD A PIPELINE.

EDUCATORS ARE LOOKING BOTH TRADITIONAL AND NONTRADITIONAL IN NATURE.

AND WE WELCOME THEM INTO TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE'RE HEARING-YEAR-OLD AND HE FREE LUNCH PROGRAM.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> WE HAVE HAD OUR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN OUR USDA COMMUNITY ELIGIBILITY PROGRAM WHICH BASICALLY ALLOWS OUR STUDENTS TO HAVE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AND ALLOWS OUR PARENTS TO USE THOSE DOLLARS THAT THEY WOULD SPEND ON LUNCH ON OTHER THINGS OUR STUDENTS NEED, THEIR STUDENTS NEED.

THIS YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO GET SECRETARY STUDENTS APPROVED.

LET'S GO, PRE-K THROUGH 12.

WE'RE UNIVERSAL FREE AND, AGAIN, JUST REMOVING BARRIERS FOR STUDENTS AND SHOWING UP READY TO LEARN AND THEY HAVE ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT WITHOUT HAVING TO STRESS OUR MAURICE STRESS OR WORRY.VERY PROUD GETTT APPROVED.

>> DR. HIME, THE IMPORTANCE OF A KID HAVING SOMETHING TO EAT, HOW WILL THIS AFFECT CHILDREN STRUGGLING WITH FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS?

>> WE HAVE MORE AND MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT ARE NOW QUALIFYING BECAUSE IT HELPS KNOW THEY'LL HAVE A BREAKFAST WHEN THEY GET TO SCHOOL, HAVE A LUNCH AND MANY SCHOOLS ARE OFFERING A THIRD MEAL, A SNACK AS THEY GO HOME AND LEAVE FOR THE DAY AS PART OF THE USDA PROGRAM.

SO IT'S A WIN-WIN.

IT ALLOW FOR THE SCHOOLS LIKE DR. JOHNSON AND TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE THAT.

WE HAVE REASONABLE FOOD BANKS IN OKLAHOMA PROVIDING BACKPACKS, FOOD DONATED AND THEY DON'T COME BACK TO SCHOOL HUNGRY.

>> THAT HELPS THEM OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

>> WHEN WE'RE HUNGRY, WE CAN'T LEARN.

NOT.

>> DR. JOHNSON, THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS BEEN UNDER A WATCHFUL EYE OF SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS, BUT HE'S BEEN VERY COMPLIMENTARY OF YOUR EFFORTS AND THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE PUT IN PLACE IN THE DISTRICT TO HELP THAT TURN-AROUND?

>> I'LL JUST SAY, I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT TO DR. HIMES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS AROUND THE WAYS IN WHICH THEY HAVE LEAD AS AN EXAMPLE FOR MANY YEARS AS IT RELATES TO JUST PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST AND MAKING SURE WE STAY LASER-LIKED FOCUSED.

AND SO, I'VE JUST PICKED UP FROM SOME GREAT WORK STARTED IN THE PREVIOUS YEARS AND JUST MAKING SURE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING TO ENSURE OUR STUDENTS GET EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND WE'RE NOT WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE.

WE'RE THE CONSTANT.

ALL THESE OTHER THINGS AROUND US ARE VARIABLES AND WE NEED TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE CONSTANT, WHICH IS WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US, WHICH IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

THAT'S HOW WE'VE.

BEEN ABLE TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

I'VE MADE AN INTENTIONAL FOCUS TO GET TO THE OUTCOMES AND MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS ARE READING ON GRADE LEVEL AND READING BEYOND THAT AND HAVING EXPERIENCES FOR POST SECONDARY READINESS AND MAKING SURE OUR TEAM KNOWS THEY'RE APPRECIATED AND SUPPORTING TEACHERS.

I THINK THAT'S CARRIED US THROUGH AND VERY SPECIFICALLY AS IT RELATES TO SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS, I BELIEVE AFTER THE START OF OUR RELATIONSHIP AND ONCE IT WAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING THAT STUDENTS WILL BE PUT FIRST AND THAT IT WILL TAKE OUR ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS WORKING COLLECTIVELY AND TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, WE'VE BEEN ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THAT.

AS A RESULT OF THAT, YOU KNOW, OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS AND OUR TEAM MEMBERS ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF THAT.

>> DR. HIME, SPEAKING OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND OUTCOMES, A RECENT WALLET HUB REPORT INCOMES OKLAHOMA IS 50th IN THE NATION FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.

WHAT PROGRAMS ON THE DISTRICT LEVEL AND STATE LEVEL CAN SUPPORT TEACHING, READING, WRITING AND MATH?

>> THE FIRST THING IS WITH WALLET HUB OR EDUCATION, OTHER ENTITIES, THEY HAVE MULTIPLE QUALIFIES.

THE NUMBER ONE METRICS IS EDUCATION.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS OVER THE SIX YEARS, OUR LEGISLATURE INVESTED 1.5 BILLION NEW DOLLARS IN EDUCATION AND THEY'RE USING OLDER NUMBERS.

SO I HOPE OUR NUMBERS COME UP ON THE INVESTMENT SIDE.

WE USUALLY GET AN F IN STUDENT FUNDING.

AND I THINK THAT WILL COME UP IF OUR LEGISLATURE INVESTS IN EDUCATION, THAT WILL COME UP BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE EDUCATION FUNDING, SECURITY OF SCHOOL.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS ONE AND AS YOU LOOK AT THAT, ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IS NEVER THE ONLY METRICS.

EVERYTHING IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE REVOLVES HOW ARE WE HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE IN THE CLASSROOM TO BE PRODUCTIVE, HAPPY CITIZENS.

WE'RE GOING TO WIN AND IMPROVE IN EDUCATION.

>> THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED $3.9 BILLION IN OKLAHOMA AND WHAT IMPACT WILL THAT HAVE?

>> THE BIGGEST PIECE STARTED IN 2018.

WE REMEMBER THE TEACHER WALK-OUT.

WE RECEIVED HUGE TEACHER RAISES.

IN MY CAREER, AS SHORT AS IT IS, YOU CAN TELL HOW YOUNG I AM -- [ Laughter ] >> -- WE'VE BEEN DEAD LAST IN TEACHER SALARIES IN THE REGIONS AND 40th IN THE COUNTRY AND NOW WE'RE ABOVE THE REGIONAL AVERAGE AND ABLE TO COMPETE WITH STATES AROUND US.

I THINK THAT WILL HELP DR. JOHNSON AND OTHERS TO SHOW HOW WONDERFUL OKLAHOMA IS TO LIVE IN, TO WORK IN AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN START THE FLOW OF TEACHERS BACK IN OR STATE.

>> DR. JOHNSON, MOVING BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, HOW WILL TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS HANDLE THE MANDATE FROM SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS TO USE THE BIBLE AS A TEACHING TOOL IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE CHARGE WE HAVE BEFORE US IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AS WITH KNOW, WE HAVE QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION THAT WAS GIVEN TO US AROUND ACCREDITATION AND WHETHER OR NOT OUR DISTRICT WOULD POTENTIALLY BE TAKEN OVER BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT DUE TO MEETING A NEED TO MEET THOSE EXPECTATIONS.

AND SO JUST DRIVING HOW WE OPERATE EVERY DAY, WHICH IS, WE TEACHER THE OKLAHOMA STATE STANDARDS.

WE GET OUR STUDENTS PREPARED FOR WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE WHEN THEY TAKE ANY ASSESSMENT AND WE MAKE SURE SURE SHEER ON GRADE LEVEL.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THERE'S A REFERENCE TO THE BIBLE AND THOSE HAVE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN THERE.

OUR TEAM HAS BEEN INSTRUCTED JUST TO CONTINUE THE WORK OF TEACHING THE STATE STANDARDS THAT ARE GOING TO ENSURE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE PERFORMING AND SHOWING MASTERY ON THOSE CONCEPTS.

>> DR. HIME, A LARGE CONCERN FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS GOING INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR IS SAFETY.

WHAT IS YOUR ORGANIZATION DOING AND WORKING WITH, YOU KNOW, TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS AND TEACHERS ARE SAFE?

>> THE NUMBER ONE THING FOR EDUCATORS IS SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR STUDENTS.

SO THE GREAT THING ABOUT TECHNOLOGY NOW IS, THERE ARE MORE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE GEOFENCING.

THE NUMBER ONE THING IN EX IS IN EDUCATION IS RELATIONSHIPS.

STUDENTS KNOW IF THERE'S SOMETHING OFF IN THE BUILDING.

OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS ARE AHEAD OF CURB AND USING THE SAFETY MECHANISMS AND TECHNOLOGY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE CONNECTED WITH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE REAL IMPORTANT THING, NUMBER ONE, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ADULTS AND THE CHILDREN AND SO THAT THERE'S A FLOW OF COMMUNICATION BOTH WAYS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT A STUDENT SEES OR STUDENT FEELS IS OFF.

>> IF THEY FEEL SAFE TO TALK TO YOU, THEY'LL LET YOU KNOW.

>> AMEN.

>> DR. JOHNSON, AT TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, IS IT SIMILAR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M SO GLAD TO HEAR DR. HIMES TALK ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE WE HAVE A CAMPAIGN IN TPS THAT WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, YOU HEAR SOMETHING, YOU MUST SAY SOMETHING AND WE BELIEVE THAT'S OUR MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY MEASURE IN OUR BUILDINGS BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS, TRULY, THEY TALK AND THEY SHARE WHEN THEY'RE COMFORTABLE AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE BILL AND THEY LET'S US KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING THAT'S NOT WELL OR THEY'VE HEARD OR SEEN SOMETHING.

WE KNOW THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

I WILL SAY THAT DUE TO OUR COMMUNITY SUPPORTING OUR BOND EFFORTS, WE'VE ABLE TO UTILIZE BOND DOLLARS TOEN SURE MORE SAFETY MEASURES FOR ENTRANCE IN OUR BUILDINGS AND CAMERAS AND JUST OTHER TECHNOLOGY PIECES OF WANDING AND SCANNING THAT WE KNOW IS HELPING, AS WELL, IN THE AREAS OF SAFETY.

I WOULDN'T CONNECT THIS DIRECTLY TO PHONES WITH SAFETY, BUT SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE SEEN AND THE DATA AND THEIR CONFLICTS CENTERED AROUND JUST HAVING ACCESS TO INTERNET WITH THEIR PHONES AND KEEPING THINGS GOING.

WE BELIEVE THAT BY LETTING EVERYBODY KNOW WE'RE DOUBLING DOWN ON OUR CELL PHONE POLICY, WHERE CELL PHONES ARE PUT AWAY EVERY DAY, WE BELIEVE THAT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO OUR SAFETY, AS WELL.

>> DR. JOHNSON, DR. HIME, WE'RE OUT OF TIME HERE.

I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO DR. JOHNSON AND ALL SCHOOL LEADERS, WE HAVE 80,000 EDUCATORS AND SUPPORT EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE, 508 SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

THEY'RE THERE TO HELP AND AS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS, IT'S OK TO REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL SCHOOL AND BE TO BE A READER IN THE CLASSROOM AND A VOLUNTEER.

ANYTHING TO HELP THE LOCAL SCHOOL, THEY LOVE THAT AND OUR CHILDREN LOVE THAT.

>> DR. JOHNSON, FINAL MESSAGES FOR STUDENTS?

>> DON'T WORRY ABOUT LUNCH MONEY, WE'VE GOT YOU.

IT'S AN EXCITING TIME IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE'RE WORKING REALLY HARD ON BEHALF OF OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THERE'S JUST A GREAT BUZZ IN THE AIR AROUND EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND I'M HONORED TO SERVE AS A SUPERINTENDENT RIGHT NOW DURING THIS TIME.

I'LL SAY TO DR. HIME, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL OF THE THINGS YOU ADVOCATE FOR AND DO ON BEHALF AND YOUR TEAM, THEY DO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND ALL OF OUR FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS.

WE'VE GOT THIS AND LET'S KEEP MOVIN'.

>> WE'LL LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE AND THANK YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH FOR JOINING ME AND THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR STUDENTS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: HEARING FROM BOTH.

THIS WEEK IN THE NATIONAL VIEW, WE LEAVE OKLAHOMA TO DISCOVER WHAT'S HAPPENING ELSEWHERE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THIS WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL TO BOSTON TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BOOMING BEAVER.

A LITTLE SHIP THAT HELPS OLD IRONSIDES GETS SAFELY OUT OF HARBOR.

HERE IS GBH NEWS.

♪♪♪ >> Reporter: THE MAYFLOWER, THE TITANIC, THE BOOMIN' BEAVER.

♪♪♪ >> Reporter: IT LOOKS MODEST BUT HAS QUITE THE STORY.

>> THIS WAS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO MOVE LARGE BOOMS TO PREVENT VESSELS FROM COMING AROUND NAVY SHIPS.

>> Reporter: IT'S TEN FEET WIDE AND 19 FEET LONG.

IT'S NOT ALL THAT FAST.

IT CAN GET UP TO EIGHT MILES AN HOUR AND THAT'S NOT THE POINT.

IT'S BUILT FOR POWER AND THE MOVERRABILITY AND IT CAN TURN A FULL 360 DEGREES, PRACTICALLY ON THE SPOT.

>> THE BEAVER IS GREAT.

>> A TON OF POWER AND IT'S STRONG AND COULDN'T DO WHAT WE DO WITHOUT HER.

>> Reporter: THIS VESSEL TAKES CARE OF THE OLDEST COMMISSION WARSHIP AFLOAT ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

BUILT RIGHT HERE IN BOSTON AND LAUNCHED IN 1797, THE CONSTITUTION WAS ONE OF THE NAVY'S SIX FRIGGOT AND DEFEATED FIVE BRITISH WARSHIPS.

>> THE TRADITION THAT STEMS FROM THE LEGACY OF THAT WARSHIP HAS INFUSED THE UNITED STATES NAVY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A COMMISSIONED WARSHIP AND THESE DAYS, IT SETS OUT A FEW DAYS A YEAR.

IT'S TOURING BOSTON HARBOR IN HONOR OF WOMEN VETERANS.

>> THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DREAM MOMENT THAT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE BOOMIN' BEAVER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS OF A SMALL SHIP?

>> THE LESS BOAT THERE, THE LESS THERE IS TO GO WRONG IN THEORY.

THE DRAWBACKS, THERE'S NO SPACE AND ANY AMOUNT OF WEIGHT WILL GIVE YOU SEA SICKNESS.

>> DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE'S A BATHROOM ON THAT.

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN PILOT THAT?

>> I GET A LITTLE SEA SICK.

>> THAT'S NOT THE BOAT YOU WANT TO BE ON.

>> NO.

>> HAVE YOU EVER FALLEN OUT?

>> NOT YET, CLOSE.

>> CLOSE?

>> VERY CLOSE.

NOW.

>> AND NOW, WE PRESENT THE BOOMIN' BEAVER IN ACTION.

>> THE BEAVER IS WHAT DOES THIS FOR US.

ONE DRIVER, ONE LINE HANDLER AND SHE MOVES A SHIP THAT'S 1900 TONS.

>> THEY'RE NOT JUST A PULL BUT ALSO TO PUSH.

>> THIS IS AMAZING.

>> THE GENERAL PUBLIC LOOKS DOWN AND OH, ISN'T THAT CUTE.

THAT'S A TUGBOAT.

♪ ARE YOU READY FOR IN?

>> IS THE BOOMIN' BEAVER THE BEST SHIP.

>> HOME, YEAH.

>> Rich: ON THE NEXT EDITION, VAPING AT SCHOOLS BECOMING AN ISSUE.

TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS FRIDAY AT 7:00.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG FOR NOW WITH AN ENCORE PRESENTATION PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY RANDY HAYES.

YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OETA.TV AND FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X BY SEARCHING OETA OER AND SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FROM ALL OF US THAT PLAYED A ROLE IN THIS NEWSCAST, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!