.

>>> THE GOVERNOR SIGNS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMED AT REDUCING OR ELIMINATING "DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION" PROGRAMS IN STATE AGENCIES AND UNIVERSITIES.

>> WE'RE GONNA STOP USING STATE DOLLARS FOR DEI OFFICERS.

LET'S LITERALLY FOCUS ON THE KIDS, USE THOSE MONIES TO EDUCATE KIDS.

>>> OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH THE TRIBES TO BOOST THE STEM WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.

>> WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF OSU'S POLYTECH.

>> IT ADDRESSES A REAL CHALLENGE HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, WHICH IS ALSO CHEROKEE NATION'S CHALLENGE, WHICH IS WORKFORCE.

>>> RESULTS FROM A YEAR-LONG INVESTIGATION INTO UNTIMELY DEATHS IN OKLAHOMA JAILS.

>> IDEALLY, YOU KNOW, EVERYONE I'VE SPOKEN TO FOR THIS STORY AGREES THIS IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION.

>>> WE'LL PROFILE TWO DISTINGUISHED NATIVE AMERICAN ELDER HONOREES.

>> ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS IS HELPING PEOPLE.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GAINING SOME STEPS FORWARD.

AND THIS IS JUST A START.

>>> THE VISION OF A HUGE TOY DRIVE IN MCALESTER BECOMES REALITY THANKS TO 18-YEAR OLD REED MARCUM.

>> I'M FEELING AMAZING.

I FEEL LIKE IT'S GONNA BE ONE OF OUR BEST YEARS YET.

I HOPE TO MAKE IT BETTER IN EVERY YEAR.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS AN "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION ON INCARCERATION RATES IN OKLAHOMA.

NEXT ON THE "OKAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT HAS SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER REQUIRING STATE AGENCIES AND COLLEGES.

TO FORMALLY REVIEW THEIR "DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION" PROGRAMS.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE ORDER AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON WEDNESDAY.

IT MANDATES THAT THESE INSTITUTIONS EXPLAIN THE NECESSITY AND EFFICIENCY OF D.E.I.

POSITIONS, DEPARTMENTS, ACTIVITIES, PROCEDURES AND PROGRAMS.

>> LET'S JUST GO HELP KIDS GET READY FOR THE WORKFORCE.

WE WANNA MAKE SURE UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES ARE SUPPORTED.

WE WANT TO FOCUS ON FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS, THEN MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO GO GET THE EDUCATION THAT, THAT THEY WANT.

NOT BECAUSE OF HOW THEY LOOK, BUT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYBODY, RIGHT?

I THINK WE'RE DOING A DISSERVICE TO THE NEXT GENERATION OR TO ANYBODY TO SAY THAT THERE'S SUCH THING AS EQUAL OUTCOMES.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS EQUAL OUTCOMES, BUT WE WANT EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF YOUR RACE OR WHERE YOU COME FROM OR YOUR BACKGROUND.

WE NEED TO STOP SENDING SIX FIGURE SALARIES TO DEI STAFF AND MORE ON PREPARING STUDENTS TO GET THAT JOB AND TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

WE'RE GONNA STOP USING STATE DOLLARS FOR DEI OFFICERS.

LET'S LITERALLY FOCUS ON THE KIDS, USE THOSE MONIES TO EDUCATE KIDS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PREFERENTIAL TREAT PEOPLE BASED ON, BASED ON THE RACE.

>> THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WANTS UNIVERSITIES AND STATE AGENCIES TO REPORT BACK TO HIM BY MAY OF 2024, SO THE LEGISLATURE HAS THAT INFORMATION ON HAND WHEN IT CRAFTS THE NEXT STATE BUDGET.

GOVERNOR STITT WILL ALSO JOIN US LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST TO DISCUSS AN UPTICK IN INCARCERATION RATES IN OKLAHOMA-- FOLLOWING SEVERAL YEARS OF DECLINE.

THAT'S PART OF OUR WEEKLY "INDEPTH" DISCUSSION THAT WILL FEATURE THE GOVERNOR AND IN A SEPARATE CONVERSATION, DAMION SHADE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF "OKLAHOMANS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM".

HERE'S A PREVIEW WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT.

>> THE BIGGER PICTURE I'M WORKING WITH, AND I HAVE BEEN SINCE 2019 AND HAVEN'T GOT IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE YET, BUT IS SENTENCING REFORM.

TOTALLY.

AND THAT IS WHERE WE LITERALLY RECLASSIFY WHAT IS A VIOLENT AND A NON-VIOLENT CRIME.

AND WE MAKE SURE THAT WE SKINNY DOWN THE, THE, THE TIME THAT THEY CAN SERVE.

IN OTHER WORDS, I SEE CASES SOMETIMES WHERE IF A CRIME HAPPENS IN ONE COUNTY, THEY GET 30 YEARS.

THE SAME CRIME IN ANOTHER COUNTY COULD BE TWO YEARS.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

AND I THINK MOST OKLAHOMANS, IF WE'RE GONNA >> THE PROBLEM THAT WE SEE IN OKLAHOMA IS A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERN THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED.

WE HAVE COMPLETE INCONSISTENCY IN THE CRIMINAL CODE.

WE HAVEN'T UPDATED A LOT OF THESE FELONY OFFENSES AND THESE CHARGES SINCE, IN SOME CASES THE 80S AND 90S.

THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES IN THE STATE -- >> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND TWO PROMINENT TRIBES, ARE PARTNERING TO PRODUCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF OKLAHOMA SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS.

THAT ANNOUNCEMENT CAME AT A CEREMONY ON THE CAMPUS OF OSU-TULSA THIS WEEK.

JASON DOYLE ATTENDED AND JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS.

JASON?

>> RICH, THE LEADERS OF THE CHEROKEE AND MUSCOGEE CREEK NATIONS WERE ON HAND AS OSU'S PRESIDENT DR. KAYSE SHRUM OUTLINED THE WAY FORWARD TO ENGAGE MORE STUDENTS INTO SCIENCE AND MATH RELATED CAREER FIELDS.AND THAT WILL COME IN THE FORM OF OSU POLYTECH.

>> EVEN PISTOL PETE GOT IN THE NEW TECHNOLOGY, ON DISPLAY, ON A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW WAY STUDENTS CAN TAKE UP CAREERS THAT HEAVILY RELY ON STEM.

>> WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE LAUNCH OF OSU'S POLYTECH.

>> IT'LL TAKE A NEW APPROACH WITH ENGAGING EMPLOYERS AND STEM STUDENTS TO BENEFIT OKLAHOMA'S WORK FORCE.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS SAYING, HOW CAN WE TAKE WHETHER A STRENGTH WE HAVE ACROSS THE SYSTEM, BRING THOSE TOGETHER, WORK WITH WORK FORCE TO SAY, TO OUR INDUSTRY, WHAT ARE THE NEEDS WE HAVE.

HOW DO WE BUILD PROGRAMS IN DEMAND AND DELIVER THOSE IN A NEW WAY THAT ALLOWS FOR NONTRADITIONAL STUDENT TO BE ABLE TO UP SKILL OR RESKILL, ALREADY IN THE WORK FORCE OR SOMEONE WHO'S NOT IN THE WORK FORCE.

>> JOINING ON STAGE, WHO HAD A LITTLE FUN AT THE LAUNCH WITH THE AUTOMATED MIC STAND TECHNOLOGY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME, I LOVE THIS MIC, IT ADJUSTS TO THE HEIGHT OF AVERAGE HEIGHTS.

>> GOOD MORNING.

I GUESS WE'RE THE SAME HEIGHT, IT DIDN'T MOVE.

>> THE NATIVE LEADERS SAY IT'LL BE A MAJOR ROLE TO HELP THE MEMBERS REACH A HIGHER LEVEL.

>> IN ORDER TO SUCCEED, THAT'S THE WAY -- AND I DO WANT TO THANK OSU FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

>> IT ADDRESSES A REAL CHALLENGE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, THAT'S ALSO CHEROKEE NATION'S TALENT, THE WORK FORCE.

WE START WITH STEM EDUCATION AND MOVE INTO APPLIED TRAINING TO GO DIRECTLY TO WORK.

>> THE GOVERNOR WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED TO BE HERE, BUT THERE WAS A LAST MINUTE CANCELLATION.

HE BELIEVES IT COULD BOLSTER THE WORK FORCE FOR THE ENERGY INDUSTRY.

>> PEOPLE WILL BE SURPRISED TO KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE DRILLING ACTIVITY TODAY IS DONE FROM THE KEYBOARD IN THE CENTRAL OFFICE.

THE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENT HAS REALLY GONE QUITE A LONG WAY FOR US, ALL OF THE ENERGY BUSINESS.

>> THAT INCLUDES OIL AND GAS AS WELL AS RENEWABLE.

HE BELIEVES THE PROGRAM GIVES THE WORKERS THE CHANCE TO KEEP UP WITH TECHNOLOGY CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> BROADLY TRAINING ALL OF US, NOT ONLY THE NEW ENTRY WORK FORCE, KEEPING US UP TO DATE IS HELPFUL TO MOVE FORWARD INTO MORE TECHNICAL VIECHLT AS WE MOVE -- ENVIRONMENT AS WE MOVE INTO THE FUTURE.

>> PART OF THE PUSH IS TO REACH OUT TO YOUNGER PEOPLE TO SHOW THEM THE POSSIBLE OF STEM CAREER FIELDS THAT THEY MAY NEVER HAVE THAT YOU GO -- THOUGHT OF.

>> OPENS YOUR MIND.

>> THE SENIOR IS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING IN AGRICULTURAL THAT HAS TO DO WITH FISH AND WATER.

HE BELIEVES TECH MAKES JOBS EASIER TO DO.

>> SOME THINGS MORE DIFFICULT TO WORK WITH, HANDS ON, I FEEL THAT TECHNOLOGY WILL MAKE IT EASY.

>> AND ALSO THOUGHT THE NEW TECH CAUGHT HIS ATTENTION.

>> A LOT OF TECH I HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE IN PERSON.

AND THE ONE THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION IS RENEWABLE ENERGY.

I THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY NEAT.

>> CREATES CURIOSITY.

AND ONCE YOU HAVE THE CURIOSITY, I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE -- IF IT'S MANUFACTURING OR HEALTH CARE, FOR EVERYONE IT'S SOMETHING THAT GETS THEM EXCITED.

>> WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A LOT OF ROBOTICS AND SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT THAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE SOFTWARE, AND THE MECHANICAL SIDE OF ROBOTICS.

THOSE JOBS ARE FEWER, BUT VERY MUCH HIGHER COMPENSATED.

>> WE WERE TRADITIONALLY A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AT CREEK NATION THAT HIRED A FEW IT FOLKS.

TODAY WE'RE PROBABLY AN IT COMPANY THAT HIRES A FEW DOCTORS.

>> ONE OF THE COMPONENTS IS THE AEROSPACE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION.

ITS GOAL IS TO REACH OUT TO STUDENTS AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> IT'S FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION, REALLY FOCUSING ON THE EDUCATION PIECE.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO REACH OUT TO KIDS, AND GET THEM TO START THINKING ABOUT ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY AT AN EARLY AGE.

THAT'S WHEN WE HAVE TO GRAB THEM.

>> BY REACHING OUT BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, THOSE STUDENTS CAN BEGIN TAKING THE COURSES THEY NEED IN HIGH SCHOOL TO PREPARE FOR A STEM RELATED CAREER.

>> WE'RE ON THE VERGE OF -- >> OSU POLYTECH WILL HAVE AN INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL TO HELP GATHER MARKET CONDITIONS TO HELP DETERMINE WHAT ACADEMIC CERTIFICATE AND DEGREE PROGRAMS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY TO DEVELOP FOR THE WORKFORCE.

RICH.

>>> DESPITE THE OBJECTIONS FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS-- THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL'S BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS VOTED 4-TO-2 TO HIRE DR. EBONY JOHNSON AS IT'S PERMANENT SUPERINTENDENT THRU 2026.

DR. JOHNSON HAS BEEN SERVING IN AN INTERIM ROLE SINCE THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGAN-- BUT WALTERS, WHO SERVES ON THE O.E.T.A.

BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION-- HAS DEMANDED THE BOARD CONDUCT A "NATION-WIDE" SEARCH BECAUSE OF HIS STATED BELIEF THAT JOHNSON IS NOT THE RIGHT PERSON TO TURN THE "TPS" DISTRICT AROUND.

>>> WE ALL KNOW THE NEWS CAN BE NEGATIVE A LOT OF THE TIME, AND SO WHEN WE COME ACROSS A POSITIVE, UPLIFTING STORY-- WE CAN'T WAIT TO SHARE IT WITH YOU-- AND THAT'S THE CASE THIS WEEK.

18-YEAR OLD REED MARCUM HAS BEEN THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND A HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE THAT GETS BIGGER AND BETTER EVERY YEAR.

AND HE'S BEEN DOING IT.SINCE HE WAS 11.

TAELYR JACKSON TRAVELED TO MCALESTER THIS PAST WEEKEND TO REPORT ON REED AND HIS ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION.

>> THIS CHRISTMAS WON'T BE SO GRIM FOR SOME CHILDREN IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA, THANKS TO 18-YEAR-OLD REED MARCUM.

>> I FEEL AMAZING, IT'LL BE ONE OF OUR BEST YEARS YET.

HOPEFULLY TO MAKE IT BETTER EVERY YEAR.

>> THE 80 PLUS VOLUNTEERS HANDED OUT MORE THAN 10,000 TOYS, LAST SATURDAY AT THE ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOY DRIVE.

>> THE HELICOPTER.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS THE ANNUAL TOY DRIVE IS A GREAT EVENT FOR MEMBERS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S A GREAT THING, WHEN PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY STEP UP AND WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I DON'T THINK THAT EVERYONE CAN ARGUE, IT'S MADE A TREMENDOUS -- IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER.

CARS LINED UP FOR MORE THAN THREE MILES TO RECEIVE CHRISTMAS GOODIES.

IT WASN'T ALWAYS AS GRAND, HE STARTED IN 2015, AND HE WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO THE STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL.

AND GIVE AWAY BACKPACKS, A REMARKABLE ACT OF GENEROSITY FOR AN 11-YEAR-OLD.

>> I COME FROM A DIVORCED HOUSEHOLD.

COMMUNITY HELPED US WHEN WE WERE DOWN ON OUR LUCK, THE BACKPACK GIVE AWAY CAME AROUND, NOT ALL MY CLASS MATES HAD ENOUGH MONEY TO GET THROUGH THE FIRST SEMESTER.

>> MOM, THERE'S KIDS AT SCHOOL AND DON'T HAVE A LOT OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES, AND I WANT TO HELP.

I WANT TO DO THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES GIVE AWAY.

HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT?

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE CAN'T -- COUPONS AND DO SOME THINGS.

DO THAT, AND GIVE THE SUPPLIES TO GIVE TO THEM.

>> HIS MOTHER SAYS HE'S ALWAYS HAD COMPASSION FOR OTHERS.

>> HE HAD THE BIGGEST HEART GROWING UP.

THE FIRST TIME WITH REED, WHEN HE WANTED TO START GIVING, WE WERE LITERALLY DRIVING DOWNTOWN.

MOM, WHY IS THAT PERSON WALKING DOWN THE STREET WITH NO SHOES.

WELL, HE'S HOMELESS.

AND IT STOPPED ME, BECAUSE I GUESS, HE'S NEVER EXPERIENCED THAT.

I WANT TO HELP THEM.

LET'S GET SOCKS AND STUFF.

SURE.

>> THE FOLLOWING YEAR HE WANTED TO MAKE GOODIE BAGS FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION IN TOWN.

OVER TIME, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS GREW, EXPANDING TO A TOY DRIVE.

>> OF COURSE I KNEW WHEN CHRISTMAS CAME AROUND, PEOPLE WOULD STRUGGLE WITH THAT.

>> WE HAD A LOT OF LITTLE TOYS, WHAT WE WOULD DO, WE BROUGHT THEM TO THE OFFICE.

LET'S GO -- THE LINE, THE FIRST YEAR, IT WAS WALKING UP.

IT WAS LIKE THREE OR FOUR, FIVE BLOCKS LONG.

>> THE FOLLOWING YEAR, HIS 4-H LEADER, SAID TO INCLUDE SOCKS AND GLOVES.

>> HER PROJECT WAS TO GIVE OUT CLOTHES TO LITTLE KIDS IN THE LINE.

THAT WAS HER PROJECT AND WE'RE STILL CARRYING ON HER LEGACY OF WHAT SHE DID, GIVING OUT SOCKS AND UNDERGARMENTS TO KIDS IN THE LINE.

>> SHE WAS A GREAT MENTOR TO REED.

>> REED WAS BULLIED A LOT WHEN HE WAS YOUNGER.

HE WAS SHY.

>> CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND, SHE KNEW I HAD ADHD.

>> WANTING TO HELP HIM OVERCOME ANXIETY, AND GAIN CONFIDENCE, SHE ENCOURAGED HIM TO JOIN 4-H. >> IT WAS THE DISTRICT SPEECH CONTEST, AND HE WAS EXCITED.

AND HE CAME HOME, I'M NOT GETTING UP THERE.

SOME OF THEM DON'T LIKE ME.

AND REED, YOU'RE DOING THAT SPEECH TODAY.

>> HE NOT ONLY DELIVERED THE SPEECH, HE WON FIRST PLACE.

>> WHEN I DID, IT WAS SOMETHING AMAZING.

NOT WORRY ABOUT PEOPLE JUDGING ME.

AND IT REALLY HELPED ME COME OUT OF MY SHELL.

>> IN 2022, HE WAS INDUCTED IN THE OKLAHOMA 4-H HALL OF FAME.

IT'S THE HIGHEST HONOR A 4-H WINNER CAN RECEIVE.

>> THE FIFTH WINNER IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

FOR OKLAHOMA, WE'RE TIED WITH THREE OTHER STATES FOR THE MOST WINNERS TOTAL.

>> HE'S OVERCOME OTHER HURDLES ALONG THE WAY, INCLUDING THE DEATH OF HIS 4-H LEADER AND HIS BROTHER.

>> I LOST MY BROTHER, TWO WEEKS AWAY IF THE TOY DRIVE.

THEY RALLIED AROUND, AND HELPED US IN OUR TIME OF NEED.

IT'S NOT SOMETHING I WOULD WANT ANYONE TO GO THROUGH.

BUT PEOPLE GO THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> HE PERSEVERED AND THE RESULT IS A TOY DRIVE LARGER THAN HE EVER IMAGINED.

>> EVOLVED WAY PAST I THOUGHT WOULD REACH.

IT'S A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN MCALSTER, AND IT'S SOMETHING I'M PROUD OF.

>> HIS COMMUNITY IS MORE THAN GRATEFUL FOR HIS SERVICE.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS.

>>> FOR MOST OF THE PAST YEAR, REPORTER WHITNEY BRYEN WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNERS AT "OKLAHOMA WATCH", HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING OKLAHOMA JAIL DEATHS THAT SHARE A COMMON DENOMINATOR: THEY INVOLVE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS WHO HAVE DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY.

I SPOKE WITH HER THIS WEEK ABOUT WHAT SHE'S LEARNED-- AND WHAT SHE'S STILL TRYING TO FIND OUT.

THIS SUBJECT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU, WHAT INSPIRED THE YEARLONG REPORT?

>> A LOT OF VIEWERS MIGHT REMEMBER, I CAME ON AND TALKED ABOUT -- EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THEY DIED IN DECEMBER OF 2022, WHILE AWAITING MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS AT THE CLEVELAND COUNTY JAIL.

SHANNON, FOR MANY REASONS STIRRED UP A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR ME, ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING TO PEOPLE IN CRISIS WHEN THEY GO TO JAIL.

SHE WAS A FAIRLY HEALTHY MOTHER, SHE WAS INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY, BAKED COOKIES IN NORMAN, AND AFTER 12 DAYS IN THE JAIL, SHE DIED.

>> YOUR LATEST STORY HAS A SHOCKING STATISTIC.

SHARE THAT WITH US.

>> 53 PEOPLE DID IN OKLAHOMA JAILS IN 2022.

MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE OF UNTREATED MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AND THEN ONCE THEY GOT IN THE JAIL, THEY DIDN'T RECEIVE THE TREATMENT THEY NEEDED.

INSTEAD, LEFT BEHIND BARS.

>> THAT'S A BIG NUMBER.

>> SO WHAT'S BEEN REALLY CHALLENGING ABOUT THIS REPORTING, IS OKLAHOMA DOES NOT SUFFICIENTLY TRACK JAIL DEATHS.

WE HAVE THREE AGENCIES CHARGED WITH DOING THAT.

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT RELIES ON JAILS REPORTING THE DEATHS TO THEM.

AS WE TOLD READERS A FEW MONTHS AGO, JAILS ARE NOT ALWAYS DOING THAT.

THEY'RE CONCEALING DEATHS AND NOT REPORTING PROPERLY.

THE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING, AND 53 IN 2022, THAT'S THE HIGHEST NUMBER SINCE THEN.

>> TELL US MORE OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DYING IN THE JAILS.

ARE THE BACKGROUNDS SIMILAR OR DO THEY VARY.

>> THEY REALLY VARY.

YOU HAVE SOME FOLKS WHO HAD VIOLENT CRIMES THEY WERE CHARGED WITH.

YOU ALSO HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE, LIKE A GIRL NAMED -- A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER HER 18TH BIRTHDAY, SHE WAS IN PSYCHOSIS.

AND THE LAST TIME THE POLICE WENT TO HELP THE PARENTS WITH THE PSYCHOSIS, THEY ENDED UP TAKING HER TO JAIL.

SHE HAD STABBED HER DAD WHO SHE THOUGHT WAS TAKEN OVER BY EVIL SPIRITS AND TRYING TO HARM HER.

SHE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SHE NEEDED AND SHE DIED BY SUICIDE IN A JAIL CELL FIVE DAYS AFTER ARRIVING THERE.

>> THE PARENTS MADE IT CLEAR SHE NEEDED HELP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THE POLICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND LOCAL PARAMEDICS, EVEN THE HOSPITAL STAFF WERE FAMILIAR WITH HER.

SHE HAD BEEN IN MANY TIMES FOR HER BIPOLAR ONE DISORDER.

>> THEY'RE PLANNING ON SUING THE JAIL FOR LACK OF CARE FOR THEIR DAUGHTER.

THEY WANT TO KNOW HOW TO PREVENT THIS THING FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

AND SO THEY FELT LIKE THE COURTS WHERE THEY NEEDED TO TURN TO.

>> AND OBVIOUSLY, IT'S DIFFICULT TO GET JAIL OFFICIALS TO GO ON THE RECORD.

WHEN THEY HAVE AGREED TO SPEAK TO YOU, WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YOU?

>> THE ADMINISTRATOR, A FEW TIMES OF THE SPECIFIC TOPIC, AND HE'S TAKING A STAND HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

EVEN FIGHTING THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH WHO WANTS TO KEEP SOME OF THE INMATES THERE, IN THE JAIL WHILE THEY'RE RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

THESE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE KNELLED THE JAIL, IF -- HELD IN THE JAIL.

I SPOKE AN ADMINISTRATOR, HE'S VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS TOPIC, AND HE'S HIRED SEVERAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, PARTNERED WITH LOCAL AGENCIES TO PROVIDE COUNSELLING SERVICE, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, AND THEY HAVE A PSYCHIATRIST ON STAFF THERE AT THE JAIL.

>> SOUNDS LIKE PROGRESS MADE WITH A COUPLE OF JAILS.

ARE YOU HOPING GETTING THE WORD OUT LIKE YOU'RE DOING WILL LEAD TO POSITIVE CHANGE?

>> THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND ALSO TO LAWMAKERS, JAIL ADMINISTRATORS, IDEALLY EVERYONE I'VE SPOKEN TO FOR THIS STORY AGREES.

THIS IS NOT A GOOD SITUATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME IN THIS SERIES OF IMPORTANT REPORTING YOU HAVE BEEN DOING IN 2023.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING ME AGAIN, RICH.

>>> THE RECENT 15TH ANNUAL "A.A.R.P.

OKLAHOMA NATIVE AMERICAN ELDER AWARDS" RECOGNIZED 47 DISTINGUISHED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BROUGHT HONOR AND DISTINCTION TO THEMSELVES, THEIR TRIBES AND THEIR STATE.

THIS WEEK, WE PROFILE TWO OF THE RECIPIENTS.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THEIR STORIES.

STEVE?

>>> RICH WE ATTENDED THAT NOVEMBER 1 EVENT.AT THE FIRST AMERICANS' MUSEUM IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE ALSO FELT THE NEED TO SPOTLIGHT A FEW OF THE 47 RECIPIENTS.TO MAKE SURE FOLKS UNDERSTAND THE COMMITMENT OF ALL 47 TO THEIR TRIBES.

PEGGY BIG EAGLE IS NEARLY 80 YEARS OLD.

YET THIS PAST MONDAY.SHE WALKED INTO THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY ELECTION BOARD.JUST LIKE SHE DOES THE DAY BEFORE EVERY ELECTION.

>> TO PICK UP SUPPLIES.BECAUSE PEGGY'S BEEN AN ELECTION DAY POLL WORKER.SINCE SHE RETIRED FROM A DISTINGUISHED NON PROFIT AND LAW CAREER IN 2015.

>> HONESTLY I BELIEVE WE ARE A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF DEMOCRACY, JUST BY KEEPING THE POLLS OPEN, IT'S OTHER PEOPLES' RESPONSIBILITY TO SHOW AND VOTE, BUT I THINK AS POLL WORKERS THEY ARE REALLY DOING A GOOD CIVIC SERVICE.

IT'S NOBLE.

WELL IT I THINK SO.

>> PEGGY GRADUATED FROM THE ORIGINAL PUTNAM CITY HIGH SCHOOL IN 1962.

SHE ATTENDED OKLAHOMA STATE AND GOT AN ENGLISH DEGREE FROM OU.

PEGGY IS PROUD OF THE FACT SHE WAS THE FIRST EMPLOYEE OF "OKLAHOMANS FOR INDIAN OPPORTUNITY".WHICH WAS THE FIRST STATEWIDE INDIAN ORGANIZATION IN OKLAHOMA.

SHE HOLDS A MASTER'S AND A LAW DEGREE.AND SHE WORKED SEVERAL YEARS IN WASHINGTON D.C. FOR THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS.

BIG EAGLE WAS ALSO THE FIRST CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT FOR THE CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHO TRIBE.

>> WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING AN ATTORNEY SWIMMING IN THOSE WATERS?

LAUGHING.

WELL I WENT TO LAW SCHOOL WAY BEFORE THERE WAS INDIAN LAW.

SO I HAD TO LEARN THAT FROM YOUNGER ATTORNEYS.

WHILE I HAD BEEN PRACTICING FOR A LONG TIME, I NEVER MADE MUCH MONEY BECAUSE OF THE WAY I CHOSE TO PRACTICE THE LAW.

BUT I ALWAYS LOVED IT.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS IS HELPING PEOPLE.

>> PEGGY BIG EAGLE IS A MEMBER OF THE SAC AND FOX TRIBE.WHICH HAS JUST OVER 2500 MEMBERS IN THE SOONER STATE.

MONDAY WE ALSO FOLLOWED PEGGY TO STROUD.TO THE SAC AND FOX ELDERS AND VETERANS BUILDING.

WHERE SAC AND FOX PRINCIPAL CHIEF RANDLE CARTER AND SECOND CHIEF AUDREY ROSE LEE AND PEGGY SHOWED US A PORTRAIT OF SAC AND FOX NATION'S MOST FAMOUS ANCESTOR.A WARRIOR NAMED BLACK HAWK.

IT'S A REPRINT OF A VALUABLE PIECE THAT HANGS IN A FAMOUS LIBRARY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW.

>> NONE OF THE 39 TRIBES IN OKLAHOMA ARE INDIGENOUS TO OKLAHOMA.

WE WERE ALL MOVED HERE FROM SOMEPLACE ELSE.

>> BIG EAGLE IS STRAIGHT FORWARD ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF STEREOTYPES AND IT'S HARD TO TALK WITH NON INDIANS HONESTLY ABOUT IT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY UNDERSTAND.

I DON'T THINK IT'S POSSIBLE.

A SMALL EXAMPLE WOULD BE UNTIL RECENT YEARS, THE STATE FAIR ALWAYS HAD AN INDIAN DAY.

AND NATIVES GOT IN FOR FREE.

SOME PEOPLE OBJECTED AND SAID WHY ISN'T THERE A DAY FOR BLACKS WHY ISN'T THERE A DAY FOR IRISH?

AND IT DIDN'T OCCUR TO ANYBODY TO SAY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GIVE UP THEIR LAND FOR THIS CULTURE.

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS FOR NATIVE.

AND FOR ME BIOLOGICAL IS THE DUMBEST.

UM IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED IN YOUR TRIBAL ACTIVITIES.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW YOUR TRIBAL WAYS, IF YOU ARE NOT ACCEPTED BY THE TRIBAL COMMUNITY, I DON'T CONSIDER YOU NATIVE.

I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE A FULL BLOOD.

>> SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF THE STATE.

>> OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW HAS AN ANTI-INDIAN GOVERNOR.

AND THERE IS ALWAYS A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP IN OKLAHOMA BETWEEN THE TRIBES AND THE STATE.

ALWAYS.

UM BUT ITS' REALLY REALLY UGLY NOW.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A SITUATION LIKE THIS BEFORE.

>> AT THE NOVEMBER FIRST EVENT WHERE PEGGY BIG EAGLE AND 46 OTHERS WERE HONORED.AARP ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR FOR OUTREACH MASHELL SOWERJOHN SPOKE ABOUT WHY THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S YOU KNOW OUR HONORED ELDERS, YOU KNOW MANY TIMES THEIR STORIES AREN'T TOLD.

SOMETIMES IN OUR NEWSPAPERS OR OUR HISTORY BOOKS.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS AS WELL AS BEING ABLE TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATIONS TO BECOME COMMUNITY BUILDERS AS WELL.

>> ANOTHER NATIVE AMERICAN ELDER HONOREE WAS BEVERLY EDWINA BUTLER-WOLFE.

SHE SERVED THREE.TWO YEAR TERMS AS GOVERNOR OF THE ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRIBE.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL.

ANOTHER BIG DEAL FOR HER IS 5 YEARS AGO.SHE AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE 1978 DALE HIGH SCHOOL LADY PIRATES' BASKETBALL TEAM CELEBRATED THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR STATE TITLE.

BUTLER-WOLFE WENT ON TO PLAY COLLEGE BALL.

SHE WORKED AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE.THEN DID A 15 YEAR STENT AS INDIAN EDUCATION COORDINATOR.AND THE LAST FEW YEARS AS BASKETBALL COACH.FOR THE NORTH ROCK CREEK SCHOOL IN SHAWNEE.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE MAKING SOME PROGRESS ON THE STATE LEVEL WITH SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN ONGOING ISSUES FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

LIKE WHAT?

LIKE THE INDIAN REGALIA THE SENATE BILL 429 THAT WAS JUST PUT IN PLACE JULY FIRST.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

THAT IS FOR OUR GRADUATES LIKE OUR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES TO BE ABLE TO WEAR THEIR INDIAN REGALIA CAPS, EAGLE FEATHER MOCASSINS.

THAT WAS ALWAYS A STRUGGLE THAT I SEEN EVERY SCHOOL YEAR STARTING I MAY JUNE.

STARTED IN APRIL AND MAY BECAUSE A LOT OF NATIVE AMERICAN GRADUATES WANTED TO WEAR AND DISPLAY THEIR REGALIA AND IT WAS AN HONOR FOR SOME OF OUR GRADUATES TO WEAR THEIR EAGLE FEATHERS.

WHEN THEY GRADUATED?

OR DURING SCHOOL?

DURING THE CEREMONIES OF THEIR GRADUATION.

>> BUTLER-WOLFE SAYS SCHOOL DISTRICTS NEED MORE DIVERSITY AT THE TOP.

>> I FEEL LIKE WE ARE GAINING SOME STEPS FORWARD.

AND THIS IS JUST A START.

AND THERE ARE VERY MANY HURDLES TO GO THROUGH.

WOULD YOU AGREE NOT ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE TONE DEAF?

RIGHT.

THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE VERY GOOD ABOUT IT.

I THINK THAT I SEE IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS IS THAT WHEN THEY HAVE A STRONG TITLE SIX INDIAN EDUCATION PROGRAM, THEN THEY AREN'T AS BAD AS THE ONES THAT DON'T HAVE SOMEONE IN THERE.

>> PEGGY BIG EAGLE MENTIONED IN OUR STORY THAT ALL 39 TRIBES WERE NOT INDIGENOUS TO OKLAHOMA.

IN FACT, THREE TRIBES ARE.

AS FOR.BEVERLY EDWINA BUTLER-WOLFE STILL WORKS AT THE SAC AND FOX LEARNING CENTER IN STROUD.

THEY SERVE 12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ALL NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOOLS.THAT ARE ENROLLED WITH FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES.

THEY HELP WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES, FEES AND INSTRUCTION.

RICH.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY VOTERS HAVE DECIDED THEY WANT THE "THUNDER TO ROLL" IN OKLAHOMA THROUGH AT LEAST 2050.

ON TUESDAY, THEY OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED A PROPOSAL TO BUILD A NEW ARENA TO REPLACE THE PAYCOM CENTER-- AN ARENA THAT WILL COST TAXPAYERS AT LEAST $850 MILLION.

THE MEASURE PASSED WITH ROUGHLY 70% OF THE VOTE, WITH THE THUNDER OWNERS AGREEING TO PAY $50 MILLION, OR 5% OF THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS.

THE TEAM'S CURRENT LEASE WITH THE PAYCOM CENTER ENDS IN 2026-- HOWEVER, THE CITY DOES HAVE A SIGNED AGREEMENT KEEPING THE TEAM IN OKLAHOMA THROUGH 2050 OR BEYOND, CONTINGENT ON THE BUILDING OF THE NEW FACILITY.

>> THERE'S NBA STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW BUT YOU WOULD LOOK AT THOSE ARENAS AND TAKE, YOU KNOW INSPIRATION FROM WHAT'S THERE IN THOSE ARENAS BUT WANTING TO MAKE IT SOMETHING SPECIAL AND SOMETHING JUST FOR OKLAHOMA CITY AND SO I THINK WE HAVE SOMEONE ON BOARD AS AN A AND E FIRM THAT WILL WORK WITH US TO MAKE WE HAVE SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL FOR OUR RESIDENTS.

>> FREEMAN SAYS HE EXPECTS THE NEW ARENA TO BE READY FOR THE 2029-2030 NBA SEASON.

>>> AMERICAN AIRLINES IS BUILDING UP IT'S WORKFORCE-- AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR THE TULSA ECONOMY.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW", WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> AS IT EXPANDS ITS TULSA FACILITY, AMERICAN AIRLINES IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS WORKFORCE THERE BY 300 JOBS.

THIS COMES AS THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AWARDED THE AIRLINE $22 MILLION FROM ITS BUSINESS EXPANSION INCENTIVE PROGRAM.

BECAUSE OF THE AWARD, AMERICAN SAYS IT CAN ADD THOSE JOBS TO THE TULSA MAINTENANCE BASE.WHICH HAPPENS TO BE ITS LARGEST AND CURRENTLY EMPLOYS ABOUT 5200.

PROMISE HOTELS HAS OPENED ITS NEWEST HOME2 SUITES HOTEL AT THE TULSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE IS THE SECOND HOTEL TO OPEN AT THE AIRPORT.

THE TULSA AIRPORTS IMPROVEMENT TRUST ALSO APPROVED BUILDING A CONVENIENCE STORE ON-SITE.

COMPARED TO OTHER US CITIES.OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA HAVE SOME OF THE SLOWEST DECLINES IN BRICK-IN-MORTAR STORES AS ONLINE SHOPPING CONTINUES TO GROW.

ACCORDING TO "UPGRADED POINTS" RECENT REPORT.THE OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA METROS HAVE EXPERIENCED A 7.5% DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF RETAIL STORES PER CAPITA BETWEEN 2011 AND 2021.

THE NATION AS A WHOLE HAS SEEN A 12.6% DECLINE IN BRICK AND MORTAR RETAIL STORES.

OKLAHOMA CITY START UP BIOTECHNOLOGY COMPANY CADENZA BIO RECENTLY CLOSED MORE THAN $2.4 MILLION OF SERIES SEED FINANCING.

PLAINS VENTURES LED THE FINANCING WITH INVESTMENTS ALSO COMING FROM THE OKLAHOMA LIFE SCIENCE FUND, CORTADO VENTURES, BOYD STREET VENTURES, AND ILLINOIS VENTURES.

CADENZA BIO IS DEVELOPING A TREATMENT FOR MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.

JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> "CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS" ENACTED DURING THE FIRST STITT ADMINISTRATION HAVE RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN INCARCERATED IN OKLAHOMA DETENTION FACILITIES-- BUT OKLAHOMA IS STILL A "TOP TEN" STATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IT PUTS BEHIND BARS.

IN THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" DISCUSSION, MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT SPEAKS WITH BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND IN A SEPARATE INTERVIEW-- A LEADING PROPONENT FOR ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

SUSAN?

>> AFTER YEARS OF STEADY DECLINE, A REPORT FROM THE BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS, SAYS THE PERCENT ROSE FROM 2021 TO 2022.

WE WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US, AND TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>> THANKS SO MUCH, AND THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2019, YOU INITIATIVED THE LARGEST RELEASE OF PRISON INMATES IN AMERICA, THAT WAS OVER 450 INMATES.

>> IT WAS THE LARGEST COMATION IN A SINGLE DAY IN U.S. HISTORY.

IT WAS NONVIOLENT LOW LEVEL OFFENDERS, AND WE MADE SOME TREMENDOUS MOMENTUM HERE IN OKLAHOMA OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

>> NOW, THE RISE CONCERN YOU?

AND IF SO, WHY?

>> I DON'T NECESSARILY BELIEVE THE NUMBERS.

IT COULD BE COVID RELATED NUMBERS.

I CLOSED FOUR PRISONS WHEN I WAS IN OFFICE.

WE'RE 40TH NOW IN TOTAL INCARCERATION.

WE HAVE 5,000 FEWER PEOPLE IN PRISON TODAY THAN WHEN I TOOK OVER.

WHEN I CLOSED FOUR PRISONS, TWO FOR PRIVATE PRISONS.

THAT SAVED THE TAXPAYERS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

THE VIOLENT AND NONVIOLENT CRIME IS DOWN IN OKLAHOMA.

THE RESITIVISM RATE, WE MADE TREMENDOUS HEAD WAY BY THE PROGRAMS, THE ACTS, THE JOB PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE GET JOBS WHEN THEY GET OUT SO THEY DON'T REOFFEND.

RIGHT NOW THAT'S REALLY WORKING.

>> LET ME CLARIFY, WE'RE 40TH, I SAW IN THE REPORT FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WE'RE NUMBER FOUR TRAILING MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA, AND ARKANSAS.

WAS THAT -- DO YOU THINK THAT'S CORRECT?

>> I REALLY DON'T.

SO YOU'RE SAYING WE'RE 46TH IN THE COUNTRY, HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE.

>> YES, THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE -- FROM 2021 TO 2022.

>> WE TRACKED PER CAPITA.

WE WERE TED LAST.

-- DEAD LAST.

THE NONVIOLENT CRIME HAS GONE DOWN.

NOT SURE WHAT DATA YOU'RE GIVEN.

MARYLAND IS AT 60%, OUR NUMBER IS LOW WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

60%, THAT'S HARDLY UNDERSTANDABLE.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE SHOWING IT, IN OUR STATS, WE'RE NUMBER TWO IN THE COUNTRY IN LOWEST RESITIVISM.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE SEEING THAT AS WELL.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE ALSO TRACK AND SO I'M PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS.

WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO BE TOP TEN.

THAT'S MY JOB AS GOVERNOR, LOOKING AT FAST FORWARD, AND POLICY TO MOVE US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> THE SMALL BEGINNINGS AND THE STEPS ARE GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

THAT'S GOOD AND WE'RE GLAD TO SEE THAT.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU AS A PERSON, ABOUT THIS BEING A HARD ISSUE.

YOU WENT IN AND WE CAN RELEASE PEOPLE AND CHANGE LAWS FROM WHERE YOU'RE SITTING AS A FAMILY MAN, WHAT IS THE ISSUE.

IS THIS A FRONT DOOR ISSUE, NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED TO OKLAHOMAENS AS CHILDREN, EDUCATION, FAMILY, ALL OF THE ABOVE?

>> YEAH, I THINK IT'S ALL OF THE ABOVE.

WE KNOW THAT THE STATS, IF YOU'RE A HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUT, YOU'RE EIGHT TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE INCARCERATED.

I PUT MORE MONEY IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN MY FIVE YEARS AS GOVERNOR THAN I DID 25 YEARS BEFORE ME.

IN COMPETITION, WE HAVE MORE CHARTER SCHOOLS, WE SIGNED A REFUNDABLE -- AND NOW, WE HAVE RESOURCES TO GO TO -- YOU KNOW THAT YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER IS IN WITH THE WRONG CROWD JUST BECAUSE OF THE ZIP CODE, THERE'S LOW GRADUATION RATES AND HIGH CRIME AND DRUG USE.

>> THAT'S WHY I HAVE FAMILY MONTH, I'M ENCOURAGING MOMS AND DADS TO BE A MORE MEANINGFUL PART OF THEIR LIVES.

TO DO THINGS FOR FAMILIES IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER.

I'M TRYING TO HIGHLIGHT THAT, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET PARENTS MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES.

>> CHANGE TOPICS, PART OF THE -- LOOKING FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RULE CHANGE.

>> COMATION JUST SO THE PUBLIC KNOWS, SOMEONE IS PETITIONING THE PAROLE BOARD FOR A LESSER SENTENCE.

HEY, I GOT TOO LONG OF A SENTENCE FOR THE CRIME.

AND OTHER COUNTIES DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, THERE WAS A MISTAKE.

BUT THE BIGGER PICTURE I'M WORKING WITH, IS A FINISHING REFORM ONLY.

WE RECLASSIFY A VIOLENT AND NONVIOLENT CRIME.

AND WE SKINNY DOWN THE TIME THAT THEY CAN SERVE.

MOST OKLAHOMAENS IF WE CAN DETERMINE THAT CRIME IS PUNISHABLE BY 30 YEARS, IT NEEDS TO BE 30 YEARS ACROSS THE BOARD.

OR FOR FIVE YEARS, LET'S MAKE SURE THEY SERVE THE FIVE YEARS.

BUT THE PROCESS IS SOMETHING I'M SUPPORTIVE OF.

JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT OVERLY PUNISHING SOMEONE.

AND THEY CAN LOOK AT THAT AS THINGS CHANGE.

>> WE'RE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME.

WHAT'S THE OBSTACLE MOVING FORWARD.

>> REALLY, IF I COULD WRITE THE LEGISLATION, IT WOULD ALREADY BE DONE.

YOU HAVE TO GET, ALL THE PARTNERS TO THE TABLE.

YOU HAVE THE PROSECUTORS, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS, THE VICTIM'S RIGHTS FAMILIES AND BRING ALL THEM TO THE TABLE, BUT YOU ULTIMATELY HAVE TO GET THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE TO PASS THE LAW AND GET IT ON THE DESK.

I'VE BEEN REALLY PUSHING THAT.

AND SOMETIMES THERE'S BEEN OBSTACLES IN THE MACHINE THAT DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO CHANGE THAT.

BUT TO YOUR POINT, AS GOVERNOR BUSINESSMAN, OKLAHOMA HAS ELECTED ME TO PUT A FRESH SET OF EYES ON THE PROBLEMS.

WE'RE 40TH NOW, WE HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

OUR PEOPLE ARE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE POLICIES TO MAKE SURE THEY MAKE SENSE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS ALWAYS NUMBER ONE.

BUT ALSO GIVING CERTAIN PEOPLE SECOND CHANCES AND LOCKING UP PEOPLE THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY AFRAID OF.

THERE'S A LOT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND THINGS THAT NEED DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE'RE FUNDING AND WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES.

TO MAKE OKLAHOMA A TOP TEN STATE.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS I HAVE FOR YOU, ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> I'M GOOD, THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> NOW TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION, DAMION SHEA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US IN THE STUDIO.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S CONVERSATION, ANY POINTS YOU WANT TO MAKE?

WE WERE COMPARING APPLES AND ORANGES.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS REGULARLY AROUND CRIMINAL LEGAL ISSUES.

THERE'S THE IMPRISONMENT RATE, THE RATE OF OKLAHOMA CITIZENS IN OUR STATE PRISON SYSTEM.

AND THEN THE LARGER INCARCERATION RATE.

THAT INCLUDES COUNTY JAILS, PEOPLE ARE OFTEN INCARCERATED BEFORE THEY HAVE A TRIAL.

OKLAHOMA IS 40TH IN THAT NUMBER.

THE LARGER INCARCERATION RATE WHEN YOU COMBINE PRETRIAL DETENTION NUMBERS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU MOST CONCERNED WITH IT, ALL OF IT?

>> I THINK THE INCARCERATION RATE, IT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT STATISTIC TO THINK ABOUT.

REDUCING CRIME.

WHICH SHOULD BE IN MY MIND, NOTHING ELSE TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON THAN IN THIS SPACE.

HOW TO ACTUALLY REDUCE CRIME.

IN 2022, FOR EXAMPLE, WE THINK ABOUT THE WHOLE PICTURE, STATE AND LOCAL CORRECTIONS IN OKLAHOMA COST MORE THAN $700 MILLION.

THAT'S STATE AND LOCAL -- LESS THAN 2% OF OVERALL EXPENDITURE OF THE REVENUE.

THE QUESTION IS, WHAT ARE WE GETTING IN CHANGE FOR THAT INVESTMENT?

>> WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, THE CODE IS PURELY OUT DATED.

HOW BAD IS IT?

>> I THINK THE PROBLEM THAT WE SEE IN OKLAHOMA IS A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED.

WE HAVE COMPLETE INCONSISTENCY IN THE CRIMINAL CODE AND HAVE NOT UPDATED THE FELONY OFFENSES AND CHARGES.

IF WE THINK ABOUT, REALLY, THE MOST SERIOUS OFFENSES IN THE STATE, WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT THEM IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY.

THAT TYPE OF SYSTEMIC LACK OF FOCUS ON THE POLICY MAKERS, HAS CREATED A STREAM OF DOWN STREAM PROBLEMS.

>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN LOOKING AT THE DATA?

>> I HAVE BEEN IN THE -- WORKING ON THE DATA COLLECTION ISSUES AROUND OKLAHOMA SYSTEM FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

NOW, THERE WAS A PROCESS CALLED THE JUSTICE REINVESTMENT INITIATIVE PROCESS.

STARTED IN 2015, THAT PROCESS LED TO REMARKABLE REFORMS THAT THE GOVERNOR WAS TALKING ABOUT.

THAT LED TO THE CLOSING OF FOUR PRISONS, AND REDUCED THE PRISON BED COUNT BY 5,000.

BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HASN'T HAPPENED, IS TAKING THE SENTENCING REFORM RECOMMENDATIONS THAT CAME FROM THOSE SAME GROUPS TO SAY, LET'S GET OKLAHOMA'S PRISON SENTENCES MORE LIKE A REGULAR STATE.

CLOSER TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> A REGULAR STATE.

TOUGHER ON THE -- THE AVERAGE OKLAHOMAEN WILL SERVE 70% LONGER FOR DRUG CRIME, 79% FOR NONVIOLENT PROPERTY CRIME THAN IF YOU LITERALLY DROVE ACROSS THE BORDER TO KANSAS AND DID THE SAME THING.

>> THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE INCARCERATION RATE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THOSE ARE FOLKS TRYING TO GET BEDS IN INPATIENT OR OUT PATIENT FACILITIES BUT THEY CAN'T FIND THEM IN THE PRIVATE SYSTEM.

IN THE PUBLIC SYSTEM AS WE KNOW, SO MANY OF THOSE BEDS CAN BE DELAYED FOR MONTHS OR YEARS.

DEPENDING ON THE NATURE OF AVAILABILITY.

>> I NAMED OFF LEGISLATORS OR POLICY MAKERS NOT WANTING TO APPEAR SOFT ON CRIME.

>> I THINK IT'S IS FRAMING OF WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

IN MY MIND WHAT OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS IS SOFT ON CRIME.

LOOK AT THE CLOSURE RATE FOR THE CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS FROM 2022.

FOR VIOLENT CRIMES REPORTED IN OKLAHOMA IN 2022, 64% OF THE -- I'LL REPEAT THAT.

64% OF THE VIOLENT CRIMES RECORDED IN OKLAHOMA IN 2022 WERE NOT SOLVED.

THAT'S NOT SOLVED.

THAT MEANS THAT MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO COMMITTED THE VIOLENT CRIMES ARE WALKING ON THE STREETS, FREE IN THE CLEAR AND NOT EXPERIENCING ANY CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

WE KNOW IN THE RESEARCH THAT THE BIGGEST DETERPT FOR CRIME IS SERPENT OF PUNISHMENT.

THINK ABOUT WHAT IT -- CERTAINTY OF PUNISHMENT.

PARTICULARLY IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

>> AS WITH THE GOVERNOR, I THINK I COULD TALK TO YOU FOR A SOLID HOUR.

THERE'S MORE TO ADDRESS, AND I HOPE TO AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

>> THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF -- BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND A LOT OF THE PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO WANTED TO SEE MORE CHANGES FOR THE SYSTEM.

WHERE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR THINGS LIKE CLEAN SLATE, COMPROMISES THAT MAKE IT HARD TO GET JOBS.

AND RURAL OKLAHOMA, THAT I THINK IS ABANDONED BY THE LACK OF INVESTMENT FROM LAWMAKERS.

IF THEY CARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, THERE'S WAYS TO REALLY DRIVE DOWN VIOLENCE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INSIGHT, I APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

.

>>> TWO OKLAHOMA "PIONEER PILOTS" WERE RECOGNIZED AT THE 7TH ANNUAL "OKLAHOMA WOMEN IN AVIATION AND AEROSPACE DAY" IN OKLAHOMA CITY LAST FRIDAY.

THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED BY LIEUTENANT HEATHER "LUCKY" PENNY.

LUCKY WAS THE FIRST AND ONLY WOMAN IN THE 121ST FIGHTER SQUADRON DURING HER TIME FLYING "F-16'S", WHICH INCLUDED TACTICAL SUPPORT MISSIONS OVER WASHINGTON D.C. ON 9-11.

THE EVENT ALSO HONORED RETIRED COLONEL EILEEN COLLINS AS IT'S "WOMAN OF THE YEAR".

THE FORMER TEST PILOT, IS THE FIRST FEMALE PILOT AND FIRST FEMALE COMMANDER OF A SPACE SHUTTLE MISSION.

>> WHEN I WENT THROUGH PILOT TRAINING UP IN VANCE, AS I MENTIONED BACK IN 1978, WE WERE THE FIRST WOMEN WE HAD TO GRADUATE FROM PILOT TRAINING.

WE WANTED TO BE PILOTS AND WE HAD TO GRADUATE OBVIOUSLY, SO WE COULD GET OUR WINGS AND FOLLOW OUR DREAM.

BUT THE OTHER THING THAT WAS GOING ON IS THE TEST PROGRAM FOR WOMEN IN PILOT TRAINING.

SO IF WE FAILED, IT WOULD CLOSE THE DOOR FOR FUTURE WOMEN.

SO WE WEREN'T JUST DOING IT FOR OURSELVES, BUT WE WERE DOING IT FOR THE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN TO FOLLOW US.

AND I, I GOTTA ADMIT, THEY RAN THIS TEST PROGRAM FOR ABOUT, AND MAYBE IT WAS THREE YEARS, AND THEY REALIZED, HEY, THE WOMEN ARE DOING GREAT.

THEY'RE DOING JUST LIKE THE MEN.

WE'RE GONNA STOP THE TEST PROGRAM AND WE'RE GONNA START SENDING WOMEN THROUGH PILOT TRAINING.

TREATED THE SAME WAY AS THE GUYS, THE TRAINING WAS THE SAME.

I WAS DRAWN TO, TO AVIATION IN THE MILITARY SERVICES BECAUSE MY DAD WAS A FIGHTER PILOT IN VIETNAM AND HE REMAINED A PILOT AND IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY FOR THE, HIS ENTIRE CAREER.

AND I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE ADVENTURE, WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND WITH THE PEOPLE.

IT'S REALLY, IT'S A FULFILLING CAREER.

IT'S AN EXCITING FIELD, AND IT WAS JUST SOMETHING I HAD IN MY BLOOD.

I ALWAYS ENCOURAGE YOUNG WOMEN TO CONSIDER AEROSPACE AVIATION DEFENSE, THE MILITARY SERVICE AS A, A POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE TO ME, AVIATION'S NOT ONLY EXCITING, IT'S ADVENTUROUS, IT'S FINANCIALLY REWARDING, BUT IT ALSO AVIATION TRANSFORMS US INTO WHO WE ARE MEANT TO BE BECAUSE OF HOW IT CHALLENGES US, HOW IT FORCES US TO RISE TO THE OCCASION.

WE'RE ACCOUNTABLE.

WE HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE.

>> THE EVENT WAS HELD AT THE "137TH SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD BASE" IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT": THE FIGHT TO APPOINT NEW, MUCH-NEEDED FEDERAL JUDGES FOR OKLAHOMA'S NORTHERN DISTRICT.

OKLAHOMA'S GOVERNOR AND IT'S TWO SENATORS AT ODDS CONCERNING THE TWO CANDIDATES.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE "LUMINANCE STROLL" AT "MITCH PARK" IN EDMOND.

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