.

>>> WILL THE LEGISLATURE CHANGE HOW IT DEBATES AND EVENTUALLY PASSES A STATE BUDGET?

>> MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, MYSELF INCLUDED AND OKLAHOMANS HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED AT TIMES WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUDGET PROCESS.

>>> WILL OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS VOTE TO BUILD A NEW $900 MILLION DOWNTOWN ARENA?

>> EVERYONE'S VOICE MATTERS AND THE PEOPLE WILL VOTE ON THIS AND IT SHOULD BE AND THERE SHOULD BE DISCOURSE BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS HEALTHY.

>>> OUR INDEPTH PANEL REFLECTS ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR.

>> IT WAS A TERRIFYING THOUGHT THAT ANYONE WOULD TRY TO ATTACK AMERICA AS WE KNOW.

WE'VE HAD THAT HAPPEN AGAIN, AND IT IS A POTENTIAL FOR HAPPENING EVERY DAY NOW.

>>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS PROPOSES CHANGES TO PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCREDITATION POLICIES.

>> THESE ARE CLEAR GOALS FOR THE DISTRICT TO MEET, AND IT'S ABOUT OUTCOMES AND IT GIVES 'EM SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON TO SHOW THE SUCCESS.

>>> FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS-- GREAT INFORMATION ON LANDING FREE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY.

>> STUDENTS SHOULD KNOW AS WELL THAT MORE SCHOLARSHIPS TEND TO GO LIVE RIGHT IN THESE LAST FEW MONTHS OF THE YEAR THAN IN ANY OTHER MONTH OF THE YEAR.

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

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

NEXT TUESDAY, OKLAHOMA CITY VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THE CITY SHOULD BUILD A NEW ARENA TO REPLACE THE 22-YEAR-OLD PAYCOM CENTER.

MAYOR DAVD HOLT BELIEVES IT'S NEEDED TO KEEP OKC A "MAJOR LEAGUE CITY".

CRITICS SAYS THE PRICE TAG OF $900 MILLION, OR MORE-- IS TOO STEEP.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US WITH PLENTY OF REACTION FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

STEVE?

>> RICH, THE LOUDEST OPPOSITION COMES FROM THOSE WHO SAY THUNDER OWNERSHIP SHOULD PONY UP A LOT MORE THAN $50 MILLION.OR JUST 5% OF THEIR OWN MONEY FOR THIS.

THE OTHER SIDE SAYS DO YOU WANT TO GAMBLE WITH LOSING THE TEAM?

>> LOOK, I AM A STUDENT OF -- JOHN, THUNDER BOY WONDER IS A 66-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WHO OPERATES A NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA CITY, AUTO DETAIL SHOP AND PERHAPS THE HARDEST CORE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER FAN ON THE PLANET.

HIS SHOP IS REALLY A SHRINE TO THE TEAM HE LATCHED ON TO WHEN THEY MOVED HERE FROM SEATTLE 15 YEARS AGO.

>> I SEEK OUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN TO A GAME.

IT WAS LIFE CHANGING TO ME, WHEN I WENT TO THE FIRST GAME IN 2008.

>> WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE NOT TO HAVE THE THUNDER AT ALL?

>> MAN.

TO ME, LIKE PEANUT BUTTER WITH NO JELLY.

>> IT EXPIRED SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

PAYCOM OPENED AS FORD ARENA 14 YEARS AGO, AND ONE OF THE SMALLEST VENUE IN THE NBA.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST REASON THAT THE OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR, LAST JULY PUSHED FOR A NEW ARENA IN THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS.

>> LOOK, I AM A STUDENT OF AMERICAN CITY IDENTITY AND WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT THAT AMERICAN CITIES FALL INTO TWO CATEGORIES.

THOSE WHO HAVE MAJOR LEAGUE PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS AND THOSE WHO DO NOT.

>> HOLT SAYS THE UNMISTAKEABLE TRUTH IS SINCE THE THUNDER CAME TO OKLAHOMA CITY 15 YEARS AGO.THE CITY'S POPULATION HAS GONE FROM THE 31ST LARGEST TO THE 20TH LARGEST IN AMERICA.

LAST MONTH AT A GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER FORUM.PAYCOM'S GENERAL MANAGER SAID THE ARENA IS LIMITED RIGHT NOW.

WHEN IT COMES TO HOSTING BIG EVENTS.INCLUDING CONCERTS.

BECAUSE WORKERS CAN ONLY BACK IN ONE BUS OR LARGE TRUCK AT A TIME TO DELIVER GEAR.

HE SAYS THEY NEED MUCH MORE SPACE SO THEY CAN COMPETE WITH OTHER VENUES.IN NASHVILLE, DENVER, AND TEXAS.

>> AND JUST IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO FORT WORTH TEXAS AND AUSTIN TEXAS OPENED UP BRAND NEW ARENAS AND THEY ARE ALREADY BOTH IN THE TOP TEN IN TICKET SALES IN THE WORLD.

>> RESEARCH ECONOMIST ERIC LONG SAID BUILDING A NEW $900 MILLION ARENA WOULD NOT RAISE TAXES.

IT JUST EXTENDS THE EXISTING MAPS 4 PENNY SALES TAX.WHICH HE SAID WOULD SUPPORT 10,000 JOBS BAND RESULT IN $1.3 BILLION OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

>> YOU KNOW IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE RESIDENTS IN OKLAHOMA CITY THAT ARE GOING TO GET TOGETHER AND THEY ARE GOING TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO SPEND THAT ONE PENNY ON SOMETHING SPECIAL.

DO THEY WANT A NEW ARENA?

DO THEY WANT A NICER PLACE TO GO FOR MUSIC CONCERTS THAT MAY ATTRACT NEW VENUES?

DO THEY WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE THUNDER ARE GOING TO BE AROUND FOR YEARS TO COME?

SO THAT IS REALLY A DECISION THAT IS MADE BY THE INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS.

>> RIGHT NEXT TO THAT NOVEMBER 15TH CHAMBER EVENT STOOD SEVERAL OPPONENTS OF THE PROPOSED ARENA DEAL.

>> THIS IS OVERALL THE WORST NEGOTIATED DEAL IN NBA HISTORY.

NO OTHER NBA ARENA IS PAID FOR 95% BY THE TAXPAYERS.

THE CLOSEST OTHER ONES THE OWNERS AT LEAST PAID 30% OR 50%.

NO NOBODY ELSE IN AMERICA IS PAYING 95% FOR THIS.

>> IT'S A GROUP THAT INCLUDED TWO OU ECONOMICS PROFESSORS.INCLUDING GREG BURGE WHO SAYS HE REALLY WANTS THE THUNDER TO STAY.

>> THE TRUE POWER TO BRING ECONOMIC GROWTH TO OKLAHOMA CITY LIES IN GETTING A BETTER DEAL.

NOT PANICKING AND RUSHING TO JUDGEMENT AND ADOPTING WHAT IS REALLY A BUM DEAL FOR OKLAHOMA CITY.

IF THE OWNERSHIP GROUP WAS PUTTING IN MORE REAL RESOURCES, THAT LEAVES FOR OKLAHOMA CITY TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PAY SCHOOL TEACHERS, PROVIDE BETTER HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.AND FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY COUNCILWOMAN JOBETH HAMMON IS ALSO AGAINST THE DEAL.

SHE SAYS THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS OPENED A NEW NBA ARENA FOUR YEARS AGO.USING A LOT MORE PRIVATE MONEY THAN JUST 5%.

SHE ALSO QUESTIONS WHETHER THE THUNDER ARE REALLY A THREAT TO LEAVE.

>> UM NOT REALLY AND PART OF THAT IS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN OFFERED ANY REAL EVIDENCE PROVIDED WHEN WE HAD THE VOTE BACK IN AUGUST.

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE?

YEAH THE CITY COUNCIL VOTE TO SEND IT TO AN ELECTION.

I SPECIFICALLY ASKED, YOU KNOW HAVE WE DONE ANY MARKET STUDIES, COMPARISONS OF WHO ARE THESE OTHER PLACES THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN BUYING THE TEAM?

BUT THE OTHER PIECE TO THAT FOR ME IS THAT THE NBA HAS STATED THEY DON'T WANT TEAMS MOVING AROUND.

>> THUNDER GENERAL MANAGER SAM PRESTI SAYS HE'LL RESPECT THE PROCESS.

>> EVERYONE'S VOICE MATTERS AND THE PEOPLE WILL VOTE ON THIS AND IT SHOULD BE AND THERE SHOULD BE DISCOURSE BECAUSE I THINK THAT IS HEALTHY.

AND WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE IF SOMEBODY HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION THAN YOU THEN YOU MUST ASSUME THAT UM YOU DISAGREE WITH THEM ON EVERYTHING.

AND THEY ARE WRONG.

IN REALITY THE DISCOURSE IS WHAT MAKES THINGS HEALTHY.

>> THUNDER SUPERSTAR SHAY GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER JUST WANTS TO "BALL."

>> OBVIOUSLY AS LONG AS THE BALL GETS TOSSED UP AND WE GET OUR FIVE VERSUS THEIR FIVE I'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

SO YEAH I HAVE NO COMMENTS ON THAT.

>> ALL DAY EVERY DAY IT'S THE SAME WAY.

THUNDER GOT THE BEST FANS IN THE NBA!

>> HOW'S IS THIS GOING TO GO ON THE 12TH?

I THINK IT'S GONNA GO SMOOTH.

IT'S GONNA GO THE WAY IT'S GONNA GO.

BECAUSE THE THING ABOUT IT IS IF IT DON'T GO, THEN FORGET ABOUT THE LOGO."

>> WE HAVE TO START GROWING WITHOUT KNOWING.

WELL THAT'S GOOD.

JUST KEEPING IT REAL IN THE FIELD!

>> YES, FOLKS, HE IS THAT GUY.

BY THE WAY.EARLY VOTING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.AT THE FOUR COUNTY ELECTION BOARDS.THROUGH SATURDAY.FOR REGISTERED OKLAHOMA CITY VOTERS ONLY.

THE IN PERSON POLLS WILL OPEN TUESDAY AT 7 A.M. AND THEY WILL CLOSE AT 7 P.M. AND IF YOU DON'T VOTE, THAT'S ON YOU.

RICH.

>>> WE NOW KNOW WHO IS GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT FOR OKLAHOMA'S PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES ON MARCH 5, 2024.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER WAS WEDNESDAY.

EIGHT REPUBLICANS PAID THEIR $5,000 FILING FEE, LEAD BY FRONTRUNNER DONALD TRUMP AND HIS CLOSEST CHALLENGERS NIKKI HALEY AND RON DESANTIS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN WILL BE JOINED BY FOUR OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, INCLUDING MARIANNE WILLIAMSON, WHO ALSO RAN IN 2020.

THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY WILL FIELD TWO CANDIDATES IN OKLAHOMA--- AND KEEP IN MIND, THERE IS NOT AN "INDEPENDENT" PRIMARY IN OKLAHOMA-- BUT, IT'S EXPECTED ROBERT KENNEDY JR WILL BE ON THE PRESIDENTIAL BALLOT NEXT NOVEMBER.

>>> WHEN GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT CALLED FOR A "SPECIAL SESSION" OF THE LEGISLATURE LAST FALL, HE DEMANDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS-- THAT LAWMAKERS REFORM THE WAY THEY NEGOTIATE THE BUDGET TO PROVIDE MORE TRANSPARENCY AND TIME TO CONSIDER THE LEGISLATION BEFORE VOTING ON IT.

THAT SPECIAL SESSION ENDED WITHOUT LAWMAKERS TAKING ACTION.

BUT, NOW, THAT MAY BE CHANGING.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

JASON?

>> RICH, WHILE GOVERNOR STITT HAS CALLED FOR TRANPARENCY.THE LEADER OF THE OKLAHOMA SENATE HAS BEEN WORKING ON A PLAN TO DO JUST THAT FOR MONTHS BEFORE THAT SPECIAL SESSION WAS CALLED.

AND NOW THAT PLAN IS BEING PUT INTO ACTION.

>> I THINK IT'LL USHER IN A NEW LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> BEFORE THE SPECIAL SESSION BROKE UP IN OCTOBER, PROMISED A NEW WAY FORWARD.

HE'S BEEN WORKING TO A NEW PROCESS, RANKING -- AND PROVIDING MORE OPENNESS.

>> MANY OF MY COLLEAGUES, MYSELF INCLUDED AND OKLAHOMAENS HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED AT TIME WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUDGET PROCESS.

>> THE GOVERNOR ASKED FOR 72 HOURS TO REVIEW THE BUDGET BILLS BEFORE A VOTE WAS TAKEN.

AND THE NEW BUDGET PROCESS DOESN'T DO THAT, HE APPROVES THE MOVE.

>> WE HAVE TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT, AND OKLAHOMAENS DESERVE TO KNOW HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT.

LEGISLATORS NEED TIME TO REVIEW THE BUDGET BEFORE THEY VOTE ON IT.

I HOPE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THAT THIS SESSION.

THAT PROCESS BEGAN THIS WEEK WITH BUDGET HEARINGS IN THE SENATE, THAT'S BECOME ROUTINE AHEAD OF THE REGULAR SESSION IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

THEY PLAN TO HOLD THE BUDGET HEARINGS THROUGHOUT DECEMBER AND JANUARY.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS TIME, EACH SENATE SUB COMMITTEE WILL KNOW HOW MUCH OF THE ESTIMATED BUDGET THEY'LL BE ABLE TO CRAFT.

>> MORE OF THE EQUALIZATION NUMBERS IN DECEMBER WHICH THE GOVERNOR WILL BASE HIS BUDGET OFF OF.

WE'LL HAVE THE CHAIRMAN OF APPROPRIATIONS DELEGATE OUT, A PERCENTAGE OF EACH SUB COMMITTEE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEYS THEY'LL HAVE TO SPEND THIS YEAR.

>> HOW MUCH REVENUE THE STATE COLLECTS TO BE APPROPRIATED BY THE LAWMAKERS.

IT'LL BE WITH THE ESTIMATE IN DECEMBER, AND FINALIZED IN FEBRUARY.

>> THE SUBCOMMITTEES WILL CONTROL THE BUDGET OF EACH OF THE AGENCIES UNDER THEIR PER VIEW, AND THEN GO BEFORE THE FULL APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND ADVOCATE FOR A BUDGET ON WEDNESDAY, WE'LL HAVE THE ENTIRE DAY, EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT SESSION DEDICATED TO BUDGET.

YOU'LL NO LONGER SEE A DUE PATH SECOND AS SOON AS SOMEONE INTRODUCES A BILL IN APPROPRIATIONS.

YOU'LL SEE A THOROUGH VETTING OF IT.

>> THE INPUT ON THE BUDGET.

>> CULMINATING IN A RESOLUTION BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE, STATING POSITION IN A PUBLIC MANNER WHAT THE SENATE BUDGET PROPOSAL WILL BE.

WE'LL TAKE A VOTE ON THE FLOOR, A SIMPLE SENATE RESOLUTION WITH THE SPREAD SHEET CONTAINED WITHIN, THAT'LL SHOW THE -- FOR THE BUDGET AND LEGISLATION.

>> ONCE THE POSITION IS PASSED, THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE HOUSE WILL BEGIN.

>> THROUGHOUT NEGOTIATIONS, WHEN THE HOUSE COUNTER PROPOSES WHATEVER WE PUT OUT, WE'LL BRING THAT BACK IN AN OPEN MEETING OF THE APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE.

OBVIOUSLY IN THE LAST WANING HOURS OF SESSION, IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT GOES ON, WE'LL TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING GOES IN AN OPEN MEETING.

REGARDLESS OF THE ORIGIN.

>> ALSO SIGNALLED APPROVAL FROM THE SENATE DEMOCRATS FOR THE NEW PROCESS SAYING IN A STATEMENT, I AM PLEASED THAT SENATE LEADERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THE NECESSITY OF A TRANSPARENT BUDGET PROCESS.

THE OKLAHOMAENS DESERVE A CLEAR EXPLANATION OF WHERE THE TAX DOLLARS ARE GOING AND WHY.

THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE FOR FAR TOO LONG.

THOSE SITTING ON THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, GOT BUSY THIS WEEK.

STARTING WITH GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TRANSPORTATION.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST OF MEETINGS RELATED TO THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AND TRANSPORTATION, WE'LL BE BY THE END OF THE WEEK, WE'LL HAVE HAD NINE OF THE DIFFERENT 11 AGENCIES THAT COMES THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR COMMITTEE.

>> THREE SENATORS WERE IN THE ROOM WITH AT LEAST ONE ONLINE, FOR THIS PART OF THE INITIAL HEARING ON TUESDAY MORNING.

FIRST UP, THEY HEARD FROM THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE AND AERONAUTICS.

>> THOSE ARE THE OPERATING REQUESTS, UP TO $4 MILLION WHERE WE WERE LAST YEAR.

>> THE OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION PITCHED ITS BUDGET PROPOSAL ON TUESDAY.

>> THAT'S A RESULT OF US AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY, INCREASING THE EFFICIENCY WHERE WE'RE SIMPLY TRYING TO SAY I WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING TO YOU, AND SAYING, YEAH, I STILL NEED $32.7 MILLION.

>> THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HOMELAND SECURITY, THIS COMES AS LAST YEAR OKLAHOMA HAD THE THIRD MOST FEDERALLY DECLARED DISASTERS IN THE NATION.

>> AS FAR AS BUDGET REQUESTS, NO INCREASE REQUESTED FOR THIS YEAR.

PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD, LOOKING FOR THE SAME DOLLAR FIGURE AS LAST YEAR.

>> THE AGENCY IS ABLE TO REQUEST A FLAT BUDGET, DUE TO THE COST, AGENCY WORKERS.

THESE HEARINGS ARE CRUCIAL TO FORMING THE NEXT STATE BUDGET.

>> THE LAST SESSION LEFT A SOUR TASTE IN A LOT OF MEMBER'S MOUTHS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN THE END OF THE BUDGET.

WE WERE SO FOCUSED ON SCHOOL CHOICE AND OTHER MATTERS THAT THE BUDGET STUFF CREPT UP ON MANY MEMBERS AND THE DESIRE IN THE CAUCUS TO MAKE IT MUCH MORE OPEN FROM THE START.

WE'LL HAVE TRUE BUDGET HEARINGS, NOT JUST CHECK THE BOX BUDGET HEARINGS.

>> >> THE HOUSE WILL BEGIN ITS BUDGET HEARINGS NEXT WEEK.

THE RUBBER WILL HIT THE ROAD WHEN THE NEXT SESSION BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 5, 2024.WITH THE CUSTOMARY STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS BY THE GOVERNOR.

RICH.

>>> IT'S BEEN 82 YEARS SINCE THE JAPANESE ATTACKED PEARL HARBOR AND KILLED MORE THAN 2400 SERVICE MEMBERS AND CIVILIANS.

TO COMMEMORATE THE DECEMBER 7 ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK, WE'RE DEVOTING OUR UPCOMING "INDEPTH" SEGMENT.

TO A DISCUSSION OF BOTH THE "DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY"-- AND WHERE OUR MILITARY CAPABILITIES AND READINESS STAND TODAY AS WE FACE THREATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

>> NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE FBI WHO SAID, WE SEE LITTLE RED LIGHTS GOING OFF EVERYWHERE TODAY.

IT'S RUSSIA IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER UKRAINE.

WHO WILL BE NEXT FOR THEM?

THAT'S HOW WORLD WAR II REALLY GOT STARTED WITH THE GERMANS.

HOW, WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ISRAEL AND, AND THEY'RE, THEY'RE WORKING AGAINST TERRORISTS, BUT IT MEANS THAT THE ENTIRE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AROUND THEM ARE ALL UP IN ARMS AND GOING LIKE, THEY CAN'T ATTACK THE PALESTINIANS.

SO IT'S ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

>> THE PLAYERS ARE MORE VOLATILE.

THEY HAVE, THEY'VE BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS FOR SO MANY YEARS AND THEY'VE, THEY, WHILE WE HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF TRAINING AND LOGISTICS, PROBABLY LOGISTICS WHERE WE ARE SO SUPERIOR, BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO MATCH US IN EVERY WAY.

YOU NAME ANY COUNTRY, CHINA, RUSSIA, ANY OF THE IRAN, ANY OF THE OPPONENTS THAT WOULD LOOK TO US THERE, THEY LOOK AT WHAT WE DO AND TRY TO IMITATE OR SURPASS US.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD HAS A NEW GENERAL.

OVER THE WEEKEND, BRIGADIER-GENERAL CHRISTOPHER EASON RECEIVED HIS STAR.

BECOMING AN "ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL" FOR THE OKLAHOMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

EASON WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COMBAT READINESS AND OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS FOR ALL OKLAHOMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD UNITS.

A GRADUATE OF THE OU SCHOOL OF LAW, EASON JOINED THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD AS A "JAG" OFFICER IN 2014 AFTER SERVING IN THE U.S. AIR FORCE SINCE 2004.

>>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WANTS TO CHANGE THE CRITERIA FOR HOW OKLAHOMA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS RECEIVE ACCREDITATION.

HE RELEASED SOME DETAILS OF HIS PLAN AT A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING LAST WEEK.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH A CLOSER LOOK.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, BASED ON THE MOST RECENT TEST SCORES, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS' PROPOSED REGULATIONS COULD PUT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS' ACCREDITATION AT RISK OF DEFICIENCIES.

ACCREDITATION WAS AT THE FOREFRONT AGAIN AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD EDUCATION MEETING.

SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS WHO SITS ON THE BOOKERSED TOLD HIS -- BOARD, TOLD HIS BOARD HE PLANS TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE PLAN.

>> THREE MONTHS AGO, WE STARTED GETTING OUR TEAM TO DRAFT WHAT A POTENTIAL RULE COULD BE TO ADD THOSE IN.

A REMINDER ABOUT ACCREDITATION.

IN OKLAHOMA STATE STATUTE, IT SAYS THE STANDARDS, QUOTE, SHOULD EXCEED OR BE EQUAL TO STANDARDS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH ACADEMIC RESULT ORIENTED APPROACH.

CURRENTLY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING REGARDING ACADEMICS IN THE STANDARDS.

>> IT'S MORE THAN 50% OF THE DISTRICT'S STUDENTS PERFORMED BELOW GRADE LEVEL.

IN LANGUAGE ARTS OR MATH ON STATE ASSESSMENT THAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS WOULD RECEIVE A DEFICIENCY.

IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT RECEIVED 50% THE FOLLOWING YEAR, THE DEFICIENIES WOULD BE REMOVED.

>> IF YOU DON'T MAKE IT BACK UP TO 50%, BUT GROW 5%, YOU'RE STILL AT THAT LEVEL.

YOU STILL HAVE A DEFICIENCY, AND THEN YOU MOVE DOWN TO THE PROBATION WARNING STATUS.

YOU CONTINUE TO MOVE DOWN, UNLESS YOU SEE A 5% GROWTH.

IT GIVES THE OUTCOME, RESULTS ORIENTED.

>> EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE OKLAHOMA -- RELEASED THE STATEWIDE REPORT CARD.

IT SHOWED RESULTS FROM TESTING IN SPRING OF 2023.

STUDENTS ARE STILL STRUGGLING IN MATH AND SCIENCE.

HE SAYS THAT STUDENTS THAT SCORE AT THE BASIC LEVEL, DEMONSTRATE PARTIAL MASTERY.

>> THE BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE LEVEL YOU'RE ON, YOU'RE PROBABLY CLOSE TO THE ABILITY OF SOUNDING OUT THE WORDS AND ABLE TO FIGURE OUT SOME CONTEXT WITH THE WORD.

BUT GETTING THE LEVEL OF FULL COMPREHENSION IS MORE MEASURED IN THE PROFICIENCY LEVEL.

>> THE TWO LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE, THE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT BOTH HAD SCHOOLS THAT RECEIVED F IN THE OVERALL GRADE.

63% WERE BELOW AND ONLY 8% SCORED PROFICIENT.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PERFORMED THE SAME.

26% OF THE STUDENTS MEASURED BASIC IN MATH.

65% BELOW BASIC, AND 8% SCORED PROFICIENT.

SINCE RECEIVING THE ACCREDITATION EFFICIENCY IN AUGUST, THE DISTRICT IS WORKING TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES.

>> WE'RE DOING SPECIFIC TARGETED WORK.

IN ADDITION TO ALL THE WORK WE'RE DOING NOW, TO GET THE STUDENTS READY FOR WHEN THEY SIT DOWN IN APRIL AND TAKE THEIR ASSESSMENT.

>> IT'S CLEAR GOALS TO ME, AND IT'S ABOUT OUTCOMES.

IT GIVES THEM SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON AND SHOW SUCCESS.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS A LACK OF CLARITY ON THE END OF GOAL.

PROCESSES AND PROCEDURE IS OBVIOUSLY AN IMPORTANT PART OF IMPROVEMENT BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE END GOAL IN MIND.

>> THE PRESIDENT VOICED HER CONCERNS OF HOW THE CHANGE WOULD IMPACT THE SCHOOLS.

WE HAD DEEP CONCERNS WITH THE PROPOSED ACCREDITATION RULE CHANGES.

THE SUPERINTENDENT CITED USED IN THE PAST, TO PROVIDE THE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IN DESPERATE NEED OF IT.

BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT WANTS TO WEAPONIZE IT AGAINST THE HARD WORKING ADMINISTRATORS AND STUDENTS.

ADDITIONALLY, THIS SAME BOARD HAS RECENTLY VOTED TO DECREASE THE STATE EDUCATION BUDGET BY NEARLY $50 MILLION.

CUTTING FURTHER RESOURCES THAT COULD BE USED TO HELP THE STUDENTS.

THE ACTIONS TAKEN TODAY ARE A RESULT OF THE BOARD THAT LACK ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE'VE GIVEN THEM THE ABILITY TO SHOW GROWTH FOR THE GOAL, AND THE REALITY OF WHEN THE SCHOOLS HIT THE DEFICIENCY, MADE AVAILABLE RESOURCES, THE SCHOOL SUPPORT TEAM, THE AVAILABLE GRANTS, A SCHOOL SUPPORT TEAM TO ALLOW THEM TO DEVELOP TRAINING, LOOKING AT THE REMEDIATION THEY'RE PROVIDING FOR EVERY STUDENT WHO FALLS BEHIND.

>> HOW THE SCHOOL PERFORMED, THE REPORT CARDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR REVIEW.

>> WE HAVE TO DO THINGS DIFFERENT IN EDUCATION.

>> BEFORE THESE CHANGES BECOME OFFICIAL THE PROPOSAL MUST GO THROUGH A PERIOD OF PUBLIC COMMENTS AND BE APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD AND THE LEGISLATURE.

RICH?

>>> THIS IS COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON- MOST DEADLINES ARE IN JANUARY AND WITH THE COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION CONTINUING TO SKYROCKET-- APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIP MONEY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER..TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT EFFECTIVELY-- I SPOKE WITH "DRAWER" LIEBENTHAL, WITH BOLD.ORG.

THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF BOLD.ORG.

EXPLAIN WHAT THE COMPANY DOES.

>> IT'S A PLATFORM WHERE ANYONE CAN CREATE A SCHOLARSHIP IN MINUTES.

THE INFORMATION GOES TO THE RECIPIENT, AND WE AWARD MANY THOUSANDS OF SCHOLARSHIPS ON THE PLATFORM EACH YEAR.

AND THAT'S ACROSS INDIVIDUALS LOOKING TO SUPPORT A CAUSE OR THE STUDENTS THEY CARE ABOUT MOST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMPANIES LOOKING TO INCORPORATE A SCHOLARSHIP IN GIVING BACK TO THEIR CORPORATE MISSION.

>> THE STUDENT WHO SEEKS YOU OUT, IS THERE A COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT?

>> NO, BOLD.ORG IS FREE FOR STUDENTS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

WE HAVE MANY NEW SCHOLARSHIPS TODAY, AND WE ARE WORKING TO ADD MORE RESOURCES TO THE PLATFORM.

AND AGAIN FREE FOR STUDENTS AND ALWAYS WILL BE.

>> I'M A STUDENT, I'M APPLIED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS WHETHER IT'S THROUGH THE COMPANY OR IN GENERAL, WHAT ARE THE GREAT TIPS THAT STUDENT SHOULD KNOW BEFORE THEY BEGIN THE PROCESS.

>> STUDENTS, YOU KNOW AS WELL, MORE SCHOLARSHIPS GO LIVE RIGHT IN THESE LAST FEW MONTHS OF THE YEAR.

THINKING ABOUT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PANEL, THEY LOVE SEEING A SCHOLARSHIP PUBLISHED AND AN AMAZING APPLICATION GETTING SMILTED WITHIN -- SUBMITTED WITHIN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

I THINK THE POINT IS THAT STUDENTS OFTEN WAIT UNTIL THEIR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL OR RIGHT BEFORE STARTING COLLEGE TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.

THEY CAN ACTUALLY GET SCATTERED EARLIER.

WE -- STARTED EARLIER.

GREAT, THIS IS WAITING FOR YOU, AS SOON AS YOU DECIDE THE COLLEGE YOU'RE GOING TO.

YOU CAN GET STARTED EARLIER.

>> GIVE ME ONE GREAT TIP A STUDENT MIGHT THINK ABOUT WHEN THEY FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

>> SHARE YOUR STORY IN A WAY THAT'LL RESONATE WITH THE COMMISSION PURPOSE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP.

THERE'S A LOT TO FIND ABOUT THE BACKGROUND OF WHO THE ORGANIZATION IS, AND WHETHER IT'S A COMPANY OR AN INDIVIDUAL.

AND WHY THEY CREATED THIS SCHOLARSHIP.

AND THE RECENT -- IN THE APPLICATION, AND APPLY IT TO SCHOLARSHIPS THAT ARE A FULL FIT FOR YOU, ARE 100 TIMES HIGHER THAN THE STUDENTS TEND TO MOVE QUICKLY AND APPLY TO -- MORE BROADLY OPEN SCHOLARSHIPS JIESHG GIVEN THAT, THE CRITERIA VARIES FROM PERSON TO PERSON, AND COMPANY TO COMPANY.

>> WE ACTUALLY ARE ABLE TO WORK WITH STUDENTS, WHEN YOU JOIN THE PLATFORM WE'LL MATCH YOU EXCLUSIVELY TO SCHOLARSHIPS.

WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE, YOU'LL BUILD A PROFILE AND BASED ON THE CHARACTERS OF WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO SCHOOL, THE GPA, THE MAJOR YOU'RE STUDYING.

TO FOCUS ON, WE'LL MATCH YOU TO SCHOLARSHIPS WITH THE TYPES OF DONORS THAT YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR, BUT VERY FEW OTHER PEOPLE ARE.

>> I HAVE A QUESTION, SOME COLLEGES ARE CHARGING UP TO SIX FIGURES EACH YEAR FOR TUITION.

DOES THAT MAKE THE COMPETITION MORE INTENSE THESE DAYS?

>> NEARLY ALL OF THE DONORS ARE INBOUND.

THEY COME TO US, I WANT TO CREATE A SCHOLARSHIP, HOW DO I DO THAT.

AND WE GUIDE THEM THROUGH THAT.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, SCHOOL IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

STUDENTS NEED TO BE THOUGHTFUL EARLY ON, WHAT CHOICES THEY'LL MAKE AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOUR YEARS FROM NOW.

>> TREMENDOUS GOOD INFORMATION, THANKS FOR THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO JOIN AND APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>>> A "HELPING HAND" FOR WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT STORY TOPS OUR STATE-WIDE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW" WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> OKLAHOMA BASED BUSINESS ACCELERATOR STITCHCREW HAS RECEIVED A $65,000 GRANT FROM GOOGLE TO HELP BUILD A MORE INCLUSIVE ECONOMY THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

STITCHCREW DEVELOPS PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS TO CONNECT TRADITIONALLY OVERLOOKED ENTREPRENEURS WITH CAPITAL, NETWORK, AND RESOURCES.

THE GOOGLE GRANT MONEY WILL BE USED TO SUPPORT FOUR INTIATIVES TO HELP WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS OVERCOME BARRIERS TO GROWING THEIR BUSINESS.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA'S PRICE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS IS LAUNCHING AN UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM FOCUSED ON THE BUSINESS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THE PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY.

IT WILL BE OPEN TO ALL OU STUDENTS NO MATTER WHAT DEGREE THEY ARE PERSUING.

TULSA BASED VENTURE CAPITAL FUND, EIC ROSE ROCK IS PUTTING $8 MILLION TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT OF FLUID EFFICIENCY.

THE COMPANY IS COMMERCIALIZING POLYMER MATERIALS WHICH REDUCE THE ENERGY REQUIRED TO PUMP FLUIDS THROUGH PIPELINES ACROSS LONG DISTANCES.

EIC ROSE ROCK IS WORKING WITH PIPELINE COMPANY ONEOK TO DEPLOY THE NEW TECHNOLOGY WHICH WAS DEVELOPED BY THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY.

THE FUND ALSO ACCEPTED FLUID EFFICIENCY INTO ITS ROSE ROCK BRIDGE PROGRAM AND HAVE AWARDED THE FLEDGLING COMPANY A 100-THOUSAND DOLLAR GRANT TO HELP BUILD MANUFACTURING FACILITIES IN TULSA.

OKLAHOMA CITY HR SOFTWARE COMPANY PAYCOM LAUNCHED A NEW APP THIS WEEK CALLED GONE.

IT AUTOMATES THE TIME-OFF DECISIONS TO BE FIT SCHEDULING NEEDS.

THE SOFTWARE WILL ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO REQUEST TIME OFF.THE GONE APPLICATION WILL THEN CHECK ON STAFFING LEVELS, EMPLOYEE SENIORITY, AVAILABLE LEAVE, AND OTHER FACTORS PROVIDING AN APPROVAL OR DENIAL MORE QUICKLY.

OGE ENERGY CORP WILL BE PAYING OUT A DIVIDEND TO ITS INVESTORS NEXT MONTH.

THE PARENT COMPANY OF ELECTRIC UTILITY OG&E WILL PAY A NEARLY 42 CENTS A SHARE DIVIDEND ON JANUARY 26.

INVESTORS WILL NEED TO BE ON RECORD OF OWNING THE STOCK BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JANUARY 8.

GASBUDDY SAYS OKLAHOMA CITY IS HOME TO THE 10TH MOST AGGRESSIVE HOLIDAY DRIVERS IN THE NATION.

THE COMPANY DOES A YEARLY STUDY OF DRIVING HABITS AND FOUND THAT DURING THE HOLIDAYS U.S.

DRIVERS TEND TO BECOME 48% MORE AGGRESSIVE.

OUT OF THE TOP 50 METROS, TUCSON, ARIZONA HAS THE MOST AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS.

THE TOP CITY WITH THE LEAST AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS IS MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

GAS BUDDY FOUND THE TOP THREE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING HABITS ARE HARD BRAKING, SPEEDING, AND RAPID ACCELERATION.

>>> IN THE LAST 82 YEARS, AMERICANS HAVE FACED TWO SURPRISE ATTACKS ON HOME SOIL THAT FOREVER CHANGED OUR NATION-- THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR IN 1941 AND THE TERROR ATTACKS ON 9-11 IN 2001.

COULD IT EVER HAPPEN AGAIN?

AS WE COMMEMORATE THE DECEMBER 7 ANNIVERSARY OF PEARL HARBOR.

WE GATHERED TOGETHER A MILITARY PANEL TO DISCUSS THAT WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> THANKS.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY MAJOR -- WHO'S A RETIRED NATIONAL GUARD MEMBER AND A FORMER GENERAL OFFICER AND COMMANDER OF THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD.

AND MIKE BECKETT.

MIKE SERVES ON THE BOARD FOR THE OKLAHOMA HERITAGE FOUNDATION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LET'S GET STARTED.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST MEMORIAL ON THE ATTACK OF PEARL HARBOR.

>> THAT WAS A BIT BEFORE MY TIME.

I KNOW I LOOK ANCIENT AS DAYS.

THE FIRST THING I KNEW ABOUT THE ATTACK WOULD HAVE BEEN IN HISTORY CLASSES WHEN I WAS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH.

IT WAS A TERRIFYING IDEA THAT SOMEONE WOULD ATTACK AMERICA.

WE'VE NEVER HAD ANYONE ATTACK US ON OUR SOIL AND HAWAII WAS OUR SOIL.

IT WAS A TERRIFYING THOUGHT.

THAT ANYONE WOULD TRY TO ATTACK AMERICA.

AND IT'S HAPPENED AGAIN, AND IT'S -- IT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> I GREW UP IN A BIG FAMILY, AND BOTH MY MOM AND DAD LIVED THROUGH THAT.

AS I GREW UP, THE STORIES OF -- BOTH OF THEM KNEW EXACTLY WHERE THEY WERE.

AND WE HEARD THE STORIES OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

EVERY DECEMBER 7, THEY WOULD TALK ABOUT IT.

I WAS KIND OF LIKE, GREW UP IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF IT.

SHAPED THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

>> WHAT ARE THE STORIES THAT YOUR PARENTS WOULD TELL YOU ABOUT?

>> DAD WENT UP TO JEFFERSON BARRACKS, AND YOU SIGN PAPER WORK TO BE INDUCTED LATER.

THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE WANTING TO GET IN THAT DAY.

I HAVE A PICTURE OF HIS DRAFT CARD, THE CARD THAT HE FILLED OUT, DATED 7 OF DECEMBER, 1941.

THEY WERE REALLY POOR PEOPLE.

JUST GETTING UP TO ST. LOUIS WAS A STRUGGLE.

TO DO THAT.

>> THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR MOTIVATED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY.

>> EXACTLY.

>> SAME THING WITH THE TOWERS.

PEOPLE JOINED THE MILITARY BY THE THOUSANDS.

THEY WANTED TO GO AFTER THE GUYS WHO ATTACKED AMERICA.

>> MIKE, DO YOU THINK THAT AMERICANS STILL APPRECIATE THE HISTORY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PEARL HARBOR ON THE HISTORY?

>> IT DEPENDS ON PEOPLE.

DIFFERENT FAMILIES AND STUFF.

I VOLUNTEER EVERY FRIDAY AT THE MUSEUM, AND WHEN YOU TALK TO KIDS, SOME KNOW EVERYTHING, AND SOME KNOW NOTHING.

WHO'S HITLER?

AND HOW DID THEY GET TO TENTH GRADE AND NOT KNOW WHO HITLER IS?

AND THEN AGAIN, THERE'S OTHER KIDS WHO'LL RECITE ALL KINDS OF DETAILS.

IT'S A FAMILY ORIENTED THING.

>> I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE CONFLICTS THAT YOU MENTIONED EARLIER.

WHAT IS THE UNITED STATES FACING RIGHT NOW?

>> WE HAD A REPORT, YESTERDAY.

RUSSIA IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER UKRAINE, THAT'S NEXT FOR THEM.

THAT'S HOW WORLD WAR TWO REALLY GOT STARTED, WITH THE GERMANS.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ISRAEL, THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE TERRORISTS, BUT THE ENTIRE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AROUND THEM ARE UP IN ARMS, AND GO TO WORK THEY CAN'T ATTACK THE PALESTINIANS.

IT'S ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

AND PEOPLE ASK, HOW COULD HAMAS ATTACK ISRAEL AND THEM NOT KNOW ABOUT IT?

>> WELL, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO GIVE UP YOUR LIFE, TO ATTACK SOMETHING, IT'S HARD TO STOP.

AND PARTICULARLY IF SOMEONE IS GETTING ON A MOTORCYCLE AND RIDING IN WITH -- IT'S HARD TO PUT UP A PENETRATION TO STOP THAT.

IT'S ALL AROUND US AND THE WORLD.

88 NATIONS OF THE WORLD WITH THE MILITARY, TRYING TO BE PROGRESSIVE AND PROACTIVE.

KNOWING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

OUR MILITARY IS THE ONLY THING STANDING BETWEEN US AND CHAOS.

>> IF THE ATTACK WERE TO OCCUR ON HOME SOIL, WOULD THE MILITARY BE READY FOR THAT?

>> THE UNITED STATES MILITARY IS THE MOST ACTIVE AND ENGAGED MILITARY IN THE WORLD.

WE ANTICIPATE THE TYPES OF WARS WE HAVE THE FIGHT.

AND WE TRAIN OUR PEOPLE TO DO THAT.

SO, YES, WE WOULD BE READY.

DOESN'T MEAN WE WOULDN'T SUFFER.

YOU NEVER KNOW HOW IT'LL COME AT YOU, AND YOU MUST BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING.

>> HOW ARE THE WAYS THAT THE MILITARY IN OKLAHOMA IS KEEPING THE MILITARY MEMBERS PREPARED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> WE HAVE AN INTERNATIONAL GUARD UNIT.

THEY PRACTICE FLYING F-16'S.

TO EXECUTE WHATEVER MISSIONS, IT'S CONGRESS THAT TELLS US WHEN TO GO TO WAR, NOT THE PRESIDENT.

IT'S A TRAINING THAT YOU HAVE TO ANTICIPATE, WHAT THE WAR CAPABILITIES ARE OF THE OTHER NATIONS.

TO BE TRUTHFUL, WE'RE THE BEST TRAINED IN THE WORLD.

I THINK IF WE HAD SOMEONE AGAIN, ATTACK US ON OUR OWN SOIL, THERE'S NO LIMIT TO WHAT THE UNITED STATES WOULD DO.

AND THE NATIONAL GUARD IS ALSO TRAINED RIGHT ALONGSIDE THE ACTIVE DUTY WE'RE ABLE TO GO TO WAR AND BE EQUAL PARTNERS WITH THEM.

>> MIKE, WOULD YOU SEE THE WORLD IS AS OR MORE DANGEROUS THAN IN 1941.

>> MORE DANGEROUS.

>> CAN YOU TELL ME WHY?

>> THE PLAYERS ARE MORE VOLATILE.

THEY'VE BEEN ENGAGED IN THIS FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WE HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF TRAINING AND LOGISTICS, PROBABLY THAT'S WHERE SO SUPERIOR.

BUT THEY'RE TRYING TO MATCH US IN EVERY WAY.

NAME ANY COUNTRY, CHINA, RUSSIA, ANY OF THE -- IRAN, ANY OF THE OPPONENTS THAT WOULD LOOK TO US.

THEY LOOK AT WHAT WE DO, AND TRY TO IMITATE OR SURPASS US.

>> STEAL OUR TECHNOLOGY.

THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT THAT.

>> YEP.

>> LOOK AT THE AIRCRAFT IN THE RUSSIAN ARSONAL, IT LOOKS JUST LIKE US.

CHINA CAN REPRODUCE ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE.

ALL THEY HAVE TODAY IS GET A -- TO DO IS GET A PICTURE OF IT.

OUR COUNTRY IS SO OPEN.

OF THE CAPABILIIES AND OUR INTENT.

WE NEVER WANT TO TRY TO START A WAR.

>> CHINA CONTINUES TO BUILD UP ITS MILITARY, IS THE UNITED STATES KEEPING PACE?

IF NOT, DOES THAT CONCERN YOU?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE NAVAL SIDE.

I WAS AN AUDITOR FOR THE SXAERM AIR GUARD FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

WHAT'S GOING ON IN UKRAINE, WHERE'S RUSSIA THE WORST AT?

LOGISTICS.

WHAT I SEE IS OUR SYSTEMS ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD.

>> BUT YOU CAN'T REPLENISH THIS FORCES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LOGISTICAL SYSTEM.

ACTUALLY, THAT'S WHAT TINKER'S MAIN STAY IS, LOGISTICS.

THAT'S WHERE WE LITERALLY TRAIN SO MANY PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO MOVE THROUGH MOVE EQUIPMENT, PEOPLE, ASSETS, SUPPLIES, FORD IN ANY COMBAT SITUATION.

MIKE IS RIGHT.

THAT'S WHERE WE SHINE.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM GET BOGGED DOWN.

>> IT'S NOT JUST EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE HERE, IT'S HOW WE STORE IT AND GET IT TO THE FRONT.

IT'S NOT THE MATERIAL ONLY, IT'S THE SYSTEM THAT MOVES FROM IT PLACE TO PLACE.

THEY WERE ALL COMING TO OKLAHOMA, BUT NOT GOING BACK OUT.

IT WAS LOGISTICS MISTAKE IN THE PROGRAM.

>> SOMETHING SO SMALL CAN MESS UP THE ENTIRE OPERATION.

>> RIGHT.

IT'S MORE THAN MATERIAL BOLTS, IT'S THE SYSTEM.

>> HOW YOU FLOAT THINGS FORWARD AND GET THEM RETURNED TO GET REPAIRED.

AGAIN, THAT'S SOMETHING TINKER IS A SPECIALTY IN.

IN WORLD WAR TWO, PARTICULARLY CAUGHT OFF GUARD AND AT PEARL HARBOR, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS IS THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE JAPANESE BOMBED ALL OF THE AIRCRAFT ON THE FLIGHT LINES.

IT WAS A REAL TEST TO GET THE AIRCRAFT IN THE AIR TO FIGHT THEM.

THERE AGAIN, THERE'S A STORY IF YOU'RE WILLING TO GIVE UP YOUR LIFE FOR A MISSION.

THOSE GUYS, THE JAPANESE WHO FLEW IN, HAD NO WAY OF RETURNING BACK.

THEY KNEW, THEY TOOK OUT THE BEST AND MOST THEY COULD.

THEY WERE NOT GOING HOME.

THEY WERE GOING INTO THE BRINK, INTO THE BEING BLOWN OUT OF THE SKY.

THAT'S WHAT WE FIGHT TODAY.

EVERY DAY WE HAVE TO COMMIT TO LOOK AT WHAT COULD HAPPEN.

WHAT'S THE WORST CASE SCENARIO.

HOW MIGHT WE FIGHT IT, AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO HAVE TO FIGHT IT.

WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY STORED UP, AND WE HAVE GIVEN A LOT OF BULLETS TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO FIGHT, BUT THE TRUTH IS WE HAVE TO KEEP ENOUGH IN STORE.

IF AMERICA IS ATTACKED, WE'RE READY TO GO TO WAR INSTANTLY.

>> AFTER THE ATTACK IN PEARL HARBOR, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS CHANGED THE MILITARY AND HOW OKLAHOMA FUNCTIONED.

>> AT THE TIME, WE DIDN'T HAVE THE NATIONAL GUARD.

THAT CAME AFTER THE END OF WORLD WAR II, IF I'M CORRECT.

>> REORGANIZED.

>> WENT TO EUROPE TO FIGHT.

WE WEREN'T DEPLOYED, WE DIDN'T HAVE AIR ASSETS.

BUT THEY WERE DOING A LOT OF THINGS AT WHAT WAS THEN CALLED TINKER FIELD, TO READY AIRLINES AND AIRPLANES, THAT'S WHERE THEY BUILT MANY OF THE AIRPLANES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR.

>> AND LITTLE FREDERICK, OKLAHOMA WAS A MAJOR TRAINING CENTER FOR AIRBORNE AND ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

THE WHOLE COUNTRY OPENED UP, AND STARTED LOGISTICS.

WHAT IF.

WHAT DO WE NEED THIS FOR, AND WHERE DOES IT GO.

THE 45TH CASE, THEY WERE CON FIGURED LIKE WORLD WAR I.

THEY TOOK ONE REGIMENT AWAY, AND RETRAINED THEM.

AND GOT THEM PREPARED FASTER THAN THEY EXPECTED.

OKLAHOMA IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED IN ALL OF THAT.

HE WAS KEY OF THE MOVER AND SHAKER.

>> HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE MILITARY OF OKLAHOMA, IS PREPARED FOR ONE OF THOSE ATTACKS.

>> WE HAVE FIVE ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY STATIONS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

ARMY AND THREE AIR.

WE HAVE MUNITIONS DEPO.

AND WE HAVE THE INTERNATIONAL GUARD UNITS.

ONE FLYING AND ONE INTELLIGENCE.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD THAT HAS MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF ASSETS AND MISSIONS.

I THINK THAT WE -- WE DEVELOPED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT WHATEVER POTENTIAL THING IS THROWN AT IT.

WE'RE PART OF THE BIG SYSTEM.

WE HAVE THE PEOPLE AND THE EQUIPMENT AND THE ABILITY TO MOVE THAT, TO WHERE IT IS NEEDED TO GO.

IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN, OKLAHOMA AIR NATIONAL GUARD HAS C-130S.

THEY WERE PART OF THE LOGISTICS SYSTEM.

WE TOOK TROOPS AND EQUIPMENT FORWARD TO THE FIGHT.

NOW THOSE AIRPLANES ARE IN OTHER SYSTEMS AND WE HAVE SMALL AIRCRAFT THAT DO THE INTELLIGENCE GATHERING.

AND PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.

THAT'S THE KEY OF KNOWING WHAT KIND OF WAR WE HAVE TO FIGHT.

>> ALSO AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, WE HAVE NAVY AND MARINE UNITS THAT TRAIN AND LOGISTICS, THERE'S A LOT OUT THERE.

SOME ARE HIGHLY CLASSIFIED UNITS.

>> AND WE'RE PREPARED FOR THAT.

WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TOWN.

ANY LAST FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS WORN THE UNIFORM FOR THE NATION.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PEARL HARBOR AND HOW MANY PEOPLE CAME TO THE FRONT IMMEDIATELY AND RAISED THEIR HAND AND SAY, WE WANT TO GO.

WE WANT TO KEEP THIS WAR OFF OF AMERICAN SOIL.

THEY STILL DO THAT TODAY.

WE HAVE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN WHO DON THE UNIFORM OF THE NATION AND TAKE ON UNBELIEVABLE TASKS.

TODAY, THANK YOU TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE DONE THAT SINCE THE UNITED STATES WAS BORN.

THANKS SO MUCH TO THE PEOPLE FROM WORLD WAR II.

>> ALL I CAN SAY, AMEN.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.

>> OUR HONOR TO SERVE.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT WAS A REALLY, REALLY WITH YOUR LIFE CONVERSATION.

-- WONDERFUL CONVERSATION.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW" WE EXPLORE A PROBLEM THAT EXISTS IN MANY STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY- HISTORIC CEMETARIES THAT ARE BEING LOST TO TIME AND THE ELEMENTS.

IT'S A REAL ISSUE IN SOUTH LOUISIANA, WHERE GRAVE SITES ARE OFTEN BUILT ABOVE GROUND BECAUSE MUCH OF THE LAND IS AT, OR BELOW SEA LEVEL.

OUR PBS PARTNERS AT "LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING" REPORT ON THE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS TO SAVE "AT-RISK" CEMETERIES.

>> MANY HEADSTONES ARE SO WEATHERED, ERODED BY TIME, YOU CAN'T READ THE NAMES OR THE DATES.

IT HOLDS BURIED BODIES FROM A BY GONE COMMUNITY.

>> YOU'RE THE SELF-ANOINTED CARETAKER.

>> YES, I KNOW A LOT OF -- I'M DEALING WITH A LOT OF OLDER PEOPLE TRYING TO CARE FOR THE CEMETERY, AND THEY'RE TRYING TO -- YOU HAVE TO REALIZE, IN THE 80S.

>> HE COMES OUT HERE WEEKLY TO CLEAN AND CARE FOR MORE THAN 200 HEADSTONES.

HE AND MEMBERS OF A NEARBY CHURCH, VOLUNTEERED TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE CEMETERY.

HE WORRIES, WITHOUT A DATABASE, THEY'LL BE FORGOTTEN.

>> PEOPLE WERE LOOKING FOR JOBS AND PLACES TO WORK.

YOU THINK ABOUT BACK IN THE DAY, NOT FAR FROM HERE WAS A LOGGING TOWN.

THEY CAME HERE BY TRAIN, AND BUILT UP AND LIVED, AND MADE IT A COMMUNITY.

THEY WERE LOOKING FOR WORK.

BUT THE TIMES CHANGED, HOUSES GONE AND BUILDINGS GONE, BUT THE CEMETERIES STILL HERE.

NOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CARE AND TAKE CARE, AND A LOT OF ACTIVITIES AND THINGS HAPPEN TO OLD CEMETERIES WHEN NOBODY IS HERE TO CARE FOR >> THE MAP SHOWS THE CEMETERIES WITH THE LAND PLOTS.

THE LAST HOUSES FROM THE SAW MILL TOWN, WERE INHABITED INTO THE 1970S.

>> QUITE A NUMBER OF MILITARY HEADSTONES HERE.

THIS IS THE RECORD OF THE COMMUNITY THAT'S NO LONGER HERE.

>> HE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE LOUISIANA TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

THAT RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE TO DEVELOP A DATABASE FOR THE GAVE SITES.

DOCUMENTING WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED IN THE STATE.

>> WE NEED A STATE DATABASE, FOR TOURISM, FOR PEOPLE DOING GENEALOGY.

FOR MAINTENANCE, AND YOU HAVE A PIPELINE OR ROAD COMING THROUGH, TO KNOW THERE IS A HISTORIC CEMETERY IN THE AREA.

YOU BUY A PIECE OF PROPERTY, YOU DON'T KNOW THERE'S A CEMETERY ON THE LAND.

>> A NAIL OR SOMETHING, AND PUSHED THE NAME IN THERE.

YOU'RE TALKING THREE GENERATIONS LATER.

>> ACROSS LOUISIANA, THOUSANDS OF CEMETERIES ARE AT RISK OF DISAPPEARING.

HEADSTONES, AND BRICKS ARE SINKING INTO THE MARSH, SUBMERGED BY HURRICANE IDA.

>> THE CEMETERIES ARE LIKE ARCHIVES, AND PRESERVING THAT RECORD IS IMPORTANT.

YOU CAN TELL A LOT OF THE COMMUNITIES FROM THE CEMETERIES.

THERE'S A LANGUAGE IN CEMETERIES, FROM SYMBOLISM, AND THE DATES.

HOW PROSPEROUS THEY WERE, OR THE SOCIAL INTERESTS.

I THINK THINGS HAVING RESPECT FOR THE -- WHAT A LOT OF THIS PROGRAM IS ABOUT.

IS ACTUALLY ACKNOWLEDGING AND RESPECTING THE BURIALS OF THE ANCESTORS.

>> MANY MAY BE UNKNOWINGLY PAVED OVER, OR MISTAKENLY UNEARTHED BY THE ROAD WORK.

A STATEWIDE DATABASE WILL FUNCTION AS A PUBLIC SERVICE AND A RESOURCE.

>> ANYTHING, A CEMETERY THAT'S 50 YEARS OLD OR OLDER, WILL HAVE FEATURES OR ASSOCIATED WITH IMPORTANT PERSON WILL BE ABLE TO BE LISTED IN THE DATABASE.

>> MEANWHILE HE KEEPS WATCH OVER HIS GRANDFATHER'S GRAVE SITE.

>> SOMEBODY'S HISTORY AND LIVES IS HERE.

YOU HAVE A PLACE TO COME BACK TO, BUT NOBODY KNOWS, IT COULD WITHER AWAY.

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

THE REMARKABLE STORY OF 18-YEAR-OLD REED MARCUM.

AN OSU STUDENT FROM MCALESTER WHO HAS BEEN ORGANIZING A HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE EVERY YEAR SINCE HE WAS 11 YEARS OLD.

ON SATURDAY, REED AND MORE THAN 100 VOLUNTEERS, WILL DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 10,000 TOYS TO KIDS IN NEED FROM OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS AND TEXAS.

THIS IS A STORY, YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

>>> AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE "OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART", ENTITLED: "PRESTON SINGLETARY, RAVEN AND THE BOX OF DAYLIGHT".

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

'S JASON STEWART.

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.

GOODNIGHT.

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