>> LIFE EXPECTANCY IN OKLAHOMA IS DECREASING.

WE'LL SHARE A 10-POINT PLAN TO TURN THAT AROUND.

>> MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS LOOK AT THE PREVENTION SIDE OF THINGS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, WILL HELP PEOPLE LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIVES.

>> HOW YOU CAN HAVE A FREE SMOKE DETECTOR INSTALLED IN YOUR HOME JUST IN TIME FOR WINTER.

WE'LL COME OUT AND CHECK 'EM, WE'LL PUT BATTERIES IN 'EM, AND IF THEY DON'T WORK, WE'LL GIVE 'EM A FREE ONE.

>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT PAVES THE WAY FOR RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA.

WE THINK ALSO THAT THEY -- THEY CANNOT BE EXCLUDED FROM A CHARTER PROGRAM, AND THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE SAID.

>> A PREVIEW OF NEW LEGISLATION UP FOR DEBATE IN THE UPCOMING SESSION.

WE'VE HAD A LITTLE DIFFICULTY WITH SOME OF THE CONTRACTS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED THROUGH TOURISM.

WE JUST NEED MORE EYES ON THOSE CONTRACTS.

>> A YOUNG OKLAHOMA RESEARCHER RECEIVES A PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL HONOR AND LARGE GRANT.

>> SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SCIENCE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A BIG CHANCE ON AN IDEA THAT'S KIND OF OUT OF LEFT FIELD OR OUT OF THE BOX.

>> PLUS, AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE ONGOING INVESTIGATION TO LOCATE VICTIMS OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

♪ HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

NATIONWIDE REPORT ON LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS RELEASED THIS WEEK, AND THE NEWS IS NOT GOOD.

ON AVERAGE, AMERICANS HAVE LOST NEARLY THREE YEARS OF LIFE SINCE THE NUMBER PEAKED AT ALMOST 79 YEARS OF AGE IN 2014,AND THE DECREASE IN OKLAHOMA IS EVEN MORE PRONOUNCED.

WHAT'S TO BLAME AND HOW CAN WE POSSIBLY GET SOME OF THOSE YEARS BACK IN THE FUTURE?

TO FIND OUT, WE'RE JOINED BY REPORTER KENNEDY SEPULVADO.

KENNEDY?

>> Reporter: RICH, THAT REPORT BY THE BLOOMBERG AMERICAN HEALTH INITIATIVE AND JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY PROVIDES 10 STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE LIFE EXPECTANCY.

THE INITIATIVES ARE ALL BASED ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES FOR THE SIX LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH NATIONWIDE.

WHEN THE COVID PANDEMIC HIT IN 2019, THE DECLINE IN NATIONAL LIFE EXPECTANCY RATE ACCELERATED AT A RATE COMPARED TO DECLINES RECORDED DURING WORLD WAR I AND THE GREAT FIRE CREWS OF 1918.

>> BACK IN 2016, WE RECOGNIZED THAT LIFE EXPECTANCY WAS DECLINING.

THERE WERE GAINS MADE IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

HOWEVER, THE RECENT COVID AND INFECTION RATES AND A NUMBER OF OTHER FACTORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE DECLINE OR THE RECENT DECLINES WE'VE SEEN IN ALIVE EXPECTANCY.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL RATE IS 76.1.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA, IT'S MUCH LESS THAN THAT.

>> PRELIMINARY ESTIMATES FOR THE PERIOD LIFE EXPECTANCY FOR OKLAHOMANS AS OF RIGHT NOW IS 72.8 YEARS AT BIRTH.

THAT'S ACTUALLY 3.3 YEARS LOWER THAN WHAT THE NATIONAL RATE IS CURRENTLY CALCULATED AT, GIVEN THAT IT IS STILL PROVISIONAL ESTIMATES.

THAT GAP IS A LITTLE BIT LARGER NOW THAN WHAT IT WAS IN 2019.

IN 2019, THE GAP WAS ABOUT 2.7.

>> Reporter: ALIVE EXPECTANCY RATES CAN BE CALCULATED IN MULTIPLE WAYS.

>> ONE HAS TO TAKE A COHORT OR A SET OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE BORN AND TRACK THEM OVER THEIR ENTIRE LIVES.

THE WAY THAT THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS AND THE LIFE EXPECTANCY THAT WAS EVALUATED IN THE JOHNS HOPKINS REPORT IS DONE WITH A PERIOD LIFE EXPECTANCY.

>> WE LOOK AT POPULATION HEALTH.

WE BECOME LOOK AT THE MARKERS WHERE SPECIFIC COMMUNITIES ARE IN TERMS OF THE RACE AND ETHNICITY AND MEASURE THEM IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: ASIAN AMERICANS HAVE THE LONGEST LIFE EXPECTANCY RATE AT 83.5, TWO YEARS LESS THAN IN 2019.

WHILE AMERICAN INDIANS AND ALASKA NATIVES ARE LOWEST AT 65.2, FALLING SIX YEARS SINCE 2019.

>> HOW DOES EQUITY PLAY A ROLE, RACE, ETHNICITY, GENDER, GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION PLAY A ROLE IN THINKING ART EQUITABLE SOLUTIONS THE WAY WE APPROACH HEALTH AND HOW WE THINK ABOUT INCREASING LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THIS COUNTRY?

>> Reporter: THE 10 INITIATIVES TO STOP THE DECLINE OF ALIVE EXPECTANCY ARE PREVENTIVE MEASURES RESEARCHERS BELIEVE WOULD LIMIT PREMATURE DEATHS CALLED BY COVID, OVERDOSE, SUICIDE, HEART DISEASE, STROKE, DIABETES AND OTHER EVENTS.

INITIATIVES INCLUDE CHANGING FEDERAL OR STATE POLICIES, INCREASING FUNDING FOR INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, INTRODUCING HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS IN SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY-TAILORED PROGRAMS FOR HEALTHY LIVING.

>> WE ALSO, AS A STEP, THINK ABOUT PREVENTION AND TREATMENT.

HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE, THAT TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, AND WHAT ARE WE THINKING ABOUT TO PREVENT FIREARM INJURIES?

>> MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS LOOK AT THE PREVENTION SIDE OF THINGS, WHICH WILL HELP PEOPLE LIVE LONGER AND HEALTHIER LIVES, SO IT'S A QUALITY-OF-LIFE ISSUE.

PREVENTION IS CHEAPER THAN TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE MULTIPLE PROGRAMS.

>> IF YOU CAN GET PEOPLE TO DEVELOP HEALTHY BEHAVIORS, TOBACCO FREE, REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND EATING NUTRITIOUSLY, IT CAN SAVE DOLLARS IN THE LONG RUN WHEN THEY'RE NOT SEEKING TREATMENT FOR HEART DISEASE AND LUNG DISEASE AND CANCER.

>> OKLAHOMA'S LEADING CAUSES -- OR PROVISIONAL LEADING CAUSES FOR 2021 ARE DISEASES OF THE HEART, CANCER, ALL FORMS OF CANCERS, COVID-19, ACCIDENTS, NONINTENTIONAL INJURIES.

>> Reporter: PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE SHAPE YOUR FUTURE ALIGN WITH INITIATIVES RESEARCHERS SUGGEST TO DECREASE HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES.

>> IT FOCUSES ON HELPING OKLAHOMANS EACH NUTRITIOUS FOOD AND GET MOVING.

SO, YOU HAVE RECIPES FOR QUICK, HEALTHY DINNER IDEAS, LUNCH IDEAS.

THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS WHO WANT TO GET THEIR FAMILY MOVING, LIKE WAYS TO BE ACTIVE AROUND THE HOUSE.

YOU KNOW, IN WINTERTIME, IT CAN BE HARD TO GET OUTSIDE AND BE ACTIVE.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR HOUSE.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHERS NOTE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR INITIATIVES TO BE DESIGNED FOR INDIVIDUAL AREAS AND COMMUNITIES.

>> OKLAHOMA'S RURAL.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE INTERVENTIONS THAT PUBLIC HEALTH CAN BE USING TO ADDRESS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN RURAL OKLAHOMA VERSUS WHAT MAY BE HAPPENING IN A PLACE LIKE PHILADELPHIA AND THEY MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT.

AGAIN, THINKING ABOUT THOSE INTERVENTIONS AND TAILORING THOSE INTERVENTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> OUR HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAM GRANTS THAT PUT HEALTH EXPERTS INTO COMMUNITIES TO WORK ON POLICIES AND PROJECTS THAT WILL REALLY HELP IMPROVE HEALTH AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Reporter: SOME RESEARCHERS SUGGEST TO STOP THE DECLINE IN ALIVE EXPECTANCY ARE UNDER WAY IN STATES THROUGHOUT THE U.S. AS FOR WHERE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES ARE LACKING... >> IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH THE PARTNERS IN THE LEGISLATURES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN OKLAHOMA WHAT ARE THE LESSONS THAT CAN BE LEARNED FROM OTHER CITIES AND STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT CAN HELP INFORM WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN RURAL, IN URBAN, IN SUBURBAN COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING IN OKLAHOMA?

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE INITIATIVES, FOR EXAMPLE, GUN CONTROL POLICIES TO ADDRESS FIREARM DEATHS, ARE CURRENTLY NOT LEGAL UNDER OKLAHOMA LAW.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS MUST BE APPLIED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> A BIG WIN FOR OPPONENTS TO EXTEND TWO TURNPIKES THROUGH NORMAN.

ON THURSDAY, THE ACCESS OKLAHOMA PROJECT PUT ON HOLD INDEFINITELY FOLLOWING A COURT RULING THAT THE PROJECT VIOLATED OKLAHOMA'S OPEN MEETINGS ACT.

PROPERTY OWNERS IN NORMAN FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY BACK IN MAY.

THE DECISION WILL IMPACT SEVERAL TURNPIKE EXPANSION PROJECTS, WHILE THE OTA SAYS IT CONSIDERS CORRECTIVE ACTION.

>> AN OKLAHOMA RESEARCHER WHO IS DEDICATED TO IMPROVE LIFE EXPECTANCIES HAS RECEIVED AN AWARD FROM THE NIH NIH.

HER NAME IS Dr. SARAH OCANAS.

I SPOKE WITH HER ABOUT THE HONOR AND THE FOCUS OF HER WORK.

>> Dr. SARAH OCANAS WITH THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

ONLY 14 PEOPLE WERE HONORED BY THE NIH NATIONWIDE, SO CONGRATULATIONS AND TELL US MORE ABOUT THE AWARD AND ITS CRITERIA.

>> THE NIH DIRECTOR'S EARLY INDEPENDENCE AWARD IS THE AWARD I GOT.

IT IS A GRANT THAT SUPPORTS OUTSTANDING JUNIOR SCIENTISTS TO BYPASS THE POSTDOCTORAL PERIOD AND GO DIRECTLY INTO RUNNING THEIR OWN RESEARCH GROUP.

GENERALLY, AFTER GRADUATING WITH YOUR Ph.D. YOU HAVE THE POSTDOCTORAL PERIOD WHERE YOU STILL WORK UNDER A SENIOR INVESTIGATOR AND YOU LEARN MORE OF THE PROFESSIONAL SKILLS ON HOW TO RUN YOUR OWN LAB, MANAGING STAFF, AND BUDGETS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THIS AWARD, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VERY INITIATIVE RESEARCH IDEA, AND AN INSTITUTION LIKE THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, TO SPONSOR YOUR APPLICATION.

AND I JUST STARTED AS AN ASSISTANT MEMBER IN THE HUMAN DISEASE RESEARCH PROGRAM AT OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION ON NOVEMBER 1st.

>> DOCTOR, THIS AWARD IS PART OF THE HIGH RISK/HIGH REWARD RESEARCH PROGRAM.

WHAT IS THAT.

>> SOMETIMES IN ORDER TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN SCIENCE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A BIG CHANCE ON AN IDEA THAT'S KIND OF OUT OF LEFT FIELD OR OUT OF THE BOX, AND SO THE HIGH RISK/HIGH REWARD RESEARCH PROGRAM FROM THE NIH SUPPORTS EXCEPTIONALLY CREATIVE IDEAS PURSUING HIGHLY INITIATIVE RESEARCH THAT COULD BROADLY IMPACT, YOU KNOW, THE FIELD OF SCIENCE.

AND SO, THEY'RE REALLY LOOKING FOR THOSE DIFFERENT IDEAS THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY MIGHT NOT WORK OUT, BUT IF THEY DO, THEY COULD COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONIZE THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND SCIENCE.

>> PART OF THE AWARD IS A FIVE-YEAR, 2.2 MILLION GRANT TO FUND YOUR RESEARCH.

WHAT WILL YOU BE FOCUSING ON?

WHAT IS YOUR BIG IDEA?

>> MY RESEARCH IS BROADLY FOCUSED ON SEX DIFFERENCES IN THE BRAIN WITH AGING AND IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

FOR REALLY TOO MANY YEARS, WOMEN WERE EXCLUDED FROM SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH STUDIES, AND WE FOUND, FROM OUR RESEARCH IN THE PAST FEW DECADES, THAT DISEASES, LIKE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, PRESENT DIFFERENTLY AND RESPOND TO TREATMENT DIFFERENTLY BASED ON BIOLOGICAL SEX.

>> FOUND IT VERY INTERESTING THAT ALZHEIMER'S CAUSES GREATER COGNITIVE DECLINE IN WOMEN, YET, IT TYPICALLY RESULTS IN AN EARLIER DEATH FOR MEN.

>> YOU MAY HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST WEEK, THERE WAS A LOT OF NEWS ABOUT AN ALZHEIMER'S DRUG THAT JUST FINISHED PHASE THREE CLINICAL TRIALS WHICH IS SHOWING PROMISING RESULTS.

WHAT WAS ABSENT FROM A LOT OF THE NEWS STORIES IS THIS DRUG APPEARS LESS EFFECTIVE IN FEMALES.

THE MALE EFFICACY IS REALLY DRIVING THESE RESULTS.

I BELIEVE HOW UNDERSTANDING HOW BIOLOGICAL SEX IMPACTS DISEASES LIKE ALZHEIMER'S, WE MAY BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY NEW TREATMENT APPROACHES THAT HELP BOTH SEXES.

>> Dr. SARAH OCANAS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS ON A VERY PRESTIGIOUS HONOR.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING STARTED HERE.

>> WINTER DOESN'T OFFICIALLY BEGIN UNTIL DECEMBER 21st, BUT THE COLD WEATHER HAS ARRIVED AND WITH IT COMES THE THREAT OF HOUSE FIRES.

OFFICIALS ARE STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS IN YOUR HOME AND THEY'RE STEPPING UP TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: RICH, WE ARE COMING UP ON THE FOUR-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF A TRAGIC HOUSE FIRE IN EL RENO THAT CLAIMED THE LIVES OF THREE CHILDREN, ALL THE AGE OF 5.

THERE WERE NO WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS IN THE HOME.

SMOKE ALARMS ARE REQUIRED IN THE SOONER STATE.

>> HI.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

>> Reporter: THIS PAST MONDAY, EL RENO FIRE CHIEF TOOK DELIVERY OF A DOZEN SMOKE DETECTORS COURTESY OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS.

CHIEF DUFF SAYS JUST A MONTH AGO, A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR LIKELY SAVED THE LIVES OF TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AFTER A FIRE BROKE OUT IN THEIR GRANDPARENTS' HOME.

>> WE'LL GIVE THEM A FREE ONE.

>> THAT'S NOT THE REALITY.

>> IT'S TOUGH.

SO MANY PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, JUST TEND TO FORGET ABOUT THEM.

THEY DON'T EVER INSTALL THEM OR CONTACT US.

>> Reporter: THEY DON'T THINK IT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM.

THEY WON'T PUT OUT THE EXPENSE.

THEY DON'T REALIZE THEY CAN GET IT FREE.

>> EXACTLY.

SO MANY PEOPLE DON'T WORRY ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT HAPPEN.

THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THEY DON'T.

WHEN THEY DO, THEY CAN BE VERY DEVASTATING.

>> Reporter: IT WAS DEVASTATING.

IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS ON NEW YEAR'S DAY FOUR YEARS AGO, A FIRE IN THIS RENTAL HOME CLAIMED THE LIVES OF THREE CHILDREN, ALL UNDER THE AGE OF 5.

INVESTIGATORS SAID THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY SPACE HEATER.

THERE WERE NO WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS IN THE HOME.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU DEAL WITH CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY AT THAT YOUNG AGE, AND SUCH A SENSELESS DEATH, IT'S TOUGH.

>> Reporter: A FEW WEEKS AGO, EL RENO FIREFIGHTERS FANNED OUT INTO THE SMALL COMMUNITY AND GAVE AWAY 77 SMOKE DETECTORS IN JUST ABOUT FOUR HOURS.

DEPARTMENTS ALL OVER THE STATE ARE DOING IT, INCLUDING MANY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS.

HE IS PRESIDENT OF THE STATE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION.

HE TELLS ME THE RED CROSS NOW PROVIDES FREE SMOKE DETECTORS TO ANY VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT THAT WANTS THEM.

>> NOT ONLY ARE MANY OF THESE DEPARTMENTS GIVING AWAY FREE SMOKE DETECTORS AND INSTALLING THEM IN PEOPLE'S HOMES FOR FREE, THEY'LL GO TO PEOPLE'S HOMES AND INSPECT EXISTING SMOKE DETECTORS AND REPLACE THEM ALSO AT NO CHARGE.

IN OTHER WORDS, FOLKS, THERE'S NO EXCUSE NOT TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: SOME DEPARTMENTS ARE ALSO GIVING AWAY THESE THINGS.

THEY'RE CALLED LIFE TONE HL BEDSIDE ALARMS.

>> IT'S GOT A VIBRATING PAD THAT GOES BETWEEN THE MATTRESSES AND VIBRATES THE BED WHEN IT HEARS THE SMOKE DETECTOR GO OFF.

>> WE HAVE A SLEW OF SMOKE DETECTORS READIED TO BE HANDED OUT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT SMOKE DETECTORS SHOULD BE CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE WORKING EVERY MONTH.

>> YOU KNOW, 59% OF THE DEATHS IN HOMES THAT THERE WAS A FIRE AT IS ATTRIBUTED TO A NON-WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR.

I MEAN, THOSE STATISTICS ARE STAGGERING.

IF WE COULD HELP REDUCE THOSE AND GET MORE SMOKE DETECTORS IN HOMES, THEN THAT WOULD REDUCE THE DEATHS.

890 DEATHS COULD BE PREVENTED EVERY YEAR IF EVERY SINGLE HOME HAD A WORKING SMOKE DETECTOR.

>> THE BEST LOCATIONS WILL BE TO PUT THEM UP HERE IN YOUR HALLWAY AND THEN I'D PUT ONE RIGHT INSIDE HERE INSIDE THE BEDROOM ON THE CEILING.

[SIRENS] [SIRENS] >> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT GAVE AWAY NEARLY 4,000 SMOKE ALARMS LAST YEAR.

NEXT WEEK, BATTALION CHIEF BENNY FULKERSON RETIRES AFTER 30 YEARS.

>> IF ANYONE HAS ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FUNCTIONALITY OR HOW THEIR SMOKE ALARMS OPERATE, GIVE US A CALL.

WE WILL COME OUT AND WE WILL CHECK THAT.

WE WILL GO THROUGH YOUR HOME WITH YOU.

WE'LL MAKE SURE THEY'RE WORKING.

WE'LL TALK TO YOU ABOUT DEVISING EXIT DRILLS IN YOUR HOME.

THAT'S ANOTHER THING PEOPLE OFTEN EVEN FORGET.

SORRY.

THAT'S A FIRE ALARM.

>> Reporter: NEARBY, AN EXHIBIT OF OLD SMOKE DETECTORS THAT DID THEIR JOBS AND SAVED LIVES.

FULKERSON HELD ONE IN HIS HAND.

>> THIS IS A SMOKE ALARM THAT LOOKS TERRIBLE.

IT WAS HEATED UP, OBVIOUSLY, IN A HOUSE FIRE AND SUSTAINED A LOT OF DAMAGE.

THIS SMOKE ALARM IS ACTUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SAVING LIVES RIGHT HERE IN OUR CITY MANY YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: TULSA INSTALLED NEARLY 350 SMOKE ALARMS SO FAR THIS YEAR.

THEY'VE ALSO DONE MORE THAN 100 CHECKS TO MAKE SURE SMOKE ALARMS ARE WORKING PROPERLY.

>> THANK YOU, STEVE.

A SERIES OF RECENT RULINGS BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT HAS PROMPTED AN OPINION THAT COULD LEAD TO RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS OPENING HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

TAELYR JACKSON HAS OUR REPORT.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: IN NOVEMBER 2021, THE CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOP SENT A LETTER TO THE SCHOOL BOARD ASKING FOR A REQUEST TO CREATE A CHARTER SCHOOL WOULD BE GRANTED OR DENIED.

>> THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REGARDS EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY.

IT'S PART OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY.

>> Reporter: BRETT FARELY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE OF OKLAHOMA, SAYS THE CLINCH CHURCH WANTS TO PROVIDE A MORE AFFORDABLE OPTION FOR STUDENTS.

>> THAT'S A CHALLENGE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT UNDERPRIVILEGED KIDS IN THE METRO AREA THAT HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS BESIDES THE PUBLIC OPTION.

THE PARENTS NEED TO HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO SEND THE KIDS WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO PERFORM BEST AND HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO SUCCEED.

THE BIG PROBLEM HAS BEEN FUNDING.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'VE BEEN MOVING GENERALLY FOR EXPANDING SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS.

>> Reporter: AFTER RECEIVING THE LETTER FROM ARCHBISHOP COAKLEY, REBECCA WILKINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD REQUESTED AN OFFICIAL OPINION FROM OUTGOING ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN O'CONNOR.

ADMISSION POLICIES, EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND ALL OTHER OPERATIONS.

A SPONSOR MAY NOT AUTHORIZE A CHARTER SCHOOL OR PROGRAM THAT IS AFFILIATED WITH A NON-PUBLIC SECTARIAN SCHOOL OR REASONS INSTITUTION.

THE OPINION DISAGREED AND READ IN PART.

WE DO NOT BELIEVE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WOULD ACCEPT THE ARGUMENT THAT BECAUSE CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC FOR VARIOUS PURPOSES, THAT A STATE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST RELIGIOUSLY AFFILIATED PRIVATE PARTNERS WHO WISH TO ESTABLISH AND OPERATE CHARTER SCHOOLS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR FAITH ALONGSIDE OTHER PRIVATE PARTICIPANTS.

O'CONNOR USED THREE SUPREME COURT RULINGS TO JUSTIFY HIS OPINION.

ONE OF THE CASES WAS TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH OF COLUMBIA VERSUS COMBER.

THE PROFESSOR OF LAW JEREMY TELMAN SAYS IN THIS CASE, THE STATE POLICY FOR SCHOOL GRANTS WAS IN QUESTION.

>> THERE WERE RESOURCES AVAILABLE SO THEY COULD REDO THEIR PLAYGROUNDS, AND TRINITY LUTHERAN APPLIED AND EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY WERE RELIGIOUS.

THE COURT SAID THAT'S NOT FAIR.

NOTE, THAT'S TO REDO A PLAYGROUND.

SO, THE NOTION THERE IS THAT YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS WHEN THEY'RE SERVING SOME NON-SECTARIAN FUNCTION, RIGHT, LIKE, THERE'S A STRONG CASE TO BE MADE THAT, RIGHT, CATHOLIC KIDS SHOULD HAVE A SAFE PLAYGROUND JUST LIKE, YOU KNOW, SECULAR KIDS.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER TWO CASES CITED BY O'CONNOR WERE ESPINOZA v. MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND CARSON v. MAINE?

ESPINOZA, IT WAS ABOUT TAX CREDIT FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.

IN CARSON, MAINE HAS THESE RURAL COUNTIES WITH NO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE STATE SAID, WE'LL GIVE YOU MONEY AND YOU CAN SEND YOUR KIDS TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL OF YOUR CHOICE SO LONG AS IT'S NOT A RELIGIOUS SCHOOL.

THE COURT SAID, AGAIN, YOU CAN'T DISCRIMINATE AGAINST RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

>> IF THE SUPREME COURT SAYS THEY CAN'T BE EXCLUDED FROM THOSE PROGRAMS, THEY CANNOT BE EXCLUDED FROM A CHARTER PROGRAM.

THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT THEY'D SAID.

FARLEY SAYS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PLANS TO CONTINUE WITH THE PROCESS.

>> THE APPLICATION IS DUE IN JANUARY.

THE BOARD HAS 90 DAYS TO REVIEW IT.

THEN WE'LL MOVE ON FROM THERE.

IF THEY APPROVE, OF COURSE, THEN WE'LL MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROCESS OF ESTABLISHING A CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST ONE LEGISLATORS FEELS THIS COULD VIOLATE THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

>> IT'S A BLATANT VIOLATION OF THE BLAINE ACT, WHICH WAS IMPLEMENTED IN 1906, AND THE OKLAHOMA STATE CONSTITUTION TO PREVENT STATE FUNDS FROM GOING TO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

SINCE THEN, THE BLAINE AMENDMENT HAS BEEN USED TO KEEP THE TEN COMMANDMENTS OFF THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.

WOULD THE AG OPEN THIS UP FOR OTHER RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS?

I KNOW THAT THE TEMPLE OF SATAN IS RECOGNIZED BY THE IRS AS AN ACTUAL RELIGION.

WOULD HE BE OPEN FOR THEM TO TAKE TAXPAYERS AND OPEN UP A CHARTER SCHOOL AND USE STATE-FUNDED DOLLARS?

>> Reporter: HE'S CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE STATE WILL GO ABOUT AWARDING CHARTER SCHOOLS TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS WHILE MAINTAINING PROPER OVERSIGHT.

>> THIS HAS BEEN ADDRESSED TWICE IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

WHY THE AG DIDN'T CONSIDER THAT HE TOOK OUT OF CONTEXT AND COULD APPLY TO OKLAHOMA IS JUST INSURED TO ME.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO THE INCOMING ATTORNEY GENERAL, GENTNER DRUMMOND, TO GET HIS VIEW ON THE MATTER BUT DIZ NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

DRUMMOND COULD OVERTURN O'CONNOR'S OPINION IF ASKED BY AN ELECTED STATE OFFICIAL TO REVIEW IT.

>> TWO TEACHERS FROM THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO AREA HAVE WON A NATIONAL S.T.E.M.

LESSON CHALLENGE SPONSORED BY THE CAL RIPKEN SENIOR FOUNDATION.

TIFFANY WOOD AND BRENT POCKRUS TEACH AT PLEASANT HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THEY ARE THE FIRST TO WIN THE COMPETITION.

THE TEACHERS RECEIVED A CASH PRIZE AND MEMORABILIA SIGNED BY HALL OF FAMER CAL RIPKEN Jr.

THE FOUNDATION PARTNERED WITH DEVON ENERGY TO PUT ON THE COMPETITION.

>> SO FAR, 32 GRAVES HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED AND THE REMAINS OF EIGHT PEOPLE EXHUMED FOR FURTHER EVALUATION.

WHAT IS THAT PROCESS LIKE?

HOW WILL SCIENTISTS PROVE ARE OR NOT RELATED TO THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE?

>> THE IMPETUS FOR THE MASS GRAVES INVESTIGATION IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND HONOR THAT HUMAN SPIRIT AND GIVE THESE DECEASED PEOPLE THE DIGNITY THAT THEY DESERVE.

>> THIS IS AN EFFORT WHERE EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED, WE ARE VERY PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO THIS EFFORT AND ENGAGED IN THIS EFFORT.

THIS IS NOT RESEARCH.

THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH PROJECT.

THIS IS AN INVESTIGATION THAT'S HAPPENING 100 YEARS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

>> THE PRESERVATION WE'RE SEEING IS DIFFICULT.

STANDARDS VARY ON HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.

SO, THIS IS C-LEVEL PRESERVATION.

BUT SOMETIMES WE APPLY A PRESERVATIVE TO THE BONES OF INTEREST THAT WILL TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW OLD THE PERSON WAS OR HOW TALL THEY STOOD OR WHAT SEX THEY WERE.

AND THE OTHER ELEMENTS WE EXPOSE SO WE CAN SEE IF THERE ARE ANY INDICATORS OF HOW WELL THE PERSON WAS.

>> A FASCINATING LOOK AT A REAL-LIFE CSI INVESTIGATION COMING UP LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>> LAST WEEK, OUR CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE INTRODUCED US TO SOME OF OKLAHOMA'S NEWLY ELECTED LAWMAKERS AND NOW HE INTRODUCES US TO SOME OF THE PIECES OF LEGISLATION THEY'LL BE CONSIDERING WHEN THE NEXT SESSION CONVENES IN FEBRUARY.

>> Reporter: RICH, THE FIRST DEADLINE FOR THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE IS THIS.

LAWMAKERS HAD TO SUBMIT THEIR IDEAS FOR BILLS.

THE PROPOSALS RANGE FROM REFORMING AGENCY OVERSIGHT TO STOPPING CERTAIN MEDICAL PROCEDURES FROM BEING PERFORMED ON PEOPLE UNDER 21.

>> Reporter: HE MANAGES LEGISLATION WITH A PRICE TAG THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA SENATE.

HE'S ENTERING HIS FIFTH YEAR AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE AND THEY PREPARE THE STATE BUDGET AND THAT WORK IS UNDER WAY.

>> WE'LL BRING THE AGENCIES IN FOR HEARINGS, AND WE'LL LOOK AT ALL OF THEIR REQUESTS.

WE'LL LOOK AT THEIR FEDERAL FUNDING, STATE FUNDING, WHAT THEIR REQUESTS MAY BE AND ASK THEM TO JUSTIFY THAT REQUEST.

WE'LL PUT THAT THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: WHILE CRAFTING THE BUDGET IS A MISSION, THEY ADDRESS POLICY, LIKE THE ONE INVOLVING PEOPLE UNDER 21 WANTING TO UNDERGO TREATMENT FOR GENDER TRANSITION.

REPRESENTATIVE OLSON INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO PREVENT THAT KIND OF SERVICE FROM BEING OFFERED IN OKLAHOMA.

>> MY BILL, HOUSE BILL 1011 IS AN EFFORT TO JUST KIND OF CLOSE THE WHOLE THING DOWN FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS, ANYBODY ELSE WHO MIGHT BE INVOLVED WITH IT OR MIGHT BE DOING IT, WE'RE SAYING, LET'S JUST STOP THIS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS IN REACTION TO KEVIN STITT'S MONTANA TO STOP THE PRACTICE OF YOUTH GENDER TRANSITION PROCEDURES.

HE AND OTHERS MADE THAT CALL DURING THE SPECIAL SESSION WHICH ALLOCATED FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS TO OU HEALTH PROGRAMS.

>> AS WE WERE ALLOCATING THE ARPA FUNDS, WE BASICALLY TOLD OU THAT THIS GENDER TRANSITION PROGRAM STOPS.

AND IN DOING THAT AND PASSING SB3, UM, WE PROBABLY STOPPED MOST OF THE GENDER TRANSITIONING THAT WAS OCCURRING IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: OLSON CONTENDS THAT HE'S TRYING TO PROTECT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM MAKING A DECISION THEY MIGHT LATER REGRET.

>> OUR TEENAGERS ARE VULNERABLE, PERHAPS THEY FEEL INADEQUATE, AND THEN THE -- THE GENDER ACTIVISTS GET WITH THEM AND SAY, WELL, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS CHANGE YOUR GENDER.

NOW, OUR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS NEED CARE AND LOVE AND GENTLE GUIDANCE.

THEY DO NOT NEED TO CHANGE THEIR GENDER.

>> Reporter: OLSON ALSO IS PROPOSING TO LOWER THE AGE A PERSON IN OKLAHOMA CAN LEGALLY OWN AND CARRY A HANDGUN.

>> BASICALLY, IT WOULD AMEND OUR CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL THAT WE PASSED IN 2018, AND SO IT WOULD ALLOW 18, 19 AND 20-YEAR-OLDS WHO RIGHT NOW CAN BUY LONG GUNS, BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO BUY AND CARRY HANDGUNS IF THEY SO DESIRED.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA ALREADY ALLOWS MILITARY MEMBERS UNDER 21 AND OVER 18 TO OWN AND CARRY HANDGUNS.

OLSON HAS A REASON WHY HE WANTS TO LOWER THE AGE FOR HANDGUN OWNERSHIP WHILE PUTTING AN AGE RESTRICTION IN PLACE FOR GENDER TRANSITION PROCEDURES.

>> WHY 118, WHY 12.

THE REASON THAT REQUIREMENT IS STIFFER IS BECAUSE THERE ARE LONG-TERM EFFECTS THAT YOU USUALLY CANNOT UNDO.

THE OTHER ONE, IT IS A SPECIFICALLY -- THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS A SPECIFICALLY ENUMERATED CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

>> Reporter: SENATOR THOMPSON HAS HIS PRIORITIES.

HE WANTS TO REFORM THE TOURISM AND RECREATION COMMISSION.

>> DURING THE FORMER SET UP, THAT COMMISSION WORKED AT THE WILL OF THE GOVERNOR.

MY BILL ADDS A CAVEAT THAT THE COMMISSIONERS CAN ONLY BE REMOVED FOR CAUSE.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, THE GOVERNOR WILL STILL NOMINATE THE COMMISSIONERS.

>> Reporter: ADDITIONALLY, THE COMMISSION WILL BE ABLE TO DETERMINE WHO THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS INSTEAD OF THE GOVERNOR.

THOMPSON SAYS HIS BILL IS MEANT TO ADDRESS ISSUES LIKE THOSE SURROUNDING THE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT AND THE BARBECUE RESTAURANT.

>> WHEREVER YOU LOOK AT TOURISM, AND IT'S A GREAT ECONOMIC DRIVER, AS YOU KNOW FROM THE LOFT REPORT, WE'VE HAD A LITTLE DIFFICULTY WITH SOME OF THE CONTRACTS ISSUED THROUGH TOURISM.

WE NEED MORE EYES ON THOSE CONTRACTS.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS GETTER THAT IDEAS FOR BILLS FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT PLACES, INCLUDING THE OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVOCACY WHICH PROVIDES THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS.

>> WE ISSUED IT TO THE LAWMAKERS ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE DEADLINE TO SEE IF ANY OF THEM MIGHT HAVE AN INTEREST.

WE'VE ALREADY HAD SOME RESPONSE BACK.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT WILL HOPEFULLY BE A GOOD SESSION.

>> Reporter: HE SUPPORTS SUGGESTIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S HELP TASK FORCE.

>> THE SUGGESTIONS FROM THE GOVERNOR'S HELP TASK FORCE, DEALING WITH EXPECTANT MOTHERS, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP THEM WITH THEIR PREGNANCY AND MAKE THINGS MORE AFFORDABLE, WE HAVE CERTAINLY SUPPORTED THOSE IDEAS IN THE EARLY STAGES.

>> Reporter: WHILE IDEAS CAN COME FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES, SOME LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ISSUES FOR A WHILE NOW, LIKE SENATORS STEVENS WHO IS WORKING ON LOCKING THE CLOCK IN OKLAHOMA.

>> I STARTED WORKING ON IT BEFORE I GOT ELECTED.

IT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

>> Reporter: STEVENS WANTS TO KEEP AN HOUR OF SUNLIGHT AT THE END OF DAY AND WILL BENEFIT OUR CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

>> I WANT TO LOCK OUR CLOCKS ON DAYLIGHT SAVING TO STANDARD TIME.

THAT'S THE INTENT OF THE BILL.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS HAVE ABOUT A MONTH NOW TO REFINE THE LANGUAGE OF THEIR PROPOSED BILLS.

THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL KICK OFF WITH THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS FEBRUARY 6th.

KEVIN STITT ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THIS WEEK BANNING THE SOCIAL MEDIA APP TIKTOK FROM STATE-ISSUED PHONES WITH COMPUTERS AND OTHERS.

STITT SAYS BECAUSE THE APP SHARES THE INFORMATION WITH THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY, IT'S A THREAT TO THE STATE'S CYBERSECURITY.

>> THE FIRST NEW U.S. STEALTH BOMBER IN MORE THAN 30 YEARS WILL BE MAINTAINED AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE IN MIDWEST CITY.

THE B-21 RAIDER WILL REPLACE THE OTHER PLANES.

THE FLEET WILL BE HOUSED THERE, BUT SERVICE TO TINKER.

THEY WILL BUILD 100 OF THEM.

IN JULY, THE U.S. HOUSE AUTHORIZED $30 MILLION TO ACQUIRE THE LAND TO BUILD A B-2MAINTENANCE CENTER AT TINKER, WHICH IS ALREADY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIR DUTIES ON THE B-1 AND B-2 BOMBERS.

THE REQUEST BY OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS FOR A THIRD RATE INCREASED APPROVED BY THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION AND AARP OKLAHOMA IS NOT HAPPY.

IT WILL GENERATE $119 MILLION AND USED FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

OG&E SAID IT WILL INCREASE THE BILL BY $2 A MONTH AND 50 CENTS A MONTH FOR LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS AND DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE HIGHER GAS OF NATURAL GAS WHICH IS ALSO RAISING BILLS.

AARP SAYS THREE INCREASES IN A YEAR IS UNFAIR TO OKLAHOMANS WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

>> IN OTHER ECONOMIC NEWS, CANOO IS MAKING A BIG-MONEY REQUEST.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH OUR WEEKLY OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Reporter: CANOO REQUESTED INCENTIVES TO LOCATE A MANUFACTURING CITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THEY APPEARED BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL TO PITCH CREATING 550 JOBS OVER THREE YEARS TO EARN THE PERFORMANCE-BASED INCENTIVE.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON WHETHER TO GRANT THE INCENTIVES ON DECEMBER 20th.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED SPEAR UNSETTLES HAS BEEN AWARDED THE 2022 AWARD FROM BUSINESS CONSULTING FIRM FROST & SULLIVAN.

SPEARS REMANUFACTURERS, REFURBISHES, REPURPOSES, AND REPAIRS ELECTRIC VEHICLE BATTERIES.

THEY'RE RECOGNIZED FOR PRESERVING THE BATTERIES USED.

SPEARS HAS FACILITIES IN LAS VEGAS, DETROIT, THE NETHERLANDS, AND THE U.K. >> OKLAHOMANS ARE A BIT CHEAP WHEN IT COMES TO TIPPING FOOD DELIVERY DRIVERS ACCORDING TO THE 2022 RESTAURANT TREND REPORT BY BENTO BOX.

OKLAHOMA RESTAURANT.

THE BEST TIPPING STATES ARE MAINE, KENTUCKY AND DELAWARE AS ONGOING ORDERING FROM RESTAURANTS INCREASED 18% THIS YEAR.

OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED BANK 7 HAS A NEW PRESIDENT.

HE WAS MOST RECENT THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FOR BANK.

HE'S BEEN WORKING IN THE BANKING INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

"FORBES" MAGAZINE HAS NAMED THE CO-FOUNDER OF UL -- TULSA.

SHE SHOTTED BODDLE LEARNING DURING THE PANDEMIC AND HELPED THREE MILLION ELEMENTARY STUDENTS WITH MATT SO FAR.

BODDLE IS AN ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM THAT PROVIDES A DASHBOARD FOR A STUDENT'S PARENTS AND TEACHERS TO SEE PROGRESS.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANKS.

THE EXCAVATION OF PARTS OF TULSA'S OAKLAWN CEMETERY BEGAN WITH A GOAL TO DETERMINING IF BODIES BURIED IN AN UNMARKED MASS GRAVE WERE RELATED TO THE 1921 TULSA TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

THUS FAR, NO CONFIRMATION OF A LINK BETWEEN THE REMAINS AND THE VIOLENCE THAT OCCURRED MORE THAN 100 YEARS AGO.

IN THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH CONVERSATION, WE GET AN UPDATE FROM A HISTORIAN AND TWO OF THE SCIENTISTS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS THIS TOPIC.

Dr. STECKELBECK AND HANNIBAL JOHNSON, AUTHOR, ATTORNEY AND CONSULTANT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SO, I'M GOING TO START WITH THE DOCTOR.

START US OFF AND TELL US HOW WERE THESE REMAINS SKOVRD.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE REMAINS?

>> WELL, THE REMAINS THAT WE'RE EXAMINING FOR THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE INVESTIGATION WERE RECOVERED FROM OAKLAWN CEMETERY BASED ON HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS WE HAVE FROM THE TIMING OF THE EVENTS, THE NEWSPAPERS OF THAT WEEK IN MAY AND JUNE, AND THEN THE DEATH CERTIFICATE DATA COLLECTED FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS.

THE PEOPLE WERE LOOKING FOR WERE DOCUMENTED FOR HAVING BEEN BURIED IN OAKLAWN CEMETERY.

THE EXACT LOCATIONS WERE FROM NEWSPAPER DOCUMENTS.

WE DON'T HAVE WHERE IN THE FIELD.

WE HAVE TWO HEADSTONES.

WE HAVE NOT EXHUMED THOSE INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO LOOK AT MARKED GRAVES, BUT WE HAVE AN AREA WITH TWO HEADSTONES IN IT THAT HAS BEEN TRADITIONALLY CALLED THE LOCATION.

>> DOCTOR, WHAT IS THE EXCAVATION PROCESS LIKE TO GET THE REMAINS?

YOU KNOW, HOW IS IT DECIDED WHERE TO START DIGGING?

>> SURE.

SO, THE PROCESS TO DETERMINE WHERE TO START DIGGING, IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE -- I SHOULD NOTE THAT THE OAKLAWN CEMETERY REPRESENTS ONE LOCATION AMONG SEVERAL FOR OUR INVESTIGATION.

FOR EACH OF THESE AREAS, WE'RE TAILORING OUR METHOD AND OUR APPROACH BASED ON THE CONTEXT AND THE SPECIFICS OF EACH OF THOSE LOCATIONS.

HERE, BECAUSE WE'RE IN A CEMETERY AND WE KNOW THERE'S A POTENTIAL FOR UNMARKED GRAVES, UM, OUR FOCUS HERE IS TO APPLY METHODS THAT ALLOW US TO REMOVE THE OVERBURDEN THAT HAS BEEN PLACED OVER THE TOP OF THE GRAVE USING MECHANICAL TECHNIQUES TO GET DOWN TO THAT LEVEL, AND THEN WE USE HAND EXCAVATION TO EXPOSE THE GRAVES THEMSELVES IN A MUCH MORE CAREFUL MANNER.

AND SO, THAT'S, BASICALLY, VERY BRIEFLY THE APPROACH THAT WILL BE TAKEN HERE TO GET TO THE LEVEL WHERE THE GRAVES ARE LOCATED.

THROUGH THE HAND EXCAVATION PROCESS, WE'RE ABLE TO DISCERN THE INDIVIDUAL GRAVES THEMSELVES.

IN THIS CASE, WE'RE PLACED WITHIN INDIVIDUAL COFFINS AND CASKETS, SO WE CAN CAREFULLY REMOVE THE SOIL TO EXPOSE DETAILS OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL GRAVES BEFORE ENCOUNTERING THE REMAINS THEMSELVES.

THEN WE ARE EXTREMELY CAREFUL, OF COURSE, WITH THE PROCESS OF EXPOSING THOSE REMAINS IN A MANNER THAT ALLOWS US TO RECOVER THEM IN A SECURE FASHION AND A RESPECTFUL FASHION TO FACILITATE THE FORENSIC ANALYSIS.

>> HANNIBAL, I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT TULSA.

HOW DOES THIS PROCESS HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THAT MORE?

>> I'VE BEEN STEEPED IN THIS HISTORY PERSONALLY FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

I'VE WRITTEN SEVERAL BOOKS ABOUT THE HISTORY.

IT IS COMPELLING, NOT JUST -- NOT JUST AS A MATTER OF OKLAHOMA HISTORY BUT AS A MATTER OF WORLD U.S. HISTORY.

THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

I CALLED THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

PART OF THE IMPETUS OF THE MASS GRAVES INVESTIGATION IS TO HONOR THAT HUMAN SPIRIT AND GIVE THESE DECEASED PEOPLE THE DIGNITY THEY DESERVE.

SO, TO THE EXTENT WE CAN FIND PEOPLE MURDERED IN THE MASSACRE OF 1921 AND WE CAN IDENTIFY THEIR REMAINS, WE CAN THEN GIVE THEM A DIGNIFIED, PROPER REBURIAL.

>> HOW DO YOU ANALYSIS THE REMAINS?

>> THE PROCESS, IT'S FAIRLY PAINSTAKING.

WE FIRST CLEAN THE REMAINS.

I HAVE SEVERAL GREAT COLLEAGUES WHO ARE FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGISTS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS IN TRAINING.

WE SPEND QUITE A BIT OF TIME CLEANING THE REMAINS.

WE PHOTOGRAPH THEM AND RADIOGRAPH THEM.

FROM THE RECORDS WE HAVE, MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS WE'RE LOOKING FOR HAVE GUNSHOT WOUNDS, SO WE HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF EITHER FINDING BULLET SCATTER ON THE X-RAY INDICATING THERE'S GUNSHOT WOUNDS.

WE X-RAY EACH INDIVIDUAL.

THE PRESERVATION WE'RE SEEING IS DIFFICULT.

STANDARDS VARY ON HOW DIFFICULT IT IS.

I CALL THIS C-LEVEL PRESERVATION, BUT SOMETIMES WE APPLY A PRESERVATIVE TO THE BONES OF INTEREST THAT WILL TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW OLD THE PERSON WAS OR HOW TALL THEY STOOD OR WHAT SEX THEY WERE, AND THE OTHER ELEMENTS WE EXPOSE SO WE CAN SEE IF FROM ARE ANY INDICATORS OF HOW WELL THE PERSON WAS -- SOMETIMES YOUR HEALTH WILL AFFECT YOUR SKELETAL.

WE'LL LOOK FOR SIGNS OF THAT.

MOVE OF WHAT WE SEE ARE THINGS LIKE ARTHRITIC CHANGES BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING AT ADULTS.

WE ASSESS ALL OF THAT AND RECORD IT.

AND WITH THE X-RAYS, WE ALSO LOOK FOR SIGNS OF PERSONAL EFFECTS, IF THERE ARE ANY, AND WE HAND THOSE OFF TO OUR ARCHAEOLOGY COLLEAGUES.

ONCE THE REMAINS ARE CLEAN ENOUGH, YOU KNOW, ARE THERE SIGNS THAT THE PERSON DID SUFFER GUNSHOT WOUNDS?

THAT SO FAR IN THE TWO INDIVIDUALS WE'VE FOUND THAT TRAUMA IN, THEY'VE HAD VERY -- WELL, THEY RETAINED BULLETS IN THE GO CASES WE'VE HAD SO FAR.

IT'S NOT MY EXPECTATION THAT EVERYONE WILL RETAIN BULLETS, BUT THESE ARE SOFTER LEAD CORES AND LEAD, WHEN IT IMPACTS WITH BONE, OFTEN LEAVES A -- LEAVES METAL BEHIND.

EVEN IF WE DON'T SEE RETAINED BULLETS, WE'RE LIKELY TO FIND SIGNS OF SCATTERED LEAD WITHIN THE REMAINS.

SO, WE DOCUMENT ALL OF THAT.

IF WE CAN RECONSTRUCT THE TRAJECTORY OF THE BULLET, SO FAR WE'VE HAD LIMITED RESULTS WITH THAT, BUT WE TRY TO RECONSTRUCT THOSE INDICATIONS FOR THESE REMAINS.

IT'S PART OF THE STANDARD FORENSIC ANALYSIS.

SO, WHEN THE BULLET'S RETAINED, WE ALSO PHOTOGRAPH THAT AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK WITH A BALLISTIC EXPERT TO SEE IF THERE'S INFORMATION ABOUT TIME PERIOD, MANUFACTURING AND THOSE FEATURES.

>> Dr. STECKELBECK HAVE YOU COMPLETED THE EXCAVATION PROCESS, HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHERE THE REMAINS NEED TO GO FOR EXAMINATION?

>> SURE.

WE'VE ESTABLISHED A WORK FLOW THAT ALLOWS US TO CONDUCT ALL OF OUR INVESTIGATIONS ON SITE THEREIN WITHIN THE CEMETERY BOUNDARIES AT OAKLAWN.

WHEN WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF OUR EXCAVATION, ONCE WE DETERMINE THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS A CANDIDATE TO BE EXHUMED AND TAKEN TO THE ON-SITE LABORATORY, UM, THEN WE ACTUALLY HAVE A PROCESS WHERE OUR TEAM -- EXCAVATION TEAM WILL CAREFULLY REMOVE THOSE REMAINS, PLACE THEM IN A CONTAINER, AND THEN THEY ARE RESPECTFULLY TRANSPORTED TO THE ON-SITE LAB FACILITY AND TURNED OVER TO THE DOCTOR'S TEAM.

>> THE REMAINS GET SENT TO UTAH FOLLOWING YOUR EXAMINATION, CORRECT?

>> WELL, PARTS OF THE REMAINS ARE.

SOME ARE SENT TONE INTERMOUNTAIN FORENSICS IN UTAH.

THEY CONDUCT DNA EXTRACTION AND ANALYSIS FOR GENETIC GENEALOGY.

I HAVE TO SAY GENETIC GENEALOGY RESEARCH BECAUSE THAT'S A LONG PROCESS OF IDENTIFYING SOMEONE'S FAMILY THROUGH THEIR DNA.

SO, THE MAJORITY OF THE REMAINS STAY IN OAKLAWN CEMETERY.

>> CAN YOU TELL US WHY UTAH?

LIKE, IS THAT A CERTAIN -- ARE THEY REALLY GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO?

IS THERE A REASON WHY WE'RE KIND OF SEEING THAT GO TO UTAH?

>> INTERMOUNTAIN FORENSICS IS VERY GOOD.

THEY'RE A VERY GOOD MATCH WITH THE ENTIRE INVESTIGATION TEAM, INCLUDING WITH THE SCIENTIFIC CONSULTANTS AND OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THEY WERE A GREAT FIT.

BUT WE HAD A BID PROCESS.

SO, WE HAD SEVERAL GENETIC ANALYSIS COMPANIES BID ON THE GENETIC GENEALOGY PORTION OF OUR INVESTIGATION.

AND WE GOT IT DOWN TO THREE COMPANIES AND INTERVIEWED ALL OF THEM.

INTERMOUNTAIN FORENSICS HAD THE BEST FIT, ESPECIALLY WITH OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH PORTION AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND COMMUNITY CONTACT.

WE WANTED TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY.

THEY HAD THE BEST PRESENTATION.

>> Dr. STECKELBECK, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN THE EXCAVATION PROCESS?

>> SO, WE HAVE PROBABLY ESTIMATED, ON ANY GIVEN DAY DAY, OUR EXCAVATION PROCESS WOULD HAVE APPROXIMATELY 20-30 PEOPLE BECAUSE WE WOULD HAVE TEAMS OF PEOPLE WORKING ON THE EXCAVATIONS THEMSELVES OF THE REMAINS, FOR EXAMPLE; PEOPLE WHO WERE SIFTING THE SOIL REMOVED FROM AROUND THE BURIAL SITE AND PEOPLE ON SITE WHO WERE OBSERVERS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT WOULD COME AND ASSIST WITH THE EFFORT EFFORT, EITHER PARTICIPATING THEMSELVES OR HELPING.

THEN WE NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO TRANSPORT REMAINS FROM THE EXCAVATION TO THE ON-SITE LAB FACILITY.

WE TRIED TO ENSURE THAT WAS ACTUALLY BEING COMPLETED BY MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY.

MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY ALSO ASSISTED, PRAYERS.

IN OTHER WORDS, UM, DURING THAT WHOLE -- THAT WHOLE OF ESCORTING THE REMAINS RESPECTFULLY FROM THE EXCAVATION AREA TO THE LAB, SO, ON ANY GIVEN, WE WOULD HAVE ACTUALLY QUITE A TEAM OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, IN ADDITION TO Dr. STUBBLEFIELD AND HER TEAM OF FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGISTS AS WELL.

>> I KNOW YOU BOTH WORKED CLOSELY TOGETHER.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE WORKING WITH HER TEAM AND THAT PROCESS?

>> IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE TEAM WE HAVE.

THIS IS AN EFFORT WHERE EVERYBODY ENWHO'S INVOLVED, WE ARE VERY PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO THIS EFFORT AND ENGAGED IN THIS EFFORT.

THIS IS NOT RESEARCH.

THIS IS NOT A RESEARCH PROJECT.

THIS IS AN INVESTIGATION THAT'S HAPPENING 100 YEARS TOO LITTLE TOO LATE, AND I WOULD NOT BE DOING THIS WITH ANYBODY ELSE OTHER THAN Dr. STUBBLEFIELD.

I DIDN'T KNOW Dr. STUBBLEFIELD PRIOR TO THIS WORK, BUT I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR HER FRIENDSHIP AND COLLEGIATALITY AND EVERYBODY ELSE ON OUR TEAM WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED SUCH INCREDIBLE WORK ETHIC AND COMMITMENT TO THIS CAUSE.

WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE ABILITY TO DO IT.

>> ALSO, I SHOULD SAY WE'RE ALSO THANKFUL TO THE CITIZENS OF TULSA AND THE MAYOR OF TULSA AND HIS TEAM FOR EVEN MAKING THIS POSSIBLE.

THEY'VE PUT A GREAT DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR TEAM, AND WE WORK DILIGENTLY TO TRY TO REMAIN TRUE TO THAT.

>> SPEAKING OF THE CITY OF TULSA, HANNIBAL, HOW HAVE YOU WORKED ON THE CITY OF TULSA ON TRACING THE HISTORY OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

>> I WANT TO SAY KUDOS.

IT BEGAN WITH THE STATEWIDE COMMISSION THAT WAS CONVENED IN 199 7 -- 1997.

THEY STUDIED THE RIOT IN 1921.

THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THIS SEARCH.

FOR ME, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ANSWER THE LINGERING HISTORICAL QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN.

THAT'S PART OF ACKNOWLEDGING OUR HISTORY, PROVIDING AN EVIDENTIARY BASIS FOR SOME OF OUR CONCLUSIONS.

IT'S A PART OF WHAT I CALL ATONEMENT; REPAIRING THE DAMAGE FROM THE PAST.

THAT IS, MAKING SURE THAT THESE FOLKS ARE, TO THE EXTENT THEY EXIST, ARE IDENTIFIED.

WE'RE FOLLOWING UP ON HISTORICAL LEADS, ESSENTIALLY, IN THIS MASS GRAVES INVESTIGATION.

AND IN THAT WAY, WE ARE HONORING, NOT JUST THE INDIVIDUALS BUT OUR COLLECTIVE HITTER -- HISTORY AS A COMMUNITY.

IT'S IMPORTANT WORK.

I'M PLEASED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE PRETTY INTIMATELY IN THIS WORK.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING OUR INVESTIGATION AND FOR INVITING US TO PRESENT IT.

>> RICH, BACK TO YOU.

>> TAELYR, REALLY GREAT CONVERSATION.

WELL, WE'VE DONE SEVERAL STORIES ON NATIVE LANGUAGE PRESERVATION IN OKLAHOMA, AND IT'S A PRIORITY IN ALASKA AS WELL.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO KODIAK, WHERE OUR PBS PARTNERS REPORT ON THE EFFORTS TO KEEP THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE ALIVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU DON'T SPEAK ALUTIC, YOU WON'T GET THE JOKES AT THIS HOUSE.

IT'S A PLACE WHERE EVERYTHING IS A LESSON, CATCHING UP ON GOSSIP, WASHING THE DISHES, OR MAKING A GROCERY LIST.

KODIAK IS KNOWN FOR BEARS AND FISH.

BUT IT'S ALSO THE HOME OF A POWERFUL MOVEMENT TO BRING THE ALUTIC LANGUAGE BACK INTO DAILY USE.

FOR 100 YEARS, AMERICAN SCHOOLS AND GOVERNMENTS SUPPRESSED THE LANGUAGE.

NOW, THE LAST PEOPLE WHO REMEMBER IT AS THE LANGUAGE OF USE ARE MINIMUM GONE.

AS A LANGUAGE MENTOR AT THE HOUSE.

SHE TOOK A BREAK FROM STUDYING AND LEARNING THE WANG FOR A FEW YEARS AGO, BUT NOW SHE'S BACK AS A MENTOR.

>> HERITAGE LANGUAGES ARE SO IMPORTANT.

WHEN YOU LEARN THEM, IT'S LIKE, OKAY, I'M PART OF THE CREW SAVING IT NOW.

THERE'S NO, LIKE, YEAH, I LEARN A LITTLE ALUTIC ON WEEKENDS WHEN I CAN.

I HAVE TO SAVE IT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A FEW ELDERS IN TOWN AND SOME FOLKS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH BASIC LANGUAGE CLASSES.

>> HI, HOW ARE YOU?

THEY'LL SAY.

HI.

I'M GOOD.

HOW ARE YOU.

THERE'S NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE YOU CAN, LIKE, HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH.

LIKE, I THINK THEY'RE MOSTLY IN THIS ROOM RIGHT NOW.

[CHUCKLING] >> Reporter: IN SOME WAYS, SHE SAYS SHE FEELS LIKE SHE MISSED OUT.

THE TRIBE ESTIMATES THERE ARE NOW ONLY 17 ELDERS WHO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE FLUENTLY.

THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD.

HALEY THOMAS SAYS PART OF THE GOAL IS TO TRAIN FLUENT SPEAKERS WHO CAN, IN TURN, TEACH THE LANGUAGE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF MOTIVATION TO LEARN ALUTIC.

THEY HAVE CLASSES A AT THE COLLEGE.

THE PROBLEM IS, WE DON'T HAVE THE TEACHERS TO TEACH THOSE CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS.

>> Reporter: THIS ISN'T KODIAK'S FIRST MENTORSHIP PROGRAM.

A SOLID FOUNDATION OF LANGUAGE REVITALIZATION EXISTS HERE.

THOMAS SAYS THOSE EFFORTS WERE UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES.

THERE WERE A LOT MORE ELDERS THEN.

>> THE NEXT WAVE OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS BUILDING RESOURCES, ARCHIVING THINGS THAT WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO NEED, SPENDING THE TIME THAT WE KNOW WE CAN GET WITH ELDERS.

THAT'S WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE RIGHT NOW, JUST CHERISHING ALL THE RESOURCES WE CAN GET BEFORE WE KNOW THAT THEY'RE GONE.

>> WOULD YOU SAY IT LIKE THAT?

NO.

>> Reporter: THE STAKES ARE HIGH BUT THE REWARDS ARE IMMENSE.

SHE AND THE OTHERS ARE BUILDING FLUENCY TO TEACH THE NEXT GENERATION OF SPEAKERS.

>> TURN YOUR ALUTIC VOICES UP.

>> Reporter: THEY LEARN NUMBERS AND VERSIONS OF POPULAR KIDS' SONGS.

THERE PROBABLY WON'T BE ANY BIRTH SPEAKERS LEFT BY THE TIME THEY'RE OLDER, BUT THE LANGUAGE MOVE IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE INSTRUCTORS.

THEY WILL HAVE A THREE-YEAR GRANT.

SHE'S THE DIRECTOR AT THE MUSEUM.

>> CAN YOU SAY -- (SPEAKING NATIVE LANGUAGE).

>> IT FEELS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK AND THE MOST REWARDING MOMENTS IS WHEN I CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS.

>> Reporter: REPORTING IN KODIAK, I'M CLAIRE STREAMPEL.

>> THIS LAMP IS FAR LESS FRAG-GEE-LEE THAN THE ONE SEEN IN THE HOLIDAY CLASSIC "A CHRISTMAS STORY."

WE'LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE OKLAHOMA COMPANY THAT BUILT IT.

WELL, TIME FOR US TO SKATE AWAY WITH A TRIP AROUND THE DEVON ICE RANK IN OKLAHOMA CITY, PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE AND STAY TUNED TO O.E.T.A.

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