>> THE PUSH TO BAN TRANSGENDER PROCEDURES FOR MINORS MOVES FORWARD IN THE OKLAHOMA SENATE.

>> THEY CAN CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR BODIES WHEN THEY'RE AN ADULT, BUT WE NEED TO PROTECT IN THE MEANTIME.

>> YOU BELONG HERE AND YOU DESERVE ACCESS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THE FIRST-EVER BLACK HISTORY DAY AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

>> SOMEONE MUST TAKE THIS TORCH TO WORK AS A TEAM TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, JUSTICE.

>> WHAT'S BEING DONE TO CUT DOWN ON THE NUMBER OF INMATE DEATHS IN OKLAHOMA JAILS?

>> THEIR HOPES ARE THE RELEASE OF THIS VIDEO, THE REACTION TO THIS VIDEO AND THE NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY MAY LEAD TO SOME PROSECUTION.

>> IT'S HARVEST TIME FOR AN OKLAHOMA FAMILY FARM FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

>> THANK YOUR FARMERS.

THEY ARE DISAPPEARING.

THEY ARE RETIRING.

NO ONE'S TAKING OVER.

AND THAT IS GOING TO MEAN HIGHER PRICES AS TIME GOES ON.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS A NEW ROLE FOR A FORMER CANDIDATE IN THE MOVIES, NEXT ON THE “OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT ”!

>> HELLO.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

WEEK 2 OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS DOMINATED BY EDUCATION ISSUES AND TRANSGENDER PROCEDURES.

WITH A RECAP OF THAT AND OTHER LEGISLATIVE NEWS FROM 23RD AND LINCOLN, WE'RE JOINED BY CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, JASON DOYLE, WHO JOINS US FROM OUR O.E.T.A STUDIO IN THE CAPITOL.

JASON?

>> RICH, MUCH OF THE WORK BEING DONE AT THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW IS IN COMMITTEE ROOMS,BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP THE OKLAHOMA SENATE FROM TAKING UP A MAJOR CONTROVERIAL MEASURE TO OUTLAW THE PRACTICE OF TRANSGENDER THERAPIES FOR YOUTH.

>> THE CHAIR SEES A QUORUM.

THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> SENATE BILL 613 BY SENATOR JULIE DANIELS RESTRICTS WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN OKLAHOMA.

IT WAS RAISED AS A CONCERN BY GOVERNOR STITT AND LAWMAKERS DURING LAST YEAR'S ARPA SPECIAL SESSION IN WHICH THE MONEY WOULD NOT GO TO OU HEALTH IF TRANSGENDER THEARPIES AND PROCEDURES CONTINUED FOR YOUTH.

SENATE BILL 613 WAS THE LEGISLATION WHICH BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE TO THE CAPITOL ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE SESSION TO PROTEST THE POLICY.

WHILE DANIELS BELIEVES HER LEGISLATION IS MEANT TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM PERMENANT DAMAGE, SHE SAYS HER HEART GOES OUT TO THE PARENTS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE DEALING WITH TRANSGENDER ISSUES.

>> CHILDHOOD AND PUBERTY ARE DIFFICULT ENOUGH, BUT TO ADD THIS TO THAT VERY DIFFICULT TIME, IT IS ALMOST BEYOND IMAGINATION FOR ME.

>> SENATE DEMOCRATS LED THE CHARGE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CHANGE REPUBLICAN MINDS.

HOWEVER, SENATOR CARRI HICKS FELT THE BILL'S DESTINY WAS PREDETERMINED.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, I THINK WE ALREADY KNOW HOW THIS VOTE IS GOING TO GO.

>> SO INSTEAD OF DEBATING AGAINST THE BILL, HICKS SPOKE TO HER CONSTITUENTS.

>> AND SO, IF MY CONSTITUENTS ARE LISTENING, PLEASE REACH OUT FOR HELP.

YOU BELONG HERE AND YOU DESERVE ACCESS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> DANIELS SAYS THE PHYSICIANS SHE'S SPOKEN WITH SUPPORT THE RESTRICTION ON YOUTH.

>> THEY CAN CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR BODIES WHEN THEY'RE AN ADULT, BUT WE NEED TO PROTECT IN THE MEANTIME.

ANOTHER ONE SAID: I DO NOT BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE LEGAL TO PERMANENTLY ALTER THE PHYSIOLOGY OR BODY OF A CHILD FOR THE PURPOSES OF GENDER REASSIGNMENT.

SO, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY AS POLICYMAKERS, STEPPING IN AND MAKING THE BEST DECISION OF OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN.

>> DESPITE THE STAND BY DEMOCRATS, SENATE BILL 613 PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES, 40-8.

IT NOW MOVES TO THE HOUSE FOR ON THURSDAY MORNING, HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL OUTLINED THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS' $500 MILLION EDUCATION PLAN FOR THIS SESSION.

>> THE EDUCATION PLAN WILL PUT OKLAHOMA AHEAD OF ARKANSAS, SET US EVEN WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND PUT US JUST BEHIND TEXAS IN PER-PUPIL EXPENDITURES.

>> A KEY COMPONENT OF THE PLAN INCLUDES TAX CREDITS, NOT A VOUCHER, FOR PARENTS.

PARENTS WHO SENT THEIR CHILDREN TO PRIVATE SCHOOL WILL BE ABLE TO CLAIM UP TO $5000.00, WHILE HOMESCHOOL PARENTS CAN RECEIVE UP TO $2500 TAX CREDIT.

UNLIKE THE VOUCHER SYSTEM, PARENTS WON'T BE GETTING THE MONEY UP FRONT.

>> BOTH OF THOSE WILL REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION AND PROOF TO SUBMIT TO ACTUALLY CLAIM THE CREDIT.

>> HOUSE COMMITTEES WERE BUSY WITH ISSUES INVOLVING CHILDREN, AS WELL.

REPRESENTATIVE MARK LAWSON PRESENTED HOUSE BILL 1017 TO CREATE THE FAMILY REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM.

>> WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS ESTABLISHING A PROGRAM THAT IS GOING TO TRAIN ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT BOTH PARENTS AND CHILDREN ON THE DEPRIVED DOCKET.

>> LAWSON SAYS THE PROGRAM WILL HELP GIVE FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL OKLAHOMA, BETTER ACCESS TO LEGAL REPRESENTATION ON FAMILY ISSUES WHICH INVOLVE THE POSSIBLE SEPARATION OF A CHILD FROM THEIR PARENTS.

HE ADDS IT IS PART OF GOVERNOR STITT'S CHILD WELFARE AGENDA.

>> IT DOES GO ALONG WITH THE TENETS LAID OUT IN THE GOVERNOR'S CHILD WELFARE TASK FORCE TO EITHER GET CHILDREN BACK HOME WITH MOM AND DAD OR RIGHTS TERMINATED SO THAT WE CAN ADOPT THOSE CHILDREN AND THEY CAN HAVE SOME PERMANENCY QUICKER.

>> THE HOUSE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMITTEE PASSED HOUSE BILL 1017 BY A VOTE OF 7-0.

IT NOW HEADS TO THE FULL HOUSE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TOOK ACTION ON A $541 MILLION EDUCATION PLAN THIS WEEK AS WELL.

SENATOR ADAM PUGH ON TUESDAY CLEARED THE FIRST HURDLE TO GETTING HIS EDUCATION BILLS THROUGH THE SENATE.

THAT INCLUDES INCREASING THE MINIMUM SALARY SCHEDULE FOR TEACHERS IN SENATE BILL 482.

>> BREAKS IT INTO "YEAR GROUPS."

SO, LET'S START WITH YEARS ZERO THROUGH FOUR.

SO, THIS IS YOUR STARTING TEACHER THROUGH FOUR YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

THIS WOULD INCREASE THAT SCHEDULE BY $3,000.

YEARS FIVE THROUGH NINE BY $4,000.

YEARS 10 THROUGH 14, $5,000.

AND YEARS 15 THROUGH 25, $6,000.

>> THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PASSED THE MEASURE UNANIMOUSLY.

THEY ALSO APPROVED PUGH'S MENTOR TEACHER STIPENDS, REIMBURSEMENT FOR TEACHERS WHO TAKE AND PASS CERTAIN COMPETENCY EXAMS, THE CREATION OF THE OKLAHOMA TEACHER CORPS PROGRAM, AND PAID MATERANITY LEAVE FOR TEACHERS.

>> I HONESTLY CAN'T THINK OF A MORE PRO-LIFE THING THAT WE CAN DO IN THIS BODY THAN SUPPORT MOMS WHO JUST HAD A BABY, AND NOT MAKE THEM MAKE A VERY DIFFICULT CHOICE, WHICH A LOT OF THEM ARE MAKING TO LEAVE THEIR >> PUGH WON APPROVAL FOR SENATE BILL 363 WHICH FREEZES COLLEGE TUITION AND FEES AT CURRENT LEVELS.

THE EDMOND REPUBLICAN IS CONCERNED THAT WITH RISING PRICES, COLLEGE STUDENTS COULD BE CHOOSING TO DROP OUT OR DEFER THE HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> NOW HAVING SEEN THE BUDGET REQUEST OF THE STATE REGENTS AND HAVING MET WITH EVERY COLLEGE PRESIDENT IN THE STATE, I FELT LIKE THIS WAS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO PUT THAT TUITION FREEZE IN PLACE TO EVALUATE WHAT THE RIGHT COST STRUCTURE IS FOR A HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE, AND THEN FOR THIS BODY TO WORK THROUGH WHAT THE RIGHT FUNDING LEVEL IS.

>> PUGH NOTED THIS WAS NOT MEANT TO BE A CUT TO OKLAHOMA'S PUBLIC COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

PUGH'S SLATE OF BILLS NOW HEAD TO THE FULL SENATE.

THE LEGISLATURE NOW HAS TWO MAJOR EDUCATION PLANS, ONE FROM EACH CHAMBER.

MCCALL NOTED THAT BOTH PLANS HAVE SOME THINGS IN COMMON, WHICH WILL HELP WITH THE NEGOTIATIONS AS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION CONTINUES OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

RICH?

>> CONTINUING OUR TEAM COVERAGE OF WEEK 2 OF THE SESSION, TAELYR JACKSON WAS ON HAND FOR THE FIRST-EVER BLACK HISTORY DAY AT THE CAPITOL, COINCIDING WITH BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN FEBRUARY.

TAELYR REPORTS ON THE PRIORITES AND CONCERNS OF BLACK LAWMAKERS AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY REPRESENT.

>> Reporter: MONDAY WAS A DAY TO CELEBRATE OKLAHOMA'S BLACK HERITAGE.

THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO CELEBRATE HISTORY.

BLACK HISTORY SPECIFIC, WHICH IS AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> BLACK HISTORY, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND AND EXPLORE.

I THINK IN OKLAHOMA, THERE'S TWO THINGS.

ONE, THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK OKLAHOMANS AND THIS IS A CENTER OF BLACK EXCELLENCE.

>> Reporter: AFRICAN AMERICANS ARRIVED IN OKLAHOMA BEFORE STATEHOOD.

OKLAHOMA WAS HOME TO 50 ALL-BLACK TOWNS AND ONLY 13 REMAIN TODAY.

AS I LOOK AROUND THE CAPITOL TODAY -- THEY CONTINUE WITH -- >> Reporter: THE DAUGHTER OF OKLAHOMA CITY CIVIL RIGHTS ICONS CLARA LOOPER BRINGS UP ISSUES WHICH HAVE CONCERNED BLACK LEGISLATORS AND CIVIC LEADERS.

THERE'S A PUSHBACK AGAINST DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION INITIATIVES OR DEI.

SOMETHING REPRESENTATIVE SAYS IS A STEP BACKWARDS.

>> I'M THE FIRST GENERATION OF MY FAMILY TO BE BORN IN A COUNTRY WHERE I HAD RIGHTS NOBODY ELSE HAD.

IN THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO BE VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT WE DO ABOUT IT.

AND SO, INTENTIONALITY MEANS WE NEED TO WORK ON ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE CONCERNS COME AFTER GOVERNOR AND STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INTRODUCTION SPOKE OUT AGAINST DEI.

>> I WANT OUR UNIVERSITIES TO HAVE LESS DEI OFFICERS AND MORE CAREER PLACEMENT COUNSELORS.

>> WE ARE VERY CONCERNED HERE ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS, PROGRAMS THAT TELL FOLKS THAT BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OR THEY ARE SUPERIOR OR INFERIOR TO OTHER RACES.

>> Reporter: WALTERS WITHIN WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE O.E.T.A.

BOARD, INFORMED THE OKLAHOMA REGENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT HIS DEPARTMENT WAS REVIEW UP TO 10 YEARS OF SPENDING HISTORY, INCLUDING CURRENT MATERIALS USED FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS.

ACLU OF OKLAHOMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HOPES THAT MONDAY'S CELEBRATION OF BLACK HISTORY WILL HELP ENLIGHTEN LAWMAKERS.

>> WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE LANGUAGE THEY'RE USING AND THE IMPACT THAT'S HAVING ON BLACK STUDENTS AND BLACK OKLAHOMANS.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS WOKE SOCIETY, WHAT IT MEANS, BUT WE KNOW IS ALL STUDENTS, AND THAT INCLUDES DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.

>> Reporter: DEI PROGRAMS WERE CREATED TO PUSH FOR ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS IN RELIGION, RACE, AGE AND GENDERS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF A PREDOMINANTLY BLACK SCHOOL DISTRICT IN OKLAHOMA CITY SAYS DIVERSITY DOES NOT DISTRACT FROM A STUDENT'S EDUCATION.

>> PROVIDING INFORMATION, I PUSH BACK ON TO THOUGHT THAT DEI IS ONLY ABOUT BROWN PEOPLE OR LGBTQ.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IS ABOUT EVERY TYPE OF PERSON.

FOR OKLAHOMA TO BE A TOP 10 STATE OR A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY STATE, UM, WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT BUSINESSES WANT PEOPLE THAT PUSH INNOVATION.

>> Reporter: WHILE THERE'S STILL A CONCERN ABOUT THE PUSHBACK ON DEI, IT WAS STILL A DAY FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN HOW THE CAPITOL WORKS AND TO SHARE HISTORY.

>> THESE KIDS THAT ARE VERY EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR HISTORY, SOME OF THEM HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE CAPITOL BEFORE.

JUST TO HAVE THEM HERE AT THE CAPITOL AND TO SHOW THEM THEY BELONG JUST LIKE ANY OTHER STUDENT ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, THAT'S WORTHWHILE IN ITSELF.

WE WILL FIGHT FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE AND EQUALITY.

WE HAVE TO ENCOURAGE OUR KIDS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE -- IT MIGHT NOT BE CRITICAL TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: LEADERS ENCOURAGED THOSE STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE FIRST BLACK HISTORY DAY AT THE CAPITOL TO STAY AWAY FROM THE CHANGES BEING MADE THAT COULD AFFECT THEIR EDUCATION AND FUTURES.

>> WE'RE HOPE THAT THE PEOPLE WILL STILL TALK TO THE LEGISLATORS ABOUT WE NEED TO RETHINK HOW WE TALK ABOUT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION IN OUR STATE AND REALLY TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT IT'S BROUGHT TOUR STATE.

>> Reporter: THEY LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE NEW TRADITION AT THE CAPITOL IN THE YEARS TO COME.

TAELYR JACKSON, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> AND ONE OTHER NOTE FROM THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

REPRESENATIVES MARK MCBRIDE AND RHONDA BAKER ARE PROPOSING CHANGES TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

MCBRIDE'S BILL SEEKS TO EXPAND THE BOARD FROM SEVEN MEMBERS TO 11, GIVING TWO APPOINTMENTS EACH TO THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM.

BAKER'S MEASURE PROHIBITS A STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER FROM ALSO SITTING ON A LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD TO PREVENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.

CURRENTLY, ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

>>> IT'S A FACT THAT OKLAHOMA'S COUNTY JAILS RANK AS SOME OF THE DEADLIEST IN THE NATION FOR INMATES.

FATALITIES ARE TOO COMMON, ESPECIALLY AMONG PRISONERS WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY, WHICH CAN CREATE A VOLIATILE SITUATION FOR BOTH THE INMATE AND THOSE ASSIGNED TO GUARDING THEM.

WHTINEY BRYEN WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNER, "OKLAHOMA WATCH," HAS WRITTEN SEVERAL ON-LINE ARTICLES ON THIS, AND I SPOKE WITH HER TO LEARN MORE THIS WEEK.

AND WE MUST WARN YOU: SOME OF THE VIDEO YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE IS DISTURBING.

>> WHITNEY, YOU WROTE AN ARTICLE ABOUT A DEATH THAT OCCURRED IN THE POTAWATOMI COUNTY JAIL IN JANUARY OF 2019.

GIVE US THE SPECIFICS ON THAT AGAIN >> SO, RONALD GIVEN, HE LIVED IN SHAWNEE, AND HE WAS ACTUALLY ARRESTED BACK IN 2019 FOR A MENTAL-HEALTH CRISIS THAT EVENTUALLY LANDED HIM IN THE POTTAWATOMI COUNTY JAIL.

AND A FEW HOURS AFTER HE GOT THERE, HE DEVELOPED SEVERE WHAT SEEMS TO BE MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS STARTED.

HE STRIPPED ALL OF HIS CLOTHES OFF AND STARTED BANGING ON THE DOORS OF A CELL THAT HE WAS IN.

AND THAT'S WHEN OFFICERS CAME IN AND ABOUT A SIX-MINUTE ALTERCATION ENSUED THAT INCLUDED OFFICERS SLAMMING GIVEN TO THE GROUND ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR.

AT ONE POINT, AN OFFICER DUG HIS KNEES INTO GIVEN'S CHEST.

THERE WAS A POINT WHERE HE BECAME UNCONSCIOUS AND WAS DRAGGED ACROSS THAT FLOOR.

AND THIS INCIDENT RESULTED IN HIS DEATH ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.

>> AND AGAIN, WE WARN OUR VIEWER SOME OF THIS VIDEO IS DIFFICULT TO WATCH.

HOW WAS THIS VIDEO OBTAINED?

>> WELL, I RECEIVED ABOUT SEVEN HOURS OF VIDEO FOOTAGE, WHICH IS ALL OF THE TIME THAT RONALD GIVEN WAS INSIDE THE POTTAWATOMI COUNTY JAIL.

AFTER, I MADE A REQUEST FOR AN OPEN RECORD THROUGH THE -- THE OKLAHOMA OPEN RECORDS ACT.

NOW, THAT REQUEST WAS NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

IN FACT, THE FRONTIER, ANOTHER PUBLICATION UP IN TULSA, THEY SUED THE COUNTY AND THE JAIL BECAUSE THEY WERE REFUSING TO GIVE THAT VIDEO TO THE PUBLIC.

>> HAVE ANY CHARGES BEEN FILED SINCE THEN?

HAS ANYONE BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE?

>> SO FAR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHARGES FILED.

NO ONE HAS BEEN PROSECUTED THIS INCIDENT.

HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY SINCE THIS INCIDENT FIRST OCCURRED.

AND SO, I THINK THE FAMILY AND THEIR ATTORNEY, THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT THEIR HOPES ARE THE RELEASE OF THIS VIDEO, THE REACTION TO THIS VIDEO, AND THE NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY MAY LEAD TO SOME PROSECUTION.

>> IF THERE'S GONNA BE SERIOUS CONSIDERATION OF JAIL REFORM, WHERE DOES IT START?

>> IN A LOT OF THE WORK THAT I DO, WHAT I HEAR ABOUT IS THE INTERSECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

SO, I WISH I COULD GIVE YOU ALL THE ANSWERS TO JAIL JUSTICE REFORM, RIGHT, AND SOLVE ALL THESE PROBLEMS FOR OKLAHOMA.

BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT I'M HEARING FROM SHERIFFS, FROM POLICE OFFICERS, FROM LEGISLATORS, FROM MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IS STOPPING PEOPLE WHO ARE MENTALLY ILL WHO ARE HAVING A MENTAL-HEALTH CRISIS FROM ENDING UP IN JAIL OR PRISON DUE TO THEIR MENTAL-HEALTH ISSUES RATHER THAN GETTING TREATMENT FOR THEM.

SO, THAT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT MY SOURCES ARE LOOKING INTO AND SEEKING AS A WAY TO HELP REFORM OUR -- OUR JAIL AND PRISON SYSTEMS.

>> WHITNEY BRYEN WITH “OKLAHOMA WATCH, ” LET ME ASK YOU, THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL HAS A NEW ADMINISTRATOR, MAJOR BRANDY GARDNER.

SHE HAS VOWED TO REDUCE DEATHS IN THAT FACILITY, AND SO FAR, CRITICS OF THE JAIL SAY SHE'S DOING A PRETTY GOOD JOB.

IS NEW LEADERSHIP THE ANSWER, PERHAPS, IN SOME OF THESE JAILS AND FACILITIES?

>> LEADERSHIP IS ABSOLUTELY A -- A HUGE FACTOR IN THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS.

AS TO WHETHER OR NOT, YOU KNOW, THIS NEW LEADERSHIP CHANGE IS GONNA SOLVE PROBLEMS, I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS, AND AS I SAID A MINUTE AGO, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF MOVING PIECES, LEADERSHIP IS CERTAINLY ONE OF THEM.

TRAINING IS ANOTHER ONE.

STAFFING LEVELS, YOU KNOW, HAVING ENOUGH STAFF AT THE LEADERSHIP AND BELOW TO RUN THESE FACILITIES IN THE WAY THAT THEY NEED TO BE RUN TO RUN FACILITIES OUTSIDE THE JAIL, LIKE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, YOU KNOW, HAVING HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND THEIR TRAINING.

ALL OF THESE THINGS REQUIRE, YOU KNOW, INCREASES IN FUNDING, INCREASES IN STAFFING TO HELP, YOU KNOW, SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS.

>> WHITNEY, I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO PUBLISH ANOTHER ARTICLE AT LEAST PROBABLY BY FRIDAY.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA WHAT THAT ONE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT?

>> YEAH, SO MY LATEST STORY IS LOOKING AT THE CLEVELAND COUNTY JAIL AND THE HEALTHCARE WITHIN INSIDE THAT JAIL.

I'M SURE YOU AND A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS KNOW THAT THERE WERE TWO WOMEN, SHANNON HANCHETT; AND A NOBLE GRANDMOTHER, KATHRYN MILANO, WHO DIED IN THAT JAIL LATE LAST YEAR.

SO, THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS COMING OUT ABOUT THE CONDITIONS OF THAT JAIL, THE HEALTHCARE, AND THE MENTAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDED IN THAT JAIL.

SO, I'VE BEEN LOOKING INTO THAT AND HOPE TO HAVE A FEW ANSWERS FOR YOU AND FOR OUR READERS THIS WEEK.

>> WHITNEY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE YOU BACK TO TALK ABOUT THAT ARTICLE AS WELL.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME, RICH.

>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION A LITTLE BIT LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST.

OUR “IN-DEPTH ” SEGMENT THIS WEEK FOCUSES ON WHAT CAN BE DONE TO NOT ONLY MAKE JAILS AND PRISONS SAFER FOR INMATES, BUT ALSO FOR THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND PERSONNEL WHO WORK IN THEM.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT THE OKLAHOMA FORENSIC CENTER, WHICH IS THE ONE PLACE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IN VINITA.

ONE OF THE GOOD PIECES IS WE'RE LOOKING AT INVESTING IN 80 MORE BEDS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THAT BACKLOG OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT GET EVALUATIONS.

THOSE PEOPLE ARE JUST SITTING IN JAIL, WAITING FOR A BED SOMEWHERE AND AN OUTPATIENT OR IN-PATIENT FACILITY.

>> THE DOJ IS ALSO INVESTIGATING SOME OF THE STATE POLICIES ON HOW WE HANDLE CARE FOR MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE AND HOW THOSE CALLS COME INTO THE 9-1-1 SYSTEM, HOW POLICE RESPOND TO THEM.

>> PEOPLE ARE BEING FUNNELED INTO THE SYSTEM FOR VERY MINOR BEHAVIORS.

PEOPLE ARE THERE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME BEFORE THEY HAVE EVEN BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

PEOPLE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY BAIL THAT IS SET BY THE COURT.

SOMETIMES THAT'S A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS, BUT MOST PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CONTACT WITH THE JAILS DON'T HAVE A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO PAY.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 40,000 JOBS AVAILABLE IN OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW, AND GOVERNOR STITT HAS APPOINTED A TEAM TO HELP FILL THEM.

ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, STITT NAMED HIS WORKFORCE TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE, CONSISTING OF LEGISLATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS, AND EDUCATION OFFICIALS.

THE TASK FORCE WILL BE CO-CHAIRED BY SECRETARY OF COMMERCE AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CHAD MARISKA AND STATE CHAMBER PRESIDENT AND CEO, >> WHEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMES COMMUNITY AND THE EDUCATION SECTOR, WE CAN SOLVE THESE WORKFORCE, >> Reporter: THEY'RE NOPE FOR THEIR VINE-RIPE TOMATOES, THE QUALITY YOU MAY NOT FIND IN A GROCERY STORE AND A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BRANDON CROW HAS HELPED HIS PARENTS RUN CROW FARMS SINCE BRANDON GRADUATED FROM OU IN 2005.

>> WE DO FRUITS, VEGETABLES.

WE RAISE BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER, OTHER VEGETABLES.

>> Reporter: CROW, WHO STUDIED BUSINESS MANAGEMENT, AND NOT AGRICULTURE AT OU, FOUND THE LURE OF JOINING THE CROW FAMILY FARM LEGACY TOO STRONG TO GO TO WORK IN A COAT AND A TIE.

BRANDON'S GREAT-GRANDFATHER, WILLIAM WILSHIRE STARTED CROW FARMS IN THE EARLY 1920s.

HIS SON, BILLY JEAN CROW, EVENTUALLY TOOK OVER.

IN THE MID-1980s, BILLY JEAN'S SON, RICKY AND CLAUDIA TOOK THE REINS.

I WAS BORN IN COLUMBIA.

WHEN HE SAID, LET'S DO THIS.

I THOUGHT, YEAH, WHY NOT.

SO, WE STARTED OUT WITH TWO HOES, TWO ROTO-TILLERS AND TWO DUMMIES WHO THOUGHT THEY COULD CONQUER THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: THE WILD CARD IN FARMING WILL ALWAYS BE THE WEATHER.

THEY DEALT FIRST WITH TOO MUCH RAIN AND NOT ENOUGH.

>> IT KEPT US ON OUR TOES BECAUSE WE GOT FLOODS REALLY EARLY ON.

THEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT JUST STOPPED.

SO, WE JUST HAVE TO HAVE OUR HEADS ON A SWIVEL AND JUST BE PREPARED FOR THE UNEXPECTED.

>> Reporter: ABOUT A MILE SOUTHEAST OF CROW FARMS, HERE IN EARLSBORO, THE CROWS HAVE A FARM MARKET.

THEY ALSO HAVE ANOTHER ONE IN DOWNTOWN SHAWNEE.

[BELL] >> Reporter: CLAUDIA SAYS EVERYTHING SHE SELLS IN HERE WAS GROWN OR PRODUCED LOCALLY.

>> YOU CANNOT BUY WHAT WE SELL JUST ANYWHERE.

OUR CORN WILL BE PICKED THE NIGHT BEFORE, AND THEY CAN COME AND GET IT THE NEXT MORNING.

AND IT DOESN'T GET ANY FRESHER THAN THAT.

>> Reporter: TOM GATES FROM NEARBY NEW LIME MA SAYS HIS MOTHER-IN-LAW SENDS HIM NO THE CROW FARM MARKET AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY AND BECAUSE THE PRICES ARE STILL RIGHT.

>> THEY'VE GOT THE BEST STUFF IN HERE.

IT'S ALL HOMEGROWN AND ORGANIC.

THAT'S WHAT SHE KEEPS US GOING ONEN WE STARTED ON OUR DIETS TWO YEARS AGO.

I WAS HUGE.

MY MOTHER-IN-LAW JUST GOT IT.

WE USE A LOT OF THESE SEASONINGS FOR OUR GRAINS AND EVERYTHING.

IT'S JUST A REALLY GOOD PLACE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THESE PARTS, SHAWNEE AND EAST OF SEMINOLE, PRAYING, YOU KNOW, THEY REALLY DEPEND ON THE FRESH PRODUCTS WE PROVIDE THEM WITH.

>> WHAT WE DO REQUIRES A LOT OF INCOME, AND THE INPUT IS REALLY, REALLY HIGH ANY MORE WITH ALL PRICES GOING UP, THE FUEL, YOUR SEED, YOUR FERTILIZER, EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, INCLUDING LABOR, HAS GONE UP.

BUT OUR PRICES ARE SOMEWHAT FROZEN BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT FAMILIES DON'T HAVE A LOT OF EXTRA INCOME.

>> REALLY, AGRICULTURE IS THE BACKBONE OF EVERYTHING THERE IS IN LIFE.

I MEAN, FROM THE FOOD WE EAT TO THE CLOTHES THAT WE WEAR, YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT THE COTTON THAT -- THAT MAKES THOSE.

UM, THE LUMBER INDUSTRY, OUR FURNITURE, I MEAN, IT'S JUST EVERYWHERE.

>> Reporter: YET, CLAUDIA FEARS THE DAYS OF THE LOCAL FARMER ARE NUMBERED.

>> YOU EITHER EAT HEALTHY OR FIVE, TEN YEARS THE ROAD, YOU WILL PAY YOUR PHYSICIAN TO HEAL WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

SPEND MORE ON WHAT YOU'RE EATING, KNOW THE GROWING PRACTICES OF WHAT IT TOOK TO GET THAT TO YOUR TABLE.

THANK YOUR FARMERS.

THEY ARE DISAPPEARING.

THEY ARE RETIRING.

NO ONE'S TAKING OVER.

AND THAT IS GOING TO MEAN HIGHER AND HIGHER PRICES AS TIME GOES ON.

>> Reporter: YET, BRANDON CROW CANNOT IMAGINE DOING ANYTHING ELSE.

>> WE MIGHT TRY TO DABBLE AND TRY SOME GARLIC -- >> Reporter: THIS YEAR?

>> NOT THIS YEAR.

MAYBE JUST SOMETHING WE'RE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, TOYING AROUND WITH THE IDEA OF.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: HEY, WHAT WOULD YOUR GREAT-GRANDFATHER SAY IF HE LOOKED OUT OVER ALL THIS TODAY?

>> I REALLY THINK MY GREAT-GRANDFATHER WOULD BE PRETTY AMAZED BY JUST THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AND THE VARIETY OF THE CROPS THAT WE DO RAISE.

>> Reporter: WHAT A LEGACY.

>> YEAH, UM, WE JUST -- YOU KNOW, EVERY DAY WE JUST TRY TO DO THE BEST WE CAN JUST TO HONOR THEIR TRADITION AND -- AND REALLY SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YOU'LL ALSO FIND CROW FARMS' PRODUCE IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND EDMOND AT SCISSORTAIL PARK MARKET AND THE MARKET IN DOWNTOWN EDMOND.

RICH?

>> STEVE, THANKS.

WELL, TOMATOS AREN'T THE ONLY PLANT TURNING A PROFIT IN OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW.

THE GRASS FIELD THE CHIEFS WON SUPER BOWL LVII ON IN ARIZONA WAS DEVELOPED AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY IN STILLWATER.

NOW, IF YOU WATCHED THE GAME, YOU KNOW THERE WERE SEVERAL TIMES THAT PLAYERS SLIPPED.

OSU RESPONDED TO THAT THIS WEEK, SAYING ANOTHER TYPE OF RYE GRASS WAS GROWN ON TOP OF THEIR BERMUDA SOD AND THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEMS.

THE TURF IS CALLED TAHOMA 31, AND IT PERFORMED WELL IN BOTH THE AFC AND NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES IN PHILADELPHIA AND KANSAS CITY.

CITY.

TAHOMA 31 TOOK ABOUT A DECADE TO DEVELOP FROM CONCEPTION TO COMMERCIAL RELEASE, AND MAKE NO MISTAKE, THE TURF BUSINESS IS BIG BUSINESS!

IT'S WORTH $1 BILLION A YEAR TO THE OKLAHOMA ECONOMY AND A TOTAL OF $40 BILLION NATIONWIDE.

OSU RESEARCHERS SAY THE GOAL IS TO CREATE STURDIER GRASSES THAT REQUIRE LESS WATER TO MAINTAIN.

>> OUR TURF GRASS BREEDING PROGRAM HAS REALLY FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING VARIETIES THAT ARE TOUGH, THAT ARE RESILIENT, THAT CAN TAKE THE EXTREME CONDITIONS OF OKLAHOMA, COLD, DRY, HOT, NUTRIENT POOR, ALL OF THAT AND FLOURISH, ESPECIALLY FOR PLAYING SURFACES WHERE VERY HEAVY MEN WEARING CLEATS TO TEAR IT UP.

>> WE HAVE IT IN SOLDIER FIELD, WE HAVE IT IN CHURCHILL DOWNS, WE HAVE IT AT THE CAPITOL BUILDING IN WASHINGTON D.C. AND THEN TO HAVE IT IN TWO PLAYOFFS GAMES, TWO DIFFERENT ONES, AND THEN THE SUPER BOWL, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE COULD EVER CLAIM THAT THEY HAD PLANT MATERIAL THAT PEOPLE WERE PLAYING ON, AND THE PERFORMANCE OF THAT, THAT'S REALLY ASTOUNDING.

>> ACCORDING TO OKLAHOMA STATE, IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2022, ROYALITIES FROM OSU AG PATENTS BROUGHT IN $2.6 MILLION IN REVENUE.

THAT'S A LOT OF GREEN.

>> JASON DOYLE'S BELOVED KANSAS CITY CHIEFS WERE TRIUMPHANT ON SUNDAY, AND HE HAPPILY RETURNS NOW WITH A RECAP OF THE WEEK'S ECONOMIC NEWS IN THIS EDITION OF OUR STATEWIDE, "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

” >> OKLAHOMA CITY HAD THE SECOND BIGGEST DROP IN RENT PRICES AMONG MAJOR U.S. CITIES IN JANUARY, ACCORDING TO REAL ESTATE COMPANY REDFIN.

RENT DROPPED BY 6.3% LAST MONTH, ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY.

NATIONALLY, RENT INCREASED BY 2.4%.

PHOENIX HAD THE LARGEST DROP IN RENT AT 6.7%.

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA SAW THE BIGGEST JUMP AT 22.5%.

>>> TULSA-BASED WILLIAMS HAS CLOSED A $1.5 BILLION DEAL BY ACQUIRING MOUNTAIN WEST PIPELINES HOLDING COMPANY.

WILLIAMS IS BUYING THE ROUGHLY 2,000 MILES OF INTERSTATE NATURAL GAS PIPELINE SYSTEMS AND STORAGE FROM SOUTHWEST GAS HOLDINGS.

THE DEAL BREAKS DOWN LIKE THIS.

WILLIAMS IS PAYING A LITTLE MORE THAN ONE BILLION IN CASH AND IS ASSUMING APPROXIMATELY 430 MILLION IN DEBT.

THE PIPELINE SYSTEM RUNS THROUGH UTAH, WYOMING, AND COLORADO.

>>> DALLAS-BASED MOHR CAPITAL IS EXPANDING INTO TULSA BY ACQUIRING 20 ACRES TO DEVELOP A 50,000-SQUARE-FOOT MARKETPLACE.

IT WILL BE LOCATED NEAR THE TURKEY MOUNTAIN URBAN WILDERNESS.

THE ANCHOR TENANT WILL BE OUTDOOR RETAILER REI.

RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL SHOPS WILL FILL THE REST OF THE SPACE.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN THE SPRING OF 2024.

>>> THE COMPANY BUILDING A RARE EARTH MAGNET PRODUCTION FACILITY IN STILLWATER HAS HIRED FORMER U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO AS A STRATEGIC ADVISOR.

USA RARE EARTH IS INTERESTED IN POMPEO'S EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT AND HIS AEROSPACE BACKGROUND TO PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE AS THE COMPANY DEVELOPS ITS U.S.-BASED SUPPLY CHAIN.

RARE EARTH MAGNETS ARE USED IN ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AEROSPACE, AND DEFENSE APPLICATIONS, AS WELL AS, MEDICAL DEVICES AND SMARTPHONES.

>>> STARTING ON MONDAY, FEBUARY 20TH, YOU'LL FINALLY BE ABLE TO GET A SONIC CHEESEBURGER AND CHERRY LIMEADE IN HAWAII.

THE OKLAHOMA-CITY-BASED RESTAURANT COMPANY HAS A >> THE 2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR SONIC NOW HAS LOCATIONS IN 47 STATES.

JASON DOYLE, THE “OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

” >> THE 2020 TEACHER OF THE YEAR HAS A NEW JOB OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

JENA NELSON IS NOW THE EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR THE DEADCENTER FILM FESTIVAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BEFORE BECOMING A TEACHER, NELSON WAS A CASTING AGENT AFTER SHE GRADUATED COLLEGE, AND NOW SHE'LL SHARE THE MAGIC OF MOVIEMAKING WITH STUDENTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF VERY INTERESTING THINGS THAT WE'RE DOING ON THIS TOUR.

I GO ACROSS ALL THE STATE, AND AN INVITATION OF ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT INVITES US OUT.

WE TALK ABOUT, OF COURSE, DEADCENTER FILM.

WE TALK ABOUT THE INDUSTRY AND HOW AMAZING AND BOOMING IT IS IN OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW.

AND THEN, FOR THE PEOPLE THAT PARTICIPATE IN THIS TOUR, WE HAVE A VERY SPECIAL THREE-MINUTE FILM COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS -- SECONDARY STUDENTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

>> PRIOR TO JOINING DEADCENTER, NELSON RAN UNSUCCESSFULLY FOR STATE SUPERINETENDENT AGAINST RYAN WALTERS.

>>> REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF VIOLENCE THAT TAKES PLACE WITHIN OKLAHOMA'S JAILS AND PRISONS IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S "IN-DEPTH" DISCUSSION.

MAKING THEM SAFER FOR BOTH INMATES AND PERSONNEL IS A WORTHY GOAL, AND THAT SERVED AS THE STARTING POINT FOR MODERATOR REECE WETZEL AND HIS PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> RICH, THANK YOU.

THREE GUESTS TO GIVE US INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC.

TODAY, WE HAVE BIRANNA DAILY.

DAMIAN SHADE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

WE HAVE JASMINE, POLICY AND RESEARCH MANAGER FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

HOW IS EVERYONE DOING?

>> DOING WELL.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

FIRST OFF, I WANT TO START WITH BRIANNA.

ARE WE A TOP 10 STATE?

>> WE ARE.

WE ARE A TOP 10 STATE.

AND A BIG PROBLEM IS YOU HAVE TO PEOPLE GOING INTO JAILS AND OFTENTIMES THEY'RE IN -- THEY'RE EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF CHRONIC SUBSTANCE USE, AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF CHRONIC PHYSICAL HEALTH PROBLEMS AS WELL.

AND THE JAILS, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THEM ARE JUST NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH REALLY HIGH NEEDS IN THOSE AREAS.

>> YEAH.

AND, DAMIAN, THAT BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT.

YOU KNOW, WE SEE A LOT OF TOPICS AROUND THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, BUT IT'S NOT THAT JUST THAT ONE JAIL; IT'S JAILS ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

WHY IS THIS SUCH A WIDESPREAD ACROSS OUR STATE AND A PROBLEM JUST IN OKLAHOMA?

OR DO OTHER STATES SEE THIS KIND OF JAIL DEATHS LIKE WE DO?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COVERING THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.

I THINK THIS IS REALLY A PUBLIC HEALTH CONVERSATION MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE ONE OF THE LEAST-RESOURCED MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS IN THE NATION.

THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE SERVICES ESTIMATES THAT FOR EVERY THREE OKLAHOMANS WHO NEED SIGNIFICANT SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT, RIGHT NOW OUR CURRENT FUNDING MODEL ONLY ALLOWS US TO HELP ONE OF THOSE FOLKS.

SO, TWO IN THREE OKLAHOMANS WHO NEED SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH OR ADDICTION TREATMENT CAN'T GET IT.

FOR MANY OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, THE FIRST TIME THEY EVER HAVE AN INTERACTION WITH ADDICTION TREATMENT, WITH COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY, WITH ANY OF THOSE PIECES MIGHT BE IN A STATE PRISON FACILITY AFTER THEY LEAVE THE COUNTY JAIL.

COUNTY JAILS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE THOSE TYPES OF RESOURCES AND SERVICES TO PEOPLE.

SO, WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE, BECAUSE WE'RE NOT PAYING FOR PREVENTION ON THE FRONT END, WE'RE FORCED TO PAY FOR IT ON THE OTHER END.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE SEE CRIME VICTIMS, RIGHT, WE SEE BUSINESS COMMUNITY LEADERS BEING UPSET BY THE AMOUNT OF FOLKS THAT THEY SEE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS AND HAVING CO-OCCURRING MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION.

BY NOT TREATING THIS AS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, WE'VE MADE THE PROBLEMS OF CRIME AND INCARCERATION WORSE.

>> AND YOU SAY IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

CAN YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE MORE ON WHAT YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO, WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S INCARCERATION CRISIS, YOU ARE TALKING LARGELY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED CO-OCCURRING MENTAL ILLNESS THAT WAS UNDIAGNOSED AND UNTREATED, SOME TYPE OF TRAUMA WITH OKLAHOMA HAVING THE LARGEST -- HIGHEST RATE OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING WHAT THEY CALL ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN THE NATION, WITH NO TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE AS A STANDARD THING IN OUR SCHOOLS AND ESPECIALLY AMONGST OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN THOSE CRITICAL AGES WHEN THEY BEGIN AGING INTO WHAT PEOPLE CALL CRIME-LIKE BEHAVIOR.

IT IS ALL OF THOSE LACKS OF INVESTMENTS THAT HAS LED US HERE.

MAKING THE SYSTEM WORSE IS THE FACT THAT IN 2020, WE HAD FIVE PEOPLE IN THE STATE WHO COULD DO COMPETENCY EVALUATIONS ON DEFENDANTS WHO MIGHT BE JUDGED INCOMPETENT FOR TRIAL.

>> YOU SAID FIVE PEOPLE?

>> FIVE PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

NOW WE HAVE THREE.

>> SO WE'VE LOST.

WE HAVEN'T EVEN GROWN?

>> YEAH.

WE'RE LOOKING AT THE OKLAHOMA FORENSIC CENTER, WHICH IS THE ONE PLACE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, IN VINITA.

WE'RE LOOKING AT INVESTING IN 80 MORE BEDS TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THAT BACKLOG OF PEOPLE THAT CANNOT GET AS REAL ASS -- EVALUATIONLE THEY'RE IN A BED WAITING FOR A BED IN VINITA AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE COMPENSATING.

SOMETIMES THEY'RE HURTING THEMSELVES IN JAILS AND HAVING TO BE PUT IN HOSPITALS.

IT'S REALLY AN UNSUSTAINABLE SITUATION THAT OUR LAWMAKERS AND LEADERS HAVE TO ADDRESS.

>> YEAH, I MEAN, JUST TO SAY WE LOST, I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT.

I WAS HOPING YOU'D SAY, YOU KNOW, WE GAINED SOME PEOPLE.

JASMINE, WHEN WE LOOK AT REFORM FOR JAIL CONDITIONS AND INCLUDING MORE MENTAL HEALTH STABILITY, IT'S NOT JUST FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED.

SHOULD WE ALSO BE LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE STAFFED THERE HAVING MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT AS WELL?

>> WHAT HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT IN THIS CONVERSATION SO FAR IS THE FOCUS ON NOT CREATING BETTER JAILS, BUT ON HOW DO WE CREATE SAFER COMMUNITIES SO THEY'RE NOT FUNNELED INTO THE JAILS BECAUSE OF A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, BECAUSE THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH POVERTY OR BECAUSE OF A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER.

HOW DO WE SUPPORT PEOPLE?

HOW DO WE INVEST IN THOSE SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORT NECESSARY TO WHERE THEY'RE NOT, THEN, TRANSFERRED INTO THE JAIL SYSTEM AND THERE FOR DAYS, WEEKS, MONTHS, AND SOMETIMES A YEAR OR MORE WITHOUT THE SUPPORTS THEY NEED TO THRIVE.

INSTEAD, JAILS ARE DESTABILIZING IN AND OF THEMSELVES AND HAVE GRAVE CONSEQUENCES.

AS WAS FIRST TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF OKLAHOMA'S STANDING NATIONALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT JAIL MORTALITY, THERE WAS A REPORT DONE A FEW YEARS AGO THAT FOUND THAT OKLAHOMA HAD THE SECOND HIGHEST JAIL MORTALITY RATE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WOW.

>> AND THIS HIGH MORTALITY RATE WAS REALLY DRIVEN BY OKLAHOMA DEATHS IN CUSTODY.

IN MOST RECENT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN MORE AND NOT LESS DEATHS IN CUSTODY.

SO, THERE'S, OBVIOUSLY, A CRISIS AS DAMIAN WAS MENTIONING AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND THE SUPPORT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS TRULY LACKING IN OKLAHOMA THAT ISN'T SUPPORTING EVERYDAY OKLAHOMANS AND PREVENTING THE INCARCERATION CRISIS THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING.

ON ANY GIVEN DAY IN OKLAHOMA, THERE'S 9,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE DETAINED IN LOCAL JAILS, AND OVER TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE PEOPLE STATEWIDE, THAT'S 70%, HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

AND THAT NUMBER RISES UP TO 85% WHEN LOOKING AT OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

THAT MEANS A VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE FUNNELED INTO THE JAILS, HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME, AREN'T GETTING ANY OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE NEEDS AND TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE WHILE IN THE JAILS, AND OUR RISK OF EXPOSURE TO TERRIBLE CONDITIONS OF CONFINEMENT AND EVEN DEATH.

SO, I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN -- IN THINKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE -- THE NEXT STEPS AND BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT PEOPLE IN -- IN THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY NOT USING JAILS AS -- AS A PLACE TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AND WAREHOUSE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, AND FOLKS LIVING IN POVERTY.

BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE USED FOR NOW.

>> YEAH.

>> WE NEED TO INVEST MORE IN COMMUNITY-BASED TREATMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES SO THAT PEOPLE HAVE THE SUPPORT TO THRIVE.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING POINT, INVESTING IN THE COMMUNITY AND KIND OF -- I WANT TO GO BACK AND TALK ABOUT OKLAHOMA COUNTY AND OKLAHOMA CITY.

WELL, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SAID THEY'RE INVESTIGATING OKLAHOMA CITY -- THE OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT DUE TO SOME OF THE CONDITIONS OR HOW THEY'VE BEEN TREATING PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE CALLS FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISES.

WHAT SPARKED THIS INVESTIGATION?

IS THAT A FIRST STEP IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT STEP TO MAKE THIS PROCESS BETTER?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S A STATEWIDE PROBLEM, AND THE DOJ IS ALSO INVESTIGATING SOME OF THE STATE POLICIES ON HOW WE HANDLE CARE FOR MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE AND HOW THOSE CALLS COME INTO THE 911 SYSTEM, HOW POLICE RESPOND TO THEM.

WHAT WE HAVE SEEN STATEWIDE, AND ALSO IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, IS THAT POLICE OFFICERS RESPOND TO THESE CALLS FOR A PERSON HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

IN OKLAHOMA, A POLICE OFFICER CAN TRAILER DETAIN A PERSON AND TAKE THEM TO A HOSPITAL FOR A MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION.

BUT THAT TAKES A LOT OF TIME FOR A POLICE OFFICER TO DO.

THEY'RE IN AN ER WAITING WITH THE PERSON FOR HOURS.

THERE MIGHT NOT BE ANY MENTAL HEALTH BEDS AVAILABLE FOR A PERSON, EVEN IF THEY ARE DETERMINED TO BE HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND THEY NEED TO BE ADMITTED TO A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY.

AND A LOT OF TIMES WHAT HAPPENS ON THESE CALLS, AND I'VE -- I'VE WRITTEN ABOUT CASES WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED, WHERE, UM, THE PERSON ENDS UP GETTING ARRESTED ON A VERY MINOR CHARGE.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY KICKED A POLICE OFFICER OR MAYBE A FAMILY MEMBER CALLED THE POLICE AND SAID, MY DAUGHTER HAS BIPOLAR DISORDER AND SHE'S, YOU KNOW, IN MY HOUSE AND SHE WON'T LEAVE AND I NEED YOU TO COME GET HER.

WHEN WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO IS GET THAT PERSON INTO TREATMENT BECAUSE THE FAMILY DOESN'T HAVE ANY OTHER MEANS OF DOING THAT.

THEY CALL THE COPS.

THE COPS SAY, WELL, ALL I CAN DO IS ARREST THE PERSON FOR TRESPASSING.

>> WOW.

>> SO, A LOT OF TIMES THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, THEY SHOULD BE ENDING UP IN A MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY GETTING TREATMENT, BUT THEY END UP IN JAIL.

>> IT'S BEING LOOKED AT MORE AS A LEGAL ISSUE THAN AN HUMANITY ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, WHOEVER'S, YOU KNOW, HAVING THAT CRISIS IS NOT SEEN AS SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH; THEY'RE JUST SEEN AS SOMETHING WHO IS KIND OF STIGMATIZED BY THE MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSION.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, IT'S NOT JUST MENTAL HEALTH, IT'S PUBLIC HEALTH IN GENERAL.

THERE'S A LOT OF INSTANCES WHERE, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE MIGHT BE IN A JAIL AND THEY'RE STRUGGLING WITH A HEALTH CONDITION THAT IS NOT TREATED.

ARE THERE EVEN CHECKS GOING ON WHEN THEY GET IN THE JAIL, HEALTH CHECKS, MENTAL HEALTH SCREENINGS, HOW IS THAT BROS?

>> ABSOLUTELY, THAT PROCESS IS A HODGEPODGE IN OKLAHOMA.

THERE'S 77 COUNTIES, MOST OF WHICH HAVE COUNTY JAILS, AND EACH OF THEM HAS A PRETTY DIFFERENT PUBLIC HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE, SOME OF WHICH IN OKLAHOMA COYNE AND TULSA COUNTY, THE TWO LARGEST COUNTIES, YOU SEE A DIVERSION STRUCTURE WITH PROVIDERS THAT ARE OFTEN ATTACHED TO THE JAIL IN TULSA WHERE I LIVE, FOLKS LIKE FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES AND A NEW DIVERSION HUB THAT EXISTS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, YOU HAVE THE DIVERSION HUB AND OTHER PROVIDERS THAT ARE DOING SOME FRONT-END SERVICES.

BUT IN THE 50 PLUS RURAL COUNTIES IN THIS STATE, THERE ARE SO FEW RESOURCES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IN THIS CONVERSATION FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT OF THIS, VOTERS VOTED MORE THAN SIX YEARS AGO TO INVEST MORE MONEY IN MENTAL HEALTH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT FOR COINS TO BEGIN MANAGING THESE PROBLEMS WITHOUT JUST RESORTING TO JAILS AS THE FRONT-END RESPONDER FOR THESE CRISES AND PUBLIC HEALTH PROBLEMS.

THAT WAS THE 781 FUNDING.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE LEGISLATION THAT IS IN FRONT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT COULD ACTUALLY BRING THAT MONEY, MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TO COUNTIES TO HELP DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

YOU HAVE ONE IN TWELVE OKLAHOMA INMATE HAS HEPATITIS C. YOU HAVE A -- YOU HAVE CHRONIC ILLNESS LIKE DIABETES AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT ARE REALLY TAKING PEOPLES LIVES IN OKLAHOMA JAILS AND PRISONS.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT JAIL DEATH NUMBER, HALF OF THOSE JAIL DEBTS IN THE 2009 TO 2019 REPORT THAT WAS REFERENCED EARLIER, HALF OF THOSE WERE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES THAT WERE NOT DEALT WITH, PEOPLE WHO LANGUISHED IN JAIL WITH TREATABLE DISEASES WHO DIED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET THE TREATMENT AND DID NOT GET THE CARE THEY NEEDED.

>> YEAH, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE IN JAIL AND THEY MIGHT BE LOOKED AT, WELL, IF THEY'RE DYING IN JAIL,NER IN JAIL.

IT'S A PERSON IN PRISON.

HOW DO WE BREAK THE STIGMA AROUND THAT, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN JAIL, THEY'RE STILL A HUMAN BEING AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL?

>> YEAH, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ALWAYS CENTER PEOPLE'S HUMANITY AND, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO USE PEOPLE FIRST LANGUAGE DURING THIS CONVERSATION IN REFERENCE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED OR FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

CALLING THEM PEOPLE INSTEAD OF OTHER WORDS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT, UM, THE FACT THAT JAILS ARE WORSENING PEOPLE'S MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

IN THE FALL FORWARD, WE RELEASED A REPORT CALLED TURNING THE PAGE: OKLAHOMA'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM STORY, AND IN THAT REPORT WE INCLUDE TONS OF DATA AND STORIES ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT OKLAHOMA HAS MADE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM OVER THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS AND ALSO ALL OF THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

AND SOME OF THE STORIES WE HEARD WAS ONE WOMAN WHO WAS SINCERITY -- INCARCERATED AT THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL AND SHE GOT A STAPH INFECTION WHILE AT THE JAIL.

SHE WENT GIVEN TREATMENT AND HAD TO HAVE HER FINGER PERVASIVELY AMPUTATED.

NOT ONLY ARE JAILS WORSENING PEOPLE'S PREEXISTING CONDITIONS BUT, YOU KNOW, THE UNSANITARY CONDITIONS THAT ARE THERE ARE CREATING CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE.

AND SO, I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT -- THAT WE'RE -- WE'RE ENSURING THAT THESE JAILS, WHICH OFTENTIMES PEOPLE ARE GOING TO JAIL FOR VERY MINOR THINGS AND ARE THERE, AS I MENTIONED, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

THEY'RE LEGALLY INNOCENT FORWARD TO.

A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF THE CASES ARE DISMISSED -- ULTIMATELY DISMISSED.

A LOT OF PEOPLE END UP GETTING PROBATION OR SOME OTHER KIND OF ALTERNATIVE TO INCARCERATION.

SO, THE REALITY IS, A LOT OF TIMES JAIL IS USED, UM, OR ARRESTED ARE USED IN RESPONSE TO MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AS THEY TOUCHED ON.

THE ISSUE IS THAT THE SYSTEM RELIES ON POLICE TO BE THOSE KEY FIRST RESPONDERS IN EVERY SITUATION, INCLUDING WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNDERGOING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THAT ONLY FURTHERS SOMEONE'S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE BROUGHT GREAT INFORMATION TO OKLAHOMANS TO KNOW MORE WHAT GOES ON INSIDE THESE JAILS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> RICH, BACK TO YOU.

EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE UNITED STATES DEPORTS ABOUT 300,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR.

AND IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW," WE'LL ACTUALLY HEAD SOUTH OF THE BORDER TO TIJUANA, MEXICO FOR A REPORT FROM KPBS IN SAN DIEGO ON LIFE AFTER DEPORTATION.

>> MY NAME IS ANGEL.

>> IV ÁN WORKS AT A TIJUANA CALL CENTER.

HE LIKES THE JOB BECAUSE IT MAKES HIM FEEL LIKE HOME.

>> IT'S NICE BECAUSE YOU GET TO SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE LIKE YOU.

I'M HAVING FUN WITH PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: HERNANDEZ IS A MEXICAN NATIONAL BROUGHT TO THE U.S. AS AN INFANT.

HE GREW UNDOCUMENTED NEAR LAS VEGAS.

MOST PEOPLE HANG UP THE PHONE RIGHT AWAY.

BUT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, HE'LL GET A FRIENDLY CUSTOMER.

>> THERE WAS THIS ONE TIME I HAD A PHONE CALL.

IT WAS NICE BECAUSE HE WAS REVVING AN ENGINE.

I WAS, LIKE, OH, WHAT KIND OF ENGINE IS THAT?

>> THAT'S SUCH AND SUCH.

I HAD A CAR SIMILAR TO THAT.

>> Reporter: HERNANDEZ HADN'T PLANNED ON WORKING IF MEXICAN CALL CENTERS BUT HAD NO HOPE OF GETTING A LEGAL WORK PERMIT.

HE DECIDED TO SELF-DEPORT BACK TO MEXICO.

EITHER THAT OR SPEND HIS LIFE IN THE SHADOWS.

HE'S NOT ALONE AMONG HIS CO-WORKERS AT THE CALL CENTER.

THEIR ENGLISH SKILLS ARE AN ASSET AND WAGES ARE THREE TIMES MORE THAN A FACTORY.

DANIEL RUIZ STARTED WORKING AT CALL CENTERS 20 YEARS AGO.

NOW HE OWNS ONE.

MOST EMPLOYEES ARE DEPORTEES.

HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH BECAUSE IT HAPPENED TO HIM.

>> IT WAS A WHOLE NEW CULTURE TO ME.

I WAS TAKEN OVER THERE AS A BABY.

SO, I NEVER LIVED IN MEXICO.

AND COMING BACK AS AN ADULT, IT WAS A WHOLE NEW CULTURE.

IF THEY HAD PUT ME IN CHINA, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SAME THING.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS ACCEPTED BACK INTO MEXICAN SOCIETY.

HE SAYS HE EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION.

>> ONE OF THE GUYS THAT WORKED FOR THE GOVERNMENT SAYS, OH, NOW YOU WANT TO BE MEXICAN.

IT'S, LIKE, YOU KNOW, WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?

THEY GIVE THEM A REFUGE.

>> ONCE YOU SEE PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE YOU, DRESS LIKE YOU, TALK LIKE AND COME FROM THE SAME BACKGROUND, YOU FEEL LIKE AT HOME.

>> Reporter: IN SOME CASES, THEY CAN EVEN GIVE SOMEBODY A SECOND CHANCE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I'M CONTACTING YOU FROM NATIONAL PROCESSING.

>> I WAS IN PRISON.

EVERYTHING IS NEW HERE.

FREEDOM.

I JUST LIVE DAY BY DAY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS OMAR.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE HIS NAME BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA OF BEING A DEPORTED CONVICT.

THE FRIENDS HE'S MADE THROUGH THE CALL CENTER.

>> THEY HELP ME OUT.

I GOT MY OWN PLACE.

LITTLE BY LITTLE, YOU KNOW, I LEARNED AT THE CALL CENTER.

>> Reporter: EVERY DEPORTEE INTERVIEWED FOR THIS STORY STILL HAS FAMILY IN THE U.S.

SOME ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS, WHILE OTHERS REMAIN UNDOCUMENTED.

THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE PARTICULARLY HARD.

AGAIN, HERE'S RUIZ.

I WISH MY FAMILY.

I WISH I WAS ABLE TO GO TO BIRTHDAY PARTIES, CHRISTMAS, THANKSGIVING, UM, YOU KNOW, EVERY TIME -- ANYTIME MY FAMILY UNITES, THEY GO TO A PARTY, THEY'RE ALL TOGETHER, I'M HERE.

SO THAT RIGHT THERE, THAT PAIN, IS, LIKE, WITH EVERY DEPORTEE.

THAT'S THE PAIN WE ALL FEEL.

>> Reporter: RUIZ CO-FOUNDED A NONPROFIT CALLED BORDERLINE CRISIS CENTER IN 2016 HELPING DEPORTEES ADJUST TO LIFE IN MEXICO.

HIS GOAL IS TO HELP EASE THE PAIN THAT HE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL.

KPBS NEWS >> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," OKLAHOMA ROLLS OUT THE FIRST TV COMMERCIALS FEATURING ITS "IMAGINE THAT" TOURISM CAMPAIGN.

WE'LL CHECK OUT THE ADS AND SEE HOW OKLAHOMA'S MARKETING BUDGET COMPARES TO NEIGHBORING STATES.

AND WE'LL WRAP THINGS UP THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE GREENWOOD RISING HISTORY CENTER IN TULSA, PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

'S KACI FERGUSON.

IF YOU ENJOY OUR NEWSCAST, PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.

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

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

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