.

>>> THE PARENTS OF A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MURDER VICTIM, SHARE THEIR HEARTBREAK IN HOPES OF HELPING OTHERS.

>> YOU KIND OF GET A SIXTH SENSE ABOUT SOMEONE, AND THAT'S WHAT I HAD ABOUT ABOUT HIM.

THERE WAS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT JUST WASN'T RIGHT.

>> THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR TO VOTE ON NEW RULES.

>> WE WANT INFORMATION ON EVERY STUDENT IN THE SCHOOLS, THEIR PARENTS AS THEY ENROLL IN SCHOOL.

>>> HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PARTNERING WITH TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> WE ARE CALLING CERTIFIED TEACHERS NOW.

WE ARE TAKING APPLICATIONS.

WE WANT TO START HELPING FAMILIES PURCHASE HOMES NOW >>> A SPIRITED COMPETITION HOSTED BY THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

>> IT'S A SPORT THAT I CAN DO BECAUSE I'M BLIND AND, AND I GET TO COMPETE WITH SIGHTED PEOPLE.

>>> PLUS, OUR ANNUAL INDEPTH "REPORTER ROUNDTABLE ON WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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

RICH LENZ WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025 THIS WEEK.

AND, SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS PICKED UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF LAST YEAR-- OFFERING PROPOSALS AND NEW RULES THAT SOME LAWMAKERS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VOICING OPPOSITION TO WHILE OTHERS ARE BACKING HIM UP 100%.

>> HUNDREDS OF PROTESTERS GATHERED TUESDAY MORNING, THE PROTEST ONE OF THE PROPOSED RULES TO BE TAKEN UP FOR A VOTE.

THE RULE REQUIRES SCHOOLS TO KEEP TRACK OF THOSE UNABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP WHEN THE PARENTS ENROLL THE STUDENTS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO THE PARENTS TO GET INFORMATION ON THE CHILDREN.

GIVE US THE INFORMATION, WE'RE ASKING FOR THE INFORMATION ON THEIR STUDENTS.

IT'S LAID OUT IN THE RULE AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO WALK THROUGH THAT, WE WANT INFORMATION ON EVERY STUDENT IN THE SCHOOL.

YOU ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS OF PARENTS, YOU NO, I DID NOT TO PROVIDE THE -- YOU NEED TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION UPON ENROLLMENT.

>> AND WANTING TO KEEP AN EYE ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS.

TO REQUIRE THE DISCHLOROOF CITIZENSHIP STATUS.

THE BROKEN ARROW REPUBLICANS SAY THE BILL WILL NOT DENY EDUCATION TO ANY CHILD.

AND THE GNAT CHAIR SENATOR DIDN'T COMMENT DIRECTLY ON THE NEW RULE, HE SAYS HE'S WILLING TO WORK WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT IN THE SESSION.

>> I ACTUALLY CALLED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ASKED FOR HIM TO COME TO THE OFFICE.

I WANTED TO SHOW HIM WHAT THE PRIORITIES WERE FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION FOR MYSELF AND FOR SENATOR.

AND SOME OF THOSE, HE WAS VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

>> THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATIVE LATINO CAUCUS RESPONDED ON WEDNESDAY.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH WHAT SENATOR MENTIONED IN THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS, PARENTS UNENROLLING THE KIDS.

THAT HARMS THE FUTURE, THE FUTURE OF THE STATE.

>> STUDENT THOMAS GAVE HIS OPINION ON THE RULE IN PUBLIC COMMENT AT THE TUESDAY BOARD MEETING.

>> THE IDEA THAT A CHILD WANTING TO PURSUE AN EDUCATION MUST BE PROFILED BEFORE LEARNING IS DISTASTEFUL.

IT'S SAD THAT YOU, MR. WALTERS, STAND HERE PRETENDING TO CARE OF THE STUDENTS AND SAME TIME, ADVOCATING FOR LATINO STUDENTS LIKE ME.

DO YOU THINK YOU'RE BETTER THAN ME BECAUSE OF YOUR SKIN COLOR?

>> BUT SOME OKLAHOMAENS WANT TO SEE THE RULES PUT INTO PLACE.

>> I DO GO ALONG WITH THE NEW RULES.

YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT, IT'S COMMON SENSE.

WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, AND I THINK THAT YOU'RE TRYING.

>> MOTION PASSES.

ANY OTHER ACTIONS, PROPOSED ACTIONS?

>> INCLUDE THE STUDENT TRANSFER TRANSPARENCY, AND PROTECTING STUDENTS FROM ABUSE FROM A RULE THAT REQUIRES TO ASSUME THE POSITION OR NOT HIRED DUE TO CONCERNS OF ABUSE OR NEGLECT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO COMMEND ALL OF YOU ON THE WORK YOU'RE DOING, ON BEHALF OF THE SITUATION OF THE PREDATORS IN THE SCHOOLS FOR A LONG TIME.

WE WITHSTAND THE EFFORTS TO -- STAND WITH THE EFFORTS.

AND EXTENDING REMOVING PREDATORS, ANYONE WHO DOESN'T#S SUPPORT THIS TO ACT IN THESE MATTERS SHOULD RAISE CONCERNS.

>> ANOTHER RULE TO ESTABLISH THE POLICIES TO ENSURE THE AMERICAN FLAG IS DISPLAYED AND RESPECTED ON CAMPUS.

>> A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE SAW A SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT FORCED A CHILD TO TAKE DOWN THE AMERICAN FLAG IN HIS PICKUP TRUCK, THAT'S ABSURD.

WE WANT OUR KIDS TO BE PROUD TO BE AMERICAN, AND BE PROUD OF THE AMERICAN FLAG THAT SO MANY FOUGHT AND DIED FOR.

>> THE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY IN THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PASSED A RULE THAT SET HIGHER STANDARDS, AND TEACHERS ALSO REQUIRED TO TAKE A WRITTEN TEST.

>> IT ENSURES THAT EVERY ONE OF THE TEACHERS MEETS THE SAME REQUIREMENT AS EVERY CITIZEN IN THE COUNTRY.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CHILD HAS THE UNDERSTANDING OF AMERICAN HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT, AND THIS REQUIREMENT WILL HELP OKLAHOMA LEAD THE WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY CLASSROOM THAT UNDERSTANDING IS GIVEN.

>> THE RULES GO ON TO THE OKLAHOMA SENATE AND HOUSE FOR REVIEW.

IF APPROVED BY THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATORS, THEN IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS SAYS THE TEAM WILL FULLY COMPLY WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WHEN IT COMES TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.

>> IF THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT COMES TO THE SCHOOL OR CALLS US, WE'LL WORK WITH THEM.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE TEAM ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB, WE'LL WORK WITH THEM.

PROVIDING INFORMATION, RESOURCES, PERSONNEL,ING WE'LL DO THAT.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO OBEY FEDERAL LAW AND CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE INVESTIGATION.

>>> AND, WE HAVE A MUCH DIFFERENT KIND OF EDUCATION STORY COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

LAST WEEKEND, THE "OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND" IN MUSKOGEE HOSTED OTHER "SCHOOLS FOR BLIND" FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY IN AN ANNUAL COMPETITION FEATURING WRESTLING, CHEERLEADING, AND PERFORMING ARTS.

COMING UP A LITTLE LATER , JASON DOYLE HAS MORE ON THAT SPIRITED COMPETITION, SO PLEASE, STICK AROUND FOR THAT!

>>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WILL KICK OFF THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION ON MONDAY WITH HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

ON WEDNESDAY, HE TOOK THE CHANCE TO OUTLINE HIS PRIORITIES, INCLUDING THE PREPARATION TO DEPORT UNDOCUMENTED INDIVIDUALS IN OKLAHOMA'S PRISON SYSTEM.

STITT SAYS THEY WILL SERVE JUSTICE FOR THEIR CRIMES BEFORE THEY ARE SENT TO THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 536 PEOPLE INCARCERATED IN STATE PRISONS THAT ARE HERE ILLEGALLY.

THEY'VE COMMITTED CRIMES, THEY'RE HERE ILLEGALLY.

AND WE ARE HAVING TO BALANCE, YES, JUSTICE FOR THE FAMILIES AND THE VICTIMS.

WHAT IS THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN?

DO WE HAVE SECURE BORDERS?

COULD THEY RECOMMIT A CRIME?

HAVE THEY SERVED THEIR SENATE?

SO THOSE ARE ALL THINGS WE'RE DOING.

WE'RE NOT GONNA CROSS THE BOARD TO RELEASE BAD PEOPLE WITHOUT SERVING JUSTICE.

>> STITT HAS SUPPORTED STRENGTHENING BORDER SECURITY AND PREVIOUSLY SENT OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO HELP AT THE TEXAS BORDER.

>>> OUR STAFF HAS DONE SOME EXCELLENT REPORTING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN OKLAHOMA RECENTLY, AND WE'LL CONTINUE THAT THIS WEEK WITH PART ONE OF A SPECIAL TWO-PART SERIES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AND DEAL WITH IT BEFORE TRAGEDY STRIKES.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

STEVE?

>> TAELYR.

17 MONTHS AGO A CLEVELAND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY GUNNED DOWN HIS WIFE WHO WAS ALSO A CLEVELAND COUNTY DEPUTY IN A HORRIFIC WAY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE VICTIM'S MOTHER IS SPEAKING OUT PUBLICLY.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND ARE DOING IT TO WARN OTHERS.

I'M GOING TO WARN YOU, A LOT OF WHAT YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE AND HEAR IS GRAPHIC AND UPSETTING.

>> WHAT KIND OF GUY SHOOTS HIS WIFE 12 TIMES IN THE FACE.

>> HE HAD TO RELOAD.

>> I MEAN WHAT KIND OF PERSON DOES THAT?

>> HOW STUPID DO YOU THINK WE ARE?

>> THEY WRESTLE WITH THEIR DAUGHTER'S MURDER AT THE HANDS OF HER HUSBAND, VAUGHAN CANNON, ON AUGUST 30 OF 2023.

JORDAN CANNON HAD TURNED 40 YEARS OLD, LEEFT THREE WEEKS BEFORE HER HUSBAND, VAUGHAN CANNON TURNED A GUN ON HER IN THE HOME, AND UNLOADED A DOZEN ROUNDS INTO HIS WIFE OF JUST UNDER FOUR YEARS.

>> STAY RIGHT THERE.

>> THIS HAS OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE BODY CAM VIDEO OF OFFICERS ARRESTING HIM IN THE HOME AFTER A 911 CALL FROM JORDAN'S 17-YEAR-OLD SON WHO WAS ALSO IN THE HOUSE.

>> THE NUMBER OF TIMES HE SHOT YOUR DAUGHTER BOTHERED ME A LOT.

>> US TOO.

WE DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THAT -- >> UNTIL LATER THAT DAY.

>> WE SAW IT ON TV.

>> THEY FOUND THE JOURNAL ENTRY FROM THE DAUGHTER IN THE HOUSE SHE SHARED WITH CANNON THAT SAID SHE FEARED FOR HER LIFE, AND THERE WAS MORE.

>> I THINK THERE WAS A LOT OF TEXT MESSAGES.

WHERE HE HAD SAID THAT HE WOULD HURT HER.

SO, WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT ALL OF IT WAS.

>> BUT YOU CONNECTED THE DOTS.

>> RIGHT.

SHE WOULD -- SHE STAYED HOME FROM WORK ONE DAY.

AND I HAD CALLED HER, AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT SHE WAS AT HOME.

SHE SAID SHE HAD HURT HER BACK IN A FIGHT.

OKAY.

NOW I'M WONDERING IF THAT WAS ONE OF THE TIMES THAT HE HAD BEEN ABUSIVE.

HE HAD PUSHED HER THROUGH A MIRROR, LOCKED HER IN A CLOSET, HE WAS VERY ABUSIVE.

>> LOCKED HER IN THE CLOSET?

>> LOCKED HER IN A CLOSET.

>> FOR HOW LONG?

>> I DON'T KNOW, I THINK A COUPLE OF HOURS, BUT I'M NOT SURE.

BUT I THINK ALL OF THE MARKS THAT I HAD SEEN ON HER BEFORE THAT SHE HAD COMPLAINED HAPPENED AT WORK WERE NOT HAPPENING AT WORK.

>> ON DECEMBER 10 IN A CANADIAN COUNTY COURTROOM, VAUGHAN CANNON PLED GUILTY TO HIS WIFE'S MURDER.

HE'LL SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE BEHIND BARS.

THIS PAST MONDAY TOOK POSSESSION OF HIM.

>> I DON'T THINK HE LIKES GOING TO ANYTHING WITH OUR FAMILY, AND HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY FAMILY OF HIS OWN.

>> THIS GUY HAD A -- >> NARCISSIST IS THE WORD YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> RUSTY PYLE IS A GRIZZLED RETIRED 51 YEAR VETERAN OF OKLAHOMA LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HE WORKED FOR THE POLICE 37 YEARS AND SEVERAL MORE AS BRADY COUNTY UNDERSHERIFF, AND POLICE CHIEF FOR OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY.

THE PYLES SAY THAT JORDAN FELL IN LOVE WITH CANNON IN 2018 MET DURING POLICE TRAINING.

RUSTY SAID HE RELUCTANTLY GAVE CANNON PERMISSION TO MARRY HIS DAUGHTER.

>> DID YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT?

>> NO.

>> WHY?

>> IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS AFTER SO MANY YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT YOU KIND OF GET A SIXTH SENSE ABOUT SOMEONE, AND THAT'S WHAT I HAD ABOUT HIM.

THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT HIM THAT WASN'T RIGHT.

>> THEY SAY THEIR DAUGHTER SEEMED HAPPY FOR A YEAR.

AND THEN IT TURNED.

WHAT HAPPENED NEXT IS WHY THEY'RE SPEAKING OUT.

THEY SAY A YEAR BEFORE CANNON MURDERED THEIR DAUGHTER, JORDAN PULLED AWAY FROM THEM.

THE PYLES LATER LEARNED THAT SOME OF JORDAN'S FRIEND KNEW CANNON WAS TERRORIZING THEIR DAUGHTER.

>> THEY COULD HAVE COME TO ME.

I GUARANTEE YOU IF THEY HAD COME TO ME, THIS WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED.

>> THE BACK CHANNELS WOULD HAVE WORKED.

>> THEY WOULD.

>> WHAT'S STRANGE IS I DECIDED I WOULD GO OVER THERE ONE EVENING WHEN HE WAS AT WORK AND MAKE HER TALK TO ME.

I THINK THIS WAS A WEEK BEFORE SHE DIED.

IT WAS RIGHT AFTER HER BIRTHDAY.

>> ALL THAT'S LEFT IS THE WHY.

AFTER HIS GUILTY PLEA NOVEMBER 10, HE FILED COURT PAPERS TO CHANGE THE PLEA.

AT A HEARING ON THAT TWO WEEKS AGO, HE DECIDED AGAINST CHANGING THE GUILTY PLEA.

>> I THINK THAT HE KEPT THINKING SOMEHOW HE WAS GOING TO GET OUT OF HIT.

BECAUSE IT WAS HIM.

HE'S SO MUCH BETTER AND GREATER THAN EVERYONE ELSE.

>> BUT THIS WHAT HAPPENED IS NOT UNUSUAL, IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

>> IT'S SCARY.

THERE'S NO MANY RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE.

IT'S A SCARY THOUGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU KNOW THE PERSON WHEN THEY THREATEN TO KILL YOU IF YOU LEAVE, WHEN THEY'RE PHYSICALLY ABUSIVE.

BUT THERE'S PEOPLE TRAINED TO FETE YOU OUT OF THE SITUATION.

>> DID YOU KNOW HE THREATENED TO KILL HER?

>> WE DON'T KNOW THAT, BUT ONE PSYCHOLOGIST SAID IF HE PULLED A GUN ON HER THAT NIGHT, THAT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME.

>> WHEN YOU SAW THE POLICE BODY CAM, WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION?qU4 >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO PUT THIS IN YOUR -- >> GO AHEAD.

>> I WAS WISHING HE WOULD COME OUT WITH A GUN AND THEY WOULD SHOOT HIM.

AND IT'S OVER.

THEN I WOULDN'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS.

I KEPT THINKING MAYBE WE GET SOME ANSWERS AND WHY.

>> MAYBE 30 YEARS IN PRISON WILL MAKE HIM REMEMBER.

>> I DON'T THINK HE'LL LIVE THAT LONG.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL TALK TO AN OU PROFESSOR WHO'S BEEN STUDYING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 20 YEARS.

WE'LL ALSO TALK TO A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR WHO'S GOT AN INCREDIBLE STORY OF HER OWN AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE LARGEST BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER IN THE STATE.

TAELYR.

>>> THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE WILL CONVENE ON MONDAY WITH GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT'S "STATE OF THE STATE" ADDRESS.

EACH YEAR, WE DEVOTE OUR "INDEPTH" SEGMENT PRIOR TO THE START OF THE SESSION, TO A REPORTER ROUNDTABLE FEATURING JOURNALISTS WHO COVER THE CAPITOL ON A REGULAR BASIS.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THAT UPCOMING DISCUSSION MODERATED BY CASSIDY MUDD.

>> WE DO HAVE THE BIG CHANGE, THE LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THIS WILL BE KYLE HILBERT'S FIRST SESSION AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND LONNIE PAXTON'S FIRST AS PRO TEM IN THE SENATE, SORT OF ADDING, ADDING THEIR VIEWS TO HOW THINGS ARE DONE.

AND WE - WE LEARNED ON WEDNESDAY THAT GOVERNOR STITT HAS ALREADY HAD A MEETING WITH THEM, SORT OF A SUMMIT TO TALK ABOUT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION.

>> I THINK SORT OF A DYNAMIC WE'VE SEEN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IS THE LEADERSHIP OF - OF THE RIKERS HOUSE AND THE SENATE SORT OF MAYBE NOT AGREEING WITH MORE CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, UPSET THAT THEIR BILLS AREN'T BEING HEARD.

SO IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH HOW THAT DYNAMIC PLAYS OUT.

>> WE'VE GOT SOME CONTROVERSIAL RULE CHANGES COMING FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT IS NOW HEADED TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR CONSIDERATION.

SO THERE DEFINITELY ARE STILL SOME AREAS WHERE WE COULD SEE SOME FRICTION.

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

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY RECENTLY CONDUCTED ITS LATEST "POINT IN TIME" COUNT ON THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESS.

LAST YEAR, THE COUNT WAS 1,838 HOMELESS.

THIS YEAR'S COUNT IS BEING TABULATED.

THE ANNUAL COUNT IS REQUIRED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.

OKLAHOMA CITY'S HOMELESS RESPONSE TEAM FINDS HOUSING FOR AN AVERAGE OF 1,450 PEOPLE A YEAR.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS TEAMING UP WITH THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT ON A PROGRAM THAT WILL BENEFIT LOCAL EDUCATORS.

NOAH MACK JOINS US NOW WITH ALL OF THE DETAILS.

NOAH?

>> TAELYR.

IT'S NO SECRET THE NATION IS FACING A SEVERE TEACHER SHORTAGE --- AND OKLAHOMA IS NO EXCEPTION.

BOTH TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND GREEN COUNTRY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAY THEIR NEW PARTNERSHIP IS A CRUCIAL STEP TOWARD A SOLUTION.

AND THEY JUST ANNOUNCED AN AMBITIOUS NEW PROJECT.

TAKE A LOOK.

>> THE NEW INITIATIVE FROM GREEN COUNTRY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SCHOOLS.

THE GOAL -- >> THE IMPROVEMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE TEACHERINGS, THIS IS CRITICAL, THIS IS NATIONWIDE ISSUE, IT'S A STATEWIDE ISSUE AND WE'LL BE ON THE FOREFRONT OF ABLE TO ATTRACTING EVERY PAYING TEACHER AS A RESULT OF THIS.

>> IF A TEACHER COMMITS TO FIVE CONTINUOUS YEARS WITH THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS THEY'LL BE ELIGIBLE FOR UP TO $50,000 FOR DOWN PAYMENT FORGIVENESS ON A HABITAT FOR HUMANITY HOMES.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN.

>> WE ARE CALLING CERTIFIED TEACHERS NOW.

WE'RE TAKING APPLICATIONS, WE WANT TO HELP FAMILIES PURCHASE HOMES NOW AND HAVE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT FOR TULSA SCHOOLS.

>> THIS IS WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE NEW PROJECT, IT COMES UNBRIEFING.

THE GOAL TO -- CAN THEY REACH IT?

>> I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE'LL COMPLETE THE GOAL.

>> HABITAT HAS ALREADY RAISED $1 MILLION PRIOR TO THE ANNOUNCEMENT.lUa7 THE CEO OF GREEN COUNTRY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SAYS THEY CHOSE THE DONORS VERY INTENTIONALLY.

AND THERE'S A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> 5 MILLION IS THE START.

OVER TIME, CAN BE TASKED OVER AND OVER AND OVER.

>> THIS INITIATIVE COMES AS OKLAHOMA UNDERGOES A RECORD BREAKING TEACHER SHORTAGE.

ACCORDING TO THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION, THERE WERE 1,019 TEACHER VACANCIES IN THE SCHOOL YEAR.

HIGHER THAN IT'S BEEN SINCE THE SURVEY STARTED NINE YEARS AGO.

THERE'S OVER 100 VACANCIES.

>> CERTIFIED TEACHERS HAVE LOOKED TO OTHER STATES FOR HIGHER PAY.

WE'RE TRAINING THEM IN THE UNIVERSITIES AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE IMMEDIATELY LEAVING TO A SISTER STATE.

>> SHE'S SEEN THIS ISSUE PERMEATE THE DISTRICT.

>> WE HAVE TEACHERS THAT SAY TO US, I LIVED HERE MY WHOLE LIFE AND I WANT TO BE HERE, BUT SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO lo AFFORD TO STAY HERE.

>> WE HAVE HEARD FROM INDIVIDUALS OUTSIDE OF OKLAHOMA WHO COME HERE TO TEACH AND SAY, I WOULD LOVE TO REMAIN IN TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I DO FEEL LIKE IT'S MY HOME.

HOWEVER I'M NOT EXCITED ABOUT HAVING TO HAVE A -- TO AFFORD HOUSING.

I'M NOT EXCITED TO HAVE CAR POOL TO PAY FOR GASOLINE.

>> >> HEADING TH CEREMONY.

>> WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO IT.

>> THROUGHOUT THE CEREMONY, AND NICKOLS HAR KENNED BACK.

>> TO MAKE IT -- FOR ME.

AND SO I THINK ABOUT OUR OPPORTUNITIES NOW TO MAKE LIFE EASIER FOR ALL OF THE -- IN THE WORLD AND THAT'S THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU DON'T PASS UP.

>> BUT THE TEACHERS WEREN'T JUST REPRESENTED BY THE MONOLOGUES AND THE CHILDHOOD MEMORIES.

THE TEACHER STEPPED UP TO THE HOED YUM TO SPEAK ABOUT HER -- PODIUM TO SPEAK ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY.

SHE SAYS IT STRENGTHS THE BOND THEY FORGE WITH THE STUDENTS.

>> ONCE YOU LEAVE THE CLASSROOM YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT THEM.

THE XHOOUNGS -- STILL REMEMBER THEIR NAMES.

ARE YOU DOING THIS OR DOING THAT?

>> EVEN WITH SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS BUMPS INTO EACH OTHER AT THE SUPER MARKETS.

>> THEY LIKE SEEING THAT, AND WE'RE NOT DISTANT PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO THINK THAT.

THESE ARE ALL STUDENTS I LOVED BECAUSE REPRESENTATION -- >> THROUGH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, CLARK MOVED FROM THE TWO BEDROOM SECOND STORY APARTMENT TO A THREE BEDROOM HOUSE.

SHE SEES BENEFITS IN HER OWN CHILDREN'S LIVES.

>> IT ALLOWS THE KARAOKING MACHINE.

BUT NOW, SHE'S EXCITED.

>> MANY OF THE COWORKERS HAD TWO JOBS, ADDING THAT HINDERS THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> IT IS NOT FOCUSED ON THE KIDS OR ANY JOB OR THE HOUSEHOLD.

I DON'T KNOW EVERYONE'S HOME SITUATION, I DO KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM THE PARTNERSHIP THEY CAN AFFORD THEIR HOUSING, THEY DON'T HAVE TO FOCUS ON TWO JOBS.

I HAVE ONE, I'M A SING MOM.

MAYBE IT'S OKAY TO MAKE THAT MOVE.

>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE INITIATIVE YOU CAN GO TO GREENCOUNTRYHABITAT.ORG/ EDUCATION.

TAELYR.

>>> THE SOUTH-CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND HELD THEIR ANNUAL SPORTS AND PERFORMANCE COMPETITION IN OKLAHOMA THIS YEAR-- HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS FROM STATES AS FAR AWAY AS ALABAMA TAKING PART AT THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND IN MUSKOGEE.

JASON DOYLE WAS ON HAND TO CAPTURE ALL OF THE ACTION-- JASON?

>> TAELYR , THE ANNUAL EVENT IS A WAY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH BLINDNESS OR VISION IMPAIRMENT TO COMPETE WITH OTHERS WHO KNOW FIRST HAND WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCING.

YOU'LL NOT FIND BETTER SPORTS EVENTS -- >> THIS IS A TYPICAL DOWN THE ROAD BUT THE KIDS GET TO GO WITH OTHER STUDENTS WITH THE SAME TYPE OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT THAT THEY HAVE.

>> ALABAMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND WRESTLER IS HAVING A GOOD TIME AT THE COMPETITION.

>> WE GET -- YEAH.

>> THIS IS HIS SECOND YEAR TO WRESTLE FOR HIS SCHOOL, HE REALLY LIKES THE SCHOOL.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT I CAN DO BECAUSE I'M BLIND, I GET TO COMPETE WITH SIGHTED PEOPLE.

>> THEY PLAYED HOST FOR THREE OTHER SCHOOLS FROM OTHER STATES A TOTAL OF SIX SCHOOLS GO ON TO THE SOUTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION FOR SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND.

>> EACH YEAR EVERY TEAM HOSTS.

WE'LL GO FROM OKLAHOMA, TO LOUISIANA AND TEXAS AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

>> THERE'S AN AVERAGE ENROLLMENT -- THINGS WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AND THE PROGRAM HAS FLOURISHED.

>> IT'S WENT AWAY FOR A BIT, NOT SAY THAT BUT IT HURT.

WE HAVE NEW BLOOD.

AND JUST PUT NEW LIFE IN THIS.

SHE'S YOUNG AND FULL OF LIFE.

SHE'S THE ASSISTANT COACH.

>> THE HEAD COACH HAS ALSO ADDED TO THE PROGRAM.

>> A FORMER STUDENT HE CAME BACK TO BE A HEAD COACH, OH MY GOSH, WHAT A JOB HE'S DOING WITH THE KIDS.

>> I GRADUATED IN 1999, AS A -- I WAS A FORMER WRESTLER.

>> CHRIS GOT THE PROGRAM AND EXPANDED THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE WRESTLERS.

>> WE GOT IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL ARENA,ING AND THIS YEAR WE'RE DOING A LOT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

GET SOME GUYS TO GO TO STATE.

>> THE WRESTLING TAME ALSO COMPETES WITH OTHER SCHOOLS.

>> WE WERE AT THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AT HOME, WE ALWAYS -- WE WRESTLE A LOT.

>> HERE IS ALSO COMPETITIVE SPORTS.

THE CHEER COMPETITION, THERE'S BOTH TEAMS AND INDIVIDUAL EVENTS.

THE COACH SAYS THE ALABAMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND CHEER SQUAD SAYS THEY'RE EXCITED TO BE IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE COMPETITION.

>> IT'S SOMETHING WE LOOK FORWARD TO ALL YEAR.

SEVERAL OF THE DID IT WAS THEIR FIRST TIME ON THE AIRPLANE.

WE CHANGED PLANES IN DENVER, ANOTHER STOP.

>> HER TEAM WORKS JUST LIKE OTHER CHEER LEADER SQUADS.

>> THEY WORK SO HARD.

WE PUT IN A LOT OF HOURS PRACTICE.

>> THE HOURS ARE CRAFTED TO KEEP THE YOUNG PARTICIPANTS SAFE.

>> WE HAVE TO BREAK THINGS DOWN AND PUT THINGS IN STEP, SO WE CAN BE SAFE.

OUR KIDS LOVE THE COMBO AND TRY EVERYTHING THEY SEE.

WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO WORK FORWARD TO GIVE THEM THAT EXPERIENCE.

IT'S SO NEAT WHEN THEY COME HERE AND WITH THE OTHER SCHOOLS FROM OTHER STATES THAT ARE ALSO BLIND AND VISUALLY EMPIRED.

THEN IT'S -- IMPAIRED.

MANY OF THE KIDS ARE FACING THE SAME CHALLENGES.

>> ANOTHER TEAM IS THE MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

>> TO GET HERE, COORDINATING WITH THE PARENTS, SCHOOLS, FINANCING, BUSES, BUT IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING.

TO SEE OUR KIDS COMPETE.

>> MISSISSIPPI SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND INTERIM PRINCIPAL SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR HER STUDENTS TO MAKE CONNECTIONS WITH STUDENTS FACING THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES.

>> THEY FEEL THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE STUDENTS THAT ARE LONG LASTING.

>> DAYS BEFORE THE GYM TOOK CENTER STAGE, THE STUDENTS TOOK PART IN A PERFORMING ART SHOW.

>> THE REASON THEY CALL IT A PERFORMING ARTS, IT COULD BE A BAND PERFORMING A DRUM LINE OR PEOPLE SINGING.

IT'S WHATEVER HIGHLIGHTS THE SCHOOL'S PERFORMING ARTS, IT'S NOT A COMPETITION IT'S FOR FUN AND WE CHEER EACH OTHER ON.

>> THE OLD RIVALRY IN SPORTS.

>> LOTS OF RUNNING, REPETITION.

REPETITION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME IN ANY SPORT IS REPETITION.

A LOT OF MOVES AND REPETITION OF MOVES AND RUNNING.

>> IN THIS WEEKEND OUR FRIEND FROM ALABAMA, WAS A WINNER IN THE ARENA.

AND RECEIVED HIS MEDAL WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS ON SATURDAY EVENING AS THE COMPETITION WRAPPED UP.

GIVING THE STUDENTS A SENSE OF PRIDE.

>> LET'S GO WILDCATS.

>> THE SOUTH CENTRAL ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND WILL BE HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL TRACK AND FIELD COMPETITION THIS APRIL.

TAELYR.

>>> THE OU STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER IS USING A NEW RADIATION THERAPY WHICH REDUCES THE CHANCES OF HARMING HEALTHY TISSUE.

THE RADIZACT SYSTEM IS A NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT USING IMAGING TO HELP DIRECT RADIATION TOWARD THE TUMOR MORE PRECISELY.

THAT RESULTS IN FEWER SIDE EFFECTS AND QUICKER RECOVER TIMES FOR PATIENTS.

>>> GOOD NEWS FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO START A BUSINESS IN OKLAHOMA.

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

>> THE ANNUAL WALLET HUB SERVICE REVEALS THAT OKLAHOMA IS THE 6TH BEST STATE TO START A BUSINESS.

THREE KEY AREAS WERE USED TO RATE THE STATE'S BUSINESS: ENVIRONMENT, ACCESS TO RESOURCES, AND BUSINESS COSTS.

IT APPEARS OKLAHOMA'S HIGH RANKING IS DUE TO ITS LOWER COSTS.

THE RANKED 2ND IN THAT CATEGORY.

OKLAHOMA'S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT RANK IS 16TH.

ITS ACCESS TO RESOURCES IS 28TH.

THE TOP STATE TO START A BUSINESS ACCORDING TO WALLET HUB IS FLORIDA.

OKLAHOMA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HELD STEADY IN DECEMBER AT 3.3%.

IT HAS HELD AT THAT SPOT SINCE OCTOBER OF 2024.

THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 4.1%.WHICH IS A TENTH OF A PERCENT LOWER THAN IN NOVEMBER.

MORE THAN 4200 JOBS WERE CREATED IN OKLAHOMA IN DECEMBER.

MOST OF THEM IN LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY, CONSTRUCTION, AND GOVERNMENT.

THE JANUARY MONTHLY HOUSING REPORT BY REALTOR.COM SHOWS THE AVERAGE LISTING PRICE FOR A HOME IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS $312,368.

THAT'S A 2.4 % DECREASE WHEN COMPARED TO LAST JANUARY.

THAT SAME REPORT SHOWS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS THE AVERAGE LISTING PRICE HAS INCREASED BY 33%.

MORE SELLERS ARE ENTERING THE MARKET WHICH HAS STARTED TO HAVE A DOWNWARD PRESSURE ON PRICES, NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA BUT IN THE REST OF THE NATION AS WELL.

ONEOK IS GETTING THE GREEN LIGHT TO ACQUIRE THE REMAINING PUBLICLY HELD COMMON UNITS OF ENLINK.

COMMON UNITS ARE MUCH LIKE STOCK SHARES.

THAT'S BECAUSE ENLINK UNITHOLDERS APPROVED THE MOVE.

APPROXIMATELY 99.8% OF THE UNIT HOLDERS VOTED WITH 82.9% GIVING THEIR APPROVAL OF THE TRANSACTION.

EACH OUTSTANDING COMMON UNIT NOT OWNED BY ONEOK WILL BE CONVERTED TO A FRACTAL SHARE OF ONEOK'S COMMON STOCK.

THE DEAL WAS FINALIZED THIS WEEK.

THE HAMBURGER SPECIALITY CHAIN OWNED BY THE WAHLBERG BROTHERS KNOWN AS WAHLBURGERS IS COMING TO OKLAHOMA.

THE FIRST LOCATION IS PLANNED TO OPEN LATER THIS YEAR AT THE COMANCHE CACHE CASINO.

MARK "MARKY MARK" WAHLBERG, DONNY WAHLBERG OF NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, AND THEIR BROTHER AND EXECUTIVE CHEF PAUL WAHLBERG, FORMED THE RESTAURANT CONCEPT IN THEIR HOME STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS AND BEGAN ROLLING OUT THE CONCEPT TO OTHER STATES.

JASON DOYLE.

THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS NEXT WEEK-- THEY'LL BE OPERATING UNDER SOME RULES IMPLEMENTED BY THE NEW LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WITH MORE ON THAT AND WHAT ELSE WE CAN EXPECT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS AT 23RD AND LINCOLN.

HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

WITH OUR ANNUAL INDEPTH REPORTER ROUNDTABLE FEATURING JOURNALISTS WHO COVER THE CAPITOL ON A DAILY BASIS.

CASSIDY?

WE ARE GATHERED SOME OF OKLAHOMA'S BEST JOURNALISTS FOR THE ROUND TABLE.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY SEAN ASHLEY, AND JENNIFER PALMER, AND FINALLY ETHAN ROSS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US.

JOHN, TO START, CAN YOU COMPARE HOW THIS LEGISLATURE WILL WORK COMPARED TO THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE?

>> WE HAVE KNOWN OF SOME DIFFERENCES, THE HOUSE FOR EXAMPLE, IMPOSED A DUAL COMMITTEE SYSTEM IF THE HOUSE WHERE THERE'S AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND STANDING COMMITTEES UNDER THOSE.

THEY'RE ABOUT SEVEN OVERSIGHING AREAS, LIKE EDUCATION, FREQUENCY, UNDER WHICH -- FOR EXAMPLE, UNDER WHICH, TWO COMMITTEES FROM THE HOUSE.

BEFORE THEY REACH THE FLOOR.

AND INCREASING THE SCRUTINY ON THE FLOOR.

ONE THING WE'RE SEEING IS THE EXPI DIETED -- WHAT THE AGENCIES ARE ASKING FOR, TO MOVING THE PROCESS OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE BIG CHANGE, THE LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THIS WILL BE THE FIRST ELECTION AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND THE FIRST AS PROTIM IN THE SENATE ADDING THEIR VIEWS TO HOW THINGS ARE DONE.

WE HAVE LEARNED ON WEDNESDAY THAT GOVERNOR ALREADY HAD A MEETING WITH THEM, A SUMMIT TO TALK ABOUT ROLES AND SESSIONS.

>> FIRST, THE 60TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE HAS PUT IN MORE THAN 3,000 BILLS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

HOW REALISTIC FOR THE LEGISLATORS TO HEAR THE BILLS, DEBATE THE BILLS AND GET THEM ACROSS THE FIRST NAME LINE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

-- FINISH LINE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WE'LL SEE SOME THAT DON'T MAKE IT.

BUT SOME ARE IDENTIFIED THOSE ARE THE ONES WE'LL SEE.

>> YEAH, THE LEGISLATURE NEVER PICKS UP EVERYTHING.

IN SOME CASES, SOME OF THE THINGS FILED IS NOT INTENDED TO BE CASES.

THEY'RE FILED TO MAKE A POINT.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO HEAR ALL 3,000.

IT'S THE PRIORITY MEASURE THAT WILL MATTER AND WE'LL SEE MOVE THROUGH THING LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THE EXTENDED LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE WILL AFFECT THE PACE OF THE BILLS?

>> THE SPEAKER AND PROTIM TOUCHED ON THIS, SAYING THE EXTRA WEEK OR SO, THE PACE OF THE DEADLINES WILL ALLOW MORE CONSIDERATION OF THE BUDGET, OF THE APPROPRIATIONS SIDE OF IT AS WELL AS THE ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATION OF THE POLICY IMPLICATIONS TO THEIR EXPECTATION.

NOT BEING RUSHED TO GET THE BILLS THROUGH COMMITTEE IN TWO OR THREE WEEKS AT THE START OF SESSION.

>> AND AFTER WE SEE PRESIDENT TRUMP SWORN IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, THE ADMINISTRATION IS GOING THE 90 MILES PER HOUR, HOW WILL THAT AFFECT THE LEGISLATURE HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> THEY OFTEN SAY IN THE STATES THERE'S A LAB OF THE DEMOCRACIES.

A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN PRESIDENT TRUMP DO HAS MIRRORED WHAT OKLAHOMA HAS ALREADY DONE.

THE ANTIIMMIGRATION EXECUTIVE ORDER FOR EXAMPLE.

FOLLOWING ALONG OKLAHOMA'S ANTIIMMIGRATION LAW.

THE ANTIGENDER TRANSITION EXECUTIVE ORDER FOLLOWING OKLAHOMA'S LAW.

THE INTERESTING PART IS WHEN HE SEES WHAT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS DONE AND THE NEW PRESSURE HE PUTS ON THE LAWMAKERS TO ACT ON THAT.

MAYBE WE'RE SEEING THAT NOW, EXACTLY WHAT THAT -- THERE COULD BE IMPLICATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND HOW IT'LL FILL SOME HOLES AND USE THE SAVINGS TO DO THAT.

ONCE HE GETS AHEAD OF THE LEGISLATURE YOU'RE RIGHT THE SPEED WILL REALLY PICK UP.

>> AND BRIEFLY, CAN YOU DESCRIBE FOR US, THE PERSONALITY OF THE NEW LEADERSHIP ROLES WE'RE SEEING NOW.

>> IT SEEMS THEY'RE MORE IN LINE WITH ONE ANOTHER AND ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE SAW WITH THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WAS PUT US FROM LALGD BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THE SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR IN PARTICULAR.

THINGS LIKE THEY'RE WORKING TOGETHER.

>> DO WE FORESEE ALLIANCES?

>> I THINK A DYNAMIC WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST FEW YEARS IS THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE SORT OF MAYBE NOT AGREEING WITH MORE CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS, THEIR BILLS ARE NOT HEARD, OR THEY'RE TAKING UP CERTAIN MEASURES AND WE SAW IN THE LAST ELECTION CYCLE, THE INCUMBENTS GET KNOCKED OUT IN THE PRIMARIES.

KEVIN WALLACE IN THE HOUSE THAT WAS A MAIN LEADER OF THE BUDGET PRACTICE THAT WAS PRIMARIED OUT, AND MCCOURTNEY WAS SET, WHO WAS DEFEATED IN THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH HOW THAT DYNAMIC PLAYS OUT.

>> JENNIFER, TALKING ABOUT THE BILLS AND EVERYTHING WE'RE SEEING THIS YEAR, EDUCATION WILL LIKELY WITH A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC THIS YEAR.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT?

>> YEAH, MAYBE NOT AS CONTROVERSIAL AS IN RECENT YEARS, THE FUNDING INCREASES, THE SCHOOL CHOICE, I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE MUCH OAF THAT THIS -- OF THAT THIS YEAR, BUT WE HAVE DIFFERENT BILLS TO BAN CELL PHONES IN SCHOOLS, AND I KNOW SOME SUPERINTENDENTS ARE NOT THRILLED WITH THE PROPOSALS.

WE HAVE CONTROVERSIAL RULE CHANGES FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT'S NOW HEADED TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR CONSIDERATION.

THERE ARE DWENLT SOME AREAS WE COULD SEE FRICTION.

>> TELL US OF THE ROLE CHANGES FOR STUDENTS.

>> THE BIG ONE IS THIS CITIZENSHIP IMMIGRATION CHECK.

THE BOARD GAVE FINAL APPROVAL TO THE PROPOSALED RULE AND NOW MOVES TO THE LEGISLATURE.

THIS WOULD REQUIRE THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO ASK STUDENTS AND PARENTS AT ENROLLMENT FOR PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP OR LEGAL STATUS.

IF APPROVED AND PUT INTO PLACE WOULD PUT THE LEGISLATURES IN A TOUGH SPOT.

TO FOLLOW THE STATE RULE AND THE STATE LAW, THAT WOULD GO AGAINST THE ESTABLISHED FEDERAL LAW.

AND THE SUPREME COURT -- ALL CHILDREN HAVE A RIGHT TO A PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND GOES FURTHER, YOU CAN'T ASK, IT WOULD DETER CHILDREN FROM DOMING SCHOOL.

-- COMING TO SCHOOL.

>> WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE ON THAT ONE.

>> EXACTLY.

>> THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL TO WATCH THIS YEAR, YOU MENTIONED THE PUSH TO MAKE FIEMENT EMPLOYEES.

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

>> IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN IF THIS WILL GET A HEARING IN THE MADE PUSH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE RIGHT NOW IS TO KEEP THE STATE AGENCIES AT A FLAT BUDGET OR BELOW THE LAST APPROPRIATION.

THIS MIGHT BE A BIG ADD TO INCREASE THE SALARIES AND WHAT NOT.

THAT WILL ALLOW THE BOARD TO LOOK MORE INTO CASES, SORT OF THE FINER DETAILS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATES SAY ISN'T HAPPENING BECAUSE OF TIME RESTRINTS AND THE CONTINUITY, IT CALLS FOR FIVE FULL-TIME MEMBERS AND TWO ALTERNATES.

IF SOMEONE HAS TO RECUSE THEMSELVES AND RESIGN, THAT WOULD HELP KEEP THE MEETINGS MOVING ALONG.

>> SEAN, HOW DO WE ANTICIPATE THE LAWMAKERS WILL APPROACH CONTENTIOUS ISSUES.

>> IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IT.

AS YOU MENTIONED eUL9P)LIER.

FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW, THE DIVISION BETWEEN THE CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKER AND IS SOME OF THE MORE CONSERVATIVE LAWMAKERS.

AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE DISPUTES BETWEEN THEM, AND STILL GOES OUT ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED MORE BILLS TO BE HEARD AND PUT IN PLACE OF THE GUIDING COMMITTEE, RATHER THAN PUTTING POWER IN THE HAND OF THE HOUSE SPEAKER.

I THINK THE BIG FIGHT IS GOING TO BE BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES AND THAT'LL INFLUENCE WHICH BILLS GET HEARD IN COMMITTEE, WHICH GET HEARD ON THE FLOOR AND HOW THEY'RE HANDLED ON THE FLOOR.

IT'S MORE A MATTER OF REPUBLICANS RESOLVING THINGS AMONG THEMSELVES AND DEMOCRATS, PERHAPS, PUSHING ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER ALONG.

>> THE OKLAHOMA IS CONSISTENT WITH THE TEACHER SHORTAGES.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE RETENTION WILL PLAY OUT?

>> WE'RE SEEING THE PROPOSALS TO IMPROVE THE TEACHER RECESSION, AND TO KEEP TEACHERS IN OKLAHOMA AND KEEP THEM TEACHING.

THERE ARE SOME SALARY INCREASED BILLS THIS YEAR.

HOW MUCH THAT'S HELPING THE SITUATION, AND THERE'S SOME OTHER WAYS THEY'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE E ER TEACHER PAY TR THE MORALE, THE PROFESSION ITSELF WITH OTHER PROPOSALS.

>> WHEN YOU'VE HEARD FROM TEACHERS THEMSELVES, THEY'RE HOPING FOR THE RAISE, OF COURSE.

>> OF COURSE, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE RAISE.

I THINK A LOT OF THE -- A LOT OF WHAT FRUSTRATES TEACHERS IS WHAT COMES OUT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS.

I HEAR A LOT OF THAT.

WITH THE CONSTANT CONFLICT, THE CULTURE WAR ISSUES, THEY WOULD -- THE BIBLE MANDATE, THAT'S A BIG ONE.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE RESPECTED IN THEIR PROFESSION AND FOCUS ON TEACHING.

>> WE HOPE SOME OF THE BILLS WILL ADDRESS THAT THIS YEAR.

SPECIFICALLY WITH THE RECENT DISCUSSIONS OF POLICING AND INCARCERATION.

>> BASED ON MY REVIEW OF THE BILL, I DON'T KNOW ANTICIPATE ANYTHING SUPER SWEEPING OR HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE PRISON POPULATION.

LAST YEAR, THERE WAS A PRETTY NOTABLE BILL THAT'LL OVERHAUL THE OKLAHOMA CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.

THAT WAS A LARGE BILL WILL BE IMPLEMENTED BEGINNING NEXT YEAR.

THERE'LL BE SOME WITH HOW THAT WORKS OUT.

BEFORE THERE'S A BROADER SCALE BILL OR APPROACH I'M LOOKING AT THE PRISON POPULATION.

LIKELY MARGINAL CHANGES, MAYBE BILLS LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.

>> ARE THERE ANY BILLS ON THE HORIZON THAT COULD AFFECT HEALTH CARE?

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF TOO MANY,ING I THINK THEY'RE WAITING TO SEE THE IMPACT OF THINGS THEY HAVE PASSED.

THE PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERING OVERSIGHT.

SUPER WE SEE THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FILED THE FIRST CASE USING THE DIVISION.

THEY'RE TRYING TO MEASURE THE EXACT OF WHAT THEY'VE DONE AND SEE WHERE TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THERE.

>> AND VERY BRIEFLY, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER, HOW DO YOU THINK WAEL SEE THE POWER BALANCE IN THE CHAMBERS THIS YEAR.

>> OF COURSE, IT'S EARLY ON THE SESSION HASN'T STARTED YET, IT COULD BE FAULT LINES DEVELOP IN THE NEXT WEEKS AND MONTHS.

THE LEADERSHIP SEEMS TO BE ALIGNED ON A LOT OF STUFF.

THAT COULD CHANGE AS THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS GOES ON.

IT'S PROBABLY TOO EARLY TO TELL NOW.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE IN ALIGNMENT IN A LOT OF STUFF.

>> WHAT ABOUT TRANSPARENCY.

LAST WEEK, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC NEGOTIATION, BUT TRANSPARENCY ISSUES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

DO YOU THINK IT'LL GET BETTER THIS YEAR?

>> YEAH, IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, WE'RE SEEING MORE TRANSPARENCY.

>> IT'S NICE TO SIT IN AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> YEAH, THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO KNOW.

>> ANY POLICIES THE LEGISLATORS ARE GOING UP AGAINST THIS YEAR?

>> NEW NUMBERS IN FEBRUARY, THAT INDICATED IN DECEMBER, THAT THE COLLECTIONS WILL BE FLAT.

LOOKING AT FLAT OR REDUCED BUDGET, THE AGENCIES ARE SINKING MORE THAN $920 MILLION OF NEW SPENDING.

WE'LL HAVE TO SEE THE SPENDING FREEZE, THE IMPACT OF THAT.

>> WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

ANYTHING WE CAN EXPECT?

>> THE NEW LEADERSHIP AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE SORT OF THEIR STAMP ON THINGS AND HOW THINGS WORK FROM THE FLOOR ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

>> NOTHING I CAN THINK OF, OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

THE NEW LEADERSHIP AND THE DEADLINE CHANGES WILL BE INTERESTING.

>> I'M WATCHING TO SEE HOW MUCH, ESPECIALLY THE HOUSE WILL TRY TO PUT CHECKS AND BALANCES ON THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE CONSTRUCTION LAST SESSIO -- HIS TERMED OUT, IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE TAKES UP THE ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME, AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE COVERAGE OF IS IT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS YEAR.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AT ONE POINT IN TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, ICE WAS CONSIDERED, "FROZEN GOLD"--- AND HARVESTING IT WAS A LUCRATIVE BUSINESS THAT EMPLOYED A LOT OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE DEPRESSION.

THOSE DAYS ARE GONE.

BUT THE STORY LIVES ON THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW" REPORT FROM OUR FRIENDS AT "ROCKY MOUNTAIN P.B.S."

>> IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

IT WAS ALSO MAJOR MEANS OF EMPLOYMENT FOR THE FARMER OR RANCHER AND KEPT THINGS MOVING AND ALIVE.

BACK IN THE LATE 1800S, ICE HARVESTING WAS DONE BY ANYONE WITH ACCESS TO WATER.

THE GOAL WAS TO TRANSPORT THE PERISHABLE GOODS, FROM KANSAS CITY TO NEW YORK.

AND THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT WAS TO HAVE ICE COOLED BOXCAR CANS, THAT WERE ESPECIALLY TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE COOL KNOWS OF THE GOODS.

AND IN THE PAST, IN THE PEAK OF THE HARVESTING ERA, IT'S MINUS 10 TO 23 ALMOST EVERY NIGHT FROM THE PEAK WINTER MONTHS TO THE FIRST OF FEBRUARY.

THEY COULD GET FREE ICE CROPS, SHIPPED BY RAIL TO OTHER LOCATIONS.

THE ICE WOULD BE ON THE ENDS OF THE CAR, THE SPACE -- ON BOTH ENDS.

>> YOU'RE AIMING TO GET THROUGH -- THE VOLUME.

ONCE THAT'S FORMED, YOU WOULD BE READY TO HARVEST, AND THE LONG CREWS, WITH THE ICE PLOW.

THEN YOU CROSS PARTNER -- PATTERN AND THAT WOULD FORM THE BLOCK.

ONCE YOU HAVE 75 FOOT BY 24 FOOT, YOU WOULD USE A -- TO PULL IT INTO A SPUDDING AREA.

>> THE ICE PIKE AND THE SPUDDING BAR.

THE INDIVIDUAL -- PROVIDES THE -- AND LIKE A BEAR, GETS THE ICE OUT FOR STORAGE.

AND THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL ICE HOUSE.

THEY STILL -- CONSTRUCTED TO TRY TO SEE WHAT THEY CANNING MAKE FROM HARVESTING ICE FROM THE LAKE.

YOU WOULD SEPARATE THE LAIRS.

-- LAYERS.

IF IT'S DRY -- WELL, IT WAS NO DANGER OF THEM COMING HUGE BLOCK OF ICE.

ICE HARVESTING BUSINESS STILL IN FULL SWING IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION AREA.

THEY WERE ALL LOCALS, THE RANCHERS AND THE POTATO GROWERS.

THEY COULD HIRE AS MANY AS 50 PEOPLE.

SOMETIMES MORE.

DEPENDING ON THE WORKLOAD.

GRADUALLY TOOK OVER, AND THE ICE HARVESTING -- THERE WASN'T A NEED ANYMORE.

AND ICE HARVESTING, AT LEAST ON THE LAKE BE DIDN'T STOP UNTIL 1943.

IT PLAYED A VITAL ROLE FOR THOSE NEAR THE LAKE TO KEEP FOOD TON TABLE.

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

THE 2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION GETS UNDERWAY NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL HAVE REACTION TO THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE AS LAWMAKERS RETURN TO THE CAPITOL NEXT FRIDAY AT 7.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE BACK IN TIME SCREENING OF OKLAHOMA'S NAZI PRISONERS.

SHOT AND EDITED FOR US BY OETA'S MATT BARNETT.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND "X" 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 TAELYR JACKSON, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!