>> REDUCING THE RECORD NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE IN AMERICA.

WHAT IS BEING DONE HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE'RE WORKING TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SUPPORT CRISIS RESPONSE, AND AN ADDITIONAL PATH WAY THROUGH ENCAMPMENT REHOUSING INCHISH YA IF I HAVE TO REMOVE PEOPLE FROM THE STREET INTO HOUSING.

>> THE STATE'S LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IS RELOCATING FROM NORMAN TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> REPLACING AN OLD HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD HOSPITAL THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IS A HUGE FEAT.

>> OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES ON "OKLAHOMA"'S BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS MOVES TO VERNON IN McINTOSH COUNTY.

>> I'M THANKFUL TO BE FROM VERNON, AND I GOT HOMESICK AND SAID I WANT TO MOVE BACK HOME.

>> THE FIERY STORY OF A CHAMPION NAMED LUKE CHAMPION.

>> I THINK ANYTIME YOU HAVE INJURIES, OR YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH ISSUES, IT'S THE WILL THAT BRIGGS YOU BACK.

-- BRINGS YOU BACK.

>> PLUS AN IN-DEPTH ROUNDTABLE ON STORIES WE WILL ALL BE TALKING ABOUT IN 2024 NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

HELLO, WELCOME TO OUR FIRST NEWSCAST OF THE NEW YEAR.

I'M RICH HE LENZ.

ACCORDING FOR THE LATEST NUMBERS FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, HOMELESSNESS ROSE BY MORE THAN 12% IN 2023; REACHING ITS HIGHEST RECORDED LEVEL SINCE HUD BEGAN KEEPING TRACK IN 2007.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA IT'S ALL TOO COMMON TO ENCOUNTER THE HOMELESS ASK FOR HELP ON THE CORNERS OF OUR CITY STREETS.

TAYLOR JACKSON JOINS US WITH NEW PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO PROVIDE THAT HELP.

>> YEAH, RICH.

ACCORDING TO THAT REPORT, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT MORE THAN 4,000 OKLAHOMANS EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS IN 2023, MORE THAN 800 WERE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

>> THE HOME PARTNERSHIP IS OPENING DOORS FOR THE GROWING HOMELESS POPULATION IN MOESHGS.

-- OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WE HAVE 1436 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OUR ONE-NIGHT, POINT IN TIME COUNTY BEGINNING OF 2023.

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THAT COUNT LATER THIS MONTH, WE'LL DO THE COUNT FOR 2024.

>> COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR JAMIE KAY SAID THE NEW INITIATIVE WHICH BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER IS A COLLABORATION OF MORE THAN 40 AGENCIES WORKING TOGETHER FOR A COMMON GOAL.

>> WE'RE WORKING TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SUPPORT, CRISIS RESPONSE AND AN ADDITIONAL PATHWAY THROUGH THE ENCAMPMENT REMOUSING -- REHOUSING INITIATIVE TO MOVE PEOPLE FROM THE STREET INTO HOUSING.

>> SHE SAYS THE HOME'S GOAL IS TO HELP 500 PEOPLE GET OFF THE STREET AND INTO A HOME BY THE YEAR 20 50.

LAST MONTH 17 PEOPLE LIVING IN AN EN A CAMMENT UNDER A BRIDGE AT I-44 AND PENN WERE PLACED IN HOUSING.

>> THE CAMPING REHOUSING INITIATIVE IS PARTNERS GOING INTO THE COMMUNITY, WORKING WITH PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREET, BUILDING RAPPORT AND CREATING A BY NAME LIST FOR THEM TO MOVE INTO HOUSING, AND WE'RE REMOVING AS MANY BARRIERS AS POSSIBLE TO TAKE THAT PROCESS FROM MANY MONTHS DOWN TO THREE TO SIX WEEKS, AND MOVE THOSE PEOPLE THAT WERE LIVING ON THE STREET INTO AN APARTMENT.

>> JUST UP THE TURNER TURNPIKE IN DOWNTOWN TULSA, THE TULSA DAY CENTER SERVES AS A WARM REST STOP DURING THE DAY FOR TULSA'S HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

TULSA DAY CENTER IS ONE OF MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT RECEIVED A PORTION OF QUIKTRIP'S $7.8 MILLION INVESTMENT INTO LOCAL NON-PROFITS IN THE TULSA AREA.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER NOE RODRIGUEZ SAID QUIKTRIP'S GENEROSITY WILL HELP THE TEAM BETTER ASSESS THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR QUIKTRIP AND THEIR INVESTMENT IN THE TULSA COMMUNITY AND THE TULSA DAY CENTER.

THEIR SUPPORT IS SO APPRECIATED HERE.

THEY WERE ABLE TO HELP US WITH UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS FOR OPERATIONS.

THE TULSA DAY CENTER NEVER CLOSES, AND SO NIGHT SHELTER, DAY SERVICES, THE HOLIDAYS, INCLEMENT WEATHER.

>> THE FUNDS ALSO A LOUD FOR THE -- ALLOWED FOR THE TEAM TO EXPAND SERVICES OUTSIDE OF THE DAY CENTER WALLS.

>> SO A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING ON OUTREACH, WE ARE CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.

THEY MAY BE NEW TO HOMELESSNESS.

IN TULSA WE ARE, I BELIEVE, THE 11 THU HIGHEST VECTOR IN THE NATION, WE AVERAGE ABOUT 17 EVICTIONS PER DAY.

SO 350 A MONTH.

>> DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH JOSH SANDERS, SAYS THE TEAM CONNECTS INDIVIDUALS ON THE STREET WITH MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCES.

>> MOST OF THE TIME WHEN WE MAKE CONTACT WITH PEOPLE, THEY ARE SAYING, WOW, I DIDN'T REALIZE YOU EXISTED.

WE DIDN'T REALIZE THERE WAS AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE LIKE US THAT ARE STAYING OUT HERE.

SO IT IS VERY REWARDING FOR OUR TEAM TO GET TO CONNECT WITH THOSE NEW PEOPLE AND SHARE THE WONDERFUL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE HERE IN TULSA.

>> RODRIGUEZ SAYS THE DAY CENTER RECENTLY STARTED A NEW INITIATIVE TO HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM CALLED THE BLUE TEAM INITIATIVE, WORKING WITH CLIENTS WITH ANOSOGNOSIA.

SO OUR HOPE IS TO CONNECT WITH CLIENTS THAT ARE NOT IN THE DAY CENTER.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WORKING WITH THOSE THAT ARE UNSHIPMENT HE HAD.

>> ANOSOGNOSIA IS A NEUROLOGICAL CONDITION WHERE A PERSON IS UNABLE TO PERCEIVE THEIR ILLNESS.

>> FLS A LOT OF RESEARCH -- THERE'S A LOT OF RESEARCH CONDUCTED THE PAST 30 YEARS, A LOT OF RESEARCH DEVOTED TO WORKING WITH THIS POPULATION TO EDUCATING THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY, PSYCHOLOGISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS, SO THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS THAT, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, LACK INSIGHT INTO THEIR ILLNESS.

>> THE BLUE TEAM USES A SPECIAL TECHNIQUE TO HELP INDIVIDUALS WITH ANOSOGNOSIA.

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS MEET THEME PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT -- THESE PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT, USING A TECHNIQUE OF MOTIVATIONAL INTERVIEWING, RATHER THAN TRYING TO CONVICTION THE INDIVIDUAL THAT THEY ARE SICK, FIND AREAS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL CAN SET GOALS AND WORK TOWARDS, AND ADVOCATING FOR THESE PEOPLE TO ACCESS THE SAME SERVICES THAT OTHERS DO, BUT ARE SOMEWHAT MORE RESTRICTED BECAUSE OF THE BARRIERS THAT THEY FACE DUE TO THEIR ILLNESS.

>> THE KEY TO HOME AND TULSA DAY CENTER WANT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO REMEMBER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HELP THOSE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS NEED HELP YEAR-ROUND.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT DURING THE WINTER WE DO HAVE A SYSTEM IN PLACE THAT ALL OF THE SHELTERS EXPAND THEIR CAPACITY TO ALLOW MORE PEOPLE TO SLEEP INSIDE.

>> THE DAY CENTER, LIKE I SAID, DEMANDS ON SUPPORT OF -- DEPENDS ON SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN.

>> MANY NON-PROFITS LIKE TULSA DAY CENTER ARE NOW IN NEED OF COATS AND GLOVES TO HELP THOSE IN NEED DURING THE COLD WINTER MONTHS.

RICH?

>> TAYLOR, THANK YOU.

IT APPEARS THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR STEGALL HAVE ABOUT 1.3 BILLION MORE TO SPEND IN THE NEXT STATE BUDGET.

THE STATE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION IS SDIMENTING THAT 13 -- ESTIMATING THAT 13.9 BILLION WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR APPROPRIATION.

GOVERNOR AND HIS STAFF WILL USE THAT FIGURE TO CREATE A PROPOSED EXECUTIVE BUDGET THAT HE WILL PRESENT IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS TO BEGIN THE YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE BOARD WILL PROVIDE FINAL CERTIFICATION OF REVENUES IN FEBRUARY.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL FOR THE HEALTHCARE THROUGH THE ACA, SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS OBAMACARE.

APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED AT THE HEALTHCARE.GOV INSURANCE MARKETPLACE THROUGH TUESDAY, JANUARY 16TH.

THAT'S THE DEADLINE.

NOW, IF YOU SIGN UP NOW, YOUR COVERAGE WOULD TAKE EFFECT ON FEBRUARY 1ST.

SO FAR MORE THAN 19 MILLION CONSUMERS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR INSURANCE THROUGH THE FEDERAL AND STATE EXCHANGES.

THE STATE'S LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IS RELOCATING FROM NORMAN TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONIES ARE PLANNED FOR MARCH WITH THE NEW DONAHUE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HOSPITAL.

THAT WILL INCLUDE 330 BEDS AND SERVE BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN.

JASON DOOR WILL JOIN US WITH MORE DETAILS ON THE HOSPITAL AND THE FACILITY IT WILL REPLACE.

>> RICH, THIS NEW HOSPITAL WHEN COMPLETE WILL GIVE THE STATE MORE SPACE TO HELP THOSE WHO ENTER A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THE ADDITION IS WELCOME AMONG THOSE WHO WORK AND ARE HELPED BY THE BEHAVIOR HEALTH SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA.

>> TODAY IS A GOOD DAY FOR ME.

TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO DO AN INTERVIEW.

>> THAT'S KATIE JOE BROWN.

SHE'S BEEN THROUGH A MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT JOURNEY FOR FEW YEARS, AND IS OBVIOUSLY DOING WELL NOW.

SHE SOUGHT HELP BECAUSE SHE FELT OVERWHELMED.

>> I THINK I STARTED SPREADING MYSELF A LITTLE TOO THIN.

I WAS CLEAN AT THE TIME, AND WHEN THINGS GOT BAD, I KIND OF TURNED TO DRUG USE, HONESTLY.

SO I, UM, GOT TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS WORKING LONG HOURS, I WAS ENTERTAINING IN THE EVENINGS, AND JUST GENERAL BURNOUT STARTED TO HIT.

AND I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS.

>> SHE REEVEN -- EVENTUALLY SOUGHT THE TREATMENT SHE NEEDED.

>> I GOT HELP THERE.

THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I EVER SAW A PSYCHIATRIST.

AND THEY PUT ME ON SOME THINGS I BASICALLY THAT STABILIZED ME.

>> THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS, MORE OKLAHOMANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE KIND OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, THANKS TO THE STATE'S PLANS TO BUILD A NEW MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL.

>> IT'S A MIRACLE THIS IS EVEN HAPPENING.

>> OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES DEPUTY COMMISSIONER HEATH HAYES SAID THAT'S BECAUSE SEVERAL PARTNERS HAD TO COME TOGETHER.

>> FOR US TO BE ABLE TO PULL SOMETHING OFF LIKE THIS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, GOVERNOR STAYED, THE STATE LEGISLATURE BEING ABLE TO USE THE STATE RESCUE PLAN DOLL ARCS EVEN TO MAKE ANY FORWARD MOVEMENT ON SOMETHING AS HISTORIC AS REPLACING AN OLD, HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL THAT DEFINITELY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IS A HUGE FEAT.

>> HE SAYS THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA COUNTY AND SEVERAL FOUNDATIONS ARE HELPING THE STATE TO FUND THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PROJECT.

>> IT'S ABOUT A $10 MILLION, 13 MILLION GAP IN WHAT IT IS THAT WE NEED IN TERMS OF FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE IT ALL WORK.

AND THEY STEPPED UP, AND THEY HELPED.

>> THE DONAHUE HOSPITAL WILL REPLACE GRIFFIN HOSPITAL IN NORMAN, WHICH USED TO HOUSE MORE THAN 5,000 PATIENTS ON ITS 600-ACRE PROPERTY.

BECAUSE OF THE CHANGES TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE, THAT KIND OF SPACE IS NO LONGER USED.

>> WE HAVE ABOUT 120 BEDS ON THAT CAMPUS, AND SO WE HAVE SO MUCH LAND THAT NEEDS TO BE REDEVELOPED AND FOR GOOD REASONS, AND LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS THAT IT CAN BECOME IN NORMAN.

SO THAT COUPLED WITH BEING ABLE TO BETTER SERVE THE PERSON, HAVING A CENTRALIZED LOCATION LIKE OKLAHOMA CITY, IS REALLY HELPFUL.

>> THIS NEW HOSPITAL COUPLED WITH THE OKLAHOMA PSYCHIATRIC CARE CENTER BREAKING GROUND IN DOWNTOWN TULSA LAST MARCH WILL CERTAINLY ADD TO THE MENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CAN OFFER, WHILE THE ADDITION TO THE HOSPITALS IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA ARE WELCOME, THERE ARE OTHER MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN OTHER STATE.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE HELPFUL AND WE HAVE EXPANDED HOSPITALIZATION CARE, BUT THERE'S MUCH MORE NEEDED THAT'S IN OKLAHOMA.

THOSE TWO HOSPITALS ALONE AREN'T GOING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TREATMENT IN THE STATE.

WE STILL NEED TO CONTINUE INVESTING IN THE SERVICES THAT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL THAT KEEP PEOPLE FROM EVER HAVING TO REACH THE HOSPITALIZATION STAGE.

>> IT ADDS INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, AS WELL AS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC WHERE THEY CAN GO TO GET THE SERVICES THEY NEED IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE NEED TO HELP GIVE ATTENTION THERE AND REALLY WORK TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT JUST HOW IS IT THAT WE FIND SERVICES WHEN WE NEED IT, AND WE NEED TO START INVESTING IN THE ANTI-STIGMA EFFORTS.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING OFFICIALS HOPE WILL BE HELPED BY THE LOCATION OF THE DONAHUE HOSPITAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT WILL BE HERE ON THE CAMPUS OF OSU-OKC NEAR I-44 AND I-40.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF ANTI-STIGMA MOVEMENT BECAUSE YOU SEE ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL HOSPITALS FOR CANCER AND FOR DIABETES, AND WHY DON'T YOU SEE, YOU KNOW, A STATE-OF-THE-ART MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITALS?

THEY ARE USUALLY TUCKED AWAY SOMEWHERE OUT.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE VISIBLE, REPRESENTATION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO RECEIVE EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING.

>> I THINK TREATMENT IS KIND OF A STIGMATIZED WORD A LITTLE BIT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU ARE IN AN INSANE ASYLUM WITH A STRAIGHT JACKET ON, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHEN IN FACT IT IS NOT.

IT IS REALLY JUST KIND OF A JUMP START TO YOUR RECOVERY PROCESS.

>> FOR KATIE JO BROWN, SHE ALSO BELIEVES THE STATE SHOULD CONTINUE INVESTING IN MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE MORE THAT WE INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH, I THINK THE BETTER WE'RE GOING TO BE.

TO A CERTAIN DEGREE.

>> HAYES SAYS WHILE MORE WORK ON OKLAHOMA'S MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM IS NEEDED, THINGS ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WE ARE POSITIONING OURSELVES TO BE A PREMIERE LOCATION FOR BRAIN HEALTH.

THAT'S REALLY EXCITING FOR US, BECAUSE OKLAHOMA HAS ALWAYS KNOWN, YOU KNOW, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN HIGH IN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES, AND WE'VE ALWAYS HAD REALLY INNOVATIVE LEADERS AND THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT SEATS AT THE RIGHT TIME.

THAT'S JUST WHAT THIS FEELS LIKE, A LOT OF JUST SYNERGY THAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES WILL BREAK GROUND ON THE DONAHUE HOSPITAL THIS MARCH WITH THE FACILITY OPENING IN 2026.

BY THE WAY, THE HOSPITAL IS NAMED AFTER OKLAHOMA'S FIRST COMMISSIONER, MENTAL HEALTH, DR. HAYDEN DONAHUE.

RICH?

>> THANK YOU.

I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THAT.

WE ALWAYS ENJOY KICKING OFF A NEW YEAR BY GATHERING TOGETHER SOME OF THE GREAT REPORTERS AND EDITORS WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNERS, AND SITTING DOWN TO DISCUSS WHAT THE BIG STORY LINES OF 2024 ARE GOING TO BE.

THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION THEN OF COURSE EDUCATION IS IN THE DNA OF OETA.

WITH THAT IN MIND, MODERATOR SUSAN GADOT SAT DOWN WITH OUR FOUR BEST JOURNALISTS TO DISCUSS THE FUTURE.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN HEATED, DEFINITELY WITH THE HOUSE AND WALTERS, EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR MARK McBRIDE HAS A VERY PUBLIC FEUD ON GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF, AND SO THAT'S CAUSED SOME BAD BLOOD BETWEEN AT LEAST THE HOUSE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD SIMILAR ISSUES ON THE SENATE SIDE SO FAR, BUT WE WILL SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATION WILL BE THIS YEAR TO REIN IN WALTERS AND SOME OF WHAT HE CAN DO ADMINISTRATIVELY.

>> I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE CULTURE WAR ISSUES BUBBLING UP IN TWEET TWO -- 2024, WE WILL DEFINITELY BE WATCHING THAT VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL THAT THE CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL.

THAT ONE, THERE'S A COUPLE OF LAWSUITS ON THAT, THAT WE WILL SEE, YOU KNOW, PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THOSE SUCCEED, AND IF THEY PUT A STOP TO THE PROCESS OF THE SCHOOL OPENING.

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

LUKE CHAMPION IS APTLY NAMED, NOT JUST FOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AS AN ATHLETE, BUT THE WAY HE HAS FOUGHT TO REGAIN HIS HEALTH AFTER A LIFE-THREATENING MOMENT DURING A WRESTLING COMPETITION LAST YEAR.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH LUKE'S REMASHABLE -- REMASH MARKETABLE STORE QUESTION.

>> IRONICALLY, THIS PAST TUESDAY WAS THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF BUFFALO BILLS DEFENSIVE BACK DAMAR HAMLIN'S BRUSH WITH DEATH AFTER HE SUFFERED A CARDIAC ARREST AFTER MAKING A TACKLE DURING A GAME IN CINCINNATI.

QUICK ACTION BY A BUFFALO BILLS TRAINER, WHO USED TO BE A TRAINER AT OKLAHOMA STATE, SAVED HAMLIN'S LIFE.

INCREDIBLY, 14-YEAR-OLD LUKE CHAMPION HAS A SIMILAR STORY.

BY THE WAY, A FEW OF THE IMAGES YOU ARE ABOUT TO SEE ARE JARRING.

>> YOU KNOW, THESE ARE ALL HIS BASEBALL PICTURES.

>> LUKE CHAMPION LOVES BASEBALL, WRESTLING, STEAK, PICKLES, AND OF COURSE, HIS MOTHER, VALERIE.

>> I MEAN, I REMEMBER WAKING UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

>> LAST JUNE 22ND DURING THE FINAL DAY OF THE YOUTH WRESTLING TOURNAMENT AT OSU IN STILLWATER, HE WON THE MATCH.

HIS MOM WAS IN THE STANDS AND IMMEDIATELY SENSED SOMETHING WAS WRONG WHEN SHE SAW LUKE LAY DOWN NEXT TO THE MAT.

>> WHICH IS NOT LIKE HIM.

HE'S USUALLY UP, WATCHING ALL THE OTHER MATCHES THAT ARE GOING ON, AND SO HE LAID BACK, AND I REMEMBER TELLING HIS BROTHER, I'M LIKE, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO DOWN THERE AND WAKE UP YOUR BROTHER.

I JUST FIGURED HE WAS TIRED FROM, YOU KNOW, IT WAS A STRENUOUS CAMP.

SO I THOUGHT HE WAS TIRED.

BUT WE WEST DOWN THERE, AND -- WE WENT DOWN THERE.

I SAID DUDE, YOU HAVE GOT TO WAKE UP.

YOU HAVE ANOTHER MATCH COMING UP.

AND HE SAT UP AND SMILED AT ME, AND I JUST NOTICED HIS FACE DROOPD DOWN.

-- DROOPED DOWN.

AND -- >> FAR AWAY, A FAR-OFF LOOK, TOO.

>> YEAH.

IT WAS LIKE HE WASN'T EVEN LOOKING AT ME, HE WAS LIKE LOOKING THROUGH ME.

BUT HE STARTED TO TALK, AND HE WAS NOT MAKING ANY SENSE.

IT WAS JUST JIBBERISH.

>> VALERIE YELLED TO OTHER OSU WRESTLERS WHO WERE OFFICIATING OTHER MATCHES.

>> YEAH.

THEY WERE ON IT.

THEY SPRINTED OFF.

>> PRINT V SPRINTED OFF TO FIND NICK GOLDSTEIN, WHO WAS ALSO NEARBY, AND IS THE OSU WRESTLING TEAM'S TRAINER.

>> I IMMEDIATELY KNEW I NEEDED TO RUN OVER THERE, I REMEMBER SEEING HIM, AND HE JUST LOOKED LIKE HE WASN'T COMPLETELY THERE, LIKE HE WAS JUST KIND OF DAZING OFF.

I COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A SLUR IN HIS FACE.

I ASKED HIM SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT, DID HE KNOW WHERE HE WAS, DID HE KNOW HIS NAME.

AND WHEN HE RESPONDED I COULD HEAR THE SLUR.

>> GOLDSTEIN CALLED 911.

>> I LOOKED AT MY WATCH, AND IT WAS LESS THAN FOUR MINUTES BEFORE WE HAD AN AMBULANCE THERE.

>> THAT AMBULANCE TOOK LUKE FOR STILLWATER MEDICAL CENTER, WHERE ARE A CT SCAN QUICKLY CONFIRMED WHAT WAS FEARED.

>> IT WAS A CAROTID ARTERY STROKE.

HE HAD A CLOT IN HIS KA ROT I HAD ARTERY.

FROM THERE THEY SENT TO O.U.

IS MEDICAL TO DO SURGERY AT O.U.

>> HE SPENT THE NEXT MONTH RECOVERING AT O.U.

MEDICAL CENTER, AND BETHANY CHILDREN'S HEALTH CENTER.

IT WAS A LONG ROAD, AND NOT ALWAYS PRETTY.

>> IT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE AT BETHANY.

I'M GRATEFUL EVERY DAY THAT HE'S STILL HERE.

AND THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE THERE AND NOTICE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG.

>> JUST OVER THREE MONTHS AGO OKLAHOMA STATE WRESTLERS AND HEAD COACH JOHN SMITH SURPRISED LUKE AND HIS FAMILY WHEN THEY VISITED ONE OF HIS REHAB SESSIONS AT INTEGRIS HEALTH CANADIAN VALLEY HOSPITAL IN YUKON.

>> I THINK ANYTIME YOU HAVE INJURIES, OR YOU HAVE ANY HEALTH ISSUES, IT'S THE WILL THAT BRINGS YOU BACK, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE A WILL.

JUST WATCHING HIM KIND OF LIKE HE WAS SHOWING OFF FOR US TODAY.

HE WAS PROUD OF WHAT HE HAD DONE, YOU KNOW.

HE HAD LOST ALL THE STRENGTH IN HIS LEFT ARM, HIS LEFT LEG, LOST HIS STRENGTH IN IT.

HERE WE ARE, A LITTLE OVER TWO MONTHS LATER, AND HE'S PE FORMING -- PERFORMING AT A HIGH RATE.

SO JUST REALLY PROUD TO SEE THAT HE'S GOT A SMILE ON HIS FACE.

>> LUKE CHAMPION IS STILL SMILING.

>> I'M JUST WORKING ON MY LEFT HAND.

IT'S JUST LIKE OPENING AND CLOSING IT.

>> HIS FAMILY IS VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE QUICK ACTION TAKEN AT OSU LAST JUNE.

>> I'M JUST -- MOM SAVED MY LIFE.

>> BUT COGNITIVE, HE'S STILL SUPER SMART, STILL SUPER WITTY, AND -- >> MAYBE A SMART ALEC EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE.

>> A BIG SMART ALEC, YEAH.

HE GIVES HIS MOM A RUN FOR HER MONEY.

>> WE TALKED TO LUKE AND HIS FAMILY THIS PAST TUESDAY, WHICH WAS EXACTLY ONE YEAR SINCE BUFFALO BILLS' DEFENSIVE BACK DAMAR HAMLIN HAD A CARDIAC ARREST AFTER MAKING A TACKLE AND COLLAPSED ON THE FIELD IN CINCINNATI.

BILLS TRAINER DENNY KELLINGTON, A NATIVE OF MIDWEST CITY AND A FORMER OKLAHOMA STATE TRAINER, USED A DEFIBRILLATOR AND REVIVED HAMLIN'S HEART ON THE FIELD.

>> THAT'S SCARY, I MEAN, EVERY TIME I SEE STORIES LIKE THAT, IT KIND OF IS A LITTLE BIT OF A GUT PUNCH THAT I KNOW HOW HIS FAMILY MELT, DOCTOR -- FELT, AND I KNOW HOW THE ATHLETIC TRAINERS ON THE FIELD FELT, AND I KNOW WHAT THOUGHTS WENT THROUGH THEIR MIND, AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT THEIR ATHLETIC TRAINERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL THAT WERE THERE THAT SAVED HIM.

>> WHAT PRIDE YOU FEEL IN KNOWING THAT A FORMER OSU TRAINER TOOK CARE OF DAMAR HAMLIN, SAVED HIS LIFE RIGHT OUT THERE ON THE FIELD.

>> YEAH.

>> AND ANOTHER OSU TRAINER MIGHT HAVE SAVED YOUR SON'S LIFE.

>> YEAH.

IT'S AMAZING.

>> ATHLETIC TRAINERS DO GOD'S WORK.

>> THEY DO, THEY DO.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO A STROKE, ALL THE DEFIBRILLATORS IN THE WORLD WOULDN'T MATTER.

WHEN IT COMES TO A STROKE, THE NUMBER ONE THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS GET THE PATIENT TO A HOSPITAL AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT TIME.

IT HONESTLY IS IN GENERAL, IF YOU FEEL SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, ALWAYS CALL 911.

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE ON THE AID ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION THAN TO JUST ASSUME SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT, ESPECIALLY THIS WAS A 14-YEAR-OLD KID WE WEREN'T SURE, I MEAN, IT IS NOT NORMAL TO HAVE A STROKE IN A 14-YEAR-OLD.

A LOT OF PEOPLE MIGHT HAVE BEEN LIKE, OH, HE MIGHT NOT HAVE A STROKE, THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

INSTEAD OF SAYING THESE ARE THE CARDINAL SIGNS, I'M CONCERNED, I'M GOING TO CALL 911 AND TAKE CARE OF IT, I THINK THAT WAS THE DIFFERENCE IN SAVING HIS LIFE.

>> NICK GOLDSTEIN SAYS HE GOES THROUGH RESCUE SCENARIOS LITERALLY EVERY DAY, AND FOR LUKE CHAMPION, HE STILL GOES TO REHAB TWICE A WEEK.

HE'S STILL GOT SOME GROUND TO COVER, BUT, FOLKS, HE'S GETTING THERE.

RICH?

>> STEVE, JUST REMARKABLE STORY ALL THE WAY AROUND.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AS WE DO ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EVER EVERY MONTH, THIS WEEK WE PRESENT THE 12TH INSTALLMENT OF OUR YEAR-LONG INSTALLMENT, OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS THAT WILL CONCLUDE IN FEBRUARY.

THIS WEEK WE TRAVEL TO THE TOWN OF VERNON IN McINTOSH COUNTY, ESTABLISHED IN 1911.

JOE FILOMENO HAS THE REPORT.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> FAMILY AND FRIENDS REUNITE ON A FALL MORNING AT THE VERNON COMMUNITY CENTER TO REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES GROWING UP IN THIS SMALL COMMUNITY.

HOME TO NOT JUST 37 FULL-TIME RESIDENTS.

>> I ATTENDED SCHOOL HERE, MY MOTHER STARTED ME TO SCHOOL HERE IN VERNON HIGH SCHOOL WHEN I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I HAD A WONDERFUL TEACHER, AND I NEVER FORGOT HER.

>> MARY BODE BONE, A FORMER RESIDENT, REMEMBERS A BUSY MAIN STREET WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP.

>> WE DID HAVE STORES HERE, AND WE HAD THE McDONALD'S STORE, THE HALLAWAY STORE, AND ALVIN FLOYD HAD A HAMBURGER CAF É.

>> HER COUSIN, ELFIE GUYTON, SAID GROWING UP VERNON DIDN'T GET ELECTRICITY UNTIL SHE WAS A TEENAGER.

>> I WAS BORN IN '43, WE DIDN'T HAVE ELECTRICITY UNTIL '58.

I WAS LIKE 13.

>> ON THIS DAY, CLARENCE WALKER REUNITED WITH HIS PAL, BENNY CATO.

THE TWO SPENT MOST OF THEIR CHILDHOOD GROWING UP IN VERNON.

>> I WENT UP TO BENNY'S HOUSE, I SPENT MORE TIME UP THERE, I BELIEVE THAN I DID IN MY OWN HOUSE.

ESPECIALLY IN THE DAYTIME.

I WAS ALWAYS UP THERE, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WASN'T IN SCHOOL.

I GO UP THERE AND PLAY WITH THEM UNTIL THEY RUN ME HOME.

(LAUGHS) ♪♪ >> THE TOWN OF VERNON WAS ESTABLISHED ON OCTOBER 4TH, 1910, AND WAS DESIGNATED AS AN ALL-BLACK COMMUNITY.

♪♪ >> VERNON IS LOCATED ABOUT 70 MILES SOUTH OF TULSA, BORDERED BY I-40 AND THE INDIAN NATION TURNPIKE.

>> AT ONE TIME VERNON, BACK IN THE '20s, VERNON'S POPULATION REACHED OVER 2,000 IN THE AREA HERE.

>> THE RAILROAD HELPED KEEP THE TOWNSPEOPLE SUPPLIED WITH MERCHANDISE, AND IN 1912, THE VERNON POST OFFICE OPENED FOR BUSINESS, IT WAS LOCATED IN A SINGLE STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING THAT LITTER HOUSED -- LATER HOUSED A GROCERY AND DRY GOODS STORE.

THIS BUILDING WAS LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES IN 1984.

VERNON WAS GOING STRONG UNTIL THE GREAT DEPRESSION HIT.

HURTING FARMING AND STOPPING THE GROWTH OF THE TOWN.

>> AND THIS IS WHY THE TOWN WENT DOWN, BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING HERE, NO INDUSTRY.

WHEN THE TOWN STARTED OUT, IT WAS A FARM COMMUNITY, AND YOU HAD EVERYTHING ELSE BUILT UP, YOU KNOW, AROUND THAT.

WE HAD A TRAIN STATION AND THEY HAD ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

♪♪ >> AFTER THE NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH IN VERNON, ANDERSON FIELDS REMEMBERS THE HARD-WORKING DAYS OF HIS YOUTH.

>> AFTER THEY BUILT THIS SCHOOL IN '48, '47, SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE, WHEN I WAS COMING UP ON 14 YEARS OF AGE AND MY DADDY ASKED ME TO STAY AT HOME TO HELP FARM.

>> FIELDS WORKED ON CROPLANDS IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA, AND IN ARIZONA TO SEND MONEY BACK TO HIS FAMILY IN VERNON.

>> I LEFT VERNON AT 14, AND I MOVED BACK, AND I DROVE FROM HERE TO OKLAHOMA CITY TO WORK UNTIL I RETIRED AT 62.

>> FIELDS RETURNED HOME TO VERNON AFTER RETIRING, AND JOINED THE CHURCH MINISTRY.

>> SO I'M THANKFUL TO BE FROM VERNON, AND I GOT HOMESICK AND SAID I WANT TO MOVE BACK HOME, AND I CAME BACK HOME.

>> MARY BONE GRADUATED FROM VERNON HIGH SCHOOL IN 1954, HOME OF THE TIGERS.

SHE SAID EVENTS HELD AT THE SCHOOL DREW BIG CROWDS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

>> WE HAD A NICE GYMNASIUM, WE COULD PLAY INSIDE, SO WE HAD MORE STUDENTS TO COME FROM OTHER SCHOOLS TO VISIT HERE, AND WE HAD THE JAIL NIS YUM -- GYMNASIUM DECORATED FOR SPECIAL EVENTS.

THE SPY SCHOOL'S GYMNASIUM AND BASKETBALL COURT BECAME A CENTER OF ACTIVITY FOR ENLT HE WERE TIRE -- ENTIRE TOWN.

>> EVERY YEAR DURING SCHOOL CLOSING WE WOULD HAVE NICE PLAYS, AND PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER McINTOSH COUNTY, AND SOME OUT OF McINTOSH COUNTY WOULD COME TO SEE OUR PLAYS.

WE HAD OUR YOUNG MEN, BASKETBALL TEAM, THEY WERE OUTSTANDING.

>> ERIC HOLY BASS RN -- WAS BORN IN ROVP, NEW YORK AND -- ROCHESTER, NEW YORK AND MOVED TO VERNON.

>> COMING HERE, IT ALLOWED ME TO LOOK AT THINGS THROUGH THE LEPS OF MY -- LENS OF MY MOTHER FATHERS AND FAMILY LOOKED AT THEM IN -- FOREFATHERS IN THE SENSE OF MAKING THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE GIVEN.

♪♪ >> HIS FAMILY ENCOURAGED HIM TO BE A TRUE STUDENT-ATHLETE.

>> MY MOM ALWAYS ENJOYED THE FACT OF ME PLAYING BASKETBALL, BUT SHE ALWAYS STRESSED EDUCATION.

MY GRANDMOTHER WAS A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER, SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, AND JUST THE IDEA OF BEING ABLE TO SAY READ AND WRITE WAS WAY MORE IMPORTANT TO HER THAN ANYTHING ELSE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> HE WOULD GRADUATE FROM EUFALLAH HIGH SCHOOL, AND ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA.

>> THE ONE THING FOR VERNON THAT ALLOWED ME TO TULSA, WAS THE SIZE.

VERNON BEING A SMALL COMMUNITY, TULSA BEING A SMALL UNIVERSITY AMONG THE STATE SCHOOLS.

>> HE WENT ON TO PLAY BASKETBALL FOR THE TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE FROM 1996 TO 2000 UNDER LEGENDARY COACH BILL SCOUT.

>> HE WAS ONE OF THE EASIEST COACHES, HE WOULD MOTIVATE YOU TO GIVE YOUR ALL.

IF YOU FOUND YOURSELF, SAY, YOU NEEDED SOMEBODY TO TALK TO, EVEN TO THIS DAY I COULD CALL HIM.

>> DURING HIS TIME IN COLLEGIATE SPORTS, HE SAYS -- -- COLEY SAID HE ALWAYS MADE TIME TO RETURN TO HIS HOME IN VERNON.

>> MY HEART WAS ALWAYS HERE FROM THE TIME I MOVED HERE AS A KID, JUST BEING ABLE TO SAY KEEP THE FAMILY HOUSE OPEN SO WHEN WE HAVE OUR FAMILY REUNIONS, PEOPLE HAVE A PLACE TO COME HOME TO.

>> COLEY GRADUATED WITH A DEGREE IN BUSINESS, AND PLAYED IN THE SEMI PROS, AS WELL AS THE OLD AMERICAN BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION.

HE FINISHED HIS CAREER IN 2007, PLAYING FOR THE ROCHESTER RAZOR SHARKS.

>> YOU GET TO A CERTAIN AGE, YOU CAN'T RUN AND JUMP AS FAST AS YOU USED TO.

FROM THAT POINT I JUST WENT INTO WORKING CONSTRUCTION.

>> COLEY NOW GIVES BACK BY VOLUNTEERING TIME AT THE VERNON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, TO KEEP HIS WHOM HOMETOWN ALIVE.

>> WHEN YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN YOURSELF, WHAT BETTER WAY THAN TO VOLUNTEER IN SOMETHING THAT YOUR FAMILY AND THE TOWN, WHICH IS BASICALLY ONE BIG FAMILY, THAT'S STILL THRIVING AND CONTINUING ON, EVEN THOUGH ON A SMALLER SCALE.

♪♪ >> BENNY CATO IS A MEMBER OF THE VERNON CHARITABLE FOUNDATION, AND SAYS IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1978.

>> IT ISN'T LIKE WHAT IT USED TO BE, BUT WE STILL, WE GREW UP HERE, WE LOVE VERNON.

>> ELFIE GUYTON SAID THE FIRST TASK FOR THE FOUNDATION WAS FIXING ROAD CONDITIONS.

>> WE WORKED ON TRYING TO GET, YOU YOU KNOW, GET THE ROAD PAVED, AND SO WE, FOR WHAT THE PAST 30, 40 YEARS, BUT WE -- NEVER GOT THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

BUT YOU DID GET THE STREETS PAVED AND THE ROADS OPENED UP TO PUT GRAVEL ON DIFFERENT STREETS.

AND ALSO HAD A NEW BRIDGE.

>> GRANTS ALLOWED THE FOUNDATION TO REBUILD THE VERNON HIGH SCHOOL, AS WELL AS THE GYMNASIUM.

>> WE GOT A GRANT AND STUFF TO REDO THE SCHOOL, AND WE USED TO HAVE -- THE SCHOOL USED TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOU WOULD GET FOOD AT GAMES.

>> THE TOWN OF VERNON WAS INCORPORATED IN 2005.

THE BUILDING BEHIND ME IS THE FORMER POST OFFICE, WHERE EFFORTS ARE BEING MADE TO TURN IT INTO A MUSEUM.

>> MY VISIONS WERE THAT THIS SCHOOL WOULD BE THE CENTER, THE CENTER OF THAT, TO PUT LIKE A MUSEUM.

>> CATO ADDS THAT THE FOUNDATION WIFSHS TO RESTORE -- WISHES TO RESTORE VERNON INTO A HISTORICAL SITE FOR VISITORS.

>> KIND OF LIKE A MUSEUM, WE COULD HAVE ARTIFACTS AND THINGS, SOMEBODY CAN COME AND SEE, READ ABOUT THE TOWN, PICTURES.

JUST A LOT OF THINGS LIKE THAT ABOUT THE TOWN.

>> ERIC COLEY SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE BUSINESS GROWTH IN VERNON.

>> I WOULD LIKE JUST TO SEE THE IDEA OF PEOPLE HAVING A PLACE TO COME BACK HOME TO, WHERE THERE WOULD BE AID FORABLE HOUSE -- AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SOME TYPE OF BUSINESS MANUFACTURING, OR EVEN JUST THE IDEA OF A RETIREMENT VILLAGE.

>> HE ALSO HOPES TOURISTS COME TO VISIT AND EXPERIENCE THE CLOSE BONDS THAT EXIST IN THE PLACE HE CALLS HOME.

>> WHENEVER SOMEBODY COMES HOME, THEY SAY THIS IS THE BEST PLACE THEY HAVE COME TO IN A LONG TIME.

>> JOE FILOMENO, OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> COMING UP IN FEBRUARY, JASON DOYLE WILL PRESENT OUR FINAL REPORT ON LIMA IN SEMINOLE COUNTY.

WE WANTED TO SHARE A NOTE FROM LONG-TIME VIEWER DON SPIKER.

HE WROTE, ANOTHER GREAT JOB TONIGHT, STORIES ABOUT HISTORIC TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA CANNOT BE TOLD TOO MUCH.

THANK U."

DON, THANK YOU.

WE AGREE.

THESE STORIES ARE IMPORTANT.

AGAIN, WE'LL WRAP THINGS UP WITH LIME LIMA ON FEBRUARY 2ND.

ONE OF THE FIRST CUSTOMERS TO PURCHASE THE NEW CANOO EV'S IS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT TOPS THE STATEWIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2006, VOOET VEHICLES ARE BEING MANUFACTURED AND SOLD IN OKLAHOMA.

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA RECENTLY PURCHASED THREE CANOO LIFESTYLE VEHICLES, NOW UTILIZED BY STATE AGENCIES.

CANOO ASSEMBLED THEM IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND PRODUCES THE BATTERY MODULES FOR THEM IN PRYOR, OKLAHOMA.

THE IT IS THE FIRST STEP IN MODERNIZING AND DOWN-SIZING THE STATE'S VEHICLE ATHLETE.

IN 2023, STATE AGENCIES TURNED IN 917 VEHICLES, WAY WERE AUCTIONED OFF, SAVING TAXPAYERS AN ESTIMATED $11.7 MILLION, ACCORDING TO ONES.

TULSA STATE FAIR HAS ISSUED AN IMPACT REPORT FOR ITS 11-DAY GATHERING LAST FALL.

THE FAIR ESTIMATES ALMOST 1.1 MILLION PEOPLE ATTENDED THE ANNUAL EVENT, AND 711 EMPLOYEES WORKED ALMOST 60,000 HOURS TO MAKE IT A SUCCESS.

THE FAIR FEATURED 136 CONCESSION STANDS, AND 437 VENDOR BOOTHS.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 22,000 ENTRIES IN THE HORSE, LIVESTOCK AND 4-H EXHIBITS AND 425,000 DOLLARS IN SCHOLARSHIPS WERE AWARDED.

AND ONE MORE THING: 120 ANIMALS WERE BORN IN THE BIRTHING CENTER.

THE ANNUAL SURVEY OF U-HAUL ONE-WAY RENTALS RANKS OKLAHOMA AS THE 41ST MOVE TO STATE IN THE NATION, UP FROM 42ND LAST YEAR.

ONCE AGAIN, TEXAS AND FLORIDA INCH IF FINISHED FIRST AND SECOND FOR HAVING THE MOST PEOPLE MIGRATING TO THEIR BORDERS.

FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW, CALIFORNIA RANKED NUMBER ONE FOR THE MOST PEOPLE LEAVING THE STATE FOLLOWED BY MICHIGAN, NEW JERSEY, ILLINOIS, AND MASSACHUSETTS.

OKLAHOMA'S BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT SLUMPED IN NOVEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE MID AMERICA BUSINESS CONDITIONS INDEX.

FOLLOWING TWO CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF GROWTH, OKLAHOMA'S INDEX DROPPED FROM 53.0 IN OCTOBER, TO 43.2 IN NOVEMBER.

THE U.S. BUREAU OF STATISTICS ALSO REPORTS THAT OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE STATE'S MANUFACTURING SECTOR HIRED 1100 PEOPLE, AND WAGES EXPANDED BY 2.7%, WHICH WAS BELOW THE INFLATION RATE OF 3.2%.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> IT'S TIME TO BREAK OUT OUR JOURNALISTIC CRYSTAL BALL AND TRY TO PRO DIKT -- PREDICT THE STORIES THAT WILL MATTER MOST TO OKLAHOMANS THE NEXT 12 MONTHS, FROM POLITICS TO EDUCATION, TO THE FUTURE OF T. SWIFT AND TRAVIS.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH DISCUSSION, WE GATHERED TOGETHER SOME OF OKLAHOMA'S BEST JOURNALISTS FOR A FUN AND INFORMATIVE CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

WE HAVE A GREAT LINE UP OF JOURNALISTS FROM ACROSS OKLAHOMA TO FILL US IN ON WHAT HAPPENED AND WHERE WE'RE GOING IN THE COMING YEAR.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU NOW.

FIRST WE HAVE DYLAN WITH THE FRONTIER, HE IS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER, AND THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.

NEXT, WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, WE HAVE PAUL MONIES, WHO IS A POLITICAL REPORTER AND NEXT TO PAUL IS SEAN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE, JENNIFER PALMER, EDUCATION REPORTER WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US.

>> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.

DYLAN, WANT TO START WITH WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IN 2023 YOU COVERED EXECUTIONS, WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT STOOD OUT TO YOU IN 2023?

>> I THINK IN TERMS OF EXECUTIONS, THE SLOW DOWN OF SCHEDULE WAS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPACTFUL STORY, REALLY, EXECUTIONS LAST YEAR.

ORIGINALLY THERE WERE SEVERAL EXECUTIONS THAT WERE SCHEDULED THAT DID NOT TAKE PLACE AS PLANNED, BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID THAT THE PROCESS WAS PROBABLY MOVING TOO FAST FOR DOC TO DO THE JOB THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO, TO DO IT SAFELY AND DO IT QUICKLY -- CORRECTLY.

AND I THINK HOW YOU WILL SEE THAT KIND OF TAKE PLACE IN 2024 IS THERE ARE CURRENTLY ONLY THREE PEOPLE SCHEDULED FOR EXECUTION NEXT YEAR.

THERE ARE UP TO, I BELIEVE, 12 OR 13 PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXECUTIONS, BUT THE AG HAS NOT COMMITTED TO SETTING DATES FOR 10 OF THOSE PEOPLE.

SO WE COULD SEE AS MANY AS 12 OR 13 EXECUTIONS, OR WE MAY SEE 3.

NOT SURE AT THIS POINT.

>> I AM NOT SCHOOLING YOU -- ASKING YOU TO MIND READ, ABOUT-OBUT WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING ON IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S HEAD?

>> I THINK THE QUESTION WHEN THE EXECUTION SCHEDULE WAS ORIGINALLY SET, WHEN THEY STARTED CONDUCTING EXECUTIONS AGAIN WAS, WHY IS THE PACE SO RAPID.

I MEAN, THERE WERE PLANS TO, I THINK, AS MUCH AS, YOU KNOW, REDUCE THE DEATH ROW POPULATION BY MORE THAN 50% IN JUST A HANDFUL OF YEARS.

THERE WERE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER WHY IT WAS TAKING PLACE THAT FAST, WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS ELECTED, HE KIND OF IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN.

>> I WONDER WHAT RICHARD GLOSS, THAT WAS BIG NEWS IN 2023.

AND I AM GOING TO BRING IN SEAN HERE AND TALK ABOUT THIS IS IMPACTING THE LEGISLATURE AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE SOME GOP LEGISLATORS WHO ARE COMING IN ON THE SIDE OF DON'T EXECUTE THIS MAN, AND ONE SAYING "I WILL BE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY IF THIS PERSON IS EXECUTED."

SO THIS IS IMPACTING LAWMAKERS, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, YES.

IT'S ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, THERE'S NEVER A LAWMAKER THAT'S SAID I'M AGAINST IT ALL, ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT THEY HAVE PICKED AND CHOSEN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES THEY THOUGHT THERE WAS ISSUES WITH THE PROCESS SO FAR.

>> SEAN, WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING WITH THAT?

>> THERE HAS BEEN LEGISLATION FILED IN THE PAST THAT WOULD CREATE SOMETHING LIKE AN INNOCENCE PROJECT, OR ARE REVIEW OF DEATH PENALTY CASES, BUT THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SUPPORT FOR THAT KIND OF LEGISLATION MOVING FORWARD.

IT IS LIKE WE HAVE A BILL CARRIED FORWARD FROM THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT HAS THAT, BUT IT DIDN'T MOVE AT ALL AND NOT LIKELY TO MOVE AGAIN IN 2024.

>> DILL AB, WHEN YOU COVER POLITICS, I'M SURE YOU TAY SON -- STAY ON TOP OF THAT ANGLE.

ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU AS FAR AS LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE?

>> NO.

I MEAN, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I DO GET EMAILS, PROBABLY EVERY WEEK OR TWO FROM PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THAT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE HAVE WRITTEN STORIES ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE McDOUGLE MAKING THAT HAPPEN AND THE PUSH BEHIND THAT.

LIKE THEY SAID, THERE IS NO THE A LOT OF WILL TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I DON'T THINK, BY AND LARGE.

BUT THE PUBLIC IS INTERESTED IN THAT.

I GET EMAILS STILL, THAT WAS A STORY I WROTE TWO YEARS AGO, I STILL GET EMAILS EVERY WEEK OR TWO, HEY, IS THIS HAPPENING, WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WE SAW TWO MAJOR CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED.

TELL US ABOUT THOSE.

>> YEAH.

TALKING ABOUT THE WILLIAM HENRY JAMESON CASE?

>> YES.

>> THAT INDICATION, THAT'S AN INTERESTING ONE FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT OVERTURNED YET, THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

THERE'S ACTUALLY A DEADLINE COMING IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS.

IT'S A CASE THAT'S FAMILIAR, MAYBE NOT IN NAME, BUT IN SORT OF TOPIC TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN TULSA BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY OF THESE CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED FROM THE EARLY '90s AND MID-90s.

AND THAT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE HE IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRISON.

A LOT OF THESE CASES, PEOPLE WERE IN PRISON, HE'S OUT OF PRISON.

TRYING TO GET IT VACATED BECAUSE HE SAID HE WAS INNOCENT.

OF COURSE IN THAT CASE THERE WAS DNA EVIDENCE THAT WAS SUPPOSEDLY DESTROYED FOR 30 YEARS, PEOPLE LOOKING FOR IT, FOUND IT.

THEN EXCLUDED HIM AS BEING THE SOURCE.

THE SOURCE OF THE DNA.

WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

YOU KNOW, IN TULSA, REALLY IN THE STATE, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT [INDISCERNIBLE], THERE IS ALWAYS A WRONGFUL CONVICTION STORY.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS TELLING SOMEBODY THE OTHER DAY.

IF YOU ASK ENOUGH PEOPLE, YOU WILL FIND AN INNOCENCE CASE SOMEONE IS WORKING ON.

YOU KNOW, OKLAHOMA, HIGH INCARCERATION RATES FOR THE LONGEST TIME.

IT IS JUST GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO THERE'S ALWAYS A CASE LIKE THAT GOING ON.

>> I WANT TO COME TO YOU RIGHT NOW, IS THE PENDULUM SWINGING SLOWLY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ARENA FOR OKLAHOMA?

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

SEAN, START WITH YOU.

>> WE'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM MEASURES PASSED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THERE HAS BEEN A PROPOSAL THAT WAS RECOMMENDED BY A TASK FORCE THAT EXISTED FOR A COUPLE YEARS TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO OKLAHOMA'S SENTENCING STRUCTURE.

HOWEVER, THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF THE HOUSE.

IT'S BEEN PASSED ONCE BY THE SENATE, AND THEN DIED IN THE HOUSE.

AGAIN, WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE A BILL WAS FILED IN 2023, IT SAT THERE AND DIDN'T MOVE.

IT IS AVAILABLE TO MOVE IN 2024, AND THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IT WILL, AND IN THE END, WHAT THOSE SENTENCES WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> PAUL, WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO MOVE A BILL LIKE THAT?

WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN?

>> OBVIOUSLY YOU NEED THE HOUSE AND SENATE TO AGREE.

WHAT SEAN IS TALKING ABOUT, A LOT OF TIMES, THERE'S AGREEMENT ON ONE SIDE AND KIND OF GONE TO THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE AND SOMEONE HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH ONE PART OF THE BY BIG BILL GOING THROUGH ON SENTENCING, AND THERE'S BEEN ISSUES THAT STALLED IT, BASICALLY, THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> WE'LL LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

JENNIFER, YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING PATIENTLY.

THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON IN THE EDUCATION ARENA IN OKLAHOMA, AND THE FIRST THING I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT, THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS VERSUS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

KIND OF A QUICK RECAP ON WHAT HAPPENED IN 2023 THERE.

>> SURE.

SO IN 2023 WE DID SEE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION PUT ON SOME ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT ONTO TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WHICH IS THE STATEMENT'S LARGEST PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH THEIR AID CRED TASTE -- ACCREDITATION.

THEY HAD A CONCERN IN 2022 OVER THE STATE'S ANTI-CRP LAW, AND THAT LED TO THEM EXAMINING THEIR ACCREDITATION AGAIN IN 2023, TAKING A LOWS CLOSER LOOK AT IT.

THEY ACTUALLY IMPROVED THEIR STATUS ON ACCREDITATION, BUT THE BOARD DECIDED TO REALLY CLOSELY MONITOR THEM.

ESPECIALLY SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS REALLY WANTED NEW LEADERSHIP, AND SO THE SUPERINTENDENT, DEBORAH GIST STEPPED DOWN, AND NOW WE SEE A NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND SOME ADDITIONAL, YOU KNOW, STANDARDS THAT THEY WANT THE DISTRICT TO MEET.

>> WE TALK ABOUT ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS, ADDITIONAL STANDARDS, ARE THESE THE SAME STANDARDS IN PLACE FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE?

>> NO.

AND I THINK THAT'S VERY INTERESTING.

THEY DID -- THEY ARE REQUIRING THINGS THAT THEY DON'T REQUIRE OF OTHER SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF ACADEMIC AND, YOU KNOW, THEY WANT THEM TO LOOK AT CLOSING SCHOOLS, ACTUALLY, WHICH IS, OF COURSE, A VERY SENSITIVE ISSUE, AND ONE THAT IS TYPICALLY LED, YOU KNOW, LOCALLY, WITH THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEY ARE DEFINITELY TRYING TO PUSH THEM IN THAT DIRECTION.

>> I WANT TO ASK, YOU HAVE BEEN COVERING EDUCATION FOR SUCH A LONG TIME, HOW CAN THE STATE PUT DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS ON ONE DISTRICT THAN ALL, IS THAT LEGAL, IN YOUR PURVIEW?

>> YOU KNOW, IT DOES SEEM LIKE THE BOARD IS, YOU KNOW, STEPPING A LITTLE BIT ACROSS THE LINE THAT THEY HAVEN'T DONE IN THE PAST THAT I'VE SEEN.

NOW, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS HAS TALKED ABOUT MAKING THESE SAME REQUIREMENTS PART OF ACCREDITATION FOR ALL SCHOOLS, BUT THAT'S A PROCESS THAT'S STILL REALLY EARLY, HE WOULD HAVE TO PROPOSE RULES TO DO THAT, THOSE RULES, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC COULD COMMENT, THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR WOULD HAVE TO AGREE.

SO IT'S PRETTY EARLY IN THE PROCESS FOR THAT TO BE PART OF ALL SCHOOLS.

>> LET'S GO -- LET'S KICK IT OVER TO SEAN AND PAUL, THE LEGISLATURE AND HOUSE AND SENATE AGREE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> IT DEPENDS HOW IT IS PUT BEFORE THEM.

AS JENNIFER RIGHTLY POINTED OUT, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS HAS PROPOSED THESE, OR TALKED ABOUT PROPOSING THESE AS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, WHICH WOULD BE APPROVED BY THE BOARD, THEN CONSIDERED AND RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY THE LEGISLATURE TO THE GOVERNOR, WHO WOULD HAVE THE FINAL SAY.

THAT IS AN EASIER PROCESS IN MOST CASES THAN IF THOSE SAME STANDARDS ARE PUT IN LEGISLATION TO BE THE LAW OF STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

SO IT SEEMS THAT PROCESS MAY WORK IN THE SUPERINTENDENT'S FAVOR.

BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN THOSE RULES FORMALLY.

AND THEN THEY HAVE TO MAKE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, WHERE EVEN LAST YEAR WE SAW SOME OF HIS PROPOSED RULES BE SOMEWHAT CONTROVERSIAL.

>> PAUL, IN YOUR OPINION, ON THE COVERAGE OF THIS, DOES THIS SEEM A LITTLE MORE HEATED THAN JUST IT'S JUST BUSINESS.

IS THIS JUST BUSINESS?

>> I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY BEEN HEATED, DEFINITELY WITH THE HOUSE AND SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR, MARK McBRIDE HAS A VERY PUBLIC FEUD ON GETTING INFORMATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF.

SO THAT'S CAUSED SOME BAD BLOOD BETWEEN AT LEAST THE HOUSE AND THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD SIMILAR ISSUES ON THE SENATE SIDE SO FAR, BUT WE WILL SEE WHAT THE LEGISLATION WILL BE FILED THIS YEAR TO KIND OF REIN IN SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS AND SOME OF WHAT HE CAN DO ADMINISTRATIVELY AS WELL.

>> JENNIFER, LOOK IN YOUR CRYSTAL BALL.

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2024?

>> YOU KNOW, I AM REALLY -- FROM WHAT I SEE OF TULSA'S NEW SUPERINTENDENT, EBONY JOHNSON, SHE IS REALLY TAKING THIS TO HEART, AND I MEAN, HER PRESENTATION, LIKE A+, IS WHAT I WOULD GRADE HER ON HER RECENT PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD.

I THINK THE STATE BOARD IS VERY IMPRESSED WITH HER AND HER LEADERSHIP.

I FEEL LIKE SHE HAS, YOU KNOW, RATHER THAN KIND OF FEUD WITH THE BOARD OR SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS, I FEEL LIKE SHE'S REALLY TAKEN IT ON AS A CHALLENGE, AND SAID I'M GOING TO MEET THESE GOALS AND I'M GOING TO SHOW THEM, YOU KNOW, WE CAN DO THIS.

SO I HONESTLY DON'T FORESEE A STATE TAKEOVER, BUT -- OF THAT DISTRICT, BUT WE'LL SEE.

>> THAT WILL BE DEFINITELY SOMETHING TO WATCH.

ALSO WANT TO SWITCH TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL, WE'VE SEEN APPROVAL OF THE FIRST RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'VE SEEN BOOK BANS, PRARNT PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT.

WHAT'S NEXT?

WHAT'S HAPPENING NEXT?

BATTLES OVER THIS OR SOMETHING NEW?

>> I'M SURE THERE WILL BE MORE CULTURE WAR ISSUES, YOU KNOW, BUBBLING UP IN 2024.

WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO BE WATCHING THAT VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL, THE CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL.

THAT ONE.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF LAWSUITS ON THAT, THAT WE WILL SEE, YOU KNOW, PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

SO YOU KNOW, WE'LL SEE IF ANY OF THOSE SUCCEED, AND IF THEY PUT A STOP TO THE PROCESS OF THE SCHOOL OPENING.

>> SOMETHING COMES TO MIND WHEN THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT HAS DONE STORIES ON THIS, WE CAN GET PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST IT, EVEN PEOPLE IN THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY WHO ARE AGAINST THIS, BUT WE CANNOT GET PEOPLE WHO ARE FOR IT TO AGREE TO INTERVIEW WITH US ON CAMERA.

HAVE YOU HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, I REVIEWED ALL THE PUBLIC COMMENTS, THERE WERE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PAGES, I MEAN, I WOULD SAY NEARLY 98, 99% WERE AGAINST IT, AND LIKE YOU SAID, THAT INCLUDES RELIGIOUS LEADERS, THAT INCLUDES, YOU KNOW, TAXPAYERS, PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES, PRIVATE SCHOOL ADVOCATES.

YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST KIND OF RUNS THE GAMUT.

THERE ARE NOT MANY FOLKS TO BE FOUND THAT REALLY DO SUPPORT THIS OUTSIDE OF SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS, GOVERNOR STITT AND SOME OF THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE, YOU KNOW, REALLY PUBLICLY CHAMPIONED THIS IDEA.

>> THANK YOU.

PAUL, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT JENNIFER HAS RAISED.

PLUS WHAT ELSE WE NEED TO BE KEEPING AN EYE ON IN 2024 FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW?

>> DEFINITELY.

WHEN IT COMES TO LEGISLATURE, SOME OF THE STUFF IN THE BACKGROUND MOVED TO NEW LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

WE HAVE OUR CURRENT PRO TEM IN THE SENATE TERMING OUT, 2024 WILL BE HIS LAST SESSION.

AND THEN IN THE HOUSE, SPEAKER CHARLES McCAUL ALSO TERM LIMITED.

SO IN BETWEEN ALL OF THE STUFF GOING ON WITH LEGISLATION AND POLICY WISE, THERE IS A BACKGROUND BATTLE GOING ON INTERNALLY AMONG THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUSES IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

RIGHT NOW I WOULD SAY THERE'S PROBABLY MAYBE ON THE SENATE SIDE, 3 OR POSSIBLY 4 CANDIDATES TO REPLACE THE PRO TEM, GREG TREAT.

HOUSE SIDE, POSSIBLY 2, 3 TO REPLACE SPEAKER McCAUL.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THAT WORKS OUT, SEE SOME ALLIES, CHAMPIONING LEGISLATION THEY MAY NOT HAVE OTHERWISE TO GET A VOTE IN CAUCUS TO HELP THEIR CAUSE A LITTLE BIT.

>> SEAN, HOW DOES THE PROCESS PLAY OUT?

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS.

ULTIMATELY WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS EACH CAUCUS WILL HOLD AN INTERNAL ELECTION AND MAKE A SLEGS OF A SPEAK -- SCLEKS OF A SPEAKER NOMINEE AND PRO TEM NOMINEE.

HOW YOU GET TO THAT ELECTION WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE NUMBERS OF YEARS, IT SORT OF VARIES.

OFTENTIMES YOU GO IN WITH A NUMBER OF CANDIDATES, AND SOME JUST GET ELIMINATED IN THE BALLOT PROCESS.

IN OTHER INDICATIONS WE'VE SEEN -- CASES WE'VE SEEN AGREEMENTS MADE ALONG THE WAY.

SO YOU END UP WITH ONLY ONE OR TWO CANDIDATES BEFORE THE VOTE IS TAKEN.

SO IT IS REALLY UP TO NOT JUST THE CAUCUS BUT THE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INVOLVED IN THOSE EFFORTS TO DECIDE HOW THEY HOPE TO GET THAT SEAT.

>> HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT A CERTAIN -- HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT POSITION TO THE RUNNING OF THE GOVERNMENT OF OKLAHOMA.

SEAN?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THEY DECIDE WHICH PIECES OF LEGISLATION ARE GOING TO BE CONSIDERED ON THE FLOOR.

WE SAW THAT WITH THE 2023 LEGISLATION TIFF SESSION, WHERE HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES McCAUL EARLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LATE IN FEBRUARY, RAN OUT THE FIRST PARENTAL CHOICE TAX CREDIT MEASURE THAT REALLY SET THE STAGE FOR WHAT WAS A SESSION-LONG BATTLE.

AND WE SAW THE LEADERSHIP INVOLVED INTIMATELY IN THAT BATTLE.

McCAUL THREATENING NOT TO HEAR ADDITIONAL SENATE BILLS UNLESS THE SENATE PASSED HIS VERSION OF THE BILL.

THE SENATE AMENDING HIS VERSION OF THE BILL, AND SORT OF, YOU KNOW, THROWING UP THEIR HANDS AND SAYING, "TRY US, LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS."

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT AS TO WHAT ULTIMATELY LANDS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO -- INTERESTING TO WATCH THE HIGH DRAMA AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

ALL OF YOU, I DID NOT GET TO ALL OF MY QUESTIONS, I AM NOT SURPRISED.

THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT, I THINK, T. SWIFT AND TRAVIS, AND WE DON'T EVEN WANT TO OPEN THAT PANDORA'S BOX.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME, AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR REPORTS IN 2024.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> OH, MAN, NO TAYLOR AND TRAVIS?

OKAY.

GET THEM NEXT TIME ON THAT ONE.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE HEAD NORTH TO ALASKA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE U.S. MILITARY LEAVES A REGION AND DOESN'T CLEAN UP AFTER ITSELF, LEAVING BEHIND HARMFUL CONTAMINANTS IN THE WATER AND SOIL.

THEO GREENLY WITH OUR PBS PARTNERS AT KUCB REPORTS FROM "UNALASKA."

>> IT'S PRETTY MUCH IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS THE REMNANTS OF WORLD WAR II IN UNALASKA.

CONCRETE BUNKERS AND RUSTED HAD BEEN OUT BUILDINGS DOT THE LANDSCAPE AND INTEGRATE INTO NEARLY EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THIS FISHING COMMUNITY OF ABOUT 4500 PEOPLE.

UNALASKA PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

BUT WHEN THE WAR ENDED, THE MILITARY LEFT QUITE A BIT BEHIND.

GRENADES, CHEMICAL WEAPONS, AND OTHER MUNITIONS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO TURN UP ON THE ISLAND'S HIKING TRAILS AND BEACHES.

BUNKERS AND UNEXPLODED MUNITIONS GET A LOT OF ATTENTION, BUT THE BIGGER PROBLEM IS INVISIBLE.

PEOPLE HERE LIVE WITH POLLUTION.

ORIGINATING FROM MATERIAL THE MILITARY LEFT BEHIND IN THE 1940S.

>> THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT POLLUTION IN THE WATER SYSTEMS, AND THE BAYS, AND THE CREEKS THAT THEY USED FOR SUBSIS TENS AT THAT TIME.

>> MAYOR CAN VINCE GREW UP IN UNALASKA.

HE SAID HE'S SEEN THE HEALTH EFFECTS THAT HE BELIEVES WERE CAUSED BY MILITARY CONTAMINATION.

>> THERE'S JUST ALL KINDS OF CONTAMINANTS THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

CB-- PCBs'S, SOME OF THE MAJOR ONES THAT CAUSE CANCER, OTHER DISEASES, THROUGH OUR PEOPLE OVER THE YEARS.

>> THE MAYOR IS ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE BEEN ACTIVELY ASKING THE FEDS TO CLEAN UP HIS TOWN.

HE SAYS TOIL TESTING OVER THE -- SOIL TESTING HAS REVEALED WELL OVER 200 SITES THAT WERE CON THAM NATED.

>> -- CONTAMINATED.

>> THERE ARE OTHER 30, 40 MORE SITES JUST IN THIS AREA WITHIN A THREE TO FIVE-MILE RADIUS OF THIS SPOT HERE THAT NEED TO GET CLEANED UP.

>> IN THE 1980S, THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS DEVELOPED A PROGRAM TO CLEAN UP PLACES USED BY THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.

TODAY THE FORMERLY USED DEFENSE SITE'S PROGRAM HAS THOUSANDS OF CLEANUP PROJECTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND ALASKA HAS MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

>> WE'VE GOT PROJECT SITES PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE THAT THE U.S. MILITARY HAS HAD -- HAS BEEN IN POSSESSION OF LAND OR HAS BEEN OCCUPYING LAND ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> JAKE SWEET WORKS FOR THE CORPORATION.

HE'S -- FOR THE CORP.

HE IS IN UNALASKA TO REMOVE SOIL CONTAMINATED BY HEATING OIL DURING THE WAR.

>> WE ARE DOING AN EXCAVATION TO REMOVE CONTAMINATED SOIL.

THERE USED TO BE A STRUCTURE HERE, HAD AN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANK THAT THE ARMY USED TO HEAT BUILDINGS THAT WERE OUT HERE.

AND THEN WHEN THEY LEFT, UNFORTUNATELY THEY WOULD SOMETIMES LEAVE SOME FUEL IN THOSE TANKS, AND THEN OVER TIME THE TANKS WOULD RELEASE FUEL INTO THE GROUND.

>> THE CREWS BACK UP THE SOIL AND SEND IT TO A HAD ARD US -- HAZARDOUS WASTE LANDFILL IN OREGON.

THEY FINISHED CLEANING IT IN SEPTEMBER AND INSTALLED WELLS TO MONITOR GROUND WATER, WHICH MEETS THE STATE'S SAFETY STANDARDS.

IT WAS A MAJOR STEP IN ONE OF UNALASKA'S BIGGEST RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS.

BUT THAT LEAVES DOZENS MORE JUST IN UNALASKA.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS, THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T HAVE THE FUNDS.

WE DIDN'T CREATE THIS CONTAMINATION.

WE WANT TO SEE -- WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE IT GETS CLEANED UP.

>> THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IS GEARING UP FOR THE NEXT TWO UNALASKA CLEANUP PROJECTS.

THEY HAVE CONTRACTED WITH A LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL FIRM, AND EXPECT TO BEGIN FIELD WORK IN 2024.

IN UNALASKA, I'M THEO GREENLY.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE STITT ADMINISTRATION DECLINES TO PARTICIPATE IN A FEDERAL SUMMER FOOD PROGRAM.

WHY?

AND HOW THAT DECISION MIGHT IMPACT THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMA CHILDREN.

WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY ARTS CENTER ENTITLED "DEE SEND SDANTS OF THE BLACK 1000: FLIGHT FROM OKLAHOMA BLACK TOWNS TO CANADA".

PHOTOGRAPHED -- PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY JASON STEWART.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER, AND FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.

Captioning provided by Caption Associates, LLC captionassociates.com