>>> UNINSURE MOTORIST UNDER SURVEILLANCE IN OKLAHOMA.

IS IT ETHICAL AND DOES IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> WHEN WE STARTED THE HOT LIST HAD 350,000 VEHICLES ON IT.

TODAY WE'RE LOOKING FOR 206,000.

>> NAME, IMAGE, LIKENESS.

IF YOU'RE A FAN OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS GET USED TO HEARING THOSE WORDS.

>> WE'RE EMBRACING IT.

WE HAD A LOT OF ENERGY.

>> DOZENS OF LAWS TAKING EFFECT IN OKLAHOMA THIS WEEK.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE MORE THAN 70 BILLS THAT TOOK EFFECT ON THURSDAY, THEY TOUCH A LOT OF THINGS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TAKING STEPS TO ALLEVIATE A SERIOUS STAFFING SHORTAGE.

>> AT THE END OF MAY THAT NUMBER WAS 314 FUNDED POSITIONS CURRENTLY VACANT.

>> AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON CORRECTING THE CYCLE OF INCARCERATION AND HOMELESSNESS NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> HELLO, AND WELCOME TO "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

THE WORLD OF COLLEGE ATHLETICS SO POPULAR IN OKLAHOMA CHANGED FOREVER ON THURSDAY WHEN NIL TOOK EFFECT IN EIGHT STATES, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA.

IT'S AN ACRONYM THAT STANDS FOR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

20 STATES PASSED LEGISLATION.

IN THE CASE OF HEISEMAN HOPEFUL THAT COULD MEAN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR HE SPENCER RATTLER.

>> I -- >> SOPHOMORE SPENCE HER RATTLER WASTED LIT TIME MAKING HIS INTENTIONS CLEAR ON TWITTER WRITING HE WOULD DONATE PART OF HIS EARNINGS TO UNDERSERVED PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES WHILE UNVEILING PERSONALIZED NEW LOGO, A STYLE LETTER S WITH A RATTLESNAKE TRAIL.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WAS PREPARED FOR THE DYNAMIC CHANGE IN COLLEGE SPORTS.

>> WE'RE REALLY EMBRACING IT.

WE HAD A LOT OF ENERGY FOR IT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT.

>> ASSOCIATE THREAT EK DIRECTOR SAID THE SCHOOL WILL OFFER GUIDANCE.

>> WE WILL BE HELPING STUDENT ATHLETES WITH COMPLIANCE, WITH EDUCATING THEM ABOUT NIL AND EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH IT INCLUDING THINGS LIKE TAXATION AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO HELP THEM WITH BRAND MANAGEMENT, BUILD THEIR BRANDS UP SO THEY WOULD BE MORE ATTRACTIVE.

>> OKLAHOMA IS AMONG A HANDFUL OF STATES WITH THE NAME, IMAGE LIKENESS LAW IN PLACE ON DAY ONE.

A SUPREME COURT DECISION PUT PRESSURE ON THE NCAA TO SET A FRAMEWORK FOR STUDENT ATHLETES TO BENEFIT FROM THEIR BRAND.

JUSTICE CAV NEW INDICATED IN HIS OPINION THAT IT CASS TIME FOR THE NCAA TO TAKE ACTION SAYING, THOSE REMAINING COMPENSATION RULES GENERALLY RESTRICT STUDENT ATHLETES FROM RECEIVING COMPENSATION OR BENEFITS FROM THEIR COLLEGES FOR PLAYING SPORTS AND THOSE RULES HAVE ALSO HISTORICALLY RESTRICTED STUDENT ATHLETES FROM RECEIVING MONEY FROM ENDORSEMENT DEALS AND THE LIKE.

THAT PRESSURE LED TO THE NCAA DECIDING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NIL RULES THIS WEEK.

>> IT REVOLUTIONIZES WHAT WE DO FROM ATHLETICS PERSPECTIVE IN THE STATE WHICH WE SHOULD LEAVE ON.

>> ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS CRAFTED THE BILL WHICH REFORMED THE STATE SPORTS AGENT LAW, AS WELL AS ESTABLISHED HOW NIL WILL WORK AT OUR COLLEGES.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT OUR ATHLETES.

THAT'S WHY WE RAN THE BILL, PASSED IT.

NCAA COME TO TABLE, AND I BELIEVE THAT IF HE WITH CAN GET THEM TO STAY IN OKLAHOMA, WE'RE GOING TO STAND BEHIND THEM NOT ONLY FROM THE PRIVATE CITIZEN STANDPOINT, THE FANS ARE GREAT IN OKLAHOMA, BUT ALSO FROM STATE GOVERNMENT STANDPOINT.

>> SENATOR JULIE DANIELS THE SENATE OUGHT AUTHOR SAYS IT PROHIBITS UNIVERSITIES PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FROM MAKING DIRECT PAYMENTS TO ITS ATHLETES.

>> IT DOES NOT PAY THEM TO PLAY.

THAT IS STILL PROHIBITED.

AND IT PUTS RESTRICTIONS ON HOW THIS AGREEMENT CAN PLAY OUT.

FOR INSTANCE THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING DURING TEAM ACTIVITIES.

THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD AFFECT THE TEAM CONTRACT.

>> DANIEL SAYS NIL WILL BENEFIT FAR MORE THAN MARQUEE ATHLETES.

>> MANY STUDENT ATHLETES WILLING NOT GO ON TO PRO SPORTS, SO THIS IS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE ALL THAT EFFORT AND TIME AND TALENT THAT THEY POSSESS AND MAKE A LITTLE MONEY OFF OF IT WHILE THEY'RE AT THE UNIVERSITY AND I THINK IT'S A LONG TIME COMING.

>> IMAGINE HOW MUCH MONEY THE SOFTBALL TEAM WOULD MADE THIS YEAR.

IMAGINE HOW THAT WOULD HAVE CHANGED THE YOUNG WOMENS LIVES AND WE TALK ABOUT EQUAL PARK THIS IS EQUAL PAY.

THIS IS THEIR NAME, IMAGE AND LIKENESS.

>> SPORTS RADIO HOST SAM MAYES SUPPORTS THE CHANGE.

>> IT'S A BILLION DOLLARS INDUSTRY AND THESE KIDS DESERVE A PIECE OF PIE.

THAT'S OKAY.

ALL I WANT IS FOR THESE KIDS TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO START BUILDING THEIR OWN PERSONAL NEST EGGS.

>> THE WAY I SEE IT YOU GOT A BILLION DOLLARS INDUSTRY, THE NCAA, WHO HAS PROFITED OFF THE BACKS OF HIGH SCHOOL, COLLEGE, TEEN ATHLETES, AND THEY DESERVE TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THEIR HARD WORK.

>> REPRESENTATIVE MICKEY DOLLENS PLAYED FOR SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY.

HE SAYS ALLOWING ATHLETES TO BENEFIT IS ONLY FAIR.

>> IF YOU GOT A STUDENT ON A MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP WHO IS ABLE TO PLAY LIVE GIGS AND BE COMPENSATED AND RECEIVE TIPS, YOU GOT AN ART STUDENT WHO IS ABLE TO HAVE THEIR OWN GALLERY AND SELL THEIR PAINTINGS OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL WHY SHOULDN'T AN ATHLETE BE ABLE TO SELL THEIR AUTOGRAPH?

>> I SPOKE TO THE PLAYER'S ASSOCIATION TO MAKE SURE I KNEW WHAT I COULD AND COULD NOT DO, AND THEY BASICALLY SAID WE DON'T KNOW YET.

SO WE'LL LET YOU KNOW.

>> KELLI MASTERS IS PROFESSIONAL SPORTS AGENT WHO IS NOT ALLOWED TO ASSIST COLLEGE ATHLETES IN SECURING ENDORSEMENTS.

>> SO THERE ARE PROFESSIONALS OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP, THAT PARENTS AND ATHLETES NEAT TO BE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE IT IS NOT -- THE MARKETING AGENT WORLD IS NOT REGULATED.

AND AS MUCH AS CERTIFIED AGENTS ARE.

THERE ARE STATE LAWS IN PLACE, WHICH HOPEFULLY HELP AND SET PARAMETERS, BUT IT IS A LITTLE BIT WILD, WILD WEST.

>> RILE THERE WILL BE HIGH PROFILE DEALS THAT WON'T LIKELY BE THE NORM.

>> FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF STUDENTS IT'S GOING TO BE THE ONE OFF DEALS, THE SMALL LOCAL RESTAURANTS, THE CAR DEALERSHIP, THE AUTOGRAPH SIGNINGS, THE THINGS THAT ARE MORE ON LOCAL LEVEL OR REGIONAL LEVEL.

>> LET'S SAY YOU ARE TOP 35 TEAM IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE FOUR MILLIONAIRES.

>> THE FANS BEGIN DOWN THE ROAD OF THE NEW ERA OF NIL, SOME ARE EXCITED FOR FUTURE.

>> FROM A VIEWING PERSPECTIVE AND FANS AND US I THINK IT LOOKT BIGGER AND MORE FUN AND MORE DYNAMIC THAN IT HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.

>> JASON DOYLE, "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> ONE OF OKLAHOMA CITY MOST POPULAR LAKES AND RECREATION IS EXPERIENCING A A ALGAE BLOOM.

BLUE-GREEN ALGAE CAN BE HARMFUL TO HUMANS AND ANIMALS.

SWIMMING IS NOT ALLOWED.

AND WHILE LAKE HEFNER SUPPLIES SOME DID HAVE AREA DRINKING WATER IT IS TREATED BEFORE IT REACHES CONSUMERS AND IS SAFE TO DRINK.

>>> LARGE AMOUNTS OF RAIN ARE OFTEN A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO ALGAE BLOOMS AND WE'RE CERTAINLY HAD THAT ACROSS THE STATE THIS WEEK.

EIGHT INCHES OR MORE IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND METRO AND MORE THAN A FOOT IN SOME AREAS, THAN CAUSED HIGHWAY 18 IN LINCOLN COUNTY TO FLOOD AND BE CLOSED AT ONE POINT.

ABOUT 8.5 INCHES OF RAIN FELL IN TULSA.

>>> WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE A CONSISTENT RISE IN THE ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE OF NEW COVID CASES FROM 120 PER DAY THREE WEEKS AGO TO 163, TWO WEEKS AGO.

196 LAST WEEK, AND 225 PER DAY.

THIS IS PROBABLY THE RESULT OF NEW VARIANTS MAKING THEIR WAY INTO OKLAHOMA.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE BEEN PRETTY STABLE.

130 LAST WEEK AND 113 THIS WEEK.

IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS 26 OKLAHOMAMANS HAVE DIED FROM COVID RELATED CAUSES.

AND AS OF WEDNESDAY 1.5 MILLION PEOPLE IN OUR STATE HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED, ABOUT 38% OF THE POPULATION.

>>> DIGGING AROUND FOR CHANGE FOR TOLL BOOTH IS BECOMING A THING OF THE PAST.

THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY IS SWITCHING TO CASHLESS SYSTEM CALLED PLAY PAY WHICH TAKES THE PICTURE OF A VEHICLE'S LICENSE PLATE AND SENDS A BILL TO THE REGISTERED OWNER.

ON JULY 25th, THE KILPATRICK TURNPIKE IN OKLAHOMA CITY WILL BE THE FIRST METRO AREA TURNPIKE TO GO CASHLESS WITH THE REST OF THE TURNPIKES MAKING THE CHANGE NEXT COUPLE YEARS.

IT'S MEANT TO REDUCE NUMBER OF CRASHES NEAR TOLL BOOTHS.

HOWEVER, THE PRICE FOR TOLLS WILL BE HIGHER THAN THOSE PAID BY PIKE PASS SUBSCRIBERS.

>>> OKLAHOMA IS THE FIRST STATE TO UTILIZE CAMERA SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM TO CATCH UNINSURED MOTOR ITS AND WHILE IT SEEMS LIKE A LOGICAL IDEA TO MANY MANY THINK IT'S A BAD IDEA THAT DISCRIMINATES AGAINST POOR PEOPLE.

WE'LL PRESENT BOTH SIDES OF THE STORY AND LET YOU DECIDE.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON THE AMY RAMIFICATIONS.

>> ARMANDA ARNALL DIRECTS THE STATE UNINSURED VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT DIVERSION PROGRAM, OR UVED, FIRST STATEWIDE OPERATION OF ITS KIND ANYWHERE.

>> IT'S VERY HARD TO GET A READ ON HOW THIS IS GOING TO GO.

>> UVED IS SELF FUNDED, WHICH MEANS TAXPAYERS DON'T PAY FOR IT.

IT OPERATES UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S COUNCIL, WHICH SUPPORTS THE 27 DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICES ACROSS THE STATE.

IN NOVEMBER OF 2018, UVED STARTED WITH 20 CAMERAS.

THESE 50 DOTS ARE WHERE 50 CAMERAS ARE MOUNTED AS STRATEGIC SPOTS ALL OVER THE STATE.

THERE IS AT LEAST ONE OF THESE IN ALL 26 JUDICIAL DISTRICTS.

THIS IS HOW IT WORKS.

THESE CAMERAS TAKE PHOTOS OF LICENSE PLATES.

THOSE TAG NUMBERS ARE CROSS-REFERENCED WITH WHAT COUCH CALLS A HOT LIST OF REGISTERED VEHICLES THAT DON'T APPEAR TO HAVE INSURANCE.

UVED SENDS THE VEHICLE OWNER THIS LETTER.

THEY HAVE 30 TO 45 DAYS TO SHOW THE STATE THEY NOW HAVE INSURANCE AND THERE IS A $174 DIVERSION FEE.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT ENROLL WE DO SEND A FOLLOW-UP LETTER SAYING YOU KNOW WE WERE SERIOUS, WE REALLY WANT TO HELP YOU WITH THIS, AND THEN EVENTUALLY THERE WILL BE SOME PEOPLE WHO GET PROSECUTED.

BUT IT'S BEEN A VERY NEW PROGRAM FOR FIRST TWO YEARS, I DIDN'T SEND ANY ONE TO PROSECUTION BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO GET OKLAHOMA USED TO THE IDEA.

>> 38,000 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM, AND SHE SAYS IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING.

SHE SAYS THE NUMBER OF UNINSURED VEHICLES IN OKLAHOMA IS DOWN 41% SINCE 2018.

>> SO WHEN WE STARTED THE HOT LIST HAD ABOUT 350,000 VEHICLES ON IT.

TODAY WE'RE LOOKING FOR 206,000.

>> THE PROGRAM HAS ITS CRITICS.

>> THE CHIEF COMPLAINT IS WHERE DOES THAT $174 GO.

>> THERE ARE QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS IS WORKING.

>> SARATHY JONES IS WITH THE FINES AND FEES JUSTICE CENTER.

SHE SAYS UVED APPEARED ON THEIR RADAR THREE MONTHS AGO.

>> YOU KNOW, THESE ARE OUR SUSPICIONS TO BEGIN WITH POVERTY AND LOW INCOME CIRCUMSTANCES REALLY DRIVES PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO SORT OF GET INTO THESE TYPES OF COMPLIANCE REGIMENS, STAY AND BE ABLE TO AFFORD THEM MONTH AFTER MONTH ON CONTINUOUS BASIS.

INSURANCE PREMIUMS ARE OFTEN TIMES HIGHER FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD THEM THE LEASE.

>> Reporter: COUCH SAYS $174 DIVERSION FEE GOES FIVE WAYS.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERA VENDOR, A COMPANY OUT OF COLOMBIA MARYLAND CALLED REKOR, KEEPS $43.

$5 GOES EACH TO UVED AND INTO THE STATE PUBLIC SERVICE PENSION PROGRAM.

$10 GOES TO THE STATE INSURANCE VERIFICATION SYSTEM.

THE OTHER $111 IS SPLIT AMONG THE 27 DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICES IN THE STATE.

>> SENDING SOMEONE THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ESPECIALLY AS OVERCROWDED AS IT IS RIGHT NOW ISN'T THE SOLUTION.

BUT DIVERSION LIKE DRUG COURTS, LIKE THE PLACES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURTS, WHERE YOU ARE ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM, THE ROOT CAUSE, WITHOUT SENDING PEOPLE THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, WITHOUT HAVING TO PROSECUTE THEM, ABSOLUTELY SAVES THEM TIME AND MONEY, SAVES THEM TROUBLE.

THE GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE INSURED.

AND 174 IS SIMPLY TO ALLOW US TO RUN THE PROGRAM INSTEAD OF PUTTING IT ON POLICE OFFICERS TO RUN AROUND TICKETING PEOPLE.

>> SPEAKING OF POLICE, LAST WEEK GRAND CASINO HOSTED THE ANNUAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE TRAINING CONFERENCE.

ELK CITY POLICE CHIEF SAYS UVED INSTALLED A CAMERA THERE TWO MONTHS AGO.

>> MY FIRST ATTITUDE WAS THIS IS BIG BROTHER GOING A LITTLE TOO FAR HERE.

BUT IN THE LONG RUN, MAYBE ONE OUT OF THREE CARS THAT WE STOP ARE UNINSURED.

SO IF THAT WILL INHIBIT THAT OR INCREASE PEOPLE GETTING INSURANCE, COMPLY WITH THE LAW, I THINK IT WILL BE A GOOD THING.

>> POLICE CHIEF LEWIS FLOWER SAYS THE ARGUMENT THAT UVED TARGETS POOR PEOPLE IS FLAWED.

>> NO, IF YOU DRIVE A VEHICLE, THEN YOU NEED TO NOT ONLY PROTECT YOURSELF BUT OTHERS.

YOU NEED TO HAVE INSURANCE.

IT'S BEEN THE LAW.

YOU CAN GET GOOD INSURANCE.

THERE IS SO MANY INSURANCE COMPANIES OUT THERE NOW, IT'S NOT WHAT YOUR STATUS IS IN SOCIETY, IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AND OWN A VEHICLE YOU HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY -- A WIDE VARIETY NOW OF INSURANCE.

YOU CAN GET AFFORDABLE INSURANCE NOW.

>> MATTHEW LOVE IS LEGAL COUNSEL FOR THE CHIEFS OF POLICE, AND HE IS CITY PROSECUTOR FOR THE VILLAGE.

>> IT CAN BE AN ISSUE THE AND CERTAINLY WHY WOULDN'T A PERSON HAVE INSURANCE.

WELL ABILITY TO BUY INSURANCE IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE AN OBVIOUS ONE.

BUT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ASK PEOPLE TO BUY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE STATE OR EVEN THEIR OWN BENEFIT.

WE ASK THAT PEOPLE BUY IT BECAUSE THEY'RE OFFERING A VERY HEAVY VEHICLE ON THE ROADWAY THAT CAN HURT AND INJURE OTHER PEOPLE.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE.

WE KNOW PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE.

WE KNOW PEOPLE HAVE TO DRIVE TO DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, AND ESPECIALLY IN PLACES THAT ARE MORE RURAL, THAT DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, WHICH IS VAST MAJORITY OF THE UNITED STATES.

>>> DOZENS OF NEW LAWS TAKING AFFECT ON THURSDAY, JULY 1st.

WHICH ONES ARE THE MOST IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF OKLAHOMANS?

THIS WEEK I POSED THAT QUESTION TO NEWS DIRECTOR SHAWN ASHLEY.

>> ON ONE HAND IT'S EASY TO SEE HOUSE BILL 2900 THE GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS BILL AND THE OTHER BILLS THAT IMPLEMENTED THE $9.1 BILLION BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 WHICH BEGAN ON THURSDAY, THAT'S $1.2 BILLION MORE OR MORE THAN 15% MORE IN THE BUDGET THAT STATE AGENCIES WERE WORKING WITH IN THE 2021 FISCAL YEAR, WHICH HAD TO BE REDUCED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MORE THAN 70 BILLS THAT TOOK EFFECT THURSDAY, THEY TOUCH A LOT OF THINGS.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES, THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY, HIRING COMBINATION EDUCATION AND STAT GOVERNMENT, MODIFYING THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE VETERAN'S COMMISSION AND UNIFORM BUILDING CODE COMMISSION TO PROVIDING AN INCREASE TO STATE EMPLOYEE BENEFIT ALLOWANCE, WHICH REALLY BEEN THE SAME SINCE 2012.

>> HOUSE BILL 2036 APPEARS TO GIVE OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL THE POWER TO EVALUATE AND PERHAPS REJECT ACTIONS OR LAWS IMPOSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

HOW WILL THAT WORK?

>> THE BILL CREATES THE STATE RESERVE POWERS PROTECTION UNIT THAT WILL MONITOR AND EVALUATE ANY ACTION TAKEN BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DETERMINE IF THOSE ACTIONS VIOLATE THE TENTH AMENDMENT TO THE U.S. CONSTITUTION, WHICH ESSENTIALLY GIVES POWERS TO THE STATE IN A T ARE NOT RESERVED TO FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

THE BILL REQUIRES THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE STATE SHOULD SEEK EXEMPTION FROM THE APPLICATION OF THOSE ACTIONS OR TO SEEK TO HAVE THE ACTION DECLARED UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

IF IT EXCEEDS THE TENTH AMENDMENT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW REALLY NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL GOES ABOUT IMPLEMENTING THAT AND WHAT THE FIRST ACTION MAY TAKE A LOOK AT WILL BE.

>> THERE IS A NEW LAW DESIGNED TO BRING MORE MOVIE ANDEL VISION PROJECTS TO OKLAHOMA.

HOW SOON BEFORE WE SEE THE BENEFITS OF THAT?

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF MOVIE AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY PRESS ABOUT THIS NEW LAW WHICH CREATES A $30 MILLION REBATE PROGRAM FOR MOVIE AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS.

ONE OF THE ARGUMENTS THAT THE BILL PROPONENT MADE WAS THAT THE CURRENT TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WAS TOO LIMITED, AND MADE IT HARD TO ATTRACT LARGER MORE EXPENSIVE MOVIE PRODUCTIONS AND PARTICULARLY PRODUCTIONS OF ONGOING SERIES FOR TELEVISION AND STREAMING SERVICES.

THIS PROVIDES ADDITIONAL MONEY WHICH THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ACCESS YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THEREFORE MAY ATTRACT THOSE KINDS OF PRODUCTIONS TO THE STATE.

>> THERE ARE SOME IMPORTANT NEW LAWS PERTAINING TO EDUCATION INCLUDING THE TEACHING OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND RULES CONCERNING VACCINATIONS AND MASKS.

TELL US ABOUT THOSE.

>> HOUSE BILL 1775 THE SO-CALLED CRITICAL RACE THEORY BILL PROHIBITS COMMON SCHOOLS FROM TEACHING ONE RACE OR SEX IS SUPERIOR TO ANOTHER.

OR THAT AN INDIVIDUAL BY VIRTUE OF HIS RACE OR SEX BEARS RESPONSIBILITY FOR ACTIONS COMMITTED IN THE PAST.

IT ALSO PROHIBITS INSTITUTIONS OF HIRE EDUCATION FROM REQUIRING STUDENT TO ENGAGE IN COUNSELING.

THE MASK MANDATE BILL PERMITS BOARD OF EDUCATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT TIME BRING MEANT A MASK MANDATE BUT THEY MUST DO SO ONLY UNDER CASES OF STATE OF EMERGENCY, AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH DISCUSSIONS WITH THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

>> SHAWN, ABOUT 70 NEW LAWS NOW IN EFFECT IN OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> ELIGIBLE APPLICATIONS CAN APPLY FOR ONE TIME, $1,200 BACK TO WORK INCENTIVE.

THE MONEY IS AVAILABLE TO THE FIRST 20,000 PEOPLE WHO APPLY, AND THE PORTAL TO DO SO OPENED ON MONDAY.

TO APPLY GO TO THE WEBSITE ON YOUR SCREEN.

APPLICANTS MUST BE ABLE TO SHOW PAY STUBS FROM SIX WEEKS OF FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT.

DISTRIBUTION WILL BEGIN IN MID JULY.

>>> THE PASSED HOUSE BILL 2908 PROVIDES $8 MILLION TO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO HELP ATTRACT MORE EMPLOYEES THROUGH PAY RAISES AND OTHER INCENTIVES.

AS RORY TAYLOR REPORTS IT'S A STEP TOWARDS ADDRESSING SIGNIFICANT STAFFING SHORTAGE WITHIN THE DOC.

>> IN THE LAST THREE YEARS OKLAHOMA HAS GONE FROM NUMBER ONE IN THE WORLD FOR INCARCERATION TO DROPPING BACK BEHIND LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI.

STATES THAT OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS ALSO SAW SIGNIFICANT DECLINES IN THEIR PRISON POPULATIONS.

IN 2018, OKLAHOMA HAD 1,079 PEOPLE INCARCERATED OUT OF EVERY 100,000 OKLAHOMAMANS.

THAT NUMBER HAS DROPPED BY 41% TO 640.

EVEN WITH THAT REDUCED INMATE POPULATION, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN SAYS THAT THE PRISON STAFF ARE SHORTHANDED.

>> I FEAR THAT WE HAVE A VERY, VERY SEVERE SHORTAGE IN THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER STAFF, AND WHAT YOU LOOK AT IF YOU LOOK AT HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND HISTORICAL LOOK AT PRISONS, WHEN YOU GET THAT SHORT OF STAFF THEN WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU HAVE MORE CONTRABAND GET IN, YOU HAVE INMATE ON INMATE VIOLENCE.

YOU'LL GET INMATE ON STAFF VIOLENCE.

>> BOBBY CLEVELAND DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONALS AGREES THE SYSTEM IS SHORT ON STAFF, CITING LONG HOURS AND ADDITIONAL COSTS TO THE STATE.

>> WE'RE SHORTHANDED.

WE'RE WORKING GUYS 12 HOURS STRAIGHT, AND WHEN I SAY 12 HOURS STRAIGHT NO LUNCH BREAK, NO BREAKS, THEY HAVE TO EAT ON THE RUN, AND ALSO WE HAVE SOME PLACES WORKING 16 HOURS A DAY.

WE SPENT $18.4 MILLION THIS PAST YEAR ON OVERTIME, WHICH WAS UP 44% FROM THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

>> OVERTIME CLEVELAND SAYS LEAVES OFFICERS OVERWORKED, SNOWBALLING INTO BURNOUT.

>> THAT IS 18 HOURS, WORKING 16 HOURS.

WORKING 12 HOURS, 16 HOURS, AND YOU DON'T GET TO SEE YOUR FAMILY.

WELL YOUR TENSION IS GOING TO GET TO YOU.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TENSION THERE.

IT'S NATURAL.

SO FALL BACK ONTO THE INMATES, TOO.

>> IN AN EFFORT TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE SITUATION, REPRESENTATIVE HUMPHREY CALLED FOR A STATE OF EMERGENCY TO BE DECLARED.

>> WHAT I MEANT BY THAT EMERGENCY I DIDN'T ASK FOR THE GOVERNOR TO CALL OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD, I DIDN'T ASK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO GO ON LOCKDOWN, BUT WHAT I WAS ASKING FOR IS THAT WE AS LEGISLATORS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SESSION TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

>> WHAT EXACTLY DISSCALE OF THE ISSUE?

JUSTIN WOLF WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SAYS THAT'S HARD TO NAIL DOWN.

WE CAN TELL HOW MANY STAFF WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

AND NUMBER OF CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AVAILABLE ON A GIVEN DAY.

WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE FUNDING FOR POSITIONS THAT AREN'T FILLED ON A GIVEN DAY.

THAT FLUCTUATES MONTH TO MONTH AS PEOPLE HIRE ON AND LEAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR VARIOUS REASONS, LIKE RETIREMENT.

SO AT THE END OF MAY THAT NUMBER WE HAD 314 FUNDED POSITIONS THAT WERE CURRENTLY VACANT.

>> WOLF SAYS THOSE FLUCTUATIONS IN FUNDED POSITIONS, AS WELL AS VARIANTS OF STAFFING FROM FACILITY TO FACILITY MAKES EXACT STAFFING NEEDS HARD TO PINPOINT.

IN ORDER TO DO SO, THE DEPARTMENT IS RUNNING A FULL STAFFING ANALYSIS, TAKING INVENTORY NOT ONLY OF WHERE THERE IS NEED, BUT ALSO WHERE THERE MIGHT BE WASTE.

>> AS THINGS LIKE CAMERAS AND DOOR TECHNOLOGY AND SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY INCREASE, THOSE STAFFING NEEDS CHANGE AT OUR FACILITY.

AND SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS GO THROUGH EACH FACILITY, EACH POST, ONE-BY-ONE, AND EVALUATE WHAT THE NEEDS ARE AT THAT POST FOR APPROPRIATE SECURITY.

>> THE DOC SAYS THE ANALYSIS IS NECESSARY TO PROPERLY CORRECT STAFFING DEFICITS.

>> RECENTLY THE LEGISLATURE GIVEN US $8 MILLION TO IMPROVE OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICER TO INMATE RATIO.

SO THIS WILL BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION THERE, BUT UNTIL WE HAVE A COMPLETE RETURN ON THE SURVEYS THAT WE'VE SENT TO STAFF ASKING WHAT THEY INTEND TO DO AFTER THE CLOSURE WE WON'T KNOW THE DIRECT IMPACT.

>> OKLAHOMA CORRECTIONAL PROFESSIONALS HOPES THAT $8 MILLION STAFFING GRANT GOES NOT JUST TOWARD PAYING NEW SALARIES, BUT INCREASING EXISTING PAY.

>> WE GOT TO BE -- FOR $8 MILLION TO HIRE, TRYING TO GET THAT $8 MILLION, USE THAT TO RETAIN, TO GIVE RAISE TO OUR OFFICERS.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT $15.74 TO START OUT.

WE NEED TO GET THAT UP TO 17, $18.

>> THE CURRENT STARTING PAY FOR DOC OFFICERS OF $15.74 AN HOUR IN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS ENVIRONMENT ISN'T ENOUGH TO COMPETE WITH OTHER EMPLOYERS.

>> NO ONE WANTS TO GO TO WORK AT $15.74 AN HOUR WHEN AMAZON IS PAYING $17, McDONALD IS PAYING CLOSE TO THAT.

>> THE DOC IS LOOKING INTO ADDITIONAL FACTORS AFFECTING RECRUITING.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS IMPACTING MORE AND MORE IS YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO PERSONAL CELL PHONE ON YOU WHILE IN A PRISON FACILITY.

THAT PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE TO YOUNGER PERSONS WHO ARE USED TO AND GREW UP HAVING A CELL PHONE ON THEM 24/7.

>> THE DOC IS DOING SURVEYS AND HAS A FOCUS GROUP DEDICATED TO MAKING THE JOB MORE APPEALING TO OKLAHOMA WORKERS.

RORY TAYLOR, "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> A TULSA COMPANY JUST GOT A LITTLE BIT BIGGER THANKS TO MAJOR ACQUISITION.

JASON DOYLE HAS THAT STORY AND OTHERS IN THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> WILLIAMS ACQUIRED ENERGY CANADA FROM SOUTHERN COMPANY GAS.

THE DEAL INCREASES WILLIAMS FOOTPRINT AND STORAGE AND WHILE THE COST OF THE DEAL WASN'T RELEASED IT WILL ALLOW THE COMPANY TO EXPAND INTO NEW MARKETS.

TO GET ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY PILOT PROGRAM STARTED OKLAHOMA CITY BASED RILEY EXPLORATION IS OFFERING MORE THAN 1.6 MILLION SHARES IN PUBLIC OFFERING.

THE SHARES WERE PRICED AT $30 WHICH IS EXPECTED TO GENERATE AT LEAST $50 MILLION, $25 MILLION INTO THE PILOT PROGRAM WHICH IS MEANT TO USE VERTICAL INJECTION WELLS.

FRANCHISE UPDATE GIVEN ITS TOP FRANCHISE INNOVATION AWARD TO OKLAHOMA EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS.

DURING THE PANDEMIC EXPRESS BEGAN HOLDING DRIVE THROUGH FAIRS WHICH PLACED MORE THAN 5,000 WORKERS INTO NEW JOBS.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED ENERGY HAS SECURED 100,000 ARKS IN ARKANSAS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE A MAJOR SUPPLY OF LITHIUM, A CRUCIAL COMPONENT FOR BATTERIES.

GENERALLY BATTERY PRODUCTION IN THE U.S.

RELIES ON FOREIGN SUPPLIES OF LITHIUM, THE COMPANY SAYS THE LAND IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE APPROXIMATELY 4 MILLION TONS OF LITHIUM EQUIVALENT WHICH IS ENOUGH TO POWER MORE THAN 50 MILLION ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

GETTING FROM TULSA TO AUSTIN, TEXAS WILL BE EASIER THANKS TO A NEW NONSTOP FLIGHT, ALLEGIANT AIR WILL OFFER THE SERVICE BEGINNING ON NOVEMBER 18th.

THE ROUTE IS PART OF AN EXPANSION OF 23 NEW ROUTES ANNOUNCED BY ALLEGIANT AIR THIS WEEK.

IT'S BEEN ONE YEARS SINCE ARROW LOCATED GLOBAL HEAD QUARTERS IN OKLAHOMA.

THE COMPANY IS DEVELOPING A SOLAR POWERED AIRCRAFT FOR COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIES.

THIS YEAR THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES WITH STATE AND PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES.

THE COMPANY ALSO PLANS TO EXPLORE STEM EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND OTHERS.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THE HYDE AMENDMENT WHICH PROHIBITS TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR ABORTIONS IS BEING DEBATED THIS WEEK.

NANCY PELOSI WANTS IT REPEALED OR AT LEAST REMOVED FROM CONGRESSIONAL SPENDING BILLS, WHICH HAS BEEN THE NORM SINCE 1977.

OKLAHOMA CONGRESS MAN TOM COLE SPOKE OUT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR IN FAVOR OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 18 ON MONDAY.

>> EIGHT LOUS STATES TO CHOOSE TO FUND ELECTIVE ABORTIONS OR NOT WITH STATE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND THE PEOPLE OF 34 STATE HAVE VOLUNTARILY CHOSEN NOT TO DO SO.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS PROCESS, I WOULD REMIND MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT 200 REPUBLICANS, INCLUDING EVERY SINGLE REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITY, SIGNED A LETTER TO CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP STATING THEY WOULD OPPOSE ANY SPENDING BILL THAT DID NOT INCLUDE HYDE PROTECTIONS.

I SEE NO BETTER WAY FOR US TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE LIFE AND ENSURE PROTECTIONS FOR THE UNBORN THAN BY MAKING THE HYDE AMENDMENT PERMANENT, WHICH WE CAN DO IF WE PASS HR 18 INTO LAW.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SUPPORTING THE REPEAL OF THE HYDE AMENDMENT.

>>> A FEW WEEKS AGO WE SHARED WITH YOU THE LABOR-INTENSIVE EFFORTS UNDERWAY AT THE GILCREASE MUSEUM TO PACK UP AND STORE THE ESTIMATED $2 BILLION WORTH OF ART IN THE MUSEUM COLLECTION.

THE CURRENT FACILITY IS GOING TO BE DEMOLISHED AND REPLACED BY NEW $83.6 MILLION MUSEUM SET TO OPEN BY THE END OF 2024.

WHAT WILL IT LOOK LIKE AND WHAT WILL IT FEATURE?

THE FIRST OFFICIAL RENDERINGS HAVE NOW BEEN UNVEILED.

THE NEW BUILDING IS SMALLER AT 83,500 FEET BUT CONTAINS MORE GALLERY SPACE.

DESIGNED BY THE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SMITH GROUP THE NEW BUILDING MEETS TALL CURRENT STANDARDS FOR THE PROPER CARE OF PRICELESS ART, SOMETHING THE OLD GILCREASE WAS NOT CAPABLE OF.

THE MUSEUM WILL CLOSE FOR GOOD JEWEL FIFTH AND GROUNDBREAKING IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN EARLY 2022.

>>> WE KNOW THAT IT'S OVER $2 BILLION WORTH OF ART AND ARTIFACTS AND DOCUMENTS HERE AT THE MUSEUM.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THE CITY COULD EVER ENSURE IT FOR ITS ENTIRE WORTH.

SO TO REALLY HAVE AN EFFICIENT WELL RUN, WELL CONSTRUCTED BUILDING THAT IS REALLY GOING TO TAKE CARE OF TULSA MOST VALUABLE ASSET IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US.

>> TULSA OIL MAN THOMAS GILCREASE OPENED THE MUSEUM IN 1949.

HIS FAMILY HOME ON THE NORTH TULSA PROPERTY HAS BEEN SPARED THE WRECKING BALL AND HE WILL REMAIN.

>>> DATA FROM THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SUGGESTS ABOUT 25% OF THE PEOPLE RELEASED FROM PRISON WILL WIND UP BACK BEHIND BARS.

AND THEY ALSO STAND GREATER CHANCE OF BECOMING HOMELESS WHEN THEY ARE RELEASED.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION, MODERATOR JASON DOYLE DISCOVERS THE REASONS WHY AND WHAT'S BEING DONE TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING >> THANKS RICH.

OUR GUESTS FOR THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH SEGMENT ARE DAN STRAUGHAN WITH THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE AND JUSTIN WOLF, HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WITH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

THANKS.

>> SO, LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE ISSUE OF HOW HOMELESSNESS AND INCARCERATION ARE LINKED.

IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S SOME KIND OF ADVERSE RELATIONSHIP THAT GOES ON BETWEEN THOSE TWO SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY ON ANY GIVEN NIGHT, ABOUT 1,600 HOMELESS PEOPLE OF THOSE ABOUT 600 ARE UNSHELTERED.

AND WE SURVEY THAT POPULATION WITH SOME FREQUENCY TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN MOVE THEM INTO HOUSING MORE QUICKLY AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE FOUND IS MORE THAN A THIRD, 37% OF OUR UNSHELTERED HOMELESS, NOW THAT'S AGAIN A MINORITY OF THE TOTAL HOMELESS POPULATION, REPORT BECOMING HOMELESS WITHIN A YEAR OF LEAVING JAIL OR PRISON.

AND PART OF IT IS, BUT THE THINGS THAT, THAT WE ALL KNOW THAT SOME, SOME EMPLOYERS ARE NOT WILLING TO EMPLOY PEOPLE WITH A CRIMINAL RECORD AND AND YOU KNOW, MAYBE WHEN YOU WENT IN, YOU WERE LIVING WITH YOUR MOM AND WHEN YOU CAME OUT, MOM'S NO LONGER INTERESTED IN YOU STAYING WITH HER.

AND YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU WERE ON MENTAL HEALTH MEDS WHILE YOU WERE IN, BUT THEN WHEN YOU CAME OUT, YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO CONNECT TO APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND SO, YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DETERIORATED IN THAT YEAR.

SO JUST A LOT OF BARRIERS.

I DON'T WANT TO -- I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE IMPRESSION THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OKLAHOMA CITY'S HOMELESS POPULATION HAS A SERIOUS CRIMINAL RECORD, BUT IT CAN BE A BARRIER TO PEOPLE SUSTAINING HOUSING.

WE'RE GETTING BACK INTO HOUSING.

>> SO JUSTIN, DO YOU FIND THAT IN YOUR STUDY THAT THERE SEEMS TO BE A LINK BETWEEN THOSE WHO ARE LEAVING INCARCERATION AND HOMELESSNESS?

>> WE KNOW PART OF THE CHALLENGE WHEN PEOPLE LEAVE INCARCERATION WITHIN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS ONCE THEY DISCHARGE THEIR SENTENCE AS ORDERED BY THE DISTRICT COURT, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS NO MORE AUTHORITY TO HOLD THE PERSON OR ASK THEM TO BE RESPONSIBLE OR COMMUNICATE WITH US IN ANY WAY.

AND SO, WE ARE VERY GOOD AT CAPTURING INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO ENGAGE WITH US AND ENGAGE WITH THE PROCESS.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS WHO CHOOSE NOT TO DO SO.

AND UNLESS THOSE PERSONS ARE ON SUPERVISED PROBATION THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A MEANS TO REQUIRE THEM TO ENGAGE.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE AWARE WE'RE GOING TO BE FACING.

SO, ONE OF OUR MANTRAS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, ESPECIALLY THROUGH OUR RE-ENTRY AND OUR PROGRAMMATIC SERVICES TO BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND.

SO EVERY INMATE WHO WALKS THROUGH THE DOORS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS A SURVEY DOWN AND ASSESSMENT OF THEIR VARIOUS NEEDS THAT THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE, WHETHER THEY BE SOCIAL ADDICTION RELATED NEEDS, EDUCATIONAL NEEDS, OR JOB NEEDS.

AND WE DO OUR BEST AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO MEET THOSE NEEDS WHILE THEY'RE IN OUR CUSTODY.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE DON'T GET TO BASE THEIR LENGTH OF STAY ON THEIR LEVEL OF NEEDS AND SO THAT'S CONTROLLED BY THE DISTRICT COURTS, WHICH IS USUALLY A FUNCTION OF THE CRIME THAT WAS COMMITTED, THAT THEY WERE CONVICTED OF, OR THE STRENGTH OF THE EVIDENCE AGAINST THEM ON THAT CASE.

AND SO, OUR GOAL IS TO TRY AND MEET ALL OF THOSE NEEDS BEFORE THAT PERSON NEEDS TO BE RE-ENTERED INTO SOCIETY, AND THEN TO ASSIST THEM, MAKE THAT TRANSITION SUCCESSFULLY AGAIN, WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF WHAT WE CAN REQUIRE OR ASK THEM TO DO.

>> SO, WHAT KIND OF ISSUES ARE THEY FACING AS THEY START TO GET READY TO LEAVE INCARCERATION AND FOR ALL INTENTS PURPOSES GO OUT ON THE STREET?

>> UH, YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT WE TRY TO MAINTAIN AT ALL TIMES IS A CONTINUUM OF CARE ON ANY OF THOSE NEEDS THAT WE JUST DISCUSSED.

SO, WHETHER IT'S CONNECTING SOMEONE TO A LOCAL AA OR NA GROUP, OR HELPING CONNECT THEM TO THEIR LOCAL PROBATION AND PAROLE OFFICER BEFORE THEY LEAVE, SO THAT THEY HAVE A RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED OR JUST ESTABLISHING THE EDUCATIONAL AND JOB SKILLS NEEDS THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE TO CONNECT UP AND BACK INTO SOCIETY AND GET A JOB GOING ON THEIR WAY OUT.

ALL THOSE ARE CRITICAL AND ALL THOSE ARE SOMETHING THAT OUR CASE MANAGERS ARE WORKING ON FROM THE MOMENT THAT A PERSON IS ADMITTED INTO A PARTICULAR FACILITY.

ANOTHER GREAT EXAMPLE OF A CHALLENGE THAT ANYBODY CAN FACE IS GETTING YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

EVERYBODY HAS GONE TO THE DMV AND HAD SOME DAY OF TRYING TO LINE UP ALL YOUR DOCUMENTS TO GET A DRIVER'S LICENSE UPDATED OR YOUR TAG OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

ALL THE MORE SO FOR OUR INMATE POPULATION, WHOSE LIFESTYLES BEFORE PRISON, USUALLY AREN'T CONDUCIVE TO MAINTAINING A VITAL RECORDS FOLDER.

AND SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO WHILE THEY'RE IN OUR CUSTODY IS ESTABLISH WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE LEGALLY LICENSED AND ABLE TO GET A FORM OF IDENTIFICATION OR A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

AND THEN OUR CASE MANAGERS WORK TO ESTABLISH THOSE DOCUMENTS WHILE THEY'RE IN OUR CARE.

AND EVERY INMATE UPON RELEASE IS GIVEN A FOLDER OF ALL THEIR LEGAL DOCUMENTS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO OBTAIN DURING THEIR INCARCERATION.

AND WE ALWAYS AIM TO HAVE A BIRTH CERTIFICATE, A SOCIAL SECURITY CARD, AND EITHER A DRIVER'S LICENSE OR STATE ID UPON THEIR EXIT FROM OUR CUSTODY.

>> SO, DAN, DO WE HAVE A GOOD ESTIMATE OF HOW MUCH OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION SEEMS TO BE CAUGHT IN THAT RECIDIVISM CIRCLE AND RETURNING TO PRISON?

>> WE DON'T HAVE GREAT DATA, BUT BETWEEN MUNICIPAL COURTS AND THE DISTRICT COURT SYSTEM, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS SYSTEM, CITY/COUNTY JAIL, IT'S ABOUT -- IT'S ABOUT 30% OF THE TOTAL HOMELESS POPULATION.

IT'S A BARRIER FOR THEM.

YOU KNOW, OUTSTANDING WARRANTS FOR UNPAID TICKETS AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS THAT ARE HANDLED REALLY MORE AT THE MUNICIPAL COURT LEVEL, THAT EVEN THOSE CAN BE A BARRIER FOR PEOPLE.

JUSTIN'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, IT USED TO BE, IT USED TO BE THE WORK OF A DAY OR TWO TO GET A PERSON'S STATE ID, BUT POST 9-11, THAT -- THAT STRETCHED OUT TO 30, 45 DAYS AND COST 75 BUCKS, WHICH YOU, ONCE YOU GET ALL IN AND WHEN REAL ID BECOMES A REAL THING, THAT'S GOING TO BE THAT MUCH HARDER.

AND SO, JUSTIN'S POINT ABOUT BEGINNING PLANNING FOR DISCHARGE WHEN, WHEN THEY WALK IN THE DOOR IS, IS CRITICAL BECAUSE COMING OUT OF PRISON WITHOUT ID OR -- OR WITHOUT YOUR KIND OF SOCIAL NETWORK IN PLACE, INCLUDING HOUSING CAN, CAN BE A REAL BARRIER FOR FOLKS.

>> SO, HAS COVID PLAYED A ROLE, THE PANDEMIC PLAYED A ROLE INTO KIND OF FUELING THE CYCLE?

>> WELL, COVID HAS KINDA IMPACTED PRETTY MUCH EVERY ASPECT OF, OF THE WORK THAT WE DO.

YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND THE CITY/COUNTY JAIL, BOTH ACCELERATED RELEASES IN ORDER TO GET THE CENSUSES DOWN TO AVOID EXPOSURE.

AND SO THAT HARD WORK, THAT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS' DISCHARGE PLANNERS DO TO GET PEOPLE READY, JUSTIN'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, ONCE THE COURT SAYS THAT GUY'S DONE, YOU -- YOU DON'T GET TO HOLD THEM.

YOU DON'T GET TO SAY, WELL, I JUST NEED FIVE MORE DAYS TO GET HIS SOCIAL SECURITY BACKUP.

THAT'S NOT AN OPTION.

THEY GOT TO GO.

AND IF ONCE THEY GO, THEY'RE NOT REENGAGING, THEN IT CAN BE SUPER CHALLENGED.

>> SO, THIS QUESTION WILL BE FOR BOTH OF YOU, HOW DOES TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PLAY A ROLE IN BETWEEN THE CONNECTION OF TRYING TO KEEP SOMEBODY FROM BECOMING HOMELESS AFTER THEY LEAVE INCARCERATION?

>> WE USED TO HAVE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, SOME KIND OF HALFWAY HOUSES, THAT SORT OF BIG OPERATION HAS WE'RE SEEING LESS AND LESS THAN THAT.

AND MORE AND MORE OF PEOPLE BEING DISCHARGED.

SUBSTANTIAL LONG-TERM OF PEOPLE WHO ARE IN PRISON OR JAILS HAVE SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES AND SO, GETTING THEM INTO QUALIFIED, SOBER LIVING PLACES LIKE AN OXFORD HOUSE CAN BE A REALLY POSITIVE STEP TO SUSTAINABLE INDEPENDENCE LATER ON, BUT IT CAN BE REALLY IMPORTANT TO ADDRESS THOSE EVICTION AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN SOME KIND OF, KIND OF INTERMEDIATE STEP.

JUSTIN PROBABLY KNOWS WAY MORE ABOUT THAT THAN I DO.

>> WELL, I WAS GOING TO SAY, YOU KNOW, THE -- THE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A CHALLENGE THAT FACES, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY WHO HAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE ADDRESSED.

MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE AND MAINTAINING A HEALTHY MENTAL STATE IS A CHALLENGE JUST AS MUCH AS IT IS TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY PHYSICAL STATE.

SO ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE'VE STARTED AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN COORDINATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES CALLED THE RICCTS PROGRAM, WHERE WE'VE IDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALS IN OUR CUSTODY WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH STARTS CONNECTING THEM TO THE SERVICES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO NEED WHILE THEY'RE STILL IN OUR CUSTODY AND SO THAT WAY THEY CAN MAINTAIN THAT CONTINUUM OF MENTAL HEALTH HERE ON THE OUTSIDE.

WHEN INMATES ARE ENGAGED IN THE RICCTS PROGRAM, WE SEEN AN INCREASE OF VOLUNTARY OUTPATIENT SERVICES ON THE OUTSIDE AND DECREASE IN VOLUNTARY COMMITMENTS AND INCREASE IN MET COMPLIANCE.

IT'S JUST ALL THE NUMBERS GO IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IT IS A WONDERFUL PROGRAM.

THE CHALLENGE IS OF COURSE, REPLICATING THAT FOR ALL OF OUR INMATES' MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS WITH LIMITED RESOURCES BUT THE, YOU KNOW, TO SPEAK TO, YOU KNOW, THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING YOU KNOW, THAT REALLY CAPTURES TRANSITIONING IS THE DIFFICULT STEP.

AND THAT IS THE -- THE CHALLENGE IS TO GO FROM ONE STATE TO THE NEXT AND TO MAINTAIN ALL THOSE ELEMENTS.

YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, EVERY TIME WE RELEASED ANY INMATE, WHICH WE DO, YOU KNOW, HUNDREDS ON A -- IN A MONTH, EACH ONE OF THEM HAS TO GET ALL THEIR PERSONAL PROPERTY BACK.

IF THEY HAVE ANY MONEY ON THEIR BOOKS THAT HAS TO BE GIVEN TO THEM.

IF THEY'RE ON ANY TYPE OF MEDICATION WHILE THEY WERE IN OUR CUSTODY, WE NEED TO GIVE THEM A 30-DAY SUPPLY TO GIVE THEM ENOUGH TO GET THROUGH UNTIL THEY CAN ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP WITH A PHARMACY OPERATION OR A NEW PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN.

AND WE ALSO DO OUR BEST TO HELP THAT TRANSITION AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

SO, EVERY INMATE WHO DOESN'T ALREADY HAVE $50 TO THEIR NAME ON THEIR BOOKS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS GIVEN UP TO $50 TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT OF WORKING MONEY TO GET WHEREVER THEY'RE GOING.

AND WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A BUS TICKET TO GET TO THEIR COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE GOING TO ARRIVE IN.

BUT AGAIN YOU KNOW, THERE ARE STILL OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES FOR ANYBODY IN THAT SITUATION TO I MEAN, WHERE ARE THEY?

WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO FIND THOSE SERVICES?

SO SOMETIMES WHAT YOU WILL SEE HAPPEN IS PEOPLE THAT GET DISCHARGED TO SMALL COUNTS WHERE THOSE SERVICES JUST AREN'T AVAILABLE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY TRIED TO GET THEM, THEY WILL, THEY WILL END UP IN OKLAHOMA CITY OR TULSA BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE SERVICES ARE.

>> SO, IT SOUNDS LIKE A LITTLE OUTREACH TO THE RURAL AREAS TO TRY TO COME UP WITH SOME PROGRAMS MIGHT BE OF BENEFIT TO THOSE LEAVING INCARCERATION AND TRYING TO GET REESTABLISHED.

>> IT'S A RESOURCE ISSUE JUST AS JUSTIN SAID.

>> YEAH.

YOU KNOW, WE WE TALKED TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES ALL THE TIME ABOUT TRYING TO ESTABLISH ANY RESOURCES, WHETHER IT BE, YOU KNOW, UTILITY SUPPLY OR ANYTHING.

THE CHALLENGE IS JUST THE COST PER PERSON IS SO MUCH HIGHER IN A RURAL COMMUNITY THAN IN AN URBAN ENVIRONMENT, IT'S A DIFFICULT THING TO KEEP AND MAINTAIN OVER TIME.

AND OF COURSE, ANY LEVEL OF INCONSISTENCY JUST ADDS TO THE CHALLENGE OF CLIENTELE THAT ARE, THAT ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE THE SERVICE.

>> SO, THE SARAH STITT ACT WAS PASSED THIS PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO HOW DOES THAT IMPACT HELPING THOSE LEAVING INCARCERATION?

>> SO, THE SARAH STITT ACT HAS DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS.

UH, SIGNIFICANTLY WHAT IT DID WAS, IT AUTHORIZED THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, TO HELP STREAMLINE THE IDENTIFICATION AND DOCUMENTATION PROCESS FOR EITHER A STATE ID CARD OR A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

SO THAT IDEALLY ALL OF THESE INMATES ARE LEAVING THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WITH A VALID FORM OF PHOTO IDENTIFICATION.

WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF OBSTACLES THAT ANYBODY CAN FACE, ALL OF THOSE ARE MADE WORSE IF SOMEONE DOESN'T HAVE A VALID FORM OF PHOTO IDENTIFICATION, EVERYONE THAT YOU WANT TO INTERACT WITH, WHETHER IT BE A SERVICE PROVIDER, AN EMPLOYER, AN APARTMENT, THEY ALL WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND THEY WANT THAT INFORMATION VALIDATED.

SO, IF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CAN PROVIDE THAT VALIDATION TO ALL OF OUR INMATES ON THEIR WAY OUT, THAT'S JUST ONE MORE THING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH AS THEY TRY AND REENGAGE WITH ALL THESE DIFFERENT SERVICES THAT THE STATE PROVIDES.

AND IT'S ALSO A BENEFIT TO THE STATE TO BE ABLE TO KNOW WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE WHEN THEY TRAVEL FROM ONE COMMUNITY TO THE NEXT.

>> SO, WOULD A SIMILAR PROGRAM FOR THE HOMELESS AT LARGE, WOULD THAT BENEFIT THEM AS WELL?

TRYING TO GET THE IDS, EVEN THOUGH THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN INCARCERATED?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE ASSESS EVERYBODY THAT COMES THROUGH OUR DOORS AND THAT'S ABOUT 6,000 PEOPLE A YEAR.

AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS, ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS WE ASK IS, DO YOU HAVE VALID UNEXPIRED ID?

AND WHEN THE ANSWER IS NO, AND THAT'S THE FIRST THING THAT WE GET TO WORK ON BECAUSE EVERYTHING ELSE KIND OF DEPENDS ON BEING ABLE TO RENT AN APARTMENT AND EVEN WITH ASSISTANCE OR BEING ABLE TO FIND WORK TO APPLY FOR SNAP OR OTHER GOVERNMENT BENEFITS.

THOSE ALL DEPEND ON HAVING ID.

AND JUST AS JUSTIN SAID, IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WE WORK WITH, DON'T, DON'T KEEP A FOLDER OF ALL THOSE DOCUMENTS.

AND I, YOU KNOW, AGAIN, THAT'S NOT A CRITICISM.

I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD FIND MY BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

I KNOW IT'S AROUND SOMEWHERE.

BUT ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, IF YOU'VE BEEN LIVING UNDER A BRIDGE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, CHANCES ARE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF THAT SOURCE DOCUMENTATION.

AND SO CASE MANAGERS WORK AND DISCHARGE PLANNERS WORK AT DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THERE'S A LOT OF JUST CHASING THAT PAPER DOWN.

>> SO COULD BREAKING THIS CYCLE OF INCARCERATION TO HOMELESSNESS.

COULD IT ACTUALLY SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY?

>> OH, ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

NO DOUBT.

IT'S TOO YOU KNOW, IN OKLAHOMA CITY, AT LEAST TO, TO LEAVE A PERSON ON THE STREET COSTS ABOUT COST TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT $18,000 A YEAR IN EMERGENCY MEDICAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JAIL, AND ALL THOSE COSTS, HOMELESS SHELTER, ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF.

WE CAN HOUSE AN INDIVIDUAL AND PAY THEIR RENT, PAY THEIR UTILITIES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH FAIRLY INTENSIVE CASE MANAGEMENT FOR LESS THAN 10,000.

SO, YOU LITERALLY CUT THE COST OF HOMELESSNESS IN HALF BY REDUCING SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS AND ID IS A HUGE BARRIER.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THAT EVERY PERSON WHO LEAVES THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO BECOME A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN, NOT ONLY IS IT REDUCING THE COSTS ON THE STATE, BUT IT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, BECOMING A PRODUCER AND GENERATING INCOME AND TAXABLE DOLLARS AND THINGS LIKE THAT TO HELP PUT BACK INTO THE SYSTEM TO ASSIST OTHERS.

AND SO, IF WE CAN REINVEST IN PEOPLE SO THAT THEY CAN BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY, THEN IT ALL THE BETTER FOR THE STATE, FOR THEM AS AN INDIVIDUAL, AND FOR THE TAXPAYER AT THE END OF THE DAY.

>> FOR OKLAHOMA CITY, IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A FAIRLY EXCITING TIME WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE OF THE MAPS PROGRAM.

AND OF COURSE, THE, THE TASK FORCE HAS JUST RELEASED ITS REPORT.

SO, DAN, TELL US A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT ABOUT THAT REPORT SAID AND WHAT THE WAY FORWARD IS FOR THE CAPITAL CITY.

>> SURE.

SO THE MAYOR ABOUT ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO NOW, CONVENED A TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT HOW WE AS A COMMUNITY, RESPOND TO HOMELESSNESS.

AND THE TASK FORCE WAS VERY DIVERSE OR CHAMBER PEOPLE AND PROVIDER PEOPLE LIKE ME AND FUNDER PEOPLE LIKE FOUNDATIONS AND UNITED WAY, AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

ENGAGED A CONSULTANT TO DO SOME OUTREACH TO THE BROADER COMMUNITY, TO GET IDEAS FOR HOW WE COULD DO THINGS BETTER.

AND THAT REPORT NOW EXISTS ON THE CITY'S WEBSITE.

WE'RE ASKING FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

IT'S REALLY LONG, IT'S 118 PAGES.

IT'S VERY DETAILED, BUT THERE IS A NICE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND A KIND OF A ONE-PAGE TABLE THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT TO WADE THROUGH 118 PAGES, YOU CAN JUST LOOK AT THOSE.

AND IF YOU HAVE IDEAS THAT, I MEAN, WE REALLY WANT TO HEAR THAT BECAUSE THAT PLAN RIGHT NOW IS IN DRAFT FORM, BUT IT INCLUDES THE ELEMENTS THAT THAT YOU WOULD EXPECT, YOU KNOW, AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE.

SO WORKING MORE ON PREVENTION BUILDING THE STATE'S CAPACITY FOR, FOR APPROPRIATE DISCHARGE PLANNING, NOT JUST FROM JAIL OR PRISON, BUT FROM MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTIONS, FROM HOSPITALS, THOSE SORTS OF PLACES WHERE YOU DON'T WANT THOSE, THOSE CUSTOMERS TO BE DISCHARGED TO HOMELESSNESS.

AND THEN OF COURSE, YOU KNOW, THE BIG THING IS OKLAHOMA CITY IS SHORT ABOUT 4,500 UNITS OF TRULY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, SO MAPS 4 AND THE MAYOR'S TASK FORCE KIND OF GO TOGETHER TO TO FIND WAYS TO DEVELOP AND FUND MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> IN TERMS OF INNOVATION AND TRYING TO FIND NEW WAYS TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS STARTED RIGHT BEFORE COVID, UNFORTUNATELY, IS OUR RAINTREE CARE PROGRAM.

SO, ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE'VE DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO THIS POPULATION IS INSTEAD OF TRYING TO HAVE THEM COORDINATE WITH EVERYBODY ON THE OUTSIDE, WE STARTED INVITING SERVICE PROVIDERS TO COME BEHIND THE WALLS AND WE DO WHAT WE CALL REENTRY FAIRS, WHERE THEY ALL ARE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH INMATES WHILE THE INMATES ARE IN PRISON.

AND THE INMATES DON'T HAVE TO TRY AND DRIVE ALL THE WAY ACROSS THEIR CITY OR THE COMMUNITY TO FIND THESE SERVICES, BUT THEY CAN CONNECT WITH THOSE SERVICES ALL IN ONE PLACE WHILE THEY'RE STILL IN CUSTODY AND ASSIST IN THAT TRANSITION FURTHER.

AND THAT'S JUST ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OUR STAFF ARE DOING TO TRY AND MAKE THIS TRANSITION EASIER.

>> WELL, JUSTIN WOLF, WITH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND DAN STRAUGHAN WITH THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US THIS WEEK.

>> MY PLEASURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING US.

FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAT'S WHAT OG&E JASON CHILDRESS HAS BEEN DOING AT THE HORSESHOE LAKE POWER PLAN IN HARRAH.

DIP I CAN I HAD OBSERVED BY THE SUTTON AVIAN RESEARCH CENTER.

PANDEMIC PROTOCOLS DIDN'T ALLOW FOR VISITORS SO THEY CHAINED CHILDREN, AN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMIST TO BECOME A SCIENTISTS AND KEEP AN EYE ON THE NEST FOR THEM.

DESPITE A TOUGH AND IT'S THIS INCREDIBLE FEAT THAT THIS LITTLE FIVE GRAM BIRD CAN DO.

SPEND THOUSANDS OF MILES EVERY YEAR AND END UP IN THESE NEW PLACES.

>> MIGRATION IS A VERY IMPORTANT PHENOMENON.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE HOT MIGRATION THAT THEY TRAVEL ALL THE WAY FROM NORTH AMERICA, ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CHILE.

I FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE -- WE ARE NOT, IT'S NOT LIKE THIS.

OUR BIRDS, YOUR BIRD.

THIS IS OUR, YOU KNOW, IS, IS EVERYBODY LIKE COMING HERE TO MINI-MARS, YOU SEE THE BAY-BREASTED WARBLER THAT I SEE IN PANAMA, YOU KNOW, THOSE BIRDS BELONG TO ALL THE SPORES.

THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS A PLACE THAT THEY COULD LEAVE.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT LIKE HOME OR, YOU KNOW, EVERYWHERE THEY GO, IT WILL BE AN AREA THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENJOY.

IT SHALL BE PROTECTED.

CONSERVATION IS A VERY IMPORTANT KEY TO SUCCESS TO KEEP DOING THIS.

WE NEED TO PRESERVE THE HABITAT.

THE FOREST THAT USED TO BE AREA THAT USED TO BE WITH BEAUTIFUL FOREST.

A NICE RIVER THAT HAVE BEEN LOGGED.

THE RIVERS ARE DRY AND PEOPLE HAVING TROUBLE GETTING THE WATER NOW.

>> SO WHEN WE THINK OF TERMS OF WHAT IT IS ABOUT BIRDS AND BIRDING THAT APPEALS TO PEOPLE, I THINK THE FIRST THINGS WE THINK OF ARE THE FACT THAT BIRDS ARE BEAUTIFUL.

THEY'RE COLORFUL.

THEY SING AMAZING SONGS, BUT THE THINGS THAT WE DON'T THINK ABOUT FIRST, THE MORE PRACTICAL THINGS ARE AT THE FACT THAT BIRDS PERFORM REALLY IMPORTANT ECOSYSTEM SERVICES.

THEY POLLINATE SOME PLANTS, THEY KEEP THE BALANCE OF INSECTS IN TACK, THEY DISTRIBUTE SEEDS.

SO IF IT, IF WE DON'T CONSERVE HABITAT FOR BIRDS, IT WILL HAVE DIRECT IMPACT ON PEOPLE AS WELL.

>> YOU PROTECT THESE WILD AREAS.

THE, THE BIRDS KEEP COMING HERE, NOT JUST BIRDS, BUT ALL THE WILDLIFE AND THE ECOSYSTEMS IF THEY'RE STRONG.

THEN ALL THIS STUFF KEEPS COMING HERE, WHICH DRAWS ALL OF US HERE.

AND ALL OF US HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY TO SPEND IN THIS, IN THIS AREA.

>> I THINK THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATE OF THE WORLD RIGHT NOW IS INSANE.

IT'S NOT DOING SO GOOD.

I THINK THAT IT'S, I THINK IT'S AWESOME THAT BUSINESSES TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BIRDERS.

>> LOCAL BUSINESSES MIGHT NEVER HAVE THOUGHT THAT PROTECTING THESE WILD AREAS WOULD TURN INTO DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKETS, BUT REALLY IT DOES.

YOU CAN SEE A DIRECT LINE BETWEEN CONSERVATION AND LOCAL BUSINESSES THRIVING.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

>> IF WE WERE ABLE TO UNITE PEOPLE AROUND BIRDS.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU'RE OUT THERE ON THE BOARDWALK OR ON A TRAIL SOMEWHERE, YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY ASKING SOMEONE, YOU MAY FIND OUT WHAT THEIR IDEAS ARE ABOUT OTHER THINGS IN LIFE, BUT THEN YOU CAN ALWAYS FALL BACK TO THE COMMON LOVE BIRDS.

IT'S ABOUT BIRDS, BUT IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE WHO LOVE BIRDS.

>> SEE, WE'RE GETTING, SEE HOW SEE BIRDIE IT GETS RIGHT HERE?

THIS IS GOOD.

NOW I'M GOING TO START FREAKING OUT.

OH MY GOD, THIS IS BANANAS.

>> DENTIST AND HIS 1000TH BIRD IS THE CAVITY NESTERS.

YEAH.

NOW IMAGINE HOW CLOSE WE CAN SEE BIRDS.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU CAN EACH HAVE A TURN.

>> SPECTACLE.

DALLAS SEEM TO BE PRETTY ADVENTUROUS IN HOW FAR THEY GO FROM THE NEST.

>> THEY'RE TOO CUTE FOR THIS WORLD.

>> THEY'RE PRETTY CUTE.

>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHY PEOPLE THINK BIRDERS ARE NERDS.

I DON'T GET IT.

>> OR IT IS A VERB AND WE'VE CHANGED IT.

IT'S, YOU KNOW, IT'S A NOUN, IT'S A VERB.

WE CAN USE IT HOWEVER WE WANT.

WITH SO MANY AMAZING PHOTOS AND STORIES OF TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE, BIRDING, AND GOING OUT LOOKING FOR MOTHS AT NIGHT AND LOOKING FOR SNAKES.

I THINK IT'S APPEALING TO PEOPLE WITH A SENSE OF ADVENTURE.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND EBIRD REALLY STARTED TO CHANGE HOW THIS WORKED, YOU KNOW, THE IDEA OF A RARE BIRD ALERT WAS THAT THERE WAS A PHONE NUMBER THAT YOU CALLED INTO.

AND ONCE A WEEK IT WOULD BE UPDATED WITH WHAT RARE BIRDS HAD BEEN SEEN.

THE ABILITY TO IMMEDIATELY GO ONLINE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU'RE GOING IN THE WORLD, AND STUDY FOR TRIPS AND KNOW WHAT'S AROUND IMMEDIATELY.

IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

>> IT CAN BE YOU SITTING AT HOME IN YOUR COMFORTABLE CHAIR, HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE AND LOOKING AT A BIRD AT A FEEDER OUT YOUR WINDOW.

IT CAN BE TRAVELING THROUGH PANAMA THROUGH FOR FOUR HOURS THROUGH A STEAMING JUNGLE TO SEE ONE BIRD, ANY WAY THAT YOU WANT TO LOOK AT BIRDS.

IT'S OKAY.

AS LONG AS YOU AT SOME LEVEL, DO SOMETHING TO CONSERVE HABITAT AND DO SOMETHING GOOD FOR BIRDS IN RETURN AND HOWEVER YOU WANT TO LOOK AT BIRDS IS AOK WITH ME.

>> BIRDS EMBODY WHAT'S BEST IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT.

AND SO FREEDOM AND CHOICE AND BEAUTY, I DON'T THINK YOU CAN GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT.

AND SO FOR ME, IT'S THEY, THEY WRAP ALL OF THAT IN -- IN, FEATHERED FORM.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," DOGS TRAINED TO DO THE GRIM SEARCH AND RECOVERY WORK AT THE COLLAPSED APARTMENT BUILDING REQUIRE INTENSIVE LONG-TERM TRAINING.

AND SOME OF IT IS BEING DONE RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA BY A GUY I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO RECOGNIZE.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG FOR NOW WITH A LOOK AT OKLAHOMA CITY BLUE SAGE STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY OETA PHOTOGRAPH EARS KACI FERGUSON AND ERIC WALTMAN.

FOR ALL OF US I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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