.

>>> EARLY VOTING UNDERWAY FOR NEXT TUESDAY'S OKLAHOMA PRIMARY.

>> AND SO THAT'S WHY IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE A, KNOW THAT THERE'S AN ELECTION AND B, DO YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND, AND SHOW UP TO VOTE.

>>> THE PUSH TO ADDRESS SAFETY ISSUES ON HIGHWAY 9 IN NORMAN.

>> AND HER VERY LAST WORDS WERE TO THOSE PEOPLE WERE, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF MY DAUGHTER.

>>> HARVEST TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> AND IT BASICALLY GOT STARTED AS A NEED TO FILL THE NEED FOR FRESH PRODUCE FOR OUR DAILY BREAD, WHICH IS STILLWATER'S FOOD AND RESOURCE CENTER.

>>> INTEGRIS UNVEILS ITS NEW HOSPITAL AND A LOFTY GOAL IT HOPES TO HELP OKLAHOMA ACHIEVE.

>> THE IDEA TO BE 35 BY 35, ESSENTIALLY THE 35TH HEALTHIEST STATE BY 2035.

>>> A SUMMER "STEM" CAMP HOSTED BY THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD.

>> WE TRY TO TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH AND DO 80% HANDS-ON 20% INSTRUCTION.

SO THAT'S KIND OF WHAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STARBASE AND A SCIENCE CLASS.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS.

NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

.

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

EARLY VOTING IS UNDERWAY FOR THE JUNE 18 PRIMARY.

AND THERE ARE SOME INTRIGUING RACES- INCLUDING A CHALLENGER WITH A LARGE WAR CHEST TAKING ON 11-TERM CONGRESSMAN, TOM COLE.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW WITH A "PRIMARY PRIMER".

JASON?

>> RICH.

THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FOR THE FOURTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IS PROBABLY GETTING THE MOST ATTENTION.BUT REPUBLICANS ALSO HAVE TO DECIDE WHO WILL MOVE FORWARD IN ONE STATE WIDE RACE.WHILE THE MOST VOTERS WILL GET A CHANGE TO PICK LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES TO EITHER SERVE OR MAKE THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION BALLOT.

>> I'M PAUL BONDAR AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.

>> I'M TOM COLE, AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.

>> IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN TV ADS DOMINATE COMMERCIAL AIR TIME AHEAD OF OKLAHOMA'S JUNE 18 PRIMARY.AND WHAT IS TURNING OUT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE CONGRESSIONAL SEAT PRIMARY RACES IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY IS BETWEEN A 22 YEAR INCUMBENT WITH MAJOR INFLUENCE ON THE REPUBLICAN AGENDA IN THE U.S. HOUSE IN TOM COLE.AND PAUL BONDAR, A POLITICAL NEWCOMER WHO RECENTLY MOVED TO OKLAHOMA.WHICH HAS BEEN A FOCUS IN THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 4 REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

IN HIS VISIT TO OETA, BONDAR SAYS HIS RESIDENCY IN OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN MISCHARACTERIZED.

>> WHEN PEOPLE GET TO KNOW ME A LITTLE BIT MORE AND THEY STOP LISTENING TO THIS NONSENSE, THAT FIVE OR $10 MILLION IS PUMPED IN ABOUT ME BEING A TEXAN.

EVEN THOUGH I ONLY SPENT THREE YEARS OF MY LIFE IN TEXAS.

AND I WAS ONLY IN TEXAS FOR A YEAR BEFORE I BOUGHT A HOUSE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> COLE HAS TO SPLIT HIS TIME BETWEEN CAMPAIGNING AND OFFICIAL CONGRESSIONAL DUTIES.

THIS WEEK HE IS WORKING ON THE NEXT FEDERAL BUDGET IN DC.

COLE SAYS THE VOTERS IN DISTRICT FOUR KNOW HIM WELL.

>> FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THIS IS A DISTRICT I'VE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO REPRESENT FOR, YOU KNOW, OVER 20 YEARS.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, MY FAMILY'S LIVED IN THIS DISTRICT ON MY MOM'S SIDE FOR 175 YEARS ON MY DAD'S SIDE FOR ABOUT SO >> BETWEEN COLE AND BONDAR THE TWO CAMPAIGNS HAVE SPENT $8 MILLION COMBINED.THE BONDAR CAMPAIGN HAS EXPENDED MORE MONEY THAN THE COLE CAMPAIGN.

THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION FILINGS FOR THE CAMPAIGNS SHOW BONDAR HAS RAISED NEARLY $5.2 MILLION WITH $5.1 MILLION IN LOANS TO THE CAMPAIGN FROM BONDAR.

THAT CAMPAIGN HAS SPENT $4.9 MILLION SO FAR.

COLE'S CAMPAIGN HAS RAISED NEARLY $3.2 MILLION ALL FROM CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEES.

THAT CAMPAIGN HAS SPENT $3.1 MILLION TO THIS POINT.

A THIRD REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE NAMED PHILIP ANDREW HAYES FILED WITH THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION THAT HE FORMED A CAMPAIGN, BUT SO FAR HAS NOT RAISED OR SPENT ANY MONEY.

WE WERE UNABLE TO REACH THAT CAMPAIGN.

BONDAR CLAIMS HE DOESN'T HAVE AN ALLEGIANCE TO SPECIAL INTERESTS.

>> I'M SELF-FUNDED, I'M RUNNING ON MY OWN MONEY.

WHAT DO I OWE ANYONE?

I OWE THE VOTERS MY LOYALTY AND RESPECT TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

>> COLE SIMPLY STANDS ON HIS RECORD OF SERVICE WHILE SERVING IN CONGRESS.

>> WHO'S GOT A RECORD THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, GO TO AND LOOK AT AS OPPOSED TO SOMEBODY THAT'S MAKE SURE A LOT OF PROMISES BUT HAS NEVER DELIVERED ONE SINGLE THING.

>> WHILE COLE AND BONDAR ARE GRABBING A LOT OF ATTENTION IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT FOUR.THERE ARE TWO DEMOCRATS LOOKING TO FACE THE WINNER OF THAT REPUBLICAN PRIMARY.

MARY BRANNON AND KODY MACAULAY ARE HOPING DEMOCRAT AND INDEPENDENT VOTERS WILL PICK THEM FOR THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 1 IN THE TULSA AREA, INCUMBENT REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN KEVIN HERN IS FACING CHALLENGER PAUL ROYSE FOR THE GOP NOD.

THE WINNER OF THAT RACE WILL FACE THE WINNER OF.

THE DEMOCRAT PRIMARY WHICH INCLUDES EVELYN ROGERS AND DENNIS BAKER.

THE WINNER OF THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THREE WILL BE THE U.S. REPRESENTATIVE AS NO DEMOCRATS, LIBERTARIANS, OR INDEPENDENTS FILED TO RUN IN THAT RACE.

THE INCUMBENT IS CONGRESSMAN FRANK LUCAS.

HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGERS ARE DARREN HAMILTON AND ROBIN CARDER.

THERE ARE NO PRIMARIES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS TWO AND FIVE BECAUSE ONLY ONE CANDIDATE FROM EACH PARTY FILED.

THE ONLY STATEWIDE RACE IN THE PRIMARY IS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR CORPORATION COMMISSIONER.

THREE CANDIDATES ARE VYING TO REPLACE BOB ANTHONY WHO HAS FINALLY REACHED HIS TERM LIMIT AFTER 35 YEARS IN OFFICE.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE CANDIDATES IN TULSA.

RUSSELL RAY IS A FORMER JOURNALIST WHO SPECIALIZED REPORTING ON ENERGY ISSUES.

HE FEELS MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT UTILITY RATES TO BETTER PROTECT CONSUMERS.

>> WE THINK OKLAHOMA CONSUMERS ARE PAYING FAR TOO MUCH FOR THE COST OF ELECTRICITY AND THE CORPORATION COMMISSION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.

THE COMMISSION HAS PASSED ON BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN HIGHER FUEL COSTS AND HIGHER RATES ONTO CONSUMERS WITH LITTLE OR NO SCRUTINY.

SOME CONSUMERS ARE PAYING 40 TO 60% HIGHER FOR THE COST OF ELECTRICITY VERSUS FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> JUSTIN HORNBACK IS A POLITICAL NEWCOMER, AS WELL.WITH EXPERIENCE IN PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION AND OTHER AREAS RELATED TO THE ENERGY INDUSTRY.

HE FEELS HIS EXPERIENCE WITH REGULATORS GIVES HIM A USEFUL PERSPECTIVE AS A CORPORATION COMMISSIONER.

>> I'VE DEALT WITH A COMMISSION ON A TIME OR TWO HERE IN OKLAHOMA, BUT I'VE ALSO DEALT WITH REGULATORY BODIES THROUGHOUT THE US.

I LEARNED EARLY ON THAT IN THE PIPELINE INDUSTRY, BEING INVOLVED AT A POLITICAL LEVEL, GETTING THESE PROJECTS GOING MEANS BEING ABLE TO BRING JOBS AND INVESTMENT TO COMMUNITIES.

SO I'VE BEEN IN FRONT OF REGULATORY BODIES THROUGHOUT THE US SMALL TOWN, PUBLIC COMMENTS AND EVEN SUPREME COURT CASES.

>> THE OTHER REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IS WELL KNOWN AROUND THE STATE CAPITOL.FORMER SENATE PRO TEM AND FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE BRIAN BINGMAN.

HE SAYS HIS EXPERIENCE BOTH IN THE POLITICAL RING AND IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY WILL HELP INFORM HIS ACTIONS IF ELECTED TO CORPORATION COMMISSION.

>> IT IS MY SKILL SET.

THAT'S KIND OF MY WHEELHOUSE.

I BELIEVE OIL AND GAS WE'RE LOSING A COMMISSIONER WHO'S GOT 36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

SO I THINK THE, THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THAT'S GONE, I THINK KIND OF FITS WHERE I CAN STEP RIGHT IN USING MY OIL AND GAS BACKGROUND, PLUS MY LEGISLATIVE EXPERIENCE, MY LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES.

AND IT'S A REGULATORY BODY.

IT'S NOT A HIGH PROFILE JOB, BUT IT'S ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT JOBS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THESE TWO PRIMARIES AND THE OTHERS WILL CULMINATE ON ELECTION DAY.

BUT NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME BALLOT EVEN IN THE SAME PARTY.

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT'S ON THE BALLOT IN YOUR AREA.

AND THAT'S A BIG THING.

MAKE SURE BEFORE YOU GO TO THE POLLS, THAT YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE AN ELECTION IN YOUR PRECINCT.

>> STATE ELECTION BOARD SECRETARY PAUL ZIRIAX IS HOPING FOR A BIGGER TURNOUT.BUT SAYS IF HISTORY REPEATS THERE MIGHT NOT BE MUCH OF A WAIT TIME TO VOTE.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE EXCEPTIONAL TURNOUT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENTIAL PRIMARY.

AND IN A THAT PEOPLE A, KNOW THAT THERE'S AN ELECTION AND B, DO YOUR CIVIC DUTY AND, AND SHOW UP TO VOTE.

>> BY THE WAY, IF A CANDIDATE DOES NOT SECURE MORE THAN 50% OF THE VOTE IN THE PRIMARY, THE TOP TWO VOTE GETS IN THAT RACE WILL BE IN A RUN-OFF ELECTION ON AUGUST 27.

OF COURSE, THE GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 5.

RICH.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA SENATE CONVENED A "SPECIAL SESSION" ON WEDNESDAY TO CONSIDER GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT'S APPOINTMENT OF LEGENDARY OKLAHOMA STATE GOLF COACH AND ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MIKE HOLDER.

TO THE OSU BOARD OF REGENTS.

THE SESSION TECHNICALLY REMAINS OPEN, ALTHOUGH OUTGOING SENATE PRO TEM GREG TREAT SAID HOLDER'S NOMINATION REQUIRES MORE VETTING TO BE SURE HE IS QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB.

ALSO ON WEDNESDAY, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE 2025 BUDGET INTO LAW.

>>> THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION HAS RELEASED ITS 2024 "KIDS COUNT" REPORT-- AND ONCE AGAIN, IT SUGGESTS OKLAHOMA HAS WORK TO DO WHEN IT COMES TO ITS YOUNGEST CITIZENS.

OKLAHOMA RANKS 46TH NATIONALLY IN CHILD WELL-BEING, WITH ONLY NEVADA, MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA AND NEW MEXICO RANKING LOWER.

THE STUDY IS BASED ON SIXTEEN DIFFERENT INDICATORS.

LET'S BREAK THAT DOWN A LITTLE BIT FOR YOU: OKLAHOMA RANKED 49TH IN EDUCATION, AHEAD OF ONLY NEW MEXICO.

WE ARE 45TH IN CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

40TH IN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT AND 39TH IN ECONOMIC WELL-BEING.

OKLAHOMA RANKED AMONG THE TOP-HALF OF STATES IN JUST TWO CATEGORIES: PERCENT OF CHILDREN IN "SINGLE-PARENT" FAMILIES.

AND, IN PERCENT OF LOW-WEIGHT BABIES.

>>> HIGHWAY 9 IN NORMAN HAS A LONG-ESTABLISHED REPUTATION FOR BEING A DANGEROUS, SOMETIMES DEADLY STRETCH OF ROAD.

EVERYONE SEEMS TO AGREE, MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO MAKE IT SAFER.

BUT WHAT?

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH SOME POSSIBLE ANSWERS.

STEVE?

>> RICH THERE ARE NO VILLAINS WHEN IT COMES TO HIGHWAY 9.

JUST VICTIMS.

THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OR "ODOT" SAYS SOLUTIONS THAT THEY'RE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT.TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF ACCIDENTS.ARE NOT AS OBVIOUS AS YOU MAY THINK.

.

>> SHE SAVED HER DAUGHTER'S LIFE.

>> SHE SAVED HER LIFE.

>> HER DAUGHTER IS ALIVE BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE DID.

>> SHE'S A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BRITTANY WAS BORN THREE YEARS EARLIER THAN HER SISTER.

AUGUST 4 WILL MARK THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF TIFFANY'S DEATH.

JUST BEFORE NOON OF AUGUST 4, LAST YEAR.

TIFFANY WAS DRIVING HER DAUGHTER HOME.

EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 9.

SEVERAL MILES EAST OF NORMAN, FROM FOUR LANES TO TWO.

>> SHE WAS HIT, HEAD ON AT 65 MILES PER HOUR.

>> DID THEY FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPENED THERE?

>> THE GENTLEMAN WHO CROSSED THE LINE HAD A MEDICAL EPISODE.

HIS CAR WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL.

HE DIED BEFORE HE HIT MY SISTER.

>> WEEKS AFTER HER SISTER'S DEATH, BRITTANY LEARNED THAT TIFFANY DIDN'T DIE -- A COUPLE WHO LIVES NEAR THE EXIT NEAR THE EXIT SOUTHEAST, HEARD THE IMPACT AND RUSHED TO THE SCENE.

>> THEY THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO LIVE, SHE WAS SITTING UP AND TALKING.

HER VERY LAST WORDS, TO THOSE PEOPLE, WERE PLEASE TAKE CARE OF MY DAUGHTER.

AND AS A MOTHER, IT RESONATES WITH ME SO MUCH.

HER LAST CONCERN WAS HER DAUGHTER.

>> THEY TRIED TO HELP YOUR SISTER.

>> THEY TRIED.

THEY WANTED TO.

AND THEY'RE GOOD, THEY WANTED TO HELP HER.

BUT IT WAS TOO LATE.

THERE WAS NO CHANCE.

>> TIFFANY'S DAUGHTER SUFFERED TWO SPINAL FRACTURE.

>> THE DOCTORS, WHEN SHE WAS FULL -- THE VEHICLE, THE IMPACT WAS SO INTENSE ON THE CAR SEAT STRAPS SNAPPED OFF OF HER BODY.

>> SHE WAS STILL IN?

>> SHE WAS.

>> THEY -- SHE WAS DILIGENT ABOUT CAR SEATS WHEN THE OFFICERS MET US AT THE HOSPITAL THAT NIGHT, HE HAD HER CELL PHONE AND HE HANDED IT TO MY MOM.

I WANT YOUTOP THAT YOUR DAUGHTER DID NOTHING WRONG TODAY.

SHE DID NOTHING WRONG.

>> THREE MONTHS AGO, THE FAMILY STARTED THIS PETITION DRIVE TO SPUR IMPROVEMENTS.

EVEN TYLER -- THE NORMAN CITY COUNCILMAN.

>> IT HAS BEEN WIDENED TO FOUR LANES, WITH DIVIDE MEDIANS.

BUT THERE'S NO PHYSICAL BARRIER IN THAT MEDIAN, AND WE DO STILL HAVE QUITE A FEW INCIDENTS WHERE PEOPLE HAVE A MEDICAL INCIDENT, AND LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR AND HIT PEOPLE HEAD ON.

THERE'S BEEN QUITE A FEW ISSUES WITH DUI.

PEOPLE FALL SLAEP, BUT WE HAVE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE KILLED BECAUSE SOMEONE CROSSED THE MEDIAN AND HIT HEAD ON.

>> THREE MONTHS AGO, ON MARCH 1, A FATAL COLLISION.

BRIAN TYLER, THE CHIEF ENGINEER FOR THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OR ODOT.

HE'S BEEN LOOKING FOR SOLUTIONS FOR THREE DECADES.

FROM 2002 TO 2010, ODOT SPENT $134 MILLION TO IMPROVE THE CORRIDOR FROM NORMAN TO TUCUMSA.

THIS GRAPH SHOWS MORE OF THE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ARE ON THE WAY.

BARRIERS SEPARATING THE EAST AND WESTBOUND LANES WOULD HELP.

>> IT RUNS US MORE ABOUT A MILLION DOLLARS PER MILE.

CABLE BARRIER AROUND 300, 350,000 PER MILE.

THE GUARDRAIL IS ALSO AN OPTION TOO.

>> BUT THE CABLE BARRIERS DON'T COMPLETELY ELIMINATE HEAD ON COLLISIONS.

NEITHER DO GUARDRAILS.

THEY JUST DON'T.

>> IN THAT CORRIDOR FROM 48TH STREET TO 120TH STREET, FROM 2017 TO 2021 -- 80% OF THE METROISTS WEAR SEAT BELTS.

THAT'S ONE OF THE LOWEST PERMISSIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND HE ALSO SAYS THAT MORE THAN HALF OF THE MOTOR -- >> EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT DUI'S AND DRUNK DRIVERS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT DIGITALLY DRUNK.

YOU'RE DRUNK ON OUR PHONE, ELECTRONICS, ON THE VEHICLE.

IT'S THE SAME OUTBREAK.

>> HER SISTER WAS WEARING HER SEAT BELT LAST AUGUST.

>> SHE DID NOTHING WRONG AND WE'RE VERY SORRY THAT THIS HAPPENED TO HER.

AND THAT, THAT HAS GIVEN ME A LOT OF PEACE THAT SHE DID NOTHING WRONG.

>> ODOT CHIEF ENGINEER TAYLOR SAYS ONE THING ODOT AND THE CITY OF NORMAN ARE LOOKING AT IS INSTALLING "RUMBLE STRIPS" ON THE SIDES OF HIGHWAY 9.

THEY'RE GROOVES IN THE ROAD.

THEY MAKE NOISE AND CAUSE VEHICLES TO VIBRATE WHEN THEY PASS OVER.

RICH.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO THE LOCATION OF A NEW JAIL-- MOST EVERYONE'S ATTITUDE SEEMS TO BE: NOT IN MY BACKYARD!

THAT CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE THE CASE AS OKLAHOMA COUNTY STRUGGLES TO FIND CONSENSUS ON THE SITE OF THEIR PROPOSED NEW DETENTION CENTER.

THEIR PREFERRED LOCATION NEAR TROSPER PARK HAS BEEN DENIED BY THE OKLAHOMA CITY COUNCIL, SO IT'S BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD-- AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION, COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW: >> WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT THE CURRENT SITE.

WE CANNOT MEET THE DOJ STANDARDS FOR HUMANE TREATMENT OF INDIVIDUALS, WHICH I THINK EVEN THE COUNCILMAN WOULD AGREE THAT THE THING THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE MOST IS THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF THE INDIVIDUALS INSIDE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, THESE AREN'T, THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN TO TRIAL YET.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED.

WE ARE TO PRESUME THEM AS INNOCENT AND TELL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT OF LAW.

>> WELL, I THINK AS A COUNCILWOMAN AND NOT THE COUNCILMAN, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT PLANS PIVOT, PLANS CHANGE.

SO EVEN IF THIS WAS MAY 20 YEARS IN ADVANCE, THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE ALL KNOW PLANS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT COMMISSIONERS.

THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT COUNCIL PEOPLE.

COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER SITES, THAT HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER WAYS.

THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT MAYORS.

THERE HAVE BEEN ALL DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT HAVE ALL HAD DIFFERENT EYESIGHT ON AREAS THAT COULD BE MORE COMPARABLE FOR WHAT ALREADY EXISTS.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS HAS ANNOUNCED A NEW TEACHER BONUS PLAN TO ATTRACT MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS TO OKLAHOMA'S RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

TO BE ELIGIBLE, YOU MUST NOT HAVE TAUGHT IN AN OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOL DURING THE JUST-COMPLETED SCHOOL YEAR-- AND YOU MUST HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE OR STANDARD CERTIFICATION IN SECONDARY MATH OR SCIENCE.

IF THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU, THE SIGNING BONUSES ARE CERTAINLY ATTRACTIVE.

$15,000 IF YOU ARE AN IN-STATE SECONDARY MATH OR SCIENCE TEACHER.

AND $25,000 IF YOU QUALIFY AND ARE CURRENTLY LIVING OUT-OF-STATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO SDE.OK.GOV/ COMPREHENSIVETEACHERPAYREFORM.

>>> IN JUST ITS SECOND YEAR, THE "OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENT FARM" HAS DOUBLED IN SIZE-- AND THAT'S GREAT NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LACK ACCESS TO FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON HEADED UP TO STILLWATER THIS WEEK TO CHECK IT OUT, AND SHE JOINS US NOW.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, ACCORDING TO HUNGER FREE OK, OKLAHOMA IS 1 OF 5 STATES THAT HAS A FOOD INSECURITY RATE HIGHER THAN 14.5%.

THE OSU STUDENT FARM IS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WHILE ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY.

>> WEST OF CAMPUS IS THE OSU STUDENT FARM.

IN 2023, STUDENTS PRODUCED MORE THAN -- POUNDS OF FOOD FOR THE COUNTY.

>> IT BASICALLY GOT STARTED AS A -- TO FILL THE NEED FOR FRESH PRODUCE FOR OUR DAILY BREAD.

FOR THE RESOURCE CENTER.

WHAT THEY LACK IS FRESH PRODUCE.

THEY HAVE DRIED GOODS, CANNED GOODS, BUT NOT FRESH PRODUCE.

>> FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THEY'RE COLLABORATORING WITH THE OUR DAILY BREAD.

AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS THEIR SMALL CORNER OF LAND COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE HEAD OF THE -- AT OSU AND HE'S BEEN SINCE WE OPENED A FRIEND AT OUR COMMUNITY GARDEN.

WE HAVE A QUARTER ACRE THAT WE WANT OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY ALL THE TIME.

ANYONE FROM THE COMMUNITY CAN COME AND HELP THEMSELVES.

AND WE LOVE THAT OPEN CULTURE, BUT HE WAS TALKING TO ME AFTER I STARTED WHETHER OR NOT WE HAD ENOUGH PRODUCE TO OFFER OUR GUESTS.

>> THE NONPROFIT WOULD OFTEN RUN OUT OF PRODUCES.

>> WE HAVE TO LIMIT ONE BAG PER HOUSEHOLD.

THAT BREAKS MY HEART, I'M A DIETITIAN, AND I WANT PEOPLE TO EAT NUTRITIOUS DIETS.

JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD YOUR OWN GROCERIES, DOESN'T MEAN YOU CAN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

>> A PLAN TO GIVE THE STUDENTS FARM EXPERIENCE WHILE MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE USUALLY HARVESTING IN THE FIELD THERE.

WE'RE STARTING WITH THE SUMMER CROP.

A LOT OF THAT HAS THE FOCUS.

BUT ON THE DAYS NOT HARVESTING, TO KEEP IT PRETTY -- >> THIS FORM LAND STARTED AT 2 AND A HALF ACRES, BUT SINCE THEN, IT'S EXPANDED.

AND THEY CAN PRODUCE MORE VEGETATION FOR THE COUNTY.

>> YOU CAN FIND EVERYTHING, COOL SEASON, AND WARM SEASON.

THE COOL SEASON ARE THE CAULIFLOWER, CABBAGE, WE GROW A LOT OF THAT IN SEPTEMBER TO -- WE FINISHED UP THE COOL SEASON FOR THE YEAR.

FOR THE SPRING, I GUESS.

JUST THIS PAST WEEK.

AND THE WARM SEASON, ALL THE GARDEN FAVORITES.

TOMATOES, OKRA -- >> IT'S BEEN A JOY WATCHING IS THIS HANDS ON EXPERIENCE.

>> THE STUDENTS WHO WORK HERE, CAN COME IN AND LEARN HOW TO START A SMALL FARM FROM THE BEGINNING, FROM SEED UP TO HARVEST.

WHAT IT TAKES, THE EQUIPMENT AND THE LABOR THAT GOES INTO IT.

AND HOW TO GROW THE PRODUCE.

>> FOR STUDENT SAM, JOINING THE GOOD CAUSE WAS A NO BRAINER.

>> THE VEGETABLES, AND I HAD EXPERIENCE IN THIS ALREADY.

AND THE IMPACT THEY COULD HAVE -- AND I STUDIED, AND THIS IS A PERFECT CROSSING OF PEOPLE AND PLANTS.

>> ENJOYED HELPING THE COMMUNITY.

>> JUST PUTTING UP THE FENCE, MAKING THIS A USABLE SPACE.

IT'S EXCITING.

AND TO SEE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THE FOOD THEY CAN MAKE.

>> FOR THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, THEY'VE MADE SURE FAMILIES IN THE AREA HAVE FOOD ON THEIR TABLES.

>> DEFINITIVELY A LABOR OF LOVE FOR THE WHOLE COUNTY.

WE NEED THIS.

AND WORKING REALLY HARD AND -- >> THE ORGANIZATION SERVES ABOUT 1200 HOUSEHOLDS A MONTH.

>> THAT REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 3,000 INDIVIDUALS.

AND WE GO OUT IN THE COMMUNITIES EVERY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET TO US, AND WE HAVE SATELLITE SITES.

IT'S FOR STUDENTS THAT NEED FOOD IN THEIR HOMES, BUT NOT ABLE TO ACCESS.

BECAUSE OF TRANSPORTATION OR TIME.

>> THANKS TO THE OSU STUDENT FARM, OUR DAILY BREAD HAS HAD MORE THAN ENOUGH FOR FOOD FOR THE COMMUNITIES.

>> AND -- EVEN IF YOU HAVE SNAP DOLLARS TO SPEND -- >> ALONG WITH THE FRESH PRODUCE "OUR DAILY BREAD" ALSO PROVIDES INFO CARDS WITH RECIPES AND TIPS TO PREPARE THE PRODUCE THAT IS AVAILABLE RICH?

>>> THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD'S ANNUAL "STARBASE" SUMMER CAMP IS UNDERWAY.

DESCRIBED AS A "HANDS ON, MINDS ON" PROGRAM TO GET KIDS MOTIVATED TO EXPLORE SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATH- OR "STEM".

ANDREW HARTSHORN WAS ON HAND AT THE "WILL ROGERS AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE" IN OKLAHOMA CITY-- TO CHECK IT OUT.

>> WE DO THE PRINTING, WE DO EXPERIMENTS.

>> AS FAR AS THE CORE -- THE STUDENTS OF STEM.

SO THEY STARTED THIS PROGRAM FOR BASICALLY TITLE ONE KIDS.

AND THE FIFTH GRADE CLASSROOM, AND WE TEACH THEM STEM.

>> LAST YEAR WE DID THIS TWO LITER BOTTLE, WHERE IT SHOT UP REALLY FAR.

THAT WAS -- >> DURING THE SUMMER CAMP WE LIKE TO DO ACTIVITIES LIKE THE CO 2, AND -- ROCKETS, AND DIFFERENT ENGINEERING PROJECTS.

ROBOTICS, PROGRAMMING.

>> WE DO LONG MECHANICS, AND SOMETIMES WE DISSECT -- AND STUDY THEM.

>> STEM IS ANYTHING, EVERYTHING, BASED ON SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, DESIGN AND -- EVERYTHING.

WE TRY TO INTRODUCE THE KIDS THROUGH STEM, THE TECHNOLOGY, MATH, AND ENGINEERING.

>> THIS ALSO GIVES THE STUDENTS EXPOSURE TO MILITARY CAREERS THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE CAN BRING IN THE AIR E VAC TEAM, AND DO PRESENTATIONS HERE AT THE SITE.

FIRE TRUCKS CAN COME IN.

THE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO OBSERVE STEM PROGRAMS AND CAREERS THROUGH OUR MILITARY -- >> WE JUST KIND OF DO CHALLENGES, WHERE WE MAKE KIND OF A ROCKET, MAKE -- AND THEN MAKE IT, AND SHOOT IT DOWN.

>> IT'S A DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PROGRAM.

THE DOD FUNDS THE PROGRAM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE 80 DIFFERENT STAR BASES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE FOUR HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THOSE ARE -- AND WE'RE PARTNERED UP WITH THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE MILITARY BASES.

>> IT'S REALLY COOL TO SHOW THE KIDS THE DIFFERENT AREAS IN THE MILITARY.

THEY HAVE THAT THEY COULD USE AS A CAREER.

AND ON THE FIFTH DAY GRADUATING, OR EVEN -- WHEN THEY'RE OUT HERE, WE HAVE A MILITARY PERSON COME OVER.

WE HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COME OVER AND TALK ABOUT HOW STEM IS INVOLVED IN THEIR JOB.

WE HAVE THE AIR EVACUATION TEAM, AND WE HAVE GONE ON A TRAINING PLANE AND SHOWN THE KIDS HOW STEM IS INVOLVED.

>> OUR END GOAL IS TO INSPIRE THE STUDENTS TO APPRECIATE STEM.

IT CAN BE FOUND IN EVERY CAREER CHOICE THEY CAN THINK OF BUT THE HIGHER END, IF IT INSPIRES THEM TO DO SOMETHING THAT'LL MAKE THEM MORE SUCCESSFUL IN LIFE PROVIDING A BETTER OPPORTUNITY FOR JOBS, CAREERS, AND BETTER PAY.

>>> IN OKLAHOMA CITY, INTEGRIS IS JUSTIFIABLY PROUD OF IT'S NEW 200,000 SQUARE FOOT HEART HOSPITAL.

LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE "BAPTIST MEDICAL CENTER", THE NEW FACILITY INCLUDES 64 I.C.U.

BEDS IN ADDITION TO FIVE STATE-OF-THE-ART OPERATING ROOMS.

THE HEART HOSPITAL'S PRESIDENT SAYS THEIR GOAL IS TO HELP OKLAHOMA BECOME "35 BY 35".

MEANING, THE 35TH HEALTHIEST STATE BY THE YEAR 2035.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY LONG JOURNEY FOR US.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE REALLY STARTED TO THINK ABOUT MORE THAN TWO DECADES AGO, QUITE HONESTLY, AND REALLY CAME TO FRUITION OVER THE COURSE OF THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE REGIONAL LEADER IN ADVANCED CARDIAC CARE.

ONLY PLACE IN THE REGION BETWEEN KANSAS CITY AND DALLAS THAT PROVIDES HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION.

OBVIOUSLY, IT'S GONNA CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THAT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, REALLY ALLOW US TO EXPAND.

AGAIN, NOT JUST FOR THE PATIENTS HERE IN OUR STATE, BUT REALLY EVEN IN THE REGION.

>> CONSTRUCTION ON THE $200 MILLION HOSPITAL BEGAN ROUGHLY 18 MONTHS AGO.

>>> WHILE MOST OF THE COUNTRY IS GETTING A BIT OF A BREAK AT THE GAS PUMP-- PRICES IN OKLAHOMA TICKED UP A BIT FROM LAST WEEK, THOUGH THEY STILL REMAIN AMONG SOME OF THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY.

JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW".

>> OVER THE PAST WEEK.THE NATIONAL AVERAGE GASOLINE PRICE HAS DROPPED NEARLY THREE CENTS TO $3.46 A GALLON, BUT IN OKLAHOMA.GAS PRICES HAVE GONE UP BY A PENNY TO $3.01 A GALLON.

DESPITE THAT, TRIPLE A SAYS OKLAHOMA MOTORISTS STILL GET SOME OF THE LEAST EXPENSIVE FUEL IN THE COUNTRY.ONLY MISSISSIPPI AND ARKANSAS HAVE CHEAPER GAS.

THE REASON FOR THE FAIRLY STEADY PRICES AT THE PUMP IS DUE TO DEMAND FOR GASOLINE BEING LESS THAN EXPECTED AND A GROWING SUPPLY OF CRUDE OIL IN STORAGE.

OKLAHOMA CITY HOMES ARE NOT SELLING AS QUICKLY AS THEY DID LAST YEAR.CREATING A BALANCE BETWEEN BUYERS AND SELLERS.

ACCORDING TO ZILLOW'S REAL ESTATE MARKET REPORT FOR LAST MONTH, OKLAHOMA CITY SAW A 23% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOMES ON THE MARKET.

MORE THAN 27% OF LISTED HOMES HAD THEIR LISTING PRICE DROPPED AND THE NUMBER OF NEW LISTINGS HAS INCREASED BY 12.6%.

ZILLOW SAYS HOME VALUES IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAVE INCREASED BY 2.4% OVER LAST YEAR.WITH THE AVERAGE HOME NOW COSTING $235,307.KEEPING OKLAHOMA CITY AS ONE OF THE LEAST EXPENSIVE TOP 50 MARKETS IN THE U.S. >>> THE U.S. AIR FORCE HAS AWARDED AN $82 MILLION CONTRACT TO HOUSTON BASED KBR TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE B-52 BOMBER FLEET AT TINKER AIR FORCE BASE.

KBR WILL ADDRESS RELIABILITY, SUSTAINABILITY, DIMINISHING SOURCES, AND CYBERSECURITY FOR THE B-52 PROGRAM.

THE CONTACT IS EXPECTED TO LAST OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

TINKER IS THE LARGEST MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, AND OVERHAUL FACILITY FOR THE AIR FORCE.

IN ITS ANNUAL SUSTAINABILITY REPORT, OKLAHOMA CITY BASED CHESAPEAKE ENERGY CLAIMS IT HAS REACHED ITS 2025 CLIMATE TARGETS AS IT ATTEMPTS TO MAKE IT TO NET ZERO FOR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

CHESAPEAKE HIT THAT GOAL BY THE END OF 2023.

SINCE 2020, THE NATURAL GAS PRODUCER HAS REDUCED ITS METHANE EMISSIONS INTENSITY BY MORE THAN 80%.

THE COMPANY ALSO JOINED THE OIL AND GAS METHANE PARTNERSHIP 2.0 TO IMPROVE THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCURACY OF ITS METHANE EMISSIONS REPORTING.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> EVERYONE AGREES THAT OKLAHOMA COUNTY NEEDS A NEW JAIL TO REPLACE THE PROBLEM-PLAGUED "HIGH RISE" IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY- BUT, ALMOST NO ONE SEEMS TO AGREE ON WHERE IT SHOULD BE BUILT.

THE COUNTY'S PREFERRED LOCATION NEAR TROSPER PARK AND DEL CITY-- HAS ALREADY BEEN REJECTED.

SO, WHAT IS "PLAN B"?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD.

CASSIDY?

>> THE DECISION ON WHERE TO PUT THE JAIL IS A CONTENTION, ONE.

THE COMMISSIONERS DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD BY PURCHASING THE PROPERTY ON EAST GRAND BOULEVARD.

HERE'S MILES DAVIDSON, JOINING US FROM WASHINGTON, DC.

AND OKLAHOMA BOARD COUNCILWOMAN -- THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US ON IN-DEPTH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> VOTED TO BUY THE LAND, TELLING US WHAT HAPPENED IN THE MEETING ON MONDAY.

>> YEAH, THE TWO COMMISSIONERS DECIDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY VOTED TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY IT CLOSED ON MONDAY.

AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SECURING THE HEALTH CENTER AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY, THE 46 MILLION THAT WE HAVE SET ASIDE, DOES NOT GET LOST.

>> AND WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE COMMISSIONER'S DECISION?

>> I THINK OVERALL, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT WE AREN'T LOOKING AT THE CURRENT LOCATION AND THE CURRENT SITE WHERE THE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER SITS.

FOR US TO NOW HAVE A MORE VULNERABLE PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT'S AT STAKE FOR THIS POTENTIAL SITE IS DISAPPOINTING.

AND I THINK WE ALL WOULD HAVE HOPED FOR THE COMMISSIONERS TO LOOK AT AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH THEY SAID THEY HAVE, BUT REALLY DIVE DEEP INTO HOW WE CAN MAINTAIN THE CURRENT LOCATION AND EXPAND WHERE IT SITS BECAUSE OF THE SERVICES AND RESOURCES THAT ARE AROUND THERE.

>> AND COMMISSIONER, LET'S TALK MORE OF THE EAST GRAND BOULEVARD LOCATION.

>> WE PLAN ON DOING ALL OF IT THERE.

THE JAIL AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.

THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE LOOKED AT THAT INDIVIDUAL SITE, THE CURRENT SITE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

THEY STARTED THIS IN 2007, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS SITE THAT WE CHOSE ULTIMATELY TO GO TO.

IT WAS ORIGINALLY AN APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT IT WAS TORN DOWN.

PROPERTY WAS BOUGHT BY MCCLENDEN.

IN 2007, A DEAL TO MOVE THE JAIL AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE CENTER TO THAT LOCATION.

THIS IS AGAIN, 20 YEARS OF EXAMINATION OF THIS INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY.

20 YEARS OF DETERMINING THAT WE CAN'T CONTINUE TO OPERATE AT THE CURRENT SITE.

WE CAN'T NOT MEET THE STANDARDS FOR HUMANE TREATMENT OF THE INDIVIDUALS.

I THINK THE COUNCILMAN WOULD AGREE, THING WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE MOST IS THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF THE INDIVIDUALS INSIDE.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER, THESE PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN TO TRIAL YET.

THEY HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED.

WE ARE TO PRESUME THEM AS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY BY THE COURT OF LAW.

THE DOJ WILL NOT TICK OFF ON THAT SITE.

WE CANNOT REMAIN AT THAT SITE.

FOR US TO EXPAND AT THAT SITE, WOULD BE A HERCULEAN EFFORT.

ENORMOUS COST TO THE TAXPAYERS OR THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY, THE AMOUNT OF STREETS THAT WOULD ALL BE CLOSED IN ORDER FOR US TO OPERATE ON THAT SITE.

AGAIN, THIS IS A 20 YEAR PROCESS BY THE COMMISSIONERS BEFORE ME.

COUNTS WITH BEFORE ME, IT'S BEEN A LONG PROCESS.

>> AND SHE MADE A GREAT POINT EARLIER, WHAT ABOUT THE SERVICES IF THE JAIL IS MOVED TO EAST GRAND BOULEVARD, THERE'S NO COURTHOUSE.

WHAT ABOUT THE SERVICES?

>> THAT'S THE GREAT PART AND SOMETHING I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO.

SHOWING THE COUNCILMAN AND OTHERS, ALL THE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE TALK ABOUT, THEY HAVE TO GO TO THOSE INDIVIDUAL PLACES.

AND SEEK THAT INDIVIDUAL HELP.

IN THE NEW FACILITY, THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES WILL ACTUALLY BE INSIDE AND GOING THROUGH THE SERVICES BEFORE THEY'RE EVER RELEASED.

IT'S GOING TO BE A STATE OF THE ART FACILITY.

A MUCH BETTER FACILITY, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE SERVICES.

AND TO SAY THAT COMING THE CLOSEST SERVICE FOR ANYTHING THAT'S CLOSE TO THE JAIL IS OVER A MILE AWAY.

AND IT'S PROBABLY DEEMED A -- ROUGHLY 17, 18, SOMEWHERE IN THERE.

IT'S QUITE A WAYS AWAY.

>> EVEN THE COURTHOUSE, ISN'T IT DOWN THE STREET?

>> THE NEW JAIL WILL HAVE COURTROOMS INSIDE OF IT.

WHERE THE COURTS ACTUALLY TAKE PLACE ON SITE.

ELIMINATING THE BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR THAT WE CURRENTLY PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION COSTS ALONE FOR THE INDIVIDUALS.

WE ALL TALK ABOUT THE SECURITY RISKS TO PUT THEM ON A BUS AND TRANSFER THEM HALF A MILE DOWN THE ROAD TO THE COURTS.

THAT'S A HUGE SECURITY RISK.

SO THE NEW FACILITY WILL HAVE THE COURTROOMS INSIDE.

THEY'LL NEVER LEAVE SECURE FACILITY.

THEY'LL ACTUALLY BE INSIDE.

THEY'LL GO FROM THE CELL TO THE COURTROOM.

IT'LL BE A MUCH BETTER MORE SECURE FACILITY.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS IN THIS?

>> HAVING BEEN THE COUNCILWOMAN AND NOT THE COUNCILMAN, IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THAT PLANS CHANGE.

SO EVEN IF THIS WAS MADE 20 YEARS IN ADVANCE, THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE ALL KNOW PLANS HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.

THERE HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT COMMISSIONERS, DIFFERENT COUNCILMAN PEOPLE, COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER SITES.

LOOKED AT OTHER WAYS.

THERE'S DIFFERENT MAYORS AND ALL DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH DIFFERENT EYESIGHTS ON AREA THAT COULD BE MORE COMPARABLE.

THE WAY THE COMMUNITY THAT'LL BE IN THIS PLACE, INCARCERATED IN THIS PLACE OR HELD IN THIS INSTITUTION, THERE ARE WAYS THAT WE COULD HAVE LOOKED AT THIS DONE DIFFERENT.

I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO ALSO UNDERSTAND THE FACT, WE HAVE A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER THAT CAN BE PUT IN THE FACILITY, IT'S NOT A BEHAVIORAL PULSE CENTER THAT ONE CAN ADMIT THEMSELVES.

THEY HAVE TO BE ARRESTED OR DETAINED OR IN SOME TYPE OF -- AS FAR AS INTERACTION WITH THE POLICE IN ORDER FOR THEM TO HAVE THAT BENEFIT.

BEING A PART OF THIS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.

THOSE ARE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FOREFRONT OF HOW IT'LL WORK.

AND IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THE LOCATION.

IT WAS ALSO A PLACE OF LOW INCOME ISSUES.

THAT WAS A PART OF THE COMMUNITY THAT WAS DISPLACED, NO LONGER ABLE TO LIVE IN THAT LOCATION.

THE NAMES I HEARD OF THE PURCHASERS AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED, UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE NO LONGER HERE.

AGAIN, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE, PLANS CAN PIVOT, AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE MAKE THOSE DECISIONS AND THE FACT THAT WE TALK ABOUT, USING THE DOJ, NO PROBLEM.

BUT FOR ME AND SOME OF THE OTHERS THAT I KNOW AND TALKED TO ABOUT THIS, MORE TRANSPARENT PROCESS OF UNDERSTANDING HOW THE DOJ HAS BEEN INVOLVED AND SAYING THAT IF THESE THINGS DON'T TAKE PLACE, HERE ARE THE CONSEQUENCES.

HERE IS WHAT WE'LL DO IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ADHERE TO WHAT WE'VE ASKED YOU.

AND THEY HAPPEN, I BELIEVE PEOPLE -- THEN, I BELIEVE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE ACCEPTING OF THE PLACE.

I THINK IF WE'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, THESE ARE WAYS TO BE A BETTER OPTION AND OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND THOSE DETAINED IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I DO BELIEVE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE CONVERSATIONS OF HOW WE TRULY LOOK AT WHAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM LOOKS LIKE FOR THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> THAT'S A FAIR POINT, HOW ARE COMMISSIONERS, YOU AND YOUR TEAM WORKED TOGETHER TO HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT TRANSPARENCY IN THIS PROCESS.

>> YEAH, THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST TRANSPARENT PROCESS, IN THE HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

EVERYTHING IS DONE IN PUBLIC.

WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS DISCUSS THIS.

WE HAVE DISCUSSED IT IN PUBLIC.

THE VOTE CAN ONLY HAPPEN IN PUBLIC.

THE DECISION HAS TO BE MADE PUBLICLY IN A MEETING.

AND THE DOJ, TOO, THE COUNCILMANWOMAN'S POINT, IS COVERED QUITE WELL IN THE PRESS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN RECEIVERSHIP FOR THE COUNTY.

WE SERVE THE ENTIRE 900,000 PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

OKLAHOMA CITY IS A 65% PARTNER WITH US.

THAT'S WHO PUTS THE MOST INDIVIDUALS INSIDE OF THE JAIL.

ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, THE BEHAVIORAL CENTER IS JUSTICE INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS WITH THE PARTNERSHIP OF OKLAHOMA CITY, MAKING AN ADVANCEMENT TO INCREASE THE CRISIS CENTERS, IT'LL BE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE TWO.

AND WE'LL DO GREAT THINGS WITH THAT.

THAT'S ALL TO COME WITH THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY, BUT WE HAVE HAD THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.

AND THOSE INVOLVED INSTEAD OF LOCKING THEM UP AND PUTTING THEM IN A CELL.

THAT CLEARLY DOESN'T WORK.

THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE CELL.

IT'LL BE AT THE LOCATION.

SO WE'VE TAKEN ALL OF THE THINGS INTO CONSIDERATION, THIS ISN'T A -- ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TAKEN LIGHTLY.

THE DECISION TO BUILD WHERE WE'RE BUILDING, THE PRODUCT WE'RE PRODUCING, MYSELF AND I BELIEVE -- HAVE STUDIED AND LOOKED AT OTHER JAILS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

VISITED OTHER JAILS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE'VE LEARNED THE BEST PRACTICES, AND WE'VE BROUGHT THEM BACK TO OKLAHOMA.

WE'LL BUILD A FACILITY THAT'S STATE OF THE ART.

>> I'M SORRY, LET ME STOP YOU THERE.

I WANT A BIT OF CLARIFICATION ON THE NEW JAIL -- THREE WEEKS AGO, THE COUNCIL MEMBERS DENIED -- HOW ARE THEY ABLE TO SURPASS THAT DECISION?

>> SOVEREIGNTY.

IN NINTH GRADE, WE LEARNED IT'S FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY AND DIZZY.

EVEN A FEW HAVE SAID, YOU DON'T REALLY, YOU DON'T NEED OUR APPROVAL FOR THIS SITE AND WE WOULD RATHER NOT VOTE ON IT.

WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO VOTE ON IT.

THE STATE STATUTES SUGGEST WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

WE'LL -- WE'RE SEEKING A JUDGEMENT IN DISTRICT COURT.

AND PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS TYPICALLY GO OUT.

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE TOPIC.

>> IT'S A WASTE OF TIME TO GO THROUGH CITY COUNCIL, IF THIS WAS A DECISION ALREADY TO BE MADE.

I DO SAY, YES, WE UNDERSTAND THAT CIVIC LESSON WHICH IS WHY WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND AS A CITY WHY WE NEED TO MAKE THIS DECISION WHEN IT WAS ALREADY BEING MADE.

AND 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING, WHY WERE WE EVEN PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING THE WAYS IT'S PLAYED OUT TO THE PUBLIC.

WHICH AGAIN, TALKS ABOUT THE TRANSPARENCY ACT OF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

AND THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITIES ARE AT STAKE.

AND ALSO, THE FACT THAT MANY PEOPLE TOOK TIME TO SHOW UP AT THE NUMEROUS COMMISSIONER MEETINGS BECAUSE OF THE DIFFERENT PLACES THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR THE POTENTIAL LOCATIONS.

MYSELF AND FOLKS THAT BARELY KNEW WHEN THE MEETINGS WERE.

NORMALLY A SET DAYS THEY MEET AND PEOPLE HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO THE COMMISSIONER MEETINGS BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS ON THE AGENDA.

I WOULD PUSH BACK ON HOW THIS WAS TRANSPARENT IN THOSE -- TO THE PUBLIC.

AND AGAIN, YES, THE DOJ WE UNDERSTAND THOSE THINGS.

WHEN YOU PUT IT TO THE FOREFRONT, WE ALL KNOW, YES, DOJ.

BUT TO UNDERSTAND HOW VERY INSTANTLY INVOLVED THEY HAVE TO BE IN THIS PROCESS, I BELIEVE A LOT OF FOLKS ARE UNAWARE OF HOW THAT WOULD WORK.

AND I REALLY THINK IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ALL OF THE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS, EXCEPT THE MAYOR VOTED.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU.

>>> LAST WEEK, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT EFFORTS TO SHORE UP THE LEVEES ALONG THE ARKANSAS RIVER TO AVOID FUTURE CATASTROPHIC FLOODING EVENTS IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

IN VERMONT, THEY'RE USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO TRY AND BETTER PREDICT WHICH AREAS WILL FLOOD AFTER TORRENTIAL RAINS.

SO, LETS' HEAD TO THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE TO LEARN MORE IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "THE NATIONAL VIEW".

>> IN 2011, TROPICAL STORM IRENE INUNDATED HOMES AND FARMLAND.

SEVEN PEOPLE DIED.

IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, ANOTHER HISTORIC FLOOD SWEP THROUGH THE GREEN MOUNTAIN STATE.

>> IT'S DEVASTATING, IT'S NOT A TYPICAL YEAR.

>> RAINFALL IS MORE INTENSE.

AND THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING.

>> THE 2023 FLOODING CAUSED MORE THAN A BILLION DOLLARS OF DAMAGE TO VERMONT.

HOW CAN WE PROTECT THE COMMUNITY?

ONE WAY IS WITH FLOODPLAIN MAPS.

THEY HELP US TO IDENTIFY THE HAZARDOUS AREAS.

A LOT ARE MADE BY FEMA.

IF YOU HAVE TO HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE FOR YOUR HOME IT MIGHT BE BECAUSE OF ONE OF THESE MAPS THAT SAYS YOU'RE AT RISK.

BUT MANY OF THE MAPS ARE BASED ON THE OUT DATED DATA.

>> THE MODELS ARE LIMITED TO VERY DEVELOPED AREAS.

>> AND VERMONT IS VERY RURAL.

WE NEED BETTER MAPS.

WHAT GOES ON UPSTREAM AFFECTS HOW MUCH WATER WILL FLOW IN THE TOWNS AND CITIES.

>> OUR PRESENCE ON THE LAND FROM EARLY SETTLERS.

YOU CAN SEE THE RAIL LINE CUT OFF FROM THE RIVER.

>> IF WE IDENTIFY WHERE THE WATER FLOWED ON THE LANDSCAPE FROM THE PAST, THEN WE CAN TRAIN THE COMPUTER MODELS TO PREDICT WHERE IT GOES IN THE FUTURE FLOODS.

AND WE CAN RESTORE NATURAL FLOODPLAINS TO RETAIN MORE WATER.

>> THE WATER CAN HANG OUT THE FOR A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME.

THAT HAD AN IMPACT OF THE STREAM.

>> THEY'RE BUILDING THE MODELS.

FIRST THEY GO OUT TO FLOODPLAININGS AND COLLECT DATA.

>> THAT WATER LOOKS COLD.

>> THE TEAM ARE MONITORING AROUND 25 MUD PLAINS IN THE VALLEY.

THEY COLLECT A VARIETY OF MEASUREMENTS BEFORE AND AFTER FLOODS.

THE CLUES OF THE FLOODING, THE LANDSCAPE.

>> UP HERE?

>> THIS IS RAFTING, OR THE DEBRIS FROM THE CREEKS AND FLOOD.

AN INDICATOR OF HIGH WATER MARKS.

>> THAT'S AS TALL AS I AM.

>> EASY TO IDENTIFY THE MARKINGS OF WHERE THE WATER WAS.

>> THAT'S ALMOST UP TO THE ROAD.

>> AND SERPSS OUT -- SENSORS OUT.

>> INFORMS ON RAINFALL, SOIL MOISTURE.

>> IMAGINE THE WATER ABOVE OUR HEADS HERE.

>> WHAT ARE YOU HOLDING?

>> THEY USE SATELLITE DATA TO PINPOINT THE EXACT LOCATION OF THE HIGH WATER MARKS.

>> IT USES DOZENS AND DOZENS OF SATELLITES TO GET A PRECISE MEASUREMENT.

>> THE STUDENTS DEVELOPED A COMPUTATIONAL MODEL TO PREDICT WHERE THE -- ARE LIKELY TO FLOOD.

>> I'M HOPEFUL TO HARNESS THE DATA TO MAKE BETTER PREDICTIONS.

>> THEY USE THE MODELS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PUT A DAM OR THE NATURAL FLOODPLAINS TO BE RESTORED TO POPULATED AREAS.

THEY CAN PLAY AROUND WITH THE DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.

>> YOU CAN CHANGE THE STRUCTURE, HOW THE WATER MOVES OVER OR THROUGH THE STRUCTURE.

>> RIGHT NOW THE TEAM IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PROTECT THE -- BY RESTORING THE FLOOD PLAINS ON THE RIVER THAT FLOWS IN THE CITY.

>> THE FLOOD COMES, WE'LL [INAUDIBLE].

SO WE HAVE MADE A PROPOSAL TO A COUPLE IN THE RIVER TO TRAP THE MACHINE, AND UPPER WATER SHED, IF WE CAN RESTORE EVERY POSSIBLE -- IT WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH.

>> BEING IN THE BUSINESS OF PREDICTIONS IS TRICKY.

BUT THE AFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE INTENSIFIES, AND ADDING THE UNKNOWN TO OUR FUTURE.

BUT THE RESEARCHERS ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S AROUND THE CORNER.

>> BUT THE BEST WE CAN DO IN THIS TYPE OF WORK IS TO TAKE THE EVIDENCE WE HAVE, AND PUSH IT AS FAR AS WE CAN.

SO WE CAN READILY -- THAT INFORMATION CAN BE BACK IN THE HANDS OF THE PUBLIC.

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

THE NUMBER OF OKLAHOMA VETERANS SIGNING UP FOR HEALTHCARE THROUGH THE V.A.

IS SOARING.

STEVE SHAW TALKS TO ADMINISTRATORS AND VETERANS TO FIND OUT WHY THAT IS HAPPENING.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT RECENT SCREENING OF O.E.T.A.

'S “THE AMERICAN BUFFALO", AT THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM.

COURTESY OF BRANDON DOWNEY.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING "OETA.

O.N.R".

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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

ENJOY YOUR WEEK.