>> OKLAHOMA'S HIGH COURT ISSUES A RULING INVOLVING A PROPOSED PUBLICLY-FUNDED RELIGIOUS SCHOOL.

>> IT WAS IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION.

>> THE STATE LAW IS BASICALLY SAYING TO SAINT, GIVE UP YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> A YOUNG MAN THAT SAID HE WAS VIOLENTLY HAZED AT AN OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOL SPEAKS OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT'S LIKE YOU CAN SEE SHUTOUT DARKNESS AND AS A 15-YEAR-OLD KID, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

IT'S REALLY SCARY.

>> GENERAL AVIATION PILOTS DESCEND ON OKLAHOMA CITY FOR THEIR ANNUAL CONVENTION.

>> IS THE WEATHER RIGHT?

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

IF NONE OF THOSE ARE RIGHT, STAY ON THE GROUND.

>> A NEW LAW TO BOOST RETIREMENT PENSIONS FOR POLICE OFFICERS.

>> THE BIGGEST BENEFICIAIES ARE OFFICERS WHO ARE CLOSE TO RETIREMENT IN THE NEXT FOUR OR FIVE YEARS.

>> THOSE STORIES AND OKLAHOMA'S RANKING IN A SURVEY OF CHILD WELLBEING NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Rich: HELLO EVERYONE, WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M RICH LENZ.

>>> TWO BREAKING STORIES ON THE EDUCATION FRONT THIS WEEK.

ON TUESDAY, THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT ISSUED A RULING INVOLVING THE PROPOSED ST. ISIDORE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL AND ON THURSDAY, STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS ANNOUNCED A MANDATE TO PLACE BIBLES IN EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOM.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH REACTION TO BOTH DEVELOPMENTS.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, BY A 7-1 VOTE THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT RULED TUESDAY THAT THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD AND A RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

TWO DAYS LATER, SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WEIGHED IN ON THE DECISION AND THEN ANNOUNCED BIBLES BELONGED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS MADE SOME HORRENDOUS DECISIONS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE WORST.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WHO SERVES ON THE BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION DISAGREED STRONGLY WITH THE COURT'S DECISION AT THURSDAY'S MONTHLY STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING.

LAST JUNE ON A 3-2 VOTE, THE STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED A CONTRACT THAT WOULD CREATE THE FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE ATTORNEY FILED A LAWSUIT IN OCTOBER TO CONTEST THE CONTRACT.

A PLAINTIFF ON THE CASE MITCH RANDALL SAID HE WASN'T SURPRISED WHEN THE ARCHDIOCESE EXPRESSED PLANS FOR A RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL.

>> I WAS NOT SURPRISED.

I KNOW THERE WAS A CONCERTED EFFORT ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN AN ATTEMPT TO USE PUBLIC MONEY TO FUND PRIVATE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND WHAT I WAS HOPING WOULD HAPPEN WAS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, THAT THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT WOULD FIND IN FAVOR OF THE PLAINTIFFS, THAT IT WAS IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION.

>> LATER IN THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MEETING, WALTERS SAID BIBLES SHOULD BE A PART OF THE CURRICULUM IN SOCIAL STUDIES AND POSSIBLY LITERATURE CLASSES AS WELL.

>> WE'VE BEEN LOOKING AT OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC STANDARDS AND IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR TO US THAT IN OKLAHOMA ACADEMICS STANDARDS, UNDER TITLE 70, MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE BIBLE IS A NECESSARY HISTORICAL DOCUMENT TO TEACH OUR KIDS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY, TO HAVE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION, TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE BASIS OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE, OKLAHOMA LAW ALREADY PERMITS BIBLES IN THE CLASSROOM AND ALLOWS TEACHERS TO USE THEM IN INSTRUCTION.

AS FOR THE SUPREME COURT RULING, DRUMMOND WAS PLEASED.

THIS DECISION IS A TREMENDOUS VICTORY FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

THE FRAMERS OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION AND THOSE WHO DRAFTED OKLAHOMA'S CONSTITUTION CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD HOW BEST TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS BY PREVENTING THE STATE FROM SPONSORING ANY RELIGION AT ALL.

NOW OKLAHOMANS CAN BE ASSURED THAT OUR TAX DOLLARS WILL NOT FUND THE TEACHINGS OF SATANISM.

AS A MAN OF FAITH, RANDALL SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING RELIGION AND STATE SEPARATE.

>> OKLAHOMA HAS A DARK HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO MINGLING CHURCH AND STATE.

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER WAS A RESIDENT AT THE INDIAN AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

IT WAS RUN BY CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES AND IT WAS FUNDED WITH PUBLIC MONEY.

MY GREAT GRANDMOTHER AND SISTER APPEARED ON THE CAMPUS, THEY WERE STRIPPED OF THEIR INDIGENOUS IDENTITY.

THEY WERE VICTIMS OF WHAT WAS CALLED THE PRATT DOCTRINE, TO SAVE THE PERSON, YOU HAD TO KILL THE INDIAN.

THEREFORE, THEY WERE WHIPPED WHEN THEY SPOKE MUS CO SEE CREE, ALL OF THIS AT THE EXPENSE OF TAXPAYERS.

>> Reporter: HE THINKS THAT OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT GOT IT WRONG.

>> THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD A LAW THAT BASICALLY EXCLUDES ORGANIZATIONS FROM PARTICIPATING IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL PROGRAM, SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH.

WE DON'T THINK THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE 1ST AMENDMENT AND WE DON'T THINK IT'S GOOD FOR OKLAHOMANS.

>> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT'S RULING SAID THE CONTRACT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> IT'S THE FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE OF THE 1ST AMENDMENT AND THAT CLAUSE MEANS YOU CAN'T BE REQUIRED TO GIVE UP YOUR FAITH AS A CONDITION TO PARTICIPATING IN A PROGRAM.

IT'S OPEN TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS LIKE YOUR OWN.

SO HERE THE STATE LAW BASICALLY IS SAYING TO SAINT ISIDORE, GIVE UP YOUR CATHOLIC FAITH IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM.

THAT IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

>> Reporter: IT'S DISAPPOINTING THAT OKLAHOMA PARENTS HAVE ONE LESS RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONAL OPTION FOR THEIR CHILD.

>> THIS SCHOOL WAS NOTES AN ALL MANDATORY, IT WAS AN OPTION, ONE OF MANY.

IT'S THE EIGHTH STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL IN OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA HAS OVER 30 CHARTER SCHOOLS TOTAL.

SO THIS WAS JUST A GREAT OPTION THAT THE BOARD FELT SATISFIED ALL OF THE EDUCATIONAL CRITERIA.

SO THE SCHOOL SHOULDN'T BE TREATED DIFFERENTLY SIMPLY BECAUSE IT HAS A CATHOLIC FAITH.

THAT'S WHAT WE THINK THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT IS DIRECTING THE BOARD TO DO.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT RELEASED AFTER TUESDAY'S RULING, ARCHBISHOP PAUL COKELY SAID THEY'RE CONSIDERING THE NEXT STEPS.

TODAY'S RULINGS IS DISAPPOINTING FOR THE 100s OF PERSPECTIVE STUDENTS THAT DESIRE THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND PROMISE OF SAINT ISIDORE CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

WE WILL CONSIDER ALL LEGAL OPTIONS AND REMAIN STEADFAST IN OUR BELIEVE THAT SAINT ISIDORE WOULD BE A VALUABLE ASSET TO STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF SOCIOECONOMIC, RACE, OR BACKGROUND.

RANDALL WANTS OKLAHOMANS TO CONSIDER THE CONSEQUENCES OF OPENING A RELIGIOUS SCHOOL.

>> WHEN THE DOORS OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND THE COFFERS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA ARE OPEN TO ONE RELIGION, THEN THEY MUST BE OPEN TO ALL RELIGIONS.

>> WE'LL HAVE MORE REACTION TO THE SUPERINTENDENT'S BIBLE MANDATE, NEXT WEEK ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

RICH?

>> Rich: THEY TALE TAELYR, THANK YOU.

>>> CITING A LACK OF EVIDENCE, A KINGFISHER COUNTY COURT HAS CHOSEN NOT TO PURSUE CRIMNAL CHARGES AGAINST FORMER KINGFISHER HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, JEFF MYERS.

THE HALL OF FAME COACH WAS FACING ONE FELONY COUNT OF CHILD NEGLECT SURROUNDING ALLEGATIONS THAT HE DIDN'T PREVENT VIOLENT HAZING FROM OCCURRING IN THE SCHOOL'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

NOW, FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE YOUNG MAN WHO BROUGHT FORTH THOSE ALLEGATIONS, IS SPEAKING OUT.

STEVE SHAW COVERED THIS STORY FOR US WHEN IT FIRST BROKE TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND HE JOINS US NOW WITH AN UPDATE.

STEVE?

>> RICH, ABOUT THE SAME TIME THAT KINGFISHER JUDGE RULED IN JEFF MYERS' FAVOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTED TO SUSPEND THE TEACHING LICENSE OF THE FORMER KINGFISHER FOOTBALL COACH.

A REVOCATION HEARING WILL FOLLOW.

THE YOUNG MAN WHO BROUGHT ALL OF THIS TO LIGHT.

SAYS IT NEEDED TO COME TO THIS.

>> WHAT IS UP WITH THIS?

IT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT IS NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY ENOUGH.

>> MASON IS NOW 21 YEARS OLD.

THIS FALL, HE WILL BE A SENIOR AT OKLAHOMA STATE.

SEVEN YEARS AGO, MASON WAS A FRESHMAN ON A KING FISHERY YELLOW JACKETS FOOTBALL TEAM.

>> MASON WAS A FOOTBALL DREAMER.

I MEAN HE LOVED THE GAME OF FOOTBALL, HAD A PASSION FOR THE GAME, AND WE WERE REALLY EXCITED FOR MASON TO GET UP TO PLAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

>> Reporter: THAT EXCITEMENT FOR MASON QUICKLY TURNED INTO SOMETHING ELSE.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS, REALLY THOUGHT -- AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AN INITIATION HAZING OR SOMETHING BUT AFTER IT WENT ON FOR TWO YEARS, I REALIZED THIS IS THE REAL DEAL.

IT'S A REALLY SAD ISSUE.

>> WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO TELL YOUR HEAD COACH WHAT WAS GOING ON AND HIM TELLING YOU TO SHUT UP.

>> IT WAS PRETTY MUCH LIKE A SLAP IN THE FACE WHEN THE ADMINISTRATORS AND THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE CARE OF YOU AND LOOK AFTER YOU TURN THEIR BACK ON YOU AND YOU CAN GET NO SUPPORT FROM THEM.

IT'S LIKE YOU ARE GETTING A SHUTOUT DARKNESS.

AS A 14 OR 15-YEAR-OLD KID, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

IT'S SCARY.

>> Reporter: LAST NOVEMBER, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREED TO PAY 5 # $5 MILLION TO THE MECKLENBURG FAMILY.

THAT STRIPPED MYERS OF HIS HEAD COACHING DUTIES BUT HE WAS STILL ALLOWED TO TEACH.

UNTIL HE WAS FORCED TO RESIGN AS COACH, HE WAS EASILY THE SCHOOL'S WINNINGEST FOOTBALL COACH.

THEY WON A STATE TITLE IN 2014.

FOUR YEARS AGO, MYERS WAS INDUCTED INTO THE OKLAHOMA COACHES HALL OF FAME.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF FALSE CLAIMS THAT SAY WE DID THIS FOR THE MONEY.

THAT'S ABSURD.

I WOULD NOT PUT MY CHILD OR FAMILY THROUGH THIS FOR ANY AMOUNT OF MONEY.

IN TRUTH, WHEN WE WENT TO KINGFISHER INITIALLY, WE NEVER ASKED FOR A DIME.

ALL WE ASKED FOR WAS AN INVESTIGATION AND FOR MYERS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND WE WERE REPEATEDLY IGNORED.

>> Reporter: HIS FATHER PLAYED BASKETBALL AT OKLAHOMA STATE.

HIS DAD WAS ALSO A MUNICIPAL JUDGE IN KINGFISHER FOR 38 YEARS.

THE MECKLENBURGS FILED A FEDERAL CIVIL LAWSUIT AGAINST JEFF MYERS, HIS ASSISTANT COACHES, AND THE KINGFISHER SCHOOL DISTRICT IN JULY OF 2021.

THE KINGFISHER SCHOOL BOARD TURNED DOWN A $1.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT OFFER SIX MONTHS LATER.

JUSTIN MECKLENBURG SAYS JEFF MYERS AS A COACH WAS A BULLY.

>> WE KNEW THAT SOMETHING WAS OFF.

WE KNEW THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG.

>> Reporter: TOWARDS THE END OF MASON'S SOPHOMORE YEAR, JUSTIN SAID MASON CAME HOME WITH THESE BRUISES ALL OVER HIS BACK.

>> I CONFRONTED MASON ABOUT IT THAT NIGHT AND HE LITERALLY BEGGED ME NOT TO SAY ANYTHING.

HE WAS SCARED TO DEATH.

WHAT I DID NOT KNOW AT THAT TIME WAS THAT ONE OF THE SENIOR CAPTAIN FOOTBALL PLAYERS HAD ISSUED IN A GROUP CHAT TO ALL THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS, HAD ISSUED A DEATH THREAT TOWARDS MASON'S MOTHER IF HE SPOKE.

HE LITERALLY SAID, I AM GOING TO BEAT THE -- OUT OF YOU.

>> WE RAN THAT IN OUR STORY.

>> YES, SIR, IF YOU TELL YOUR MOM, I'LL GO KILL HER.

>> Reporter: THE MECKLENBURGS SAID THE WORST OFFENDERS WERE THE SONS OF ADMINISTRATORS, TEACHERS, OR COACHES AT THE SCHOOL.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE ARE MULTIPLE OBJECTS LIKE PAINT BALL GUNS, TASERS, JUST ANYTHING THAT THEY COULD GET A HOLD OF AND NONE OF IT WAS CONFISCATED.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET TOO MUCH IN THIS BUT WERE YOU PHYSICALLY HELD DOWN IN THE SHOWER AND A GUY PUT HIS BUTT OVER YOUR FACE?

>> YES, MINE WAS NOT IN THE SHOWER.

MINE IS WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER AND I WAS TACKLED OUTSIDE.

YES, SIR, I WAS ONE OF THOSE.

THERE WERE MULTIPLE TOO.

>> THAT'S ASSAULT.

THAT'S NOT HAZING, THAT'S ASSAULT.

>> YES, SIR.

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUIT ALSO ALLEGED WHEN MASON WENT TO COACH MYERS ABOUT THE ALLEGED ABUSE, MYERS TOLD HIM TO "SHUT UP".

SINCE LAST WEDNESDAY, I'VE REACHED OUT TWICE TO COACH MYER'S ATTORNEY JOE WHITE WHO WORKS IN THIS OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE TO GET A RESPONSE.

AN OFFICE ASSISTANT TOLD ME BOTH TIME THAT SHE WOULD RELAY THE MESSAGE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD BACK.

COURT DOCUMENTS ALLEGED OTHER INSTANCES OF ABUSE.

>> IS IT TRUE THAT SOME OF THE UPPERCLASSMEN BULLIES WOULD PUT FROZEN URINE ON THE INSIDE OF YOUNGER PLAYERS HELMETS.

TELL ME ON WHAT PLANET AND GALAXY THAT IS OKAY.

>> NO PLANET OR GALAXY EXCEPT FOR HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN SAID HE WAITED UNTIL MASON'S JUNIOR YEAR TO CONFRONT JEFF MYERS.

>> WE WONDERED A THOUSAND TIMES OVER AND WE DON'T HAVE A GOOD EXPLANATION.

I HAVE LOOKED JEFF MYERS IN THE EYES AND SAID DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ME?

IS THIS WHY YOU'RE TAKING THIS OUT ON MY KID?

IF YOU DO, MAN UP AND TELL ME.

HE SAID NO, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOU.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOU.

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW, THEY CIRCLE THE WAGONS AND EVEN TO THIS DAY, AFTER THE WHOLE SUIT AND EVERYTHING, HE REMAINS ON STAFF THERE, WHICH IS INSANE TO ME.

>> Reporter: AND AGAIN, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION YESTERDAY SUSPENDED MYERS' TEACHING LICENSE.

ACCORDING TO HIS ATTORNEY JOE WHITE'S ASSISTANT.

WHITE WAS ON VACATION LAST WEEK.

THE ASSISTANT TOLD ME YESTERDAY HE'D ALSO BEEN BUSY PREPARING FOR MYERS' PRELIMINARY COURT HEARING THAT ENDED FAVORABLY FOR MYERS ON THURSDAY.

WHEN AND IF JOE WHITE WANTS TO TALK TO US ABOUT THE MYERS' SITUATION.

WE'LL BE HERE FOR IT.

RICH.

>> Rich: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS EXECUTED A MAN CONVICTED OF RAPING AND KILLING A 7-YEAR OLD GIRL IN THE 1980S.

RICHARD ROJEM JUNIOR WAS DENIED CLEMENCY EARLIER THIS MONTH.

DURING THAT HEARING HE CONTINUED TO INSIST HE DID NOT KILL HIS STEP-DAUGHTER, LAYLA CUMMINGS.

THE OFFICIAL TIME OF DEATH AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE PENITENTIARY WAS 10:16 A.M. ON THURSDAY.

>>> THE ANNUAL ANNIE E. CASEY KIDS COUNT REPORT, WHICH TRACKS CHILD WELL-BEING STATE-TO-STATE, HAS BEEN RELEASED.

AND ONCE AGAIN, IT SUGGESTS OKLAHOMA HAS A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN IMPROVING THE LIVES OF OUR YOUNGER CITIZENS.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH CONVERSATION, COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> OUR RANKINGS ACROSS THE BOARD ARE IN THE BOTTOM HALF FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTS, AS WELL AS ECONOMIC SUPPORTS.

AND WHAT I SEE WITH ALL OF THIS IS REALLY A LACK OF INVESTMENT.

IN THE EARLY YEARS, EARLY CHILDHOOD PREVENTION IS ALWAYS EASIER, CHEAPER, AND MORE EFFECTIVE THAN, YOU KNOW, TREATING A PROBLEM.

SO IF WE CAN START SETTING OUR FAMILIES UP FOR SUCCESS, STARTING WITH, YOU KNOW, HIGH QUALITY PREGNANCY RESOURCES, PRENATAL CARE FOR EXPECTING PARENTS.

>> IT SHOWS WHERE OUR INVESTMENTS MATTER AND WHERE OUR HEART SHOULD BE.

AND IT IS NOT WITH OUR CHILDREN.

IT HAS BEEN WITH THE RICH AND TAX CUTS OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES.

WE'VE GOT TO TAKE TIME TO INVEST IN SUPPORTS FOR FAMILIES.

THINGS LIKE THE SALES TAX RELIEF CREDIT, THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

WE'VE GOT TO STOP CRIMINALIZING POVERTY.

THESE INDICATORS ARE DATA, BUT BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A PERSON.

AND THAT'S WHAT HURTS MY HEART.

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

>>> THE NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION HELD IT'S ANNUAL CONVENTION IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK.

NATA ADVOCATES FOR GENERAL AVIATION SERVICES COMPANIES AND THEIR PILOTS AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF THEM HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE GATHERING.

JASON?

>> RICH, EVEN WITH OKLAHOMA'S MORE THAN 100 GENERAL AVIATION AIRPORTS.

MOST OF THE ATTENTION IS TAKEN BY MILITARY AND COMMERCIAL AEROSPACE.

BUT CHARTER AIRCRAFT SERVICES HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT IN OUR STATE AND BEYOND.

>> 3, 4, 1, 0, ALPHA 2, WESTBOUND.

>> Reporter: THOMAS PREPARING TO TAXI THE RUNWAY AT WYLIE POST AIRPORT, NAMED AFTER OKLAHOMA'S PILOT, FAMOUS FOR PROMOTING AIR TRAVEL.

HE HAS BEEN AROUND AVIATION HIS ENTER LIFE, HAD A LONG CAREER IN AIR SPACE.

HIS DAD WAS A PILOT AND SENIOR DESIGN ENGINEER.

>> HE TOOK ME RIDING IN THE GOOD YEAR FLYING CLUB WHEN I WAS 2.5 YEARS OLD AND I FLEW WITH HIM THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL.

I GREW UP WITH THE LUNAR LANDING AND I WANTED TO BE THE FIRST AMERICAN ON MARS.

I WANTED TO BE AN ENGINEER, I WANTED TO BE A PILOT.

>> HE IS FLYING AS A PRIVATE PILOT THESE DAYS, HE ALONG WITH OTHER AIRCRAFT OPERATORS HAVE TO TAKE SAFETY SERIOUSLY.

>> WE HAVE ACRONYMS ALL OVER THE PLACE ABOUT BEING SAFE BEFORE YOU FLY.

IS THE WEATHER RIGHT?

ARE YOU RIGHT?

IS THE AIRPLANE RIGHT?

THEN LET'S GO FLY.

IF NONE OF THOSE ARE RIGHT, STAY ON THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: AIR SERVICE OPERATORS ARE PREPARING TO TAKE IT ON IN THE COMING MONTHS AND THE NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION IS TRYING TO PREPARE THEIR MEMBERSHIP FOR THE CHANGES.

THE AVIATION'S NEW REGULATIONS ARE MUCH LIKE RULES ALREADY IN PLACE FOR LARGE COMMERCIAL AIRLINES.

THE FEDERAL AGENCY IS REQUIRING THE SMALLER OPERATORS TO IMPLEMENT WHAT IS CALLED SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS OR S.M.S.

>> SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IS A WAY FOR YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL OPERATOR TO MANAGE YOUR SAFETY.

THINGS THAT WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS OR SO, IT'S REALLY NOT ABOUT SAFETY.

IT'S A MANAGEMENT SYSTEM THAT YIELDS EFFICIENCIES AND EFFECTIVENESS, WHICH THEREFORE YOU DERIVE A BIGGER BOTTOM LINE FROM THAT.

SO THAT'S THE WAY WE'RE APPROACHING THIS.

>> Reporter: THOSE HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUAL OPERATORS WON'T BE LEFT ALONE TO HELP DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT THOSE SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.

>> WE GOT THINGS IN PLACE, TRAINING, CONSULTANTS, EDUCATION, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS IN PLACE TO HELP OUR CONSTITUENTS.

SO WE HAVE BEEN STRATEGICALLY LOOKING FOR WAYS TO HELP WHEN THE RULE CAME IN.

IT'S HERE, WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

>> Reporter: RIGHT ALONG WITH SAFETY, SECURITY IS A MAJOR CONCERN IN THE CHARTER JET WORLD.

>> AIRCRAFTS THAT ARE SMALLER IN SIZE HAVE A DIFFERENT PROGRAM THAN AIRCRAFTS LARGER IN SIZE.

WE CAN'T GET INTO THE SPECIFIC DETAILS ABOUT THAT BECAUSE OF T.S.A.

RULES.

THERE ARE PARTICULAR PROTOCOLS IN PLACE FOR EACH TYPE OF AIRCRAFT AND EACH TYPE OF MISSION THAT WE'RE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW.

>> Reporter: JET LOGISTICS OPERATORS HAVE SMALLER OPERATIONS THAN LARGE COMMERCIAL AIRLINES.

SECURITY LOOKS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

>> OUR CREWS THAT ARE ON THE FRONT LINES, WE DON'T HAVE A SECURITY LINE AT THE AIRPORT AND A METAL DETECTOR AND YOU KNOW, THE FANCY MACHINE THAT TELLS THEM IF THEY HAVE LIQUIDS.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT SO WE HAVE TO USE COMMON SENSE.

WE'RE ALSO NOT CARRYING NEARLY AS MANY PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF ISSUES FACING THE INDUSTRY.

OPERATORS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE GATHERED THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS THOSE ISSUES AND MUCH MORE DURING THE NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION'S AIR CHARTER SUMMIT IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WE'RE REALLY HERE TO BRING SYNERGY AND A COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTRODUCING BUSINESSES AND THE AGENCIES TO TALK ABOUT REGULATORY REFORM THAT IS GOING ON RELATIVE TO SAFETY MANAGEMENT, CHARTER REGULATION, AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: THE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTS ABOUT 3,800 AVIATION BUSINESSES IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> OUR MEMBERS ARE AVIATION CHARTER COMPANIES, F.C.O.s, MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ORGANIZATIONS OR M.R.O.s, FLIGHT SCHOOLS, AND A HOST OF OTHER AVIATION SUPPORT BUSINESSES THAT FEED THE AVIATION ECOSYSTEM AND PRIVATE AVIATION.

>> Reporter: MANY SEE THIS INDUSTRY AS TAKING PRIVATE JETS TO GET TO A DESTINATION QUICKER WITHOUT FLYING COMMERCIAL AIRLINES AND AIR CHARTER SERVICES PLAY A LIFESAVING ROLE.

>> WE HAVE DONE OREGON DONATIONS, WE HAVE DONE THINGS THAT HELP WITH FIRE FIGHTING AND LOCAL MEDICAL SUPPLIES, BUT MOST RECENTLY, WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE MAUI TRAGEDY.

SO WE BROUGHT A LOT OF RELIEF TO THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE ALSO A MEMBER OF THE RAIDER AIR MISSION, WHICH LENDS TRANSPORT TO FAMILIES WITH FALLEN SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> WE JUST RECENTLY FLEW THE THREE FAMILIES FROM THE MARINE CORPS IN AUSTRALIA TO THE AIR FORCE BASE FOR WHAT WE CALLED THE DIGNIFIED TRANGS FORGET OF REMAINS WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO WELCOME HOME THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: DONALD SAYS THAT AT TIMES, BUSINESSES FIND THEMSELVES NEEDING TO USE AIR CHARTER SERVICES TO HELP WITH LOST PRODUCTIVITY COSTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COULD TAKE LONGER TO SEND AND BRING BACK A TEAM WITHOUT IT.

>> YOU COMPARE THAT LOST PRODUCTIVITY CAUSE TO WHAT IS THE COST OF A PRIVATE AIR CHARTER WHERE I CAN TAKE MY TEAM TO AND FROM THAT MEETING, SAME DAY, GET THEM BACK IN THE OFFICE OR THEY ARE BACK HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES AT NIGHT.

WE ARE FINDING THAT A LOT OF BUSINESS OWNERS ARE CHOOSING THAT ROUTE AND THEY WANT THEIR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE GROWING DEMAND FOR AVIATION WORKERS IN THE MILITARY, COMMERCIAL AIRLINES, AND AMONG THESE CHARTER PROVIDERS, OKLAHOMA IS TAKING LONG-TERM STEPS TO PROVIDE A QUALIFIED WORKFORCE.

>> OKLAHOMA FOR NEXT FALL HAS 117 HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WILL BE TEACHING AVIATION AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION, IN THE NUMBER OF HIGH SCHOOLS THAT WILL BE DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: PAULA WITH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE AND AERONAUTICS SAY THESE INVESTMENTS ARE NECESSARY TO KEEP OKLAHOMA COMPETITIVE IN ALL ASPECTS OF THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

>> YOU CANNOT MEET WORKFORCE NEEDS OVERNIGHT.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK LONG-TERM AND THAT'S WHAT WE'VE DONE.

>> Reporter: OUR PRIVATE PILOT FRIEND RECOMMENDS THAT A YOUNG PERSON LOOKING FOR A FULFILLING CAREER SHOULD CONSIDER AVIATION AND AEROSPACE.

>> YOU CAN GO INTO AN EXTREMELY WELL PAYING CAREER WITH ONLY A HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION.

>> NATIONAL AIR TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT CURT CASTANGA TELLS ME THAT THE SINGLE BIGGEST ISSUE FACING HIS INDUSTRY TODAY AVAILABLE WORKFORCE ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR.

RICH?

>> Rich: VERY INTERESTING, THANK YOU.

>>> A LAW PASSED IN THE RECENT SESSION, WILL BOOST PENSION BENEFITS FOR POLICE OFFICERS NEARING RETIREMENT BUT IT DOESN'T INCLUDE A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR RETIRED OFFICERS.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A CONTROVERSIAL BILL THAT GOVERNOR STITT TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO VETO, I SPOKE WITH REPORTER PAUL MONIES, WHO'SE BEEN COVERING THIS STORY FOR OUR CONTENT PARTNER OKLAHOMA WATCH.

>> PAUL, THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE BACKED THIS BILL STRONGLY.

FOR WHAT REASONS?

>> BASICALLY, THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE WENT HARD WITH THIS BILL TO LAWMAKERS THIS SESSION.

THEY SAID THAT THEY'VE BEEN UNDER FIRE FOR RECRUITMENT AND GETTING POLICE ACADEMY STAFFED IN VARIOUS CITIES, AND FOR THE REASON THAT, THAT THEY'RE SEEING LOTS OF OFFICERS FLEE AND GET OUT WHEN THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE.

SO THEY KIND OF MARKETED IT AS A RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT BILL TO LAWMAKERS.

>> POLICE RETIREES HAVE RECEIVED ONE COST OF LIVING INCREASE IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

WAS THERE AN EFFORT TO EXPAND THEIR BENEFITS AS SB-102 WAS BEING NEGOTIATED?

>> THERE IS A HUGE CONFLICT THERE BETWEEN WHAT THIS BILL DOES AND WHAT CURRENT RETIREES WERE GETTING PENSIONS.

EVERY MONTH WHO HAVE BEEN POLICE OFFICERS IN THE PAST THEY'RE GETTING, AND THEY'RE SAYING, LOOK, WE HAVEN'T HAD A COST OF LIVING INCREASE.

WE'VE HAD ONE IN THE LAST 15 YEARS.

PARTLY WHY THE LEGISLATURES PENSION SYSTEMS WERE UNFUNDED WAS BECAUSE THEY KEPT GOING AND INCREASING COST OF LIVING EVERY YEAR.

THEY STOPPED AT ABOUT A DOZEN YEARS AGO, BUT THAT IN, IN TURN MEANS THAT A LOT OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR 10, 15, 20 YEARS ALREADY AS FORMER OFFICERS ARE NOT GETTING THE YEARLY HELP THEY ARE.

AND OF COURSE, WE'VE ALL SEEN INFLATION HIT ALL OF OUR WALLETS THIS, THIS LAST FEW YEARS.

>> PAUL MONIES WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, THE LEGISLATURE VOTED TO OVERRIDE GOVERNOR STITT'S VETO OF SB-102.

EXPLAIN THE GOVERNOR'S OPPOSITION TO THIS LEGISLATION?

>> THE GOVERNOR BASICALLY CAME OUT AND SAID, LOOK, YOU KNOW, I, I SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MY POLICY IS PUT IN PLACE IN OTHER AREAS, FOR SURE SAY THAT, BUT HE SAID ON THIS BILL SPECIFICALLY, IF WE START GOING DOWN THIS ROAD WHERE WE'RE BASICALLY PADDING THE BENEFITS FOR EXISTING OFFERS, WHO CAN RETIRE WITHIN ONE OR TWO YEARS OR THREE OR FOUR YEARS, THAT'S NOT REALLY HELPING RETENTION MUCH AND IT, IT HAS A BIG IMPACT ON THE LONG-TERM KIND OF FINANCIAL HEALTH OF THESE PENSION SYSTEMS LIKE THE POLICE PENSION SYSTEM.

>> PAUL, CRITICS SAY THAT CANDIDATES WHO HAVEN'T EVEN BEEN HIRED YET STAND TO BENEFIT THE MOST FROM THIS LEGISLATION AS OPPOSED TO EXISTING OFFICERS.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES OF THESE EXPANDED BENEFITS ARE GONNA BE OFFICERS WHO ARE PRETTY CLOSE TO RETIREMENT WITHIN THE NEXT THREE OR FIVE YEARS.

IT WILL EVENTUALLY HELP OFFICERS COMING INTO THE SYSTEM, BUT NOT UNTIL THEY REACH THAT RETIREMENT AGE AFTER 25 OR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH WHICHEVER AGENCY THEY'RE WITH.

AND SO THIS, THIS REALLY COMES DOWN TO PATTING THE BENEFITS OF FOLKS WHO ARE ALMOST CLOSE TO RETIREMENT AND SEEING THEIR BENEFITS GO UP QUITE A BIT IF THEY'RE ELIGIBLE WHEN THEY TAKE THAT RETIREMENT.

>> OKAY, SO LET'S CRUNCH THOSE NUMBERS.

LET'S SAY YOU'RE ABOUT TO RETIRE AND YOU'RE MAKING $80,000 A YEAR.

HOW MUCH OF YOUR BENEFITS GOING TO INCREASE FROM THE PENSION?

>> IT GETS KIND OF COMPLICATED, BUT IN TERMS OF THIS BILL AND SENATE BILL 102, IT ADDS THAT MULTIPLIER AND TAKES IT FROM 3.5% TO 3%.

AND SO THAT'S ALL BASED ON YOUR FINAL SALARY AND A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF OF OTHER STUFF THAT GOES IN THERE.

BUT YEAH, YOU TAKE, IF YOU'RE ON A BASE SALARY OF $80,000 A YEAR AND YOU'RE, YOU'RE HITTING THIS RETIREMENT UNDER THIS BILL, YOU WOULD NORMALLY GET ABOUT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE $40,000 A YEAR AS A PENSION UNDER THE POLICE PENSION SYSTEM.

RIGHT NOW, IF YOU TAKE IT UP TO THE 3% MULTIPLIER, YOU GET $48,000 A YEAR.

>> YEAH, THAT'S A BIG BOOST LASTLY, SO THE $3 BILLION POLICE PENSION FUND, IS IT FULLY FUNDED FOLLOWING THIS LEGISLATION?

>> AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, THE POLICE PENSION SYSTEM IS WELL FUNDED.

IT'S MORE THAN 106% OR SO FUNDED, WHICH IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN IT USED TO BE.

EVEN AS CLOSE AS A DOZEN YEARS AGO, IT WAS AT ABOUT 81 OR 82%.

SO THEY'VE MADE SOME STRIDES, THEY'VE GOTTEN, YOU KNOW, GOOD INVESTMENTS.

THEY'VE STOPPED ANNUAL OR EVERY OTHER YEAR COLA INCREASES, WHICH HAS HELPED OUT THE LONG-TERM POSITION OF THE PENSION SYSTEM.

BUT NOW WHAT THE CHANGES GO INTO EFFECT UNDER SENATE BILL 102, IT BASICALLY TAKES THAT FUNDING RATIO DOWN FROM ABOUT 104 RATIO DOWN FROM ABOUT 104 6% DOWN TO ABOUT 92, 93 OR 94%, AND IT WON'T RECOVER TO GET BACK TO THE A HUNDRED PERCENT FULLY FUNDED STATUS UNTIL PROBABLY ABOUT 7 TO 10 YEARS OR SO.

>> BUT AGAIN, IF YOU'RE ALREADY RETIRED, THIS LEGISLATION DOES NOT IMPACT YOU?

>> YEAH, WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY RETIRED, YOU GET YOUR BENEFIT THAT YOU'RE QUALIFIED FOR WHEN YOU RETIRED AND YOU, THE ONLY HOPE YOU CAN GET FOR INCREASING THAT IS GETTING A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

AND THAT IS NOT COMING ANYTIME SOON FOR A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS IN THAT STATUS.

>> PAUL MONIES WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH.

GREAT INFORMATION AS ALWAYS.

THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

APPRECIATE IT.

>>> THE LOS ANGELES SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES IN 2028 WILL INCLUDE TWO EVENTS CONTESTED 1,300 MILES AWAY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SOFTBALL AND CANOE SLALOM RACES.

THE RIVERSPORTS WHITE WATER COMPLEX WILL HOST THE CANOE RACES AND DEVON PARK, HOME OF THE COLLEGE SOFTBALL WORLD SERIES, WILL BE THE VENUE FOR WOMEN'S SOFTBALL A LITTLE MORE THAN FOUR YEARS FROM NOW.

>>> A NORWEGIAN SOLAR ENERGY COMPANY IS INVESTING $620 MILLION TO BUILD IT'S FIRST U.S.

FACTORY NEAR THE TULSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THAT NEWS TOPS THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW, WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> THE NORWEGIAN COMPANY IS CALLED NOR-SUN AND THAT $620 MILLION INVESTMENT WILL BUILDING A NEW 5 GIGAWATT SILICON INGOT AND SOLAR WAFER MANUFACTURING FACILITY AT THE TULSA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE COMPANY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT IN WASHINGTON D.C. WITH GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT.

WHEN FINISHED, IT WAS CREATE MORE THAN 320 NEW JOBS AND PLAYS INTO THE DEMAND FOR MORE DOMESTIC MANUFACTURING OF SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS.

OKLAHOMA'S ONLY REMAINING PRIVATE PRISON WILL CONTINUE OPERATING UNDER THE GEO GROUP FOR AT LEAST ONE MORE YEAR.

EARLIER THIS WEEK, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS BROKE DOWN BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND GEO GROUP, THE OPERATOR OF THE PRISON, TO RENEW BEFORE ITS CURRENT CONTRACT EXPIRED ON JULY 1ST.

CONSIDERED TO BE OKLAHOMA'S MOST VIOLENT PRISON, DOC IS REQUIRING GEO GROUP TO MAKE SOME CHANGES INCLUDING REDUCTION OF THE NUMBER OF PRISONERS HOUSED AND INCREASED ACCESS TO PROGRAMS FOR INMATES.

AHEAD OF JOINING THE SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE, THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HAS CREATED THE 1-OKLAHOMA NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS COLLECTIVE.

THE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE WILL GIVE FANS THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW SOONER STUDENT ATHLETES IN SEVERAL SPORTS.

1-OKLAHOMA IS MEANT TO FOSTER INCREASED COLLABORATION, ENHANCE REVENUE GENERATION, AND CREATE ACCESS FOR O.U.

SPORTS FANS BY GIVING THEM MORE INSIDER INFORMATION FROM ATHLETES.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

#.

>> Rich: SXRA -- JASON THANKS.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY ANIMAL SHELTER IS WAIVING ADOPTION FEES ON DOGS UNTIL AUGUST 31ST.

SO NOW'S A GREAT TIME TO GIVE.

A FURRY FRIEND A NEW FURVER HOME.

THE SHELTER IS LOCATED AT 2811 SOUTHEAST 29TH STREET AND YOU CAN VISIT TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 5:00 P.M. ALL ADOPTED DOGS ARE SPAYED OR NEUTERED, MICRO-CHIPPED AND HAVE UP-TO-DATE VACCINATIONS.

>>> ALYSSA PAYNE COMPETED AS MISS GRAND LAKE IN THE RECENT MISS OKLAHOMA COMPETITION.

SHE DIDN'T WIN, BUT, AS YOU'LL SEE IN THIS REPORT BY ANDREW HARTSHORN.

ALYSSA'S VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND IS WORTHY OF RECOGNITION.

>> RUSHING THROUGH THE JULIA'S FRONT DOOR, JUSTINE HURRIED UP THE STAIRS TO HER ROOM WHERE SHE COULD CHANGE INTO HER COVERALLS IN TIME TO CATCH THE BUS.

SHE GOT THERE WITHOUT SEEING A SOUL UNLOCKING AND SLIPPING THROUGH THE DOOR WITH A SIGH.

>> I WAS AT A BOOKSTORE AND I HAPPENED TO SEE A FLYER SITTING ON THE BOOK SHELF FOR THE OKLAHOMA LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PROGRAM, OKLAHOMA TELEPHONE READER.

>> THE VERY SAME BUSY MUNITIONS MANUFACTURER, ALRIGHT.

PLACE FOR AN EMBEDDED AGENT IN WARTIME.

>> THE VERY SAME BUSY MUNITIONS MANUFACTURER, THE HE HAD BEEN CUT OFF FROM ALL SUPPORT BY THE VERY SAME WAR THAT HAD BROUGHT HIM TO THE PLACE WHERE JUSTINE WAS.

>> IT'S A VOLUNTEER SERVICE WHERE YOU AS A NARRATOR CAN RECORD ARTICLES FROM LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND THEN PATRONS CAN LISTEN TO IT THROUGH A DIAL-UP SYSTEM.

I DECIDED TO TAKE A CHANCE ON IT BECAUSE MY ENTIRE LIFE I HAVE WANTED TO DO VOICEOVER.

>> CUT HER OFF OF THE SUPPORT OF HER PARENTS.

>> THIS MIRRORING OF THEIR LIVES.

>> CHEW IT.

>> CHEW IT.

>> TAKE IT BY THERE AND THEN WE WILL TAKE IT TO THE REST OF 206.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> SO I HAVE BEEN DOING PAGEANTS ALL OF MY LIFE.

MY MOM PUT ME IN A PAGEANT BEFORE I COULD WALK AND IT WAS BASICALLY TO INSTILL CONFIDENCE IN MYSELF FROM A YOUNG AGE.

THEY SAY IT'S WHERE WOMEN ARGUE WITH EACH OTHER OR THEY'RE NOT REAL.

BUT FROM MY EXPERIENCE COMPETING IN MISS OKLAHOMA, YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY THE STATE'S STRONGEST WOMEN WHO ARE REALLY WORKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> SO, CURRENTLY I AM THE ONLY NARRATOR ON THIS BOOK.

WE'RE CURRENTLY DOING THE PHYSICIST DAUGHTER BY MARIANA EVANS.

AND SO IT IS JUST ME AND MY INCREDIBLE TEAM SUPPORTING ME.

>> WE ARE A PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR AUDIO BOOKS AND IN PARTICULAR TO, TO FOLKS WITH DISABILITIES.

BE IT VISUAL, OF COURSE WE SERVE THE BLIND, BUT WE BASICALLY TELL PEOPLE WHEN WE GO PLACES AND VISIT AND WE SAY, IF YOU STRUGGLE TO READ A NEWSPAPER OR A PAPER BACK WITH CORRECTED VISION, WE'RE HERE TO HELP.

>> WE MAKE MAGAZINES LIKE OKLAHOMA TODAY.

WE HAVE A SPECIFIC PARTNERSHIP WITH OKLAHOMA TODAY TO RECORD AND GET OUT THAT MAGAZINE TO ALL OF OUR NATIONAL PATRONS.

AND I ALSO RECORD OKLAHOMA-CENTRIC BOOKS THAT INCLUDE OKLAHOMA AUTHORS OR OKLAHOMA BOOKS THAT HAVE SOME TIE BACK TO OKLAHOMA.

>> WE HAVE ROUGHLY 5,000 PATRONS ACROSS THE STATE.

ANY GIVEN MONTH THERE'S AT LEAST 4,000 ACTIVE MEMBERS.

ACTIVE, MEANING THEY CHECK SOMETHING OUT DURING THE MONTH.

SO WE'RE ANYWHERE BETWEEN 80 TO 90% ACTIVE RATE WITH OUR PATRONS.

PATRONS.

>> ASIDE FROM DOING ACTUAL AUDIO BOOK NARRATION AND ALSO MAGAZINE NARRATION, I AM A PART OF THE OKLAHOMA TELEPHONE READER PROGRAM AND EVERY FRIDAY I GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME IN AND READ ARTICLES FROM THE OKLAHOMAN.

>> OVERALL, IT'S BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE AND IT HAS TRAINED ME BETTER ON HOW TO SPEAK TO OTHERS AND ALSO HOW TO CONVEY MY IDEAS.

I REALLY WOULD JUST LIKE TO URGE PEOPLE TO COME AND VOLUNTEER HERE.

I AM CURRENTLY THE YOUNGEST VOLUNTEER HERE AT AGE 22.

AND I THINK OTHER PEOPLE IN MY GENERATION COULD BENEFIT FROM THIS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY NOT ONLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR STATE BUT ALSO MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEMSELVES AND BUILDING THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE.

>> ANDREW HARTSHORN, THE OKLAHOMA NEW REPORT.

>> Rich: ANDREW, THANK YOU.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE JUST-RELEASED 2024 ANNIE E. CASEY KIDS COUNT REPORT, OKLAHOMA IS LAGGING BEHIND MOST OTHER STATES IN SEVERAL KEY INDICATORS OF CHILD WELL-BEING.

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD AND HER SPECIAL PANEL OF GUESTS.

CASSIDY?

506789.

>> RICH, THE RESULTS ARE IN.

COMING IN AT 46 NATIONALLY FOR CHILD WELLBEING.

HERE TO BREAK DOWN THE DATA AND DISCUSS WHAT COULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE OUR SCHOOL IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE AND GABRIELLE, A PROJECT MANAGER FOR THE SCHOOL READINESS.

LADIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> SHILOH, 46th IN THE NATION FOR CHILD WELLBEING, IT IS CONSIDERING.

>> THAT IS CONCERNING.

1 IN 5 OF OUR KIDS WAS IN POVERTY.

SO I DON'T THINK IT'S SURPRISING.

OVER THE YEARS, OUR STATE HAS REALLY SAID OUR KIDS ARE NUMBER ONE.

WE WANT TO BE TOP TEN IN EDUCATION, TOP TEN IN HEALTHCARE, AND THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN WITHOUT SUPPORT IN OUR KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

WE SEE 1 IN 4 CHILDREN LIVE IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE THEIR PARENTS ARE NOT HAVING ENOUGH EMPLOYMENT TO PAY FOR THEIR BILLS.

THEY CAN'T AFFORD HOUSING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A STATE WHERE OUR PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST IN HEALTHCARE IS FLEEING OUR STATE BECAUSE THE POLICIES OUR POLICYMAKERS ARE MAKING.

WE HAVE TO TRULY LOOK AT OUR BUDGET AS A STATE, AS A MORAL DOCUMENT.

IT SHOWS WHERE OUR INVESTMENTS MATTER AND WHERE OUR HEARTS SHOULD BE.

IT'S NOT WITH OUR CHILDREN, IT'S WITH THE RICH AND TAX CUTS OVER THE LAST TWO DECADES.

WE HAVE TO TAKE TIME TO INVEST IN SUPPORTS FOR OUR FAMILY, LIKE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

WE HAVE TO STOP CRIMINALIZING POVERTY.

THESE INDICATORS ARE DATA, BUT BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A PERSON.

THAT IS WHAT HURTS MY HEART.

BEHIND EVERY NUMBER IS A PERSON.

WE ARE NOT SHOWING UP FOR OUR KIDS.

WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.

I URGE OUR STATE LEADERS TO PICK OUR KIDS FIRST, PRIORITIZE THEM FIRST.

>> GABRIELLE, HOW ARE CHILDREN IN OKLAHOMA DOING COMPARED TO OTHER STATES?

>> YEAH, ACCORDING TO THESE RANKINGS, OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT FAIRING BETTER THAN THEIR PEERS IN OTHER STATES.

OUR RANKINGS ACROSS THE BOARD ARE IN THE BOTTOM HALF FOR HEALTH, EDUCATION, FAMILY, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AS WELL AS ECONOMIC SUPPORT.

WHAT I SEE WITH ALL OF THIS IS REALLY A LACK OF INVESTMENT IN THE EARLY YEARS, EARLY CHILDHOOD.

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS EASIER, CHEAPER, AND MORE EFFECTIVE THAN TREATING THE PROBLEM.

SO IF WE CAN START SETTING OUR FAMILIES UP FOR SUCCESS STARTING WITH HIGH QUALITY PREGNANCY RESOURCES, PRENATAL CARE FOR EXPECTING PARENTS, CONTINUING ON HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE, SO THE CHILDREN CAN HAVE GOOD HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND ALSO SO THAT FAMILIES CAN GO OUT AND WORK AND IMPROVE THEIR EDUCATION AND HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, GET BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR FAMILIES MOVING FORWARD.

SO WHAT I'M SEEING FROM THESE RESULTS IS THAT WE AS A STATE ARE NOT SETTING UP OUR FAMILIES FOR SUCCESS STARTING WITH THE EARLY YEARS.

>> WHAT ARE SOME PREVENTION METS -- METHODS TO START IN THE EARLY YEARS.

>> THE MOST CRITICAL IS ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE.

THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR TWO CRITICAL REASONS, ONE FOR OUR CHILDREN THAT ARE IN HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE.

YOU KNOW, OUR CHILD CARE WORKERS ARE TEACHING EARLY LITERACY SKILLS.

THEY'RE DIAGNOSING ANY DEVELOPMENTAL OR LEARNING DELAYS, TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO INTERACT WITH THEIR PEERS AND MAKE FRIENDS SO WHEN THEY ENTER K-12 EDUCATION, THEY ARE READY TO LEARN HOW TO READ, MAKE FRIENDS, PARTICIPATE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS.

THAT IS CRITICAL AND IT WOULD HELP THE EDUCATION OUTCOMES A LOT.

HAVING ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE ALLOWS PARENTS TO GO TO WORK, TO EARN FAMILY SUSTAINING PAY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE ACCESS TO SAFE STABLE HOUSING.

AGAIN, JUST SETTING THEM UP TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL, YOU KNOW, LIFE AND MORE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FUTURE.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY WE CAN LEARN FROM STATES THAT DID SCORE HIGHER THAN OKLAHOMA?

>> STATES THAT SCORED HIGHER ARE INVESTING IN THEIR KIDS.

THEY ARE MAKING SURE THEIR KIDS HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

THEY ARE MAKING SURE THEIR FAMILIES ARE SAFE.

THEY ARE MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, A LIVING WAGE, THINGS LIKE OUR 32 WHERE MINIMUM WAGE IS DECIDED.

THAT IS GETTING US UP TO A LIVING WAGE HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

YOU HAVE TO MAKEOVER $16 AN HOUR, WORKING 40 HOUR A WEEK TO AFFORD A 1-BEDROOM APARTMENT.

IF YOU CAN FIND ONE.

WE HAVE 42 AVAILABLE UNITS FOR HOUSING FOR EVERY 100 LOW INCOME PERSON.

SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE, I CAN'T DO THAT MATH.

>> A LARGE DISCREPANCY.

>> 58% OF OUR FOLKS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO HOUSING THAT NEED IT.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE SEEING A BOOM IN HOMELESSNESS.

ALL OF THESE THINGS IMPACT OUR CHILDREN AND WHERE THEY'RE GROWING UP.

KIDS DON'T EARN MONEY, BUT THE MONEY ACTUALLY INFLUENCES HOW THEY GROW UP.

WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT BOOT STRAPS AND PULLING PEOPLE UP BY THEIR BOOT STRAPS.

PEOPLE ARE NOT BORN WITH BOOTS.

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THEM?

ARE WE LOANING THEM OUT?

ARE WE MORTGAGING THEM OUT WITH A 9% INTEREST RATE LIKE WE DO FOR COLLEGE LOANS AT SCHOOL?

THOSE ARE ALL QUESTIONS WE HAVE TO ASK OUR STATE LEADERS.

THEY HAVE A CHOICE.

POVERTY IS A POLICY CHOICE.

THAT'S WHAT THE OTHER STATES ARE DOING DIFFERENT.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT POVERTY SAYING LET'S STOP TREATING THE SYMPTOMS AND LET'S TREAT THE DISEASE.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP A LOT OF GOOD POINTS.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES LIKE WE DISCUSSED HERE THAT KIDS IN OKLAHOMA ARE FACING?

>> POVERTY IS REALLY NUMBER ONE.

YOU MENTIONED THE LIVING WAGE FOR AN ADULT IN OKLAHOMA BEING $15 TO $16 AN HOUR TO AFFORD AND ONE BEDROOM APARTMENT.

IF YOU HAVE A CHILD, THAT IS SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAT YOU NEED TO AFFORD THE BASICS IN OUR STATE.

POVERTY ALSO IS HIGHLY CONCENTRATED WITH BIRTH TO 5.

YOUNG CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING THE MOST WITH POVERTY.

THEY HAVE SO MANY ADDITIONAL EXPENSES, DIAPERS, DAYCARE, FORMULA, AND PARENTS AT THIS TIME, CAREGIVERS AT THIS TIME, THEY'RE AT THEIR LOWEST EARNING POTENTIAL BECAUSE THEY'RE NEW IN THEIR CAREERS, BUT THEY HAVE MORE EXPENSES THAN EVER BEFORE.

HOW ARE WE TARGETING THESE FAMILIES AGAINST TO REALLY HELP SET THEM UP?

IF WE DON'T TARGET THEM WHEN THEY'RE YOUNG, JUST STARTING OUT, THEN WE SEE ALL THESE OTHER ISSUES, PROBLEMS WITH HEALTHCARE, HOUSING, ALL THESE OTHER THINGS, WHICH JUST COMPOUND AND GET HARDER AND HARDER TO TREAT.

>> WE'RE ONLY AHEAD OF NEW MEXICO AT 49th IN EDUCATION.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

>> THERE IS DEFINITELY A POLITICAL STORM IN OKLAHOMA THAT IS AFFECTING EDUCATION AND REALLY I THINK DEFLECTING OUR EYE ON THE PRIZE.

WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON WHAT OUR KIDS ARE LEARNING IN SCHOOL, THE CURRICULUM.

THEY NEED TO BE LEARNING TO READ.

THEY NEED TO BE LEARNING THEIR MULTIPLICATION TABLES IN THIRD GRADE.

THERE ARE THINGS WE KNOW THAT WORK IN EDUCATION.

I STOOD ON THE PTA BOARD.

I KNOW WHAT IS AFFECTING OUR KIDS AND IT'S LACK OF RESOURCES FOR THE SCHOOLS.

YOU LOOK AT ANY COMMUNITY SCHOOL THAT HAS WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND THOSE KIDS ARE MOSTLY THRIVING.

THOSE ARE COMMUNITIES WHERE WE'RE SHOWING UP FOR THE FAMILY AND THE FAMILY'S NEEDS.

WE CANNOT EXPECT PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND DO A JOB OR KIDS TO SHOW UP AND LEARN WHEN THEY'RE HUNGRY, TIRED, DIRTY, AND HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO WEAR AND THEY'RE EMBARRASSED.

SHAME GOES A LONG WAY IN POVERTY AND WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO COMBAT THAT.

YOU KNOW, WE REALLY DO NEED TO, ESPECIALLY IN THE EDUCATION POLICY AREA, FIND THE TIES THAT BIND US, NOT THE THINGS THAT DIVIDE US.

I THINK TURNING AWAY FROM THE DISTRACTION THAT IS OUR STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND REALLY FOCUSING ON THE MATTER AT HAND IN EDUCATION IS WHERE WE WILL SEE LONG-TERM SUCCESS.

>> GABRIELLE, SHILOH MENTIONED IT JUST NOW BUT THE RESOURCES AND THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES, HOW CAN THE STATE DO BETTER IN HELPING SUPPORT OKLAHOMA CHILDREN?

>> YES, SO THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE LOTS OF GREAT SERVICES AND RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES.

SOMETIMES IT'S JUST HARD TO FIND.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS WHICH CREATES BARRIERS, THEY'RE CONFUSING, AND THEY'RE NOT ACCESSIBLE.

THEY'RE STREAMLINING APPLICATIONS FOR SNAP, MEDICAID, TANF WOULD BE HUGE.

IT WOULD BE MORE EFFICIENT FOR THE STATE, A BETTER USE OF OUR RESOURCES AND MONEY.

SO THAT WOULD BE INCREDIBLE.

AGAIN WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION AND OUR RANKINGS, WE'RE ONLY IN SCHOOL FOR SO MANY HOURS A DAY.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR HOMES AND OUR COMMUNITIES IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOL.

SO MAKING SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE EQUIP WITH RESOURCES LIKE SIDEWALKS, PARKS, LIBRARIES, THOSE EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE ALL AROUND US SO WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT FOR FREE.

DO OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE THOSE?

IS OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE FOR FAMILIES TO GO OUT AND PLAY?

THINGS LIKE THAT ARE CRITICAL AS MUCH AS THINGS HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM.

MAKE SURE FAMILIES HAVE TIME TO SPEND WITH THEIR CHILDREN, TIME AFTER WORK TO DEDICATE TO READING, PASSING THE LITERARY SKILLS, IT'S GOING TO BE JUST AS IMPORTANT.

>> AND LIKE SHILOH SAID, ECONOMIC WELLBEING IS WHERE WE'RE BEING HIT HARDEST.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT WE CAN WORK WITH THAT EXACTLY AND WHAT ARE OKLAHOMA KIDS FACING WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMIC WELLBEING?

>> YEAH, SO I THINK WITH A LOT OF THESE NUMBERS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC WELLBEING, FEDERAL STIMULUS WAS REALLY ABLE TO HELP SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THROUGH COVID OVER THE PAST YEARS AND A LOT OF THAT HELP IS GOING AWAY AND HAS GONE AWAY IN THE PAST YEAR.

SO THE STATE NEEDS TO LOOK AT WHERE WE CAN FILL THOSE GAPS, WHERE WE CAN FILL IN FOR THOSE THINGS.

THINGS LIKE THE EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT, THE FEDERAL LEVEL, THAT WAS HUGE IN 2022, 2021 FOR KEEPING FAMILIES AFLOAT AND THRIVING.

THINGS LIKE THAT ARE SUPER FEASIBLE AND WOULD HAVE HUGE IMPACTS.

IT'S A HUGE INVESTMENT IN OUR STATE AND CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: SHILOH, ARE THERE ANY BRIGHT SPOTS IN THIS REPORT?

DID OKLAHOMA IMPROVE IN ANYTHING?

>> THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF BRIGHT SPOTS BUT I THINK THERE ARE BRIGHT SPOTS IN OUR STATE.

IF YOU LOOK TO OUR PARTNERS LIKE THE TRIBES.

I JUST APPLAUD WHAT OUR TRIBES ARE DOING AND HOW THEY'RE LEADING THE WAY IN OUR STATE.

I THINK OUR STATE LEADERS WOULD LEARN MORE FROM THEM AND WE WOULD DO BETTER OVERALL IF WE PARTNERED WITH THEM INSTEAD OF TRYING TO DIVIDE AND PUSH BACK AGAINST WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

FOR INSTANCE, JUST THE OTHER DAY, I GOT AN E-MAIL SAYING YOUR CHEROKEE NATION PORTAL IS OPEN.

IF YOU ARE UNDER THIS AMOUNT IN EARNINGS, YOU CAN GET 200-DOLLARS FOR BACK TO SCHOOL CLOTHING.

THAT'S A GAME CHANGER FOR SOME KIDS.

SOME KIDS JUST HAVE HAND ME DOWNS, THAT'S ALL THEY HAVE.

THEY HAVE UNIFORMS AND THEY WEAR THEM EVERYWHERE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY ANY OTHER CLOTHES.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO START LOOKING AT OUR KIDS AS A WHOLE UNIT AND MAKING SURE WE'RE SHOWING UP FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, TO THEIR EMOTIONAL HEALTH, TO THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

IT'S NOT JUST A ONE AND DONE.

IT'S AN ONGOING INVESTMENT AND OUR STATE LEADERS NEED TO REALLY SAY AND DO WHAT THEY INTEND.

THEY SAY THEY WANT US TO BE TOP TEN AND THEY CARE ABOUT OUR KIDS, DON'T LEAVE FOOD ON THE TABLE.

WE WALKED AWAY FROM THE SUMMER FEEDING PROGRAM THAT WAS NEW, EXPANDED SNAP BENEFITS.

THE GOVERNOR SAID NO.

OUR THREE TRIBES STEPPED UP AND SAID YES.

I JUST THINK THERE ARE OPTIONS.

I THINK THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AND AS GABRIEL WAS SAYING, I REALLY THINK THAT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY PIECE IS SO PIVOTAL HERE.

WHEN WE PUT MONEY IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS, THEY DO MAKE SMART CHOICES.

WE HAVE TO TRUST THEM TO SPEND THEIR MONEY AND DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WITH IT.

THE CREDIT THAT WE PASSED THE LAST TWO OR THREE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS WOULD PUT $200,000 PER PERSON FOR THOSE HOUSEHOLDS EARNING LESS THAN $60,000.

THE GROCERY SALES TAX WAS A BOOM THAT THOSE RECEIVING SNAP BENEFITS WERE NOT PAYING TAX ON GROCERIES.

THEY GET NO BENEFIT.

THE SALES TAX RELIEF CREDIT WAS BORN AND CREATED IN 1990 AS PART OF THE HB1170 EDUCATION PACKAGE AND IT'S NEVER BEEN UPDATED AND IT'S $40 A PERSON.

IT'S THE SAME AGE AS OUR POLICY DIRECTOR.

IF WE MODERNIZED THAT, IT WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE HELP TO ALL OF OUR LOW EARNERS, INCLUDING ELDERLY FOLKS.

>> SHILOH, WE ARE JUST OUT OF TIME HERE.

GABRIELLE, BRIEFLY CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT KIDS COUNTS IS AND WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CRITERIA THAT IT'S BASED ON.

>> YES, KIDS COUNT IS A PROGRAM WHERE THERE ARE 52 KIDS COUNT GRANTEES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EACH STATE HAS ONE, D.C., AND PUERTO RICO.

THEY LOOK AT ECONOMIC WELLBEING, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT, THE SUPPORTS AROUND THE KIDS, HEALTH AND EDUCATION.

WE ARE RANKED ON THOSE COMPARED TO OTHER STATES AND THOSE FACTORS WITHIN THOSE GROUPINGS.

IT'S BASICALLY A SNAPSHOT OF THE DATA THAT IS PEOPLE, RIGHT?

HOW ARE OUR PEOPLE FAIRING, ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN?

I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS THAT WE LOOK AT THE KIDS, THEY HAVE PARENTS, THEY HAVE GRANDPARENTS, AND THEY HAVE COMMUNITIES AND VILLAGES AROUND THEM THAT NEED SUPPORT.

WHEN WE SUPPORT THOSE FOLKS, IT DOES TRICKLE DOWN.

THAT'S WHERE TRICKLE DOWN WORKS.

>> Reporter: GABRIEL, ANY FINAL THOUGHTS ON THIS TOPICS?

>> THE LAST THING I WILL SAY IS ONE OF THE CRITICAL KEY INVESTMENTS IS INVESTING IN OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE.

IT'S THE WORKFORCE THAT SUPPORTS OUR WORKFORCE.

I REALLY THINK THAT SETTING OUR FAMILIES UP FOR SUCCESS IN THOSE EARLY YEARS WILL HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS AND WILL REALLY SET OUR STATE UP TO IMPROVE THESE OUTCOMES ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> ALL RIGHT LADIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO DILIGENTLY AND HELPING OUR KIDS.

>> THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING OUR KIDS.

THEY ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS OUR STATE LEADERS AND WE HOPE THAT THE STATE WILL INVESTMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: CASSIDY, THANK YOU.

>>> THIS IS A FIRST FOR OUR WEEKLY NATIONAL VIEW SEGMENT WHERE WE CHECK OUT WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THIS WEEK, WE'LL TAKE OUR FIRST TRIP TO BOISE, IDAHO.

TO CHECK OUT AN ART EXHIBIT THAT, UNLIKE MOST, ENCOURAGES YOU TO TOUCH THE ART.

THAT STORY, COURTESY OF IDAHO PUBLIC TELEVISION.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> WE ARE REALLY EXCITED WHEN WE HEAR THE AHA MOMENT.

WE ARE ABLE TO WRAP AN ARTWORK AROUND THE ENTIRE SPACE AND YOU CAN HEAR IT IN EVERYONE'S VOICES.

>> THAT'S REALLY COOL.

>> WHAT A COOL EXHIBIT.

>> MY NAME IS LISA HUNT AND I AM THE INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE LUMINARY ON BOISE STATE'S CAMPUS.

THE LUMINARY IS AN IMMERSIVE AND TOUCH SCREEN DIGITAL GALLERY.

IT HAS 87 FEET OF WALL THAT IS MADE OF GLASS, 8 FEET TALL, AND AMOUNTS TO 42 MILLION PIXELS.

>> WHEN YOU'RE IN THE LUMINARY, YOU GET TO BE THE AGENT OF YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE.

YOU GET TO CHOOSE THE ARTWORK.

YOU GET TO PUT IT UP AND EXPAND IT IN WHICHEVER WAY YOU WANT.

>> THE COLOR IN THE SPACE TURNED OUT TO BE FAR MORE STUNNING THAN I EVER COULD IMAGINE AND THE IMAGES JUST LEAP OFF THE SCREEN.

IT'S PHENOMENALLY BEAUTIFUL, IT'S FANTASTIC.

MY NAME IS STEVE AND I'M THE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF COMPUTER SCIENCE AT BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY.

HISTORICALLY THE FIRST SYSTEM THAT WAS LIKE THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CAVE DEVELOPED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, CHICAGO.

THIS SPECIFIC COMBINATION IS GLOBALLY UNIQUE.

THERE IS NOT ANOTHER ONE THAT USES THE EXACT CONFIGURATION THAT THIS ONE DOES.

>> WELL, THE LUMINARY COMES EQUIP WITH AN APPLICATION THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BRING ARTWORK IN FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> THE MUSEUM IS ONLY GOING TO SHOW MAYBE 5% OF THEIR COLLECTION ON THE FLOOR AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

SO HERE WE ARE ABLE TO MINE NUMEROUS MUSEUMS AT THE SAME TIME, SO WE GET TO LOOK AT THE OTHER 95% OF THEIR COLLECTION AND BRING THEM INTO ONE SPACE.

WE'RE STARTING TO SEE MORE AND MORE MUSEUMS.

WE'RE SEEING THEIR ENTIRE COLLECTIONS FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC.

SO WHAT A BETTER WAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT THAN TO PUT IT ON THE WALL, EXPAND IT AS LARGE AS YOU CAN, AND REALLY EXAMINE EVERY DETAIL.

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT ANYWHERE ELSE, AN IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENT AND TOUCH SCREEN.

FOR THAT REASON, WE ARE REALLY INNOVATING FROM THIS SPACE.

>> THIS SPACE AND THIS BUILDING IN GENERAL REALLY LENDS ITSELF TO EVENTS.

IT'S SUCH A CREATIVE AND DYNAMIC SPACE TO BE IN.

HI, I'M EMMA AND I MANAGE THE EVENTS AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH FOR THE LUMINARY.

WE FOCUS ON EDUCATION SO WE BRING A LOT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL, HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES IN HERE, BOISE STATE CLASSES.

WE ALSO HAVE EVENTS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC THAT INCLUDE POETRY READINGS, LECTURES, VIDEO SCREENINGS, MUSICAL PERFORMANCES.

>> THIS IS THE USER INTERFACE SIDE, YOU EXPLORE THE ART.

MY STUDENTS HAVE BEEN PUTTING TOGETHER THE BACK END PART THAT CONNECTS WHAT YOU SEE IN HERE TO ALL THE MUSEUMS THAT OFFER UP THEIR CONTENT ON THE INTERNET.

>> I THINK THEY'RE REALLY EXCITING INNOVATIONS THAT IS GOING ON IN THIS SPACE.

IT REALLY COMES FROM OUR STUDENTS.

OUR STUDENTS ARE THE ONES WHO ARE DRIVING THEIR EDUCATIONAL LEARNING.

THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE HELPING TO CODE WHAT YOU SEE BEHIND ME.

>> THERE ARE 42 MILLION PIXELS IN THE SPACE.

HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE AND OPTIMIZE YOUR CONTENT AND YOUR CODES TO SUPPORT THIS TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT?

STUDENTS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH PROGRAMS THAT TAKE ON THOSE CHALLENGES.

>> THERE WE GO.

>> YOU HAVE A LOT OF DATA TO MOVE AROUND, A LOT OF DATA TO MANAGE, AND A COMPUTER TO WORK WITH AND LEARN.

>> I HAVE BEEN TEACHING ART HISTORY FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.

IF YOU KNOW AN ART HISTORIAN, THEY THINK THEY KNOW EVERYTHING.

I KEEP FINDING NEW THINGS EVERYDAY.

>> Rich: YEAH, IT'S REALLY COOL.

ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE EFFORT TO RESTORE THIS.

OLD GAS STATION IN LUTHER, OKLAHOMA.

WHY IT HAS SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL VALUE IN RELATION TO A DARK TIME IN OKLAHOMA'S PAST.

>> WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT KAYAKING ON THE OKLAHOMA RIVER.

PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY THE O.E.T.A PRODUCTION TEAM.

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 WEEKEND.

[♪♪♪♪♪] [♪♪♪♪♪] [♪♪♪♪♪] [♪♪♪♪♪]