.

>>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT AND ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND.SEEKING COMMON GROUND >> JUST TELL ME WHAT THE RULES ARE.

WE NEED CLARITY.

>> I BELIEVE IN HIS HEART, THE GOVERNOR WANTS THE RULE OF LAW TO CARRY THE DAY.

>>> AN HISTORIC PERFORMANCE AT THE OSCARS FOR THE OSAGE SINGERS.

>> ONCE WE WERE FINISHED AND THE THE OVATION STARTED, IT WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, REALLY, REALLY SPECTACULAR.

>>> A HELPING HAND FOR MINORITY ENTREPRENEURS IN TULSA.

>> IMMIGRANTS ARE A LOT MORE LIKELY TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES THAN ANY OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>>> OKLAHOMA STUDENTS COMPETING IN THE REGIONAL BRAILLE CHALLENGE IN MUSKOGEE.

>> I GO AGAINST A LOT OF REALLY GREAT KIDS, SO FOR ME IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY COMPETITIVE.

>>> CONSTRUCTION ON OKLAHOMA CITY'S NEWEST TOURIST ATTRACTION IS ON SCHEDULE.

>> WHAT WE'RE GONNA OFFER HERE IS UNIQUE AND A DIFFERENTIATOR TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

SOME OF THE RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS WE HAVE NO ONE ELSE HAS.

>>> PLUS, AN "INDEPTH" DICUSSION ON "NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH", NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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

THE STITT ADMINISTRATION IS SUING ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND FOR HIS LEGAL OPINION CONCERNING A MEMBER OF GOVERNOR STITT'S CABINET-- IT'S THE LATEST MOVE IN A RELATIONSHIP THAT HAS SEEN DRUMMOND AND STITT, "AGREE TO DISAGREE" ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED BY JASON DOYLE.

JASON?

>> RICH, IT WAS SENATOR MARY BOREN WHO REQUESTED AN ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION ABOUT A SPECIFIC MEMBER OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET.

BOTH THE GOVERNOR AND A-G SAY THEIR DISAGREEMENTS ARE NOT PERSONAL.

OBSERVERS BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE IN OPINION IS SIMPLY A FUNCTION OF THE CHECKS AND BALANCES INGRAINED IN OUR STATE CONSTITUTION.

>> TELL ME WHAT THE RULES ARE.

>> GOVERNOR FIRING BACK LAST WEEK ON AN OPINION, THAT LED TO THE RESIGNATION OF -- THE AG HOLDS THE COURT OF LAW.

>> FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, FOR CLARITY.

>> THE ISSUES WITH THE OPINION IS THAT HE HELD THREE POSITIONS.

>> WHEN WE DRAFTED THE CONSTITUTION, WE WERE POPULOUS AND DIDN'T TRUST PEOPLE WITH THE CONSOLIDATION OF POWER.

THAT HISTORY IS CONTINUED TO THIS DAY.

>> THE GOVERNOR AND HIS TEAM, BELIEVE THEY HAVE -- TO PICK AND CLUES WITH THE AGENCY HEADS.

>> LET ME READ YOU THE PLAIN LANGUAGE.

I WANT TO READ THIS FOR YOU.

HERE'S WHAT THE STATUTE SAYS.

A CABINET SECRETARY MAY BE APPOINTED AS A CABINET SECRETARY FROM AMONG THE AGENCY HEADS WITHIN THE CABINET AREA.

EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE DONE.

>> HE SAYS BE HE'S FOLLOWED HOW PREVIOUS GOVERNORS SET UP THEIR CABINETS.

>> I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE I LOOKED AT THE OTHER GOVERNORS.

THEY'VE SET THEM UP THE SAME WAY.

>> TODAY'S CABINET SECRETARIES HOLD MORE POWER THAN PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS, AND THAT'S WHY THE RESTRICTION IS IN PLACE.

>> WE HAVE ADDED DUTIES TO OUR SECRETARIES OF THE CABINET.

BACK IN THE DAY, UNDER FALLEN AND -- THE SECRETARY SHOWED UP WITH A CUP OF COFFEE AND ADVISED THE GOVERNOR.

TODAY THEY -- ASSESS FINES THAT'S POLICE POWER.

THE POWER OF THE STATE.

>> THIS IS ONE MORE CONFLICT THAT'S EMERGED BETWEEN THE CURRENT ATTORNEY GENERAL AND OKLAHOMA AND THE GOVERNOR OVER VARIOUS ISSUES.

>> THE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR SAYS THE TWO HAVE BEEN CONFLICTED OVER THE MISSPENDING OF THE MONEY THAT WAS MEANT FOR PARENTS TO PAY FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE GOVERNOR FILED A LAWSUIT EARLIER AGAINST CLASS -- AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TOOK IT OVER AND DISMISSED IT.

THE SECOND TIME, SAME THING OCCURRED.

>> GOVERNOR BELIEVED IS AT FAULT FOR NOT PROVIDING MORE OVERSIGHT.

HE BELIEVES THE CHALLENGE IS A GOOD THING.

>> THERE SHOULD BE SOME CLARIFICATION, IF THIS IS A PRACTICE THAT'S EMERGED OFFICER A PERIOD OF TIME, WHERE GOVERNORS HAVE DONE THIS AND NOT SHOULD BE DONE, WE NEED TO CLARIFY THAT.

THEY CAN GO IN AND REWRITE THE STATUTES.

>> THE LEGISLATE DID THAT, BY FAST TRACKING SENATE BILL FOR THE AGRICULTURE SECRETARY ARTHUR, AND SECRETARY OF LICENSING AND REGULATION WINCHESTER.

HOWEVER THE GOVERNOR VETOED THE BILL WHEN IT REACHED HIS DESK.

>> WE THINK IT'S REDUNDANT.

>> THIS IS NOTHING PERSONAL.

>> WE NEED CLARITY AROUND THIS.

TO US, WE THINK THE AG MISAPPLIED THE LAW, AND IT'S A HEAD SCRATCHER.

>> WE AGREE ON A LOT OF THINGS.

AND FRANKLY WE AGREE ON THE OBJECTIVE.

I BELIEVE IN HIS HEART, THE GOVERNOR WANTS THE RULE OF LAW TO CARRY THE DAY.

>> DISAGREEMENTS ARE NOTHING NEW.

ASK THE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL, WHO SERVED FOR 16 YEARS.

>> EIGHT YEARS WITH GOVERNOR KEATING AND EIGHT YEARS WITH HENRY.

>> HENRY WAS ALSO A DEMOCRAT.

HE ADMITS THINGS WERE DICEY.

>> THEY SAW ME AS THE NEXT LIKELY OPPONENT, AND IT WAS A ROUGH FOUR YEARS.

AT ONE POINT HE VETOED MY BUDGET, SO I HAD TO GO BACK AND HAVE ANOTHER PASSED TO KEEP THE DOORS OF THE OFFICE OPEN.

>> IT WAS A COUPLE OF AG OPINIONS THAT KEPT THE STANCE ON CERTAIN ISSUES AND OPEN COMMUNICATION THAT LED TO A BETTER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FORMER AG AND THE FORMER GOVERNOR.

>> WITH THOSE, WE ALL OF A SUDDEN BECAME GOLFING BUDDIES.

IT MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE, I THINK, IT NEVER PADDED MY BUDGET BUT NEVER VETOED IT AGAIN.

>> HE BELIEVES A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR IS IMPORTANT.

>> MY POLICY WAS, STAY CLOSE TO THE GOVERNOR.

REGARDLESS OF PARTY.

AND MAKE SURE THERE'S A CONDUIT FOR CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES.

>> HE COMPARES HIS ROLE TO THAT OF A BASEBALL UMPIRE.

>> HE'S ASKED FOR AN INSTANT REPLAY.

HE DOESN'T LIKE MY CALL.

DID HE CALL IT CORRECTLY OR REALLY A BALL?

I WILL BE PERFECTLY CONTENT WITH THE ADJUDICATION OF THE COURT.

>> STITT'S LEGAL CHALLENGE TO THE AG'S OPINION WAS FILED IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT.

DRUMMOND'S OFFICE WILL FILE A RESPONSE SOON.

IT'S STILL EARLY.AS OF FRIDAY.A COURT DATE TO HEAR THE GOVERNOR AND AG'S ARGUMENTS HAS YET TO BE SET.

RICH.

>>> THE DEATH OF OWASSO TRANSGENDER STUDENT NEX BENEDICT HAS BEEN RULED A SUICIDE.

BENEDICT, WHO DIED ON FEBRUARY 8 FOLLOWING AN ALTERCATION IN A HIGH SCHOOL BATHROOM DIED FROM A REPORTED OVERDOSE OF PROZAC AND BENEDRYL.

BENEDICT WAS 16 YEARS OLD.

ON WEDNESDAY, MARGARET COATES, THE SUPERINTENDENT OF OWASSO PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELEASED A LETTER TO FAMILIES AND EDUCATORS, THAT READ IN PART: "THE LOSS OF NEX, A MEMBER OF THE RAM FAMILY AND THE OWASSO COMMUNITY, IS DEVASTATING.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE INFORMATION RELEASED TODAY MAY BRING UP ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS, FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF MEMBERS."

THE OWASSO SCHOOL BOARD MET FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MONDAY NIGHT FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION THAT IT WAS LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATH OF BENEDICT.

THE MEETING INCLUDED PUBLIC COMMENT DEMANDING ACTION FROM SCHOOL OFFICIALS.

>> MY NAME IS MADISON HUTTON.

I'M A 2019 OWOSSO HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE AND A PROUD MEMBER OF THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY.

I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY LIKE MANY OTHERS, WITH A HEAVY HEART AND A PRESSING CALL FOR ACTION.

I WILL NOT BE TALKING ABOUT THE CASE AS IT IS ACTIVE AND ONGOING.

THAT BEING SAID, THE RECENT TRAGEDY THAT HAS BEFALLEN OUR COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL HAS SHAKEN US TO OUR CORE.

THE BRUTAL ASSAULT ON NEX BENEDICT ON OUR SCHOOL PREMISES AND THE SUBSEQUENT LACK OF ADEQUATE RESPONSE IS A STAIN ON OUR CONSCIENCE THAT CANNOT BE IGNORED.

>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND NO DETERMINATIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS POINT.

>>> WELL, THEY DIDN'T BRING AN "OSCAR" BACK TO OKLAHOMA-- IN FACT, DESPITE SEVERAL NOMINATIONS, "KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON", WAS SHUT OUT BY HOLLYWOOD VOTERS.

BUT, IT WAS THRILLING TO SEE THE "OSAGE SINGERS" PERFORM AN ORIGINAL PIECE OF MUSIC IN FRONT OF A WORLD-WIDE AUDIENCE.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE ON THAT.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, THE OSAGE NATION HAS PLENTY TO CELEBRATE THIS WEEK.

GEORGE SCOTT AND THE OSAGE SINGERS' HISTORIC PERFORMANCE SHOWCASED THE OSAGE CULTURE TO THE WORLD JUST AS THE NATION BEGAN CELEBRATING THEIR SOVEREIGNTY DAY.

>> IT WAS, IT WAS REALLY AMAZING.

>> SCOTT GEORGE IS TALKING ABOUT HIS REACTION TO THE STANDING OVATION HE AND THE OSAGE SINGERS RECEIVED SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE OSCARS.

>> WE HAD A MINUTE AND 45 SECONDS TO SING A SONG THAT USUALLY TAKES US SIX MINUTES OR LONGER.

AND SO WE LEARNED HOW TO SHORTEN IT AND, AND PUT IT IN THAT TIMEFRAME.

WE SPENT MORE TIME WAITING, YOU KNOW, TO, TO SING THAN WE DID TO SING IT.

AND THEN ONCE THAT, ONCE WE WERE FINISHED AND THE THE OVATION STARTED, IT WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, REALLY, REALLY SPECTACULAR.

>> GEORGE BEGAN TO CREATE THE SONG AFTER " FLOWERS OF THE KILLER MOON" DIRECTOR, MARTIN SCORSESE WANTED TO USE OSAGE MUSIC FOR THE FILM.

>> WE FOUND OUT THAT THAT'S WHAT MARTIN WAS ASKING FOR, THAT HE WANTED TO INCLUDE US IN THE MOVIE.

AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT MOST OF OUR MUSIC CONTAINS ANCESTRAL NAMES IN THERE AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE TO USE IN, IN THIS MOVIE, OR WE DIDN'T FEEL LIKE IT WOULD BE.

SO WE TALKED IT OVER ME AND MY, MY FRIEND VAN BIGHORSE, WHO'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE CULTURAL PROGRAM FOR THE OSAGE TRIBE, WE TALKED IT OVER AND SAID, WE'RE JUST GONNA HAVE TO COMPOSE OUR OWN.

>> BOTH GEORGE AND BIGHORSE WROTE A SONG EACH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE MOVIE >> IN INDIAN MUSIC, SINCE IT'S NOT RECORDED OR VERY SELDOM RECORDED, YOU'RE RELYING ON PEOPLE'S MEMORIES TO SEE IF YOU, IF WHATEVER YOU'VE CREATED DOESN'T SOUND LIKE SOMETHING ELSE, YOU KNOW, THAT YOU MAY HAVE HEARD 20 YEARS AGO AND, AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT.

>> THE GROUP RECORDED BOTH SONGS AND SUBMITTED THEM TO SCORSESE AND COMPOSER ROBBIE ROBERTSTON.

WAHZHAZHE WAS CHOSEN AND FEATURED IN THE ENDING SCENE IN THE MOVIE.

MUSICOLOGY PROFESSOR DR. MAXWELL YAMANE SAYS MUSIC IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT INDIGENOUS MUSIC AND THERE'S ALSO MANY DIFFERENT INDIGENOUS GROUPS, PLURAL.

AND SO EACH TRIBE, EACH COMMUNITY IS GONNA HAVE THEIR OWN CONCEPTION AND PRACTICE OF MUSIC, AND IT'S GONNA MEAN DIFFERENT THINGS TO THAT COMMUNITY.

THERE'S DIFFERENT STYLES OF MUSIC, DIFFERENT AESTHETICS OF MUSIC.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TYPICALLY SEE, OR I, ONE OF ONE OF THE MAJOR COMMONALITIES OF INDIGENOUS MUSIC IS THAT TYPICALLY MUSIC MAKING IS FOR DOING, NOT NECESSARILY FOR LISTENING, LIKE IN WESTERN MUSIC.

>> YAMANE SAYS EACH SONG AND DANCE MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR EACH TRIBAL NATION.

>> SO I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ALL TRIBES OF COURSE, BUT I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF SINGERS TALK ABOUT THE SPIRITUAL IMPORTANCE OF THE DRUM TO DIFFERENT TRIBES.

THE DRUM MIGHT BE MALE, IT MIGHT BE FEMALE, IT MIGHT BE REFERRED TO AS GRANDMOTHER, AS GRANDFATHER.

THE DRUM.

I'VE ALSO HEARD AS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE PEOPLE.

AND IT IS WHAT MAKES THE DANCE HAPPEN.

>> THERE WAS A TIME, I WOULD SAY PRIOR TO CONTACT WITH ANY COLONISTS AND THAT MUSIC WAS, WAS IN EVERY ASPECT OF OUR LIFE.

YOU KNOW, WE, WE HAD SONGS THAT MARK THE, THE RISING IN THE MORNING AND PRAYING IN THE MORNING.

WE HAD SONGS ANNOUNCING CERTAIN EVENTS.

WE HAD SONGS, YOU KNOW, FOR DINNER.

WE HAD, WE HAD MUSIC ALL THE TIME.

>> LIKE OTHER INDIGENOUS NATIONS THE OSAGE LANGUAGE BECAME DILUTED AFTER ASSIMILATION.

>> YOU KNOW, HAVING TO >> ACTOR LILLY GLADSTONE REACTED TO THE HISTORIC PERFORMANCE ON "X" FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER.

WHEN WATCHING THE OSAGE SINGERS AT THE OSCARS, MY INNER VOICE SAID "THEY'RE THE ONES BRINGING US ALL UP ON STAGE TONIGHT, THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE."

THE HISTORY IN THE FILM AND OF THE MOMENT RIGHTFULLY BELONG TO THE OSAGE NATION.

WHAT AN HONOR TO BE CLOSE ENOUGH TO FEEL THE DRUM.

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR INDIAN COUNTRY BECAUSE OF THE LONG LEGACY OF HOLLYWOOD STEREOTYPING AND MISREPRESENTING INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, NOT ONLY JUST VISUALLY, BUT ALSO SONICALLY AS WELL SO YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD THE JOHN WAYNE BEAT THE 1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, >> GEORGE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR NON-NATIVES TO HEAR INDIGENOUS MUSIC AND HOPES SOME WILL DEVELOP AN EAR FOR IT.

>> I'VE SPENT MOST OF MY LIFE TRYING TO INTRODUCE MY FRIENDS THAT WERE IN, OR WERE NON-INDIAN.

I'D INVITE THEM TO, TO COME OUT AND LISTEN TO US OR WATCH US OR WHATEVER.

AND MOST OF THEM DON'T, DON'T GET IT BECAUSE THEY, THEY ALL HEAR THE SAME THING, YOU KNOW, AND IT TAKES, TAKES A DEVELOPED EAR TO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NOT ONE SONG THAT WE SING THAT IS LIKE THE OTHER ONE.

>> CELEBRATIONS ARE STILL UNDERWAY FOR THE OSAGE NATION.

THE LAST SOVEREIGNTY CELEBRATION EVENT WILL BE HELD SATURDAY.

RICH?

>>> MARCH IS "NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH", AND WE THOUGHT THAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT TIME TO GATHER TOGETHER A GROUP OF OKLAHOMA WOMEN TO LEARN HOW THEY'RE WORKING TO SUPPORT OTHER WOMEN IN OUR STATE.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>> YOU WOULDN'T HAVE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IF IT HADN'T BEEN THE COMMINGLING OF OUR GENDERS.

YOU KNOW, IF WE HADN'T HAVE HAD WOMEN COME WITH THE MEN STAKE THEIR OWN CLAIMS AND CREATE THEIR OWN SPHERE OF INFLUENCE.

>> WE WANNA SEE MORE AND MORE WOMEN HELPING OTHER WOMEN SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING OTHER WOMEN, NOT JUST IN THE WORKPLACE, BUT ALSO IN THE HOME WHERE THEY'RE RAISING UP THIS NEXT GENERATION OF GIRLS AND BOYS AND MAKING SURE THAT IT ALL DOVETAILS AND WORKS TOGETHER BEAUTIFULLY.

>> I THINK THAT HOW WE CAN SUPPORT AND REALLY BOLSTER AND EMBOLDEN WOMEN IN BUSINESS AND BEYOND IS TO CONTRIBUTE.

AND SO WE ALWAYS WELCOME IN IF SOMEONE HAS A TOPIC THAT THEY'RE A PARTICULAR EXPERT IN OR SOME EXPERIENCE THAT THEY THINK THEY CAN MENTOR ANOTHER WOMAN OR A WOMAN IN BUSINESS.

"INDEPTH" MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD WILL HAVE THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>>> MINORITY ENTREPRENEURS IN THE TULSA AREA WILL SOON GET A BIG BOOST IN HELPING THEIR IDEAS AND BUSINESS PLANS COME TO LIFE.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS.

STEVE?

>>> RICH JUST AFTER MEMORIAL DAY.THE CITY OF TULSA BREAKS GROUND ON A PROJECT THEY AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS BELIEVE WILL TRANSFORM "PLAZA SANTA CECILIA".IN EAST TULSA.KNOWN FOR DECADES AS THE EAST TULSA GLOBAL DISTRICT.

NANCY NAVARRO'S PARENTS' "NATURAL HERBS AND REMEDIES" PHARMACY WAS ONE OF THE 40 ORIGINAL TENANTS.

WHEN PLAZA SANTA CECILIA FIRST OPENED ON 21ST AND SOUTH GARNETT 25 YEARS AGO.

TODAY.IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE ONE SQUARE MILE EAST TULSA "WORLD DISTRICT".THERE ARE MORE THAN 200 BUSINESSES THAT ARE PRACTICALLY ALL IMMIGRANT OWNED.

AS MANY AS 80 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN HERE.

>> BUT.ALL THESE YEARS LATER.PLAZA SANTA CECILIA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS.

WHEN IT RAINS.THE ROOF LEAKS.

THERE ARE PLUMBING ISSUES.AND SOMETIMES THE HEATING AND AIR DOESN'T WORK.

LAST FALL.TWO LOCAL BUSINESSMEN BOUGHT PLAZA SANTA CECILIA FROM AN OUT OF TOWN DEVELOPER.

THE'RE NOW PARTNERING WITH THE CITY OF TULSA, TULSA COUNTY, AND THE GEORGE KAISER FOUNDATION.

THE GOAL IS TO NOT JUST RENOVATE THIS GIANT WORLD MARKET.BUT ALSO ADD A BUSINESS INCUBATOR.

THEY'RE SPENDING ABOUT $2.5 MILLION.

INCLUDING MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS IN LEFTOVER GLOBAL PANDEMIC RELIEF MONEY TO DO IT.

THE BUSINESS INCUBATOR THEY SAY WILL BE SIMILAR TO 36 DEGREES NORTH NEAR DOWNTOWN TULSA.

36 DEGREES NORTH CATERS TO ENTREPRENEURS OFFERING FREE OFFICE SPACE, COMPUTERS AND OTHER RESOURCES.

THE INCUBATOR AT PLAZA SANTA CECELIA WILL CATER TO IMMIGRANT-OWNED BUSINESSES.

GEORGE KAISER FOUNDATION PROGRAM OFFICER CYNTHIA JASSO SAYS THIS WILL BE THE FIRST IMMIGRANT BUSINESS INCUBATOR IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WHAT WE SAW DURING THE PANDEMIC IS THAT OUR IMMIGRANT BUSINESS OWNERS WERE SOME OF THE FIRST IMPACTED BY COVID.

THEY WERE THE FIRST TO HAVE TO SHUT DOWN THEIR BUSINESSES.MANY WERE IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY.

AND WHEN WE ARE ASKING THEM WHAT WAS THE BEST WAY FOR THE CITY FOR PHILANTHROPY FOR COMMUNITIES TO SUPPORT YOU, A LOT OF THEM SAID WE WANT A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GATHER, GET SUPPORT, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, MENTORSHIP, WAS WE GROW AND NAVIGATE THESE PANDEMIC AND OTHER CHALLENGES.SO THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP WITH THE INCUBATOR IDEA.

>> THE ENTIRE REMODEL WILL LIKELY TAKE 18 MONTHS.

IT'S A BIG JOB.

BUT THE CITY SAYS NONE OF THE 40 TENANTS IN THERE WILL CLOSE DOWN FOR ANY TIME AT ALL.

>> IMMIGRANTS ARE A LOT MORE LIKELY TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESSES THAN ANY OTHER DEMOGRAPHIC HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND WHEN YOU COME TO 21ST AND GARNET YOU FEEL THAT.

YOU FEEL THE AUTHENTICITY, YOU FEEL THE COMMUNITY AND SO WHAT WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT IS TO PROVIDE ANOTHER LAYER OF REVITALIZATION TO THE FOUNDATION OUR IMMIGRANT BUSINESSES HAVE CREATED.

>> VICTOR CORDERO-ZAMORA HAS OWNED EASTSIDE BLENDS BARBER SHOP.RIGHT BEHIND PLAZA SANTA CECILIA FOR TEN YEARS.

>> I THINK IT'S A BIG STEP IN BUILDING A COMMUNITY STRONGER, ESPECIALLY THE ENTREPRENEURS THAT ARE LOOKING TO START A SMALL BIG BUSINESS.

BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED AS A COMMUNITY, NOT ONLY THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, BUT EVERYONE.

BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU FIRST HAND WHEN YOU START SOMETHING, ANYTHING HELPS.

AND WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES, YOU FEEL HELPLESS AND HOPELESS.

SO I FEEL THIS IS A GREAT STEP THAT HAVING IT IN THIS AREA WILL DO WONDERS FOR THIS COMMUNITY.

>> IN FACT.VICTOR SAYS HE JUST ACQUIRED A NEARBY BUILDING ON ROUTE 66.HE WANTS TO TURN INTO A RESTAURANT.

>> WE'RE NEEDING AS MUCH HELP AS WE CAN GET TO DO SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF THE TRADITIONAL AUTHENTIC CUISINE WE ARE USED TO.

>> CORDERO-ZAMORA'S GIRLFRIEND NINA LY'S 'S.SHOW PHOTO OF HER FATHER HERE FATHER THACH LY IMMIGRATED TO TULSA FROM VIETNAM MORE THAN THREE DECADES AGO.

NINA'S FATHER'S FIRST JOB IN TULSA WAS AT MCDONALDS.

NOW HE OWNS THREE NAIL SALONS.

>> I THINK THIS AREA.THE CULTURE WILL BE MORE CELEBRATED AND INVITED LIKE INTO TULSA AND NOT SO EXCLUDED, LIKE HAVING THIS INCUBATOR.

WE'LL BE ABLE TO AESTHETICALLY BRING EVERYTHING UP AND JUST MAKE IT A SAFER COMMUNITY FOR EVERYONE.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED.

I THINK THIS PLACE HAS A LOT OF HOPES AND EXPECTATIONS SINCE THE BEGINNING.

AND FOR A WHILE IT PLATEAUED, AND DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE.

BUT NOW THAT WE SEE IT BRINGS IN MORE PEOPLE AND MORE COMMUNITY AND DIFFERENT CULTURES, TO GETTING TO KNOW THIS AREA, WE ARE EXCITED, BECAUSE THAT WILL BRING MORE BUSINESS TO OUR AREA.

IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE NICE WHEN THE ROOF DOESN'T LEAK RIGHT?

THE ROOF.

THE AC IS ACTUALLY WORKING AND THE HEATING IT GETS.

AND THAT'S PART OF IT.

YOU ARE GOING TO GET A RELATIVELY NEW BUILDING.AND PART OF THIS IS YOU WON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THOSE MINOR INCONVENIENCES.

RIGHT?

YES.

WE ARE EXCITED.

>> AND TALK ABOUT PROGRESS.

TACHT LY.THE VIETNAMESE MAN.WHO'S FIRST JOB IN TULSA WAS AT MCDONALDS MORE THAN 30 YEARS AGO.HE NOT ONLY NOW OWNS THREE NAIL SALONS.HE ALSO PLANS TO OPEN A RESTAURANT.

RICH.

>>> AS WE DO EACH WEEK, IT IS TIME TO RECAP "THE WEEK THAT WAS" DURING THE REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

AND IF YOU LIKE ME, YOU HAD A LITTLE TROUBLE ADJUSTING TO THE CLOCK.

SPRINGING FORWARD AN HOUR LAST WEEKEND, A COUPLE OF LAWMAKERS ARE DETERMINED TO CHANGE THAT.

WE'RE JOINED BY QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY AT OUR OETA STUDIO IN THE CAPITOL.

AND SHAWN, THIS HAS BEEN TRIED BEFORE.

WHERE DOES IT STAND RIGHT NOW?

>> WELL, ONE BILL BY REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN WEST IN THE HOUSE APPEARS NOT TO BE MOVING FORWARD.

HOWEVER, SENATOR BLAKE STEVENS HAS WON APPROVAL OF A MEASURE THAT COULD ULTIMATELY LOCK THE STATE ON DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME.

IN ORDER FOR THAT TO OCCUR.

HOWEVER, FEDERAL LEGISLATION WOULD HAVE TO BE APPROVED AND SIGNED INTO LAW, WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE STATE TO DO THAT.

SENATOR STEVENS HELD AN INTERIM STUDY ON THE ISSUE OVER THE SUMMER POINTING OUT THAT THE CLOCK CHANGES OFTEN LEAD TO DETRIMENTAL EFFECTS FOR INDIVIDUALS.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT PE MOST VOTERS AND POLLS INDICATE THEY'RE SPLIT ON THE ISSUE, WHETHER THEY, WHETHER THEY WANT STANDARD TIME OR SAVING TIME.

BUT ONE THING THEY ALL AGREE ON, THEY WANT THE CLOCKS TO STOP BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH.

>> SHAWN, THIS IS ANOTHER DEADLINE WEEK.

EXPLAIN THAT TO OUR VIEWERS.

>> YES.

IN ORDER TO MAKE THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS RUN A BIT MORE SMOOTHLY, LAWMAKERS IMPOSE A VARIETY OF DEADLINES THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS SO THAT THE BILLS CAN MOVE FROM ONE CHAMBER TO ANOTHER.

THURSDAY WAS THE DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO BE HEARD IN THEIR CHAMBER OF ORIGIN.

THAT MEANS HOUSE BILLS NEEDED TO BE HEARD IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE BILLS NEEDED TO BE HEARD IN THE SENATE.

THIS CYCLE WAS ONLY A TWO WEEK LONG PERIOD, SO LAWMAKERS WORKED SOME EXTRA HOURS TO GET THAT WORK DONE.

>> SHAWN, REPRESENTATIVE ROSS FORD OF BROKEN ARROWS PUTTING FORTH A BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE TO GET OUT OF DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AT HOME.

WHAT IS HE PROPOSING?

>> YES.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS OFTEN FACED BY THOSE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS IS WHERE DO THEY GO AND HOW DO THEY PAY FOR IT?

REPRESENTATIVE FORD'S BILL WOULD PROVIDE, WOULD EXEMPT CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS FROM THE CREDIT CHECK AND DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS OF ELECTRIC UTILITIES.

SPECIFICALLY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WORKING FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATED CENTERS.

>> THE HOUSE PASSING THE BILL THIS WEEK TO HELP WITH RESEARCH ON A DEADLY BRAIN CANCER FOUND IN CHILDREN.

WHAT ARE LAWMAKERS TRYING TO SET UP?

>> WELL, WHAT THEY HAVE DONE IS PROPOSE CREATING A REVOLVING FUND WITH THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE GRANTS TO HELP FIND A CURE FOR DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA, A FORM OF CHILDHOOD BRAIN CANCER MONEY APPROPRIATED INTO THAT FUND OR DONATED BY INDIVIDUALS, INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES WOULD THEN BE USED TO FUND A GRANT FOCUSING ON THAT CURE.

>> I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT MOVING FORWARD.

ANOTHER MEDICAL MARIJUANA REFORM BILL WAS APPROVED BY THE HOUSE.

THIS BILL, I GUESS, WOULD TARGET HOW MARIJUANA IS SOLD TO PATIENTS?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THIS LIMITS THE DISTRIBUTION OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA TO THREE OUNCE PACKETS.

CURRENTLY, IT'S AVAILABLE MORE FREELY, SO TO SPEAK.

IN, IN, IN JARS AT DISPENSARIES.

DI DISTRIBUTORS WOULD HAVE TO PACKAGE THE MARIJUANA IN NO LARGER THAN THREE OUNCE PACKETS, WHICH WOULD THEN GO TO THE MARIJUANA DISPENSARY.

OPPONENTS OF THE BILL, HOWEVER, POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE LAW THAT PREVENTED THE DISPENSARIES FROM OPENING, OPENING THOSE THREE OUNCE PACKETS AND THEN COMBINING THEM INTO LARGER CONTAINERS TO SELL LARGER QUANTITIES.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE ULTIMATELY WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT BILL AS IT MAKES ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> OKAY.

VERY GOOD.

SEAN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL.

AS ALWAYS, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> 18 ORGANIZATIONS SHARING THEIR MOST SAVORY CHILI RECIPES THIS WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

THE ANNUAL "CHILI COOK OFF" IS A FUNDRAISER PUT TOGETHER BY THE "OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVOCACY" AS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION'S PUSH TO BRING CAUSES TOGETHER WITH LAWMAKERS.

>> WE ENCOURAGE ADVOCATES TO COME HERE AND SHARE THEIR STORIES WITH LAWMAKERS ABOUT DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT ARE IMPACTING CHILDREN.

WE INVITE ORGANIZATIONS TO COME AND SET UP AND DISPLAY THE MATERIALS THAT THEY HAVE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE IT AS A CHILI COOKOFF TO ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO COMPETE IN A FUN NETWORKING EVENT TO GIVE EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY SAMPLE, DIFFERENT CHILIES AND JUST HAVE A FUN, A GOOD DAY AT THE CAPITOL.

>> DORMAN SAYS THIS YEAR'S PROCEEDS WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN THE "DONNA NIGH FOUNDATION" AND THE "CATHY CUMMINGS MEMORIAL LUNCH MONEY FUND".

CATHY'S WIDOWER, SEAN CUMMINGS WON BOTH THE JUDGE'S CHOICE AND PEOPLE'S CHOICE IN THE COMPETITION THIS YEAR.

>>> CONSTRUCTION ON THE CHICKASAW NATION'S $400 MILLION "OKANA RESORT AND INDOOR WATER PARK" IS ON SCHEDULE AND EXPECTED TO OPEN IN MARCH OF 2025.

LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA CITY'S "HORIZONS DISTRICT", THE 100,000 SQUARE FOOT WATER PARK WILL EVENTUALLY INCLUDE A 400-ROOM HOTEL, CONFERENCE CENTER AND A 4-AND-A-HALF ACRE OUTDOOR LAGOON.

>> EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE SEEN TODAY AND EVERYTHING OUR GUESTS ARE GONNA SEE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE OPEN IS UNIQUE TO THE STATE.

WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 13 DIFFERENT TYPES OF SLIDES AND, AND ATTRACTIONS FOR GUESTS, BOTH FOR ADULTS AND FOR CHILDREN.

SO WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> WHAT WE'RE GONNA OFFER HERE IS UNIQUE AND A DIFFERENTIATOR TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

SOME OF THE RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS WE HAVE NO ONE ELSE HAS.

>> SOMETHING WE'RE VERY, VERY EXCITED ABOUT.

PUTTING OUR STAMP AND OUR FOOTPRINT ON OKLAHOMA CITY AS IT CONTINUES TO GROW, WE'RE GONNA EMPLOY OVER 300 PEOPLE, HOPEFULLY MOSTLY LOCAL, LOCAL OKLAHOMA CITY PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S EXCITING FOR US BECAUSE ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS ARE CRUCIAL TO OUR SUCCESS.

>> THE RESORT, LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE "FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM" WILL ALSO FEATURE 12 RESTAURANTS.

>>> COMPARED TO OTHER AMERICAN CITIES, IT WILL COST YOU LESS TO LEAD A COMFORTABLE LIFE IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

JASON DOYLE EXPLAINS IN THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW".

>> AMONG THE BIGGEST U.S. CITIES OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA RANK IN THE TOP 20 CITIES WHERE IT IS EASIER TO LIVE COMFORTABLY.

TULSA RANKS 8TH LEAST EXPENSIVE.WHILE OKLAHOMA CITY RANKS 17TH IN THE SMART ASSET STUDY.

THE STUDY FOR A COMFORTABLE LIVING IN TULSA, A SINGLE PERSON WOULD NEED TO MAKE AT LEAST $81,078, WHILE TWO ADULTS WITH TWO CHILDREN WOULD NEED TO BRING IN AT LEAST $199,430.

FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A COMFORTABLE LIVING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.THEY WOULD NEED TO MAKE $82,659 AS A SINGLE PERSON AND MAKE $201,594.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR A SINGLE PERSON IS $96,500.

THE AVERAGE FOR THE FAMILY OF FOUR IS $235,000.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY HOME MARKET IS FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL TREND OF MORE HOUSES COMING UP FOR SALE.

THAT'S THE LATEST FROM THE ZILLOW REAL ESTATE MONTHLY REPORT.

THE NUMBER OF HOMES FOR SALE IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAS INCREASED BY 28.4% SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2023.

THE AVERAGE HOME IS STAYING ON THE MARKET ABOUT 19 DAYS.

THE AVERAGE HOME PRICE IN OKLAHOMA CITY ACCORDING TO ZILLOW IS NOW 229,838.

A 3.6% INCREASE OVER THE PRICE LISTINGS IN FEBRUARY OF 2023.

FLORIDA BASED BLUE COMPASS RV HAS STRUCK A PARTNERSHIP WITH OKLAHOMA CITY BASED LOVE'S TRAVEL STOPS TO OFFER DISCOUNTS TO ITS CUSTOMERS.

THOSE PURCHASING AN RV FROM BLUE COMPASS WILL BE ABLE TO USE AN APP TO GET DISCOUNTS ON GAS, DIESEL, AND PROPANE.

THOSE CUSTOMERS WILL ALSO RECEIVE A DISCOUNT AT DUMP STATIONS AT THE LOVE'S TRAVEL STOPS.

2023 WAS THE THIRD BEST YEAR FOR SALES IN THE 40 YEAR HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA CITY BASED EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS.

THE COMPANY REPORTS REVENUES OF $4.1 BILLION.

THAT REVENUE WAS GENERATED BY ITS 492,000 ASSOCIATES AT 862 FRANCHISE LOCATIONS ACROSS THE GLOBE.

EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT OFFICIALS SAY THE DEMAND FOR QUALITY WORKERS HAAS PUSHED SALES HIGHER FOR THE COMPANY.

THIS YEAR, EXPRESS IS REBRANDING ITS HEALTHCARE STAFFING UNIT TO >>> THE "OKLAHOMA REGIONAL BRAILLE CHALLENGE" WAS HELD AT THE "OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND" IN MUSKOGEE A WEEK AGO WEDNESDAY.

THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, ANDREW HARTSHORN WAS THERE.

AND FILES THIS REPORT ON THE COMPETITION.

>> TESTED ON EVERY YEAR, AND KIDS FROM THE SCHOOL AND ALL OVER THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA COME IN AND PARTICIPATE.

>> THIS YEAR'S CHALLENGE HAS 33 CONTESTANTS.

>> FRESHMEN APPRENTICE LEVELS DO SPELLING, READING, AND COMPREHENSION.

AND THEN, SOPHOMORE, JUNIOR, VARSITY DO CHARTS AND GRAPHS, READING, COMPREHENSION AND STUDENT ADVOCACY.

WHICH MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE AN AUDIO TAPE AND WE HAVE TO BRAILLE OUT WHATEVER IT IS ON THE TAPE AND TO ACTUAL BRAILLE.

IT DEPENDS ON THE LEVEL YOU'RE OUT.

>> THE STUDENTS ARE COMPETING FOR AWARDS AND PRIZES.

AND A LUCKY FEW THE NEXT LEVEL OF COMPETITION.

>> SOME GET TO GO TO THE NATIONAL LEVEL IN CALIFORNIA.

I PERSONALLY HAVE NEVER BEEN BUT I HEARD IT'S AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.

>> WHAT YOU'RE SEEING THEM DO RIGHT NOW IS A SIMULATED COMPETITION.

NO ONE IS ABLE TO RECORD THE REAL COMPETITION.

>> IT'S A LOT OF FUN BECAUSE THE KIDS ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE INVOLVED IN A COMPETITION THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE BRAILLE SKILLS, TO HAVE A MEDAL FOR SOMETHING THAT'S SPECIAL FOR WHAT THEY DO.

AND THEY MOST ESPECIALLILY LIKE TO CHOOSE GREAT PRIZES.

>> WORKS AT THE SCHOOL AND THE BRAILLE CHALLENGE COORDINATOR.

>> BRAILLE IS SOMETHING UNIQUE FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND.

AND IT'S A LOT OF FUN, I COORDINATE A LOT OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

THEY COME FROM ACROSS FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THEIR SKILLS.

>> SHE WAS A TEACHER FOR 31 YEARS.

SHE VOLUNTEERS WHENEVER THEY NEED HER HELP.

>> OKLAHOMA SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND IS THE ONLY STATE SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND IN OKLAHOMA.

THEY STARTED AS AN IN THE BARICS AT FORT GIBSON, AND STARTED BY TEACHING INDIAN BLIND CHILDREN.

AND IT'S EVOLVED INTO THE SCHOOL IT IS TODAY.

>> IT'S A DEFINITION OF A PIONEER SCHOOL.

STARTED IN 1897.

SHE BORROWED FURNITURE.

IN 1945 A TORNADO DESTROYED THE ROOF AND DEMOLISHED THE GYM.

THREE WERE KILLED.

BY THAT TRAGEDY, THE SCHOOL WAS REBUILT AND REOPENED.

>> MANY OF THE STATE SCHOOLS HAVE CLOSED OR IN OTHER STATES HAVE CLOSED DUE TO INCLUSION AND THE KIDS GOING TO PUBLIC SCHOOL INSTEAD OF THE STATE SCHOOL.

I'M PROUD THAT OKLAHOMA HAS KEPT THE ACADEMICS IMPORTANT AS THIS SCHOOL AND THE KIDS LEARN SO MUCH.

>> THIS COMPETITION ALLOWED THE KIDS TO SHOW OFF THE KNOWLEDGE AND THE ABILITY TO USE IT AND UNDERSTAND IT IN AN COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT.

>> FOR ME, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VERY COMPETITIVE.

I GO AGAINST A LOT OF REALLY GREAT KIDS.

FOR ME, IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE.

FOR SOME PEOPLE, IT'S EASIER AND SOME IT'S HARDER.

OVERALL, IT'S VERY COMPETITIVE COMPETITION.

>> SHE TOOK HOME GOLD IN THE JUNIOR VARSITY CATEGORY.

SHE'LL FIND OUT IN MAY IF IT WAS GOOD TO HENRY EARN HER -- EARN HER A TRIP.

>>> IN RECOGNITION OF "NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH"-- THIS WEEK WE'RE FOCUSING OUR "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION ON PROMOTING THE SUCCESS AND EMPOWERMENT OF OKLAHOMA WOMEN.

HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.

CASSIDY?

>> THANK YOU, JOINING ME IS THE COMMISSIONER, JENNIFER EDWARDS WHO'S THE PROGRAM MANAGER.

AND LAST BUT NOTE LEAST, MS. AN IN A DAVIDSON.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

IT'S A PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> COMMISSIONER, LET'S START WITH YOU.

TELL US A BIT OF THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

>> I CAN, THE FIRST THING THAT YOUR VIEWERS NEED TO KNOW IS THE COMMISSION IS 30 WOMEN STRONG FROM ACROSS THE WHOLE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS TO MARRY IN THE PERSPECTIVES AND NEEDS AND ISSUES THAT FACE OKLAHOMA WOMEN.

THOSE ARE A MULTITUDE OF THINGS.

THERE ARE 30 OF US, WE'RE APPOINTED, WE'RE AN APPOINTED COMMISSION BODY.

WE'RE ALL VOLUNTEER, AND WE HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF APPOINTING THE ADVISER.

BUT WITH REGARD TO WHAT WE DO IN THE COMMISSION, WE FOCUS IN ON A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES.

ONE IS VERY MUCH THE CENTER PIECE OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, THE LEGISLATURE GIVING US THE CHARGE IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S EVERYWHERE, IT'S ALL OVER THE STATE AND FROM EVERY DIFFERENT SECTOR.

IT'S A BIG PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES AND GROWING.

WE'RE TRYING TO ARREST IT.

I DON'T THINK WE'LL ERADICATE IT, BUT IT'S A GROWING PROBLEM.

IT'S SOMETHING WE ALL COME TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND.

WE ALSO JUST HOLD OUR SUMMIT THE PAST FALL.

THAT ADDRESSED THE CARE FOR WOMEN.

CHILD CARE IS LAGGING BEHIND WHAT WE NEED.

OKLAHOMA WOMEN, ESPECIALLY THE YOUNGER SECTOR, HAVING CHILDREN THEY DON'T WANT THEIR FAMILIES ON HOLD OR STOP THEIR FLOW OF INCOME FOR THE FAMILIES AND THEY NEED RELIABLE CARE.

WE'RE HELPING VERY MUCH IN TRYING TO SETTLE IN FIND WAYS TO BE BEEFED UP.

WE FOCUS IN ON MAKING SURE THAT WOMEN ARE VALUED JUST AS MEN IN THE WORK PLACE.

WE WORK ON THAT AS WELL.

THERE'S A NUMBER OF OTHER ISSUES THAT WE WORK ON.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW COMING UP.

WE WANT TO PROTECT WOMEN IN SPORTS.

TITLE 9 HAS THREATENED, GIRLS HAVE WORKED FAR TOO LONG TO GAIN SCHOLARSHIP VALUE AND TO GO TO SCHOOL UNDER THOSE REASONS.

WE TRY TO SHORE THAT UP AND MAKE SURE THE GIRLS CONTINUE TO HAVE THE OPEN OPPORTUNITIES AS THEY GO FLU.

>> THE BUSINESS CENTER IS THAT, IT'S A STATEWIDE RESOURCE CENTER FOR WOMEN.

STARTING A BUSINESS OR GROWING A BUSINESS IN PLACE OR PURCHASING A BUSINESS OR GROWING IN THE REGION.

WE WORK WITH THEM TO PROVIDE LOTS OF ONE ON ONE OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THEY CAN GET CONFIDENTIAL ADVICE.

AND THEN WE DO A LOT TO THE TUNE OF 150 A YEAR TRAINING SESSIONS ON A VARIETY OF TOPICS.

A LOT OF THAT COMES FROM THE BUSINESSES THEMSELVES.

WE SEE SOME OF THE TRAINING TOPICS CHANGING AND -- WE TO MORE ON THEFT PROTECTION.

WE WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH OUR PARTNERS ON THAT.

THAT'S A BIG CONCERN, AND SOMETIMES IT'S NETWORKING.

YOU HAVE PEERS AND BRANCHING OUT ON YOUR OWN.

AND SUDDENLY, YOU DON'T HAVE THE PEERS TO BOUNCE THE IDEAS AROUND.

FREQUENTLY, WE HAVE MANY -- IN THE STATE AND WOMEN OWNERS CAN COME TOGETHER, MEET EACH OTHER, HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO GET RAET GOOD REFERRALS OR RESOURCES OR INFORMATION.

WE ALL WANT TO SEE EACH OTHER SUCCEED.

WE AVERAGE 150 TRAININGS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, ALL OVER THE STATE.

THE STAFF HAS A DIVERSE BACKGROUND.

SO INTERNALLY, WE CAN WORK WITH DIFFERENT TYPES OF NEEDS.

THEY MAY NOT START WITH ME AND STAY WITH ME, BUT START WITH ME AND I HAVE MARKETING NEEDS.

THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE ON THE TEAM THAT'S HER EXPERTISE.

SO IF WE'RE NOT THE RIGHT FIT, WE PARTNER UP WITH.

THE RESOURCES ALL AROUND THE STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP THEM REALLY SUPPORTED.

SO THANKFUL TO DO THIS IN A STATE THAT'S -- THERE'S REALLY GOOD FABRIC TO SUPPORT WOMEN IN BUSINESS.

SO SOMEONE COMES IN AND HOPEFULLY FIND A LOT OF TYPES OF SUPPORT IN THE SAME ORGANIZATION.

>> I WANT TO TALK MORE OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND BRING YOU IN THE CONVERSATION.

HOW HAS THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY WORKED TO PRESERVE THIS IN OKLAHOMA?

>> THE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, TO PRESERVE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PRESENTING THIS HISTORY IN RESPONSIBLE MANNER TO THE PUBLIC.

OKLAHOMA HAS A VAST AND VARIED HISTORY.

WHEN IT COMES TO NOT ONLY WHAT'S NAPPED THE STATE BUT WHAT'S HAPPENED TO WOMEN IN OUR STATE.

WE ABOUT TO BACK TO PRECOLUMBIA CONTACT, THE -- WHEN THE NATIVES WERE BROUGHT IN, BRINGING THE CULTURE TO THE STATE.

AND WE END UP IN THE ACTIVE STAGE, WOMEN JOINING THE CONVENTIONS AND JOINING IN THE SPHERES THAT MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN A TRADITIONAL WOMS ROLE.

-- WOMAN'S ROLE.

WE FOCUS ON GIVING LIKE COMMISSIONER MENTIONED, GIVING WOMEN THE SAME EMPHASIS THAT MEN ARE GETTING.

WE'RE STARTING AN INITIATIVE TO REPLACE THE NAMES.

>> JENNIFER, COMMISSIONER, BOTH OF THE YOUR ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TO LINK WOMEN TO THE RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF WHO ARE NOT INVOLVED WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS, WHAT CAN WE DO BETTER TO PROMOTE THE WOMEN FOR THE COMMISSION?

>> I WILL SAY, WE HAVE THE WOMEN'S HALL OF FAME THAT'S COMING UP THIS FALL AND THERE'S NOMINATIONS ACCEPTED.

ABOUT TO TO OUR WEBSITE, AND I WISH OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, www.--iwould.

go look it up and Google it.

go to our Facebook or website.

there's nominations open now, open to I'd say the middle of April.

for nominations, and they need to come from all over the state.

in speaking to that, we talked about the Oklahoma historical society.

we're now looking through that effort, bringing people in and recognizing them, the achievements across multitudes of different industries and the work area of Oklahoma, this opens up the possibility to give them dreams and hopes of what they can do and they can be.

we're setting up in the process now of a permanent exhibit for the Oklahoma women's Hall of Fame.

and hopefully that'll take place at the capitol.

there's a couple of spaces we're looking at.

we get to partner with the historical society, and feeding that getting that up, and the things that need to be said.

and the narrative to young women to look at this and look forward to the people who set the trail ahead of them.

it's done in a beautiful way.

>> Jennifer, what about you?

>> I think how we can support and really bollster women, in women and beyond.

particular expert in, or some experience they think they can mentor another woman or woman in business or come and present or host a small GRURNGS a peer group -- group, a peer group women can be a safe place to come together and get good quality interaction.

and some guidance.

we say blaze a trail and all these things that women who have come before us, it's important to turn around and pull everyone else with us.

people can contribute by jumping in that way, and lead the groups.

it's a big group or small trainings or one on oneship.

spending time giving back in that way is really important.

>> how have we seen women more and more empowered throughout the hit in Oklahoma?

>> said that you wouldn't have the state of Oklahoma if it wasn't the comingling of our gender, not having the women come with the men to stake their own claims and their own sphere of influence.

the empowerment starts with -- you have people like Kate who is the first female elected official.

Robinson, who's the first state house representative who was a female.

you have -- who's given an empassioned flee of suffrage -- plea of suffrage, these people are giving their lives for that.

and the modern era, we have the grass roots movement from women's club.

here in the state for black equality -- who's barging through the door to be the first black female student admitted at Ou law school.

if we didn't have the women making the changes, we wouldn't be as rich of a state.

>> we provide the next generations, it's important that women understand that we can't speak to everything if we're not giving the world the next generation.

we walk a tight wire in that way.

we maintain the family.

we are the ones going forward and handle the generation that went before us.

we're the caretakers, the caregivers, we have to continue to stay on the trail and support each other, and women locking arms with other women.

supporting each other, and we do see some of the women pushing against women, and it's odd to us that it goes on.

we want to see more and more women helping other women, supporting and encouraging other women, not just in the work place but in the home.

they're raising up the next generation, it all works together beautifully.

it's not easy to do all at once.

it's very important that we intentionally set our mark there.

without the future generations, none of the work we're doing really counts.

>> that's the perfect place to leave this conversation.

thank you all so much for joining us.

>> thank you.

>>> AN HISTORIC MURAL INSIDE OF AN HISTORIC BUILDING IN CHICAGO.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR "NATIONAL VIEW" THIS WEEK.

COURTESY OF OUR P.B.S.

FRIENDS AT WTTW.

A MURAL, THAT WAS ACTUALLY COVERED UP FOR DECADES.

>> there's a mural inside this building, in Chicago, that wants to make sure that we know about.

>> this mural was done -- French middle name.

this mural depicts the black metropolis in Chicago, that a person would discover once arriving here, and also when I think about -- he penned this mural in 1936, that's roughly 70 years after the end of slavery in this country.

he's able to depick all of the things African-Americans have participated in.

that's amazing.

I love there's a gentleman holding an airplane.

African-Americans were involved in flight.

and African-Americans have tributed greatly to the -- made us proud, and maybe that's an early depiction of what Tiger Woods would be.

he had a crystal ball.

I love that it shows that African-Americans are and educated there.

people depicting medicine, African-Americans in Chicago performed the first successful open heart surgery.

it's amazing piece.

and also a sense of pride to face adversity and obstacles and overcome them, and move forward.

not only for yourself and family, the whole culture and race.

>> beyond the mural, the building itself has an important history.

it was the first Ymca to admit African-Americans.

>> this is the birth place of the concept of black history month.

the association of the study of the life of history, with the meetings happened, not only in this building but this room.

>> right here.

>> right here.

>> why don't more people know about it.

>> the first -- about 30 or 40 years this mural is covered up.

and we do a good job of sharing our shared history.

we all know the stories of Picasso.

and the story of Scott's mural.

that should be just as common as the story of picasso.

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

KIDS HAVING TROUBLE AFFORDING TO PAY FOR THEIR LUNCH AT SCHOOL.

HOW ONE PERSON IS USING HIS LATE WIFE'S MEMORY TO MAKE SURE THEY GET FED.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE "OKLAHOMA MUSEUM OF ART", CALLED, "GEORGIA O'KEEFE AND THE ART OF THE FLOWER".

PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY O.E.T.A.

'S JASON STEWART.

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!