.

>>> WE'LL BREAK DOWN HOW THE $2 TRILLION FEDERAL STIMULUS WILL PROVIDE UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCES FOR OKLAHOMA EDUCATION.

>> THIS IS A TREMENDOUS RELIEF WHEN WE THINK ABOUT ARGUABLY THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN AMERICAN EDUCATION.

>> THERE'S ALSO MONEY FOR RURAL HOSPITALS AND WHILE MANY STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE IN OKLAHOMA, WE'LL SHARE SUCCESS STORY IN OSAGE COUNTY.

>> WE HAVE GONE TO A HOSPITAL THAT WAS ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING AND ALMOST CLOSED TO A HOSPITAL TODAY THAT IS JUST THRIVING.

>> OKLAHOMA PARTNERS WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FIND A HIGH TECH SOLUTION TO THE FERAL HOG INFESTATION.

>> ONE PAIR OF HOGS CAN PRODUCE MULTI-GENERATIONS WITHIN A YEAR.

>> THE GLEAMING CONVENTION CENTER NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS AND A MAJOR SUCCESS.

>> WE HAVE BOOKINGS FOR '23 AND '24 AND WE HAD 16 ON THE BOOKS WHEN WE FIRST STARTED.

>> THOSE STORIES PLUS E CAPITAL NEWS DIRECTOR WITH THE 58th LEGISLATIVE SESSION NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEY EARMARKED FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE THREE FEDERAL STIMULUS BILLS, A WHOPPING $2.3 BILLION.

IT'S AN UNPRECEDENTED INFUSION OF NEW MONEY.

HOW WILL IT BE SPENT AND WHAT STRINGS ARE ATTACHED AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THOSE DECISIONS.

REPORTER JASON DOYLE TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> A RECENT CONGRESSIONAL BREAKDOWN OF THE $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE SHOWS THAT OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL GET NEARLY $1.5 BILLION.

>> THIS IS A TREMENDOUS RELIEF WHEN WE THINK ABOUT ARGUABLY THE GREATEST CHALLENGE IN AMERICAN EDUCATION IN MODERN HISTORY AND WE WILL NOW HAVE SOME OF THOSE NEEDED FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF STUDENTS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION WHO ALSO SERVES AS OETA'S BOARD CHAIR SAYS THE GOALS SET OUT IN THE NEW STIMULUS LAW ARE TO GET KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, PROVIDE THEM WITH EDUCATION AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND INNOVATE LEARNING.

>> MANY OF OUR STUDENTS WERE UNABLE TO HAVE THE KIND OF QUALITY EDUCATION EVEN THOUGH TEACHERS AND SCHOOL PERSONNEL MOVED HEAVEN AND EARTH TO REACH THOSE KIDS.

WE DIDN'T HAVE THE HOT SPOTS IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE SURE OUR STUDENTS COULD CONNECT TO LEARNING.

>> PRIVATE SCHOOLS WON'T BE LEFT OUT.

ANOTHER PART OF THE LAW PROVIDES OKLAHOMA WITH NEARLY $31 MILLION FOR THE GOVERNOR TO DISTRIBUTE TO THOSE EDUCATIONAL ENTITIES OUTSIDE OF THE PUBLIC SPACE.

THE MISSION OF RECOVERING LEARNING LOSS MEANS SCHOOLS MUST ASSESS WHERE THEIR STUDENTS ARE IN THEIR ACADEMIC PROGRESS.

>> SO THAT WE CAN LEARN WHERE OUR STUDENTS ARE, SET A NEW BASELINE FROM WHICH GROWTH WILL BE MEASURED IN THE FUTURE YEARS.

BUT THAT WE CAN ALSO TARGET THE SUPPORT RIGHT WHERE THE STUDENTS NEED IT.

>> FOR EVERY $5 A SCHOOL WILL RECEIVE $1 MUST GO FROM HELPING KIDS RECOVER FROM LEARNING LOSS.

>> THEY WOULD SEND SOME LESSONS HOME FOR HER, BUT WITHIN 30 MINUTES OR AN HOUR SHE WAS DONE.

SO SHE WASN'T GAINING A FULL INSTRUCTIONAL DAY.

>> THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE EDUCATION APPROPRIATION SUBCOMMITTEE SAYS THIS ROUND OF STIMULUS PROVIDES STABILITY FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> IT SURE HELPS TO HANDLE THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LAYING OFF STAFF AND WHERE THEIR DOLLARS ARE GOING TO COME FROM FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR TO.

>> THE PLAN REQUIRES LEGISLATURES NOT CUT INTO STATE ALLOCATIONS FOR EDUCATION BUDGETS BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDING FUNDING.

>> THAT'S GOOD BECAUSE WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IS YOU DON'T WANT THE LEGISLATURES TO SAY OH YOU GOT $1.4 BILLION SO WE'LL TAKE THE FUNDING AWAY AND YOU CAN LIVE ON THAT FOR A YEAR OR TWO THEN WE'LL GIVE IT BACK.

>> SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NOW LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE.

>> IT'S AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FROM SURVIVAL MODE INTO INNOVATIVE MODE.

THROUGH THE PANDEMIC OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN A LIGHTNING ROD OF THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATIONS, MOST DIFFICULT DECISIONS OF ANYBODY IN SOCIETY.

>> OKLAHOMA STATE SCHOOL BOARD'S ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DR. HEINZ SAYS PLANNING WILL GET UNDER WAY ONCE DISTRICTS FIND OUT HOW MUCH THEIR ALLOTMENT WILL BE.

>> THREE TO FIVE YEAR PLAN OF HOW YOU'RE GOING TO USE THAT STIMULUS MONEY ALONG WITH YOUR OTHER FUNDS TO INVEST IN INNOVATION AND SAY WHAT DO WE WANT SCHOOLS TO LOOK LIKE AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SLOW THE GAP FOR ALL KIDS RIGHT AWAY.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE TIME.

MANY YEARS.

AND THE FUNDS ARE DESIGNED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP PACE WITH THE NEEDS THAT WE KNOW WILL GO BEYOND JUST A SCHOOL YEAR.

>> SOME MONEY IS REQUIRED FOR SUMMER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AS WELL AS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.

>> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A STRUGGLE TO FIND THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE TEACHERS, STAFFING AND THIS MONEY CAN BE USED FOR THAT.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE FOUR, EIGHT WEEK, MAYBE TEN WEEK SUMMER PROGRAMS, TWO SESSIONS, KIND OF LIKE COLLEGES DO, THEY DO A MINI SESSION AND A BREAK AND A MINI SESSION.

>> IT PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLS TO INNOVATE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SEE MOVES TECHNOLOGICALLY, I WOULD SAY MOUNTAINS WHAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IF WE DID NOT HAVE THESE DOLLARS.

EVEN WHEN THE DOLLARS GO AWAY THE INFRASTRUCTURE WILL BE THERE.

IT'S GOING TO HELP US MOVE FORWARD IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> SO THAT STUDENTS CAN DO AS FAST AND SWIFT AS THEY ARE ABLE BUT ALSO TO ACCOMPLISH SUCCESS WITH COMPETENCY SO THEY AREN'T STUCK IN A CLASS AND READY TO GO FURTHER, THEY CAN MOVE ON.

>> OKLAHOMA WILL SHARE IN ANOTHER $10 BILLION TO HELP WITH COVID-19 RAPID TESTS IN SCHOOLS TO CATCH AN OUTBREAK BEFORE IT GETS OUT OF CONTROL AND INTERRUPTS IN-SCHOOL LEARNING.

>> WE HAVE RESOURCES WE CAN TARGET INTERVENTION WHERE WE CAN SEE THAT LEARNING LOSS IS PRESENTING ITSELF FOR KIDS PRE-K THROUGH SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> JASON, THANKS.

THE OTHER BIG EDUCATION STORY THIS WEEK, A DRAMATIC CHANGE IN HOW OKLAHOMA'S CHARTER SCHOOLS WILL BE FUNDED.

ON THURSDAY THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTING 4-3 IN FAVOR OF A RESOLUTION TO EQUALIZE FUNDING FOR ALL CHARTER SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THAT WILL DIRECT MORE MONEY TO CHARTER SCHOOLS AND SUPPORTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

BUT SUPERINTENDENT IS OPPOSED TO SAYING IN PART IT VIOLATES THE STATE CONSTITUTION AND THE OATH I SWORE TO UPHOLD WHEN I TOOK OFFICE.

THE RESOLUTION WOULD TAKE EFFECT ON JULY 1st.

THE MASSIVE FEDERAL STIMULUS CAN HAVE A IMPACT ON THE UNFUNDED MANDATE OF MEDICAID EXPANSION.

ACCORDING TO AN ANALYSIS THE RELIEF PACKAGE INCLUDES AN INCENTIVE FOR STATES TO ADOPT EXPANDED MEDICAID AND COMBINED WITH AN EARLIER INCENTIVE FROM THE FAMILIES FIRST CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE ACT COULD COVER THE COST FOR EXPANSION.

SENATOR ROGER THOMPSON BELIEVES THE MORE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY IS REOCCURRING REVENUE.

THE $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS INCLUDES $8.5 BILLION SPECIFICALLY DIRECTED TO RURAL HOSPITALS.

WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STILL CREATING THE PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE FUNDS IT'S MONEY THAT IS MUCH NEEDED BECAUSE MANY OF OKLAHOMA'S RURAL HOSPITALS ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE.

BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.

LISA HEINZ REPORTS FROM OSAGE COUNTY.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR BLOOD SUGAR YESTERDAY?

>> NURSES, X-RAYS, EVEN A CT SCANNER, ALL THINGS YOU FIND IN A HOSPITAL AND STILL DO AT RURAL WELLNESS FAIRFAX BUT A YEAR AGO EVEN THAT WAS IFFY.

DR. GRAHAM HAS BEEN A PHYSICIAN FOR 42 YEARS AND SAYS HE'S EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN FAIRFAX.

>> BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IS A MIRACLE HAPPENED IN 2020.

AND WE HAVE GONE FROM A HOSPITAL THAT WAS ON THE VERGE OF CLOSING AND ALMOST CLOSED TO A HOSPITAL TODAY THAT JUST IS THRIVING.

>> THE SITUATION WAS SO DIRE THAT STAFF WHO WENT THREE MONTHS WITHOUT PAY VOLUNTEERED TO PURCHASE SUPPLIES AND FOOD FOR PATIENTS.

>> WE MET TOGETHER, WE HAD PRAYER AND THEN AT THAT TIME WE DECIDED WE WERE GOING TO KEEP THE DOOR OPEN.

>> ENTER DR. ELIZABETH PEACY.

>> I REALLY LIKED TRUE STORY OF TRANSFORM MAGS AND I'VE SEEN THAT AND SOMETHING I WANTED TO GET INVOLVED IN.

SO I WAS LOOKING TO BUY A HOSPITAL IN FAIRFAX IN TERMS OF WHY IT WAS FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX IS A CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY AND A LOT OF VOLUNTEER WORK IS ALSO CHRISTIAN BASED AND REALLY I DON'T KNOW WHY IT ENDED UP BEING FAIRFAX AND I GET THERE AND WE GO WE PRAYED.

WE HAD OUR PRAYER VIGIL AND WE WERE PRAYING FOR SOMEBODY TO COME IN.

I'M GOING OKAY, WELL NOW I KNOW WHY I'M HERE.

>> SO THE DOCTOR AND THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY PURCHASED THE HOSPITAL FOR $2.1 MILLION IN 2020.

AND BEGAN UPDATING IT.

BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE GROUP'S CEO JEFF HILL RURAL HOSPITALS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE HOSPITALS IN RURAL AMERICA ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE THEY'RE SEEING THEIR COSTS ESCALATE.

THEY'RE AN IMPORTANT ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR SMALL COMMUNITIES.

OFTENTIMES THE LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> SINCE 2005 NINE RURAL HOSPITALS HAVE CLOSED.

17 MORE ARE IDENTIFIED AS AT RISK OF CLOSURE AND 35 ARE MEDIUM TO HIGH RISK OF BEING IN FINANCIAL DISTRESS.

ACCORDING TO FORBES MAGAZINE, THAT PUTS OKLAHOMA IN THE TOP EIGHT STATES WITH THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF CLOSURES.

AND FAIRFAX MAYOR CHARLES CARTRIGHT SAYS IT'S A MATTER OF SURVIVAL FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> NOT ONLY DOES IT PROVIDE EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE FOR THE IMMEDIATE URGENT CARE PERSON, IT PROVIDES AN ECONOMIC BASE FOR THE COMMUNITY WHICH IN A COMMUNITY THIS SIZE SPREADS A LONG WAYS OUT.

WE REACH A LOT OF COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SMALLER THAN WE ARE.

>> WITH RURAL HEALTH CARE MAKING UP 25% OF HEALTH CARE IN AMERICA DR. GRAHAM SAYS THIS HOSPITAL IS SETTING PRECEDENCE.

>> TELEMEDICINE HAS HELPED US A GREAT DEAL AND WE HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE FOR THAT AND THAT WAY WE ALWAYS HAVE BACKUP WHEN THERE'S NO PHYSICIANS AROUND, NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE MAKING ROUNDS OR PAs AND THEY CAN ALWAYS GET ON THE TELEMEDICINE FOR HELP.

>> UTILIZING SOME CARES ACT FUNDING ALONG WITH INVESTMENTS THE HOSPITAL CAN PROVIDE MANY SERVICES TO THE COMMUNITY AND SURROUNDING TOWNS.

>> THE TYPES OF CARE THAT WE CAN GIVE THAT ARE HIGHER LEVEL THAN PERHAPS OTHER SMALL PLACES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, SO THEY'RE COMING TO FAIRFAX TO GET DIALYSIS OR OTHER TYPES OF CARE THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEM.

AND WITH THEM THAT ALSO HELPS REVITALIZE THE TOWNS BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAMILIES COME IN, PEOPLE WANT TO EAT, I THINK THE WHOLE THING JUST VENTED MORE THAN JUST THE HOSPITAL AND THE PATIENTS, THE COMMUNITY.

>> RURAL WELLNESS FAIRFAX IS GOING FROM OLD TO NEW AGAIN AND SHOWING HOW A RURAL HOSPITAL CAN THRIVE.

THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANK YOU.

HOW SUCCESSFUL HAS IT BEEN?

THIS TIME LAST YEAR ALMOST EVERY BED WAS EMPTY AND NOW IT'S OPERATING AT FULL CAPACITY.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY GROUND BREAKING CEREMONIES ON THURSDAY FOR THE CHAD RICHARDSON HOPE CENTER WHICH PROVIDES FREE HOUSING FOR CANCER PATIENTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD IT.

CANCER TREATMENTS CAN LAST WEEKS OR MONTHS AND EACH YEAR ABOUT 3,700 PATIENTS TRAVEL TO OKLAHOMA CITY TO ACCESS HOSPITALS SPECIALIZING IN CANCER CARE THANKS TO A $5 MILLION DONATION FROM CHAD RICHARDSON LOW INCOME PATIENTS WILL HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO STAY.

>> I WAS FIRST TOLD THEY WERE MAKING A FACILITY IN OKLAHOMA I WANTED TO GET INVOLVED.

BEING AWAY FROM OUR HOMES WHEN WE REQUIRE SPECIALIZED CARE AND TREATMENT IS A PERSONAL CAUSE FOR MANY OF US.

IN 2007 I FOUND MYSELF IN MY OWN SERIOUS HEALTH SITUATION.

I HAD A WHIPPLE PROCEDURES AT JOHNS HOPKINS THAT SAME YEAR.

I SPENT 30 DAYS IN THE HOSPITAL AND ANOTHER WEEK OR SO IN THE HOTEL.

MY DOCTORS AND NURSES WOULD VISIT ME TO PROVIDE ME CARE.

>> THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY EXPECTS THE HOPE LODGE BE OPEN SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

THE FOURTH AND FINAL PHASE OF OKLAHOMA'S COVID VACCINE PROGRAM BEGINS MONDAY.

ALL 16 AND OLDER ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE MARCH 29th.

YOU CAN BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT AT VACCINATE OKLAHOMA.GOV.

>> KEEP IN MIND BECAUSE WE'RE OPENING UP TO EVERYONE DOESN'T MEAN THAT THERE'S NOT A SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

WE'RE OPENING UP BECAUSE WE WANT TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

WE WANT TO STOP TRANSMISSION OF COVID IN THE COMMUNITY WHICH MEANS WE HAVE GOT TO GET THE PUBLIC VACCINATED.

>> NEARLY 919,000 OKLAHOMANS RECEIVED THEIR PRIMARY DOSE AND OUR SEVEN DAY ROLLING AVERAGE OF NEW CASES DROPPED TO 354 PER DAY AND 225 PEOPLE ARE CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED.

THE RATE OF DEATH IS ALSO DROPPING.

109 PEOPLE DIED IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS BRINGING THE DEATH TOLL TO 7782.

THOUSANDS ARE GONE TO THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS GOING TO ALLOW VISITATIONS TO RESUME APRIL 1st.

THERE HADN'T BEEN ANY SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2020.

VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET VACCINATED AS WELL.

>> WE MAY NEVER REACH A POINT WHERE 100% OF THE PEOPLE WANTING TO VISIT HAVE RECEIVED A VACCINATION AND SO TO TRY TO COUNTER THAT AGAIN WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES FROM THE CDC, WEARING MASKS AND TEMPERATURE SCREENINGS.

>> VISITS LIMITED TO TWO HOURS AND IF THERE'S A SPIKE OF CASES IN ONE OF THE PRISONS VISITATIONS SUSPENDED UNTIL THE NUMBERS COME BACK DOWN.

OUR CONTENT PARTNERS AT THE FRONTIER ARE REPORTING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WILL CLOSE A PRISON LOCATED IN HIDDEN, OKLAHOMA IN MAY.

THE FACILITY IS THE CITY'S LARGEST EMPLOYER AND ABOUT 230 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO LOSE THEIR JOB.

THE ADMINISTRATION IS NO LONGER ALLOWING CONTRACTS TO BE RENEWED IN PRIVATELY RUN PRISONS.

NEARLY 70% OF ALL POTENTIAL LEGISLATION AT THE START OF THE SESSION IS NO LONGER IN PLAY INCLUDING ALL DEALING WITH POLICE REFORM, EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND HOW STATE QUESTIONS ARE BROUGHT TO THE PEOPLE.

MORE ON WHAT'S BEEN CUT AND WHAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION SEVEN WEEKS INTO THE SESSION.

SHAWN, A LOT OF BIG IDEAS RECEIVED A LOT OF PUBLICITY ARE NOW DORMANT.

I MENTIONED A FEW.

WHAT STICKS OUT IN YOUR MIND?

>> FIRST OF ALL, AS YOU MENTIONED, POLICE REFORM.

AFTER THE GEORGE FLOYD DEATH THE PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN OKLAHOMA BOTH OKLAHOMA CITY AND SOME OF THE SMALLER COMMUNITIES THERE WERE A NUMBER OF POLICE REFORM MEASURES PROPOSED THAT SIMPLY DID NOT ADVANCE.

AND ON WEDNESDAY HOUSE DEMOCRATS BROUGHT THAT TO THE ATTENTION OF LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE.

ALSO THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN AFTER THE AUDIT WAS RELEASED LAST YEAR REGARDING EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS ABOUT THE GOVERNANCE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

REALLY NONE OF THOSE BILLS HAVE ADVANCED AND DON'T SEEM TO BE GOING ANYWHERE THIS YEAR BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD ARE LOOKING AT RULES THAT WOULD ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

>> SO OF THE WHAT, REMAINING 950 OR SO BILLS WHAT APPEAR TO BE THE BIG TICKET ITEMS LAWMAKERS ARE GOING TO CONCENTRATE ON GOING FORWARD?

>> I THINK PROBABLY THE BIGGEST ARE THE THREE TAX RELIEF PROPOSALS THAT REALLY CAME OUT IN THE FINAL PERIOD BEFORE THE FLOOR DEADLINE RECENTLY.

HOUSE SPEAKER McCALL PROPOSED REDUING THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX AND MAKING THE TAX CREDIT REFUNDABLE WHILE ELIMINATING THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX OVER TIME.

SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER DAVID PROPOSED ROLLING BACK OR ELIMINATING THE MOTOR VEHICLE SALES TAX THAT WAS APPROVED BACK IN 2017.

>> CHANGING GEARS, WE ALL SEE THE MARIJUANA DISPENSARY SEEMS LIKE ONE ON EVERY CORNER.

ONE PROPOSAL ATTEMPTS TO LIMIT A GLUT OF THEM.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

>> HOUSE BILL 2646 IS THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY'S REQUEST BILL AND IT CONTAINS A LOT OF LANGUAGE RELATED TO THE LOCATION OF FACILITIES AS WELL AS GROWTH OF FACILITIES AND OTHER FACILITIES INVOLVED IN THE INDUSTRY.

ALSO A BILL COMING ACROSS FROM THE SENATE THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE MEASUREMENT OF THE DISTANCE BETWEEN A SCHOOL DOOR AND A DISPENSARY DOOR.

ULTIMATELY THOSE MEASURES WILL PROBABLY BE COMBINED INTO A SINGLE BILL.

>> A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY IS GOING TO BE HEADING UP AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PAROLE AND PARDON BOARD.

WHO IS HE.

>> HE'S A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY AND A FORMER STATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN OKLAHOMA.

BACK IN FEBRUARY GOVERNOR STITT ASKED THE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TO LOOK INTO HOW THE PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD HAS BEEN HANDLING THE COMMUTATION PROCESS FOLLOWING INCIDENTS.

BRIAN KEISTER WILL BE WORKING WITH THE STATE ON THAT PROBE TO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING.

>> AS ALWAYS, WE WANT TO THANK SHAWN FOR HIS VALUABLE TIME AND INSIGHT.

THIS YEAR THE OKLAHOMA AG AND THE CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION HONORS A TEACHER OF THE YEAR AND THAT HONOR GOES TO DUSTY McCARDNY.

DUSTY SAYS AG IN THE CLASSROOM HAS BROUGHT LIFE AND EXCITEMENT INTO HER SCHOOL.

>> STUDENTS ARE MORE INVESTED LEARNERS BECAUSE THEY CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THEY GET AN IMPACT AGRICULTURE HAS ON SO MANY PART ON EVERYONE'S LIFE.

STUDENTS LEARN TO THINK GLOBALLY WHILE SEEING THE IMPACT LOCALLY.

>> IT'S A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT CREATES A CURRICULUM TO MAKE LEARNING ABOUT AGRICULTURE FUN.

SOUNDS LIKE IT'S WORKING WELL.

WHAT'S NOT FUN IS FINDING NEW WAYS TO COMBAT A DECADE'S OLD PROBLEM IN OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE WILD OR FERAL HOGS ARE CAUSING DAMAGE TO FARM CROPS AND LAND EVERY YEAR.

THE STATE IS TAKING PART IN A PILOT PROGRAM TO TRY AND CONTROL IF NOT ERADICATE THE PROBLEM.

STEVE SHAW HITS THE ROAD TO SEE THE NEW TECHNOLOGY IN ACTION.

>> IT JUST SEEMS LIKE IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE.

THERE'S NO GETTING BETTER BECAUSE THEY MULTIPLY SO FAST.

>> DAKOTA IS A THIRD GENERATION DAIRY AND REAL CROP FARMER ON 2,500 ACRES JUST OUTSIDE PAUL'S VALLEY.

>> SOMETHING WE GOT TO GET CONTROL OF AND GET SOME HELP.

>> ARTHUR SAYS ON AVERAGE WILD FERAL HOGS ROB HIM OF AT LEAST 15% OF HIS CORN, WHEAT, SOYBEAN AND ALFALFA CROPS EACH YEAR.

>> I HAD PEOPLE COME IN WITH DOGS TO MAYBE TRY TO CHASE THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE OR WE HAVE DONE WALKS OF OURSELVES TO THE WOODS OR GO OUT LATE IN THE EVENING TO TRY TO SHOOT THEM BUT THERE'S NOT A ONE SHOT DEAL TO BE ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING WE NEED TO DO TO GET RID OF THEM.

>> THINK OF OKLAHOMA'S FERAL HOG PROBLEM AS A RUN AWAY TRAIN.

>> THE HISTORY OF HOGS BEING RELEASED AND RAISED IN SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA REALLY IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES AND PEOPLE GO BACK AND GATHER THEM UP TO SLAUGHTER THEM OR SELL THEM BUT MORE RECENTLY REALLY WHAT HAPPENED IS THESE HOGS ARE REPRODUCED IN THE WILD AND THEY HAVE GONE BACK TO BEING MORE OF A WILD SPECIES.

>> STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LAMB IS A FOURTH GENERATION FARMER HIMSELF.

11 YEARS AGO HE LOST HIS ENTIRE CORN CROP TO FERAL HOGS.

>> THEY'RE VERY DESTRUCTIVE.

THE AGRICULTURE, THE NATURAL RESOURCES STREAMS AND PONDS ARE ALSO DESTRUCTIVE TO HOMES, PARKS AND THEY REALLY LOVE GOLF COURSES, TOO.

THEY CAN DESTROY A GOLF COURSE VERY EASILY.

THEY NATURALLY GET DOWN AND ROOT IN THE SOIL.

>> LAMB SAYS THESE HOGS ARE DANGEROUS TO LIVESTOCK, PETS AND PEOPLE.

BECAUSE OF THE DISEASES THEY CARRY.

FERAL HOGS REPRODUCE VERY QUICKLY.

THE FEMALE CAN HAVE AS MANY AS THREE LITTERS A YEAR AND UP TO 15 A POP.

>> THEY REACH MATURITY VERY EARLY.

ONE PAIR OF HOGS CAN PRODUCE MULTI-GENERATIONS WITHIN A YEAR AND IT DOESN'T TAKE VERY LONG FOR THOSE NUMBERS TO GROW EXPONENTIALLY.

>> THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE SORT OF.

OKLAHOMA IS PARTICIPATING IN A PILOT PROJECT INVOLVING NINE OTHER STATES AND $75 MILLION FEDERAL DOLLARS.

THE EFFORTS INVOLVES VARIATIONS OF THESE CAGES OPERATED BY PROFESSIONAL TRAPPERS USING CORN AS BAIT AND SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS ANYWHERE THERE'S CELL SERVICE.

>> THEY CAN WATCH OVER TIME HOW MANY HOGS ARE THERE.

THEY RELEASE THAT TRAP AND HAVE THEM ALL CAUGHT AT ONCE.

>> DO IT WITH A CELL PHONE?

>> FROM THEIR COMPUTER.

CELL PHONE, WHEREVER THEY ARE.

THEY'RE VERY NOCTURNAL SO YOU MAY NOT SEE ANY DURING THE DAY.

YOU COME OUT THE NEXT DAY AND HAVE DAMAGE.

BY USING THESE CAMERAS AT NIGHT THEY CAN CATCH THEM ALL AT ONCE.

>> CATCHING THEM IN BIG CHUNKS IS IMPERATIVE HE SAYS BECAUSE WILD HOGS ARE SMART.

>> AS YOU TRAP THE FIRST ONE OR TWO, YOU HAVE EDUCATED DOZENS OR HUNDREDS OF OTHER HOGS, THEY'LL NEVER GO AROUND A METAL TRAP AGAIN.

>> THESE ARE THE AREAS JUST NORTH OF THE RED RIVER WHERE THESE TRANSPORTATION SOMETIME IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WILL BE LAID.

COTTON, HARMAN, JACKSON AND ROGER MILLS COUNTIES, ALSO IN NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA NEAR THE KANSAS BORDER, IN KAY, OSAGE, PAWNEE COUNTIES.

>> THEY'RE TERRIBLE EVERYWHERE.

>> STATE WILDLIFE EXPERTS ESTIMATE RIGHT NOW THERE'S BETWEEN 900,000 AND 1.3 MILLION FERAL SWINE RUNNING IN THE STATE.

THE GOAL IS TO CATCH THEM AND KILL THEM.

>> THEY'RE NOT A GOOD SOURCE OF FOOD.

THEY CARRY DISEASE, PESTS, THEY'RE NOT THE SAME AS A DOMESTICATED HOG OR HOGS THAT ARE RAISED FOR MEAT PRODUCTION ALTHOUGH THEY CAN BE EATEN, THE BEST THING TO DO IS JUST TO ELIMINATE THEM THERE ON THE SITE AND DISPOSE OF THEM PROPERLY.

>> THE EXTRA FEDERAL FUNDING HAS ALLOWED THE STATE TO BE MORE PROACTIVE.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO GET KIND OF AT THE END OF THIS COVID PERIOD WHERE WE CAN HAVE LARGE MEETINGS AND ALSO SOME DEMONSTRATIONS WHERE WE CAN EDUCATE THE LANDOWNERS ON WHAT THE BEST WAY BECAUSE SOMETIMES THEY'LL LEASE A PIECE OF THEIR PROPERTY OUT FOR HUNTING AND MIGHT CONTROL A FEW HOGS, ESPECIALLY THE BIGGER HOGS BUT THEY LEAVE ALL THE SMALL HOGS TO REPRODUCE AND THE PROBLEM JUST KEEPS GROWING.

SOMETIMES THEY MIGHT BE OUT AT DARK OR OUT AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING.

YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GOING TO TRY TO SHOOT THEM OR DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH THEM.

IT'S HARD.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS ALSO BEEN HOSTING WEBINARS ACROSS THE STATE SHARING INFORMATION ABOUT THE FERAL SWINE ERADICATION AND CONTROL PILOT PROGRAM.

LOCATED ADJACENT TO THE NEW SCISSOR TAIL PARK IS A GLEAMING EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN BE BUILT WITH A LIMITED SALES TAX FUNDING APPROVED BACK IN 2009.

A 500,000 SQUARE FOOT CONVENTION CENTER OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

PROMISES TO BENEFIT ALL OKLAHOMANS.

>> THE NEW OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENTION CENTER TOOK TWO AND A HALF YEARS TO PUBLIC AND OPENED ON SATURDAY MARCH 13th AND IS A PRETTY IMPRESSIVE SPACE.

>> SO WE HAVE BALLROOMS, TWO OF THEM.

ONE IS 30,000 SQUARE FEET.

THEN WE HAVE A BALLROOM AT 9,700 SQUARE FEET.

>> THOSE HIT ABOUT THE 200,000 SQUARE FOOT CONVENTION CENTER WHERE HE'S GENERAL MANAGER.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY BECAUSE OF WHAT'S BEEN ADDED HERE WITH THE 500,000 SQUARE FEET AND THE OMNI AND IS MOVING TO A SECOND TIER CITY.

I SAID WE'RE CHANGING CLASSES A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO BE COMPETING WITH CITIES SUCH AS CLEVELAND OR COLUMBUS.

>> THAT STEP UP IS EXACTLY WHAT THE MAPS THREE PROGRAM IS SET OUT TO DO.

>> PART OF THE THINKING WAS THAT THE BUILDING THAT THE CURRENT CONVENTION CENTER IS IN IS OVER 50 YEARS OLD.

IT'S LIVED ITS LIFE.

IT'S THE EXHIBIT HALL THAT ISN'T BIG ENOUGH, THE EXHIBIT HALL THAT ISN'T TALL ENOUGH AND DOESN'T HAVE THE AMENITIES THAT OUR COMPETING EXHIBIT HALLS AND COMPETING CITIES HAVE.

THE NEW EXHIBIT HALL IS 2.5 TIMES WHAT WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY.

>> MAPS THREE IMPLEMENTED A 1% SALES TAX TO SET ASIDE THE MONEY FOR A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

>> THE WAY MAPS WORKS IS WE COLLECT THE MONEY AND PAY IN CASH.

SO TODAY THAT OPENED.

IT WAS PAID FOR.

NO DEBT.

SAME THING WITH THE PARK AND THE STREET CAR.

ANY MAPS PROJECT.

THESE THE BEAUTY OF HOW MAPS WORKS.

NO BONDS HANGING OUT THERE FOR 30 YEARS.

>> THE $288 MILLION FACILITY IS FINISHED WITH NO OUTSTANDING DEBT.

IN FACT, A LITTLE EXTRA WENT INTO THE PROJECT.

CARES ACTS MONEY THE CITY RECEIVED AMID THE PANDEMIC USED TO BOLSTER THE FACILITY AGAINST CONTAGIONS.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO GET IONIZATION PUT IN.

IT'S IONS THAT COME INTO THE ATMOSPHERE THAT GET PUSHED OUT THROUGH THE AIR DUCTS AND IT ATTACKS THE PATHOGENS PRIMARILY THE VIRUS.

AND IT KIND OF SUFFOCATES IT AND KILLS IT.

>> IN ADDITION TO AIR FILTRATION THE FACILITY GETS SOME HELP IN THE SANITIZATION.

>> WE HAVE TEN OF THOSE.

UV LIGHT.

SAME TECHNOLOGY USED IN HOSPITALS AND THEY LOOK JUST LIKE ONE OF THE JETSON ROBOT.

>> THE INTENT IS TO MAKE THE BUILDING AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE NOW AND IN THE LONG TERM SO AS PEOPLE GATHER AGAIN THE FACILITY CAN QUICKLY GET ON ITS FEET.

>> WE HAD PEOPLE WHO WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE GATE AND THIS IS PRE-PANDEMIC.

WE HAD SHOWS, THE NATIONAL SHOWS, HAD A FEW, THE AMERICAN MEAT PROCESSORS WERE GOING TO BE HERE IN JULY BUT BECAUSE OF RESTRICTIONS STILL COMING OUT OF THE COVID THEY'RE HAVING TO PUSH THEIR MEETINGS BECAUSE PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO GET OUT OF THEIR BUBBLE.

>> OTHER BOOKINGS LIKE YOUTH SPORTS EVENTS AND EDUCATION SEMINARS HAVE TAKEN THEIR PLACE.

EVENTS THAT MIGHT NOT NEED AS MUCH SPACE DURING NORMAL TIMES BUT THE ABILITY TO SPREAD OUT AND SOCIAL DISTANCE IN THE CONVENTION CENTER MAKES IT AN IDEAL HOST DURING THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THE EXPECT TAGS THE CENTER WILL PLACE HOST TO LARGER EVENTS DRAWING BUSINESS FROM OUT OF STATE.

THE 2009 PROPOSAL PREDICTED AS MUCH AS A $78 MILLION ANNUAL IMPACT ON THE CITY'S ECONOMY.

>> IT BRINGS NEW TAXPAYERS TO THE CITY.

PEOPLE WHO COME TO THE CITY AND SPEND MONEY AND PAY TAXES NOT ONLY THE MAPS SALES TAX BUT THE USUAL SALES TAX IF THE CITY USES FOR THEIR OVERALL OPERATIONS.

SO THEY COME HERE, PAY THAT SALES TAX, THEY DON'T USE ALL THE SERVICES.

THEY MOST LIKELY DON'T USE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, DON'T USE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE SAY WE HAVE OURS COME SPEND THEIR DOLLARS AND GO HOME.

IT IS NOT ONE OF THE ONES THAT COMES FROM RESIDENTS BUT THAT DOLLAR HELPS THE APPOINTED LET THE OFFICIALS CONTINUE THEIR GOOD WORK, THE VISION TO MAKE BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> THE OKC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS IT HAS 4,100 HOTEL ROOMS BUT A STEP FORWARD FROM WHERE THE CITY WAS.

>> WE'RE MAKING SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE IDENTITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND NOT WHAT IT WAS.

IT'S WHAT IT IS.

THE MODERN FRONTIER.

>> RORY, THANKS.

THE CONVENTION CENTER ALREADY HAS BOOKINGS SCHEDULED ACROSS THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

HISTORY BUFFS IN OKLAHOMA ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SPIRAL ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES LOCATED IN Le FLORE COUNTY.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS A CHANCE TO SEE PIECES OF ART RECOVERED FROM THIS SITE.

GALLERY OF AMERICA HOST HAS OUR REPORT.

>> THE CENTER OF THE ART WORLD IN THE USA IS CONSIDERED TO BE IN NEW YORK OR L.A.

BUT IF WE LOOK AT THAT SAME AREA COAST TO COAST BACK IN THE YEAR 1450 DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT WAS?

RIGHT HERE IN WHAT IS NOW KNOWN AS OKLAHOMA.

DID YOU KNOW THAT?

WELL, BE PROUD OKLAHOMA.

AND TRY TO GET YOURSELF QUICK THERE.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE NEW EXHIBIT IS REUNITING OUR PIECES THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN SHOWN IN THE PUBLIC QUITE THIS WAY BEFORE.

>> I REALLY WANTED YOU TO BE OVERWHELMED WITH THE SHEER QUANTITY AND QUALITY OF MATERIAL THAT YOU'RE SEEING.

>> THIS IS ERIC, CURATOR AT THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM AND HE'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS EXHIBIT FOR A WHILE.

>> THIS PROJECT TOOK ABOUT NINE YEARS TO PUT TOGETHER.

IT BEGAN IN 2012 WHEN I MET WITH THE WICHITA AFFILIATED TRIBE AND PROPOSED THE IDEA.

VIRO IS THE MOST UNIQUE SITE IN NORTH AMERICA AND IT'S A STORY NEVER BEEN TOLD.

90% IS FOUND AT VIRO.

THERE'S MATERIAL FROM ACROSS THE KNOWN WORLD FROM THE VALLEY OF MEXICO TO THE SEA OF CORTEZ, THE GREAT LAKES TO THE FLORIDA KEYS.

YOU DON'T JUST GET TO HOP INTO A JEEP AND HEAD OUT THE HIGHWAY.

IF YOU WANT TO MOVE SOMETHING HALFWAY ACROSS THE CONTINENT IT'S BY CANOE OR WALKING.

IT WAS INTENTIONAL.

THE QUESTION HAS ALWAYS BEEN WHY.

>> SPOILER ALERT.

IT'S BELIEVED SPIRO WAS A CEREMONIAL CENTER FROM THE YEARS 950 TO 1450 AND STATUES WERE BROUGHT HERE PARTICULARLY DURING A PROLONGED DROUGHT THAT STARTED THREATENING THEIR WAY OF EXISTENCE.

AND EVERYTHING WAS BURIED IN MOUNDS.

>> THEY MOVED THESE ITEMS INTO THE HOLLOW CHAMBER IN ORDER I BELIEVE TO RESTART TIME.

PIECES WERE LAID OUT IN A VERY SPECIFIC WAY BECAUSE LIKE THE STORY OF GENESIS WHERE YOU KNOW WHAT GOD DID DAY ONE, DAY TWO, DAY THREE, WELL THEY HAVE THAT STORY HERE AND WHAT THEY DECIDED TO DO WAS RETELL THE STORY OF CREATION AND BY DOING THAT THEY WERE GOING TO RESTART CREATION.

>> DESPITE ONGOING EXCAVATIONS, THERE IS MUCH WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE SPIRO SITE DUE TO DESTRUCTION BY LOOTERS IN THE 1930s.

BUT WHAT IS KNOWN IS THE QUALITY OF THESE OBJECTS.

>> EVEN DA SOTO SAID THAT THE WOODEN STATUES WERE SO AMAZING THAT IF THEY WERE IN THE VATICAN THEY WERE BE PRIZED AS ONE OF THE FINEST WORKS OF ART.

>> ERIC SAYS THERE IS ONE PART OF THE EXHIBIT THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT.

>> WHAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS CULTURAL CONTINUATION AND SO WE COMBINE ANCIENT AND CONTEMPORARY OBJECTS THROUGHOUT THE EXHIBITION SO SYMBOLS, MOTIFS, ART FORMS THAT NEVER DIED.

THE PEOPLE WHO BUILT IT ARE STILL HERE.

THEY NEVER LEFT.

IT'S GETTING PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT TODAY'S COMMUNITIES ARE CONNECTED TO THE MISSISSIPPIANS AND THEY HAVE A TREASURED PAST THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND IT NEVER STOPPED EXHIBITING.

>> YOU CAN SEE THIS EXHIBIT AT THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM THROUGH MAY 9th.

NATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUM.ORG AND FOR MORE ART FEATURES VISIT OUR IGTV CHANNEL ON INSTAGRAM AT OETA GALLERY.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

UNTIL NEXT TIME.

STAY ARTY OKLAHOMA.

>> THANKS ROBERT.

IN THE PAST YEAR THE ACTIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS REGARDLESS OF THE RACE HAVE BEEN UNDER INTENSE SCRUTINY.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION MODERATOR SUSAN HEARS FROM BLACK OFFICERS.

>> THANK YOU.

THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS AND WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHERE THINGS STAND NOW AS THINGS CALM DOWN AND JOINING ME TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION TODAY IS DEPUTY CHIEF RICKY JACKSON AND OFFICER SHAWN SMITH WITH THE LAWTON'S POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> WELL, LET'S JUST JUMP RIGHT IN.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO BE A BLACK POLICE OFFICER IN THESE TIMES?

WE HAVE SEEN SO MUCH RACIAL UNREST AND THE RACIAL ISSUES ARE REALLY A FRONT BURNER TOPIC.

DEPUTY CHIEF WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> THESE ARE INTERESTING TIMES.

I SEE IT AS AN OPPORTUNISTIC TIMES BECAUSE OF WHAT'S GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE PERCEPTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THOSE MARGINALIZED IN THE COMMUNITY THESE INCIDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN A SPRINGBOARD FOR US TO HAVE HONEST CONVERSATION ABOUT NOT ONLY WHAT'S GOING ON BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO WHAT'S GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND SO EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE TRYING TIMES THEY'RE ALSO TIMES OF OPPORTUNITY.

I FEEL THAT BY OPENING DIALOGUE AND HAVING TRUE AND HONEST DISCUSSION IN THE COMMUNITY TO PEOPLE WE SERVE IT HELPS ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE FEARS AND ANXIETY ABOUT WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES AS A CULTURE AND HOW WE INTERACT WITH THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THESE THINGS AND WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES AND I THINK ON A LARGER ISSUE WE CAN SYNC IT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE ISSUES.

>> ARE YOU COGNIZANT OF THE RACIAL ISSUES IF YOU'RE OUT IN THE FIELD, IF YOU'RE APPREHENDING OR LOOKING FOR A PERSON OF COLOR ARE YOU MORE COGNIZANT OF HOW YOU TREAT THAT PERSON BECAUSE OF YOUR SKIN COLOR?

DOES THAT EVEN COME UP FOR YOU?

>> NO, MA'AM.

SOMETHING I LIKE TO LIVE BY IS CONSISTENT.

I TREAT EVERYONE THE SAME.

SO IF I'M TRYING TO APPREHEND SOMEBODY THAT'S THE SAME COLOR AS ME I TREAT THEM LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

I UNDERSTAND IT MAY BE A LITTLE TRAUMATIZING FOR HIM OR HER NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE.

NO MATTER WHAT THEY MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE DID.

UNTIL I GET THAT PERSON IN CUSTODY AND I GET THE SITUATION SAFE I TREAT EVERYONE THE SAME.

>> SO THE ISSUES THAT ARISE, HAVE THEY IMPACTED -- I'M GOING TO STICK WITH YOU OFFICER -- HAVE THEY IMPACTED YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IN LAWTON, THE RACIAL ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP, THE PROTESTS ABOUT GEORGE FLOYD, WHAT HAS HAPPENED THERE?

IS THAT BEING ADDRESSED?

>> IT WOULD BE FAIR TO SAY THAT WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGE FLOYD HAS AFFECTED EVERY POLICE DEPARTMENT ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

I DON'T THINK NOBODY CAN SAY THEY HAVEN'T BEEN TOUCHED IN SOME SHAPE, FORM OR FASHION BUT IT'S WHAT WE DO AFTER THAT THAT MATTERS.

WE HAVE GOT TO COMMUNICATE FURTHER WITH THE COMMUNITY, BE MORE TRANSPARENT AND JUST TRY TO KEEP THAT TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION OPEN.

>> DEPUTY CHIEF WE WERE SPEAKING EARLIER AND YOU COULD HAVE RETIRED AND I THINK OFFICER SMITH THAT'S WHY YOU DIDN'T AND YOU GAVE AN INTERESTING ANSWER.

CAN YOU SHARE THAT WITH US.

>> OVER THE YEARS I'VE HAD LOTS OF INTERACTIONS WITH THOSE IN MY COMMUNITY AND WHEN THE PROTEST OF THIS STARTED AND BEAR IN MIND PROTESTS THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BUT THIS SUMMER WAS PARTICULARLY EGREGIOUS AND WHAT THOSE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITNESSED OF WHAT HAPPENED IN MINNESOTA TOOK A LOT OF US ABACK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THERE WAS OUTRAGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHAT THEY SAW IS NOT INDICATIVE OF WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AS A PROFESSION MOVING FORWARD TO PROVIDE SERVICE TO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SAFELY AND WITH RESPECT AND WHAT WE SAW WAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO THERE WERE PROTESTS.

A VERY AGGRESSIVE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE EXTREMELY EDUCATED WITH LOTS OF THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT THEY THINK WHAT WE SHOULD DO MOVING FORWARD TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES FOR EVERYONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WHEN THE PROTESTS HIT NORMAN, THEY WERE PEACEFUL PROTESTS AND PEOPLE CAME OUT TO EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON ACROSS THE COUNTRY I THOUGHT THAT OUR DEPARTMENT -- I CAN BEST SERVE MY DEPARTMENT BY NOT RETIRING AND TAKING MY BALL AND GOING HOME AND LEAVING THE PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY AND MY OFFICERS HANGING OUT TO DRY AND HAVING TO NAVIGATE THESE WATERS ON THEIR OWN.

I MADE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT TO STAY IN THE PROFESSION AND TRY TO WORK TOWARD IMPROVING THESE LINES OF COMMUNICATION AND ELIMINATING SOME OF THE FEARS NOT ONLY IN THE COMMUNITY BUT ALSO WITH OUR OFFICERS.

I FELT I COULD HELP REACH THAT GAP AND PROVIDE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE TWO TOGETHER THAT WILL BRING US TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHY I STAYED HERE IN NORMAN AND I'LL CONTINUE TO DO SO UNTIL WE'RE IN A BETTER POSITION.

AGAIN WITH THE COMMUNITY AND A BETTER POSITION TO TRUST EACH OTHER SO WE CAN AS A COMMUNITY AND PARTNERS MOVE FORWARD.

>> OFFICER SMITH, DO YOU SEE THAT GAP -- WE SEE ON THE NEWS THE LARGEST CITIES HAVING THESE PROTESTS BUT HERE IN OKLAHOMA WE HAVE BEEN IMMUNE TO THAT.

WE DON'T HAVE ACTIVE OR YOU KNOW REALLY PROTESTS THAT GET OUT OF HAND AT ALL.

WHAT ABOUT IN LAWTON, IS IT MORE MUTED IN LAWTON?

DO YOU SEE PROTESTS DOWN THERE?

>> WE HAVE RECENTLY MA'AM.

BUT I THINK WE HAVE A HEALTHY MIX OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHO KIND OF GET BEHIND US AND STAY WITH US AND THEN WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE A HEALTHY MIX.

FOR THE MOST PART WE HAVE VERY GOOD CONVERSATIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER TO COME TOGETHER NOT AS LIKE A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND A COMMUNITY BUT TOGETHER AS A CITY.

>> DO PEOPLE ASK YOU HOW CAN YOU DO THIS JOB, HOW CAN YOU -- WHEN POLICE, LAW ENFORCEMENT TARGET PEOPLE OF COLOR, HAS THAT EVER BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YOU?

HAS ANYONE EVER SAID THAT TO YOU?

>> YES, MA'AM.

UNFORTUNATELY SOME PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO DOWN THAT RABBIT HOLE I GUESS, THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR MINDS MADE UP.

AS WE KIND OF CONTINUE WITH THAT CONVERSATION AND OF COURSE, THIS IS AT WORK, THIS IS ALL THE SAME, SO SOMETHING PROBABLY HAPPENING GOING ON THAT I DIDN'T AGREE WITH, WHICH I MEAN I UNDERSTAND, NORMALLY TAKES A TURN AND AS I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN THINGS TO THEM IF THEY DON'T AGREE WITH IT, YOU KNOW, IT TURNS TO BEING CALLING DEROGATORY TERMS LIKE UNCLE TOM.

WHICH I'M NOT MAD AT THEM.

THEY DON'T SEE EVERYTHING THAT WE DO.

SOMETIMES IF IT'S HARD TO SEE FROM THEIR PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE I AM WEARING THE UNIFORM BUT I DON'T HOLD IT AGAINST THEM.

THESE ARE EMOTIONAL TIMES.

AND SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO SEE, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHT OR THE WRONG AND PEOPLE JUST SEE A POLICE OFFICER THAT THEY THINK IS DOING THE WRONG THING.

>> DEPUTY CHIEF JACKSON WHAT ABOUT YOU ON THIS ISSUE?

>> THERE'S A SAYING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, OFFICERS OF COLOR, THAT IS AT TIMES WE FEEL LIKE WE'RE TOO BLACK, IN OTHER WORDS WE'RE NOT ACCEPTED TOTALLY BY THE COLOR TRAIL IN OUR PROFESSION, WE'RE PORTRAYED A CERTAIN WAY BECAUSE OF HOW WE LOOK AND IN THE COMMUNITY YOU HAVE THOSE OF US WHO LOOK LIKE US SEE US IN UNIFORM AND THINK THAT WE'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM, WE DON'T GET IT.

THE REALITY IS THAT'S ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT COMES, WHY WE CHOSE THE PROFESSION WE CHOSE.

THE MAIN REASON WHY A LOT OF US ARE IN THIS PROFESSION IS BECAUSE WE GREW UP WITH CERTAIN EXPERIENCES AND WE SAW THE ISSUES THAT NEEDED ADDRESSED.

YOU HAVE THE CHOICE TO PICK YOUR BATTLE, PICK HOW YOU'RE GOING TO TRY TO CHANGE THE CULTURE.

A LOT OF US, I'M NOT SAYING MYSELF IN PARTICULAR GOT IN THIS PROFESSION TO DO JUST THAT, TO HELP CHANGE THE CULTURE FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

BEING FOR US, BEING THAT AMBASSADOR TO GO IN AND TELL MY OFFICERS THIS IS WHY WE'RE BEING PERCEIVED A CERTAIN WAY.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY FIRST BEFORE YOU CAN FIND A SOLUTION.

I EDUCATE MY GUYS ON THE HISTORY.

WHEN I'M SUSPECTED TO BE SOMETHING I'M NOT BY PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME, I UNDERSTAND WHERE IT COMES FROM.

SO MY ANXIETY LEVEL, I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M THE VICTIM, I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY PERCEIVED A CERTAIN WAY.

THERE'S HISTORICAL REASON FOR THAT.

>> I'M SURE YOU HAVE SEEN SO MUCH CHANGE OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES.

HAVE YOU YOURSELF FACED DISCRIMINATION BEFORE YOU BECAME A POLICE OFFICER AND AFTER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EVEN NOW PEOPLE SEE YOU A CERTAIN WAY DESPITE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

THEY SEE YOU A CERTAIN WAY.

I DON'T ALLOW THAT TO AFFECT HOW I DO MY PROFESSIONAL JOB, TO PLAY INTO THAT.

WE HAVE JOBS TO DO.

PROVIDE SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

AS A LEADER MY JOB IS TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

YOU KNOW, TO WORK WITH MY OFFICERS AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS AND I LEARN FROM THEM.

IT'S NOT A ONE WAY STREET.

THE SHIFT I'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST DECADE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN I GOT HIRED ON IN 1986, WHAT WE NEEDED TO SURVIVE THE STREETS, WE UNDERSTOOD THAT IT'S US AND IF WE DIDN'T TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER, WE COULD BE HARMED BY SOMEONE WITH NEFARIOUS THOUGHTS.

WE PROTECT EACH OTHER AND HAS SHIFTED FROM A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO WHERE THEY GET BACK TO THE WARRIOR MINDS THAT YOU DON'T SEE PEOPLE AS EVERYONE AS A THREAT.

WE TREAT PEOPLE A CERTAIN WAY, WITH RESPECT.

A PERSON'S ACTIONS WOULD BE IF WE HAVE TO INTERACT WITH YOU, IT'S DRIVEN BY YOUR ACTION, WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

WE DON'T GO INTO IT WITH THAT MIND-SET FROM THE START LIKE I STARTED OUT.

NOW IT'S MORE HOW CAN WE PROVIDE THE SERVICE, WHAT CAN WE DO, IT'S NOT US ABOVE EVERYBODY ELSE.

IT'S EVERYBODY ELSE AND THEN WE KNOW WHAT WE GOT IN THIS PROFESSION IS TO KEEP OTHER PEOPLE SAFE.

I LIKE THE SHIFT I'M SEEING IN THE CULTURE OF LAW.

THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE AND OFFICERS WHO WORK THIS JOB EVERY DAY THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LIMB EVERY DAY TO PROTECT PEOPLE ABOVE AND BEYOND THEMSELVES.

I CAN TELL YOU STORY AFTER STORY OF HEROISM THAT I SEE ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE OFFICERS DO THAT.

WE KNOW THERE'S SOME LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND THERE IS THOSE IN MY PROFESSION IN MY AGENCY THAT I SEE ARE WILLING TO STRAP ON THE BOOT AND PUT ON THE GLOVE AND WORK TOWARD A BETTER ENVIRONMENT TO EVERYONE INVOLVED.

>> OFFICER SMITH, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER?

>> FOR THREE YEARS.

>> OH, YOU'RE BRAND-NEW.

>> UH-HUH.

>> HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?

IS IT WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE?

>> YES, I LOVE IT.

IT'S SOMETHING I ALWAYS WANTED TO DO.

ONE OF THE REASONS I GOT OUT OF THE ARMY.

IS BECAUSE I WANTED TO PURSUE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

YOU KNOW, PROBABLY AROUND THE TIME I JOINED IT WAS A WHOLE LOT OF TENSION BETWEEN THE COUNTRY AND POLICE OFFICERS AS A WHOLE.

I FELT THAT IF I WANTED TO MAKE A CHANGE YOU CAN'T SIT BACK AND WATCH IT ON THE NEWS OR WATCH THAT GUY IN THE COMMUNITY DO IT BY HIMSELF.

THAT PATROL OFFICER THAT PATROLS THAT BEAT.

I WANTED TO HELP.

MAKE THAT CHANGE.

I WANTED PEOPLE TO SEE THAT PEOPLE OF MY COLOR CAN DO THIS JOB AND BRIDGE THAT GAP.

THAT'S WHAT I'M COMMITTED TO.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MUCH TIME BUT I WANT TO GIVE EACH OF YOU A FINAL WORD.

AND OFFICER SMITH, I'LL STAY WITH YOU.

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WISH THE POPULATION KNEW ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE?

>> YES.

I WOULD WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE ARE COMING INTO THE COMMUNITIES TO HELP.

WE ARE NOT TRYING TO IMPRESS YOU.

WE DON'T GO AND ARREST PEOPLE.

WE'RE IN YOUR COMMUNITIES TO AFFECT CHANGE.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

WE TRY TO MAKE THE COMMUNITIES SAFER FOR US, OUR FAMILIES, FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> AND DEPUTY CHIEF, WHAT ABOUT YOU, ANY FINAL WORDS FOR THE FOLKS IN OKLAHOMA?

>> I WOULD HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND THE AGGRAVATION AND TAKE HEART IN KNOWING THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE, MEN AND WOMEN THAT DO THIS PROFESSION ARE DOING IT FOR THE RIGHT REASON.

DOING IT TO HELP THOSE IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND HELP PEOPLE.

THAT'S WHY WE DO THIS JOB.

SO JUST UNDERSTAND THAT AND LIKE SAID EARLIER, HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE CONTACT YOU ON THE STREET WE'RE ASSUMED A CERTAIN WAY.

WHATEVER AFFIRMATION YOU HAVE.

BUT GIVE THE PERSON AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW YOU THAT THEY'RE REALLY HERE TO HELP YOU.

THAT'S WHAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS AND THROWING ON THIS UNIFORM WE DO THAT EVERY DAY 24/7, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

I'M NOT MAKING EXCUSES FOR THE BAD CHARACTER BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT THERE, TOO, WE DO WHAT WE CAN.

ARE WE PERFECT?

NO.

BUT WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN WITH THE PEOPLE WITH WHAT WE DO.

>> DEPUTY CHIEF JACKSON, OFFICER SMITH, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND SHARING YOUR VALUABLE TIME WITH US.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> REALLY INTERESTING CONVERSATION.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN ESPECIALLY HARD FOR THOSE AMERICANS HOME BOUND AND DEPENDENT ON OTHERS TO BRING ITEMS LIKE FOOD AND MEDICINE.

WE'LL TAKE YOU TO NORTH GEORGIA TO SEE HOW THOSE NEEDS ARE MET IN ROCKDALE COUNTY.

OUR PBS PARTNERS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

>> WE ARE PUTTING SHELF STABLE MEALS TOGETHER TO SEND OUT TO OUR MEALS ON WHEELS CLIENTS THIS MORNING.

HOW MANY MORE YOU NEED?

>> A LOT ARE HOMEBOUND, NOT ABLE TO GET OUT AND GET FOOD AND WITH THEIR AGE AND THE VIRUS AFFECTING THE SENIORS THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO GO OUT.

>> WE SERVE AT OUR SENIOR CENTER WE SERVE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AND THEY ARE WELCOME TO COME AND RECEIVE MEALS.

THEY CAN RECEIVE UP TO TWO PER DAY.

AT OUR SENIOR CENTER.

IT'S ALSO THEY ARE ASKED TO DO A CONTRIBUTION FOR THAT AND IT'S BASED ON THEIR INCOME LEVEL.

SO SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE A ZERO CONTRIBUTION AND SOME PEOPLE MAY HAVE A COUPLE OF DOLLARS.

THAT'S ONE THING WE HAD TO MAKE A CHANGE OF IS BECAUSE WE WERE TRYING TO LIMIT THE IMPACT OF BEING CLOSE TO A PERSON AND WHAT WE DID WAS WE LIMITED IT TO A SPECIAL DELIVERY ONCE A WEEK SO THAT WE COULD PROVIDE THE MEALS FOR THEM FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK.

>> EVERYTHING GOING OKAY?

>> YEAH, YEAH, EVERYTHING GOING PRETTY GOOD.

YEAH.

>> AS TO WHAT'S GOING ON NOW, I STAY AT HOME MORE NOW.

YOU GET UP THERE IN AGE, 80 YEARS OLD, YOU GOT TO TRY AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF BECAUSE THIS VIRUS THAT'S GOING AROUND NOW, IT IS SOMETHING ELSE.

THE FOOD IS A BIG HELP.

I PUT IT IN THE MICROWAVE AND HEAT IT UP AND EAT IT AND THE FOOD I APPRECIATE, THEY BRING THE FOOD HERE AND I'M ENJOYING IT.

>> THE FROZEN BOX HAS FIVE MEALS IN IT.

IT ALSO HAS MILK, IT HAS A LOAF OF BREAD IN THERE THAT THEY REALLY ENJOY AND IT'S ALL IN A FROZEN PACKET SO THEY CAN TAKE IT OUT AND THAW IT WHEN THEY WANT TO RECEIVE THE MEAL.

IF I CAN SHOW YOU ONE OF OUR SHELF MEALS THIS KIND OF GIVES YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT IS IN IT.

THE IDEA BEHIND THIS IS THAT A PERSON COULD RECEIVE THIS PARTICULAR BOX AND WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT THAT THEY COULD HAVE FOOD FOR THEMSELVES.

THEN YOU HAVE CANNED GOODS.

YOU HAVE JUICE.

SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS AND IT WOULD JUST BE ITEMS.

THIS IS FOR ONE PERSON.

SO IF WE HAVE A HUSBAND AND WIFE THAT ARE IN THE HOME, THEN THEY WOULD RECEIVE TWO BOXES, ONE FOR EACH OF THEM.

GOOD MORNING MS. MITCHELL.

>> GOOD MORNING.

>> HI, HOW ARE YOU.

>> HOW Y'ALL DOING?

>> GOOD, HOW ARE YOU?

>> I'M GOOD.

>> THE BOXES HAVE A LOT OF DRY GOODS THAT YOU CAN KEEP FOREVER SO THAT MAKES IT GREAT.

IT'S BEEN PRETTY IMPORTANT.

I'M GLAD THEY COME.

>> HI.

>> YOU READY.

>> YES, MA'AM.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> ON TUESDAYS WE DO A CONGREGATE MEAL DROP-THROUGH AND HAVE MEALS OUT THERE SO ANYBODY REGISTERED IN OUR PROGRAM, THEY CAN COME BY AND GET A SEVEN MEAL PACK TO TAKE HOME WITH THEM.

>> IT HELPS WITH EVERYTHING.

WITH THE VIRUS LIKE IT IS, YOU DON'T WANT TO GO OUT ANYWHERE.

SO I COME HERE AND GET IT AND GO BACK HOME AND BE SAFE.

>> WE HAVE GOTTEN LOTS OF THANK YOU NOTES FROM PEOPLE.

THEY'RE VERY SWEET.

>> THANK YOU Y'ALL.

>> LETTING US KNOW HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>> THANK YOU.

YOU TAKE CARE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BYE-BYE.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT A REVOLUTIONARY AND SAFER WAY TO TAXI PLACE TO PLACE AT THE AIRPORT DEVELOPED IN OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE THE STORY IN CARTER COUNTY.

WE WANT TO LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A TOUR OF AH-HA TULSA PHOTOGRAPHED BY CASEY FERGUSON.

FOR ALL OF US HERE, STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.