>> OKLAHOMA'S OUTGOING LEGISLATIVE LEADERS REFLECT ON THEIR HISTORIC TENURES.

>> YEAH, THE ENTIRE JOURNEY HAS BEEN -- IT'S BEEN SPECIAL.

>> I'M REALLY PROUD OF BOTH THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

>> WHAT EXACTLY ARE THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF SQUATTERS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IN OKLAHOMA?

>> MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO TRESPASS SIGNS.

MAKE SURE YOU PAY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES, AND IF YOU SUSPECT ANYBODY'S LIVING THERE, CALL THE AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY.

>> HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COOKING UP CAREERS IN EDMOND.

>> WE'RE REALLY WANTING THE KIDS TO SEE THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BEING A CHEF, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY FUN AND CREATIVE PATHWAY IN THAT, BUT IT'S AN ENTIRE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

>> THIS OKLAHOMA ARTIST HAS CREATED MORE THAN 4500 MURALS.

AND HE'S STILL GOING STRONG.

>> I'VE BEEN CALLED THE NORMAN ROCKWELL OF OKLAHOMA, BECAUSE MOST OF WHAT I DO IN THE MURAL PAINTING BUSINESS IS DOCUMENTING OKLAHOMA'S HISTORY.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

THEY HAVEN'T ALWAYS AGREED WITH ONE ANOTHER, BUT GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL, AND SENATE PRO TEM GREG TREAT HAVE WORKED TOGETHER FOR FIVE YEARS, THE LONGEST RUN IN STATE HISTORY.

BUT WHEN THIS SESSION ENDS, MCCALL AND TREAT WILL NO LONGER LEAD THEIR RESPECTIVE CHAMBERS.

WITH MORE ON THEIR TENURES AND LEGACIES, WE'RE JOINED BY CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE AT OUR OETA STUDIO IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

JASON?

>> RICH, AS THE SUN SETS ON THE TIME SPEAKER MCCALL AND PRO TEM TREAT WILL BE LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC SERVANTS, THEY ARE STILL WORKING HARD ON POLICY THIS SESSION AND PREPARING THE WAY FOR WHEN THEIR SUCCESSORS TAKE OVER AFTER THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

>> THIS SESSION HAS BEEN A POSITIVE SESSION SO FAR.

>> I'M REALLY PROUD OF BOTH THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF THE SENATE.

>> IN THIS FINAL SESSION OF THEIR LEGISLATIVE TENURE, THEY TOUT THE SUCCESSES THEY HAVE SO FAR THIS YEAR, LIKE ELIMINATING THE STATE PORTION OF THE GROCERY TAX.

MCCALL SAYS EARLY PASSAGE OF THE STATE GROCERY SALES TAX ELIMINATION SET AN EARLY TONE FOR THIS YEAR'S SESSION.

>> I THINK THAT SET THE TABLE TO REALLY DE-ESCALATE SOME OF THE OTHER POINTS TO DIVISION IN TERMS OF TALKING ABOUT OUR TAX STRUCTURE THIS YEAR.

>> HE'S HOPEFUL THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT FURTHER TAX REFORMS AND POSSIBLE CUTS.

>> YOU KNOW, WE REALLY START HAVING COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS AND WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON THE BUDGET AT THIS POINT IN THE LEGISLATIVE CYCLE.

>> TREAT SAYS THE GROCERY TAX CUT WAS A LOT OF WORK AND DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

>> YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET THAT DONE FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS, AND I WAS EXTREMELY GLAD WE ACTUALLY DELIVERED ON IT.

>> HOWEVER, AFTER THE GROCERY SALES TAX WAS PASSED IN THE SENATE, TREAT IS STANDING FIRM ON NO FURTHER TAX CUTS THIS SESSION.

>> WE WERE VERY CLEAR EARLY ON, AND WHEN I SAY SOMETHING, I MEAN IT.

IT'S NOT POSTURING.

IT'S JUST, WE HAD VERY ARDUOUS CAUCUS MEETINGS, FOUR HOURS AT A TIME, WALKING THROUGH THIS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T PUT OKLAHOMA IN A BAD TRAJECTORY.

I'VE BEEN HERE IN A $600 MILLION SHORTFALL, 800 MILLION-DOLLAR SHORTFALL, AND $1.3 BILLION SHORTFALL.

>> TREAT WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THOSE SHORTFALLS.

>> WHILE THE TAX CUT WAS A SUCCESS EARLY, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF SENATORS WHO TRIED TO SLOW THE PROCESS DOWN.

TREAT CALLED THE ACTION OF THE TWO TERRORISTIC, BECAUSE THEIR ACTIONS PUT GOOD BILLS AT RISK.

>> BUT THOSE NAMES THAT WE KNOW THAT JUST PEOPLE WHO LIVE TO PESTER, NOT LIVE TO ACTUALLY GOVERN, THAT'S BECOMING MORE POPULAR ON THE STATE SIDE, BUT IT'S STILL A VAST MINORITY.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF MY COLLEAGUES BOTH IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY'RE PASSIONATE ABOUT A SINGLE ISSUE OR JUST PASSIONATE ABOUT SERVING THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> ACROSS THE ROTUNDA, MCCALL SAYS A THINGS ARE A BIT MORE UNIFIED.

>> IT'S A LITTLE EARLY.

NO FIGHTS YET.

>> BUT IT HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN PEACEFUL, DURING LAST YEAR'S BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS SESSION, THERE WAS A STANDOFF.

TREAT CALLED OUT MCCALL SAYING THAT THE SPEAKER IS OPERATING IN A FANTASY LAND FOR HIM TO CONTINUE TO SPREAD MISINFORMATION IS DISINGENUOUS,.

>> I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A CHAMBER LEADER THAT DOES NOT LIKE THEATER.

SO I DON'T CARE FOR THE POLITICAL DRAMA.

I THINK PEOPLE SEND US UP HERE TO TAKE CARE OF THE JOB FOR THEM.

WE SHOULD DO THAT, GET IT DONE AND RETURN BACK TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> THE EDUCATION PACKAGE IS STILL ONE OF MCCALL'S PROUDEST MOMENTS AS A LAWMAKER, AND HE SAYS HE FEELS IT WILL LEAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE STATE.

>> IT TOOK US THREE AND A HALF MONTHS TO FIND THE POLICY THAT WOULD WORK EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND WOULD ALLOW THE PARENTS TO DECIDE WHAT WAS BEST FOR THEIR CHILD IN TERMS OF EDUCATING THEM.

>> TREAT BELIEVES HIS NEW OPEN BUDGETING METHOD IN THE SENATE WILL HAVE A LONG LASTING POSITIVE EFFECT ON TRANSPARENCY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TREPIDATION BECAUSE THEY'RE GIVING UP POWER, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT DELIVERING A VERY GOOD PRODUCT IN OKLAHOMA AND TRYING TO BALANCE THE NEEDS.

>> IN HIS TIME, HE HAS WORKED WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT LEADERS.

>> I'VE WORKED WITH TWO DIFFERENT GOVERNORS, TWO DIFFERENT SENATE PRO-TEM, THEE THREEMINORITY LEADERS.

KEVIN STITT, I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH AS WELL, CONSIDER THEM BOTH FRIENDS.

I REMIND GOVERNOR STITT, GOVERNOR FALLON NEVER VETOED ANY OF MY BILLS, BUT YOU HAVE.

(LAUGHTER).

>> PRO-TEM TREAT AND GOVERNOR GR STITT HAVE HAD A FEW DISAGREEMENTS, BUT TREAT SAYS THEY CAN STILL WORK TOGETHER.

>> GOVERNOR STITT AND I ARE ALIGNED ON A LOT OF SUBJECTS.

WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN ALONG AS OF LATE, BUT IT'S MORE OF A STYLE AND METHODOLOGY AND PATIENCE TO GET TO OUR END GOAL OR LACK THEREOF SOMETIMES.

>> WHAT THESE REPRESENT ARE A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FROM A HIGH SCHOOL WITHIN HOUSE DISTRICT 22.

OVER THE LAST 12 YEARS THAT I'VE BEEN THE STATE REP. >> BEING HIS FINAL YEAR AS SPEAKER AND AS A LAWMAKER, MCCALL IS READY TO PASS THE GAVEL ON TO HIS SUCCESSOR, REPRESENTATIVE KYLE HILBERT.

>> I FEEL RESPONSIBLE TO INSURE THAT THE INCOMING SPEAKER HAS ALL THE INFORMATION, HAS ALL THE TOOLS AND UNDERSTANDS WHAT AS MUCH OF THIS ROLE AS HE CAN BEFORE HE TAKES OVER THE REINS.

>> MCCALL WAS FIRST ELECTED AS THE REPRESENTATIVE FOR OKLAHOMA HOUSE DISTRICT 22 IN 2012.

JUST FOUR YEAR LAYERS, THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES CHOSE HIM TO BE SPEAKER.

>> THERE'S THE BLUE WHALE.

>> STREET IS BEING SUCCEEDED BY SENATOR GREG MCCOURTNEY AS PRO-TEM.

>> I JUST THINK SENATOR MCCOURTNEY HAS BEEN AROUND ME OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

HE'S A TREMENDOUSLY CAPABLE PERSON, AND I THINK THE SENATE WILL BE IN GREAT HANDS.

>> TREAT WAS ELECTED IN 2011, FIRST ELECTED AS PRO-TEM IN 2019.

BOTH HOPE THEY HAVE MADE A POSITIVE.

>> IT'S ABOUT PASSION AND GETTING PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOU.

>> THE ENTIRE JOURNEY, IT'S BEEN SPECIAL.

>> BOTH TREAT AND MCCALL SAY THEY WILL ENJOY SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES ONCE THEY LEAVE THE LEGISLATURE BEHIND.

BY THE WAY, IF THEY WANT ANY POLICIES TO CROSS THE FINISH LINE, THEY HAVE UNTIL MAY 31ST TO FINISH THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.

RICH.

>> JASON.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE DEATH OF OWASSO STUDENT NEX BENEDICT CONTINUES TO BE A CONTENTIOUS TOPIC OF CONVERSATION AT STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARD MEETINGS, WHICH ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON A LIMITED BASIS.

THIS WEEK, THE FINAL RESULTS OF AN AUTOPSY CONFIRMED BENEDICT COMMITTED SUICIDE FOLLOWING AN ALTERCATION INSIDE A BATHROOM AT OWASSO HIGH SCHOOL IN EARLY FEBRUARY.

ON THURSDAY, STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS, WHO SERVES ON THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION, OPENED HIS COMMENTS BY RESPONDING TO THOSE CALLING FOR HIM TO RESIGN.

LATER, THE PUBLIC WAS GIVEN THE CHANCE TO RESPOND.

AS ALWAYS, WE PRESENT BOTH VIEWPOINTS TO YOU.

>> THEY KNEW FROM THE BEGINNING THEY WERE LYING, AND THEY KNEW EVEN WHEN MORE INFORMATION CAME OUT AND THE RESULTS CAME OUT YESTERDAY THAT THEY WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO LIE AND TARGET CONSERVATIVES IN THIS STATE FOR WHAT HAPPENED.

THEY WANT TO USE THE DEATH OF A CHILD TO SUPPORT A POLITICAL AGENDA, AND I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING.

>> BULLYING IS BAD ENOUGH, BUT WHEN IT'S STATE-SPONSORED AND COMES FROM THE VERY TOP OF THOSE MAKING POLICY DECISIONS FOR OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN, IT'S DEADLY.

MY CHILD, AFTER MONTHS OF HARM, TRIED TO TAKE HIS OWN LIFE.

MY CHILD SURVIVED, BUT I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK OF THE ONES THAT DON'T, KIDS LIKE NEX.

>> AT THAT SAME BOARD MEETING, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS ALSO ANNOUNCED THE CREATION OF THE OSDE OFFICE OF SCHOOL CHOICE, WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR ALL THINGS RELATED TO SCHOOL CHOICE AND PARENTAL EMPOWERMENT.

>> THE RIGHTS OF PROPERTY OWNERS AND SO-CALLED SQUATTERS IS A BIG ISSUE AROUND THE COUNTRY THESE DAYS, WITH LANDLORDS OFTEN SURPRISED AT HOW HARD IT CAN BE TO GET RID OF PEOPLE LIVING IN A HOME THAT DOESN'T BELONG TO THEM.

WITH MORE ON WHAT THE LAW SAYS IN OKLAHOMA, WE WELCOME IN TAELYR JACKSON.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, IMAGINE BUYING A HOUSE TO FLIP, BUT BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN START RENOVATIONS, SOMEONE MOVES IN WITHOUT PERMISSION.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PROPERTY OWNER I SPOKE WITH.

HE SAYS THE ENTIRE ORDEAL TOOK MONTHS.

>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT, SUPER AWESOME.

>> AGUILAR HAS BEEN A PROPERTY OWNER FOR A YEAR AND A HALF.

>> I WAS DOING INVESTMENTS ON JUST FLIPPING, FIXING AND FLIPPING.

AND THEN THE OPPORTUNITY OF OWNING PROPERTIES.

>> IN THAT SHORT TIME, AGUILAR HAS ALREADY DEALT WITH SQUATTERS TAKING OVER A PROPERTY.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE TWO PROPERTIES RIGHT NOW, WHICH OF THEM WE JUST ACQUIRED, AND THEY WERE ACTUALLY JUST LIVING IN THE HOUSE WITHOUT ANY PERMISSION.

>> A SQUATTER IS SOMEONE WHO SETTLES ON A FORECLOSED, UNOCCUPIED OR ABANDONED RESIDENTIAL BUILDING WITHOUT LAWFUL PERMISSION.

THIS ATTORNEY SAYS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SQUATTER AND A TRESPASSER IS THE INTENT.

>> USUALLY THE PROPERTY IS UNOCCUPIED OR IT COULD BE ABANDONED PROPERTY, AND THE DIFFERENCE IS IN THE INTENT.

A SQUATTER BECOMES A SQUATTER IF THE INTENT IS TO LIVE IN THE PROPERTY OPPOSED TO A TRESPASSER, WHICH IS JUST A PERSON WHO ENTERS INTO YOUR PROPERTY WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE OWNER.

>> AGUILAR SAYS THE SQUATTERS EVEN TURNED ON THE UTILITIES IN THE HOME.

>> HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?

I MEAN, THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK US OR ANYTHING.

THEY JUST WENT AHEAD AND TURNED THE UTILITIES ON TO THEIR NAME.

>> HE THEN TRIED TO GET THE UTILITIES OFF.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT'S OUR PROPERTY, THEY ARE JUST SQUATTING IN THE HOUSE, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO TURN THE UTILITIES OFF.

SO THEY WERE STAYING IN THE HOUSE WITH THE UTILITIES ON THEIR NAME AND NOT EVEN PAYING FOR ANY RENT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> HE SAYS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA SQUATTERS DO HAVE RIGHTS BASED ON ADVERSE POSSESSION.

LAST YEAR, OKLAHOMA SENATOR GEORGE BYRNES FILED SENATE BILL 456 TO ELIMINATE THE ABILITY TO CLAIM A PROPERTY BY ADVERSE POSSESSION, BUT THE BILL WAS NEVER VOTED ON.

>> SO UNDER THIS DOCTRINE FOR THIS RIGHT TO RIPE INTO AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST, THEY MUST FULFILL A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT OF CONTINUOUS POSSESSION OF THE PROPERTY FOR 15 YEARS, SO THEY MUST LIVE IN THE PROPERTY FOR 15 YEARS, AND ALSO THEY MUST FULFILL A FEW OTHER CRITERIA.

>> CRITERIA SUCH AS THE POSSESSION MUST BE CONTINUOUS AND HOSTILE.

>> THAT POSSESSION MUST BE CONTINUOUS, ACTUAL, MEANING THAT YOU HAVE TO PERSONALLY LIVE THERE.

IT MUST BE OPEN AND NOTORIOUS, MEANING THEY CAN'T BE HIDDEN FROM THE PUBLIC, AND IT MUST BE HOSTILE, MEANING THAT IT MUST BE WITHOUT THE PERMISSION FROM THE OWNER.

WITH SOME COLOR OF TITLE.

>> AFTER 15 YEARS, THE SQUATTERS COULD FILE TO LEGALLY CLAIM THE PROPERTY.

>> THEY CAN ACTUALLY FILE SOMETHING CALLED A QUIET TITLE ACTION, AND IF THE JUDGE AGREES THAT THE CLAIMANT FULFILLS ALL THE CRITERIA, THEN THE JUDGE MIGHT RULE ON THEIR FAVOR.

AT THAT POINT, THE PERSON MIGHT GET A LEGAL TITLE OF THE PROPERTY.

>> AGUILAR ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SQUATTERS MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE SQUATTERS HAD NO INTEREST IN LEAVING THE PROPERTY.

>> THE THIRD TIME, THE GUY CAME OUT WITH A PISTOL, AND SO I WAS WITH ANOTHER -- WITH SOME OTHER PARTNERS, AND THEY CAN CARRY.

THEY HAVE A LICENSE TO CARRY AND EVERYTHING, AND SO THEY WERE THERE, AND THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.

>> IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, PROPERTY OWNERS DO HAVE THE RIGHT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST SQUATTERS.

>> SO IN OKLAHOMA, YES, A LANDLORD OR A PROPERTY OWNER HAS A RIGHT TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION TO EVICT THE SQUATTERS AND RECLAIM THE PROPERTY.

SO UNDER OKLAHOMA STATUTE 41, SECTION 111 G, OKLAHOMA LAW ALLOWS A LANDOWNER TO DEMAND A SQUATTER TO BE REMOVED OR TO VACANT FROM THE PREMISES.

>> THIS CAN BE DONE BY FILING A FORCIBLE ENTRY AND DETENTION.

AGUILAR DID JUST THAT AND TOOK THE SQUATTERS TO COURT, AND A JUDGE ORDERED THAT THE SQUATTERS SQUATTERSVACATE THE PROPERTY.

>> THE LADY WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT GETTING OUT.

GO GET THE SHERIFF, AND WE STILL HAD 48 HOURS EXTRA FOR HER TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY.

AND SO WE HAD TO WAIT ON THE SHERIFF, WENT OVER THERE TO GET THE WRIT OF EXECUTION, AND THEN THE SHERIFF FINALLY CAME BACK WITH US AND HELPED US GET THEM OUT.

>> HE SAYS THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF TRYING TO GET THE SQUATTERS OFF HIS PROPERTY STARTED IN DECEMBER.

THEY WERE FINALLY REMOVED AT THE END OF FEBRUARY.

AGUILAR AND HIS PARTNERS ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING UP THE MESS THAT WAS LEFT.

>> IT WAS DESTROYED.

I MEAN, THERE WAS HOLES IN THE WALLS, FOOD EVERYWHERE.

THEY HAD PETS.

THEY HAD DOGS IN THERE.

I MEAN, IT WAS DISGUSTING.

>> THE ATTORNEY ADVISES PROPERTY OWNERS TO TAKE NECESSARY STEPS TO HELP AVOID SQUATTERS.

>> IF YOU HAVE A PROPERTY THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN INTO FOR A LONG TIME, MAKE SURE YOU ARE VISITING THE PROPERTY, THE PROPERTY IS SECURE, YOU HAVE FENCES AROUND THE PROPERTY.

MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO TRESPASS SIGNS.

MAKE SURE YOU PAY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES.

AND IF YOU SUSPECT ANYBODY IS LIVING THERE, CALL THE AUTHORITIES IMMEDIATELY OR YOU TAKE LEGAL ACTIONS.

AGUILAR HOPES LAWMAKERS WILL CONSIDER CHANGING THE LAW TO PROTECT PROPERTY OWNERS.

RICH?

>> GOOD INFORMATION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TAELYR.

>> THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HAS REACHED A LEGAL SETTLEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE THE WAY REAL ESTATE AGENTS ARE COMPENSATED.

THE DAYS OF THE 6-PERCENT COMMISSION COULD BE OVER, AND THAT'S EXPECTED TO HAVE A BIG IMPACT GOING FORWARD.

WHAT WILL THAT MEAN FOR THE INDUSTRY AND ANYONE TRYING TO BUY OR SELL A HOME?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW: >> THE SETTLEMENT WILL HAVE SOME SHORT-TERM IMPACT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE PRICE OF HOUSING.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN THIS CHAMPION VOICE THAT SAYS, OH, THE PRICE OF HOUSING IS GONNA COME DOWN.

WE HAVE AN INVENTORY SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME ANALYSTS DIFFER ON HOW LONG THAT SHORTAGE IS, EVERYWHERE FROM A THREE-YEAR SHORTAGE TO A 10-YEAR SHORTAGE.

SO PRICE ISN'T GONNA COME DOWN.

IT'S NOT GONNA AFFECT THE ECONOMY.

>> IT COULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THINGS FINANCIALLY FOR A BUYER IN A TRANSACTION.

SO IF YOU DO HAVE A SELLER THAT WANTS TO NEGOTIATE A COMMISSION AND THEY SAY THEY ONLY WANT TO PAY THEIR PORTION OF A COMMISSION AND NOT OFFER ANY COOPERATING COMMISSION TO A BUYER'S AGENT, THAT COULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE HOW MUCH A BUYER WOULD NEED TO BRING TO THE TABLE.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>> EDMOND HIGH SCHOOLS ARE OFFERING A CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE CULINARY ARTS AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT.

AND BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A RECENT COMPETITION, THESE KIDS ARE COOKING IN THE CLASSROOM.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS.

STEVE?

>> YEAH, RICH.

LAST MONTH, CULINARY TEAMS FROM EDMOND NORTH AND EDMOND SANTA FE TOOK HOME FIRST PLACE IN TWO DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AT AN ANNUAL STATEWIDE CULINARY COMPETITION.

NEXT MONTH, THEY'LL TRADE SHOTS WITH THE BEST ON A NATIONAL STAGE.

>> UH, I AM JUST CUTTING UP TWO CUPS OF CHEESE FOR US, SO WE CAN MIX IT UP WITH OUR CREAM CHEESE AND HAVE A LITTLE DOUBLE CHEESE MOMENT.

>> CELL WELBORN WAS PART OF A TEAM OF FIVE EDMOND NORTH CULINARY OVERACHIEVERS WHO, FIVE WEEKS AGO, SHOOK THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL CULINARY LANDSCAPE.

>> FOR THE NATIONALS IS EDMOND NORTH.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE).

EDMOND NORTH'S TEAM, COMPOSED OF JUST SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS, CAME UP WITH THE THREE WINNING DISHES THAT WON WHAT'S KNOWN AS OKLAHOMA'S ANNUAL PRO-START STUDENT INVITATIONAL.

IT'S SIGNIFICANT, BECAUSE EDMOND NORTH AND OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS WERE UP AGAINST AREA TECHNICAL SCHOOLS TOO.

>> AND THE KIDS PRACTICED FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS, AND RIGHT BEFORE THE COMPETITION, WE GOT IT DOWN TO WHERE WE COULD MAKE IT IN 60 MINUTES.

AND I ALWAYS SAID WE HAD TO DO 100 THINGS RIGHT ON THE DAY OF THAT COMPETITON.

WE COULDN'T MISS ONE THING.

AND ON THE DAY OF THE COMPETITION, MY STUDENTS GOT EVERY 100 OF THOSE THINGS RIGHT!

THEY EXECUTED!

THEY EXECUTED!

AND THEY DID PHENOMENAL.

SOME OF THEM DID THINGS THEY HAD NEVER DONE BEFORE.

>> THE WINNING DISHES INCLUDED SQUASH, BEAN, AND CORN SALAD, PAN SEARED BISON, SWEET POTATO PUREE, AND SWEET CORN PUDDING.

>> OKAY.

THEY GOT TO BE UP THERE THEN.

EXCUSE ME.

>> CELL WELBORN WAS IN CHARGE OF THE MEAT.

>> SO WE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DID SMILE AND WE ALSO DID IT THE BEST WE COULD AND GET, LIKE, PERFECT POINTS ON EVERYTHING WE COULD.

>> AND WHAT DID YOU PAN SEAR AGAIN?

>> UH, I PAN-SEARED BISON, HAD TO FABRICATE THE WHOLE THING, AND IT WAS, LIKE, A THREE-POUND THING.

AND I HAD TO FABRICATE IT DOWN TO THREE-OUNCE AND FOUR-OUNCE MEDALLIONS.

>> WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT THIS?

I MEAN, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THIS?

>> UM, I ALREADY HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO GET INTO CULINARY SCHOOL, GETTING INTO COLLEGE.

>> SOPHOMORES RIDDLEY HEIM AND ZAINE COLLINS WERE ALSO PART OF EDMOND NORTH'S WINNING TEAM.

>> HONESTLY, AT THE TIME I DIDN'T THINK WE'D EVEN CRACK THE TOP FIVE.

I WAS CONTENT WITH THIS JUST BEING A COOL EXPERIENCE.

AND THEN WHEREVER THEY CALLED OUR NAME, IT WAS INSANE.

IT STILL DOESN'T REALLY FEEL REAL.

>> DO YOU COOK FOR MOM AND DAD THESE DAYS?

>> I DO NOW.

I DO NOW.

>> PAYING THEM BACK A LITTLE BIT?

>> YEAH, OF COURSE.

>> WE'RE REALLY WANTING THE KIDS TO SEE THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BEING A CHEF, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY A VERY FUN AND CREATIVE PATHWAY IN THAT, BUT IT'S AN ENTIRE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY.

AND SO WE ARE LOOKING AT THE BUSINESS SIDE OF THINGS.

I MEAN, YOU JUST CAN'T HAVE A GOOD BISCUIT RECIPE AND THINK I'M GONNA START A RESTARAUNT.

YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE MONEY.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR MARKETING, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DEVELOP YOUR MENU, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> SO ONE OF YOU CAN ROLL.

>> YEP.

>> AND THEN THE OTHER CAN SPRINKLE.

>> A TEAM OF EDMOND SANTE FE CULINARY STALWARTS WON FIRST PLACE IN THE CATEGORY OF RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO GET KIDS INTERESTED AND GET THEM TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THERE'S A LOT MORE THAN JUST COOKING.

60 PERCENT OF RESTAURANTS FAIL IN THE FIRST YEAR.

AND SO TEACHING THE KIDS IT'S MORE THAN JUST SHOWING UP AND MAKING A GREAT DISH.

IT'S A LOT OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT IN FRONT OF HOUSE AND BACK OF HOUSE.

WE COVER ALL OF THAT.

EMILY SCHWARTZ, CHESSA MILES AND LLUVIA CARBAJAL WERE PART OF THE WINNING EDMOND SANTA FE RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT SQUAD.

CARBAJAL PLANS TO STUDY BUSINESS OR FINANCE IN COLLEGE.

>> AND THEN A LITTLE BIT AFTER, PROBABLY CULINARY SCHOOL, BECAUSE I WANT TO OPEN MY OWN RESTARAUNT AT SOME POINT.

>> THIS IS VALUABLE EXPERIENCE, ISN'T IT?

>> YES, VERY VERY VALUABLE, BECAUSE YOU GET TO LEARN A LOT MORE THAN SITTING AND RESEARCHING, CAUSE YOU RESEARCH -- YOU ACTUALLY GET TO DO SOME STUFF, WORK WITH AN ACTUAL CHEF, WORK WITH PEOPLE TO FINALIZE SOMETHING YOU SHOW SOMEBODY SO THEY CAN INVEST IN IT.

YOU GET TO LEARN HOW TO RUN THE WHOLE SHOW.

>> YES, I CAN TELL THAT'S WHAT YOU ALL WANT TO DO.

>> OUR JUDGES ALWAYS TELL US THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE ON SHARK TANK EVERY TIME WE TALK TO THEM.

>> YES, THAT'S FOR SURE.

>> BOTH WINNERS WILL COMPETE IN THE NATIONAL PRO-START COMPETITION IN BALTIMORE APRIL 26TH THROUGH APRIL 28TH.

>> THIS ISN'T CHOPPED LIVER.

NATIONWIDE, THE PRO-START HIGH SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM IS SPONSORED BY THE NATIONAL RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, AND IT INVOLVES AROUND 1,850 SCHOOLS AND 165,000 STUDENTS EACH YEAR.

>> I'VE NEVER LEFT THE MIDWEST KIND OF AREA.

SO GOING TO THE EAST COAST -- I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO GO TO THE EAST COAST, AND I'M EXCITED TO >> OKLAHOMA CITY IS FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL TREND OF IT BEING CHEAPER TO RENT THAN MORTGAGE A HOME.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO REALTOR.COM'S FEBRUARY RENTAL REPORT, WHICH SHOWS THAT RENTING BEATS BUYING IN THE LARGEST U.S. METROS.

THE REPORT SHOWS THAT IN OKLAHOMA CITY THE AVERAGE RENTAL IS NOW $982.

THE AVERAGE MONTHLY COST TO BUY A HOUSE IN OKLAHOMA CITY WAS $1,528 A MONTH IN FEBRUARY, MAKING FOR A 55-PERCENT DIFFERENCE.

THE AVERAGE RENTAL COST HAS INCREASED BY 1.3 PERCENT THIS YEAR, WHILE HOME BUYING COSTS HAVE INCREASED BY 8.2 PERCENT IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO.

>> FLORIDA BASED MILITARY CONTRACTOR TSS SOLUTIONS IS LOCATING AN OFFICE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE COMPANY'S PRESIDENT AND CEO SAYS THAT OKLAHOMA IS THE CENTER OF GRAVITY FOR COUNTER UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS RESEARCH AND TESTING.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE WILL ESTABLISH LEADERSHIP, PROGRAM MANAGEMENT, AND TECHNOLOGIST POSITIONS IN OKLAHOMA.

IT WILL FOCUS ON SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS, COUNTER UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS AND RADAR DEVELOPMENT.

TO COMMEMORATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH, PAYCOM SOFTWARE EMPLOYEES DONATED 50,000 TO OKLAHOMA WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY.

THE DONATION WAS GIVEN TO HELP EMPOWER WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE WITH ACCESS TO RESOURCES THAT WILL HELP THEM ADVANCE IN STEM CAREERS.

LAST YEAR, PAYCOM FUNDED AN OKLAHOMA WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP FOR A FEMALE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT STUDYING TO ENTER A STEM FIELD.

THIS DONATION WILL BE USED TO HELP FUND SCHOLARSHIPS, RETREATS AND LEADERSHIP AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN IN STEM CAREERS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> EXPEDITION AFRICA IS NOW OPEN TO OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO PATRONS.

OFFICIALS THIS WEEK CUT THE RIBBON ON THE 12-ACRE AREA THAT IS NOW THE HABITAT FOR MORE THAN 60 SPECIES NATIVE TO THE CONTINENT OF AFRICA.

THE 35-MILLION-DOLLAR EXPANSION WAS FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS, HISTORIC TAX CREDITS, A DEDICATED 1/8 OF A CENT SALES TAX APPROVED BY VOTERS IN 1990.

PLANS FOR EXPEDITION AFRICA HAVE BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO SINCE 2018.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

>> IT MAY SOON COST YOU LESS TO HIRE A REALTOR TO HELP YOU BUY OR SELL A HOME.

THAT'S THE BIG TAKE-AWAY FROM A NATIONWIDE LEGAL SETTLEMENT THAT WILL CHANGE HOW REAL ESTATE AGENTS ARE COMPENSATED.

SOME PEOPLE FEEL IT WILL HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY, AND THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY AND CAN HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON THE U.S. ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

CASSIDY?

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY BRIAN HUTCHINSON WHO IS THE CEO FOR THE OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS AND KATRINA WASHINGTON WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BRIAN, TO START OFF, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME SPECIFICS ABOUT THE LAWSUIT AND THE SETTLEMENT?

>> SO NOT ONE LAWSUIT, THERE'S MULTIPLE LAWSUITS THAT ARE OCCURRING ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE COOPERATIVE BROKERAGE RELATIONSHIP IN A REAL ESTATE CHANCE ACTION.

THE ONE THAT'S GENERATING MOST OF THE ATTENTION IS THE ONE THAT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HAS JUST AGREED TO SETTLE, AND THE DETAILS OF THAT SETTLEMENT, WHICH ARE PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD.

A LARGE SOME OF MONEY THAT ARE GOING TO BE PAID, SOME CHANGES TO OUR RULES THAT WE UTILIZE IN OUR MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE, THE REQUIREMENT FOR SOME WRITTEN DOCUMENTATION ON THE BUYER'S SIDE OF THE TRANSACTION, PROBABLY ALL CHANGES FOR THE GOOD.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE CHANGES IN RULES?

>> SO THE MAIN RULE CHANGE THAT'S GOING TO COME ABOUT THAT IS MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS WHO ALSO USE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICES WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO DISPLAY COOPERATIVE COMPENSATION INSIDE THE MECHANISM OF THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE.

THAT'S A LARGE UMBRELLA.

THAT'S A BIG THING TO WRAP YOUR HEAD AROUND.

BUT WHAT IT BASICALLY MEANS IS BROKERS WILL HAVE TO FIND A MECHANISM TO COMMUNICATE HOW THEY ARE COOPERATING, IF THEY'RE COOPERATING, WITH OTHER REAL ESTATE BROKERS OUTSIDE OF JUST THE MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICE.

>> KATRINA, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'D LIKE TO ELABORATE ON THERE?

>> WELL, I THINK TO ADD TO WHAT BRIAN IS TALKING ABOUT, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE MECHANISMS ALREADY IN PLACE IN THE PAST IN TERMS OF, LIKE, OKLAHOMA BROKERS RELATIONSHIP ACT, IN TERMS OF HOW BUYERS' AGENTS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO OPERATE IN THE PAST.

SO THAT HAS ACTUALLY BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2000 IN TERMS OF A BUYERS AGENT IS ABLE TO REPRESENT A BUYER AND NEGOTIATE THAT COMMISSION.

SO WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE COMMISSIONS ON EITHER SIDE FOREVER, BUT IT'S CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF HOW THAT IS NEGOTIATED.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE IMPORTANT PART TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT THIS.

THAT'S WHAT'S GETTING LOST IN THE MEDIA.

I THINK WE BOTH AGREE.

THERE IS NO ENTITY THAT EVER SET COMMISSION RIGHTS.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, BROKE RANCHES, BROKER, INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, ALL COMMISSIONS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NEGOTIABLE ON BOTH SIDES, BUYERS AND SELLERS' SIDE.

WHAT'S CHANGING IS HOW WE COMMUNICATE.

SO IF A SELLER HAS CHOSEN TO OFFER A BUYERS' AGENCY COMPENSATION TO HELP THAT FIRST TIME HOME BUYER, TO HELP THAT VETERAN OR SOMEBODY ELSE WHO IS COMING TO THE TABLE TO BUY, THE WAY THAT THAT COOPERATION IS COMMUNICATED IS WHAT'S GOING TO CHANGE.

WE'LL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO USE OUR SYSTEM OF DATA INFORMATION TO TRANSMIT THOSE OFFERS OF COMMUNICATION -- OF COMPENSATION.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT THAT WILL MEAN FOR PEOPLE SELLING HOMES IN OKLAHOMA?

>> AGAIN, COMMISSIONS FEE STRUCTURES, THEY'RE NEGOTIABLE.

WHEN YOU SIT DOWN WITH A LICENSED REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL, YOU'RE GOING TO NEGOTIATE WHAT THAT SERVICE AND WHAT THAT FEE LOOKS LIKE.

DIFFERENT BROKERS AND DIFFERENT BROKERAGES OFFER DIFFERENT LEVELS OF SERVICE, DIFFERENT THINGS THEY DO.

EVERYTHING FROM JUST SIMPLY CREATING A LISTING AND GETTING IT OUT THERE FOR YOU TO REMODELS OF YOUR HOME AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.

SO FOR THE PERSON, A CONSUMER THAT'S SELLING THE PROPERTY, IT EFFECTIVELY HAS NO CHANGE TO THEM.

THEY ARE STILL GOING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SIT DOWN AND NEGOTIATE WHO THEY'RE PAYING, HOW MUCH TO HELP THEM WITH ONE OF THE GREATEST TRANSITIONS IN THEIR LIFE.

>> KATRINA, WHAT ABOUT BUYERS IN OKLAHOMA?

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THEM?

>> IT COULD CHANGE SOME AND IT COULD CHANGE A LOT FOR THE BUYER.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF INFORMATION CIRCULATING.

SOME OF THAT GOOD INFORMATION, SOME OF THAT BAD INFORMATION.

IT COULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE THINGS FINANCIALLY FOR A BUYER IN A TRANSACTION.

SO IF YOU DO HAVE A SELLER THAT WANTS TO NEGOTIATE A COMMISSION AND THEY ONLY WANT TO PAY THEIR PORTION OF THE COMMISSION AND NOT OFFER ANY COOPERATING COMMISSION TO A BUYER'S AGENT, THAT COULD FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE HOW MUCH A BUYER WOULD NEED TO BRING TO THE TABLE.

SO YOU COULD HAVE A BUYER, LET'S SAY, THAT WOULD NEED ASSISTANCE IN A NORMAL TRANSACTION.

THAT COULD CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE, SO THAT BUYER MAY SAY, WELL, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PURCHASE THIS HOUSE.

WE MAY NEED TO RENEGOTIATE WITH THEIR AGENT, OR THAT AGENT MAY WANT TO RENEGOTIATE WITH THAT SELLER FOR THEIR COMMISSION.

>> SO THE SETTLEMENT COULD BE A POSITIVE OR A NEGATIVE THING?

>> YES.

>> I THINK IT'S BOTH.

YOUR INDUSTRY EVOLVES.

THE WORLD EVOLVES AROUND US.

OUR INDUSTRY, THE REAL STATE INDUSTRY, HAS TO EVOLVE, AND THAT'S NOT A BAD THING.

COMPETITION AND COOPERATION ARE BOTH VERY GOOD THINGS.

AND BY THE WAY, WHAT I KNOW ABOUT REALTORS, MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, BEYOND JUST A LICENSED REAL ESTATE AGENT, IS WE ARE VERY RESILIENT PEOPLE.

WE FIGURE OUT HOW TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

AND WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS.

MY CONCERNS RIGHT NOW ARE HOW DO WE DO THAT IN LIGHT OF FEDERAL LAW, FAIR HOUSING RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE, OR WHAT KATRINA JUST SAID.

OKLAHOMA HAS FIVE MILL TEAR BASES.

MILITARY BASES.

MANY PEOPLE KNOW THERE'S A CLAUSE IN THE VA HOME LOAN THAT SAYS A VETERAN MAY NOT PAY A COMMISSION AT ALL FOR A BUYER'S AGENT REPRESENTATIVE.

SO IF THERE'S NO COMMISSION BEING PAID OR OFFERED A COMMISSION, A COMPENSATION SPLIT ON THE OTHER SIDE, AN EXAMPLE, A NO CONCESSION BEING MADE, THEN THAT VETERAN IS LEFT WITH DEALING WITH EITHER NOT UTILIZING SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE EARNED, A RIGHT THAT THEY HAVE FOR THE SERVICE AND THE SACRIFICE THAT THEY'VE MADE, OR GOING AT A TRANSACTION UNREPRESENTED.

AND THERE ARE NUANCES LIKE THAT THROUGHOUT ALL OF THE GOVERNMENT-BACKED LOANS.

THAT'S A CONCERN.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, WE WERE VERY CAREFUL IN THE SETTLEMENT AT NAR TO CREATE SOME OTHER MECHANISMS.

WE HAVE THE MECHANISM TO BE ABLE TO OFFER CONCESSIONS AS OPPOSED TO COMMISSIONS, AND I THINK OUR MULTIPLE LISTING SERVICES, WHICH ARE INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED BY A WIDE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, I BELIEVE THAT WE'LL SEE THEM ADOPT LANGUAGE AROUND CONCESSIONS.

I THINK THAT NARRATIVE WILL CHANGE.

I THINK MODELS OF PERCENTAGES VERSUS PLAT FEES OR TIERED FEES IS GOING TO CHANGE.

I THINK, IN LIGHT OF IT, THE GOVERNMENT WILL PROBABLY STEP IN AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

I KNOW WE'RE ALREADY WORKING ON THAT.

I'M IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR TEAM IN WASHINGTON, ALREADY WORKING ON HOW DO WE ADDRESS THINGS LIKE THE VETERANS HOME LOAN PROGRAM.

HOW DO WE ADDRESS THINGS LIKE USDA, WHICH WE USE A LOT OF HERE IN OKLAHOMA, SO THAT CONSUMERS ARE PROTECTED.

BECAUSE PARTICULARLY THOSE FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS, THOSE PEOPLE TRYING TO GET INTO THE MARKET, THERE'S A POTENTIALITY THAT IT GETS MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THEM.

>> BRIAN, COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO US THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONCESSIONS AND COMMISSION?

>> SURE.

THE COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT AS A WHOLE, PART OF THE REASON THAT WE'VE GOTTEN HERE IS THE COOPERATIVE ENVIRONMENT AS A WHOLE IS MISUNDERSTOOD.

TRADITIONALLY IN A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION FOR THE LAST HUNDRED PLUS YEARS, A BROKER ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A SELLER OF A PROPERTY, AND PART OF THAT -- OWE FOR X AMOUNT OF MONEY OR X PERCENTAGE, WHATEVER THAT HAPPENS TO BE.

I THINK THE AVERAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS 5.49%.

THEY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT.

AND PART OF THAT AGREEMENT, THEY'VE ALWAYS ENTERED INTO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THAT SELLER TO ALLOW THE BROKER TO TAKE SOME OF THE COMPENSATION, THE COMMISSION THAT THEY'RE EARNING, AND SHARE THAT WITH SOMEBODY ON THE OTHER SIDE.

WE USED TO CALL THAT SUB AGENCY.

THAT CHANGED ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO AND BECAME BUYERS' AGENCY.

SO A COMMISSION IS THAT.

IT IS A -- IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT A PERCENTAGE-WISE, IT IS A PERCENTAGE OF THE SALES PRICE THAT GETS PAID TO A PROFESSIONAL THAT GOES TO A BROKERAGE FIRM, GETS SPLIT INSIDE THE BROKERAGE FIRM AMONG A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

A CONCESSION IS NOT A PERCENTAGE-BASED.

IT COULD BE A PERCENTAGE-BASED, BUT IT'S TYPICALLY A DOLLAR-BASED THAT IS USED TO PAY FOR THINGS THAT A PURCHASER OF A PROPERTY MAY NEED.

MAYBE THEY NEED HELP WITH THEIR TITLE POLICY, WITH THEIR CLOSING COSTS, THE ORIGINATION FEES, INSPECTION, SEPTIC REPAIR, A ROOF BEING REDONE, OR WITH A BUYER'S AGENCY COMPENSATION.

>> KATRINA, LET'S MOVE BACK JUST A LITTLE BIT.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF OKLAHOMA PROVIDES?

>> THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES HAS BEEN AROUND FOR ABOUT 43 YEARS NOW.

WE PROVIDE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SERVICES.

SO WHAT MOST PEOPLE KNOW US FOR IS OUR HOME BUYER EDUCATION, PRE-PURCHASE COUNSELING.

WE PROVIDE A NUMBER OF CLASSES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

WE PARTNER WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT LENDING AGENCIES TO PROVIDE BUDGETING, CREDIT COUNSELING, THAT TYPE OF SERVICES.

WE ALSO WILL BUILD LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSING THROUGHOUT THE STATE, AND IN THAT HOUSING, WE WILL SELL THAT TO LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

WE ALSO KEEP A LOT OF THOSE PROPERTIES IN OUR PORTFOLIO AND PROVIDE THOSE FOR RENTALS.

WE PARTNER WITH A LOT OF DEVELOPERS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, ALSO OUTSIDE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FOR HOUSING TAX CREDITS.

YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF OUR UNITS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE ALSO GETTING INTO PROVIDING TITLE SERVICES, AND WE'LL BE LAUNCHING OUR COMMUNITY LAND TRUST HERE SOON.

WE WILL HAVE THAT STARTING IN MAY.

BUT OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS TO ASSIST INCOME -- LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS IN BUILDING WEALTH.

SO THIS IS JUST RIGHT UP OUR ALLEY IN TERMS OF EDUCATING INDIVIDUALS ON BECOMING HOMEOWNERS WHEREVER THEY ARE, EVEN IF THEY'RE STILL RENTING, TEACHING THEM HOW TO CREATE A BUDGET, BECOME FINANCIALLY STABLE.

SO WE, AGAIN, PROVIDE FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, SO IF THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE, WE CAN GUIDE THEM OUT OF THAT, SO WHEREVER THEY ARE IN THEIR HOME OWNERSHIP JOURNEY.

>> HOW WILL THIS SETTLEMENT AFFECT THE WAY YOU PROVIDE SERVICES, OR WILL IT?

>> IT WON'T EFFECT NEGATIVELY.

I THINK IT WILL EXPAND OUR SERVICES.

WE WILL BE THERE FOR ANYONE THAT HAS QUESTIONS.

WE ACTUALLY HAVE AN EVENT THAT'S COMING UP ON APRIL 20th CALLED GET YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER.

WE ARE ACTUALLY PARTNERING WITH -- ONE OF OUR SPONSORS, NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES AND NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE BROKERS.

IT'S GOING TO BE PART OF FAIR HOUSING MONTH.

SO THERE WILL BE THE ALLIANCE AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HISPANIC REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS ALSO PARTNERING WITH US, WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE A PANEL TALKING ABOUT THIS EXACT TOPIC ON HOW REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS CAN CONTINUE TO REPRESENT CLIENTS IN THIS NEW LANDSCAPE THAT WE FIND OURSELVES IN, BUT WE'RE ALSO GOING TO HAVE SESSIONS ON HOW TO ATTAIN REAL ESTATE, HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR REAL ESTATE AND HOW TO PROPERLY TRANSFER YOUR PROPERTY, ALSO HOW TO, YOU KNOW, BUDGET, HOW TO BUILD CREDIT, AND IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING HOMES, OBVIOUSLY, HOW TO PURCHASE YOUR NEW HOME, ALSO MAINTENANCE.

SO WE'LL HAVE PEOPLE ON SITE TO TEACH YOU HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR PROPERTY AS WELL AS TAX, ALL TOPICS.

>> THAT'S EXCITING.

>> BRIAN, YOU MENTIONED THE MARKETPLACE EARLIER AND HOW YOU SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMY REVOLVES AROUND THE REAL ESTATE MARKET.

CAN YOU TELL US HOW THIS SETTLEMENT WILL AFFECT THE ECONOMY?

>> I DON'T THINK IT WILL HAVE MUCH EFFECT ON THE ECONOMY AS A WHOLE.

WE LIVE IN CAPITALISTIC SOCIETY, AND OUR ECONOMY IS DRIVEN BY CAPITALISTIC PRINCIPLES.

THE ECONOMY ITSELF HAS A WAY OF RIGHTING ITSELF, AND THAT'S PART OF WHAT MAKES IT SO GREAT.

THE SETTLEMENT WILL HAVE SOME SHORT-TERM IMPACT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE PRICE OF HOUSING.

I KNOW THERE'S BEEN THIS CHAMPIONING VOICE THAT SAYS, OH, THE PRICE OF HOUSING IS GOING TO GO DOWN.

WE HAVE AN INVENTORY SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SOME ANALYSTS DIFFER ON HOW LONG THAT SHORTAGE IS, ANYWHERE FROM A THREE-YEAR SHORTAGE TO A TEN-YEAR SHORTAGE.

SO PRICE ISN'T GOING TO COME DOWN.

IT'S NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE ECONOMY.

HOUSING DOES MAKE UP ABOUT ONE-FIFTH OF OUR NATIONAL GDP.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IN THE HOUSING MARKET DOES HAVE A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT AS A WHOLE, BUT THIS SETTLEMENT SHOULDN'T HAVE MUCH BEARING ON IT, BECAUSE AGAIN, IT CHANGES MECHANICS BEHIND THE SCENES.

THERE'S NOT A FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE TO COOPERATION, ONLY HOW THAT COOPERATION IS COMMUNICATED.

>> WELL, THAT'S ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YOU CAN GO ALMOST ANYWHERE IN OKLAHOMA AND FIND EXAMPLES OF DR. BOB PALMER'S ARTWORK.

HE'S CREATED OVER 4500 MURALS AND PUBLIC ART PROJECTS IN OKLAHOMA, CANADA, MEXICO AND EUROPE.

AND, AS ANDREW HARTSHORN REPORTS, DR. BOB SHOWS NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN ANYTIME SOON.

>> I ALWAYS LIKE TO PAINT LARGE.

>> WALTERS, OKLAHOMA NATIVE BOB PALMMER USES AN UNUSUAL CANVAS TO EXPRESS HIS ART, WALLS.

>> I HAD RELATIVES WHO SAID, WELL, COULD YOU PAINT SOMETHING IN MY KITCHEN OR COULD YOU PAINT SOMETHING IN MY BATHROOM.

FROM THERE, I STARTED DOING LITTLE THINGS, AND IT KEPT GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER.

>> PALMMER'S SMALL TOWN ROOTS COME THROUGH HIS PIECES, BRINGING A FAMILIAR HOMETOWN CHARM TO THE PLACES HIS ART IS FOUND.

>> I LIKE IMPRESSIONISTIC AND I LIKE NORMAN ROCKWELL.

IN FACT, I'VE BEEN CALLED THE NORMAN ROCKWELL OF OKLAHOMA, BECAUSE MOST OF WHAT I DO IN THE MURAL PAINTING BUSINESS IS DOCUMENTING OKLAHOMA'S HISTORY.

>> BOB PALMER'S WORK IS ALSO A PART OF OKLAHOMA HISTORY.

HE WAS CHOSEN TO BE THE STATE'S FEATURE MURAL PAINTER DURING ITS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN 2007, LIKE THIS ONE IN BRICKTOWN AND OTHER PARTS OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> PALMER'S WORK IS ON WALLS AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WELL, I'VE PAINTED PRIMARILY PROBABLY 80% IN OKLAHOMA, BUT THE OTHER 20% HAS BEEN SURROUNDING STATES.

I'VE PAINTED IN CANADA, MEXICO, MACEDONIA, CROATIA, GREECE, AND SO IT'S DIFFERENT.

I REALLY LIKE PAINTING LOCALLY, BECAUSE THEY'RE LIKE MY BABIES, AND I GET TO VISIT THEM.

BUT I DO LIKE TO GO OVERSEAS.

>> PALMER IS AN EDUCATOR AT HEART.

HE RETIRED FROM A 40 YEAR AWARD-WINNING ART EDUCATION CAREER IN 2014 FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

HIS AWARDS INCLUDE THE 2001 OKLAHOMA ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION'S OUTSTANDING OKLAHOMA HIGHER EDUCATION FACULTY MEMBER, AND THE 2007 NATIONAL ART EDUCATION ASSOCIATION'S OKLAHOMA ART EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR.

PALMER LIKES TO WORK WITH HIS STUDENTS AS THEY TRANSFORM WALLS WITH EXTERIOR LATEX PAINT AND ALL KINDS OF BRUSHES.

>> IT WAS A SPAN OF A FEW MONTHS, AND WE LEARNED TO COLLABORATE WITH DIFFERENT ARTISTS THAT MADE ONE BIG MURAL LOOK LIKE ONE PERSON HAD DONE IT.

SO HE WAS ABLE TO COORDINATE US SO THAT EACH ONE OF OUR STRENGTHS WAS SHOWN.

SO WE EACH INDIVIDUALLY HAD A PANEL THAT WE WERE WORKING ON, BUT WE WERE ALSO WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE IT LOOK ALL VERY COHESIVE.

>> PALMER CONTINUES TO WORK WITH OTHER ARTISTS THROUGH A CO-OP CALLED ART CENTRAL.

PENNY IS ONE OF THEM, AND SHE CAN'T WAIT TO CREATE WITH HER MENTOR.

>> IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS ON MY BUCKET LIST IF HE WOULD EVER HAVE ROOM FOR ME.

I USED TO DO MY OWN MURALS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

THAT'S WHEN I WAS FIRST OUT OF SCHOOL.

I STARTED DOING MURALS BECAUSE OF BOB.

HE INSPIRED ME.

HE WAS THE BEST.

HE LET US EXPRESS OURSELVES FREELY, WHATEVER INSPIRED US WAS PART OF THE CLASSROOM, AND HE WAS ALWAYS GOOD TO GIVE CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AND HELP US TO BE BETTER ARTISTS AND BETTER PROFESSIONALS.

>> PENNY KNOWS CREATING A WALL SIZE ART PIECE IS NO SMALL UNDERTAKING.

>> MURALS ARE A LOT OF WORK.

I LOVE THE SIZE OF THE SCALE OF THE MURAL.

SOME OF MY PERSONAL WORK IS LARGE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE REFER A SMALLER FORMAT.

-- PREFER A SMALLER FORMAT.

BUT MURALS, YOUR WHOLE BODY IS IN IT.

YOU HAVE TO CLIMB, AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PHYSICALITY TO DO IT.

BUT IT'S A LOT OF FUN.

>> LIKE MANY RETIREES, PALMER DOESN'T WANT TO SLOW DOWN.

>> THIS IS WHAT I LOVE TO DO, AND AS LONG AS I'M PHYSICALLY ABLE TO DO IT, I'LL KEEP DOING IT, SO YEAH, I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, I CALL IT RETIREMENT, BECAUSE IT'S ALL FUN FOR ME, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY RETIRED.

>> HE WANTS TO LEAVE A VISUAL LEGACY OF THE TIMES HE EXPERIENCED THROUGH HIS ART.

>> I THINK EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL, AND MURALS ARE JUST A GOOD WAY IN WHICH TO DO THAT.

>> ANDREW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> ANDREW, THANK YOU.

>> MICRO-PLASTICS HAVE BECOME A REAL HEALTH HAZARD FOR HUMANS.

TINY BITS OF PETROLEUM-BASED PLASTIC SHED FROM WATER BOTTLES, SHOES, TIRES AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PRODUCTS.

BUT A RESEARCH TEAM IN CALIFORNIA IS STUDYING WAYS TO MITIGATE THEIR IMPACT.

AND THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW FROM OUR PUBLIC TELEVISION PARTNERS AT K-PBS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> PLASTIC CONTAINERS, BOTTLES AND FLIP-FLOPS END UP IF OUR STREAMS.

TIRE WEAR IS ALSO A SOURCE.

MICHAEL BURKHARDT, PROFESSOR OF BIOCHEMISTRY AT UC SAN DIEGO SAYS MICROPLASTICS ARE TYPICALLY TOO SMALL TO EVEN NOTICE, BUT YOU DO SEE THEM IF YOU TRY HARD ENOUGH.

>> FOR INSTANCE, YOU CAN GO ON TO OUR SAN DIEGO BEACHES AND START LOOKING AT THE SAND, AND YOU'LL START SEEING LITTLE PARTICLES THAT ARE ACTUALLY PIECES OF PLASTIC.

THE PROBLEM IS THESE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN INTO OUR FOOD SUPPLY, THEY'VE GOTTEN INTO OUR WATER SUPPLIES, AND THEY ARE CONTAMINATING THE WORLD AROUND US.

THEY'VE NOW BEEN FOUND IN EVERY HUMAN ORGAN.

>> THE REASON MICRO-PLASTICS ARE IN US AND AROUND US IS PETROLEUM BASED PLASTICS LAST FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS N OUR LIFETIME, THEY SIMPLY DON'T GO AWAY.

BUT DEGRADABLE PLASTICS MADE FROM PLANTS DO.

RESEARCH LED BY BURKHARDT HAS PROVED THEY DISAPPEAR IN A MATTER OF MONTHS.

RESEARCHERS GROUND UP PLANT-BASED PLASTICS INTO VERY SMALL BITS AND TESTED THEM IN SEVERAL NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS.

>> AND BY THE END OF 120 DAYS, WE COULDN'T EVEN FIND THE PARTICLES.

THEY WERE COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED, WHEREAS THE MATERIAL THAT WE TESTED AGAINST EVA, EARTHAL VINYL ACETATE, WHICH IS COMMONLY FOUND IN THINGS LIKE SHOES AND FLIP-FLOPS, THOSE HAD NOT CHANGED AT ALL OVER THE SAME COURSE OF TIME, AND THEY CONTINUE TO PERSIST.

>> THE PLANT-BASED PLASTICS ARE CONSUMED BY BACTERIA AND OTHER MICROORGANISMS.

THAT MAKES PLANT BASED PLASTICS AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO DEAL WITH THE HUGE PROBLEM OF PLASTIC POLLUTION.

IN FACT, BURKHARDT SAYS SOME OF THOSE TINY BACTERIA FOUND THE DEGRADABLE PLASTIC DEVELOPED IN LABS TO BE TASTY AND NUTRITIOUS.

>> AND WE FOUND MICROORGANISMS IN THAT COMPOST THAT COULD LIVE COMPLETELY OFF OF OUR BIO PLASTICS, SO AS A SOLE FOOD SOURCE, WHICH WAS REALLY EXCITING.

>> BURKHARDT AND SOME COLLEAGUES HAVE FOUNDED A COMPANY DEVOTED TO CREATING PRODUCTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH INDUSTRY TO FIND WAYS TO DO USE BIODEGRADABLE PLASTICS AS A PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE TO PETROLEUM PLASTICS THAT DON'T DEGRADE.

THOMAS FUDGE, K-PBS NEWS.

>> INTERESTING.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY, THE LANGSTON LIONS ADVANCED TO THE N.A.I.A.

'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IN KANSAS CITY, KNOCKING OFF THE DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS, THE COLLEGE OF IDAHO ON MONDAY.

THAT SET UP A WINNER-TAKE-ALL GAME AGAINST FREED-HARDMAN ON TUESDAY.

THE LIONS FELL A BIT SHORT, LOSING 71 TO 67.

BUT IT WAS STILL THE GREATEST SEASON IN LANGSTON HISTORY AND KUDOS TO 2ND-YEAR COACH, CHRIS WRIGHT.

I KNOW OUR EDUCATION REPORTER, TAELYR JACKSON, A LANGSTON ALUM, IS VERY PROUD OF HER SCHOOL.

>> SPEAKING OF BASKETBALL AND OUR AWESOME NEWSROOM STAFF-- .THIS PAST WEEKEND, ONE OF OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS, CORTREZ COLBERT, WHO PLAYED SOME COLLEGE BALL AT MISSOURI WESTERN.

, TOOK PART IN A HOOPS FOR THE HOMELESS FUNDRAISER AT SCISSOR TAIL PARK IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE ANNUAL FUNDRAISER PROVIDES SUPPLIES AND SERVICES LIKE SHOWERS AND HAIRCUTS FOR THE HOMELESS, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT WAS A REALLY BIG SUCCESS.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE PUSH TO BRING HIGH SPEED INTERNET TO RURAL AND UNDERSEARCHED PARENTS OF OKLAHOMA, HOW IT'S BEING MADE FOR AND REACTION FROM THOSE WHO STAND TO BENEFIT.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK INSIDE THE OVER HOLSER MANSION IN OKLAHOMA CITY PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY THE OETA PRODUCTION TEAM.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CON DENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OETA.TV.

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

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!

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