PASSES IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE, NAMED IN HONOR OF A MOTHER WHO PASSED AWAY FROM COVID, ISOLATED FROM HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN.

>> THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID, “YOU HAVE TO LEAVE, ” AND THEY JUST KICKED ME OUT, AND MY MOM WAS SO ILL THAT SHE COULDN'T LIFT A PHONE ON HER OWN.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE BATTLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND ON AN EDUCATION FUNDING BILL.

>> WHAT THE SENATE DID WAS TO TAKE THE HOUSE PLAN, AMEND IT LIKE THEY WERE TOLD NOT TO DO, AND THEN PASS IT ON THE FLOOR.

>> RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN IMPROVING GEOTHERMAL AND SOLAR ENERGY CAPABILITIES.

>> THIS IS AN ENERGY STATE.

AND LIKE ALL STATES IN THE UNITED STATES, WE NEED TO CONSIDER USING ENERGY IN A BETTER WAY TO MANAGE BOTH OUR ENERGY NEEDS AND THE GLOBAL CLIMATE.

>> PROTESTORS TAKE TO THE STREETS IN OKLAHOMA CITY TO PROTEST WHAT THEY CALL ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION IN OKLAHOMA.

>> TWO-SPIRIT, TRANSGENDER, AND GENDER-NONCONFORMING PEOPLE DESERVE ACCESS TO BEST PRACTICE MEDICAL CARE AT ANY AGE.

>> WE'LL VISIT THE 2023 OKLAHOMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR IN HER CLASSROOM.

>> I KNOW THAT THOSE EXPERIENCES HAVE MADE ME WHO I AM IN THE CLASSROOM, CUZ I DON'T SEE THINGS JUST FROM A TRADITIONAL POINT OF VIEW.

>> PLUS, AN “IN-DEPTH ” DISCUSSION ON THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS, NEXT ON THE “OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT ”!

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE HAS PASSED "THE LORI BRAND PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS" ACT, WHICH MANDATES 30 RIGHTS A PATIENT IN OKLAHOMA WOULD HAVE, INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO VISITATION BY LOVED ONES WHILE HOSPITALIZED.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE JOINS US FROM OUR O.E.T.A.

STUDIOS IN THE CAPITOL WITH MORE ON THE WOMAN THE LEGISLATION HONORS AND HER SURVIVING FAMILY.

JASON?

>> RICH, BILLS ARE NAMED AFTER PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, BUT WHAT ABOUT THE STORY TRIGGERED THE LEGISLATION?

THE BRAND FAMILY IS TELLING THEIR STORY IN HOPES THAT THINGS WILL CHANGE BETWEEN HOSPITALS AND A PATIENT'S FAMILY IN THE NAME OF LORI BRAND.

>> LORI BRAND WAS AN OKLAHOMA CITY WIFE AND MOTHER OF THREE.

GROWING UP, HER DAUGHTERS HAVE MEMORIES FILLED WITH MUSIC.

>> SHE LOVED ALL KINDS OF MUSIC.

ANY SONG THAT WOULD COME ON THE RADIO, AND SHE COULD TELL YOU, LIKE, WHAT YEAR IT CAME OUT, THE ARTIST, THE ALBUM WAS ON.

WE GREW UP LISTENS TO CLASSIC ROCK.

>> MUSIC, ALWAYS MUSIC, YOU KNOW.

SHE WOULD BE CLEANING AND WE HAD A RECORD PLAYER, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS YOUNG.

I REMEMBER LISTENING TO THE BEATLES, THE WHITE ALBUM.

THAT'S MY FAVORITE.

>> HER THREE DAUGHTERS ARE FABULOUS.

YOU KNOW, SHE -- SHE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE SURE THEY, YOU KNOW, HAD WHAT THEY NEEDED.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A FULL FAMILY LIFE, BUT LORI WAS DEALING WITH HEALTH ISSUES.

>> MY MOM HAD A FEW -- A RARE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE AND SOME OTHER HEALTH ISSUES SHE HAD BEEN BATTLING FOR AT LEAST 10 YEARS, A LITTLE BIT LONGER THAN THAT, UM, IN 2020.

SO, AROUND 2009, 2010, SHE FOUND OUT SHE HAD A RARE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE CALLED RELAPSING POLYCHONDRITIS AND HAD MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE AND CELIAC DISEASE.

>> CHRISTMAS 2019 WAS KIND OF THE LAST TIME I GOT TO SPEND WITH HER, A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME.

SHE WAS ALREADY KIND OF STARTING NOT TO FEEL WE'LL.

>> Reporter: IN JANUARY 2020, THOSE CONDITIONS WERE WORSENING AND LORI HAD TO GO IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> IN JANUARY OF 2020, THINGS WERE NORMAL, AND SHE ACTUALLY ENTERED THE HOSPITAL FOR QUITE A LONG STAY BEFORE THE PANDEMIC REALLY HIT.

>> Reporter: LORI BRAND WAS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL IN MARCH OF 2020 WHEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC STARTED TO SHUT THINGS DOWN, AND HOSPITALS BEGAN FILLING WITH CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS.

ALYSSA WAS ABLE TO STAY WITH HER MOTHER AT THE HOSPITAL.

I STAYED WITH HER FOR NINE DAYS IN HER HOSPITAL ROOM.

I WASN'T ALLOWED TO EVEN GO OUT TO THE HALL OR TO THE NURSES' STATION.

I HAD TO STAY SPECIFICALLY IN HER ROOM.

AT THAT POINT, THEY FELT LIKE SHE COULD BE RELEASED.

>> Reporter: THINGS SEEMED TO BE IMPROVING, AND LORI WAS ALLOWED TO GO HOME FOR A SHORT TIME, BUT THEN THINGS TOOK A TURN.

>> WE ALL THREE WERE THERE.

WE WERE TRYING TO DETERMINE IF WE NEEDED TO CALL AN AMBULANCE.

WE DECIDED WE DID NEED TO.

HEY, MOM, WE'LL HAVE -- YOU KNOW, YOU WILL HAVE TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

YOU'RE ILL. YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T TAKE CARE OF YOU AT HOME.

SHE SAID, I'M SO MAD AT YOU.

SHE DIDN'T WANT TO GO.

>> TOWARDS THE END OF WHEN SHE WAS GOING TO PASS, THEY DID LET US IN, BUT IT WAS STILL VERY FRUSTRATING, THE COMMUNICATION, WHY WE WERE IN THE HOSPITAL, OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED FOR THE TWO OF THREE DAYS THAT WE WEREN'T THERE.

>> Reporter: AFTER LORI'S DEATH, THE FAMILY TRIED TO GET ANSWERS AS TO WHY HER CONDITION WENT DOWN SO FAST.

AND IF THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL AND THE FAMILY PLAYED A ROLE.

>> WHEN PEOPLE GO IN THE HOSPITAL, EVEN THOUGH THEY LIST A PATIENT'S BILL OF RIGHTS ON THEIR WEBSITE, WHEN YOU GO INTO THE HOSPITAL, YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS WHATSOEVER.

THEY CAN DO OR SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT, AND THERE'S NO RECOURSE FOR YOU.

I HAVE TRIED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF TO GET ANSWERS AND COULDN'T GET ANY ANSWERS.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THAT, GERALD BRAND KEPT TRYING.

I KEPT PUSHING, JUST WANTING ANSWERS, AND THEY FINALLY CUT OFF ALL COMMUNICATION, NO PHONE CALLS, NO EMAILS, NOTHING.

HE EMAILED HIS LEADER FOR HELP.

I HAD NO IDEA HOW POLITICS WORKED, HOW DIFFICULT THINGS ARE, BUT HE'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP.

WE TOLD OUR STORY TO HIM.

>> Reporter: THE BRAND FAMILY WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT FAMILIES HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE THEIR LOVED ONE IN THE HOSPITAL, AS WELL AS INFORMATION VITAL TO THE CARE OF THE PATIENT, WHICH ARE MAJOR PARTS OF HOUSE BILL 1013.

OTHER PROPOSED TENETS OF THE BILL, RIGHTS TO AN ATTORNEY, THE PROTECTION OF PATIENT PRIVACY, AND THE REVIEW OF PAST MEDICAL RECORDS OF THE PATIENT.

>> AS FAR AS WHETHER OR NOT PATIENTS ARE ENTITLED TO INFORMATION AFTER WHAT AFFECTS PATIENT CARE, YOU CAN ASK THAT QUESTION ANY WAY YOU WANT, ANY FORM YOU WANT.

YOU WILL SEE ME ON THE SIDE OF PATIENTS HAVING THE RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND THINGS THAT AFFECT PATIENT CARE.

>> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION HAS WEIGHED IN ON HOUSE BILL 1013 SAYING: HOSPITALS TAKE VERY SERIOUSLY COMMUNICATION WITH THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND LOVED ONES OF THE PATIENTS WE SERVE.

FEDERAL LAW DICTATES HOSPITAL POLICIES REGARDING PATIENT RIGHTS AND PRIVACY.

>> I'M HONORED MY MOM'S NAME IS ON THE BILL.

SHE WOULDN'T HAVE EXPECTED THAT.

SHE WOULD NEVER HAVE BELIEVED THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WENT THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS.

BUT SHE DESERVES TO HAVE HER NAME ON IT.

WHEN WE WERE THERE WITH MOM, THEY WERE COMPASSIONATE AND KIND I THOUGHT.

I CAN'T CHANGE THE PAST, BUT I CAN TRY TO CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR OTHER PEOPLE >> HOUSE BILL 1013, THE LORI BRAND ACT, WAS APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY A VOTE OF 94-0 IN THE HOUSE, A CLEARLY BI-PARTISAN VOTE.

THE BRAND FAMILY IS HOPEFUL THEIR HARD WORK WILL PAY OFF IN THE SENATE AND THE BILL BE SENT TO GOVERNOR STITT.

RICH?

>> JASON, THANK YOU FOR THAT STORY.

>> THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TAKING TO THE STREETS OF OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK TO PROTEST LEGISLATION PASSED OR UNDER CONSIDERATION BY LAWMAKERS.

THE MARCHERS ARE OPPOSED TO DENYING GENDER-ALTERING MEDICAL CARE TO MINORS AND BELIEVE SEVERAL LAWS DISCRIMINATE AGAINST TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, AND THAT THAT'S PREVENTING BUSINESSES AND WORKERS FROM RE-LOCATING TO OKLAHOMA.

>> A LOT OF LAWMAKERS AND EVERYDAY OKLAHOMANS SEE US AS TOO DIFFERENT TO BE ALLOWED TO EXIST.

THEY SEE US AS A THREAT.

AND WE ARE HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WE ARE NOT A THREAT.

>> I'VE BEEN TRANSITIONING EVER SINCE I WAS 13 YEARS OLD.

SINCE, IT'S BEEN A JOURNEY THAT I'VE BEEN GOING ON FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

AND THROUGH IT, I HAVE LEARNED WHAT GENDER IDENTITY CAN DO FOR A PERSON AND HOW IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY DEFINE WHO A PERSON IS ON THE INSIDE.

>> THESE POLICIES ARE NEGATIVELY AFFECTING OUR ECONOMY HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF INCENTIVES TO MAINTAIN AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCEPTING ECONOMY HERE.

>> IN THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY WHERE I AM, I HAVE TO FIND PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME HERE AND WORK HERE.

AND I'VE HAD TWO MULTI-MILLION-DOLLAR PROJECTS I'VE HAD TO SOURCE OUT OF STATE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE I NEED DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'VE CREATED.

>> THE MARCH WAS SPONSORED BY TRANS LOVE OK AND BEGAN IN FRONT OF THE GREAT OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER, >> THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED NEW RULES ADDRESSING SCHOOL LIBRARY CONTENT AND DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOL EMPLOYEES.

A SCHOOL'S ACCREDITATION CAN NOW BE DOWNGRADED IF IT'S DETERMINED ITS LIBRARY INCLUDES MATERIAL THAT IS PORNOGRAPHIC OR EXCESSIVELY SEXUALIZED.

AND ALL DISTRICTS MUST HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO ADDRESS COMPLAINTS REGARDING LIBRARY MATERIALS.

THE SECOND RULE MANDATES THAT SCHOOL EMPLOYESS MUST INFORM PARENTS OR GUARDIANS OF ANY CHANGES IN A STUDENT'S HEALTH, SOCIAL, AND PYSCHOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS.

DURING PUBLIC DEBATE AT LAST THURSDAY'S SCHOOL BOARD MEETING, ADVOCATES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE EXPLAINED WHY THAT WAS AND WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> WHILE FAMILIES PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOLS PUBLIC EDUCATION, THEY DO NOT GIVE THEIR CHILDREN TO PUBLIC EDUCATION.

THEIR PARENTAL RIGHTS DO NOT STOP AT THE SCHOOL DOOR.

AND THE COURTS ALL THE WAY UP TO THE SUPREME COURT HAS CONTINUOUSLY UPHELD THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS TO BE PRIVY TO THIS KIND OF INFORMATION SO THAT THE FAMILY CAN BE INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>> WHAT YOU ARE DOING BY FORCING KIDS TO CHOOSE WHETHER THEY CAN SAFELY HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO THEY ARE, WHO THEY MIGHT BE IN SCHOOL OR FORCIBLY BE OUTED, YOU ARE MAKING SURE THAT THE MOST VULNERABLE YOUNG PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS CANNOT REPORT INSTANCES OF BULLYING BECAUSE THEY CAN'T HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THOSE IDENTITIES.

AND IF THEY TALK ABOUT THOSE IDENTITIES WITH AN EDUCATOR, THEY RISK BEING OUTED EVEN IF THEIR EDUCATOR KNOWS THAT THEIR HOME IS UNSAFE.

>> BOTH RULES MUST BE APPROVED BY THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT BEFORE THEY ARE ENACTED.

>> LEADERS IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE VERY DIFFERENT IDEAS ON WHAT AN EDUCATION BILL SHOULD COST AND INCLUDE, AND THOSE DIFFERENCES WERE ON FULL DISPLAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

FOR MORE ON THAT, I SOKE WITH QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER, SHAWN ASHLEY.

>> WELL, SHAWN, HOUSE LEADER TOLD THE SENATE PUBLICLY, DON'T MESS WITH OUR EDUCATION BILL.

WHAT DID THE SENATE DO?

>> IN THE CASE OF HOUSE BILL 2775, THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR COMMON EDUCATION, THEY COMPLETELY REWORKED IT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

IT DOES INCLUDE A TEACHER PAY RAISE, BUT IT'S A BIGGER TEACHER PAY RAISE AND A MERIT PAY PROPOSAL AND TAKES ADDITIONAL MONEY AND RUNS THAT THROUGH THE FUNDING FORMULA FOR COMMON EDUCATION, SOMETHING THAT EXPLICITLY THE HOUSE VERSION DID NOT DO.

NOW THAT BOTH VERSIONS HAVE PASSED, IDEALLY, THEY WOULD GO TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

IN THE CASE OF HOUSE BILL 2775, THE APPROPRIATIONS BILL FOR COMMON EDUCATION, THEY COMPLETELY REWORKED IT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

IT DOES INCLUDE A TEACHER PAY RAISE, BUT IT'S A BIGGER TEACHER PAY RAISE.

IT ALSO INCLUDES A MERIT PAY PROPOSAL, AND THEN IT TAKES ADDITIONAL MONEY AND RUNS THAT THROUGH THE FUNDING FORMULA FOR COMMON EDUCATION, SOMETHING THAT EXPLICITLY THE HOUSE VERSION DID NOT DO.

NOW THAT BOTH VERSIONS HAVE PASSED, IDEALLY THEY WOULD GO TO A CONFERENCE COMMITTEE, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR STITT HELD AN EDUCATION RALLY AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON THURSDAY.

HOW INVOLVED WILL HE GET IN THIS NEGOTIATION IF AT ALL?

>> WELL, HE'LL PROBABLY PLAY A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THAT PROCESS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE HOUSE PLAN.

THE SENATE PLAN IS A LITTLE NEWER, SO WE HAVEN'T EXACTLY HEARD FROM THE GOVERNOR ON HIS THOUGHTS ON IT.

BUT THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY AND MARCH, AFTER THE HOUSE INITIALLY PASSED ITS PROGRAM, THE GOVERNOR KEPT SAYING, HOPEFULLY, COOLER HEADS WILL PREVAIL.

SO, HE COULD HELP SPLASH SOME COOL WATER ON THEM, PERHAPS, SO THAT THEY CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

>> OKAY.

WE'VE REACHED THE MIDPOINT OF THE SESSION.

AT THIS POINT, GOVERNOR STITH SAYS HIS THREE LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES ARE ALL STILL ALIVE.

WHAT ARE THEY?

>> SCHOOL CHOICE AND ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION IS ONE OF THOSE.

ELIMINATING THE GROCERY SALES TAX IS ANOTHER POINT.

WE SAW LEGISLATION COME OVER FROM THE HOUSE WHICH WOULD DO THAT.

THAT WILL PROBABLY END UP IN THE FINAL BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

THEN, OF COURSE, THERE'S AN INTEREST NOT ONLY BY THE GOVERNOR BUT ALSO BY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE RELATED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE.

IN EACH CASE, I THINK THERE WILL BE SOMETHING SO THAT HE CAN CLAIM VICTORY.

>> SHAWN, TELL US MORE ABOUT THIS SENATE COMMITTEE THAT WILL STUDY WHY OR WHY NOT COMPANIES ARE CHOOSING TO RELOCATE OR EXPAND IN OKLAHOMA.

>> GREG TREAT FORMED THE SELECT COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS RETENTION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

TO LOOK AT THOSE VERY ISSUES.

THE COMMON THEME AMONG THEM IS THAT WE NEED TO ASK THE TOUGH QUESTIONS OF OUR DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, OF OUR LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND PERHAPS CITY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS AND BUSINESS TO FIND OUT WHY COMPANIES ARE GOING ELSEWHERE OTHER THAN OKLAHOMA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE DEAN DAVIS WAS DELIVERED A BIPARTISAN CENSURE FOR BEHAVIOR UNBECOMING A LEGISLATOR.

RECAP WHAT HAPPENED WITH HIM.

HAS HE HAD REACTION TO THAT CENSURE?

>> REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS WAS ARRESTED IN BRICKTOWN A WEEK AGO ON A PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS COMPLAINT.

THE FOLLOWING DAY, DAVIS TOOK TO THE HOUSE FLOOR AND HE APOLOGIZED FOR THE DISTRACTION WHICH HE HAD CREATED.

BUT HE DISPUTED THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

AS A RESULT THAT, HE WAS -- HE WAS CENSURED BY THE HOUSE, UM, BECAUSE IN THE COURSE OF HIS ARREST, HE TRIED TO CLAIM THAT THE OFFICERS COULD NOT ARREST HIM BECAUSE HE WAS A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

WE REALLY HAVEN'T HEARD FROM REPRESENTATIVE DAVIS SINCE THE HOUSE TOOK ITS ACTION.

IN FACT, ON THAT DAY, HE WASN'T EVEN THERE.

>> SHAWN, PRETTY BUSY WEEK HERE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> U.S. NEWS REPORT'S ANNUAL RANKINGS OF AMERICAN HIGH SCHOOLS RANKS TULSA'S BOOKER T. WASHINGTON AS THE 3RD BEST HIGH SCHOOL IN OKLAHOMA AND 340TH BEST IN THE NATION.

THE SCHOOL IS WELL-KNOWN FOR HAVING A DIVERSE STUDENT BODY AND AN EXCELLENT FACULTY.

SO, IT'S NO SURPRISE OKLAHOMA'S 2023 "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" IS A PROUD HORNET.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON VISITED HER IN HER CLASSROOM AND JOINS US NOW.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, THIS IS A FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT FOR BOOKER T. WASHINGTON ALUM TRACI MANUEL.

SHE MADE HISTORY BY BECOMING THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN TO WIN OKLAHOMA TEACHER OF THE YEAR >> LET'S LOOK AT THE ESSENTIAL QUESTION.

>> Reporter: TRACI MANUEL COMES FROM A LONG LINE OF EDUCATOR.

>> I REALLY WANTED TO BECOME AN ACTRESS.

MY MOTHER AND FATHER TOLD ME GOING INTO UNDERGRAD, TRACIE, THAT'S A WONDERFUL DREAM, BUT YOU WILL BE A STARVING ARTIST.

I ASKED HER, WHAT KIND OF MONEY WILL YOU MAKE BEING IN DRAMA?

I THINK YOU NEED TO GET AN EDUCATION BECAUSE THEY ALWAYS NEED TEACHERS, SO YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE A JOB IF YOU WANT TO TEACH.

>> Reporter: MANUEL SAYS SHE'S ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR WORKING WITH CHILDREN, SO SHE DECIDED TO DECIDE HER PASSION FOR CHILDREN AND THE ARTS.

I HAD THIS VISION OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO, OPENING THIS CENTER FOR STUDENTS THAT WERE MORE CENTERED AROUND THE THEATER ARTS.

AND SO, I SAID, LET ME TAKE THAT VISION.

>> Reporter: BUT THAT VISION QUICKLY CHANGED WHEN MANUEL LEARNED ABOUT THE ACHIEVEMENT GOOP AND HOW IT AFFECTED STUDENTS FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

>> AS I DUG FURTHER INTO THIS STATISTICS, I WAS ABLE TO LINK BACK TO TULSA AND HOW TULSA'S ACHIEVEMENT GAP HAD GROWN.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS A LONG-TERM SUB.

SHE SAYS THE TRANSITION WAS DIFFICULT BUT SHE WAS DETERMINED.

FROM THERE, SHE WENT ON TO WORK AS A TEACHER'S ASSISTANT AND A PARENT FACILITATOR BEFORE FINALLY BECOMING AN ENGLISH TEACHER.

>> I APPRECIATE EVERY BIT OF IT BECAUSE I KNOW THOSE EXPERIENCES HAVE MADE ME WHO I AM IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> SHE ALSO HAD AN ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH THE STUDENTS, AND THAT WAS VERY IMPORTANT.

IN THE CLASSROOM, FROM HER EXPERIENCES, SHE COULD -- SHE RELATES TO STUDENTS.

SHE REALIZED THAT NOT EVERY STUDENT LEARNS THE SAME WAY.

SO, SHE HAD DIFFERENT MEANS OF GIVING INFORMATION TO THE STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: AS A CHILD, SHE OFTEN NEEDED EXTRA ASSISTANCE WITH SCHOOL WORK.

TO KEEP ON TRACK, HER PARENTS KEPT HER IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

>> THAT I WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE I WAS CAUGHT UP ACADEMYCALLY.

IN ELEMENTARY, I HAD TO MISS TIME WITH MY FRIENDS, ALTHOUGH I WAS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND CHURCH WHICH HAD TO MISS TIME TO GO TO A READING PROGRAM TO MAKE SURE I WAS ON GRADE LEVEL.

>> SHE THOUGHT I HAD HER IN TOO MUCH BUT I WANTED HER TO BE IN SPORTS AND ALL AROUND AND SPECIAL ACTIVITIES.

>> Reporter: DURING HER SENIOR YEAR, SHE VISITED HER SCHOOL COUNSELOR.

WHAT TRACI HOPED WOULD BE A MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION TURNED INTO A HEARTBREAK.

>> SHE STARTED LOOKING AT SOME DATA, SOME OLD, SOME NEW.

SHE WAS LOOKING AT THAT ON PAPER.

SHE SAID, YEAH, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE MANY OPTIONS AND, REALLY, ANY OPTIONS FOR I GUESS WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.

YOU CAN GO OUT AND BE OUTSIDE.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THIS, YOU REALLY CAN'T GO MUCH FURTHER.

>> Reporter: WELL, AS A MOTHER, IT HURT.

BUT I HAD TO SAY, THERE ARE GONNA BE A LOT OF PEOPLE TELL YOU AND YOU HAVE TO BE YOU AND PUSH YOURSELF.

>> FILL THIS OUT BASED ON YOUR CONVERSATION.

>> Reporter: WITH THE SUPPORT OF HER FAMILY AND MENTORS, MANUEL TURNED HER PAIN INTO PASSION.

NOW SHE USES HER PAST EXPERIENCES TO MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF THEMSELVES BY APPLYING SCHOOLS THEY LEARNED IN SCHOOL AND APPLYING TO IT REAL LIFE.

>> WHY IS Ms. MANUEL MAKING ME DO THIS OH, I GET IT.

THAT'S WHY SHE HAD ME DO THESE ESSAYS.

>> SHE'S NOT ONLY INVESTED IN HER OWN STUDENTS BUT ALSO IN STUDENTS SHE'S PREVIOUSLY HAD.

WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT HER IS THAT SHE CARES ABOUT WHERE HER STUDENTS END UP, AND SHE'S CARING ABOUT NOT ONLY THEIR EDUCATION, BUT ALSO THEIR PERSONAL LIFE.

>> Reporter: SHE ALSO CARES AND HAS AN OPINION ON THE RECENT TRANSITION IN THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT FROM JOY HOFMEISTER TO RYAN WALTERS.

>> I SEE A LOT OF DIFFERENCES THAT I SEE ARE THEIR PHILOSOPHIES AND METHODS THAT ARE DIFFERENT, THEIR APPROACHES.

I THINK BOTH OF THEM HAVE THE SAME GOAL, FOR STUDENTS TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

OBVIOUSLY, HOW THAT IS BEING PLAYED OUT IS VERY DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: BOOKER T. WASHINGTON PRINCIPAL SAYS MANUEL'S NEW TITLE BRINGS GREAT HONOR TO THE HISTORIC SCHOOL.

>> IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE A BOOKER T. ALUMNI THAT'S NOW BACK AT THEIR HIGH SCHOOL TEACHING STUDENTS THAT ARE TAKING THE PATH THAT SHE HAS TAKEN BEFORE.

I THINK IT'S JUST AN HONOR TO BE AROUND THAT.

>> SO MANY EDUCATORS BEFORE HER, THEY NEVER GOT THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND A SHE'S USING HER OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND PEOPLE OF THE LEGACY AND WHERE THEY CAN GO FORWARD.

>> Reporter: NEXT YEAR, MANUEL WILL TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE PROMOTING HER PLATFORM PUSH.

>> THE P BEING TO PREPARE TO LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM FOR TOMORROW.

U, UTILIZING THE EXPERTS, ENCOURAGING THEM TO BE THAT VOICE.

S, MAKING SURE THAT WE SUSTAIN THE GROWTH THAT WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE.

AND THE H, HELPING TO ERADICATE THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP THAT EXISTS WITHIN OUR STATE.

>> MANUEL WILL FINISH OUT THE REST OF THE SPRING SEMESTER AT BOOKER T. WASHINGTON AND BEGIN HER OFFICAL DUTIES AS TEACHER OF THE YEAR IN JULY.

RICH?

>> GREAT REPORT, GREAT TEACHER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AFTER INITIALLY FAILING, A BILL THAT WOULD PROHIBT THE SPANKING OR PADDLING OF SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES PASSED IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE LAST WEEK.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR, JOHN TALLEY OF STILLWATER, SAID, "ACCOUNTABILITY AND GRACE GO HAND IN HAND."

BUT NOT ALL LAWMAKERS ARE IN FAVOR OF THE LEGISLATION, AND THAT WILL BE THE TOPIC OF OUR “IN-DEPTH ” CONVERSATION COMING UP A LITTLE BIT LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW WITH MODERATOR REECE WETZEL.

>> 92% OF CHILDREN CAN BE MOTIVATED BY POSITIVE MOTIVATION, 8% CANNOT.

OUT OF THAT 8%, 7% NEED THAT DISCIPLINE OF SOME KIND OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

>> SO, I THINK THE BIBLE IS CLEAR THAT YOU SHOULD NOT USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OR DISCIPLINE.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SCIENTIFIC DATA THAT'S THERE TO SHOW WHAT THE IMPACT IS.

OKLAHOMA HAS ABOUT 23% OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE STATE WHO HAVE FACED ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES; THAT LONG-TERM TOXIC TRAUMA THAT IMPACTS THEM.

MANY OF THESE POINTS OFTEN USED FOR PHYSICAL HARM ARE PASSED ON GENERATION TO GENERATION.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION, JUST AHEAD IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>> A $740 BILLION FEDERAL SPENDING BILL PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES IN 2022, ALLOCATED $370 MILLION CLIMATE AND GREEN ENERGY-FOCUSED INVESTMENTS.

AND SOME OF THAT MONEY COMES IN THE FORM OF GRANTS AWARDED TO RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF THEM.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON SOME INTERESTING NEW INNOVATIONS IN GEOTHERMAL AND SOLAR ENERGY.

>> FOR INSTANCE THIS IS A DRILLING SIMULATOR.

>> Reporter: THE DOCTOR IS A ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERING AND IS WORKING TO PROVE RECYCLING OLD OIL WELLS CAN HELP CREATE NEW GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SOURCES.

HE SAYS GEOTHERMAL HAPPENS UNDERGROUND, UNDER HIGH PRESSURE, AND HIGHER TEMPERATURES.

>> YOU DRILL THROUGH THE ROCKS.

>> Reporter: COLLECTING GEOTHERMAL ENERGY OCCURS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FEET UNDERNEATH THE GROUND.

IT'S CONVENIENT BECAUSE IT'S AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR.

HE SAYS GEOTHERMAL WILL GO MAINSTREAM WHEN RESEARCHERS CAN PROVE IT CAN BE ACQUIRED SAFELY AND AFFORDABLY ENOUGH FOR EVERYBODY.

>> TO DO THIS, I THINK THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

NOBODY HAS DONE THIS.

IT'S A LOT OF THINGS HAVE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT.

HOW DO YOU OPTIMIZE IT?

HOW DO YOU MAKE IT SAFE?

>> Reporter: BASICALLY, OU IS TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS, AND THEY'RE USING THE SAME SKILLS TO DEVELOP GEOTHERMAL ENERGY.

>> Reporter: HE WORKS AT OU'S COLLEGE OF ENERGY NEXT TO THE NORMAN AIRPORT.

RIGHT NOW, HE SAYS, THEY'RE COLLABORATING WITH THE TUTTLE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON A GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT.

IT WILL BE THE FIRST GEOTHERMAL ENERGY UNDERTAKING THAT WILL UTILIZE A HANDFUL OF NEARBY OLD OIL WELLS TO CREATE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, WHICH WILL POWER THE HIGH SCHOOL AND OTHER TUTTLE SCHOOLS.

>> WHAT THINGS CAN YOU POWER WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY?

>> WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, YOU CAN POWER ANYTHING, NO LIMITS, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH ENERGY YOU CAN GET.

YOU CAN POWER ANYTHING AS SMALL AS, YOU KNOW, CHARGING AN ELECTRIC RAZOR TO, YOU KNOW, POWER FACTORIES, SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS EVENTUALLY, GEOTHERMAL WILL POWER CHARGING STATIONS THAT ARE QUICKLY DOTTING THE SOONER STATE AND THE U.S.

IN 10 YEARS, WILL WE BE POWERING CARS AND AUTOMOBILES AT CHARGING STATIONS WITH GEOTHERMAL ENERGY WITHIN 10 YEARS?

>> I MEAN, TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, I'D SAY, YEAH, I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A DREAM I'M HAVING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GONNA BE THERE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS GEOTHERMAL ENTREPRENEURS ARE COMING UP WITH BOLD NEW IDEAS, AND HE SAYS GEOTHERMAL'S EMERGENCE CAN WORK HAND IN HAND WITH THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

THIS IS ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED OIL AND GAS ASSETS, CAPITAL, WE NEED THEIR TOOLS AND RIGS.

LET'S WORK TOGETHER ON THE SAME GOALS.

>> Reporter: OVER IN THE HEART OF CAMPUS, AT THE HOMER L. DODGE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIC AND ASTRONOMY.

EV, WHAT DOES IT STAND FOR.

>> SORRY, I'M -- >> Reporter: Dr. IAN SELLERS HAS BEEN FOCUSING ON THE QUEST FOR ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, SPECIFICALLY SOLAR ENERGY.

>> WE REALLY WANT TO TRANSITION TO A MORE GREEN WORLD TO REDUCE THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS.

WE HAVE TO THINK OF WAYS TO USE SOLAR CELLS IN TRANSPORTATION AND SHIPPING AND AIRPLANES, MAYBE NOT TO POWER AIRPLANES, BUT TO RUN SOME OF THE POWER SYSTEMS IN AIRPLANES AND CARS AND TRUCKS.

>> Reporter: Dr.

SELLERS, IS THAT EVEN A POSSIBILITY IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?

>> I THINK IT'S -- IT'S -- IT MAYBE A BIT OF A STRETCH TO IMAGINE WE WILL HAVE SOLAR-POWERED PLANES TO FLY PEOPLE ACROSS THE ATLANTIC, FOR EXAMPLE, BUT WE COULD REPLACE REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS.

>> Reporter: I READ SOMEWHERE BY THE YEAR 2035, ALL NEW AMERICAN AUTOMOBILES WILL BE ON AN ENERGY SOURCE OTHER THAN GAS.

DO YOU THINK THAT'S REALLY DOABLE?

>> I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY HAS IMPROVED SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND I THINK THE SALE OF ELECTRIC CARS, FOR EXAMPLE, HAS INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY.

THE QUESTION REALLY, THEN, BECOMES ONE OF TECHNOLOGY AND THE QUALITY OF BATTERIES AND WHETHER WE CAN IMPLEMENT SOLAR WITH BATTERIES ON THESE CARS TO GIVE THEM THE KIND OF RANGE AND POWER THAT PEOPLE ENJOY.

>> Reporter: SELLERS SAYS OKLAHOMA HAS MORE SOLAR RESOURCES THAN PRACTICALLY THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE U.S., PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF OPEN SPACES AND THE FACT THAT THE SUN SHINES IN BARRY SWITZER TERRITORY A LOT.

>> SOLAR IS NOW A MAINTAIN SOURCE OF TECHNOLOGY.

WE'VE NOW IMPLEMENTED MORE THAN TRILLION WATTS OF INSTALLED SOLAR POWER, AND THAT'S NOT A NICHE MARKET.

THIS IS POWERING LARGE FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: IRONICALLY, HE SAYS, SOLAR ENERGY IS NOW DRIVING DOWN THE COST FOR AIR-CONDITIONING.

>> IN THE END, THIS IS AN ENERGY STATE.

LIKE ALL STATES IN THE UNITED STATES, WE NEED TO START CONSIDERING HOW TO USE ENERGY IN A BETTER WAY TO MANAGE THE ENERGY NEEDS.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO COME.

IN THE END, MOST WILL AGREE IT'S A GOOD THING.

STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS TO A RECENTLY APPROVED FEDERAL WAIVER, MORE WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA WILL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY.

WOMEN WHO ARE INSURED THROUGH SOONERCARE WILL NOW RECEIVE 12 MONTHS OF CARE AFTER CHILDBIRTH, INSTEAD OF TWO MONTHS.

AND THE FINANCIAL THRESHOLD HAS BEEN LOWERED AS WELL, SO MORE WOMEN WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE INCREASED BENEFITS.

>> WITH THIS APPROVAL, OKLAHOMA'S INCOME THRESHOLD WILL FULL SCOPE, PREGNANCY RELATED BENEFITS WILL INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT 138% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LIMIT TO 205% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LIMIT, WHICH EQUATES FROM GOING FROM 28,000 GOING TO 28,000 ANNUAL INCOME FOR AN INDIVIDUAL AND 58,000 FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR.

>> 29 OTHER STATES, INCLUDING FLORIDA, TENNESSEE, SOUTH CAROLINA, HAVE ALL EXTENDED CARE FOR NEW MOTHERS UP TO 12 MONTHS AFTER DELIVERY.

AND THIS 12-MONTH PERIOD IS REALLY CRITICAL TO THE HEALTH OF THE MOM AND THE BABY.

ONE THIRD OF MATERNAL DEATHS OCCUR WITHIN THAT FIRST YEAR AFTER CHILDBIRTH.

>> THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY ESTIMATES THE NEW INCOME THRESHOLD WILL HELP AN ADDITIONAL 2,500 WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA.

>> OKLAHOMA HAS SLIPPED A BIT IN THE RANKINGS WHEN IT COMES TO BEING PREPARED FOR A DISASTER THAT CAUSES A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE 20TH ANNUAL REPORT BY THE TRUST FOR AMERICA'S HEALTH OKLAHOMA HAS SLIPPED TO THE LOWER TIER OF PREPAREDNESS, AND THE STUDY SUGGESTS THAT'S BECAUSE MORE STATES ARE DOING A BETTER JOB OF INVESTING IN THEIR PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, THE STATE DID CUT ITS PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET LAST YEAR.

AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE LOOK AT AS A WAY OF MEASURING WHETHER YOU'RE ABLE TO KEEP THOSE EXPERTS ON STAFF WHO ARE ABLE TO RESPOND TO PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCIES.

AND THE STATE WAS ALSO RELATIVELY LOW IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE -- THE STATE WHO WERE VACCINATED FOR SEASONAL FLU.

THAT'S SO IMPORTANT, NOT JUST TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE HOSPITAL, BUT TO KEEP PEOPLE ALIVE DURING FLU SEASON LIKE THE ONE WE SAW LAST YEAR.

BUT IT'S ALSO A GOOD MEASURE OF HOW WELL THE STATE DOES IN -- IN MAKING SURE PEOPLE CAN GET VACCINATED AS ADULTS.

>> LIBERMAN SAYS FOR OKLAHOMA TO GAIN A BETTER RANKING NEXT YEAR, LAWMAKERS SHOULD CONSIDER ADDITIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING AND WORKING TOWARD EXPANDING THE STATE'S PUBLIC HEALTH WORKFORCE.

>> TIME NOW TO RECAP THE STATEWIDE ECONOMIC NEWS OF THE WEEK.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH THE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> PANASONIC MIGHT BE CONSIDERING OKLAHOMA FOR A SECOND BATTERY FACTORY.

“THE OKLAHOMAN ” REPORTED THIS WEEK, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS HAVE HEARD THAT THE COMPANY HAS PUT IN AN APPLICATION WITH THE COMMERCE DEPARTMENT FOR NEARLY $700 MILLION OF INCENTIVES.

LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT CREATED THE LARGE-SCALE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY, OR LEAD ACT FUND, AS AN INCENTIVE PACKAGE TO ENTICE PANASONIC AND LATER VOLKSWAGEN TO CHOOSE OKLAHOMA AS A LOCATION FOR A MEGA FACTORY.

BOTH CHOSE OTHER LOCATIONS.

TULSA-BASED THE BARTER APP, DEVELOPED BY SHANICE BROWN, IS ONE OF THE INITIAL TEN STARTUPS FOR GEEKZ VENTURES GROWTH PRE-ACCELERATOR PROGRAM.

GEEKZ VENTURES STARTED THE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT BLACK AND LATINX-LED EARLY-STAGE COMPANIES.

THE BARTER APP CREATES A COMMUNITY-BASED SYSTEM FOR BUSINESSES TO TRADE SERVICES TO HELP MEET BUSINESS NEEDS WITHOUT HAVING TO SPEND MONEY.

THE TEN-WEEK PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE BROWN WITH TRAINING, ACCESS TO MENTORS, AND RESOURCES TO CONTINUE TO BUILD OUT THEIR BUSINESS.

THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION HAS NAMED THE OKLAHOMA CITY SKIRVIN HOTEL TO ITS 2023 TOP 25 HISTORIC HOTELS OF AMERCIA WHERE WOMEN MADE HISTORY LIST.

THE ORGANIZATION CITES CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER CLARA LUPER FOR STAGING A SIT-IN WITH THE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL AT THE SKIRVIN DURING THE SUMMER OF 1961.

OF COURSE, LUPER AND THE YOUTH COUNCIL ARE KNOWN FOR THE 1958 KATZ DRUG STORE SIT-IN, WHICH INSPIRED LATER SIT-INS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE NAME OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT.

OKLAHOMA-CITY-BASED SOFTWARE COMPANY PAYCOM IS A WINNER OF THE 2023 GALLUP EXCEPTIONAL WORKPLACE AWARD.

PAYCOM IS THE ONLY COMPANY IN OKLAHOMA TO RECEIVE THIS HONOR.

WORLDWIDE, THE AWARD HAS BEEN GIVEN TO 54 COMPANIES.

GALLUP HIGHLIGHTS COMPANIES THAT ENGAGE THEIR EMPLOYEES TO HELP SET WORKPLACE CULTURE AND BUSINESS STRATEGY.

JASON DOYLE, THE “OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

” >> JASON, THANK YOU.

>> WHEN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE PASSED A BILL LAST WEEK PROHIBITING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES, THE DEBATE BEGAN ANEW ON WHETHER OR NOT IT IS APPROPRIATE TO PHYSICALLY DISCIPLINE ANY CHILD IN A SCHOOL SETTING.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS STILL PERMISSABLE IN OKLAHOMA WITH PARENTAL CONSENT.

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S “IN-DEPTH ” DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR REECE WETZEL AND HIS PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

TODAY WE HAVE TWO GUESTS THAT CAN GIVE US MORE INFORMATION ON THIS HOT-BUTTON ISSUE WE WILL BE TALKING SO, STARTING FROM THERE, WE LOOK AT THE BIBLE AND THE BIBLE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THIS IS APPROPRIATE FOR A CHILD WILLFULLY, KNOWINGLY DOING WRONG.

AS WE APPROACH THE BIBLE, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WE DON'T FALL FOR THE SHALLOW, CHEAP THEOLOGY OF THE DAY.

WELL, I LIKE THESE VERSES OF THE BIBLE AND THESE I WANT TO PULL OUT.

AFFECTION, TEACHING, OTHER THINGS GO INTO CHILD TRAINING AND AT TIMES CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THIS SHOULD START FIRST AND PRIMARILY IN THE HOME.

BUT THE SCHOOL AS A DELEGATED AUTHORITY CAN AND SHOULD AT APPROPRIATE TIMES USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THE SUPREME COURT DOCTRINE SAYS IN PLACE OF THE PARENTS.

SO, YOU KNOW, ONE REFERENCE I'LL QUICKLY GIVE SAYS NO CHASING SEEMS JOYOUS BUT GRIEVOUS.

AFTER -- YES, I AM IN FAVOR OF IT AND AT THE APPROPRIATE TIMES.

>> JUST REAL QUICK, WHAT VERSE IN THE BIBLE YOU JUST QUOTED.

>> HEBREWS 12:11 I JUST QUOTED.

>> THANK YOU.

JOE, WE HAVE DIFFERENT OPINIONS HERE.

YOU HAVE KIND OF THE OPPOSITE OF THE AISLE VIEWPOINT.

TELL US WHY YOU FEEL THAT WAY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I WOULD DISAGREE WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE.

I DON'T FEEL THE BIBLE ADDRESSES SPANKING CHILDREN OR USING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK BACK AT THE BIBLICAL CONTENT.

THE ROD GUIDED SHEEP.

THE SHEPHERDS NEVER STRUCK THEIR SHEEP.

IT WAS MEANT AS WAY TO USE IT AS A DISCIPLINE.

YOU LOOK AT EPHESIANS 6:4, NOT STRIKE THE CHILDREN.

I THINK THE BIBLE IS CLEAR YOU SHOULD NOT USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OR DISCIPLINE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE SIDE EFFECT DATA THAT IS THERE TO SHOW WHAT THE IMPACT IS.

OKLAHOMA HAS ABOUT 23% OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE STATE WHO HAVE FACED A VERSE CHID EXPERIENCES, THAT LONG-TERM TOXIC TRAUMA.

IT IS OFTEN PASSED ON GENERATION TO GENERATORS.

THERE'S ONE STORY ABOUT A PARENT WHO SAID THAT WHEN SHE WAS PADDLING HER 3-YEAR-OLD, SHE CAUGHT THE 3-YEAR-OLD PADDLING THE 1-YEAR-OLD LATER ON BECAUSE IT WAS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR.

ANY TYPE OF DISCIPLINE HAS TO COME WITH INSTRUCTION AND THAT GUIDANCE.

AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO SEE THAT GUIDANCE, THE APPROPRIATE PUNISHMENT, COMMUNITY SERVICE, WORKING THINGS OFF RATHER THAN PHYSICAL HARM.

>> OKAY.

AND REPRESENTATIVE OLSON, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU HERE.

INITIALLY, HOUSE BILL 1028 FAILED IN THE HOUSE, AND HOW DID YOU VOTE ON THAT BILL?

>> I -- I VOTED AGAINST THAT BILL AND DEBATED AGAINST IT.

IT WAS A VERY WELL-INTENTIONED BILL, IN MY JUDGMENT.

BUT ALSO AN ILL-CONCEIVED BILL.

THEREIS -- NOW, ON THE FACE OF IT, IT SOUNDS GREAT.

WE WON'T PADDLE DISABLED CHILDREN.

THERE'S DISABLED ON THE ONE HAND, SOMEBODY WHEELCHAIR-BOUND, PERHAPS WITH A VERY LOW IQ WHO REALLY CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM.

THEN, ON THE OTHER HAND, YOU HAVE VERY MILD CASES.

YOU COULD HAVE A YOUNG MAN AS BIG AND STRONG AS ANY OF US AT THIS TABLE.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU.

[LAUGHTER] >> AND PERHAPS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT BUT HE HAS A SPEECH IMPEDIMENT, HE CAN'T SAY HIS Rs CORRECTLY.

ON THE FORMER, I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD ADVOCATE WE NEED TO PADDLE THE PERSON IN THAT TRAGIC SITUATION.

ON THE LATTER, I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO TAKE IT OFF THE TABLE.

THE BILL CAME BACK AMENDED AND SAID, OKAY, IT'S GOING TO REFER TO -- I BELIEVE IT WAS SEVERELY COGNITIVELY DISABLED.

WHEN IT CAME BACK, I VOTED FOR IT.

>> OKAY.

THAT BRINGS UP A GOOD POINT.

WHAT ABOUT CHILDREN WHO HAVE ATTENTION DISORDERS AND HAVE ADHD?

HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT FITS IN THAT PERSPECTIVE?

IS THAT CONSIDERED DISABLED?

IS THAT STILL CONSIDERED A DISABLED CHILD?

>> WHEN WE WERE WORKING ON THE BILL, YOU START WITH A POINT AND YOU NEGOTIATE DOWN TO HOPEFULLY SOMETHING THAT IS REASONABLE.

I KNOW THERE ARE AMENDMENTS BEING DRAWN UP RIGHT NOW TO HOPEFULLY ADDRESS THAT.

SOME OF THE HOUSE LEADERSHIP EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT CHILDREN WITH DYSLEXIA, THAT THEY SHOULD NOT FALL INTO THIS CATEGORY.

THE LANGUAGE THAT'S IN THE LAW RIGHT NOW IS FOR THE MOST SEVERE CONDITIONS.

IT DIDN'T ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE OTHER CONSIDERS AND SHOULD QUALIFY FOR CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY OR AUTISM, OTHER ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED THROUGH LEGISLATION.

SO, WE'RE HOPING THIS AMENDMENT WILL ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS, AND WE'RE -- THE INTENTION IS NOT LET PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD.

WE WANT TO GET SOMETHING IN PLACE, LIKE THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID, ADDRESS THOSE CHILDREN WHO REALLY DON'T HAVE A VOICE, DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY OF UNDERSTANDING, TRY TO COME UP WITH THE APPROPRIATE DISCIPLINE, BUT CERTAINLY TAKE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT OFF THE TABLE FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

WE HAD ABOUT -- I THINK BALLPARK ABOUT 60 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE THAT STILL USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THERE WERE ABOUT 450 CASES OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT USED AGAINST CHILDREN THAT WOULD QUALIFY AS NEURODIVERSE OR SPECIAL NEEDS, SO WE CERTAINLY WANT TO LOOK AT THAT.

THE CURRENT LANGUAGE WOULD ONLY ADDRESS ABOUT 10% OF KIDS BEEN BY ESTIMATE, UNDER I.D.E.A.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL FIND A MIDDLE GROUND.

>> REPRESENTATIVE OLSON HERE, I WANT TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, ON THE FLOOR WHEN HOUSE BILL 1028 WAS BEING DISCUSSED, YOU BROUGHT UP THE BIBLE VERSE ABOUT THE ROD THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

DO YOU BELIEVE SPECIFIC VERSES IN THE BIBLE SHOULD BE A FOUNDATION FOR LEGISLATION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, THERE WERE 57 OF THEM, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, MORE THAN HALF WERE GRADUATES OF A BIBLE SCHOOL OR SEMINARY.

THEY SO FREQUENTLY REFERRED TO THE BIBLE, IT WAS JUST A NORMAL PART OF THEIR LIVES IN A WAY THAT IS NOT A PART OF OUR LIVES THESE DAYS.

THEY DID IT ALL THE TIME.

YOU LOOK AT THEIR CORRESPONDENCE, NEARLY ONE-THIRD OF THEIR CORRESPONDENCE WAS A BIBLE QUOTATION OR REFERENCE.

THE CONSTITUTION WAS BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE BIBLE.

BLACKSTONE'S LAW DICTIONARY, ANOTHER FOUNDATIONAL DOCUMENT FOR OUR WHOLE SYSTEM.

THAT WAS AN ATTEMPT TO CODIFY IN LAW WHAT THE BIBLE ENJOINED.

SO, IF THE BIBLE IS NOT GOING TO BE OUR GUIDE, WHAT IS GOING TO BE OUR GUIDE?

THE COMMUNIST MANIFESTO?

ULTIMATELY, WE HAVE TO HAVE AN ANCHOR, A FOUNDATION, AND FOR WESTERN CIVILIZATION, IT HAS ULTIMATELY, AT ITS ROOTS, BEEN THE BIBLE.

>> WELL, CRITICS MIGHT SAY THAT THAT IS SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?

DO YOU STILL BELIEVE YOU'RE ABIDING BY SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE WHEN YOU DO THAT?

>> YES.

WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE ORIGINAL CONTEXT OF WHERE THAT PHASE CAME FROM.

THERE WERE BAPTIST FOLKS IN RHODE ISLAND THAT WROTE A LETTER TO THOMAS JEFFERSON THAT WERE CONCERNED, OKAY, WE'RE THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

SO, JUST LIKE IF YOU'RE SCANDINAVIAN, IF YOU'RE LUTHERAN, SCOTTISH, PRESBYTERIAN, ENGLISH, ANGLICAN, ET CETERA, SO THE UNITED STATES IS GOING TO BE WHATEVER, THE FAVORED DENOMINATION.

AND HIS ANSWER TO THEM WAS, NO, WE ARE ABSOLUTELY NOT GOING TO CHOOSE IN PARTICULAR WHAT KIND OF CHURCH YOU GO TO.

SO, IN THAT SENSE, THERE'S SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

BUT AS FAR AS SEPARATING GODLY PRINCIPLES FROM THE DISCOURSE AND DIALOGUE OF THE DAY, THAT IS AN ABSOLUTE MISUSE OF THE PHRASE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

>> JOE, THAT BRINGS UP AN INTERESTING POINT.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RELIGION AND MOSTLY RELIGION NOW IS -- I WOULD SAY THAT IT'S IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND IT COULD BE A PARENT CHOICE.

DO YOU THINK IT DOES FALL UNDER PARENTAL CHOICE FOR RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS TO BE BROUGHT INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

>> EVERY INDIVIDUAL WILL BE GOVERNED BY THEIR OWN RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLES.

MANY OF THEM MIRROR EACH OTHER IN MOST OF THE MAIN RELIGIONS.

INDIVIDUALS, FROM AN EARLY AGE, IF THEY ATTEND SOME FORM OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP, IT WILL IMPACT THEM.

PART OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE, I AGREE WITH SOME OF THE POINTS THAT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE STATE IS NOT OUT PROMOTING SPECIFIC RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

OUR SYSTEM OF LAW IS BASED ONPOST FROM -- ON PRINCIPLES FROM THE BIBLE.

IT'S ADAPTED.

WE'VE GROWN A LOT.

THERE ARE 15 DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE BIBLE WHERE IT TALKS ABOUT STONING WOMEN.

WE NO LONGER DO THAT IN SOCIETY.

SO, WE'VE ADAPTED THROUGH THE YEARS TO APPLY PRINCIPLES FOR A JUST SYSTEM OF LAW, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT THAT'S ALSO APPLIED IN THE SCHOOLS.

WE DON'T WANT TO PROMOTE ONE SPECIFIC RELIGION, BUT WE DO WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE RAISED WITH CORE PRINCIPLES AND ARE GOOD HUMAN BEINGS.

>> WITH THAT, HOW DO YOU FEEL -- OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF 19 STATES WHERE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS ALLOWED.

DO YOU FEEL WE SHOULD BEGIN PHASING THAT OUT?

>> I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN AT SOME POINT.

I KNOW THAT WAS A DEBATE BROUGHT UP ON THE FLOOR ABOUT, WAS THIS JUST THE TOE UNDER THE OAR TO MOVE IT TOWARD THAT?

WE KNOW THAT PARENTS USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THESE SCHOOLS THAT ARE USING IT ARE STILL PROBABLY GOING TO USE IT UNTIL A LAW IS PASSED.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THOSE DIFFERENT VIEWS FROM THE 149 LAWMAKERS, THE ACTIONS OF THE GOVERNOR, AND JUST TRY TO COME UP WITH THE BEST POLICY POSSIBLE.

I PERSONALLY BELIEVE THERE ARE BETTER AVENUES FOR DISCIPLINE THAN CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, BUT THE LAW'S THE LAW IN OKLAHOMA.

UNTIL THE LAWMAKERS DECIDE DIFFERENT, THAT IS WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

>> WHAT IS A WAY A PARENT CAN GET MORE INVOLVED IN THE SCHOOL TO HELP CORRECT CHILD BEHAVIOR?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WOULD ENTAIL COMMUNICATION WITH THE TEACHER, AND, OBVIOUSLY -- AND I'M SURE MY COLLEAGUE HERE WOULD AGREE WITH ME.

IT'S A BAD THING IF PARENTS FALL INTO THE DEFAULT OPINION THAT THE TEACHER IS WRONG AND MY CHILD IS RIGHT.

I THINK THE DEFAULT SHOULD BE: THE TEACHER IS ALMOST CERTAINLY CORRECT, AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO VIOLATE HIS OR HER LAW?

SO, COMMUNICATION WITH THE SCHOOL.

FINDING OUT WHAT GOOD PRINCIPALS THAT THEY ARE PUTTING FORTH AND SUPPORTING THEM, WORKING WITH THEM.

AND IF THERE ARE ANY CONCERNS, UM, RAISING THEM WITH THE SCHOOL, IF THERE ARE.

>> SO, AT WHAT POINT DO YOU FEEL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT WOULD BE INVOLVED IF A CHILD IS NOT BEHAVING?

DO YOU TRY OTHER PRACTICES LIKE DETENTION OR CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FIRST?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD VARY.

IN A FAMILY SITUATION, IN MY JUDGMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE DIRECT.

ONCE YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN CLEAR INSTRUCTION AND YOU'VE WILLFULLY DISOBEYED, IT WOULD BE APPLIED.

EVEN IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL, EVEN THOSE THAT USE IT, DO NOT USE THAT IT STRICTLY.

IT'S CLOSER TO A LAST RESORT.

AND THAT'S FINE.

IT CAN STILL HAVE SOME EFFECTIVENESS IF USED TO THAT DEGREE.

BUT I WILL REFER TO A COLLEAGUE OF MINE, REPRESENTATIVE BRANDELMAN WHO ALSO INITIALLY DEBATED AGAINST THE BILL.

HE SAID 92% OF CHILDREN CAN BE MOTIVATED BY POSITIVE MOTIVATION, 8% CANNOT.

OUT OF THAT 8%, 7% NEED THAT DISCIPLINE OF SOME KIND OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

AND IF I CAN BRIEFLY, I'LL CIRCLE BACK TO THE POINT ABOUT WHAT THE ROD IS.

AND I HAVE SEEN THAT INTERPRETATION BEFORE.

I'M GOING TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.

IT'S A BROAD WORD THAT CAN INCLUDE THE MEANING THAT WAS QUOTED, BUT THE SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS A GENTLE GUIDANCE.

I THINK IT WAS A PHYSICAL DISCIPLINE.

>> OKAY.

JOE, WE'RE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME HERE, SO I WILL JUST GIVE YOU A RESPONSE TO THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT.

>> CERTAINLY.

THE LAWMAKER, REPRESENTATIVE BRANDELMAN, OF THE 101 MEMBERS ON THE FLOOR, MAYBE ONE OF THEM WOULD NEED SOME KIND OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THERE ARE DIFFERENT INTERPRETATIONS.

YOU HAVE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS.

WITH THIS, I CERTAINLY BELIEVE, I THINK THE SCIENCE BACKS IT UP, I THINK CHRISTIANITY BACKS IT UP, THAT THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO THANK CHILDREN.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR INSIGHT ON THIS TOPIC.

>> YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, REECE.

>> IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW," WE'LL HEAD SOUTH TO TEXAS, WHERE OUR PARTNERS AT AUSTIN PBS REPORT ON A YOUNG MUSLIM WOMAN, WHO IS PRACTICING WHAT SHE CALLS “SUSTAINABLE FAITH," AND IT'S HELPING INSPIRE CHANGE WITHIN HER COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S EASY TO THINK, YOU KNOW, IF I MAKE THIS LITTLE CHANGE, LIKE, WHAT SORT OF IMPACT WILL IT HAVE?

I'M ONLY ONE PERSON.

BUT I THINK YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT IT'S NOT JUST YOU WHO WILL MAKE THAT CHANGE.

♪ >> SIT DOWN.

BUDDIES, BUDDIES, LET'S SIT DOWN.

COME ON.

TIME TO EAT.

FOOD IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT CONNECTS OUR COMMUNITY A LOT.

>> YEAH, EVERYONE TAKE ONE.

TAKE ONE.

>> YUM.

>> ICE CREAM.

>> WE ALWAYS EAT OUR DESSERT FIRST, WHICH IS MY FAVORITE PART ABOUT IT.

SO, WE ARE A BRANCH OF SHIA MUSLIMS, WE HAVE A MILLION FOLLOWERS WORLDWIDE AND A GROWING COMMUNITY HERE IN PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS.

SOMETHING YOU SEE US DOING AT EVERY EVENT IS COMING TOGETHER FOR A MEAL, AND IT'S JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO RECONNECT.

OUR FAITH HAS ALWAYS ENCOURAGED US TO BE VERY MINDFUL ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND ENVIRONMENT AROUND US.

>> MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN ALL THAT.

IT'S A LITTLE PIECE OF RICE.

ONE MORE BIG BITE.

>> WE'RE VERY CONSCIOUS ABOUT THE RESOURCES THAT WE USE.

I GUESS THE LEGITIMATE LIGHTBULB MOMENT WAS THE SINGLE-USE PLASTIC DURING RAMADAN.

DURING THE HOLY MONTH OF RAMADAN, WE FAST FOR THOSE 30 DAYS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE BREAK OUR FAST.

THERE WERE A LOT OF SINGLE-WASTE ITEMS WE WERE USING.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE WOULD BREAK OUR FAST WITH A CUP OF TEA, WE WOULD USE STYROFOAM CUPS OR PASS OUT INDIVIDUAL PAPER PLATES.

THERE'S A LOT OF DISHES AND YU TENSILES THAT ARE USED.

YOU KNOW, IN ONE NIGHT, IT BUILDS UP OVER TIME.

KNOWING THAT OUR FAITH PROMOTES PREVENTING WASTE SO MUCH, IT DEFINITELY MADE ME REALIZE THAT IS SOMETHING I WANTED TO CHANGE.

IT WAS FIGURING OUT TO LOGISTICS HOW WE COULD DO IT HERE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO PLAY A MATCHING GAME -- >> Reporter: THE FIRST THING FOR US WAS HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE REST OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WE DECIDED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.

I REMEMBER, YOU KNOW, MAKING SPREADSHEETS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A CUP WE USE AND HERE ARE ALTERNATIVES FOR THAT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE REALLY REALIZED THIS WAS SOMETHING ON THEIR MINDS, TOO, AND WE HAD TO SORT OF START THAT CONVERSATION.

WE REPLACED ALL THOSE STYROFOAM CUPS WITH METAL CUPS THAT WE WASH. ON TOP OF THAT, THINGS LIKE PLASTIC SPOONS, PLASTIC BOWLS, PLASTIC TRAYS AND PAPER PLATES AND STUFF, TRANSITIONED THAT TO CORELLE STUFF THAT WE CAN WASH. WE STILL USE A FEW RECYCLABLE ITEMS.

WE TRY TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE NO ONE GOES HUNGRY.

RIGHT NOW WE USE PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

WE'RE DOING A PILOT PROGRAM TO SEE HOW THAT GOES.

HOPEFULLY, WE CAN IMPLEMENT LONG-TERM CHANGE AS WELL.

♪ AS A COMMUNITY, IT'S VERY NATURAL FOR US TO WANT TO GIVE BACK AND MAKE SURE WE LEAVE THINGS HOW WE FOUND THEM, AND WE TREAT OUR EARTH AND OUR ENVIRONMENT WELL.

SO, IT WAS REALLY NICE JUST KNOWING THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS WHAT WE STRIVE FOR, THIS IS WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US.

ON ON INDIVIDUAL SCALE, IT MAY SEEM DIFFICULT.

YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IMPACT YOU'RE HAVING.

BUT WHEN YOU CAN ENCOURAGE OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THAT, I THINK THAT'S WHEN YOU CAN REALLY SEE MONUMENTAL CHANGE.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," THE NEWEST MEMBER OF OUR STAFF, JOEL FILOMENO, REPORTS FROM KANSAS AS MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD RECEIVE ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO PREPARE FOR AN UPCOMING SECURITY MISSION TO AFRICA.

>> AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS, PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A'S KACI FERGUSON.

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

ALSO, YOU CAN FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING “O.E.T.A.-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.

STAY WELL AND STAY TUNED TO O.E.T.A.!

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