>> Rich: FENTANYL DEATHS ARE ON THE RISE IN OKLAHOMA, AND WHERE THEY'RE OCCURRING MAY SURPRISE YOU.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THEY'RE BUSINESSMEN AND THEY ARE SIMPLY SUPPLYING WHAT OUR COUNTRY DEMANDS.

SO WE REALLY HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE APPETITE TOO.

>> Rich: GIVING YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS THE HELP THEY NEED TO SUCCEED AFTER THEY'RE RELEASED.

>> DOES IT HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FISCAL COST?

WE'RE JUST CODIFYING GREAT WORK.

>> Rich: THE BATTLE TO KEEP BIBLES OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS CONTINUES IN COURT.

>> HARD CONCEPTS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO REALLY COMPREHEND, AS WELL AS A LOT OF THINGS LIKE FORCED PATRIOTISM, KIND OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM AND -- BUT MAINLY THE RELIGION.

>> Rich: HOW ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN HELP YOU LAND YOUR NEXT JOB.

>> WE REALLY BUILT THIS TOOL FOR EVERYONE AT EVERY STAGE IN THEIR CAREER JOURNEY.

>> Rich: PLUS, AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON FEDERAL WORKERS IN OKLAHOMA LAID OFF BY DOGE.

NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com >> Rich: HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

ACCORDING TO OUR CONTENT PARTNERS AT "THE FRONTIER," 748 OKLAHOMANS DIED FROM FENTANYL OVERDOSES IN 2023.

748!

THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT AND CONCERNING SURGE FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

STEVE SHAW HAS BEEN DIGGING INTO THAT AND HE JOINS US NOW.

STEVE.

>> Steve: RICH, THAT 748 NUMBER WAS A 21% INCREASE FROM THE YEAR BEFORE, WHICH WAS 2022.

WE FIRST TOOK A LOOK AT THE FENTANYL SCOURGE THREE YEARS AGO.

IT'S CLEARLY GETTING WORSE BECAUSE FENTANYL IS NOW ROUTINELY MIXED WITH OTHER ILLICIT DRUGS.

A RAID TUESDAY NIGHT OF AN ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROW NETTED THE GRADY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 150 POUNDS OF POT, 5,000 PLANTS, AND $5,000 CASH.

ABOUT THE SAME TIME, WE TALKED TO THE SHERIFF THE NEXT DAY.

HIS DEPUTIES WERE RAIDING ANOTHER ILLEGAL GROW.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, DADS OR MOMS OUT HERE DOING THIS AND THEY GET -- TAKE THE STUFF AND THEY DIE, THEN YOU HAVE CHILDREN OUT HERE THAT'S WITHOUT PARENTS.

>> Steve: HE DIDN'T TALKING ABOUT MARIJUANA.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT FENTANYL.

IT NOW ROUTINELY IS MIXED IN BY MEXICAN CARTELS WITH MARIJUANA, METHAMPHETAMINE, ALL THE BIG-TICKET ITEMS.

>> HEY, HEY!

WHOA.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

>> Steve: THIS IS POLICE BODY CAM VIDEO FROM A TRAFFIC STOP BY OKLAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES IN OKLAHOMA CITY JUST OVER 14 MONTHS AGO.

DEPUTIES FOUND THE DRIVER ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AT AN INTERSECTION.

>> WHAT WERE YOU DOING?

YOU GOT A KID IN THE BACK SEAT AND YOU'RE PASSED OUT.

>> I KNOW, I KNOW.

>> HEY, BUDDY.

>> Steve: THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TELLS ME DEPUTIES FOUND FENTANYL NEXT TO THE CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT.

THEY SAY PROSECUTORS CHARGED THE MOTORIST WITH DUI AND ENDANGERING THE WELFARE OF A CHILD.

GRADY COUNTY SHERIFF SAYS THERE WERE AT LEAST 17 FENTANYL OVERDOSES IN HIS COUNTY ALONE LAST YEAR.

>> IT'S SUCH A MARKET, I GUESS YOU WOULD SAY.

YOU KNOW, THEY CAN MAKE EASY MONEY ON THIS.

IT CAN COME ACROSS THE BORDER ABOUT TWO DOLLARS A PILL, GETS TO OKLAHOMA CITY, IT'S ABOUT 350, DOWN THIS WAY, YOU CAN GET 20, $30 A PILL FOR IT.

>> THEY TELL ME THEY'RE MANUFACTURING FENTANYL PILLS IN MEXICO FOR LESS THAN A PENNY A PILL.

>> YES.

>> Steve: MARK WOODWARD IS THE LONG TIME SPOKESMAN WHERE THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS.

>> IT'S VERY CONCERNING BECAUSE OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS, WE'VE SEEN EVERY YEAR IT'S DULKD DOUBLED, AUNL MOST TRIPLED A NUMBER OF DEATHS.

THANKFULLY WE HAVE NARCAN WHICH REVERSED A LOT OF OVERDOSE, SO WE KNOW THE NUMBERS COULD BE MUCH HIGHER.

NOT SURPRISING JUST BECAUSE IT'S CHEAP, IT'S POWERFUL, AND IT'S A DRUG THAT ANYBODY COULD GET AHOLD OF IT AND FEED THEIR ADDICTION FOR VERY LITTLE.

YOU TALKING ABOUT 10, $1520 A DAY.

>> Steve: HE SAYS FENTANYL IS SO ADDICTIVE BECAUSE IT'S SO POWERFUL AND INCREDIBLY CHEAP TO MAKE.

>> THE CHINESE MASS PRODUCE THIS IN A MATTER OF HOURS VERSUS HAVING TO SPEND MONTHS GROWING OPIUM POPPY.

THESE ARE MADE IN CHINA, SHIPPED INTO THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS SO CHEAP AND POWERFUL THAT WE'RE NOT JUST FINDING IT IN OPIOIDS, WE'RE FINDING IT IN METHAMPHETAMINE, FINDING COCAINE SAMPLES THAT TEST POSITIVE TO IT, ECSTASY, EVEN MARIJUANA CROSS-CONTAMINATED BY THE GUYS SELLING FENTANYL.

IT'S RARE, BUT IT'S IN EVERYTHING NOW.

>> Steve: STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN HUMPHREY IS A FORMER DRUG COURT ADMINISTRATOR.

>> I'VE BEEN SCREAMING THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME, ESPECIALLY IN PRISON SETTINGS.

WE'VE SEEN THE DEATHS IN PRISON SETTINGS JUST ASTRONOMICAL, BUT WHAT HAPPENS ON THESE DEATHS ARE YOU'RE SEEING FENTANYL MIXED IN WITH OTHER DRUGS, SO AGAIN, WHEN YOU HAVE METHAMPHETAMINE, THEN WHAT THEY DO IS THEY CUT THAT WITH FENTANYL BECAUSE THEY GET IT FOR ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, SO THEY CUT THAT.

WELL, IF THEY CUT IT IN THE RIGHT PROPORTIONS, YOU'RE OKAY.

BUT IF THEY JUST STICK A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA IN THERE OR IF YOU JUST HAPPEN TO GET A LITTLE MORE FENTANYL THAN YOU DID METHAMPHETAMINE, GUESS WHAT?

YOU'RE DEAD.

>> Steve: OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMMISSIONER MILES DAVIDSON SAYS FENTANYL HAS BEEN A MASSIVE PROBLEM.

INSIDE THE MUCH MALIGNED OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

>> BECAUSE IT IS SO SMALL AND SO EASY TO HIDE THAT IT'S ALMOST UNDETECTABLE.

PEOPLE CAN COME IN WITH A LITTLE BIT IN THEIR EAR AND THEY CAN COME IN AND THEY HAVE ENOUGH FENTANYL TO KILL AN ENTIRE POD.

IT'S THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

WE'RE NOT DEALING WITH SOMETHING IN THE OLD DAYS WITH METH AND HEROIN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WHEN YOU WERE BROUGHT INTO A CORRECTIONAL FACILITY, WE WERE ABLE TO DO A BODY SCAN ON YOU AND WE KNEW WHAT IT WAS AND HOW MUCH IT WAS.

WITH THE FENTANYLING THEY CAN PUT IT ON THE BACK OF STAMPS, WHICH WE HAVE CURTAILED BY NO LONGER ALLOWING MAIL INSIDE EXCEPT FOR LEGAL MAIL.

>> Steve: DOCTORS HAVE BEEN PRESCRIBING FENTANYL AS A RELIEVER FOR SERIOUS PAIN IN THE U.S. FOR SIX DECADES.

MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS USED IT ON SHERIFF THE SHERIFF WHEN HE PASSED A KIDNEY STONE THREE YEARS AGO.

DOCTORS HAVE INJECTED ME WITH IT FOR AN ARTHRITIC LOWER BACK.

WOODWARD SAYS BAD ACTORS IN CHINA, MEXICO, AND THE U.S. ARE WHY WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THEIR BUSINESSMEN AND THEY'RE SIMPLY SUPPLYING THAT OUR COUNTRY DEMANDS, SO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE AND AT THE TIGHT TOO.

WE CONSUME SO MANY DRUGS AND THEY'RE SUPPLYING WHAT OUR COUNTRY WANTS.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO KEEP KIDS FROM GETTING ON THIS PATH.

WE NEED TO DO MORE TO STOP THOSE ON THIS PATH AND GO AFTER THOSE PROFITING REGARDLESS WHAT THEY PUT ON THE STREETS.

>> Steve: IF YOU WANT SOME GOOD NEWS, MARK WOODWARD SAYS K9 ENFORCEMENT ALONG OKLAHOMA ROADWAYS ARE STILL MAKING BUSTS THAT GET 20 TO 50 TO 80 POUNDS OF FENTANYL OFF THE STREETS AT A TIME, BUT A LOT OF IT STILL GETS THROUGH.

RICH.

>> Rich: STEVE, GREAT REPORT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> WHEN THE SARAH STITT ACT PASSED IN 2021, IT PROVIDED RELEASED INMATES WITH MORE RESOURCES AND A BETTER PATHWAY TO REINTEGRATE INTO SOCIETY.

IT'S AN IDEA THAT'S NOW BEING CONSIDERED FOR YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND THOSE LEAVING THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AS WELL.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS.

JASON?

>> Jason: RICH, REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN HILL WORKED ON THE ORIGINAL SARAH STITT ACT AND FOR THE PAST YEAR, HE'S BEEN TRYING TO GET THAT KIND OF HELP FOR YOUTH WHO ARE LEAVING STATE CUSTODY.

>> YEAH, SO WE CAN ACTUALLY -- WE GET TO USE A VERY BIG MALLET.

>> Jason: YEAH.

YOU GET TO HIT IT AND -- THAT CAUSE AND BIG SHOCK.

>> Jason: THIS IS DAVID DANIEL HALL SHOWING OFF SOME OF THE INSTRUMENTS HE'S PREPARING FOR A COMPETITION LATER THIS MONTH.

HE HAS A PASSION WORKING WITH KIDS AND HAS GOOD REASON.

HE'S EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO GO THROUGH FOSTER CARE AND THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA.

>> I NEVER MET MY DAD.

HE ACTUALLY LEFT WHILE I WAS STILL IN THE WOMB.

AFTER THAT, I HAD EXPERIENCED DIFFERENT FORMS OF ABUSE, PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL.

>> Jason: HE SAYS THAT ABUSE LED TO HIM ENTERING THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AT THE AGE OF 8 YEARS OLD.

>> THESE PEOPLE GO BY -- I LOVINGLY CALL THEM GRANDPA AND GRANDMA AND UNCLE STEPHEN.

THEY'RE NOT BLOOD, BUT TO THIS DAY, THEY'RE STILL GRANDMA AND GRANDPA.

WHEN THINGS ESCALATED ONE DAY, I CALLED THEM, WENT NEXT DOOR JUST YELLING AND CRYING AND I CALLED THEM AND THEY WENT AHEAD AND HEADED RIGHT OVER AS SOON AS THEY COULD.

AND FROM THERE, I ENDED UP BEING PUT IN FOSTER CARE FOR THE FIRST TIME JNL LATER, HE WAS REUNITED WITH HIS MOTHER, BUT AS A TEENAGER, HE BEGAN HAVING TROUBLES AND ENTERED THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> I WAS IN THERE FOR TWO WEEKS AND THAT WAS A BIG EYE-OPENER.

>> Jason: EVENTUALLY, HALL RAN AWAY FROM HOME AND WAS TAKEN IN BY THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AGAIN.

HE LANDED IN A CARING HOME.

>> THEY ACTUALLY WENT OUT TO GET ME CHRISTMAS GIFTS, JUST FINDING OUT -- WE HAVE A KID LITERALLY COMING IN ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

HE'S NOT GOING TO NOT HAVE CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

>> Jason: FROM THAT POINT, HALL GOT HELP WITH EDUCATION AND OTHER ISSUES FROM THE DHS FOSTER CARE PROGRAM.

HE SAYS THAT HELP IS IMPORTANT TO THE KIDS WHO DON'T HAVE A HEALTHY FAMILY LIFE.

>> WE HAVE TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT THAT MEANS THAT THEY NEED EVEN MORE HELP TO SUCCEED.

>> Jason: THAT'S WHAT REPRESENTATIVE BRIAN HILL HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH WITH HOUSE BILL, THE SUCCESSFUL ADULTHOOD ACT, WHICH PROVIDED SERVICES LIKE THE SARAH STITT ACT DID FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS PREPARING TO LEAVE STATE PRISON.

>> WHAT THIS BILL DOES IS IT TAKES THE SAME MECHANISMS AND PUTS THEM IN PLACE FOR KIDS AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND OJA CUSTODY.

>> Jason: HILL SAYS THE ACT HAS BEEN A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM BY HELPING INMIGHTS OBTAIN IDENTIFICATION, LICENSES AND EDUCATION CERTIFICATES, WHICH HAS HELPED OKLAHOMA GO FROM THE STATE WITH THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE TO HAVING THE LOWEST RECIDIVISM RATE IN THE NATION.

>> BY DOING THE EXACT SAME THING FOR YOUNG PEOPLE, THIS IS REALLY A WAY THAT WE CAN SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS.

THEY MAY HAVE HAD DIFFICULTIES IN THEIR PAST, BUT WE CAN POSITION THEM TO REALLY THRIVE IN LIFE BY SIMPLY PROVIDING CRUCIAL DOCUMENTS ON THE FOREFRONT THAT YOU AND I ALREADY HAVE.

>> Jason: STATE AGENCIES DO NOT COMMENT ON LEGISLATION WHICH MIGHT IMPACT THEM.

HOWEVER, BOTH THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS AND DHS FOS SER CARE DO HAVE PROGRAMS MEANT TO HELP YOUTH LEAVING THEIR SYSTEMS TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL ADULT.

>> WHEN YOU GET WITH THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY'RE ON THE TAIL END OF THEIR PROGRAMMING, THEY'RE REALLY JUST LIKE ANY OTHER TEENAGER.

LIKE THEY HAVE GOALS THEY WANT TO ACCOMPLISH.

THEY GET EXCITED ABOUT DOING STUFF LIKE WORKING ON THE 3D PRINTER OR WORKING WITH THEIR HANDS IN THE CAREER TECH PROGRAM.

>> Jason: THE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM SAYS IT HELPED YOUTH PREPARE TO LEAVE CUSTODY BY HELPING THEM AND A HALF GUY THE SYSTEM THEY NEED TO INNINGS LIKE A STATE ID.

>> WE WENT OUT AND JUST BEAT THE STREETS, I IS AN I FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERMING WENT TO TAG AGENCIES, WENT TO SERVICE OKLAHOMA, AND GOT -- FOUND WAYS TO STED DO IT OUR KIDS GETTING THROUGH THOSE.

AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WE HAD ALL THE DOCUMENTS THAT THEY NEEDED.

WE DIDN'T CUT ANY CORNERS.

THEY JUST HELPED US WALK THOSE YOUTH THROUGH THOSE PROCESSES, SO IT WASN'T A BIG SCARY THING.

>> Jason: DHS FOSTER CARE ALSO HAS PROGRAMS TO HELP YOUTH LEAVING THE SYSTEM.

JENNIFER BOYER DIRECTS THE SUCCESSFUL ADULTHOOD PROGRAM WHICH HAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW A YOUNG PERSON IS LEAVING THEIR SYSTEM.

>> FOR SOME YOUNG PEOPLE, THE TRANSITION IS LOOKING AT GOING BACK HOME TO BIOLOGICAL FAMILY OR THEY MAY BE LOOKING AT BEING ADOPTED OR GOING TO A GUARDIAN STHP AND WE ALSO HAVE THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE.

WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 200 YOUNG PEOPLE THAT AGE OUT OF FOSTER CARE EVERY YEAR.

>> Jason: CURRENTLY THERE ARE 5800 YOUNG PEOPLE IN DHS FOSTER CARE.

>> WE TRY TO MEET OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHERE THEY'RE AT TO HELP THEM BE SUCCESSFUL THROUGH THAT TRANSITION PROCESS.

WE CAN HELP YOUNG PEOPLE ALL THE WAY UP TO AGE 23 WITH THOSE TYPES OF SUPPORTS.

AND WE DO HAVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE UP TO THE AGE OF 26, AND THOSE ARE OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

>> I'M VERY PROUD OF BOTH DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND OJA.

THEY'RE IMPLEMENTING MANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES ALREADY, AND SO IT DOESN'T HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FISCAL COST ON IT.

WE'RE JUST CODIFYING GREAT WORK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO REDUCE RECIDIVISM RATES, NOT JUST TODAY, NOT JUST TOMORROW, BUT INTO DECADES TO COME.

>> Jason: DAVID HALL LIKES TO HELP KIDS PREPARE FOR THEIR FUTURE AFTER HIS EXPERIENCES AND FEELS HILL'S LEGISLATION COULD MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT ON KIDS JUST FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE IT.

>> YOUTH LIKE THAT DON'T HAVE THOSE SUPPORTS AND THEY NEED THAT EXTRA HELP.

THEY NEED THINGS LIKE IDs TO GET A JOB BECAUSE YOU CAN'T DO A JOB APPLICATION WITHOUT AN ID.

>> Jason: HOUSE BILL 2361 HAS CLEARED ITS COMMITTEE HURDLES.

IT NOW AWAITS ACTION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

AND COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY WILL HAVE A COMPLETE RECAP OF OTHER NEWS MADE AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK.

RICH?

>> Rich: OKAY, JASON.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, AND HUNDREDS OF THEM ARE LEARNING THEY'RE LOSING THEIR JOBS AS PART OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PUSH TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IN THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION, MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD SPEAKS TO A WOMAN DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THOSE CUTS.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> I KNEW ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF IN ADVANCE THAT MY NAME WAS ON A LIST OF PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES.

THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAD REQUESTED FROM ALL OF THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, AND SO I HAD SEEN SOME THINGS ON REDDIT THAT AFTERNOON, THAT THURSDAY THE 13th, AND THOUGHT I SHOULD CHECK MY EMAIL ON MY GOVERNMENT PHONE.

AND THERE WAS AN EMAIL THERE SAYING "TERMINATION OF PROBATIONARY EMPLOYMENT."

I IMMEDIATELY TEXTED MY SUPERVISOR.

HE HAD HAD NO PRIOR WARNING.

OUR STATE LEADERSHIP HAD NO WARNING.

SO THAT WAS BASICALLY IT.

IT SAID IT WAS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

>> I WENT THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS YEARS AGO AND THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN.

YOU KNOW, THERE WERE PEOPLE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, ALL AROUND US THAT ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR LIVES, AND OFTEN WE'RE NOT A PART OF THOSE, THAT DECISION-MAKING.

AND THAT CAN BE HARD TO DEAL WITH, ESPECIALLY WHEN, YOU KNOW, YOU RUN INTO A BRICK WALL AND SOMEBODY TELLS YOU, YOU NO LONGER ARE EMPLOYED HERE ANYMORE.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP A LITTLE BIT LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> TULSA MAYOR MONROE NICHOLS HAS SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT OFFERS A BLUEPRINT ON HOW THE CITY WILL INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND DECREASE THE NUMBER OF BLIGHTED PROPERTIES.

THE MAYOR'S GOAL IS TO CREATE 6,000 MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS BY THE YEAR 2028 AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF UNSAFE AND UNSIGHTLY PROPERTIES BY 60% DURING THE SAME THREE-YEAR PERIOD.

>> Nichols: THE THIRD PART OF THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER IS THE CREATION OF A COMMUNITY BUILDER PILOT PROGRAM.

THIS PROGRAM ACTUALLY ENCOURAGES HOUSING REHABILITATION BY OFFERING INCENTIVES TO DEVELOPERS WHO ARE TRANSFORMING VACANT AND ABANDONED PROPERTIES INTO USEABLE HOUSING.

THIS IS A WIN-WIN, I THINK, FOR EVERYBODY.

SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THAT BLIGHT GOAL AND WE THINK ABOUT THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING GOAL, THIS IS WHERE THOSE TWO THINGS, THOSE TWO THINGS INTERSECT.

>> Rich: THE MAYOR SAYS STREAMLINING THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING BUILDING PERMITS IS ALSO A KEY TO MAKING HIS PLAN A SUCCESS.

>>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS IS MOVING AHEAD WITH PLANS TO ACQUIRE AND REQUIRE THAT BIBLES BE USED WHEN TEACHING SOCIAL STUDIES.

THE QUESTION IS, CAN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OPT OUT OF FOLLOWING THE MANDATE?

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THAT.

TAELYR?

>> Taelyr: RICH, WE RECEIVED WORD THIS WEEK THAT OSDE PLANS TO DISTRIBUTE BIBLES TO ALL A.P.

U.S. GOVERNMENT CLASSROOMS IMMEDIATELY.

I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL MOM WHO DOESN'T WANT BIBLES IN HER CHILD'S CURRICULUM.

>> EDUCATION IS NOT ONLY ABOUT IDEOLOGY, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT PROFIT.

>> Taelyr: ERICA WATKINS IS ONE OF MANY CONCERNED OKLAHOMA PARENTS WHO JOINED IN PROTEST AGAINST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS TUESDAY.

WATKINS IS THE DIRECTOR OF OKLAHOMA DEFENSE OF ADDRESS, A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHE AND MANY OTHER PARENTS ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT THE RECENT PUSH FOR BIBLES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

>> THE MAIN CONCERN THAT MOST OF US HAVE IS DEFINITELY THE -- THE FORCING OF RELIGION INTO THE STANDARDS.

SO THE PREVIOUS STANDARDS, I BELIEVE, REFERENCED THE BIBLE AS A HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND ONE TIME, AND NOW THE NEW STANDARDS HAVE OVER 40 REFERENCES TO CHRISTIANITY AND THE BIBLE.

>> Taelyr: IN A 5-1 VOTE LAST FRIDAY, THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ADVANCED A PROPOSED STANDARDS FOR SOCIAL STUDIES IN SCIENCE TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS WOULD REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHER ABOUT THE BIBLE AND AMERICAN PATRIOTISM.

THE NEW STANDARDS OUTLINE WHICH STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO LEARN IN EACH GREAT, BUT DO NOT DICTATE HOW EDUCATORS TEACHER THE SUBJECT.

ULTIMATELY, SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE CONTROL OVER THE CURRICULUM.

>> WHAT WE ALSO DO IS CREATE WHAT WE CALL FRAMEWORK.

THAT GIVES SPECIFICS IN CURRICULUM, DOES NOT REQUIRE THEM, BUT JUST TO SAY IF YOU'RE TRYING TO TEACH THIS ITEM, HERE ARE EXAMPLES OF CURRICULUM TO USE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN THERE THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC THAT ARE HARD CONCEPTS FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO REALLY COMPREHEND, AS WELL AS A LOT OF THINGS LIKE FORCED PATRIOTISM, KIND OF AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM, AND -- BUT MAINLY THE RELIGION.

LIKE I SAID, IT'S EXCLUDEING A LOT OF KIDS FROM THAT CONVERSATION.

>> Taelyr: SUPPORTERS SAY THEY ARE GLAD THAT WALTERS IS ALIGNING OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AGENDA.

>> WLAES BATTLING FOR IS FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP.

WE THE PEOPLE ELECTED PRESIDENT TRUMP TO RUN THIS COUNTRY.

SO IT'S ABOUT TIME THAT OKLAHOMA LINE UP WITH WHAT THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR.

>> Taelyr: SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WHO SITS ON THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION IS KNOWN FOR BEING AN ADVOCATE FOR USING BIBLES IN THE CLASSROOM FOR HISTORICAL REFERENCE.

HE FIRST RELEASED A DRAFT OF THE STANDARDS IN DECEMBER, BUT CONTROVERSY FOLLOWED THE STANDARDS DUE TO ITS INCLUSION OF CHRISTIAN BELIEFS INTO HISTORY AND GOVERNMENT CLASSES.

>> I DO NOT WANT MY KIDS TO LEARN RELIGION IN SCHOOL AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE CHRISTIAN THAT DON'T WANT TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS -- CHURCH IS WHERE THEY WANT TO BRING THEIR KIDS FOR RELIGION AND THAT IS THEIR RIGHT.

NOBODY IS INFRINGING ON THEIR RIGHTS, BUT YEAH, AS A PARENT, I DON'T FEEL LIKE I'M HAVING A SAY.

>> Taelyr: LAST YEAR, OSDE PUT IN A REQUEST TO OMES TO PURCHASE BIEBS.

IN RESPONSE A GROUP OF MORE THAN 30 OKLAHOMANS FILED A LAWSUIT ASKING THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT TO HALT A BIBLE TEACHING MANDATE ISSUED BY SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS LAST SUMMER.

THE GROUP IS SEEKING TO BLOCK THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FROM SPENDING STATE FUNDS TO SUPPLY BIBLES TO OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS.

THIS WEEK, THE GROUP ADDED OSDE'S LATEST RBS TO THEIR LAWSUIT, ASKING THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT TO ISSUE A STAY THAT WOULD BLOCK OSDE FROM PURCHASING BIBLES FOR THE CLASSROOM.

THURSDAY MORNING, OSDE ANNOUNCED LEE GREENWOOD A COUNTRY ARTIST BEST KNOWN FOR SINGING "GOD BLESS THE USA," IS PARTNERING WITH SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS IN A NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN TO PURCHASE BIBLES FOR OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS.

DURING LAST WEEK'S BOARD MEETING, NEWLY APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS CALLED FOR BOARD MEMBERS TO HAVE A SAY IN WHAT THE BOARD DISCUSSES AT MEETINGS.

>> SO IS IT TOTALLY OUT OF DISCUSSION WHETHER TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA?

>> AS SUPERINTENDENT, HIS ROLE AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, SETS THE AGENDA.

>> OKAY.

IS THERE LAW THAT SAYS THAT?

WHERE IS THE STATUTE THAT SAYS THE BOARD HAS NO AUTHORITY TO SET ANYTHING ON AN AGENDA?

>> Taelyr: BUT THAT COULD SOON CHANGE DUE TO THE SENATE PRO TEM AND HOUSE SPEAKER AMENDING HOUSE BILL 1491.

>> I REALLY WANT TO ZOOM OUT A LITTLE BIT ON HERE BECAUSE THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE AS PART OF EDUCATION AND I DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH OUR CURRENT STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

THERE ARE ISSUES WITH THE PREVIOUS STATE SUPERINTENDENT WHERE BOARD MEMBERS WANTED TO PLACE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND THE SUPERINTENDENT DIDN'T WANT THEM ON THE AGENDA.

UNLESS THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AUTHORIZED IT, IT DIDN'T GO ON THERE.

FOR ME, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BOARD OVERSEEING HOW TAXPAYERS DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT IN THE EDUCATION OF OUR KIDS, THE BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD HAVE SOME SAY IN THE AGENDA ITEMS.

>> Taelyr: THE BILL ALLOWS ANY MEMBER TO PLACE AN ITEM ON THE BOARD AGENDA IF REQUESTED BY AT LEAST TWO MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THE BILL PASSED OUT OF THE HOUSE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, BUT WILL NEED TO PASS BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOOR BEFORE IT TOUCHES THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE A BOARD IN YOU CAN'T PUT AN AGENDA ITEM ON THERE, RIGHT?

YOU OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO PUT THINGS ON THE BOARD AGENDA TO VOTE ON.

OBVIOUSLY, THE BOARD HAS THE RIGHT TO VOTE THOSE UP OR DOWN, BUT IF NINE PEOPLE WANT SOMETHING AND ONE PERSON IS KEEPING THAT FROM EVEN BEING TALKED ABOUT, I THINK THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> Taelyr: THE PROPOSED ACADEMIC STANDARDS WILL BE REVIEWED BY OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS SOMETIME BEFORE THE SESSION ENDS IN MAY.

RICH.

>> Rich: TAELYR, THANK YOU.

>>> AND NOW OUR WEEKLY RECAP OF THE NEWS BEING MADE AT THE STATE CAPITOL DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

FOR THAT, WE WELCOME BACK QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY.

AND SHAWN, THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HAS APPROVED A BILL THAT WOULD IMPOSE A TWO-YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY.

FOR WHAT PURPOSE, AND WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF THAT PASSING AND BECOMING LAW?

>> Shawn: SENATE BILL 601 BY SENATOR DAVE RADER, A REPUBLICAN FROM TULSA, IMPOSES A TWO-YEAR MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY TO GIVE A FIVE-MEMBER PANEL TIME TO REVIEW THE DEATH PENALTY, PARTICULARLY BASED ON A REPORT THAT WAS ISSUED IN 2017 AND FOUND A NUMBER OF DEFICIENCIES WITH OKLAHOMA'S PROCESS.

SENATOR RADER NOTED THAT 11 PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW IN OKLAHOMA HAVE BEEN EXONERATED OVER THE 50 YEARS THAT THE DEATH PENALTY HAS BEEN IN EFFECT, AND THAT CONCERNS HIM, THE POSSIBILITY OF EXECUTING AN INNOCENT INDIVIDUAL.

>> Rich: SHAWN, ON BOTH THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, THERE IS MOMENTUM.

IT SEEMS TO BAN CERTAIN DYES AND CHEMICALS IN OUR FOODS AND MEDICATIONS.

TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> Shawn: YES, SENATOR KRISTEN THOMPSON, A REPUBLICAN FROM EDMOND, FILED SENATE BILL 4 BACK IN NOVEMBER, AND SHE WANTS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE VARIOUS CHEMICALS AND DYES AND OTHER PRODUCTS THAT ARE IN OUR FOODS AND MEDICINES.

THE IDEA IS THAT THOSE WHICH ARE POTENTIALLY HARMFUL WOULD BE REMOVED OVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD, AND THEN IN OTHER CASES, THE FOODS AND MEDICINES WOULD BEAR A WARNING LABEL.

THAT BILL PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FLOOR FOR POSSIBLE CONSIDERATION.

>> Rich: THIS WEEK, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS PASSED A BILL ORDERING STATE COURTS TO NO LONGER DEFER TO STATE AGENCY RULES.

NOW, WHAT IS THAT ALL ABOUT?

>> Shawn: THIS IS HOUSE BILL 2729, AND IT COMES OUT OF A SUPREME COURT DECISION IN 2024 REFERRING TO WHAT IS COMMONLY CALLED CHEVRON DEFERENCE, WHICH ALLOWS JUDGES AND -- JUDGES TO LOOK AT DECISIONS BY STATE AGENCIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGES, RATHER THAN LOOKING AT THE LAW ITSELF AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE RULE ITSELF IN MAKING A DECISION.

THIS BILL BY JARED HENDRICKS, A REPUBLICAN FROM ALTUS, WOULD ASK JUDGES TO LOOK AT THE LAW AND AT THE RULE ITSELF RATHER THAN THE AGENCY'S INTERPRETATION.

>> Rich: SHAWN, THERE'S DISAGREEMENT ON A PROPOSED BILL THAT WOULD GIVE VETERANS A DISCOUNT ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES.

HOW MUCH WOULD IT BE, AND HOW MUCH SUPPORT DOES THAT HAVE?

>> Shawn: WELL, HOUSE BILL 1377 BY REPRESENTATIVE EDDIE DEMPSEY DOES NOT SET THE PARTICULAR AMOUNT OF THE DISCOUNT, BUT WHAT IT WOULD ALLOW IS FOR RESTAURANTS, BARS, LIQUOR STORES, AND OTHER RETAILERS THAT SELL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO OFFER A DISCOUNT SOLELY TO VETERANS.

CURRENTLY, DISCOUNTS ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE PROHIBITED UNDER STATE LAW.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT THIS BILL.

FIRST OF ALL, JUST THE IDEA OF OFFERING A DISCOUNT IN GENERAL ON ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND THEN OFFERING IT ONLY TO A SPECIFIC GROUP, MILITARY VETERANS.

AND THEN THERE WAS CONCERN RAISED ALSO ABOUT MILITARY VETERANS WHO MAY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ALCOHOL AND MAKING IT MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THEM.

>> Rich: ONE FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF AN ISSUE INVOLVING THE STANDARDIZED TESTING OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> Shawn: THAT'S RIGHT.

HOUSE BILL 1096 WOULD ALLOW THE USE OF WHAT'S CALLED THE CLASSICAL LEARNING TESTS TO BE USED FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS AND FOR SCHOLARSHIP DECISIONS.

CURRENTLY, SCHOOLS ARE LIMITED TO USING THE A.C.T.

AND THE S.A.T., WHICH WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH.

THIS TEST HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN SOME OTHER STATES, BUT IT'S ALSO BEEN PROHIBITED IN SOME OTHER STATES.

>> Rich: OKAY, SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL.

ALWAYS EXCELLENT INFORMATION.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

>> Shawn: SEE YOU THEN.

>> Rich: STILLWATER MEDICAL WILL SOON OPEN A NEW NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, OR NICU, ON THEIR CAMPUS.

IT WILL BE THE ONLY LEVEL 2 FACILITY IN NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

THE NICU WILL FEATURE TEN NURSERIES, A C-SECTION OPERATING ROOM, AS WELL AS FAMILY SPACES.

IN OKLAHOMA, NEARLY ONE IN EIGHT BABIES ARE BORN TOO EARLY, A RATE THAT EXCEEDS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THE $2.5 MILLION INVESTMENT INCLUDES A NAMING RIGHTS DONATION FROM ONCUE AND WAS BUILT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OKLAHOMA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OU HEALTH.

>> Aufleger: 100% COMMUNITY DRIVEN, 100% LIFE-CHANGING.

TOGETHER, WE HAVE BUILT THE ONCUE NEONATAL INTENSIVE UNIT.

THIS NICU?

IT ISN'T JUST A BUILDING.

IT'S HOPE.

IT'S A PROMISE THAT THEIR MOST FRAGILE MOMENTS WILL BE MET WITH THE BEST CARE RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

>> Lofgren: YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE ARE HAVING SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE CONFRONTED WITH REALLY SERIOUS AND LIFE-ALTERING ISSUES, THE LAST THING YOU WANT TO DO IS PLAY AN AWAY GAME.

YOU WANT TO BE AT HOME SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND PEOPLE THAT CAN GIVE YOU THE SUPPORT THAT'S REALLY NECESSARY TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET A GREAT OUTCOME.

>> Rich: THERE ARE LEVEL 3 AND LEVEL 4 NICU UNITS IN OKLAHOMA PROVIDING THE MOST INTENSIVE CARE FOR PREEMIES, BUT THEY'RE OFTEN AT FULL CAPACITY.

>>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SAYS THE AVERAGE PERSON WILL CHANGE JOBS FIVE TO SEVEN TIMES IN THEIR CAREER, AND THAT ABOUT 30% OF THE WORKFORCE CHANGES JOBS EVERY 12 MONTHS.

AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE INCREASING, SO HAVING AN APP TO FIND YOU A NEW GIG OR EVEN A WHOLE NEW CAREER SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA.

NOAH MACK HAS OUR REPORT.

>> EVERY DAY.

>> Noah: CARNITA OLIVER IS ON THE HUNT FOR THE NEXT STAGE IN HER YEAR.

>> I DID ANYTHING FROM CASE MANAGEMENT TO -- MOSTLY CASE MANAGEMENT, HOME HEALTH CASE MANAGEMENT.

I DID PRISON CASE MANAGEMENT, WORKED IN A DETOX, SO I'VE DONE A LOT.

THEN I WAS ACTUALLY AN INSPECTOR FOR THE MARIJUANA THE FIRST THREE YEARS, AND THEN I JUST STARTED DOING SOME ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE STUFF.

>> Noah: AND THE WORLD IS HER OYSTER GLIME TOTALLY OPEN AND APPLYING TO ALL THE BORDERING STATES.

>> Noah: FOR THE FIRST TIME, SHE'S TESTING OUT A NEW TOOL FROM GOOGLE CALLED CAREER DREAMER.

>> OKAY, I LIKE THIS.

>> Noah: CAREER DREAMER USES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO CREATE A CAREER PROFILE TAILOR-MADE FROM THE INFORMATION YOU GIVE IT.

>> I NEEDED THAT FOR MY COUSIN THAT I JUST TYPED.

>> Noah: HERE'S HOW IT WORKS.

YOU TYPE IN YOUR CURRENT OR PREVIOUS POSITION, TYPE IN YOUR EMPLOYER, PICK A FEW SKILLS, AND VOILE LARK IT GENERATES A CAREER IDENTITY.

>> WE BUILT CAREER DREAMER AS A WAY TO HELP PEOPLE EXPLORE THEIR CAREER POSSIBILITIES AND ALSO AS A WAY TO HELP PEOPLE ARTICULATE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEIR SKILL SET IS AND NOW THEY CAN APPLY THAT TO NEW CAREERS.

>> Noah: ANDREA WILLIS, THE SPOKESPERSON FOR GOOGLE, SAYS THE PLATFORM IS FREE TO USE AND THEY WANT IT TO REACH A WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE.

>> WE BUILT THIS TOOL FOR EVERYONE AT EVERY STAGE OF THEIR CAREER JOURNEY.

>> Noah: EVEN STUDENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THEY WANT TO TAKE THEIR PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

>> I'VE DEBATED ON PHOTOGRAPHY, I'VE DEBATED ON PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHIATRY, COUNSELING.

>> Noah: THE NEXT TAB IN GOOGLE OOPS CAREER DEMEANOR IS A WEB MAP OF DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS, EACH ONE A STEP IN A FEW DIRECTION.

>> ACTUALLY, IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

IT'S DESCRIBING WHAT A PSYCHIATRIC TECH WOULD DO IN A DAY.

>> Noah: EACH CAREER PATH LINKS YOU TO LOCAL JOB LISTINGS AND YOU CAN DISCUSS IN MORE DETAIL WITH GOOGLE'S CHATBOT GEM ANYONE MY.

STELLA HAS USED AI BEFORE, BUT NOT IN THIS WAY.

>> THIS IS A LOT MORE INFORMATIONAL.

>> Noah: IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, OKLAHOMA IS AMONG THE TOP FIVE STATES WHERE PEOPLE ARE SEARCHING "FIND A JOB" IN GOOGLE WITH TULSA, OKLAHOMA CITY, AND LAWSUITTON LEADING THE PACK.

>> AND JUST GENERALLY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, HOW JOBS WILL BREAK OUT IN 2024, SO WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT HOW THIS TOOL IS GOING TO HELP OKLAHOMA, YOU KNOW, MEET THE NEEDS THAT WE SEE THAT THEY'RE SEARCHING FOR.

>> Noah: THE EMPLOYMENT CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAVE BEEN USING AI FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW TO HELP WITH RESUMES AND COVER LETTERS.

CAREER DREAMER IS JUST ANOTHER TOOL IN THEIR ARSENAL.

>> WHEN PEOPLE COME TO OUR OFFICE, A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE LOST.

THEY DON'T -- THEY LOST A JOB AND DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT, SO THAT'S REALLY OUR ROLE IS KIND OF THAT CAREER DREAMER GUIDE, SO IF THEY CAN COME IN WITH IDEAS, THAT'S JUST GOING TO HELP US HELP THEM A LOT LETTER.

IT'S HAVING THE INITIAL CONVERSATIONS, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO NEXT.

YOU ALREADY HAVE AN IDEA?

THESE ARE OUR SERVICES WE HAVE READY TO GO FOR YOU.

>> Noah: THEY HAVE JOB FAIRS, JOB REFERRALS, JOB TRAINING AND COUNSELING.

>> AND THEY HAVE CUBIC KALS WHERE THEY CAN NEAT WITH CAREER COORDINATORS AND NAVIGATORS.

>> Noah: THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION HAS 27 JOB CENTERS SPRAWLED OUT AROUND THE STATE.

>> IN THOSE RURAL COMMUNITIES, THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW THE EMPLOYERS BY NAME AND THEY CAN SAY I WANT TO GO WORK IN A FACTORY.

THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW EVERY FACTORY IN THE SERVICE AREA AND WHO'S IN THE MANAGEMENT THERE AND THEY CAN CALL AND GET THOSE JOBS FOR YOU.

>> Noah: AND THE CENTERS HAVE COMPUTER LABS, A SPACE CARNITA HAS BEEN USING.

>> I CAN SIT AT HOME AND APPLY ON MY PHONE, BUT I'D RATHER BE OUT WHERE IT'S LIGHT AND WITH PEOPLE.

>> Noah: AND ANDREA STRESSES IT SHOULD NOT REPLACE THE PERSONAL ASPECT.

INSTEAD, IT SHOULD BE UTILIZED AS AN ASSISTANT.

>> SO THINK OF DRAFTING YOUR OWN RESUME FROM SCRATCH OR COVER LETTER FROM SCRATCH.

THAT'S TIME CONSUMING.

SO WITH THE HELP OF AI, YOU CAN GET THESE FIRST DRAFTS, YOU KNOW, IN SECONDS AND MINUTES AND TWEAK IT.

I THINK AI IS MEANT TO BE ASSISTIVE.

IT CANNOT REPLACE A PERSON IN PUTTING THEIR OWN DATA IN, BUT IT IS A GREAT HELPER.

>> Noah: AND FOR CARNITA, THE VERDICT ON CAREER DREAMER IS IN.

>> I'LL BE IMPLEMENTING IT EVERY DAY.

IT GIVES YOU OPTIONS AND HORIZONS THAT I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE WERE TIED TO MY PREVIOUS JOBS.

>> Noah: AND GOING FORWARD, HER JOB HUNT HAS IMBUED WITH A FRESH SENSE OF ENTHUSIASM.

>> I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT.

>> Noah: FOR THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M NOAH MACK.

>> Rich: NOAH, THANK YOU.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY FAIRGROUNDS WILL HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE NEW ADDITION BY THE TIME THE NEXT STATE FAIR ROLLS AROUND.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATEWIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> Jason: THE FINAL PUSH TO FINISH THE 216,164-SQUARE-FOOT OG&E COLISEUM AT THE STATE FAIR PARK IS UNDERWAY.

THE $126 MILLION PROJECT INCLUDES 8,000 SEATS IN THE BOWL AREA AND OTHER MODERN AMENITIES.

IT IS BEING PAID FOR BY A MIX OF REVENUE FROM THE MAPS 3 AND MAPS 4 INITIATIVES, AS WELL AS OKLAHOMA CITY HOTEL TAX REVENUE.

IT WILL REPLACE THE JIM NORICK ARENA AND PLAY HOST TO HORSE SHOWS, THE STATE PLAYOFFS FOR HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL, INDOOR SOCCER EVENTS, AND MORE.

THE COLISEUM IS EXPECTED TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.

>>> THE AMOUNT OF TAXES AND FEES COLLECTED BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FELL SLIGHTLY IN FEBRUARY.

OKLAHOMA STATE TREASURER TODD RUSS REPORTS GROSS RECEIPTS LAST MONTH TOTALED $1.18 BILLION, DOWN BY EIGHT-TENTHS OF A PERCENT COMPARED TO FEBRUARY 2024.

THE TREND OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS HAS SLIGHTLY SLOWED AS WELL.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, GROSS RECEIPTS TOTALED $16.87 BILLION, DOWN BY TWO-TENTHS OF A PERCENT COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS 12 MONTHS.

>>> INVESTORS IN OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED BANK7 CORP WILL BE SEEING SOME CASH COME THEIR WAY SOON.

THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECLARED A 24-CENT-A-SHARE QUARTERLY CASH DIVIDEND ON ITS COMMON STOCK.

IF INVESTORS HAVE THE BANK7 STOCK IN THEIR PORTFOLIO BY THE END OF MARCH 20th, THEY WILL RECEIVE THE PAYOUT ON APRIL 4th.

>>> THAT'S NOT THE ONLY OKLAHOMA COMPANY ANNOUNCING A DIVIDEND THIS WEEK.

TULSA-BASED INDUSTRIAL HEATING AND AIR MANUFACTURER AAON WILL PAY 10 CENTS A SHARE TO INVESTORS WHO HAVE THE STOCK BY THE END OF THE BUSINESS DAY ON MARCH 18th.

THAT'S AN INCREASE OF 25% OVER THE PREVIOUS DIVIDEND.

THE PAYOUT IS EXPECTED ON MARCH 28th.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: JASON, GREAT JOB.

>>> A U.S. PRESIDENT VOWING TO REDUCE THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOTHING NEW.

OUR THIRD PRESIDENT, THOMAS JEFFERSON, DID IT, AS DID RONALD REAGAN, BILL CLINTON, AND OTHERS.

NOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING IT, TOO, AND THEY'RE BEING MET WITH STRONG RESISTANCE IN THE FORM OF JUDICIAL RULINGS AND PUBLIC PROTESTS.

CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE, OKLAHOMA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

CASSIDY?

>> Cassidy: RICH, JOINING US FOR THAT DISCUSSION IS CARRIE CHLEBANOWSKI, A FORMER STATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST FOR THE NATIONAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY CHRISTOPHER O'BRIEN, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Cassidy: CHRISTOPHER, TELL US ABOUT YOUR BECOME.

>> SO I THINK A -- YOUR BACKGROUND.

>> SO I THINK A GOOD PLACE TO START, RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE I'M WEARING TWO HATS AT ONCE.

IT'S THAT HUMBLE PUBLIC SERVANT AND WE WANT TO HELP GET PEOPLE TRANSITIONED TO THAT NEXT CAREER AND THEN THERE'S THAT HAT OF THE FELLOW HUMAN WITH SHARED, YOU KNOW, HISTORY.

I WENT THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS YEARS AGO.

YEARS PUT INTO A CAREER, VERY SPECIALIZED INDUSTRY, AND THAT WAS TAKEN AWAY DUE TO NO FAULT OF MY OWN, AND PART OF WHAT HELPED ME GET THROUGH THAT AND INTO THAT KIND OF REINVENTION STAGE WHERE I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE, I NEED TO FIND SOMETHING ELSE TO DO, WAS JUST COMING TO THE REALIZATION THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, ALL AROUND US THAT ARE MAKING DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR LIVES.

AND OFTEN, WE'RE NOT A PART OF THOSE -- THAT DECISION-MAKING, AND THAT CAN BE HARD TO DEAL WITH, ESPECIALLY WHEN, YOU KNOW, YOU RUN INTO A BRICK WALL AND SOMEBODY SELLS YOU YOU NO LONGER ARE EMPLOYED HERE ANYMORE.

>> Cassidy: TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND HOW LONG YOU'VE WORKED FOR THE NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION SERVICE.

>> I WORKED FOR NRCS, WHICH IS THE ABBREVIATION WE USE IN THE GOVERNMENT, I WORKED THERE FOR 15 MONTHS.

PRIOR TO THAT, I ACTUALLY HAD AN INSTALL FARM.

THAT'S HOW I GOT FAMILIAR WITH THE NRCS.

I USED THEIR PROGRAMS ON OUR FARM.

I HAD A HISTORY IN JOURNALISM, DEGREE IN JOURNALISMISM.

I HAD WORKED IN SPECIAL ED, SO TEACHING WAS SOMETHING, I LOVED TEACHING PEOPLE THINGS, AND I HAD DONE A LOT OF WORKSHOPS AND PANELS WITH NRCS AND THE SMALL FARM COMMUNITY.

I WAS APPROACHED BY MY THEN SUPERVISOR, WHO BECAME MY SUPERVISOR, AND OFFERED THE POSITION OF THE STATE PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIST.

>> Cassidy: CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW YOU FOUND OUT YOU WERE BEING LET GO FROM NYCS?

>> YES, I KNEW GOOD A WEEK AND A HALF IN ADVANCE MY NAME WAS ON A LIST OF PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES.

THERE WAS SOMETHING THEY REQUESTED FROM ALL THE FEDERAL AGENCIES.

I HAD TAKEN A LONG WEEKEND TO PRESIDENT'S DAY WEEKEND, AND SO I HAD SEEN SOME THINGS ON REDDIT THAT AFTERNOON, THAT THURSDAY THE 13th.

WENT GROCERY SHOPPING, CAME HOME, AND THOUGHT I SHOULD CHECK MY EMAIL ON MY GOVERNMENT PHONE.

AND THERE WAS AN EMAIL THERE SAYING "TERMINATION OF PROBATIONARY EMPLOYMENT."

I IMMEDIATELY TEXTED MY SUPERVISOR.

HE HAD HAD NO PRIOR WARNING.

OUR STATE LEADERSHIP HAD NO WARNING.

SO THAT WAS BASICALLY IT.

IT SAID IT WAS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

>> Cassidy: AND JUST TO STRESS HERE, YOU ARE A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE, BUT I MEAN, THIS WORKS ON THAT FEDERAL LEVEL WE'VE BEEN HEARING ABOUT.

>> RIGHT.

>> Cassidy: BUT YOU HAD NO PRIOR WARNING.

>> NO PRIOR WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT WAS REALLY FRUSTRATING WAS THAT THE ATTACHED LETTER THAT CAME STATED THAT THE REASON FOR THE TERMINATION WAS BASED ON MY PERFORMANCE, THAT THEY COULD NOT -- I HAD NOT DEMONSTRATED THAT IT WAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST FOR ME TO STAY IN MY POSITION.

>> Cassidy: AND YOU HADN'T HEARD FROM YOUR BOSS PREVIOUSLY YOU WERE DOING BAD ON YOUR PERFORMANCE, HAVING ISSUES, LET'S TALK WITH YOU, CARRIE.

>> NO, ACTUALLY, IT'S FUNNY.

WE HAVE ANNUAL REVIEWS AT THE END OF EVERY FISCAL YEAR, WHICH IS THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

I HAD A FULLY SUCCESSFUL RATING.

I HAD GOTTEN TWO PERFORMANCE AWARDS IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR FOR GOING GOVERN AND BEYOND THE CALL -- ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AND AT THE END OF THE YEAR I WAS PROMOTED FROM A GS-9 TO 11.

>> Cassidy: WHAT'S THAT?

>> IT'S A GRADE LEVEL THEY USE, THE DIFFERENT GRADE LEVELS FOR SAY AND SENIORITY IN THE GOVERNMENT.

>> Cassidy: CHRIS VERY BRIEFLY, HOW MANY FEDERAL EMPLOYEES WOULD YOU SAY WE HAVE HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> WE HAVE JUST OVER 41,000 CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES AND THAT'S NOT COUNTING OVER 6,000 USPS EMPLOYEES AS WELL.

PART OF WHAT WE DO IS TRY TO FORECAST AND PREDICT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

IF 2020 TAUGHT US ANYTHING, IT'S ALWAYS BE READY FOR THE UNKNOWN.

LIKE MONTY PYTHON SAID, NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION.

WHAT WE HAD AT THE VERY LEAST WAS A CAMPAIGN WHERE THESE THINGS WERE BEING SAID REGULARLY THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION, IF THEY WANT AND THEY DID, WAS GOING TO CREATE A LEANER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SO WE START PREPARING FOR THOSE TYPES THINGS.

IF THEY DON'T HAPPEN, THAT'S FANTASTIC, THAT'S GREAT, BUT WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT TYPE OF STUFF.

I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN, AND AGAIN, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS GETTING OUR FELLOW CITIZENS HERE IN OKLAHOMA TRANSITIONED INTO A -- THIS NEXT STAGE IN LIFE A NEW CAREER.

>> Cassidy: VERY QUICKLY, YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING I THOUGHT WAS REALLY INTERESTING.

YOU SAID THAT YOU WERE PREPARING FOR A LEANER GOVERNMENT.

WHY WOULD WE WANT THAT AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU GUYS BEEN HEARING ABOUT THIS KIND OF MOVEMENT?

>> I'VE SAID THIS A LOT OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, I'M ASKED OFTEN, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLY AND HONESTLY, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

WE KNOW AS MUCH AS YOU KNOW.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, WE LEARN A LOT AS WE CONNECT WITH INDIVIDUALS LIKE YOU.

WHAT WAS THAT EXPERIENCE LIKE, WHAT DID THEY TELL YOU, WHAT IT DID SAY ON THE DOCUMENT?

I'M MEETING WITH LAWMAKERS BOTH AT THE STATE LEVEL AND FEDERAL LEVEL VERY OFTEN, MORE SO THAN EVER RIGHT NOW, NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S, YOU KNOW, LEGISLATIVE SESSION, BUT WE'RE DEALING WITH THIS RIGHT NOW.

THEY DON'T KNOW.

THESE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE AT A VERY, VERY HIGH LEVEL, AND VARIABLE INFORMATION IS BEING SPREAD OUT TO THOSE THAT REALLY NEED TO KNOW.

SO WE'RE PLAYING A GUESSING GAME.

WE'RE TRYING TO STAYING IN CONTACT WITH ALL THE PARTIES TO COLLECT THAT INFORMATION AS BEST WE CAN SO WE CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISION HOW WE PREPARE FOR MAYBE AN EVEN BIGGER INCREASE IN VOLUME.

>> Cassidy: VERY QUICKLY, CARRIE, AND BOTH OF YOU, YOU TOUCHED ON IT RIGHT THERE, BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF HOW DOWNSIZING GOVERNMENT IS HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT VERSUS MAYBE A POSITIVE IMPACT?

>> SURE.

FOR OUR AGENCY IN PARTICULAR, I WAS THE STATE OFFICE LEVEL.

SO I DIDN'T WORK DIRECTLY WITH CONSUMERS UNLESS I WAS AT AN EVENT MAYBE.

BUT THERE WERE A LOT OF THE PROBATIONARY EMPLOYEES ACTUALLY IN THE FIELD OFFICES AND WE HAD FIELD OFFICES IN JUST ABOUT EVERY COUNTY OF THE STATE.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE FIELD STAFF TO GO OUT AND DO THE VISITS AND TO HELP THE PRODUCERS WITH THEIR CONTRACTS, A LOT OF THOSE COUNTY OFFICES ARE ALREADY HURTING AND STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH THE SHEER NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING IN FOR ASSISTANCE, AND NOW YOU TAKE -- I THINK WE HAVE 35 OR SO PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

YOU TAKE THOSE PEOPLE OUT OF THE OFFICES, THAT JUST INCREASES THAT STRESS ON THE STAFF THAT'S LEFT AND MAKES THEM TAKE LONGER FOR THE PRODUCERS TO BE ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE.

>> Cassidy: IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANTED TO ADD, CHRIS?

>> I WOULD SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING LEAN IN ANY INDUSTRY, WHETHER YOU'RE PRIVATE SECTOR OR PUBLIC SECTOR.

ESPECIALLY IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, WE WORK WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WE HAVE TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THOSE.

IF WE'RE BECOMING A LEANER GOVERNMENT, I DON'T THINK THAT'S A TERRIBLE THING, BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT WISELY, RIGHT?

AND INCORPORATE SOME OF THOSE TOOLS LIKE AI IS BUZZING RIGHT NOW, BUT TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP YOU GET LEAN AND CREATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT TO WHERE HUMAN BEINGS LIKE US CAN BETTER HELP PEOPLE AND FOCUS ON THINGS OTHER THAN THAT DAILY, MANUAL, GOVERNMENT PROCESS WHERE, YOU KNOW, GOVERNMENT MOVES AT THE SPEED OF GOVERNMENT.

IT'S NOT VERY FAST.

SO LEANER IS NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.

>> Cassidy: ARE WE SIEG AN UPTICK IN UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS BECAUSE OF THIS OR IS IT TOO SOON TO TELL?

>> WE HAVE A DAILY RUNNING TOTAL.

WE HAVE ANOTHER FUN GOVERNMENT ACRONYM, THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM DESK, SO WE KEEP A DAILY RUNNING TOTAL ON THE FEDERAL AGENCIES WE'RE SEEING, THE TYPES OF SEPARATIONS AND THE NUMBERS.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE AT JUST UNDER 100 TOTAL THAT WE CAN DIRECTLY LINK TO THESE FEDERAL LAYOFFS.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT FROM THE V.A., THE IRS, THE FAA.

THOSE ARE THE THREE BIG HEAVY HITTERS RIGHT NOW THAT WE'RE SEEING, BUT AGAIN, IT'S NOT A HUGE ENOUGH SPIKE TO CAUSE US ANY CONCERN.

WE TYPICALLY SEE, DURING REGULAR TIME OF THE YEAR, TWO TO THREE FEDERAL CLAIMS COME THROUGH PER DAY, WHICH IS NOT A LOT.

OUR BIGGEST DAY HERE IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS WAS PROBABLY 21 OR 22, WHICH IS SOMETHING TO CAUSE A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN.

IT'S NOT NORMAL, BUT AGAIN, WE'RE PREPARING FOR THIS.

WE KNOW THAT SOME DIRECTION WAS PUT OUT TO FEDERAL DIRECTORS HERE RECENTLY THAT YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE AN RIF PLAN A REDUCTION IN FORCE PLAN FOR YOUR AGENCY BY MARCH 13th.

WE COULD SEE A HUGE SPIKE IN VOLUME, SO WE NEED TO PREPARE FOR THAT.

HOPE THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, BUT WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.

>> Cassidy: CONSIDERING AND PREPARING FOR THAT -- AND I'LL COME BACK TO CARRIE, CONSIDERING AND PREPARING FOR THAT, DO WE HAVE THE JOBS AVAILABLE FOR OKLAHOMANS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS FEDERALLY?

>> YES, WE'RE IN A GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW IN OKLAHOMA.

UNIMPNLT IS JUST OVER 3% HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'VE GOT MORE JOBS THAN CITIZENS THAT ARE LOOKING RIGHT NOW, AND WHEN I SPEAK TO EMPLOYERS ALL OVER THE STATE, I HEAR THE SAME THING.

IT'S WE CAN'T FIND SKILLED LABOR, AND THAT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.

SPECIALIZED INDUSTRIES AND SOME THAT ARE MORE MANUAL, THEY CAN'T FIND SKILLED LABOR.

I SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND THAT SILVER LINING WE TRY TO FIND IN JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING IN LIFE, WELL, HERE'S OPPORTUNITY.

IF THE EMPLOYERS CAN'T FIND SKILLED HELP, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF REALLY SKILLED INDIVIDUALS THAT JUST LOST THEIR JOB.

LET'S TRY TO ENGAGE THE EMPLOYER AND THE CLAIMANT AND INTRODUCE THE TWO AND FIND THAT NEXT CAREER.

NOT NECESSARILY JUST THE NEXT JOB.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE NEXT JOB TO GET TO THE NEXT CAREER, BUT WE DON'T WANT TO TRAIN PEOPLE INTO POVERTY IN OKLAHOMA.

WE WANT TO GET YOU GO A CAREER WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU AND YOUR FAMILY RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE.

>> Cassidy: CARRIE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO GO ABOUT FINDING A JOB?

YES, PLEASE.

>> NO, I WAS GOING TO SPEAK TO HIS POINT ABOUT THE FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

I WAS TERMINATED, THE LETTER CAME ON FEBRUARY 13th.

I JUST THIS PAST MONDAY RECEIVED THE PAPERWORK REQUIRED TO FILE FOR UNEMPLOYMENT.

I HAD TO REQUEST IT.

SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN HARD BECAUSE IT'S BEEN HANDLED FROM SUCH HIGHER LEVELS, COMING FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE.

OUR LOCAL HR DEPARTMENT DOESN'T HANDLE THE TERMINATION PAPERWORK OR THE SEPARATION PAPERWORK THAT'S REQUIRED.

THAT ALL HAS TO COME FROM THE NATIONAL OFFICE.

THE SECOND PART IS BECAUSE THE REASON WAS LISTED AS PERFORMANCE, WHEN I WENT ONLINE TO FILE MY INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIM, I HAD TO PUT THAT I WAS DISCHARGED FOR PERFORMANCE.

NOW, I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION FROM MY BONUSES OR FROM MY AWARDS AND FROM MY PERFORMANCE REVIEW AND FROM MY PROMOTION, BUT I KNEW IN ADVANCE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OIFRT REDDIT BOARDS, THE SUB RED DID IT AND WAS READING GET THIS INFORMATION OFF.

ONCE YOU'RE TERMINATED, YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION ANYMORE AND IT CAN TAKE MONTHS TO GET THAT DOCUMENTATION.

SO IF THERE'S PEOPLE THAT RECEIVE A TERMINATION LETTER LIKE I RECEIVED AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW IN ADVANCE TO DO THAT, THEY MAY HAVE A FIGHT AHEAD OF THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET THOSE UNEMPLOYMENT PAPERWORK.

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP BECAUSE I REALLY WANTED TO GET THAT MESSAGE OUT, IT'S SO VERY IMPORTANT.

THE FEDERAL CLAIMS ARE DIFFERENT THAN YOUR CLAIMS THAT ARE FILED AGAINST A PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYER.

THOSE WAGES TYPICALLY ALREADY EXIST, AND EMPLOYERS HAVE TO REPORT THOSE WAGES TO THE STATE QUARTERLY BY LAW.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOES NOT, SO WHEN SOMEBODY SEPARATES FROM FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT, THAT CLAIM IS FILED, A WAGE REQUEST GOES OUT TO THE FEDERAL AGENCY AND THEN IT'S PRETTY MUCH A WAITING GAME.

THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE THOSE WAGES AND SEPARATING DOCUMENTATION, AND IN THIS SITUATION LIKE YOU SAID -- >> IT TAKES 12 DAYS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD TO EXPECT.

>> AND WITH THE BACKUP RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME IN OTHER STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY, IT MIGHT BE LONGER THAN THAT.

THOSE DOCUMENTS ARE VERY IMPORTANT AND IF YOU'RE SOMEBODY THAT'S CONCERNED THAT MAYBE YOU MIGHT BE NEXT, NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO START WORKING ON THOSE SF DOCUMENTS.

ANYTHING THAT SHOWS EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES YOU WERE EARNING.

ANOTHER QUICK POINT IS, YOU PUT DISCHARGED DUE TO PERFORMANCE.

A LOT OF FOLKS HEAR "DISCHARGE" AND THEY THINK MISCONDUCT.

THAT'S TRUE.

THAT COULD HAPPEN, BUT DISCHARGE DOESN'T NECESSARILY TELL THE WHOLE STORY OF WHY YOU WERE LET GO.

PERFORMANCE REASONS ARE NOT ALWAYS MISCONDUCT REASONS, AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE IS WHEN WE START TO ACTUALLY FINALLY HEAR BACK FROM THE FEDERAL AGENCIES, WHICH IT'S BEEN A SLOW TRICKLE, BUT WE'RE STARTING TO LEARN A LITTLE BIT, THEY ARE STATING THAT THIS WAS A LAYOFF.

NOW, THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE TRUE IN EVERY SITUATION.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT.

>> Cassidy: AND WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE, BUT CARRIE, DO YOU THINK FARMERS, RANCHERS AND LANDOWNERS IN OKLAHOMA CAN BE FEELING THE IMPACTS OF THESE CUTS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

LIKE I SAID, GOING INTO THEIR NORMAL OFFICES, THEIR FIELD OFFICES, IT'S GOING TO TAKE LONGER TO HAVE THE FIELD ASSESSMENTS DONE TO GET THESE CONTRACTS WRITTEN, TO HAVE THINGS AWARDED BECAUSE THE FIELD STAFF NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE DOWN.

>> Cassidy: AND THIS IS MY LAST FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU, CARRIE, BUT IF YOU COULD SAY ANYTHING TO THE PEOPLE THAT MADE THESE DECISIONS, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT ANYTHING I SAY IS GOING TO CHANGE THEIR MIND.

I THINK THEY HAVE PRETTY SET IDEAS OF HOW THEY WANT TO HANDLE THINGS, BUT I TEACH MY KIDS THAT ALL ACTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, AND FOR ME, IT HAS LIT A FIRE UNDER ME TO BE MORE VOCAL, TO SPEAK OUT FOR MYSELF, TO SPEAK OUT FOR MY COMMUNITY, AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL GO BACK INTO CIVIL SERVICE IN TERMS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AS AN EMPLOYEE, BUT I'M LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, HOW I CAN BETTER REPRESENT PEOPLE IN OUR STATE, POTENTIALLY EVEN IN A POLITICAL OFFICE.

>> Cassidy: CHRIS, FINAL THOUGHT.

>> MAYBE NOT THE FEDS, BUT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WANTS YOU AND I WOULD SAY THE SAME TO ANYBODY ELSE.

AND NOT JUST ONE PARTICULAR INDUSTRY.

THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT IF WE SEE THE VOLUME THAT, YOU KNOW, COULD POTENTIALLY HAPPEN THAT WE'RE PREPARING FOR.

IT'S NOT JUST FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

IT GOING TO BE STATE THAT IS IMPACTED, THOSE AGENCIES THAT ARE REALLY DEPENDENT ON THE FEDERAL GRANTS.

IT'S GOING TO BE CONTRACTORS AND PRIVATE SECTOR FOLKS THAT ARE DEPENDENT ON THOSE FEDERAL GRANTS.

IT'S GOING TO BE THOSE COMMUNITIES.

THINK OF MIDWEST CITY WHERE TINKER AIR FORCE BASE IS.

IF SOMETHING DRAMATIC HAPPENS THERE, WE'RE TALKING GAS STATIONS, MOM AND POP SHOPS, GROCERS, CAR DEALERSHIPS.

SO THE DOWNSTREAM EFFECT IS SOMETHING MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE ALL FOCUSING ON RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

>>.

>> Cassidy: BE PREPARED, STAY INFORMED.

THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND THANK YOU TO KEEPING US UPDATED.

>> Rich: REALLY GREAT CONVERSATION.

>>> THE RELAXING BENEFITS OF LAVENDER ARE WELL-DOCUMENTED, BUT A COUPLE IN MICHIGAN HAVE TAKEN THEIR LAVENDER FARM TO THE NEXT LEVEL, CREATING SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL FOR CHILDREN IN NEED OF A GOOD CUDDLE.

THAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR PBS PARTNERS AT WCMU PUBLIC TELEVISION.

>> WE THOUGHT, SOME DAY WHEN WE LEAVE THE BUSINESS OF RUNNING BACK AND FORTH FROM NEW YORK CITY AND D.C. AND GRAND RAPIDS, WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A LAVENDER FARM AND SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT AND ENJOY NATURE.

>> Reporter: AROUND 2016, VICKY BENNETT AND HER HUSBAND TRADED IN TRAFFIC AND SKYSCRAPERS FOR A CORNFIELD AND TRACTORS.

>> WE THOUGHT, THIS WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE TO PUT A HOME, PUT A LAVENDER FIELD.

TOOK THE CORN OFF, STARTED PLANTING OUR FIRST LAVENDER PLANTS IN 2011, STARTED AN ONLINE STORE IN 2018.

>> Reporter: BUT THEIR LOVE FOR LAVENDER WAS ABOUT TO FLOURISH IN UNEXPECTED WAYS.

>> AROUND THAT TIME, WE WERE INTRODUCED TO A LITTLE BOY, 2 YEARS OLD, VERY TRAUMATIZED LITTLE GUY FROM THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

THEY JUST HAPPENED TO BE THAT WE WERE CREATING OUR VERY FIRST PLUSH LITTLE BUNIES AND THEY WERE FILLED WITH LAVENDER, AND THE LITTLE GUY, WE GAVE ONE TO HIM THINKING PERHAPS THIS COULD HELP.

LAVENDER HELPS TO CALM DOWN ADULTS AS WELL AS CHILDREN, AND HE WASN'T SLEEPING WELL.

WE GAVE IT TO HIS MOM AS A GIFT FOR HIM, AND THE NEXT DAY, OUR DAUGHTER CAME AND SAID, MOM, THIS WAS A GAME CHANGER FOR HIM.

HE SLEPT FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR US AND HE'S NOT AS FUSSY ANYMORE.

THIS IS A HUGE THING FOR HIM.

AND WE DIDN'T HAVE A NAME FOR THIS LITTLE CRITTER YET, SO WE CALLED IT AFTER HIM.

WE NAMED IT XANDER BUNNY.

>> Reporter: THAT FIRST STUFFED BUNNY QUICKLY TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN WITH THE XANDER FRIENDS COLLECTION.

>> WE ALSO THOUGHT, THIS HELPED HIM SO MUCH, PERHAPS IT COULD HELP OTHER CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE, SO WE DECIDED TO DONATE ONE TO A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE FOR EVERY ONE SOLD.

SINCE THAT TIME, WE'VE KEPT OUR PROGRAM AND NEARLY 90 THOS HAVE GONE TO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: FROM COOKIES TO LOTION, SOAP TO SYRUP, EVERYTHING YOU BUY HERE IS MADE WITH LAVENDER.

>> THEY'RE MADE RIGHT ONSITE.

WE'RE ONE OF THOSE FARMS THAT NOT ONLY GROWS IT, HARVESTS IT, DRIES IT, BUT ALSO CREATES ALL THE PRODUCTS WITH IT.

>> Reporter: IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, VISITORS CAN TRAF VERSE THROUGH THE ROWS AND ROWS OF LAVENDER, SMELL IT, CUT IT, AND EVEN TAKE IT HOME WITH THEM.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PROPERTY WITH PLENTY OF PLACES TO SIT, RELAX, AND TAKE IT ALL IN.

THE GIFT SHOP IS FILLED WITH VARIOUS LAVENDER PRODUCTS INCLUDING, OF COURSE, THE XANDER FRIENDS.

FOR VICKY, RAISING AWARENESS FOR KIDS IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND HELPING THEM IS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO HER HEART.

>> FOR THE BUNNY, IT'S THE EARS, THE DOG, THE EARS.

SOMETHING FOR LITTLE ONES TO CARRY IT AROUND WITH.

THE LITTLE HEART ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOT SIGNIFIES THAT THE LITTLE CHILDREN ARE LOVED AND NOT ALONE.

>> Reporter: VICK AND VICKY HAVE MADE IT THEIR MISSION TO PROVIDE XARNDER FRIENDS TO FOSTER KIDS ACROSSNEY AND THE COUNTRY.

THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED CONNECTIONS TO FIGURE OUT HOW MANY ARE NEEDED AND WHERE.

WHEN CUSTOMERS PURCHASE ONE XANDER FRIEND, ANOTHER IS AUTOMATICALLY DONATED TO A CHILD IN FOSTER CARE.

>> SO FOR US, IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO BE ABLE TO TELL THEM THE STORY OVER AND OVER AGAIN ABOUT XANDER AND HOW THAT IS OUR MISSION OF OUR COMPANY, AND OF COURSE, THEY DO JUST ENJOY THE PROPERTY IN GENERAL.

WE LOVE THE DEVELOPMENT OF IT.

WE LOVE THE CREATION.

IN FACT, THAT'S PROBABLY OUR WEAKNESS AS WELL IS WE DON'T KNOW WHEN TO STOP CREATING.

THERE ARE SO MANY FUN THINGS OUT THERE AND AS SOON AS WE GO AWAY ON VACATION TO GIVE OURSELVES A MOMENT, IT'S NOT ABOUT CHILLING OUT.

IT'S ABOUT WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO.

>> Rich: BEAUTIFUL PLACE.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT: STEVE SHAW SITS DOWN ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL AND LEARNS MORE ABOUT PLANS FOR A NEW JAIL THAT WILL BE BUILT TO REPLACE IT.

THAT'S FRIDAY AT 7.

>>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY SKYDANCE BRIDGE PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY THE OETA PRODUCTION TEAM.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND "X" BY SEARCHING "OETA O.N.R."

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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