INVITE YOU TO JOIN OETA AS MEMBERS OF THE PRODUCERS CLUB.

YOUR INVESTMENT IN OETA IS AN INVESTMENT IN OKLAHOMA.

THE OKLAHOMA SENATE FAILS TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, LEAVING THE FUTURE OF OETA IN DOUBT.

I KNOW THEY HAVE A ONE YEAR WIND DOWN PERIOD, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE PRECARIOUS, AND SO I HOPE THAT FOLKS ARE LETTING THEIR LEGISLATORS KNOW THAT VOTE WAS REALLY DISAPPOINTING.

TECH GIANT GOOGLE AND OGE AND EE REACH AN AGREEMENT ON ENERGY USAGE IN NEW DATA CENTERS.

DO YOU WANT TO COME TO OKLAHOMA?

YOU NEED TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT.

WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, BE UPFRONT, BE HONEST, TRANSPARENT.

OKLAHOMA CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL TRUCK DRIVERS IN THE COMPANIES THAT TRAIN THEM.

WE WON'T LET YOU START SCHOOL UNLESS WE CAN DETERMINE THAT.

YOU CAN SPEAK AND SPEAK ENGLISH AND OR AND OR WRITE IT.

AND WE DON'T GIVE ANY PARTICULAR TEST, BUT IT'S OBVIOUS.

DO YOU HAVE A HOMEMADE PRODUCT YOU'D LIKE TO SELL?

IF SO, LAWMAKERS HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE THE HOMEGROWN BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE ALREADY AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE FLOURISHING.

THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES TAKE FLIGHT IN STILLWATER.

PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE LIVING GREAT LIVES, CONTRIBUTING GREAT THINGS AND AND REALLY BEING A BLESSING TO EVERY COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE IN.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON NEW PROGRAMS TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS IN OUR LARGEST CITIES.

NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

BY A VOTE OF 27 TO 18, THE OKLAHOMA SENATE FAILED TO OVERRIDE A BILL VETOED BY GOVERNOR STITT, LEAVING THE FUTURE OF OETA UNCERTAIN BY LAW.

OUR 73 YEAR OLD ORGANIZATION, ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED AND RESPECTED PUBLIC TELEVISION NETWORKS IN THE UNITED STATES, WILL BE GIVEN UNTIL JUNE 30TH, 2027 TO CEASE OPERATIONS.

SEVEN SENATORS WHO VOTED TO PRESERVE OETA EARLIER IN THE SESSION FLIPPED THEIR VOTES ON THURSDAY, ENSURING THE FAILURE OF THE OVERRIDE EFFORT.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO KEEP OETA OPERATING WELL INTO THE FUTURE, INCLUDING REAUTHORIZING OETA WHEN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION BEGINS IN FEBRUARY OF 2027, FOLLOWING NEXT NOVEMBER'S ELECTION OF A NEW GOVERNOR.

WELL, WE HAD STRONG LEGISLATIVE SUPPORT WHEN THE BILL FIRST WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THE GOVERNOR'S VETO, YOU KNOW, PUT IT IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION.

WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WILL FIND SUPPORT AMONG LEGISLATORS WHO REALLY CARE ABOUT OETA.

WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

OETA IS HERE TO SERVE OUR PUBLIC.

WE'RE HERE FOR THE FAMILIES AND CITIZENS OF OKLAHOMA.

OETA DOES SO MUCH FOR.

OUR STATE DOES A WHOLE LOT MORE THAN.

PROGRAMING.

DOES A LOT AROUND OUR EMERGENCY BROADCASTING DOES AIRS THE GOVERNOR'S STATE OF THE STATE.

THERE'S A LOT OF IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT.

AND THAT WAS JUST THE AUTHORIZATION.

IT WASN'T EVEN THE BUDGET.

SO IT WAS VERY DISAPPOINTING TO ME.

IT SEEMED TO ME A VERY POLITICAL VOTE.

AND I HOPED THAT WE WOULD THEN SEE THAT 3320, WHICH WAS THE ONE THE HOUSE HAD PASSED, BUT IT DIDN'T COME UP.

SO I KNOW THEY HAVE A ONE YEAR WIND DOWN PERIOD, BUT IT'S GOING TO BE PRECARIOUS.

AND SO I HOPE THAT FOLKS ARE LETTING THEIR LEGISLATORS KNOW THAT VOTE WAS REALLY DISAPPOINTING.

ALL OF US AT OETA ARE ENCOURAGING OUR VIEWERS TO LET YOUR SENATOR OR REPRESENTATIVE KNOW IF YOU BELIEVE OETA SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SERVING THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA, AS WE HAVE SINCE 1953.

ONE OF OITA'S BIGGEST SUPPORTERS IS CHUCK HOSKIN JR, PRINCIPAL CHIEF OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

LAST WEEK, HE RELEASED A STATEMENT URGING OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF SENATE BILL 1461.

OETA FOR DECADES HAS BEEN A SOURCE FOR RELIABLE NEWS AND INFORMATION EXAMINING THE CULTURE OF THE STATE AND I THINK, MOST IMPORTANTLY, BEING A WAY FOR CHILDREN TO GET REALLY INCREDIBLE PROGRAMING STILL TODAY.

AND SO FOR THAT TO GO AWAY, I THINK WOULD BE A TRAGEDY FOR THE STATE.

AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE IN THE STATE ARE SORT OF MYSTIFIED AS TO WHY SOMETHING THAT TAKES A PRETTY MODEST INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE ANNUALLY AND REPRESENTS A LOT OF INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT BY THE STATE WOULD JUST BE ABANDONED.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

LEGACY WE SPOKE TO CHIEF HOSKIN JUNIOR AT THE GRAND OPENING CEREMONIES FOR THE WILMA MANKILLER CHEROKEE CAPITAL PARK IN TAHLEQUAH.

THE $14 MILLION PARK INCLUDES PLAYGROUNDS, WALKING TRAILS AND A FORMER LAWN FOR LARGE GATHERINGS.

RAYMOND JOHNSON WAS EXECUTED AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY IN MCALESTER ON THURSDAY FOR THE BRUTAL 2007 MURDER OF A WOMAN AND HER SEVEN MONTH OLD BABY.

THE 52 YEAR OLD JOHNSON IS THE SECOND PERSON TO BE EXECUTED BY THE STATE THIS YEAR.

ALSO ON THURSDAY, RICHARD GLOSSIP, WHO SPENT NEARLY 30 YEARS ON DEATH ROW AFTER BEING CONVICTED OF MURDER IN 1997, HAS BEEN GRANTED A $500,000 BAIL AND WILL BE RELEASED FROM PRISON ONCE HE'S PAID.

THE 63 YEAR OLD GLOSSIP WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE STATE AND MUST WEAR A GPS TRACKING DEVICE.

COMMUNITIES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE IN OKLAHOMA, ARE PROTESTING THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW AI DATA CENTERS WHERE THEY LIVE.

THE BIG CONCERNS ARE THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICITY AND WATER NEEDED TO OPERATE THE FACILITIES.

OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS ARE ADDRESSING THE ISSUE, AND LAST WEEK, A TECH GIANT REACHED AN AGREEMENT WITH OGE AND EY.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US FROM OUR NEWSROOM WITH THE DETAILS.

JASON.

RICH, COINCIDENTALLY, THAT AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOOGLE AND OGE IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW MEANT TO PROTECT CONSUMERS.

AS MORE DATA CENTERS ARE DEVELOPED ACROSS THE STATE.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT WITH GOOGLE.

CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER CHRISTI WOODWORTH DESCRIBES HOW THE UTILITY FEELS ABOUT THE NEWLY BROKERED AGREEMENT WITH GOOGLE TO PROVIDE POWER TO ITS DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENTS IN MUSKOGEE AND STILLWATER.

IT MEANS THAT GOOGLE IS PICKING UP THE TAB TO GET PLUGGED INTO OGE ELECTRIC GRID.

IF A COMPANY OR A PERSON MOVES INTO OUR SERVICE AREA, WE'RE REQUIRED BY STATE LAW TO SERVE THEM.

SO IN SOME, A HIGH ENERGY CONSUMPTION CUSTOMER, LIKE A DATA CENTER, COMES.

THEN THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS THAT HAVE TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WE MUST SERVE THEM.

WHEN A LARGE LOAD CUSTOMER MOVES IN, OGE MUST FIND THE RESOURCES FOR SERVICE.

THAT MEANS WE'VE GOT TO EITHER BUILD OR BUY THE POWER GENERATION.

WE'VE GOT TO GET ELECTRICITY TO THEM SO THAT THEY CAN DO THEIR BUSINESS.

AND THAT'S TRUE FOR ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS.

PART OF THE AGREEMENT INCLUDES CUSTOMER PROTECTIONS, LIKE A LONG TERM COMMITMENT THAT GOOGLE COVERS THE FULL COST OF THE ELECTRIC SERVICE, REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH ENERGY THEY ACTUALLY USE.

IF THERE IS SOME KIND OF DELAY FOR BRINGING THE DATA CENTERS ONLINE, GOOGLE COVERS THAT, TOO.

IF SOMETHING WERE TO GET DELAYED THERE, THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF THE CONTRACTED COSTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE CONTRACT.

AND SO THAT ALSO PROTECTS OUR CURRENT CUSTOMERS, WHETHER IT'S SMALL BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL OR EVEN LARGE INDUSTRIAL CUSTOMERS.

SO THAT MEANS THAT THIS STRUCTURE GUARANTEES THAT THE FIXED SYSTEM COSTS ARE COVERED AND EXPLICITLY SHIELDS RATEPAYERS FROM ANY POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF OF OUR GROWTH.

GOOGLE ANNOUNCED IN AUGUST OF LAST YEAR IT WAS INVESTING $9 BILLION IN OKLAHOMA TO BUILD CLOUD COMPUTING AND AI INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING BUILDING NEW DATA CENTERS IN STILLWATER AND MUSKOGEE.

GOOGLE DATA CENTERS HEAD OF MARKET DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY LIZ SCHWAB SAYS THE AGREEMENT WITH OGE AND E IS PART OF GOOGLE'S PLANNED GROWTH IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE JUST EXCITED AS GOOGLE TO BE DEEPENING OUR INVESTMENT IN OKLAHOMA AGAIN, WITH PRYOR BEING OUR ONE OF OUR LONGEST STANDING SITES FOR NOW 20 YEARS, WE'VE INVESTED 15 BILLION TO DATE, AND LAST YEAR ANNOUNCED ANOTHER 9 BILLION, WHICH PARTIALLY REFLECTS THESE THREE NEW SITES THAT THE AGREEMENT WILL WILL HELP POWER.

SCHWAB SAYS THEY HOPE THE GOOGLE OGE AGREEMENT IS REPLICATED AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HOUSE BILL 2992 IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE AGREEMENT.

HOPEFULLY A BLUEPRINT FOR FUTURE INFRASTRUCTURE GROWTH HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

SO THE CONTRACT LAYS OUT THE GROUNDWORK FOR A NEW LARGE LOAD TARIFF THAT PLANS TO SUBMIT THIS SUMMER.

HOUSE BILL 2992 WAS SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK, AND IT'S HOUSE AUTHOR REPRESENTATIVE BRAD BOLES SAYS THE NEW LAW WILL HELP GUIDE HOW FUTURE DATA CENTERS AND OTHER LARGE LOAD TECHNOLOGIES WILL GET THEIR POWER FOR BUSINESS WHILE PROTECTING RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

I THINK IF IF DATA CENTERS COME TO OKLAHOMA, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THAT THEY PAY FOR ALL THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS, AND THAT WAY WE ENSURE THAT THOSE COSTS DON'T GET PASSED ON TO ALL THE REST OF THE OKLAHOMA RATEPAYERS.

BOLES SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT OKLAHOMA'S LOWER COSTS FOR ELECTRICITY.

WE'RE VERY BLESSED.

IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE ONE OF THE LOWEST UTILITY COSTS IN THE COUNTRY OF ANY STATE.

NOW IT'S GONE UP 10 OR 15% OVER THE PAST YEAR OR TWO, AND PEOPLE NOTICE THAT.

BUT WE STILL HAVE A VERY LOW COST.

BUT WITH THE FUTURE DEMAND THAT WE'RE ABOUT TO SEE IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE TO ENSURE WE PUT PROTECTIONS IN PLACE TO KEEP THAT COST LOW.

WHILE THE NEW LAW AND THE GOOGLE OGE AGREEMENT ARE MEANT TO PROTECT RATEPAYERS FROM INCREASES, STILLWATER RESIDENT CRYSTAL HAYS CLAIMS HER ELECTRIC BILL INCREASED WHEN CONSTRUCTION BEGAN.

MY UTILITY BILL WENT FROM IT'S NORMALLY ABOUT 150 BUCKS OUT HERE, AND IT DOUBLED IN ONE MONTH, AND THAT'S WHEN THEY WERE SETTING THE POLES OVER THERE.

HAYES SAYS SHE'S NOT AGAINST PROGRESS, AND WHEN STILLWATER RESIDENTS WERE ASKED TO APPROVE A DEAL WHERE OG AND E WOULD PROVIDE ELECTRICITY TO THE NEW DATA CENTER AND NOT THE CITY OF STILLWATER'S ELECTRIC UTILITY, SHE CAN SEE HOW IT BENEFITS THE TOWN.

WHO WOULDN'T WANT TO TAKE A 3% KICKBACK TO THE CITY VERSUS OUR, YOU KNOW, ELECTRIC BILLS GOING SKY HIGH?

SO IT WAS YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T REALLY HAVE A CHOICE.

HAYES AND HER HUSBAND ARE THE ONLY RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ACROSS THE STREET FROM GOOGLE'S DATA CENTER IN STILLWATER RIGHT NOW.

THEY ARE DEALING WITH FALLOUT FROM CONSTRUCTION.

FOR EXAMPLE, SHE SAYS WHEN OG E BEGAN WORKING TO BUILD A SUBSTATION ACROSS FROM HER DRIVEWAY, SHE HAD TO ENGAGE.

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT EMINENT DOMAIN.

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BIG SCALE OF A POWER STATION SUBSTATION.

AND SO I WENT AND I SAID, NOT IN FRONT OF MY DRIVEWAY, NOT IN FRONT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AND I'M IN IT.

AND SO CONSEQUENTLY, THEY MOVED IT.

THEY PUT IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

SO I WAS I WAS GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

SHE WISHES THERE WAS A LITTLE MORE ENGAGEMENT WITH RESIDENTS BEFORE THE PROJECT WAS GIVEN THE GREEN LIGHT.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DOES NOT REQUIRE A CITIZEN TO A CITIZENS VOTE.

RESIDENTS VOTE.

THEY JUST DON'T.

IT'S IN OUR BYLAWS, WHICH I'M GOING TO HAVE TO GET ON THAT TRAIN.

WHILE HAYS IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE END OF CONSTRUCTION OF THE DATA CENTER, REPRESENTATIVE BRAD BOLES HAS ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING TO LOCATE THEIR DATA CENTERS IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT I TRY TO TELL THESE DATA CENTER COMPANIES LIKE, HEY, IF YOU WANT TO COME TO OKLAHOMA, YOU NEED TO BE VERY TRANSPARENT, WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, BE UPFRONT, BE HONEST, TRANSPARENT, AND DON'T DO THESE NDAS.

AND DON'T TRY TO BE SECRETIVE.

HOUSE BILL 2992.

THE RATEPAYER PROTECTION ACT IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1ST.

RICH.

JASON.

THANK YOU.

OKLAHOMA CITY HAS RECORDED ITS FIRST DECREASE IN HOMELESSNESS SINCE 2022, AND WHILE IT'S A MODEST DROP, THAT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MEANWHILE, IN TULSA, MAYOR MONROE NICHOLS IS IMPLEMENTING SEVERAL NEW PROGRAMS TO ADDRESS THE HOUSING CRISIS THERE.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR UPCOMING IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOTTE.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

YOU CAN WORK FULL TIME WAGES AND STILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME IN OKLAHOMA.

YOU KNOW, WE CONSIDER OKLAHOMA TO BE AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

AND THAT'S TRUE IF YOU'RE MAKING A MIDDLE TO HIGH INCOME.

BUT FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW AND VERY LOW INCOME, INCLUDING THOSE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE, THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE UNITS IN TULSA.

WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN COURT IN A SITUATION OF I'M FACING A RENT INCREASE.

I ALSO HAVE A CAR REPAIR THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE.

I ALSO HAVE A MEDICAL BILL COMING IN.

WHAT DO I PAY?

WHAT DO I NOT PAY AND WHAT HAPPENS?

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT LEADS TO PEOPLE BECOMING HOUSING AND STABLE AND THEN HOMELESS.

AND OUR SYSTEM AND SHELTERS JUST ARE NOT PREPARED TO CAPTURE THAT QUANTITY OF PEOPLE.

THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST, OKLAHOMA IS CRACKING DOWN ON THE ISSUING OF CDL COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSES TO TRUCKERS WHO ARE EITHER UNQUALIFIED AND OR WORKING IN THIS COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.

AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TARGETING BOTH THE DRIVERS AND THE COMPANIES THAT ARE TRAINING THEM.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN, STEVE, WHICH IS A MATTER OF FACT.

JUST THIS WEEK, AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY ALLIANCE CONDUCTED WHAT THEY CALLED A THREE DAY INTERNATIONAL ROAD CHECK.

THAT'S JUST THE LATEST WAY LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN WORKING TO GET THE ENTIRE TRUCKING INDUSTRY BACK TO A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF COMPLIANCE.

LANCE, BE HONEST.

DO YOU MISS THE STICK SHIFT?

HONESTLY, NO.

WHEN YOU GO TO THE BIG CITY, IT'S SO NICE TO HAVE AN AUTOMATIC.

LANCE GRAY IS A 1986 YUKON HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WHOSE 30 YEAR TRUCK DRIVING CAREER TOOK HIM THROUGH 49 STATES.

YOU GET BETTER FUEL MILEAGE IN AN AUTOMATIC THAN YOU DO IN A MANUAL.

SO EASIER TO DRIVE.

YOU CAN PAY ATTENTION.

MORE ON THE ROAD.

GRAY'S, NOW AN INSTRUCTOR AT OKLAHOMA CITY'S AMERICAN TRUCK TRAINING, THE LARGEST PRIVATE TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL IN THE SOONER STATE.

PERSONALLY, I'M ALWAYS.

I WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND ME.

IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.

IS THERE A WAY OUT?

AMERICAN TRUCK TRAINING WAS ONE OF 1500 TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE THAT RECENTLY WERE AUDITED BY THE FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

JEROME REDMOND HAS OWNED AMERICAN TRUCK TRAINING SINCE 2012.

HE SAYS HE WAS GRATEFUL FOR THAT AUDIT, WHICH AMERICAN TRUCK TRAINING PASSED IN FLYING COLORS.

DO PEOPLE WHO GRADUATE FROM YOUR SCHOOL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH OR UNDERSTAND ENGLISH?

I WE WON'T LET YOU START SCHOOL UNLESS WE CAN DETERMINE THAT YOU CAN SPEAK AND SPEAK ENGLISH AND OR AND OR WRITE IT.

AND WE DON'T GIVE ANY PARTICULAR TEST, BUT IT'S OBVIOUS, REDMOND SAYS.

FOUR YEARS AGO, FEDERAL TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL TRAINING REGULATIONS CHANGED, WHICH MEANT SCHOOLS DIDN'T HAVE TO BE CERTIFIED BY THE STATE THEY WERE IN.

SCHOOLS COULD SELF CERTIFY, WHICH WAS JUST A TERRIBLE IDEA.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

THAT DID HAPPEN, AND THERE WAS OBVIOUS SYSTEMS OF FRAUD.

IN FACT, SOME OF THE FRAUD THAT'S HAPPENED IS THINGS AS AS BAD AS PAYING SOMEONE $5,000 TO COME TO SCHOOL AND JUST HANDING THEM A CDL.

THAT HAPPENED.

THAT HAS HAPPENED.

HAS IT HAPPENED HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAPPENED IN OKLAHOMA, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN OTHER PLACES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, LIEUTENANT MARK SOUTHALL WILL HAVE WORKED FOR THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL 20 YEARS.

YOU CAN STICK AROUND.

I AM I'D LIKE TO DO 11 MORE.

MY GOAL IS TO MAKE IT TO THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL.

SOUTHALL SAYS PEOPLE LIKE HIM HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT BECAUSE WITH INTERSTATES 35, 44 AND I-40, OKLAHOMA IS KNOWN AS THE CROSSROADS OF AMERICA.

SADLY, WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING ACROSS OUR BORDERS, AND IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, THEY WERE DETAINED.

THEY WERE RELEASED WITH AN EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION CARD, AND THEN THEY WOULD TAKE THAT EMPLOYEE AUTHORIZATION CARD TO ANOTHER STATE THAT GIVES ILLEGALS DRIVER'S LICENSES, AND THEY WOULD TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND GO TO A CDL SCHOOL.

THAT'S A HUGE CONCERN FOR US, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE PROACTIVELY ATTACKING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE PUTTING A STOP TO HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF ENFORCEMENT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE TRAINED ALL OF OUR TROOPERS, OUR ALL ICE CREDENTIALED 750 OF THEM, ALL ICE CREDENTIALED.

SO THEY ALL HAVE THE ABILITY TO, TO, TO TAKE ICE ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE ILLEGALLY.

LAST SEPTEMBER AND AGAIN IN NOVEMBER, O. P AND U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS CONDUCTED WHAT THEY CALLED OPERATION GUARDIAN.

SOUTHALL SAYS IN OPERATION GUARDIANS SEPTEMBER.

UNDERTAKING.

IN BECKHAM COUNTY ALONE, TROOPERS STOPPED 150 TRUCKS.

90.

OF THOSE, 150 DRIVERS, OR 60%, WERE IN THE UNITED STATES ILLEGALLY.

DO YOU SEE THIS GETTING BETTER ANYTIME SOON?

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO IS REALLY HAVE A COOPERATIVE EFFORT WITH SURROUNDING STATES.

WE'VE GOT A GOT A GUY JUST NONCHALANTLY TRYING TO WALK THROUGH THE CROSSWALK HERE.

DON'T WANT TO RUN HIM OVER.

LANCE GRAY SAYS SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IS CRUCIAL.

IT'S REALLY CHANGED THE WHOLE, WHOLE TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

IS THAT A GOOD THING OR A BAD.

IF YOU CAN READ AND WRITE, I HAVE NO ISSUES WITH IT.

IF YOU CAN READ SIGNS AND SPEAK ENGLISH WELL, YOU'RE HERE ALL.

BY ALL MEANS.

JARED SHERMAN HAS BEEN A TRUCK DRIVER NEARLY 20 YEARS.

THIS ISN'T A JOB.

YOU HAVE TO.

YOU EITHER HAVE IT DOWN OR YOU'RE GOING TO KILL SOMEBODY.

I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH ANY MAN, ANY ANYBODY COMING TO AMERICA AND TRYING TO BETTER THEMSELVES FOR THEIR FAMILY.

COME HERE FOR A BETTER WAY OF LIFE.

I'M ALL FOR IT, BUT LET'S ALL DO IT THE RIGHT WAY.

THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY ISN'T IS FOR THE GUYS THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT AND THE WOMEN THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT.

IT IS AN HONORABLE INDUSTRY.

YOU KNOW, THEY DO SUCH GREAT WORK, AND WE REALLY COULDN'T MAKE THE UNITED STATES WORK WITHOUT TRUCK DRIVERS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES DOING THE WORK THAT THEY DO.

IT'S NOT IT'S EVEN NOT AS MUCH ABOUT DRIVING THE TRUCK.

IT'S JUST YOU'VE GOT TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK ENGLISH.

ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S JUST ENOUGH TO, TO, TO DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO OUT THERE SAFELY ON THE ROAD AGAIN.

WE HAVE LOTS OF STUDENTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AS FAR AS BACKGROUNDS FROM DIFFERENT DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WHO'S, WHOSE ENGLISH IS NOT THEIR FIRST LANGUAGE, BUT THEY CAN SPEAK ENGLISH.

ONE PIECE OF GOOD NEWS IS LIEUTENANT SOUTHALL TOLD ME OKLAHOMA IS GETTING COOPERATION FROM OTHER SURROUNDING STATES THAT ARE ALSO GRAPPLING WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM.

RICH, STEVE, GREAT REPORT.

THANK YOU.

IF OKLAHOMANS VOTE YES ON STATE QUESTION 832, THE MINIMUM WAGE IN OUR STATE WILL GRADUALLY RISE FROM THE CURRENT $7.25 PER HOUR TO $15 PER HOUR BY THE YEAR 2029.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER HOSTING LEADING ECONOMISTS AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO DISCUSS THE IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE ON OUR STATE'S WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY.

MOST OF THOSE IN ATTENDANCE DID OPPOSE RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

WE'RE OUT THERE CAMPAIGNING EVERY DAY.

WE'RE TALKING TO BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES AND AND WARNING THEM OF THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES HERE AND THE RISING PRICES AND POTENTIAL LOST JOBS AND ILL EFFECTS THAT THAT THIS QUESTION MAY BRING.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO SEE IN JUNE HOW IT TURNS OUT, OKAY, OKLAHOMA VOTERS WILL DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES AS PART OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION ON JUNE 16TH, THE RECENTLY PASSED LOCAL FOOD FREEDOM ACT WILL EXPAND WHERE HOMEGROWN PRODUCTS CAN BE PRODUCED AND SIZABLY INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU CAN MAKE MAKING YOUR OWN STUFF.

NOAH MACK JOINS US NOW WITH MORE DETAILS.

NOAH.

WELL, RICH, THE AUTHORS OF THE BILL SEEK TO ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS GROWTH, AND THE BENEFICIARIES OF THE BILL GET A LITTLE MORE BREATHING ROOM BEFORE THEY HAVE TO GO COMMERCIAL.

LIKE CLOCKWORK.

SHELLEY GREGORY SPENDS HER NIGHTS IN THE KITCHEN COOKING AND CANNING JAMS.

WE LIVED OUT ON A FARM, AND THIS IS WHAT MY MOM HANDED DOWN TO US, WAS THAT WE CANNED EVERYTHING THAT WE GREW IN THE BACKYARD.

THIS IS OUR TWO PEACH TREES THAT YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE HOW MANY PEACHES WE GET OFF THESE.

SHELLEY SELLS TO FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS AND AT LOCAL MARKETS.

I THINK WHEN YOU KEEP IT SMALL, YOU KEEP THE QUALITY OF IT.

I MAKE SURE THERE IS NO PRESERVATIVES, ADDITIVES OR FOOD COLORINGS.

I MEAN, WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET.

SHE OPERATES UNDER THE HOMEMADE FOOD FREEDOM ACT, RECENTLY CHANGED TO THE LOCAL FOOD FREEDOM ACT.

THE LAW ALLOWS OKLAHOMANS TO SELL THEIR HOME COOKED GOODS UP TO A CERTAIN AMOUNT.

THE NEW LAW BUMPS UP THE SALES CAP FROM $75,000 TO $250,000.

IT'S HELPING SMALL BUSINESS GET OFF THE THE RUNWAY, IF YOU WILL, WITHOUT HITTING A CEILING OF $75,000, WHICH IS SEEMS LIKE A LOT WHEN YOU FIRST THINK ABOUT IT.

BUT THAT'S NOT PROFIT.

THAT'S COMPLETE COST.

SENATE SPONSOR KELLY HINES AND ORIGINAL AUTHOR REPRESENTATIVE ROB HALL WANTED TO GRANT GREATER FLEXIBILITY TO EMERGING BUSINESSES WITH THE EXISTING HOMEMADE FOOD FREEDOM.

ONCE YOU GOT TO THAT $75,000 CAP, YOU WOULD HAVE TO GET A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, WHICH CAN COST TENS OR EVEN OVER $100,000 TO GET SET UP.

AND SO IF YOU'RE ONLY BRINGING IN $75,000 WORTH OF REVENUE, LET'S SAY YOU HAD A A 20% PROFIT MARGIN, WELL, THAT ONLY WORKS OUT TO $15,000 WORTH OF PROFIT.

AND IF YOU HAVE TO SPEND $100,000 TO SET UP A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN, IT DOESN'T MAKE ECONOMIC SENSE.

THE NEW LAW ALSO INCLUDES OPERATIONS OUTSIDE OF JUST A LOCAL RESIDENCE AND EXPANDS BEYOND INDIVIDUALS, ALLOWING FOR PARTNERSHIPS AND EMPLOYEES.

AND IT KEEPS IN PLACE EXISTING REGULATIONS LIKE EXCLUDING CERTAIN HIGH RISK FOODS FROM THE PROGRAM.

THINK SEAFOOD OR POULTRY.

IT ALSO STILL REQUIRES DISCLAIMERS ON LABELING TO INFORM CONSUMERS, LIKE HERE ON SHELLEY'S JAM JAR, THAT THE PRODUCT WAS PRODUCED IN A PRIVATE RESIDENCE EXEMPT FROM GOVERNMENT LICENSING AND INSPECTION.

THAT'S THE REASON THERE'S A SALES CAP IN THE FIRST PLACE, TO ENSURE THAT BEFORE A FOOD BUSINESS GETS BIG ENOUGH, IT MUST ENTER THE PURVIEW OF GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT.

BUT ANOTHER REASON REPRESENTATIVE HALL RAISED THE CAP WAS ONE OF REEVALUATING THE MEANING OF FOOD SAFETY.

FOR EXAMPLE, AN OREO IS CONSIDERED PERFECTLY SAFE BECAUSE IT WILL NEVER GIVE YOU FOOD POISONING, BUT SOMETHING MORE NATURAL, LIKE A GLASS OF UNPASTEURIZED MILK, WHICH MY BILL DOESN'T ACTUALLY ADDRESS, WOULD BE CONSIDERED VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT HAS A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF GIVING YOU FOOD POISONING, EVEN IF THE OREO MIGHT HAVE A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF GIVING YOU THINGS LIKE OBESITY, CANCER, HEART DISEASE, DIABETES.

AS THE SIGN BEHIND HIM ALLUDES TO, HALL'S STANCE ECHOES THE NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT THAT CENTERS AROUND COMBATING CHRONIC ILLNESSES THROUGH FOOD REFORM.

HALL BELIEVES PROMOTING LOCAL OPTIONS IS KEY TO THIS MISSION, AND HINES SAYS THIS WILL ALSO PROMOTE ECONOMIC HEALTH.

WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT BRINGING OTHER BUSINESSES FROM OUT OF STATE, INTO THIS INTO THE STATE TO GROW THE ECONOMY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I RAN ON WAS, YEAH, WE NEED TO DO THAT, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TAKING CARE OF THE THE HOMEGROWN BUSINESSES THAT ARE HERE ALREADY AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE FLOURISHING.

HINES ADDS THAT BUYING LOCALLY CAN STIMULATE CONNECTIVITY AMONG COMMUNITIES.

I GREW UP IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA, AND WE ROUTINELY GOT EGGS FROM NEXT DOOR OR BOUGHT PIES FROM, YOU KNOW, MRS.

SMITH, YOU TRUSTED HER.

AND YOU AND YOU, YOU WERE REALLY HAPPY THAT SHE WAS THERE PROVIDING THAT BECAUSE THERE WASN'T LIKE A BRAHMS AROUND THE CORNER TO GO GET MILK OR EGGS OR, YOU KNOW, THAT KIND OF THING.

IT'S IT'S NOT A ROBOT MAKING IT.

IT'S NOT SOMEONE ELSE THAT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT IT.

I CARE ABOUT EVERYONE THAT I MAKE, AND WE FINE TUNE EVERY FLAVOR THAT WE HAVE.

AMONG THEIR 39 FLAVORS, A MAJOR CREATIVE PARTNER IS SHELLEY'S GRANDSON, CAMERON.

WHAT'S YOUR POSITION WITHIN THIS OPERATION?

I WOULD SAY GRANDSON, GRANDSON, CO HELPER CAMERON CONCOCTED THEIR NEWEST ITEM, THUNDER JAM, RESEMBLING TORNADOES OR STORM CLOUDS AND CONSISTING OF STRAWBERRY, APPLE AND GRAPE OR SGA AND JUST GETTING TO WITNESS HIS GRANDMA'S GUMPTION FIRSTHAND IS INSPIRING.

I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE SO DEDICATED TO THEIR HOBBY AND BUSINESS AS MUCH AS SHE IS.

I'LL CALL HER AT 12:00 AT NIGHT.

ANY 60 YEAR OLD WOMAN WOULD BE SLEEPING, BUT SHE'S IN HERE SLAMMING THE JAMS AND GETTING READY FOR SATURDAY.

SHELLEY'S JELLIES AND JAMS HAS BEEN TRENDING TOWARDS THAT 75,000 SALES CAP.

FOR SHELLEY, INCREASING THE CAP IS NOT ABOUT SMOOTHING OVER THE TRANSITION TO COMMERCIAL, BUT AVOIDING COMMERCIAL ALTOGETHER.

THAT MEANS THAT I DON'T HAVE TO BE PUSHED INTO DOING THIS COMMERCIAL.

THIS WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE SOME BIG CORPORATION.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO HAND TO MY GRANDCHILDREN SO THEY CAN HAVE A LITTLE LEGACY, A LITTLE SOMETHING MAYBE TO, I DON'T KNOW, THEY MIGHT BUILD IT WAY BIGGER THAN I EVER WANTED TO.

I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT'S SOMETHING I WANTED TO GIVE THEM.

EVENTUALLY, SHELLEY WILL PASS THE TORCH TO CAMERON AND IT WILL BE HIS TIME TO SHEPHERD THE FAMILY BUSINESS.

REPRESENTATIVE HALL'S INITIAL BILL RAISED THE CAP ALL THE WAY TO $1.5 MILLION.

THE SENATE BROUGHT IT DOWN TO THE 250 K. HALL SAYS HE MAY REVISIT THIS PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE.

RICH.

NOAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE FINAL DAYS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ARE UPON US.

WITH A FLURRY OF BILLS PASSED AND SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

JOINING US NOW FROM OUR OETA STUDIO INSIDE THE CAPITOL IS QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SEAN ASHLEY.

SEAN, SENATE BILL 137 BECOMES LAW WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

IT APPEARS, INTENTIONALLY OR NOT, TO ADDRESS AN INCIDENT THAT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS QUITE A BIT RECENTLY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

SENATE BILL 137 EXCLUDES INMATES CONVICTED OF DUI, WHICH RESULTS IN AN ACCIDENT THAT CAUSES GREAT BODILY INJURY FROM ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM.

THE BILL GREW OUT OF A CASE IN NORMAN, WHERE A DRUNK DRIVER SERIOUSLY INJURED A YOUNG WOMAN IN AN IN AN ACCIDENT.

THE WOMAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCIDENT RECEIVED A 15 YEAR SENTENCE EIGHT YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND SEVEN YEARS ON PROBATION.

HOWEVER, AFTER ONLY 73 DAYS OF INCARCERATION, SHE WAS RELEASED THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM.

NOW, THE CASE WAS THE SUBJECT OF A MULTI GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION, AND THAT REPORT WAS RELEASED MAY 8TH.

THE REPORT WAS CRITICAL OF GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT, FORMER CLEVELAND COUNTY SHERIFF CHRIS AMISON AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

THE GRAND JURY SAID THIS RANK POLITICAL FAVORITISM, PARTICULARLY ON A CRIME THAT NEARLY TOOK THE LIFE OF A 20 YEAR OLD YOUNG WOMAN, IS INDEFENSIBLE.

GOVERNOR STITT DENIES PLAYING FAVORITES OR DOING ANYTHING TO HELP THE WOMAN INVOLVED IN THIS CASE.

CHRIS AMISON ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE DID HELP OUT THE FAMILY, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS SAID TO BE LOOKING AT THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM.

IN ADDITION TO THIS BILL BEING PASSED.

INCIDENTALLY, THE BILL, WHICH BECOMES LAW NOVEMBER 1ST, WOULD REMOVE THE WOMAN'S QUALIFICATIONS FROM THE ELECTRONIC MONITORING PROGRAM, AND SHE MAY HAVE TO RETURN TO PRISON, AN ISSUE THAT COULD LEAD TO FUTURE LEGAL CHALLENGES.

SEAN, THERE'S GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMANS WITH DIABETES.

TELL US ABOUT SENATE BILL 1344.

THE BILL ENSURES PATIENTS HAVE ACCESS TO TYPE ONE DIABETES SCREENING FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

IT WAS AUTHORED BY SENATOR KERRY HICKS AND REPRESENTATIVE T.J.

MARTIN, A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN.

SO WORKING ON A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

IT GIVES PARENTS THE OPTIONS OF HAVING THEIR CHILDREN TESTED FOR TYPE ONE DIABETES.

OKLAHOMA CONSISTENTLY RANKS HIGH IN THE CASES OF TYPE ONE DIABETES AND ULTIMATELY IN DEATHS RESULTING FROM THE DISEASE.

WHILE THERE IS NO CURE, THIS WILL GIVE PARENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE WHETHER THEIR CHILD HAS THE DISEASE AND PREPARE FOR TREATMENT FOR THEM.

AND OKLAHOMANS NEEDING TO SEE THE DENTIST ALSO HAVE NEW OPTIONS.

THAT'S RIGHT.

HOUSE BILL 3934 EXPANDS THE SERVICES.

DENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HYGIENIST WILL BE ALLOWED TO PERFORM FOR PATIENTS.

REPRESENTATIVE DAVID SMITH, A REPUBLICAN FROM OUR TAELYR, IS THE AUTHOR OF THE MEASURE.

HE SAID DENTAL ASSISTANTS WILL BE ALLOWED TO WORK UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF A DENTIST TO ASSIST AND TO ASSIST A DENTAL HYGIENIST WITH PROCEDURES THAT THE HYGIENIST IS ALLOWED TO PERFORM UNDER GENERAL SUPERVISION.

A FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

THE EXPANSION OF THE CAREGIVERS TAX CREDIT HAS BEEN SIGNED INTO LAW.

WHAT IS NEW THERE?

HOUSE BILL 4118 EXPANDS THE ELIGIBILITY FOR THE TAX CREDIT AND RECOGNIZES ADDITIONAL EXPENSES INCURRED BY FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SERVE AS UNPAID CAREGIVERS FOR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS.

THE MEASURE REMOVES THE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT FOR ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBERS RECEIVING CARE, AND IT INCREASES THE INCOME GAP AND ADDS MILEAGE FOR MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS AS A QUALIFYING EXPENSE.

ADDITIONALLY, ALL FILERS WOULD QUALIFY FOR UP TO A $3,000 CREDIT.

SEAN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

IT'S ONE THING TO EXPERIMENT WITH HYPOTHETICAL THERAPEUTICS IN A LAB, AND QUITE ANOTHER TO TRANSFORM THAT RESEARCH INTO EFFECTIVE MEDICINE TO TREAT PATIENTS.

THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION IS BEING RECOGNIZED FOR DOING JUST THAT.

AND TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THEIR SUCCESS IN HELPING TREAT LUPUS.

TAELYR YOU KNOW, RICH, THE UNDERSTANDING OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES LIKE LUPUS HAS EVOLVED OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, THANKS TO RESEARCHERS HERE IN OKLAHOMA, RESEARCHERS AT OMRF AND OU HEALTH HAVE MADE STRIDES TO HELP PATIENTS IN THE STATE.

THE CURE INNOVATION INDEX IS A FIRST OF ITS KIND RANKING THAT HAS PLACED THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION 21ST IN THE NATION AMONG BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS FOR ITS ABILITY TO TRANSLATE SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY INTO REAL WORLD IMPACT.

LUPUS IS ONE OF THE DISEASES WHERE OMRF HAS SEEN GREAT PROGRESS.

THERE'S LOTS OF POTENTIAL NEW TREATMENTS FOR LUPUS THAT ARE UNDER STUDY, AND SO WE'RE RUNNING SOME OF THOSE STUDIES HERE.

NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT SOME OF THEM LOTS OF NEW DRUGS OUT THERE THAT ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW, KIND OF MOLECULARLY TAILORED FOR LUPUS.

WE FIGURED OUT, AT LEAST IN PART, HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM, WHAT GOES WRONG WITH THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

SO THESE DRUGS ARE DIRECTED AT HOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM WORKS AND DOESN'T WORK OR WORKS TOO AGGRESSIVELY IN LUPUS.

SO TURNING DOWN B CELLS AND T CELLS, WHICH ARE TYPES OF WHITE BLOOD CELLS THAT DEFINITELY INVOLVED IN LUPUS.

ACCORDING TO THE LUPUS FOUNDATION OF AMERICA, NEARLY 1.5 MILLION AMERICANS ARE LIVING WITH LUPUS, A CONDITION WHERE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ATTACKS ITSELF.

SO YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO TELL YOU FROM EVERYTHING ELSE.

YOU GET INVADED BY BACTERIA OR FUNGUS OR VIRUS, AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM DOES SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

BUT IN BUT IN LUPUS, SOMEHOW THE IMMUNE SYSTEM GETS CONFUSED AND IS ATTACKING YOUR OWN BODY.

LIKE IT'S LIKE IT'S A FOREIGN THING.

LUPUS IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A DISEASE OF A THOUSAND FACES.

BECAUSE OF ITS NATURE, IT CAN VIRTUALLY AFFECT ANY ORGAN.

SO FOR MOST PEOPLE, IT MIGHT BE IT LOOKS LIKE RASHES AND JOINT PAIN, JOINT SWELLING, WHICH ARE THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS.

SOMETIMES IT INVOLVES THE MUCOSA.

SO MOUTH ULCERS, HAIR LOSS, AND SOMETIMES IT CAN BE MORE INVISIBLE, MEANING THERE'S SOME DEEPER ORGAN STRUCTURES THAT ARE INVOLVED, SUCH AS THE KIDNEY, THE LUNG OR THE HEART.

SO THOSE AND THAT'S WHY ANY PERSON CAN HAVE VIRTUALLY ANY COMBINATION OF THOSE SYMPTOMS.

AND THAT'S WHY IT HAS THE THOUSAND FACES.

OTHER SYMPTOMS INCLUDE HAIR LOSS, DRY EYES AND SUN SENSITIVITY.

OMRF RESEARCHER AND PROFESSOR HAL SCHOFIELD SAYS WOMEN IN CHILDBEARING AGE ARE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LUPUS, ABOUT TEN TIMES MORE COMMON IN WOMEN THAN MEN, AND THAT'S TRUE OF LOTS OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.

THERE'S ABOUT 80 DISEASES THAT GET CLASSIFIED AS AUTOIMMUNE THERE, AND ALTHOUGH ALL RACES CAN DEVELOP LUPUS, IT APPEARS TO BE MORE COMMON IN WOMEN OF COLOR.

BRIAN WASHINGTON WAS DIAGNOSED WITH LUPUS A LITTLE OVER FOUR YEARS AGO.

IT WAS ROUGHLY AROUND THE SAME TIME COVID 19 WAS COMING ABOUT, AND I WAS JUST EXPERIENCING VARIOUS SYMPTOMS A LITTLE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, BODY ACHES, JOINT PAIN.

I'M RUNNING A FEVER.

YOU KNOW, THOSE THINGS MIMIC THE COVID 19 VIRUS.

SO I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT WAS GOING ON.

BUT AFTER GETTING TESTED AND NEGATIVE AND I STILL HAD THE SYMPTOMS, MY BODY JUST WASN'T RECOVERING.

SO IT WAS AROUND THE HOLIDAYS, THANKSGIVING TIME.

I WAS JUST LIKE, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR ME TO GO GET CHECKED AND TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.

GOING TO THE DOCTOR WAS THE NEXT STEP FOR WASHINGTON.

MY TEST CAME BACK POSITIVE, AND THEN IT CAME BACK NEGATIVE FOR LUPUS.

AND MY THE RATIO WAS JUST UP AND DOWN, BUT THE PAIN WASN'T LEAVING.

SO THAT'S WHAT KIND OF LED ME ON THIS JOURNEY.

AND GOING TO THE DOCTORS AND RUNNING DIFFERENT TESTS JUST TO SEE WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE JOINT PAIN AND THE ALL THE OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT COME ABOUT WITH LUPUS.

OU HEALTH RHEUMATOLOGIST DOCTOR AMIRAH BADER SAYS LUPUS CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE.

LUPUS IS VERY CHALLENGING TO DIAGNOSE.

THERE'S NO GREAT DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR ONE PERFECT TEST THAT WILL TELL US IN BLACK AND WHITE THAT THIS IS LUPUS.

DOCTORS WILL USE A COMBINATION OF BLOOD TESTS, IMAGING FINDINGS, AND THE PATIENT'S HISTORY TO COME TO THAT DIAGNOSIS.

THERE ARE FOUR DIFFERENT FORMS OF LUPUS SYSTEMIC LUPUS, WHICH IMPACTS THE ORGANS.

CUTANEOUS INVOLVES THE SKIN.

DRUG INDUCED LUPUS CAUSED BY HIGH DOSES OF CERTAIN MEDICATIONS, AND NEONATAL, A RARE CONDITION WHERE THE MOTHER'S ANTIBODIES AFFECT THE FETUS.

BRIAN WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS, ALSO KNOWN AS SLE.

I WORK VERY HARD.

I LOVE WHAT I DO, EVEN IF I'M MOVING A LITTLE SLOWER, I TYPICALLY DON'T SLOW DOWN.

SO HAVING TO NAVIGATE LUPUS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS AND SLOWING DOWN AND LISTENING TO MY BODY AND RESTING WHEN NEEDED, THERE ISN'T ONE CLEAR EXPLANATION AS TO WHY LUPUS DEVELOPS YET, BUT RESEARCHERS ARE WORKING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE WORKS.

DOCTOR SCHOFIELD SAYS GENETICS CAN PLAY A ROLE.

YEAH, LUPUS RUNS IN FAMILIES, FOR SURE, BUT ONLY IN SORT OF A VAGUE KIND OF WAY.

SO IF YOU'RE A LUPUS PATIENT OR YOU HAVE A YOU HAVE ONE OF YOUR PRIMARY, YOU KNOW, SISTER OR MOTHER HAS LUPUS, YOU HAVE ABOUT A 10% CHANCE OF HAVING LUPUS.

SO THAT'S WAY ABOVE THE POPULATION RISK.

THE UNDERSTANDING OF LUPUS HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS, AND THERE ARE NOW MANY TREATMENT OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

YOU KNOW, PREVIOUSLY WE WOULD BORROW MEDICINES FROM RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS OR OTHER DISEASES TO HELP TREAT THESE PATIENTS.

AND NOW I'M SEEING GOOD RESULTS IN THEIR JOINT PAIN AND IN THEIR RASH AND EVEN THEIR KIDNEY DISEASE, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH THESE NEWER MEDICATIONS.

I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE MONTH OF MAY IS RECOGNIZED AS LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH.

AND IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON THE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE, YOU CAN VISIT LUPUS.ORG.

RICH TAYLOR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

TULSA HAS LANDED A NEW SPACE COMPANY, AND ITS FIRST CEO IS A FAMILIAR NAME AND FORMER NASA ADMINISTRATOR.

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

THE COMPANY IS CALLED QUANTUM SPACE, AND IT ANNOUNCED IT WILL BUILD A 25,000 TO 40,000 SQUARE FOOT MANUFACTURING FACILITY TO MAKE ITS ADVANCED, MANEUVERABLE SPACECRAFT FOR DEFENSE AND COMMERCIAL SPACE OPERATIONS.

IT WILL MAKE ITS LARGE PROPULSION TANKS AND PRECISION SPACECRAFT PARTS.

THEIR QUANTUM SPACE EXPECTS TO START WITH 50 HIGH SKILLED JOBS, WITH THE POSSIBILITY TO EXPAND.

THE COMPANY RECENTLY APPOINTED FORMER NASA ADMINISTRATOR JIM BRIDENSTINE AS ITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

THE NEW TULSA FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE OPERATIONAL SOMETIME IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2027.

OKLAHOMA CITY WILL SOON HAVE AMAZON NOW SERVICES AVAILABLE THIS YEAR.

THE SERVICE IS FOCUSED ON DELIVERY OF FRESH GROCERIES, EVERYDAY HOUSEHOLD ESSENTIALS AND LOCALLY RELEVANT ITEMS.

IN ABOUT 30 MINUTES OR LESS, AMAZON PRIME MEMBERS WILL PAY A DELIVERY FEE OF 3.99, AN ORDER.

CUSTOMERS WITHOUT A MEMBERSHIP WILL PAY 13.99.

AMAZON NOW SERVICES WILL BE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED MARK NATURAL RESOURCES REPORTS IT HAD A NET LOSS OF $35 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

THAT'S COMPARED TO A NET INCOME OF 15.8 MILLION FOR THE FIRST QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, COMPANY LEADERS BELIEVE.

DESPITE THE NET LOSS, THE COMPANY DID HAVE A STRONG QUARTER BECAUSE IT WAS ABLE TO TURN TO MORE OIL BASED PROJECTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER PRICES.

REVENUES FROM OIL, NATURAL GAS AND NATURAL GAS LIQUIDS SALES TOTALED $366 MILLION.

THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECLARED A QUARTERLY CASH DISTRIBUTION OF $0.64 A COMMON UNIT.

INVESTORS WILL NEED TO HAVE THE STOCKS IN THEIR PORTFOLIO BY MAY 21ST TO GET THE PAYOUT ON JUNE 4TH.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

GREAT JOB.

THANK YOU.

THE THEME OF THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES IN STILLWATER IS THE SKY'S THE LIMIT.

THOUSANDS OF ATHLETES FROM AROUND THE STATE GATHERING ON THE CAMPUS OF OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY TO COMPETE IN NINE DIFFERENT SPORTS, INCLUDING BOCCE, BALL, CORNHOLE AND TAKING PART IN THE SOFTBALL TOSS.

15 YEAR OLD LEO CASSIDY, THE SON OF OETA NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER SCOTT CASSIDY.

SO HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE COMING HERE?

A LOT.

LIKE, I KIND OF WANT TO KEEP DOING THIS EVERY TIME I, LIKE, TRY MY BEST TO MAYBE ONE DAY TO GET FIRST PLACE.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR ME THAT I'VE EVER BEEN TO STATE.

SO IT'S VERY INTERESTING AND VERY FUN.

AND THE KIDS HAVE BEEN AMAZING AND JUST GETTING THEM TO PARTICIPATE IS GREAT.

IT'S A TIME FOR OUR SON TO BE, TO BE INCLUDED IN, IN SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY SPECIAL TO HIM.

HE LOVES SPORTS AND HE LOVES GAMES AND COMPETING, AND THIS IS JUST A GREAT TIME FOR HIM TO BE HERE.

THE THREE DAY COMPETITION BEGAN ON WEDNESDAY, WITH CLOSING CEREMONIES TAKING PLACE ON FRIDAY.

OKLAHOMA'S TWO LARGEST CITIES ARE BOTH IMPLEMENTING NEW PROGRAMS TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE LIVING ON THEIR STREETS, AND THERE ARE SIGNS PROGRESS IS BEING MADE IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADDO AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.

SUSAN, THANKS, RICH.

JOINING US IN STUDIO FOR THIS DISCUSSION IS CARRIE SAUER, THE CHIEF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER FOR THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

AND JOINING US VIA ZOOM FROM TULSA IS EMILY HALL.

SHE IS THE SENIOR ADVISER ON HOMELESSNESS FOR TULSA MAYOR MONROE NICHOLLS.

I'D LIKE TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US FOR THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU.

GLAD TO BE HERE.

SO WHERE I WANT TO START WITH THIS, AND IT'S NOT JUST ON THE GENERAL QUESTION OF HOMELESSNESS.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MINIMUM WAGE.

HOW BIG A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS THAT TO THE ISSUE WE'RE DISCUSSING AND THAT YOU GUYS FACE EVERY DAY ON THE FRONT LINES?

I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU, CARRIE.

SURE.

I THINK IT'S INCREDIBLY RELEVANT.

IT'S A MYTH THAT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS CAN'T OR DON'T WANT TO WORK.

YOU CAN WORK FULL TIME WAGES AND STILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD A HOME IN OKLAHOMA.

YOU KNOW, WE CONSIDER OKLAHOMA TO BE AN AFFORDABLE PLACE TO LIVE.

AND THAT'S TRUE IF YOU'RE MAKING A MIDDLE TO HIGH INCOME.

BUT FOR PEOPLE WITH LOW AND VERY LOW INCOME, INCLUDING THOSE MAKING MINIMUM WAGE, THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH AVAILABLE UNITS FOR FOLKS WITH THAT TO NOT BECOME RENT BURDENED TO BE ABLE TO FIND A HOME.

OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF 20 STATES CURRENTLY AT THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE LEVEL OF 7.25 AN HOUR, AND IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY SINCE 2009.

THINK HOW MUCH COST HAS GONE UP SINCE THEN.

EMILY, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THE NEED FOR, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE JUST CAN'T MAKE IT ON WHAT THEY'RE ON MINIMUM WAGE NOW IN OKLAHOMA.

YEAH.

IN TULSA, WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN COURT IN A SITUATION OF I'M FACING A RENT INCREASE, I ALSO HAVE A CAR REPAIR THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE.

I ALSO HAVE A MEDICAL BILL COMING IN.

WHAT DO I PAY?

WHAT DO I NOT PAY AND WHAT HAPPENS?

AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT LEADS TO PEOPLE BECOMING HOUSING AND STABLE AND THEN HOMELESS.

AND OUR SYSTEM AND SHELTERS JUST ARE NOT PREPARED TO CAPTURE THAT QUANTITY OF PEOPLE.

BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT THAT OUR CITY IS FACING DAY IN AND DAY, DAY OUT WORKING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE FACING THAT CRISIS.

SO THIS POSITION THAT YOU'RE IN, EMILY, IS RELATIVELY NEW.

IT IS NEW, FIRST TIME EVER THAT THE CITY HAS A MAYOR HAS EVER USED ONE OF THEIR APPOINTMENTS FOR AN ADVISOR ON HOMELESSNESS, WITH THE SPECIFIC FOCUS OF FOR MAYOR NICHOLS, REACHING FUNCTIONAL ZERO HOMELESS BY 2030, MEANING IT'S RARE, BRIEF AND NON-RECURRING, AND WITH A SPECIFIC FOCUS AROUND INDIAN STREET SLEEPING WELL, I SEE THAT ON THE TULSA SOME TULSA INFORMATION I HAVE AND CORRECT ME IF ANY OF THIS IS WRONG, THAT HOMELESSNESS IN TULSA HAD AN INCREASE OF 4% IN 2025, FOLLOWING A 23% RISE THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

AND AGAIN, I JUST KEEP EVERYTHING I'VE LOOKED AT SEEMS TO GO BACK TO, YOU KNOW, CARRIE, LET'S GO TO YOU ON THIS.

IT JUST REALLY SEEMS TO GO BACK TO LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OKLAHOMA.

I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WITH OTHER ISSUES.

I THINK ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE ISSUES ARE MENTAL ILLNESSES WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTH ISSUES, SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AND I THINK THE THIRD ISSUE STATEWIDE IS PEOPLE WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

DOES IT CREATE A DOMINO EFFECT ONCE YOU LOSE HOUSING, DOES IT CREATE A WHOLE OTHER HOST OF ISSUES FOR FOLKS?

ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED CAN CONTRIBUTE TO HOMELESSNESS.

THEY CAN ALSO BE A CONSEQUENCE OF HOMELESSNESS.

PEOPLE WHO MAY BE PERHAPS NEVER HAD A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER MAY USE SUBSTANCES TO COPE WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING HOMELESS.

IT'S VERY TRAUMATIC.

IT'S VERY CHALLENGING.

IT IT IS TRUE THAT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE MORE VISIBLE AMONGST PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, ESPECIALLY UNSHELTERED.

BUT THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS IS REALLY NOT SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE WHO ARE HOUSED.

YOU KNOW, IF I WERE TO HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, I WOULD HAVE A HOME AND A FAMILY TO WRAP AROUND ME, AND IT WOULD NOT BE SO VISIBLE AS AS COMPARED TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

SO THERE ARE CERTAINLY INTERTWINED, BUT IT'S NOT ALWAYS CAUSE EFFECT.

IT MAY BE, YOU KNOW, MORE COMPLEX.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD BE THE NUMBER ONE THING FOR OKLAHOMA TO DO TO IMPROVE THE UNHOUSED SITUATION IN THE STATE, INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND INCREASE WAGES?

OKAY.

EMILY, WHAT SAY YOU?

I WOULD AGREE, IN TULSA, WE HAVE ANOTHER PART OF THE MAYOR IS BRINGING 6000 NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS ONLINE.

AND WE DESPERATELY NEED THE HOUSING AVAILABILITY HOUSING STOCK.

AND THAT WILL HELP WITH SOME OF THE THE RENTAL INCREASES AS WELL.

SO ONLY WHEN PEOPLE SAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, LIFE CHOICES, MAYBE YOU MADE BAD LIFE CHOICES.

WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE OUT THERE UNHOUSED, IS THAT A FALLACY?

YES.

PEOPLE.

MOST PEOPLE, WHEN YOU BEGIN TO TALK TO THEM AND HEAR THEIR STORY, THEY DON'T CHOOSE TO BE HOMELESS.

IT IS A SITUATION OR MULTIPLE.

SITUATIONS THAT BUILT ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

AND THE LAST RESORT IS HOMELESS.

BUT THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT I'VE SPOKEN TO THAT WE ENCOUNTER ON A DAILY BASIS, THAT WAS THAT IS NOT THEIR FIRST OPTION.

AND AS WE'RE BEGINNING TO CLOSE ENCAMPMENTS BEGINNING TO HOUSE PEOPLE, WE ARE FINDING THAT PEOPLE ARE GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE AND THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE SUPPORT.

SO, EMILY, AGAIN, WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST HURDLE TO DOING THIS?

BECAUSE I KNOW THE CITIES WERE CLEANING UP ENCAMPMENTS.

CORRECT, FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITIES, BUT THEN ALSO TO BUILD HOUSING WHEN, YOU KNOW, SUPPLIES ARE SO EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW, HOW IS THAT DONE AFFORDABLY WITHOUT PASSING THAT COST ON TO THE RESIDENT WHO'S LIVING IN THAT HOME?

WELL, WE'RE REALLY EXPLORING DIFFERENT WAYS TO INCENTIVIZE DEVELOPERS, PROPERTY OWNERS.

RIGHT NOW, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IS WORKING IN THE CITY, ARE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH FAITH LEADERS ACROSS TULSA WHO HAVE RESOURCES AS FAR AS LAND, SPACE AND REALLY EXPLORING.

ARE THERE OPPORTUNITIES TO UTILIZE THAT TO CREATE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING?

AND HOW CAN WE COME TO THE TABLE AS A COMMUNITY?

BUT, BUT DEFINITELY EXPLORING THIS THROUGH INCENTIVES.

ALL RIGHT.

CARRIE, OKLAHOMA CITY'S THIS IS A 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT IDENTIFIED OVER 1800 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

NOW, IT SAYS THAT'S A 1% DECREASE FROM LAST YEAR, MAKING IT THE FIRST DECLINE SINCE 22.

IS THAT CORRECT?

THAT IS YES, AND IT IS.

IT MAKES SENSE TO ME.

HOMELESSNESS WENT DOWN IN 2022 BECAUSE OF THE AVAILABILITY OF COVID RELIEF FUNDING.

THERE WERE A LOT OF PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE WITH HIGH RENTS, TO HELP PEOPLE WITH THEIR EXPENSES AND TO AVOID EVICTION, AND THROUGH THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO KEEP SAFE, KEEP FOLKS SAFE, AND IN THEIR HOMES, THOSE THOSE FUNDING STREAMS, THAT THOSE COVID RELIEF DOLLARS ARE GONE.

AND SO WE STARTED TO SEE INCREASES AFTER THAT TIME.

WE'RE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE SMALL DECREASE THIS YEAR, EVEN IN THE FACE OF POPULATION GROWTH IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT'S VERY ENCOURAGING.

HOW CLOSELY DO YOU WORK WITH THE CITY RIGHT NOW?

I KNOW THE CITY HAS ITS OWN INITIATIVE TO TRY TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

HOW CLOSELY DO THEY WORK WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING IS ACTUALLY HELPING VERY CLOSELY?

THE CITY HAS BEEN WONDERFUL IN BUILDING A PARTNERSHIP, A COALITION OF PARTNERS.

THEY'VE BROUGHT THROUGHOUT EVERY STEP OF THE WAY IN PLANNING THEIR KEY TO HOME INITIATIVE.

THEY'VE INVOLVED PROVIDERS AND GOTTEN OUR FEEDBACK, GOTTEN OUR SUPPORT.

AND SO WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER VERY WELL.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT HOMELESSNESS, I JUST WANT TO VERIFY IT DOESN'T ALWAYS MEAN SOMEONE'S LIVING ON THE STREET.

CORRECT?

THAT'S CORRECT.

WE MEASURE IN THE POINT IN TIME COUNT FOLKS WHO ARE SHELTERED VERSUS UNSHELTERED IN THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY HAS MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO REDUCE UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS, AND THAT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE.

SHELTERED HOMELESSNESS IS STILL A CONCERN AS WELL.

A LOT OF THE FAMILIES THAT EMILY MENTIONED, WORKING FAMILIES ARE IN SHELTER, AND SO THEY'RE LESS VISIBLE TO US, BUT THEY ARE STILL HOMELESS AS WELL.

BEFORE WE GET OUT OF THIS AND TALK MORE ABOUT SOLUTIONS, I DO WANT TO BRING UP SOMETHING I FOUND WHILE DOING RESEARCH, AND THIS IS FROM THE NATIONAL LOW HOUSING COALITION LOW INCOME HOUSING COALITION'S 2025 OUT OF REACH REPORT.

THAT'S A MOUTHFUL, BUT IT SAYS THE GAP BETWEEN WAGES AND RENT IN OKLAHOMA CONTINUES TO WIDEN, WHICH WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED.

THAT IN OKLAHOMA, WORKER NEEDS TO EARN $20.98 AN HOUR FOR A FAIR MARKET TWO BEDROOM RENTAL, OR 1685 FOR A ONE BEDROOM.

BUT TWO OUT OF THREE OF THE STATE'S MOST COMMON JOBS DON'T PAY THAT MUCH.

NOW ON TO THE NEXT THING.

THERE IS A BILL, A STATE.

QUESTION 832 THAT'S COMING UP.

DO EITHER ONE OF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT?

IT WOULD RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE THAT FOLKS CAN VOTE ON ON JUNE 16TH AND THE ELECTION ON JUNE 16TH.

YEAH, I CAN SPEAK TO IT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT INCOME DEFINITELY PLAYS A ROLE IN PEOPLE FALLING INTO HOMELESSNESS, PEOPLE INTO EVICTION, PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO STAY HOUSED, PAY UTILITIES, WHAT THEY WHAT THEY MAKE, AND BEING ABLE TO LIVE OFF OF WHAT THEY MAKE IS ABSOLUTELY A KEY PIECE IN ALL PARTS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING STABILITY, REDUCING HOMELESSNESS, PUBLIC SAFETY, KEEPING KIDS IN SCHOOL.

PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A LIVING.

SO AND AGAIN, THAT'S GOING TO BE STATE.

QUESTION 832, WHICH IS GOING TO BE UP FOR A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE.

AND SINCE IT HAS BEEN AT 725 SINCE 2009, MAYBE GIVE IT SOME CONSIDERATION.

I WANT TO TALK AGAIN ABOUT NOW ABOUT EVICTION RATES.

IT'S SOMETHING WE DISCUSSED WITH OKLAHOMA SENATOR JULIA KERR TWO WEEKS AGO.

SHE HAD A BILL, SENATE BILL 1209, THAT WOULD ADD A LIKE A DAY OF PADDING TO THE EVICTION RATES.

OKLAHOMA HAS ONE OF THE FASTEST IN THE NATION FIVE DAYS.

IS THAT RIGHT?

IT'S REALLY NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR SOMEONE FACING EVICTION TO SECURE RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, TO CONSULT WITH LEGAL AID, TO GET SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS, TO CONNECT WITH NONPROFIT SUPPORT.

IT'S JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME.

ALL RIGHT, EMILY, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EVICTION RATES, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING UP IN TULSA?

SO ACTUALLY, TULSA HAS BEEN ONE OF THE HIGHEST EVICTORS ACROSS THE NATION FOR A WHILE.

AND WE'RE WORKING ON BRINGING THAT DOWN, WORKING WITH, PARTNERING WITH DISTRICT COURT, SOME OF OUR NONPROFITS, SUCH AS LEGAL AID AND, AND REALLY EDUCATING LANDLORDS AS WELL AS RENTERS.

IN FACT, LAST YEAR, THE MAYOR ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AND ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES IS ESTABLISHING AN EVICTION MITIGATION COALITION.

AND WHILE WHILE MOST OF THE CHANGES HAVE TO OCCUR AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE'RE REALLY EXAMINE THIS COALITION IS IN PLACE TO REALLY EXAMINE, YOU KNOW, WHAT CAN WE DO AT THE MUNICIPAL LEVEL TO RECTIFY SOME OF THE EVICTIONS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE?

AND I KNOW THERE ARE ARGUMENTS TO BE MADE, EMILY, FOR THE PROPERTY OWNERS, THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR BILLS, TOO.

BUT IS THERE AN IMBALANCE AT THE MOMENT IN OKLAHOMA IN FAVOR OF PROPERTY OWNERS?

AND DO YOU FEEL LIKE SOMETIMES SOME CAN ABUSE THAT?

I'M SURE BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE ARE TRUE.

AND SO WHAT WE'RE REALLY LOOKING AT IS EDUCATION FOR LANDLORDS, FOR RENTERS.

ARE THERE INDICATORS THAT ARE SOME TRIGGERING POINTS?

WATER BILL IS UNPAID.

A UTILITY BILL IS UNPAID.

GOES UNPAID.

ARE THOSE ARE THOSE INDICATORS THAT SOMEONE IS ON A PATHWAY TO EVICTION AND WE CAN BEGIN TO MITIGATE IT AT THAT POINT, HOW CAN PEOPLE GET HELP?

DIRECTION GUIDANCE FROM THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE?

FOLKS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO COME TO OUR CAMPUS, OUR WEST TOWN RESOURCE CAMPUS.

IT'S LOCATED AT NORTHWEST THIRD AND VIRGINIA IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT'S REALLY THE FRONT DOOR TO HOMELESS SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS IN OKLAHOMA CITY WILL VISIT OUR CAMPUS AT SOME POINT.

AND SO IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO GO AND GET SUPPORT IN PERSON.

THEY'RE ALSO WELCOME TO CALL.

OUR PHONE NUMBER IS (405) 415-8410.

AND TALK TO A RESOURCE SPECIALIST WHO CAN HELP TO CONNECT THEM WITH.

PERHAPS WE DON'T HAVE THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY NEED, BUT WE CAN REFER THEM TO ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT'S A BETTER FIT.

IT IS NOT FOR PROFIT.

GREAT PLACE TO SUPPORT.

IF YOU DON'T NEED THE SERVICES, PERHAPS SUPPORT THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE.

WE WOULD LOVE THAT.

HOMELESSNESS IS REALLY COMPLEX AND IT TAKES EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS IT.

SO WE NEED COMMUNITY PARTNERS MORE THAN EVER.

ALL RIGHT.

AND FINALLY, EMILY, WHAT CAN FOLKS DO UP IN YOUR AREA TO SEEK ADVICE AND GUIDANCE IF THEY FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE GOING DOWNHILL FOR THEM?

SURE.

THERE'S A MULTITUDE OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

311 CONTACT HOUSING SOLUTIONS TULSA, WHICH IS OUR THE CITY'S LEAD AGENCY FOR OUR CONTINUUM OF CARE DAY CENTER HAS RESOURCES, ALSO A SHELTER.

AND THOSE ARE THE KEY PLACES TO TO CONTACT, TO BE DIRECTED TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'D LIKE TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR JOINING US AND SHARING YOUR INSIGHT WITH US ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

MAYBE LIFTING ONE ANOTHER UP IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL DO THIS JUNE.

THANK YOU BOTH.

THANK YOU.

AND SUSAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO AUSTIN, TEXAS, WHERE MOTORISTS ARE SHARING THE ROAD WITH AN INCREASING NUMBER OF DRIVERLESS VEHICLES.

WITH THE RESULTS THAT ARE MOSTLY POSITIVE, THOUGH IT REMAINS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

AS WE LEARN IN THIS REPORT FROM OUR PUBLIC TV PARTNERS AT AUSTIN PBS.

THE COMPANY WITH THE LARGEST PRESENCE OF AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN AUSTIN.

PLEASE CLOSE THE RIGHT SIDE REAR DOOR, HAS BEEN DELIVERING PEOPLE TO THEIR DESTINATIONS VIA ITS UBER PARTNERSHIP FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR NOW.

WE'RE CURRENTLY DRIVERLESS IN 11 CITIES AROUND AROUND THE COUNTRY, WITH AUSTIN BEING THE FOURTH CITY WHERE WE WENT DRIVERLESS.

AND WE'RE PROUD THAT TEXAS IS THE STATE WHERE WE HAVE THE MOST CITIES AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS AND HOUSTON.

THERE ARE NOW 300 OF THESE SLEEK WHITE VEHICLES WITH SPINNING TOPS DRIVING ON AUSTIN ROADS, THE COMPANY REPORTS.

HAVING DRIVEN 11 MILLION MILES SO FAR AROUND TEXAS.

AND WAYMO SAYS IT'S JUST REVVING UP.

YEAH, WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO CONTINUE TO GROW BOTH HERE IN AUSTIN AS WELL AS ELSEWHERE IN TEXAS.

BUT WAYMO'S ROLLOUT, ALONG WITH OTHER AV COMPANIES, THERE ARE FIVE OTHERS NOW OPERATING IN AUSTIN, HASN'T BEEN WITHOUT SPEED BUMPS.

THEY'RE STILL DEFINITELY SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE.

YOU KNOW, THAT'S THE BLESSING.

AND THE CURSE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY IS SOMETIMES PEOPLE FEEL LIKE A GUINEA PIG.

AND AUSTIN, TEXAS IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THOSE CITIES.

SECRETARY CALL THE ROLL.

IN 2017, THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW BANNING CITIES FROM REGULATING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES.

SUPPORTERS SAID THAT LAW WAS NECESSARY FOR THE INDUSTRY TO GROW, BUT AS THEIR PRESENCE HAS GROWN, SO HAS THE NUMBER OF CONCERNING INCIDENTS.

WAYMO'S AND OTHER AVS HAVE BEEN SEEN BLOCKING TRAFFIC, IGNORING POLICE OFFICERS AND ILLEGALLY SCHOOL BUSSES WHILE LOADING OR DROPPING OFF STUDENTS.

THE LATTER IS BEING INVESTIGATED BY THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD.

HERE'S THE CITY'S AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE DASHBOARD, WHICH SHOWS PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED ALMOST 270 ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLES SINCE THE DASHBOARD LAUNCHED IN 2023.

IN A MORE RECENT HIGH PROFILE INCIDENT, WAYMO WAS SEEN BLOCKING AN AMBULANCE RESPONDING TO THE MARCH 6TH STREET MASS SHOOTING EVENT THAT KILLED FOUR AND INJURED MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHERS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE WAYMO COULDN'T MAKE THE THREE POINT TURN, AND NEITHER COULD THE OTHER VEHICLES, AND IT CREATED SOME GRIDLOCK THAT MADE THE AMBULANCE HAVE TO DO THE THREE POINT TURN.

AND THAT'S NOT THE IDEAL RESULT FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AT ALL.

COUNCIL MEMBER PAIGE ELLIS SAYS TRANSPARENCY ALSO HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH SOME AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE COMPANIES.

YOU CERTAINLY SEE SOME COMPANIES COME TO TOWN AND THEY JUST JUMP THE GUN AND THEY DEPLOY ON THE STREETS WITHOUT ANY CONVERSATIONS, AND I THINK THAT DOES A DISSERVICE TO NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN GENERAL ACROSS ALL BRANDS.

AND WITH A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND HIGH PROFILE INCIDENTS, COMES AN EROSION OF PUBLIC TRUST.

THAT'S SOMETHING WAYMO IS WORKING ACTIVELY TO ADDRESS.

WE NEED TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THE TRUST OF COMMUNITIES THAT WE OPERATE IN, MARTINEZ SAYS.

WAYMO LEARNS FROM AND MAKES IMPROVEMENTS FOLLOWING INCIDENTS LIKE WHAT HAPPENED AROUND THE SHOOTING.

IT SAYS IT ULTIMATELY MAKES ROADS SAFER.

WE'VE DRIVEN OVER 200 MILLION MILES, AND WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED A 92% REDUCTION IN SERIOUS INJURY COLLISIONS AS COMPARED TO HUMANS, HUMAN DRIVERS ON THE SAME ROADS AND IN THE SAME GEOGRAPHIES.

IF YOU STILL HAVE SOME HANG UPS, WAYMO RECOMMENDS HOPPING INTO ONE OF ITS VEHICLES AND TRYING IT FOR YOURSELF.

OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO SAY SO LONG WITH A LOOK AT THE 10TH ANNUAL HISPANIC CULTURAL DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL THIS WEEK, PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA PRODUCTION TEAM.

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.

PUTTIN ON THE RITZ.

HOW ABOUT SOME FEEL GOOD BIG DANCE MUSICAL ROM COMEDY FUN.

AS LONG AS I CAN BE WITH YOU.

IT'S A LOVELY DAY.

I