ORAL ARGUMENTS ON AN OKLAHOMA CASE THAT COULD IMPACT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> THIS WOULD OPEN THE TOOR FOR OTHER CHARTER SCHOOLS AND OTHER STATES THAT CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE THEM THAT WOULD OFFER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION WOULD BE THE MAIN PRECEDENT WE SET.

>> Rich: HEAVY RAINS AND DEADLY FLOODING AS OKLAHOMANS DRY OFF BEFORE THE WET STUFF RETURNS.

>> THAT'D BE ABOUT 13 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER FELL ON US OVER A FOUR AND A HALF DAY PERIOD.

SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IT WAS VERY OVERWHELMING.

>> Rich: TWO PLANS TO BRING SPORTS BETTING TO OKLAHOMA, BUT WILL THE GOVERNOR SIGN OFF ON EITHER ONE?

>> VERY DIFFICULT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE 39 TRIBES THAT HAVE A SAY IN IT AND YOU'VE GOT A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THOSE TRIBES.

>> Rich: NEW IDEAS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN OKLAHOMA'S TWO LARGEST CITIES.

>> THIS IS A DRASTIC SLOWDOWN FROM THE 28% INCREASE THAT WE SAW LAST YEAR.

SO WE REALLY SEE THIS AS A VICTORY, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> Rich: OSU AG EXPERTS WEIGH IN ON THE EARLY IMPACTS OF TRUMP TARIFFS ON RANCHERS AND FARMERS.

>> IT'S A TAX WHICH NOBODY IN THE MARKET LIKES, BUT IT'S ALSO A NEGOTIATING TOOL WHICH NOBODY UNDERSTANDS.

>> Rich: THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE, 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.

WE'VE JUST COMPLETED THE WETTEST APRIL IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND THE FLOODING THAT FOLLOWED HAS CLAIMED FIVE LIVES.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW AFTER TOURING SOME OF THE HARDEST-HIT AREAS.

JASON?

>> Jason: RICH, CITIES AND TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA ARE TRYING TO DRY OUT FROM THE PAST TWO WEEKS OF RAIN AND FIND OUT WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE THE FLOODING LEFT BEHIND.

>> I'VE HUNTED CRAWDADS ON THIS CREEK WHEN I WAS LITTLE.

>> Jason: WHILE HE LIVES MR. MARLOWE NOW, FORREST MINCH GREW UP IN DUNCAN.

HE WAS CHECKING ON HIS MOTHER WHERE THE HIGHWAY 7 DUNCAN BYPASS WAS WAURND OUT LAST WEEKEND BY TORRENTIAL RAINS.

>> I LIVED HERE PROBABLY MOST OF MY LIFE.

MY PARENTS MOVED OUT HERE IN 1959 WITH ME AND I WAS JUST AN INFANT.

AND THEY'VE LIVED UP THE ROAD HERE.

MY MOTHER STILL LEFT ALIVE, SHE'S 89, LIVES OUT HERE.

>> Jason: MITCHELL SAYS THIS BRIDGE HAS SEEN A LOT OF WATER OVER THE YEARS.

IT HAPPENED TO BE CLOSED AT THE TIME THE STORMS FLOODED THE NEARBY POND AND CREEK.

>> WE HAD A SECTION OF THE ROADWAY FALL THROUGH THE BRIDGE ON THE WEST END OF IT.

WELL, AFTER THIS LAST HEAVY RAINSTORM, WE LOST THE BRIDGE.

>> Jason: DUNCAN GOT A LOT OF WATER OVER THE PAST WEEK, WHICH LED TO THIS AND OTHER ISSUES THE AREA IS FACING.

>> OVER A FOUR AND A HALF DAY PERIOD, WE'VE HAD OVER 17 INCHES OF RAIN.

NORMAL FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR, WE'LL ONLY HAVE 34 INCHES.

FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

>> Jason: HE SAYS THAT KIND OF RAINFALL IS OVERWHELMING ANYWHERE IT HAPPENS.

>> YOU THINK ABOUT THE 45 SQUARE MILES IN THE AREA FOR US, YOU KNOW, AFTER OUR LAKES.

THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 13 BILLION GALLONS OF WATER FELL ON US OVER A FOUR AND A HALF DAY PERIOD, SO AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IT WAS VERY OVERWHELMING TO US AND, OF COURSE, IN SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, WE LOOK AT LAWTON AND THINGS GOING ON OVER THERE AND OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THEM.

>> Jason: PEEL HE SAYS THAT BECAUSE ONE OF THE DEATHS CAUSED BY THE FLOOD WATERS HAPPENED TO THEIR WESTERN NEIGHBOR IN COMANCHE COUNTY.

LAWTON CREWS WERE OUT ON WEDNESDAY PUMPING FLOOD WATERS AWAY FROM THE ROADWAY NEAR THE F AVENUE AND 2nd STREET INTERSECTION WHERE THAT PERSON DECIDE ON SATURDAY TRYING TO GET THROUGH THE FLOOD THE AREA.

>> THAT WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT THE ACCIDENT THAT OCCURRED AT 2nd AVENUE, AND THAT IS KIND OF A KNOWN LOW-WATER CROSSING IN LAWTON AND IT'S BEEN A PROBLEM AREA FOR MANY YEARS.

>> Jason: FROM APRIL 19th THROUGH MAY 1st, THERE HAVE BEEN FIVE DEATHS DUE TO FLOODING, ALL FIVE INVOLVING PEOPLE WHO WERE DROIFG DRIVING INTO RISING WATERS.

TWO OF THE DEATHS HAPPENED IN CLEVELAND COUNTY ON APRIL 19th.

THE LAWTON FATALITY HAPPENED ON APRIL 26th.

THE OTHER TWO DEATHS HAPPENED ON APRIL 30th, ONE IN LINCOLN COUNTY AND ONE IN POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY.

BACK IN LAWTON, SEVERAL ROADS WERE CLOSED, ESPECIALLY ON THE WEST SIDE NEAR THE AIRPORT AND BISHOP SCHOOL.

FURTHER DOWN NEAR WOLF CREEK, FIELDS WERE KAMPINGT OVERFLOW AND FLOODING THE ROAD.

LAWSUITTON CITY MANAGER HOPES PEOPLE WILL PAY HEED TO THE CLOSURE.

>> GIVEN HOW AT SATURATED THE GROUND IS AND HOW WET THE ENVIRONMENT IS RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT GOING TO TAKE MUCH RAIN TO PUT US BACK INTO A BAD POSITION P SO WE HAVE TO STAYVILLE LENT AND ALERT.

THE.

>> Jason: THE LAST TWO WEEKS HAVE HELPED OKLAHOMA SET A RECORD FOR RAINFALL.

>> THERE'S PARTS OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IN THE MONTH OF APRIL THAT HAVE GOTTEN CLOSE TO PROBABLY 15 TO 20 INCHES OF RAIN, WHICH IS OBVIOUSLY AN EXTREME AMOUNT.

LOOKING AT OKLAHOMA DATA FOR THE MONTH, IT IS THE WETTEST APRIL EVER IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY SINCE RECORDS HAVE BEEN KEPT.

THE AVERAGE RAINFALL FOR THE STATE HAS BEEN ALMOST NINE INCHES FOR THE MONTH, THAT THAT'S EXTREME RAINFALL EVEN FOR APRIL.

>> Jason: THIS MAP SHOWS HOW MUCH RAINFALL THE VARIOUS PARTS OF OUR STATE HAVE RECEIVED OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS.

NORTHERN COTTON COUNTY GOT MORE THAN 15 INCHES.

RICK SMITH WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS THE LATEST WEATHER PATTERN IS A LITTLE OUT OF THE NORM, EVEN FOR OKLAHOMA THUNDERSTORM SEASON.

>> IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL THUNDERSTORM DROP AN INCH OF RAIN IN REALLY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, BUT MOST OF THE TIME, THAT'S JUST GOING TO RUN OFF AND THERE'S NOT EIGHT MORE WAVES OF THUNDERSTORMS COMING BEHIND IT.

>> Jason: WHILE IT APPEARS WE HAVE A SHORT BREAK FROM WIDESPREAD RAIN RIGHT NOW, THE FLOODING THREAT CONTINUES.

>> THERE'S BEEN A NUMBER OF FLOOD WARNINGS FOR CREEKS AND RIVERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THOSE CONTINUE EVEN AS WE, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY EVEN AS WE GO INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, SOME OF THAT WILL STILL BE WITH US.

>> Jason: BOTH LAWTON AND DUN CAPTION OFFICIALS ARE ASSESS -- DUNCAN OFFICIALS ARE ASSESSING THE DAMAGE THEIR TOWNS HAVE TAKEN.

>> AN EMERGENCY DECK SCHAR RATION FROM THE STATE THIS WEEK, SO I THINK THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY PIVOTAL IN HELPING OUR COMMUNITY RECOVER.

>> Jason: WHILE COMANCHE, COTTON AND CLEVELAND COUNTIES HA RECEIVED AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION, STEPHENS COUNTY RIGHT NEXT DOOR IS HONING FOR THE SAME.

>> TAKING AN INVENTORY OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AND COST BECAUSE WE KNOW IF THE GOVERNOR DECLARES OUR AREA AS AN EMERGENCY, WE WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HAVE THAT AID.

>> Jason: WHILE APRIL SHOWERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BRING MAY FLOWERS, RICK SMITH SAYS OKLAHOMANS STILL NEED TO BE WEATHER AWARE.

>> MAY IS WHEN WE ON AVERAGE GET THE MAJORITY OF OUR TORNADOES AND SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS HERE IN THIS STATE.

>> Jason: RICK SMITH TELLS ME THAT WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE MORE SPRINGTIME THUNDERSTORMS NEXT WEEK.

RICH.

>> Rich: NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

THANK YOU, JASON.

>>> IT'S EXPECTED THE SUPREME COURT WILL RULE BY THE END OF JUNE ON WHETHER OR NOT OR THE CREATION OF THE ST. ISADORE OF SEVILLE CATHOLIC VIRTUAL SCHOOL IS CONSTITUTIONAL.

THE COURT HEARD ABOUT THREE HOURS OF ORAL ARGUMENTS ON WEDNESDAY, AND IT APPEARED THE COURT'S LIBERAL JUSTICES WERE SKEPTICAL OF PROVIDING PUBLIC FUNDING FOR RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS, WHILE THE COURT'S CONSERVATIVE JUDGES WERE MORE SYMPATHETIC TO THE IDEA.

LET'S LISTEN TO A LITTLE BIT OF THE Q&A BETWEEN THE JUSTICES AND LAWYERS.

>> Jackson: IF THE CURRICULUM INCLUDES RELIGIOUS COMPONENTS, I MEAN, WHAT INPUT OR OVERSIGHT OR ABILITY TO ACTUALLY REVIEW THAT DOES THE BOARD HAVE?

>> Campbell: IT'S THE SAME WAY THAT THE BOARD WOULD PROVIDE REVIEW FOR A SCHOOL THAT FOCUSES ON NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO DIVE INTO THE DETAILS OF THE SUBJECT MATTER SPECIFIC TOPIC THAT THE SCHOOL WANTS TO FOCUS ON.

>> Jackson: BUT IT DOES HAVE A DUTY TO SORT OF ASSESS WHETHER OR NOT THAT CURRICULUM MEETS STATE STANDARDS AND WHEN THE CURRICULUM IS RELIGIOUS, I'M JUST WONDERING, DON'T WE HAVE THE KINDS OF ENTANGLEMENT ISSUES THAT THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE WORRIES ABOUT?

>> Kavanaugh: YOU'RE NOT SAYING THAT THE STATE CAN FAVOR ONE RELIGION OVER ANOTHER?

>> Campbell: WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT AT ALL.

>> Kavanaugh: AND YOU'RE NOT SAYING, I THINK, BUT CONFIRM, THAT THE STATE COULD SAY WE'RE GONNA HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS, BUT ONLY RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> Campbell: WE ARE NOT SAYING THAT AT ALL.

>> Kavanaugh: RIGHT?

IF YOU HAVE CHARTER SCHOOLS, YOU CAN'T FAVOR RELIGION.

YOUR POINT IS YOU ALSO CAN'T DISFAVOR RELIGION, CORRECT?

>> Campbell: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Garre: TEACHING RELIGION IN, AS TRUTH IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS NOT ALLOWED.

ST. ISADORE HAS MADE CLEAR THAT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WANTS TO DO IN INFUSING ITS SCHOOL DAY WITH TEACHINGS OF JESUS CHRIST.

OKLAHOMA RESPECTS AND PROMOTES THROUGH VOUCHERS AND OTHER MEANS THE ABILITIES OF FAMILIES TO SECURE SUCH AN EDUCATION IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

>> Rich: COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES, WE'LL HAVE A 15-MINUTE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION OF THE ORAL ARGUMENTS WITH TWO INDIVIDUALS ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

>>> OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY HAS A NEW PRESIDENT.

JIM HESS, WHO HAS BEEN SERVING IN AN INTERIM ROLE SINCE THE ABRUPT RESIGNATION OF DR. KASEY SHRUM LAST FEBRUARY, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO A THREE-YEAR TERM, BECOMING THE SCHOOL'S 20th PRESIDENT.

HESS HAS 43 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION AND RECEIVED HIS DOCTORATE IN EDUCATION FROM THE SAME UNIVERSITY HE WILL NOW LEAD.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INSISTS THAT DESPITE SOME SHORT-TERM PAIN, IN THE LONG RUN, TARIFFS WILL LEAD TO A GOLDEN AGE IN AMERICA.

DO OKLAHOMA'S RANCHERS, FARMERS, AND AG EXPERTS AGREE?

WELL, THAT DEPENDS ON WHO YOU TALK TO.

AND THIS WEEK, REPORTER ADAM KEMP WAS TALKING TO PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

>> Adam: OKLAHOMA RANCHER RODNEY COOK HAS PLENTY TO CONCERN HIMSELF WITH ON A NORMAL DAY AT STILLWATER CREEK FARMS.

RIGHT NOW HE AND HIS WIFE MEREDYTH JONES COOK, WHO SERVES AS THE OPERATION'S VETERINARIAN, ARE PREPARING A HERD OF COWS FOR SALE.

MEREDYTH CHECKS ON THE SOON-TO-BE MOTHERS WHILE RODNEY DELIVERS DEWORMER.

WHILE COOK KEEPS ONE EYE ON HIS OPERATION, WHICH SPECIALIZES IN SELLING HIGH-QUALITY AKAUSHI CATTLE, A SPECIFIC WAGYU CATTLE BREED, HE'S ALSO WATCHING THE MARKETS AND SPECIFICALLY THE INFLUENCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S NEWLY IMPOSED TARIFFS HAVE HAD ON HIS INDUSTRY.

>> Cook: WE SOLD SOME CALVES RECENTLY AND ONE WAS BEFORE TRUMP CAME OUT AND ANNOUNCED SOME TARIFFS AND STUFF AND THE MASHTLE WAS JUST THROUGH THE ROOF.

WE DID REALLY, REALLY GOOD THAT DAY.

THEN WE DID MORE THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND THAT THURSDAY RIGHT BEFORE, THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS WERE MADE ABOUT INCREASING THE TARIFFS, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE WERE SELLING SOME CATTLE ON THAT MONDAY AND MARKET HADN'T QUITE RECOVERED YET, SO WE DIDN'T DO QUITE AS WELL.

WHEREAS RIGHT NOW THE MARKET IS BACK UP AGAIN.

>> Adam: THAT MARKET INSTABILITY HAS SOME OKLAHOMA PRODUCERS FEELING THE FINANCIAL SQUEEZE.

SINCE RETURNING TO OFFICE IN 2025, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS DOUBLED DOWN ON TARIFFS AS A CORNERSTONE OF HIS TRADE AGENDA, REVIVING AND EXPANDING DUTIES ON IMPORTS FROM COUNTRIES LIKE CHINA, MEXICO, AND THE EUROPEAN UNION.

WHILE AIMED AT PROTECTING AMERICAN INDUSTRIES AND GAINING LEVERAGE IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS, THESE MOVES HAVE RAISED ALARM AMONG AGRICULTURAL ECONOMISTS, WHO SAY THE FALLOUT OFTEN HITS U.S.

FARMERS FIRST.

>> Holcomb: IT'S A TAX WHICH NOBODY IN THE MARKET LIKES, BUT IT'S ALSO A NEGOTIATING TOOL WHICH NOBODY UNDERSTANDS.

SO IF IT'S A TAX, YOU KNOW HOW TO RESPOND, YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S GONNA BE.

YOU ADJUST AND YOU MOVE ON.

WHEN IT'S A NEGOTIATING TOOL, I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN IT'S GOING INTO EFFECT, WHEN IT'S GONNA BE ADJUSTED, AND IT'S THE UNCERTAINTY THAT THE MARKETS DON'T LIKE.

SO THAT UNCERTAINTY MEANS VOLATILITY.

>> Adam: RETALIATORY TARIFFS CAN SHRINK DEMAND FOR AMERICAN BEEF, GRAIN, AND OTHER EXPORTS.

AT THE SAME TIME, NEW OR CONTINUED TARIFFS ON STEEL, FERTILIZER, AND FEED INGREDIENTS RAISE INPUT COSTS FOR PRODUCERS.

THE RESULT, EXPERTS WARN, COULD MAKE ALREADY THIN PROFIT MARGINS EVEN THINNER.

HERE AT STILLWATER CREEK FARM, THEY'VE SAID THEY'VE SEEN BOTH THE GOOD AND THE BAD OF TARIFFS ON THE MARKET SO FAR.

RIGHT HERE, THEY HAD PLANNED FOR A NEW CATTLE PEN, BUT WITH THE PRICE OF STEEL SOARING, THOSE PLANS ARE ON HOLD.

>> Cook: I'M OPTIMISTIC.

SEEMS LIKE THE ADMINISTRATION IS A LITTLE SMARTER THAN I AM WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS, SO I'M BEING OPTIMISTIC ABOUT IT IN THE LONG TERM.

>> Adam: AT OKLAHOMA STATE, AGRICULTURE ECONOMISTS SAY THE EFFECTS OF TARIFFS COULD GO WELL BEYOND INPUT COSTS.

AMY HAGERMAN, AN AG POLICY EXPERT, SAYS THERE'S A STRATEGIC DIMENSION THAT FARMERS OFTEN AREN'T EQUIPPED TO NAVIGATE.

RIGHT NOW, MOST PRODUCERS ARE PREPARING FOR THE DIFFERENT FINANCIAL IMPACTS TARIFFS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE TO EVERY COMMODITY THEY PRODUCE, WHILE ALSO DEALING WITH RISING INPUT COSTS, WHICH WERE ALREADY ELEVATED AFTER SEVERAL YEARS OF INFLATION.

>> Hagerman: THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A NORMAL YEAR IN AGRICULTURE.

THEY'RE ALWAYS DEALING WITH A CHANGING ENVIRONMENT IN ONE OF THESE AREAS OF RISK OR ANOTHER, BUT RIGHT NOW, IT JUST SEEMS TO BE HITTING THEM FROM MULTIPLE DIRECTIONS AT ONCE.

>> Adam: THIS COULD CAUSE RIPPLE EFFECTS THROUGHOUT EVERY CORNER OF THE FOOD INDUSTRY.

>> Holcomb: SO YOU MAY SEE MORE MENU ITEMS COMING OUT THAT ARE LOWER COST PROTEIN, LIKE CHICKEN INSTEAD OF BEEF.

McDONALD'S IS ADDING MORE CHICKEN ITEMS ON THEIR MENU BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THAT'S A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER THAN BEEF.

>> Adam: THE CATTLE MARKET IS PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE TO GLOBAL DEMAND, ACCORDING TO ECONOMIST DERRELL PEEL.

AS A LARGE IMPORTER AND EXPORTER OF BEEF, PEEL SAID IN THE U.S., BOTH MARKETS WILL BE IMPACTED BY TARIFFS, POTENTIALLY CAUSING THE PRICE OF THOSE BACKYARD COOKOUTS TO RISE.

>> Peel: IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SORT OF NET THAT OUT TO A NET EFFECT RIGHT NOW, OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT IT'S NEGATIVE PRETTY MUCH ACROSS THE BOARD.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW NEGATIVE AND FOR HOW LONG AT THIS POINT.

>> Adam: AND BEYOND FOOD ITSELF, PACKAGING MATERIALS LIKE PLASTICS, GLASS, AND STEEL HAVE ALSO BEEN HIT HARD AND RAISED THE PRICE OF SHIPPING.

>> Holcomb: ALMOST ANYTHING YOU BUY, WHETHER YOU BUY IT THROUGH AMAZON OR WHETHER YOU GO BUY IT IN A STORE, IT'S USING ONE OF THOSE PACKAGING COMPONENTS.

>> Adam: FOR FARMERS LIKE COOK, THESE PLAY OUT IN DAILY CHOICES.

FOR JONES, SHE SAID IN HER PROFESSION AS A LARGE ANIMAL VETERINARIAN, SHE HOPES PRODUCERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS EVEN AS COSTS RISE.

>> Jones Cook: WE WILL MAKE SOME DIFFERENT DECISIONS ABOUT MAYBE USING MORE EXPENSIVE FEEDSTUFFS OR LESS EXPENSIVE FEEDSTUFFS FOR THEM, BUT WE STILL WANT THE OUTCOME TO BE THE SAME, WHICH IS THAT ALL OF THEIR NEEDS ARE MET.

>> Adam: THE COOKS TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORK RAISING CATTLE AND FEEDING THEIR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS.

EVEN THE COWS SEEM TO APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORTS.

>> Jones Cook: THEY'RE PRETTY HAPPY ANIMALS.

>> Adam: ADAM KEMP, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> Rich: ADAM, THANK YOU.

>>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HOSTING A HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION EVENT AT THE HAMM INSTITUTE IN OKLAHOMA CITY ON THURSDAY.

THE EVENT WAS CLOSED TO THE MEDIA, BUT IT INCLUDED A SURVIVOR PRESENTATION, PREVENTION TRAINING, AND A LAW ENFORCEMENT PANEL.

THE A.G.'S OFFICE IS PARTNERING WITH T.A.T., FORMERLY TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING, LOVE'S TRAVEL SHOPS, AND CONTINENTAL RESOURCES.

PART OF THE TRAINING INCLUDED A SEMI-TRUCK TRAILER PARKED OUTSIDE.

IT'S CALLED THE FREEDOM DRIVERS PROJECT, A MOBILE EXHIBIT WHERE PEOPLE CAN LEARN AND INTERACT WITH ARTIFACTS FROM SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

>> Goetsch: AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE TRAILER, YOU SEE SOME OF THE PUSH AND PULL FACTORS THAT KEEP VICTIMS SORT OF TRAPPED IN THAT LIFE.

AND THEN ON THE FARTHER WALL, WE HAVE OUR FREEDOM DRIVERS WALL WHICH TALKS ABOUT THE WAYS THAT TRANSPORTATION PROFESSIONALS ARE INTERVENING, ARE MAKING CALLS, AND ARE SAVING LIVES.

>> Rich: ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, AN ESTIMATED 4,000 OKLAHOMANS SEEK HELP FROM A TRAFFICKING SITUATION EACH YEAR.

YET IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST UNDER-REPORTED CRIMES IN THE UNITED STATES.

>>> WILL OKLAHOMA SOON BECOME THE 40th STATE TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING?

LAWMAKERS ARE CURRENTLY CONSIDERING DIFFERENT PROPOSALS IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, AND GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT HAS ALREADY VOWED TO VETO ANY BILL THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE PROVISIONS THAT HE WANTS.

SO WHERE DO THINGS STAND RIGHT NOW?

NOAH MACK HAS MORE ON THE ODDS OF SPORTS GAMBLING BECOMING A REALITY IN OKLAHOMA.

NOAH?

>> Noah: RICH, A REMINDER THAT OKLAHOMA TRIBES HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO RUN GAMBLING IN THE STATE THROUGH THE TRIBAL GAMING COMPACT.

THAT COMPACT MIXED WITH STITT'S FIRM CONVICTIONS HAS MADE THIS A DIFFICULT GAME, BUT LEGISLATORS ARE PLAYING THEIR CARDS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME.

LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE UBIQUITOUS ACROSS THE U.S., AND MANY STATE LEGISLATORS SAY THIS SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER FOR OKLAHOMA.

>> Coleman: BRINGS MONEY TO OKLAHOMA AND KEEPS IT IN OKLAHOMA AS WELL.

>> Noah: BUT THE ODDS HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE STATE'S FAVOR.

>> Coleman: VERY DIFFICULT TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE 39 TRIBES THAT HAVE A SAY IN IT AND YOU'VE GOT A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH AND THOSE TRIBES.

>> Noah: REPUBLICAN SENATOR BILL COLEMAN HAS REMAINED A KEY FIGURE IN TACKLING THIS ISSUE.

>> Coleman: THREE, FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN WE FIRST RAN THE BILL, AND THE BILL WOULD NOT GET A HEARING OVER HERE IN THE SENATE BECAUSE PRO TEM TREAT AT THE TIME -- AND HE WAS CORRECT -- FELT LIKE THAT WAS OUR LAST BARGAINING CHIP WE HAD WITH THE TRIBES ON GAMING, AND HE KIND OF WANTED TO SIT ON THAT FOR A LITTLE BIT.

SO THIS YEAR, WE HAVE A NEW PRO TEM AND AG WAS ALLOWED TO PASS THE BILLS THROUGH COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY.

>> Noah: THE FIRST BILL THE SENATOR WAS REFERENCES IS HOUSE BILL 10-47 WHICH WOULD ALLOW OKLAHOMA TRIBES TO OFFER SPORTS BETTING WITH A 10% FEE GOING TO THE STATE.

BUT THIS TIME COLEMAN AND REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEN LUTTRELL INTRODUCED A SISTER BILL THAT WOULD ORDER A LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM, SENDING THE ISSUE TO OKLAHOMA VOTERS.

THAT IS CONTINGENT ON WHETHER OR NOT 10-47 BECOMES LAW, BRINGING US TO GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WHO SAYS NO DICE.

>> Stitt: WHAT YOU'RE SEEING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE HERE IS AN INDUSTRY, THE TRIBES IN THIS CASE, COMING TO THE LEGISLATURE SAYING THIS IS GOOD FOR ME, RUN THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

I THINK THAT'S THE HEIGHT OF CORRUPTION.

>> Noah: THAT WAS FROM A MONTH AGO, BUT WE REACHED OUT TO HIS OFFICE FOR A MORE CURRENT COMMENT AND HIS PRESS SECRETARY REITERATED THE GOVERNOR'S STANCE, ADDING THAT 10-47 IS DEAD ON ARRIVAL.

STITT PROPOSED HIS OWN SPORTS BETTING PLAN OVER TWO YEARS AGO.

THAT PLAN WOULD HAVE ANY BUSINESS PAY FOR A $500,000 LICENSE TO OPERATE ONLINE SPORTS GAMBLING, WHILE STILL RESERVING BRICK-AND-MORTAR FOR THE TRIBES.

>> Stitt: IF THEY WANT TO DO THE STATEWIDE MOBILE BETTING, ABSOLUTELY.

JUST COME PAY THE 500,000 AND COMPETE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

>> Noah: BUT THE OBSTACLE THAT BLOCKED HIS PLAN WAS THE LEGAL AGREEMENT THAT OKLAHOMA SIGNED WITH NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.

>> Coleman: I UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S COMING FROM.

I TOTALLY GET IT THAT IT SHOULD BE A FREE MARKET, BUT WE SIGNED A COMPACT THAT SAID, EXCEPT FOR GAMBLING, WE HAVE FREE MARKETS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Noah: OKLAHOMA VOTERS APPROVED THIS COMPACT IN 2004 VIA A REFERENDUM, AND SO COLEMAN SAYS LET'S DO THE SAME WITH SPORTS BETTING.

>> Coleman: LET THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA DECIDE.

>> Noah: 39 STATES, AS WELL AS WASHINGTON, D.C., HAVE ADOPTED LEGAL SPORTS BETTING IN SOME FORM, THE STATES YOU SEE IN YELLOW.

COLEMAN SAYS OKLAHOMA IS FALLING BEHIND, YET IT SEEMS LIKE LEGALIZATION IN OKLAHOMA IS AN INEVITABILITY.

>> Coleman: YES, IT WILL HAPPEN SOME DAY.

>> Noah: AND SOME CASINOS ARE ALREADY PREPPING FOR WHEN SPORTS BETTING COMES TO OKLAHOMA, LIKE HERE AT RIVER SPIRIT WHERE THEY'VE GOT A COUNTER WHERE THEORETICALLY THIS WOULD OPEN UP AND YOU'D COME PLACE YOUR SPORTS WAGER.

GRIDIRON IS A SPORTS BAR AT RIVER SPIRIT CASINO IN TULSA, SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO CAPTURE THAT SPORTS BETTING ATMOSPHERE, DOMINATED BY A 53-BY-14-FOOT HD L.E.D.

VIDEO WALL.

OPERATED BY MUSKOGEE NATION, RIVER SPIRIT OFTENTIMES HAS OUT-OF-STATE PATRONS WHO ASK WHERE THEY CAN PLACE THEIR BETS, WHO ARE SUBSEQUENTLY SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT IT IS STILL ILLEGAL.

MATTHEW MORGAN, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OKLAHOMA INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION, REMAINS RESOLUTE IN UPHOLDING THE 2004 STATE-TRIBAL AGREEMENT.

>> Morgan: LET'S NOT HARM OUR CURRENT COMPACT.

THERE IS A MECHANISM WITHIN THERE TO ALLOW THE EXPANSION OF GAMING FOR TRIBAL OPERATORS.

>> Noah: WHICH IS EXACTLY HOW 10-47 IS WRITTEN.

IT AMENDS THE EXISTING COMPACT, SUPPLEMENTING SPORTS GAMBLING.

MORGAN STRESSING THAT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT ROUTE.

>> Morgan: WE ADDED THE GAMES OF CRAPS AND ROULETTE.

THAT DID NOT GO TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

THAT WAS SIMPLY A STATE STATUTE AMENDMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND IT TOOK THE SUPPLEMENTAL FORM THAT THE COMPACT STATES.

AND IT WAS OFFERED TO TRIBES AND TO SAY BASICALLY IN RETURN FOR OFFERING, ADDING TO CRAPS AND ROULETTE, YOU AGREE TO SHARE THIS RATE OF FEES WITH THE STATE.

>> Noah: MORGAN ADDING THAT HE AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE NOT MET OVER HIS TERM AS CHAIRMAN.

>> Morgan: I WISH HIM OR HIS STAFF WOULD BE WILLING TO GO TO THE TABLE AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS, EITHER WITH THE OIGA OR TRIBAL LEADERS INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THAT HASN'T OCCURRED AND HE CONTINUES TO ADVOCATE ON BLOWING UP THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL ECONOMIC INDUSTRY AND TRYING TO START OVER FROM SQUARE ONE.

>> Noah: AS FOR STITT'S CRITIQUES OF A CONSTRICTED MARKET, MORGAN ASSURES THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR VIBRANT COMPETITION AMONG OKLAHOMA'S 38 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES.

>> Morgan: WE HAVE OVER 130-PLUS GAMING OPERATIONS IN A STATE THAT HAS A LITTLE OVER FOUR MILLION PEOPLE, SO I DESCRIBE THAT TO MEAN, THERE IS INTENSE COMPETITION BETWEEN OUR OPERATORS IN THE STATE IN ADDITION TO THE REGIONAL COMPETITION AROUND, KANSAS, MISSOURI, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, NEW MEXICO, COLORADO, ALL THAT GAMING THAT WE COMPETE WITH.

>> Noah: SO IF SOMEONE WANTS TO PLACE A SPORTS BET, THEY CAN DRIVE UP TO KANSAS, SOMETHING SENATOR COLEMAN HAS DONE HIMSELF.

>> Coleman: DIDN'T CASH IT IN EITHER, AND I WON.

>> Noah: HE KEPT THE RECEIPT AND DISPLAYS IT PROUDLY IN HIS SENATE OFFICE, BUT IT'S SAFE TO SAY MOST FANS WOULD COLLECT THEIR SPORTS BETTING BOUNTY.

>> Coleman: THAT IS MONEY LEAVING THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> Noah: COLEMAN SAYS HIS BILL WILL BRING IN ANYWHERE FROM 50 TO $150 MILLION TO THE STATE, BUT WITH THE CURRENT STALEMATE, THIS ISSUE MIGHT GO TO THE BALLOT OR FALL ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE NEXT GOVERNOR.

RICH.

>> Rich: NOAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> WELL, WE'RE NOW LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY FROM THE END OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 60th LEGISLATURE, AND THERE IS STILL MUCH WORK TO BE DONE IN CRAFTING A BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026.

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED BY ABOUT QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY FROM OUR OETA STUDIO IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

SHAWN, HOW MUCH PUBLIC TRANSPARENCY ARE WE SEEING IN THESE NEGOTIATIONS?

>> Shawn: WELL, WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT SEEING THE SAME LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY THAT WE SAW A YEAR AGO WHEN THE HOUSE, THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR MET IN OPEN BUDGET SUMMITS THAT ALLOWED THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA TO WATCH AS THEY NEGOTIATED THE BUDGET.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING, PARTICULARLY ON THE HOUSE'S BUDGET PORTAL WEBSITE, IS HOW THE BUDGET IS COMING TOGETHER, AND IT'S BEEN A SLOW PROCESS THUS FAR.

BUT OVERALL, HOUSE AND SENATE NEGOTIATORS, ACCORDING TO THAT PORTAL, SEEM TO BE REACHING A NUMBER OF AGREEMENTS ON FUNDING IN VARIOUS AREAS AND WE SEE THOSE POP UP EACH FRIDAY.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THEY HAVE UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH, THE LAST FRIDAY OF THIS MONTH, TO PUT THE WHOLE BUDGET TOGETHER AND END THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> Rich: SHAWN, THE DEADLINE FOR LAWMAKERS TO APPROVE OR REJECT RYAN WALTERS' CHANGES TO SOCIAL STUDY STANDARDS WAS THURSDAY.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

>> Shawn: NOTHING.

THREE JOINT RESOLUTIONS HAD BEEN FILED TO DISAPPROVE THOSE RULES, TWO BY DEMOCRATS AND ONE BY A REPUBLICAN, SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR, ADAM PUGH, BUT THEY WERE NOT TAKEN UP.

I SPOKE WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM LONNIE PAXTON ON TUESDAY, THE DAY THEY REALLY NEEDED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT RESOLUTION, AND HE SAID THE CAUCUS DIDN'T SUPPORT DISAPPROVING THE RESOLUTION, SO IT WASN'T GOING TO THE FLOOR.

AS A RESULT, THE 30 DAYS EXPIRED ON THURSDAY AND THOSE STANDARDS NOW TAKE EFFECT.

>> Rich: SO THEY WILL TAKE EFFECT, THEY'RE GOING FORWARD?

>> Shawn: THAT'S RIGHT.

>> Rich: NOW, SPEAKING OF RYAN WALTERS, THE GOVERNOR'S APPOINTED A RETIRED TEACHER TO FILL THE LONE VACANCY ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

WHO IS THAT AND WHAT IMPACT WOULD THAT HAVE ON THE BOARD AS IT OPERATES MOVING FORWARD?

>> Shawn: HER NAME IS BECKY CARSON.

SHE IS A THREE-DECADE SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AND SHE'S FROM EDMOND.

SHE FILLS THE DISTRICT 5 SEAT.

SO OBVIOUSLY SHE'LL BE BRINGING HER EXPERIENCE AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER AND IN PARTICULAR A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

CARSON FILLS A SEAT THAT'S BEEN VACANT NOW FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS AS A RESULT OF NO ONE BEING WILLING TO CARRY GOVERNOR STITT'S PREVIOUS NOMINEE, ALEX GRAY, TO THAT SEAT.

SO WE'LL SEE MORE MEMBERS ON THE BOARD AND MORE MEMBERS WITH AN EDUCATION BACKGROUND AND ACTUAL CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE SERVING ON THE BOARD.

>> Rich: GOVERNOR STITT'S WILDFIRE RESPONSE WORKING GROUP TASKED WITH DETERMINING WHAT WENT WRONG DURING AND AFTER THE MARCH 14th WILDFIRE OUTBREAK HAS ISSUED ITS PRELIMINARY REPORT.

WHAT DID IT SAY?

>> Shawn: WELL, IT WAS ONLY A ONE-PAGE REPORT, BUT IT DID POINT TO SOME SIGNIFICANT ISSUES SUCH AS FRAGMENTED COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AGENCIES DURING ACTIVE FIRES AND A LACK OF RADIO OPERABILITY ACROSS JURISDICTIONS, DELAYS IN RESOURCE DEPLOYMENT TO AREAS OF GREATEST NEEDS, SEVERE STAFFING SHORTAGE AMONG RURAL VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS, AND INSUFFICIENT PLANNING AND COORDINATION FOR HIGH RISK CONDITIONS.

WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO NOW IS LOOK AT HOW TO ADDRESS EACH OF THOSE ISSUES AND REPORT FURTHER IN THE FUTURE.

>> Rich: FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

IS GOVERNOR STITT EXPECTED TO SIGN A BELL-TO-BELL CELL PHONE BAN FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, AND DOES THE BILL THAT PASSED ON THE HOUSE CONTAIN ANY EXCEPTIONS?

>> Shawn: WELL, IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT HE WILL.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED FOR A CELL PHONE BAN, CELL PHONE BAN IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, BUT WHAT IS INTERESTING ABOUT THIS BILL IS THAT IT'S A ONE-YEAR BAN ON CELL PHONES, AND THEN IT GIVES SCHOOL DISTRICTS LOCAL CONTROL, THE ABILITY TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY CONTINUE WITH THAT PROHIBITION OR NOT.

SO ON ONE HAND, IT SATISFIES WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS AND ON THE OTHER HAND, IT MAY NOT.

IT WILL ULTIMATELY BE UP TO HIM TO DECIDE WITH EITHER SIGNING THE BILL OR VETOING IT.

>> Rich: AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, BY THE END OF THE MONTH, THAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE OVER WITH.

SO IT'S GONNA BE REALLY INTERESTING.

SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.

>> Shawn: YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> Rich: OKLAHOMA'S TWO LARGEST CITIES ARE BOTH TAKING STEPS TO REDUCE THEIR HOMELESS POPULATIONS.

WITH MORE ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY TAELYR JACKSON.

TAELYR?

>> Taelyr: RICH, IT'S NO SECRET THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE NATION HAS INCREASED WITHIN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

COMMUNITY LEADERS IN BOTH OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING ISSUE.

[ APPLAUSE ] EVERY JANUARY, OKLAHOMA CITY CONDUCTS A POINT IN TIME COUNT TO ASSESS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OKC.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS GATHERED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AT THE HISTORY MUSEUM TO HEAR 2025'S COUNT.

THIS YEAR, THERE WERE 1,882 PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OKLAHOMA'S CAPITAL CITY.

KEY TO HOME PARTNERSHIP STRATEGY IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER, JAIME CAVES, SAYS THAT'S A 2.4% INCREASE FROM LAST YEAR'S POINT-IN-TIME COUNT.

>> Caves: WHILE AN INCREASE IS NEVER WHAT WE WANT TO SEE, WE'RE OBVIOUSLY THRILLED BECAUSE THIS IS A DRASTIC SLOWDOWN FROM THE 28% INCREASE WE SAW LAST YEAR.

SO WE REALLY SEE THIS AS A VICTORY, BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> Taelyr: KEY TO HOME PARTNERSHIP, LED BY THE CITY, IS A COLLABORATION OF MORE THAN 50 ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO PREVENT AND END HOMELESSNESS IN THE OKC METRO.

>> Caves: IN ORDER TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS MORE EFFICIENTLY, WE MUST INVERT OUR FUNNEL BY FOCUSING ON THREE KEY POINTS.

FIRST, WE WILL NEED TO REDUCE INFLOW BY ENSURING FEWER PEOPLE ARE ENTERING HOMELESSNESS.

SECOND, WE WILL USE TARGETED INTERVENTIONS TO ELIMINATE LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS.

AND THIRD, WE MUST EXPAND OUR AVAILABLE HOUSING EXITS TO ALLOW PEOPLE TO FLOW THROUGH THE SYSTEM MORE EFFICIENTLY.

>> Taelyr: KEY TO HOME LAUNCHED ITS MAJOR EFFORT, THE ENCAMPMENT REHOUSING INITIATIVE, IN 2023.

THE PARTNERSHIP GOAL IS TO REHOUSE 500 UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS BY THE END OF 2025 THROUGH THE INITIATIVE.

>> Caves: WE HAVE HOUSED MORE THAN 350 PEOPLE.

SO WE'RE RIGHT ON TRACK TO HIT THAT GOAL BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> Taelyr: CAVES SAYS THE ENDING OF FEDERAL FUNDING FROM THE PANDEMIC PLAYED A ROLE IN THE INCREASE OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE.

>> Caves: WHEN WE INVEST IN SCALING HOUSING AND SUPPORTS, WE ENABLE TRANSFORMATIVE WORK.

[ APPLAUSE ] WHEN THOSE PROGRAMS AND INTERVENTIONS ROLLED BACK IN 2023, WE SAW THAT REFLECTED IN OUR 2024 COUNT WITH A 28% INCREASE IN OVERALL HOMELESSNESS.

THIS SHARP INCREASE FURTHER ILLUSTRATED THE NEED TO CONTINUE REDESIGNING THE HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM.

>> Taelyr: OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR DAVID HOLT REMAINS COMMITTED TO BRINGING AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE METRO.

>> Holt: WE HAVE COMMITTED $55 MILLION TO TRULY AFFORDABLE HOUSING THROUGH MAPS 4 AND LATER THIS YEAR, WE'LL PUT BEFORE THE PEOPLE OF OKC A BOND ISSUE PROPOSAL TO PUT TENS OF MILLIONS MORE DOLLARS INTO HOUSING.

STAY TUNED FOR THAT AND BE READY TO SPEAK UP FOR THAT PROPOSAL.

>> Taelyr: JUST UP THE TURNER TURNPIKE, TULSA MAYOR MONROE NICHOLS SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER IN MARCH TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE ORDER ALIGNS WITH RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, AND MENTAL HEALTH TASK FORCE, ALSO KNOWN AS THE 3H TASK FORCE.

LAST YEAR'S POINT-IN-TIME COUNT FOR TULSA WAS 1,400.

SOME OF MAYOR NICHOLS' MAIN GOALS INCLUDED ACHIEVING FUNCTIONAL ZERO HOMELESSNESS BY 2030, ENSURE ADEQUATE LOW BARRIER SHELTER CAPACITY, REDUCE TULSA'S EVICTION RATE, AND CREATE A CITYWIDE SYSTEM OF COORDINATION.

BRAD JOHNSON IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF EDEN VINYL OF TULSA.

HE APPRECIATES MAYOR NICHOLS' EFFORTS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED.

>> Johnson: IT'S BETTER TO BE BOLD AND SET YOUR BAR HIGH THAN JUST IGNORE IT, KICK THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT'S HAPPENED IS TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD IN THIS HOMELESSNESS DEAL.

IT'S SOMEBODY ELSE'S PROBLEM.

OH, I'M COMFORTABLE, I'M NOT GONNA MESS WITH IT.

WELL, IT'S OUR PROBLEM AS A COMMUNITY AND IT'S A REAL PROBLEM FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW SOMEBODY OR HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO HAS FACED HOMELESSNESS OVER THEIR LIFETIME.

>> Taelyr: EDEN VILLAGE OF TULSA 17-ACRE GATED TINY HOME COMMUNITY BUILT TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> Johnson: I STARTED TO VOLUNTEER IN THE HOMELESS SPACE AT JOHN 3:16 MISSION HERE AT ERCHANT CITY LIGHTS AND BEGAN TO GET TO KNOW SOME HOMELESS FOLKS AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM AND LEARN ABOUT IT.

DID SOME RESEARCH, FOUND OUT ABOUT EDEN VILLAGE IN SPRINGFIELD.

>> Taelyr: THE TULSA VILLAGE OFFICIALLY OPENED LAST DECEMBER.

>> Johnson: THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE, THEY HAVE TO BE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS, WHICH BY DEFINITION IS AT LEAST A YEAR ON THE STREETS OF ALL THE FOLKS THAT ARE OUT ON THE STREETS WITHOUT A HOME RIGHT NOW.

ABOUT 35% OF THOSE, ON AVERAGE, ARE CONSIDERED CHRONIC.

SO THEY HAVE TO BE WILLING TO PAY RENT 350 A MONTH, BILLS PAID.

>> Taelyr: ABOUT 27 PEOPLE LIVE ON THE SITE NOW.

>> I FEEL SAFER, IT'S A COMMUNITY THAT I HAVE FOUND THAT COMES TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, MAKING NEW FRIENDSHIPS.

>> Taelyr: EDEN VILLAGE IS IN THE PROCESS OF MORE TINY HOMES ON THE PROPERTY.

JOHNSON SAYS THEY PLAN TO HAVE 63 HOMES ONSITE.

EACH HOME COMES FULLY FURNISHED AND INCLUDED A SMALL KITCHENETTE AND FULL BATHROOM.

>> Johnson: EVERY HOMELESS PERSON IN TULSA ON AVERAGE COSTS OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT $35,000 JUST TO PAY FOR THEIR SHELTER.

FOOD, E.R.

VISITS IS -- ARE HUGE.

POLICE AND FIRE RESPONSE, PICKING UP TRASH, 35,000.

SO EVERY PERSON WE PUT IN EDEN VILLAGE, JUST DO THE MATH, THAT'S ABOUT $2 MILLION THAT WE'RE SAVING THE COMMUNITY EVERY YEAR.

>> Taelyr: TULSA'S 2025 POINT-IN-TIME COUNT NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN RELEASED YET.

THE COUNT IS TYPICALLY DONE IN JANUARY.

RICH?

>> Rich: TAELYR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT.

>>> WHEN THE SUPREME COURT ISSUES A RULING IN THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD VS. DRUMMOND CASE, IT COULD HAVE THE SAIL KIND OF SEISMIC IMPACT ON PUBLIC EDUCATION, THAT THE 2020 McGIRT DECISION HAS HAD ON STATE AND TRIBAL RELATIONS.

WILL THE JUSTICES DETERMINE THAT THE ST. ISADORE OF SEVILLE CATHOLIC VIRTUAL SCHOOL IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR NOT?

THE COURT HEARD ORAL ARGUMENTS ON WEDNESDAY.

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

CASSIDY?

>> Cassidy: RICH, THE SUPREME COURT SEEMED DIVIDED OVER EFFORTS TO CREATE THE NATION'S FIRST PUBLICLY FUNDED VIRTUAL CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL.

HERE TO BREAK DOWN WHAT JUSTICES DISCUSSED DURING THOSE ORAL ARGUMENTS AND WHAT THIS LANDMARK CASE COULD MEAN FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS DOCTOR ALLISON SHORTALL.

SHE'S AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA'S POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY A.J.FERRATTO, THE ATTORNEY FOR THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON THIS ISSUE AND HE'S ZOOMING IN FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AJ, DR. SHORTALL, THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> GREAT TO BE HERE, THANK YOU.

>> THANKS.

>> Cassidy: GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK.

A.J., YOU'VE BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED WITH THIS CASE.

YOU WERE ACTUALLY IN THE COURTROOM FOR THOSE ORAL ARGUMENTS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

WHAT DID YOU HEAR FROM THE QUESTIONS BEING ASKED BY THE SUPREME COURT AND DID YOU GET A SENSE OF WHERE THEY MIGHT BE LEANING?

>> SURE, IT WAS AN ENTERTAINING MORNING.

I'VE BEEN TO THE COURT ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS AND THIS TIME, AGAIN, AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE CASE, I REPRESENT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ON THIS MATTER, AND THE -- AND THERE'S A SUBSEQUENT DISTRICT COURT CASE WHERE WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED AS WELL.

AND THE REAL ISSUE, THE QUESTION WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE, IS THE BOARD OF A CHARTER A PRIVATE OR PUBLIC ENTITY.

THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT'S BEEN PUT BEFORE THE COURT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

I THINK THAT WE KNOW FROM CASE LAW THAT HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR A WHILE, BUT MORE RECENTLY, THERE'S BEEN THREE U.S. SUPREME COURT CASES IN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS THAT HAVE LED US TO THE POSITION THAT WE TOOK IN THIS CASE, AND I THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A FOURTH CASE THAT FALLS IN LINE WITH THE OTHERS, THAT THE QUESTION AS YOU MIGHT SUSPECT FROM THE DEMOCRAT APPOINTEES ON THE COURT WERE A LITTLE MORE POINTED TOWARD OUR POSITION.

CERTAINLY THE APPOINTEES OF REPUBLICAN JUDGES -- REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS, THOSE JUDGES AND JUSTICES, WERE MORE SUPPORTIVE OR THE QUESTIONS SEEMED TO LEAD AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S POSITION.

THERE ARE MANY HERE THAT I'VE TALKED TO AFTER THE ARGUMENT OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS THAT SEEM LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE A 4-4 OR 5-3 DECISION.

BEING IN THE COURTROOM AND LISTENING TO THE DEBATE AND LISTENING TO THE DISCUSSIONS, I DO BELIEVE IT'S GOING TO BE A 5-3 REVERSAL OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT'S DECISION LAST YEAR, AND ALLOWANCE FOR THE ST. ISADORE CHARTER SCHOOL TO PROCEED FORWARD WITH ENROLLING STUDENTS.

>> Cassidy: DR. SHORTALL, WHAT WAS YOUR IMPRESSION OF THE JUSTICES' TONE AND NATURE ON WEDNESDAY?

>> I'LL PARROT A.J.

I AGREE THAT IT SEEMED THAT THERE WAS A LIBERAL SKEPTICISM, OF COURSE.

WE HAD JUSTS KAGAN, SOTOMAYOR, ALSO JUSTICE JACKSON DEFINITELY DIGGING IN.

YOU COULD TELL SEEM RESISTANCE THERE TO THE ARGUMENTS MADE AGAINST ST. ISADORE, BUT BY AND LARGE, WE SAW A LOT OF CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES MAKING PROFOUND STATEMENTS IN SUPPORT, IN PARTICULAR BRETT KAVANAUGH.

JUSTICE KAVANAUGH SAYSED THIS TANTAMOUNT TO DISCRIMINATION.

SO IN HIS VIEW, A CONSERVATIVE JUSTICE WHO SOMETIMES WILL SIDE WITH LIBERALS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, WE SEE SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO SUPPORT ABSOLUTELY THE ISADORE RULING AND WANT ISADORE TO OPERATE AS IS THE PLAN IN OKLAHOMA IF THE SUPREME COURT CASE IN OKLAHOMA IS STRUCK DOWN BY THE SUPREME COURT HERE.

AND I WOULD SAY THAT CHIEF JUSTICE ROBERTS WAS PARTICULARLY SILENT DURING THESE HEARINGS, AS HE'S WONT TO DO, BUT THAT LARGELY SPEAKS TO HIS ROLE AS CHIEF JUSTICE WHERE HE IS TRYING TO BE AS -- PROBABLY WAITING UNTIL THE FINAL SAY COMES DOWN TO VOICE HIS OPINION.

WHICH BASED ON HIS RECORD, LIKELY WILL BE IN FAVOR OF THE CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE OUTCOME.

>> Cassidy: AJ, LIKE YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, THE COURT REALLY SEEMED TO ZERO IN ON WHETHER A PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL IS TRULY A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THOSE ARGUMENTS THAT ST. ISADORE BEARS ALL THE CHARACTERISTICS OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL SCHOOL AND THEREBY JUST OPERATELY CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS?

>> I WOULD SAY A COUPLE THINGS.

IF IT HAD ALL THE EXHIBITS OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL, I WOULDN'T BE A NEED FOR A CHARTER SCHOOL.

THAT'S THE FIRST ONE.

CHARTER SKOORLS DESIGNED FOR THE CONCEPT THAT YOU CAN STEERMENT WITH THE PROGRAMMING THAT'S AVAILABLE.

CHARTER SCHOOLS WERE DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRYING TO COME UP WITH NEW EDUCATIONAL METHODS THAT CAN PROVIDE BENEFIT TO THE STUDENT AND IN MANY INSTANCES, THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AREN'T NECESSARILY PROVIDING THAT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL STUDENTS.

AND SO THAT'S WHERE CHARTER SCHOOLS CAME IN.

>> Cassidy: AND ASM J., VERY QUICKLY HERE FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT BE UNFAMILIAR WITH CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CHARTER SCHOOL AND A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL AND WHY IS THAT DISTINCTION IMPORTANT HERE?

>> SURE.

A PUBLIC SCHOOL IS JUST, YOU KNOW, I THINK MOST OF YOUR VIEWERS ARE PROBABLY FAMILIAR.

THEY GO TO THE FOOTBALL GAMES, THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAMES.

THEY GO TO THE BASKETBALL GAMES.

THOSE ARE TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN SOME INSTANCES, IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND IN OTHER STATES, BUT SPECIFICALLY HERE IN OKLAHOMA, YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHICH ARE SCHOOLS SET UP BY A SPONSOR SUCH AS PRIVATE ENTITY OR IN SOME INSTANCES A SCHOOL DISTRICT THEMSELVES CAN SET UP THESE CHARTER SCHOOLS OR UNIVERSITIES CAN BE THE SPONSOR OF THESE CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THESE ENTITIES ARE THEN SET UP TO PROVIDE, IN MANY INSTANCES, THEY MAY BE SET UP FOR SPECIFIC REASONS.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN NORMAN, THEY HAVE AN AVIATION ACADEMY DOWN THERE AND MAYBE FOR A SPECIFIC LANGUAGE.

I BELIEVE THAT IT'S THE CADDO NATION THAT PROVIDES A CHARTER SCHOOL WHERE THE LANGUAGE OF THE CADDO PEOPLE ARE SPOKEN IN SCHOOL AND TAUGHT.

THERE CAN BE A NUMBER OF OTHER DIFFERENT METHODS OR TECHNIQUES, BUT THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE A DIFFERENT LEARNING EXPERIENCE FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO TRY TO ACHIEVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL FAMILIARITY WITH THE STUDENTS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE THEM SUCCESSFUL.

>> Cassidy: DR. SHORTALL, CONSIDERING FUNDING FOR ST. ISADORE IN YOUR OPINION, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT THE COURT CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER OR NOT RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS SHOULD RECEIVE PUBLIC FUNDING?

>> THIS IS A REAL INFLUENTIAL CASE OR IT STANDS TO BE IN TERMS OF SOLIDIFYING HOW WE VIEW THE FIRST AMENDMENT, SPECIFICALLY OUR IDEA OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS, THE FIRST AMENDMENT, BUT THOSE RELIGIOUS PROTECTIONS SOMETIMES ARE IN CONFLICT WITH ONE ANOTHER.

WE HAVE A FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE WHICH CERTAINLY THIS CASE IS ABOUT, BUT THERE'S ALSO AN ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE IS ESSENTIALLY THAT FREEDOM FROM RELIGION THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF THERE BEING NO STATE-SPONSORED RELIGION.

AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS LARGELY DUE TO THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION.

THERE WAS SO MUCH SECTARIAN STRIFE AND VIOLENCE AT THE TIME THAT THE FOUNDERS THOUGHT IT TO BE A REALLY UNWISE DECISION TO LOOK AT ANYONE'S RELIGION AS THE STATE RELIGION.

SO THE BIG QUESTION HERE IS ARE THEY PRIVILEGING CHRISTIANITY, WHICH IS A BIG DISCUSSION WITHIN THE SUPREME COURT IN TERMS OF THEIR MOST RECENT CASES, AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY IS NAVIGATING RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO APPROVE OF THIS AS CONSTITUTIONALLY VALID OR NOT.

>> Cassidy: A.J., WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT?

ARE THEY PRIVILEGING CHRISTIANITY?

>> WELL, LET ME MAKE SURE THAT I'M SETTING A CLEAR BASIS FOR THE DISCUSSION AND RESPOND TO WHAT I HEARD.

FIRST OF ALL, THIS CONCEPT OF A SEPARATION BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE, THAT COMES FROM A 1947 SUPREME COURT DECISION CALLED EVERSON VS. UNITED STATES.

THAT DECISION ACTUALLY IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THOMAS JEFFERSON WROTE ABOUT AT THE TIME.

IT'S OUT OF A LETTER THAT THOMAS JEFFS WROTE TO THE DANBURY BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE DANBURY BAPTIST CHURCH WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONCEPT THAT THERE WOULD BE A STATE RELIGION.

IN THIS CASE, IT WAS TO BE STAEL WAS THE FEAR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH, AND THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS WRITING TO THEM, SAYING, NO, NO, NO, WE ARE NOT SETTING UP THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

WE ARE SETTING THIS UP SO THAT ALL FAITHS WILL BE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENTED.

WHEN THE EVERSON DECISION CAME OUT, IT CREATED THIS OPPOSITE CONTEXT WHATEVER JEFFERSON ACTUALLY SAID AND IT'S NOT TO PROTECT GOVERNMENT FROM RELIGION.

IT'S TO PROTECT RELIGION FROM GOVERNMENT.

AND SO THIS ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE CONSTRUCT THAT WE DISCUSSED FOR REALLY THE PAST 70 YEARS HAS BEEN A MISUNDERSTANDING OF TRULY WHAT THOMAS JEFFERSON MEANT.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO ESTABLISH A MUSLIM OR A CHRISTIAN OR A JEWISH OR ANY OTHER FAITH THAT YOU WANT TO DISCUSS GOVERNMENT, BUT THOSE RELIGIOUS AND FAITHS ARE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LIVELIHOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY, AND SO ANY CONCEPT THAT WE'RE UNDER SOME CONSTRUCT ABOUT PLAYING THE JOINT BETWEEN THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE AND THE FREE EXERCISE CLAUSE, IT JUST PURELY DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

THAT WAS RESOLVED IN THAT CASE THAT I HAD BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT THREE YEARS AGO IN KENNEDY VERSUS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WHEN THEY KNOCKED OUT THE SO-CALLED LEMON TEST.

SO WE'RE AT A POINT NOW WHERE I THINK THE COURT RECOGNIZES THAT THERE IS AN ESTABLISHMENT -- WE FOLLOW THAT UNDER COURT PRECEDENT, BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME STRENGTH THAT IT DID DURING THE EVERSON TO KENNEDY YEARS.

>> Cassidy: DR. SHORTALL, DID YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT'S BEING NAVIGATED BY THE COURT RIGHT NOW IS HOW TO INTERPRET THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE, AND RIGHT NOW, IT APPEARS THAT A.J.

'S POINT OF VIEW AND WHAT'S ARTICULATING RIGHT NOW IS A LOT OF THE RHETORIC WE'RE HEARING AROUND HOW IT'S LIKELY GOING TO BE INTERPRET THE MOVING FORWARD.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT HALF OR MORE THAN HALF OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AGREES WITH THAT ASSESSMENT.

WITH A RICH TRADITION OF PROTECTING THIS COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM CHURCH AND STATE, MOST AMERICANS WANT THAT TO EXIST.

SO IT BECOMES DIFFICULT WHEN WE HAVE LEGAL CONVERSATIONS BY ELITES THAT ARE INTERPRETING THE CONSTITUTION AS THEY SHOULD BE, AND THIS IS VERY -- A GOOD PRACTICE, OBVIOUSLY, TO ALWAYS NAVIGATE HOW OUR DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES ARE BEING APPLIED WITHIN OUR LAWS AND WITHIN OUR SYSTEM, BUT THE BIG QUESTION IS WHETHER THAT'S GOING TO BE ACCEPTABLE TO AN AMERICAN PUBLIC THAT IS USED TO HAVING THAT SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE AND USE THAT AS A PROTECTION FOR RELIGIOUS MINORITIES.

>> Cassidy: DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE ACCEPTED?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PILL TO SWALLOW BY BLUE STATES, IN PARTICULAR, BUT FROM A PRACTICAL STANDPOINT, WE ALREADY HAVE MUCH OF THIS BLURRING OF THE LINE BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE IN RED STATES LIKE OKLAHOMA.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THAT IS OUR VOUCHER PROGRAM ALREADY THAT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF FUNDING EDUCATION FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN OUR STATE.

SO WE TALK ABOUT ST. ISADORE AS A NEW CHARTER SCHOOL METHOD.

THAT'S JUST A DIFFERENT TYPE OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THAT NOW PARENTS CAN SEEK OUT IN OKLAHOMA.

BUT THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT BLUE STATES ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACCESS ONCE THIS LAW WOULD -- ONCE THIS SUPREME COURT CASE WOULD BE DECIDED IN FAVOR OF ST. ISADORE.

>> Cassidy: CAN'T IF IF THE SUPREME COURT DOES -- AND IN THE SUPREME COURT DOES DECIDE IN FAVOR OF THE SCHOOL, WHAT PRECEDENT DOES THIS SET?

LAY IT OUT.

>> I THINK THIS WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR OTHER CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OTHER STATES THAT CURRENTLY DON'T HAVE THEM THAT WOULD OFFER RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION, WOULD BE THE MAIN PRECEDENT SET, BUT I THINK IT WOULD ALSO SET INTO MOTION A LOT OF OTHER LEGAL BATTLES OVER PARENTAL RIGHTS BECAUSE WHILE WE'RE HEARING A LOT ABOUT THE PARENTAL RIGHTS OF CONSERVATIVE CHRISTIANS IN AMERICA, WE HAVE OBVIOUSLY A POLARIZED NATION ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT, PUBLIC RELIGION RESEARCH INSTITUTE TELLS US THAT ABOUT A QUARTER OF AMERICANS ARE UNAFFILIATED AND THEN AMONGST RELIGIOUS CHRISTIAN AMERICANS, WE HAVE HALF WHO ARE SORT OF IN SUPPORT OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, BUT HALF THAT AREN'T.

SO AMONGST ALL OF THESE PEOPLE, THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF LITIGATION AND FIGURING OUT, YOU KNOW, IS THIS SOMEHOW VIOLATING MY CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS, AND THAT'S GOING TO BE, GERNG LITIGATED IN THE COURTS TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE APPLY THAT LAW AND WHAT ARE OUR BEST PRACTICES IN MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY RECEIVES EDUCATIONAL FUNDING THAT IS EQUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE FOR THEIR CHILD.

>> Cassidy: A.J., SAME QUESTION AND FINAL QUESTION TO YOU.

WHAT PRECEDENT WOULD THIS SET IF THE COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF ST. ISADORE?

>> IN A RESPONSE, I THINK THE COURT WAS VERY CLEAR IN THE DISCUSSION THAT UNDER AN OKLAHOMA-STYLE CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM, I THINK THAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE A ST. ISADORE, BUT A CONCERN ABOUT BLUE STATES A STATE LIKE CALIFORNIA WAS SPECIFICALLY ADDRESSED WHERE CALIFORNIA REQUIRES STATE-APPOINTED BOARD MEMBERS TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THIS WOULDN'T APPLY IN CALIFORNIA.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

SO WHAT PRECEDENT WILL IT SET?

IT WILL SET THE OPPORTUNITY THAT STATES LIKE OKLAHOMA THAT ARE 49th IN EDUCATION THAT WANT TO BEGIN TO ACHIEVE AND WANT TO EXPLORE DIFFERENT OPPORTUNITIES TO INCREASE OUR QUALITY OF EDUCATION, WE CAN DO THAT.

BUT IF OTHER STATES DON'T WANT TO EXPLORE THE SAME METHODS AND TECHNIQUES THAT OKLAHOMA SEEKS TO PURSUE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT, AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THAT CHANGES IN ANOTHER CASE, BUT UNDER THIS CASE, UNDER THE AUTHORITY THAT IS LIKELY TO COME OUT OF THIS DECISION, IT'S REALLY GOING TO APPLY SPECIFICALLY TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEMS THAT ARE SET UP SIMILAR TO OKLAHOMA.

>> Cassidy: AND REALLY QUICK JUST TO CLARIFY, WHEN WILL THIS DECISION ACTUALLY BE MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT?

>> THIS IS -- WELL, I GUESS IT'S NOT THE LAST.

IT'S USUALLY THE LAST DATE OF AN ORAL ARGUMENT IN A TERM.

THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO GET RESOLVED AND YOU'LL GET THE DECISION PROBABLY AT THE END OF JUNE.

>> Cassidy: ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, THANK YOU.

>> Rich: AND THANKS TO ALL.

>>> GREAT NEWS FOR WORKERS IN MARIETTA, OKLAHOMA.

THE SMALL TOWN IN LOVE COUNTY HIT SO HARD BY TORNADOES LAST YEAR.

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

>> Jason: MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER A MAJOR TORNADO TOOK OUT DOLLAR TREE'S MARIETTA DISTRIBUTION CENTER, THE COMPANY HAS ANNOUNCED IT WILL REBUILD IN THE SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA TOWN JUST OFF I-35.

THE NEW FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BE ONE MILLION SQUARE FEET AND WILL GET NEW AND IMPROVED TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS AND WILL BE TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED.

IT ALSO MEANS THAT 400 JOBS WILL BE RETURNING TO MARIETTA.

THE TOWN ALSO LOST ITS ONLY GROCERY STORE AND SAW THE NEARBY HOSPITAL DAMAGED.

DOLLAR TREE HAS SET THE GOAL FOR THE NEW FACILITY TO BE OPERATIONAL BY SPRING OF 2027.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY COMETS, THE TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE OF THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS, HAVE PROMOTED KYLE DAUGHTERY TO THE POSITION OF GENERAL MANAGER.

DAUGHTERY SUCCEEDS MICHAEL BYRNES, WHO IS NOW LEADING THE EFFORTS TO STAGE CANOE SLALOM AND SOFTBALL IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR THE LOS ANGELES OLYMPICS 2028.

DAUGHTERY JOINED THE ORGANIZATION IN 2010 AND HAS SERVED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF TICKET SALES FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED ACORN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT ITS CEO AND MANAGING PARTNER, RICK NAGEL, HAS BEEN APPOINTED TO THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY SOERKT'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

THE AIA REPRESENTS MORE THAN 300 COMPANIES IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, SUPPORTING MORE THAN 2.2 MILLION JOBS AND CONTRIBUTING $425 BILLION TO THE U.S.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: GREAT JOB, JASON.

THANK YOU.

>>> JUST LIKE CANCER OR HEART DISEASE, MANY MENTAL HEALTH ILLNESSES CAN BE TREATED IF THEY ARE DIAGNOSED EARLY, AND THAT'S THE MISSION OF WERK AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS.

TO EXPLAIN THE ACRONYM AND HOW WERK IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, HERE'S REPORTER JIM KERRCHER WITH OUR PBS PARTNERS AT NINE PBS IN ST. LOUIS.

>> Reporter: IN A BUILDING ON WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY'S MEDICAL CAMPUS, YOU WILL FIND WERK.

THE WASHINGTON EARLY RECOGNITION CENTER.

IT'S FOCUS IS IDENTIFYING AND TREATING THE EARLY STAGES OF SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES IN YOUNG ADULTS AGES 13 TO 25.

THE CENTER'S FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR IS PSYCHIATRIST DR. DANIEL MAMA.

>> AND BASICALLY, IT'S A CLINIC THAT SPECIALIZES IN INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE AT AN EARLY STAGE OF A PSYCHOTIC DISORDER LIKE SCHIZOPHRENIA OR DISAFFECTIVE DISORDER OR AT RISK OF DEVELOPING THESE IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: YOU'RE LOOKING AT EARLIER AGE GROUPS THAN MOST OF US THINK ABOUT.

WE THINK OF ADULTS, VERY OFTEN ADULT MALES IN MY MIND, DEALING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA.

DOES IT EMERGE EARLY ON?

>> WELL, THE SCHIZOPHRENIA TYPICALLY ON AVERAGE TENDS TO FIRST PRESENT DURING THE LATE TEEN YEARS OR THE EARLY 20s.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH, ABOUT 6% OF ADULTS IN THE U.S. ARE LIVING WITH SMI, A SERIOUS YAS MENTAL ILLNESS, WHICH INCLUDES POTENTIAL TI DEBILITATING CASES OF BUY POERP DISORDER AND SCHIZOPHRENIA.

THE GREATEST PREVALENCE OF SMIs IS AMONG 18 TO 25-YEAR-OLDS, WHO ARE ALSO LESS LIKELY TO BE RECEIVING TREATMENT THAN OLDER ADULT.

>> OUR CLINIC DOESN'T ONLY TREAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY PSYCHOTIC, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO PEOPLE EARLIER, AND THE REASON IS, JUST LIKE FOR, YOU KNOW, ANY OTHER MEDICAL, YOU KNOW, CONDITION, THE EARLIER THAT YOU CAN INTERVENE, THE BETTER THE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES ARE.

>> Reporter: THE WERK CENTER IS FREE AND IT'S SERVED ABOUT 200 PATIENTS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

AND TO HELP IDENTIFY EARLY WARNING SIGNS, IT'S DEVELOPED A TWO-PAGE QUESTIONNAIRE ASKING ABOUT SUCH THINGS AS MOOD SWINGS, SLEEP HABITS, THOUGHTS, VOICES, HALLUCINATIONS, AND DR. MAMA SAYS MOST PATIENTS ANSWER HONESTLY.

>> SO HERE, AGAIN, THE GOAL IS, IF WE CAN PICK UP EVEN ATTENUATED LOWER GRADE PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS, THEN WE CAN MONITOR PEOPLE CLOSER AND WE CAN INTERVENE SOONER.

SO THAT'S WHAT THE QUESTIONNAIRE DOES IS IT RELATIVELY QUICKLY IS ABLE TO PICK UP PSYCHOTIC AND RELATED KIND OF SYMPTOMS THAT YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A LOT OF RESEARCH INTO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE BRAIN IN SOMEONE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA, BUT THERE IS NO CURE, JUST TREATMENT.

ADVANCES HAVE BEEN MADE IN MEDICATION, WHICH ARE USUALLY AN IMPORTANT PART OF THOSE TREATMENTS.

>> BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH FOR MOST PEOPLE.

YOU DO NEED OTHER KINDS OF SUPPORT BECAUSE PSYCHOSIS AND SCHIZOPHRENIA CAN BE VERY TAXING TO THE PERSON, TO THE COMMUNITY, AND YOU OFTEN DO NEED PSYCHOTHERAPY, OFTEN DO NEED HELP WITH SOCIAL SUPPORT, WITH EMPLOYMENT, WITH EDUCATION, WITH HOUSING, AND FOR JUST MEDICATING THE PROBLEM OFTEN DOESN'T WORK.

A LOT OF TIMES US BECAUSE THEY DON'T -- A LOT OF PATIENTS DON'T ACTUALLY TAKE THE MEDICATION.

HOW DO YOU FORCE THEM?

YOU JUST GIVE IT TO THEM, THEY MAY NOT TAKE IT, BUT IF YOU PROVIDE THE SUPPORTIVE NETWORK WITH OTHER KINDS OF INTERVENTIONS, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO TAKE THE MEDICATION AND GET BETTER ABOUT.

>> Reporter: SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESSES OCCUR IN ALL COMMUNITIES, ETHNIC AND ECONOMIC GROUPS, BUT SOME PEOPLE HAVE BETTER ACCESS TO CARE THAN OTHERS AND TO THE SUPPORTS OF FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THERE INVOLVEMENT IN THIS?

>> IT IS REALLY VERY IMPORTANT.

THE FAMILY AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA AND PART OF WHAT WE DO AT THE CLINIC IS TRY TO COORDINATE ALL THESE THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO WE DO PROVIDE A LOT OF EDUCATION, A LOT OF SUPPORT TO THE PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AS NEEDED.

I THINK THAT THE MAIN THING THAT PARENTS AND FAMILY MEMBERS NEED TO KNOW IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE A PSYCHOTIC DISORDER CAN GET BETTER.

VERY SIMILAR TO, YOU KNOW, CANCER OR CARDIAC DISEASE.

IF YOU CAN INTERVENE EARLIER, THEN THE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES TEND TO BE BETTER.

>> Reporter: FOR LIVING ST. LOUIS, I'M JIM KERRCHER.

>> Rich: ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, STUDIES SHOW BLACK WOMEN HAVE TROUBLE BEING HEARD IN A HOSPITAL SETTING, AND IT'S IMPACTING THEIR ABILITY TO BE TREATED PROPERLY.

WHAT'S BEING DONE IN ONE OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY TO CHANGE THAT.

NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00.

>>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE PLANETS EXHIBIT AT THE OKLAHOMA SCIENCE MUSEUM PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OUR 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.

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