.

>>> 11TH HOUR ACRIMONY BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND LAWMAKERS AS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION COMES TO AN END.

>> JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE AN R BY THEIR NAME WHEN THEY'RE RUNNING, YOU GOTTA KNOW HOW THEY'RE VOTING.

>> WE WERE PRETTY FRUSTRATED WITH THAT VIDEO THAT CAME OUT.

AND SO I TOLD MY TEAM, I SAID, LOOK, WE DID OUR PART.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER ROLL INTO THE NBA FINALS FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY.

>> WE LEVERAGED THIS OPPORTUNITY TWO DECADES AGO, GETTING THE TEAM TO BRING OURSELVES UP TO THAT UPPER STATUS.

AND THAT HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS FOR US.

>>> AN EDMOND FAMILY TAKES ACTION TO FIND A CURE FOR A RARE DISEASE THAT AFFECTS ONE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

>> I GUESS THE FOUR MAIN PILLARS I USE TO DESCRIBE IT ARE LOSS OF BALANCE, LOSS OF COORDINATION, FATIGUE AND, SOME WEAKNESS.

>>> TWO FREED ISRAELI HOSTAGES RELIVE THEIR HARROWING ORDEAL IN THE TUNNELS OF GAZA.

>> IN MY MIND, I SAID, I'M ALREADY DEAD.

THEY WILL TAKE ME TO GAZA, SHOOT A VIDEO OF ME SAYING SOMETHING AND WILL KILL ME BECAUSE I'M ALREADY INJURED.

>>> THE FIFTH ANNUAL SUNNY DAYZ MURAL FESTIVAL PREPARES TO TRANSFORM ANOTHER OKLAHOMA CITY BLOCK.

>> IT'S AMAZING TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY IN OKLAHOMA, THAT CAN REALLY PROMOTE ARTISTS AND GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS OUR ANNUAL REPORTER ROUNDTABLE ON THE JUST-COMPLETED LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

NEXT, ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT!” HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SAID THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION WAS ONE OF THE BEST IN HIS SEVEN YEARS AS GOVERNOR.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON THAT ALL CHANGED, THANKS TO A FLURRY OF VETO OVERRIDES BY LAWMAKERS AND THE FIRING OF ONE OF STITT'S AGENCY HEADS.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE REPORTS ON THE 11TH HOUR ACRIMONY TO END THE SESSION.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LAND THIS PLANE, AND I FEEL REALLY REALLY GOOD.

I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH THE LEADERSHIP.

>> THAT'S HOW THE GOVERNOR FELT OF THE SESSION ON WEDNESDAY.

THURSDAY, THINGS CHANGED AS BOTH CHAMBERS BEGAN THE TASK.

>> YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW THE PEOPLE VOTE AND ARE THEY VOTING FOR BIGGER GOVERNOR AND TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETOES.

I'LL REMIND YOU OF THAT.

HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE OF THE LIMITED TAXES.

JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE AN R BY THEIR NAME -- >> THE OKLAHOMA SENATE LOCKED UP FOR SEVERAL HOURS.

AT THE SAME TIME, FILED BY THE SENATOR, AND HOUSE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER TO DETERMINE -- WHEN SCR 12 SURFACED, SAYING IN PART, JOSH WEST NEED TO FIRST ANSWER WHAT THEY STAND TO GAIN FROMMALLIE'S BEING REMOVED.

WHAT CONFLICT OF INTEREST ARE THEY TRYING TO HIDE.

AVOID RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER ROLE IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

OKLAHOMAENS DESERVE ANSWERS.

THAT ANGERED LAWMAKERS.

FLIPPED THE NO VOTE, MOVING THE PROCESS FORWARD AFTER HOURS OF DELAY.

THE SENATE TOOK UP THE RESOLUTION -- >> BROUGHT DIRECTLY TO THE CALENDAR.

>> TOOK THE GOVERNOR'S SIDE ON THE ISSUE.

>> REPORTS ON IN THE MEDIA IS INDICATING THERE'S A SPOUSE THAT WORKS IN THIS DEPARTMENT, IS THAT TRUE?

THANK YOU, SHE'S A -- PART TIME EMPLOYEE.

I WILL CUT YOUR THROAT TO PROTECT MY DISTRICT.

BUT THERE ARE STANDARDS.

THERE ARE RULES.

WE LEAVE FAMILY OUT OF IT.

>> SCR 12 PASSED, AND -- WAS FIRED FROM HER JOB, AFTER A LONG DAY ENDING THE LEADERSHIP WASTE THEIR DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE GOVERNOR AND HIS ACTIONS.

>> WE WERE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE ACTIONS, BUT WE DID OUR PART.

AND NOW WE HAVE TWO-THIRDS VOTES, WE'LL PUT IT UP.

>> OVERRIDING 50 OF THE GOVERNOR'S 68 VETOES.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> THE LATE-BREAKING NEWS ON THURSDAY NIGHT, ALSO IMPACTED OUR WEEKLY "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION, WHICH FEATURED THREE VETERAN REPORTERS WHO REGULARLY COVER ISSUES AT THE THE CAPITOL.

WE TAPE THAT CONVERSATION ON THURSDAY MORNING--- AND IT DID REQUIRE US TO REMOVE A SECTION DEALING WITH THE GOODWILL THE GOVERNOR HAD EXPRESSED LESS THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THE BIG STORIES THAT CAME OUT OF THIS YEAR'S SESSION WITH OUR "INDEPTH" MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> LAWMAKERS AS THE SESSION WERE COMING TO AN END, WERE CONSIDERING HOW MANY OF THOSE VETOES THEY MIGHT OVERRIDE.

AND EVEN GOVERNOR STEAD ON - ON WEDNESDAY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE ARE SOME THAT MIGHT DESERVE TO BE OVERRIDDEN.

HE POINTED OUT THAT THOSE VETOES CAME BASED ON THE INFORMATION THEY HAD AT THE TIME, AND PERHAPS THERE WAS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

>> I'LL DEFINITELY BE WATCHING HOW THE CELL PHONE BAN GETS IMPLEMENTED.

YOU KNOW, I'LL BE WATCHING THE TEXTBOOK CYCLE, WHICH IS STARTING NOW WITH SOCIAL STUDIES AND HOW THAT SHAKES OUT.

AND THEN A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING, YOU KNOW, WHETHER SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS IS GONNA RUN FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

>> THE WILD CARD IN THIS IS, IS OBVIOUSLY STILL GONNA BE SOME OF THE CUTS ON THE FEDERAL SIDE THAT ARE ANTICIPATED IN CONGRESS.

YOU KNOW, SPECIFICALLY ON MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS.

THE SNAP PROGRAM, THE STATE MAY HAVE TO MAKE UP SOME OF THOSE, ESPECIALLY ON THE MEDICAID EXPANSION POPULATION, IF THERE ARE FEDERAL CUTS ON THAT PROGRAM, AND THAT WILL BE A STATE MATCH THAT WILL HAVE TO BE FILLED SOMEHOW.

>> THE REST OF THAT DISCUSSION COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>>> THE NBA FINALS-BOUND OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER PLAY 41 REGULAR SEASON HOME GAMES EACH YEAR, AND YOU CAN ADD AT LEAST 11 HOME PLAYOFF GAMES TO THAT TOTAL.

SO HOW MUCH MONEY DOES A GAME AT THE PAYCOM ARENA GENERATE FOR THE TEAM, LOCAL BUSINESSES, THE CITY, AND HECK, EVEN THE TICKET SCALPERS?

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE NBA PLAYOFFS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, THERE IS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT HERE IN OKC AS THE THUNDER RETURN TO THE NBA FINALS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2012.

GAME 1 OF THE FINALS IS SET FOR THURSDAY JUNE 5 AT THE PAYCOM CENTER 7:30PM.

JUST HOURS BEFORE THE THUNDER WOULD ELIMINATE THE MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES BY 30 POINTS TO ADVANCE TO THE FINALS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT, HUNDREDS OF FANS GATHERED AT NEARBY SCISSORTAIL PARK TO ENJOY, THUNDER UP IN THE PARK.

JENNIFER NAKAYMA IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE OKC DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP.

>> WELL OUR THUNDER ARE JUST FANTASTIC ALL SEASON LONG IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY GIVE BACK AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT.

BUT LIKE JUST BEHIND HERE YOU CAN SEE THERE'S SO MUCH ACTIVATION.

SO BUSINESSES AGAIN, OR PRIVATE RESIDENCES, THEY'RE PUTTING UP WALL MURALS, THEY'RE PUTTING UP PAINTINGS, THEY'RE HOLDING WATCH PARTIES.

THERE'S JUST SO MUCH ACTIVITY GOING ON.

AND THEN THE THUNDER TOO, THAT THERE ARE FREE COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT THEY'RE, THAT THEY'RE SPONSORING.

SO THINGS LIKE THUNDER UP IN THE PARK, SO A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT, IT IMMEDIATELY PRECEDES HOME GAMES.

>> WITH ALL THE BUZZ AROUND THE PAYCOM CENTER DURING THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS, LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN FOOT TRAFFIC.

>> EVERYTHING IS JUST MORE, IT'S BUSIER.

LIKE DOWNTOWN IS JUST GENERATING SO MUCH REVENUE RIGHT NOW BECAUSE OF THE THUNDER LIKE I SEE IT LIKE I'M DOWN HERE FOUR DAYS A WEEK.

>> PJ PRINCE WORKS FOR ANHEUSER BUSCH HE'S HE NOTICED A GREATER NEED FOR BEER IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHILE MAKING HIS DELIVERY ROUNDS.

>> THIS PARTICULAR BUSINESS HAS TRIPLED THEIR DELIVERIES.

EVERYTHING IS ALMOST THREE TIMES AS MUCH.

IT'S MORE THAN ANY OTHER PLAYOFFS THAT WE'VE HAD IN PROBABLY TEN YEARS.

>> THE PLAYOFF BOOST CAME AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME.

TAX REVENUES FROM HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, AND RETAIL STORES IN OKLAHOMA CITY WERE MORE THAN TWO MILLION DOLLARS BELOW COLLECTIONS LAST YEAR PRIOR TO THE START OF THE PLAYOFFS IN MID-APRIL.

MAYOR DAVID HOLT BELIEVES THOSE NUMBERS WILL IMPROVE THANKS TO THE THUNDER'S DEEP POSTSEASON RUN.

>> WE LEVERAGED THIS OPPORTUNITY TWO DECADES AGO, GETTING THE TEAM TO BRING OURSELVES UP TO THAT UPPER STATUS.

AND THAT HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS FOR US THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH BASKETBALL, RIGHT?

THERE'S NOBODY WHO LIVED HERE IN 2004 BEFORE THE HORNETS FIRST CAME, AND WHO LIVES HERE IN 2025 AND WOULDN'T TELL YOU THAT THE ECONOMY IS BETTER, THE DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY IS BETTER.

WE HAVE MORE OF A VISITOR ECONOMY, THAT OUR FOOD SCENE ISN'T MUCH BETTER.

>> FASSLER HALL GENERAL MANAGER ANDREW SMITH SAYS THE GERMAN-INSPIRED RESTAURANT IN THE MIDTOWN DISTRICT HAS BECOME A HUB FOR THUNDER FANS.

>> I THINK JUST A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MAYBE WATCH GAMES AT HOME OR OTHER PLACES, THEY WANT TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A GOOD TIME IN LIKE A, A MORE ELECTRIC ENVIRONMENT.

AND SO IT'S JUST A LOT MORE PEOPLE, A LOT MORE THUNDER FANS COMING IN, HAVING A GREAT TIME.

>> FASSLER HALL HAS TRANSFORMED INTO THE THUNDER HALL FOR THE PLAYOFFS.

>> SO PRETTY MUCH WHAT THE THUNDER HALL IS IS WE JUST, JUST A WAY FOR US TO CELEBRATE THE THUNDER.

WE'VE REBRANDED OUR LOGO A LITTLE BIT AND IT'S PRETTY MUCH JUST A, A GOOD REASON FOR US TO GET TOGETHER AND JUST REALLY SAY THAT LIKE WE SUPPORT THE THUNDER, WE'RE HERE FOR OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND JUST A GOOD EXCUSE TO GET TOGETHER AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> SMITH SAYS MANY OUT-OF-STATE BASKETBALL FANS HAVE MADE THEIR WAY OVER TO GRAB A DRINK AS WELL.

AND ALSO ON OFF GAMES TOO, WE'RE GETTING PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING IN FROM OTHER PARTS OF OKLAHOMA CITY AROUND THE STATE AND THEN FANS FROM OTHER TEAMS COMING THROUGH.

SO IT'S BEEN REALLY NICE TO SEE SO MANY MORE AND NEW FACES COMING TO THE MIDTOWN AREA.

>> ACCORDING TO A 2023 APPLIED ECONOMICS REPORT, THE THUNDER AND PAYCOM OPERATIONS HAVE AN ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $513 MILLION.

>> WE'VE SEEN IT OBVIOUSLY PLAY OUT IN THE POPULATION GROWTH AND THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND THE OPPORTUNITY GROWTH AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENTS OVER THESE LAST TWO DECADES.

>> IN HIS TRAVELS, THE MAYOR SAYS THE THUNDER ARE STARTING TO BUILD UP A FAN BASE ALL ACROSS THE NATION.

>> I WATCHED THAT GAME FOUR, THE WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS AT A BAR IN NEW YORK.

I HAPPENED TO BE IN NEW YORK, SO I SORT OF, YOU KNOW, RALLIED, THEY'RE ALREADY DOING WATCH PARTIES UP THERE, BUT I SORT OF KIND OF COMMANDEERED THAT WATCH PARTY FOR GAME FOUR AND WE HAD LIKE A COUPLE HUNDRED PEOPLE THERE, YOU KNOW, WHICH IS AGAIN LIKE A GREAT REMINDER OF HOW, YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS PLATFORM BRINGS OUR PEOPLE TOGETHER, EVEN IF THEY LIVE FAR AWAY.

AND ACTUALLY SOME OF THE FANS THERE HAVE NEVER BEEN TO OKLAHOMA.

>> ACCORDING TO THE NBA LEAGUE OFFICE, MORE THAN 700,000 FANS ATTENDED THUNDER GAMES DURING THE REGULAR SEASON.

AND IF YOU WANT THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE FOR GAME ONE OF THE FINALS, TICKETMASTER SAYS IT WILL COST YOU ABOUT $13,000.

LESS EXPENSIVE SEATS RANGE FROM 6 TO $800.

IN AUTOMOBILE ALLEY, THUNDER APPAREL HAS BEEN FLYING OFF THE SHELVES AT SHOP GOOD, AN ECO-FRIENDLY PRINT SHOP.

IT'S BEEN PRETTY AMAZING.

IT JUST, THE WAY THE TRAFFIC AND SALES HAVE BEEN LIKE, IT'S JUST HONESTLY FELT LIKE A SECOND CHRISTMAS TO US THIS YEAR.

>> CO-OWNER JUSTIN FALK SAYS THE INFLUX OF CUSTOMER COULDN'T HAVE CAME AT A BETTER TIME LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN AN AWESOME IMPACT JUST IN FOOT TRAFFIC IN SALES AND THE, LIKE, HONESTLY, THE TIMING HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE JUST WITH, YOU KNOW, THE ECONOMIC CONCERNS, THE TARIFFS, ALL THAT.

LIKE, IT'S, IT'S BEEN AMAZING TO HAVE THE TEAM JUST PERFORMING SO WELL AT, AT THIS TIME.

>> NAKAYMA SAYS ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE HAS MADE THE COMMUNITY STRONGER.

>> THERE IS SUCH AN ENERGY WITHIN THE CITY AND THAT'S FROM BUSINESSES, THAT'S FROM RESIDENTS, THAT'S FROM VISITORS.

IT'S JUST A, A THRILL AND A FEELING, AN UPLIFTING FEELING OF BEING PART OF A BROADER COMMUNITY THAN MAYBE WE ARE IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES.

TO BE PART OF SOMETHING AS INVIGORATING AS A PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM, THAT'S REALLY BRINGING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TOGETHER.

>> THE THUNDER WILL FACE THE WINNER OF THE NEW YORK KNICKS-INDIANA PACERS SERIES WITH GAME ONE OF THE FINALS SET FOR NEXT THURSDAY NIGHT IN THE PAYCOM CENTER.

RICH?

>>> A PROFOUND EVENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY ON TUESDAY NIGHT.

TWO YOUNG ISRAELIS WHO WERE TAKEN HOSTAGE DURING THE OCTOBER 7TH HAMAS TERROR ATTACKS, SHARED WHAT THEY ENDURED IN THE TUNNELS UNDER GAZA AND HOW THEY MANAGED TO SURVIVE THEIR ORDEAL.

OUR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JASON DOYLE WAS ON HAND FOR THEIR PRESENTATION.

JASON?

>>> RICH, THE COUPLE WE ARE ABOUT TO MEET CERTAINLY HAVE A HARROWING STORY TO TELL, BUT THEY ALSO DISCOVERED A NEW FAITH IN LIFE, EVEN DURING THE DARKEST TIMES WHILE BEING HELD HOSTAGE BY HAMAS.

>> SAPIR AND SASHA, WE'RE HONORED, WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU HERE WITH US.

>> RABBI OVADIA GOLDMAN OPENS UP THE CHOBOD COMMUNITY CENTER OF OKLAHOMA CITY'S EVENT HOSTING SAPIR COHEN AND SASHA TROUFANOV, A COUPLE WHO WAS VISITING HIS FAMILY AT THE KIBBUTZ IN NIR OZ ON THAT FATEFUL DAY IN SOUTHERN ISRAEL.

>> ON OCTOBER 7, WE PLAN TO GO TO KIBBUTZ NIRO OZ CELEBRATE SIMCHAT WITH HIS PARENTS.

THEY LIVED THERE.

AND THAT WEEKEND SASHA DIDN'T WANT TO GO.

AND UNFORTUNATELY I CONVINCED HIM I WANTED TO COME TO THE LAST DAY FOR THE POOL.

ON SATURDAY, WE WOKE UP AT SIX THAT MORNING WE HEAR THE ROCKETS.

IT WAS LIKE A RAIN OF FOG.

IT'S VERY, VERY STRONG.

AND WE WERE IN A GUEST ROOM WITH NO SHELTER.

>> WHEN EVERYTHING IS STARTING TO TO HAPPEN.

ITS FIRST WAS ON THE BOMBSHELLS, AND ACTUALLY WE WERE USED TO THESE KIND OF THINGS IN THE SOUTH.

SO AT THE BEGINNING, I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING IS HAPPENING.

I JUST SAID, OKAY, IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN.

THEY'RE SHOOTING IN US AGAIN.

SO I THOUGHT TO SUPERIOR, TO CALM DOWN IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

IT SOMETIMES HAPPEN, BUT IT DIDN'T.

IT KEPT GOING ON AND ON AND ON.

>> THE COUPLE HID IN THEIR ROOM.

TROUFANOV'S PARENTS WERE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE KIBBUTZ.WHEN HE RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM HIS MOTHER THAT HAMAS TERRORISTS HAD ENTERED THE AREA.

IT WAS A COUPLE MINUTES LATER WHEN THE TERRORISTS ENTERED THE ROOM AND TOOK THE COUPLE OUTSIDE.

THINKING THAT THE ISRAELI ARMY MUST BE RESPONDING, TROUFANOV TRIED TO GET AWAY.

>> AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE IN FRONT OF MY PARENTS' HOUSE, IT HAPPENED.

THEY STOPPED ME BECAUSE I WAS CORNERED.

TWO MORE TERRORISTS WITH GUNS STOPPED ME.

I RAISED MY HANDS.

THEY CAME AFTER ME.

THEY CATCH UP TO ME, YELLED SOMETHING AND SHOOT ME IN MY LEGS FROM, I DON'T KNOW, HALF A METER AWAY.

AND THEN I FELL TO THE GROUND BECAUSE MY LEG GOT COMPLETELY BROKEN.

>> FROM THERE THE COUPLE WAS SEPARATED AND TAKEN TO GAZA.

>> IN MY MIND, I SAID, I'M ALREADY DEAD.

THEY WILL TAKE ME TO GAZA, SHOOT A VIDEO OF ME SAYING SOMETHING AND WILL KILL ME BECAUSE I'M ALREADY INJURED.

BUT THANK GOD IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> COHEN WAS HELD FOR 55 DAYS.

TROUFANOV WAS HELD CAPTIVE FOR NEARLY 500 DAYS.

HIS MOTHER WAS ALSO KIDNAPPED AND RELEASED 50 DAYS LATER.

TROUFANOV'S FATHER WAS KILLED DURING THE INCURSION.

IN THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CAPTIVITY, HAMAS DID NOT TAKE THEM INTO THE INFAMOUS TUNNEL NETWORK.

>> WHEN I WAS IN THE CAPTIVITY.

AND I LOOK AROUND MYSELF, I SAW THIS GIRL, YOUNG GIRL, 16 YEARS OLD.

I'M OLDER, I'M 31.

AND WHEN I SAW HER, SHE WAS CRIED AND SHE WAS REALLY TERRIFIED.

AND THEN I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, THAT GOD SEND ME TO A PLACE THAT I CAN BE THE MOST MEANINGFUL PERSON IN THE WORLD AND I CAN HELP HER.

>> WHEN THE DAY CAME THAT THEY WERE TO BE TAKEN INTO THE TUNNELS.COHEN MANAGED TO SHOW HER SENSE OF HUMOR EVEN UNDER THREAT.

>> I REMEMBER THAT ONE DAY THE TERRORISTS CAME TO US AND THEY SAY THAT NOW WE GO TO THE TUNNELS.

SO THIS GIRL, SHE CAME TO ME AND SHE SAYS, UP, SAPIR, NO WAY.

I DON'T WANT TO GO THERE.

I'M SO SCARY.

AND I TOLD HER, YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN GAZA.

WE HAVE TO SEE THE NUMBER ONE ATTRACTION HERE.

IT'S THE TUNNELS.

>> RABBI GOLDMAN IS IMPRESSED WITH THE COUPLE'S RESILIENCE.

>> THEIR RESILIENCE, THEIR STRENGTH, THEIR FAITH, THEIR OPTIMISM, THEIR OUTLOOK, REMINDED ME OF A FEW PEOPLE THAT I KNEW FROM THE DAYS THAT I GREW UP THAT HAD SURVIVED HITLER'S NAZISM.

>> SURVIVE THEY DID.

COHEN'S RELEASE BY HAMAS CAME AS A SURPRISE, AND SHE DISCOVERED A NEW MISSION IN LIFE WHEN SHE RETURNED TO ISRAEL.

>> THEY DECIDED TO SWITCH ONE OF THE BODIES AND TO PUT ME, I WASN'T A PART OF THE CATEGORIES BECAUSE THEY RELEASED JUST OLD WOMEN OR UNDER 18 OR INJURED.

SO I SAY TO MYSELF, I'M NOT IN ISRAEL TO CRY.

I HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND I ASK MYSELF IN WHAT I BELIEVE.

THE ONLY WORD THAT CAME TO MY MIND IS UNITY.

>> AFTER HER RELEASE SHE BEGAN SPEAKING ABOUT THE OCTOBER 7 HOSTAGES THROUGHOUT ISRAEL AND BEYOND.

WHILE COHEN WAS HELD CAPTIVE FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, TROUFANOV HAD A MUCH LONGER TIME TO WAIT UNTIL HIS RELEASE.

DURING THAT PERIOD, HE FOUND HIS FAITH.

>> I EXPERIENCED MIRACLES ON MYSELF MORE THAN ONCE, ALTHOUGH IT TOOK ME A LITTLE BIT OF TIME TO UNDERSTAND IT'S A MIRACLE THAT HAPPENED TO ME.

BUT AFTER REFLECTING ON IT AND UNDERSTAND AND TRYING TO THINK ABOUT IT, I, I REALLY UNDERSTAND IT'S A MIRACLE THAT IT HAPPENED.

>> IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS HE TOLD HIS MOTHER WHEN HE WAS REUNITED WITH HER AND COHEN.

>> GOD HELPED ME GO THROUGH THIS.

AND GOD SAVED ME OR TOLD ME TO, TO TO HOME TO MY HOME.

>> WHILE COHEN ALREADY BELIEVED, HER EXPERIENCE HAS LED TO THE NEED TO BE A POSITIVE FORCE IN THE WORLD.

>> MANY PEOPLE COME TO ME AND SAY, HOW MUCH THIS, SORRY ABOUT WHAT I EXPERIENCED, BUT I'M NOT SORRY, I DON'T LIKE TO, SORRY ABOUT THE PAST.

I LIKE TO TAKE IT AND TO MAKE IT BETTER.

>> RABBI GOLDMAN HOPES THEIR STORY DOES HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE.EVEN AS THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR RAGES ON.

>> I HOPE THAT PEOPLE TAKE FROM THERE THAT GOD DOES NOT CHALLENGE US WITH ANYTHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE WITHIN US.

THE RESPONSE, THE RESILIENCE, THE BEING ABLE TO COME THROUGH THE CHALLENGE, AND THEY'RE CERTAINLY HIGH LEVEL LIVING TESTAMENTS OF THAT.

>> THERE ARE BELIEVED TO BE 58 HOSTAGES REMAINING IN THE GAZA.

THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE BELIEVES 35 OF THEM ARE DEAD WITH 20 REMAINING ALIVE.

THE U.S.

THIS WEEK PROPOSED A NEW 60-DAY CEASEFIRE AND PARTIAL RELEASE OF THE REMAINING HOSTAGES.

RICH.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE HONORING FOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT HEROES AT A SPECIAL CEREMONY AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON TUESDAY FOR THEIR SERVICE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY.

THEY ARE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT ON YOUR SCREEN: EDMOND OFFICER CALEB HODAM; ABEL AGENT, ALLEN DAVIS; MAYS COUNTY DEPUTY BENJAMIN RUPERT; AND OFFICER JIMMIE REED FROM WEBBERS FALLS.

>> YOU HAVE SHOWN US THAT POLICING IS NOT JUST ABOUT ENFORCING THE LAW, BUT SERVING OUR NEIGHBORS WITH RESPECT AND COMPASSION.

AS WE REFLECT ON THE SACRIFICES MADE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ACROSS OKLAHOMA AND THE NATION, WE'RE REMINDED THAT BEHIND EVERY BADGE LIES A STORY OF COMMITMENT TO THE GREATER CAUSE.

IT IS A CALLING THAT DEMANDS RESILIENCE, EMPATHY, AND UNWAVERING SPIRIT.

TODAY WE CELEBRATE THOSE THAT ARE HERE, NOT JUST THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS, BUT WE CELEBRATE THESE OFFICERS, THEIR SPIRIT, THEIR CAMARADERIE THAT UNITES US ALL IN THIS NOBLE PROFESSION.

>> THE MONTH OF MAY IS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL POLICE MONTH.

>>>FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA, OR, F.A.

IS A NEURO-MUSCULAR DISEASE WITH NO CURE-- IT'S RARE.

ONLY ABOUT 5,000 CASES IN THE UNITED STATES, AND ONE OF THEM IS A YOUNG MAN FROM OKLAHOMA, WHOSE FAMILY HAS MADE IT THEIR MISSION TO ADVANCE F.A.

RESEARCH NOAH MACK JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THEIR STORY OF SUCCESS.

NOAH?

>> RICH.

MICHAEL GEHR WAS DIAGNOSED AT 15 YEARS OLD.

AND NEARLY 10 YEARS LATER HE AND HIS FAMILY HAVE RAISED ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, ALL OF IT PUT TOWARD RESEARCH TO FIND A CURE.

>> AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!

>> SO HE WAS IN SECOND GRADE THERE AND HIS BROTHER, THOMAS, WAS IN KINDERGARTEN.

>> REALIZING MICHAEL GEHR HAD A KNACK FOR SINGING CAME PRETTY EASILY.

>> FROM THE TIME HE WAS IN PRESCHOOL?

>> YEAH, FOR SURE.

>> THE PERFORMING ARTS BECAME MICHAEL'S PASSION --- THOUGH HE'S MUCH MORE PRAGMATIC ABOUT IT.

>> I'M AFRAID THAT'S NOT A SUPER INTERESTING ANSWER.

WHEN YOU'RE GOOD AT SOMETHING --- YOU DO IT.

>> BUT REALIZING MICHAEL HAD FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA --- THAT WAS A TOUGHER PROCESS.

>> I'VE LOST SO MUCH BALANCE THAT I CAN'T WALK ANYMORE.

>> F.A.

IS A DEGENERATIVE NEUROMUSCULAR CONDITION.

>> I GUESS THE FOUR MAIN PILLARS I USE TO DESCRIBE IT ARE LOSS OF BALANCE, LOSS OF COORDINATION, FATIGUE AND, SOME WEAKNESS.

>> LEARNING ABOUT MICHAEL'S CONDITION TOOK YEARS.

>> I WAS ALWAYS VERY CLUMSY, AND ERIC WAS SOMEWHAT CLUMSY, AND WHEN MICHAEL CAME ALONG, AND HE WAS CLUMSY.

WE JUST THOUGH IT WAS ALL PART OF THE FAMILY.

>> THIS IS AT A SCHOOL PRODUCTION AND YOU CAN SEE HIM WALKING DOWN THE RAMP.

THAT'S ONE OF THE VERY FIRST SIGNS OF ATAXIA, BUT WE HAD NO IDEA AT THE TIME.

IT WASN'T UNTIL YEARS LATER.

>> INITIALLY MICHAEL GOT DIAGNOSED WITH A MORE COMMON CONDITION --- CALLED CHARCOT-MARIE-TOOTH DISEASE.

>> AND I SPENT THE NEXT FOUR YEARS JUST DOING EVERYTHING THAT --- I DON'T KNOW --- A FAIRLY NORMAL KID DID.

>> WHICH DID YOU START WITH?

THE OTHER CHICKEN?

IS THAT THE CHICKEN WE HAVEN'T HAD BEFORE?

>> UH, YES.

>> BUT BY 15 --- MICHAEL'S AILMENTS WORSENED AND EVENTUALLY THEY TESTED FOR FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA --- THE RESULT CAME BACK POSITIVE, AND THEY LEARNED F.A.

WOULD SHORTEN MICHAEL'S LIFE.

>> SO THAT WAS - THAT WAS THE LIFE SHIFT.

>> THE DIAGNOSIS IGNITED SOMETHING IN MICHAEL'S FAMILY.

THE GEHRS GOT CONNECTED WITH FARA --- THE FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA RESEARCH ALLIANCE --- AND GOT PLUGGED INTO THE WORK BEING DONE RIGHT HERE IN THEIR BACKYARD.

>> I KNOW THE GEHR FAMILY FROM WHEN MICHAEL FIRST GOT DIAGNOSED AND, WHEN MICHAEL WAS DIAGNOSED, THEY JUST LOOKED ME UP AND THEY FOUND ME AS A LOCAL RESEARCHER HERE SO THEY CAME AND VISITED.

>> DR. SANJAY BIDACHANDANI WAS PART OF THE TEAM WHO DISCOVERED THE FAULTY GENE LINKED TO MICHAEL'S CONDITION.

>> THIS GENE IS INVOLVED IN MAKING A PROTEIN CALLED FRATAXIN, NOW, FRATAXIN GOES TO THE MITOCHONDRIA, MITOCHONDRIA ARE THE ORGANELLES IN OUR CELL THAT PRODUCE THE ENERGY WE NEED IN OUR CELLS.

>> WITH THE LACK OF FRATAXIN THE MITOCHONDRIA CAN'T FUNCTION CORRECTLY.

IT GENERALLY AFFECTS THE NERVOUS SYSTEM AND THE HEART.

>> AND THEN EVENTUALLY THEY'LL GET A CARDIAC CONDITION WHICH IS CALLED CARDIOMYOPATHY, AND THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT ENDS UP LIMITING THE LIFESPANS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS CONDITION.

>> MICHAEL ENROLLED IN A CLINICAL TRIAL FOR A NEW DRUG THAT WOULD HELP SLOW HIS CONDITION DOWN.

THANKS TO PARTICIPANTS LIKE MICHAEL, THAT DRUG WAS APPROVED.

THE ONLY ONE ON THE MARKET --- FOR NOW.

BECAUSE MICHAEL'S WORK IS NOT DONE YET.

>> IN 2018 --- THE GEHR'S FUSED F.A.

WITH THEIR LOVE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS AND DEBUTED THE ANNUAL CURE F.A.

SOIREE.

>> I MEAN IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

>> RAISING $64,000 FOR F.A.

RESEARCH.

AND THE NUMBER KEPT ON GROWING.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE YEARS IN ORDER BUT LAST YEAR'S 7TH ANNUAL CURE F.A.

SOIREE RAISED $480,000.

>> AND SO DID THE PARTICIPATION.

>> UH, JAMIE BRAMBLE IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HELP US OUT WITH FLOWERS.

>> THE FOCUS IS MORE ABOUT COMMUNITY, THE MUSIC, AND, YA KNOW, HAVING A NICE RELAXED TIME AT THE SAME TIME.

>> 32 PEOPLE WITH F.A.

FROM 14 DIFFERENT STATE'S HAVE TRAVELED TO ATTEND THE SOIREE IN EDMOND, OKLAHOMA.

THE WHOLE BRAND OF THE SOIREE IS TO ENABLE A PATH TO A CURE.

BUT HOW FAR ALONG ARE WE ON THAT PATH?

>> OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS TO JUST STOP THE CONDITION.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'VE SLOWED IT DOWN -- WHICH IS ALREADY SOME LEVEL OF SUCCESS -- BUT STOPPING IT IS, YOU KNOW, IN THE NEXT THREE, FOUR YEARS I WOULD THINK.

>> THERE'S A DRUG IN CLINICAL TRIALS RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD HALT THIS DISEASE, LEAVING SANJAY HOPEFUL.

>> OH, THEIR EFFORTS ARE GOING TO PAY OFF.

>> ALTHOUGH MICHAEL DOESN'T SING AT THE SOIREES ANYMORE DUE TO HIS WEAKENED VOICE, I WAS CURIOUS - WHAT WAS HIS FAVORITE SONG TO PERFORM?

HIS ANSWER WAS THE SONG “CREEP”" ORIGINALLY RECORDED BY RADIOHEAD.

>> IT STILL IS VERY CHEESY AND VERY DOWN-IN-THE-DUMPS AND MELODRAMATIC AND WHATEVER, BUT IT'S STILL A GREAT SONG AND A GOOD MESSAGE --- AT LEAST ONE THAT'S BEEN APPLICABLE TO MY LIFE.

>> I DON'T BELONG HERE.

>> THOSE LAST LITTLE CHORDS EARNED A SPOT IN THE SOIREE'S LOGO.

>> I FELT LIKE IT WAS JUST KIND OF AS IF SOMEONE WERE TO HAVE ACCEPTED THAT THEY DIDN'T BELONG OR THAT THEY WERE DIFFERENT.

>> MICHAEL IS DIFFERENT, BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HE DOES BELONG HERE.

>> LOOKING AT YOURSELF, LOOKING AT YOUR LIFE, ANYONE THINKS THEIR LIFE IS NORMAL, AND MYSELF PROBABLY INCLUDED, UNTIL I UNFORTUNATELY LEARNED IT WASN'T.

BUT YOU KNOW, THESE PEOPLE HAVE HAD AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE SAME DEFINITION OF NORMAL THAT I DO.

>> THIS YEAR'S SOIREE IS NEXT WEEKEND --- JUNE 7, 6 PM.

RICH.

>>> THE SUNNY DAYZ MURAL FESTIVAL SEEKS TO BEAUTIFY OUR STATE ONE BLOCK AT A TIME.

ON SATURDAY, DOZENS OF ARTISTS WILL GATHER IN THE CAPITOL HILL DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD, AND JOINING UP WITH A PREVIEW OF WHAT THEY HAVE PLANNED IS REPORTER ADAM KEMP.

ADAM?

>> THE SUNNYDAYZ MURAL FESTIVAL HAS TRAVELED ACROSS THE STATE INCLUDING TO PONCA CITY LAST YEAR WHERE THEY INSTALLED VIBRANT MURALS ON OFTEN FORGOTTEN PARTS OF TOWN.

BUT FROM THE ARTISTS WE TALKED TO, THE FESTIVAL IS MORE THAN JUST A CITY PALETTE CLEANSER.

>> I REALLY WANTED TO EMBODY A SENSE OF GROWTH AND THAT KIND OF EXPANDING AND BLOSSOMING ENERGY AND LIFE FLOW AND SO A LOT OF THE COLORS THAT I CHOSE FOR MY PIECE ARE REALLY TO EXEMPLIFY THAT.

ONE OF MY VALUES THAT I LIKE TO CARRY WITH MYSELF AS A BLACK FEMALE AND ALSO AS A WOMAN, IS REALLY JUST HAVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO SHOW UP, NOT ONLY AS BUSINESS OWNERS AND HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO PAINT.

THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER MURAL FESTIVAL THAT WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

SO THIS IS, I BELIEVE NOW ONE OF TWO OR THREE.

AND THIS IS THE SO MANY TALENTED MURALISTS THAT ARE PREDOMINANTLY WOMEN.

AND I JUST THINK MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO BE ABLE TO COME OUT AND SHARE THEIR VOICE AND SHARE THEIR ARTWORK AND WE JUST WANT MORE MURALS ALL OVER OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS, SUNNY DAZE HAS BEEN BRINGING COLOR, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY TO OKLAHOMA - ONE MURAL AT A TIME.

FOUNDED IN 2021, THE FESTIVAL IS OKLAHOMA'S FIRST AND ONLY DEDICATED TO WOMEN AND GENDER MINORITY ARTISTS.

THIS YEAR, IT RETURNS TO OKLAHOMA CITY - IN THE HEART OF CAPITOL HILL'S CALLE DOS CINCO DISTRICT.

IN FIVE YEARS, SUNNY DAYZ HAS GROWN FROM A MODEST PARKING LOT POP-UP TO A MULTI-CITY MOVEMENT.

TO SEE PEOPLE WANNA COME TO OKLAHOMA FROM ALL ACROSS THE WORLD TO PAINT A MURAL HAS BEEN REALLY SPECIAL.

>> THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL FEATURES 28 NEW MURALS, CREATED BY 35 ARTISTS - MOST OF THEM FROM OKLAHOMA AND SURROUNDING STATES.

BUT GETTING TO YEAR FIVE WASN'T BUT ORGANIZERS SAY THE COMMUNITY STEPPED UP.

>> WE DID LOSE SOME OF OUR THAT WAS MOSTLY A BLOW TO MORALE BUT WE'VE HAD AN INCREDIBLE RALLYING OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN THE WAKE OF THAT AND NOW SO PROUD TO SAY WE ARE NOW FULLY FUNDED AND THAT WAS SIMPLY THROUGH THE GENEROSITY AND LOVE AND SUPPORT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> BEYOND FUNDING, SUNNY DAYZ IS BUILDING A NEW MODEL FOR WHAT MURAL FESTIVALS CAN BE - PAYING ARTISTS FAIRLY, MENTORING TEENS, AND WELCOMING FIRST-TIMERS.

>> THIS IS MY FIRST TIME.

I'M A LITTLE BIT NEWER TO MURALS AND I DID MY FIRST MURAL ABOUT A YEAR AGO SO I'M STILL PRETTY NEW TO THIS SPACE.

IT'S AMAZING TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS, ESPECIALLY IN OKLAHOMA, THAT CAN REALLY PROMOTE ARTISTS AND GIVE US OPPORTUNITIES AND AT THE END OF THE DAY PAY YOU FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY CRUCIAL TO BEING A WORKING ARTIST.

>> THIS YEAR'S LOCATION IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY BRINGS SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE - THE CAPITOL HILL DISTRICT, WHICH WAS ONCE A CANDIDATE FOR OKLAHOMA'S CAPITOL.

ONCE A BUSTLING COMMERCIAL HUB WITH ITS OWN NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST STATIONS, AND A FULL SLATE OF DOWNTOWN RETAILERS, CAPITOL HILL THRIVED AS AN INDEPENDENT DISTRICT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BUT AFTER THE RISE OF SUBURBAN MALLS IN THE 1970S DRAINED ITS MAJOR BUSINESSES, THE AREA STRUGGLED WITH DISINVESTMENT-LEAVING BEHIND FADING STOREFRONTS AND LINGERING POTENTIAL THAT COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE STILL WORKING TO REVIVE.

>> BRING THE FESTIVAL AND COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND CREATE THIS COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP.

WE WERE SO HAPPY TO RECEIVE THE FIFTH FESTIVAL OF SUNNYDAYZ HERE IN CALLE DOS CINCO IN CAPITOL HILL AND WE REALLY WANTED TO INFUSE IT WITH OUR FLAVOR, OUR TASTE, OUR COMMUNITY ARTISTS AND OUR VENDORS AND REALLY INFUSE THESE POWERHOUSES TOGETHER.

>> SUNNYDAYZ ARTISTS SAY THEY FEEL LIKE THEIR ART EMBRACES THE CULTURE OF AREA THEY ARE WORKING, NOT REPLACING IT.

>> MY PIECE IS ACTUALLY NEXT TO A COMMUNITY MURAL THAT'S NOT BEING PAINTED OVER IT'S FROM LOCAL ARTISTS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING TO THIS WALL PRIOR TO SUNNYDAZE COMING INTO THE DISTRICT I FEEL LIKE I'M HONORING THE SURROUNDINGS AND ALSO BEING A PART OF SOMETHING THAT IS NEW AND WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

>> AT ITS HEART, SUNNYDAYZ' MISSION HAS BEEN TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY AND A PLATFORM FOR ARTISTS THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED, SPECIFICALLY WOMEN AND GENDER MINORITIES WHO HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED.

VALERIE ROSE TRAVELLED FROM CALIFORNIA THIS YEAR TO BE A PART OF SUNNYDAYZ AGAIN.

AS A DEAF ARTIST, SHE WANTED TO CREATE A MURAL THAT SHARED THE VOICES OF HER COMMUNITY AS SHE EXPLAINED WITH THE HELP OF HER PARTNER DYLAN TELLESEN.

>> MY QUESTION WAS, HOW DOES SIGN LANGUAGE MAKE YOU FEEL?

THEY RESPONDED WITH A HUGE LIST AND I PAINTED THEM ON THE WAY IN LAYERS.

TODAY WE WILL CUT OUT A STRONG STATEMENT ABOUT SIGN LANGUAGE: SIGN LANGUAGE IS AS NECESSARY AS IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

>> FOR ARTISTS LIKE VALERIE ROSE, WHO IS DEAF, THAT MESSAGE GOES BEYOND THE PAINT.

IT'S ABOUT REPRESENTATION AND A PLACE TO BELONG.

>> SUNNY DAYS WORKED HARD TO INCLUDE PEOPLE.

THEY CARE INCLUSIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY AND EMPOWERING ARTISTS AND I LOVE THAT I WANT TO BE A PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT CARES.

>> BECAUSE WHEN YOU MAKE SPACE FOR PEOPLE TO BE SEEN, THEY'LL SHOW YOU WHO THEY ARE - IN LIVING COLOR.

THE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF SATURDAY FROM NOON UNTIL 8 P.M.

BUT, OF COURSE, THE MURALS ARE OPEN FOR VIEWING 24/7 YEAR ROUND.

>>> STILLWATER-BASED U.S.A. RARE EARTH CONTINUES TO RAMP UP MAGNET MANUFACTURING ON U.S.

SOIL.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW" WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE MINNESOTA BASED POEHLER STAR MAGNETICS.

USING THE U.S.A. RARE EARTH LAB IN STILLWATER, THEY CAN ACCELERATE ITS MAGNET CAPABILITY.

RARE EARTH MAGNETS ARE USED FOR ALL KINDS OF ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS.

TEXAS BASED AEROSPACE, THE DEAL TRANSFERS 320 ACRES OF LAND, AND THE DEFENSE CONTRACTOR HAS SECURED A $22 MILLION STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING PACKAGE TO HELP BUILD THE NEW FACILITY.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE FACILITY IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS SUMMER.

>>> AND A FIRST CORPORATION IS ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT, AMERICA BANK OF OKLAHOMA.

THE TERMS OF THE DEAL IS NOT DISCLOSED TO THE PUBLIC, THEY HAVE APPROXIMATELY -- $280 MILLION IN LOANS, AND 320 MILLION IN DEPOSITS.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> A FLEURY OF ACTIVITY ON THURSDAY NIGHT DID IMPACT THE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

WE TAPED THE CONVERSATION ON THURSDAY MORNING, AND WHEN IT BROKE DOWN, WE NEEDED TO ELIMINATE ONE PORTION OF THE CONVERSATION.

CASSIDY IS HERE NOW TO EXPLAIN.

>> I BEGAN THE REPORTER ROUND TABLE BY ASKING THE PANEL TO REACT TO THE GOVERNOR'S COMMENT.

THAT CHANGED THURSDAY AFTERNOON, WE ELIMINATED A LITTLE OVER A MINUTE OF THE 15 MINUTE CONVERSATION.

THE CONTENT PARTNERS JOINING US, FOR THE ANNUAL LEGISLATIVE ROUND TABLE.

JOINED BY JENNIFER PALMER, FOR THE OKLAHOMA WATCH, AND FINALLY PAUL MONEYS.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT HE WAS PUSHING FOR THAT DIDN'T GET PASSED?

>> PROBABLY SOME SMALL ISSUES, AND WE SAW IN SOME OF HIS VETO MESSAGES WHERE HE'S BEGINNING TO PUSH THE LEGISLATOR TO NEW ISSUES.

HE VETOED A TAX CREDIT FOR EXAMPLE, AND ENCOURAGED THEM TO LOOK AT REDUCING AND OR ELIMINATING THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX.

SO WE'RE SEEING IN A WAY IS 2026 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA BEGIN TO TAKE SHAPE.

SORT OF MIRRORING WHAT HAPPENED.

>> INTERESTING.

WHAT'S THE STATUS OF FUNDING?

>> LIKE SEAN SAID, MOST AGENCIES WERE HELD FLAT.

AND GOT EXTRA, A $25 MILLION INCREASE.

THAT WAS TYPE TWO POLICY ISSUES.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE EXTRA FUNDING, THE SCHOOLS WILL BE HELD TO AN EXTRA STAY ON THE CALENDAR AS WELL AS SOME STEP RAISES BEYOND 25 YEARS.

THE TEACHERS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE SYSTEM FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

THEY'RE GUARANTEED RAISES FOR THE END OF THEIR CAREERS THERE.

>> YOU'RE SPEAKING TO THEM ON A DAILY BASIS?

WHAT ISR WHAT ARE THEIR THOUGHTS?

>> ONE BILL THAT'S STILL IN THE WORKS.

THEY'RE STILL TWEAKING THE LANGUAGE ON THAT ONE.

THE OKLAHOMA PROMISE FOR TEACHER'S CHILDREN.

IT'S A BIG BENEFIT TO THE TEACHERS TO GET THEM TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

AND HELP THEIR OWN CHILDREN GO TO COLLEGE.

>> AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS ADVANCED TAX CUTS.

HOW DOES IT FIT TO THE EARLIER CALL?

>> HE CAME OUT QUICKLY AND CAMPAIGNED, HE DIDN'T GET THAT AND THE QUARTER PERCENT, AND REDUCTION, BUT HE DID GET THIS PASS PART.

IT'S GOT SOME TRIGGERS IN THERE.

INCOME HAS TO BE MET, BUT HE'S OPTIMISTIC THAT WE HAVE MADE, THE THING HE SAID, A PRETTY GOOD ECONOMY.

THE WILD CARD IS OBVIOUSLY STILL SOME OF THE CUTS ON THE FEDERAL SIDE AS ANTICIPATED IN CONGRESS.

SPECIFICALLY ON MEDICAID, AND FOOD STAMPS, THE SNAP PROGRAM.

AND IF THERE'S FEDERAL CUTS ON THAT PROGRAM, THAT'S A STATE MATCH THAT HAS TO BE FILLED SOMEHOW.

>> AND THEY DISCUSSED THAT?

>> THEY DID, AND THEY'RE SET AND WAITING ON CONGRESS TO ACT ON THAT.

BUT THE SAME TIME, THEY'RE ASSURED FOR THE STATE TO HANDLE IN THEIR OWN WAY.

>> WE'LL EXPECT TO SEE THE CHANGES IN 2026?

>> CONGRESS IS SUPPOSED TO WRAP UP THE FUNDING BY LATE SUMMER, WE'LL KNOW MORE BY THEN.

BUT WE DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'LL AFFECT THE BUDGET.

>> GOVERNOR HAS VETOED MORE THAN 50 BILLS IN THE SESSION.

HE EXPLAINED WHY HE CHOSE TO USE THE VETO PEN SO FREQUENTLY.

>> FIRST OFF ALL OF MY VETOES I'VE PUBLICIZED WHY, RIGHT.

GO TO THE WEBSITE AND LOOK.

WHEN I TRY TO DO VIDEOS AND TRY TO EXPLAIN.

SOMETIME THE MEDIA WILL TRY TO SPIN THAT, GOVERNOR DOESN'T LIKE THE POLICE OR THIS INDUSTRY OR THAT INDUSTRY.

BUT GO READ MY MESSAGE.

I'M FOR LIMITED GOVERNMENT, AND REGULATIONS DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEMS.

>> THERE WERE A NUMBER OF LAST MINUTE VETOES, HOW DID LAWMAKERS RESPOND?

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS HONEST WHEN HE SAYS THAT HE LOOKS AT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO COST THE TAXPAYERS MONEY.

THAT'LL IMPOSE REGULATIONS BY THEIR OWN TAXPAYERS OR BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRIES, AND IN HIS MIND THOSE THINGS DON'T MOVE OKLAHOMA FORWARD.

AND WE SAW IN SEVERAL CASES, WHERE HE VETOED A TAX CREDIT PROPOSAL, AND HE'S LOOKING AT OTHER ALTERNATIVES.

LAWMAKERS OF THE SESSION COMING TO AN END, CONSIDERING HOW MANY THEY MIGHT OVERRIDE.

AND GOVERNOR ON WEDNESDAY ACKNOWLEDGED SAY THERE'S SOME THAT MIGHT BE DESERVED TO BE OVERRIDDEN.

BASED ON THE INFORMATION AT THE TIME, PERHAPS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WOULD COME TO LIFE, THAT WOULD JUSTIFY OVERRIDING THE VETOES.

>> HOW LONG CAN THESE THINGS BE EXTENDED?

>> VETOES ARE INTERESTING, A LEGISLATURED IS TWO YEARS, ODD AND EVEN YEARS.

BILLS CAN BE OVERRIDDEN IN 2026.

WE SAW THAT IN 23 AND 24, THERE WAS A VETO THAT WAS OVERRIDDEN, THAT WAS ISSUED IN 2023, AND OVERRIDDEN IN THE 2024 SESSION.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF TIME.

IF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMES FORWARD THAT DOESN'T GENERATE NEW LEGISLATION, BUT WARRANTS THE VETO, THEY CAN DO IT NEXT YEAR ALL THE WAY UP TO THE END OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN MAY OF 2026.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

TELL US OFF A THE MOVEMENT THAT WE HAVE SEEN ON THE CELL PHONE BAN.

>> THAT'S THE BIGGEST POLICY CHANGE THAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS WILL FACE THIS UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.

EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL PASS THE POLICY WITH THE BOARD, AND THEY'LL HAVE TO IMPLEMENT IT THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

THAT'LL BE BIG CHANGES.

>> AND BRIEFLY HERE, IT'S A LOT.

WHAT ABOUT THE STUDENTS, THERE'S AN ISSUE, I NEED TO REACH MY PARENTS.

IS THERE ROOM FOR THAT IN LEGISLATION?

>> THE BILL REALLY ONLY REQUIRES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO CRAFT A POLICY.

IT WASN'T SPECIFIC IN HOW THE POLICY SHOULD BE.

IT SAYS BELL TO BELL.

THERE'S ALSO SOME EXCEPTIONS IN THE BILLS, FOR STUDENTS WITH MEDICAL ISSUES.

THEY USE THE PHONE TO MONITOR BLOOD SUGAR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

THAT WOULD BE AN EXCEPTION, AND IN AN EMERGENCY.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS COME UP IN THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

SHIFTING GEARS FROM EDUCATION TO TRANSPORTATION, SENATE BILL 20, STRICT RULES FOR THE OUT OF STATE DRIVERS.

WHAT ARE THE RULES?

>> THIS IS A BILL THAT WAS PASSED CALLED THE SECURE ROADS AND SAFE TRUCKING ACT.

AND IT BASICALLY PUTS LIMITS ON -- WHO TO TAKE THE TEST.

AND OBVIOUSLY, THE INTERSTATE TRUCKING IS FEDERALLY REGULATED AS WELL.

THERE'S OVERLAP ON THAT.

AND AS FOR SOME PUSH BACK FROM GROUPS, THIS IS SIMPLY -- AND THEY SAID IF YOU HAVE A CDL LICENSE YOU HAVE PROBABLY TAKEN A TEST IN ENGLISH, THAT WOULD MEAN YOU'RE PROFICIENT.

BUT THERE'S AN EXTRA STEP, THIS CAME FROM A CONSTITUENT, THEY NEED TO PUT IN PLACE IN OKLAHOMA TO HAVE SAFER ROADS FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST THE TRUCKERS.

THEY HAVE IT PASSED AND IT'S INTERESTING, IT WAS SPONSORED BY A SENATE FRESHMAN, AND COAUTHORED BY A FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE.

>> WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENTS IN PUBLIC EDUCATION?

>> ONE ISSUE WE'VE BEEN WATCHING CLOSELY, IT'LL TAKE SHAPE IN THE NEW YEAR, THE SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

TWO RESOLUTIONS, ONE FROM DEMOCRATS, AND ONE FROM SENATOR PUIG THAT WERE PROPOSED TO REJECK SOME OF THE RULES AND SEND THEM BACK TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THEY DIDN'T PASS.

THE LEGISLATOR LEFT THE STANDARDS GO IN EFFECT WITHOUT ANY ACTION.

THE WAY THE STANDARDS WORK IS THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VETO OR APPROVE.

THEY'RE AUTOMATICALLY IN EFFECT.

ONE THAT ATTRACTED A LOT OF ATTENTION, TO REQUIRE STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY DISCREPANCIES IN THE WAY THAT THE ELECTION TOOK PLACE.

AND THERE'S ANOTHER ONE THAT PEOPLE DRAW ATTENTION TO, AND THERE'S MANY MANY MORE BIBLE REFERENCES.

THE CONCERN THERE, THE TEXTBOOKS THAT WE'VE BEEN USING IN SOCIAL STUDIES NOW WON'T FIT THAT.

AND MANY WON'T COME TO OKLAHOMA AND THE BOOKS WOULD NOT FIT THE STANDARDS.

IT WOULD LIMIT THE TEXTBOOKS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN -- >> TO CHANGE THE INITIATIVE -- TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> AND IF IT'S REQUIREMENTS ON THE -- TO TAKE CERTAIN NUMBER.

THERE'S A CAP ON HOW MANY SIGNATURES TO GET, AND PUSHED BY THE RURAL LAWMAKERS.

QUESTION ON THE PETITION, WHICH MORE FOCUSSED ON OKLAHOMA AND THE COUNTIES, AND GET IT ON THE BALLOT EASIER THAT WAY.

THERE'S ALREADY A LOT OF HURDLES.

THE TIME LINE ON THE PROTESTING, IT WAS A BIG PROCESS TO DO A INITIAL PROPOSAL ALREADY.

AND NOW, SINCE THE GOVERNOR ASSIGNED THAT, THERE'S TALK ABOUT A POSSIBLE LAWSUIT AGAINST THAT.

ESPECIALLY THE CAP SIDE OF THE COUNTY.

A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE, YOU CAN IMMEDIATE THE LIMIT.

THEY'RE OVER THE CAP FOR THAT COUNTY AS WELL.

THAT'S SOMETHING THAT -- THAT'S ONE OF THE ONE.

AND I WILL HIGHLIGHT THROUGHOUT THE SESSION.

>> THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TROUBLED FINANCES CAME THROUGH MANY TIMES IN THIS SESSION.

TELL US BRIEFLY ABOUT THAT.

>> THE AGENCY FOUND THEMSELVES SHORT FOR THE MONEY FOR THE CURRENT YEAR.

THE LAWMAKERS ARE APPROPRIATING MORE THAN $30 MILLION TO THEM, TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

IT'S INCLUDED IN THE FY 26 BUDGET AS WELL.

LAWMAKERS HOPE TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FINANCES OF THE DEPARTMENT.

THEY REALLY HAVEN'T GOTTEN THE ANSWER YET.

THEY PLAN TO DIG INTO THAT FOR THE SUMMER.

THE LAWMAKERS DIDN'T HAVE A BILL THAT REQUIRES THE SERVICES TO REALLY MONITOR THE AGENCY'S FINANCES.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BILLS THAT THE GOVERNOR VETOED.

>> THIS FINAL QUESTION IS FOR ALL OF YOU, BUT LOOKING AHEAD WHAT SHOULD THE REGULAR PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA, WATCHDOGS AND JOURNALISTS -- >> IT'LL BE THE ELECTION YEAR.

AND SO, THAT'LL BE INTERESTING ONE TO WATCH FOR SURE.

BUT ALSO, 2026, DON'T FORGET VOTERS WILL ACTUALLY VOTE ON THE MINIMUM WAGE PROPOSITION IN THE SUMMER.

THAT'LL BE ANOTHER ONE TO LOOK AT.

AS FAR AS THE SESSION, WHO KNOWS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH NEXT YEAR.

AND SOME OF THE BILLS GOT PASSED AND HOW THEY'RE IN EFFECT.

>> JENNIFER?

>> HOW THE CELL PHONE BAN IS IMPLEMENTED.

THE TEXTBOOK CYCLE, THAT'S NOW STARTED, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WONDERING IF THE SLUPT RUN FOR ANOTHER OFFICE.

HE'S SAID PREVIOUSLY HE WOULD MAKE THAT DECISION NEXT SUMMER.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> MENTAL HEALTH OBVIOUSLY AS WE DISCUSSED, AND THE IMIMPLEMENTATION BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, I PROBABLY NEED TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE VETOES.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU ALL THIS HARD WORK THIS SESSION, THANKS FOR JOINING US, WE'LL KEEP UP WITH YOU FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GREAT CONVERSATION.

DID YOU REALIZE THAT, MUCH LIKE HUMANS, THE BEHAVIOR OF URBAN BEES DIFFERS FROM THE BEHAVIOR OF RURAL BEES?

THAT'S THE FINDING OF A PROFESSOR IN ST. LOUIS-- AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADING IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW" TO INTERSTATE 44, AND THIS STORY FROM REPORTER JIM KIRSCHERR AT "9PBS" IN THE GATEWAY CITY.

-- ST. LOUIS.

THIS IS A CLASSROOM AND A LAB.

THE STUDENTS, THEIR TEACHERS, THEY'RE REAL SCIENTISTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI, ST. LOUIS.

AND THE LESSON TODAY IS INSECTS.

PARTICULARLY BEES.

>> THEY'RE FLAYING ADD ALL -- JUST LIKE THAT.

>> THEY'RE ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND SHARING WHAT THEY KNOW.

AND ALSO SHARING WHAT THEY DON'T KNOW OF A PARTICULAR KIND OF BEE.

THE SOLITARY BEE.

>> ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THEM.

THEY'RE KIND OF HARD TO STUDY.

AND ONE THING THAT MAKES THEM HARD TO STUDY IS FINDING THE NESTS.

>> THE PROFESSOR ARE ABOUT TO PUT THE KIDS TO WORK.

SENDING THEM TO SEARCH FOR LITTLE HOLES IN THE GROUND THAT ARE ENTRIES FOR THE BEE NEST.

>> THIS IS MORE THAN A CLASSROOM ACTIVITY, BUT THE KIDS WILL LEARN A LOT.

AND SO WILL BE SCIENTISTS.

>> WE'LL LEARN HOW THE PEES ARE BEHAVING YEARP NEAR THE -- NEAR THE HIGHWAYS.

WE'VE BEEN TO THE LAB BEFORE, SHE'S AN EXPERT IN BEE BEHAVIOR, AND COGNITION.

>> EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT YOU MEAN.

>> FOR A LONG TIME, PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT ANIMALS WERE INSTINCT -- LIKE LITTLE ROBOTS IN THE WORLD.

BUT NOW, THE INSECTS HAVE COGNITION.

THEY HAVE CULTURAL TRANSFORMATIONS.

THERE'S NO LIMITS TO WHAT A SMALL INSECT BRAIN IS CAPABLE, IN TERMS OF PROBLEM SOLVING.

>> SO PERHAPS A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT WOULD NECESSITATE DIFFERENT BEHAVIORS.

>> AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE USING THE SPACE IN A NORMAL WAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF NOISE AND VIBRATIONS FROM THE HIGHWAY, AND FINE PARTICLAT MATTERS.

WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE IS WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW THE BEES ARE USING THE SPACE AND HOW THEY'RE BEHAVING ON THE FLOWERS.

>> ONE OF THE PARTNER IN ALL OF THIS IS THE GREEN HOUSE VENTURE ORGANIZATION.

THAT OFFERS LOCAL SCHOOLS PROGRAMS.

AND IT HAS PLANS TO BUILD ITS OWN EDUCATIONAL CENTER.

AND AS THIS STUDY PROGRESSES, THE STUDENTS WILL STILL BE A PART OF IT.

>> WE'LL PUT CAMERAS ON THEM AND WE'LL HAVE DETAILED IMAGES THEY CAN TAKE AND HELP IDENTIFY THE POLLEN ON THE BEES.

>> AND THEY'RE NOT JUST TO HERE, AS A CLASS ACTIVITY, THEY'RE CONTRIBUTING TO THIS STUDY.

>> YES.

>> AND FOR MANY, THIS WAS AN INTRODUCTIONS CLASS.

>> TEACHING US OF THE POLL -- AND OTHER ENSECS.

-- INSECTS.

>> AND YOU'RE NOT SITTING IN A CLASS, YOU'RE OUTSIDE ON A NICE DAY, THAT'S GOOD.

>> YEAH.

>> BUT THAT DOESN'T STOP YOU.

WHY DO WE CARE?

IN PART, WE HAVE -- FRESH VEGETABLES AND FRUIT.

>> WE'RE LOSING INSECT POPULATION, AND WE NEED THE HABITAT WHEREVER WE CAN GET IT.

HABITAT NEXT TO HIGHWAYS IS NOT GUILTY AS MANYING THAT PEOPLE SGLOERS IN ON, TO FOCUS ON PLANTS, IT'S A WIN WIN FOR EVERYONE.

>> IF YOU INCLUDE THE IMPACT ON AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE STUDENTS, WIN, WIN, WIN.

>>> ON THE NEXT EPISODE OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT"-- AN OU GRADUATE STUDENT HAS RECEIVED A PATENT FOR A WEATHER DRONE DESIGNED TO COLLECT BETTER WEATHER DATA FOR METEOROLOGISTS.

WE'LL SEE HIS UNIQUE "UAS" IN ACTION--- FRIDAY AT 7!

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE 48TH ANNUAL PASEO ARTS FESTIVAL IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY--- PUT TOGETHER BY O.E.T.A.

'S LEGACY COTO.

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!