[♪♪♪♪♪] >> A BUSY AND PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATION SESSION DRAWS TO A CLOSE.

>> AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE FINISHED MY FINAL PLEDGES IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

>> WHEN THIS MAN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER, PROSECUTORS SAY NO, BUT OTHERS DISAGREE.

>> HE WAS CONVICTED ON A THEORY.

>> SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS CHANGES THE RULES AT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> SO WE HAVE NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS PAYING FOR COMMENTATORS.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT IT WITH IT.

>> THEY TEAM UP WITH GOOGLE TO GROW THE WORKFORCE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> IT'S A PATHWAY FOR OKLAHOMANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF JOBS IN THE FUTURE.

>> ART, UNDER THE OVERPASS IN NORTH TULSA.

>> THE DOORS ARE A SYMBOL TO LEAD YOU TO THE MESSAGE AND THEIR STORY.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Rich: HELLO EVERYONE, WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M RICH LENZ.

>>> DAVID RAY FLEENER WAS CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND SENT TO PRISON FOR LIFE AT THE AGE OF 25.

HE IS NOW 54 AND HOPING TO HAVE HIS CASE RE CONSIDERED.

THE OKLAHOMA INNOCENCE PROJECT BELIEVES HE WAS WRONGLY CONVICTED BUT PROSECUTORS DISAGREE.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH A WHAT BOTH SIDES HAVE TO SAY.

STEVE?

>> Reporter: RICH, DAVID HAS BEEN IN PRISON 29 YEARS.

HE HAS NEVER DISPUTED STABBING AND KILLING A MAN HE CLAIMS BROKE INTO HIS MIDWEST CITY HOME.

BACK IN 1994.

THERE ARE THINGS ABOUT THIS CASE THAT STILL RAISE QUESTIONS THAT OKLAHOMA'S INNOCENCE PROJECT NOW SAYS NEED TO BE ANSWERED.

>> IS IT SAFE TO USE THOSE COTTON SWABS?

>> IT'S NOT, BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHY.

>> DR. MICHAEL McGEE IS A NATIONAL RESPECTED EAR DOCTOR BASED IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> I MEAN YOU'RE A DOCTOR.

YOU ARE A BUSY GUY.

I MEAN WHAT DREW YOU TO THIS CASE?

>> McGEE SAYS DAVID IS JUST THE SECOND OKLAHOMA PRISON INMATE HE HAS EVER TRIED TO HELP.

THAT IS HOW CONVINCED HE IS OF DAVID'S INNOCENCE.

>> I LOOKED INTO DAVID'S CASE AND I THOUGHT THIS GUY IS INNOCENT.

>> Reporter: THREE DECADES AGO DAVID LIVED IN THIS HOUSE ON MIDWEST BOULEVARD IN MIDWEST CITY.

FLEENOR CLAIMED THAT ON FEBRUARY 28, 1994, HE WAS ASLEEP IN HIS HOUSE WHEN AN INTRUDER APPEARED.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT I NEVER DENIED CAUSING THE DEATH OF THE MAN THAT CAME INTO MY HOUSE.

>> Reporter: HE STABBED THAT MAN TWICE IN THE BACK.

ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE MAN STUBBLED OR STAGGERED AWAY AND ENDED UP A SHORT BLOCK AWAY, SITTING UP AGAINST THIS SIGN OUTSIDE COUNTRY ESTATES BAPTIST CHURCH.

HE PLED OUT AND DIED.

THAT'S WHERE DR. McGEE SAID FOR DAVID FLEENOR, THIS WHOLE THING GOT LOST.

>> IT WAS A DOMINO EFFECT ON BAD INFORMATION, STUFF THAT SHOULDN'T EVEN HAVE BEEN OUT THERE.

>> LIKE WHAT?

>> LIKE A TESTIMONY OF A MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THE FACT THAT THE MEDICAL EXAMINER, WHAT SHE SAID IN COURT DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THE FACTS AND THE AUTOPSY.

>> Reporter: FLEENOR WAS TRIED AND CONVICTED OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER 19 MONTHS LATER.

PROSECUTORS CLAIMED THAT FLEENOR STABBED THE MAN ONCE IN THE BACK AT THE HOUSE AND AFTER THE MAN FLED, DR. McGEE SAID PROSECUTORS SOLD A THEORY THAT FLEENOR FOLLOWED HIM TO THE CHURCH AND STABBED HIM THAT SECOND TIME, WHICH SEVERED THE SPINAL CORD AND WAS FATAL.

THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S TESTIMONY DURING TRIAL CORROBORATED THE PROSECUTION'S THEORY.

DR. McGEE SAYS THAT MEDICAL EXAMINER AND THE PROSECUORS GOT IT WRONG.

McGEE SAYS FLEENOR DID CATCH UP TO THE MAN AT THE CHURCH, BUT DIDN'T STAB HIM.

HE WAS BASICALLY ALREADY DEAD.

>> AND THE CRUX OF THIS CASE IS BASED ON WHERE DAVID STABBED HIM THE SECOND TIME.

>> WHERE DID HE STAB HIM THE SECOND TIME?

>> IN THE HOUSE AS HE WAS GOING OUT THE DOOR, HE STABBED HIM TWICE.

THEY HAD A FIGHT AND THIS GUY WAS NOT VERY SMART.

DAVID LOOKS LIKE A TACKLE FOR THE GREEN BAY PACKERS, BIG GUY.

HE WAS CONVICTED ON A THEORY THAT DEAD IN HELL WATER, HE WASN'T STABBED IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO CAUSE PARALYSIS.

SO THAT'S WHY I THINK HE'S INNOCENT.

ANY DOCTOR THAT LOOKS AT THIS WILL, I THINK, COME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION.

>> Reporter: ANDREA MILLER IS HIS LEGAL DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA INNOCENCE PROJECT.

SHE PLANS TO FILE WHAT IS CALLED AN APPLICATION FOR POST CONVICTION RELEASE, ON BEHALF OF DAVID FLEENOR IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> THERE ARE QUESTIONS SURROUNDING THE AUTOPSY THAT WAS PERFORM IN THIS CASE AND THE CONCLUSIONS OF THE PATHOLOGIST THAT DID THE AUTOPSY.

WE ARE BEING TOLD BY THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE THAT THERE IS NO FILE FOR THIS AUTOPSY CASE.

ORIGINALLY, THERE WERE NO PHOTOGRAPHS EVER TAKEN, SO WE QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT AN APPROPRIATE AUTOPSY WAS EVER ACTUALLY CONDUCTED, WHICH THEN FURTHER UNDERMINES THE MEDICAL TESTIMONY THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY THE STATE TO SUPPORT THE CONVICTION AGAINST MR. FLEENOR.

>> PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE BODY?

>> PHOTOS OF THE AUTOPSY.

>> ISN'T THAT 101?

>> YES, THE REASON WHY THERE ARE PHOTOGRAPHS IS BECAUSE IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS LATER ON, SOMEONE CAN GO BACK AND ESSENTIALLY CHECK THEIR WORK.

>> Reporter: I REACHED OUT TO THE STATE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE ON TUESDAY AND HASN'T HEARD BACK.

DAVID LED THE OKLAHOMA DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE FOR 16 YEARS UNTIL HE RETIRED LAST YEAR.

IN 1994, HE WAS IN HIS SECOND YEAR AS AN ASSISTANT OKLAHOMA COUNTY D.A.

LAST FRIDAY, HE TOLD ME THAT HE REMEMBERS THE FLEENOR CASE.

FLEENOR STAB IT IS GUY ON HIS FRONT PORCH.

THE GUY STAGGERS AWAY DOWN THE STREET AND SITS DOWN?

-- IN FRONT OF A CHURCH.

FLEENOR GETS IN HIS TRUCK AND HUNTS HIM DOWN LIKE AN ANIMAL AND STABS THE GUY TO DEATH.

HE ALSO SAID THAT THE MAN DIDN'T BREAK INTO THE HOUSE, HE KNOCKED ON THE FRONT DOOR.

>> THAT'S THE NARRATIVE THAT THE STATE HAS HAD ALL ALONG AND WHAT THE THEORY WAS AT TRIAL.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT THEORY IS THE MEDICAL TESTIMONY DOESN'T PROVE THAT OUT.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN HUMPHREYS, CHAIRMAN OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS IN THE OKLAHOMA STATEHOUSE, HE SAYS THIS CASE WARRANTS A FRESH LOOK.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, YOU KNOW, PURE AND THAT WE'RE ABLE TO TRUST THAT.

THAT'S WHAT RIGHT NOW YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY, PEOPLE ARE LOSING FAITH.

>> Reporter: FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR BOBBY SAYS THAT HIS CELL MATE AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IS A CHILDHOOD FRIEND OF HIS.

HE SAID THAT FLEENOR HAS EARNED COLLEGE AND PARALEGAL DEGREES WHILE BEHIND BARS AND HE IS KNOWN TO HELP OTHER INMATES WITH LEGAL WORK AND HE RAISED MONEY FOR WORTHY CAUSES BUT CLEVELAND SAYS NONE OF THAT MATTER, FLEENOR'S INNOCENCE DOES.

>> IT'S THE MOST EGREGIOUS THING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE GOING ON WITH DAVID FLEENOR.

HE HAS BEEN AN OUTSTANDING INMATE AND DAVID DID TELL ME THAT MAKE SURE I REMEMBER TO SAY THAT.

HE SAYS THE D.O.C.

HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT NICE TO HIM.

>> THE INNOCENCE PROJECT TELLS ME ONCE THEIR APPLICATION FOR POST CONVICTION RELIEF IS FILED.

THAT COURT WILL RULE ON THE ISSUES RAISED.

THE CURRENT OKLAHOMA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TOLD ME LAST WEDNESDAY, THEY'LL REVIEW FLEENOR'S CASE.

IF AND WHEN THAT APPLICATION IS FILED IN DISTRICT COURT.

RICH?

>> Rich: STEVE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> A LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 5TH, AND WAS PROCEEDED BY A SPECIAL SESSION ON JANUARY 29TH, HAS FINALLY COME TO AN END WITH MORE THAN 350 BILLS AND COUNTING SIGNED INTO LAW AS OF FRIDAY MORNING.

JOINING US WITH A FULL RECAP ON THE WORK DONE IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS IS CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE.

REPORTING FROM OUR OETA STUDIO IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

JASON, WHAT'S THE MOOD AT 23RD AND LINCOLN AS LAWMAKERS BEGIN TO HEAD HOME?

>> RICH, IT'S A LOT LIKE SUMMER BREAK FOR HIGH SCHOOL KIDS.

LAWMAKERS ARE READY TO ENJOY THE SUMMER.

THIS YEAR, TAX CUTS DOMINATED THE CONVERSATION FOR THE ENTIRE REGULAR SESSION.

>> MY PERSONAL SEGMENT WOULD BE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE CUT INCOME TAX TWO YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: KICKING OFF THE SPECIAL SESSION TALKING ABOUT A QUARTER PERCENT PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

THE REASON WHY THE GOVERNOR CALLED THE SESSION IS THE TALK ABOUT A PERSONAL INCOME TAX CUT DID NOT GO FAR.

>> WE BELIEVE IT WAS A WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY SINCE WE START ONE WEEK FROM TODAY IN REGULAR SESSION.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE SPECIAL SESSION WAS QUICKLY DISPATCHED, TAX CUT TALKS WERE NOT.

IN FACT, PRETTY MUCH PERSISTED THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> WE HAVE FOR A LONG TIME TOLD HIM THAT WE WANTED TO KNOW THE REAL NUMBERS BEFORE WE GO INTO ANYTHING.

FEBRUARY 15TH, WE WILL GET THE REAL NUMBERS.

>> DESPITE THE DESIRE TO GET THE REAL NUMBERS FOR HOW MUCH THE LEGISLATURE WOULD BE AUTHORIZED TO SPEND AND KEEP A BALANCED BUDGET, GOVERNOR STITT CONTINUED TO PUSH THE INCOME TAX ISSUE WHEN THE REGULAR SESSION BEGAN WITH HIS STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH.

>> TWO YEARS AGO, WE CUT A QUARTER POINT FROM THE INDIVIDUAL TAX RATE.

WE LOWERED BUSINESS TAX BY 2 FULL PERCENTAGE POINTS.

SINCE THEN, REVENUE COLLECTIONS HAS INCREASED BY $1.5 BILLION.

THAT HAS BEEN THE TREND AFTER EVERY TAX CUT WE'VE PASSED.

SO I'LL SIGN ANY TAX CUT THAT COMES TO MY DESK.

>> WHEN THE FINAL REVENUE NUMBERS CAME IN MID-FEBRUARY, THEY PURSUED THE ELIMINATION OF THE STATE PORTION OF THE GROCERY STATE TAX.

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNED THE MORE THAN $400 MILLION TAX BREAK FOR OKLAHOMA CONSUMERS.

>> I GET TO DELIVER ON THAT PROMISE TODAY BY SIGNING THE LARGEST SINGLE YEAR TAX CUT IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY.

SO IT'S JUST AMAZING AND I WANT TO THANK THE LEADERS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE BY CUTTING THE STATE'S PORTION OF THE GROCERY TAX.

WE'RE GOING TO BE DELIVERING ON REAL RELIEF FOR REAL OKLAHOMA FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THAT TAX CUT TAKES EFFECT 90 DAYS AFTER THE SESSION ENDS, WHICH PUTS THEM AROUND MID-AUGUST.

ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, TALKS OF AN IMMIGRATION BILL.

>> THERE ARE HOT ISSUES AMONG THE PEOPLE IN THE STATE.

WE KNOW THAT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IS THE MOST CONCERNING ISSUE TO PEOPLE IN THE STATE, EVEN MORE SO THAN TAXES AND THE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: IN MID-APRIL, THEY INTRODUCED THAT IMMIGRATION BILL IN THE FORM OF HOUSE BILL 4156.

>> HOUSE BILL 4156 BY McCAUL OF THE HOUSE, AN ACT RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATION MAKES IMPERMISSIBLE OCCUPATION A CRIME.

FIRST DEFENSE IS A MISDEMEANOR WITH A FINE AND JAIL SENTENCE.

THE SUBSEQUENT OFFENSES ARE FELONIES, CARRYING A LARGER FINE AND PRISON SENTENCE.

IN BOTH CASES UPON BEING RELEASED FROM JAIL OR PRISON, THE OFFENDER IS ORDERED TO LEAVE THE STATE AND NOT RETURN.

ONCE THE HOUSE PASSES HOUSE BILL 4156, THE COMMUNITY HELD A PROTEST TO TRY TO CONVINCE THE SENATE TO HALT ITS PASSAGE.

HOWEVER, THE BILL KEPT MOVING.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS FAILED.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS ADMITTED IN JANUARY HE FINALLY SAID THE BORDER IS A CRISIS.

THE U.S. CONGRESS, WE CAN POINT FINGERS, WE CAN TALK ABOUT THINGS, THEY HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO IMPACT IT.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY'S OUTCRY, THE SENATE PASSED THE MEASURE AND GOVERNOR STITT SIGNED IT.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED A LAWSUIT IN FEDERAL COURT TO KEEP HOUSE BILL 4156 FROM GOING INTO EFFECT.

LATE APRIL BROUGHT WITH IT DEADLY SEVERE WEATHER, WHICH TOOK THE GOVERNOR AND HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES TO VIEW THE DEVASTATION THEMSELVES AND DELIVER A COMMITMENT THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING TO HELP RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>> WE WILL RISE.

WE WILL CLEAN UP.

WE WILL REBUILD AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

WE WILL BE HERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY WITH SULFUR AND OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, SO MOVE FORWARD AND SEEK RESTORATION.

>> LEADING TO NEGOTIAORS DETERMINING HOW MUCH THE STATE LEGISLATURE COULD APPROPRIATE TO HELP CITIES PAY FOR REPAIRS DURING THE PUBLIC BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS HOSTED BY GOVERNOR STITT, THE ORIGINAL FIGURE WAS $30 MILLION, BUT SPEAKER McCAUL BELIEVES THAT OKLAHOMA SEVERE WEATHER DISASTER SEASON WAS JUST GETTING STARTED.

>> THERE IS THE PROPENSITY IN SOME PROBABILITY THAT ADDITIONAL WEATHER EVENTS COULD HAPPEN OUTSIDE OF LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND THERE SHOULD BE SOME CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO THAT AS WELL, IN THAT APPROPRIATED NUMBER.

>> Reporter: McCAUL, GOVERNOR STITT, AND MAYOR PRO-TEM AGREED TO THE $45 MILLION FIGURE.

>> YOU MADE A GOOD POINT.

WE HAVE SURPLUS SAVINGS RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN PUT SOME CASH IN THERE AND CLAW IT BACK IF IT WAS OVER WHAT WE NEED.

>> I TOLD THE CAUCUS IN MY CHAMBER, THIS IS THE ONE NUMBER I WOULD AGREE TO TODAY WITHOUT HAVING TO GO BACK.

I'M FINE WITH 45 MILLION.

>> Reporter: NEGOTIATORS WOULD HAVE THEIR SHARES OF UPS, DOWNS, AND WALKOUTS TO REACH A SPENDING PLAN FOR THE STATE'S NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> AND I AM GLAD TO HAVE FINISHED MY FINAL BUDGET IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE SESSION, THERE WILL BE A MAJOR CHANGE TO LEADERSHIP AFTER THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION BECAUSE BOTH ARE TERM LIMITED.

RICH?

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW WE WELCOME PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY.

LAWMAKERS SAY 1792 WILL CHANGE THE CRIMINAL SENTENCING CODE.

HOW SO?

>> WHAT THIS DOES IS GROUPS VARIOUS CRIMES INTO GROUPS OF SIMILAR CRIMES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE RECLASSIFICATION SYSTEM COUNCIL HAS BEEN WORKING ON FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THEY MADE A SERIES OF RECOMMENDATIONS OVERTIME AND THIS IS PART OF THEIR FINAL RECOMMENDATION TO HELP BRING SIMILAR CRIMES TOGETHER INTO ONE GROUP AND AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE, PERHAPS SENTENCES CAN BE ADJUSTED TO PROMPTLY REFLECT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN THOSE GROUPS.

>> Rich: SHAWN, THE HOUSE HAS APPROVED A PAY RAISE FOR SOME JUDGES, BUT NOT ALL OF THEM.

GIVE US THE DETAILS.

>> YES, THESE PAY RAISES WOULD AFFECT JUDGES ONLY AT THE DISTRICT COURT LEVEL.

THE ASSOCIATE DISTRICT JUDGES AND THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES THEMSELVES.

THIS WAS THE REQUEST FROM GOVERNOR STITT AS PART OF HIS DEAL TO BRING THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS TO A CONCLUSION.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE AGREED TO THESE PROPOSALS AND THAT BILL HAS NOW PASSED.

HOWEVER, A NUMBER OF JUDGES ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE IDEA.

THEY SAY THAT THE RAISES SHOULD BE APPLIED ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> IN ANOTHER MATTER, THE NOMINATION FOR SECRETARY OF EDUCATION HAS BEEN ADVANCED BY THE SENATE.

TELL US MORE ABOUT HER AND HOW THIS POSITION DIFFERS FROM THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

>> WELL, I ALWAYS LIKED SOMEONE LIKE SECRETARY SANDERS THAT BEGAN HER CAREER IN JOURNALISM AT CONDE NAST PUBLICATIONS.

RECENTLY SHE RAN A NON-PROFIT BUT SHE IS KNOWN AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

YOU ASKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION OF COURSE RYAN WALTERS IS ELECTED BY VOTERS AND SERVES AS THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION IS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR AND OVERSEES THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF OTHER EDUCATION RELATED ENTITIES IN THE STATE SUCH AS THE DEPARTMENT OF CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AND OTHER EDUCATION RELATED AGENCIES.

>> Rich: NOW GOVERNOR STITT IS EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION OVER CABINET POSTS THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED CONSIDERATION, CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF POSITIONS FOR WHICH STITT MADE NOMINATIONS THAT WERE NOT TAKEN UP BY THE SENATE, EITHER BY COMMITTEE OR ON THE FLOOR, SUCH AS HIS NOMINEE TO BE THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

HIS NOMINEE FOR SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AS WELL.

AS WELL AS SOME OTHER NOMINEES FOR SOME OTHER POSITIONS.

>> Rich: NOW SECOND LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED IN OKLAHOMA'S ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BILL BY WHO?

>> YES, THE FIRST SUIT WAS BROUGHT BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

THIS CASE IS BROUGHT BY THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION, BOTH OF OKLAHOMA AND THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

THE IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER AND A LAW FIRM ON BEHALF OF A LOCAL ORGANIZATION.

ALSO UNIQUE TO THIS CASE IS AN INDIVIDUAL PLAINTIFF, A WOMAN WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AT THE AGE OF 1.

SHE HAS RESIDED IN OKLAHOMA HER ENTIRE LIFE, AS WELL AS HER PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS, UNCLES, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY.

IF SHE HAD TO LEAVE OKLAHOMA AS HOUSE BILL 4156 REQUIRES, SHE WOULD BE SEPARATED FROM HER FAMILY AND THAT IS A COMPONENT OF THIS LAWSUIT THAT IS DIFFERENT THAN THAT BROUGHT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

>> Rich: WE HAVE ABOUT 30 SECONDS LEFT.

LAWMAKERS OVERRIDING A VETO REGARDING CHANGES TO POLICE PENSIONS.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?

>> WHAT THIS DOES IS TO CHANGE THE MULTIPLIERS THAT DETERMINES THE BENEFITS THAT RETIRED LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WILL RECEIVE.

IT ALSO INCREASES THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY MAKE AND THAT THEIR EMPLOYERS MAKE IN ORDER THAT THEY RECEIVE THOSE INCREASED BENEFITS DOWN THE LINE.

IT NOW BECOMES LAW OVER THE GOVERNOR'S OBJECTION.

>> Rich: OKAY SHAWN ASHLEY, IT'S ABOUT A WRAP FOR THIS SESSION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE PERIODS FOR SEVERE WEATHER IN RECENT MEMORY CONTINUED LAST WEEKEND IN THE HOMETOWN OF WILL ROGERS.

A VIOLENT EF-3 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN IN CLAREMORE, INJURING 23 PEOPLE, 3 OF THEM SUFFERING LIFE THREATENING INJURIES.

THE STORM CAUSED WIDESPREAD POWER OUTAGES, AND DESTROYED A CHURCH AND OTHER STRUCTURES.

THE SAME NIGHT, THE VIOLENT STORMS CLAIMED THE LIVES OF TWO PEOPLE IN PRYOR, OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE IN OUR REGION RECOVERING FROM STORMS.

A TEAM OF 100 LINE WORKERS AND STAFF HAVE RETURNED FROM HELPING TO RESTORE POWER IN THE HOUSTON AREA.

THE CREWS WORKED 16 HOUR DAYS FOR SIX DAYS TO HELP THE UTILITY RESTORE SERVICES IN THE WAKE OF SEVERE STORMS LAST WEEK.

>>> REACTION TO THE HISTORIC VERDICT OF A NEW YORK JURY FINDING FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP GUILTY ON 34 FELONY COUNTS, HAS SPLIT MOSTLY DOWN PARTISAN LINES.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT HAD THIS RESPONSE: >> YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE COURT SYSTEM IN NEW YORK, WHICH I THINK EVERYBODY -- THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A HUGE LONG TAIL WITH BUSINESSES FLEEING NEW YORK WHEN THEY SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO TO SOMEONE UP THERE IN THE COURT SYSTEM.

IT'S UNJUST, IT'S UNBELIEVABLE.

SO YOU SEE DELAWARE STUMBLING AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUSINESSES KNOW THAT THEY ARE PREPROTECTED -- PROTECTED IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THE PRESUMPTIVE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR PRESIDENT, WILL BE SENTENCED BY JUDGE JUAN MARCHAN ON JULY 11TH.

>>> MEMORIAL DAY TRADITIONALLY REPRESENTS THE START OF THE SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON.

HOW BUSY IS IT EXPECTED TO BE AND WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HOP ON A PLANE, TRAIN OR AUTOMOBILE?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> WHEN WE GET TO THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS, TRAVEL PICKS UP.

MORE OKLAHOMANS WANT TO GET OUT BUT AS THE WEATHER GET NICER, SO DO OUR CREW.

SUMMER IS A BIG TIME FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION CREWS TO DO ROAD WORK.

WHILE MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT, BE PREPARED BECAUSE YOU WILL BE RUNNING INTO OTHER DRIVERS AND OUR WORK ZONES.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE PLANNING YOUR RIDE AHEAD OF TIME AND USING CAUTION ON THE ROADWAYS.

THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE COMING OUT.

4TH OF JULY IS AROUND THE CORNER SO WE ANTICIPATE MORE PEOPLE HITTING THE ROADS AND SUMMER TRAVEL.

>> ON AVERAGE, WE HAVE ABOUT, I WOULD SAY AROUND 7,500 PEOPLE A DAY THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF WILL ROGERS WORLD AIRPORT.

OF COURSE AROUND HOLIDAYS, THAT NUMBER IS GOING TO INCREASE.

LAST THURSDAY WE SAW ALMOST 9,000 PEOPLE TRAVEL OUT OF WILL ROGERS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD WILL HAVE THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH AND SINCE RYAN WALTERS TOOK OVER AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT, THOSE MEETINGS HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH SPECTATORS SEEKING TO PUBLICALLY SHARE THEIR OPINIONS OF HIS AND THE BOARD'S WORK.

HOW THAT'S DONE HAS BEEN CHANGED.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

TAELYR?

>> Taelyr: RICH, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR THAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION OF THE STATE BOARD MEETING.

THE MOST RECENT CHANGES HAVE LEFT SOME PARENTS FRUSTRATED.

>> Reporter: THE MEETING LOOKED DIFFERENT THAN IN PREVIOUS MONTHS.

THE OUTSIDE OF THE MEETING ROOM WAS ROPED OFF AND INSIDE THE ROOM BARRIERS SEPARATED OPEN SEATING FROM THE BOARD TABLE.

THIS CAME JUST A MONTH AFTER A MOTHER WAS ARRESTED FOR DISRUPTION IN APRIL.

>> HOW ABOUT Y'ALL JUST KEEP THAT.

>> Reporter: THOSE OPPOSED TO THE TENURE ARE ANGRY ABOUT THE WOMAN'S ARREST.

>> I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR BEING TERRIBLE AT YOUR JOBS AND NOT HELPING ON THAT DEAL.

SHE DID NOT THREATEN YOU.

SHE SPOKE OUT OF LINE BECAUSE YOU INTERRUPTED HER KID, INTERRUPTED HER KID WHILE HE WAS SPEAKING.

THAT'S NOT YOUR JOB.

NOW, WHY DID NONE OF YOU LOOK AFTER HER KIDS?

I SHOULD REPORT YOU FOR TITLE 9 FOR THAT.

YOU ALL LEFT HER THREE KIDS IN THERE, YOU TOOK CUSTODY OF HER, DID ANY OF YOU REPORT IT?

NONE OF YOU, RIGHT.

>> Reporter: WALTERS SUPPORTERS FEEL DIFFERENTLY AND BELIEVE THE ARREST WAS WARRANTED.

>> AFTER WATCHING THE VIDEO OF THE LADY'S DEMEANOR OF SCREAMING IN A VOLATILE VOICE AND WAS ARRESTED BECAUSE SHE WOULDN'T COMPLY WITH THE RULES OF THE MEETING, I'M GRAD THAT SECURITY STEPPED UP.

>> LOOK, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM OKLAHOMANS, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD.

>> Reporter: BEGINNING WITH THE SCHEDULED STATE BOARD MEETING ON MAY 23rd, WALTERS IMPLEMENTED A NEW PUBLIC COMMENTS PROTOCOL.

INDIVIDUALS WISHING TO SPEAK HAVE AN HOUR WINDOW TO SIGN UP THE DAY OF THE MEETING.

INDIVIDUALS WILL BE SELECTED AT RANDOM AND ONLY A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK.

>> FIRST, I FEEL LIKE I WON THE LOTTERY.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE WAS IN FAVOR OF THE NEW PROTOCOL.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF KIDS THAT CAME TODAY TO SPEAK, TO ADDRESS THE BOARD.

NONE OF THEM WERE PULLED FOR THE LOTTERY.

FOR A BOARD THAT CLAIMS TO BE HERE FOR KIDS, THE LOTTERY SYSTEM HURTS THEM.

A LOT OF THEM LEFT TODAY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO COME UP HERE AND TELL YOU WHAT THEY THINK IS IMPORTANT TO SCHOOL KIDS.

LIKE, THAT'S BAD.

>> Reporter: PRESTON AND HIS SON BOTH WANTED TO BE HEARD AT LAST THURSDAY'S MEETING, BUT ONLY PRESTON WAS SELECTED.

>> MY SON STAYED BECAUSE I GOT PICKED BUT I ASKED IF HE COULD SWITCH OUT WITH ME AND I WAS TOLD NO, HE CAN'T.

SO, HE IS SITTING HERE LISTENING TO ME TALK WHEN HE REALLY WANTS TO BE THE ONE TO TALK TO YOU GUYS.

I AM GOING TO GO OFF OF WHAT HE WANTED ME TO SAY.

IT IS SOMETHING I HEARD IN THE HALLWAY.

I HEARD ONE OF YOUR SUPPORTERS SAY OH, GREAT, I GET TO LEAVE EARLY, WHEN THEIR NUMBER WASN'T CALLED.

THE REALITY IS, THESE PEOPLE DON'T CARE ABOUT OKLAHOMA EDUCATIONAL ISSUES.

>> Reporter: WALTERS WHO SERVED ON THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION BLAMES PROTESTERS FOR THE CHANGE.

>> THESE ACTIVISTS HAVE TENTS TO POP-UP.

THEY CAMP SO THEY CAN PUSH OTHER PEOPLE OUT.

WE HAVE PAID PROTESTERS COMING FROM OTHER STATES.

>> Reporter: HE WILL SHARE MORE INFORMATION ON THE ALLEGED PROTESTERS AT A LATER DATE.

>> WE HAVE LEFT-WING GROUPS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT ARE DESCENDING UPON THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO STOP OUR AGENDA.

WE WILL NEVER BACK DOWN TO THOSE GROUPS.

I WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION TO SHARE WITH YOU AT A LATER TIME.

I'M GOING TO SAY, THEY'RE NOT SECRETIVE ABOUT SOME OF THE STUFF, THEY PUT IT ONLINE.

WE HAVE NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS AGAINST THIS THAT ARE PAYING FOR PROTESTS, PAYING FOR COMMENTATORS, AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT UP WITH IT.

>> Reporter: NICOLE POINDEXTER RESPONDED TO THE CLAIM.

RYAN WALTERS IS SO DELUSIONAL THAT HE DOESN'T SEE HOW OKLAHOMA PARENTS LIKE ME THAT HAVE CHILDREN IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ARE WITH HIM.

THIS IS THE LATEST REASON WHY HE MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE INSTEAD OF THROWING OUT WILD ACCUSATIONS, HE SHOULD LISTEN TO THE OKLAHOMA PARENTS, STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO COME TO HIM EACH MONTH AND DEMAND THAT HE DO HIS JOB.

>> THIS WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, HOUSE DEMOCRATS FILED A RESOLUTION FOR A BIPARTISAN COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS.

>> AS WE APPROACH THE END OF THE REGULAR SEASON OF THE 59th LEGISLATURE, THERE IS TIME FOR THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TO FORM A COMMITTEE TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMANS REGARDING RYAN WALTERS.

WHILE WE ARE REQUIRED TO FINISH WITH THE REGULAR SESSION ON FRIDAY AT 5:00 P.M. >> Reporter: HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN CALLING ON THE HOUSE SPEAKER TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST WALTERS SINCE LAST AUGUST.

OVER THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, REPUBLICANS THAT HOLD POWER IN BOTH LEGISLATIVE CHAMBERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION HAVE DONE NOTHING TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF OKLAHOMANS THAT WANT TO PROTECT OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S WAY PAST TIME TO ACT.

>> Reporter: INCLUDING THE USE OF INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE, ISSUES WITH FEDERAL FUNDING, AND POTENTIAL USE OF TAX DOLLARS TO HIRE MANAGEMENT FOR NATIONAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS.

LEADERS ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL ANSWER THEIR CALL.

>> THIS IS EPIC 2.0.

EPIC TOOK YEARS AND THIS CAUCUS REFUSED TO BE SILENT AND WE GOT THOSE SAME QUESTIONS WHEN WE FIRST CAME IN AND WE'RE PUSHING TO START THAT AUDIT AND IF WE DON'T CONTINUE TO PUSH, IT'S JUST NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO THAT'S WHY WE FEEL COMPELLED TO STEP UP AND SPEAK.

>> ON THURSDAY THE HOUSE PASSED SENATE BILL 1125.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE BILL BANS STATE APPROPRIATED FUNDS TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FROM BEING USED FOR PUBLIC RELATIONS OR PROMOTION.

RICH?

>> Rich: EXCELLENT REPORT.

THANK YOU.

THE NEED FOR A LARGER AND MORE DIVERSE WORKFORCE IN OKLAHOMA IS GETTING A BOOST FROM GOOGLE.

ON THURSDAY, OFFICIALS WITH THE TECH GIANT, JOINING GOVERNOR STITT AT THE STATE CAPITOL TO ANNOUNCE AN INITIATIVE TO MAKE GOOGLE'S ESSENTIAL TRAINING PROGRAM AVAILABLE TO MORE THAN 10,000 OKLAHOMANS AT NO COST TO THEM.

>> IT'S A PATHWAY FOR OKLAHOMANS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE.

AND THE A.I.

ESSENTIAL PROGRAM WILL TEACH FOUNDATIONAL A.I.

SKILLS, BEST PRACTICES FOR USING A.I., AND THEN HOW TO USE IT RESPONSIBLY.

>> TODAY IN THE U.S. ALONE, OVER 250,000 PEOPLE HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE GOOGLE CERTIFICATES PROGRAM, AND 75% REPORT THAT AFTER SIX MONTHS ARE RECEIVING MORE PAY, PROMOTIONS OR NEW JOBS.

>> I'M A HUSBAND, A FATHER, MUSIC PRODUCER, FORMER STATE EMPLOYEE, AS WELL AS A GRADUATE OF THE GOOGLE UX PROGRAM.

MY DREAM IS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MILLIONS BY LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO DEVELOP INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT HELP SOLVE THE CHALLENGES CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FACE ACROSS OUR STATE.

>> GOOGLE SAYS THEIR COURSE IS TAUGHT ONLINE AND TAKES LESS THAN 10 HOURS TO COMPLETE.

>>> DOLLAR TREE SAYS IT WILL NOT REBUILD A LARGE WAREHOUSE IN MARIETTA, OKLAHOMA, THAT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY A TORNADO ON APRIL 27TH.

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

>> Jason: THE TORNADO DAMAGE TO THE DOLLAR TREE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE COMPANY HAS DECIDED THE FACILITY CANNOT BE REOPENED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, SAYING THEY'RE CLOSING THE CENTER.

THE EMPLOYEES WILL CONTINUE TO RECEIVE PAY AND BENEFITS THROUGH JUNE 22nd.

THEY WILL ALSO RECEIVE SEVERANCE PACKAGES, BENEFITS, AND ACCESS TO EMOTIONAL WELLBEING SOLUTION RESOURCES.

AS FAR AS A POSSIBLE REBUILD, THE COMPANY IS STILL MAKING ASSESSMENTS BEFORE MOVING FORWARD.

INVESTORS INTO TULSA BASED AAON ARE ABOUT TO GET A LITTLE EXTRA BUMP IN THEIR INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE HEATING AND AIR UNIT MANUFACTURER HAS DECLARED AN $0.08 A SHARE QUARTERLY DIVIDEND.

TO RECEIVE THE MONEY ON JUNE 28, INVESTORS NEED TO OWN THE AAON STOCK BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON JUNE 7TH.

THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION HAS HIRED A NEW NEUROLOGIST WHO SPECIALIZES IN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS RESEARCH AND PATIENT CARE.

DR. YANG MAO DRAAYER WILL SERVE AS THE DIRECTOR OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL THERAPEUTICS WITHIN OMRF'S ARTHRITIS AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH PROGRAM.

SHE'LL ALSO TREAT M S PATIENTS AND DIRECTOR THE NEUROIMMUNOLOGY LAB.

MAO DRAAYER WAS THE DIRECTOR OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN BEFORE TAKING ON THE POSITION AT OMRF.

>>> THE NCAA WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES GOT UNDERWAY THIS WEEK IN OKLAHOMA CITY'S DEVON PARK STADIUM.

ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, THE TOURNAMENT IS EXPECTED TO DRAW MORE THAN 110,000 SPECTATORS.

THAT SHOULD HAVE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MORE THAN $25 MILLION ON OKLAHOMA CITY'S LOCAL ECONOMY.

THE WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES WILL RUN THROUGH JUNE 7TH.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU.

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS LEARNED HOW STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS.

THE FORMER GOVERNOR SPEAKING AT THE EVENT WAS A TRADITION IN ITSELF.

THIS IS THE 75th TIME NIGH HAS SPOKEN AT THE EVENT CREATED BY THE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

75 TIMES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT GIRLS STATERS FROM ALL 77 COUNTIES STUDY GOVERNMENT, NOT JUST POLITICS, THEY STUDY GOVERNMENT.

WHAT CAN YOU DO FOR THE, YOUR STATE?

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO TRAIN THE BOYS AT.

BOYS STATE, THE GIRL AND GIRLS STATE HOW TO HELP OKLAHOMA.

>> THE GREAT THING IS THE TREMENDOUS RELATIONSHIPS HE CREATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THE ACTIVISM OF HIS WIFE DONNA THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR US HAVING GROUP HOMES INSTEAD OF INSTITUTIONS FOR THOSE AFFECTED AND HE BUILT A GREAT NORTHWEST HIGHWAY, ROADS AND BRIDGES WAS A BIG DEAL FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION.

HE HAS LEFT A LOT.

ONE OF HIS GREAT LEGACIES IS SPEAKING FOR 75 YEARS STRAIGHT TO THE GIRLS.

WHO DOES THAT.

>> THE FIRST WAS HELD IN 1940, BEING AN ANNUAL EVENT SINCE THEN WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO YEARS DURING WORLD WAR II AND 2020 DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC.

>>> TWO YEARS REMOVED FROM THE COVID PANDEMIC SUMMER TRAVEL IS EXPECTED TO BE BIGGER THAN EVER BETWEEN NOW AND LABOR DAY.

WHAT DO OKLAHOMANS NEED TO BE AWARE OFF BEFORE THEY HIT THE ROAD, OR HOP ON A PLANE?

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

>> THANK YOU RICH.

HERE TO DISCUSS SUMMERTIME TRAVEL IN OKLAHOMA IS BRYCE AT THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

JOINING US VIA ZOOM IS STACY, THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER.

LATER ON IN THIS DISCUSSION, WE WILL ALSO BE JOINED BY RILEY FLETCHER WITH AAA OKLAHOMA WITH MORE ON THE COST OF TRAVEL.

BRYCE, STACY, THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> BRYCE, CAN YOU TELL US WHAT OFFICIALS AT THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAW IN TERMS OF TRAVEL DURING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND?

>> YEAH, WHEN WE GET TO SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS, TRAVEL PICKS UP.

MORE OKLAHOMANS WANT TO GET OUT, BUT WE WANT TO REMIND DRIVERS AS THE WEATHER GETS NICER AND THEY WANT TO GET OUT, SO DO OUR CREWS.

SUMMER IS A BIG TIME FOR OUR CONSTRUCTION CREWS TO GET OUT AND DO ROAD WORK.

WHILE MORE PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT, BE PREPARED BECAUSE YOU WILL BE RUNNING INTO OTHER DRIVERS AND OUR WORK ZONES.

PLAN YOUR RIDE AHEAD OF TIME AND USE CAUTION ON THE ROADWAYS.

THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE.

MEMORIAL DAY HAS COME AND GONE AND 4TH OF JULY IS AROUND THE CORNER SO WE ANTICIPATE MORE PEOPLE HITTING THE ROADS FOR THAT AND SUMMER TRAVEL.

SPRING AND SUMMER IS OUR PEAK TIME.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 150 WORK ZONES STATEWIDE THAT MOTORISTS GET TO EXPERIENCE OR GET TO SEE ON THEIR COMMUTE.

WE WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE MAKE SURE YOU'RE PLANNING YOUR ROUTE AHEAD OF TIME.

>> I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT CONSTRUCTION LATER, BUT IN TERMS OF SAFETY, DO WE SEE MORE WRECKS?

THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE ON THE ROAD.

ARE WE SEEING MORE WRECKS?

MORE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS AS THE WARMER AIR COMES IN?

>> IT'S HARD TO SAY EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE SEEING AS FAR AS CRASHES GO.

WHAT WE'RE REMINDING DRIVERS, AS THE WEATHER GETS NICER, YOU WILL SEE MORE MOTORCYCLISTS, MORE PEDESTRIANS, CARS GOING OUT TO ENJOY THE NICE WEATHER, SIGHTSEEING ACROSS OKLAHOMA, SO WE'RE REMINDING THEM, PACK YOUR PATIENCE, PLAN YOUR ROUTE AHEAD OF TIME, AND GIVE EXTRA SPACE TO DRIVERS AND LOOKING FOR THOSE MOTORCYCLISTS THAT YOU HAVEN'T SEEN ALL WINTER.

>> STACY, LET'S TALK ABOUT FLIGHTS.

ARE MORE PEOPLE TAKING TO THE SKIES THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, COMPARED TO YEARS PAST WHERE WE HAVE SEEN THE PANDEMIC AND HOW MANY PEOPLE WOULD YOU SAY THE WILL ROGERS AIRPORT HAS SEEN COMING IN AND OUT?

>> YEAH, SO ON AVERAGE, WE HAVE ABOUT, I WOULD SAY AROUND 7,500 PEOPLE A DAY THAT ARE FLYING OUT OF WILL ROGERS WORLD AIRPORT.

OF COURSE AROUND HOLIDAYS, THAT NUMBER IS GOING TO INCREASE.

LAST THURSDAY, WE SAW ALMOST 9,000 PEOPLE TRAVEL OUT OF WILL ROGERS FOR THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

EVEN PRIOR TO THAT, WE WERE BUSY.

WE HAD OVER 8,000 PEOPLE ROUGHLY EVERY SINGLE DAY FLYING OUT FOR THE HOLIDAY.

OUR BUSY SEASON REALLY STARTS AROUND SPRING BREAK.

BETWEEN SPRING BREAKERS AND THEN BUSINESS CONFERENCES, THAT START ALSO IN THE LATE SPRING, EARLY SUMMER, WE ARE JUST BUSY NON-STOP, ALL THE WAY THROUGH WHEN SCHOOL STARTS.

YOU WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A LULL THERE AND THEN COME FALL BREAK, WE RAMP BACK UP AGAIN AND WE ARE BUSY THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR WITH HOLIDAYS AND VACATIONS DURING THAT TIMEFRAME.

>> BRYCE, STACY MADE A GOOD POINT.

DOES OKLAHOMA HIGHWAYS HAVE A BUSY TIME OF THE YEAR?

>> WE SEE A PEAK WHEN IT COMES TO SUMMER TRAVEL.

SPRING AND SUMMER, WE SEE AN INCREASE IN DRIVERS, BUT THAT'S WHEN WE SEE AN INCREASE IN OUR WORK.

OUR WORK IS DONE BEST IN THE SUMMERTIME.

WE KNOW IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT.

SPRING AND SUMMER ARE THE BUSIEST, WE WANT TO REMIND DRIVERS TO BE PREPARED BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE DRIVERS OUT AND MORE WORK ZONES THAN YOU'RE USE TO.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WORK ZONES, THE TULSA STONEHENGE, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF BIG PROJECTS GOING ON ACROSS THE STATE.

ARE THERE ANY, YOU KNOW, PLANS TO WORK ON THE ONE IN TULSA AND ARE THERE OTHER MAJOR AREAS THAT PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR WHEN PLANNING THEIR SUMMER VACATION?

>> YES, WE HAVE AN EIGHT YEAR CONSTRUCTION WORK PLAN AND CHANGES TO THE TULSA STONEHENGE, AS YOU CALLED IT, ARE IN THE WORK PLAN TO BE ADDRESSED.

IT'S PLANNED OUT IN THE COMING YEARS.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY METRO, WE HAVE A FEW LONG-TERM BIG PROJECTS IMPACTING TRAVEL.

WE HAVE I-35 AND STATE HIGHWAY 9 IN NORMAN, I-240 IN THE SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY AREA, I-235 IN THE DALLAS JUNCTION THAT WILL RUN THROUGH JULY, AND I-44 AND THEN IF YOU ARE GOING I-40 EAST, WE HAVE A LONG I-40 WINDENING PROJECT ON I-40 AND DOUGLAS BOULEVARD IN MIDWEST CITY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG PROJECTS GOING ON.

IF YOU ARE TRYING TO GET TO TULSA, OUR FRIENDS AT THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY IS TRYING TO WIDEN THE TURNER.

A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION GOING ON.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO GO SOUTH TO VISIT SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA OR GO TO THE DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA, WE HAVE CONSTRUCTION ON I-35, WE ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE SAFETY ALONG THE CORRIDOR.

SO IF YOU WANT TO TRAVEL SOUTH, MAYBE YOU WANT TO GO TO DALLAS/FORT WORTH AND YOU DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE TRAFFIC, A GREAT OPTION IS THE HEARTLAND FLYER.

WE OFFER DAILY TRAIN SERVICE FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TO DALLAS/FORT WORTH.

IT GOES DOWN AND BACK, IT HAS A FEW STOPS ON THE OKLAHOMA SIDE AND THEN GAINESVILLE BEFORE GETTING DOWN THERE.

WE RUN IT EVERY SINGLE DAY TO AND FROM OKLAHOMA CITY.

ON JUNE 14TH MARKS 25 YEARS OF HEARTLAND FLYER SERVICE.

WE'RE EXCITED TO HIT THIS MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY.

WE WILL BE HAVING A BIG PARTY ON JUNE 14TH AND WE WILL BE DOING A YEARLONG WORTH OF PARTIES AND TICKET SALES FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO EXPERIENCE THE FLYER.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, THAT'S VERY EXCITING.

WITH CONSTRUCTION, PACK YOUR PATIENCE.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> STACY, THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

AIRLINES HAD ISSUES WITH TAKING OFF ON TIME, GETTING OFF THE TRACK.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT MAKING IT TO THEIR DESTINATION ON TIME AND HAVE WE SEEN WILL ROGERS AIRPORT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT BALANCE WELL?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO OF COURSE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER IS STORM SEASON HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE WEATHER CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME OF THE DAY.

SO, JUST BE PREPARED.

MAKE SURE WHATEVER AIRLINE YOU ARE FLYING, THAT YOU HAVE DOWNLOADED THEIR MOBILE APP.

THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE YOUR NOTIFICATIONS OR EVEN THROUGH AN E-MAIL.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE WATCHING YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IF YOU DON'T DO MOBILE APP.

THE AIRLINE WILL COMMUNICATE WITH YOU WITH DELAYS THROUGH THE MOBILE APP OR THROUGH THE E-MAIL COMMUNICATION.

YOU JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU PROVIDE THAT WHEN YOU BOOK YOUR TICKET.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MOBILE APP OR AN E-MAIL OR RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGES, YOU CAN ALWAYS CHECK FLIGHT STATUS, FLIGHTOKC.COM.

THAT IS UPDATED IN REALTIME AS WELL.

AGAIN, JUST PACK YOUR PATIENCE DURING SPRING AND SUMMER WHEN YOU ARE FLYING WITH US.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR FLIGHTS FOR WILL ROGERS LEAVE EARLY IN THE MORNING.

SO, WE ARE BUSY AT OUR PEAK TIMES SPRING AND SUMMER BETWEEN 4:00 A.M. TO ABOUT 8:00 A.M., THEN AGAIN FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M., AND THEN YOU WILL SEE A SLIGHT INCREASE AROUND 5:00 P.M. AND 6:00 P.M. THOSE ARE THE DEPARTURE TIMES.

YOU ALSO HAVE TO REMEMBER WE HAVE AIRLINES FLYING IN DURING THIS TIMEFRAME AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE DEBOARDING, TRYING TO GET THEIR BAGS AND GET OUT TO PARKING OR TAKING SHUTTLES TO THE CAR RENTAL FACILITY.

SO WE ARE VERY BUSY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE AT THE AIRPORT.

SO JUST PLAN AHEAD, MAKE SURE YOU ARE AWARE AND IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR AIRLINE.

KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO PARK, IF YOU ARE GOING TO PARK HERE AT THE AIRPORT.

PARKING FILLS UP VERY QUICKLY.

WE DO HAVE OVERFLOW PARKING AND WE ARE WORKING ON NEW SEMI COVERED PARKING LOTS TO ADD ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES, BUT THOSE LOTS WON'T BE READY UNTIL THE END OF SUMMER, EARLY FALL.

SO AGAIN, JUST PLAN AND IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DELAYED AND/OR CANCELED, WE HAD SEVERAL FLIGHTS ALREADY THIS WEEK WHERE WE HAD INDIVIDUALS THAT HAD TO COME BACK MULTIPLE TIMES.

ALL I CAN SAY IS BE PATIENT.

IF YOU CAN FIND ANOTHER AIRLINE THAT CAN GET YOU TO YOUR DESTINATION, THEN BY ALL MEANS, MAKE SURE YOU'RE WORKING ON GETTING THAT DONE.

WE'RE BUSY.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR.

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAVE FINAL THOUGHTS FOR OKLAHOMANS GETTING READY TO TRAVEL THIS YEAR, SCHOOL IS OUT, ANY LAST PIECES OF ADVICE?

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE A FEW TIPS WE WANT TO GIVE DRIVERS.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE WEARING YOUR SEAT BELT.

PUT AWAY ALL THE DISTRACTIONS, WHETHER YOU'RE IN A WORK ZONE OR NOT, GIVING YOUR FULL ATTENTION TO THE ROAD IS THE BEST THING.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT SIGNS.

THE BLACK AND WHITE SPEED LIMIT SIGNS IS FOR CLEAR, PERFECT CONDITIONS.

IF IT'S SNOWING OR SLEETING MAKE SURE YOU'RE DRIVING TO THE CONDITIONS.

USE THE CHECK OKLAHOMA MOBILE APP.

YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE TRAFFIC CAMERAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA, AND YOU CAN SEE WHERE IN THE STATE OUR WORK ZONES ARE.

IF YOU WANT TO PLAN AN ALTERNATE ROUTE, YOU CAN OR PREPARE FOR BACK UPS ON THE ROAD.

>> STACY, ANY FINAL THOUGHT?

>> AGAIN, BE PREPARED.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT DOCUMENTATION TO GET YOU THROUGH THE SECURITY CHECKPOINT AREA AND ON TO YOUR FLIGHT SAFELY.

>> ALL RIGHT, STACY AND BRYCE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HERE TO CONTINUE THIS CONVERSATION IS RILEY FLETCHER, THE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MANAGER FOR AAA OKLAHOMA.

RILEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> RILEY, LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THIS DISCUSSION, WE JUST SAW ONE OF THE BUSIEST TRAVEL WEEKENDS OF THE ENTIRE YEAR.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY OKLAHOMA SAW IN TERMS OF PEOPLE TRAVELING ACROSS THE STATE?

>> WE SAW OVER 500,000 OKLAHOMANS THAT WERE EXPECTED TO BE TRAVELING INSIDE THE STATE AND OUT OF OKLAHOMA AS WELL.

OVER 80% OF THOSE WERE TRAVELING BY CAR AND ON OUR ROADS.

SO WHILE OTHER FORMS OF TRAVEL ARE VERY POPULAR LIKE AIR TRAVEL, CRUISES, ET CETERA, ROAD TRAVEL CONTINUES TO BE THE MOST POPULAR WAY, ESPECIALLY ON HOLIDAY WEEKENDS LIKE MEMORIAL DAY.

>> WHAT ABOUT GAS PRICES AFTER PRESIDENT BIDEN'S EFFORTS TO LOWER THE COST AT THE PUMP.

ARE WE SEEING HIS PLANS TAKE EFFECT HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> SO THE OKLAHOMA AVERAGE IS $3.07.

THAT IS JUST ABOUT $.50 BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

SOME METRO AREAS LIKE TULSA IS GETTING CLOSE TO THAT UNDER $3 A GALLON MARK, WHERE OKC HOVERS AROUND $3.10 A GALLON.

WE ARE LIKELY TO SEE THE GAS PRICES INCREASE, JUST BECAUSE THERE IS MORE DEMAND IN THE SUMMERTIME.

THERE ARE MORE TRAVELERS ON OUR ROADS WITH HIGHER DEMAND, THERE IS GOING TO BE HIGHER PRICES, BUT IT MIGHT NOT BE AS EXTREME OF A PRICE JUMP AS WE HAVE SEEN IN YEARS PAST.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE COST OF TRAVEL OVERALL?

IS IT CHEAPER FOR PEOPLE TO TRAVEL NOW THAN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO?

>> WHEN YOU COMPARE TO 2019 TRAVEL, SO PRE-PANDEMIC, WE ARE AROUND THE SAME COST OF TRAVEL, HOWEVER AIR PRICES ARE HIGHER.

THEY HAVE BEEN INCREASING OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

OTHER MODES OF TRAVEL ARE VERY SIMILAR IN PRICE.

THAT'S WHY YOU STILL CONTINUE TO SEE ROAD TRIPS AS A BIG DRIVER IN HOW PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING, BUT WITH HIGHER AIRLINE PRICES, THAT IS NOT DETERRING AMERICANS OR OKLAHOMANS FROM TRAVELING.

WE'RE SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FLYING, TAKING INTERNATIONAL TRIPS, BUT THEY MIGHT BE FLYING TO DESTINATIONS THAT THOSE AIRLINE PRICES ARE A LITTLE BIT CHEAPER.

>> RILEY, EARLIER IN THE DISCUSSION, I SPOKE TO AN OFFICIAL ABOUT SAFETY ON THE ROAD.

ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, ALL OF THE GOOD STUFF, ARE WE SEEING MORE PEOPLE NEEDING HELP DURING THESE BUSIER TRAVEL MONTHS AND AS WE GET INTO THE SUMMER?

>> WE ALWAYS SEE AN UPTICK OF THOSE ON THE ROADSIDE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS BECAUSE THERE ARE MORE DRIVERS ON THE ROAD.

ANOTHER REASON IS THAT SUMMER CAN HAVE REALLY DETRIMENTAL IMPACTS ON YOUR VEHICLE.

SO WITHOUT PROPER CAR CARE BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT ON TO THE ROAD, YOUR LIKELIHOOD OF BEING ON THE ROADSIDE WITH ASSISTANCE IS A LITTLE BIT HIGHER.

YOUR CAR IS UNDER MORE PRESSURE IN THE SUMMERTIME, ESPECIALLY THINGS LIKE YOUR BATTERY AND YOUR TIRES.

YOUR BATTERY CAN HAVE MORE IMPACT NEGATIVELY THAN THE WINTERTIME IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE THE HEAT HAS AN IMPACT ON YOUR CAR BATTERY.

PEOPLE END UP WITH A LOT OF THINGS LIKE CAR ISSUES.

THAT IS WHY CAR CARE BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT ON A ROAD TRIP IS ESSENTIAL.

DOING THAT BUMPER TO BUMPER CHECK BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT ON THE ROAD, BUT ALSO CARRYING THINGS LIKE AN EMERGENCY KIT IN YOUR CAR JUST IN CASE YOU GET INTO A CRASH OR YOU END UP ON THE ROADSIDE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION THAT SURPRISES YOU.

YOU WANT TO BE PREPARED.

>> WELL, AND IF YOU DO FIND YOURSELF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

>> IF YOU ARE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND YOU NEED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, REACH OUT TO WHATEVER PROVIDER YOU USE, IF IT'S AAA OR NOT.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THINGS LIKE WATER JUST IN CASE.

THERE IS A SURGE IN DEMAND IN THE SUMMERTIME.

YOU SHOULDN'T BE WAITING TOO LONG BUT THAT TEMPERATURE IN YOUR VEHICLE CAN RISE VERY QUICK.

IF YOU CAN, KEEP THE AIR CONDITIONING ON.

THAT IS THE BEST SITUATION.

>> RILEY, SO THE TRAVEL RUSH WE SAW HERE DURING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, IS THAT FORESHADOWING THE REST OF SUMMER TRAVEL?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE WILL SEE SIMILAR TRAVEL NUMBERS FOR THE 4TH OF JULY AND OTHER SUMMER HOLIDAYS.

PEOPLE ARE MORE COMFORTABLE TRAVELING, MORE THAN EVER IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

WITH THAT, WE WILL SEE MORE TRAVEL, BUT ESPECIALLY ON OUR ROADS.

HOWEVER, IF YOU PLAN TO TAKE TO THE SKIES OR TO A TRAIN DURING A HOLIDAY WEEKEND, GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE BUSIER THAN WE HAVE SEEN THESE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> RILEY FLETCHER WITH AAA OKLAHOMA, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CASSIDY, THANK YOU.

THE PAST WAY OF HOPE PUBLIC ART IN TULSA IS COMPRISED OF SIX PROJECTS.

ONE OF THEM IS LOCATED BENEATH THE I-244 UNDERPASS ON ELGIN STREET.

REPORTER ANDREW HARTSHORN CAUGHT UP WITH THE ARTISTS AS THEY NEARED COMPLETION ON WHAT THEY CALL A MULTISENSORY INSTALLATION.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> A SERIES OF PORTRAITS INDOORS THAT HAVE BEEN ARRANGED UNDERNEATH THE I-244 UNDERPASS.

THE IDEA IS YOU KNOW, LINKING NORTH TULSA TO THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

A LOT OF THE PORTRAITS, ALL OF THEM ARE OF FOLKS FROM THE NORTH TULSA AREA THAT HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL AND INFLUENTIAL TO THAT COMMUNITY.

>> THIS PROJECT IS A WAY TO MAGNIFY THE IMAGES OF A COMMUNITY THAT OFTEN MINIMIZES OR AT WORSE, ERASE, A.K.A.

NORTH TULSA.

MOST OF THEM ARE DESCENDENTS OF THE MASSACRE OF 1921, REPRESENTING THE HUMAN RESILIENT GENE IN A UNIQUE AND POWERFUL WAY.

WHEN PEOPLE COME TO TULSA, THEY THINK OF TULSA AS A GRAVEYARD.

WHILE THERE IS A SITE OF A MASSACRE HERE, TULSA IS NOT JUST A GRAVEYARD.

>> THIS IS A WAY TO HONOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING.

THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN NORTH TULSA AND SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY IN A UNIQUE WAY.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> I THINK IT'S A REALLY -- IT'S A FASCINATING PROJECT BECAUSE IT REALLY LINKS THE STORYTELLING OF WHO THE PEOPLE ARE BY MAKING YOU PAUSE FOR A MOMENT.

THE MURALS IN AND OF THEMSELVES ARE GORGEOUS.

I THINK IT'S THE DOOR THAT CAUSE PEOPLE TO STOP.

YOU NEVER SEE A DOOR ON A WALL THAT DOESN'T LEAD ANYWHERE.

IT ENGAGES THE IMAGINATION.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> I USE DOORS AS A PART OF MY PRACTICE AS A SCULPTOR, STORYTELLER, AND ARTIST.

STORIES ARE DOOR WAYS, DOOR WAYS IN WHICH WE ACCESS WHAT IS HUMAN ABOUT THE STORYTELLER.

>> THAT'S THE FIRST POINT OF ENGAGEMENT AND THERE WILL BE Q.R.

CODES THAT LINK ALL THE PORTRAITS TO A VOICE NARRATIVE SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR THE PERSON WHO IS ON THE WALL KIND OF TALK AND TELL THEIR STORY.

SO I THINK IT'S JUST REALLY AMAZING, THE IDEAS AND THE LAYERS TO THE ARTWORK.

IT IS LIKE THE LONGER YOU ARE THERE, THE MORE YOU CAN DISCOVER WITH IT, WHICH IS PRETTY COOL.

>> AND WE WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE'S EULOGY TO SAY IF IT WEREN'T FOR THEM, I WOULDN'T BE HERE.

THEY NEVER KNOW THEIR IMPACT AND THEY DIE WITH A SADNESS, WAS I ENOUGH?

NOW WE'RE TELLING THEM, YOU'RE ENOUGH AND WHAT YOU ARE DOING MATTERS AND WITHOUT YOU ALL ON THIS WALL, LIKE TULSA WOULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS.

NORTH TULSA WOULDN'T BE WHAT IT IS.

>> PROJECTS PREDOMINATELY BY BLACK PEOPLE IN NORTH TULSA.

IT IS AESTHETICALLY A REFLECTION OF BLACK BEAUTY AND BLACK BOUNTY, BUT IT IS ALSO ECONOMICALLY A WAY TO NOURISH THE COMMUNITY OF NORTH TULSA BY EMPLOYING MOSTLY BLACK NORTH TULSA TO DO THE PROJECT, WHICH IS UNHEARD OF.

>> ANDREW HARTSHORN, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> Rich: ANDREW, THANK YOU.

>>> FROM TULSA TO TUSCON AND ART IN THE MIDWEST, TO ART IN THE SOUTHWEST.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'LL TRAVEL TO ARIZONA TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE TUCSON MUSEUM OF ART THAT EXPLORES THE SOUTHWEST AESTHETIC, COURTESY OF OUR FRIENDS AT ARIZONA PUBLIC MEDIA.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> THIS EXHIBITION CONTEMPORARY CONVERSATIONS REALLY STEMS FROM THE IDEA OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS SOUTHWEST ART.

WHAT IS THE SOUTHWEST?

HOW IS IT DEFINED GEOGRAPHICALLY?

THEN IF YOU CAN DEFINE THAT, HOW DO YOU DEFINE THE ARTWORK THAT IS DERIVED ABOUT THAT REGION?

SO WE ASKED PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY TO AUTHOR SOME TEXT, WE HAD PEOPLE WHO CAME FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, WHO AUTHORED DIFFERENT CONTENT FOR US.

YOU CAN HAVE THE CONCEPT OF LAND, WHICH TALKS ABOUT NOT JUST LANDSCAPE ART, BUT HOW URBAN OR RURAL WORK, TALK ABOUT HOW WE UTILIZE THE LAND.

WE HAVE PERSPECTIVES THAT AREN'T ONLY ABOUT ONE PERSON OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE, BUT HOW THEY PERCEIVED THE SOUTHWEST.

WE HAVE IDENTITIES, TALKING ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL OR YOUR BACKGROUND IN HOW YOU ARE SITUATED WITHIN THE SOUTHWEST.

MATERIALS, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE MEDIA THAT THE ARTISTS ARE USING.

ARE THEY USING MATERIALS FROM OUR REGION?

ARE THEY USING THE MATERIALS, YOU KNOW, PRINTS OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, THAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS, IT'S ABOUT HOW THESE ARE RELATED.

ARTISTS ARE PRODUCTS OF THEIR TIME, RIGHT?

THEY'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT MAYBE WERE OCCURRING AT THE TIME THAT THEIR WORK WAS BEING CREATED.

MAYBE THEY ARE INFLUENCED BY CERTAIN ARTISTIC MOVEMENTS OR THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, THERE IS A VARIETY OF THAT IN THIS SHOW WHERE YOU KIND OF HAVE TO PIECE TOGETHER MAYBE WHAT THOSE ARTISTS WERE THINKING, WHAT THEY WERE CONSIDERING WHEN THEY PUT ARTWORK TOGETHER.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THIS PIECE HERE THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER IN THE 1940s AT A TIME WHEN THERE WERE LOTS OF RANCHES AND OPEN LAND IN SOUTHERN ARIZONA WHERE PEOPLE COULD EXPLORE AND SO YOU KNOW, WHAT WAS THAT ARTIST THINKING WHEN HE CREATED THAT?

SO, WE HAVE NEXT TO IT A PIECE LIKE THAT, AND IT'S COMPLETELY DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT.

IT REALLY MAKES YOU THINK ABOUT THE CONTEXT BEHIND EACH PIECE.

THAT'S ONE OF THE IDEAS THAT WE HOPE TO HAVE VISITORS EXPLORE WHEN THEY COME THROUGH OUR GALLERY.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

THE LEGISLATURE PLEDGES $50 MILLION TOWARDS LEVEE CONSTRUCTION ALONG THE ARKANSAS RIVER IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

HOW THE MONEY WILL BE USED TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC FLOODING IN THE FUTURE.

>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT DANCE SKATE 405, PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S KACI FERGUSON.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING OETA AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK.

I'M RICH LENZ, ENJOY THE WEEKEND!

♪ WHAT IS LOVE ♪ ♪ BABY DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ NO MORE ♪ ♪ BABY DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ NO MORE ♪ ♪ WHAT IS LOVE ♪ ♪ OH, I DON'T KNOW ♪ ♪ WHEN YOU'RE NOT THERE ♪ ♪ I GIVE YOU MY LOVE ♪ ♪ BUT YOU DON'T CARE ♪ ♪ WHAT IS RIGHT ♪ ♪ WHAT IS WRONG ♪ ♪ GIVE ME A SIGN ♪ ♪ WHAT IS LOVE ♪ ♪ BABY, DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ NO MORE ♪ ♪ WHAT IS LOVE ♪ ♪ BABY, DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ DON'T HURT ME ♪ ♪ NO MORE ♪ ♪ WHOA, WHOA, WHOA ♪ ♪ WHOA, WHOA, WHOA ♪ [♪♪♪♪♪]