>> OKLAHOMA VETERANS WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE ACCESS TO NOT ONE BUT TWO NEW VA MEDICAL CENTERS.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING OOH HELP THOUSANDS OF VETERANS IN GIVING THEM AN OUTLET THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T BE THERE.

>> NOTED OKLAHOMA HISTORIANS REFLECT ON THE POSITIVE IMPACT OF O.E.T.A THROUGH ITS 67-YEAR HISTORY.

>> THE STATE HAS AN OBLIGATION, NOT JUST AN OPPORTUNITY, BUT AN OBLIGATION ON SERVE EVERYBODY IN THE STATE O.E.T.A DOES THAT.

>> OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES ON OKLAHOMA'S BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS MOVES TO CARTER COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF TATE UPS.

>> WE'RE JUST OUT HERE TRYING HAVE SOME FUN AND CELEBRATE BLACK HIS STORE AND GET SOME THINGS GOING IN TATE UPS.

>> THE LEGISLATURE'S YOUNGEST ELEMENTARY REPRESENTS OUR STATE'S FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC.

>> I DEFINITELY WENT FROM ZERO TO A HUNDRED IN THE WORLD OF POLITICS IN THE SPAN OF A FEW MONTHS.

>> THEY SAY POLITICS CAN BE A BLOOD SPORT BUT THIS IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

>> HERE WE ARE AT THE CAPITOL FOR A BLOOD DRIVE NOW AS A FRIENDLY COMPETITION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE WHO CAN GIVE MORE MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE.

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

I'M TAELYR JACKSON.

RICH LENZ WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK.

IT'S BEEN ANOTHER BUSY WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL IN THE MIDST OF AN IMPASSE OVER EDUCATION FPLGé FUNDING.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TESTIMONY GREG TREAT AND STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS HAVE CALLED FOR A PUBLIC FORUM TO HASH OUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR PLANS.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS SAY DESPITE THE DISAGREEMENT, PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY.

>> >> MUNSON NOTES THAT 90% OF OKLAHOMA STUDENTS ATTEND A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

>> WITH MORE ON THE EDUCATION -- EDUCATION STALEMATE, AN ADDITIONAL ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK THAT WAS IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HERE IS QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY AND O.E.T.A NEWS DIRECTOR RICH LENZ.

>> SHAWN, WHAT ARE THE SOURCES TELLING YOU ABOUT THE IMPASSE ON THE EDUCATION SPENDING BILL?

THIS IS THE SINGLE BUSINESS EXPENDITURE IN THE STATE BUDGET AND RIGHT NOW IT'S SUCH A BIG UGLY PUBLIC FIGHT.

DO YOU SEE THE END IN SIGHT?

AT THE CURRENT TIME, BOTH THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TESTIMONY ARE SIMPLY ON -- TEM ARE SIMPLY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE ISSUES.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE ADDITIONAL MONEY GOING TO RURAL SCHOOLS AND THEY WANT THAT TO TAKE PLACE OUTSIDE OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE STATE AID FORMULA.

THIS WOULD REALLY GIVE RURAL SCHOOLS AN ADVANTAGE IN RECEIVING CERTAIN FUNDING.

THE SENATE, ON THE OTHER HAND, OPPOSES THAT IDEA AND SAYS THAT IT TREATS MORE RURAL SCHOOLS MORE FAVORABLY THAN URBAN AND SUBURBAN SCHOOLS.

NOW, EARLIER IN THE WEEK, LAWMAKERS IN THE HOUSE DID PASS THIS PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDIT PROPOSAL ADVANCED A A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK AGO BY THE SENATE.

HOWEVER, THE HOUSE IS HOLDING ON TO THAT BILL.

THEY USED A UNIQUE PARLIAMENTARY MA MOVER IN ORDER TO DO THAT.

SO AS SENATE PRO TEM PRESIDENT TREAT DID, IT'S NOT CLEAR WHEN THERE'S GOING TO BE RESOLUTION TO THAT DISPUTE.

>> GOVERNORS WOULD SIGN A BILL WOULD THAT BAN GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES -- SURGERIES.

WHAT EXACTLY THIS IS IN THIS BIM?

>> OKLAHOMA'S BILL BANS GENDER TRANSITION SURGERIES THEM SELVES, THOSE WOULD THAT CAUSE PHYSICAL CHANGES, AS WELL AS HORMONE THERAPY, SUCH AS PUBERTY BLOCKERS FOR ALL THOSE UNDER THE AGE OF 18, FOR MINORS, ACCORDING TO THE BILL.

IF A DOCTOR PERFORMS ANY OF THESE SERVICES, WHETHER IT'S THE SURGERY, OR THE HORMONE THERAPY, THEY STAND THE CHANCE OF LOSING THEIR LICENSE THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE GOVERNING BOARD.

THE BILL TOOK EFFECT IMMEDIATELY UP ON THE GOVERNMENT ARE SIGNATURE.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE RECEIVING HORMONE THERAPY TO HAVE THAT STEPPED DOWN OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS BUT AFTER THAT TIME, IF THEY CONTINUE TO RECEIVE THAT THERAPY, THAT MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL COULD FACE DISCIPLINE.

>>.

>> VERY INTERESTING.

THIS ALSO WEEK THE GOVERNOR ISSUED ANOTHER VETO, BANNING WEARING TRIBAL REGALIA AT PUBLIC GRADUATION CEREMONIES.

WHAT WERE HIS STATED REASONS FOR DOING THAT?

>> THE GOVERNOR POINTED TO LOCAL DECISION MAKING AS ONE OF HIS REASONS FOR VETOING THAT BILL, SAYING THAT LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS OR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SHOULD DECIDE HOW TO REGULATE THAT ISSUE.

HE ALSO POINTED TO THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION AS ANOTHER REASON FOR VETOING THE BILL, NOTING THAT WHAT THIS MAY BE, BECAUSE IT REFERS TO NATIVE AMERICAN REGALIA, MAY BE A SPECIAL LAW, WHICH PROHIBITED BY THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION.

HE ALSO WARNED THAT COULD IT OPEN A PANDORA'S BOX OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS SEEKING TO HAVE THEIR PARTICULAR TYPE OF REGALIA APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WHO SERVES ON THE O.E.T.A BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CONTENTIOUS HEARING IN THE THOUSANDS WEEK.

WHAT EXACTLY WAS SAID?

>> WELL, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS WAS ASKED A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS ABOUT A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES.

SOME FOCUSED ON SPECIFIC POLICIES INVOLVING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, SUCH AS ITS -- ITS SEEKING OF FEDERAL FUNDING AND HOW MUCH IT WOULD BE RECEIVING, AND HOW IT PLANS TO DISTRIBUTE THAT FUNDING.

IN THE END, IT CAME DOWN TO A LOT OF DISCUSSION OF THE CULTURAL ISSUES SEEM TO DOMINATE THE DISCUSSION.

AND IT WAS THEN THAT THE MEETING ITSELF GOT RATHER HEATED.

ONE OF THE OTHER MORE INTERESTING THINGS THAT SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS SAID WAS TO ACCUSE TEACHER ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS THE OKLAHOMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS OF OKLAHOMA, OF BEING A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION.

>>.

>> SHAWN, YOU'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THESE SESSIONS FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS.

WOULD YOU SAY THIS IS A TYPICAL SESSION OR PERHAPS A LITTLE BIT MORE ON EDGE?

>> I THINK THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION AS LITTLE MORE ON EDGE.

I CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME WHERE WE'VE HAD THE MAJORITY PARTIES IN EACH CHAMBER ARGUING QUITE SO MUCH AND FIRING BILLS BACK AND FORTH AT ONE ANOTHER.

SO FREQUENTLY AS WE HAVE DURING THIS SESSION, DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF EDUCATION FUND AND GET PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDITS, AN ISSUE THAT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO RESOLVE QUICKLY, AND THERE ARE ONLY THREE MORE WEEKS LEFT IN THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> SHAWN ASHLEY, IT'S GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING THREE WEEKS THANK YOU.

FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>> THERE ARE CURRENTLY TWO HOSPITALS BEING REPURPOSED OR RENOVATED TO TAKE CARE OF OKLAHOMA'S MILITARY VETERANS.

STEVE SHAH TOURED ONE OF THOSE FACILITIES THIS WEEK AND JOINS US THIS WEEK TO SEE WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOING MEET THE URGENT NEED OF MORE VA BEDS.

>> OKLAHOMA'S VA NORMALLY HELPS AROUND 75,000 VETERANS EACH YEAR, OKLAHOMA'S CITY VA SYSTEM DIRECTOR SAYS, IN THE PAST YEAR, THEY'VE ALREADY SEEN 8,000 MORE THAN THAT.

>>.

>> OH, YEAH.

>> IT'S A MONDAY -- SO -- >> YEAH,.

>> DYLAN PERKINS AS 2015 WESTMOORE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE, WHO IMMEDIATELY JOINED THE ARMY A.YEAR >> WHICH IS WHERE SPECIALINS CURRENTLY GETS THE VA HELP HE NEEDS.

THE VA ANNOUNCED IT BOUGHT THIS 50-BED 40,000 SQUARE FOOT HOSPITAL, PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS NORMAN SPECIALTY HOSPITAL ON ROBINSON STREET IN NORMAN.

>> IT WAS PRETTY INTERESTING, YEAH.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY, VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM DIRECTOR SAYS THE NEW NORMAN FACILITY WILL BE CALLED THE NORMAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.

>> EVER SINCE COVID-19 HAPPENED, A LOT OF OUR RURAL NETWORK HAS STARTED TO COLLAPSE IN THE STATE, SO THERE'S NOT VERY MANY PRIVATE SECTOR PLACES FOR VETERANS TO GO SO THE VA HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS TRYING REACH VETERANS TO BRING THEIR CARE CLOSER TO HOME.

>> WE HAVE RUN OUT OF SPACE IN OUR MAIN HOSPITAL WHAT THIS NEW BUILDING WILL ALLOW US TO DO IS TO BUILD A 20-BED IN PERSON FACILITY AND A 29-BED SHORT STAY NURSING HOME FACILITY AND THOSE ARE DESPERATELY PLEADED IN THE VA RIGHT YOU.

>> IT WILL STILL BE TWO YEARS BEFORE THE NORMAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER OPENS, AND IT'S ONLY BECAUSE THEY STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO HERE.

>> THIS WILL AB VERY HEALING ENVIRONMENT WHEN THEY'RE DONE.

STHIG THERE'S OUTSIDE COURT YARDS FOR THE VETERANS.

THEY'LL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS EXAMINE THEY'LL HAVE PHYSICAL THEY ARE PISSEDS, GERIATRICS PROVIDERS.

IT'S JUST DOWN THE STREET.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO HELP THOUSANDS OF VETERANS IN GIVING THEM AN OUTLET THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T BE THERE, YOU KNOW.

>> IT'S GIVING GIVING THEM SOMEWHERE THAT THEY CAN GO WHETHER THEY'RE IN NEED, AND OTHER THAN THE DOWNTOWN EMERGENCY ROOM, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE CENTRAL FOR THEM AND SPECIALIZED TO THEIR NEEDS.

>> SO WE'RE ONE OF THE HIGHEST GROWING FACILITIES IN THE NATION RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE SECOND TO SAN FRANCISCO.

SO WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, 23% GROWTH IN MUCH OF OUR OUT-PATIENT WORKLOAD AND OUR OUT-PATIENT WORKLOAD POPULATION.

WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE STEWED IS TAKE SOME OF THE BEDS THAT WERE LEFT HERE IN REALLY GOOD CONDITION, SOME OF THEM BRAND NEW AND GIVE THOSE TO OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS OR INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES AND THEY'LL BE PICKING THEM UP IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS.

SO NOT ONLY HAVE WE DONE THIS PROPERTY , OR BUILT THIS UP, BUT WE'RE ABLE TO GIVE A LOT OF THIS EQUIPMENT TO THOSE IN NEED.

>> IN DOWNTOWN TULSA, THE STATE RECENTLY HANDED OVER THIS OFFICE BUILDING TO THE EASTERN OKLAHOMA VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THAT BUILDING SITS NEXT TO TULSA'S OKLAHOMA STATE MEDICAL CENTER.

VA SPOKESMAN MARCUS WEBB SAYS THE VA IS PARTNERING WITH OSU ON A 58-BED VA EMERGENCY ROOM AND IN PATIENT FACILITY.

>> SO ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM TO EXPAND -- TO HELP EXPAND THEIR RESIDENCY PROGRAMS.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'LL BE DOING THERE IS HAVING SOME RESIDENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS AND BASICALLY HAVING THEM WALK ACROSS THE STREET TO LEARN AND TRAIN WITH US.

>> Reporter: WEBB SAYS A NEW FEDERAL LAW MAKES VETERANS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO TOXIC CHEMICALS, AND EVEN AGENT ORANGE, ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS, AND HE SAYS THE NUMBERS OF VETERANS ON THIS SIDE OF THE STATE WHO NEED HELP HAS ALSO SHOT UP.

>>.

>> AND HERE AT THIS HOSPITAL, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE PURSUED THIS PROJECT WAS BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF OUR VETERANS HERE IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA DO RESIDE IN THE TULSA AREA AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, SO WE KNEW WE NEEDED TO MAKE A BIGGER FOOTPRINT AND HAVE A BIGGER FOOTPRINT HERE IN THE TUESDAY TULSA AREA SO WE COULD BEST SERVE OUR VETERANS.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO POTTY?

I'LL TAKE SNOOP WITH 22 U.S. VETERANS STILL COMMITTING SUICIDE EACH DAY, HELP LIKE THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY.

>>.

>> BY THE GRACE OF GOD AND THE LOVE OF MY FAMILY, THERE'S A REASON THAT SUICIDE RATE UP THERE IS 22 A DAY.

I FIRMABLY BELIEVE THAT NUMBER IS UP THERE BECAUSE THERE AREN'T PEOPLE THAT ARE CONSTANTLY CHECKING IN AND HELPING THESE GUYS AND GIRLS.

I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE A WIFE THAT LOVES ME AND PARENTS THAT DROPPED EVERYTHING TO BE AT THE HOSPITAL WITH ME WHEN I NEED THEM.

>> Reporter: AND YOU KNOW, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED ABOUT WHETHER A THAT'S GOING TO MEAN FOR NOT ONLY OUR VETERANS BUT ALSO THE HEALTH CARE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THAT TULSA VA FACILITY WILL BE READY IN LATE 2024 OR EARLY 25.

TAELYR?

>> AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW BY NOW, O.E.T.A HAS BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT LATELY AND WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE SUPPORT WE'VE RECEIVED FROM OUR VIEWERS.

COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST, IN OUR IN DEPTH SEGMENT, WE'LL DISCUSS THE HISTORY OF O.E.T.A AND THE IMPORTANT ROLE IT'S PLAYED IN THE INFORMING AND ENTERTAINING OKLAHOMAANS, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AND UNDERSERVED AREAS FOR THE LAST 67 YEARS.

>> AN OLD O.E.T.A GAVE US AN OUTLET, NOT JUST TO THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA CITY, BUT THE PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE, IN McCARTON COUNTY, TILMAN COUNTY, OTTAWA COUNTY, EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.

WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER HISTORICAL QUALITY PROGRAMMING THROUGH THE REPORTERS OF O.E.T.A, THROUGH DOCUMENTARIES THAT WERE BEING RUN.

BY FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY, IT GAVE US A SENSE -- OF COMMUNITY.

>> O.E.T.A AS EVERY PBS STATION IS IS FOCUSED ON THREE AREAS.

EDUCATION, CIVIC LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

IT IS A VITAL PUBLIC SAFETY ASSET FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> I GET TO WATCH GREAT PERFORMANCES.

I GET TO SEE MASTERPIECE MYSTERIES.

IT'S A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL TYPE OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION THAT YOU NEED IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

>>.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP A LITTLE BIT LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>> THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION WILL NOW REQUIRE OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS TO REPORT HOW MUCH THEY SPEND ON DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION OR DEI PROGRAMS.

DEI HAS BEEN UNDER SCRUTINY THIS YEAR AT BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL.

I SPOKE WITH A LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A UNIVERSITY TO FIND OUT WHETHER A DEI LOOKS LIKE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>>.

>>.

>> UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS CREATED THEIR DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION COUNCIL AS A PART OF A FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN IN 2020.

>> WE KIND OF REALLY FELT LIKE THE FACT THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE OVER 62 LANGUAGES THAT ARE REPRESENTED IN UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS, A LOT OF PEOPLE, I THINK, ARE REALLY SHOCKED BY THAT, AND WITH TRULY THE FACT THAT AS A DISTRACT, WE'VE CHANGED DEMOGRAPHICALLY REALLY OVER THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS, SIGNIFICANTLY NINETY-TWO UNION SUPERINTENDENT DR. KIRT HARTZLER SAYS THE PURPOSE OF UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF DEI COUNCIL IS TO SUPPORT THE INCLUSIVITY TEA AND ENGAGEMENT IN UNION'S CULTURE AFTER BEING WELL RECEIVED BY THE UNION COMMUNITY THE DISTRICT DECIDED TO ADOPT A DEI POLICY NINETY-TWO SO FROM THAT COUNCIL CAME THE RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU KNOW WE REALLY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DEI POLICY FOR THE DISTRICT.

AND SO THAT'S HOW IT REALLY ALL FIRST SURFACED.

>> WHAT WE WANTED TO DO MORE THAN ANYTHING WAS FOR IT TO BE JUST A STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION AND BELONGNESS TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS AND OUR FAMILIES; THAT IF YOU'RE A PART OF UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS, YOU'RE WORTHY TO BELONG HERE AND, YOU KNOW, WE VALUE YOU.

>> HOWEVER, UNION PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT DOES NOT REQUIRE SPECIFIC DEI TRAIN ORG CLASSES FOR ANY OF ITS STUDENTS.

>> WHAT WE HOPE TO DO WAS TO MAYBE RAISE THE LEVEL OF RESPECT THAT WE ALL HAVE FOR EACH OTHER.

I MEAN, WHETHER YOU THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, I THINK THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF WHAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS REALLY ABOUT; IT'S THE ONE PLACE WHERE WE ALL KIND OF LEARN TO GET ALONG, DESPITE MAYBE OUR DEEPEST DIFFERENCES.

>> ALTHOUGH DEE -- DEI HAS BEEN A HOT TOPIC RECENTLY, DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION HAS ACTUALLY BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1960s.

WHEN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LEGISLATION BECAME PROMINENT, IT BEGAN PRIMARILY IN THE WORKPLACE AND SPREAD TO COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

DEI TRAINING IS OFFERED AT UCO'S CAMPUS.

THEY HOST EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO SHOWCASE DIFFERENT CULTURES ON CAMPUS.

>> WE DID A REALLY COOL DARE NIGHT WITH ALL OF OUR MULTICULTURAL STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS.

>> WHEN WORKING WITH THE ASIAN DISTRICT, THEY PROVIDED SOME LION DANCERS FOR US.

BSA HAD SOME YOU MAJORETTES COME AND DANCE AHSA HAD SOME CULTURAL DANCING.

>> SHE SAYS DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION IS MORE THAN RAIN AND ETHNICITY.

IT'S ALSO MEANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE FEELS SEEN AND HEARD ON CAMPUS.

>> IT'S NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT ETHNICITY.

IT'S ALSO ABOUT GENDER, SOCIAL COMPLEX STATUS, THE LBGTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY, RELIGION, THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT ALL FOLK FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A CLOTH AT THE TABLE AND ALSO THAT THEIR VOICES ARE AMPLIFIED.

>> WE'RE JUST MAKING SURE THAT THE CLASSROOMS ARE ACCESSIBLE; THAT WHETHER STUDENTS ARE TAKING TESTINGS, THAT'S ACCESSIBLE FOR THEM.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY AS PRIVATE INSTITUTION AND IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE NEW MANDATE ORDERED BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS THAT REQUIRES PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN STATEMENT ON ALL FUNDS SPENT ON KEOF -- DEI PROGRAMS.

AT THE EDUCATION BOARD MEETING LAST WEEK, PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSED TO DEI PROGRAMS VOICED THEIR OPINIONS.

>> I HAVEN'T SEEN A LOT OF UNITY, I GUESS, COMING FROM WHAT YOU MR. WALTZERS ARE REFERRING TO DIVIDE, EXCLUDE AND INDOCTRINATE.

I FEEL LIKE MORE OF WHAT I'VE BEEN SNEEG BUT THEY'VE HAD THE OPPOSITE EFFECT AT THE OCU >> IT'S NOT TO HAVE PEOPLE FEEL SEPARATED.

IT'S REALLY A TIME TO LET PEOPLE SEE THAT THERE'S DIFFERENT INTERSECTION NULL IDENTITIES THAT CONNECT US TOGETHER AND WAYS TO HELP CELEBRATE PEOPLE, WAYS TO LEARN FROM PEOPLE AND WAYS TO JUST GROW AS A PERSON.

NINETY-TWO UNION OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE STILL COMPILING INFORMATION ORDERED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT.

IN THE MEANTIME, DEI PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE WITH THE FULL SUPPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT HART ZLER.

>> IF WE DON'T LEARN TO LIVE TOGETHER, DESPITE OUR BIGGEST DIFFERENCES, AGAIN, EITHER AROUND OUR FAITH, OUR IDEOLOGIES OR DIFFERENCES IN SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, I'M SO SURE WHAT KIND OF WORLD WE'RE GOING LOOK TO LOOK UP TO HAVE, IF WE DON'T LEARN TO AT LEAST RESPECT THOSE DIFFERENCES.

>> I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE GREATEST TREASURES OF UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS OUR DIVERSITY.

IN FACT WE SAY IT'S A TREASURE AND WE KNOW THAT MONEY CAN'T BUY THE KIND OF DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE.

>> OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES OF REPORTS ON OKLAHOMA'S BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS CONTINUES IN TATE UPS, OKLAHOMA, THIS WEEK.

JASON DOYLE SPENT SOME TIME DOWN IN CARTER COUNTY RECENTLY AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON WHAT MAKES TATE UPS TRULY UNIQUE.

>> IT WAS NAMED AFTER LEE AND ELDRIDGE TATUM.

THE HISTORY READS LIKE AN ADVENTURE AND THE TOWN'S RESIDENTS LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THEIR OWN BACK HOME THIS YEAR.

>>.

>>.

>> THE PEOPLE OF TATE UPS LIKE TO BRATE BOTH THEIR TOWN AND ITS HISTORY.

>> Reporter: WE'RE OUT HERE CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

WE'RE HAVING A BLACK HISTORY MONTH PARADE AND WE'VE SEEN PEOPLE BRING OUT THEIR OLD SCHOOL CARS, BICYCLES, MOTORCYCLES, HORSES -- ALL THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

>> GOOD WEATHER DAY, SO WE'RE JUST OUT THERE TRYING TO HAVE SOME FUN AND CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY AND GET THIS THING GOING.

>> THAT INCLUDES FUTURE TATE UPS RESIDENT WALLY, WHO HELPED DECORATE AN ENTRY FOR THE BLACK HISTORY PARADE.

>> I'M ON THE FLOAT FOR THE TATUM CLUB AND SO IT'S GOING TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ONLY TALK ABOUT OUR HISTORY, OVERALL AS A PEOPLE AND TIE IT INTO TATUM.

>> AND WALLY'S FLOAT TAKES THE STORY OF MARCUS HARVEY -- G-- GARVEY WITH A MESSAGE OF BLACK PEOPLE TO BUILD THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES WITH BUSINESSES THEY NEED.

>> SO THAT'S WHY WE CHOOSE CHOSE TO JUST SHARE OUR HISTORY AND THEN, AGAIN, TIED IN TO -- TIE KNIT TO HOW IMPORTANT IT IS WE WORK IN UNITY TO SERVE OUR TOWN AND THEN WITH OTHER BLACK TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA.

WE DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO NOT ONLY SURVIVE BUT THRIVE.

>> TATUM, HISTORY THAT READS LIKE AN ADVENTURE.

>> IN FACT THE TOUNCH MIGHT NOT EXIST IF IT WASN'T FOR A KIDNAPPING IN NEW ORLEANS OF A FREE BLACK WOMAN WHO WAS SOLD INTO SLAVERY BEFORE THE CIVIL WARM.

THAT'S BECAUSE PLANTATION OWNER AND CONFEDERATE SERGEANT JACOB WALL FORCED HER TO MARY HIM AND THEY HAD -- MARRY HIM AND THEY HAD 15 CHILDREN.

HE BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT HIS MIXED CHILDREN AND THOMAS TATUM WHO ALSO HAD MIXED CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN BECAME CONCERNED FOR THEIR SAFETY.

>> AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

>> MR. TATE 7:'S FATHER WHO WAS THOMAS, A COLONEL, I THINK, AT THE CONFEDERATE ARMY, HE HAD MULTIPLE CHILDREN WHO SOME WERE BLACK, AND WAS FRIENDS WITH MR. WALL WHO WAS HIS FIRST SERGEANT IN THE MILITARY AND THEY BOTH HAD BLACK CHILDREN THAT THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> JACOB WALL COMMISSIONED THOMAS TATUM SONS, LEE AND ELDRIDGE TATE TIME MAKE THE TRIP TO INDIAN TERRITORY WITH HIS DAUGHTERS AND THEIR HUSBANDS.

>> NO MATTER WHO WON, THOSE CHILDREN WOULD NEED SOMEWHERE TO GO.

SO I THINK THAT THE ACTUAL PLAN FOR THE TOWN OF TATUM WAS HATCHED DURING THE CIVIL WAR BETWEEN THOSE TWO MEN, THE FATHER OF MR. TATUM, THOMAS TATUM AND MR. WALL, JAKE WALL.

THOSE TWO MEN HATCHED THAT PLAN PROBABLY AN ATTEMPT DURING THE CIVIL WAR.

>> SETTLING JUST A FEW MILES BETWEEN BASE OF THE ARC BUCKLE MOUNTAINS, LEE TATUM AND HIS WIFE MARY, ALONG WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS AND THEIR HUSBANDS, BEGAN LIFE IN PRE-STATE OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THE STORY GOES AS MR. TATUM GOT BOGGED DOWN IN THE MUD GOOD A RECENT STORM, AND BY THE TIME THE MUD CLEARED AND HE LOST ALL HIS SUPPLIES AND EVERYTHING HWASHED AWAY AND BY THE TIME HE RECOVERED, HE DECIDED TO STAY.

SO WHY THAT'S TATUM IS SO FAR SOUTH FROM THE OTHERS.

>> IN 181895, LEE TATUM APPLIED FOR A POST OFFICE DESIGNATION, WHICH OFFICIALLY MADE THEIR SETTLEMENT THE TOWN OF TATE UPS.

MR. TATUM TOOK A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO GROWING THE TOWN THAN THE OTHER BLACK TOWNS IN OKLAHOMA.

WHILE OTHER BLACK TOWNS ADVERTISED FOR SETTLERS, TATUM PICKED WHO HE WANTED TO LIVE THERE.

>> AND YOU HAD TO HAVE A TRADE OR A PROFESSION TO EVEN BE INVITED.

AND IN THAT WAY, TATUM AS VERY ELITIST PLACE AND THE PEOPLE ARE VERY COLORFUL AND ARROGANT AND THEY CAN MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.

>> DURING THOSE EARLY DAYS OF DEVELOPMENT, LEE AND MARY TATUM OPENED A GROCERY STORE.

EVENTUALLY OTHER AMENITIES WERE OPENED AND LIFE BEGAN TO FLOWERISH IN THIS FRONTIER TOWN AND THEN OIL WAS DISCOVERED UNDER TATE UPS IN THE 1920s.

>> THERE'S EVIDENCE ALL-AROUND TATE UPS THAT THE OIL INDUSTRY IS VITAL TO THIS COMMUNITY.

IN FACT IT'S IN THEIR LOGO AND A SHORT DRIVE AROUND TOWN, YOU'LL FIND PUMP JACKS LIKE THIS OR OTHER SIGNS OF THE OIL INDUSTRY ALL-AROUND THE AREA.

>> IN FACT, THEY MADE A MOVIE ABOUT IT.

>> THERE WAS SPECIFIC REQUESTS TO MAKE THIS FILM IN TATUM, BECAUSE PEOPLE HAD HEARD OF TATUM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES BECAUSE OF MARSHALL TATUM BEING WHO HE WAS AND, YOU KNOW, THE TOWN BEING FULL OF COWBOYS AND INDIANS AND ALL OF THEM WERE BLACK, EVERYONE OF THEM, THE COWBOYS AND THE INDIANS.

>> THERE HAS BEEN SOME TALK ABOUT THE BLACK GOLD MOVIE, EVEN SOME COLLEAGUES OF MINE HAVE REACHED OUT TO, I BELIEVE, NORMAN STUDIOS, WHO WROTE THE MOVIE.

AND IT WOULD BE NICE TO BRING THAT BACK TO ACTION.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A -- >> CHRISTOPHER HARVEY BELIEVES THAT MOVIE COULD LIVE AGAIN IN A FORM OF A REMAKE IN THE AGE OF STREAMING SHOWS.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE A LOT OF COUNTRY STORIES AND STUFF GOING ON RIGHT NOW, AND, YOU KNOW, IT'S OKAY, IT'S ON TELEVISION RIGHT NOW AND I THINK IT WOULD BE A PERFECT TIMING AND IT WOULD BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO POSSIBLY RECAST THAT BLACK GOLD MOVIE HERE IN THE TOWN OF TATUM.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> THE TOWN OF TATE UPS STILL RELIES ON THE OIL INDUSTRY.

>> DEFINITELY, THAT'S THE DRIVING WORKFORCE AROUND HERE.

THE MAJORITY OF YOUR WORKERS WHO ARE ABLE TO WORK CLOSE TO TATUM, IT'S OIL FIELD RELATED.

>> EVEN THE HIGHWAY THAT RUNS THROUGH TATE UPS HAS A CONNECTION TO THOSE EARLY DAYS AND BUFFALO SOLDIERS.

THEY CONSTRUCTED THE TRAIL BETWEEN FORT ARBUCKLE AND FORT SILL, WHICH IS THE CURRENT PATHWAY FOR OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY SEVEN.

>> EVEN WHETHER MR. TATUM WASN'T EVEN THERE, AND BUFFALO SOLDIERS HAD CLEARED THE WAY AND THOSE OTHER AFRICAN-AMERICAN -- OR AFRICANIZED PEOPLE THERE WERE.

>> IT'S BELIEVED SEVERAL BUFFALO SOLDIERS SETTLED IN TATE UPS AND THAT INCLUDES A RELATIVE OF DR. ROBERTS.

>> I THINK THAT'S A FORGOTTEN PART OF TATUM'S HISTORY, AND I WOULD LIKE TO AWAKEN THAT.

AGAIN, MY OWN GREAT GRANDFATHER AND GREAT GREAT GRANDFATHER, GEORGE WORLEY, WAS A BUFFALO SOLDIER.

>> ARE OUTLAWS WOULD SHOW UP FROM TIME TO TIME.

>> THE MOST INTERESTING FACT THAT I'VE HEARD ABOUT, WAS THE FACT THAT -- OR THE RUMOR -- I'M NOT SURE IF IT'S TRUE OR NOT -- THAT BABY FACE NELSON, ONE OF THE BANK ROBBERS WAS HOUSED IN TATUM AND HE HID OUT HERE FOR A FEW DAYS.

>> THE JESSE JAMES STORY THAT OUR GRANDMOTHERS USED TO SIT AROUND AND SAY THEY HAD STORIES -- STORES AND MOTELS HERE.

SO TATUM HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COMMUNITY THAT IS STRIVING TO DO BETH BETTER.

AND THEY HAVE A MOTEL HERE, AND I GUESS MAYBE HOW THE WOODED AREAS WERE HERE, MAYBE NOT A LOT OF HOUSES AND STUFF, BUT I HEARD MR. JESSE JAMES CAME AND STAYED AT OUR MOTEL.

>> WHILE WHICH OUTLAWS STAYED IN TATE UPS IS LOST TO HISTORY, THAT HOTEL WAS REAL.

IT'S CONMEMORATED BY THE T- OKAYIE CLUB WITH THIS MARKER.

THAT'S NOT THE ONLY THING THAT THE OAKIES HAVE DONE FOR THE TOWN.

>> THEY'VE WORKED TO ACHIEVE GOALS THAT BENEFIT THE TOWN OF TATE UPS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE TOWN AND ITS INHABITANTS TO HAVE HELP STRENGTHSEN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO CONTRIBUTE OOH ECONOMIC STAH BUILT AND MOBILITY.

>> BONNIE HOOKS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE T-OKIES CLUB.

>> WE GOT STARTED IN 1961 BY A LADY NAMED VIOLA HOOKS SUMMER LIN AND IT STARTED AS FAMILY REUNION.

ALL THE PEOPLE IN TATUM THAT TO WENT SCHOOL HERE ARE JUST THE PEOPLE FROM THE TOWN OF TATUM.

SHE DECIDED LET'S COME HOME EVERY TWO YEARS -- LET'S JUST HAVE A FAMILY REUNION.

>> A LITTLE COOKOUT.

GET OUT AND EVERYBODY BRING OUT A COVER DISH AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG COOKOUT OF A FAMILY REUNUNAND THAT'S HOW IT STARTED.

>> SINCE 1961, THE T-OKIE CLUB IS CALLED THE T-OK-IE VENGE CENTION.

>> LIKE I SAID, IT'S A FAMILY REUNION AND EVEN PEOPLE WHO NEVER GREW UP IN TATUM COME HERE.

>> THE CLUB IS GETTING READY TO HOST ITS FIRST CONVENTION SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND THEY EXPECT A BIG CROWD OVER THE 4th OF JULY HOLIDAY.

>> NOW, IF YOU WANT TO SEE A REAL PARADE, COME DURING -- AND MAKE SURE YOU GET A PARKING SPOT BECAUSE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET UP IN HERE IF YOU DON'T GET UP HERE EARLY.

>> BUT USE THE MONEY EARLY TO HELP THE TOWN.

>> WE WANT TO DO A LIBRARY FOR OUR CHILDREN.

THESE ARE NEW VISIONS AND WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE HOT MEALS TO BE ABLE TO TAKE TO >> IF YOU WOULD HAVE ASKED ME IF I WAS GOING TO BE A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, I WOULD HAVE SAID YOU WERE TRIPPING OR SOMETHING KNEW SANDOVAL HAS RECENTLY GRADUATED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WITH A DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING.

>> JUST WENT AHEAD AND ACCEPTED A JOB TO WORK AT SAMSUNG AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER.

>> BUT THAT PLAN CHANGED AFTER CONVERSATIONS WITH MICHAEL JIMENEZ, REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPIN IT.

>> WHO TALKED ARTURO INTO RUNNING FOR SNOOFS AND THERE ARE INDIVIDUALS -- EVEN IF I WASN'T INCREDIBLY POLITICALLY ENGAGED, I ALWAYS CARED ABOUT, ESPECIALLY SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> HISPANICS COMPRISE 68% OF THE POPULATION IN DISTRICT 89.

>> IT'S A CONVERSATION THAT I'VE HAD WE PULL IN MY COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHEN I STARTED FORMULATING MY PLATFORM, UNDERSTANDING WHAT THE NEEDS WERE.

AND SEEING WHAT THEY CARED ABOUT, >> HOUSE MINORITY LEADER CINDY MUNSON SAYS HE REPRESENTS THE TRUE -- >> HE BRINGS A TON OF ENERGY TO THE CAPITOL.

HE'S INCREDIBLY SMART AND SO WE WERE EXCITED WHEN REPRESENTATIVE A ALONSO SANDOVAL MADE THE DECISION OOH RUN FOR OFFICERS AND SO HAVING HIM HAS BEEN A HUGE ASSET NOT JUST FOR US IN THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS BUT FOR HIS COMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> MAKING THE OFFICIAL -- IN OKLAHOMA CITY SET FOR MAY 15TH A PRIORITY.

>> THIS WILL BE THE FIRST MEXICAN CONSULATE OPEN IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> WHILE THE CONSULATE DOOR IS HELD, MEXICAN NATIONALS BY PROVIDING THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE AND THE PROGRAMS WE PROVIDE HELP THEM TO BECOME THE BEST MEMBERS THEIR COMMUNITY, MORE PRODUCTIVE.

THE CONSULATE IS HERE AND WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY EFFICIENT, FORMAL, HARDWORKING CONSULATE AND THE COMMUNITY GOING TO FEEL VERY PROUD OF THEM.

>> AND SHE ADDS, HAVING STRONG HISPANIC VOICES IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE WILL BE KEY TO THAT SUCCESS.

>> AND ARTURO IS HELPING ME HELPING THE CONSULATE UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW OKLAHOMA WORKS.

I AM LEARNING A LOT FROM HIM AND, OF COURSE, WE'RE GOING TO WORK VERY CLOSELY FOR THE CONSULATE TO BE ABLE TO HELP HIS CONSTITUENCY AND ARTURO IS HELPING ME HELPING THE CONSULATE UNDERSTAND BETTER HOW OKLAHOMA WORKS WE ALWAYS TO WANT KEEP ON TOP OF EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING AND KEEP IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH OUR LEGISLATE SNUR HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DAVID CASTILLO SAYS HISPANIC BUSINESSES NEED MORE REPRESENTATION AND THE LEGISLATURE.

>> WE ALWAYS CONTACT OUR LEGISLATEORS TO TRY AND GET HELP, AND EDUCATE THEM ON SHHH SOME THINGS.

>> UNTIL ALONSO SANDOVAL WAS SWORN IN LATER, THEY HAD BEEN WITHOUT REPRESENTATION SINCE JANUARY 2022.

>> DISTRICT 89, THE MAJORITY -- IS MAJORITY HISPANIC.

LOTS OF HIS PANICS IN THIS COMMUNITY SO GETS TO HAVE THAT VOICE AND GOOD TO HAVE THAT PERSON.

THAT LOOKS LIKE YOU; THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> ALONSO SANDOVAL WAS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES BUT LIVED IN GONE HOTO, MEXICO.

HEY HOLDS DUAL CITIZENSHIPS IN BOTH COUNTRIES.

>> GROWING UP FROM A FAMILY OF MIGRANT PARENTS, IT WAS DEFINITELY CHALLENGING.

WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, MY PARENTS WERE VERY MUCH LIMITED IN THOSE AREAS.

AND THAT CONTRIBUTES OOH OUR SOCIOCOMPLEX STATUS.

>> THE STRUGGLE FOR HIS FAMILY TRANSITIONING TO OKLAHOMA INCLUDED FOOD AND SECURITIES.

>> WE QUALIFIED FOR FOOD STAMPS BUT WE WENT TO FOOD PANTRIES TO MAKE SURE WE WERE STILLWORK ABLE TO GET FOOD.

>> ALONSO SANDOVAL ATTENDED SANTA FE PUBLIC CHARTER DOLLARS >> OKLAHOMA CITY, A FORMER ENROLLING AT -- ENROLLY AT OU >> WHERE PEOPLE COME FROM, SINCE DIE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE'RE PRODUCTS OF BOTH OUR EXPERIENCES.

>> AND HIS FIRST JOB HAS BEEN A LEARNING EXPERIENCE, TOO.

HE CO SPONSORED A BIPARTISAN BILL WOULD THAT ALLOW IMMIGRANTS PAY TAXES TO OBTAIN FOUR-YEAR DRIVER'S LICENSE.

THAT BILL DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE SENATE.

>> IT WENT INTO A LOT OF ROAD BLOCKS THIS SESSION, AND IT WENT INTO MANY ROAD BLOCKS PREVIOUSLY.

>> BUT SESSION IS FAR FROM OVER AND ARTURO SAYS HE INTENDS TO KEEP LEARNING AND LISTENING.

>> KNOCK ON THE DOORS OF MY COMMUNITY, TALKING TO PEOPLE BOTH SPANISH, ENGLISH, IT REALLY SHOWED ME JUST HOW MUCH WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE IN MY AREA.

>> THE MEXICAN CONSULATE ENCOURAGES THOSE WITH MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE UPCOMING CONSUL IT TO CONTACT THEIR OFFICERS AT SRE.GAO V.MX.

>> THANK YOU, JOEL.

>> THE OKLAHOMA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY HAS BEEN A STATE-WIDE SUCCESS SINCE IT WAS CREATED BACK IN 1956.

TODAY O.E.T.A IS ONE OF THE MOST WATCHED PBS AFFILIATE PARTNERS IN THE NATION.

>> IN THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH CONVERSATION, >> OH, MY GOODNESS, THE SONGS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

I MEAN, IT'S GREAT PROGRAMMING, AND I COULD ALWAYS DEPEND ON MR. ROGERS OR WHETHER IT WAS -- CALLED THE ELEPHANT SHOW OR WHATEVER ELSE WAS ON AT THAT TIME, YOU KNOW, TO PRODUCE THE TYPE OF PROGRAMMING THAT I WANTED FOR MY CHILDREN TO WATCH.

>> GREAT.

>> Reporter: DR. LIGHTBOURNE.

>> REALLY, IN MY PERSONAL LIFE, MY SON BORN IN 1982 WAS RAISED WITH O.E.T.A EVERY MORNING.

SO HIS TELEVISION WATCHING WAS LIMITED TO TWO HOURS AND IT WAS ALL O.E.T.A, NOTHING ELSE, BUT PROFESSIONALLY -- AND I SPENT 42 YEARS IN THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND O.E.T.A GAVE US AN OUTLET NOTIEST -- JUST TO THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA, BUT THE PEOPLE IN THE OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE, TILMAN COUNTY, OTTAWA COUNTY, EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.

WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER HISTORICAL QUALITY PROGRAMMING THROUGH THE REPORTERS OF O.E.T.A, THROUGH DOCUMENTARIES THAT WERE BEING RUN BY FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY, IT -- GAVE US A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND THERE ARE NOT MANY THINGS THAT PULL ALL OKLAHOMAIANS TOGETHER.

BECAUSE OF OUR HISTORY, O.E.T.A IS ONE OF THE THINGS PROPOSE ADVISED THE GLUE THAT PULL US TOGETHER.

OF COURSE GOVERNMENT DOES, BUT MORE THAN THAT, O.E.T.A PROVIDES A PLATFORM FOR US THROUGH HISTORY, THROUGH ARTS, THROUGH CULTURE TO SAY WEEP BELONG TO A COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S DIVERSITY AND IT'S CREATING -- CREATIVITY.

O.E.T.A HAS ALWAYS DONE THAT THROUGHOUT MICAH REEFER.

>> GREAT.

>> Reporter: AND I BUILD ON WHETHER A DR. FISHER AND DR. LIGHT BOURNE SAID.

DR. FISHER YOU SAID HOW IT WAS DEPENDABLE; IT WAS SOMETHING YOU COULD RELY ON AND I, LIKE MANY OKLAHOMAANS GREW UP WITH, O.E.T.A WAS REALLY THE ONLY TELEVISION STATION THAT WE ONLY HAD ACCESS AND MANY PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS THROUGH BROAD BAND, O.E.T.A WHAT IS THEY HAVE >> I MEAN, I USED IT AS A TEACHER AND -- IN THE CLASSROOM, AND COULD YOU -- YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY FAIR IMBALANCE -- YOU HEAR THAT SO OFTEN BUT THAT REALLY WAS FAIR AND BALANCED AND THE RETURNS WERE FOR ALL OKLAHOMAANS.

>> IT WASN'T GEARED TO JUST ONE SEGMENT OR ONE PLACE IN OKLAHOMA.

YOU COVER RULE IN WHAT WE WERE NEEDING TO SEE ON RETURNS COMING IN THERE, TOO.

>>.

>> I THINK ONE THING WE'VE GOT TO MENTION IS THAT THERE ARE ONLY A FEW WAYS THAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT CAN SUPPORT THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE CAN DO HIGHWAYS THAT PULL US TOGETHER ECONOMICALLY AND WITH ACCESS -- WE CAN DO THROUGH EDUCATION ALL THE WAY FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO REGIONAL COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES -- THAT GIVES EVERYONE AN OPPORTUNITY TO -- REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND AND I REMEMBER ONE STATEMENT IN THE PAST THAT WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE WANTS TO BE RICH?

>> NOT EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE RICH.

THEY WANT TO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY, THEY WANT TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PLACE THAT THEY GREW UP AND THEIR PART OF THAT COMMUNITY.

WHENEVER WE DO THESE PROGRAMS, WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THE STATE HAS AN OBLIGATION NOT JUST AN OPPORTUNITY BUT AN OBLIGATION ON SERVE EVERYBODY IN THE STATE.

O.E.T.A DOES THAT FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD BROAD BAND TV, OR CABLE.

IT PROVIDES THEM THAT ACCESS AND IT GIVES THEM THAT SAME OPPORTUNITY THAT PEOPLE OF WEALTH HAVE, IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE WEALTH, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, WHATEVER THEIR BACKGROUND SO I LACK THIS ROLE OF O.E.T.A W.OUR SUPPORT AS TAXPAYERS, SAYING THAT WE PROVIDE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE THAT INCLUDES EVERYONE AND LEAVES NO ONE MIND?

>> AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO POINT OUT, BOB, BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE NEXT TOPIC, JUST THINKING WHAT O.E.T.A HAS DONE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIAR LEASES TO MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE THAT SOURCE OF TELEVISION SO -- AND NOT JUST TO MENTION THAT.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE SAFETY ASPECTS THAT O.E.T.A ALSO BRINGS IN -- >> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND IT'S O.E.T.A EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING IN LOW >> THERE WERE 233 ALERTS FOR ALL OF THOSE AREAS.

IT IS WILL USED BY THE UNITED STATES ARMY, BY FORT STILL TO DISTRIBUTE THAT INFORMATION AND TO SOUND THE ALARM.

I MEAN, IT'S A VITAL PART OF OUR ARE SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE, AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, THE EDUCATION ASPECT OF IT IS SO IMPORTANT, BUT IT SERVES AS A A BASELINE FOUNDATIONAL PART OF THE STATE PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEM FOR SURE.

>> THERE IS ANOTHER POINT HERE I WANTED MAKE IS THAT MY YEARS ARE IN THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY FID, ANY IMPACT DEVELOPING THIS PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO SERVE MORE OKLAHOMAANA RAISING THE QUALITY THROUGH THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE.

DON'T YOU JUST REALRY LIE ON PUBLIC PROFITS.

RAISING MONEY, REACHING OUT TO CORPORATE SPONSORS, BOB AND DEBI BLACKBURN ARE CONTRIBUTORS EVERY YEAR.

THROUGH THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, WE BRING IN QUALITY PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE WE MAY NOT BE MARKET DRIVEN ON A NETWORK OR SOME CABLE NEWS AND I USE KEN BURNS -- HE KNOWS THE BEST EXAMPLE.

HE HAS THE SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY TO REACH EVERYONE WITH HIS MESSAGES OF WHO WE ARE AS A COUNTRY.

>> WHAT'S BEEN IMPORTANT TO US AND THE CHALLENGES BEFORE US, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES AND WHAT BRINGS US TOGETHER.

KEN BURNS, NOVA -- IT GOES ON AND ON.

THE QUALITY OF PROGRAMMING HAS REALLY SET BY WHAT COMES IN THROUGH PBS THROUGH THIS PUBLIC PRIVATE PART NEVERSHIP, IS EXPRESSED THROUGH LOCAL PRODUCTIONS, WHICH IS YOUR OWN STAFF HERE AND THE NEWS REPORT IS THE ONLY PLACE TO GET STATE- WIDE COVERAGE.

IT'S THE ONLY LOOL LOCAL NEWS -- I'LL SAY AND THAT I'LL HAVE SOME FRIENDS TELEPHONED ME TODAY, WAIT A MINUTE, AND I WATCHED THAT BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY PLACE THAT I CAN GET NEWS THAT IS TRULY STATE-WIDE AND IT'S NOT DRIVEN BY BLOOD AND FIRES.

>> AND DR. FISHER I SAW YOU NODDING YOUR HEAD, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING TO THAT.

>> I'VE ALWAYS LIVED IN RURAL, OKLAHOMA, AND I GET TO WATCH GREAT PERFORMANCES!

>> I GET TO SEE MASTERPIECE MYSTERIES.

IT'S A WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL TYPE OF CULTURAL PROGRAMMING AND INTELLECTUAL STIMULATION THAT YOU NEED IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

AND MY PERSONAL -- I PRODUCED A FILM CALLED DUST TO EAT THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

>> O.E.T.A PICKED IT UP.

IT'S BEEN SHOWN FOUR OR FIVE TIMES AND THAT IS SHOWING THE PANHANDLE AND OUR CONTRIBUTION, WHAT WE WENT THROUGH AND HOW TOUGH OKLAHOMANS ARE THROUGH TEN YEARS OF DUST AND WE KIND OF SEE SOME OF THAT TODAY.

ANYWAY, IT'S NOT JUST THAT, IN -- WE HAVE HONEY SPRINGS.

WE HAVE PRODUCED A FILM THAT WE'RE HOPING TO PARTNER WITH O.E.T.A ON TO OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO SHOW THE BATTLE THAT WAS SO IMPORTANT IN THE CIVIL WAR TO OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THAT BRINGS UP SOME GOOD POINTS.

IT'S NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

HOW CAN ADULTS BENEFIT ON O.E.T.A?

>> NO, IN FACT, I ALLUDED TO EARLIER, OKLAHOMA'S FARMING AND RANCHING INDUSTRIES RELY ON IT FOR MARKET AND COMMODITY PRICES AND MARKETING REPORTS AND HAVE FOR DECADES.

I MEAN, IT WAS TWEALG THE FIRST THINGS I'VE EVERY WATCHED IN O.E.T.A, LONG BEFORE BIG BIRD, IT WAS DEFINITELY PART OF MY LIFE, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT -- IT'S QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT HAS BEEN PEAR -- PEER REVIEWED AND TESTED TIME AND TIME AGAIN TO PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OUTCOMES.

LOOK AT WHAT O.E.T.A DID -- SPEAKING OF THE PARENT -- LOOK AT WHAT O.E.T.A DID BY PARTNERING WITH ITS OWNERS, DR. BLACKBURN AS YOU ALLUDE LOOTED TO -- ALLUDED TO.

IT WAS ABLE TO JOIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY, FREE ACCESSIBLE CURRICULUM, EVEN TO PLACES THAT DIDN'T HAVE BROAD BAND OR PLACES THAT DIDN'T HAVE STREAMING.

O.E.T.A IS STREAMED 6 MILLION TIMES A MONTH BY OKLAHOMANS, YOU KNOW.

EVEN TO THOSE PLACES, O.E.T.A PROVIDED HIGH QUALITY ACCESSIBLE CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS IN A TIME WHEN PARENTS WERE AT THEIR WITS' END ON HOW TO KEEP THEIR STUDENTS LEARNING WHEN SCHOOLS DUE TO THE UNTERRITORY -- UNCERTAINTY DUE TO THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC WERE ALL CLOSED.

>> O.E.T.A WAS A GODSEND SO IT REALLY IS ABOUT SO MUCH MORE THAN PBS KIDS.

ALTHOUGH PBS KIDS IS VITAL -- I MEAN, IT'S A HUGE PART OF WHAT PUBLIC TELEVISION DOES, AND O.E.T.A IS THE ONLY PROVIDER OF THAT PBS PROGRAMING IN THE STATE.

>> AND I KNOW MY GARDEN APPRECIATES O.E.T.A, BECAUSE IT'S HELPING IT.

>> DR. -- >> I'M GOING BACK INTO THE ARCHIVES AND WATCHING PAST ISSUES NOW THAT I'M RETIRED.

SO I SEE THAT PROGRAM, BUT I WANTED TO POINT OUT WHEN YOU MENTION ADULTS, TO ME, IF WE LOOK AT QUALITY OF LIFE, AND YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE HAPPY AND THOSE WHO ARE ANGRY AND RESENTFUL BUT TO ME, HAPPINESS IS DEFINED BY A COUPLE OF QUALITIES BUT ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT >> SO THIS CURIOSITY CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF EVERYONE.

>> AND CAN I TOUCH ON A POINT -- I THINK YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THIS IS A PLACE WE ALL COME TOGETHER, AND IT'S EXEMPLIFIED NOT ONLY BY THE FACT THAT IN POLE AFTER POLE, ETA IS ONE OF THE -- O.E.T.A IS, IF NOT THE MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTIONS IN STATE GOVERNMENT BUT IT'S ALSO BEEN REAUTHORIZED FOR 70 YEARS NOW BY HUGE BIPARTISAN MAJORITIES, AND I MEAN, THERE ARE VERY FEW THINGS, AS YOU NOTED EARLIER THAT WE CAN ALL COME TOGETHER ON; THAT WE CAN GET BOTH MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES TO AGREE ON AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN, O.E.T.A AS CONCENSUS ISSUE.

IT IS GREAT VALUE FOR THE TAXPAYER.

IT IS GREAT VALUE FOR ITS DONORS AND, AGAIN, IT'S RARE TO FIND SOMETHING -- PBS PRESIDENT PAULA CARTER SAYS O.E.T.A AS CROWNED JEWEL IN THE PBS SYSTEM I THINK IT'S A QUALITY GEM ACROSS THE ENTIRE LANDSCAPE.

>> YES.

>> OKLAHOMA -- >> I WOULD AGREE.

>> AND THAT'S GOING TO UNFORTUNATELY BE ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.

I WOULD THANK ALL OF YOU IN EXPLAINING WHAT O.E.T.A MEANS TO ALL OF THE PUBLIC.

HISTORIAN FORMER DIRECTOR, O HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND DR. DENA FISHER, FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, THANK YOU ALL FOR COMING.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> IT'S TIME RECAP THE STATE'S KNOWLEDGE ECONOMIC NEWS AND HERE IS JASON DOYLE WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS RUE REVIEW.

>> OKLAHOMA PAYCON HAS A BUMP IN ITS FIRST QUARTER PROFITS.

THE COMPANY REPORTS FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS NET INCOME TOTALING $1.3 MILLION.

LAST YEAR DURING THE SAME QUARTER, THEY REPORTED A NET INCOME OF 91.9 MILLION.

REVENUES FOR THE COMPANY WERE UP BY 27.8%.

THEY BELIEVE NEXT QUARTERS TOTAL REVENUES WILL BE IN THE RANGE OF 2397 TO $399 MILLION.

OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED CHESAPEAKE ENERGY TOOK A FIRST QUARTER NET INCOME OF NEARLY $1.4 BILLION.

DURING THE FIRST THREE MONTHS, THEY PRODUCED MOSTLY NATURAL GAS USING 14 RIGS TO DRILL 50 WELLS.

53 OF THOSE WELLS PRODUCED RESULTS.

THEY MANY ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT TO SUPPLY 2 MILLION TONS OF GASPER YEAR.

THE PARENT COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS, ONE GAS BROUGHT THE NET INCOME OF $102.6 MILLION AND THAT TOPS THE INCOME OF 98.9 MILLION DOLLARS.

THE CAN COMPANY BELIEVES IT'S ON TRACK FOR 2023 NET INCOME TO BE IN THE RANGE OF $224 MILLION TO $1238 MILLION.

CAPITOL EXPENDITURES FOR THE YEAR ARE ESTIMATED AT $675 MILLION.

THE BOARD -- BOARD OF DIRECTORS 45 CENTS A SHARE AND SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD SEE THAT PAY OUT ON JUNE 2nd IF THEY OWN THE STOCK BY MAY 17th.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THEY WERE DRAWING BLOOD THIS WEEK AT THE CAPITOL BUT FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

IT WAS FOR THE LEGISLATORS FOR LIFEBLOOD DRIVE WHICH PITS THE SENATE AGAINST THE HOUSE TO BRING THE MOST DONATIONS TO HELP WITH THE LOCAL BLOOD SUPPLY.

REPRESENTATIVE DANIEL PAY WAS HAPPY TO HELP WITH THE CAUSE, WHILE TRYING TO BEAT THE SENATE.

>> HERE WE ARE AT THE CAPITOL FOR A BLOOD DRIVE.

IT'S A FRIENDLY COMPETITION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND WE WANT TO GET MORE MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE AND WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A BLOOD SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW IN THE STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY, SO I WANT TO DO MY PART TO HELP OUT.

>> DONORS GOT USUAL COOKIES AND A SPECIAL BE EDITION T-SHIRT FOR PARTICIPATING.

THE WINNER WAS THE SENATE WITH 30 DONATIONS.

THE DRIVE BROUGHT IN A TOTAL OF 43 DONATIONS.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION, SOME OF THE COUNTRIES LARGEST FINANCIAL SNROOTIONS ARE BEING PROHIBITED FROM DOING BUSINESS WITH THE STATE BASED ON A NEW LAW TARGETING ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIAL AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES OR G G S POLICIES.

>> WHAT IMPACT THAT WILL HAVE OURO OUR STATE'S ECONOMY JASON DOYLE REPORTS AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH THE CINCO DE MAYO FESTIVAL PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATIONS AND EDITED BY EDMUND BROWNING.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING O.E.T.A AND ONR.

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

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M TAELYR JACKSON.

>> [ SINGING IN SPANISH ]