WISCONSIN.

WHICH INCLUDED A YEAR IN JAIL FOR ROBBERY, HE MOVED TO ADA, OKLAHOMA IN 1987, HE HOPED TO BEGIN A NEW LIFE DESIGNING GREETING CARDS.

INSTEAD FOUR MONTHS LATER, HE FOUND HIMSELF IN A JAIL CHARGED WITH ROBBERY, RAPE AND OTHER FELONIES.

>> I WAS COMMITTED OF CRIMES I DIDN'T COMMIT.

>> FOLKS KNEW HE DIDN'T DO IT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WERE SCARED.

IF THEY STOOD UP FOR THE BLACK DUDE, WE GOT OUR GUY.

I DON'T CARE WHAT EVIDENCE HE GOT.

HE DID THIS.

I DON'T CARE WHAT THE SCIENCE SAYS, HE DID IT.

>> THIS IS GOING ON IN 1980S, I THOUGHT THAT WENT ON IN THE 60S.

>> IT'S GOING ON IN THAT TOWN.

WAY BEFORE I GOT THERE.

I HAPPENED TO WALK INTO SOMETHING THAT I CALLED A BLACK HOLE.

>> PERRY DID MOST OF HIS TIME AT THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY IN HOMINY.

THERE WAS A NINE YEAR STRETCH IN LEXINGTON.

PERRY SAYS HE REFUSED TO LET ALL THOSE YEARS BREAK HIM.

EVEN THOUGH A STAFF INFECTION BEHIND BARS 18 YEARS AGO, NEARLY KILLED HIM.

>> YOU HAVE TO KEEP WHO YOU ARE.

DON'T YOU BE NOBODY ELSE BUT YOU.

I CAN'T BE NOBODY BUT ME.

LOOK LIKE SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> YOU STOOD BY THAT, AND YOU HAVE.

>> STANDING ON IT.

>> TULSA TRIAL ATTORNEY JOINED PERRY'S DEFENSE IN 2019, THROUGH THE INNOCENCE PROJECT WHICH DEFENDS INMATES WHO THEY BELIEVE WERE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED.

AS FAR BACK AS 2014, FORENSIC ANALYSIS PROVED PERRY LOTT DIDN'T DO IT.

>> IT WENT AROUND TRYING TO GET DNA ON ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, TO COMPARE TO THE VICTIM'S RAPE KIT.

COULDN'T EVER FIND IT.

>> MY QUESTION IS, IF DNA RULED HIM OUT SEVERAL YEARS AGO, IN 2015, MAYBE 2014, WHY IN THE WORLD DID HE SIT IN PRISON ANOTHER FOUR YEARS?

>> BECAUSE THE PROSECUTOR WAS NOT AGREEABLE TO ANYTHING.

>> LOTT SAYS IN 2018, HE TOOK A DEAL FROM THEN DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

THE DEAL WAS PERRY WOULD BE RELEASED FROM PRISON.

BUT THE RAPE AND ROBBERY CONVICTIONS WOULD STAND.

WHICH MEANT PERRY COULD STILL BE A CONVICTED RAPIST.

>> I COULDN'T, MAN THOSE PEOPLE HAD IT ON ME, WHERE -- THEY DIDN'T WANT ME TO HAVE FOOD STAMPS.

THEY DIDN'T WANT ME TO HAVE ANY KIND OF SUPPORT.

WHEN I GOT OUT OF PRISON.

THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE OFFICES AND POWERS.

WE CALL THEM THE POWERS THAT BE.

>> MY THEORY ON THAT IS THESE PROSECUTORS, JUDGES, PAROLE BOARD, GOVERN, PEOPLE WITH THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS, IF THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THEY MADE A MISTAKE, A LOT OF THEM FEEL THEY MADE A MISTAKE THEMSELVES.

THEY'RE CALLING OUT THE SYSTEM THEY ARE AS FALLIBLE.

THAT'S PART OF, THAT'S MY THEORY.

>> HE'S A DNA EXPERT WHO'S HEAD OF THE FORENSIC SCIENCE INSTITUTE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

HE SAYS, DNA ANALYSIS CAN BE A GREAT TOOL FOR THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

>> THE TECHNOLOGY CONTINUES TO IMPROVE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THE VERY FIRST TIME THIS WAS DONE WAS IN THE 1980S, AND TO LARGE SAMPLES OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL TO GET A RESULT.

AS IT PROGRESSED THROUGH THE 90S, YOU CAN GET SMALLER AND SMALLER AMOUNT OF GENETIC MATERIAL TO GIVE YOU A RESULT THAT'S HELPFUL.

>> THE INNOCENCE PROJECT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, APPROACHED THE NEWLY ELECTED DISTRICT ATTORNEY, FOR THE COUNTIES AND TEN DAYS AGO, ON ACT 10, PERRY LOTT WAS FULLY EXONERATED.

>> DIDN'T HE HAVE A STAFF INFECTION THAT NEARLY KILLED HIM?

>> HE HAS A SEVERE DISABILITY, HE HAS TO WALK WITH A CANE.

HE CAN NOT WALK WITHOUT A CANE.

HE CAN NOT GET OUT OF HIS CHAIR WITHOUT THE CANE.

>> THAT'S THE RESULT OF THE STAFF INFECTION WHILE IN PRISON?

>> CORRECT.

>> LIKE IN 2005?

>> CORRECT.

FOR YEARS.

>> HE'S SEVERELY DISABLED FROM WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM IN PRISON, AND HE'S BEEN WRONGFULLY CONVICTED.

I ALSO HEAR HE WAS A MENTOR TO YOUNGER INMATES.

.

>> PERRY IS A MENTOR TO HIS LAWYERS.

PERRY IS SOMEONE WHO'S SO WISE.

>> YOU HAVE TO HELP ME WITH THIS.

HOW IT DID YOU NOT GO CRAZY IN PRISON?

>> I JUST TOLD YOU.

MY MEMORIES, MY FAITH.

I NEVER LET GO OF MY FAITH.

NEVER EXPECTED TO -- IT TOOK YEARS TO MANIFEST, BUT IT WAS THERE.

I THINK GOD NEEDED ME IN THAT PLACE, MAN.

>> PERRY LOTT'S IN BAD SHAPE PHYSICALLY.AND FINANCIALLY.

HE'S IN NEED OF A MAJOR SURGERY.

FUND-RAISING EFFORTS NATIONWIDE.THROUGH THE INNOCENCE PROJECT ARE UNDERWAY.

RICH.

>>> THE HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AT KINGFISHER HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH CHILD NEGLECT FOR ALLOWING VIOLENT HAZING TO TAKE PLACE UNDER HIS WATCH.

JEFF MYERS, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE "OKLAHOMA COACHES HALL OF FAME" FACES ONE FELONY COUNT FOR FAILING TO PROTECT HIS STUDENTS FROM HARM.

IN ADDITION, THE FATHER OF ONE OF THE PLAYERS WHO WAS ABUSED, HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FAILURE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE, WHICH IS A MISDEMEANOR-- AND A TEACHER, DANA GOLBECK, FACES THE SAME MISDEMEANOR CHARGE.

>>> LAWMAKERS HEARD FROM EXPERTS IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE THIS WEEK ABOUT HOW AI CAN IMPACT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THIS COMES JUST AFTER GOVERNOR STITT FORMED AN AI TASK FORCE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW THE TECHNOLOGY CAN BE USED TO ENHANCE STATE SERVICES AND WHAT KIND OF SECURITY MEASURES NEED TO BE PUT INTO PLACE.

EXPERTS FROM MICROSOFT AND DELL SAY THERE ARE WAYS THAT STATE GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS CAN IMPLEMENT AI TO IMPROVE PRODUCTS, SERVICES AND OUTCOMES.

>> THE ENERGY SECTOR.

BAKER HUGHES IS PARTNERING WITH C THREE AI.

THIS IS TOM SIEBEL'S NOW PUBLICLY TRADED, YOU KNOW, AI COMPANY THAT I WORKED WITH AT MICROSOFT.

AND THEY'RE FINDING THAT OUT, OUT IN THE OIL AND GAS FIELDS, THEY CAN INCREASE PRODUCTION BY 10%, DROP COST BY 20% WHILE ALSO PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT SO THERE'S LESS METHANE OFF GASSING, ET CETERA.

AND THAT'S IN THE OIL FIELD.

>> WE'RE ALSO WORKING WITH SOME OTHER CUSTOMERS ON IS BETTER WEATHER PREDICTION.

AND YOU'RE LIKE, YEAH, OKAY GREAT.

I CAN LOOK OUTSIDE AND GET A BETTER PREDICTION THAN MOST THINGS.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT THAT TYPE OF PREDICTIONS, TORNADOES, HURRICANES, WHAT THE IMPACT IS GONNA BE THE BEST WAY TO SOLVE IT.

HOW DO YOU GO OUT AND DEPLOY A 5G NETWORK TO BE ABLE TO RUN DRONES AND EXECUTE A WHOLE EMERGENCY SITUATION QUICKLY AND GET INTO THE AREAS THAT MATTER THE MOST?

>> THE EXPERTS ALSO NOTED THAT THE KEY TO MAKING AI AN EFFECTIVE AND USEFUL TOOL IS TO ALLOW FOR RESPONSIBLE EXPERIMENTATION WITH THE TECHNOLOGY.

>>> THE "JOHN H. WILLIAMS TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE" IS LOCATED JUST NORTH OF PAWHUSKA IN OSAGE COUNTY.

IT'S THE LARGEST PROTECTED SECTION OF TALLGRASS PRAIRIE LEFT IN THE WORLD.

THIS WEEK, THE PRESERVE CELEBRATED ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY-- AND JASON DOYLE WAS ON HAND FOR THE FESTIVITIES.

JASON?

>> TAELYR, BEFORE THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE WAS ESTABLISHED AND BISON RETURNED TO THE AREA.THE LAST RECORDED LIVING WILD BISON IN OKLAHOMA WAS KILLED IN 1851 IN OSAGE COUNTY.

NEARLY 175 YEARS LATER.THAT PROTECTED AREA IS NOW HOME TO A THRIVING BISON HERD.

>> THIS THRIVING BISON HERD, ARE THE RESULT OF A FAILURE.

>> IN 1984 AN EFFORT BEGAN HERE TO BE OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.

A BILL WAS INTRODUCED IN 1987, IN 1988 THAT BILL DIED.

>> BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FAILED TO GET THE INLAND 1988, SOME OF IT WAS SOLD.

>> THE NATURE CONSERVANCY REALIZED IF THEY DIDN'T ACT QUICKLY THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE SIGNIFICANT CHUNKS OF TALL GRASS PRAIRIE WOULD SOON BE LOST.

>> THE ORGANIZATION WAS ABLE TO RAISE THE MONEY AND PURCHASE THE LAND THAT WOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE RETURN OF THE TALL GRASS PRAIRIE OF NORTHERN OKLAHOMA.

>> IN 1989, THE CONSERVANCY, BOUGHT THE 29,000 PLUS ACRES FROM THE FAMILY AND STARTED THE PRESERVE.

I TELL PEOPLE THE NATURE CONSERVANCY DID IN FIVE YEARS WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD NOT DO IN 50.

>> AFTER WORKING THE LAND FOR A FEW YEARS, THE GIFT WAS GIVEN TO THE NATURE CONSERVANCY.

A HERD OF BISON.

>> I WAS HERE 30 YEARS AGO, A VERY EARLY MORNING IN THE PRESENCE OF -- THAT MORNING WHEN THE BISON WERE RELEASED, AND REMEMBER THAT FENCE WAS THERE, I JUST KNEW THEY WOULD CRASH THROUGH THE FENCE.

THEY WERE HAULING.

>> I WAS THE FIRST DIRECTOR, I WAS HIRED IN DECEMBER OF 1990, AND I WAS THERE FOR THE BISON RELEASE.

30 YEARS AGO TO THIS DAY.

>> HE SAYS THE EXPERIENCE OF SEEING THE BISON RETURN TO THE PRAIRIE WAS AN AMAZING SIGHT.

>> THEY WENT THUNDERING BY AND ABOUT EVERYONE THERE WAS MOVED TO TIERS.

IT WAS AMAZING -- TEARS.

IT WAS AMAZING.

300 ANIMALS INITIALLY INTRODUCED ON TO 5,000 ACRES.

AND THE BISON DONATED AND THAT'S WHY WE NAMED THE HERD THE KRISTINA ADAMS HERD.

>> WE ASSIST THEM AND RESEARCH PROJECTS, BUT BISON MANAGEMENT, FIRE MANAGEMENT, YOU NAME IT, WE DO IT.

>> WHAT ARE THE MAJOR BENEFITS, TO GIVE THE SCIENTISTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY HOW THE ECO SYSTEM WORKS.

>> WE HAVE ANYWHERE FROM THE BEETLE, TO GREATER PRAIRIE CHICKENS, FROM COYOTES TO BISON DYNAMICS OUT IN THE PASTURE.

>> TALL GRASS PRAIRIE IS USED TO SPAN MOST OF THE MIDSECTION IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE REMAINING DWINDLED OVER THE YEARS.

THE BISON CAN BE STUDIED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> THIS HABITAT IS AMAZING.

WE ONLY HAVE 4% OF IT LEFT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHARE THE MILESTONES, IT'S IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE IMPORTANTSY OF THE WORK.

>> A SCIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE BASED ORGANIZATION, THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF US UNDERSTANDING WE NEED TO DO TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

SO ALL THAT RESEARCH HAS HELPED US ADJUST AND CONTINUE FORWARD ON CONSERVING THE PRAIRIE HERE AND THE BIG PART OF THAT IS THE BISON.

>> BUT RESEARCH IS THE MAIN STAY.

THE MISSION IS TO CONSERVE THE MAIN PART OF THE TALL GRASS PRAIRIE.

THAT TAKES A TEAM.

>> IT'S NOT JUST THE RESEARCHERS THAT WE WORK WITH, BUT CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, LAND OWNERS.

IT TAKES EVERYONE TO GET CONSERVATION DONE.

THERE'S NO ORGANIZATION THAT CAN DO IT BY THEMSELVES.

>> THE BISON PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL, THEY'RE NOW HELPING TRIBES TO ESTABLISH THEIR OWN BISON HERD IN THEIR TRIBAL LAND.

>> LAST YEAR WE GAVE 200 TO THE INTERTRIBAL BUFFALO COUNCIL.

THIS YEAR WE'RE GIVING A NUMBER ALSO, LESS THAN THAT BUT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF BISON.

>> WE'RE REALLY EXCITED TO BE SUPPORTING THE EFFORT THAT THE TRIBAL COUNCIL WAS DOING TO BRING MORE BISON BACK TO TRIBAL LANDS.

AND THE TRIBES WHERE THE BISON IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CULTURE.

EVEN IF IT'S A SMALL PART.

>> THE REST OF THE SURPLUS BISON IS SOLD ON ONLINE AUCTION AND USED FROM EVERYTHING FROM MEAT PRODUCTION TO AUGMENTING OTHER HERDS.

THE HERD GOT STARTED THREE DECADES AGO BEING SOME WERE PREDICTING IT WOULD TAKE 100 YEARS TO REDEVELOP INTO A PRISTINE STATE.

>> WE LOOK AT THINGS MORE IN LONG TERM.

AND OF COURSE, BACK THEN, 100 YORES WAS 100 YEARS.

BUT NOW 30 YEARS INTO THAT -- >> A QUICK PROGRAMMING NOTE: O.E.T.A.

'S DOCUMENTARY ON THE HISTORY OF BISON IN OKLAHOMA, "WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM" DEBUTED THIS WEEK-- AND YOU CAN WATCH IT AGAIN THIS COMING MONDAY EVENING AT 9PM, RIGHT HERE ON O.E.T.A.

TAELYR.

>>> BY A 3-2 VOTE, A STATE BOARD HAS APPROVED THE CONTRACT FOR THE "ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL-- THE FIRST SCHOOL OF IT'S KIND IN THE UNITED STATES HOWEVER, IT'S ALREADY FACING LEGAL CHALLENGES FROM THOSE OPPOSED TO USING TAXPAYER MONEY TO HELP PAY FOR IT.

WILL THE SCHOOL BECOME A REALITY?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD.

>> ERIN, DO YOU THINK THE SCHOOL WILL EVER BE A REALITY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I, I THINK THEY'RE TESTING CONSTITUTION CONSTITUTIONALITY, AND I THINK THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE SOME NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.

THE FOLKS THAT ARE BACKING THIS SCHOOL, I THINK THEY SEE MAYBE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE, TO CREATE A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING PUBLIC SCHOOL.

THAT IS NOT THE WAY WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY VIEWED IT BY LAW.

>> THIS BOARD IS DISSOLVING, SO FOLLOWING THESE, YOU KNOW, VERY, YOU KNOW, HIGHLY WATCHED, HIGHLY CONTROVERSIAL VOTES.

THE LEGISLATURE LAST SESSION VOTED TO REPLACE IT WITH A WHOLE DIFFERENT BOARD, A LARGER BOARD WITH MORE MEMBERS THAT WILL OVERSEE BOTH VIRTUAL CHARTERS AND SOME BRICK AND MORTAR CHARTERS.

AND SO THAT'S ALSO, YOU KNOW, KIND OF IMPACTING HOW THESE BOARD MEMBERS ARE, YOU KNOW, COMING AND GOING.

THEY'RE RESIGNING, THEY'RE, THEY'RE BEING PLACED ON THE BOARD.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> OCTOBER IS RECOGNIZED AS NATIONAL PRINCIPALS MONTH IN EDUCATION.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THE U.S ARE HONORING THE HARDWORKING PRINCIPALS IN THEIR DISTRICT.

THIS WEEK I SPOKE WITH A FEW PRINCIPALS IN THE STATE ABOUT THEIR DEDICATION TO OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

>> THAT'S BEAUTIFUL.

GREAT WORK. '

>> STUDENTS EXCEL IN SCHOOL WHEN THEY HAVE PASSIONATE AND SKILLFUL TEACHERS.

BUT WHO HELPS CULTIVATE A CULTURE IN A SCHOOL WHERE BOTH STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THRIVE?

RICHMAND ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL, JOY CAYWOOD SAYS PRINCIPALS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING A SAFE AND EFFICIENT SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT.

>> I THINK ULTIMATELY THE CULTURE THAT, THAT A PRINCIPAL SET IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT A PRINCIPAL CAN DO.

SO A CULTURE THAT ENCOURAGES HIGH LEVELS OF LEARNING, OBVIOUSLY, BUT ALSO A CULTURE THAT MAKES SCHOOL A PLACE THAT PEOPLE WANNA BE.

SO I THINK ABOUT THAT OFTEN.

HOW CAN I MAKE THIS A PLACE THAT MY STUDENTS WANNA BE, BUT MY STAFF ALSO WANTS TO BE, AND HOW CAN I HELP THEM ENJOY THE WORK THAT THEY DO EVEN MORE.

>> BESIDES COMMUNICATION, RELATIONSHIPS, THE, THE NEXT MOST IMPORTANT THING, IT MIGHT BE THE NUMBER ONE.

AND THEN COMMUNICATION.

THEY KIND OF JOCKEY IN BETWEEN RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR TEACHERS AND YOUR FAMILIES.

GOSH, YOU'RE NOT GONNA MAKE IT IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE.

WE'VE SAT IN THIS OFFICE AND WE'VE CRIED.

WE'VE SHARED, I'VE HAD SECRETS.

>> ROBIN HOLLEY IS THE PRINCIPAL AT THE LINCOLN LEARNING CENTER IN EL RENO.

COMMUNICATION AND TEACHER SUPPORT ARE ESSENTIAL.AND LANAE GOUCHER AT HILLCREST ELEMENTARY, AGREES, ADDING.

>> THE FIRST THING I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT WAS FINDING THE GOLD IN EACH OTHER.

AND WHEN WE'RE DOING THAT, WE'RE GONNA BE OUR BEST FOR KIDS.

AND JUST HAVING A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE FROM THE BEGINNING.

EVERYBODY WALKS IN THAT DOOR.

THAT'S, THAT'S WHAT I BRING AND I'M JUST AN ENCOURAGER AND THAT'S MY STRENGTH.

>> ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN THE MOORE PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT CAME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THEIR TEACHERS BY IMPLEMENTING "RESPONSES TO INTERVENTION" OR "RTIS" IN ALL 25 MPS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS >> IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE ALL DO ALL OVER THE STATE, NO MATTER WHAT DISTRICT YOU'RE WORKING IN.

BUT MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS SPECIAL BECAUSE OUR PRINCIPALS RECOGNIZED A NEED FOR A UNIFORM SYSTEM FOR TEACHERS TO IMPLEMENT.

SO IF A STUDENT IS BEHIND 40TH PERCENTILE OR BELOW ON OUR BENCHMARKS THAT WE GIVE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, THEY, THEY ARE THEN PLACED ON R T I AND THAT JUST MEANS THAT WE'RE GIVING THEM A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TIME TRYING TO FILL.

>> MOORE SCHOOLS TRACK STUDENT PROGRESS IN READING AND MATH, AND SHARE THAT INFORMATION USING A UNIVERSAL SYSTEM OF CHARTS AND GRAPHS.

>> THEY ALSO LOVE THE FACT THAT IT WAS UNIFORM THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT.

SO IF THEY GO FROM ONE MORE PUBLIC SCHOOL TO ANOTHER, WHICH HAPPENS QUITE OFTEN, THE KIDS ARE ALREADY SET UP.

>> EDWARDS SAYS THIS SYSTEM IS THE PERFECT WAY TO ENCOURAGE STUDENT ACADEMIC GROWTH AND SUPPORT TEACHERS AS THEY HELP STUDENTS REACH NEW GOALS.

>> I THINK ALL OF US WOULD AGREE THAT OUR BIGGEST JOB AND WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR EVERYONE IS TO GIVE STUDENTS WHAT THEY NEED WHEN THEY NEED IT.

AND, AND THIS SYSTEM IS A GREAT SYSTEM, A GREAT TOOL FOR THAT.

>> ONE THING ALL OF THESE OKLAHOMA PRINCIPALS HAVE IN COMMON IS THEY DON'T JUST SIT BEHIND THE DESK THEY INTERACT WITH STUDENTS DAILY.

>> WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN GOING INTO THE CLASSROOMS.

THE KIDS KNOW WHO WE ARE AND THEY CAN TELL US WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

>> I REALLY FEEL LIKE BEING OUT IN THE HALLS, BEING IN THE ROOMS, BEING OUT ON THE FRONT, OUT IN THE FRONT IN THE MORNING, GETTING KIDS OUT OF CARS AT THE END OF THE DAY, PUTTING KIDS ON IN CARS AND IN BUSES, THAT'S A BIG PART OF MY DAY.

>> IT'S NEVER BORING.

IT'S DIFFERENT EVERY DAY.

I MEAN, YOU, YOU CAN SET A SCHEDULE, YOU CAN SET YOUR NOTES AT THE END OF THE DAY ON WHAT YOU NEED TO GET DONE FOR TOMORROW.

AND WHEN YOU ARRIVE YOU'RE GONNA DO WHAT THE DAY TELLS YOU TO DO.

SO I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE FUN PARTS ABOUT THE JOB.

IT'S NOT MUNDANE, IT'S NOT BORING, IT'S EVER-CHANGING.

WE'RE ALWAYS KEEPING UP WITH, YOU KNOW, NEW STANDARDS, NEW CURRICULUM, NEW TEACHERS, NEW POLICIES, AND WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO STAY ON OUR TOES FOR THAT.

>> ANDERSON AND HOLLEY SAY ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING PARTS OF THEIR JOB IS SEEING THE IMPACT THEY MAKE IN EACH STUDENT'S LIFE.

>> ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE HERE IS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR, WE, THE GRADUATES FROM DEER CREEK HIGH SCHOOL COME AND WE CLAP THEM THROUGH THE SCHOOL AND WE CELEBRATE THEM.

AND IT'S ALWAYS SO AMAZING JUST TO SEE THEM WALK IN FROM THE PARKING LOT.

>> I HAVE A TEACHER HERE THAT WAS A STUDENT OF MINE WHEN I TAUGHT SECOND GRADE.

SO IT'S COMING FULL CIRCLE.

BUT IT'S FUN NOW THAT WHEN MY KIDDOS, WHETHER IT WAS WHEN I WAS TEACHING OR BEING A PRINCIPAL, HAVE GROWN UP AND THEY REQUEST YOU, YOU KNOW, ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOU GET TO FOLLOW 'EM OR THEY SEND YOU BABY ANNOUNCEMENTS OR GRADUATION ANNOUNCEMENTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> THIS IS MY DREAM JOB.

I LOVE WHAT I DO EVERY DAY.

>> CAYWOOD AND HOLLEY SAY THEY DIDN'T ENVISION A CAREER IN EDUCATION WHEN THEY WERE STARTING OUT, BUT NOW SAY THEY WOULDN'T CHANGE IT FOR THE WORLD.

>> IT REALLY IS A WONDERFUL PLACE WHERE PEOPLE ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO THE BEST FOR EACH OTHER.

AND SO JUST COMING TO WORK AS A JOY, WE HAVE GREAT KIDS AND JUST TEACHERS AND STAFF IN EVERY POSITION THAT ARE DEDICATED TO THEIR BEST INTERESTS.

>> I'VE TRIED TO LEAVE A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT I FEEL LIKE GOD HAS A PLAN FOR EVERYBODY.

AND MY PLAN HAS BEEN EDUCATION.

>>> FARMERS AND RANCHERS IN OKLAHOMA ARE KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON DEVELOPMENTS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.BECAUSE THEY ARE WORKING WITHOUT A FARM BILL RIGHT NOW.

THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION WHICH PROVIDES FOR THINGS LIKE CROP INSURANCE AND SNAP BENEFITS EXPIRED AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

DR. AMY HAGERMAN OF THE OSU EXTENSION OFFICE TOLD "SUNUP" BOTH THE BUDGET AND A NEW FARM BILL ARE IMPORTANT TO AG-PRODUCERS.

>> BECAUSE WE ARE ON A 45 DAY CONTINUING RESOLUTION FOR THE BUDGET, I EXPECT WE'LL SEE A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND THE BUDGET IN THE COMING WEEKS.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FARM BILL AS WELL BECAUSE THE BUDGET DETERMINES THE MONEY FOR A LOT OF THOSE PROGRAMS.

SOME OF THE AUTHORIZATIONS, WE DEFINITELY NEED THOSE IN THE NEAR TERM.

BUT THE BUDGET'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE FARM BILL DISCUSSION AS WELL.

I ANTICIPATE THAT WE WILL GET SOME SORT OF CONTINUATION ON THE FARM BILL THAT WILL ALLOW US TO BRING FARM BILL DISCUSSIONS OUT INTO THE SPRING, AT THE VERY LEAST.

>> IF CONGRESS FAILS TO PASS A CONTINUATION OF THE 2018 FARM BILL OR A NEW BILL ISN'T PASSED RELATIVELY SOON, IT COULD CAUSE ISSUES WITH DISASTER PROGRAMS FOR CROPS AND OTHER PROGRAMS.

>> ENERGY TAKES CENTER STAGE IN BUSINESS THIS WEEK.

RICH LENZ HAS THE DETAILS IN THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW".

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS ISSUED A PROCLAMATION, THE FOURTH ANNUAL OKLAHOMA CAREERS WEEK.

ACCORDING TO A STUDY OF THE BOARD, THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY SUPPORTED ALMOST 199,000 JOBS AND CONTRIBUTED $65 BILLION TO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

OKLAHOMA IS THE FIFRT LARGEST PRODUCER OF NATURAL GAS AND IS THIRD IN THE NATION IN WIND POWER PRODUCTION.

HOWEVER, OKLAHOMA RANKS THE LEAST -- RANKED 39TH IN HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

36TH IN VEHICLE FUEL EFFICIENCY.

THE AVERAGE AMERICAN HOUSEHOLD SPENDS $2,000 ON THE UTILITIES.

BY UNANIMOUS VOTE, STILLWATER NAMED THE NEW CITY MANAGER.

WHO RETIRED AFTER 46 YEARS OF SERVICE IN FEBRUARY.

CURRENTLY THE CITY MANAGER AND HELD A SIMILAR POSITION WITH THE CITY OF DIAMOND.

THE AMERICAN PAINT HORSE ASSOCIATION, PROMOTED A GRADUATE TO BE THE NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

OKLAHOMAENS LIKE TO GET THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING EARLY.

ALMOST 59% OF THE SENIOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING IS DONE IN OCTOBER.

RANKING OKLAHOMA EIGHTH IN THE NATION FOR GETTING AN EARLY START.

PARTNERED WITH THE OKLAHOMA CITY CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION TO DELIVER HUNDREDS OF NEW COATS TO CHILDREN.

92% OF THE CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> THE ARCHDIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA CITY IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO MAKING THE "ST. ISADORE OF SEVILLE CATHOLIC VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL" A REALITY AFTER A STATE BOARD VOTED LAST WEEK, 3-2 TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT TO CREATE WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST SCHOOL OF IT'S KIND IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT LEGAL CHALLENGES HAVE BEEN FILED BY GROUPS WHO SAY USING PUBLIC FUNDING FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL VIOLATES THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD DISCUSSES THOSE ISSUES IN THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION.

>> THANKS WE INVITED THE -- FROM THE ARCH -- THE LEGISLATION OF ACTION CITY AND THE REPORTER, JENNIFER PALMER.

LET'S BEGIN WITH THE PENDING LITIGATION.

WHO WAS FILED SUIT AND WHO'LL ULTIMATELY DECIDE IF THE SCHOOL IS A REALITY.

>> THERE'S ONE LAWSUIT ABOUT OVER THE SCHOOL TRYING TO HALT THE START OF IT.

AND THAT IS FROM THE OKLAHOMA PARENTS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND A GROUP OF OTHER PARENTS, TAXPAYERS, SOME OTHER FOLKS WHO BELIEVE THAT -- THIS SHOULDN'T BE PUBLICLY FUNDED BASICALLY.

>> THE BOARD MEMBERS VOTED NO, THE ORGANIZATION AGREES WITH IT, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY?

>> WHY THEY VOTED NO?

WHAT THEY SAID ON PUBLIC RECORD IS THEY BELIEVE IT'S ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL FOR THE STATE TO FUND THIS SCHOOL, AND WE AGREE WITH THAT.

>> JENNIFER, THREE BOARD MEMBERS VOTED YES, WHAT WAS THE REASONING FOR DOING SO?

>> THEY BELIEVE THAT -- DENYING THE SCHOOL TO THE ARCHDIOCESE WOULD INFRINGE ON THEIR BELIEFS.

A LOT OF THE VOTES ARE SPLIT 3-2.

>> THE MAJOR THING IS IT FLIES IN THE FACE OF OKLAHOMA LAW.

CHILDREN OF OKLAHOMA ARE GUARANTEED A PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT'S FREE FROM DISCRIMINATION AND -- INFLUENCE.

IN THIS, THEY OPENLY SAY THEY MAY VERY WELL DISCRIMINATE AGAINST STUDENTS BASED ON THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS.

>> DOES THIS SET A PRECEDENCE?

>> I BELIEVE IT DOES.

IF YOU OPEN THE DOOR FOR A SINGLE FACE TO BEGIN OPERATING SCHOOLS FUNDED BY TAXPAYERS, THEN YOU HAVE TO ALLOW ALL OF THE -- TO DO THE SAME.

>> WILL STUDENTS ALL BACKGROUNDS, THE RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS AND SEXUAL GENDER ORIENTATIONS BE ALLOWED IN THE SCHOOL?

>> THAT'S A MAJOR QUESTION.

AND IN THE SCHOOL'S APPLICATION, THEY HAVE RESERVED THE RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THE STUDENTS THAT DON'T ALIGN WITH THE RELIGIOUS -- THEY'RE TEACHING AT THE SCHOOL.

>> JENNIFER, DID UPTO FOLLOW?

>> COULD I ADD TO THAT, I DID REVIEW THE POLITIC AND AS WELL AS THE CONTRACT.

THAT'S WHAT THEY'RE NEGOTIATING RIGHT NOW.

THEY DID ADD A PROVISION THEY'LL NOT DISCRIMINATE IN ENROLLMENT ON A NUMBER OF FACES, INCLUDING RELIGION AND OTHER THINGS.

THE EXPULSIONS, THAT WOULD NOT ALIGN WITH THEIR FAITH AND THAT COULD BE -- EVEN IF THEY SAY THEY'LL NOT DISCRIMINATE IN ENROLLMENT, THERE'S STILL SOME ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED.

>> AND WILL THERE BE DIFFERENCES WITH HOW THIS CHARTER SCHOOL FUNCTIONS COMPARED TO OTHERS?

>> THEY HAD TO WRITE A WHOLE DIFFERENT CONTRACT.

BASICALLY, WRITE IN THERE TO ALLOW THEM TO NOT FOLLOW SOME LAWS.

IT VIOLATES THE FAITH.

AND THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE OTHER SCHOOL'S CONTRACTS, AND THEY DID DISCUSS IN THE MEETING, THIS COULD BE A TEMPLATE FOR FUTURE CONTRACT RENEWALS AND NEW SCHOOLS.

>> WHY DOES IT FEEL THE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE STATE ENTITIES, AND NOT PRIVATE ENTITIES.

>> THAT'S A KEY QUESTION IN THIS LITIGATION.

WE BELIEVE THE LAW SAYS THAT CHARTER SCHOOLS, WHETHER VIRTUAL OR BRICK AND MORTAR ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND THEY MUST ABIDE BY THE SAME RULES THAT TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS ABIDE BY.

>> JENNIFER, IF THEY GET THROUGH THE LEGAL CHALLENGES, HOW WILL IT BE FUNDED?

>> IT'S STATE FUNDED.

THEY DON'T COLLECT PROPERTY TAX, SO THERE'S NO FUNDING COMING TO THE SCHOOLS.

THEY CAN GET SOME FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LOW INCOME STUDENTS OR SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS.

BUT OTHERWISE, IT ALL COMES FROM THE STATE.

>> IT'LL BE THE SAME AS OTHER VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> LOOKS LIKE IT, YES.

>> ARE YOU CONCERNED THIS CHARTER SCHOOL WILL TAKE ITS MONEY AWAY FROM THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS?

>> THAT'S A REAL CONCERN, WE ALREADY FEEL THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE UNDERRESOURCED.

THERE'S MORE NEED WE'RE NOT MEETING IN THE SCHOOLS CURRENTLY.

FOR THE TAXPAYERS TO BE ASKED TO FUND A RELIGIOUS INSTITUTION, IT DOES DRAW MONEY AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND ARE FOLLOWING THE LAW.

>> THIS IS A DEVIL'S ADVOCATE QUESTION, WHAT'S WRONG WITH SCHOOL CHOICE?

>> NOTHING WRONG WITH SCHOOL CHOICE.

OKLAHOMA HAS A ROBUST SCHOOL CHOICE OPPORTUNITY.

>> DID YOU KNOW IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE MORE SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS THAN THE NEIGHBORING STATES.

AND WE SPEND MORE AS A STATE ON PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION THAN ALL THE NEIGHBORING STATES COMBINED.

AND YET, THE PARENTS IN OKLAHOMA CHOOSE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

90% MORE THAN THAT, SCHOOL CHOICE IS NOT BAD.

PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE DECISIONS OF WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ARE EDUCATED.

BUT THE STATE IS REQUIRED TO FUND A SYSTEM OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAT DOESN'T DISCRIMINATE AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL, AND PROVIDES THE RESOURCE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EVERY LEARNER.

THAT NEEDS TO BE THE -- >> SCHOOL CHOICE IS MUCH DISCUSSED.

WE CERTAINLY COVER A LOT OF THE STATEWIDE SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

MAINLY IN THE ACCOUNTABILITY ANGLE.

THAT'S ONE THING WE HAVE SEEN FALL SHORT A LOT OF THE TIMES.

THE LAW ALLOWS CERTAIN EXEMPTIONS, AND WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE SCHOOLS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT.

OR MISUSE PUBLIC DOLLARS AND THAT'S ONE THING OKLAHOMA WATCH REALLY TRY TO KEEP AN EYE ON AND REPORT ON IS THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC DOLLARS.

THAT WOULD BE ONE CONCERN OF MINE.

>> HOW WOULD THIS ENTIRE SITUATION SET OKLAHOMA APART FROM OTHER DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS AND STATES.

>> THE NATION'S FIRST.

THE ONLY STATE TO BE DOING THIS.

>> JENNIFER, ARE THERE ANY OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OR CHURCHES IN OKLAHOMA THAT HAVE APPLIED TO START A SCHOOL THEMSELVES?

>> NOT THAT I'M AWARE OF.

I THINK THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING WHAT OKLAHOMA DOES, IT WOULD -- WOULD WANT TO FOLLOW SUIT AND ALSO TRY TO GET PUBLIC APPROVAL AND STATE CHARTER.

BUT YEAH, THIS IS NEW GROUND.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BOARD.

ARE THERE USUALLY SPLIT VOTES?

>> THIS BOARD HAS BEEN REALLY INTERESTING.

I HAVE BEEN WRITING ABOUT IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

THIS BOARD OVERSEES ALL VIRTUAL SCHOOLS.

THEY HAD A VERY CONTENTIOUS CONTRACT WITH EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AFTER THE AUDIT CAME OUT AND FOUND A LOT OF ISSUES.

AND THEY WERE REALLY UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT TRYING TO GET ETHIC BACK IN A PLACE WHERE THEY FELT LIKE THEY WERE ACCOUNTABLE FOR TAXPAYERS.

AND THEN SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THEY HAD RESIGNATIONS IN THE BOARD.

IT'S A FIVE MEMBER BOARD, AND THEY DROPPED DOWN TO JUST 2.

THE STATUTE REQUIRED THREE.

THEY COULDN'T EVEN MEET AND DO BUSINESS FOR A WHILE.

THERE'S NOW QUESTIONS OF WHETHER THE NEW MEMBERS ARE ABLE TO VOTE.

>> WHY IS THIS SUCH A DEVICIVE ISSUE AMONG THE PARENTS AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM?

>> I'M NOT SURE IT IS.

I THINK A MAJORITY OF THE PARENTS DON'T BELIEVE THIS SCHOOL IS CONSTITUTIONAL OR SHOULD EXIST.

I'M NOT SURE THERE'S A LOT OF DIVISION ON THE PARENT'S SIDE.

THEY AGREE THAT FAITH BASED EDUCATION HAS A PLACE IN THE SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY.

IT'S JUST NOT TO BE FUNDED BY THE STATE.

I THINK WE HAVE LEADERS THAT ARE MAKING IT APPEAR THAT WAY.

>> THERE'S HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS.

OVERWHELMINGLY NEARLY ALL OF THEM WERE IN OPPOSITION TO THE SCHOOL.

AND CATHOLICS WEIGHED IN AND SAID, WE DON'T WANT THIS SCHOOL.

BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY'RE GOING ABOUT DOING THIS.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH COULD OPEN THE SCHOOL.

THEY COULD HAVE OPENED AS A PRIVATE SCHOOL.

THEY'RE FULLY ABLE TO DO THAT.

IT'S THE CONTRACT WITH THE STATE THAT IS WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO BREAK NEW GROUND ON.

IF IT WAS ABOUT THE SCHOOL, THEY COULD HAVE DONE THAT ALREADY.

>> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK CLASSES CAN BEGIN?

>> NEXT FALL, IF THERE WAS A COURT ORDER OR SOMETHING TO PUT A HALT TO THAT, IT COULD BE YEARS.

>> DO YOU THINK THE SCHOOL WILL EVER BE A REALITY?

>> I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK THEY'RE TESTING CONSTITUTIONALITY, AND I THINK THEY UNDERSTAND THERE'S NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF FOLKS BACKING THIS SCHOOL.

MAYBE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A DIFFERENT WAY OF DOING PUBLIC SCHOOL THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE HAVE TRADITIONALLY VIEWED IT BY LAW.

AND EITHER THEY'RE HOPING TO CHANGE THE LAW OR TWIST THE WAY WE UNDERSTAND IT.

BUT I DON'T SEE HOW THERE'S ANY CONSTITUTIONAL BACK FORKING A COURT TO -- BACKING FOR A COURT TO SIDE WITH A SCHOOL.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THEY CHOSE THIS ROUTE INSTEAD OF BECOMING A PRIVATE SCHOOL?

>> NOT HAVING THE DOLLARS MAKING IT HARD TO COMPETE WITH ANOTHER SCHOOL THAT'S STATE FUNDED.

IF STUDENTS HAVE THE CHOICE, THEY DO, TO A FREE PUBLIC VIRTUAL SCHOOL AND THEIR SCHOOL, THAT HAD TO CHARGE TUITION, THEY'RE SAYING THAT'S NOT A FAIR COMPETITION.

>> ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

>> I'M NOT SURE WE'RE TRYING TO SET UP SCHOOLS TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH ONE ANOTHER.

SO I THINK THE VIEW THAT WE SHOULD HAVE COMPETITIVE ENTITIES IN EDUCATION MEANS SOME KIDS LOSE.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOL IS SO VALUABLE.

AND I WOULD ALSO SAY THEY'RE PURSUING THIS MESSAGE THEY WOULD LIKE ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

AND THEY SEE THE NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS.

>> ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD OR EXPLAIN TO THE VIEWERS OF OKLAHOMA ABOUT THIS ISSUE?

>> I THINK KEEPING AN EYE ON THE SPOSHTH THERE'S ONE -- BOARD, THERE'S ONE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T SAID, THIS BOARD IS DISSOLVING.

TO REPLACE IT WITH LARGER BOARD AND MORES THAT'LL OVERSEE VIRTUAL CHARTERS AND SOME BRICK AND MORTAR CHARTERS.

THAT'S ALSO IMPACTING IMPACTING COMING AND GOING, RESIGNING, REPLACED ON THE PARODY ALL IN THE BACKGROUND, THIS BOARD WILL NOT EXIST AT THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> LET'S NOT MISUNDERSTAND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS A RIGHT TO OPEN A SCHOOL, AND CHRISTIAN EDUCATION HAS A RIGHT TOO.

THEY'RE GOOD SCHOOLS.

BUT THE TAXPAYERS AND STUDENT HAVE A RIGHT TO NOT BE -- >> THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>>> THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW" TAKES US NORTH TO ALASKA, WHERE PEOPLE LIVING ON KODIAK ISLAND ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE FRESH PRODUCE YEAR-ROUND DESPITE THE HARSH CONDITIONS.

REPORTER KIRSTEN DOBROTH WITH "ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA", HAS THE STORY.

>> IT WAS A RAINY SUMMER IN THE NATIVE VILLAGE.

BY LATE JULY, ROWS OF VEGETABLES WERE READY FOR HARVEST.

>> THAT'S A RADISH.

PERFECT RIGHT THERE.

>> HE RUNS THE TWO ACRE FARM IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF KODIAK ISLAND.

THERE'S A COOP WHERE A FLOCK OF CHICKENS LAY EGGS.

>> WE HAVE FOUR OF THESE, WE HAVE RECEIVED ONE SO FAR.

>> THE WOODEN PLATFORMS, LOOK TO -- EACH GROWN FROM THE SHIPPING CONTAINERS.

THEY'LL BE GAME CHANGERS, ALLOWING THE FARM TO GROW MORE PRODUCE THROUGH THE YEAR.

>> YEAR ROUND PRODUCTION OF TOMATOES, PEPPERS, CUCUMBERS, AND WE WANT WATERMELONS.

>> AND ANOTHER IS IN THE CITY.

EACH ONE IS COMMUNITY OR TRIBALY OWNED.

THE VILLAGE LEADERS STARTED TO SERIOUSLY LOOK AT FOOD SECURITY ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO.

>> THERE'S NOT ANY AGENCY OR FOLKS -- >> IN THE CUE IN, THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE'S PROJECT MANAGER.

THE ORGANIZATION TAPPED INTO FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FOR THE FARM.

95% OF ALASKA'S FOOD IS SHIPPED IN FROM ELSEWHERE.

>> SOMETIMES WHAT YOU GET IS SPOILED OR NOT USABLE.

>> FROZEN FOOD OFTEN THAWS, AND ALL THAT'S SHIPPED IN IS EXPENSIVE.

MANY OF THE VILLAGES, DON'T HAVE A STORY TO PICK UP THE BASICS.

HISTORY HAS TAUGHT THE VILLAGES RESIDENTS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING SELF-SUFFICIENT.

MORE RECENTLY SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES -- >> SOME WERE SKEPTIC.

POPULARITY OF THE FARM GREW SLOWLY OVER TIME.

BUT WHEN COVID HIT, I'VE SEEN A DRASTIC CHANGE IN ATTITUDE.

>> WHILE MUCH OF THE STATE AND COUNTRY GRAPPLED WITH AN EGG SHORTAGE LAST YEAR, THE RESIDENTS HAD FRESH EGGS EVERY MORNING.

BUT THE FARM IS PART OF A BIGGER GOAL TO CREATE A FOOD NETWORK.

ONLINE MARKETPLACE WHERE THE SHOPPERS ACROSS THE ISLAND CAN PLACE WEEKLY ORDERS.

IT MEANS KODIAK ISLAND IN ALUTIC.

IT RECEIVED THE FIRST ORDER.

THE POPULATION HAS SHRUNK OVER THE YEARS.

BUT THERE'S OPTIMISM THAT LONG TERM FOOD SECURITY WILL GIVE PEOPLE A REASON TO STAY.

>> DID YOU FIND STRAWBERRIES?

>> HE'S WORKED ON THE FARM SINCE THE BEGINNING.

HE SAYS COMING HERE EVERY DAY IS LIKE THERAPY.

>> IT'S FOR A REALLY GOOD REASON.

THESE ARE MY PEOPLE AND FAMILY.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF.

>> THE MISSION DRIVES HIM TOO.

HE WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PORT LYONS.

>> MY GOAL IS TO FIND SOMETHING I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT IN MY HOMETOWN.

>> HIS GOAL IS TO DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE FARM.

THERE'S TALK OF OPENING A STORE FOR VILLAGE RESIDENTS TOO.

>> RIGHT NOW I HAVE BASIL AND PARSLEY.

>> IT'LL TAKE TIME, BUT HE'S EXCITED TO WATCH IT GROW.

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

THE FIGHT TO CONTAIN AN INVASIVE SPECIES OF TREE.

WE'RE ON THE SCENE OF A "CONTROLLED BURN" OF RED CEDARS IN BLAINE COUNTY-- STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON WHAT'S BEING DONE--AND WHY.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A VIEW AT LAKE STANLEY DRAPER.

SHOT AND EDITED BY THE OETA PRODUCTION TEAM.

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

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