.

>>> GOVERNOR STITT MAKES HIS PITCH FOR TAX CUTS TO THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I COULDN'T BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH WHAT I'M ASKING A FOR.

AND IT IS TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT, PUT MONEY BACK IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS.

>>> REACTION TO SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS PROPOSED EDUCATION BUDGET.

>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO FOCUSING ON THE CORE AREAS.

READING, MATH, SCIENCE, CIVICS.

>>> CRACKING DOWN ON ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IN OKLAHOMA'S MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> BECAUSE OF ALL THE EFFORT COMBINED ACROSS ALL THE AGENCIES AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, THE GROWING OPERATIONS WERE REDUCED TO 6,299 ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

>>> THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF REDBIRD, ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS.

>> IT'S SPECIAL BECAUSE OF OUR UPBRINGINGS.

THINGS WE WERE RAISED TO LEARN AND DO.

CHILDREN NOW DAYS WON'T EVER GET TO EXPERIENCE IT.

>>> AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION ON REINSTATING A MORATORIUM ON OKLAHOMA'S DEATH PENALTY.

>> WHEN WE CAN'T HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THERE'S CONFIDENCE IN PROSECUTION IN THE CASES THAT THEY'RE PUTTING FORWARD, THEN, THEN IT'S, IT'S REASON ENOUGH TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON.

>> I'M NOT QUITE ON BOARD WITH THE MORATORIUM YET, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE QUESTIONS ON THESE CASES.

THEY OUGHT TO BE DELAYED.

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

>>> HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

DESPITE HAVING "SUPER MAJORITIES" IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT HAS STRUGGLED TO CONVINCE HIS FELLOW REPUBLICANS TO PASS A SIGNIFICANT PACKAGE OF TAX CUTS.

THIS WEEK, HE TRIED FOR A THIRD TIME.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, JASON DOYLE, JOINS US NOW FROM OUR O.E.T.A.

STUDIOS IN THE CAPITOL.

WITH MORE ON THE RESULTS OF THIS WEEK'S "SHORT-LIVED" SPECIAL SESSION.

JASON?

>> RICH.

THE SECOND SPECIAL SESSION OF 2023 LASTED ALL OF FIVE HOURS BEFORE THE SENATE DECIDED TO END THEIR PART OF THE SESSION.

AND LIKE THE FAMOUS LINE FROM THE MOVIE “COOL HAND LUKE ”, LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE.

>> THE SENATE WILL COME TO ORDER.

>> 9:00 TUESDAY MORNING.

THAT'S HOW THIS SPECIAL SESSION BEGAN.

A FEW HOURS LATER.SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT CALLED TO END THE SESSION.

>> I HAD NOT PLANNED ON DOING THE FOLLOWING MOTION TODAY.

BUT WITH THE GOVERNOR NOT ANSWERING THE CALL AND SHOWING UP IN SPECIAL SESSION AND THE APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR A SESSION THAT HE CALLED, AND HAS NOT STILL ARTICULATED A PLAN, I WILL, MR. PRESIDENT.

>> AFTER THE SENATE'S ADJOURNMENT, TREAT SAID HE DID NOT EXPECT TO GAVEL OUT SO SOON.

>> I TRULY WALKED INTO THE BUILDING TODAY NOT KNOWING IF WE'D SINE DIE OR NOT.

ACTUALLY I THOUGHT WE WOULD NOT BECAUSE I HAD BEEN GETTING SOME NOW FAULTY INTEL THAT THE GOVERNOR MAY ACTUALLY SHOW UP.

>> TREAT SAYS THE SENATE WAS FRUSTRATED AT GOVERNOR STITT'S "NO SHOW" FOR THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE HEARING.

INSTEAD THE GOVERNOR HELD A NEWS CONFERENCE THAT INCLUDED HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES MCALL, AND NATIONALLY-KNOWN ANTI-TAX ACTIVIST, GROVER NORQUIST.

>> OKLAHOMA IS SURROUNDED BY STATES MOVING THEIR TAXES DOWN.

BUSINESSES HOPING TO INVEST DON'T JUST ASK, WHAT ARE YOUR TAXES NOW?

THEY ASK WHERE YOUR TAX IS GOING TO BE IN FIVE YEARS, 10 YEARS, 20 YEARS.

>> THE STITT NEWS CONFERENCE BEGAN JUST:30 MINUTES BEFORE WE WAS INVITED TO APPEAR BEFORE THE SENATE.

>> VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT HE CHOSE NOT TO.

IT'S NOT LIKE HE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

IT'S NOT LIKE HE WAS OUT OF THE STATE.

HE WAS DOWNSTAIRS.

HE WAS THREE FLOORS DOWN HOLDING A PRESS CONFERENCE.

>> TREAT SAYS STITT HAS NOT DEFINED HIS PLAN FOR THIS SPECIAL SESSION.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR REALLY WANTS OTHER THAN WHAT HE TWEETS AND WHAT HE TOLD YOU ALL AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY.

I SAW HIS PLAN CUT SPENDING, AND CUT TAXES.

I HAVE YET TO SEE HIM PRESENT A BUDGET THAT DOES THE FIRST PART OF THAT.

>> I CALLED THIS SPECIAL SESSION FOR THREE THINGS.

NUMBER ONE IS BUDGET TRANSPARENCY.

LET'S MAKE SURE THE, THE BUDGET IS MORE TRANSPARENT.

WE HAVE MORE TIME TO LOOK AT IT.

WE HAVE MORE TIME FOR HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS TO OPINE ON THAT.

AND I'VE JUST ASKED FOR 72 HOURS, 72 HOURS TO LOOK OVER THE BUDGET.

I'VE ASKED FOR TAX CUTS AND I'VE ASKED FOR TAX FAIRNESS.

>> DURING HIS PRESS CONFERENCE, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE'S BEEN CLEAR CONCERNING WHAT HE WANTS THE LEGISLATURE TO DO TO HELP PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO OKLAHOMANS.

>> I COULDN'T BE MORE TRANSPARENT WITH WHAT I'M ASKING FOR.

AND IT IS TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT, PUT MONEY BACK IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS AND, AND, AND SLOW THIS, THIS UNSUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN GOVERNMENT.

>> HE BELIEVES OKLAHOMA'S GOVERNMENT CAN AFFORD TO PROVIDE A PERSONAL INCOME TAX CUT NOW.

>> A QUARTER OF A POINT TAX CUT IS $95 MILLION ACCORDING TO THE TAX COMMISSION THIS NEXT YEAR.

AND THEN IT'S 245 MILLION OR 240 MILLION THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

WE CAN ABSOLUTELY DO IT WHEN WE HAVE THESE TYPES OF SURPLUSES.

>> STITT CONTENDS BECAUSE OF THE SURPLUSES.THE LEGISLATURE HAS INCREASED RECURRING EXPENSES AND GROWN STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> THIS IS WHY I REFUSED TO SIGN THE BUDGET LAST YEAR, IS WE CANNOT KEEP SPENDING THESE TYPES OF MONEY.

WE HAVE TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT.

>> THE NEXT DAY.HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL SOUNDED OFF ON THE SUDDEN ENDING TO THE SESSION.

>> WE'RE VERY DISAPPOINTED, OBVIOUSLY, THAT THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION BEFORE THE, WHAT THE SENATE'S ACTION WOULD BE.

WE SPECIFICALLY ASKED THIS, GO AROUND WITH THIS CALL FROM THE GOVERNOR, THAT THE SENATE JUST TELL THE HOUSE WHAT THEY WOULD SUPPORT.

>> MCCALL IS SUPPORTIVE OF GOVERNOR STITT'S INCOME TAX CUT PROPOSAL, AND SAYS THE HOUSE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP IDEAS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> I WANNA MAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR THEM TO ADDRESS THE INFLATION THAT THEY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE IN THEIR PERSONAL BUDGETS AND AFFECTING THEIR FAMILIES.

AND, AND FOR A TAX CODE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THAT CREATES MORE OPPORTUNITY PROSPERITY FOR OUR CITIZENS IN THE FUTURE.

>> MCCALL ALSO AGREES WITH STITT ON CREATING MORE TRANSPARENCY IN THE BUDGETING PROCESS.

>> WE'RE OPEN FOR THAT AT ANY TIME.

IF WE WANT TO DO 72 HOURS ON BUDGET BILLS, WHAT, WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS SUGGESTED, WE CAN DO THAT THROUGH OUR OWN HOUSE RULES.

AND I'M NOT OPPOSED TO THAT CONCEPT AT ALL.

>> BUT HE ALSO THINKS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD PROVIDE HIS PROPOSED BUDGET TO LAWMAKERS 72 HOURS BEFORE REVEALING IT IN HIS "STATE OF THE STATE" ADDRESS.

>> IF IT'S GOOD FOR THE LEGISLATURE, THE TRANSPARENCY IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE TRANSPARENCY ALSO NEEDS TO EXIST IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

>> ONE OF THE CHIEF COMPLAINTS TREAT HAS ABOUT THIS SPECIAL SESSION WAS THE LACK OF DETAIL FROM THE GOVERNOR, BUT STITT SAYS LAWMAKERS DON'T LIKE IT WHEN HE NARROWS DOWN THE OBJECTIVES.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS THE, THE, DO YOU BE SPECIFIC?

WELL THEN THEY GET MAD WHEN YOU'RE TOO SPECIFIC.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

SPECIFICITY'S A GOOD THING.

IN FACT, OFTENTIMES HE SAYS THE CRITICISM TO ME, BUT I TAKE IT AS COMPLIMENT.

HE TELLS ME THAT I MAJOR IN THE MINORS AND I KNOW THAT'S A CRITICISM, BUT DETAILS MATTER.

>> FOR MCCALL AND STITT.THEY SIMPLY WISH THE SENATE WOULD PUT UP TAX PROPOSALS FOR A VOTE AND LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY.

>> THE SENATE SHOULD JUST DO WHAT THE HOUSE DOES, PUT IT UP FOR A VOTE.

IF THE SENATE MEMBERS DON'T WANT IT, VOTE IT DOWN, THE ISSUE WILL BE CLOSED.

>> THE HOUSE DID NOT SINE DIE THIS WEEK.MEANING THE SPECIAL SESSION TECHNICALLY IS STILL OPEN.

HOWEVER, MCCALL SAID HE WON'T BRING BACK HOUSE MEMBERS.UNLESS THERE IS A PLAN MOVING FORWARD.

CONCERNING THE SUDDEN END TO THE SPECIAL SESSION.GOVERNOR STITT'S SPOKESPERSON ABEGAIL CAVE SAYS QUOTE, "THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CLEAR.

HE WANTS A QUARTER POINT TAX CUT AND TO SLOW THE GROWTH OF GOVERNMENT.

SENATE LEADERSHIP IS DENYING OKLAHOMANS THEIR RIGHT TO KEEP THEIR HARD EARNED MONEY WHILE CONTINUING TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT EVERY YEAR."

>> I'M THE GOVERNOR, I'VE DONE MY JOB.

NOW IT'S UP TO THE LEGISLATURE TO DO THEIR JOB OR ANSWER TO THEIR CONSTITUENTS.

>> WHILE THE HOUSE KEEPS ITS PART OF THE SPECIAL SESSION OPEN.IT PREVENTS GOVERNOR STITT FROM CALLING A NEW SPECIAL SESSION.

WHETHER THERE'S ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION OR NOT.TAX CUTS AND BUDGET REFORM WILL REMAIN ISSUES GOING INTO THE REGULAR SESSION IN FEBRUARY 2024.

RICH.

>>> SINCE OKLAHOMA LIFTED IT'S MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY IN 2021, 10 PRISONERS HAVE BEEN EXECUTED-- AND ANOTHER IS SCHEDULED TO DIE ON NOVEMBER 30.

HOWEVER, SOME LAWMAKERS BELIEVE IT'S TIME TO REINSTATE THE MORATORIUM.

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

.HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM, THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND I BELIEVE IT BECOMES VERY TOUGH TO SAY, YOU KNOW, LET'S EXECUTE A PERSON IF YOU HAVE SERIOUS DOUBT IN THAT SYSTEM.

AND I THINK THAT IT'S CONTINGENT UPON US AS LEGISLATORS UP UPON THE COURT, UP UPON THE AG TO SAY, LET'S BECOME TRANSPARENT.

LET'S ACTUALLY BEGIN TO WORK ON THESE PROBLEMS.

LET'S PUT SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT WAS RECOMMENDED IN PLACE SO THAT WE REGAIN THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE OKLAHOMA PEOPLE.

>> EXECUTING INMATES DOESN'T BRING JUSTICE FOR THE FAMILIES.

IN FACT, IF YOU LOOK AT STUDIES, IT SHOWS THAT IT JUST EXTENDS TO TRAUMA BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN APPEALS PROCESS THAT CAN LAST DECADES.

SO IT DRAGS THEM THROUGH THIS TRAUMATIC MUD OVER THAT COURSE OF TIME.

BUT AGAIN, THE CENTRAL QUESTION, WHICH I THINK ALL SANE OKLAHOMANS CAN AGREE WITH, IS, SHOULD WE BE EXECUTING INNOCENT PEOPLE?

UNTIL WE CAN HAVE A SYSTEM THAT GUARANTEES NO INNOCENCE WILL BE EXECUTED, THEN WE NEED TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE STARTING POINT.

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

>>> NOW THAT STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS HAS RELEASED HIS PROPOSED EDUCATION BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL SCHOOL YEAR-- THE QUESTION IS: WHAT'S IN IT?

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON HAS BEEN LOOKING IT OVER AND JOINS US NOW WITH SOME DETAILS.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS, WHO SITS ON THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITIONS IS REQUESTING $3.92 BILLION FROM THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR.

THE BUDGET WOULD ALLOW FOR TEACHER PAY BONUSES AND TUTORING PROGRAMS.

IN AN UNANIMOUS VOTE THE STATE BOARD AGREED ON A PROPOSED BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 THAT IS 47 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED FROM THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE TO DO IS WE ARE CONTINUING TO KEEP FLAT, THE INVESTMENT IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT WHAT WE'RE NOT GONNA DO IS CONTINUE JUST TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

MONEY DOESN'T EQUAL RESULTS.

IT MATTERS HOW YOU SPEND THE MONEY.

IT MATTERS THAT THE REFORMS ARE IN PLACE.

SO MY AGENCY WANTS TO CONTINUE TO KEEP INVESTMENT IN THE CLASSROOM FLAT, AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO SEE THE REFORMS IN PLACE.

>> THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 APPROPRIATION FOR EDUCATION WAS 3.97 BILLION.

160 MILLION OF THAT APPROPRIATION WAS A ONE-TIME PAYMENT FOR A THREE-YEAR PILOT PROGRAM.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR US TO COME IN AFTER A RECORD INVESTMENT FROM THE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR AND ASK FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY ON WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY SENT TO US.

>> WALTER'S TEAM SAYS 106.7 MILLION OF THAT APPROPRIATION WILL BE SPENT IN FISCAL YEARS 2025 AND 2026.

75% OF THE BUDGET WOULD GO TOWARD THE FORMULA FUND INCLUDING 3.19% TOWARD THE REDBUD FUND, WHICH HELPS RURAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH BUILDING AND FACILITY NEEDS.

WALTERS SAYS THOSE CORE AREAS INCLUDE READING, MATH, SCIENCE AND CIVICS.

THE INITIATIVE INCLUDES 10 MILLION DOLLARS TO BE USED FOR $25,000 DOLLAR SIGNING BONUS TO MATH AND SCIENCE TEACHERS WHO MAKE A 5-YEAR COMMITMENT TO THEIR RESPECTIVE DISTRICTS.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD EMPOWER OUR DISTRICTS WE SHOULD EMPOWER OUR SCHOOLS.

I BELIEVE OKLAHOMA IS POSITIONED TO RECRUIT THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TEACHERS ACROSS THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> WALTERS' BUDGET ALSO INCLUDES $6 MILLION IN BONUSES FOR MATH TEACHERS WHO IMPROVE MATH PROFICIENCY AND $16 MILLION FOR READING TEACHERS WHO IMPROVE STUDENT LITERACY.

>> WHAT IS ATTRACTIVE TO ME IN LOOKING AT THIS IS THAT YOU SETTING UP AN OBJECTIVE THAT IS KIND OF SIMPLE REALLY.

LET'S HELP THESE KIDS PROGRESS.

>> BEFORE VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET REQUEST BOARD MEMBER DONALD BERDICK PRAISED EFFORTS TO INCREASE TUTORING PROGRAMS.

>> IF THIS IS SUCCESSFUL WITH YOUR PROPOSAL HERE HOPEFULLY WE WOULD EXPAND THIS MORE AND GET FUNDING TO GET MORE THINGS LIKE THIS ACCOMPLISHED AND TEACHERS GET A DIRECT REWARD FOR PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS.

>> WALTERS SAYS THE MAIN FOCUS OF HIS PROPOSED BUDGET IS IMPROVING THE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

>> STATISTICS ARE JUST JARRING.

THESE ARE THE PROFICIENCY RATES ON OUR STANDARDIZED ASSESSMENTS.

THE STATUS QUO IN OKLAHOMA EDUCATION HAS FAILED.

WE HAVE NOT DONE SERVICE BY OUR STUDENTS BY PREPARING THEM FOR LIFE, FOR PREPARING THEM FOR THE WORKFORCE, BY PREPARING THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> THE PROPOSED BUDGET INCLUDES $5 MILLION FOR CIVICS TRAINING AIMED AT SOCIAL STUDIES TEACHERS TO BETTER EXPLAIN HOW THE GOVERNMENT WORKS.

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES $3 MILLION IN STIPENDS FOR EDUCATORS WHO COMPLETE THE ADVANCED CIVICS EDUCATION TRAINING.

>> WE SHOULD PAY TEACHERS FOR THESE TRAININGS.

WHEN THEY SHOW EXCELLENCE IN ACHIEVING HIGH MARKS IN HISTORY, TRAINING AND CIVICS TRAINING.

WE SHOULD PAY THEM FOR IT.

I BELIEVE THAT THESE TYPE OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH GROUPS LIKE PR U AND OTHERS THAT WE'RE STARTING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH WILL POSITION OKLAHOMA.

THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL KNOW MORE ABOUT AMERICAN HISTORY AND UNDERSTAND THIS COUNTRY BETTER THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY.

>> AFTER THE MEETING THURSDAY WALTERS NOTED THAT HE WANTS MORE COMPETITION AMONG SUPPLIERS AND VENDORS THAT SERVE THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.AND THAT MEANS THE NEXT BUDGET IS NOT A CARBON COPY OF THE CURRENT BUDGET.

FOR EXAMPLE, FUNDING FOR "TEACH FOR AMERICA" A PROGRAM THAT PLACES EDUCATORS IN UNDER-RESOURCED PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR'S REQUEST.

WALTERS SAYS THAT IS BEING A GOOD STEWARD OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> WHAT WE WANNA SEE IS WE WANT TO SEE THE PLANS WE LAID OUT AND REALLY ALLOW VENDORS TO COME COMPETE FOR THE PROJECTS THAT WE WANT.

THE OTHER THING IS, AGAIN, WE SAW PILOT PROGRAMS FROM LAST YEAR THAT EXTEND FOR MULTIPLE YEARS.

SO THERE'S NO NEED TO COME BACK IN AND PRETEND THAT'S A NEW BASELINE.

AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE DIRECTION OF FUNDS AND EDUCATION, BUT WE'RE NOT JUST GONNA COME BACK IN AND TRY TO BEAT THAT NUMBER EVERY YEAR TO COME UP WITH PROGRAMS THAT WE DON'T FEEL LIKE THERE'S R O I ON.

>> THE BUDGET WILL BE GIVEN TO THE LEGISLATURE DURING THE NEXT REGULAR SESSION.

EACH YEAR STATE AGENCIES CREATE BUDGET REQUEST TO SEND TO THE LEGISLATURE BUT LAWMAKERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLY.

>>> ON THE FIRST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH, WE PRESENT THE LATEST INSTALLMENT OF OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES ON OKLAHOMA'S "HISTORIC BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS".

YOU MAY NOT REALIZE IT, BUT THESE TOWNS ARE BEING STUDIED AND VISITED BY ACADEMICS AND TOURISTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD--- BECAUSE THEY TRULY REPRESENT A UNIQUE PIECE OF NOT JUST OKLAHOMA, BUT AMERICAN HISTORY.

THIS MONTH, STEVE SHAW SHARES THE STORY OF REDBIRD, OKLAHOMA.

STEVE?

>> THE TOWN OF REDBIRD ORIGINATED AS A SMALL SETTLEMENT IN WAGONER COUNTY IN THE LATE 1800'S.

AT LEAST PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THOSE BLACK SETTLER'S PROFICIENCY WITH AGRICULTURE.THE SMALL TOWN THRIVED FOR MANY DECADES.

THE SOURCE OF REDBIRD'S DECLINE WAS FAMILIAR.

>> I WANT TO SEE WHICH ONE IS YOUR AUNT.

>> MY AUNT, RIGHT HERE.

>> SHE'S STILL ALIVE?

>> SHE IS STILL ALIVE.

>> DELMA SMITH WAS BORN IN REDBIRD IN 1932.

ROOSEVELT JUST DEFEATED -- IN A LANDSLIDE IN RESPONSE TO THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

>> THAT WAS THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO THIS TOWN.

>> SMITH IS A WALKING ENCYCLOPEDIA WHEN IT COMES TO THIS SMALL PROUD TOWN.

>> WE'RE HERE, AND WE'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

WE'RE HERE.

I LOVE REDBIRD.

I STILL LIVE ON LAND THAT MY MOTHER AND FATHER PURCHASED IN THE 40'S.

>> REDBIRD GOT ITS NAME AT LEAST PARTIALLY BECAUSE OF THE FACT THERE WERE SO MANY CARDINAL BIRDS OR RED BIRDS IN THE AREA BACK IN THE DAY.

THE TOWN SITS ALONG THE MISSOURI-KANSAS-TEXAS RAILROAD.

34 MILES SOUTHEAST OF TULSA COUNTY.

IT ONCE BOASTED A TRAIN STATION, TWO COTTON GINS, A MILL, HOTELS, EVEN A CASKET FACTORY.

THE FIRST SCHOOL OPENED IN 1913.

REDBIRD'S RICH HISTORY ALSO CAME WITH A LOT OF HEART ACHE.

DURING THE 1920S, THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE, REDBIRD REPORTEDLY WAS THE FIRST THAT RESIDENTS STOOD GUARD ON THE NKT RAILROAD TRACKS AND PROTECTED OTHER BLACKS WHO HAD FLED AND FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THE RACISTS AND THE KILLERS WHO HAD DRIVEN THEM THERE.

EARLY IN THE 1920'S AFTER EXCLUDED FROM VOTING, THE REDBIRD RESIDENT SUED FOR THAT RIGHT.

HE TOOK IT ALL THE WAY TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, AND WON THE HISTORIC CASE.

>> THANK GOD SOMEBODY FOUGHT FOR US.

>> 68-YEAR-OLD EDNA DAVIS IS DELMA SMITH'S DAUGHTER.

>> IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT SOMEBODY HERE COULDN'T VOTE.

IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE WHEN THE RACE RIOTS CAME OUT, THAT SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS THAT I HAVE NOW, GOT IN THE BACK OF A TRUCK AND THE CITY OF TULSA TURNED THEM AROUND.

TURNED THEM AROUND AND SAID, NO, YOU CAN'T GO TO TULSA AND PROTEST.

YOU GOT TO GO BACK TO REDBIRD AND KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.

SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE STILL LIVING.

>> YES, THAT'S OUR HISTORY, AND WE PUT IT OUT SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE.

>> BUT THERE WERE SO MANY GOOD MEMORY AND IS GOOD TIMES THAT FLOWED FROM THE TOWN OF REDBIRD, TOO.

KEITH IS REDBIRD BORN AND RAISED.

A NATIONAL GUARD VETERAN WHO WENT ON TO A 20 PLUS YEAR CAREER AS AN OVER THE ROAD HEAVY TRUCK DRIVER, AN ODYSSEY THAT TOOK HIM ALL OVER THE U.S. AND THEN SOME.

>> WHAT WAS THAT LIKE?

>> AN EXPERIENCE.

I WAS YOUNG AND DUMB AND READY TO GO.

AND I GOT ON EVERY SEVEN DAYS, SOMETIMES TWO WEEKS.

>> HE SAYS HE CAME BACK TO REDBIRD 12 YEARS AGO TO CARE FOR HIS DYING MOTHER.

AND STAYED.

>> ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF OUR UPBRINGINGS, THINGS WE WERE RAISED TO LEARN AND DO CHILDREN NOWADAYS WON'T EVER GET TO EXPERIENCE IT AND NEVER HAVE THE RESPECTED WE HAD BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE WERE RAISED IN REDBIRD.

THIS SMALL COMMUNITY HAS PUT OUT GIANTS AND THEY COME FROM PEOPLE WHO LOVED US AND RAISED US WELL.

>> WE WERE RAISED TO RESPECT EACH OTHER, TO WORK AND TO GO TO SCHOOL.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID.

EVERYBODY DISCIPLINED YOU WHEN YOU WERE WRONG.

YOU COULD GET THE BACK HAND OF HALLELUJAH, AND SAW YOU OUT THERE DOING SOMETHING YOU HAD NO -- >> DELMA SAYS REDBIRD'S POPULATION DECLINE BEGAN WHEN WORLD WAR II BEGAN.

MANY IN THE TOWN THAT ONCE BOASTED OVER A THOUSAND, SAW WORK IN LARGER POPULATION CENTERS WHERE THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION OF GOOD PAYING INDUSTRIAL JOBS.

BUT ALSO JOBS THAT EVENTUALLY DIED OUT AND WENT AWAY.

>> THAT'S WHAT STARTED, YES.

THAT'S WHAT STARTED IT.

STARTED THE MIGRATION.

>> MORE THAN 8 DECADES LATER, REDBIRD'S POPULATION HOVERS AROUND 160.

REDBIRD'S POST OFFICE, OFFICIALLY CLOSED BACK IN 2014.

BUT THEY STILL MAKE DO WITH THE MAIL ROOM.

>> WE POST TOWN EVENTS OR SURROUNDING AREA EVENTS AS WELL.

>> DARRELL MOORE IS THE MAYOR.

>> I DON'T MIND HELPING OUT ANYBODY WITH A NEED.

AND I CONSIDER EVERYONE HERE MY FAMILY.

>> YOU'RE NOT MAYOR BECAUSE OF THE MONEY.

>> THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

>> MOORE SAYS THERE ARE SIGNS OF A REDBIRD REBIRTH.

IN THE PAST DEN YEARS, THE -- TEN YEARS THE TOWN HAS USED SEVERAL GRANTS TO TRANSFORM WHAT USED TO BE A CONCRETE BASKETBALL COURT INTO AN AIR-CONDITIONED COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HOST EVENTS FOR THE TOWN, WE HAVE CHRISTMAS PARTIES IN HERE, THANKSGIVING GET TOGETHERS.

PEOPLE RENT IT OUT FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES.

BABY SHOWERS.

PEOPLE USE IT FOR WAKES, FOR FUNERALS.

WE HAVE A CEMETERY ON 181ST STREET.

THE TOWN EVENTS WE HAVE.

WE UTILIZE THE PARK FOR A STATION, IT'S MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE TOWN.

>> THE OLD TOWN HALL BUILDING IS RENOVATED INTO A MUSEUM.

WATER AND GAS SYSTEMS ARE RENOVATED AND THE MAYOR SAYS BUSINESS PEOPLE ARE KICKING THE TIRES ON VENTURES TO ESTABLISH A NEW THRIFT SHOP, BARBERSHOP, AND MAYBE, MAYBE, A NEW GROCERY STORE.

DON'T SLEEP ON REDBIRD.

>> RIGHT, WE'RE COMING BACK.

WE'RE COMING BACK.

IT'S A SLOW PROCESS, BUT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

>> MOORE SAYS EVEN TODAY, REDBIRD DOESN'T FORGET AND DRAW STRENGTH FROM IW LANE, WHO'S NAME ALSO ADORNS STREET SIGN.

>> IT'S NICE TO KNOW THAT SOMEONE FROM HERE CAN MAKE THAT MUCH OF A CHANGE FOR EVERYONE.

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, SOMEONE HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE.

IT'S INCREDIBLE.

>> BY THE WAY, DARRYL MOORE'S GRANDMOTHER IS DELMA SMITH.

COMING UP NEXT MONTH- RICH LENZ TRAVELS TO GRAYSON, OKLAHOMA TO CHECK OUT THEIR FAMOUS GUMBO FESTIVAL.

RICH, SOUNDS DELICIOUS!

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW", WE HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE OF US WHO COMMUTE BETWEEN TULSA AND OKLAHOMA-- OR ANYWHERE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH THE DETAILS.

>>> ONE OF THE LARGEST DECREASES IN THE PRICE OF A GALLON OF GASOLINE IS RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

SINCE LAST WEEK, THE AVERAGE PRICE IN OKLAHOMA HAS DROPPED BY 11-CENTS TO NEARLY 3.51 A GALLON.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE DROPPED BY SEVEN CENTS THIS WEEK TO NEARLY 3.77 A GALLON.

A YEAR AGO.OKLAHOMA MOTORISTS WERE PAYING AN AVERAGE OF 3.49 A GALLON.

THE GRAND RIVER DAM AUTHORITY, OR GRDA, IS REPLACING ITS LAST COAL-FIRED POWER GENERATION UNIT IN CHOUTEAU WITH A MITSUBISHI POWER ADVANCED GAS TURBINE.

THE REPLACEMENT GIVES THE UTILITY PROVIDER OPERATIONAL FLEXIBILITY AND FAST START UP TIMES TO MEET DEMAND.

THE NEW TURBINE IS ALSO HYDROGEN-CAPABLE IF GRDA DECIDES TO SWITCH FROM NATURAL GAS.

CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN JANUARY WITH THE UNIT GOING OPERATIONAL BY APRIL 2026.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED ALIGN WEALTH MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY BOSTON BASED EDLEMAN FINANCIAL ENGINES.

THE MOVE EXPANDS EDLEMAN IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY AND ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA MARKETS.

ALIGN MANAGES APPROXIMATELY $425 MILLION IN ASSETS FOR NEARLY 360 CLIENTS.

ALIGN IS NOW OPERATING UNDER THE EDLEMAN BRAND.

TERMS OF THE DEAL WERE NOT DISCLOSED.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED CHEMICAL COMPANY LSB INDUSTRIES HAS SIGNED ONTO A DEAL TO HELP DEVELOP A LOW-CARBON AMMONIA PRODUCTION FACILITY IN THE HOUSTON AREA.

THE DEAL WAS BROKERED BETWEEN TOKYO BASED INPEX CORPORATION, PARIS BASED AIR LIQUIDE GROUP, HOUSTON BASED VOPAK MODA AND LSB.

IF THE PARTNERS DECIDE TO PROCEED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT, LSB WILL COLLABORATE WITH INPEX ON LOW-CARBON AMMONIA PRODUCTION, HELP DECIDE WHICH TECHNOLOGY TO USE AND THEN WHEN THE FACILITY IS COMPLETE AND OPERATIONAL.LSB WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAY TO DAY OPERATION OF THE AMMONIA PRODUCTION.

MAERSK AND KODIAK ROBOTICS HAVE LAUNCHED THE FIRST COMMERCIAL AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING LANE BETWEEN HOUSTON AND OKLAHOMA CITY.

KODIAK HAS BEEN DELIVERING EIGHT LOADS A WEEK FOR MAERSK SINCE AUGUST.

THE TRUCKS DO HAVE A SAFETY DRIVER ON BOARD AS A PRECAUTION.

JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> WHEN OKLAHOMA LEGALIZED THE USE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN 2018, CRITICS ARGUED THE NEW LAW LACKED SUFFICIENT OVERSIGHT AND REGULATION.

.LAWMAKERS ADDRESSED THOSE CONCERNS IN THE LAST SESSION AND NOW THE STATE'S ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS GOTTEN INVOLVED AS WELL.

.JOEL FILOMENO JOINS US NOW WITH THAT STORY.

.JOEL?

>> RICH.

IN 2021, THE NUMBER OF MARIJUANA GROWERS IN OKLAHOMA PEAKED BUT STILL PRODUCED 64 TIMES MORE CANNABIS THAN THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND ASSEMBLED A TEAM TO TACKLE ILLEGAL GROWERS IN THE STATE.

RAY TINSLEY AND GAS FARM OKC STARTED THEIR MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPANY IN 2019.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY POSITIVE STORIES OUT THERE WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME OFF OF OPIOIDS AND FIND AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION THAT'S HEALTHIER FOR 'EM.

AND THAT'S WHERE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS SUPPORTIVE.

>> TINSLEY SAYS THAT THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA MARKET HAS GONE THROUGH CHANGES SINCE THE INDUSTRY PEAKED TWO YEARS AGO.

>> THEY HAVE PLACED IN CERTAIN ASPECTS OF RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS NOW, WHICH ARE, ARE HELPFUL TO PUT IN MORE COMPLIANCE GUIDELINES NOW, WHICH ARE MORE HELPFUL TO CATCH THOSE BAD ACTORS.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND SAYS THAT STATE QUESTION 788 SPLIT OKLAHOMANS VIEW ON THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK THOSE TWO SENTIMENTS, THE MAJORITY OF OKLAHOMA SAID WE DON'T NEED TO CRIMINALIZE THESE PEOPLE.

IF THEY WANNA SMOKE POT, GO GET THE LICENSE AND SMOKE ALL YOU WANT.

THAT WAS THE GOOD INTENTION.

>> HE SAYS THAT SINCE STATE QUESTION 788 BECAME LAW COMPLICATIONS HAVE ARISEN FROM IT.

>> WE AS A LEGISLATURE DIDN'T PUT SUFFICIENT, YOU KNOW, SIDE GUARDS ON IT AND THE GROWS BALLOONED TO 12,000 LICENSED GROWING OPERATIONS.

AND THAT WAS JUST A RECIPE FOR A DISASTER.

>> HE SAYS THAT MANY BAD ACTORS HAVE TAKEN INTEREST IN EXPLOITING OKLAHOMA'S MARIJUANA LAWS.

>> WE HAVE OVER 10,000 ILLEGAL CHINESE OPERATORS IN THE STATE OPERATING SYNDICATED CRIME ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE FRONT BEING ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROW AND THE BACK BEING DISTRIBUTION OF FENTANYL, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEX TRAFFICKING.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FORMED AN ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE THIS PAST MAY PARTNERING WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS AND THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY.

>> THOSE THREE AGENCIES ON AVERAGE ARE CLOSING ONE ILLEGAL GROWING OPERATION A DAY.

SO MATHEMATICALLY WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO, BUT WE ARE TRULY BRINGING THE FORCE, FULL FORCE OF LAW TO THESE ILLEGAL GROWS.

>> THE TASKFORCE RECEIVED FULL ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY OVER MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAWS AFTER THE SIGNING OF HOUSE BILL 2095.

>> OBN IS REQUIRING COMPLIANCE WITH ALL CODES BEFORE THEY APPROVE THE LICENSE.

AND WHAT WE CAN ANTICIPATE IS JUST THROUGH THIS LICENSING, WE WILL IDENTIFY PROBABLY ANOTHER 3000 ILLEGAL GROWING OPERATIONS.

>> THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY RELEASED A STATEMENT ON DRUMMOND'S ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE QUOTING: >> OMMA STANDS READY TO ASSIST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN ANY WAY WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF HIS NEWLY ANNOUNCED TASK FORCE.

WE BELIEVE THIS COLLABORATION WILL LEAD TO POSITIVE AND EFFECTIVE OUTCOMES AND SEND A STRONG MESSAGE THAT CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ISN'T WELCOME IN OUR STATE.

>> DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS DONNIE ANDERSON SAYS REAL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF MARIJUANA GROWERS IN THE LAST YEAR.

>> I KNEW REAL QUICK THAT WITH 10,000 GROWS AND ALSO KNOWING THE SIZE OF SOME OF THESE GROWS, THAT THERE, THERE WAS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE, WELL LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME WE ONLY HAD 63, SO WE DROPPED IT FROM OVER ALMOST 11,000 DOWN TO ABOUT 6,300.

>> ANDERSON SAYS THAT THE ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROWTH INDUSTRY TAXED HIS AGENCY THE LAST THREE YEARS.

>> MY AGENCY WAS ACTUALLY DOING THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS SAY THEY HAVE ONLY 30 MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TO KEEP UP WITH A REPORTED 5000 ILLEGAL GROWTH OPERATIONS ACROSS THE STATE.

DRUMMOND SAYS ILLEGAL MARIJUANA ACTIVITY IS OVERWHELMING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES LIKE THE BUREAU OF NARCOTICS.

I MEAN, IF DONNIE HAD FIVE TIMES THE AGENCY, HE STILL WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DENT ILLEGAL OPERATIONS IN OKLAHOMA AS WE WOULD ALL LIKE.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS ALSO CREATING A "TIPLINE" ON THEIR WEBSITE FOR LOCALS TO REPORT ILLICIT ACTIVITY.

>> WE ACT ON 100% OF THE TIPS.

MANY ARE EXCELLENT, SOME ARE FRIVOLOUS, BUT MANY ARE EXCELLENT.

AND WE HAVE A WHOLE TEAM OF, OF PEOPLE THAT READ AND SCREEN AND THEN SEND TO THE RIGHT AGENCY.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S TASK FORCE INCLUDES CYBERSECURITY, COMPUTER SCIENCE AND OTHER AGENTS WITH FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE.

>> WE HAVE NOW IN THE ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE, A COUPLE OF FORMER SEALS.

WE HAVE FBI, WE HAVE HOMELAND SECURITY, WE HAVE SECRET SERVICE, AND WE HAVE SOME REALLY SMART KIDS THAT UNDERSTAND COMPUTERS.

THOSE COUPLED WITH PROSECUTORS IN MY OFFICE ARE TASKED WITH LOCATING AND FERRETING OUT ILLEGAL GROWING OPERATIONS IN TWOFOLD.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMOND BELIEVES THAT THE NEW PARTNERSHIP AND TASK FORCE WILL CONTINUE TO COMBAT ILLEGAL GROWERS.

>> BECAUSE OF ALL THE EFFORT COMBINED ACROSS ALL THE AGENCIES AND OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, THE GROWING OPERATIONS WERE REDUCED TO 6,299 ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

>> ONE WAY THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN DETECT ILLEGAL ACTIVITY IS THROUGH A "SEED TO SALE" TRACKING SYSTEM.

>> ON A REGULAR BASIS WE HELP OMMA TRAIN THEIR INSPECTORS WITH METRIC, THE SEED TO SALE SOFTWARE SYSTEM, WHICH WE'VE SUPPORTED WITH OMMA FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

>> RAY TINSLEY SAYS THAT THEY HOPE THAT LEGAL GROWERS LIKE OKC GAS FARM ARE INCLUDED IN FUTURE PROPOSALS TO COUNTER CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

YOU KNOW, HEAR FEEDBACK FROM THE ACTUAL PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT, THAT HAVE DONE IT RIGHT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING ARE THE ONES THAT THEY NEED TO BE LISTENING TO INSTEAD OF JUST TRYING TO SQUEEZE OUT BAD ACTORS.

>> THIS PAST JUNE, THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY RAISED FEES FOR MARIJUANA GROWERS FROM 500 TO $2500.

THEY REPORTED 161 LICENSED DISPENSARIES WENT OVER THE LEGAL SALE LIMIT.

RICH.

>>> 24 STATES, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA, ALLOW THE DEATH PENALTY.

23 STATES, HAVE ABOLISHED IT-- AND THREE: CALIFORNIA, OREGON AND PENNSYLVANIA, CURRENTLY HAVE MORATORIUMS IN PLACE, HALTING EXECUTIONS IN THOSE STATES.

OKLAHOMA'S MORATORIUM ON THE DEATH PENALTY ENDED IN OCTOBER OF 2021 AND SINCE THEN, 10 PRISONERS HAVE BEEN PUT TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION.

NOW, LAWMAKERS ARE STUDYING A PROPOSAL TO REINSTATE THAT MORATORIUM-- AND THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>>> THANK YOU.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY -- AND REPRESENTATIVE HUMPHREY WHO'S JOINING US FROM THE CAPITOL.

LET'S GET TO THE DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBLE MORATORIUM ON THE STATE'S DEATH PENALTY.

THERE'S A STUDY THIS WEEK THAT LOOKS AT THE POSSIBILITY OF ANOTHER MORATORIUM IN OKLAHOMA.

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE, IT COMES A FEW YEARS AFTER THE PREVIOUS ONE WAS LIFTED.

REPRESENTATIVE, CAN WE HEAR FROM YOU.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

[INAUDIBLE].

>> I DO WANT TO HEAR MORE.

WE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE RICH -- CASE, THE DA DESTROYED EVIDENCE PURPOSELY, AND ACTUALLY CHANGED TESTIMONY THAT'S ILLEGAL.

BOTH OF THOSE ARE ILLEGAL, WITHHELD EVIDENCE, IT'S GROSSLY CRIMINAL OF WHAT THEY DID.

PUT THIS UP FOR DEATH ROW, ZERO EVIDENCE.

AGAIN, AFTER SEEING THAT, I'M LOOKING AT SEVERAL DEATH CASES.

THERE'S TWO REALLY, REALLY INTERESTS ME.

I WENT BACK AND ASKED FOR AN EXTRA DNA ON ONE.

THEY JUST SENT THAT TO ME, BASED ON WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, THAT PROBABLY WAS THE CORRECT THING TO DO.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, DO I HAVE QUESTIONS AND SHOULD WE QUESTION THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COURT SYSTEM?

I THINK THAT YOU HAVE TO.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

AGAIN, THIS IS NOT AN EASY, EASY QUESTION TO ANSWER.

BUT I THINK WE ALL NEED TO HEAR AND KEEP AN OPEN MIND.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> WE NEED TO PULL BACK AND LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AS WELL.

AFTER THE FIRST MORATORIUM WAS IN 2015, THE REVIEW COMMISSION WAS TO -- AND AFTER A YEAR OF INTENSE RESEARCH THEY PRODUCED ALMOST 300 PAGE REPORT THAT IDENTIFIED 40 PROBLEMS WITH THE DEATH PENALTY IN OKLAHOMA THAT NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED BEFORE IT COULD BE REINSTITUTE ED -- REINSTITUTED, WE HAVE 11 EXXON -- SOME HAVE EXECUTION DATES SCHEDULED.

NOW ARE INNOCENT.

MOST RECENT IS GLENN SIMMONS.

>> AND I AGREE WITH BRETT, AND BRETT, YOU DO KNOW A COUPLE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT DID TRY TO TAKE THAT.

ME AND KEVIN, DID TRY TO -- DID A STUDY ON THAT TO TRY TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION.

WE TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES, MORE TIMES TO GET THAT LEGISLATION INTRODUCED AND WE HAVE MET GREAT RESISTANCE BASICALLY THROUGH THE FORMER AG'S OFFICE AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

>> SOME VICTIMS ARE LOOKING FOR JUSTICE CLOSURE, HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THEM?

>> THE FIRST POINT IS TO REALIZE THAT EXECUTING INMATES DOESN'T BRING JUSTICE TO THE FAMILIES.

THE STUDIES SHOW IT EXTENDS THE -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN APPEALS PROCESS.

IT DRAGS THEM THROUGH THE DRAMATIC MUD THROUGH THAT TIME.

THE GENERAL QUESTION IS SHOULD WE BE EXECUTING INNOCENT PEOPLE?

UNTIL THERE'S A SYSTEM THAT GUARANTEES NO PERSON TO BE EXECUTED, WE NEED TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON.

>> WHAT WAS YOUR THOUGHT WHEN -- DECLINED THE REQUEST.

>> WHETHER FOR THE DEATH PENALTY, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE EXECUTING THE RIGHT PERSON.

AND AGAIN, THERE WAS A LOT OF OF TALK.

A LOT OF TALK THAT THE FATHER COULD BE THE ACTUAL PERSON WHO WAS COMMITTING THE CRIMES.

AND AGAIN, I THINK IT'S PROVED TO RUN THOSE TWO AND COMPARE THOSE TWO, THAT EVIDENCE WAS TAKEN MANY YEARS AGO.

WE HAVE IMPROVED DNA.

WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT, I DISAGREE WITH THE AG.

I UNDERSTAND HE'S REALLY REALLY BUSY, THAT'S NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE DISAGREED, PROBABLY WON'T BE THE LAST.

BUT HE HAS STEPPED UP, UNDER A LOT OF HEAT UNDER THE DEATH PENALTIES.

IF WE ARE GOING TO TO HAVE AN EXECUTION, WE NEED TO KNOW 100% THAT PERSON IS TO BE EXECUTED OR DELAY THE EXECUTION.

AGAIN, I'M NOT QUITE ON BOARD WITH THE MORATORIUM YET, BUT I DO BELIEVE THERE'S QUESTIONS ON THE CASES THAT NEED TO BE DELAYED.

>> WHAT ARE THE CONCERNS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN CASES OF WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS.

>> THERE'S ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM.

THE MISCONDUCT OR EVIDENCE IS HIDDEN OR WITHHELD FROM THE JURY.

AND THAT WAS THE CASE WITH SIMMONS SITUATION.

WHEN WE CAN'T HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE THERE'S CONFIDENCE IN PROSECUTION OF THE CASE THEY'RE PUTTING FORWARD, IT'S REASON ENOUGH TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON.

AND YOU HAVE SITUATIONS, HE WAS NOT THE TRIGGER MAN.

THE SITUATION WHICH THE GUY ALLEGEDLY ORDERED THE MURDER IS ON DEATH ROW AND THE GUY WHO PULLED THE TRIGGER IS NOT.

THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM.

THESE ARE A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF A SYSTEM THAT'S RIPE WITH PROBLEMS AND INJUSTICES.

WE HAVE TO HIT THE PAUSE BUTTON AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THE 40 PLUS PROBLEMS.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> AGAIN, I THINK WE -- THE THING ABOUT IT IS, WE CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE A GREAT CONVERSATION AND WALK AWAY AND EAT LUNCH TOGETHER AND NOT BE MAD.

WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO GET THINGS RIGHT.

WE ALL NEED TO BE REASONABLE.

I UNDERSTAND WHERE HE'S COMING FROM, AND HE'S NOT SAID ANYTHING TODAY THAT I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY WITH INTELLIGENCE AND OKLAHOMAENS WOULD DISAGREE WITH.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SYSTEMS ARE CORRECT.

DO WE PAUSE AND DO THAT?

IT'S GREAT CONVERSATION TO HAVE.

WHERE I'M AT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE PROSECUTORS, IF SOMETHING GETS WITHHELD BY MISTAKE OR QUESTIONABLE, WHETHER WE CAN WITHHOLD IT OR NOT, WHY WOULD YOU WHEN A MAN'S LIFE OR WOMAN'S LIFE IS ON THE LINE.

BUT KNOWINGLY AND INTENTIONALLY WITHHELD TESTIMONY, AND WITNESS INTIMIDATION, AND TAMPERING WITH THE WITNESS, ALL OF THOSE ARE CRIMINAL CHARGES, WITHHOLDING EVIDENCE, ALL OF THAT IS GROSSLY WRONG AND WE SHOULD BE PROSECUTING THE PEOPLE WHO DO THAT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO SPENT 20 SOMETHING YEARS OF THEIR LIFE BEING ON THE GURNEY TWICE, AND ALMOST EXECUTED BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE COMMITTED CRIMES.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND, TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK BETTER, THEY TOOK AN OATH AND THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED.

THAT WOULD SEND OUT A BIG MESSAGE.

AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT, WE HAVE TO -- GOING ON, WHETHER IT'S IN THE PARDON BOARD OR PAROLE BOARD.

WE HAVE THE EVIDENCE WE HAVE TO SHOW THEM, AND THEY HAVE WILLFULLY IGNORED THE EVIDENCE.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

AGAIN, I REALLY DID BELIEVE THAT WE'LL HAVE TO SIT DOWN AS A STATE AND WORK THESE PROBLEMS OUT.

SHOULD WE HIT PAUSE?

I'M WILLING TO SIT DOWN IN THE STUDIES AND TALK ABOUT THAT, I'M NOT THERE YET.

I WILL TELL YOU, I'M NOT THAT FAR AWAY FROM IT.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE BACK AWAY OFF OF THE DEATH PENALTY AND LOOKING FOR MORATORIUM, ESPECIALLY AFTER IN 2016, OKLAHOMA VOTERS PUT IT IN THE STATE CONSTITUTION.

>> THE FIRST POINT IS TO RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE IN POLLS.

WHEN YOU ASK PEOPLE IF THEY SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY, THAT'S FOR CLEAR REASONS.

BUT YOU GIVE THEM OPTIONS, LIFE IN PRISON WITH OR WITHOUT PAROLE, THAT GOES DOWN.

THE POLL WE CONDUCTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, DEMONSTRATED THAT 77% OF OKLAHOMAENS SUPPORT A MORATORIUM.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE DISTINCTIONS.

WHEN THE PEOPLE HAVE OPTIONS, THEY'LL SIDE WITH PRUDENCE.

ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE INNOCENCE.

>> DID YOU WANT TO ADD ANYTHING?

>> MY ANSWER IS A BIT DIFFERENT.

I DON'T NECESSARILY DISAGREE BUT HERE'S WHERE I'M AT.

MOST PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT THAT I TALK TO ARE SIMILAR TO ME.

WHEN WE WATCH DOJ, THAT'S CORRUPT AND POLITICAL AND WEAPON NIZED, WHEN WE WATCH THE FBI THAT'S OBVIOUSLY BECOME CORRUPT AND POLITICIZED AND WE SEE CASES, I HAVE MANY CASES WHERE I CAN SHOW MISCONDUCT BY THE PROSECUTORS OR A JUDGE AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THOSE INVESTIGATED, I BELIEVE THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THE SYSTEM, THE COURT SYSTEM.

AND I BELIEVE IT'S TOUGH TO SAY, LET'S EXECUTE A PERSON IF YOU HAVE SERIOUS DOUBT IN THE SYSTEM.

I THINK IT'S CONTINGENT UPON US AS LEGISLATORS, AND LET'S BECOME TRANSPARENT AND WORK ON THE PROBLEMS.

LET'S PUT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WAS RECOMMENDED IN PLACE, SO THAT WE REGAIN THE TRUST OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE OKLAHOMA PEOPLE, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

100% THAT THE PEOPLE KNOW.

THAT THIS PERSON COMMITTED A HEINOUS CRIME, THAT IT DOES WARRANT TAKING THEIR LIFE.

AGAIN, I AGREE WITH BRETT, IT DOESN'T DO A LOT TO DETER AND BY THE TIME WE GET THERE, YOU'RE 20 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT PART OF THE EQUATION I DON'T THINK REALLY FACTORS IN.

BUT THE QUESTION IS, DID THE PERSON DO SUCH A HEINOUS CRIME THAT WOULD WARRANT HIM OR HER GIVING UP THEIR LIFE AND AGAIN, PUTTING CLOSURE AND I AGREE IF YOU GO 20 YEARS, IT EXTENDS THAT AND SO, TLGS A LOT OF THINGS TO -- THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO TALK ABOUT AND PUT ON THE PLATE.

I STILL SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY.

MOST OF THE DISTRICT I REPRESENT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GET IT RIGHT.

AND I THINK IF WE HAVE TO PAUSE A SECOND TO GET IT RIGHT, PEOPLE WOULD RATHER GET IT RIGHT THAN WRONG.

>> WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> ULTIMATELY, ALL OF US, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH A SITUATION A LOVED ONE IS MURDERED IN A HEINOUS CRIME, WE WOULD -- TO SUPPORT THE DEATH PENALTY, AGAIN, ANY SANE PERSON WILL HAVE TO ASK THE QUESTION, HOW MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE YOU WILLING TO EXECUTE TO KEEP THE SYSTEM RUNNING.

WHAT'S THE NUMBER.

MOST -- >> THAT NUMBER SHOULD BE 0.

WE AGREE ON THAT.

AND WE'RE IN AGREEMENT, I DO WANT YOU TO KNOW, I APPRECIATE ALL YOU'RE DOING.

AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE ALL HAVE TO DO.

IS TO HAVE A CIVIL DISAGREEMENT AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT NUMBER WE REACH THE 0 NUMBER.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU BOTH FOR TALKING WITH US, AND MEETING US VIA ZOOM.

BRETT FARLEY, AND REPRESENTATIVE JUSTIN HUMPHREY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE HEAD NORTHEAST TO MAINE-- WHERE EACH YEAR, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE VOLUNTEER TO BECOME CONSERVATIONISTS FOR A DAY.

THEIR TASK?

COUNTING BIRDS.NOT COUNTING CROWS.

LOONS.

"MAINE PUBLIC MEDIA", HAS OUR STORY.

>> EVERY YEAR ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF JULY, THE FAMILY GETS UP EARLY.

THEY GATHER IN THE KITCHEN, GRAB WARM BEVERAGES AND HEAD TO THE BOAT.

ALL AROUND THE STATE OF MAINE, MORE THAN A THOUSAND VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

FROM 7:00 TO 7:30, SHARP, THEY'RE ALL LOOKING FOR THE COMMON ANIMAL, THE LOON.

THIS IS THE 40TH YEAR, A MILESTONE.

>> IT'S HUGE, NOT A LOT OF COMMUNITY OR CITIZEN PROJECTS GOING ON FOR 40 YEARS.

TO HAVE 40 YEARS OF DATA IS A BIG DEAL.

>> COORDINATOR HANNAH YOUNG SAYS IT OFFICIALLY BEGAN IN 1943.

SINCE THEN, THE PROJECT HAS STEADILY GROWN.

LAST YEAR, 1600 VOLUNTEERS SURVEYED MAINE'S LAKES AND PONDS ON THE BIG DAY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS, IT'S IMPORTANT.

NUMBER ONE, WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE LOON POPULATION.

>> BASED ON COUNT DATA, THE MAINE'S LOON POPULATION IS ON THE RISE.

ESTIMATED AT MORE THAN 3,000 ADULT LOONS.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH WATER IN MAINE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO PROTECT IT.

I LOVE THE LOON COUNT, THAT'S SO MANY PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT THERE, AND SEE THE LOONS AND ALSO BE A PART OF THE CONSERVATION.

>> EACH VOLUNTEERS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A SPECIFIC SURVEY AREA.

THE AREA HAS TO BE SMALL ENOUGH TO COVER IN 30 MINUTES.

THE BETSY FAMILY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SURVEYING THE COVE WHERE THEIR CAMP IS LOCATED.

>> IT'S A VERY NICE MORNING.

A BIT OF A BREEZE, FRESH BREEZE.

NO RAIN.

JUST NICE TO BE OUT.

>> FOR THE FAMILY, THE LOON COUNT IS A TRADITION.

>> MY MOTHER WAS AN AVID BIRDER.

SHE WOULD GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND TAKE US TO SPOT BIRD.

WHEN THEY BEGAN THE LOON COUNT SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST VOLUNTEERS.

SHE DID IT EVERY YEAR, UNTIL SHE LEFT US.

WE HAVE CARRIED ON THE TRADITION EVER SINCE.

>> I'M DOING WHAT SHE DID.

I'M THERE WITH HER, ALMOST.

LIKE A PART OF WHAT WE DO UP HERE.

>> THE GIRLS HAVE GOTTEN BETTER.

>> THEY HAVE RED EYES.

THAT'S SCARY.

THE LITTLE BEADY RED EYES.

>> THE PATTERNS ARE DIFFERENT.

>> ESPECIALLY WITH THE BLACK.

>> VERY HIP.

>> THE FAMILY COUNTS THREE LOONS IN THE HALF HOUR COULD WANT.

-- COUNT.

>> YOU SEE ONE, YOU JUST GO.

SEE HIM?

ABOUT 11:00.

>> EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE MAINE LOON POPULATION IS ON GOING.

THEY PASSED LEGISLATION.

THE DATA HELPS TO PLACE FLOATING NESTS.

SHE'S GLAD THE FAMILY CAN DO THEIR SMALL PART TO KEEP THE LOON POPULATION HEALTHY IN MAINE.

>> LET'S FACE IT, LIKE MOOSE, LOONS ARE ICONIC TO MAINE.

THE SOUND.

THE WAY THEY LOOK.

WATCHING THEM FISHING.

IN THE LAKES, DIVING AND COMING UP.

BUT THEY CONTINUE TO WATCH THE LOONS AND LISTEN TO THEIR HAUNTING CALLS ALL SUMMER LONG.

AND NEXT YEAR ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF JULY, THEY'LL PILE IN THE BOAT AND COUNT THEM AGAIN.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE VEGAS ODDSMAKERS-- THE OKLAHOMA SOONERS ARE A 6.5 POINT UNDERDOGS HEADING INTO SATURDAY'S SHOWDOWN AGAINST TEXAS-- BUT WHAT ABOUT THIS VERSION OF THE "RED RIVER RIVALRY"?

WHICH SCHOOL CAN COLLECT AND DONATE THE MOST FOOD TO THEIR CAMPUS FOOD BANKS?

ORGANIZERS IN NORMAN AND AUSTIN HAVE DUBBED IT THE "RED RIVER FOOD FIGHT".

THE WINNING SCHOOL WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON SATURDAY, THE SAME DAY AS THAT OTHER COMPETITION IN THE COTTON BOWL.

>> OUR STUDENTS SET THIS UP, MET WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AND BASICALLY IT WAS JUST COLLECTION OF ALL KINDS OF CANNED ITEMS, PREFERABLY HEAVIER ITEMS.

'CAUSE WE'RE WEIGHING EVERYTHING.

AND SO WHOEVER, WHICHEVER UNIVERSITY BRINGS IN THE MOST WEIGHTY AND ITEMS WINS THE COMPETITION.

BOTH SCHOOLS ARE COLLECTING FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE FOOD PANTRY.

SO EVERYTHING COLLECTED ON THIS CAMPUS GOES DIRECTLY HERE TO SERVE ALL OUR STUDENT STAFF FACULTY.

>> AS OF MID-WEEK, OU STUDENTS HAD COLLECTED MORE THAN 5,000 POUNDS OF CANNED GOODS-- .

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

A REACTION TO OKLAHOMA'S NEW ABORTION LAWS THAT MIGHT SURPRISE YOU-- THE RAPIDLY RISING NUMBER OF MEN WHO ARE UNDER-GOING VASECTOMIES TO AVOID UNWANTED PREGNANCIES.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A RELAXING, RAINY NIGHT IN OKLAHOMA.

SHOT AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

PLEASE 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.

O.N.R".

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.

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