.

>>> CAN THIS MAN HELP MEND RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TRIBES AND GOVERNOR STITT?

>> I'VE ALWAYS MAINTAINED TO PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND FOCUS BACK ON WHERE IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE, WHICH IS THE PEOPLE AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

>>> WHAT EXACTLY IS THE CURRICULUM FOR "PRAGER U."

AND WHY ARE SOME OPPOSED TO IT?

>> AS SOON AS IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD OFFER THIS AS A RESOURCE, IT WAS OF UTMOST CONCERN TO US.

>>> AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO UNEXPLAINED DEATHS IN THE POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY JAIL.

>> A JUDGE HAS SAID YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP, YOU KNOW, BOOKING INFORMATION, INCIDENT REPORTS IF SOMETHING HAPPENED, JAIL VIDEO, AND THEY'RE STILL NOT PROVIDING THAT DOCUMENTATION.

>>> YOU CAN NOW EARN A 4 YEAR DEGREE IN MAKING AND REPAIRING GUNS IN OKLAHOMA.

>>THERE ARE NO GOOD ENOUGH OR CLOSE ENOUGH.

AND SO THE GUNSMITHS WE GRADUATE ARE TRULY PRECISE, TRAINED INDIVIDUALS.

>>> THE QUEEN OF ROCKABILLY RECEIVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> IT WOULD BE ELVIS, JOHNNY CASH, ME, BUDDY HOLLY.

YEAH.

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

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

WHEN GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT NAMED WES NOFIRE AS HIS NEW NATIVE AMERICAN LIAISON.

CHEROKEE PRINCIPAL CHIEF CHUCK HOSKIN JR. CALLED IT AN "ACT OF HOSTILITY".

WHO IS WES NOFIRE AND WILL HE HELP IMPROVE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE TRIBES-- OR MAKE THEM WORSE?

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW TO TRY AND PROVIDE SOME ANSWERS.

JASON?

>> WES NOFIRE'S EXPERIENCE RANGES FROM THE BOXING RING TO THE CHEROKEE TRIBAL COUNCIL.

AND DESPITE TRIBAL LEADERS CRITICISM OF HIS APPOINTMENT.HE WANTS TO BE THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE TRIBES AND STITT'S ADMINISTRATION.

NOFIRE SAYS HE'LL SOON BE -- PLEASE WELCOME -- WES NOFIRE.

THE FORMER BOXER BLAEFZ HASTY THE MAP -- BELIEVES HE'S THE MAN FOR THE JOB.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO MAKE THIS A TOP TEN STATE WE REFLECT THAT IN THE TRIBAL LEADERSHIP AND CITIZENS.

>> IT'S BEEN MET WITH HARSH CRITICISM FROM THE TRIBAL LEADERS.

SOME BELIEVE THERE'S NO IMPACT, SAYING IN A STATEMENT, WE HAVE ALWAYS WELCOMED THE CONSTRUCTIVE DIALOGUE WITH THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR SETS THE DIRECTION FOR HIS ADMINISTRATION AND HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR HIS POLICY IS HOSTILITY TO TRIBES AND THEY'RE AUTHORITY.

IT'S HARD TO SEE ONE STAFF APPOINTMENT CHANGING THAT.

>> THAT'S ONE THING WE'RE HOPING TO GET PASSED.

SOME OF THOSE WHO MAY HAVE COME OUT THE AGAINST ME WITH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THAT'S WHAT THEY CAN LOOK PAST AS WELL.

>> ONE TRIBAL LEADER MIGHT FINE IT HARD TO GET PAST IT.

WHO'S RECENTLY REELECTED TO THAT POST.

NOFIRE RAN AGAINST HIM, AND MADE SOME REMARKS OF HOSS,HOS -- HOSKIN, AND HE OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T APPROVE OF NOFIRE BEING THE LIAISON.

HE SAID IN A STATEMENT, THE STATE'S NATIVE AMERICAN LIAISON IS DISAPPOINTING, IT'S NO SURPRISE.

WE CONTINUE TO HOPE FOR A DAY IN WHICH THE DEPTHS OF KNOWLEDGE OF INDIAN COUNTRY ISSUES ON THE TEAM DEEPENS.

IT'S NOT SHALLOWER.

THE BRIEF TIME IN ELECTED OFFICE WAS MARKED BY HOSTILITY TO TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY, A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING BROADLY ISSUES FACING THE INDIAN COUNTRY AND THE PEDALLING OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

GOVERNOR'S STANCES TO TRIBES, THE MOST HOSTILE IN ESTATE'S HISTORY IS NOW -- STATE'S HISTORY IS NOW IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OWN VIEW.

SADLY, FORTUNATELY THERE'S A BROAD ARRAY OF STATE LEADERS WHICH WE CAN AND CONTINUE TO WORK.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE CHIEF THAT CAME OUT AGAINST ME, HIM AND I DISAGREE.

I DID OPPOSE HIM ON THE COUNCIL AND AN OPPONENT WHEN RUNNING FOR CHIEF.

HOWEVER, I'VE ALWAYS MAINTAINED TO PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE AND PUT IT BACK ON THE PEOPLE AND CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

>> NOFIRE GOT IN TRIBAL POLITICS AFTER THE BOXING CAREER.

AND TOOK INTEREST OF HOW THE CHEROKEE NATION WAS RUN BY THE LEADERS.

>> WHEN I MOVED BACK HOME, I SAW THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WAS TALKED AND DISCUSSED ABOUT BY CHEROKEE NATION.

WHEN I WOULD COME BACK HOME, THE CITIZENS I GREW UP WITH WERE STILL STRUGGLING TO GET BY.

I WAS KRPD OF THE NATION -- CONCERNED OF WHERE IT WAS GOING AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF WANTING TO GET ACTIVE IN THE TRIBAL POLITICS.

>> GOVERNOR HAS MADE IT NO SECRET HE DOESN'T APPROVE OF THE CHANGES TO THE LEGAL JURISDICTIONS WITHIN THE RESERVATIONS.

ONE OF THE CONTENTIONS IS HE DOESN'T TREAT ALL CITIZENS OF OKLAHOMA EQUALLY.

NOFIRE AGREES WITH THAT.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS EQUALLY PROTECTED UNDER THE LAW.

WHEN I WAS ON THE COUNCIL, THERE'S A NUMBER OF UNTOLD STORIES AND PHONE CALLS I HAD RECEIVED BY CITIZENS WHO ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEY'LL NEVER HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT.

THEY'RE QUESTIONING TO HAVE THE DAY IN COURT TO HOLD THE ACCUSER IN CHARGE.

THAT'S A BIG ISSUE I FELT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.

AND ABSOLUTELY, WE NEED CONGRUENTSY OF THE LAW.

>> NOFIRE FEELS HE CAN BE AN EFFECTIVE MEDIATOR.

>> IN ANY ENVIRONMENT YOU COULD RUB SOMEONE THE WRONG WAY, AND HARBOR SOME FEELING THERE THAT'S NOT NECESSARY AND DOESN'T PROGRESS THE STATE FORWARD.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING THE GOVERNOR AND THE INITIATIVES TO MEDIATE BETWEEN TRIBES AND THE LOERTH AND IS THE -- LEGISLATORS AND THE OFFICE THERE AT THE GOVERNOR'S.

>> HE SEES IT AS AN HONOR TO SERVE THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> IT'S A REAL HONOR TO DO THAT, AND ALSO HAVE HIS ATTENTION OF SOMEONE WHO COULD BE THAT OLIVE BRANCH BACK TO TRIBAL GOVERNMENT AND THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE.

NOFIRE SAYS HE'LL SOON BE REACHING OUT TO THE TRIBES TO BE THAT OLIVE BRANCH.

BY THE WAY, DURING HIS PROFESSIONAL BOXING CAREER, NOFIRE HAD A RECORD OF 20 WINS, TWO LOSSES WITH 16 KNOCKOUTS.

RICH.

>>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT IS NOT GIVING UP ON HIS EFFORTS TO CUT THE STATE INCOME TAX.

THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING FOR A SPECIAL SESSION TO BEGIN ON OCTOBER 3.

CITING RISING TAX REVENUE THE GOVERNOR SAYS, ".IF NOT NOW, WHEN?"

-- AND THAT HIS ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO ELIMINATE THE STATE INCOME TAX ALL TOGETHER.

STITT ALSO WANTS THE FINAL BUDGET DEAL TO BE MADE PUBLIC FOR THREE FULL LEGISLATIVE DAYS BEFORE LAWMAKERS CAN VOTE ON IT.

HOWEVER, AT LEAST ONE LEGISLATIVE LEADER SAYS HE NEEDS TO HEAR MORE DETAILS FROM THE GOVERNOR HIMSELF.

>> WE HAVE A HUGE BUDGET SURPLUS.

WE'VE GOT RECORD SAVINGS, AND SO I DON'T WANT TO KEEP GROWING THE GROWTH OF THE GOVERNMENT.

AND I THINK, I THINK PEOPLE ARE HURTING WITH INFLATION RIGHT NOW.

SO, YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR THREE YEARS.

OUR ECONOMY IS BOOMING, AND WE NEED TO GIVE THAT BACK TO THE CITIZENS IN THE FORM OF TAX CUTS, FOR ALL THOSE REASONS, TO HELP WITH INFLATION, BUT SECONDLY, JUST TO KEEP THE MOMENTUM AND KEEP THE GROWTH AND KEEP UP WITH THE OTHER STATES THAT WE COMPETE AGAINST.

>> IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GOVERNOR'S CALL FOR BUDGET TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE ARE GONNA BE SENDING OUT A MEETING NOTICE POST THIS PRESS CONFERENCE TO INVITE HIM TO APPEAR BEFORE THE APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE ON OCTOBER 3RD AT 10:00 AM AND WE WILL CONVENE A SPECIAL SESSION ABOUT AN HOUR BEFORE THAT 9:00 AM TO GAVEL IN.

WE WILL ANSWER THE CALL, OBVIOUSLY, LIKE WE ALWAYS DO TO SHOW UP SPECIAL SESSION, BUT WE CANNOT ACT UNTIL WE HAVE MORE SPECIFIC DETAILS.

>> TREAT SAYS HE NEEDS TO KNOW HOW THE GOVERNOR PLANS TO REPLACE BILLIONS IN TAX REVENUE, IF THEY PASS HIS PLAN TO ELIMINATE STATE TAXES FOR EVERYONE--- SHOULD A COURT DECIDE A NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBAL MEMBER ISN'T REQUIRED TO PAY IT.

>>> THE "TEACHER EMPOWERMENT FUND" OFFERS OKLAHOMA'S BEST EDUCATORS A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO STAY PUT.

FUNDED BY PROCEEDS FROM THE LOTTERY,THE FUND IS NOW AVAILABLE AND READY TO BE ACCESSED.

BUT HOW DO TEACHERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS DO THAT?

AND WHAT'S THE TIMELINE TO RECEIVE THESE BIG PAY RAISES?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF OUR UPCOMING "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT.

HERE'S A PREVIEW: >> THE ONE CAREER THAT HAS THE MOST IMPACT ON EVERY OTHER CAREER IS EDUCATION.

AND WE WILL NEVER MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD WITH OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, IF WE DO NOT HAVE VERY SUCCESSFUL CLASSROOM TEACHERS THAT ARE IN FRONT OF THOSE STUDENTS.

SO WE HAVE CERTAINLY A MISSION, WE'VE BEEN ON A MISSION.

I'VE HAD A TEAM THAT HAS HELPED ME TO FULFILL OUR GOAL OF MAKING SURE EDUCATION IS PROPERLY FUNDED.

>> THE EXCITING THING IS IT'S ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX FOR SCHOOLS.

AND AS CHAIRWOMAN BAKER SAID, YOU KNOW, WE USUALLY HAVE THAT BEST TEACHER AND WE WANT TO HOLD ONTO THEM, SO WE MAYBE MOVE THEM INTO THE OFFICE, WHERE THEY'RE MORE.THEY'RE BETTER SUITED TO BE A TEACHER.

SO, NOW THEY CAN BE A TEACHER, BUT ALSO BE A LEAD TEACHER.

BE A COACH TO OTHER TEACHERS.

BE A MENTOR.

AND THAT'S WHAT ALL THIS ALLOWS FOR.

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

>>> THE HISTORY CURRICULUM PROVIDED AT NO COS BY "PRAGER U" IS NOW AVAILABLE IN OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE REACHED OUT TO STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS TO DISCUSS A PROGRAM HE STRONGLY ENDORSES-- AND HE DECLINED TO SPEAK WITH US.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON A CURRICULUM THAT IS ALSO FACING STRONG OPPOSITION.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THAT PRAGER-U HAS RAISED EYEBROWS.

OKLAHOMA IS NOW THE SECOND STATE TO OFFER THE MATERIAL TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

CRITICS SAY THE MATERIAL IS INACCURATE AND OFFENSIVE.

>> I CANNOT BE MORE EXCITED TO GET THIS CONTENT IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

>> SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION RYAN WALTERS, WHO SITS ON THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION, IS TALKING ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH PRAGER U. OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOW ABLE TO USE PRAGER U HISTORY VIDEOS AND LESSON PLANS IN THE CLASSROOM, SOMETHING WALTERS SAYS HE DID AS A HISTORY TEACHER.

THE NON PROFITS WEBSITE SAYS PRAGER-U PROMOTES AMERICAN VALUES THROUGH EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS.

THE SITE ALSO SAYS THE MATERIAL OFFERED THROUGH PRAGER-U IS A "FREE ALTERNATIVE TO LEFT-WING IDEOLOGY.

>> THE FACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED SO THE KIDS CAN KNOW THE PRINCIPLES THE COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON.

>> BY CERTAIN IDEAS BUT SEEMS LIKE HIS RESPONSE TO THAT -- TO THAT IS TO PUSH FOR HIS OWN KIND OF INDOCTRINATION, AND THAT IS NOT WORKING AT ALL.

>> TO GET THIS UNDERSTANDING OF >> YOU KNOW, WHEN WE SEND OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, WE EXPECT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE GIVEN CURRICULUM THAT'S VETTED, THAT IS ACCURATE, THAT IS NOT BIASED ON ANY SIDE, AND ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HISTORY AND CIVICS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> PARENT ERIKA WRIGHT SAYS THE PRAGER-U KIDS MATERIAL DOES NOT MEET OKLAHOMA STANDARDS.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS SITUATION RIGHT HERE, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE A CURRICULUM THAT HAS BEEN THROWN ONTO THE STATE WEBSITE THAT HAS NOT HAD ANY INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC, HAS NOT HAD ANY PUBLIC INPUT FROM PARENTS.

IT HASN'T GONE THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS OF VETTING.

IT DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE OKLAHOMA STATE STANDARDS.

>> PRAGER-U WAS FOUNDED BY CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST DENNIS PRAGER IN 2010 AND DESPITE THE NAME PRAGER-U IS NOT AN ACCREDITED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE.

>> WE FIRST CAME TO KNOW ABOUT PRAGER U WHEN A PARTNERSHIP WAS ANNOUNCED BETWEEN FLORIDA PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PRAGER U AND THAT'S HOW WE ACTUALLY LEARNED ABOUT THE ANTI-MUSLIM OR ISLAMOPHOBIC MATERIALS THAT THEY PRESENT ON THEIR WEBSITE.

SO AS SOON AS IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WOULD OFFER THIS AS A RESOURCE, IT WAS OF UTMOST CONCERN TO US.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CHAPTER OF THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS IS CALLING FOR THE OSDE TO DROP PRAGER-U DUE TO CONTROVERSIAL CONTENT FOUND IN THE VIDEOS.

>> THE ONE THAT BOTHERED ME THE MOST WAS THE ONE ABOUT ISRAEL AND THE FACT THAT IT WAS A VERY ONE-SIDED VIDEO THAT DOES NOT EVEN MENTION, THE REALITY OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE, THE STRUGGLES THAT ARE STILL ONGOING THERE, THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF ISRAEL, JERUSALEM IN PARTICULAR, AND MAKES IT LOOK LIKE A VERY ONE-SIDED TYPE OF ISSUE, WHICH IT'S NOT.

>> SOLTANI SAYS THIS MISINFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO MUSLIM OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

>> NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THAT IT IGNORES THE WORLD'S SECOND-LARGEST RELIGION ENTIRELY IN ITS PRESENTATION.

SO THAT WAS ONE, BUT THERE WERE MANY OTHERS, INCLUDING ANOTHER ONE ABOUT A COPTIC CHRISTIAN YOUNG MAN IN EGYPT WHO WAS FACING SOME CHALLENGES.

IT WAS FRAMED AS BEING PERSECUTION AT THE HANDS OF MUSLIMS, WHICH IS, AGAIN, ENTIRELY INACCURATE, BOTH IN TERMS OF RELIGIOUS CONTEXT AND HISTORY.

>> PRAGER-U KIDS HAS DRAWN A LOT OF CONTROVERSY OVER EPISODE TOPICS LIKE SLAVERY AND RELIGION.

FOR EXAMPLE IN "LEO & LAYLA", A PRAGER-U KIDS SHOW GEARED TOWARD 3RD--5TH GRADERS, THE TWO MAIN CHARACTERS TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO VISIT CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS.

COLUMBUS' COMMENTS ABOUT SLAVERY WERE OFFENSIVE TO MANY.

>> SLAVERY IS AS OLD AS TIME AND HAS TAKEN PLACE WITH EVEN THE PEOPLE I JUST MET.

BEING TAKEN AS A SLAVE IS BETTER THAN BEING KILLED NO?

I DON'T SEE THE PROBLEM.

>> I DON'T WANT MY CHILDREN WATCHING VIDEOS THAT SUGGEST THAT SLAVERY WAS NO BIG DEAL AND MAYBE WAS BETTER OFF THAN BEING DEAD.

TO ME, THAT IS JUST LUDICROUS.

AND HISTORY IS THERE FOR US TO LEARN FROM AND DO BETTER MOVING FORWARD.

>> PEOPLE THINK WHAT A PEACEFUL PARADISE.

>> THESE ARE COMPLETELY INACCURATE AND ALL THEY WILL SUCCEED AT DOING IS PROVIDING YOUNG CHILDREN WITH A SKEWED AND BIASED VERSION OF HISTORY.

AND >> THE PRAGER-U KIDS MATERIAL LINK HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE OSDE WEBSITE.

HOWEVER, MOST LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAY THEY WILL CONTINUE USING THEIR CURRENT CURRICULUM THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE PRAGER-U KIDS.

MOORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELEASED A STATEMENT CONCERNING OSDE'S NEW PARTNERSHIP MOORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE TO USE ITS CURRENT CURRICULUM THAT IS ALIGNED WITH STATE STANDARDS APPROVED BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE LEGISLATURE.

WRIGHT SAYS CURRICULUM FOR SCHOOLS SHOULD BE VETTED PROPERLY.

>> EVERY YEAR WE'VE GOT DIFFERENT GROUPS OF STANDARDS THAT COME, COME UP.

AND SO THE STANDARDS, THE ACADEMIC STANDARDS FOR OKLAHOMA ARE CONSTANTLY BEING UPDATED, AND THOSE ARE APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

THEN AT THAT POINT, IT'S UP TO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE WHAT CURRICULUM THEY'RE GOING TO USE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO MEET THOSE STANDARDS.

>> SOLTANI WANTS SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS TO FOCUS ON SUPPORTING DIVERSITY AMONG STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE THIS GROWING DIVERSITY IN OUR STUDENT POPULATION SUPPORT THINGS THAT PROMOTE MULTICULTURAL EDUCATION, THAT PROMOTE RELIGIOUS PLURALISM, THAT PROMOTE STRONG IDENTITIES WITHIN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO SACRIFICE ANY PART OF THAT IDENTITY TO FIT IN.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE NEED MORE OF.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO OSDE FOR AN INTERVIEW ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP BUT WALTERS WAS UNAVAILABLE.

RICH.

>>> MONDAY MARKED THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9-11 TERROR ATTACKS ON AMERICA-- OKLAHOMA JOINING THE REST OF THE NATION IN HONORING THE MEMORIES OF THE NEARLY 3,000 PEOPLE WHO DIED AFTER TERRORISTS CRASHED TWO JET PLANES INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, ANOTHER INTO THE PENTAGON AND A FOURTH INTO A FIELD IN PENNSYLVANIA.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT AND STATE FIRE MARSHAL KEITH BRYANT, WHO WAS AN OKLAHOMA CITY FIRE FIGHTER DURING BOTH THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING AND THE 9-11 ATTACKS-- PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES THAT DAY IN A VALIANT EFFORT TO SAVE OTHERS.

>> IT'S AN HONOR TO CONTINUE OUR NATIONAL TRADITION OF PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE POLICE, THE FIREFIGHTERS, AND THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WHO WORKED TIRELESSLY TO RESCUE SURVIVORS AND SAVE LIVES.

WE'RE GOING THIS CEREMONY TODAY AT THE OKLAHOMA VETERANS MEMORIAL AS A PHYSICAL REMINDER OF THE PROFOUND CONNECTION BETWEEN THE EVENTS OF 9/11 AND THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OUR NATION WITH UNWAVERING DEDICATION.

>> MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT, OUR THOUGHTS WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THOSE MEMBERS OF NEW YORK TASK FORCE ONE THAT CAME HERE AND WORKED ALONGSIDE US.

WE KNEW THAT THOSE SAME INDIVIDUALS THAT WE HAD GOTTEN TO KNOW WERE IN THOSE BUILDINGS.

AND WE CERTAINLY KNEW THAT WHEN THE BUILDINGS COLLAPSED MANY OF THEM WERE LOST.

>> OKLAHOMANS LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS.

>>> MURRAY STATE COLLEGE IN TISHOMINGO, WILL SOON BE THE ONLY COLLEGE IN THE COUNTRY TO OFFER A COMPREHENSIVE 4-YEAR DEGREE IN "GUNSMITHING"-- REPORTER STEVE SHAW HEADED DOWN TO JOHNSTON COUNTY TO LEARN MORE THAT AND HE JOINS US NOW.

STEVE?

>> RICH, MURRAY STATE HAS OFFERED A TWO-YEAR GUNSMITHING ASSOCIATES' SINCE 1979.

FIVE MONTHS AGO, THE STATE LEGISLATURE GAVE THE SCHOOL LEGISLATURE GAVE THE SCHOOL $10 MILLION TO START THE FIRST FOUR-YEAR GUNSMITHING BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM IN AMERICA.

>> I ENJOY WORK ON THE MACHINES.

THE TEDIOUS PARTS BUT WORKING ON THE MACHINES, I'VE ALWAYS ENJOYED THAT.

>> JUST STARTING WITH SOMETHING OUT OF THERE FROM SCRATCH OR IN ROUGH SHAPE AND ENDING UP WITH A FUNCTIONAL PIECE OF ART.

>> MURRAY STATE IS 33 MILES NORTHWEST OF DURANT, AND THEY HAVE A CAMPUS IN ARDMORE.

CHAD GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM 22 YEARS AGO AND BEEN ON THE FACULTY FOR THE PAST 12.

HE SAYS THEY NORMALLY GRADUATE 60 TO 70 STUDENTS FROM THEIR TWO YEAR ASSOCIATES PROGRAM EACH YEAR.

THE NEW FOUR YEAR BACHELOR'S PROGRAM WILL ADD AN ADDITIONAL 20 AND ADD A NEW BUILDING.

>> WE WERE VERY VERY HEAVY ON THE GUN REPAIR.

THAT WAS THE NORM.

IN 1979 THAT WAS VERY COMMON.

WAS GUN REPAIR.

AS WE HAVE GOTTEN MORE MODERN, THIS TRADE IS ARCHAIC, IT'S MORE MODERN.

>> WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO DO THIS WELL?

>> REALLY, YOU HAVE TO BE THE TYPE THAT WILL GET TO WORK AND A SELF-STARTER, AND SOMEONE THAT'LL SELF-MOTIVATE AND WORK FOR THEIR OWN REWARD.

WE GET A LOT OF STUDENTS IN HERE FROM RURAL BACKGROUNDS.

FFA PROGRAMS THAT GOT A TASTE OF THIS IN WELDING, AND THIS JUST BUILDS ON IT.

THE GUYS THAT COME IN HERE FALL IN LOVE WITH IT.

>> GUN SMITHING LIKE AUTO MECHANICS ARE MORE COMPUTERIZED.

>> OUR TOOLS ARE JUST AS SPECHS BUT IT IS -- EXPENSIVE BUT IT IS LIKE BEING A MECHANIC.

BUT WE'RE BEGINNING TO SEE THE MODERNIZATION THAT HAS TAKEN OVER AUTOMOBILES AND THING LIKE THAT.

YES RG WE'RE JUST ABOUT -- YES, WE'RE JUST ABOUT ALIKE MECHANIC.

>> MURRAY STATE PRESIDENT SAYS THE TWO YEAR CHANGES THE TRAJECTORY OF LIVES.

>> CURRENTLY WITH THE ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE, THE ORPHANAGE SALARY IS 78 TO $80,000.

>> SOLID LIVING.

>> AND 91% OF THE GRADUATES HAVE A JOB BEFORE THEY GRADUATE.

AND THE TRUTH IS, 100% OF THEM HAVE A JOB BEFORE THEY GRADUATE.

NOT ALL OF THEM GO IN THE GUN INDUSTRY.

>> THE ENGINEERING AND THE MANUFACTURING SKILLS ACQUIRED IN THE TWO YEAR PROGRAM ARE VALUABLE TO COMPANIES FROM OKLAHOMA STEEL TO TIRES.

THE ONLY SCHOOL IN THE U.S. WITH A FOUR YEAR GUN SMITHING PROGRAM IS THE RESULT OF TEAM WORK.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND -- HAS A GOAL TO ATTRACT THE GUN COMPANIES.

HAVING THE BEST SCHOOL IN AMERICA, WE'RE EXCITED WHEN IT CAME TOGETHER.

>> THE GUNSMITHING INSTRUCTOR HERE.

>> WE HAVE SENT STUDENTS AND WORKERS TO, ASKED FOR A BACHELOR'S PROGRAM TO HELP THE WORKERS OUT.

WE'VE BEEN PUSHING FOR THE INDUSTRY.

>> THE STUDENTS HERE KNOW THIS IS NO GAME.

>> SAFETY FIRST BEFORE THEY CAN WORK ON ANYTHING.

ANY TOOL OR FIREARM HERE, IT'S A TEST OVER IT.

A SAFETY TEST THEY HAVE TO PASS 100%.

EVEN IF THEY'VE BEEN TO SCHOOL BEFORE THAT.

>> IT'S AN EXACTING SCIENCE AND THE STANDARDS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH.

THERE ARE NO -- THERE IS NO ROOM FOR ERROR AND ARE NO GOOD ENOUGH OR CLOSE ENOUGH.

THE GUN SMITHS WE GRADUATE ARE PRECISE TRAINED INDIVIDUALS.

>> NO, AN OFF DAY IS NOT A GOOD DAY.

THERE'S THINGS THAT ON YOUR OFF DAYS YOU DON'T GO AND MESS WITH.

YOU KIND OF PLAY IT ON THE SAFER SIDE.

>> THAT ADDS TO THE CHALLENGE THAT MAKES IT MORE SATISFYING.

>> OH YEAH.

THE END OF THE DAY YOU HAVE EVERYTHING DONE AND PUT THE UP AND YOU'RE LIKE, OKAY.

THIS PROJECT IS DONE, AND IT'S READY TO SEND BACK, I'M HAPPY TO PUT MY NAME BEHIND THIS.

>> I'M FROM MAINE.

>> YES, HE CAME ALL THE WAY FROM THE STATE OF MAINE.

THREE YEARS AGO.

TO LEARN TO BE A GUNSMITH.

HE ALREADY HAS HIS TWO YEAR ASSOCIATES DEGREE AND WORKING ON ANOTHER TWO YEAR CERTIFICATION IN CUSTOM GUN MAKING.

HE PLANS TO RETURN HOME WITH BOTH DEGREES.

>> YEAH, THERE'S NOT TOO MANY GUN SMITHS UP THERE, AND THE ONES AROUND ARE GETTING OLDER.

>> >> MURRAY STATE COLLEGE PRESIDENT TIM FALTYN SAYS THEY HOPE TO START ADMITTING THE FIRST 30 STUDENTS INTO THEIR NEW FOUR YEAR GUNSMITHING PROGRAM IN JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

RICH.

>>> ACCORDING TO OUR CONTENT PARTNERS AT "OKLAHOMA WATCH", THERE HAVE BEEN SEVEN UNEXPLAINED DEATHS IN THE POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY JAIL IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

AND WHEN A COURT DEMANDED EXPLANATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION- JAIL OFFICIALS APPARENTLY DIDN'T COOPERATE.

I SPOKE WITH REPORTER WHITNEY BRYEN ABOUT WHAT THE VICTIM'S FAMILIES BELIEVE.IS A "COVER-UP"-- AND WE MUST TELL YOU: SOME OF THIS VIDEO IS BE DISTURBING TO WATCH.

>> WHITNEY BRYAN WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, THESE SEVEN DEATHS DATE BACK TO 2018.

IS, IS EACH CASE UNIQUE OR DO THE VICTIMS HAVE SIMILAR BACKGROUNDS AND CIRCUMSTANCES?

>> WELL RICH , IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH, OF COURSE, THE CIRCUMSTANCES AROUND THEIR ARRESTS, THE CHARGES, THOSE ARE ALL DIFFERENT.

THE DEATHS, EVEN DEPENDING ON EACH PERSON.

HOWEVER, WHAT THEY DO HAVE IN COMMON ARE MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.

ALL SEVEN OF THESE FOLKS HAD SOME SORT OF MEDICAL CONDITION AS WELL AS A MENTAL HEALTH OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUE THEY WERE DEALING WITH WHEN THEY CAME INTO THE JAIL.

>> SO WHAT WRONGDOING ARE JAIL OFFICIALS ALLEGEDLY GUILTY OF?

>> A LOT OF IT REVOLVES AROUND PUBLIC RECORDS, RECORDS THAT THE JAIL IS REQUIRED TO KEEP.

AND BECAUSE THE JAIL IS RECEIVING PUBLIC FUNDING, IT'S A, YOU KNOW, PUBLIC AGENCY, THEY HAVE TO KEEP RECORDS THAT THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO SEE.

THINGS LIKE BOOKING INFORMATION.

SO WHEN SOMEONE COMES INTO THE JAIL, THEY HAVE TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT THE CHARGE WAS WHEN THEY CAME IN, HOW OLD THEY ARE, YOU KNOW, WHO THEY ARE.

FAMILIES IN THESE CASES HAVE A RIGHT TO THAT INFORMATION.

THEY'RE NOT PROVIDING THAT EITHER.

IN SOME CASES THEY'VE EVEN HAVE COURT ORDERS WHO, YOU KNOW, A JUDGE HAS SAID YOU HAVE TO GIVE UP, YOU KNOW, BOOKING INFORMATION, INCIDENT REPORTS IF SOMETHING HAPPENED, JAIL VIDEO, AND THEY'RE STILL NOT PROVIDING THAT DOCUMENTATION.

>> WHITNEY, WHO CURRENTLY IS IN CHARGE WITH THE POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER, AND HAVE THEY RESPONDED TO YOU OR FOR THAT MATTER, RESPONDED TO THE COURT BEYOND WHAT YOU'VE JUST SUGGESTED?

>> WELL, BRIANNA OR ROCHELLE, AS SHE'S MORE COMMONLY KNOWN, THOMPSON, SHE'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE JAIL AND HAS BEEN THROUGHOUT ALL SEVEN OF THESE DEATHS.

SHE WAS MADE DIRECTOR BACK IN 2017.

>> AND ACTUALLY NUMBER TWO IN CHARGE OF THE JAIL IS HER HUSBAND, CAPTAIN BOBBY THOMPSON.

HE'S IN CHARGE OF INVESTIGATIONS THERE, WHICH MEANS WHEN SOMEONE DIES, HE'S THE PERSON INVESTIGATING THAT DEATH AND HE'S REPORTING THAT BACK TO HIS WIFE, ROCHELLE THOMPSON.

THEY HAVE REALLY KEPT INFORMATION UNDER WRAPS THEIR FAMILIES, COURTS, AND OF COURSE, THE MEDIA HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PRY FREE ALMOST ANY INFORMATION.

>> WHITNEY, SEVERAL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS, AS YOU MENTIONED, WERE TAKEN INTO JAIL AFTER SUFFERING A, A MEDICAL CRISIS OF SOME SORT.

NOW.

GIVEN THAT IF IT LEADS TO BEHAVIOR THAT IS ERRATIC OR VIOLENT, I MEAN, WHAT OTHER CHOICE DO THE POLICE HAVE, BUT TO GET THEM OFF THE STREETS, IT BECOMES A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE, DOES IT NOT?

>> SO THERE ARE A LOT OF OPTIONS THAT POLICE DO HAVE.

ARRESTING THEM IS OF COURSE ONE OPTION IF THEY HAVE BROKEN THE LAW.

ANOTHER OPTION IS POLICE OFFICERS OFTEN HAVE IPADS NOW ALL ACROSS THE STATE WHERE THEY CAN BRING UP A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, A COUNSELOR WHO CAN TALK TO THE POLICE OFFICER, AND THE PERSON IN CRISIS TRY TO HELP CALM THINGS DOWN AND FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY FORWARD.

AND OF COURSE, POLICE CAN ALSO TAKE SOMEONE DIRECTLY TO AN EMERGENCY ROOM IF THEY FEEL THE PERSON IS IN A MEDICAL OR A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> WHITNEY, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THE FAMILIES OF SOME OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE DIED AFTER THEY WERE TAKEN INTO THIS FACILITY?

>> WELL, WHAT I'M HEARING FROM FAMILIES IS JUST SHEER FRUSTRATION AND OF COURSE, GRIEF.

IN THE CASE OF KELLY WRIGHT, HER WIFE SHELLY, IS STILL GRIEVING THE LOSS OF HER LOVED ONE, AND SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT HAPPENED TO HER WIFE.

IN FACT, SHE DIDN'T EVEN KNOW HER WIFE HAD BEEN ARRESTED OR TAKEN TO JAIL IN THE FIRST PLACE.

SHE GOT A CALL FROM A DOCTOR IN A TOWN SHE DOESN'T LIVE IN SAYING, HEY, YOUR WIFE IS HERE ON LIFE SUPPORT.

YOU SHOULD GET HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND WHEN SHE GOT TO THE HOSPITAL AND PUT EYES ON HER WIFE, SHE WAS COVERED IN BRUISES.

SHE HAD SEVERAL BROKEN BONES.

THAT WAS NOT THE CASE WHEN KELLY WAS ARRESTED, AS WE KNOW FROM SOME VIDEO FOOTAGE.

SO THERE ARE SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT THESE FAMILIES HAVE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS SPACE BETWEEN WHEN THEY WERE BOOKED INTO JAIL AND WHEN THEY DIED.

AND THOSE QUESTIONS REMAIN UNANSWERED FOR MOST FAMILIES.

>> WHITNEY, BEFORE WE LET YOU GO.

OVERALL, ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INCARCERATED IN OKLAHOMA EACH YEAR AND AND DO WE KNOW ABOUT HOW MANY OF THOSE ARE SUFFERING FROM A MENTAL EPISODE OF SOME KIND?

>> WELL, I DID FIND SOME RESEARCH FROM THE PRISON POLICY INSTITUTE THAT SHOWS THAT OKLAHOMA JAILS SOMETHING LIKE A HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE A YEAR.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MANY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS OR CAME IN IN CRISIS, PARTLY BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING WE'RE TRACKING AS A STATE.

NOW, EACH JAIL IS REQUIRED TO DO A MENTAL HEALTH AND A MEDICAL ASSESSMENT WHEN SOMEONE'S BOOKED INTO JAIL.

HOWEVER, ANECDOTALLY I'M HEARING FROM FAMILIES, FROM CORRECTIONS OFFICERS AND FROM JAILS THAT THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS HAPPEN.

>> WHITNEY BRYEN, WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, STILL A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND NOT ENOUGH ANSWERS.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, RICH.

>>>IT'S HARD TO CAPTURE WANDA JACKSON'S PIONEERING "ROCKABILLY" GREATEST ON CANVAS.

BUT ARTIST TRACY WILLIS WAS UP TO THE TASK.

AND ON WEDNESDAY, HIS PORTRAIT OF THE YOUNG WOMAN BORN IN MAUD, OKLAHOMA WAS UNVEILED IN THE 2ND FLOOR ROTUNDA.

SOON TO BE 86 YEARS OLD, JACKSON HAS INSPIRED GENERATIONS OF MUSICIANS-- FROM ELVIS PRESLEY TO JOAN JETT, WHOM SHE COLLABORATED WITH ON AN ALBUM IN 2021, CALLED, "ENCORE".

WANDA JACKSON IS A TRULY ICONIC ORIGINAL-- AND AN OKLAHOMAN THROUGH AND THROUGH.

>> IT'S A VERY EXCITING DAY FOR ME, I WORE SUSPENDERS TO HOLD ME DOWN, KEEP ME ON THE GROUND.

I STARTED OUT QUITE YOUNG AND AS A MATTER OF FACT, I SIGNED MY FIRST RECORDING CONTRACT WITH DECA RECORDS WHEN I WAS A JUNIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL.

I WOULD'VE BEEN 16, I GUESS.

ELVIS, BLESS HIS HEART, WAS THE ONE THAT CONVINCED ME TO TRY ROCKABILLY OR THIS NEW MUSIC.

AND HE, HE JUST CONTINUED TO, HE'D SING FOR ME, YOU KNOW, AND SAY, YOU TAKE THIS SONG AND YOU JUST DO THIS TO IT.

AND I SAID, I CAN'T DO THAT ELVIS, I'M JUST A GIRL AND I'M A COUNTRY SINGER.

I, I CAN'T.

HE SAID, YOU CAN DO IT.

>> JACKSON WAS INDUCTED INTO THE "ROCK N ROLL" HALL OF FAME IN 2009 AND RETIRED FROM TOURING IN 2019.

>>> FIRE UP THE "DEEP FRYERS" AND GET READY FOR 10 DAYS OF FUN AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR--- AN ANNUAL EVENT THAT ACTUALLY PRECEEDS "STATEHOOD".

DATING BACK TO 1907, THIS YEAR'S FAIR OPENED ON THURSDAY, MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF THESE YOUNG FOLKS-- AND WRAPS UP ON SEPTEMBER 24TH.

THE FAIR ATTRACTED MORE THAN 900,000 VISITORS IN 2022 AND THIS YEAR YOU'LL NOTICE A NEW CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UNDERWAY.

A NEW RON NORICK COLISEUM IS BEING BUILT TO REPLACE THE CURRENTLY FACILITY, WHICH HAS HOSTED THE STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT FOR 55 YEARS.

>>> VOTERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY WILL SOON HAVE THE CHANCE TO DETERMINE THE FUTURE OF THE THUNDER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS ON THAT AND MORE-- IN THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW".

>> OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR DAVID HOLT AND THE CITY COUNCIL WILL SET DECEMBER 12 AS THE DATE FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO EXTEND A ONE CENT SALES TAX TO PAY FOR A NEW ARENA TO KEEP THE THUNDER PLAYING IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR YEARS TO COME.

THE ONE CENT SALES TAX IS CURRENTLY BEING COLLECTED AND USED FOR MAPS FOR PROJECTS AROUND THE CAPITAL CITY.

THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED TO COST A MINIMUM OF $900 MILLION TO BUILD AN NBA ARENA.

IF VOTERS APPROVE.THE THUNDER WILL STAY IN OKLAHOMA CITY UNTIL AT LEAST 2050.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES AND AMERICAN AIRLINES ARE ADDING EXTENDED SEASONAL, NON-STOP SERVICE TO FLORIDA FOR THOSE FLYING OUT OF WILL ROGERS WORLD AIRPORT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SOUTHWEST IS OFFERING ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS TO ORLANDO AND MIAMI.

THOSE WILL BEGIN IN OCTOBER AND GO THROUGH MARCH OF NEXT YEAR.

BEGINNING IN DECEMBER, AMERICAN AIRLINES WILL ADD A NON-STOP FLIGHT TO MIAMI.

TULSA BASED VITAL ENERGY IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS REACH IN THE PERMIAN BASIN IN TEXAS.

THE COMPANY HAS SIGNED THREE AGREEMENTS WHICH WILL SCALE UP ITS OPERATIONS IN THAT FORMATION.

COMBINED THE TRANSACTIONS ARE WORTH NEARLY $1.2 BILLION.

THE TRANSACTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE CLOSED SOMETIME IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

TULSA BASED BROWNCO MANUFACTURING AND SALES IS THE ACQUISITION TARGET FOR AN ATLANTA COMPANY CALLED WHITE CAP.

BROWNCO IS A DISTRIBUTOR OF SPECIALITY CONCRETE PRODUCTS FOR CONTRACTORS.

WHITE CAP DISTRIBUTES SPECIALITY CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES.

THE TERMS OF THE DEAL HAVE NOT BEEN DISCLOSED.

THIS IS THE OPENING WEEKEND FOR THE NEW WOKA WHITEWATER PARK NEAR WATTS ALONG THE STATE LINE WITH ARKANSAS.

THE 30-ACRE SITE IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE GRAND RIVER DAM AUTHORITY AND THE CITY OF SILOAM SPRINGS, ARKANSAS WITH SUPPORT FROM THE WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION.

IT FEATURES A 1200 FOOT LONG CHANNEL FOR KAYAKERS, SURFERS AND TUBERS LOOKING TO RIDE SOME RAPIDS.

WOKA IS SHORT FOR WATERS OF OKLAHOMA AND ARKANSAS.

JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> THE "TEACHER EMPOWERMENT FUND" IS STILL IN ITS INFANCY- AND RIGHT NOW, SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS ARE STILL LEARNING THE "IN'S AND OUT'S" OF A PROGRAM CREATED TO RETAIN OUR STATE'S BEST EDUCATORS.

IN THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" DISCUSSION, WE HOPE TO PROVIDE SOME CLARITY.

HERE'S MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT, AND HER SPECIAL PANEL OFGUESTS.

>> DEPENDING ON SOURCES FROM $48,000 A YEAR TO 60,000.

THE TEACHER RAISES THIS YEAR WILL BRING EDUCATORS AVERAGE SALARIES TO MORE THAN $60,000 A YEAR.

JOINING ME NOW TO TALK ABOUT AND THE NEED TO DO MORE TO KEEP OUR TEACHERS IN OKLAHOMA, IS RHONDA BAKER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME, THANK YOU.

>> AND DR. SHAW HIMES.

>> THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> TELL US WHAT YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES.

>> WE'RE OKLAHOMA STATE'S -- ASSOCIATION.

WE'RE A NONPROFIT, AND A MEMBER ORGANIZATION FOR SCHOOL BOARDS IN THE STATE.

AND ABOUT HALF A DOZEN CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE A MEMBER OF OUR ASSOCIATION.

WE PROVIDE SERVICES, WE HAVE FIVE ATTORNEYS THAT HELP THEM.

WE HELP WITH UNEMPLOYMENT, TRAIN THEM, ELECTED INTO THE HOUSE, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

>> I WAS ELECTEDED IN 2016, AND IN 2017, IN THE TEACHER WALKOUT I WAS NAMED THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMON EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

I HAVE HELD THAT POSITION, AND WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF INTERESTING EDUCATIONAL THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED, OF COURSE, WE HAVE TEACHER WALKOUTS, COVID, WE'VE HAD ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND OUR JOB IS TO GO THROUGH AND FIND POLICY THAT'LL ADDRESS THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO IMPROVE UPON THE RATE OF SUCCESS FOR THE STUDENTS AND THE TEACHERS.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE.

YOU TOLD ME THAT THE AVERAGE SALARY WILL GO ABOVE 60,000 FOR TEACHERS.

IS THIS A GOOD PLACE TO FINALLY HAVE THE TEACHERS?

>> I THINK IT'S EXCELLENT WE'RE COMPETING WITH OTHER STATES AND DEGREED PROFESSIONALS.

THE RAISE PUT IN PLACE WAS AMAZING.

THANK YOU CHAIRMAN.

IT'LL GO OVER 60,000.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDED MORE FUNDING AVAILABILITY THAN WHAT WAS MANDATE THE.

>> SENATOR, I WANT TO ASK YOU OF THE TEACHER EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT BEFORE, BUT I WANT TO AGAIN.

EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS FIRST OF ALL.

>> BACK IN 2017, 2018, THERE WAS A BILL FILED BY ME THAT WAS PASSED, THE TEACHER CAREER LADDER BILL.

AT THAT POINT, THAT GAVE THE FOUNDATION FOR WHAT IS UTILIZED IN THE TEACHER EMPOWERMENT PLAN.

WITH THAT, THERE'S ADDITIONAL RAISES TO BE GIVEN.

ADVANCED TEACHER, $3,000 FROM THE STATE WILL BE MATCHED WITH $3,000 FROM THE LOCAL DISTRICT.

LEAD TEACHER, $5,000 MATCHED BY THE DISTRICT.

AND FINALLY A MASTER TEACHER THAT'S $10,000.

UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $20,000 POTENTIALLY CAN BE RECEIVED THERE.

WE'RE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING OUR BEST TEACHERS, AND YOU HEAR BEST AND BRIGHTEST ALL THE TIME.

YOU'RE KEEPING YOUR BEST TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM.

ULTIMATELY WE ALL KNOW FOR TEACHERS, IN THE PAST THE ONLY WAY THEY TRULY COULD CLIMB A LADDER WAS TO GO IN ADMINISTRATION IN SOME WAY.

WELL, BECAUSE OF OUR TEACHER SHORTAGE, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE KEEPING THOSE IN THE CLASSROOM IN FRONT OF THE STUDENTS.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SOME SUCCESS WITHIN OUR STUDENT BODY.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM THERE, AND THIS IS A WAY TO DO SO.

>> THE SALARY INCREASES ARE NOT INSUBSTANTIAL.

>> IT WILL NOT BE DIFFICULT.

THE DISTRICTS HAVE THE DISCRETION.

THERE'S SOME REQUIREMENTS AROUND TEACHER OBSERVATION AND THOSE THINGS.

SOME OF THE DISTRICTS ARE LOOKING AT BRINGING IN TEACHERS TO GET FEEDBACK AND SET THAT UP.

THE EXCITING THING IS, IT'S ANOTHER TOOL IN THE TOOL BOX FOR SCHOOLS.

USUALLY HAVE THE BEST TEACHERS, WE WANT TO HOLD ON TO THEM AND MOVE THEM TO THE OFFICE WHERE THEY'RE BETTER SUITED TO BE A TEACHER, AND ALSO A LEAD TEACHER AND COACH TO OTHER TEACHERS.

A MENTOR.

THAT'S WHAT THIS ALLOWS FOR, WITH EACH OF THOSE DESIGNATIONS, THERE'S A CONTRACT THAT'S A BILL LONGER.

-- A LITTLE LONGER.

HOPEFULLY TO GROW THEM TO BE MORE PROFESSIONAL AND STAY IN THE PROFESSION.

>> THE FIRST LEVEL, LEAD?

>> ADVANCED IS FIRST.

THE FIRST LEVEL.

>> WHAT DOES A TEACHER NEED TO DO?

>> NOW THAT'S ALL DETERMINED AT THE LOCAL LEVELS, BUT SOME IDEAS WOULD BE, THEY'RE A MENTOR.

THE MENTOR TO OTHER TEACHERS IN THEIR GRADE.

OR WITHIN THEIR SUBJECT.

AND MOVING ON UP IF YOU'RE A LEAD TEACHER, YOU'RE LEAVING YOUR CLASSROOM FOR AN HOUR A DAY TO GO IN THE CLASSROOM OF ANOTHER TEACHER AND HELPING THEM SIDE BY SIDE TO HELP ON AND IMPROVE A LESSON OR SOMETHING.

AND MASTER TEACHER, THAT'S SOMEONE WHO MAY BE IN CONTROL OF THE DEPARTMENT.

THEY'RE OVERSEEING ALL OF THE TEACHERS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

AND AGAIN, PROVIDING INSTRUCTIONAL TIPS TO THOSE WHO MAY BE NEW.

THERE'S VARYING LEVELS AND THAT'S ALL DETERMINED AT THE DISTRICT.

>> THE INCREASES PERMANENT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS?

>> THAT'S UP TO THE DISTRICT.

IT'S A DESIGNATION THAT'S YEAR TO YEAR.

IT'S ALL ABOUT IS IT WORKING FOR US.

AS WE TALK ABOUT FUNDING EDUCATION AND THE INCREASES WE'VE HAD, ONE THING THAT'S AMAZING, LOOKING AT THE STATES AROUND US, THE JOBS AND GRADUATES PREPARED.

MANY OF THEM WERE UNDERRESOURCED IN THE AREAS OF HAVING OTHER PEOPLE ON STAFF THAT SPECIFICALLY LOOK AT ACADEMICS AND TRAEPG THE TEACHES -- TRAINING THE TEACHERS.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE NUMBER OF TEACHERS THAT ARE COMING IN EMERGENCY OR ADDJUNCT.

>> ARE YOU HEARING FEEDBACK THEY WANT MORE GUIDANCE OF HOW TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM IN THE DISTRICTS?

>> IN THE LEGISLATION, THERE WAS GUIDANCE GIVEN.

THE TEACHER OBSERVATION SHOULD BE USED.

STUDENT SUCCESS SHOULD BE USED.

IF THEY'RE SOMEONE WHO'S REALLY SUPPORTIVE OF KEEPING UP THE GOOD WILL OF THE SCHOOL NAME AND WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY, AND BRINGING A POSITIVE LIGHT TO THE SCHOOL, THOSE ARE ALL POSITIVE THINGS THAT SHOULD BE UTILIZED.

AND IT COULD GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THAT, AND THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO TO BEST PROCESS A TEACHER THAT NEEDS THAT.

>> IT'S A BALANCING ACT, TO GIVE THE GUIDANCE THAT'S EFFECTIVE, BUT NOT MICRO MANAGE.

>> WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS THE EXCITING THING, WE HAVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS COMING TOGETHER AND LOOKING AT DEVELOPING PLANS TO SHARE WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

UPWHAT WORKS BEST.

I'M NOT IN THEIR SHOES, BOTH EDUCATORS BUT WE WANT THEM TO COME UP WITH WHAT'S BEST FOR THE DISTRICTS.

WE HAVE DISTRICTS COMING TOGETHER LOOKING AT OPTIONS.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING TO DISCUSS WITH PARENTS, WHAT THE PARENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALSO INCLUDED IN THE LEGISLATION.

THEY COULD CERTAINLY USE SURVEY.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND FOR THE SMALLER ECONOMICALLY, DISADVANTAGED DISTRICTS, THERE'S A STIPEND.

>> YOU CAN HAVE ADDITIONAL STIPEND IF YOU HAVE 40% OR MORE OF STUDENTS.

WHICH IN OKLAHOMA, SADLY ARE STATE AVERAGE IS 62%.

MOST OF THE DISTRICTS WOULD QUALIFY FOR THAT.

AND THE OTHER PIECE IS 1,000 STUDENTS OR LESS.

>> HOW DOES THAT RANK NATIONALLY?

>> PRETTY HIGH.

WE'RE A HIGH POVERTY STATE.

WE HOPE TO GROW AND IMPROVE THAT.

>> WE'RE AT THE TOP OF THE PACK.

>> WE CAN'T ATTACK OUR FOOT OFF THE GAS.

EVERY STATE IS COMPETING.

WE ALL HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE ISSUE.

WE'RE ALL FIGHTING TO KEEP THE BEST IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE HAVE TO IN-- THOSE OF A CAREER CHOICE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, YOU BOTH HAVE BEEN ON THE SCENE A LONG TIME IN OKLAHOMA.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, 28 YEARS I'VE BEEN IN EDUCATION.

ENTIRE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN DEAD LAST.

FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, WE'VE BEEN ABOVE THE REGIONAL AVERAGE AND STAYING ABOVE IT.

IN FIVE YEARS.

$1.4 BILLION.

FROM 1992 TO 2018, ONLY $1.3 BILLION.

THEY'VE INCREASED MORE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS THAN THE PREVIOUS 26.

>> WHAT WAS FOR THAT INCREASE?

>> I LEFT THE CLASSROOM, AND THAT WAS IN 2016, TEACHERS WERE LEAVING IN DROVES.

AND I KNEW IT.

ALL OF THOSE ISSUES, AND IT HAD BEEN TACKLED BUT THE YEARS THAT I CAME IN, I CAME IN WITH A LARGE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ALL HEARD THE SAME PROBLEMS AND WE KNEW WE HAD TO FIGURE OUT A SOLUTION TO THIS.

I'LL TELL YOU THE, ONE CAREER WITH THE MOST IMPACT ON EVERY OTHER CAREER IS EDUCATION.

WE'LL NEVER MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD WITH THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES.

IF WE DON'T HAVE VERY SUCCESSFUL CLASSROOM TEACHERS IN FRONT OF THE STUDENTS.

WE HAVE THE MISSION, WE'VE BEEN ON A MISSION.

I HAVE A TEAM THAT'S HELPED ME FULFILL THE GOAL OF MAKING SURE THAT EDUCATION IS PROPERLY FUNDED.

>> LOOKS LIKE IT'S EFFECTIVE TO YOU.

WHAT'S NEXT, HAVE WE ARRIVED ON TEACHER SALARY, AND LET IT STAY.

>> THE GREAT THEY CAN IS THEY'RE IT HAPPENING TO FUND TEACHER SALARIES AND 775% OF THE -- THA WAS IMPORTANT.

THE OTHER THING IS THEY'VE SEEN THE SCHOOLS UNDERRESOURCED IN MENTAL HEALTH AND COUNSELORS.

CONTINUING TO FUND THOSE AREAS AND THE SCHOOLS, THE WRAP AROUND SERVICES TO MAKE IT EASIER JOB.

>> QUICK QUESTION BACK TO THE EMPOWERMENT PROGRAM.

>> ANYTIME YOU CHANGE DISTRICT, THERE'S AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM YOU'LL LEAD THE DESIGNATION.

YOU START A NEW DISTRICT, THEY HAVE TO SEE HOW THEY ARE IN COMPARISON.

IN THE PAST, TEACHERS MOVING FROM DISTRICT TO DISTRICT TO SEE IF THEY POSSIBLY CAN GET MORE MONEY FROM THIS DISTRICT.

>> IS IT IN EFFECT NOW?

>> YES, IT IS.

>> HOW MANY DISTRICTS -- >> SCHOOLS ARE NOW WORKING ON.

THE APPROPRIATIONS AND THOSE THINGS CAME LATER IN THE YEAR.

SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING AT IT TO SEE HOW IT WORKS.

>> I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU.

WE'LL PROBABLY COME BACK AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND SEE HOW IT PANNED OUT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>>THE FUTURE IS NOW FOR FRUIT FARMERS IN CENTRAL WASHINGTON- LABOR SHORTAGES HAVE THEM RELYING MORE AND MORE ON TECHNOLOGY TO GET THEIR HARVEST TO MARKET-- BUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE FRUIT PICKERS TODAY?

WE LEARN MORE IN THIS REPORT FROM OUR FRIENDS AT "OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING".

>> READY?

FIRE ON AND THEN YOU CAN GO.

>> WHAT IS THIS THING?

AND WHAT'S IT DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN APPLE ORCHARD.

AGRICULTURE TODAY IS NOT THE SAME AS IN THE STORYBOOKS.

THE FUTURE IS HERE.

>> EACH ROBOT HAS CAMERAS ON IT, AND LIVE LOOKING AT EVERY APPLE AND THE RANKING THE CANDIDATES BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPONENTS AND LOOKING AT THE RIPENESS OF THE APPLE, AND HOW DIFFICULT IT'LL BE TO PICK THE APPLE.

>> IT'S THE FUTURE.

IF YOU DIDN'T ADOPT OR MAKE CHANGES, WE WOULD STILL HAVE HORSES AND CARTS.

YOU HAVE TO CHANGE WITH THE TIMES AND THE TIMES ARE TECHNOLOGY.

>> THE STATE OF WASHINGTON PRODUCED A LOT OF CROPS BUT NONE MORE THAN APPLES.

NEARLY 12 BILLION APPLES ARE HARVESTED EACH YEAR.

MAKING WASHINGTON THE NUMBER ONE PRODUCER OF APPLES IN THE U.S. >> WE DO PRODUCE MORE THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN THE NATION.

EACH PIECE OF FRUIT IS PICKED BY HAND.

>> ON THE FRONT OF THE HARVESTER, YOU'LL NOTICE THE MAIN COMPUTER AND IT'S COORDINATING THE MOTION OF THE SIX ROBOTS, AND KEEPING THE HARVESTER ITSELF TRACKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROW.

WHEN IT'S READY TO PICK, IT'LL COME OUT AND YOU'LL NOTICE IT'LL GO IN AND OUT, SIDE TO SIDE, TWIST UP AND DOWN, AND SEES AN APPLE IT WANTS IT'LL GO IN THE CANOPY AND PICK IT WITH THE SUCTION CUP AND RETURN.

YOU CAN SEE HAS EACH ROBOT PICKS AN APPLE, IT'LL TAKE IT TO THE BACK AND DROP IN THE CONVEYOR SYSTEM.

AND SO RIGHT NOW, ALL SIX ROBOTS IN THE CONVEYORS, AND COME IN HERE AND CUT THE STEMS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE HOPING TO AUTOMATE IN THE FUTURE BUT ONE OF THE MANY EXAMPLES OF HOW IMPRESSIVE THE HOW MANY IS, IDENTIFY THE APPLE, REORR YET IT, AND PLACING THE TRIMMER IN THE PROPER SPOT, IT'S A COMPLICATED TASK.

IT'S SOMETHING WE'LL NEED TO SOLVE.

>> SO, WILL THE ROBOTS, THAT CAN WORK 24/7, EVENTUALLY REPLACE HUMAN LABOR?

HOW DO THE ACTUAL LABORERS FEEL.

>> THE MACHINE COMING.

MAKING ME SURPRISED.

WE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE.

>> NO BRUISE, WELL, IN THE FUTURE, WE DON'T HAVE A JOB.

BECAUSE THEY TRY TO PUT ANOTHER -- >> CURRENTLY, HUMANS ARE STILL FASTER AND MORE EFFICIENT THAN THE ROBOT PICKERS.

BUT THAT NARROWS WITH EACH PASSING YEAR.

SOME MANUFACTURERS ARE TESTING THE LIMITS BY DEVELOPING ROBOTS THAT ARE UNGROUNDED, LITERALLY.

THERE'S EIGHT DRONES ALL PICKING SIMULTANEOUSLY.

>> THIS ROBOT CAN PICK -- HOURS A DAY, AND THE YOUNGER GENERATION DOESN'T ASPIRE TO BE AN APPLE PICKER.

RIGHT NOW, TREADING WATER TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO KEEP ENOUGH EMPLOYEES TO KEEP THE CROP PICKED UNTIL THIS EVOLVED.

>> ONE THING IS CLEAR, ROBOTS ARE HERE TO STAY.

WITH THE INCREASING LABOR SHORTAGES, THEY'RE MORE COMMON IN ORCHARDS AND FARMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WE -- THIS IS NOT LIKE BEFORE, EVERYONE WANTS TO WORK.

RIGHT NOW IT'S MORE THE YOUNG KIDS, THEY LOOK FOR EASY JOBS.

I THINK THEY'LL HAVE MORE TO DO THE LABOR.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY'S TRANSIT BUS SYSTEM.

IS RECEIVING A MAJOR UPGRADE THAT INCLUDES NEW BUSES AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE'LL "RIDE ALONG" TO SPEAK WITH RIDERS AND REPORT ON THE CHANGES.

>>> AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S LUIS RENDON.

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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