>>> THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FACING WHAT THE STATE ADMINISTRATION CALLS FIRST OF ITS KIND AUDIT.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT WE ENSURE TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING TRANSPARENTLY USED AND BEING ACCOUNTED FOR.

>> WHY OKLAHOMA IS WELL EQUIPPED TO BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER IN THE PRODUCTION OF HYDROGEN ENERGY.

>> ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT CAN DO IT ALL, RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE LOW COST NATURAL GAS.

>>> THE CHEROKEE NATION UNVEILED THE LARGEST BUDGET IN ITS HISTORY.

>> ONE DISTINCTION UNLIKE ONE CONGRESS WE GET OUR BUDGETS DONE ON TIME.

>>> IT'S ESTIMATED BY OUR FAIR INDUSTRY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS THAT WE HAVE ABOUT $100 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> INSIDE LOOK AT WHY THIS WHOLE CONSTRUCTION COULD CAN THE MISSING PIECE IN THE REVITALIZATION OF A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THESE ARE TRANSFORMATIONAL PROJECTS, BECOME ANCHOR PROJECTS, DRAW OPPORTUNITIES FOR CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT.

>> THOSE STORIES PLUS AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

WE BEGIN BY TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT THE MOTIVES BEHIND THE STITT ADMINISTRATION DECISION TO CONDUCT WHAT IT CALLS UNPRECEDENTED AUDIT OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

A MOVE THAT WAS HARSHLY CRITICIZED BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND RAISES PLENTY OF UNANSWERED BUT INTRIGUING QUESTIONS.

JASON DOYLE REPORTS ON A AUDIT THAT IS CONTROVERSIAL.

>> WE REQUESTED INTERVIEWS WITH GOVERNOR STITT AND SUPERINTENDENT HOFF MICESTER AND WERE TOLD THE SCHEDULES WOULD NOT ALLOW FOR IT.

THOSE SUPPORTING THE AUDIT SAY IT'S IN THE NAME OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO MAKE SURE MONEY REALLY IS SPENT IN THE CLASSROOM.

MORE THAN $2 BILLION IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS FLOWING IN, SECRETARY OF EDUCATION SAY IT'S THEIR DUTY TO TRACK EVERY DOLLAR.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE ENSURE THAT TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING TRANSPARENTLY USED, AND BEING ACCOUNTED FOR.

>> THE FOCUS OF THE YOU HAD AN IT IS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S OKLAHOMA COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

WALTERS SAYS THERE ARE TWO PRIMARY GOALS FOR THE AUDIT.

>> THE FIRST IS SPECIFIC LOOKING AT THIS SYSTEM, THE OCAS SYSTEM IS ACCOUNTING FOR WHICH DISTRICTS REPORT HOW THEY SPEND THEIR DOLLARS, THAT COME TO THEM THROUGH THE FUNDING FORMULA.

THE OBJECTIVE TWO IS TO LOOK AT ALL DOLLARS FLOWING INTO THE DEPARTMENT, AND ENSURING THAT THEY ARE BEING FIRST OF ALL REPORTED ON IN A TRANSPARENT MANNER AND NUMBER TWO BEING USED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE STATUTES.

>> WHEN HE ORDERED THE AUDIT GOVERNOR STITT INSISTED HE WAS KEEPING A CAMPAIGN PROMISE, SAYING I PROMISED OKLAHOMAMANS AS GOVERNOR I WOULD CLEAN UP STATE GOVERNMENT AND MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE AND I'M KEEPING THAT PROMISE.

AS WE MAKE RECORD INVESTMENTS STUDENTS AND PARENTS DESERVE TO KNOW THEIR SCHOOLS ARE SPENDING OUR TAX DOLLARS APPROPRIATELY AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW.

THAT DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.

SHE RESPONDED, AT A TIME DURING WHICH THERE ARE SERIOUS AUDITS WE HAVE REQUESTED WHICH POTENTIALLY INVOLVE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND WHILE 541 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND NORMALCY DURING A PANDEMIC, THE GOVERNOR'S ATTACK ON PUBLIC EDUCATION COULDN'T BE WORSE TIMING FOR STUDENTS, FAMILIES, TEACHERS, AND TAXPAYERS.

>> IT SHOULD BE A POSITIVE AND NOT A NEGATIVE WHICH IS WHY I GUESS I WAS SOMEWHAT DISAPPOINTED WITH THE REACTION WE GOT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL WAS ONE OF THE 22 LEGISLATORS WHO REQUESTED THE GOVERNOR ORDER THE AUDIT INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> WHEN THE AUDIT WAS RELEASED INCLUDED IN FINDINGS WERE SPECIFIC CONCERNS RELATED NOT JUST TO EPIC, BUT TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT AS A WHOLE AND COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

>> IT WAS IN THE EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AUDIT AUDITOR BYRD FOUND SPENDING INFORMATION WAS BEING COLLECTED FROM DISTRICTS THROUGH THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

BUT THERE DIDN'T SEEM TO BE A MECHANISM TO CHECK FOR COMPLIANCE.

SHE SAID IN A STATEMENT ANNOUNCING THE AUDIT I DEEPLY APPRECIATE GOVERNOR STITT FOR HIS CONFIDENT IN THE FINDING OF THE EPIC SCHOOLS AUDIT REPORT RELEASED LAST YEAR.

IT IS CLEAR EPIC FOUNDERS WERE ABLE TO TAKE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BY MANIPULATING THE SCHOOL'S ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS.

>> SHE FOUND THAT THERE REALLY WEREN'T SYSTEMS IN PLACE, NOR THAT ANY FOLLOW UP TO ENSURE THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE ACTUALLY COMPLYING WITH THEIR FINANCIAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

SO I GUESS YOU COULD SAY THAT OUR SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN OPERATING ON THE HONOR SYSTEM FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE STATE DEPARTMENT HAS EVER BEEN AUDITED IN A FULL INVESTIGATION.

SO WE WANTED TO GET THIS RIGHT.

WE WANTED TO ENSURE THE LANGUAGE BEING USED, THAT THE SCOPE BEING USED TOOK INTO ACCOUNT WHAT THE LEGISLATURES REQUESTED, AND THAT THEIR QUESTIONS WOULD BE ANSWERED.

AND WE WANTED TO ENSURE THAT ALL TAXPAYER DOLLARS, NOT JUST STATE APPROPRIATED BUT FEDERAL DOLLARS, LOCAL DOLLARS, FEES, TAXES, ALL THE DIFFERENT SOURCES OF RENEW STREAMS, ALL OF THOSE COULD BE ACCOUNTED FOR.

>> Reporter: HOFF MICESTER SAYS THIS ISN'T FIRST TIME THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS UNDERGONE AUDIT.

AS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD KNOW, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS UNDERGONE MORE THAN 20 FINANCIAL COMPLIANCE AUDITS BY THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IN THE LAST 6 1/2 YEARS.

THE GOVERNOR HAND PICKED SECRETARY OF EDUCATION APPROVES EVERY AGENCY EXPENDITURE OVER 25,000 COLORS.

EVERY SINGLE SPENDING REQUEST HAS BEEN PERSONALLY APPROVED BY SECRETARY WALTERS.

>> I'M ALWAYS GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS ON WHAT I THINK ARE BEST FOR KID, AND I THINK ENSURING THAT EVERY DOLLAR IS BEING UTILIZED FOR THEIR OUTCOMES, FOR THEIR FUTURE, IS PUTTING STUDENTS FIRST AND I THINK THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THIS AUDIT IS GOING TO DO.

>> AS FAR AS WHEN THE NEW AUDIT WILL BE COMPLETE THAT WILL DEPEND ON WHAT BYRD FINDS AS HER OFFICE DIVES INTO THE DEPARTMENT'S ACCOUNTING SYSTEM.

>> SIMPLY PUT THE GOAL HERE IS TO ENSURE THAT OUR VALUABLE EDUCATION DOLLARS ARE GOING TO THE CLASSROOM WHERE THEY BELONG.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE OUR DISCUSSION OF TRANSPARENT 90 A FEW MINUTES.

THAT WILL BE THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S CONVERSATION WITH SUSAN CADOT.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL THE LARGEST JAIL THE N OUR STATE OPENED IN 1991 AND IT HAS BEEN BESET BY INSTITUTIONAL PROBLEMS JUST ABOUT EVER SINCE.

THERE HAVE BEEN TEN DEATHS AT THE JAIL SO FAR THIS YEAR.

AND THAT HAS RENEWED CALLS TO START OVER WITH A NEW FACILITY PAID FOR WITH FEDERAL PANDEM, RELIEF MONEY.

PEOPLE BOTH FOR AND AGAINST THAT PROPOSAL WANT TO MAKE THE DETENTION CENTER A SAFER PLACE FOR INMATES AND EMPLOYEES.

>> THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL HAS DEATH RATE MORE THAN MOST STATES ANNUAL DEATH ROW CHAMBERS, AND COUNTY JAIL MORTALITY RATE MORE THAN TWICE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

BY ENDING CASH BAIL FOR ALL NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF REDUCING THE JAIL'S POPULATION BY THREE TO 500 SOULS AND PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY.

THIS COMMON SENSE APPROACH WILL SAVE HUMAN LIVES, REDUCE TAXPAYER COSTS AND LIABILITIES, WHILE PROTECTING DUE PROCESS AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF ALL.

>> THERE IS THREE FACTORS THAT YOU NEED TO DO TO ADDRESS THAT.

ONE, YOU HAVE TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE JAIL POPULATION.

I AGREE WITH THAT.

NONVIOLENT, NON-DANGEROUS PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE IN THE JAIL.

DANGEROUS PEOPLE MUST BE IN THE JAIL.

SECOND, YOU NEED TO ADDRESS THE OPERATION OF THE JAIL.

AND THE NUMBER ONE THING IS WE HAD THE FORMER OPERATOR OF THE JAIL TOOK MONEY INTENDED FOR JAIL STUFF AND SPENT IT ON OTHER STUFF.

JAIL TRUST HAS ONE JOB, RUN THE JAIL.

THERE IS NO DIVERSION OF THOSE FUNDS AWAY FROM THAT FUNCTION FOR WHICH IT'S INTENDED.

AND THEN THE THIRD THING IS BUILD A NEW FACILITY.

I'VE BEEN VERY OPEN AND UPFRONT ABOUT THAT.

>> IT'S ESTIMATED A NEW JAIL WILL COST MORE THAN $135 MILLION.

THE CURRENT JAIL COST $51 MILLION TO COMPLETE 30 YEARS AGO.

>>> PFIZER ANNOUNCING THIS WEEK ITS VACCINE IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE FOR CHILDREN BETWEEN THE AGES OF FIVE AND 11-YEARS-OLD AND THAT DATA WILL BE SUBMIT TODD THE FDA FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

GOOD NEWS AS OUR ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE FOR NEW CASES PER DAY DROPS BELOW 2,000 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE AUGUST 6th.

209 FEWER PEOPLE ARE HOSPITALIZED AND 39 FEWER ICU BEDS ARE BEING OCCUPIED BY COVID PATIENTS.

HOWEVER, THIS WEEK OKLAHOMA SURPASSED THE 10,000 MARK IN COVID DEATHS.

WITH 10,025 AS OF FRIDAY.

46% OF OKLAHOMA'S POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> OKLAHOMA NURSE PRACTITIONERS ARE HOPING TO CONVINCE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO PASS A LAW WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO PROVIDE MORE HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

IN SOME CASES THEY'RE WORKING ALONGSIDE OR TAKING THE PLACE OF DOCTORS IN UNDERSERVED RURAL AREAS.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 2500 CERTIFIED PRACTICING IN OKLAHOMA.

EXPANDING THEIR ROLE WAS A MAIN TOPIC OF THE GROUP'S AND YOU'LL MEETING THIS WEEK IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> RIGHT NOW NURSE PRACTITIONERS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CAN PRACTICE AUTONOMOUSLY.

WE ARE BURDENED BY EVERY TWO YEARS WHERE A PHYSICIAN HAS TO SIGN OFF AND THAT IS WHAT WE CALL COLLABORATIVE AGREEMENT.

BECAUSE OF THAT AT TIMES THERE ARE CERTAIN FACTORS THAT CAN HAVE DIFFICULTY HAVING -- FINDING PHYSICIAN THAT CAN SIGN THAT OFF.

>> THE ASSOCIATION IS WORKING WITH LAWMAKERS TO CRAFT A BILL READY FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTING IN FEBRUARY OF 2022.

>>> HISTORIANS SAY THE FIRST OIL DISCOVERY IN OKLAHOMA MADE BY A MAN NAMED LEWIS ROTH.

FROM THAT DAY FORWARD, FOSSIL FUELS HAVE BEEN AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE ECONOMY.

NOW OKLAHOMA APPEARS WELL EQUIPPED TO BECOME A LEADER IN PRODUCING GREEN ENERGY SOURCES LIKE HYDROGEN POWER.

REPORTER STEVE SHAW EXPLAINS WHY.

>> Reporter: HYDROGEN IS THE MOST PLENTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD.

IT'S MADE WITH EITHER NATURAL GAS OR WATER.

AND WHEN YOU MAKE IT USING JUST WATER, AND EITHER SOLAR OR WIND POWER, IT'S CONSIDERED CLEAN ENERGY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ORDERED A 50% REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS BY THE YEAR 2030.

CARBON EMISSIONS ARE WASTE CREATED WHEN BURNING FOSSIL FUELS.

LIKE COLE, CRUDE OIL OR NATURAL GAS.

>> WE'RE ONE OF ONLY FOUR STATES THAT GETS MORE THAN 40% OF POWER MADE BY RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND WE'RE CLOSER TO 50% AT THIS POINT.

>> RENEWABLE RESOURCES BEING -- >> WIND, HYDROELECTRIC POWER AND GROWING SOLAR PORTFOLIO.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT KENNETH WAGNER IS PART OF A STATEWIDE TASK FORCE THAT TWO MONTHS AGO BEGAN STUDYING HOW THE SOONER STATE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A CHANGING ENERGY LANDSCAPE.

>> THERE IS A BELIEF THAT HYDROGEN WILL BE HIGHLY IN DEMAND IN NEXT DECADE.

AND SO THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT ARE STARTING TO MAKE IT.

ONE OF THE WAYS THEY'RE STARTING TO MAKE IT IS YOU KNOW IN OKLAHOMA WE HAVE A LOT OF EXCESS WIND ENERGY, MEANING AT TIMES WHERE THE WIND IS BLOWING HEAVILY, AND IT'S NOT PEAK DEMAND, SO THERE IS NO NEED FOR THAT ENERGY AT THAT POINT.

SO THE MAKING OF HYDROGEN ALLOWS THE USE OF THAT ENERGY AT VERY LOW COST AND YOU CAN LOWER THE COST OF MAKING HYDROGEN.

AND THE IDEA IS THAT HYDROGEN BECOMES ALMOST A BATTERY, BECAUSE YOU TAKE THAT EXCESS POWER THAT WOULD BE LOST TO THE GRID, YOU MAKE HYDROGEN, SO YOU STORE THAT ENERGY IN HYDROGEN.

AND IT'S AN EXCELLENT VEHICLE TO DO THAT.

SO THINK OF IT AS LARGE BATTERY.

>> Reporter: WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH ELECTRIC VEHICLES, WAGNER CALLS THEM EVs.

THEY GENERATE A VERY SMALL AMOUNT OF POLLUTION COMPARED TO GAS.

BUT THEY'RE LIMITED BECAUSE ELECTRIC VEHICLES MUST BE RECHARGED EVERY 3400 MILES.

WAGNER SAYS HYDROGEN OFFERS INTRIGUING POSSIBILITY.

ESPECIALLY IN THE MAMMOTH OVER THE ROAD TRUCKING INDUSTRY.

>> HYDROGEN FUEL CELL ADDED TO THAT SAME BATTERY EV MOST PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND HYDROGEN FUEL CELL IS -- SEVERAL WAYS THEY WORK BUT ONE IS ONBOARD CHARGING SYSTEM FOR BATTERY EV.

AND SO THAT -- IF YOU PUT HYDROGEN TANKS AND HYDROGEN FUEL CELL ON THE RANGE OF THAT SAME TRUCK WOULD INCREASE TO ABOUT 950 MILES.

>> WAGNER SAYS THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE BILL SET ASIDE $10 BILLION FOR HYDROGEN DEMONSTRATION PROJECT AND HYDROGEN TRANSPORTATION HUBS.

BEING, BING.

HOW DO WE UTILIZE AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE FUELING INFRASTRUCTURE?

YOU KNOW WE GOT SOME OF THE GREATEST TRUCK STOPS IN AMERICA WITH -- BASED RIGHT HERE.

MY BELIEF IS THEY'RE LOOKING AT HYDROGEN FOR REFUELING TRUCKS INTO THE FUTURE, YOU KNOW.

AND THEY ARE CERTAINLY PLAYER IN ALL THINGS TRUCKING WHEN IT COMES TO OVER THE ROAD TRUCKING.

WE'RE TRYING TO POSITION OURSELVES TO MAKE AS SPIRITED AND CREDIBLE PLAY FOR HYDROGEN -- YOU KNOW DISTRIBUTION HUB, REGIONAL HUB HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND WE THINK YOU KNOW WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT CAN DO IT ALL.

BOTH THE RENEWABLE ENERGY AND THE LOW COST NATURAL GAS WAY OF DOING IT.

AND YOU'LL PUT IN MULTIPLES OF THESE.

EACH ONE OF THESE WILL HOLD 75 TO 80,000 CUBIC FEET.

>> Reporter: RON MERCER IS PRESIDENT OF BEDROCK GAS SOLUTIONS IN EDMUND.

HE'S ALSO MEMBER OF THE ENERGY TASK FORCE.

RIGHT NOW HE'S WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ON A PATENTED PROJECT HE CALLS THE BEDROCK UNDERGROUND STORAGE POD.

>> AND IT WILL HOLD EITHER METHANE OR NATURAL GAS OR CAN BE ADAPTED TO HOLD HYDROGEN, AND THAT'S THE EFFORT THAT WE HAVE ENGAGED IN WITH THE UNIVERSITY TO EXPLORE THE MECHANICS OF STORING HYDROGEN.

IT'S A DIFFICULT ELEMENT TO WORK WITH.

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST HURDLE WITH HYDROGEN IS ITS BASICALLY TWICE AS EXPENSIVE TO MAKE, IF YOU'RE MAKING IT WITH WATER AND NOT NATURAL GAS.

>> WELL, OBVIOUSLY THE PRICE HAS GOT TO GET DOWN, AND JUST LIKE WITH RENEWABLES, THE COST OF RENEWABLE ENERGY DROPPED DRAMATICALLY SINCE IT STARTED TODD BE PUSHED, YOU KNOW, FIVE YEARS AGO.

IN THAT SHORT PERIOD WE HAD SIGNIFICANT DECREASE.

NOW, ANYONE THAT REALLY WANTS TO DIVE INTO THE WEEDS IS GOING TO BRING IN THE ECONOMIC SUPPORT FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE SUBSIDIES THAT ARE RECEIVED FOR WIND ENERGIES, BUT AND SOLAR, BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE COST OF THE PRODUCT, JUST TO BUY A WIND GENERATOR, HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> Reporter: MERCER AND WAGNER BOTH BELIEVE PRODUCING HYDROGEN HERE CAN BENEFIT BOTH THE RENEWAL ENERGY SECTOR AND GAS AND OIL.

>> THEY COULD.

THEY COULD.

THEY'RE STILL TRYING TO IRON OUT THE WRINKLES IN ALL OF THAT, AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THERE, BUT YEAH, THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMON GROUND TO BE FOUND BETWEEN THE TWO INDUSTRIES FOR SURE.

>> I'M A BIG BELIEVER SINCE I CAME IN YOU KNOW TO OBVIOUSLY TO TOW THAT LINE BETWEEN RENEWABLES AND THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE IT TO WHERE ONE TAKES FROM THE OTHER, THAT IF WE INCREASE DEMAND FOR EVERYBODY, THEN THAT PIE GETS BIGGER AND THAT'S WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO DO AND HYDROGEN REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY THERE TO EXPAND THE MARKET SHARE AND THE USE FOR ALL THESE RESOURCES.

>> WAGNER SAYS HE'LL TURN THE TASK FORCE FINDINGS OVER TO THE GOVERNOR ON DECEMBER 1st.

>> WE'RE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS.

WE REDUCED EMISSIONS IN THE POWER SECOND FOR AT THREE TIMES NATIONAL AVERAGE.

WHY DID WE DO THAT?

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE GREAT PORTFOLIO OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.

WHY DOES IT WORK SO WELL IN OKLAHOMA?

WHERE IT DOESN'T IN OTHER STATES?

BECAUSE WE HAVE LOW COST NATURAL GAS.

THAT CAN WITH CHASE THAT WIN WHEN IT'S NOT BLOWING OR THE SUN WHEN IT'S NOT SHINING, AND GENERATE POWER AT YOU KNOW SAME OR SIMILAR LOW COST.

WE ARE THE MOST AFFORDABLE STATE FOR POWER IN THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: STEVE SHAW, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> OKLAHOMA'S LARGEST ELECTRIC UTILITY IS ASKING FOR RATE INCREASE TO COVER FEBRUARY HISTORIC COLD SNAP.

HERE IS JASON DOYLE WITH OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> OG&E SUBMITTING A REQUEST TO THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS AN ADDITIONAL $875 MILLION TO RECOVER COSTS FROM FEBRUARY SEVERE WINTER STORM.

IF IT WINS APPROVAL FROM REGULATORS THE MONEY WOULD BE COLLECTED OVER 13 YEARS, AND WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY EXTRA $4 A MONTH FOR RESIDENTIAL RATE PAYERS.

A CORPORATION COMMISSION ADMINISTRATE EVER LAW JUDGE WILL REVIEW THE REQUEST ON OCTOBER 11th, WITH FULL COMMISSION TAKING IT UNDER CONSIDERATION IN DECEMBER.

FORMER CEO CARL GIESLER IS SUING THE COMPANY FOR UNPAID SHARES OF STOCK.

THE LAWSUIT FILED IN OKLAHOMA CITY FEDERAL COURT CONTENDS HE OWES GIESLER MORE THAN 284,000 SHARES.

HE'S SEEKING STOCK DAMAGES AND LEGAL FEES.

HE RESIGNED IN JULY OF THIS YEAR.

>>> ONLINE AUTO DEALER PLANS TO BUILD A 190,000 SQUARE FOOT INSPECTION CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

CARVANA IS KNOWN FOR HOME DELIVERY OF VEHICLES.

THE FACILITY WILL BE BUILT NEAR THE PATRIOT AND EXPECTED TO BRING WITH IT MORE THAN 350 NEW JOBS.

THE GOOGLE FOR START UPS BLACK FOUNDER IS GIVING WOULDEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO TULSA BASED BOTTLE LEARNING AS PART OF A $5 MILLION INITIATIVE TO HELP BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES EXPAND.

BOTTLE EARNING IS AN ONLINE EDUCATION PLATFORM CREATED, THE TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFIES STUDENTS LEARNING GAPS AND HELPS TEACHERS DEVELOP A PLAN TO GET THE STUDENT BACK ON TRACK.

BLOCK CHAIN.COM IS AVAILABLE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE SOONER STATE IS 30th STATE IN WHICH THE CRYPTO CURRENCY TRADING PLATFORM I LICENSED.

THE COMPANY PLANS TO HIRE OKLAHOMAMANS TO HELP WITH JOBS, BLOCK CHAIN THE OLDEST CRYPTO CURRENCY TRADING PLATFORM FOUNDED TEN YEARS AGO.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> JASON, THANKS.

THE CHEROKEE NATION PASSED A LARGEST BUDGET IN ITS HISTORY, NEARLY $3 BILLION.

40% FROM FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUNDS.

I SPOKE ABOUT THE TRIBE'S PRIORITY GOING FORWARD.

GIVE ME TWO OR THREE BIG TICKET PRIORITIES THAT ARE IN THIS BUDGET FOR THE CHEROKEE NATION.

>> THE LIONS SHARE GOES TO HEALTHCARE, WHICH IS BECAUSE HIGH PRIORITY AND BECAUSE HEALTHCARE IS EXPENSIVE TO DELIVER IN THIS COUNTRY, EVEN FOR AN ORGANIZATION LIKE US THAT DOES IT VERY EFFICIENTLY.

THIS BUDGET PROVIDES A LOT OF FUNDING FOR US TO INCREASE WHAT WE DO IN HEALTHCARE, NOT ONLY WITH EXISTING PROGRAMS, WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL, AND WE'RE ALSO GOING TO REPLACE OUR OLDEST HEALTH CLINIC AT ONE OF THE COMMUNITIES.

WHEN WE DO THAT, WE WILL HAVE A HEALTH SYSTEM IN TERMS OF BRICK AND MORTAR THAT THE OLDEST CLINIC WILL BE ABOUT A DECADE OLD OR MORE.

IT WILL REPRESENT HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THE LAST DECADE.

HOUSING IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT.

WE STILL HAVE TOO MANY OF OUR ELDERS LIVING IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE NOT WHAT THEY OUGHT TO BE LIVING IN.

AND THAT INCLUDES A LOT OF CHEROKEE SPEAKER, MOST OF THEM OVER THE AGE OF 70, AND SOMETIMES THAT MEANS THINGS THAT YOU AND I TAKE FOR GRANTED WHICH IS ROOF OVER OUR HEAD AND SOMETHING IN TERMS OF FOOD, EVERY MONTH THAT MEETS OUR NEED.

WE HAVE TO DO MORE ON THAT.

THIS HELPS US ON THOSE AREAS.

WE'RE GOING TO DO MORE IN THE AREA OF MENTAL HEALTH.

IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST GAPS WE HAVE IN THE CHEER KEY NATION.

WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS DRUG ADDICTION, AND WE'RE GOING TO ADDRESS OTHER BEHAVE ROAR HEALTH ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN LAID BARE BY THE PANDEMIC.

ABOUT 40% OF THIS BUDGET IS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL COVID RELIEF FUND.

SO YOU DESCRIBED HOW SOME OF THAT MONEY IS BEING SPENT.

DOES THAT MONEY HAVE TO BE SPENT BY A CERTAIN TIME AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT FUNDING GOES AWAY?

>> THAT MONEY IS THERE FOR THREE YEARS.

AND WHEN IT GOES AWAY, IT'S GONE.

SO A LOT OF WHAT YOU SEE US DEDICATING FUNDS TO ARE ONE TIME SPENDING, USING THESE ONE TIME DOLLARS IS INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE WE'VE NEVER DONE BEFORE.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MORE ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECT, BROADBAND PROJECTS.

WE GOT OUR WORK COURT OUT JUST ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

WE HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT, BE EFFECTIVE.

BUILDING THE BEST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM NOT JUST IN INDIAN COUNTRY BUT ALL OF THE COUNTRY.

THAT TAKES SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUNDS, MOST OF THAT WE HAVE TO LEAN ON OUR OWN RESOURCES BUT WE HAVE TO DO IT.

AND WE HAVE TO DO IT TO THE TUNE OF OVER $30 MILLION IN ANY GIVEN YEAR.

>> MOST PEOPLE THINK OF CASINOS IN TERMS OF GENERATING REVENUE FOR THE TRIBES.

WHERE ELSE IS THE CHEROKEE NATION INVESTING AND GENERATING REVENUE?

WHAT OTHER AREAS OF BUSINESSES?

>> CASINOS ARE THE MOST OBVIOUS.

IF YOU GET BELOW THE SURFACE ON WHAT WE DO IN OUR BUSINESSES YOU SEE REALLY DIVERSE BUSINESS PORTFOLIO.

LOT OF IT CENTERED ON FEDERAL CONTRACTING.

14 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD AND SEE THE SAME THING.

WE'RE INVOLVED IN THINGS LIKE SECURITY AND I.T., EVEN HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT WE'RE INVOLVED IN, SOME CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT WE'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN IN THE PAST.

WE'RE FEDERAL CONTRACTOR THAT PROVIDES SERVICES TO THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FOR TAKING CARE OF KIDS AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE MIGRATION.

>> THE CRISIS EMERGING WITH MIGRATION ACROSS THE BORDER AND HOW DO WE AS A COUNTRY THE UNITED STATES DEAL WITH THIS -- THESE FOLK MIGRATING IN AND HOW DO WE BEST CARE FOR THEM A WAY THAT IS HUMANE AND RESPONSIBLE.

I THINK CHEROKEE NATION KNOWS A THING OR TWO ABOUT COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DISPLACED, AT DIFFERENT TIMES IN HISTORY.

>> YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSEEING THE LARGEST BUDGET IN THE I HAD TRY OF THE CHEER KEY NATION.

IS THAT EXCITING CHALLENGE OR MAYBE PERHAPS LITTLE DAUNTING?

>> MY FATHER WHO SERVED ON THE CHEER KEY COUNCIL NOT TOO -- DOESN'T SEEM THAT LONGING A, 1995 HE WAS ELECTED TO COUNCIL.

$3 BILLION WASN'T SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN FROM N THE REALM OF POSSIBILITY.

THE OPPORTUNITY I HAVE NOW AS CHIEF OF THE CHEROKEE NATION WITH THIS GREAT TEAM WORKING WITH OUR COUNCIL IS REALLY INCREDIBLE.

I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE TO BE HERE.

I REALLY THINK WE CAN MAKE POSITIVE GENERATIONAL CHANGE FOR THE CHEROKEE PEOPLE WITH THESE DOLLARS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO WORK EVERY DAY TO DO IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR WILL WRAP UP THIS SUNDAY NIGHT WITH THE TULSA STATE FAIR SET TO BEGIN THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30th.

AFTER BEING CANCELED DUE TO PANDEMIC IN 2020, IT'S GREAT TO SEE BOTH FAIRS BACK UP AND RUNNING AT FULL CAPACITY.

TAYLOR JACKSON REPORTS ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT THE FAIRS BRING TO OUR STATE.

>> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR IS IN FULL SWING IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND FAIR GOERS ARE THRILLED TO BE BACK.

>> WE LOVE OKLAHOMA.

THE FAIR IS BACK.

FAMILY IS BACK.

WE'RE BACK, MAN.

>> Reporter: STATE FAIR IS KNOWN FOR ITS DEEP FRIED TREATS BUT WHAT IMPACT DOES THE FAIR HAVE ON OUR STATE'S ECONOMY?

>> IT'S ESTIMATED BY OUR FAIR INDUSTRY THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATIONS OF FAIRS AND EXPOSITIONS THAT WE HAVE ABOUT $100 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> Reporter: IN 2019 ABOUT 850,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR.

ANNUALLY THE FAIR BRINGS IN PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE WHO SPEND MONEY ON HODGEING, FOOD AND TICKETS.

LAST YEAR'S CANCELLATION DUE TO PANDEMIC IMPACTED REVENUE FOR THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

BUT THE EFFECT DIDN'T STOP THERE.

>> IT IMPACTED ALL THE FOOD VENDORS, ALL THE EXHIBITORS, ALL THE SPONSORS, WHO USE THIS AS PART OF A ROUTE THAT THEY'RE ON TO GENERATE THEIR BUSINESS AND MAKE THEIR SALES.

SO IT WAS VERY DEVASTATING WHEN WE HAD TO CANCEL.

>> Reporter: THE FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA, ALSO KNOWN AS THE FFA.

>> IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING AS IT HAS FOR EVERYONE THROUGH THIS TIME FRAME.

WE REALLY WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WE HAVE LOTS OF AGRICULTURE PRODUCERS IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE LOTS OF AGRICULTURAL COMPANIES.

AT THE FAIR THE MADE IN OKLAHOMA COALITION HAS THINGS -- A STORE AT THE FAIR.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR AND OKLAHOMA CITY WAS >> MONITORING YOU KNOW THE SUCCESS AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY'VE CHANGED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AND DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE LOOK AT.

WE WANT TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, TO MAKE SURE WE PRODUCE THE BEST EVENT WE CAN FOR OUR TULSA COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THIS SUNDAY THE OKLAHOMA FAIR WILL WRAP UP IT'S 114th EDITION.

THAT'S A LOT OF CORN DOGS, TURKEY LEGS AND THRILLING RIDES.

>> I WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO EATING CHEESE ON A STICK, AND THIS YEAR I DID GET A CHANCE TO SO THAT IS EXCITING.

>> Reporter: AS TULSA PREPARES FOR THURSDAY OPENING THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR IS ANTICIPATING WELL ATTENDED FINAL WEEKEND.

>> THE CROWDS HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD LAST WEEKEND, CROWDS WERE PHENOMENAL AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE WEATHER THIS WEEKEND, SUPPOSED TO BE VERY NICE AND LOOKING FOR TO IT END AGAIN REAL STRONG.

>> Reporter: TAYLOR JACKSON, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> LOOKS LIKE FUN.

>>> DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BOOST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH TULSA IS ON TRACK AND ON BUDGET TO BE COMPLETED BY JANUARY.

THE NATIONAL BMX HEADQUARTERS THE FIRST PART OF A PROJECT THAT WILL INCLUDE REPURPOSING OF THE FACTORY.

BUT LIKE THE HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD BIG PLANS ARE IN THE WORKS TO CHANGE THAT.

>> RIGHT HERE IS THE PLAZA, SO REALLY PROUD OF THE ARTWORK THAT REPRESENTS THE CHIMNEYS LEFT STANDING AFTER THE RACE MASSACRE IN GREEN WOOD.

WALK AROUND, YOU'LL SEE THE PROFILE OF BMX JUMPS ON THE SIDE, SO THAT IS ACTUALLY KIND OF BRIDGING THE GAP WITH OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT AND CHAIRMAN OF USA BMX, THAT INCLUDES 70,000 MEMBERS, AND OVERSEES 300 STAY FIR RACING FACILITIES.

NONE BIGGER OR NICER THAN THE ONE NEARING COMPLETION BEHIND HIM.

>> LOOKING AT YOU KNOW PROBABLY 10,000 PEOPLE SHOWING UP HERE, AND THESE ARE -- WE HAVE RACES THAT ARE 2-YEARS-OLD.

WE HAVE SOME RACES THAT ARE IN THEIR 70S.

AND MOST OF OUR RACERS BEING 3.2, SO FAMILIES ARE COMING, AND LOT OF TIMES OUR FAMILIES ARE MULTIGENERATIONAL RACERS.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A SEA OF PEOPLE.

>> A FOOTBALL FIELD WIDE AND ALMOST TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS LONG, AND ADJACENT 25,000 SQUARE FOOT INDOOR SPACE WILL INCLUDE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES, A GYM, CONCESSIONS, A GIFT SHOP, AND THE NATIONAL BMX HALL OF FAME.

>> RIGHT NOW THE BMX DOES GRAND AND THE SOONERS HERE.

WITH THIS FACILITY WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM TO BRING FIVE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS HERE AND THOSE WILL GENERATE BETWEEN 15 AND $30 MILLION OF ECONOMIC IMPACT ON TOP OF WHAT THEY ALREADY DO.

THAT IS 15,000 NEW HOTEL ROOMS, AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THIS AS A 30 YEAR PARTNERSHIP IN THE FUTURE, TIMES THAT NUMBER, IT'S HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> Reporter: THE FACILITY IS PAID FOR WITH $15 MILLION IN VISION 2025 MONEY, AND $1.5 MILLION FROM THE FAMILY FOUNDATION, WHICH WILL HAVE NAMING RIGHTS TO THE ARENA.

GRAND OPENING IS SET FOR JANUARY.

BUT THAT IS ONLY THE FIRST STEP IN REALIZING THE FULL POTENTIAL OF THIS 23-ACRE SITE NORTHEAST OF DOWNTOWN TULSA.

>> I GOT HERE 11 YEARS AGO, BEING USED AS DUMP SITE FOR REMODEL OF 244.

IT WAS FULL OF CONCRETE AND OLD ROAD, JUST A DUMPING SITE FOR THOSE STATE PROJECTS.

AND NOW IT'S TURNING INTO AN ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR GREENWOOD DISTRICT AGAIN.

>> AND THIS MASSIVE STRUCTURE COUPLED WITH BMX HEADQUARTERS IS THE KEY.

THE SIDE AN OLD IRON WORKS FACTORY AND WAS CONSIDERED A BROWNFIELD.

IN NEED OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP BEFORE BEING REPURPOSED.

>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS A PROGRAM FOR BROWNFIELD THAT HELPS CITIES REINVENT SOME OF THESE SPACES THAT COULD OTHERWISE JUST KIND OF BE A SCAR, YOU KNOW, ON THE CITY'S LANDSCAPE.

WE HAD WORK DONE OVER HERE THROUGH A EPA GRANT.

WE'RE ABLE TO CLEAN IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF ALL THE CONCERNS.

AND NOW WE BASICALLY DO HAVE A GREENFIELD.

WE'RE ABLE TO DO IT UNRESTRICTED ON WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

>> WHAT THEY WANT TO DO WILL BE DETERMINED BY FOUR COMPANIES THAT ARE CURRENTLY FORMULATING PROPOSALS FOR MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT.

AND THEY BEST THINK BIG.

A PROJECT THIS SIZE COULD COST 25 MILLION, MAYBE $50 MILLION DEPENDING ON THE PLANS.

>> SO WHAT'S HAPPENING NOW IS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, SO THERE IS GOING TO BE PUBLIC FORUMS.

WHERE THE TEAMS WILL GET TO GET AND HEAR WHAT THE COMMUNITY THINKS SHOULD HAPPEN THERE, ON TOP OF WHAT THE STUDIES SHOW.

>> THE PROPOSAL SHOULD BE SUBMITTED EARLY IN THE NEW YEAR WITH WINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED SOMETIME AFTER THAT.

>> IF YOU LOOK BACK AT THE BALLPARK WHEN IT WAS BUILT AND TODAY, YOU LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED HERE AND TEN YEARS FORWARD YOU'RE GOING TO BE AMAZED ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

I THINK IT COULD BE MIXED USE, MAYBE SOME COOL EXPERIENCE THINGS IN THERE AS WELL THAT TIE INTO THIS, THE BMX OPPORTUNITY.

>> IN ADDITION TO THE MASSIVE REIMAGINING OF THE SITE THERE IS ONE OTHER PROJECT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE COMPLETED.

IF YOU LOOK BEHIND ME YOU CAN SEE THE RAILROAD CARS AND BEYOND THAT THE OSU TULSA CAMPUS.

IF YOU GET RID OF THOSE RAILROAD CARS YOU CAN CONNECT THIS SITE WITH THE CAMPUS AND GREENWOOD BEYOND.

>> THE RAILROAD IS A MIGHTY FORCE.

I THINK REALISTICALLY THE BEST THING WE COULD PROBABLY DO THAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE IS TO GO UP AND OVER WITH THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, AGAIN OSU TULSA IS A HUGE PARTNER AND COLLABORATOR WITH US.

WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT PEDESTRIAN LINK.

LOVE THE FACT THAT YOU KNOW OUR MEMBERS AND RACERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WALK UNDER AND OVER THROUGH GREENWOOD BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES THAT CONNECTIVITY.

BUT IF WE COULD MAKE IT A LOOP IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

>> THINK OF IT AS BROWNFIELD OF DREAMS.

BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME.

>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE MORE OPPORTUNITY SOME RETAIL DEVELOPMENT, MAYBE A HOTEL UP HERE, THAT TEN YEARS AGO NOBODY WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WAS POSSIBLE.

AND IT'S REALLY JUST LIKE TRIGGER, THE MOMENTUM, TO START, YOU THINK ABOUT 30 OR 40,000 PEOPLE UP HERE A YEAR, JUST IS GOING TO TRIGGER A LOT OF OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE'RE ABOUT 70% THROUGH, WE'RE ON TRACK BOTH ON BUDGET AND ON SCHEDULE.

>> US BEING THE ANCHOR WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE, AND THE AMOUNT OF PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC I THINK WE CAN GENERATE INTO GREENWOOD, THROUGH HERE, AND THROUGH THIS DEVELOPMENT, IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT ADD TO THE DOWNTOWN.

>>> EARLIER IN THE NEWSCAST WE HEARD THE WORD TRANSPARENCY USED WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE AUDIT OF THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

YOU HEAR THAT WORD A LOT WHEN DISCUSSING GOVERNMENT.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES IT MEAN?

HOW IS IT LEGISLATED?

AND HOW TRANSPARENT IS OF COURSE GOVERNMENT?

WE DELVE INTO THOSE TOPICS IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

I AM JOINED BY AN ESTEEMED PANEL OF GUESTS.

WE HAVE ANDY MOORE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FREEDOM OF INFORMATION OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE CATHERINE GARDNER, THE ATTORNEY WITH REPORTERS COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

AND WE HAVE BEEN IF HE WOULDER REPORTER WITH THE FRONTIER, AND COVER EVERYTHING OF INTEREST TO THEIR READERS IN OKLAHOMA.

THANKS ALL OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

I'M GOING TO THROW THE FIRST QUESTION OUT TO ANDY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE -- WE HAVE TWO LAWS IN OKLAHOMA, ONE THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT, AND THE OTHER IS THE OPEN RECORDS ACT.

CAN YOU KIND OF LIKE QUICKLY WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO?

>> SURE, YEAH.

THANKS FOR HAVING US.

SO AS THE NAME SUGGESTS, THE OPEN MEET ACT PERTAINS TO ISSUES RELATED TO MEETING THE PUBLIC BODY.

SO IT'S EVERYTHING FROM HOW THE AGENDA IS WRITTEN TO WHO CAN ACCESS THE MEETING, WHO CAN BE THERE, THE RULES GOVERNING EXECUTIVE SESSION AND THE REASONS THAT A PUBLIC BODY COULD CALL AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE MEETING ITSELF, AND THEN THE OPEN RECORDS ACT DEALS WITH RECORDS, OF COURSE.

EVERYTHING FROM DOCUMENTS OR DATA CREATED BY STATE AGENCY, TO COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN THE AGENCIES, AND OUTSIDE THOSE AGENCIES, ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECORD IS UNDER THAT.

>> CATHERINE, WHO CAN REQUEST OPEN RECORDS OR ACCESS TO THESE THINGS?

DOES IT HAVE TO BE MEDIA ORGANIZATION OR ANYONE?

>> IT CAN BE ANYONE.

THE OPEN RECORDS ACT AND OPEN MEETING ACT APPLIES TO ANYONE IN THE STATE WHO WANTS TO BE MORE FULLY INFORMED ABOUT THEIR GOVERNMENT.

AND IT'S A GREAT WAY TO GET THAT INFORMATION, FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR LOCAL TOWN HALL, AND PARTICIPATE IN THE HAPPENINGS IN THE GOVERNMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I WANT TO COME TO YOU.

AS A REPORTER, YOU DO A LOT OF GREAT WATCHDOG REPORTING WITH THE FRONTIER.

HAVE YOU HER TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE OF THE OPEN RECORDS, TRYING TO GET OPEN RECORDS, OR TRYING TO SEE ABOUT ACCESS TO A MEETING THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CLOSED BUT MAYBE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN?

>> YEAH, I WOULD SAY OPEN RECORDS AND OPEN MEETINGS IS THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF WHAT WE DO IN JOURNALISTS ESPECIALLY FOR US, IN AN INVESTIGATIVE REALM.

I CAN SHOW YOU SPREADSHEET THIS PAST YEAR THAT I KEEP OF ALL RECORDS REQUESTS THAT I MADE TO VARIOUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND YOU KNOW AS WELL OVER A HUNDRED THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE WAY THAT WE -- THE OPEN MEETING PROVIDES A GLIMPSE OF COUNSEL OR STATE AGENCY MAKING A FINAL DECISION, AND THE OPEN RECORDS IS OFTEN OUR GLIMPSE AT HOW WE GOT TO THAT POINT IN THE MEETING.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE ASKING FOR E-MAILS, BETWEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, OR YOU'RE ASKING FOR MEMOS OR REPORTS THAT GOVERNMENT STAFF CREATED TO HELP ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE DECISIONS, FOR THE MOST PART ANYTHING IN OUR EXCEPTION WE CAN PROBABLY GET INTO FOR THE MOST PART ANYTHING LIKE ANDY SAID THAT IS CREATED YOU KNOW VIA A GOVERNMENT ENTITY IS SUBJECT TO OPEN RECORDS.

AND IN THIS DAY AND AGE, I THINK THAT CREATES A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITIES AND EVEN A LOT MORE CHALLENGES.

>> MY LAST FOUNDATIONAL QUESTION IS TO ANDY.

WHAT ARE THE STEPS, WHAT DOES SOMEONE DO, BECAUSE YOU KNOW MAYBE FOLKS DON'T KNOW THEY CAN ACCESS OPEN RECORDS JUST AS INDIVIDUALS.

>> GIVE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT STEPS THEY TAKE.

>> SURE.

SO IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN GAINING ACCESS TO SOME KIND OF RECORD FROM A PUBLIC ENTITY, HONESTLY THE BEST STEP IS TO CALL AND FIND OUT TO WHOM YOU SHOULD DIRECT YOUR REQUEST.

AND SEE IF THEY CAN GIVE YOU GUIDANCE ON WHAT SPECIFIC DOCUMENT OR NAME OF THAT IS THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO REQUEST.

PEOPLE WOULD WANT THE BUDGET, AND YOU MIGHT GET THE BUDGET BUT IT MIGHT BE PDF OR EXCEL SPREADSHEET, OR COULD BE STACK OF RECEIPTS.

YOU KNOW, FOR CERTAIN ENTITY.

AND SO BEING SURE THAT YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU KNOW, WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO CROWD SOURCE.

SO TALK TO REPORTERS LIKE BEN, TALK TO ATTORNEYS LIKE CATHERINE, AND SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY INSIGHT OR CAN HELP DIRECT YOU.

YOU CAN CALL US, AS WELL.

WE FIND THAT MAKING A PRECISE REQUEST FOR A CERTAIN DATE PERIOD, A CERTAIN PERIOD IN TIME FOR THE EXACT ITEMS OR TYPE OF INFORMATION YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, AND TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN GETTING THAT REQUEST TO THE PERSON OR OFFICE THAT WOULD BE FULFILLING THE REQUEST USUALLY NETS THE BEST BENEFIT IN THE END.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET NITTY-GRITTY NOW.

CATHERINE, I WANT TO COME TO YOU.

YOU HAD EXPERIENCE ACCESSING DOCUMENTS THROUGH THE OPEN RECORDS ACT.

YOU REPRESENT JOURNALISTS IN OKLAHOMA THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS.

HAS TYPICALLY BEEN A PROBLEM IN OKLAHOMA ACCESSING RECORDS OR ARE WE DOING PRETTY WELL AS FAR AS TRANSPARENCY WITH GOVERNMENT ENTITIES?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

I WOULD SAY THAT IN MY WORK, DOING KIND OF ENFORCEMENT OF THE OPEN RECORDS ACT, I REALLY HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE STATE WHAT I WOULD CALL A CULTURE OF NONCOMPLIANCE.

THESE PUBLIC BODIES AND PUBLIC ENTITIES HAVE OBLIGATIONS UNDER STATE LAW THAT THEY MUST FULFILL.

SO THESE AREN'T JUST YOU KNOW HIGH-MINDED IDEALS OF TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE SET DOWN IN LAW THAT EVERYBODY FROM YOUR SCHOOL BOARD TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IS SUPPOSED TO BE MEETING THOSE OBLIGATIONS.

AND FREQUENTLY WHAT WE SEE IS THAT THOSE OBLIGATIONS HAVE BEEN LONG IGNORED.

AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE OUTLIERS.

WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR OUR PARTNERS IN THE GOVERNMENT WHO REALLY TAKE THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY.

AND REALLY DO A GREAT JOB OF GETTING INFORMATION OUT TO FOLKS.

BUT I THINK ACROSS THE BOARD WE REALLY SEEN IN OKLAHOMA THAT THERE IS A LACK OF URGENCY AROUND THESE ISSUES.

>> BEN, WHY DO YOU THINK THAT IS HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> I THINK MULTIPLE REASONS.

ONE YOU KNOW ONE ISSUE I RUN INTO A LOT IF YOU'RE MAKING A REQUEST OF A GOVERNMENT ENTITY THAT IS NOT USED TO RESPONDING TO REQUESTS, SOMETIMES THERE CAN BE SOME, YOU KNOW, LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OR KIND OF YOU KNOW IGNORANCE ON THEIR SIDE, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT MAYBE A SMALL COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OR YOU KNOW KIND OF ANOTHER RURAL CITY HALL.

SOMETIMES YOU RUN INTO THAT.

WHICH IS WHY WHEN I MAKE REQUESTS I ALWAYS YOU KNOW INCLUDE IN THE LETTER I CITE THE SPECIFIC STATUTE AND WALK THROUGH.

BUT OTHER TIMES IT IS INTENTIONAL.

A LOT OF TIMES IT IS INTENTIONAL.

WE ESPECIALLY SEE IN OKLAHOMA KIND OF THE BLENDING OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, AS A WAY SOMETIMES TO INTENTIONALLY TRY TO HIDE INFORMATION.

BUT OTHER TIMES JUST AN EXCUSE.

FOR EXAMPLE A STORY THAT WE SEEN A LOT OF THE LAST FEW YEARS IS YOU KNOW VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS USING PRIVATE COMPANIES WITH MANAGEMENT COMPANIES, AND LAWSUITS OVER WHETHER OR NOT A PRIVATE COMPANY WHO IS ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC ENTITY IS REQUIRED TODD GIVE UP THAT INFORMATION AND THAT DATA.

WE'VE SEEN CASES WHERE GOVERNMENT ENTITIES HAVE JUST YOU KNOW INTENTIONALLY SLOWED DOWN THE PROCESS.

BUT I ALSO THINK ONE OF THE REASONS WE'VE SEEN A PROBLEM IN OKLAHOMA AND THIS PROBLEM IS BEING ADDRESSED WE HAVEN'T REALLY ENFORCED THE MECHANISM.

THERE IS AN ENFORCEMENT TOOL, OFTEN IT'S PREDICATED ON WHETHER OR NOT LOCAL PROSECUTOR WANTS TO TAKE UP A VIOLATION OF AN OPEN RECORDS ACT.

BUT FEWER MEDIA OUTLETS HAVE ACCESS TO LEGAL RESOURCES.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES CATHERINE AND HER ORGANIZATION SO VITAL.

I THINK THEY CHOSE OKLAHOMA BECAUSE WE HAVE AN ISSUE, AND I THINK WHAT WE'VE SEEN THE PAST YEAR IS HAVING THE KIND OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION IS STARTING TO TURN THE CARD.

WE'VE SEEN IN OUR OUT LET AND MANY OTHERS WE'VE SEEN CASES OF US GETTING ACCESS TO DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS THAT I BELIEVE WE WOULD NOT HAVE GOTTEN ACCESS TO IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THIS KIND OF RESOURCE.

>> CATHERINE I'LL COME BACK TO YOU.

BEN MENTIONED THEY CHOSE OKLAHOMA.

EXPLAIN WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I WORK FOR AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE REPORTER'S COMMITTEE FOR FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.

AND HISTORICALLY OUR WORK TAKES PLACE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND WE TRY TO GET THOSE RESOURCES OUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, WE HAVE LAUNCHED AN INITIATIVE CALLED THE LOCAL LEGAL INITIATIVE TO BRING THOSE RESOURCES AND CONCENTRATE THEM IN AREAS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ARE REALLY IN NEED OF LEGAL RESOURCES TO HELP REPORTERS DO THEIR JOB.

SO OKLAHOMA WAS CHOSEN JURISDICTION THAT HAD A HIGH NEED FOR HE LEGAL SUPPORT OF JOURNALISTS.

PARTIALLY FOR THE REASONS THAT BEN MENTIONED, AND WE HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE COMING UP ON ONE YEAR NOW.

AND HAVE SEEN A REALLY GREAT AND HOPE TO CONTINUE DOING THE GREAT WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO SO FAR WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.

>> ANDY, NOW, YOU'VE LISTENED TO WHAT THEY HAVE BOTH SAID.

I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS THAT BIG OF A PROBLEM IN OKLAHOMA.

IS IT?

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT OTHER STATES?

YOU KNOW, IS IT THAT BIG OF AN ISSUE?

AND IF NOT, WHY DON'T WE HEAR MORE ABOUT IT FROM OUR LOCAL JOURNALISTS, STATE JOURNALISTS?

>> SURE.

A LOT OF THE TRENDS WE SEE IN OKLAHOMA SADLY WE SEE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A PUSH BACK AGAINST THESE TRANSPARENCY LAWS.

RELUCTANCE OR AVOIDANCE OF THE PUBLIC'S INQUIRING EYE I THINK ABOUT A LOT OF THESE THINGS.

AND WE SEE THIS FROM ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

I SPOKE TO A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FROM A TOWN IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA YESTERDAY.

SHE WAS CALLING TO ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE THE MAYOR OF THEIR TOWN HAD SOME CONTRACTED OUT SOME CORE CITY SERVICES TO A PRIVATE ENGINEERING FIRM AND BY DOING SO WAS CIRCUMVENTS THE TRANSPARENCY LAWS THAT OKLAHOMA HAS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC AND TO GIVE THE PUBLIC OVERSIGHT OVER OUR GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS.

AND SO THAT'S A VERY LOCAL LEVEL.

MUCH HIGHER LEVEL, OUR STATE LEGISLATURE EXEMPTED THEMSELVES FROM THE OPEN RECORDS ACT AND THE OPEN MEET ACT, AND SO THE VERY LAWS THAT THEYS PAYED THEY EXEMPTED THEMSELVES.

AND IF WE LOOK AT HOW THAT SETS THE TONE, AND PERHAPS THE EXPECTATIONS FOR OTHER LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE CHANGED, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT ALL ASPECTS OF GOVERNMENT -- FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND SCHOOL BOARD SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME LAWS FOR THE VERY REASON IT GIVES THE PUBLIC THAT BALANCE THAT IS NECESSARY ON OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> SO MANY QUESTIONS BASED ON WHAT YOU SAID, ANDY.

HOW IS IT LEGAL FOR A GOVERNMENTAL BODY TO EXEMPT THEMSELVES FROM LAWS THAT ADDRESS GOVERNMENTAL BODIES?

>> SURE.

IT'S LEGAL BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE IS WHO WROTE THE LAWS IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THEY GET TO PICK WHO IS SUBJECT AND WHO IS NOT.

AND YOU KNOW SADLY SINCE OUR TRANSPARENCY LAWS WERE PASSED, WE HAVE SEEN INCREASING NUMBER OF EXEMPTIONS ADDED TO THE LAW.

LOTS OF AGENCIES HAVE THROUGH FRIENDS OR GOOD LOBBYISTS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ADDING THEIR AGENCY TO THE LIST OF GROUPS THAT ARE EXEMPT IN WHOLE OR IN PART TO CERTAIN ASPECTS OF THE LAW.

AND EACH TIME THAT HAPPENS IT CHIPS AWAY AT THAT SUNSHINE THAT IS NEEDED TO HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.

AND SO WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH -- THERE WAS LEGISLATURE AND CERTAINLY BUILDING COALITION OUT IN JUST THE PUBLIC TO RAID THE -- RAISE THE AWARENESS ABOUT THIS.

AS CATHERINE SAID EARLIER THESE TRANSPARENCY LAWS AREN'T JUST FOR THE MEDIA.

THEY'RE FOR ALL OF US.

MOST OF THE PHONE CALLS I GET ARE FROM REGULAR FOLKS WHO ARE TRYING TO GET ACCESS TO YOU KNOW SOMETIMES THEIR OWN RECORDS, IN THE CUSTODY OF STATE AGENCY.

>> BEN, WE'RE COMING UP CLOSE TO OUR TIME, BUT I DO WANT TO COME TO YOU ASK QUICKLY.

FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THIS TRANSPARENCY AS A JOURNALIST, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE THIS?

WHY SHOULD THIS BE OF IMPORTANCE TO ALL OKLAHOMAMANS?

>> WELL, FOR THE PUBLIC IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT'S OUR GOVERNMENT.

THERE IS NO SPECIAL LICENSE THAT A JOURNALIST POSSESSES.

WE MAY BE MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCESS AND HAVE ADVANTAGE.

EVEN AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN, RELATED TO SOME UTILITY, AND PUT IN RECORDS REQUEST AS PRIVATE CITIZEN, NOT BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO WRITE A STORY, BUT YOU KNOW WANTING TO SEEK INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL UTILITIES AND THE IMPACT IT HAD ON MY OWN PROPERTY.

THIS IS A TOOL FOR EVERYONE TO USE.

AND I THINK ANOTHER IMPORTANT POINT TO MAKE I THINK IT'S BECOMING HARDER BECAUSE WE'RE PROBABLY SEEING FEWER REQUESTS MADE.

THERE IS FEWER JOURNALISTS SO WE SEE FEWER REQUESTS MADE, AND I EVEN SEEN SOME OF THESE EXEMPTIONS PUT IN AND THE ARGUMENT IS WE'RE NOT SEEING PEOPLE ASK FOR THIS INFORMATION.

SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL IF WE HIDE IT.

EVEN IF PEOPLE AREN'T ASKING FOR THE INFORMATION IT STILL NEEDS TO BE PUBLISHED.

I LOVE IT WHEN WE SEE PRIVATE CITIZENS MAKE THIS REQUEST BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE UTILIZING, AND YOU KNOW MORE THE MERIER.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT IS OUR TIME.

THANK YOU TO ALL THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US AND GIVING US THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> SUSAN AND GUESTS THANK YOU.

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH AND WILDFIRES OUT WEST, HURRICANES ALONG THE COAST OR TORNADOES AND UNEXPECTED ICE STORMS IN OKLAHOMA, IT PAYS TO HAVE A PLAN TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES SAFE.

WE ARE COMING UP ON THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF A RARE OCTOBER STORM THAT LEFT THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMANS WITHOUT POWER.

AND THERE WAS ANOTHER BITTER BOUT OF WEATHER IN FEBRUARY THAT IMPACTED THE ENTIRE REGION.

THE FEMA SECRETARY SAID IT'S TIME TO ACT NOW.

>> DOWNLOAD THE FEMA APP NOW.

IT WILL BE AN APP THAT MAYBE YOU'LL NEVER HAVE TO USE.

BUT THAT FEMA APP IF IT'S ALREADY ON THERE YOU'RE NOT WAITING YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE DOWN THERE, TORNADO IS HEADING YOUR WAY, YOU'RE IN A WATCH OR WARNING, THE FEMA APP IS ALREADY THERE.

YOU'RE NOT RELYING ON WIFI.

AND YOU CAN CLICK ON IT AND YOU WOULD BE GETTING REAL TIME UP TO DATE INFORMATION THROUGH FEMA WHO YOU KNOW IS GOING TO HAVE THE MOST ACCURATE INFORMATION.

>> HURRICANE IDA RESULTED IN LOSS OF ELECTRICITY IT ALSO IMPACTED THE WATER SUPPLY IN THOSE AREAS.

IN THE THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW WE TAKE YOU TO NEW JERSEY WHERE OUR PARTNERS REPORT ON THE STRUGGLE TO PROVIDE SAFE DRINKING WATER FOLLOWING THE HURRICANE.

>> Reporter: FOR YEARS THE RESERVOIR HAS BEEN PROVIDING WATER TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HOMES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

BUT FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS RESIDENTS HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TRUST THAT SUPPLY.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING A LITTLE CRAZY.

IT'S REALLY FRUSTRATING WHEN YOU CAN'T TURN ON THE SINK AND BRUSH YOUR TEETH SAFELY.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 250,000 RESIDENTS LIVING IN PATTERSON AND PARTS OF WOODLAND PARK WILL HAVE TO CONTINUE BOILING WATER FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

SOMETHING THEY'VE HAD TO DO SINCE SEPTEMBER 2nd.

THE WATER COMMISSIONER OFFICIALS SAY THE ADVISORY WAS NECESSARY AFTER TROPICAL STORM IDA FLOODED THE AREA.

>> THERE WAS RUN OFF WHICH WENT INTO THE RESERVOIR, AND AS A PRECAUTION THE COMPANY CALLED THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY BECAUSE THE WATER IN THE RESERVOIR HAD BECOME COMPROMISED, AND THEY DID NOT WANT TO TAKE A CHANCE ON SENDING THAT WATER TO OUR CUSTOMERS WITHOUT IT BEING UP TO THE STANDARD, THE CLEAN WATER STANDARDS THAT WE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE THERE.

>> MOST FINISH DRINKING WATER RESERVOIRS THAT ARE OPEN TO THE AIR ARE ELEVATED, AND SO YOU CAN'T GET RUN OFF FROM THE SURROUNDING LANDSCAPE INTO THE RESERVOIR WHICH CAN BRING SEDIMENT AND CAN BRING ANIMAL WASTE.

THESE ARE VERY OLD SYSTEMS.

THEY ARE OPEN AIR, BUT THEY ARE ALSO PART OF THE LANDSCAPE.

AND SO THEY HAVE TREES GROWING AROUND THEM.

THEY HAVE RUN OFF THAT COMES DOWN FROM THE HILLSIDE TO THEM POTENTIALLY.

THAT MAKES THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO CONTAMINATION FROM AN EVENT LIKE THIS.

>> AN ISSUE SOME EXPERTS SAY COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.

IN 2009, THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ISSUED AN ORDER REQUIRING OPEN AIR RESERVOIRS WITH TREATED WATER TO BE COVERED.

THREE OF THEM ARE WITHIN THE WATER COMMISSION SYSTEM AND THEY'RE STILL OPEN.

>> A LOT OF IT WAS LOCAL OPPOSITION TO LOSS OF THE OPEN AIR RESERVOIRS.

PEOPLE WHO LIVE AROUND THEM LIKE THEM.

THEY'RE BEAUTIFUL.

THEY LOOK NATURAL.

>> IT'S WHAT THE WATER TASTES LIKE, AND THE WATER HAS TO BE SAFE.

>> THESE RESERVOIRS EXISTED FOR A LONG TIME, AND IN A DENSELY DEVELOPED AREA LIKE OURS COVERING THEM CAN BE A REALLY COMPLICATED AND TIME-CONSUMING PROCESS.

WHAT WE MEAN BY COVERING IS ENSURING THAT IT'S NOT OPEN TO THAT ELEMENT, THAT USUALLY MEANS LARGE WATER STORAGE TANKS.

FINDING THE LAND AREA TO PUT THOSE TANKS, AND IN THE PLACES WHERE IT WILL PROVIDE THE RIGHT PRESSURE GRADIENT FOR A WATER SYSTEM.

>> STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY SUPPORT THE PACKAGE PROPOSED IN CONGRESS SO UPGRADES CAN BE MADE.

THEY ESTIMATE FUTURE ENHANCEMENTS COULD COST ABOUT $30 BILLION.

>> NO QUESTION THAT IT CAUSES THE RISK OF A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT UPON ALREADY OVERBURDENED COMMUNITIES, AND THAT WE NEED TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS NOT JUST ON THE SIDE OF MOVING FORWARD WITH COVERING THESE RESERVOIRING BUT IMPROVING THE DRINKING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> OFFICIALS DON'T HAVE AN EXACT END DATE FOR THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY, BUT THEY WANT CUSTOMERS TO KNOW THEY'RE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO MAKE SURE THE WATER SUPPLY IS CLEAN.

IN THE MEANTIME RESIDENTS CAN ALSO PICK UP BOTTLED WATER AT SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

YOU CAN FIND LOCATION NEAR YOU ON PBWC.COM.

>>> BACK HERE, ON THE NEXT EDITION OF "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," THERE ARE MORE THAN 2100 FLOOD CONTROL DAMS IN OKLAHOMA AND THEY NEED CONSTANT MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON HOW THAT IS DONE AND HOW IT'S BEING PAID FOR.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SAY SO LONG FOR NOW WITH A LOOK AT THESE SUNNY DAYS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

FOR ALL OF US ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, AND AT ALWAYS STAY TUNED TO OETA.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM