RICHES THAT GROWN TO 850 EMPLOYEES IN BOTH TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE SLABS THAT YOU GUYS HAVE DESIGNED SOMETHING WITH, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE KEEP 7,000 SLABS IN OUR FACILITY.

>> AND NOW THEY'RE HOPING ALLIED STONE GROW BIGGER THROUGH THE NEW MARKET TAX PROGRAM.

>> THEY HELPED US GET OFF THE GROUND ON OUR GREAT EXPANSION PLANS WITH A GENEROUS FUNDING AND WITH THE NEW TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

WE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS WITHOUT THEIR HELP.

>> REI OKLAHOMA ANNOUNCED LATEST ROUND FOR THE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM TO THE TUNE OF $45 MILLION THIS YEAR.

>> THE NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WAS 28 YEARS AGO.

IT'S INTENDED TO DIRECTLY PLACE CAPITAL IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT ATTRACT THAT.

>> THIS IS DEFINED EVERY TEN YEARS AND HELPED THEM FOCUS ON RURAL ISSUES.

>> THERE'S FEWER RESOURCES, FEWER OPPORTUNITIES AND THAT'S BEEN OUR MISSION ALL ALONG, TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN ALL OF OKLAHOMA.

WE DO PROJECTS IN OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA AND DON'T GET US WRONG, OUR TOP PRIORITY HAS BEEN IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE UNDERSERVED.

>> IT HELPS THEM CREATE JOBS.

>> WE'VE DONE $113 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS IN THE DURANT AREA AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

THAT'S JUST DURANTE.

IN THE ENTIRE STATE, WE'VE DONE $105 MILLION.

>> IT IS $1.6 MILLION AND THEY'RE HOPING THEM THROUGH THE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM WITH HEALTHCARE, MANUFACTURING AND OTHER DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS.

REI HAS A TOTAL OF 13 PROJECTS, AND NINE IN MANUFACTURING.

THAT'S WELCOME ESPECIALLY AS IT SERVES AS A BRIDGE FROM TEXAS AND OTHER PLACES.

>> WE HAVE TO THINK THAT WE'RE THE FRONT DOOR TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, THE FRONT DOOR TO PROSPERITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE WHOLE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT SIGNIFICANT GROWTH THAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH METRO PLEX.

>> DURANTE AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAS HAD AN ABILITY GROW.

>> THIS IS A BUSINESS TO BE PROUD OF BECAUSE THEY'RE HOUSED HERE AND THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A MARKETPLACE THAT IS VERY LOCALLY OR CLOSE TO DURANTE, OKLAHOMA AND IT'S GROWING SIGNIFICANTLY, TO THE NORTH TOWARDS OKLAHOMA.

>> CURRENTLY ALLIED STONE CAN HELP CUSTOMERS ALL ACROSS OKLAHOMA AND NORTH TEXAS.

BUT THEIR CAPACITY IS GETTING READY TO EXPAND EXPONENTIALLY AND THAT'S THANKS TO REI's NEW MARKET's TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

>> HOW MANY SQUARE FOOT IS THIS EXPANSION IN.

>> ABOUT 120,000 SQUARE FEET.

ALLIED STONE IS WORKING WITH REI TO HANDLE THE GROWING HOUSING MARKETS IN NORTH TEXAS AND AROUND OKLAHOMA.

>> ALLIED STONE ITSELF, SO THIS IS A SINGLE-FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION RESIDENTIAL BUILDERS AND THAT MARKET IS SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND ALL OF TEXAS ITSELF.

THE MANUFACTURING, A LOT OF IT WILL BE DONE IN DURANTE, OKLAHOMA IS.

>> WE WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF MANUFACTURING OUR CAPACITY HERE IN OKLAHOMA, OF THE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES WE HAVE IN OKLAHOMA TO GROW THOSE MANUFACTURING ORGANIZATIONS AND COMPANIES LIKE ALLIED STONE SO THAT THEY CAN THEN TAP INTO A MARKET THAT'S JUST ACROSS THE RED RIVER TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR OUR STATE.

>> REI PRESIDENT AND CEO AGREES AND ADDS THAT THE NEW $45 MILLION FOR THE NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT's PROGRAM BRINGS A LOT OF PROSPERITY WHERE IT'S NEEDED MOST, IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THE REASON WE'RE FOCUSED ON MANUFACTURING IS BECAUSE IT'S HIGH QUALITY, HIGH PAYING, HIGH DEMAND JOBS WITH BENEFITS.

IT WILL BRING PEOPLE OUT OF THE POVERTY AND PUT PEOPLE IN A POSITION TO AFFORD A HOME AND SEND THEIR KIDS TO COLLEGE AND THEY CAN AFFORD TO BREAK THE CYCLE THEY'VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

>> BY THE WAY, THE TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT, REI OKLAHOMA HAS HAD IN OUR STATE NOT JUST THE NEW MARKET TAX CREDIT IS $5.2 BILLION.

RICH.

>> Rich: THANK YOU.

NOW, OF COURSE, MUCH OF RURAL OKLAHOMA IS MADE UP OF FARM AND RANCHLAND AND THERE'S A GENTLEMAN IN PIEDMONT WITH TIES TO A BLACK FRONTEER TOWN SHEERING HIS.

STEVE SHOW HAS THAT REPORT AND JOINS US NOW.

>> Steve: RICH, 65-YEAR-OLD MIKA ANDERSON IS AN EXTENSION EDUCATOR AND HIS FAMILY LINAGE AND KINSHIP TO AGRICULTURE GO BACK 125 YEARS TO SNAKE CREEK IN MAYS COUNTY.

♪♪♪ >> SO RIGHT HERE IS BELL PEPPERS.

>> WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS FILMED?

>> THIS KEEPS THE WEEDS OUT AND ALSO CONTAINS MOISTURE.

>> Steve: MICH ANDERSON GREW UP IN MUSKOGE COUNTY.

>> WE LIVED OFF THE LAND AND IT WAS AMAZING.

>> Steve: ANDERSON SAYS HIS FATHER TAUGHT HIM HARD WORK.

WAY BACK IN THE DAY, ANDERSON's GRANDFATHER DIDN'T HAVE A TRACTOR TO PLOW THE FIELD AND USED MULES TO GET IT DONE.

>> DADDY WORKED US REAL HARD AND HE WAS NOT QUITE MY AGE, BUT HE HAD A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON AND MOVING.

WE WERE BUILDING HAY AND PLOWING COTTON AND THIS IS TOO MUCH.

BUT NOW THAT I DO IT AND I GET PAID DO IT AND I CAN ENJOY IT, I LOVE IT.

>> Steve: AND YOU'RE NOT MAD AT YOUR DAD ANYMORE.

[LAUGHTER] >> NO.

>> NO, HE WAS DOING THE BEST HE COULD.

THERE WAS TEN OF US KIDS AND IF WE -- WE GREW UP DOING THAT, TAKING CARE OF STUFF AND MANAGING IT AND MAKING STUFF HAPPEN.

DADDY LEFT THE WATERMELON PATCH BE OURS AND WE WOULD SELL WATERMELONS EVERY YEAR.

THAT WAS OUR MONEY.

>> I'VE BEEN KNOWN TO OVERINDULGE IN WATERMELON, YOU NOPE.

KNOW.

>> Steve: ANDERSON WORKED FOR THE INDEPENDENT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR MANY YEARS.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GROW TOMATOES?

>> WE PLANT THESE EARLY IN THE SPRING.

>> Steve: HE'S AN AN EXTENSION AGENT FOR LANGSTON SINCE 2014.

>> I'VE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

>> Steve: BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA ATTACHED TO SLAVERY, ALL THESE GENERATIONS LATER AND IT'S COMPLETELY UNDERSTANDABLE BY THE WAY, IT'S STILL AN UPHILL STRUGGLE TO GET MINORITIES INTERESTED IN FARMING.

>> YOU CAN GROW YOUR OWN FOOD.

YOU CAN FEED YOURSELF AND SO, TRYING TO GET PEOPLE TO CHANGE THEIR MINDSET HAS BEEN A TOUGH DEAL.

>> Steve: HE BELIEVES THROUGH EDUCATION, MORE MINORITIES WILL COME BACK TO AGRICULTURE.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, FARMING IS WHY OKLAHOMA's ORIGINAL 50 ALL-BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS FLOURISHED.

BLACK FARMERS OWNED 1.5 MILLION ACRES OF FARM IN ARIZONA.

THAT'S A LOT.

>> THAT'S A LOT.

YOU CAN WALK TO ARKANSAS AND NEVER WALK ON WHITE LAND.

SO THAT WAS AMAZING.

>> Steve: ANDERSON SAYS ADVANCES IN SCIENCE RECENTLY HAS MADE FARMING MORE EFFICIENT.

>> WE GOT SOME PURPLE BELL PEPPERS THAT MY WIFE LIKES OVER THERE.

AND THEN HERE IS MORE -- SHE'S GOING TO COME OUT HERE THIS EVENING EAR PICK THESE BECAUSE THEY'RE GETTING TOO WEIGHTED.

>> Steve: HE SAYS RIGHT NOW THE EASIEST CROPS ARE OK RA, SWEET POTATOES AND PEPPERS.

HOW DO YOU ADD GOOD SOIL?

>> ADDING MANURE AND TREE LEAVES.

>> Steve: ANDERSON RECENTLY CAME TO THE RESCUE OF TWO BROTHERS FROM LAsVEGAS OF ALL PLACES WHO BOUGHT A LARGE ORCHARD.

>> THEY BOUGHT THE OLD SPENCER, PICK YOUR OWN ORCHARD.

THE LAND WAS GOING TO GO INTO SOME KIND OF DEVELOPMENT.

THEN THEY DISCOVERED WHAT ALL WAS ON THE PROPERTY AND SAID, HEY, MAYBE WE COULD MAKE A BUSINESS AND WHO DO WE LEARN FROM AND REACH OUT TO.

SO IT'S BEEN FUN AND SEE THEM DOING NEW THINGS.

>> Steve: RORY HERNANDEZ IS AN EDUCATOR FOR LANGSTON UNIVERSITY AND SAYS MICAH ANDERSON IS AN INVALUABLE ASSET.

>> FARMING, SPECIFICALLY, IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.

MICAH HAS ALWAYS BEEN ENCOURAGING AND WILLING TO STEP IN THERE AND DO THE WORK.

>> DO YOU STILL USE THIS THING?

>> YEAH.

>> HE HAS MENTORED PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA.

PEOPLE LOOK UP TO HIM AND LOOK TO HIM FOR HIS ADVICE.

HE'S ONE OF A KIND AND HE HAS CHANGED OKLAHOMA FOR THE BETTER.

>> THREE DIFFERENT KINDS.

>> Steve: BARBARA ANDERSON HAS BEEN MICAH ANDERSON's WIFE FOR 42 YEARS.

AND SHE KNOWS GARLIC LIKE BARRY SWITZER KNOWS FOOTBALL.

>> I'M A BIG CANNER.

I CAN OKRA FOR MY GUMBO.

I CAN IT.

I LOVE IT!

>> YOU LOVE GUMBO?

>> I LOVE GUMBO?

>> YOU HAVE A SECRET RECIPE?

>> YES.

[LAUGHTER] >> IS THAT A TRICK QUESTION?

>> Steve: MICAH ANDERSON ATTENDED A CONFERENCE IN TEXAS LAST WEEK AND SAYS BECAUSE OF GLOBAL WARMING, STATES LIKE WASHINGTON STATE AND DELAWARE WILL SOON START GROWING MANY OF THE SAME CROPS THAT ARE GROWN HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

ON THE FLIP SIDE, THE SOONER STATE IS GOING TO START GROWING A LOT OF WHAT IS ALREADY GROWN DOWN IN TEXAS.

RICH.

>> Rich: VERY GOOD PIECE AND GREAT MEETING THOSE FOLKS.

CLOSE TO HALF A BILL BORDER REGISTRATIONS HAVE BEEN PURGED AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY PEOPLE DIE OR MOVE OUT OF THE STATE, BUT CAN ALSO BE REMOVED FROM BEING AN INACTIVE VOTER AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK's IN-DEPTH FOCUS WITH CASSIDY MUDD.

>> THEY STILL CAN GET OUT AND VOTE AND IF THEY GET OUT AND VOTE OR UPDATE THEIR REGISTRATION, THEIR STATUS WILL BE CHANGED BACK TO "ACTIVE."

>> THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS AND NO, IT WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST MONTH WHERE SOMETHING MOTIVATED BY PARTISAN POLITICS, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> I THINK THE WAY THE INFORMATION WAS PRESENTED IN THE PRESS RELEASED ALARMED PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND A LOT OF CLARIFICATION IS NEEDED.

MY HOPE IS THAT, IF NOTHING ELSE, IT PROMPTS EVERY VOTER TO GO TO THE STATE ELECTION BOARD AND CHECK YOUR STATUS.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> THE EXECUTION OF CONVICTED MURDERER EMANUEL LITTLE-JOHN WAS CARRIED OUT IN MCALLISTER ON THURSDAY MORNING.

HE WAS ON DEATH ROW FOR 32 YEARS AND HIS CLEMENCY WAS DENIED.

LITTLE JOHN CLAIMED ANOTHER MAN PULLED THE TRIGGER DURING A ROBBERY AT A CONVENIENT STORE IN 1992.

HE'S THE THIRD PERSON TO BE EXECUTED IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS YEAR.

>>> SHELL-SHAKER IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, MADE-AMERICAN OPERA.

COM POSED BY JARED TATE, IT TELLS THE STORY OF THE CHICKASAW MIGRATION THROUGH THE EYES OF A YOUNG GIRL.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A STORY NATIVE AMERICANS GREW UP WITH AND THEY'RE PUTTING A SPIN ON THE LEGEND.

(SPEAKING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE) >> I'M JARED AND I'M A CITIZEN OF THE CHICKASAW NATION HERE IN OKLAHOMA AND I AM A PROFESSIONAL, CLASSICAL COMPOSER.

>> THIS IS A HERO's ADJOURN THIS IS ABOUT A CHICKASAWGIRL TN THE COMMUNITY, SEARCHING FOR HER IDENTITY.

>> TURNING THIS STORY INTO A FULL OPERA WAS SOMETHING TATE HAD FUN DOING.

SO TRANSFORMING THE SHELL SHAKER STORY INTO AN OFFER WAS QUITE EASY.

THE STORY IN ITSELF IS SO THREE THEATRIC AND HUMAN, THERE'S SO MUCH GREAT STORY-TELLING AND YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY EPIC STORY.

SO IT NATURALLY LENDS ITSELF TO VERY ROMANTIC AND EPIC STORY-TELLING WITHIN OPERA.

HONESTLY, IT WAS EASY TO PUT TOGETHER.

>> FOR ME PERSONALLY, WHEN I WAS APPROACHED WITH THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY, IT WAS JUST FEAR IN A WAY THAT I WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GIVE IT THE RESPECT OR HONOR IT DESERVED BECAUSE I DO NOT SPEAK CHICKASAW.

I'M NOT OF THE TRIBE AND SUCH.

SO IT WAS ONE OF THOSE THINGS WHERE AS AN OUTSIDER, I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT, WILL I DO JUSTICE AND GREAT HONOR TO THIS PIECE?

BUT, OF COURSE, IF YOU'VE MET JARED TATE, YOU KNOW HE'S THE MOST WARM, INCREDIBLE, SUPPORTIVE ARTIST THERE IS.

>> THEY BRING LANGUAGE AND CULTURE TO THE CONCERT STAGE AND THIS IS NO EXCEPTION.

THE ENTIRE THING WILL BE SUNG IN CHICKASAW.

>> I'M VERY EXCITED TO BRING CHICKASAW BECAUSE IT IS YET ANOTHER FOREIGN LANGUAGE TO ENGLISH SPEAKERS AND LIKE GOING TO AN ITALIAN, FRENCH OR GERMAN OPERA.

WE HAVE SUPER TITLES AND DIFFERENT OPERAS SHOW THEM DIFFERENTLY.

SUPER TITLES ARE PROJECTED UP TO THE TOP SO THEY UNDERSTAND THE TRANSLATION BEING SUNG.

>> MANY SOULS COME FROM NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES.

>> THE STORY THAT I'M TELLING IS VERY RELEVANT TO ALL OF THE FIVE EASTERN TRIBES FROM OKLAHOMA AND WE HAVE OPERA SINGERS THAT ARE FROM FOUR OF THE FIVE EASTERN TRIBES AND IT WOULD MAKE A LOT OF SENSE IF WE PREMIERED IT HERE.

>> IT MAKES SENSE OKLAHOMA IS THE FIRST TIME THE SHELL SHAKER OPERA WILL BE PERFORMED.

>> I'M PROUD TO PREMIERE THIS IN THE INDIAN FIELD.

WE HAVE KATELYN MORTIN AND SHE'S CHEROKEE AND HER FATHER IS PLAYED BY MARK BILLY AND THE RIVER IS SUNG BY GRANT YOUNGBLOOD WHO WAS A LUMBY FROM NORTH CAROLINA AND THAT'S A SHELL-SHAKING CULTURE.

>> THE MUSICAL HAVE A FEW EASTER EGGS FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE CAST.

>> I'M A HIGHLY ROMANTIC AND DRAMATIC COMPOSER AND A LISTENER CAN EXPECT THAT IN THE WORKS THAT I DO.

AND THEN, ALSO, I DO FOCUS LOTS OF MELODIES AND WE'VE GOT TONS OF TUNES FROM THE CHICKASAW NATION IN THIS WORK.

IT'S APPARENT THAT A MELODY IS SUNG AND TO THOSE WHO DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW CHICKASAW MUSIC, THEY CAN BE ASSURED THAT THEY'RE LISTENING TO A TRADITIONAL MELODY FROM OUR TRIBE.

>> THE SHELL SHAKER OPERA OPENS AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY CIVIC CENTER ON OCTOBER 27th.

>> THIS IS "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> Rich: VERY, VERY IMPRESSIVE.

>>> THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF OKLAHOMA IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS HOME TO WHAT IS BELIEVED AS ONE OF THE MOST ADVANCED PLANETARIUMS IN THE WORLD.

THE LOVES PLANETARIUM HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS AND DEBUTED LAST FRIDAY AND FEATURES ADVANCED PROJECTORS THAT ALLOW STARGAZERS TO SEE THE UNIVERSE WITHOUT LIGHT POLLUTION AND THE LED LIGHTS CAN RECREATE THE EIGHT MILLION STARS AND MAKE UP THE MILKYWAY.

>> YOU'RE ALL EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY FOR THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LOVES PLANETARIUM.

MY PARENTS TOOK MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AS WELL AS MYSELF WHEN WE YOUNG.

WE, IN TURN, TAKE OUR KIDS TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM.

>> Rich: THERE'S A PAID ADMISSION TO SCIENCE MUSEUM OKLAHOMA.

>>> THIS HERITAGE BEGAN AS A WEEK AND EXPANDED INTO A FULL 30 DAYS IN 1988.

THE LATINO EXPECT IS THE FASTEST GROWING DEMOGRAPHIC IN OKLAHOMA AND TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW.

>> HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CAN BE FOUND FROM LIVE SHOWS AT THE TOWER THEATER TO THE EXHIBITS AT THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM.

♪♪♪ >> A LOCAL NONPROFIT IS GEARING UP FOR ONE OF ITS LARGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR ON SATURDAY.

>> WE ARE ENTERING INTO OUR 19th YEAR AND SO WE'RE EXCITED.

IT'S A DAY-LONG EVENT KICKING OFF WITH A PARADE THAT STARTS DOWN AT THE PARK.

WE WERE ACTUALLY COUNTING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THE PARADE THIS YEAR.

WE ARE EXPECTING ABOUT 2500 PARTICIPANTS TO BE IN THE PARADE.

SO THAT COMES DOWN TO ABOUT 100 FLOATS.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GLORIA TOREZ SAYS THIS YEAR's THEME IS DIFFERENT.

>> THE FIRST PROJECT, ONE OF THEM WAS TO DESIGN OUR TEST T-ST THIS YEAR AND SO WE PUT IT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND TOOK IN DIFFERENT NOMINATIONS AND SUBMISSIONS AND THEN WE PUT IT BACK OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE DESIGN AND THIS DESIGN WAS PAID BY ONE OF OUR LOCAL ARTISTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES RIGHT DOWN THE STREET, PAPER BOX, WITH VICTOR ACOSTA.

>> YOU CAN PARTICIPATE IN A SELENA LIP SYNC BATTLE.

>> THIS IS A FULL DAY AND PLAN TO BE HERE ALL DAY.

WE HAVE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

WE START WITH THE PARADE.

THAT WILL TAKE ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF AND WE HAVE EXTREMELY ADORNED CULTURAL FLOATS.

WE HAVE MARCHING BANDS.

I BELIEVE WE'RE EXPECTING THE LANGSTON BAND AGAIN THIS YEAR AND THEY'RE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, AMAZING MARCHING BAND AND WILL BE JOINING US.

AND THEN AFTER THE PARADE, WE HAVE A FOOD COURT.

WE CALL IT OUR INTERNATIONAL FOOD COURT WITH 15 DIFFERENT FOOD TRUCKS WITH ALL SORTS OF FLAVORS.

>> THAT WORKING TO HISTORICALLIZE THE DISTRICT.

>> FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS, THIS ORGANIZATION STEPPED UP TO INVEST IN THE BUSINESSES AND EXPECT TO TRY TO REVITALIZE NOT JUST THE BUILDING, THE BUSINESSES BUT THEY CAN AN IMPACT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY.

>> THEY COMPLETED THE RENDERINGS IN THE AREA AND HOPE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONSTRUCTION SOON.

>> SO WE WILL BE GOING TO CITY COUNCIL ON OCTOBER 8th, WHICH IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY, TO FINALLY OPEN UP THE BIDS FOR CONSTRUCTION.

AND SO, THOSE BIDS WILL BE AWARDED PROBABLY WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH AND WE CAN START SEEING SOME GROUNDBREAKING VERY SOON.

>> CAPITOL HILL WAS HISTORICALLY A REDOMINANTLY WHITE COMMUNITY WHEN IT WAS ESTABLISHED IN THIER 20th CENTURY AND THAT'S ANOTHER ASPECT THAT, ESPECIALLY LOOKING AT THE MORE RECENT HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA -- AND THIS IS COMMON WITH STORIES OF MIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION WHERE WE HAVE MIGRANT COMMUNITIES COME IN THAT ARE ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED OR OVERLOOKED AND THEY'RE PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN REVIALALLIZING THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> ONE THING FORGOTTEN IS THE RED RIVER BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND -- OR BETWEEN OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS.

ORIGINALLY, IT WAS AN INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY, FIRST, BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND SPAIN AND THEN ONCE MEXICO OBTAINED ITS INDEPENDENCE, BECAME THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO AND WHEN TEXAS OBTAINED ITS INDEPENDENCE, IT WAS A TIME WHEN TEXAS WAS STILL A REPUBLIC.

SO THE TERRITORY BECAME A PLACE WHERE GOODS, IDEAS AND EVEN PEOPLES MIGRATED TO AND FROM MEXICO.

>> HISTORIAN MATTHEW PIERCE SAYS THE STATE SAW A SIGNIFICANT MIGRATION OF PEOPLE OF MEXICANDISSENT DUE TO THE REVOL.

>> THAT PERIOD OF ECONOMIC INSTABILITY AND POLITICAL VIOLENCE PROMPTED THOUSANDS OF MEXICANS TO FLEE INTO THE UNITED STATES.

OF COURSE, THEY'RE OFTEN TRAVELING AND THEY'RE FINDING WHERE THEY CAN FIND WORK.

AND SO, IN OKLAHOMA, YOU HAD ABOUT 1200 MEXICANS, LIKELY MORE SETTLE IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA DURING THE EARLY 20th CENTURY TO WORK IN THE COALMINES AROUND KREBBS AND THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> MANY ALSO WORKED AS OKLAHOMA RAILROAD MAINTENANCE CREWS.

AND IN THE 1960's, PEOPLE FROM NON-MEXICAN COUNTRIES BEGAN TO MIGRANT TO OKLAHOMA.

♪♪♪ >> FROM CENTRAL AND SOUTH AMERICA, COUNTRIES LIKE GAT MA GUATAMALA, EL SALVADOR, WHICH EXPERIENCED A DEADLY CIVIL WAR IN THE 1980's AND PEOPLE ARE RUNNING TO FLEE THAT UNREST, COLOMBIA, TO WHERE OKLAHOMA HAS REPRESENTATION FROM ALL 19 SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRIES FROM SPANISH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE COMMONWEALTH OF PUERTO RICO.

>> ANOTHER WAY CELEBRATE HISPANIC MONTH BY CHECKING OUT OETA.

THE LINK IS PROVIDED ON YOUR SCREEN.

>> Rich: THE WILL ROGERS DEVELOPMENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY RECEIVED A $500,000 FROM THE KEN AND REEVES FAMILY FUND.

IT WILL RENOVATE AN EXISTING BUILDING INTO A COMMUNITY CENTER TO BE THE FOCAL POINT WITH PROGRAMS TO LIFT RESIDENTS OUT OF GENERATIONAL POVERTY.

THE CHALLENGE IS A PARTNERSHIP AND THE OKLAHOMA CITY AUTHORITY AND THE REEVES FAMILY FUND.

>>> BIG PLANS IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA, AS WELL.

THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE AND AERONAUTICS BREAKING GROUND ON A FACILITY FOR THE WEST WOODWARD AIR FORCE.

THE $4 MILLION TERMINAL IS PART OF A PACKAGE OF UPGRADES TO IMPROVE THE FACILITY.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY COUNCIL HAS TAKEN THE NEXT STEP TOWARD BUILDING A BILLION DOLLAR ARENA.

THAT STORY TOPS THE STATE-WIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> A NEW NBA QUALITY ARENA BY APPROVING A COMPANY CALLED ACC ICON GROUP TO SERVE AS THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION ON THE 750,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY.

THE CITY LEADERS FELT IT WAS NECESSARY TO GET HELP TO MANAGE A PROJECT THIS SIZE AND SCOPE.

THE NEXT STEPS INCLUDE HIRING AN ARCHITECT.

THE GOAL IS TO OPEN THE NEW ARENA IN THE SUMMER OF 2028.

THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 4.2%.

THE LEISURE SECTOR ADDED 1700 PHYSICIANS AND BUSINESS SERVICES ADDED 1300 JOBS.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED LINEAR HEALTH SCIENCES JUST RECEIVED FROM THE F.D.A.

AN EXPANDED INDICATION FOR THE SAFETY RELEASE VALVE FOR BREAK-AWAY PLATFORMS FOR INFUSIONS.

THE F.D.A.

HAS APPROVED THE DEVICE TO BE USED WITH PATIENTS AGES TWO WEEKS AND OLDER DURING THE TRANSFUSION OF BLOOD OR BLOOD PRODUCTS.

THERE'S TWO NEW BOARD MEMBERS, KEITH WALKER IS A RETIRED LIEUTENANT GENERAL OF LEADER DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY AND PLANS SINCE JULY.

BARBARA HOLCOMB IS A RETIRED U.S. ARMY MAJOR GENERAL INDICATING THE COMPANY's CLINICAL SERVICES EARLIER THIS MONTH.

>>> A BOUNCE PARK PARTNERING WITH AN THAT's HOUSE FOUNDATION FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

THIS IS AT THE OKC OUTLET AND A PROCESS HELPS SERVING CHILDREN IN STATE CUSTODY.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: AS OF LAST MONTH, THERE WERE MORE THAN 2.3 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS IN ARIZONA.

WHAT DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH 450,000 PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA BEING REMOVED FROM VOTER ROLES INTO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION?

THIS IS THE FOCUS WITH CASSIDIE MUD.

>> THEY PURGED HALF A BILLION VOTER REGISTRATIONS.

WE'RE JOINED BY KEATON ROSS, ANDY MOORE, OF LET'S FIX THIS "AND THE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE ELECTION BOARD.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING ME HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> MISHA, WE'LL START WITH YOU AND I WANT TO CLARIFY A FEW THINGS WITH YOU.

WE'RE HEARING FROM LOCAL AND NEWS ORGANIZATIONS SAYING WE'VE PURGED OVER JUST 450,000 VOTERS JUST AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

WHEN IN REALITY, IT'S JANUARY OF 2021.

>> ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND, VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE IS A PROCESS REQUIRED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW.

THESE PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES AND PROCESSES HAVE BEEN GOING ON FOR DECADES.

THIS IS A REGULAR, DAILY, MONTHLY, YEARLY, MAINTENANCE PROCESS WE CONDUCT.

SO, FOR INSTANCE, EVERY MONTH, WE RECEIVE REPORTS FROM AUTHORIZED ENTITIES LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND STATES WHERE DRIVER's LICENSES HAVE BEEN SURRENDERED.

THIS IS A PROCESS WE CONDUCT EVERY MONTH AND CONSTANTLY OUR VOTER ROLES.

>> SOME THE CONCERNS FROM VIEWERS, THIS PROCESS STARTED IN 2021, WE'RE NOT VIOLATING STATE OR FEDERAL LAW THAT IT'S ILLEGAL TO REMOVE VOTERS FROM THE ROLES FEW TO INACTIVE FOR NINE DAYS OR HOW DOES THAT PROCESS WORK?

>> IT'S IF THEY HAVEN'T VOTED IN FOUR CYCLES AND THERE'S A CONFIRMATION NOTICE AND I BELIEVE THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR.

SO THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR YEARS AND NO, NOT SOMETHING IT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO OR SOMETHING MOTIVATED BY PARTISAN POLITICS, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THE WAY THE ADDRESS CONFIRMATION NOTICE PROCESS WORKS IS THAT IF YOU HAVE NOT VOTED IN TWO GENERAL ELECTION CYCLES, WHICH IS A PERIOD OF ABOUT FOUR YEARS, THEN YOU MAY BE FLAGGED TO RECEIVE AN ADDRESS CONFIRMATION.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER REASONS WHY YOU MAY RECEIVE THAT ADDRESS CONFIRMATION AS WELL.

FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU'VE HAD A FIRST CLASS MAILING AS UNDELIVERABLE AND RECEIVED INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGISTERED IN ANOTHER STATE, THAT WOULD ALSO TRIGGER AN ADDRESS CONFIRMATION AND THOSE REASONS ARE OUTLINED IN OUR STATE STATUTES WHO WAS TO RECEIVE THAT.

WE SEND THOSE ADDRESS CONFIRMATION NOTICES OUT EVERY TWO YEARS.

VOTERS HAVE 60 DAYS.

IF THEY DO NOT RESPOND AND HAVE NO FURTHER ACTIVITY ON THEIR VOTER REGISTRATION, WE HAVE REQUIRED BY LAW TO CHANGE THEIR STATUS TO INACTIVE.

NOW INACTIVE MEANS THERE'S STILL A REGISTERED VOTE AND THEY STILL HAVE THAT RIGHT TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

IN FACT, IF THEY GET OUT AND VOTE OR IF THEY UPDATE THEIR REGISTRATION, THEIR STATUS WILL AUTOMATICALLY BE CHANGED BACK TO ACTIVE.

HOWEVER, IF THEY FAIL TO RESPOND AND FAIL TO UPDATE THEIR REGISTRATION, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO BE REMOVED AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME INCLUDING TWO CONSECUTIVE GENERAL FEDERAL ELECTIONS.

>> I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THE THINGS YOU MENTIONED, ESPECIALLY WITH THE INACTIVITY.

WHAT COULD THE NEWS ALONE OF 450,000 PEOPLE BEING PURGED, HOW IS THIS BEING TAKEN?

>> THE WAY THIS WAS PRESENTED IN THE PRESS RELEASED ALARMED PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SO I THINK A LOT OF CLARIFICATION IS NEEDED.

MY HOPE, IF NOTHING ELSE, IT PROMPTS EVERYONE TO CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS.

IF YOU'RE UNSURE OR REASONABLY SURE, HOP ONLINE AND CHECK IT TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE REGISTERED AT YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS.

>> READY TO VOTE FOR THIS NOVEMBER.

EXPLAIN THE MAINTENANCE PROCESS AND ALSO DESCRIBE TO US A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE INACTIVE.

>> SURE.

FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT PARTICULAR REPORT THAT THE PRESS RELEASE THAT RECENTLY CAME OUT WAS BASED ON WAS A PERIOD OF TIME FROM JANUARY 1st OF 2021 TO JULY 31st OF 2024.

THAT PARTICULAR PERIOD OF TIME INCLUDED TWO DIFFERENT ADDRESS CONFIRMATION NOTICED AND IT'S NOTICES.ONE OF THE BIGGEST CATEF VOTERS WHO WERE CANCELED OR HAD THEIR VOTER REGULAR VACATION REN CANCELED WERE THOSE WHO MOVED OUT OF THE STATE.

IF YOU MOVE FROM ONE COUNTY TO ANOTHER COUNTY, YOU HAVE TO REGISTER AGAIN.

SO THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THAT VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE REPORT.

WE DO ACTUALLY POST OR MONTHLY VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE REPORTS ON OUR WEBSITE, ON THE STATE ELECTION BOARD WEBSITE.

BUT LIKE I SAID, THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROCESSES IN PLACE.

THESE ARE ALL IN OUR STATE's STATUTES AND THE LAW IS VERY SPECIFIC.

IN FACT, THERE ARE EIGHT REASONS WHY A VOTER COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE VOTER REGISTRATION ROLES.

THOSE INCLUDE, PERHAPS, THEY'RE DECEASED, THEE MOVED FROM ONE COUNTY TO ANOTHER COUNTY, TO ANOTHER STATE.

THEY'VE HAD THEIR DRIVER's LICENSE SURRENDERED AND CONVICTED OF A FELONY.

THERE ARE EIGHT REASONS WHY A VOTER CAN BE REMOVED.

NONE OF WHICH HAVE TO DO WITH PARTY AFFILIATION AND CLEAR IN INOUR STATE STATUTES.

>> IF SOMEBODY MOVES, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

>> IF YOU'RE ABLE TO UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION BY THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE, OCTOBER 11th, SO IF YOU NEED TO UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION OR SIMPLY REGISTER TO VOTE, THAT DEADLINE IS OCTOBER 11th.

I HAVE RUN INTO INDIVIDUALS WHERE MAYBE THEY'RE MOVING AND THEY DON'T KNOW IF THEY'LL BE MOVING BEFORE THAT DEADLINE AND THAT'S FINE.

YOU CAN STILL GO AHEAD AND VOTE AT YOUR CURRENT POLLING PLACE.

YOU CAN FILL OUT A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM AND SUBMIT THAT.

BY LAW, IF YOU SUBMIT AFTER THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE, WE CANNOT PROCESS IT OR OUR COUNTY ELECTION BOARDS CANNOT PROCESS IT UNTIL AFTER THAT ELECTION.

>> KEATON, HISTORICALLY, HAVE WE SEEN THE VOTER TURNOUT HERE THIS ARIZONA?

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE PRETTY DIFFICULT TO PINPOINT THE EXACT CORRELATION THERE.

I THINK MAYBE SOME OF THE FEAR OF AN INDIVIDUAL OPPOSED TO REMOVING SOMEONE FROM THE ROLES FOR NOT VOTING OVER A CERTAIN PERIOD IS THAT THEY WOULD SHOW UP AND REALIZE THAT THEY'RE NOT REGISTERED, HAVEN'T VOTED IN AWHILE AND THEREFORE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO CAST A BALLOT.

IN ACTUALITY, THAT WOULD BE RARE.

THAT WOULD PROBABLY BE THE MAIN CONCERN THERE.

>> KEATON, THE POINT OF CONTENTION IS THE INACTIVITY CLAUSE.

TELL US ABOUT THAT PROVISION?

>> AS YOU GO OVER SEVERAL GENERAL ELECTION CYCLES AND NOT VOTING AND NOT RESPONDING TO THE ADDRESS CONFIRMATION, YOU MIGHT BE REMOVED FOR INACTIVITY AND THE POLICIES ON THAT VARY BY STATE.

SOME STATES HAVE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION.

WHERE IF YOU REACH A CERTAIN AGE OR YOU HAVE A DRIVER's LICENSE OR THAT SORT OF THING OR ON THE ROLES AND YOUR GOOD TO GO.

THAT'S A STATE-LEVEL DISCUSSION THERE.

BUT THAT WILL VARY IN OPINIONS ON THAT.

>> AND ANDY, DO VOTER ROLES -- A LOT OF CONCERNS FROM THE PUBLIC IS THE QUESTION.

DO VOTER ROLES DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT DIFFERENT GROUPS HERE IN ARIZONA?

>> SO THAT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU REGISTER TO VOTE, WE DON'T COLLECT YOUR RACE OR ETHNICITIES AND IT'S JUST ADDRESS, DATE OF BIRTH, NAME AND SO WE CAN LOOK AT IT BY AGE.

WE DON'T KNOW GENDER OR RACE.

BASED ON SOME ANALYSIS AND ZIP CODES AND CENSUS TRACKS, IT APPEARS THAT, YOU KNOW, MAYBE A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF THE VOTERS THAT HAVE BEEN PURGED ARE PEOPLE OF COLOR.

IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY TEND TO BE YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE MANY HAVEN'T BEEN REGISTERED TO HAVE BEEN INACTIVE YET OR FLAGGED AS INACTIVE ISN'T.

IT COMES DOWN TO IF YOU DON'T USE IT, YOU LOSE IT.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ABOUT THAT AS A POLICY, A LOT OF CONCERN.

IN MY HOUSEHOLD, MY WIFE AND I TALK ABOUT THIS.

HER POSITION IS THAT NO ONE SHOULD BE REMOVED JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T VOTE.

THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, A LOT OF STUFF THEY DON'T FEEL COMPELLED TO VOTE.

OUR MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY IS, PLEASE VOTE.

IN EVERY ELECTION YOU CAN AND IF YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE VOTING, RESPOND TO AN ADDRESS VERIFICATION OR MAKE SURE THAT YOUR REGISTRATION STATUS REMAINS ACTIVE.

>> WHAT ARE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT VOTER PURGES YOU THINK THE PUBLIC SHOULD BETTER UNDERSTAND?

>> SO, FOR INSTANCE, I THINK THE USE IT OR LOSE IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION.

PEOPLE MAY HAVE NEVER CAST A PLOT BUT KEEP THEIR REGISTRATION CURRENT JUST IN CASE THERE'S SOMETHING THAT PEAKS THEIR INTEREST OR MOTIVATES THEM TO GET OUT AND GO TO THE POLLS.

AGAIN, IT'S ABOUT KEEPING YOUR REGISTRATION CURRENT.

I KNOW IT ALWAYS SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA IN THEORY TO KEEP EVERYONE IN THE ROLES, BUT THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE LIKELY MOVED OR DECEASED AND ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE WHERE THEY REGISTER TO BEGIN WITH.

IF SOMEBODY HAS NOT VOTED IN A NUMBER OF YEARS, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT MAYBE, LIKE I SAID, DECEASED AND THEY HAVE MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTY.

SO, AGAIN, EVEN IF YOU DON'T PLAN TO VOTE, KEEP YOUR REGISTRATION CURRENT.

THAT IS THE MAIN THING.

THAT'S THE THING TO STRESS TO PEOPLE.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT THING, TOO, I HAVE MULTIPLE QUESTIONS THERE PEOPLE THIS PARTICULAR SEASON IS, DOES MY VOTER REGISTRATION EXPIRES, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP THEM UP TO DATE.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T VOTE AND YOU'RE NOT MOTIVATED, CHECK THAT REGISTRATION ONCE A YEAR OR AT LEAST EVERY TWO YEARS OR WHEN YOU MOVE AND MAKE SURE IT'S UP TO DATE.

>> YOU HAVE A REALLY BIG JOB TO DO AND HOW DOES ROUTINE MAINTENANCE HELP OFFICIALS STAY ON TOP OF PREVENTING FRAUD?

>> SO EXACTLY.

WHEN WE CAN IDENTIFY WHICH INDIVIDUALS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REGISTERED, THAT PREVENTS DOUBLE VOTING.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION.

WE DON'T WANT REGISTRATION ON THE ROLES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN WITH US, HAVE BEEN DECEASED FOR THREE YEARS.

THAT LEAVES THAT WINDOW OPEN FOR FRAUD.

SO, AGAIN, KEEP YOUR REGISTRATION UP TO DATE.

WITH EVERYTHING WE DO, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, GETTING OUR DRIVER's LICENSE OR YOU KNOW, DIFFERENT PROCESSES THAT WE HAVE, WE ASTROKEEP THOSE UP TO DATE.

WE HAVE TO KEEP THEM UP TO DATE AND VOTER REGISTRATION IS THE SAME.

IT'S A RIGHT JUST LIKE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN OUR SOCIETY IS A RIGHT.

BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE STEP TO ENROLL YOUR CHILD IN SCHOOL AND TO GET YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL.

IT'S THE SAME WAY WITH VOTER REGISTRATION.

TAKE THAT EXTRA STEP TO REGISTER, KEEP YOURING YOUR REGISTRATIONUP TO DATE.

>> YOU SAID THERE WERE OTHER METHODS THAT STATE OFFICIALS COULD USE TO KEEP THE VOTER ROLES UP TO DATE WITHOUT PURGER AND WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS?

>> IN TERMS OF THE MAINTENANCE PROCESS, THERE'S NO FEDERAL DATABASE OR SHARING HOUSE FOR THIS INFORMATION.

ELECTIONS ARE DONE ON THE STATE LEVEL.

SOME STATES HAVE OPTED TO JOIN MULTISTATE VOTER LISTS THAT OKLAHOMA WAS AUTHORIZED TO JOIN ONE OF THOSE.

ULTIMATELY DECIDED NOT TO AND THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP OF THAT ORGANIZATION BY PEOPLE IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN ONES, LIKE ERIC, THE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION CENTER, THAT HAS BEEN UTILIZED BY SOME STATES, ALLOWING OFFICIALS TO SEE IF SOMEONE HAS MOVED OR HAS DONE SOMETHING IN ANOTHER STATE THAT CAN BE FLAGGED TO HELP KEEP THE SYSTEM UP TO STATE IN THAT WAY.

BUT AS OF NOW, OKLAHOMA IS NOT A PART OF THAT ORGANIZATION.

>> MOVING ON BRIEFLY, BUT TO VOTER ENGAGEMENT, YOU SAID BEFORE WITH THE OKLAHOMA VOICE THAT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE STATE IS MAYBE MISSING WHEN IT COMES TO TERMS OF REGISTERING NEW VOTERS.

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WERE YOU THINKING OF?

>> WE CAN DO MORE TO REGISTER NEW VOTERS AND REENGAGE THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN INACTIVE FOR AWHILE.

POLICY CHANGES LIKE AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION WHERE EVERYONE WHEN THEY TURN 18 OR MAYBE ANYTIME SOMEBODY INTERACTS WITH THE STATE AGENCY, YOU GET MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR ENGAGEMENT THERE.

WE WOULD MAKE VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS WIDELY AVAILABLE AT TAG AGENCIES AND POST OFFICES.

I SAW SOMEONE IN YOUR LOBBY HERE AT OTA, THAT'S GREAT AND THERE'S A LOT OF WEIGHT PUT ON NON-PROFITS LIKE MINE TO MAKE SURE WE DO VOTER ENGAGEMENT AND WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE FROM THE STATE.

THOSE THINGS ARE NOT INSUR MOUNTABLE.

>> THE REGISTRATION S DEADLINE IS APPROACHING ON OCTOBER 11.

WHAT CAN OKLAHOMA VOTERS DO TO GET READY TO VOTE?

>> OCTOBER 11th IS THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR UPDATE YOUR REGISTRATION.

THERE ARE MULTIPLE WAYS YOU CAN DO THAT.

YOU CAN GO ONLINE AND REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE.

YOU DO NEED A VALID AND CURRENT OKLAHOMA DRIVERS LICENSE TO REGISTER ONLINE.

YOU CAN ALSO FILL OUT A PAPER APPLICATION AND SUBMIT THAT AS ANDY WAS SAYING.

THE NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION ACT OF 1993, ACTUALLY, SAYS THAT ALL OF OUR AGENCIES HAVE TO OFFER VOTER REGISTRATION TO ANYONE WHO RENEWS OR UPDATES THEIR REGISTRATION AND MULTIPLE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AGENCIES TO REQUIRE TO OFFER THAT SERVICE.

YOU CAN GO TO YOUR COUNTY ELECTION BOARD.

WE HAVE VOTER REGISTRATION BOARDS AT COUNTY LIBRARIES.

THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS,S THAT COMING UP ON OCTOBER 21.

>> Rich: GREAT INFORMATION.

THIS PROCESS HAS BEEN AROUND FIVE THOUSAND YEARS AND HASN'T CHANGED VERY MUCH.

SCULPTING WITH BRONZE IS A MULTIFACETED PROCESS IN A FOUNDRY LIKE THE ONE WE'LL TAKE YOU TO THIS IN WEEK's NATIONAL VIEW.

BLUE MOUNTAIN FINE ART IS LOCATED IN BAKER CITY, OREGON.

OUR REPORT IS COURTESY OF OREGON PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

♪♪♪ >> THESE ARE IMAGES FROM THE DIGITAL PRINTING PEOPLE TO SHOW US HOW IT WOULD GET CUT UP.

>> THIS MOSAIC WILL EVENTUALLY BE ASSEMBLED INTO SEVEN BRONZE SEATING STRUCTURES.

>> THIS IS THE LARGEST.

>> THIS IS CALL GROWTH AND STONE AND IT'S THE WORK OF JULIENNE JN WATTS.

>> I'M AN OWNER OF DEW MOUNTAIN FINE ART.

>> THIS HAS BECOME KNOWN FOR PRODUCING BRONZE ART THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED AS CONTEMPORARY.

THEY WORK WITH NATIONAL ARTISTS AND LOCAL ARTISTS.

THIS IS A PROCESS BY WHICH THE ARTIST GOES BACK TO THE FIVE THOUSAND YEARS.

IN THE ANCIENT WORLD, BRONZE's STRENGTH AND ABILITY TO HOLD FINE DETAIL MADE IT HIGHLY DESIRABLE FROM COINS TO WEAPONS TO FINE ART.

AND IT SHOWS UP IN CULTURES AS VARIED AS CHINA AS EGYPT AND INDIA AND GREECE.

THE BRONZE-POURING PROCESS IS DONE PRETTY MUCH AS IT HAS BEEN FOR MILLENNIA.

THE TECHNIQUE IS ANCIENT AND NO LESS ECONOMYING.

ANYTHING LESS IS POURED INTO AN INFET TO BE USED AGAIN IN THE NEXT POUR.

ONCE COOLED, THE MODEL IS BROKEN OFF.

>> ALL OF THIS IS CUT OFF AT THE PANEL.

>> THIS IS A PIECE WE WANT RIGHT HERE AND IT GETS SANDBLASTED AND THEN READY TO GET WORKED ON BY THE METAL SHOP.

DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF THE PIECE, SOME PIECES CAN BE 100 PARTS AND SOME CAN BE ONE PART.

SO THE BIGGER PIECES HAVE TO BE WELDED TOGETHER AND THEN TOOLED.

WE USE SANDERS, GRINDERS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS TO MAKE DIFFERENT TEXTURES SO THAT WE CAN MATCH THE TEXTURES ON THE PIECE.

AFTERWARDS, IT'S TIME TO PUT THE PATINE ON.

VARIOUS CHEMICALS MAKE DIFFERENT COLORS.

AFTER WE GET THE COLORS THE WAY WE LIKE IT, THEN WE WARM THE PIECE UP AND WE WAX IT AND THAT SEALS IT.

AT THAT POINT, THE PIECE IS PRETTY MUCH FINISHED.

>> IN THE SPRING OF 2023, GROWTH AND STONES WAS INSTALLED IN OPPORTUNITIES BELLVIEW, WASHINGTON.

THE SETTING IS URBAN AND CONTEMPORARY.

BUT THE ART WAS HANDMADE IN BAKER CITY, OREGON.

>> WE'RE A SERVICE TO THE ARTIST AND IT'S BEING INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS.

AND IN THE END, THERE'S A LOT OF SATISFACTION IN FOLK THAT A KNOWING A PIECEI INSTALL, MY GRE SOME DAY.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION, HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A ROMEO STAMP IN THE ELDERLY ARE TARGETED AND SOME LOSING THEIR LIFE SAVINGS.

REPORTER STEVE SHAW EXPLAINS THE CONNECTION OF THIS IN PART ONE OF A TWO-PART SERIES YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS.

>>> WE WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SHOUT OUT TO OUR ACE REPORTER, STEVE SHAW.

LAST WEEK, HE WAS ABDUCTED INTO HIS HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME IN MISSOURI, COLOMBIA.

HE WAS HONOR FOR RESPECTIVE CAREERS SINCE THAT TIME.

HE'S AN EMMY-WINNING JOURNALIST AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM.

HIS FATHER OPENED ROCK RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL IN 1973.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU KNOW WITH A LOOK AT THE ROUND BARN ON ROUTE 66 IN ARCADIA BY OECA's MATT BARNETT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!