>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT'S "STATE OF THE STATE" SPEECH IS MET WITH STRONG REACTIONS.

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT TO INVESTING IN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> DOES THE MONEY FOLLOW THE STUDENT?

NOT ALL OF THEM.

>> OKLAHOMA'S MEDICAL COMMUNITY STRIVES TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT: ONE PILL CAN KILL.

>> FENTANYL IS A NEW GENERATION OF SYNTHETIC OPIOID, AND IT'S AT LEAST 100 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN MORPHINE.

>> THE CONTROVERSIAL OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL IS NOW UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP.

>> I STARTED MAKING CHANGES WHEN I GOT HERE BECAUSE I SAW THINGS THAT HAD TO BE CHANGED."

>> OKLAHOMA CITY OPENS A NEW FILM OFFICE, JOINING TULSA AND THE CHEROKEE NATION IN THE PURSUIT OF ART AND REVENUE.

>> IT'S A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM TO TRY AND GROW IN INCENTIVE AND DRIVE INDUSTRY INTO OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS A DISPUTE OVER SCHOLARSHIP MONEY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

>> HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

AS EXPECTED, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT IS CALLING FOR MORE SCHOOL CHOICE, MORE TAX CUTS AND LESS FOUR YEARS?

RICH,THAT'S RIGHT.

THE GOVERNOR OUTLINED HIS PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION THIS WEEK, AND HE WANTS LEGISLATION TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION, BUSINESS-FRIENDLY ISSUES, AND PROTECTING FREEDOMS.

WITHOUT AN ACROSS THE BOARD PAY RAISE TO SET UP NEW SPECIALTY SCHOOLS AND EXPAND READING INITIATIVES AND GROW MORE CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

>> THESE STRATEGIC INITIATIVES WILL BRING OKLAHOMA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM OUT OF THE BOTTOM AND INTO THE TOP 10.

>> VERY EXCITED ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT IN INVESTING IN THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.

>> SHANE JET IS WORKING ON LEGISLATION WHERE THE DOLLARS FOLLOW THE STUDENT, NOT THE SCHOOL.

HIS BILL HAS A POPULATION THRESHOLD OF 10,000 FOR RURAL COUNTIES.

BEFORE A PARENT CAN TRANSFER THEIR STUDENT USING THE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS TO ANOTHER SCHOOL, THAT SMALL-POPULATION SCHOOL WOULD HAVE TO MEET CERTAIN TRIGGERS BEFORE THE TRANSFER COULD TAKE PLACE.

IF IT BECOMES CLEAR THE SCHOOL IS FOCUSED ON INDOCTRINATION AND WOKE IDEOLOGY AND TURNING THE CLASSROOM INTO A BATTLEFIELD AND SUBJECTING CHILDREN TO HARM.

THEN THAT WILL TRIGGER THE PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO ACTIVATE AND BE ABLE TO CHOOSE WHERE THEIR MONEY GOES AND WHERE THEIR CHILDREN GO AND HAVE THE MONEY TO FOLLOW THE CHILD.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS ARE PUSHING BACK ON THE NOTION THAT EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WILL HELP STUDENTS.

>> DOES THE MONEY FOLLOW THE STUDENT?

NOT ALL OF THEM.

$30 MILLION AT $5,000 PER STUDENT EACH MEANS 26,000 KIDS GET ACCESS TO THESE FUNDS.

RIGHT NOW IN OUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, 35,000 STUDENTS ARE ALREADY ENROLLED.

THESE FUNDS WILL BE WHOLLY CONSUMED BY THOSE PAYING FULL PRICE FOR PRIVATE SCHOOL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER POINT ON STITT'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IS TO CONTINUE DEVELOPING POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS BY THE STATE TO MAKE OKLAHOMA MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY.

>> THAT MEANS TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON KEY AREAS: ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND TAX POLICY.

>> Reporter: STITT PLANS TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR AN ALL THE ABOVE APPROACH TO ENERGY AND DEVELOPING FUTURE FUEL TECHNOLOGIES LIKE HYDROGEN.

PART OF THOSE DEVELOPING TECHNOLOGIES, ALONG WITH CURRENT INDUSTRIES WILL REQUIRE QUALIFIED WORKERS AND ADDRESS WORKFORCE ISSUES AND LABOR SHORTAGES.

>> AS COMPANIES FLOOD OKLAHOMA, WORKFORCE IS THE NUMBER-ONE CHALLENGE FACING BUSINESSES.

LET'S MAKE SURE OUR UNIVERSITIES AND HIGHER EDUCATION ARE PARTNERING WITH COMPANIES TO TRAIN THE WORKFORCE OF TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: WHILE DEMOCRATS APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A MORE CAPABLE WORKFORCE IN OKLAHOMA THROUGH ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS, SHE CONTENDS MORE COULD BE DONE TO HELP THOSE ON THE SIDELINES BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND AFFORDABLE CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> FINDING AFFORDABLE DAY CARES IN OUR STATE.

THE ECONOMY CANNOT RUN IF THE WOMEN IN OUR STATE CANNOT WORK.

GOVERNOR STITT RENEWED HIS CALL FOR INFLATION AND TAX RELIEF.

I AM PROPOSING TO ELIMINATE OKLAHOMA'S STATE GROCERY TAX.

[APPLAUSE] AND REDUCE OUR PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE TO 3.99%.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS ARE BEHIND THE GROCERY SALES TAX CUT.

>> THAT HAS BEEN SOMETHING I'VE WORKED ON FOR YEARS.

THE GOVERNOR JUMPED ON BOARD AND CHAPS IT.

HOPEFULLY, OUR COLLEAGUES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WILL JOIN.

>> Reporter: BEFORE STITT EVEN ENTERED THE HOUSE CHAMBER, PART OF HIS AGENDA DREW OUT PROTESTERS, THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE TRANSGENDER THERAPIES.

>> WE MUST PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE, OUR CHILDREN.

AFTER ALL, MINORS CAN'T VOTE, CAN'T PURCHASE ALCOHOL, CAN'T PURCHASE CIGARETTES, WE SHOULDN'T ALLOW A MINOR TO GET A PERMANENT GENDER-ALTERING SURGERY IN OKLAHOMA.

[APPLAUSE] >> Reporter: BRITTNEY NOVOTNY IS AGAINST THE TRANSGENDER PROCEDURE BILLS BUT SHOULD ENGAGE WITH REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS.

>> BECAUSE THIS IS A REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

SO, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BEAT THE BILLS BY ONLY TALKING TO REPUBLICANS.

WE NEED TO REACH LEGISLATORS THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE PROTESTS OVER TRANSGENDER ISSUES, GOVERNOR STITT IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE STATE'S FUTURE.

>> THE FUTURE DOESN'T BELONG TO THE TIMID OR THOSE WHO PROTECT THE STATUS QUO.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE BRAVE, THE PIONEERS, THE GO-GETTERS, THE CAN-DOERS.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO OKLAHOMA.

THE PROTESTERS WERE NONVIOLENT BUT WERE CERTAINLY VOCAL AHEAD OF THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

A SENATE COMMITTEE ALREADY APPROVED MEASURES RETICKETING THERAPIES ON TRANSGENDER UNDER 18.

>> JASON IS ONE OF SEVERAL OKLAHOMA JOURNALISTS DEDICATED TO COVERING GOVERNMENT.

JOINED BY A TRIO OF OUR CONTENT PARTNERS.

>> IF YOU'LL REMEMBER, A YEAR AGO, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THIS, AND IT DIDN'T GET TRACTION IN THE SENATE.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE.

THEN HE TRIED TO GET THEM TO DO IT IN SPECIAL SESSION.

AND ONCE AGAIN, IT PASSED THE HOUSE, BUT IT DIDN'T PASS THE SENATE.

AND THE SENATE WAS LOOKING AT A BROAD-BASED APPROACH TO TAX RELIEF.

>> WE'RE NOT SEEING A HUGE PUSH FOR IT OUT OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

OF COURSE, WE ARE WITH STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS AND GOVERNOR STITT.

BUT AT THE LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW WHERE THE SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR ADAM PUGH WAS ASKED POINT BLANK, YOU KNOW, WHY AREN'T VOUCHERS ON YOUR LIST OF PRIORITIES?

AND HE SAID: VOUCHERS WILL NOT BE A PRIORITY FOR ME THIS SESSION.

>> HE'S ALWAYS -- I MEAN, SINCE HE FIRST GOT IN OFFICE, IT'S BEEN HIS THING.

HE'S A BUSINESS OWNER BY TRADE, AND HE'S REALLY WANTED TO DEVELOP THE WORKFORCE, WHETHER IT'D BE BRINGING IN CANOO, BRINGING IN ALL THESE OTHER COMPANIES.

AND THE THING IS, SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL LIKE WITH PROJECT OCEAN, WHICH IS PANASONIC, AND WE REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT.

>> THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

STAY WITH US.

LAWMAKERS DIDN'T WASTE ANY TIME GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS.

A BILL APPROVED BY THE SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE ON TUESDAY WOULD MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET A STATE QUESTION ONTO THE BALLOT.

SENATE BILL 518, BY SENATOR JULIE DANIELS, WILL RAISE THE FILING FEE TO $750 TO COVER PUBLICATION COSTS.

IT ALSO REQUIRES VOTERS TO USE THEIR LEGAL NAME AND EXPANDS THE PROTEST PERIOD FROM 10 TO 20 DAYS.

ALSO, SENATE BILL 840 WAS PASSED BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

IT WOULD ALLOW 3RD PARTY ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP STUDENT ATHLETES CONNECT WITH POSSIBLE NAME, IMAGE, AND LIKENESS, OR NIL SPONSORS.

IT ALSO MAKES ROOM FOR BOOSTERS AND OTHER DONORS TO COMPENSATE ATHLETES THROUGH AN ENTITY NOT TIED TO THE UNIVERSITY.

>>> THE WORD "CRISIS" GETS USED A LOT THESE DAYS -- PROBABLY OVERUSED -- BUT IT'S THE ONLY WORD TO DESCRIBE THE DEVASTATION THAT'S BEING CAUSED BY THE VAST AMOUNTS OF ILLEGAL FENTANYL PILLS FLOODING ACROSS OUR BORDERS.

50 MILLION PILLS WERE CONFISCATED LAST YEAR, AND THAT'S JUST WHAT'S BEEN STOPPED.

NOW, OKLAHOMA DOCTORS ARE SHARING A NEW PUBLIC SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO GET THE WORD OUT THAT: ONE PILL CAN KILL.

THE OU COLLEGE OF NURSING IS WE'RE SPEAKING WITH A PROFESSOR AT OU WITH A Ph.D.

IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AND A NURSE AT THE OSU ADDICTION RECOVERY CLINIC IN TULSA.

DOCTOR, WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AT YOUR CLINIC AS A RESULT OF THIS FENTANYL CRISIS?

>> WE'RE SEEING A MUCH HIGHER NUMBER OF URINE SAMPLES THAT HAVE FENTANYL.

IN FACT, WHEN WE TELL OUR PATIENTS, A LOT OF THEM DO NOT KNOW THEY WERE EXPOSED TO FENTANYL.

THEY'RE VERY SURPRISED, GENUINELY SURPRISED THAT THEY HAD NO INTENTION OF INGESTING OR USING FENTANYL.

>> Dr. DUNN, HOW MUCH FENTANYL ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

THESE ARE MINUSCULE AMOUNTS, CORRECT?

>> THE LETHAL DOSE IS VERY SMALL.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE LUCKY.

I TELL MY PATIENTS THEY'RE VERY LUCKY TO BE SITTING IN FRONT OF ME AFTER USING ANY KIND OF FENTANYL BECAUSE IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO, UNFORTUNATELY, KILL SOMEBODY.

>> Dr. KYLE, TELL US ABOUT THE ONE PILL CAN KILL CAMPAIGN AND HOW YOU WILL ROLL IT OUT.

>> MOST PEOPLE MAY BE AWARE, FOR EXAMPLE, LAST YEAR, THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION REPORTED A RECORD-HIGH NUMBER OF DRUG-RELATED OVERDOSE DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES, APPROACHING 108,000 PEOPLE.

OF THOSE CASES WHERE OPIOIDS WERE INVOLVED, 75% OF THE TIME FENTANYL WAS THE CULPRIT.

THE MAIN DRIVER OF THAT IS THE MANUFACTURER AND DISTRIBUTION THROUGH e-COMMERCE, PRIMARILY, OF COUNTERFEIT PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS, INCLUDING ADDERALL, ANNEXATION AND PERCOCET.

THE TABLETS LOOK SIMILAR, BUT THEY'RE NOT.

SO, WE FEEL THAT THE ONE PILL CAN KILL IS A GREAT MESSAGE TO GET OUT THAT CAN SAVE LIVES.

>> I ALSO NOTICED 10,000 POUNDS OF POWDERED FENTANYL AND, AGAIN, THAT'S JUST WHAT HAS BEEN FOUND.

WE'RE SEEING THIS EVERYWHERE ACROSS AMERICA, IN ALL KINDS OF COMMUNITIES, ISN'T THAT CORRECT?

>> YOU KNOW, ADDICTION WAS ALREADY A DISEASE THAT DIDN'T REALLY DISCRIMINATE BY SOCIOECONOMIC CLASS OR RACIAL OR ETHIC BACKGROUND, AND THIS HOLDS TRUE FOR FENTANYL.

IT'S REALLY AFFECTING EVERYBODY.

WE'RE SEEING KIDS, ADOLESCENTS, TEENAGERS GOING TO THEIR FIRST PARTY AND TAKING A TABLET AND ALL IT TAKES FOR THEM TO STOP BREATHING.

>> THE QUESTION IS: WHAT'S THE GAME PLAN FOR AT LEAST SLOWING THIS DOWN?

I IMAGINE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PARTICIPATION AND COOPERATION FROM VARIOUS ENTITIES, Dr. KYLE?

>> THE GAME PLAN, I WOULD SAY IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN EMERGING PROBLEM THAT IS NATIONWIDE.

IT'S AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TIME TO BE EXPERIMENTING WITH DRUGS.

IF SOMETHING HASN'T BEEN PRESCRIBED TO YOU SPECIFICALLY, YOU SHOULD NOT BE TAKING THAT, AND EVEN IF IT IS PRESCRIBED FOR YOU, YOU SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY TRUSTING THAT THAT TABLET IS WHAT IT SAYS IT IS.

NARCAN IS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR REVERSAL OF AN OPIOID-INDUCED OVERDOSE.

HISTORICALLY, IT'S WORKED WELL AGAINST THINGS LIKE OXYCONTIN, OXYCODONE-TYPE THINGS OR HEROIN.

BUT FENTANYL IS A NEW GENERATION OF SYNTHETIC OPIOID, AND IT'S 100 TIMES MORE POTENT THAN MORPHINE.

IT CAN REVERSE A FENTANYL OVERDOSE BUT REQUIRES MULTIPLE NARCAN INJECTIONS AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS MAY NOT HAVE MULTIPLE INJECTIONS AVAILABLE.

FENTANYL LASTS IN THE BLOODSTREAM SEVERAL HOURS LONGER THAN NARCAN.

WITHIN A KNEW HOURS, THE PATIENT COULD REVERT BACK TO THE OVERDOSE SITUATION WHEN THE NARCAN WORE OFF.

FOR THAT REASON, A RESEARCH PROJECT AT THE NATIONAL CENTER IS TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP LONGER-LASTING, MORE POTENT REVERSAL AGENTS THAN NARCAN.

>> WHAT CAN PARENTS BE LOOKING FOR IN TERMS OF BEHAVIOR IF THEY FEAR THEIR CHILDREN MAY BE EXPERIMENTING WITH THIS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS DRUG?

>> I WOULDN'T WAIT TO NOTICE BEHAVIOR TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

UM, BECAUSE YOU COULD BE TOO LATE.

DON'T WAIT FOR SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR.

LET IT BE A DINNER-TIME TOPIC.

TALK ABOUT NARCAN.

IN OUR CLINIC, WE GET IT IN ANYBODY'S HAND, WHETHER THEY STRUGGLE WITH OPIOIDS OR NOT.

OTHER SIGNS OR STROMS ARE CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR FROM THEIR NORMAL, WHICH I KNOW CAN BE SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO TELL WITH TEENAGERS, UM, BUT, YOU KNOW, ARE THEY ISOLATING MORE?

DO YOU FIND THAT THEY'RE MORE SLEEPY?

ARE THEY HAVING CHANGES IN THEIR GRADES?

MAYBE THEY'RE MORE ANGRY OR IRRITABLE, BUT IT'S DEFINITELY TOO LATE TO WAIT FOR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS TO BE TALKING ABOUT THIS WITH YOUR KIDS.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TREMENDOUS INFORMATION, KIND OF SCARY INFORMATION BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO TALK TO US AND TO SHARE THE MESSAGE.

IT'S REALLY CRITICAL FOR OKLAHOMANS.

>> THE OU COLLEGE OF NURSING IS PARTNERING WITH MURRAY STATE STATE AND HIGHER EDUCATION LEADERS GATHERING ON WEDNESDAY TO CELEBRATE THE ANNOUNCEMENT EXPLAIN HOW IT WILL BENEFIT THE NEXT GENERATION OF RACES.

>> THIS IS A DREAM COME TRUE.

ACCESS IS WHAT WE NEED.

>> STUDENTS ARE NOW ABLE TO TAKE OU NURSING COURSES AT CAMERON UNIVERSITY IN LAWTON AND DUNCAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL, WHICH COULD LEAD TO WORK CLOSE TO HOME WHEN THEY GRADUATE.

>>> THE LONG-TROUBLED OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL, WHICH IS SET TO BE TORN DOWN AND REPLACED BY 2026, IS NOW UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP.

MAJOR BRANDI GARNER IS NOW IN CHARGE OF FIXING WHAT'S WRONG, AND THIS WEEK, REPORTER STEVE SHAW SAT DOWN WITH GARNER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW SHE INTENDS TO DO THAT.

>> I STARTED MAKING CHANGES WHEN I GOT HERE BECAUSE I SAW THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE CHANGE.

>> MAJOR BRANDI GARNER IS NOW IN CONTROL OF THE MUCH-MALIGNED OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL, A PLACE SHE VISITED FOR THE FIRST TIME TWO DECADES AGO.

>> I NEVER FIGURED THAT I WOULD BE HERE BECAUSE THE FACILITY HAD STANDING WATER EVERYWHERE, IT SMELLED HORRIBLE.

IT WAS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FACILITY THAN IT IS TODAY.

>> THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL HAS BEEN KNOWN AS THE DEADLIEST COUNTY JAIL IN AMERICA.

FEDERAL INVESTIGATIONS GO BACK 14 YEARS.

BETWEEN 2016 AND 2020, THERE WERE 43 JAIL DEATHS, 16 ADDITIONAL DEATHS IN '21 AND '22 AND ANOTHER DEATH JUST LAST MONTH.

GARNER CAME HERE A YEAR AGO AFTER EIGHT YEARS AT THE CLEVELAND COUNTY JAIL, WHERE SHE CLIMBED THE RANKS FROM DETENTION OFFICER ALL THE WAY TO MAJOR.

SHE TAKES OVER FOR FORMER ADMINISTRATOR GREG WILLIAMS WHO RESIGNED LAST MONTH AFTER THREE YEARS ON THE JOB.

>> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS MAJOR GARNER DID WHEN SHE CAME TO THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL EARLY LAST YEAR WAS COMPLETELY REVAMP THE INMATE INTAKE PROCEDURE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I DID SI MOVED MEDICAL SCREENING FROM ONE LATER STEPS IN THE PROCESS TO ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS.

NOW, A PERSON COMES IN, PATTED DOWN AND STRAIGHT TO MEDICAL AND GO THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL SCREENING.

>> Reporter: GARNER SAYS GETTING INMATES BOOKED IN THE OLD WAY COULD TAKE HOURS, EVEN DAYS.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, THE JAIL ALSO USED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC MONEY.

THEY'RE STILL WAITING ON THE COUNTY TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR, TO RENOVATE THE FORLORNE 1 3-FLOOR FACILITY.

LAST SUMMER, VOTERS APPROVED A $260 MILLION BOND TO BUILD A NEW JAIL AND MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY THAT WILL CLEARLY BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT.

BUT THE EARLIEST IT WILL BE OPEN WILL BE LATE 2026.

HOW DO YOU KEEP DRUGS OUT OF THIS PLACE?

>> IT'S CHALLENGING.

IT IS CHALLENGING.

BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE WE CAN'T POST AT THE INTRODUCES WE DO PRO-ACTIVE PAT-DOWNS OF STAFF AND VENDORS, VISITORS.

>> Reporter: GARNER SAYS THERE WERE TWO OTHER MAJOR ISSUES THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED.

FIRST, INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF TIME INMATES GET OUTSIDE OF THEIR CELLS.

>> THAT WAS A HUGE UNDERTAKING BECAUSE IT REQUIRED A CULTURAL SHIFT AND A MIND-SET SHIFT OF OUR STAFF.

BEFORE I GOT HERE, AND FOR YEARS, IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYBODY WAS LOCKED DOWN UNTIL, YOU KNOW -- EXCEPT FOR ABOUT ONE HOUR A DAY AND ONLY FOR JUST A FEW DAYS A WEEK.

AND I KNOW THAT IS NOT RIGHT.

I KNOW THAT'S DEBT -- DETRIMENTAL.

I MANDATED WE GET THEM OUT AT LEAST FOUR DAYS A WEEK.

>> Reporter: GARNER SAYS SHE JUST TERMINATED SEVERAL JAIL EMPLOYEES OVER THE HOLIDAYS, EVEN THOUGH THE JAIL IS WOEFULLY UNDERSTAFFED.

BUT SHE SAYS THERE ARE 45 NEW APPLICANTS IN WAITING WHO WANT TO JOIN HER TEAM, EMPLOYEES SHE HOPES SHE'LL BE ABLE TO PAY MORE THAN THE CURRENT RATE.

>> SO FAR, SHE HAS BEEN A BREATH OF FRESH AIR, I MEAN, LITERALLY.

>> Reporter: MACROFAULK IS A MEMBER OF A GRASSROOTS GROUP THAT TOOK AIM AT THE DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS AT THE JAIL MANY MOONS AGO.

>> WHAT I DO UNDERSTAND IS THE JAIL TRUST HAS TO GET BEHIND HER, AND THEY HAVE TO GIVE HER WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO THE JOB PROPERLY.

TO ME, THEY HANDED A JAIL THAT WAS PRACTICALLY ON FIRE.

IT WAS IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION IN THAT JAIL.

>> Reporter: HE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL TO STAVE OFF A FEDERAL TAKEOVER OF THE JAIL BY FORMING A JAIL TRUST.

>> THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE IF YOU WANT A CHALLENGING BUT REWARDING JOB AND YOU HAVE SOME, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL WORK, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BACKGROUND, EVEN SOME OF THAT MIXED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, UM, YOU KNOW, THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF FOLKS THAT NEED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP CHANGE THAT CULTURE IN THIS FACILITY, WHICH WILL LEAD US INTO THE CULTURE OF THE NEW FACILITY.

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

>>> A GROUP OF OSAGE STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ARE ASKING THAT A SCHOLARSHIP FUND THAT WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED TO BENEFIT THEM BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

IT'S A LITTLE COMPLICATED, BUT WHO BETTER TO EXPLAIN IT THAN OUR NATIVE AFFAIRS REPORTER KENNEDY SEPULVADO.

KENNEDY?

>> COMPLICATED INDEED.

RICH, THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA RECEIVED 1.75 OSAGE HEAD RIGHT AFTER IT WAS LEFT IN A WILL TO BE USED FOR A SCHOLARSHIP FOR SINGLE OSAGE MEN.

HOWEVER, WHEN STUDENTS CALLED ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP, THEY WERE LEFT WITH MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS.

[BELL] >> Reporter: THE SCHOLARSHIP WAS NEW TO MANY OU OSAGE STUDENTS WHO JOINED THE NEW AND FIRST-EVER SINGLE TRIBE CLUB ON CAMPUS IN NORMAN.

>> IN THE FALL OF 2022, SHE WAS A FRESHMAN.

SHE KIND OF TALKED TO ME ABOUT THE OSAGE SCHOLARSHIP.

SHE BROUGHT IT UP.

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT.

I HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT THROUGH OSAGE PEOPLE EITHER.

SHE TALKED ABOUT FINDING A CLUB, HAVING A CLUB COME TOGETHER SINCE THERE WERE SO MANY OSAGE STUDENTS HERE AND WE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS SCHOLARSHIP.

THAT'S KIND OF WHY WE CREATED IT.

>> I WAS JUST KIND OF SURPRISED THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND IT WENT WRAPS UNTIL I JOINED THE OSAGE CLUB.

>> Reporter: THE REIGNING OSAGE PRINCESS IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE OSAGE STUDENT SEARCH FOR ANSWERS.

HER QUESTIONS STARTED WELL BEFORE HER FIRST DAY OF CLASSES STARTED AT THE UNIVERSITY.

>> WELL, I WAS JUST TRYING TO FUND MY WAY THROUGH COLLEGE, AND MY GRANDPA ACTUALLY WAS THE ONE WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THE OSAGE SCHOLARSHIP.

HE SAID, OH, YOU HAVE TO GO CALL THE UNIVERSITY.

THERE'S AN OSAGE SCHOLARSHIP.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE DID.

HOWEVER, SHE WAS TOLD THE ONLY SCHOLARSHIP THEY KNEW OF WAS THROUGH THE OSAGE NATION EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

I CALLED THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE BACK AT THE UNIVERSITY.

I REALLY DIDN'T GET TOO MUCH INFORMATION.

THEY SAID HOW THEY DON'T KNOW WHO'S OSAGE, AND THEY DON'T KNOW, UM, WHO IT'S GOING TO, IN A SENSE.

AND SO, THAT GOT ME THINKING, WHERE IS IT ACTUALLY GOING?

>> Reporter: BECAUSE SHE WAS TOLD THE UNIVERSITY DOESN'T KNOW WHO IS OSAGE, THE OSAGE CLUB WAS CREATED TO FIND AND UNITE THE STUDENTS AND TO INFORM THE UNIVERSITY WHO ON CAMPUS IS OSAGE.

>> WE FEEL LIKE THAT'S OUR MONEY THAT NEEDS TO BE GIVEN TO US, LIKE, SO I GOT MY NAME PUT IN AND MADE A LIST OF OSAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT SHOULD BE PUT IN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

>> MORE OSAGES STARTED COMING TO OUR MEETING.

SO, I PUT THEM DOWN AND I GOT THEIR OU IDs.

I WENT TO THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.

I HAND DELIVERED THE PAPER, AS WELL AS EMAILING IT.

>> Reporter: THE LIST WAS ACCEPTED BY THE UNIVERSITY AND THE GROUP OF STUDENTS STARTED WORKING WITH THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE.

THE STUDENTS HAVE YET TO HEAR ANY UPDATES, BUT SOME MALE CLUB MEMBERS RECEIVED PRIVATE SCHOLARSHIPS FOLLOWING THEIR EFFORTS.

SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS AN OSAGE HEAD RIGHT?

WHEN THE OSAGE MOVED TO INDIAN TERRITORY THEY BOUGHT THE RESERVATION FROM THE CHEROKEE NATION.

IN 1906, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PUSHED TO DIVIDE THE RESERVATION INTO INDIVIDUAL ALLOTMENTS, AS IT DID WITH OTHER TRIBAL RESERVATIONS.

>> BUT THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE THAT BOUGHT THIS RESERVATION ACTUALLY HAD A RESERVE CLAUSE THAT WE WOULD HOLD EVERYTHING UNDERGROUND IN COMMON, AND THE UNITED STATES SIGNED IT.

AND THAT'S WHEN THE 1906 ACT, YOU COULD ONLY A LOT THE TOP OF THE SURFACE, AND WE KEPT THE MINERALS AS A STATE.

>> Reporter: WITH THE NATION HAVING RIGHTS TO THE RESERVATION'S MINERAL ESTATES, TRIBAL MEMBERS RECEIVED PAYMENTS FOR WHAT WAS PRODUCED WHICH WAS, AT THE TIME, THE LARGEST OIL REFINERY IN AMERICA.

>> IT'S IDENTIFIED AS A HEAD RIGHT TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

THAT'S HOW THEY ALLOCATED ITEMS OF A NON-CITIZEN EVEN BACK TO THE DAYS OF SLAVERY.

TO DATE, WE HAVE TAKEN THAT, AND NOW WE ARE PAYING IT OUT TO THE ORIGINAL A LOT -- >> Reporter: ANYONE, NO MATTER THEIR AFFILIATION WITH THE TRIBE COULD INHERIT A HEAD RIGHT WHICH LEAD TO THE REIN OF TERROR IN THE 1920s.

THE UNIVERSITY'S HEAD RIGHT WAS LEFT IN A DEATH WILL.

>> IF THEY ARE HAVING THE PROCESS THEY'RE NOT FOLLOWING, THEN WE NEED TO OPEN UP THE CRITERIA FOR THE RECEIVING OF THIS SCHOLARSHIP.

IT WAS DOWN TO PETROLEUM ENGINEERING, GEOLOGY AND A SECTION, BUT WE BOTH KNOW WE LIVE IN A NEW WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY.

>> Reporter: THE OSAGE MINERALS COUNCIL WILL DETERMINE HOW TO PROCEED WITH CONVERSATIONS REGARDING THE HEAD RIGHT SCHOLARSHIP.

MEANWHILE, THE OSAGE CLUB IS PLANNING THEIR NEXT STEPS FOR APPROACHING THE UNIVERSITY ABOUT THE FUNDS.

>> WE WANT TO WRITE A LETTER FROM THE OSAGE CLUB, FROM ALL OF US, BUT WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE THIS HEAD RIGHT IS EVEN GOING.

>> THEY HAVE GOTTEN HEAD RIGHT MONEY AND OSAGE MINERAL STATE MONEY FOR MANY YEARS, SINCE THIS HEAD RIGHT HAS BEEN LEFT TO THE UNIVERSITY IN THE WILL OF THE FAMILY.

AND SO WE CHALLENGE THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA TO LEAD ON, AS THEY SAY, AND HELP US WITH DISCOVERING THE REALITY OF THE SCHOLARSHIP AND WHAT IT SHOULD BE DOING FOR OUR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" DID REACH OUT TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA REGARDING THE HEAD RIGHT AND ITS INTENDED PURPOSES.

THE UNIVERSITY WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION PER OUR REQUEST.

FINDING ANSWERS ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP ISN'T THE ONLY THING THE OSAGE CLUB IS UP TO.

THEY WANT TO CAMOUFLAGE THE OKLAHOMA STATE OSAGES TO A BEDLAM HAND GAME THIS SPRING.

>> SHOULD BE FUN.

NOW, KENNEDY, BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, WE WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW ABOUT A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY THAT HAS COME YOUR WAY.

>> Reporter: I WILL BE JOINING THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM AS A COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS.

I'LL GET TO LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PR WORLD.

>> YOU'RE OSAGE YOURSELF.

OF COURSE, YOU'VE BEEN HANDLING NATIVE AFFAIRS REPORTING FOR US, DOING A GREAT JOB.

THAT SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY GOOD STEP FORWARD IN YOUR CAREER.

>> Reporter: YES, I LOVE GETTING TO LEARN ABOUT INDIAN COUNTRY IN OKLAHOMA AND KIND OF GETTING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MY TRIBAL HISTORY, SO THIS WILL HELP ME EXPAND MY OWN KNOWLEDGE ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S TRIBES.

IT WILL BE GREAT.

>> YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO SCHOOL AND GETTING YOUR MASTER'S.

>> Reporter: YES.

A LOT GOING ON FOR ME RIGHT NOW.

AGAIN, THIS JOB DOES KIND OF GO INTO WHAT I'M ACTUALLY LEARNING IN MY MASTER'S DEGREE.

HOWEVER, I WILL STILL BE RESEARCHING THE NEWS INDUSTRY.

I'LL STILL BE IN NEWS A LITTLE BIT, BUT I'LL BE DOING IT FROM AFAR THROUGH MY MASTER'S PROGRAM.

>> OUR LOSS IS FAM'S GAIN.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER HAVE TEAMED UP TO CREATE THE OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE OF FILM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES, JOINING SIMILAR OFFICES OPERATING IN TULSA AND THE CHEROKEE NATION.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS NOW TO EXPLAIN THE COMPETITION AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE THREE TO HELP GROW THE FILM INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, OKLAHOMA IS ON TRACK TO BECOMING THE NEW "HOT SPOT" TO FILM MOVIES AND TV SHOWS.

MANY OF THE LOCAL OFFICES OFFER SOUNDSTAGES AND SHOW FILMAKERS THE BEST SPOTS TO FILM IN OKLAHOMA >> CUT!

THIS VIRTUAL STUDIO SUSPECT IN HOLLYWOOD.

THE STATE OF VR FILMMAKING TECHNOLOGY CAN BE FOUND HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WHAT VIRTUAL PRODUCTION IS THE ABILITY TO PUT ACTORS IN FRONT OF -- INSIDE A VOLUME WHERE THE CAMERA IS TRACKED.

THEY CAN BE INSIDE AN L.E.D.

WALL OR A GREEN SCREEN.

THE CAMERA CAN MOVE AROUND DIMA'AMCALLY.

BOILING POINT MEDIA IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS NOW OFFERING LOCAL FILMMAKERS A CHANCE TO USE THEIR NEW VIRTUAL STUDIO FOR MOVIE AND TV PRODUCTION.

>> I THINK THE WAY THAT OUR VIRTUAL PRODUCTION VOLUME CAN IMPACT THE FILM INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA IS BY PROVIDING A SPACE FOR INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS.

I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.

>> WELL, MY PARTICULAR THING WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT -- WITHOUT THIS TECHNOLOGY.

I'M DOING A SPACE COMEDY, AND A SCRIPT WHERE THERE WAS A VERSION 10 YEARS AGO THAT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD AT ALL.

LIKE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN $100 MILLION MOVIE.

NOW WE'RE ABLE TO DO IT AT A LOW-BUDGET PRICE.

SO, OR MODERATE LOW BUDGET.

>> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICE OF FILM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES IS HELPING TO DIRECT THOSE LOOKING TO PRODUCE MOVIES AND TV SHOWS TO SOUNDS STAGES.

OKLAHOMA CITY'S OTHER FACILITIES ARE LANDING MAJOR PROJECTS AND PART OF IS THAT BECAUSE THE OKC FILM OFFICE IS A LIAISON BETWEEN THOSE MAKING THE FILM AND WHAT ASSETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE PRODUCTION.

>> RIGHT NOW WE'VE GOT REALLY INCREDIBLE COMPANIES.

WE'VE GOT A HUGE SOUNDSTAGE IN THE OLD COX CONVENTION CENTER WHICH IS PRAIRIE SURF MEDIA FOR LARGE- FILM PRODUCTION WHERE "TULSA KING" IS FILMED.

A CONVERTED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS GEARED TOWARD HOMEGROWN PRODUCTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SAYS THE OKLAHOMA CITY CITY COUNCIL CREATED THE OFFICE LATE LAST YEAR TO HELP FIRMS CONNECT TO OKLAHOMA CITY RESOURCES.

>> IT'S A THREE-YEAR PROGRAM TO TRY TO GROW INCENTIVE AND DRY INDUSTRY INTO OKLAHOMA CITY AND PROBABLY BY YEAR TWO, WE'LL BE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FUTURE IS AND HOW WE WILL CONTINUE DOWN THIS PATH.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA CITY IS NOT ALONE IN HELPING TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN FILMMAKERS AND RESOURCES.

THE CHEROKEE NATION HAS A FILM OFFICE TO FACILITATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN THE INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY.

>> WE WILL INCREASE THE PRESENCE OF NATIVE AMERICANS IN FILM AND TELEVISION AND WE'VE CREATED ALL KINDS OF INITIATIVES SURROUNDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF THAT OFFICE THAT TAKES THE BARRIER AWARE OF PEOPLE ENTERING THE INDUSTRY AND TAKES THE BARRIER AWARE OF HOLLYWOOD, BEING ABLE TO SAY THEY COULDN'T FIND REPRESENTATION OF NATIVE PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: THE TULSA OFFICE WAS FORMED TO OFFER SUPPORT TO CREATIVES IN MUSIC ARTS AND FILM.

>> WE WORK HAND IN HAND WITH PRODUCTIONS TO CONNECT THEM WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO FILM IN TULSA, SO HELPING THEM NAVIGATE AVAILABLE INCENTIVES TO FILM PERMITS AND HAVE SOMETHING ON OUR WEBSITE.

IT'S A DATABASE THAT HELPS WITH CONNECTING ALL PRODUCTIONS COMING INTO TOWN WITH OUR LOCAL CREWS.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE FILM INDUSTRY IS COMPETITIVE, THE LOCAL OFFICESS SAY WORKING TOGETHER IS A KEY TO OKLAHOMA'S SUCCESS.

>> WE'RE CONTINUING TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OKLAHOMA CITY FILM AND CREATIVE INDUSTRY'S OFFICE AND THE OKLAHOMA FILM AND MUSIC OFFICE AND THE CHEROKEE NATION FILM OFFICE.

WE HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL OF THEM.

>> WE SEE EACH OTHER AS PASSPORTS.

FROM THE CHEROKEE NATION PERSPECTIVE, IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT A RISING TIDE RAISES ALL SHIPS.

AND SO, WE REALLY SEE OKLAHOMA, AS PARTS OF THE OKLAHOMA, AS A VERY VIABLE AREA TO FILM AND TO CREATIVE TELEVISION AND FILM PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: FILMMAKERS CONSIDER OKLAHOMA AN EMERGING HUB FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS SINCE THEY EXPANDED THE REBATE PROGRAM, MORE THAN $250 MILLION HAVE BEEN SPENT ON OKLAHOMA-BASED PRODUCTIONS.

WITH MAJOR PRODUCTIONS LIKE TULSA KING AND FANCY DANCE BEING FILMED IN OKLAHOMA, OKC'S FILM OFFICE OFFERS INCENTIVES IN ADDITION TO REBATES.

>> IT'S BASICALLY ANYTHING THAT'S A TAXABLE TRANSACTION IN THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> Reporter: CHEROKEE NATION FILM OFFICE SENIOR DIRECTOR SAYS THEY OFFER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP BOLSTER THE FILMMAKING WORKFORCE.

>> SO, WE DO HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THINGS LIKE SCREENWRITING WORKSHOPS, UM, WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE A SET-READY CLASS.

>> Reporter: MOVIE AND TV PRODUCTIONS IN THE STATE ARE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY.

BY BRINGING HUNDREDS OF JOBS TO ALL FOUR CORNERS OF THE STATE.

>> IN 2020 ALONE, THE 23 PRODUCTIONS WE WORKED WITH HAD A DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT IN OUR REGION.

THAT IS ALL TO BRING FILM CREWS INTO TOWN AND HELPING THEM HIRE LOCAL PRODUCTION WORKERS AND SPENDING MONIES AT OUR HEADLINES, RESTAURANTS, ALL THAT STUFF.

>> Reporter: >> ACCORDING TO “MOVIE MAKER ” MAGAZINE, OKLAHOMA CITY RANKS 13TH IN THE TOP 25 OF BIG CITIES FOR THE BEST PLACES TO LIVE AND WORK AS A MOVIE MAKER IN 2022.

TULSA RANKS NUMBER FIVE IN THE TOP TEN LIST FOR SMALL CITIES AND TOWNS.

RICH.

>> AND WITH MORE ECONOMIC NEWS, WE PRESENT OUR WEEKLY STATEWIDE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> ACTIVITY AT THE OKLAHOMA FAIRGROUNDS IS BUSTLING.

HOSTING 18 EVENTS IN JANUARY THAT WELCOMED ALMOST 190,000 VISITORS WHO HELPED GENERATED AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF $36.7 MILLION.

THE BIG EVENT WAS THE TWO-WEEK CATTLEMEN'S CONGRESS WHICH DREW 90% OF ITS ATTENDANCE FROM OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS.

THE STATE CHAMBER OFFERING AN ENTHUSIASTIC THUMBS UP TO THE BUSINESS PROPOSALS LAID OUT BY THE GOVERNOR IN THE SPEECH.

THE CHAMBER'S PRESIDENT AND CEO POINTING SPECIFICALLY TO STITT'S CALL TO LOWER INCOME TAXES AND INCREASE INVESTMENT IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

AFTER ALMOST 46 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY OF STILLWATER, THE CITY MANAGER HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.

INFINITY CAPITAL PARTNERS HAS SURPASSED $1 BILLION IN COMPLETED TRANSACTIONS SINCE THE FOUNDING IN 2016.

HEADQUARTERED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, INFINITY CAPITAL PARTNERS SAYS $800 MILLION CAME FROM OUT-OF-STATE INVESTORS AND POSITIVELY IMPACTED 2100 OKLAHOMA JOBS.

ON TUESDAY, CLEVELAND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRESENTED A $500,000 CHECK TO THE SALVATION ARMY OF CLEVELAND COUNTY.

THE MONEY COMES FROM ARPA FUNDING AND WILL ALLOW THE NONPROFIT TO REFORM COSTS ACCRUED THE URG THE COVID PANDEMIC.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> BETWEEN NOW AND MAY 26TH, WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS EXPECTED TO END, THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF JOURNALISTS WHO WILL BE VERY BUSY KEEPING YOU INFORMED ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE CAPITOL AND WHY IT'S HAPPENING.

AND THAT INCLUDES THE MODERATOR FOR OUR “IN-DEPTH ” SEGMENT THIS WEEK, OUR OWN JASON DOYLE, WHO SAT DOWN WITH SOME OF HIS COLLEAGUES TO DISCUSS WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE NEXT 3-AND-A-HALF MONTHS.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

WE HAVE THREE DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.

FIRST OF ALL, SHAWN ASHLEY, THE PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL AND THE EDUCATION REPORTER FOR STATE IMPACT OK AND REESE GORMAN, A POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE FRONTIER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S START WITH REFLECTIONS OF THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT NOT ONLY WAS THIS THE GOVERNOR'S FIFTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, IT WAS ALSO THE FIRST OF HIS SECOND TERM.

SO, I THINK A LOT OF WHAT HE HAD TO SAY REFLECTED ON WHAT HE ACCOMPLISHED IN THAT FIRST TERM AND THEN WHERE HE LOOKS TO GO IN THE SECOND TERM.

HE LAID OUT BIG GOALS.

>> BETH, WHAT ARE YOUR FLEXION REFLECTIONS?

>> YOU'RE SEEING A DIVIDE BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE REPUBLICANS AND THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE.

WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WAS VOUCHERS, INCENTIVE PAY FOR TEACHERS.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, WE'RE SEEING -- MAKING TEACHING A BETTER JOB, MAKING TEACHING MORE TENABLE FOR TEACHERS.

TWO DIFFERENT SORT OF INTERPRETATIONS OF HOW TO FIX THIS MASSIVE TEACHER SHORTAGE THAT WE HAVE.

>> I MEAN, THIS IS GOING TO BE HIS FIFTH STATE OF THE STATE -- OR WAS HIS FIFTH STATE OF THE STATE.

I THINK YOU CAN TELL THE EXPERIENCE, THERE WERE THINGS WERE SAID THAT SOME LEGISLATIVE LEADERS DIDN'T AGREE WITH, AND HE PUSHED PRIORITIES THAT DIDN'T GET PASSED.

HE HONED IN AND FOCUSED ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

HE DID LAY OUT PRIORITIES, BUT THEY WERE THINGS THAT HAD BROAD SUPPORT, MINUS TAX CUTS AND THE EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

YOU COULD TELL THERE WAS PROBABLY, FROM A POLITICAL STANDPOINT, HIS BEST STATE OF THE STATE YET.

>> VERY GOOD.

WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT THE GROCERY STORE TAX ELIMINATION OVER THE LAST YEAR.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WILL GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, THAT'S REALLY AN INTERESTING QUESTION.

IF YOU'LL REMEMBER A YEAR AGO, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED THIS, AND IT DIDN'T GET TRACTION IN THE SENATE.

IT PASSED THE HOUSE.

THEN HE TRIED TO GET THEM TO DO IT IN SPECIAL SESSION.

ONCE AGAIN, IT PASSED THE HOUSE, BUT IT DIDN'T PASS THE SENATE.

AND THE SENATE WAS LOOKING AT A BROAD-BASED APPROACH TO TAX RELIEF.

BACK IN OCTOBER, GREG TREAT SAID HE DID NOT BELIEVE A GROCERY SALES TAX CUT WOULD BE PART OF THEIR PACKAGE WHEN THEY PUT IT FORWARD.

THEY'VE YET TO DO THAT.

ULTIMATELY, WHETHER OR NOT THAT PARTICULAR ISSUE PASSES MAY DEPEND ENTIRELY ON THE SENATE ONCE AGAIN.

>> INTERESTING STUFF.

>> ON THAT, TOO, I MEAN, IF YOU WERE WATCHING THE STATE OF THE STATE FROM THE PRESS BOX, YOU COULD SEE THE LEGISLATORS.

SENATOR THOMPSON WASN'T STANDING OR CLAPPING.

HE'S A BIG PART.

IF YOU DO TAX CUTS, IT WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ROGER ON THIS AFTERNOON.

OTHER SENATORS WEREN'T STANDING AS WELL.

WHENEVER THEY WERE IN SPECIAL SESSION, WELL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO GROCERY SALES TAX, I ASKED GREG TREAT.

WE'RE NOT READY TO RELEASE IT YET.

THEY'VE HAVEN'T RELEASED THE TAX PLAN THEY DO.

ALTHOUGH, THEY SAID IT IS DONE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE SENATE STANDS.

WE DO KNOW THEY PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO CUT THE GROCERY SALES TAX.

A PERSONAL INCOME TAX CUT.

WE'RE AT A .7 DEDUCTION.

>> IT WOULD TAKE IT DOWN TO 3.99%, UNDER 4, WHICH I THINK IS THEIR TARGET FOR BOTH THE INDIVIDUAL INCOME TAX AND THE CORPORATE INCOME TAX, WHICH WOULD BE REDUCED.

>> INTERESTING.

TAX DEBATE IS ALWAYS INTERESTING.

OF COURSE, THE HALLMARK RIGHT NOW IS EDUCATION.

SO, BETH, WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THESE EDUCATION VOUCHERS.

SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK IS GOING TO HAPPEN DURING THE SESSION AS THAT DEBATE UNFOLDS?

>> THE GOVERNOR WOULD LIKE $130 MILLION TO PUT TOWARDS AN EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT AND CALLED VOUCHERS.

TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO PUT TOWARDS EDUCATIONAL EXPENSES, USUALLY SOMETHING LIKE PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION.

THAT'S KIND OF THE IDEA OF EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

THERE ARE TWO BILLS RIGHT NOW, UM, ONE FROM SENATE DANIELS, ONE FROM SENATOR JETT THAT WOULD ACHIEVE THESE IN DIFFERENT WAYS WITH DIFFERENT DOLLAR AMOUNTS ATTACHED TO IT.

THE LEGISLATIVE PREVIEW WHERE THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE CHAIR ADAM PUGH, HE WAS ASKED POINT-BLANK, YOU KNOW, WHY AREN'T VOUCHERS A PRIORITY?

HE SAID THAT VOUCHERS ARE NOT A PRIORITY.

THAT'S A BIG STATEMENT FOR HIM TO MAKE.

>> I MEAN, I THINK IT CONFUSES VIEWERS BACK HOME.

IT IS CONFUSING WHERE VOUCHERS WILL COME FROM.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE KNOWS.

I MEAN, TREAT DID NOT FILE A VOUCHER BILL THIS SESSION, WHEN IT WAS HIS BIG PUSH LAST SESSION.

PERSONALLY, I DON'T SEE HIM WANING TO STICK OUT HIS NECK AGAIN WHEN HE GOT BURNED.

IT STILL DIDN'T PASS.

IT WAS A PRO TEM BILL.

>> TITLE STRICKEN, INSIDE BASEBALL FOR.

TITLE STRICKEN MAKES THE BILL IN EFFECTIVE AND CAN'T PASS.

IT'S A SECURITY MEASURE.

REESE, LET'S TURN IT BACK TO YOU AND TALK ABOUT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

IT SEEMS LIKE GOVERNOR STITT IS LOOKING TO TIE ALL LEVELS OF EDUCATION TO BUSINESSES AND TRYING TO DEVELOP THAT.

DO YOU SEE THAT VISION STARTING TO TAKE PLACE?

>> DEFINITELY, I DO.

I MEAN, SINCE HE FIRST GOT IN OFFICE, THAT'S THE THING, HE'S A BUSINESS OWNER BY TRADE AND WANTED TO DEVELOP THE WORKFORCE, WHETHER IT IS BRINGING IN CANOO OR OTHER COMPANIES.

THE THING IS, SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL; SOME OF THEM HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, LIKE PROJECT OCEAN, WHICH IS PANASONIC.

WE REALLY DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WILL PLAY OUT.

HE, OBVIOUSLY, IS PUSHING FOR IT.

IT'S ULTIMATELY UP TO THE BUSINESSES IF THEY WANT TO COME TO OKLAHOMA OR NOT.

RIGHT NOW IT'S REALLY A COIN TOSS.

>> I WANT TO GO TO SHAWN.

SHAWN, THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM WAS MENTIONED.

IT'S KIND OF THE FIRST TIME WE'VE HEARD IT FROM STITT IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THERE'S BEEN AN EFFORT OVER THE YEARS TO HELP KIDS IN STATE CUSTODY.

SO, WHAT IS THE GOVERNOR PLANNING TO MAKE THINGS EVEN BETTER?

>> WELL, THE GOVERNOR WAS NOT SPECIFIC IN WHAT HIS PROPOSAL WOULD BE.

AND THIS WAS SORT OF ONE OF THOSE LONGER-TERM GOALS HE REFERRED TO IN THE STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

THROUGHOUT THE LEGISLATIVE INTERIM, WE SAW A NUMBER OF STUDIES RELATED TO THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

VIEWERS MAY RECALL SEVERAL YEARS AGO THAT OKLAHOMA WAS PART OF A CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT OVER THE POOR CONDITIONS OF ITS FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

AND A SETTLEMENT HAS IMPROVED THE WAY THAT SYSTEM OPERATES, BUT NOW LAWMAKERS ARE WANTING TO TAKE THAT A STEP FURTHER, IT SEEMS, AND SORT OF EXPEDITE THAT PROCESS.

BECAUSE EVEN TODAY, CHILDREN SEEM TO BE SPENDING TOO MUCH IN FOSTER CARE WHEN THEY COULD EITHER BE RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILIES, IF THAT'S APPROPRIATE, OR MOVE ON THE TO ADOPTED FAMILIES.

AND I THINK THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, YOU'LL SORT OF SEE THE FIRST STEP OF THAT WITH BILLS BEING CONSIDERED.

AND THEN THAT WILL INCREASE OVER TIME.

>> IT ALSO APPEARED THAT GOVERNOR STITT, FOLLOWING UP ON THAT, IS TRYING TO ENCOURAGE BRINGING THE MAN BACK INTO THE FAMILY AND ACTUALLY HAD A GUEST THERE IN THE GALLERY TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

ARE THOSE TWO THINGS REALLY RELATED?

>> I THINK THEY MAY BE, PARTICULARLY FOR THE GOVERNOR, WHO STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS OWN FATHER IN HIS LIFE.

OFTENTIMES, AS HE POINTED OUT IN THE SPEECH, WE SEE THAT FAMILIES LACK ONE PARENT OR THE OTHER, AND PARTICULARLY THE FATHER IS OFTEN THE MISSING PARENT.

HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF PERHAPS BUILDING ON PROGRAMS, LIKE THE ONE HE REFERENCED IN HIS SPEECH, THAT WOULD HELP FATHERS STAY IN THEIR FAMILIES.

I THINK, AGAIN, THAT IS PART OF HIS LONG-TERM VISION HE SEES AS HE BEGINS HIS SECOND TERM AND SORT OF A MARK HE COULD POTENTIALLY LEAVE ON THE STATE IF HE COULD BEGIN TO REVERSE THOSE NUMBERS FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT WILL PROBABLY BE A HEAVY LIFT.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO INVOLVE A NUMBER OF STATE AGENCIES, AND RELIGIOUS GROUPS, AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, AND I'M NOT SURE THERE'S A SPECIFIC PLAN IN MIND, BUT HE HAS ESPOUSED THE GOAL, NOW HE HAS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THERE.

>> BETH, ONE THING THAT CAUGHT MY EYE IS THAT HE WANTS TO BUILD MORE SCHOOLS AND NOT FEWER SCHOOLS.

AND HE WANTS TO CREATE WHAT'S CALLED THE INNOVATION SCHOOL FUND TO HELP SPECIALIZED ACADEMIES.

SO, HOW WOULD THAT WORK IF THE LEGISLATURE SUBSIDIZE -- SUBSIDIZED TO BACK GOOD QUESTION.

WE'RE NOT SURE A PRIVATE SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL.

HE DOES MENTION NORMAN AVIATION ACADEMY QUITE A BIT AS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THIS MIGHT BE.

THAT IS FROM NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IT'S AN ACADEMY OFF OF NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY TAKE KIDS AND THEY DO A STEAM PROGRAM.

SO, I WOULD IMAGINE THAT'S THE KIND OF SCHOOL HE'S THINKING ABOUT.

WE KNOW ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY HE WANTS FOR IT.

HE WANTS $100 MILLION.

AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

WE DON'T KNOW A WHOLE LOT ELSE.

>> LIKE HE'S TRYING TO DEVELOP MAGNATE SCHOOLS.

>> POSSIBLY.

>> WE KNOW ABOUT PROJECT OCEAN THAT WOULD BRING AN UNNAMED BATTERY COMPANY.

DO YOU SEE THAT THE LEGISLATURE WILL CONTINUE TO GO FOR THESE BIG, BIG LANDS, THESE BIG, BIG CORPORATIONS OR GO WITH SOMETHING THAT WILL ATTRACT MEDIUM OR SMALLER BUSINESSES?

>> IF YOU JUST LOOK AT OUR SUCCESS WITH THE BIG COMPANIES, WE HAVEN'T HAD MUCH.

TESLA DIDN'T COME.

PANASONIC DIDN'T COME.

I THINK YOU WILL SEE THE LEGISLATURE BEING MORE WILLING TO APPROPRIATE THE FUNDS TO MEDIUM OR SMALLER BUSINESSES TO ATTRACT THEM TO OKLAHOMA.

YOU HAVE TO DREAM BIG.

OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT THE BIG COMPANIES.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THEY'RE WILLING TO COME RIGHT NOW.

HE MENTIONED IN THE STATE OF THE STATE THAT ENSURING THAT THESE PLACES THAT WE'RE BUILDING HAS THE INFRASTRUCTURE READY SO WHENEVER WE DO LAND THEM, OH, WE LAND YOU BUT A COUPLE OF YEARS BEFORE YOU CAN COME IN.

HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE SO YOU CAN COME RIGHT IN RATHER HAPPEN BEING A LONGER PROCESS.

THAT WILL HELP.

>> JUST KIND OF PUSHING BACK ON THE PROJECT OCEAN INCENTIVE PACKAGE IS TO INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO ELIMINATE THAT.

CAN I GET YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> WELL, AFTER PANASONIC INDICATED THAT IT WAS GOING TO LOCATE ITS FACILITY IN KANSAS, I WAS SPEAKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, AND THEY REMAIN HOPEFUL THEY CAN LAND ANOTHER PROJECT.

KEEP IN MIND, WE HAVE MORE THAN $690 MILLION SITTING IN THE BANK DESIGNED ESSENTIALLY TO INCENT A LARGE COMPANY THAT MEETS VERY HIGH REQUIREMENTS, VERY SIGNIFICANT REQUIREMENTS TO COME TO OKLAHOMA.

BUT UNTIL THEY DO THAT, THAT MONEY JUST SITS THERE.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE CONCERNS FROM REPRESENTATIVE GANN AND IT'S CERTAINLY A CONCERN FROM A NUMBER OF DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE ALSO SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THAT LEGISLATION NEEDS TO BE UNDONE, THAT MONEY PULLED BACK AND USED FOR SOMETHING ELSE IN THE STATE BUDGET.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JUST ONE MORE FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU, BETH, AS WE KIND OF WIND THINGS DOWN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE PRIORITIES WILL BE NOW AS FAR AS A PUSH TOWARD EDUCATION?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OUT OF THE SLATE THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS PROPOSED, HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MOST DONE?

>> SURE.

I THINK GETTING TEACHERS IN CLASSROOMS IS GOING TO BE THE HEADLINE FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT WILL BE, HOW DO YOU DO THAT?

THE INCENTIVE PAY WILL BE PART OF THAT.

HIS PACKAGE IS A LOT SMALLER THAN THE ONE THAT SECRETARY WALTERS HAD PROPOSED AS WELL.

TOO, YOU KNOW, THERE'S, OBVIOUSLY, A LOT OF RHETORIC.

I THINK WE WILL HEAR MORE OF THAT.

I DON'T THINK WE'LL HEAR LESS OF IT.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, OVERALL, THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT'S GOING TO BE A BACK AND FORTH.

IT WILL BE PROBABLY THE LEGISLATURE VERSUS THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE WHEN IT COMES TO POLICY FOR EDUCATION THIS YEAR.

WE'RE IN A RECORD TEACHER SHORTAGE, SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, FOLKS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I CAN'T WAIT TO WORK WITH YOU DURING THE SESSION AS WE COVER THE -- WHAT IS IT?

THE 59th LEGISLATURE.

REESE GORMAN FROM THE FRONTIER, BETH WALLACE FROM STATE IMPACT AND OUR FRIEND SHAWN ASHLEY FROM QUORUM CALL AND WE'LL HAVE THE PANEL BACK AT THE END OF MAY TO DISCUSS WHAT WE PREDICTED AND IF IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, AND WHEEL SEE WHAT KIND OF SURPRISES WE HAVE DURING THE SESSION.

RICH, BACK TO YOU.

>> GREAT JOB.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THEM ALL BACK TOGETHER IN A FEW MINUTES.

>>> WE'VE GOT A SWEET STORY TO SHARE WITH YOU IN THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW."

WE'LL TRAVEL TO NEW ENGLAND, WHERE STEVE MISTLER WITH MAINE PUBLIC TELEVISION REPORTS ON THE ANNUAL SYRUP HARVEST THAT'S BEING IMPACTED BY CLIMATE >>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE IN THE MAPLE SYRUP BUSINESS, MOTHER NATURE DICTATES THE SCHEDULE.

IT'S ALL HANDS ON DECK AT GRAY JAY MAPLE WORKS.

FOUR HANDS.

COUPLE DONNA AND JEREMY MANAGE 8,000 TAPS CONNECTED BY TUBING.

>> I HAVE TO CHECK MY RECORDS.

I FEEL LIKE THIS IS EARLY TO BE MAKING THIS MUCH SYRUP.

>> Reporter: THE RAW SAP FILLS THE TANK.

WHEN IT RUNS LIKE THIS, DONNA AND JEREMY WORK VIRTUALLY NONSTOP.

>> THE TIME INVESTMENT IS TREMENDOUS.

THE AMOUNT OF HOURS WE PUT IN, I WISH WE HAD KEPT TRACK.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO KNOW HOW MANY HOURS WE PUT?

>> Reporter: DONNA IS MONITORING THE EVAPORATOR AND MAKING ADJUSTMENTS.

EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CHANGE CAN AFFECT THE TASTE.

LAST YEAR, THE OPERATION PRODUCED 3200 GALLONS.

MAINE'S ICONIC MAY SYRUP IS BEHIND VERMONT AND NEW YORK AND SOMERSET COUNTY PRODUCES 75% OF THAT MAINE SYRUP.

SCIENTISTS WARN THAT THE MAPLE BELT IS NARROWING AMID EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND RISING TEMPERATURES.

ONE PREDICTION IS THAT NEW ENGLAND'S MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION COULD BE CUT IN HALF BY THE END OF THE CENTURY.

>> IT'S CLEAR THAT IT'S SHIFTING NORTH AND WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT NORTH.

>> NORTHERN MAINE MAY STILL BE IN THAT BELT BUT SOUTHERN MAINE NOT.

THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE MAKING THE REGION INHOSS PITABLE.

SAP SEASON IS SHORTER, ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND.

>> WHAT WE'RE EXPECTING IS MORE SAP AT ONE TIME AS OUR SEASON MAYBE GETS SMALLER OR THE WARM-UP IS QUICKER.

WE'VE SEEN THAT.

>> Reporter: NORTHERN MAINE APPEARS LEGAL VULNERABLE, BUT ELSEWHERE THERE'S CONCERN THE DIMINISHED SNOW CAN AFFECT THE PRODUCTION.

>> A LOT OF SAP, LOW SUGAR CONTENT.

>> Reporter: JUST ACROSS THE ROAD, THEY PRODUCED 20,000 GALLONS OF SYRUP LAST YEAR.

CLAUDE AND HIS SON OWN THE BUSINESS.

THEY HAVE 80,000 TAPS AND THE SAP IS PUSHED ALONG THROUGH FIVE PUMP HOUSES AND FUNNELED INTO THE SUGAR HOUSE THROUGH SIX MILES OF PIPING.

ALREADY, THE SUGAR CONTENT IN THIS SAP BATCH IS HIGHER COMPARED DO LAST YEAR.

>> I DON'T KNOW ABOUT TOMORROW.

YOU HAVE TO BE ADAPTIVE TO EVERYTHING THAT CAN HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THE SAME GOES FOR MAINE'S $50 MILLION MAPLE SYRUP INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK MAINE CAN PRODUCE THIS MUCH AS IN THE PAST.

WE WILL DO THAT IN A DIFFERENT PLACE.

>> Reporter: A PLACE LIKE NORTHERN SOMERSET COUNTY.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," THE FIRST-EVER BLACK HISTORY DAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

WE'LL SPEAK WITH LAWMAKERS AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE MOST PRESSING IN OKLAHOMA'S BLACK COMMUNITY.

AND WE'LL SAY SO LONG FOR NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE PRAIRIE CLASSIC QUARTER HORSE SHOW AT THE OKC FAIRGROUNDS, PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ, HOPING “YOUR ” TEAM WINS THE BIG GAME ON SUNDAY!

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