>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL REMAIN COMMITTED TO CALLING ON HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO HOLD THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT REPUBLICAN.

>> Rich: THEY SAY THE INQUIRE IS POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

>> THEY HAVE ATTACKED MY OFFICE WITH BASELESS LIFE AFTER BASELESS LIFE WITH NO EVIDENCE.

>> Rich: DEMOCRATS SEND THEIR NOMINEE OFF.

>>> ALIEN OKLAHOMA VETERANS TAKE ADVANTAGE THIS ACT.

>> I REACHED OUT TO GET HELP WITH MY HELL.

>> Rich: THE PUSH TO ENCOURAGE MORE OKLAHOMA MOTHERS TO BREASTFEED EXCLUSIVELY.

>> MY JOB IS TO EMPOWER WOMEN AND MAKE SURE THEY REACH THEIR BREASTFEEDING GOALS.

>> Rich: THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT.

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

THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION HELD ITS FIRST MEETING SINCE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS DEARED LEGISLATORS TO IMPEACH HIM.

WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE SURROUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BEGINNING WITH JASON DOYLE WHO ATTENDED THURSDAY's MEETING AND JOINS US NOW.

JASON.

>> THEY'RE WORKING THROUGH AN ISSUE CONCERNING LEGISLATOR's ATTENDANCE DURING EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.

WALTERS SAYS THEY'RE GETTING IT WRONG ON SPENDING.

>> Rich: THIS INFORMATION INCLUDED BLASTING THE MEDIA FOR STORIES ON SPENDING BOTH FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDS.

>> THE MEDIA AND STATE ARE WILLING TO CARRY THE WATER OF A FEW, BUT LOUD VOICES WHO WANT TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO THAT ARE OK WITH THE PORNOGRAPHY IN OUR LIBRARIES, WHO WANT TO SEE OUR CHILDREN SUCCUMBS TO THE TRANSGENDER MOVEMENT.

>> Rich: HE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND TIME ONE NOTICES WERE POSTED DESPITE SOME SAYING THERE WERE MISGUIDED ISSUES.

>> I WANT TO MAKE A FEW THINGS CLEAR.

TITLE ALLOCATIONS HAVE BEEN POSTED.

THEY'RE IN THE GRANT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.

ALLOCATIONS ARE ALWAYS POSTED IN JULY OR AUGUST.

THIS IS NOT LATEST THOSE ALLEGATIONS HAVE BEEN POSTED.

>> Rich: THE ISSUES WERE DUE TO A TECHNICAL GLITCH.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT'S FRUSTRATING WHEN THAT HAPPENS, BUT WE TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION AND WE FIXED A PROBLEM THAT WAS IN A FORMULA SPREADSHEET SHARED WITH US IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Rich: WALTERS EXPLAINED THE FEDERAL REPORT ON SPENDING IN 2022 AND 2023 THAT SURFACED THIS WEEK.

>> THE REPORT WASN'T A CRITICISM.

IT WAS ASKING ON DOCUMENTATION FOR THE CHANGES WE MADE, WHICH WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE.

AND PEOPLE WONDER WHY THE MEDIA IS ONE OF THE LEAST TRUSTED IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Rich: THIS INCLUDES TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS IMPROVING A HANDBOOK SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL's FORMAL OPINION TO ATTEND SESSIONS.

THIS JUST SO HAPPENED THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S AGENDA THIS MONTH DID NOT INCLUDE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

EXECUTIVE SESSIONS ARE DEALING WITH SENSITIVE ISSUES WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE PERSONAL OR PROPRIETY INFORMATION.

THIS PROMPTED DRUMMOND's FORMAL OPINION.

>> WE HAVE AN ATTORNEY GENERAL's OPINION THAT DROPPED YESTERDAY AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE BOTH LEGAL COUNSEL THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW AND YOU A CHANCE TO REVIEW AND YOU A CHANCE TO DISCUSS.

BECAUSE OF THAT AND THERE'S NO EXECUTIVE SESSIONS ON THE AGENDA, THAT WOULD BE MY THOUGHT, IS TO TAKE NO ACTION.

>> Rich: HOWEVER, THE BOARD COULD CONSIDER THE COURTS TO STEP IN.

>> IN LIGHT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL's OPINION YESTERDAY WHICH WITHDREW A FORMAL ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION FROM 1978, AND THE CONFUSION THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL's OFFICE, THE BOARD DOES HAVE THE OPTION OF SEEKING REVIEW BY THE COURT.

>> I KNOW THIS BOARD HAS A STRONG DESIRE TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND PEOPLE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE REALLY WANT TO BE SURE INFORMATION IS KEPT INTACT.

SO I MAKE A MOTION TO TABLE THIS AND LOOK AT THIS LATER.

>> Rich: AFTER TUESDAY's MEETING, WALTERS DEFENDING TO TAKE A SLOWER APPROACH TO ALLOW LEGISLATORS INTO THE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS.

>> I'M NOT OPPOSED TO IT.

WHAT I WANT IS LEGAL CLARITY AND YOU GUYS ARE HEARING A BOARD EXPRESSING THIS CLEARLY ON, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU ACT ON ADVICE OF LEGAL COUNSEL, WHAT YOU ARE DOING THERE IS YOU HAVE A LEGAL OPINION FROM THE PERSON WHO LEGALLY REPRESENTS YOU WHO SAYS I DO NOT THINK THESE LAWMAKERS LEGALLY SHOULD BE IN THIS ROOM.

>> Rich: WITH ALL OF THE ATTENTION WALTERS HAS ATTRACTED, SEVERAL PEOPLE CAME TO SHOW SUPPORT OF THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT's ACTIONS.

>> WELL, I HAVE COME HERE PRIMARILY, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS, TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE, LADIES, PRAYER WARRIORS WHO REALLY APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE TO PROTECT PARENTAL RIGHTS, TO GET PORNOGRAPHY OUT OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND NOW TO GET THE BIBLE AND THESE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS INTO OUR CURRICULUM.

YOU ARE DOING SO MANY GOOD THINGS.

>> Rich: WHILE WALTER SUPPORTERS OUTNUMBERED HIS DETRACTORS DURING THE PUBLIC COMMENT SECTION, THERE WAS SOME WHO THOUGHT THE BIBLE MANDATE WAS A STEP TOO FAR.

>> THERE SHOULD BE NO LAWS LIKE THIS AND THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

THE REASON THEY WANTED THAT DIVIDE WAS BECAUSE OF THE FIGHTING BETWEEN THE CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTSES.

PROTESTANTS.

>> Rich: THEY WERE CLOSE TO SEEING THAT ACCREDITATION DOWNGRADED.

>>> THIS FACING SCRUTINY FROM LEGISLATIONS, REPUBLICANS AND ATTORNEY DRUMMOND.

WITH MORE, WE'RE JOINED BY EDUCATION REPORTER, TAELYR JACKSON.

>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS COMPLETED THE REVIEW OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE RESULTS RAISED MORE CONCERNS.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS UNDER THE MICROSCOPE AFTER MONTHS OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE AGENCY's SPENDING HABITS.

A PERFORMANCE REVIEW BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BEGAN CIRCULATING THIS WEEK.

THE REPORT REVEALED THAT OUT OF 52 PROGRAMMING MONITORING INDICATER MONITORS, 32 REQUIRE THIS.

THE FEDERAL AGENCY GAVE 60 DAYS TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION ON ITEMS OR TO PROVIDE CORRECTIVE ACTION IN NEEDED AREAS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONDUCTED THE REVIEW DECEMBER 11th THROUGH THE 14th AND INSPECTED OSDE HANDLING OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

THIS IS AMID ALLEGES OF THE STATING AS.

>> I THINK THESE INVESTIGATIONS AND REPORTS ARE CRITICAL OF HOW THE STATE EDUCATION OF OFFICE IS HANDLING THE RESPONSIBILITIES COULD FORM IMPEACHMENT HEARINGS AND IMPEACHMENT DOWN THE ROAD.

>> ONE OF THE ALLEGATIONS CONCERNS HOLDING BACK FUNDS FROM A $50 MILLION STATE-FUNDED, THREE-YEAR PROGRAM TO ENHANCE SECURITY AT SCHOOLS.

STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, RYAN WALTERINGS, WALTERS, WHOWAS A MEMBER ASK THY GENERAL's OFFICE FOR AN OFFICIAL POSITION ON HOW THE FUNDS WERE TO BE DISTRICTED IF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS REMAINING FUNDS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

AG DRUMMOND QUICKLY ISSUED THE REQUESTED OPINION OVER THE WEEKEND DIRECTING OSDE TO IMMEDIATELY DISTRICT FUNDS TO THE DISTRICT.

JUST LAST WEEK, MORE THAN TWO DOZEN REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SIGNED A LETTER AUTHORED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARK McBRIDE CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO WALTERS AND THE SPENDING BY OSDE.

>> I AM ENCOURAGED THE REPUBLICANS HAVE COME AROUND TO OUR CALL.

>> CINDY MUNSON HAS BEEN CALL FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND TO THE SUPERINTENDENT SINCE LAST YEAR.

>> WHAT WE SEE HAPPENING AND PLAYING OUT IS MORE HARM AND CHAOS CREATED SINCE WE'VE WAITED SO LONG.

EVEN JUST THE OTHER DAY, THE ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE SCHOOL SECURITY ENHANCEMENT FUNDS NOT RELEASED AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAYING YOU WAITED OVER A YEAR TO SEEK GUIDANCE.

THAT'S PROBLEMATIC.

>> MUNSON SAYS DEMOCRATS HAVE RECEIVED CALLS AND EMAILS FROM CONCERNED TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS VOICING THEIR CONCERN ABOUT SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS WILL CALL ON ONTHEM TO HOLD THEM AVAILABLE AD THIS REQUEST THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME TYPE OF BIPARTISAN COMMITTEE FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO INVESTIGATE THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT.

>> THE PETITION WAS DENIED BY HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES MCCALL STATING HE WOULDN'T CONSIDER THE PETITION UNTIL IT HAD 51 REPUBLICAN SIGNATURES.

TWO DAYS LATER, REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN WALLACE ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION INTO SPENDING CONCERNS ABOUT OSDE.

WALLACE WHO SERVES AS THE CHAIR LOFT SAYS THIS ISN'T ABOUT SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS AND IT SAID THIS IS ABOUT THE TRANSPARENCY OF A STATING AS AND GETTING ANSWERS FOR OUR CONSTITUENTSES.

CONSTITUENTS.

THIS IS INCUMBENT ON THE AGENCY TO WHICH THOSE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED TO SPEND AND IN A TIMELY MANNER.

WALLACE SAYS HE WAS SHARE THE FINDINGS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL's OFFICE.

THE MOVE SEEMED TO SATISFY MCCALL WHO APPROVED WALLACE's MOVE.

IN RESPONSE TO ALL THE SCRUTINY, WALTERS HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE CALLING OUT McBRIDE AND MCCALL.

>> IF THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO THROW BASELESS LIES AND ACCUSATIONS AT ME, THEY NEED TO DO TWO THINGS.

THE FIRST IS THEY NEED TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE EVIDENCE FOR THESE POLITICAL LIES TO THE SENATE.

THE SENATE SHOULD SEE WHAT THESE ACCUSATIONS ARE AND THE EVIDENCE BEHIND THEM.

I WILL GO AND CUT TO THE CHASE, THERE IS NONE, NO EVIDENCE.

>> THEY THEN CALLED FOR HIS IMPEACHMENT PROCESS TO BEGIN.

>> WE DO NOT NEED TO WAIT ON AN INVESTIGATION.

THE SPEAKER WANTS TO IMPEACH ME FOR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN THE 2026 GOVERNOR's RACE SO THEN LET'S START THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

>> SPEAKING MCCALL RESPONDED IN A STATEMENT THAT READ IN PART, WHILE SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS MAY DESIRE A PATH TOWARDS HIS OWN IMPEACHMENT, MY FOCUS IS ON THE LOFT INVESTIGATION INTO THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THIS INVESTIGATION IS ABOUT ENSURING TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE ALLOCATED AND NOT TARGETING INDIVIDUALS.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN AN OFFICIAL SAY IMPEACH ME NOW.

>> ROSE STATE COLLEGE DEAN OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES SAYS THIS ISN'T NEW.

>> I THINK, UNFORTUNATELY, WE DO SEE THE INFLUENCE OF KIND OF THE PARTISAN AND POLARIZATION IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ALSO TRICKLING DOWN TO STATE GOVERNMENTS, AS WELL.

THAT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT I THINK THAT'S THE REALITY.

>> Rich: NOW, THE IMPEACHMENT OF A STATE OFFICIAL IS RARE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS 1923, BUT COULD IT HAPPEN TO RYAN WALTERS AND WHAT ARE THE PROCEDURES OF AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL?

THAT'S THE FOCUS WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> IT'S RARE IN MODERN TIMES, BUT IT WASN'T RARE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF STATEHOOD AND INTO THE 19 TEENS AND 1920S.

THE LEGISLATURE IMPEACHED ALMOST FOR SPORT IN THOSE TIMES.

>> THERE WERE THREE WAYS IT COULD PLAY OUT.

THE LEGISLATURE COULD IGNORE HIM AND THEY WOULD EITHER THEY TAKE ACTION TO IMPEACH, PROSECUTE AND SUCCEED AND TO PROSECUTE AND FAIL.

THOSE ARE THE TWO OUTCOMES.

IF THEY FAIL, HE'S VINDICATED.

>> IN TERMS OF ATTENTION TO ME AND I'LL MAKE MY NAME IS A NATIONAL WAY, THEN THERE MIGHT BE POLITICAL STRATEGY THERE FOR HIM PERSONALLY.

BUT I DON'T KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP HIM IN TESTIMONYF HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LEGISLATURE.

>> Rich: 33 DAYS AFTER JOE BIDEN's DECISION NOT TO SEEK A SECOND TERM, KAMALA HARRIS DELIVERED HER SPEECH FOR CANDIDATE FOR PRESIDENT.

HARRIS AND RUNNING MATE TIM WALZ AS ANTI-ISRAELI PROTESTERS GATHERED.

THEY VOWED TO BRING AMERICANS TOGETHER REGARDLESS OF PARTY OR POLITICS.

>> OUR RELATIONSHIP HAS A PRECIOUS, FLEETING OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE PAST THE BITTERNESS, CYNICISM AND DIVISIVE BATTLES OF THE PAST AND A CHANCE TO CHART A NEW WAY FORWARD.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> NOT AS MEMBERS OF ANY ONE PARTY OR FACTION, BUT AS AMERICANS.

>> Rich: THERE WAS A LARGE CONTINGENT OF OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVE SANDVOLT WHO JOINED US TO SHARE HIS THOUGHTS AND ENTHUSIASM INSIDE THE CONVENTION HALL.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE SITUATION IN GAZA, THEY WANTED TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS.

THEY'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB, WITH THINGS LIKE THE ECONOMY AND THE ENVIRONMENT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE CLIMATE AWARE.

SO IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY ABOUT THE THINGS BROUGHT UP AND THERE ARE ISSUES THAT HIT HOME WHEN IT COMES TO ME BEING A YOUNG LATINO FROM OKLAHOMA.

>> Rich: OTHER SPEAKERS INCLUDING BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON, OPRAH WINFREY AND MICHELLE AND BARACK OBAMA.

>> THIS STANDS FOR PROMISE TO ADDRESS TOXICS.

THIS IS HELPING THOUSANDS OF VETERANS WITH VARIOUS TOXINS IN SERVICE.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US WITH A TRIP HE TOOK TO ARDMORE.

>> MILITARY MEMBERS WHO WERE EXPOSED TO TOX INS AND OTHER HARDSHIPS ARE GETTING A BOOST AT GATHERINGS LIKE THE ONES THAT TOOK PLACE IN ARDMORE.

>> Rich: THIS PROVES MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND DISABILITIES.

>> NUMBER 63?

>> Rich: MONDAY REPORTED TO THE CHICKASAW NATION COMMUNITY CENTER IN ARDMORE.

IT WAS AN ALL-DAY EVENT.

THE PACK ACT ADDED MORE THAN A DOZEN OF WHAT ARE CALLED HEALTH PRESENTIVE CONDITIONS THAT ARE NOW CONSIDERED FACTORS IN VETERAN DISABILITIES.

>> WELL, LIKE, YOU KNOW THE BURN PITS FROM THE GULF WAR IN VETERAN, THEY WERE EXPOSED TO THREE DIFFERENT CHEMICALS RELEASED OUT INTO THE AIR INCLUDING AGENT ORANGE.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN CHEMICAL SPILLS AND MEMBERS MAY HAVE BEEN CLEANING UP THE SPILLS.

>> Rich: THE VA HAS POSTED SEVERAL OF THESE IN RURAL TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, RURAL POCKETS OF OF THE STATE SINCE CONGRESS PASSED THIS.

>> MANY ARE VERY RESERVED AND DON'T FEEL THIS IS A BENEFIT THEY'VE EARNED.

SO BY BRINGING IT INTO THEIR COMMUNITY AND SITTING DOWN WITH THEM SOMETIMES.

SOMETIMES I MAY GO THROUGH WITH SOMEBODY QUIET TO MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND THE QUESTIONS PROPOSED TO THEM.

AND HELP THEM DIG DEEP INTO THE MEMORY BANK.

REMEMBER YOU TOLD ME YOU WERE STATIONED HERE AND THIS HAPPENED TO YOU AND THIS JOGS THEIR MEMORY.

THAT'S RIGHT, THAT HELPS WHOEVER IS WRITING THE CLAIM UP.

>> Rich: SPOUSES AND WIDOWS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND AT LEAST ONE OF THESE.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES SO MANY OF THE VETS, WHAT WE HEAR THEM SAY IS, YOU KNOW, WELL, THEY DESERVE IT MORE THAN ME OR I DON'T KNOW IF I'M ELIGIBLE OR A LOT OF OUR FEMALE VETS SAY I'M NOT EVEN A VET.

I'M, LIKE, YEAH, YOU ARE.

YOU SERVED AND YOU ARE A VETERAN.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK.

IF YOU ARE NOT SURE, COME OUT AND LET US -- ASK US THE QUESTION AND LET US DO THE RESEARCH AND FIND THE ANSWER FOR YOU.

>> Rich: KATRINA YOKEM IS A 10-YEAR ARMY VETERAN WHO SERVED IN IRAQ AND THE CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON FOR VA HEALTHCARE.

>> TODAY WE HAD A VETERAN WHO, HE HAD MOVED HERE FROM VIRGINIA.

HE HAD BEEN TOLD IN VIRGINIA HE WAS NOT A VETERAN AND I STOPPED HIM AND ASKED HIM THE PROPER QUESTIONS.

THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT VETERAN UNDERSTANDS WHAT YOU'RE ASKING BECAUSE THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY TAKE THEMSELVES OUTOF IT BECAUSE THEY WERE TOLD THEY WEREN'T A VETERAN.

HE CAME HERE FROM VIRGINIA AND SAID, WELL, I DON'T THINK I'M ENTIMESSED TO EVERYTHING BECAUSE ENTITLED TO ANYTHING BECAUSE I ONLY SERVED FOR TWO YEARS.

HE WAS HONORABLY DISCHARGED.

YOU'RE ENTITLED TO GO OVER HERE AND WE'LL GET YOU ENROLLED, TO GET YOU AN I.D.

AND ON A PROVIDER's TEAM HERE AT THE CLINIC AND THEN LET'S GET YOU A TOXIC EXPOSURE CLINIC, VA HEALTH CHAT.

LET'S GET YOU SERVICE CONNECTED.

HE STARTED TO CRY.

I SAID WANTS GOING ON EMOTIONALLY?

WHAT'S HAPPENING MERE?

HE SAID, I LITERALLY JUST MOVED HERE WITH NO JOB AND NO MONEY IN MY POCKET.

I SAID, YOU'RE ENTITLED TO THIS.

>> Rich: BOBBIE HAWKINS WAS EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS IN NEW MEXICO.

>> I'M REACHING OUT TO GET HELP WITH HELP.

MY MEDICATIONS, SOME OF THEM I CAN'T AFFORD.

I'M SORRY.

>> THAT'S PART OF THIS.

YOU'RE THE FOLKS -- THAT'S RIGHT.

YOU DESERVE THIS.

>> THAT'S ALL I REACHED OUT FOR, JUST TO TRY TO GET SOME KIND OF HELP WITH MY HEALTH.

I WANT TO LIVE TO SEE ALL MY GRANDKIDS.

I HAVE TWO GREATS ALREADY.

>> HELP IS COMING.

HELP IS ON THE WAY.

>> I HOPE SO.

>> INITIALLY, I PLANNED TO BE A CAREER SOLDIER AND GOT INJURED AND THAT CUT THAT SHORT.

>> Rich: WE BLURRED THIS AIRPLANE VETERAN's FACE BECAUSE IN HIS CAREER AFTER THE ARMY, HE SAYS HE DEALT UNDERCOVER WITH UNSAVORY CHARACTERS.

HE ATTENDED TO FIND OUT IF HE QUALIFIES FOR ANYTHING UNDER THE PACKET ACT.

>> I'M REALLY GLAD I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT BECAUSE GOING THROUGH THE CLAIM's PROCESS, IT'S OVERWHELMING.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS.

THERE'S DOCUMENTATION AND THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED.

>> WAS IT KIND OF INTIMIDATING?

>> VERY MUCH.

THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T DO ANY OF THAT.

I DID IT INITIALLY WHEN I GOT OUT AND THEN I DIDN'T MESS WITH IT AGAIN FOR ALL THESE YEARS SINCE THEN UNTIL NOW.

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS EVENT AND I'M, LIKE, WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT I FIGURED I WOULD COME DOWN AND CHECK IT OUT.

>> Rich: BOB LAWRENCE ENLISTED IN THE NAVY IN 1960, ONE YEAR BEFORE HE GRADUATED FROM PUTNAM CITY HIGH SCHOOL.

HE SAYS HE SERVED ON SEVERAL SHIPS DURING HIS NAVY CAREER AND LATER EARNED A DEGREE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING FROM OU.

>> THIS PARTICULAR MEETING IS A FANTASTIC THING TO LEARN THING WE DON'T KNOW.

LIKE I SAID, I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT ANY VETERAN BENEFITS.

I HAD AN UNCLE THAT DIED AND MY AUNT, HIS WIFE, CALLED ME ONE DAY AND SAID, I JUST GOT A CHECK FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

WHAT FOR?

I THINK IT WAS $1500.

MY UNCLE HAD BEEN A VETERAN IN VIETNAM AND THAT'S WHAT IT WAS FOR.

BUT SHE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

BUT WE FINALLY FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE SOME GOOD BENEFITS AVAILABLE.

IF YOU'RE A VETERAN AND YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU NEED TO FIND OUT RIGHT AWAY.

>> A VIETNAM VETERAN STEERED HER TOWARDS THIS KIND OF WORK 15 YEARS AGO.

>> I ALWAYS TELL VIETNAM VETERANS I'M HERE FOR YOU.

I'M HERE FOR YOU TO TAKE SURE THAT WHAT YOU DID FOR US, MY GENERATION IS NOT LOST, IS NOT FORGOTTEN, AND THE FACT THAT THEY CAME BACK WITHOUT ANYTHING AND WE'RE COMING BACK WITH EVENTS IN YOUR COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, IT JUST MEANS WE'VE MOVED FORWARD.

VIETNAM VETERANS, I WOULD SAY I'M FRUSTRATED WITH YOU IF YOU THINK YOU'RE NOT ENTITLED, BECAUSE YOUR GROUP IS THE ONE WHO MADE THIS ENTITLEMENT.

>> THE U.S.

VETERAN's ADMINISTRATION HAS OPENED MEDICAL CLINICS THAT SERVE MORE VETERANS ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> Rich: LIKE THOSE VETERANS SAID, IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THESE PROGRAMS, YOU NEED TO BECAUSE THEY CAN REALLY HELP.

GOOD REPORT.

>>> MONDAY MARKED THE 66th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC KATZ DRUGSTORE SIT-IN WHICH EVENTUALLY LEAD TO STORES IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY DESEGREGATING.

LEAD BY TEACHER AND CIVIL RIGHT's ACTIVIST MEMBERS.

THEY STAGED TO EVENT AT A LUNCH COUNTER.

THE STUDENTS WERE BULLIED AND ONE KNOCKED OFF A STOOL.

DESPITE NOT BEING SERVED, THE YOUTH COUNCIL RESERVED TWO BOARD DAYS WHEN THE KATZ DRUGSTORE SAID IT WOULD DESEGREGATE ALL STORES AND SERVED LOOPER AND HER STUDENTS.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA BREASTFEEDING RESOURCE CENTER ON THE OU CAMPUS RECEIVED A GRANT TO HELP RURAL HOSPITALS PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO NEW MOTHERS ON HOW TO BREASTFEED EXCLUSIVELY FOLLOWING BIRTH.

ANDREW REPORTS ON THE NEED FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> IN PICTURE HERE IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH HAS SHOWN BREASTFEED IS NOT ONLY A GOOD AND HEALTHY CHOICE, BUT THE MOTHERS BENEFIT, AS WELL.

>> IT INCREASES THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM.

BABIES THAT BREASTFEED ARE NOT AS SICK AS BABIES THAT ARE BREASTFED.

IT INCREASES A RISK FOR SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME, TYPE II DIABETES AND MAKES THEM SMARTER, TOO WHEN THEY'RE BREASTFED.

IT DECREASES POST PARTUM BLEEDING AND HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS AND IT CAN DECREASE THE RISK OF FEMALE CANCERS.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA IS RANKED 48th IN THE COUNTRY FOR REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

THAT'S HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL RATE OF NEARLY 26 OUT OF 100,000.

>> SO OVER HALF OF OUR COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA ARE MA MATERNITY CARE DESERTS.

THE FEW RURAL HOSPITALS REMAINING THAT DELIVER BABIES ARE EVEN MORE CHALLENGED TO PROVIDE OPTIMAL CARE TO NEW MOMS AND BABIES AND BREASTFEEDING, SOMETIMES IN SPITE OF BEST EFFORTS, THEY DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROVIDE THE QUALITY CARE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE FUNDING A NEW GRANT PROVIDING $250,000 A YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THIS IS DEDICATED TO TRAIN NURSES IN RURAL AREAS.

THE OKLAHOMA BREASTFEEDING CENTER WAS ONE OF SEVEN TO RECEIVE THE GRANT.

>> OUR EXPANSION IS STARTING WITH, WE HAVE CONTACTED 20 OF OUR BIRTHING HOSPITALS THAT ARE RURAL, THAT ARE IN THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE AND HOPE TO SIGN ON.

BAY NEED THE HOSPITAL's COOPERATION TO COME IN AND HELP THEM, OF COURSE.

AND IT COULD BE ANYWHERE IN THE STATE.

IT COULD BE ANYWHERE FROM WOODWARD DOWN TO IDABELL, TO THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE, TO MIAMA IN THE NORTHEASTERN PART OF THE STATE.

WE WOULD HOPE TO COVER SOME OF THOSE GAPS WHERE WE SEE GAPS IN CARE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MORE THAN 75 RURAL HOSPITALS IN OKLAHOMA, BUT NOT ALL HAVE BIRTHING SERVICES.

>> I LOVE MY JOB.

I HAVE A GREAT JOB.

I REALLY DO.

I COME IN AND I HELP WOMEN DAILY BE SUCCESSFUL AND IT'S SO NICE WHEN THEY COME BACK AND THEY'RE, LIKE, I BREASTFED THE LAST TIME AND IT WAS GREAT AND WENT LONGER THAN I WANTED TO.

I'M GOING TO DO IT THIS TIME AND IT'S NICE.

I MEAN, I ENJOY MY JOB BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE SUCCESSFUL.

AND FAMILIES ARE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: CHARLIE HALL IS A LACTATION CONSULTANT AND SHE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO HELP WOMEN TAKE BETTER CARE OF THEIR BABIES AND THEMSELVES.

>> EDUCATION FOR ANYTHING IS IMPORTANT AND THE EXPANSION HELPS TO GET MONEY OUT THERE, SO HOSPITALS LIKE US CAN PROVIDE THAT FOR OUR PATIENTS AND PROVIDE THE EDUCATION THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

OUR GOAL IS TO TEACH WOMEN THE IMPORTANCE OF BREASTFEEDING.

MY JOB PERSONALLY, I THINK, IS TOMENT POWER WOMEN AND MAKE SURE THEY REACH THEIR BREASTFEEDING GOALS BECAUSE THAT'S IMPORTANT.

>> WE DO TRAINING, HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFFS AND NURSES DOING HOME VISITING AND PEDIATRICS AND SO FORTH AND WE DO HAVE AN ONLINE LITTLE PRENATAL BREASTFEEDING EDUCATION COURSE THAT ANY FAMILY CAN TAKE.

SO WE HELP WITH AN ONLINE COURSE, BUT BUT WE WANT TO TRAIN THE PROVIDERS AND THEIR STAFF SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION IS GIVEN TO FAMILIES DURING -- IDEALLY DURING PREGNANCY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, CALL OR TEXT THE HOTLINE, 877-271-MILK.

>> THIS WAS DESIGNED TO HELP FAMILIES OR PHYSICIANS IN THEIR NEED.

USUALLY, YOU NEED HELP WITH BREAKFASTING AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING WHEN YOU COME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AND EVERYBODY IS CRYING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ANDREW.

>> Rich: THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE PICKED UP NATIONALLY AND HERE IN OKLAHOMA IN JULY.

THIS TOPS OUR BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> OKLAHOMA's UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BEGAN FOLLOWING THE NATIONAL TREND IN JULY BY NURSE INCREASING ONE/TENTH TO 3% AND THEN WEDNESDAY TO 3.4%.

NON-FARMED EMLOYMENT IN JULY DECREASED BY 2300 JOBS IN OKLAHOMA WITH THE BIGGEST JOB LOSSES IN THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND GOVERNMENT SECTORS.

IT GREW LAST MONTH TO $29.71 AN HOUR.

ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 27th, OKLAHOMA CITY VOTERS WILL DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO RAISE THE HOTEL TAX FROM 5.5% TO 9.25%.

THE INCREASE IS EXPECTED TO BRING AN ADDITIONAL $11.6 MILLION TO THE CITY COFFERS AND WILL BE USED FOR TOURISM PROMOTION, EVENT SPONSORSHIPS, OK FAIRGROUND IMPROVEMENTS.

LAST TIME OKLAHOMA CITY PASSED A TAX INCREASE WAS IN 2004.

OKLAHOMA CITY HAS ONE OF THE LOWEST TAX RATES AMONG CITIES IN OUR REGION.

THE CHICKASAW NATION's DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE IS IN THE NUMBER ONE INTO THE FOR THE FORBES MAGAZINE AND THEN THE NATION TESTIFY OKLAHOMA.

THE THIRD INTO THE IS THE PARENT COMPANY OF ELECTRIC UTILITY, PUBLIC SERVICE OF OKLAHOMA, AMERICA ELECTRIC HOUR.

THE AVERAGE GAS PRICES IN OKLAHOMA SLIPPED BELOW THE $3 MARK THIS WEEK COMING IN AT $2.99 A GALLON.

A WEEK AGO, TRIPLE A SAYS IT WAS $3.05 AND A MONTH AGO, $3.11.

OKLAHOMA IS IN THE TOP TEN STATES WITH THE LEAST EXPENSIVE GASOLINE.

OIL PRICES HAVE SLIPPED BELOW $80 A BARREL AS THE SUMMER DRIVING SEASON COMES TO A CLOSE.

JASON DOYLE, "THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."

>> Rich: EARLIER IN THIS NEWSCAST, WE REPORTED ON THE MOUNTING OPPOSITION TO STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS WITH REPUBLICANS CALLING FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND DEMOCRATS SUGGESTING HE SHOULD BE IMPEACHED.

THEN LAST FRIDAY, WALTERS IN EFFECT SAID, "BRING IT ON."

MORE ON ALL OF THAT AND WHAT A POSSIBLE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL WOULD LOOK LIKE, HERE IS CASSIDY MUDD WITH THIS WEEK's IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION.

>> JOINING US TO DISCUSS THE COMPLEXES AND HISTORICAL ROOTS IN ARIZONA IS A LONG-TIME POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WHO IS NOW THE CHAIR OF THE AMERICAN IDEAL AT TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY TREY THOMPSON AND FINALLY, DR. MELODY ROULETTE, A SCIENCE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON IN-DEPTH.

TO KICK IT OFF, I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY HOW THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS WORKS.

UNDER STATE LAW, THERE ARE SPECIFIC GROUNDS FOR IMPEACHMENT, WHAT DOES THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION OUTLINE FOR THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPEACHMENT?

>> ONE THING TO NOTE IS THAT THEY ARE NOT AS HIGH OF A STANDARD AS REQUIRED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, WE'RE USED TO HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANOR, RIGHT?

AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE HAVE WILLFUL INCOMPETENCE.

WE HAVE MORAL TURPITUDE.

IFYOU'RE CONVICTED OF A FELONY.

IT'S LOWER AND BROADER AND EASIER TO IMPEACH AS A RESULT OF THAT.

>> DR. GETTC, HOW ARE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS IN OKLAHOMA CARRIED OUT?

>> IN HAS TO COME FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES THAT GOES TO A VOTE ON THE FLOOR AND THEN CARRIES THROUGH TO THE STATE SENATE.

WHAT'S FUN ABOUT THE STATE SENATE WHEN THEY ACT AS A COURT OF IMPEACHMENT IS, FIRST OF ALL, THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT COMES INTO PRESIDE AND OPENS UP A PRO-TEM TO SERVE AS PART OF THE PANEL FOR THE JURY.

ALL YOU HAVE TO HAVE IS TWO-THIRDS PRESENT TO CONVICT.

YOU DON'T NEED TWO-THIRDS OF THE MEMBERSHIP.

IF THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ABSOLUTE THEMSELVES, IT LOWERS THE CONVICTION.

>> WHY MIGHT SOMEBODY WANT TO DO THAT?

>> THERE ARE CROSS-PRESSURES REGARDING VOTERS WHO LIKE WHAT RYAN WALTERS DOES.

WHOM SOME REPUBLICANS WANT THE SUPPORT OF THOSE VOTERS.

THEY HAVE A QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE OR DISAGREE AND WANT TO DUCK THE ISSUE.

THERE ARE GOOD REASON FOR A LAWMAKER TO HAVE THAT OPTION AVAILABLE.

THEY HAVE TO EXPLAIN THAT, BUT IT CAN SIDE-STEP WHAT COULD BE A POLITICAL CIRCUMSTANCE.

THIS IS A POLITICAL PROCESS.

>> I WOULD ALSO HAD THAT THE HOUSE MEMBERS SERVE AS THE PROSECUTION.

AND THE PERSON ON TRIAL TO BE IMPEACHED CAN HAVE THEIR OWN ATTORNEYS AND DO EXAMINATION AND CROSS-EXAMINATION.

>> IS IMPEACHMENT RARE HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> IT'S RARE IN MODERN TIMES, BUT IT WASN'T RARE AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF STATEHOOD AND INTO THE 19 TEENS AND 1920's.

I JOKE FROM TIME TO TIME THAT THE LEGISLATURE IMPEACHED ALMOST FOR SPORT BACK IN THOSE TIMES AND DIDN'T TAKE A LOT TO IMPEACH S SOMEONE.

SOMEONE.

THE FIRST PERSON TO BE IMPEACHED IN OKLAHOMA, HE WAS GILES SPARES GILES FERRIS.

HE WAS ACCUSED OF FORGING A SIGNATURE ON A CHECK TO GET $500,000 IN STATE FUNDING.

UNFORTUNATELILY, THE CHARGES WERE DROPPED AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BROUGHT IMPEACHMENT CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

THE SENATE CONVICTED HIM.

THIS WAS IN 1913 AND LATER ON THAT YEAR, THEY COMPLETELY ELIMINATED THE POSITION OF STATE PRINTER ALL TOGETHER.

THE NEXT TO BE IMPEACHED WAS AP WATSON, ONE OF THE FIRST COOPERATION COMMISSIONERS.

HIS WIFE RECEIVED A LOAN UNDER SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES AND HE WAS REMOVED FROM OFFICE, AS WELL.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY OTHERS IMPEACHMENT PROCESSES WERE BROUGHT AGAINST THEM AND THE SENATE ULTIMATELY DECIDED NOT TO CONVICT.

AND BY THE TIME WE GET INTO THE 1920's, WE HAVE TWO GOVERNORS IMPEACHED AND THIS IS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE REALLY STARTS KIND OF FEELING THEIR OATS, IF YOU WILL, IN TERMS OF ASSERTING ITS DOMINANCE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE CLEAR.

THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION, THE LEGISLATURE IS KING AND THIS WAS NOT A CASE -- TODAY IMPEACHMENT, PARTICULARLY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, IS ALMOST USED AS A POLITICAL TOOL IN TERMS OF TRYING TO GET AT THE OTHER PERSON.

BACK IN THE EARLY DAYS IN OKLAHOMA, THIS WAS DEMOCRATS IMPEACHING DEMOCRATS HERE.

IT WAS INTERPARTY AND A WAY FOR THE LEGISLATURE SO ASSERT ITS DOMINANCE.

>> YOU MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE THEN, BUT IT WAS FOR SPORT.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

>> WELL, BASICALLY, I MEAN THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD USE IT AS A TOOL THAT GOVERNORS WEREN'T GETTING TOO FAR OUT OF THEIR BOUNDS.

THEY REALIZED THE KING MAKERS WERE IN THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND IF YOU GOT TOO FAR OUT, WE WOULD COME UP WITH A GOOD EXCUSE TO IMPEACH YOU.

IN FACT, WHEN HENRY JOHNSTON, WHEN IMPEACHMENT CHARGES WERE BROUGHT AGAINST HIM IN 1927, HE HAD AN EXECUTIVE SECRETARY THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD GATEKEEPER, SHE KEPT LEGISLATORS FROM MEETING WITH HIM.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE THEY COULD NOT GET ACCESS TO THE GOVERNOR AND BROUGHT IMPEACHMENT CHARGES UNDER THE AUSPICES THEY WERE USING CONCRETE INSTEAD OF ASPHALT.

THEY WILL TRY TO GET YOU OUT OF OFFICE.

ULTIMATELY, IN 1927, HE CALLS OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD, PREVENTS THE NATIONAL GUARD FROM MEETING WHICH JACK WALTON DID IN 1923 AND THAT BLOWS OVER UNTIL 1929 WHEN HENRY JOHNSTON ENDORSES AL SMITH TO BE THE PRESSURE CANDIDATE.

AL SMITH WAS A CATHOLIC, ONE STRIKE AGAINST HIM IN OKLAHOMA.

HE WAS ALSO AGAINST PROHIBITION AND DECIDED IT'S TIME TO GET RID OF THIS GUY.

THEY CONVICTED HIM ON ONE COUNT OF INCOMPETENCY.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WILL ROGERS SAID PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA WAS VOTE AS AS LONG AS THEY COULD STAGGER TO THE POLL.

JACK WALTON ILLUSTRATES THIS BEST.

A GOVERNOR ELECTED AND RAN THE MAJORITY WHICH LEAD TO THE RUNOFF.

HE WAS AN OKLAHOMA-CITY BASED POLITICIAN AND HE WAS AGGRESSIVE AGAINST THEM AND VERY POWERFUL POLITICAL FORCES.

AND JACK WALTON SET THE STANDARD FOR FREQUENTLY CALLING OUT THE NATIONAL GUARD CALLING ALL THE WAY THROUGH ALFALFAVILLE MURRAY.

HALF THE TIME, THE STATE WAS UNDER MARTIAL LAW FOR POLITICS.

>> YEAH, JACK WALTON, HE HAD A COALITION THAT WAS MADE UP OF SOCIALISTS, FARMERS AND LABOR LEADERS.

WHEN THAT COALITION STARTED TO FALL APART, HE STARTED TO USE PATRONAGE TO BRING IT BACK TOGETHER, TO CONGEAL IT AGAIN.

WHERE HE GOT IN TROUBLE WAS HE STARTED MESSING WITH THE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND THE BOARD OF REGIONS AND THAT'S WHAT STARTED TO GET HIM IN TROUBLE UNTIL FINALLY, HE TRIED TO COZY UP TO THE KKK AND THAT DIDN'T WORK SO WELL AND DECIDED, WELL, WE'LL JUST GO ON TO THIS BIG RAMPAGE AGAINST THE KKK, DECLARED MARTIAL LAW ALL OVER THE STATE.

JACK WALTON LASTED LESS THAN 11 MONTHS IN OFFICE, THE SHORTEST TERM ELECTED GOVERNOR TO SERVE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> MOVING OVEN TO PRESENT DAY AND STATE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS CALLED FOR HIS OWN IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS.

TREY, HAVE WE EVER SEEN A STATE OFFICIAL CALLING FOR THEIR OWN IMPEACHMENT.

>> I HAVEN'T FOUND ANYTHING IN MY RESEARCH THAT SUGGESTS -- ESPECIALLY IN THAT EXPLICIT OF TERMS, LET'S START THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS AGAINST ME.

I'M NOT AWARE OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING IN STATE HISTORY.

YOU ALMIGHTY BE BUT I HAVEN'T RUN ACROSS THAT.

>> I'M NOT AWARE OF THAT EITHER.

BUT IT REMINDS ME OF 1988 AND GARY HART SAYING, SEE IF YOU CAN FIND ANYTHING.

IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GREAT POLITICAL MOVE.

>> DO YOU THINK THERE'S ANY POLITICAL STRATEGY BEHIND THIS DECISION?

>> WELL, IN TERMS OF ATTENTION TO ME AND SO THEREFORE, I'LL MAKE MY NAME IN A NATIONAL WAY.

>> WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES FOR WALLERS MAKING THIS CALL.

>> TWO WAYS IT CAN PLAY OUT.

IT'S A HIGH STAKE's GAMBLE, THEY TAKE ACTION TO IMPEACH PROSECUTE AND SUCCEED OR FAIL.

IF THEY FAIL, HE'S VINDICATED.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED WHAT DONALD TRUMP AND HIS IMPEACHMENTS, HE COULD DECLARE A VICTORY AND WAS VINDICATED.

BUT THE MOST LIKELY OUTCOME IS IT SENDS UP A GOAL LIKE SOCCER.

YOU SCORE ON YOURSELF AND YOU KICK AND LOSE, RIGHT.

THIS HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF THAT.

>> FROM A PROCEDURE STANDPOINT, YOU HAVE TO REALIZE, ALSO, THAT THE FIRST STEP TO DOING THIS WOULD BE THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS TO CALL ITSELF INTO SPECIAL SESSION OR THE GOVERNOR COULD CALL HIM INTO SPECIAL SESSION AND WHO KNOWS ABOUT THIS WOULD KNOWS IF THAT WOULDHAPPEN OR NO?

THAT TAKE AS TWO-THIRD's VOTE.

IN THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER, WE START OVER WITH A NEW LEGISLATURE.

SO IT'S A PRETTY TIGHT TIMELINE IF ANY OF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT IN TIME.

>> IF THE IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURES DOES GO TO TRIAL, WHAT WOULD THAT PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

>> YOU HAVE THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT PRESIDING OR CAN APPOINT ANOTHER JUSTICE TO DO THAT AND THERE'S PROSECUTION FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT DR. GATTIE SAID IT TAKES TWO-THIRDS OF THOSE PRESENT TO VOTE TO IMPEACH AND ONLY TAKES A MAJORITY OF THOSE PRESENT IN THE HOUSE TO SEND ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE SENATE, AGAIN, OF THOSE PRESENT.

AGAIN, THAT GIVES OUT IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS THE SENATE.

BUT THE PROCEDURE WOULD BE SIMILAR TO A TRIAL AND SO YOU WOULD SEE EVIDENCE ON BOTH SIDES AND THEN A VOTE ULTIMATELY.

>> THE LAST IMPEACHMENT PROCEDURE THAT WE HAD WAS CAROL FISHER IN 2004.

HE WAS AN INSURANCE COMMISSIONER WHO ULTIMATELY BEING CONVICTED FOR EMBEZZLEMENT AND BRIBERY.

AND THE HOUSE IMPEACHED HIM AND IT WAS A SIMILAR TIME FRAME.

IN SEPTEMBER OF 2004, THE SENATE WAS TAKING UP THOSE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AND THEY WERE READY TO COME IN AND TO START THE TRIAL, SO TO SPEAK.

AND CAROL FISHER RESIGNED.

THAT'S THE LAST TIME IN WHAT I WOULD CALL THE MODERN ERA WE HAVE HAD AN IMPEACHMENT.

>> THAT'S ONLY THE ONLY INSTANCE WE'VE HAD A BIPARTISAN CIRCUMSTANCE FOR IMPEACHMENT BECAUSE WE HAD AN UNUSUAL DIVISION OF OKLAHOMA POLITICS AT THAT POINT AND THE STATE SENATE WAS LOST BY THE DEMOCRATS TO THE REPUBLICANS.

THE STATE HOUSE JUST FLIPPED OVER TO THE GOP, THE GOVERNOR WAS A DEMOCRAT.

EVERY TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED, AS POINTED OUT PREVIOUSLY, IT'S BEEN AN OWN-PARTY ACTION.

THERE WERE DEMOCRATIC LEGISLATURES AND NOT ONLY DEMOCRATIC JUSTICES.

SO IT'S VERY HARD TO SPIN THIS AS BEING PARTISAN.

IT'S POLITICAL.

IT'S ILLEGITIMATE.

>> DURING A NEWS CONFERENCE, THAT NEWS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK, WALTERS COMPLAINED THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS HAD BECOME POLITICAL AND WAS BEING GUIDED BY POLITICAL DECISIONS AND YOU'VE SAID BEFORE, IMPEACHMENT WILL ALWAYS BE A POLITICAL PROCESS.

>> WILL RANQUIST WROTE THE BOOK ON IT AND PRESIDED OVER AN IMPEACHMENT OVER BILL CLINTON.

WE PUT PEOPLE IN WITH POLITICS AND HAVE TO TAKE THEM OUT WITH POLITICS.

THE DIFFERENCE IS WITH THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO MOVE ON TO OTHER PROSECUTESES.

WE HAVE A BROADER SCOPE TO ACT IN THIS REMOVAL, WHICH INCLUDES INCOMPETENCE, PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS AND OTHER COUPLE OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> MORAL TURPITUDE AND CORRUPTION.

ALL THESE TERMS GET TO BE DEFINED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU DON'T GET TO DEFINE YOUR TERMS IF YOU'RE BEING PROSECUTED.

THEY'LL BE DEFINED BY THE ACTIONS OF THE PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION.

SO CRYING I'M NOT BEING TREATED FAIRLY IS USUALLY THE LAST REFUGE, RIGHT?

>> FROM A POLITICAL THEORY PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THIS SITUATION IN OKLAHOMA AND WHAT DOES IT SAY ABOUT THE POLITICAL DISCOURSE?

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING.

THE RECENTLY PARTY CONTINUES TO BE SPLIT.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WANTS, REPUBLICANS ARE NOT IN THE SAME PLACE.

THEY'VE BECOME A BIG TENT PARTY WHICH THE DEMOCRATS USED TO HOLD THAT, RIGHT?

AS A BIG TENT PARTY, IT TALKS ABOUT WHAT REPUBLICANS WANT AND HOW THEY WANT TO GOVERN AND THAT'S WHAT IT'S SPEAKING TO.

WHAT IS IT THAT WE WANT TO HAPPEN AT THE STATE LEVEL?

>> THAT'S ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: I LEARNED A LOT IN THAT.

VERY GOOD.

FLY FISHING IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF WYOMING's TOURISM INDUSTRY AND IN THIS WEEK's "NATIONAL VIEW," TRAVEL TO ALPINE COUNTRY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SURPRISING WAY FISH ARRIVE IN THESE PRISTINE LAKES.

THEY DON'T SWIM.

THEY FLY.

THAT IS COURTESY OF PBS WYOMING.

♪♪♪ >> THERE'S A PARADISE FOR ANGLERS SEEKING ADVENTURE.

AT FIRST GLANCE, IT FEELS LIKE ITS PUREST FORM.

LESS THAN A CENTURY AGO, NEARLY ALL LAKES WERE FISHLESS AND MOST OF THESE FISH ARRIVED ON A ONE-WAY FLIGHT.

THE JOURNEY OF THESE FISH BEGINS AT THE FISH HATCHERY LOADED ON TO TRANSPORT TRUCK.

♪♪♪ >> WE'RE KEEPING TACK AND THAT WILL BE ABOUT 44,000 FISH TODAY.

>> THE BIOLOGIES THAT MANAGE THESE WATERS, OUR HAPPENNERIES S AGAINST ITSELF.

>> THIS WHEN WYOMING PARTNERED WITH AN OUTFITTER NAMED MITCHELL TO TRANSPORT FROM THE DANIEL FISH HATCHERY.

MITCHELL STOCKED NEARLY 2.5 MILLION FIRST ON BEHALF OF THE STATE.

THROUGH HIS STOCKING AND GUIDING EFFORTS, MITCHELL LAID THE FOUNDATION RETURNING THE WIND RIVERS INTO A WORLD-CLASS FISHING DESTINATION.

WHEN WYOMING GAME AND FISH TOOK OVER STOCKING RECOLLECTS FROM RN THE BACK COUNTRY.

THE AGENCY EVENTUALLY ADOPTED THE HELICOPTER HAS AN IDEAL SOLUTION.

>> OUR SUCCESSES GREATLY INCREASE BECAUSE OF THE USE OF HELICOPTERS.

IT'S LESS INNOVATIVE IN THE WILDERNESS SETTING BECAUSE WHEN WE WERE STOCKING THOSE WATERS, WE HAD PACKS OF HORSES AND IF YOU TOOK HORSES, YOU'LL HAVE MORE DAMAGE TO THE ACTUAL ECOSYSTEM.

IT MADE OUR LIVES EASIER AND OVERALL, BETTER SUCCESS OF THE SURVIVAL OF THE FISH WE STOCK IN THOSE WATERS.

>> FISH STOCKING A SOMEWHAT UNUSUAL TASK FOR THE HELICOPTER PILOTS INVOLVED.

THEY MUST TAKE SPECIAL CARE WHEN FLYING WITH FISH HANGING AND SWAYING UNDERNEATH THE AIRCRAFT.

WHILE NAVIGATING WITH PRECISION THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I DID AERIAL FISH DROPPING.

I KNOW THERE ARE A STATES THAT USE A HELICOPTER, BUT THEY'RE NOT USING A BUCKET.

>> THE PILOT AT THE TIME WAS ABLE TO BUILD A TANK SYSTEM UP WITH WHAT YOU SEE NOW AND THE MATERIAL HE USED WAS ALL FROM AN AUTOPART's STORE.

IF WE HAD PROBLEMS IN THE FEED, WE COULD EASILY FIX IT.

>> PUTTING IN THE WRONG SPECIES IN A LAKE COULD LEAD TO HYBRIDIZATION OR OTHER INTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

>> THERE'S CABLES THAT RUN THROUGH THE PILOT's SEAT AND THERE'S NUMBERS ASSIGNED TO EACH TOGGLE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT FISH AND SPECIES IS GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

>> YOU GET UP IN SOME OF THOSE REMOTE AREAS, YOU CAN'T DESCRIBE IT.

YOU'RE UP THERE FOR FIVE DAYS AND DON'T SEE A SOUL.

IT'S A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

>> THIS GETS OUR ADULTS TO AREAS WHERE OTHERWISE THEY MAY NOT GO.

I WANT THEM OUT FISHING AND I WANT THEM TO ENJOY THE RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE PROVIDE.

>> THEY'RE EXPERIENCING THE WILDERNESS BY CATCHING THE FISH THAT MAYBE COOKED OVER A CAMPFIRE.

IN MY MIND, THAT'S A TRUE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE.

GIVING THE OUTDOOR WORLD SOMETHING THAT MAY BE WILL BENEFIT US FOR MORE THAN JUST OUR GENERATION MEANS AN EXTREME AMOUNT TO ME.

>> Rich: ON THE NEXT EDITION, MEMBERS OF STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION ARE CONSIDERING FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO KEEP LAWMAKERS FROM ATTENDING THEIR CLOSED-DOOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THEIR REASONS WHY NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00.

I'LL SAY SO LONG FOR NOW AT A REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT AND YOU CAN FIND US ON INSTAGRAM OR X AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!