DOWN, FILINGS ARE DOWN, AND INCARCERATION IS DOWN.

>> FEDERAL EV SUBSIDIES FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE GOING AWAY.

>> IT REALLY WAS NEEDED BECAUSE THOSE EVS IN THE BEGINNING ARE PRETTY EXPENSIVE.

>> A FOND FAREWELL FOR ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S MOST ICONIC GOVERNORS.

>> IN MY VIEW THERE'S NO BETTER PUBLIC SERVANT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE THAN GEORGE NIGH.

>> AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON CHANGES TO SNAP BENEFITS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WHEN YOU ADD RESTRICTIONS YOU ADD BUREAUCRACY, YOU ADD RED TAPE AND COSTS.

>> SCAN CANNED BLUEBERRIES TREAT YOUR ARTHRITIS.

THAT STORY AND MORE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

THREE OF THE FIVE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE GATHERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN WEEK TO PUBLICLY DISCUSS A MYRIAD OF ISSUES HEADING INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR INCLUDING A MANDATE FROM THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT TAL WALTERS THAT ALL SCHOLION.

SHOULD BE PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE TO STUDENTS.

WE ARE JOINED WITH MORE FROM TAELYR.

>> IT WAS HOSTED BY THE GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY CHAMBER TO DISCUSS HOW OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS ARE WORKING TO MEET STUDENTS' NEEDS AND WORKFORCE REDNESS.

>> AS TEACHERS ACROSS THE STATE PREPARE THE CLASSROOM FOR STUDENTS, SUPERINTENDENTS FROM SOME OF THE LARGEST DISTRICTS IN THE METRO SHARED HOW THEY ARE PREPARING STUDENTS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> AS PART OF OUR PANEL DISCUSSION WE WILL TALK ABOUT INNOVATIVE PRACTICES IN PUBLIC EDUCATION AND HOW DISTRICTS MEASURE, TRACK AND SHARE STUDENTS' RECORDS.

>> DR. JOSH WILL START HIS FIRST FULL YEAR AS THE EDMOND PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT NEXT WEEK.

>> LOTS OF EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR.

OUR TEAM, OUR STAFF AND SCHOOL BOARD HAVE BEEN WORKING RELENTLESSLY AND COLLABORATIVELY TO MAKE IT A REALLY EXCITING EXPERIENCE FOR OUR STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY.

>> COMMUNITIES ARE DEALING WITH NEW LAWS AND MANDATES BEFORE HEADING BACK TO SCHOOL.

JUST A MONTH BEFORE SCHOOLS ARE SET TO START THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCED DISTRICTS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SERVE FREE SCHOOL LUNCHES.

>> AT THE PRESENT TIME WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE OPERATING THE WAY WE HAVE DONE WITH LUNCHES UNTIL WE HAVE FURTHER GUIDANCE IN TERMS OF WHAT AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK WITHIN OUR SCHOOL AND OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE CONTINUING TO PROVIDE WHAT WE PROVIDED LAST YEAR AND WE WILL FORWARD IT INTO THIS YEAR.

>> DURING THE SUPERINTENDENTS' PANEL DISCUSSION, HE SPOKE WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION AND GROWTH.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TODAY, HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO KEEP MOVING THE NEEDLE IN THAT AREA UP.

SO WHAT -- PEOPLE, THE COMMUNITY.

>> THE DOCTOR HAS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AND JOINS EPS FROM MINNESOTA.

HE SAID COMMUNITY CAN ALSO PLAY A ROLE IN STUDENT GROWTH.

>> RECOGNIZE AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE PARTNERSHIPS OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

REALLY PUSHING AND CHALLENGING THE PEOPLE THAT YOU WORK WITH AND THOSE THAT YOU ARE MEETING TO SAY HOW ARE WE CONNECTED TO OUR LOCAL SCHOOLS OR DISTRICT.

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF THE SCHOOLS.

WHETHER THAT'S VOLUNTEERING, DOING BEAUTIFICATION WORK WITHIN THE SCHOOLS, IT MAY BE COMING IN JUST TO SHARE WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT CAN BE HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DR. JAMIE POLK SPOKE WITH THEIR MISSION TO FINISH INSTALLING NEW FL EXES THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT TO ACCOMMODATE A VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS.

>> IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU WALK IN TO A PLACE THAT LOOKS GOOD AND IS PREPARED FOR YOU.

OUR CITY SCHOOL STUDENTS DESERVE THAT.

I SAY THANK YOU.

HOW DO WE MEASURE AND DETERMINE WHAT IT IS IS BASED OFF OF I CAP, THE INDIVIDUAL CAREER ACADEMIC PLAN, AND NOT SURPRISINGLY THE STUDENTS ARE SAYING THEY WANT TO BE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTHCARE, AND THEY WANT TO BE -- >> DR. POLK SAID STUDENTS ARE OFFERED CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT TO EARN BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE QUESTIONED.

POLK SAID MORE STUDENTS THAN EVER BEFORE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> AT THIS TIME WE ARE STUDENT OUTCOME FOCUSED.

WE SET GOALS FOR US THAT ARE UNPRECEDENTED FOR THE BOARD TO SAY IT WILL BE LITERALLY, AND POST SECONDARY.

>> MORE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS WORKING TO ADDRESS THE DISTRICT'S UNHOUSED STUDENTS.

>> I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD PULSE BEAT FROM MY COMMUNITY AND FOUNDED OUT THAT WE DID IN FACT HAVE THE HOMELESS POPULATION WITH OUR STUDENTS.

THEY ARE COUCH SURFING, TRYING TO DETERMINE WHERE THEY WILL BED FOR THE NIGHT AND THEN THE ACADEMIC SIDE OF THINGS AND TRYING TO PREPARE AND BE READY TO GRADUATE.

THROUGH A DISTRICT-LED INITIATIVE, MORE LOVE, THE STUDENTS RAISE MONEY FOR VARIOUS NONPROFITS EACH YEAR.

THE GOAL IS TO BUILD DUE DUPLEXES FOR STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

OUR STUDENTS, K THROUGH 12, HAVE RAISE THE MONEY FOR THE $4.5 MILLION PROJECT.

>> DURING THE STATE OF THE SCHOOLS PROGRAM OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF EDUCATION, NELLIE TAYLOR SANDERS, SPOKE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING.

>> IN AMERICA WE HAVE TO ACCESS EVERY SINGLE CHILD, AND WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHAT CAN YOU OFFER?

NOW WHAT CAN YOU OFFER?

>> SANDERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE FIRSTHAND.

>> WHEN I WAS TWELVE, I WAS READING PROBABLY THREE GRADE LEVELS BELOW.

I COULDN'T DO MOTH MATH, I COULDN'T READ AND WRITE.

ISTS TWELVE.

I REPEATED A GRADE.

>> DISTRICTS NOW HAVE ANOTHER ADJUSTMENT TO MAKE THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCED FRIDAY MORNING THE END OF GOVERNMENT MANDATED END OF THE YEAR TESTING.

I'LL HAVE MORE ON THAT NEXT WEEK.

RICH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

SUPPORTERS ARE NOW GATHERING SIGNATURES ON A NEW EFFORT TO LEGALIZE THE USE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN OKLAHOMA FOR PEOPLE 21 AND OLDER.

THEY NEED 21,000 SIGNATURES BY THE THIRD FOR IT TO BE INCLUDED ON THE BALLOT.

VOTERS REJECTED THE ATTEMPT TO LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN 2023.

>> WE MANAGED TO GET PETITION PACKETS DISTRIBUTED TO OVER 60 COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND NEVER HUNDRED SIGNING LOCATIONS AND WE AREN'T GOING TO STOP THERE.

>> BEFORE THE TAXES WENT SOLELY TO THE STATE, NOW 60% OF THE REVENUE GETS DIVIDE BETWEEN THE LOCAL CITIES AND COUNTIES WHERE IT IS SOLD.

THEY WILL GET NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THE POLICE STATIONS, THEIR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, ROAD MAINTENANCE, HOWEVER THEY CHOOSE TO SPEND THE DOLLARS, THE DOLLARS WILL THEN STAY IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> IF PASSED, QUESTION 837 WILL CHANGE THE WAY BOTH MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IS TAXED.

>>> ON MONDAY AT THE STATE CAPITOL HUNDREDS OF MOURNERS PAID THEIR RESPECTS TO THE ONLY MAN TO HOLD THE TITLE OF OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS.

GEORGE NIGH PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 98.

HE WAS A DEMOCRAT WHO WAS LOVED BY HIS PARTY AND HIGHLY RESPECTED BY REPUBLICANS.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE MEMORY BY THOSE WHO KNEW HIM BEST.

>> GEORGE AND I WERE THE PARTNER OF MANY RECORDS AND LEFT BEHIND AUSTERELY LEGACY.

WHAT WAS AND FOREVER WILL BE CHERISHED IS THE MAN'S CHARISMA, KINDNESS AND COMMITMENT TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THAT'S DONNA NIGH LAYING EYES ON HER HUSBAND FOR THE FIRST TIME AS HER HUSBAND LAY IN STATE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> IN HI VIEW THERE'S NO OTHER PUBLIC SERVANT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE THAN GEORGE NIGH.

>> FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF GOVERNOR GEORGE NIGH CUED UP ON MONDAY TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO A MAN WITH A LUSH POLITICAL CAREER.

HE HOLDS THE RECORD FOR LONGEST SERVING GOVERNOR, HOLDING THE OFFICE FOUR SEPARATE TIMES.

HE WAS THE STATE'S FIRST TWO-TERM GOVERNOR AND REMAINS THE ONLY ONE OF TO WIN ALL 77 COUNTIES.

ANOTHER FORMER GOVERNOR AND FELLOW GOVERNOR, BRAD HENRY, WORKED AS AN INTERN IN HIS OFFICE DURING HIS SECOND TERM.

>> I LIKE TO JOKE BUT IT'S NOT REALLY A JOKE, I LEARNED EVERYTHING I KNOW FROM GEORGE NIGH.

HE WAS SUCH A GREAT MENTOR, AND JUST BEING ABLE TO WATCH HIM WORK UP-CLOSE, AND THE WAY HE TREATED PEOPLE, IT REALLY RUBBED OFF ON ME.

>> AND IT WAS HIS FRIENDLY DISPOSITION TO ALL THAT LED TO AN IMAGE LIKE THIS.

>> THE LIVING FORMER GOVERNORS, EXCEPT FOR MARY FALLON, IS REALLY ON THE ROAD ALL THE TIME.

BUT WE ALL MET AND IN FRONT OF THE CAPITOL AND SAID PRAYERS IN FRONT OF HIS CASKET AND HELD HANDS AND HUGGED EACH OTHER.

AND YOU WOULDN'T SEE THAT IN D.C. TODAY.

HE WOULD NOT FIT INTO THE POLITICAL CULTURE TODAY BECAUSE HE WAS A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING WHO LIKED EVERYBODY.

>> HE WAS ALWAYS THE GOOD GUY WITH THE WHITE HAT.

>> FORMER JUSTICE YVONNE COCKER WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR NIGH IN 1974, THE SECOND WOMAN EVER TO BE POINTED TO THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

TWO YEARS OF NIGH REPORTED THE VERY FIRST WOMAN, HE WILL MA WILSON.

>> HE WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO POINT THE FIRST TO HIS BOARDS AND HE WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL AT IT.

HE WAS DOWN-TO-EARTH.

HE WAS PRACTICAL.

AND HE COULD COMMUNICATE ON ANY LEVEL.

AND HE LIKED PEOPLE.

YOU JUST GOT TO LIKE PEOPLE TO WIN 77 COUNTIES.

>> TODAY I DON'T WANT TO MAKE YOU MY STATE OF THE STATE SPEECH, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE I MY TYPICAL INAUGURAL ADDRESS, I DON'T WANT TO MAKE YOU A BUDGET CONVERSATION, I WANT TO TALK WITH YOU, VISIT WITH YOU AS OUCH OKLAHOMANS ON A WARM DAY.

HOWEVER TOUGH IT IS FOR US THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE MUCH TOUGHER WHOSE SHOES WE'VE NEVER WALKED IN.

>> HE WAS AT A VOCATIONAL EDUCATION CLASS IN JUNIOR HIGH AT McALLISTER AND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CLASS YOU WROTE DOWN WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE YOU GREW UP.

AND THEN YOU WERE TO STUDY IT THE REST OF THE SEMESTER.

SO I WROTE DOWN WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP AND MY TEACHER SAID I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STUDY THAT BUT I HAD WRITTEN DOWN I WANT TO BE GOVERNOR.

>> FIRST GEORGE NIGH WAS ELECTED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN 1950 AND THEN ELECTED LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR IN 1968.

HE WANT IN 1962 AND LOST THE RACE BUT IN AN ODD TWIST OF FATE BECAME THE GOVERNOR, FOR NINE DAYS AT LEAST.

THE GOVERNOR THEN RESIGNED EARLIER.

BUT AFTER HIS DAYS WERE UP HE TOOK A STEP BACK FROM PUBLIC SERVICE.

I ALWAYS SAY IT WAS THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME THAT I RAN AND LOST BECAUSE HAVING LOST I'M OUT OF OFFICE AND THAT'S WHEN I MET DONNA.

I WOULD HAVE NEVER MET MY WIFE OR HAD MY KIDS OR SEVEN GRANDKIDS HAD I NOT LOST THAT RACE.

>> IN 1966 NIGH WAS ELECTED BACK TO THE LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THEN OKLAHOMA ELECTED HIM GOVERNOR IN 1978 BUT IN A MOMENT OF DEJA VU THE THEN GOVERNOR RESIGNED SO NIGH BECAME GOVERNOR A TWO DAYS EARLY MAKING THAT HIS OFFICIAL SECOND TERM.

HE WAS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES, INVESTED IN TOURISM AND ROADS.

>> I WAS EVERYBODY'S BEST FRIEND.

YOU NEED A ROPE, YOU GOT ONE.

>> IN HIS FIRST TERM HE OVERSAW THE OIL BOOM.

AND IN HIS SECOND THE PENN STATE CRASHED.

>> I SAID I WISH I COULD HAVE SWITCHED MY TWO TERMS.

I WISH I HAD MY BUST IN THE FIRST TERM AND BOOM IN THE SECOND TERM.

>> NOW IN THE '90s THE FORMER GOVERNOR NIGH SERVED AT PRESIDENT OF CEO AND HAD A TELEVISION PROGRAM HERE ON OETA.

CALLED "OKLAHOMA YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW" WHERE HE SHARED EDUCATIONAL SEGMENTS ABOUT OKLAHOMA HISTORY AND CULTURE.

>> GEORGE WAS LIKE THAT.

HE TAUGHT HISTORY.

HE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO KNEW WITH INTIMACY THE STATE'S STORY.

>> BUT ONE OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS HE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR MOST IS SOMETHING HE DID BEFORE HE WAS GOVERNOR.

HE INTRODUCED THE BILL TO MAKE THE SONG "OKLAHOMA" FROM THE MUSICAL OF THE SAME NAME OUR STATE SONG.

♪ OKLAHOMA WHERE THE WIND COMES SWEEPING DOWN THE PLAIN ♪ >> HE ALWAYS LIKED TO REMIND SOMEONE IT'S NOT CALLED OKLAHOMA, IT'S OKLAHOMA WITH AN EXCLAMATION POINT.

>> HE WAS A CHARISMATIC VISIONARY WHO LEFTS HIS MARK ON A STATE HE LOVED SO DEARLY, MAKING IT WHAT IT IS TODAY AND BEYOND.

>> IT'S THE OKLAHOMA OF TOMORROW I'M EXCITED ABOUT.

I'M HAPPY WITH THE PAST BUT I DON'T WANT TO LIVE THERE.

I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THROUGH LIFE LOOKING IN A REAR-VIEW MIRROR.

I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT.

♪ MY OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA ♪ ♪ ♪ >> THE FORMER GOVERNOR'S FUNERAL SERVICE IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 14th.

RICH.

>> NICELY DONE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

780 AND 781 WERE PASSED BY VOTERS AS A COMPANION PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN OKLAHOMA.

A JUST RELEASED REPORT LOOKS AT WHERE THE LAWS HAVE SUCCEEDED AND WHERE IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS OF THAT REPORT.

JASON.

>> RICH, OKLAHOMANS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM TEAMED UP WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS.

THEY FOUND STATE QUESTIONS 780 AND 781 HAVE HAD A REAL IMPACT.

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS THAT CRIME IS DOWN, FILINGS ARE DOWN, AND THE INCARCERATION IS DOWN.

>> OKLAHOMANS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS POLICY COUNCIL, MICHAEL OLSON, SAID THAT'S THE IMPACT THAT 780 AND 781 HAVE HAD ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AROUND THE STATE.

WITH THE TWO STATE QUESTIONS PASSED NEARLY TEN YEARS AGO, VOTERS CHOSE TO MAKE SIMPLE DRUG POSSESSION A MISDEMEANOR AND RAISE THE LIMIT FROM FELONY PROPERTY THEFT FROM 500 TO $1,500.

THEY REQUIRE THE STATE TO TAKE THE SAVINGS FOR NOT SENDING PEOPLE TO PRISON AND PROVIDE IT TO COUNTIES TO KEEP PEOPLE ELECTRIC SLIDING INTO DRUG ADDICTION OR REOFFENDING.

HE SAID THE PHYSICIAN SHOW AN INTERESTING TREND >> WE WOULD EXPECT TO SEE A DROP IF FELONIES AS THE CRIMES ARE RECLASSIFIED BUT WE ARE SEEING A DECLINE IN MISDEMEANORS.

IT'S NOT AS IF THE RECLASSIFICATION JUST CHANGED THE LABEL ON THESE CRIMES, WE ARE ACTUALLY SEEING A DECREASE IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

>> HE SAYS A DIP CRIMINAL ACTIVITY ACROSS THE STATE SEEMS TO ALSO BE ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> THIS REFORM REALLY DID WHAT IT SET OUT TO ACCOMPLISH AND HAS REALLY HAD A LARGE EFFECT ACROSS THE STATE.

>> STATE QUESTION 780 ALSO HAD AN IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA'S PRISON POPULATION WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM LAWMAKERS.

THEY MADE THE LAW RETROACTIVE IN 2018, PROMPTING THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN THE LARGEST COMMUNE IN THE TIME.

>> YOU KNOW THERE WILL BE TOUGH TIMES AHEAD BUT YOUR KIDS, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FUTURE, EVERYTHING DEPENDS ON YOU GETTING TOUGH AND MAKING SURE THAT YOU GET THE HELP THAT YOU NEED SO YOU DO NOT COME BACK HERE AND MAKE THE SAME MISS SAKES THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

>> OKLAHOMA VOTERS APPROVED STATE QUESTIONS 780 AND 781 BACK IN NOVEMBER OF 2016.

IT TOOK UNTIL 2023 BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE STARTED TAKING THE SAVINGS AND ALLOTTING IT TO COUNTIES TO TAKE CARE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND REHUH 3WEU8TATION ISSUES.

>> OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE HELPED TO DISCOVER HOW MUCH STATE QUESTION 780 WAS SAVING THE STATE COUGHERS.

IT'S AROUND $25 MILLION A YEAR.

HOWEVER, STARTING IN 2023, THE LEGISLATURE BEGAN PUTTING ABOUT IS IT .5 MILLION INTO WHAT IS -- 12.5 MILLION INTO WHAT IS CALLED THE COMMUNITY SAFETY DEVELOPMENT FUND.

I THINK THE GOAL IS THE NUMBER SHOULD BE THE END GOAL WHERE WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO APPROACH IT.

THERE ARE PRAGMATIC REASONS WE CAN'T DO IT IMMEDIATELY BUT WE AT LEAST KNOW WHAT THE GOAL SHOULD BE AND TO THAT'S STRIVING FOR THE AMOUNT SET FORTH IN THE 781.

>> THE RESEARCH DIRECTED TORE FOR THE OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE SAID IT TOOK YEARS OF ARREST AND INCARCERATION DATA TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> WHAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO IS REFLAG OR STATE COURT NETWORK THAT SCRAPES ALL THE COURT DATA FOR ALL COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA AND PRODUCE AN ESTIMATE OF THE DAYS SAVED FROM INCARCERATION FOR FOLKS IN OKLAHOMA FOR EACH FISCAL YEAR.

AND TAKE THAT TO PRODUCE THE AMOUNT OF DAYS SAVED AND MULTIPLY IT BY THE AVERAGE COST OF INCARCERATION TO GET HOW MUCH MONEY SAVED EACH AND EVERY YEAR.

>> THAT'S WHERE THE SECOND PART OF 7811 COMES IN.

INSTEAD OF INCARCERATION WE ARE OFFERING TREATMENT, HOUSING, THINGS THAT WILL HELP THE INDIVIDUALS GET BACK ON A TRACK.

>> SINCE COUNTIES HAVE ONLY HAD TWO YEARS OF FUNDING ISOLATES HARD TO SEE WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IT'S HAD SO FAR.

HARD, BUT NOT IMPOSSIBLE, SAYS OLSON.

>> WE KNOW THE PROGRAMS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.

WE KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN I THINK AROUND 1400 NEW EMPLOYEES HIRED SERVING A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE'S CRIMINAL JUSTICE CONTACT.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE LONG RANK DATA TO SEE HOW IT'S AFFECTING CRIME RATES YET.

>> HE SAID SEVERAL COUNTIES ARE BUILDING OUT PROGRAMS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND REHABILITATION EFFORTS.

>> IN TULSA THEY HAVE CREATED MIEW HOUSING NAVIGATORS THROUGH HOUSING LINK THAT AHOUSE INDIVIDUALS TO GET HOUSING.

>> OKLAHOMA IS SHARING PART OF HITS DOLLARS WITH THE REMERGE PROGRAM HELPING KEEP WOMEN FROM SLIPPING BACK INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> ITEM 11 IS A CHANGE WITH CORRECT PAPERWORK, A $35,000 CHANGE FOR REMERGE.

APPROVED?

>> WHILE OVER IN ROGERTS COUNTY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS CHOSE TO DEVELOP AN APP TO HELP IT'S COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO ACCESS RESOURCES.

>> INCARCERATION IS A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE THAN TREATMENT.

ORDERS OF MAGNITUDE MORE EXPENSIVE.

SO GETTING PEOPLE TO TREATMENT ULTIMATELY LOWERS OUR TAX BURDEN.

>> OKLAHOMANS FOR CRIMINAL JUST HIS REFORM ALSO TEAMED UP WITH WITH DATAWORKS.

>> DATAWORKS IS A COMPANY THAT COMPILES FRAGMENTED DATA FROM DIFFERENT SOURCES ACROSS THE STATE INTO ONE LOCATION THAT PEOPLE CAN USE.

SO WE'VE CAPTURED DATA FROM EDUCATION, THE COURTS, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND WE'VE MADE THAT ALL ACCESSIBLE TO OCJR FOR THIS REPORT.

>> DATAWORKS HAS MADE THAT INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC SO THEY CAN SEE FOR THEMSELVES WHAT THE OKLAHOMANS FOR CRIMINAL JUST HIS REPORT IS SAYING.

>> THEY CAN READ THE REPORT AND THEN HOP OVER TO THE DATAWORKS.ORG AND FIND THINGS THAT MIGHT BE INTERESTING TO THEM.

WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO ADDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THAT COMMONS AND BUILDING IT FROM THERE.

>> OKLAHOMANS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH THE NUMBERS AS THE PROGRAMS MATURE AND ARE MORE COMMON.

OLSON ADDS RIGHT NOW NOT SENDING LOW LEVEL OFFENDERS TO PRISON IS GIVING PEOPLE WHO MADE A MISTAKE A SECOND CHANCE.

>> INSTEAD WE HAVE OTHER OPTIONS FOR THE LOW-LEVEL CRIMES AND THAT SHOULD BREAK THE CYCLE AND ALLOW PEOPLE TO GET BACK INTO SOCIETY AND NOT CONTINUE IN THESE CRIMINAL BEHAVIORS, AND THAT'S REALLY EXACTLY WHAT WE'VE SEEN.

>> COUNTIES HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 9th TO APPLY FOR THE COMMUNITY SAFETY INVESTMENT FUND.

SO FAR 44 OF THE 77 COUNTIES HAVE APPLIED.

RICH.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JASON.

CHANGES TO SNAP BENEFITS ARE NOW IN EFFECT IN O'CLOCK TO.

IT STANDS FOR THE SUB MENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PUTTING A NEW EMPHASIS ON NUTRITION.

ADDRESSING THE PROS OF CONS OF THE CHANGES IS THE FOCUS OF THE CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY WITH THE GUESTS.

>> IT RESTRICTS.

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO NECESSARILY HEAR ME PEOPLE NEED ACCESS TO SODA TO BE FOOD INSECURE.

BUT WHEN YOU PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON A PROGRAM YOU ADD BUREAUCRACY, YOU ADD RED TAPE AND COST.

IF YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY ACTUAL RETURN THERE PAUSE YOU ARE NOT IMPACTING HEALTH BENEFITS, YOU ARE JUST CREATING BARRIERS WITHOUT I PARTICULAR POSITIVE RESULTS.

>> WE HAVE TO CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE THE HEALTHY CHOICE IS A DOABLE CHOICE AND PEOPLE ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.

AND SO I REALLY WANT TO KEEP SAYING LIKE WE HAVE TO HAVE NUTRITION EDUCATION.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT AS A FULL SYSTEM.

IF WE REALLY WANT TO HELP IMPROVE OKLAHOMANS' HEALTH AND MAKE OKLAHOMANS HEALTHY AGAIN WE NEED TO MAKE THE HEALTHY CHOICE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE CHOICE.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

>>> THE SWEEPING LEGISLATION KNOWN AS THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL IS ELIMINATING INCENTIVES FOR BOTH THE MAKERS AND BARS OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

AND CALLS INTO ELECTRIC BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FUNDING TO BUILD MILLIONS OF CHARGING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

WHAT WILL BE THE IMPACT IN OKLAHOMA?

STEVE SHAW IS LOOKING INTO THAT.

>> THE ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA GOVERNMENTS OR ACOG SAID THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 20,000 ELECTRIC VEHICLES OR EVs ON OKLAHOMA'S ROADWAYS, DOUBLE THAN TWO YEARS AGO.

TWO YEARS AGO THE RACE WAS ON TO USE $66 MILLION IN FEDERAL GAFFE MONEY TO BUILD A NETWORK OF EV CHARGING STATIONS AROUND THE SOONER STATE.

BUT ALL OF THAT IS NOW ON PAUSE.

>> YOU ARE THREE YEARS OLD?

ARE YOU DADDY'S GIRL YET?

OKAY.

ENJOY IT BECAUSE WHEN THEY HIT TEENAGE, IT'S OVER.

>> WHEN HE OPENED IT, GENERAL MOTORS REQUIRED HIM TO SPEND $400,000 ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR EV CHARGING STATIONS.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN HELPFUL FOR US IS WE HAVE EQUINOX EV AND IN THE $30,000 RANGE.

IT'S STYLISH AND PEOPLE LOVE IT AND THAT'S THE HOTTEST SELLING EV WE HAVE.

>> WHAT'S KEPT EV SALES HOT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS IS THE $7,500 FEDERAL CREDIT.

EV BUYERS GET THAT WHEN THEY BUY A NEW EV.

THEY GET FOUR GRAND IF THEY PURCHASE USED BUT THAT ALL ENDS ON OCTOBER 1ST.

>> THERE'S BEEN PANIC WITH CLIENTS.

IT'S CREATED A SENSE OF URGENCY THAT WHEN THE NEWSES STARTED COMING OUT WE HAD CLIENTS COMING IN AND SAYING I NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT NOW IN THE EVENT IT GOES AWAY.

EVS HAVE NOW BECOME POPULAR.

IT USED TO NOT BE THE THUNDERSTORM BUT PEOPLE ARE ACCEPTING IT.

DELIVERED ONE YESTERDAY AND I HAVE A SERVICE EMPLOYEE THAT WILL BE SIGNING ON ONE TODAY.

>> OKLAHOMA STATE BUSINESS PROFESSOR TONY SMITH BOUGHT THIS USED NISSAN LEASED EV IN 2016.

HE SAYS THE CAR HAS PAID FOR ITSELF THREE TIMES OVER FROM THE MONEY HE SAVED BY BUYING ELECTRICITY, NOT GAS.

HE SAYS LOSING THOSE FEDERAL CREDITS WILL HURT.

>> WELL, AT FIRST IT'S GOING TO BE A SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM.

WE, AS A COUNTRY, AND MANY OTHER COUNTRIES HAVE GOTTEN USED TO HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF CREDITS WHEN YOU BUY A VEHICLE.

IT WAS REALLY NEEDED BECAUSE THOSE EVS IN THE BEGINNING ARE PRETTY EXPENSIVE.

>> BUT SMITH SAID SINCE MOST OF THE MAJOR AUTO MAKERS ARE NOW PRODUCING ELECTRIC VEHICLES, THE PRICES HAVE AND WILL GO DOWN.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY ADVANTAGES, EVEN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN GLOBAL CHIME CHANGE, GLOBAL WARMING, EVEN IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN THERE THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER ADVANTAGES YOU CAN GAIN.

>> GLOBAL WARMING IS THE REASON THEY SAID ELECTRIC VEHICLES MUST BE PART OF ANY SOLUTION.

>> WE CHALLENGED AT TIMES WITH REALLY HOT DAYS WITH NO WIND AND THAT'S WHEN WE REALLY HAVE SOME OZONE ROBS.

AND IF WE HAVE ALTERNATIVE FUELS AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS, IT GIVES THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO DRIVE AROUND THE REGION WITHOUT CONTRIBUTING TO THE AIR QUALITY ROB.

THE UTILITY COMPANIES HAVE BEEN VERY KIND IN PROVIDING LOWER RATES AT HEIGHT SO YOU CAN ACTUALLY SET UP YOUR CAR TO CHARGE BETWEEN HID L. MID R. MIDNIGHT AND 6:00 IN THE MORNING AND YOU GET A LOWER ARE AITY TO DO THAT.

THE OTHER THING IS THE RANGE ANXIETY.

I THINK IT'S STARTING TO DISSIPATE.

MORE VEHICLES NOW ARE GETTING OVER 300 MILES ON A CHARGE.

>> SHARP SAID OKLAHOMA WAS ONE OF THE TOP FIVE STATES WHEN IT CAME TO INSTALLING EV CHARGERS.

TWO YEARS AGO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOLLED OUT $5 BILLION TO INSTALL CHARGERS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IT'S KNOWN AS THE NATIONAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM OR NEVI.

OKLAHOMA GOT $66 MILLION BUT HASN'T SPENT ANY OF IT.

>> SO THIS IS KIND OF A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYBODY.

>> IT REALLY IS.

AND THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT DEFINITELY HAPPENED THE LAST FOUR YEARS OR SO WHERE A LOT OF FEDERAL FUNDING CAME DOWN AFTER COVID AND WE WEREN'T READY FOR IT.

SO WE HAD TO COME UP WITH NEW SYSTEMS IN ORDER TO USE THE MONEY AND USE IT IN A GOOD WAY.

>> KIM DIRECTS STRATEGIC GROWTH FOR THE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SECTOR.

SHE SAID BEFORE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STARTED CLAWING BACK THE MONEY BACK IN JANUARY, LOVE HAD INSTALLED EV CHARGING STATION IN ERIC, McALLISTER, ASSOCIATION GUY, WALTERS, CHANDLER.

AND LOVE ALSO BUILT CHARGING STATIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA, KENTUCKY, WASHINGTON, NEW YORK AND ALABAMA.

SHE SAID LOVES WILL WAIT FOR MORE FEDERAL DIRECTION WHEN IT COMES TO THE NEVI PROGRAM IN THE SOONER STATE.

>> IN TWO YEARS THEY DIDN'T SPEND ANY OF THAT MONEY.

IS THAT KIND OF SURPRISING TO YOU?

>> YOU KNOW, WHAT I CAN SAY ABOUT IT, ONE, I CAN'T REALLY SAY VERY MUCH ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE THAT THE DOTs GO THROUGH.

I KNOW IT'S NOT EASY.

WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT OKLAHOMA SUBMITTED THEIR LANCE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

OKLAHOMA ALSO CAME OUT WITH THEIR RSP TO DISPERSE THOSE FUNDS.

THEY AWARDED THE NEVI FUNDS, THEY WERE WORKING ON CONTRACTING, WORKING ON CONTRACTING WITH THEM, AND THEN THE FUNDS GOT PAUSED.

>> NICHOLS HILLS POLICE CHIEF STEVEN COX SAID HIS DEPARTMENT HAS THREE EVS AND IT'S BEEN A NO-BRAINER.

>> ABSOLUTELY FOR OUR SETTING IT'S IDEAL.

IT'S ALL IN TOWN DRIVING, 25 MILES AN HOUR SPEED LIMIT, A LOT OF SOP STOP AND GO, THE CARS WORK GREAT FOR US.

>> I ASKED ODOT ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID ODOT HAD PROVIDED NOTICE TO PROCEED WITH ANY PROJECTS BEFORE THE FEDERAL ORDER TOOK THE MONEY BACK.

>> GREAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU NEED A NEW DRIVER'S LICENSE OR STATE IDAHO FOR SCHOOL OR TRAVEL, THEY ARE EXPANDING HOURS NEXT WEEK CALLING IT THE BACK PASSES AND BOARDING PASSES EVENT, THE STATE HAS APPOINTMENTS AT SIX LOCATIONS FROM AUGUST 11th THROUGH AUGUST 16th FROM 6 TO 8:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY THE SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS WILL BE FROM 1 TO 5:00 P.M.

BUT YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AT SERVICE.OK.ORG >> THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> OKLAHOMA THIS WEEK SIGNED A LONG-TERM LEASE WITH THE OKLAHOMA SPACE INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO EXPAND AND BUILD A 130,000 SQUARE FOOT HANGER ON THE BURNSVILLE AIR AND SPACEPORT.

THEY WILL USE THE FACILITY OR MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL OF LARGE BODY PLAINS.

PREMIUM OF AEROSPACE IS PUTTING HAD $65 MILLION TO DEVELOP THE FACILITY.

THERE WILL BE FUTURE PHASING.

THE SPACEPORT HAS ONE OF THE LONGEST RUNWAYS IN THE COUNTRY TO HELP SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF HEAVIER AIRCRAFT.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY HR SOFTWARE COMPANY CONTINUES TO GROW PROFITS.

89.$5MILLION AND MORE COMPARED TO THE 2024.

SECOND QUARTER REVENUE ROSE BY 10.5% TO 83.$6 MILLION.

THE STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE PROMPTED PAY COME TO UP DATE GUIDE ANSWER TO A HIGHER TARGET FOR REVENUE THIS YEAR AND HAD A DIVIDEND 37 CENTS .5 CENTS A SHARE TO BE PAID ON OCTOBER 8th.

AND OVER THE THREE MONTHS OF THIS YEAR A COMPANY MADE $53 MILLION TOPPING LAST YEAR'S NET INCOME OF THE SAME INCOME OF $780 MILLION.

THE PAL GAT COMPANY SAID THE ACQUISITIONS OF ENLINK AND MEDALLION HELPED DRIVE THE POSITIVE INCREASE IN EARNINGS.

ONE SAW AN 11% INCREASE IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGIONALLAL GAS LIQUID THROUGH THE OUTPUT.

AND HEATHER McDOWELL IS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE EDMOND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

McDOWELL'S MOST RECENT ROYAL WAS DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AT PORT MUSKOGEE.

SHE STARTS THE NEW JOB IN SEPTEMBER.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANKS.

AS OF THURSDAY OKLAHOMA IS RESTRICTING THE USE OF SNAP BENEFITS TO PERFECT FOOD OF LOW NUTRITIONAL VALUES SUCH AS SUGARY DRINKS AND CANDY.

ON PAPER IT SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA BUT PEOPLE DO HAVE CONCERNS AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH ODD DRAT TORE CASS -- MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> HUNGER FREE OKLAHOMA AND MEREDITH SPOT OF DIRECTOR OF THE PROJECT WHO IS ALSO A PROFESSOR FOR OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY HEALTH AND SCIENCES CENTER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

MEREDITH TO START, CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT IS THE NEW SNAP WAIVER AND WHEN WILL THESE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT.

>> THE WAIVER MAKES CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS INELIGIBLE FOR SNAP.

IT WILL START JANUARY 1ST OF 2026 SO IN A FEW SHORT MONTHS.

AND THIS IS -- THERE ARE OUTLINED RULES OF WHAT THIS CONSISTS OF.

BUT JUST TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND, IT DOESN'T INCLUDE BAKED GOODS OR MILK OR 100% JUICE.

>> HOW MANY SNAP PROGRAMS IN OKLAHOMA WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE CHANGES.

>> IN I GIVEN MONTH YOU HAVE 700,000 AND OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR OVER MILLIONS ON AVERAGE.

TO ADD ON TO MEREDITH'S POINT, JANUARY 1ST IS WHAT IT SAYS.

WHETHER THEY CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO WRITE THE DEFINITION FULLY, GET TO THE VENDORS, CHANGE SYSTEMS AND IMPLEMENT BY JANUARY 1 I THINK IS HIGHLY IN QUESTION.

>> SO THIS IS STILL UP IN THE AIR?

>> I WOULD SAY SO.

I'M VERY SKEPTICAL IF THEY CAN GET IT DONE BY JANUARY 1ST.

>> YOU SAID 600,000 TO 700,000 PEOPLE HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> YEAH.

>> THAT'S INCREDIBLE.

MEREDITH HOW WILL IT BE ENFORCED?

WE KNOW THEY ARE TRYING TO WORK IT OUT FOR THE WAIVER BUT WHAT EXACTLY COUNTS AS JUNK FOOD AND A LITTLE OF WHAT YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, WHAT WILL BE RESTRICTED EXACTLY?

>> JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING, EVERY PRODUCT SOLD AT A GROCERY STORE AS A UPS, AND THAT'S HOW THEY WILL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT IS ELIGIBLE AND WHAT IS NOT ELIGIBLE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF CODING INVOLVED IN KNOWING, OKAY, THIS M & M BAR IS INELIGIBLE NOW BUT THIS OFF-BRAND VERSION, THIS VERSION OF IT, AND THERE'S A LOT.

THERE ARE SO MANY TYPES OF PRODUCTS IT PLUS THAT THIS IS GOING TO MAKE ALL OF OUR GROCERS HAVE TO UPDATE THEIR POS SYSTEMS TO EXCLUDE THESE PRODUCTS AS ELIGIBLE PRODUCTS FOR SNAP.

>> IT ISN'T GOING TO JUST AFFECT PEOPLE WITH SNAP BENEFITS, IT AFFECTS EVERYBODY?

>> THEY WILL HAVE TO ADOPT THE NEW SYSTEMS BEFORE JANUARY AND THAT'S A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.

IT COSTS MONEY TO CHANGE THESE THINGS.

AND AS WELL AS YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO A LOT OF EDUCATION ON WHAT IS ELIGIBLE, MAKING SURE THEY UNDERSTAND SO THAT THERE'S OH CONFUSION.

>> THE BIG PART OF THIS, THE ONLY PROJECT WAS FOR THE EDUCATION.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE WHAT IS GOING ON FOR THAT?

>> THE ONE PROJECT IS A SNAP EDUCATION PROJECT.

WE HAVE RECENTLY LEARNED THAT OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS ELIMINATED DUE TO THE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL.

THAT WAS REALLY DISHEARTENING BECAUSE WE WERE EVEN LISTED IN THE WAIVER AS THE RESOURCE TO HELP WITH THIS ROLL-OUT AND EDUCATING PEOPLE ON HOW TO DO THIS.

WE ALSO DO A LOT OF SYSTEM-LEVEL CHANGES ON HELPING WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES.

WE COULD POTENTIALLY HELP THE GROCERY STORES TRYING TO PROMOTE THE HEALTHIER FOODS AS ALTERNATIVES.

>> AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WHATSOEVER?

THERE WILL NOT BE THE EDUCATIONAL?

I DON'T UNDERSTAND IF YOU WERE INCLUDED ON THE WAIVER, WHY WERE THOSE FUNDS TAKEN AWAY?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

>> IT IS A GOOD QUESTION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

CHRIS, WHAT WAS THE STATE'S REASONING WHEN REMOVING CANDY AND SEWED KA FROM THE SNAP BENEFITS.

>> I COULDN'T TELL YOU ALL THE STATE'S REASONING BECAUSE WE WEREN'T CONSULTING BUT IT WAS ABOUT IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES, NOT LETTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS PAY FOR JUNK FOOD.

I THINK YOU HIT ON THE IRONY OF SOME OF THIS.

AT THE SAME TIME THE AGENDA, THE NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AND THIS ADMINISTRATION IS TO IMPROVEOUT COMES.

THEY CUT SNAP ID BECAUSE IT HASN'T BEEN PROVEN TO WORK BUT WAIVERS HAVE BEEN PROVEN NOT TO WORK.

EVERY STUDY SAID RESTRICTING IS IT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE SNAP ISN'T THE ONLY MONEY YOU USE.

70 TO 80% OF SNAP USERS ARE USING THEIR OWN MONEY TO BUY FOOD SO YOU ARE JUST REPLACING WHAT THEY CAN BUY.

YOU ARE NOT BANNING EVERYTHING UNHEALTHY.

THE REASONING SEEMS TO BE MORE BASED ON THE TALKING POINTS THAN ON EVIDENCE.

>> YOU MADE AN INTERESTING POINT EARLIER.

YOU SAID YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND OTHER SNAP AGENCIES WERE NOT CONSULTED ABOUT THIS IN THIS DECISION?

>> NO.

TO MY KNOWLEDGE I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO WAS ASKED FOR THEIR OPINION ON IT BEFORE IT WAS PUT OUT.

>> OKAY.

MEREDITH BACK TO THE GROCERY STORE, IF SOMEONE DOES TRY TO BUY A RESTRICTED ITEM WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

MAYBE THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

WILL THEY BE TURNED AWAY AT THE REGISTER.

>> IF THE SYSTEMS ARE WORKING CORRECTLY IT WOULD MAKE IT THAT SO MUCH WAS COVERED BY SNAP AND SAY YOU OWE THIS MUCH IN CASH OR CREDIT.

>> AGAIN WE HAVE UNTIL JANUARY 1ST TO GET IT THE SYSTEMS WORKING.

HOW DO WE IMAGINE IT IS ALL GOING TO WORK?

>> DHS HAS A TEAMWORK SPECIFICALLY WITH POINT OF SALE AND SNAP VENDORS.

THEY WILL WORK, I'M SURE.

VERY HARD TO GET IT DONE.

WE RUN THE NUTRITION CENTER PROGRAM FOR THE STATE.

WE HAVE WORKED IN THESE SALE SYSTEMS FOR YEARS TO CODE ROUSE VERSUS OTHER PRODUCTS.

IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

AND IT GETS MORE DIFFICULT AS YOU GET DOWN TO SMALLER VENDORS.

THEY ARE IN PLACES WHERE WE CALL FOOD DESERTS, TYPICALLY RURAL OKLAHOMA AND RURAL AREAS WITH HIGHER POVERTY RATES.

IT'S HARDER FOR THEM.

THEY DON'T RELY ON SYSTEMS, A LOT OF THEIR STUFF IS PAPER.

YOU ARE RADIO HE LYING ON THEM TO SAY THAT'S DEFINITELY CANDY AND THAT'S SODA BUT THOSE TIMES OF BLURRY NO MATTER WHAT.

IT'S GOING TO BE VERY CHALLENGING HAD WE GET TO IMPLEMENTATION, AND WHAT THAT CAN ULTIMATELY DO TO THE SMALL VENDORS, THEY VIOLATE TOO MANY TIMES THEY CAN HAVE THEIR SNAP LICENSE TAKEN AWAY AND THEN YOU CAN'T USE SNAP IN THOSE STORES AND IT TAKES ACCESS AWAY FROM THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

>> MEREDITH, TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> IF VENDORS TO NOT FOLLOW THE RULES AND SELL PRODUCTS INELIGIBLE THEY CAN LOSE THEIR ABILITY TO ACCEPT BENEFITS WHICH WOULD CREATE A DECREASED ACCESS POINT.

SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF CHALLENGES HAD YOU ARE LOOKING AT A ROLLOUT THIS LARGE IN MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY IS COMPLETELY CLEAR AND EDUCATED IN WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> MEREDITH, ARE THERE EXCEPTIONS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DIABETIC OR HYPER FLY SEEMIC.

ONE OF MY FRIENDS AT WORK TAKES A STEP AWAY TO TAKE A DRINK OF A SODA OR BITE OF A CANDY BAR.

THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS?

>> NO MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS.

ALL RECIPIENTS WILL FOLLOW THIS RULE.

BUT AS NUTRITION EDUCATION PROJECT I HAVE TO NOTE THAT THERE ARE OTHER WAYS THAN CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS TO HELP WITH THIS.

YOU CAN HAVE 100% FRUIT JUICE OR HONEY, JAMS ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE.

AND YOU CAN BUY SUGAR AND USE THAT BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR NUTRITION EDUCATION TO INFORM FAMILIES ON THE OPTIONS.

>> WHAT THEY CAN DO.

YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THESE ACTUAL SUGARY ITEMS LIKE CANDY AND SODA ARE OUT BUT ACTUAL SUGAR AND FLOUR, THINGS YOU NEED TO MAKE SWEET TREATS, THOSE ARE STILL IN?

>> YEAH.

YOU CAN STILL HAVE POP-TARTS, COOKIES.

>> I THINK WHAT'S THE REAL GOAL IF YOU CAN ALREADY ACCESS A LOT OF THIS.

AND NO MATTER WHERE YOU DRAW THE LINE YOU ARE EITHER GOING TO BE TOO BROAD OR TOO NARROW TO ACCOMPLISH THE STATED GOAL WHICH IS IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THAT NOW, IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES.

CHRIS, YOU MENTIONED THIS EARLIER, OTHER THAN THE WAIVERS, THAT YOU SAID DO NOT, WOULD, WHAT CAN WE BE DOING INSTEAD?

>> A LOT OF THINGS.

ONE IS MAKING SURE, AND WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS WELL AS A STATE THAT EVERYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR SNAP IS ON SNAP BECAUSE WE KNOW SNAP USERS, AS COMPARED TO PEERS WITH THE SAME INCOME LEVEL ARE HEALTHIER, HAVE BETTER MIEW ELECTRICIAN AND HAVE LESS OF THESE THINGS LIKE DIABETES, HEART DISEASE.

IF YOU ARE FOOD INSECURE YOU DO HAVE HIGHER RATES OF THOSE THINGS.

WE KNOW SNAP USERS BUY THE STUFF AT THE SAME RATE AS NORMAL SHOPPERS.

THAT'S WHERE YOU TARGET FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE AND INCENTIVIZE HEALTHY BEHAVIORS.

WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST SUCCESSFUL IN THE COUNTRY AND USED AS A MODEL.

ENEY IS A PARTNER WITH US ON IT AND EDUCATING FARMERS MARKETS HOW TO USE IT.

WE SEE SNAP PURSE OF FRESH PRODUCE INCREASE BY 300% IN GROCERY STORES WE ARE IN.

IT CHANGES BEHAVIOR, IT CHANGES ACCESS FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

THE STORES INCREASE THEIR PEAT PRINT OF FRESH PRODUCE.

WE HAVE THE PILOT DOOR HOMELAND STARTED PUTTING APPLES IN THE FRONT AISLE INSTEAD OF CANDY BARS.

YOU CAN CHANGE BY ADDING INCENTIVES AND INFLUENCING THE MARKET RATHER THAN RESTRICTING ACCESS FOR A SMALL SUBSECTION OF CONSUMER.

THAT HAS NO IMPACT ON THE OVERALL MARKET.

YOU CAN LITTLE LOOK AT REGULATING INDUSTRY.

IF PEOPLE ARE UPSET THEIR DOLLARS ARE USED TO BUY CANDY, THEY SHOULD ALSO BE UPSET THEIR DOLLARS ARE USED FOR SUBSIDIZING CORN SYRUP AND OTHER THINGS.

>> YOU MADE AN INTERESTING POINT.

I GREW UP OUT REST IN WOOD WORTH AND WE HAD WALMART BUT WE WOULD GO TO THE GAS STATION TO GET DINNER.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT PEOPLE WHO HAVE TROUBLE GETTING THEIR HANDS ON FRESH PRODUCE AND HEALTHY OPTIONS?

>> IT REALLY RESTRICTS YOUR ACCESS FURTHER.

LIKE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO NECESSARY HEAR ME ARGUE PEOPLE IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO SODA TO BE FOOD INSECURE BUT WHEN YOU PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON A PROGRAM YOU ADD BUREAUCRACY, YOU ADD RED TAPE AND YOU ADD COST.

YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANY ACTUAL RETURN THERE BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT IMPACTING HEALTH BENEFITS, YOU ARE JUST CREATING BARRIERS WITHOUT ANY PARTICULAR POSITIVE RESULT.

BUT I DO THINK THE LONG-TERM RESULT IS YOU WILL SEE THOSE CORNER STORES LOSE SNAP BENEFIT ACCESS BECAUSE THEY WILL INEVITABLY VIOLATE.

>> YEAH.

AND WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN'T GIVE OUT.

>> IT'S NOT AN AUTOMATED STEM FOR THEM AND IT WILL BE CHALLENGING.

>> MEREDITH WHAT DO WE SAY TO PEOPLE, WE KIND OF SPOKE ABOUT IT EARLIER, BUT PEOPLE WHO SAY YOU SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO AS YOU TAX DOLLARS TO BUY A SODA.

DO THOSE TYPES OF BANS, DO THEY ACTUALLY HELP PEOPLE EAT HEALTHIER?

>> I ACTUALLY JUST READ A REVIEW, SOME LITERATURE, AND IT WAS LOOKING AT SEVEN DIFFERENT STUDIES THAT MEASURED RESTRICTIONS ON SNAP.

YES, PEOPLE STOPPED BUYING THESE PRODUCTS USING THEIR SNAP BENEFITS.

DO THEY BUY THEM WITH OTHER FUNDS?

YES.

SO UNLESS YOU CREATE AN AVAILABILITY LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THERE ARE APPLES AT THE CHECKOUT LINE OR WE MAKE IT WHERE THE HEALTHY FOOD IS A DOABLE CHOICE, THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE CHANGE.

AND CURRENTLY HAD YOU GO TO THESE CORNER STORES OR, I MEAN, I GO TO -- I LIVED IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND I WENT TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AT THE DOLLAR STORE BECAUSE THAT WAS THE ONLY THING AVAILABLE AND THERE WASN'T ANYTHING.

>> GET A CAN OF SOMETHING OR A BOX OF SOMETHING.

IT'S NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

>> SO WE HEED TO MAKE IT WHERE THOSE STORES CAN HAVE THE HEALTHY FOODS AVAILABLE.

I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TIME AND IT WILL TAKE INVESTMENT.

PEOPLE DON'T JUST CHANGE THEIR THAW ELECTRICIAN THAT WILL HISTORY AND THEIR FAMILY CULTURAL FOOD SYSTEM IN A DAY.

SO WE NEED TO HAVE INVESTMENTS TO MAKE THESE CHANGES, SHOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WE ARE INVESTING IN, MAKE THE NORM THE HEALTHY CHOICE, AND THAT'S HOW YOU YOU MAKE IT.

HONESTLY IT'S NOT JUST EDUCATION.

WE'VE SEEN, JUST LIKE YOU ARE SAYING, OUR FARMERS PACKET WORK, I HAD A STORY OF A LADY IN LAWTON, WE TAUGHT A CLASS ON GROWING YOUR OWN FOOD AND YOU COULD BUY BABY PLANTS WITH YOUR SNAP DOLLARS.

SHE BOUGHT A BABY BELL PEPPER PLANT AND WE DID A CLOSS ON A POTTED GARDEN.

SHE WAS HESITANT BUT TOOK IT HOME.

AA MONTHS LATER I SAW HER AND SHE HAD A BAG OF BELL PEPPERS SHE WAS GIVING AWAY AND SHE WAS SO PROUD.

BUT THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR NO REASON.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT EDUCATION PIECE.

>> AND WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE BUT SPEAKING ON THAT WHAT PEOPLE AND VIEWERS ARE ACTUALLY SAYING, CHRIS YOU SAID YOU GOT AN EMAIL EARLIER TODAY ABOUT THE SNAP BENEFIT WAIVERS, WHAT ARE WE HEARING FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY USING SNAP?

AND WERE THEY INCLUDED IN THIS DISCUSSION?

>> TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO.

I MEAN, I'VE LITERALLY GOT AN EMAIL ABOUT AN HOUR AGO FOR SOMEBODY THANKING US FOR SPEAKING OUT ON IT AND HE WANTED TO SHARE HIS STORY.

ICE NAME IS ERIC, AND HE'S TAKING CARE OF HIS MOTHER AND BROTHER WHO IS DISABLED AND TRYING TO FIND A JOB.

HE SAID I BUY SODA BECAUSE MY BROTHER HAS SEIZURES IF HIS SHOULD GO FAR DROPS.

YES, WE USE IT BUT WE USE IT FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE.

OVERALL WE EAT HEALTHY AND ADDING THE RESTRICTIONS MAKE IT THAT MUCH HARDER TO ACCESS WHAT I NEED EASILY.

I THINK THE POINT IS WHILE IT MAY SOUND GOOD, LAKE THESE THINGS ALL THEY DO IS CREATE BARRIERS AND CHALLENGES IN A LIFE THAT'S ALREADY REALLY CHALLENGING.

LIKE FOLKS WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE ARE EXPERIENCING PRESSURES ON EVERYTHING, ON RENT AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

THIS MAKES IT WHEN THEY GO THROUGH THE GROCERY LINE ONE MORE OPPORTUNITY TO BE JUDGED AND PEOPLE COMPLAIN.

IT'S BUILDING A CULTURE THAT SHAMES FOLKS FOR SOMETHING THAT THIS IDEA OF HI TAX DOLLARS SHOULDN'T PAY FOR YOUR CANDY.

SNAP IS INSURANCE.

WE'VE ALL PAID INTO IT.

AT SOME POINT ERIC AND HIS MOM WORKED AND THEY PAID INTO A SYSTEM THAT SAID IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WE'VE GOT YOU.

IT'S NOT YOUR AND MINE TAX DOLLARS, IT'S THE SAME AS SOCIAL SECURITY OR THE CAR INSURANCE.

WE ALL PAY IN TO KNOW WE ARE OKAY IF WE GET HIT WITH A CRISIS, MEREDITH, FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO CREATE A SYSTEM WHERE THE HEALTHY CHOICE IS A DOABLE CHOICE AND PEOPLE ARE EMPOWERED TO MAKE THAT CHOICE.

SO I REALLY WANT TO KEEP SAYING LIKE WE HAVE TO HAVE NUTRITION EDUCATION.

WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT AS A FULL SYSTEM.

SO IF WE REALLY WANT TO HELP IMPROVE OKLAHOMANS' HEALTH AND MAKE OKLAHOMA HEALTHY AGAIN WE NEED TO MAKE THE HEALTHY CHOICE THE MOST ACCESSIBLE CHOICE.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> A GREAT CONVERSATION.

WELL, WE ALL HOW BLUEBERRIES ARE GOOD FOR US BUT IS IT POSSIBLE THEY COULD PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING ARTHRITIS-RELATED INFLAMMATION AND PAIN?

THE BLUE BARE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICAN, TWO SCIENTISTS AT THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION IN OKLAHOMA CITY HOPE TO FIND OUT.

80 PATIENTS CURRENTLY BEING TREATED FOR ARTHRITIS WILL TAKE PART IN A STUDY WITH HALF OF THEM INGESTING BLUEBERRIES ON A DAILY BASIS AND THE OTHER OF THAT RECEIVING A PLACEBO.

>> WE HAVE A CONCENTRATED POWDER THAT THEY WILL MAKE IT SHAKES AND WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN IMPROVE OUTCOMES.

IT WILL BE EITHER A PLACEBO OR BLUE BARE SHAKE FOR THREE MONTHS AND GIVE THEM A TWO MONTH WASHOUT PERIOD AND THEY WILL RECEIVE WHAT THEY DIDN'T THE FIRST TIME.

EITHER THE BLUEBERRY POWDER OR THE PLACEBO POWDER.

>> EACH IF YOU DON'T HAVE ARTHRITIS, BLAH BERRIES ARE RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS THAT HELP CELLS NOT BE DAMAGED.

>> TULSA'S LEE ON RUSSELL IN THE 70s PURCHASED A CHURCH FOR A NEW HOME FOR HIS ENDEAVORS.

THAT'S STORY IS THE COURTESY OF OUR MAINE BROADCASTING NETWORK.

>> I THINK MY FAVORITE THING IS THE COLORS.

I LOVE NATURE, THE SEA SHELLS AND SPIRALS AND SPINES AND ALL OF THAT.

THE ART OF NATURE IS VERY ENJOYABLE AND I SPEND A LOT OF HI TIME TRYING TO DEPICT THAT USING STAINED GLASS.

I I THIS THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN CREATING.

YOU ARE USING YOUR MIND AND YOUR MOTOR SKILLS AND YOUR PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND YOU GET SUCH SATISFACTION.

WHEN YOU FINISH UP A PANEL AND YOU HANG IT IN YOUR WINDOW, YOU ARE SO PROUD OF WHAT YOU HAVE CREATED.

I USED TO HAVE A PARTNER WHO STARTED THE BUSINESS, AND THE TWO OF US UPGRADED TO PURCHASING THIS CHURCH BACK IN 2000.

THAT IS NOW THE NEW HOME FOR MAINE ART GLASS.

THIS WAS A SLOVAKIAN CHURCH.

THIS IS WHERE ALL OF MY HOBBIES HAVE SETTLED INTO BUT I'M BASICALLY A FULL-TIME STAINED GLASS ARTIST NOW.

I CREATE WINDOWS, TEACH CLASSES.

WE HAVE FACETTED PINK JEWELS.

THEY WANTED AN OVER VALUE IN THE CENTER WITH CLEAR GLASS, WHAT THEY CALL GERMAN NEW ANTIQUE GLASS THAT HAS THE STRIATIONS IN IT, A BEAUTIFUL GLASS.

THIS IS A TRAN SOME WINDOW, AN EYEBROW WINDOW THAT GOES UP OVER A SET OF DOUBLE DOORS.

THE PIECES ARE CUT FIRST AND GROUND TO SHAPE.

I HAVE PATTERNS WE WORK WITH AND WE WRAP EVERY PIECE OF GLASS WITH COPPER FOILED TAPE.

ONCE YOU HAVE ALL THE PIECES BACK TOGETHER AND ALL THE PIECES CAREFULLY ADJUSTING THEM SO THEY ARE NOT OUT OF PLACE BECAUSE WE ARE LOCKING THEM AT THIS POINT AND IT WILL BE PERMANENT FROM HERE ON OUT.

I WANT A NICE ROUNDED BEAD.

YOU CAN'T SOLDER GLASS.

YOU CAN ALWAYS SOLDER METAL SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE EDGE WRAPPED IN THE COPPER FOIL.

THAT ENABLES YOU TO SOLDER THE WHOLE PROJECT TOGETHER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE COME OVER FOR THE SOCIALIZATION.

THEY ALL COME TO MAKE THINGS.

BUT IT BECOMES -- IT'S QUITE A COMMUNITY.

IT GOES UP HERE.

EVERY PIECE INDIVIDUALLY NEEDS TO FEET.

COMING UP WITH THE RIGHT DESIGN, THE COLORS AND GLASS, THAT'S USUALLY THE LONGEST PART OF IT.

THERE IS STILL HOPE.

THIS IS HER VERY FIRST PROJECT.

IN ADDITION TO THE GLASS I'VE HAD HOBBIES MY ENTIRE LIFE WHERE I'VE COLLECTED BUTTERFLIES.

I'VE BEEN DOING STAINED GLASS FOR ABOUT 50 YEARS BUT I'VE BEEN COLLECTING BUTTER FILLETS FOR 65 YEARS SO I HAVE HERE INCORPORATED THE BUTTERFLY AND INSECT MUSEUM.

THOSE ARE BIRD FLY BUTTERFLIES FROM THE PACIFIC, THE LARGEST BUTTERFLIES IN THE WORLD.

THOSE ARE FROM PERU.

THEY ARE CALLED STAINED GLASS BOXES AND I FILL THEM WITH DRIFTWOOD I COLLECT.

I HAVE BOUGHT LOTS OF MINERALS IN THE PAST SO I HAVE BUCKETS AND BUCKETS OF IT.

I RAISED CAT BILL LARS.

I WAS ABLE TO HATCH OUT THE MOTH.

COLLECTING BUTTERFLIES HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HOBBY, COLLECTING SEA SHELLS HAS BEEN A HOBBY.

IT'S EXCITING I HAVE ALL OF MY HOBBIES COMBINED INTO ONE.

WE HAVE THREE FLOORS.

THE CLASSROOM, THE WORKSHOP, ALL THE STUDIO AREAS IN THE BASEMENT, THE RETAIL SHOP AND THE ART GALLERY TAKES UP THE SECOND AND THIRD FLOORS.

PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER NEW ENGLAND COME TO BUY GLASS.

WE HAVE A REALLY, REALLY GOOD SELECTION OF GLASS.

THIS IS THE WALL OF GLASS.

PINKS AND BLUES, AND MIXES OF BLUES AND BROWNS.

EVERY COLOR YOU CAN IMAGINE.

THESE ARE ALL CLEAR GLASS.

IT HAS A PRESSED PATTERN IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE GLASS.

I DO A LOT OF PANELS WHERE YOU HAVE MIXED TEXTURES AND YOU CAN THROW HINTS OF COLOR IN IT LIKE THE FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TYPE STYLE.

THE RIVER IN PENNSYLVANIA, THEY HAVE A GLASS MANUFACTURER DOWN THERE BUT YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE COLOR.

THIS PIECE OF GLASS BY ITSELF IS LIKE A WORK OF ART WITH THE LAYTH COMING THROUGH IT.

SMOOTH ON THIS SIDE.

THIS IS A HEAVILY TEXTURED SIDE.

I THINK THERE'S NOTHING HEALTHIER THAN TO CRAFT THINGS AND CREATE THINGS YOURSELF WHETHER IT'S QUILTING, KNITTING, FURNITURE, CARPENTRY.

IF YOU ARE A HIKER OR ANYTHING WHERE YOU ARE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN SOMETHING, THAT'S IMPORTANT.

DOING CRAFTS YOU ARE FOCUSING, YOU ARE FEIGN TUNING MOTOR SKILLS, YOU ARE LEARNING AN AWFUL LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

I HAVE NO INTENTION OF RETIRING.

I LOVE WHAT I DO.

>> GREAT WORK.

ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMA STUDENTS ARE NOW BACK IN THE CLASSROOM BUT THIS YEAR WITHOUT THEIR CELL PHONES.

HOW IS THAT WORKING OUT SO FAR?

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS ON IT.

WE WILL SAY SO LONG WITH A LOOK AT A CONCERT.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE.

BUT IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH ANY OF OUR REPORTS AGAIN THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE ON OUR YouTube CHANNEL BY MONDAY EVENING.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST TOGETHER, I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.