>> Rich: GOVERNOR KETCHUP STITT SHAKES UP THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> WHEN I SEE THINGS MESSED UP OR USED AS POLITICAL OR SOME POLITICAL STUNT, IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING.

>> Rich: HOW WILL THE GOVERNOR's DOGE-IT OPERATE?

>> LET'S LOOK UNDER THIS AND EFFICIENCIES ANYWHERE TO FIND THEM.

>> Rich: LAWMAKERS CONSIDER SEVERAL BILLS DESIGNED FEDERAL REGULATE OKLAHOMA's MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> IF THEY TRY TO LIMIT OR NOT ALLOW IT, IT IS DIFFICULT.

>> Rich: ENSURING SUCCESS OF CITY's YOUTH.

>> WE WANT CHILDREN ON THE PATHWAY TO ECONOMIC MOWABILITY BY 2030.

>> Rich: OKLAHOMA's VERSION OF "SHARK TANK" BURIES.

ENTREPR.

>> IT'S BEEN A BLAST, WORKING WITH MY COHOSTS IN THE ACCELERATED PROGRAM HAS BEEN AWESOME.

>> Rich: AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

THAT'S NEXT ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

HELLO, EVERYONE AND WELCOME.

I'M RICH LENZ.

A BIG SHAKEUP AND WE HAD A TRIO OF REPORTERS.

TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS ON THE HOUSE AND SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETS.

NOAH MACK TACKLES BILLS RELATED TO THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY AND JASON DOYLE WITH MORE DETAILS SINCE DOGE-OK INITIATIVE WILL WORK.

JASON JOINING US FROM THE OETA STUDIO INSIDE OF THE CAPITOL AND JASON, HOW DOES THE GOVERNOR INTEND TO DO THIS?

>> GOVERNOR STITT IS FOLLOWING THROUGH TO AIM THE DOGE TO FIND EFFICIENCIES WHERE IT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AND NOT THE ONLY OKLAHOMAN ON THE DOGE TRAIN SINCE 2019.

>> Rich: GOVERNOR STITT HIGHLIGHTS WHAT HE MEANS, A CONCEPT BROUGHT TO PUBLIC PROMINENCE BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND BILLIONAIRE ADVISER ELON MUSK.

>> THE DOGE NATIONALLY, THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO BE CUTTING MEDICAID OR MEDICARE, THEY'RE LOOKING FOR WASTE, FRAUD AND ABUSE.

WE NEED TO BE DOING THAT.

>> STITT WANTS TO UNCOVER ISSUES WITH TAXPAYER MONEY.

>> $5 MILLION HERE AND THERE ADDS UP.

>> THEY WILL ISSUE A REPORT TO LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP BY MARCH 31st AND THAT REPORT WILL INCLUDE A SURVEY OF ALL STATE AGENCIES AND LEADERSHIP FOR EFFICIENCY STRATEGIES, RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REFORMING THE FEDERAL STATE FISCAL RELATIONSHIP, RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE EXPENDITURES AND IMPROVED EFFICIENCY TO ACHIEVE GOALS.

SENATE DEMOCRAT LEADERS ARE HOPING DOGE OBSERVATION IS MORE THAN JUST A COPY OF WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING.

STITT BELIEVES THIS WILL COMPLEMENT THE EFFORTS BY THE LEGISLATURE, TOO.

>> THE SPEAKER HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THIS AND THE FISCAL CONSERVATIVES, THEY WANT TO HELP THIS.

>> WE CREATED THIS PORTAL WHERE ANYONE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CAN GO ON AND MAKE SUGGESTIONS.

WE'VE HAD A HUGE OUTFLOW OF SUGGESTIONS.

>> HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND CHAIRMAN REPRESENTATIVE TREY CALDWELL IS OVERSEEING THE OKLAHOMA's DOGE EFFORTS AND SET UP A WEBSITE AND NOW HE AND STAFFERS ARE GOING THROUGH THE APPROXIMATELY 250 SUGGESTIONS NOW.

>> WE'VE HAD SOME COMICAL AND TO THE POINT OF ATTACKING SPECIFIC PEOPLE.

OUT OF THE 250, ABOUT 25 TO 40 OF THEM HAVE BEEN VERY LEGITIMATE AND WE'VE TRIED TO HONE IN.

>> ONE SUGGESTION COMED FROM A BUSINESS OWNER.

>> WE HAD ONE THAT CENTERED AROUND IDLING OF VEHICLES.

THERE'S A PROGRAM ON OUR VEHICLES AT HIS COMPANY THAT STOPS VEHICLES FROM IDLING AFTER MORE THAN TOO MINUTES.

TWO MINUTES.

HE SAW A LEGITIMATE BUSINESS AND THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE INCORPORATED AND A NET SAVING.

>> THE HOUSE DOGE PORTAL SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN PASSED DOWN TO RESPECTIVE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS.

>> HOW CAN YOU DO THIS?

CAN YOU JUSTIFY THIS?

LET'S LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES ANYWHERE WE CAN FIND THEM.

ANYTIME WE CAN BE EFFICIENT IN THE TAX DOLLARS, THAT'S BETTER GOVERNMENT.

>> FROM CALDWELL's PERSPECTIVE, IT SEEMS THE HOUSE EFFORTS AND THE GOVERNOR's DOGE-OK, GO HAND-IN HAND.

>> WE WANT TO SLOW THE GOVERNMENT AND TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT.

>> GIVE THE MONEY BACK TO THE PEOPLE, KEEP THIS PLACE AS SMALL AS POSSIBLE.

>> STITT SAYS DOGE-OK HAS ANOTHER PURPOSE AND HE WANTS TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE DECISION.

>> INSTEAD OF ONE SIZE FITS ALL, WE'LL CUT 10% WE GIVE TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

YOU'RE GOING TO CUT 10% OF WHAT YOU'RE GIVING TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND HERE IS THE SCAPAL APPROACH.

HERE IS HOW WE THINK WE CAN DO IT EFFICIENTLY.

>> ELON MUSK AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HELD A MEETING TO DEFEND ACTIONS BY MUSK UNDER TRUMP's DOGE DIRECTIVE.

>> WE'LL TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT -- THERE NEED TO BE A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING FOR GOVERNMENT AND NOT AS MANY AS CURRENTLY.

WE'RE SAYING, OK, IF PEOPLE CAN RETIRE, THAT WOULD BE DUDE.

GOOD.

>> IT HAS BEEN ABOUT GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

>> U.S.

SENATOR JAMES LANGFORD IS ROOTING IT OUT AS THE COFOUNDER OF THE GOGE CAUCUS.

HE RELEASED LATEST EDITION THAT HE AND HIS STAFF COMPILED TO WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS WASTEFUL FEDERAL SPENDING.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO FIX THIS AND WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FOCUSING ON GOVERNMENT WASTE AND WE'LL WASTE LESS AND SAVE MORE.

>> AMONG THE EXAMPLES IN THE REPORT, $2 BILLION IN AID WHICH HAS GONE TO THE TALIBAN-RUN AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT.

BEFORE THE LATEST FEDERAL FUMBLED, LANGFORD INTRODUCED SEVERAL DOGE-RELATED BILLS TO HELP THE TEAM IDENTIFY SPENDING ISSUES.

>> I DON'T MEET ANYBODY THAT I RUN INTO THAT SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS BEING MOST EFFICIENT IN ALL OF THE COUNTRY.

EVERYBODY SEES AREAD OF AREAS OF EFFICIENCY AND MAKING OR TAX DOLLARS GO TO WHAT THEY SHOULD GO TO.

>> THE DOGE EFFORT HAS THE BACKING OF GOVERNMENT STITT AND ALL LEVELS MOVING FORWARD.

>> ALL OF THE CONSOLIDATION IN OUR STATE GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER BETTER SERVICES, MORE EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> GOVERNOR's OFFICE SAYS WE CAN EXPECT THE DOGE-OK ADVISER TO BE NAMED VERY SOON.

TAELYR JACKSON HAS BEEN BUSY GATHERING DETAILS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPACT OUR CLASSROOMS.

>> THERE SEEMS TO BE A RIPPLE BETWEEN GOVERNOR STITT AND RYAN WALTERS.

IT CAME TO A HEAD WHEN THE GOVERNOR SHOOK UP THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> I FELT LIKE WE NEEDED FOR US TO OPEN UP OUR EYES ON THAT.

>> GOVERNOR STITT IS TALKING ABOUT HIS DECISION TO REPLACE THREE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BOARD MEMBERS.

KENDRA WESS AND KATIE KEBADO AND MIKE TINNEY.

>> LOOK AT OUTCOMES.

IF YOU HAVE YOUR EDUCATION HAT ON, YOU'RE HERE TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION POSSIBLE.

I SEE SCORES AND SEE THINGS THAT ARE MESSED UP, WHAT THEY USE AS POLITICAL PAWNS FOR SOME POLITICAL STUNT, IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS ON THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS POSITION WASN'T TOO PLEASED BY THE GOVERNOR's ACTIONS IN A STATE THAT READ IN PART, THE BOARD MEMBERS THAT STOOD WITH US WORKING WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFER AND BETTER HAVE BEEN FIRED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES.

EVERY OKLAHOMAN SHOULD BE CLEARED THIS MOVE UNDERMINES OKLAHOMA KIDS AND PARENTS AND AN AMERICAN-FIRST AGENDA.

>> I DON'T THINK THE RELATIONSHIP IS GOOD AT ALL.

IT SOUNDED LIKE HE LIKED ME TOO MUCH.

THEY'RE PLAYING POLITICS, TRYING TO GET THEIR NAMES IN THE PAPER.

OKLAHOMA PEOPLE CAN SEE RIGHT THROUGH IT.

FOCUS ON DOING THE JOB YOU'RE ELECTED TO DO IT.

>> IT COMES TWO WEEKS AFTER THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION PASSED AN ADMINISTRATIVE ROLE TO REQUIRE SCALES TO COLLECT IMMIGRATION STATUS UPON ENROLLMENT.

THE GOVERNOR THINKS THAT IMMIGRATION FOCUS SHOULD REMAIN ON CRIMINALS, NOT STUDENTS.

>> COLLECTING, AGAIN, 6, 7, 8-YEAR-OLD KIDS, THAT'S NOT A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE.

LET'S GO OUT TO THE BACK ALLEY AND PEOPLE COMMITTING CRIMES AND LET'S NOT TERRORIZE AND MAKE KIDS SHOW UP TO SCHOOL.

>> FOLLOWING THE GOVERN's SHAKEUP ON THE SCHOOL, THEY ANNOUNCED THE FORMATION OF THE TRUMP ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH TWO OF NOW REPLACED BOARD MEMBERS NOW SERVING AS COCHAIRS.

SARAH LEE PACK AND ZACH ARCHER WILL REMAIN ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMOND IS NOW URGING THE NEW APPOINTEES TO EXERCISE INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT FROM GOVERNOR STITT AND SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS IN A LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD APPOINTEES.

I'M HOPEFUL YOU REALIZE YOUR DUTY IS TO THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA AND NOT ANY POLITICAL AGENDA.

COMMITTEES WERE WORKING DILIGENTLY ON BILLS.

BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE PASSED BILLS THAT WOULD REQUIRE SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADOPT POLICIES THAT PROHIBIT CELL PHONES.

>> I GET A LOT OF EMAILS FROM TEACHERS SAYING MY SCHOOL HAS A POLICY BUT IT'S ON ME TO IMPLEMENT IT AND I'M BURNED OUT.

CAN YOU PASS THIS AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> THE BUDGET EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE PASSED HOUSE BILL 1983.

THE BULL AUTHORED BY REPRESENTATIVE TRISH RANSON INSTRUCTS THEM TO CREATE A CURRICULUM ON ONLINE SAFETY.

>> COVERING TOPICS LIKE SAFE FAE NEWS AND A.I.

WILL KEEP STUDENTS FROM FALLING PREY TO EXPLOITATION.

>> THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE PASSED SB6, A BILL THAT WOULD MODIFY THE DATES OF BOARD ELECTIONS.

SENATOR SEYFORD SAYS THE GOAL IS TO INCREASE VOTER PARTICIPATION.

>> BRINGING THESE ELECTIONS TO A TIME WHEN MORE PEOPLE ARE FOCUSED ON ELECTIONS, WE'LL HAVE MORE CANDIDATES.

>> BUT SOME LAWMAKERS QUESTION IF THE BILL WOULD COMPLICATE THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION PROCESS.

>> IF WE MOVE THESE ELECTIONS TO NOVEMBER, IT DOES TWO THINGS.

ONE, IT TRIPLES TO QUADRUPLES THE PRICE TO RUN YOUR CAMPAIGN AND GET THROUGH AND CUT THROUGH THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE, THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND STATEWIDE RACES.

YOU'LL HAVE TO RAISE MORE MONEY TO DELIVER YOUR MESSAGE.

WE'LL HAVE FEWER PEOPLE RUN IF IT'S ON A NOVEMBER BALLOT.

THE OTHER THING IT DOES IS MAKE THE SEAT UNNECESSARILY PARTISAN.

>> A SIMILAR PROPOSAL ADVANCED IN THE HOUSE EARLIER THIS WEEK.

HOUSE BILL 1151 WOULD MOVE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS TO JUNE AND NOVEMBER.

BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE ALSO PASSED BILLS OUT OF COMMITTEE THAT WOULD RAISE TEACHER's SALARIES.

SENATE BY 201 WOULD INCREASE THE SALARY TO $51,000 AND SET A MINIMUM WAGE SCALE.

>> IT'S WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THIS JOB MARKET.

WHAT CAN WE AFFORD?

THAT WILL BE A SEPARATE CONVERSATION IN THIS BILL MOVES TO THE APPROPRIATION's PROCESS.

>> ASIDE FROM EDUCATION, MEL MARIJUANA IS ANOTHER FOCAL POINT IN THE LEGISLATURE.

NOAH MACK JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS.

>> TWO DOZEN BILL WAS FILED AND I SPOKE TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA PROFESSIONALS AND ALL THE BILLS THAT ON BOARD WITH AND OTHERS THEY SEE AS OVERREGULATION.

UWD IS A LOCAL DISPENSARY IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA AND THE OWNER, JERRY FLOWERS, HAS AN EYE ON BILLS SEEKING TO FURTHER REGULATE MEL MARIJUANA.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA, BILLS THAT HE BELIEVES CARRIES SCRUTINY ON BUSINESSES LIKE HIS.

>> WHAT INDUSTRY CAN'T PUT THIS FOR SALE?

>> THIS IS DUSTY BEAVERS's BILL LACING RESTRICTIONS ON ADVERTISING AND PROHIBIT COUPONS EAR DISCOUNTS.

>> YOU CAN GO TO YOUR DOCTOR's OFFICE AND GET A PRESCRIPTION AND YOU MAY QUALIFY FOR FREE PRESCRIPTIONS.

THIS MAKES ZERO SENSE.

>> ANOTHER BILL WOULD ALLOW COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES TO IMPOSE ADDITIONAL TAXES OF THEIR OWN.

BILLS LIKE THESE INCREASE PRICES FOR PATIENTS WHICH OPENS THE DAR DOOR TO A BROADER PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY TO LOWER INCOME FOLKS.

>> THE PRICE OF LEGAL CANNABIS, IT'S HIGHER THAN THE PRICE IN THE STREETS.

THIS IS A NATURAL OCCURRENCE WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

PEOPLE WILL DIVERT BACK TO THE STREETS, AT LEAST A GOOD PORTION OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE A MED CARD AND WON'T RENEW BECAUSE THEY'LL DEAL WITH THE STREETS.

>> PATIENTS AND DISPENSARIES ARE NOT THE ONLY STAKEHOLDERS UNDER A MAGNIFYING GLASS.

THEY WANT TO SUBMIT A PLAN BY 2027 TO CONTROL UNWANTED ODORS.

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT TOO MUCH REGULATION TO THIS BILL.

I JUST WANTED EVERYBODY TO HAVE A PLAN.

WE HAVE A LOT THAT HAVE A PLAN WITH CARBON FILTRATION.

IT'S THE ONES NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT I'M TRYING TO GET THEM TO HAVE A PLAN.

>> HANNAH MONROE WHO OWNS A MARIJUANA PROCESSING COMPANY SAYS GUTHERIE's BILL IS A DOUBLE STANDARD.

>> ON THE OUTSIDE OF AN INDOOR GROW, YOU CAN'T SMELL A LOT UNLESS THEY'RE PROCESSING THAT DAY.

UNLESS THEY'RE HARVESTING.

AND AN OUTDOOR GROW, INCLUDE DON'T SEE THAT OFTEN, YES, YOU CAN SMELL IT, BUT IT'S WAY WORSE WHEN YOU GO THROUGH A TOWN THAT HAS PIG FARMS OR CHICKEN FARMS.

THEY HAVE A PURINA FACTORY UP THERE AND THAT WHOLE AREA SMELLS LIKE DOG FOOD.

I MEAN, IT IS NASTY.

>> GUTHERIE SAYS FROM HIS EXPERIENCE, HE SEES MORE COMPLAINS COMING IN ABOUT MARIJUANA GROWS THAN ANY OF THE OTHERS.

>> I HAVEN'T HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SMELL IT, BUT THERE'S NOT A FARM IN THE CITY OR CLOSE TO A CITY, SO YOU WON'T HEAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT.

BUT THERE'S MARIJUANA GROWS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, CROSS THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> AMID DISCOURSE, THERE'S CONSENSUS, A BILL AUTHORED BY SENATOR BILL COLEMAN WOULD DIRECT THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY TO ORGANIZE A TAX FORCE FOR PURCHASE AND POSSESSION LIMITS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA PATIENTS.

RIGHT NOW IT'S THREE OUNCES A VISIT.

>> IF I COME IN AS A PATIENT, I CAN BUY THREE OUNCES AND GO THERE AND BUY THREE OUNCES AND GO TWO BLOCKS DOWN AND BUY THREE OUNCES.

BY THE END OF THE DAY, I CAN BUY AN ENTIRE POUND.

I CAN UNDERSTAND HAVING RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS.

>> AND THIS WOULD ALLOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA WOULD DELIVER WITH THE PROPER LICENSING, SOMETHING FLOWERS WELCOMES WITH OPEN ARMS.

>> THERE ARE SOME BILLS THAT FLOWERS SEES AS OVERKILL LIKE WARNINGS ON PRODUCT PACKAGES.

>> SAME THING WITH ALCOHOL.

WHEN THEY SERVE A DRINK AT THE BAR, DOES IT COME WITH A WARNING LABEL?

NO.

BUT THAT PERSON IS GETTING INEBRIATED.

>> IT'S VICTIMS OF IMPAIRED DRIVERS AND SAYS HIS BILL ADDRESSES A LACK OF EDUCATION SURROUNDING MARIJUANA SPECIFICALLY.

>> I DO BELIEVE THAT ALCOHOL, CIGARETTES, A LOT OF THINGS HAVE WARNING SIGNALS AND SIGNS AND LABELS ON THEIR PACKAGES.

AND THERE IS SUCH AN AWARENESS ON DUIsS OPPOSED TO DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MARIJUANA BECAUSE MARIJUANA IS NEW TO OUR STATE.

>> STATE QUESTION 788 WAS PASSED BACK IN 2018 BY OKLAHOMA VOTERS LEGALIZING LEGAL MARIJUANA STATEWIDE AND ULTIMATELY, FLOWERS MAINTAINS THAT EVER SINCE, THEY'VE BEEN GRAPPLING WITH A BARRAGE OF REGULATIONS.

>> OKLAHOMA MADE IT CLEAR THEY DID NOT LIKE WHEN PEOPLE PASSED THAT BILL.

>> THE SENATOR BELIEVES THAT LEGISLATURE IS PLAYING CATCHUP.

>> FROM DAY ONE UNTIL TODAY, THEY'RE FEELING QUITE A PINCH WITH THE REGULATIONS.

HAD THAT'S BEEN AT THE ONSET, IT WOULD TO THE HAVE BEEN NEAR AS S NOTICEABLE.

>> RIGHT NOW, THEY'RE BEING DEBATED IN COMMITTEE AND WILL HAVE A SHOT ON THEIR CHAMBER FLOOR.

WE WILL TRACK THAT A IT CONTINUES.

>> Rich: BLACK HISTORY MONTH WAS RECOLLECTED BY GERALD FORD IN 1976.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK's IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE IS A PREVIEW WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> PARTICULARLY WITH YARDS TO AFRICAN-AMERICAN IS INCREDIBLY RICH AND EXTENSIVE AND WE MADE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLORING THAT HISTORY.

>> SO IF YOU TAKE THE BLACK INDIANS AND YOU TAKE THE FREED SLAVES THAT WERE IN THE TRIBES AND THE COWBOY EXPERIENCE, THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS, THIS HISTORY IS GOING TO BE TOLD AND SO OUR FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT HERE.

>> WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE AS A COMMUNITY USE AND UTILIZE OUR OWN RESOURCES TO MAKE THESE CAMPAIGNS, YOU KNOW, AND THESE PUSHES.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION IN JUST A COUPLE OF MINUTES.

>>> IT TAKES TOO THINGS TO START A STILL BUSINESS, A GREAT IDEA AND MONEY AND THAT'S WHERE THE OKLAHOMA GRASS ROOT's RURAL AND AG ORGANIZATION GETS INVOLVED.

STEVE SHAW IS ON HAND FOR A DEMO DAY AND JOINS US NOW.

RICH, THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU IS UNIQUE.

AND IT STARTED HERE IN THE SOONER STATE 18 MONTHS AGO.

>> Rich: THIS IS THE T50 AND THIS IS THE NEWEST, LATEST, GREATEST MODEL.

MATT GUARD IS A FARMER AND FORCE OF NATURE WHOSE FAMILIES WORKED THESE LANDS FOR FOUR GENERATIONS.

>> DO I PULL IT TOWARDS ME OR WHAT.

>> YES, ALL THE WAY AROUND AND STAB IT IN THIS WAY.

>> LET'S GET THIS OUT OF THE WAY RIGHT NOW.

GUARD AS BEEN IN A WHEEL CHAIR SINCE 2010.

2010 AFTER AN UNFORTUNATE MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE BROKEN MOST MEN.

>> I WAS COMING HOME ON MY HARLEY AND WENT OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE AIRBACK DIDN'T GO OFF, JOKINGLY BUT THE LORD WASN'T DONE WITH ME YET.

>> IN THE EARLY 1980s, MATT FLEW WOMEN's GYMNASTICS TEAMS TO MEETS.

>> AND WE HAD A BLAST!

>> WHAT MATT IS HAVING A BALL DOING THESE DAYS IS THIS.

>> PREPARE FOR TAKE OFF.

STAND BACK AT A SAFE DISTANCE.

>> GUARD HAS DESIGNED A SYSTEM OF DRONES THAT ARE TACKLING THE INFESTATION OF WHAT ARE KNOWN AS EASTERN RED CEDAR TREES.

THESE TREES THAT THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BROUGHT TO OKLAHOMA DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION TO SERVE AS WIND BREAKS.

NOBODY KNEW THEN OUR VORACIOUS DRINKERS OF OUR MOST PRECIOUS COMMODITY AND MULTIPLE LAKE IT'S NOBODY BUSINESS.

>> THE EASTERN RED CEDAR, LOSING OVER THREE THOUSAND ACRES A YEAR IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S A PROBLEM.

>> IT'S ALSO THREATENING THE WATERSHED, THE NORTH CANADIAN WATERSHED THAT PROVIDES DRINKING WATER TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WE HAVE SEVERAL FARMS THAT ARE COMPLETE COVERAGE OF EASTERN RED CEDAR, BUT AT JUST 50 PER ACRE, CONSUMING OVER 11 GALLONS A DAY AND THAT'S THE DAILY WATER USAGE.

>> GUARD SAYS IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY FOR PLANES EAR HELICOP ANS TO SPRAY AND KILL RED CEDAR TREES.

HE SAYS HIS DRONES CAN COVER UP TO 40 ACRES AND WILL ONLY COST PROPERTY OWNERS $350 AN HOUR.

NOT ONLY THAT, THE OKLAHOMA CONSERVATION COMMISSION RECENTLY ASKED MATT TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO USE HIS DRONES TO SPREAD GRASS SEED OVER AREAS WHERE REDCEDAR TREES HAVE BEEN ERADICE TROD.

ED FROM.

THE OKLAHOMA FARM WAS INVITED TO A RURAL AND AG PRESENTATION WHERE ALL FIVE PITCHED IDEAS AND PREVENTIONS TO PERSPECTIVE INVENTIONS.

PERFECT MILLION DOLLARS OF FUNDING IS AT STAKE.

IT WAS LAKE OKLAHOMA's VERSION OF "SHARK TANK."

>> MOST HAVE BEEN NAMED TOWARDS URBAN AREAS WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF NATURAL GROWTH.

WE'VE BEEN LOSING PLACE FOR A NUMBER OF DECADES AND TRYING TO SAY WITH A LOT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT CAN DO SIGNIFICANT BUSINESSES IN SMALL TOWNS.

>> WE HAVE A BEEF WITH THE HIGHEST PROTEIN ON THE MARKET AND MADE IN COLLEGE.

>> KATRINA AVERS WHOSE FAMILY OPERATES A RANCH PITCHED A FARM FUNDRAISER CALLED "BLACK JACK LEGACY" SCHOOLS.

>> THIS IS GIVING SCHOOLS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT SMALL FAMILY RANCHERS THAT GIVES THEM MONEY FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND ALSO SUPPORTS OUR RANCHERS.

>> BROKEN AERONATIVE PITCHED AN INCREDIBLY ENERGY PROJECT.

>> IT'S BEEN A BLAST.

A LOT OF GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE, WORKING WITH MY COHORTS IN THE OKLAHOMA ACCELERATOR PROGRAM AND IT'S BEEN AWESOME.

WE FEED OFF EACH OTHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND IT'S BEEN AN AWESOME EXPERIENCE.

>> WE'RE LOOKING TO NOT ONLY BRING OUR PRODUCT TO MARKET BUT USING THOSE RESOURCES TO FACILITATE THE MOVE AND BASICALLY GROW AND ESTABLISH OUR BUSINESS IN RURAL OKLAHOMA SUCH AS CUSHING.

>> RACHEL COOLER IS FROM WAGNER AND TELLS CATTLE PRODUCERS THE BEST TAMES TO FEED THEIR HERDS.

>> I HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM TO ACCESS IT ONLINE.

>> WE'VE HAD OTHER STATES TO FIND OUT HOW TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AND HOW WE'RE DOING.

JUST THIS WEEK, WE'VE HEARD FROM INDIANA TO CHECK IT OUT AND INTERESTED IN STARTING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN INDIANA.

>> MATT GUARD RECEIVED THE HUEST SCORE FOR HIS PRESENTATION LAST WEDNESDAY, BUT HE DOESN'T LOOK AT IT THAT WAY.

>> ALL FIVE PRESENTERS WON.

>> WHERE DO GET THE FOR THITUDE TO IN THIS?

>> IF WE'RE NOT LEARNING EVERY DAY, WE'RE BACKING UP.

>> YOU THINK YOU'LL SCHEDULE WILL FILL UP AGAIN, MATTHEW.

>> I NEED MORE OF ME.

[LAUGHTER] >> I'M NOT DONE LIVING YET.

>> I DON'T THINK HE IS.

HE MET WITH A POTENTIAL INVESTOR FROM KANSAS CITY AND THERE ARE OTHERS.

RICH?

>> Rich: BEST OF LUCK TO ALL OF THEM.

TULSA MARATHON ROW NICKELS ANNOUNCED A FIRST OF ITS KIND INITIATIVE CALLED THE CHILDREN, UNION AND FAMILIES WITH THE STATED GOAL OF PUTTING 15,000 ON AN ECONOMIC PATH.

MOCYF WILL COLLABORATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY's CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

>> THE FACT THAT 3,000 TULSA KIDS AND FAMILIES FACE EVICTION, TO GET TO SCHOOL TO LEARN AND THE YOUNGER THE KID IS AND DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT OF YOUNG KIDS OF COLOR.

IF WE'RE TO REVERSE THESE THINGS, WE HAVE TO DO THIS THROUGH INTENTIONALITY.

THESE PROBLEMS WON'T SOLVE THEMSELVES.

>> TODAY MARKS A COMMITMENT TO ACTION, BREAKING DOWN SILOS AND ENSURING ALL SYSTEMS WORK FOR TULSA's CHILDREN.

WE'RE HONORED TO SERVE THIS WORK TO DRIVE REAL SUSTAINABLE CHANGE.

>> Rich: THEY WILL OVERSUE OVERSEECHILDREN, UNION AND FAMI.

>>> HOUSE RESOLUTION 26, THE PROTECTING AMERICAN ENERGY ACT.

THE LEGISLATION WILL ENSURE CONGRESSIONAL CONTROL OF HYDRAULIC FRACTURING AND PREVENT A PRESIDENT FROM BANNING IT BY PREVENTATIVE ACTION.

>> THIS CONTRIBUTES TO OVER 278 US TO JOBS AND BRING IN BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE.

AMERICAN FAMILIES DESERVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE DOMESTIC ENERGY.

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICA FIRST POLICY INSTITUTE, HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SAVING AMERICANS $200 BILLION IN REDUCED ENERGY COSTS ANNUALLY.

>> Rich: THAT WAS INTRODUCED BY AUGUST FUGLER.

>>> THE FILM INDUSTRY SAYS IT HAS A $5 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT ON STATE's ECONOMY.

THAT TOPS THE REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> A LAW CALLED THE FILMED IN OKLAHOMA ACT PROVIDES INCENTIVES FOR FILMMAKING IN OKLAHOMA.

THE DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT HAS TOTALED $531 MILLION.

THAT'S THE FINDING OF A REPORT, THE GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY OF COMMERCE.

MOST OF THAT HAPPENED IN THE LAST FULL FISCAL YEAR TOTALING $484 MILLION.

THE REPORT ESTIMATES THE RETURN ON THE STATE's $78 MILLION IN INCENTIVES IS 4-1.

THE AVERAGE WAGE EARNED BY A WORKER IN OKLAHOMA's FILM INDUSTRY IS MORE THAN $79,000 A YEAR.

THE ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TOMMED DANIEL TAYE HAS THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

HE HAS BEEN A MEMBER SINCE SEPTEMBER OF 2023.

HE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE.

>> OKLAHOMA IS IN THE TOP FIVE WITH TOTAL HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS, UPGRADED POINTS AND DID A STUDY TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH AMERICANS SAVE.

THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD AS $27,024,000 IN SAVINGS GIVING OKLAHOMA THE FOURTH BEST RANKING.

THE STATE WITH THE MOST SAVINGS IS NEW JERSEY AND THE LOWEST RANKING BELONGS TO NORTH CAROLINA WITH JUST UNDER $3,000 IN THE BANK.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY BAY SOFTWARE SAYS THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE FULL INCOME OF 343.8.

THIS YEAR's REVENUES ARE EXPECTED TO GROW BY 8%.

THAT WOULD PUSH THE COMPANY's ANNUAL REVENUES PASSED THE $2 BILLION MARK.

JASON DOYLE, "THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."

>> Rich: THANK YOU.

FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND IN THIS WEEK's IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION, MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD GATHERED PROMINENT VOICES TO DISCUSS WHAT IS AND WHAT MAY BE IN THE FUTURE.

HERE IS CASSIDY WITH HER SPECIAL PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> IMAGINING US IS BERNARD ALLEN HA IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE CONFERENCE, NAACP AND BILLY REED AND FEIGNLY FINAS HANIBELB.

JOHNSON.

WHAT ARE SOME KEY HISTORICAL FIGURES THAT YOU BELIEVE NEED FOR RECOGNITION?

>> WE DON'T EXPLORE AFRICAN AMERICANS AND NATIVE AMERICANS.

THEY CAME ON THE TAILS OF TEARS INTO OKLAHOMA TERRITORY, WHICH WAS THEN INDIAN TERRITORY.

WE ALSO DON'T REALLY EXPLORE THE ALL-BLACK TOWNS.

THE TOWNS CREATED BETWEEN 1890 AND 1910.

OKLAHOMA HAD MORE BLACK TOWNS THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE UNION.

I'VE WRITTEN EXTENSIVELY ABOUT THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

NOT JUST WITH THE FOCUS ON THE MASSACRE, BUT THE FOCUS ON THE INCREDIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP THAT EXISTED IN THE GREENWOOD EXPECT, THE BLACK WALL STREET COMMUNITY.

OKLAHOMA HISTORY IS INCREDIBLY RICH AND EXTENSIVE AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF EXPLORING THAT HISTORY.

>> HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB EXPLORING THAT HISTORY AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S SO DIFFICULT TO EXPLORE NOW?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE OR PROBABLY MORE ACCURATELY NOT DONE IS AROUND THE ISSUE OF CURRICULUM.

WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT HISTORY?

WE KNOW IT LARGELY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TAUGHT THIS IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THIS DOESN'T REFLECT THE HISTORY, IT SHORT-CHANGES US.

WE DON'T KNOW THE INFORMATION THAT WE OUGHT TO KNOW.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH REGARD TO THE HISTORY OF THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DECADES WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, TULSA SCHOOL SYSTEM IN REFORMING CURRICULUM TO HELP ALL PEOPLE, ALL PEOPLE, AN INCLUSIVE PEOPLE's HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA AND OF THE STATE.

UNITED STATES.

>> WHAT ROLE DOES THAT PLAY INTO PUBLIC DISCOURSE?

>> WE ADVOCATE FOR JUST LAWS EAR POLICIES.

SO WHENEVER A COMMUNITY OF STATE, COUNTY, FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STARTS TO PUSH IN THE DIRECTION THAT IMPATIENTEDS FAIRNESS AND EQUITY, WE STEP IN AND WE LITIGATE AND FILE LAWSUITS.

WE ORGANIZE LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO ASK REPRESENTATIVES TO EXPLAIN THE RATIONALE AND WHY THEY'RE PUSHING FOR THAT'S THINGS AND TO TRY TO MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND THE ADVERSE EFFECTS THAT THOSE POLICIES HAVE.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE ADVERSE EFFECTS.

>> LACK OF RESOURCES AND LACK OF ACCESS.

YOU IMPEDE THE MITIGATION OF THE DIVIDE THAT HAS BEEN CAUSED BY SEGREGATIONS, CHILD SLAVERY AND JIM CROW LAWS AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE CREATED THIS EXISTING GAP AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WITH THE RECENT CHALLENGES TO DEI PROGRAM, HOW DO YOU SEE THE DIVERSE AND EQUITY PROGRAM MOVING FORWARD?

>> WE'RE TRYING TO ORGANIZE COMMUNITIES TO BETTER FIGHT THIS TYPE OF RATIONALE.

WHEN I SAY THAT, I SAY DEI REEL REALLY IS SOMETHING THAT BUSINESSES NEED TO GIVE RESOURCES TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS SO THAT THEY ARE BETTER EQUIPPED TO HANDLE ISSUES WITH THEIR RACE AND DESPAIRTIVE TREATMENTS.

THIS HELPS US TO GO WITHOUT DEI WHICH WE NEVER UTILIZED AS MUCH.

DEI IS A BIG PART OF CULTURE BUT NOT LIKE EVERYTHING WE NEED TO GET ACROSS TO MEMBERS AND CONSTITUENTS AND THE PUBLIC.

>> BERNARD, IN LIGHT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP REDECLARING BLACK HISTORY MONTH, HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THIS OPPOSITION TO DEI MEASURES?

>> THIS IS AN EASY THING FOR HIM TO DO.

IT DOESN'T COST HIM ANYTHING.

AS BUSINESSMEN, WE KNOW THAT.

NOT TO RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY IS FOOLISH BECAUSE CONSIDERING THE ROLE WE PLAY IN THE COUNTRY AND CITY PLAY.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION BECAME NECESSARY BECAUSE OF THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND THAT PUT BLACK COMMUNITY IN THE CONDITION WE'RE IN.

TAKE OKLAHOMA, WHERE MILLIONS OF ACRES OF LAND WERE GIVEN TO WHITE SETTLERS WHO CAME HERE FROM TH.

THEY GAVE THEM MINERAL RESOURCES UNDER THE LAND.

SO BLACK PEOPLE WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THAT.

SO, OF COURSE, DEI HAS A POTENTIAL TO ACTUALLY GIVE RESOURCES TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY THAT WOULD HELP TO EQUAL THAT GAP THAT EXISTS.

SO FOR HIM TO RECOGNIZE BLACK HISTORY IS INTELLIGENT AND FOR HIM TO MITIGATE THE RESOURCES THAT WE'LL THROW INTO OUR COMMUNITY BY ELIMINATING THE DEI IS UNFORTUNATE.

>> HANIBEL, HOW WILL DO YOU THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE MASSACRE AND THE IMPACT IT HAS TODAY.

>> THE UNDERSTANDING IS, OF COURSE, INCREASING AND THAT REALLY BEGAN WITH THE CREATION OF WHAT WAS CALLED THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION TO STUDY THE TULSA RACE RIOT OF 1921.

THEY ISSUED A FINAL REPORT IN 2001 THAT GARNERED NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ATTENTION.

THIS HAS ONLY INCREASED AND WE'RE JUST COMING OFF A COUPLE YEARS AGO, A FEW YEARS AGO THE CENTENNIAL OF THE MASSACRE IN 2021 WHICH ONCE AGAIN ELEVATED AWARENESS OF THIS HISTORY.

BUT THERE'S SOME CASES -- I SPEAK ALL OVER THE COUNTRY OF THIS HISTORY.

THERE'S SOME CASES IN WHICH PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS HISTORY THAN PEOPLE RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA AND, IN FACT, IN TULSA BECAUSE IT'S BECOME SO PROMINENT.

THE TERM "BLACK WALL STREET" RESONATES WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> I DIDN'T LEARN ABOUT THIS WHEN I WAS HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE.

I ONLY STARTED WHEN I WAS A JOURNALIST, WHY DID YOU THINK THAT IS.

>> TULSA WAS AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY OF BECOMING THE OIL CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

THE COMMERCE OF CHAMBER TYPES MINIMIZED WHAT HAPPENED IN THE COMMUNITY, NOT SPREADING THE WORD THE WAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SPREAD.

NOT INCORPORATING THE HISTORY INTO THE REGULAR CURRICULUM EVEN HERE IN TULSA.

AND IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY, THERE WAS PTSD, POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER.

PEOPLE WERE TRAUMATIZED BY THE EVENT AND SOME THE SURVIVORS SAID THAT THEIR PARENTS DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF BURDENING THEM WITH THE PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA.

SO THEY PREFERRED JUST SIMPLY TO IGNORE IT AND TO PRETEND LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED.

>> BERNARD, WHAT WITHOUT SAY ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING THE COMMUNITY IN OKLAHOMA TODAY AND WHAT STEPS DO WE NEED TO TAKE TO ADDRESS THOSE?

>> LACK OF RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY.

AGAIN, OUR COMMUNITY LACKS RESOURCES DUE TO LAWS AND PUBLIC POLICY.

HE MENTIONED THE ALL BLACK TOWNS THAT EXIST IN OKLAHOMA AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THOSE TOWNS IS AN INTENTIONAL REDIRECT OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.

SO TAP OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF THE HISTORICAL TOWNS AND THERE'S A BYPASS THAT PRETTY MUCH BANKRUPTED THE TOWN.

WHEN THEY BURNED DOWN OUR MARKETPLACE IN TULSA, THEY BANKRUPTED MANY TOWNS TO BRING GOODS TO TRADE THEM.

WE LACK THOSE RESOURCES AND WE ALSO LACK AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM IS NOT IN GOVERNMENT BUT IN OUR OWN COMMUNITIES.

MAYBE NOW THAT SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN ATTACKED IN THE WAY THAT THEY HAVE, WE CAN SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AS TO HOW WE CAN PULL OUR RESOURCES AND DO SOMETHING FOR OURSELVES.

>> FELICIA, HOW DO YOU THINK OKLAHOMA's EDUCATION SYSTEM IS HANDLING BLACK HISTORY?

>> AS WE SUED OVER HB1775 BEING IMPLEMENTED SO THAT WE COULD GET CLARIFICATION ON WHAT DISCIPLINES AND WHAT WOULD BE TAUGHT TO OUR CHILDREN AND USED IN THE FUTURE CONCERNING BLACK HISTORY, SO I THINK THAT MAYBE ADDING TO THE COURSE OF OKLAHOMA HISTORY WHICH IS, OF COURSE, ATLAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY, MAYBE IT NEEDS TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE STATE TO TAKE CARE OF THE INJUSTICE AND ISSUES SURROUNDING, NOT INCLUDING, ALL OF THE BLACK HISTORY THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THIS INDUSTRY.

HISTORY.

>> HOW IMPORTANT ARE THE BLACK RODEO SUCH AS BLACK HISTORY SATURDAYS IN TULSA?

>> I THINK I VERY IMPORTANT.

I GREW UP IN THE OKLAHOMA RODEO AND RIDING HORSES.

IT'S A PART OF OUR HISTORY AND BEFORE THE CATTLEMAN BECAME COWBOYS, WE WERE THOSE PEOPLE.

WE RODE THE HORSES AND RODE THE RANGES.

IT BECAME POPULAR AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, EVERYBODY IS A COWBOY.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO CELEBRATE OUR OWN HISTORY AND NOT IMPORTANT THAT OTHER PEOPLE CELEBRATE OUR HISTORY.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND OR HISTORY AND TO SUPPORT IT, THESE EVENTS, AS A COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THEIR OWN HISTORY AND THEN IF OTHER PEOPLE JOIN US IN CELEBRATING OUR HISTORY, THAT'S GREAT.

>> OKLAHOMA's BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS ARE SO OFTEN OVERLOOKED, HOW CAN THE STATE BETTER AMPLIFY THOSE STORIES?

>> I WORKED WITH SENATOR KEVIN MATTHEWS AND WE WORKED TO GET SUPPORT.

I SAT ON THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY COMMISSION.

WE RECENTLY CREATED OKLAHOMA CIVIL RIGHT's TRAIL THAT LINKS 13 OF THE ORIGINAL BLACK TOWNS WITH GREENWOOD RISING AND SOON TO BE THE LOOP CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX WHICH WAS ON THE REING OF TERROR.

THE IDEA IS TO CREATE AN EXPERIENCE PEOPLE CAN HAVE CONNECTING THESE SITES TO BRING IN TOURISTS WHO WILL LEAVE SPARE CHANGE IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THE BLACK TOWNS FACE, THE CHALLENGES IS THE LACK OF RESOURCES.

AND BECAUSE CULTURAL OR HERITAGE TOURISM IS SO PROMINENT NOW, BRINGING IN TOURISTS TO HAVE AN EXPERIENCE TO SPEND MONEY IN THESE COMMUNITIES IS A WAY OF HELPING TO BUILD UP THESE COMMUNITIES.

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

AS WE LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP THAT OKLAHOMA CAN TAKE TO HEAL FROM ITS HISTORY OF RACIAL INJUSTICE AND MOVE FORWARD?

>> THERE'S A THREE-PART PROCESS.

IT'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, APOLOGY AND ATONEMENT.

ACKNOWLEDGING ALL OF OUR HISTORY, APOLOGIZING WHICH INCLUDES NOT JUST FORMAL APOLOGY BUT DEVELOPING A SENSE OF EMPATHY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM HISTORICAL TRAUMAS OF VARIOUS SORTS AND THEN ATONEMENT.

WHAT IS IT WE CAN DO TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT'S BEEN DONE THROUGHOUT OUR HISTORICAL EXPERIENCE.

SO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, APOLOGY AND ATONEMENT.

>> BERNARD, BRIEFLY HERE WITH ALL OF THE RICH BLACK HISTORY HERE IN OKLAHOMA, WHAT'S THE FUTURE OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH HERE?

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

BECAUSE WE HAVE HISTORY HERE AND HISTORY IS A COLLECTION OF THE PAST.

IF YOU TAKE THE BLACK INDIANS AND THE FREED SLAVES THAT WERE IN THE TRIBES AND YOU TAKE THE BLACK TOWNS, THE COWBOY EXPERIENCE, THE BUFFALO SOLDIERS, THIS HISTORY IS GOING TO BE TOLD AND SO OUR FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT HERE.

>> FELICIA, FINAL QUESTION, BEYOND FEBRUARY, WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE THIS WOVEN INTO OKLAHOMA's HISTORY?

>> EVERY HISTORY COURSE THAT STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO WOULD ROUND OUT THEIR EDUCATION ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS A BIG PUSH BUT I THINK JOINING AND COUPLING THAT IN A YEAR-ROUND SETTING WOULD BE PHENOMENAL FOR THE CHILDREN.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR IMAGINING US FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: IN THIS WEEK's NATIONAL VIEW, WE HEAD DOWN TO TEXAS FOR THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND THAT'S COURTESY FOR OUR PBS PARTNERS AT PBS AUSTIN.

>> WHAT WE TEACH HERE IS CHEER AND COVERING THEIR EARS.

I'VE BEEN DOING THIS 20 YEARS AND IT NEVER GETS OLD.

>> THE BEST PART IS DEFINITELY THE PEOPLE BECAUSE WITHOUT THE PEOPLE, IT WOULDN'T BE FUN.

>> THE DRAGON DANCE TEAM.

>> LINE DANCING IS HUGE IN THE ASIAN CULTURE.

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IS A TIME WHEN IT'S VERY FESTIVE.

THE LINE DANCING, IT SCARES AWAY THAT LUCK.

SO THAT'S WHY WE DO THAT.

IT'S ALSO BECAUSE WITH WANT TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT CULTURE.

THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY IN AUSTIN USED TO BE SMALL TO WHERE EVERYBODY KNEW EVERYBODY AND IT USED TO BE CONCENTRATED IN THE NORTH AREA, BREAKER LANE.

WE HAVE A CHINATOWN CENTER IN AUSTIN AND WE USED TO PERFORM THERE.

NOW POPULATION IS STARTING TO MIGRATE.

BUT THE LUNAR YEAR IS MORE GATHERING TOGETHER, CATCHING UP WITH OLD FRIENDS AND SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY.

>> I'VE BEEN PART OF THIS TEAM FOR TWO YEARS NOW AND IT'S VERY, LIKE, SURREAL.

WHEN I WASN'T PART OF IT, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW THE SPECIFIC THINGS LIKE WHAT WE DO.

>> FIRST THERE'S PERCUSSION AND THEY PEOPLE THE BEAT FOR THE LIONS TO KNOW WHAT THE NEXT MOVE IS.

IT'S BASICALLY JUMPING AND HOLDING THE HEAD.

IT'S A GOOD AMOUNT OF ARM STRENGTH BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE HEAD UP MOST OF THE TIME.

AND THEN AS A BASE, IT'S ALL STRENGTH.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEM AT ANY GIVEN TIME SO THAT THEY DON'T FALL.

>> I WILL TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE IT REQUIRES A LOT OF ENDURANCE.

TECHNIQUE IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> EVERYTHING IS CHAOTIC BUT EVERYONE KNOWS THEIR POSITION.

YOU JUST WANT THE AUDIENCE TO ENJOY THE SHOW, REALLY.

WHEN THE STUDENTS PERFORM, WHAT I'M HOPING IS THAT IT BUILDS THEIR CONFIDENCE.

AND SO ONCE STUDENTS HAVE CONFIDENCE, IT IMPACTS THEM IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO WHENEVER THEY'RE DOING A PRESENTATION OR WRITING A REPORT THEY HAVE TO PRESENT, THERE'S AN AUDIENCE AND THEY HAVE THAT CONFIDENCE.

>> I LIKE BRINGING LAKE REALLY GOOD VIBES AND THE GOOD EMOTIONS TO PEOPLE.

WE TRY TO GET RID OF BAD KARMA AND BRING OUT POSITIVITY.

>> Rich: LAWMAKERS LEARN HOW MUCH MONEY IS THERE FOR THE 2026 BUDGET AND WILL IT BE MORE THAN THIS YEAR?

WE'LL CRUNCH NUMBERS FRIDAY AT 7:00.

>>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG WITH A LOOK AT A NEW ART EXHIBIT CALLED COSMOLOGY.

GO TO OETA.TV AND FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!