BROKEN ARROW CITY COUNCIL REJECTS A PLAN TO BUILD A MOSQUE WITHIN CITY LIMITS.

I THINK, LIKE MANY OF US WHO COMMUTE UP TO 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR TO GO TO CHURCH, IT'S NOT THAT RIDICULOUS FOR THEM TO DO THE SAME THING.

HUGE STATE AND FEDERAL GRANTS NOW AVAILABLE TO IMPROVE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS.

SO POTENTIALLY YOU'RE LOOKING NORTH OF $1 BILLION ON THAT FRONT.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO INFUSE INTO THE HEALTH SYSTEM FOR OKLAHOMA.

CLEMENCY DENIED FOR CONVICTED KILLER KENDRICK SIMPSON.

WHAT?

I LIVED FOR FOUR MORE WEEKS OR 40 YEARS.

THEY WILL FOREVER BE A PART OF MY TESTIMONY.

I'M PROFOUNDLY SORRY.

AND I ASK FOR YOUR MERCY.

EL RENO SPRUCES UP ITS SECTION OF ROUTE 66, IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ICONIC ROADWAY'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.

SO WE ARE ATTRACTING TOURISTS BY THE THOUSANDS, AND WE WANT THEM TO STOP HERE.

WE WANT THEM TO EAT LUNCH, AND THEY'RE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THEY'RE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

WINNERS ON AND OFF THE COURT.

HOW THE THUNDER PLAYERS AND ORGANIZATION ARE GIVING BACK TO OKLAHOMA.

SINCE THE THUNDER'S ARRIVAL, COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, AND WE'VE BEEN REALLY EXCITED TO GROW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE YEAR OVER YEAR.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS CLEAN UP AT THE CAPITOL AS VANDALS STRIKE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF TULSA SEEKS TO REZONE A 15 ACRE PARCEL OF PRIVATE PROPERTY IN SOUTH BROKEN ARROW TO BUILD A MOSQUE AND RETAIL SPACE, DESPITE STRONG OPPOSITION FROM HOME AND BUSINESS OWNERS IN THAT AREA.

ON MONDAY NIGHT, THE BROKEN ARROW CITY COUNCIL MET TO VOTE ON THE ISSUE.

REPORTER NOAH MACK WAS THERE AND JOINS US NOW WITH REACTION TO THE RESULTS.

NOAH.

WELL, RICH IN A 4 TO 1 VOTE BY THE COUNCIL AND AFTER ABOUT FOUR HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT, THE PROPOSED MOSQUE WILL NOT BE BUILT.

THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF TULSA GOES BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AS OVERCROWDING ISSUES PERSIST AND POLITICAL AND CULTURAL TENSIONS STIRRED UP BY THIS ISSUE LINGER.

AS THE SUN WENT DOWN IN BROKEN ARROW, MORE THAN A THOUSAND PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO A CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING, ANXIOUS TO SEE THE FATE OF A NEWLY PROPOSED MOSQUE WITH OVER 300 PEOPLE PACKING, THE AUDITORIUM AT NORTHEASTERN STATE UNIVERSITY AND HUNDREDS MORE SCATTERED AROUND THE FOYER AND IN THE BALLROOM WHERE THE MEETING WAS LIVESTREAMED, THE ISSUE AT HAND WAS THIS THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF TULSA, OR ISTI, OWNS A 15 ACRE PLOT ALONG OLIVE AVENUE AND THE CREEK TURNPIKE, LEGALLY DESIGNATED FOR AGRICULTURE.

THEY REQUESTED THAT LAND BE REZONED SO THEY COULD BUILD A MOSQUE.

THE TULSA MOSQUE SERVICES THE SURROUNDING SUBURBS, AND ACCORDING TO ISD, OVERCROWDING HAS BECOME AN ISSUE.

ANOTHER PLACE CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE IN BROKEN ARROW, SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY.

THE CITY PLANNING COMMISSION GAVE THE GREEN LIGHT, BUT CONCERNS REMAINED REGARDING A BUMP IN TRAFFIC ON SUCH A NARROW ROAD, AS WELL AS WHETHER SEWAGE AND RAINWATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS COULD HANDLE THE FACILITY OF THAT SIZE.

I PREVIOUSLY TAUGHT A DATA CENTER PROJECT, AND I HAVE MANY OF THE SAME SIMILAR CONCERNS.

I THINK THAT THEY CAN DEVELOP ELSEWHERE, BRINGING US TO A LONG LINE OF TOWNSFOLK SEEKING SOME TIME AT THE PUBLIC PODIUM.

IT'S NOT THERE YET.

IT MAY BE SOMEDAY, BUT THE CITY NEEDS TO PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT RATHER THAN LET THE DEVELOPMENT HAPPEN AND THEN BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE COUNCIL DENIED THE REZONING REQUEST DUE TO THOSE LAND USE CONCERNS.

BUT JUST LOOKING AT THESE THINGS, I PERSONALLY DON'T FEEL THAT THIS PROJECT IS ACCEPTABLE FOR THIS CURRENT LAND USE.

SO THIS IS THE PLOT OF LAND THAT WAS IN THE PROPOSAL FOR THE MOSQUE.

AND AT THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING, THERE WERE CONCERNS OF TRAFFIC, SEWAGE, BUT ALSO RELIGIOUS CONCERNS.

AND OUTSIDE THE GATE HERE, THERE'S A MARKER WITH A COUPLE BIBLE VERSES ON IT, JUST SHOWING THE CULTURAL WAVES THAT HAVE BEEN MADE THROUGHOUT BROKEN ARROW.

A PAIR OF VERSES READ QUOTE FOR THE UPRIGHT WILL LIVE IN THE LAND, AND THE BLAMELESS WILL REMAIN IN IT, BUT THE WICKED WILL BE CUT OFF FROM THE LAND, AND THE UNFAITHFUL WILL BE TORN FROM IT.

UNQUOTE.

A MAJORITY OF THE FOUR HOUR MEETING WAS DEDICATED TO PUBLIC COMMENT, AND MANY PEOPLE CAME TO DEBATE RELIGION AND POLITICS.

ISLAM DOESN'T PLAY WELL WITH OTHERS.

AND SO I VEHEMENTLY ON RECORD, OPPOSE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A MOSQUE IN BROKEN ARROW OR ANYWHERE IN AMERICA FOR THAT MATTER.

OTHERS IMPLORED PEOPLE'S HUMANITY.

WE CHOSE AMERICA NOT TO CHANGE IT, BUT BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS FREEDOM.

IT REPRESENTS OPPORTUNITY.

IT REPRESENTS JUSTICE AWAY FROM THE NOISE OF CIVIC DISCOURSE.

I RAN INTO BROKEN ARROW RETIREE JIM BLAYLOCK, WHO TOOK THE AFTERNOON TO CHECK OUT THE PROPERTY HIMSELF.

WELL, I'M JUST GOING TO CHECK IT OUT, SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AND SEE.

KIND OF MAKE MY OWN OPINION.

JIM SAYS HE'S GENERALLY NEUTRAL, BUT THAT THE CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION MAY HAVE BEEN TOO HASTY IN MY OPINION.

I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE TABLED IT AND DID A LITTLE MORE RESEARCH AND CONSIDERED THE OPPORTUNITY THAT MAYBE THE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO DO THIS MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE SOME OF THE CONCERNS.

THE HISTORY OUT HERE IS OF THEIR MOSQUE IN TULSA IS PRETTY GOOD.

SO I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTION, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHAT IT REALLY LOOKED LIKE.

ALONG.

ALONG WITH THIS ROOM IS A MAIN PRAYER HALL WHERE OUR CONGREGATION HAPPENS FIVE TIMES A DAY.

IST CHAIRMAN DOCTOR MUHAMMAD AFZAL SAYS OVERCROWDING PERSISTS, AND ON FRIDAYS THEY REGULARLY SEE AROUND 1500 PEOPLE.

WE DID NOT HOPE FOR THE DECISION WHAT CAME OUT, BUT WE RESPECT THE COUNCIL'S DECISION AND THEIR TIME AND THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATION.

IST ANNOUNCED THEY PLAN TO CHALLENGE THE COUNCIL'S DECISION THROUGH A FEDERAL STATUTE THAT PROHIBITS RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN ZONING MATTERS, AND MUHAMMAD URGES PEOPLE IN THE BROADER TULSA COMMUNITY TO GET TO KNOW A MUSLIM NEIGHBOR.

I THINK A LOT OF THINGS ARE JUST BASED ON SPECULATIONS AND WHAT GOES AROUND ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND YOU FOLLOW ONE GROUP AND YOU KEEP REINFORCING YOUR IDEA.

BUT I THINK MORE WE KNOW EACH OTHER MORE RESPECT WE WILL HAVE FOR EACH OTHER.

HANAN AL-RAJHI HAS SEEN THIS FIRSTHAND WHEN MAKING FRIENDS WHILE ATTENDING THE SAME UNIVERSITY THAT HOSTED THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

AT THE BEGINNING, THEY SEE ME, OKAY, THIS IS HOW SHE LOOKS.

SHE'S DIFFERENT.

AFTER A WHILE, SHE'S A MOTHER.

I'M A MOTHER.

AND SHE STARTED ASKING ME, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE GIRLS IN THAT AGE?

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THIS?

LIKE, WE HAVE THE SAME QUESTIONS, THE SAME CONCERNS AND THE SAME THINGS.

HOWEVER, KENNEDY LAPLANTE IS STILL WARY OF ISLAM AND DOES NOT WANT TO SEE A MOSQUE BUILT IN HER AREA.

I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT PRACTICE MUSLIM PRACTICES ARE PEACEFUL.

THEY'RE TRAINED AND TAUGHT TO BE IMPERIALIST IN THEIR RELIGION, SO THAT'S MY MAIN CONCERN.

I KNOW MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE LEFT THE RELIGION THAT SHARE MY OPINIONS, AND SO I'VE TALKED WITH MANY MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS OR EX-MUSLIMS THAT AREN'T IN AGREEMENT WITH ME, THAT IT IS A DANGEROUS PROPOSITION.

HANNAN STILL HOPES PEOPLE WILL MAKE THE EFFORT TO CONNECT WITH SOMEONE OUTSIDE THEIR OWN CULTURE.

GET TO KNOW THE PEOPLE.

THIS IS MY ADVICE TO EVERYBODY, AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, ASK THEM.

ASK THE QUESTION THAT YOU WANT.

AND LET'S PUT THAT HATE ON THE SIDE BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BENEFIT NOBODY.

IT WILL MAKE EVERYBODY MISERABLE.

THE OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS INVESTIGATING THE LEGALITY OF THE MOSQUE PROJECT.

ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND ANNOUNCED THIS AHEAD OF THE CITY COUNCIL'S DECISION MONDAY NIGHT.

RICH NOAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

OKLAHOMA DEATH ROW INMATE KENDRICK SIMPSON WAS DENIED CLEMENCY FOLLOWING A HEARING OF THE PARDON AND PAROLE BOARD ON WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THE FIVE PERSON BOARD VOTED 3 TO 2.

SIMPSON WAS CONVICTED OF KILLING TWO MEN AND WOUNDING A THIRD PERSON DURING A SHOOTING AT AN OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENIENCE STORE IN 2006.

AT HIS HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, SIMPSON ACKNOWLEDGED COMMITTING THE CRIME, BUT ASKED THE BOARD TO SPARE HIS LIFE.

WHEN I TOOK THE LIVES OF YOUR SONS OR YOUR LOVED ONES, I WAS YOUNG AND TRAUMATIZED, IGNORANT TO WHAT WAS IMPORTANT IN LIFE AND COMPELLED BY PARANOIA.

I'M ASHAMED OF MY ACTIONS.

I'M ASHAMED OF THE DESTRUCTION MY ACTIONS CAUSED.

I'M ASHAMED OF BEING A MURDERER.

SO MANY ENDLESS TEARS AND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS OF THESE IMAGES OF MY FRIENDS LAYING THERE BLEEDING OUT, SUFFERING FROM HIS CARELESS THOUGHTS AND SELFISHNESS.

MY HEART WILL FOREVER BE BROKEN.

AND I JUST PRAY GOD HAS THE LAST SAY IN THIS MATTER.

HE IS A VIOLENT REPEAT OFFENDER WHO HAS REPEATEDLY CHOSEN TO PREY UPON OTHERS.

WHETHER SHOOTING A VICTIM DURING AN ARMED ROBBERY IN NEW ORLEANS OR SPRAYING BULLETS ON AN OKLAHOMA CITY STREET.

EMPLOYEE.

HE EARNED THE SENTENCE.

HE NOW SEEKS TO ESCAPE.

SIMPSON IS SCHEDULED TO BE EXECUTED ON FEBRUARY 12TH.

HEALTH CARE IN OKLAHOMA, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS, IS GOING TO GET A HUGE FINANCIAL BOOST IN THE COMING MONTHS THANKS TO LARGE GRANTS ON BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL, TOTALING NEARLY $400 MILLION.

AND THAT'S JUST FOR STARTERS.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

JASON RICH, THERE ARE SOME LOFTY GOALS SET FOR THE TWO MAJOR HEALTH CARE GRANT PROGRAMS.

THE LIST OF USES FOR THE MONEY RANGE FROM GREATER AVAILABILITY OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES, WORKFORCE TRAINING, AND EVEN PREVENTATIVE HEALTH TO HELP IMPROVE OUTCOMES DOWN THE LINE.

YOU CAN'T HIT TOP TEN WITHOUT A SOLID HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT PROMOTING A NEW DRIVE TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE AND HEALTH OUTCOMES IN OKLAHOMA DURING THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST, OR TEA SETS LEGACY GRANTS EVENT THIS WEEK, TWO MAJOR FUNDING SOURCES ARE POURING INTO THE PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES AROUND THE STATE AIMED AT THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THE LEGACY GRANTS TOTAL $150 MILLION FOR 14 PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, BUT OKLAHOMA IS ONE OF THE MOST RURAL STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

GEOGRAPHY HITS OKLAHOMA REALLY HARD.

WE HAVE FOLKS IN IN SMALL TOWNS THAT DRIVE 20, 30, SOMETIMES 50 MILES FOR BASIC CARE.

I'D HAVE TO GO TO NORMAN FOR HOURS.

YOU'RE STILL TALKING A GOOD HALF HOUR TO GET THERE, AND THAT'S NOT COUNTING TRAFFIC.

MICHELLE.

LADY KNOWS WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING FIRSTHAND.

SHE LIVES IN A RURAL AREA JUST OUTSIDE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY METRO.

WE'RE IN CLEVELAND COUNTY.

WE'RE AT THE VERY END.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, IF YOU GO ABOUT A MILE THAT WAY, YOU'LL BE IN MCLEAN AND YOU GO ABOUT A MILE.

THAT WAY YOU'LL BE IN POTTAWATOMIE.

SO YOU'RE RIGHT ON THE TAIL END.

GETTING A SPECIALIST MEANS POSSIBLY EVEN GOING OUT OF STATE.

FOR LADY AND HER FAMILY.

THE CITY IS THE NEXT BEST PLACE THAT WE HAVE, BUT REALLY SERIOUS THINGS.

WHEN MY DAUGHTER HAD STAGE FOUR LIVER CANCER, WE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY WE COULD HAVE TO GO AS FAR AS DALLAS FOR SOME OF HER TREATMENTS IF THEY COULD NOT ARRANGE THEM IN THE CITY BECAUSE THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE FACILITIES.

IMPROVING ACCESS TO CANCER CARE IS ONE OF THE GOALS OF THE NEWLY AWARDED SET LEGACY GRANTS.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA RECEIVED $25 MILLION TO OPEN A STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER IN TULSA.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW OU HEALTH STEPHENSON CANCER FACILITY IN TULSA.

SUPPORTED BY THIS SET LEGACY GRANT AND BY STATE GOVERNMENT AND PHILANTHROPY, WILL BRING ACCESS TO NCI LEVEL CANCER CARE AT HOME FOR PATIENTS IN TULSA AND THROUGHOUT NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

WHEN THIS CENTER OPENS IN THE SPRING OF 2028, AN NCI DESIGNATION FOR A CANCER CENTER MEANS IT IS IN THE TOP 2% OF TREATMENT CENTERS IN THE COUNTRY.

ANOTHER TEA SET, LEGACY GRANT, IS HELPING TO TRAIN AND RETAIN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA WHILE USING TECHNOLOGY TO PROVIDE MORE CARE TO THE AREA, T SAID.

AWARDED $3 MILLION TO THE DURANT HEALTH ACCESS AND INNOVATION INITIATIVE.

WHERE IT'S GOING TO HELP THE MOST IS REALLY KIND OF CONNECTING PATIENTS WITH PHYSICIANS AND HELPING GIVE OUR PHYSICIANS RESOURCES TO BETTER CONNECT ACROSS SOUTHEAST RURAL OKLAHOMA, DOCTOR TERRY GIROUARD SAYS.

THE DURANT FAMILY MEDICINE CLINIC HAS PROVIDED RESIDENCIES FOR DOCTORS WHO HAVE GONE TO SEVERAL COMMUNITIES IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

WE'VE SERVED RURAL OKLAHOMA WITH A RESIDENCY THERE FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS NOW.

IT'S ONE OF THE OLDEST, IF NOT THE OLDEST, RURAL FAMILY MEDICINE RESIDENCY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

OUR MISSION HAS BEEN TO PRODUCE FRONTLINE PHYSICIANS FOR RURAL OKLAHOMA, AND MANY OF OUR GRADUATES HAVE ACTUALLY GONE ALL OVER AS FAR AS WOODWARD AND GROVE AND ALL OVER OKLAHOMA, SERVING PARTICULARLY IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WILL ALSO RECEIVE $223.5 MILLION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM, A FIVE YEAR, $50 BILLION INITIATIVE.

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS GETTING THE FIFTH LARGEST AWARD FROM THAT FEDERAL PROGRAM.

THAT'S FOR ONE YEAR ON A FIVE YEAR GRANT.

SO POTENTIALLY YOU'RE LOOKING NORTH OF $1 BILLION ON THAT FRONT.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO INFUSE INTO THE HEALTH SYSTEM.

FOR OKLAHOMA STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER KEITH REED HELPED TO WRITE THE STATE'S APPLICATION TO THE FEDERAL PROGRAM CREATED BY THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL LEGISLATION LAST YEAR.

THERE ARE SIX INITIATIVES THAT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA ARE PUTTING INTO PLACE WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY.

THEY INCLUDE INNOVATING CARE MODELS, MOVING HEALTH CARE UPSTREAM TO HELP PREVENT DISEASE, GROWING THE NEXT GENERATION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, BRINGING RURAL PROVIDERS TOGETHER FOR COLLABORATION, SHIFTING TO HIGHER VALUE TREATMENTS AND BUILDING HEALTH DATA UTILITY LIKE SHARED ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS FOR PATIENTS.

WE'RE ACTUALLY FINDING WAYS TO WORK ON INITIATIVES THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO DIFFERENT REGIONS OF THE STATE, SUPPORT THAT IN A WAY THAT WE IMPROVE HEALTH OUTCOMES, LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY.

I THINK WE CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR OKLAHOMA WITH THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THE OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION ALSO HELPED DEVELOP THE STATE'S APPLICATION ASSOCIATION.

PRESIDENT AND CEO RICH RASMUSSEN SAYS THAT THE FEDERAL GRANTS ARE COMING AT THE RIGHT TIME AS RURAL HOSPITALS PREPARE FOR CUTS TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM.

THE ITEMS THAT WE HAD SUGGESTED WERE EMBEDDED INTO THAT, AND THEN OTHER FEATURES WERE ADDED ON TO IT TO HELP BUILD OUT WHAT WE HOPE WILL BE A PLAN THAT WILL ALLOW OUR HOSPITALS, AND CERTAINLY THE REST OF THE RURAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, TO FIND SOME LEVEL OF SUSTAINABILITY AFTER THESE CUTS OF $6.7 BILLION KICK IN, RASMUSSEN USES A MAP OF OKLAHOMA TO SHOW HOW MUCH THE STATE'S GEOGRAPHY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN LIMITING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

HE SAYS THAT GIVING RURAL HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS COMMON GOALS WILL IMPACT THE QUALITY OF CARE RECEIVED BY RURAL OKLAHOMANS LOOKING AT POST-SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS OR INFECTIONS OR THINGS LIKE THAT, GETTING HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE ALL CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON THAT.

WE CAN CONTINUE TO LIFT THE QUALITY OF THE CARE THAT WE DELIVER.

AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE MILLIONS IN STATE AND FEDERAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION GRANTS, OUR FRIEND MICHELLE LADY HOPES IT WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PROVIDERS TO LOCATE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

DEFINITELY GIVE THE DOCTORS A GOOD INCENTIVE TO STAY BECAUSE HONESTLY, THEY DON'T HAVE ONE RIGHT NOW.

ON FRIDAY, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP TOUTED THE FEDERAL RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM DURING A HEALTH CARE ROUNDTABLE.

AND WHILE THE STITT LEGACY GRANTS HAVE BEEN AWARDED AND ARE AT WORK AT CHANGING HEALTH CARE, THE FEDERAL PROGRAM WILL NEED A LITTLE MORE DEVELOPMENT.

AND PART OF THAT WILL COME FROM THE LEGISLATURE WHEN IT RETURNS IN FEBRUARY.

RICH, JASON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL IS ACTIVELY INVESTIGATING WHO SPRAY PAINTED VIOLENT AND VULGAR MESSAGING ON THE SOUTH PLAZA AND STEPS OF THE STATE CAPITOL BUILDING ON MONDAY NIGHT.

TUESDAY MORNING, CREWS WERE SEEN REMOVING THE OFFENSIVE MESSAGING.

SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS HAVE PROVIDED SOME VIDEO EVIDENCE THAT THE OHP IS CURRENTLY STUDYING TO TRY AND IDENTIFY THOSE RESPONSIBLE.

THERE HAVE BEEN NATIONWIDE PROTESTS AGAINST ICE OFFICERS FOLLOWING THE SHOOTING DEATH OF A WOMAN IN MINNEAPOLIS LAST WEEK, INCLUDING HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S AN ISSUE THAT HAS DIVIDED AMERICANS ONCE AGAIN, AND IT IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S UPCOMING IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HOW THE CONTROVERSY IS BEING PERCEIVED HERE IN OUR STATE.

MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD PROVIDES THIS PREVIEW.

REALLY, WHEN YOU START TO LOOK AT THIS SITUATION, IT WAS A IT WAS A TRAGEDY.

NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

YOU HAD AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THAT, NOT JUST THE FAMILY MEMBERS, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN AFFECTED BY THAT.

AND ALL OF THAT REALLY STEMS FROM, AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT THE SHERIFF JUST MENTIONED AS FAR AS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CITIZENRY, THE PERSON WHO WAS SHOT AND EITHER INJURED OR KILLED ALSO HAS THE RIGHT TO A PROPER AND DETAILED INVESTIGATION SO THAT IF THE OFFICER ACTED OUTSIDE OF THE LAW, THEY CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

AND THE PROBLEM IS, IS MOST PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND USE OF FORCE.

IT'S A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE.

IT INVOLVES CHANGES NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DURING HIGH TIMES OF STRESS.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT.

THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

THE THUNDER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IS THE NONPROFIT UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION THAT OVERSEES CHARITY ENDEAVORS BY BOTH THE ORGANIZATION AND WORKS WITH THE PLAYERS ON THEIR NUMEROUS INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE TEAM THAT IS WINNING ON AND OFF THE COURT.

TAELYR.

THAT'S RIGHT RICH.

THIS WEEK I SAT DOWN WITH AARON OLDFIELD, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE THUNDER, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S PASSION FOR GIVING BACK COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN ON THAT RECEIVING END SAY THEY ARE BEYOND GRATEFUL FOR THE ORGANIZATION AND THEIR PLAYERS ENJOY.

WHAT STAR SPENCER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, ASSUMED TO BE A REGULAR BACK TO SCHOOL ASSEMBLY, TURNED OUT TO BE A UNIQUE GIFT.

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER PLAYER ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN AND SKECHERS DONATED $15,000 TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE MONEY WILL BE SPLIT INTO HALVES, $7,500 GOES TOWARDS ESSENTIALS FOR STUDENTS, AND THE OTHER HALF WILL GO TOWARDS ATHLETIC SUPPORT.

ALTHOUGH HARTENSTEIN WASN'T ABLE TO ATTEND THE ASSEMBLY IN PERSON, HE SENT A HEARTFELT MESSAGE FOR THE STUDENTS IF YOU GUYS ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, NO ONE WILL.

SO WHATEVER ANYONE SAYS, IF YOU HAVE A DREAM, IF YOU HAVE GOALS IN LIFE, JUST MAKE SURE YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

MAKE SURE YOU WORK HARD AND YOU CAN.

GUYS CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING AND I MEAN LITERALLY ANYTHING.

OKC SUPERINTENDENT DOCTOR JAMIE POLK BELIEVES THE GIFT WILL HAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION ON THE STUDENTS.

THIS IS A STORY THEY WILL TELL YEARS FROM NOW IN REGARDS OF THE ADOPTED CLASSROOM AND THE IMPACT THOSE FINANCES HAD.

AND SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ACADEMICS AND CURRICULUM, GREAT.

BUT IT'S WHEN A COMMUNITY REACHES OUT AND SAY, WE CARE FOR YOU, THAT WILL BE THE IMPACT YEARS FROM NOW THAT THEY IN TURN, WILL ONE DAY BE ON THE BIG SCREEN, GIVING BACK TO THEIR OWN WATER.

EHART ALSO GIFTED THE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM NEW BASKETBALL SHOES, A PAIR OF BRAND NEW SNEAKERS FOR PEOPLE THAT MAY WEAR THE SAME SHOES EVERY DAY, THEIR WHOLE HIGH SCHOOL CAREER HERE, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE A LOT OF PEOPLE'S LIVES, BUT HE ISN'T THE ONLY THUNDER PLAYER GIVING BACK.

IT'S NOT ODD TO SEE SGA, CHET, J-DUB, JWILL AND MANY OTHER PLAYERS PAYING IT FORWARD.

IN FACT, THE ENTIRE THUNDER ORGANIZATION HAS A TRUE PASSION FOR SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

SINCE THE THUNDER'S ARRIVAL, COMMUNITY HAS BEEN CENTRAL TO WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING, AND WE'VE BEEN REALLY EXCITED TO GROW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE YEAR OVER YEAR.

AARON OLDFIELD IS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR THE THUNDER.

SHE SAYS THE ORGANIZATION HAS THREE MAIN PILLARS HEALTHY, VIBRANT COMMUNITIES, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION.

WE BRING A LOT OF FUN AND EXCITEMENT TO THOSE THINGS LIKE READING AND LITERACY AND MATH AND STEM SKILLS.

WE ALLOW REALLY USING THE THUNDER BRAND TO GET KIDS ENERGIZED ABOUT LEARNING.

THE ORGANIZATION HAS A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY PROGRAMS LIKE SPORT LABS, TEACHER OF THE GAME, AND READING CHALLENGE.

YOU MAY HAVE EVEN SEEN THE THUNDER ROLLING BOOK AROUND TOWN.

WE JUST CELEBRATED GIVING AWAY OUR 250,000TH BOOK.

AND JUST A FUN FACT AROUND THAT.

IF YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT HOW LONG THE THUNDER HAS PLAYED BASKETBALL, ROUGHLY 75,000 MINUTES OF BASKETBALL.

IF WE CORRELATED THAT TO THE BOOKS GIVEN AWAY, WE'VE ROUGHLY GIVEN AWAY THREE BOOKS FOR EVERY MINUTE OF BASKETBALL THAT WE'VE PLAYED.

OLDFIELD IS ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE THUNDER COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE NONPROFIT CHARITABLE ARM OF THE THUNDER.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BE THERE IN TIMES OF DISASTER AND NEW.

ACTUALLY, WE'RE REALLY EXCITED.

WE JUST LAUNCHED OUR INAUGURAL GRANT COHORT THIS YEAR ON GIVING TUESDAY, DISTRIBUTING OUR FIRST ROUND OF GRANTS.

THOSE GRANTS TOTALED IN $100,000 TOWARDS FOUR LOCAL NONPROFITS.

THE FOUNDATION SAYS THEY FOCUS ON IMPACTING YOUTH WHERE THEY LIVE AND PLAY, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOUNDATION NOW HAS 31 COMMUNITY BASKETBALL COURTS AROUND THE STATE, WHERE KIDS AND ADULTS CAN SHOOT HOOPS.

WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THAT.

IN 17 DIFFERENT COUNTIES, WE'RE ALL THE WAY FROM THE PANHANDLE AND BOISE CITY TO MCALESTER AND TULSA, ARDMORE.

WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THOSE COURTS BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF SPORTS TO TRANSFORM LIVES, AND WE'VE SEEN WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

THE THUNDER SPENT A LOT OF TIME SERVING IN LOCAL COMMUNITIES, OLDFIELD SAYS THEY HOSTED 40 EVENTS BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS.

WE'RE HAPPY TO HELP FILL THE GAP OR BUILD REALLY INCREDIBLE SPECIAL MOMENTS, WHETHER THAT'S A PLAYER AND A CHILD WHO ARE ON A SHOPPING SPREE TOGETHER.

OR WE MIGHT BE GETTING TURKEYS TO FAMILIES WHO NEED THEM.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS LIKE THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY SAY THE THUNDER HAS TREMENDOUSLY HELPED THEIR ORGANIZATION OVER THE YEARS.

WE WOULDN'T BE THE ORGANIZATION WE ARE TODAY WITHOUT THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS.

FROM THE THUNDER, I THINK WE WERE ONE OF THE VERY FIRST COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT THEY REACHED OUT TO WHEN THEY ARRIVED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, AND WE COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD TO HAVE PARTNERED WITH THEM.

THE THUNDER RECENTLY HELPED RENOVATE A ROOM AT ONE OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, AS PART OF THE NBA LEGACY PROJECT, BUT THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF OKLAHOMA COUNTY SAYS IT'S NOT JUST THE PLAYERS, THE STAFF BEHIND THE SCENES PLAYS A BIG ROLE AS WELL.

WE'VE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF A BEHIND THE CURTAIN OPPORTUNITY TO SEE IS THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE, FROM MANAGEMENT AT THE TOP TO NOT JUST THE PLAYERS, BUT TO THE ENTERTAINERS, BUT TO THE STAFF THAT MOST PEOPLE NEVER KNOW WHO ARE HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS, WHO WERE HERE HELPING OUR KIDS ONE DAY WHEN WE HAD A TORNADO WARNING AND SAT WITH KIDS IN OUR KINDERGARTEN ROOM WHO WERE SCARED AND READ TO THEM.

ISAIAH HARTENSTEIN PLANS TO HOST AN IN-PERSON BASKETBALL CLINIC FOR THOSE BOBCATS SOMETIME LATER THIS YEAR.

RICH, A GREAT STORY.

THANK YOU.

TAELYR OKAY, IF YOU WANT TO SECURE TICKETS FOR THE UPCOMING OLYMPIC EVENTS IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN 2028, NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT.

YOU CAN REGISTER FOR FREE BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH 18TH FOR A RANDOM TICKET DRAW TO ATTEND THE OLYMPIC EVENTS IN LOS ANGELES, AS WELL AS THE SOFTBALL AND WHITEWATER CANOE EVENTS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

GO TO LA 28.ORG TO REGISTER, AND IF YOUR NAME IS DRAWN, YOU'LL BE CONTACTED BEGINNING MARCH 31ST.

THE PRE-SALE FOR TICKETS WILL BE CONDUCTED THE FIRST WEEK OF APRIL, BUT STEP ONE IS GETTING REGISTERED NOW.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS SYSTEM IS BECAUSE OKLAHOMA CITY IS HOSTING TWO SPORTS SOFTBALL AND CANOE SLALOM.

SEVEN EVENTS TOTAL.

THE LOCALS ARE GOING TO GET PRIORITY ON GETTING TICKETS TO THE GAMES, SO PEOPLE FROM LOS ANGELES AND OKLAHOMA CITY WILL BE AT THE HEAD OF THE LINE TO GET THOSE TICKETS.

AND GOOD NEWS IS SOME THERE WILL BE A MILLION TICKETS THAT ARE $28.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, FRONT ROW AT A THUNDER GAME.

IT'S IT'S GOING TO BE ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYBODY.

AND WE CERTAINLY HOPE PEOPLE GET ON BOARD.

BART CONNER COMPETED IN THREE OLYMPIC GAMES, WINNING TWO GOLD MEDALS AT THE SUMMER OLYMPICS IN 1984.

THE FABLED ROUTE 66 OFFICIALLY OPENED ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 1926, AND THE OFFICIAL KICKOFF OF CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS BEGINS ON APRIL 30TH IN SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI.

MANY OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES ALONG THE ROADWAY ARE BUSY SPRUCING UP THEIR PIECE OF THE PAVEMENT, INCLUDING EL RENO.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS.

STEVE RICH.

THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IS EXPECTED TO BOOST TOURISM ALONG THE ICONIC ROUTE.

THE CITY OF EL RENO HAS INCREDIBLE HISTORY WITH THE ROADWAY, AND THEY EXPECT 6 TO 8 MILLION VISITORS BY THE END OF THE SUMMER.

ADAM HALL HAS BEEN GRILLING ONION BURGERS AT SID'S DINER SINCE HE WAS KNEE HIGH TO A GRASSHOPPER.

HIS DAD, SID'S OWNER, MARTY HALL, STILL REMEMBERS WHEN ONE OF THE BIGGEST COUNTRY MUSIC STARS IN THE WORLD VISITED ABOUT A DECADE AGO.

IT WAS PRETTY SPECIAL.

HE CAME IN WITH ANOTHER GUY, AND THEY'RE SITTING DOWN THERE IN THE CORNER, AND EVERYBODY KNEW WHO HE WAS WHEN HE CAME IN.

BUT WE WE WERE KIND OF RESPECTING HIM AND HE EATS.

AND I ASKED HIM, I SAID, MISTER ROGERS.

I SAID, CAN I ASK WHY YOU STOPPED HERE?

HE SAID, WELL, I WAS TOLD IF I EVER WENT THROUGH EL RENO TO STOP AT SID'S DINER.

AND THEN THE BEEF THAT WE USE IS SPECIALLY GROUND FOR US.

WE GET IT IN FRESH DAILY.

AND I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THE SECRET THAT WE USE, BUT THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE.

MARTY SAYS ONION BURGERS WERE INVENTED 100 YEARS AGO, JUST A FEW BLOCKS FROM WHERE SID'S HAS SAT FOR THE LAST 37 YEARS.

THEY USE YELLOW ONIONS, AND THERE'S A SCIENCE TO IT.

SLICE REAL THIN AND WE TOAST THE BUN A LITTLE BIT WHERE SOME OF THE OTHER PLACES.

THEY DON'T DO THAT.

TWO YEARS AGO, THE OKLAHOMA ROUTE 66 COMMISSION AWARDED EL RENO A $1.2 MILLION GRANT.

THE CITY USED THAT MONEY TO TRANSFORM WHAT WAS AN OLD, DILAPIDATED TEXACO GAS STATION EYESORE NOT FAR FROM SID'S DINER INTO EL RENO'S FILLING STATION VISITORS CENTER.

IT OPENED IN MAY, FILLING STATION GENERAL MANAGER LINDSAY BAIN SAYS THEY'RE READY FOR A BIG CENTENNIAL.

SO WE ARE ATTRACTING TOURISTS BY THE THOUSANDS AND WE WANT THEM TO STOP HERE.

WE WANT THEM TO EAT LUNCH AND THEY'RE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THEY'RE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THEY'RE COMING FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

EL RENO VICE MAYOR DAVID BLACK SAYS THIS WALL MAP TRACKS VISITORS.

WE'VE GOT WE'VE HAD PEOPLE FROM ALL 50 STATES.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, I MEAN, WE'VE HAD OVER 68 COUNTRIES OF PEOPLE COME IN.

WHERE'S RUSSIA?

RUSSIA IS RIGHT OVER HERE.

WE HAD WE HAD, WE'VE HAD WE'VE HAD A FEW FROM RUSSIA.

WHERE'S CHINA?

CHINA'S HERE.

WE'VE HAD A WE'VE HAD QUITE A FEW FROM CHINA, RUSSIA AND CHINA.

BUT BUT THE BIGGEST ONE IS ITALY.

IF YOU LOOK AT ITALY WE CAN'T EVEN PUT ANOTHER PIN IN THE MAP.

PRETTY MUCH.

WHY DO YOU THINK?

WELL, IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST, THEY BASICALLY SHUT DOWN OVER THERE AND THEY ALL COME OVER HERE.

SO THEY ALL CRUISED 66 ALL, ALL YEAR, ALL MONTH LONG WITH HELP FROM ANOTHER ROUTE 66 COMMISSION GRANT.

EL RENO MAYOR STEVE JENSEN SAYS THEY'VE GOT BIG PLANS FOR THE BLOCK ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE FILLING STATION.

AS YOU LOOK ACROSS THE STREET, WE TOOK DOWN SOME DILAPIDATED BUILDINGS AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A HUB MOBILITY HUB PROJECT.

WE JUST RECEIVED A $725,000 GRANT TO HELP US FINISH THAT PROJECT.

YEAH.

WHAT'S THAT GOING TO BE CALLED?

MOBILITY HUB.

IT'S GOING TO BE WE SAVED THE SOUTH WALL, BUT WE'RE GOING TO REBUILD THE STOREFRONT, BRICK UP THE STOREFRONTS, AND IT'LL HAVE A PLACE TO HOUSE OUR OUR TROLLEY PROP FROM THE MOVIE TWISTERS THAT THAT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS GAVE US BACK.

IT'LL BE THERE.

AND THEN WE'LL HAVE COVERED MOTORCYCLE PARKING, PARKING, SOME CHARGING STATION PARKING AND PARKING FOR BUSSES.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, DO THAT WHOLE BLOCK THIS RIGHT HERE.

THAT RIGHT THERE.

YES.

RETIRED EL RENO FIREFIGHTER TOM CURTIS REMEMBERS HIS FIRST 69 PONTIAC GTO JUDGE HAD ONE IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE OLD STORY IS YOU.

YOU GET MARRIED, YOU GOT TO SELL YOUR CAR AND YOU GOT TO.

I SOLD MY JUDGE AND BOUGHT A WASHER DRYER AND A TV, AND I JUST HAD A DIFFERENT CHAPTER IN MY LIFE STARTING.

HE BOUGHT THIS 1 IN 1992.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT COLLECTOR CARS?

SEEMS TO GET IN YOUR BLOOD.

AND IT'S JUST.

I TOOK ONE OF MINE OUT YESTERDAY.

AN ODOT GRANT 26 YEARS AGO.

BOUGHT THIS 1920S ERA PHILADELPHIA STREET CAR.

IT RUNS THROUGH DOWNTOWN EL RENO AND ACROSS ROUTE 66 ON WEEKENDS.

IT'S A IT'S AMAZING.

IT'S LIKE A GODSEND HOW THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN HERE.

WE STARTED IN 68 AND WE JUST RUN ON MEMBERSHIP AND DONATIONS.

SO IT HELPS US TREMENDOUSLY.

AND SPEAKING OF WINNING, TONY CALDWELL LAST YEAR MOVED 28 VINTAGE AIRCRAFT, KNOWN NATIONALLY AS THE CALDWELL CONNECTION, INTO A 30,000 SQUARE FOOT WORLD WAR TWO ERA HANGAR AT EL RENO AIRPORT.

THAT MUSEUM IS NOW OPEN SATURDAYS FROM 10 A.M.

TO 2 P.M.

THESE PLANES REALLY TAKE YOU BACK, DON'T THEY?

THEY DO.

YOU KNOW, THE CALDWELL COLLECTION IS FOCUSED ON WHAT WE CALL THE GOLDEN AGE OF AVIATION, WHICH IS THE 1920S AND 30S THE PERIOD OF TIME BETWEEN THE FIRST AND SECOND WORLD WAR.

AND SPEAKING OF FLYING HIGH.

A NEW 4000 SQUARE FOOT TERMINAL IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION HERE, CITY MANAGER MATT SANDIDGE SAYS EL RENO AIRPORT BOASTS SOME OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND CHEAPEST GAS IN AMERICA, SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

YOU CAN STAY OUT OF THE WILL ROGERS AIRSPACE AND COME INTO EL RENO, FLY IN, TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AND THEN FLY OUT AND GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED, THE CITY MANAGER SAYS.

WITH THAT NEW TERMINAL, THAT AIRPORT WILL BE DOING A LOT OF BUSINESS GOING FORWARD.

RICH, EXCITING TIMES.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE CHOCTAW NATION HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS A DRONE TESTING SITE FOR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATEWIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE, THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION PICKED THE CHOCTAW NATION TO HOST A NEW NATIONAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS TEST SITE.

IT WAS ONE OF TWO NEW UAS TEST SITES IN THE DESIGNATIONS SINCE 2016.

THE EMERGING AVIATION TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN DAISY, OKLAHOMA WILL HOST THE RESEARCH AND TESTING THAT HELPS ADVANCE DRONE OPERATIONS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE INSPECTION, LOGISTICS, ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, AND OTHER APPLICATIONS.

THIS COMES WHEN THE FAA IS CHANGING REGULATIONS ON BEYOND VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT OPERATIONS OF DRONES.

THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION, OR ESC, HAS LAUNCHED A NEW EMPLOYER PORTAL IN AN EFFORT TO MODERNIZE THE SERVICES THE AGENCY OFFERS.

THE NEW PORTAL IS MEANT TO BE FASTER, EASIER TO USE AND SIMPLER TO NAVIGATE.

IT STREAMLINES SOME OF THE COMMON TASKS EMPLOYERS HAVE IN WORKING WITH ESC.

THE NEW PORTAL WAS BUILT AFTER CUSTOMER SERVICE FEEDBACK.

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, OKLAHOMA CITY BASED BANK SEVEN CORPORATION REPORTS A FULL YEAR 2025 NET INCOME OF $43.1 MILLION.

THAT'S COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S NET INCOME OF 45.7 MILLION.

WHILE PROFITS DROPPED SLIGHTLY LAST YEAR, THE BANKING COMPANY STILL SAW GROWTH IN ITS TOTAL ASSETS FROM 1.7 BILLION TO $2 BILLION, AND TOTAL LOANS INCREASED BY NEARLY 15%.

THAT DEPOSIT AND LOAN GROWTH HAS THE COMPANY'S LEADERS OPTIMISTIC FOR 2026.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOLDING OKLAHOMA CITY BASED RILEY PERMIAN STOCK, THEY CAN EXPECT A LITTLE EXTRA CASH SOON.

THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS DECLARED A QUARTERLY DIVIDEND OF $0.40 A SHARE.

IT WILL BE PAID OUT ON FEBRUARY 5TH.

IF THE STOCK IS IN AN INVESTOR'S PORTFOLIO BY THE END OF BUSINESS ON JANUARY 22ND.

THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

JASON.

THANK YOU.

THE DEADLY SHOOTING INVOLVING AN ICE OFFICER AND A PROTESTER IN MINNEAPOLIS LAST WEEK HAS RESULTED IN NATIONWIDE PROTESTS, INCLUDING HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT SOME BELIEVE WAS A JUSTIFIED SHOOTING, OTHERS SAY IS MURDER.

HOW IS IT BEING PERCEIVED HERE IN OUR STATE?

HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

CASSIDY, WHAT HAPPENED IN MINNEAPOLIS HAS LED TO PROTESTS NATIONWIDE, INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND IT'S ALSO LED TO STRONG REACTIONS FROM LOCAL LEADERS IN TULSA.

BOTH THE MAYOR AND THE COUNTY SHERIFF RESPONDED PUBLICLY, AND THEIR EXCHANGE HAS BECOME A PART OF HOW PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.

JOINING US NOW ARE TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF VIC REGALADO AND CJ WEBER NEAL WITH THE OKLAHOMA SOONER STATE PARTY.

WE ALSO REACHED OUT TO THE TULSA MAYOR'S OFFICE TO INVITE MAYOR NICHOLS TO JOIN US IN THIS DISCUSSION, BUT HIS OFFICE DECLINED OUR INVITATION.

TO START OFF JUST A LITTLE BIT, CJ, CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE BACKGROUND?

SURE.

WE WILL BE A NEW POLITICAL PARTY THAT IS GEARED MORE TOWARD INDEPENDENT VOTERS THAT ARE HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

GIVEN WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN NOVEMBER AND THE FACT THAT INDEPENDENTS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRIMARIES OR THE RUNOFF ELECTIONS.

THIS WILL BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO DO SO.

AND WHAT WE HOPE TO DO.

OUR SLOGAN IS NO MORE RED, NO MORE BLUE, JUST OKLAHOMANS.

SO WE ARE ALL ABOUT OKLAHOMANS WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER STATE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT ANSWER.

AND SHERIFF, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ON YOU AS WELL.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH THE TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE?

I'VE BEEN THE ELECTED SHERIFF OF TULSA COUNTY FOR TEN YEARS.

PRIOR TO THAT, I DID 23 YEARS WITH THE TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE I WORKED A VARIETY OF ASSIGNMENTS.

AND BECAUSE I THINK IT'S PERTINENT TO THIS CONVERSATION.

DURING MY TIME AS A TULSA POLICE OFFICER, I WAS INVOLVED IN TWO SHOOTINGS, ONE THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF A SUSPECT AND THEN AS A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATOR.

FOR TEN YEARS, I INVESTIGATED 23 OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS.

I'VE TESTIFIED IN BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL COURT ON USE OF FORCE, AS WELL AS VIOLENT CRIME INVESTIGATIONS.

SO TULSA MAYOR MONROE NICHOLS COMMENTED ON THE SITUATION IN MINNEAPOLIS ON A POST ON FACEBOOK, SAYING THAT HE WANTS TO SHARE HIS CONDOLENCES WITH THE FAMILY AND THE MINNEAPOLIS COMMUNITY AND SAID, QUOTE, THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR MISS GOOD'S DEATH MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

NOW, SHERIFF, YOU ALSO ISSUED A STATEMENT FOLLOWING THE MAYOR'S COMMENTS.

WHAT CONCERNS WERE YOU HOPING TO ADDRESS WITH THE PUBLIC WITH THAT STATEMENT?

WELL, THERE WAS TWO MAIN CONCERNS.

ONE JUMPED TO JUDGMENT, AND ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A PORTION OF THE POPULACE THAT THOUGHT, I SHOULD HAVE DIRECTED THAT TOWARDS PRESIDENT TRUMP, LET ME BE VERY CLEAR.

THAT WAS POINTED AT EVERYBODY, EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL, EVERY PERSON IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE MORAL STANDING OR AUTHORITY TO ISSUE A VERDICT OF INNOCENCE AND OR GUILT UNTIL INVESTIGATION IS TAKING PLACE.

UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA AND ALL THOSE THINGS THAT ARE VERY PREVALENT IN TODAY'S SOCIETY, YOU KNOW, VIDEOS GET OUT AND BITS AND PIECES OF AN INCIDENT GET OUT AND THERE'S A RUSH TO JUDGMENT.

IT WAS NEVER PERSONAL, AND IT REALLY WASN'T POLITICAL, AND IT WASN'T A DEFENSE OF MISCONDUCT.

IF IF IT WAS FOUND TO BE A CRIMINAL SHOOTING OR IT WAS OUTSIDE THE LINES OF CIVIL AND OR CRIMINAL LAW, THEN HE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE LIKE ANYBODY ELSE.

BUT UNTIL THEN, THE PROCESS SHOULD TAKE PLACE WITHOUT THAT PROCESS.

I THINK EVERYONE IS IN TROUBLE.

AND WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS SPEAK OUT IN THIS INSTANCE ABOUT WAITING FOR INVESTIGATIONS LIKE YOU KIND OF MENTIONED, SOME PEOPLE HEAR THAT AS SIDING WITH THE OFFICERS.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE PEOPLE?

I'D SAY IT GOES BOTH WAYS.

I CAN TELL YOU, IN MY EXPERIENCE, HAVING INVESTIGATED AGAIN, 23 OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS AND HAVING BEEN IN TWO OF THEM, THEY THE PERSON WHO WAS SHOT AND EITHER INJURED OR KILLED ALSO HAS THE RIGHT TO A PROPER AND DETAILED INVESTIGATION SO THAT IF THE OFFICER ACTED OUTSIDE OF THE LAW, THEY CAN BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

AND THE PROBLEM IS, IS MOST PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND USE OF FORCE.

IT'S A VERY COMPLEX ISSUE.

IT INVOLVES CHANGES NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DURING TIMES OF STRESS.

THERE'S A LOT THAT GOES INTO IT, AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE, YOU REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE TYPE OF INVESTIGATION THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE.

AND THOSE INVESTIGATORS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE ADEPT AT USE OF FORCE AND INVESTIGATIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT WHAT THEY DON'T NEED IS THE ADDED PRESSURE OF EITHER INNOCENCE OR GUILT BEING SPEWED OUT IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA WORLD.

BOTH CAUSE PROBLEMS FOR INVESTIGATORS AND UNDUE PRESSURE IN AN ALREADY STRESSFUL SITUATION.

CJ BRINGING YOU INTO THIS, HOW ARE PEOPLE REACTING TO STATEMENTS LIKE THESE AND OTHERS THAT WE'VE SEEN HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

WELL, I THINK THAT THE SHERIFF JUST MENTIONED SOMETHING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS AS FAR AS HIS STATEMENTS THAT WERE GIVEN ABOUT THE MAYOR, GIVEN WHAT THE SHERIFF HAS JUST SAID JUST NOW, I'M ASSUMING THAT HE ALSO FELT THE SAME WAY WHEN OUR SENATOR, MARKWAYNE MULLIN, MADE HIS COMMENTS ABOUT THE SHOOTING, BASICALLY SAYING THAT RENEE GOOD WAS A CRIMINAL IN THAT ASPECT.

THE REASON WHY I SAY THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL, AND I BELIEVE, ESPECIALLY AS ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE THESE CAN BE POLITICAL DOG WHISTLES TO PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO JUSTIFY THEIR, THEIR STANCES OR THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON.

ONE THING THAT WE BRING UP AS WE'RE TAPING THIS PROGRAM IS JUST COME OUT, FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE TULSA WORLD THAT NOW APPEARS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION THAT'S GOING TO BE TAKING PLACE ABOUT AN OFFICER THAT WENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND MADE COMMENTS THAT WERE DEROGATORY.

IN THAT SENSE, WE ARE IN VERY TURBULENT TIMES RIGHT NOW, AND ONLY THING IT TAKES IS JUST JUST THE SMALLEST OF PHRASES OR JUST THE SMALLEST OF COMMENTS BEING MADE THAT CAN REALLY INCITE THINGS.

NOW, SHERIFF CJ JUST DESCRIBED HOW SOME ARE INTERPRETING THAT STATEMENT.

WHEN YOU HEAR REACTIONS LIKE THAT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND?

AND ALSO TWO PARTER IN THIS, THE MAYOR FOLLOWED UP ON HIS COMMENTS SAYING THAT IT WAS NOT MEANT TO ATTACK LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IT DIDN'T INTEND AND CAST A NEGATIVE LIGHT ON OFFICERS.

DID THAT CLARIFICATION CHANGE HOW YOU VIEWED THE MAYOR'S STATEMENT?

THE MESSAGE IN THAT, AGAIN, WAS CLEAR TO SEE IN THE FIRST VERSION, YOU KNOW, AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

I AND I'VE SAID THIS ALREADY, RESPECT TO THE MAYOR FOR WALKING IT BACK A BIT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU MAKE A STATEMENT LIKE THAT, IT IT HAS RAMIFICATIONS.

AND I WANT TO ADDRESS WHAT CJ SAID JUST A BIT AGO.

YES.

THAT WAS DIRECTED AT ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY HERE IN TULSA.

I DIRECTED IT TO THE MAYOR BECAUSE HE IS OUR MAYOR.

I AM THE COUNTY SHERIFF.

WHAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF OUR PURVIEW?

QUITE FRANKLY, I'M NOT ADDRESSING.

THAT'S WHY YOU WON'T SEE ANY COMMENTS FROM ME ABOUT THE MINNESOTA SHOOTING OR ANY SHOOTING.

QUITE FRANKLY, THAT HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF TULSA COUNTY.

ONE, BECAUSE I'M NOT THERE.

TWO, I'M NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THAT AREA.

AND BUT MAINLY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE FACTS.

AND SO ANY STATEMENT YOU SAY REALLY, YOU'RE SAYING BLINDLY AND MORE THAN LIKELY IT'S GOING TO BRING UP POLITICAL RAMIFICATIONS AND, AND AND IT'S GOING TO HEAT THINGS UP.

AND SO THAT WAS REALLY WHAT THIS WAS MEANT TO BE TO, TO, TO MAYOR NICHOLS CLARIFYING WHAT DUE PROCESS IS AND THEN TO AMPING IT UP BY SAYING THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE BEING TARGETED AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WELL, AGAIN, THOSE ARE INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS.

AND BUT OUTSIDE, I'M NOT ADDRESSING MARKWAYNE MULLINS BECAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR IT, I DON'T I DON'T I GO HOME AND I TURN THE POLITICS OFF WHEN I COME TO WORK.

IT'S PART OF MY JOB AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.

I'M IN TUNE WITH WHAT'S GOING ON, BUT UNLESS I ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO MAKE A STATEMENT AND IF I DO, IT'S BECAUSE IT HAS IMPACTED THE PEOPLE OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

IF YOU GO BACK BEFORE I MADE MY STATEMENT AND THE MAYOR HAD POSTED THAT ON FACEBOOK, PEOPLE WERE ALREADY CHIMING IN FROM BOTH SIDES.

SO THIS IS ALREADY STARTED.

THESE THINGS NEED TO BE CONCISE AND THE MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE VERY CLEAR.

CJ, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHAT THE SHERIFF HAD TO SAY?

SO I HEAR WHAT THE SHERIFF IS SAYING IN REGARDS TO THAT.

I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS WHEN HE SAYS, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE BY MARKWAYNE MULLIN, THAT THEY DON'T AFFECT THAT JURISDICTION OR THEY DON'T AFFECT WHERE HE IS AS A SHERIFF, AS BEING ONE OF THE CHIEF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, EVEN THOUGH HE'S AN ELECTED POSITION.

I THINK THAT ANY COMMENTS THAT COULD INCITE PEOPLE THAT ARE WITHIN THAT DISTRICT SHOULD BE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU START MAKING A STATEMENT ADDRESSING SOMETHING LIKE THE MAYOR'S STATEMENT.

AND I THINK THAT WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT, ESPECIALLY THE THE FACT THAT, AGAIN, WHAT THE SHERIFF SAID, I BELIEVE IS CORRECT, YOU CANNOT MAKE ANY RUSHES TO JUDGMENT.

EVERYONE DESERVES DUE PROCESS, RENEE.

GOOD DESERVE DUE PROCESS.

THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS IN THE SHOOTING OR THAT SHOT.

RENEE.

GOOD DESERVES DUE PROCESS.

AND I THINK THAT WHEN YOU START TO LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE OF THAT SITUATION, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S NOT HERE WITHIN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, EVEN THOUGH THAT'S NOT HERE OR WITHIN TULSA, WITHIN HIS JURISDICTION, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THERE THAT HAVE THOSE STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT WHAT TOOK PLACE, THAT YOU HAVE TO ALSO LOOK AT A BROAD GAMUT, IN MY OPINION.

I BELIEVE THAT THIS BETTER STATEMENT WOULD HAVE BEEN TO SAY INSTEAD OF JUST ADDRESSING MAYOR NICHOLS AND WHAT HE SAID, SAYING, LOOK, ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT IS HERE WITHIN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, INCLUDING MYSELF, SHOULD NOT BE MAKING THESE KINDS OF STATEMENTS UNTIL THE PROPER INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED AND UNTIL IT'S BEEN DETERMINED THE DUE COURSE OF LAW HAS BEEN BEEN USED IN THIS CASE.

SO AND I DO APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE SHERIFF HAS COME HERE AND THAT HE'S ACTUALLY MAKING STATEMENTS THAT HE'S MAKING RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE SOME FOLKS THAT WON'T DO WHAT HE'S DOING RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS JUST ADDRESSING AND TRYING TO MAKE THINGS CLEAR.

BUT I THINK, AGAIN, ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE SOONER STATE PARTY IS, IS KIND OF GAINING THE MOMENTUM THAT WE'RE GAINING RIGHT NOW IS BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF THE POLITICAL RHETORIC.

THEY'RE TIRED OF EVERY TIME THAT SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT YOU HAVE TO EITHER PICK A RED SIDE OR YOU HAVE TO PICK A BLUE SIDE.

AND IF YOU DON'T PICK THAT SIDE, THEN YOU'RE CONSIDERED TO BE A DEMON.

EITHER WAY IT GOES.

WELL, THAT'S A GREAT POINT AND SORRY TO CUT YOU OFF, BUT THAT'S A GREAT POINT BECAUSE THIS IS A POLITICAL ISSUE NOW.

OR IS IT ALSO CRIMINAL JUSTICE?

WELL, I BELIEVE THAT IT'S BOTH.

I BELIEVE THAT IT BECAME A POLITICAL ISSUE WHEN YOU HAD POLITICAL FIGURES THAT STARTED MAKING STATEMENTS ABOUT THAT ON THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WHICH BROUGHT IT TO THE ATTENTION OF NOT ONLY JUST STATE OF OKLAHOMA, BUT ALL THE 50 STATES THAT ARE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT IT'S ALSO A CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS WAS CONDUCTED.

THE SHERIFF HAS MENTIONED THAT HE'S BEEN NOT ONLY INVOLVED IN A COUPLE OF SHOOTINGS, BUT HE'S ALSO, AS AN INVESTIGATOR, INVESTIGATED SHOOTINGS.

ALL OF US ARE HELD TO ACCOUNTABILITY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT.

AND SO IN THAT SENSE, WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT WHETHER OR NOT RENEE GOOD'S RIGHTS WERE VIOLATED, WHETHER HER FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT WAS VIOLATED, WHETHER HER FOURTH AMENDMENT RIGHT WAS VIOLATED, WHETHER HER SIXTH AMENDMENT RIGHT WAS VIOLATED IN THE PROCESS OF WHAT TOOK PLACE, THAT YOU START ALSO LOOKING AT HOW DOES THAT AFFECT ICE?

WHO IS OPERATING HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT BE DOING IN SOME OF THE RAIDS THAT THEY'RE CONDUCTING, NOT ONLY JUST IN TULSA OR OTHER CITIES THAT ARE HERE THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

SO I THINK IN THAT SENSE, IT REALLY TOUCHES ON BOTH ON BOTH ISSUES.

WELL, WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

BUT, SHERIFF, I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF FINAL THOUGHTS, WHAT WOULD YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THIS SITUATION, FROM THIS CONVERSATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE OKLAHOMANS TO KNOW?

WELL, I THINK FIRST AND FOREMOST, ESPECIALLY SINCE THIS IS WHAT THE STATEMENT WAS ABOUT, IS THERE ARE WAYS TO AFFECT CHANGE AND LEGAL MEANS AND PEACEFUL MEANS IN WHICH TO DO SO, SO THAT NO ONE GETS HURT.

THAT'S FIRST AND FOREMOST.

WE DON'T WANT TO SEE PEOPLE GETTING SHOT.

NO ONE WAKES UP IN THE MORNING AND LAW ENFORCEMENT GOING, YOU KNOW, TODAY'S A GOOD DAY TO GO KILL SOMEONE.

THERE'S A LOT OF EMOTIONS THAT COME WITH TAKING SOMEONE'S LIFE, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S IF IT'S UNDER LEGAL MEANS AND YOU'RE NOT A KILLER, QUOTE UNQUOTE.

RIGHT.

THAT'S NOT A NATURAL THING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

I LOVE THAT WORD.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

SO DO OUR CITIZENRY.

AND WE DON'T EVEN WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT PART, YOU KNOW.

AND SO THESE ARE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE ABSOLUTELY SHOULD HAVE.

ABSOLUTELY.

WE SHOULD HAVE THESE DEBATES.

AND AND YOU KNOW WHAT?

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, WE MAY WALK AWAY HAVING TO AGREE TO DISAGREE.

DJ FINAL THOUGHTS.

WELL, REALLY, WHEN YOU START TO LOOK AT THIS SITUATION, IT WAS A IT WAS A TRAGEDY.

NO MATTER HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.

YOU HAD AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THAT, NOT JUST THE FAMILY MEMBERS, BUT ALSO THE COMMUNITY THAT'S BEEN AFFECTED BY THAT.

AND ALL OF THAT REALLY STEMS FROM, AGAIN, SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT THE SHERIFF JUST MENTIONED AS FAR AS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CITIZENRY.

YES.

UPHOLDING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION AND ESPECIALLY THE RULE OF LAW IS VERY IMPORTANT.

HOWEVER, THOSE THAT ARE ALSO EXERCISING THAT RULE OF LAW AS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES SHOULD ALSO TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT TO IN THEIR ACTIONS.

I THINK THAT THE CITIZENS RIGHT NOW THAT ARE NOT ONLY JUST THERE WITHIN, WITHIN THAT CITY, BUT ALSO HERE WITHIN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EACH AND EVERY DAY THAT WE LIVE OUR LIVES, THAT WE DO SO WITH THE PROTECTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN GUARANTEED TO US, YOU NEED TO TAKE INTO EFFECT THAT WE ARE ALL OKLAHOMANS AND WE ALL MAKE THIS STATE GREAT.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ALL TAKE AWAY JUST FROM THIS CONVERSATION.

IF WE CAN COME TOGETHER, IF WE CAN TALK ABOUT OUR GRIEVANCES OR OUR DIFFERENCES, BUT WE CAN DO SO IN A WAY THAT'S GOING TO CHART A WAY FORWARD FOR US TO DO BETTER, THEN IT'S WORTHWHILE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US FOR THIS CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

THANK YOU CASSIDY.

GREAT JOB.

GREAT CONVERSATION.

WELL, WHEN YOU THINK OF THE ROCKETTES, YOU IMMEDIATELY THINK OF NEW YORK CITY.

HOWEVER, THE FAMOUS DANCE TEAM DIDN'T GET THEIR START IN THE BIG APPLE.

AND THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO SAINT LOUIS, WHERE THE HIGH KICKING ROCKETTES WERE CREATED 100 YEARS AGO.

THAT STORY, COURTESY OF OUR FRIENDS AT NINE PBS IN SAINT LOUIS.

BEFORE THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES, THERE WERE THE MISSOURI ROCKETS.

THEIR STORY BEGINS ON GRAND AVENUE IN SAINT LOUIS.

SO IN THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY, AS MOVIE HOUSES ARE GROWING IN POPULARITY AND WE SEE GRAND AVENUE START TO LOOK THE WAY IT DOES NOW WITH THESE BIG PLATE LIKE THE FOX THEATER, THE SAINT LOUIS THEATER, MISSOURI THEATER, ALL THESE BIG THEATERS POP UP ALL CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER, AND THEY HAVE TO COMPETE.

AMANDA CLARK IS A PUBLIC HISTORIAN AT THE MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

THEY DON'T ALL HAVE THE SAME MOVIE, LIKE LIKE OUR THEATERS DO NOW.

AND SO TO DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES, THEY DO DIFFERENT THINGS.

AND FOR THE MISSOURI THEATER, WHICH IS NOW WHERE THE HOTEL ON GOD IS, WHAT THEY DID TO DIFFERENTIATE THEMSELVES WAS KIND OF A VAUDEVILLE ACT BEFORE THE MOVIE.

SO YOU WOULD GO TO SEE THE MOVIE, BUT BEFORE IT YOU MIGHT SEE SINGERS, DANCERS OF DIFFERENT TYPES, EVEN ANIMALS, SOMETIMES CIRCUS SHOWS.

IN 1925, A LOCAL WORLD WAR ONE VETERAN NAMED RUSSELL MARKER STARTED HIS OWN DANCE GROUP TO PERFORM.

BEFORE FILMS, HE USED DANCE AS PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR AN INJURY THAT HE HAD, AND SO HE STARTS TEACHING.

HE HAS THIS GROUP OF DANCERS AND THEY BECOME THE MISSOURI ROCKETS, AND THE MISSOURI ROCKETS PERFORM BEFORE MOVIES AT THE MISSOURI THEATER.

SO THAT'S WHERE THAT KICK, THAT HIGH KICK THAT WE WE KNOW IT COMES FROM MILITARY.

IT COMES FROM RUSSELL MARQUARDT'S MILITARY BACKGROUND IS WHY HE'S TEACHING THIS PRECISION DANCING STYLE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THEY'VE BECOME KNOWN FOR.

THE MISSOURI ROCKETS WERE A HUGE SUCCESS AND A DRAW FOR THE MISSOURI THEATER.

SO RUSSELL MARKERT DECIDED TO TAKE HIS DANCERS ON THE ROAD.

AND WHEN HE GETS TO NEW YORK, THEY PERFORM FOR A GUY NAMED SAMUEL ROXY ROTHAFEL.

IT'S A GREAT NAME, AND MR.

ROTHAFEL SEES THE DANCERS, LOVES, LOVES THE ACT AND DECIDES, YOU KNOW, WORKS, WORKS WITH MARKER TO ACTUALLY PURCHASE THE ACT.

AND THEY TAKE UP RESIDENCY IN NEW YORK CITY.

AND THEY BECAME THE ROCKETTES.

THEY WERE THE ROXY THEATER.

AND ONCE RADIO CITY WAS BUILT AND READY TO OPEN, THEY MOVED OVER TO RADIO CITY.

AND THAT'S WHEN THEY BECAME THE RADIO CITY ROCKETTES.

AND IT HAS REMAINED THAT EVER SINCE.

JULIE BRANHAM IS THE DIRECTOR CHOREOGRAPHER OF THE CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR.

SHE WAS ALSO ONCE A ROCKETTE HERSELF, JOINING THE DANCERS IN 1988, KNOWING ALL THE INS AND OUTS OF PARADE OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS, FOR INSTANCE, OR HOW TO PUT A NUMBER TOGETHER, REALLY HELPED MOLD ME ON HOW TO BECOME A CHOREOGRAPHER AND HOW TO DIRECT THE SHOW, AND HOW TO TEACH PEOPLE TO DO ALL OF THIS.

SOME OF RUSSELL MARQUARDT'S ORIGINAL STYLE STILL LIVES ON IN THE ROCKETTES.

I THINK THE CAMARADERIE AND HOW THE ROCKETTES WORK AND MOVE IS ONE IS SOMETHING THAT COMES FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, OR SOMETHING LIKE THE PARADE OF THE WOODEN SOLDIERS, ALSO THE KICKLINE.

THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT HAVE REMAINED VERY SOLIDLY IN THE REPERTOIRE OF ROCKETTE.

BUT I THINK, AS WITH ANYTHING, THINGS EVOLVE AND YOU'RE CONSTANTLY TRYING TO PUSH THE BAR, MAKE THEM BETTER, SHOW THEM OFF MORE.

IT'S A NATURAL EVOLUTION OF OF DANCE FOR THE ROCKETTES.

AFTER THEIR MOVE TO NEW YORK, THE ROCKETTES SUCCESS CONTINUED TO GROW, AND EVEN THOUGH THE WOMEN WERE INCREDIBLE DANCERS, THEY STILL FACED SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS OF THE TIME.

A 1940 SAINT LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT ARTICLE MAKES SURE TO MENTION THAT THE WOMEN WOULD END THEIR DANCING CAREER ONCE THEY GOT MARRIED.

THE ROCKETTES ARE STILL ASSOCIATED WITH CERTAIN BEAUTY STANDARDS, LIKE BEING TALL OR HAVING LONG LEGS, BUT ACTUAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE TRAITS HAVE LOOSENED IN RECENT YEARS.

THE DANCE COMPANY IS ALSO OFTEN LINKED TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

IN 1933, THEIR CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR SHOW DEBUTED, AND SINCE 1957 THE WOMEN HAVE DANCED IN THE MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE, WHICH COULD BE SEEN IN HOMES NATIONWIDE IN THE 70S OR EARLY 80S IS WHEN THEY REALLY DEVELOPED A FULL 90 MINUTE CHRISTMAS SHOW.

2025 IS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ROCKETTES, AND EVEN AFTER A CENTURY, BRANNUM SAYS IT'S STILL IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THEIR SAINT LOUIS ROOTS.

YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM ALWAYS, RIGHT?

AND I THINK I HAD A VERY GREAT GROWING UP IN IOWA EXPERIENCE, AND I LIKED THE MIDWEST.

I THINK I BROUGHT VALUES WITH ME THAT I CARRY ON TO WHAT I DO TODAY.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHICH IS WORKING HARD, BE NICE, KEEP, KEEP POSITIVE, AND REMEMBERING THAT THERE MIGHT BE KIDS IN THE AUDIENCE LOOKING UP TO YOU SAYING, OH, I COULD MAYBE DO THIS ONE DAY.

ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE UPCOMING SESSION HAS PASSED, WITH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS MAKING THEIR EDUCATION PRIORITIES CLEAR.

TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS FOR US FRIDAY AT SEVEN.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART ENTITLED PAUL REID A RETROSPECTIVE.

SHOT AND EDITED BY OETA JASON STEWART.

KEEP IN MIND, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WATCH ANY OF THE REPORTS IN THIS NEWSCAST.

AGAIN, THEY WILL BE AVAILABLE BY MONDAY NIGHT ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS MORE OF OUR CONTENT BY VISITING THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT FACEBOOK PAGE.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH.

LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

FOR 100 YEARS, AMERICA'S MOST FAMOUS HIGHWAY HAS CARRIED DRIVERS, DRIFTERS AND DREAMERS ACROSS THE HEART OF OKLAHOMA.

FROM MIAMI TO