[♪♪♪♪♪] [♪♪♪♪♪] >> OKLAHOMA'S LONGEST-SERVING MEMBER OF CONGRESS HAD DIED.

>> WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A U.S.

SENATOR REPRESENTING YOUR STATE, UM, YOU THINK ABOUT JIM INHOFE.

>> THE NEW VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> THIS BOARD IS GOING TO BE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE STATE.

WE ARE GONNA BRING NEW IDEAS AND NEW CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY IMPROVE THE UNITED OUTCOMES.

>> PEOPLE OF FAITH, SHARE DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THE IDEA OF BIBLES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CLASSROOMS.

>> FAITH IS INVITATIONAL NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FORCED.

>> WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ISN'T WORKING.

WE'RE STILL 48TH IN THE NATION.

>> AFTER RECEIVING A LIFE-SAVING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, THIS OFFICER NOW INSPIRES OTHERS.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH HERE.

THIS ISN'T LIKE YOU ARE ASKING FOR A HANDOUT OR MONEY.

YOU ARE ASKING FOR YOUR LIFE.

>> THIS OKLAHOMA CITY GYM IS GIVING KIDS A POSITIVE OUTLET FOR THEIR SUMMERTIME ENERGY.

>> ADD STRUCTURE, ADD DISCIPLINE, DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY AND TRY TO TAKE THESE KIDS SOMEWHERE AND DO SOMETHING WITH THEM.

>> Rich: THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >>> HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M RICH LENZ.

>>> OKLAHOMA HAS LOST IT'S LONG-SERVING AND PERHAPS, MOST INFLUENTIAL U.S.

SENATOR.

FAMILY MEMBERS SAY JIM INHOFE PASSED AWAY ON TUESDAY MORNING AFTER SUFFERING A MASSIVE STROKE.

HE WAS 89 YEARS OLD.

THE POLITICIAN PILOT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING BILLIONS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS BACK TO HIS HOME STATE DURING HIS 36 YEARS IN CONGRESS.

>> I HAVE TO SAY THAT I ENJOYED THE FACT OF BEING IN A POSITION TO REBUILD OUR MILITARY, THAT HAPPENS TO BE THE PART THAT MY LOVE IS.

>> JAMES MOUNTAIN INHOFE SERVED 28 YEARS IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE, BEFORE STEPPING DOWN DURING HIS UNFINISHED 5TH TERM IN 2023.

HE WAS SUCCEEDED BY THEN-CONGRESSMAN MARK WAYNE MULLIN.

>> WE HAVE DISAGREED OBVIOUSLY ON SOME POLICIES, BUT I HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF RESPECT FOR A GUY WHO HAS SPENT HIS WHOLE LIFE SERVING THIS COUNTRY.

I MEAN, FROM, FROM HIS SERVICE IN THE MILITARY TO A SERVANT IN PUBLIC LIFE, HE SPENT HIS WHOLE LIFE SERVING THIS COUNTRY.

>> INHOFE WAS BORN IN DES MOINES, IOWA, IN 1934 AND MOVED TO TULSA IN 1942.

HE BEGAN HIS POLITICAL CAREER AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN 1966 AND LATER SERVED THREE TERMS AS TULSA MAYOR, BEFORE BECOMING A U.S. REPRESENTATIVE IN 1987.

IN 1994, HE WAS ELECTED TO THE U.S. SENATE.

>> HE WAS THE FIRST PERSON THAT CALLED ME AFTER I WON IN 2018 AND CONGRATULATED ME, WHICH ALWAYS MEANS A LOT, BUT ALSO WHEN I, I, I'VE MET HIS STAFF AND IT'S KIND OF KNOWN AROUND THE POLITICAL CIRCLES IN OKLAHOMA AS A FORMER INHOFER.

BECAUSE HIS TENTACLES WENT EVERYWHERE, IT JUST SEEMED THAT HE DID SUCH A GOOD JOB IN COLLECTING GREAT PEOPLE.

>> INHOFE WAS PROUDLY CONSERVATIVE AND OFTEN CLASHED WITH HIS MORE PROGRESSIVE COLLEAGUES IN CONGRESS.

IN 2020, HE WAS INVESTIGATED AND CLEARED OF INSIDER TRADING ACCUSATIONS.

THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE CHAMPIONED OKLAHOMA'S MILITARY BASES AND MADE SURE NEW PROGRAMS AND DOLLARS WERE DIRECTED TO THEM, EVEN AS INSTALLATIONS IN OTHER STATES WERE BEING DOWNSIZED OR SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY.

>> HE WAS A LEADER, THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT, WHICH PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE HOW FORTUNATE WE WERE FOR HIS LEADERSHIP THERE IN DC PROTECTING OUR MILITARY BASES THROUGH SOME VERY CRITICAL TIMES IN THE 90s WHEN THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME BASE, BASE CLOSURES.

AND SO HE WAS REALLY A VOICE FOR US.

>> OKLAHOMA HOUSE MAJORITY LEADER JON ECHOLS RELEASED THIS STATEMENT: FEW HAVE DONE MORE THAN JAMES MOUNTAIN INHOFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

FROM SUPPORTING COUNTLESS MILES OF INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT, STANDING UP FOR OKLAHOMA FARMERS AND RANCHERS, HIS COMMITMENT TO OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM, OR HIS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO CONSERVATIVE VALUES, AND SO MUCH MORE, OKLAHOMA LOST AN IRREPLACEABLE LEGEND.

HIS FORMER CHIEF OF STATE, LUKE HOLLAND, SAID INHOFE WAS A MAN TO BE ADMIRED IN BOTH HIS PUBLIC AND PRIVATES LIVES.

>> I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SEE HIS LIFE, BOTH, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC LIFE THAT EVERYBODY ELSE SEES, BUT ALSO THE PRIVATE LIFE, THE WAY THAT HE TREATS PEOPLE, THE WAY THAT HE IS COURTEOUS, THE WAY THAT HE REALLY PUTS THE NEEDS OF OTHERS AHEAD OF HIMSELF.

HE'S, HE'S THE EPITOME OF HE'S THE EPITOME OF A SERVANT LEADER.

>> INHOFE SERVED IN THE ARMY FOR TWO YEARS AND WAS A LICENSED AND ENTHUSIASTIC AIRPLANE PILOT FOR MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE.

A FAMILY STATEMENT RELEASED ON TUESDAY SAID INHOFE DIED PEACEFULLY EARLY THAT MORNING, SURROUNDED BY HIS WIFE AND THREE SURVIVING CHILDREN.

>> A GREAT REPRESENTATION OF, OF OKLAHOMA VALUES, OF OKLAHOMA COMMON SENSE, AND PEOPLE HE COULD WORK ACROSS THE AISLE AND WORK WITH TO GET, TO GET GOOD LEGISLATION DONE AND PROTECT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, SO REALLY WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT A U.S.

SENATOR REPRESENTING YOUR STATE, YOU THINK OF JIM INHOFE.

>> AS OF FRIDAY MORNING, THE INHOFE FAMILY HAD NOT RELEASED DETAILS OF HIS FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS.

>>> THE STILL UNFINISHED AND UNOPENED OK POP MUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN TULSA HAS ANNOUNCED IT IS LAYING OFF THE MAJORITY OF IT'S STAFF.

THE MOVE COMES ONE MONTH AFTER THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE PLEDGED $18 MILLION IN FUNDING CONTINGENT ON THE MUSEUM RAISING AN ADDITIONAL $18 MILLION TO COMPLETE THE BUILD-OUT OF THE MUSEUM'S INTERIOR.

THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY RELEASED A STATEMENT THAT SAID IT PART THAT THEY HOPE THE LAYOFFS ARE TEMPORARY BUT FOR NOW, THEY MUST CONCENTRATE ON RAISING THE $18 MILLION BEFORE THE DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER OF 2025.

>>> MARLOW POLICE OFFICER, COREY LOFTICE, HAS A REMARKABLE STORY TO SHARE OF GRIT AND PERSEVERANCE AFTER RECOVERING FROM A POTENTIALLY FATAL ILLNESS AND NOW, HIS STORY PROVIDES INSPIRATION FOR OTHERS LIVING WITH ADVERSITY.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH THE DETAILS.

STEVE?

>> RICH, COREY LOFTICE IS A 43-YEAR-OLD, NOW LIEUTENANT WITH THE MAR LOWLOW POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I MET HIM 9 YEARS AGO.

WHEN HE WAS A GRADY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY AND THERE'S NO QUIT IN HIS GET.

♪ BAD BOYS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ♪ ♪ WHEN THEY COME FOR YOU ♪ >> LIEUTENANT COREY LOFTICE WORKS THE 10:00 P.M. TO 6:00 A.M.

SHIFT KNOWN AS THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT.

THE TOWN OF MARLOW SOUTH OF OKLAHOMA CITY IN STEPHENS COUNTY.

>> I DON'T KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN KIND OF A NIGHT WALKER.

EVER SINCE I WAS YOUNG I WAS JUST MY BIOLOGICAL CLOCK HAS ALWAYS BEEN NIGHT SHIFT.

PLUS IN 15 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU ALSO SEE SOME OF THE WEIRDEST STUFF ON THE NIGHT SHIFT.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE MOST CHAOTIC OR THE MOST DANGEROUS, BUT SOME OF THE STUFF YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT.

IT'S LIKE THEY SAY, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS FRONT ROW SEATS TO THE BEST SHOW ON EARTH.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

DID YOU GET SOME FREE ICE CREAM?

>> 9 YEARS AGO, LOFTICE WAS A GRADY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHEN HE SAVED THIS LITTLE GIRL'S LIFE AFTER SHE ACCIDENTLY SHOT HERSELF IN THE CHEST WITH A NAIL GUN.

JUST SIX MONTHS LATER, DEPUTY LOFTICE'S LIFE TURNED UPSIDE DOWN.

HE'D GOTTEN SICK.

DOCTORS DISCOVERED COREY WAS IN KIDNEY FAILURE, DIALYSIS THREE TO FIVE TIMES A WEEK OR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT WERE THE ONLY THINGS THAT WOULD KEEP HIM ALIVE.

>> WHEN I WAS IN KIDNEY FAILURE, WHEN THE DOCTORS TOLD ME I'D PROBABLY NEVER BE A COP AGAIN, I TOLD THEM I DIDN'T WANT A KIDNEY IF I COULDN'T BE A COP.

I TOLD THEM, I SAID THIS IS, ASIDE FROM THE MILITARY, THIS IS ALL I KNOW.

THIS IS MY PASSION.

IT'S BEEN A CHILDHOOD DREAM.

>> AN ARMY OF GRADY COUNTY EMPLOYEES BECAME COREY LOFTICE'S GUARDIAN ANGELS.

>> IN JESUS' NAME, WE COME AGAINST WHATEVER IS ATTACKING YOU, WE CURSE IT AND TELL IT TO DIE AND WITHER AND LEAVE YOUR BODY.

>> FOLKS THAT DIDN'T KNOW DEPUTY LOFTICE DONATED THEIR SICK TIME AND VACATION DAYS TO KEEP COREY FINANCIALLY AFLOAT WHILE HE FOUGHT FOR HIS LIFE.

A YEAR LATER HE GOT THAT KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

AFTER AN OKLAHOMA CITY WOMAN DISCOVERED SHE WAS A MATCH AND DONATED ONE OF HERS.

>> I WAS TOLD BY I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY DOCTORS THAT I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMAIN ON THE STREETS IF I STAYED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I WOULD BE STUCK BEHIND A DESK.

I WOULDN'T BE OUT ON THE STREETS.

I SAID YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE ALL THESE ADJUSTMENTS.

YOU ARE NEVER GOING TO ATTAIN THE LEVEL OF FITNESS THAT YOU HAD BEFORE YOUR KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND I'VE ALWAYS BEEN DEFIANT.

SOMETIMES THAT'S A GOOD THING, SOMETIMES IT'S A BAD THING BUT I TOOK IT AS A CHALLENGE LIKE YOU ARE NOT GOING TO TELL WHAT I AM GOING TO DO AND WHAT I AM CAPABLE OF.

>> TWO YEARS AFTER COREY'S TRANSPLANT, LOFTICE KICKED IN THE FRONT DOOR OF A CHICKASHA APARTMENT WHERE INVESTIGATORS SAID A WOMAN HAD STABBED HER BOYFRIEND AND HER OWN MOTHER TWICE IN THE HEAD.

FOUR MONTHS LATER DEPUTY LOFTICE RECEIVED THE STATE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISTINGUISHED LIFE SAVING AWARD.

A QUICK GLANCE AT SOCIAL MEDIA SHOWS, LOFTICE HASN'T SLOWED DOWN.

HE JOINED A ONLINE FITNESS COMMUNITY.

WHERE LOFTICE NOW DOES HIGH ITENSITY BODY BUILDING TRAINING SIX DAYS A WEEK.

TWO YEARS AGO LOFTICE RELUCTANTLY LEFT THE GRADY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

FOR MORE RESPONSIBILITY AT THE MARLOW POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WHERE HE WAS PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT LAST YEAR.

LOFTICE ALSO GOT MARRIED.

HE AND HIS WIFE HAVE A 5 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER NAMED JOURNI.

>> AND, AND SHE'S ACTUALLY MY KIDNEY DONOR'S MIDDLE NAME BUT HER NAME KIND OF REPRESENTS MY JOURNI WITH MY KIDNEY FAILURE, AND MY WIFE HAD ALSO BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH INFERTILITY.

>> JUST ANOTHER HURDLE PUSHED OUT OF THE WAY.

AND HE SAYS THERE IS AN UPSIDE TO WORKING THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT.

>> THE ANTI-REJECTION MEDS AND AMINO SUPPRESSANTS THAT THEY'VE GOT ME ON SO MY BODY DOESN'T REJECT MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT, ONE OF THE SIDE EFFECTS IS LIGHT AND HEAT SENSITIVITY, AND SO JUST THE SUN AND THE HEAT CAN FATIGUE ME EXTRA.

>> WHEN HE AGREED TO DO THIS STORY.

SHOW TWO SHOT OF ME AND DENISE TULLOUS CORY POINTED ME TO DENISE TULLOUS.

WHO'S WORKED FOR MARLOW ANIMAL CONTROL TWO DECADES.

DENISE IS 67.

SHE'S ALSO BATTLED A GENETIC KIDNEY DISEASE THAT'S LEFT HER AT WHAT'S CALLED END STAGE RENAL DISEASE.

SHE HAS TO USE THIS DIALYSIS MACHINE EACH NIGHT TO LIVE.

HER SEARCH FOR A NEW KIDNEY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THREE YEARS.

>> I MEAN THEY HAVE TO BE A BLOOD TYPE THAT'S THE SAME, THEY CAN BE A OR O TYPE BLOOD, AND THEN THEY HAVE TO BE FAIRLY HEALTHY.

>> I DON'T KNOW SHE HAD TOLD ME THAT YOU KNOW SHE DOESN'T ALWAYS FEEL COMFORTABLE ASKING FOR HELP.

I TOLD HER WELL THAT'S FINE I WILL DO IT FOR YOU.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME BOAT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LIFE AND DEATH HERE.

THIS ISN'T LIKE YOU ARE ASKING FOR A HANDOUT OR MONEY.

YOU ARE ASKING FOR YOUR LIFE.

>> I REACHED OUT TO OU HEALTH.

THEY TELL ME THEY'RE CURRENTLY SEEING A 4.5 YEAR WAIT TIME FOR A KIDNEY TRANSPLANT.

THEY SAY 4 YEARS IS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THEY ALSO SAY TRANSPLANTS ARE BASED ON A POINT SYSTEM DUE TO THE TIME SPENT ON DIALYSIS.

THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS AS WELL.

RICH.

>> Rich: THAT IS QUITE A STORY.

THANK YOU STEVE.

>>> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAD A CONTRACT.

ACCORDING TO OUR PARTNER, WALTER WATERS HIRED VAULT STRATEGIES.

THE DEAL HAS BEEN CRITICIZED BY THE GOVERNOR.

SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS' DECISION TO MANDATE THE USE OF BIBLES IN OKLAHOMA PUBLIC CLASSROOMS HAS DIVIDED OKLAHOMA'S FAITH COMMUNITY.

AS JASON DOYLE REPORTS, SOME THINK IT'S LONG OVERDUE WHILE OTHERS, SAY PUBLIC SCHOOL ISN'T SUNDAY SCHOOL.

>> GOOD MORNING OKLAHOMA, THIS IS JAKE.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> RAYIAN -- RYAN WALTERS SAID THAT BIBLES SHOULD BE USED FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES.

IT'S BEEN THE TALK AND BEYOND.

>> HONESTLY, I'M MIXED IN MY, MY FEELINGS ABOUT THIS.

THIS OPENS UP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

I THINK THAT HAS BEEN TWISTED AND MISUNDERSTOOD.

>> JAKE MERRICK IS A PASTOR AND A TALK SHOW HOST AT OKLAHOMA CITY'S FREEDOM 96.

9 FM AND FEELS LIKE WALTERS IS TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT TO IMPROVE ACADEMIC RESULTS.

>> WHAT WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL ISN'T WORKING.

WE'RE STILL 48TH IN THE NATION.

AND SO I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT SOMETHING DIFFERENT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

WE MAY DISAGREE ON WHAT THAT IS AND THE APPROACH, BUT WE ALL AGREE SOMETHING DIFFERENT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THIS IS THE APPROACH HE'S TAKING.

>> MERRICK SAYS THAT THE IDEA OF THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE WAS MEANT TO PROTECT WORSHIPERS FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

>> SO THIS IS THE IDEA THAT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE FREEDOM AND INDIVIDUALITY, THAT THE STATE MUST NOT DICTATE WHAT THE CHURCH IS ALLOWED TO DO.

HOWEVER, IT DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE ABILITY OF THE CHURCH AND BELIEVERS AND CHRISTIANS TO BRING THEIR FAITH INTO THE PUBLIC SPHERE.

>> OTHER MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY HAVE A DIFFERENT THOUGHT AS TO THE REASON WHY WALTERS, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS ELECTED POSITION, IS TRYING TO INCLUDE THE BIBLE IN THE CLASSROOM AS INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL.

>> TO SUM IT UP SUCCINCTLY, PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT SUNDAY SCHOOLS.

IT IS INAPPROPRIATE ON SO MANY LEVELS AND IN SO MANY WAYS TO INSIST THAT THE BIBLE BE USED AS CURRICULUM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> LORI WALKE IS THE SENIOR PASTOR FOR THE MAYFLOWER CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SHE NOTES THAT MANDATING BIBLES IN SCHOOLS IS FORCED EXPOSURE.

NOT SOMEONE COMING TO THE FAITH ON THEIR OWN ACCORD.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT TACTICS LIKE FORCING STUDENTS TO USE THE BIBLE CURRICULUM, FORCING CLASSROOMS TO DISPLAY THE 10 COMMANDMENTS, THOSE ARE ACTS OF COERCION, WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH.

FAITH IS INVITATIONAL NOT SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE FORCED.

>> SHE BELIEVES WALTERS IS TRYING TO TRIGGER A TEST CASE FOR THE COURTS TO TEST THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

>> THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT THIS IS A POLITICAL STUNT.

WE FIND THAT SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS NEARLY EVERY TIME THE STATE BOARD MEETS.

>> LET'S GO BACK TO FIRST PRINCIPLES.

THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED PARTLY ON THE PREMISE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

>> OU CONSTITUTIONAL LAW PROFESSOR JOSEPH THAI HAS CLERKED FOR THE U.S. SUPREME COURT AND SAYS THE LEGAL QUESTION IS MORE COMPLICATED THAT JUST THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

>> THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT MANDATING BIBLES IN EVERY CLASSROOM AND REQUIRING THAT THE BIBLE BE INCORPORATED INTO THE CURRICULUM, INTO HISTORY LESSONS AND WHATNOT, WHETHER THAT AMOUNTS TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THAT'S WHAT IS LIKELY TO BE ARGUED IN A COURT, SHOULD WALTER'S NEW RULE BE CHALLENGED.

>> WE DON'T NEED TO GET INTO THEOLOGY AND INTERPRETING SCRIPTURE.

THAT I BELIEVE SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE PULPIT.

HOWEVER, TO EXCLUDE THE BIBLE COMPLETELY, I BELIEVE IS A MISSTEP.

>> WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED THAT THIS MOVE IS ABOUT PROSELYTIZING, EVANGELIZING, WHICH IS NOT APPROPRIATE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SETTING.

>> WHILE THERE IS DECADES OLD LEGAL PRECEDENT FOR LIMITING RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE IN THE CLASSROOM, THAI BELIEVES THE LOWER COURTS WILL LIKELY SEND THE ISSUE TO THE HIGHEST COURT IN THE LAND.

>> THE LOWER COURTS WILL BE MORE LIKELY TO APPLY THOSE EXISTING PRECEDENTS AND SAY THAT WHEN YOU'RE TEACHING BIBLE LESSONS AS HISTORY LESSONS TO FIFTH GRADERS, THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DISTINGUISH THE LORD'S TRUTH FROM A HISTORICAL FACT OR A HISTORICAL POINT AND SO THAT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE LINE FOR US TO ALLOW.

>> WITH THE CURRENT CONSERVATIVE LEANING SUPREME COURT MAKEUP, THAI SAYS HISTORICAL PRECEDENT HAS A CHANCE TO FALL, LIKE IN THE DOBBS DECISION WHICH REPEALED ROE V. WADE.

>> THEY MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW AND THEY'VE SIGNALED THAT FOR THE MOST PART, THEY THINK THE LINE BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE IS WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNMENT IS COERCING PEOPLE INTO RELIGIOUS EXERCISE OR RELIGIOUS BELIEF OR RELIGIOUS FAITH.

>> THAI BELIEVES EVEN IF A CHALLENGE DOESN'T MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TO THE U.S. SUPREME COURT, IT STILL PLAYS INTO WALTER'S HAND.

>> IT'S KIND OF A WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR RYAN WALTERS AND THE PROPONENTS OF THIS PROGRAM IN THIS SENSE, IF THE LOWER COURTS SAY THIS PROGRAM IS OKAY.

IT'S JUST TEACHING HISTORY.

IT DOESN'T CROSS THE LINE BETWEEN CHURCH AND STATE, THEN THE SUPREME COURT PROBABLY WON'T TAKE IT AND THEY'RE GOOD.

IF THE LOWER COURT STRIKE DOWN THIS PROGRAM, THEN THE SUPREME COURT IS MORE LIKELY TO TAKE IT UP AS A TEST CASE TO REEXAMINE THE OLDER PRECEDENT.

>> Reporter: JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> Rich: IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH THAT.

>>> THE NEW OKLAHOMA CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD MET FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS WEEK.

IT'S GROWN FROM A THREE TO NINE MEMBER GROUP.

WITH MORE ON THE MAKE UP OF THE NEW BOARD AND THEIR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS WE'RE JOINED BY EDUCATION REPORTER, TAELYR JACKSON.

>> RICH.

THE NEW BOARDS FIRST MAJOR ORDER OF BUSINESS WAS MAKING A DECISION REGARDING THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURTS JUNE 25TH RULING AGAINST THE ST. ISDORE CONTRACT.

>> WE DO PLAN ON HONORING AND RESPECTING THE, THE DECISION OF THE SUPREME COURT.

>> AFTER A LENGTHY EXECUTIVE SESSION THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD DID NOT RESCIND OR APPROVE THE ST. ISDORE CONTRACT, CHOOSING INSTEAD TO DELAY ACTION AFTER THE ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE CATHOLIC VIRTUAL SCHOOL FILED A MOTION ON FRIDAY REQUESTING A STAY OF THE STATE SUPREME COURT'S RULING.

>> SO WE WILL BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE OF THE ORDER.

AS MANY PEOPLE IN THE MEETING MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, THERE IS A MOTION MADE IN DISTRICT COURT.

WE WERE GIVEN THOSE DOCUMENTS AS WELL.

>> THE MOTION REQUESTED THAT THE COURT STAY ITS ORDER DIRECTING THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD TO CANCEL ITS CONTRACT WITH ST. ISIDORE UNTIL THE DEADLINE TO FILE A PETITION TO THE U.S SUPREME COURT HAS PASSED.

>> WE WILL SEE WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES ON JULY 22ND.

THAT IS WHEN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TO RESPOND TO THE MOTION THAT WAS MADE.

>> THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE CHARTER BOARD REPLACES THE DISBANDED 3-PERSON STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD, AND WAS CREATED THROUGH SENATE BILL 516 DURING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE NEW NINE-MEMBER BOARD WAS HANDPICKED BY THE GOVERNOR, LEADERS OF BOTH THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE AND STATE AUDITOR, CYNDI BYRD.

A FEW OF THE BOARD RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AND VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL APPLICATIONS, IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING OVERSIGHT.

>> IT -- I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR REBBECA WILKINSON WENT OVER THE CHANGES BRIEFLY WITH THE NEW BOARD.

>> I THINK IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT, EXTENDS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THIS BOARD TO AUTHORIZE ALL KINDS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST, BUT ALSO BRICK AND MORTAR AND BLINK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS CURRENTLY HAVE SEVEN VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOLS IN PLACE ON JULY 1, THE BOARD DID INHERIT FOUR ADDITIONAL BRICK AND MORTAR SCHOOLS FROM THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> WILKINSON POINTED OUT THAT THE CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD CAN NOW RECOMMEND LEGISLATION RELATED TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THAT IS SOMETHING WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE, THAT THE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD DISCUSSED, BUT DIDN'T THINK THAT THAT REALLY WASN'T THEIR LANE, THAT THEIR JOB WAS JUST SIMPLY TO IMPLEMENT THE LEGISLATION THAT CAME.

SO I APPRECIATE THAT SENATOR PUGH RECOGNIZED THAT A BOARD THAT'S WORKING CLOSELY WITH CHARTERS WOULD'VE SOMETHING TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND BE ABLE TO RECOMMEND LEGISLATION IN THE COMING YEAR.

SO I, I THINK THAT'S A POSITIVE.

>> THE NEWLY ELECTED BOARD CHAIR BRIAN T. SHELLUM HAS HIGH HOPES FOR THE BOARD MOVING FORWARD.

>> THIS BOARD IS GOING TO BE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE STATE.

WE ARE GONNA BRING NEW IDEAS AND NEW CHARTER SCHOOLS THAT WILL HOPEFULLY IMPROVE THE UNITED OUTCOMES.

>> SHELLUM WAS RE-SELECTED BY GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT.

SHELLUM SERVED ON THE STATE-WIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD DURING THE LAST 6 MONTHS.

THE GOVERNOR'S TWO OTHER APPOINTEES INCLUDE ANGIE THOMAS AND KATHLEEN WHITE, A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER FROM EDMOND.

STATE CHAMBER RESEARCH FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BEN LEPAK AND TULSAN JARED BUSWELL WERE APPOINTED BY HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES MCALL.

BUSWELL WAS ELECTED VICE-CHAIRMAN AT MONDAY'S MEETING.

>> I'VE BEEN MARRIED TO MY WIFE FOR 18 YEARS AND WE OWN A FEW SMALL BUSINESSES THAT AFFORD US THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOLUNTEER IN EVERY CAPACITY THAT WE COULD IMAGINE.

>> FORMER SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM, GREG TREAT, APPOINTED DAMON GARDENHIRE AND POLICY DIRECTOR BECKY GOOCH.

>> I AM THE POLICY AND COMMITTEE STAFF DIRECTOR FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE.

I SPECIFICALLY WORK PRIMARILY FOR PRO-TEM GREG TREAT.

I, MY HUSBAND, AND I HAVE FIVE KIDS.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAVE THREE PRECIOUS GRAND BABIES AND I SPENT 12 YEARS SERVING ON THE PUTNAM CITY SCHOOL BOARD WHILE MY KIDS WERE IN SCHOOL.

>> DR KITTY CAMPBELL IS STATE AUDITOR CYNDI BYRD'S DESIGNEE.

>> I RETIRED JANUARY 1ST OF THIS YEAR FROM SOUTHWESTERN STATE OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY.

WHEN I RETIRED, I WAS CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ED AND MARKETING AND THE DIRECTOR OF THE MBA PROGRAM.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION RYAN WALTERS WILL ALSO SERVE ON THE BOARD.

WALTERS WAS NOT PRESENT AT MONDAYS MEETING BUT SENT JOHN TAUTFEST AS A PROXY.

AND WHILE THE CONTRACT BETWEEN ST. ISIDORE AND THE BOARD REMAINS IN PLACE ON PAPER, THE SCHOOL WILL NOT OPEN DURING THE 2024 -2025 SCHOOL YEAR.

BOARD CHAIRMAN SHELLUM SAYS THE BOARD WILL STAY IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

>> WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DID NOT SAY IS THE TIMEFRAME.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO TAKE THAT PLACE AS FAR AS RESCINDING THAT CONTRACT.

THERE ALSO IS A PROVISION IN THERE ASKING FOR THE 10-DAY WINDOW FOR REHEARING.

THAT THERE'S A RIGHT TO APPEAL.

THIS BOARD HAS NOT MADE THAT DECISION.

WE DIDN'T EVEN DISCUSS ABOUT APPEALING THIS DECISION.

>> THE BOARD SAYS THEY PLAN TO FOLLOW THE ORDER BUT WANT TO LET THE LEGAL PROCESS PLAY OUT.

ST. ISIDORE INTENDS TO SEEK THE U.S SUPREME COURTS RULING ON THE MATTER.

RICH.

>> Rich: THANK YOU.

CHANGES MADE TO THE STATE'S POLICE PENSION SYSTEM HAVE CREATED A LOT OF CONVERSATION RECENTLY AND IT GOT US TO WONDERING ABOUT THE STATE'S OTHER PENSION PLANS FOR FIREMAN, TEACHERS, STATE WORKERS AND OTHERS.

HOW ARE THEY SIMILAR, HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT AND ARE THEY ALL IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE?

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

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE BEST FUNDED STATE PENSION SYSTEMS FOR THE LAST PROBABLY 12 YEARS.

WE ARE 106.1% FUNDED.

WE ARE VERY HEALTHY.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY PRUDENT WITH OUR FUNDS AND WE RECEIVE 14% OF THE INSURANCE PREMIUM TAXES FROM THE THE STATE.

SO I THINK THAT WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE DO, WE DON'T NEED ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

>> ASSUMING WE CONTINUE TO GET THE DEDICATED REVENUE FROM THE STATE THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING AND ASSUMING WE MEET OUR ASSUMED RATE OF RETURN, WHICH IS A 7% INVESTMENT RETURN, I THINK WE'RE, WE'RE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, LAST YEAR OUR ACTUARY OPINED THAT WE WOULD BE FULLY FUNDED BY 2035, SO WE'RE ABOUT 11 YEARS AWAY FROM FULLY FUNDED STATUS AND HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD, COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> A NEW LAW THAT WILL HELP CONSUMERS KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH THEY'LL HAVE TO PAY FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES WAS SIGNED INTO LAW THIS WEEK.

THE TRANSPARENCY IN HEALTHCARE PRICES ACT REQUIRES PROVIDERS TO MAKE THE COST OF THEIR 20 MOST COMMON MEDICAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS PRIOR TO PAYMENT OF A MEDICAL DEBT.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR EXPLAINS THE BENEFITS FOR EVERY DAY OKLAHOMANS.

>>> ONE IN FOUR OKLAHOMANS HAS MEDICAL DEBT AND SO IT IS JUST REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HELP THEM MANAGE AND FIGURE OUT IF THEY ARE GONNA INCUR THAT DEBT, HOW MUCH IS IT, DO THEY HAVE A BETTER OPTION?

AND ALSO, AGAIN, IMPORTANTLY, TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND NOT BE AFRAID BECAUSE THEY DON'T AREN'T GONNA GET A BILL AFTER THE FACT, THAT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN THEY EVER EXPECTED.

>> HOUSE BILL 4148 ALSO REQUIRES COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL PRICE TRANSPARENCY LAWS BEFORE SEEKING JUDGEMENT ON A MEDICAL DEBT.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS WILL SOON BE OPERATING UNDER NEW LEADERSHIP.

RETIRED REAR ADMIRAL, JAMES BYNUM TAKES OVER ON AUGUST 1ST, REPLACING THE OUTGOING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREG SLAVONIC.

BYNUM WILL OVERSEE SEVEN VETERANS HOMES AND 1500 EMPLOYEES IN HIS NEW ROLE.

>>> YOU CAN NOW BUY AMMUNITION FROM A VENDING MACHINE IN OKLAHOMA.

A HANDFUL OF THE NEW KIOSKS ARE POPPING UP INSIDE GROCERY STORES, LIKE THIS ONE IN NOBLE, OKLAHOMA.

THE MACHINES USE A.I.

TECHNOLOGY AND FACIAL SCAN TECHNOLOGY TO VERIFY THE AGE AND IDENTITY OF BUYERS.

ACCORDING TO THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THEM, AMERICAN ROUNDS, THERE IS NO LIMIT TO THE AMOUNT OF AMMO YOU CAN PURCHASE.

>>> WE'RE JUST OVER HALF WAY THROUGH 2024, SO, HOW IS OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY SHAPING UP SO FAR?

JASON DOYLE SPEAKS TO A FEDERAL RESERVE BANK ECONOMIST TO FIND OUT IN A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> HOW IS OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY DOING DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THIS YEAR?

>> YES, I WOULD SAY THE OKLAHOMA ECONOMY, LIKE THE U.S. ECONOMY IN GENERAL IS DOING VERY WELL.

REALLY, I THINK BETTER THAN THEY EXPECTED BASED ON WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH INFLATION AND HIGHER INTEREST RATES.

WE ARE SEEING SOME SLOWING IN SOME AREAS.

BUT OVERALL, IF YOU LOOK AT OVERALL OUTPUT GROWTH, INCOME, YOU KNOW, THE BROAD MEASURES OF EMPLOYMENT, UNEMPLOYMENT IS STILL REALLY LOW.

SO OVERALL THE OKLAHOMA ECONOMY LOOKS REALLY GOOD.

EMPLOYMENT GROWTH REMAINS POSITIVE OVERALL IN OKLAHOMA.

IT HAS SLOWED FROM A YEAR AGO, AND WE ARE SEEING SOME DECLINES IN SPECIFIC SECTORS LIKE ENERGY, TRANSPORTATION, PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES.

BUT WE'RE ALSO SEEING REALLY STRONG EMPLOYMENT GROWTH IN OTHER SECTORS LIKE EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE, GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTION HAS BEEN REALLY STRONG.

SO ALL THAT COMBINED MEANS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE DECLINES IN A FEW, SECTORS, I MEAN, I THINK ENERGY OBVIOUSLY IS THE MOST NOTABLE, BUT I THINK THOSE THERE WE SEE A LOT HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY THAN WHAT WE HAD COMING INTO THE PANDEMIC.

THEY'RE ABLE TO PRODUCE MORE WITH LESS LABOR.

THEY WERE ABLE TO FIGURE THAT OUT, GET MORE PRODUCTIVE.

AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE'RE STILL SEEING, SLOWER GROWTH OR EVEN DECLINES IN ENERGY.

BUT OVERALL STILL, I MEAN, IF YOU WANT A JOB, THERE IS A JOB FOR YOU OUT THERE.

>> HOW WAS INFLATION IN OKLAHOMA THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF 2024?

>> SO KIND OF LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE, INFLATION IN OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN COMING DOWN, BUT STILL NOT WHERE WE WANT IT TO BE.

IT'S STILL TOO HIGH, AS WE WOULD SAY AND EVEN THOUGH INFLATION, SO THE RATE OF CHANGE IN PRICES IS COMING DOWN PRICE LEVELS BECAUSE OF THE THE WHOLE PERIOD OF INFLATION THAT WE HAD, ARE STILL PRETTY DIFFICULT, I THINK, FOR A LOT OF HOUSEHOLDS, PARTICULARLY LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, I THINK ARE FEELING THAT THE MOST YOU MENTIONED GROCERY STORES.

I'M ACTUALLY AN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST.

SO FOOD AND AG OR THINGS THAT I FOLLOW.

AND SO GROCERY PRICES ARE ONE CATEGORY THAT WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF, KIND OF STABILIZATION IN THOSE PRICES, WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

FOOD SERVICE IS ANOTHER STORY.

FOOD SERVICE AND RESTAURANT PRICES HAVE BEEN HAVE KIND OF HELD A LITTLE BIT MORE FIRM.

>> Reporter: JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU.

MANY OF THE GREATEST BOXERS OF ALL TIME HAVE SAID THAT IF THEY HADN'T BEEN FIGHTING IN A RING AT A YOUNG AGE UNDER ADULT SUPERVISION, THEY WOULD PROBABLY BE FIGHTING IT OUT ON THE STREETS AND GETTING INTO TROUBLE.

IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THE RIVAL BOXING GYM PROVIDES A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUNG FIGHTERS WANTING TO HONE THEIR CRAFT.

ANDREW HARTSHORN HAS OUR REPORT.

>> SO ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO I WAS JUST A PRO BOXER TRAINING IN THIS GYM I HAD, I HAD NO INTENTIONS, I WASN'T A COACH, DIDN'T WANT TO COACH, BUT THE GUY THAT OWNED THE GYM AT THE TIME WAS GONNA COME IN AND HE DECIDED THAT HE WAS GONNA TURN IN THE KEYS AND SHUT THE GYM DOWN.

I WENT HOME THAT NIGHT AND I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP.

I KNEW THIS WAS A SAFE HAVEN FOR THESE KIDS, ESPECIALLY ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN, IN THIS AREA.

I JUST -- I JUST COULDN'T LET HIM CLOSE IT DOWN.

>> SO MANY KIDS DEPENDENT ON THIS PLACE AT THAT TIME.

SO I CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND I WAS LIKE LOOK, IF YOU WANT TO KEEP IT OPEN, ADD STRUCTURE, ADD DISCIPLINE, DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY AND TRY TO TAKE THESE KIDS SOMEWHERE AND DO SOMETHING WITH THEM, I'LL HELP YOU.

LET'S KEEP IT OPEN.

IT JUST TOOK OFF FROM THERE.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> I MEAN EVER SINCE I WAS A LITTLE KID, I WOULD LOVE TO PUT ON THE GLOVES WITH MY LITTLE BROTHER IN THE LIVING ROOM AND WE WOULD JUST FIGHT FOR FUN.

>> YEAH, I JUST WANTED TO IMPROVE MYSELF AND I FELT LIKE FIGHTING AGAINST PEOPLE WOULD HELP ME GET BETTER.

>> IT'S JUST THE ATMOSPHERE IN THIS GYM THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO COME HERE EVERYDAY.

IT'S NOT THE SAME.

YOU WILL NEVER GET A DULL MOMENT.

YOU WILL NOT -- THE KIDS WILL NOT BE THE SAME KID EVERY SINGLE DAY.

YOU GET SOME KIDS THAT WORK HARD EVERYDAY AND YOU MAY GET SOME KIDS THAT WANT TO SLACK OFF BUT THEY DON'T WANT TO, BUT THEY NEED THAT PUSH.

THAT'S WHERE ME AND NICKI COME IN AT.

>> I'VE BEEN BOXING FOR AROUND FIVE YEARS, I THINK.

THE LAST YEAR I HAVEN'T REALLY COMPETED SINCE I WAS FOCUSED ON MY LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE AND ALL THAT.

BEFORE THAT, I DID COMPETE IN A COUPLE FIGHTS AND I WENT TO STATE, REGIONAL, AND NATIONALS.

>> IT IS A MIXTURE OF EVERYTHING.

SO YOU HAVE A MIXTURE OF THE YOUNG KIDS, YOU HAVE A MIXTURE OF THE ADULTS.

THE ADULTS WORK HARD, THE ADULTS GET TO REMEMBER WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK HARD AS A KID.

THERE IS ALWAYS THAT FLUCTUATION OF FLOW IN THE GYM.

SOMEONE IS NOT PULLING THEIR EFFORT, HEY, SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP IT UP AND PULL THE EFFORT FOR THEM SAYING HEY, YOU CAN WORK HARDER.

WHEN I COME HERE, IT'S LIKE MY FREE TIME.

I SPEND TIME WITH THESE KIDS.

THESE KIDS, THIS IS THEIR FREE TIME.

I GET THESE KIDS AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTS THEY ARE AROUND ALL DAY.

THEY ARE WITH KIDS THEY DON'T WANT TO BE AROUND, PARENTS, ADULTS, AN ATMOSPHERE THEY DON'T WANT TO BE IN AND THEY COME HERE AND THEY'RE IN THE ATMOSPHERE THEY WANT TO BE IN.

I WANT TO BE PART OF THAT.

>> MAN, I WAS A TROUBLE CHILD.

AT FIRST, I PLAYED BASKETBALL AND THEN JUST GROWING UP, I WAS ALWAYS FIGHTING.

WITH ME ALWAYS FIGHTING, THERE WAS AN OFFICER NAMED OFFICER KURT IN MY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HE INTRODUCED ME TO THE BOXING GYM AND IT TOOK OFF FROM THERE.

>> WE'RE ON THE SOUTH SIDE, THIS GENERATION, THOSE TYPES OF KIDS, THOSE PARENTS, THEY WANT TO GET THEIR KIDS INTO A DIFFERENT ELEMENT.

BOXING IS RELEVANT FOR PEOPLE ON THIS SIDE OF TOWN BEING THE DEMOGRAPHIC OF BEING BLACK, HISPANIC, ASIAN, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO BE.

THIS IS THE SAFE HAVEN, THE GYM, THAT IS WHAT IT IS FOR PEOPLE.

>> THE GROUP OF KIDS WE HAVE IN HERE, THEY ALL GET ALONG.

IT'S MORE LIKE A FAMILY THAN A TEAM WITH A FAMILY ATMOSPHERE.

THEY ALL CHEER FOR EACH OTHER.

THEY'RE ALL RIGHT THERE BY EACH OTHER'S SIDE.

THEY WANT TO SEE EACH OTHER DO WELL.

THERE IS NO JEALOUSY, NO ENVY, THEY DON'T FIGHT.

WE GO ON WEEK LONG TRIPS AND I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THEM.

THEY ALL GET ALONG.

THEY ALL WANT TO GET BETTER, SO THEY ALL PUSH EACH OTHER TO GET BETTER.

I LOVE THIS GYM.

I LOVE THE ATMOSPHERE THAT IT PROVIDES.

IN THE BACK OF AN ALLEY, THROUGH THE BACKDOORS, UP THE STAIRS, IT GIVES YOU THAT OLD SCHOOL BOXING GYM VIBE.

>> Reporter: ANDREW HARTSHORN, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM WAS FOUNDED IN 1964, AND ACCORDING TO BALLOT-PEDIA, IT SERVES ABOUT 30,000 RETIREES AND THEIR BENEFICIARIES AS OF MAY 2024 WITH MORE ON HOW THESE PENSION PLANS ARE FUNDED AND ADMINISTERED.

HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD, AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS, WITH THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH CONVERSATION.

>>> THANK YOU RICH.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY GINGER SIGLER THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA POLICE PENSION AND RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY SARAH GREEN WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

LADIES THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING ME HERE ON INDEPTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> OF COURSE.

>> CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE NEW CHANGES MADE TO THE POLICE PENSION SYSTEM?

>> SO SENATE BILL 102 WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1ST OF 2025.

ON THAT DAY, THE EMPLOYEES WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTION OF 1%, SO IT WILL INCREASE FROM 8% TO 9%.

THE MUNICIPALITY WILL PAY AN ADDITIONAL PERCENT AND IT WILL INCREASE FROM 13% TO 14%.

THAT WILL CONTINUE FOR ONE YEAR.

ON JULY 1ST OF 2026, ANYONE WHO HAS MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF SERVICE CAN RETIRE AND RECEIVE A HIGHER BENEFIT AT A 3% MULTIPLIER INSTEAD OF A 2.5% MULTIPLIER.

ON JULY 1, 2027, IT GOES TO ANYONE THAT HAS MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.

SO ON JULY 1, 2027, THOSE WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS CAN RETIRE WITH A 3% MULTIPLIER.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SAY LAWMAKERS SUPPORTED PASSING THIS LEGISLATION AND YOU KNOW, YOU SAID WHAT SOME OF THE LEGISLATION INCLUDES.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE JUST ENTERING THE SYSTEM AND NOT EVEN CLOSE TO RETIRING YET?

>> I CANNOT SPEAK TO WHY THE LEGISLATORS DID WHAT THEY DID.

THIS WAS NOT A POLICE PENSION SUPPORTED BILL.

IT WAS NOT SUPPORTED AND IT WAS NOT A REQUEST FILLED BY US.

SO OUR BOARD TOOK THE POSITION THAT WE WERE TO REMAIN NEUTRAL.

SO I DO NOT KNOW ALL THE INS AND OUTS WHY THE LEGISLATURE DID WHAT THEY DID.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

HOW ARE WE DOING WITH THE FUNDS THERE?

>> WE'RE DOING WELL.

AS OF OUR LAST EVALUATION, WHICH IS DONE ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, WE WERE 75.1% FUNDED, WHICH IS THE HIGHEST FUNDED WE'VE BEEN IN THE HISTORY IN AN 80 YEAR HISTORY OF T.R.S.

SO, THAT IS WELL INCREASED FROM JUST 10 YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE FUNDED IN THE LOW 60s.

SO WE MADE GREAT STRIDES WITH THE HELP OF THE LEGISLATURE AND OUR INVESTMENT RETURNS OVER THE PAST DECADE OR SO.

SO WE'RE DEFINITELY HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE'RE STILL NOT QUITE THERE, BUT WE'RE GETTING THERE.

>> WOULD YOU SAY THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF PASSING BILLS TO BOLSTER PENSION SERVICES?

>> I THINK THEY HAVE.

I THINK SINCE 2007, THEY REALLY TAKEN IT ON AS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED CORRECTLY.

EVEN THOUGH IT HAS BEEN PAINFUL TO DEAL WITH, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO MAINTAIN WHAT HAS BEEN BEST FOR THE PENSION SYSTEM.

>> AND SARAH, IN TERMS OF TEACHERS, HAVE LEGISLATORS BOLSTER PENSION SERVICES AS WELL?

>> THEY REALLY HAVE.

LIKE GINGER SAID, THEY REALLY TOOK IT ON IN THE 2007 AND 2010 TIMEFRAME AND THEY REALLY HAD A FOCUSED EFFORT ON INCREASING THE HEALTH OF THE PUBLIC PENSION SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA.

>> HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE STATE POLICE PENSION SYSTEM IS FUNDED AND WOULD YOUR ORGANIZATION NEED MORE FUNDING?

>> WE ARE AT 106.1% FUNDED.

WE ARE REALLY HEALTHY.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY PRUDENT WITH OUR FUNDS.

WE RECEIVE 14% OF THE INSURANCE PREMIUM TAXES FROM THE STATE.

SO, I THINK THAT WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE.

WE DON'T NEED ANY ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

>> SARAH, WHAT DO YOU THINK, DOES THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM NEED MORE FUNDING?

>> WELL, I WOULD NEVER TURN DOWN FUNDING, BUT I THINK OUR FUNDING LEVELS ARE ADEQUATE AT THIS TIME.

WE ESSENTIALLY HAVE FOUR FUNDING MECHANISMS.

HALF OF OUR FUNDING COMES FROM OUR INVESTMENT INCOME.

THE OTHER HALF COMES FROM OUR MEMBER EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION, LIKE YOU WOULD EXPECT, AND WE GET SOME DEDICATED REVENUE FROM THE STATE TO MAKE UP THAT DEFICIT.

SO I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> GINGER, GOING BACK TO THE PASSING OF THE SENATE BILL 102, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS WHO ARE NOT ONLY STARTING THEIR SERVICE BUT ARE RETIRING.

ARE THEY EXCITED ABOUT THIS BILL?

WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

>> THE ONES GETTING CLOSE TO RETIREMENT ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT'S A 20% INCREASE IN BENEFITS.

>> AND THE ONES JUST ENTERING, DO YOU THINK THIS BILL WILL ENCOURAGE MORE OFFICERS TO COME TO OKLAHOMA, TO WANT TO SERVE HERE?

>> THAT'S SOMETHING THAT TIME WILL TELL.

>> SOMETHING THAT TIME WILL TELL.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RETENTION AND RECRUITMENT.

HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT THESE RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ARE WELL FUNDED FOR TEACHERS.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM IS A BRIGHT LIGHT IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA.

SO WE REALLY WANT TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO OUR MEMBERSHIP, THAT WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

AT THE END OF THEIR CAREER, THEY WILL GET A RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

NOT ONLY THAT, MOST OF OUR EMPLOYERS THAT PARTICIPATE ALSO PAY INTO SOCIAL SECURITY.

THE DIFFERENCE IN OKLAHOMA OPPOSED TO TEXAS IS THAT TEXAS TEACHERS DO NOT ALSO GET SOCIAL SECURITY AT RETIREMENT.

SO YOU ALWAYS SEE THE BILLBOARDS ON I-35 THAT SAYS COME TO TEXAS, YOUR STARTING SALARY IS 60 THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR.

I JOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF TEXAS'S TRS THAT SAYS STAY IN OKLAHOMA AND YOU WILL NOT ONLY GET RETIREMENT BUT SOCIAL SECURITY AT THE END OF YOUR CAREER.

WE MAY NOT GET PAID AS MUCH AS TEXAS BUT THERE ARE MORE BENEFITS WHEN YOU FINISH.

>> I BELIEVE SO, YES.

>> WOULD YOU SAY RAISING THE CAP ON RETIREMENT EARNINGS FOR TEACHERS THAT RETIRE FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION, WOULD THAT ENCOURAGE MORE TEACHERS TO STAY IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> YOU KNOW, I'M NOT SURE.

>> THAT'S OKAY.

GINGER, DO YOU THINK THIS NEW LEGISLATION LIKE THE SENATE BILL WILL HELP ENCOURAGE MORE OFFICERS TO START THEIR SERVICE OR STAY IN SERVICE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> I CANNOT SPEAK TO THAT.

YOU KNOW, TIME WILL BE THE TELLER OF THE TALES.

>> SARAH, TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND WHAT THAT EFFECT HAS ON THE OKLAHOMA ECONOMY.

>> IT'S A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.

WE HAVE OVER 200,000 MEMBERS AT THIS POINT.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 60,000 RETIREES, WHICH RECEIVE A MONTHLY BENEFIT PAYMENT FROM T.R.S.

THEY LIVE IN ALL 77 COUNTIES OF THE STATE.

SO, REALLY IT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON THE RURAL COMMUNITIES WHERE YOU THINK OF THE PUBLIC EDUCATION, THE ACTIVE TEACHERS, THE RETIRED TEACHERS THAT ARE EARNING AND SPENDING THERE, AND FISCAL YEAR 2023 ALONE, WE PAID OUT $1.4 BILLION IN BENEFIT PAYMENTS TO PEOPLE LIVING IN OKLAHOMA AND THEY TURN AROUND AND SPEND THAT MONEY IN THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH THEY LIVE.

IT'S A REALLY SIGNIFICANT ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR THE STATE.

>> GINGER, WOULD YOU SAY THE POLICE SYSTEM HAS AN IMPACT.

>> ESPECIALLY OUR SYSTEM BECAUSE WE'RE WELL FUNDED, IT GOES RIGHT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

91% OF OUR RETIREES STILL LIVE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE DEFINITELY AN IMPACT ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE STATE.

>> WHAT IS COLA?

>> COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT.

I KNOW A LOT OF STATES GIVE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENTS, BUT HERE IN OKLAHOMA THEY ARE LEGISLATIVE MANDATED.

>> WHAT DOES THE COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT LOOK LIKE FOR TEACHERS?

>> THE LAST COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR TEACHERS CAME IN 2021.

SO WE HAVE NOT HAD ONE THE LAST COUPLE OF LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS BUT THAT COMES AT A COST TO THE SYSTEM.

SO YOU HAVE TO VERY CAREFULLY WEIGH THE BENEFIT FOR RETIREES ON THE IMPACT OF THE SYSTEM ITSELF AS WELL.

>> GOT IT.

SO SARAH, HOW ARE THESE PENSION PLANS ADMINISTERED AND BRIEFLY CAN YOU DESCRIBE SOME OF THE TEACHER REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITIES TO RETIRE.

>> THEY ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE TEACHERS RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

I HAVE A STAFF OF 51 EMPLOYEES SERVING THE OVER 200,000 MEMBERS.

WE ADMINISTER THE PLAN FROM START TO FINISH INTERNALLY.

SO WE HAVE INVESTMENT STAFF THAT MANAGES OUR $23 BILLION IN INVESTMENT.

THEN WE HAVE RETIREMENT COUNSELORS AND INFORMATION CENTER OR CALL CENTER.

THEN WE HAVE A GROUP OF FINANCE GROUP AS WELL.

WE ADMINISTER ALL THE BENEFITS, THE TAKING IN OF THE MONEY FROM THE EMPLOYERS, THE PAYING OUT OF THE MONEY TO THE RETIREES AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN IN HOUSE.

WE ARE PROUD OF THAT AND WE DO THAT ON A LEAN BASIS.

THERE WAS A NATIONAL STUDY THAT COMPARES ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES OF PUBLIC PLANS OR SIZE.

WE RUN AT ONE OF THE LOWEST PLANS IN TERMS OF COST FOR OUR SYSTEM.

WE TAKE OUR RESPONSIBILITY OF BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS VERY IMPORTANTLY, VERY SERIOUSLY.

NOW RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY FOR T.R.S., THERE ARE THREE TIERS ESSENTIALLY OF RETIREMENT.

AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR OVER 80 YEARS SO WE HAVE THREE TIERS OF ELIGIBILITY.

SO FOR MEMBERS THAT JOINED THIS SYSTEM BEFORE JULY 1, 1992, THEY QUALIFY FOR AN 80 RETIREMENT ELIGIBILITY.

THAT MEANS THEIR AGE AND YEARS OF SERVICE MUST MEET 80 TO RETIRE OR THEY MUST BE 62 TO RECEIVE THE FULL RETIREMENT BENEFIT.

THOSE JOINING ON OR AFTER JULY 1, 1992, THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2011, ARE RULE OF 90 AND THAT MEANS THEIR AGE AND YEARS OF SERVICE EQUAL 90 TO BE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE OR THEY REACH AGE 62.

OUR FINAL TIER OF SERVICE IS RULE OF 90 MINIMUM AGE 60.

FOR MEMBERS THAT JOINED THE SYSTEM ON OR AFTER NOVEMBER 1, 2011, THEY HAVE TO OBTAIN THAT ROLE OF 90 AND BE 50 YEARS OF AGE OR REACH THE AGE OF 65 TO RECEIVE FULL RETIREMENT.

>> AND HOW ARE THESE PENSION PLANS ADMINISTERED AND TELL US ABOUT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RETIRING.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE A STAFF OF 11.

WE ONLY HAVE 10,000 MEMBERS.

WE HAVE $3.1 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS.

WE TAKE THE MONEY IN, WE PAY THE MONEY OUT.

FOR US TO BE ABLE TO RETIRE, YOU HAVE TO HAVE 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.

THEN AT 20 YEARS OF SERVICE, YOU CAN WALK OUT OF THE DOOR, REGARDLESS OF AGE.

YOU GET A BENEFIT CALCULATED ON YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE, TIMES A MULTIPLIER WHICH IS 2.5, WHICH RAISES TO 3.

YOU CAN VEST YOUR SERVICE WITH US AT 10, BUT YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO WITHDRAW IT UNTIL YOU REACH 20 YEARS OF SERVICE OR YOU TURN 80, WHICHEVER IS LATER.

>> AND WOULD YOU SAY THE POLICE PENSION IS IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE ARE ONE OF THE BEST FUNDED STATE PENSION SYSTEMS FOR THE LAST PROBABLY 12 YEARS.

>> AND YOU KNOW, GOING TO YOU SARAH, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

DO YOU THINK THE TEACHERS PENSION SYSTEM IS WELL FUNDED ENOUGH TO HANDLE WHAT'S TO COME IN THE FUTURE?

>> I THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

ASSUMING WE CONTINUE TO GET THE DEDICATED REVENUE FROM THE STATE THAT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING AND ASSUMING WE MEET OUR INVESTMENT RETURN, WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR THE FUTURE.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, LAST YEAR YEAR OUR ACTUARY SAID WE WOULD BE FUNDED BY 2025.

WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> AS I SPOKE BEFORE, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU ARE WORKING ON WITH YOUR TEAM SPECIFICALLY TO HELP BETTER REPRESENT AND TAKE CARE OF OUR RETIREES HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> WELL, WE HAVE A TWO PRONG APPROACH RIGHT NOW.

THE FIRST IS JUST COMMUNICATION EFFORTS.

WE REALLY WANT TO COMMUNICATE THE IMPACT OF THE SYSTEM NOT ONLY ON THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, BUT HOW IMPORTANT THE SYSTEM IS FOR OUR NEWEST, YOUNGEST MEMBERS OF THE SYSTEM.

SO IF THEY ENTER PUBLIC EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA, THEY WILL BE REWARDED WITH A PENSION AT THE END OF THE CAREER.

THEY CAN NEVER OUTLIVE IT.

WHEN THEY RETIRE, THEY RECEIVE THAT BENEFIT FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES.

WE HAVE TWO RETIREMENT OPTIONS THAT OFFER A LIFETIME BENEFIT.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE BENEFIT AND WE NEED TO SPREAD THE WORD.

WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB, I BELIEVE, ON THE BACK END OF OUR MEMBER'S CAREER, EDUCATING THEM ON WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE AND THE ELIGIBILITY.

WE'RE REALLY MAKING A FOCUSED EFFORT TO GET THE WORD OUT ON THE FRONT END, TO RECRUIT YOUNGER, NEWER TEACHERS TO OKLAHOMA.

SO, THAT IS THE FIRST APPROACH.

THE SECOND APPROACH IS JUST MODERNIZING THE SYSTEM ALL TOGETHER.

WE HAVE A MEMBER PORTAL, IT HAS A FEW LIMITED SELF SERVICE OPTIONS RIGHT NOW.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE OUR MEMBERS MORE SELF SERVICE OPTIONS.

EVERYONE HAS AN iPHONE OR PHONE.

RIGHT NOW OUR RETIREMENT PROCESS IS A PAPER DEPENDENT PROCESS.

SO, WE ARE MODERNIZING OUR SYSTEM AND PROCESSES.

WE ACTUALLY FORMED AN EMPLOYER ADVISORY GROUP WHERE WE TAKE EMPLOYERS ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND THEY ARE WEIGHING IN ON BETTER WAYS WE CAN SERVE OUR EMPLOYERS BECAUSE WE HAVE 600 PUBLIC EDUCATION EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE THAT WE WORK WITH TO RECEIVE THESE BENEFITS ON BEHALF OF THEIR EMPLOYEES.

WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR EMPLOYERS AND MEMBERS TO MODERNIZE OUR SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.

>> BEGIN -- I WAS WONDERING IF YOU HAVE ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO PROMOTE OUR PENSION SYSTEM, BECAUSE WE'RE PROUD OF IT AND WE THINK WE'RE DOING GOOD WORK AND WE VALUE OUR MEMBERS.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> I ECHO THE SAME SENTIMENTS.

I'M APPRECIATIVE YOU HAD US HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU LADIES FOR WORKING SO DILIGENTLY TO TAKE CARE OF ORE RETIREES HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Rich: CASSIDY, THANK YOU.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS ARE A GEOLOGIST'S PARADISE.

THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF ROCKS, SLOWLY EVOLVING OVER MILLENIA.

SO, LET'S HEAD TO DENVER FOR THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW AND LEARN MORE ABOUT A PRECIOUS STONE THAT HELPS MAKE COLORADO'S TERRAIN SO DURABLE IN THIS REPORT FROM ROCKY MOUNTAIN PBD -- PBS.

>> COLORADO IS A COOL PLACE TO BE A GEOLOGIST BECAUSE WE HAVE THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS LIFTING UP EARTH'S HISTORY RIGHT UP NEXT TO US HERE.

AS THOSE ROCKS WEATHER AWAY AND GET EXPOSED, WE SEE THE TAPESTRY OF TIME.

COLORADO IS A SPECIAL PLACE TO BE A GEOLOGIST BECAUSE WE HAVE MUCH OF THE LAST BILLION YEARS OF THE EARTH'S HISTORY RECORDED AND AVAILABLE TO US RIGHT AT OUR FOOTSTEPS.

RIGHT NOW YOU ARE ABOUT 55 FEET UNDERGROUND IN THE BOWELS OF THE MUSEUM WHERE WE HAVE MILLIONS OF OCTOBERS OF EARTH AND HUMAN HISTORY.

THIS IS A SAMPLE HERE, THIS IS FROM AUSTRALIA.

THAT IS THE TYPE OF STUFF THAT IS GLUING TOGETHER OUR OWN CASTLE ROCK.

THIS PROJECT STARTED LIKE MANY PROJECTS IN SCIENCE BY CERT -- SERENDIPITY.

HE WAS MARVELING WHY THIS IS COVERED BY A WEIRD TYPE OF ROCK, KNOWN AS A CONGLOMERATE, WAS HOLDING UP THE CLIFF HAND THE MESAS SOUTH OF DENVER.

BECAUSE THAT IS FOUND ALL OVER THE AREA SOUTH OF DENVER, IT IS NAMED AFTER CASTLE ROCK ITSELF.

THE CASTLE ROCK CONGLOMERATE WHICH THE TOWN IS NAMED.

TYPICALLY THAT ROCK GETS BROKEN DOWN BY RAIN, WIND, AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS YOU DO AS A GEOLOGIST, YOU TAKE A SAMPLE.

YOU WANT TO LOOK INSIDE THE SAMPLE TO SEE WHAT IT TELLS YOU.

WHEN YOU CUT INTO THE ROCK, YOU CAN SEE THE PARTICLES AND WHAT IS HOLDING THEM TOGETHER.

IT'S WHAT THEY CALL THE CEMENT.

WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE TEXTURES IN THERE.

TO DO THAT, WE MAKE A SECTION OF WAFER THIN PIECE OF ROCK GLUED TO A SLIDE LIKE THIS ONE HERE.

BY SHINING LIGHT THROUGH THIS AND CHANGING THE TYPES OF LIGHT AND ORIENTATIONS OF THE WAVES OF LIGHT THROUGH HERE, WE CAN TELL WHAT KIND OF MINERALS ARE IN THE ROCK AND HOW THEY CAME TO BE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GEOLOGISTS WILL DO WITH A ROCK IS WE LICK IT.

WHY?

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS NOW.

NOW TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

IT GIVES US A WINDOW INTO THE ROCK.

IT IS JUST LIKE POLISHING THE SURFACE AND THAT IS A LARGE PICTURE OF WHAT WE DO WHEN WE MAKE A THIN SECTION OF A ROCK.

IT TURNS OUT THAT THE REASON THAT THIS ROCK IS AS HARD AS MOST CONCRETE IS BECAUSE IT'S GLUED TOGETHER WITH A SPECIAL CEMENT.

THAT CEMENT IS A MINERAL YOU PROBABLY CALL OPAL, GEOLOGISTS CALL IT DIFFERENTLY.

THE REASON IT OCCURS SOUTH OF DENVER IS BECAUSE THOSE ROCKS ARE SO HARD THAT THE ROCKS IN BETWEEN THEM WERE ERODED BUT THEY WEREN'T QUITE ABLE TO BE ERODED THEMSELVES.

IN A WAY, IT'S LIKE HAVE A GEOLOGIC SHIELD ON TOP OF A HILL AND THAT SHIELD IS AN OPAL CEMENTED CONGLOMERATE.

WHY AREN'T ALL THE CONGLOMERATES GLUED TOGETHER LIKE OPAL CEMENT?

THIS ROCK HAS PARTICLES IN IT THAT CAME FROM A HUGE VOLCANIC EVENT AND THAT VOLCANIC ROCK IS RICH IN SILICA.

WHEN RAIN PERCOLATES THROUGH THE ROCK, GETS DISSOLVED, AND IT MIGRATES WITH THE GROUND WATER INTO ADJACENT SPACES, ROCKS WITH A BUNCH OF HOLES IN THEM.

AS THE GROUND WATERWORKS ITS WAY THROUGH THE PARTICLES OF THE ROCK, YOU CAN SEE FILLING ALL THE ROCK LIKE ARTERIES OR VEINS ARE THIN VENEERS OF OPAL.

GREAT, SO THAT HAPPENED IN COLORADO, WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

ONE, IT TELLS A STORY OF HOW THESE ROCKS THAT ARE ICONIC PARTS OF OUR LANDSCAPE WERE FORMED AND IT GIVES GEOLOGISTS CLUES OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ON OTHER PARTS OF OUR PLANET.

COLORADO HAS OTHER ROCKS LIKE THIS THAT ARE CEMENTED WITH MICROSCOPIC OPAL.

WHEN YOU'RE OUT HIKING AND LOOKING AT ONE OF THESE CONGLOMERATES, THE OPAL IN THEM ARE MICROSCOPIC.

SO YOU CAN'T CHIP OFF A PIECE AND RUN HOME TO MAKE JEWELRY.

IF YOU'RE ON PUBLIC LANDS, BEFORE YOU COLLECT SOMETHING, CHECK WITH SOMEONE THAT WORKS THERE OR PEOPLE AT THE MUSEUM BECAUSE MOST PLACES YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION TO COLLECT SAMPLES.

IN COLORADO, THERE ARE A MILLION ROCKS ON THE HILLSIDE AND THERE ARE A BUNCH OF THEM THAT WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT UNDER THE MICROSCOPE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCOVERY, MAYBE BY YOU, US, OR SOMEONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

AN HISTORIC FIRST: THE CITY OF TULSA HAS IDENTIFIED THE REMAINS OF A VICTIM OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE DISCOVERED IN A LOCAL CEMETERY.

A FULL REPORT ON WHO HE WAS NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00.

>>> WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE OKIE NOODLING TOURNAMENT IN PAUL'S VALLEY PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S BRANDON DOWNEY, MATT BARNETT, AND LUIS RENDON.

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

SO LONG FOR NOW.

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