>>> THE STATE OPIOID TRIAL IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE JUDGE WHO WILL DECIDE IF JOHNSON & JOHNSON IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CRISIS.

>> IT WAS UP TO US TO ESTABLISH, AGAIN, CAUSATION.

I THINK THAT WE'VE DONE THAT.

I'M CONFIDENT THAT WE'VE DONE THAT IN A DECISIVE WAY.

>>> THIS WOMAN MAKES HISTORY, BECOMING THE FIRST OKLAHOMAN AND NATIVE AMERICAN TO BE NAMED OUR COUNTRY'S HONORARY POET LAUREATE.

>> IT'S HONORING POETRY IN AMERICA.

YOU KNOW, IT'S HONORING, AND PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY MADE ME, I'M THE FIRST NATIVE PERSON, MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION CITIZEN.

YAY!

>>> RENOVATION WORK AT THE STATE CAPITOL REACHES ANOTHER MILESTONE AS THE FOCUS MOVES INSIDE.

>> THIS WILL BE THE BUSIEST YEAR FOR US AS FAR AS BETWEEN JUNE AND DECEMBER.

WHEN WE FINISH UP IN DECEMBER, JANUARY, WE'LL BE 85% COMPLETE WITH THE PROJECT.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS THE WEEK IN BUSINESS, NEXT ON O.N.R.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

STUNNING NEWS IN OKAHOMA EDUCATION THIS WEEK.

AS OUR STATE'S LARGEST VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM IS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR ALLEDGEDLY EMBEZZLING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM OKLAHOMA TAXPAYERS.

THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT ON AN OKLAHOMA CITY TEACHER WITH EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS THIS WEEK.

THE WARRANT CLAIMS THE COMPANY'S CO-FOUNDERS, DAVID CHANEY AND BEN HARRIS, HAD ILLEGALLY INFLATED THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THEY SERVED TO INCREASE THEIR SHARE OF STATE APPROPRIATED FUNDS.

>> MONDAY NIGHT THE OSBI SERVED A SEARCH WARRANT ON A RESIDENCE OF AN EMPLOYEE OF EPIC CHARTER SCHOOL IN RELATION TO OUR INVESTIGATION INTO EPIC CHARTER SCHOOL.

THAT INVESTIGATION IS ONGOING AND, AS SUCH, WE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL COMMENT AT THIS TIME.

>> EPIC IS STRONGLY DENYING ANY WRONG-DOING.

SHELLY HICKMAN, THEIR ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS, RELEASED THIS STATEMENT, WHICH READS IN PART: "SINCE OUR INCEPTION IN 2011, WE HAVE, TIME AFTER TIME, PROVEN OURSELVES INNOCENT OF ALL ALLEGATIONS.

WE WILL AGAIN.

THIS LATEST ATTACK COMES AT A TIME WHEN OUR GROWTH MAKES STATUS QUO EDUCATION LOBBYING GROUPS UNCOMFORTABLE.

WE ARE CONSIDERING LEGAL ACTION TO COMBAT WHAT WE BELIEVE IS A COORDINATED EFFORT TO DAMAGE OUR SCHOOL, CO-FOUNDERS AND OUR STAFF.

STAFF."

STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT JOY HOFMEISTER ALSO RELEASING A STATEMENT THIS WEEK.

IT READS IN PART: "THESE ALLEGATIONS ARE EXTREMELY SERIOUS, DISTURBING.

WE STAND READY TO WORK WITH ANY CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF OKLAHOMA EDUCATION AND TAXPAYERS HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET THE LEGAL SYSTEM DO ITS WORK.

>> THE WARRANT SAYS THE CO-FOUNDERS OF EPIC TOOK $10 MILLION FOR THEMSELVES.

THE WARRANT WAS SERVED TO A TEACHER DEMANDING ALL OF HER COMMUNICATIONS WITH A CO-FOUNDER AND A STUDENT.

>> AND NOW THE GOVERNOR IS GETTING INVOLVED.

>> YES, REQUESTING A BRIEFING FROM THE OSBI, AND WE'RE LEARNING FROM THE TULSA WORLD THE FBI IS INVOLVED AS WELL.

>> BUSY WEEK.

>> THAT INCLUDES A DECISION -- POTENTIALLY WORTH BILLIONS OF DOLLARS -- THAT IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF AN OKLAHOMA JUDGE.

THE HISTORIC EIGHT-WEEK-LONG OPIOID TRIAL PITTING OKLAHOMA AGAINST THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON COMPANY ENDED ON MONDAY, AND NOW THE ENTIRE COUNTRY AWAITS THE RULING.

>> WITH THOSE COMMENTS, WE WILL ADJOURN THE TRIAL.

THANK YOU.

>> REPORTER: CLEVELAND COUNTY DISTRICT JUDGE THAD BALKMAN NOW HAS ALL THE FACTS PRESENTED BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND JOHNSON & JOHNSON ATTORNIES IN THE STATE'S OPIOID TRIAL.

JUST BEFORE THE NATION'S FIRST LAWSUIT AGAINST OPIOID MANUFACTURERS GOT UNDERWAY PURDUE PHARMA AND TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS SETTLED FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, LEAVING JOHNSON & JOHNSON ALONE TO DEFEND ITSELF.

>> THE KINGPIN AND THE LARGEST SUPPLIER OF OPIOIDS IN AMERICA ACCEPTS ZERO RESPONSIBILITY.

>> REPORTER: DURING THE EIGHT WEEK TRIAL, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CLAIMED DRUG COMPANIES CREATED THE OPIOID CRISIS THROUGH THEIR AGGRESSIVE MARKETING TOWARD DOCTORS LOOKING TO TREAT CHRONIC PAIN IN THEIR PATIENTS AND ACCUSED JOHNSON & JOHNSON OF BEING THE SPEARHEAD.

>> THEY CREATED AN OVERSUPPLY.

ALL OF THE RISK FACTORS, ALL OF THE CRIMINALITY -- IT'S EXISTED FOREVER.

IT EXISTED IN THE EARLY 90S, BUT WE DIDN'T HAVE A HEROIN AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROBLEM.

WE DIDN'T HAVE PILL PRESSES AND COUNTERFEIT PILLS UNTIL THEY OVERSUPPLIED.

>> REPORTER: JOHNSON & JOHNSON'S ATTORNEY LARRY OTTAWAY ARGUED THE STATE KEPT CHANGING THE TARGET WHEN IT COMES TO PROVING THE COMPANY AND ITS SUBSIDIARY JANSSEN CAUSED A PUBLIC NUISANCE WITH OPIOIDS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WHEN THE STATE STARTED THIS CASE AND IN ITS MOST RECENTLY FILING IT SAYS THAT JANSSEN'S MARKETING OF OPIOIDS FOR THE USE IN CHRONIC, NON-CANCER, LONG-TERM PAIN WAS THE CAUSE OF THE OPIOID CRISIS.

THAT VERY NARROW WINDOW WHICH THIS COURT WAS CALLED UPON TO DECIDE HAS EXPANDED.

>> REPORTER: OTTAWAY CLAIMED THE STATE TRIED TO CONVINCE THE JUDGE JANSSEN REPRESENTATIVES LIED TO DOCTORS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF OPIOIDS, INSTEAD OF SHOWING HOW THE MARKETING CAUSED THE CRISIS.

HE ALSO NOTED THAT JOHNSON & JOHNSON AND ITS COMPANIES WERE TRYING TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM FOR 50 MILLION AMERICANS LIVING IN CHRONIC PAIN.

>> WE HAVE NEVER DENIED THE EFFECTS OF OPIOID ADDICTION ON THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE OR ANY OTHER.

BUT THEY HAVE DENIED THIS.

>> REPORTER: THE RISK OF TAKING AN OPIOID HAS ALWAYS BEEN LISTED ON THE LABELS OF THE MEDICATION ACCORDING TO OTTAWAY.

>> YOU'VE GOT A BOOK IN FRONT OF YOU THIS THICK FULL OF FDA APPROVED LABELS.

EACH ONE OF WHICH TALKS ABOUT THE INDICATIONS ALLOWED AND THE RISKS OF THESE DRUGS.

>> REPORTER: MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE-ABUSE SERVICES COMMISSIONER TERRI WHITE SERVED AS THE MAIN ARCHITECT OF THE STATE'S OPIOID CRISIS ABATEMENT PLAN AND SPENT TWO DAYS ON THE STAND.

SHE BELIEVES JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOULD HAVE TO PAY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ROLL BACK THE WAVE OF OPIOID ABUSE AND ADDICTION OKLAHOMA HAS FACED FOR MORE THAN TWENTY YEARS.

>> ABATEMENT IS TO BASICALLY TAKE US BACK TO PRE-'96 LEVELS OF OPIOID PRESCRIBING, OPIOID OVERDOSE, NEO-NATAL ABSTINENCE SYNDROME -- ALL OF THE THINGS WE WERE PRIOR TO '96, WHEN JOHNSON & JOHNSON AS THE KINGPIN OF THE OPERATION BEGAN MARKETING OPIOIDS AND PUSHING OPIOIDS FOR NON-CANCER-PAIN USE, FOR EVERYDAY PAIN, AND CAUSING THE OPIOID CRISIS.

>> REPORTER: SHE ADDS THAT OKLAHOMA DID NOT GET INTO THE CRISIS OVERNIGHT AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF IT OVERNIGHT.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SUGGESTED AND TESTIFIED TO AS THE STATE IS THE CRISIS WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY THIRTY YEARS TO ABATE, BUT IT CAN BE ABATED.

WE CAN GET BACK TO PRE-'96 LEVELS.

>> REPORTER: WHITE CONSTRUCTED THE ABATEMENT PLAN SO THAT JUDGE BALKMAN COULD HAVE OPTIONS SHOULD HE RULE IN THE STATE'S FAVOR.

>> WE'VE OFFERED THE JUDGE A THIRTY-YEAR PLAN WITH MULTIPLE COMPONENTS.

THE JUDGE HAS THE OPTION, THOUGH, TO SAY THAT HE THINKS IT WILL TAKE LESS TIME SHOULD HE CHOOSE, SO WE GAVE HIM THE COSTS SHOULD HE THINK THAT IT SHOULD ONLY TAKE TWENTY YEARS, OR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS.

HE CAN DECIDE THE NUMBER OF YEARS.

HE ALSO HAS THE OPTION OF DECIDING WHICH ELEMENTS IN THE ABATEMENT PLAN, OR TO FUND THE PROPOSED ABATEMENT PLAN IN ITS ENTIRETY.

>> REPORTER: THE 30-YEAR ABATEMENT PLAN CALLS FOR APPROXIMATELY $17 BILLION TO OFFER MANY DIFFERENT SERVICES.

>> THAT RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDES MEDICAID PATIENT ASSISTED TREATMENT FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH OPIOID USE DISORDER.

IT INCLUDES FAMILY DRUG COURTS, SO THAT CHILDREN DON'T HAVE TO ENTER THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM.

THAT THEIR PARENTS CAN GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

IT INCLUDES PREVENTION SERVICES K-12 PREVENTION THAT CAN ACTUALLY PREVENT KIDS FROM USING OPIOIDS, MISUSING OPIOIDS IN THE FIRST PLACE BECAUSE WE UNFORTUNATELY HAVE SUCH AN OVERSUPPLY.

>> REPORTER: OTHER PARTS OF THE ABATEMENT PLAN INCLUDE A LAW ENFORCEMENT COMPONENT, AN EXPANSION OF THE UNUSED PRESCRIPTION-DRUG-COLLECTION PROGRAM, AND SUPPLYING NALOXONE TO REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES.

AT THE END OF THE TRIAL, JUDGE BALKMAN INDICATED IT WOULD BE ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE HE RENDERED HIS DECISION.

I'M JASON DOYLE FOR THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> IN SEPTEMBER, TULSA'S JOY HARJO WILL OFFICIALLY BE INTRODUCED AT THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AS OUR NATION'S FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN POET LAUREATE.

SHE ALSO BECOMES THE FIRST OKLAHOMAN NAMED TO THE PRESTIGIOUS POST.

AND SINCE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT IN JUNE, SHE HAS BEEN DELUGED WITH REQUESTS FOR APPEARANCES AND INTERVIEWS, INCLUDING ONE FROM US.

TIME STOPPED FOR JOY HARJO, WHEN SHE TOOK "THE CALL" FROM CARLA HAYDEN, THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN TO BE NAMED "LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS".

>> "WE WANT YOU TO BE OUR 23RD U.S.

POET LAUREATE."

AND I THOUGHT, OKAY MY BODY NEVER LIES AND THEN IT JUST SHOT, I MEAN WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THAT?

I FELT THIS BOLT OF ELECTRICITY GO THROUGH ME.

>> REPORTER: HARJO RELIES ON WHAT SHE CALLS HER "INNER SPIRIT" TO GUIDE HER IN MAKING LIFE-CHANGING DECISIONS, BUT SAYING "YES" TO THAT OFFER, WAS PRETTY EASY.

>> IT'S HONORING POETRY IN AMERICA, YOU KNOW.

IT'S HONORING AND PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY'VE MADE ME, I'M THE FIRST NATIVE PERSON, MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION CITIZEN -- YAY -- IT'S A DOORWAY.

IT ALSO HONORS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, AND IT HONORS TULSA AND OKLAHOMA, YOU KNOW IT'S SOMETHING I SEE FOR ALL OF US.

>> REPORTER: HARJO PUBLISHED HER FIRST BOOK OF POETRY, "SHE HAD SOME HORSES", IN 1982, AND HER SEVENTH VOLUME, "AN AMERICAN SUNRISE", WILL BE RELEASED THIS FALL.

HARJO SAYS SHE FRANKLY DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO PRODUCE THE NEW WORK.

BUT HER INNER SPIRIT TOLD HER OTHERWISE.

>> AND I'M STANDING THERE LOOKING OUT AT THE TREES AND THE LANDS THAT WERE STOLEN FROM OUR PEOPLE, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, AND MY SPIRIT SAID, "YOU KNOW, WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHEN YOU WERE HERE," THAT WAS THE QUESTION THAT CAME UP, WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHEN YOU WERE HERE?

WE MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH STORM AND SUN WE WALK SIDE BY SIDE OR AGAINST EACH OTHER.

THE LAST ROAD WILL BE TAKEN ALONE.

THERE MIGHT BE CROWDS CALLING FOR BLOOD OR A CURTAINED WINDOW BY THE LEAVING BED.

IT IS BEST TO NOT BE AFRAID.

>> Reporter: HARJO HERSELF FACED MANY FEARS GROWING UP.

SHE HAD A STRAINED RELATIONSHIP WITH HER PARENTS AS A TEENAGER AND WHEN SHE BECAME A PARENT HERSELF, SHE WAS PRESSURED TO GIVE UP HER CHOSEN CAREER.

>> I WAS A SINGLE MOTHER, RAISING TWO CHILDREN, I WAS WORKING, I HAD A JOB AND UM, I COULDN'T DO ALL OF IT.

BUT YOU CAN IMAGINE PEOPLE TRIED TO DISSUADE ME.

I MEAN, I WENT TO SCHOOL AS PRE-MED.

AND THEN WHEN I CHANGED MY MAJOR TO POETRY, PEOPLE WERE HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?

AND HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A LIVING, WITH CHILDREN ON POETRY?

>> REPORTER: THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION: POETRY HAS PROVIDED A GOOD LIVING AND A RICH AND REWARDING LIFE.

>> NOW I HAD SOME LAKOTA IN-LAWS, AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A WEDDING, FOR A WEDDING.

WE ALL KNOW WHEN WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH AND WHEN WE'RE NOT, AND SOMETIMES THE RIGHT PATH MAY LOOK INSANE TO SOMEBODY LOOK INSANE TO SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT, IT WAS POETRY AND I HAD TO GO, ITS LIKE IT PULLED ME AND IT WAS COMPELLING AND I HAD TO TAKE THAT PATH.

>> REPORTER: A PATH THAT HAS LONG INCLUDED A RENEWED INTEREST IN MUSIC, WHICH SHE COMBINES WITH HER POETRY IN LIVE PERFORMANCES.

HARJO HAS RELEASED FIVE ACCLAIMED ALBUMS -- NOT BAD FOR SOMEONE WHO FIRST PICKED UP THE SAXOPHONE IN HER THIRTIES.

>> I WENT TO JUNIOR HIGH, CLEVELAND JUNIOR HIGH, AND THE BAND TEACHER SAID, "GIRLS CAN'T PLAY SAX," CUZ THEY NEEDED SAX PLAYERS, SO YOU KNOW, I WALKED AWAY FROM MUSIC AROUND THAT TIME.

I HAD USED TO SING A LOT AND MY STEPFATHER FORBID ME TO SING BECAUSE I FOUND IT SO JOYFUL, SO I WALKED AWAY.

AND THEN I WAS ALMOST FORTY I PICKED UP A HORN AND THE HORN BROUGHT ME BACK TO SINGING.

>> REPORTER: YEARS LATER, HARJO DISCOVERED THAT HER GRANDMOTHER HAD PLAYED THE SAXOPHONE IN INDIAN TERRITORY BEFORE OKLAHOMA BECAME A STATE OTHER ANCESTORS INCLUDE MUSKOGEE CREEK LEADERS AND PRINCIPAL CHIEFS, ALL SKILLED SPEAKERS.

>> LIFT YOUR ATTENTION FOR THE APPEARANCE OF THE NEXT ROAD.

IT MIGHT BE THROUGH A FAMILY OF TREES, THE DESERT, OR ON ROLLING WAVES OF SEA.

IT'S THE ANCIENT ROAD THE SOUL KNOWS.

WE ALWAYS REMEMBER IT WHEN WE SEE IT.

IT BECKONS AT BIRTH.

IT CARRIES US HOME.

>> REPORTER: POETRY HAS CARRIED JOY HARJO TO THE PINNACLE OF HER PROFESSION, AND AS SHE ASSUMES HER ROLE AS OUR NATION'S POET LAUREATE, SHE SAYS THE ARTFORM IS ENJOYING A RESURGENCE IN POPULARITY.

>> POETRY IS ON THE UPSWING, SALES OF POETRY BOOKS ARE WAY UP.

PEOPLE GO TO POETRY.

IT HAS A PLACE.

YOU YOU CAN HOLD ANYTHING IN A POEM; YOU CAN HOLD GRIEF, ANGER, FURY, LOVE, QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN HOLD -- A POEM CAN BE A WHOLE QUESTION THAT YOU CAN'T ASK DIRECTLY.

IT CAN HOLD SO MUCH, AND THAT'S WHY WE GO TO THEM FOR, UM, BIRTH, DEATH, MARRIAGE, FALLING IN LOVE, FALLING OUT OF LOVE -- ANY OF THOSE TURNING POINTS.

>> ♪ >>> AND NOW TO THE WEEK IN BUSINESS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> I HAVEN'T MADE ANY DEFINITE PLANS.

>> WHILE U.S.

SENATOR JIM INHOFE ISN'T READY TO OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCE HE'S RUNNING AGAIN, IT APPEARS HE HAS A STOUT CAMPAIGN "WAR CHEST" TO DO SO.

CONTRIBUTION REPORTS FROM THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION SHOW OUR STATE'S SENIOR SENATOR HAS RAISED MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A MILLION DOLLARS DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

IN TOTAL, INHOFE HAS ALMOST $1.6 MILLION FOR ANY POSSIBLE FUTURE CAMPAIGN.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CORPORATION COMMISSION WILL SOON VOTE ON A NEGOTIATED RATE AGREEMENT FOR OG+E THAT WOULD NOT RAISE RATES FOR CUSTOMERS.

THE UTILITY HAD BEEN SEEKING A $77 MILLION RATE INCREASE.

OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL MIKE HUNTER ARGUED INSTEAD FOR A $32 MILLION DECREASE IN RATES.

A JUDGE HAS RECOMMENDED THAT THE OCC VOTE TO APPROVE THE SETTLEMENT.

BUT THE SIERRA CLUB IS OPPOSED TO IT, SAYING OG+E SHOULD ELIMINATE ITS COAL-FIRED PLANTS IN FAVOR OF RENEWABLE WIND AND SOLAR POWER ALTERNATIVES.

>>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY IS BOOMING IN OKLAHOMA, AND NOW A NEW ONLINE, WHOLESALE MARKETPLACE HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO CONNECT DISPENSARIES WITH OTHER BUSINESSES TO PROVIDE PRODUCTS FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

OKLAHOMA CITY BUSINESSMAN ZACH WILLIAMS AND HIS TEAM CREATED THE "GO GO CANNABIZ" APP TO GIVE DISPENSARIES MORE OPTIONS WHEN ORDERING PRODUCTS, WITH EACH BUSINESS VETTED BEFORE THEY ARE LISTED ON THE FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND APP.

>> WE THINK WE OFFER VALUE THERE.

NOT ONLY IN THE MARKETPLACE AND BRINGING LIQUIDITY TO THE MARKET, GIVING DISPENSARIES OPTIONS AND A PLACE TO SOURCE AND PROCURE MATERIAL, BUT WE ALSO GIVE PROCESSORS AND GROWERS A PLACE TO TAKE THEIR PRODUCT TO MARKET.

AND WITHIN ALL THAT, AS AN ADDED FEATURE, WE OFFER A ROBUST TOOL IN ORDER MANAGEMENT.

>>> JOINING US NOW WITH OTHER STORIES MAKING BUSINESS NEWS THIS WEEK IS JOURNAL RECORD EDITOR RUSSELL RAY.

WHAT IS THE LATEST REACTION FROM OKLAHOMA TRIBES ON GOVERNOR STITT'S DESIRE TO RENEGOTIATE GAMING FEES?

>> WELL, THE STATE'S TRIBES HAVE ESSENTIALLY REJECTED GOVERNOR STITT'S IDEA TO RAISE THE STATE'S GAMING FEES ON TRIBAL CASINOS.

THE CHEROKEE, CHICKASAW, CHOCTAW, CREEK AND SEMINOLE NATIONS ARE UNIFIED IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE EXISTING TERMS OF THEIR GAMING COMPACT WITH THE STATE.

THE FIVE TRIBES RECENTLY AGREED TO A RESOLUTION TO RENEW WHAT THEY DESCRIBED AS A BALANCED AND BENEFICIAL APPROACH IN THE STATE'S EXISTING COMPACT.

THEY ALSO QUESTIONED THE GOVERNOR'S SINCERITY TO DEAL WITH THE TRIBES IN GOOD FAITH ON THIS ISSUE.

RIGHT NOW STATE GAMING FEES RANGE FROM 4 TO 10 PERCENT.

BUT STITT HAS SUGGESTED RAISING THOSE FEES TO MATCH GAMING FEES IN OTHER STATES.

>> A NEW REPORT SHOWS THAT ONE IN FIVE OFFICE SPACES IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS VACANT.

IS THIS BECOMING A TREND?

>> YES.

THE AMOUNT OF VACANT OFFICE SPACE IN 2018 JUMPED TO 21 PERCENT.

IT'S A TREND THAT BEGAN IN 2016, WHEN THE VACANCY RATE WAS AT 15 PERCENT.

ACCORDING TO PRICE EDWARDS, THE AMOUNT OF VACANT OFFICE SPACE IN OKC IS GROWING AT A FASTER RATE THAN IT CAN BE ABSORBED.

NOW, THE CITY IS WORKING HARD TO FILL THIS SPACE.

ONE ADVANTAGE WE HAVE IS AFFORDABILITY.

IN FACT, OKC RANKED 13TH IN THE NATION FOR AFFORDABLE OFFICE SPACE, ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY DONE BY THE WEBSITE WALLETHUB.

THE COST TO RENT OFFICE SPACE IN OKC IS RIGHT AROUND $19 PER SQUARE FEET.

>> THE NEW DIRECTOR OF D.H.S., JUSTIN BROWN HAS MADE AN IMPORTANT HIRE.

TELL US MORE ABOUT TRAYLOR RAINS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

RAINS IS THE NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR DHS.

HE WILL BE GUIDING THE AGENCY'S PROGRAMS, INCLUDING CHILD WELFARE, CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES, CHILD CARE LICENSING, AND MANY OTHER SERVICES PROVIDED BY DHS.

RAINS HAS A LOT OF QUALIFICATIONS.

HE WAS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MEDICAID AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY.

HE WAS ALSO A DIRECTOR FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

AND HE SERVED AS INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CENTRAL OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER IN NORMAN.

>> WITH JUST A FEW SECONDS LEFT, TELL US MORE ABOUT THE HONOREES FOR THE JOURNAL RECORD'S "FIFTY MAKING A DIFFERENCE".

I KNOW YOU'RE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> WE ARE VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THIS YEAR'S FIFTY WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'LL BE RECOGNIZING ALL 50 AT OUR "WOMAN OF THE YEAR" EVENT ON OCTOBER 10TH.

THE WOMAN OF THE YEAR WILL BE ANNOUNCED DURING THAT EVENT.

IN ADDITION, FOUR WOMEN WILL BE INDUCTED TO THIS YEAR'S CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE - AN HONOR RESERVED FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED FOR THE THIRD TIME.

THEY INCLUDE JEANETTE CAPSHAW, STACY EADS, KATRINA SHAKLEE AND KAYSE SHRUM.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO THEM.

RUSSELL RAY, THANK YOU.

>> MY PLEASURE, RICH.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WANTS YOUR HELP IN PUTTING TOGETHER ITS FEDERALLY-REQUIRED STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE NEXT 25 YEARS.

ODOT IS SEEKING PUBLIC INPUT TO SET PRIORITIES AND GOALS FOR ALMOST ALL MODES OF TRAVEL, INCLUDING HIGHWAY, PASSENGER AND FREIGHT RAIL, PUBLIC TRANSIT, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN, PORTS, WATERWAYS AND AIRPORT ACCESS.

OKLAHOMANS CAN VISIT WWW.OKLONGRANGEPLAN.ORG.

TO GET MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO TAKE PART IN THIS YEAR-LONG PLANNING PROCESS.

>>> ABOUT 3,000 INCARCERATED MEN AND WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA SUFFER FROM HEPATITIS-C, AND THE COST TO TREAT THEM IS SOARING.

EARLY TREATMENT IS EXPENSIVE, ABOUT $29,000 PER INMATE, BUT IT CAN BE FAR MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THAN IF TREATMENT IS DELAYED AND OTHER PROBLEMS DEVELOP.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA ROE, A REPUBLICAN FROM LINDSAY, SAYS ITS TIME TO STUDY THE ISSUE TO DETERMINE THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO BRING THOSE COSTS DOWN.

>>> OKLAHOMA'S SUMMER MEAL PROGRAM IS SEEING A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN PARTICIPATION.

A REPORT RELEASED BY THE "FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER" SHOWS A 15-PERCENT INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF MEALS SERVED, THE 3RD LARGEST INCREASE IN THE NATION.

IN JULY OF 2018, MORE THAN 16,000 CHILDREN PARTICIPATED.

THE PROGRAM IS ADMINISTERED BY THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHICH PARTNERS WITH NON-PROFITS AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE THE FOOD AT NO COST TO CHILDREN 18 YEARS AND YOUNGER.

>>> THEY MIGHT CONSIDER PUTTING UP SOME OF THOSE "PARDON OUR PROGRESS" SIGNS AT THE STATE CAPITOL, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THE INTERIOR RENOVATIONS ARE IN FULL SWING, AND THERE ARE SOME MAJOR CHANGES TAKING PLACE.

ED MURRAY DONS HIS HARD HAT TO GIVE US A SNEAK PEEK.

>> THIS IS THE MARBLE RESTORATION PROCESS AGAIN.

THE CHARTER IS ANYTHING THAT IS ORIGINAL THAT WE CAN KEEP, WE KEEP.

>> REPORTER: ANDREA GOSSARD IS THE SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER FOR INTERIOR RESTORATION AT MANHATTAN CONSTRUCTION.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A HUNDRED-YEAR-OLD ARTIFACT UNDER YOUR CARE AND CONTROL AND CUSTODY, YOU REALLY LOSE SLEEP AT NIGHT OVER AM I DOING THE RIGHT THINGS TO PROTECT THE FLOOR, DID WE CLEAN UP ADEQUATELY.

WE'VE WORKED ON THE LOGISTICS PLAN SINCE EARLY ON AND WE'VE BUILT IT AND BUILT IT AND BUILT IT.

REALLY THIS IS THE CRESCENDO TO WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> REPORTER: SCAFFOLDING FILLS THE ROTUNDA FROM TOP TO BOTTOM -- AND I MEAN ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM, AS IN THERE'S NOW A HOLE IN THE FIRST FLOOR INSTEAD OF THE ICONIC STATE SEAL.

>> IT WAS NOT ORIGINAL.

IT WAS INSTALLED WE BELIEVE SOMETIME IN THE 60S.

WE WILL INSTALL A NEW SEAL AT THE GROUND LEVEL.

WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO DO ONE CAST IN BRONZE SO THE GUARDIAN ON TOP AND THERE WILL ALSO BE A CAST BRONZE SEAL ON BOTTOM.

>> REPORTER: DECISIONS LIKE THAT ARE MADE THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> IT IS GOING TO LOOK A WHOLE LOT LIKE IT ALWAYS HAS, AND THAT'S ON PURPOSE.

THIS IS A HISTORIC HALLWAY.

THIS IS ORIGINAL, SO IT STAYS.

THERE USED TO BE A SIMILAR APPLICATION AT THE FRONT DOOR.

IT'S GONE.

IT WAS INSTALLED SOMETIME MUCH, MUCH LATER.

>> REPORTER: AND REMOVING THE OLD IN THE GOVERNOR'S CONFERENCE ROOM REVEALED AN HISTORIC VAULTED CEILING.

>> IT'S SO FUNNY WHAT YOU FIND.

WE TOOK OUT THE DROP CEILING AND THE OLD LIGHT BASES FOR THE HISTORICAL LIGHTS WERE LEFT UP THERE.

THEY JUST, AW SHOOT, LEAVE THEM UP THERE, AND OFF THEY WENT.

THESE, IN PARTICULAR, WERE IN REALLY GOOD SHAPE WHICH IS ALWAYS A LUCKY FIND.

>> REPORTER: THE GOVERNOR'S NEW DIGS WILL BE READY IN SEPTEMBER.

UNTIL THEN, HE HAS A SPACE ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

BUT AT LEAST HE'S STILL IN THE BUILDING.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT MAKING HISTORY.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> REPORTER: THE STATE TREASURER IS DOING BUSINESS OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 102 YEARS.

>> THE LAST TIME THE TREASURER'S OFFICE MOVED, THERE WERE A FEW MODEL TS ON THE ROAD AND STILL A WHOLE LOT OF HORSES AND BUGGIES.

>> REPORTER: THE STAFF LEFT THE SAFE BEHIND BUT FOUND ANOTHER IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA CITY, IN THE COMMERCE BUILDING ON THE EAST SIDE OF MAY AVENUE ABOUT A BLOCK NORTH OF BRITTON ROAD.

>> OFFICE HOURS 8:00 TO 5:00.

OUR PHONE NUMBERS, FORTUNATELY, HAVE NOT CHANGED.

OUR EMAIL ADDRESSES HAVE NOT CHANGED.

IT'S JUST OUR PHYSICAL LOCATION.

>> Reporter: IT'S EVEN WORSE FOR FOURTH-FLOOR HOUSE MEMBERS: THEY HAVE NO OFFICES.

BUT THEY WILL BY THE TIME SESSION STARTS UP IN FEBRUARY.

MORE THAN 300 WORKERS A DAY WILL SEE TO THAT.

>> 95% OF OUR WORKFORCE LIVES HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THEY GO TO WORK HERE EVERY DAY IN OKLAHOMA.

AND THEY'VE BEEN THE VERY BEST.

INCREDIBLY PROUD, AND I HOPE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM IS INCREDIBLY PROUD THAT THIS WORK IS BEING DONE BY OKLAHOMANS AND IT'S TOP NOTCH.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE OUT-OF-STATE WORKERS ARE HISTORIC CONSULTANTS -- PAINTERS SENSITIVE TO ORIGINAL CONCEPTS.

COMPARE ON THE RIGHT THE NEW BOLDER COLOR PATTERNS.

>> WE REALLY BELIEVE IT DOES TWO THINGS.

IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE BUILDING.

THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL BUILDING.

SOME PEOPLE, I THINK, MISS OUT ON THAT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T SEE A LOT OF IT.

SO HIGHLIGHT THE ORNAMENTATION, HIGHLIGHT THE ARCHITECTURE, AND THEN JUST REALLY BE THAT ELEMENT THAT YOU REALLY WALK INTO A BUILDING THAT FEELS LIKE 1917.

>> Reporter: PUBLIC TOURS HAVE BEEN CANCELED FOR NOW, BUT YOU CAN DROP IN.

CONVENIENT WINDOWS HAVE BEEN PLACED IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS, JUST DON'T GO THROUGH ONE OF THE MANY BLUE DOORS.

OH, AND DON'T CALL IT THE BASEMENT ANYMORE.

IT'S THE NEW "GROUND FLOOR."

>> IT WAS AN UNDISCOVERED GEM.

THERE'S SO MUCH ROOM AND SO MUCH POTENTIAL.

>> Reporter: THE BASEMENT WAS NEVER DESCRIBED AS A GEM.

>> WELL, HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE NOW.

>> Reporter: IT SHOULD.

THE AREA WILL BE PART OF THE NEW VISITOR'S ENTRANCE ON THE SOUTHEAST CORNER.

>> HERE WE'LL HAVE STAGING ROOM FOR 100-PLUS PEOPLE, SO THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY STOP, NOT BE IN THE RAIN, AND WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE SECURITY VIEWING WHICH IS NICE.

AND PEOPLE CAN COME AND GO AND GET IN AND OUT OF THE BUILDING WITH A MUCH BETTER DOORMAT TO THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Reporter: AND, EVEN OUT HERE, YOU'VE GOT TO BE AWARE OF HISTORY.

>> THIS TREE RIGHT HERE IS A CEREMONIAL TREE.

IT'S ONE OF THE FORESTRY DEPARTMENT'S MOST CHERISHED TREES, SO WE'VE WORKED A LITTLE OVERTIME TO KEEP THAT GUY IN GOOD SHAPE.

>> Reporter: THE VISITOR ENTRANCE WILL BE READY NEXT SUMMER.

THE FOURTH-FLOOR ROTUNDA MAKEOVER IS NEXT YEAR, WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS LAST ON THE SCHEDULE, IN THE INTERIM OF 2021.

>> THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY FOR US HERE ON OUR TEAM AND WE DON'T TAKE THAT LIGHTLY.

WE DO BELIEVE WE DO IT WITH THE BEST QUALITY AROUND.

AND THAT'S THE PLAN.

MAKE THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA PROUD AND REALLY CHERISH THIS OPPORTUNITY WHEN WE'RE HERE.

>> Reporter: GOSSARD TELLS ME THE PROJECT IS RIGHT ON SCHEDULE AND RIGHT ON BUDGET.

I'M ED MURRAY FOR THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> ON OUR NEXT EDITION OF "O.N.R.".

STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT JOY HOFMEISTER WRAPS UP A TWO-WEEK RALLY TO FIRE UP TEACHERS FOR THE FALL.

IT BEGAN THIS WEEK OUT WEST IN WOODWARD, FOLLOWED BY STOPS IN LAWTON, DURANT, BIXBY AND MOORE, WHERE THE STATE "TEACHER OF THE YEAR" WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT TUESDAY.

>>> AND AS WE SAY GOODNIGHT, PHOTOGRAPHER KACI FERGUSON TAKES US ON A TOUR OF SOME EXCITING ADDITIONS TO THE OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART, "FROM THE GOLDEN AGE TO THE MOVING IMAGE: THE CHANGING FACE OF THE PERMANENT COLLECTION".

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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