![The Oklahoma News Report](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/QXBTy0u-white-logo-41-Ed2HS1E.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
July 19, 2024
Season 12 Episode 3 | 57m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
The remains of a victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre are identified for the first time.
The remains of a victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre are identified for the first time. Former President Donald Trump accepts his party’s nomination while questions swirl around the means and motivation of his would-be assassin. The city of Tulsa makes an historic investment in parks and recreation. The newest franchise on the Professional Bull Riders circuit makes its home debut in Oklahoma City.
![The Oklahoma News Report](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/QXBTy0u-white-logo-41-Ed2HS1E.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
July 19, 2024
Season 12 Episode 3 | 57m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
The remains of a victim of the Tulsa Race Massacre are identified for the first time. Former President Donald Trump accepts his party’s nomination while questions swirl around the means and motivation of his would-be assassin. The city of Tulsa makes an historic investment in parks and recreation. The newest franchise on the Professional Bull Riders circuit makes its home debut in Oklahoma City.
How to Watch The Oklahoma News Report
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Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> LATEST ON THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO A SECURITY FAILURE THAT NEARLY COST A FORMER PRESIDENT HIS LIFE.
>> YOU'LL SEE FIRINGS AND RESIGNATIONS AND YOU MIGHT SEE A SIGNIFICANT RESIGNATION.
>> THE VICTIM BURIED IN A LOCAL CEMETERY HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.
>> IDENTIFYING Mr. DANIEL'S REMAINS HAS BEEN CANDIDLY AN EMOTIONALLY EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY PERSON ON OUR TEAM.
>> THE NEAREST COMPLETION ON AN HISTORIC REVITALIZATION OF PARKS AND SPORT'S COURTS.
>> WE APPRECIATE IT AND IT HELPS TO KEEP KIDS OCCUPIED AS THEY'RE GETTING IN TROUBLE.
>> THE OKLAMA WHEAT HARVEST EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF STRESS, PRESSURE AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU KNOW, IN MY OPINION, IT'S ONE OF THE VERY BEST TIMES OF THE YEAR.
>> A NEW PROFESSIONAL SPORT'S TEAM MAKES ITS DEBUT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.
>> WE'RE AT THE VERY BEGINNING.
I WOULDN'T EVEN SAY WE'RE AT THE 50% MARK.
>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE ARE NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
>> Rich: FIVE DAYS AFTER AVOIDING ASSASSINATION, DONALD TRUMP ACCEPTED HIS PARTY'S NOMINATION THURSDAY NIGHT IN MILWAUKEE.
TRUMP RECOUNTED THE SHOOTING IN DETAIL FOR WHAT HE SAID WOULD BE THE ONE AND ONLY TIME AND PAID TRIBUTE TO THE FIREFIGHTER SHOT AND KILLED IN BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA ON JULY 13th AND TWO OTHER VICTIMS WHO ARE RECOVERING.
TRUMP'S 93 MINUTES SPEECH FOR NATIONAL UNITY IN THE WAKE OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT.
>> THE DISCORD AND DIVISION IN OUR SOCIETY MUST BE HEALED.
WE MUST HEAL IT QUICKLY.
AS AMERICANS, WE'RE BOUND TOGETHER WITH SINGLE FATE AND SHARED DESTINY.
WE RISE TOGETHER OR WE FALL APART.
I AM RUNNING TO BE PRESIDENT FOR ALL OF AMERICA, NOT HALF OF AMERICA.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> BECAUSE THERE IS NO VICTORY IN WINNING FOR HALF OF AMERICA.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> SO TONIGHT, WITH FAITH AND DEVOTION, I PROUDLY ACCEPT YOUR NOMINATION FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
THANK YOU.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> BOTH THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND HIS VICE PRESIDENT PICK, J.D.
VANCE, AND ALL OF THIS AS NUMEROUS INVESTIGATIONS OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ARE NOW UNDERWAY AND THE FOCUS IS ON THE SECRET SERVICE AND THEIR FAILURE TO PROTECT THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND THOSE ATTENDING HIS RALLY.
JASON DOYLE JOINS US WITH LATEST ON THAT.
NOW.
>> I SPOKE WITH SEVERAL OKLAHOMA LEADERS TO GET THEIR REACTIONS TO SATURDAY'S POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND HOW IT MIGHT IMPACT THE RHETORIC GOING FORWARD IN THE ELECTION.
(SHOTS FIRED).
>> A WOULD-BE ASSASSIN'S FAILED ATTEMPT AND THIS IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR SECURITY FAILURE AND MANY ARE POINTING FINGERS AT THE SECRET SERVICE.
FORMER SECRET SERVICE AGENT TOM LAMB KNOWS MISTAKES WERE MADE.
>> THERE WAS A STRUCTURE AT THIS EVENT THIS PENNSYLVANIA THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW AFTER A SITE SURVEY, THAT STRUCTURE WAS NOT EITHER MANNED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OR AT THE VERY LEAST BARRICADED OFF SO NOBODY COULD GET TO THE STRUCTURE AND CLIMB THE STRUCTURE AND SHOOT A GUN TOWARD THE FORMER PRESIDENT.
>> LAMB FINISHED HIS FIRST YEAR AT OKLAHOMA'S PRESIDENT AND FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
>> I WAS IN THE SECRET SERVICE IN THE CLINTON AND GEORGE W. BUSH ADMINISTRATION.
THAT WAS MY ERA.
I DID A LOT OF INTERNATIONAL TRIPS AND PROTECTION WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON.
>> INVESTIGATIONS BY MULTIPLE LAW ENFORCEMENT'SES INDICATED THE SUSPECT WAS SPOTTED BEFORE THE RALLY STARTED BUT LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SECRET SERVICE LOST TRACK OF HIM BEFORE HE FIRED THE SHOTS AT TRUMP.
>> I THINK YOU'LL SEE FIRINGSRESIGNATIONS BECAUSE IT ALL STOPS AT THE TOP.
>> LAMB SERVED ADD A SECRET SERVICE SITE SUPERVISOR.
>> THE BAD PART OF THE SECRET SERVICE ON THIS RALLY IS THE ADVANCE WORK AND THE SITE SURVEY AND I THINK THE INVESTIGATION WILL DETERMINE WHERE THE HOLES WERE AND WHERE THE MISS MISTAKE MADE.
>> I WAS WATCHING IT IN REAL-TIME.
I COULDN'T BELIEVE WHAT I WAS WATCHING BECAUSE I WAS HALF WATCHING AND DOING SOMETHING AT HOME.
AT FIRST, YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OF, IS IN WHAT I THINK IT IS AND YOU REALIZE THIS IS A MOMENT IN HISTORY.
MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS TO PRAY FOR A MAN THAT I ADMIRE AND HAD A CHARGES TO GET TO KNOW OVER THE YEARS.
I WAS THANKFUL HE WAS OK. >> HOUSE SPEAKER AND SENIOR FELLOW FOR THE FIRST POLY POLICY INSTITUTE WORKED ALONGSIDE THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IN 2020 WHEN HE WAS THERE WITH BLACK VOICES.
>> I SAW FIRSTHAND A LOT OF THE HATE THAT EXISTS IN THIS COUNTRY AND IT BROKE MY HEART.
BUT I'M HOPEFUL.
I'M OPTIMISTIC, WE CAN GET BACK TO THE THINGS WE AGREE ON.
>> HE SENSES LESS DIVISION.
>> I SAW PEOPLE FIERCE COMPETITORS AND OPPONENTS OF DONALD TRUMP ENDORSING HIM.
PEOPLE LIKE NIKKI HALEY.
>> PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED ME TO SPEAK IN THIS CONVENTION IN THE NAME OF UNITY.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU MURDER OF THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT ON SATURDAY?
>> WE WERE ACTUALLY WITH THE OKLAHOMA DELEGATION THAT WAS PUTTING THE WELCOME BAG TOGETHER FOR OUR DELEGATES.
ALL OF A SUDDEN, I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE FROM A FRIEND AND I WENT TO TWITTER REAL QUICK AND VERIFIED IT.
THEY SAID THE PRESIDENT HAS BEEN SHOT.
AND IN OUR ROOM, THERE ARE PROBABLY 20 PEOPLE FROM OKLAHOMA IN THE ROOM.
BE ALL JUST STOPPED AND ABSOLUTE FREEZING.
>> THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE WOMAN FOR OKLAHOMA AND WAS THERE WHEN THE DELEGATES COMMITTED THEIR VOTES TO TRUMP ON MONDAY.
>> YEAH!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA PROUDLY CASTS 43 VOTES FOR PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP.
>> WE'RE RESOLVED TO MAKING AMERICAN GREAT AGAIN.
IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.
IT SHOULD BE ABOUT EACH AND EVERY AMERICAN, NO MATTER WHO YOUR PRESIDENT IS AND LET'S ALL WORK TOGETHER.
>> AS FAR AS TRUMP'S PICK OF J.D.
VANCE AS HIS RUNNING MATE, SHE BELIEVES THEY APPROVE THE CHOICE.
>> IN TALKING AROUND ALL OF OKLAHOMA WITH VARIOUS PEOPLE, THAT WAS THE ONE PERSON ALL UNITED BEHIND.
YEAH, I WOULD LOVE HIM.
HE WOULD BE GOOD.
>> THE QUESTION IS ON THE MOTION THAT SENATOR J.D.
VANCE BE NOMINATED.
SIGNATURE NIGHT BY SAYING AYE.
>> SHE SAYS MANY ARE READY TO GET BACK TO DEBATING ISSUES FACING AMERICANS TODAY.
>> WE'VE GOT TO GET AWAY FROM IT.
SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO STOP AND SAY, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO SAID WHAT IN THE PAST IT MATTERS WHAT YOU'LL SAY IF THE FUTURE.
SO FROM THIS DAY FORWARD, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES.
>> TW SHANNON AGREES.
>> I WAS CERTAINLY GLAD TO HEAR PRESIDENT BIDEN COME OUT AND DENOUNCE POLITICAL VIOLENCE WHICH WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.
AND IT EVEN TALKED ABOUT CHANGING THE TONE AND I'M HOPEFUL THAT WILL BE THE CASE WITH HIS CAMPAIGN, THAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO FOCUS ON.
I THINK A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE TIRED OF THE PETTY, TIRED OF THE SMALL, PERSONAL ATTACKS.
>> AS FAR AS WHAT THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE SECRET SERVICE AS THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT IS INVESTIGATED, TODD LAMB CONTENDS CONGRESS NEEDS TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT HOW THE AGENCY IS FUNDED.
>> THEY ARE ONE OF MANY LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES.
WHAT THE SECRET SERVICE ASKS FOR, THEY GET.
IT'S SHOCKING AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY, BUT THEY VI FOR FINANCIAL PIE.
>> HE BELIEVES THE AGENCY WILL IMPLEMENT LESSONS LEARNED FROM A DAY WHICH MARRED THE REPUTATION OF THE SECRET SERVICE.
>> THEY'LL LEARN FROM THIS AND PROTECT OUR LEADERS LIKE NEVER BEFORE.
>> THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT PUT THE OKLAHOMA SENATE INTO ACTION IN SPECIAL SESSION ON MONDAY AND HA CHAMBER PASSED A RESOLUTION CONDEMNING ALL FORMS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE.
RICH.
>> Rich: PRESIDENT BIDEN STRESSED THE NEED FOR PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL DIVIDE TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE OF THEIR DIALOGUE.
THE FOCUS OF THE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION, HOW DOES THE COUNTRY MOVE FORWARD FROM THE TERRIBLE EVENTS IN BUTLER, PENNSYLVANIA?
AND WILL SECURITY PROTOCOLS CHANGE ON THE STATE LEVEL HERE IN OKLAHOMA?
HERE IS A PREVIEW WITH OUR MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD.
>> THE STABILITY OF OUR NATION RELIES ON THE PROTECTION OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
I MEAN, REGARDLESS OF WHICH SIDE OF THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM YOU FALL ON, IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FEELS SAFE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL.
OTHERWISE, OUR COUNTRY FAILS.
I MEAN, THE STABILITY OF THAT ABILITY TO HAVE DISAGREEMENTS AND NOT GO TO THIS LEVEL.
>> HOW CAN WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE TEMPER OR EMOTIONS AND WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER?
I THINK WE LOOK AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND WE'VE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DOING THAT.
THERE'S A LOT OF POLITICAL RHETORIC THAT TAKES OVER THE AIRWAVES AND, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF DEHUMANIZATION.
>> Rich: THE OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN MAJOR ELECTED TUTTLE SENATOR LONNIE PAXTON WHO REPLACES MESSAGE COURTNEY.
THIS WAS AFTER A SPECIAL ELECTION AFTER APPOINTING JENNIFER CALLAHAN TO BE THE BOARD OF REGION.
PAXTON WAS ELECTED TO THE SENATE IN 2016.
IN A STATEMENT, PAXTON THANKED GREG TREE.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO GAIN AS MUCH KNOWLEDGE BEFORE HIS TIME TERM IS OVER BECAUSE HE WILL BE OUT BUILDING.
OF THE BUILDING.
I APPRECIATE HIS WILLINGNESS TO SHOW ME THE PRO TEM AND LEARN MUCH FROM HIM.
SENATOR KURT SAID I LOOK FORWARD TO CREATING BIPARTISAN SOLUTIONS WITH THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES OR STATE FACES AND PUT PEOPLE OVER POLITICS.
>>> A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION OF REMAINS UNCONVERTED AT THE OAKLAWN CEMETERY IN TULSA OF A MAN BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED IN THE MASSACRE.
A PROJECT THAT BEGAN FOUR YEARS AGO.
TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US.
>> THIS MAKES THE TEAM HOPEFUL THEY WILL SOON CONNECT FAMILIES WITH THEIR MISSING LOVED ONES.
♪♪♪ >> IN 2020, THE 1921 GRAVE INVESTIGATION BEGAN THE EXCAVATION PROCESS IN SEARCH OF WHO RESEARCHERS REFER TO AS THE "ORIGINAL 18th" WHICH ARE THE 18 GRAVES FOUND IN THE AFRICAN SESSION OF THE SECRETARY.
>> WE FIND THOSE REMAINS DISCARDED IN UN-CEREMONIOUS FASHION AND WE WANTED TO GIVE OUR ANCESTORS MURDERED AND IF REMAIN WERE FOUND, A PROPER BURIAL.
THAT WAS THE CORE OF WHAT WE WERE DOING.
>> IN MAY OF 2024, THE INVESTIGATION TEAM WAS STILL ANALYZING D.N.A.
AND WORKING THROUGH NEW AND OLDER GENEALOGY PROFILES.
ONE PROFILE WAS BURIAL NUMBER THREE, WHICH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS DANIEL.
HE WAS A WORLD WAR 1 VET FROM GEORGIA, ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN IN HIS 20s.
DANIEL WAS THE SON OF THOMAS AND MERIWEATHER DANIEL AND ONE OF SEVEN SONS.
HE WAS STATIONED AT CAMP GORDON DURING HIS SERVICE.
A CONNECTION TO THE TULSA MASSACRE WAS CONFIRMED WHEN EXPERTS RECOVERED A LETTER FROM 1936 FROM AN ATTORNEY SEEKING VETERAN BENEFITS.
THE TULSA MAYOR READ AN EXCERPT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE LAST FRIDAY.
>> FEBRUARY 11th, 1936 TO THE VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION IN GEORGIA.
A NEGRO WOMAN APPEALED TO SECURING ANY BENEFITS THAT MAY BE DUE HER OR WHICH SHE MAY SECURE UNDER PRESENT REGULATIONS.
SHE IS IN DESTITUTE CIRCUMSTANCES.
SHE HAD A SON, CL DANIEL, INTO O SERVED IN THE ARMY DURING THE LATE WAR.
SHE WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY IN ESTABLISHING HIS DEATH.
CL WAS KILLED IN A RACE RIOT IN TULSA, OKLAHOMA IN 1921 ACCORDING TO THE BEST INFORMATION THAT SHE HAS FURNISHED TO ME.
>> ALTHOUGH DANIEL'S FAMILY KNEW HE HAD DIED PRESIDENT MASSACRE, THEY DID NOT KNOW WHERE HIS REMAINS WERE.
>> WHEN I READ THAT LETTER, AS A PARENT, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT HIS MOM, Mrs. DANIEL, WHO KNEW HER BRAVE SON HAD BEEN KILLED BUT NEVER KNEW WHAT BECAME OF HIS REMAINS.
IDENTIFYING Mr. DANIEL'S REMAINS HAS BEEN CANDIDLY AN EMOTIONALLY POWERFUL EXPERIENCE FOR EVERY PERSON ON OUR TEAM.
IT MAKES EVERY CHALLENGING DAY OF THIS SEARCH WORTH IT.
>> GENEALOGIES ALISON WILD SAYS HER TEAM USED THIS TO MAKE THE CONNECTION.
>> TO MAKE THE CONNECTION, WE COMPARE THE D.N.A.
PROFILES IN THE DATABASES WHICH CONSISTS OF EVERYDAY FAMILY HISTORY HOBBYISTS.
IT'S CONSUMERS AND PEOPLE THAT HAVE TAKEN D.N.A.
TESTS AND PLACED IT THERE.
UNKNOWINGLY, THEY HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO THIS RESEARCH.
>> FROM THERE, WILD AND HER TEAM REACHED OUT AND BUILT FAMILY TREES OF THOSE MATCHING D.N.A.
RELATIVES.
>> AND WE START OUR WORK TO SAY WHERE AND HOW MIGHT BURIAL THREE FIT INTO THIS WEB OF FAMILIES.
YOU KNOW, EARLY ON, WE PUBLISHED A LONG LIST OF SURNAMES AND TYPED TO THE COUNTY OF COWETA, GEORGIA AND THE FAMILIES WERE VERY INTERRELATED.
IT TOOK A LOT OF TIME AND EFFORT TO UNTANGLE HEAD TO FAMES.
>> FAMILIES.
>> THE TEAM WAS ABLE TO THERAPYW THE SEARCH DOWN TO BROTHERS.
REPRESENTATIVE GOODWIN WHO SERVED ON THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND SAYS IT WAS RESEARCH.
>> I THINK MORE QUESTIONS REMAIN.
I THINK THEY'RE TRYING TO FIT A PIECE IN A PUZZLE THAT'S NOT QUITE FITTING.
SO THAT'S CONCERNING.
AND AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION, THE DISREGARD FOR THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE THAT WAS ORIGINALLY FORMED AND I THINK THAT'S MORE OF THE QUESTION, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN REALLY ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FOLKS WERE ASKING QUESTIONS?
>> ONCE THE COMMITTEE BEGAN TO ASK THOSE TOUGH QUESTIONS, THE GROUP WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD NO LONGER MEET IN-PERSON.
>> IT WAS OUR UNDERSTANDING THE FIRST REMAIN REFOUND WAS A BULLET HOLE AND THEY WERE SHUTTING DOWN THIS INITIAL INVESTIGATION AND WE ASKED ABOUT THAT.
SO THOSE ARE THE QUESTIONS, I THINK, THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO ALSO BE ASKING.
>> SHE SAYS THE COMMITTEE WAS TOLD THEY WOULD RECEIVE UPDATES EVERY THREE MONTHS, BUT GOODWIN SAYS THEY WERE NOT INFORMED ABOUT LAST FRIDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE.
GOODWIN HOPES THE CITY OF TULSA WILL OPEN UP COMMUNICATION AGAIN.
THE CITY OF TULSA AND EXPERTS PLAN TO START THIS ON JULY 22nd.
>> WE'RE HOPEFUL AND I WANT TO REITERATE ALISON'S POINT, THAT THERE ARE OTHER FAMILIES OUT THERE THAT DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS SEARCH YET OR WERE HESITANT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD REALLY LEAD TO BEING CONNECTD WITH THEIR FAMILY MEMBER THEY'VE LOST.
>> IF YOU HAVE ONE OF THE SURNAMES LIST ON THE GENEALOGY PROFILE, THE CITY IS ASKING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO YOUR FAMILY TO THE 1921 TULSA IDENTIFICATION PROJECT.
>> Rich: THE CITY OF TULSA IS INVESTING AN UNPRECEDENTED AMCH MONEY TO UPGRADE THE PARK SYSTEM.
WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE PROPOSING.
STEVE.
>> RICH, THIS IS THE LARGEST IMPROVEMENT'S PROJECT FOR PLAYGROUNDS AND SPORT'S COURTS IN TULSA HISTORY.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT NEARLY $15 MILLION IN UPGRADES.
DEVON WORTH AND HIS NEPHEW PLAY HOOPS AT SOUTH 73rd TWICE A WEEK.
ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WORTH SAYS HE AND HIS NEPHEW WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED TO SEE ALL OF THE COURTS HAD BEEN RESURFACED AND PAINTED.
>> EVERYTHING GIVES A BETTER AMBIANCE FOR THE PLACE AND RUSTIC LOOK IS GOOD, BUT WHEN IT'S CLEANER, IT LOOKS BETTER AND LESS CHANCE FOR PEOPLE INJURING THEMSELVES ON CRACKS AND JUST LIVENS EVERYTHING UP.
>> THESE WERE PLAYGROUNDS EVALUATED TWO YEARS AGO, FOR NOT OWN THEIR CONDITION BUT FUNCTIONALITY.
THE UPGRADES ARE BASED ON TULSA PARK'S CONDITION ASSESSMENTS THAT HAVE REALLY BEEN GOING ON SINCE BEFORE THE GLOBAL PANDEMIC FOUR YEARS AGO.
>> YOU KNOW, COVID, WE LEARNED SOMETHING.
WE LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS IN COVID.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED IS HOW MUCH WE NEED TO BE OUTSIDE AND TOGETHER.
WE NEED TO ENJOY THAT CONNECTION.
SO I THINK IT HELPS EVERYBODY REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SPACES LIKE THIS AND TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKEN CARE OF.
>> 22 SPORT'S COURTS INCLUDING THIS ARE BEING REPLACED OR VASTLY IMPROVED.
TULSA PARK'S DIRECTOR, ANNA AMERICA, SAYS THAT'S JUST THE START.
>> IT WILL BE AROUND 15 PLAYGROUNDS THAT WILL BE GETTING RENOVATED AS A PART OF THE PUSH.
SO THAT'S STARTING LATER.
>> HOW LONG WILL THAT TAKE?
>> THEY ALL GO RELATIVELY QUICKLY.
WE JUST FINISHED A COUPLE OF THE BIG ONES.
SOME OF THE OTHER MAJOR PARKS WILL BE FINISHED THIS WEEK AND OPENING TO THE PUBLIC WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.
>> DEVON WORTH SAYS TO HIM, IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT.
>> BUT I THINK IT DOES LOOK BETTER ON, LIKE, JUST FOR PEOPLE'S PUBLIC VIEW OF HOW WELL THE CITY GETS TREATED AND HOW IMPORTANT THE COMMUNITY IS TO THE CITY.
SO IT SAYS SOMETHING.
>> ONE THING PARK'S DIRECTOR AMERICA SAYS THEY NOTICED EARLY ON IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS IS THAT TULSA RESIDENTS ARE NUTS ABOUT PICKLEBALL.
THAT'S WHY THEY CONVERTED SEVERAL TENNIS COURTS TO PICKLEBALL COURTS.
PARK'S DIRECTOR AMERICA SAYS YOU CAN CONVERT ONE TENNIS COURT INTO SIX PICKLEBALL COURTS.
>> IT'S A REAL SOCIAL SPORT.
PEOPLE COME OUT TO PICKLEBALL IN GROUPS AND PLAY TOGETHER.
SO IT GETS A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MAYBE WOULDN'T BE ACTIVE, YOUNG AND OLD, BEING ACTIVE, CONNECTING TO EACH OTHER AND THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH AND MEDICAL.
SO WE LOVE TO SEE IT.
>> ISN'T IT GREAT?
THAT'S BEEN THE NUMBER ONE THING WE'VE GOTTEN REQUESTS FROM.
WE HAVE A COUPLE OF GOOD PICKLEBALL COURTS.
BUT IF YOU GO ON A NICE SUMMER EVENING, IT'S THE ONE THING THERE WILL BE LINES OF PEOPLE WAITING TO GET ACCESS TO THE COURT NEXT SO BEING ABLE TO ADD 32 COURTS ACROSS THE CITY IN ALL PARTS OF THE CITY, WHICH IS IMPORTANT.
PEOPLE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AREN'T HAVING TO DRIVE TO SOUTH TULSA OR THE GATHERING PLACE.
IN THEIR OWN NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY CAN PLAY SPORTS.
>> THIS IS ALL BEING FUNDED BY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN VOTER APPROVED.
WE RAN INTO 78-YEAR-OLD ARCHIE RAMSAY AT HICKS PARK.
>> IT HELPS KEEP KIDS OCCUPIED AS THEY'RE BEING ORNERY AND GETTING IF TROUBLE.
>> EXERCISE, THERE ARE A TON OF STUDIES, IT'S NOT JUST MOVING, WHICH IS GREAT.
IF ALL YOU CAN DO IS GET UP AND WALK AROUND YOUR HOUSE, DO IT.
BUT WHAT HELPS PEOPLE IS COMING OUT AND DOING IT TOGETHER.
>> SPECIFICALLY THE $4.8 MILLION UPGRADES ARE FUNDED THROUGH AN INITIATIVE CALLED "IMPROVE OUR TULSA, 2".
THE PARK'S DIRECTOR SAYS ONE OF THE PERKS TO PARK USE IS THAT IT'S FREE TO THOSE WHO USE IT.
>> THERE'S A SPORT I'VE NEVER HEARD OF IN ASIAN COMMUNITIES AND WE HAVE A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS HERE.
THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYPLAY TO PLAY.
SO LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVING US WHAT THEY WANT IS IMPORTANT.
>> THEY CAN PLAY OUT HERE?
>> THEY CAN.
THIS ISN'T SET UP FOR IT SPECIFICALLY.
NO ONE WILL KICK YOU OFF, BUT IT'S WEST HIGHLAND'S PARK AND WEST TULSA, WE'RE SETTING UP A SPACE FOR CHIN LOWN.
>> ARE YOU ANY GOOD AT BASKETBALL.
[ Laughter ] >> NO.
IT'S FUN.
IT'S GOT TO GET VITAMIN D AND GET A TAN OR JUST SPEND TIME OUTSIDE AND SPECIALIZING.
>> TULSA TENNIS PLAYERS DON'T FRET.
THE CITY IS NOT GETTING RID OF ALL OF THE TENNIS COURTS.
THEY'RE JUST CONVERTING SOME OF THEM TO PICKLEBALL.
>> Rich: STEVE, THANK YOU.
FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR, THE WEST NILE VIRUS CLAIMED THE LIFE OF ONE IN OKLAHOMA.
THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THE VICTIM LIVED IN SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA AND HOSPITALIZED BEFORE POSITION A HOSPITALIZED BEFORE PASSING AWAY LAST WEEK.
OFFICIALS EXPECT TO SEE MORE CASES OF THE HUMAN WEST NILE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER.
>> THE OKLAMA WHEAT HARVEST HAS EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS ACCORDING TO THE WHEAT COMMISSION AND AN ESTIMATED 110 TO 115 MILLION BUSHELS HAVE BEEN HARVESTED FROM THE OKLAHOMA FIELDS.
MIKE SHULTE ADDS 60 TO 65% OF THE WHEAT HARVESTED IS A VARIETY DEVELOPED AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.
FOUR OUR CONTENT PARTNERS SPOKE WITH TYLER SCHNEIDERMAN.
>> WE HAD A GOOD WINTER, A LOT OF WINTER MOISTURE HAD OUR HOPES HIGH, A LOT MORE SO THAN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
BUT THEN WE GET TO THAT TIME FRAME WHERE IT GETS DRY.
EVEN TO THE POINT A LOT OF PEOPLE ALMOST GET TO THE POINT OF PRETTY MUCH WRITE THE CROP OFF AND NOT A LOT OF EXPECTATIONS FOR IT.
CAUGHT LATE RAINS.
THE TEST RATES HAVE BEEN OFF THE CHARTS AND THAT CAN GO BACK TO GENETICS.
THEY WERE SEEING VARIETIES THAT HAVE ALLOWED THE WHEAT CROP TO HANDLE MORE ADVERSE CONDITIONS AND ENDED IN A HARVEST WELL ABOVE EXPECTATIONS.
>> Rich: FARMERS HAD TO CONTEND WITH HAIL DAMAGE FROM SEVERE STORMS IN THE SPRINGTIME.
>>> THE PROFESSIONAL BULL RIDER'S TEAM SERIES DEBUTED IN 2022 WITH EIGHT TEAMS AND EXPANDED TO TEN.
ONE MADE A DEBUT LAST WEEKEND.
IT IS CO-OWNED BY TAYLOR GOOCH.
THE WILDCATTERS ARE OFF TO A WINNING START.
>> THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO LOVE THIS SPORT AND UNDERSTAND IT.
THE WEEKENDS ARE STARTING TO BECOME FESTIVALLIZED AND BECOME A SPECTACLE WHICH IS THE GOAL, AS WELL.
>> OTHER SPORTS ARE MARKETING THE TEAM CONCEPT.
TAYLOR GOOCH, ONE OF THE OWNERS WAS NAMED LIV GOLFER OF THE YEAR IN 2023.
THE PROFESSIONAL BULLRIDERS WERE ESTABLISHED IN 1992 AND THREE YEARS AGO THEY LAUNCHED BULL RIDING AS A PROFESSIONAL SPORT.
>> THIS STARTED 30 YEARS AGO BY THE TOP 20 BULL RIDERS IN THE WORLD WHO BROKE AWAY FROM THE SPORT OF RODEO, INVESTED A THOUSAND DOLLARS APIECE TO CREATE A FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES AND FUTURE GENERATIONS OF BULLRIDERS.
>> THE WILDCATTERS WERE ONE OF TWO TEAMS MAKING THEIR DEBUT LAST WEEKEND.
ALONG WITH THE NEW YORK MAVERICKS.
THE WILDCATTERS HEAD COACH, JB MOON EY MOCKED OUT DEFENDING CHAMPIONS, THE TEXAS RILERS.
>> IT WOULD BE THE MOST POINTS AND THAT WAS THE HARDEST THING TO DO IN MY LIFE BECAUSE I HAD TEN GUYS AVAILABLE AND FIVE BULLS.
SO I HAD TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MATCH THOSE GUYS UP.
I THINK I MATCHED THEM UP.
WE GOT A LOT OF GOOD BULLS.
"TOP DOLLAR" THE BULL THEY JUST WEIGHED IN, THAT WAS FRIDAY NIGHT.
>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, THE BULL RIDERS HAVE COACHES AND THEY HAVE STRUCTURE AND THEY HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY TO THEMSELVES, THEIR TEAMMATES AND ORGANIZATION.
WE'RE SEEING IT TRANSFORM, THE RIDING PERCENTAGES AND BULL RIDERS ARE GETTING BETTER.
>> OFFICIALS FROM THE COMPETITIVES WITH THE PBR HOPE, THE NEW TEAM CONCEPT WILL BRING IN NEW PEOPLE TO THIS SPORT WITH THE WILDCATTERS DRAWING OVER 15,000 FANS.
>> YOU JUST GOT YOURSELF -- THEY GIVE YOU A SCORE AND YOU RIDE YOUR BULL AND GET A SCORE AND IT'S LIKE AN AVERAGE, COMBINING A SCORE AND YOU GET FIVE GUYS STARTING LINEUP AND SO IF THEY RIDE THREE BULLS AND THIS TEAM RIDES TWO, THIS TEAM WINS.
>> WHEN YOU'RE RIDING FOR TEAM COACHED BY JB MOONEY, YOU KEEP YOUR HAND IN THE ROPE.
>> IT'S REALLY THE SAME WITH ALL SPORTS.
BUT WHEN YOU TAKE AN INDIVIDUAL SPORT AND THEY'RE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS AND HAVE TO PAY THEIR WAY AND THEY HAVE TO GET PAID FOR PERFORMANCE, IT'S REALLY HARD TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY THROUGHOUT SPONSORSHIP, MARKETING, WHETHER MARKETING THROUGH YOUR GREAT RIDERS.
YOU GET INJURIES, RIGHT.
IN EVERY SPORT YOU GET INJURIES, BUT THIS ONE IS DIFFERENT.
THE POTENTIAL WITH THE PBR WAS IT GOING TO TEAMS.
GOING TO TEAMS TOOK IT FROM YOUR TRADITIONAL RODEO STADIUM TO AN NBA STADIUM AND TOOK IT FROM TRADITIONAL ADVERTISING TO DIGITAL ADVERTISING TO ALL THROUGHOUT THE STADIUM, RIGHT?
>> THE TEN-TEAM LEAGUE STRETCHES COAST-TO-COAST WITH FRANCHISES YOU WOULDN'T ASSOCIATE WITH THE COWBOY LIFESTYLE.
>> RODEO IS BIG, THE WESTERN WAY OF LIFE AND THE COWBOY MUSEUM AND THAT WAS THE LAST PART WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT, WHERE WE'LL GET THESE GUYS ON BOARD AND THAT'S THE HERITAGE.
BUT YES, I HAVE SEEN OTHER CITIES ON FIRE.
IRONICALLY, IT'S NON-WESTERN HERITAGE CITIES THAT PROBABLY SELL OUT THE MOST.
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, I'M SEEING IT SOLD OUT THROUGH THE ROOF.
THE HONDA CENTER IN L.A., SOLD OUT THROUGH THE ROOF.
GREENSBORO COLISEUM, WE'RE STILL AT THE VERY BEGINNING.
I WOULDN'T SEEN SAY WE'RE AT THE 50% MARK OF WHAT THIS LEAGUE IS CAPABLE OF DOING.
SO THEIR ROADMAP IS REALLY GOOD.
THEIR ROADMAP IS REALLY NICE AND THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS THAT KEEP CHANGING ABOUT THE PBR AND THEN THERE'S THAT SIMPLE PIECE OF, IT'S IN OKLAHOMA.
>> ANDREW HARTSHORN, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
>> Rich: THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE THEME PARK IN OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN DELAYED.
THAT TOPS THE BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.
>> CONTRACTORS WORKING WITH THE AMERICA HEARTLAND THEME PARK, MANSION ENTERTAINMENT GROUP.
THEY REPORT $5.5 MILLION IN OWED TO THE LEAD DESIGN FIRM.
MANSION ENTERTAINMENT CEO TOOK TO FACEBOOK TO APOLOGIZE TO THE COMPANY TO SAY THEY WOULD BE PAID SOON AND OFFICIALS HOPE TO OPEN THE $2.5 BILLION, ONE THOUSAND ACRE RESORT IN 2026 JUST LATER THAN FIRST ANNOUNCED.
>>> THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR RECOVERED MORE THAN $1.1 MILLION IN UNPAID WAGES IN 2023 AND MORE THAN 400 CLAIMS WERE FOUND VALID BY THE DEPARTMENT AND EMPLOYERS WERE ORDERED TO PAY THE BACK WAGES.
AND MORE THAN $84,000 IN DAMAGES.
>>> PEOPLE RENTING AN AVERAGE TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT IN OKLAHOMA ARE PAYING THE SAME PRICE IN JUNE AS THE SAME LAST YEAR.
THAT'S LATEST FROM THE JUNE REPORT BY REALTOR.COM.
THE AVERAGE RENTAL IS $1,016.
IT'S DECLINED FROM JUNE OF 2023 AND RENTERS ARE PAYING MORE BEFORE THE COVID PANDEMIC BEGAN.
>>> INVESTORS RECEIVE A DEFEND ON ALL 14th.
BANK FIRST RAKED IN A PROFIT OF 50.$6 MILLION OVER THE SOUTH CAROLINA QUARTER OF THIS YEAR AND THAT'S A DROP FROM THIS TIME IN 2023 WHICH SAW A NET INCOME OF $55 MILLION.
LOAN AND INTEREST GROWTH COMPANYING FOR THE BANKING COMPANY OVER THE SECOND QUARTER AND THERE WERE ASSETS TOTALING $12.7 BILLION.
IN AN AGREEMENT WITH THE FOUNDING GROUP OF THE OKC FC PROFESSIONAL SOCCER TEAM, OKLAHOMA TEAM ECHO IS THE MAJORITY OWNER.
SOUNDING OWNERS TIM McLAUGHLIN MADE THE MOVE AS THEY ENGAGED IN LOCALLY COMMITTED MANAGEMENT GROUP.
THE TEAM HAS SUSPENDED THEIR PLAY BECAUSE THERE ARE TO SOCCER STADIUMS IN OKLAHOMA CITY WHICH MEANS THE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUE STANDARDS.
A NEW MULTIMEDIA IS MEETING THOSE STANDARDS TO OPEN IN 2026.
JASON DOYLE, "THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."
>> Rich: PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS PROMISED AN INDEPENDENT AND SWIFT INVESTIGATION INTO HOW A WOULD-BE ASSASSIN COULD OPEN FIRE ON FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.
REPUBLICANS ARE CONDUCT THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS IN CONGRESS.
BOTH SIDES ARE CALLING FOR THE COUNTRY TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE.
HERE IS CASSIDY MUDD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.
>> HERE TO DISCUSS THE RESPONSE FROM OKLAHOMA HOUSE DEMOCRATS ON THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION IS REPRESENTATIVE CINDY MUNSON AND .COMMISSIONER, YOU'VE BEEN RECOGNIZED BY SEVERAL FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS AS A POLICE PRACTICE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON THE VERY ISSUE AND WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS HANDLED THE SITUATION ON SATURDAY?
>> WELL, OF COURSE, MY INITIAL THOUGHTS WHEN I SAW IT WERE DISBELIEF.
I MEAN, IT'S BEEN OVER 40 YEARS SINCE WE'VE HAD AN ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION OF A PRESIDENT OR FORMER PARENT.
PRESIDENT.I WAS SHOCKED.
LOOKING AT THE EVENTS THE WAY THEY WENT DOWN, I THINK IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THERE WAS A DEFINITE LAPSE IN SECURITY.
I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY, AND PRETTY COMMON SENSE THAT FOR SOMEBODY WITH THAT TYPE OF INTENT TO HAVE THAT ACCESS TO THAT POSITION AND BE ARMED WITH A LONG GUN, A RIFLE, WAS INEXCUSABLE.
THAT IT WOULD BE ALLOWED TO OCCUR THAT WAY.
THERE WAS A DEFINITE SECURITY -- I GUESS LAPSE WOULD BE A MILD WAY TO PUT IT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MUNSON, WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION?
>> I WAS OUT KNOCKING DOORS AND I HADN'T HEARD ABOUT IT IF A UNTIL ACOUPLE ANSWERED THE DOORD ASKED ME IF I HAD HEARD.
IN NO WAY WOULD I CONDONE THAT VIOLENCE.
ESPECIALLY AT A POLITICAL RALLY WHERE A PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO GO AND SUPPORT THE CANDIDATE AND ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.
TO HEAR WHAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY WAS SCARRY, TOO.
GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR TALKING TO FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE EVERYBODY GETS ANXIOUS.
YOU CAN'T PREDICT EVERYBODY'S BEHAVIOR.
I CONTINUED TO STAY OUT THERE AND MAKE SURE I CONNECTED WITH MY CONSTITUENTS SO THEY KNEW FACE-TO-FACE AND LOOK ME IN THE EYE WHEN IT COMES TO A TRAGEDY, REALLY, ESPECIALLY THE FIREFIGHTER WHO LOST HIS LIFE.
MY GOODNESS.
QUICKLY PUT OUT A STATEMENT IN NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM THAT WE SHOULD ALWAYS SPEAK OUT AGAINST POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND KNOW THAT EVERYBODY HAS THEIR FIRST FAMILT AMENDMENT RIGHT AND FEEL SAFE AND GO TO EVENTS IMPORTANT TO THEM, WHETHER THEY AGREE OR DISAGREE.
SO A TOUGH DAY, TOUGH WEEKEND.
AS WE ARE ALL GOING THROUGH THIS WEEK AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO BETTER WHEN IT COMES TO POLITICS AND TALKING ABOUT ISSUES IMPORTANT TO US.
>> COMMISSIONER, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, THE ATTEMPTED ASSASSINATION RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT SECURITY PROTOCOLS.
WERE THERE ANYTHING THAT MAYBE YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY?
>> SO, OF COURSE, MY YEARS WITH THE DPS AND OHP, WE'VE PARTNERED WITH SECRET SERVICE, AS WELL AS OTHER FEDERAL AND MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES FOR PRESIDENTIAL VISIT, VICE PRESIDENTIAL VISITS.
SO WE'VE WORKED A LOT WITH THEM.
AND I'VE FOUND SECRET SERVICE TO BE A VERY PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION AND VERY PROFESSIONAL IN THE WAY THAT THEY HANDLE THOSE EVENTS.
SO THAT'S WHY IT WAS SHOCKING TO SEE THE TYPE OF ACCESS THAT THIS PERSON WITH HOMICIDAL INTENT WAS ABLE TO ACCESS.
SO THERE'S SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO PREPARATION IN WORKING THOSE EVENTS.
THE DAILY UNDERSTANDING OF THREAT ASSESSMENTS TOWARD THE CROWD, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE, AS WELL AS THE POLITICAL CANDIDATES THAT ARE THERE.
SO THAT ONGOING THREAT ASSESSMENT, THE ADVANCED, WHAT WE CALL THE ADVANCED WORK IS THE KEY OF LOOKING AT -- AND OUTDOOR EVENTS ARE MORE DIFFICULT THAN CLOSED EVENTS.
WE HAVE PROCESSES IN PLACE AND WE FOLLOW WHAT ARE CALLED NATIONAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.
IT'S AN INCIDENT COMMAND SYSTEM THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS HAD IN PLACE, THAT WE AS A STATE AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONS FOLLOW.
SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT JUST NORMAL INCIDENT COMMAND PROTOCOLS, THERE WAS DEFINITELY SOME AREAS THAT WERE MISSED.
THEY CAN'T DELEGATE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY.
AND THEN TO HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WAS THE OPERATION PLAN FOR THAT PARTICULAR EVENT BECAUSE EACH ONE OF THEM ARE UNIQUE ALONG WITH THAT CURRENT THREAT PICTURE TO THE CANDIDATE AT THAT POINT, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.
AND DID EVERYBODY HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEIR PART OF THE SECURITY PICTURE WAS.
AND AS FAR AS COMMUNICATIONS, AS WELL.
IT'S VERY DIFFICULT WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE AGENCIES THAT ALL GENERALLY WORK ON DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
HAVE YOU DONE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO DO TO MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING THAT'S SEEN BY CITIZENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, ARE THOSE COMMUNICATION LINES QUICK?
BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAPPEN IN MOMENTS.
SO JUST ACROSS THE BOARD, I THINK THINGS WILL BE BROUGHT OUT AND POINTED OUT THAT WERE MISSED OUR FAILURES IN THIS EVENT.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MUNSON, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM YOUR CONSTITUENTS?
WHAT ARE YOU HEARING ABOUT THE SITUATION AND HOW POLITICS ARE BEING DISCUSSED TODAY?
>> I THINK WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY, THOSE OF US ON A LOCAL LEVEL, GOING DOOR-TO-DOOR AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE HUMANIZE EACH OTHER AND FIND WAYS TO GET TO COMMON GROUND AND SEE WE'RE ALL ACTUALLY VERY SIMILAR THINGS, VERY SIMILAR SOLUTIONS.
BUT BY DEHUMANIZING EACH OTHER, IT MAKES IT SO MUCH HARDER FOR GET TO THE SOLUTIONS.
SO WHAT I HEARD THROUGHOUT THE EVENING, BECAUSE I KNOCKED THE REST OF THE NIGHT AND HAVE BEEN OUT A FEW MORE TIMES SINCE THEN, WHERE DO WE FIND HOPE?
IT'S AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.
FOCUS ON THE ISSUES DIRECTLY IMPACTING YOU AND UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE INFLUENCE AND FOLKS TO ENCOURAGE TO GET INVOLVED AND TO TALK TO PEOPLE WHO DON'T AGREE WITH YOU ALL OF THE TIME.
HOW CAN WE HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE TEMPER OUR EMOTIONS AND WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER?
I THINK WE LOOK AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL, WE'VE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DOING THAT AND THERE'S A LOT OF POLITICAL RHETORIC THAT TAKES OVER THE AIRWAVES AND, UNFORTUNATELY, A LOT OF DEHUMANIZATION HAPPENING.
SO WHAT I HEAR FROM MY CONSTITUENTS REGARDLESS OF PARTY, THEY WANT THEIR LAWMAKERS AND PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING FOR THESE POSITIONS TO FOCUS ON THE NEEDS OF EVERYDAY PEOPLE AND FIND THOSE SOLUTIONS VERSUS INCREASING OR CHARGING THE POLITICAL RELATE RICK.
RHETORIC.
I THINK BEING ABLE TO HAVE SOMEBODY IN POWER AND I'M NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT AND DON'T EVER PLAN TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT, BUT HAVING SOMEBODY IN THE POLITICAL REALM, EVEN AT THE MOST LOCAL LEVEL TO SHARE WHERE THEY'RE AT.
THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT OUR STATE AND COUNTRY AND FINDING FINDINGWAYS TO WORK TOGETHER ANE PEACE AND HARMONY TO MAKE SURE WE SHARE OR DIFFERENCES AND WHERE WE WANT THE DIRECTION TO GO AT THE BALLOT BOX.
>> AFTER SEEING WHAT HAPPENED SATURDAY, DOES THAT GIVE YOU ANY CONCERNS FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND OTHER LEGISLATORS?
>> WHENEVER THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN, THERE'S INCREASED ANXIETY.
ALSO, ON THE OTHER SIDE, PEOPLE ARE NOT QUICK TO COME TO THEIR DOOR BECAUSE THEY'VE SEEN WHAT HAPPENED ON TV.
THEY'LL REACT WHERE THEY'LL AT LOCALLY, THEIR HOME OR WORKPLACE OR WHATEVER.
I WOULDN'T SAY THAT I FEEL UNSAFE.
I ALWAYS HAVE SOMEONE WITH ME.
I'VE KNOCKED THESE NEIGHBORHOODS FOR TEN YEARS NOW.
I WEAR MY SAME GREEN SHIRT.
I HAVE MULTIPLE GREEN SHIRTS.
[ Laughter ] >> SO THEY ARE CLEAN, BUT I KIND OF HAVE A UNIFORM.
I HAVE MAGNETS ON MY CAR AND THEY CAN SEE IF THEY LOOK OUT THE WINDOW, THEY CAN SEE IT'S ME.
BUT I FEEL SAFE ENOUGH TO BE OUT.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, QUITE FRANKLY, TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AND NOT BE AFRAID MYSELF.
BECAUSE I DO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE AND I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY.
I BELIEVE THE BEST WAY TO DO THAT IS TO STAY IN FRONT OF MY CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE WHO ARE VOTING IN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IN ORDER FOR THEM TO SEE, THIS IS A DEMOCRACY IN ACTION AND HOW IT WORKS.
LET'S UTILIZE THE TOOLS WE HAVE, AGAIN, TO SHARE DIFFERENCE OR WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON VERSUS WHAT WE SAW ON SATURDAY.
>> OUR DIFFERENCES GOT IN THE WAY OF UNITY.
COMMISSIONER, ANY LESSONS YOU LEARNED FROM SATURDAY'S EVENTS IN PROTECTING OUR LEGISLATORS HERE AT HOME?
>> SOME NEGATIVE LESSONS.
WE DAILY TRAIN AND PREPARE AND MONITOR THREATS AND SO I FEEL AS THOUGH -- AND I'VE TRAVELED AROUND THE COUNTRY AND WORKED WITH OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES ACROSS THE NATION.
I FEEL THAT IN OKLAHOMA, WE DO TWO THINGS AS FAR AS THE STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT, O H-DPSP WE'RE ALWAYS PREPARED FOR IT.
THE STABILITY OF OUR NATION RELIES ON THEM AND TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY FEELS SAFE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OR OTHERWISE, OUR COUNTRY FAILS.
I MEAN, THE STABILITY OF THAT ABILITY TO HAVE DISAGREEMENTS AND NOT GO TO THIS LEVEL.
WE REFER TO THEM AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXTREMISTS, DVE'S.
SO WE STRIVE EVERYDAY, NOT ONLY BY STATUTE.
MY AGENCY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY OF, OF COURSE, DAILY PROTECTION OF THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.
BUT WE HAVE THE STATUTORY MANDATE THAT WE PROTECT THE CAPITOL AND THE CAPITOL COMPLEX.
SO WE DAILY WORK TO DO THAT.
OUR GOAL IS ALWAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY POLITICAL, STATE, LOCAL, ELECTED OFFICIAL AND EVERY CITIZEN FEELS COMFORTABLE THAT THEY CAN COME TO THAT BUILDING, THEIR BUILDING AND SPEAK THEIR MIND WITHOUT ANY KIND OF RECOURSE FOR SPEAKING THAT AND THAT EVERYBODY CAN DO THAT IN A SAFE WAY.
THAT IS WHAT DRIVES US AND FROM THE BIGGER PICTURE, AS LONG WE CAN PROVIDE THAT SAFE SPACE FOR THE PEOPLE THAT COME AND HAVE THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS HEARD, THEN THAT'S WHAT KEEPS OUR COUNTRY STABLE OVERALL AND HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MUNSON, THE OKLAHOMA SENATE PASSED A RESOLUTION EARLIER CONDEMNING ACTS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE.
TELL US ABOUT SENATE RESOLUTION 1XXX.
>> SINCE THE SENATE WENT INTO A FOURTH SPECIAL SESSION, THEY PUT A RESOLUTION ON THE BOARD FOR THE SENATORS TO VOTE ON.
AND OBVIOUSLY, IT HAS NO ENFORCEMENT OF LAW, BUT IT'S A MESSAGE SENDING IT OUT TO THE STATE, BASICALLY SAYING WE HAVE THE SENATE.
DO NOT CONDONE ACTS OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY.
AND WHEN I SAY SIMPLE RESOLUTION, IT MEANS IT DIDN'T COME TO THE HOUSE.
THERE WAS NOTHING FOR US TO SUPPORT.
I KNOW LEADERS, MYSELF INCLUDED AND SPEAKER MCCAUL PUT OUT A STATEMENT.
I WANTED TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE CAPITOL.
I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THE STATE TROOPERS.
THEY DO A GREAT JOB.
I ALWAYS FEEL SAFE AND CREATED GREAT FRIENDSHIPS WITH MANY AT THE CAPITOL.
WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THEY'RE PUTTING THEMSELVES ON THE LINE, TOO, IN EVENTS LIKE THAT, BUT THEY HAVE PERSONALLY BEEN THERE FOR ME WHEN I HAVE HAD THREATS.
AND SITUATIONS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN FUN.
THEY'VE BEEN QUITE SCARY AND, YEAH ONE PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE AND, LIKE I SAID EARLIER ONE HAVE TO KEEP GOING AND DOING THE WORK.
THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL TRY TO KEEP YOU FROM DOING THAT WORK.
SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE WORK THEY DO EVERDAY ON PEOPLE OF PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA AND ON BEHALF OF OUR DEMOCRACY AND KEEPING US SAFE AND PROTECTED AT THE CAPITOL.
IT MEANS A LOT TO THOSE OF US THERE.
>> I THINK WE WILL LEAVE IT RIGHT THERE, COMMISSIONER, REPRESENTATIVE, AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING TO PROTECT UNITY HERE IN OKLAHOMA.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Rich: REALLY, REALLY GOOD CONVERSATION THERE.
THANK YOU, CASSIDY.
>>> HANDGLIDEING AND PARAGLIDING ARE TWO DIFFERENT SPORTS.
A GROUP OF PILOTS HAVE BEEN WATCHING THEMSELVES IN WYOMING FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.
>> I AM 75 YEARS OLD NOW AND I'M STILL FLYING.
>> A LOT US, OUR FIRST MOUNTAIN FLIGHTS WERE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND IN 1979 AND WE HAPPENED TO COME OUT OF THE WOODWORK.
WE DIDN'T HAVE COMPUTERS.
YOU SHOWED UP AND HI, HOW ARE YOU?
OH, IT'S MY FIRST TIME OFF A MOUNTAIN AND WE GOT TIGHT AFTER THAT.
WE WOULD MEET EVERY WEEKEND YEAR AFTER YEAR.
PEOPLE ARE EXCITED LIKE I AM.
>> WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
>> HEY!
HOW ARE YOU?
>> I'M DOING WONDERFUL, THANK YOU.
>> YOU'RE LOOKING GOOD.
>> WE USED TO GO TO THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE WOULD SPONSOR GLIDERS.
WE WOULD HAVE A CALCUTTA AND GLIDERS AND PILOTS COULD MAKE MONEY ON IT.
IT WAS A TRUE EVENT.
>> ABOUT 41 YEARS AGO, I CLIMBED UP ON THIS CLIFF AND TOOK A PICTURE OF ALL OF THE HANGGLIDERS.
OTHER THAN FAMILY, THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN FLYING.
>> OVER THE LAST TEN, TEN, 15 YEARS IT'S DWINDLED DOWN TO THE TOURISTS COMING THROUGH.
>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST DIP, BUT THERE'S USUALLY THERE'S THREE TIMES AS MANY PEOPLE.
>> WHAT HURT THE SPORT IS BECAUSE THE GLIDERS GOT TO PROFICIENT AND SO AERODYNAMICALLY TO LAUNCH AND FLY AND GO HUNDREDS OF MILES, YOU KNOW.
IT TOOK SPECTATORS OUT OF IT WHICH IS SAD BECAUSE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL SPORT TO WATCH.
IT'S THRILLING TO SEE PEOPLE LAUNCH, FLY AND LAND AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT MAN CAN FLY.
>> PROBABLY NEVER ABLE TO DO THAT AGAIN, SO THANK YOU FOR STOPPING.
>> I HAVE SEEN HANGGLIDING DISAPPEAR.
MOST OF THE PLACES I FLY, IT'S ALL PARAGLIDERS.
>> SO THE YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PARAGLIDING BECAUSE IT'S MORE CONVENIENT AND YOU CAN THROW ONE IN THE BACK OF YOURCAR.
YOU CAN PUT IT ON LIKE A BACKPACK AND WALK TO THE TOP OF OF THE HILL AND LAY IT OUT.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HANGGLIDING TAKE OFF BUT IT'S NOT GOING THAT DIRECTION.
EVERYBODY IS A BROTHER TO EVERYBODY ELSE.
AND YOU REALIZE IT'S NOT THE FLYING YOU GO FOR BUT THE PEOPLE.
>> I'M NOT USED TO SEEING FANS.
MAKE US EAT OUR WORDS.
[ Laughter ] >> THE TOURISTS AND THE SPECTATORS AND THAT HAVE DWINDLED IN OUR SPORT.
I WISH IT WOULD COME BACK.
IT IS WHAT IT IS.
LIFE CHANGES.
PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS BE DRAWN TO FLIGHT.
>> Rich: ON THE NEXT EDITION, WE'LL MEET THE MAN BRINGING AMMUNITION VENDING MACHINES INTO OKLAHOMA STORES.
SOME WELCOME THE MOVE.
WHILE OTHERS THINK IT IS A BAD IDEA.
STEVE SHAW REPORTS NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00 P.M. WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT OKLAHOMA'S GREAT SALT PLANES PUT TOGETHER BY OETA'S RANDY HAYES.
YOU CAN VISIT OETA.TV.
YOU CAN FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER.
AND ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER, SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.
ALL OF US PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THE NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EVERY WEEK.
I'M RICH LENZ.
ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND.