>> Rich: HEARTBREAK IN OKLAHOMA AS HUNDREDS OF HOMES ARE LOST TO RAGING WILDFIRES.

>> I'VE LOST EVERYTHING AND THERE'S NOTHING LEFT BUT THIS RIGHT HERE.

THIS DIRT, THIS ASH, IT'S ALL MINE.

>> Rich: IS PROGRESS BEING MADE AT TULSA'S TROUBLED JUVENILE DETENTION FACILITY?

>> PEOPLE ARE RUNNING AMOK.

YOU HAD STAFF MEMBERS WHO WERE ESSENTIALLY USING THE KIDS AS PROSTITUTES.

>> Rich: STREAMLINING THE PROCESS TO HELP COUPLES HOPING TO ADOPT A CHILD.

>> 'CAUSE EVERY KID, ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE AND SHOWING THEM THAT YOU LOVE THEM AND CARE ABOUT THEM IS WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Rich: GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT BEATS THE DRUM FOR HIS "HALF AND A PATH" TAX CUT.

>> WELL, HE'S BEEN MAKING THAT CALL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

>> MY REACTION IS HE'S VERY CONSISTENT.

>> Rich: AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH.

>> WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY RICH HISTORY IN OKLAHOMA OF STRONG AND EMPOWERED WOMEN.

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

Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com >> Rich: HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I'M RICH LENZ.

WHEN A TORNADO HITS, PEOPLE CAN OFTEN RETURN TO THEIR HOMES AND PICK UP THE PIECES, BUT WHEN A DEADLY WILDFIRE STRIKES, THERE'S SOMETIMES NOTHING LEFT TO COME HOME TO, JUST SMOLDERING DEVASTATION.

THAT'S THE TERRIBLE REALITY FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES IN STILLWATER AND MANNFORD RIGHT NOW.

REPORTER NOAH MACK JOINS US AFTER RETURNING FROM SOME OF THE HARDEST-HIT COMMUNITIES IN OUR STATE.

NOAH?

>> Noah: RICH, FOUR PEOPLE ARE DEAD AND 142 PEOPLE ARE INJURED FOLLOWING THE WILDFIRES.

THESE NUMBERS ARE ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, WHO ARE ASSESSING THE HUNDREDS OF DECIMATED HOMES.

WITH SMALL FLAMES STILL GASPING FOR OXYGEN AND A CHARRED SMELL IN THE AIR -- >> THIS RIGHT HERE WAS MY MOM'S HOUSE.

>> Noah: -- SHANE FORBES REFLECTS ON WHAT WAS HIS FAMILY'S HOME FOR ABOUT 40 YEARS.

>> MY DAD ACTUALLY BUILT THAT BY HAND AND IT'S ALL GONE NOW, SO... >> Noah: THIS WAS HIS MOTHER'S HOUSE.

HE DESCRIBED IT AS AN OKLAHOMA OASIS, OUTFITTED WITH A VIBRANT GARDEN AND A KOI FISH POND.

THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AFTER FRIDAY'S WILDFIRE IN LINCOLN COUNTY.

>> OH, THERE'S SOME STILL ALIVE.

LOOK, IT'S CRAZY THOSE ARE STILL ALIVE.

>> Noah: SHANE AND HIS WIFE LIVED NEXT DOOR, AND THEY RENTED OUT 13 OTHER HOMES ACROSS 40 ACRES, ALL OF IT REDUCED TO ASH.

>> IT'S DESTROYED EVERYTHING.

I MEAN, IT DISINTEGRATED.

>> Noah: SHANE'S MOTHER REGINIA McFARLAND STARTED LAST FRIDAY WITH CRAFTING.

>> MY BIGGEST WORRY WAS GETTING THAT LAST SET OF CURTAINS BUILT, AND I WAS SEWING THE LAST SEAM AND IT STARTED GETTING KINDA SMOKY, AND I THOUGHT AND I SAID, I BETTER GO CHECK ON THAT FIRE TO SEE HOW CLOSE IT'S GETTING.

>> Noah: AND IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE WAVES OF FIRE BEGAN CONSUMING THE PROPERTY.

SHANE SUCCESSFULLY EVACUATED EVERYONE FROM THE BLAZE.

>> WE LOADED THEM UP IN THE TRUCK, FLEW OUT OF HERE AS FAST AS WE COULD GET BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS COMING OVER THIS FENCE RIGHT HERE.

LIKE, I MEAN, IT WAS ALL ORANGE, EVERYTHING.

>> Noah: SHANE, HIS FAMILY, AND HIS TENANTS ARE STUCK.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE ON THIS, THAT, OR THE 13 RENTALS, AND ALL THEM FAMILIES DIDN'T HAVE RENTER'S INSURANCE OR NOTHING.

>> Noah: FEDERAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE THEIR ONLY HOPE FOR FINANCIAL AID, BUT THERE ARE SOME REQUIREMENTS.

OKLAHOMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ESTIMATED OVER 400 HOMES WERE DAMAGED ACROSS THE STATE.

THE THRESHOLD FOR FEDERAL ASSISTANCE?

400 UNINSURED HOMES.

>> THAT "UNINSURED" WORD IS VERY IMPORTANT.

FEMA DOESN'T COVER INSURED LOSSES.

>> Noah: THE GOVERNOR ISSUED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR 12 OKLAHOMA COUNTIES, INCLUDING CREEK COUNTY, WHICH IS WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS SPENDING THEIR TIME GETTING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE DAMAGE.

>> NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN, IT'S ENTIRELY DESTROYED AND THAT'S WHAT YOU SEE HERE.

>> Noah: 130 WILDFIRES ACROSS 44 COUNTIES, ACCORDING TO THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT'S REPORT FROM LAST WEEK.

BUT FIRES HAVE CONTINUED ON THROUGH THIS WEEK.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ANNIE VEST RIDES AROUND WITH AN ENTOURAGE VALIDATING DAMAGE ESTIMATES.

>> WE COME IN AT THE REQUEST OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHEN THEY'RE OVERWHELMED.

>> Noah: AND THEY'RE TRYING TO USHER IN MORE HELP SOON.

>> WE'RE STILL WORKING TO SEE IF FEMA CAN COME IN.

THE FEMA ASSISTANCE THAT DOES COME IN WHEN IT DOES IN OKLAHOMA IS ABOUT $5,000 ON AVERAGE, SO IT'S NOT MUCH.

THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, HOWEVER, PROVIDES LOW INTEREST LOANS THAT CAN REALLY HELP REBUILD AN ENTIRE PROPERTY, SO THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Noah: FOR NOW, STATE GOVERNMENT IS WIELDING THE POWER IT HAS TO EXPEDITE RESOURCES.

>> A STATE OF EMERGENCY FREES UP A LOT OF STATE RESOURCES.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO THAT GIVE US JURISDICTIONAL AUTHORITY TO COME IN AND HELP THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, SOME OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICES, OUR SNAP BENEFITS, SOME OF THE NUTRITION ASSISTANCE THAT MAY HAVE BEEN LOST THROUGH THIS PROCESS THAT THEY CAN RECOUP THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

>> Noah: BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS NOT UNLIMITED.

>> WE CAN NEVER DO ENOUGH AND THAT'S THE HARDEST PART.

THE HEARTBREAK IS VERY CHALLENGING FOR US.

[ SIRENS BLARING ] >> Noah: AFTER ANY NATURAL DISASTER, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ARE INDISPENSABLE.

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS PERUSES HARD-HIT NEIGHBORHOODS, DELIVERING FOOD, WATER, AND SUPPLIES, AS WELL AS HAVING HUBS ACROSS THE COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE CAN WALK IN AND RECEIVE ASSISTANCE, OFTENTIMES CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

>> WHEN YOU COME TO A SHELTER, YOU CAN COUNT ON GETTING HOT MEALS DURING THE DAY, SNACKS AND WATER.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN PROVIDE CRITICAL HEALTH SERVICES.

SAY YOU LOST PRESCRIPTIONS OR MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN A DISASTER AND YOU NEED TO GET THOSE REPLACED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP WITH EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, SPIRITUAL CARE, AND JUST HELPING PEOPLE KIND OF UNDERSTAND WHAT COMES NEXT AFTER A DISASTER.

WE SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO AREN'T SURE WHAT TO DO WHEN THEY LOSE THEIR HOME TO A TORNADO OR WILDFIRE OR ANOTHER DISASTER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE CAN HELP THEM WITH.

WE CAN CONNECT THEM WITH A CASE WORKER WHO CAN START WALKING THEM THROUGH THE RECOVERY PROCESS.

>> Noah: RED CROSS SPOKESPERSON MATT TROTTER SAYS ADMITTING YOU NEED HELP MAY BE THE FIRST HURDLE ANYONE FACES AFTER A DISASTER.

>> RED CROSS HELP IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY WHO NEEDS IT DURING A DISASTER, AND EVEN IF YOU DON'T THINK YOU NEED HELP, WE'RE THERE FOR PEOPLE.

I TALKED TO A MAN AT THIS SHELTER WHERE HE LOST HIS HOME, AND 85 YEARS OLD, HIS DAUGHTER BROUGHT HIM IN, TALKED ABOUT HOW HE'S THE ONE WHO HELPS PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, AND IT WAS REALLY TOUGH FOR HIM JUST TO SAY HE NEEDED HELP.

>> Noah: FOR SHANE, RECOVERY LOOKS LIKE A LONG AND DAUNTING ROAD.

>> I'M SURE I'LL GET BY EVENTUALLY, BUT IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ME YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

I MEAN, THAT WAS 15 YEARS' WORTH OF MY STUFF.

>> Noah: BUT AS FOR REGINIA, NEGATIVITY IS NOT IN HER NATURE.

>> WELL, YOU GOT TO FIND THE GOOD PART BECAUSE, I MEAN, THERE'S A WHOLE LOTTA BAD.

YOU KNOW?

>> Noah: AND NOTHING IS KEEPING HER AWAY FROM HER HOME, EVEN IF THAT HOME IS JUST TWO COTS IN A CELLAR.

>> AND I HAD SOMEONE ASK ME, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO STAY IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND?

AND I SAID, BECAUSE IT'S MY HOLE IN THE GROUND.

I'VE LOST EVERYTHING, AND THERE'S NOTHING LEFT BUT THIS RIGHT HERE.

THIS DIRT, THIS ASH, IT'S ALL MINE.

WE GOTTA CLEAN IT UP, SO WE GOTTA STAY OUT HERE AND STAY AFTER IT, YOU KNOW.

>> Noah: SHANE AND HIS WIFE ARE LIVING WITH HIS BROTHER FOR NOW, AND HE SAYS THE REST OF HIS TENANTS ARE STAYING AT RED CROSS SHELTERS.

RICH.

>> Rich: NOAH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DROPPED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S LEGAL CHALLENGE AGAINST A TOUGH OKLAHOMA IMMIGRATION LAW THAT PASSED IN LAST YEAR'S SESSION.

THE LAWSUIT HAD BEEN BROUGHT BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND HALTED ENFORCEMENT OF HOUSE BILL 4156.

THE NEW LAW TARGETS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND IS SUPPORTED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE GROUPS THAT INTEND TO CHALLENGE THE NEW LAW IN COURT.

>>> THE TULSA COUNTY FAMILY CENTER FOR JUVENILE JUSTICE HAS A DISTURBING HISTORY OF MISMANAGEMENT AND ALLEGED ABUSE.

NOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN EXPOSED, THERE'S HOPE THE FACILITY CAN GET BACK TO FULFILLING ITS PURPOSE, TO HOUSE YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS AND EVENTUALLY REHABILITATE THEM BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

STEVE SHAW VISITED THE CENTER THIS WEEK AND JOINS US NOW.

STEVE?

>> Steve: RICH, LISTENING TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ALLEGEDLY WENT ON IN THERE UP UNTIL ABOUT A YEAR AGO ARE DISTURBING, BUT NOT UNPRECEDENTED IN OKLAHOMA.

BUT THERE'S GOOD REASON FOR OPTIMISM.

>> THIS IS OUR CENTRAL CONTROL AREA.

IT'S REALLY THE BRAINS OF THE OPERATIONS.

ALL OF OUR CAMERA SYSTEMS RUN THROUGH HERE.

>> Steve: EIGHT MONTHS AGO, DAVID PARKER WAS RETIRED, ON A LAKE SOMEWHERE FISHING.

>> THEY'LL OPEN UP AN EXAM ROOM.

>> Steve: THEN HE GOT A CALL ON THE BAT PHONE.

TULSA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DESPERATELY WANTED HIS HELP.

THE COMMISSION HAD JUST TAKEN CONTROL OF THE TULSA COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

THEY FIRED MORE THAN A DOZEN STAFF MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR.

JOE DORMAN KNEW WHY.

>> PEOPLE WERE RUNNING AMOK.

YOU HAD STAFF MEMBERS THAT ESSENTIALLY WERE USING THE KIDS AS PROSTITUTES.

THEY WERE PAYING THE KIDS, GIVING THEM DRUGS.

JUST PROVIDING HORRIBLY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THESE CHILDREN, AND ONE OF THE RISKIER TIMES IN THEIR LIVES.

THEY SHOULD BE GEK THE HELP THEY NEED, THE SCHOOLING THEY NEED, THE RESOURCES TO GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK, AND INSTEAD, IT WAS PURE DEPRAVITY.

>> Steve: DORE MAUNS CEO OF THE OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVOCACY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

AN INSTITUTION FORMED FOUR DECADES AGO AFTER SIMILAR ABUSES AGAINST CHILDREN WERE EXPOSED AT A HOME IN TECUMSEH.

>> THE DISTRICT COURTS WERE SUPPOSED TO BE LOOKING AFTER THAT AND APPARENTLY THEY WEREN'T.

>> THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE SAW.

THERE'S CONFUSION WITH WHO FELT LIKE THEY SHOULD BE IN CHARGE.

YOU HAD THE JUDGES UP THERE, ONE OF THEM WAS THOUGHT TO BE IN CHARGE, WATT DIDN'T REALLY WANT TO BE IN CHARGE.

SO THEY WERE POINTING FINGERS AT EACH OTHER AND THAT'S WHERE WE SAW THE ISSUES WITH THE COUNTY PROVIDING FUNDING AND SOME OVERSIGHT.

>> Steve: WHEN KT COMMISSIONERS TOOK OVER THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER, THEY URGED DAVID PARKER TO RUN IT.

>> THEY WERE AT THE POINT THEY WERE USING A TEMP SERVICE TO TRY TO BRING EMPLOYEES IN HERE, ONE OF THE DOWN FALLS, IT WAS NOT A GOOD VETTING PROCESS.

>> Steve: PARKER WORKED 31 YEARS FOR THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

HE RETIRED AS A DIRECTOR FOUR YEARS AGO.

>> THE DAY WE HAD TEN JUVENILES THAT HAD GUN-RELATED OFFENSES AND FOUR OF THOSE WERE MURDER.

BUT EVERY CRIME THAT YOU CAN IMAGINE, WE HAVE HERE.

>> Steve: HE SAYS THIS PLACE LACKS TRAINING AND DIRECTION.

>> YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MUCH TRAINING.

YOU KNOW, ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE YOU CAN'T EXPECT SOMEONE TO BUILD A HOUSE WITHOUT LEARNING TO RUN A HAMMER AND A SAW, AND YOU DON'T KNOW THAT RIGHT OFF.

IF YOU TRY IT, YOU'RE GO TO END UP WITH SORE FINGERS OR NO FINGERS.

SO SAME PRINCIPLE APPLIES HERE.

IF YOU DON'T GIVE THEM THE SKILL, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITY TO DO THE JOB, PEOPLE INHERENTLY WANT TO DO A GOOD JOB AND THEY WILL MAKE IT UP AS THEY GO ALONG.

>> Steve: PARKER SAYS ELIMINATED SOME JOBS AND ADDED OTHERS.

EMPLOYEE SALARIES NOW START AT $20 AN HOUR, AND PARKER IS SEEKING 10% RAISES.

>> WE BROUGHT IN UNIFORMS FOR OUR STAFF.

THERE WAS NO SET CRITERIA ON WHAT YOU COULD WEAR.

WE HAD PEOPLE WEARING SWEAT PANTS.

THAT'S PROBABLY NOT GOOD IN A PROFESSIONAL SETTING.

>> Steve: THE TULSA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER HAD BEEN A VOCAL CRITIC OF THIS FACILITY, BUT WHEN PARKER CAME IN, HE GAVE THEM AN OFFICE RIGHT DOWN THE HALL FROM HIS.

>> WE WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT.

SO I THINK TRANSPARENCY IS ANOTHER THING.

WE'VE INVITED EVERYONE FROM THE NEWS MEDIA TO COME DO TOURS, TO SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VERY OUTSPOKEN BY THE THINGS THE WAY THEY WERE RUN HERE.

>> Steve: NEWLY ELECTED TULSA MAYOR MONROE NICHOLS WAS ALSO A HARSH CRITIC DURING THE HOTLY CONTESTED MAYORAL ELECTION LAST FALL.

I REACHED OUT TO NICHOLS' OFFICE LAST WEEK ABOUT THE JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

HIS OFFICE TOLD ME NICHOLS, QUOTE, HAD NOTHING TO ADD.

STAND SALEE HAS BEEN A TULSA COUNTY COMMISSIONER SINCE 2018.

HE SAYS THE COUNTY COMMISSION HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE OVER OPERATIONS LAST JULY.

HE SAYS HE'S PROUD OF WHAT DAVID PARKER'S LEADERSHIP IS DOING.

>> MOST OF THESE CHILDREN, THEY'RE MOVING ON TO MORE DIFFICULT PART OF THEIR LIFE, AND THEY'LL BE IN TRIALS AND SOME OF THEM WILL GO TO OTHER FACILITIES AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, WHILE THEY'RE IN OUR CUSTODY, THAT THEY'RE GIVEN ALL THE TOOLS AND SUPPORT THAT WE CAN GIVE THEM TO MAKE THEIR STAY A BETTER PLACE.

>> NO SENSE IN MAKING IT WORSE.

>> NO, AND I TELL PEOPLE, I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT -- HOW THEY GOT TO THIS POSITION IN THEIR LIFE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS FOR ALL OF THEM, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT MOST OF US DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH, AND IT'S -- IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

>> Steve: JOE DOREMAN SAYS THE NATIONAL NONPROFIT FEED THE CHILDREN RECENTLY DONATED HUNDREDS OF BOOKS SO TULSA'S JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER NOW HAS A LIBRARY.

BUT DORMAN SAYS CONTINUED OVERSIGHT HERE WILL BE NECESSARY.

>> COUNSELING SERVICES ARE VITAL.

THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE WE FALL SHORT SO OFTEN IN STATE FACILITIES IS MAKING SURE THE COUNSELING SERVICES ARE THERE TO HELP THESE KIDS GET BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

THEY'RE USUALLY IN THESE PLACES BECAUSE THEY'VE HAD SOME TYPE OF SITUATION HAPPEN WITH THEIR HOME LIFE.

MANY OF THEM ARE ON THEIR OWN, AND THEY GET DESPERATE AND COMMIT A CRIME.

THEY SHOULDN'T GO INTO A PLACE WHERE IT'S WORSE THAN WHERE THEY WERE AT BEFORE.

>> Steve: DAVID PARKER SAYS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 60 YEARS, THE TULSA JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER GRADUATED A YOUNG PERSON FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

IT HAPPENED TWO MONTHS AGO.

PARKER SAYS A SECOND RESIDENT WILL GRADUATE IN A MONTH OR SO.

RICH.

>> Rich: STEVE, THANK YOU.

>> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS CARRIED OUT ITS FIRST EXECUTION OF THE YEAR.

CONVICTED MURDERER WENDELL GRISSOM WAS PUT TO DEATH ON THURSDAY IN McALESTER FOR KILLING 23-YEAR-OLD AMBER MATTHEWS DURING A HOME INVASION IN 2005.

GRISSOM ADMITTED TO FATALLY SHOOTING MATTHEWS AND WOUNDING HER BOYFRIEND, BUT DURING HIS CLEMENCY HEARING, SAID HE SUFFERED FROM BRAIN DAMAGE.

THIS IS OKLAHOMA'S 128th EXECUTION SINCE THE DEATH PENALTY WAS REINSTATED IN 1976.

>>> ADOPTING A CHILD IN OKLAHOMA CAN BE A LENGTHY, STRESSFUL, AND SOMETIMES EXPENSIVE EXPERIENCE, BUT THERE'S PROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT COULD STREAMLINE THE PROCESS.

IT'S CALLED THE SHY COOPER ACT, AND REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON WHAT IT WOULD DO.

TAELYR?

>> Taelyr: RICH, ACCORDING TO A RECENT CHILD WELFARE LEAGUE OF AMERICA REPORT, IN OKLAHOMA, 1,629 CHILDREN WERE ADOPTED AND MORE THAN 4,000 WERE WAITING TO BE ADOPTED IN 2022.

>> RIGHT NOW, I HAVE ON LITTLE SMOKEY.

>> Taelyr: MYRA WILLIAMS UNTRADITIONAL PATH TO ADOPTION STARTED FOUR YEARS AGO WHEN SHE BECAME A FOSTER MOTHER.

>> A FAMILY MEMBER ACTUALLY NEEDED SOMEONE TO TAKE THEIR KIDS FOR EMERGENCY PLACEMENT, SO I END UP DOING THAT, AND THE WORKER THAT CAME OUT AND DID ALL THE PAPERWORK AND EVERYTHING WAS LIKE AN ANGEL.

AND I END UP JUST CONNECTING WITH HER AND AFTER THEY LEFT, SHE WAS LIKE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONTINUE TO DO IT?

I WAS LIKE, I GUESS, YEAH.

>> Taelyr: A FEW YEARS LATER, THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADOPT A PAIR OF BABY GIRLS PRESENTED ITSELF.

>> SO THEY HAD -- THE GIRLS HAD BEEN WITH ME FROM -- ONE OF THEM SINCE TWO MONTHS OLD, AND WHEN THEY BROUGHT UP THE, DO YOU WANT TO ADOPT HER, THEY WERE GETTING READY TO PUT THEM IN THE SYSTEM TO ADOPT, AND THEY WAS LIKE, WOULD YOU CONSIDER IT OR WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I WAS LIKE, NO, I'M NOT LETTING THEM GO.

I'VE BEEN HERE FOR OVER A YEAR ALREADY, SO LET'S DO IT.

>> Taelyr: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES RECRUITMENT SUPERVISOR LORI MEYERS SAYS WHEN A CHILD IS REMOVED FROM HIS OR HER HOME FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE GOAL IS TO REUNITE THE CHILD WITH THEIR BIRTH PARENTS ONCE THEIR HOME IS SAFE AGAIN.

>> WHEN FOSTER FAMILIES HAVE CHILDREN COME INTO THEIR HOMES, THEY'RE GOING TO GET ATTACHED AND THEY'RE GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THOSE KIDS, AND THAT'S AS IT SHOULD BE.

THAT'S AS IT NEEDS TO BE.

WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR FAMILIES AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY DO UNDERSTAND THAT OUR GOAL FROM DAY ONE IS TO REUNIFY CHILDREN WITH THEIR BIRTH FAMILIES, AND OUR EXPECTATION FOR OUR FOSTER HOMES IS THAT THEY ARE A MEMBER OF THAT TEAM.

>> Taelyr: BUT THERE ARE CASES WHERE REUNIONIFICATION IS NO LONGER AN OPTION DUE TO A BIRTH FAMILY'S INABILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEIR CHILD.

WILLIAMS SAYS WHILE IT'S WORTH IT, THE ADOPTION PROCESS CAN BE TIME CONSUMING.

>> SO, I MEAN, IT'S KIND OF A LONG PROCESS, HAVING TO FILL OUT SO MUCH PAPERWORK, BUT YOU HAVE, LIKE, AN ATTORNEY THERE THAT'S WORKING WITH YOU AND WORKERS THAT HELPS YOU FILL OUT THE PAPERWORK.

>> Taelyr: ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA ADOPTION COALITION, THERE ARE SEVEN DIFFERENT WAYS TO ADOPT.

SOME OF THE MOST COMMON ONES ARE INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS WHEN A FAMILY ADOPTS FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, INTERSTATE ADOPTION WHEN A FAMILY ADOPTS OVER STATE LINES, DOMESTIC INFANT ADOPTION HAPPENS WHEN THE FIRST MOTHER RELEASE AND INFANT TO ADOPTIVE PARENTS TYPICALLY FOLLOWING THE BIRTH OF THE CHILD.

THE BIRTH PARENTS' PARENTAL RIGHTS ARE THEN TERMINATED.

FOSTER ADOPT HAPPENS WHEN A FAMILY ADOPTS A YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE THAT CAN NO LONGER RETURN TO THEIR BIOLOGICAL FAMILIES, AND RELATIVE ADOPTION IS THE ADOPTION OF A CHILD BY A RELATIVE.

REPRESENTATIVE ERIC HARRIS AUTHORED HOUSE BILL 2647, ALSO KNOWN AS THE SHY COOPER ACT, WITH RELATIVE ADOPTION IN MIND.

THE BILL WAS NAMED AFTER 13-YEAR-OLD ADOPTEE SHY COOPER.

HARRIS NAMED THE LEGISLATION AFTER HER ONCE HE LEARNED ABOUT HER ADOPTION STORY THROUGH ONE OF HIS PAGES, WHO IS SHY'S SISTER.

HARRIS SAYS THE BILL WOULD ALLOW IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS LIKE SIBLING OR GRANDPARENTS WISHING TO ADOPT WITHOUT A HOME STUDY IF APPROVED BY A JUDGE.

>> IT STREAM LINES THE ADOPTION PROCESS SIMPLY BY ALLOWING A JUDGE TO WAIVE A HOME STUDY REQUIREMENT IF THE MINOR CHILD HAS BEEN LIVING WITH THE PERSON WHO IS GOING TO DO THE ADOPTION AND THE PERSON IS AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER.

>> Taelyr: ACCORDING TO OKLAHOMA LAW, A POSITIVE HOME STUDY MUST TAKE PLACE BEFORE AN ADOPTION IS APPROVED.

A HOME STUDY CONSISTS OF INTERVU,Z PAIRN WORK, BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND HOME SAFETY CHECKS.

THE PROCESS CAN TAKE UP TO THREE MONTHS.

>> OFTENTIMES, FAMILIES WILL TAKE ON A CHILD THROUGH A PROCESS CALLED A GUARDIANSHIP, AND THAT IS A PRIVATE AND CLOSED PROCESS WHERE THE JUDGE USUALLY WILL REQUIRE A HOME STUDY.

WELL, THIS PROCESS WOULD ALLOW A JUDGE TO SAY, HEY, YOU'VE ALREADY GONE THROUGH A HOME STUDY ONCE BEFORE.

YOU DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AGAIN.

>> Taelyr: THE COST OF A HOME STUDY DEPENDS ON THE TYPE OF ADOPTION PURSUED.

SOME AGENCIES CHARGE A SMALL FEE, WHILE SOME PRIVATE AGENCIES CHARGE ANYWHERE FROM 1,000 TO $3,000.

OTHER RELATED COSTS SUCH AS LEGAL FEES AND TRAVEL FEES VARY ON THE TYPE OF ADOPTIONS AS WELL.

ADOPTION CAN BE A LONG AND COSTLY PROCESS, BUT THE REWARDS CAN BE GREAT.

>> ONE OF THE BABIES THAT I ADOPTED, LIKE, WHEN SHE FIRST CAME, LIKE SHE WAS SAD.

SHE COULDN'T TALK OR SAY ANYTHING, AND FINALLY ONE DAY, SHE SAID, HEY, MAMA.

AND IT JUST BROUGHT A JOY AND I JUST KNEW THAT SHE WAS OKAY.

YOU'RE AT HOME NOW.

>> Taelyr: SHE ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OR BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT TO HELP COMBAT NEED FOR FOSTER HOMES.

>> BECAUSE EVERY KID, ALL THEY NEED IS LOVE, AND SHOWING THEM THAT YOU LOVE THEM AND CARE ABOUT THEM IS WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Taelyr: THE BILL WILL NEED TO PASS OFF THE SENATE FLOOR BEFORE IT GOES TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT, YOU CAN VISIT OKFOSTERS.ORG.

RICH.

>> Rich: GREAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU, TAELYR.

>>> TULSA MAYOR MONROE NICHOLS HAS ANNOUNCED THAT JUNE 1st HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS OFFICIAL OBSERVANCE DAY OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

THE MAYOR SAYS HE WILL MAKE ADDITIONAL ANNOUNCEMENTS ON APRIL 6th CONCERNING THE NEXT STEPS IN HIS PLAN TO, QUOTE, HEAL MULTIGENERATIONAL WOUNDS FROM THE 1921 DESTRUCTION OF TULSA'S GREENWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Nichols: IT IS WITH A LOT OF PRIDE THAT WE PARTNERED WITH COMMUNITY, THAT WE COME TOGETHER AS A CITY.

AND THIS DAY OF OBSERVANCE WILL BE NOT JUST A REMEMBRANCE OF WHAT HAPPENED, BUT ABOUT THE BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF US.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE CITY.

I AM THINKING ABOUT THOSE WHO STILL FEEL THE HARM FROM THE RACE MASSACRE, BUT THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO COMMIT TO BETTER.

JUNE 1st WILL FOREVER BE KNOWN AS TULSA RACE MASSACRE OBSERVANCE DAY HERE IN THE CITY OF TULSA.

>> Rich: THE MAYOR SAYS HE WILL MAKE A MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT AT THE MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH IN NORTH TULSA ON SUNDAY, APRIL 6th.

>>> CONGRESS DESIGNATED MARCH AS NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH IN 1987, AND IN OUR UPCOMING IN-DEPTH SEGMENT, MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD WILL BE JOINED BY A PANEL OF OKLAHOMA WOMEN TO DISCUSS THEIR ISSUES, CONCERNS, AND ACHIEVEMENTS.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THAT CONVERSATION.

>> THE SAME ISSUES THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH TODAY, WE HAVE DEALT WITH FOR OVER A CENTURY NOW.

IT'S THE SAME THING THAT WOMEN BACK IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY WERE THINKING ABOUT: HOW DO WE GET ACCESS TO EDUCATION?

HOW DO WE GET ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING AND CONTRACEPTIVES?

>> ALL OF THE WOMEN WE SERVE IN OUR SERVICES, PROVIDE SERVICES TO, ARE STRUGGLING WITH MULTIPLE CHALLENGES.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE LIVING AT THE INTERSECTION OF RACE AND GENDER AND CLASS, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION.

>> WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY RICH HISTORY IN OKLAHOMA OF STRONG AND EMPOWERED WOMEN WHO ADVOCATED FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, WHO WERE ABLE TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES.

I WOULD LIKE FOR WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA, CONTEMPORARY WOMEN TO BUILD ON THAT VERY RICH HISTORY.

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

>>> GOVERNOR STITT HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT ONE OF HIS MAIN PRIORITIES IS PASSING AN INCOME TAX CUT DURING THE CURRENT SESSION.

THUS FAR, LAWMAKERS HAVE EXPRESSED VARYING DEGREES OF INTEREST IN THAT, BUT DEMOCRATS FLAT-OUT OPPOSED.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE JOINS US FROM THE CAPITOL WITH THE LATEST.

JASON.

>> Jason: RICH, THE DOOR IS CERTAINLY NOT CLOSED ON AN INCOME TAX CUT, BUT RELATIONSHIP LEAP LEADERSHIP WANTS TO MAKE SURE PRIORITIES ARE STILL GETTING APPROPRIATE FUNDING AND THERE'S PRESSURE FROM AN OUTSIDE GROUP ADDING TO THE MIX.

>> Gov.

Stitt: CAN WE AFFORD TO GIVE A HALF A POINT CUT BACK TO OKLAHOMANS, WHICH IS $240 MILLION OUTTA THIS BUDGET?

100% WE CAN AFFORD TO DO THAT.

>> Jason: GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WANTS A HALF PERCENT INCOME TAX CUT AND FOR LAWMAKERS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET TO ZERO STATE INCOME TAXES.

EVENTUALLY.

IF NOT, THE STATE COULD GET LEFT BEHIND.

>> Gov.

Stitt: TEXAS HAS A ZERO PERCENT INCOME TAX.

ARKANSAS JUST WENT LOWER THAN US.

KANSAS JUST WENT LOWER THAN US.

COLORADO IS LOWER THAN US.

IOWA, NEBRASKA JUST CUT TO GET LOWER THAN US.

>> Jason: AND HE HAS SUPPORT FOR HIS EFFORTS IN THE FORM OF A TV COMMERCIAL PRODUCED BY THE POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE 46 FORWARD.

>> KEVIN STITT'S NEXT BOLD PLAN?

CUT INCOME TAXES AGAIN.

A HALF PERCENT NOW AND A PATH TO GET US TO ZERO.

INSTEAD OF GROWING GOVERNMENT, GIVE MONEY BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS.

TELL YOUR LEGISLATORS, SUPPORT KEVIN STITT'S HALF AND A PATH PLAN.

>> Jason: LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ACKNOWLEDGE THEY'VE HEARD THE GOVERNOR'S RENEWED MESSAGE FROM INCOME TAX CUTS.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD A RENEWED CALL.

I MEAN, HE'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT EVERY DAY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

>> WELL, HE'S BEEN MAKING THAT CALL SINCE THE BEGINNING OF SESSION.

>> MY REACTION IS HE'S VERY CONSISTENT.

>> Jason: STITT BELIEVES THE LEGISLATURE CAN CARVE OUT THE TAX CUT BEFORE DIGGING INTO BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

>> Gov.

Stitt: BECAUSE IF YOU DO IT THE OTHER WAY, GOVERNMENT COULD NEVER SPEND ENOUGH MONEY.

THEY WILL ALWAYS COME TO YOU AND SAY, GIVE ME MORE MONEY BECAUSE LOOK HOW MUCH MORE GOOD I CAN DO FOR SOCIETY.

>> Jason: HE COMPARES PROVIDING THE TAX CUT TO TITHING.

>> Gov.

Stitt: YOU DON'T FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN SPEND AND THEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR SAY, WELL, HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE HAVE TO TITHE, HONEY?

OR HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE HAVE TO SAVE?

YOU SAVE, AND YOU DO YOUR PRIORITIES UP FRONT OR YOU GIVE YOUR MONEY TO THE LORD AND YOU TITHE 10% FIRST, AND THEN YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY.

IT'S NO DIFFERENCE IN OUR BUDGET.

>> Jason: FOR THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP'S PART, THEY WOULD LIKE TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE AN INCOME TAX CUT WORK.

>> SPEAKER HILBERT AND I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH HIM ON THAT, AND WE'RE ALSO, RIGHT NOW, LIKE I SAID FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH OUR CAUCUSES AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES OUR CAUCUS WANT.

>> OF COURSE WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE -- WE'D LOVE TO PAY LESS TAXES, WE'D LOVE TO HAVE TAX CUTS AT THIS TIME, BUT WE'RE JUST TOO EARLY IN THE SESSION TO BE ABLE TO SAY FOR SURE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

>> Jason: DEMOCRAT LEADERS BELIEVE THE STATE HAS BIGGER PRIORITIES THAN A TAX CUT, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF POSSIBLE FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS WHICH COULD IMPACT THE STATE BUDGET.

>> WE HAVE TO GET A BETTER SENSE OF WHAT'S AT RISK FROM OUR FEDERAL COLLEAGUES BEFORE WE CAN MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT CUTTING TAXES.

WE ALREADY KNEW THAT OUR BUDGET NEEDED TO BE FLAT OR LOWER BASED ON THE ESTIMATES, AND SO WE GOT TO BE REAL WITH THOSE NUMBERS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE LOOKING AT THE REAL NEEDS.

>> IF THERE ARE CUTS TO FEDERAL, YOU KNOW, FEDERAL FUNDING TO OKLAHOMA, SPECIFICALLY WITH MEDICAID, IF WE HAVE TO SPEND MORE OF STATE DOLLARS TOWARD OUR MEDICAID PROGRAM, THAT'S GONNA COST THE STATE IN ALL SORTS OF AREAS AROUND IN TERMS OF STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> Jason: THE PREVIOUS TAX CUT TOOK OKLAHOMA'S TOP PERSONAL INCOME TAX RATE FROM 5% TO 4.75% IN 2022.

ACCORDING TO THE TAX FOUNDATION, OKLAHOMA'S REVENUES GREW BY NEARLY 6% SINCE THE QUARTER PERCENT TAX CUT TOOK EFFECT.

THE REVENUE GROWTH AFTER THE TAX CUTS PLAYS INTO GOVERNOR STITT'S ARGUMENT FOR ANOTHER CUT.

>> Gov.

Stitt: THE MONEY DOESN'T JUST DISAPPEAR.

I'LL SAY IT ONE MORE TIME.

THE MONEY JUST DOESN'T STAY IN THE GOVERNMENT'S POCKET.

IT STAYS IN YOUR POCKETS TO SPEND AT THE GROCERY STORE, TO SPEND AT THE BICYCLE SHOP, TO BE SPENT AND THROUGHOUT THE ECONOMY THAT THEN ENDS UP COMING BACK.

>> Jason: BECAUSE OF THE REPUBLICAN SUPERMAJORITY IN OKLAHOMA HOUSE AND SENATE, DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE LITTLE INPUT INTO WHETHER OR NOT THE LEGISLATURE WILL PRODUCE A TAX CUT AND A CONSTITUTIONALLY REQUIRED BALANCED BUDGET.

>> WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS AGAIN, IF THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE LEADERS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER, IF THE BUDGET CHAIRS CAN WORK TOGETHER.

I MEAN, WE'VE HEARD FROM THEM THAT THERE'S ALREADY CONCERN ONE OF THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION NUMBERS THAT CAME OUT BEING DOWN REVENUE.

>> Jason: HOWEVER, LEADERS ARE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE OF THE NEED FOR A FLAT BUDGET TO MEET REVENUE EXPECTATIONS TO PAY FOR IT.

>> WE HAVE A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT CURRENTLY IN THE BUDGET WHERE WE'RE $300 MILLION INTO OUR CASH POSITION, AND SO WHAT, WHAT CUTS CAN WE MAKE TO EXISTING STATE AGENCIES?

WHERE ARE SOME OTHER INEFFICIENCIES AND DUPLICATIVE SERVICES, OR DUPLICITOUS?

THOSE ARE THERE TOO.

BUT WHERE ARE THOSE SERVICES THAT WE CAN CUT, BUT ALSO LOOKING AT OTHER NEEDS THAT ARE COMING DOWN THE PIPE.

>> Jason: PRO TEM PAXTON WANTS SENATE MEMBERS TO ASK THE CONSTITUENTS WHAT THEY WANT AS BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS APPROACH.

>> PULL THAT INFORMATION OUT OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY.

USUALLY WHEN I DO THAT, IT CREATES A LOT OF CONVERSATION AT THOSE TOWN HALLS AND YOU GET BOTH SIDES OF THE SPECTRUM ON THAT.

SO WE'RE IN INFORMATION-GATHERING MODE RIGHT NOW.

>> Jason: DESPITE THE UNKNOWNS, SPEAKER HILBERT SAYS THE PROCESS IS STILL MOVING FORWARD TO PROVIDE FOR A POSSIBLE CUT.

>> WE HAVE VEHICLES MOVING ON THE HOUSE SIDE.

I BELIEVE THE SENATE HAS A VEHICLE AS WELL, LEGISLATION, THAT IS, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, BE TAX CUT LEGISLATION.

BUT WE'RE, WE'RE LOOKING, TRYING TO DIVE INTO THE NUMBERS AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN AFFORD.

>> Jason: ONLY SIX STATES WHICH HAVE AN INCOME TAX ALSO HAVE A RATE LOWER THAN OKLAHOMA'S 4.75%.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER SAYS SHE HAS NOT HEARD THE DEMAND FOR A TAX CUT.

>> WHAT I HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC IS NOT, DO WE WANT TO CUT TAXES.

IT'S WE WANT OUR ROADS BETTER, WE WANT OUR BRIDGES BETTER, WE WANT OUR SCHOOLS BETTER.

>> Jason: THE GOVERNOR BELIEVES NOW IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR TAX RELIEF.

>> Gov.

Stitt: WE HAVE INCREASED SPENDING A BUNCH SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE.

BUT WE'VE DOING IT RESPONSIBLY.

I'VE CUT TAXES, I CUT THE GROCERY TAX.

I'VE GOT THE SAVINGS IN ACCOUNT, AND IT IS TIME TO DO ANOTHER CUT FOR OKLAHOMANS.

>> Jason: THE LEGISLATURE IS PAST THE FIRST QUARTER THE SESSION, SO IT'S STILL EARLY WHEN IT COMES TO CRAFTING A BUDGET.

ONLY TIME AND REVENUE FIGURES WILL TELL IF THE TAX CUT WILL MAKE IT TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK BY THE END OF MAY.

RICH.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> ALL MOW LAWMAKERS ONLY SPENT TWO DAYS AT THE CAPITOL THIS WEEK DUE TO SPRING BREAK, THEY DID GET SOME WORK DONE ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AND WITH MORE ON THAT, I SPOKE VIA ZOOM WITH PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY.

SHAWN, TELL US MORE ABOUT HOUSE BILL 1362 WHICH YOU BELIEVE WILL FACE LEGAL CHALLENGES IF IN FACT IT PASSES.

>> Shawn: HOUSE BILL 1362, SO IT'S A PERSON ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING A CRIMINAL LAW IN OKLAHOMA, AND IS FOUND TO BE UNLAWFULLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES, WILL BE GUILTY OF A FELONY PUNISHABLE BY UP TO FIVE YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS.

NOW, THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT IT'S SIMPLY BY BEING FOUND, NOT BY A JUDGE OR A JURY, BUT BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THAT SEEMS TO MAKE ONE GUILTY OF A FELONY AND THAT'S A DUE PROCESS ISSUE.

>> Rich: THERE'S A BILL THAT HAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE THAT WILL ALLOW TEACHERS TO EXTEND THEIR MATERNITY LEAVE.

HOW SO?

>> Shawn: ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR OF HOUSE BILL 1601, SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NOT ALLOWING TEACHERS TO EXTEND THEIR STATE-MANDATED SIX WEEKS OF MATERNITY LEAVING BY ADDING ON THEIR SICK LEAVE.

AND THAT'S WHAT THE BILL WOULD ALLOW.

THE TEACHERS WOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE SICK LEAVE THEY HAVE IN THEIR BANK IN ORDER TO TAKE ADDITIONAL TIME OFF TO BOND WITH NAIR NEWBORN BABY.

AND SHE SAID SHE HOPES EVENTUALLY TO EXPAND HER PROPOSAL TO INCLUDE OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE MATERNITY LEAVE IN FUTURE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS.

>> Rich: SHAWN, THIS WEEK THE LEGISLATURE TOOK TIME TO RECOGNIZE AND SALUTE OUR FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS AFTER THAT'S DEVASTATING WILDFIRES.

>> Shawn: HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 1008 BY HOUSE SPEAKER KYLE HILBERT AND THE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM LONLY MAXTON RECOGNIZES AND THANKS THOSE FIREFIGHTERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS WHO JUMPED INTO ACTION ON MARCH 14th TO FIGHT THE WILDFIRES AND ASKED THE STATE TO PRAY FOR ALL THESE AFFECTED BY THE FIRES.

THESE WILDFIRES WERE SCATTERED ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND ALMOST EVERY MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE SAW THEIR DISTRICT AFFECTED IN SOME WAY, SO IT CERTAINLY SEEMED APPROPRIATE FOR THEM FOR OFFER THIS THANKS.

>> Rich: SHAWN, IT SEEMS TO ME WE'RE SEEING MORE AND MORE OF SERVICE DOGS OUT IN PUBLIC AND THAT HAS CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF LAWMAKERS.

>> Shawn: HOUSE BILL 1178 CRIMINALIZES THE USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS UNDER FALSE PRETENSES.

AND IT PASSED THE HOUSE 52-28.

REPRESENTATIVE MARILYN STARK SAID THE BILL WAS REQUESTED BY'S OWNERS IN HER -- BY BUSINESS OWNERS IN HER DISTRICT.

SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE EXPRESSED THE CONCERN THAT THE BILL MIGHT DISCOURAGE SOME PEOPLE FROM STAYING THEIR TRUE SERVICE ANIMALS OUT IN PUBLIC FOR FEAR OF BEING ARRESTED BECAUSE IT DOES MAKE FALSE PRETENSE A MISDEMEANOR.

BUT STARK NOTED THAT UNDER THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, TWO QUESTIONS CAN BE ASKED ABOUT A SERVICE ANIMAL.

IF IT'S A TRAINED SERVICE ANIMAL AND WHAT IS IT TRAINED TO DO FOR THE INDIVIDUAL WITH IT.

IF THE PERSON CANNOT ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS, STARK SAID, IT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A SERVICE ANIMAL.

>> Rich: THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

AND I FOUND THIS INTERESTING.

THE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU TO DRIVE WHILE YOU'RE IN IRELAND.

>> Shawn: THAT'S RIGHT.

THE HOUSE APPROVED A BILL THAT ALLOWS SERVICE OKLAHOMA, WHICH OVERSEES DRIVER'S LICENSES, TO SIGN A RECIPROCITY AGREEMENT WITH IRELAND, AND THAT MEANS OUR LICENSES WOULD BE GOOD THERE AND THEIR LICENSES WOULD BE GOOD HERE.

NOW, I DIDN'T KNOW THIS, BUT THE STATE ALREADY HAS RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS WITH GERMANY, FRANCE, SOUTH KOREA, AND TAIWAN.

>> Rich: WELL, THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

AND NOW, SHAWN, YOU KNOW, SPRING BREAK'S OVER, SO BACK TO WORK FULL TIME NEXT WEEK.

>> Shawn: THAT'S RIGHT.

HOUSE MEMBERS WILL BE WORKING ON HOUSE BILLS ON THE FLOOR AND SENATE BILLS IN THE SENATE AS THURSDAY IS THE DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO BE HEARD IN THEIR CHAMBER OF ORIGIN.

>> Rich: THE OFFICIAL THEME OF THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH IS MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER: WOMEN EDUCATING AND INSPIRING GENERATIONS.

IN OUR IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION THIS WEEK, MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD DISCUSSES THAT WITH A SPECIAL PANEL OF GUESTS.

CASSIDY?

>> Cassidy: RICH, JOINING US FOR THAT DISCUSSION IS DR. NILA ALI CON.

SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR'S INTERNATIONAL TEAM AND SERVED AS THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

SHE NOW SERVES AS AN ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY ANNA DAEFRS, THE EDITOR OF THE CHRONICLES OF OKLAHOMA FOR THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, AND FINALLY, ANGELA BEATTY, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE YWCA OKLAHOMA CITY.

LADIES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> Cassidy: OKLAHOMA HAS A RICH HISTORY OF REMARKABLE WOMEN.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT SOME OF THOSE NOTABLE WOMEN OF THE PAST AND TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HOW THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY WORKS TO PRESERVE THAT HISTORY?

>> SO THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S MAIN MISSION IS TO COLLECT, PRESERVE, AND TO EDUCATE.

SO WE'RE THERE TO BE THE PEOPLE OR THE ORGANIZATION THAT BRINGS FORTH THAT EDUCATION TO THE PUBLIC.

SO YOU CAN COME TO ANY OF OUR SITES AND LEARN A LITTLE PIECE OF HISTORY THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF WOMEN THAT ARE FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM.

SO WE HAVE ALL THE WAY FROM THE FIGHT FOR THE 19th AMENDMENT UP UNTIL PRESENT DAY THROUGH THE 1970s WITH THE E.R.A., THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT.

SOME OF THE SPECIAL WOMEN WE HAVE ARE KATE BARNHARD, OUR FIRST ELECTED OFFICIAL IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF CHARITIES AND CORRECTIONS.

WE HAVE WOMEN LIKE CLARA LOOPER WHO LED A GRASSROOTS MOVEMENT WITH THE NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL AND THE FIGHT FOR BLACK RIGHTS WHO NER OKLAHOMA CITY, ALL THE WAY UP EVEN TO OUR NEWEST ELECTION IS OFFICIALS SUCH AS MARRY FALLON, WHO BECAME OUR FIRST FEMALE GOVERNOR RUNNING ON A PLATFORM OF MOTHERHOOD AND FAMILY.

>> Cassidy: WE HAVE A LOT OF DEEP HISTORY HERE.

DR. KAHN, THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUTE OF WOMEN AIMS TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF WOMEN RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST STRUGGLES WE FACE HERE IN OKLAHOMA TODAY?

>> I HAVE THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN FOR ONE TERM.

AND WHILE I WAS CHAIR OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING, WE ORGANIZED COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS AT INSTITUTIONS IN RURAL OKLAHOMA TO BRING AWARENESS ABOUT WHAT'S EPIDEMIC, THAT IS UNDERMINING OUR SOCIO-CULTURAL FABRIC, AS WELL AS UNDERMINING THE POSITION OF VULNERABLE WOMEN EVEN MORE.

SO WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLY RICH HISTORY IN OKLAHOMA OF STRONG AND EMPOWERED WOMEN WHO ADVOCATED FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, WHO WERE ABLE TO STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES.

I WOULD LIKE FOR WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA, CONTEMPORARY WOMEN, TO BUILD ON THAT VERY RICH HISTORY BY RECOGNIZING EPIDEMIC'S LIKE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, LIKE FEMALE INCARCERATION IN OKLAHOMA.

DIFFICULTIES REHABILITATING INCARCERATED WOMEN.

WOMEN WHO HAVE THE PROCLIVITY TO ABUSE DRUGS, ABUSE ALCOHOL.

HOW DO WE REINCORPORATE THESE WOMEN INTO MAINSTREAM SOCIETY.

AND THAT'S WHERE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, THE YWCA, WE MERGE AND DRAGONFLY HOME, THAT'S WHERE THEY COME IN.

>> Cassidy: THANK YOU FOR THAT ANSWER.

ANGELA, AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE YWCA, YOUR JOB IS TO EMPOWER WOMEN.

TELL US ABOUT, LIKE DR. KAHN SAID, SOME OF THE STRUGGLES WE'RE SEEING SAN HOW ARE WE COMBATING THOSE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE SEEN A LOT IN MY WORK IS EVERYONE'S LIFE IS INTERSECTIONAL.

ALL THE WOMEN WE SERVE IN OUR SERVICES, PROVIDE SERVICES TO, ARE STRUGGLING WITH MULTIPLE CHALLENGES.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE LIVING AT THE INTERSECTION OF RACE AND GENDER AND CLASS, SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION.

AND THEN WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA ALSO STRUGGLE WITH ACCESS.

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, ACCESS TO SAFETY, ACCESS TO LIVEABLE, AFFORDABLE WAGES, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO I THINK UNDERSTANDING THAT IF WE'RE TRULY GOING TO SUPPORT WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WE HAVE TO CARE ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES THAT IMPACT THEIR DAILY LIVES.

>> Cassidy: SO LET ME JUST POSE THIS QUESTION HERE.

HOW CAN THE LEGISLATURE HELP WITH THESE?

BECAUSE WE HAVE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THESE, BUT ARE WE WORKING TOGETHER COHESIVELY OR DOES THE LEGISLATURE NEED TO STEP IN?

DR. KAHN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> THE ROLE OF THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, PARTICULARLY OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL, IS TO ADVISE THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE ON ISSUES THAT CONTINUE TO BELEAGUER AND UNDERMINE WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA.

BE IT LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION, LACK OF ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTHCARE, LACK OF ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LACK OF EQUAL WAGES FOR EQUAL PAY.

>> Cassidy: ANGELA, WHERE DOES YOUR WORK WITH THE YWCA COME IN WITH ALL OF THIS?

>> YEAH.

I THINK AS ADVOCATES, AS AN ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, WE SEE FIRST HAND THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA FACE EVERY DAY.

WE SEE FIRST HAND THE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS THAT EXIST OR THE CHALLENGES THAT PEOPLE ENCOUNTER AS THEY TRY TO ACCESS SUPPORT.

AND SO WE'RE VOCAL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THIS TO TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ARE AT THE CAPITOL.

WE HAVE AN ACTIVE PRESENCE AT THE CAPITOL DURING SESSION, AND TRY TO CALL MEMBERS IN TO PROCESS WITH THEM, THESE ARE THE SITUATIONS THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS HAVE TO DEAL WITH EVERY DAY.

THESE ARE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.

THESE ARE THE BARRIERS THAT THEY ENCOUNTER AND THESE ARE THE WAYS WE CAN WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES TOGETHER.

>> Cassidy: THIS IS THE TIME RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES AND BARRIERS SPECIAL REGARDING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND THE OTHER ISSUES WE'RE SEEING?

TELL ME ABOUT SOME OF THOSE EXPERIENCES.

>> WE ABSOLUTELY SEE THAT SURVIVORS OF COLOR FACE MORE BARRIERS AS THEY TRY TO SEEK SUPPORT FROM SYSTEMS.

SO WORKING WITH THOSE SURVIVORS, BEING THERE WITH THEM TO WALK THAT JOURNEY SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT ALONE, AND ALSO EDUCATING THOSE OTHER SYSTEMS ABOUT BIAS, ABOUT HOW TO PROVIDE CULTURALLY CONSCIOUS SERVICES IN A WAY THAT MAKES EVERYONE FEEL WELCOMED.

>> Cassidy: ANGELA, RESILIENCE IS A VERY KEY PHRASE, A KEY TERM, SOMETHING THAT'S ALL ON THE WOMEN OF OKLAHOMA'S HEARTS AND MINDS.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE RESILIENCE OF WOMEN BACK IN THE DAY AND MAYBE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TAKE FROM THAT THEN AND USE NOW.

>> THE SAME ISSUES WE'RE DEALING WITH TODAY WE HAVE DEALT WITH FOR OVER A CENTURY NOW.

IT'S THE SAME THING THAT WOMEN BACK IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY WERE THINKING ABOUT, HOW DO WE GET ACCESS TO EDUCATION, HOW DO WE GET ACCESS TO FAMILY PLANNING AND CONTRACEPTIVES.

THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN WAS CREATED AT BOTH THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL IN THE 1960s WHICH CAME OUT OF THE KENNEDY ADMINISTRATION, AND WE WERE REALLY ON THE CUSP OF A NEW GENERATION OF SIN NONE NISMS.

WE HAD PASSED THE BAT TON FROM OUR FOREMOTHERS FIGHT TERG FOR SUFFRAGE WITH THE 19th AMENDMENT.

WE HERE IN OKLAHOMA SURVIVED THROUGH A DEVASTATING DEPRESSION AND A DEVASTATING DUST BOWL IN WHICH IT BECAME IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN TO SUPPORT THE HOUSEHOLD, SUPPORT THEIR CHILDREN.

BUT AS WE CAME THROUGH A WORLD WAR IN WHICH WOMEN TOOK ON MORE MALE-DOMINATED ROLES AND WE WERE FORCED OUT OF THEM WHEN MEN CAME BACK FROM WAR THROUGH THE '50s AND '60s, YOU NOW SEE WOMEN WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS THEY DIDN'T PREVIOUSLY HAVE.

SO THAT'S WHY THINGS LIKE THE EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT BECAME SO IMPORTANT IN THE 1970s WITH WANDA JO PELTIER AND HER WORK TRYING TO GET IT PASSED HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT NEVER WAS, IT CAME VERY CLOSE, BUT SHE PUT HER ENTIRE EFFORT INTO THAT.

SO WE SEE THROUGH HISTORY THAT THE COMMON THREADS THAT WE HAVE TODAY, THAT WE STILL WORRY ABOUT WERE THINGS THAT WOMEN WERE WORRYING ABOUT BACK AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

>> Cassidy: DR. KAHN, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT BEFORE WE GOT STARTED, BUT WOMEN ARE NOT HOUSE WIVES.

WE'VE NEVER BEEN HOUSEWIVES.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN WHO ARE NOT ONLY BALANCING ROLES AT HOME, COOKING, CLEANING, RAISING CHILDREN, THEY'RE ALSO BALANCING THEIR WORK LIFE, THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THE WOMEN THAT ARE MAYBE WATCHING THIS RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT THE ROLE THE LEGISLATURE CAN PLAY IN EMPOWERING WOMEN IN OKLAHOMA.

I THINK WE REQUIRE A BRIDGE BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND CIVIL SOCIETY ACTIVISTS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE FURTHER EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN.

SO WHILE IT'S ALL VERY WELL FOR THE LEGISLATURE TO CHANGE LAWS, UNTIL AND UNLESS THOSE LAWS ARE RIGOROUSLY IMPLEMENTED, NOTHING WILL HAPPEN.

AND THE RIGOROUS IMPLEMENTATION OF THOSE LAWS REQUIRES A CHANGE IN MINDSET.

>> Cassidy: VERY QUICKLY HERE, THIS WILL BE MY FINAL QUESTION, I WANT TO POSE THIS FOR ALL OF YOU, BUT BRINGING MEN INTO THIS CONVERSATION.

HOW CAN WE, AS WOMEN, AND INVITING THE MEN WATCHING AS WELL, HOW CAN WE INVITE EVERYONE TO WORK TOGETHER, TO COLLABORATE TOGETHER TO ADVANCE WOMEN'S RIGHTS?

ANGELA, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> I THINK POINT NUMBER ONE IS MEN CAN HELP TO BRING THINGS OUT OF THE SHADOWS.

THAT SILENT WORK THAT WOMEN DO, THE INVISIBLE WORK THAT IS EXHAUSTING.

THAT'S WHAT TAKES THE GREATEST TOLL.

FOR THEM TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.

I THINK MEN HAVE TO BE ALLIES IN WOMEN'S, YOU KNOW, FIGHT TO MOVE FORWARD IN SOCIETY, AND SO MEN HAVE TO CALL OUT INJUSTICES THAT THEY SEE.

MEN HAVE TO HOLD THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE VIOLENCE THEY INFLICT ON WOMEN.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> MEN HAVE TO CALL OUT WHEN THEY'RE IN POSITIONS OF POWER AND LEADERSHIP IN EMPLOYMENT PLACES.

CALL OUT LEADERS THAT WANT TO PAY WOMEN LESS AND ENSURE THAT THERE'S EQUITABLE PAY AMONGST ALL OF THEIR COLLEAGUES.

SO IT WILL TAKE MEN AS ALLIES TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> ANNA, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK IN A LOT OF WAYS, IT GOES BACK TO BASIC EDUCATION.

CERTAIN SUBSETS OF OUR WORLD DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THESE KINDS OF EDUCATIONAL POSITS, SO WHEN WE TEACH THE DIFFERENT GENERATIONS, YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THEM AT THEIR OWN LEVEL.

TALKING ABOUT THE 1950s, THEY UNDERSTAND MY MOM WAS A HOUSEWIFE, SHE HAD THREE CHILDREN, SHE HAD TWO TELEVISIONS TWO, CARS, AND THAT WAS TYPICAL FOR THE 1950s, BUT AS EACH SUBSEQUENT GENERATION CONTINUES, OUR WANTS, OUR NEEDS AND WHAT OUR FAMILIES LOOK LIKE CHANGE.

SO IT'S REALLY TAKING IT UPON YOURSELF TO EDUCATE WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND REALIZE THAT WHAT IS STILL HAPPENING NOW IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENT FROM WHAT'S HAPPENED THEN.

THERE'S A LOT OF VALUABLE LESSONS TO LEARN, AND IT'S UNDERSTANDING THAT AS EACH GENERATION CONTINUES ON, OUR WANTS, OUR NEEDS WILL CONTINUE TO CHANGE.

>> Cassidy: DR. KAHN, FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> I WOULD SAY WE REQUIRE NEW FORUMS AND NEW COLLABORATIONS IN ORDER TO REBUILD SOCIETIES THE WORLD OVER, AND NOT JUST OKLAHOMA OR NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES.

I AGREE WITH POINTS THAT BOTH OF YOU MADE ABOUT HOW TOXIC MASCULINITY, A VIOLENT PATRIARCHY, HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN GLORIFIED.

IT IS NOW TIME FOR ALL OF US TO TAKE CHARGE WHEREVER WE ARE, TO MAKE PEOPLE REALIZE THAT WOMEN ARE A VITAL COMPONENT OF EVERY SOCIETY.

AND UNTIL AND UNLESS WOMEN ARE NOT GIVEN THE SPACE WITHIN WHICH TO ASSERT THEIR AGENCY, WITHIN WHICH TO ASSERT THEIR AGENTIAL CAPACITIES, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

MEN AND WOMEN, I HAVE NEVER BELIEVED THAT MEN NEED TO BE RELEGATED TO THE BACKGROUND IN ORDER FOR WOMEN TO EMPOWER THEMSELVES.

WE REQUIRE HEALTHY COLLABORATIONS WITHIN ORGANIZATIONS WHERE WE REQUIRE ONE ANOTHER'S HUMANITY.

SO WE NEED TO REVIVE THE HUMANE ASPECT, AND I WILL SAY THAT UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE OF THE WAY WOMEN WERE RAISED, BECAUSE OF ATTRIBUTES THAT WOMEN WERE REQUIRED TO CULTIVATE, THE WAY THEY WERE CONDITIONED OR SOCIALIZED, WOMEN INTERNALIZED SEXISM, AND UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE SEEN THIS HISTORICALLY.

POWERFUL WOMEN HAVE PUT BARRIERS IN THE WAYS OF OTHER WOMEN WHOM THEY COULD HAVE EMPOWERED, WOMEN WHO ARE IN POSITIONS TO LEAD, WOMEN WHO HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE, THE EDUCATION, SO WE NEED TO QUESTION THAT INTERNAL SEXISM WITHIN WOMEN AS WELL.

WHICH HAMPERS THE GROWTH OF OUR, OF OUR GENDER.

>> Cassidy: IT'S THE COLLABORATION, IT'S KEEPING EVERYBODY INVOLVED AND APPROACHING IT WITH LOVE.

LADIES, THAT'S ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO DILIGENTLY TO PROGRESS WOMEN'S RIGHTS NEAR OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: GREAT JOB.

THANK YOU, CASSIDY.

>>> OKLAHOMA'S LATEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATE REMAINED UNCHANGED, THOUGH THAT MAY CHANGE AS RECENT FEDERAL LAYOFFS ARE ADDED GOING FORWARD.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATEWIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> Jason: OKLAHOMA'S JANUARY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HELD STEADY AT 3.3%.

THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED BY A TENTH OF A PERCENT TO 4% IN JANUARY.

OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY ADDED ABOUT 3,000 JOBS DURING THE FIRST MONTH OF THIS YEAR.

GOVERNMENT ADDED THE MOST JOBS AT 2200, WHILE THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR ADDED 1500 JOBS.

THE AVERAGE HOURLY WAGE IN OKLAHOMA ALSO ROSE IN JANUARY FROM $30.18 AN HOUR TO $30.22 AN HOUR.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE MARKET DID NOT FAVOR BUYERS OR SELLERS IN FEBRUARY.

THAT'S THE LATEST FROM REAL ESTATE WEBSITE ZILLOW'S MARKET REPORT.

THE AVERAGE HOME'S VALUE HAS INCREASED BY 2% OVER THE LAST YEAR TO $231,780.

THE NUMBER OF HOMES FOR SALE HAS RISEN OVER LAST YEAR BY 7%.

ZILLOW'S REPORT SHOWS NATIONALLY, MORTGAGE RATES ARE STARTING TO DROP AND COULD CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY HUMAN RESOURCES SOFTWARE COMPANY PAYCOM HAS BEEN LISTED ON FAST COMPANY'S WORLD'S MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES FOR 2025.

THE MAGAZINE IS GIVING PAYCOM THE HONOR FOR ITS ADVANCEMENTS IN TIME OFF REQUEST AUTOMATION FOR ITS CLIENTS.

THAT SOFTWARE IS CALLED "GONE."

PAYCOM MADE THE MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES LIST ONCE BEFORE IN 2022 FOR ITS "BETI" APPLICATION WHICH HELPS EMPLOYEES INPUT PAYROLL INFORMATION.

>>> ELMORE CITY-BASED OLD GLORY BANK HAS INVITED FORMER WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR SEAN SPICER TO JOIN ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

SPICER SERVED DURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S FIRST TERM.

HE ALSO SERVED AS THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AND THE CHIEF STRATEGIST FOR THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE.

SPICER MUST WIN REGULATORY APPROVAL BEFORE HE CAN OFFICIALLY JOIN THE BOARD.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: THANKS, JASON.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO HEAD TO THE WINDY CITY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF STEPPIN', A SMOOTH STYLE OF DANCE STARTED BY A LOCAL DJ ON THE CITY'S WEST SIDE.

THAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR PBS PARTNERS AT WTTW IN CHICAGO.

♪♪ IT STARTED ON THE WEST SIDE.

MGM GRAND, AND FROM THERE, IT JUST EXPLODED.

♪♪ >> Reporter: BEFORE STEPPIN' BECAME STEPPIN', IT WAS KNOWN AS BOPPING, BUT DJ SAM CHAPMAN COINED THE PHRASE IN THE 1960s AFTER ADD NIERG A FRIEND'S MOVES ON THE DANCE FLOOR.

GLEELD BE DANCING WITH A LADY AND HE'D BE -- I WOULD SAY, STEP ON, DRAPER, STEP ON DRAPER.

AND THE WORD STEPPING, NEXT THING I KNEW, I WAS PUTTING IT ON A FLYER.

>> Reporter: ITS POPULARITY EXPANDED AND OTHER FELLOW WEST SIDERS BECAME INSPIRED TO HOST PARTIES TO RESIST THE DISCO ERA.

>> WE HAD NOWHERE TO GO, SO I HAD THIS IDEA THAT, HEY, I'M GOING TO KEEP OUR MUSIC ALIVE.

>> Reporter: A WOMAN FONDLY KNOWN AS BLACK MARY HARRIS MOSTED STEPPIN' EVENTS FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS.

AT 17 YEARS OLD, SHE SAYS SHE BECAME A RESIDENTIAL SWEETHEART FOR A SOCIAL CLUB AND THE ENVIRONMENT INSPIRED HER TO HOST HER OWN PARTY.

>> WE ALMOST GOT SHUT DOWN BECAUSE WE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE UP THERE.

>> Reporter: BEFORE GRADUATING TO BIG VENUES AND CLUBS ACROSS THE SOUTH SIDE, HARRIS AND HER CREW USED WHATEVER LOCATION WAS AVAILABLE.

>> ANYBODY THAT HAD A BASEMENT, THAT WE COULD USE, WE WOULD PAY THEM A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY AND FILL OUT THOSE INDEX CARDS, PASS THEM OUT, AND HAD A DJ AND WE JUST DANCED ALL NIGHT.

>> IT TOOK ME ALMOST FOUR YEARS TO GET ONE PARTY OFF THE GROUND.

AND LOOK WHAT THAT PARTY HAS TURNED INTO.

WE'RE ALL ALOAF THE WORLD NOW.

>> Reporter: HARRIS SAYS HOSTING A STEPPERS EVENT DOESN'T REQUIRE MUCH BUT A FEW ESSENTIALS.

>> THE MUSIC HAD TO BE OFF THE CHAIN AND THE VENUE HAD TO BE BATHROOMS, GOOD PARKING, AND A GOOD DANCE FLOOR.

♪♪ >> BACK IN THE DAY WHEN WE LEARN TO DANCE, IT WAS ALWAYS IF THE MAN COULD DO IT, I COULD DO IT.

SO YOU'RE NOT GOING TO OUTDO ME BECAUSE IF YOU DO IT, BABY, I'M COMING BACK WITH IT.

>> Reporter: STEPPIN' REQUIRES A CERTAIN SKILL SET.

>> THEY WORK ON IT AND PRACTICE THESE MOVES OVER AND OVER, AND THEY GET THEM DOWN.

THEY PERFECT THEM.

>> IF HE DID SOMETHING AND I DID SOMETHING, WE DID IT TOGETHER.

IT WAS THE BLENDINGNESS, IT WAS THE FOODWORK, THE MANNERISM OF HOW YOU MOVE YOUR BODY.

>> Reporter: AND THOUGH OTHER CITIES HAVE ADOPTED STEPPIN', CHICAGOANS DID ALWAYS CLAIM THE ORIGINAL SET.

>> WE ARE THE STEPPERS CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

>> NOBODY CAN DO IT LIKE CHICAGO BECAUSE, FIRST OF ALL, DETROIT, UH, ATLANTA, UH, BUT CHICAGO, WE DO IT SEVEN DAYS A WEEK EVERY DAY AND ALL OF THEM WILL BE PACKED.

>> Reporter: AND IN ADDITION TO THEIR MOVES, STENERS ALWAYS HAVE TO BRING THEY ARE LOOKS.

>> YOU GO TO A STEPPERS EVENT, EVERYBODY IS SHARP.

THE COLORS, THE OUTFITS, THE HUE HAD TO BE RIGHT BECAUSE EVERYBODY WATCHING YOUR FEET.

>> Reporter: WHAENS MORE, STEPPIN' PROVIDED PEOPLE WITH A SPACE TO LET LOOSE AND WE LEAVE THEIR WORRIES.

>> WHEN I FIRST STARTED MY PARTY, LEAVE ALL THAT MESS OUTSIDE.

YOU COME IN HERE, FREE SPIRIT, HAVE A GOOD TIME.

PICK IT UP WHEN YOU LEAVE MY PARTY.

>> Reporter: AND EVEN AS NEW DANCES EMERGED, CHAPMAN REMAINS CONFIDENT THAT STEPPIN' WILL NEVER LEAVE THE DANCE FLOOR?

>> WHERE DO I SEE STEPPIN' GOING?

WE HAVEN'T EVEN SCRATCHED THE SURFACE BECAUSE I'M NOTICING PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS ARE TAKING THEIR CHILDREN, THEIR BABIES TO STEP.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE DISMANTLING OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS BEGINNING.

HOW WILL THAT IMPACT THE EDUCATION THAT YOUR CHILD RECEIVES IN OKLAHOMA?

WE'LL SPEAK WITH THOSE IN FAVOR AND OPPOSED TO THE MOVE.

THAT'S FRIDAY AT 7 P.M. >>> WE'LL STEP OUT NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE ST. PATTY'S DAY CELEBRATIONS AT OKLAHOMA CITY'S MYRIAD GARDENS, SHOT AND EDITED BY OETA'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

♪♪ Captioning Provided By AV Captioning www.avcaptioning.com