>>> THE THREAT OF TARIFFS AND HIGHER COSTS ARE WEIGHING ON OKLAHOMA'S SMALL FARMERS.

>> BUT YOU JUST KIND OF GO FORWARD WITH THE FAITH THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE TO EAT.

WE RAISE IT, IF IT DOESN'T, OKAY, SWING AND MISS AND TRY AGAIN.

>>> ANTI-SEMITISM LEGISLATION MOVES FORWARD AS CAMPUS PROTESTS CONTINUE.

>> EVERYTIME WE HAVE AN EVENT, EVERY TIME WE HAVE A PROTEST THE TURNOUT JUST GETS BIGGER.

>>> A SALUTE TO STUDENT HEROES AT SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY.

>> I THINK I CAN JUST SAY THAT I'M PROUD OF ALL OF US.

WE DID EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD HAVE TO SAVE A LIFE.

>>> AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE DISMANTLING OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> THIS IS NOT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

OKAY.

SO JUST BE CALM, ADVOCATE FOR WHAT'S BEST FOR YOUR STUDENTS.

>>> PLUS, A REPORT ON THE TWO-DAY MEETINGS OF THE STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

THESE ARE DIFFICULT TIMES FOR OKLAHOMA'S FAMILY-OWNED FARMS.

THERE'S UNCERTAINTY WHEN IT COMES TO THE WEATHER, PRODUCTIONS COSTS AND POTENTIAL TARIFFS.

REPORTER STEVE SHAW VISITED WITH FARMERS IN NOBLE AND MAJOR COUNTIES THIS WEEK, AND HE JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

STEVE?

>> RICH.

A SLOWDOWN IN WHAT'S KNOWN AS OKLAHOMA'S FARM ECONOMY HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

A KEY FACTOR TO THE THE RISING COSTS ARE THINGS CALLED INPUTS, WHICH ARE FERTILIZER, LAND RENT AND LAND PRICES, FARM EQUIPMENT, AND REPAIRS.

IT CAN BE VERY TRICKY STUFF.

>> SEE IF THAT'S RIGHT ON THERE.

>> CALEB NEUFELD IS A 29-YEAR-OLD 2014 FAIRVIEW HIGH SCHOOL GRAD, WHO WENT TO COLLEGE FOR A YEAR, BUT CAME BACK HOME BECAUSE FARMING IS IN HIS BLOOD.

MONDAY WE CAUGHT UP TO CALEB AS HE AND HIS FATHER SCOTT SPRAYED FIELDS WITH A NEW COMPUTER SYSTEM ON THEIR FAMILY'S 3500 ACRE FAMILY FARM.

>> THERE IS INDIVIDUAL NOZZLE CONTROL.

UH SO EVERY 15 INCHES THERE IS A NOZZLE SHUT OFF, SO WE WILL REDUCE OUR OVERLAP OF CHEMICALS AND APPLY FERTILIZER.

SO WE ARE PUTTING EVERYTHING WITHIN 15 INCHES OF WHERE IT'S TARGETED TO GO.

AS WELL AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS CAMERAS ON THAT BOOM NOW.

WE HAVE NOT USED INFLATE DURING COVID, AND THE CORRECTED THEMSELVES A LITTLE BIT POST COVID.

BUT NOT BUT IN THE PROCESS OF POST COVID WE'VE ALSO INTRODUCED A TRADE DEFICIT TO AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE NEVER UNTIL THE LAST TWO YEARS HAD A TRADE AGRICULTURE DEFICIT.

WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD A TRADE SURPLUS, SO WE HAVE ALWAYS SOLD WAY MORE THAN WE BOUGHT IN AGRICULTURE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO DO THAT.

WHY IS THAT?

WHY IS THAT?

WELL I DON'T WANT TO BE POLITICAL IN THIS BUT THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION WAS NOT AGGRESSIVE IN TRADE ACROSS THE WORLD, AND WE LOST A LOT OF THOSE MARKETS.

>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS TARGETED APRIL 2ND AS THE DAY THE U.S. BEGINS TARGETED TARIFFS AGAINST COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD THE U.S.

DOES BUSINESS WITH.

A LOT OF THAT HITS AGRICULTURE TOO.

>> I THINK THE TARIFFS LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD.

I THINK THAT'S PARTIALLY THAT OLD TRADE DEFICIT.

WE'VE BEEN LETTING- WE'VE BEEN SELLING OUR PRODUCTS AT NO RESTRICTION AND BEEN BUYING A HIGH TARIFF.

I THINK THE INITIAL PAIN IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE HARD TO BEAR BUT IN 3 OR 4 OR 5 YEARS I THINK IF WE CAN LEVEL THAT PLAYING FIELD, I THINK IT WILL BE GOOD NOT ONLY FOR AMERICAN AGRICULTURE, BUT FOR AMERICA AS A WHOLE.

>> COURTNEY COWLEY IS ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT AT THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY.

SHE SAYS TARIFFS ARE A MIXED BAG.

>> IS THIS A GAME OF CHICKEN WITH THE TARIFFS?

I MEAN THAT'S WHAT I AM LOOKING AT.

IS THIS A GAME OF CHICKEN?

OR ARE THEY REALLY GOING TO DO THIS?

YOU KNOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME IS GOING TO BE AT THIS TIME.

HOW MUCH IMPACT THERE IS TO THE AGRICULTURE COMMUNITY, AND THE AGRICULTURE ECONOMY WILL DEPEND ON HOW WIDESPREAD AND HOW LONG THEY LAST.

I DO KNOW FROM RESEARCH I DID THE LAST TIME IN 2018 WE HAD RETALIATORY TARIFFS IN 2018 FROM CHINA ON SOYBEANS.THAT DID CAUSE SOYBEAN PRICES TO COME DOWN, AND IT DID CREATE SOME CORRESPONDING EFFECTS IN OTHER AGRICULTURE MARKETS, AND THEN WE ENDED UP HAVING THE MARKET FACILITATION PROGRAM THAT COVERED SOME OF THE DECLINES IN FARM INCOME THAT RESULTED FROM THOSE RETALIATORY TARIFFS.

>> MARTIN WILLIAMS AND HIS WIFE CRYSTAL ARE SIXTH GENERATION FARMERS THE IN RED ROCK IN NOBLE COUNTY.

WILLIAMS REMAINS PHILOSOPHICAL ABOUT IT ALL.

>> IT'S NOT PERSONAL.

EVERYBODY'S BEEN THROUGH IT SINCE THE DAWN OF MAN.

IT'S ALMOST BIBLICAL.

YOU JUST KIND OF YOU GO THROUGH IT, YOU PERSEVERE, AND WE ALWAYS SEEM TO BE TAKEN CARE OF IN ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN?

I DON'T KNOW.

NO.

SO SO YOU PUT THE SEEDS OUT AND YOU JUST KIND OF EXPECT THE BEST.

>> HE BELIEVES IF HIGH INPUTS OR OPERATING EXPENSES CONTINUE AND HIGH TARIFFS HURT FARMERS.

HE THINKS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD STEP IN TO HELP FARMERS STAY AFLOAT.

>> I'M NOT EXPECTING AN AD HOC PAYMENT.

I'M JUST JUDGING FROM THE PAST.

WE COULD RECEIVE SOME SORT OF ALMOST A TRUE TYPE PAYMENT, FROM USDA TO HELP US MAKE A LITTLE BIT OF PROFIT AND WE CAN'T GUARANTEE IT.BECAUSE IT MAY NOT HAPPEN.

BUT YOU JUST KIND OF GO FORWARD WITH THE FAITH THAT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE TO EAT, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE TRADE PRODUCTS AND WE RAISE IT AND WE HOPE THAT IT COMES.AND IF IT DOESN'T, IT'S OK.YOU KIND OF SWING AND MISS AND TRY AGAIN.

>> RODD MOESEL IS PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU.

>> IT'S AMAZING HOW COMPLICATED OUR TRADE ISSUE IS.BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD OVER 150 COUNTRIES.AND EACH ONE HAS ITS OWN RULES AND WE HAVE OUR OWN RULES FOR EACH ONE OF THEM.

AND SO BUT OFTEN IT COSTS MORE TO GET OUR PRODUCT INTO A FOREIGN COUNTRY, THAN IT DOES FOR THEIR PRODUCT TO GET INTO THE UNITED STATES.

>> MOESEL SAYS THE FACT U.S.

AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS HAVE BEEN MORE THAN EXPORTS THE LAST TWO YEARS IS A CONCERN FOR OUR NATIONAL DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY, AND NEEDS TO GET CORRECTED.

RICH.

>>> DEPENDING ON WHO YOU TALK TO THE DISMANTLING OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS EITHER A HORRIBLE IDEA OR GREAT NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

IN OUR UPCOMING "INDEPTH" SEGMENT WE'LL HEAR FROM BOTH PERSPECTIVES.

HERE'S A PREVIEW OF THAT CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR, SUSAN CADOT.

>> A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

CURRENTLY.

I AM ONE THAT ALWAYS BELIEVES IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE DEEP CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISSUES WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.

SO SOMETIMES WE HAVE DISRUPTORS WHO START THAT.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO START A LITTLE CALMER AND MOVE FORWARD.

BUT I THINK THIS CONVERSATION'S GOOD.

I THINK WE NEED LEADERS TO DISCUSS WHAT'S GOING ON IN EDUCATION.

>> MY INITIAL REACTION, LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WAS GREAT CONCERN.

AND SO I FOLLOWED IT VERY CLOSELY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND WE KNOW THAT 20.8 OF OUR CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

YOU KNOW, I INITIALLY BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT OUR, OUR CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES WITH 97% IN POVERTY.

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEM BEING ABLE TO EAT BECAUSE HUNGRY KIDS CAN'T LEARN.

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

>> WHILE THE PRO-PALESTINIAN, ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS ON THE CAMPUSES OF OU AND OSU HAVE BEEN PEACEFUL, THEY HAVE BEEN DISRUPTIVE.

THOUGH NOTHING ON THE SCALE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ON EAST COAST SCHOOLS LIKE COLUMBIA, BARNARD AND OTHERS.

NOAH MACK HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO THE PROTESTS AND HOW THEY ARE BEING RECEIVED BY STUDENTS.

NOAH?

>> RICH.

RIGHT NOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS CRACKING DOWN ON SOME OF THESE PROTESTS.

BUT THE PRO-PALESTINIAN GROUP ON OU'S CAMPUS CONTINUES TO DEMONSTRATE WITH FERVOR.

MOST RECENTLY DISRUPTING AN IMPORTANT UNIVERSITY MEETING.

>> WE KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MEETING FOR OCCUPATION, END THIS WAR.

>> SHARP WORDS SLICE THROUGH THIS MONTH'S OU BOARD OF REGENTS MEETING.

STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE ARE SEEKING AN AUDIENCE WITH THE UNIVERSITY'S GOVERNING BODY.

THEY SAY ATTEMPTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR MONTHS.

>> WRITING LETTERS, REACHING OUT, TRYING TO MEET IN PERSON, EMAIL CAMPAIGNS.

>> TO NO AVAIL.

>> WE WERE COMPLETELY IGNORED IN ESSENTIALLY EVERY CAPACITY AND AS A RESULT, WE WERE KIND OF ONLY LEFT WITH ONE OPTION, WHICH IS MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD IN A WAY THEY CAN'T IGNORE.

>> WE ARE STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE, AND WE DEMAND DIVESTMENT FROM THE WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS.

>> WHAT THE GROUP IS CALLING FOR IS THE DISCLOSURE OF THE UNIVERSITY'S FINANCIAL INVESTMENTS.

AND THE SUBSEQUENT DIVESTMENT FROM COMPANIES THEY SAY PROFIT FROM THE WAR IN THE GAZA STRIP.

SOME OF THE COMPANIES THEY'VE FIXATED ON ARE LOCKHEED MARTIN.CHEVRON.AND MOTOROLA IN WHAT THEY CALL THE OU TRIANGLE OF DEATH.

>> OF COURSE WE WANT THEM TO DIVEST AWAY FROM EVERY SINGLE COMPANY, BUT AS MUCH CLASH-BACK AS WE'RE HAVING, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON ALL THE COMPANIES OF COURSE.BUT ESPECIALLY THESE THREE COMPANIES.

>> THE STUDENTS WERE FORCED TO LEAVE THE MEETING.

AND IN A STATEMENT --- THE UNIVERSITY SAID THEY HAVE NO TOLERATION FOR DISRUPTION OF CAMPUS OPERATIONS.

STATING QUOTE.

"WHILE WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND THE RIGHT TO PEACEFUL PROTEST, WE MUST ALSO REMAIN VIGILANT IN ENSURING THE SAFETY AND CONTINUITY OF UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS."

THE UNIVERSITY HAS NOT COMMENTED ON THE STUDENTS' DEMANDS.

>> THEY NEVER DIRECTLY ADDRESS US.

>> AT THESE CAMPUS DEMONSTRATIONS --- CONSERVATIVE GROUPS OFTEN SET UP DUELING PROTESTS.

ONE PRO-ISRAEL STUDENT DOESN'T SEE DIVESTMENT AS SUBSTANTIVE.

>> IT WOULD CHANGE NOTHING.

NOTHING AT ALL.

>> ANTHONY DIULIO --- CHAIRMAN OF THE OU COLLEGE REPUBLICANS --- SAYS HE DOES NOT BELIEVE DIVESTMENT WILL HALT ISRAEL'S MILITARY ONSLAUGHT.

>> WHEN THEY SAY DIVEST FROM ISRAEL, IT MAKES IT SOUND LIKE THE UNIVERSITY IS WRITING CHECKS TO THE STATE OF ISRAEL TO CONTINUE THIS WAR, AND THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE.

>> HOWEVER DIVESTMENT IS NOT A NOVEL CONCEPT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

>> BACK IN THE DAY THEY CHOSE TO DIVEST FROM.

I MEAN VOTED TO DIVEST FROM APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA, AND THE ANTI-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA MOVEMENT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT.

>> KHALED SHIHABI --- A MEDICAL STUDENT AT OU --- SEES THEIR MOVEMENT IN A SIMILAR VEIN.

>> BILLIONS OF DOLLARS WERE DIVESTED FROM COMPANIES THAT WERE SUPPORTING THE APARTHEID REGIME, ESPECIALLY IN THE MID TO LATE 80S UNTIL THE EARLY 90S WHEN THE APARTHEID REGIME WAS FINALLY DISMANTLED SO THERE IS A RICH HISTORY OF STUDENT ACTIVISM IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> THAT STUDENT ACTIVISM FOR PALESTINE HAS BEEN OBSERVED AT CAMPUS PROTESTS ACROSS THE NATION.

AND RIGHT NOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DETAINING AND WISHING TO DEPORT SEVERAL NON-CITIZEN PALESTINIAN LEADERS.

THE FIRST WAS FORMER GRADUATE STUDENT AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY --- MAHMOUD KHALIL.

>> HE IS A SYRIAN NATIONAL, OF PALESTINIAN DESCENT, HE IS, AGAIN, A GREEN CARD HOLDER.

>> DR. EMILY STACEY --- A ROSE STATE COLLEGE PROFESSOR WITH A FOCUS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS --- SEES KHALIL'S CASE AS A CRITICAL TEST FOR THE RIGHTS OF PEOPLE WITH GREEN CARDS AND VISAS.

>> MY QUESTION COMES DOWN TO CIVIL LIBERTIES.

DO THEY APPLY TO FOLKS WHO ARE NATURALIZED?

ARE THEY GIVEN TO FOLKS WHO HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCY, WHO HAVE THOSE GREEN CARDS, WHO HAVE VISAS, OR ARE THESE PEOPLE SUPPOSED TO OPERATE IN A DIFFERENT, A DIFFERENT REALM?

AND IF THEY ARE, AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT LIBERTIES FOR THEM AND DIFFERENT BOUNDARIES WITHIN THOSE RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, WE SHOULD PROBABLY BE DELINEATING THAT FOR FOLKS.

>> THE LAW THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS BASING THEIR LEGAL ARGUMENT AROUND IS THE IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT OF 1952.

THE STATUTE STATES THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE CAN EXCLUDE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY HAVE POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ADVERSE FOREIGN POLICY CONSEQUENCES FOR THE" COUNTRY.

THEY CLAIM KHALIL HAS CONNECTIONS TO HAMAS, THE TERRORIST GROUP THAT MAINTAINS CONTROL OF GAZA, AND SAY HE HAS TAKEN PART IN PROTESTS THAT TURNED VIOLENT.

STACEY SAYS THIS A SLIPPERY SLOPE.

>> VERY SLIPPERY SLOPE FOR YOUR GOVERNMENT OR YOUR STATE TO DECIDE WHAT "ADVERSE POLICY CONSEQUENCES" ARE AND HOW TO TAKE ACTION TO STOP THOSE.

>> ULTIMATELY --- STACEY SAYS IT'S CRUCIAL FOR THE JUDICIAL BRANCH TO WEIGH IN ON THIS LEGAL QUANDARY.

>> WE MAY BE OKAY RIGHT NOW WITH THESE CERTAIN PROTESTERS BEING SILENCED, BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHENEVER IT'S YOUR PROTEST AND YOUR EXPRESSION BEING SILENCED.IT CAN HAPPEN INCREDIBLY QUICKLY.

>> HIGHLIGHTING THAT EXECUTIVE PRECEDENTS OF THIS SCALE CAN BE WIELDED BY FUTURE PRESIDENTS.

>> FILL IN THE BLANK.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> AND CLOSER TO HOME --- THE STATE SENATE PASSED A BILL THAT TAKES AIM AT ANTI-SEMITISM ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

SOMETHING ANTHONY IS OPEN TO.

>> I'M NOT JEWISH MYSELF.

I'M CATHOLIC.

BUT, LIKE I SAID, I BELIEVE THIS QUITE STRONGLY, BUT I KNOW THAT --- AT LEAST WHEN WE DID THE FIRST BIG PROTEST IN THE UNION A YEAR EARLIER --- NOT MANY JEWS SHOWED UP.AND THEY DIDN'T BECAUSE THEY FELT SCARED.

THEY DID, THEY FEARED FOR THEIR SAFETY.

>> YASMINE ALI --- WHO IS PALESTINIAN --- SAYS THEY ARE NOT AGAINST THE JEWISH PEOPLE, THEY ARE AGAINST ZIONISM --- WHICH IS THE MOVEMENT THAT LED TO THE CREATION OF ISRAEL AND THE DISPLACEMENT OF MANY PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.

>> WE'VE MADE IT VERY CLEAR FROM DAY ONE, STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE IS AN ANTI-ZIONIST ORGANIZATION AND IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO CONFLATE ANTI-ZIONISM WITH ANTI-SEMITISM.

>> REGARDLESS OF STATE AND NATIONAL PRESSURE, THE GROUP SAYS THEIR MOVEMENT WILL PRESS EVEN MORE FERVOR.

ALL THREE OF THEM DONNING SHIRTS THAT DISPLAY A CONFLUENCE OF CULTURES.

>> THAT IS LIKE NATIVE FLOWERS COMBINED WITH THE PALESTINIAN POPPY FLOWERS, SO WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE LIKE ON STOLEN LAND IN THE U.S. AND OKLAHOMA.

SO WE'VE COMBINED THE NATIVE AMERICAN FLOWERS WITH PALESTINIAN FLOWERS.

>> NEXT WEEK --- STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE IS HOSTING A WEEK OF EVENTS ON CAMPUS INCLUDING A FUNDRAISER, FILM SCREENING, AND A BOOK CLUB.

RICH.

>>> LANGSTON UNIVERSITY IS NOW ONE OF ONLY 216 INSTITUTIONS NATIONWIDE TO BE DESIGNATED AS A "RESEARCH COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY".

OKLAHOMA'S ONLY HBCU CONDUCTS RESEARCH IN A VARIETY OF FIELDS, INCLUDING AGRONOMY, BIO-TECHNOLOGY AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THE SPECIAL DESIGNATION IS BESTOWED BY THE CARNEGIE CLASSIFICATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS.

CHANCELLOR SEAN BURRAGE CONVENED A 2-DAY MEETING OF THE STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK.

WITH MORE ON THE GATHERINGS' AGENDA, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY JASON DOYLE.

JASON?

>> RICH, THE CHANCELLOR AND THE REGENTS ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON POSSIBLE IMPACTS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, D.C.

WHILE EXAMINING HOW TO BETTER USE FUNDS TO HELP OUR COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES.

>> WELCOME EVERYBODY, A LITTLE DIFFERENT LOCATION.

>> THE STATE REGENTS HELD DAY ONE OF THEIR TWO DAY MEETING AT THE HAMM INSTITUTE FOR AMERICAN ENERGY ON WEDNESDAY.

WHILE THE MAIN FOCUS OF THIS MEETING WAS FINDING WAYS TO IMPROVE THE DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDING, A PLAN FOR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON CAMPUSES ACROSS THE STATE, AND HOW THINGS MIGHT BE IMPACTED BY THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

THE EVENTS UNFOLDING IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL ALSO GARNERED SOME ATTENTION.

>> SOME OF THE UNCERTAINTY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL IS TRICKLING DOWN INTO ACTUALLY OUR BUDGETARY PROCESS HERE AS WELL.

AND SO WE'VE HEARD FROM LEADERSHIP IN BOTH COMMITTEES IN IN IN EDUCATION AND ALSO IN HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND OTHER AREAS THAT DETERMINING WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND WHAT MONEY WILL BE SENT TO THE STATES, EITHER IN BLOCK GRANTS OR THINGS THAT MAY BE ELIMINATED, IS GIVING SOME ALSO BUDGETARY PAUSE.

>> VICE CHANCELLOR FOR GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS DR. JARRETT JOBE TELLS THE REGENTS IT IS STILL EARLY TO KNOW WHAT IMPACTS FEDERAL ACTIONS MIGHT HAVE ON THE HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET CRAFTED BY THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

HE ADDS THERE IS A WAYS TO GO BEFORE THE BUDGET PICTURE BECOMES CLEAR.

>> THERE'S STILL THE LOOMING INCOME TAX CONVERSATION, OTHER TAX STRUCTURES ARE BEING CONSIDERED AS A, AS BILLS ARE PASSED, SOME WITH QUALIFIERS, SOME WITH TRIGGERS, AND THEN ALSO CONVERSATIONS ABOUT AD VALORM TAX ARE EMERGING THAT HAVE BEEN HAPPENING IN OTHER STATES TOO.

>> CHANCELLOR SEAN BURRAGE TOLD OETA AFTER WEDNESDAY'S MEETING THAT OKLAHOMA'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MAKING SURE OKLAHOMA'S HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE POSSIBLE DISSOLUTION OF THE U-S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND OTHER ACTIONS.

>> WE'VE GOT A GREAT CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

I BELIEVE THEY'LL LOOK OUT FOR US AND THEN WHATEVER THE FALL LIGHT IS, WE'LL DEAL WITH IT AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGION.

MY PRIMARY CONCERN FROM THE BEGINNING HAS BEEN FINANCIAL AID.

AS YOU KNOW, FINANCIAL AID IS THE NUMBER ONE CONCERN FOR MOST OF OUR STUDENTS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

SO AS LONG AS THAT'S INTACT, WE'LL DEAL WITH WHAT COMES OUR WAY.

>> BOARD OF REGENTS CHAIRMAN DENNIS CASEY FEELS NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED ABOUT THE CHANGES TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> A LOT OF THE HIGHER ED, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT PROBABLY FLOW THROUGH, MOST OF THAT'S THROUGH COMMON AD.

SO WE'LL JUST TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME AND, AND JUST BASE EVERYTHING BASED ON WHAT'S FACTUAL AND NOT WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE HAS GOT TO SAY.

>> WHILE IT MAYBE EARLY TO KNOW THE IMPACT FEDERAL CHANGES WILL HAVE ON THE COLLEGE SYSTEM IN OKLAHOMA.CASEY SAYS THE REGENTS ARE EXAMINING HOW TO BETTER FUND CAMPUSES THROUGH AN IMPROVED FUNDING FORMULA.

>> ALL I WANT IS GOOD INFORMATION TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION, YOU KNOW, TO VOTE ON.

OKAY.

THEN OF COURSE THE FUNDING FORMULA MAY, COMING FROM COMMON ED, IT'S, YOU KNOW, ANYBODY THAT'S EVER DEALT WITH THE FORMULA GO.

IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE.

I MEAN, IF YOU NEVER DID IT, IT PROBABLY SEEMS A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT, BUT THE ONE FOR HIGHER ED, I'M JUST NOT SURE.

>> THIS, AND OTHER ISSUES, ARE MEANT TO REACH THE GOALS OF THE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION'S STRATEGIC PLAN CALLED BLUEPRINT 2030: INNOVATING AND ELEVATING OKLAHOMA HIGHER EDUCATION FOR TOMORROW'S WORKFORCE.

PART OF THAT.IS GETTING THE MOST OUT OF THE MONEY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE APPROPRIATED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

>> AS WE'VE LAUNCHED A REVIEW OF THE CURRENT FORMULA AND BEGAN EXPLORING OPTIONS FOR OUR NEW APPROACH TO ASSIST IN THIS EFFORT, WE'VE ENGAGED HCM STRATEGIST, A CONSULTING FIRM WITH DEEP EXPERIENCE SUPPORTING STATES IN DEVELOPMENT OF PERFORMANCE FUNDING MODELS.

>> THE FIRM FOUND THAT OKLAHOMA'S HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING FORMULA IS COMPLICATED.

>> THERE'S A, A REALLY A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF VARIATION IN WHERE YOUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS RECEIVE THEIR FUNDS.

AND THIS IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT, PARTICULARLY WHEN THINKING ABOUT WHETHER AN INSTITUTION IS ADEQUATELY FUNDED.

>> THE HCM STRATEGISTS ALSO SUGGEST THAT CHANGES TO OKLAHOMA'S FUNDING FORMULA SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE TO ADDRESS CHANGING SITUATIONS, LIKE HIGHER ENROLLMENT RATES OR THE NEED TO ADOPT NEW CURRICULUM.

>> YOU ALSO WANT YOUR FUNDING SYSTEM TO BE RESPONSIVE TO CHANGES IF YOU JUST KIND OF KEEP APPROPRIATING, YOU KNOW, PERCENT INCREASES TO EVERY INSTITUTION AND ACROSS THE BOARD WAY IF ENROLLMENT IS SHIFTING DRAMATICALLY IN THE STATE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER, OR IF A NEW PROGRAM HAS BEEN ADDED IN A NEW INSTITUTION, YOU KNOW, YOUR FUNDING FORMULA MAY NOT CAPTURE THAT, BUT IF YOU'VE GOT AN ENROLLMENT BASED PORTION OR AN OUTCOMES BASED PORTION THAT'S STARTING TO BE MORE RESPONSIVE TO THOSE CHANGES.

>> HCM WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH HIGHER ED STAFF TO HELP THE REGENTS MAKE THOSE CHANGES TO FUNDING FORMULA.

>> I THINK THERE'S, GIVES US A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET SOME FEEDBACK AND SEE OBVIOUSLY A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN GUIDING US ALONG THE ROAD.

>> AS LAWMAKERS BEGIN WORKING ON THE NEXT STATE BUDGET, THE REGENTS FOR HIGHER ED ARE HOPEFUL THEY WILL FIND A WAY TO HELP WITH THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES.

>> OUR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE REQUEST ON ACCELERATING THOSE DOLLARS HAS HAS SETTLED WELL AND I THINK THE LEGISLATORS IN BOTH CHAMBERS UNDERSTAND THE REASON WHY WE ARE ASKING FOR IT TO BE ACCELERATED DUE TO RISING COSTS OF INFLATION AND CONSTRUCTION AND THAT THERE IS A NEED AND WE CAN GET THESE THINGS DONE QUICKLY.

THE LEGISLATURE DID ADDRESS SOME OF THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ISSUES DURING THE PREVIOUS LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I DO THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKED, WHICH IS A GOOD THING FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE OF HOW WE FEEL THOSE, THOSE DOLLARS COULD BE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS OUR SYSTEM.

SO THERE MAY NOT JUST BE A, A CHUNK FOR REGIONALS TWO YEARS, ET CETERA.

A DESIRE TO, TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL WITH THOSE DOLLARS AND WE'LL SEE WHAT THAT MODEL LOOKS LIKE.

>> REGENT JEFF HICKMAN BELIEVES THE REGENTS SHOULD FOLLOW THE MODEL SET BY THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION WITH ITS EIGHT-YEAR PLAN FOR ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS.

>> I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THIS BOARD TO TELL OUR INSTITUTIONS.

YOU TELL US WHICH BUILDINGS ARE FIRST AND WE WILL MAKE A LIST AND WE WILL TELL THE LEGISLATURE WE'RE FUNDING THIS PROJECT FIRST BECAUSE IT BASED ON NEED NEEDS FIXED FIRST RATHER THAN JUST, AGAIN, ACROSS THE BOARD HANDING OUT DOLLARS.

>> BY THE WAY, CHANCELLOR BURRAGE IS A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD BY VIRTUE OF HIS POSITION.

IN OTHER EDUCATION RELATED NEWS, THE SCHEDULED STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING ON THURSDAY WAS CANCELED.

THE STATE REASON IS DUE TO THE MEETING'S AGENDA NOT BEING POSTED 24 HOURS BEFORE THE MEETING WAS TO TAKE PLACE.

RICH.

>> CURRENT LAW ALLOWS FOR 12 POSSIBLE ELECTION DATES IN ODD NUMBERED YEARS AND SEVEN POSSIBLE ELECTION DATES IN EVEN NUMBERED YEARS.

WHAT THIS BILL WOULD DO WOULD BE TO REDUCE THAT TO FIVE PRIMARY ELECTION DATES IN THE COURSE OF THE YEAR IN FEBRUARY, APRIL, JUNE, AUGUST.

AND OF COURSE IN NOVEMBER.

THE BILL'S AUTHOR REPRESENTATIVE MIKE OSBORNE, A REPUBLICAN A REPUBLICAN FROM EDMOND, SAYS, THIS WILL HELP VOTERS KNOW FOR SURE WHEN ELECTIONS WILL BE, ARE BEING HELD AND WILL ALSO SAVE THE STATE MONEY.

>> AND THE SENATE WILL ALSO BE CONCERNING NOW A BILL PASSED IN THE HOUSE THAT WOULD INCREASE PAYMENTS TO FOSTER FAMILIES.

HOW SO?

>> WELL, REPRESENTATIVE NICK ARCHER, A REPUBLICAN FROM PONCA CITY, SAID HE FILED HOUSE BILL 2030 AS A RESULT OF HEARING FROM A FAMILY WHO WAS UNABLE TO TAKE A A PAIR OF SIBLINGS BECAUSE OF THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH BRINGING THEM INTO THIS HOME.

THE BILL WOULD INCREASE THE MONTHLY FOSTER CARE MAINTENANCE PAYMENTS BY $5 FROM $17.72 TO $22.72 FOR CHILDREN AGES ZERO TO FIVE FROM $20.42 TO $25.42 FOR CHILDREN, 6 TO 12 YEARS OLD AND $22.62 CENTS TO $27.62 CENTS FOR CHILDREN 13 AND OLDER.

REPRESENTATIVE ARCHER SAID HE HOPES THAT THIS WILL ALLOW CHILDREN TO STAY TOGETHER AS A FAMILY WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO INTO FOSTER CARE.

>> SHAWN IT LOOKS LIKE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA MAY SOON ALLOW ITS SAVINGS ACCOUNTS AND PENSION FUNDS TO INVEST IN BITCOIN?

>> YES.

HOUSE BILL 1203 BY REPRESENTATIVE CODY MAYNARD WOULD ALLOW THOSE INVESTMENTS TO TAKE PLACE.

CURRENT LAW LIMITS WHERE THE STATE TREASURER CAN PUT MONEY THAT'S IN THE GENERAL REVENUE FUND AND AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL RESERVE OR RAINY DAY FUND FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES.

THIS WOULD ALLOW IT TO BE PUT IN DIGITAL CURRENCIES THAT HAVE A MARKET VALUE OF OVER $500 BILLION.

CURRENTLY THAT COVERS ONLY BITCOIN.

IT WOULD ALSO ALLOW STATE PENSION FUNDS TO INVEST IN THOSE ASSETS AS WELL.

>> A FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

THERE'S ALSO AN EFFORT TO EXPEDITE OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS, SOMETHING THE MEDIA'S INTERESTED IN AND LAWMAKERS PERHAPS AS WELL?

>> YES.

HOUSE BILL 2163 WOULD CREATE AN OPEN RECORDS COUNSELOR IN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THIS IDEA IS SUPPORTED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND AND THE OKLAHOMA PRESS ASSOCIATION.

AND THE COUNSELOR WOULD WORK WITH AGENCIES AND INDIVIDUALS MAKING OPEN RECORDS REQUESTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ARE FILLED, FILLED EXPEDIENTLY.

ALSO, HOUSE BILL 2095 BY REPRESENTATIVE ANNIE MENZ WOULD REQUIRE AGENCIES TO AT LEAST RESPOND WITHIN 30 DAYS OF HOW THEY INTEND TO REPLY TO AN OPEN RECORDS REQUEST.

>> YEAH, BEEN A VERY, VERY BUSY WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF QUORUM CALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> CONGRESS WILL HAVE THE "FINAL SAY" ON WHETHER OR NOT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN-- BUT DRAMATIC CHANGE IN HOW FEDERAL EDUCATION MONEY IS DISTRIBUTED AND SPENT, IS ON THE WAY REGARDLESS OF WHAT THEY DO.

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT.

SUSAN?

c gUSAN?

c >> THANKS RICH.

JOINING US IS THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF ASPECTS OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION.

I WANT TO NOTE THAT WE INVITED STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION TO JOIN US, BUT HE HAD TO DECLINE DUE TO A SCHEDULING CONFLICT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES TO JOIN US TODAY.

AND TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND ASPECT.

>> MY BACKGROUND HAS BEEN EDUCATION AS A TEACHER FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, AND 25 YEARS AGO I DECIDED TO START A NEW CITY CHARTER SCHOOL FOR AT RISK STUDENTS, WE HAD 97% POVERTY AT ASPECT.

>> OH MY GOODNESS.

TELL US ABOUT THE SCHOOL BOARD ASSOCIATION.

>> SIMILARLY, AN EDUCATOR TO TEACHER TO PRINCIPAL, TO SUPERINTENDENT, ASSISTANT STATE SUPERINTENDENT, FIRST TIME WE MET.

THE LAST 12 YEARS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE OKLAHOMA STATE SCHOOL BOARD ORGANIZATION.

EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL IN THE STATE AND THE CAREER TECH SYSTEM AT OUR ALL MEMBERS AND MANY CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> WELL, AGAIN, THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE.

I WANT TO BEGIN THE CONVERSATION BY LISTENING TO A COMMENT FROM THE U.S. EDUCATION SECRETARY, CONCERNING HER TASK TO BEGIN DISSOLVING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MANY AMERICANS TODAY ARE EXPERIENCING A SYSTEM IN DECLINE.

THE LATEST SCORES FROM THE NATION'S REPORT CARD SHOW ACHIEVEMENT K THROUGH 12, IN MATH AND READING THE LOWEST.

BESET BY VIOLENT CRIMES ON CAMPUSES.

THE MOST TRAGICALLY, THE STUDENT SUICIDE RATE INCREASED.

WE CAN DO BETTER, WE CAN DO BETTER FOR THE ELEMENTARY, THE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT.

WHAT'S THE REMEDY?

FUND THE EDUCATION FREEDOM, NOT THE GOVERNMENT RUN -- LISTEN TO PARENTS.

BUILD UP CAREERS, NOT COLLEGE DEBT.

EMPOWER STATES.

INVEST IN TEACHERS, NOT WASHINGTON BUREAUCRATS.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF MOVING PARTS, A LOT OF UNKNOWNS CURRENTLY.

I'M ONE THAT ALWAYS BELIEVES IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE DEEP CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ISSUES.

WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE DISRUPTORS WHO START THAT AND SOME ARE CALMER AND MOVE FORWARD.

BUT THIS CONVERSATION IS GOOD.

WE NEED LEADERS, THERE ARE WAYS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND WE NEED TO.

LIKE WE HAVE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES, THE GRADUATION RATES ARE BETTER.

LITERACY RATES ARE BETTER.

BUT WE CAN STILL DO BETTER.

PREPARE THE STUDENTS FOR TOMORROW'S WORK FORCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> I WANT TO DIG INTO THE HOW OF ALL THAT.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH DR. HIMES, WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THE PROPAGANDA TELLS US THAT WE'RE DOING.

MY INITIAL REACTION LIKE EVERYONE ELSE WAS GREAT CONCERN, AND I FOLLOWED IT VERY CLOSELY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND WE KNOW THAT 20.8 OF THE CHILDREN LIVE IN POVERTY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, I INITIALLY BECAME CONCERNED ABOUT OUR CHILD NUTRITION SERVICES, WITH 97% IN POVERTY I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THEM BEING ABLE TO EAT.

BECAUSE HUNGRY KIDS CAN'T LEARN.

AND THERE'S ALL THE TITLE PROGRAMS.

I'VE BECOME CONCERNED OF A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE, BLOCK GRANTS.

HOW THEY'LL BE HANDLED, AND THE SECOND THE TRANSITION.

WILL IT BE LIKE OTHER TRANSITIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT JOBS FOR THREE WEEKS, AND DURING THAT TIME THEY HAVE HOUSE PAYMENTS, CAR PAYMENTS, THEY HAVE TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN.

MY CONCERN IS IF, IF WE EXECUTE SOMETHING BEFORE WE'RE READY AND WE HAVE NOT HAD THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATIONS, WHAT'S THE IMPACT ON THE NEEDS OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CHILDREN.

>> YOU'RE TAKING A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO THIS.

THE FIRST BUILDING BLOCK, HOW MUCH FEDERALED FUNDING -- FEDERAL FUNDING DOES ASPECT RELY ON?

>> AND SO IT IS SIGNIFICANT -- IT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR US, AND I WOULD SAY WITH THE POVERTY RATES WE HAVE IN OKLAHOMA, IT'S SIGNIFICANT FOR EVERY SCHOOL.

WE HAPPEN TO HAVE A HIGHER POVERTY RATE, AND THE MONEYS FOR TITLE ONE BASED ON THE POVERTY RATE, OF COURSE.

AND THOSE SERVICES WOULD NOT GO DOWN THE CHILDREN, THE SERVICEINGS THAT'S PAYING FOR NOW.

IF WE DID NOT RECEIVE THAT, THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, OUR CHILDREN ARE GOING TO SUFFER.

>> HOW MUCH DID THE OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DEPEND ON FEDERAL FUNDING AND DO YOU SEE THEM LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING?

>> GOOD POINT.

THERE'S DIFFERENT TUBS OF FEDERAL FUNDING.

THE FORMAL GRANTS ARE DIRECTINGLY FROM CONGRESS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CANNOT TOUCH THOSE DOLLARS.

CONGRESS SETS THAT, LUCKILY WE HAD THE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO GET TO YOUR SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY'RE FULL GRANTS.

THERE MAY BE FLEXIBILITY AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S SET UP THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHARTER ASPECT GETS SO MANY DOLLARS PER STUDENT.

THOSE PIECES ARE MORE INTACT.

THE BIG QUESTION ARE THE SCHOOLS THAT GET DISCRETIONARY MONEY.

GEAR UP GRANTS.

AND STUDENTS OF POVERTY ARE GETTING THE GRANTS, THOSE ARE THINGS THEY COULD TAKEAWAY.

OVER 60% OF THE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR FREE REDUCED LUNCH.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

ABOUT 250 MILLION A YEAR STATEWIDE.

THERE SHOULD WANT BE MY CONCERN ABOUT THAT.

THAT GOES THROUGH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

BUT ANY OF THE FUNDS FROM CONGRESS, AGAIN, KNOCK ON WOOD, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOR THE PRESIDENT HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REDIRECT HOW THEY'RE SPENT.

THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE AN ACT OF CONGRESS LIKE CLOSING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

>> GET THE TO THE GRANT.

EXPLAIN THAT.

>> BLOCK GRANTS ARE A WAY TO RECEIVE THE MONEY.

IT COULD BE THROUGH BLOCK GRANTS, THE SCHOOLS APPLY FOR THE MONEYS.

BUT WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THAT'S NOW MADE AVAILABLE TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND ALSO TO -- SCHOOLS.

WE'LL TAKE A BLOCK OF MONEY, AND IT'S THE POT WILL BE DIVIDED AND IT WILL MEAN LESS MONEY FOR SCHOOLS THAT DO HAVE HIGH POVERTY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>>MzFo THE HURDLE ON THAT IS -- CONGRESS WOULD HAVE TO ACT ON THAT.

IT WOULD BE UNLIKELY IN THE SHORT TERM CONGRESS CHANGE THE BLOCK GRANT SYSTEM, WE COULD RECEIVE THOSE IN A BLOCK GRANT OR THEY COULD COME DIRECT LIQUOR TO THE STATE, BUT THEY'RE ALLOCATED TO THE BASE THAT CONGRESS SET FORTH AS THE FORMULA.

>> THAT'S THE CONCERN FOR SCHOOLS AND ADMINISTRATORS THAT I HAVE TALKED TO.

MANY IF THE STATE IN POSITIONS OFvè7 AUTHORITY FAVOR THE BLOC GRANTS AND WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO GO WITH THE BLOCK GRANTS.

THAT'S WHERE IF WE DID DO THAT, THAT IS LESS FUNDING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> I DO WANT TO GET TO THE STATEMENT FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, IF WE COULD BRING THAT UP NOW.

THE STATEMENT FROM RYAN WALTERS, WHOP3i÷ SAYS FOR TOO LONG THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WEAPONIZED EDUCATION, USING IT TO PUSH RADICAL LEFTIST, AND DIRECTING FUNDS TO UNION BOSSES P.M.

THE PRESIDENT TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDER MARKS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

>> I WILL SAY THE MORE LAYERS OF DEMOCRACY, MANY TIMES DEMOCRACY, MANY lKs WE HAVE MORE PROBLEMS.

WE HAVEn FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HANDLES THE MONEY.

THERE ARE TRILLION DOLLARS THAT -- OR BILLION DOLLARS THAT GOES TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO HAND THAT OUT TO THE STATE AND MAKE THE DECISIONS.

SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS ARE STILL EVEN -- THE SECRETARY OF -- HER STATEMENT SAID WE'LL TAKE CARE OF SPECIAL EDUCATION, TITLE ONE, TITLE TWO.

ALL THE PROGRAMS IN CONGRESS WILL BE THERE.

THE KEY THING IS WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT, AND THINK ABOUT HOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SPEAK UP, EDUCATORS TO SPAKE UP, GET THE MORE -- SPEAK UP, AND IS MAKE SURE THE DOLLARS GOES TO THE STUDENTS.

>> EXPLAIN TITLE ONE AND TWO.

>> TITLE ONE IS POVERTY.

SUMMER SCHOOL, BEFORE SCHOOL, AND AFTER SCHOOLq6çN!5÷ TILE TEACHERS, SMALLER CLASSROOMS.cOp IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM THAT'S STARTED.

HIGH POVERTY IS GENERALLY BEHIND OTHER STUDENTS.

YOU CAN'T CATCH UP LIKE THAT.

SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE ON ONE, TWO ON ONE.

IT'S VERY VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE DOLLARS, IT'S THE BEST PROGRAM IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO COME OUT OF POVERTY, WORK HARD AND AMERICAN DREAM TO ME IS, ALWAYS BELIEVE I CAN DO ANYTHING I WORK HARD AT.

>> TWO IS FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

TODAY, OVER HALF THE TEACHERS ARE -- CERTIFIED.

WE ARE HAVING TO DO THAT, ON THE SPOT.

TEACHING THEM.

SO THERE'S A GREATER NEED TODAY FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR TEACHERS THAN I BELIEVE THERE EVER HAS BEEN.

TITLE TWO PAYS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR VETERAN TEACHERS AS WELL AS NEW TEACHERS.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE, HAVING MORE LOCAL CONTROL COULD BE A GOOD THING?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I ALWAYS THINK LOCAL CONTROL.

THEY'RE CLOSER TO THE SITUATION.

AND I MAKE THE EXCEPTION TO THIS, THAT TEACHERS ARE TEACHING LIBERAL IDEOLOGY.

I'M IN SCHOOL EVERY DAY, I HAVE BEEN FOR DECADES.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TEACHER IN MY CAREER, TEACH IDEOLOGY.

ARE THEY TEACHING CHILDREN TO THINK CRITICALLY?

YES.

BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN IDEOLOGY PUSHED IN A SCHOOL, THE TEACHERS ARE TOO BUSY TACHG MATH AND -- TEACHING MATH AND READING.

>> THE PROGRAM -- >> YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S AN ISSUE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EDUCATION, WE PROVIDE THE SERVICES FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

THEY CAN PAR ATTACK IN THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS.

AFTER THE APPLICATION AND FOLLOW THE RULES SET, THE SAME RULES THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS TAKE.

AS SUPERINTENDENT IN ENID.

WE HAD PRIVATE SCHOOLS, THEY CAN TAKE PART IN THOSE AS LONG AS THEY FOLLOW THE SAME RULES.

>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO, DO YOU GET THE MONEY WITHOUT AS MANY RULES.

>> NOBODY KNOWS YET.

>> I THINK THAT'S THE THING.

UNCERTAINTY CREATES FEAR AND PANIC.

AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM BEING WITH TEACHERS AND TALKING WITH THEM EVERY DAY, AND ADMINISTRATORS, THEY ARE CONCERNED, THIS MONDAY WE HAD ALL EMPLOYEE MEETING.

AND I TRIED TO LAY THE FEARS OF MY ADMINISTRATORS AND MY TEACHERS THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF UNKNOWNS.

THIS IS WHAT I DO KNOW.

BASICALLY, I TOLD THEM WHEN YOU SEE ME PANICKING, I'M NOT EASY TO PANIC, IF YOU SEE ME PANIC, YOU CAN PANIC.

I'M NOT PAPPICING YET.

DO YOUR JOB, TAKE CARE OF THE STUDENTS AND I'LL KEEP YOU INFORMED.

>> THAT'S A GREAT MESSAGE.

WE HAD A MEETING LAST NIGHT.

THIS IS NOT TODAY.

THIS IS NOT THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

BE CALM, ADVOCATE FOR WHAT'S BEST FOR THE STUDENTS.

IF YOU HAVE A CONCERN, AS YOU SAID EARLIER AS WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE CLASSROOM, VISIT A SCHOOL.

KIDS ARE LEARNING SO MUCH MORE TODAY THAN A DECADE AGO.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE.

WHAT THEY KNOW AND LEARN TODAY.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE YOU.

YOUR INSIGHT IS INVALUABLE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> GREAT CONVERSATION, THANK YOU.

>>> WHEELER BIO HAS HAD A VERY SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING EFFORT-- INCLUDING CONTRIBUTIONS FROM A FAMILIAR NAME TO THUNDER BASKETBALL FANS.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE, "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW", WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY BASED WHEELER BIO HAS SUCCESSFULLY RAISED $35 MILLION FROM INVESTORS.

THE BIO-TECHNOLOGY COMPANY PLANS TO USE THE MONEY TO BROADEN ITS CAPABILITY TO SERVE ITS CLIENTS.

AMONG THE INVESTORS WHO PUT WHEELER BIO ON TRACK TO RAISE THE MONEY ARE ALLOY THERAPEUTICS, ECHO INVESTMENT CAPITAL, MITSUBISHI CORPORATION, GERMIN8 VENTURES, AND RUSSELL WESTBROOK ENTERPRISES, WHICH ADDS TO THE FORMER THUNDER PLAYERS CONTINUED INVESTMENT INTO OKLAHOMA CITY.

WHEELER BIO HAS FUTURE PLANS TO BUILD A 52,000 SQUARE FOOT BIOLOGICS MANUFACTURING FACILITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY'S INNOVATION DISTRICT.

STILLWATER BASED USA RARE EARTH HAS HIRED WILLIAM ROBERT STEELE JUNIOR AS ITS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

HE WILL OVERSEE ALL FINANCE, ACCOUNTING, AND INVESTOR RELATIONS FOR THE COMPANY.

MOST RECENTLY, STEELE WAS THE GLOBAL CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER FOR MUJIN CORPORATION.

USA RARE EARTH IS A RARE EARTH ELEMENT MAGNET MANUFACTURER.

OHIO BASED C-J MINING HAS SIGNED A LETTER OF INTENT TO BUY A CONTROLLING STAKE IN AN OKLAHOMA BASED 53-MEGAWATT BITCOIN MINING FACILITY.

THE REASON WHY THE COMPANY IS MAKING THE MOVE IS DUE TO THE LOW COST ELECTRICITY PROVIDED TO THE FACILITY.

THE OKLAHOMA LOCATION BOASTS AN AVERAGE COST OF LESS THAN THREE CENTS FOR A KILOWATT HOUR.

THE NORTH AMERICAN CRYPTO MINING AVERAGE FOR ELECTRIC IS FOUR CENTS A KILOWATT HOUR.

CJ MINING BELIEVES THE LOWER ELECTRICITY COSTS IN OKLAHOMA WILL BOOST THE COMPANY'S LONG-TERM PROFITABILITY AND COMPETITIVE POSITION.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK AWARDED THE CONTRACT TO DEMOLISH THE PRAIRIE SURF STUDIOS BUILDING TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW NEARLY ONE BILLION DOLLAR, NBA QUALITY ARENA.

MIDWEST WRECKING WILL TAKE ON THE TASK OF TEARING DOWN THE FORMER COX CONVENTION CENTER.

DEMOLITION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND SHOULD TAKE SIX TO EIGHT MONTHS TO COMPLETE.

CONSTRUCTION ON THE NEW ARENA IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN 2026.

JASON DOYLE.THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> IN LOUISIANA, CRAWFISH ARE A DELICIOUS AND SOUGHT-AFTER PART OF LIFE ON THE BAYOU-- THERE'S NOTHING LIKE A GOOD CRAWFISH BOIL!

BUT 4800 MILES AWAY IN ALASKA, "CRAY-FISH", AS THEY ARE CALLED THERE-- ARE CONSIDERED AN INVASIVE SPECIES THAT THREATENS THEIR MOST-PRIZED FISH: THE SALMON.

AND THAT'S WHY THE LOCALS LIVING IN KODIAK ARE STEPPING IN TO HELP.

AS WE LEARN IN THIS REPORT FROM OUR PBS PARTNERS AT ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

>> THE LAKES AND RIVERS, ARE FAVORITE SALMON FISHING SPOTS.

DOZENS OF PEOPLE WALK AROUND LOOKING FOR CRAY FISH.

THEY SAYS SHE HAD TO BALANCE IT WITH CATCHING HER KIDS.

>> ONCE YOU SEE THEM, AND THEY DISAPPEAR, AND THEY'RE SUPER FAST.

>> IT'S HER FAMILY'S FIRST TIME COMING TO ONE OF THESE DERBIES.

>> I ONLY GOT TWO.

>> ALL TOGETHER, VOLUNTEERS PULLED HUNDREDS OF CRAY FISH OUT OF THE WATER.

THEY'RE HOLD LIKE THIS ONE SINCE 2020.

CRAY FISH WERE FIRST FOUND 20 YEARS AGO, IT'S UNCLEAR HOW OR WHY THEY WERE INTRODUCED.

BUT THEY'VE BEEN SUSPECTED TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE SALMON POPULATION.

>> THE BIOLOGIST IS WORKING ON HIS DEGREE STUDYING THE CRAY FISH'S IMPACT IN THE AREA.

>> THE PROJECT IS SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT POPULATION DYNAMICS.

AND THE ECOLOGICAL FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF THE CRAY FISH AND DIRECT AND INDIRECT AFFECTS ON THE SALMON.

>> HE'S TRYING TO GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHERE THEY ARE, WHAT THEY EAT AND HOW THEY FIT IN THE BIGGER PICTURE.

>> WHAT WE SEE FROM THE DATA THEY'RE HOME BODS FROM THE AREAS THAT WE TAGGED THEM AND RELEASED THEM TO.

>> ONE PROBLEM IS THEY EAT SALMON CAR CASSES AFTER THEY'VE SPAWNED.

THAT REMOVES NUTRIENTS.

; THE NATURAL RESOURCES DIRECTOR, SAY THEY HOSTED A DERBY TO CATCH THE CRAY FISH.

>> THIS IS A PRIME AT ONE POINT TO CATCH A LOT OF ADULT CRAYFISH BECAUSE OF THE BREEDING SEASON.

ALL OF THE ADULTS ARE UP AND ABOUT.

>> IT KEEPS THE COMMUNITY INVESTED.

>> CRAY FISH WILL DRY UP, AND PEOPLE WILL LOSE INTEREST.

HOW CAN WE KEEP INTEREST.

>> THE TRIBES CURRENT GRANT INCLUDES CONSIDERING LONG TERM CONTROL AND SUSTAINABILITY PLANS.

THEY'RE EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT AND LEARN MORE EXPERIENCE.

>> SOME OF THE KIDS HAVE BEEN OUT HERE QUITE A FEW TIMES.

I KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THEM.

THEY'RE WELL PREPARED.

>> SHE SAYS SHE HOPES TO BRING HER FAMILY BACK ANOTHER DAY.

FOR NOW, THERE'S PLENTY IN THE WATER.

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

FIRST RESPONDERS ARE NOW ABLE TO FILE FOR WORKER'S COMP IF THEY SUFFER FROM POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER-- AND IT'S MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR MANY.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS, FRIDAY AT 7!

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE NATIONAL COWBOY AND WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S KACI FERGUSON.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND "X" BY SEARCHING "OETA.

O.N.R".

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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!