>> THERE WAS A LOT OF SPECULATION WHETHER THE STUDENT WAS BULLIED BECAUSE OF GENDER IDENTITY OR THE FIGHT HAD BEEN SO VIOLENT IT CAUSED THEIR DEATH.

LATER FOUND OUT THROUGH THE MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT THAT IT WAS RULED A SUICIDE.

>> WHAT WERE THE MAJOR CONCLUSIONS REACHED BY THAT FEDERAL INVESTIGATION?

>> THE INVESTIGATORS FOUND THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD FAILED TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM HARASSMENT.

THIS IS UNDER TITLE 9 AND WERE LOOKING FOR OTHER INSTANCES WHERE STUDENTS WERE NOT, YOU KNOW, TOLD OF THEIR RIGHTS TO BE EDUCATED IN AN ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM HARASSMENT.

THEY WERE NOT TOLD, LIKE HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT.

THEY DID COME UP WITH SEVERAL INSTANCES AND THEY REQUIRED THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO MAKE SOME CORRECTIONS AND REFORMS AS PART OF THE RESOLUTION AGREEMENT.

>> SO WHAT, JENNIFER, IF ANY, HAS BEEN THE RESPONSE FROM THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT THE FINDINGS OF THIS REPORT?

>> THEY HAVE PUT OUT A STATEMENT TO FAMILIES AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT THEY IS HAVE FULLY COOPERATED WITH THE INVESTIGATION AND THEY ARE WILLING TO MAKE ANY OF THE REQUIRED REFORMS.

>> WHAT ARE THE REFORMS?

WHAT MUST THEY DO TO REMAIN IN GOOD STANDING?

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THEY'LL BE REQUIRED TO DO AND MOST IS RELATED TO REVIEWING THEIR POLICY AND DOING SOME TRAINING OF STAFF AND ALSO STUDENTS.

THE MAIN THING FOR STUDENTS IS TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW HOW TO FILE A TITLE 9 COMPLAINTS.

9 COMPLAINT IF THEY'RE SUBJECTED TO HARASSMENT BY ANYONE AT SCHOOL.

AND, THEY'RE REQUIRED TO DO A PUBLIC CLIMATE SURVEY.

SO THAT WOULD BE SENT OUT TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS TO GET MORE OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF JUST THE CLIMATE AND THE ATTITUDES AND ENFORCEMENT AROUND HARASS HARASSMENT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> THIS STORY GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION BOTH CLEAR IN OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> THIS STORY RESONATED WITH A LOT OF FOLKS.

IT WAS THE SPECULATION THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE RELATED TO NEXUS GENDER IDENTITY.

IT DID DRAW A LOT OF NATIONAL MEDIA ATTENTION.

EVEN PRESIDENT BIDEN WEIGHED IN AND CALLED THE SITUATION VERY TRAGIC AND SAID ALL STUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE EDUCATED WITHOUT FEAR OF HARASSMENT.

>> JENNIFER PALMER WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH.

ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Rich: MORE THAN ONE IN TEN OKLAHOMA CHILDREN ARE BORN PREMATURELY AND THAT'S ACCORDING TO PRETERM BIRTH RATES.

WHILE IT'S LOWER THAN LAST YEAR, IT'S LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

CHRONIC CONDITIONS LIKE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND DIABETES ARE MAJOR RISK FACTORS IN OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA RECEIVED AN OVERALL D ON THE REPORT CARD AND 11% OF BABIES ARE BORN PRETERM AND ALMOST 15% OF MOTHERS DID NOT RECEIVE ADEQUATE PRENATAL CARE.

THE COMMITTEE HAS STUDIED WHY THIS RISK IN OKLAHOMA REMAIN TOO MIND.

>> I KNOW IN SOME OF THE RURAL AREAS, IT'S IN THE RURAL COUNTIES WHERE WOMEN HAVE HAVING A HARD TIME ACCESSES CARE FOR WHATEVER REASON, LACK OF TRANSPORTATION, NOT BEING ABLE TO GET TO A PHYSICIAN's OFFICE.

SO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT.

THEY'VE GOT A MOBILE UNIT THEY'RE DEPLOYING HOPING TO INCREASE THAT ACCESS TO CARE TO SOME OF THESE WOMEN TO FIND THE COMPLICATIONS THAT LEAD TO A PRETERM BIRTH, HIGHER TENSION HD OTHER THINGS.

>> Rich: THEY SAY DRUG ABUSE IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO THE MORTALITY RATES.

>>> ESTABLISHING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH EASY ACCESS TO MASS TRANSIT.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW TO EXPLAIN.

STEVE.

>> Steve: RICH, OKLAHOMA CITY IS JUST ONE OF $975,000 FEDERALLEN GRANT TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

THAT MONEY SUPPORTS A PUBLIC TRANSIT AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING EFFORT.

THE TARGET IS THE NEW BUS RAPID NORTHWEST TRANSIT ROUTE ALONG HISTORIC CLASS AND BOULEVARD AND NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY.

FABIAN HAMMOND COMMUTES USING THE NORTHWEST TRANSIT SYSTEM.

THAT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

>> IT'S A VERY BIG ASSET.

I DON'T HAVE A CAR CURRENTLY AND GETS ME THERE ON TIME EVERY DAY.

>> Steve: IT EXTENDS TO NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY, ALL THE WAY OUT TO MERIDIAN NEAR LAKE HEFFNER.

INBARKS RAPID SYSTEM IS DIFFERENT THAN THE REGULAR SYSTEM BECAUSE THESE RAPID BUSES ARE ALLOWED TO AVOID RED STOPLIGHTS AND MOVE MORE EFFICIENTLY WHICH IS BIG FOR RIDERS NEEDING TO GET TO AND FROM WORK OR ON A SCHEDULE.

>> SO ESSENTIALLY FROM 7:00 A.M. TO 7:00 P.M., ABOUT EVERY 12 MINUTES OF THE RT BUSES GOING BY A STATION.

>> AND THESE BUSES, IN MANY CASES, HAVE THEIR OWN LANES.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID WAS WORKING WITH THE FTA, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE MET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THAT MODE, THAT BUS RAPID TRANSIT.

AT LEAST 51% OF THE BRT ROUTE HAS LANES THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY DEDICATED TO THEM.

YOU'LL SEE THOSE LANES MARKED.

>> NEXT STOP, NORTHWEST EXPRESSWAY.

>> Steve: EMBARK DIRECTOR SAYS WHEN IT STARTED THEIR SYSTEM WITH NINE BUSES IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, THE GOAL WAS TO AVERAGE AROUND 1,000 TO 1200 RIDERS A DAY.

>> IN JULY, JULY 10th OF 2024, WE CELEBRATED A QUARTER OF A MILLION.

SO WE ARE EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS BY QUITE A BIT AND SO ON AVERAGE, WE'RE AVERAGING ABOUT CLOSE TO 1400 CUSTOMERS USING THE RAIN EVERY DAY.

RAPID EVERY DAY.

>> WHAT DOES IT COST.

>> $1.75 FOR A SINGLE TRIP.

>> THAT'S AWESOME.

>> Steve: PEOPLE NEED TO OPEN THEIR MINDS.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK >> SO IT'S MUCH CHEAPER THAN GAS.

FOR A BUS PASS FOR THE MONTH IS LIKE 50 BUCKS VERSUS SPENDING, SAY, THAT MUCH MONEY ON TWO UBER OR GAS THAT ONLY GETS YOU BUY UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

>> GAS ISN'T GOING AS FAR THESE DAYS, IS IT?

>> IT'S REALLY NOT.

EVERYTHING IS JUST SO MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE RIGHT NOW.

>> Steve: STARTING DECEMBER 2nd THROUGH DECEMBER 8th, MONTHLY PASSES FOR BUS TRANSIT GO ON SALE FOR HALF PRICE, 25 BUCKS.

>> THAT'S A GOOD DEAL.

IT'S A HUGE DEAL.

>> Steve: WHEN YOU COMPARE WHAT IT COSTS TO DRIVE A CAR, IT'S STAGGERING.

>> IT'S A GAME CHANGER FOR FOLKS, ABSOLUTELY.

>> Steve: THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF YOU ARE A SINGLE CAR HOUSEHOLD, THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GET AROUND ALL 620 SQUARE MILES OF OKLAHOMA CITY USING OUR SYSTEM WITH THE RAPID OR OUR FIX ROUTE SYSTEM.

>> Steve: OKLAHOMA CITY PLANNING DIRECTOR JEFF BUTLER SAYS $975,000 IN FEDERAL GRANT MONEY WILL HELP THE CITY DETERMINE THE BEST WAYS TO CONNECT THE BUS RAPID TRANSIT ROUTE.

TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND THAT EFFORT HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT, YOU WANT TO GET A LOT OF PEOPLE CLOSE BY THAT TRANSIT STATION SO THAT IT'S JUST AN EASY WALK FOR THEM TO GET FROM THEIR HOME TO THE TRANSIT STOP, ON THE BUS AND QUICKLY TO THEIR DESTINATION.

THIS IS A GOOD FIRST STEP FOR US.

BUS RAPID TRANSIT IS A WAY TO GET A HIGH LEVEL OF TRANSIT SERVICE AND WHO KNOWS WHAT THAT WILL MEAN.

WE MAY HAVE RAIL IN DIFFERENT AREAS WHERE NOW WE HAVE BUS RAPID TRANSIT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, MOST BIG CITIES HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF TRANSIT OPTIONS AND IT DEPENDS ON THE NEEDS OF A CERTAIN AREA AND HOW DENSITY IS, HOW MUCH TRANSIT DEMAND THERE IS.

SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND NOT SURPRISED AT ALL THAT IT WAS SUCCESSFUL AT JUST A GOOD PRODUCT.

>> Steve: OKLAHOMA CITYMAN JAMES COOPER REPRESENTS THE AREA WITH THE RAPID RUNS.

>> FOR SO LONG, WE HAVE COME TO BELIEVE OKLAHOMA CITY IS A PLACE OF LOW COST OF LIVING AND THAT IS TO LONGER TRUE.

THE TRUTH IS RIGHT NOW IF YOU OR SOMEONE WHO IS A TEACHER MAKING 40 SOMETHING THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR OR YOU'RE IN OUR AREA WITH A MEDIAN INCOME OF LESS THAN $60,000 A YEAR, IF YOU'RE A TEACHER, CAN YOU AFFORD A ONE BEDROOM THAT COST OVER $1,000 IN RENT?

>> Steve: HE SAYS LIVING IN AN AREA WHERE OWNING A CAR THAT'S NOT A NECESSITY WOULD BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> WE HAVE TO BUILD THE SORT OF HOUSING THAT LOOKS LIKE TOWARD ARCHITECTURALLY AND WHERE PEOPLE CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THEM.

IF WE DON'T DO THAT, WE'LL HAVE A CITY THAT IS ONLY FOR THE HAVE's AND NOT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD TO MAKE THE CITY WHAT IT IS.

>> Steve: FOR FABIAN HAMMOND, BEING ABLE TO RIDE THIS BUS HAS BEEN A LIFE SUSTAINER.

>> I'VE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT.

>> Steve: HOW WOULD YOU GET TO WORK IF YOU DIDN'T HAVE THIS?

>> I WOULD HAVE TO FIND A NEW JOB THAT'S FOR IN MY AREA AND THERE'S NOT A LOT WHERE I LIVE.

>> Steve: OKLAHOMA CITY WAS AWARDED ONE OF THOSE FEDERAL GRANTS.

RICH.

>> Rich: STEVE, THANK YOU.

A RECENT VIOLENT ENCOUNTER BETWEEN AN OKLAHOMA CITY PLEAS AND VIETNAMESE MAN IS RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT MAKING HAUNTED MG INTERACTIONS BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND POLICE.

THAT'S OUR UPCOMING CONVERSATION.

THIS IS CASSIDY MUDD.

>> I'LL ALWAYS BE A CHAMPION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, THAT'S JUST ME.

THIS IS, OBVIOUSLY, A DISTURBING AND UPSETTING SITUATION, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I HAVE FULL FAITH THAT THEY'LL DO THE RIGHT THING IN INVESTIGATING THIS AND RELEASING THE INFORMATION.

BUT BECAUSE ONE BAD INCIDENT DOESN'T MAKE THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT A BAD DEPARTMENT.

>> AND ONE INCIDENT JUST DOES NOT JUSTIFY THIS AND SO, I JUST HOPE THAT THERE'S A CALL TO ACTION THAT BOTH AS A COMMUNITY AND ALL DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, THAT WE WORK TOGETHER.

WHEN INCIDENTS LIKE THIS OCCUR, WE DON'T LET IT TEAR US DOWN.

WE WILL WORK TOGETHER.

WE'LL KEEP EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENCY IS AT THE TOP OF THE WARNING.

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

>>> WE WANT TO REMIND THOSE IMPACTED BY THE EF3 TORNADO BE WILLHAVE FREE PICKUP.

THEY EXPECT THE FIRST ROUND OF PICKUP BY THE FIRST ROUND OF DECEMBER.

ANOTHER ROUND AT THE END OF DECEMBER AND THEN FINISH UP THE FIRST WEEK OF JANUARY.

>>> ALSO IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEK, A STREET IN THE ADVENTURE DISTRICT HAS BEEN RENAMED TO RECOGNIZE THE CHARITABLE WORK OF THE KIRKPATRICK FAMILY.

THIS WAS FOUNDED 70 YARDS AGO.

70 YEARS AGO.

THEY HELPED TO CREATE THE ZOO AND SCIENCE MUSEUM OF OKLAHOMA.

>>> A GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY HELD IN 2019.

FIVE YEARS LATER, ORGANIZERS ARE GETTING CLOSER TO RAISING THE MONEY NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING, BUT THEY'RE NOT THERE YET.

THE TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS.

JASON.

>> FUNDRAISERS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS TO RAISE THE MONEY AND TO GET THE MONEY SET ASIDE BY THE LEGISLATURE, THEY'RE MAKING A PUBLIC APPEAL TO RAISE THE NEARLY $10 MILLION FOR THE MATCH.

>> TULSA IS ON THE CLOCK.

>> THE PRESSURE IS ON TO RAISE ABOUT $10 MILLION TO UNLOCK MATCHING FUNDS PROVIDED BY THE LEGISLATURE TO COMPLETE THE O K-POP MUSEUM.

>> THEY HAVE ABOUT A YEAR TO RAISE EIGHT TO $9 MILLION.

WE FEEL OPTIMISTIC THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT BUT TULSA IS OFFICIALLY ON THE CLOCK.

>> THEY'RE PUTTING OUT THE CHALLENGE TO THE REST OF THE STATE TO RAISE THE FUNDS NEEDED TO COMPLETE AND OPEN THE MUSEUM EXPECTED TO INCLUDE EXAMPLES OF WORK FROM OKLAHOMA ENTERTAINERS, WRITERS AND POP CULTURE ARTISTS.

HE FEELS THIS COULD BE A JEWEL IN THE CROWN OF OKLAHOMA FORRISM.

TOURISM.

>> THIS IS OKLAHOMA HISTORY, THE ACTORS AND THE POP CULTURE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT'S 77 COUNTIES STRONG AND TELLING THE WHOLE HISTORY.

THE FUNDRAISING EFFORT SHOULD BE FROM DIAMOND TO BROKEN BONE AND NOT JUST THE CITY OF TULSA.

THE MUSEUM CERTAINLY WILL BE RESIDING HERE.

BUT THIS IS A MUSEUM FOR ALL IN OKLAHOMA.

>> SO ON THIS TUESDAY MORNING IN DOWNTOWN TULSA, THE FOUNDATION AND SUPPORTERS HAVE LAUNCHED A PUBLIC FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN.

>> HEART AND SOUL BECAUSE POP CULTURE IS THE HEART AND SOUL OF OKLAHOMA.

>> ABBY CURREN IS THE MANAGING DIRECTOR AND WILL COME UP WITH THE $10 BILLION NEEDED.

>> WE'RE AT 48% TO COMPLETE O K-POP.

>> TO EXPECT TO SEE MARKING AROUND THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, JUST NOT TULSA.

>> WE HAVE A WONDERFUL REEL AND PROMO MATERIAL AND BE FOLLOWING THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> THE AHEAD OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, TREY THOMPSON, KNOWS THE HEAT IS ON TO RAISE THE FUNDING TO GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> THEY HAVE A YEAR TO RAISE THE REST MONEY AND THIS IS IMPORTANT TO NOT ONLY TULSA BUT THE ENTIRE STATE TO SAY WHETHER IT BE IN MUSIC, FILM, TELEVISION, THEATER, COMIC BOOKS AND ALL OF THOSE GENRES THAT HAVE COME FROM OKLAHOMA AND HAVE IMPACTED THE ENTIRE WORLD.

>> WE HAVE NOT BRAGGED ABOUT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA ENOUGH.

OTHER STATES TELL THE STORY FOR US AND I'M TIRED OF TENNESSEE AND MISSISSIPPI AND A LOT OF THESE OTHER STATES TALKING ABOUT THE MUSICAL HERITAGE AND HISTORY THEY HAVE AND IT'S REALLY RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE ARE ENGAGED IN A -- NOT ONLY IN OKLAHOMA, BUT ANYWHERE WE CAN FIND OUTSIDE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, TO ENGAGE PEOPLE ABOUT THE MISSION OF THIS PROJECT, TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE -- WE'RE GOING TO BE TELLING OUR OWN CREATIVE STORIES.

AS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SAID, NASHVILLE TELLS OUR STORIES AND OTHER STATES TELL OUR STORIES.

WE SHOULD BE TELLING OUR OWN STORIES AND THIS IS WHAT THIS MUSEUM WILL DO.

>> WHILE THE MUSEUM IS MEANT TO TAKE A DEEP DIVE INTO OKLAHOMA's RICH HISTORY WITH ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS, IT'S MEANT TO INSPIRE A NEW GENERATION OF ARTS.

>> OKLAHOMA IS FULL OF THESE STORIES OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE REALLY INCREDIBLE THINGS IN MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT.

AND WE WANT TO CELEBRATE THAT AND ENCOURAGE THAT NEXT GENERATION.

HELP PUSH THOSE KIDS TO BREAK OUT OF THEIR SHELL AND CREATE.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT THIS MUSEUM DO.

>> ONCE THEY REACH THE GOAL, THEY WILL FILL THE EMPTY GALLERIES.

>> WHENEVER THAT IS, NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER, IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE ABOUT 24 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT FROM CONTRACTING TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION TO OPENING.

SO, YOU KNOW, PROBABLY ABOUT A 24-MONTH PERIOD TO GET OPEN.

>> THE GOVERNOR HOPES THAT THE POP MUSEUM CAN BEAT THAT GOAL AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE ATTENTION THE AREA WILL RECEIVE FROM THE CENTENNIAL OF ROUTE 66 IN 2026.

>> YOU HAVE THE MOST FAMOUS ROAD IN THE ENTIRE WORLD RIGHT OUTSIDE THESE DOORS.

SO THE TULSA SOUND MOVEMENT ROUTE DOWN TO DOWNTOWN TULSA IS ONE OF THE BEST WE HAVE INSIDE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

POP TIES IT ALL TOGETHER.

>> THEY PLAN TO MAKE SURE DONORS GET THE POTENTIAL OF THE MUSEUM.

>> IN 2025, THIS ENTIRE TIME WE'VE BEEN HOSTING PRIVATE TOURS, BUT WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THE PRIVATE TOUR EFFORTS, OUTREACH TO POTENTIAL DONORS AND GETTING THE COMMUNITY IN THE DOORS.

WE WANT TO SHOW OFF WHAT O.K.-POP IS AND WHAT IT WILL BE.

>> I GOT A CHANCE TO TAKE A TOUR.

>> THIS IS CALLED IMAGINE WORLDS AND IT'S MEANT TO TELL OUR FILM TELEVISION COMIC BOOK STORIES.

BUT INSTEAD OF A TELEVISION SECTION, WE'RE SEPARATING IT BY ANY.

GENRE.

THIS IS MEANT TO SEPARATE OUR GENRE TO LOOK LIKE DUMBABLE DOOR's OFFICE.

WHAT'S THE CONNECTION?

IT'S NOT THE BOOKS BUT THE FILMS.

SO ONE OF THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS ON THE FIRST THREE FILMS, MARK RADCLIFFE STILL LIVES IN TULSA TO THIS DAY.

>> HE HOPES OKLAHOMA's ARTISTS WILL HELP THE MUSEUM TEM THEIR R STORIES.

>> WE WANT DON'T WANT TO TELL THE ARTISTS FOR THEM BUT TOGETHER.

SO IT'S REALLY BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH HUNDREDS OF OKLAHOMA CREATIVES AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE'RE DOING TOGETHER.

>> THE POP MUSEUM FOUNDATION RECEIVED NEARLY $9 MILLION FROM A HANDFUL OF PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS SINCE THEY FILLED UP THE FUND.

>> Rich: THE CLOCK IS TICKING.

WHAT KIND OF CITY WILL MONROE NICKELS TAKEN OVER WHEN HE'S SWORN IN AS TULSA's 41st MAYOR.

THEY DISCUSSED THAT WHEN THEY DELIVERED THE STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AT THE MOST RECENT GALLERY OF THE CHAMBER.

>> FOR ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY, I HAVE ONE REQUEST AS I LEAVE, DON'T LET UP.

KEEP AIMING HIGH.

KEEP PUSHING TULSA AHEAD OF PARTISANSHIP AND KEEP THAT SPIRIT OF EXPECTATIONS ALIVE.

THE BICKERING WHICH HAS PLAGUED OUR CITY IN THE PAST, THEY WILL TAKE A FRONT SEAT WHEN WE AREN'T STRIVING HARD ENOUGH TOGETHER TO BIG GOALS.

REGARDLESS OF WHO YOU VOTED FOR LAST WEEK, SUPPORT OUR NEW MAYOR AS HE CHARTS A BOLD COURSE FOR OUR FUTURE.

>> Rich: MAYOR BYNUM SAYING HIS SUCCESS OF THINKING BIG.

>> THE THING I'M PROUDEST OF IS THE WAY WE HAVE ELEVATED EXPECTATIONS AMONGST PEOPLE IN TULSA FOR WHAT TULSA OUGHT TO BE.

I REMEMBER WHEN I RAN FOR MAYOR EIGHT YEARS AGO AND SAID I DON'T WANT TO COMPETE WITH OUR SUBURBS BUT WORK WITH PEOPLE IN CHICAGO, PEOPLE WOULD LAUGH AT ME BACK THEN.

NOW MY KID's GENERATION, THE MAYOR's GENERATION, THEY'RE GROWING UP TAKING IT FOR GRANTED.

OF COURSE, WE HAVE THE BEST PARK IN ANY CITY OF AMERICA AND OF COURSE, WE BUILT THE BEST LAKE IN AMERICA.

AND WITH THEIR GENERATION WITH THAT LEVEL OF EXPECTATION, THE BAR RAISED, WHAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO DO WITH THEIR LIVES WILL BE TREMENDOUS.

SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Rich: BYNUM HAS ACCEPTED A LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH ST. HOSPITAL.

>>> A NEW BARBIE DOLL CREATED TO REP THE FIRST NATIVE AMERICAN BALANCE RETHAT.

BALLERINA.

MONDAY's CEREMONY FEATURED OH SAGE SINGER SCOTT GEORGE AND OTHER PERFORMERS.

THEY WENT ON TO CREATE THE CHICAGO CITY BALLET.

MARIA TULCHE PASSED ACIN 2013.

>>> CONCERNS ABOUT WHAT POLICIES ARE THERE PLACE TO HANDLE ENCOUNTERS WHERE A PERSON DOESN'T SPEAK OR UNDERSTAND ENGLISH.

THAT LANGUAGE BARRIER CAN SOMETIMES LEAD TO UNNECESSARY ESCALATIONS INCLUDING ONE WE'RE ABOUT TO SHOW YOU THAT MAY BE DISTURBING TO WATCH FOR SOME VIEWERS.

WITH MORE ON THAT, THIS IS CASSIDY MUDD.

>> CONCERNS ABOUT COMMUNITIES GAPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NONSPEAKING COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN A FOCAL POINT IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOLLOWING A VIOLENT ARREST OF A VIETNAMESE MAN.

HERE TO DISCUSS THIS IS THE PRESIDENT ELECT FOR THE VETO VIETNAMESE IN OKLAHOMA.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THIS INCIDENT IS SPARKING SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

FROM BOTH PERSPECTIVES WANT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING BOTH OFFICERS AND THOSE NON-ENGLISH SPEAK COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

TUNE, WHAT DO YOU THINK.

>> THE PRIMARY KEY THING IS THE LANGUAGE BARRIERS THAT WE'RE FACING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES IT'S NOT OWN JUST THE ASIAN COMMUNITIES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT ETHIC MINORITY COMMUNITIES, AS WELL I FEEL LIKE WHERE WE'RE HEADING NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FOR DISCUSSIONS ON HOW WE DETERMINE, LIKE, HOW TO COMMUNICATE WITH NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PEOPLE.

AND I THINK IT'S COMMUNICATION.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS LATER.

BRANDON, WHAT DO YOU THINK.

>> LET ME DO A DISCLAIMER FIRST.

BASED ON MY CAREER, 42 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, FEEDBACK FROM A PROFESSIONAL STANDPOINT AND I WANT TO DRILL DOWN DEEPER.

IN OKLAHOMA, WE'RE BLESSED BY THE FACT THAT ETHNICITY IS NOT LIKE ON THE EAST OR WEST COAST.

WE HAVE A MINORITY POPULATION WITH VIETNAMESE AND HISPANICS AND NOT AS DIVERSE AS MOST STATES.

WHEN YOU RECRUIT OFFICERS FOR DIFFERENT AGENCIES, TRY TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU PROTECT AND SERVE.

THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT IN THESE SITUATIONS.

IN MY OPINION, IT ALL STARTS WITH YOUR RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS AND HOW YOU TRAIN.

WE HAVE GREAT POLICE OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND I WILL TELL YOU BEING PART OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT JOBS CAN DO IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

I DIDN'T EVEN ENCOURAGE MY KIDS TO GO INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE IT'S SO DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY THIS DAY AND AGE.

BUT WE'RE SEEING WHERE COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T INVEST IN DIVERSITY IN THEIR AGENCIES ARE HAVING ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE LANGUAGE BARRIER.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SOLUTIONS, BUT THE IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS YOU START WITH RECRUITING, REFLECT THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVE AND TRY TO HIRE THE INDIVIDUALS AND PLACE THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE BEATS TO GET TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY AND THE COMMUNITY GETS TO KNOW THEM.

THEY'RE NOT AFRAID TO CALL THE POLICE AND TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AGENCY.

AND SO, THAT WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP I WOULD LOOK AT, THE RECRUITMENT SIDE.

>> CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE EVENTS ON OCTOBER 27th THAT LEAD THEM BEING HOSPITALIZED?

>> THEY WERE TRAVELING HOME AFTER MASS, 39th STREET.

THEY WERE HEADING WEST ON THAT.

AND THEY WERE HEADING STRAIGHT FOR IT AND SO, ACCORDING TO THEM, THERE WAS A PERSON FROM BEHIND THAT CAME AND HIT THEM FROM BEHIND AND SO, IT CAUSED THE CAR TO KIND OF -- WHEN THE CRASH HAPPENED, THE CAR WAS LIKE THIS AND SO, IT BUMPED AND THE CAR TURNED LIKE THIS AND IT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF A TURN INTERSECTION IN THAT DIRECTION.

SO WHAT HAD HAPPENED IS THAT THE POLICE OFFICER HAD COME AND, OF COURSE, HE TALKED TO THE OTHER PARTY.

ACTUALLY, ON THE BODY CAM, SHE WAS BEGIN A TICKET, A CITATION FOR NON-REGISTRATION.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE FOOTAGE OF PEOPLE's STATEMENTS.

AND SO AFTER THAT, I THINK THAT SPEAKING FROM WHAT I'VE GATHERED FROM Mr. AND Mrs.

VU, HE WAS UPSET BECAUSE HE DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO COMMUNICATE.

HE WAS BEGIN A CITATION HE DIDN'T FULLY AGREE WITH AND DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT AND DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS AND ONE THING LEAD TO ANOTHER.

IT JUST ESCALATED FROM THERE AND WE'VE ALREADY SEEN THE BODY CAMS AND THE FOOTAGE.

>> THE OFFICER COULD NOT UNDERSTAND VU AND VU COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE OFFICER, CORRECT?

>> CORRECT.

>> WHAT HAPPENED IN GENERAL.

>> THE CHIEF IS AN EXCELLENT INDIVIDUAL AND OKLAHOMA CITY IS A GREAT AGENCY.

I DON'T KNOW THE FACTS.

I'VE ONLY SEEN WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SEEN ON TV.

USE OF FORCE IN UGLY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EXCESS EXCESSIVE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

THE FRUSTRATION LEVEL WAS ESCALATED TO THE TENTH POWER BECAUSE HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROCESS WAS.

THE POLICE OFFICER, BASED ON THE BODY CAMERA WAS TRYING TO EXPLAIN AND I'M SURE THERE WAS A FRUSTRATION LEVEL THERE.

THAT'S WHEN YOUR DEESCALATION TRAINING COMES INTO EFFECT.

WE TALKED ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND WE TALKED ABOUT TRAINING.

OKLAHOMA CITY IS AN ACADEMY CITY.

THEY HOLD THEIR OWN TRAINING ACADEMIES AND DO A FANTASTIC JOB.

EDMOND, NORMAN, TULSA AND IT'S EXTENSIVE AND ALMOST A HALF A YEAR AND THEN YOU HAVE YOUR FIELD TRAINING PROGRAM.

SO IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, OBVIOUSLY, YOU SAW IT WENT FROM 0 TO 100.

DON'T KNOW ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF WHAT I SAW ON THE VIDEO.

AS I SAID EARLIER, ANY TIME YOU USE, USE OF FORCE, THE PUBLIC SEES IT AS UGLY.

NEVER HAVE OR WANT TO.

THE FRUSTRATION LEVEL YOU COULD SEE AND WHEN THOSE THINGS OCCUR, TRY TO STEP BACK, TAKE A BREATH.

MAYBE THE OTHER PARTY WON'T CALM DOWN BUT YOU'RE CALMED DOWN AT THAT POINT AND CAN TAKE CONTROL OF THE SITUATION.

I'M NOT CRITICIZING ANYBODY.

I'M JUST GLAD THAT EVERYBODY IS OK, BUT THERE ARE EFFORTS UNDERWAY THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA LAW ENFORCEMENT TO ENSURE THERE'S PROPER COMMUNICATION.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT TECHNOLOGY LATER, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF INSTRUMENTS ON YOUR IPHONE WHICH IS A MINICOMPUTER TO HELP YOU TRANSLATE.

IF AN AGENCY IS DIVERSE, THEY CAN CALL SOMEBODY TO COME TO THE SCENE AND TRANSLATE.

THERE ARE ALSO PAID CONTRACTORS THAT YOU CAN CALL ON THE PHONE, DEPENDING ON WHAT LANGUAGE YOU NEED, TO TRANSLATE FOR YOU AND THERE ARE DIFFERENT AVENUES FOR OFFICERS.

AS I SAID, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO YOUR TRAINING, YOUR RECRUITMENT AND TAKE CONTROL WHEN IT'S OUT OF CONTROL.

>> TUNE, HOW WOULD YOU SAY THIS REFLECTS IN NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING COMMUNITIES.

COMMUNITIES?

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE CALLED AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF THESE THINGS IN THE PAST WHERE WHETHER WE'RE GETTING IN AN ACCIDENT, THERE'S LANGUAGE BARRIERS.

AND SO, WHEN YOU'RE A NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING PERSON, IT TENDS TO BE THAT WE DON'T GET TO GIVE OUR STATEMENTS FIRST.

WHETHER WE'RE -- AND THIS IS NOT A BIASED AND JUST FROM A PERSPECTIVE OF THE COMMUNITY, WHAT THEY VOICE AND THEY DON'T GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THEIR OPENING STATEMENT OR WHATEVER THAT HAPPENED FIRST OR, YOU KNOW, IT FEELS THERE'S AN IMPLICIT REASON IT'S HAPPENING.

THERE'S A LANGUAGE BARRIER OR A MISCOMMUNICATION BARRIER.

THAT SOMETIMES MAYBE IT'S EASIER AND SOMETIMES MAYBE IT'S NON-INTENTIONAL AND, YOU KNOW, - WHETHER IT'S INTENTIONAL OR NON-INTENTIONAL, THE FEELING OF THAT NON-IMPLICIT BIASED IS PLACED IN THAT COMMUNITY.

>> BRENDON, DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

>> I DO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THE ONLY WAY TO BREAK THAT IMPLICIT BIASED IS TO HAVE CLEAR COMMUNICATION BETWEEN BOTH PARTIES AND THE SUGGESTION IS FOR MOST AGENCIES, WE HAVE CITIZEN's ADVISORY GROUPS FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES WE REACH OUT TO.

AS A FORMER POLICE CHIEF, I HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE I WOULD REACH OUT TO IF IT INVOLVED A CERTAIN CULTURAL ISSUE I NEEDED EXPERTS TEAS.

EXPERTISE.

WHEN YOU FEEL IT'S NOT ANG ACCE, THAT LEADS TO FRUSTRATION.

AT THE VIETNAMESE AND I HAVE SOME GOOD FRIEND, THEY WILL TELL YOU THEY DON'T TRUST THE POLICE.

THE FIRST THING IS TO BOND THAT POLICE.

YOU CAN GET INTO THE COMMUNITY, HAVE PEOPLE LIKE TUNE STEP UP AND LEAD THEIR SIDE OF THE ORGANIZATION AND EXPLAIN WHAT THE ISSUES ARE SO WE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW, YOU CAN'T FIX IT, BUT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THIS DOESN'T OCCUR AGAIN.

>> BUT WHAT WOULD THAT COLLABORATION LOOK LIKE?

>> AND SO AFTER THE INCIDENT AND I'LL STATE THIS, I'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH OUR COMMUNITY LEADERS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MEET WITH THE CHIEF.

WE'VE SAT DOWN.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE OUR CONCERNS TO THE CHIEF AND OTHER LEADERSHIP IN THE ROOM AND WE VOICE THE SAME CONCERNS OF THIS.

AND HE SAID THE SIMILAR THINGS LIKE THE TRAINING.

TRAINING AND RETRAINING IS IMPORTANT ON THE LIST.

BUT THE BIGGEST LIST HE WANTS TO DO IS BUILDING THAT RELATIONSHIP AND THE TRUST AGAIN.

BEFORE THE INCIDENT, WE DID HAVE AN ASIAN -- WE HAVE A LOT OF -- WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE ASIAN OFFICERS ON OUR OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WE KEPT IN CONTACT.

WE HAD MEETINGS IN THE PAST AND ESPECIALLY AFTER COVID, INCIDENTS OF WHAT HAPPENED IN GEORGIA.

SO WE'VE BEEN IF CONTACT AND WE HOST THESE EVENTS LIKE ABOUT EVERY QUARTER OR EVERY SIX MONTHS.

WE JUST HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO EVER SINCE ONE OF OUR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, AND ONE OF THE DETECTIVES PASSED AWAY WHO WAS THE LEADING CHARGE.

BUT WE'VE HAD THIS GREAT COMMUNICATION AND THIS GREAT GREAT RELATIONSHIPS.

WE'VE HAD GREAT, PHENOMENAL PEOPLE AND I BUILDING THAT TRUST.

IT'S SPEAKING WITH OUR LEADERSHIP AND TALKING AND SO I THINK THAT IS A WAY FORWARD.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT AND THE CHIEF HAS ADMITTED THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE THESE MORE OFTEN.

>> WELL, AND BRANDON, WE TALKED ABOUT TRAINING EARLIER.

WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES OR STRATEGIES THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS DO HAVE ON THEIR SIDE AND, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU TRAIN THEM FOR THIS KIND OF SITUATION?

>> THE EASIEST DEVICES ARE THEIR PHONE.

WE'VE USED IT TO TRANSLATE FOR HISPANICS.

VIETNAMESE, WE HAVE THE SAME APP AND YOUR PHONE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

IN THE BASIC ACADEMY AT CLEAT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR POLICY OR PROCEDURES AS NECESSARILY COMMUNICATION WITH YOUR DIFFERENT CULTURES, BUT THAT TO ME IS THE BIGGEST ANSWER.

BUT THE MOST, I THINK, UNDERLYING SOLUTION IS TO HAVE SOMEONE FROM THE COMMUNITY THAT WEARS THE UNIFORM AND HAS A RELATIONSHIP, THAT CAN RESPOND, AT LEAST BY TELEPHONE OR MAYBE TO THE FIELD AND DEESCALATE AND GET THE FACTS.

I WANT YOUR VIEWERS TO KNOW I'LL A CHAMPION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

BUT I HAVE FULL FAITH OKLAHOMA CITY WILL RELEASE THE INFORMATION BECAUSE ONE BAD INCIDENT DOESN'T MAKE THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT A BAD DEPARTMENT OR POLICE OFFICERS BAD.

WE HAVE SITUATIONS THAT ARRIVE IN OUR LIVES AND WE CAN'T CONTROL OUR PERSONAL LIFE THAT CONTROL OUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE.

LET'S JUST DON'T JUDGE UNTIL EVERYTHING COMES OUT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE CAN USE THIS AS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THOSE COMMUNICATION RELATIONSHIPS AND BOND.

I HAD A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH MY THE CHIEFS AND IN OKLAHOMA CITY, TWO.

BUT YOU HAVE 700,000 PEOPLE AND 600 SOMETHING SQUARE MILES.

YOU CAN'T BE EVERYWHERE ALL OF THE THE TIME.

TIME.

THE CHIEF SAID BASICALLY THE SAME THING, COMMUNICATION, TRAINING, RECRUITMENT AND ALL THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

HE WANTS TO BE THE BEST OF THE BEST AND HE WILL WORK HARD TO MAKE SURE THESE INCIDENTS ARE MINIMAL IN THE FUTURE IF WE CAN JUST GET OVER THESE BARRIERS.

>> I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU GENTLEMEN HAD ANY FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> I THINK THE GREAT WAY TO STEP FORWARD IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO LEARN.

IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE'RE NOT A COMMUNITY THAT UTILIZES SOMEBODY TO JUDGE.

BUT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TALKS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THERE'S A LOT OF CHATTER AROUND A LOT OF THIS ISSUE AND I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO REALIZE THAT OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY'RE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN AND COMPLETE THEIR INVESTIGATIONS.

AS A COMMUNITY LEADER AND SERVANT.

JUST BE PATIENT.

JUST BE PATIENT FOR THE PROCESS TO OCCUR.

JUST DON'T PREJUDGE THE SITUATION AND THE INCIDENT.

AND, OF COURSE, ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS ARE COPS.

AND SO I DO KNOW GROWING UP THAT ARE A LOT OF THESE COMMUNITY SERVERS OUT THERE.

ONE INCIDENT DOES NOT JUSTIFY THIS.

AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT THERE'S A CALL TO ACTION THAT BOTH AS A LEADER THAT WE WORK TOGETHER.

AND WHEN INCIDENTS LIKE THIS OCCUR, WE DON'T LET IT TEAR US DOWN.

WE'LL WORK TOGETHER AND KEEP EACH OTHER ACCOUNTABLE AND TRANSPARENCY IS THE TOP PRIORITY.

IF THERE'S TRANSPARENCY, THERE'S TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE HAVE TO TRUST THAT OUR CITY AND OUR POLICE FORCE IS DOING THE RIGHT THINGS.

>> AND I WILL TELL YOU AS WE CLOSE OUT, THERE WILL BE POSITIVE CHANGE OUT OF THIS.

BECAUSE I KNOW THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE SITUATION.

THEY'RE ALL PROFESSIONAL.

THEY'RE GOING TO WORK HARD TO COME UP WITH A GOOD SOLUTION.

THERE WILL BE POSITIVE CHANGE.

IT PROBABLY WILL STEM ACROSS THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, TOO.

>> GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH VERY TO YOUR TIME AND COMING DOWN HERE AND BREAKING THIS DOWN FOR US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: IN THIS WEAK's NATIONAL VIEW, WE'LL TAKE A TRIP TO UPSTATE NEW YORK TO SEE HOW ALBANY's THEATER IS TAKING THE CONCEPT OF DINNER THEATRE TO A NEW LEVEL.

THAT'S COURTESY OF OUR PARTNERS FROM WMHT.

♪♪ >> THIS IS A PROFESSIONAL THEATER THAT DOES AN ECLECTIC MIX OF PLAYS AND MUSICAL PLAYS.

WE DO DIFFERENT PRODUCTIONS IN THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS IN THE 14 COUNTIES AROUND ALBANY.

ON OUR MAIN STAGE, WE PROBABLY WILL HAVE BETWEEN 35 AND 40,000 PEOPLE THROUGH OUR DOORS IN ANY ONE YEAR.

A PROFESSIONAL THEATER IS ONE THAT HAS A RELATIONSHIP WITH UNIONS AND SO, WE HAVE UNION ACTORS ON OUR STAGE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE ASSOCIATION.

WE WORKED WITH DESIGNERS AND WE HAVE DIRECTORS PART OF THE FDC, THE STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREGRAPHER's UNION AND THESE PEOPLE MAKE A LIVING WAGE.

THIS IS THE NEW CAPITAL WRAP.

WE BUILT THE BUILDING WE ARE SITTING IN DURING COVID.

WE WERE IN A THEATER IN DOWNTOWN ALBANY AND THAT WAS OUR HOME FOR 35 YEARS.

BUT WE NEEDED TO GROW AND WE FOUND THIS BUILDING.

THEY USED TO MAKE NABISCO COOKIES HERE IN THE BASEMENT.

WE HAD A LOT OF FRIENDS WHO CAME FORWARD WHO SAID WE COULD HELP YOU GET STARTED IF YOU WOULD MOVE TO THIS CORNER OF NORTH PEARL AND LIVINGSTON AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF US TURNING THE BUILDING INTO A BRAND NEW THEATER, WHICH IS BEAUTIFUL.

AND EVERY DAY I WALK INTO THIS PLACE THAT HAS A 300 SEAT STAGE THEATER DOWNSTAIRS.

IT HAS THIS STUDIO THEATER, A COSTUME SHOP ACROSS THE HALLWAY AND A PROP SHOP AND BEAUTIFUL DRESSING ROOMS.

I SAY TO MYSELF, I'M LUCKY.

AND I FEEL VERY COMMUNITY COMMUE BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY HELP US TO BUILD THIS.

I THINK THIS SEASON IS GOING TO BE A GOOD ONE STARTING WITH THE SHOW CALLED "SEERED."

♪♪ >> THE REASON THAT SHE'S DIRECTING THIS AND SHE'LL DO SUCH A GREAT JOB, SHE'S 100% A FOODIE.

>> THIS IS A FUNNY, LITTLE BIT DARK, MAYBE, COMEDY ABOUT A SMALL BROOKLYN RESTAURANT.

IT'S VERY REAL.

SO WE REALLY COOK ON STAGE AND I MEAN REALLY COOK.

SALMON DISH, PASTA DISHES, SALADS AND ALL DIFFERENT KINDS OF THINGS ARE COOKED ON THE STAGE.

>> WHAT'S IN THE PASTA DISH.

>> FENNEL, RICOTTA.

>> I DON'T THINK I WANT A RESTAURANT FOR MYSELF, BUT I LIKE COOKING FOR OTHERS.

BEING ABLE TO DIRECT A PIECE WITH FOUR ACTORS WHO GIVE ALL OF THEMSELVES OVER TO THIS AND BRILLIANT DIALOGUE AND MIXING IN THE FOOD ASPECT.

THIS IS JUST LIKE, GREAT, HOW COME EVERY SHOW ISN'T LIKE THIS?

THE ENTIRE PRODUCTION SHIVERED WHEN I SAID THAT OUT LOUD, I'M SURE.

THAT'S ANOTHER CHALLENGE IN IT, WAS FIGURING OUT HOW TO MAKE ALL THE THINGS IN THE REAL WORKING KITCHEN FEASIBLE IN A SMALL THRUST THEATER WITH AN AUDIENCE ON THREE SIDES.

>> THERE WAS A STOVE DOWN THERE AND A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON THE STAGE SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE SIT IN THE SEATS, THEY'RE GOING TO SMELL THE ONIONS AND GARLIC.

>> WE'RE REALLY VERY LUCKY BECAUSE GABBY IS OUR FOOD DESIGNER AND SAFETY MANAGER FOR ALL OF THE FOOD AND SHE DESIGNED THE FOOD FOR THE NEW YORK PRODUCTION.

SO SHE KNOWS ALL THE SECRETS OF WHICH I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU.

>> GABBY AND I SAT DOWN AND TALKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENT RECIPES AND WHAT WE WANTED THE SMELLS TO BE WHERE WE COULD BE CREATIVE.

THE COLORS OF THINGS SO WHAT FOODS WOULD BE COOKED SO THE DIFFERENT COLORS POP UP.

AND THEN SHE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING NOT ONLY OR CHEF BUT WAITER COMFORTABLE USING A KNIFE THE WAY A TRAINED CHEF WOULD USE A KNIFE, LEARNING HOW TO MAINTAIN A STOVE, CHECK THE TICKETS AS THEY'RE COMING THIS AND LISTEN TO THE ORDERS AS THEY'RE COMING THIS AND GOING BACK AND FORTH IN THE STOVE TO THE PLATING STATION.

SO SHE'S DESIGNED NOT JUST THE RECIPES, BUT ALSO WHAT THE DISHES LOOK LIKE WHEN THEY'RE PUT ON THE PLATE AND ISN'T OUT INTO THE DINING ROOM.

>> YOU THINK EVERYBODY SHA GO TO THE THEATER.

SHOULD GO TO THE THEATER, WHERE THERE'S A LIVE HUMAN ON STAGE.

I LOVE TO BINGE WATCH SERIES ON TV.

I LOVE IT!

BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE BEING IN A THEATER WHERE YOU'LL REALLY SMELL THE ONIONS AND THE GARLIC AND THE BUTTER AND YOU'RE DOING IT WITH OTHER HUMAN BEINGS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I HOPE EVERYBODY WILL JUST TAKE A LITTLE ADVENTURE AND GO SEE SOMETHING THIS YEAR.

>> Rich: ON THE NEXT EDITION, OUR YEARLY THANKSGIVING SPECIAL.

WE'LL ENCORE THE STORIES THAT HAD THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA.

DON'T MISS IT NEXT FRIDAY AT 7:00.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OECA.TV OR FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X AND SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE, I'M RICH LENZ AND HAVE A GREATWEEKEND.