>> Rich: LAWMAKERS TAKE UP THE PUNISHMENT IN OKLAHOMA STUDENTS.

>> TYPICALLY A STUDENT WHO GETS PADDLES DOESN'T GET PADDLED AGAIN.

>> IF IT'S NOT WORK, IT'S A DISCIPLINE APPROACH.

>> Rich: EXPANDING THE NATIVE AMERICAN WORKFORCE IN ENTERTAINMENT.

>> AMAZON MADE A CHOICE AND THAT CHOICE IS TO HELP ELEVATE THE VOICES THAT FOR TOO LONG HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE THE PARTICIPANTS GO IN THEIR FILM CAREERS OR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHEROKEE FILM.

FILM IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Rich: TULSA's BEYOND APOLOGY COMMITTEE WILL CONSIDER A CALL FOR REPARATIONS.

>> IT'S ADVANCING REPARATIONS.

>> Rich: HELPING THESE VO-TECH STUDENTS LEARN MAINTENANCE.

>> IT'S COOL.

A LOT WHEN YOU GET INSIDE THE COCKPIT AND SO MANY THINGS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LEARNING.

>> Rich: THOSE STORIES PLUS A SPECIAL AWARD FOR ONE OF OUR OWN NEXT ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

LAWMAKERS ARE ONCE AGAIN CONSIDERING A BAN ON THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT FOR SPECIAL NEED's STUDENTS.

CURRENTLY, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IS SYSTEM PERMISSIBLE BUT SOME LAWMAKERS WANT TO CHANGE THAT AND SOME DON'T.

CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE WITH MORE ON THE INTERIM STUDY AT THE CAPITAL.

>> RICH, IT COMES DOWN TO THIS.

IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR STUDENTS TO HELP DISCIPLINE STUDENTS?

OTHERS ARE POINTING TO SOCIAL SCIENCE FOR THEIR SIDES OF THE WATSON SCHOOL DEBATE.

>> WE APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU BEING HERE.

ON MONDAY JIM OLSEN KICKED OFF A STORY ON CORPORAL PUNISHMENT TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK TO SEE IF THIS DISCIPLINE IS EFFECTIVE.

FROM HIS POINT OF VIEW, IT'S STILL A TOOL NECESSARY FOR TEACHERS ADMINISTRATORS TO KEEP STUDENTS ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

>> THE THRUST OF OUR STUDY IS IN THE TITLE, "THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPERLY ADMINISTERED CORPORAL PUNISHMENT."

JUST TO CLARIFY WHAT OUR GOAL IS NOT, I HAVE NO LEGISLATION THAT I INTEND TO INTRODUCE THAT IS AT ALL ATTACHED TO THIS?

I HAVE NO DESIRE TO INSIST THAT EVERY PARENT USED CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, NOR THAT EVERY SCHOOL USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

THE GOAL IS TO LEAVE THAT AS AN OPTION FOR THOSE SCHOOLS.

>> WHILE OLSEN HAS TO PLANS FOR LEGISLATION, THERE'S TALK MOON G ANTI-CORPORAL ADVOCATES TO LIMB THE USE OF DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

>> I THINK THE COMMON PERCEPTION WHEN YOU TAKE THIS AWAY FROM A SCHOOL AS A METHOD OF DISCIPLINE, YOU'VE TAKEN DISCIPLINE OUT OF THE SCHOOL AND IT'S NOT TRUE.

THE FACT REMAINS WE HAVE TRAINING AND SUPPORTS FOR ALTER ALTERNATE FORMS OF DISCIPLINE.

I WOULD SUPPORT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE MANDATORY TRAINING FOR ALL TEACHERS, ALL SCHOOLS, MULTITIERED SYSTEMS OF SUPPORTS.

>> TO VOICE SUPPORT FOR THE CONTINUED USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOL, REPRESENTATIVE OLSEN INVITED TWO SUPERINTENDENTS TO OUTLINE HOW THE DISCIPLINE IS USED IN THEIR DISTRICT.

>> MY DISTRICT DID USE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT WHEN I RETIRED AND STILL DOES.

WE USED IT SPARINGLY AND WITH PERMISSION SLIPS FROM PARENTS.

IT WASN'T OUR FIRST FORM OF DISCIPLINE.

WE WOULD PULL A CARD OR TIME OUT OR ATTENTION.

TYPICALLY OUR LAST CHOICE.

>> I'M NOT STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THE REASON WE SPANK KIDS EVERY TIME.

THAT'S JUST NOT THE CASE.

WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS THAT IT IS A PART OF A THOUSAND-PIECE PUZZLE WE HAVE GONE ON WITH WARNER PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> ACCORDING TO A REPORT FOR LAW AND JUSTICE, OKLAHOMA RANKS FIFTH IN THE NATION FOR STATES USING CORE PROFESSIONAL PUNISHMENT IN SCHOOLS.

137 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ALLOW FOR SPANKING STUDENTS.

OKLAHOMA's TWO LARGEST ZOOS, OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS BAN THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

HOWEVER, SUPERINTENDENT FENSEN BELIEVES JUST THE THREAT OF GETTING SWATS AT SCHOOL IS ENOUGH REASON TO KEEP IT AS AN OPTION.

ONCE THEY RECEIVE SWATS, THEY DON'T NEED IT AGAIN.

>> I NEVER HAD A REPEAT STUDENT IN THOSE FIVE YEARS.

TYPICALLY A STUDENT THAT GETS PADDLED DOESN'T GET PADDLED AGAIN.

>> CAROLYNN MacALLISTER ORGANIZED A GROUP OF PARENTS, EDUCATORS AND ADVOCATES AND FEELS THAT, WELL, CORPORAL PUNISHMENT MAY BE USED.

>> IT'S USED QUICKLY AND IMMEDIATELY AND REPETITIVELY.

YOU HAVE TO PADDLE OVER AND OVER, IT'S NOT WORKING.

IT'S A DISCIPLINE APPROACH AND NOT TEACHING THEM HOW TO CHANGE AND WHY THEY NEED TO CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RANDY WHO IS A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING WITH SCHOOLS ON DISCIPLINARY ISSUES TAKES ANOTHER VIEW.

>> DISCIPLINE IS NOT A CHOICE IF IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

IT'S WHEN IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AND THERE'S MANY TYPES OF DISCIPLINE.

SO IN ALL OF THE STUDIES I'VE BEEN THROUGH, WHAT YOU WANT IS YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO GROW UP HEALTHY, WELL-BEING AND INDEPENDENT.

>> HE SUGGESTS STUDENTS WHO PLACE DISCIPLINE SHOULD BE EVALUATED TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE BEFORE ANY KIND OF PUNISHMENT IS ADMINISTERED.

>> BEFORE YOU USE ANY KIND OF DISCIPLINE OR BEFORE I GO INTO A SCHOOL, WE'RE GOING TO DO A FUNCTIONAL BEHAVIORAL ASSESSMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO DO A BEHAVIOR PLAN OR WE'LL DO A PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION.

NOW KNOW THIS, THERE'S 339 DISORDERS THAT I CAN DIAGNOSE.

THERE'S 13 CATEGORIES THAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION USES.

>> THERE'S THE BIBLICAL POINT OF VIEW, SPARE THE ROD, SPOIL THE CHILD.

>> PROVERBS 19:18.

CHASEN THY SON WHILE THERE IS HOPE.

NOW IT WAS AFFIRMED EARLIER IN THE STUDY, THERE'S THE ROD AND USED FOR GUIDING THE SHEEP AND CERTAINLY GUIDANCE IS PART OF PROPER CHILD TRAINING AND CHILD RAISING, BUT CHASTISEMENT IS DISTINCT FROM GUIDANCE.

YOU OWN GET CHASTISEMENT PROPERLY IF YOU REJECT THE GUIDANCE.

>> OLSEN UNDERSTANDS SOME DO NOT WANT TO ADMINISTER PUNISHMENT LIKE SWATS IN SCHOOL BUT THE OUTCOME IS WORTH IT.

>> IT'S NOT PLEASANT TO THE ONE WHO RECEIVES IT OR TO THE ONE THAT GIVES IT.

BUT LOOK AT THE FINAL RESULT, NEVERTHELESS AFTERWARD, IT YIELD THE PEACEABLE FRUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

>> IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE?

IS DELIVERING CORPORAL PUNISHMENT THAT WAY UNDER THOSE CONDITIONS WORTH THE BENEFIT?

NONE OF THE PRESENTERS WE TALKED TO TODAY SAID THEY COULDN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT.

THEY ALL SAID THEY COULD BE EFFECTIVE WITHOUT IT, BUT IT WAS A GOOD TOOL THEY LIKED TO HAVE.

>> AFTER THE STUDY CONCLUDED, THE PSYCHOLOGY PROFESSOR CONTENDS SCHOOLS DON'T NEED CORPORAL PUNISHMENT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> THE QUESTION IS, IS IT WORTH IT?

SHOULD WE BE USING IT?

>> LAST YEAR, LEGISLATION WAS CONSIDERED TO RESTRICT CORPORAL PUNISHMENT ON A WIDER SET OF STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES.

THAT BILL DID NOT MAKE IT OUT OF THE HOUSE AFTER IT WAS AMENDED BY THE SENATE.

>> Rich: THE BEYOND APOLOGY COMMITTEE MET IN TULSA FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST FRIDAY.

THEIR MISSION STATEMENT TO RECONCILE, RESTORE AND UNITE TULSA WITH AN INITIAL TASK OF SUBMITTING RECOLLECTIONS FOR A HOUSING EQUITY PROGRAM TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL BY THE END OF KNOWLEDGE.

THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED BY GT BYMUM FOR THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

COUNSELOR HARPER WHO REPRESENTS THE GREENWOOD COMMUNITY SAYS THIS WORK MAY BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR SOME BUT NECESSARY.

THE TEN-PERSON BOARD WAS CHOSEN BY APPLICATION AND AS YOU SAW, IT'S A DIVERSE GROUP.

IT INCLUDES A INSPECTION CRITERIA, YOUNG AND OLD, COMMUNITY LEADERS, EXPERTS AND POLICY, LEGISLATIVE, HEALTH AND HOUSING, A MAYORIAL APPOINTEE AND A MEMBER APPOINTED BY DISTRICT ONE COUNSELOR, VANESSA HALL-HARMER.

>> OUR COMMUNITY HAS CHOSEN EDUCATION, FINANCIAL COMPENSATION, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING, LAND, HEALTH AND WELLNESS AND SYSTEM CHANGE.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT NO PROCESS CAN CAPTURE THE DEPTH OF THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE OR THE ONGOING IMPACT 103 YEARS LATER WITHOUT DIRECTION ACTION ON THESE FINDINGS.

>> SO THIS IS A COMMISSION THAT REALLY HAS THE POWER TO ACTAND THE SUPPORT OF THE CITY TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAKES, BUT WE AS A CITY DO NOT WANT TO BE PRESCRIBING WHAT THE COMMUNITY DEALS ARE THE BEST PATH FORWARD FOR REPARATIONS.

WE WANT THIS COMMISSION TO LEAVE THAT DISCUSSION AND I THINK IT'S ALSO VERY IMPORTANT.

SO MANY FOLKS WHO ARE PASSION ATEABOUT THIS.

THE EAST TO THE WEST AND EVERYBODY IS INVOLVED IN THIS DIALOGUE.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO THE TALK ABOUTWHAT WE CAN DO TO REPT WAS DONE WRONG TO OUR NEIGHBORS.

>> Rich: IT'S EXPECTED THE EXPECTED RESIDENTS OF NORTH TULSA WILL BE A KEY ISSUE GOING FORWARD.

>>> A JOURNEY OF HOPE TO ALL, 77 OKLAHOMA COUNTIES IS UNDERWAY AHEAD OF NEXT YEAR's 30th ANNIVERSARY OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING ON APRIL 19th, 1995.

THE INITIATIVE WILL TOUR SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE STATE TO HELP ENSURE STUDENT WHO'S ARE YET TO BE BORN ARE AWARE OF WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD DURING THE DARK DAYS THAT FOLLOWED.

THE JOURNEY OF HOPE WILL CONTINUE THROUGH NEXT YEAR.

>>> THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED CHEROKEE IS THE ONLY TRIBAL WORKFORCE IN THE WORLD DEDICATED TO TRAINING NATIVE AMERICANS TO THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY.

ONE OF THE WORLD's MOST SUCCESSFUL COMPANIES TAKING NOTICE.

THIS WEEK AMAZON ANNOUNCED A COLLABORATION WITH THE CHEROKEE NATION.

>> THIS CLASS CAN CROSS TUITION PAYMENTS OFF AS THEY GET READY FOR THE UPCOMING SEMESTER.

>> AMAZON MGM STUDIO SUPPORTS INVESTING TODAY AND TOMORROW.

>> THE AMAZON VICE PRESIDENT OF PUBLIC POLICY COMMUNITY ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY THAT AMAZON WILL PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE ENTIRE INAUGURAL CHEROKEE FILM INSTITUTE CLASS.

>> THERE'S THIS PROGRAM, THEY WILL RECEIVE PRACTICAL TRAINING IN EDUCATION TO PREPARE THEM TO JOIN THE FILM PRODUCTION SUN WORKFORCE.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHERE THEY GO.

>> THE CHEROKEE PRINCIPAL CHIEF SAYS THE PARTNERSHIP IS A GAME CHANGER FOR STUDENTS.

>> I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REACHING OUT TO OUR CITIZENS WHO MAY NOT HAVE SEEN THIS AS REALISTIC AND SOME ARE LOOKING AT THIS INSTITUTE AS SOMETHING THAT MIGHT BE ATTAINABLE FINANCIALLY OR TRAVEL TO ATTEND OR JUST TUITION.

THIS GIVES THEM THE RELIEF THEY NEED AND YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW MANY WILL GO ON TO BE BIG TIME CREATORS AND STARS IN FRONT OF THE CARRY AND IT WAS STARTED WITH THIS INVESTMENT.

>> TUITION FOR THE FILM's SCHOOL IS 2100 PER SEMESTER.

THE INSTITUTE BEGAN ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS IN THE FALL.

>> WE WILL HAVE 25 STUDENTS FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF CLASSES AND OPEN APPLICATIONS AT THE END OF AUGUST.

AND WE HAD A TOTAL OF 160 APPLICATIONS FOR THE FIRST ROUND.

>> THE CHEROKEE FILM INSTITUTE WILL START IN JANUARY OF 2025.

>> CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND 120-CONTACT HOURS, SO THE FIRST 40 THAT ANYONE WILL TAKE IS AN INTRO TO THE INDUSTRY.

SO IT'S AN OVERVIEW OF THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE.

WE'RE ALSO TALKING ABOUT NATIVE REPRESENTATION AND FILM AND MEDIA AND PROTOCOLS FOR FILMING ON TRIBAL LAND OR WITH TRIBE YAL ENTITY.

>> THE FILM's ENCONSTITUTE IS FILM IS PART OF THREEBRANCHES, M PRODUCTIONS, STUDIOS AND CHEROKEE FILM COMMISSION.

>> AND SO WE'VE BEEN BUILDING THIS FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND THE IDEA STARTED TEN YEARS AGO OR LONGER, BUT THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE BEEN IN THIS BUILDING WITH THIS MOMENTUM, WITH ALL OF THIS SUPPORT.

>> CHEROKEE FILM SENIOR DIRECTOR JENNIFER LAWRENCE SAYS THIS FILM INSTITUTE WILL HELP WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE ALL KNOW WE HEAR ABOUT THIS, TO BUILD A FILM INDUSTRY IN AN AREA, YOU KNOW, FOR THESE FOREVER JOBS, YOU HAVE THIS THREE-LEGGED STOOL AND A MAJOR PART OF THAT STOOL IS WORKFORCE AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

SO WE CAN BRING FILM AND TELEVISION HERE, BUT HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO WORK ON THOSE.

>> THE AMAZON PARTNERSHIP WILL BENEFIT THE CHEROKEE NATION BUT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AS WELL.

>> 32 FILMS AND TELEVISION PRODUCTIONS TOOK PLACE AND 23 FY23 AND 24, GENERATING MORE THAN $153 MILLION IN LOCAL SPENDING IN OKLAHOMA.

THIS IS, YES, AS JEN SAID, A FOREVER INDUSTRY.

AS WE GET MORE DIVERSIFIED AS AN ECONOMY, THIS IS ONE OF THOSE INDUSTRIES THAT'S GOING TO HELP US GET MORE DIVERSIFIED.

SO THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH AMAZON IS A POWERFUL EXAMPLE OF HOW COLLABORATION BETWEEN TRIBAL AUTHENTICATIONS AND LEADING INDUSTRIES CAN DRIVE INNOVATION, CREATE MEANINGFUL EDUCATION AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TELL IMPORTANT STORIES ON A GLOBAL SCALE.

>> CHEROKEE FILM's MISSION IS TO INCREASE NATIVE AMERICAN REPRESENTATION IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.

>> AMAZON HAS MADE A CHOICE AND THAT CHOICE IS TO HELP ELEVATE THE VOICES THAT FOR TOO LONG HAVE BEEN MARGINALIZED IN THIS COUNTRY, VOICES THAT FOR TOO LONG HAVE BEEN OFTEN A CARICATURE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY, TALKING ABOUT OVER THE COURSE OF MANY GENERATIONS.

AMAZON IS VIEWING THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LIFT UP STORIES AND PEOPLE THAT DESERVE IT.

THEY'RE MAKING THAT CHOICE.

>> WE'VE BEEN LEFT OUT AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO TELL OUR OWN STORIES AND BUILD OUR OWN ECONOMIES WITH THE CHEROKEE NATION AND ALL OF THESE ENDEAVORS WORK SYBIOTICALLY.

IT'S THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

SO I THINK THE FUTURE LOOKS INCREDIBLY BRIGHT AND WENT WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT ALONE.

>> AMAZON MGM STUDIOS FIRST FILMING THEIR FIRST OKLAHOMA-BASED PROJECT.

>> THE FEATURED FILM AND ONE OF THE PRODUCTION, SARAH's OIL.

IT'S A TRUE STORY, "SEARCHING FOR SARAH RECTOR" THE RICHEST BLACK GIRL IN AMERICA.

IT'S SET IN THE 1910 OIL BOOM WITH AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN GIRL IN THE TERRITORY WHO MUST FIGHT TO PROTECT HER INHERITANCE.

THIS IS A GREAT MOVIE AND CANNOT WAIT FOR EVERYONE TO SEE IT.

>> THE FILM WAS SHOT OVER 34 OH 34PRODUCTION DAYS.

>> IT EMPLOYED 124 RESIDENT CREW MEMBERS.

AND AMAZON IS GRATEFUL TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FOR ITS CONTINUED INVESTMENTS TO SUPPORT FILM AND TELEVISION PRODUCTION SUN AND TO THE CHEROKEE NATION TO BE A COMPETITVE FILMING LOCATION.

>> THE CHEROKEE FILM STUDIO HAS EXPANDED SINCE OUR LAST VISIT IN 2023.

THIS FALL, THE STUDIO OPENED A SECOND SOUND STAGE THAT'S TEN THOUSAND SQUARE FEET.

>> Rich: IN OUR UPCOMING IN-DEPTH SEGMENT OF A MULTICOUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT WITH COVID RELIEF FUNDS FOR EDUCATION BUT DID NOT FIND CRIMINAL WRONG-DOING OR ISSUE ININDICTMENTS.

THEY HOPED TO ENSURE FUTURE MANAGEMENT OF FUNDS DOES NOT OCCUR.

CASSIDY MUDD WILL ASSESS THIS WITH PANELS.

>> IT WAS INCREASED TRAINING FOR THE STATE AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS THAT HANDLE FEDERAL FUNDS AND INCREASED -- OR JUST PERSONNEL ATTACHED TO ANY HANDLING OF FEDERAL FUNDS THAT THE STATE DOES.

SO PERSONNEL WHO KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH FEDERAL GRANT COMPLIANCE.

THAT'S A FULL-TIME JOB ANYWHERE.

>> UNDOUBTEDLY, THERE WERE MISTAKES MADE AND THE GRAND JURY DIDN'T THINK IT ROSE TO CRIMINAL CHARGES.

SO NOW IT JUST BECOMES PURE OLD 100% POLITICS AND, YES, THERE WILL BE SOME OF THIS BROUGHT UP IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN THAT COULDN'T GET AROUND THE GOVERNOR's VETO.

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

>> AVIATION MAINTENANCE IS A HIGH-PAYING DEMAND CAREER CHOICE AND RIGHT NOT STUDENTS ARE PUTTING DOWN THE TEXTBOOKS AND GETTING UNIQUE HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.

STEVE SHAW IS HEAR TO EXPLAIN THAT.

>> RICH, SAVVY, DETERMINATION AT THE CENTER RECENTLY NETTED QUITE A FIND.

>> AT CANADIAN VALLEY TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN EL RENO AND THIS IS KNOWN AS A T1A JAY HAWK JET, AN AIRCRAFT THE AIR FORCE USES TO TRAIN PILOTS.

18 MONTHS AND, TYLER STARTED MONITORING GOVERNMENT SURPLUS WEBSITES AND THREE THAT PROCESS, SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, CAUGHT WIND THAT A HANDFUL OF THESE T1A JAY HAWKS WERE BEING DECOMMISSIONED OR RETIRED FROM RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE IN SAN ANTONIO.

THAT'S WHEN HE POUNCED.

>> DID YOU HAVE TO BUY IT?

>> NO, WE DID NOT HAVE TO BUY IT.

IT'S ALLOCATED TO US FROM THE AIR FORCE.

WE HAD TO GO THROUGH THE STATE OEMS, THE FACILITATOR BETWEEN US AND THE GOVERNMENT AND PAY A FEE TO OEMS TO GET THE AIRCRAFT TO US.

>> HOW MUCH WAS THAT?

>> 2500.

>> THAT'S A STEAL.

>> THAT'S A STEAL, VERY MUCH A STEAL.

♪ HIGHWAY TO THE DANGER ZONE.

♪ RIGHT INTO THE DANGER ZONE.

>> IN JULY, TWO AIR FORCE COLONELS DROPPED THE AIRCRAFT OFF IN YUKON AND FROM THERE, IT WAS CAREFULLY TOWED FIVE MILES TO CANADIAN VALLEYS EL RESEARCH ENO's CAMPUS.

ROCKY TYLER's FANTASTIC FIND IS NOW QUITE THE LEARNING TOOL.

>> THIS IS HUGE!

THIS AIRCRAFT PUTS US AHEAD OF THE CURVE IN SO MANY WAYS.

IT HAS A LOT OF SYSTEMS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE.

IT HAS ANTI-ICING SYSTEMS, OXYGEN, AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS.

IT HAS TWO TURBINE ENGINES, OBVIOUSLY.

IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT WE NEED TO ELEVATE OUR PROGRAM TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

IT REALLY KIND OF PUT OUR PROGRAM AT THE TOP OF ALL OF THE PROGRAMS IF OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE TRYING TO STAY RELEVANT.

>> ACCORDING TO THE STATE, THE AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY IS THE SECOND LARGEST AND FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA.

WITH MORE THAN 200,000 JOBS AND 44 BILLION, THAT'S RIGHT, BILLION WITH A "B" IN ACTIVITY EACH YEAR.

CANADIAN VALLEY's 20-MONTH LONG AVIATION MAINTENANCE AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM IS GROWING, TOO.

IN THE LAST THREE YEAR, THEE GONE FROM A SINGLE TEACHING TO TWO INSTRUCTORS.

THEE ALSO ADDED A PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, AS WELL.

>> C +, + C. >> ALEX ANDERSON IS IN CHARGE OF THAT PROGRAM AND SAYS KIDS CAN BEGIN THE SERIOUS PROCESS TO WORK ON PLANES WHEN THEY TURN 18.

>> IF WE GET STUDENTS IN BEFORE THAT, WE CAN GET ALL THEIR SCHOOLING DONE BEFORE THEY TAKE THEIR TEST WITH THE FAA.

WHEN THEY DO TURN 18.

IT'S A FAST-TRACK AND GIVES THEM A HEADS UP OR HEAD START IF YOU WILL AND ALSO, TOO, IT ACCLIMATES THEM TO THE ADULT PROGRAM.

>> YOU CAN STEER ORDERS TO AS TS EARLY AS MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> CHOOSE AEROSPACE IN OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS, WHICH IS AN EARLIER PROGRAM, FRESHMAN, SOFTW SOPHOMORE OR ANY POINT IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL CAREER.

>> ETHAN ROD WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STUDENTS IN THAT PROGRAM.

HE SAYS HE'LL HAVE EVERYONE OF HIS FAA CERTIFICATIONS BY AUGUST OF NEXT YEAR.

>> JUST BEING ABLE TO GET IN THERE, LOOK STUFF UP, TROUBLE-SHOOTING, TROUBLE-SHOOTING IS FUN AND WORKING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, TEAMWORK IS A BIG PART ABOUT IT.

>> HOW FUN IS IT TO CLIMB THIS THAT JET AND TURN IT ON?

>> I'LL DO THAT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> ETHAN SAYS TRAINING TO WORK ON AIRCRAFT CAN BE HARD WORK.

>> YEAH, IT IS, BUT I MEAN, IT'S REWARDING AND THE FACT THAT WORKING FOR THE AIRLINES.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON THOUGH AIRPLANES GOING PLACES AND IT'S REWARDING IN THAT WAY.

>> IT'S A TERRIFIC RESPONSIBILITY.

>> VERY, VERY IMPORTANT.

>> 19-YEAR-OLD SARAH SABERY HAS SIX MONTHS LEFT UNTIL SHE'S 100% CERTIFIED.

SHE THINKS SHE MAY EVEN WANT TO BE A PILOT SOME DAY.

>> YOU CAN MAKE GOOD MONEY DOING THIS.

>> YOU CAN.

>> OUT MUCH CAN YOU MAKE IN YOUR FIRST YEAR?

>> MAYBE LIKE $30 AN HOUR, LIKE THE MINIMUM.

>> HAVE YOU GOTTEN TO WORK ON THAT JET YET.

>> YEAH.

>> WHAT'S THAT LIKE?

>> COOL.

IT'S A LOT.

WHEN YOU GET IN THE COCKPIT, THERE'S SO MANY THINGS YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

>> TIM WYATT IS 21 AND DRIVES UP TO SCHOOL FROM DALLAS EACH WEEK.

>> THAT'S DEDICATION.

YOU COME ALL THE WAY FROM DALLAE HERE AND I STARTED HELPING OUT MY GRANDMOTHER.

START HERE.

>> ALL OF THE PROJECTS WE'VE BEEN DOING HERE IS STUFF IN THE FEEL AND WHENEVER WE GET THERE AND WORK ON PLANES THAT CARRY PEOPLE, WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> THIS IS NATIONWIDE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE RETIRING AND THERE'S MORE TECHNOLOGY COMING UP.

IT'S MORE DEMANDING INDUSTRY THAN MOST AND SO, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES IN AVIATION.

IT'S REALLY KIND OF -- WE'RE IN A GREAT SPOT BETWEEN WICHITA AND DALLAS.

>> THERE ARE 29 CAREER TECH CAMPUSES IN OKLAHOMA AND SEVEN OFFER AVIATION MAINTENANCE PROGRAMS.

RICH.

>> Rich: APPRECIATE THAT.

WE NOW KNOW WHO WILL OVERSEE THE SCENE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROPOSED BILLION DOLLARS DOWNTOWN ARENA TO REPLACE THE PAYCOM CENTER.

WHEN IT COMES TO BOOTS ON THE GROUND, WHO WILL BE HIRED TO DO THE ACTUAL BUILDING OF THE FACILITY?

THAT WAS RAISED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ON TUESDAY.

THE COUNCIL DID APPROVE A CONTRACT HIRE MANICA ARCHITECTURE AND BRINGS AN IMPRESSIVE RESUME TO THE PROJECT.

THERE'S A NEW FOOTBALL STADIUM UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN NASHVILLE.

BUT THE OTHER CONCERN EXPRESSED BY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WILL OKLAHOMA CONTRACTORS AND VENDORS BE HIGHERED TO DO THE HIRE TO DN AND DEVELOPMENT?

>> INTERESTED TO KNOW THE DIVERSITY OF USING MINORITY CONTRACTORS?

IF IT HAS BEGUN, WHAT IS IN THE LANGUAGE FOR OUR COMMITMENT TO DO THAT?

>> I KNOW THAT WE STRIVE TO HAVE THE LOCAL PARTICIPATION AND WE'RE ALWAYS COGNIZANT OF THE DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE.

I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WOMEN ON THESE TEAMS.

I DO KNOW THAT.

I DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE TEAM PLAYERS AT THIS POINT.

BUT IT IS CONSTANTLY ON OUR MIND.

>> WITH THAT BEING SAID, I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO LOOK AT AUDITING OUR CONTRACTING PROCESS FOR OUR MINORITY CONTRACTORS IN THE PROCESSES.

>> WE'RE WORKING ALL THE TIME WITH CONTRACTORS KNOWING WHAT'S AVAILABLE.

WE DON'T SET A QUOTA.

WE TRY TO MAKE SURE IT'S ACCESSIBLE TO THEM AND THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.

>> BOTH TODD AND I HAVE INTERESTED IN CONSTRUCTION JOBS AND CONNECTING OUR RESIDENTS TO THOSE JOBS.

AND MOREOVER, WHAT APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES MIGHT EXIST IN HIGH SCHOOL, EARLY 20s, TO WORK UNDER SOME OF THESE CONTRACTORS SUBCONTRACTORS.

>> THE THUNDER WILL PLAY IN THE PAYCOM CENTER UNTIL THE TARGETED COMPLETION DATE OF THE NEW ARENA IN JUNE OF 2028.

>>> WALLET HUB HAS RELEASED THE 2025 BEST COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY RANKINGS.

THIS IS BASED ON COST, GRADUATION RATES AND SALARIES AND THE TOP FIVE IN OKLAHOMA RAINED OFFICERS, OKLAHOMA UNIVERSITY, OU IN NORMAN AND OKLAHOMA STATE's CAMPUS.

WALLET HUB COMPARED 800 SCHOOLS USING 30 CRITERIA.

>>> THIRD QUARTER PROFITS LOOKING GOOD TOPPING THE OKLAHOMA REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> OKLAHOMA BASED CORPORATION WITH A NET INCOME OF 58.$9 MILLION AND AN INCREASE OVER THE PROFIT OF $51 MILLION.

AN INCREASE IN LOAN VOLUME TO HELP RAISE NET EARNINGS AND BROUGHT IN REVENUE OF 115 MILLION COMPARED TO 104.3 MILLION DURING THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2023.

>> BANK FIRST HAD A REVENUE FROM INCOME AND THE RATE CUT BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE IN SEPTEMBER HAD LITTLE IMPACT AND FURTHER CUTS MAY CHANGE THE LANDSCAPE.

>>> THEY HIRED A NEW PARENT, JOHN NOONEY WILL PROVIDE LOANS AND HAS MORE THAN 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN COMMERCIAL EXPERIENCE.

>>> THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA IS INCREASING THE DIVIDEND.

THEY APPROVED A 5% INCREASE BRINGING THAT UP TO 93 CENTS A SHARE AND THEY MUST PAY OUT ON DECEMBER 10th.

>>> A BRIDGE CRANE SPECIALIST HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BY CRANE ONE SERVICES.

THERE'S THREE LOCATIONS IN THE TULSATA METRO AND FOUNDED IN 1987 TO PROVIDE OVERHEAD CRANE SYSTEMS AND SERVICES.

TERMS OF DEAL WERE NOT DISCLOSED.

AS PART OF A MULTI-PROPERTY DEAL, MARCUS AND MILLIE CHAP COMMERCIAL FIRM HAS SOLD THE AIRPORT HOTEL AND OTHER LOCATIONS FOR ITS CLIENT, SKYLINE INVESTMENTS.

THE DEAL SPANNING SEVEN STATES IS WORTH $101 MILLION.

>> JASON, THANKS.

NOW LAST WEEK, A GRAND JURY OFFERED RECOMMENDATIONS BUT NO INDICTMENTS CONCERNING THE STATE ADMINISTRATION's DISTRIBUTION OF COVID RELIEF FUNS EARMARKED FOR EDUCATION.

IS THAT THE END OF IT?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK's IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH CASSIDY MUDD.

>> JOINING ME IS THE PRODUCTION EDITOR FOR THE PARTNERS AT NON-DOCK MEDIA AND WE HAVE SCOTT MITCHELL A POLITICAL ANALYST IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE HOST OF MITCHELL TALKS.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

BENNETT, BREAK THIS SITUATION DOWN AND WHAT THE KEY FINDINGS IN THE GRAND JURY'S REPORT AND SOMETHING THAT STOOD OUT MOST TO YOU?

>> YOU THINK THE GRAND JURY REPORT CONFIRMED A LOT FROM THE MEDIA OUTLETS.

IT SAID THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, WHEN THEY WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT TO DISPERSE MONEY AS RELEASED FOR THE PANDEMIC, MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES IN HOW THEY APPROPRIATED THEIR FUNS AND HOW THEY GAVE IT TO PRIVATE PARTNERS THAT WEREN'T STATE ACTORS.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE WAS A LOT OF NEW THINGS THIS, BUT THEY DID REALLY GET SO THE HOW AND WHY OF WHAT WENT WRONG IN TERMS OF HOW THEY DISPERSED THAT MONEY.

>> SCOTT, WHAT WERE THE KEY ISSUES HOW THEY ADMINISTERED THESE COVID FUNDS.

>> IT WAS UHEAVAL INCLUDINGINGS.

SO MANY THINGS WERE CRUMBLED TOGETHER AND THIS WAS LIKE A BATTLE.

THIS WAS ALL THESE THINGS WERE TOGETHER AT A TIME THAT WAS UNPRECEDENTED.

REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE BACK THEN.

SO MUCH REVISION HISTORY HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT NOT JUST THIS BUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS THIS OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU REMEMBER OKLAHOMA IS FIGHTING OTHER STATES JUST TO GET PERSONAL PROTECTION GEAR.

SO FOUR YEARS LATER, WE'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN IN NO WAY FEEL THE EMOTION AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WAS LIKE UNLESS YOU THERE AT THE TIME.

SOME OF THIS MONEY LOOKING AT THINGS THAT WASN'T AT ALL EDUCATIONAL CONNECTED.

THE BOTTOM LINE WAS THERE WAS A LOT OF PREACHINESS BUT TO INDICTMENTS.

>> SCOTT, I'LL ASK YOU ABOUT THE LACK OF INDICTMENTS, BUT BENNET, THE GRAND JURY OFFERED FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS OF THESE FEDERAL FUNDS.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH SOME THE RECOMMENDATIONS?

>> SO THEY HAD A BUNCH LISTED OUT WITH DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS, BUT INCREASED TRAINING FOR STATE ACTORS, STATE AGENCIES THAT HANDLE FEDERAL FUNDS.

SO PERSONNEL WHO KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH FEDERAL GRANT COMPLIANCE.

THAT'S A FULL-TIME JOB WITH FEDERAL GRANT COMPLIANCE.

THEY CALLED FOR MORE INTERNAL CONTROLS AND MORE OVERSIGHT AND TRAINING FOR FEDERAL OPENS WHO >> HOW FEASIBLE WOULD THESE RECOMMENDATIONS BE TO IMPLEMENT?

>> IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE WANTS TO GET DONE.

A LOT OF THAT WILL HAVE TO GET DONE -- IF THEY WANT THESE AS REQUIREMENTS, THEY CAN.

>> IT WOULD REQUIRE NEW LEGISLATION?

>> PROBABLY SO.

>> IS THERE A TIMELINE PUT IN PLACE?

>> I'M SURE THERE WILL BE SOME LEGISLATORS TO TALK ABOUT IT IN THE SPRING.

WHETHER OR NOT THOSE SESSIONS GO FAR REMEANS TO BE SEEN.

>> SCOTT, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE INTERESTED IN PUTTING SOME OF THOSE IN PLACE?

YES.

>>> IF YOU'RE NOT VIEWING IT THROUGH THE 2026 ELECTION, I HAVE A BRIDGE IN ARIZONA TO SELL YOU.

[LAUGHTER] >> ANYTHING THAT CAN BE USED IN LEGISLATION FROM THE GRAND JURY REPORT THAT WOULD REFLECT BADLY AIN'T GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE VIEWPOINT OF THIS OF THE GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY GENERAL, IT'S MILES APART.

I WOULD IMAGINE THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD TAKE THIS UP WOULD BE THE MINORITY LEADERSHIP AND I'M LOOKING AT CINDY MUNSON AND I MEAN, THIS IS IN THE WHEELHOUSE.

UNDOUBTEDLY, THERE WERE MISTAKES MADE.

THE GRAND JURY DIDN'T THINK IT ROSE TO THE LEVEL OF CRIMINAL CHARGES AND NOW IT'S PURE 100% POLITICS AND YES, THERE WILL BE SOME OF THIS BROUGHT UP IN THE LEGISLATURE, BUT NOTHING THAT WOULD HAPPEN THAT COULDN'T GET AROUND THE GOVERNOR's VETO.

>> YOU BROUGHT UP AN INTERESTING POINT.

GOVERNOR STITT SUGGESTED THAT DRUMMOND WAS USING THIS PLATFORM TO POSITION HIMSELF FOR THE 2026 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> INTERESTING CA.

CHARGE AND SOMETHING THAT YOU AND I AND THE CHATTERING JOURNALISM CLASS LOBBYISTS HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR TWO YEARS.

IT'S A FIRM GRASP OF THE OBVIOUS.

THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE RIGHT NOW LOOKING AT THAT.

RIGHT NOW YOU'RE SEEING PEOPLE USE CONTEMPORARY EVENTS LIKE CONGRESSMAN HURN.

EVERY TIME HE'S IN A STORY, PEOPLE TALK ABOUT HIS ENTRY.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, WE'VE SEEN A DEFENDANT IN A CASE BRING UP THAT ISSUE A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

SO NOW PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT IT OPENLY.

YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT POLITICS IS INTO THIS AND PEOPLE's MOTIVES WILL BE QUESTIONED AND WE CAN'T READ PEOPLE's MINDS.

ANY CONSIDERATION OF THE REPORT BY THE GRAND JURY IS GOING TO HAVE THE TAINT OF POLITICS.

>> QUICKLY MENTIONING THAT 2026 RACE, ANY A PEOPLE THAT ARE PECK SPECULATED TO JOIN.

>> IT WOULD BE EASIER WHO'S NOT.

HERE IS THE RUNDOWN LIST.

THE BIG QUESTION THE MYSTERY ENTRY AND EIGHT YEARS AGO THAT WAS STIT.

BEING MENTIONED AND THIS IS TO SURPRISE BETWEEN CONGRESSMAN HURN AND DRUMMOND AND EDUCATION AS A SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS AND THERE MAY BE OTHERS.

BUT CERTAINLY, THAT'S THE PART OF THE GAME RIGHT NOW, CASSIDY, WHO'S RUNNING AND ANYBODY WHO IS IN THE GUESSING GAME, THEY'LL HAVE THEIR MOTIVES QUESTIONED ON EVERYTHING THEY DO.

>> MOVING BACK IN THIS VERY ISSUE, GOVERNOR STITT AND WALTERS ARE POINTING TO THE CLASS WALLET AND CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US THE ARGUMENT?

>> SO IN ORDER TO GET THE FUNS FUNDSOUT TO FAMILY, THEY USED A COMPANY IN FLORIDA WHERE THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET MONEY TO FAMILIES, FAMILIES CAN APPLY FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS AND CLASS WALLET IS USED FOR THAT AND THAT'S WHAT OKLAHOMA USED.

WHEN NEWS STARTED TO COME OUT THAT FAMILIES WERE PURCHASING ITEMS THROUGH CLASS WALLET, THEY BOTH TRIED TO BLAME FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT SAYING THIS WAS CLASS WALLET's FAULT.

WHAT HAS COME OUT, WALTERS EXERCISED CONTROLS AND USED THOSE CONTROLS AND THAT'S WHERE THE -- THEY TRIED TO BLAME CLASS WALLET.

DRUMMOND AND OTHERS HAVE SAID THIS IS A DISINGENUOUS ARGUMENT.

HE SAID THEY MADE MISTAKES AND PRESENTED THAT EVIDENCE AND DECLINED TO INDICTMENTS.

>> AND SCOTT, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

BUT DO YOU FORESEE THE GRAND JURY FINDINGS IMPACTING THIS?

>> IT'S BEEN HARD FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT TO BRAKE FREE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN's RECORD ON THE ME.

YOU HAVE TO BE CARRIFUL TALKING ABOUT THIS.

OBVIOUSLY, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, IF HE WERE TO RUN AND ENGAGE IN A PRIMARY WOULD BE USING THIS AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW HE IS?

>>: FIGHTING FOR TAXPAYERS.

>> YOU MENTIONED A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, BUT WHAT ABOUT RAMMY RAMIFICATIONS.

WHAT ABOUT THE WRONG-DOING?

>> THE GRAND JURY WROTE THAT, YES, THE GOVERNMENT DID SEEM MESS UP IN THEIR HANDLING OF THESE FUNDS, THEY DIDN'T FIND WILLFUL WRONG-DOING OR MALFEASANCE.

WHETHER THIS HAS LONG-LASTING RAMIFICATIONS, WE'LL HAVE TO SEE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH COMPLAINTS IN PARTICULAR WITH WALTERS, A LOT OF REPORTS DONE ABOUT HIM AND HIS AGENCY INDICATING HE HASN'T HANDLED PUBLIC MONEY AND THERE HAVEN'T BEEN A LOT OF HARD CONSEQUENCES.

>> WE'RE NOT SURE IF IT'S LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OR POLITICAL DUE TO THIS?

>> ROUTE.

RIGHT.

THERE WERE TO LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AT THE MOMENT AND TO INDICTMENTS OR CHARGES THAT THE GRAND JURY BROUGHT, BUT POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES, WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> IF NO LAWS WERE BROKEN, WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS SAYS HOW FEDERAL EDUCATION FUNDS ARE MANAGED?

>> THAT'S UP TO THE FEDS.

BEENNET WAS TALKING ABOUT ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS TURNING FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND THAT WON'T HAPPEN.

AND SO THAT WHOLE SEPARATION OF POWER's THING.

TO BE WAS HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

THIS WAS THE INTERNATIONAL GRAND JURY REPORT SYMBOL.

AND SO, IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE LIKE SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN OKLAHOMA THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS WHERE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'S MUCH TO DO ABOUT NOTHING.

LIKE THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, THAT'S TWO YEARS THEY'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS AND I'M NOT SURE WITH A PRIMARY FOR GOVERNOR 2026 LOOMING, THAT YOU'LL SEE ANYTHING HAPPEN ON THIS ONE.

>> WELL, IN BENNETT, FOR THOSE UNFAMILIAR, COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO US AND OUR STATE-WIDE AUDIENCE WHAT GEAR FUNDS ARE AND HOW THEY'RE USED?

A CLASS OF FUNDING THAT CONGRESS APPROPRIATED TO GOVERNORS OF EACH STATE TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL RELIEF.

HOWEVER, EACH STATE GOVERNOR HAD A LOT OF DISCRETION HOW THEY WANTED TO SPEND THEIR MONEY.

OKLAHOMA GOT $39 MILLION WORTH OF GEAR FUNDS AND STITT WAS GIVEN DISCRETION.

HE CHOSE FIVE PROGRAMS TOTAL AND TWO WERE AT ISSUE IN THE GRAND JURY REPORT.

THE BRIDGE-THE-GAP PROGRAM AND PROVIDING EDUCATION EQUAL MATERIALS AND PROVIDING GRANTS TO FAMILIES TO STAY IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS IF THEY WANTED TO.

THAT WAS THE BROAD OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM.

>> HOW HAVE WE SEEN OTHER STATES HANDLE THEIR FUNDS?

>> I KNOW THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES WAS TO GIVE THE MONEY TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS FROM HOME AND STUDENTS TO STAY IN SCHOOL IN A VIRTUAL SETTING.

THE GOAL WAS TO GET THIS MONEY TO PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEMS TO ALLOW THEM TO STAY AFLOAT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND OKLAHOMA's GOVERNOR CHOSE SOME OTHER OPTIONS.

>> SO THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> RIGHT.

>> ANY OKLAHOMAS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED?

>> THERE WAS SOME ERA FUNDING FROM THE PANDEMIC AND STATE.

EVERYBODY WAS GETTING A LOT OF MONEY, GETTING OUT THE DOOR TO TRY TO HELP.

SPARSE THE GEAR FUNDS GO, I DON'T THINK THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAW A LOT OF THAT MONEY.

THIS WAS SOMETHING MENTIONED IN THE GRAND JURY REPORT, THEY COULD HAVE GIVEN THIS MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND HANDLED THE MONEY IN A WAY THAT WOULD HAVE BENEFITED PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL STUDENTS ACROSS OKLAHOMA WHO ARE OVERWHELMINGLY IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND STITT CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE THAT MAN MONEY TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> SO INSTEAD OF GIVING IT TO THE STATE, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HE GAVE IT TO CLASS WALLET?

>> A COUPLE OF NONPROFITS WHO CONTRACTED WITH CLASS WALLET TO HANDLE THE MONEY.

>> SCOTT, AS WE'RE CONSIDERING SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM, WOULD YOU SAY THAT STITT, WALTERS AND EVEN DRUMMOND HAVE THE SAME IDEA TO COME TOGETHER TO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN?

WHAT ARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES ON MOVING PASSWORD?

MOVING FORWARD?

>> THEY WON'T RECTIFY THAT.

IT'S THEIR PRIMARY.

I'M SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD ABOUT THE TIME.

HAD THE COVID PANDEMIC BEEN HANDLED ACCURATELY, WE WOULD BE SEEING THE END OF THE SECOND TERM OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND THIS THING WAS SO BADLY HANDLED.

FIRST, IT COST DONALD TRUMP AN ELECTION.

THAT'S UNDENIABLE.

THE SECOND THING, THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE STATES WERE ON THEIR OWN AND I REMEMBER A TIME WHERE THE GOVERNMENT GOT HAMMERED OVER BUYING HYDROXI CHLORINE.

YOU HAVE TO DEFENDANT THE GOVERNOR AND STATE LEADERS ON TRY DOING SOMETHING.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS HANDLING THIS SO BADLY, YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN.

WHEN YOU TAKE A PANDEMIC SO DEADLY AND BADLY MANAGED, IT COST A PRESIDENT HIS JOB AND YOU FILTER DOWN TO THE CLASS WALLET SITUATION, IT GIVES YOU SOME UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE TIME AND HOW MUCH OF A COMEDY/TRAGEDY THIS WAS.

SO MUCH RIGHT NOW LOOKING BACK, THAT OLD SAYING OF 2020 IS HINDSIGHT, IF NO LAWS ARE BROKEN, OK, LET'S GO DOWN THE ROAD AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE.

NEXT TIME WE HANDLE THE PANDEMIC BETTER.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COVERAGE ON THIS TOPIC.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Rich: REALLY ENJOYED THAT CONSIDERATION.

THIS ILLUSTRATOR IS BEST KNOWN FOR "THE WILD THINGS" BUT HE PRODUCED HUNDREDS OF BOOKS IN A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ARTISTIC STYLES AND THIS IS THE FOCUS AT THE DENVER ART MUSEUM.

WE'LL LEARN MORE FROM ROCKVIEW ROCKVIEWMOUNTAIN.

>> MORE THAN 100 BOOKS AND HE ALMOST INVENTED HIMSELF FOR A NEW PROJECT.

HE NEVER SETTLED ON THE STYLE AND IT'S WHAT SHOWS THIS AMAZING CREATIVITY OF THIS ARTIST.

HE KEPT EVERY PIECE OF PAPER HE SCRIBBLED ON AS A PART OF THIS AMAZING LEGACY.

IT WAS NEVER SEEN AS ARTWORKS BUT A PART OF THE PROCESS, BUILDING A BOOK, MAKING A BOOK.

THERE'S A LOT OF MATERIAL THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE.

>> ONE OF MAURICE's FAVORITES, JENNY, A DOG HE DREW UP WITH IN HIS CHILDHOOD.

HE DIDN'T SHOW MANY OF HIS OWN WORKS OF ART.

PREVIOUSLY, THIS LOOKED DISCOLORED LIKE THIS AND I WAS ABLE TO DO A TREATMENT TO REDUCE ALL OF THIS YELLOWING AND DISCOLORATION.

THE PAPER ITSELF IS QUITE DISTORTED BECAUSE I LET IT AIR DRY.

THE FINAL STEP WITH THIS PROCESS IS HUMIDIFICATION AND FLATTENING.

I'M SPRAYING SOLID WATER ON TO THE BLOTER, THIS WILL CONVERT THAT SOLID WATER INTO VAPOR.

WHEN HAPPENS WHEN PAPER EXPANDS, IT'S SLOW AND UNIFORM.

AND YOU CAN SEE NOW THAT THE PIECE IS FLATTENED.

MAURICE LOVED MOTZART.

>> HE CAME FROM BROOKLYN AND HE GREW UP IN NEW YORK AND THERE'S A LOT OF FAMILY HISTORY THAT PLAYS INTO HIS BOOKS.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING FROM AS GATOR.

AS ALLIGATOR.

THERE'S A TEAR AND TEARS HAPPEN AND I'LL BRUSH OUT THE PASTE SO THAT IT HOLDS IN PLACE ON THE MYLAR SPATULA AND I LEAK TO SMOOTH IT OVER TO GET GOOD ADD ADHESION.

>> THIS IS COORDINATE THIS AND BRING IT TOGETHER, TO MATTE AND FRAME IT AND GET IT ON THE WALLS IS A HUGE LOGISTICAL UNDERTAKING AND WE'RE LUCKY TO HAVE A GREAT TIME.

>> Rich: CONSTRUCTION ON A HYDROELECTRICAL PLANT FACING STRONG OPPOSITION FROM PEOPLE NEAR THE KIAMECHE RIVER.

>>> BEFORE WE GO, WE WANT TO CONGRATULATE OR EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JASON DOYLE.

ON THURSDAY NIGHT, THE OKLAHOMA CITY CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF AMERICA HONORED JASON WITH THEIR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.

THE SOCIETY's OWN WORDS, QUOTE, JASON's COMMITMENT TO FAIRNESS AND JOURNALISM SHINES THROUGH EVERY STORY.

CONGRATULATIONS, JASON.

>>> A PLANETARIUM PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY MATT BARNETT.

YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE AND FIND US ON INSTAGRAM, AND X BY SEARCHING OETAO AND R. FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST TOGETHER, I'M RICH L ENZ AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.