>> WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

IT IS CALLED THE NATION'S REPORT CARD AND IT'S RELEASED EVERY TWO YEARS BY THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS.

THIS YEAR'S REPORT UNDERSCORING THE DEVASTATING IMPACT THE PANDEMIC HAS HAD ON ACADEMIC LEARNING IN AMERICA, SCORES IN READING AND MATH ARE WAY DOWN.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND MORE SO IN OKLAHOMA.

TAYLOR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE DETAIL.

>> EDUCATORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS YEAR'S RESULTING.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS ANALYZING DATA TO SEE HOW THEY CAN HELP STUDENTS WITH LEARNING LOSS.

>> 8TH GRADERS AROUND THE NATION HAVE EXPERIENCED DRAMATIC ACADEMIC LEARNING LOSS.

THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS ALSO KNOWN AS NAPE, ADMINISTERS THE TEST TO STUDENTS EVERY TWO YEARS.

>> STUDENTS THAT ARE IN GRADES 4 AND 8 TAKE A READING ASSESSMENT OR A MATH MATTICS ASSESSMENT.

>> BRIAN GRONER, SAID TEST SCORES DON'T SHOW THE ENTIRE PICTURE BECAUSE NOT ALL OKLAHOMA STUDENTS ARE TESTED.

>> IT DOESN'T REVEAL THE ENTIRETY OF THE STORY.

WE KNOW THAT NAPE, AS INTENDED, IS A LIMITED SNAPSHOT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE AND MEANT FOR STATES TO LOOK AT OTHER STATES WITHIN THEIR REGION, BUT TO BE MORE PRECISE ABOUT IT, LOOK AT STATES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO YOURS.

STATES THAT ARE SIMILAR IN THE STUDENT DEMOGRAPHICS.

>> ASSESSMENT SCORES IN 30 STATES INCLUDING OKLAHOMA HAD DECREASED SINCE 2019, MAKING IT THE LARGEST DECLINE IN MATH SCORES THUS FAR.

THE AVERAGE FOURTH GRADE MATH SCORE IN 2019 WAS 237.

IN 2022 IT WAS 229.

IN 2019 THE AVERAGE FOURTH GRADE READING SCORE IN OKLAHOMA WAS 216.

IN 2022 THE SCORE DROPPED TO 208.

8TH GRADE MATH MATTICS SCORES DROPPED AS WELL.

IN 2019 THE AVERAGE OKLAHOMA SCORE WAS 276.

THIS YEAR'S SCORE WAS 264.

THE EIGHT GRADE READING SCORE WAS 288, THIS YEAR'S SCORE DROPPED BY SEVEN POINTS.

>> AS A STATE AGENCY, AND NO STATE AGENCY CAN DEFINITIVELY COME OUT AND SAY HERE'S WHAT THIS MEANS AND WE HAVE A SPECIFIC EXPLANATION FOR IT.

>> GRONER SAID STUDENTS UNDERPERFORMING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WERE HIT MOST CAN >> THE BOTTOM HALF OF STUDENTS, CONSIDERED UNDERPR FORMING FROM THE HIGHER PERFORMING STUDENTS, WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE UNDERPERFORMING STUDENTS FROM 2019 TO 2022, BASICALLY THE LOWER PERFORMING THAT THOSE STUDENTS WERE, THE HARDER THEY WERE AFFECTED >> OSDE IS ANALYZING THE DATA >> THE PANDEMIC WAS HARD ON STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE ABLE TO DESCRIBE THE RESULTS BUT NOT REALLY ABLE TO INFER OR EVALUATE OR TO HELP THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND THE TRUE WHY'S, PLURAL, BEHIND THAT >> SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION SHUN, JOY HOFFMIEFTER SAID THE STATE WILL BE READ IN PART.

>> OKLAHOMA STUDENTS ARE ALREADY TURNING A CORNER.

WE HAVE INVESTED IN A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS TO HELP STUDENTS RECOVER FROM LEARNING LOSS AND WE ARE COUNTING ON THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS PROMOTING HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTION.

KEVIN STITT, WHO WAS RUNNING AGAINST HOFFMIEFTER IN THE GOV MORE ELECTION BLAMED HIS GUBERNATORIAL COMPONENT -- A DIRECT RESULT OF MY OPPONENT'S FAILURE TO IMPROVE EDUCATION DURING HER EIGHT YEARS AS SUPERINTENDENT.

TO HELP WITH LEARNING LOSS, HOFFMIEFT ERS #'S DEPARTMENT CREATED THE LEARNING CORE.

>> WE HAD 400 PARTICIPANTS AND 160 TUTORS FOR THAT.

WE MATCH THE TUTORS WITH UP TO FOUR STUDENTS AND THEY MEET VIRTUALLY THREE TIMES A WEEK FOR 50 MINUTE SESSIONS.

>> ANTHONY PURCELL IS THE DIRECTOR OF HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE READINESS.

HE SAID THE VIRTUAL PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE FOR 7TH, 8TH AND 9TH GRADE STUDENTS STATEWIDE.

>> BEING ABLE TO SHARE AND LEARN AND THEN ALSO THE FACT THAT IT'S VIRTUAL, IT MAKES IT WHERE STUDENTS CAN HAVE TUTORING SESSIONS TO START AS SOON AS 4 P.M., SOME AS LATE AS 8:30 P.M. BASED OFF OF THEIR SCHEDULE >> OSD E IS ENCOURAGING FAMILIES TO SIGN THEIR KIDS UP FOR THE TUTORING.

STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROGRAM HAVE ALREADY SEEN IMPROVED RESULTS.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THE STATE ASSESSMENT SCORES AND 78 PERCENT OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE SPRING DID SHOW SOME SORT OF GROWTH AS OPPOSED TO 69 PERCENT STATEWIDE.

>> PARENTS CAN HELP THEIR STUDENTS RETAIN INFORMATION LEARNED IN SCHOOL BY BEING MORE INVOLVED.

>> WE ENCOURAGE OUR FAMILIES THAT WITH -- WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE TUTORING PROGRAM THAT AS SOON AS THE STUDENTS GET OFF THE COMPUTER, ASK THEM, HEY, WHAT DID YOU LEARN TODAY?

EXPLAIN IT TO ME.

>> SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE ARE NOW FORMULATING PLANS ON HOW TO BETTER ACE ASSIST THEIR STUDENTS.

DR. POLK WITH OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAID THEY ANTICIPATED SCORES COULD BE LOW DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> BUT NOW IT'S AT WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT IF THERE IS A DECLINE OR AN INCREASE, HOW DOES THAT MEASURE AGAINST THE NATION.

AND THEN WHAT ARE OUR NEXT STEPS?

WE JUST DON'T STAY THERE.

>> REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR SPRING TUTORING SESSIONS AND WILL CLOSE ON DECEMBER 1ST.

OSDE, IS SET TO HOST A PARENT INFORMATIONAL ABOUT THE TUTORING COURSE NEXT MONTH.

>> A LITTLE LATER ON IN THIS NEWSCAST, SUSAN SITS DOWN WITH CANDIDATE HOFFMIEFTER FOR AN INTERVIEW.

THE THIRD OF FOUR WE WILL SHARE WITH YOU PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY.

WE'VE ALREADY HEARD FROM THE INDEPENDENT, AND LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL HAVE GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT.

THIS WEEK WE GO IN DEP WITH JOY HOFFMIEFTER.

A PREVIEW OF THE CONVERSATION.

>> AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IS AMERICAN SECURITY AND SAFETY.

AND WE KNOW THAT THAT ALSO IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR STATE'S ECONOMY.

WE DO WANT TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY AND VOICE, AND ENGAGEMENT OF FAMILY IN OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

SO MY GOAL, THOUGH, IS TO SEE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS STRENGTHENED.

GOVERNOR STITT HAS A VOUCHER SCHEME WHICH IS A RURAL SCHOOL KILLER.

YOU KILL THE SCHOOL, YOU KILL THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS UNDER HIS WATCH THAT WE HAVE A CANNABIS MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY THAT HAS BAD ACTORS THAT -- THIS WAS ON THE BALLOT, THE PEOPLE SPOKE.

AT THE SAME TIME HE WAS ELECTED, AND YET HE DID NOT STEP INTO OFFICE AND ADDRESS THE NEED TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES FROM NOW.

WIN OR LOSE ON NOVEMBER 8TH, JOY HOFF THEMIEFTER WILL BE LEAVING HER ROLE AS -- THE TOP JOB IN STATE EDUCATION WILL BELONG TO EITHER REPUBLICAN RYAN WALTERS OR GINA NELSON.

JASON SPOKE WITH BOTH CANDIDATES THIS WEEK.

>> I REALLY HAD A PASSION FOR TEACHING HISTORY BECAUSE OF THIS AMAZING HISTORY TEACHER I HAD WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> MY GOODNESS, THE REASON I'M HERE.

I MEAN, MY TEACHER, MR. STEVEN SMALL SAVED MY LIFE.

>> BOTH OF THE CANDIDATES FOR STATE SUPERINTENDENT MIGHT BE DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED POLITICALLY BUT THEY HAVE THINGS IN COMMON, LIKE A LIFE CHANGING TEACHER WHILE THEY WERE IN SCHOOL.

ROOEB REPUBLICAN RYAN -- NOW THEY COULD BECOME THE NEXT TOP EDUCATOR INFLUENCING WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> BEING A PARENT OF FOUR LITTLE ONES, I WANT THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM POSSIBLE FOR MY KIDS.

BUT FOR EVERYONES' KIDS, I SAW A SYSTEM THAT ISN'T WORKING WELL FOR OUR KIDS AND NOT WORKING WELL FOR TEACHERS.

I WANT TO DO ALL I COULD TO HELP IMPROVE EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> I HEAR THIS RHETORIC ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS AND -- JUST SOMETHING KIND OF SNAPPED.

AND I SAID, I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

I LOVE THIS PROFESSION, AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND SPEAK OUT ON BEHALF OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> NELSON AND WALTERS FACED OFF IN A SINGLE DEBATE HOSTED BY FOX 25 IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BOTH BELIEVE THEIR DEBATE PERFORMANCES HELPED ILLUSTRATE THE CHOICE VOTERS HAVE TO MAKE ON ELECTION DAY.

>> WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE OF COURSE THAT EVERYTHING IS DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE.

BUT WE HAVE TO ALSO USE SOME COMMON SENSE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING DUE PROCESS SO THAT IF WE DON'T GET INTO SITUATIONS THAT ARE GOING TO HARM OUR TEACHERS, THAT ARE GOING TO HARM OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR CHILDREN AS WELL.

>> I THINK I DID PRETTY WELL, ACTUALLY.

AND YOU KNOW, MY GOAL WAS TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT TEMPERAMENT FOR THIS JOB.

THAT I ACTUALLY ADDRESS REAL ISSUES.

TO THE REAL PROBLEMS.

BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SOME REAL ISSUES.

NOT CULTURE WARS.

BUT SCHOOL CULTURE.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO BE ADDRESSING RIGHT NOW.

>> PORNOGRAPHY SHOULD NOT BE IN OUR SCHOOLS, YOU HEARD MY OPPONENT SAY THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE.

SHE IS NOT CONCERNED WITH PORNOGRAPHY BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO MINORS IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THIS IS AGAINST STATE LAW.

>> I WAS ABLE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

I ALWAYS LOVE WHEN I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK DIRECTLY TO OKLAHOMANS.

I THOUGHT THE CONTRAST WAS CLEAR.

I CAME IN AND TALKED ABOUT MY POSITIONS, WHICH IS WE NEED A FOCUS ON THE BASICS.

WE NEED THE CONSTITUTION DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS IN A WAY THAT KIDS ARE GRASPING AND UNDERSTANDING THESE CONCEPTS.

>> A MAJOR ISSUE OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS FACE IS A SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE SCHOOL BOARD'S ASSOCIATION, SCHOOLS ARE DEALING WITH MORE THAN 1,000 VACANCIES.

WALTERS WORKED WITH GOVERNOR STITT TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO RETAIN THE BEST TEACHERS OKLAHOMA HAS TO OFFER.

>> GOVERNOR STITT AND I ADVANCED A BILL THAT WILL GIVE TEACHERS A PATHWAY TO MAKE 6 FIGURES AND STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

USING EXISTING FUNDS.

THIS ISN'T A JOY HOFFMIEFTER PLAN WHERE SHE SAID SHE'S GOING TO GIVE EVERYBODY A $5,000 PAY RAISE.

>> NELSON BELIEVES THE STATE SHOULD LOOK AT WHY CERTIFIED TEACHERS ARE NOT RETURNING TO CLASSROOMS >> THE FIRST THING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS IS TEACHER FLIGHT.

WE DON'T HAVE A SHORTAGE OF EDUCATORS, WE HAVE OVER 30,000 EDUCATORS THAT HAVE A CERTIFICATE BUT ARE NOT COMING BACK TO OUR CLASSROOMS.

>> A HOT TOPIC IN THIS RACE IS HOUSE BILL 1775, WHICH LIMITS HOW HISTORY CAN BE TAUGHT SO AS NOW TO MAKE A STUDENT FEEL HIS OR HER RACE, GENDER OR ETHNICITY MAKES THEM FEEL GUILTY OF RACE OR GENDER BIAS.

THE LAW DOES NOT MENTION CRITICAL RACE THEORY, THAT'S WHAT IT'S TRYING TO PREVENT BEING TAUGHT.

WALTER SAYS IT'S TRYING TO ROOT OUT TEACHING THAT IS NOT PART OF THE CURRICULUM.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

WE HAVE SEEN IT WORK IN THE WAY THE LEGISLATURE INTENDED.

WE ARE PUSHING INDOCTRINATION OUT OF THE CLASSROOM.

WE SAW A BILL THAT WAS CLEAR, EIGHT CRITERIA WHAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR INDOCTRINATION IN SCHOOLS.

SOME OF THE CORE TENETS OF CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

>> NELSON SAID SHE BELIEVES IN FOLLOWING THE LAW BUT THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

>> I FEEL IT'S VERY IMPORTANT WHILE THIS LAW IS STILL AROUND THAT WE HAVE DUE PROCESS.

AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE FOLLOWING ALL THE RULES SO THAT OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE NOT, YOU KNOW, LOSING THEIR ACCREDITATION WITHOUT DUE PROCESS AND TEACHERS ARE NOT STRIPPED OF THEIR CERTIFICATES WITHOUT DUE PROCESS.

>> DURING THE KOKH FOX 25 DEBATE BOTH CANDIDATES WERE ASKED ABOUT SECRETARY WALTERS DESIRE TO HAVE HISTORY TEACHERS TAKE PATRIOT TRAINING FROM CONSERVATIVE COLLEGE, HILLS BURROW COLLEGE.

HOPING TEACHERS WILL BRING THE CONSTITUTION AND DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> I REALLY HAD A PASSION FOR TEACHING HISTORY BECAUSE OF THIS TEACHER I HAD WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THE PATRIOTIC EDUCATION PLAN IS NOT WHAT HE'S SAYING IT IS.

I BELIEVE IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AND I BELIEVE IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

I BELIEVE IN TEACHING ALL HISTORY.

I BELIEVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I'M A PROUD AMERICAN, A PROUD OKLAHOMAN.

BUT WE DON'T NEED INDOCTRINATION OF OUR TEACHERS.

>> OF COURSE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY ARE ALWAYS MENTIONED IN POLITICAL RACES AND NELSON AND WALTERS AGREE, MORE MONEY NEEDS TO MAKE IT TO THE CLASSROOM INSTEAD OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION.

>> WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING AND WE NEED TO KNOW AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE DOING THE JOBS THEY NEED TO DO BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE DO NEED MORE TEACHERS.

AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MONEY IS GOING TO OUR EDUCATORS RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT WE'VE SEEN IS A GROWTH IN ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS, WE'VE SEEN A GROWTH IN PROGRAMS THAT REQUIRE MORE AND MORE STAFFING TO EQUIP THE PROGRAM.

AND WE'VE SEEN AGAIN -- YOU HEAR TEACHERS SAY WE'VE GOT ALL THIS MONEY IN EDUCATION AND MY CLASS SIZES ARE STILL LARGE OR I'M NOT GETTING THE RESOURCES I NEED.

>> TWO TEACHERS, DIFFERENT VIEWS.

VOTERS WILL DECIDE NOVEMBER 8TH.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

>>> A LOT IN VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER SERVING AS THE BACKDROP, GOVERNOR STITT HELD A BILL SIGNING ON TUESDAY THAT TAUGHTED LEGISLATION FOR THE VETERAN.

PROVIDING TAX EXEMPTION AND BREAKS FOR VETERANS AND THEIR RETIREMENT.

SALES TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR WIDOWS OF MILITARY VETERANS KILLED IN COMBAT.

AND MAKING SURE VETERANS RECEIVED A DIGNIFIED BURIAL.

THE NEW LAWS ARE MEANT TO MAKE OKLAHOMA THE PREFERRED PLACE FOR RETIRING SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN PEOPLE GET OUT OF THE MILITARY AFTER SERVING OUR COUNTRY AND OUR STATE, THAT THEY STAY RIGHT HERE AT HOME IN OKLAHOMA.

>> IT IS ESTIMATED OKLAHOMA IS HOME TO MORE THAN 300,000 VETERANS, ABOUT 100,000 OF THEM HAVE A SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

AND WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US HERE ON OETA ON ELECTION NIGHT, NOVEMBER 8, FOR OUR LIVE COVERAGE OF OKLAHOMA VOTES 2022.

MID-TERM ELECTIONS.

OUR ENTIRE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT TEAM WILL BE PROVIDING UP TO THE MINUTE RESULTS AND ANALYSIS OF ALL OF THE KEY RACES.

GOVERNOR, THE SENATE, AND CONGRESSIONAL SEATS AS WELL AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION.

JOIN US AND OUR SPECIAL GUESTSES FROM 8:00 UNTIL 10:00 P.M. FOR ELECTION COVERAGE THAT YOU CAN TRUST.

OKLAHOMA VOTES 20226789.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO OVERALL CRIME AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, OFFICIALS IN OKLAHOMA'S TWO LARGEST CITIES DON'T AGREE ON WHO'S DOING A BETTER JOB OF ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES.

NOW A RECENT REPORT SUGGESTS OKLAHOMA CITY'S LAGGING BEHIND TULSA IN KEY AREAS.

SOME SAY THAT REPORT IS INACCURATE AND FLAWED.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

>> RICH, BELLS AND WHISTLES WENT OFF SIX YEARS AGO.

BECAME KNOWN AS THE SOONER STATE HAD THE HIGHEST INCARCERATION RATE IN THE U.S. A YEAR LATER A WEST COAST CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM GROUP BEGAN TO STUDY HOW THAT HAPPENED.

AND HOW TO FIX IT.

>> THIS 10 PAGE BRIEF IS CALLED TURNING THE PAGE.

THE SAN FRANCISCO NONPROFIT THAT AUTHORED IT CALLS ITSELF FORWARD.U.S., OR FWD.US, THEY SAY THEY NOT ONLY ANALYZE WHY OKLAHOMA'S INCARCERATION HAD GROWN SO HIGH SIX YEARS AGO, THEY ALSO COMPARED HOW OKLAHOMA COUNTY AND TULSA COUNTY ADDRESSED VIL JUSTICE REFORM SINCE THAT BLACK EYE WAS REVEALED IN 2016.

>> THE FINDINGS, SOME WOULD SAY, ARE PRETTY STARTLING.

>> YEAH.

WE WERE SURPRISED HONESTLY BECAUSE THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF LOCAL EFFORTS IN BOTH OKLAHOMA AND TULSA COUNTIES.

>> FELL LISTY IS FORWARD.US DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND POLICY FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

IN 2016 SHE WAS A TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS FOR THEN OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR MARY FALLEN'S JUSTICE REFORM TASK FORCE.

THE GOOD NEWS SHE SAYS IS THE STATE PRISON POPULATION HAS FALLEN.

21 PERCENT IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

THE CRIME RATE IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY IS DOWN ALMOST 4%.

BUT IN TULSA COUNTY IT'S DOWN NEARLY 3 TIMES THAT.

>> WE GATHERED OUR STATICS FROM A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FORCES ON THE BAIL SIDE, WE WERE HELPED BY OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE WHO WAS ABLE TO PULL THAT DATA FROM COURT RECORDS ON THE PRISON SIDE.

WE USED DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO DO THAT ANALYSIS.

AND THEN ON THE CRIME SIDE WE USED DATA FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

>> ROSE SAYS THEIR RESEARCH SHOWS THERE IS A NOTICEABLE GAP.

TWO OF THE CHIEF COMPLAINTS ARE, OKLAHOMA COUNTY SETS HIGHER FELONY BAIL AMOUNTS.

AND ISSUES LONGER PRISON SENTENCES.

>> IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY WE SAW THE MEDIAN BAIL IS FOR FELONIES, TWICE AS HIGH AS IN TULSA COUNTY.

OKLAHOMA COUNTY'S SENDING A LOT MORE PEOPLE TO PRISON.

IT'S SENTENCING THEM FOR LONGER.

WHICH REALLY DON'T EXPECT TO SEE USUALLY WHEN MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO PRISON, THEIR SENTENCES ARE SHORTER, BUT YOU ACTUALLY SEE HARSHER PUNISHMENT ON BOTH FRONTS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMPARED TO TULSA.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY WAY THEY CAN COME UP WITH THOSE STATISTICS >> BOB RABITY HAS BEEN CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR OKLAHOMA COUNTY SINCE $1,987.

HE SAID THE FORWARD.US STUDY IS SKEWED BECAUSE OF THE 2020 U.S. SUPREME COURT MCGERT DECISION THAT BASICALLY RULED THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA DOES NOT HAVE CRIMINAL JURISDICTION OVER MASKOGI CREEK NATION AROUND TULSA.

>> THE MCGERT DECISION BASICALLY SAID THAT THESE CASES THAT THE LAND, LARGE PART IN TULSA COUNTY, WAS WHAT THEY CALL INDIAN LAND.

HENCE THOSE CASES WERE NOT COUNTED WITHIN THE TULSA COUNTY CRIME STATISTICS.

>> IT HAS CHANGED THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN TULSA COUNTY THAT IT HASN'T NECESSARILY IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH OF THE DIFFERENCE IS DUE TO THAT.

I WILL SAY THAT THIS DISPARITY BETWEEN THE COUNTIES EXISTED BEFORE THAT CHANGE.

SO I DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S THE ONLY REASON THAT WE SEE THAT.

AND I DON'T THINK IT EXPLAINS THE DIFFERENCE IN BAIL OR THE DIFFERENCE IN SENTENCE LENGTHS.

IT MIGHT GO A LITTLE WAYS TOWARDS EXPLAINING THE DIFFERENCE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SENT TO PRISON, BUT THAT -- THAT WAS ALREADY A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THAT BEFORE 2020.

>> RABBITS POINTS OUT BAIL IN TULSA COUNTY ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY >> HOW MUCH REALISTIC IS IT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A CHANGE IN LAW >> WHAT THIS REPORT FAILS TO TALK ABOUT IS ALL THE GOOD THAT HAS COME TO THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

OKAY?

FIRST OF ALL.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BEING SENTENCED TO PRISON HAS SUBSTANTIALLY BEEN REDUCED.

AS A RESULT OF THE JAIL TRUST AND THE MANAGEMENT IN THE JAIL, THERE IS ZERO TRIPLE SELLING TODAY IN THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> IT MEANS THAT WE USED TO HAVE THREE PEOPLE CELLED IN AN 8 BY 10 CELL, 23 AND A HALF HOURS A DAY.

OKAY?

WHO WERE THOSE PEOPLE?

IS THOSE PEOPLE WERE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE THAT IF THEY WERE TOLD THEY WERE GOING TO GET A TWO-YEAR SENTENCE, TODAY, THEY WOULD TAKE IT VERSUS WAITING A MONTH TO GET PROBATION.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY WANTED OUT OF THAT PLACE.

>> THAT PLACE IS THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL.

BUILT ON THE VERY CHEAP 31 YEARS AGO.

IT'S BEEN A 13-FLOOR TALL INCOMPETENT STAIN ON OKLAHOMA COUNTY FOR MOST OF THOSE 31 YEARS.

TWO YEARS AGO THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL TRUST TOOK OVER OPERATION OF THE JAIL.

MARK FFRNLTS ALK IS A LONG TIME SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVIST IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

>> IN FACT, THE ATROCITIES HAVE ESCALATED AT THE JAIL SINCE THE JAIL TRUST TOOK OVER, AND I HATE TO PUT IT BLUNTLY, BUT WE HAVE HAD AT LEAST TWO RAPES IN THERE.

WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE BEATINGS.

THE JAIL POPULATION HAS NOT DROPPED AT ALL SINCE THEY TOOK OVER.

>> IN JUNE OKLAHOMA COUNTY VOTERS APPROVED A 260 MILLION DOLLAR INITIATIVE THAT WILL BUILD A NEW JAIL.

TIMOTHY BONO IS -- OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL.

HE SAID CENTRAL OKLAHOMA IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I THINK SOME OF THE FLAWS IN THE STUDY IS FIRST OF ALL, I DON'T THINK IT GIVES OKLAHOMA COUNTY ENOUGH CREDIT JUST FOR THE SIZE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN OKLAHOMA AND TULSA COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST PUT OKLAHOMA AND TULSA COUNTY TOGETHER.

BUT OKLAHOMA COUNTY IS ALMOST 150,000 PEOPLE OR MORE LARGER THAN TULSA COUNTY.

AND IF YOU WOULD JUST COMPARE THAT, THE THIRD -- THAT DIFFERENCE OF 150,000, YOU WOULD HAVE THE THIRD LARGEST CITY IN OKLAHOMA.

SO IT IS A SUBSTANTIAL DIFFERENCE.

SO OUR NUMBERS ARE GOING TO BE HIGHER.

>> TARDY BONO SAID THE NEW JAIL SHOULD BE FINISHED IN THREE TO FOUR YEARS.

>> NOT A MOMENT TOO SOON.

THANK YOU STEVE.

>>> IN MEDICAL NEWS A DRUG MADE FROM DEER AND THE LETTERS IS SHOWING PROMISE IN PATIENTS RECEIVING CHEMOTHERAPY AT OUCANCER CENTER.

DERIVED FROM A COMPOUND IN DEER, ANTLERS.

PATIENTS SAW A 35 PERCENT DECREASE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE SORES.

AT NO SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS HAD BEEN RECORDED.

THE RESULTS OF THE PHASE II CLINICAL TRIAL WERE PUBLISHED BY DR. HENSON IN THE JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ONCOLOGY.

>> PRESCHOOL CHILDREN IN OKLAHOMA CITY WILL SOON BE GETTING BOOKS SENT RIGHT TO THEIR HOMES THANKS TO THE DOLLY PARTON IMAGINATION LIBRARY.

THE COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND LAUNCHED THE PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO READ TO THEIR CHILDREN AFTER SHE DISCOVERED MANY HOUSEHOLDS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO BOOKS FOR THEIR YOUNG ONES.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IS HELPING YOUNG READERS BE BETTER PREPARED TO ENTER THEIR SYSTEM.

>> IF A CHILD CAN BE READ TO, WITH, OR INDEPENDENTLY FOR 20 MINUTES, THEN IT WILL MAKE A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

AND WE DO BELIEVE IT'S ABOUT 1.8 MILLION WORDS A YEAR, AND IT WILL ACTUALLY MOVE THEM WITHIN THE READING STANDARD SCORES.

>> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS USING 2 AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS, PURCHASED 2 MILLION BOOKS TO BE DELIVERED TO OKLAHOMA CHILDREN BY THE END OF 2024.

>>> THE BIGGEST RIDE, MANY OKLAHOMANS ARE EXPERIENCING IN THIS HALLOWEEN IS THE COST OF BUYING A COSTUME AND PURCHASING CANDY.

INFLATION IS MAKING THIS HOLIDAY MORE EXPENSIVE.

THAT THIS AIF HE CANS NOT ONLY CONSUMERS BUT BUSINESSES AND COMMUNITIES THAT RELY ON HALLOWEEN FOR ONCE A YEAR MONEY MAKING OPPORTUNITIES.

KENNEDY JOINS US WITH THE ECONOMICS OF ALL HALLOWEEN.

>> HIGH PRICES CAN CAUSE A SCARE ANYTIME OF THE YEAR.

BUT INFLATION ISN'T CAUSING OKLAHOMANS TO GHOST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

SPOOKY SEASON IS IN FULL FORCE.

>> HERE.

>> JUST IMAGINE THE TERROR OF WALKING THROUGH THESE WINDING PASSAGES WHEN THE GUTHRIE HAUNTED SCARE GROUNDS IS IN AEKS SHUN >> I LOVE GOING INTO THE FIRST SCENE WITH PEOPLE, YOU CAN GAUGE HOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO ACT IN THE HAUNT.

YOU GET A GOOD FEEL, IS THIS PERSON GOING TO PUNCH SOMEBODY, YOU KNOW?

SO THEY WOULD GET ON THE RADIO AND SAY YOU KNOW, SECURITY, YOU MIGHT WANT TO FOLLOW THIS GUY.

>> GENERAL ADMISSION FOR THE SCARE GROUNDS IS $25.

BUT GUESTS CAN ADD A TOUCH PASS FOR $10.

THE TOUCH PASS BLOOD EXTRA $15.

>> THE FIRST FIVE OR SIX YEARS WE WERE IN THE RED.

WE WERE GOING WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

THERE'S SO MUCH OVERHEAD.

ENTERTAINMENT, ACTORS.

>> THE HAUNTED SCARE GROUNDS IS NOW TURNING A NICE PROFIT AND HAS WON THE HAUNTED HOUSE ATTRACTION FROM 2016 TO 2019.

NOMINATED IN 2021.

GUESTS COME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE AND ACROSS STATE LINES.

>> ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS IN GUTHRIE LOVE ME.

BECAUSE THEY'RE FULL.

YOU KNOW?

HOTELS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE THAT STAY THE NIGHT.

HOTEL IMPACT IS GOOD.

>> THAT'S A BIG PART THAT PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND IN THE ECONOMICS OF AGO GRI TOURISM, PEOPLE FORGET THE FACT THAT WE ARE BRINGING SOME WHERE CLOSE -- ANYWHERE FROM 15 TO 17,000 PEOPLE IN HERE.

THOSE 15 TO 17,000 PEOPLE ARE FILLING THEIR CARS UP, THEY'RE STOPPING AT CONVENIENCE STORES AND THEY'RE BUYING DRINKS.

THE ONES THAT COME OUT FOR THE HAUNT ON SATURDAYS, THEY GET HERE EARLY, THEY ENJOY THE FARM, THEY GO BACK IN TOWN, EAT FOOD, COME BACK OUT HERE AND DO THE HAUNT AFTER DARK.

>> P BAR FARMS IS AN ATTRACTION FOR ALL AGE GROUP, THE HORN MAZE, GIANT BOARD GAMES AND PUMPKIN PATCH MAKE FOR A FAMILY FRIENDLY FALL OUTING, GENERAL ADMISSION, $12.

WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN AND THE GHOULS COME OUT, TICKET PRICES GO UP TO $17.

AND SKIP THE LINES, GUESTS CAN BUY THE FAST PASS FOR $27.

>> THERE'S NOTHING ON THE FARM THAT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE IT'S A HAUNTED CORN MAZE OR ANYTHING UNTIL AFTER DARK.

THAT WAY WE DON'T OFFEND PEOPLE THAT DON'T WANT TO HAUNT BUT WE'RE ALSO THERE AFTER DARK FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT DO.

IT'S TOTALLY DARK.

NO CELL PHONES, NO FLASHLIGHTS ALLOWED.

TOTALLY DARK MAZE AND YOU JUST TRY TO MINGLE YOUR WAY THROUGH THERE.

AND WITHOUT GETTING LOST.

AND TRY TO STAY AWAY FROM THE SPOOKS.

>> THE CORN MAZE BRINGS FOLKS TO OKLAHOMA FOR 45 DAYS OUT OF THE YEAR AND HAS FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS.

BUT SAYING IT'S TIME FOR CHANGE AND A NEW OWNER.

>> WE JUST LISTED IT THIS LAST WEEK.

AND WE'RE FINALIZING THAT THIS WEEK.

AND -- BUT MY WIFE AND I HAVE DONE IT FOR 22 YEARS.

AND WE FEEL LIKE FOR EVERYTHING THERE'S A SEASON AND OUR SEASON HERE IS COMING TO A CLOSE.

WE'RE WANTING TO SELL IT AS A WALK AWAY BUSINESS WHERE SOMEBODY CAN MOVE IN AND BE IN AGRI TOUR YIFRM, SOMEBODY THAT'S A THERP, THAT WANTS TO TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> SOMEONE IS BUYING A HALLOWEEN ATTRACTION, OTHERS ARE BUYING DECORATIONS AND KANDZ DID I.

>>> ACCORDING TO A SURVEY, ON AVERAGE AMERICANS BUY TWO BAGS OF CAPPED DID I FOR TRICK-OR-TREATERS AND A THIRD EAT THAT CANDY BEFORE THEY PASS IT OUT.

IF YOU'RE WONDERING THE FAVORITE, IT'S SWEET TARTS.

I'M AN OKLAHOMAN THROUGH AND THROUGH.

THERE USED TO BE SWEET TARTS IN THIS WITCH'S POT.

BUT NOT ANYMORE.

>> 52 PERCENT OF THOSE SURVEYED SAID THEY WON'T BE HANDING CANDY OUT AT ALL.

12 PERCENT QUOTE A PANDEMIC RELATED PRECAUTIONS, 23 PERCENT DON'T CELEBRATE HALLOWEEN.

AND 24 PERCENT BLAME INFLATION FOR SKIPPING OUT THIS YEAR.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT SURVEY, OVER HALF OF AMERICANS SPEND LEGS THAN $25 ON CANDY AND 85 PERCENT SPEND LESS THAN $50.

THE 3 PERCENT THAT SPEND OVER $100 ON CANDY MUST BE THE FOLK WHO HAND OUT FULL SIZE CANDY BARS.

INFLATION IS ALSO CAUSING THE COST OF COSTUMES TO GO UP.

>> WE WENT TO WAL-MART, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IT WAS A LITTLE EASIER, AND THEY SELECTED THEM, THEMSELVES >> PROBABLY MORE COST EFFICIENT THAN THE HIGHER END STORES >> COLE'S SON PICKED OUT A STORM TROOPER COSTUME AND HIS DAUGHTER IS DRESSING UP AS A FEAR LEADER.

SOMETIMES IT'S CHEAPER FOR THE FAMILY TO GET CREATIVE AND BOO IT THEMSELVES.

>> SOMETIMES WE GET CREATIVE AND MAKE OUR OWN COSTUMES.

MORE COST EFFICIENT AND FUN THAT WAY >> THE SAME GOES FOR HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS, MAYBE A DIY PROJECT WILL BECOME A HAUNTED HOUSE ONE DAY AS IN JOHN'S CASE.

[SQUEAKING DOOR] >> THIS WEEKEND IS OUR BIG WEEKEND.

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY.

HALLOWEEN'S ON A MONDAY.

>> 30,000 SQUARE FOOT SCARE GROUNDS HAVE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS.

ALL ON SCHEDULE TO PROVIDE THE BEST EXPERIENCE FOR GUESTS.

>> WE HAVE A MAGIC SHOW, AN AERIALIST, A BIRD SHOW, SIDE SHOWS.

WE HAVE MOVIE GOING.

EVERYBODY HATES TO STAND IN LINE.

SO WE HAVE THIS CONCEPT WHERE WHEN YOU COME AND GET YOUR TICKET, YOUR TICKET HAS A COLOR ON IT, RED, ORANGE, GREEN, BLUE, VIOLET.

EVERY 50 TICKETS IT SWITCHES COLORS.

YOU CAN GO OUT IN THE MIDWAY AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

WE HAVE BARBECUE AND SNOW CONES AND WE WILL CALL YOUR COLOR UP TO THE DOOR: THE D.J.

WILL SAY EVERYBODY WHO HAS A RED TICKET, GET IN LINE.

>> THEN THERE'S NO GOING BACK.

>> WHEN NOVEMBER ARRIVES ON TUESDAY, MANY PEOPLE WILL BE GETTING READY FOR THANKSGIVING.

UNLESS YOU ARE LIKE TAYLOR JACKSON AND SKIP OVER TO CHRISTMAS.

IF YOU'RE LIKE ME AND WANT ONE MORE EVENT, THE LIGHTS OUT VERSION OF THE TOUR WHERE GUESTS HAVE ONLY AN LED CANDLE TO LIGHT THEIR WAY ON NOVEMBER 4TH AND 5TH.

>> DULY NOTED.

THANK YOU.

>>> AND WITH THE REST OF THIS WEEK'S STATEWIDE ECONOMIC NEWS, HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> DUE TO RISING MORTGAGE RATES AND PROPERTY VALUES AFFORDING A HOME IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS BECOMING A BIT HARDER, A NATIONAL TREND IDENTIFIED BY REAL ESTATE ZILLOW.

THE REPORT SHOWS CURRENT HOME MORTGAGES TAKE MORE THAN 1/5 OF HOUSEHOLD INCOME ON AVERAGE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

NORMALLY THAT FIGURE WOULD BE 16.6 PERCENT OF A HOUSEHOLD'S INCOME.

ZILLOW SAYS HOME PROPERTY VALUES WOULD NEED TO DROP BY NEARLY 25 PERCENT TO RETURN TO THE NORMAL LEVEL OF AFFORDABILITY FOR A HOME IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BANK FIRST REPORTS THIRD QUARTER NET INCOME OF 55.4 MILLION DOLLARS COMPARED TO 38.8 MILLION FOR THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2021.

INCREASING INTEREST RATES AND LOAN GROWTH THAT POWER THE PROFITS FOR BANK FIRST THIS QUARTER, THE BANK REMAINS NEUTRAL ON A POSSIBLE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN IN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA, IT'S MAINTAINING CURRENT RESERVES FOR THE TIME BEING.

ARDMORE BASED NDS DIGITAL BEING ACQUIRED BY ALABAMA BASED HIGH LEVEL MARKING IN A MOVE TO EXPAND THAT COMPANY'S NATIONAL REACH.

NDS FOCUSES ON SEARCH OPTIMIZATION.

AND WEBSITE DESIGN.

HIGH LEVEL MARKETING WOULD USE ITS METRICS TECHNOLOGY -- THE TERMS IN THE DEAL WERE NOT DISCLOSED.

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA PITCHER K BROWN IS PART OF A NAME IMAGE LIKENESS PROGRAM BY GLUCOSE COMPANY GLEKS COM.

WATCHING DECS COM, THE FIRST EVER PROGRAM TO HELP CELEBRATE ATHLETES WITH DIABETES.

COMPETING IN FOUR SPORTS.

BROWN JOINED FROM MURRAY STATE COLLEGE THIS YEAR.

TULSA'S GAIT WAY FIRST BANK IS PROMOTING JOHN KIM AND ITS NEW CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER.

KEN WILL OVERSEE ALL ASPECTS OF THE COMPANY'S FINANCES AND ACCOUNTING.

IN HIS PREVIOUS VOEL HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MARKET ACTIVITY.

S THAT THREE YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE FINANCIAL INDUSTRY.

THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANKS.

OKAY.

WE'RE DOWN TO OUR FINAL TWO INTERVIEWS WITH THE CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.

THE INCUMBENT KEVIN STITT WILL JOIN US A WEEK FROM NOW.

TODAY MODERATOR SUSAN GOES IN-DEPTH TO DEMOCRATIC CHALLENGER, STATE SUPERINTENDENT, JOY HOFFMIEFTER.

>> WE HAVE INVITED TO THE STUDIO.

THE SAME LIST OF TOPICS FOR EACH CANDIDATE.

I WILL ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS IF I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN SAID.

WITH THAT, LET'S GET STARTED ON THIS WEEK'S INTERVIEW WITH DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE JOY HOFFMEISTER.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

>> IT IS SO GOOD TO BE WITH YOU AND BACK IN OETA STUDIOS >> WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK.

I'M GOING TO ASK THE EASY QUESTIONS FIRST.

TELL US AS THE VIEWERS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF, SOMETHING WE MAY NOT KNOW YET.

>> MY HUSBAND JERRY AND I RAISED OUR FOUR KIDS IN OKLAHOMA WITH -- THEY'RE ALL GROWN.

THREE ARE MARRIED AND WE WELCOMED OUR FIRST GRANDBABY JUST NINE MONTHS AGO.

SO WE THINK ABOUT ALL FAMILIES, BUT OF COURSE AS SOMEONE WITH A GRAND DAUGHTER, YOU THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE IN A WAY THAT MOST EDUCATORS DO.

AS WE HAVE SPENT THE LAST ALMOST EIGHT YEARS FOCUSSING ON THE NEEDS OF THE 700,000 SCHOOL KIDS.

>> IT JUST MAKES IT MORE REAL, RIGHT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SHARP FOCUS TO FUTURE.

WHAT WAS THE IMPETUS -- THE MOMENT YOU -- YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M GOING TO ACTUALLY DO THIS.

I'M GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR?

WHAT TRIPS THAT TRIGGER.

>> IT WASN'T A MOMENT.

IT WAS REALLY MANY THINGS LEADING UP TO JUST THE REALIZATION THAT OUR STATE IS AT A TIPPING POINT, THAT OUR SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY OUR RURAL SCHOOLS, ARE UNDER THREAT FOR CONSOLIDATION AND CLOSURE UNDER OUR CURRENT GOVERNOR.

WE KNOW THAT IN ORDER FOR OKLAHOMA TO HAVE A ROBUST ECONOMY AND -- I'M A TEACHER, BUT ALSO A FORM OTHER BUSINESS OWNER -- I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE AN EDUCATED HEALTHY WORKFORCE.

AND THERE ARE AREAS THAT WE NEED TO SUPPORT AND CERTAINLY FOR ME THAT MEANS STRONG RURAL EDUCATION AND THE ABILITY TO SEE OUR RURAL HOSPITALS AND HEALTH OPPORTUNITIESES AND MEDICAL CARE STAY STRONG.

>> SO YOU'RE TOUCHING IN THAT ANSWERING ALL THE TOPICS I DO WANT TO HIT ON.

FIRST ON THE ECONOMY, OKLAHOMA ENERGY, THE ENERGY SECTOR IS HUGE.

THE FOUNDATION OF THE ECONOMY IN OKLAHOMA.

THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT.

HOW DO PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA OR PEOPLE IN ANY AEROYEAH THAT HAS A STRONG DEPENDENCE ON ENERGY FOR ECONOMIC FOUNDATION, HOW DO YOU BALANCE THAT?

>> ENERGY MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE DEFINES THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED MORE ENERGY, NOT LESS.

AND AMERICAN ENERGY INDEPENDENCE IS AMERICAN SECURITY AND SAFETY.

AND WE KNOW THAT THAT ALSO IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR STATE'S ECONOMY.

AND WE WANT TO WORK TO ENSURE THAT OUR BUSINESSES RIGHT HERE THAT EMPLOY 90,000 POSITIONS, ALL ACROSS THE STATE, CONTINUE TO GROW AND THRIVE.

WE SHOULD BE A LEADER IN THE RESEARCH ALSO, ABOUT WHAT COMES NEXT IN THE NEXT DECADES WITH ENERGY: AND TODAY, UNFORTUNATELY WE'VE SEEN THAT LEAVE OUR STATE.

WE COULD BE ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS FOR THE NATION WITH WHAT'S NEXT.

AND KEEP THESE COMPANIES CONTINUING TO GROW.

>> WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN THAT, AS YOU SAID, SEEING IT LEAVE THE STATE.

WHY?

>> THE RESEARCH THAT IS BEING DONE IS NOT IN OKLAHOMA AT THE LEVEL THAT IT IS NOW IN OTHER STATES ON SOME OF THE EAST COAST.

AND THAT IS A CONCERN FROM LEADERS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR THAT WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT WORK RIGHT HERE.

>> WE TALK ABOUT EXPANDING THE ECONOMY, BEING LEADERS IN THE ENERGY SECTOR.

IT MEANS BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TO THE STATE.

THAT MEANS HAVING AN ENVIRONMENT THAT MAKES PEOPLE WANT TO COME, ESPECIALLY COMPANIES COME TO OKLAHOMA.

LET'S TALK ABOUT EDUCATION.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE EDUCATION ARENA, TALKING ABOUT THE VOUCHER SYSTEM?

I KNOW YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT A LOT.

AND PARENTAL SAFETY ON WHAT GOES OG IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> AS A PARENT OF FOUR PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN THAT WENT THE ENTIRE TIME PRE-K ALL THE WAY THROUGH 12TH GRADE AND THEN OU, AND OSU, FOR SOME OF MY KIDS, WE DO WANT TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY AND VOICE AND ENGAGEMENT OF FAMILY IN OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

SO MY GOAL THOUGH IS TO SEE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS STRENGTHENED.

GOVERNOR STITT HAS A VOUCHER SCHEME WHICH IS A RURAL SCHOOL KILLER.

YOU KILL THE SCHOOLS, YOU KILL THE COMMUNITY.

AND FRANKLY, IT'S GOING TO SEE AN IMPACT IN HEALTH AND REGIONAL HOSPITALS THAT WOULD COME NEXT.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR BEING COMPETITIVE AND READY FOR THE NEXT STEPS IN LEARNING OR THE WORKFORCE.

BUT YOU CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT GREAT TEACHERS, CARING, COMMITTED, EDUCATORS WHO ARE PREPARED AND WELL RESOURCED DAY ONE.

>> HOW ARE WE DOING WITH TEACHER PAY IN OKLAHOMA COMPARED WITH SURROUNDING STATES?

>> WE DID MAKE SOME GAINS, BUT THEN OTHER STATES HAVE ALSO RAISED THEIR PAY.

I'M CALLING FOR A $5,000 TEACHER PAY RAISE AGAIN.

IT IS TIME.

SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST BE THE TOP OF THE REGION, BUT BY 2025 I WANT TO SEE US HIT THAT NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> QUICKLY BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT TOPIC I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE VOUCHER SYSTEM.

WHAT ABOUT THE IDEA OF WEIGHTED VOUCHERS, NOT JUST RURAL SCHOOLS, WOULD THAT ENTICE OTHER SCHOOLS TO COME INTO THE COMMUNITY, OFFSETTING ANY LOSS TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL THERE, IF THERE IS ANY LOSS?

>> THE GOVERNOR IS READING OFF A NATIONAL SKRIMENT.

HE HAS DONOR OF A COPY AND PASTE AND DROP OTHER STATE'S LAWS INTO OURS.

AND HE HAS PUSHED THIS EFFORT.

AND ACTUALLY DOESN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND, THIS WILL KILL RURAL SCHOOLS.

AND IT ALSO MEANS THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY OUR FUNDING WORKS, KIDS IN ATLAS, OR CHEROKEE ARE GOING TO PAY THE TUITION FOR CHILDREN IN TULSA.

THAT'S NOT NOT RIGHT.

WE'RE RATED 47TH LOWEST IN THE NATION IN WHAT WE EXPEND FOR OUR CHILDREN IN EDUCATION.

THAT'S AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON BETWEEN OTHER STATES AND OKLAHOMA.

AND WE CAN'T AFFORD FOR MONEY TO BE WASTED AND THAT WILL HAPPEN.

THIS WILL BE EPIC ON STEROIDS.

>> I KEEP STAYING HERE, I'M SORRY.

WHAT IS YOUR SOLUTION BESIDES NO VOUCHER SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE STANDING?

>> MY GOD, LET'S ONCE AND FOR ALL FUND OUR SCHOOLS SO WE CAN HAVE TEACHERS IN EVERY CLASSROOM THAT ARE ABLE THEN TO STAY IN THE PROFESSION AND GIVE BACK TO THE CHILDREN AND KEEP COMMUNITIES STRONG.

IF WE DON'T -- I MEAN, THIS IS MY JOB.

AS STATE SUPERINTENDENT, IT IS TO HAVE TOP CHOICES IN NEIGHBORHOODS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

SOME OF THE BEST SCHOOLS WE HAVE ARE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

AND THIS GOVERNOR IS -- IS RISKING THE DISMANTLING OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

IT IS A STRONG PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT WILL CAUSE OUR STATE TO RISE IN ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

BUT THERE'S A STRONG TIE TO HEALTH OUTCOMES TOO.

THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM IMPACTS THE WORLD INSIDE EVERY SCHOOLHOUSE.

AND WE HAVE TO MEET OUR KIDS WHERE THEY ARE.

TODAY THEY HAVE VERY DEEP NEEDS.

AND THOSE NEEDS ARE FOOD INSECURITY.

THE VIOLENCE IN THE HOME.

TRAUMA THAT THEY'VE EXPERIENCED.

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS THAT ARE NEEDED AND LACKING.

AND ADDICTION TREATMENT.

ALL OF IT MATTERS.

WHEN WE THEN REALLY WANT TO GET DOWN TO BEING ABLE TO FOCUS ON STRONG MATH, STRONG READING SKILLS AND ENSURING OUR KIDS ARE READY FOR SUCCESS AFTER THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> I'M GOING TO MOVE ONTO THE NEXT TOPIC, THE ABORTION ISSUE IN OKLAHOMA.

FIRST OF ALL WHAT ARE JUR THOUGHTS ON THE STRINGENT ABORTION LAWS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW?

>> THE GOVERNOR'S VERY EXTREME ABORTION BAN IS A VERY GREAT CONCERN FOR MANY, MANY OKLAHOMANS.

I AM PERSONALLY PRO LIFE.

BUT I HAVE NOT WALKED IN EVERY WOMAN'S SHOES.

I DO NOT FAVOR EXTREMES ON EITHER SIDE OF THIS ISSUE.

THESE ARE HEALTHCARE DECISIONS, MEDICAL CARE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE MADE BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR, AND OFTEN WHAT WE SEE NOW TODAY IS THE GOVERNOR HAS SHOWN NO MERCY FOR VICTIMS OF RAPE OR INCEST.

THESE ARE EXTREME MEASURES AND IT IS DRIVING PHYSICIANS OUT OF OUR STATE DUE TO THE CRIMINALIZATION OF STANDARD HEALTHCARE.

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS DURING THE DEBATE, AFTER IT WAS POINTED OUT, DID HE SAY HE WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IF IT WAS PUT ON HIS DESK IN THE INSTANCE OF INCEST OR RAPE TO ALLOW ABORTIONS IN THAT CASE, OR -- >> I BELIEVE I HEARD HIM SAY THAT, BUT MY GOSH, WE'RE DOING -- WE ARE WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE HE INVITED THIS EXTREME BILL.

AND SIGNED IT.

>> YEAH.

>> AND NOW HE'S GOING TO REVERSE AND SAY HE WANTS TO CLEAN UP WHAT HE DID?

THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON WOMEN AND PHYSICIANS AND INVITES MISCARRIAGE BOUNTY HUNTERS AT $10,000 FEES, PITTING NEIGHBOR AGAINST NEIGHBOR.

IT'S JUST BAD FOR OKLAHOMA.

>> SHOULD THERE BE A TIMELINE ON, YOU KNOW, FIRST TRY -- ANYTHING AFTER FIRST TRIMEFTER, ANY CHANGES IN THE ABORTION LAWS, ANY CUTOFF IF ANY FOR ALLOWING ABORTION?

>> I BELIEVE IN SOME GUARDRAILS AND WE NEED TO WORK WITH MEDICAL COMMUNITY AND WITH THOSE THAT CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE FREEDOM AND PRIVACY OF MEDICAL DECISIONS.

BUT ALSO THROUGH THE LENS THAT WE WANT TO CELEBRATE AND PROTECT LIFE.

>> WANT TO MOVE ON TO TRIBES.

THE ENDORSEMENT THAT YOU RECEIVED FROM THE FIVE CIVIL LIFE TRIBES, WHAT DID THAT FEEL LIKE TO YOU WHEN YOU LEARNED THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN?

>> IT IS HUMBLING, TRULY AN HONOR AND IT IS HISTORIC.

THERE IS OFTEN -- THERE IS SOMETIMES EVEN DIVISION WITHIN THE 39 SOVEREIGN TRIBAL NATIONS IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT WAS UNPRECEDENTED, IS THAT WE HAD ALL OF THESE FIVE MAJOR TRIBES, AN AND OTHERS THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO SAY WE WANT TO WORK TOGETHER AS PARTNERS.

GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT WITH RESPECT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THAT WILL BE EASY OR DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE MCGERT SITUATION GOING ON.

SO IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO DO THAT, HOW DO YOU TACKLE THAT ISSUE WITH THE TRIBES?

>> SO THERE IS NEED FOR A COMPACT.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED IN FACT, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AT THE TIME HAD ALREADY PREPARED AND DONE THIS WORK.

AND IT DOES INVOLVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TOO, TO HAVE ACCOUNT -- TO ACTUALLY EXECUTE A COMPACT.

AND YET IT WAS NEEDED.

THIS GOVERNOR BURNED BRIDGES EARLY ON WITHOUT THE RESPECT FOR TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY, AND THEN HE WAS NOT ABLE TO WALK OVER THOSE BRIDGES THAT HE BURNED.

WE CAN FIND A WIN-WIN TO MAKE OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES SAFE AND TO HAVE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE CROSS -- OR JURISDICTION WITHIN THESE CRIMINAL MATTERS.

SO THAT THIS CAN BE SOMETHING THAT'S VERY CLEAR AND THAT WE DO NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE TO SEE A GOVERNOR WHO IS WASTING TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN UNWINNABLE LAWSUITS THAT ARE COSTING OKLAHOMANS D.C. LAWYER RATES AT 800 TO 1200 DOLLARS PER HOUR TO FIGHT WITHIN THE STATE.

THIS IS A MATTER THAT NEEDS TO BE SETTLED THROUGH COMPACTS WITH THOSE AFFECTED TRIBES.

AND I WILL BE AT WORK TO DO THAT WITH THE NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>> WE JUST HAVE A FEW MINUTES LEFT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

ANOTHER TOP ISSUE NATIONWIDE IS INCREASING CRIME RATES.

YOU BROUGHT THAT UP IN OKLAHOMA, THAT THE OKLAHOMA CRIME RATE IS HIGHER THAN NEW YORK CITY OR NEW YORK OR CALIFORNIA.

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?

IS I HAD NO IDEA THE RATE WAS HIGHER.

>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE TO FACE FACTS AND WE NEED TO STAY ON TOP OF DATA AND NOT IGNORE IT.

AS YOU SAW OUR GOVERNOR SCOFF AT THE FACTS.

IT IS UNDER HIS WATCH THAT WE HAVE A CANNABIS MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY THAT HAS BAD ACTORS.

THAT -- THIS WAS ON THE BALLOT.

THE PEOPLE SPOKE.

AT THE SAME TIME HE WAS ELECTED.

AND YET HE DID NOT STEP INTO OFFICE AND ADDRESS THE NEED TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.

WE DO HAVE COMMUNITIES AND -- I WAS IN A DINER IN A RURAL OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY, AND ASKED SOME DEA AGENTS THAT WERE HAVING COFFEE THERE NEXT TO ME, AND I ASKED: IS IT TRUE WHAT WE HEAR ABOUT CHINESE AND RUSSIAN MAFIA BEING HERE BECAUSE OF UNCHECKED REGULATION AND LAWS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN PUT IN PLACE TIMELY?

AND THEY AGREED, YES, IT IS TRUE.

WE ARE BATTLING AN OUT OF CONTROL MEDICAL MARIJUANA BAD GROWERS.

THERE ARE GOOD GROWERS THAT NEED TO BE PROTECTED.

BUT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS ALSO A GOVERNOR THAT ON HIS WATCH AND TIED TO CRIME IS THE SALE ALSO OF MORE FOREIGN-OWNED -- IN FACT 1.5 FOREIGN OWNED AND INTEREST LAND HERE IN OKLAHOMA AS WELL.

IT ALL IS PART OF HOW DO WE PROTECT RURAL OKLAHOMA?

AND IT IS A KEY PART OF MY FOCUS.

>> SINCE YOU BROUGHT UP THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY, HOW DO YOU WALK THAT BACK?

HOW DO YOU UNDO BHAES BEEN DONE?

IN THE INDUSTRY FOR OKLAHOMA?

>> WELL, THIS IS CERTAINLY A PROBLEM AND A MESS OF THE GOVERNOR'S OWN MAKING.

AND IT WILL TAKE THE NEXT GOVERNOR -- AND I WILL DO THAT.

BUT WE WILL WORK WITH THE INDUSTRY, WE WILL WORK TO PROTECT THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE GOOD BUSINESS OWNERS, THAT ARE COMPLYING WITH THE LAW.

AND WORK THEN WITH OUR LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE THE KIND OF OVERSIGHT BUT IT IS A -- CERTAINLY A PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.

AND I -- WE NEED A GOVERNOR THAT'S ACTUALLY CARING AND UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR STRONG SAFETY IN THIS STATE.

>> WONDERFUL.

JOY HOFFMEISTER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT WEEK INCUMBENT GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WILL BE HERE.

>> WE HIT THE ROAD WITH A BLACK OPERA, 20 BLACK ARTISTS FOLLOWING THE FOOTSTEPS OF CHARLIE PRIDE AND DARIUS RUBBINGER TO SHARE THEIR PASSION FOR COUNTRY MUSIC.

[MUSIC] >> WHEN I SAY TOO A PERSON THAT SAYS THAT COUNTRY MUSIC ISN'T FOR BLACK PEOPLE, I WOULD FIRST START OFF SAYING FIRST OF ALL COUNTRY MUSIC IS FOR EVERYONE.

I WOULD SAY THAT FIRST.

THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE IS FOR EVERYONE.

PARTICULARLY FOR THEM TO SAY IT'S NOT FOR BLACK PEOPLE, I'D SAY WE ARE COUNTRY MUSIC.

>> JUST A COUPLE OF KIDS, ALWAYS UP TO NO GOOD ♪ ♪ >> WE GREW UP IN SMALL TOWN, VERSAILLES, KENTUCKY.

COUNTRY MUSIC IS INGRAINED IN IT.

THERE ARE DEFINITELY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO CONSIDER IT THEIR GUILTY PLEASURE, A LOT OF BLACK PEOPLE WILL CALL IT THEIR GUILTY PLEASURE.

[MUSIC] >> I GET TOLD ALL THE TIME THAT COUNTRY MUSIC ISN'T FOR BLACK PEOPLE.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE INVENTED IT.

AND SO TO SAY THAT BLACK PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A PLACE IN SOMETHING THAT WAS CREATED OFF OF OUR HISTORY...

IT'S ACTUALLY VERY AMERICAN.

THIS IS NOT JUST A COUNTRY MUSIC PROBLEM.

IF YOU LOOK ACROSS ALL KINDS OF ART FORMS AND INDUSTRIES, THAT'S TYPICALLY WHAT HAPPENS, BLACK PEOPLE CREATE SOMETHING AND THEY GET PUSHED OUT OF IT.

[MUSIC] ♪ ♪ >> BEING BLACK AND COUNTRY MUSIC, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

WE JUST HAVEN'T BEEN THERE.

YOU KNOW?

BUT WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN -- OUR PRESENCE AND AURA HAS ALWAYS BEEN A GENRE.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN THERE AS A PHYSICAL PRESENCE.

TO NOW BE OUT THERE PHYSICALLY AND THE WAY WE ARE ABLE TO DO IT NOW, WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN THERE.

WE JUST NEVER BEEN IN THE FRONT OF IT.

[MUSIC] ♪ ♪ >> ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS THAT BLACK PEOPLE HAVE SEEN AS FAR AS BEING INCLUDED IN COUNTRY MUSIC IS JUST THE WAY THAT THE INDUSTRY STARTED.

LIKE THAT'S WHERE IT GOES BACK TOO FOR ME.

BACK IN THE 1920S WHEN BILL BOARD STARTED DOING THE CHARTS.

THEY HAD ALL THE SONGS ON THE CHARTS AND THEY REALIZED THAT BLACK PEOPLE AND WHITE PEOPLE WERE ON THE SAME CHART AND THEY WERE LIKE WE CAN'T HAVE THAT.

SO THEY SEPARATED THE MUSIC INTO THE HILL BILLY CHARTS AND RACE CHARTS.

AND REALLY THE ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS THE COLOR OF THE SKIN.

>> BEING BLACK IN COUNTRY MUSIC JUST MEANS TO BE YOURSELF AT ALL TIMES.

YOU CHOOSE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.

YOU CHOOSE WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL BEST.

AND SOMETIMES THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T GET IT.

AND THEY DON'T GET TO YOU AND THEY EXPECT CERTAIN THINGS FROM YOU.

IT'S NO DIFFERENT THAN BEING BLACK IN THIS COUNTRY.

[MUSIC] ♪ ♪ >> I THINK IT WAS PARTIALLY THE PANDEMIC THAT IMPACTED THE COUNTRY KIND OF TAKING A HARDER LOOK AT COUNTRY MUSIC.

BUT MORE SO I FEEL LIKE IT WAS THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

THAT WAS WHAT PARTICULARLY SPARKED ME TO LOOK AT COUNTRY MUSIC DIFFERENTLY.

BECAUSE I'VE ALWAYS LOVED IT AND ALWAYS KNOWN I DON'T FIT.

BUT ALSO COMPARTMENTALIZED THAT.

[MUSIC] ♪ ♪ >> THERE WAS SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC, WE DID NOT KNOW IF WE WERE EVER GOING TO PLAY A LIVE SHOW AGAIN.

WE DID NOT KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO MAKE ANY MORE MONEY EVER, DOING THIS THING WE LOVE.

SO THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE PANDEMIC AND HOW I WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH THAT, I WAS LIKE OKAY, I'M GOING TO GO HERE.

TAKE A PICTURE WITH THIS PERSON.

GO HERE, DO A QUICK VIDEO.

I'M GOING TO SHOW PEOPLE I'M PRESENT IN THIS TOWN.

I'M A PRESENCE IN THIS GENRE OF MUSIC.

AND THAT IT'S OKAY TO BE THAT WAY.

[MUSIC] ♪ ♪ >> I STARTED THE BLACK OPRY, BECAUSE I'M A FAN OF COUNTRY MUSIC AND I THINK THAT'S A PART OF THE STORY THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE MISS.

I REALLY, REALLY LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC.

LIKE EVERYTHING THAT'S COME OUT FROM ALL KINDS OF ARTISTS.

BUT I NEVER SAW MYSELF REPRESENTED IN IT.

AND SO I NEVER FELT LIKE I HAD A PLACE IN IT.

SO IT WAS SOMETHING I KIND OF ENJOYED VERY PRIVATELY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A REALLY BIG PART OF MY LIFE.

THE BLACK OPRY WAS CREATED IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME THAT ENJOY THIS KIND OF MUSIC.

>> I STARTED TO FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE CULTURE OF COUNTRY MUSIC.

LONG STORY SHORT I DECIDED TO CHANGE IT.

>> I ALWAYS SAY THAT THE BLACK OPRY OF EVERY TIME WE'RE TOGETHER FEELS LIKE A FAMILY REUNION, IT'S SOMETHING BIGGER.

IT'S ABOUT ALL OF US.

IT'S ABOUT CREATING A MOVEMENT IN THE GENRE THAT -- ABOUT INCLUSIVENESS AND AT THE SAME TIME IT'S ABOUT DIVERSIFYING THE COMMUNITY, THE CULTURE AND SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY IS IT OKAY, IT IS NORMAL TO BE A BLACK COUNTRY SINGER.

♪ ♪ [MUSIC] >> I FEEL LIKE THE BLACK OPRY IS WHAT IT MEANT TO NASHVILLE, WE'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO SIT AT THE TABLE WITH US BUT WE DON'T REALLY COMPLETELY NEED YOU TO PROVIDE EVERYTHING FOR US ANYMORE.

AND WE'RE -- BE A PART OF IT OR BE UPSET THAT YOU MISSED THE CHANCE TO BE A PART OF IT.

>> DON'T LET HOW YOU LOOK AFFECT WHAT YOU DO.

BECAUSE IF YOU'RE COUNTRY, AND THIS IS A GENRE THAT YOU WARRANT TO BE IN, THEN YOU JUST UNAPOLOGETICALLY DO IT.

[MUSIC] ♪ ♪ >> BE SURE TO JOIN US FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT WHEN WE CONCLUDE OUR SERIES OF INTERVIEWS WITH THE GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE.

KEVIN STITT WILL SIT DOWN FOR A 15 MINUTE CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR SUSAN GOODELL.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A DAY OF THE DEAD SELL OPERATION AT THE PARK.

VIDEO PROVIDED BY TANGLE PR, AND EDITED BY BRANDON DOWNY.

IF YOU ENJOY OUR NEWSCAST, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.

ALL OF US HERE IN THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, STAY WELL AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM [MUSIC] ♪ ♪