Sunday, March 12, 2006
Oklahoma Voices State Budget Forum
Whether it’s tax cuts, government waste, spending for social services or the proposed Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights, budgetary issues affect everyone in Oklahoma. KGOU rebroadcasts a panel discussion recorded last month at Moore-Norman Technology Center as part of a day-long State Budget Forum organized by the group “Alliance for Oklahoma’s Future.”

OETA’s Dick Pryor moderates a discussion on “Oklahoma’s Fiscal Priorities: Policy-making for Tomorrow and Beyond.” State Treasurer Scott Meacham, Republican Representative Chris Benge, Chair of the House Appropriations and Budget Committee, and Democratic Senator Jay Paul Gumm, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, discussed funding priorities this legislative session and took some questions from the studio audience.

Oklahoma Voices Political Special
KGOU rebroadcasts Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett’s annual State of the City address. Also, Fred Hall of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and a panel of state lawmakers discuss upcoming legislative issues affecting the business community. Guests include House Speaker Todd Hiett (R), Senator Glenn Coffee (R), Representative Jari Askins (D)and former Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson (D).

Katrina Evacuees Rebuild Their Lives in Oklahoma
We take a tour of Camp Gruber in Braggs, Oklahoma, which housed more than 1500 New Orleans residents displaced by Hurricane Katrina. We hear stories about the experiences of several evacuees and how their presence has impacted people who live near the military base. Guests include Lt. Pete Norwood of the OHP, Red Cross spokespeople Nellie Kelly and Mary Ogle, New Orleans evacuees Keith Brown and George Lovan, Charles McIntyre Junior of the “Our Place Café” and Braggs Resident Peggy Goade. Also, Rich Fisher of Public Radio Tulsa’s “Studio Tulsa” program speaks with Jack Holmes, CEO of the Tulsa-based energy company Syntroleum. They discuss innovative plans to extract and refine cleaner-burning, alternative fuels.

Oklahoma Voices Political Special - Part 1
KGOU speaks with several of Oklahoma's federally-elected members of Congress while they return home on break. We'll hear from Senator Tom Coburn and Representative Tom Cole (repeat of earlier interview) on a variety of issues including the occupation of Iraq, stem cell research and Congressional ethics rules. Also, Representative Frank Lucas takes questions from constituents on topics ranging from the price of gasoline to social security and the state of the economy.

Oklahoma Voices Political Special - Part 2
We air an hour of Rep. Ernest Istook's recent town hall meeting at the Ronald J. Norick downtown public library in OKC. Istook answers questions about tax laws, medicare, healthcare coverage and "pork barrel" legislation, among other topics.

The Great Outdoors
KGOU spends an hour in the Oklahoma wilderness, hunting snakes at the 40th Annual Rattlesnake Derby and Flea Market. We also take an afternoon trip down the North Canadian River in Watonga, sticking our hands in the mouths of giant catfish, and we re-visit last year’s Okie Noodling Tournament and Fish Fry in Paul’s Valley. Plus, KGOU’s Susan Shannon speaks with native Oklahoman poet-turned-musician Joy Harjo of the Creek Nation about her latest CD, “Native Joy for Real.”   View Slideshow (will take a few minutes to load for users on dialup connection.)

Oklahoma Voices Political Special
To mark the end of the 2005 Oklahoma Legislative Session, KGOU has convened a panel of journalists and commentators to review some of the highlights of the past four months. What were the biggest issues on the agenda, and what remains to be resolved next session? Guests include Robert Burch, host of OETA's Legislative Week; Janice Francis-Smith, Senior Capitol Reporter for the Journal Record business newspaper and OU Political Science Professor Keith Gaddie. We'll also speak with US Representative Tom Cole about his work in Washington. The online audio of the roundtable discussion is available for download at panelist Keith Gaddie's blog-- website

Oklahoma City Bombing Anniversary
KGOU speaks with a woman who served as a chaplain in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing and two women who worked as grief counselors. Robin Finnegan and Krista Flannigan also co-authored the book, TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH: LESSONS IN RECOVERY AND HOPE.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration -- Transcript
KGOU takes a tour of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather research and prediction facilities in Norman to learn just what goes into forecasting the weather, and how technology is playing an important role in saving human lives. We also review last month's elections with the leaders of the state Democratic and Republican parties, and Susan Shannon speaks to an author who's just written a comprehensive history of the state of Oklahoma.


Ballot Access and Oklahoma's Film Industry -- Transcript
KGOU's in-depth public affairs special. On the upcoming episode, KGOU explores why Oklahoma's strict ballot access laws have third parties in the state calling for electoral reform.