It has been 25,619 days since Koco signed on the air, bringing vital news and weather reports to the people of Oklahoma. Every impactful moment from the heartbreaking tragedies to the uproarious triumphs. One constant in our constantly changing world that you could turn to channel five every morning and night to see what's happening in your community. This is five alive news. And after each of those stories aired, they went here to our archive shelves where many have been sitting ever since never to be seen again until now. And now Koco is bringing those stories back to life. Good evening everyone. I'm Jessica Shambach. Our archive thousands of tapes is now digitized, ready to share with you again. So what way to celebrate our 70th anniversary than reliving those moments with you? We found tornado coverage unlike anything you'll see anywhere in the country. We found *** listers known around the world getting their start right here in our state. We found moments that Oklahoma took its own starring role on the national news stage. We found the games and high lights that are burned into the memories of sports fans and we found those moments that could only happen right here on channel five. Thanks to our incredible group of talented journalists who have filled these halls over the years. So tonight, 70 years of history through our lens, starting with *** look at just how we got where we are today. About every section of town has its own shopping center and that makes for easy, convenient living. Back in the 19 fifties, this was downtown Oklahoma City. There's always something going on in Oklahoma City. Fast forward to *** decade later. These are the scenes of *** disease called blight which like *** deadly mold has settled on our downtown and is killing it an urban renewal plan to make OKC *** city of the future this tumor can be removed through *** dramatic renewal plan which is designed to guarantee downtown rebirth. The city hired renowned architect and urban planner. I am pay the pay plan ended with significant buildings demolished vacant lots and controversy. The Biltmore Hotel was torn down in the seventies to make way for the myriad botanical gardens. Now, in this area, we're going to build one of the most imaginative beauty spots anywhere in the world, let alone in the heart of *** downtown business district. And through this area, there's going to be *** canyon with *** lake at the bottom of it. The plan did bring other new projects including the Myriad Convention Center in 1972 which later became the cox Convention Center and now Prairie Surf Media. Oklahoma City's major revitalization started in the nineties. Don't. Last night, the partying began as voters approved maps. Now the work begins as the organizers begin to map out the strategy for making it reality *** year from now *** year and *** half from now, there ought to be *** lot of construction going on. Voters passed maps one *** penny sales tax to fund everything from the now Chickasaw Bricktown ballpark, workers are putting the final touches on the finished ballpark. This is Oklahoma City's field of dreams. You could easily say there's not *** bad seat in the house, even the dugouts first class. One of the things I like to show people the most is the batting tunnel downstairs. That's really kind of *** major league caliber amenity that *** lot of AAA ball park don't have the Bricktown Canal. July 2nd, 1998 the official groundbreaking for the Bricktown Canal, what city leaders call the People's project? Any project in Oklahoma City's history that has been up by and for the people. It is the, it's hard to believe just one year from this to this. The vision is now reality and Oklahoma City celebrates the People's Canal and the Ford an arena that didn't come without push back. This is what map leaders wanted when they designed the $84 million sports facility, *** state of the art center with an NHL team but there's no team and this old building is still standing, at least for now. We will look all the more foolish and the city will look all the more foolish if we construct *** building for which there is no use. I think it is *** raw deceit of the taxpayers. If we decide not to build this building, this is the last window of opportunity for this city to get this type of facility built in this town. The Continental Baking Company building was leveled, making room for what's known today as the paycom center home of the Oklahoma City. Thunder. The Ford Center grand opening was quite literally *** circus. While circus stars warm up. The Ford Center staff gears up for their grand opening event. *** circus. It's uh actually, it's, it's kind of organized chaos as downtown Oklahoma City transformed into the two thousands. If anything is going to be *** healing process for victims and survivors and family members, it's going to be the memorial, it's going to be there 24 hours *** day. They can visit it any time they want. The Oklahoma City National Memorial was dedicated as *** symbol of resilience and rebirth. Five years after one of the city's darkest days. May you keep your light shining on this place of hope where memories of the lost and the meaning of America will live forever. May God bless you and God bless America. Two years later in 2002. It's the spirit of *** new frontier. That was awesome. It was too much for words, it was, I'm proud of our state. I'm proud of what we've done. I'm proud of what we've been through and this is just *** tremendous occasion for Oklahoma brings tears to your eyes. It does thousands packed the State Capitol Complex lawn celebrating *** long awaited dome atop the Capitol building. This is where you typically do the drum roll. So, but we we haven't quite choreographed that. Welcome to the New Age of Oklahoma City. Nothing has changed the city skyline like the Devon Tower. This building will change the definition of Oklahoma City, whether you like it or not, it will, people will think about themselves differently from *** model in 2008 to *** 50 story skyscraper in 2012 towering over downtown, the tallest building in the state for now. Frankly, I think sent *** signal to the reson that Oklahoma is *** great place to do business. It's *** city on the move that's vibrant. That's exciting. I think there will be additional changes to our skyline going forward. It's hard to imagine anything topping this. But I I know not to underestimate the power of Oklahoma City. The Sky Dance Bridge inspired by *** scissor tailed flycatcher. The state bird opened in 2012 time is running out for opponents and supporters of maps three. Well, on its way to becoming *** Big League city, Oklahoma City voters passed another maps initiative maps three responsible for the new Oklahoma City center downtown and just across the street, Scissor Tail Park. This is *** historic moment as well as the Oklahoma City street cars connecting downtown to bricktown, midtown and automobile alley keeping that momentum. My guess is *** lot of these maps square projects will happen in pieces throughout the 10 years of implementation. But it's really important to be patient. Voters approved maps four in 2019 to once again update the city's landscape and lifestyle, bringing *** new animal shelter, fairgrounds, coliseum and multi purpose stadium to OKC. Soon, this is our generation's chance to leave our legacy on Oklahoma City's Renaissance story. As we look to the future, we see *** new downtown thunder basketball arena set to open in about five years. This is the moment we have all been waiting for. It has arrived to see how tall we can get and perhaps the country's tallest building right in the heart of Bricktown. I think we're ready for all snapshots in time of an ever changing, ever growing city. What will it look like in 70 more years? We'll capture it through the KOC lens. As our team dug through the KOC archives, we found several times where our cameras caught up with the world's most powerful, the president of the United States. One of the nice things about being president is you get to go to *** lot of very important places. Just recently, I've been in Mexico City, I've been in Jerusalem. I've been in Cairo, Egypt and now to Elk City, Oklahoma City changed us all the president is now shaking her Brecht's hand. President Obama making history becoming the first sitting president to ever visit *** federal prison in El Reno. The president talking about the need to reform sentences for drug crimes. His tour wrapping up *** two day visit that started in Durant. Thank you. Ok. And the list of people Ko has interviewed over our 70 years is staggering and just many of them weren't even *** big deal when our cameras first found them. I've been digging through the archives to bring you the moments. We showcased Oklahoma entertainers time to roll out the red carpet across the Oklahoma plain. That's something that's amazing, isn't it? Over the past 70 years, Koco has showcased stars from the sooner state. The appeal to the common man, right? And where else would we start in our archives? But the country music stage, UCD and brand new cds should not be sold out of the same store. Back in the early nineties, Garth Brooks had strong opinions about cds. I feel that I am right in this situation and if it does cost me everything that I have, that's fair. Well, regardless of how you listen to Garth, the bottom line people, listen, I really think that Garth Brooks has the potential to be the Elvis of this era. And certainly in 1992 no one has been more popular around the country than Garth Brooks or more identified with Oklahoma. And our cameras were rolling for this moment. Back in 1992 Garth is *** Yukon native and today the street in front of his old high school was named after him. This business is noted for the awards that it gives, but it's things like this that are really cool because you know, there's the only one Y in Oklahoma and uh that makes me feel very special. And garth you weren't the only one to get your own street cameras rolling as Shao's own Carrie Underwood was honored after winning American Idol and now *** full circle moment. Carrie will now be an American Idol judge right here on Koc five and going through the archives, we found *** treasure trove of Toby. This is where I live. I live my whole life. So this is my home, my home, my home people. So it's *** big time means more than anything I'll ever get. 20 years ago being named Oklahoman of the year. We covered his never failing love of his hometown of Moore, his passions supporting the military and of course, spending time with our troops overseas every spring around uh Memorial Day, we go to Baghdad and Afghanistan and spend *** couple of weeks over there playing for my boys and Children with cancer. To stop cancer right now. And everybody's in *** fight to try to cure. That was Toby Keith talking to us back in 2006 about his work to support Children and their families through *** cancer battle. Toby died in February of 2024 after *** long battle with cancer himself. If you're *** sooner fan, like here we are, we're gonna cheers to Toby and just *** few days after his death, the Os U Cowboys and Toby's beloved Oklahoma Sooners joined together to raise one in his honor. Our cameras also following Vince Gill throughout the years. *** little bit of that in because I come from here. Of course, Blake Shelton. Yeah, I just, uh, it's pretty, it's pretty simple lifestyle I lead when I'm home. You know, I was *** jerk before I started having hits. So I got into this naturally. Just *** jerk, still *** jerk. You know, I've never changed. I'm proud of it. That's Blake with our Jessica Shambach during the fan favorite gone country segment. And that wasn't the first time Jess interviewed Blake *** couple of years before Blake used his talents to help Oklahomans struggling with extreme weather just proves to you that there's always going to be something in Oklahoma. Uh As far as natural disasters go that people are gonna be in need, you know? Oh, and you didn't think I forgot about our reba mcintyre. Did you starting with this clip? Nearly 40 years ago, Reba even hosting Good Morning America over our airwaves back in 1989 and I'm Reba mcintyre. And this morning we're in Oklahoma and long time boyfriend, actor, Rex Lynn, also an Oklahoma native, even helped Koco Five raise money for the regional Food Bank. Oklahoma. I'm Rex Lynn and I'm Reba mcintyre. Since we're both from Oklahoma, we wanted to ask you all *** little favor and it's not just country music stars. What about our homegrown actors? What about Lama's Hollywood hero, Chuck Norris? I was talking to *** couple of the drivers to James Marsden. I can't think of the proper adjective to describe this. The late James Garner. We're talking with James Garner, famous Oklahoman. Welcome home. Thank you. It's always good to be here and we can't talk about Oklahoma entertainers without talking entertainment. Oh, movies and shows that were shot here. The town's claim to fame is its appearance in the 1996 movie Twister. Exactly the welcome I was expecting or even based on our state. Do you think this is going to destroy the moral life of the community? These Oklahoma kids dancing under *** disco ball inspired the iconic film Footloose. The Osage took their name from Missouri and Osage Rivers and homegrown Reed Drummond, the pioneer and we sat down with her in 2017. Well, *** pioneer woman in the strict sense of the word is ***, you know, *** woman who blazed the trail back in the pioneer days, but over time, it's kind of taken on *** new meaning and I think anybody can be *** pioneer woman. It's kind of about, you know, going to places you might not be necessarily comfortable with and kind of blazing your own trail and whatever it is you do. And here in Oklahoma and Koco five, the curtain isn't closing anytime soon. I've been *** cowboy and I've been *** lot of other things on the screen, but really, I'm partial to cowboys. We look forward to covering another fun 70 years of Oklahoma star power. When people ask you where you're from, if they don't know already and you say Oklahoma, it's that whole thing of sincerity. And Abby, your family is cemented in Oklahoma TV. History. Just, it was fun going back through the archives. We found this clip of my Grandpa Jack, my desk actually just *** few feet away from where he used to record here in the Koco Five studios. And speaking of, we're taking *** look back at some of the names and faces Koco viewers will never forget. But first, as we had to break the sights and sounds of the 1990 Oklahoma State Fair. These are open. Come on in, we're gonna do it again one more time. First stop. You're gonna win big on the midway right here. Test your agility. All right now, tell me while I'm getting up here. How, how, how do you win at this one. What's the secret? First off, you step up on the bag, stand up. All right, I'm on the bag. Climb up the ladder. Keep your cheese and cheese to the, to the, to the sides. Like that one. The same peg never on the same peg. Ha ha. Next, next uh next move, next move. The last we took *** tour of the entire town that had *** lot of great people. Some of the folks are still on this train with us right now, Koco on the road, *** staple of our broadcast for so many years and we brought it back this year to celebrate 70 years. We are wrapping up on the road Day, five out of five here in Moore, Oklahoma, Enid Shawne Guthrie uconn, and more show up in big ways to celebrate with us. And it was such *** great chance for those of us here at the station to meet so many of you. And right here on our history while here at Koco, we have so many of those recognizable names and faces that greeted thousands of Oklahomans over the decades. And I learned so much about those pieces of Oklahoma history that be right into your homes right here from KFC. Hello everybody. We're the mccain brothers. Just *** few of the faces on Koc. The viewers knew and loved qualified people who take *** personal responsibility, those who set the bar and broke barriers. They do expect to have the lumber yard back in some kind of working order legends at Koco Five News and two of the biggest, the dynamic duo Ho Ho and Pokey. Love them plenty of sandwiches. Of course, Ho Ho was coming to my birthday party, but it probably was, I think it was the only Ho ho birthday party that I ever went to and it was mine, Carol Lehman, one of countless Children back then who ho ho the clown would make special birthday appearances for on air. Ho ho played by Ed Bertha and his sock puppet sidekick that Bill Howard brought to life. We're also going to have some interesting stories from this little old world of ours offered an escape to easier days in childhood. Another notable face at five I Blackburn or Ida B. We first saw her playing *** teacher on the kids show, Romper Room, the IDA B show. Later her interviews on the Ida B show made her *** household name. You won't need your heavy coat. Today, we're in the mild fifties and sixties brothers, Butch and Ben mccain hosted *** wildly popular morning show on channel five interviewing big names including actors and musicians. And we must mention the Jude and Jody show. The two friends hosted *** country music program on channel five during the 19 sixties and seventies. I'm *** small little guy, 100 and three pounds, but I'm *** big, big ham and *** big name to viewers on Friday nights. For years count Gregor would bring his ghoulish grin to TV screens in count one of America's original horror show hosts, John Ferguson holds memories of that time close to him with *** collection of posters and pictures. He even does public appearances. Looking back, John often thinks of the impact he had on viewers. I had *** platform and I got very blessed and very lucky that I could get on that platform and do something. This is Bible live news. Over the years, our viewers have trusted the many journalists at Koco five news, Jack Ogle on Friday night in Dallas Texas before Nou Texas game. Nobody really cares. Jane J Ro, former Miss America. I got to say your name on the news and the station's first female anchor. This is Five alive News, the station in the sixties reporting on race relations, segregation, and the fight for equality and justice, everything that people were seeing on television um when it came to black issues, it was negative. And um Oklahoma has *** very rich black history. Joyce Jackson blazed *** new trail as the first black woman on television in Oklahoma right here on Koco Joyce Jackson. Five, *** live news and other talented journalists followed reporter and weekend anchor, Ben Tipton OC Os first black morning anchor, Barbara Gier, Enoch, Kelly Haney and Cherokee Ballard. Pretty fantastic to be able to be representing Native American people and native American women who wanted to do what I was doing for *** living, who knows? We may be telling stories from your town tomorrow. And then there's Jerry Bonds, an Emmy Award winning journalist who started *** Channel Five in 1984. It's not *** bad deal. What viewers will remember the centennial tour with Jerry and Ron Stahl plus Oklahoma pride and the tours she took around the state inside Sky Five. Channel Five gave me the opportunity to get to know this state. I was *** total newcomer and from newcomer to being inducted into the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame in 2008. Today, Jerry is still proud of all she accomplished at Koco. We produced *** product that would make every Oklahoman say, well, I didn't know that I didn't know there were wagon wheel ruts in Hinton, Oklahoma and Red Rock Canyon. I didn't know how much influence the Polish immigrant population had in Hara or the Czech immigrant population in um Prague. This year, Koco celebrates 70 years on air and those seven decades full of memorable characters, Kylie Walker, Koco five news. One of the things we take most seriously here at Koco is our weather coverage. You've trusted us to keep you safe from the storm for 70 years, but our coverage hasn't always looked like it does. Now we're taking you back through some of the chases you have to see to believe 1978 the month Sky five made its KOC debut. Since that moment. We've been able to see all kinds of things from *** bird's eye view from police chases to wildfires. Sometimes even going from news gatherer to first responder. Our view from the air, the only helicopter flying every weekday morning, they said, ok, if you like from the heat of summer to the freeze of winter and all the storms in between. Oklahomans have seen it all when it comes to the weather. Our Koco first alert weather team has been with you through the worst of our weather. Here's some of what we have witnessed in our station, 70 years on the ground. He saying, take cover now take cover now. And I thought, you know, there's somebody that's actually paying attention to this town. And in essence, me, if there's one thing you can count on when it comes to severe weather in Oklahoma, it's KOC five K five is the only one that, that stayed with us for 70 years. Koc has helped Oklahomans navigate severe storms, see *** very wide cone shaped tornado about *** year after we came on the air. As KGEO, the city of Blackwell was hit with *** devastating F five tornado. It was very scary. I was finishing the first grade. 23 people died that night. The mayor at the time talked about the town's long road to recovery. I don't believe there was much power in boosting the morale. I think it's like most disasters, it brings out the best of the RN people can kind of slap them down but you can't count them out. Early inters stations history. Like after the 1955 Blackwell F five damage was captured with still images and in rare instances, some black and white video, what's believed to be the first tornado captured by Koco on black and white video was in the early 19 sixties showing *** tornado near Perkins in the 19 eighties. Koco broke barriers with the first alert. That little map that you see on our television screen during severe weather was born right here at Koco due to technological capabilities, visible vortex rotation, tornado on the ground weather event were typically recorded and shown on television in their aftermath on the ground. But in 1992 Koco made television history now probably about *** mile to our north, capturing the first tornado in the world live on air. Never before have spotters brought you pictures like these. We call the technology first picks basically *** frame of video and it scans it down line by. And soon after that, Koco became the first in OKC to capture *** tornado in the dark. The only way you can see is with that night scope. Since the beginning, our technology here at Koco has been helping us bring you the very best pictures and information. But in the nineties forecasting, the weather has gone high tech in 1995 we installed what was high tech at the time, the first Doppler radar, that technology is what helped us bring you the first alert on May 3rd, 1999 we watch the news and they said it was coming. The day was one of the worst days in our state's history for severe weather. We were hardest hit here in Moore in South Oklahoma City on this day, 60 tornadoes touched down in the state. I can't believe I've waited my whole life to see one and it is something now including an F five that headed straight toward Kelly Elementary and more. Our technology expanded in the early two thousands with how we were getting information to you in the event of *** power outage. The first alert storm team will keep you posted through weather warn five. It can alert you by email pager or both. Just go to channel oklahoma.com. Click on the weather section. Then weather warn five. This was May 8th 2003. This tornado was just slightly weaker than the one that hit the metro in 1999. Still an F four. It was on the ground for 17 miles hitting Tinker Air Force Base in the GM plant in February 2007. The national weather service made *** change to how tornadoes were rated, moving from the FITA scale to the Hance FITA scale from now on tornadoes would have an EF rating. Another piece of technology we used during severe weather sky five which first launched for us in the seventies, capturing the storm's aftermath in 2008. And I gathered everybody up when we went to the cellar. But first I went and looked outside and I saw the tornado coming. So it was really huge. I knew it was going to be bad. May 10th, 2008. There are at least 11 tornadoes across Oklahoma and northwestern Arkansas. Clearly, this is *** violent tornado. You never think it will happen to you. And then it does. Even when I was driving up here, I didn't think that it'd be our. He May 24th 2011. Oklahoma experienced an outbreak of tornadoes. Sky five getting, this is multiple twisters touched down including an EF five north of El Reno, near Piedmont, nine people died. It's not as common, but we also see severe weather in the fall. That's something we really have to be concerned with. You can't let your guard down in this state, November of that same year. 2011 and EF four tore through Tipton, Oklahoma. This was the first November ef four tornado in the state since records began in 1950. Then there was May 20th, 2013 and EF five. Ok. We're talking about, uh, just west of I 35. This is going to be especially just right around the Warren Theater, the Moore Medical Center, Royal Park Moore. This is all on the west side of I 35. You are in the path of this tornado and it was right here in Moore, Oklahoma. 25 people died, including several Children, three schools were hit. This tornado basically came in on the west end of our city and went all the way through the east end. So it was *** bigger path than any tornado we've had before. This storm marks the last E five tornado ever recorded in the world. I know this area very, very well. All right, this is home to me. So I'm very familiar. I remember afterwards just seeing the pictures and thinking, oh my gosh, like I have never seen *** storm do that type of damage. Uh You know, this was well over *** decade ago. Um I had only been in this position for *** little while and I had learned about tornadoes. I had studied tornadoes but to see it firsthand, um, was, was *** day that I will never forget. 2013 changed *** lot for us. Oklahomans, including right here at Koco five after one of the worst springs on record. But we look to the future and invested in new technology and one of our greatest assets to make that happen came in 2016 with first alert storm command and our 360 cameras. It didn't take long for storm command to be put to the test May night. 2016, *** classic tornado outbreak hit in 2017. Storm command was out capturing storms in the northwest part of the state on Easter Sunday and later *** damaging tornado in Elk City in May now is the time to take action. Don't wait. In 2019, Oklahoma had 149 tornadoes the most on record for the state in one year. It's gonna hit that house. Oh, no, May 4th 2022. *** long track ef two left behind *** damaged swath across Seminole County. That's where the rotation is. That's where the tornado is right now. Let's zoom out *** little bit more. And, uh, man, just *** lot of destruction happening right now on the northwest side of uh, of mo this tornado would grow to *** mile wide, multiple vortex tornado hitting the town of Seminole directly and continuing on for 31 miles. Then there was February 2023 when an EF two destroyed homes and businesses in the Norman area. It's really an eerie situation right now because we can see the power flashes is right in the parking lot. I mean, for me, it's just distinct for me with the more torna in 2013. Uh, the smell of pine in the air. I'm fairly confident that this is on the ground and, uh, I got up and then the wind just threw me back and that brings us to this year, our 70th year as *** station still bringing you the first alert in April alone, we saw 55 tornadoes in our state. That's the most we've seen in the month since record keeping began just between April 27th to the 28th. We had 39 of those most significantly. The tornado in Marietta rated an E four in EF three S in Sulfur in Holdenville. We have been with you for over 12 hours straight. Now, this year, we also have another upgrade in technology with *** new storm command ready to bring you the first alert. The next time severe weather strikes sky five hasn't just covered weather here. Our Koco helicopter went to New Orleans after hurricane Katrina so we could bring you those stories. It's just one example of Koco reporting the local ties to major national, the moments every American remembers. We'll take you there next. But right now, the historic Round Barn in Arcadia got *** face lift back in 1992 as we had to break *** look at the party when this piece of history was revived almost four years ago. The old round barn look like this, but with *** lot of volunteer hours and effort, the historical landmark now has *** new look that's cause for celebration. This barn probably didn't get this type of reception when it was built back in 1898. But today people have come from all over to see the barn that's been restored as close as possible to the original condition I came from Midland Texas on Wednesday. I've seen it all month, the last 30 years around here about to fall in and it being renewed. Yes, it does mean something to us. I came with my parents pretty interesting because it's old and historical and pretty neat. It all began last February when the gannet news service and Five Alive began describing the abuses suffered by juveniles in the state's training schools. Over the years, Koco has become known for important and impactful reporting reporting that holds the powerful accountable and brings about change through seven decades. One example stands above the others. *** series in the early 19 eighties called Oklahoma. Shane focused on abuses at homes for Children with special needs. In early June, the second round of senate hearings were held and they proved to be extremely damaging to the Department of Human Services. The reporting led to *** number of key resignations and played *** role in the founding of the Oklahoma Institute for Child advocacy. This Peabody award, the highest honor an American journalist can get was given to the Koc team in 1982. Koc would win another Peabody for of the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building along with two other TV stations in the OKC market. That's just one time our reporters found themselves covering the landmark moments of our nation's history. Throughout the last 70 years, Kosco journalists have been digging to find how Oklahomans were connected to those major national stories. I found several examples including moments of crisis and war May 11th, 1972 I I was flying an F 152 place Colonel Bill Talley was *** fighter pilot who was taken as *** prisoner of war. The Vietnam War lasted from November 1st 1955 to April 30th. 1975 more than 58,000 Americans died. About 1000 of them were Oklahomans. The state's connection to the war runs deep at Tinker Air Force base. And Fort Sill, Tinker supplied logistics and communications aid to units in Southeast Asia. It's always been, they do things here that you don't see in other places. Fort Sill supported American interventions and sending troops to fight through the years. Koco has shared the stories of Oklahoma. Vietnam veterans and the ceremonies honoring their service in 1972 Watergate political controversy in the US during Richard presidency, *** group of burglars caught breaking into Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC. Carl Albert born in mcallister served as Speaker of the US House of Representatives during this time. He chose to refer presidential impeachment resolutions to the House Judiciary Committee twice during the scandal. Albert was second in succession to the president and I had no prior knowledge of the Watergate break in Oklahoma's connection to Watergate doesn't stop there. James mccord born in OAA served as head of security for Nixon's re election campaign. He and four other accomplices were arrested during the second break in the arrest ultimately led to Nixon's resignation, fellow Americans. Our long national nightmare is over. Oklahoma has many ties to space exploration. This morning space program experienced *** national tragedy in January of 1986. The space shuttle challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight. All seven crew members died for Charlie dry. *** former NASA test pilot from Oklahoma. The tragedy was personal. He knew and trained Christa mcauliffe, the teacher who was set to go into space that day. Yeah, they come back very often but sometimes when he comes back, he's pretty tough. Gordon Cooper in 1963 piloted the longest and last Mercury space flight. He became the first American to spend an entire day in space, the first to sleep in space and the last American on an entirely solo orbital mission. General Thomas Stafford was the commander of the Apollo 10 mission. He performed the first international rendezvous and docking where three American astronauts worked with two Russian cosmonauts when they shook hands. It was known as the handshake in space. Shannon Lo said from Bethany was selected by NASA as one of the first American female astronauts. She set the record for the most hours in orbit by *** woman. Oklahoma is the only state to have astronauts who have been involved in every phase of the United States space program. My God, my God, this is an airplane crash over here it fell. Oh, Lord. It makes me feel so bad. I can't take it. It's *** day. We'll never forget September 11th, 2001, it was the deadliest terrorist attack on us soil. Nearly 3000 people died, including these Oklahomans three at the World Trade Center and three at the Pentagon. Some of the first responders killed in the attack were part of the rescue and recovery teams that responded to the Oklahoma City bombing. I wish, you know, there had been something else there that we could, you know, discovered to arrest the man on and then uh found some evidence that *** clue that's Oklahoma highway patrol Trooper Seal Parkins. Five months before the attack. Trooper Parkins pulled over this man for speeding and not wearing *** seat belt, spoke English quiet, nothing unusual, not nervous. The man was later identified as one of the terrorists on *** plane that crashed into the Pentagon. His name was also identified in the indictment of *** now convicted terrorist who once attended *** flight school in Norman from hurricane Katrina are just starting to be felt here in was the only Oklahoma City station in New Orleans as hurricane Katrina made landfall in August of 2005. The evacuation order came this afternoon as you can see down there, the streets virtually empty at ghost town. Thousands of Katrina evacuees came to Oklahoma. Many of them staying and making this their new home. The devastation from Katrina resulted in the New Orleans Hornets to temporarily relocate to Oklahoma City. The way the city hosted, the team paved the way for the Oklahoma City thunder when the settlement was reached with the Seattle Supersonics for 70 years. KOC has been your source for not just local headlines. We're also there for the stories making headlines across the country. The KOC team is dedicated to sharing all the Oklahoma connections. Koco five news throughout our history, Koco has put *** focus on community leaders and Oklahoma City has had no leader greater than Clara Looper. And I think each one of you can testify to your notebook that each day that I walked in this, I have done this story honored the iconic teacher and civil rights leader on her retirement from the school system decades after she led students in *** series of sit ins that led to the integration of *** number of OKC businesses. And you can imagine the number of times the Koco report has found themselves inside the state capital building at 23rd and Lincoln as I dug through our political coverage, I found *** series of twists and turns as well as cases of history repeating itself over and over. We have covered one of *** kind political stories as well as stories decades old that still feel familiar. Oklahoma is about as dependable *** red state as you can find these days. But if you thought Republicans always ruled the sooner state. You'd be very wrong. Henry Bellman long considered in Oklahoma, the father of the Republican Party Koco covered the election of Henry Bellman in 1962. The first Republican governor in state history. But Democrats were not done after Bellman was Republican Dewey Bartlett. But then three more Democrats, David Hall, David Bore and George Nye before Bellman for the second time broke the blue streak with his election back to the governor's mansion in 1986. But the party flip flopping continued. First Democrat David Walters, then Republican Frank Keating and then in 2002, Koco covered the tightest race for governor Oklahoma has ever seen and no one will work harder than we will. Democrat. Brad Henry considered *** massive underdog upset former congressman and Football Hall of Famer Steve Largent by less than 7000 votes. That's just over one half of 1%. I can tell you that I went through *** panoply of emotions. Now evening anchor Jessica Shambach covered Steve Largent's concession speech in Tulsa just months into her new job as *** Koco reporter, Republican Steve Largent says he would have called *** recount only if he trailed Brad Henry by 1000 votes or less. But the fact is is that he is governor and that's the bottom line. He is going to be in that office. Henry served two terms as governor, the final Democrat to hold that office. But his replacement was also historic. That's Congresswoman Mary Fallon the latest to announce her plans to fill current Governor Brad Henry's seat. I just believe Oklahoma strong leadership and *** new voice as Mary Fallon became Oklahoma's first female governor followed of course by current Governor Kevin Stitt now serving his second term. Hundreds of Oklahoma county commissioners and suppliers begin *** trek to federal court. Some Oklahoma politicians made history not for their victories but for their scandals. This is now according to the Department of Justice. Numerically, the biggest public corruption case in the history of the United States, more than 200 will plead guilty, be convicted of income tax fraud and receiving kickbacks. The corruption was so widespread. Investigators eventually traced it back to 60 out of Oklahoma's 77 counties. They don't call it corrupt. They call it the good old boy syndrome. He's *** good, oh, the judge is *** good old boy and the sheriff's *** good old boy and the commissioners are good old boys. So when those good old boys get through, you know, rifling the public safe. Oh, that's ok. He's *** good old boy. And when they get caught, they don't get punished. But the sooner state history of course is more than just the people in power. It's also about the issues debated in the state Capitol and around the dinner table. This is the 10 Commandments monument placed right here on public ground right in front of the Haskell County courthouse. Despite the fact there's *** church right across the street even more, right around the corner *** little bit after midnight, Oklahoma executed the 12th death row inmate to be executed since the reinstatement of the death penalty. Back in 1977 I was happy he won't hurt nobody from religious displays on government property. This is the death cell at the state prison at mcallister to debates over the death penalty. Koc Os past coverage has similarities to current headlines as does Oklahoma's continued political battles over education which Koco covered again and again and again, Koco was there as debate. Education investment first intensified in 1989. If we did not find *** way to create *** measurably superior system of elementary and secondary education, we may well be relegated to *** kind of domestic third world status. Five months later, 10,000 teachers stage *** walkout and converge on the capitol to pressure lawmakers to pass reform textbooks for Children, smaller class size program for at risk students. 10 years later, the teachers were back, *** wonderful turnout. I think they're going to have *** lot more than they anticipated. The Shawnee student sign was ripped by *** teacher for its message against the rally. I think the teachers should be teaching today and not at this rally. And as we know the debate over teacher pay and school, how has nearly every nightly newscast at Koco ended over the last 70 years with sports. Of course. So we couldn't end without some sooner. Cowboy and thunder fun. It's after the break. But first our cell phones worth the money. That's the question Koco asked in *** 1989 story. The free microphone is getting to be the standard among cellular phone users. It enables the driver to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. This is the latest in portable phones. It's only about $2400 not including the price of each minute. Danielle, all five news tonight. We can't leave you tonight without some celebrations. So we turn to the world of sports. This is our world right here. This is where everybody watches all the big ou Os U and Thunder games. It can get loud, you know, in the newsroom when people are watching the games and there's certainly been plenty to cheer for in Oklahoma City in the last 70 years. Oklahomans not only love their sports, but it's woven in our identity. For the past seven decades. Koco has brought you heart stopping trophy, hoisting. Congratulations, Oklahoma and iconic moments that are still recited today. Come after me. I'm *** man, I'm 40. So let's rewind 70 years worth of thrilling highlights stepping up to the plate in the 19 fifties. Spaven Oklahoma's own Mickey mantle. They called him the Mick and hitting home runs for the New York Yankees was his specialty. Decades later, he's still considered one of the best sluggers of all time from the diamond to the Gridiron. We love our college football for the University of Oklahoma. That means Bud Wilkinson unveil the strategy to the nation. The legendary head coach is credited for creating the empire that is ou football leading the team to five undefeated seasons, 47 straight wins and three national championships. He would trade in *** spot on the sidelines for *** run at *** US Senate seat when I left the university that, uh I would not know enough about anything going on to be able to make an intelligent comment. Even becoming *** part of John F. Kennedy's administration. Wilkinson's think like *** champion today, mindset would inspire generations of leaders, these sideline icons cashing in on seven national championships, 50 conference titles and seven Heisman winners at the helm. And who can forget about the craze. That was the Boz hairstyle. But between now and Saturday night, I hope to be given several more, several more Boz haircuts. Uh You, you're gonna get *** Boz haircut, sir. I don't think so. And the rivalries run deep in our state really important for us to win this game. But in some cases, bragging rights would take *** back seat. Koco met an opposing duo that would stay connected for life after finding out they had the same blood type. Ed gave Phil *** diabetic on dialysis, *** kidney. He named it Bullet. And so I have bullet in me. Smiling, smiling inside. There's ***, there's *** little orange and sporting that color orange. One of the greatest running backs of all time. Barry Sanders would shatter the record books running into the end zone 44 times in 1988 and bringing home Oklahoma State's first and only Heisman trophy and who can forget about Edmond's pride and joy. Shannon Miller giving me *** lot more confidence. Koc was there in 1992 as thousands of people lined the streets to welcome her home, then 15 years old after winning five medals at the Barcelona Games. But what about the brawl on the ice that didn't stick around? I don't want to leave. They need to be here. This is their home, the one team fans made sure stays in. Okc. Koc was there as the new chapter of NBA basketball hit the court in 2008 with the excitement also brought on some level of fear, something having to do with like twisters or something. I have *** question the other day about *** little concern on these tornadoes and in four short years advanced all the way to the NBA finals against the Miami Heat. And OKC watched two of the brightest stars in NBA history. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook win the MVP and of course the dynasty with no problems when it comes to the spotlight. Our Oklahoma softball team winning back to back to back to back national championships. Inspiring every generation. We're yelling and hollering and get that ball and hit that ball and, oh, no, I need. I'm *** number nine in Oklahoma and we're just getting started in Oklahoma. Here's to 70 more years of trophy collecting. We hope you've enjoyed this trip down memory lane from our newly renovated newsroom. It's one of the tools we'll use to continue building your trust as you trust. Hey, Oco will be there for you another 70 more years and beyond.