DURANT, Okla. -President Obama lands in Oklahoma to talk about economic development and the justice system.
It’s his third visit to the Sooner State since he took office.
President Obama will meet with the Choctaw Nation at Durant High School Wednesday evening.
While he is there, he will give a speech that focuses on expanding economic opportunity for communities across the country, including the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.
In 2014, the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma was chosen as one of President Obama’s Promise Zones.
The Promise Zones are designed to create jobs and increase economic security by partnering local communities with businesses.
Since being designated a Promise Zone, the Choctaw Nation has received more than $50 million in federal assistance and grants. They’ve already used the money to great success.
In Durant, President Obama is also expected to announce a new initiative, ConnectHome, which ensures digital opportunity for all Americans.
Communities, the private sector, and the federal government will come together to expand high-speed broadband internet to more families across the country.
The White House says the pilot program is launching in twenty-seven communities, including Choctaw Nation, and will initially reach nearly 275,000 low-income households across the country – including nearly 200,000 children – with the support they need to access the Internet at home.
MORE: What you need to know about President Obama’s ConnectHome initiative.
Thursday, he will head to El Reno to talk with prison officials and inmates at the correctional facility there.
He is calling for lawmakers to reduce unnecessarily harsh sentences, especially for non-violent drug offenders.
He will also conduct an interview for a vice documentary that will air in the fall about the realities of our criminal justice system.
It’ll be the first time a sitting president has visited a federal prison.
KFOR and KFOR.com will bring you live coverage on the presidential visit. You can watch our livestream
Live in Durant waiting for the President to land in Texoma country. @amanchor @laceylett @emilyrsutton @kfor pic.twitter.com/PqIGOaxtah
— Kent Ogle (@KentOgle) July 15, 2015
Sat truck for pool feed of the President's Durant visit..both C band and KU band and backups for both almost failsafe pic.twitter.com/ixGKRMhnc8
— Kent Ogle (@KentOgle) July 15, 2015
