.

>>> THE REASON WHY MORE FIRST RESPONDERS ARE ABLE TO SEEK HELP AND TREATMENT FOR PTSD.

>> FIRE SERVICE IS TAKING A STANCE, AS FAR AS -- >>> OKLAHOMA'S SECOND-LEADING INDUSTRY IS RECOGNIZED AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> THIS IS EXCITING AND THIS IS A BOOMING INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA BRINGING A LOT OF NEW JOBS INTO OKLAHOMA.

SO IT'S VERY ENCOURAGING.

LOVE TO SEE IT.

>>> DEMOCRATS TAKE AIM AT SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS PUT FORTH BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> OKLAHOMA STUDENTS DESERVE BETTER.

OUR TEACHERS, AND FAMILIES DESERVE BETTER, AND WE MUST HOLD THE LINE AGAINST THIS BLATANT OVERREACH.

>>> OKLAHOMA ZOOS ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS TO GUARD AGAINST THE BIRD FLU.

>> OUR FLAMINGO EXHIBIT WE HAVE DONE SOME RENOVATIONS THAT WE HAD PLANNED FOR YEARS, BUT AGAIN, WE STEPPED THAT UP A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA.

>>> PLUS, AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION ON LEGISLATING LIMITS ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA USE OF TEENAGERS.

NEXT, ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

WE OFTEN ASSOCIATE POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, OR PTSD WITH RETURNING MILITARY VETERANS.

BUT IT'S ALSO PREVALENT IN OTHER PROFESSIONS, INCLUDING AMONG OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WHO OFTEN WENT UNTREATED BECAUSE OF OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS.

A NEW LAW IS CHANGING THAT, AND STEVE SHAW IS HERE TO TELL US MORE ABOUT IT.

STEVE?

>> RICH.

GOVERNOR STITT SIGNED THIS INTO LAW LAST SUMMER.

AS OF JANUARY 1, FIRST RESPONDERS DEALING WITH SYMPTOMS OF POST TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, OR PTSD, CAN NOW FILE A WORKMAN'S COMP CLAIM INSTEAD OF USING HEALTH INSURANCE.

I'LL LET FIRST RESPONDERS TELL YOU WHY THIS IS BIG.

.

>> I CAN STILL SEE THINGS AND SMELLS THINGS.

20 YEARS AGO -- >> ERIC IS A MARRIED FATHER OF THREE.

WHO WORKED SEVERAL YEARS POLICE DEPARTMENTS, RETIRING SIX YEARS AGO.

>> I'VE HAD SOME SERIOUS MEDICAL ISSUES THAT HAVE POPPED UP.

I HAD TO HAVE SURGERY, TO HAVE PARTS OF MY COLON REMOVED.

>> IS THAT STRESS RELATED?

>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN.

THERE'S NO DEFINITIVE REASON WHY IT STARTED.

>> HIS WORLD SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES DECEMBER 11 OF 2018, WHEN HIS FATHER, THE LONG TIME MAYOR DIED UNEXPECTEDLY IN HIS SLEEP.

>> DROVE THE SPEED LIMIT.

JUST COMPLETELY NUMB FROM THE NECK UP.

NUMB FROM THE NECK UP FOR THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR YEARS.

>> ERIC RETIRED TO GO BACK TO WORK AT GUTHRY PD.

>> I COULDN'T SEE EVERYTHING, AND I REALIZED THAT I WAS PROBABLY NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE SERVING THE PUBLIC AT THE MOMENT AND TIME.

AND THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO CUT MY LOSSES AND WALK AWAY FROM FULL-TIME.

>> THE NEW WORKMAN'S COMP LAW IS OVERDUE.

>> ALMOST TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

THANK GOD IT HAPPENED, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED A LONG TIME AGO.

>> HE SAYS, HIS PROBLEMS STARTED WITH WEIGHT LOSS AND DEPRESSION.

>> IT'S TYPICAL TO RECOGNIZE SOMETHING THAT BOTHERS YOU AND SPEAK TO THAT, WITH YOUR PARTNERS.

WITH THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH.

THEY MAY BE HIGH FIVING, AND I'M WIDE EYED AND LOSING SLEEP OVER IT.

IT'S DIFFICULT.

YOU DON'T REALLY REALIZE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO YOU UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE.

>> HE REACHED OUT AND GOT HELP, A DECADE AGO.

CAMERON IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE FIREFIGHTER'S ORGANIZATION.

>> DO YOUR WORK, WE DON'T NEED TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> THEY SAY THAT TO YOU?

>> OH, YEAH.

SHOW UP, AND THERE'S A LOT OF NECK DOWNERS.

GRAB A SHOVEL AND DO THIS OR WHATEVER.

>> THE NEW LAW IS THE RESULT OF AN IMPORTANT CULTURE SHIFT.

>> GUYS ONCE THEY DO GET IN THE SYSTEM, AND THEY DECIDE THAT THEY'LL GET HELP, IT SEEMS LIKE THEY REALLY BUY INTO IT AND REALLY DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.

AND I HEAR ALL THE TIME, WHEN THEY COME BACK, MAN, I NEEDED THAT.

I NEEDED THAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

OR I SHOULD HAVE DONE THAT A LONG TIME AGO.

THERE'S NOT A STIGMA ON IT BY THE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH IT.

SO IT'S BASICALLY OPENED UP, AND THEY SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER FIREFIGHTERS.

AND JUST TELL THEM, HEY, MAN, YOU MIGHT WANT TO THINK ABOUT GETTING HELP.

>> HAVE YOU EVER HAD TO DO THAT?

>> I, MYSELF?

NO, I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT.

>> BUT YOU HAVE KNOWN GUYS.

>> TO BE CLEAR ABOUT IT, THERE'S ALWAYS A PROVISION FOR PTSD FOR FIREFIGHTERS BUT IT HAD TO BE IN ASSOCIATION WITH AN INJURY OCCURREDED ON AN ACTIVE INCIDENT.

THIS REQUIRES THE PHYSICAL INJURY OUT OF IT, AND MAKES IT 100% MENTAL HEALTH COMPONENT.

>> HE'S EMS CHIEF FOR THE EDMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> THE FACT THIS IS WORKMAN'S COMP MAKE GUYS AND GALS MORE INTERESTED IN COMING FORWARD.

>> THAT'S THE HOPE.

TO TAKE IT OFF OF THEM, AS FAR AS THE COST AND THAT, AND THEY'LL REACH OUT MORE, AND THEY ALREADY ARE.

>> HE WISHES HE HAD SOUGHT HELP SOONER.

HE'S BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT 15 YEARS.

>> SUCK IT UP.

CARRY ON.

IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD, ET CETERA ET CETERA.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS MY PRIDE OR LACK OF RESOURCES OR WHATEVER, BUT RATHER THAN, YOU KNOW, GOING AND SEEKING HELP, I KNEW I HAD AN ISSUE, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

>> BACK IN THE DAY HE DOUSED HIS PTSD WITH ALCOHOL.

ALL THAT GOT HIM WAS A COUPLE OF FAILED MARRIAGES AND A NEW KIDNEY.

>> I OWN UP TO WHAT I DID, I HAVE NOBODY TO BLAME.

ALL IN ALL, IT'S SOMETHING I HAD TO GO THROUGH.

I THINK THAT IT'S HELPED ME BEFORE WHO I AM -- BE WHO I AM TODAY.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

>> REALLY GOOD.

>> YOU HAVE A LITTLE BABY, NOT A BABY ANYMORE.

HOW OLD?

>> 15 MONTHS.

>> DAUGHTER.

>> YES.

>> THAT'S A LOT TO LIVE MORE.

>> YES, A LOT.

>> YES I'M GETTING BETTER BECAUSE I'M SPENDING MORE TIME WITH MY FAMILY.

MY RELATIONSHIPS WITH MY KIDS HAVE NEVER BEEN STRONGER.

RELATIONSHIP WITH MY WIFE HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER.

AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I FIND MY OLD DEMONS POP UP FROM TIME TO TIME.

MORE OFTEN THAN NOT.

AND THEY SIT THERE, AND IT THROWS YOU INTO A FUNK.

>> LONG-TIME EDMOND FIRE SPOKESMAN CHRIS DENTON RETIRED RECENTLY.

HE TOLD ME WE NEEDED TO DO THIS STORY.

I THINK HE WAS RIGHT.

RICH.

>>> GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT'S DOGE-OK INITIATIVE HAS RELEASED ITS FIRST REPORT CLAIMING IT HAS UNCOVERED $157 MILLION IN WASTEFUL HEALTH GRANTS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT MONEY WILL BE RETURNED TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND, HE SAYS, WILL NOT IMPACT EXISTING SERVICES.

DOGE-OK ALSO INTENDS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF STATE EMPLOYEES AND CONSOLIDATE OR POSSIBLE SELLOFF STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS.

>> IF YOU DON'T WANT ANY WAVES TO BE MADE IN STATE GOVERNMENT, PAY EVERY INVOICE, NEVER QUESTION ANYTHING, THEN THERE'S NEVER A SQUEAKY WHEEL.

AS SOON AS YOU START HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, YOU START ASKING QUESTIONS, YOU START LOOKING AT THINGS, PEOPLE START SPINNING, THEY START CALLING THE MEDIA, THEY START SAYING PEOPLE ARE GONNA DIE, THEY START CALLING THEIR LEGISLATURE, THEY START GOING CRAZY, UM, HERE'S THE DEAL, WE WILL HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE IN THE STITT ADMINISTRATION AND I APPLAUD THEM FOR LOOKING AT EVERY EXPENSES.

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER CYNDI MUNSON ISSUED A STATEMENT CONCERNING THE REPORT, THAT READS IN PART: OKLAHOMA RECEIVES ALMOST HALF OF ITS FUNDING FROM FEDERAL GRANTS THAT GO TOWARD STATE AGENCIES THAT WORK TO SERVE OKLAHOMANS WHO NEED IT MOST.

THE REPORT ALSO GIVES A VAGUE JUSTIFICATION FOR EACH CUT MADE THAT DOES NOT DO OKLAHOMANS JUSTICE IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND DEMOCRATIC LEADERS IN BOTH CHAMBERS ARE ALSO MAKING IT CLEAR THEY ARE OPPOSED TO THE NEW SOCIAL STUDIES"STANDARDS APPROVED BY THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BACKED BY STATE SUPERINTENDENT, RYAN WALTERS.

THEY INCLUDE THE USE OF BIBLES IN CLASSROOMS AND A CURRICULUM THAT DISCUSSES DISPUTED VOTING IRREGULARITIES IN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> SINCE UH, AUGUST OF 2023, HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE MADE SIX CALLS TO REIGN IN THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND HAVE SOME ACCOUNTABILITY WITH THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THE MOST RECENT ACTIONS, EVEN WITH STITT'S NEWLY APPOINTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, HE CONTINUES TO MOVE FORWARD, PUTTING POLITICS OVER OUR TEACHERS, OUR STUDENTS, AND OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR FAMILIES.

>> RATHER THAN HONORING THE HARD WORK OF OKLAHOMA EDUCATORS AND FAMILIES, THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT HAS CHOSEN TO DISCARD THEIR INPUT AND INSTEAD BRING IN NATIONAL PARTISAN GROUPS TO REWRITE OUR SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

THIS MOVE IS NOT ABOUT IMPROVING EDUCATION, IT'S ABOUT ADVANCING A POLITICAL AGENDA AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR STUDENTS.

THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH TO ALLOW FOR POLITICAL INTERFERENCE TO DICTATE WHAT OUR CHILDREN LEARN IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> ON MONDAY, DEMOCRATS FILED TWO RESOLUTIONS, URGING THEIR FELLOW LAWMAKERS TO REJECT THE PROPOSED CHANGES SUBMITTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHAD CALDWELL OF ENID HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD RESTRICT SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 16 AND REQUIRE PARENTAL CONSENT FOR MINORS 16 AND 17 YEARS OF AGE.

IS THAT A GOOD IDEA?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR UPCOMING "INDEPTH" DISCUSSION WITH MODERATOR TAELYR JACKSON.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> ONCE YOU GET PAST THE PARENT LEVEL OUR EDUCATORS ARE THE ONES THAT SPEND THE MOST TIME WITH OUR KIDS.

SO I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE ROUTE WITH THAT AND LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE CELLPHONES, ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE SEEN IN THE SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED A POLICY ESPECIALLY A BELL-TO-BELL POLICY THEY'VE SEEN BEHAVIOR ISSUES SIGNIFICANTLY DECLINE WITH THEIR STUDENTS.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION SOME PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONED THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF IT BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT WE PLACE VOTING RESTRICTIONS ON AGE, WE PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL, I VIEW THIS AS SOMETHING SIMILAR.

YOU CERTAINLY HAVE TO HAVE THE PARENTS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES INVOLVED WITH THIS BUT THIS IS AN EVER GROWING PROBLEM.

>> IT CERTAINLY WON'T HURT TO ENCOURAGE AND REQUIRE THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH POLICIES LIMITING THE USE OF CELL PHONES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY BY KIDS.

WE KNOW THAT A CELLPHONE IS A TOOL AND CAN BE USED FOR GOOD LIKE A HAMMER IT CAN BE USED TO BUILD A BUILDING BUT A HAMMER CAN ALSO BE USED FOR DESCRIPTIVE PURPOSES.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE LATEST UPDATE RELEASED MARCH 19 BY THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL THE RISK OF BIRD FLU IN HUMANS REMAINS LOW, BUT, MODERATE TO HIGH FOR ANIMALS.

THE CDC REPORTS THAT SINCE APRIL OF LAST YEAR, ALMOST 91 MILLION BIRDS IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN INFECTED-- AND NOW, OKLAHOMA ZOOS ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS.

NOAH MACK JOINS US WITH MORE ON THAT.

NOAH?

>> RICH.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA ZOOS HAVE HAD ZERO CASES OF BIRD FLU.

AND ZOO STAFF IS DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

AS BIRD FLU OUTBREAKS CONTINUE --- THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO FLAMINGOS SPEND THEIR DAYS IN A BARN.

THIS MOVE IS AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP OUTSIDE WATER FOWL FROM MINGLING WITH FLAMINGOS.

>> THE DUCKS DO LIKE TO SHARE THE WATER AND THEIR BONDS WITH THEM.

WE'VE ALSO MOVED OUR TRUMPETER SWANS INDOORS AS WELL.

THEY ARE ALSO IN THE DUCK-AND-GEESE FAMILY SO THEY DEFINITELY SHARE A RISK.

>> A RECENT CASE PROXIMAL TO THE ZOO PROMPTED THESE PRECAUTIONS.

>> ABOUT 25 MILES AWAY FROM US.

SO WE KNEW THAT THE VIRUS WAS SPREADING IN THIS AREA AND REALLY CLOSE TO US.

>> IN MARCH THERE WERE TWO CASES OF BIRD FLU IN BACKYARD POULTRY FLOCKS.

ONE IN GRADY COUNTY AND ONE IN WOODWARD COUNTY.

BOTH OF THOSE FLOCKS WERE EUTHANIZED.

DR. ROD HALL IS A STATE VETERINARIAN AT THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

AND HE'S BEEN MONITORING THIS VIRUS FROM THE BEGINNING.

>> WE'RE GOING INTO THE FOURTH YEAR NOW OF DEALING WITH THIS.

>> GENERALLY MIGRATORY BIRDS LIKE DUCKS AND GEESE ARE THE ONES PASSING THE FLU AROUND.

BUT ROD SAYS THE VIRUS IS STAYING WITH WILD BIRDS WHO DON'T MIGRATE.

>> THAT'S WHY WE'VE SEEN IT CONTINUE ALL WINTER LONG HERE.

IN THE PAST, IT WOULD.

WE'D HAVE A BIG OUTBREAK OF IT IN THE FALL WHEN THE BIRDS WOULD MIGRATE SOUTH AND IT WOULD KIND OF FIZZLE OUT, AND THEN IN THE SPRING IT WOULD COME BACK, AND DURING THE SUMMER IT WOULD KIND OF DIE DOWN --- BUT THIS WINTER IT HAS REMAINED A PROBLEM.

>> ROD EXPLAINED THAT OFTENTIMES WHAT HAPPENS WITH THESE OUTBREAKS IS AFTER A YEAR OR SO THE VIRUS MUTATES, BECOMES LESS PATHOGENIC AND EVENTUALLY DIES OFF.

THIS TIME AROUND THE VIRUS IS MUTATING --- BUT NOT DYING OFF.

>> THAT'S THE REALLY SCARY THING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VIRUS, IT'S JUST NOT GOING AWAY.

>> THAT IS WHY DR. GRETCHEN COLE AND HER VETERINARY TEAM AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO ARE STAYING ALERT.

THEY HAVE AN ANIMAL HEALTH HOSPITAL ON THE PREMISES AND ENSURE ALL STAFF KNOW THE PROTOCOL SHOULD A BIRD GET SICK.

>> WE WOULD ALSO ISOLATE THE BIRD AND PERFORM TESTING.

WE CAN COORDINATE WITH OUR STATE VETERINARIAN AND FEDERAL PARTNERS SHOULD WE NEED TO DO THAT.

IF WE WERE TO FIND A POSITIVE, WE WOULD HAVE TO DISCUSS 'WHAT'S THE NEXT BEST STEP.'

CERTAINLY IF THE BIRD IS SICK ENOUGH, WE MAY HAVE TO CHOOSE TO CONSIDER EUTHANASIA, BUT WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT OUR PROACTIVE MEASURES WILL MITIGATE ANY REASON TO HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> TROPICAL BIRDS LIKE THE RED-CRESTED TURACO OR THE BLEEDING-HEART DOVE, HAVE INDOOR, CLIMATE-CONTROLLED EXHIBITS WHERE GETTING INFECTED WITH BIRD FLU IS INCREDIBLY LOW-RISK.

AS FOR THE FLAMINGOS GUESTS CAN EXPECT THEM TO REMAIN QUARANTINED TO KEEP THEM AWAY FROM WILD BIRDS THAT MAY BE CARRYING THE VIRUS.

BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM CATCHING A CASE OF CABIN FEVER EITHER.

>> THERE ARE TIMES WHERE WE JUST NEED TO CLEAN THE BUILDING SO WE'LL GIVE THEM A SHORT BREAK OUTSIDE WHILE WE'RE GETTING ALL THAT DONE --- GIVE THEM SOME SUNSHINE --- BUT THEY STILL HAVE PLENTY OF SPACE INDOORS, IT'S JUST THAT IT'S NICE TO LET THEM OUTSIDE FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME.

>> HERE AT THE TULSA ZOO THE FLAMINGOS STAY OUTSIDE UNDER A CANOPY WHERE ZOO STAFF HAS MADE SURE OUTSIDE DUCKS AND GEESE DON'T GET INTO THE ENCLOSURE.

>> OUR FLAMINGO EXHIBIT WE HAVE DONE SOME RENOVATIONS THAT WE HAD PLANNED FOR YEARS, BUT AGAIN, WE STEPPED THAT UP A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF AVIAN INFLUENZA.

>> VICE PRESIDENT OF CONSERVATION JOE BARKOWSKI --- REPPING THE FLAMINGO ON HIS NAMETAG --- SAYS THE TULSA ZOO INITIALLY HAD THEIR BIRDS IN AN INDOOR FACILITY HIDDEN FROM GUESTS.

NOW THEY'VE GOT AN OUTDOOR ENCLOSURE OUTFITTED WITH A PROTECTIVE NET.

>> IT'S MUCH SAFER FOR THEM AND OUR FLAMINGOS CAN BE BACK IN THE EXHIBIT, LIVING THEIR BEST LIFE, IN VIEW OF OUR GUESTS.

>> ONE OF THOSE GUESTS IS EDUARDO RODRIGUEZ, AND A FREQUENT ONE AT THAT.

>> MAN, I WANNA SAY PROBABLY AT LEAST A HUNDRED TIMES A YEAR.

>> THE FLAMINGOS WERE ALWAYS HIS MOTHER'S FAVORITE EXHIBIT --- NOW HE AND HIS SON ENJOY THE COLORFUL CREATURES.

>> WE ALWAYS KINDA PASS BY IT THINKING HOW SHE LIKES THE FLAMINGOS.

>> TULSA ZOO ALSO HAS INDOOR EXHIBITS LIKE THE RAINFOREST --- OR LIFE IN THE DESERT, WHERE BIRDS FLY AROUND FREELY.

SO THE WALKWAYS ARE USED BY BIRDS JUST AS MUCH AS HUMANS.

>> SO IF THE GUESTS WERE TO WALK THROUGH FECAL MATERIAL OR DROPPINGS FROM GEESE AND THEY BRING IT INTO THE BUILDING WE GO AHEAD AND CLEAN AND DISINFECT OUR PATHWAYS EVERY NIGHT.

>> JOE ADDS THAT THEY ALSO MONITOR THE WILD BIRDS ON ZOO GROUNDS.

AND ALL POSITIVE TESTS WOULD BE REPORTED TO THE STATE VETERINARIAN --- ROD'S OFFICE.

>> AS FAR AS IT GOING AWAY, THIS, THAT'S WHAT'S REALLY PUZZLED THE EXPERTS.

>> THE VIRUS IS SO VOLATILE THAT DEVELOPING A VACCINE FOR THE ANIMALS IS DIFFICULT.

ROD'S ASSESSMENT FOR NOW IS THAT AVIAN INFLUENZA IS HERE TO STAY.

>> IT'S GETTING CLOSE NOW TO WHERE IT'S STARTING TO WARM UP.

SO THE BIRDS THAT MIGRATED TO SOUTH AMERICA AND WHEREVER THEY GO DOWN SOUTH, THEY'RE GOING TO START COMING BACK NOW.

SO OUR EXPECTATION IS THAT RISK OF OUR DOMESTIC POULTRY BECOMING INFECTED IS GOING TO STAY THERE AND PROBABLY EVEN INCREASE A LITTLE BIT OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

>> SO ZOOS ACROSS THE STATE WILL REMAIN VIGILANT.

>> WE WANT TO ASSURE PEOPLE THAT WE TAKE ANY KIND OF THESE THINGS LIKE AVIAN INFLUENZA VERY SERIOUSLY OUT HERE.

WE HAVE FULL TIME VETERINARY STAFF HERE AT THE ZOO AT ALL TIMES THAT TAKE CARE OF THE HEALTH OF OUR ANIMALS.

WE HAVE ANIMAL CARE SPECIALISTS THAT ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR DAY-TO-DAY NEEDS OF OUR ANIMALS.

WE'RE ALWAYS WILLING TO WORK WITH OUR STATE, FEDERAL PARTNERS ON WHATEVER'S GOING ON.

AND, AGAIN, WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE COME OUT TO THE ZOO AND HAVE A GOOD TIME, SO.

>> AS FAR AS WHAT THE BIRDS THINK ABOUT THE AVIAN FLU, WELL, WE MADE SURE TO GET A STATEMENT FROM SOMEONE WILLING TO SPEAK ON THE MATTER.

HUMANS CAN GET THE BIRD FLU IF THEY COME IN CONTACT WITH SICK BIRDS.

SYMPTOMS ARE USUALLY RELATIVELY MILD, BUT MUTATION COULD CHANGE THAT, SO CERTAINLY SOMETHING TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

RICH.

>>> A HUGE TURNOUT AT THE STATE CAPITOL ON WEDNESDAY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE OKLAHOMA'S 2ND LEADING INDUSTRY-- THE $44 BILLION A YEAR AVIATION AND AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, JASON DOYLE WAS ON HAND AND FILED THIS REPORT FROM THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA.

>> IT WAS ON DISPLAY AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, WELCOME TO AEROOKLAHOMA 2025.

>> IT'S AN ANNUAL EVENT TO BRING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST OF THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER WITH THE OFFICIALS AND THE PUBLIC TO SHOWCASE WHAT THE STATE HAS TO OFFER.

IN 2014 ALONE -- WHICH CREATED 25 NEW OR EXPANDED BUSINESSES, AND MORE THAN A THOUSAND JOBS.

SOMETHING THAT IS AERONAUGHTICS CHAIRMAN, APPRECIATES.

>> EXCITED.

THIS IS A BOOMING INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA, BRINGING IN A LOT OF NEW JOBS TO OKLAHOMA, VERY ENCOURAGING.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE NOW SETTING THEIR SIGHTINGS ON SPACE BY DEVELOPING A SPACE PORT WITH THE AUTHORITY IN BURNS FLAT.

>> A 13 SPACE -- ALL IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S -- [INAUDIBLE].

HOPEFULLY TO ATTRACT -- >> OKLAHOMA'S OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE WERE TOP OF LINE IN HIS FIRST EVER MEETING AMONG INDUSTRY EXPERTS.

>> WHAT'S THE MOST PROMISING AREA FOR FUTURE SPACE COMPLOERGS -- EXPLORATION.

>> ON HAND TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION WAS THE GROUP -- >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> OKLAHOMA COMPANIES ARE ALREADY MANUFACTURING THE PARTS NEEDED.

>> WE HAVE COMPANIES HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THAT ARE PART OF -- THE STATE, APPROACH, THAT WE HAVE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

AND THEY'RE BUILDING SATELLITES -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> THE FUTURE OF AEROSPACE IN OKLAHOMA IS ALSO CLOSER TO THE GROUND WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE.

>> MAYBE AT SOME POINT WE'LL EVEN BE ABLE TO DELIVER A PIZZA AND AN AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE FROM DALLAS TO OKLAHOMA CITY AND IT'D STILL BE HOT.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE OKLAHOMA AEROSPACE INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, DR. JAMEY JACOB, BELIEVES THAT KIND OF DELIVERY ISN'T TOO FAR FETCHED.

>> OKLAHOMA IS A NATIONAL LEADER IN THIS SPACE OF AUTONOMOUS FLIGHT.

YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING FROM, YOU KNOW, THE UNMANNED UBER AIR TAXIS OF THE FUTURE, KIND OF LIKE THE JETSONS FLYING AROUND, TO COUNTER UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS.

HOW DO WE PROTECT FROM, YOU KNOW, DRONES AS A THREAT, TO USING DRONES AS FIRST RESPONDERS?

HOW DO WE, YOU KNOW, DELIVER MEDICAL SUPPLIES, EMERGENCY AID, HELP STOP FOREST FIRES, WILDFIRES, RANGELAND FIRES, AND REALLY JUST HELP PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> DR. JACOB SAYS OKLAHOMA'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE SET TO TRAIN THE DRONE WORKFORCE.

HE ADDS THAT OKLAHOMA HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AT GETTING MORE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO TAKE CLASSES IN AVIATION THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE NATION.

>> SO IF WE LOOK AT OUR COMPETITORS LIKE, YOU KNOW, OR FRENEMIES SUCH AS TEXAS, RIGHT?

WE'RE DOING MORE THAN THAT HERE IN OKLAHOMA THAN THEY ARE THERE.

REALLY HELP PREPPING THIS K THROUGH 12 WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE OF SUPPORTING OUR HIGH TECH AEROSPACE ECONOMY DOWN THE ROAD.

>> DESPITE THESE TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN UNMANNED AIRCRAFT.WE'RE STILL GOING TO NEED PILOTS.

>> I GOT TO STAY EVEN WITH THE HORIZON, SO OOPS.

I GOT TO KEEP IT PULLED BACK, DON'T I?

>> WHILE I STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET A PILOT'S LICENSE, THE SUNDANCE FLIGHT ACADEMY AT THE SUNDANCE AIRPORT IN OKLAHOMA CITY OFFERS THE TRAINING NECESSARY TO GET A PILOT'S LICENSE.

>> WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF STUDENTS.

WE HAVE YOUNG STUDENTS, 16, 17.

WE HAVE 40 YEAR OLDS, 50 YEAR OLDS.

WE HAVE THE IN-BETWEENS.

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

>> FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR ANDRIENNE BUCK SAYS THE SUNDANCE ACADEMY ALLOWS STUDENTS TO TAKE THEIR TIME IN LEARNING THE NECESSARY SKILLS TO TAKE FLIGHT.

>> WE'RE VERY STUDENT CENTERED AND IT'S A GO AT YOUR OWN PACE.

SOMEONE THAT TYPICALLY FLIES LIKE TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK AND THEN DOES GROUND IN ADDITION TO THAT, CAN EXPECT TO FINISH SOMEWHERE AROUND FOUR MONTHS.

>> WHILE I FOUND IT IS EASIER TO FLY A PLANE THAN LAND IT, IT BRINGS TO MIND THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED TO LAND PLANES SAFELY: RUNWAYS.

>> SO IT'S OUR JOB TO MAKE SURE THE RUNWAY, SO THE LANDING SURFACES ARE, ARE SAFE AND NEWLY CONSTRUCTED AND AS FAR AS THE LIGHTING, TO MAKE SURE THE LIGHTING IS NICE AND BRIGHT SO THE PILOTS CAN SEE THE AIRPORT AND LAND.

>> PUTTING IN A RUNWAY IS MUCH MORE COMPLICATED THAN STANDARD HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION.

>> AVIATION PAVEMENT HAS SO MANY MORE REGULATIONS THAN THE HIGHWAY PAVEMENT.

SO IT'S VERY SPECIALIZED.

AND ONE THING THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW IS THAT AIRPORTS ARE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO OUR JOB AS ENGINEERS IS ACTUALLY TO MAKE EVERY AIRPORT LOOK THE SAME BECAUSE WE WANT TO PILOT LANDING IN OKLAHOMA TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE AIRPORT SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE.

>> MEGAN MCLELLAN WITH GARVER SAYS THAT KIND OF WORK NEEDS ENGINEERS, AND THAT'S WHY HER COMPANY IS TAKING PART IN AERO DAY AT THE CAPITOL IN HOPES OF RECRUITING FUTURE ENGINEERS.

>> THE ENGINEERING INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, WE ARE HAVING A SHORTAGE OF ENGINEERING AND ALSO, NOT ONLY THAT, BUT AVIATION ENGINEERING IS THAT ACTUALLY LITTLE, LITTLE KNOWN ABOUT.

SO WHAT WE'RE HERE TODAY IS TO TEACH THE KIDS AND THAT WE'RE SEEING TODAY FROM OU AND OTHER SCHOOLS THAT THERE IS AVIATION ENGINEERING.

SO WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THEM WORK FOR OUR COMPANY AND HELP US WITH THE FUTURE.

>> SO IT'S NOT JUST PILOTS NEEDED HERE IN OKLAHOMA'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

REPORTING FROM THE CAPITOL.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>JASON, THANK YOU.

>>> LAWMAKERS AT THE CAPITOL ARE ALSO CONSIDERING SEVERAL BILLS RELATED TO EDUCATION.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THAT, OUR EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON SPOKE WITH QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER, SHAWN ASHLEY.

>> RICH, THANK YOU.

SHAWN, TELL US ABOUT SENATE BILL 796, WHICH TARGETS DEI, AND WHY IT CAUSED A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WHILE THE SENATE WAS CONSIDERING THE BILL?

>> WELL, SENATE BILL 796 PROHIBITS OKLAHOMA'S INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION FROM UTILIZING STATE FUNDS, RESOURCES, AND PROPERTY TO SUPPORT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION PROGRAMS.

AND FOR MANDATING ANY PERSON PARTI PARTICIPATE IN SUCH PROGRAMS, SENATE, SENATE EDUCATION CHAIR ADAM PUGH, THE AUTHOR OF THE MEASURE, NOTED THAT THE BILL IMPLEMENTS INTO LAW AN EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.

NOW, FOR SOME MEMBERS OF THE SENATE, THIS BILL SEEMED REALLY TO BE RATHER PERSONAL.

SENATOR KERRY HICKS, FOR EXAMPLE, A DEMOCRAT FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, NOTED A PROGRAM SHE HAD PARTICIPATED IN AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HAD BEEN CANCELED AS A RESULT OF, OF GOVERNOR STITTS ORDER.

SENATOR NIKKI NICE NOTED THAT THE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN WHICH SHE WAS PARTICIPATING WAS NEARLY ENDED AS A RESULT OF THAT ORDER AND THAT SHE LOST HER GRADUATE RESEARCH PROGRAM POSITION.

>> OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN OPEN ABOUT WANTING TO LIMIT VIRTUAL SCHOOL DAYS.

HOW WOULD SENATE BILL 758 DO THAT?

>> IN SHORT, IT LIMITS SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACCOUNTING ONLY TWO VIRTUAL DAYS OR UP TO 12 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION FROM ONLINE LEARNING AMONG THE 180 DAYS OF INSTRUCTION, OR 1080 HOURS OF INSTRUCTION THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE EACH YEAR.

AND THERE ARE ALSO SOME CONDITIONS ON THAT.

IT MUST BE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY APPROVED BY THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD AND PART OF A BROADER PLAN APPROVED BY THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

>> AS WE HEARD EARLIER IN THE NEWSCAST, BOTH OKLAHOMA SENATE AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE REJECTED THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S PROPOSED SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

HAVE THERE BEEN ANY INDICATIONS OF HOW REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP WILL HANDLE THE STANDARDS?

>> NOT YET.

THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS MET WITH SUPERINTENDENT RYAN WALTERS ON MONDAY TO DISCUSS THOSE STANDARDS.

BUT NEITHER WALTERS NOR MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS WOULD TALK ABOUT WHAT THEY DISCUSSED DURING THAT MEETING.

ALTHOUGH WALTERS DID SAY THAT THE DISCUSSION WENT WELL, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO, TIM LONNIE PAXTON HAS INDICATED THAT HIS CAUCUS PLANS TO DISCUSS THE STANDARDS AT SOME POINT, BUT HAS NOT INDICATED WHETHER THEY HAVE YET OR WHAT DECISION HAS BEEN MADE.

LAWMAKERS HAVE UNTIL MAY 1ST TO DECIDE WHETHER TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A RESOLUTION APPROVING, DISAPPROVING OR AMENDING THOSE STANDARDS.

>> LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO GIVE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS MORE POWER DURING MEETINGS.

HOW DOES HOUSE BILL 1491 ACCOMPLISH THAT?

>> WELL UNDER CURRENT LAW, ONLY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION IS ALLOWED TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION'S AGENDA.

THIS BILL WOULD ALLOW TWO MEMBERS TO ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA.

THE BILL HAS ALSO BEEN AMENDED TO INCLUDE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS, ALLOWING TWO LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS TO ADD SOMETHING TO THOSE BOARD'S AGENDAS AS WELL.

THE BILL HAS PASSED THE HOUSE AND IS NOW AWAITING CONSIDERATION BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

>> THERE'S A BILL THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE TO EXPAND OKLAHOMA PROMISE.

HOW SO?

>> WELL, THIS BILL WOULD OPEN IT UP TO OKLAHOMA TEACHERS, WHETHER THEY MET THE INCOME THRESHOLD OR NOT.

REPRESENTATIVE CHAD CALDWELL, THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL, SAID THAT THE MEASURE COULD BE USED TO RECRUIT TEACHERS AND TO RETAIN THEM BY, BY ALLOWING THEIR CHILDREN TO ATTEND COLLEGES FREE OF CHARGE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA UNDER THE OKLAHOMA PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP.

THAT BILL TOO PASSED THE HOUSE AND IS ALSO AWAITING CONSIDERATION IN THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

>> SHAWN ASHLEY, PUBLISHER OF "QUORUM CALL", AS ALWAYS THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME >> RICH, BACK TO YOU.

>>> THE OG&E POWER COMPANY STEPPING UP IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY TO HELP OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY SEVERE WEATHER.

THEY'VE DONATED 680 TREES, 250 OF THEM FULLY-GROWN, TO THE CITIES OF CHOCTAW, SULPHUR, WELLSTON, LANGSTON AND SEVERAL OTHERS.

AND, OG&E EMPLOYEES AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS EVEN HELPED TO GET THEM IN THE GROUND.

>> SO THIS IS CHOCTAW CREEK PARK.

THIS IS KINDA WHERE WE HOLD ALL OF OUR EVENTS, ALL OF OUR FESTIVALS.

WE HAVE FRIDAY NIGHTS IN THE PARK HERE.

ALL OF OUR SPECIAL EVENTS ARE HELD HERE.

WE'RE GETTING 20 TREES PLANTED HERE AS WELL.

>> THEY LOST A, A DECENT AMOUNT OF CANOPY FOR THIS CITY AS A WHOLE.

SO THAT'S, THAT'S REALLY THE GOAL IS TO TRY TO HELP THEM, YOU KNOW, REBUILD THAT CANOPY.

AND IT'S GONNA TAKE SOME YEARS FOR THE TREES TO GROW AND TO GET TO THAT PHASE, BUT WE GOTTA START NOW.

>> OG&E PARTNERED WITH THE ARBOR DAY FOUNDATION TO PROVIDE THE TREES FREE OF CHARGE.

>> LOOKING TO FURTHER DIVERSIFY ITS BUSINESS INTERESTS, THE CHICKASAW NATION HAS CREATED THE SOVEREIGN NATIVE HOLDCO, WHICH WILL OPERATE AS AN INVESTMENT SUBSIDIARY WHOLLY OWNED BY THE TRIBE.

IT'S MANAGEMENT TEAM WILL FOCUS ON REAL ESTATE, HOSPITALITY, PRIVATE EQUITY, AND ENTERTAINMENT INVESTMENTS.

CURRENT CHICKASAW NATION DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE DEPUTY SECRETARY R. ALAN MARCUM WILL SERVE AS THE ENTITIES' PRESIDENT.

CHICKASAW NATION GOVERNOR BILL ANOATUBBY SAID THAT BY ADDING A SKILLED MANAGEMENT TEAM TO THE SOVEREIGN NATIVE HOLDCO, IT BETTER MINIMIZES RISK AND ACCELERATES GROWTH.

OKLAHOMANS ARE WORKING AN AVERAGE OF EIGHT DAYS TO COVER THEIR MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS, THAT'S THE FINDING OF A NEW REPORT BY REALTOR.COM.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS TEN DAYS TO MAKE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER THE PAYMENT.

THE STATE WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF DAYS AT 17 IS HAWAII.

OHIO HOMEOWNERS ONLY HAVE TO WORK SIX DAYS AS THE STATE WITH A LOWEST NUMBER OF DAYS TO COVER THE MORTGAGE.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED MIDFIRST BANK IS EXPANDING AGAIN.THIS TIME IN SOUTHERN NEVADA.

THE BANK HAS OPENED A NEW BRANCH IN LAS VEGAS.

THAT EXPANSION INTO SOUTHERN NEVADA HAS BEEN SPEARHEADED BY A TEAM OF 12 BANKING PROFESSIONALS TO JOINED MIDFIRST BANK TO BRING THEIR EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE COMMUNITY TO HELP OPEN THE BRANCH.

OVER THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF THE TEAM HAS BUILT CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS WORTH $100 MILLION.

BOB FUNK JR IS NOW THE EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT.

FUNK IS THE SON OF THE COMPANY'S FOUNDER, BOB FUNK, SR.

HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS IN 1996 AND JOINED THE INTERNATIONAL UNIT IN 2013.

IN ADDITION TO HIS NEW ROLE, HE WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE MANAGING PARTNER OF OKLAHOMA TEMPORARY SERVICES, WHICH OVERSEES 58 EXPRESS-RELATED FRANCHISE LOCATIONS.

HIS TENURE AS EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT BEGAN LATE LAST WEEK.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE CDC, SUICIDE IS THE SECOND-LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS AGES 10 TO 34.

AND RESEARCHERS SAY THAT INCREASED USAGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA CONTRIBUTES TO DEPRESSION AND SUICIDE AMONG TEENAGERS.

AN OKLAHOMA LAWMAKER THINKS SOMETHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THAT, AND THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR TAELYR JACKSON.

TAELYR?

>> TODAY I'M JOINED BY REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED TODAY BY DR. GRIFFIN, THE CEO OF THE -- FAMILY FOUNDATION, AND LAST BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST, THE CEO OF THE OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE OF CHILD ADVOCACY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL, I'LL START WITH YOU.

YOU WERE SUCCESSFUL GETTING HOUSE BILL 1275 PASSED.

TELL US ABOUT THAT BILL.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US ON TODAY TO TALK ABOUT SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC ABOUT OUR KIDS.

TO PUT GUARDRAILS ON SOCIAL MEDIA USE FOR OUR KIDS.

BASICALLY, IF YOU'RE UNDER 16 YEARS OF AGE, YOU WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT.

IF YOU'RE OVER 16, YOU COULD ACCESS WITH PARENT'S PERMISSION.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE EFFECT THE PLATFORMS ARE HAVING ON KIDS, WE'RE SEEING AN INCREDIBLE NEGATIVE EFFECT ON KIDS.

WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

AND A SHARP INCREASE OF INCIDENTS OF SELF-HARM AND SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> WE CERTAINLY SEE A RISE IN BULLYING.

YOU LOOK AT THE INCIDENTS REPORTED, IT'S HORRIBLE WHAT SOME OF THE KIDS ENDURE ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT'S ADAPTED THROUGH THE YEARS, THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY.

WE LOOK AT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, SOME PEOPLE QUESTION THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF IT.

WE PLACE VOTING RESTRICTIONS ON AGE, PURCHASING ALCOHOL ON AGE, I VIEW THIS AS SOMETHING SIMILAR.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE PARENT RISE IN RESPONSIBILITY INVOLVED IN THIS, BUT THIS IS AN EVER GROWING PROBLEM.

WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO PROTECT THE KIDS.

THERE'S SOME LEGISLATION RIGHT NOW THAT AIMS TO LIMIT CELL PHONES IN CLASSROOMS AS WELL.

SPECIFICALLY, I KNOW SOME OF THE BILL SITUATION AS WELL.

A.J., HOW COULD THIS HELP OKLAHOMAENS?

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE POLICIES, AND -- TO PUT THE LIMITATIONS ON THE BUSINESSES DOING BUSINESS WITH CHILDREN, THIS IS A GUARDRAIL WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

THIS IS NOT A SILVER BULLET, BUT IT WON'T HURT TO ENCOURAGE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH POLICIES TO LIMIT THE QUEUES OF CELL PHONE -- USE OF CELL PHONES BY KIDS.

IT'S A TOOL, IT COULD BE USED FOR GOOD BUT LIKE A HAMMER, IT COULD BE USED FOR DESTRUCTIVE PURPOSES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, YOU HAVE SOME LEGISLATION PROHIBITING CELL PHONE USAGE IN CLASSROOMS.

THERE EXCEPTIONS FOR EMERGENCIES?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S IMPORTANT IS TO LOOK AT THE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

LIKE MEDICAL, AND HEALTH ISSUES, THAT REQUIRE A MONITOR FOR BLOOD SUGAR OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

WE WOULD CERTAINLY LOU FOR MEDICAL -- ALLOW FOR MEDICAL SITUATIONS LIKE THAT.

IT'S A REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILL, A POLICY THAT THE SCHOOL ADDRESSES TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT.

>> IN 2023, A RATED ON THE HARMFUL IMPACT OF THE USE, THE RATE OF MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL ADULTS THAT INTERACT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT WE CALL PACES.

WE NOW KNOW THROUGH SCIENCE, THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPING BRAIN THE ADVERSE EXPERIENCES THAT CAN BE CAUSED BY A LOT OF THINGS.

PACES ARE POSITIVE EXPERIENCES THAT KIDS CAN USE TO BUILD UP RESILIENCY.

BUT ALSO OTHER TRUSTED ADULTS, EDUCATORS NEED TO WORK HARD THAT EVERYONE CHILD HAS A PLACE IN SCHOOL WHERE THEY FEEL SAFE, AND HEARD AND THEY BELONG.

THE BEST REMEDY FOR NEGATIVE THINGS ARE POSITIVE THINGS.

SURROUNDING KIDS BY POSITIVE EXPERIENCES -- >> ANOTHER BIG ISSUE THAT YOU TOUCHED ON, IS CYBERBULLYING.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CURB THIS?

>> PARENTS NEED TO BE MORE INVOLVED WITH KIDS LIVES.

THEY SHOULD MONITOR THE SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS, AND CHECK CELL PHONES.

A LOT OF KIDS ARE BULLIED.

BUT A LOT OF KIDS ARE THE BULLY.

FOR THE CELL PHONE ISSUE, WE ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER THE WAY THAT LIFE IS MOVING NOW.

MOST OF US DO QUITE A BIT OF BUSINESS ON OUR CELL PHONES.

I AGREE WE NEED TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO CELL PHONES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY.

BUT WE ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER THESE KIDS NEED TO LEARN TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY SO THEY CAN BE MORE PRODUCTIVE IN LIFE.

THAT'S THE WAY LIFE IS MOVING.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, DO WE HAVE EFFECTIVE WAYS OF RECORDING CYBERBULLYING IN THE STATE?

>> THE EDUCATORS, TO BE HONEST.

ONCE YOU GET PAST THE PARENT LEVEL, THE EDUCATORS SPEND THE MOST TIME WITH THE KIDS.

THAT'S THE MOST EFFECTIVE ROUTE WITH THAT.

LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT WITH THE CELL PHONES, ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SEEN IN THE STATE, THAT HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE ISSUES IS BEHAVIOR ISSUES.

STUDENTS ARE GOING BACK TO BEING A KID AGAIN.

INSTEAD OF WALKING DOWN A HALLWAY GLUED TO A SCREEN, THEY'RE INTERACTING WITH THEIR FRIENDS.

THAT'S THE BEST PART OF THAT.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BEST WAYS WE CAN HELP TO IMPROVE THINGS IS TO SURROUND THEM WITH POSITIVE EXPERIENCES.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT MAYBE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA MIGHT NEED TO ADD RESOURCES FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS?

WHEN IT COMES TO SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> WELL, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A STRONG AND RICH NETWORK OF MENTAL HEALTH ADVISERS.

AND PARENTS CAN REACH OUT AND ASK FOR HELP.

WE NEED A PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

BE INVOLVED WITH WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL DAY.

ASK QUESTIONS WITH THE KIDS.

IT'S ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

ANYTHING THAT SUPPORTS A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A PARENT AND A CHILD -- THAT NAP THE SEIZURE -- HAPPEN IN THE CYBERWORLD AS WELL.

>> WITHOUT QUESTION, IT'S NOT JUST THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT THE PRIVATE AND CHARTER SCHOOLS.

THESE KIDS NEED A TRUSTED ADULT THEY CAN TALK TO.

WE NEED TO SEE BETTER RESOURCES IN PLACE.

LIKE REPRESENTATIVE'S BILLS ARE ADDRESSING, THERE ARE PROBLEMS.

WE NEED THE SOLUTION IN PLACE, WE NEED MORE COUNSELORS IN THE SCHOOLS, MORE TRAINED THERAPISTS, CHURCH IS DECLINING, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS GOVERNMENT IS THERE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES WHERE THE PRIVATE SECTOR DOESN'T MEET UP, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS HAVE THE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES TO DEAL WITH THESE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> PARENTS SHOULD ASK THREE SIMPLE QUESTIONS.

NEXT IS DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU BELONG THERE?

DO YOU HAVE FRIENDS, DO YOU HAVE A TEACHER THAT YOU'VE CONNECTED WITH.

AND THE LAST ONE IS ARE YOU FEELING CHALLENGED.

ALL KIDS NEED DIFFERENT THINGS IN THEIR LIVES, AND IF YOU'RE FEELING BEING INSPIRED, CHALLENGED AS A YOUNG PERSON, THOSE ARE NOT THE KIDS THAT ARE IN TROUBLE.

AND THEERINGS NEED TO -- EDUCATORS NODE HE TO ASK -- NEED TO ASK THE QUESTIONS OF THEIR STUDENTS.

>> DID YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON THAT?

>> I THINK WE CAN ALWAYS IMPROVE.

HE CAN ALWAYS DO -- WE CAN ALWAYS DO MORE.

WE HAVE MADE SOME HUGE STEPS, TO FILLING OUT THE SUPPORT SERVICES, I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS OPPORTUNITIES TO DO MORE ON THAT.

AS COURT AND SOCIETY CHANGES, WE'LL CONTINUE TO ADAPT AS WELL.

>> AND A.J.

YOU MENTIONED RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AS WELL.

ARE THERE APPS MAYBE OR ANY WAY THEY CAN TRACK WHAT THEIR STUDENTS ARE DOING ONLINE?

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A WAY.

TECHNOLOGY KEEPS UP.

DO A QUICK SEARCH, LOOK FOR WAYS TO MONITOR YOUR CHILDREN'S ACTIVITY ONLINE.

IF YOU NEED HELP, EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS ACCESS TO THE SERVICES.

REACH OUT TO THE YSA THAT SERVES YOUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE BEST SAFEGUARD IS FOR PARTICIPANT TO BE MORE INVOLVED.

ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS, HIS DAUGHTER WAS APPROACHED BY A VERY BAD PERSON ON SOCIAL MEDIA DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE KIDS WERE ON THE COMPUTER CONSTANTLY.

THEY TALKED TO THEIR DAUGHTER, SAT DOWN, THEY CHECKED HER SOCIAL MEDIA, AND THAT'S HOW WE PROTECT A LOT OF THE KIDS.

IS PARENTS BEING INVOLVED.

>> SPEAKING OF BEING PROTECTED, ANOTHER DARK ASPECT IS THE PREDATORS.

HOW CAN LAW ENFORCEMENT PARENTS AND COMPANIES WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SOCIAL MEDIA SAFER MORE STUDENTS.

>> THROUGH WORKING ON THE BILL I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THE LARGER TECH COMPANIES.

THEY CERTAINLY HAVE SYSTEMS THEY'RE CONTINUING TO EVOLVE AS WELL.

I THINK PROBABLY BECAUSE OF PIECES OF LEGISLATION LIKE THIS, I THINK REALIZE THE ISSUE IS RISEN TO A LEVEL THAT'S NOT BEEN SEEN BEFORE.

THEY HAVE SOME SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO REFER PROBLEM PREDATORS I THINK IN THIS CASE TO LAW FIRM.

LIKE THE LOCAL LAW FIRM FOR MY COMMUNITY, HAS A DIVISION THAT'S ALL THEY DO.

THEY FOCUS ON FINDING ONLINE PREDATORS.

>> AND DO WE THINK THERE'S ANY BENEFITS TO KIDS BEING OFF OF SOCIAL MEDIA AT ALL?

>> ANY OF YOU -- IT'S LIKE I SAID, IT'S A TOOL.

IT CAN BE USED FOR GOOD OR NEGATIVE.

IT'S THE WAY TO STAY CONDUCTED WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THERE'S ALWAYS A POSITIVE TO IT.

BUT IT DOES HAVE A DARK SIDE.

WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF THE DARK SIDE.

AS PARENTS WE HAVE TO ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS, AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THE CONNECTION WITH THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> AND IT'S DEFINITIVELY EVOLVED.

SINCE I WAS IN SCHOOL 10 OR 11 YEARS AGO, IT'S EVOLVED FROM WHAT IT USED TO BE.

WE DIDN'T HAVE FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM DEFINITIVELY WASN'T A THING.

IT'S CHANGED FOR PARENTS AS WELL.

CAN STATE OR CONGRESS REQUIRE COMPANIES TO ADOPT A HIGHER LEVEL OF SECURITY WHEN IT COMES TO UNDERAGED USERS?

>> I THINK IT'S A CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE OVERSEAS THAT ARE OFTEN TIMES TRYING TO DO BAD THINGS.

AND HE HAVE BEEN ME MOTHER RECEIVES PHONE CALLS OF SOMEONE TRYING TO CONVINCE HER THAT A FAMILY MEMBER IS IN JAIL.

IT'S ALL AGES.

AND WE ALL HAVE TO BE ON CONSTANT WATCH.

JUST LIKE MY MOM CALLS ME EVERY TIME ONE OF THE CALLS COME IN.

PARENTS NEED TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THEIR KIDS.

IF SOMEONE SENDS YOU A QUESTIONABLE MESSAGE, AND YOU DON'T KNOW THEM, TALK TO AN TRUSTED ADULT.

>> CAN SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES DO BETTER TO SHARE DATA ON THE HEALTH IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> WITHOUT QUESTION.

WE REMEMBER A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, ALL OF THE SOCIAL MEDIA CEOS WERE TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS.

SOME ADMITTED TO THE WRONGS.

THEY APOLOGIZED TO ONE MOTHER, WITHOUT QUESTION THE PRIVATE CORPORATIONS NEED TO BE HE WOULD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THERE IS SOME BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION THAT ADDRESSES THIS TOPIC.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE'LL SEE A LOT OF SUCCESS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON, DC.

I WOULD LOVE IT IF THIS IS AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULE.

IT DOES RAISE TO THAT.

IF THE PRIVATE SECTOR STEPS UP AND TAKES THE LEAD, THEY COULD SOLVE THIS PROBLEM TODAY.

I WOULD LOVE IF MY BILL WAS UNNECESSARY.

>> AND ALMOST OUT OF TIME, I DID WANT TO ASK, HOW DO PARENTS BECOME MORE DIGITALLY LIT -- >> IT'S A GREAT LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, AND NEEDS TO KNOW HOW IT WORKS.

IT'S A GREAT TIME FOR THEM TO INTERACT.

KIDS ARE THE EXPERTS.

>> MEET THE EXPECTATIONS.

I HAVE THREE TEENAGERS OF MY OWN.

WHEN WE DECIDED IT WAS APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO HAVE A CELL PHONE, WE HAD FRANK CONVERSATIONS OF WHAT'S EXPECTED FROM THEM.

WHEN THEY CAN ACCESS THINGS.

THEY DIDN'T ACCESS SOCIAL MEDIA UNTIL THEY WERE LATER ON IN THE HIGH SCHOOL TIME.

IT'S ABOUT HAVING THE UPFRONT CONVERSATIONS.

IF YOU SET THE GUIDELINES AND TALK TO YOUR KIDS, YOU'LL BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE ENGAGING CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> THE FEW LOUISIANA PLANTATION HOMES THAT STILL EXIST HAVE HAD A PROBLEMATIC HISTORY.

FOR MANY, THEY REPRESENT A PAST THAT INCLUDES SLAVERY AND THE CONFEDERACY.

BUT, IN TERMS OF ARCHITECTURE AND GRANDEUR, THEY'RE MAGNIFICENT.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'LL LEARN HOW ONE OF THESE HOMES HAS BEEN RESTORED AND REPURPOSED.

THAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR PBS PARTNERS AT LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

>> A LOUISIANA LANDMARK, ONE OF THE LARGEST SURVIVING ANTIBELLUM MANSION OF THE SOUTH.

WITNESSED A CHANGING WORLD SINCE THE PRECIVIL WORLD ORIGINS.

MOST HOMES ARE LOST TO HISTORY, BURNED TO THE GROUND OR LEVELLED BY YEARS OF NEGLECT.

THIS HAS ENDURED AND ENTERED A NEW CHAPTER UNDER A NEW OWNER IS THIS.

>> THIS IS THE DREAM OF MY LIFE.

I WAS A HISTORY MAJOR IN COLLEGE.

I CAME DOWN HERE SIX YEARS AGO, AND AFTER THAT, I WAS DETERMINED TO SEE IF IT WAS EVEN AT ALL POSSIBLE TO BUY.

>> THEY PURCHASED IT WITH THE AIM OF RESTORYING THE HOME TO ITS FORMER GLORY.

THE COUPLE LIVES -- WHERE THEY RESTORED, OWN AND OPERATE MAGNOLIA HOUSE.

BOTH HISTORIC BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENTS.

>> BECAUSE 2020 COVID, IT BASICALLY SHUT DOWN.

THERE WERE PEOPLE HERE BUT NO TEFT.

WE HAD TO DO ALL OF THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, HEATING, PAINTING, ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

VERY SOON WE'LL HAVE THE MANSION RESTAURANT OPEN.

I'M EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> IT'S GREAT REVIVAL, AND STYLES.

DESIGNED IT AND SEVERAL GRAND HOMES ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

AND NOW A PRESENT DAY LOUISIANA NATIONAL GUARD INSTALLATION.

>> THERE'S -- >> HE WORKED AS THE HEAD OF MAINTENANCE FOR 31 YEARS.

HE PAINTED A MURAL IN THE DOWN STAIRS RESTAURANT, NEWS OF THE NEW OWNERSHIP, BROUGHT HIM OUT OF RETIREMENT AND BACK TO THE GROUNDS.

>> IT IS DEFINITIVELY, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID.

>> WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES YOU COME BACK HERE OUT OF RETIREMENT TO WORK HERE AGAIN?

>> YOU KNOW,WHEN YOU'VE BEEN HERE 31 YEARS, YOU DONE RAISED YOUR KIDS, AND YOUR WHOLE FAMILY OFF OF THE PROPERTY, YOU APPRECIATE WHAT IT IS.

YOU WANT TO SEE IT SUCCEED.

>> THE CANOPY GROUNDS, INCLUDES COTTAGES, AND THE WHITE BALLROOM IN THE MAIN HOUSE.

THE PHOTOGENIC PROPERTY PLAYED HOST TO -- >> I WANT IT OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY, THE BETTER COMMUNITY OF LOUISIANA, IT IS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH FOR LOUISIANA.

AND SO WE'LL MOVE LOUISIANA FORWARD WITH A GREAT PROPERTY.

WE'LL HAVE AN EASTER EGG HUNT.

A CHRISTMAS DAY.

WE WANT THIS TO BE A FESTIVE PLACE TO GO.

>> WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THEIR COMMITMENT TO REVITALIZING THE PLACE.

FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE PRESERVING THE HISTORY.

THEY'VE WELCOMED VISITORS FROM ACROSS THE WORLD FOR 40 YEARS.

>> IT WAS ORIGINALLY THE HOME OF SUGAR PLANTER JOHN RANDOLPH.

DAN ACKNOWLEDGES THE PAST CANNOT BE DISMISSED NOR IGNORED BUT HE WANTS TO GIVE THE PROPERTY A NEW LEGACY.

>> IT'S ABOUT HAPPINESS.

I WANT TO PRESERVE IT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

AND I WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY HERE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, THE HISTORIC, I WANT PEOPLE TO ENJOY IT.

I WANT TO HAVE FUN HERE AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO HAPPEN.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

BIO-SOLIDS FERTILIZING OKLAHOMA FIELDS.

WHAT ARE THEY AND WHY DO SOME FOLKS THINK THEY'RE UNSAFE AND MAKING PEOPLE SICK?

STEVE SHAW REPORTS, FRIDAY AT 7!

>>> WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT A RAINY NIGHT IN OKLAHOMA CITY, WE'VE HAD A FEW OF THOSE LATELY, PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OETA'S BRANDON DOWNEY.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND "X" BY SEARCHING "OETA.

O.N.R".

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!