>>> THE PUSH TO ONCE AGAIN MANDATE MASKS FOR OKLAHOMA SCHOOL CHILDREN HEATS UP.

CLASSES SET TO BEGIN FOR THOUSAND NEXT WEEK.

>> MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT US FROM RETURN TO VIRTUAL LEARNING IS TO HAVE UNIVERSAL MASKING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE BILL WOULD PREVENT PARENTS FROM SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WEARING A MASK.

>> THERE ARE PLENTY OF FIRES TO FIGHT IN OKLAHOMA.

NOT ENOUGH RURAL FIREFIGHTERS TO FIGHT THEM.

>> PEOPLE AREN'T JUMPING UP AND DOWN TO DO THIS JOB.

>> RIGHT TO REPAIR, WHAT IT IS AND WHY DO-IT-YOURSELFERS ARE HAPPY AND MANY BUSINESSES ARE NOT.

>> WE'RE EXCITED THAT WE'RE GOING TO ABLE TO MAYBE HAVE SOME LESS RESTRICTIONS ON THOSE GOING FORWARD.

>> THE TONI MORRISON SOCIETY UNFAILS THE 31st BENCH BY THE ROAD TO CELEBRATE HIRING OKLAHOMA EDUCATORS.

>> IT'S A SYMBOL.

IT'S A SYMBOL OF REFLECTION AND MEMORY, AND IT'S INVITATIONAL AND THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTED.

>> AN OLYMPIC GYMNAST SPURRING FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH.

WE'LL TAKE UP THE TOPIC NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

WITH THE STATE'SER LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT SET TO RETURN TO CLASS MONDAY, DEMOCRAT LAWMAKERS ARE DEMANDING GOVERNOR STITT CALL SPECIAL SESSION TO REPEAL SENATE BILL 658 WHICH PROHIBITS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM IMPLEMENTING MASK POLICY WITHOUT MEETING CERTAIN CRITERIA.

THE GOVERNOR DOESN'T BELIEVE A SPECIAL SESSION OR MASK MANDATE IS WARRANTED.

AND AS RORY TAYLOR REPORTS THERE ARE STRONG AND VOCAL OPINIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE.

>> WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM DOCTORS AND TEACHERS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO PREVENT US FROM RETURN TO VIRTUAL LEARNING IS TO HAVE UNIVERSAL MASKING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE EMILY VIRGIN IS THE MINORITY LEADER AND ECHOS CALLS FROM DOCTORS TO REPEAL SENATE BILL 658.

KEVIN WEST IS THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL.

>> IT PREVENTS SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM IMPLEMENTING A MASK MANDATE K THROUGH 12, UNLESS WE ARE UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

THAT STATE OF EMERGENCY COULD BE STATEWIDE OR IT COULD BE MORE LOCALIZED.

>> DOCTORS IN THE STATE HAVE BEEN PARTICIPATING IN THAT CONVERSATION.

CAUTIOUSING WHILE NEW COVID STRAINS WILL AFFECT CHILDREN MORE THAN EARLIER ONES, COVID IS AM SO JOINED BY ANOTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUS.

>> ICUs ARE FILLED WITH SOMEWHAT OUT OF SEASON RSV OUTBREAKS IN THE YOUNGER KIDS OCCUPYING A LOT OF THE ICU BEDS.

WE DO HAVE YOUNGER KIDS WITH COVID IN ICU BEDS BUT IT'S NOT THE PREDOMINANT CASE OR DIAGNOSIS RIGHT NOW.

>> FAME SIZING COVID BECOMES MORE DANGEROUS WHEN IT CAN'T BE TREATED.

>> COVID IS A LAYER ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE, SO ANYWHERE WE HAVE CAPACITY ISSUES BEFORE ARE GOING TO BE EXACERBATED BY THE CURRENT SITUATION.

>> AT THE TIME OF SENATE BILL 658 PASSING AND SIGNING INTO LAW, OKLAHOMA COVID COUNT WAS LOW AND ON ITS WAY DOWN, WITH LOTS OF OPTIMISM BROUGHT ON BY VACCINES.

BUT AS CASES RISE AGAIN, SOME PARENTS STILL WANT REMOTE OR HYBRID OPTIONS FOR THEIR KIDS.

JOY HOFF MICESTER IS A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE FAMILIES THAT STILL ARE SEEKING A HYBRID MODEL.

OR A FULLY REMOTE VIRTUAL OPTION.

FOR THE MOST PART, WE ARE SEEING OUR FAMILIES EMBRACE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PEDIATRICIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IN OKLAHOMA, WHICH IS CHILDREN NEED TO MASK UP OF COURSE, BUT THEN BE BACK IN PERSON FOR CLASSROOM LEARNING.

THAT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> RIVERSIDE INDIAN SCHOOL IN ANADARKO HAS ALREADY MADE THE DECISION TO BEGIN THE YEAR FULLY VIRTUALLY DUE TO COVID SAFETY CONCERNS.

ON MONDAY, TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS RELEASED SETH SAFETY GUIDELINES STATING ALL TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED BUT NOT MANDATED TO WEAR MASKS AT TIMES.

>> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN THE BILL WOULD PREVENT PARENTS FROM SENDING THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL WEARING A MASK, AND THE GOVERNOR TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT THIS WEEK.

WE'RE JUST SAYING THAT AS THE STATE WE'RE NOT GOING TO MANDATE THAT YOU HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING AROUND THE COUNTRY IN SCHOOLS AND OUT OF SCHOOLS IS THAT WHEN YOU HAVE LARGE SEGMENTS OF THE POPULATION UNVACCINATED AND WHEN THEY'RE TOGETHER AND UNMASKED THAT OUTBREAKS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE THE DELTA VARIANT IS SO CONTAGIOUS.

AND SO IT LOOKS LIKE THAT IS WHAT WE'RE HEADED TOWARDS IN OKLAHOMA IF WE DON'T CHANGE THIS LAW AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR LOCALLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARDS CAN MAKE THE DECISIONS BEST FOR THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THIS, LIKE I SAID THE GOVERNOR COULD DECLARE AN EMERGENCY DOWN TO A VERY MY CROW AREA IF NEED BE OR THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> WE FEEL THAT IT'S REALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO KEEP THIS LAW IN PLACE AND WE WANT TO GIVE LOCAL CONTROL BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO WERE ELECTED FOR THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CLOSE TOAST THE SITUATION.

>> ONE THING BOTH AGREE ON, EVERYONE WANTS TO KEEP KIDS IN SCHOOL.

INCLUDING DOCTORS.

>> SO THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS PUT OUT A NICE ARTICLE ABOUT KIDS RETURNING BACK TO SCHOOL AND WHAT THEY RECOMMEND, AND SO THEY RECOMMEND THAT THEY DO WANT SCHOOL, KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL, TO BE AROUND OTHERS, FOR THE SOCIAL, MENTAL AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

AND SO BECAUSE THE VACCINES ONLY APPROVED TO 12-YEARS-OLD AND ABOVE THEY RECOMMEND UNIVERSAL MASKING IN SCHOOL.

>> KEEPING KIDS HEALTHY WILL BE ESSENTIAL, A NECESSARY TASK IS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION READY TO CATCH UP THE LAST YEAR'S LOST LEARNING.

ON THURSDAY SUPERINTENDENT HOFMEISTER ANNOUNCED $13 MILLION PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AT NO COST SCIENCE READING ACADEMIES TO 10,000 TEACHERS.

IN ADDITION TO OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS TO HELP ENSURE NEWLY INCREASED STAFFING IS READY TO GO.

>> WE KNOW OUR DISTRICTS ARE HIRING NEW SUPPORT FOLKS TO HELP PROVIDE THE KINDS OF SERVICES THAT OUR KIDS NEED.

WHETHER THAT BE A READING SPECIALIST, EVEN MORE SCHOOL COUNSELORS TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE ON TRACK TO GRADUATE.

>> PARENTS CAN EXPECT TO SEE VACCINES AVAILABLE AT THEIR SCHOOLS.

>> WHAT WE HAVE THIS YEAR THAT WE DID NOT HAVE LAST YEAR IS VACCINE.

AND THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY EFFECTIVE MITIGATION STRATEGY AND REALLY SUE PRESSING COMMUNITY SPREAD OF COVID.

>> RORY TAYLOR, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THANKS.

>>> OKLAHOMA AND YOU'LL TAX FREE WEEKEND IS UNDERWAY AND LASTS UNTIL SUNDAY, AUGUST 8th.

MOST CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR VALUED UNDER $100 WILL BE EXEMPT FROM STATE AND LOCAL SALES TAX.

>>> OKLAHOMA NOW RANKS EIGHTH IN THE NATION IN NEW COVID CASES PER CAPITA.

ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE IS NOW 1,907 PER DAY, AN INCREASE OF MORE THAN 550 PER DAY FROM LAST WEEK.

WE ARE NEARING 1,000 PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED.

40 OF THEM ARE CHILDREN, AND 279 COVID PATIENTS OCCUPY ICU BEDS.

40 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, WITH JUST OVER 40% OF THE POPULATION FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> WHILE THE VIRUS CONTINUES TO SURGE IN HOSPITALS ONCE AGAIN FILLING UP IN SOME AREAS, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA FINDS ITSELF DEALING WITH A SIGNIFICANT NURSING SHORTAGE.

AT OU HEALTH ONE IN FIVE NURSING POSITIONS ARE OPEN.

AND THE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM HAS A 47% TURNOVER RATE.

TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN NURSING STAFF, OU HEALTH IS GETTING PROACTIVE BY OFFERING A HOST OF INCENTIVES.

>> OUR NEW OPPORTUNITIES WILL INCLUDE RELOCATION AND SIGN ON BONUSES, ADDITIONALLY WE'RE OFFERING A WEEKEND PROGRAM, A TRAVEL AT HOME PROGRAM, AND WHAT WE DESCRIBE AS A NURSING DEGREE ACCELERATOR PROGRAM.

UNDER THE OU HEALTH WEEKEND PROGRAM, NURSES WILL WORK FOUR 12-HOUR SHIFTS IN A TWO WEEK PERIOD, SO FOUR 12-HOUR SHIFTS IS 48 HOURS, AND THEY WILL GET PAID FOR 72 HOURS.

>> THE AMERICAN NURSES ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES THERE WILL BE MORE NURSING JOBS AVAILABLE NEXT YEAR THAN ANY OTHER PRO EFFECT NONE THE UNITED STATES.

>>> NOW IN ADDITION TO A SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED NURSES OKLAHOMA IS ALSO IN DESPERATE NEED OF VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE.

IT TAKES A SPECIAL BREED TO DO THIS JOB FOR LITTLE OR NO PAY.

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO BOLSTER THE RANKS OF THE ESSENTIAL FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> BRISTOW FIRE CHIEF CHARLES CONKLIN AND SIX OF HIS VOLUNTEERS RESPOND TODD A HUGE BLAZE MONDAY AT A PLACE CALLED OKLAHOMA TIRE RECYCLING.

33 MILES WEST OF TULSA.

>> THIS FIRE WAS -- WE HAD A MASSIVE SUPPLY OF TIRES THAT HAS BEEN A BUILDING FIRE HAZARD FOR YEARS, AND IT WAS SET IN THE WORST PART POSSIBLE TO WHERE WE HAD NO WAY TO GET TO IT WITH TRUCKS, HOSE, YOU COULD BARELY WALK TO IT IT WAS SO THICK WITH TIRES.

>> THE FIRE TOOK SEVERAL HOURS TO CONTROL.

>> WE KNOW IT WAS A SET FIRE BECAUSE THERE IS NO OTHER IGNITION SOURCE OUT THERE.

DON'T KNOW THE INTENT.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT, WHO KNOWS, MAYBE SOMEBODY CAMPING OUT, BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY A SET FIRE.

>> BRISTOW IS A COMBINATION FULL TIME PAID AND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> AND THE WAY IT WORKS WE NORMALLY HAVE THREE GUYS ON SHIFT, 24 HOURS.

AND THEN WE GOT VOLUNTEERS THAT COME IN WHENEVER WE HAVE A CALL THAT WE PAY FOR.

>> NEARLY 90% OF THE STATE'S FIRE SERVICE IS VOLUNTEER.

THERE ARE 900 VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE SOONER STATE.

THIS WEEK WE SPOKE WITH CONKLIN AND CHIEFS FROM FIRE OTHER RURAL DEPARTMENTS ABOUT WHY THEY'RE RUNNING SO SHORT OF VOLUNTEERS.

>> I HAVE SEEN A DECLINE OF APPROXIMATELY ABOUT 50% OVER THE WHOLE STATE IN THE PAST FEW YEARS.

>> SPECK PLUNKETT IS CHIEF OF KEEFETON VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT AND SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA.

>> WHEN THAT BELL GOES OFF WHETHER IT'S 4:00 IN THE MORNING OR WHETHER IT'S NOON, DAYTIME, OR WHATEVER, YOU GOT TO KNOW THERE IS SOMEBODY'S LIFE DEPENDING UPON THAT.

AND THE THINK ABOUT THAT IS THAT BELL WENT OFF BECAUSE SOMEBODY'S NEEDING YOU.

>> FORT GIBSON FIRE CHIEF NAY THAN PARKER SAYS THAT USED TO BE ENOUGH TO ATTRACT DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS.

>> WE GOT ONE THAT IS STILL ON.

HE'S GOT 42 YEARS IN, INVESTED IN IT.

AND THOSE ARE THE GUYS WE'RE HAVING A HARD TIME REPLACING.

NOBODY WANTS TO FILL THOSE SHOES, THOSE BOOTS.

>> THEY PAY $10 CLOTHING ALLOWANCE FOR EACH CALL BUT THEIR GEAR ROUTINELY GETS TRASHED.

>> WHEN WE GO OUT ON CALL AND YOU PUT THAT BUNKER GEAR ON THAT CLOTHING UNDERNEATH STILL SMELLS LIKE SMOKE, STILL GETS SOOT.

I COULDN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY PAIRS OF SHOES WE GO THROUGH.

>> IT'S BEEN A SLOW.

>> BUCKHORN FIRE CHIEF CLAYTON WEBB WORKS WITH 11 VOLUNTEERS.

HE LIKE TO HAVE TWICE THAT.

>> WHEN YOU GET INTO FIREFIGHTING, YOU QUICKLY FIGURE OUT ITS WORK.

DRIVING THE TRUCKS AND THE SIRENS THAT ONLY LASTS SO LONG, AND THEN WHEN YOU GET THERE YOU FIGURE OUT HEY, THIS IS JUST NOTHING BUT WORK.

>> UNION CITY CHIEF DAVID JONES IS SHORTHANDED, TOO.

UNION CITY PAYS THEIR VOLUNTEERS $5 PER RUN.

THEY AND MANY OTHER RURAL DEPARTMENTS ALSO OFFER A $20,000 ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFIT.

>> WE DONE SEVERAL THINGS.

WE'VE ACTUALLY MAILED OUT A MILLER TO EVERY ADDRESS IN OUR AREA THAT WE HAVE.

WE'VE OBVIOUSLY PUT OUT FLYERS, YOU KNOW, FACEBOOK, SOCIAL MEDIA THAT, KIND OF THING.

>> IF YOU ARE A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER IN OKLAHOMA FOR AT LEAST 20 YEARS, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A $158 A MONTH STATE PENSION.

>> YOU CAN GO AHEAD TO 30 YEARS AND GAIN A FEW MORE DOLLARS AND THAT'S GREAT.

BUT THE THING OF IT IS, FIREFIGHTERS WE'RE NOT DOING IT FOR THE MONEY.

AS I TELL PEOPLE, OH, YEAH, WHEN I RETIRE, THAT WILL BUY FISHING WORMS.

>> FIRE CHIEF JOHN STOUT SAYS THERE'S A PROFOUND DISCONNECT WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERRING.

>> YOU TRY TO GET NEW ONES IN, AND THE NEW GENERATION NOW, THE YOUNGER GENERATION, WHAT DO I GET?

WHAT DO I GET?

>> HE SAYS HE'S NOT ONLY DEALING WITH A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER SHORTAGE, BUT ALSO A PROFOUND LACK OF USEABLE WATER.

>> WHY IS THERE WATER SHORTAGE?

>> TOO MANY GROWERS.

TOO MANY MARIJUANA GROWERS.

>> SERIOUSLY?

>> SERIOUSLY.

>> HE SAYS AT LEAST 11 GROW OPERATIONS HAVE SET UP SHOP AROUND IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS AND HE SAYS THE LOCAL WATER DISTRICT CAME UP A MILLION GALLONS SHORT LAST MONTH.

>> DON'T KNOW.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GIVING OUR INFORMATION TO THE STATE.

WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR STATE OFFICIALS.

>> HE SAYS THE STATE'S BEEN LUCKY THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN A SERIOUS DROUGHT, BUT WHEN IT COMES AGAIN AND THE WILDFIRES THAT ALWAYS FOLLOW, THEY'LL NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE WHAT WE NEED LEGISLATIVELY TO HELP VOLUNTEERS.

WHAT I MEAN, THERE IS WE HAVE ASKED THE LEGISLATORS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING, AND I'M GOING TO THROW SOMETHING OUT LIKE I THREW OUT TO THE LEGISLATORS, TO COME UP WITH MIKE A TAX CARD, MEANING IF YOU ARE A VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER YOU COULD ACTUALLY TAKE THIS TAX CARD AND BUY BILL OF GROCERIES FOR YOUR FAMILY AND NOT HAVE TO PAY SALES TAX.

>> PEOPLE AREN'T JUMPING UP AND DOWN TO DO THIS JOB.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THANKS.

>>> WHILE A SPECIAL SESSION HAS NOT BEEN CALLED THERE IS STILL PLENTY OF BUZZ ABOUT THAT SITUATION.

WITH MORE ON THAT AND THE PROGRESS OF INTERIM STUDIES WE WELCOME BACK SHAWN ASHLEY.

EARLY IN THE NEWSCAST WE HEARD LAWMAKERS DEMANDING A SPECIAL SESSION TO ADDRESS MASK MANDATES AND THE REPEAL OF SENATE BILL 658.

DOES THAT HAVE ANY REPUBLICAN SUPPORT AT ALL?

>> I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE SO.

WHEN THE BILL PASSED BACK IN MAY, ONLY ONE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEN LATRELLE FROM PONCA CITY VOTED AGAINST IT.

I'VE ASKED GOVERNOR STITT'S OFFICE FOR THE REACTION TO THE DEMOCRAT'S CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION AND HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK BACK TO MAY 28th WHEN THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL HE ALSO ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER PROHIBITING STATE AGENCIES FROM MAINTAINING MASK MANDATES AND IMPLEMENTING VACCINE REQUIREMENTS.

IN THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER HE MADE HIS FEELINGS ABOUT THE BILL KNOWN.

THIS BILL IS IMPORTANT, AND HAS MY FULL SUPPORT, HE WROTE IN THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER.

>> SHAWN, LET'S TAKE AND I TRUMP STUDY FROM EACH CHAMBER THAT YOU FIND PARTICULARLY INTERESTING AND POTENTIALLY IMPACTFUL AND START IN THE HOUSE.

>> YOU KNOW, THERE IS SEVERAL INTERIM STUDIES IN THE HOUSE DEALING WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA, WHICH IS A RELATIVELY NEW INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.

ONE THAT LOOKS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING WAS REQUESTED BY REPRESENTATIVE DICK LOWE, AND CARL NEWTON.

IT WANTS TO LOOK AT THE AGRICULTURAL CONCERNS RELATED TO MEDICAL MARIJUANA PRODUCTION, INCLUDING ITS AFFECT ON LAND PRICES, THE WORKFORCE, AND POSSIBLE LABOR TRAFFICKING, IMPACTS ON RURAL UTILITIES, AND EVEN PESTICIDE DROUGHT.

>> HOW ABOUT IN THE SENATE?

>> YOU KNOW, I REALLY LIKE STUDIES THAT GIVE US A LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN AT HOW STATE GOVERNMENT WORKS.

AND SENATOR DAVE RADER STUDY ON THE STATE PARK SYSTEM LOOKS LIKE IT WILL DO THAT.

SENATOR RADER TOLD E-CAPITOL HE WANTS THE TOURISM AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT TO EXPLAIN WHETHER OKLAHOMA HAS ENOUGH STATE PARKS OR WHETHER IT MIGHT NEED MORE.

AND HOW THEY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

SENATOR THOMSON AND SENATOR MURDOCK'S STUDY ON HOW THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DECIDES WHICH PRISONS TO CLOSE ALSO PROPOSES A LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN THAT COULD BE VERY INTERESTING.

>> SHAWN, THE STATE'S NEW REBATE PROGRAM LAUNCHES NEXT WEEK.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT ARE WE EXPECTING?

>> PROPONENTS OF THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION BELIEVE IT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE FIRM INDUSTRY, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE ONE OF THE PROBLEMS WAS THAT IT WAS SO SMALL.

THIS IS A $30 MILLION REBATE, RATHER THAN TAX CREDIT PROGRAM.

AND ITS SUPPORTERS SAID DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT THIS WOULD NOT ONLY ATTRACT LARGER FILM PROJECTS TO THE STATE BUT POTENTIALLY TELEVISION SERIES THAT ACCRUE EXPENSES OVER A LONGER PERIOD OF TIME AND A HIGHER ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THOSE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY'RE FILMING.

>> FINALLY, SHAWN, CHAMBER OF THE OKLAHOMA PARTY ANGERED A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SOCIAL MEDIA POST.

COULD THERE BE REPERCUSSIONS FOR JOHN BENNETT?

>> A NUMBER OF ELECTED LEADERS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HOUSE SPEAKER, SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT AND U.S.

SENATORS JIM INHOFF AND JAMES LANKFORD, AS WELL AS OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT IN CHAIRMAN BENNETT'S REMARKS.

THAT HAS NOT MOVED FORWARD TOWARDS REMOVAL OF HIM FOR FROM HIS POSITION.

WE'VE SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA CRITICISM BY OTHER ELECTED LEADERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC BUT THERE IS ALSO BEEN SUPPORT AMONG SOME MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR WHAT CHAIRMAN BENNETT HAD TO SAY.

AT THIS TIME, NO FORMAL ACTION IS BEING TAKEN, SO WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>> AND WE WILL WAIT AND SEE.

SHAWN ASHLEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON ARE NEARING A VOTE ON A BIPARTISIAN $1 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE BILL 2700 PAGES LONG.

THIS WEEK THE SENATE CONSIDERED MORE THAN TWO DOZEN AMENDMENTS ON THE LEGISLATION.

MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE COMING FROM REPUBLICANS.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER SAYS IT'S TIME TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP AND VOTE ON THAT BILL.

>> LEGISLATORS SHOULD ACTUALLY HAVE A CHANCE TO LEGISLATE.

NO ONE CAN DENY THAT WE'VE KEPT OUR WORD HERE IN THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.

TODAY WE'LL CONSIDER EVEN MORE AMENDMENTS, AND THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN BRING THIS BILL TO A CLOSE VERY SHORTLY.

OUR GOAL IS TO PASS BOTH A BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND A BUDGET RESOLUTION DURING THIS WORK PERIOD.

AND WE WILL STAY HERE TO GET BOTH DONE.

>> NOW BEFORE VOTE CAN BE TAKEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS WILL NEED TO AGREE TO CLOSE DEBATE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO VOTE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THIS WEEKEND OR EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>>> $124 MILLION DEVELOPMENT TO TRANSFORM PART OF THARD INDUSTRIAL AIR PARK GOT UNDERWAY THIS WEEK.

IT WILL BE CALLED THE GLOBAL TRANSPORTATION AND INDUSTRIAL PARK OF OKLAHOMA.

THE PROJECT INCLUDES 200 ACRES OF LAND FOR TRANSPORTATION, WAREHOUSING DISTRIBUTION, AND MANUFACTURING BUSINESSES.

WP GLOBAL HOLDINGS WHICH IS PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN WATCO, KNIGHTS BRIDGE PARTNERS AND THE CHICKASAW NATION IS TEAMING UP WITH THE ARDMORE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ON THAT PROJECT.

>>> ROAD, BRIDGES AND OTHER NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS WERE BEING DISCUSSED AT THE STATE CAPITOL COMPLEX.

OKLAHOMA CITY I 240 ON THE SOUTH SIDE ABOUT TO GET SIGNIFICANTLY LARGER WITHOUT ANY NEW CONSTRUCTION.

THE OKLAHOMA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION IS APPROVED DESIGNATING PARTS OF THE KICKAPOO TURNPIKE AND KILPATRICK TURNPIKE AS PART OF INTERSTATE 240.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE INTERSTATE 240 DESIGNATION ON THE LOOP AROUND THE OBJECT CITY METROPOLITAN AREA WE'RE FINALLY TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE A TRULY CONTIGUOUS ROUTE THERE THAT CAN SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF SOME OF THAT TRANSPORTATION NEED IN A LOOP FORMAT.

THAT'S COMMON PRACTICE ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND YOU'LL SEE THAT IN MANY OF THE METROPOLITAN AREAS.

>> OKLAHOMA TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY TIM GATZ SAYS NEW SIGNAGE WILL LET MOTORISTS KNOW WHEN IT BECOMES A TOLL ROAD.

THE NEXT STEP WILL BE APPROVAL BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>>> THERE ARE NEW OWNERS AND NEW NAME FOR THE FORMER CANCER TREATMENT CENTERS OF THE BUILDING IN SOUTH TULSA.

THE $40 MILLION FACILITY HAS BEEN PURCHASED BY THE MUSKOGEE NATION.

IT WILL NOW BE CALLED COUNCIL OAK COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE.

THE FACILITY ALSO HAS 156 HOTEL ROOMS, WHICH CAN BE USE TODD QUARANTINE COVID-19 PATIENTS IF THE NEED ARISES.

>>> OKLAHOMA ENERGY COMPANY IS TAKING CENTER STAGE AS EARNINGS REPORT SEASON GETS IN FULL SWING.

HERE IS JASON DOYLE.

>> WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES.

DEVON ENERGY REPORTS A SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $256 MILLION, A TURNAROUND FROM THE SECOND QUARTER 2020 LOSS OF $670 MILLION.

THE COMPANY HAS INCREASED ITS QUARTERLY DIVIDEND BY 44% TO 49 CENTS A SHARE BECAUSE OF THE TURNAROUND.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, DEVON HAS PAID OFF $1.2 BILLION IN DEBT.

CONTINENTAL RESOURCES IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF HIGHER OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES TO SWING TO A PROFIT IN THE SECOND QUARTER.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY BASED EXPLORATION AND PRODUCTION COMPANY REPORTS A NET INCOME OF $289.3 MILLION, COMPARED TO THE SECOND QUARTER 2020 LOSS OF $239.2 MILLION.

CONTINENTAL SAYS IT HAS INCREASED ITS PRODUCTION AND IS OFFERING AN INCREASED DIVIDEND TO SHAREHOLDERS, AS WELL AS RESUMING A $1 BILLION STOCK BUYBACK PROGRAM.

TULSA BASED WILLIAMS REPORTS A SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $304 MILLION, UP FROM $303 MILLION DURING THE SECOND QUARTER OF LAST YEAR, IT APPEARS THE SEVERE WINTER WEATHER IMPACT ON NATURAL GAS PRICES HAD A POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE PIPELINE COMPANY'S EARNINGS, WILLIAMS SAYS IT'S EXPANSION OF A PIPELINE NETWORK IN PENNSYLVANIA SHOULD BE OPERATIONAL JUST AHEAD OF THIS WINTER.

ANOTHER OIL AND GAS PIPELINE COMPANY IN TULSA HAS INCREASED ITS PROFITS.

ONEOK REPORTS A SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME OF $342.1 MILLION, COMPARED TO NET INCOME OF $134.3 MILLION FOR THE SAME TIME PERIOD IN 2020.

THE COMPANY'S ARBUCKLE TWO PIPELINE EXPANSION WENT ONLINE DURING THIS QUARTER, INCREASING ONEOK'S CAPACITY BY UP TO 500,000 BARRELS OF OIL A DAY.

PAYCOM'S SECOND QUARTER REVENUE BEAT ITS ESTIMATES BY MORE THAN $9 MILLION, COMING IN AT $232.1 MILLION.

THAT BREAKS DOWN TO A NET INCOME OF $52.3 MILLION.

DURING THE SAME QUARTER IN 2020, PAYCOM REPORTED NET INCOME OF $28.6 MILLION.

PAYCOM EXPECTS REVENUES TO CONTINUE TO CLIMB UPWARD AS THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW SOFTWARE, BETI, ROLLS OUT TO MORE CLIENTS.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> YOU MAY HAVE HEARD TALK ABOUT SOMETHING CALLED RIGHT TO REPAIR.

FOR DO-IT-YOURSELFERS IT'S A BIG DEAL AND FOR MANY BUSINESSES IT'S SOMETHING THEY'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR YEARS.

JASON DOYLE EXPLAINS WHAT RIGHT TO REPAIR IS AND WHY CHANGES ARE COMING FOR BOTH COMPANIES AND CONSUMERS.

>> OH, MOST DEFINITELY.

YEAH.

WE'VE SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR INDUSTRY, FOR SURE.

>> BECK'S GARAGE PRESIDENT AND OWNER JEFF BECK HAS WORKED ON A LOT OF CARS OVER THE YEARS.

>> I'VE GOT ABOUT 40 OR WHATEVER YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, BUT YOU KNOW, PROFESSIONALLY, HONESTLY, YOU'VE -- SINCE THE EARLY '80S, AND I OPENED BECK'S GARAGE SOMETIMES SUMMER OF '92, I BELIEVE IT WAS.

>> HE'S WITNESSED A LOT CHANGES IN TECHNOLOGY ONBOARD THOSE VEHICLES.

>> A LOT OF COMPUTERS, EVERYTHING, EVERY FUNCTION, FEATURE AND GADGET ON YOUR CAR HAS A -- SOME TYPE OF A PROCESSOR, SOME TYPE OF LITTLE LAPTOP, IF YOU WILL, THAT MAKES EVERYTHING GO.

>> WHILE BECK AND HIS STAFF WILL MAKE SURE THE MECHANICAL PARTS OF THE CAR ARE WORKING CORRECTLY, IT'S THE PROPRIETARY SOFTWARE ON THOSE COMPUTERS WHICH COULD FORCE HIM TO SEND A CUSTOMER TO A DEALER.

>> THE PROBLEM THERE IS, IS THAT SOMETIMES WE WON'T HAVE CERTAIN DIAGNOSTIC OR CERTAIN INFORMATION THAT'S AVAILABLE TO US, YOU KNOW.

WE'LL SAY DEALER OPTION OR DEALER ONLY, OR THERE JUST WILL BE NOTHING THERE FOR US.

AND AT THAT POINT, YOUR HANDS ARE TIED.

YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING WITH IT.

>> THAT'S WHY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION HAS ADOPTED A NEW POLICY STATEMENT TARGETING THE RIGHT TO REPAIR.

>> WHICH WEIGHS OUT OUR CONCERNS ABOUT REPAIR RESTRICTIONS AND COMMITS THE AGENCY TO FOCUS GREATER ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AND RESOURCES ON UNLAWFUL REPAIR RESTRICTIONS AND PRACTICES GOING FORWARD.

>> THE RIGHT TO REPAIR ISSUE INVOLVES A RANGE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS, LIKE VEHICLES, HOME APPLICANCES OR COMPUTER EQUIPMENT LIKE TABLETS AND PHONES.

TECHNOLOGY HAS CREATED NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR MANUFACTURERS TO LIMIT INDEPENDENT REPAIR.

>> AND BOTH THE FTC'S WORK AND PUBLIC REPORTING HAVE DOCUMENTED, COMPANIES ROUTINELY USE A WHOLE SET OF PRACTICES INCLUDING LIMITING THE AVAILABILITY OF PARTS AND TOOLS, USING EXCLUSIONARY DESIGNS AND PRODUCT DECISIONS THAT MAKE INDEPENDENT REPAIRS LESS SAFE AND MAKING ASSERTIONS OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK RIGHTS THAT ARE OFTEN TIMES OVERLY BROAD.

>> NOW THE FEDERAL AGENCY WILL LOOK TO LIMIT THOSE KINDS OF RESTRICTIONS THAT MANUFACTURES PUT INTO PLACE ON THEIR PRODUCTS.

>> THESE TYPES OF RESTRICTIONS CAN SIGNIFICANTLY RAISE COSTS TO CONSUMERS, STIFLE INNOVATION, CLOSE OFF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, CREATE UNNECESSARY ELECTRONIC WASTE, DELAY TIMELY REPAIRS AND UNDERMINE RESILIENCY.

>> MOST CONSUMERS WILL ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POLICY CHANGE THROUGH EITHER GETTING THEIR PHONES FIXED, OR EVEN THEIR LAPTOPS OR IPADS, BUT THAT DECISION REACHES ALL THE WAY OUT TO THE FARM.

>> I DON'T THINK THAT YOU CAN GET THE SOFTWARE, THAT I'M AWARE OF, UNLESS YOU'RE A CERTIFIED TECH.

>> TIM BATES IS A FARMER IN WOODWARD COUNTY.

WHILE HE CAN FIX MOST THINGS THAT GO WRONG MECHANICALLY ON HIS FARMING EQUIPMENT, IT IS SOFTWARE WHICH COULD STOP A HARVEST OR PLANTING.

>> IT COULD BE AN UPDATE THAT SHUTS THE MACHINE DOWN AND IT, YOU KNOW -- IT REQUIRES A FIELD TECH TO COME OUT WITH THEIR COMPUTER OR PLUG IT IN AND DO A SOFTWARE UPDATE, OR WHATEVER ELSE.

AND YOU JUST -- YOU JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT.

>> IN SOME REGARD, THE JOHN DEERE COMPANY AGREES, IN A RECENT STATEMENT.

JOHN DEERE DOES NOT SUPPORT THE RIGHT TO MODIFY EMBEDDED SOFTWARE DUE TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE EQUIPMENT, EMISSIONS COMPLIANCE AND ENGINE PERFORMANCE.

EVEN A MECHANIC LIKE JEFF BECK CAN SEE THE MERIT IN THAT.

>> WE HAVE A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR CUSTOMERS TO DO THE BEST JOB WE CAN, BUT ALSO, YOU KNOW, IF WE -- IF I DEVELOP SOMETHING AND I OWN IT, AND I OWN THE RIGHTS TO IT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO RELEASE IT OR NOT TO RELEASE IT, OR TO CHARGE A FAIR PRICE FOR THAT.

>> HOWEVER, BATES WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A CRACK AT FIXING ISSUES, EVEN IF IT MEANS BRINING A COMPUTER INTO A FIELD, LITERALLY.

>> I WOULD DO IT MYSELF, YEAH.

I CAN -- I LIKE THAT KIND OF STUFF, I GUESS.

AND I CAN, YOU KNOW, I CAN LOG IN THERE AND I CAN CLEAR CODES ON OUR COMPUTER SCREENS, ON THE MACHINE.

BUT YEAH, IF I HAD THE SOFTWARE, I WOULD, I WOULD DO IT.

>> MANY OF OUR FARMERS DO THEIR OWN REPAIRS, OR WE HAVE A LOCAL INDEPENDENT DO A LOT OF THE REPAIRS.

>> SCOTT BLUBAUGH IS THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICAN FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

>> THE RIGHT TO REPAIR MOVEMENT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE AND WITH OUR NEWER FARM EQUIPMENT, WE'VE BEEN RESTRICTED BY SOME OF THE FARM MANUFACTURERS IN THE WORK THAT WE CAN WORK ON YOUR OWN EQUIPMENT.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING RIGHT TO REPAIR CONCERNING FARMING EQUIPMENT, IS TIMING.

>> BEING ABLE TO GET THE CROP HARVESTED TIMELY IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE CAN LOSE A CROP OVERNIGHT WITH ONE HAIL STORM, LITERALLY WIPE US OUT, A GREAT CROP OVERNIGHT WITH A HAILSTORM.

SO THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO HARVEST THAT CROP QUICKLY IS VITALLY IMPORTANT.

>> TIMING IS EVERYTHING IN AGRICULTURE.

I MEAN, IT COULD BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GETTING A CROP PUT UP BEFORE A BIG RAINSTORM COMING IN.

I MEAN, WE COULD BE -- WE WORK, YOU KNOW, 24 HOURS OF THE DAY, ESSENTIALLY SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, AND TRYING TO BEAT MOTHER NATURE.

>> THE RIGHT TO REPAIR DECISION BY THE FTC IS WELCOME.

>> THIS CHANGES THE WHOLE GAME, AND I APPLAUD PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR PUSHING THE FTC TO DO THIS, AND TO TAKE AWAY SOME OF THESE RESTRICTIONS.

>> HOWEVER, DESPITE THE DECISION, THE PATH ISN'T CLEAR FOR ALL CONSUMER PRODUCTS.

>> LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE AND LOOKING TOWARD SOME OF THE NEWER HYBRID CARS AND ALL ELECTRIC CARS, IT'S JUST GOING TO GET LESS AND LESS THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO HANDLE.

>> JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THE TONI MORRISON SOCIETY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1993 TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THE WORK OF THE NOBEL PRIZE WINNING AUTHOR WHO PASSED AWAY IN 2019.

PART OF THE MISSION INVOLVES BUILDING SMALL AREAS FOR REFLECTION IN HISTORICALLY SUGGEST CAN'T MA PLACES AROUND THE WORLD.

THE BENCH WAS DEDICATED ON THE OSU TULSA CAMPUS IN THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> MAY THIS PLACE OF CONTEMPLATION BE ONE THAT IS USED BY ALL THOSE WHO SAY, LET US REFLECT UPON THE PAST SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE FUTURE.

>> AMEN.

AMEN.

>> WITH A SMALL CANOPY OF TREES PROVIDING DAPPLED SHADE, THE JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN CENTER FOR RECONCILIATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OSU-TULSA, UNVEILED AND EXPLAINED OUR NATION'S NEWEST BENCH BY THE ROAD LOCATION.

>> WE'RE STANDING RIGHT THERE WHERE BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL WAS ERECTED.

SO WE'RE RIGHT IN THE HUB OF THE EDUCATIONAL EMPHASIS AND FOCUS FOR THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> THESE SYMBOLIC MARKERS ARE MEANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY THE MANY STORIES OF BOTH TRAGEDY AND TRIUMPH WITHIN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND AFRICAN DIASPORE PAST.

>> THE 31ST "BENCH BY THE ROAD" IS A STORY OF TRIUMPH, THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF A MAN NAMED ELLIS WALKER WOODS, PRINCIPAL OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SINCE IT'S INCEPTION IN 1913 UNTIL 1948.

>> HE WAS PREPARING BLACK STUDENTS TO MEET THE CHALLENGES, WHATEVER CAME BEFORE THEM.

>> THE NAMES OF 110 OF THOSE STUDENTS ARE ENGRAVED ON TWO GRANITE PLAQUES THAT WILL BE PERMANENTLY INSTALLED IN THE REFLECTION GARDEN.

>> THEY GRADUATED FROM BOOKER T. WASHINGTON BETWEEN 1916 AND 1951.

AND THEY CAME BACK TO TULSA TO TEACH.

SOME OF THEM BECAME PRINCIPALS.

SOME OF THEM EARNED THEIR PHDS.

YOU SHOULD BE PROUD THAT YOU'RE STANDING IN THE AREA THAT LED THE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS IN THE CITY OF TULSA.

>> TONI MORRISON WAS ALSO A TEACHER, AMONG MANY, MANY OTHER THINGS.

>> SHE WAS AN EDITOR.

SHE WAS AN AUTHOR.

SHE WAS A KEEN POET OF HISTORY.

AND SHE REALLY DID UNDERSTAND THE AFFIRMATIONS AND THE TRIUMPHS AND THE PERSEVERANCE OF OUR CULTURE, AND SHE HAS JUST ARTICULATED THAT IN SO MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

I MEAN, SHE'S -- SHE'S WRITTEN 11 NOVELS.

SHE'S DONE PLAYS.

SHE'S DONE OPERAS.

SHE'S WRITTEN LIBRETTOS.

SHE'S GIVEN TALKS.

SHE'S WRITTEN ESSAYS.

SHE'S TAUGHT CLASSES.

I MEAN, SHE IS A RENAISSANCE WOMAN.

SHE IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE IN EVERY WAY.

>> CAROLYN DENARD OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, FOUNDED THE TONI MORRISON SOCIETY IN MAY OF 1993.

>> SEVEN MONTHS LATER, SHE WON THE NOBEL PRIZE.

SO OUR HISTORY HAS BEEN IN SOME WAYS DICTATED BY THAT MOMENTOUS OCCASION.

>> THE PHRASE "BENCH BY THE ROAD" COMES FROM MORRISON'S OWN WRITINGS.

YOU CAN READ HER ENTIRE QUOTE ON A BRONZE PLAQUE THAT WILL ALSO BE PART OF THE REFLECTION GARDEN.

>> THERE'S A CERTAIN KIND OF TANGIBILITY ABOUT THE BENCH AND THE WAYS IN WHICH IT IS INVITING AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO COME IN.

SO IT'S A SYMBOL, IT'S A SYMBOL OF REFLECTION AND MEMORY, AND IT'S INVITATIONAL.

AND THAT'S WHAT SHE WANTED, AND THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID SHE ESPECIALLY LIKEED ABOUT THE BENCH BY THE ROAD PROJECT.

>> THE UNVEILING CEREMONY ALSO INCLUDED A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM KELLY SWAN WITH DEVON ENERGY.

>> WE'RE PLEASED TO PRESENT THE JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN RECONCILIATION CENTER WITH A WPX LEGACY GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $200,000 TO HELP THIS ORGANIZATION CONTINUE THEIR IMPORTANT WORK.

>> IT WAS A SURPRISE, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE DEPENDED ON THE SUPPORT OF OUR LOCAL DONORS, BENEFACTORS.

SO WE HOPE THAT CONTINUES AND WE HOPE WE DO THE WORK TO DESERVE THAT KIND OF SUPPORT.

>> HISTORIAN JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN WAS HIMSELF A PROUD GRADUATE OF BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, AND A PIONEER IN SHARING AND TEACHING THE HISTORY OF BLACK AMERICA.

>> GREENWOOD IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF AMERICA'S HISTORY, AND SO THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THE BENCH IS TO RECOGNIZE THOSE HISTORICAL FACTS AND PLACES THAT HAVE BEEN LOST.

>> JUST A FEW HUNDRED YARDS TO THE SOUTH THE GREENWOOD RISING HISTORY CENTER OPENED TO THE PUBLIC ON WEDNESDAY.

ADMISSION IS FREE FOR VISITORS BUT REQUIRED TO BOOK RESERVE TIME IN ADVANCE ONLINE.

THE $18.5 MILLION CENTER HAS SOME REALLY THOUGHT PROVOKING INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS.

I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO ENJOY.

IT'S OPEN 9:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M. DAILY EXCEPT ON TUESDAYS.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY.

>>> AMERICAN GYMNAST SIMONE BILES MAY BE BETTER REMEMBERED FOR WINNING BRONZE IN TOKYO.

CITING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS BILES DROPPED OUT OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPETITION.

A DECISION THAT TOOK COURAGE AND SHINED A BRIGHT LIGHT ON SOMETHING THAT A FLICKS MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH SEGMENT, SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUEST CONTINUE THAT CONVERSATION WITH WHAT'S BEING DONE HERE TO HELP THOSE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

WE HAVE TWO TALENTS WITH US TODAY WHO HAVE A LOT OF INSIGHT INTO THIS ISSUE.

FIRST WE HAVE CRYSTAL LEWIS, THE CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER OF THE ADULT MENTAL HEALTH MEDICAL SERVICES FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES IN TULSA, AND THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES IN NORMAN.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANKS A LOT.

>> AND BEFORE WE BEGIN, BOTH OF YOU, WE WANT TO LET OUR VIEWERS KNOW THAT WE WILL HAVE A NUMBER AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN THROUGHOUT THIS DISCUSSION.

IT IS FOR THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AND THE NUMBER IS 800-273-TALK, AND IT'S MORE THAN SUICIDE PREVENTION, RIGHT?

>> CORRECT.

THIS IS A NUMBER FOR ALL CRISIS CALLS OR JUST NEEDING TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE.

>> AND YOU WERE SAYING SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST CALL JUST TO TALK, RIGHT?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.

AND WE'VE SEEN A LOT MORE AND FRANKLY THE -- MANY OF THE ISSUES THAT PEOPLE CALL IN WITH ARE RESOLVED THERE, SHOULD ALSO SAY WHEN YOU CALL THAT NUMBER THERE IS A PROMPT THAT YOU CAN HIT IF YOU'RE A VETERAN AND GOES IMMEDIATELY TO CRISIS COUNSELORS WHO DEAL WITH VETERAN'S ISSUES, SO THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT IN OKLAHOMA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GO TO ANOTHER SUBJECT MATTER.

I'M GOING TO BEGIN WITH YOU.

OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN FACING A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AND IT'S REALLY BEEN BROUGHT TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION OF LATE.

IS THAT WHAT YOU'VE SEEN IN YOUR CAPACITY AND IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, INCREASE IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES FOR OKLAHOMA?

>> I THINK WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT A LOT MORE WHICH IS REALLY GOOD THING.

OVER THE LAST COUPLE DECADES, THAT DISCUSSION HAS INCREASED.

AND THAT'S IMPORTANT.

IF WE'RE GOING TO START ADDRESSING THESE ISSUES WE REALLY WANT PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

AND LOOKING TO SEE WHERE THEY REACH OUT FOR FOR HELP.

>> SOMETIMES YOU KNOW WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, YOU'RE NOT THINKING I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

YOU'RE JUST DEALING WITH SOMETHING AND OFTENTIMES I WOULD IMAGINE YOU FEEL ALONE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MORE COMMON MENTAL STRUGGLES THAT OKLAHOMANS FACE THAT YOU GUYS SEE ON THE FRONT LINE?

DO YOU WANT TO START THAT?

>> SURE, ABSOLUTELY.

YOU KNOW, WHAT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT DURING THIS TIME OF COVID OF COURSE, THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT INCREASE SUBSTANCE ABUSE, SO WE ARE SEEING INCREASES IN ALSO DIAGNOSES THAT ARE CONNECTED TO PSYCHOSIS, BUT DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER ARE ISSUES WE'RE DEALING WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> I WAS -- I WAS THINKING TOO THAT IN SO MANY CASES WHAT WE DON'T SEE ARE THE UNDERLYING FACTORS.

AND THIS WEEK, WE HAD SIMONE BILES, WHO WAS TALKING ABOUT HER MENTAL HEALTH.

I HEARD A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMMENTS ABOUT THAT.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, HAD A FRIEND FROM A UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC PROGRAM CONTACT ME THIS MORNING HE'S LIKE WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS?

WELL THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS IN LISTENING TO IT, A LOT OF JUDGMENT.

NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THESE DISEASES AS DISEASES.

THEY'RE EVERY BIT AS DEBILITATING AS ANY PHYSICAL DISEASE AND THEY OFTEN GO TOGETHER.

THE IMPACT OF YOUR MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CAN IMPACT THAT PHYSICAL HEALTH ISSUE ALSO AND YOUR ABILITY THERE.

BUT THERE ARE OTHER UNDERLYING FACTORS WITH THESE DISEASES WE DON'T OFTEN THINK ABOUT.

TRAUMA, FOR EXAMPLE.

IN OKLAHOMA, TRAUMA IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO MANY OF THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AND SUBSTANCE ISSUES THAT WE SEE.

AND YOU THINK ABOUT UNDERLYING TRAUMA AND DIFFERENT LIFE EVENTS THAT CAN HELP TRIGGER AND HAVE THESE DISEASES START TO COME TO THE FOREFRONT.

THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND.

BUT ALSO TO GO BACK TO THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THESE DISEASES AS SOMETHING WE CAN DIAGNOSE, WE CAN TREAT, PEOPLE CAN BECOME WELL.

IF WE GET THEM THE RIGHT SERVICES.

>> THEY GO HAND-IN-HAND.

YOU MENTIONED TRAUMA, JEFF.

AND WHAT YOU THINK OF THE TORNADOES, WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT TORNADOES AND CRISES, AND ALL OF THE HELP IS THERE IN THE MOMENT, BUT THEN PEOPLE KIND OF GOES AWAY, AND PEOPLE ARE LEFT ON THEIR OWN TO OVERCOME WHO JUST HAD COVID, AS YOU'VE MENTIONED.

AND I WANT TODD ASK YOU SOMETHING, BECAUSE YOU DID MENTION SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

I NEVER THOUGHT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE AS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE.

IS IT?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

AND I WOULD LIKE KRISTA TO TALK ALSO, BUT WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS A BRAIN DISEASE.

THAT'S IT.

THE WAY I SAY THAT SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A BRAIN DISEASE.

AND I DO THAT REALLY TO KIND OF LESSEN THE IMPACT WHEN WE SAY THAT, BECAUSE IT'S SCARY THING.

BUT GOING BACK TO WHAT I SAID EARLIER IT'S ABSOLUTELY SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DIAGNOSE.

WE HAVE THE RIGHT TREATMENT OPTIONS TO DO THIS.

AND THOSE TREATMENT OPTIONS ARE EXPANDING EVERY DAY.

WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET PEOPLE TO THE RIGHT TREATMENT.

AND SOMETHING ELSE TO REMEMBER ON THIS, THE EARLIER WE GET SOMEBODY INTO TREATMENT AND INTO THOSE RIGHT SERVICES, THE BETTER THE OUTCOMES ARE GOING TO BE, FASTER THEY'RE GOING TO BE WELL.

IT'S LIKE ANY OTHER DISEASE, IF YOU LET A DISEASE PROGRESS FOR A LONG TIME TO WHERE THAT DISEASE WORSENS, IT'S GOING TAKE A LOT MORE TO GET YOU WELL.

SO THAT'S WHY WE REALLY NEED TO TALKING ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

GET PEOPLE ENGAGED EARLY.

THE MINUTE YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUTEMY YOU NEED TO REACH OUT TO YOUR PHYSICIAN, TO CLERGY, CALL COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER THERE.

ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU AND GET YOU YOUR SITUATION ADDRESSED.

>> KRISTA, HOW WOULD SOMEONE KNOW IF THEY NEED HELP IN AN ARENA?

BECAUSE IT'S -- THE STRESS OF COVID, STRESS OF WORK, STRESS OF FINANCES DURING COVID.

YOU THINK YOU JUST HAVE TO GRIT YOUR TEETH, YOU KNOW, PULL UP BY YOUR BOOTSTRAPS, BUT THE WEIGHT CAN GET SO HEAVY.

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS PEOPLE MIGHT LIKE FOR, MIGHT NEED TO SLOW DOWN AND TALK TO SOMEBODY?

>> REALLY LOOKING AT -- HOW ARE YOU SLEEPING?

HOW ARE YOU EATING?

ARE YOU FEELING SAD MORE OFTEN THAN YOU ARE NOT?

ARE YOU TENDING TO ISOLATE?

I WAS ACTUALLY JUST HAVING THIS CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE THIS MORNING THAT WE'VE ALL EXPERIENCED UNIVERSAL TRAUMA.

AND WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT IT A WHOLE LOT.

WE NEED TO.

AND WE NEED TO EMBRACE THAT AND BE ABLE TO REACH OUT EVEN IF NOT ONLY THE INDIVIDUAL BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY IT, BUT AS A COMMUNITY, AS SOCIETY, IF WE SEE SOMEONE WHO IS STRUGGLING WE NEED TO REACH OUT.

WE NEED TO SAY HOW ARE YOU DOING TODAY?

HOW CAN I HELP?

I'M HERE.

REACH OUT A HAND AND MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS.

>> RECENTLY YOUR DEPARTMENT RECEIVED $17 MILLION, IS THAT RIGHT?

IS THAT GOING TO HELP A LOT?

>> THAT'S GOING TO HELP TREMENDOUSLY.

SO YEAH, WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS $17.5 MILLION INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES AT THE PEAK OF MY NOTES, WHILE I'M DOING THIS SO I COULD REMEMBER ALL THE THINGS THAT WE'RE INVESTING IN, BUT FUL CAN OF THAT IS FOR EXTENSION OF CRISIS CENTERS.

ABOUT $7.5 MILLION IS GOING TO HAVE THREE NEW CRISIS CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

THERE IS MONEY IN THERE FOR TRANSPORTATION ISSUES, LAW ENFORCEMENT TRANSPORTING FOR CRISIS SERVICES.

SOMETIMES OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY, TO OTHER NEARBY SERVICE AREAS, WHEN THOSE FACILITIES ARE FILLING UP.

THERE IS INVESTMENT IN PROGRAMS THAT -- SUCH AS PILOT PROGRAMS IN JAILS THAT ARE INITIATING SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT IN THE JAIL SETTING CONTINUING IT AS THEY MOVE OUTSIDE THE JAIL SETTING INTO COMMUNITIES.

AND ALSO INVESTMENT IN EXPANSION OF OUR USE OF iPADS TO HELP IN USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO HELP DELIVER SERVICES.

A LOT OF EXCITE THINGS ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> SPEAKING OF CRISIS CENTERS, FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES HAS A NEW POLICE ONE STOP FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS CENTER.

TELL US ABOUT THAT AND HOW IT BENEFITS BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND THE OFFICERS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WOULD LOVE TO.

WE ARE THRILLED ABOUT THIS NEW SERVICE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO OFFER HERE IN TULSA.

WE -- FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES ALONG WITH TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH, ALL WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER TO CREATE THIS SOLEY PORT, WHAT WE DID IS WE CREATED A DEDICATED ENTRANCE INTO OUR URGENT RECOVERY CENTER, AND WHAT HAPPENS IS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS, WE WORK WITH EIGHT DIFFERENT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES RIGHT NOW, AND THEY WILL GIVE US A CALL WHEN THEY ARE ON THEIR WAY WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS EXPERIENCING A MEN HEALTH CRISIS.

SOMETIMES THIS CAN BE A SITUATION IN WHICH LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BRINGING SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE SEEN OR BECAUSE SOMEONE IS REALLY A DANGER TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS.

SO THEY ARE GREETED BY A THERAPIST, A NURSE, AND A RECOVERY SUPPORT SPECIALIST STAFF THAT ENTERS INTO THAT SALLY PORT AND QUICKLY ASSESS AND BEGIN THE STABILIZATION PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH TWO THINGS VERY QUICKLY.

OUR GOAL IS TO RETURN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, RAPIDLY.

RIGHT NOW IT'S TYPICALLY ABOUT EIGHT TO 12 MINUTES TURN AROUND FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PRIOR IT WAS 20 TO MAYBE 30 MINUTES.

SO WE HAVE DRASTICALLY REDUCED THE TIME THAT AN OFFICER HAS TO BE AT OUR CENTER, AS WELL AS RAPIDLY BRINGING THAT INDIVIDUAL INTO OUR CENTER SO THAT THEY CAN QUICKLY START THE STABILIZATION PROCESS.

SO IT HELPS WITH THE INDIVIDUAL, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, AS WELL AS OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THERE IS A NEW HOTLINE THAT IS GOING TO BE OPENING UP FOR FOLKS WHO ARE IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE CRISIS SITUATIONS, AND NOT NECESSARILY A SITUATION WHERE YOU CALL THE POLICE.

I KIND OF HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT JUST PERSONALLY.

A, DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL USE THAT OR WILL THEY CALL 911 BECAUSE THE PERSON ON THE RECEIVING END OF THAT ISSUE IS GOING TO THINK I NEED HELP, RIGHT?

SO TELL US A LITTLE BIT THAT HOTLINE, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT ON.

AND DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WILL USE IT OR IS IT GOING TO BE A WHILE BEFORE WE GET USED TO IT?

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO USE IT.

THERE IS A LOT TO IT.

WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE 988 SYSTEM FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

THAT IS GOING TO BE EXPANDING BY JULY OF NEXT YEAR.

THERE IS ALREADY WORK IN PLACE NOW TO PUT OUT OR PREPARING RFPs TO GO OUT FOR BID ON THIS AND SEE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT COMPONENTS.

THIS IS JUST ONE COMPONENT OF COMPREHENSIVE CRISIS SYSTEM THAT INVOLVES MANY DIFFERENT THINGS.

IT WILL INVOLVE THAT, IT WILL INVOLVE EXPANSION OF MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS THAT ARE ABLE TO BE ENGAGED AND GO OUT IF NEEDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE'RE ALREADY DOING SOME OF THAT IN OKLAHOMA.

CHILDREN'S MOBILE CRISIS THROUGHOUT THE STATE RIGHT NOW TO WHERE FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO CALL IN.

MOST OF THE ISSUES ARE ACTUALLY RESOLVED ON THAT PHONE CALL, WHICH IS REALLY INTERESTING ABOUT THIS.

YOU'RE ABLE TO HELP PROBABLY 80% OF THE CALLERS THAT COME IN.

OTHER CASES WHAT'S HAPPENING IS WE MIGHT ACTUALLY GO OUT AND ENGAGE WITH THE INDIVIDUAL.

USUALLY THEY'RE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOME THAT WAY, THEY FOLLOW UP WITH AN APPOINTMENT THE NEXT DAY, BUT ALSO THESE MOBILE CRISIS TEAMS CAN GO OUT AND GET PEOPLE TO CRISIS SERVICES IF THEY NEED TO GO TO A FACILITY.

IT'S REALLY AN EXCEPTIONAL MODEL WE'RE FOLLOWING.

THERE IS A NATIONAL STANDARD FOR THIS.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT WHERE WE'RE GOING, BECAUSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES, THIS IS THE DIRECTION THAT I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THAT GOING.

IT'S REALLY A TESTAMENT TO THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE BY THE PROVIDERS OUT THERE, LIKE KRISTA AND FAMILY CHILDREN SERVICES AND WHAT'S HAPPENING.

THEY REALLY ADVANCED INNOVATION, AND THIS IS A HUGE, HUGE PART OF IT.

BUT GOING BACK TO YOUR OTHER QUESTION, I THINK PEOPLE WILL USE IT, YES.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE SET UP SIDE BY SIDE WITH 911.

DO I THINK SOME PEOPLE WILL BE CALLING 911 AND MIGHT BE A CALL FOR 988?

ABSOLUTELY.

THAT'S WHY THE SYSTEMS ARE GOING TO BE ENGAGED AND CAPABLE OF WORKING BACK AND FORTH WITH ONE ANOTHER.

IT'S ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE TO THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT SERVICES AND REALLY BEING ABLE TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

>> I BRING THAT FULL CIRCLE BACK TO THE HOTLINE NUMBER VIEWERS HAVE BEEN SEEING.

BEFORE WE BEGIN THE INTERVIEW THE THREE OF US WERE TALKING, AND YOU KNOW, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH ONE OF YOU SAID SOMETIMES PEOPLE JUST CALL JUST TO HAVE SOMEONE TO TALK TO.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HAPPENS EVERY DAY ON OUR HOTLINE HERE IN TULSA.

AND THROUGH THE NATIONAL LIFELINE.

PEOPLE SOMETIMES JUST NEED AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK THROUGH SOMETHING, AND IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY ALWAYS REQUIRE SOMEBODY KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR, COMING TO SEE YOU OR ANYTHING THAT.

THEY JUST WANT TO TALK THROUGH THE DATA INDICATES ABOUT 80% OF INDIVIDUALS WHO CALL A CRISIS LINE CAN RESOLVE THEIR CURRENT CRISIS THROUGH THAT CONNECTION WITH SOMEONE ON THE OTHER LINE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, TOO, WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT NATIONAL LIFELINE PEOPLE THINK WHY AM I GOING TO CALL A NATIONAL NUMBER?

I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CALL THAT NUMBER FROM OKLAHOMA, IT'S BEING ANSWERED IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S COME BACK.

SO KRISTA AND HER TEAM ARE ANSWERING CALLS IN THE TULSA AREA.

WE HAVE SOMEBODY IN OKLAHOMA CITY AREA THAT IS ANSWERING CALLS FOR OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

BUT THESE ARE TRAINED PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ANSWERING THAT PHONE.

THEY KNOW HOW TO LINK YOU TO THE RIGHT SERVICES.

THEY'RE ABLE TO HELP YOU TRUE THREW MULTIPLE SITUATIONS AND IT'S NOT YOUNG LINKING TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

THEY'RE ABLE TO LINK YOU TO HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND UNDERSTANDING FOOD ASSISTANCE, MANY, MANY DIFFERENT THINGS, BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE -- THESE ARE COMPLEX ISSUES.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING IN PEOPLES' LIVES WHEN THEY CALL IN.

>> KRISTA AND JEFF WHAT GREAT INFORMATION, I HAVE ENJOYED THIS.

I KNOW THERE'S MORE TO SAY BUT I LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS THAT I DIDN'T KNOW BEFORE I GOT TO SPEAK WITH BOTH OF YOU, SO THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SUSAN AND GUESTS.

>>> THE SUMMER GAMES WILL WRAP UP THIS WEEKEND AND BEGINNING ON AUGUST 24th IN TOKYO THE PARALYMPICS WILL BEGIN.

EXPECTED 4400 ATHLETES WILL COMPETE IN 22 DIFFERENT SPORTS.

THESE ATHLETES HAVE THE SAME DREAMS AND TRAIN JUST AS HARD.

AND MANY OF THEM TRAIN RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA IN EDMOND IS PARALYMPICS TRAINING SITE.

RIVERSPORT OKC IS THE TRAINING HOME FOR THE ROWING COMPETITION.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW REPORTER CHRISTINA QUINN WITH OUR PARTNERS IN BOSTON PROFILES A YOUNG WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO LET ADVERSITY CRUSH HER DREAM OF COMPUTING FOR OLYMPIC GOLD.

>> Reporter: ELEATH ATHLETE SINCE AGE 14, MORGAN STICKNEY LIVES TO SWIM AND THRIVES ON COMPETITION.

WHILE SHE IS NOT EASILY DAUNTED SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE IS UP AGAINST AS SHE GETS READY FOR TOKYO.

>> OBVIOUSLY I WANT TO BE ON THAT PODIUM BUT ALL I CAN DO IS TRY MY BEST EVERY SINGLE DAY, AND GIVE IT EVERYTHING I HAVE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I HAVE TO BE HAPPY WITH HOW I DO.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY ATHLETES HER DREAMS STARTED EARLY.

WHEN A RARE VASCULAR DISEASE MEANT GETTING HER LEFT LEG AMPUTATED IN 2018, ANY HOPES OF GOING TO THE GAMES WERE DASHED.

INSTEAD OF WALLOWING, STICKNEY QUICKLY PIVOTED AND SET HER SIGHTS ON THE 2020 PARALYMPICS GAMES.

BUT THEN A SECOND AMPUTATION OF HER RIGHT LEG THE FOLLOWING YEAR BROUGHT EVERYTHING TO A HALT.

THEY MET WITH STICKNEY AT SPAULDING REHAB.

SHORTLY AFTER HER SECOND AMPUTATION.

EVEN THEN SHE WAS ALREADY TALKING ABOUT GETTING BACK IN THE POOL.

>> NOTHING WILL STOP ME FROM GETTING BACK IN THE POOL.

MY GOAL IS TO GO TO THE 2024 PARALYMPICS GAMES.

I'LL BE IN A DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATION.

>> Reporter: BUT STICKNEY DIDN'T PLAN FOR A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

WHEN THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPICS COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED LAST YEAR THAT THE 2020 GAMES WOULD BE POSTPONED, SHE FOUND A VERY BRIGHT SILVER LINING.

>> I WAS LIKE OH MY GOSH I ACTUALLY HAVE A LEGITIMATE SHOT AT GOING TO TOKYO.

>> Reporter: THIS IS ONLY SIX MONTHS AFTER HER SECOND AMPUTATION.

SHE WAS STILL HEALING.

HER LEGS STILL TENDER.

THERE IS NO TURNING BACK NOW.

>> EVERYONE WAS SO UPSET THAT TOKYO GOT POSTPONED, AND THIS LITTLE GIRL OVER HERE IS LIKE SO EXCITED THAT SHE MIGHT ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO CHASE HER DREAM, AND SO WHEN I FOUND THAT OUT I JUST LIKE HELD MY HEAD DOWN AND STARTED CRYING, AND WORKING HARD LIKE EVERY SINGLE SESSION.

>> Reporter: IT PAID OFF.

>> MORGAN STICKNEY SHE IS GOING TO SAY NEVER SAY DIE ON THIS RACE.

THAT IS PROBABLY AN INSURMOUNTABLE LEAD THAT MORGAN HAS BUILT.

>> Reporter: IN APRIL SHE PLACED FIRST IN THE WORLD IN THE 400-METER FREESTYLE RACE AT THE SWIM MEET IN LEWISVILLE, TEXAS.

AFTER THAT IT WAS PARALYMPICS TRIALS IN MINNESOTA AND THEN THE PHONE CALL SHE WAS HOPING FOR.

>> MORGAN STICKNEY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TOKYO.

>> Reporter: MORGAN STICKNEY WILL BE COMPETING IN THE 400-METER AND 50-METER FREESTYLE RACES AT THE TOKYO PARALYMPICS IN AUGUST.

ALL THE WHILE SHE IS STILL GETTING USED TO BEING A BILATERAL AMPUTEE, AND IT CAN BE PAINFUL.

>> MY LEGS WILL RIP OPEN FROM THE TOUCH PAD FROM DOING TURNS ON THEM, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU SUCK UP.

>> THERE ARE ONLY TWO OTHER AMERICAN DOUBLE AMPUTEE ELITE SWIMMERS COMPETING IN TOKYO.

THEY'RE VETERAN ATHLETES AND STICKNEY VIEWS THEM AS HER COMPETITORS AND ROLE MODELS.

>> THEIR LEGS ARE MORE MATURE THAN MINE ARE, SO EVERYTHING I'VE LEARNED FROM THEM, I'VE WATCHED YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND EVERYTHING ELSE, ANALYZED WHAT THEY DO AND I TRY TO DO IT MYSELF.

SOME THINGS THAT THEY DO I CAN'T DO BECAUSE MY LEGS ARE JUST SO NEW AND SO FRESH, SO THEN I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO DO IT DIFFERENTLY.

>> SHE IS NOT SWEATING IT.

SHE IS USED TO DOING THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

AND RIGHT NOW, SHE IS JUST REALLY EXCITED AND GRATEFUL.

>> RESCUE DOG RECENTLY FEATURED ON TOM NEWS REPORT HAS BEEN NAMED ONE OF SEVEN FINALISTS FOR THE AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG OF THE YEAR.

LITTLE MAN WAS RESCUED FROM THE RUBBLE OF THE MOORE TORNADO IN 2013.

HE WAS TRAINED AND CERTIFIED AS SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG BY MOLLY GIBB.

LAST YEAR HE FOUND A MISSING ASSAULT VICTIM ALIVE.

YOU CAN VOTE FOR HOMETOWN FOUR-LEGGED HERO AT THE AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY WEBSITE.

HERO DOG AWARD.ORG.

>>> ON THE NEXT "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," THE REMAINS ISVILLE RELEVANT AS WHEN IT WAS COMPLETED IN 1967.

HOW THAT BOOK AND THE MOVIE THAT FOLLOWED IS ATTRACTING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR TO OUR STATE.

>>> WE WILL LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT THE FLIGHT EXHIBIT AT THE OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY, COMMEMORATING THE CENTENNIAL OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

FOR ALL OF US, I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC.

WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM