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

>>> WE BEGIN WITH TWO SCHOOL DISTRICTS DEFINING SENATE BILL'S PROHIBITION OF MASK MANDATE IN SCHOOLS.

CHRIS BREWSTER WITH THE MASK MANDATE IN PLACE, CITING EXTENSIVE -- AND 21 TEACHER INS QUARANTINE, THE SCHOOL IS OPEN JULY 29.

>> A BIT AHEAD OF MOST DISTRICTS ENCOUNTERING IN THE NEXT WEEK OR TWO, WITH THEIR CONDITIONS ON THE GROUND.

AS OF YESTERDAY MORNING, I HAD 21 FACULTY AND STAFF WHO ARE EITHER COVID-19 POSITIVE OR EXPOSED.

DOZENS OF STUDENTS, INCLUDING THREE WHOLE CLASSROOMS WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED AND HAD TO QUARANTINE.

AND WE WERE ONLY EIGHT DAYS INTO THE SCHOOL WREER.

>> THIS IS NOT THE ONLY CHALLENGE TO THE LAW.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO ALLOW TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION AGAINST IT.

AND THURSDAY, THEY'RE SUING TO OVERTURN IT.

ON FRIDAY, OKLAHOMA PUBLIC SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT ANNOUNCE THAT HAD MASKS ARE A REQUIREMENT STARTING NEXT WEEK.

THIS IS 33,000 STUDENTS WRAPPED UP THE FIRST WEEK BACK IN CLASS.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THE FIRST WEEK OF THE STATE'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT UNFOLDED.

>> IN THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL, THE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS SEEN 88 STUDENTS, AND 31 STAFF MEMBERS TEST POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

>> ONE SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT, TWO, KEEP THE DOORS OPEN AND WE'LL DO THOSE TWO THINGS BY ADDRESSING MASK, REQUIRING THEM, WITH OPT OUT POSSIBILITY AND THEN NUMBER TWO, PROVIDING AN INCENTIVE TO THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE, THOSE WOULD LIKE TO GET VACCINATED WITH $1,000 STIPEND.

>> THAT'S HOW THE FIRST WEEK ENDED.

ON MONDAY -- KIDS FLOODED IN HALLWAYS AND CLASSROOMS.

TEACHER OF THE YEAR SAYS THE FIRST DAY IS ALWAYS EXCITING.

>> IT WENT WELL, WE HAD A LOT OF NERVES GOING INTO TODAY.

WE HAD NOT WELCOMED AN INPERSON CLASS IN A YEAR.

WE HAD BUTTERFLIES GOING IN.

BUT IT WAS WONDERFUL.

THE KIDS WERE VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE.

>> KIDS PILED INTO SANITIZED BUSES TAKING THEM TO THEIR FIRST DAY OF THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR.

WINDOWS DOWN, INCREASED CIRCULATION, HAND SANITIZER AVAILABLE FOR KIDS.

>> KEEPING THINGS CLEAN AND SANITIZED IN THE CLASSROOM GOT AN ASSIST FROM THE STUDENTS.

>> THEY WIPE DOWN THEIR OWN STATION AND PENCIL AND IS THINGS THEY USE.

>> THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT BEFORE SCHOOL STARTED MONDAY, HOPES WERE HIGH THAT MASKS WERE WORN.

>> WE'RE STRONGLY ENCOURAGING, AND RECOMMENDING EVERYONE INDOORS AND ANYBODY TRAVELING BY BUS, WEAR A MASK.

WE'RE ENCOURAGING THAT.

AND ENCOURAGING THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET VACCINATED.

IT MITIGATES THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION.

>> AND IN THIS FIRST WEEK, MASKS SEEM TO BE THE RULE, MORE THAN THE EXCEPTION.

EVEN WITHOUT A REQUIREMENT.

>> WE DID PROVIDE A LOT OF MASKS, BUT THEY WERE QUICK TO TAKE THEM.

SOME ASKED FOR THEM, THEY PUT THEM ON, WORE THEM PROPERLY.

I WAS SURPRISED LASHLT IN THE DAY -- LATER IN THE DAY, MOST KIDS STILL HAD THE MASK ON.

AND CONSIDERING THIS IS PROBABLY NEW, I WAS PROUD OF THE KIDS FOR WEARING MASKS TODAY.

>> IT THETRICTS CHALLENGE THE STATE, OTHER STATES ARE TRYING TO TURN BACK THE RESTRICTIONS.

>> OUR CASES ARE AT A LOW POINT, AND IN HINDSIGHT, I WISH IT HAD NOT BECOME LAW.

>> LAST WEEK, ARIZONA SUSPENDED A BAN ON THE MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOL.

ARKANSAS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, THEY WERE DOWN TO EIGHT OPEN ICU BEDS IN THE STATE.

HOSPITAL CAPACITY IS NOT AS DIRE YET, BUT HEADING THE WRONG WAY.

>> THAT'S A BIG WORRY FOR US, ESPECIALLY SCHOOL STARTING.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH BEDS IF WE HAVE A LARGE INFLUX OF COVID-19.

THAT BECOMES A PROBLEM FOR ALL OF US.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH ADVISES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, REPORTS THAT MASKS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR -- SPREAD.

>> PREVIOUSLY WHEN YOU HAD THE ORIGINAL STRAIN OF COVID-19, YOU WOULD INFECT ONE TO TWO PEOPLE.

THAT WAS REASONABLY EXPECT WENT AHEAD THIS NEW VARIANT IT'S BETWEEN SIX AND SEVEN.

A LOT OF THE SCHOOLS HAVE IMPLEMENTED BETTER VENTILATION, THE ABILITY TO -- CLASSROOMS WHERE THEY'RE NOT MIXING AS MUCH.

THE ABILITY TO SPACE OUT THE CLASSROOMS AS MUCH AS THEY CAN.

BUT WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO MASK, IT'LL BE DIFFICULT.

>> NOW EMERGENCY USE CERTIFICATION FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE IS EXPECTED TO BE EXTENDED TO THE 5 TO 12-YEAR-OLD RANGE SOON.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ARE HOPING FOR THE BEST WITH PLANS FOR THE WORST.

>> WE'RE VERY HOPEFUL WE CAN STAY FIVE DAYS A WEEK INPERSON ALL YEARLONG.

IF WE CAN'T, AS WE LOOK AT NUMBERS AND OTHER OFFICIALS, IF IT COMES TO THAT POINT WHERE WE BELIEVE IT'S THE BEST THING TO DO TO GO REMOTE WE'RE READY TO DO THAT.

THE KIDS HAVE DEVICES, THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS STORY BEFORE.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANKS.

>>> THE TOPIC OF SECONDARY EDUCATION WAS ALSO DISCUSSED THIS WEEK.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DEVELOPING A FUTURE WORK FORCE.

THEY'RE WORKING WITH BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY TO MAKE SURE THAT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE READY TO TAKE ON COLLEGE OR CAREER TECH.

>> TO TAKE THE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS.

>> WE OPTED TO GIVE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS, A CHANCE FOR THE SAT AND ACT FOR FREE.

AND WE HAVE CONTINUED THAT YEAR AFTER YEAR.

NOW THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE EXAMS THAT PROVIDE ANNEN RAMP OR POST SECONDARY EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS.

>> SHE'S A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

OKLAHOMA IS EXPANDING THAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> SO BEGINNING THIS FALL, ALL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN GRADES 10 THROUGH 12, MAY TAKE THE ACT, SAT AND OR PSAT AT NO COST AS WELL WHAT'S OFFERED IN THE SPRING.

EVEN MODEST INCREASES TO ACT OR SAT SCORES CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, THE OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS HAVE HAD SUCCESS WITH COLLEGE CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT.

>> I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BEST THINGS OUR STATE HAS DONE.

CONCURRENT, WE HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED SINCE 2015.

>> THE STATE FUNDS UP TO NINE.

>> KIDS CAN START IN THE 10TH GRADE, THEY USE THE SKILLS APPLY TO REL WORLD PROBLEMS.

>> THE TECHNOLOGY CENTER SUPERINTENDENT ADDS THOSE ACADEMIES WERE ESTABLISHED TO -- MEANS IF THE WORK FORCE AS WELL.

>> ENGINEERING, STUDENTS COMING IN NOT PREPARED WITH HIGH LEVEL OF MATH AND SCIENCE, SO THREE OUT OF FIVE STUDENTS WERE ACTUALLY CHANGING THE MAJOR.

>> WORKING WITH INDUSTRIES IS A THEME FOR EDUCATION AT ALL LEVELS.

FOR INSTANCE, SANTA FE SOUTH CHARTER SCHOOLS IS WORKED TO CREATE A CURRICULUM TO ENCOURAGE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS A CAREER AS A GRID TECHNICIAN.

>> THEY WORK WITH US, TO CREATE SPECIFIC CONTENT TAUGHT FROM THE FRESHMAN LEVEL TO THE SENIOR LEVEL, TO ALLOW EXPERTISE THAT LEADS THEM RIGHT IN THE FIELD.

IT'S EXCITING WORK TO SEE THAT HAPPENING.

>> PARTNERING WITH BUSINESS AND -- IS A GOAL FOR OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AS WELL.

>> WHAT IS INDUSTRY NEEDS, WHAT DOES THE WORK FORCE NEED IN THE FUTURE?

STEM WILL BE A BIG PART OF THAT.

MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE GROWING IN THOSE STEM FIELDS, AND MAKING SURE THAT THOSE THAT AREN'T IN THE STEM FIELDS ARE PREPARED TO UTILIZE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY.

>> THAT MEANS PUSHING MATH AND SCIENCE EDUCATION.

>> STEM IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART.

NOT ONLY FOR EDUCATION, BUT FOR THE FUTURE OF OKLAHOMA AS WE LOOK AT OUR DMI AND DIVERSIFYING AND GROWING AND BEING STRONG.

AND ALSO TO BRING IN NEW BUSINESSES AND INDUSTRY INTO THE STATE.

>> TWO YEARS LATER AFTER THE WORK ON THAT, ENDS, CLOSE TO GRADUATION, THAT NUMBER DROPPED TO 34.6%.

AND BY 2019, IT WAS 28.6%.

>> TO MAKE SURE THE STUDENTS ARE WORKING TO A BRIGHT FUTURE.

>> CONNECT WITH THE SKILLS FOR SUCCESS, AND IT WILL TAKE A LOT OF WORK, REGARDLESS OF COLLEGE, THE CAREER TECH OR MILITARY, BUT WE WANT THEM READY.

>> FORGIVING STUDENT DEBT, TOTALLING MORE THAN $4.6 MILLION.

ALL TUITION FEES AND -- WAIVED AWAY.

AND TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS DOING THE SAME THING, USING ROUGHLY $4 MILLION IN THE FUNDING TO ERASE STUDENTS DEBT THAT ACCRUED IN THE SPRING OF 2020 THROUGH 2021 SEMESTERS.

>>> THE COVID-19 NUMBERS CONTINUE TO PUSH UP THIS WEEK WITH A RISE IN NEW CASES.

HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATH.

THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE CASES IS UP TO MORE THAN 2100 COMPARED TO LAST WEEK'S AVERAGE.

19 CASES A DAY.

THE HOSPITAL BEDS ARE FILLING UP WITH MORE THAN 1300 COVID-19 PATIENTS, 360 OF THOSE ARE HOSPITAL BEDS.

80 MORE DIED.

>>> CONCERNS ARE HIGH FOR CHILDREN RETURNING TO SCHOOL IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER VIRUS CURRENTLY IMPACTING YOUNGER OKLAHOMAENS RIGHT NOW.

RSV.

WE TALK TO CATHERINE, ON HOW IT'S RAISING THE STAKES FOR KIDS.

>> HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM IS COVID-19 RIGHT NOW WITH SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN AND DOES THE GOVERNMENT KEEP TRACK OF THOSE NUMBERS ON A WEEKLY BASIS?

>> THEY DO AND IT IS SPREADING THROUGH THE KIDS.

THE ADULT VARIANT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING CHILDREN MORE THAN THE EARLIER STRAIN OF THE VIRUS.

>> HOW DOES THAT PLAY OUT FOR THE HOSPITALS AS WE GO ON?

>> THE HOSPITALS ARE SEEING A VERY HIGH DEMAND OUTSIDE OF COVID-19.

WE HAVE PENT UP BACK LOGGED NEED FOR CARE FROM 2020, PEOPLE DELAYED SURGERIES OR TREATMENTS, AND THEN ALSO, SUMMER IS A BUSY TIME FOR A LOT OF PEDIATRIC HOSPITALS.

PARENTS WANT TO GET ELECTIVE SURGERIES DONE, OR A LOT OF TRAUMA BECAUSE KIDS ARE OUT OF SCHOOL, THEY'RE PLAYING, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO GET HURT.

>> HOW DOES THE START OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AFFECT THOSE NUMBERS AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED?

>> FOR VACCINATIONS, CHILDREN SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN ARE -- IN VACCINATED GROUP.

OBVIOUSLY, KIDS YOUNGER THAN 12 CAN'T GET THE SHOT YET.

FROM 12 TO 18, ONLY ONE IN FIVE IS VACCINATED.

>> WHAT IS RSV?

>> IT'S ANOTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUS.

IT CAN REALLY AFFECT CHILDREN.

ANYBODY CAN GET IT, BUT THE SYMPTOMS PILE ON AND -- WHEN YOU'RE LITTLE, THE AIR WAYS ARE SMALLER.

CHILDREN END UP IN THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE OF IT, USUALLY IN THE WINTER.

SOMETIMES ON VENTILATORS.

LIKE WITH COVID-19, BUT REALLY YOUNG CHILDREN WHO END UP GETTING VERY SICK FROM IT.

>> CATHERINE, UPPER RESPIRATORY INFECTIONS ARE WORSE IN THE WINTER MONTHS, THAT'S NOT THE CASE WITH RSV RIGHT NOW.

>> USUALLY, ONLY IN THE WINTER.

THEY HARDLY EVER SEAT -- SEE IT IN THE SUMMER.

IT'S SENDING SO MANY TO THE HOSPITAL, WE HAVE NO EVIDENCE AS TO WHY, YET, OF COURSE THIS IS A CONVENIENT PHENOMENON.

THE THINKING IS BABIES OR SMALL CHILDREN BORN IN THE PANDEMIC OR RIGHT BEFORE IT, WEREN'T OUT IN THE WORLD BUILDING UP IMMUNITY.

AND WHEN THEY WERE OUT, A LOT OF THE TIME, EVERYONE AROUND THEM WERE MASKED, THEY WEREN'T SPREADING THE DISEASES.

WE GET TO THE SUMMER, ALL OF THE MASK MANDATES COME TO AN END, THE WORLD OPENS BACK UP, AND THE KIDS, THEIR SYSTEMS HAVEN'T BEEN EXPOSED TO ANYTHING YET.

THIS VIRUS THAT USUALLY ONLY REALLY TAKE HOLD IN THE WINTER MONTH IS SPREADING LIKE WILDFIRE RIGHT NOW.

>> WHAT PREVENTATIVE MEASURES?

>> WASH YOUR HANDS, UNFORTUNATELY THERE'S NOT A VACCINE.

YOU HAVE TO TRY TO BE CAREFUL, THAT'S ABOUT IT.

IT'S REALLY TOUGH, TOUGH, IT'S NOT A THING TO DO TO FIGHT IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>>> AFTER DAYS OF DEBATE, THE U.S. SENATE PASSED ON TUESDAY BIPARTISAN, $1 TRILLION INFRASTRUCTURE DEAL.

THE VOTE ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL -- THE SENATE IMMEDIATELY TURNED TO THE BUDGET RESOLUTION WITH A -- ON AMENDMENT.

WE MANAGED TO GET THE AMENDMENT ON THE BUDGET RESOLUTION.

>> I THINK LAYING THE FOUNDATION.

DRINKING WATER, WASTE WATER SANITATION, ROADS, HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES, CLIMATE.

>> MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO PAY FOR THIS.

>> JOINED HIM IN VOTING AGAINST THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND THE BUDGET RESOLUTION.

>>> ON MAY 25, 2019 A DEVASTATING TORNADO -- A FEW YEARS LATER, THE TOWN HAS RECAPTURED THE MOMENTUM, WITH THE HELP FROM A FAMILIAR FACE.

>> BETWEEN THE TIME OF 2019 DEADLY TORNADO AND THE DEADLY PANDEMIC THAT SWEPT ACROSS THE U.S., TEN MONTHS LATER, LOVE'S OPENED THIS TRAVEL STOP AT I-40 AND SOUTH RADIO ROAD IN EL RENO.

THE MAYOR SAYS IT WAS MUCH NEEDED FOR THIS TOWN OF 17,000.

>> THE FIRST STOP, FIRST STEP BEFORE YOU GET TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

THEY PUT THAT THERE, IT HELPS US WITH SALES TAX.

>> BUT LOVE'S FOUNDED IN 1964 DIDN'T STOP THERE.

LAST MONTH, THE SOONER STATE TRAVEL GIANTS QUIETLY OPENED THE 220,000 SQUARE FOOT TIRE RETREAD PLANT AND DISTRIBUTION CENTER THAT SITS TON TOUCHDOWN PASS AWAY FROM THE NEW TRAVEL STOP I TOLD YOU ABOUT.

THE TIRE CENTER BRINGS WITH IT, 65 NEW JOBS.

>> AT THIS FACILITY WE ARE STILL HIRING FOR ALL THREE JOB FUNCTIONS.

WAREHOUSE ASSOCIATE, FORKLIFT OPERATOR.

RETREADING TECHNICIAN AND CDL DRIVERS.

ALL POSITIONS FULL-TIME COME WITH BENEFITS, AND THE STARTING WAGE IS $15.

>> THE GENERAL MANAGER OF DISTRIBUTION FOR LOVE'S, HE OVERSEES THE PLANT IN EL RENO.

HE SAYS FINDING QUALITY HELP HAS NOT BEEN HARD HERE.

>> WE'VE BEEN PLEASED WITH THE RESPONSE WE RECEIVED, AND THE COMMUNITY AS WE'VE STACKING UP THE POSITIONS HERE, WE VERY PLEASED WITH THE LABOR MARKET FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF THE TRAVEL STOP JUST UP THE ROAD FROM HERE.

NOTHING BUT POSITIVE THINGS TO SAY OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

>> IN CHARGE OF THE NEW TIRE DISTRIBUTION PLANT, HE CAME HERE FROM A SMALLER OPERATION IN DALLAS.

>> YEAH, VERY DIFFERENT.

OVER THERE, IT'S 80, 90,000 SQUARE FEET, THIS ONE IS 220.

20 TIMES BIGGER.

THERE'S MORE CLEAN, YOU GOT PRETTY GOOD CREW, WORK FORCE.

>> WAREHOUSE EMPLOYEE ALSO TRANSFERRED FROM DALLAS.

>> YEAH, I LIKE IT, I LIKE EL RENO AND OKLAHOMA.

HERE IT'S REALLY GOOD.

>> LOVE'S GOT IN THE TIRE RETREADING BUSINESS SIX YEARS AGO BECAUSE IT MADE SENSE.

>> TAKING A USED TIRE THAT OTHERWISE FIND ITSELF IN A LANDFILL AND BUMPING OFF THE TREAD AND APPLYING NEW TREAD TO IT, AND COOKING THAT TIRE AND ULTIMATELY IT'LL ENTER THE ROAD AS A NEW TIRE.

THE RETREAD PRODUCT COMES AT A FRACTION OF THE COST OF TRADITIONAL NEW TIRE.

AND OFTEN TIMES, A FLEET OR DRIVER CAN GET SEVERAL USES OUT OF THE SAME CASING.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, YOU PURCHASE A NEW TIRE YOU MAY BE ABLE TO RETREAD THE TIRE THREE AND FOUR TIMES OVER.

>> NATIONWIDE, OKLAHOMA CITY BASE LOVES -- THE TRAVEL STOPS IN 41 STATES.

WITHIN THOSE ARE 410 TRUCK CARE FACILITIES.

.

SO FAR THIS YEAR, LOVE'S HAS OPENED 21 NEW TRAVEL STOPS.

THE GOAL WAS TO OPEN 50 BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> IT'S A CLEAN FACILITY, IT HAS THE PRODUCTS THEY NEED ON ROAD TRIPS, SHOPPING, THE FACILITY ITSELF AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT OUR TEAM MEMBERS -- WELCOME TO LOVE'S.

>> AND BENEFITS FOR THE EMPLOYEES?

RETIREMENT, IT'S GOOD FOR US TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT TO COME IN AND PUT A LOT OF MONEY AND TIME INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YEAH, ALSO ROOM FOR GROWTH.

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT START OUT IN THE STORES THAT MAKE THEIR WAY TO CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS.

THEIR LIFE AND SCHEDULE, IT'S AN OPTION AT LOVE'S.

>> GOES BACK TO LOVE'S, AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION CENTER, THAT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT IN BUT IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND ALL THAT GOES ON THE BIG BUILDINGS THEY BUILT OUT THERE, THAT HELPS ALL OF THE DISTRICTS THERE.

>> BESIDES THE 560 ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE HAVE A LOGISTICS COMPANY, AND A MOTOR TRANSPORT COMPANY AND ALSO THE TRUCK CARE LOCATIONS THAT ARE PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVING COMPANIES THAT CUSTOMERS ARE FAMILIAR WITH.

>>> ACTIVITY IN OKLAHOMA OIL AND NATURAL GAS FIELDS.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THIS REVIEW.

>> ENERGY PRODUCTION INCREASED IN OKLAHOMA'S OIL PATCH AS THREE NEW RIGS WERE BROUGHT ONLINE IN JUNE.

IT ADDED 1800 JOBS IN THE LAST QUARTER, BUT UNEMPLOYMENT IS WELL BELOW APPROXIMATE PREPANDEMIC LEVEL.

>>> A LOUISIANA COMPANY AT A $2.2 MILLION DOLE.

THE MOVE IS EXPECTED TO ENHANCE THE CASH FLOW AND THE DEAL MUST BE APPROVED BEFORE IT'S EXPECTED TO CLOSE LATE THIS YEAR.

>>> AND SECOND QUARTER NET INCOME, IN THE SAME QUARTER LAST YEAR, A LOSS OF $216 MILLION.

THE PRODUCTION INCREASED OVER THE PREVIOUS QUARTER, AND SO FAR THIS YEAR, RETURNED 49 WELLS TO SERVICE WHICH WERE SHUT IN 2020.

>>> COALITION WORKS IN OKLAHOMA -- COLLISION WORKS BEGAN IN 1996, AND GROWN INTO A FULL SERVICE COLLISION REPAIR COMPANY WITH 35 LOCATION INS THREE STATES.

>>> SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM OKLAHOMA SERVICE, VETERAN OWNED, GETTING A MENTOR COMPANY FAMILIAR WITH CONTRACTING.

CALIFORNIA BASED AIRBORNE TECHNOLOGIES WILL HELP TO DEVELOP SEVERAL PRACTICES TO HELP LAND MORE MILITARY CONTRACTS.

>>> THE FIRST NOVEL, OUTSIDERS, 16 YEARS LATER, RELEASED A MOVIE VERSION OF THE NOVEL AND THE STORY TON PAGE -- THANKS TO ONE PASSIONATE FAN WITH A VISION, PREMIUM MAKING A PILGRIMAGE TO REUNITE WITH THE PONY BOYS.

>> FROM THE CORNER OF OUTSIDER'S WAY IN NORTH TULSA, IT'S WELL, A SHRINE OF SORTS.

OF THE FIRST NOVEL AND THE FILM.

>> REALLY SOLD THE IDEA TO DMOM AND SEE -- COME IN AND SEE INSIDE HERE, THE SHIRTS AND OUT FITS, AND THERE'S BOOKS OVER THERE.

IT'S REALLY COOL YOU CAN BE IN THE HOUSE AND SEE THE MOVIE AND EVERYTHING.

IT'S AWESOME.

>> HAILS JUST OUTSIDE OF HOUSTON WHERE HER MOTHER TEACHES A LITERATURE CLASS.

>> SHE REALLY REALLY WANTED ME TO READ IT, SHE'S READ IT SO MANY TIMES, SHE REREADS IT, AND HER FAVORITE THING EVER.

>> A LOT OF SCHOOL SYSTEMS HAVE THE 13, 14-YEAR-OLDS THAT READ, HAVE REQUIRED READING.

THEY DO A BOOK REPORT AND MOST OF THEM NOW WATCH THE MOVIE.

ROUGH CHARACTER, JOHNNY WAS IN THE HOSPITAL, AND COME IN AND MAKING BREAKFAST.

>> MICHAEL IS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE HOME TOUR MUSEUM THAT'S BECOMING A POPULAR DESTINATION FROM TOURISTS.

>> WE GET PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, FROM LA, MAINE, EL PASO, AND THIS IS THE KEY STOP ON THEIR WHOLE SUMMER TOUR.

>> ADMISSION IS $10, AND ON WEEKENDS, THEY'RE AVERAGING 150 TO 200.

>> THE BIG BUZZ WAS LEONARDO DECAPRIO.

HEZ HE HAS A FACE MASK ON THE WHOLE TIME.

THEY BROUGHT MOST OF THE BAND.

I HAD GREG BRADY HERE FROM THE BRADY BUNCH.

>> DANNY BOY O'CONNOR, HE GREW UP IN LOS ANGELES, AND INSTANTLY IDENTIFIED WITH THE CHARACTERS IN 1983.

>> I WAS A LATCH KEY KID, MY MOM WAS ALWAYS AT WORK, MY DAD WAS IN PRISON OR LIVING HOMELESS.

I SEE THESE KIDS WITH THEIR SITUATIONS, IF THE BEST LIFE GETS A GROUP OF GUYS HAS YOUR OWN BEST INTERESTS, RUNNING AROUND, AND SNEAKING IN DRIVE IN MOVIE THEATERS, THAT'LL BE OKAY.

>> IN 2009, IT WAS OUT ON TOUR, AND DANNY FOUND HIMSELF IN TULSA.

>> I HAD IDLE TIME, AND WHAT'S TULSA?

OH WOW.

THE OUTSIDERS.

AND THEN I LOOKED AROUND, AND DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO FIND THE HOUSE.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

>> AND THERE WAS A FOR SALE SIGN IN THE FRONT YARD.

PRICED, $42,000.

>> YOU COULDN'T BUY A PLACE TO PARK A SECOND CAR FOR THAT IN LOS ANGELES.

A HOUSE IN TULSA FOR THAT, MUCH LESS THE HOUSE OF OUTSIDERS?

NO WAY.

>> FIVE YEARS LATER, HE PURCHASED IT, AND ADJOINING LOT FOR 15,000.

>> THIS PLACE WAS SO BAD, AND I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT RESTORATION.

ANYTHING.

MY LAUNDRY IS -- A HOUSE?

AND THAT'S WHERE I PANICKED AND I ASKED FOR HELP.

>> ONE PERSON TO STEP UP, IT'S NOT ME, WHO, AND NOT NOW, WHEN.

I DON'T THINK ANYONE ELSE COULD HAVE DONE THIS.

NO ONE STEPPED UP, BUT HIM.

>> HE COULDN'T AFFORD TO DO IT ALONE SO HE STARTED TO FUND RAISE.

ONE OF THE FIRST, HINTON, ONE OF THE LAST, WHITE.

>> HE PLAYED DOWNTOWN AT THE BASEBALL FIELD AND CAME OVER THE NEXT DAY, WHERE YOU AT?

WE'RE 30 SHY OF THE GOAL.

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR, I'LL GIVE YOU 30.

>> THE RESULTS EXCEEDED HIS EXPECTATIONS, AND LED TO HIS DECISION TO PERMANENTLY RELOCATE FROM CALIFORNIA TO OKLAHOMA.

>> THIS IS THE WHY I LOVE TULSA.

OAKIES LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER.

I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE FOUND THIS SUPPORT IN LOS ANGELES.

>> AND NOW, HE WAS DRAWN TO THIS SITE A DOZEN YEARS AGO, OTHERS COME NOW, TO WALK THROUGH ROOMS THAT WAS OCCUPIED -- AND LET'S NOT FORGET DIANE LANE'S -- >> KIND OF LIKE DEJA VU.

AND I REMEMBER THE SCENES IN THE KITCHEN.

THE HUMANISM COMING FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS TRYING TO MAKE THEMSELVES INTO SOMETHING, THEY WERE UP AGAINST EVERYTHING.

>> I DON'T KNOW HE JUST DIED.

HE TOLD ME -- >> HE'S GONE.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> STAY TRUE TO WHO YOU ARE.

DON'T LOSE YOURSELF, DON'T CHANGE FOR SOMEONE ELSE, AND BE GOOD ON YOUR HEART.

>> IT'S A UNIFYING, UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE AND AS YOU CAN SEE, THIS MOVIE HAS BEEN TRANSLATED INTO SEVERAL, AND EVERY ONE OF THEM, SPEAKS TO THE DIRECTOR.

>> IT'S FOR KID WHO DON'T LIKE TO READ, THEY FIND THIS WHOLE NEW UNIVERSE.

>> THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANKS.

>>> ICE STORMS IN OCTOBER, FLOODING RAINS IN SUMMER AND JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE IN BETWEEN.

THIS WEEK, SUSAN CADOT AND GUEST TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE SIGHTS BEHIND THE EVER CHANGING WEATHER.

>> RIGHT NOW EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING IT'S SO HOT, BUT IT'S NOT THAT DIFFERENT IN OKLAHOMA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOUR GUESTS, DR. HAROLD BROOKS.

AND WE HAVE GARY MCMANNIS.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER.

FIRST OF ALL, THE FIRST THING I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, HOW ARE THING -- HAVE THINGS BEEN DIFFERENT THAN CURRENTLY ARE.

>> THIS YEAR, WE'RE ACTUALLY COOLER THAN NORMAL.

BUT MOST OF THAT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FEBRUARY DEEP FREEZE THAT WE WENT THROUGH.

ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROLONGED PERIOD OF FREEZING WEATHER IN STATE HISTORY.

OTHERWISE, IT'S BEEN PRETTY COOL SUMMER AS WELL.

SO WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT EXTREME HEAT THIS YEAR, OTHER THAN EXTREME HEAT INDEX VALUES THAT WE'VE HAD, DUE TO THE RAIN WE'VE HAD IN SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER.

AT LEAST LATELY, NOTHING TOO BAD.

>> DR. BROOKS I REMEMBER THE SUMMER WE HAD 110 DEGREES FOR SEVERAL DAYS ON END.

I HAVE HAD TRAUMA FROM THAT.

SEEMS LIKE IT JUST HAPPENED.

BUT IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

IS THAT A HEAT DOME, AND I'M HEARING ABOUT HEAT DOMES THEY'RE HAPPENING UP NORTH NOW.

>> I THINK THEY HAPPEN IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN DIFFERENT YEARS.

THE ATMOSPHERE IN EFFECT GETS STUCK IN A PATTERN.

THIS SUMMER, CERTAINLY THE BIG EVENTS OF THE YEAR, WHERE THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND SOUTHWESTERN CANADIANS.

AND NOT -- CANADA, IT'S BEEN A LARGE HEAT DOME OVER SIBERIA.

BUT IT'S BEEN INCREDIBLY -- WHEN THEY HAPPEN AROUND HERE, IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE PRESENCE OF THE ROCKIES, SOME YEARS WE GET STUCK LIKE THAT, IT'S INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO GET OUT OF IT.

>> WHAT'S A HEAT DOME IN THE FIRST PLACE, REALLY?

>> IT'S AN AREA WHERE -- LARGE SCALE ATMOSPHERE, A RIDGE.

IN EFFECT, THERE'S A KINK IN THE JET STREAM, THE UPPER AIR ATMOSPHERE FLOW FAR TO THE NORTH.

AND WE GET A HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEM AT THE GROUND.

AND ASSOCIATED WITH THAT THERE'LL BE A LOT OF -- COME EVENTUALLY HOT, THINGS DRY OUT AND REINFORCES THE HIGH PRESSURE.

SO IT SITS THERE, AND HIGH PRESSURE SYSTEMS DON'T MOVE AS RAPIDLY AS LOW PRESSURE SYSTEMS DO, AND YOU GET THE PATTERN THAT STAYS FOR WEEKS ON END.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IN PARTICULAR OF THE 2011 HEAT, PEOPLE -- -- (PLEASE STANDBY, AWED WROTE DIFFICULTIES).

>>> THE SUN ENERGY THAT COMES DOWN AND USED TO HEAT THE SURFACE OF THE EARTH, INSTEAD OF IT EVAPORATING THE SOIL MOISTURE, THAT'S A COOLING MECHANISM.

WE SAW THE EXTREME DRAUGHT.

WE DIDN'T IS -- DROUGHT, WE DIDN'T SEE THE INTENSE HEAT AS MUCH, 2012 WAS THE WARMEST YEAR ON RECORD FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

A LOT OF HEAT CAME IN THAT DROUGHT PERIOD.

THE BIG DROUGHTS, THEY DO -- THE HEAT AND THE GROUND.

>> THIS YEAR, THE FLIP SIDE OF THE REALLY HOT AND DRY.

IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS, VERY HOT AND DRY, OR IT CAN BE NOT QUITE SO HOT AND WET AND HUMID.

THIS YEAR, NOT THE HIGH TEMPERATURES, WE HAVE HAD EXTREMELY HIGH HEAT INDEX VALUES.

LIKE THE EXTREME HIGH TEMPERATURES AND DRY GO TO, NOT SO HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITIES GO TOGETHER AS WELL.

>> LET'S FLIP THAT TO COLDER, LAST FALL, THE TEMPERATURES COOLED OFF EARLIER.

IT WAS COOLER IN OCTOBER.

NORMALLY WE DON'T START CLEAN OFF UNTIL THE SECOND WEEK OF OCTOBER, NOT SO LAST YEAR.

WHAT'S HAPPENING WEATHERWISE, CLIMATEWISE ARE WE SEEING A SHIFT OR JUST AN ANOMALY FOR OKLAHOMA.

>> I THINK THE EARLY COLD LAST YEAR WAS MORE OF A NATURAL VARIABILITY IN THE ANOMALY.

BUT MAYBE THAT EARLY ICE STORM WAS A BIT OF A WEIRD PATTERN, AND CERTAINLY THE BIGGEST ICE STORM WE'VE HAD THAT EARLY IN THE SEASON.

HOL WEAN WEEK.

-- HALLOWEEN WEEK.

AFTER WE GOT THE COOL WEATHER, IT WAS WARMER THAN NORMAL FOR MUCH OF THE WINTER AND FALL MONTHS.

NOTHING UNUSUALLY WARM, UNTIL THAT FEBRUARY DEEP FREEZE THAT WE HAD, WE WERE RUNNING A BIT ABOVE NORMAL FOR THE SCHOOL SEASON OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S TO BE EXPECTED.

IT BRINGS A BIT NORMAL DRYER WEATHER.

WE WEREN'T SEEING THE TYPICAL IMPACTS UNTIL THE FEBRUARY DEEP FREEZE.

THE WEATHER THAT WE NORMALLY EXPERIENCE IN THE SOUTHERN PLAINS.

OKLAHOMA, KANSAS.

>> IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE WEATHER IN OKLAHOMA, WAIT A MINUTE, I THINK THEY SAY THAT IN A LOT OF STATES.

IS THAT JUST IN THE MIDWEST OR WHAT IS THAT TO AMERICA OR SOMETHING NEW THAT'S HAPPENING?

>> THEY SAY IT EVERYWHERE.

EVERYONE LIKES THAT CUTE PHRASE.

BUT IT IS TRUE, THE MIDDLE PART OF NORTH AMERICA, THE REGION BETWEEN THE MOUNTAIN RANGES DO HAVE MORE VARIABILITY.

IN TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE THAN MOST PLACES ON THE PLANET.

THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, IT'S A BIG DRIVER OF LARGE SCALE ATMOSPHERE PATTERN.

A LOT OF WAVES IN THE ATMOSPHERE THAT FORM AS WEATHER SYSTEMS GO OVER THE ROCKIES THAT LEAD TO US HAVING A MORE INHERENT VARIABILITY THAN MOST PLACES ON THE PLANET.

THERE ARE PLACES THE LONG HIGH RANGE, AND THAT MAKES US MORE VARIABLE THAN A LOT OF PLACES.

IN SOME OF OUR DISCUSSIONS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, OUR INHERENTLY MORE DIFFICULT IN THE U.S. BECAUSE -- [INAUDIBLE] UNDERLYING EVERYTHING.

IF YOU'RE IN A PLACE WHERE THE WEATHER IS NOT VARIABLE, THEN YOU CAN SEE TRENDS MORE EASILY THAN WE CAN IN THE MIDDLE PART OF THE U.S. >> WE DO NOTICE THE EXTREMES, OF COURSE.

THAT'S HOW US FOLKS HERE NOTICE CLIMATE CHANGE.

IF WE HAVE A BIG EXTREME.

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAD THE WARMEST SUMMER ON RECORD, NOT ONLY FOR OKLAHOMA BUT FOR ANY STATE ON RECORD BASED ON THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE THROUGH THE JUNE THROUGH AUGUST PERIOD.

WE HAVE THAT HAPPEN, AND WOW, SOMETHING IS GOING ON THERE.

WE LOOK SINCE THE 70S, THE WINTERS HAVE WARMED A BIT, AND A BIT WETTER IN THE WINTER.

SUMMERS HAVEN'T CHANGED A WHOLE LOT.

ABOUT TO UP TO THE NORTHERN PARTS OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, THE CHANGE IN THE ARCTIC REGION, THEY TONIGHT HAVE TO HAVE DIFFICULT TIME STUDYING WHAT'S CHANGING, IT'S HAPPENED SO RAPIDLY UP THERE.

>> THIS QUESTION, YOU GUYS NIP A COIN WHO GETS TO ANSWER IT, WHAT IS GLOBAL WARNING.

>> I DON'T HAVE A COIN.

>> OKAY.

GLOBAL WARMING HAS BEEN CAUSED PRIMARILY IN THE LAST CENTURY OR SO, BY THERESS OF GREEN HOUSE GAS IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

IT ABSORBS OUT GOING RADIATION.

THE EARTH RADIATES AWAY LIKE EVERYTHING DOES.

SOME OF THOSE CRITICAL -- CARBON MONOXIDE AND METHANE, ABSORB IT OUT, AND REWARM THE SURFACE.

WE MEASURE THE CARBON DIOXIDE IS -- WE KNOW THAT -- BECAUSE IT'S BURNING OF FOSSIL FUELS, THE KINDS OF MOLECULES AND CONCENTRATION OF THE MOLECULES IS ASSOCIATED WITH REALLY OLD CARBON, AND WE DIRECTLY MEASURED HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THE PROJECT THEY'VE DONE THE FIRST DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF CARBON DIOXIDE ABSORPTION OF RAISING THE TEMPERATURE.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE CHANGES OF THE CLIMATE HAS TO DO WITH, NO ONE REALLY CARES THAT THE GLOBAL TEMPERATURE HAS GONE UP 1 TO 2 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT IN THE LAST 100 YEARS.

WHAT WE CARE ABOUT IS HOW THAT TRANSLATES TO DAY TO DAY WEATHER.

AND WE KNOW FOR INSTANCE THE NORTHERN POLAR REGION HAS WARMED MUCH MORE RAPIDLY THAN EQUATORIAL REGION.

WINTER TEMPERATURES HAVE WARMED MORE THAN SUMMER.

AND OVERNIGHT, HAS WARMED MORE.

ALL OF THESE GO TOGETHER WITH THE FACT WE'RE TRAPPING OUT GOING ENERGY FOR EFFECTIVELY THAN USED TO.

THAT PATTERN IS WHAT YOU GET, YOU EXPECT FROM INCREASING GREEN HOUSE GASES.

IF THE SUN HAD CHANGED WE WOULD SEE DIFFERENT PATTERNS AND TEMPERATURES.

EVERYTHING WE KNOW SAYS THAT THIS IS THE PATTERN TO EXPECT.

TEMPERATURE IS EASY TO EXPLAIN.

THE THING WE ALL CARE ABOUT AND WHAT HAPPENS TO OTHER KINDS OF WEATHER.

PRIMGS.

THE WATER CYCLE.

THE WATER SYSTEM IS PROCESSING AFTER.

WE GO FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD TO HURRICANES, THUNDERSTORMS, WINTER STORMS, IT GETS MORE COMPLICATED TO FIGURE OUT THE PHYSICAL LINKAGE THAT GOES ALONG TO WHAT MIGHT BE CHANGING THEM.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU SOMETHING, AND THE WARMING -- I FEEL LIKE THINGS ARE GETTING COOLER.

BUT THAT'S WRONG, RIGHT?

>> I DON'T KNOW TOO MANY PLACES THAT HAVE GOTTEN COOLER OVER THE LAST 50 OR 60 YEARS.

A BIT OF COOLING TRENDS IN THE SOUTHEAST, BUT THAT'S STARTING TO WASH OUT.

AND MAYBE WARM, IN OKLAHOMA, OUR BIG COLD EVENTS IN THE WINTER MONTHS HAVE START TO DECREASE.

EVEN THOUGH I KNOW WE HAVE THE THING IN FEB, WE WERE COLD FOR A LONG TIME.

THAT WAS A SINGULAR EVENT.

AS LONG AS IT GETS DARK FOR 24 HOURS A DAY IN TEMPERATURE ARCTIC -- IN THE ARCTIC REGION, WE'LL WARM UP.

THE WINTERS HERE HAVE WARMED.

THAT IS A MISCONCEPTION, WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN COLDER.

IF YOU TAKE SOMEONE WHO WAS LIVING IN THE 1970S, AND TRANSPORTED SUDDENLY UP TO THE 2000'S, 2010S, EARLY 2020S, THEY WOULD SAY WOW, THIS IS DIFFERENT.

IT IS A MISCONCEPTION.

WE HAD THE BIG SNOWS AND ICE STORMS, AND THE BIG FREEZE EVENT.

LIKE DR. BROOKS WAS SAYING, INCREASE THE ENERGY INVOLVED IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND THE EVAPORATION THAT'S GOING ON, WE REV UP THE CYCLE.

WE REV UP THE WEATHER PRODUCING MECHANISMS IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

IT'S LIKE A CYCLE ON STEROIDS.

IF WE GET COLD AIR ASSOCIATED WITH PRECIPITATION, THE CHANCES WILL INCREASE A BIT WE'LL GET A HEAVIER SNOW OR ICE STORM.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT THINGS OCCURRING, INCREASE THE MOISTURE IN THE ATMOSPHERE, THE BIG SNOWS WILL STILL COME, THE RAINS WILL COME, NOTHING NECESSARILY MEAN WE'RE SEEING A COOLING -- THOSE ARE NORMAL THINGS THAT WE EXPECT TO SEE INCREASING PRECIPITATION INTENSITIES WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

IT'S REALLY GOOD INFORMATION, AND IT'S GREAT TO GET IT FROM EXPERTS LIKE BOTH OF YOU FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

GOOD TO KNOW, THANK YOU BOTH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> ANOTHER GREAT CONVERSATION, THANK YOU.

>>> MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE THAT THE WAR WAS NOT FOUGHT IN THE SOUTHEAST.

THE BATTLE SITE -- IS THE SUBJECT OF A NEW MOVIE.

IT'S SET TO PREMIERE AUGUST 28 AT THE BATTLE FIELD VISITOR CENTER.

THE CIVIL WAR WAS THE BLOODIEST CONFLICT IN U.S. HISTORY.

MANY SLAVES WERE ABLE TO ESCAPE AND SEEK PROTECTION BEHIND THE ARMY LINES.

FROM THERE, THEY WENT TO WASHINGTON, DC.

IN THIS WEEK, OUR PBS PARTNERS, SHARE THE LOST HISTORY OF THE CONTRABAND CAMP.

>> CONTRABAND WAS A TERM THAT WAS APPLIED TO SLAVES WHO HAD ESCAPED BEHIND UNION LINES IN THE CIVIL WAR.

IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR, THOUSANDS OF SLAVES RUSHED INTO THE WASHINGTON, AND PLACED ON CAPITOL HILL AND CAMP -- IT WAS A QUICKLY A PROBLEM.

THERE WAS A LOT OF OVERCROWDING.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL GREENE WHO WAS THE CHIEF QUARTER MASTER OF WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON.

HE HAD AN IDEA, AND SAW THAT IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, THERE WAS ABANDONED LAND.

SO GREENE RECOMMENDED TO THE SUPERIORS THAT CAMP BE ESTABLISHED ON THE ABANDONED LAND.

THE FORMER SLAVES COULD GO THERE AND BREATHE IN HEALTHIER AIR, WE CAN PAY THEM AS WELL, AND PRODUCE HAY AND CORN AND OTHER CROPS FOR THE UNION ARMY.

IT'S A WAY TO TRANSITION THEM TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND FREEDOM.

GREENE SELECTED SOME LOCATIONS IN ARLINGTON, THERE WERE FIVE MAIN CAMPS.

CAMP SPRINGDALE ON ROBERT E. LEE'S ESTATE.

CAMP TODD, THAT'S WHERE THE PENTAGON IS TODAY.

CAMP RUCKER, AND CAMP -- THE TIME KNOWN AS LUNEVILLE AND LANGLEY.

I DON'T THINK THE ARMY WAS INTERESTED IN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, THAT'S WHERE THE PRIVATE CHARITY ORGANIZATIONS CAME IN.

ONE OF THE MAIN FWRUPZ PRAYING IN THE -- GROUPS, THEY WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN BRINGING EDUCATION.

WE KNOW ABOUT CAMP TODD, WHERE THE PEN FWN IS TODAY, THIS WAS A SCHOOL THERE.

AND -- THE MOTHER OF THE FAMOUS ACTOR.

CHILDREN AND ADULTS AS WELL, LEARNED HOW TO READ AND WRITE.

AND SUPPLIES WERE PROVIDED, DRY GOODS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES.

IT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION AS TO TRACK RECORD OF THE CAMPS.

IT'S HARD TO KNOW HOW -- I HAVEN'T COME ACROSS RECORDS LIKE THAT.

NEVERTHELESS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>>> U.S. VOLLEYBALL TEAM LEAVES FOR THE TOKYO OLYMPIC GAMES ON SUNDAY.

THE COACH, AND THE TEAM ARE READY TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE AS THE TOP RANKED SITTING WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM IN THE WORLD.

>> WE HAVE A HOST CITY TO TRAIN IN FOR FOUR DAYS BEFORE WE REPORT TO THE STRIJ AND THEN WE -- VILLAGE AND THEN WE START ON THE 27TH.

>>> IT'LL LOOK DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER COMPETITION, IT HAS ALL THE OTHER SPORTS GOING ON.

IT'S TELEVISED AND IT'S A BIG DEAL.

TALKING THEM THROUGH WHAT TO EXPECT, THE EXCITING THING, GETTING THE CLOTHING, AND PUBLICITY AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, NBC WILL BROADCAST PART OF THE GAMES.

>>> ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, A LONG HAUL COVID-19 SURVIVOR SHARES HIS EXPERIENCE AND THOUGHTS ON VACCINATION AND MASK MANDATES.

>>> AND SO LONG FOR NOW, A LOOK AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY BALLET.

FOR ALL OF US HERE AT THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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