>> THE GROWING CONCERN OF OKLAHOMA HOSPITAL OFFICIALS AS ICU BEDS FILL WITH NEW COVID PATIENTS.

>> WE DON'T WANT YOUR LAST WORDS WITH YOUR MOTHER, FATHER, BROTHER, SISTER, HUSBAND OR WIFE OR CHILDREN TO BE OVER A FACETIME CALL.

>> URGING EVERYONE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> ALL THE PRAYERS WON'T WORK.

>> OKLAHOMANS REACT TO THOSE TRYING TO ESCAPE AFGHANISTAN.

>> IT'S NOT A MATTER OF THE QUESTION TO LEAVE OR STAY, IT'S HOW WE'RE LEAVING AND HOW WE'RE LEAVING IS A DISGRACE.

>> HONORING THE BIRTH OF THE OKLAHOMA CIVIL RIGHTS SIT-IN MOVEMENT.

>> WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE AND KIND OF HONOR THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE WHO SAT IN.

>> AND THE RISING SUICIDE RATE IN OKLAHOMA.

NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

ON MONDAY, OKLAHOMA REPORTED 6800 NEW CASES, INCLUDING THE WEEKEND, THE SECOND HIGHEST SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THIS COMES AS THE ADMINISTRATION AND WHITE HOUSE ARE ARGUING OVER MASK MANDATES.

WITH CASES SOARING, HOSPITALS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF ROOM.

RORY TAYLOR HAS OUR REPORT.

>> THE REALITY IS HOSPITALS HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS WEEK, HOSPITAL NETWORKS ACROSS THE STATE CAME TOGETHER WITH THE MESSAGE, DELTA COVID IS FILLING TOO MANY BEDS.

>> AS OF YESTERDAY'S REPORT, 1392 PATIENTS WERE HOSPITALIZED IN OKLAHOMA WITH COVID-19 AND 51 OF THE ADMISSIONS WERE PEDIATRIC HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS WARN THE METRICS OF ESTIMATING THE SEVERITY OF THE SITUATION HAVE CHANGED SINCE LAST YEAR.

THE RATE OF INFECTION HASN'T CAUGHT UP TO JANUARY YET, BUT THE RATE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS HAS INCREASED.

>> Interview: AT THE PEAK OF THE PANDEMIC, ON JANUARY 13TH, OKLAHOMA WAS SEEING 4200 NEW CASES PER DAY.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE AT ABOUT 53% OF THE PEAK THAT WE SAW IN JANUARY, BUT HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE DIFFERENT.

WE SAW AT THE PEAK JUST UNDER 2,000 HOSPITALIZATIONS IN OKLAHOMA FOR COVID-19 AND RIGHT NOW WE'RE JUST UNDER 1400 PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID-19 THAT PUTS US AT 70% OF THE PEAK.

THE KEY MESSAGE HERE, A LARGER PROPORTION OF PEOPLE BEING DIAGNOSED NOW ARE ENDING UP IN THE HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: MEANING OKLAHOMA DOESN'T NEED A NEW RECORD OF CASES TO OVERFLOW THE HOSPITALS.

DR. BAHAR MALAKOUTI IS A NEUROHOSPITALISTIC AND SAYS WHILE THE UNIT IS USED TO ACCEPTING MOST PATIENTS, THEIR ABILITY TO DO SO IS CUT SHORT.

>> Interview: MERCY HAS BEEN ABLE TO ACCEPT 36% OF THE PATIENTS NEEDING A BED.

I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH, THIS IS NOT NORMAL.

OUR NORMAL ACCEPTANCE RATE IS 90%.

WHEN WE HAVE OPEN BEDS WE CAN ACCEPT NEARLY EVERY PATIENT THAT NEEDS TO BE TRANSFERRED TO OUR HOSPITAL AND THIS IS CURRENTLY A PHYSICAL BED ISSUE, NOT A STAFFED BED ISSUE.

>> Reporter: THAT'S NOT TO SAY STAFFING IS NOT AN ISSUE ACROSS THE BOARD.

>> Interview: THE MOST IMPORTANT CHANGE, WE DO NOT HAVE THE STAFFING LEVELS AVAILABLE TO CARE FOR PATIENTS THAT WE HAD A YEAR AGO.

THIS IS HARD WORK WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF PATIENTS NEEDING UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNTS OF CARE.

COVID-19 PUTS OUR CAREGIVERS AT RISK, NOT ONLY AT WORK BUT OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

SUSTAIN RISKS, FATIGUE AND TRAUMA HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO AN EXISTING MEDICAL STAFFING CRISIS STATE WIDE.

>> Reporter: TO HELP COMBAT THAT, MERCY HOSPITAL ANNOUNCED THURSDAY THEY'RE RAISING STARTING PAY TO $15 AN HOUR FOR ALL POSITIONS IN THE HOSPITAL.

PAYING MORE THAN 40% OF ALL HOSPITAL JOBS PAY ACROSS OKLAHOMA, MISSOURI AND ARKANSAS TO ATTRACT MORE STAFF.

NURSES WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF COVID WARN WHILE THE VIRUS IS PUTTING MORE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL, THOSE INFECTIONS ARE ALSO MORE AGGRESSIVE.

>> Interview: NOT ONLY ARE PATIENTS FLOODING INTO AREA HOSPITALS AT A RATE HIGHER THAN THIS POINT LAST YEAR, BUT THE PATIENTS ARE SICKER.

IN MY FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE, THEY'RE TAKING FEWER DAYS TO REACH CRITICAL CARE AND FOR BYPASS MACHINES AND VENTILATORS.

>> Reporter: THESE INFECTIONS ARE ALSO HITTING YOUNGER PEOPLE.

>> Interview: OUR PATIENTS ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE WINTER TIME.

WE KNOW THEY ARE MUCH YOUNGER.

THE AVERAGE AGE AS YOU SAW ON THE BOARD EARLIER IS 56, THAT'S GREATER THAN 10 YEARS YOUNGER THAN THE AVERAGE AGE IN THE WINTER.

THE AVERAGE AGE OF PATIENTS ON A VENTILATOR IS 51 YEARS-OLD.

THEY ARE UNVACCINATED.

OF THE PATIENTS WE HAVE ADMITTED TODAY IN ISOLATION, 90% ARE UNVACCINATED.

10% ARE BREAKTHROUGH CASES.

>> Reporter: DR. JULIE WATSON SAYS OUR YOUTH ARE NOT THE ONLY DEMOGRAPHIC AT A GREATER RISK UNVACCINATED.

>> Interview: THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE AND HELP PREGNANT WOMEN WHO ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR SEVERE ILLNESS WITH COVID.

OUR BODIES CHANGE IN WAYS WHEN WE ARE PREGNANT THAT MAKE US MORE VULNERABLE TO THIS DEADLY VIRUS.

WE KNOW NOW FROM TRACKING THE DATA SINCE 2020, UNVACCINATED PREGNANT WOMEN WHO GET COVID, ARE MORE LIKELY TO REQUIRE ICU CARE, NEED A VENTILATOR TO BREATHE AND ARE AT INCREASE RISK OF DYING FROM COVID.

>> Reporter: THIS COMING AT A TIME THAT MISINFORMATION ABOUT VACCINES HAS BEEN FOCUSING ON NEW MOTHERS.

>> Interview: WE KNOW NOW FROM 114,000 WOMEN WHO ARE PREGNANT AND GOT THE VACCINE, THERE ARE NO INCREASED RISKS OF BIRTH DEFECTS OR LOSS OF PREGNANCY.

THESE VACCINES ARE SAFE FOR YOU.

TO BE HONEST, I WISH MOST VACCINES WERE mRNA VACCINES.

IT IS SOME OF THE CLEANEST TECHNOLOGY I HAVE SEEN AS A PHYSICIAN AND SCIENTIST.

>> AS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, WE TRULY BELIEVE IN THE CONCEPT OF INFORMED CONSENT.

SO FOR US, OUR GOAL IS TO EDUCATE OUR FELLOW AMERICANS SO THEY'LL MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY.

SO WE ARE ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO WEAR MASKS.

WE DO BELIEVE THAT MAINTAINING SOCIAL DISTANCE IS A TOOL THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND DOES WORK.

HAND WASHING, AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS, IS ANOTHER TOOL THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND DOES WORK.

AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, VACCINATION IS A TOOL THAT WE KNOW IS EFFECTIVE.

>> Reporter: RORY TAYLOR, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANK YOU RORY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGING STATES WITH BANS ON MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOLS TO REPEAL THEM AS THE NEW YEAR GETS UNDER WAY.

IN A LETTER, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS IT IS STANDING BEHIND SCHOOLS DEFYING THE STATE LAW PROHIBITING MASK MANDATES.

THIS WEEK, SIX OKLAHOMA PUBLIC CITY SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WERE PUT ON PAID LEAVE FOR REFUSING TO WEAR A MASK.

SOME RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE GONE TO DISTANCE LEARNING ALREADY BECAUSE OF COVID CASE INCREASES.

HERE'S WHERE WE STAND AS OF FRIDAY MORNING.

THE ROLLING SEVEN DAY AVERAGE IS ABOVE 2,000 PER DAY AND CONTINUES TO RISE UP NEARLY 100 NEW CASES PER DAY THIS WEEK.

HOSPITAL BEDS CONTINUE TO FILL UP WITH COVID PATIENTS.

NEARLY 1500 ARE BEING TREATED IN THE HOSPITAL AND WE'RE APPROACHING 400 IN ICU BEDS, 56 OF THOSE ARE PEDIATRIC PATIENTS.

WE'VE HAD 106 DEATHS THIS WEEK WITH THE TOTAL UNDER 9,000.

VACCINATIONS ARE UP SLIGHTLY, 41% OF THE POPULATION OF THE STATE FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER HAS SPENT SEVERAL WEEKS HOOKED UP TO A VENTILATOR IN A LIFE AND DEATH STRUGGLE WITH COVID-19 IS URGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> DID YOU CHEAT DEATH?

>> I THINK I DID.

>> Reporter: DOYLE SPRINGS FACED DEATH AS A NORMAN FIREFIGHTER IN HIS HOMETOWN, GRADUATING FROM NORMAN HIGH SCHOOL IN 1977.

HE STARTED FEELING SICK THE SECOND WEEK OF NOVEMBER LAST YEAR.

>> Interview: I FELT LIKE I HAD A SINUS INFECTION.

STOPPED UP AND MY HEAD WAS HURTING AND MY NOSE AND STUFF WAS RUNNING AND EYES WOULD HURT BEHIND MY EYES.

>> Reporter: A DAY LATER, A CRUSHING FEVER, CHILLS AND SWEAT.

>> Interview: HOT AND COLD ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: ON NOVEMBER 18TH WHEN DOYLE'S OXYGEN LEVEL PLUMMETED, HIS WIFE NICKY CALLED 911 AND AN AMBULANCE RUSHED DOYLE TO THIS DOWNTOWN HOSPITAL.

THAT'S WHERE DOYLE SPRINGS WOULD CLING TO LIFE FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS, HALF OF IT ON A VENTILATOR.

WITH COVID-19 IS ONE ABOVE BEING DEAD.

>> Interview: I WOULD WAKE UP AND PICTURES OF MY GRAND KIDS AND SHE HAD A NOTE TO KEEP FIGHTING AND WANTED ME TO COME HOME.

I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANT.

>> Reporter: HEAVILY SEDATED, DOYLE REMEMBERS FEELING HELPLESS.

KIND OF A HELPLESS FEELING?

>> Interview: IT WAS.

>> Reporter: DURING THAT TIME, DOYLE LOST 55 POUNDS.

>> Interview: PHYSICAL THERAPIST AT ST. ANTHONY SAID SHE COULD HEAR ME AFTER I STARTED COMING AROUND A FEW WEEKS THERE ON THE VENT SAYING GET ME OUT OF HERE, I NEED TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL.

I WAS ALWAYS SAYING THAT.

I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHERE I WAS.

>> Reporter: AND HE DIDN'T KNOW THATHIMSELF.

I COULD BARELY WALK.

THEY TOOK ME IN AND TOLD ME I COULD STAY AS LONG AS I NEEDED TO STAY.

I WASN'T BEING RUSHED.

I CAME UP WITH THE DATE OF JUNE 25TH.

I STILL CAN'T BEND MY ARM FROM THE ELBOW MYSELF AND I DON'T HAVE A LOT OF STRENGTH IN THIS ARM.

MY FINGERS CURL BUT I'M STILL IN PHYSICAL THERAPY THREE DAYS A WEEK.

THEY DID WONDERS WITH ME.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK OU RESEARCHERS ANNOUNCED AN INTERNATIONAL STUDY THAT IDENTIFIED 13 GENES COMMON AMONG SEVERE COVID-19 PATIENTS.

THEY SAY IT IS A STARTING POINT IN THE QUEST TO REALLY FIGHT OFF THE DISEASE.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WHY.

BUT UNTIL THEY FIND OUT, THE BEST THING TO DO IS TAKE THE VACCINE.

>> TAKE THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE DOYLE'S WORD FOR IT, MAYBE YOU'LL LISTEN TO THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

>> I JUST WANT TO REASSURE PEOPLE THAT THE VACCINES HAVE UNDERGONE VIGOROUS TESTING AND EVALUATION BY THE FDA THAT THEY ARE SAFE TO TAKE.

>> Reporter: I FIND THAT STUNNING THAT 97% OF THE PEOPLE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19 WERE UNVACCINATED.

THAT'S THE ONLY PIECE OF EVIDENCE THAT WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED, THAT'S IT.

>> Interview: I WOULD AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT.

LIKE I SAID, THE VACCINE DOES SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE CHANCE OF GETTING INFECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THERE'S NO VACCINE THAT IS 100% EFFECTIVE.

>> Reporter: DOYLE SPRINGS' WIFE NICKY SAYS A CLOSE FAMILY MEMBER WON'T GET VACCINATED >> Interview: SHE WON'T GET IT AND NEITHER WILL HER HUSBAND WHO IS RECOUP RATING FROM STAGE 4 MELANOMA CANCER.

NOBODY CAN SEEM TO MAKE ME UNDERSTAND WHAT THE DEAL IS -- I DON'T BELIEVE IN IT.

I THINK -- I DON'T THINK IT'S FDA APPROVED, I DON'T KNOW.

I'M LIKE WHAT THE HECK.

YOU KNOW WHAT WE WENT THROUGH WITH DOYLE, HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY TAKE A CHANCE?

WHY TAKE A CHANCE?

IT'S JUST -- IMMORAL TO ME ALMOST.

>> I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO USE THOSE EXAMPLES AND NOT WAIT TO GET THE VACCINE.

I REMIND EVERYONE TO THINK OF OTHERS LIKE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

THINK OF THOSE AROUND YOU.

REMEMBER THAT THE VACCINE CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE AND THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES.

>> AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN TO HELL AND BACK, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO REFUSES TO GET A VACCINE?

>> GET THE VACCINE.

DON'T GET IT, YOU'LL GO THROUGH WHAT I DID AND YOU'LL BE SORRY.

>> THANK YOU STEVE.

REMARKABLE STORY.

IF YOU WANT TO REVISIT STEVE'S STORY OR ANY OF OUR CONTENT, IT IS EASY TO DO.

JUST GO TO OETA.TV/ONR.

THE OTHER BIG STORY THIS WEEK, THE CHAOS IN AFGHANISTAN AS AMERICA'S LONGEST WAR ENDS AND THAT COUNTRY ONCE AGAIN UNDER THE IRON RULE OF THE TALIBAN.

OKLAHOMA CONGRESSIONAL DELIGATION IS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT HOW THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS CONDUCTED THE WITHDRAW.

JASON DOYLE HAS REACTION FROM LAWMAKERS AND THOSE WHO HAVE SPENT TIME IN THE COUNTRY DURING THE 20 YEAR WAR.

>> Reporter: IT IS HARD TO FIND SOMEONE IN OKLAHOMA THAT SPENT TIME IN AFGHANISTAN AND FEEL IT WAS THE RIGHT MOVE.

>> Interview: THOSE WHO SPENT TIME ON THE GROUND ARE HEARTBROKEN SEEING THIS.

IT IS NOT A MATTER OF THE QUESTION TO LEAVE OR STAY, IT'S HOW WE'RE LEAVING.

AND HOW WE'RE LEAVING IS A DISGRACE.

>> Interview: THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY TRAGIC SITUATION AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION AROUND WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD EXIT AFGHANISTAN, I THINK MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE WE SHOULD HAVE.

I THINK IT'S THE MANNER BY WHICH WE HAVE EXITED.

>> Interview: THEY'RE A LITTLE DISGUSTED AT THE WAY WE GOT OUT OF THERE.

NORMALLY, THE FIRST THING YOU'RE GOING TO DO IS MAKE CONTINGENCY PLANS TO GET OUT THE AMERICAN CITIZENS AND GET OUT THE AFGHANS WHO HELPED US WHO WILL BE AT RISK.

WE DIDN'T PLAN FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, PRESIDENT BIDEN CLAIMS IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE AFTER 20 YEARS OF WAR.

>> I STAND SQUARELY BEHIND MY DECISION.

AFTER 20 YEARS, I'VE LEARNED THE HARD WAY THAT THERE WAS NEVER A GOOD TIME TO WITHDRAW U.S.

FORCES.

>> Reporter: SCOTT DEATHERIDGE WORKS WITH VETERANS THROUGH HIS ORGANIZATION HONORING AMERICAN WARRIORS.

>> Interview: SEVERAL I HAVE SPOKEN TO ARE GUYS WHO HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY WOUNDED AND LITERALLY HAVE A LOT OF SKIN IN THE GAME.

AND WHEN I APPROACHED THEM, IF THEY WERE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT, I COULDN'T FIND ONE THAT WAS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WHILE THE AFGHANISTAN WAR VETERANS HE KNEW DIDN'T WANT TO GO ON CAMERA, THEY'RE FALLING INTO TWO CATEGORIES GENERALLY.

>> Interview: THERE'S TWO TRAINS OF THOUGHT.

ONE IS WE WERE PAID, WE SIGNED UP, WE DID OUR JOB AND LOST SOME GUYS, WHICH IS PART OF THE JOB.

IT IS HORRIBLE BUT WE DID.

WE DID WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AND GOT BACK HOME ALIVE.

THEN YOU HAVE SOME GUYS THAT THEY'RE THINKING WELL, WAS THIS ALL FOR NOTHING.

OF COURSE IT WASN'T FOR NOTHING.

IT KEPT OUR COUNTRY SAFE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

WE HAVEN'T BEEN ATTACKED FROM TERROR CELLS IN AFGHANISTAN SINCE THEN.

>> Reporter: MIKE BOETTCHER SPENT TIME REPORTING ON THE WAR AND PRODUCED A DOCUMENTARY AFTER SPENDING TWO YEARS WITH U.S.

FORCES.

>> Interview: I WAS REALLY UPSET THAT AMERICANS HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT OUR SOLDIER AND MARINES AND AIRMEN AND SAILORS IN AFGHANISTAN AND LEFT TO MAKE A FILM ABOUT WHAT THEY WERE GOING THROUGH ON THE GROUND AND THE HOPELESSNESS OF THIS WAR.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, RECOGNIZING THE HEROIC EFFORTS THEY WERE TAKING ON THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: HE CONTENDS THAT THE TALIBAN ARE TRYING TO PUT ON A NEW FACE FOR THE WORLD STAGE.

>> Interview: THE TALIBAN IS TRYING TO PUT A NEW VERSION OF THEMSELVES OUT THERE, LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GIVE AMNESTY, THEY'RE NOT SAYING WHAT THAT IS.

WE'RE GOING TO TREAT WOMEN DIFFERENTLY THAN WE DID WHEN IN POWER 20 YEARS AGO.

BUT WOMEN WILL HAVE TO LIVE UNDER SHARIA LAW.

>> Reporter: WE TRIED TO REACH A RANKING MEMBER OF THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE BUT HE WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE.

BUT RELEASING STATEMENT SAYING IN PART... >> I ALWAYS PROMISED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE I WOULD BE STRAIGHT WITH YOU.

THE TRUTH IS, IT DID UNFOLD MORE QUICKLY THAN WE THOUGHT IT WOULD.

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IN AFGHANISTAN IS A COMPLETE FAILURE AND LACK OF PREPARATION TO WITHDRAW AND THE COUNTRY HAS TAKEN A SWIFT TURN AND WE'VE GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: BICE SAYS NOW A NEW FOCUS IS NEEDED.

>> Interview: THE FOCUS NEEDS TO BE GETTING OUT THE 5-10,000 AMERICANS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN AND UPWARDS OF 70,000 OF AFGHANS HELPING THE UNITED STATES MILITARY.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE AFGHANS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE LIKE THE WOMEN BUSINESS OWNER WHOSE GOT HELP FROM THE INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT FOR WOMEN.

>> WE HAVE ALMOST 600 WOMEN WHO HAVE GRADUATED FROM THE PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: THE AFGHAN WOMEN WHO TOOK PART IN THE PROGRAM ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THEIR COUNTRY.

>> TO LISTEN TO THOSE WOMEN AND HOW RESILIENT AND HARD WORKING THEY ARE AND HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO DO FOR THEIR COUNTRY IS REALLY INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: IF THEY CONTINUE THE GOOD FIGHT, SO WILL THE INSTITUTE.

>> Interview: WE ARE ALL STEPPING BACK AND LOOKING AT THINGS AND SAYING WE WANT TO KEEP GOING.

WE WANT TO EDUCATE MORE WOMEN.

WE DO.

WE ALL WANT TO EDUCATE MORE WOMEN.

SO WE ARE NOT LEAVING AFGHANISTAN.

>> Reporter: AS A WAY FORWARD FOR AFGHANISTAN, SOME FEEL FREEDOM STILL HAS A CHANCE.

>> Interview: WE HAVE LEFT BEHIND THE SEEDS OF THEIR DESTRUCTION AND THAT IS MILLIONS OF AFGHANS WERE CONNECTED TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD FINALLY OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES.

THEY SAW THERE'S A BETTER LIFE OUT THERE.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

BACK HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THE SOUTHWEST POWER POOL HAS COME UP WITH 22 RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT ANOTHER SEVERE WINTER STORM TO PREVENT POWER OUTAGES.

WHO CAN FORGET LAST FEBRUARY LEFT WITHOUT POWER DURING RECORD COLD TEMPERATURES THAT LEFT MANY OF THEM WITH HUGE UTILITY BILLS AFTERWARDS.

THE SOUTHWEST POWER POOL THAT HELPS TO MANAGE THE GRID IN 17 STATES HOPES TO INFLUENCE POLICY TO MAKE SURE NATURAL GAS SUPPLIES ARE READY AND AFFORDABLE THE NEXT TIME A MAJOR STORM HITS.

>> INCLUDING GAS MECHANISM AND OTHER THINGS WE COULD EVALUATE AND ADVOCATE FOR.

BOTTOM LINE IS, IF WE CAN ASSURE THAT GAS SUPPLY IS READILY AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE, THAT IS GOING TO CERTAINLY HELP OUR RATE PAYER AND CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE FOOTPRINT.

>> THEY ARE LOOKING TO IMPROVE COMMUNICATION WITH CONSUMERS THE NOTIFY THEM WHEN A NECESSARY BLACKOUT IS GOING TO OCCUR DUE TO A WEATHER EMERGENCY.

>>> IN OTHER BUSINESS NEWS THIS WEEK, THE GROWTH OF A TULSA AREA FINANCIAL INSTITUTION IS RECOGNIZED ONCE AGAIN.

JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS IN THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JENKS HAS MADE THE 5,000 LIST OF THE NATION'S FASTEST GROWING PRIVATE COMPANIES.

THIS IS THE 10th TIME GATEWAY HAS MADE THE LIST.

THEY ARE REPORTING A SECOND QUARTER LOSS, ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNER IS SEEING IMPROVEMENT.

CYPRUS HAD A NET LOSS OF $2 MILLION.

THE COMPANY'S CEO SAYS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS PREVENTED MANY FACE TO FACE SALES BUT THEY ARE ADAPTING FOR OIL FIELD AND MUNICIPAL WATER SERVICES.

USD GROUP IS EXPANDING IN OKLAHOMA AT THE STROUD TERMINAL.

USD GROUP WANTS TO EXPAND THE RAIL TO THE CUSHING HUB.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2022.

CANOO BUILDING THE FIRST MANUFACTURING PLANT IN TULSA HAS A SECOND QUARTER NET LOSS OF $112.6 MILLION, COMPARED TO THE SECOND QUARTER 2020 LOSS OF 23.2 MILLION.

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS COMMITTING INCENTIVES TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING OF THE FACILITY.

CANOO IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 2,000 HIGH PAYING JOBS.

THEY SAY THEY ALREADY HAVE EXCEEDED 9500 PRE-ORDERS FOR THE ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>>> THE REVOLVER OF AN OUTLAW IS BEING AUCTIONED IN WYOMING OVER THE WEEKEND.

BERT CASEY WAS CALLED THE MOST DANGEROUS BANDIT OF PRESENT DAY.

THE COLT REVOLVER HAS CASEY'S NAME ON THE BACK STRAP.

THE BIDDING TOPPED $2,500 AS OF THURSDAY.

>> THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS HAS DECIDED THE MCGIRT DECISION IS NOT RETROACTIVE FROM THE KILLING THAT OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE JULY 2020 RULING OF THE SUPREME COURT.

THE OKLAHOMA COURT FOUND CASES MADE FINAL ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE NEW RULES CREATED BY THE MCGIRT DECISION REVERSING A LOWER COURT'S DECISION TO VACATE THE SENTENCE AND REPROSECUTE THE CASE.

>>> THE JUSTICE FOR GREENWOOD FOUNDATION IS ASKING THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO OPEN A FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

THEY BELIEVE THE CITY SHOULD NOT HANDLE THE RECOVERY AND INVESTIGATION OF MASS GRAVE SITES POTENTIALLY CONNECTED TO THE MASSACRE 100 YEARS AGO.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN INTERVENE BASED ON AN ACT.

>>> 63 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK, THE OKLAHOMA CHAPTER OF NCAA TOOK PLACE.

THIS WEEK THE MOVEMENT IS BEING CELEBRATED.

>> WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE AND HONOR THE ORIGINAL SIT INNERS.

SO WE DID THE RE-ENACTMENT OF THE ORIGINAL SIT-IN.

(SINGING ( >> YOU NEED TO RECOGNIZE WHERE YOU HAVE COME FROM.

YOU NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE HURDLES THAT MANY RESIDENTS HAD TO OVERCOME, MANY WHO ARE STILL ALIVE.

THE SIT INNERS WERE IN THERE TODAY.

IT'S A REMINDER OF THAT AND A REMINDER TO DO BETTER TODAY.

IT'S NOT AS IF THE ECHOS OF THE CHALLENGES DON'T STILL EXIST.

THEY ABSOLUTELY DO.

>> WE HAD NOT SIT DOWN HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY WOULD NEVER HAVE STOOD UP.

I THINK THESE YOUNG PEOPLE REPRESENT THE CHANGE AMERICA NEEDED.

(SINGING) >>> IN EDUCATION NEWS, OKLAHOMA STATE GRADUATE STUDENTS ARE WORKING WITH NASA TO MEASURE SEISMIC ACTIVITY ON VENUS, SOMETHING THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO FOR 30 YEARS WITHOUT SUCCESS BECAUSE OF THE HOTNESS OF THE PLANET.

NOW IT IS POSSIBLE.

OKLAHOMA STATE STUDENTS ARE WORKING ALONG SIDE AEROSPACE ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS TO DEVELOP BALLOONS CAPABLE OF FLOATING IN THE ATMOSPHERE TO GATHER SEISMIC DATA.

>> WE ARE LAUNCHING BALLOONS FOR OUR COMPANIONS AT NASA LABORATORIES ESSENTIALLY TO GATHER DATA FOR THEM.

OKLAHOMA IS SUCH A GREAT PLACE TO BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE BALLOONS TO GET ENOUGH SEISMIC ACTIVITY IN THE AIR TO KIND OF CORRELATE INTO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET IF WE WERE TO BRING THE SOIL INTO VENUS SOME DAY.

>> RESEARCHERS ARE HOPING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIFE ON VENUS AND STUDYING THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE HERE ON EARTH.

>>> ENJOYING A SPECIAL TREAT LAST WEEK, THE UNION PACIFIC BIG BOY STEAM ENGINE MAKING STOPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

IT HAULED THE FIRST LOAD IN DECEMBER OF 1941.

UNION PACIFIC HAS RESTORED IT AND IT IS CURRENTLY ON A NATIONWIDE TOUR TO COMMEMORATE THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE COMPLETION OF THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD.

>> THIS IS ONE OF EIGHT SURVIVORS AND THE ONLY ONE OPERATING.

BACK IN 1941, THE UNION PACIFIC HAD 20 OF THEM BUILT AND THEN BUILT FIVE MORE.

IN 1959, WHEN THE RAILROADS WERE DONE WITH STEAM LOCOMOTIVES, 17 WERE TAKEN AWAY AND EIGHT WERE DONATED.

THIS ONE WAS GIVEN BACK TO THE UNION PACIFIC AND WE RESTORED IT IN 2019.

>> THE BIG BOY LOCOMOTIVE WILL END THE TOUR NEXT MONTH IN DENVER, COLORADO.

>>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN FOUNDATION OF SUICIDE PREVENTION, IN OKLAHOMA, A PERSON DIES FROM SUICIDE EVERY 11 HOURS AND IT IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR PEOPLE 10-34.

THOSE ARE STARTLING NUMBERS AND THE SUBJECT OF THE IN DEPTH SEGMENT.

>> WE HAVE THREE GUESTS TO HELP US ADDRESS THIS TOPIC ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM NOW.

WE HAVE SENATOR KAY FLOYD, IN THE OKLAHOMA SENATE, A DEMOCRAT FROM OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE HAVE WHITNEY BRYEN, AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR OKLAHOMA WATCH HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

AND THEN JULIE GEDDES WHO IS A SENIOR FIELD REPRESENTATIVE SUICIDE PREVENTION SPECIALIST FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE FROM NORMAN.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> SENATOR, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

I HAVE NUMBERS I WANT TO RECITE FOR OUR VIEWERS.

IN 2020, ONE COMMITTED SUICIDE ABOUT EVERY 11 HOURS IN OKLAHOMA.

SUICIDE IS THE NINTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN OUR STATE PUTTING OKLAHOMA AS A TOP 10 IN SUICIDE DEATHS NATIONWIDE.

YOU HAVE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE NEARLY 10 YEARS.

TO WHAT WOULD YOU CONTRIBUTE THE TERRIBLE NUMBERS?

>> YOU KNOW, SUSAN, IT'S SUCH A COMPLICATED ISSUE, IT'S SUCH A COMPLICATED ANSWER.

LET ME JUST FULL DISCLOSURE HERE START BY SAYING I DON'T HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH BACKGROUND.

I WAS ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FOR 23 YEARS BEFORE RUNNING FOR OFFICE AND I BECAME INVOLVED WITH SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR OUR CHILDREN MY SECOND YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE WHERE I WAS APPROACHED BY SOME TEACHERS AND PARENTS AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION FOR OUR CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S HOW I BECAME INVOLVED.

I KNOW THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY COMPLEX ISSUE.

I THINK YOU HAVE PROBABLY PEOPLE ON THIS PANEL THAT ARE MUCH MORE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

JULIE KNOWS THIS TOPIC UPSIDE DOWN AND BACKWARDS.

I CAN TELL YOU, IT IS COMPLICATED.

OKLAHOMA CONSTANTLY HAS A HIGHER RATE OF SUICIDE THAN SO MANY OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY AS YOU JUST POINTED OUT.

WE HAVE SEEN IT GET WORSE WITH COVID IN SOME PARTS OF OUR STATE.

WE KNOW THAT IF YOU'RE ABLE TO GET HELP, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, YOU'LL SEE NUMBERS IN THE RURAL AREAS WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF SUPPORT ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE NUMBERS YOU SEE IN THE URBAN AREAS WHERE YOU DO HAVE THAT KIND OF SUPPORT.

WE KNOW THE DATA SHOWS AS FAR AS YOUTH SUICIDE IS CONCERNED, LIKE A PARENT BEING INCARCERATED CAN INCREASE THE STRESS ON A CHILD.

IT IS THE STRESSORS THAT I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION, BUT I THINK HONESTLY JULIE'S VERY QUALIFIED TO DO A DEEPER DIVE ON THIS ONE.

>> LET'S TAG TEAM AND HAND IT OFF TO JULIE.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN I FIRST STARTED WITH SUICIDE PREVENTION, I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF TEEN LINE, THE HOTLINE FOR KIDS.

I HAD A LOT OF CALLS FROM ALL OVER THE NATION FROM KIDS CALLING ABOUT I WANTED TO KILL MYSELF.

I DON'T WANT TO LIVE ANYMORE.

MANY KIDS WHO WERE STRUGGLING.

SUICIDE IS VERY COMPLICATED AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE ANSWER YOU'RE LOOKING FOR BUT IT IS.

WE'RE ALL UNIQUE AND THINK DIFFERENTLY.

WITH OUR FEDERAL GRANT WE CONSIDER 10-24 YEAR OLDS AS YOUTH.

WE KNOW THE HUMAN BRAIN IS NOT FULLY FUNCTIONING UNTIL THE AGE OF 24.

THE NUMBERS FOR YOUTH SPECIFIC RISE ABOUT THE AGE OF 18.

I THINK ABOUT ALL THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE A PROTECTIVE FACTOR FOR KIDS.

THEY HAVE THAT CONNECTION.

BUT, AGAIN, KIDS DON'T HAVE REALLY GOOD PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS OR DON'T HAVE THE TRUSTED ADULT IN THEIR LIFE.

THEY DON'T KNOW THEY SHOULD HAVE ONE.

YOU AND I SHOULD HAVE A TRUSTED ADULT.

AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ONE, YOU SHOULD GET ONE.

THAT PERSON YOU CAN TALK TO TO HELP YOU THROUGH WHATEVER YOU ARE FACING.

WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT.

SUICIDE IS MULTI DETERMINED, IT'S NOT JUST ONE THING.

IT IS A COMBINATION OF AT LEAST TWO, MAYBE THREE THINGS.

THANK YOU TO THE NEW SENATE BILL WE NOW HAVE AS LAW, I HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT WILL HELP.

YOU KNOW, I HAVE HIGH HOPES THAT PEOPLE WILL ACTUALLY TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE.

>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY BECAUSE YOU MENTIONED THE BILL.

I WANT TO LAY THE FOUNDATION AND THEN WE'LL JUMP INTO THE BILL AND WHAT IT ADDRESSES.

WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH, YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ISSUE, DOING A STORY ON THIS ISSUE.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

>> I STARTED REQUESTING NUMBERS FROM THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE THIS SUMMER, THE MEDICAL EXAMINER INVESTIGATES EVERY SUICIDE IN THE STATE.

AND SO WE REQUESTED THE NUMBERS BECAUSE WHEN COVID FIRST STARTED I HEARD FROM MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, THAT WAS GOING TO CREATE MORE MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WHICH WAS PROBABLY GOING TO LEAD TO MORE OVERDOSES, SUICIDES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE WANTED TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE CASE AND IT WAS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE SAW A RISE IN SUICIDES IN 2020, ABOUT A 10% INCREASE FROM 2019.

AS WE DUG INTO THE NUMBERS, WHAT I FOUND WAS THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM IN THE PANDEMIC.

THESE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN INCREASING PRETTY DRASTICALLY OVER THE PAST 15-20 YEARS.

YOU KNOW, I WENT AS FAR BACK AS 2006, WHICH THE MEDICAL EXAMINER HAS TOTAL SUICIDE NUMBERS FOR IN THE STATE.

AND WE FOUND THAT SINCE 2006, OKLAHOMA HAS SEEN A 62% INCREASE IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE.

IN 2006 FOR COMPARISON, THERE WAS 544 WHO DIED BY SUICIDE AND IN 2020, THERE WAS 883.

AND OF COURSE SOME OF THOSE MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS CONTRIBUTE TO THE PANDEMIC, TO ISOLATION, INCREASED ANXIETY.

FEAR OF THE INFECTION AND GRIEF FROM LOSING LOVED ONES TO THE PANDEMIC.

BUT, IT'S NOT JUST THE PANDEMIC.

EXPERTS ARE ALSO CITING THINGS LIKE YOU KNOW, IN OKLAHOMA WE HAVE A HIGH RURAL POPULATION, WHICH THE SENATOR POINTED OUT EARLIER.

RURAL COMMUNITIES HAVE A HIGHER RATE OF SUICIDE, CARE IS LESS AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

AND WE HAVE A HIGH NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION IN OKLAHOMA.

NATIVE AMERICANS HAVE A HIGHER RATE OF SUICIDE THAN ANY OTHER MINORITY GROUP IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND THOSE ARE JUST A FEW THINGS CONTRIBUTING TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING IN THE INCREASED NUMBERS.

>> ALL RIGHT, SENATOR, HOW DO YOU LAY THE FOUNDATION, THE SITUATION IN OKLAHOMA YOU PRESENTED A BILL JUST SIGNED INTO LAW.

WILL YOU TELL US ABOUT THE MEASURE?

>> THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY TO THAT.

THE LANGUAGE CHANGED WITH MY BILL WAS LANGUAGE THAT I INTRODUCED WHEN I WAS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN 2014.

ORIGINALLY THE LANGUAGE HAD A MANDATORY PREVENTIVE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL TEACHERS AND STAFF AT ALL SCHOOLS IN THE STATE WOULD RECEIVE MANDATORY SUICIDE PREVENTION TRAINING AND IT WAS GOING TO BE PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES AT NO COST AND I RAN INTO A LOT OF OPPOSITION AT THE TIME.

THERE WERE A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE WHO DIDN'T WANT TO IMPOSE A MANDATE ON THE SCHOOLS.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT SEEMED TO BE A BIG STICKING POINT, HOW MANY MANDATES WERE BEING IMPOSED ON EDUCATORS.

THIS WAS SEEN BY SOME AS ONE MORE THING FOR TEACHERS.

SO I CHANGED THE SHALL MANDATE TO MAY AND WE PUT IT OUT THERE AND THE DISTRICTS DID WITH IT WHAT THEY CHOSE TO DO.

LOCAL CONTROL, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH, HOWEVER, I FELT LIKE THIS WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROBLEM IN OUR STATE THAT WE COULD OVERLOOK THAT.

BUT I WAS OVERRULED.

SO IT DID GO THROUGH AS A MAY INSTEAD OF SHALL.

>> YOU HAVING SAID THAT, TURNING A SHALL TO MAY WHICH MAKES IT OPTIONAL FOR TEACHERS, CORRECT?

>> YES, THAT'S THE WAY THE LANGUAGE WAS WHEN WE WENT INTO THIS SESSION.

>> I HAVE INFORMATION FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OKLAHOMA YOUTH SUICIDE RATE IS 9.4 PER 100,000 OF THE POPULATION.

THAT'S COMPARED TO THE NATIONAL RATE OF 7.3.

AS JULIE MENTIONED EARLIER IN 2020, TWO AGES 10-24 DIED BY SUICIDE EVERY WEEK IN OKLAHOMA.

IN TULSA, COST OF COPE PHONE LINE ON BEHALF OF SUICIDAL CHILDREN HAVE JUMPED 31% IN JUST THE LAST YEAR.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO INSTRUCTORS WHO NOW HAVE AN OPTION SENATOR, TO TRAIN THEMSELVES TO HELP THE YOUNG PEOPLE THEY SPEND SO MUCH TIME WITH EVERY DAY.

>> WELL, SUICIDE AS YOU POINT OUT IS NOT APPROXIMATE GETTING BETTER.

THE NUMBERS ARE NOT GOING DOWN.

THEY'RE GOING UP.

AND THEY'RE GOING UP IN OKLAHOMA.

SO THERE WAS A LOT OF SUPPORT THIS TIME TO GO IN AND CHANGE THAT LANGUAGE AND MAKE IT MANDATORY TRAINING FOR ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE.

WE HAVE DATA FROM THE CDC THAT SAYS THAT IT'S THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR AGES 10-24 IN THE COUNTRY.

SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH -- IT HASN'T GOTTEN BETTER NATIONALLY AND CERTAINLY NOT IN OKLAHOMA.

SO I HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT.

I HAD TEACHERS CALLING ME AND SUPPORTIVE OF IT.

ORIGINALLY WE HAD LANGUAGE THAT WAS GOING TO REQUIRE THAT STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12 RECEIVE TRAINING.

WE TOOK THAT OUT.

THEN I PUT IT BACK IN BUT MADE IT EFFECTIVE NEXT YEAR AND NOT THIS YEAR.

WE'LL TRAIN THE TEACHERS THIS CYCLE AND THEN THE TRAINING WILL BE AVAILABLE, DIFFERENT TRAINING BUT TRAINING FOR PEERS SO THEY CAN -- YOUNG PEOPLE CAN RECOGNIZE PROBLEMS AMONG THEMSELVES AND WITH THEIR PEERS.

>> IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

STUDENTS SPEND A GREAT PART OF THEIR DAY AT SCHOOL.

THIS IS WONDERFUL.

JULIE, WOULD YOU NOT AGREE, THERE'S TRAINING PARTS CAN UNDERGO, FAMILY MEMBERS TO ALERT THEM TO THE SIGNS THAT SOMETHING MIGHT NOT BE RIGHT.

>> I THINK PARENTS HAVE TO BE AWARE OF WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THEIR CHILD.

THEY NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION, 10-15 MINUTES EVERY DAY.

WHAT IS GOING ON WITH YOU.

HOW ARE YOU?

ANY CHANGES?

WHEN A CHILD IS STRUGGLING, THERE'S A BIG HESITANCY I THINK TO SEEK MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

IT IS SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

IT SHOULD BE DONE EARLY INSTEAD OF IN AN EMERGENCY.

IF YOU THINK OF YOURSELF, YOU HAVE THE FULL PLATE, THINGS YOU PILE ON AND TASKS HAVE YOU TO DO.

KIDS HAVE THE SAME THING.

AND SO WHEN THAT -- WHEN YOU WANT TO GET -- WHEN IT'S EARLY SO YOU CAN HELP THEM.

IF YOU CAN HELP THEM AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THEY MAY NEVER BE SUICIDAL AGAIN.

YOU DON'T KNOW.

WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB.

PARENTS HAVE TO, WE HAVE TO.

IF WE SEE SOMETHING, WE HAVE TO HELP THEM.

>> I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THE POINT I THINK IS BEING MADE HERE AND WHAT I FOUND IN MY REPORTING IS CONSISTENT IS THAT KIDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING, KIDS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA OR STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH OR OTHER THINGS, THEY NEED SUPPORT FROM POSITIVE ADULT ROLE MODELS IN THEIR LIFE AND CERTAINLY THAT COMES FROM THE SCHOOL SETTING.

SCHOOL COUNSELLORS, TEACHERS, SCHOOL STAFF.

THOSE ARE GREAT PLACES FOR KIDS TO HAVE THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM.

BUT OF COURSE PARENTS, FAMILY MEMBERS, OLDER SIBLINGS OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, CHURCH MEMBERS.

THESE TYPES OF SUPPORT SYSTEMS CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF STEPPING UP AND PROVIDING THAT SUPPORT.

YOU KNOW, IN ADDITION TO SENATOR FLOYD'S BILL, WE FOUND SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED RECENTLY TO HELP PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT.

IN THE BILL, YOU ARE TRAINING TEACHERS AND SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO PROVIDE THAT SUPPORT TO STUDENTS.

OVER THE SUMMER, THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FUNDED ABOUT $35 MILLION TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SCHOOL COUNSELLORS THAT ARE THERE TO TREAT KIDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

SO THOSE ARE NOT POSITIONS OF TEST PROCTORS AND SCHEDULING DETAILS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THOSE ARE SUPPORTS FOR KIDS WHO NEED MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING AND HELP.

AND THEN WE ALSO FOUND OUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH HAS RECENTLY PARTNERED UP WITH AN ORGANIZATION OF VETERANS WHO IS REACHING OUT TO VETERANS ACROSS THE STATE, DOING GUN TRAINING AND THEY'RE RECOMMENDING THAT VETERANS HAND OVER BASICALLY FOR SAFE KEEPING ANY WEAPONS THEY HAVE IN THEIR HOME IF THEY FEEL THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL CHALLENGES.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF EFFORTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY TO TRY TO GIVE SUPPORT TO YOUNG PEOPLE, KIDS AS WELL AS ADULTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE SCHOOL SETTING.

>> ALL RIGHT.

QUICKLY, SENATOR, YOU WERE HAVING INTERIM STUDIES THIS SUMMER LOOKING AT DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF SUICIDE.

ARE THOSE COMPLETED AND CAN WE LOOK FOR MORE FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?

>> THEY HAVE NOT BEEN COMPLETED.

WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY OF THEM YET.

I'M DOING THREE.

ONE IS A DEEPER DIVE INTO YOUTH SUICIDE HERE IN THE STATE.

TO FIND OUT EXACTLY IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO FIND OUT THE MAIN CAUSES.

AND ALSO TO LOOK AT THE DEMOGRAPHICS, GENDER, RACE, GEOGRAPHICS, ECONOMICS AND SEE HOW THESE FACTORS PLAY IN.

THE SECOND ONE IS AN INTERIM STUDY ON CHILD DEATH BUT NOT BY SUICIDE.

IT'S TWO STUDIES.

ONE DEATH BY SUICIDE AND ONE IS DEATH BY DROWNING, FIRE, AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS AND THOSE STATS AND THAT INFORMATION COMES EVERY YEAR FROM THE OKLAHOMA CHILD DEATH REVIEW BOARD WE HAVE IN THE STATE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE GET SORT OF AN OVERARCHING VIEW OF IF OUR CHILDREN ARE SAFE OR WHAT IS KILLING OUR CHILDREN.

SO SUICIDE AND THEN ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND THE THIRD ONE IS A JOINT STUDY WITH ANOTHER SENATOR AND IT IS GOING TO BE PEDIATRIC DEATHS AND COVID.

>> I WANT TO THANK ALL THREE OF YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE BY CHECKING OUT MORE ON OKLAHOMAWATCH.ORG.

YOU CAN CHECK THAT OUT THERE.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN, THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE.

>> SUSAN AND GUESTS, THANK YOU.

THE COVID PANDEMIC HAS CREATED A NATIONAL SHORTAGE OF WORKERS IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND BEING FELT IN OKLAHOMA.

THE HELP WANTED SIGNS ARE EVERY WHERE.

WE ARE START TOGETHER SEE IMPROVEMENT.

IN THE PAST YEAR THE STATE HAS ADDED 14,000 HOSPITALITY JOBS, HAPPENING ELSEWHERE, TOO.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, HEADING NORTH TO MINNESOTA WHERE CHRIS BURNS PROFILES A HOT MARKET FOR THOSE SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.

>> IT SEEMED LIKE EMPLOYEES WERE ALWAYS AT THE DOOR ASKING US AND SOMETIMES WE DIDN'T HAVE THE WORK FOR THEM AND NOW WE HAVE THE WORK AND NO PEOPLE.

IT'S A HUGE SHIFT.

>> Reporter: THAT'S HOW ONE BUSINESS OWNER REACTED SEEN ACROSS THE BRAINERD LAKES REGION AND MINNESOTA.

THAT'S NOT AFFECTING THE OVERALL BUSINESS IN THE AREA.

>> Interview: THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, BUSINESS IS BOOMING IN THE BRAINERD LAKES AREA AND ALL OVER MINNESOTA.

BUT THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION IN OUR AREA HAS GOTTEN TO BE A CODE RED SITUATION FOR A LOT OF BUSINESSES.

PEOPLE ARE DESPERATE FOR EMPLOYEES AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK.

>> Reporter: THE SHORTAGE OF EMPLOYEES IS MOSTLY HURTING LOCAL BUSINESSES.

BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING TO USE THIS YEAR'S PROFITS THE MAKE UP FOR LAST YEAR'S LOSSES.

>> Interview: I BELIEVE THAT SALES COULD BE BETTER ALL THE WAY AROUND IF I COULD FIND ENOUGH HELP TO BE OPEN IN THE EVENINGS.

I CAN'T BE OPEN IN THE EVENINGS BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE HELP IN ORDER TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: WITH MORE THAN 2,000 JOBS AVAILABLE IN THE BRAINERD LAKES REGION, ALMOST EVERY BUSINESS IS LOOKING FOR WORKERS.

EACH JOB TAKEN IS POTENTIALLY CREATING A NEW JOB.

>> Interview: THE FIRST THING IS MORE THERAPISTS AND HAVING THE THERAPIST JOBS FILLED WILL GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIRE MORE FRONT-END STAFF.

>> THREE MORE SERVERS, THREE MORE COOKS AND IT'S NOT OUT THERE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A LOOK AT SUMMERTIME.

FOR EVERYONE HERE ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY HEALTHY AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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