>> ON THE 80th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR, WE REMEMBER THE LIVES LOST THAT DAY AND THE VETERANS WE ARE LOSING EVERY DAY.

>> ALWAYS WANTED TO TAKE PART IN WORLD WAR II AFTER SEEING WHAT THE JAPANESE HAD DONE.

>> OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES LARGE AND SMALL FLICK THE SWITCH TO LIGHT UP HOLIDAY TOURISM.

>> EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME IN ADDITION TO HOLIDAY SHOPPING, WE SEE A HUGE INCREASE.

>> THE TIMBER INDUSTRY CONTINUES TO ENJOY LONG-TERM GROWTH.

>> SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY MEANS WE CAN KEEP IT GOING FOREVER.

IT MEANS THAT WE TREAT THIS NATURAL RESOURCE WITH CARE, WE REPLANT, WE PUT BACK WHAT WE TAKE AWAY.

>> COMING HOME TO TAKE OVER THE LIFE OF RILEY.

>> IT IS SURREAL FOR ME TO SEE SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES AND FRIENDS OUT HERE.

>> ANOTHER EXECUTION AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY.

WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

THURSDAY MORNING IN MCALLISTER, BIGLER STOUFFER II WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD 16 MINUTES AFTER RECEIVING A LETHAL INJECTION.

HE MAINTAINS HE WAS INNOCENT BUT GOVERNOR STITT DENIED THE LIFE IN PRISON WITHOUT PAROLE SURROUNDING CONTROVERSY AROUND THE EXECUTION METHODS.

IT WAS DENIED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT THURSDAY MORNING HOURS BEFORE BEING PUT TO DEATH.

>>> IT APPEARS THERE WAS A SPIKE OF INFECTIONS FROM THANKSGIVING.

IT LEAPS UP FROM OVER 1,000 TO 1500 PER DAY.

ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THE AVERAGE WAS 553.

HOSPITALIZATIONS AND HOSPITAL BEDS HAVE INCREASED.

ALMOST 200 ICU BEDS ARE IN USE.

THE BETTER NEWS, JUST 71 PEOPLE DIED IN THE PAST SEVEN DAYS AND PEOPLE ARE GETTING BOOSTER SHOTS.

ALMOST A 16% INCREASE FROM A WEEK AGO.

MEANWHILE, OKLAHOMA HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY THEY WOULD SUPPORT CONVENING A SPECIAL SESSION TO PASS LEGISLATION TO PROHIBIT FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATES.

AND ON TUESDAY, THE STITT ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCED IT HAS FILED FIVE LAWSUITS, FOUR AGAINST THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND ONE AGAINST THE MEDICAL CENTER IN TULSA.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN DOESN'T TRUST AMERICANS TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES.

LUCKILY, OUR CONSTITUTION DOES.

THAT'S WHY JOHN O'CONNOR AND I ARE FIGHTING BACK AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN'S FEDERAL OVERREACH.

>> MY PROBLEM IS NOT WITH THE VACCINE.

MY PROBLEM IS WITH THE NOTION OF IT BEING MANDATED AND I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE USE OF OUR PAYCHECKS AS THE TOOL OR WEAPON AGAINST OUR EMPLOYEES.

>> I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED TO SEE AT LEAST 20% OF OUR EMPLOYEES QUIT.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TROUBLE FINDING GOOD QUALITY EMPLOYEES.

MANY OF THESE ARE GREAT EMPLOYEES AND WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE THEM.

MANY ARE LONG-TERM EMPLOYEES AND WE BELIEVE IN PROTECTING THEIR RIGHT TO MAKE A CHOICE.

>> WITH MORE ON THE POTENTIAL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION AS WELL AS FRIDAY'S LEGISLATIVE DEADLINE FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION, I SPOKE WITH SHAWN ASHLEY.

OKAY SHAWN.

MOVING FORWARD, WHAT STICKS OUT IN YOUR MIND?

>> RIGHT NOW WE HAVE ABOUT 60 BILLS FILED AND IN THE END, PROBABLY 2500 WILL BE FILED FOR THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION.

RIGHT NOW, THERE'S A LARGE NUMBER OF ANTI VACCINE MEASURES.

ANTI VACCINE MANDATE MEASURES MORE SPECIFICALLY.

IN SOME CASES, THESE PREVENT VACCINE MANDATES IN TOTAL, ALL VACCINES.

OTHERS ARE SPECIFIC TO COVID-19 AND SOME IMPOSE LIABILITY ON COMPANIES THAT IMPLEMENT VACCINE MANDATES IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG FOR AN EMPLOYEE WHO RECEIVES THE VACCINES.

>> YOU'RE TALKING REGULAR SESSION RIGHT THERE.

AS WE MENTIONED, THERE'S TALK OF A REGULAR SESSION FOR FEDERAL VACCINE MANDATES.

DO YOU THINK IT WILL HAPPEN OR DURING THE REGULAR SESSION?

>> I THINK IT WILL PROBABLY TAKE PLACE DURING THE REGULAR SESSION.

WE'RE SO CLOSE TO THE START OF THE REGULAR 2022 SESSION.

IF YOU THINK BACK TO A YEAR AGO, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SPECIAL SESSION BECAUSE THOSE OPEN MEETING ACT AMENDMENTS THAT ALLOWED FULLY VIRTUAL MEETINGS HAD EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER AND STILL IN THE THROWS OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE WAS TALK ABOUT COMING BACK AND EXTENDING THOSE.

THEY DIDN'T DO THAT.

INSTEAD, THAT WAS THE FIRST BILL IN THE REGULAR SESSION AND IT WAS SIGNED BY GOVERNOR STITT.

WE'LL PROBABLY SEE THE SAME THING HERE.

>> WE HAVE THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.

DOES THAT MEAN EVERYTHING GOING FORWARD WILL RECEIVE CONSIDERATION IN FEBRUARY?

>> CERTAINLY NOT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE 2021 REGULAR SESSION FOR EXAMPLE, MORE THAN 3,000 PIECES OF LEGISLATION WERE FILED AND ONLY 585 BECAME LAW.

>> A LOT OF SERIOUS BUSINESS IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN FEBRUARY.

RECENTLY WE LOST A FOOTBALL COACH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA, WHAT IS THE SENATOR PROPOSAL AND WHERE IS IT GOING TO GO?

>> SENATOR COLEMAN WOULD LIKE TO NAME A HIGHWAY AFTER THAT COACH.

SPECIFICALLY HE WOULD LIKE TO NAME THE FINAL THREE INCHES OF A HIGHWAY IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA AS IT LEAVES THE STATE IN HONOR OF COACH LINCOLN RILEY, SYMBOLIZING THE PROFESSIONALISM IN RILEY'S DEPARTURE, WHICH WAS RATHER SUDDEN AND HE FELT IT WOULD BE A DESERVING HONOR.

>> IS THERE MUCH COST AND WHO WOULD PICK IT UP?

>> SENATOR COLEMAN INDICATES HE WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO PAY FOR THE SIGNAGE TO MARK THAT SECTION OF HIGHWAY.

>> WE'LL SEE IF THAT HAPPENS OR NOT.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SESSION?

>> OF COURSE.

LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS ARE AN EXCITING TIME.

>> TUESDAY MARKED THE 80th ANNIVERSARY OF A DAY THAT WILL LIVE IN INFANNY.

WE ARE REMINDED OF THE HUNDREDS OF WAR WORLD TWO VETERANS WHO PASS AWAY EVERY DAY.

KENNEDY SEPULVADO HAS MORE ON THAT.

>> MORE THAN 230 WORLD WAR II VETERANS PASS AWAY EACH DAY AND ESTIMATED THEY WILL BE GONE BY 2032.

I SPOKE TO TWO OKLAHOMA VETERANS INSPIRED TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY FOLLOWING THE ATTACK.

>> I WAS DOWN IN MY UNCLE'S GROCERY STORE AND HE HAD THE RADIO ON, CAME OVER THE RADIO, THE NEWS, PEARL HARBOR HAD JUST BEEN BOMBED BY THE JAPANESE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS THEN THAT WINTERS KNEW HE WOULD GO TO WAR, ENLISTING IN THE ARMY WHEN HE TURNED 18, FOLLOWING BASIC TRAINING, SENT TO THE PHILIPPINES.

>> Interview: A BRIGADIER GENERAL CAME ALONG AND TOLD US HE WAS GOING TO PUT US ON A SHIP AND TAKE US TO THE OTHER SIDE AND SEE IF THE JAPANESE WANTED TO FIGHT.

I THOUGHT WELL THAT MAN IS NUTS.

>> Reporter: ALLEN VANN ALSO ANSWERED THE CALL TO ACTION, SERVING ABOARD THE USS SEAHORSE.

>> Interview: WE SANK 27 JAPANESE SHIPS.

WE SANK -- THIRD ON THE LIST FOR THE NUMBER WE SANK.

>> Reporter: HE WAS THE CHIEF TORPEDO MAN AND REMEMBERS HAVING TO RATION FOOD AND WATER DURING LONG PERIODS OF WAR PATROL.

>> Interview: FRESH WATER, EVERYTHING WAS A THING OF THE PAST.

>> Reporter: 16 MILLION AMERICANS FOUGHT IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR, THE GREATEST GENERATION FACING THE GREATEST HORRORS.

>> Interview: IT IS NOT EASY ON ANYONE.

THERE WERE BULLETS AND BOMBS START FLYING AROUND, YOU'RE SCARED AS YOU CAN BE.

>> Interview: WE GOT BACK TO LAND AND LANDED IN PEARL HARBOR, FIRST TIME I HAD SEEN PEARL HARBOR.

>> Reporter: IT'S OKAY.

>> Interview: I JUST -- I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT.

>> Reporter: ON TUESDAY IN DOWN TOWN OKLAHOMA CITY, A SPECIAL CEREMONY IN THE PARK THAT FEATURES ONE OF THE ORIGINAL ANCHORS FROM THE USS OKLAHOMA BATTLESHIP THAT SANK WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF THE ATTACK BY TORPEDO S. >> EIGHT BATTLESHIPS WERE DESTROYED OR DAMAGED.

THE COLORADO, THE ARIZONA, THE NEVADA, THE WEST VIRGINIA, THE MARYLAND, THE TENNESSEE AND THE OKLAHOMA.

>> MAY GOD BLESS THE LIVES LOST AT PEARL HARBOR 80 YEARS AGO TODAY AND MAY THE LEGACY OF THE BRAVE MEN ABOARD THE USS OKLAHOMA LIVE ON FOR GENERATIONS.

WE IN OKLAHOMA WILL NEVER FORGET.

>> Reporter: A PIECE OF THAT HISTORY, WHICH WAS ONCE ABOARD THE USS OKLAHOMA REMAINS IN OUR STATE AT THE OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER.

>> Interview: THE STATE WOULD PRESENT THE BATTLESHIP WITH A SILVER SERVICE.

>> Reporter: IT COSTS $7,500 IN 1914, ROUGHLY $270,000 IN TODAY'S MONEY.

>> Interview: IT HAS ALL THESE BUILT IN LITTLE NARRATIVES ABOUT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THERE'S LOTS TO SEE.

>> Reporter: IT REMAINED ON THE BATTLESHIP FOR DECADES UP TO THE START OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR.

>> Interview: AFTER WORLD WAR II, WELL, DID THAT END UP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PACIFIC.

>> Reporter: THANKFULLY THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.

THE EXPENSIVE SILVER SERVICE WAS LOCATED IN STORAGE IN THE STATE OF WASHINGTON.

>> Interview: IT IS A WONDERFUL KIND OF PERSONAL WAY TO LOOK AT THESE BEAUTIFUL THINGS THAT ARE ACTUALLY RELATED TO THE MOST HORRIBLE THING.

SO IT'S REALLY FITTING I THINK, MEMORIAL PROCESS FOR US TO SEE THESE AND REMEMBER THOSE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: 3700 MILES AWAY, OKLAHOMA CITY'S PREPTORY HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR PERFORMED IN THE PARADE.

THEIR MUSICAL TEACHER SENT A STATEMENT THAT SAID IN PART...

IN 2019, THE U.S. NAVY ANNOUNCED THAT OKLAHOMA WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE ITS NAME CARRIED ACROSS THE SEA AS NUCLEAR ATTACK SUBMARINES.

>> OKLAHOMA'S FOREST INDUSTRY IS PRIMARILY IN 18 EASTERN COUNTIES AND THIS WEEK, STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON AN INDUSTRY THAT LIKE THE TREES THEMSELVES CONTINUE TO MATURE.

STEVE?

>> Reporter: THE LOGGING AND TIMBER INDUSTRY IS A HUGE ECONOMIC DRIVER ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE STATE AND THEY'RE GETTING MUCH BETTER AT IT.

THE HERRON FAMILY TREE FARM STRETCHES ACROSS 30,000 ACRES AND 48 SQUARE MILES OF TIMBER ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF WHAT IS KNOWN AS AMERICA'S PINE BELT.

IT IS JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE ARKANSAS AND TEXAS BORDERS.

>> WE'RE THE BIGGEST FAMILY FOREST LAND OWNER IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN IN PETE HERRON'S FAMILY FOR FOUR GENERATIONS.

OKLAHOMA'S TIMBER INDUSTRY EMPLOYS MORE THAN 19,000 WORKERS AND BRINGS IN AT LEAST $5.3 BILLION TO THE STATE EACH YEAR.

>> Interview: OKLAHOMA IS ABOUT 12% TIMBERLAND.

>> Reporter: THIS PAST TUESDAY WE CAUGHT UP WITH HERRON'S CREWS DEEP INTO WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE FIRST THINNING THAT TAKES PLACE WHEN A TREE IS 16 YEARS-OLD, USING CUTTER MACHINES AND SKIDDERS TO CUT DOWN, MOVE AND LOAD SMALLER OR DEFORMED TREES INTO GIANT TRUCKS, TRUCKS THAT START SHOWING UP FOR WORK EACH DAY AS EARLY AS 2:00 A.M. >> Interview: THEY JUST NEED THEIR HEADLIGHTS.

THESE TREES HERE THAT YOU'RE SEEING WILL GO TO FEED THE PAPERMILL OR THE WOOD SPECIALTY PRODUCT MILL.

WHAT YOU'RE SEEING HERE, FUTURE STARBUCKS CUPS AND FUTURE AMAZON BOXES AND WHITE COPY PAPER.

THAT'S THE END PRODUCT THESE RAW MATERIALS GO TO.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE FINAL HARVEST, WHEN A TREE IS 30-32 YEARS-OLD.

>> Interview: WE HARVEST ABOUT 150,000 TONS EVERY YEAR.

THAT IS SPLIT 75% FINAL HARVEST AND 25% THINNING HARVEST LIKE THIS.

IT USED TO TAKE A MONTH AND NOW IT TAKES A WEEK.

THESE MACHINES ARE BIGGER, THEY'RE FASTER, THEY LOAD MORE WOOD.

THE MILL USES MORE WOOD AND CONSUMPTION OF THE MILL HAS GONE UP DRAMATICALLY.

YOU HAVE TO GROW ENOUGH WOOD AND HARVEST ENOUGH WOOD TO FEED THE MILL.

>> Reporter: YOU WON'T SEE CHAINSAWS OUT HERE.

>> Interview: THE THING ABOUT A CHAINSAW, NUMBER ONE, IT TAKES A LOT OF LABOR INTENSIVE.

IT IS HARD TO HANDLE.

NUMBER TWO, IT PUTS INSURANCE RATES THROUGH THE ROOF.

>> Reporter: HERRON SAYS THE MOVE BEGAN FIVE DECADES AGO.

A LITTLE LATER SOMETHING ELSE CHANGED THAT HAS REVOLUTIONIZED THIS GAME.

>> Interview: IN THE LATE 70S AND EARLY 80S, THEY MOVED FROM A PROCESS OF NATURAL REGENERATION, LET THE SEED FALL AND MANAGE IT FROM THERE, TO A PROCESS OF PLANTING GENETICALLY IMPROVED PLANATION, JUST LIKE WITH CORN, SOYBEANS OR ANY CROP LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: 50 YEARS AGO IT TOOK 50 YEARS TO GROW AND HARVEST A TREE.

NOW BECAUSE OF SCIENTIFIC AND GENETIC ADVANCES, IT TAKES ABOUT 30.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE FOREST HERITAGE CENTER IN THE STATE PARK.

>> Interview: WE HAVE A LOT OF RESEARCH IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA INTO GENETICS FOR TREES.

WE HAVE OUR SEED ORCHARD AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE RESEARCH STATION.

OKLAHOMA FORESTRY SERVICES MANAGER SUPERVISES THE HARVEST OF THE VERY BEST SEED FROM THE BEST TREES.

>> Reporter: QUICK HISTORY LESSON.

AROUND THE TIME OKLAHOMA WAS GRANTED STATEHOOD IN 1907, MASSIVE FORESTS WERE PILLAGED FOR THE TREES AND THEN THE GREEN NEW DEAL ESTABLISHED WHAT WAS KNOWN AS THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORE, STARTING THE PROCESS OF REPLANTING THE TREES.

>> Interview: THOSE YOUNG MEN MADE $25 A DAY AND SENT ABOUT 20 BACK TO THEIR FAMILIES AND KEPT ABOUT FIVE TO LIVE ON.

HERE WE ARE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

IT IS AMAZING TO BE A PART OF THIS PIECE OF HISTORY.

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY MEANS WE CAN KEEP THIS INDUSTRY GOING FOREVER.

IT MEANS WE TREAT THIS NATURAL RESOURCE WITH CARE.

WE REPLANT, WE PUT BACK WHAT WE TAKE AWAY.

WE THINK IT IS GREAT TO USE WOOD PRODUCTS BECAUSE WE REPLANT MORE TREES THAN WE TAKE AWAY, SO THAT RESOURCE IS GOING TO BE AROUND FOREVER.

>> Reporter: THIS PART OF THE COUNTY HAS SEEN MILLIONS OF NEW VISITORS IN RECENT YEARS.

MANY OTHERS JUST MOVED TO THE AREA.

PETE HERRON SAYS TOO MANY OF THEM WITH THE WRONG IMPRESSIONS.

>> Interview: NOW MORE THAN EVER BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN UNEDUCATED VISITORS, OUR MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABILITY MESSAGE OF FORESTS IN OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE SOUTH.

WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

WE'RE OUT HERE PLANTING AND HARVESTING AND REGROWING MOST OF ALL.

THAT WAY EVERYONE CAN CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE SCENIC BEAUTY OF THE TREES AND NOT TO MENTION, THE PRODUCTS THAT THEY PRODUCE.

WE'RE PROVIDING CARBON, WE'RE THE LUNGS OF THE PLANET.

YOU WON'T FIND A BETTER GREEN SOLUTION ON THE MARKET TODAY.

>> Reporter: BY THE WAY, GEORGIA HAS THE MOST TIMBERLAND IN THE COUNTRY, FOLLOWED BY FLORIDA AND MISSISSIPPI.

RICH?

>> THANK YOU.

A MORE ESTABLISHED AND VITAL INDUSTRY TO THE STATE IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING COVID RELATED PRICE FLUCTUATIONS.

JASON DOYLE HAS MORE ON THAT AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOUR UTILITY BILLS.

>> RICH, GOING INTO THE WINTER MONTHS, OIL AND GAS PRICES ARE UP COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

MUCH MORE THAN WEATHER DETERMINES HOW MUCH WE SPEND ON GASOLINE AND HEATING BILLS.

THE MAJOR DIP IN CRUDE OIL PRICES CAUSED BY THE NEWS OF A NEW COVID VARIANT IS SHOWING SIGNS OF A QUICK RECOVERY.

>> AS A RESULT OF WHAT HAPPENED IN TUESDAY'S TRADING, WHAT WE SEE A 3% JUMP IN OIL PRICES.

WE SAW SEVERAL OKLAHOMA ENERGY STOCKS, SOME JUMPING AS HIGH AS 13%.

>> Reporter: WEST TEXAS CRUDE IS PRICED AT THE OIL STORAGE HUB.

>> Interview: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN TWO WEEKS AT LEAST DOUBLE THE TI SETTLED OVER $70 A BARREL.

>> Interview: IT IS RUNNING 70-75 RIGHT NOW, THAT IS WAY ABOVE THE LISTING -- THE BREAK EVEN COST IN OKLAHOMA AND SO IT IS DOING PRETTY GOOD.

>> Reporter: DESPITE CRUDE OIL PRICES RISING, CONSUMERS ARE GETTING A BREAK AT THE GAS PUMP.

>> Interview: I DID SOME CHECKING IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE AN AVERAGE OF $2.92 A GALLON.

THAT COMPARES NATIONALLY TO $3.34 A GALLON.

THAT'S A $0.04 DROP NATIONWIDE OVER THE PAST WEEK.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA IS PAYING LESS THAN FRIENDS IN SURROUNDING STATES.

HEATING HOMES WILL COST MORE THIS WINTER BUT AS LONG AS THE WEATHER CONTINUES TO TREND WARMER IN OKLAHOMA, IT SHOULDN'T BE TOO MUCH MORE.

>> Interview: WE'RE GOING TO HAVE HIGHER THAN AVERAGE TEMPERATURES FOR OKLAHOMA AND MUCH OF THE LOWER 48.

THAT IS NOW PUTTING LESS PRESSURE ON NATURAL GAS PRICES.

>> Interview: WE WON'T HAVE THE DEMAND OUT THERE BUT WE'RE GOING TO PAY SOME 15% MORE IN UTILITY BILLS BECAUSE GAS PRICES ARE HIGHER AND ELECTRICITY IS HIGHER.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRICES ARE AT A POINT OF PROFITABILITY, ENERGY COMPANIES ARE HOLDING BACK A BIT.

>> Interview: IF IT COSTS $50 A BARREL AND THE PRICE IS $70, I MAKE $20.

IF WE PRODUCE TOO MUCH, THE PRICE FALLS TO 50.

FOR ME TO MAKE THE SAME 20, I HAVE TO PRODUCE TWO BARRELS OUT OF THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IS THAT INVESTORS ARE MAKING DEMANDS OF PRODUCERS.

>> Interview: THE SHARE HOLDERS HAVE BEEN PUSHING THE OIL COMPANIES TO MAKE RETURNS ON INVESTMENT.

>> Interview: INVESTMENT IS DOWN 25% AND EXPECTING IT TO FALL FURTHER.

THE NATIONAL COMPANIES ARE NOT PUTTING THE MONEY OUT THERE.

INVESTMENTS CAN STRAIN AND THAT WILL LEAD TO FUTURE CONSTRAINTS ON SUPPLY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER FACTOR KEEPING U.S. PRODUCTION AT A SLOW AND STEADY PACE, GOVERNMENT POLICIES.

>> Interview: THERE'S STILL HEADWINDS, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE PUBLIC POLICIES BEING CONSIDERED IN WASHINGTON D.C. THAT COULD AFFECT OKLAHOMA GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THERE'S SOME UNCERTAINTY TOWARD FOSSIL FUELS, HIRING CONTINUES.

>> Interview: OVER THE PAST 11 MONTHS, WE HAVE SEEN THE SLOW AND STEADY INCREASE IN EMPLOYMENT IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE PROBABLY UP ABOUT 5,000 JOBS IN DIRECT OIL AND GAS EXTRACTION EMPLOYMENT ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR STATISTICS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS 45% OF THE PEAK OIL PATCH EMPLOYMENT IN 2014.

THEY ARE COMPETING FOR WORKERS AND INVESTORS.

>> Interview: EMPLOYMENT IS SLOWLY COMING BACK INTO THE OIL FIELD AS WELL.

HOWEVER, A LOT OF THE JOBS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO AND SOME OF THE STATES THAT COMPETE.

>> Reporter: AS WE MOVE INTO 2022, CONDITIONS SHOULD BE FAVORABLE FOR INCREASED DEMAND OF OIL AND GAS.

>> Interview: I FEEL COMING OFF OF THE PANDEMIC IS A BIG FACTOR AT BRINGING BACK DEMAND.

>> DEMAND IS ONLY ABOUT 20.6 MILLION BARRELS A DAY OF DEMAND IN THE UNITED STATES.

EIA FORECASTS WE COULD OUTSTRIP THAT DEMAND SCENARIO IN 2022.

>> ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S PIPELINE COMPANIES IS PART OF A TEXAS COMPANY.

THE BUSINESS REVIEW STARTS WITH THOSE DETAILS.

DALLAS BASED ENERGY TRANSFER HAS COMPLETED THE MERGER.

THE DEAL BRINGS THE PIPELINE ASSETS TO MORE THAN 114,000 MILES ACROSS 41 STATES.

MOST ASSETS ARE LOCATED IN OKLAHOMA.

THE CLOSING OF THE DEAL ENDED TRADE OF THE STOCK AS IT BECOMES PART OF ENERGY TRANSFER.

CONSUMER CELLULAR IS OPENING A NEW SERVICE CENTER AND BRINGING 300 FULL AND PART-TIME JOBS WITH IT.

THE FIRST TIME THEY HAVE EXPANDED OUTSIDE OF HEADQUARTERS IN ARIZONA OREGON.

THE AVERAGE EMPLOYEE WILL MAKE AROUND $44,000 A YEAR.

IT WILL INCLUDE SUPERVISORS, IT SUPPORT STAFF, CALL CENTER AND MORE.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS IS EXPANDING THE FRANCHISE DEVELOPMENT ACROSS AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.

THEY ARE NOW ACCELERATING THE SEARCH.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED BANK 7'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAVE APPROVED A 10% INCREASE IN THE QUARTER DIVIDEND TO INVESTORS.

THIS IS THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE ANNUAL INCREASE FOR BANK 7.

SHARE HOLDERS RECORD AS OF DECEMBER 23RD WILL GET THEIR PAYMENT JANUARY 7TH, 2022.

BEING ACQUIRED BY ARCELEC.

THEY DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE DRIVE-IN AND DRIVE-THRU TECHNOLOGIES FOR COMPANIES LIKE SUBWAY AND DUNKIN' AND WHATABURGER.

TERMS OF THE DEAL WERE NOT DISCLOSED.

BRADSHAW HAS SERVED AS CEO SINCE 2014.

THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER WILL ASSUME THE ROLE, WITH THE COMPANY NEARLY 25 YEARS.

BE OKAY FINANCIAL IS THE PARENT COMPANY OF BANK OF OKLAHOMA.

RICH?

>> WE APPRECIATE THE REPORTS.

BRENT VENABLES'S RETURN TO OKLAHOMA SEEMS TO BE A POPULAR CHOICE WITH SOONER FANS.

HE SPENT 13 YEARS IN NORMAN BEFORE LEAVING IN 2011.

NOW HE'S BACK, IN CHARGE AND READY TO ROLL.

>> AND TODAY, WE WELCOME OUR NEW LEADER.

A NEW ERA OF OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST HEAD COACHING POSITION FOR VENABLES, SPENDING 10 YEARS AS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR AT CLEMSON.

THE NATIVE OF KANSAS ERINED $2.5 MILLION A YEAR, MAKING HIM ONE OF IF NOT THE HIGHEST PAID ASSISTANT COACH IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND IT WILL LIKELY DOUBLE IN NORMAN.

>> IT IS SURREAL TO SEE SO MANY FAMILIAR FACES AND A BUNCH OF FRIENDS OUT HERE.

JUST AN AMAZING JOURNEY THE PAST FEW DAYS TO PARTNER WITH THIS LEADERSHIP WAS A NO-BRAINER FOR ME.

TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE NEXT FOOTBALL COACH AT OKLAHOMA, SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT.

YOU CAN'T TURN IT DOWN.

AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT, MY CAREER, I'M A VERY FAITH-DRIVEN DECISION MAKER.

>> HUNDREDS OF FANS FILLED THE CENTER IN NORMAN TO VOICE SUPPORT FOR THE 23RD HEAD FOOTBALL COACH.

>> I'M VERY EXCITED HE'S THE COACH.

I THINK HE'LL DO A REALLY GOOD JOB.

HE CARES ABOUT THE PLAYERS.

>> OU GUY WHO KNOWS THE CULTURE, HE KNOWS WHAT WINNING LOOKS LIKE AND HE'S A GREAT COACH.

>> THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR SAID HE WOULD HIRE LINCOLN RILEY'S REPLACEMENT QUICKLY.

>> COACH IS MY FIRST CHOICE BUT I NEEDED TO HAVE A PROCESS.

WE MOVED IT QUICKLY.

THE OTHER PART, WE WEREN'T JUST DEALING WITH THE PROCESS OF HIRING A COACH.

WE DIDN'T EXPECT TO BE IN A COACHING SEARCH A WEEK AGO.

>> VENABLES HAS BEEN PART OF THREE NATIONAL TEAMS.

FOLLOWING THE NEWS CONFERENCE, HE IMMEDIATELY HIT THE ROAD TO RECRUIT NEW TALENT AND RETAIN PLAYERS WHO COMMITTED UNDER RILEY.

>> WE NEED TO MOVE ON, DESPITE WHAT EVERYBODY IS DOING.

IT'S EASY IN THE RECRUITING WORLD OFFER TO OFFER, THAT'S NOT WHO WE'RE GOING TO BE.

>> THE SOONERS WILL MAKE THE MOVE TO THE SCC SOMETIME IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND ALTHOUGH VENABLES HAS COACHED PRIMARILY IN THE BIG 12 AND ACC, HIS RECORD IS 15-6 AGAINST SCC OPPONENTS.

>> I'M EXCITED FOR THE PEOPLE HE CAN BRING TO THE PROGRAM AND RECRUITING HE CAN DO IN THE SCC.

>> IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR FAVORITE OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL TEAM, THE SOONERS TAKE ON 14TH RANKED OREGON IN SAN ANTONIO AT 8:15 P.M.

FACING NOTRE DAME IN GLENDALE ARIZONA AND FACING OLD DOMINION ON DECEMBER 20TH IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

>>> OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES BOAST THEIR FAIR SHARE OF HOLIDAY LIGHT DISPLAYS AND CAN HELP BOOST TOURISM THAT GOES WITH IT.

>> Reporter: WITH OVER 40 HOLIDAY ATTRACTIONS AROUND THE STATE, THIS IS THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

YUKON IS CELEBRATING THE 26TH YEAR OF CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK AND PUTTING UP THE DISPLAY EACH YEAR IS A TEAM EFFORT.

>> Interview: EVERY YEAR IN AUGUST WE START PUTTING UP THE LIGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK AND IT IS TRULY A LABOR OF LOVE FROM CITY EMPLOYEES.

WE COULD HIRE SOMEBODY TO DO IT, BUT OUR CITY EMPLOYEES PREFER TO DO IT THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CITY OF YUKON SAYS VISITORS WHO SHOP AND EAT IN YUKON HELP THE COMMUNITY A GREAT DEAL.

>> Interview: EVERY YEAR AROUND THIS TIME IN ADDITION TO HOLIDAY SHOPPING, WE SEE A HUGE TAX INCREASE, A LOT OF THAT IS FROM CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK.

WE HAVE THAT DATA AND FROM TOURISM PARTNERS.

>> Reporter: AS YOU TAKE IN LIGHT DISPLAYS AND SHOWS AROUND THE STATE, THE MONEY HELPS THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND THE TOWN AS WELL.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MATT PINNELL SAYS TOURISM IN THE STATE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OKLAHOMA RELIES HEAVILY ON SALES TAX REVENUE.

>> WE LIVE OR DIE ON SALES TAX REVENUES, EVENTS IN SMALL OR LARGE TOWNS, ACROSS 77 COUNTIES IS CRITICAL THAT WE KEEP OUR SALES TAX DOLLARS LOCAL.

>> Reporter: CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK HAS 5 MILLION LIGHTS AND 500 DISPLAYS.

>> Interview: WHITE IT IS FREE, WE DO ACCEPT DONATIONS AT THE END THAT GO BACK INTO THE LIGHTS AND HELP FUND EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER POPULAR LIGHT DISPLAY, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS FOR THE 29TH YEAR, IT EXPANDED INTO THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

THIS EXPERIENCE IS CALLED DECK AT THE DEPOT, HOT COCOA, LIGHTS AND POP-UP SHOPS CAN BE FOUND.

>> Interview: THERE'S OVER 300,000 VISITORS TO THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS EVERY YEAR.

AND IN A 30-60 DAY PERIOD.

OKC HAS THEIR LIGHT CEREMONY.

THERE'S A COMPETITION BETWEEN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, FIRE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> EACH TEAM, THEY HAVE A COUNCIL PERSON, THEY HAVE A COMMUNITY MEMBER AND PUT IT TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE ARE ENCOURAGED TO VOTE FOR THEIR FAVORITE DISPLAY ONLINE.

>> Interview: ON THE GOVERNMENT PAGE WE HAVE A LITTLE FORM TO SIGN IN AND VOTE.

>> Reporter: KARENA POLVER IS THE MASTERMIND BEHIND HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CITY HALL.

>> Interview: IT'S A CLASSIC AND VIBRANT.

YOU CAN MAKE ALMOST ANYTHING OUT OF THEM.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS EVERYONE PITCHED IN TO TURN CITY HALL INTO WHOVILLE.

>> Interview: WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN ON A SATURDAY AND PUT DOWN THE PAINT AND THEN I DID THE DETAILS.

IT WAS A BIG EFFORT.

>> 3, 2, 1.

BEAUTIFUL.

>> Reporter: DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY SIX DISTRICTS ARE ALIGHT WITH HOLIDAY CHEER AND EVENTS TO ATTRACT VISITORS AND SHOPPERS.

>> Interview: AT THE BALLPARK AND CRUISES ON THE CANAL WITH OKLAHOMA WATER TAXI.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN EVEN FIND THE PERFECT GIFT WHILE VISITING THE LOCAL POP-UP SHOPS.

>> Interview: THE HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOPS IN MID TOWN.

>> Reporter: AUTOMOBILE ALLEY IS BRIGHTER THAN RUDOLPH'S NOSE.

>> Interview: SNOW GLOBE SANTA CAME IN 2020 WHEN WE WERE EXPERIENCING THE PANDEMIC, WE KEPT HIM BECAUSE IT WAS SUCH A SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: LOOKING FOR MORE HOLIDAY DISPLAYS IN THE METRO, THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO.

>> Interview: YOU WILL SEE LARGER THAN LIFE ANIMAL SCULPTURES THAT LIGHT UP AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: THEY RETURN AFTER 29 YEARS WITH OVER 50 SCULPTURES THROUGHOUT THE ZOO.

ZOO-GOERS DRIVE THROUGH THE PARK TO TAKE IN THE DISPLAYS AND AN ADDITIONAL WALK THROUGH EXPERIENCE IN THE CHILDREN'S ZOO AREA AS WELL.

>> Interview: WE ARE REALLY, REALLY THRILLED WITH THE POSITIVE REVIEWS WE HAVE BEEN GETTING FROM OUR GUESTS ATTENDING.

>> Reporter: IT IS SAFE TO SAY THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS MIGHT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AN INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OTHER PLACES TO VISIT IN THE STATE, INCLUDING BROKEN ARROW'S ICE SKATING RINK AND THE WORLD'S TALLEST TREE IN NORTH CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

>> Interview: THEY HAVE THE TALLEST CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE WORLD.

THAT IS CORRECT.

YOU HEARD ME RIGHT.

>> Reporter: UNFORTUNATELY THE WORLD'S TALLEST CHRISTMAS TREE WAS DAMAGED SUNDAY NIGHT BECAUSE OF HIGH WINDS.

THEY REATTACHED THE TOP PORTION OF THE TREE.

>> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF CHRISTMAS LIGHTS BUT WHAT ABOUT REAL CHRISTMAS TREES THE HANG THEM ON?

IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR TREE BY NOW, YOU BETTER HURRY.

>> THESE ARE ALL SEVEN TO EIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: CHRIS DELONG HAS BEEN BUYING CHRISTMAS TREES AT THE OWASSO TREE AND BERRY FARM FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS.

>> Interview: I CAME UP EARLY THIS YEAR.

LAST YEAR I CAME UP AROUND THE 10th OR 12th OF DECEMBER AND THEY WERE BASICALLY PICKED CLEAN.

WE HAD A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING A TREE.

SO HERE I AM TODAY.

THEY JUST GOT A SHIPMENT IN.

IT IS PERFECT.

>> THAT IS A MONSTER.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.

>> Interview: WE HAVE BEEN HERE 40 YEARS AND IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND PEOPLE CONTINUE TO COME.

NATIONWIDE, THERE IS A CHRISTMAS TREE SHORTAGE.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF SUPPLY CHAIN, IT'S THE WEATHER.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA AND ELSE WHERE.

>> Interview: WE'RE KIND OF IN A TOUGH SITUATION, OKLAHOMA.

WE CAN ONLY GROW A PINE TREE, A VIRGINIA PINE IS THE MAJOR TREE WE GROW.

WE CAN'T GROW LELAND AND SAPPHIRES.

THIS PAST FEBRUARY WHEN IT GOT 12 BELOW, IT FROZE A LOT OF THEM AND KILLED THEM.

>> Reporter: BILL JACOBS USUALLY HAS 2500-3,000 TREES READY TO SELL EACH YEAR.

50% ARE GROWN IN OWASSO.

THE OTHER 50% FROM OREGON AND NORTH CAROLINA AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

>> Interview: OREGON, THEY HAD THE FARM WHERE WE BUY FROM, THEY HAD 116°.

THE HOTTEST IT HAS BEEN OUT THERE.

THEY LOST A LOT OF THEIR TREES THEY PLANTED THIS SPRING.

WE DO NOT HAVE A SHORTAGE OF TREES ON THIS FARM.

BUT IF A GUY WAS GOING TO GO OUT AND OPEN A NEW TREE LOT, PROBABLY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: RANDY OWENS SAYS IN 2012 THERE WAS ABUNDANCE OF TREES THAT CAUSED THE PRICE TO DROP.

A LOT OF THE NORTHERN TREE FARMERS DIDN'T REPLANT, CHOSE A DIFFERENT CROP THAT WAS LESS LABOR INTENSIVE OR GOT OUT OF THE BUSINESS ALL TOGETHER.

>> Interview: WHEN THEY STOP PLANTING, OF COURSE IT TAKES SIX TO EIGHT YEARS TO GET A CHRISTMAS TREE.

IT WILL COME BACK.

>> Reporter: PLEASANT VALLEY TAGGED THEIR NORMAL CROP THIS YEAR OF 1500-2000 TREES.

HOWEVER, THEIR TYPICAL A LOTMENT OF IMPORTED TREES DROPPED BY ALMOST A THIRD.

AGAIN, MOSTLY DUE TO MOTHER NATURE.

>> A LOT OF THE FARMS CALLED AND LAUGHED AND SAID GOOD LUCK.

GOOD LUCK.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO CALL OR THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE A CHANCE OF GETTING TREES THIS YEAR.

I CALLED OVER 150 BEFORE I FOUND ONE.

THEY WERE OUT OF NORTH CAROLINA AND I WAS FORTUNATE TO GET WHAT I RECEIVED.

>> Interview: IT'S JUST A NATIONWIDE THING.

IT'S SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

SHORT OF SUPPLY, VERY DEMAND AND THE PRICES GO UP.

IT IS A LABOR INTENSIVE CROP THAT TAKES A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT OF TIME.

>> Reporter: THE RESULT, A TIME-HONORED TRADITION OF FAMILIES PICKING OUT JUST THE RIGHT TREE.

A TRADITION THAT LIVES ON AT PLEASANT VALLEY FARMS AND THE OWASSO TREE AND BERRY FARM.

>> Interview: THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT A REAL LIVE TREE AND THE SMELL THAT IT BRINGS THROUGHOUT THE HOUSE THAT STANDS FOR CHRISTMAS.

>> WELL, THIS IS ALSO THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN OKLAHOMA MAJOR CHARITIES DO SOME OF THEIR MOST IMPORTANT WORK, PROVIDING FOOD, GIFTS AND LODGING FOR THOSE IN NEED.

FUNDRAISING IS A CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY DURING A PANDEMIC.

HOW ARE THEY DOING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THE IN DEPTH CONVERSATION THIS WEEK.

>> IT'S THE SEASON TO BE GIVING BUT IN THE SEASON, THE HOLIDAY SEASON POST COVID SORT OF, HOW IS THE GIVING GOING?

WE HAVE THREE GUESTS THE LET US KNOW.

THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY HOMELESS ALLIANCE.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

AND WE HAVE WITH THE SALVATION ARMY, THE PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER THERE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

DEBBIE, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, WE HAVE SEEN UPS AND DOWNS IN THE JOB MARKET AND WE WERE JUST TALKING ABOUT THE ECONOMY BEFORE WE STARTED.

HOW IS ALL OF THIS -- EVERYTHING THAT AMERICA HAS GONE THROUGH, HOW IS IT TRANSLATING INTO GIVING, ESPECIALLY IN OKLAHOMA?

>> YOU KNOW I'LL BE REAL HONEST.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING, ONE, OKLAHOMANS ARE BY NATURE VERY GENEROUS.

IT'S NOT JUST MONETARY.

IT IS ALSO GIVING OF THEIR TIME AND WE'RE STILL SEEING THAT.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING -- KIND OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING THAT ARE CHALLENGES IS, YOU KNOW, NOW USING TECHNOLOGY MORE THAN EVER AS WE RAISE DOLLARS AND ASK PEOPLE FORGIVING.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL VIRTUAL.

NOT BEING ABLE TO BE IN PERSON MAKES A BIG IMPACT WHEN WE CAN'T HAVE A UNITED WAY PARTNER AGENCY SPEAKING TO INDIVIDUALS AND EDUCATING PEOPLE ON WHAT THEY'RE GIVING TO.

OUR CAMPAIGN IS STILL NOT COMPLETE.

WE'RE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

IT WON'T WRAP UP UNTIL EARLY FEBRUARY.

MY COUNTER PART IN TULSA, THEY JUST WRAPPED UP THEIRS AND QUITE FRANKLY, THEY CAME IN HIGHER ON THEIR CAMPAIGN THAN LAST YEAR.

VERY SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN.

I'M HOPING.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING ON THE SALVATION ARMY SIDE?

>> I THINK NOW MORE THAN EVER PEOPLE NEED HELP.

THIS YEAR WE'RE HELPING OVER 5800 KIDS.

WE STILL HAVE OVER 1900 LEFT FOR ADOPTION.

THERE'S A BIG NEED THERE BUT LIKE DEBBIE SAID, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING VIRTUAL.

YOU CAN ADOPT ON THE WEBSITE AND DONATE VIRTUALLY TO THE RED KETTLE CAMPAIGN.

THIS FUNDS OUR YEAR-ROUND PROGRAMS SERVING HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR.

BOTH OF THESE PROGRAMS ARE VITAL AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.

>> THE RED KETTLE PROGRAM JUST STARTED, IS THERE ANY WAY TO TELL AT THIS POINT IF YOU'RE ON TREND FOR RECEIVING THE SAME AMOUNT OF DONATIONS AS YOU HAVE IN THE PAST?

>> OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

WE'RE AIMING TO RAISE $725,000.

SO FAR WE HAVE RAISED OVER 263,000.

SO WE STILL HAVE A CHUNK TO GO, BUT PEOPLE CAN DONATE THROUGH CHRISTMAS EVE.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO HELP OUT.

>> DAN, I WANT TO START WITH YOU, YOU HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS FIRSTHAND, THE DONATIONS ARE NEEDED.

I KNOW YOU SEE IT WHERE YOU ARE.

BUT YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND FOREVER.

YOU HAVE SEEN MORE THAN JUST YOUR AREA AND FIELD OF INFLUENCE IN OKLAHOMA.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE SITUATION TO US.

THE SITUATION OF NEED.

>> IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, IT'S A VERY GENEROUS COMMUNITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY'RE REALLY GOOD AT, RESPONDING TO DISASTER.

WE SAW AFTER THE OCTOBER ICE STORM LAST YEAR JUST A RUSH OF ITEMS WE NEEDED, GENERATORS AND SOCKS AND GLOVES.

SAME THING AFTER THE FEBRUARY DEEP FREEZE AND YOU SEE THE SAME THING WITH THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S A CRISIS RESPONSE, TOO.

SO WHILE THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN VERY GENEROUS, THE NEED HAS INCREASED.

WE HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF EVICTIONS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY, EVEN THOUGH WE HAD A MORATORIUM FOR A WHILE AND COMMUNITY CARES PARTNERSHIP HAS SPENT $132 MILLION.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE, JOB TRAINING ASSISTANCE, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP.

AND THE NEED IS GOING UP.

>> DOES THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE HAVE A HOLIDAY TIME FUN DRIVE?

>> WE DON'T REALLY HAVE A FUN DRIVE PER SE.

WE DO HAVE ABOUT 1500 HOUSEHOLDS IN VARIOUS HOUSING PROGRAMS AND A LOT OF THOSE ARE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE GOOD CHRISTMAS AND PRESENTS TO THE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN AND VETERANS AND TRANSITIONING YOUTH AND VARIOUS HOUSING PROGRAMS.

WE WILL SEND OUT A FUND-RAISER.

WE'RE A UNITED WAY PARTNER AGENCY, CAN'T DO THAT SORT OF THING BETWEEN LABOR DAY AND THANKSGIVING.

THAT'S UNITED WAY'S TIME TO FUND RAISE.

>> DEBBIE, WHAT KINDS OF PROGRAMS DOES THE UNITED WAY HELP THE PEOPLE HERE IN THE STATE?

>> YOU KNOW, UNITED WAY'S MODEL STATE WIDE, THERE ARE 17 UNITED WAYS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA ALL DOING REALLY, REALLY GOOD THINGS.

OUR ROLE IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FUNDING THE RIGHT PROGRAMS OF AGENCIES LIKE SALVATION ARMY, LIKE THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE.

I CALL THEM THE BEST OF THE BEST.

OUR MODEL IS TO FUND THE STRONGEST AGENCIES WHERE DONORS GET AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR THEIR MONEY AND THEY DO, THEY GET THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY.

UNITED WAYS ARE LOOKING AND RESEARCHING THE NEEDS AND TRYING TO PUT OUR DOLLARS INTO THOSE AREAS.

THERE'S OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN SUPPORT UNITED WAY AGENCIES AS DAN WAS SPEAKING, LITERALLY JUST YESTERDAY, I WAS AT ONE OF HIS PROGRAMS THAT THEY ARE LITERALLY TEACHING OUR HOMELESS POPULATION HOW TO MAKE A LIVING WAGE AND GET OFF THE STREETS AND THEY'RE LEARNING TO DO FLORAL DESIGN.

WHO DOESN'T NEED FLOWERS?

YOU KNOW, SO I NEEDED TO BUY A FRIEND A BOUQUET AND IT WAS AMAZING FOR ME -- ACTUALLY DAN IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD BEEN THERE.

TO SEE LIKE 17 CLIENTS DOING OR SO DOING FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS.

NOT ONLY DO I GIVE MY CONTRIBUTION TO UNITED WAY THAT FUNDS 102 PROGRAMS OF OUR AGENCY, I CAN SPEND MY DOLLARS TO BENEFIT PROGRAMS OF OUR AGENCIES AS A CONSUMER.

>> YEAH, SO MANY AGENCIES, AND NOT JUST YOURS HAVE COME UP WITH WONDERFUL WAYS.

I HAVE SEEN INDIVIDUALS -- A GENTLEMAN IN TULSA, JENNY, I DON'T KNOW IF -- ROYCE MYERS GALLERY DURING THE HORRIBLE FREEZE FOUND SOMEONE AND THE COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER.

THIS GENTLEMAN WAS ON THE STREETS DUE TO MEDICAL BILLS AND HIS WIFE PASSING, ON THE STREETS WITH HIS LITTLE DOG AND ROYCE GOT HIM A HOTEL ROOM AND HE CALLED OUT FOR HELP AND SO MANY CAME TOGETHER TO HELP THIS INDIVIDUAL AND HIS LITTLE DOG AND NOW THIS GENTLEMAN HAS AN APARTMENT.

THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF OKLAHOMA.

JENNY, THERE'S THIS NEED, SOME PEOPLE FOR WHATEVER REASON DON'T ACCESS CARE, THEY DON'T -- MAYBE IT IS BECAUSE OF THE LITTLE DOG BUT THERE IS NEED THERE.

IT MATTERS.

THIS IS A DIRECT IMPACT ON FOLKS WHO THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN -- THIS GENTLEMAN HAD MEDICAL BILLS, HE COULDN'T STAY IN HIS HOME AND OUT ON HIS STREET AFTER LOSING HIS WIFE.

IT IS TERRIBLE.

>> I THINK THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL STORY ABOUT HOW THE TULSA COMMUNITY LINKED ARMS TO HELP A STRANGER AND IT IS NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS BUT IN REALITY, IT IS STRANGERS HELPING STRANGERS.

YOUR STORY IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TULSA HELPS PEOPLE.

I THINK THIS TIME MORE THAN EVER, MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO ASK FOR HELP FOR THE FIRST TIME.

BECAUSE OF THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THEY HAVEN'T HAD TO ASK BEFORE AND NOW THEY NEED HELP.

THESE INDIVIDUALS NEED TO KNOW THAT PLACES LIKE THE SALVATION ARMY, WE'RE HERE TO SERVE IN A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY.

WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW WE'RE A STEADY PLACE FOR THEM TO GO.

WE OFFER SO MANY DIFFERENT PROGRAMS FROM OUR HOMELESS SHELTERS TO FEEDING HUNGRY PEOPLE TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB.

WE ARE HERE TO DO THE MOST GOOD IN TULSA.

THAT'S NOT A BRAG, IT'S OUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW IT CAN BE HARD TO ASK FOR HELP BUT WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND SERVE THE PEOPLE.

>> OUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING DEBBIE BROUGHT UP.

YOU GUYS VET THE ORGANIZATIONS, WE WANT TO BE GOOD STEWARDS WITH OUR RESOURCES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE GOING SOMEWHERE.

SOMETIMES IT IS EASY TO GET JADED, YOU SEE STORIES ABOUT PEOPLE ASKING FOR MONEY AND THEY DON'T REALLY NEED IT.

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN THE FOLKS YOU GUYS SERVE IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF NEED AND PEOPLE TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SOFT HEART?

>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, PEOPLE TRYING TO TAKE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE OF WHAT THE COMMUNITY PROVIDES TO MEET NEEDS IS VANISHINGLY SMALL.

I DIDN'T INVITE ANYBODY TO COME TO THE DAY SHELTER OR SALVATION ARMY SHELTER -- THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT SCAMMING.

THEY'RE IN TRUE LEGITIMATE NEED.

OKLAHOMA IS CONSTANTLY IN THE TOP FIVE OF IN HUNGER.

SCAMMING THAT PEOPLE WORRY ABOUT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN AND THEN AT THE AGENCY LEVEL, DEBBIE'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THE VOLUNTEERS, WE GET FEDERAL FUNDING AND SO WE'RE GETTING IN DEPTH AUDITS AND THOSE ARE TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AND IT IS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE EXAMINATION THAT YOU GET FROM UNITED WAY'S 250 ALLOCATION VOLUNTEERS.

THEY DIG INTO EVERYTHING WE DO.

IF YOU'RE GIVING TO UNITED WAY OR PARTNER AGENCY, YOU CAN BE PRETTY CONFIDENT YOUR TIME, TALENT AND TREASURE IS GOING WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> YOU KNOW, DAN, WE TALK ABOUT SERVING.

THIS IS SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

ANY OF YOU CAN ANSWER THIS, FROM A PERSONAL POINT OF VIEW, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO IN SERVING THE COMMUNITIES IN WHICH YOU LIVE.

>> FOR ME, YOU KNOW, I STARTED THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE IN 2004.

I HAVE BEEN AT THIS FOR 17 YEARS.

I LOOK FORWARD TO COMING TO WORK.

NOT EVERY DAY BUT ALMOST EVERY DAY.

IT IS SUCH A BLESSING TO BE ABLE TO HELP.

SOMETIMES IT CAN BE CHALLENGING AND FRUSTRATING, BUT IT'S JUST A BLESSING.

ABSOLUTELY IS.

>> JENNY?

>> I KNOW IT'S THE SEASON OF CHRISTMAS AND SO ANGEL TREE IS FRESH ON MY BRAIN.

I JUST KNOW SEEING THOSE TAGS, I KNOW IT MAY SEEM LIKE A PIECE OF PAPER, THEY EACH REPRESENT A CHILD.

WHEN I GO THROUGH THE JOY CENTER AND READ THE TAGS AND SEE THE NEED AND WANT FOR THESE LITTLE KIDS IS A JACKET OR CARSEAT OR BLANKET, THAT IS WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO, SERVING THESE PEOPLE WHO NEED OUR HELP.

>> DEBBIE, I'LL LET YOU HAVE THE LAST WORD ON THAT.

>> I'M SO FORTUNATE TO GET TO DO WHAT I DO AND EVERY DAY I GET TO WORK WITH PEOPLE LIKE JENNY AND DAN EVERY DAY.

AND IT IS JUST -- I TELL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, I HAVE THE BEST JOB IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE, RIGHT NOW DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY GENEROUS AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO PLEASE KEEP THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

OUR AGENCIES ARE NOT JUST HELPING PEOPLE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON, IT IS EVERY DAY, 24/7 AND THEY NEED THE SUPPORT.

>> WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

DEBBIE, QUICKLY, HOW CAN PEOPLE FIND YOU ON THE INTERNET?

>> I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK FOR ANY OF THEIR LOCAL UNITED WAYS AND IF THEY JUST GO IN AND TYPE IN UNITED WAY AND THE CITY, OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA, WHEREVER THEY LIVE.

IT WILL POP UP THEIR LOCAL UNITED WAY.

>> JENNY?

>> PEOPLE CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

SALARMYTULSA.ORG.

WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO VISIT THE WEBSITE.

>> DAN?

>> WE HAVE A WEBSITE, HOMELESSALLIANCE.ORG.

THERE'S A TAB ON THERE THAT SAYS GET INVOLVED AND IT HAS A DONATION BUTTON.

>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TIME WITH US ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC OF SERVING OTHERS, OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GREAT CONVERSATION.

ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, HOW DOES THE STATE ENSURE OKLAHOMA'S WATERWAYS REMAIN UNCONTAMINATED, THE YEAR-ROUND EFFORT TO MAINTAIN STANDARDS.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH A LOOK AT CHRISTMAS LIGHTS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

♪♪♪ CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC www.captionsolutions.com