>> WE'LL PREVIEW THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK FOR OKLAHOMA HEADING INTO 2023.

>> THERE ARE A FEW CREDIBLE SIGNS THAT WE NEED TO BE CAUTION GOING FORWARD.

>> THE SO-CALLED ZOMBIE MALL LIVES AGAIN IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE FORGET AT ONE TIME IT WAS THE SINGLE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR OF SALES TAX TO ALL THE OKLAHOMA CITY GENERAL FUND BASE.

>> THEY SEEK TO APPLY THE McGIRT DECISION TO THEIR RESERVATION.

>> WHAT HAPPENED WILL AFFECT THE OTHER TRIBES IN THE SAME WAY BECAUSE THERE'S NOT SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE LEGAL HISTORY OF THE TRIBES.

>> OKLAHOMA'S LARGEST FOOD BANKS EMBRACE THE CHALLENGE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A HOLIDAY.

UM, YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY WAYS YOU CAN HELP.

>> COOLING TOWERS AND ICONIC LAMPS.

THIS CHICKASHA COMPANY IS BUILD TO SUIT.

>> IF WE CAN DRAW IT, WE CAN MAKE IT.

OUR DRAFTING TEAM IS REALLY GOOD BACK THERE.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

HELLO, EVERYONE, WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

AS WE GET READY TO CALL IT A DAY ON 2022, WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO TAKE A SNAPSHOT OF THE NEW YEAR.

WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE OF PROJECTS NEAR COMPLETION.

WE BEGIN WITH JASON DOYLE AND THE ECONOMIC INDICATORS THAT OFFER BOTH PROMISE AND CONCERN.

>> Reporter: RICH, BY MOST ECONOMIC INDICATORS, OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY IS SANDING STRONG -- STANDING STRONG AGAINST INFLATIONARY PRESSURES BUT SOME NUMBERS ARE SIGNALING THAT THINGS COULD COOL OFF NEXT YEAR.

>> THERE ARE A FEW CREDIBLE SIGNS THAT SAY WE NEED TO BE CAUTION GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA STATE TREASURER'S OFFICE RECENTLY FINISHED CRUNCHING THE NUMBER FOR NOVEMBER.

THOSE REVENUES CONTINUE TO SET RECORDS AND WHEN COMPARED TO NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR, REVENUES JUMPED SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> 16.8% INCREASE, ALMOST 17% BY ANY MEASUREMENT, THAT'S GREAT NEWS.

BUT WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THINGS SLOW DOWN IN SOME KEY AREAS, AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE PUTTING UP A LITTLE BIT OF A CAUTIONARY FLAG.

>> Reporter: STATE TREASURER RANDY McDANIELS' CAUTIONARYING WARNING COMES AFTER A SURVEY BY CREIGHTON TAKING A MEASURE OF BUSINESS CONFIDENCE IN THE ECONOMY.

OKLAHOMA'S BUSINESS OUTLOOK RATING WAS AT 51 APPOINT 3 IN OCTOBER.

IN NOVEMBER, IT DROPPED TO 39.8.

IF THE MEASURE GOES BELOW 50, IT MEANS BUSINESSES BELIEVE THEY WILL NEED TO CUT BACK OVER THE NEXT THREE TO SIX MONTHS.

IT'S BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE WE WERE BELOW 50.

WE HOPE THAT WE HAVE A SOFT LANDING AS WE INCREASE INTEREST RATES TO TRY TO OFFSET ANY KIND OF INFLATIONARY PRESSURE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO SLOW.

THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE ECONOMY IS SLOWING.

>> Reporter: STEVE AGEE IS THE DEAN EMERITUS FOR OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY'S MINDER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND SAYS DESPITE INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY IS PERFORMING WELL RIGHT NOW.

>> OKLAHOMA IS DOING VERY WELL.

IT'S HOLDING ITS OWN, BASICALLY.

OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS LOW.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT 3.4% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THAT'S UP A LITTLE BIT FROM SEPTEMBER TO OCTOBER.

BUT THAT'S STILL A VERY LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST FIGURES FROM OCTOBER SHOW THAT AGEE IS RIGHT.

UNEMPLOYMENT IS FAIRLY STEADY AND OUR STATE IS KEEPING PEOPLE WORKING WITH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE EMPLOYEE THE NATIONAL RATE OF 3.7%, BUT THAT'S BECOMING AN ISSUE.

>> WE ESTIMATE THAT IN 2021, THERE WAS ABOUT 36,000 FEWER PEOPLE THAN JOBS AVAILABLE, RIGHT?

YOU HAD 36,000 JOBS THAT WENT UNFILLED BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE LABOR FORCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THOSE JOBS.

>> Reporter: CHAD WARMINGTON IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE CHAMBER OF OKLAHOMA AND SAYS THE SHORTER OF WORKERS IS SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

>> IT CUTS ACROSS, YOU KNOW, RURAL AND URBAN.

IT CUTS ACROSS, YOU KNOW, JOBS THAT REQUIRE A COLLEGE DEGREE ALL THE WAY TO, YOU KNOW, SOME BASIC LEVEL OF SKILL AND TRAINING.

WE HAVE A WIDE SWATH OF THE ECONOMY THAT'S LOOKING FOR PEOPLE.

>> I THINK THERE'S TWO JOBS AVAILABLE FOR EVERY PERSON THAT'S UNEMPLOYED THAT'S SEEKING EMPLOYMENT.

SO, THERE'S OPPORTUNITY THERE FOR EMPLOYMENT.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY HAS THREE MAJOR ECONOMIC DRIVERS: OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION, EARNEST, AND AGRICULTURE.

AGEE NOTES THERE IS GROWTH IN OTHER SECTORS LIKE HEALTH CARE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY.

>> HEALTH CARE IS REALLY BECOMING A BOOMING INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BUT IT'S DOING WELL, YOU KNOW, WITH THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION AND THE DIFFERENT HOSPITAL ORGANIZATIONS DOING RESEARCH AND, OF COURSE, PERFORMING SERVICES, VERY CRITICAL COMPONENT OF THE OKLAHOMA INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK THIS WEEK INCREASED THE PRIME INTEREST RATE BY HALF A PERCENT, FURTHER TIGHTENING THE CREDIT MARKET IN THE NAME OF COOLING OFF INFLATION.

>> WE'RE SEEING A LITTLE BIT OF A DISRUPTION IN THE HOUSING MARKET BECAUSE OF THESE HIGHER INTEREST RATES.

BUT THAT'S WHAT IT'S DESIGNED TO DO; IT'S DESIGNED TO COMPRESS CONSUMER DEMAND IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT BRINGS DOWN PRICES.

>> I THINK CREDIT MARKETS ARE TIGHTENING, AND I THINK BUSINESSES ARE WAITING TO SEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS LOOK LIKE.

>> Reporter: THE FED RATE INCREASES SEEM TO BE HAVING SOME IMPACT ON INFLATION, BUT STATE TREASURER McDANIEL SAYS OTHER FACTORS PLAY A ROLE.

>> THERE WILL BE THINGS THAT ARE COMING DOWN AS WE SEE INFLATION IS TRYING TO BE TAMED BY INCREASING THE INTEREST RATES.

WE'RE SEEING THINGS LIKE THE UKRAINE WAR WITH RUSSIAN, AND OTHER FACTORS LIKE IN CHINA WITH SOME OF THEIR COVID REEMERGING AND SEE THE SUPPLY CHAIN PROBLEMS WE'RE HAVING.

THE NUMBERS STILL RELEVANT A STRONG ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: HE NOTES FOR OKLAHOMA'S OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, REVENUES ARE COMING OFF RECENT HIGH MARKS.

>> WE SAW GROSS PRODUCTION TAX UNDER 160 MILLION FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE APRIL.

THE NEWS CONTINUES TO BE GOOD, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE'RE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY.

>> Reporter: WHILE THAT SIGNALS A POSSIBLE SLOWDOWN IN THE OILPATCH, IT COULD BE A BOOST FOR CONSUMERS.

>> IT'S TOUGH FOR CONSUMERS.

THEY GO TO THE PUMP AND SEEING RECORD GAS PRICES TO FILL UP YOUR TANK.

IT WAS BEING FELT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ACROSS THE WORLD.

AS THOSE TAPER OFF, THAT'S A CONCERN FOR OUR REVENUE PICTURE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> Reporter: THAT SLIGHT SLOWING OF REVENUE HAS DEAN AGEE ASKING THE LEGISLATURE TO BE CAUTION WHEN CONSIDERING TAX CUTS DURING THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> FOR ME AS AN ECONOMIST, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO ADVISE THE STATE LEGISLATURE, DON'T GET TOO EXCITED ABOUT CUTTING TAXES AND -- BECAUSE WE MIGHT NOT HAVE THE SURPLUS FOREVER.

WE WON'T FOREVER.

>> Reporter: AS FAR AS A POSSIBLE RECESSION NEXT YEAR FOR OKLAHOMA... >> WELL, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION THAT WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THE ANSWER TO.

THE FORECAST FOR 2023 IS GROWTH OF ABOUT 1%.

NOW, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT A HIGH GROWTH BUT A POSITIVE GROWTH.

IF WE HAVE ANY KIND OF POSITIVE GROWTH QUARTER TO QUARTER IN 2023, WE WILL NOT BE IN A RECESSION BY DEFINITION.

>> Reporter: CHAD WARMINGTON WITH THE STATE CHAMBER WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STATE CREATE A WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT CZAR TO PROMOTE OKLAHOMA'S WORK FORCE.

>> THE ECONOMIC OUTLOOK IS BRIGHT FOR A MANUFACTURING COMPANY IN CHICKASHA THANKS TO A LEG LAMP THEY BUILT IN THE HEART OF TOWN AND TO THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET THEY'VE BUILT FOR THEIR OTHER PRODUCTS.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

>> Reporter: MIDWEST COOLING TOWERS HAS BEEN A SOLID BUSINESS IN CHICKASHA, AN HOUR SOUTHWEST OF OKLAHOMA CITY FOR NEARLY FOUR DECADES.

COOLING TOWERS ARE BASICALLY GIANT RADIATORS AND ARE A MUST FOR POWER PLANTS, CHEMICAL PLANTS AND OIL REFINERIES.

MIDWEST COOLING TOWERS SHIPS 'EM ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> TYPICALLY, IT STARTS 18 FOOT WIDE BY 18 FOOT LONG.

ON THE BIG SIZE, MAN, THEY RANGE QUITE A BIT.

I'VE SEEN SOME THAT ARE 50 FOOT WIDE BY 700 FEET LONG.

>> THEY ARE IMPORTANT AS FAR AS THE REFINERY PART OF IT, ANYTHING GENERATING ELECTRIC, STUFF LIKE THAT, THEY USE THEM TO COOL.

>> Reporter: THEIR HARD WORK WAS RECOGNIZED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN MIDWEST COOLING TOWERS RECEIVED AN INNOVATION EXPANSION AWARD FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.

IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR, MIDWEST COOLING TOWERS TOOK A PHONE CALL FROM THE CITY OF CHICKASHA, NO, NOT ABOUT COOLING TOWERS, ABOUT SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

>> AND PEOPLE WALK BY AND THEY SEE A LEG LAMP, YOU KNOW, IT WILL MAKE THEM STOP.

>> Reporter: DURING THE PANDEMIC, CHICKASHA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR JIM COWAN CAME UP WITH AN IDEA TO ERECT AN INFLATABLE LEG LAMP DOWNTOWN.

IT WAS AN HOMAGE TO THE 1983 CULT CLASSIC MOVIE "A CHRISTMAS STORY."

>> IT WAS 2020, IT'S COVID, IT'S CRAZY WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD.

WHY NOT PUT UP AN INFLATABLE LEG LAMP?

THE PROBLEM WAS, PEOPLE LOVED IT.

THEY WERE DRIVING FROM ALL OVER.

BUT THE OKLAHOMA WEATHER DIDN'T LOVE IT.

WINDS WOULD RIP IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: COWAN WAS LOOKING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY FOR SOMEBODY TO BUILD A REAL LEG LAMP.

THEN HEARD MIDWEST COOLING TOWERS COULD MAYBE DO IT.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH BECAUSE WE HAVE MOLD-MAKING TECHNIQUES THAT WE USE FOR OUR PROJECTS ALREADY.

>> Reporter: KEN PATE IS A COMPANY SPOKESMAN.

>> IF WE CAN DRAW IT, WE CAN MAKE IT.

OUR DRAFTING TEAM IS GOOD BACK THERE.

>> Reporter: JAVIER RODRIGUEZ HAD LEARNED TO BE A DRAFTSMAN IN CHICKASHA IN 2021 WHEN HIS BOSSES AT MIDWEST COOLING TOWERS ASKED HIM TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF IMAGINING SO THEY COULD BUILD A 40-FOOT-TALL LEG LAMP.

NOT BAD FOR A KID WHO JUST GRADUATED FROM CHICKASHA HIGH SCHOOL IN 2022.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S PRETTY COOL.

>> Reporter: PATE SAYS PRIVATE DONATIONS PAID FOR THE VENTURE.

>> I SAID WE'RE REALLY NOT DOING THIS FOR THE PROFIT; WE'RE DOING IT FOR THE EXPOSURE.

WE ARE FINE.

WE SPENT A LOT MORE HOURS ON THE DRAFTING SIDE THAN WE THOUGHT.

WE SPENT 2200 MAN HOURS OF SANDING.

THERE WAS A LOT OF SANDING TO GET THE SHAPE OF THAT LEG.

>> Reporter: FIBERGLASS OPERATIONS MANAGER STEVE WATT EMBRACED THE CHALLENGE.

[CHUCKLES] >> YEAH, IT WAS AN INTERESTING PROJECT.

THE LEG LAMP, WHEN THEY CAME TO US WITH THE IDEA, WE MET WITH THEM, LIKE, IN 2021.

WE WERE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

WE THOUGHT, OH, THAT WOULD BE AB INTERESTING PROJECT.

EVERYBODY WAS INVOLVED.

IT WAS TRULY A COMPLETE EFFORT THERE.

IT IS ONE THAT WAS A CHALLENGE BUT SATISFYING WHEN WE WERE DONE.

>> NO BIG DEAL.

I THINK WE CAN DO ANYTHING WE WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: ON THE EVE OF CHICKASHA'S 30th ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, WHICH BEGAN ON THANKSGIVING, THE CITY OF CHICKASHA, TOOK DELIVERY OF THE MASSIVE CONVERSATION PIECE.

>> IT'S OVER 9,000 POUNDS.

IT'S MADE OUT OF FIBERGLASS, AND IT JUST -- THE FACT THAT THEY COULD DO IT, I MEAN, WE WERE JUST SHOCKED.

WE GOT NEW RESTAURANTS THAT ARE OPENING UP BECAUSE OF THIS.

WE HAD A DEVELOPER COME INTO TOWN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, AND HE'S PROPOSING A $5.5 MILLION DEVELOPMENT RIGHT HERE AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE PUT THIS SILLY LEG LAMP UP.

>> YEAH, IT'S GOING TO BE -- IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT.

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S -- IT'S -- EVEN HOW -- EVEN THOUGH HOW WEIRD IT IS, LIKE, YOU KNOW, BEING A LITERAL, LIKE, A LEG LAMP IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN, I THINK IT IS PRETTY COOL TO BE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THAT, NOT ONLY ME BUT THE MIDWEST AND ALL THE TEAM.

>> Reporter: WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT THING?

>> I LOVE THE LEG LAMP.

HOW CAN YOU NOT?

I MEAN, THIS IS A LITTLE -- I LIKE TO CONSIDER US AS A LITTLE CHRISTMAS TOWN.

I'VE BEEN HERE MY WHOLE LIFE.

EVERY YEAR, EVERYBODY COMES ALL OVER FOR THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHT, WHY NOT ADD A LEG LAMP TO GIVE IT PIZAZZ.

>> THAT WAS STEVE SHAW REPORTING.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BIG PROJECTS NEARING COMPLETION ON OKLAHOMA CITY'S SOUTH SIDE, INCLUDING THE RENOVATION AND REOPENING OF THE CROSSROADS MALL NEAR THE INTERCHANGE.

DUBBED THE ZOMBIE MALL AFTER IT CLOSED IN 2017, THERE ARE PLANS TO BRING IT BACK TO LIFE.

TAELYR JACKSON HAS THE DETAILS NOW.

>> Reporter: RICH, MANY OKLAHOMANS LIKE MYSELF REMEMBER WHEN CROSSROADS MALL WAS FILLED WITH STORES AND PLENTY OF SHOPPERS.

MANY WERE SAD TO SEE IT CLOSE, BUT THE CURRENT OWNER IS CONFIDENT HIS NEW CONCEPT FOR THE MALL IS JUST WHAT THE SOUTH SIDE NEEDS.

STEVE LINN, CEO OF CROSSROADS PLAZA LLC PURCHASED THE CROSSROADS PROPERTY WITH A PLAN TO OPEN AN ASIAN FOOD MARKET.

HE SAYS OKLAHOMA WAS THE PERFECT PLACE TO REALIZE HIS VISION.

>> THE FIRST TIME I CAME TO OKLAHOMA CITY, I LIKED IT.

THERE ARE NICE PEOPLE.

SO, I WANT TO BRING SOME ASIAN RESTAURANT HERE.

>> Reporter: SINCE THEN, LINN BROUGHT IN A NEW BUSINESS PARTNER, CEO OF CROSSROADS CONVENTION CENTER LLC TO ASSIST WITH EXPANSION PLANS.

>> WE CAN CREATE THESE EXPERIENCE BUSINESSES, FIND THESE COMPANIES, HAVE THEM MOVE IN HERE, HELP MAKE SOMETHING GREAT.

SO, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

I MEAN, THEY'RE STILL DOING THEIR -- THEY'RE NOW GOING TO DO THEIR ASIAN SUPER MARKET.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE NEW CONCEPT FOR CROSSROADS WON'T BE A TRADITIONAL MALL.

>> WE'RE BRINGING SOMETHING TO THE FOREFRONT IN OKLAHOMA THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD BEFORE, AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ABLE TO FINANCE THIS, IT'S A GREAT DEAL FOR OKLAHOMANS FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: LAWRENCE AND HER TEAM ARE CONVERTING ALL THREE FLOORS OF WHAT USED TO BE DILLARD'S INTO A CONVENTION CENTER.

>> IT'S 90,000 SQUARE FEET ON EACH FLOOR AND THERE'S THREE FLOORS.

SO, WE WILL START ON THE FIRST FLOOR.

THIS WILL BE CONCERTS, CONVENTIONS, TRAINING SEMINARS.

YOU CAN RENT HALF OR A WHOLE SITUATION.

WE HAVE A SMALLER AREA THAT CAN BE RENTED.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO INVEST MONEY AND MAKE THIS, LIKE, A REALLY COOL PLACE FOR THE FAMILY SO YOU CAN SPEND THE WHOLE DAY AND DO A WHOLE BUNCH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> Reporter: THE PLAN FOR DILLARD WAS TO HOUSE A MEDICAL GROW OPERATION.

HOWEVER, OKLAHOMA LAW PROHIBITS DISPENSARIES FROM BEING 1,000 FEET FROM SCHOOLS.

>> THEN THE CITY WENT AND MADE CHANGES TO THE LAW WHERE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO BECAUSE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE SCHOOL THAT WEREN'T IN PLACE BEFORE.

NOW THEY HAVE THIS HUGE PIECE OF PROPERTY THEY PURCHASED.

THEY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY.

THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO DO THAT THEIR GROW.

HEY, YOU GUYS WERE HERE BEFORE.

IF ANYBODY WILL HELP PULL THIS OFF AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN, IT WOULD BE YOU.

YOU SHOULD MEET THE OWNERS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS SECOND ATTEMPT TO REJUVENATE THE MALL WHEN IT CLOSED IN 2009 DUE TO FORECLOSURE.

IN APRIL OF 2013, PLAZA AT CROSSROADS OPENED, BUT THE MALL CLOSED AGAIN IN 2017.

OKLAHOMA COUNTY COMMISSIONER BRIAN MAUGHAN SAID CROSSROADS HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA CITY'S ECONOMY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE FORGET AT ONE TIME IT WAS THE SINGLE LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR OF SALES TAX TO ALL THE OKLAHOMA CITY GENERAL FUND BASE, SO THAT MAY HAVE INCLUDED THE ANCHOR CAMPUS LOCATIONS SURROUNDING IT.

IT WAS AN ECONOMIC METROPOLIS FOR OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE FACT IT WENT DOWN WAS A HUGE IMPACT FOR ALL OF OKLAHOMA CITY BUT PARTICULARLY FOR JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS REVITALIZATION IN THE AREA WILL CREATE JOBS FOR THOSE WHO LIVE IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> BEING RIGHT AT THE CROSSROADS OF AMERICA.

A LOT OF TOURISM OPPORTUNITY COMING THROUGH HERE, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY INCREASE OUR SALES TAX BASE FOR OKLAHOMA CITY AND PROVIDE JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY TO NOT HAVE TO GO VERY FAR.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 20 YEARS AGO, THIS TIME OF YEAR, THIS PARKING LOT WAS FILLED WITH CARS OF SHOPPERS LOOKING FOR THEIR LAST-MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

COME 2023, THIS PARKING LOT WILL BE THE NEW HOME OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY WRANGLERS.

THIS NOVEMBER, THE UNITED FOOTBALL LEAGUE WILL BUILD A 10,000-SEAT STADIUM ON SITE.

>> THIS IS NOT A SHORT-TERM, KICK IN THE PAN, IN-AND-OUT TYPE OF DEAL.

WE PLAN TO REALLY BUILD, INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE HOPE THAT INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY SUPPORTS US.

>> Reporter: A TEMPORARY 8,400 SEAT STADIUM WILL BE BUILT FIRST, ACCORDING TO THE UFL THEY WILL LATER REMOVE THE FACILITY.

HE SAYS BRINGING IN THE WRARLGS WILL GIVE YOUNG ATHLETES ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF CLOMGS ANOTHER AVENUE TO PLAY FOOTBALL WITHOUT LEAVING THE STATE.

>> THE LARGEST HIGH SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA CITY ARE IN SOUTH OKLAHOMA CITY.

SO, I THINK THEM HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT SOMETHING FOR A FUTURE SPORTS OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT IT NECESSARILY HAVING TO INVOLVE GOING OUTSIDE THIS METRO AREA, EVEN TO NORMAN AND STILLWATER, IF YOU'RE JUST LOOKING AT THE COLLEGE OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: CROSSROADS IS SET TO OPEN IN 2023 AND SOONER FANS WILL BE PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THE NEW HEAD COACH FOR THE OKLAHOMA CITY WRANGLERS IS FORMER SOONER J.D.

RUNNELS.

>> TAELYR, THANK YOU.

NOW, ABOUT TWO MILES AWAY FROM THE MALL, A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF STRUCTURE WILL OFFICIALLY OPEN ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC IN FEBRUARY.

A $40 MILLION SHRINE THAT WILL BECOME THE LARGEST CATHOLIC CHURCH IN OKLAHOMA.

THE BLESSED STANLEY ROTHER THE SHRINE IS DEDICATED TO THE PRIEST.

THE SPANISH-STYLE ARCHITECTURE HONORS ROTHER, A MISSIONARY MURDERED IN THE RECTORY OF HIS GUAMANIAN CHURCH IN 1981.

HE WAS THE FIRST RECOGNIZED CATHOLIC CHURCH MARTYR.

THE BUILD WILL INCLUDE HIS TOMB AND EVENT SPACES.

THE U.S. SENATE HAS PASSED A DEFENSE BILL NAMED AFTER OKLAHOMA SENATOR JIM INHOFE WHO RETIRES IN JANUARY.

AT $847 BILLION, IT EXCEEDS THE SPENDING REQUEST OF PRESIDENT BIDEN.

IT ALSO ENDS THE COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATE AND RAISES PAY FOR TROOPS AND CIVILIANS.

THE BILL PASSED 83-11 AND HEADS TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK FOR HIS SIGNATURE.

THE DRTC AS THE DALE ROGERS TRAINING CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS CELEBRATING ITS FIRST CLASS TO GRADUATE FROM THE EMPLOY-ABILITY ACADEMY.

THEY TOOK THE LESSON SO THEY CAN APPLY AND GET HIRED FOR JOBS IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE INITIAL GROUP RECEIVED THEIR GRADUATION CERTIFICATES AND A STIPEND FOR COMPLETING THE PROGRAM.

>> IT'S A NATIONAL MOVE TOWARDS FOLKS WHO HAVE TYPICALLY BEEN IN WHAT WE CALL A CENTER-BASED PROGRAM TO BE INCLUDED IN THE WORK FORCE AND THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO, LOTS OF INFORMATION GOES AROUND THAT.

LIKELY, WE STAY HERE.

WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THEM AND REALLY REIMAGINE THEIR FUTURE.

THAT'S WHAT THE ACADEMY IS ABOUT.

>> THE NEXT DRTC EMPLOY-ABILITY ACADEMY IS SET TO BEGIN IN JANUARY WITH ANOTHER 25-30 INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIESS.

THE PROGRAM IS FUNDED BY THE COMMUNITY-DIRECTED GRANT AWARDED TO THE CENTER.

THIS IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIMES OF THE YEAR FOR OKLAHOMA'S FOOD BANKS, AND THEY COULD CERTAINLY USE YOUR HELP VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME OR MONEY OR BOTH.

COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST, WE'LL HAVE A DISCUSSION HOW TO HELP THE STATE'S LARGEST FOOD BANKS.

>> OKLAHOMA IS NUMBER ONE IN HAVING THE HIGHEST RATE OF VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY FOR CHILDREN.

LET THAT SINK IN.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY FOR CHILDREN.

>> WHY.

>> WE CAN DIG INTO THE ECONOMICS OF THAT, YOU KNOW, THE LOW WAGES.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE UNFORTUNATE STATISTIC THAT WE OWN AT NUMBER ONE, UNFORTUNATELY.

>> HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A HOLIDAY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY WAYS YOU CAN HELP, DEFINITELY WITH MONETARY DONATIONS.

WE CAN MAKE THAT DOLLAR GO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER THAN YOU CAN WITH -- YOU KNOW, IF YOU'RE DONATING FOOD.

AN EXAMPLE OF THAT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A CUP OF PEANUT BUTTER, IT WOULD BE $5, YOU KNOW.

WE COULD TAKE THAT AND BUY THREE TO FOUR TUBS OF PEANUT BUTTER FOR THE SAME AMOUNT.

WE COULD ALWAYS USE THE DONATIONS COMING THROUGH.

>> THAT FULL CONVERSATION COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.

SINCE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S McGIRT DIETITIAN TWO AND A HALF YEARS AGO, OTHER OKLAHOMA TRIBES ARE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE RULING TO THEIR TERRITORIES.

AT THE SAME TIME, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CONTINUES THE PUSH TO LIMIT THE IMPACT OF THE LANDMARK DECISION THAT CHANGED CRIMINAL JURISDICTION THROUGHOUT EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

KENNEDY SEPULVADO HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: RICH, IN AN INTERESTING ASPECT OF THESE COURT CASES IS THE QUESTION OF CRIMINAL JURISDICTION IN OKLAHOMA WHICH IS NOT USUALLY BROUGHT UP BY THE TRIBE BUT BY THE CRIMINAL DEFENDANT LAWYER.

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULED IN 020 THAT MOST OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA REMAINS INDIAN COUNTRY REFERRED AS THE McGIRT DECISION BASED ON A CASE OUT OF THE MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS PEOPLE MISREMEMBER IS THAT THE MUSKOGEE NATION NEVER BROUGHT THAT CASE.

McGIRT BROUGHT THE CASE.

HE WAS FACING THE DEATH PENALTY, AND SO HE HAD -- HIS LAWYERS WERE TRYING TO SAVE HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE RULING OPENED THE DOORS FOR OTHER TRIBES TO APPROVE THE DECISIONS APPLIED TO THEIR NATIONS.

>> THEY HAD A SIMILAR LEGAL HISTORY.

EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD, EVEN AT THE TIME McGIRT WAS ARGUED, THAT WHAT HAPPENED WAS THE MUSKOGEE CREEK MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION WOULD AFFECT THE OTHER FIVE TRIBES.

THERE'S NOT SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE LEGAL HISTORY OF THE TRIBES.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH THE REMAINING OF THE TRIBES STILL HAD TO PROVE THEIR RESERVATION STATUS TO THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINALLY APPEALS.

>> NOW, THERE'S A NUMBER OF TRIBES IN NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA THAT HAVE ALSO SAID WE HAVE TREATIES AS WELL.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE TRIBES WE WORK WITH IS THE PEORIA TRIBE, AND THEY HAVE THE TREATY OF 1867.

THERE ARE THE OTTAWAS.

THEY PROVED THEIR RESERVATION WAS NEVER DISESTABLISHED.

THEY RULED THE McGIRT DECISION APPLIED TO THE NATION IN OCTOBER OF 2021 MAKING IT THE SIXTH TRIBE TO EXPAND CRIMINAL SOVEREIGNTY.

SINCE THE RULING, CRIMINAL LAWYERS HAVE TRIED APPLYING TO DECISION TO HELP INDIGENOUS DEFENDANTS FROM TRIBAL NATIONS THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA.

>> THERE WAS A CASE LAST WEEK, AND I JUST GOT A COPY OF IT HERE.

AWHITEBUFFALO.

THEY HELD THAT THE CHEYENNE AND ARAPAHOE TRIBES, RESERVATIONS WERE DISESTABLISHED.

BUT INTERESTINGLY, THAT WASN'T REALLY BRIEFED BY THE TRIBES AT ALL.

THE CRIMINAL LAWYER FOR Mr. WHITEBUFFALO WHO MADE THE ARGUMENTS.

>> MOST OF THESE CASES ARE BROUGHT UP IN THE CONTEXT OF A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT WHO HAS A VERY SPECIFIC THING THEY WANT TO GET OUT OF TROUBLE FOR OR CHANGE THE PENALTY THEY'RE LIKELY TO HAVE FOR THAT ACT, OR THEY WANT A DIFFERENT SOVEREIGN TO PROSECUTE THEM FOR THAT.

THAT'S BEEN THE CONTEXT IN THEIR WISH.

ACTUALLY, ALL THESE CASES, I THINK, EXCEPT MAYBE THE OSAGE NATION CASE.

>> Reporter: IN 2010, LITIGATION BETWEEN THE OSAGE NATION AND FORMER STATE TAX COMMISSIONER CONSTANCE IRBY QUESTIONED IF TRIBAL CITIZENS LIVING ON THEIR TRIBE'S RESERVATION WHILE WORKING FOR TRIBE ARE SUBJECT TO STATE INCOME TAX.

PRECEDENT FOR AING IS CASE BETWEEN THE OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION AND THE FOX NATION ALREADY DETERMINED STATES CANNOT TAX TRIBAL MEMBERS WORKING FOR THE TRIBE WHILE LIFESAVING ON THAT TRIBE'S TRUST OR RESTRICTED LAND.

THEY LOST THE CASE BECAUSE THE JUDGE DETERMINED THE RESERVATION WAS DISESTABLISHED.

THEREFORE, PRECEDENT DID NOT APPLY IN THIS CASE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS AND SCHOLARS OUT THERE THAT BELIEVE THE OSAGE NATION VERSUS IRBY CASE SHOULD BE RELOOKED AT UNDER A McGIRT ANALYSIS AND THAT, YOU KNOW, THE PREVIOUS HOLDINGS WERE FAULTY GIVEN McGIRT.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE OSAGE NATION IS WORKING ON.

AS FOR THE CONVERSATION ABOUT TAXATION, IT'S BROUGHT UP AGAIN BY MEMBERS OF TRIBES AFFECTED BY McGIRT.

>> THE STATE HAS FOLLOWED THAT RULE.

IF YOU LIVED ON TRIBAL TRUST OR RESTRICTED LAND AND YOU EARNED INCOME ON THE RESERVATION, THE STATE FOR YEARS HAS EXEMPTED THAT INCOME FROM STATE TAXATION.

THIS IS NOT A NEW THING THAT HAS HAPPENED.

BUT THE STATE HAD NEVER CONSIDERED THAT FROM A RESERVATION STANDPOINT.

>> THE HEARING OFFICER BEFORE THE TAX COMMISSION ABIDED BY McGIRT AND SAID THAT McGIRT APPLIED.

BUT WHEN IT WENT TO THE FULL COMMISSION, THEY DISAVOWED THE HEARING OFFICER AND SAID THAT, NO THEY WERE SUBJECT TO TAX.

SO, I THINK THAT THAT CASE IS GOING TO GET APPEALED TO THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

>> Reporter: AS SOME TRIBES WORK TO EXPAND SELF-GOVERNANCE IN THE NAME OF McGIRT OR ATTEMPTING TO HAVE McGIRT APPLY TO THEIR RESERVATIONS, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS CHALLENGED THE LANDMARK DECISION IN THE HIGHEST LIMITING THE TRIBE'S JURISDICTION WHEN A NON-INDIAN IS THE PERPETRATOR AND THE VICTIM IS INDIGENOUS.

>> THE SUPREME COURT RULED 5-4 AGAINST IT SAYING THERE WAS CONCURRENT JURISDICTION OVER A NON-INDIAN OFFENDER UNDER THE MAJOR CRIMES ACT, MEANING THAT OKLAHOMA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT COULD PROSECUTE Mr. CASTRO.

>> Reporter: THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" REQUESTED AN INTERVIEW WITH OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN O'CONNOR, WE NEVER RECEIVED WORD BACK ON THAT INCITE.

PLUS, WE REACHED OUT TO RYAN LEONARD WHO SERVES ON THE GOVERNOR'S SPECIAL COUNCIL.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO DO AN INTERVIEW BUT SENT A STATEMENT THAT READS: THE 39 TRIBAL NATIONS THAT CALL OKLAHOMA HOME ARE INTEGRAL TO THE FABRIC OF OUR GREAT STATE.

POSITIVE AND PRODUCTIVE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS ARE PARAMOUNT.

WE ARE ALL OKLAHOMANS AND IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE WORK TOWARDS A COMMON AND BRIGHT FUTURE.

SEVERAL TRIBES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF ARGUING McGIRT APPLIES TO AT THE POINT IN TIME.

MORE IS SURE TO COME AS THE McGIRT SITUATION CONTINUES TO EVOLVE.

>> THANK YOU.

THE UNITED STATES IS FACING THE SUPPLY SHORTAGE OF OVER 200 DRUGS RIGHT NOW, INCLUDING AMOXICILLIN TO TREAT BACTERIAL INFECTIONS AND ADDERALL, A DRUG THAT HELPS MILLIONS OF THE AMERICANS THAT HAVE ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER LEAD MORE NORMAL LIVES.

I SPOKE WITH CATHERINE SWEENEY WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNER TO LEARN MORE CATHERINE, HOW DOES ADDERALL HELP PEOPLE WITH ADD FUNCTION BETTER?

>> THERE ARE THESE CRIMINALS CALLED NEUROTRANSMITTERS AND THEY HELP US STAY FOCUSED, THEY HELP US GET A LITTLE BIT OF A BOOST FROM FINISHING A TASK, THEY HELP US STAY ON TASK.

WITH ADD AND ADHD, THEIR BRAINS DON'T MAKE ENOUGH OF THOSE TRANSMITTERS.

SO, MEDICATIONS LIKE ADDERALL BUMP THEM UP TO WHERE THE REST OF US ARE ON A NORMAL DAY AND HELPS THEM HAVE THESE THINGS LIKE COMPLETING TASKS AND MOTIVATION TO GET THROUGH THE DAY.

>> WHY IS THERE A SHORTAGE OF ADDERALL IN OKLAHOMA OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY?

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF COMPANIES HAVE HAD TROUBLE KEEPING UP WITH THE SUPPLY DEMANDS THAT ARE ON THEM.

THEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES ISSUE WITH SUPPLY CHAINS, WITH WORKER AVAILABILITY, AND THAT HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MAJOR ISSUES THAT PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES HAVE FACED, PARTICULARLY TEVA PHARMACEUTICALS.

THEY MAKE ADDERALL AND OTHER ADHD MEDICATIONS.

THEY WERE HAVING TERRIBLE WORK FORCE SHORTAGES AND COULDN'T KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

>> ADDERALL IS A SECOND 2 DRUG, WHICH MEANS IT'S HIGHLY REGULATED.

>> THESE AREN'T POTATO CHIPS OR FRYING PANS, YOU KNOW, NORMAL PRODUCTS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE BUY EVERY DAY.

THEY ARE PRODUCING SCHEDULED MEDICATIONS, AND, BECAUSE OF THAT, THEY ARE FACING MUCH TIGHTER FEDERAL REGULATIONS.

THE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY PUTS A CAP ON HOW MUCH OF THESE RAW MATERIALS CAN BE PRODUCED EVERY YEAR, AND THEY PUT A CAP ON HOW MUCH COMPANIES CAN PRODUCE ANNUALLY.

SO, LET'S SAY A POTATO CHIP-FOOTER -- CHIP FACTORY HAS A PROBLEM, CAN'T PRODUCE WHAT THEY NEED TO, OTHER ONES CAN RAMP UP TO MAKE UP FOR THAT.

THAT CAN'T HAPPEN WITH THE SCHEDULED PHARMACEUTICALS.

OTHERS CAN'T STEP UP.

THE CUSTOMERS AND PATIENTS BEAR THE BRUNT OF THOSE SHORTAGES.

>> SO, HOW LONG IS THIS SHORTAGE EXPECTED TO LAST?

WE'RE NOT SURE.

PHARMACISTS THAT I'VE SPOKEN WITH HAVE SAID THEY'RE ANTICIPATING IT LASTING THROUGH THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

I THINK THAT PATIENTS ARE HEARING THAT AS WELL.

BUT IT'S TOUGH TO KNOW FOR SURE.

>> SO, UNTIL THE SHORTAGE ENDS, ARE THERE OTHER DRUGS OR DREAMS THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THESE ISSUES CAN TAKE?

OR THEY JUST SO -- JUST HAVE TO COPE?

>> PHARMACISTS HAVE BEEN USING ADDERALL IF THEY HAVE IT ON HAND.

THE THING IS, IT COMES IN DIFFERENT FORMS.

IT MIGHT BE 50 MILLIGRAMS, 100 MILL MILLIGRAMS.

IF SOMEBODY IS USED TO TAKING00 EVERY DAY, THEY MIGHT GET DISPENSED TWO 50 MILLIGRAMS EVERY DAY AND FILL WHAT THEY CAN.

THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS THEY HAVE TO WORK WITH THE DOCTOR TO GET A NEW PRESCRIPTION AND THEN GET THE INTO URK -- INSURANCE COMPANY TO SIGN OFF ON THAT.

THEY CAN CHANGE MEDICATIONS.

LIKE YOU SAID, THERE ARE GERIATRICS.

AND SO IS THERE ARE ALSO TREATMENTS FOR ADHD, ADD THAT ARE NOT STIMULANT-BASED, SO PEOPLE MIGHT BE CONSIDERING CHANGES WITH THAT.

THESE ARE UNDER ADVICE FROM THEIR DOCTORS.

>> CATHERINE SWEENEY WITH STATE IMPACT OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, RICH.

>> WE'VE BEEN SHARING A LOT OF BUSINESS-RELATED STORIES IN THIS NEWSCAST.

LET'S WRAP THINGS UP WITH OUR WEEKLY STATEWIDE RECORD ON ECONOMIC NEWS.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH THE "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."

SOUTHWEST GAS HOLDINGS.

THE DEAL GIVES WILLIAMS ANOTHER 2,000 MILES OF PIPELINE IN UTAH, PERCENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY DURING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER, MAKING IT THE SECOND HIGHEST INCREASE AMONG THE LARGEST 50 CITIES IN THE U.S. REAL ESTATE COMPANY REDFIN SAYS TULSA-BASED WILLIAMS WILL SPEND GAS STORAGE.

THE BILLION AND A HALF DEAL IS EXPECTED TO CLOSE NEXT YEAR.

CUSTOMERS OF ELMORE CITY'S OLD THE DEAL GIVES WILLIAMS 2,000 MILES OF PIPELINE IN UTAH, WYOMING AND COLORADO AND AUTOS 56 BILLION OF STORAGE.

THE DEAL IS EXPECTED TO CLOSE NEXT YEAR.

IT WILL WORK MUCH LIKE OTHER MONEY TRANSFER APPS.

THE NEW OFFERING IS EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE IN EARLY MARCH OF 2023.

WORK IS UNDER WAY ON A MULTIBILLION DOLLAR DEVELOPMENT WITHIN OKLAHOMA CITY INNOVATION DISTRICT CALLS CONVERGE.

THE DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE AN OFFICE TOWER, A HOTEL AND RESTAURANT, THREE-LEVEL, BELOW GROUND PARKING GARAGE AND RETAIL SPACE AND BE HOME TO THE INNOVATION HALL MAP 4 PROJECT.

CONVERGE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN 2024.

THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IS COLLABORATING WITH LONGVIEW FUSION ENERGY SYSTEMS OF LIVERMORE, CALIFORNIA TO DEVELOP AND COMMERCIALIZE A FUSION POWER PLANT.

THIS COMES AS THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ANNOUNCED THE LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SUCCESSFULLY STARTED A FUSION REACTION.

FUSION IS HOW THE SUN PRODUCES ENERGY.

OU IS BRINGING IN ANOTHER INDUSTRY PARTNERS TO HELP WITH DEVELOPING FUSION ENGINEERING AND A WORK FORCE 2022 PROGRAM.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANK YOU.

THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGING TIME FOR OKLAHOMA'S MAJOR FOOD BANKS, COLD WEATHER, CHILDREN HOME FROM SCHOOL, THE DESIRE TO PROVIDE A THANKSGIVING OR CHRISTMAS MEAL TO THOSE WHO WOULD NOT HAVE ONE OTHERWISE.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASED DEMAND ON THE SERVICES THE FOOD BANKS PROVIDE.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WE LOOK AT WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW YOU CAN HELP.

>> RICH, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S THE TIME OF YEAR WE START THINKING ABOUT FOOD BANKS AND THOSE HOLIDAY MEALS FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD ALL THE GROCERIES THEY NEED TO CREATE ONE, BUT IT'S A YEAR-ROUND NEED, NOT ONLY THE HOLIDAYS, BUT YEAR-ROUND.

THEY COVER THE WHOLE STATE.

MATT JOSEPH IS WITH THE FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S UP IN TULSA.

AND WE ALSO HAVE KATHY WHO IS WITH THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA COVERING 53 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S CENTRAL AND WESTERN?

>> YES, WE COVER ALL OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MATT, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, IS THERE AN INCREASE IN NEED FOR FOOD DURING THE HOLIDAYS?

OR IS IT JUST THAT IT BECOMES MORE NOTICEABLE FOR REST OF US?

>> OH, NO, THERE'S DEFINITELY A NEED THAT RISES UP DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

FEEDING AMERICA RELEASED A STUDY EARLIER IN THE FALL THAT ADDRESSED THIS.

88% OF THE FOOD BANKS NATIONALLY WERE EXPERIENCING A 20% RISE IN DEMAND FOR SERVICES.

THAT'S ALSO WHILE WE WERE EXPERIENCING A DROP IN DONATIONS.

I THINK THIS YEAR IS KIND OF ESPECIALLY HARDER WITH INFLATION.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, 60% OF AMERICANS RIGHT NOW ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

SO, A FLAT TIRE, YOU KNOW, AN UNEXPECTED BILL AWAY FROM NOT HAVING GROCERY MONEY FOR THAT MONTH.

>> KATHY, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT THE FOOD BANK IN TULSA AND OKLAHOMA SO OFTEN, WE ASSUME EVERYTHING IS FINE.

IS EVERYTHING FINE, KATHY?

>> WELL, WE'RE PROVIDING FOOD ASSISTANCE.

WE HAVE 1300 PARTNERS.

WE ARE IMPACTED BY INCREASED COSTS FOR FUEL, INCREASED COSTS FOR FREIGHT.

WE NEED TO HAVE THE INVENTORY TO CONTINUE OUR SERVICE.

>> KATHY, WHY HAS THE NEED INCREASED AS OPPOSED TO REST OF THE YEAR?

>> SEASONAL WORKERS.

I THINK THIS YEAR WE'RE SEEING A 15-20% INCREASE OVER WHAT WE WOULD TYPICALLY SEE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AGAIN, I GO BACK TO MATT'S COMMENTS ABOUT INFLATION.

WE ARE SEEING FUEL COSTS GO DOWN SOME.

THAT'S A RELIEF FOR EVERYONE.

STILL, IF YOU GO, YOU KNOW, BUY A DOZEN EGGS, YOU WILL BE SPENDING $5.

THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLE SIX OR 10 MONTHS AGO.

>> MATT, WHAT ARE YOU TELLING PEOPLE IN YOUR AREA WHEN YOU'RE ASKING FOR HELP TO FEED THOSE WHO NEED HELP?

>> THEY CAN GO THE WEBSITE AND DISOBEDIENT.

-- DONATE.

THERE'S ALSO OTHER WAYS.

YOU KNOW, YOU COULD HOST A FOOD DRIVE, EITHER THROUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION, NEIGHBORHOOD, SCHOOL, CHURCH.

ALSO, YOU CAN ADVOCATE FOR US.

YOU KNOW, UM, THERE'S -- THERE'S A -- A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO END HUNGER IN OKLAHOMA.

WE NEED BUY-IN FROM THE OFFICIALS.

>> YOU KNOW HOW MANY POUNDS OF FOOD YOU GIVE AWAY EACH YEAR?

>> LAST YEAR WE DID 30 MILLION POUNDS OF FOOD.

WE ARE WANTING TO ALMOST DOUBLE THAT THIS YEAR.

WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A CAMPAIGN PROJECT RIGHT NOW WHERE WE'RE EXPANDING OUR FACILITY.

WE'RE DOUBLING THE SIZE OF OUR WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION AREA, AS WELL AS OUR CULINARY CENTER AND OUR VOLUNTEER CENTER.

UM, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT TO QUADRUPLE THAT AMOUNT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>> KATHY, HOW MANY POUNDS OF FOOD HAVE YOU GIVEN AWAY?

53 COUNTIES IS A LOT OF THE STATE?

>> TYPICALLY, ON AVERAGE, WE DISTRIBUTE 50 MILLION POUNDS.

WE SAW A SPIKE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN THE USDA.

WE SPIKED AT 58 MILLION POUNDS ONE YEAR.

ON AVERAGE, WE'RE RIGHT AROUND 50 MILLION POUNDS.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEED INCREASE OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS?

OR THIS YEAR, EVEN, FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE SAW -- WHEN THE PANDEMIC HIT IN 2022, STARTING IN MARCH/APRIL, WE STARTED SEEING A DRAMATIC INCREASE, UPWARDS OF 30%, MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAD NEVER SOUGHT FOOD ASSISTANCE PRIOR AND WERE NEW TO THE FOOD CHARITY WORLD, THE FOOD ASSISTANCE WORLD.

WE'VE SEEN IT EBB BACK AS THE FEDERAL ASSISTANCE ROLLED OUT AND REALLY HELPED TO PUT MONEY IN PEOPLE'S BANK ACCOUNTS.

WE SAW THE NEED START TO DECLINE A BIT.

BUT STARTING PROBABLY FEBRUARY OR MARCH OF THIS YEAR, 2022, WE STARTED SEEING ANOTHER UPTICK.

AGAIN, THE MONEY HAD BEEN SPENT.

YOU KNOW, THEY'RE BACK IN THE SITUATION THEY WERE DURING THE PANDEMIC, MAYBE NOT MAKING AS MUCH AS THEY DID PRE-PANDEMIC, YOU KNOW, CHILDCARE NEEDS, ALL THOSE THINGS ROLLED INTO ONE, SO, YEAH, WE STARTED SEEING ANOTHER INCREASE.

>> YOU REFERENCED OTHER SERVICES.

DO YOU PROVIDE OTHER SERVICES BESIDES FOOD DISTRIBUTION?

>> WE HAVE OUR TYPICAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

UM, SO, THAT'S HOW WE DISTRIBUTE FOOD OUT THROUGH OUR PARTNER AGENCIES.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 400 THROUGH EASTERN OKLAHOMA WE WORK WITH.

THESE WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, HERE IN TULSA, LIKE, THE CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND DO A LOT OF DIRECT SERVICE PROGRAMS.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE, LIKE, DRIVE-THROUGH PANTRIES.

WE OFFER SNAP ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES WITH HELP NAVIGATING THE SYSTEM AND WE HAVE OUR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, LIKE, OUR FOOD FOR KIDS PROGRAM, WHICH INCLUDES BACKPACK PROGRAMS.

INJUST GOT BACK FROM THE VOLUNTEER CENTER WHERE THEY'RE PACKING BACKPACKS FOR WINTER BREAK.

MORE THAN HALF THE KIDS IN OKLAHOMA RELY ON FREE OR REDUCED LUNCHES.

WELL, WHEN THEY GO HOME FOR SCHOOL BREAK, THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE REGULAR MEALS.

WE PACKAGE EASE-TO-PREPARE MEALS THEY CAN TAKE WITH THEM ON WINTER BREAK.

>> KATHY, YOU DO THE SAME THING, CORRECT?

>> WE DO.

>> PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT DURING THE HOLIDAY BREAK, YOU KNOW, THOSE OF US WHO ARE BLESSED DON'T HAVE TO THINK THAT MAY BE THE ONLY MEAL A CHILD GETS THROUGH THE DAY.

BUT THAT'S REAL IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S A REALITY FOR SOME FAMILIES.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, OKLAHOMA IS NUMBER ONE IN HAVING THE HIGHEST RATE OF VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY FOR CHILDREN.

SO, LET THAT SINK IN.

WE'RE NUMBER ONE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE VERY LOW FOOD SECURITY FOR CHILDREN.

>> WHY?

>> 8.4%.

WE CAN DIG INTO THE ECONOMICS OF THAT.

YOU KNOW, THE -- THE LOW WAGES.

IT'S JUST -- IT'S AN UN -- IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE STATISTIC THAT WE -- WE OWN AT NUMBER ONE, UNFORTUNATELY.

ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE FOOD BANKS ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO HELP MEET THAT NEED AND SENDING ADDITIONAL FOOD HOME OVER SCHOOL BREAKS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE ALSO WORK WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE ACTIVITIES DURING THE WEEK.

WE'LL PROVIDE FREE MEALS SO THE CHILDREN THAT ARE PARTICIPATING IN THOSE DURING THE BREAK TIME WILL GET MEALS AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

SO, FOR EVERYONE LISTENING, THE MESSAGE IS, IF YOU CAN HELP, HELP.

THIS IS A VERY REAL NEED, RIGHT, MATT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

UM, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HEAR THE CHILDREN STATISTICS.

UM, I THINK WHEN -- THAT -- THAT WAS PROBABLY ONE OF MY MOST SURPRISING THINGS WHEN I CAME ON HERE.

I KNEW OKLAHOMA HAD AN HUNGER ISSUE, BUT WHEN YOU SEE THE STATS COME TO LIFE, IT REALLY HITS HOME.

>> IT'S REALLY HEARTBREAKING.

>> IT IS.

>> IT'S REALLY HEARTBREAKING.

ARE THERE STILL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE TO PITCH IN, WHETHER IT'S JUST FOR THIS SEASON AND HOPEFULLY THEY'LL GET HOOKED AND WANT TO HELP OUT MORE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

BUT ARE THERE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES, MATT?

>> YES.

THEY CAN, YOU KNOW, VOLUNTEER AT EITHER ONE OF OUR LOCATIONS.

BUT I ALSO RECOMMEND, YOU KNOW, GO TO YOUR LOCAL CHURCH.

THEY CAN ALWAYS USE VOLUNTEER HELP DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, YOU CAN HOST A FOOD OR FUND DRIVE, YOU KNOW, FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN COMPUTER AND REALLY HELP OUT WITH FEEDING FAMILIES THIS WINTER.

>> THAT'S WONDERFUL.

KATHY, HOW ABOUT WITH THE REGIONAL FOOD BANK?

>> YOU BET.

WE LIKE TO SAY THIS TIME OF YEAR, HUNGER NEVER TAKES A HOLIDAY.

SO, PEOPLE ARE HUNGRY 12 MONTHS OF THE YEAR, UNFORTUNATELY.

WE HAVE GREAT VOLUNTEER SHIFTS.

WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP WHENEVER, BUT WE REALLY SEE A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS WE HAVE STARTING IN JANUARY, FEBRUARY, AND MARCH.

IF YOU WANT TO EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY CHEER AND VOLUNTEER, THAT YOU LOOK AT JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH.

WE HAVE THOSE JANUARY AND FEBRUARY DATES AVAILABLE ON OUR WEBSITE.

YOU CAN SIGN UP NOW TO COME BACK IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY.

AGAIN, I AGREE WITH MATT, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PANTRIES.

YOU KNOW, THEY ALWAYS COULD USE VOLUNTEERS AS WELL, OR DONATIONS OF FOOD.

OR, IF YOU'RE ABLE TO, DONATION OF FUNDS.

>> HOW ABOUT IN YOUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT'S AT THE FOOD BANKS YOU REPRESENT OR SOMETHING IN YOUR COMMUNITY THAT HELPS YOUR NEIGHBORS, I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

NOW, IF PEOPLE DO WANT TO DO A FOOD DRIVE, IF THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING IN PERSON -- ARE THOSE STILL DONE ANY MORE.

>> WE STILL DO THAT.

WE CAN DO THE FUND DRIVES ONLINE.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO DO A FOOD DRIVE, YOU CAN SIGN UP ONLINE AND WE CAN GET YOU A BOX.

YOU CAN USE YOUR OWN BOXES OR WE HAVE BOXES WE CAN FURNISH.

WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS, HOLIDAYS, UM, THE FOOD YOU'RE GIVING OUT, WHAT CAN SOMEONE WHO COMES AND GETS -- GETS A BOX OF FOOD FROM YOU SAY FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, WHAT DO THEY IN THAT BOX?

>> IT'S GOING TO HAVE A VARIETY OF WHAT WE CALL SHELF-STABLE FOOD SO IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY REFRIGERATION AND IT'S GOING TO BE PROBABLY A SHELF-STABLE MILK, CANNED VEGETABLES, CANNED MEATS, CANNED SOUPS, PASTA, PANELS OF BEANS AND RICE, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

IF YOU SHOP AT OUR FOOD AND RESOURCE CENTERS, WE HAVE CHOICE SHOPPING.

THEY'RE SET UP LIKE SMALL GROCERY STORES.

HAMS, TURKEYS, THE SEASONAL, YOU KNOW, POTATOES AND SWEET POTATOES, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.

>> MATT, IS THERE A TURKEY?

>> I JUST LEFT THE WAREHOUSE.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO SEND 200 TURKEYS OUT TO ONE OF OUR PARTNER AGENCIES.

ACTUALLY, FOR THANKSGIVING, WE DISTRIBUTED 7,000 TURKEYS THROUGHOUT TULSA.

>> SO, PEOPLE AREN'T COMING TO YOUR PHYSICAL BRICK-AND-MORTAR LOCATIONS AND GETTING THEIR BOX OF FOOD.

YOU'RE DISTRIBUTING IT OUT TO AREAS WHERE IT'S CLOSER TO THE FOLKS WHO NEED IT?

>> WE DO HAVE EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES AND WE HAVE PEOPLE LOOK US UP IN THE PHONE BOOK AND ONLINE AND DON'T REALIZE THAT WE'RE MORE OF A DISTRIBUTION TO OUR PARTNERS.

WE ALWAYS HAVE FOOD AVAILABLE HERE.

WE CONNECT THEM WITH A NEARBY PANTRY TO WHERE THEY RESIDE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

MATT, I WANT TO COME TO YOU AND FIND OUT IF THERE ARE ANY FINAL WORDS YOU'D LIKE TO OFFER TO LET OKLAHOMANS KNOW THAT -- YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP?

>> WELL, LIKE WAS SAID EARLIER, YOU KNOW, K HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A HOLIDAY.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S SO MANY WAYS YOU CAN HELP.

DEFINITELY, WITH MONETARY DONATIONS.

WE CAN MAKE THAT DOLLAR GO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER THAN YOU CAN.

AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WENT OUT AND BOUGHT A TUB OF PEANUT BUTTER, IT WOULD BE $5.

WE CAN TAKE THAT AND BUY THREE TO FOUR TUBS OF PEANUT BUTTER FOR THAT SAME AMOUNT.

SO, UM, SO WE COULD ALWAYS USE THE DONATIONS COMING THROUGH.

WE MENTIONED THE FOOD AND FUND DRIVES, UM, DURING THE HOLIDAYS, YOU KNOW, TO GET PEOPLE INTO THE GIVING SPIRIT, GET YOUR FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES TOGETHER.

UM, AND REALLY JUST LOOK OUT FOR YOUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

YOU KNOW, WE REALLY NEED TO GET RID OF THE STIGMA THAT THE FOOD BANK IS NOT FOR EVERYONE.

IF YOU NEED HELP, SEEK THAT HELP.

HUNGER HIDES.

THERE ARE COLLEAGUES, NEIGHBORS, CLASSMATES, TRYING YOUR BEST TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO NEED HELP AND LET THEM KNOW, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

WE HAVE A SITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE CLOSEST PANTRY TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> WHAT IS YOUR WEBSITE?

>> okfoodbank.org.

CLICK ON HELP, PUT IN YOUR ADDRESS, AND YOU CAN FIND THE PANTRY THAT IS CLOSEST TO YOUR HOUSE.

>> WE DO ALSO HAVE A PANTRY FINDER ON OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S regionalfoodbank.org.

FOOD IS FOUNDATIONAL.

IT IS OUR NEIGHBORS.

IT'S THE CHILDREN GOING TO CLASS WITH YOUR CHILDREN.

IT MAY BE THE TEACHER OR.

CUSTODIAL WORKER IN YOUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL.

FOOD IS FOUNDATIONAL.

EVERYONE DESERVES TO HAVE ACCESS TO ENOUGH FOOD TO LIVE AN ACTIVE LIFE, WHETHER YOU'RE A CHILD, WHETHER YOU'RE A SINGLE PARENT, WHETHER YOU'RE A TWO-PARENT HOUSEHOLD.

FOOD IS FOUNDATIONAL.

THAT'S WHY BOTH OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS EXIST.

WE BELIEVE IN THAT.

WE JUST APPRECIATE ALL THE SUPPORT THAT WE GET.

>> WE ARE NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF NEED.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE INSIGHT AND THE PERSPECTIVE YOU PROVIDED.

AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO SERVE ONE ANOTHER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>> YEAH, GREAT INFORMATION THERE.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE TRAVEL TO OLIVE BRANCH, MISSISSIPPI, HOME OF ONE OF THE BEST BONSAI NURSERIES IN THE COUNTRY.

AS YOU'LL SEE IN THIS REPORT FROM MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC TELEVISION, SOME PEOPLE TREAT THESE TREES LIKE PETS.

♪ >> WE'RE PROBABLY THE BIGGEST AND BEST PLACE AT HAVING BONSAI FROM TWO YEARS OLD TO 300 YEARS OLD.

THE END RESULT IS A TREE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS PLUCKED OUT OF NATURE.

THE MORE CHARACTER THEY HAVE, THE BETTER.

TECHNICALLY, IT'S THE -- IT'S -- YOU CAN BONSAI ANYTHING.

SO, IT'S THE TECHNIQUES YOU APPLY THAT MAKE IT A BONSAI.

SO, SOME TREES NATURALLY GROW THAT YOU COLLECT OUT OF THE WILD THAT ARE -- WILL BECOME A BONSAI.

AS A RULE, YOU HAVE TO APPLY BONSAI TECHNIQUES, LIKE, PUT A LITTLE PIECE OF WIRE ON IT, TRIM A BRANCH TO GROW IN A CERTAIN DIRECTION.

BONSAI, THE REAL GOOD BONSAI SIGH, ARE TREES WORKED ON BUT YOU DON'T NOTICE IT.

A COMBINATION OF GROWING, CLIPPING, YOU HAVE TO BE PATIENT.

IT TAKES A WHILE.

YOU DON'T DO IT OVERNIGHT.

IT'S TECHNIQUES AND KNOWING THOUSAND TO APPLY THEM, BASICALLY.

YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO LEARN WHAT MAKES A PLANT TICK FIRST.

THERE'S NO GOOD BONSAI UNLESS IT'S A LIVE BONSAI.

A LOT OF PEOPLE KIND OF GET THE CART AHEAD OF THE HORSE AND THEY WANT TO GET A NICE TREE, YET, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

TRYING TO EDUCATE PEOPLE TO GET THEM TO WHERE THEY UNDERSTAND, YOU NEED TO BEND TO A BONSAI, NOT A BONSAI BEND TO YOUR LIFESTYLE.

THEY ARE PETS, BASICALLY.

THEY ARE PETS.

YOU'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO THEM EVERY DAY.

YOU'VE GOT TO WATER THEM EVERY DAY.

IF YO U -- IF YOU ARE DOING THEM RIGHT, YOU HAVE TO FERTILIZE THEM WEEKLY.

YOU HAVE TO TRIM THEM.

THERE'S NEVER A DAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO THEM.

>> YOU GET ATTACHED TO THEM.

I MEAN, I KIND OF CALL IT LIKE A PET.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- YOU KNOW, ONCE YOU GET A TREE AND HAD IT 10 YEARS, YOU FEEL KIND OF RESPONSIBLE.

YOU DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, KILL IT.

♪ >> OH, THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL YOU CAN FIND AND BUY HERE IS WITHOUT EXCEPTION THE BEST THERE IS IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND IT'S ALL IN ONE SPOT.

THEN THE LEVEL OF INSTRUCTION THAT YOU CAN GET HERE IS AS GOOD AS IT GETS.

>> BONSAI IS A TECHNIQUE.

IT'S WHAT YOU DO TO A TREE, NOT ANY PARTICULAR KIND OF A TREE.

IT CAN BE A PINE, A JUNIPER, A MAPLE, ELM, FICUS.

YOU KNOW, THE FACT YOU CAN CONTROL THE GROWTH, CONTROL THE HABIT, AND CREATE A TREE OR A PIECE OF NATURE IN MINIATURE, OVER TIME, IT'S JUST PRETTY COOL.

♪ >> BONSAI IS NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU DO ONE TIME AND IT'S FINISHED.

IT'S THE LITTLE TINY THINGS YOU DO DAILY THAT MAKE IT WHAT IT IS.

YOU ADD -- IT JUST GETS BETTER OVER TIME IF YOU DO IT CORRECTLY.

>> IT TAKES ABOUT FIVE OR SIX YEARS TO MAKE A NICE, PRESENTABLE BONSAI.

TO ME, IT'S JUST A COOL WAY TO WATCH NATURE AND MATURE IN A FORM.

YOU CONTROL IT.

>> IT'S A VERY MEDITATIVE THING FOR ME.

IT'S DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.

BU I CAN SIT DOWN AND START WORKING ON A TREE IN THE MORNING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S IN THE AFTERNOON.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S ALL TAKEN PLACE IN SORT OF A QUIET, MEDITATIVE MOOD.

TO ME, IT'S A MEDITATIVE THING.

AND NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS AND WHERE THE TIME WENT AND BE CONTINUALLY WORKING ON THE TREES AND JUST HAVING A GREAT TIME.

♪ >> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," WE WILL DIG INTO OUR REPORTER NOTEBOOKS AND RECAP 2022.

JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

WE'LL SAY GOODBYE FOR NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE LIGHTING OF THE DEL CITY CHRISTMAS TREE PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY JASON DOYLE.

IF YOU ENJOY OUR NEWSCAST, ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.

I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE AND STAY TUNED TO O.E.T.A.

♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS ♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS ♪ ♪ RIGHT DOWN SANTA CLAUS LANE ♪ ♪ BELLS ARE RINGING ♪ ♪ CHILDREN ARE SINGING ♪ ♪ ALL IS MERRY AND BRIGHT ♪ ♪ SO HANG YOUR STOCKINGS AND SAY YOUR PRAYERS BECAUSE SANTA CLAUS COMES TONIGHT ♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS ♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS ♪ ♪ HEAR THOSE PLAY BELLS JINGLE JANGLE, OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT ♪ ♪ SANTA CLAUS COMES TONIGHT ♪♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS ♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS ♪ ♪ HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS RIGHT DOWN SANTA CLAUS LANE ♪ ♪ HE LOVES YOU JUST THE SAME ♪♪ CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM