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

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN HARD ON VIRTUALLY EVERYONE, AND SOME OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS WOULD LIKE TO USE FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP.

ESPECIALLY WE KNOW IT COMES TO THE CHILDREN AND -- WHEN IT COMES TO THE CHILDREN AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

AS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS PLAYED OUT, THE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS AMONG THE OKLAHOMA YOUTH HAS INCREASED.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPACTED CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY IN OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE SEEN INCREASING DEATHS BY SUICIDE AND DRUG OVERDOSES ACROSS THE POPULATION.

BUT WE HAVE SEEN THAT CHILDREN ARE PARTICULARLY IMPACTED.

>> THE INCREASING NEED HAS SPURRED THE JOINT COMMITTEE TO PROVE A PROJECT TO CREATE EMERGENCY MENTAL HEALTH BED SPACE FOR YOUTH AT OU CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT $7.5 MILLION.

>> SENATOR THOMPSON IS THE COCHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE, HE SAYS THE EMERGENCY BEDS ARE THE FIRST STEP IN THE PLAN TO BOLSTER HEALTH SERVICES IN THE STATE.

>> THE OVERALL PLAN, TO BRING THE CHILDREN IN AND THEY CAN STAY THERE FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

TO WORK WITH THE CHILDREN AND THE HOME AND THE PARENTS.

YOU HAVE A REALLY TROUBLED MENTAL HEALTH CHILD THAT IMPACTS THE ENTIRE FAMILY.

>> EVEN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, OKLAHOMA'S YOUTH WERE ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS.

>> THEY'RE ALREADY TROUBLED CHILDREN TO BEGIN WITH, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

THIS BECAME AN URGENT NEED.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> THAT'S A DIFFICULT QUESTION, THE CRISIS STARTED FAR BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TREND LINE, IT'S BEEN GOING UP FOR YEARS.

WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PANDEMIC IS AN INCREASE OF THE LEVELS.

WE SAW THAT TREND LINE SPIKE AND GO UP MUCH MORE SHARPLY THAN BEFORE.

>> THE PANDEMIC IS REVEALED SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN MENTAL HEALTH IN CHILDREN, THAT COULD LEAD TO OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ACCESS ISSUES.

>> YOU HAVE SEEN MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM STATEWIDE WITH SUICIDAL THOUGHTS.

THE HOSPITAL SYSTEMS ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM, SO MANY CHILDREN ARE COMING IN THE DOORS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISTRESS, SOMETIMES WE DON'T HAVE A BED FOR SOMEONE WITH THE VIRUS OF COVID-19 OR A BROKEN LEG OR SOME OTHER PHYSICAL CONDITIONS BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY KIDS IN THE HOSPITAL BEDS.

>> AND ADDING THAT REGULAR EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO HANDLE A MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY.

>> THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO GET APPROPRIATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE A TREATMENT SYSTEM THAT HANDLES TRAUMA THAT CONNECTS FAMILIES TO RESOURCES AND ONGOING CARE IN A WAY THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM DOES NOT.

>> THE CHILD ADVOCACY PRAISES IS MOVE TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR CHILDREN.

>> IF WE CAN GET THIS EARLY, ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT WE FACED IN THE PANDEMIC, THIS WILL HELP US LONG TERM, IT'LL HELP IN A GENERATIONAL WAY TO HELP THE KIDS NOW, WE WON'T FACE THE ISSUES WITH THEM AS ADULTS LATER ON DOWN THE ROAD.

>> HE AGREES IT'S IMPORTANT FIRST STEP TO IMPROVING LIVES.

>> WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING WITH THIS INVESTMENT, I'M CONVINCED THAT IT'LL GET US ON THE RIGHT PATH TO SEEING BETTER THINGS FOR THE STATE.

>> AFTER THE CRISIS, THERE'S FOLLOWUP CARE IN CONNECTION WITH ONGOING SERVICES.

WE FEEL THE FOLLOW UP CARE COMPONENTS AND THE LONG TERM NEEDS OF THE CHILDREN AND CHRONIC CONDITIONS, IS A MAJOR GAP.

WE DON'T HAVE THAT LEVEL OF CARE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> HE NOTES THAT THE TALKS WERE IN THE WORK.

>> I'M A HUGE PROPONENT OF MENTAL HEALTH.

OUR MOST SERIOUS CHILDREN ARE SENT OUT OF STATE.

WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING FOR OUR CHILDREN.

>> THE PUSH TO GO BEYOND THE CURRENT PROJECT, TO A WIDER POPULATION.

>> NOT ONLY THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL WE TALKED ABOUT, AND WE'RE LOOKING AT SOMETHING IN TULSA WITH THE NEW VA CENTER OR MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL BUILT THERE.

AND TALK TO OSU ABOUT ADULT MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCY ROOM BEDS.

>> AND WILL HE AGREES THAT IF A DISTRESSED CHILD CAN GET ACCESS TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED BEFORE THE SITUATION IS DIRE, IT'LL LEAD TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR THE CHILD.

>> IF WE'RE ABLE TO BRING THE CHILDREN ALONG -- NOW THEY CAN HAVE A QUALITY OF LIFE, THAT CHANGES LIVES AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT.

>> SENATOR THOMPSON EXPECTS THE GOVERNOR TO APPROVE USING THE FUND EVEN WITH MORE PROJECTS ADDRESSING THE ISSUE COMES UP FOR CONSIDERATION BEFORE THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

>>> SINCE THE MOVE, THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB HAS SEEN ITS FAIR SHARE OF TROUBLE.

WE SPOKE WITH THE PARTNER OKLAHOMA WATCH OF THE LAB'S ISSUES.

>> PAUL, TELL US WHAT KIND OF ISSUES HAVE DEVELOPED SINCE THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB MOVED TO STILLWATER EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THEY HAD A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT AND TO MOVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB, THAT WAS BASED AT THAT TIME IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE OLD LAB WAS MOVING THE EQUIPMENT AND TO NEW HEADQUARTERS, AND MOVE IT TO STILLWATER AND COMBINE IT WITH THE NEW PANDEMIC RESEARCH CENTER.

AND IT'S BEEN A BIT OF A ROCKY TRANSITION TO SAY THE LEAST.

WE TALKED TO SEVERAL FORMER EMPLOYEES WHO WERE AT THE LAB BEFORE AND AFTER THE MOVE, THEY NOTICED A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON.

THE LACK OF ELECTRICAL OUTLETS TO GET THE OFFICE BUILDING READY.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET WAS NOT UP TO SPEED, AND THEY FINALLY FIXED THAT, BUT ON THE WAY, TRANSITIONS WITH THE WORK FORCE, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T WANT TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO STILLWATER.

>> WHAT'S THE STATE DOING TO MAKE CHANGES BUT THE SUGGESTIONS OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES AFTER THE SURPRISE INSPECTION IN SEPTEMBER.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, INSPECTS THE PRIVATE HEALTH LABS, AN ANONYMOUS TIP.

THE FEDS CAME IN, SPENTS A COUPLE OF DAYS ON SITE.

FOUND A FEW THINGS, ALMOST A 40 PAGE REPORT THAT WAS PUT TO THE STATE, WE HAVE FOUND THESE THINGS WRONG, INCLUDING THE DELAYS IN COVID-19 TESTING, INCORRECT TEMPERATURE OF STORAGE OF SAMPLES, TO PROCESS FOR THE CAREERS -- SAMPLES TO THE LAB, SIMPLE STUFF NOT KEEPING UP WITH THE TRAINING.

>> IN THE MOVE THE LAB HAD TO OUT SOURCE THE TESTING, HOW DID THAT WORK OUT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, THEY DID EXPECT SOME TO BE OUT SOURCED WHEN YOU MOVE THE EQUIPMENT, YOU HAVE TO RECALIBRATE IT, THEY BUDGETED MONEY FOR THAT.

AND THEY SAID TOO, THEY FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE EXISTING PROCESSES FROM NUMEROUS SCREENING AND THAT WAS A BIG PROBLEM, A RED FLAG.

THEY SPENT A LOT OF MONEY FOR TESTING AND BROUGHT IT BACK IN THE SUMMER WITH ONE EXTRA TEST.

NOT AS MUCH AS EXPECTED WITH THE INCREASED TESTING THEY'LL DO, AND CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE EMPLOYEES TOO.

>> TWO MORE QUESTIONS, WHAT KINDS OF TESTS ARE IMPACTED BY THE CHANGES TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH LAB?

>> WE TALKED TO FORMER EMPLOYEES AND FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE TESTING SITE OUTSIDE OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND TALKED TO FOLKS ACTIVE IN SPECIAL HEALTH EDUCATION.

SINCE THE MOVE, THEY HAVE SEEN DELAYS FOR TESTS, AND OBVIOUSLILY, THAT'S A HIGH SENSITIVE THING.

AND WE ASKED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE TURN AROUND TIME AND THEY DIDN'T PROVIDE THAT TO US.

AND THEY DID SAY TRY TO TURN THEM AROUND IN SEVEN TO TEN DAYS.

AND THE FEDERAL REPORT SAYS THEY WERE NOT TRACKING ANY TURN AROUND TIME.

THEY'RE FINALLY MOVING BACK THE INLOUSE AGAIN, AND A TIME OF SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS.

>> AND FINALLY, IS THERE A COST TO THIS MOVE TO PRIVATIZE THE HEALTH LAB?

>> YES, THEY ANNOUNCED THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR, PRIVATIZE TO A NEW GROUP.

THIS WILL BE THE MANAGEMENT OF THE LAB AND THE PANDEMIC CENTER, AND MAKE MONEY HERE, AND THEY'VE PAID THE GROUP $1.7 MILLION FOR THE MANAGEMENT FEE.

AND HAVE THE DEPOSITORY UP AND RUNNING TO MAKE MONEY AND OFFER SERVICES TO OUTSIDE LABS.

THAT'S NOT GOING ON, IT'S BEEN A COST TO TRANSITION, AND THEY AVOW THAT'LL COME AT SOME POINT AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES GETTING IT UP AND RUNNING.

BUT THE END OF THE DAY, A LOT OF TURMOIL AND A LOT OF EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE LEFT THE INSTITUTION.

>> WE'LL KEEP OUR EYE ON IT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, OKLAHOMA IS WORKING ON WAYS TO KEEP AHEAD OF THE VIRAL OUTBREAKS.

AND SCIENTISTS ARE USING INTERESTING WAYS TO MONITOR THE OUTBREAKS.

WE EXPLAIN HOW IT WORKS.

>> OKLAHOMA RESEARCHERS CAN NOW PREDICT THE SURGES THANKS TO WASTE WATER.

SAYS THE SEWAGE SURVEILLANCE AND TESTING IS USEFUL TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE PATHOGENS.

>> WE HAD A SALMONELLA OUTBREAK HERE A MONTH AGO THAT WAS NATIONAL.

IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW IF WE HAD THE ABILITY TO TEST THAT, TO BE MORE PREPARED.

>> HE'S THE DISEASE EPIDEMIOLOGIST.

SHE SAYS ONE BENEFIT OF WASTE WATER SURVEILLANCE IS THEY DON'T NEED TO WAIT FOR THE HUMANS TO DEVELOP THE SYMPTOMS OR GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR TESTING.

>> WE CAN RECEIVE THE PATHOGENS IMMEDIATELY, AND WE HAVE TIMES EARLY WARNING OF SEVEN TO TEN DAYS.

>> EXPLAINS THE PROCESS OF A NEW VARIANT DISCOVERED.

>> WHEN SOMEONE DISCOVERS A NEW VARIANT, THE GENETIC CODE THAT BELONGS TO THAT VARIANT YOU DISCOVER IT AND SEND IT OUT, WHO HAS THE GENETIC CODE AND THEY CAN LOOK FOR IT.

THE HUMAN SAMPS.

>> BEFORE WE WERE FLYING BLIND WITH THE VIRAL OUTPUTS.

AND AT BEST, WE WERE THREE WEEKS BEHIND.

>> THEY'RE NOW ABLE TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE.

>> WHEN WE FIRST STARTED THIS, WE WERE DEALING WITH THE ORIGINAL STRAIN OF COVID-19.

AS SOON AS WE TRANSITIONED TO DELTA, THEY PICKED IT UP IMMEDIATELY.

>> OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS, THEY'VE SEEN AN INCREASE OF INFLUENZA AS THEY TEST FOR CAPABILITIES.

>> WE STARTED DOING IT THIS YEAR.

NOT MANY TEAM INS THE WORLD DOING THE SAME.

WE'RE INVENTING THIS NEW THING.

I WOULD SAY FOR THE TIME OF YEAR, WE EXPECT INFLUENZA TO EMERGING NOW.

>> THE FLU IS EXPECTED AROUND THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> WE START, THE LAST FEW YEARS WE STARTED WITH THE B TYPES OF FLU AND NOW TRANSITIONED TO A STRAINS OF FLU.

THAT'S GOING TO -- >> THIS KNOWLEDGE GIVES THE ABILITY TO SEE HOW HOSPITALS WILL BE AFFECTED GIVEN THE UNPREDICTABILITY OF COVID-19.

INCREASED FLU PATIENTS CAN PUT STRAIN ON THE SYSTEM.

IN JANUARY OF 2021, THE HIGHEST WAS -- AND WENT DOWN IN JUNE TO 121.

STAFFING WAS A PROBLEM AGAIN.

>> THE SECOND SURGE -- THIS WAS PROBABLY EVEN MORE DIFFICULT WE HAD LESS STAFF BEDS TO COPE WITH THE COVID-19 NUMBERS AT THAT TIME.

>> IF I CAN TELL YOU NEXT WEEK OUR FLU RATES WILL BE HIGHER AND WE'LL ASK PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED FOR THEIR OWN PROTECTION, IT'LL HAVE MORE MEANING THAN BY ITSELF.

>> TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF POSSIBLE OUTBREAKS SOONER.

>> WE'RE PART OF A BIGGER SYSTEM, THAT'S ALL OF THE HOSPITAL PUBLIC HEALTH WE ALL WORK TOGETHER WELL, ALL MESSAGE AND TRY TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC SO THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> WITHIN A FEW MORE WEEKS THE RESEARCH TEAM WILL TABULATE THE RESULTS FROM THE COLLECTED DATA.

>> WE CAN QUANTIFY THE CONCENTRATIONS AND WHEN WE HAVE A FEW MORE WEEKS OF DATA, WE'LL BE ABLE TO ASSOCIATE THE MEASURES OF THE VIRAL LOAD IN THE WASTE WATER WITH ACTUAL REPORTED CASE.

>> AND EXPECTED CASES IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

IN THE FALL AND WINTER, MORE RESPIRATORY OUTBREAKS, LIKE OVID AND -- THE MAIN ISSUE IS FIGURING OUT IF THE MEDICAL SYSTEM CAN HANDLE ALL OF THE VIRUSES AT THE SAME TIME.

THE VACCINATIONS FOR COVID-19 AND INFLUENZA SHOULD BE CONSIDERED.

WITH OVER 500 PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTY, OFFERING THE VAERNS, MORE THAN 1 MILLION DOSES HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

>> WE GET THE AVAILABILITY OF THE ANTIBODIES, THE AVAILABILITY OF VACCINES AND THE MEDICATION TO TREAT PEOPLE WHO GET THE VIRUS AND WHETHER THEY'RE VACCINATED OR NOT I THINK IT'LL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> FINISHED ANALYZING THE DATA, THE INFORMATION WILL THEN BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.

>> THANKS.

>>> AS WE LOOK AT HOW THE NUMBERS ARE DOING, A BIT OF GOOD NEWS.

OUR SEVEN DAY NEW CASE AVERAGE HAS DROPPED TO 977 THIS WEEK.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE TIPPED UP, AND 226 OF THEM IN ICU BEDS.

OVER THE PAST WEEK, WE'VE SEEN LESS THAN 200 DEATHS DUE TO COVID-19.

MIDWEEK, MORE THAN 56% OF THE ELIGIBLE POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

THE SOONER STATE HAS HISTORICALLY RANKED TO THE BACK OF THE PACK WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE OBESITY.

AND EDUCATION.

THE SOONER STATE ALSO LEADS THE NATION IN A CATEGORY THAT SHOULD MAKE PEOPLE PROUD.

>>> THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE TO PEOPLE IS WATER.

IT'S ONE OF THE BEST AT TAKING CARE OF THIS AVAILABLE RESOURCE.

>> WE HAVE ANYWHERE FROM 28,000 MILES TO 78,000 MILES OF STREAMS, DEPENDING ON THE SIZE, WHERE YOU WANT TO MAKE THE CUT OFF.

WE SAMPLE A LOT OF SIZE.

WE HAVE 250 REGULAR ROTATIONS IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WATER WE SAMPLE.

>> HE'S THE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSESSMENT FOR THE OKLAHOMA CONSERVATION COMMISSION.

TUESDAY AFTERNOON, A GROUP OF TECHNICIANS INCLUDING NATHAN CARTER CLIMBED DOWN IN WILLOW CREEK, IN CLEVELAND COUNTY.

AND COLLECTED TWO JUGS OF WILLOW CREEK WATER.

>> WE THINK OF IT AS A DOCTOR'S VISIT EVERY YEAR.

A WELLNESS CHECKUP.

ON THE STREAMS.

EVERYONE USES WATER.

WE USE IT FOR DRINKING, RECREATIONAL USE, INDUSTRIAL USE, AGRICULTURE USE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE CONDITION OF THE WATER IN THE AREA.

WE DO STREAMS FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, THIS IS A TYPICAL TIME.

>> HE'S MONITORING COORDINATOR.

WHEN CARTER AND DYER FILL THE JUGS, THEY GO TO THE LAB WHERE THE WATER IS CHECKED FOR NUTRIENTS FOR NITRATES AND PHOSPHOROUS.

>> THEY DO EVERY FIVE WEEKS, BACK TO THE SAME SITES, DO EVERY FIVE WEEKS, BACK AND DO THAT FOR TWO YEARS AND THEN ROTATE THROUGH THE RIVER BASINS EVERY FIVE YEARS.

DO THIS ONE AND THEN WE'LL BE BACK.

>> WE USE THE WATER EVERY DAY, EVERYONE NEEDS IT.

FOR ALL THE USES WE HAVE, AND WE NEED A HANDLE ON THE TRIM OF THE WATER AND WHERE WE'RE HEADED.

>> TO REHAB THE WATER SUPPLY, SEVERAL STATE AGENCIES AND PRIVATE LAND OWNERS HAVE HAD A HAND.

>> MOST FARMERS REALLY CARE ABOUT THE LAND, CARE ABOUT NEIGHBORS AND ALL OF IT, THIS IS THEIR LIVELY HOOD.

WHAT WE FIND BY DOING THE VISIT AND IS THE CONDITION OF THE WATER, WE CAN MAKE THAT KNOWN FOR THE LAND OWNERS AND MOST WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE THE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> OKLAHOMA IS A RURAL STATE.

THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION IS CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH FARMERS ON WAYS TO MINIMIZE THE WAYS OF ANIMAL WASTE, PASTURE MANAGEMENT IS ONE WAY.

FARMERS ALSO USE ROTATIONAL GRAZING.

>> WE HAVE A BIG BAG OF PRACTICES LOCALLY GUIDED BY THE LAND OWNERS, THAT'S OUR BIGGEST PARTNER AND BY THE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS.

THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND A GREAT PATTERN IN THE USDA, AS FEDERAL PARTNER IN THE COMMUNITIES.

>> JUST BECAUSE THERE'S CATTLE NEARBY, DOESN'T MEAN THE CREEK IS DIRTY.

>> NO, IT'S NOT, IF IT'S MANAGED PROPERLY, IT'S STILL A GOOD PRODUCTIVE STREAM WITH IT.

OR JUST THE RIGHT NUMBERS OF CATTLE PER ACRES.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING.

>> THERE ARE ALSO FEDERAL FINANCIAL INCENTIVES THAT FARMERS USE TO MAINTAIN A BUFFER BETWEEN THE AGRICULTURAL OPERATIONS AND NEARBY RIVERS, CREEKS AND STREAMS.

>> THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A GOOD, HEALTHY BUFFER BETWEEN A LIVESTOCK OPERATION AND THE 50 YARDS OR SO IT IS DOWN TO THE STREAM.

AND OKLAHOMA COMPARES WITH OTHER STATES WHEN IT COMES TO THE HEALTH OF THE RIVERS AND STREAMS.

THE SOONER STATE IS PROUD TO REPORT THIS YEAR, OKLAHOMA HAS 94 LESS POLLUTED STREAMS THAN THERE WERE BEFORE.

HE COMPILES ALL OF THE DATA.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK DIRECTLY TO HOW MANY IMPROVEMENTS THERE ARE IN OTHER STATES.

94 STREAMS ARE REMOVED FROM THE IMPAIRED WATER BODY LIST, THAT'S 138 INDIVIDUAL POLLUTANTS THAT WE DELISTED THE STREAMS FOR.

WE'RE IN THE TOP FEW, AND AGAIN, THAT'S A TESTAMENT TO OTHER PARTNERSHIPS WITH LAND OWNERS AND THOSE DOING THE WORK.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT IMPROVES THE BOTTOM LINE FOR THE PRODUCER, THEY GET TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT PRACTICES FIT BEST FOR THEIR OPERATION AND WE SEE THE RESULTS IN THE STREAM.

BETTER WATER QUALITY AS A RESULT OF THE PRACTICES.

>> THE CONSERVATION TECHNICIANS ALSO USE THE TYPES OF FISH THEY FIND TO HELP DETERMINE THE WATER QUALITY.

>>> INTERESTING STUFF, THANKS.

>>> IMAGINE DRIVING ON A SIX LANE TURNPIKE FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TULSA, THAT'S ONE OF THE IDEAS IN THE WORKS BY THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, THE OTA IS CONSIDERING A $5 BILLION, 15 YEAR PLAN TO EXPAND THE LANES ON THE TURNER.

COMPLETE THE EXPRESS WAY IN WEST TULSA, AND ADD ACCESS TO TURNPIKE POINTS FOR SMALLER TOWNS.

THE LONG RANGE PLAN IS HELP TO MODERNIZE THE TURNPIKE SYSTEM.

>>> SOME OF THE WORST TORNADO DEVASTATION, DOZENS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND ENTIRE COMMUNITIES ARE DEALING WITH CATASTROPHIC DAMAGES.

IN ARKANSAS, 200 HOMES WERE DAMAGED OR DESTROYED.

>>> IT'S EARLY IN THE PROCESS, BUT WE WORK WELL WITH THE DISASTER RELIEF TEAMS FROM ARKANSAS.

THEY CAME OUT, WHEN WE HAD THE ICE STORM BACK IN OCTOBER, THEY CAME OVER TO HELP US OUT, IT REALLY IS A WORK TOGETHER THAT WE DO.

WHATEVER ARKANSAS NEEDS WE'LL SEND IT TO THEM.

>> THE RELIEF DIRECTOR SAYS THE FIRST CREW ESTABLISHES A STATION AT THE LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH AND THEY'LL HELP TO CLEAR THE DEBRIS.

>>> THE DEADLINE FOR THE RELIEF FUND GRANT IS THIS MONDAY.

IT'LL DIVIDE UP TO HELP ADDRESS THINGS TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

THIS ROUND OF GRANTS FUNDED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS EXPECTED TO BE AWARDED NO LATER THAN JANUARY 31.

>>> THE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MANUFACTURER BILL, IT BELIEVES IT'LL BUILD MORE CARS THAN PREVIOUSLY EXPECTED.

MORE DETAILS IN THIS OKLAHOMA REVIEW.

>>> IT'LL SHIFT THE PRODUCTION FROM EUROPE TO ARKANSAS AND THEN TO OKLAHOMA.

A MEGAMICRO FACTORY IN PRYOR, THAT'S EXPECTED TO BE ONLINE IN LATE 2023, THE COMPANY BELIEVES TO PRODUCE 3,000 TO 6,000 VEHICLES NEXT YEAR.

>>> THE TWO COMPANIES MERGE TO HELP THE DISTRIBUTION THROUGH AREAS LIKE THE BASIN AND TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO.

THE CLASSROOM COMPUTER HARDWARE, A NEW CENTER THAT'LL PROVIDE THE LOCAL PICK UP AND REPAIR FOR NEARBY SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS FOR GOOGLE CHROME BOOK.

AND USED IN SEVERAL CLASSROOMS IN THE STATE.

THERE'S 20 NEW JOBS IN THE AREA, WITH PLANS TO HIRE MORE IN 2022.

>>> STARTING ON JANUARY 1, THE MINIMUM WAGE IS 18.50 AN HOUR FOR FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

SINCE THEN, HOBBY LOBBY HAS RAISED WAGES 12 TIMES.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUM HAS PURCHASED TEXAS SMALL BATCH WHISKEY DISTILLERY TO BECOME A PART OF HIS COMPANY.

CURRENTLY, THE WHISKEYS ARE AVAILABLE IN RESTAURANTS AND LIQUOR STORES.

HE PLANS TO UP-- SEVERAL TEAM MEMBERS INCLUDING THE FOUNDER AND HEAD DISTILLER, WILL STAY ON WITH DRY COUNTY DISTILLERIES AS PART OF THE DEAL.

>>> OSU IS CREATING A $50 MILLION GIFT THE CONTINENTAL RESOURCES FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN IS DONATING 25 MILLION FROM HIS FOUNDATION, AND THE COMPANY IS DONATING THE OTHER 25 MILLION.

IT'LL HOST SPEAKERS, AND OTHER GLOBAL ENERGY CONVERSATIONS TO INSPIRE OPPORTUNITY FOR INNOVATION IN THE OIL AND NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY.

>> THIS WILL BRING LEADERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

NONPARTISAN, EVERYONE COUNTS.

ALL INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING AND ACADEMIC ALL THE BEST IDEAS FOR THE COLLECTIVE GOOD.

>> THE HAMM INSTITUTE WILL HOUSE THE HALL OF ENERGY LEGEND INTERACTIVE MUSEUM AS WELL.

>>> FOOD COST INCREASES AND SUPPLY CHAIN DELAYS MAY HAVE CAUSED YOU TO RETHINK YOUR HOLIDAY RECIPE.

BUT THOSE AFFECTED BY FOOD ISSUES ARE THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT THE LEAST.

>>> THE SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE CAUSING THE FOOD BANK DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TO LEAP HURDLES TO PROVIDE TO THOSE ONE IN SIX FACING FOOD INSECURITY.

>> THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF MATERIALS AND ACCESS, A SHORTAGE OF SEMI TRUCK DRIVERS.

>> IT LEAVES NONPROFITS LIKE REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA AND COMMUNITY FOOD BANK OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA, TO DEAL WITH OBSTACLES WHILE STILL TRYING TO FEED OKLAHOMAENS IN NEED.

>> THE NEED FOR FOOD IN OKLAHOMA RISING, IT'S BEEN ON THE DECLINE FOR YEARS, BUT ONCE THE PANDEMIC HIT, CHANGED EVERYTHING.

>> NEARLY 600,000 OKLAHOMAENS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY FOOD TO ALLOW THEM TO LIVE AN ACTIVE AND HEALTHY LIFE.

>> WE ALWAYS SEE AN UPTICK IN THE WINTER MONTHS.

SEASONAL, OR IT COULD BE A NUMBER OF THINGS.

WE ALWAYS SEE AN INCREASE OF NEED THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> NOBODY WANTS TO SEE THEIR NEIGHBORS GO HUNGRY IN THE HOLIDAYS.

ALL OF THE AGENCIES WE WORK WITH, ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF FOOD THEY PROVIDE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> BUT INCREASING THE AMOUNT OF FOOD CAN BE DIFFICULT WHEN THE NONPROFITS ARE NOT RECEIVING THE USUALLY DONATIONS.

>> WITH THAT, A LOT LESS OF THE LARGE SCALE FOOD DONATIONS, AND FEEDING AMERICA HAS A SOLICITOR WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR GETTING DONATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THEY'VE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB.

BUT WITH MANUFACTURING THE WAY IT IS, AND THE MORE GINS AS TYING -- MARGINS AS TIGHT, WE'RE GETTING LESS OF THE LARGE SCALE DONATIONS.

>> WE'RE PURCHASING 15% COMPARED TO 10% OF THE INVENTORY.

>> THIS COMES AT A TIME THAT FOOD PRICES ARE 25 TIMES HIGHER THAN LAST YEAR.

>> COSTS ARE DEFINITIVELY GOING UP, THE ABILITY TO BUY THINGS, BUYING LESS WITH THE SAME AMOUNT.

>> IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE'RE PAYING DOUBLE IF NOT TRIPLE FOR FREIGHT.

>> THE DISTRIBUTION CENTERS TAKE THE BRUNT OF THE COST ISSUES, THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO ADJUST.

>> BECAUSE OF THE PARTNERSHIPS, WE'RE WORKING WITH THEM CONSTANTLY TO DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> ST. LUKE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, WITH MEALS ON WHEELS PROGRAM, HAVE TO CHANGE THE MENU FOR MEAL DELIVERIES.

>> WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE IN THAT RESPECT THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD TO SAY, WE CAN'T SERVE MEALS TODAY, IT'S MORE OF JUST CHANGING THE PLANS AND BEING FLEXIBLE TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE NEEDS THAT WE STILL HAVE.

>> ALTHOUGH THE GROUP PREPARED FOR ANTICIPATED DELAYS, THE MATERIAL SHORTAGE HAS SHAKEN UP THE PROGRAM.

>> WE HAVE SERVED THE MEALS IN THE FOIL CONTAINER WITH A LID, THAT'S EASY TO TRANSPORT.

IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT TO GET THEM AS OF LATE.

WE WERE TOLD THEY WERE TOTALLY UNAVAILABLE.

WE HAVE TO CHANGE HOW WE DO THE FAMILY MEALS.

INSTEAD OF PREPARING IT COMPLETELY AND GIVE IT TO THE CLIENTS WHO COME OFTEN BY FOOT TO PICK THEM UP.

>> THE NONPROFIT IS DETERMINED TO NOT LET THE DELAYS AND SHORTAGES AFFECT THE FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS SIGNED UP FOR MEALS ON WHEELS OR THE MOBILE MARKET TRUCK.

>> THE CLIENTS THAT WE ADD TO OUR LIST, THEY CONTINUE TO GET MEALS.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE OPERATE.

>> THE NEXT NOT AND DETERMINATION IS THE -- FLEXABILITY AND DETERMINATION IS THE KEY IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE, AND WE'RE WORKING HARD FOR THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO NEED THE HELP.

>> THEY SPEND THEIR DAYS KEEPING UP WITH THE INVENTORY, AND FINDING WAYS IF WE'RE UNABLE TO ACCESS THIS, WE'LL ACCESS THIS OTHER ITEM AND MAINTAINING THE INVENTORY OPTIONS.

>> IF YOU NEED HELP WITH FOOD ASSISTANCE, CALL 211 TO BE CONNECTED TO SERVICES IN YOUR AREA.

>>> THANKS.

AND OKLAHOMA'S BEEF INDUSTRY IS DEALING WITH INFLATION PRESSURES LIKE OTHER INDUSTRIES IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT THE EXPORTS ARE HELPING TO KEEP THE PRODUCERS GOING STRONG.

OKLAHOMA EXPORTS A LOT OF THE BEEF PRODUCT, BOTH OVERSEAS AND TO OUR NEIGHBORS IN THE SOUTH.

>> BY VOLUME, MEXICO IS THE LEADING DESTINATION AND WE SHIP A LOT OF -- THEY LIKE THE VARIETY MEATS.

WE EXPECT IT TO BUST THROUGH RECORDS INTO 2022.

>> 14% OF THE BEEF SUPPLY IS EXPORTED TO OVERSEAS MARKET.

>>> IT'S NO SECRET THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO HIRE.

THE WORK FORCE IS NOT LARGE ENOUGH YET TO KEEP DANGEROUS CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS.

SUSAN CADOT AND GUESTS DISCUSS WHAT'S DONE NOW TO ALLEVIATE THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER SHORTAGE.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION, SO WE'LL DIVE RIGHT IN.

WE HAVE JUSTIN WALL, THE CHIEF MOVRT OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS, AND BOBBY CLEVELAND, OF THE PROFESSIONAL GROUP, AND KAITLYN ROSS, A CRIMINAL JUSTICE REPORTER FOR THE CONTENT PARTNERS AT OKLAHOMA WATCH.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

>> JUSTIN, A NEW PROPOSAL TO GAIN MORE, WHAT'S THE PROPOSAL AND WHY DO YOU NEED IT?

>> DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS ABSOLUTELY STAFFING.

PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THAT, WE ASKED THE LEGISLATURE TO CARRY THE LEGISLATION TO HIRE 18 AND 19-YEAR-OLD.

THE STATUTES ONLY ALLOW 20 AND OLDER.

ESPECIALLY NOW, WHEN HIRING IS SO DIFFICULT FOR EVERYONE, CORRECTIONS IS NOT INCLUDED FROM THAT, AND TRADITIONALLY WE HAVE THE HIRING CHALLENGES.

>> UP TO THIS POINT, WHAT HAS BEEN THE PREREQUISITES OF THIS JOB, AND WHAT WILL YOU KEEP IN PLACE?

AS YOU LOOK TO BROADEN THE POOL OF CANDIDATES FOR WORK.

>> WE STILL REQUIRE GED, AND ALL OF THE STUDENTS TO GO THROUGH TRAINING ONCE THEY'RE HIRED ON, AND GO THROUGH THE ACADEMY.

BUT WE'RE TRYING TO ADJUST THE STARTING AGE TO 18 AND 19.

COLORADO HAS AN OLDER HIRING AGE, THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE STEP AND THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF EFFORTS TO ASSIST THE CURRENT CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS WITH ADDITIONAL COWORKERS.

WE RECENTLY STARTED A SIGN ON INCENTIVE FOR NEW EMPLOYEES, WHO SIGN ON IN THOSE POSITIONS.

WHO ARE FEELING THE PINCH OF THE STAFFING CHALLENGES ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

THOSE ARE THE EFFORTS THAT WE'RE DOING ALREADY.

>> WHAT'S YOUR REACTION TO THIS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, I'LL ANSWER THE LAST QUESTION, THE DOLLAR 50 INCREASE THEY WERE TO GET, HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN TO ALL OF THE FACILITIES AT ALL.

THAT'S MISLEADING, AND SECOND OF ALL, THE 18 AND 19-YEAR-OLDS, IT'S AN IDEAL, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT IT.

WHAT POSITIONS WILL THEY DO?

WHEN YOU SAY THEY'RE NOT INVOLVED IN THE INMATES, THAT LEAVES ONE POSITION, POSITION OF RUNNING THE X-RAY MACHINES OR THE CHECK IN MACHINES.

THAT TAKES TWO PEOPLE, ONE PERSON NORMALLY, WHERE WILL YOU PUT THE 18 AND 19-YEAR-OLDS.

>> JUSTIN -- >> IT'S NOT A POST WHERE THEY WOULD NOT BE IN CONTACT WITH INMATES.

BUT THEY WOULDN'T BE [INAUDIBLE].

WE'D BE CREATING A NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION AS PART OF THIS HIRING INITIATIVE WE'RE ASKING FOR, SO PUTTING THE 18 AND 19-YEAR-OLDS IN A NEW JOB CLASSIFICATION SO NOT PLACED IN SENSITIVE POSTS AND AVAILABLE TO ASSIST THE CURRENT CORRECTIONAL OFFICER STAFFING.

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL CAREER PROGRESSION THAT'S AVAILABLE TO THE STAFF.

MANY OF THE WARDENS STARTED OFF AS CORRECTIONAL OFFICER.

WHEN WE HAVE THE AGE LIMIT AT 20 YEARS OLD, WE'RE TELLING A PERSON THEY NEED TO GET TWO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND THEN GIVE UP THE LONGEVITY AND THE EXPERIENCE AND THEN COME TO CORRECTIONS.

>> WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?

>> SOMEWHAT A TREND IN CORRECTIONS, WE HAVE SEEN STATES JUSTIN MENTIONED NEARBY STATES LIKE TEXAS AND KANSAS AND NEW MEXICO, AND ALSO PLACES LIKE ARIZONA AND FLORIDA HAVE LOWERED THEIR MINIMUM HIRING AGE OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

AND OF COURSE, THE -- TOWARD GETTING NEW STAFF, AND TRYING TO KEEP THEM PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

THE CORRECTIONS, WITH THE TOUGH INDUSTRY TO KEEP PEOPLE AND HIRE PEOPLE ON, THAT'S EXACERBATED AS IN OTHER INDUSTRIES.

THAT'S BEEN TRUE IN CORRECTIONS AS WELL.

I WAS NOT ABLE TO IDENTIFY RESEARCH OR TRENDS, NOTABLE EXAMPLES OF IF YOU LOWER THE MINIMUM HIRING AGE, YOU PUT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF PEOPLE AT RISK.

ON A SIMILAR NOTE, STILL A RELATIVELY NEW TREND IN A LOT OF PLACES LOWERING THE MINIMUM HIRING AGE IN HOPES OF GETTING MORE WORKERS.

>> CORRECTIONS BEEN A LIFELONG CAREER FOR YOU?

>> NO, MA'AM, I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED FOR 15 YEARS.

I LIVE CLOSE TO THE PRISONS, AND I KNOW A LOT OF OFFICERS AND I GREW UP WITH GUYS THERE WHO WORK AT THE PRISON.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SOMETHING HERE.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE, GAVE DOC $8 MILLION, AND WE USED TO HIRE NEW EMPLOYEES, THEY GAVE $2,500 BONUS AND STIPEND FOR ALL CORRECTION OFFICER.

AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE THIS.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE -- TO ALL OF THE OFFICERS AS PLANNED.

REPRESENTATIVE AND I MET WITH LEADERSHIP YESTERDAY AND THEY'RE CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE DOC MAKES IT SO CONFUSING.

WE'RE ALL -- PUT IT AT 80% STAFF AND THEN THEY HAVE THE PHONY NUMBERS THEY COME UP WITH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE THEY HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAN THEY HAVE.

>> WHEN YOU SAY ON PINS, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> IT'S WHEN THEY MOVE PEOPLE AROUND, AND THEY SAY THAT IT MAKES IT LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE MORE PEOPLE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE.

AND THERE'S PEOPLE THERE THAT ARE 80%, NOT 80% STAFF IS GETTING THE 1.50 RAISE, STIPEND.

THEY'VE NOT FULFILLED THE OBLIGATION.

HAD THEY FILLED IT, IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS WE'VE LOST OFFICERS, LOSING PEOPLE RIGHT AND LEFT.

IT'S GOING BACKWARD.

>> JUSTIN, DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO THAT?

>> I WOULD LOVE TO SPEAK TO THAT, AND I APPRECIATE BRINGING UP THE ISSUE.

RECRUITMENT IS A PIECE OF THE PUZZLE AND SO IS RETENG OF THE CURRENT -- RETENTION OF THE CURRENT STAFF.

PART OF WHAT WE'VE DONE IS STAFFING ANALYSIS, WITH THE INTENT OF GOING THROUGH THE FACILITIES.

THAT'S BEEN DONE, THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS HAVE TOLD PEOPLE WE NEED MORE OFFICERS, THAT WE HAVE STAFFING ISSUES, BUT NOT AN OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENT BEHIND THE CLAIMS.

TO PUT THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND PENCIL TO NUMBERS TO SHOW WHAT WE NEED WHERE.

THAT'S NOT SPECIFIC AS WE NEED TO GET, AS WE LOOK AT DIFFERENT FACILITIES, WITH DIFFERENT STRUCTURES, AND THE STAFFING ANALYSIS DONE EARLY NEXT YEAR, WILL ILLUMINATE THE STAFFING NEEDS, THAT'S DONE FROM THE ACA, AND THAT'LL ALLOW US TO OBJECTIVELY LOOK AT THE NUMBERS WE NEED.

AGAIN, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STAFFING, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CRITICAL POSTS, THAT'S THE NUMBERS OR METRICS THAT WE USE WE'RE NOT JUST HIRING STAFF, BUT WHERE WE NEED THEM TO ASSIST THE OFFICERS ON THE GROUND.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE OVERALL SITUATION, THE PAY, THE CONCERNS THUS FAR.

HAVE YOU LOOKED INTO THAT?

WHAT'S THE PAY LOOK LIKE COMPARED TO OTHER STATES IN THE REGION?

DO YOU HAVE ANSWERS FOR THOSE?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD SPEAK TO EVERY SINGLE STATE THAT BORDERS OKLAHOMA.

THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS STARTS OFF AT 15.74 AN HOUR.

AND AFTER A YEAR, THERE'S AN INCREMENTAL RAISE.

A DOLLAR EVERY SIX MONTHS.

I GUESS ONE EXAMPLE IS TEXAS.

THEY'RE STARTING OFF AT $18 AN HOUR.

SO CERTAINLY, ORIGINALLY, NOT QUITE THE LEVEL OF TEXAS, AND WE ARE A PAY RAISE A FEW YEARS AGO TO GET IT UP TO 15.74 AN HOUR, BUT WE HAVE SEEN INFLATION GO UP, PEOPLE ARE FEELING THE PINCH, AND GETTING GROCERIES AND FILLING UP GAS TANK AND IS ALL OF THAT.

OBVIOUSLY IS 15.74 AN HOUR MAY BE NOT AS COMPETITIVE AS A FEW YEARS AGO, AND WE'RE SEEING MORE RETAILERS AND RESTAURANTS AND INDUSTRIES LIKE THAT COMPETING WITH 15, 16 DOLLARS AN HOUR.

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR INCREASED SALARIES FOR STAFF.

>> SO BOBBY, KIND OF EXPLAIN TO FOLKS, WHAT'S ENTAILED IN BEING A CORRECTIONS OFFICER?

WHAT KIND OF RISK, WHAT KIND OF INTENSITY ON THE JOB IS THERE.

IT'S NOT AN EASY JOB, I'M GUESSING.

>> FIRST, YOU CAN PUT A LIPSTICK ON A PIG, YOU STILL GOT A PIG.

THE MONEY THAT WE GAVE, THE REPRESENTATIVE AND HOUSE, GAVE TO THE DOC, WAS FOR RETENTION OF THE CURRENT CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS, WHICH WE HAVE TO -- I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MUCH I ADMIRE THE OFFICERS.

BUT WE'RE NOT USING THE MONEY TO GET THE MONEY TO THE OFFICERS AS STATED.

I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.

>> LET ME STOP YOU THERE.

JUSTIN, WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THAT MONEY?

SPECIFICALLY.

>> THAT WAS $8 MILLION AND SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED BY THE LEGISLATURE TO BE USED TO INCREASE THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER INMATE RATIO STATEWIDE.

THAT IS WHAT THE MONEY IS GOING FOR.

THE SIGN ON BONUS AND THE PAID DIFFERENTIAL.

THE NUMBERS ARE TRENDING DOWN AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'RE WORKED ON, ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> THE NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN IT, AMOUNT OF STAFF WE HAVE IS GOING DOWN.

>> THE NUMBERS ARE GOING DOWN AS WE'RE TRYING TO RECRUIT IN THIS TIME, FRANKLY RECRUITMENT IS AN ISSUE FOR EVERYONE.

>> THE PAY INCREASE ARE NOT IN PLACE YET?

>> THEY'RE BEING PUT IN PLACE NOW, WE'RE SEEING THE PROCESSES IN PLACE THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING CURRENTLY.

>> LET ME ADDRESS SOMETHING.

THERE'S STILL -- LAST SESSION, THE $8 MILLION, WE'RE LOSING, WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE EVERY DAY.

WE HAVE LOST OVER 100 PEOPLE AT DOC CORRECTION OFFICERS, IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS, OVER 100 OFFERS.

WE HAD FOUR SHOW UP TO ONE OF THE LARGEST PRISONS YESTERDAY.

WE HAVE A KNIFING IN NORTH FORK.

>> IS THERE SOMETHING NEW YOU'RE HEARING RIGHT NOW?

>> NO, I STARTED AT THIS JOB 18 MONTHS AGO, AND THAT'S A CONSTANT FROM BOBBY AND A FEW CORRECTIONS OFFICERS THAT REACHED OUT TO ME.

IT'S JUST THAT OUR STAFFING AND A LOT OF FACILITIES AS WELL, THERE'S CONCERN OF INCIDENTS OR THINGS POPPING UP.

THERE ARE NOT THAT MANY OFFICERS ON THE GROUND.

>> SO, JUSTIN, A DOC OFFICIALS GATHER AROUND THE TABLE AND TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES RAISED RIGHT NOW, I AM SURE IT'S NOT THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO FIX THE ISSUES.

ARE THERE OBSTACLES THAT YOU BESIDES LOWERING THE AGE THAT YOU'RE FACING?

>> THE RECRUITMENT RETENTION CHALLENGE IS CONSISTENT, AND EVERYONE IS DEALING WITH THAT RIGHT NOW.

WE'RE NOT EXEMPT FROM THAT.

ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE SEE IS WE'RE NOT ABLE TO START PEOPLE IN A CAREER OF CORRECTIONS WHEN THEY'RE ADULTS.

THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO SERVE THE COUNTRY, TO VOTE AND WORK AT COUNTY JAILS BUT NOT ALLOWED TO START THEIR CAREERS HERE.

WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THE RECRUITMENT ADDITION, THE SIGN ON BONUSES, WE'RE STARTING THESE PROCESSES IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE'RE TAKING VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> BOBBY, ANY WAY THAT FOLKS CAN GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION OF THE STATE PRISON.

>> GO TO THE DOC WEBSITE.

THEY HAVE GREAT BENEFITS.

THE DOC IS A GOOD PLACE TO WORK IF THEY MAKE IT WORK, IT'S NOT WORKING NOW.

THERE'S NOT ONE PRISON OUT THERE THAT'S 80% STAFFED.

NOT ONE.

>> WE'RE AT TIME, THIS WAS A ROBUST DISCUSSION AND I HOPE IT PROMPTS MORE INVESTIGATION ON EVERYONE, I KNOW YOU'RE ON IT.

AND WE'LL BE AS WELL.

I CAN THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME TO EDUCATE THE VIEWERS OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SUSAN AND GUESTS THANK YOU.

EXPANDING THE MATERNITY AND LEAVE -- IS STILL TO BE DEBATED IN THE U.S. SENATE.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW WE LOOK HOW A SIMILAR PROGRAM IS WORKING IN NEW JERSEY.

>> SHE RETURNED TO WORK TWO MONTHS AFTER HAVING HER BABY.

SHE COULD HAVE USED THE FULL 12 WEEKS.

>> WHEN I WENT BACK TO WORK, IT WAS HARD.

YOU WANT TO BE WITH YOUR BABY FOR SIX MONTHS, AND I WAS TRYING TO BREAST FEED AND RECOVER FROM A TRAUMATIC BIRTH.

BUT I COULDN'T.

>> NEW JERSEY IS THE SECOND STATE TO OFFER THE PAID LEAVE.

AND THE PROGRAM EXPANDED.

THEY CAN GO UP TO 12 WEEKS TO TAKE OFF.

MANY WHO NEED IT, SAY THE DELAYED PAYMENTS OFTEN LIMIT THEIR ABILITY TO TAKE THAT TIME.

>> I'VE HAD MOMS NOT -- THEY'VE BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR THREE OR FOUR MONTHS.

>> IT'S GREAT WE'RE ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT HAVE THE OPTION.

THERE'S A LOT MORE WORK TO DO.

YOU APPLY AND IT CAN TAKE WEEKS, IT TOOK ME FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS TO GET THE FIRST PAYCHECK.

>> PAYMENT DELAYS IS ONE OF THE CONCERNS LAID OUT.

THEY LOOK AT HOW ACCESSIBLE THE PROGRAM IS.

>> THE APPLICATION HAS QUESTIONS ON IT.

FOLKS ROUTINELY FIND CONFUSING.

AND WE TALK TO EMPLOYERS, WE LEARN THAT SOME EMPLOYERS WERE NOT AWARE OF THE EXPANSION OF PAID FAMILY LEAVE.

>> ONLY 53% OF THE PEOPLE KNOW OF THE LAW AND WHAT IT OFFERS.

AND THOSE WHO DO KNOW, TEND TO BE HIGHER WAGE EARNERS.

>> LOWER INCOME WORKERS HAVE LESS AWARENESS OF THE POLICY.

THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM.

IT HAS THE MORE POTENTIAL FOR THE LOWER INCOME WORKERS.

>> A SPOKESPERSON TOLD US, THEY'VE TAKEN SEVERAL STEPS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCESS THE BENEFITS.

AND TO IMPROVE AWARENESS AND ACCESS OF THE PROGRAMS AMONG OUR MOST UNDERSERVED WORKERS.

WE HAVE A TOOL KIT AND ENGAGED IN A MULTILINGUAL CAMPAIGN.

>> THERE'S FUNDING TO BE GOING OUT TO GRANTS AND CONTRACTS TO COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND IT COULD INCLUDE EMPLOYER GROUPS.

THAT MONEY IS STILL NOT RELEASED, AND SO I THINK THAT COULD GO A LONG WAY TO RAISING AWARENESS.

>> AFTER HER DIFFICULT CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE, AND NOW HELPS OTHERS THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO THE STATE.

>> TO MAKE THIS A SIMPLE PROCESS.

>> ALLOW MORE TIME.

RIGHT NOW THEY GIVE UP TO 14 DAYS BEFORE YOU'RE EXPECTED TO LEAVE YOUR JOB.

TO PROCESS THE PAPER WORK.

THAT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH TIME FOR NEW MOMS.

>> IT SHOULD BE MORE OF ELECTRONIC.

THERE'S OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE WAITING, AND CAN'T FIND THE PHONE NUMBER TO CALL OR E-MAIL.

>> HAVING ACCESS TO THE ACCOUNT AUDZ OF BUSINESS -- OUTSIDE OF BUSINESS HOURS, WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE LESS STRESSOR IN THE EARLY WEEKS OF BEING A NEW MOM.

>>> ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, WE LOOK BACK AT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE STORIES OF THE YEAR INCLUDING HOW OKLAHOMA TOPS THE BARBECUE SCENE AND HOW THE MUSEUM IS GETTING A NEW LEASE ON LIFE.

>>> AND WE LEAVE YOU A BOULDER COMPETITION AS PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED, FROM ALL OF US, STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND AS ALWAYS, STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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