♪ >> NEW LAWMAKERS VOW TO BRING NEW IDEAS TO STATE GOVERNANCE.

>> BEING YOUNG, BEING LATINO.

>> WILL SPORTS BETTING IN OKLAHOMA CASINOS FINALLY BECOME A REALITY IN THE NEW YEAR.

>> I'VE SEEN ESTIMATES WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMANS REGULAR PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS BETTING IN ONE MEASURE OR ANOTHER.

>> NATIVE FASHION IS REESTABLISHING ITSELF IN AMERICAN CULTURE.

>> EVERYTHING THAT HAS BECOME A TEMPORARY NATIVE ART STYLE STARTED WITH US BEAUTIFYING OUR EVERYDAY ITEMS.

>> AN EXPANDED CLINIC OPENS TO OFFER ADDITIONAL FREE CARE FOR THE GRIEF-STRICKEN.

>> I CANNOT EVEN EXPLAIN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ME TO BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO JUST GET IT.

>> PLUS, AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION HOW TO COPE WITH HOLIDAY DEPRESSION NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE WILL BEGIN WORKING NEXT FEBRUARY.

WHILE REPUBLICANS RETAIN SUPER MAJORITIES IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE, NEW FACES REPRESENTING BOTH PARTIES TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE IN OKLAHOMA CITY BACK ON SEPTEMBER 16th.

WITH MORE ON WHO THEY ARE AND THE FACTORS THAT LED TO THEIR ELECTION, WE'RE JOINED BY CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE.

JASON?

>> Reporter: RICH, I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET SIX OF OUR NEW LEGISLATORS THIS WEEK.

WHILE THEIR PATHS ARE VERY DIFFERENT, THEY DO LAND AT THE SAME POINT, THE STATE CAPITOL.

♪ >> Reporter: MUSIC AND ADVOCACY HAS BEEN PART OF NORMAN REPRESENTATIVE'S JARED DECK'S LIFE FOR A WHILE.

>> I'M A TOURING SINGER/SONGWRITER, A BUSINESS OWNER, HAD RETAIL BUSINESSES BEFORE THAT.

YOU KNOW, I'M JUST -- I'M SOMEBODY WHO HAS DONE THE WORK ON THE GROUND WITH A BACKGROUND IN ORGANIZING AND PUBLIC ADVOCACY WORK.

HE WON THE SEAT PREVIOUSLY HELD BY EMILY VIRGIN WHO WAS TERM-LIMITED.

HE'S ALREADY LOOKING TO GET TO WORK ON AN ISSUE IMPACTING THE WHOLE STATE, NOT JUST HIS DISTRICT.

>> I'D SAY THAT THE ISSUES THAT I'M LOOKING TO WORK ON ARE INTERSECTING ISSUES THAT INTERSECT ACROSS COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST MINE.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COME OUT OF OUR INCARCERATED SYSTEMS END UP IN EMERGENCY ROOMS WITHIN THREE MONTHS.

>> Reporter: ATTORNEY AND ARMY VETERAN COLLIN DUEL IS THE NEW REPRESENTATIVE FOR HOUSE DISTRICT 31 IN GUTHRIE.

>> THERE'S KIND OF A PHRASE THAT WE USED IN THE MILITARY, WHETHER IT WAS CLEANING THE CHOW HALL OR CLEANING UP SHOOTING RANGES AFTER WE WERE DONE SHOOTING, WE ALWAYS WANTED TO LEAVE A PLACE BETTER THAN WE FOUND IT, AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO IN HOUSE DISTRICT 31.

>> Reporter: DUEL IS A PRO-LIFE SUPPORTER AND FEELS THE U.S. SUPREME COURT'S DECISION TO OVERTURN ROE V. WADE WAS THE RIGHT ONE.

>> BEING AN ATTORNEY, I WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE DOBBS CASE.

I THINK THE SUPREME COURT GOT IT RIGHT.

ABORTION IS A STATE ISSUE.

THERE'S NO CONSTITUTIONAL GUARANTEE TO AN ABORTION.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE AMANDA SWOPE, THE NEW HOUSE MEMBER FROM TULSA'S DISTRICT 71, DISAGREES.

SHE SAYS, WHILE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, PEOPLE WOULD BRING UP THE ABORTION ISSUE TO HER.

>> I HAD A 70-YEAR-OLD MAN ASK ME ON THE DOOR HOW I FELT ABOUT ABORTION, AND I'M NOT GOING TO LIE TO HIM.

YOU KNOW, I SAID, YEAH, I'M PRO-CHOICE, THAT'S SOMETHING I SUPPORT.

HE SAID, ME TOO.

YOU GOT MY VOTE.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE ISSUES SWOPE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ON IN HER NEW ROLE IS MAKING SURE OKLAHOMA WOMEN GET THE HELP THEY NEED IN A TIME OF CRISIS.

I WAS THE FIRST WOMAN IN MY FAMILY TO NOT BE A TEEN MOTHER, SO I THINK CONTINUING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND MAKE SURE WOMEN HAVE MORE OPTIONS IN THAT AREA IS REALLY THE DIRECTION THAT WE NEED TO GO AS OPPOSED TO WHERE I SEE IT GOING.

>> THIS TOP ONE I AM PROUD OF.

THE 2022 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: A SHORT DRIVE FROM SWOPE'S DISTRICT TO HOUSE DISTRICT 69 IN TULSA, YOU'LL FIND INSURANCE COMPANY CEO MARK TEDFORD GETTING READY TO GET TO WORK AS THAT DISTRICT'S NEW OKLAHOMA HOUSE MEMBER.

>> SO, I'M SECOND-GENERATION INSURANCE.

MY DAD STARTED THE AGENCY IN 1978.

>> Reporter: HE WAS UNOPPOSED IN HIS RACE.

HE PLANS TO USE HIS EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER IN THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I LOOKED AT THE LIST OF COMMITTEES YOU CAN BE ON.

IT'S A WIDE SWATH OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR EXPERTISE AND TO STAY IN YOUR LANE.

THAT'S WHAT I INTEND TO DO.

>> Reporter: TEDFORD FEELS IT'S IMPORTANT TO DEFLECT THE DISTRICT VALUES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT.

I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THE DISTRICT HAS TO SAY.

DISTRICT 69 IS A, YOU KNOW, SOUTH TULSA AND JENKS DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THE YOUNGEST MEMBER OF THE 59th OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE AT 24 YEARS OLD, REPRESENTATIVE ARTURO ALONZO FEELS THE SAME.

>> I USED TO THINK MY IDENTITY WAS AN OBSTACLE TO SERVE, YOU KNOW, IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

BUT NOW I'M STARTING -- SLOWLY, I'VE BEEN STARTING TO REALIZE MORE AND MORE HOW THAT'S A SUPER POWER, AND BEING YOUNG, BEING LATINO.

>> Reporter: ALONZO NABBED THE OPEN SEAT IN SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA CITY HEAVILY POPULATED BY LATINO RESIDENTS.

THAT SEAT WAS OPEN FOR A FULL YEAR DUE TO THE RESIGNATION OF THE FORMER REPRESENTATIVE.

ALONZO JUST GRADUATED COLLEGE WITH A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE AND ON HIS WAY TO A HIGH-PAYING JOB OUT OF STATE BEFORE DECIDING TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

HE FEELS THE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO CONTINUE THE PUSH TO MAKE EDUCATION MORE EFFECTIVE FOR OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> I WAS A TUTOR FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

I'M JUST REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, TO BE IN THE SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN MY AREA.

>> WHEN YOU ARE DOING ANYTHING IN BUSINESS, YOU HAVE TO BE ALL IN.

>> Reporter: THAT'S THE KIND OF COMMITMENT BUSINESSWOMAN AND NEW OKLAHOMA SENATOR TAGE THOMPSON IS BRINGING TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR HER CONSTITUENTS IN EDMOND.

>> I TRIED TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE PROCESS, JUST OPEN-HANDED, MEETING CONSTITUENTS, LISTENING TO THE BUSINESSES, PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THE STAKEHOLDERS IN DISTRICT 22.

>> Reporter: THOMPSON WANTS TO ENSURE THAT SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE A VOICE AT THE CAPITOL, BUT SHE ALSO BELIEVES HER EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS WILL PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN LEGISLATING.

>> YOU KNOW, WE REALLY HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING WITH A CRITICAL EYE.

WE HAVE TO ASSESS, ARE WE BEING EFFICIENT?

ARE WE SPENDING, YOU KNOW, OUR MONEY WELL?

HOW ARE WE PROVIDING FOR OUR EMPLOYEES?

BECAUSE I DON'T TAKE THAT LIGHTLY.

WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIES THAT DEPEND ON US TO LEAD WELL.

SO, I WANT TO TAKE THAT MIND-SET WITH ME DOWN TO THE CAPITOL.

>> Reporter: SENATOR THOMPSON AND THE REST WILL GET THEIR CHANCE AS THE FRESHMEN LEGISLATIVE CLASS ON FEBRUARY 6th, 2023.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

PRO-CHOICE ADVOCATES ARE HOPING TO ENSLIRN ABORTION RIGHTS AND GET STATE QUESTION 828 ON TO A FUTURE BALLOT.

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT WOULD ADD AN INDIVIDUAL'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM TO THE CONSTITUTION AND INVALIDATE ANY CURRENT STATE LAWS BANNING ABORTION.

IT WOULD GIVE THE INDIVIDUAL THE RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS ON ALL PREGNANCY-RELATED MATTERS, INCLUDING ABORTION AND CONTRACEPTION.

STATE QUESTION 828 DOES INCLUDE A PROVISION TO REGULATE SOME ABORTIONS AFTER 24 WEEKS, BUT PROHIBITS A BAN ON LATE-TERM ABORTIONS IF A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL DETERMINES IT ENDANGERING THE PHYSICAL OR MENTAL HEALTH OF THE MOTHER.

>> WOMEN HAVE BEEN A BIG INFLUENCE ON MY LIFE, AND IT'S HARD TO SEE SOMEBODY'S RIGHTS STRIPPED AWAY FROM THEM.

BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'S GOING TO BE YOURS THAT ARE TAKEN AWAY.

THEY'VE BEEN AFFORDED THAT RIGHT FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS, AND NOW, UM, HAVING THOSE STRIPPED AWAY AND BEING UNCERTAIN ABOUT THEIR REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE WAS A BIG MOTIVATOR FOR ME.

>> THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WILL DETERMINE WHEN ORGANIZERS CAN BEGIN COLLECTING SIGNATURES.

NOW, ONCE THAT DATA IS SET, THEY WOULD HAVE 90 DAYS TO COLLECT 173,000 VALID SIGNATURES TO PUT THEIR QUESTION TO A STATEWIDE VOTE.

>> YOU KNOW, IT USED TO BE THAT CAR ADS DOMINATED THE COMMERCIAL BREAKS DURING FOOTBALL GAMES AND NOW IT'S BETTING APPS ON SMARTPHONES.

LEGAL WAGERING IS GROWING IN AMERICA BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH MONEY TO BE MADE.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THE TRIBES ARE HOPING TO EXPAND THEIR CASINO WITNESS TO INCLUDE SPORTS BETTING SOONER OR LATER.

STEVE SHAW HAS OUR REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT IN 2018 STRUCK DOWN A FEDERAL LAW THAT HAD BANNED SPORTS BETTING FOR DECADES.

NOW, NEARLY FIVE YEARS LATER, SPORTS BETTING IS LEGAL IN SOME FORM IN THE 33 STATES YOU SEE HERE IN GREEN.

PROPONENTS SAY IT GENERATES ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF TAX REVENUE FOR THAT'S STATES.

15 OTHERS, INCLUDING THE SOONER STATE, DON'T ALLOW SPORTS BETTING AND ARE IN RED.

NEARBY COLORADO OKAYED IT TWO YEARS AGO.

KANSAS LEGALIZED IT FOUR MONTHS AGO.

TECHNOLOGY THAT NOW ALLOWS SPORTS BETTORS TO PLACE WAGERS ON DESKTOP COMPUTERS AND MORE RECENTLY ON THEIR CELL PHONE HAS FUELED THE RACE TO MAKE IT LEGAL.

HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING WHAT'S GOING ON ON IN ALL THESE OTHER STATES THAT HAVE LEGALIZED THIS?

>> OH, OF COURSE, OF COURSE.

WE ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE OUT ON EAR JURISDICTIONS.

>> Reporter: MATTHEW MORGAN IS CHAIRMAN OF THE OKLAHOMA INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS THERE ARE 39 TRIBES IN THE STATE WHO OPERATE MORE THAN 130 GAMING OPERATIONS.

THEY HAVE EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO SPORTS BETTING HERE IF IT BECOMES LEGAL.

>> I THINK NOT ONLY IS THE STATE MISSING OUT ON REVENUE, WE'RE ALLOWING ILLEGAL GAMING TO GO ON RIGHT NOW THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

I WOULD TELL YOU, STEVE, THAT ANYONE THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS BETTING IS FINDING A WAY TO DO IT WHILE THEY'RE WITHIN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT'S NOT STOPPING ANYBODY CURRENTLY.

I'VE SEEN ESTIMATES WITH, YOU KNOW, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMANS REGULARLY PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS BETTING THROUGH ONE MEASURE OR ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: MORGAN SAYS TO MAKE SPORTS BETTING LEGAL IN OKLAHOMA, THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS TO AGREE ON A BILL.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TO SIGN IT, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR HAS TO SIGN OFF ON IT.

>> ANYTIME WE'RE HAVING CONVERSATIONS, I THINK IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I THINK WHERE SOME OF THE MISSTEPS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IS THAT THE GAMING INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA, IT'S NOT NEW.

WE'VE BEEN GAMING SINCE THE EARLY '80s AND EVERY BIT OF GAMING ACTIVITY UP AND INCLUDING THE GAMING COMPACT HAS BUILT A FOUNDATION OF HOW WE BUILT OUR INDUSTRY UP.

WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE IN A POSITION TO WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN AND START OVER.

>> TODAY DARK MONEY LOST, AND THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA WON!

[ Cheering and Applause ] >> Reporter: AT LAST MONTH'S REPUBLICAN ELECTION NIGHT WATCH PARTY, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT NOT ONLY WON A SECOND TERM, HE WEIGHED IN ON SPORTS BETTING.

>> I PUT SPORTSBOOKS IN THE COMPACTS WITH THE SMALLER TRIBES.

THAT'S WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM.

AS LONG AS IT'S A FAIR SYSTEM FOR ALL OKLAHOMANS, I'M OPEN TO THAT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ABSOLUTELY LOOK AT.

BUT IT'S GOT TO BE FAIR, IT'S GOT TO BE INTERPRET, -- TRANSPARENT.

PROJECTED PROFIT MARGINS WOULD ONLY BE 3-5%.

FOR PERSPECTIVE, HE SAYS THE REVENUE GENERATED BY THEIR CASINO GAMING MACHINES DWARFS WHAT SPORTS BETTING WOULD EVEN IDEALLY BRING.

>> A GOOD FRIEND ASKS ME ALL THE TIME, IS THE JUICE WORTH THE SQUEEZE?

YOU KNOW, THAT'S A QUESTION YOU HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF IN SPORTS BETTING.

>> Reporter: WILL YOU BE SURPRISED WHEN THE SESSION STARTS IN JANUARY, WHICH IS JUST NEXT MONTH, WILL YOU BE SURPRISED IF A SPORTS BETTING PROPOSAL DOESN'T HIT THE FLOOR?

>> I'LL BE SURPRISED IF THERE'S NOT ONE OFFERED, YES, VERY SURPRISED.

>> GOD DOESN'T CALL YOU TO PLACES; HE CALLS YOU TO PEOPLE, AND THESE ARE OUR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THEN THERE'S KENNY MAASMAN, IN HIS FIRST YEAR OF PASTOR OF FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

HE SPENT THE PREVIOUS FOUR DECADES AS A COLLEGE ATHLETICS ADMINISTRATOR, THE LAST TWO DECADES AT OU.

>> I GO BACK TO WHAT I SEE ON A DAILY BASIS.

WHAT I SEE ARE PEOPLE COMING TO US TO ASK FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, TO ASK FOR FOOD, FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND BEING PULLED APART, AND THE COMMON DENOMINATOR IS ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR.

GAMBLING HAS THAT.

>> Reporter: MAASMAN IS ACUTELY AWARE OF THE ARGUMENTS FOR LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING.

>> WHEN I GO BACK AND LOOK AT OUR HISTORY, AND THIS WILL PUT ME IN A REALLY POLLYANNA POSITION, WE'VE TAKEN A LOT OF PERMISSIVE STEPS THROUGH THE YEARS AND I DON'T KNOW WE CAN SAY, BOY, THAT WAS A GREAT DECISION.

SOME OF THEM WEREN'T.

SOME OF THEM HAVE LEFT A REAL STRING OF DESTRUCTION.

WHEN I WORKED AT OU, I KIND OF LIVED ABOVE THAT.

I DIDN'T -- I DIDN'T REALLY THINK ABOUT THAT VERY OFTEN BECAUSE I RAN IN DIFFERENT CIRCLES, AND THE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE WERE FACING ON THE GROUND LEVEL WEREN'T RISE TO ME.

BUT NOW I SIT IN A MUCH DIFFERENT POSITION, AND I WATCH WHAT SUBSTANCES CAN DO TO PEOPLE.

AND I KNOW WHAT A GAMBLING ADDICTION CAN DO TO PEOPLE, AND I HAVE A DIFFERENT FEELING ABOUT I WANT.

>> Reporter: STEVE SHAW, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> AND WE'LL SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU, STEVE.

THE CALM WATER CENTER FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES HAS EXPANDED ITS GRIEF COUNSELING CLINIC IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT'S THE ONLY AGENCY OF ITS KIND IN THE METRO AREA, AND THEIR SERVICES ARE FREE.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THE IMPORTANT WORK THEY DO.

TAELYR?

>> Reporter: RICH, THE HJ AND ANNE MEYER COUNSELING CLINIC WILL ALLOW CALM WATERS TO SERVE MORE FAMILIES IN THE METRO.

THE NEW CLINIC IS OFFICIALLY OPEN FOR SUPPORT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

LOSING A LOVED ONE CAN BE DIFFICULT.

THAT'S WHY GRIEVING OKLAHOMA CITY FAMILIES TURN TO CALM WATERS FOR SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES.

>> WE WERE FOUNDED IN 1992 BY A LITTLE 11-YEAR-OLD BOY WHOSE DAD TRAGICALLY AND VERY SUDDENLY DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.

HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO COPE WITH THE LOSS OF HIS DAD.

HE WAS VERY CLOSE WITH HIM.

SIMILARLY, THE MOM DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO COPE WITH THE LOSS OF HER SPOUSE AND PARTNER.

THERE WAS NOTHING THAT EXISTED TO SERVE THAT FAMILY IN THE OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY UNTIL CALM WATERS WAS BORN.

>> Reporter: CALM WATERS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ERIN ENGELKE SAYS CLIENTS CAN FIND HELP AT INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY COUNSELING.

>> HERE AT CALM WATERS, WE PROVIDE FREE SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE WHO EXPERIENCED A LOSS DUE TO DEATH OR DIVORCE AND PROVIDE GRIEF COUNSELING SERVICES.

GRIEF COUNSELING IS ONE-ON-ONE, SUPPORT GROUPS ARE IN A GROUP SETTING.

>> Reporter: SUPPORT IS OFFERED YEAR-ROUND, SHE AND THE STAFF REMAIN COGNIZANT OF PRESSURE THE CLIENTS FACE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> HOLIDAYS ARE DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCED LOSS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE REALLY ENCOURAGE OUR CLIENTS AND FAMILIES TO DO IS, FIRST OF ALL, IS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES.

IT'S DIFFICULT DURING THIS TIME TO NOT FEEL A COMPULSION TO MAKE EVERYONE ELSE FEEL GOOD, IN WHICH CASE, IT MEANS THEY'RE NOT ADDRESSING THEIR OWN GRIEF AND LOSS.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, 56 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED SPECIALIZED HOLIDAY SUPPORT FROM CALM WATERS.

>> WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO SET BOUNDARIES.

SO, IF THEY DON'T FEEL READY OR COMFORTABLE GOING TO FAMILY DINNERS OR A BIG EVENT, IT'S OKAY TO SAY NO.

AND THIRDLY, IT'S ALSO SOMETHING WE ENCOURAGE STRONGLY IS TO TALK ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONE.

THAT'S A HEALING THING, SAY THE NAME OF THEIR LOVED ONE THAT HAS DIED, TO SHARE MEMORIES AND HONOR THOSE MEMORIES WITH THOSE IN THEIR LIFE.

>> Reporter: BREANNE ARTHUR-JONES IS PREPARING FOR HER FIRST CHRISTMAS WITHOUT HERFF -- HER 6-YEAR-OLD SON, CHRIS.

>> OUR SON PASSED AWAY FROM BACTERIAL MENINGITIS.

HE HAD BEEN AT CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOR A WEEK.

BEFORE THAT HE WAS ON THE VENTILATOR IN THE ICU.

WE DECIDED TO ALLOW HIM TO TRANSITION ON THE 27th, OFF THE VENTILATOR.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF GRIEVING, SHE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO FIND EXTRA SUPPORT FOR HER FAMILY.

>> I HAVE A 6-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER AND A 1-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, AND, UM, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE MY 6-YEAR-OLD WAS GRIEVING AND GETTING THE BEST SUPPORT IN THE BEST WAY SHE COULD.

>> Reporter: CHRIS AND HIS SISTER AUBREY WERE JUST 11 MONTHS APART.

>> YOU WOULD SEE, LIKE, WAVES COME OVER HERE.

SHE'D BE TALKING TO YOU AND SHE'D JUST STOP.

YOU'D JUST SEE, LIKE, THIS WAVE OF SADNESS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS COUNSELING HAS BENEFITTED HER DAUGHTER THE MOST.

>> SHE'S REALLY COME INTO HERSELF AS A PERSON, AND I DON'T THINK SHE WOULD BE WHERE SHE IS -- YOU KNOW, WE WOULD SEE, LIKE, LITTLE BITS OF FRUSTRATION OR LIKE I SAID, WAVES OF SADNESS WITH HER.

I JUST DON'T SEE THOSE HAPPENING HERE AND THERE.

>> Reporter: ARTHUR-JONES AND HER HUSBAND ALSO ATTEND GROUP SESSIONS.

>> I CANNOT EVEN EVEN EXPLAIN HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ME TO BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO JUST GET IT.

I THINK BEING IN A SEGMENTED CLASS, THE WAY WE ARE, IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE GRIEVES THE SAME, CALM WATERS PROVIDE CLIENTS MULTIPLE TOOLS TO HELP COPE WITH LOSS.

>> WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT GRIEF COMES AND GOES LIKE WAVES.

SOMETIMES THERE ARE TRIGGERS, THINGS THAT CAN TRIGGER AN EMOTION THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, BRING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, MEMORIES OF THE LOVED ONE.

SO, IT IS NOT UNCOMMON FOR YOU TO EXPERIENCE SADNESS AND ANGER SOMETIMES ALL IN THE SAME DAY, AND THAT'S VERY, VERY NORMAL.

NO PERSON'S GRIEF JOURNEY IS THE SAME.

EVERYBODY'S JOURNEY THROUGH UNDERSTANDING AND PROCESSING THEIR LOSS IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT, AND THAT'S OKAY.

>> Reporter: ARTHUR-JONES SAYS CREATING A GRIEF PLAN HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST HELPFUL TOOLS DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> MY MOM AND I DISCUSSED IT AROUND THANKSGIVING, AND WE HAD GOTTEN HANDOUTS A FEW WEEKS BACK.

IT WAS TALKING ABOUT THE WAVES OF GRIEF.

IT WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, ALREADY HAVE SOMETHING DESIGNATED FOR WHEN THIS THING HITS.

>> Reporter: CALM WATERS USES THE GROUNDING EXERCISES TO HELP CLIENTS STAY IN THE APPRENTICE.

>> THEY'RE HELPFUL BECAUSE, EVEN WHEN I'M AT HOME, WHEN I'M TEMPTED TO GET LOST -- I HAD A HARD MORNING THIS MORNING.

I BUT WATCHING PBS WITH MY DAUGHTER, AND IT WAS -- P FOR PRETEND.

IT WAS A LITTLE BOY AND A LITTLE GIRL.

AND I CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED AND CRIED.

BUT THEN I CAME BACK TO IT BECAUSE YOU HAVE THOSE BREATHING EXERCISES AND THOSE GROUNDING EXERCISES.

OKAY.

WHAT DO I SEE?

WHAT I DO I HEAR?

WHAT DO I SMELL?

WHAT DO I FEEL?

IT BRINGS YOU BACK INTO THIS PRESENT MOMENT, AND YOU CAN PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER AND GET UP AND KEEP GOING WITH YOUR DAY.

>> Reporter: ENGELKE SAYS SHE'S THANKFUL FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPANTS THAT HELP MAKE PROVIDING FREE SERVICES POSSIBLE.

>> IT'S ABLE ON TO BE FREE BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT OF THIS COMMUNITY.

IT COST $35 FOR ONE CHILD OR PARENT TO ATTEND A SUPPORT GROUP, AND THAT GOES A LONG, LONG WAY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE NOT IN THE METRO AND ARE IN NEED OF EXTRA MENTAL SUPPORT THIS SEASON, YOU CAN CONTACT THE CRISIS HOT LINE BY SIMPLY DIALING 988.

>> TAELYR, THANK YOU.

LET'S RECAP THE WEEK'S STATEWIDE ECONOMIC NEWS NOW.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE WITH THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Reporter: A FEW MORE OKLAHOMANS WERE OUT OF WORK IN OCTOBER THAN THE PREVIOUS MONTH.

THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION SAYS IT TICKED UP TO 3.4% WHEN COMPARED TO SEPTEMBER'S 3.2%.

MORE THAN 63,500 OKLAHOMANS FOUND THEMSELVES UNEMPLOYED LAST MONTH.

MOST OF THE JOB LOSSES CAME FROM THE LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY AND THE PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS.

OKLAHOMA RANKS THIRD IN A RECENT SURVEY OF PETROLEUM SCORE EXPENDITURES WHEN IT COMES TO ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION IN NORTH AMERICA.

VANCOUVER-BASED FRASER INSTITUTE CONDUCTED THE SURVEY WHICH SHOWED WYOMING TO BE THE MOST ATTRACTIVE STATE, FOLLOWED BY TEXAS IN SECOND.

MORE REGULATIONS AND COST OF DOING BUSINESS LED TO WYOMING, TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA'S HIGH RANKING.

THE PARENT COMPANY OF OKLAHOMA NATURAL GAS ONE GAS PREDICTS IT WILL HAVE A NET INCOME IN THE RANGE OF $224 MILLION TO $238 MILLION LAST YEAR, THE PREDICTION IS BASED ON INCREASED RATES AND CUSTOMER GROWTH.

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS FOR NEXT YEAR ARE EXPECTED TO BE APPROXIMATELY $675 MILLION.

SOME OF THAT INVESTMENT WILL GO INTO GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS.

OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED PAYCOM IS ADDING A NEW SERVICE.

A PAYROLL DEBIT CARD THEY CALL VAULT.

THE VAULT CARD WOULD ALLOW SOME USERS TO GET PAID UP TO TWO DAYS EARLIER AND OTHER BENEFITS.

IT'S OFFERED TO PAYCOM SOFTWARE CLIENTS.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE CONTINUES TO REESTABLISH ITSELF IN AMERICA FROM STREAMING TV SHOWS LIKE RESERVATIONING DOGS TO THE CLOTHING AND JEWELRY ACTORS AND MUSICIANS ARE WEARING ON THE RED CARPET AND ON STAGE.

IT'S CLEAR, THE FASHION INDUSTRY IS TAKING NOTICE OF INDIGENOUS DESIGNERS.

OUR NATIVE AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT KENNEDY SEPULVADO JOINS US.

>> Reporter: YOU IMAGINE THE BEAUTIFUL COLORS AND BEADWORK OF TRADITIONAL REGALIA.

INDIGENOUS DESIGNERS ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON NEW WAYS TO BRING TRIBAL CULTURE INTO EVERYDAY ATTIRE.

>> WE'RE VERY DECORATED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: VIBRANT DRESSES, SKIRTS, SCARVES AND JEWELRY FROM INDIGENOUS FASHION DESIGNERS ARE SURE TO CATCH ANYONE'S EYE.

>> WE LIKE EVERYTHING THAT HAS BECOME CONTEMPORARY NATIVE STYLE.

>> Reporter: THAT MIND-SET STAYS WITH DESIGNERS AS THEY PRODUCE MODERN, EVERYDAY ATTIRE FOR NATIVE PEOPLE TO SHOW OFF THEIR CULTURE AND THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM STORE IS HELPING ARTISTS AND CONSUMERS MAKE NATIVE FASHION AN EVERYDAY NORM.

I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE, THIS IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A RETAIL, LIKE, AGAIN, THIS IS OUR LIVING CULTURE.

YOU KNOW, WE WORK AT CURATORS, WE'RE HELPING OUR ARTISTS DEVELOP THEIR ART PORTFOLIOS, HELPING THEM DEVELOP THEIR CRAFTS SO THEIR CAREERS CAN GO FORWARD AND OUR GOAL HERE IS TO HELP PEOPLE BRING IN A CULTURE MAYBE THEY HADN'T LEARNED IT GROWING UP, OR THEY DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS.

>> IT'S HOW TO INCORPORATE.

NATIVE CULTURE INTO YOUR EVERYDAY APPEARANCE.

THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I WANT TO DO, NORMALIZE THAT.

I WANT PEOPLE TO NOT SEE THAT OUT AND BE LIKE, OH, THAT'S WEIRD.

>> Reporter: PART OF NORMALIZING NATIVE FASHION IS THROUGH MEDIA REPRESENTATION.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE ALWAYS PRESENTED IN THIS HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND NEVER A CONTEMPORARY CONTEXT.

WE HAVE TO NORMALIZE THAT BECAUSE IT'S NOT PRESENTED OUT THERE, REALLY, IN ANY OTHER CONTEXT.

THERE ARE NATIVE SHOWS THAT NOW DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU CAN -- YOU KNOW, OH, YEAH, WE WEAR BEAD EWORK EVERY DAY.

THIS IS JUST THE NORM.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE TAKING NATIVE FASHION DESIGNERS' WORK TO THE RED CARPET.

>> THEY'RE REACHING OUT TO ME.

OH, I GOT THIS RED CARPET THING.

YOU KNOW, IT WILL BE AMAZING.

IT'S LIKE SEEING IT IN A GALLERY.

I SEE THE FASHION, AND IT'S ON THE RED CARPET WHERE IT SHOULD BE.

YOU KNOW, THE BRAND IS HIGH-END, A LOT OF DETAILED STUFF.

>> Reporter: HE IS A HIGH-END FASHION DESIGNER.

HE TOOK HIS BRAND, THE SKY EAGLE COLLECTION, TO AN INTERNATIONAL STAGE THIS YEAR FOR LONDON FASHION WEEK.

I HAVE A VISION, AND PART OF THAT IS EVERY YEAR, WE'RE GOING TO BE GOING TO DIFFERENT -- IT'S THE BIG FOUR.

MILAN, YOU GOT PARIS, YOU GOT LONDON AND NEW YORK.

SO, ALL FOUR OF THESE ARE GOING TO BE ENTWINED IN OUR WHOLE PLAN AS FAR AS GETTING ACCEPTED.

LONDON WAS AWESOME.

WE WEREN'T REALLY EXPECTING IT.

IT WAS A TRADE SHOW AND ALSO A FASHION SHOW, AND THEY HAD A FEW OF OUR PIECES.

>> Reporter: THE BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORE IS IN TAOS, NEW MEXICO BUT SHIP ACROSS THE U.S. AND THE FASHION COLLECTION IS EASY TO DETECT IN PEOPLE.

>> THIS IS THE CONNECTED AND SEEN THINGS THAT ARE BEAUTIFUL, PURELY BEAUTIFUL AND PASSIONATE.

I LOVE THE SUNSET.

I LOVE THE SUNRISE, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO, TAKING THAT BOLD, PASSIONATE IMPRESSIONISM, ALMOST MODERN ART THEMES AND HOW I FEEL ABOUT IT, I'M THE FILTER OF THESE EMOTIONS AND TRANSLATING THAT INTO IMAGERY AND THEN TRANSLATING THAT INTO CLOTHES THAT PEOPLE CAN WEAR.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRADITIONAL CEREMONIAL REGALIA AND CONTEMPORARY ART HELPS HIM UNIQUELY INTERTWINE TRADITIONAL AND MODERN CULTURE IN A RESPECTFUL WAY.

>> THEY'LL UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY, AND IT'S NOT CEREMONIAL.

SO, IT'S A GOOD TALKING POINT AS WELL AND A PILLAR OF MY BRAND, AS WELL, TO EDUCATE, BRING AWARENESS TO THESE ISSUES SO THAT ACTION CAN BE PROVIDED.

>> Reporter: EDUCATING PEOPLE ON NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE AND ISSUES IS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF ENSURING TRIBAL CULTURE IS APPRECIATED RATHER THAN APPROPRIATED.

>> A REALLY GREAT ANALOGY THAT I THINK TRANSLATES WELL FOR A BROADER AUDIENCE.

IT'S THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

JACK SKELLINGTON FROM A DISTANCE CAN BE A FAN OF CHRISTMAS AND LOVE CHRISTMAS.

WHEN HE GOES TO TAKE OVER AND DO CHRISTMAS HIS OWN WAY, THAT'S WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM APPRECIATION TO APPROPRIATION.

>> Reporter: JAKE TIGER, THE HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OFFICER FOR THE SEMINOLE NATION SPOKE ABOUT APPROPRIATION AT THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S HISTORY EVENT ON WEDNESDAY.

>> EDUCATION IS THE BIGGEST ASPECT OF IT AND TRYING TO REALLY UNDERSTAND BACK THEN.

ONE OF MY MENTORS, WHEN I WAS GIVING IT TO HIM, HE SAID, IT'S JUST AS IMPORTANT TO DO IT RIGHT THAN DO IT WRONG.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER WAY TO STEER CLEAR OF UNINTENTIONAL APPROPRIATION IS BUYING FROM NATIVE ARTISTS.

>> ALL OF OUR ARTISTS ARE FROM FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES.

THAT MEANS WE ABIDE BY THE ACT OF 1990.

THAT MEANS NON-NATIVE PEOPLE CANNOT SELL ART AND SAY IT'S NATIVE IF IT'S NOT FROM A FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBE.

THAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR BATTLE AGAINST CULTURAL APPROPRIATION.

>> Reporter: A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUY FROM INDIGENOUS ARTISTS IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

THEY ARE HOLDING THE SECOND ANNUAL WINTER ART MARKET ALSO KNOWN AS WAM AT FAM FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

>> VERY GOOD.

KENNEDY, THANK YOU.

PAYCOM EMPLOYEES ARE HELPING MAKE CHRISTMAS A BRIGHTER HOLIDAY FOR KIDS IN FOSTER CARE.

THE ANNA'S HOUSE FOUNDATION IN EDMOND RECEIVED A $75,000 DONATION, ALONG WITH TOYS, THAT PAYCOM EMPLOYEES HAD BEEN COLLECTING SINCE THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER.

ANNA'S'S HOUSE PROVIDES HOMES.

THE MONEY HELPS TUTORING, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, DIAPERS, CAR SEATS AND OTHER NEEDS.

>> ALTHOUGH IT'S AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY THAT NOT EVERYONE ENJOYS THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, WHAT SHOULD SHOULD BE A TIME OF JOY IS ANXIETY.

THERE IS HELP AVAILABLE.

SUSAN CADOT MODERATES A DISCUSSION HOW TO COPE WITH HOLIDAY DEPRESSION.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, RICH.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT HOW TO COPE THROUGH THE MAGICAL AND SOMETIMES STRESSFUL HOLIDAY SEASON THAT WE ARE ALL IN RIGHT NOW.

I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE OUR GUESTS TO YOU.

MEGAN CANNON WHO IS THE SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAM MANAGER WITH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

AND JEFF WITH THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE SERVICES.

WE KNOW EACH OTHER WELL.

I WANT TO PUT A STAT OUT THERE.

YOU KNOW, FIRST, THERE ARE FOLKS THAT REALLY SUFFER WITH ACUTE DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY.

AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE WHO MAYBE DON'T, BUT THEY FEEL THE ANXIETY AND THE PRESSURES THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR BRINGS.

THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION FOUND THAT 38% OF PEOPLE DO FEEL INCREASED STRESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

JEFF, I WAS TELLING YOU, I THINK THAT SEEMS LOW.

>> IT MANIFESTS ITSELF DIFFERENT.

THERE ARE PRESSURES WE HAVE.

YOU KNOW, WE WERE TALKING BEFORE THIS.

I WATCHED THE MOVIE "CHRISTMAS VACATION" THIS PAST WEEK, AND IT'S FUNNY BECAUSE OF HOW TRUE IT IS.

IT'S THE PURSUIT OF THE PERFECT HOLIDAY.

YOU WORRY ABOUT EVERYBODY ELSE.

YOU'RE TRYING TO MEET IDEALS.

IT REALLY RAMPS UP THAT PRESSURE, WHETHER IT'S FROM DECORATING THE HOUSE TO BUYING PRESENTS FOR THE KIDS WITH ON TO JUST GETTING FAMILY TOGETHER.

WE'RE PULLED IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> YOU KNOW, ON A NORMAL SCALE, WE WILL GET TO THE MORE SERIOUS ISSUES THAT FOLKS DO FACE THAT ARE AMPLIFIED THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY IMPORTANT TO LEARN HOW TO COPE WITH THE PRESSURES.

OKAY.

WELL, THE NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE IS BEAUTIFULLY LIT UP, PROFESSIONALLY DONE, SET TO MUSIC.

IT'S OKAY IF I JUST PUT UP SOME INFLATABLES THIS YEAR, OR MAYBE IF I JUST HAVE MY TREE IN THE WINDOW OR LIGHTS IN THE WINDOW, A MENORAH IN THE WINDOW.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT.

BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS, NONE OF US.

IT'S JUST IMPORTANT THAT YOU REALIZE THAT YOUR BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH.

>> WELL, THE HOLIDAYS ARE HARD.

I LOST MY DAD FIVE YEARS AGO IN DECEMBER, AND MY MOTHER, YOU KNOW, I MOVED HER HERE.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE AWARE.

THAT TIME OF YEAR, YOU'RE ALWAYS AWARE.

THIS IS WHEN I LOST MY HUSBAND OR MY DAD.

SO, WHAT CAN PEOPLE DO TO HELP THEM NOT STAVE OFF GRIEF BUT MOVE THROUGH THE GRIEF THAT MAY BE MORE ACUTE RIGHT NOW?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- IT'S A DIFFICULT TIME OF YEAR.

IT'S NEVER A GOOD TIME TO LOSE A LOVED ONE.

I ALSO HAVE LOST A COUPLE OF LOVED ONES AROUND THANKSGIVING.

WHAT I FOUND MYSELF DOING LAST WEEK WAS THINKING ABOUT THEM AND CELEBRATING THEM.

YOU KNOW, THAT HOLIDAY, WHILE THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO SIT AT MY TABLE, I WAS IFSTILL ABLE TO HONOR THEM AND REMEMBER THEM AND TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE GOOD TIMES THAT WE HAD.

I ALSO THINK IT'S A REALLY GREAT IDEA TO REMEMBER WHAT THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US WOULD WANT US TO DO.

I DON'T THINK THAT MANY OF THEM WOULD WANT US TO BE SAD AND TO BE MISSING THEM SO EXTREMELY MUCH.

SO, THAT'S ONE WAY THAT YOU CAN -- YOU KNOW, YOU CAN KIND OF COPE WITH THAT.

YOU CAN THINK ABOUT WHAT THEY WOULD WANT AND DO SOMETHING TO HONOR THEM.

IF YOUR GRANDMOTHER ENJOYED DRINKING HOT COCOA, MAKE HOT COCOA.

TAKE SOME TIME AND DOING SPECIAL IN HER HONOR.

IF YOU'RE DAD LIKED TO LOOK AT HOLIDAY LIGHTS, I KNOW MY MOM TO, I DO THAT.

WE MAKE AN EFFORT AND GO LOOK AT HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND THINK ABOUT OUR FAMILIES AND OUR LOVED ONES.

>> THAT SOUNDS WONDERFUL.

JEFF, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T HAVE OTHER LOVED ONES AROUND THEM.

>> RIGHT.

>> THAT I FEEL MORE ALONE.

SO, IS THAT A DIFFERENT BATTLE ALTOGETHER?

>> YEAH, IT REALLY IS.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MORE ISOLATED THIS TIME OF YEAR, CERTAINLY THAT AMPLIFIES THE STRESSORS AND MAYBE THAT ANXIETY AND THE HOLIDAY BLUES THAT WE CALL IT.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO REACH OUT TO PEOPLE.

EVEN IF WE CAN'T BE TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, A PHONE CALL.

FRANKLY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I HAVE A FRIEND WHO, BACK DURING COVID, MOVED BACK INTO WRITING LETTERS AND FOUND THAT TO BE REALLY SOMETHING THAT WAS MEANINGFUL FOR HIM.

HE WAS ABLE TO TAKE TIME, WRITE FRIENDS, WRITE FAMILY EVEN THOUGH HE WASN'T GOING TO BE AROUND THEM, IT'S FINDING DIFFERENT WAYS TO REACH OUT AND FEEL CONNECTED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TECHNOLOGY TODAY THAT WE CAN USE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ZOOM.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO CALLS WITH OUR CELL PHONES AND BE ABLE TO SEE PEOPLE AND TALK TO THEM.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THAT.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE FAMILY THAT WE'RE AROUND THROUGH OUR CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE JUST KNOW IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IT'S A GREAT TIME TO REACH OUT.

MAYBE IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, TAKE SOME COOKIES BY AND JUST TAKE THE TIME TO TALK.

INDIVIDUALS WILL FIND THAT THAT'S REALLY MEANINGFUL FOR THEM ALSO DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

>> ALSO, THE FACT YOU HAVE SOMEONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW THAT WELL AND RARELY SEE THEM OUTSIDE.

IN THIS DAY AND AGE, IS IT STILL APROPOS TO KIND OF DO WHAT JEFF SAID; TAKE COOKIES OVER, DO SOMETHING?

>> 100%.

I'M THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT.

WHEN I MOVED IN, I ASKED JASON IF HE KNEW ANYONE THERE.

HE SAID, I WAVE AT THEM.

SO WITH I WALKED OVER ACROSS THE STREET AND I WENT, HELLO, I'M YOUR NEW NEIGHBOR.

I'M MEG.

HERE ARE SOME COOKIES.

I WANTED TO MEET YOU.

WE DEVELOPED THAT FRIENDSHIP.

AS NEW PEOPLE COME INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, I KNOCK ON THEIR DOOR.

IF THEY'RE NOT RECEPTIVE, THEY'RE NOT RECEPTIVE BUT SO FAR EVERYBODY EVEN HAS BEEN HAPPY TO MEET.

>> HAVE WE LOST THAT OVER THE YEARS WITH TECHNOLOGY?

SO, IT SEEMS FACE-TO-FACE ENCOUNTERS THAT ARE NOT ORGANIC, BUT THEY'RE INTENTIONALLY DONE.

>> WE HAVE TO BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT TRYING TO KEEP CONNECTIONS.

FUNNY, I TRAVEL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IF I GO INTO A CONVENIENCE STORE, I JUST START HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH THE INDIVIDUAL LIKE I KNOW THEM.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> STOP SCARING THE NEW YORKERS, JEFF.

>> THAT'S WHAT I DO.

THAT'S PART OF OUR CULTURE.

I THINK IT'S AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR CULTURE WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE.

>> IF YOU DO SEE SOMEONE LIKE THAT, I DO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO KNOCK ON THE DOOR.

THE WORST THEY WILL DO IS SAY, NO, WE'RE NOT ANSWERING THE DOOR.

>> I TOLD YOU GUYS I GET CAUGHT IN MINUTIAE.

YOU KNOW, IN POST-COVID, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE BRINGS YOU COOKIES AND PEOPLE WILL GO, THANK YOU, AND THROW THEM IN THE TRASH.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT PLAYING FIELD BUT MAYBE THE GESTURE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

>> IF YOU'RE WORRIED THEY'LL THROW THEM AWAY, RUN DOWN THE STREET AND BUY THEM.

>> PEOPLE DO HAVE SOCIAL ANXIETY.

YOU HAVE WORK PARTIES AND FRIENDS AND FAMILY, ESPECIALLY THAT BIG FAMILY GET-TOGETHER.

WHAT'S A GOOD WAY FOR SOMEONE TO PREP -- IF THEY SUFFER FROM SOCIAL ANXIETY AND DON'T WANT TO BE OUT?

>> NUMBER ONE, YOU SET BOUNDARIES FOR YOURSELF.

YOU NEED TO BECOME COMFORTABLE SETTING TIMES, WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

DOES IT WORK WITHIN OUR SCHEDULE?

YOU KNOW, WE'RE PULLED A LOT OF DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

SO, I HAVE MY WIFE'S FAMILY, MY FAMILY, WE HAVE OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND THEIR FAMILIES, WE HAVE OUR KIDS NOW WHO ARE GROWN AND THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S ALWAYS PUSHING BACK AND FORTH.

AND IT'S ABOUT, OH, YOU HAVE TO BE HERE AT THIS TIME.

NO.

I LEARNED A LONG TIME AGO NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE IT WAS.

IT WAS AN ADDED A STRESSOR THAT WAS REALLY MAKING OUR HOLIDAYS MISERABLE.

INSET THE BOUNDARIES.

NOW, ARE PEOPLE UPSET SOMETIMES IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT THERE?

YEAH, BUT THAT'S OKAY.

THEY'LL GET OVER IT.

AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT.

>> DO THEY, THOUGH?

>> I THINK THEY DO.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE UP FRONT.

HAVE VERY FRANK DISCUSSIONS.

I CAN'T DO THIS OR THIS IS WHAT I'M DOING OR THIS IS WHAT I WILL DO.

IF YOU HAVE ANXIETY TO A POINT THAT IT IS REALLY CAUSING YOU TO CHANGE WHAT IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE AND HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE, THEN IT MIGHT ALSO BE A GOOD TIME TO REACH AND TALK TO SOMEBODY ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO HELP THROUGH THOSE SITUATIONS AND HELP GIVE PEOPLE THE COPING SKILLS TO KIND OF MANAGE THAT.

>> THAT KIND OF TAKES ME WHERE I WANT TO GO NEXT.

MEGAN, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU AND TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION.

IT CAN BE REALLY DARK FOR SOME PEOPLE.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE LIGHTER SIDE OF STRESS, BUT IT CAN BE DARK.

DO YOU SEE AN INCREASE IN CALLING SUICIDE PREVENTION LINES DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR?

>> AS YOU PROBABLY KNOW, OKLAHOMA HAS A NEW PHONE NUMBER FOR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, 988.

WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, SINCE 988 WENT LIVE ON JULY 5th, WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CALLS WE'RE GETTING EVERY MONTH.

SO, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT DOES HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

I DO THINK MORE PEOPLE ARE REACHING OUT, ESPECIALLY TO 988.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE IN CRISIS TO CALL.

AS JEFF WAS TALKING ABOUT, FINDING SOME OF THOSE COPING STRATEGIES.

IF YOU KNOW NOW THAT YOU ARE A PERSON WHO HAS ANXIETY AROUND THE HOLIDAYS AND THINGS ARE RAMPING UP, YOU CAN CALL AND TALK TO A TRAINED PROFESSIONAL, AND YOU CAN GET SOME OF THOSE COPING SKILLS AND SOME IDEAS FOR HOW MAYBE YOU CAN HANDLE THAT STRESS.

>> GIRL, LET'S TALK.

HOW MANY TIMES CAN YOU CALL THAT LINE?

IS THERE A LIMIT?

>> AS MANY TIMES YOU WANT.

YOU CAN CALL, YOU CAN TEXT, YOU CAN CHAT ONLINE.

IT IS 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

>> WOW.

I KNOW SOME PROBLEMS IS FOLKS DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

IF THEY DON'T HAVE INSURANCE, THEY CANNOT AFFORD A THERAPIST, MUCH LESS PSYCHIATRIC CARE.

IS THERE ANY HELP OUT THERE FOR THEM?

>> ACTUALLY, 988 IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO START.

OKLAHOMA IS ABLE TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND LINKS TO SERVICES REGARDLESS OF THAT ABILITY TO PAY.

YOU KNOW, MOST OF THE PEOPLE WITHIN OUR NETWORK ALSO DO TAKE INSURANCE.

WE CAN ALSO REFERS TO OTHERS WHEN THAT'S MORE APPROPRIATE.

BUT WE HAVE ACCESS TO THAT, AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 98 CALLS WE'RE SEEING, WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH, PROBABLY OVER 50% OF THOSE WERE CALLS RELATED TO SELF-HARM, SUICIDE IDEATION.

JUST LOOKING AT THE LAST MONTH'S NUMBERS, AND I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS AROUND THE STATE, 26% OF THE CALLS WERE SELF-HARM AND A REAL INCREASE IN PEOPLE CALLING ABOUT NAVIGATING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENT SERVICES, ABOUT SOCIAL ISSUES, SUCH AS HOUSING, FOOD INSECURITY.

SO, IT IS A RESOURCE WITH THAT.

WE WORK WITH OTHERS AROUND THE STATE.

WE WORK WITH 211 AND 911 SYSTEMS.

>> WHAT IS 211?

>> IT'S FOR INFORMATION.

CALL 988.

WE CAN INK WILL YOU TO SERVICES.

WE DON'T TRY TO DEFINE THE SITUATION WHEN YOU CALL.

WE JUST WANT PEOPLE REACHING OUT.

MOST OF TIME, WHAT IS HAPPENING IS WE'RE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THAT WHEN THEY HAVE THAT INITIAL CALL AND THEY'RE TALKING TO THAT PROFESSIONAL ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE, WE'RE ABLE TO DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES THERE.

BUT WHEN WE NEED TO, WE CAN DO MORE.

WE CAN LINK PEOPLE DIRECTLY TO TREATMENT SERVICES IF THAT'S WHAT THEY NEED.

WE HAVE MOBILE SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS WHERE WE CAN GO OUT TO A HOME, OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND RESPOND AND MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER.

>> MEGAN, WHAT KIND OF HELP IS OUT THERE?

WE HEAR ABOUT A LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN OUR STATE.

ARE THERE ENOUGH RESOURCES OUT THERE, AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT IF THAT IS THE DIRECTION THEY GO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THERE ARE LOTS OF RESOURCES OUT THERE.

HOWEVER, I WOULD ALWAYS SAY THAT WE CAN ALWAYS USE MORE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WORKING ON.

THROUGHOUT THE STATE, THERE ARE MULTIPLE MENTAL HEALTH CENTERS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET HELP AT ABSOLUTELY NO CHARGE.

IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU'RE LOCATED, WHICH ONE YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO.

NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA, WE'VE GOT GRAND LAKE MENTAL HEALTH.

OVER IN TULSA, FAMILY AND CHILDREN'S.

OKLAHOMA CITY AREA, WE HAVE NORTHCARE, RED ROCK, ALL SORTS OF DIFFERENT AREAS LIKE THAT.

WE'VE GOT THEM DOWN IN ALTUS, ALL OVER THE STATE THERE ARE THESE REGIONAL CENTERS WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET HELP.

IF THEY HAVE PRIVATE INSURANCE AND THEIR INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR THEM TO GO TO A PRIVATE PROVIDER, WE CAN HELP LINK THEM WITH ONE OF THOSE AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

>> IT'S KIND OF ALL ABOUT WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU.

>> 9988 IS A RESOURCE.

ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE WEBSITE WE HAVE A TREATMENT LOCATOR TO ACCESS SERVICES.

>> OUR TIME IS WINDING DOWN.

WHAT ARE SIGNS THAT YOU CAN SPOT IN SOMEONE DURING THE HOLIDAYS, OR ANY TIME OF YEAR, THAT THEY MIGHT BE STRUGGLING?

>> UM, ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS TO LOOK FOR IS HOW IS SOMEONE ACTING?

THEY HAD A MAJOR CHANGE IN THEIR BEHAVIOR.

SO IF THEY'RE SOMEONE WHO IS VERY OUTGOING AND THEY LIKE TO TALK TO PEOPLE, DO THEY SUDDENLY WANT TO STAY HOME AND THEY DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THE HOUSE?

HOW ARE WE FEELING ABOUT THAT?

LOOK FOR PATTERNS IN SLEEP BEHAVIOR.

IF SOMEONE IS STARTING TO SLEEP A WHOLE LOT MORE, OR IF SOMEONE IS STARTING TO NOT SLEEP AT ALL, THAT CAN BE AN INDICATOR.

AS FAR AS SUICIDALITY, IF SOMEONE IS SAYING THINGS LIKE, I JUST DON'T KNOW I WANT TO LIVE THROUGH THIS.

I WON'T MAKE IT TO SEE ANOTHER DAY, THAT'S A RED FLAG.

YOU NEED TO ASK THEM HOW THEY'RE DOING.

ARE YOU OKAY?

ARE YOU CONSIDERING HURTING YOURSELF?

ONE OF THE COMMON MYTHS THAT'S OUT THERE IF I WERE TO SAY TO JEFF, HEY, JEFF ARE YOU CONSIDERING HURTING YOURSELF?

ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE?

A LOT OF FOLKS THINK, AND I USED TO BELIEVE THIS MYSELF, BY ASKING SOMEONE THAT, I'M PUTTING THAT IDEA IN THEIR HEAD.

THAT IS NOT TRUE.

IF THEY ARE CONSIDERING SUICIDE OR THEY'RE CONSIDERING SELF-HARM, THAT IDEA IS ALREADY THERE.

ME ASKING THAT QUESTION IS HELPING THEM KNOW, HEY, I CARE AND I WANT TO GET YOU HELP.

YOU NEED TO BE ALIVE.

THE WORLD NEEDS YOU.

>> THAT IS SO GREAT; THE WORLD DOES NEED YOU AND WHAT YOU HAVE TO OFFER TO EVERYONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY.

ALL RIGHT.

I'D LIKE TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND INSIGHTS.

IT WAS A FUN LOOK HOW TO SET BOUNDARIES ON THE LIGHTER SIDE, AND VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE REALLY STRUGGLING.

THANKS, BOTH OF YOU.

>> VERY GOOD CONVERSATION.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'LL TAKE YOU TO INDIANAPOLIS WHERE THE IU SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS RECEIVED A LARGE GRANT TO STUDY RACIAL DISPARITIES AND HOW OPIOID ADDICTION IS TREATED, A PROBLEM THERE AND EVERYWHERE IN AMERICA, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE THIS REPORT FROM OUR PBS PARTNERS.

>> Reporter: THE $1.7 MILLION GRANT FROM THE KEPT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES WILL FUND AN INVESTIGATION OF THE ROLE STRUCTURAL RACISM PLAYS IN STIGMA AND DEATH FROM OPIOID USE IN THE INDIANAPOLIS AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSOR WILL HEAD THE STUDY.

HE SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS IN AN OPIOID CRISIS DURING TO METHAMPHETAMINE-RELATED OVERDOSES.

>> THE OVERDOSE CRISIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, AND WE ARE INCREASINGLY SEEING EVIDENCE OF RACIAL DISPARITIES WHERE BLACK PEOPLE ARE MORE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED BY OVERDOSE DEATH.

>> Reporter: BLACK AMERICANS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO DIE FROM OPIOID-RELATED OVERDOSES COMPARED TO WHITE AMERICANS.

THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAYS THAT 14% OF PEOPLE WHO DIE OF OPIOIDS WERE TREATED FOR SUBSTANCE MISUSE, BUT ONLY 8% OF AFRICAN AMERICANS WERE TREATED, THE LOWEST OF ALL GROUPS.

ONE COMMUNITY PARTNER ON THE STUDY IS NO FANS IN THE STANDS LIFELINE, A NONPROFIT THAT EDUCATES ABOUT PREVENTIVE MEASURES AGAINST SUBSTANCE MISUSE.

THE ORGANIZATION NOTED RACIAL DISPARITIES WHEN DISTRIBUTING NALOXONE IN LOCAL INDIANA COMMUNITIES.

>> WE DID 35,000 DOSES OF NALOXONE AND ONLY ONE PERSON IDENTIFIED AS BLACK OR AFRICAN AMERICAN, WHICH WAS A PROBLEM FOR ME.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE BUT PEOPLE NEED TO BE REACHED BEFORE THEY OVERDOSE.

>> ALTHOUGH WE DISTRIBUTE NALOXONE AND WE DISTRIBUTE IT FREE, WHEREVER YOU'RE AT, YOU CAN PUT IN A REQUEST, WE'LL PUT IT IN THE MAIL.

IF YOU'RE NERVOUS AND YOU DON'T WANT YOUR NAME ON IT, WE'LL SEND IT TO A CURRENT RESIDENT OR WHATEVER.

BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, UM, WE'RE NOT STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE AND REACHING OUR PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE REACHED.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN PHILLIPS IS ACUTELY AWARE THAT IT TAKES SECONDS FOR SOMEONE TO OVERDOSE IF LIFESAVING METHODS ARE NOT IMPLEMENTED.

SHE LOST HER SON TO AN OVERDOSE IN 2013.

SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER IS STIGMATIZED BUT PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP.

>> ALL OF THOSE THINGS JUST, I THINK, CREATE A BARRIER FOR PEOPLE TO BE WILLING TO ASK FOR HELP AND IF I DON'T THINK I NEED IT, I DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO THE INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: JOHN IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AT UI'S PREVENTION INSIGHTS.

HE SAYS BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO UNDERSTAND HOW OPIOID USE AFFECTS INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES IS IMPERATIVE TO SOLVING THE ISSUE.

>> WHILE MANY COMMUNITIES MAY HAVE SPECIFIC KINDS OF HARMS ASSOCIATED WITH OPINION OVERDOSE, THE THINGS THAT LEAD TO THOSE HARMS AND THE THINGS THAT COULD PROTECT THOSE HARMS ARE DIFFERENT.

AND SO, IF WE TRY TO JUST TAKE GENERIC IDEAS AND BRING THEM INTO A SINGLE COMMUNITY, SOME OF THAT MAY WORK AND SOME MAY NOT.

>> Reporter: OVERDOSE FROM OPIOID USE CAN BE PREVENTED BY BETTER EDUCATION AND AWARENESS ON THE TOPIC.

>> THEN IT CAN BE EASILY PREVENTED, EVEN, YOU KNOW, YOU CAN AT LEAST STOP PEOPLE FROM DYING BY ADMINISTERING NALOXONE WITHIN THREE OR FOUR MINUTES.

SO, THAT IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, AWAKENING ME.

I, YOU KNOW, BECAME MORE AND MORE INTERESTED IN THIS AREA.

>> Reporter: FOR INDIANA NEWS DESK.

>> ON THE EDITION OF OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," WE'VE INTRODUCED YOU TO SOME OF THE NEW LAWMAKERS IN THIS NEWSCAST.

NEXT WEEK, WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT SOME OF THE NEW BILLS UP FOR THEIR CONSIDERATION AND SOME OF THEM MIGHT SURPRISE YOU.

JASON DOYLE REPORTS.

WE'RE GOING TO SAY SO LONG FOR NOW WITH A LOOK AT EDMOND ELECTRIC'S ASTROLL -- LUMINANCE AND ENCHANTED STROLL.

IF YOU ENJOY OUR NEWSCAST, PLEASE INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO WATCH.

FOR ALL OF ESOF US HERE AT THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.

♪ IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS WHEREVER YOU GO ♪ ♪ TAKE A LOOK AT THE 5 AND 10 GLISTENING ONCE AGAIN WITH CD CANES AND SILVER LANES THAT GLOW ♪ ♪ IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ TOYS IN EVERY STORE ♪ ♪ BUT THE PRETTIEST SIGHT TO SEE IS THE HOLLY THAT WILL BE ON YOUR FRONT DOOR ♪ ♪ A PAIR OF HOP ALONG BOOTS AND A PISTOL THAT SHOOTS IS A WISH OF BONNIE AND BEN ♪ ♪ MOM AND DAD CAN HARDLY WAIT FOR SCHOOL TO START AGAIN ♪ ♪ IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS EVERYWHERE YOU GO ♪ ♪ THERE'S A TREE IN THE GRAND HOTEL ♪ ♪ ONE IN THE PARK AS WELL ♪ ♪ IT'S THE STURDY KIND THAT DOESN'T MIND THE SNOW ♪ ♪ IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS ♪ ♪ SOON THE BOUGHS WILL START ♪ ♪ AND THE THING THAT WILL BAKE 'EM RING ♪♪ CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC WWW.CAPTIONSOLUTIONS.COM