>>> A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR EFFORT TO BRING HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO PLACES IT'S NEVER BEEN BEFORE, RAMPS UP IN OKLAHOMA.

>> LET ME TELL YOU FOLKS THIS IS A GREAT DAY TODAY.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING TO RURAL OKLAHOMA.

>>> ENSURING THAT A SMALL OUTBREAK OF THE BIRD FLU IN OKLAHOMA STAYS THAT WAY.

>> THERE IS CONTINUING SURVEILLANCE IN THAT AREA TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE WIDER SPREAD INFECTION IN BOTH COMMERCIAL AND BACKYARD FLOCKS.

>>> IF YOU DRIVE ON OKLAHOMA'S MANY TURNPIKES, YOU'LL SOON BE PAYING SIGNIFICANTLY MORE TO DO SO.

>> WE KNOW THAT OKLAHOMANS DON'T LIKE ADDITIONAL COSTS, WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT.

>>> OKLAHOMA'S NEW CHANCELLOR FOR HIGHER EDUCATION LAYS OUT A VISION, AND A BUDGET.

>> IF YOU NEED ME IN YOUR DISTRICTS, YOU NEED ME AT YOUR UNIVERSITIES, I WANT TO COME THERE NOT TO BE THE CHANCELLOR, TO BE A BIG SHOT, BUT TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

>>> AN IN DEPTH DISCUSSION ON HELPING THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS, HOW A.I.

IS HELPING OKLAHOMANS DETECT AND PREPARE FOR WILDFIRES, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

>>> HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

AFTER YEARS OF LANGUISHING BEHIND MOST OF THE UNITED STATES IN PROVIDING BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS IN RURAL AREAS, OKLAHOMA IS FINALLY RAMPING UP ITS EFFORTS WITH GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONIES IN BOTH WELLSTON AND BRAY THIS WEEK.

THE QUESTION NOW: WHEN WILL CONSUMERS ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO ACCESS THE NETWORK?

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH SOME ANSWERS.

STEVE?

>> WELL, RICH, WE ATTENDED A GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY IN WELLSTON ON MONDAY.

THE OKLAHOMA BROADBAND OFFICE SAYS THAT AREA WILL BE ABLE TO PLUG INTO HIGH SPEED INTERNET BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR.

FOR OTHER PARTS OF RURAL OKLAHOMA, IT COULD BE ANOTHER TWO TO THREE YEARS.

BUT IT'S COMING.

>> HE OWNS THE POPULAR BARBECUE STAND.

>> THE INTERNET HAS BEEN HORRIBLE SINCE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THE GOOD NEWS FOR FOLKS WHO LIVE AND WORK AROUND HERE IS -- MONDAY MORNING, LOCAL LEADERS AND STATE BROAD BAND MOVERS AND SHAKERS, WITH THE STILLWATER BASED CENTER NET, OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED FOUR HIGH SPEED INTERNET EXPANSION PROJECT TOTALLING $25 MILLION FOR NORTHERN AND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

CENTER NET IS DOING THE WORK.

THEY SAY IT'LL IMPROVE THE INTERNET ACCESS.

TUESDAY, THE GOVERN ATTENDED A SIMILAR LAUNCH EVENT, WHERE THE STATE BROAD BAND OFFICE IS PARTNERING WITH INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER, THEY'RE USING $43 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANTS TO BRING HIGH SPEED INTERNET TO 11 COUNTIES IN THE RURAL PART OF THE SOUTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

>> LET ME TELL YOU FOLKS, THIS IS A GREAT DAY TODAY.

THIS IS A LONG TIME COMING TO CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

>> THE CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNING BOARD, THEY OVERSEE WHAT THE BROAD BAND OFFICE SPENT.

>> I LIVE 15 MILES IN THE COUNTRY MYSELF.

UP TO FOUR YEARS AGO, I DIDN'T HAVE BROAD BAND.

I HAD A SATELLITE DISH, IT WAS ADEQUATE UNTIL ISSUES LATER WITH THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT INCLUDED $50 BILLION TO BRING INTERNET AVAILABILITY TO EVERY LIVING AND WORKING SPACE IN AMERICA.

OKLAHOMA GOT A $750 MILLION CHUNK TO DO THAT.

>> WE'RE SEEING REAL TANGIBLE WORK BEING DONE.

I'M TELLING YOU, THIS IS AN ECONOMIC TOOL THAT'S NEVER BEEN SEEN IN THE STATEMENTS, AND I'LL -- STATE, AND I'LL SAY THIS, THIS YEAR, HAS BEEN THE SINGLE MOST HIGHEST INVESTMENT OF BROAD BAND IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE AT THE BROAD BAND OFFICE, WITH GREAT PARTNERS LIKE CENTER NET INVESTED $500 MILLION FROM THE PROGRAM TO INTERNET PROVIDERS, THEY CONTRIBUTED.

$625 MILLION GOING INTO HIGH SPEED INTERNET INFRASTRUCTURE BUILD OUT.

>> HE UNDERSTANDS THAT PEOPLE WONDER WHAT HAS TAKEN SO LONG.

>> THE YEAR AND A HALF AGO WE DIDN'T HAVE AN OFFICE.

OTHER STATES HAVE HAD OFFICES FOR TEN YEARS.

AND RECENTLY, OKLAHOMA IS NOW NUMBER FOUR IN THE COUNTRY OF GETTING HOMES AND BUSINESSES HOOKED UP WITH HIGH SPEED INTERNET.

WE HAVE GONE FROM LITERALLY DEAD ZERO TO FOUR IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THE PRESIDENT OF CENTER NET.

>> I HAVE A GREAT JOB.

PEOPLE LOVE TO SEE US SHOW UP.

>> THERE'S TWO WAYS TO INSTALL HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS TO RURAL AREAS.

>> IT TAKES TIME.

IT'S PRETTY GOOD HARD TO BUILD -- PRETTY HARD TO BUILD.

THE FLOW.

YOU HAVE TO BUILD A TRENCH.

>> HOW DO YOU INSTALL THIS?

>> WHERE WE HAVE POLES, WE GO ON THE POLES, IT'S CHEAPER.

ALMOST EVERYTHING WE BUILD OFF THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM IS UNDERGROUND.

>> HIS PEOPLE ARE WORKING AS FAST AS THEY CAN.

>> NO ONE WILL EVER COME OUT HERE, IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE.

IT IS.

AND IT'S ABOUT, I DON'T WANT TO SAY, BUT IT'S EXPENSIVE.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> ABOUT 82 TO 85 THOUSAND MILES UNDER GROUND.

>> THIS PROGRAM THAT WE'RE ADMINISTERING, CLOSES THE DIVIDE.

IT MAKES THE SMALLER RURAL ELECTRIC CO-OPS COMPETITIVE IN THIS PROCESS.

>> ONCE IT'S CLEAR AND CONNECTED, YOU ACTUALLY QUESTION HOW DID YOU GET BY WITHOUT IT.

>> GOOD MORNING CARNIVORES.

>> BUTCHER BARBECUE LEVI SAYS THAT FAST INTERNET HERE WILL BE A GOD SEND.

>> DEFINITIVELY SMALL BUSINESSES AND EVERYTHING LIKE THAT, THEY HAVE TO HAVE INTERNET FOR THE CASH REGISTERS AND THE POS, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

I CAN'T WAIT.

>> ALL TOLD, THIS FEDERAL MONEY IS FUNDING 175 PROJECTS STATEWIDE THAT THE BROADBAND OFFICE SAYS WILL CONNECT MORE THAN 70,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES AROUND THE STATE.

RICH.

>>> CALLING IT A VICTORY FOR GRASSROOTS ACTIVISM, OKLAHOMA LEADERS, INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR, ARE CELEBRATING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S DECISION TO CANCEL A PROPOSED ENERGY CORRIDOR THAT WOULD HAVE CARVED THROUGH THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THE PLAN WOULD HAVE CREATED AN 18-MILE WIDE TRANSMISSION CORRIDOR THAT RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT ON PROPERTY RIGHTS AND VALUES.

ON DECEMBER 12, OPPONENTS OF THE PLAN EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS AT A TOWN HALL IN SAPULPA.

AT THE MEETING, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE D.O.E.

WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT.

>> SO IT'S PERSONAL FOR PEOPLE.

AND WHEN YOU SHOW UP AT A TOWN HALL AND THERE'S 30 PEOPLE THERE, IT'S A BIG CROWD.

AND GOING INTO MY NINTH YEAR IN OFFICE, THAT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE.

BUT AT THAT MEETING, CONSERVATIVELY 700 PEOPLE, BUT PROBABLY A THOUSAND PEOPLE SHOWED UP REALLY, REALLY UPSET WITH WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS PROPOSING.

WE CALL IT THE NITZE CORRIDOR THAT WAS GOING THROUGH OKLAHOMA FROM PANHANDLE ALL THE WAY TO TULSA, WHICH CUT RIGHT THROUGH THE HEART OF HOUSE DISTRICT 29.

MY PERSONAL HOUSE DISTRICT AND UNDERSTANDABLY CONSTITUENTS WERE UPSET.

THEY DON'T WANT A FEDERAL LAND GRAB COMING IN WITH FEDERAL IMMINENT DOMAIN TAKING THEIR PROPERTY.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SAYS IT IS STILL CONSIDERING OTHER ENERGY CORRIDOR PROPOSALS AND WILL SEEK FURTHER INPUT FROM THE PUBLIC BEFORE PROCEEDING.

>>> WHEN THE TURNER TURNPIKE OPENED IN MAY OF 1953, LAWMAKERS PROMISED THAT ONCE THE ROAD WAS PAID FOR, THE TOLLS WOULD GO AWAY.

WELL, OF COURSE, THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

AND SOON, IT WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN EVER TO USE OKLAHOMA'S TURNPIKE SYSTEM.

AND AS TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS, MOTORISTS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES UNHAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> BEGINNING JANUARY 1, TURNPIKE USERS WILL NOTICE A 15% INCREASE IN TOLL FEES AT ALL 12 TOLL ROADS ACROSS THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOE ECHELLE, THE INCREASE IS NEEDED TO FUND THE ACCESS OKLAHOMA PROGRAM.

>> A FEW YEARS AGO WE ANNOUNCED A MAJOR IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM TO OUR NETWORK TO PROVIDE A LOT OF SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS TO WIDEN THE TURNER TURNPIKE, TO ADD ADDITIONAL INTERCHANGES THROUGHOUT OUR NETWORK AND TO DO SOME WIDENING ON THE KILPATRICK AND THE WILL ROGERS TURNPIKES HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

SO ALL THOSE MAJOR SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ARE GONNA BE FUNDED THROUGH BONDS.

THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITIES BUSINESS MODEL IS THAT WE SELL BONDS, WE BUILD AND CONSTRUCT ROADS, WE CHARGE A TOLL AND PAY THOSE BONDS OFF.

>> THE DECISION WAS MADE AT THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY'S BOARD MEETING LAST TUESDAY.

>> WE KNOW THAT OKLAHOMANS DON'T LIKE ADDITIONAL COSTS, WE KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT, BUT THIS IS REALLY THE ONLY WAY THAT THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THESE ENHANCEMENTS.

>> ECHELLE SAYS THIS IS THE 12TH TIME IN THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY HISTORY THAT THEY HAVE RAISED TOLL PRICES.

>> THE LAST THREE WERE DONE AS PART OF THE DRIVING FORWARD PROGRAM JUST A FEW YEARS AGO, TOTALING 17.5%.

THOSE INCREASES WERE TO FUND THAT, TO BUILD THE KICKAPOO TURNPIKE, TO EXTEND THE KILPATRICK AND TO BEGIN WIDENING THE TURNER TURNPIKE NEAR TULSA.

SO THIS IS JUST A CONTINUATION OF THAT PROGRAM.

WE'RE - WE'RE GONNA COMMIT TO WIDENING THE ENTIRE TURNER TURNPIKE, MAKING SOME MAJOR IMPROVEMENTS.

>> PIKEPASS HOLDERS HEADING TO TULSA WILL NOW PAY $5.40 ONE WAY.

USING PLATE PAY FROM OKLAHOMA CITY TO TULSA WILL SOON COST YOU $10.50.

AND DRIVERS WILL ALSO BE HIT WITH AN ADDITIONAL 6% INCREASE EVERY OTHER YEAR BEGINNING IN 2027.

PIKEPASS HOLDER DANIEL LAPHAM WAS NOT SURPRISED TO HEAR THE TOLL FEES WILL INCREASE IN THE NEW YEAR.

>> AND SO INITIAL THOUGHT WAS LIKE, OKAY, THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE HERE'S THE THING IS LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE, WE, WE ALL KNOW WHAT THE, THE FIRST TURNPIKE WAS INITIATED BACK IN THE FORTIES AND THEN IN ‘54, 1954 THERE WAS A VOTE TO DO WHAT THEY CALL CROSS FUNDING.

AND THAT CROSS FUNDING WAS THE ETERNAL LIFE LAW IS WHAT I CALL IT, OF TURNPIKE FUNDING.

IT BASICALLY SAYS THAT AS LONG AS THERE IS TURNPIKE CONSTRUCTION, THEN NO TURNPIKE IN OKLAHOMA WILL EVER BE FREE AND THEY WILL CONSISTENTLY FIND EXCUSES TO DO NEW CONSTRUCTION ON TURNPIKES AND FIND WAYS TO INCREASE RATES IN ORDER TO MAKE MORE FUNDING.

>> THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY ALSO KNOWN AS O.T.A.

DOES NOT RECEIVE FEDERAL OR STATE TAX REVENUE.

ECHELE SAYS THAT'S WHY TOLL FEES ARE VITAL FOR THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

>> WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION IN THE FUTURE BECAUSE THIS BOND PROGRAM'S GONNA TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO ADMINISTER.

WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO SELL BONDS AGAIN WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE'LL NEED TO RAISE TOLLS JUST TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION ABOUT 6% EVERY OTHER YEAR AT THE TIME THAT THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY CHOOSES TO TAKE THAT UP, WHICH SHOULD BE IN JANUARY OF 2027,WE'LL COME TO OUR BOARD WITH ANOTHER ASSESSMENT OF WHERE WE STAND IN THE BOND MARKET AND EXACTLY WHAT THAT INCREASE NEEDS TO BE.

IT COULD BE LESS, THAT ALSO HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE MORE, IF THERE'S ADDITIONAL INFLATION IN THE, IN JUST OVERALL IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE ANNIE MENZ SAYS OTA ISN'T THE ONLY ONE FEELING INFLATION.

>> SO WHENEVER WE TALK ABOUT INFLATION AND THOSE EFFECTS, O.T.A.

ISN'T THE ONLY ENTITY EXPERIENCING THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION.

OKAY.

IT JUST LOOKS DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE ELSE.

SO FOR THEM, IT LOOKS LIKE, I DON'T KNOW, JUST RESTRUCTURING THEIR BUDGET OR CHARGING US MORE FOR TOLL, DESPITE THE FACT THAT IT'S THE CHEAPEST IN THE AREA, IT'S STILL ONEROUS.

IT'S - IT'S STILL GOING TO AFFECT US BECAUSE WE ARE ALSO DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF INFLATION FOR - FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE ON STRICT BUDGETS EVERY MONTH WHO HAVE KIDS TO FEED, WE'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, BILLS TO PAY.

>> LAPHAM LIVES JUST WEST OF THE KICKAPOO TURNPIKE AND USES THE TURNPIKE OFTEN.

HE SAYS THE INCREASED FEES WILL NOT IMPACT HIS FINANCES MUCH BUT HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S OVERSIGHT.

>> THE CONTINUATION OF CONSTANTLY RAISING RATES AND, AND DOING THIS KIND OF THING IS WHENEVER AUTHORITIES, LIKE THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY, IS NOT NECESSARILY UNDER DIRECT AUTHORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT OR THE TAXPAYERS BECAUSE THEY ARE A STANDALONE ORGANIZATION, THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERED A STATE AGENCY.

AND SO THEREFORE THE THINGS THAT GOVERN STATE AGENCIES DON'T APPLY TO THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

>> MENZ SAYS THAT MIGHT CHANCE.

SHE EXPECTS TO SEE LEGISLATION INTRODUCED IN THE NEXT SESSION THAT WOULD INCREASE OVERSIGHT AND REGULATION OF THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

>> SO THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF WAYS THAT CAN TIGHTEN IT UP.

AND IT'S NOT PERSONAL.

IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A VENDETTA AGAINST ANY ONE PERSON OR ANY ONE ENTITY OR AGENCY.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE DOING ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE WHO SENT US THERE.

THIS IS LITERALLY OUR JOB.

WHEN THEY >> TAELYR JACKSON, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> CONVICTED CHILD MURDERER KEVIN UNDERWOOD WAS EXECUTED BY LETHAL INJECTION THURSDAY MORNING AT THE STATE PENITENTIARY IN MCALESTER.

UNDERWOOD, WHO WAS UNANIMOUSLY DENIED CLEMENCY JUST LAST FRIDAY, WAS CONVICTED OF THE BRUTAL MURDER OF 10-YEAR-OLD JAMIE ROSE BOLIN IN 2008.

HE IS THE 4TH AND FINAL PERSON TO BE EXECUTED IN OKLAHOMA THIS YEAR.

>>> RESEARCH SPECIALISTS AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY ARE SOUNDING THE ALARM ON AVIAN INFLUENZA, OR THE BIRD FLU.

IT SHOWING UP IN OKLAHOMA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND THE POULTRY INDUSTRY HAS NOW ACTIVATED EMERGENCY PLANS TO CONTAIN IT.

WITH MORE ON HOW THAT'S DONE, WE'RE JOINED BY REPORTER NOAH MACK.

NOAH?

>> RICH.

BIRD FLU IS A DISEASE WE CAN SEE YEAR-ROUND, BUT IT'S ESPECIALLY PREVALENT THIS TIME OF YEAR DUE TO MIGRATORY BIRD PATTERNS.

THINK DUCKS AND GEESE FLYING SOUTH FOR THE WINTER, CARRYING THE VIRUS.

HOWEVER, THE REAL DANGER IS WHEN THE DISEASE MAKES ITS WAY ONTO OKLAHOMA FARMS.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A CHICKEN SNEEZE?

>> THEY CAN SNEEZE.

>> COUGHING, SNEEZING, DRAINAGE, ALL SYMPTOMS WE'RE USED TO WHEN WE CATCH A COLD.

IT'S THE SAME SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR IN THE FLOCK.

THIS COMES AFTER TWO CASE OF BLUE INFLUENZA -- BIRD INFLUENZA IN THE COUNTY.

>> THEY'RE CONTINUING SURVEILLANCE IN THAT AREA TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE WIDER SPREAD INFECTION IN BOTH COMMERCIALLY AND BACK YARD POULTRY.

>> THERE'S TWO WAYS TO CATEGORIZE THE BIRD FLU.

IT MEASURES THE LIKELIHOOD OF CAUSING THE DISEASE.

BOTH CASES IN THE COUNTY WERE HIGHLY PATHOGENIC.

>> THE CONCERN WE HAVE WITH THE HIGHLY PATHOGENIC IS IT'S ALMOST ALL CASES, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE DOMESTIC POULTRY, IT'S ALMOST ALWAYS FATAL.

>> FOR HUMANS, THE BIRD FLU IS LOW RISK.

>> THE MAJOR SIGNS IN HUMANS ARE PRIMARILY A LOW GRADE CON -- >> THE FIRST SEVERE CASE IN LOUISIANA, THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS HOSPITALIZED.

WITH THE CASES ON THE RISE IN THE COUNTRY, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR THE FOOD SUPPLY?

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS THAT THE POULTRY AND -- THINK EGGS, RIGHT?

STILL VERY VERY SAFE.

THIS VIRUS AS A BUNCH OF THE VIRUSES ARE INACTIVATED ON NORMAL COOKING MECHANISMS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AS ALWAYS, WE HAVE POULTRY OR POULTRY PRODUCTS MAKE SURE THE INTERNAL TEMPERATURE REACHES 165 DEGREES.

>> STRESSES THAT PER PROTOCOL, IT'LL NOT ENTER THE FOOD CHAIN.

THE FLOCKS WERE EUTHANIZED, TOTALLING UP TO 100,000 CHICKENS, AND THE ENTITIES LIKE THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REMAINS VIGILANT.

>> THE LABS ARE RESPONSIVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TESTING IS ONGOING.

>> THE OKLAHOMA ANIMAL DISEASE DIAGNOSTIC LAB IS TWO WEEKS OF BIRD FLU AND WORKS TO [INAUDIBLE].

>> BASICALLY, YOU HAVE A FARM, OR INDIVIDUAL WITH CHICKENS THAT ARE DYING QUICKLY, USUALLY THEY'LL CALL THE STATE VET OFFICE AND THE STATE VETERINARIAN WILL COME OUT AND TAKE SAMPLES AND BRING THEM TO US.

AND WE TRY TO TEST THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE SO THE STATE -- TO HELP THE INDIVIDUAL [INAUDIBLE].

>> WHEN THEY RECEIVE THE SAMPLE, THE LAB WORKERS EXPECT THE DNA -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> A MACHINE LIKE THIS ONE, AND RESULTED POTENTIALLY AMPLIFIES THE DNA.

THE RESULTS POP UP ON TOP.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> BUT WHEN THE TEST COMES BACK POSITIVE, THE STATE AND FEDERAL AUTHORITIES TO TAKE IT FROM THERE.

BENSON, SAYS THE STATE IS DOING ITS BEST TO EDUCATE THE LIVESTOCK OWNERS ON HOW THE VIRUS IS SPREAD.

>> WE KNOW THAT IN OKLAHOMA IT'S POSSIBLE IT CAN BE CARRIED FROM THE WILD BIRDS AND GET IN A FLOCK.

WE REALLY STRESS THE POULTRY PRODUCERS, PEOPLE WITH BACK YARD FLOCKS AND ALL LIVESTOCK PROCUREDS AND THOSE WITH ANIMALS TO BE AWARE OF BIO SECURITY.

>> TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF BIRD FLU AND OTHER VIRUSES.

THIS INCLUDES LIMITING THE FLOCK EXPOSURES TO WILDLIFE.

AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL FOOD, WATER AND EQUIPMENT IS CLEAN.

THE MOVEMENT OF BIRDS IN OR OUT IS RESTRICTIVE.

HE'S OPTIMISTIC OF THE EFFORTS.

>> THE HOPE IS BY EARLY JANUARY, THE CONTROL AREAS CAN BE CLEARED AND OPENED BACK UP AND THE BUSINESS OWNERS CAN GET BACK TO DOING WHAT THEY DO.

>> DOCTOR SAYS THEY'RE WORRIED OF THE BACK YARD FLOCKS, THE VIRUS CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE.

>> IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE HEALTHY, HAPPY BIRDS ONE DAY AND COME BACK THE NEXT AND SEE A LARGE NUMBER OF DEATHS.

IT'S NOT JUST A SINGLE DEATH, IT WOULD BE A LARGER PERCENTAGE OF THE FLOCK THAT'S INFESTED BY THE DEATHS.

>> BENSON SAYS IF POULTRY OWNERS NOTICE ANY BIRD FLU SYMPTOMS IN THEIR FLOCK OR HAVE ANY DEATHS, THEY SHOULD NOTIFY THE STATE AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT IMMEDIATELY.

RICH.

.

>>> THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO AN INCREASE IN DEPRESSION DURING THE HOLIDAYS: GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE, SOCIAL ISOLATION, EVEN COLDER TEMPERATURES AND DIMINISHED SUNLIGHT.

IN OUR "INDEPTH" SEGMENT THIS WEEK, WE'RE GOING TO SHARE SOME GOOD INFORMATION ON WHAT YOU CAN DO TO CHEER UP YOURSELF, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

HERE'S A PREVIEW WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> IT'S HARD.

IT - IT'S HARD TO PICK UP THE PHONE.

IT'S HARD TO GO AND, AND TALK TO - TO DIFFERENT GROUPS, BUT UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO AREN'T JUDGEMENTAL, WHO ABSOLUTELY WANT TO HELP YOU, AND THEY CARE ABOUT YOU EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW YOU PERSONALLY.

MY GROUP IS LIKE THAT.

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION IS LIKE THAT.

YOU HAVE NAMI OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE WHO WANT TO BE THERE AND, AND WHO EXIST TO, TO HELP OTHERS.

>> BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE.

ALL PARTS OF YOU, REGARDLESS OF HOW PEOPLE HAVE VIEWED YOU OR HAVE SAID THINGS ABOUT YOU, YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE CARED FOR, WHETHER YOU MAY THINK YOU DO OR NOT.

THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE JEFF AND MYSELF THAT ARE OUT HERE THAT ARE REALLY WILLING TO HELP AND WE WANNA BE HERE FOR PEOPLE AND LET THEM KNOW THAT SOMEONE DOES CARE ABOUT THEM.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> SEAN BURRAGE WAS SWORN IN AS THE 10TH CHANCELLOR OF THE OKLAHOMA STATE SYSTEM FOR HIGHER EDUCATIO" ON DECEMBER 5, AND HE'S WASTED LITTLE TIME FORMULATING A VISION AND A BUDGET FOR THE FUTURE.

BURRAGE UNVEILED HIS PLANS IN OKLAHOMA CITY ON TUESDAY.

JASON DOYLE WAS THERE, AND NOW HE'S HERE.

JASON?

>> RICH, CHANCELLOR SEAN BURRAGE, WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD, IS A WELL KNOWN FIGURE AMONG HIGHER EDUCATION CIRCLES AND THE LEGISLATURE, WHICH COULD PLAY A PIVOTAL ROLE IN ENCOURAGING A LARGER INVESTMENT INTO THE STATE'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

>> WE'RE HONORED TO BE HERE.

CHANCELLOR, IN ONE OF HIS FIRST OFFICIAL FUNCTIONS, TELLS US WE HAVE TO BE HERE.

>> THE OKLAHOMA PRESIDENT, INTRODUCING THE NEW CHANCELLOR.

>> HE'S PART OF THIS REALLY -- TO PROVIDE THE PERSPECTIVE TO THE MEMBERS OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON HOW WE THINK OF THE ROLE IN HIGHER ED AND -- AND A PART OF THIS I'M THINKING OF WHEN YOUR NEW CHANCELLOR, HIS FRAME OF REFERENCE IS.

>> WITH STATE LAWMAKERS IN ATTENDANCE WITH THE OFFICIALS FROM THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM, HE HAS THE ARGUMENT THAT MORE MONEY IS NEEDED.

HE SAYS THE REASON FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS ASKING FOR A MORE THAN 9% INCREASE FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

>> WE REQUESTED THE FUNDING, THAT'S -- $42 MILLION.

43.7 MILLION TO FUND PERFORMANCE BASED ALLOCATIONS, FOR DIFFERENT MATTERS.

>> FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE APPROPRIATED 1.02 MILLION, AN INCREASE OVER THE HIGHER ED SYSTEM.

>> DON'T HAVE STICKER SHOCK, OKAY.

A LOT OF MONEY IN THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS BEEN FLOWING AROUND TO DIFFERENT ENTITIES TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

THAT'S A REQUEST THAT CAME FROM THE CHAIRS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE, THE PROCREATION COMMITTEE CHAIRS TO BRING ALL THE REQUESTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE BUDGET.

>> THE FUNDING WILL HELP OKLAHOMA'S TWO MAJOR UNIVERSITIES IN COMPETING TO ATTRACTING STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

>> WE'RE EXCITED OF THE LEADERSHIP.

>> THE PRESIDENT SAYS THAT THE BUDGET REQUEST MAKES SENSE IF THE STATE WANTS TO PRODUCE MORE GRADUATES.

>> I LIKE THE FUNDING, THE VISION AND THE FOCUS AND THE ACCOUNTABILITY.

TO MAKE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETIES AND BE EMPLOYED.

>> THEY WORKED TOGETHER IN THE SENATE AND BECAME FAST FRIENDS.

>> PAST THE -- DEVELOP A DEEP RESPECT FOR HIM, HE'S HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, PASSIONATE OF WHAT HE DOES.

>> HE PLANS TO TAKE A HANDS ON APPROACH TO HIS NEW JOB.

>> I WANT TO HELP YOU ALL, IF YOU NEED ME IN THE DISTRICTS AND THE UNIVERSITIES, I WANT TO COME THERE, NOT TO BE A CHANCELLOR AND THE BIG SHOT BUT TO HELP YOU WITH YOUR ALUMNI, THE STUDENTS.

>> WE LOVE TO HAVE HIM ON THE CAMPUS SO THEY CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE DOING, THE PROGRAMS WE'RE DOING, HOW TO GROW THEM AND WE ALWAYS WANT AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOW WE CAN IMPROVE.

>> HE WANTS TO KEEP A FOCUS ON THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT, RIGHT NOW THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM IS ATTRACTING MORE OUT OF STATE STUDENTS, WHO'LL BROUGHT AND POSSIBLY STAY IN THE STATE.

>> THE RISK THEY HAVE IS BEING CAUGHT FROM BEHIND.

CAUGHT IF BEHIND BY TEXAS SCHOOLS.

OU FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR THE MAJORITY OF THE STUDENTS ARE FROM OUT OF STATE.

>> THE FRESHMAN CLASS IS 51% OF OUT OF STATE STUDENTS.

>> WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

ARE WE IN THE BUSINESS OF EDUCATING TEXANS?

NO.

WE ARE IN THE BUSINESS, THOUGH, IMPORTING THE WORK FORCE TO OKLAHOMA.

>> HE WANTS MORE PROGRAMS TO SEE MORE PEOPLE GRADUATE WITH A HIGHER EDUCATION DEGREE.

>> THE BASE FUNDING THAT $9.3 MILLION.

43.7 MILLION TO FUND THE STUDENT ALLOCATIONS, FOR DIFFERENT MATTERS.

>> AND WHAT HE HAD TO BE SURE OF THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE'RE ACROSS FROM THE TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, YOU LOOK AT THAT AND ALL OF THE LARGE SPACE COMPANIES ACROSS THE STREET, WE'RE SETTING THERE.

AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE PARTNERS, WE DO PARTNERSHIPS.

>> WE'RE HAPPY TO SAY WE OWN THE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF -- WE HAVE OVER 4,000 INTERNSHIPS.

OVER 12,500 STUDENTS.

WE'RE THE ONLY STATE APPROPRIATION UNIVERSITY, THAT ALLOWS US TO PLACE OUR STUDENTS SOMEWHERE IN THE INDUSTRY THEY'RE INTERESTED IN, GET THE INTERNSHIPS.

THAT HELPS WITH THE WORK FORCE.

>> BY THE WAY, DOCTOR WEBB IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD.

>> BURRAGE ALSO TOLD THE LEGISLATORS WHO WERE PRESENT THAT HIGHER EDUCATION WILL BE MORE ACCOUNTABLE TO LAWMAKERS.

HE SAYS IF A COLLEGE WANTS TO RAISE TUITION, THEY WILL HAVE TO JUSTIFY THE INCREASE.

RICH.

>>> THE GRADY COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TEAMED UP WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES LAST FRIDAY TO RESCUE HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT ANIMALS FROM A RESIDENCE IN GRADY COUNTY.

THERE WERE SHIVERING, MALNOURISHED DOGS, A PIG, GOATS WITH A WATER TROUGH THAT WAS FROZEN SOLID.

THERE WERE ALSO KOI FISH, CATS, AND A PET BIRD IN NEED OF HELP.

ALL WERE REMOVED FROM THE PROPERTY AND ARE NOW RECEIVING TREATMENT.

>>> THE CANOO EV COMPANY IS LAYING OFF MORE WORKERS AND SHUTTING DOWN IT'S OKLAHOMA CITY FACILITY.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> 82 MORE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN FURLOUGHED INDEFINITELY BY CANOO.

THE COMPANY HAS IDLED ITS FACTORIES IN OKLAHOMA WHILE IT TRIES TO FINALIZE MORE CAPITAL TO KEEP THE OPERATION GOING.

IN NOVEMBER, THE COMPANY FURLOUGHED 23% OF ITS FACTORY WORKERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IN A STATEMENT, CANOO SAID THAT IT REGRETS HAVING TO FURLOUGH ITS EMPLOYEES, ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS, BUT IT HAD NO CHOICE AS THIS POINT.

CONNECTICUT BASED STARDUST POWER HAS ACQUIRED A 66-ACRE SITE IN MUSKOGEE TO BUILD ONE OF THE LARGEST LITHIUM REFINERIES IN NORTH AMERICA.

THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED THE PROPER PERMITTING TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION.

STARDUST POWER WAS INTERESTED IN OKLAHOMA FOR THE REFINERY DUE TO ITS CENTRAL LOCATION AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE COMPANY IS LOOKING TO BECOME THE BIGGEST SUPPLIER OF BATTERY-GRADE LITHIUM IN THE U.S.

THE CITY AND COUNTY OF MUSKOGEE WORKED TOGETHER TO CREATE A $27 MILLION TAX INCREMENT FINANCING DISTRICT TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT.

WHILE MUCH OF THE U.S. IS SEEING RENT PRICES COME DOWN, OKLAHOMA CITY CONTINUES TO SEE ITS AVERAGE RENTAL PRICE INCREASE.

REALTOR.COM'S NOVEMBER RENTAL REPORT REVEALS NOVEMBER RENT INCREASED BY 1.6% OVER NOVEMBER OF 2023, BRINGING THE AVERAGE RENTAL COST TO 1,023 A MONTH.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE DECREASED BY 1.1% IN NOVEMBER.

TULSA BASED LADYBUG NUTRATECH HAS REACHED THE MILESTONE OF CLEARING MORE THAN $9.6 MILLION IN REVENUE AS OF THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THIS IS A $7.5 MILLION INCREASE OVER THE SAME PERIOD IN 2023.

A COMBINATION OF ACQUISITIONS AND NEW ASSET INTEGRATION LED TO THE INCREASED REVENUE.

LADYBUG NUTRATECH IS A HEALTH AND WELLNESS E-COMMERCE MARKET.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED SOFTWARE COMPANY PAYCOM IS GATHERING SEVERAL ACCOLADES FROM EMPLOYEE REVIEW AND SALARY PLATFORM, COMPARABLY.

THAT ORGANIZATION HAS GIVEN PAYCOM NUMBER ONE RANKINGS FOR BEST COMPANIES FOR COMPENSATION AND BEST COMPANY CULTURE IN THE LARGE COMPANY CATEGORY.

COMPARABLY SAYS THAT PAYCOM CEO AND CHAIRMAN CHAD RISHISON IS RANKED AS NUMBER NINE IN ITS BEST CEOS CATEGORY.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP YOURSELF OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW COPE WITH THE HOLIDAY BLUES THAT SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCE AT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THAT CONVERSATION, MODERATED BY CASSIDY MUDD.

CASSIDY?

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BIPOLAR SUPPORT ALLIANCE.

AND THE ASSISTANCE CENTER COORDINATOR FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THANKS FOR JOINING US HERE.

THIS TIME OF YEAR IS OFTEN CALLED THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF YEAR.

IT'S NOT THAT WAY FOR EVERYONE.

THE HOLIDAY BLUES ARE IN FULL SWING.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REASONS?

>> ONE OF THE BIG REASONS, WHEN WE -- GREAT EXPECTATIONS ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN THE HOLIDAYS.

WE HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT WE THINK WE MUST DO.

GOING BETWEEN FAMILIES, HAVING TO GO OUT AND DO SHOPPING.

HAVE I GOTTEN ENOUGH, AND JUST TELLING OURSELVES THAT WELL, THIS IS A FESTIVE TIME OF YEAR AND I HAVE TO DO THESE THINGS.

FOR SOME, IT IS FESTIVE.

THIS IS A TIME WHEN THEY CAN BE WITH FOLKS AND THEY'RE HAPPY.

FOR OTHER PEOPLE IT'S THE STRESSORS AND THE EXPECTATIONS WE PUT ON OURSELVES THAT ACTUALLY TRIGGER NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES IN OUR LIFE.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK IT'S SO DIFFICULT FOR SOME PEOPLE?

>> IT'S A VARIETY OF FACTORS.

DEPENDING ON WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE AT, HEALTHY PEOPLE TO BE AROUND.

I KNOW IN THE LAST SEVERAL WORLD SERIES, A LOT OF THE CALLS I GET IS THE AMOUNT OF LOSS THAT PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED.

SOMETIMES THAT CAN ALSO PLAY A FACTOR IN AS WELL.

THANKFULLY THE WEATHER IS PRETTY OKAY.

WE HAVE NOT SEEN A LOT OF COOL, CLOUDY DAYS YET.

BUT A LOT OF TIMES WE SEE THAT, AND THAT CAN INCREASE ISOLATION, AND NOT HAVE THE NATURAL SUNLIGHT CAN IMPACT OUR OVERALL HEALTH.

>> AND THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM LOSS AND GRIEVING.

HOW CAN WE CREATE A BETTER SPACE FOR OUR LOVED ONES AND OURSELVES TO HAVE TIME TO MOURN IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO GIVE YOURSELF GRACE.

I WILL TELL YOU PERSONALLY, I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO MAJOR LOSSES THIS YEAR.

MY GRANDMOTHER AND FATHER-IN-LAW.

WE HAD OUR FIRST WITHOUT THEM WITH THANKSGIVING AND NOW GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS.

ONE OF THE THINGS FOR MYSELF IS HONORING THAT INDIVIDUAL.

ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP.

THERE'S SUPPORT AND SERVICES OUT THERE AVAILABLE.

A LOT OF THINGS TO LOOK UP ONLINE.

I WOULD SAY, TRY NEW TRADITIONS.

THAT'S MOST IMPORTANT.

HOW WOULD YOU HONOR THIS PARTICULAR PERSON.

ESPECIALLY IF THEY'RE IMPORTANT TO YOU.

>> HOW CAN WE CREATE THAT SPACE?

>> SHE'S RIGHT, SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO GET OUT OF NORM AND CHANGE.

LOSS IS A SIGNIFICANT THING.

SOMETHING ELSE THAT HELPS IS TO THINK ABOUT THIS AND REACH OUT TO PEOPLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HELPS PEOPLE IS LOOK FOR THE PEOPLE WHO MIGHT BE ALONE.

AND DON'T ASSUME.

THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE YOU LOOK AT SOMEONE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SHOW YOU WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THEM.

ASK QUESTIONS AND ENGAGE THEM IN THE CONVERSATIONS.

THERE'S SO MUCH GUILT THAT SOMETIMES GOES ALONG, AS YOU GO TO HOLIDAYS WITHOUT A LOVED ONE WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE A LOSS IN THE YEAR.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ACCEPT THAT AND GO THROUGH THE RIGHT PROCESS.

>> FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE FEELING LONELY, THEY'RE OLDER AND JUST ISOLATED.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THE PEOPLE.

>> JUST BEING AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING AND REACH OUT.

I KNOW I DO THAT, I REALIZE AS MY PARENTS WERE AGEING AND I REALIZED WHAT WAS IMPORTANT, IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO REACH OUT.

>> IT CAN FEEL HARD, THOUGH, TO REACH OUT WHEN YOU'RE ALREADY OVERWHELMED.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BURDEN SOMEONE, AND MAKE THEM FEEL YOU'RE PUTTING IT ON THAT.

>> KNOW WHAT YOU CAN HANDLE AND BE OKAY WITH THAT.

>> LISTEN TO THE HOLIDAY CHEER IN THE AIR, THE HOLIDAY SEASON, SEASONAL DEPRESSION DOESN'T TAKE THAT IN CONSIDERATION.

WE HAVE NICER WEATHER, WE'RE SEEING WARMER TEMPERATURES, WE'RE ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE.

TELL US A BIT ABOUT SEASONAL DEPRESSION.

>> YES, IT'S A REAL THING.

IT CAN COME AND GO.

ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT OFTEN WONDER WHY NOW, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AND WHY YOU SEE IT ITS ABOUT TO AWAY -- DOES IT GO AWAY WHEN THE WEATHER HANGS.

THOSE ARE GREAT QUESTIONS, AND I WOULD LOVE TO ANSWER THEM.

WHEN WE'RE SHUT IN, IT'S DIFFICULT FOR US TO ACCESS SUPPORT.

WE MAY BE RELYING ON THE TECHNOLOGY.

ONE THING TO RECOGNIZE IS -- AND I KNOW THAT JEFF SPOKE ABOUT THIS, IS KNOWING YOUR LIMIT.

GIVE YOURSELF TIME AND SPACE.

WE KNOW THAT CAN IMPACT OTHER PARTS OF OUR HEALTH.

IT'S OKAY TO DISCONNECT, IT'S OKAY TO TAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF.

LET OTHERS KNOW, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK FROM SOCIAL MEDIA OR TECHNOLOGY.

LET SOMEONE KNOW SO THAT THEY DON'T COME KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR.

HOPEFULLY EVERYONE IS OKAY.

CHECK IN.

I WOULD SAY IF THE INDIVIDUALS NOTICE THE SYMPTOMS ARE GETTING WORSE OR THINGS START TO CHANGE AND ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS, WE DO HAVE OUR 24 HOUR MENTAL CRISIS LINE.

CALL OR TEXT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ADULT TO CALL.

SMAFLT, A LOT OF -- AS A MATTER OF FACT, A LOT OF YOUTH UTILIZE THIS.

>> BROUGHT UP THE 988 HOT LINE.

>> IT'S A NATIONAL HOT LINE, THREE DIGIT NUMBER THAT YOU CAN DIAL.

IF YOU DIAL FROM AN OKLAHOMA AREA CODE IT'S ANSWERED HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

YOU'RE ABLE TO TALK TO SOMEONE WHO CAN LINK YOU TO TREATMENT SERVICES AND DIFFERENT RESOURCES.

ANOTHER REALLY GOOD RESOURCE THAT OKLAHOMAENS NEED TO REMEMBER IS 211.

211 IS DIFFERENT FROM 988, 211 CAN LINK YOU TO DIFFERENT SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE AREA.

THEY'LL REFER TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HERS, LIKE MINE, CAN BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WARNING SIGNS, MAYBE A FRIEND, COWORKER, SOMETHING THAT'S NOT QUITE RIGHT.

WHAT ARE THE WARNING SIGNS FOR SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS.

>> IF YOU SUSPECT THAT SOMEONE IS THINKING ABOUT HARMING THEMSELVES, ASK THE QUESTION.

SO OFTEN, PEOPLE THINK IF I BRING IT UP, IT'LL MAKE IT WORSE.

NO, IT MIGHT BE THE FIRST TIME SOMEONE REACHED OUT AND AND IF THEY'RE OKAY.

THEN THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO GET THEM TO THE RIGHT SERVICE.

SOMEONE SAYS, I'M THINKING OF HARMING MYSELF, WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS CALL 988 WITH THEM, LINK THEM TO THE SERVICES AND GET THEM CARE.

FOR THE WARNING SIGNS, THERE'S MANY DIFFERENT WARNING SIGNS TO HOOK AT.

WHAT I TELL PEOPLE, WHEN PEOPLE PULL BACK AND YOU SEE THEM NOT DECIDE THE THINGS OR ENGAGING THE WAY, THE WAY THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.

OR AS AN INDIVIDUAL, IF I CAN'T FIND JOY IN THE THINGS THAT HAD BROUGHT ME JOY BEFORE, OR IF I FIND MYSELF WITHDRAWING, AND WHATEVER I'M GOING THROUGH IS KEEPING ME FROM LIVING MY LIFE THE WAY I WANT TO LIVE, REACH OUT, 988 IS THE RESOURCE.

FIND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

YOU CAN CALL GROUPS LIKE THE MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS.

AT ANY MOMENT THAT SOMEONE FEELS I'M WORRIED ABOUT MYSELF, I'M ASKING QUESTIONS FROM A SELF STANDPOINT OR YOU'RE LOOKING AT SOMEONE AND SAYING THEY'RE WITHDRAWN OR NOT ENGAGED, IT'S OKAY.

IT'S EASIER TO FIND THE HELP.

THERE'S MANY MANY DEDICATED OKLAHOMAENS THAT WANT TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER.

>> SOMETIMES WE HEAR THE PHRASE TRIGGER.

IT'S A TRIGGER TO SEE THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS, CHRISTMAS MUSIC.

HOW CAN THOSE THAT ARE HAPPY AND JOYFUL IS A TRIGGER FOR SOMEONE.

>> DEFINITIVELY.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WHEN SOMEONE FEELS A SENSATION IN THEIR BODY, OR MAYBE A THOUGHT OR A PHYSICAL REACTION, THAT'S USUALLY WHAT THE WORD TRIGGER MEANS.

SO, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT.

AND I THINK A LOT OF TIMES WE LIVE IN A FAST PACED ENVIRONMENT, THINGS ARE COMING OUT FROM LEFT AND RIGHT, UP AND DOWN, WE FORGET TO PAUSE.

WE FORGET TO PAUSE AND REALLY LOOK AT RIGHT NOW.

IF YOU'RE EXPERIENCING THE TRIGGER, I'LL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE, SOMETIMES MY MOTHER WAS A HUGE BEACH BOYS FAN.

WHEN A CHRISTMAS SONG ON THE RADIO WITH THE BEACH BOYS, I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF TO TAKE A MOMENT, TAKE A COUPLE OF DEEP BREATHS AND ACKNOWLEDGE MY FEELINGS.

AM I FEELING SAD, APPREHENSIVE, WHAT'S GOING ON FOR ME IN THE MOMENT, AND FIGURING OUT A GOOD COPING MECHANISM.

I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE I'M OVERCOME WITH EMOTION.

WHEN WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS, THEN OUR BODY CAN TAKE GOOD POSITIVE ACTION OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN THE TRIGGERS OR ANYTHING THAT'S IMPACTING US EMOTIONALLY, THAT'S LED TO A HEIGHTENED LEVEL, THE PHYSICAL SAFETY WE NEED TO REMOVE OURSELVES FROM THE SITUATION, IS WHEN IT'S OVERWHELMING.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE SOMEONE OR YOU NEED SOMEONE, CALL 988.

>> IT'S OKAY TO FEEL THAT WAY.

>> DEFINITIVELY, FOR SURE.

WE'RE HUMAN BEINGS, WE'RE COMPLEX INDIVIDUALS.

WE CAN'T BE HAPPY ALL THE TIME.

IF WE WERE, I WOULD WE THAT.

THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING IN OUR LIVES, WE'RE REAL INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE, AND PART OF THE HEALING PROCESS IS WE HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL PARTS OF OURSELVES.

INCLUDING THE NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.

>> WE'RE ABOUT OUT OF TIME, I HAVE ONE FINAL QUESTION.

FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAY BE STRUGGLING IN SILENCE, WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

>> REACH OUT.

IT'S EASY SAYING THAT, IT'S HARD TO PICK UP THE PHONE, IT'S HARD TO GO AND TALK TO DIFFERENT GROUPS.

BUT UNDERSTAND THERE'S PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE NOT JUDGMENTAL, THEY WANT TO HELP YOU AND CARE ABOUT YOU.

MY GROUP IS LIKE THAT, MENTAL HEALTH OKLAHOMA IS LIKE THAT.

AND WHO EXIST TO HELP OTHERS.

988 IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

211 IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

THERE'S A WARM LINE, YOU CAN CALL IN AND TALK TO SOMEONE.

THEY CAN HELP LINK YOU TO PEOPLE.

IF YOU'RE STRUGGLING, DEFINITIVELY, AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN, REACH OUT TO THOSE OF US.

>> FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> YOU KNOW, LIKE I THINK YOU HAVE THE BIG THINGS REDLIGHTED TO THIS -- RELATED TO THIS IS BE YOU, BE YOURSELF, WHATEVER THAT MEANS FOR YOU.

THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY.

TAKING TIME FOR YOURSELF, AND ACKNOWLEDGING.

EVEN IF YOU DON'T LOOK AT THE THINGS YOU ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE LAST YEAR, MAYBE SETTING SMALL GOALS FOR NEXT YEAR.

WE WANT IT TO BE THINGS THAT YOU CAN ATTAIN.

WE WANT TO BE HERE FOR PEOPLE, AND LET THEM KNOW SOMEONE CARES ABOUT THEM.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND SUPPORTING OKLAHOMA.

AND THANK YOU FOR THIS DISCUSSION.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REALLY REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION THERE, THANK YOU.

>>> INTENSE WILDFIRES ARE GROWING PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY- FROM MALIBU TO NEW JERSEY AND, OF COURSE, RIGHT HERE IN THE SOONER STATE.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL TO BOULDER, COLORADO, WHERE SCIENTISTS ARE USING A.I.

TO DETECT AND PREVENT WILDFIRES AS FAR AWAY AS NORMAN, OKLAHOMA.

THAT STORY COURTESY OF OUR FRIENDS AT ROCKY MOUNTAIN P.B.S.

>> WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, WILD FIRES ARE BACK IN THE COUNTRY.

WE REALLY NEEDED TO INVEST IN THE TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY TO HELP BETTER PREDICT THE ENVIRONMENTS.

GOING TO TAKE NEW TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGY THAT HELP FIREFIGHTERS AND METEOROLOGISTS AND IMPROVE THEM AND EVALUATE THEM AND GET THEM IN THE FIELD.

HERE ON THE LEFT IS THE NEXT GENERATION OF FIRE SYSTEM DASHBOARD.

WE CAN SEE, RIGHT NOW, THE LATEST FIRE DETECTION WAS 49 SECONDS AGO IN NORMAN, OKLAHOMA.

THE NEW TOOL IS A SATELLITE BASED AI DETECTION SYSTEM THAT HELPS TO IDENTIFY MADE WILD FIRES.

WE CAN USE THE INFRARED BANDS.

WE CUT OUT THE SATELLITE, LOOKING AT WILDFIRES FROM 22,000 MILES AWAY.

AND TAKES A NEW PICTURE EVERY MINUTE.

WITH THIS NEW SYSTEM, IT HELPS IDENTIFY ALL THE NEW POTENTIAL WILDFIRES AND GIVES YOU MORE INFORMING ABOUT WHERE THEY'RE AT AND TRANSMIT THE INFORMATION.

AND THEN ACTUALLY A FORM OF THE WARNING FEED, THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TO ISSUE BE WARNINGS FOR THE NEW WILDFIRES.

THEY CAN SEND THEIR PARTNERS, METHODS LIKE THIS.

WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO TAKE THE TIME, DOWN TO LESS THAN 10 MINUTES.

WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, UNFORTUNATELY, SOME REALLY TRAGICE.S OF THE FAST MOVING WILDFIRES.

AND IN THE PAST, THERE WASN'T A GOOD MECHANISM TO ISSUE WARNINGS FOR THOSE FIRES.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION TO GIVE TO PEOPLE.

WE HAVE THE -- WITH THREE PHYSICAL SIZES -- SCIENTISTS.

>> IN ORDER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE TEST SAYS, SHOULD BE EVALUATING THE QUESTIONS AND ASKING, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEEDS IN THE FIELD ARE.

ONE OF THE CHAPELINGS HERE -- CHALLENGES, EVERY REGION, FACES DIFFERENT CHALLENGES.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS RIGHT NOW, >>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

OUR FINAL NEWSCAST OF THE YEAR RECAPS THE "YEAR THAT WAS" IN OKLAHOMA, AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES AND WORK OF OUR EXCELLENT TEAM OF REPORTERS.

NEXT FRIDAY AT 7!

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT TECUMSEH'S GRINCHMAS PARADE, SHOT AND EDITED BY OETA'S TALENTED MATT BARNETT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!