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

FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE WEEK, COVID-19 INFECTIONS HAVE DECLINED IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S A PROMISING DEVELOPMENT, BUT IS IT ONLY TEMPORARY, ARE WE DUE FOR ANOTHER SURGE OR THE VACCINES TRULY BEGINNING TO TURN THE TIDE.

WE'LL DISCUSS WITH OKLAHOMA MEDICAL EXPERTS.

BUT FIRST, THE NUMBERS.

THE RATE OF NEW CASES IS WAY DOWN FOR THE SEVEN DAY AVERAGE AT 1,584.

KEEP IN MIND, OKLAHOMA RECORDED 6500 NEW CASES IN ONE DAY, AND HOSPITALIZATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY DOWN THIS WEEK.

1,051 LAST FRIDAY, THIS FRIDAY, 883 PEOPLE TREATED IN THE HOSPITAL.

AND THE DEATH TOLL IS UP FROM 239 LAST WEEK TO 249 THIS WEEK.

HERE'S ONR'S JASON DOYLE.

>> THE COVID-19 NUMBERS ARE TRENDING IN A BETTER DIRECTION, VACCINATIONS WILL BEGIN FOR THE NEXT PRIORITY GROUP LATERED THIS MONTH.

>> TEACHERS AND SCHOOL WORKERS OF ALL AGES AND OKLAHOMAENS CAN -- WITH WILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE STARTING FEBRUARY 22.

>> WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN VACCINATING OKLAHOMAENS OVER 65, AND WE FEEL IT'S THE RIGHT TIME TO BEGIN VACCINATING MORE OF THE AT RISK POPULATION.

>> AS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS BEGIN PREPARATIONS TO ADD A NEW GROUP, THE COMMISSIONER IS ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO SIGN UP.

>> FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS IN THE NEXT PRIORITY GROUPS WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SIGN UP ON THE ONLINE PORTAL IN THE NEXT TEN DAYS.

JUST TO ENSURE THAT YOU'RE NOTIFIED WHEN YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

WE ESTIMATE THERE'S -- THAT QUALIFY AS TEACHER AND IS STAFF AND JUST OVER 1 MILLION OKLAHOMAENS THAT QUALIFY IN THIS PERIOD.

>> THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL COORDINATE WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE STATE TO FIND OUT THE SPECIFIC NEEDS ARE.

>> TEACHERS AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEES IN THE STATE ARE NOW SET TO GET A VACCINE LONG BEFORE THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> WHO SERVES AS THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD.

I URGE ALL OKLAHOMAENS, TEACHERS AND NONTEACHERS ALIKE TO WELCOME THE VACCINE AS SOON AS THEY'RE ABLE.

>> GOES TONE SURE THAT ANY TEACHER WHO WANTS THE VACCINE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO BY SPRING BREAK.

>> AS VACCINE SUPPLIES INCREASE, THE STATE WILL BEGIN TO DISTRIBUTE THEM TO MORE TRADITIONAL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS TO INCREASE POPULATION.

THEY'RE ABLE TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN THE MODERATE INCREASE OF DOSES COMING TO OKLAHOMA AND REACHING A SIGNIFICANT BENCHMARK IN THE 65 PLUS POPULATION.

>> WE'RE AROUND THE POPULATION THAT'S REPRESENTED IN OUR DATABASE, BUT WHEN WE CHECK WITH THE PARTNERS THAT ARE RECEIVING FEDERAL ALLOCATION, AND TRIBAL PARTNERS, AND THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION THAT NUMBER GOES UP TO 56%.

>> MOVING TO THE NEXT PHASE, THE VACCINATION PLAN COMES AT A TIME -- ADDING RESOURCES IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE ALSO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE NEW FEDERAL RETAIL PHARMACY PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL DOSES TO PHARMACIES IN THE STATE.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY IS GAINING GROUND.

>> OUR CASES ARE DOWN 59%.

FROM THE PEAK LAST MONTH.

AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE DOWN 56% FROM THE PEAK.

>> THERE'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS DROP NATIONWIDE IN THE TOTAL NUMBER OF NEW COVID-19 CASES DAILY AND OKLAHOMA HAS SEEN A SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN THE NUMBER OF CASES.

>> OU HEALTH CHIEF DOCTOR IS OPTIMISTIC OF THE DOWNWARD TREND.

>> OKLAHOMA CURRENTLY HAS 56 CASES PER 100,000 POPULATION PER DAY, THAT'S THIRD IN THE NATION, HOWEVER, JUST REMEMBER THAT ON JANUARY 12, WE WERE SEEING 103 NEW CASES PER DAY ON AVERAGE.

>> COVID-19 IS STILL A THREAT IN THE STATE.

>> ACROSS THE STATE THERE'S SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN THE CASES, BUT THERE'S RULES OF SPREADING THE DISEASE THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF.

>> WE'RE STILL SEEING QUITE A FEW DEATHS, BUT REMEMBER THOSE WHO GET REALLY SICK WITH COVID-19 ARE IN THE HOSPITAL FOR WEEKS BEFORE THEY DIE, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THE NUMBER OF NEW DEATHS IN THE STATE SLOWLY TO CONTINUE TO COME DOWN, PARTICULARLY AT THE HOSPITALIZATION RATES STAY LOW.

>> OKLAHOMA IS NOT ALONE AND THE DEATH RATE CONTINUING AT A HIGHER PACE.

>> IT'S A STATISTIC THAT LAGS AND SO WE'RE STILL -- IT'S NOT JUST OKLAHOMA, IT'S NATIONWIDE.

PUT ON MULTIPLE CALLS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ASSOCIATION, ET CETERA, TALKING ABOUT HOW EVERYONE IS SEEING THE TRENDS COMING DOWN, THE DEATH RATES ARE HIGH.

>> FOR NOW, OFFICIALS BELIEVE THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER IN OKLAHOMA.

JOHNSON&JOHNSON, LIKELY TO GET AN AUTHORIZATION SOON.

MEANING A LARGER SUPPLY OF VACCINE DOSES COMING IN THE STATE.

BUT THERE'S FACTORS THAT THEY'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON.

THE VARIANTS MAY SPREAD EASIER, HAVE A HIGHER MORTALITY RATE.

THE FIRST OF WHICH, RECENTLY DETECTED IN OKLAHOMA.

>>> THANK YOU.

ALSO, AS OF FRIDAY, MORE THAN 447,000 OKLAHOMAENS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSES OF THE VACCINE, AND 173,423 HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SECOND SHOT AND COMPLETE THE PROCESS.

>>> THE SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THE SENATE TRAIL BEGAN ON TUESDAY WHEN THE SENATOR SERVING AS THE JUDGE IN PLACE OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE ROBERTS.

DONALD TRUMP DID NOT HAVE A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO INVITE A RIOT ON JANUARY 6.

TRUMP LAWYERS BEGAN THEIR DEFENSE ON FRIDAY.

THEIR ARGUMENT, THE TRIAL IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, AND THE RIOT IS NOT CAUSED BY WHAT THE FORMER PRESIDENT SAID.

>> WE CANNOT HAVE PRESIDENTS PROMOTING MOB VIOLENCE IN OUR GOVERNMENTED, BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE.

>> IT'S NOT THE ACCIDENT THE FIRST LIBERTY IN THE FIRST ARTICLE OF THE BILL OF RIGHTS IS THE FIRST AMENDMENT WHICH SAYS, CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW ABRIDGING FREEDOM OF SPEECH, ET CETERA.

CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW.

THE VERY FIRST ONE.

THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE, THE ABILITY TO HAVE FREE AND ROBUST DEBATE, FREE AND ROBUST POLITICAL SPEECH.

>> IT WOULD BECOME CLEAR, EXACTLY WHERE THAT MOB CAME FROM.

BECAUSE HERE'S THE THING, PRESIDENT TRUMP'S WORDS AS YOU'LL SEE, ON JANUARY 6, IN THAT SPEECH, JUST LIKE THE MOBS ACTIONS WEREN'T CAREFULLY CHOSEN.

THEY HAD A SPECIFIC MEANING TO THAT CROWD.

>> LET'S UNDERSTAND WHY WE'RE REALLY HERE.

WE'RE REALLY HERE BECAUSE THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOES NOT WANT TO FACE DONALD TRUMP AS A POLITICAL RIVAL IF THE FUTURE.

-- IN THE FUTURE.

>> AS TESTIMONY BEGAN, OKLAHOMA SENATORS HAD NOT REVEALED IF THEY WOULD VOTE TO CONVICT TRUMP.

THEY DID VOTE ON TUESDAY AGAINST MOVING FORWARD WITH THE TRIAL.

>>> AN EXECUTIVE ORDER -- ARGUES THE TENTH AMENDMENT GIVES STATES THE RIGHT HOW TO USE THE RESOURCES.

NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

A MORATORIUM ON OIL AND GAS LEASES, AND THE UNITED STATES REJOINING THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA LAWMAKERS HAVE FINISHED THE WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND SENT THE BILL ON TO THE GOVERNOR TO BE SIGNED.

>> GOVERNOR SIGNED SENATE BILL, THAT ALLOWS PUBLIC BODIES LIKE THE CITY COUNCIL TO HAVE FULLY VIRTUAL MEETINGS, THIS WILL ALLOW THEM NOT TO HAVE TO HAVE A QUORUM IN A PHYSICAL PRESENCE, AND STILL HAVE A FORMAL MEETING.

THEY ALSO CAN'T DO A SWITCH, THEY CAN'T SAY WE'LL MEET VIRTUALLY, AND THEN ALL MEET TOGETHER IN ONE ROOM, THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW WHAT'S POSTED ON THE AGENDA.

AND THE LAW POSTS THE PROVISION TO CREATE ACCESS AND CODES TO SKAET THE MEETING AVAILABLE.

>> THERE'S AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO HELP -- GETTING THE DRIVERS LICENSE.

LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT.

>> IT'LL ALLOW TAG AGENTS TO -- OR IDENTIFICATION CARDS IF THE INDIVIDUAL HAS AN EXISTING DRIVERS LICENSE FILE ON FILE.

AND ALSO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO USE THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS TO DO WRITTEN TESTS, AND ALLOWS THE TAG AGENTS TO ISSUE COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE, PREVIOUSLY WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY ITSELF.

>> THIS WEEK, VOTERS MADE THEIR PICKS FOR THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES TO FILL AN OPEN SEAT IF THE OKLAHOMA SENATE, WHO MADE IT TO THE GENERAL SPECIAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 22?

>> JAKE MERRICK DEFEATED -- ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, AND MOVE ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION, AND MOLLY UTON DEFEATED DYLAN TO WIN THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION.

THIS IS THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE SEAT PREVIOUSLY HELD BY STEPHANIE BIAS.

THE GENERAL ELECTION IS HELD ON APRIL 6.

>> NEXT WEEK IS A BIG WEEK, HOW ARE THE COLLECTIONS GOING RIGHT NOW FOR THE GENERAL FUND?

>> THEY WERE DOING QUITE WELL BUT IN THE MONTH OF JANUARY, THERE WAS A DECLINE.

THE COLLECTIONS EXCEED IT HAD ESTIMATE BY MORE THAN 122 MILLION OR 3.8%.

THE COLLECTIONS FELL IN JANUARY, AND NOW THEY'RE EVEN WITH THE ESTIMATE IN BOTH TERMS OF DOLLARS AND IN TERMS OF PERCENTAGE.

THE NEW NUMBERS THE BOARD WILL CONSIDER ON TUESDAY IS USED AS A NEGOTIATING BASIS FOR THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AS THEY WORK ON THE FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET.

>> YOU'LL BE THERE COVERING IT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH MY FRIEND.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> NOW ANOTHER MATTER UNDER CONSIDERATION IS HOW THE STATE QUESTIONS -- ADVANCE THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

>> FEDERAL CHANGES TO THE STATE'S PROCESS, THAT'S HOW THE STATE QUESTIONS GET ON BALLOTS FOR ALL VOTERS TO DECIDE ON IS A BIG REPUBLICAN PRIORITY THIS YEAR.

AT LEAST 30 OR SO BILLS HAVE BEEN FILED SPECIFICALLY ON THAT ISSUE TO ESSENTIALLY MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GET ON THE BALLOT.

THE BILLS INCLUDE RAISING THE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES REQUIRED FOR A STATE QUESTION, OR REQUIRING SIGNATURES TO COME FROM ALL OVER THE STATE RATHER THAN JUST FROM METRO AREA WHERE A LOT OF SIGNATURES DO COME FROM.

THEY SAID THAT URBAN VOTERS HAVE MAKING DECISIONS FOR THE REAL VOTERS THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH.

FROM THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP, THEY SAY A VOTE IS A VOTE.

IT IS VERY VERY DIFFICULT TO GET A STATE QUESTION ON A STATEWIDE BALLOT, AND OVER THE LAST DECADE ABOUT 40 HAVE BEEN FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE.

ONLY EIGHT HAVE MADE IT ON A STATEWIDE BALLOT, AND HAD ENOUGH SIGNATURES CAN COUNTED, AND OF THOSE ONLY FOUR HAVE BEEN APPROVED BY THE VOTERS.

SO IT'S UNLIKELY THAT STATE QUESTION MAKTZ ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS AND APPROVED BY THE VOTERS.

BUT WE SEE THE LEGISLATURES PUTTING FORWARD MORE QUESTIONS.

THEIR PROCESS IS EASIER, IT MAKES IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND WANT IT TO GO ON A STATEWIDE BALLOT, IT CAN GO THROUGH.

AND I WILL NOTE THE QUESTION THE LEGISLATURE PUTS FORWARD PASS FOR FREQUENTLY -- AND WE'RE SEEING THE BILLS HEARD IN COMMITTEE AND MAKING THEIR WAY THROUGH COMMITTEE AS WELL.

AND WITH THE HUGE MAJORITY OF THE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE, AND I WOULD PREDICT THAT SEVERAL OF THESE MAKE IT THROUGH THE PROCESS, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT BECAUSE THE INITIATION PROCESS IS IN THE CONSTITUTION, LAWMAKERS CAN'T CHANGE IT WITHOUT THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE.

THIS BILL WILL BE UP TO THE VOTERS, YES.

THE ACTIVISTS INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS SAY IF THE LEGISLATURE DOES PASS THE BILL THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS AND END UP ON A STATEWIDE BALLOT, THERE'LL BE ORGANIZED RESISTANCE, BUT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO LET THE CHANGES HAPPEN LIGHTLY.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SOME OF THE MOST EXCITING RESEARCH ON DRONES IS DONE HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, OUR STATE IS POISED TO BE AN INTERNATIONAL CENTER IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNMANNED CRAFT.

>> 20 MILES SOUTHEAST OF MCCALLSTER, IT'S 25 MILES LONG AND STREECHED ACROSS -- STRETCHED ACROSS 44,000 ACRES.

CHOCTAW OWNS IT.

>> WE'RE THE FIRST AND ONLY TRIBE SELECTED FOR A PROGRAM LIKE THIS.

>> JAMES HOLDS AN OU AEROSPACE ENGINEERING DEGREE.

THINK BIGGER.

>> REALLY, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IS FLYING TAXIS, WHAT HELICOPTERS COULD HAVE DONE BUT THEY'RE NOISY, THEY HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES IN URBAN AREAS, THERE'S A LOT OF CONSTRAINTS WITH HELICOPTERS.

THESE SYSTEMS ARE MORE QUIET.

>> MOST HELICOPTERS FLY WITH A SINGLE RO ROTOR.

-- >> THE NEAT THING ABOUT THIS, THE WAY WE'RE MOVING, WE'LL SEE MORE SOPHISTICATED OPERATIONS OF PILOTED MANNED VEHICLES THAT ARE LOCAL POWERED FIRST.

WE'RE LOOKING AT FIVE YEARS IN SOME AREAS LIKE DALLAS AND DUE BUY AND OTHER AREAS, REGULAR OPERATIONS.

WE'RE STILL A FEW YEARS AWAY FROM IT.

WE'RE SEEING A SMALLER SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T HAVE AN OPERATOR OR HUMAN ON BOARD, DELIVERING THINGS LIKE YOUR PIZZA OR YOUR PHARMACEUTICALS MEDICATIONS OR EVEN HEALTH DEVICES.

>> ALL THAT IS COMING IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS.

>> HOW BIG ARE THESE AIR TAXIS, YOU THINK THEY'LL BE IN DALLAS IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

>> RANGE FROM 4,000 TO 10,000 POUNDS, DEPENDING ON THE PAYLOAD CAPACITY.

THERE'S AROUND 70 COMPANIES ACTIVELY WORKING ON IT.

>> THERE'S CURRENTLY AROUND 200 VERSIONS OF WHAT AIR TAXIS WILL LOOK LIKE.

>> A LOT OF WAYS IT LOOKS LIKE THE EARLY AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY.

IN THE UNITED STATES, SOMETHING LIKE 700 AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURERS, RANGING FROM SMALL GARAGES UP TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY, AND WE'RE IN THAT STAGE NOW.

BUT WE HAVE 70 AND IT'LL PROBABLY GROW.

>> OVER AT WILL ROGERS BUSINESS PARK IN OKLAHOMA CITY, WORKING ON INTERESTING UNMANNED DRONES OF THEIR OWN.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SEEN THE LEGENDARY MOVIE, TOP GUN, THINK OF THIS IS A GOOSE TO AN AMERICAN OR ALLIED JET PILOT.

>> HE'S SAFE IN THE COOK PITTED OF THIS FIGHTER JET, AND THIS IS A LAYER OF DEFENSE FOR HIM.

ALONGSIDE HIM, FLYING IN FORMATION LIKE GOOSE AND MAVERICK OR WHO CAN FLY AT SOME FORWARD PROJECTED POSITION.

>> UNMANNED POSITION PRESIDENT, SAYS THAT THE EXPANDED HERE FROM SAN DIEGO THREE YEARS AGO, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE TAX BREAKS, THEY NEEDED THE AIR SPACE AND -- >> WE LOOKED AT THE AVAILABILITY OF THE WORKHORSE WE NEED, AND IT ALL FIT IN OKLAHOMA.

>> GRADUATED FROM WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL IN 2012.

AND ON HOLDS A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE FROM OU.

>> YOU DON'T SEE IT ANYWHERE ELSE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE'RE BUILDING MILITARY GRADE DRONES AND AIRCRAFT, AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

>> IN THE PAST YEAR, IT'S DOUBLED THE WORK FORCE HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY LOCATION FROM 50 TO 150 EMPLOYEES.

>> WE FEEL GOOD OF OTHER PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE BIDDING ON THAT'LL EXPAND IT FURTHER.

>> THE STATE'S AEROSPACE INDUSTRY NOW EMPLOYEES 200,000 PEOPLE, AND HAS GROWN TO $44 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT EACH YEAR.

>> WE'VE ANNOUNCED BIG EXPANSIONS, TURBINES IN STROUD, THIS IS NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA INDUSTRY.

ANNOUNCED A COMMERCIAL CONTRACT OF DOING AIRPLANE ENGINES.

AND WE'RE SEEING AEROSPACE WITH A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN THE GROWTH.

>>> THANK YOU.

AND HERE'S A -- IT TOOK THE NAME FROM THE GREEK GOD OF WAR.

>>> ANOTHER INNOVATIVE PROGRAM UNDERWAY IN OKLAHOMA CITY, IT INVOLVES A COLORFUL FISH FOUND IN MANY HOME AQUARIUMS.

THE ZEBRA FISH.

>> DOCTORS AT THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, JUST WON A GRANT TO STUDY HOW A VERY TINY FISH HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON GENETIC DISEASES.

AN ASSISTANT MEMBER, AND SAYS THEY USED ZEBRA FISH.

>> THEY'RE -- USED AS A MODEL FOR RESEARCH.

>> THE GRANT IS TO STUDY HOW SMALL GENETIC VARIANCES CAN ADVOCATE THE GENETIC EXPRESSIONS.

>> ARE IN THE NONCODING REGIONS OF THE DNA.

ALL KNOWN, WHICH GENE EACH ONE -- HAS NOT BEEN [INAUDIBLE].

>> THERE'S MANY ADVANTAGES TO USE THE ZEBRA FISH.

>> THERE'S COMBINATION AROUND EIGHT OUT OF TEN HUMAN -- HAS A COUNTER PART IN THE ZEBRA FISH.

ZEBRA FISH -- >> MEMBER OF THE ARTHRITIS AND CLINICAL DEPARTMENT, ZEBRA FISH ARE MORE COST EFFICIENT THAN MICE.

>> IT COST ME $6,000 A MONTH JUST FOR ROOM AND BOARD FOR THE MICE.

THAT'S $72,000 A YEAR, THAT'S JUST ROOM AND BOARD FOR THE MICE.

WHEN YOU WORK WITH ZEBRA FISH, IT'S MUCH, MUCH LESS EXPENSIVE.

>> AND THOMPSON SAYS THE FISH DEVELOP FASTER.

>> IN A FEW DAYS, GOING FROM NEWLY HATCHED EGGS TO FULLY DEVELOPED.

>> THE RESEARCH IS THANKS TO THE PIONEERING WORK.

>> CUTS DNA IN A PRECISE LOCATION, IT ALLOWS US TO MANIPULATE DNA SEQUENCE.

WE'RE GOING TO USE TO PRECISELY SEE HOW THE GENE EXPRESSION AND FIND OUT WHAT GENE [INAUDIBLE].

>> IT'S A FASTER, CHEAPER WAY TO STUDY GENES AND FIND OUT WHAT MAKES US SICK.

>>> THANK.

BMX RACING IS AN OLYMPIC RACING, AND TULSA HAS BEEN A PROMINENT DESTINATION FOR THE RACERS BUT SOON, OKLAHOMA IS THE EPICENTER OF THE SPORT.

>> A CHURCH PARKING LOT IS A FINE PLACE TO PRACTICE.

BUT SOON, HE'LL RAMP UP HIS RACING IN A BIG WAY.

>> HE'S ALWAYS LOVED TO RIDE HIS BIKE.

ONCE HE GOT ON THE TRACK, HE WAS HOOKED.

>> THAT GIVE AWAY WAS A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

HE WON A NEW BIKE AND LOTS OF GEAR, AND LOTS OF TROPHIES.

>> WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS?

>> TO BE AN EXPERT.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST.

>> AT FIRST, 7-YEAR-OLD SISTER WAS CONTENT TO WATCH, BUT NOT FOR LONG.

>> I GOT TIRED OF WATCHING MY BROTHER RACE, AND I DECIDED I WANTED TO DO IT.

>> MORE HARDWARE FOLLOWED.

SHE FINISHED SECOND IN AN EVENT AT THE GRAND NATIONALS.

>> HE'S TAKEN SECOND AT GRAND, THAT SURPRISED ALL OF US.

>> THEY LIVE 25 MILES DRIVE FROM THE TUBE SITE IN NORTH TULSA.

TRANSFORMED IN THE NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR BMX RACING.

>> WITH THE LARGEST EVENT HERE WAS A NATURAL FOR THEM.

>> NOW ULTIMATELY, TULSA IS WHERE WE WANTED TO BE, IT'S CENTRALLY LOCATED, THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY AROUND OUR COMPANY AND BEING IN OKLAHOMA IN GENERAL.

IT WAS A NO BRAINER TO MOVE HEADQUARTERS THERE.

>> THE $23 MILLION PROJECT PAID FOR WITH VISION 2025 FUNDING WILL INCLUDE OFFICE SPACE FOR EMPLOYEES, A NATIONAL HALL OF FAME MUSEUM.

>> THE ARENA SPANS 272 FOOT CLEAR SPAN, IT'S THE FLESH HOLD OF A CAREER SPAN BUILDING WITH NO COLUMNS IN BETWEEN.

IT'S PRETTY COOL SEEING IT GO UP.

>> RYAN O'NEIL IS A SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER.

AN OKLAHOMA COMPANY ALSO BUILDING THE POP MUSEUM A FEW MILES AWAY.

PROJECTS LIKE THIS ARE COOL, THEY PROVIDE GOOD JOBS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> THERE'S ALSO THE SUPPLIERS, THE FABRICATORS, THE FOLKS OUTSIDE THE ACTUAL PROJECT THAT HAVE A KEY EMPHASIS INSIDE THE PROJECT, AND A LOT ARE LOCAL.

>> THE CITY'S GOAL IS TO HAVE 10% OF THE WORK DONE BY SMALL BUSINESSES, ON THIS PROJECT IT'S ABOUT 15%.

AND THAT'S GREAT NEWS FOR CITY COUNCILLOR.

REPRESENTS THE HISTORIC GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> I'M EXCITED THAT SO MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT HERE.

AND THE DEVELOPMENT THAT'LL COME AFTER THE BMX.

THIS WAS A WIN WIN, LOCATED IN A GOOD PART OF THE CITY THAT NEEDS DROPLET AND REINVIG RATION, AND WE'RE ABLE TO BRING IT HERE.

>> THE ENTIRE SITE COMPRISES 22 ACRES.

THE BMX FACILITY IS IN TEN.

THIS BUILDING BEHIND ME, SITS ON THE NATIONAL HISTORICAL -- AND ANOTHER TEN ACRES HERE READY FOR DEVELOPMENT, THAT'S EXCITING FOR FOLKS WHO LIVE AND WORK IN THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

>> IF YOU CAN REUSE IT AND NOT A BUNCH OF CLEAN UP COST, IT'S AN ADVANTAGE.

PLUS, IT PUTS YOU BACK IN THE HEART OF THE CITY.

>> THIS AREA DID REQUIRE AN ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP.

PAID FOR BY THE EPA.

>> THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY HAS A PROGRAM FOR BROWNFIELD TO HELP CITIES REINVENT THESE PLACES.

>> THIS IS ROUGHLY 35% COMPLETE.

BUT IT WON'T ATTRACT JUST WORLD CLASS RACERS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> BMX IS WORKING WITH THE -- TO BUILD UP AND RAISE UP THE NEXT GENERATION OF BMXERS, THAT'S EXCITING.

>> THIS IS A FACILITY FOR THE CITY OF TULSA AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IT'LL HAVE LOCAL OPERATING EVENTS EVERY WEEKEND.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING GOING ON THERE.

>> WE'VE GOT THREE GREAT TRACKS IN OKLAHOMA, BUT TO HAVE THE HEADQUARTERS HERE IN TULSA, AND WITHIN 25 MINUTES OF OUR HOME, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY NEAT.

IT'S IN A GREAT LOCATION, EASILY ACCESS ASKED WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE THE FACILITY AND THE TRACK.

AND GET ON IT AND GET STARTED.

>>> AS FAR AS IF OLYMPICS GO, TYPICALLY A FIVE PERSON TEAM WOULD REPRESENT THE U.S.A.

IN TOKYO THIS YEAR.

BUT IF THE XAEGS IS SCALED BACK, THAT COULD CHANGE.

>>> VERIFIED CATTLE BORN, RAISED, AND PROCESSED IN AEKZ CAN BE MARKETED AS OKLAHOMA CERTIFIED BEEF TO CONSUMERS WHO WANT TO SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

>>> THIS WEEK WE LOST A MAN BELOVED BY VIEWERS AND COLLEAGUES ALIKE.

>> HI EVERYONE, I'M B.J.

>> HE HOSTED MOVIE CLUB FROM 1988 TO 2019, A THREE DECADE SATURDAY NIGHT TRADITION IN OKLAHOMA.

HE WAS HONORED WITH AN EMMY FOR HIS WORK IN 2008.

HE SAID FAMILY SITTING DOWN TOGETHER TO WATCH A GREAT MOVIE WAS A KEY TO THE SHOW'S SUCCESS.

WE'LL HEAR FROM FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES ON NEXT WEEK'S OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> HOW OKLAHOMA RANCHERS AND FARMERS FARE UNDER THE BIDEN -- THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION.

>>> THANK YOU, WE'RE HERE WITH TWO SPECIAL GUESTS TO MAKE CLEAR OF THE IN'S AND OUTS IN THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE, AN IMPORTANT INDUSTRY FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND FOR THE NATION, AND ANYONE WHO LIKES TO EAT.

THERE'S MUCH GOING ON, ON THE NATIONAL FIELD.

THE GUESTS WE HAVE JOINING US ARE BLAINE ARTHUR, WHO'S THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND ROD MAZEL THE PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY FARM BUREAU.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> ROD, WE'LL START WITH YOU, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS TAKING A LOOK AT ROLLING BACK THE CHANGES MADE TO EPA RULES BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HOW THEY CAN THIS IMPACT OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE.

>> THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUEINGS OF CONCERN TO OUR MEMBERS.

EPA IN OBAMA YEARS WAS A LIGHTNING ROD OF CONCERN, THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS OF THE USE OF THEIR LAND.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE DEFINITION OF NAVIGATEABLE QUARTER.

THE STATES HAVE REGULATED WATER THAT WAS NOT NAVIGABLE.

THE FEDS WOULD HAVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NAVIGABLE WATERS.

THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF THAT, EVEN TO THE EXTENT IF AREA OF WATER STANDING AT SOME POINT, REGULATORS TRYING TO CLAIM FEDERAL AUTHORITY OVER THE LAND.

MOST FARMERS AND RANCHERS WERE RELEAVED OF TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TRYING TO CLEAN THAT UP.

AND THAT'S GREAT CONCERN OF IF THAT CLARITY IS ROLLED BACK, WE'RE BACK TO THIS -- THE BIG QUESTIONS OF WHAT IS AND WHAT ISN'T CONTROLLED BY THE FEDS AND CONTROLLED BY THE STATE.

>> BLAINE, FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN HERE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IF IT GOES BACK TO THE WAY BEFORE.

>> IT'S INCREDIBLE CHALLENGING FOR THE PRODUCERS.

EPA UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN MORE AGREEABLE TO WORKING WITH PRODUCERS FROM A REGULATORY PERSPECTIVE.

IN THE AG WORLD, WE'RE CERTAINLY KEEPING YOUR EYE ON THE NEW ADMINISTRATION AND WHAT DIRECTION THEY'RE GOING TO GO, UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION I WOULD NOT SAY EPA IS A FRIEND TO AGRICULTURE.

THOSE ARE SIMILAR CONCERNS THAT A LOT OF AG PRODUCERS HAVE AS THE NEW ADMINISTRATION MAKES SOME CHANGES AND WE'LL KEEP AN EYE ON THOSE.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DECLARES IT HAS STANDING ON NAVIGABLE WATERS ON A PRODUCER'S LAND.

>> IN OKLAHOMA, WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO SPECIFIC CASES YET.

OUR -- THE REGULATORS IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY HAS ENOUGH UNDERSTANDING OF AGRICULTURE, IT HAS NOT BECOME AN ISSUE OF CASE.

THERE'S SOME IN CALIFORNIA, OREGON, AND WASHINGTON, THE FEDERAL REGULATORS IN THOSE AREAS, LITERALLY TELLING FARMERS THEY CANNOT FARM ON SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THEIR LAND AND FINING FOLKS FOR PLOWING LAND.

>> BLAINE, GOVERNOR SPOKE OF A NUMBER OF AG ISSUES LAST WEEK, HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT HE'LL FOLLOW THROUGH ON HIS COMMITMENT TO OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE?

>> I'M VERY CONFIDENT IN GOVERNOR'S SUPPORT OF THIS, AND ISSUES THAT ARE SO IMPORTANT TO OUR AG PRODUCERS.

THE GOVERNOR IS VERY ENGAGED IN AG ISSUES, HE UNDERSTANDS THAT AGRICULTURE DRIVES THE ECONOMY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE CHALLENGING ISSUES WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH, AND I ABSOLUTELY FEEL LIKE HE'LL SUPPORT OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE AND ALSO CONTINUE GOOD DIALOGUE WITH OUR PRODUCERS AND THE COMMODITY ORGANIZATIONS.

>> AND THE TAXES COME INTO PLAY, HOW CONCERNED ARE FARMERS, PRODUCERS THAT THE TAXES MIGHT BE INCREASED?

>> WE'RE VERY CONCERNED.

AND -- DEPENDS ON THE COMMODITY OF THE CROP.

THEY CAN END UP WITH HIGH TAXES WITH THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS AND THE LAND AND EQUIPMENT THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE.

AS A COST OF BUSINESS, IT'S A WAY BIGGER PERCENT OF OUR COST OF BUSINESS THAN OTHER INDUSTRIES BECAUSE WE'RE SO LAND AND EQUIPMENT INTENSIVE.

AND AGRICULTURE IS A LOT OF TIMES ONE VERY GOOD YEAR AND TWO OR THREE BAD YEARS, AND PEOPLE HAVE TO BE GOOD AT MANAGING THEIR FINANCES, TO SAVE FROM THE GOOD YEAR AND DEAL WITH THE BAD YEARS.

IT'S A REALLY TOUGH EFFECT ON FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

>> BLAINE AS WE LOOK TO A NEW ADMINISTRATION THAT'LL HAVE AN IMPACT ON MANY AREAS OF AMERICAN LIFE, LOOKS LIKE TOM WILL BE THE U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, HOW ARE OKLAHOMA PRODUCERS FEELING ABOUT THAT?

>> THEY ARE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

THEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH HIM, THERE'S SOME FAMILIARITY WITH HOW HE RUNS THE USDA, WHAT HIS FOCUS WILL BE, CERTAINLY, I DON'T THINK HE'LL PROBABLY BE AS CONSERVATIVE AS MANY OF OUR PRODUCERS HERE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, BUT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH HOW HE'S APPROACHED THINGS IN THE PAST.

SO WE KNOW WHO WE'RE WORKING WITH AND WHO THE FOCUS WILL PROBABLY BE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HIM, WILL HE BE A PLUS OR MINUS OR NEUTRAL?

>> I THINK THEY'RE HOPEFUL.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE KNOW HIM, AND HE COMES FROM AN AG STATE IN IOWA, AND HAVING SERVED EIGHT YEARS IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION, ALMOST ALL THE AG GROUPS HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO WORK WITH HIM.

COMPARED TO A NUMBER OF OTHER CHOICES THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN COULD HAVE MADE, HE WAS PROBABLY THE BEST CHOICE OF THE ONES THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WAS LOOKING AT.

WE'RE HOPEFUL HE'LL LISTEN.

>> NEXT THING I WANT TO ADDRESS WITH THE TIME I HAVE WITH YOU BOTH, IS LAND AND CONSERVATION.

>> THERE'S LOTS OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, SOMETIMES OUR STATE IS A LEADER IN CONSERVATION PRACTICES.

SOMETIMES JUST A DECISION OF HOW YOU MANAGE THE LAND THAT YEAR.

SOMETIMES SET THAT LAND ASIDE FOR YEARS OR LONGER.

AND SO, EACH HAVE A ROLE, AND AS ALWAYS, THE ARGUMENT OF HOW MUCH LAND TO BE IN PRODUCTION TO FEED AMERICANS AND THE WORLD, AND HOW MUCH OF THAT NEEDS TO BE SET ASIDE TO DEAL WITH GREEN HOUSE EMISSIONS AND OTHER ISSUES OF THAT TYPE.

>> BLAINE, BIDEN HAS A PLAN TO PAY FARMERS FOR THIS, THAT VIABLE?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION AND AS ROD MENTIONED, HERE IN OKLAHOMA WE LEAD THE WAY IN VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

THAT'S WHERE WE LIKE OUR FOCUS IS TO HAVE VOLUNTARY PROGRAMS.

WHEN WE DO INCENTIVISE PRODUCERS WE KNOW THEY WANT TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE LAND.

THEY'VE DONE A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS IN OKLAHOMA TO PUT CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN PLACE.

I THINK SOMETIMES OUR CONCERN IS WHEN ROD MENTIONED, THE LENGTHY REQUIREMENTS AS FAR AS THE YEARS THEY HAVE TO BE IN CRP, AND SOMETIMES TAKES THE PRODUCTIVE AG LAND OUT OF PRODUCTION.

YOU HAVE TO FIND A GOOD BALANCE OF CONSERVATION COMBINED WITH PRODUCTION.

>> PRODUCERS ARE AGEING IN OKLAHOMA, IS THAT A CONCERN, HOW DO WE ADDRESS IT?

>> IT'S A CONCERN, WITH THE AVERAGE AGE OF PRODUCERS CONTINUES TO GO UP OVER TIME, YOU GET DIFFERENT NUMBERS BUT PROBABLY IN THE MID 60S, AND THE TRANSITION OF THE OPERATIONS IS A CONCERN TO US.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR YOUNG PRODUCERS TO GET INVOLVED IN PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE UNLESS THERE'S A GENERATIONAL TRANSFER OF PROPERTY AND ASSETS, AND WE NEED THEM TO COME ON BOARD.

IT'S A LOT OF HOURS WORK IN AG, A LOT OF OUTSIDE IN THE CHALLENGING WEATHER AND I THINK FOR SO MANY OF OUR AG PRODUCERS THEY'VE GONE AND PURSUED THE EDUCATION AND PREFER TO MAYBE GO TO TOWN AND HAVE A MORE OF 8 TO 5 JOB.

A BIG ISSUE FOR US, QUICKLY ON HOW WE'RE WORKING TO ADDRESS THOSE, WE START AN AG YOUTH, AND THEN WE WORK WITH THE COMMODITY GROUPS AND I'LL LET ROD TALK ABOUT THE GOOD PROGRAMS THERE.

FOR YOUNG FARMERS AND RANCHERS.

>> WE'RE ACTIVE AT FARM BUREAU IN THE STATE TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT 4-H AND FFA ACTIVITIES.

WE'RE WORKING HARD TO SUPPORT THOSE THINGS, AND WE'RE NOW TRYING TO PROMOTE NEW INTERN OPPORTUNITIES, BUT ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES THAT BLAINE AND I BOTH WORRY ABOUT, WE'RE A CAPITOL INTENSIVE BUSINESS WITH RELATIVELY LOW AND UNSTABLE RETURNS.

IT MAKES IT TOUGH ENVIRONMENT TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTO WITH THOSE HIGH CAPITOL AND UNEVEN RETURNS SCENARIOS.

WE'RE TRYING TO WORK TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THAT.

THERE'S OTHER IDEAS TO FINANCE NEW FARMERS, ONE THING THAT HAPPENS, FOLKS WHO GO INTO FARMING IS PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.

THEY HAVE A HEART FOR IT.

WE NEED TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE, MORE OF THE PEOPLE TO HAVE THE PASSION TO GET STARTED IN THE OPERATION OR TAKE OVER OPERATIONS FROM THE AGEING FARMERS, IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE TO THE INDUSTRY AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

>> DOESN'T THAT PASSION COME FROM YOUR FAMILY DID IT?

IF YOU'RE NOT ALREADY IN THE FARMING ARENA, HOW OFTEN DOES THAT HAPPEN?

>> THAT'S PROBABLY WHERE ALL THE NEW FARMERS CAME FROM IN THE LAST TEN YEARS.

BUT THE STUDENTS COMING IN THE AG SCHOOLS A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE, 25 TO 50% ARE MAYBE FOLKS FROM URBAN AREAS WHO ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT FOODS, THE LOCAL FOODS.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, A LOT OF OUTSIDERS TO AGRICULTURE THAT ARE EXPLORING AGRICULTURE.

WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO HELP THEM MAKE THAT TRANSITION NOT JUST PAST SCHOOL OR SOME SMALL FOOD EFFORT BUT THE BIGGER FIELD OF AGRICULTURE.

>> HOW DOES CORPORATE FARMING PLAY INTO THAT BLAINE?

>> CORPORATE FARMING PROBABLY SEEMS NEGATIVE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, BUT MOST OF OUR OPERATIONS IN OUR CORPORATE FARMS ARE ACTUALLY FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED.

THEY'VE CHOSEN TO BE A CORPORATION FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

THERE'S ROOM FOR EVERYONE IN THE AG SECTOR WHAT I BELIEVE.

AND WE NEED SMALL, MEDIUM AND LARGE OPERATION TO SAY FEED THE WORLD.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THESE NEW PRODUCERS THAT ARE COMING IN AND HAVE A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

SOME WITH LOCALLY GROWN OPPORTUNITIES, AND WE NEED THE LARGE OPERATORS HERE IN AMERICA, THE SPACIOUS MOST AFFORDABLE FOOD SUPPLY AND A LOT OF THAT IS THE ECONOMY AND SCALE OF THE LARGE OPERATIONS.

>> I DO WANT TO ASK A FINAL WORDS, FOR THE GENERAL POPULOUS, NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE FARMING INDUSTRY, WHAT WOULD YOU LUKE TO HAVE US KNOW IS IF -- LIKE TO HAVE US KNOW?

>> WE'RE BLESSED WITH THE FINEST FOLKS IN THE WORLD INVOLVED WITH AGRICULTURE.

THE IMAGE YOU HAVE FOLKS HELPING ONE ANOTHER IS WHAT AGRICULTURE IS FOR THE MOST PART.

WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW THE FEED THAT FEEDS YOU THREE MEALS A DAY.

AND WE'RE DELIGHTED TO HAVE FARMERS THAT GROW THE FIBERS OF THE CLOTHES YOU'RE PROBABLY WEARING.

AND WE ENJOY FEEDING THE SOUL WITH PRETTY FLOWERS AND PLANTS.

AGRICULTURE IS A BLESSING TO BE IN, AND EVERY DAY IT'S SUCH A JOY TO BE INVOLVED AND GET TO WATCH SEEDS YOU PLANTS AND CUTTINGS TURN INTO CROPS AND TO HAVE THE CHANCE TO DO OTHERS IN THAT WORK.

>> HE'S PASSIONATE OF THE HORTICULTURE AND WE'RE SO GLAD YOU'RE IN PLACE.

BLAINE WHAT ARE YOUR FINAL WORDS TO FOLKS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS FOOD INDUSTRY.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT AG PRODUCERS WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK TO MAKE SURE THE FOOD SHOWS UP IN THE GROCERY STORE AND ON YOUR TABLE.

WHEN SO MANY OTHER THINGS IN OUR WORLD AND ECONOMY DID STOP OUR FARMERS AND RANCHERS AND THE FOOD SECTOR MADE CERTAIN THE PRODUCT WAS AVAILABLE.

AG HAS DRIVEN THE ECONOMY IN OKLAHOMA FOREVER, REALLY.

AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

WE CERTAINLY HAD CHALLENGING YEARS AND I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY ON THE HORIZON FOR AGRICULTURE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING A CHANCE TO EDUCATE THE XHURMZ MORE AND WORK COLLABORATIVELY TOGETHER TO KEEP AG MOVING FORWARD.

>> YOU'RE HEROS NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THEY GO TO WORK AND GET THE JOB DONE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO SPEAKING WITH YOU IN THE FUTURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> IT APPEARED SOME PROGRESS IS MADE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

HERE'S DAN CLARK WITH OUR PARTNER INS TROY, NEW YORK.

>> AS THE WORLD CONTINUES TO GRAPPLE WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THERE'S ANOTHER MEDICAL CRISIS IN NEW YORK THAT'S CONTINUE TODAY EVOLVE IN THE BACKGROUND AS IT HAS FOR YEARS, AND MAY HAVE GROWN WORSE BECAUSE OF THE VIRUS.

>> THE OPIOID CRISIS WAS IN FULL GEAR AND COVID-19 HIT, WE WERE CALLING IT WAS A PANDEMIC OF ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE DEATHS.

THE COVID-19 EXACERBATED THE ADDICTION CRISIS.

APPROXIMATE PEOPLE IN RECOVERY, HAVE A TOUGH TIME IN THE SOCIAL ISOLATION, BUT THE STRESS AND THE ANXIETY THE PEOPLE WERE FEELING.

ALL OF THAT LED TO AN INCREASE OF SELF-MEDICATION, BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAD AN ACTIVE ADDICTION, AND I THINK REALLY CREATED A MUCH MORE STRESSFUL ENVIRONMENT FOR PEOPLE.

>> AS WE GET OUT OF THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO REMEMBER THAT THIS IS IN FACT A SERIOUS ISSUE.

A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT'S BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC, AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO MAKE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS TO FLATTEN THE CURVE IN TERMS OF THE ATOM OF OVER-- AMOUNT OF OVERDOSE DEATHS.

>> THE EVIDENCE SHOWS AN INCREASE IN AREAS IN THE STATE IN THE PANDEMIC.

>> PART OF THE PROBLEM THE DATA IS NOT COMPLETE.

SOME STOPPED, BECAUSE THEY WERE SO SWAMPED WITH COVID-19 FATALITIES.

WHAT WE'RE HEARING FROM THE COUNTIES THAT REPORT AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND FROM THE RECOVERY COMMUNITY IS THERE'S ABSOLUTELY A SPIKE, IT'S NOT ABATING.

IT'S NOT JUST THE BLIP BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH OPIOID CRISIS SAY THAT'S A COMMON TREND IN THE STATE.

>> THE NUMBER OF DEATHS AND THE NUMBER OF OVERDOSE DEATHS HAVE RISEN DRAMATICALLY IN NEW YORK STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS TIMES IN THE NEWSPAPER, YOU HAVE 25 -- A NUMBER OF COUNTIES HIGHER DEATH RATES FROM THE OPIOID OVERDOSES AND OTHER OVERDOSES, IT WAS JUST OPIOIDS, BUT DRUG AND ALCOHOL RELATED DEATHS THAT EXCEEDED THE COVID-19 DEATHS.

>> IT'S MORE AND MORE APPARENTS THAT THE ISOLATION AND FEAR FROM THE COVID-19 ADDED TO THE CRISIS THIS YEAR.

>> YOU CAN REMEMBER WHEN THE HOSPITALS WERE ORDERED TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY BY 50%, AND IT WAS VERY SPECIFICALLY ABOUT CREATING THE CAPACITY TO ADDRESS COVID-19.

AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED WAS IF YOU HAD A DETOX UNIT OR AN INPATIENT REHAB, WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE DONE IS MIGHT HAVE CONVERTED THOSE BEDS TO COVID-19 BEDS.

AND THERE ARE A GOOD NUMBER OF HOSPITALS THAT ONCE WE GOT THROUGH THE FIRST WAVE, AND SOME HOSPITALS RECOMMISSIONED THE BEDS BUT SOME DID NOT.

SO YOU HAD A SITUATION WHERE HOSPITALS WERE LESS ABLE TO SERVE THE NEEDS ON PEOPLE NEEDING DETOX OR INPATIENT REHAB, AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS HAD TO PICK UP THE BURDEN OF THAT.

>> THE STATEWIDE CRISIS BROUGHT LAWMAKERS TOGETHER.

TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY PARTNERS, RECOVERING ADDICTS AND EDUCATION EFFORTS.

>> WE HAVE THE TOOLS, WE DON'T HAVE THE WILL.

THAT'S WHAT I'M DISTRAUGHT ABOUT.

I SEE THE STRUGGLE, AND SO MANY PEOPLE INVESTED IN HELPING OTHERS.

BUT WITHOUT THE STATE KICKING IN MORE MONEY AND A BETTER ATTITUDE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, WE DID AN OPIOID TAX, A SURCHARGE, THE DISTRIBUTORS AND THE MANUFACTURERS HAD TO PAY.

THE MONEY DIDN'T GO IN THE TREATMENT AND EDUCATION SECTOR, IT WENT IN THE GENERAL FUND.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED WHEN WE WENT IN SHUT DOWN MODE AND CLINICS WERE NO LONGER OPEN, AND SO A LOT OF CLINICS ALMOST ALL CLINICS, SHIFTED QUICKLY TO TELEHEALTH SERVICES.

>> SOME SILVER LININGS HAVE EMERGED, THIS IS A NEW PHASE OF THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT LAWMAKERS SAY CAN'T BE IGNORED.

THAT'LL TAKE A SPECIAL FOCUS AND COMMITMENT TO MEET THIS NEW CHALLENGE.

>> THIS IS ONE PLACE THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO DO REFLECTION AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT IF WE DO IN FACT CUT FUNDING, STOP WORKING ON ALL OF THE ADVANCEMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE, PEOPLE WILL LOSE THEIR LIVES.

WE SHOULDN'T TURN OUR BACK ON THE WORK IN THIS SPACE.

>> WE HAVE TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT IT, TREAT IT WITH THE SAME LEVEL OF RESPECT, OF THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM, AND A SOLUTION OF THE SAME MAGNITUDE.

>> ON THE NEXT ONE HOUR EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, HOW OKLAHOMA CITY DEVELOPING INNOVATION DISTRICT TO USE MAP MONEY TO BRING JOBS TO DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>>> AND SO LONG FOR NOW WITH A LOOK AT THE COLLECTION OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN ART.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY CASEY FERGUSON.

FOR ALL US IN THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, STAY HEALTHY, WARM, AND ENJOY A PRODUCTIVE WEEKEND.

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