>>> COMING UP, COMPREHENSIVE TEAM COVERAGE OF THE FIRST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> I PLEDGE TO SUPPORT ANY LEGISLATION THAT GIVES PARENTS MORE SCHOOL CHOICE.

>> WE, AS A CAUCUS, HAVE LONG STOOD AGAINST SENDING PUBLIC DOLLARS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>>> WE'LL ALSO HEAR FROM LAWMAKERS SEEKING TO CREATE A CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL THROUGH OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC BLACK TOWNS.

>> I FILED LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ANOTHER QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP BRING THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL HERE.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS SEEKING A BIG BUDGET INCREASE.

>> THE DECADE BETWEEN 2010 AND 2020 ACROSS ALL 50 STATES, OKLAHOMA HIGHER EDUCATION WAS CUT MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

>>> AFTER A FEW LEAN YEARS, THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL STOCK YARDS HAVE BEEFED UP TO ONCE AGAIN RANK AS AN INDUSTRYWIDE LEADER.

>> HERE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS WE SOLD AS MANY AS 18,000 CATTLE.

WE USUALLY TRY TO SELL EIGHT TO NINE HUNDRED CATTLE AN HOUR.

>>> PLUS, AN INDEPTH DISCUSSION ON ALZHEIMER'S THAT CAREGIVERS DON'T WANT TO MISS.

NEXT ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

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

I'M RICH LENS.

THE FIRST WEEK OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE 58th LEGISLATURE IS IN THE BOOKS.

AND WE BEGIN OUR NEWSCAST WITH COMPREHENSIVE TEAM COVERAGE YOU CAN'T FIND ANYWHERE ELSE.

WE'LL HAVE LAWMAKERS REACTIONS TO GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

NEW EFFORTS TO REINVIGORATE OKLAHOMA'S TRAIL OF HISTORICAL BLACK TOWNS.

AND DETAILS ON A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN OKLAHOMA.

WE BEGIN WITH JASON DOYLE, WHO JOINS US FROM OUR NEW STUDIO IN THE CAPITOL WITH MORE ON THE GOVERNOR'S PRIORITIES TO BEGIN THE SEASON.

JASON?

>> RICH, THE GOVERNOR SET OUT AN AGENDA TO ADDRESS EDUCATION FUNDING, TAX CUTS, MEDICAL MARIJUANA AND OTHER ISSUES.

ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO KEEP THE BUDGET FROM GROWING TOO MUCH.

>> THE HONORABLE KEVIN STITTS.

>> IN HIS FOURTH STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, GOVERNOR STITT HIT HARD ON EDUCATION, BRINGING UP THE COMPREHENSIVE AUDIT ON EDUCATION SPENDING THAT'S CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.

>> TAX DOLLARS BELONG IN THE CLASSROOMS, NOT IN THE POCKETS OF BUREAUCRATS.

>> EXPANDING SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS IS ANOTHER PRIORITY.

>> WE KNOW EDUCATION IS NOT ONE SIZE FITS ALL, AND I PLEDGE TO SUPPORT ANY LEGISLATION THAT GIVES PARENTS MORE SCHOOL CHOICE, BECAUSE IN OKLAHOMA, WE NEED TO FUND STUDENTS NOT SYSTEMS.

>> JOY HOFMEISTER, STITT'S POSSIBLE OPPONENT IN THE UPCOMING GOVERNOR'S RACE QUICKLY FIRED BACK WITH A STATEMENT.

HIS VOUCHER PLAN IS A RURAL SCHOOL KILLER, AND ROBES FUNDS FROM THE 90% OF OKLAHOMA KIDS ATTENDING PUBLIC SCHOOL.

STITT IS DISMANTLING PUBLIC EDUCATION BY HANDING OVER MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO FUND PRIVATE TUITION FOR WEALTHY FAMILIES.

DEMOCRATS AGREE WITH HOFMEISTER, WHO ALSO SITS ON THE OETA BOARD.

>> WE, AS A CAUCUS, HAVE LONG STOOD AGAINST SENDING PUBLIC DOLLARS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND WE STAND READY TO FIGHT AGAINST THAT EFFORT ONCE AGAIN.

>> STITT ALSO WANTS TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP QUALIFIED TEACHERS FROM LEAVING THE CLASSROOM TO PURSUE OTHER HIGHER PAYING JOBS.

>> OKLAHOMA STUDENTS CAN'T BE THE BEST WITHOUT THE BEST TEACHERS.

THAT'S WHY I'M PROPOSING MATCHING FUNDS SO THAT OUR BEST TEACHERS CAN MAKE SIX FIGURE SALARIES AND STAY IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> IT'S NICE AFTER A DECADE OF INSISTING THAT THAT IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD BE DOING IN OUR STATE, THAT WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR LOOKING AT THAT.

BUT THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS.

>> STITT IS ALSO PROPOSING ADDITIONAL TAX RELIEF FOR OKLAHOMANS.

>> NINE STATES DON'T CHARGE A PERSONAL INCOME TAX.

MANY OTHERS ARE RACING TO JOIN THEM.

WE CAN'T BE LEFT BEHIND.

MY VISION IS TO CREATE A TAXPAYER PROTECTION PLAN THAT RESPONSIBLY LOWERS INCOME TAXES ACCORDING TO OUR STATE REVENUE.

OKLAHOMA IS JUST ONE OF 13 STATES THAT TAXES GROCERIES.

AND OURS IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST.

MANY OKLAHOMANS ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF RECORD INFLATION.

LET'S GIVE THEM MORE HELP THIS YEAR.

>> STITT ALSO NOTED THE LEGISLATURE HAD REINSTITUTED THE STATE'S EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT.

ALL PRIORITIES FAVORED BY DEMOCRATS FOR YEARS.

>> WE DIDN'T HEAR THAT THESE WERE BIPARTISAN IDEAS OR THAT DEMOCRATS HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT THEM FOR MANY YEARS, BUT WE HEARD MENTION OF THE EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, A POLICY THAT WE'VE CHAMPIONED FOR MANY YEARS.

AND WE ALSO HEARD MENTION OF REDUCING OR ELIMINATING THE STATE'S GROCERY TAX.

>> THE GROCERY TAX REFORM IS ALREADY MAKING PROGRESS, WITH REPRESENTATIVE VIRGIN'S BILL MAKING IT OUT OF COMMITTEE THIS WEEK.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA ISSUES ARE ON THE GOVERNOR'S AGENDA THIS YEAR.

>> WHEN OKLAHOMANS VOTED FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA, THEY WERE SOLD A BILL OF GOODS.

THE STATE QUESTION WAS MISLEADING, AND IT HAS TIED OUR HANDS AS WE REGULATE THE INDUSTRY.

>> WHAT YOU'RE HEARING FROM THE GOVERNOR, IS THAT HE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THAT ONLY THOSE WHO ALREADY HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL, ONLY THOSE THAT ARE WEALTHY, ONLY THOSE FOLKS ARE ABLE TO ENTER INTO THE INDUSTRY.

>> STITT ALSO WANTS TO GO AFTER THE BAD ACTORS IN THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> I'VE DIRECTED OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CRACK DOWN HARD ON THE BLACK MARKET.

AGENTS HAVE BEEN IN THE FIELD MAKING ARRESTS.

LET'S BE CLEAR, DRUG CARTELS, ORGANIZED CRIME, FOREIGN BAD ACTORS HAVE NO PLACE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> TO HELP WITH THAT AND OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUES, STITT RECOMMENDS THE VARIOUS AGENCIES WORK TOGETHER.

>> I'M REQUESTING THAT WE POOL OUR RESOURCES AND BUILD A JOINT STATEWIDE TRAINING FACILITY.

OFFICERS PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY SINGLE DAY.

THE LEAST WE COULD DO IN RETURN IS PROVIDE THEM WITH THE HIGHEST QUALITY TRAINING.

>> ADDITIONALLY, HE WANTS TO BRING STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES UNDER A SINGLE ROOF.

>> OUR STATE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT ALSO DESPERATELY NEEDS A CONSOLIDATED UNIFIED COMMAND STRUCTURE WITHIN A SINGLE DEPARTMENT.

43 OTHER STATES HAVE THIS.

OKLAHOMA NEEDS TO GET IT DONE.

>> THE GOVERNOR REITERATED HIS STRONG OPPOSITION TO THE McGIRT DECISION, POINTING TO AN UPCOMING CASE IN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

>> A WIN IN THAT CASE WOULD LET THE STATE GO BACK TO ENFORCING LAW AND ORDER AND PROTECTING MORE CRIME VICTIMS IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S THE WAY WE'VE DONE IT SINCE 1907.

THE NEW RULES PUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN CHARGE, AND IT ISN'T WORKING.

>> THE GOVERNOR VERY EARLY ON IN HIS SPEECH CONTINUED HIS SENSELESS ATTACK ON OUR TRIBAL NATIONS, OUR PARTNERS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THIS YEAR'S STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS ATTRACTED ACTIVISTS AND PROTESTERS CALLING FOR THINGS LIKE ABORTION ABOLITION, A PUSH BACK TO THE FOSSIL FUEL INDUSTRY, AND ASSURE THE RIGHTS OF MARGINALIZED GROUPS.

TWO PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED FOR TRYING TO UNFURL A BANNER IN THE GALLERY DURING STITT'S SPEECH.

RICH?

>> JASON, THANKS.

ONE LATE ADDITION TO THE SCHOOL CHOICE DEBATE.

ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON, HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES McCALL ANNOUNCED HE IS NOT SUPPORTING SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

McCALL SAYS RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS COULD LOSE OUT IF PROPOSED VOUCHER BILLS ARE APPROVED.

INCLUDING ONE CHAMPIONED BY SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT, BECAUSE THOSE DISTRICTS HAVE FEWER SCHOOLS TO CHOOSE FROM.

THE SPEAKER SAYS THE HOUSE WILL NOT HEAR ANY VOUCHER BILLS ON THE FLOOR THIS SESSION.

McCALL'S MOVE PUTS HIM AT ODDS WITH TREAT AND GOVERNOR STITT ON THAT WILL ISSUE.

>>> WE'LL HAVE MORE FROM THE CAPITOL WITH QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER SHAWN ASHLEY IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS.

BUT FIRST, FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND THERE ARE ON GOING EFFORTS AT THE CAPITOL TO RE-ESTABLISH OKLAHOMA'S REMAINING 13 HISTORICALLY ALL BLACK TOWNS.

TAELYR JACKSON IS COVERING THAT STORY FOR US.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, SENATOR KEVIN MATTHEWS IS WORKING WITH LEADERS FROM THE REMAINING BLACK TOWNS TO PRESERVE THEIR HISTORY WITH THE HELP OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL.

>> SENATOR KEVIN MATTHEWS HAS FILED LEGISLATION TO FUND EXPANDING THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL THROUGH OKLAHOMA.

>> I FILED LEGISLATION TO INCREASE ANOTHER QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP BRING THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL HERE.

>> MATTHEWS SAYS THE TRAIL WOULD START IN TULSA'S GREENWOOD DISTRICT AND CONTINUE THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA'S REMAINING BLACK TOWNS, INCLUDING TATUM, TULLAHASSEE, LANGSTON AND TEN OTHERS.

>> WE HOPE TO BRING THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, FROM GREENWOOD RISING TO THE CLARA LUPER CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER THROUGH THE 13 ORIGINAL BLACK TOWNS.

>> ONE OF THE TOWNS THE TRAIL WOULD PASS THROUGH IS BOLEY, LOCATED ON HIGHWAY 62 IN OKFUSKEE COUNTY.

IN THE EARLY 1900s, BOLEY WAS ONE OF THE LARGEST AND BEST KNOWN BLACK TOWNS IN THE STATE.

>> IT BECAME THE BIGGEST OF ALL THE BLACK TOWNS.

IT HAD 3,000 PEOPLE AT ONE POINT IN THE EARLY 20th CENTURY.

IT'S STILL ONE OF THE BIGGEST BLACK TOWNS.

AND IT HAD A LONGSTANDING RODEO BANK JUST HAD SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN THE TOWN.

>> THE CURRENT MAYOR, DR. FRANCIS SHELTON REMEMBERS BOLEY AS A BUSTLING TOWN WHEN SHE WAS GROWING UP AS A CHILD.

>> EVERY SATURDAY THE TOWN WOULD HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE ON THE STREET YOU'D HAVE TO KIND OF MAKE YOUR WAY THROUGH THE CROWD.

AND MOST OF THE TIME WE WOULD BE COMING TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.

>> THAT KIND OF ACTIVITY IS MISSING NOW, AND SHELTON KNOWS BOLEY WOULD BENEFIT FROM INCLUSION ON THE CIVIL RIGHTS TRIAL.

>> I MOVED BACK AND PURCHASED THE HARDWARE STORE, AND I WOULD ATTEND MEETINGS AND I KNOW THERE WERE HELP WAS NEEDED.

>> LIKE MOST OF THE BLACK TOWNSHIPS, BOLEY WAS ESTABLISHED ON LAND ALLOTTED TO A FREEDMAN, MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO SETTLED IN THOSE TOWNS WERE FORMER SLAVES.

>> THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN THAT CAME TO OKLAHOMA WERE ENSLAVED TO THE FIVE TRIBES, THE CHEROKEE, CHICKASAW CHOKTAW, CREEKS AND SEMINOLES.

>> THE MAJORITY OF THE FORTY ALL BLACK TOWNS WERE FIRST ESTABLISHED ON CREEK OR SEMINOLE LAND.

>> BECAUSE THOSE WERE SOME OF THE SAFEST CARRIERS AFTER THE CIVIL WAR.

AND A LOT OF MIGRATION HAPPENED INTO THOSE AREAS.

SO TAFT NEAR MUSKOGEE, BOLEY IN THE CREEK NATION, TULAHASSEE'S IN THE OLD CREEK NATION.

THAT'S WHY MOST OF THEM ARE RIGHT THERE.

>> SEVERAL OF THESE TOWNS CAN TRACE THEIR DECLINE BACK TO THE 1930s WHEN THE GREAT DEPRESSION FORCED RAILROADS TO EITHER GO BANKRUPT OR CUT BACK ON THEIR SERVICES.

>> THE GREAT DEPRESSION HAPPENED, RAILROADS STARTED GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.

AND LIKE I SAID EARLIER, A LOT OF THESE TOWNS WERE ON RAILROADS ALSO DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.

THE SHIFT FROM RURAL TO URBAN BEGAN.

AND A LOT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS EITHER WENT TO OKLAHOMA CITY, TULSA OR UP TO CHICAGO, CALIFORNIA AND THEY JUST LOST THEIR POPULATION.

>> AND TODAY, JUST 13 TOWNS REMAIN.

THE PLAN IS TO HELP INCREASE TOURISM IN THESE TOWNS TO IMPROVE THE ECONOMY WHILE EDUCATING OTHERS ABOUT OKLAHOMA'S BLACK HISTORY.

MATTHEWS SAYS HIS VISIT TO THE NATIONAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C., INSPIRED HIM TO TAKE ACTION.

>> AFTER GOING TO THE NATIONAL AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND CULTURE, THAT TALKS ABOUT OKLAHOMA HISTORY FROM BLACK WALL STREET AND THE 1921 MASSACRE IN TULSA TO THE CLARA LUPER CIVIL RIGHTS CENTER THAT'S BEING BUILT HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE WORKING TO ENSURE THE HISTORY OF BOLES IS NEVER FORGOTTEN.

PART OF THOSE EFFORTS INCLUDE ATTRACTING TOURISM THROUGH EVENTS LIKE SUMMER RODEOS AND THE SMITHSONIAN TRAVELING EXHIBITION COMING TO TOWN THIS MAY.

>> THE SMITHSONIAN DOESN'T JUST GO ANYWHERE.

IT'S VERY SELECTIVE.

>> THIS MAY, FOR SIX WEEKS, THE SMITHSONIAN WILL BE IN BOLEY, OKLAHOMA, HAVING A RURAL TOWN EXHIBIT.

AND BOLEY WILL BE ONE OF THE ONLY BLACK TOWNS.

>> SHELTON HOPES THE TOURISM IMPACT FROM THE SMITHSONIAN EXHIBITION WILL HELP PAY FOR SOME LONG NEGLECTED BUILDINGS.

>> IT WOULD DEFINITELY INCREASE THE TOURISM.

IT WOULD BRING FUNDS INTO THE TOWN FOR US TO BE ABLE TO UPGRADE OUR BUILDINGS.

>> BOLEY IS ALSO HOME TO ONE OF THE LARGEST BLACK RODEOS IN THE STATE.

>> WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT GO TO BOLEY, OKLAHOMA FOR THEIR RODEO.

AND A COUPLE OF OTHER BLACK TOWNS HAVE RODEOS AS WELL.

>> WHAT THEY DON'T HAVE, ARE ENOUGH ROOMS TO HOUSE VISITORS.

IN BOLEY, THAT'S BEING ADDRESSED WITH THE BUILDING OF TINY CABINS.

>> THEY GO TO THE RODEO AND WHEN THEY WANT TO GO TO A HOTEL, THEY HAVE TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO TULSA, OR ALL THE WAY TO OKLAHOMA.

NOW WE HAVE SOME TINY HOUSE CABINS THERE.

NOW WE HAVE OTHER INVESTORS THAT WANT TO PUT LODGING IN THESE PLACES.

WE ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING ROGERS AND HAMMERSTEIN MUSIC, OKLAHOMA BY ALL BLACK CASTS AND ALL BLACK CASTS.

AND PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO SEE THAT FREE ALL WEEK LONG.

>> THE CIVIL RIGHTS TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS MONUMENTAL MOMENTS OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT THROUGH EXPLORING DESTINATIONS THROUGH 15 STATES.

THE TRAIL RUNS THROUGH KANSAS ALL THE WAY TO FLORIDA.

>> TAELYR, THANK YOU.

OUR TEAM COVERAGE OF THE OPENING WEEK OF THE SESSION CONTINUES NOW WITH REPORTER KENNEDY SEPULVADO.

HE HAS MORE ON A HEFTY BUDGET REQUEST.

KENNEDY?

>> RICH, THE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION WANT TO HELP THE EFFORT TO ENHANCE OKLAHOMA'S WORKFORCE.

AND THAT'S WHY THEY ARE ASKING FOR MORE LEGISLATIVE FUNDING FOR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE STATE.

OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IS REQUESTING $898 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

THAT'S A 10% INCREASE FROM THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

YOU HEARD THE GOVERNOR TALK ABOUT INSTILLING HOPE IN OKLAHOMANS.

DOES THAT GIVE OKLAHOMANS OPPORTUNITIES THEY WOULD NOT HAVE, BUT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

SENATOR DWAYNE PEMBERTON, EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE VICE CHAIR ISN'T SURPRISED BY THE REQUEST FOR MORE MONEY.

>> I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER SEEN A TIME WHERE THEY DIDN'T REQUEST, YOU KNOW, QUITE A BIT MORE THAN WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO EXPAND.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IF YOU DON'T ASK FOR IT, YOU CAN'T GET IT.

>> IT'S COMMON FOR AGENCIES TO REQUEST HIGHER APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE YEAR.

ALISON GARRETT SEES THE FUNDING AS A NECESSITY FOR HIGHER ED, DUE TO EYE DECLINE IN FUNDING IN RECENT YEARS.

>> IF YOU WERE TO LOOK AT THE DECADE BETWEEN 2010 AND 2020 ACROSS ALL 50 STATES, OKLAHOMA HIGHER EDUCATION WAS CUT MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE.

WE TOOK A MORE THAN 37% CUT.

WE'RE NOW IN THE BOTTOM 10 IN FUNDING PER FULL TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENT IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION SAW A $20 MILLION DROP IN STATE FUNDING BETWEEN 2015 AND 2019.

NOW, GETTING THAT STATE FUNDING BACK UP TO WHAT IT WAS PRIOR TO THE DECREASE, IS A PRIORITY FOR THE CHANCELLOR AND LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

>> LAST YEAR WAS THE MOST THAT WE'VE GOTTEN IT UP TO $812 MILLION.

BUT WE'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE WE GET HIGHER ED BACK TO WHERE IT WAS PRIOR TO 2015 >> WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO REFUND OR REBUILD OR REINVEST TO THE SAME LEVELS OVER SEVERAL YEARS.

WE'VE HAD THE MONEY TO DO THAT, WE JUST HAVEN'T HAD THE POLITICAL WILL POWER.

>> AS OKLAHOMA STRUGGLES WITH A SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS AND NURSES, THAT POLITICAL WILL POWER IS BUILDING.

AND IT INCLUDES AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

>> IN THE MIDDLE OF A NURSING SHORTAGE, OUR UNIVERSITIES CAN'T BE TURNING AWAY QUALIFIED POLITICEN ATS LIKE THEY ARE NOW.

INSTEAD, WE NEED TO REWARD UNIVERSITIES FOR PRODUCING GRADUATES IN CRITICAL AREAS.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A DECLINE IN COLLEGE STUDENTS STUDYING TO BECOME TEACHERS FOR MORE THAN A DECADE NOW.

AND THAT'S HURTING OKLAHOMA, PARTICULARLY BADLY RIGHT NOW.

FINALLY, FOR NURSING.

ONE OF OUR BIG CHALLENGES HERE IN OKLAHOMA IS HAVING ENOUGH QUALIFIED NURSING FACULTY MEMBERS.

>> 40 MILLION OF THE $85.2 MILLION INCREASE WOULD GO TOWARD WORKPLACE DEVELOPMENT.

>> WHEN WE SEE THE HIGHER ED ASKING FOR MORE, THEY'RE DIRECTLY TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF -- THAT WE HAVE IN OUR JOB SHORTAGES.

LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT THE JOBS ARE IN OUR FUTURE, AND TRYING TO ADDRESS THOSE WITH ENROLLMENT.

>> ENROLLMENT IS DIPPING ACROSS OUR STATE AND OUR TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS, AND, YOU KNOW, WITH SOME PROGRAMS EVEN CLOSING DOWN.

AND TEACHERS ARE LEAVING IN DROVES.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY CLOSED ITS TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM.

SO HERE WE SEE THAT IS THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND ISSUE, BECAUSE NOT VERY MANY STUDENTS ARE GOING INTO THAT PROGRAM.

SO IF YOU'RE GOING TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL TO GET A TEACHER EDUCATION DEGREE ABOUT AND THE MOST YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE IN 20 YEARS IS $50,000.

YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PAY OFF YOUR STUDENT LOANS BEFORE YOU EVEN RETIRED.

>> 34 $.3 MILLION OF THE REQUEST WOULD GO TO HIRING MORE UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FACULTY.

>> THE NURSING, THE TEACHERS AND I KNOW THEY ARE NEEDING A LITTLE MORE MONEY PROBABLY FOR THEIR STAFF OVERHEAD.

I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THAT AS LONG AS THINGS ARE DONE IN THE RIGHT WAY.

>> INCREASING THE NUMBER OF STAFF THAT THEY HAVE BY 50 RKS AND THAT SEEMS LIKE A LOT.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TRAJECTORY OVER THE LAST DECADE, CUT, CUT, CUT.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO BUDGETS FOR EDUCATION, THE NUMBER ONE EXPENDITURE IS STAFF.

YOUR TEACHERS ARE CERTIFIED.

THE ISSUE WE HAVE IS MAKING SURE OF CLASS SIZES.

YOU HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AT THE HIGHER ED LEVEL, BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT RATIO, BETWEEN FACULTY AND STUDENTS, THEN YOU RUN INTO ACCREDITATION ISSUES.

>> GOVERNOR STITT CALLS FOR TEARING DOWN SILOS BETWEEN K-12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION, IN ORDER TO HAVE A FULLY DEVELOPED WORKFORCE TO MEET THE EMPLOYER'S NEEDS.

>> EVERY STUDENT NEEDS TO BE COLLEGE READY OR CAREER READY.

>> THE HIGHER ED AND CAREER TECH ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

THE COMMON ED IS VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE WE FIRST HAVE TO GET THEM TO THOSE TWO PLACES.

>> THAT'S PROBABLY THE PRIMARY THING THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT, IS PROBABLY COMMON ED FIRST.

WE HAVE TO FUND ALL OF COMMON ED.

WE DON'T HAVE TO FUND ALL OF HIGHER ED, IT'S EYE LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT ANIMAL, IT'S NOT APPLES TO APPLES, IT'S MORE LIKE APPLES TO ORANGES.

>> ALSO IN THE REGENTS FOR HIRE EDUCATION BUDGET REQUEST, $6.85 MILLION WOULD BE ALLOCATED TO FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS, 4 MILLION WOULD GO TO FULLY FUNDED CONCURRENT ENROLLMENTS.

>> TO WRAP UP OUR COVERAGE, WE RETURN TO THE SHAWN ASHLEY.

WITH ISSUES ALREADY UP FOR DISCUSSION.

WHAT CONCERNS HAVE BEEN RAISE SNDS >> ONE WAS THE PROCESS TO MAKE SOME OF THESE PURCHASES, IN MANY CASES, PURCHASES OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WERE MADE WITH PREPAYMENT WHICH ACCORDING TO THE STATE AUDITOR IS PROHIBITED NOT ONLY BY STATE LAW, BUT THE OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION.

ADDITIONALLY, SHE NOTED MORE THAN $5 MILLION OF THOSE PRODUCTS WERE NEVER RECEIVED BY THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

CURRENTLY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST TWO OF THOSE COMPANIES INVOLVED SEEKING TO RECOVER SOME OF THAT MONEY.

>> THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS SWORN IN A NEW SPEAKER PRO TEM.

TELL US ABOUT THAT PERSON.

>> YES, THAT IS KYLE HILBERT.

HE'S A REPUBLICAN, OF COURSE, AND HE'S ONLY BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE A FEW YEARS.

BUT HE'S MOVED UP RATHER QUICKLY.

MOST RECENTLY HE'S BEEN SERVING AS VICE CHAIR OF THE VERY POWERFUL HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE.

IN FACT, IT WAS REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN WALLACE, WHO CHAIRS THAT COMMITTEE, WHO MADE THE NOMINATION ON THE HOUSE FLOOR.

>> IN THE ELECTION HE WAS CHALLENGED BY REPRESENTATIVE CINDY MUNSON, AN OKLAHOMA CITY DEMOCRAT.

REPRESENTATIVE HILBERT CAPTURED ALL OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTES AND REPRESENTATIVE MUNSON OF COURSE CAPTURED THE DEMOCRAT VOTES.

AND REPUBLICANS OUTNUMBER DEMOCRATS SUBSTANTIALLY IN THE HOUSE, SO REPRESENTATIVE HILBERT WAS ELECTED.

HE BECOMES THE YOUNGEST SPEAKER PRO TEM IN STATE HISTORY, AT ONLY 27 YEARS OF AGE.

>> SHAWN, SENATE PRESIDENT OF PRO TEM, GREG TREAT WAS CALLED IN THIS WEEK TO BREAK TIES IN COMMITTEES ON SOME VOTES THAT WILL IMPACT HOW THE GOVERNOR SELECTS THREE MEDICAL BOARDS.

HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK?

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BOARDS IN WHICH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, OR IN SOME CASES, BOARD MEMBERS THEMSELVES RECOMMEND POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS TO FILL VACANCIES ON THE BOARD.

WHAT THESE BILLS BY SENATOR JULIAN DANIELS DO IS REMOVE THOSE OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE BOARD FROM THE RECOMMENDATION PROCESS AND LEAVE THE DECISION ULTIMATELY UP TO THE GOVERNOR TO PICK WHOEVER HE WANTS, AS LONG AS THEY MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE BOARD.

SO THIS WOULD GIVE THE GOVERNOR THAT AUTHORITY.

HE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO RELY ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS OF THE BOARD THEMSELVES.

>> SHAWN, A SENATE COMMITTEE PASSED A TRIO OF BILLS THAT ARE MEANT TO KIND OF CHANGE HOW STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING IS DONE.

WHAT ARE THE LAWMAKERS PROPOSING?

>> WELL, WHAT WE'RE SEEING HERE IS A MOVE TOWARD MORE TRAINING RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND A MOVE AWAY FROM REQUIRING SPECIFIC NUMBERS OF HOURS OF TRAINING.

WHAT THAT DOES, ACCORDING TO OFFICIALS FROM THE COUNCIL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING, IS 00 HOWS THEM TO INCORPORATE MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING, FOR EXAMPLE, INTO OTHER TYPES OF TRAINING THAT THEY'RE DOING.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT COMMITTEE, SENATOR LONI PAXTON POINTED OUT THAT HE REALLY APPRECIATED THAT APPROACH BECAUSE IT LEADS TO AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF TRAINING.

>> SHAWN, WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED, RIGHT?

>> WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED, WE HAVE MANY WEEKS TO GO.

>> IN DEED WE ARE.

>>> OMICRON INFECTIONS IN OKLAHOMA CONTINUE TO PLUMMET.

WE'RE SEEING A VERY POSITIVE TREND IN OUR ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE OF NEW CASES.

LAST FRIDAY THAT NUMBER WAS 5,688 PER DAY.

THIS FRIDAY IT'S 1,779.

THAT'S GREAT NEWS.

OVERALL, COVID HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE FALLEN FROM A LITTLE UNDER 2,000 A WEEK AGO TO 1,655 THIS WEEK.

THERE ARE 57 FEWER ICU BEDS IN USE THIS WEEK.

AND OUR COVID DEATH TOLL STANDS AT 13,830, WHICH MEANS AN AVERAGE OF 43 PEOPLE PER DAY DIED FROM COVID OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

>>> THE INVESTIGATION INTO MISUSE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS BY EPIC CHARTER SCHOOLS IS NOW BACK WHERE IT BEGAN, IN THE HANDS OF OKLAHOMA CITY DISTRICT ATTORNEY DAVID PRATER.

THE OSBI HAS COMPLETED ITS NINE-YEAR INVESTIGATION AND HANDED ITS FINDINGS OVER TO THE OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

AG JOHN O'CONNOR THEN TAPPED PRATER TO RESUME HIS DUTIES AS LEAD INVESTIGATOR, AND HE WILL DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT TO PROSECUTE FOR POSSIBLE CRIMES UNCOVERED BY THE OSBI.

>>> EXCELLENT ECONOMIC NEWS IN JANUARY AS FEE AND TAX COLLECTIONS TOTALLED 1 $1/2 BILLION THANKS TO MAINLY GROWTH IN OIL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION TAXES.

GROSS PRODUCTION TAXES JUMPED BY ALMOST 150%, EASILY THE BIGGEST GROWTH IN ANY SECTOR LAST MONTH.

THE ONE AND A HALF BILLION COLLECTED IN JANUARY BEATS LAST JANUARY'S COLLECTION BY 27%.

OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, FEE AND TAX RECEIPTS COLLECTED BY THE OKLAHOMA TREASURER'S OFFICE HAVE TOTALLED $15.5 BILLION, AN INCREASE OF 18% OVER THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

>>> OKLAHOMA CATTLEMEN LOVE TO SAY THAT THE SMELL OF COULD YOU MANURE IS THE SMELL OF MONEY.

FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY, THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL STOCK YARDS IN OKLAHOMA CITY HAVE BEEN THE PLACE WHERE THAT MONEY CHANGES HANDS.

AND AS STEVE SHAW REPORTS, AFTER A FEW DOWN YEARS, BUSINESS IS ONCE AGAIN BOOMING ON NORTH STREET.

>> IT'S MONDAY, SOUTHWEST OKLAHOMA CITY.

AN OPERATION THAT'S RUN BASICALLY, 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, SINCE IT OPENED IN 1910.

[ AUCTIONEER SPEAKING ] >> BRIAN MARLIN WHO'S FROM IOLA, JUST EAST OF TULSA, HAS BEEN AN AUCTIONEER HERE FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

>> HONESTY AND INTEGRITY IS THE BEST YOU CAN HAVE AS AN AUCTIONEER.

IF THE BUYER'S TRUST YOU, THEY'RE GOING TO GIVE ALL THEY CAN GIVE.

SOMETHING I'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO.

MY DAD TOLD ME, IF YOU ENJOY WHAT YOU DO, YOU'LL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE.

AS AN AUCTIONEER, SELLING CATTLE, THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO END UP.

>> THE BIG DAYS ARE MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS, WHEN THE AUCTIONS TAKE PLACE.

>> LOTS OF ENERGY, LOTS OF SPECTATORS, ON ANY GIVEN DAY, WE'RE SELLING 25 TO 30 BUYERS.

LOTS OF ENERGY, LOTS OF PEOPLE COMING AND ASKING US QUESTIONS ON HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO, AND HOW WE MARKET CATTLE.

IT'S PRETTY INTERESTING.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL STOCK YARDS IS GOING GANGBUSTERS.

ECLIPSING NUMBERS NOT SEEN IN MANY YEARS.

>> HERE IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS, WE'VE SOLD AS MANY AS 18,000 CATTLE.

WE USUALLY SELL 800 TO 900 CATTLE AN HOUR.

THE OTHER BARNES THAT I WORK AT ACROSS OKLAHOMA, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE 1,000, 1500, 2,000 CATTLE.

ONE OTHER BAURN WILL GET A FEW MORE THAN THAT.

IT'S A SALE, BUT ON A LOT LARGER SCALE THAN WHAT YOU SEE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

SO IT -- THE THING ABOUT IT, WE START AT 6:30 ON A MONDAY MORNING, I GET UP AT 3:00 TO COME OUT HERE, WE'RE HERE UNTIL WE SELL THE LAST CATTLE MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING.

THERE'S A LOT OF TIMES I WORK 24 HOURS STRAIGHT.

THE INDUSTRY WILL MAKE YOU TOUGH.

>> RIGHT NOW, THE STOCK YARDS AVERAGES AROUND 9500 HEAD OF CATTLE A WEEK.

THAT MAKES IT THE LARGEST IN THE U.S. AND PROBABLY THE WORLD >> WE'RE BREAKING RECORDS AGAIN.

IT'S AUS OPENING.

IT'S AWESOME.

>> KELLY PAINE SAYS, IN 2021, 452,000 HEAD OF CATTLE PASSED THROUGH HERE, WHICH WAS THE MOST SINCE 2011.

>> THESE FARMERS AND RANCHERS THAT ARE SITTING HERE, THEY WORKED ALL YEAR LAST YEAR, FOR THIS PAYCHECK THEY'RE GOING TO GET TODAY.

WITH ALL THOSE OTHER TOOLS INTRODUCED TO THE MARKETPLACE, IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> THE 1970s, THE STOCK YARD SUE AS MANY AS A MILLION COWS COME THROUGH HERE, BUT THE INDUSTRY CHANGED, WHEN VIDEO AUCTIONS AND FEED LOT SALES EMERGED.

AS OTHER OPTIONS TO BUY AND SELL.

>> YOU JUST GET -- PEOPLE ARE BUSY.

PEOPLE IN AG ARE BUSY, SO YOU KIND OF HAVE TO STAY IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> THOSE CHANGES EVENTUALLY DROVE AWAY OTHER CATTLE AUCTIONS THAT USED TO BE HELD IN OTHER, EVEN LARGER CITIES.

>> AND THEY'RE GONE.

THAT'S WHAT'S SO SAD.

BUT A GOOD THING FOR US, A LOT OF THESE EARLIENAL MARKETS WERE ORIGINALLY HEADQUARTERS IN AREAS THAT -- IN BIG CITIES.

OMAHA, CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS, KANSAS CITY, LIKE YOU MENTIONED FT. WORTH.

THE LAST MARKET THAT WAS -- ORIGINAL TERMINALS LIKE US, THAT CLOSED IN ST. JOE MISSOURI, THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IN APRIL OF 2021.

FOR US TO HAVE SURVIVED THAT, AND TO STILL BE THE BIG DRIVER LITERALLY IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY, IS A TESTAMENT TO THE CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE, AND BECAUSE OF THE SERVICE WE'RE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

I'VE HEARD SOME OF THE PLACES LIKE OMAHA, YOU WOULDN'T KNOW IT'S THERE.

WHEN I MENTION THIS IS A PART OF OUR FABRIC, AND A PART OF OUR HISTORY AND OUR CULTURE, THIS IS REALLY A HIDDEN GEM FOR OKLAHOMA CITY.

FROM AN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, WE'RE ABLE TO OPERATE AND HAVE THE LAST ONE OF ITS KIND LEFT.

>> TOM GILLILAND HAS BEEN WORKING HERE SINCE -- >> 1959, OCTOBER 8th.

>> HE'S ONE OF 700 WHO WORK HERE.

>> I LOVE IT.

I LOVE WHAT I DO.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT GREAT -- IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY YOUNG PERSON THAT LOVES LIVESTOCK.

THE RELATIONSHIP WITH PEOPLE.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE BEING A PREACHER, YOU GET YOUR -- YOU GOT A CONGREGATION, I GOT A CONGREGATION OF A NEW SHIPMENT TO BUY CATTLE FOR.

>> THOSE FARMERS AND RANCHERS ARE GOING TO GO BACK AND INVEST IN THEIR COMMUNITY, THEY MAY BUY A SHIRT AND EAT.

THEY'RE ALSO PUTTING THAT MONEY INTO THEIR COMMUNITY.

WHETHER IT'S THE BANK, THE CO-OP, THE TIRE SHOP, BUYING THE WIFE A NEW CAR, BECAUSE SHE'S WORKED SO HARD ALL YEAR.

IT'S A BIG CIRCLE OF HOW THOSE DOLLARS GET DISTRIBUTED BACK.

>> AND GILLAM THINKS HE'LL STICK AROUND.

>> UNTIL THEY BURY ME.

I FEEL GREAT, COMING TO WORK EVERY MORNING.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT RIDE, YES, SIR.

BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO WORK.

I PROMISE YOU, IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

>>> WE'RE GOING TO WRAP UP OUR COVERAGE OF THIS WEEK'S ECONOMIC NEWS WITH JASON DOYLE'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> A REPORT COMMISSIONED BY THE OKLAHOMA ENERGY RESOURCES BOARD SHOWS THAT EVEN THOUGH THE PANDEMIC CAUSED AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN, THE OIL AND NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY STILL CONTRIBUTED $19 BILLION TO THE STATE'S GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.

THE MEASURE OF ALL GOODS AND SERVICES.

THE WORKFORCE INCLUDED 145,000 SKILLED AND HIGH PAYING JOBS IN 2020, WITH $16 1/2 BILLION IN HOUSEHOLD EARNINGS FROM THE INDUSTRY.

INVESTORS IN CONTINENTAL RESOURCES STOCK WILL SEE AN INCREASE IN THEIR QUARTERLY DIVIDEND PAYMENT IN MARCH.

THE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS INCREASED THE DIVIDEND BY 15% TO 23 CENTS A SHARE.

INVESTORS WHO HAVE THE STOCK IN THEIR PORTFOLIO AS OF FEBRUARY 22 WILL RECEIVE THEIR DIVIDEND PAYMENTS STARTING MARCH 4th.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED PAYCOM SAW NET INCOME AND REVENUES INCREASE LAST YEAR.

THE COMPANY'S NET INCOME WAS 196 MILLION IN 2021, AN INCREASE OVER THE 143.5 MILLION THE SOFTWARE COMPANY MADE IN 2020.

REVENUES INCREASED BY MORE THAN 25% TO OVER $1 BILLION.

PAYCOM HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN RETAINING ITS CLIENTS USING ITS HUMAN RESOURCES SERVICES, WHILE ALSO INCREASING THE NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS IT SERVES.

TULSA LABS IS DEVELOPING A CYBER COMMAND CENTER TO SIMULATE CYBER ATTACKS FOR COMPANIES AND OTHER ENTERPRISES.

THE PROJECT IS MEANT TO PROVIDE EXTENSIVE NETWORK TESTING, MEASURING AND IMPROVING DETECTION AND RESPONSE TO OUTSIDE CYBER ATTACKS.

TULSA LABS IS LOOKING TO HELP INDUSTRIES LIKE AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE AS WELL AS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROTECT THEIR CYBER NETWORKS.

IN AN EFFORT TO ATTRACT MORE EMPLOYEES IN OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS, COCA-COLA SOUTHWEST BEVERAGES IS TURNING TO A TELEVISION AD.

THE SOCIETY DE BOTTLER IS USING THE SODA BOTTLER IS USING THE 30 SECOND AD TO HIGHLIGHT HIRING OPPORTUNITIES WHILE PROVIDING A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT THE COMPANY'S PEOPLE AND CULTURE.

THE AD IS PART OF AN ON GOING HIRING CAMPAIGN FOR COCA-COLA SOUTHWEST BEVERAGES.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANKS.

>>> OU HEALTH HAS NAMED ITS FIRST EVER CEO, A NEW POSITION CREATED TO UNIFY ALL THE SYSTEM'S ENTITIES UNDER ONE EXECUTIVE POSITION.

HIS NAME IS DR. RICHARD LOFGREN, AND I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH HIM EARLIER THIS WEEK.

DR., TELL ME HOW HAS THE CREATION OF THIS CEO POSITION, CHANGE THE WAY OU HEALTH WILL BE LEAD INTO THE FUTURE.

>> I'M NOT REPLACING A PAST LEADER OR CEO, BUT WILL BE THE INAUGURAL LEADER OF THIS NEW HEALTH SYSTEM.

I'LL BE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OU HEALTH.

THE U.S. PRESIDENT WILL BE A DIRECTOR ON THAT BOARD.

OBVIOUSLY, THE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT -- THE UNIVERSITY IS SUCH A CRITICAL FACTOR OR PARTNER OF THIS NEWLY FORMED ORGANIZATION.

>> WHEN YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, WHAT WILL YOUR FIRST PRIORITY BE?

>> HEALTH CARE IS A TEAM SPORT.

AND FOR US TO FULFILL OUR PROMISES TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE REALLY NEED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE SYSTEM, HOW WE CAN WORKING TOGETHER AND FUNCTION TOGETHER.

SO THEN WE HAVE A CONSISTENCY AND A REAL PROMISE OF THE OU HEALTH BRANCH OF THE COMMUNITY.

THE THIRD THING YOU'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON IS THE EXPERIENCE.

THE WOW FACTOR.

THE WOW FACTOR FOR OUR PATIENTS.

AND THE FINAL THING IS ALWAYS TO FOCUS ON TALENT.

WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE BEST IN TALENT.

>> YOU MENTIONED IT'S A TEAM SPORT.

RIGHT NOW, HIRING THAT TEAM CAN BE DIFFICULT.

RIGHT NEW, WE FIND WE HAVE DOCTORS AND NURSES AND LAB TECHNICIANS AND ALL PHYSICIANS SEEM TO BE IN SHORT SUPPLY.

>> I KNOW IT'S BEEN AN ISSUE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE THIN IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS IN GENERAL.

I THINK THE PANDEMIC HAS JUST EXPOSED THE FACT THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A DEEP BENCH TO BEGIN WITH.

I THINK THE ISSUES AROUND BURNOUT IS REAL FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, AND HEALTH CARE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE IS REALLY GIVING IT THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

OUR BEDSIDE NURSES ARE AGING, AND THEY'VE DECIDED TO RETIRE, AND OTHERS ARE RETHINKING THE PRIORITIES.

AND IT'S A TALENT WAR IN GENERAL.

MOVING FORWARD, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW MODELS.

WE KNOW THAT THE HEALTH CARE TEAM IS NOT GOING TO LOOK THE SAME BY COMING ON TO THIS PANDEMIC AS WE DID BEFORE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO THINK ABOUT NEW WAYS THAT WE HAVE NEW RULES -- >> IN WHAT AREAS DO YOU THINK OULE TH IS OR CAN BE A NATIONAL LEADER?

>> I THINK IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISTINGUISH OURSELVES AS A MAJOR REFERRAL CENTER FOR THE ENTIRE STATE AND BEYOND.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S THIS -- IMPORTANCE OF AN ACADEMIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN THIS COMMUNITY TO NOT BE OVERSTATED.

IT'S A UNIQUE ROLE.

THAT'S BEEN MOST EVIDENT DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT'S THE SOURCE OF INNOVATION.

IT'S THE MAGNET THAT BRINGS TALENT TO THIS COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF POSITIONS, ALSO, LEARNERS THAT SAY THEY WANT TO BE A PART OF THIS, I THINK IT'S AN OBLIGATION.

AND PART OF THE COVER NEN THE THAT WE HAVE WITH OKLAHOMA TO REALLY BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE OUTCOMES IN THE HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> HOW CAN OKLAHOMA AS A WHOLE, AS A STATE BECOME HEALTHIER?

WHERE DOES THAT START?

>> I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT WHERE OKLAHOMA RANKS IN TERMS OF HEART DISEASE AND PULMONARY DISEASE AND DIABETES.

AND IT'S A REAL MARRIAGE, IF YOU WILL OF WORKING WITH COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS THE HEALTH FAIR SYSTEMS.

WELLNESS REALLY IS A -- HAS TO BE A GRASSROOTS, SO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS TO BE NECESSARY TO CHANGE THOSE HEALTH HABITS AND GET THOSE THINGS THAT WILL LEAD TO HEALTHY BEHAVIORS AND OUTCOMES.

>> BEFORE I GO, I SEE THE CINCINNATI JERSEY BEHIND ME.

WILL YOU BE PULLING FOR JOE BORROW AND THE BENGALS THIS SUNDAY?

>> ABSOLUTELY, WE'RE ALL BEHIND JOE, AND WE'RE GOING TO BRING IT HOME.

>> WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU IN PERSON, AND GO BENGALS.

>> THANK YOU, AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO IT, IT'S GOING TO BE EXCITING.

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

>>> ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING AND OFTEN TIMES HEART BREAKING HEALTH ISSUES FACING OKLAHOMA IS ALZHEIMER'S.

IT CAN BE JUST AS DEVASTATING FOR CAREGIVERS AS IT IS FOR THOSE AFFLICTED BY THE DISEASE.

IN THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH DISCUSSION, WE'LL HEAR FROM THOSE WHO STUDY ALZHEIMER'S AND THOSE WHO ARE IMPACTED BY IT EVERY DAY.

PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONAL.

HERE'S MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUESTS.

>> RICH, THANK YOU.

ALZHEIMER'S IS SOMETHING THAT MANY OKLAHOMANS DEAL WITH, WE HAVE A PANEL OF GUESTS THAT TAKE US ON A DEEP DIVE INTO ALZHEIMER'S.

WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE HERB MAGLEY, WHO WAS A CAREGIVER TO HIS WIFE.

AND DR.

CRYSTAL GLOVER, A RESEARCH AT THE RUSH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH CENTER IN CHICAGO.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US >> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU.

TELL US QUICKLY ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH ALZHEIMER'S, AS IT CENTERS AROUND YOUR WIFE?

>> MY WIFE WAS DIAGNOSED WHEN SHE WAS 54.

IT TOOK ABOUT TWO YEARS TO GET THE DIAGNDIAGNOSIS.

AND WE WENT ON AN 11 YEAR JOURNEY.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THAT BEING THE CAREGIVER FOR THIS DISEASE, IT'S LIKE BEING A CAREGIVER FOR NO OTHER DISEASE.

IT IS TERRIBLE.

THERE'S JUST MORE THAN ONE VICTIM.

AND I'VE SEEN THIS WITH THE SUPPORT GROUPS THAT I RUN TOO.

BUT YOU'RE WATCHING AS I WATCHED, MY WIFE DISAPPEAR LITTLE BITS AND PIECES AS THIS DISEASE TOOK IT AWAY WEEK BY WEEK, YEAR BY YEAR.

THERE WERE ABOUT FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT HAPPEN ALONG THIS THING THAT ARE TERRIBLY TRAUMATIC.

THAT'S WHY WE SAY WE LOSE ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS BEFORE THE LOVED ONE THAT THEY'RE CARING FOR.

IT'S SO STRESSFUL, IT'S A TERRIBLE THING TO GO THROUGH.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE END IS GOING TO BE LIKE.

BUT THE TERRIBLE SCENES AND EVENTS THAT YOU GO THROUGH GETTING THERE IS JUST HORRIBLE >> SANDY, I WANT TO COME TO YOU NEXT, HOW MANY OKLAHOMANS ARE AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER'S.

>> WE KNOW THAT 67,000 OKLAHOMANS ARE AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, BUT EVEN MORE IMPORTANTLY, 129,000 OF THE CAREGIVERS THAT HERB JUST MENTIONED.

AND IT'S CRAZY, TO THINK THAT THAT'S OUR OKLAHOMA NUMBERS, BUT THERE ARE 6 MILLION AMERICANS AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER'S, AND 11 MILLION CAREGIVERS ACROSS OUR COUNTRY.

>> I DO HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.

HAS THERE BEEN A STEADY INCREASE, DECREASE IN CASES OR HAS IT STAYED STEADY?

>> IT'S DEFINITELY ON THE RISE.

PEOPLE ARE AGING, AND I KNOW THAT SOUNDS SILLY, BUT PEOPLE ARE AGING VERY QUICKLY, AND BECAUSE THERE'S SO MANY GREAT MEDICINES OUT THERE FOR PEOPLE LIVING LONGER, IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE ARE TURNING 65 EACH DAY.

THAT'S PRETTY AMAZING.

SO THIS DISEASE IS A PRETTY COSTLY DISEASE IF WE DON'T GET A HANDLE ON IT.

>> I KNOW YOU'RE SPECIALIZING ON RESEARCH ON THE IMPACT OF ALZHEIMER'S ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

BEFORE WE GET TO THAT SPECIFICALLY.

I'D LIKE TO ASK YOU WHERE THE RESEARCH IS OVERALL ON ALZHEIMER'S.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, SUSAN.

THERE ARE TWO MAJOR RISK FACTORS FOR EVERY ONE, FOR EVERY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

THAT WOULD BE GETTING OLDER AND A GENETIC PREDISPOSITION.

RESEARCH NOW IS FOCUSED ON THINGS WE CAN DO IN MIDDLE LIFE, THINKING -- SAY IN OUR 40s AND 50s, OF WHAT WE CAN DO, AND THE BIG THING WE SUPPORT IS UNDERSTANDING THE HEART TO HEAD HIGHWAY.

THINGS THAT ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEART ARE GOOD FOR YOUR HEAD LATER ON IN LIFE.

THINK CONTROLLING CONSISTENTLY, HYPERTENSION, DIABETES, AS WELL AS ANY HIGH CHOLESTEROL ARE THE KEY TO GET AHOLD OF IN YOUR MIDDLE AGE.

>> HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?

>> YES.

>> I NEED TO GET THAT UNDER CONTROL, I'M SKATING ON THIN ICE WITH MY DOCTOR.

YOU THINK EVERYONE'S ON HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION, SO WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> IT IS A HUGE DEAL.

WHAT WE ARE DOING, OR WHAT YOU HAVE IN HEART HEALTH AT MY AGE AND MIDDLE AGE AND BEYOND REALLY HAS A BIG IMPACT FOR OUR BRAINS, OUR HEAD.

AS WE GET OLDER.

THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY.

IT'S NOT SIMPLY HAVING HYPERTENSION OR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

IT'S HAVING IT UNCONTROLLED.

DIET, MEDICINE, EXERCISE, A COMBINATION OF THE THREE.

GETTING IT UNDER CONTROL AND STAYING CONSISTENT IS THE BIG THING.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SANDY, I WANT TO COME TO YOU NEXT, WHAT PROGRAMS ARE BENEFICIAL RIGHT NOW THAT ARE -- CAN BE ACCESSED BY FOLS ARE EXPERIENCING ALZHEIMER'S >> I LOVE THAT YOU'RE ASKING THAT QUESTION.

DR. GLOVER JUST SAID IT.

WE'RE DOING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE U.S. ON THE TEN WARNING SIGNS, WE DO TEN WAYS TO LOVE YOUR BRAIN, WHICH I THINK IS SUPER IMPORTANT, AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE MOVING AND BEING SMART WITH THEIR DIET.

AND NOT SMOKING, AND, YOU KNOW, MAKING -- SO MANY GOOD CHOICES WE CAN MAKE EVERY DAY TO HELP US ALL.

FOR LOTS OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT CERTAINLY IMPACTS ALZHEIMER'S.

WE ALSO HAVE GREAT EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AROUND COMMUNICATION.

AND THEN WE FOCUS OUR SUPPORT GROUPS.

>> HERB, I WANT TO COME BACK TO YOU.

I WANT YOU TO PAINT A PICTURE FOR OUR VIEWERS.

WE HEAR DOCTORS SAY, EAT RIGHT, TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH, EXERCISE.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL PEOPLE WHO SAY, I HEAR THIS ALL THE TIME, WATCH MY BLOOD PRESSURE AND ALL THAT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THEM?

>> WELL, YOU HAVE THESE CHOICES TO BE HEALTHY AND NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS DISEASE.

OR TO DEAL WITH THIS DISEASE BECAUSE OF YOUR POOR CHOICES.

I CAN TELL YOU THIS, EVEN THOSE THAT DO MAKE GOOD CHOICES, WE ALWAYS DID, MY WIFE AND I.

AND FOR SOME REASON SHE ENDED UP WITH IT, SHE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST IN HER FAMILY THAT HAD IT.

I TELL THIS TO PEOPLE, I DO SOME OF THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WITH KNOWING THE SIGNS.

EVERY PLACE I GO, WHEN I'M AT A HEALTH FAIR, I PULL OUT A BROCHURE WE HAVE THAT TELLS EVERYONE TO BE HEALTHY.

I WALK OUT AND START TELLING PEOPLE, THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT THIS.

AND I'LL TELL THEM A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MY STORY.

IT'S GETTING TO BE TOUGHER AND TOUGHER TO FIND SOMEBODY THAT HASN'T EXPERIENCED THIS IN SOME WAY, THAT HASN'T BEEN TOUCHED BY THIS DISEASE.

USUALLY A GRANDPARENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

BUT THEY DO UNDERSTAND THE LONG TERMINATE OF THIS THING.

IT'S NOT AN EASY DISEASE TO GO THROUGH.

IT'S AN 8 TO 10 YEAR PROCESS.

>> YOU SAID YOU LOST YOUR WIFE ONE PIECE AT A TIME.

CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC ABOUT THAT?

WHAT STARTED HAPPENING FIRST?

WHAT ARE SOME SIGNS THAT YOU SAW THAT MADE YOU THINK, WE NEED TO HAVE THIS CHECKED OUT?

>> YOU KNOW, YOU'VE HAD THIS DISEASE GOING ON IN YOUR BRAIN FOR PROBABLY 10 TO 20 YEARS BEFORE YOU START SHOWING SYMPTOMS.

AND SO WHENEVER THINGS START HAPPENING, AND YOU GET THE DIAGNOSIS IT'S LIKE, WELL, THAT EXPLAINS A LOT OF THINGS FROM THE PAST, WHAT WE NOTICED WITH GAIL, SHE WAS A SPEED READER, SHE WOULD READ TWO TO THREE BOOKS A WEEK, EVERY WEEK, EVER SINCE I'VE KNOWN HER, WE WERE MARRIED 35 YEARS WHEN THIS HIT.

ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE QUIT DOING THAT, AND STARTED WATCHING TV.

SHE NEVER WATCHED TV.

SHE WAS A SPEECH PATHOLOGIST AND SHE CAME HOME FROM HER ASSIGNMENT AND SAID, I'M NOT GOING TO RENEW MY CONTRACT FOR NEXT YEAR.

I SAID WHY NOT?

SHE SAID, I CAN'T DO THE PAPERWORK ANY MORE.

AND LITTLE BY LITTLE THEN, WE DECIDED, MAYBE WE BETTER GET THIS CHECKED OUT, HER DAD HAD HAD ALZHEIMER'S, I THOUGHT, MAYBE WE'RE HEADED DOWN THIS ROAD, AND LIKE I SAID, IT TOOK TWO YEARS, THEY THOUGHT IT WAS DEPRESSION, AND IT WASN'T.

>> DR. GLOVER, CAN YOU GIVE US SOME SIGNS TO LOOK FOR AS WELL?

>> YOU SAID IT SO WELL.

THINK OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU, SAY THEY ARE VERY GOOD WITH NAMES OR VERY GOOD WITH ACTIVITIES OR EVENTS IN TERMS OF REMEMBERING.

BUT YOU START SEEING THAT DETERIORATION OR CHANGE.

THAT'S A TICKET THAT SOMETHING -- IT MAY BE A MISS THERE, AND REALLY GETTING INTO YOUR LOCAL PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR, MEMORY CLINIC OR WHEREVER TO SAY, I'M NOTICING THESE CHANGES, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

AND EARLY DIAGNOSIS MEANS EARLIER AND BETTER TREATMENT >> SANDY, YOU DEAL WITH A LOT OF CAREGIVERS, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM.

HERB SAID IT'S SO DIFFICULT, SO DIFFERENT CARING FOR A LOVED ONE WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF DISEASE.

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?

>> I THINK THE STRESS LEVEL ON A CAREGIVER IS CRAZY, IT'S JUST BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION.

I HAVE NOT CARED FOR SOMEONE WITH THIS DISEASE, BUT I GET TO -- EVERY DAY INTERACT WITH PEOPLE IN A COMMUNITY THAT ARE IN THIS SITUATION, I HEAR THE DESPERATION IN THEIR VOICE TO HAVE RESOURCES, AND SUPPORT.

SO OUR SUPPORT GROUPS ARE REALLY POWERFUL, I THINK WHEN YOU CAN HAVE A COMMON COMMUNITY AND SHARE STORIES AND JUST CRY ON SOMEONE'S SHOULDER, THAT KIND OF KNOWS WHAT YOU'RE GOING THROUGH, IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> DO THEY ALSO NEED HELP WITH COPING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK THAT'S -- HERB COULD PROBABLY TALK ABOUT THAT BETTER THAN I, IN SUPPORT GROUPS, I KNOW THEY TALK ABOUT COPING MECHANISMS ALL THE TIME.

WE TEACH THAT IN OUR PROGRAMS AS WELL.

IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT, EVEN THOUGH TO COMMUNICATE WITH SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA OR ALZHEIMER'S, NOT ARGUING WITH THEM.

IF THEY SAY SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

THERE'S NO SENSE ARGUING WITH THEM, JUST LET THEM LIVE OUT THAT JOURNEY.

>> IT TOOK ME ABOUT TWO YEARS TO FIND THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, THAT'S REALLY THE SAVING GRACE IN ALL THIS.

WE TALK ABOUT LOSING ONE OUT OF EVERY THREE CAREGIVERS, WE FIGHT AGAINST THAT.

THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, WITH FREE COUNSELLING AND THE LIFE SAVING SUPPORT GROUPS THAT WE HAVE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS WHERE PEOPLE GET ISOLATED, CAREGIVERS DO IN THIS DISEASE.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY WALK AWAY FROM IT, THEY THINK IT'S AWKWARD, SUPPORT GROUPS ARE YOUR LIFE SAVING LINK.

AFTER I GOT DONE WITH THE DISEASE, I MADE UP A LIST OF RULES, I SAID, BOY, I WISH I HAD KNOWN THIS, WHEN I FIRST GOT INVOLVED WITH THIS I'VE TAKEN IT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND HUNDREDS OF CAREGIVERS HAVE DONE IT.

IT'S 25 RULES TO HELP ALZHEIMER'S CAREGIVERS.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT YOUR LOOK INTO ALZHEIMER'S, DOES IT IMPACT AFRICAN-AMERICANS MORE SIGNIFICANTLY THAN OTHER RACES?

>> WE DO SEE THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN BLACK COMMUNITIES ARE AT INCREASED RISK FOR DEVELOPING THE DISEASE.

THEY'RE ABOUT TWICE AS LIKELY AS THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

WE ATTRIBUTE A LOT OF THAT TO THE GENERAL THINGS, GETTING OLDER, GENETIC PREDIAGNOSE POSITION.

BUT ALSO THE HARD TO HEAD HIGHWAY.

A BIG KEY PIECE IS UNDERSTANDING TREATMENTS FOR THIS DISEASE.

AND THAT'S WHERE I COME IN, WITH MY WORK AROUND THE HEAD STUDY.

A HEAD STUDY DOT ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE, 800-AHEAD-70 FOR MORE INFORMATION.

THE COOL THING ABOUT THIS STUDY, LOOKING AT AN ALZHEIMER'S TREATMENT, FROM PEOPLE AS YOUNG AS 50 TO 80.

THIS IS IMPORTANT, AROUND THE TYPICAL TIME WE'RE SEEING THE SYMPTOMS AFFECT YOUR DAILY LIFE.

THOSE BRAIN CHANGES BEGAN 20 YEARS AGO AT LEAST.

HAVING THE CLINICAL TRIAL TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY HOW CAN WE DELAY OR PREVENT AND UNDERSTAND THE PATHWAY FOR THIS DISEASE.

NOT ONLY FOR BLACKS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

BUT FOR EVERYONE IS PARAMOUNT >> NOW, I DO WANT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION.

I'VE DONE INTERVIEWS IN THE PAST, WHERE MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

IT'S BEEN STATED THAT MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY ARE MORE HESITANT TO REACH OUT FOR MEDICAL CARE.

IS THAT ANOTHER FACTOR IN GETTING HELP FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE ALZHEIMER'S?

>> INDEED, WE KNOW THAT MEMBERS OF BLACK AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO BE AT RISK, BUT ALSO WHEN THEY DO GO INTO THE DOCTOR, THAT THEY'RE SEEKING TREATMENT AT LATER STAGES OF THE DISEASE.

THAT'S HUGE AND DETRIMENTAL.

MY BIGGEST ADVICE, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SIMILAR TO WHAT HERB WAS OUTLINING, SOMETHING THAT'S DIFFERENT IN YOUR LOVED ONE, AND EVEN WITHIN YOURSELF, YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO ALLOW RESEARCH TO UNDERSTAND, ADDRESS AND RESPECT YOUR BRAIN HEALTH.

GET IN THERE TO THE MEMORY CLINIC AND DISCUSS YOUR ISSUES, THAT ALSO MEANS THAT OTHER RESEARCHERS SUCH AS MYSELF, OTHER MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE OUT THERE, WE'RE ALL COLLABORATING AND INTERESTED IN ERADICATING THIS DISEASE AMONG ALL INDIVIDUALS, ESPECIALLY BLACKS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

>> ARE WE CLOSE?

>> I WOULD SAY I'M ALWAYS HOPEFUL.

BUT IT DOES TAKE A 360 APPROACH.

SO MEMBERS OF DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, RESEARCHERS MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA, EVERYONE, ALL HANDS ON DECK TO GET AHEAD OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

>> SANDY, LAST WORDS FOR YOU, FOR FOLKS WHO MAY BE LISTENING TO THIS, AND THINKING, MAYBE I NEED TO GET CHECKED OUT.

>> YEAH, SO I WOULD SAY THERE'S A COUPLE THINGS I THINK ARE IMPORTANT.

THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION HAS AN 800 NUMBER THAT'S OPEN 24/7, IT'S 800-272-3900 OR VISIT US AT ALZ.ORG.

AND TO DR. GLOVER'S POINT, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU KNOW, I REALLY DO HAVE HOPE.

I THINK THAT THAT'S WHY WE GO OUT AND WE DO WALK TO END ALZHEIMER'S AND OTHER BIG EVENTS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND RAISE FUNDS.

WE'RE CURRENTLY IN A SITUATION, WHERE WE'RE SUPPORTING -- WITH $250 MILLION, 750 RESEARCH PROJECTS ACROSS 39 COUNTRIES.

AND I HOPE THAT GIVES PEOPLE HOPE THAT WE'RE COMMITTED TO FIGHTING -- TO FINDING A CURE AND ENDING THIS HORRIBLE DISEASE.

>> HERB, WE STARTED WITH YOU, WE'RE GOING TO END WITH YOU.

DO YOU HAVE ANY FINAL WORDS FOR THE FOLKS OF OKLAHOMA THAT ARE LISTENING TODAY?

>> YES, I DO.

AS SOON AS YOU REALIZE THERE'S SOMETHING NOT RIGHT, GO IN AND GET IT DIAGNOSED, AND GET TO THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION AS FAST AS YOU CAN, THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO SAVE THE CAREGIVER'S LIFE.

DR. GLOVER, BLESS YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING TO HELP THIS ALONG.

THOSE OF US OUT HERE WOULD BE LOST WITH NO HOPE IF IT WEREN'T FOR FOLKS LIKE YOU AND SANDY.

SO BLESS YOU BOTH FOR BEING THERE FOR US.

>> I SAY BLESS ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WONDERFUL WORK.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SHARING YOUR EXPERTISE WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SUSAN AND GUESTS, THANK YOU FOR THAT CONVERSATION.

IT WAS WONDERFUL AND IMPORTANT.

WELL, YOU WOULDN'T THINK OF FEBRUARY AS THE PERFECT MONTH TO GO SAILING IN WISCONSIN, BUT IT IS.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE TRAVEL TO MILWAUKEE, WHERE SAILORS THERE CAN REACH SPEEDS OVER 100 MILES PER HOUR.

>> ICE RACING IS THE SAME AS SUMMER SAILING.

A BOAT LIKE THIS WILL GO 4 TO 5 TIMES THE SPEED OF THE WIND.

IF IT'S BLOWING 20 MILES AN HOUR, YOU CAN GO OVER 100 MILES AN HOUR.

>> AM I OUT OF THE WAY?

>> SLIDE DOWN A LITTLE DEEPER.

>> SURE.

>> BYE!

>> AS YOU TIGHTEN THAT UP IT TAKES YOU OUT OF THE SAIL, WHICH REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF DRAG, WHICH INCREASES YOUR SPEED.

AND THEN YOU HAVE FOOT PEDALS THAT YOU STEER WITH.

SO IT STEERS JUST LIKE AN AIRPLANE WHERE IF YOU PUSH RIGHT, THE BOAT GOES LEFT.

IF YOU PUSH LEFT, THE BOAT GOES RIGHT.

>> THE SPEEDS ARE FAST.

BUT LIKE ANYTHING, YOU ADJUST QUICKLY AND GET COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, AND ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN CONTROL THE BOAT AND GET IT TO GO FASTER OR SLOWER IN ANY DIRECTION YOU WANT IT TO GO, THEN YOUR CONFIDENCE BUILDS AND YOU'RE GOOD, IT'S A LITTLE SCARY TO START.

IT'S A FICKLE SPORT.

YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO HAVE, OF COURSE, ICE THAT'S THICK ENOUGH.

WE NEED TO HAVE WIND.

WE NEED TO HAVE TIME OFF OF WORK.

AND ALL THAT HAS TO LINE UP, AND, YOU KNOW, LITTLE TO NO SNOW ON THE ICE.

THE ICE HAS TO BE REASONABLY SMOOTH.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS, BUT THERE'S ABSOLUTELY NOTHING LIKE IT WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE TO DO IT.

IT JUST -- IT'S SUCH AN AMAZING SPORT AND SO THRILLING THAT IT MAKES IT ALL WORTHWHILE.

IT'S NOT HARD TO GET INTO.

WISCONSIN IS TRULY -- AND SOUTHERN WISCONSIN IS REALLY THE EPICENTER OF ICE SAILING.

THE CONDITIONS THAT WE HAVE WITH THE LAKES AND THE AMOUNT OF SNOW AND THE TEMPERATURE, AND THE LENGTH OF THE SAILING SEASON MAKES SOUTHERN WISCONSIN AMONG THE BEST ICE SAILING AREAS IN THE WORLD.

WE GET A LOT OF -- OFTEN, MOST YEARS A LOT OF GOOD SAILING TIME.

AND THE COMMUNITY IS VERY SUPPORTIVE AND THERE ARE LOTS OF SAILORS.

>> THAT'S GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> GROUND HAS BROKEN ON THE LARGEST EXPANSION IN THE 120 YEAR HISTORY OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO.

EXHIBITION AFRICA IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN IN 2023.

IT WILL ENCOMPASS 14 ACRES AND CREATE A WELCOMING SAVANNAH FOR VISITORS NEAR THE ZOO'S ENTRANCE.

THE $25 MILLION PROJECT WILL BE THE NEW HOME FOR GIRAFFES, CHEETAHS AND OTHER NATIVE SPECIES.

IN ADDITION, THE PACHYDERM BUILDING WILL BE REPURPOSED INTO A GUEST EVENT CENTER.

>>> ON THE NEXT "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," CAN A TABLET HELP POLICE INTERACT IN THE FIELD?

IN REALTIME, WITH PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?

OKLAHOMA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES SAY THE ANSWER IS YES, AND IT'S ALREADY SAVING LIVES.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

>>> WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A NOT SO SUBTLE REMINDER THAT VALENTINE'S DAY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER AND EVERYONE LIKES CHOCOLATE AND CANDY.

OETA'S KACI FERGUSON PROVIDES US WITH THIS SWEET PHOTO ESSAY.

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" I'M RICH LENS.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND AS ALWAYS STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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