>>> OKLAHOMA SENIOR U.S.

SENATOR ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION AFTER 28 YEARS IN THE SENATE.

>> I DON'T THINK OKLAHOMANS REALLY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT SENATOR INHOFE HAS HAD ON THE GREAT STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>>> THE ABORTION DEBATE DOMINATES THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ON MONDAY.

>> THIS PROGRAM HAS HAD SOME SUCCESS, BUT WE NEED TO REALLY GET MORE MONEY DISTRIBUTED SO WE CAN SAVE MORE LIVES.

>> ISN'T THIS IN ESSENCE LIMITING CHOICES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE.

>> OKLAHOMA'S CAREER TRACK TRAINING -- >> WE'VE BECOME MORE MUCH AGGRESSIVE AT SUPPORTING THOSE ENTREPRENEURS AND HELPING THEM TO GROW.

>> REPORTING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., THE SURPRISING OKLAHOMA CONNECTION IN THE ESCALATING CRISIS IN UKRAINE.

>> I HATE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

I KNOW, I STILL HAVE FRIENDS OVER THERE.

AND I PRAY FOR THEM.

>> GOOD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA'S DISABLED VETERANS NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

SENATOR JAMES INHOFE ANNOUNCED HIS RESIGNATION FRIDAY MORNING.

HE SERVED IN CONGRESS SINCE 1994 AND WILL REMAIN IN HIS SEAT THROUGH THE END OF THE CONGRESSIONAL SESSION NEXT JANUARY 3rd.

THAT TRIGGERS A SPECIAL ELECTION, MEANING BOTH OF OKLAHOMA SENATE SEATS WILL BE ON THE MIDTERM BALLOT IN NOVEMBER.

WE ASKED STEPHANIE BICE FOR HER REACTION.

>> I DON'T THINK OKLAHOMANS REALLY TRULY UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT SENATOR INHOFE HAS HAD ON THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

BEING ON TRANSPORTATION, HAVING AN INDEPTH KNOWLEDGE OF THOSE AREAS FOR OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

HE'S BROUGHT JOBS TO THE STATE.

HE'S ENSURED THAT OUR MILITARY BASES AND COMMUNITIES ARE WELL FUNDED.

AND JUST REALLY BEEN A CHAMPION FOR OKLAHOMA, IF IN FACT HE'S MADE THE DECISION TO RETIRE EARLY, IT WILL BE A TREMENDOUS LOSS >> OUR CONVERSATION WITH REPRESENTATIVE BICE WILL BE CONTINUING NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL DISCUSS RUSSIA'S BRUTAL INVASION OF UKRAINE.

WE'LL HAVE MUCH MORE REACTION TO SENATOR INHOFE'S DECISION TO STEP DOWN FROM THE U.S. SENATE.

>>> A LATE FEBRUARY ICE STORM TOOK ITS TOLL ON THE FOURTH WEEK OF LEGISLATION.

CAPITOL CORPORATE JASON DOYLE HAS THE DETAILS IN WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED IN THE SERIES OF BILLS.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE CHAMBERS WERE OPEN THIS WEEK.

THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE WORKED THROUGH A SERIES OF BILLS DEALING WITH ABORTION.

FOUR OF THOSE BILLS WERE CARRIED BY GREG TREAT, ONE OF THEM WOULD SHORTEN THE TIME A WOMAN HAS TO GET AN ABORTION IN OKLAHOMA.

>> SENATE BILL 1553 LIMITS ABORTION IN OKLAHOMA AFTER 30 DAYS POST CONCEPTION.

IT WOULD BE MY DESIRE THAT WE WOULD END ABORTION COMPLETELY.

>> THAT MET RESISTANCE FROM DEMOCRATIC SENATORS BECAUSE THE TIMING IS CONTINGENT ON A WOMAN'S LAST MENSTRUAL PERIOD.

>> THE PROBABLE BEGINNING OF THE LAST MENSTRUAL PERIOD, HOW WOULD THAT BE MEASURED?

>> WE'RE ALL INDIVIDUALS AND UNIQUE, AND NOT ALL CYCLES MATCHAN EXACT SCHEDULE.

THERE'S ERRATIC CYCLES.

TO BE DEFINED BY MEDICAL PROFESSIONERS AND/OR THE WOMAN WHO SELF-REPORTED WHAT TIME THAT STARTED.

>> TREAT ADDED A U.S. SUPREME COURT CASE DEALING WITH A MISSISSIPPI ABORTION LAW COULD CHANGE THE STANDARD OF VIABILITY OF A FETUS AS THE CUTOFF FOR ABORTION SERVICES.

>> IT'S MY DESIRE THAT WE CHANGE THAT.

WE REMOVE THAT, AND WE CONTINUE TO TRY TO SAVE AS MANY UNBORN LIVES AS POSSIBLE.

AND SO THIS BILL REMOVES VIABILITY AS THE STANDARD BY WHICH SOMEONE COULD STILL PERFORM AN ABORTION.

>> SENATE BILL DID PASS DOWN PARTY LINES.

DEMOCRATS QUESTION TREAT'S SENATE BILL 1552 WHICH IS THE CHILDBIRTH'S GRANT WHICH CHOSES GIVING BIRTH OVER AN ABORTION.

>> THIS BILL OPENS IT UP TO WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CAN USE A GRANT FOR ABORTIONS.

>> BASICALLY, WE ARE PREVENTING ANY KIND OF COUNSEL THAT MIGHT ENCOURAGE AN ABORTION, NOT NECESSARY TO PREVENT HER DEATH, TO PROVIDE HER SUCH AN ABORTION, OR TO REFER HER FOR SUCH AN ABORTION.

SO ISN'T THIS IN ESSENCE LIMITING CHOICES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK MEDICAL CARE THAT THEY SEE NECESSARY FOR THEIR BODIES?

>> THIS PROGRAM HAS HAD SOME SUCCESS, BUT WE NEED TO REALLY GET MORE MONEY DISTRIBUTED SO WE CAN SAVE MORE LIVES.

>> SENATE BILL 1552 ALSO PASSED DOWN PARTY LINES.

THE COMMITTEE SEEMED TO HANDLE MOST OF THE WORK LOAD IN THIS TRUNCATED WEEK UNDER THE DOME, BILLS WERE PASSED UNDER THE HOUSE AND SENATE FLOORS.

>> SENATE BILL 1108 HAS FIVE SPECIFIC TYPES OF INFORMATION THAT NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN REPORTS OF THE SCHOOL FINANCE REVIEW COMMISSION.

>> HOWEVER, SOME INFORMATION WHY THAT WAS BEING REQUIRED.

>> ADDING THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL, ARE WE GOING TO END UP DUPLICATING THE WORK OF THE AUDITOR OR THE LOCAL AUDITS THAT ARE HAPPENING?

>> IN REGARDS TO THIS COMMISSION, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE GIVING US A DETAILED REPORT, DETAILING ALL MATTERS, THIS GIVES THEM SPECIFIC AREAS TO FOCUS ON IN ADDITION TO ANYTHING ELSE THEY MAY WISH TO PROVIDE.

>> DURING DEBATE, SENATOR J.J.DOSSETT REQUIRED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THE SCHOOL FINANCE REVIEW COMMISSION'S REPORT.

>> THIS IS NOT TRANSPARENCY.

THIS IS CREATING SOMETHING NEW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO DO, THAT WILL PROVIDE US THE SAME INFORMATION WE ALREADY HAVE.

I APPRECIATE TRANSPARENCY, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DO THIS BETTER.

THIS IS NOT LOOKING TO DO THAT.

>> HE QUESTIONS WHY SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ADDING THE FIVE AREAS OF INTEREST.

>> THIS BILL IS THE EXACT SAME LANGUAGE OF A BILL THAT WE CAST OFF THE FLOOR LAST YEAR.

AND I BELIEVE IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY.

SO THOSE THAT ARE RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT IT NOW ACTUALLY VOTED FOR IT A YEAR AGO.

>> SENATE BILL 1108 PASSED ALONG PARTY LINES.

>> CLOSE THE ROLL.

>> SENATE BILL 1108 -- >> MOST OF THE FLOOR ACTION MONDAY AND TUESDAY WAS IN THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE WAS ABLE TO PASS LEGISLATION, WHICH HELPS CORRECT ERRORS ON MARRIAGE LICENSES.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OF PERSONAL INSTANCE OF THIS HAPPENING?

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN THIS BILL?

>> MY MARRIAGE LICENSE SAID ROBERT EDWARD, MY NAME IS BOB ED.

WITH THIS NEW LAW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH EASIER TO FIX.

>> HOUSE BILL 7035 PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

THE SHORTENED WEEK WILL PUT INCREASED PRESSURE ON LAWMAKERS.

THE FLOOR DEADLINE FOR BILLS TO PASS TO THE OTHER CHAMBER BY MARCH 24th.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

THERE ARE NOW LESS THAN 7,000 ACTIVE CASES OF COVID-19 IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT HEADLINES OUR LOOK AT COVID NUMBERS.

OUR ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE OF NEW CASES DIPS TO 886.

804 PEOPLE ARE HOSPITALIZED, 188 OF THEM IN ICU BEDS.

318 PEOPLE HAVE DIED FROM COVID, BRINGING OKLAHOMA'S DEATH TOLL TO 14,541.

>>> A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS LED BY KEVIN McDOG EL ARE ASKING A HOUSTON BASED LAW FIRM TO PERFORM AN INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF RICHARD GLOSS'S CASE.

McDOGGLE BELIEVES GLOSS IS INNOCENT.

REID SMITH WILL REVIEW THE TRIAL TRANSCRIPTS, INTERVIEW WITNESSES AND REPORT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE GROUP OF LAWMAKERS WHO WILL BE INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO BOLSTER THE APPEALS PROCESS FOR CONVICTED KILLERS.

>> WE HAVE 40 SOME PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW RIGHT NOW.

I DON'T THINK IT'S A HUGE ASK FOR ANY ATTORNEY THAT COMES ALONG TO BE ABLE TO SEE EVIDENCE ON BOTH SIDES.

HOUSE BILL 3306 DOES THAT.

HOUSE BILL 3305 REQUIRES PROSECUTORS TO TURN OVER EVIDENCE THAT WAS HELD BACK.

I'M VERY THANKFUL TODAY WE'RE GOING TO INTRODUCE TO YOU A LAW FIRM THAT'S TAKEN ON THE TASK, AND THEY COMMITTED UP TO 20 ATTORNEYS TO INVESTIGATE THIS CASE.

>> WE BELIEVE IT WAS WORTH IT, THE ASK WAS RIGHT.

AND WE PUT OUT AN EMAIL TO GET VOLUNTEERS, WITHIN FIVE MINUTES, WE HAD 20 VOLUNTEERS.

IT'S A DIVERSE GROUP OF LAWYERS.

BACKGROUNDS, EXPERIENCE, TO CIVIL LITIGATORS ALL OF WHOM ARE GIVING THEIR TIME.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT'S IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE PROMISE TO DO OUR VERY BEST >> McDOUGAL HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO OPEN UP THE PROCESS FOR DEATH ROW CASES.

IF THE PERSON IS SENTENCED TO DEATH, AND HAS EXHAUSTED THE APPEALS PROCESS, ONLY THE GOVERNOR CAN STOP THE EXECUTION FROM BEING CARRIED OUT.

>>> A CHOKTAW COUPLE IS SUING, THEY LIVE ON THE TRIBE'S RESERVATION AND WORK FOR THE CHOKTAW RESERVATION.

THE OKLAHOMA TAX COMMISSION CANNOT LEVEE OR COLLECT THEIR STATE INCOME TAX.

AND THEY'RE ALSO ASKING A JUDGE TO DETERMINE IF THE McGURT DECISION APPLIES TO CIVIL TAX MATTERS.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN ASTAFFAIRS HAS NOTED TH OKLAHOMA RANKS FIRST IN VETERAN'S BENEFITS.

$2.8 BILLION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO OKLAHOMA VETERANS WHO HAVE DISABILITIES AS A RESULT OF THEIR MILITARY SERVICE.

>>> MORE THAN 20,000 HIGH SCHOOL AND ADULT STUDENTS ATTEND ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S 29 CAREER TECH CENTERS.

MANY OF THEM ARE TURNING THEIR TRAINING INTO LUCRATIVE CAREERS IN ALL SORTS OF FIELDS.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON ONE RECENT SUCCESS STORY.

>> THE ANNA NUNEZ STORY IS POWERFUL.

BEFORE WE EVEN START TALKING ABOUT HER FLEDGLING ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER.

HER MOTHER, SISTER AND ANNA FLED AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP IN MEXICO 32 YEARS AGO, WHEN SHE WAS 7 YEARS OLD.

>> OUR IMMIGRATION STORY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN MOST.

MOST PEOPLE COME HERE AND HAVE A BETTER LIFE HERE.

WE DIDN'T.

MY MOM WENT FROM A GOVERNMENT JOB TO HOUSEKEEPING.

>> SHE HAS A DEGREE FROM SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY.

SHE ALSO HAS A FULL TIME JOB IN HUMAN RESOURCES FOR A WORLDWIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY, SHE'S ALWAYS STRUGGLED WITH HER NATURALLY CURLY HAIR.

SHE DID WHAT I DID WHEN I DECIDED TO LEARN HOW TO COOK, SHE WENT TO THE INTERNET.

>> WE HAVE SIX DIFFERENT FORMULAS.

WE'VE SEEN THAT WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

>> IN APRIL OF 2020 IN THE SECOND MONTH OF THE DEADLY PANDEMIC, NUNEZ LAUNCHED A PRODUCT CALLED VITABARS.

THEY'RE BARS OF WHAT LOOKS LIKE SOAP.

THEY'RE REALLY A SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER FOR WOMEN WITH CURLY HAIR.

>> I'M NOT IN THIS BUSINESS BECAUSE I'M A BUSINESS PERSON, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE MONEY.

I'M IN THIS BUSINESS BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE WORLD.

>> HER VITABARS OPERATION QUICKLY OUTGREW HER KITCHEN AND THEN HER GARAGE.

SHE APPROACHED MERIDIAN STILL WATER.

MERIDIAN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENTREPRENEURIAL SERVICES SAID IT WAS A NO-BRAINER.

>> SHE TALKED ABOUT HER BUSINESS.

I WAS SHOCKED, BEING FOLICALLY CHALLENGED, I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF DEMAND FOR PEOPLE THAT HAD CURLY HAIR AND THEIR PRODUCT GETS IN THEIR HAIR AND THEY CAN'T WASH IT OUT.

I TALKED TO MY WIFE A LITTLE BIT.

OH, WE HAVE SOMEONE IN OUR OFFICE, BLAH BLAH BLAH.

I TALKED TO HER, I WAS SHOCKED BY HER STORY.

>> THERE ARE OTHER PRODUCTS FOR WOMEN WITH CURLY HAIR.

BUT SHE SAYS VITABARS ARE THE ONLY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER AND THE POUCH THAT THE BARS COME IN, THAT IS ALSO ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE.

>> THE POUCHS THE BARS COME IN, THEY ARE HAND CRAFTED BY INDIGENOUS WOMEN FROM MY HOME STATE IN MEXICO.

I WORK WITH DIRECTLY SO THEY HAND CRAFT THESE BARS FOR US.

I THINK IT'S A COOL STORY, NOT ONLY IS IT PLASTIC FREE AND SUSTAINABLE.

NOW THE LITTLE POUCHS ARE ACTUALLY HELPING OTHER WOMEN ARTISANS, INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARTISANS IN MEXICO.

>> SHE PAYS RENT FOR HER SPACE.

IT'S A NOMINAL AMOUNT.

IT'S ENOUGH TO GET HER USED TO THE FACT THAT SHE'S GOING TO HAVE TO PAY RENT IN THE REAL WORLD.

>> SHE CAN COME IN ONE CHECK, GET HER BUSINESS GOING AND FOCUS ON THAT.

>> I THINK THE BIGGEST FACTOR IS THE CONCENTRATE.

WHERE A LIQUID PRODUCT IS GOING TO HAVE ABOUT 80% WATER IN IT LITERALLY.

OURS DOESN'T HAVE ANY WATER IN IT, YOU'RE USING THE WATER FROM YOUR SHOWER TO ACTIVATE THE PRODUCT.

>> 90% OF VITABAR SALES GO OUTSIDE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

SHE'S SELLING THESE THINGS ALL OVER THE WORLD.

>> SHE GUARDS HER RECIPES LIKE A HAWK, AND SAYS SHE'S NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW MANY BARS SHE'S SOLD.

>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE'VE SAVED OVER 50,000 PLASTIC BOTTLES SINCE LAUNCHING.

I THINK WE'RE ON A MISSION, OR WE'RE ON OUR MISSION TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE WORLD TO RID IT OF PLASTIC BOTTLES, THAT ALSO MEANS WE'VE HELPED THOUSANDS OF WOMEN GET THEIR CURLS RIGHT.

>> I LEARN THERE'S OVER 558 MILLION PLASTIC BOTTLES OF SHAMPOO ALONE IN THE U.S. ALONE EVERY SINGLE YEAR THAT GOES INTO THE WASTE.

THAT'S A MIND BLOWING NUMBER.

>> Reporter: MERIDIAN TECHNOLOGY CENTER OPERATES UNDER THE STATE CAREER TECH SYSTEMS, 29 SOONER STATE CAMPUSES.

>> USUALLY THEY STAY RIGHT HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THEY'RE VERY SUCCESSFUL.

KUDOS TO MERIDIAN GETTING THAT LADY OFF TO A GREAT START.

>> OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, WE'VE BECOME MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE AT SUPPORTING THOSE ENTREPRENEURS AND HELPING THEM TO GROW.

NUNEZ IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT, THE FACT THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO UTILIZE THIS SYSTEM IS EXEMPLARY, BECAUSE THE CAREER TECHS OF OKLAHOMA HAVE REALLY STEPPED UP AND CREATED INCUBATORS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMS, THAT HAVE ALLOWED FOLKS TO TAKE THOSE GOOD IDEAS AND TURN THEM INTO SOMETHING VIABLE.

>> WHAT YOU'VE GONE THROUGH TO CREATE THIS BUSINESS, IT'S JUST LIKE VICARIOUSLY, I LOVE THAT EXPERIENCE OF BEING AROUND ENTREPRENEURS.

IT'S BEEN AMAZING.

>> IF YOU SEE A NEED FOR SOMETHING AND YOU SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT THE SAME THING.

AND THERE IS NONE TO ME, IT WAS LOGIC TO DO IT.

>> NO-BRAINER.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

THE PRICE OF OIL CONTINUES TO SKYROCKET.

GREAT NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA PRODUCERS AND BAD NEWS FOR CONSUMERS STRUGGLING TO FILL UP THEIR GAS TANKS.

JASON DOYLE HAS MORE ON THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THE RUSSIA ATTACK ON UKRAINE SENT OIL STOCKS SOARING, AT ONE POINT REACHING 100.15 THIS WEEK.

WTI SETTLED THURSDAY AT 92.81 A BARREL.

OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS, OIL PRICES HAVE RISEN 80%.

A SURGE ABOVE $100 A BARREL IN EUROPE.

GROWTH ACROSS THREE BUSINESS SEGMENTS, LED WILLIAMS TO A RECORD PROFIT OF MORE THAN 1 $1/2 BILLION IN 2021.

THE TULSA BASED COMPANY SAW A STRONG CONTRIBUTION TO ITS BOTTOM LINE.

ANOTHER HALLMARK THE COMPANY REACHED IN 2021 WAS THE RECORD GATHERING VOLUMES FOR NATURAL GAS.

THE PARENT COMPANY OF OG&E REPORTS A 2021 NET PROFIT OF $306 MILLION.

OG&E SAYS THE GROWTH IN PROFITS WAS POWERED BY AN INCREASE IN DEMAND AND INCREASED REVENUES FROM CAPITAL INVESTS.

2021 FEATURED A CLOSING OF A DEAL TO SELL THE COMPANY'S INTEREST IN MIDSTREAM PARTNERS.

A BUSINESS ACCELERATOR TO SUPPORT AND FUND HIGH GROWTH UNDER REPRESENTED ENTREPRENEURS, IT WILL BE CALLING BUILDING TULSA TECH STARS INCUBATED.

IT WILL PROVIDE A 13 WEEK ENTREPRENEURSHIP TO GET THEM STARTED WITH THEIR BUSINESSES.

THE FIRST PROGRAM IS SET TO START IN AUGUST.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> WE ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW COLLABORATION WITH OU'S GAYLORD NEWS DEPARTMENT.

THAT WILL GIVE US ACCESS TO SOME OF THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST YOUNG JOURNALISTS IN OUR STATE.

UNDER THE TUTILAGE OF OUR STAFF, KENNEDY SEPULVADO VISITED THEIR FACILITIES IN NORMAN THIS WEEK.

>> I LIKE THE OPEN WITH THE NATURAL SOUND.

>> THAT'S PROFESSOR AND LONG TIME NEWS CORPORATE MIKE BOETTCHER.

>> SOME OF MIKE AND JOHN ISMELTZER.

>> OKLAHOMA AROUNDS WILL HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THIS STATE FACES IN WASHINGTON, AND WHAT OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS DOING TO TRY TO BETTER IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OKLAHOMANS.

AND WE'LL ALSO GO INDEPTH, THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF OIK OAK NEWS REPORT.

YOU'RE THE ONLY NEWS NETWORK THAT GOES IN DEPTH.

>> MIA WAR IS HAPPY TO SHARE THE STORIES.

>> I THINK IT'S COOL TO TRY TO LOCALIZE IT TO OKLAHOMA IN ANYWAY POSSIBLE.

ANYTHING FROM INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLITICS, JUST LIKE HOW THAT ALL GOES INTO PLAY IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WITH THE HELP OF THE GAYLORD FAMILY FOUNDATION, GAYLORD NEWS STARTED SENDING STUDENT REPORTERS TO WASHINGTON, D.C., IN 2018.

>> THERE WERE NO OKLAHOMA REPORTERS IN WASHINGTON TO REPORT ON THE OKLAHOMA DELEGATION OR NEWS IMPORTANT TO OKLAHOMANS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON AND CAPITOL HILL.

YOU CAN'T HAVE THAT, I MEAN, WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT OUR DELEGATION IS DOING SPECIFICALLY ABOUT OKLAHOMA.

WE DECIDED TO FILL THAT VOID.

>> PEPPER IS ALSO REPORTING IN WASHINGTON, D.C.. >> I HAVE TO WORK SOMEHOW AND DO SOMETHING IN MEDIA, AND I CAME TO OU, I KIND OF FOUND MY PLACE IN BROADCAST AND WAS LIKE, YES, THIS IS IT.

>> WHILE MAYA AND PEPPER ARE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, SOMEONE IS BEHIND THE CAMERA WRITING ARTICLES.

>> ONE OF THE GREATEST PRIVILEGES IS THAT YOU GET TO BRING INFORMATION TO OTHER PEOPLE.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD, HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON ON A NATIONAL SCALE.

>> WHAT I SEE, STUDENTS LOSE THEIR FEAR.

THEIR THIS RUST ON THE BIGGEST NEWS STAGE OF ALL IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT I CAN REPORT HERE TOO >> BACK IN OKLAHOMA, MORGAN OWENS IS PART OF BOETTCHER'S ADVANCED BROADCASTING CLASS, SHE'S BEEN REPORTING FROM THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

>> THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO THE CAPITOL -- >> SHE COVERED GOVERNOR FITZ STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AND BACK AT THE CAPITAL MONDAY SCHOOL ADVOCATES GATHER TO SEND A MESSAGE FOR LAWMAKERS.

>> YOU GET TO SEE THE LEGISLATIVE LAWS AND ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN FRONT OF YOU.

>> ZARRIA SPENT THE FALL SEMESTER REPORTING IN D.C. SHE WAS THE ONLY BROADCAST STUDENT IN D.C. DURING THE FALL SEMESTER, REQUIRING HER TO WRITE, SHOOT AND EDIT HER OWN STORIES.

>> MY DAD WAS STATIONED EVERYWHERE.

HE'S IN THE MILITARY.

I ALWAYS HEARD STORIES AND STUFF FROM ABROAD.

WE WEREN'T SEEING ALL OF THAT IN THE NEWS.

THE IDEAL PLACE WOULD BE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, OF COURSE, RIGHT NOW, I'D BE SOMEWHERE IN RUSSIA OR UKRAINE SPECIFICALLY.

>> IT'S GOOD TO EXPERIENCE IT.

>> IT WON'T BE THE ONLY REPORTING YOU'LL SEE FEATURED ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

BENJAMIN THOMAS' FOCUS IS ON SPORTS REPORTING.

>> I FINISHED UP A FEATURE FOR HIS CLASS, AND ONE OF MY OTHER SPORTS CLASSES INVOLVING NIL FROM A WALK ON PERSPECTIVE.

HOPING MAYBE SOME OF MY STUFF WILL GET ON THERE, BUT WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT, AND IT'S LIKE I SAID, GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

>> IN ADDITION TO REPORTING FOR THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, ADVANCE BROADCASTS AND GAYLORD STUDENTS PRODUCE STORIES FOR THE STUDENT NEWSCAST, OU NIGHTLY.

>> THIS IS OU NIGHTLY.

>> THE STUDENTS WILL SEE A CHANGE IN PACE AS THEY ADD THE LONG FORM REPORTING TO THE SKILLS THEY GAINED IN CLASS.

EVERY STUDENT I TALKED TO IS DELIGHTED TO TELL STORIES LIKE THE ONE YOU'VE SEEN >> WITH THAT, HERE'S A MAYA WARD REPORTING FROM WASHINGTON, D.C., ON UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS TRAINING FOR A CONFLICT THAT'S BECOME A BRUTAL REALITY.

>> THE WORLD IS WATCHING.

TO A TEAM OF OKLAHOMANS, WHAT'S HAPPENING THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY IS PERSONAL.

>> OKLAHOMANS AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS HAVE GONE TO TRAIN THEIR MILITARY.

>> 500 NATIONAL GUARDSMEN WENT TO UKRAINE IN 2017 TO HELP THEM LEARN COMBAT TRAINING.

>> THEY HAD A LOT TO TEACH US.

WE TAUGHT THEM THINGS.

>> A UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA GRAD WHO SERVED AS THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER FOR THE 45th INFANTRY COMBAT TEAM IN UKRAINE.

>> I FELT LIKE WE BECAME VERY CLOSE VERY QUICKLY, WITH NOT JUST THE UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS WE TRAINED.

BUT THE STAFF WE WERE WORKING WITH THERE LONG TERM.

>> NOT ONLY DID THEY BUILD A SIMULATION CENTER FOR TRAINING.

THEY MADE SURE UKRAINIAN TROOPS LEARNED BASIC COMBAT SKILLS.

>> WE HAVE SOME SOLDIERS THAT WOULD GO OUT IN THE FIELD EVERY DAY.

AND TRAIN THEM ON INDIVIDUAL TASKS, SUCH AS COMBAT FIRST AID.

>> DURING HER TIME SPENT IN UKRAINE, IT BECAME APPARENT HOW SIMILAR YET DIFFERENT THE TWO FORCES ARE.

>> THE CONFLICT THEY ARE FIGHTING IS DIFFERENT THAN THE CONFLICT THAT THE U.S. ARMY HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE LAST DECADE.

>> BUILDING UPON THE WORK OF PREVIOUS AMERICAN UNITS.

THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD TRAINED UKRAINIAN TROOPS IN DEFENSE AND SECURITY TACTICS.

LEAVING SOLDIERS LIKE COLBY WYATT FAITHFUL DURING TIMES OF UNCERTAINTY.

>> THE IMPROVEMENTS THEY'VE MADE IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS HAS REALLY DONE A LOT FOR THEM.

I DO THINK THAT THEY STAND A CHANCE.

>> ON HIS FOURTH DEPLOYMENT.

WYATT WAS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL SERVING AS THE BATTALION COMMANDER >> ANY TIME WE GOT INTO A CONVERSATION, THEY WERE JUST PICKING OUR BRAINS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE BEST THING FOR THEM WOULD BE DOWN THE ROAD.

>> BEYOND TRAINING FOR SOLDIERS IN COMBAT.

THEY GOT THE CHANCE TO VISIT OUTSIDE OF TRAINING.

>> WE VISITED THE GRADE SCHOOLERS.

>> MAKING SURE THEIR TIME IS MAXIMIZED.

WYATT PARTNERED WITH TROOPS TO ENSURE THEY WERE RECEIVING MAXIMUM TRAINING DURING THE PROCESS.

>> I HATE TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

I KNOW I STILL HAVE FRIENDS OVER THERE.

AND I PRAY FOR THEM.

>> LIKE WYATT, CHRISTOPHER ALSO SAW SPIRIT DURING THE YEAR LONG MISSION.

>> UKRAINIAN PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY CALM, RESILIENT PEOPLE.

>> RESILIENT PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD TOOK ON YEARS AGO.

SENATOR LANGFORD KNOWS OKLAHOMA'S CONNECTION TO THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE AND HE WANTS THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE WORLD STANDS WITH THE FREE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.

AND WE WILL BRING SEVERE CONSEQUENCES ON THE ECONOMY OF RUSSIA.

>> AS THE WORLD FOCUSES ON THE PROLONGED ATTACK AGAINST UKRAINE.

RUSSIA MAY BE FACED WITH AN ARMY THAT IS SMALLER AND LESS EQUIPPED BY THEIR OWN.

>> EXCELLENT JOB.

>>> OKLAHOMA CONTINUES THE STRUGGLE WITH THE ECONOMIC WELL BEING, EDUCATION AND HEALTH OF ITS CHILDREN.

WE DISCUSS HOW OKLAHOMA CAN IMPROVE ON THIS 2021 STANDING ON 42nd IN THE NATION.

SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUESTS DISCUSS WHAT IS BEING DONE TO IMPROVE THEM.

>> YES, THE NUMBERS ARE IN I'LL LET OUR GUESTS INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU NOW.

WE HAVE GABRIEL JACOBY WITH KIDS COUNT, THE COORDINATOR FOR THE OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

>> THIS WAS YOUR FIRST TIME ON INDEPTH, I'M GOING TO INITIATE YOU BY FIRE AND THROW THE FIRST QUESTION YOUR WAY.

WHAT IS THE KIDS COUNT COLLECTION OF DATA, AND WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS FOR OKLAHOMA?

>> YES, SO THE KIDS COUNT DATA BOOK IS THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE ANNUAL REPORT ON CHILD WELL BEING IN THE U.S.

IT'S PRODUCED BY THE FOUNDATION AND RANKS EACH STATE IN EDUCATION, ECONOMIC WELL BEING, HEALTH AND FAMILY AND COMMUNITY.

SO THIS YEAR, OKLAHOMA WAS UNFORTUNATELY ONCE AGAIN IN THE BOTTOM TEN WITH AN OVERALL RANKING OF 42nd.

OUR INDIVIDUAL RANKINGS ARE ECONOMIC WELL BEING AT 33rd.

FAMILY AND COMMUNITY IS 41st, HEALTH IS 42nd AND EDUCATION IS 45th.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS, SOME OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL INDICATORS HAVE SLIGHTLY IMPROVED.

BUT THE RANKINGS HAVE CONTINUED TO DECLINE BECAUSE OTHER STATES ARE DOING MORE AND INVESTING MORE IN THEIR CHILDREN AND FAMILY, YOU CAN'T COMPETE.

>> WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN FOR OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN?

>> CERTAINLY IT'S NOT A GOOD INDICATOR.

THESE NUMBERS ARE ABOUT 2 TO 3 YEARS OLD, BECAUSE IT TAKES TIME TO COLLECT AND CRUNCH THE DATA.

WE'RE LOOKING AT PREPANDEMIC NUMBERS, WE'RE WORRIED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH EACH OF THOSE CATEGORIES, AFTER THE RESULTS ARE CALCULATED FROM THE 2020 TIME FRAME.

WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING BACK AT THESE NUMBERS, IT IS A GLOOMY INDICATOR ABOUT WHERE OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN RANK.

>> I KNOW YOUR GROUP ADVOCATES FOR OKLAHOMA CHILDREN.

ONCE YOU GET THESE NUMBERS, WHAT HAPPENS, DO YOU SHARE THEM?

>> WE LIKE TO SHARE THEM WITH OUR PARTNERS ACROSS THE STATE.

AS WELL AS WE HOPE THAT WE CAN HELP INFLUENCE ANY INVESTMENTS, THAT WE CAN DO THEM STRATEGICALLY.

WE CAN TARGET THEM TO THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THEM MOST, AND WE CAN SEE JUST HOW ALL OF THESE SYSTEMS PLAY INTO EACH OTHER.

HOW OUR HEALTH AFFECTS OUR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOME.

OUR ECONOMIC WELL BEING AND SO ON AND SO ON.

IT REALLY SHOWS HOW ALL OF THESE PLAY INTO EACH OTHER, AND YOU CAN'T FIX JUST ONE PROBLEM, IT HAS TO BE ALL OF IT.

>> THEY DO PLAY INTO EACH OTHER, JOE, HOW DO WE GET HERE?

>> IT'S A GENERATIONAL ISSUE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PREVALENCE OF CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES IN OKLAHOMA, THOSE ARE THE INDICATORS THAT POINT TO WHAT WE'RE FACING, THIS IS GENERATIONAL TRAUMA.

THE PARENTS ARE RAISING THE KIDS THE WAY THEY WERE RAISED.

AND DON'T REALIZE THEY'RE RAISING THEIR KIDS THE WRONG WAY.

SMOKING IN THE HOUSEHOLD IMPACT KIDS, DIVORCE IMPACTS KIDS.

NOT TREATING AND DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

ABUSE AND NEGLECT WHICH WE ATTRACT THOSE NUMBERS.

THE NEKC DOES A GREAT JOB PUTTING OUT THIS INFORMATION.

AND IT HELPS WITH OUR WORK AT THE CAPITOL TO TRY TO DRIVE SOME OF THOSE BILLS.

FROM OUR REPORT CARD THIS YEAR, WE HAVE 15 REALLY GOOD BILLS THAT WENT THROUGH THE CAPITOL, AND THREE THAT WE FELT WERE NOT GOOD PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

AND WE DO A SCORECARD ON LAWMAKERS AND WE USED A LOT OF THIS DATA TO TRY TO DRIVE THAT LEGISLATION.

AND IN TURN RANKED THE LAWMAKERS AND REMIND THEM THAT THEY NEED TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR KIDS.

>> I WANT TO COME BACK TO THAT SCORECARD IN A MINUTE.

YOU TOUCHED ON THE IMPACT OF COVID ON THE ECONOMIC SITUATION IN OKLAHOMA.

IS THAT PLAYING A ROLE IN THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN, THE WELL BEING OF OUR CHILDREN?

>> I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY PLAYING A ROLE IN THE WELL BEING OF OUR CHILDREN.

IT'S INTERESTING, BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF US WOULD CONSIDER OKLAHOMA A RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE STATE TO LIVE IN.

THE DATA THIS REPORT SHOWS PROVES THAT FOR TO MANY WORKING FAMILIES, BEING ABLE TO CONSISTENTLY AFFORD AND PROVIDE ALL THE ESSENTIALS IS STILL OUT OF REACH.

LIKE JOE MENTIONED, THE DATA IS FROM 2019 AND IT SHOWS THAT ONE IN FIVE OKLAHOMA CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY.

IT'S SHOWING US THAT ONE IN FOUR FAMILIES ARE SPENDING 30% OF THEIR INCOME ON HOUSING.

WE KNOW THE PANDEMIC CREATED A GREAT DEAL OF ECONOMIC HARDSHIP ON WORKING FAMILIES IN OUR STATE THROUGH LOST WAGES, LACK OF CHILD CARE, SCHOOL CLOSURES.

AND THROUGH CENSUS DATA, WE'RE ABLE TO SEE HOW THAT HAS IMPACTED OKLAHOMANS.

WE KNOW THEY WERE MORE LIKELY TO NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD USUAL EXPENSES OVER THE PAST YEAR.

THEY FACED A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD OF EVICTION AND FORECLOSURE, AND MUCH HIGHER RATES OF FOOD INSECURITY.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, CHILDREN OF COLOR EXPERIENCE THESE HARDSHIPS AT DISPROPORTIONATELY HIGHER RATES IN THE STATE.

I THINK THE MOST RECENT DATA CAN OFFER A GLIMPSE INTO THE BEGINNING OF HER RECOVERY, TOO MANY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WERE STRUGGLING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND THEY'RE CONTINUING TO STRUGGLE.

FORTUNATELY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE THE POWER TO INVEST IN OUR STATE'S CHILDREN.

AND ONE OF THE BEST WAYS THEY CAN DO THAT IS BY INVESTING IN THEIR FAMILIES, WHO EVIDENCE BASED, ANTI-POVERTY SOLUTIONS LIKE AN EXPANDED AND REFUNDABLE AND EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AS WELL AS THE CHILD TAX CREDIT.

>> THE SCORECARD, DOES IT BEAR THAT OUT?

>> IT DOES.

GABRIELLE TALKS ABOUT IT, THAT WAS ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THROUGH SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS, ADVOCATING AT THE CAPITOL, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THAT RESTORED THIS YEAR.

THAT'S SOMETHING THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR FOR YEARS AND WE WERE THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF THAT EFFORT TO GET INTO THE BUDGET AGREEMENT WITH LAWMAKERS.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WORK BETWEEN THE FEDERAL LEVEL WITH THE RECOVERY ACT FUNDS COMING TO STATE.

THE EFFORT TO INCREASE THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, AND I WAN THE TO REMIND YOUR VIEWERS, IF YOU MAKE LESS THAN 12,200 OR 24,400 YOU DON'T FILE YOUR TAXES, YOU NEED TO FILE AT NONCHILD TAX CREDIT DOT GOV.

THERE ARE THINGS THAT CAN HELP FAMILIES, WE JUST RECENTLY SAW MEDICAID EXPANSION KICK IN, THAT'S GOING TO BE A SAVING GRACE FOR A LOT OF FAMILIES.

UP TO 200 OKLAHOMANS WILL QUALIFY FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK THAT'S HAPPENED.

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ALIKE.

>> THERE WAS EVEN A TUSSLE OVER THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PROGRAM IN OKLAHOMA, WHY IS IT SO HARD TO PUSH THESE THINGS THROUGH?

>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH MEDICAID AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, AND CERTAINLY THE EXPANSION.

AND INSURANCE AS A WHOLE.

TIED TO A FORMER PRESIDENT WHOSE NAME WAS TIED TO THAT.

THE MONIKER ON THAT MADE IT A POLITICAL ORDEAL.

THIS IS GOING TO HELP A LOT OF AMERICANS OUT THERE WHO DON'T GET INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR MOTHER.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE WORKING LOW WAGE JOBS, AND YOU DON'T HIT THE HOURS REQUIRED TO GET INSURANCE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT ADULTS, WHEN THEY GET INSURANCE, THE STATISTICS SHOW KIDS RECEIVE MORE WELL CHILD CREDITS, UNDER SOONER CARE, CHILDREN QUALIFY UNDER A DIFFERENT CAPACITY.

YOU LOOK AT THE NEKC NUMBERS, ABOUT 7% OF KIDS IN OKLAHOMA ARE NOT RECEIVING INSURANCE.

WE NEED TO GET THEM REGISTERED SO THEY CAN SEE A HEALTHIER OUTCOME.

HERE SEEING SEEING NUMBERS FOR THE DELTA VARIANT GO UP.

NICA IS RUNNING A MASK CONDITION.

SOME OF THE RESPONSES WE GET FROM INDIVIDUALS ON THERE, IT MAKES YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD.

WE HAVE ONE PERSON RESPOND A FEW WEEKS AGO, BASICALLY COMPARING WEARING MASKS TO SATANISM.

THIS IS A PERSON PROCLAIMING TO BE A CHRISTIAN.

PEOPLE CAN'T IMAGINE PEOPLE ACTING LIKE, THE VIEWERS OF YOUR SHOW NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE VIEWERS OF OTHER CABLE SHOWS THAT BELIEVE EVERYTHING THEY'RE TOLD.

AND WE HAVE TO STAY STRONG AND DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROTECT PEOPLE UNTIL THIS PANDEMIC IS PASSED.

>> WHAT ARE YOU SEEING ON THAT FRONT?

>> WE ARE SUPER HAPPY MEDICAID EXPANSION PASSED.

ONLY FIVE OTHER STATES HAVE A GREATER SHARE OF UNINSURED CHILDREN THAN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE 86,000 CHILDREN UNINSURED.

WHEN CHILDREN CAN'T SEE A DOCTOR OR FILL A PRESCRIPTION.

A CHILD'S HEALTH CAN BE IMPACTED IT CAN ALSO TRIGGER FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND OTHER FAMILY STRESSORS.

>> IF THEIR PARENTS CAN'T ACCESS THAT AS WELL.

THEY CAN'T GET THE MEDICINE THEY NEED, WHEN THEY'RE CHOOSING BETWEEN FOOD AND MEDICINE.

3.2 BILLION EDUCATION BUDGET HELP MOVE OKLAHOMA UP?

>> I'M DEFINITELY HOPEFUL THAT IT WILL.

WE SAW AN INCREASED EDUCATION FUNDING OF APPROPRIATIONS THIS SESSION.

IN OUR BUDGET.

UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN YOU ACCOUNT FOR INFLATION AND THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS THAT WE ARE SERVING, IT STILL ISN'T COMPETING WITH OUR PRE2008 GREAT RECESSION LEVELS I'M HOPING THIS FUNDING CANNOT ONLY HELP SUPPORT THESE CRITICAL PUBLIC SERVICES IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM, BUT ALSO SHOW LAWMAKERS THAT THESE INVESTMENTS CAN HAVE IMMEDIATE IMPROVED OUTCOMES FOR CHILDREN.

IT'S ALLOWING US TO FUND THE SCHOOL COUNSELOR COURT, WHICH WILL PROVIDE MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS, ESPECIALLY RURAL SCHOOLS, BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PREVIOUSLY ACCESS THEM.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT ISSUES THAT AFFECT OUR CHILDREN.

THERE'S DEDICATION THAT KEEPS MOVING THINGS FORWARD IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT, WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE ROADBLOCKS, IT'S NOT THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT THE CHILDREN IN OKLAHOMA TO DO WELL.

THEY HAVE REASONS AS WELL, CORRECT?

>> THEY DO.

AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RURAL AND URBAN DIVIDE.

YOU LOOK AT THE DOLLARS THAT ARE ALLOCATED.

MOST OF THE DOLLARS ARE GOING TO THE LARGER COMMUNITIES LIKE OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH DELIVERING SERVICES, WHEN YOU LOOK AT HEALTH CARE AS A WHOLE.

IT'S HARDER TO GET DOCTORS TO LIVE IN RURAL AREAS.

IT'S HARDER TO GET COUNSELORS.

SUPERINTENDENT HOFF MEISTER HAS ALLOCATED A LARGE PORTION OF THAT TO GO TO ENHANCED ISSUES.

OTHER LEADERS ARE TRYING TO GET MENTAL HEALTH CONTRIBUTED $1 MILLION.

WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS TREATED DIFFERENTLY, AS LESS OF A STIGMA, PEOPLE REALIZE IT'S CERTAINLY JUST A HEALTH CONDITION, AND THERE ARE TREATMENTS AND WAYS TO HELP OVERCOME THAT.

PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT THOSE ISSUES AND THEIR FEELINGS.

A COUNSELOR GOES A LONG WAY HELPING.

IN THE LONG RUN IT'S GOING TO REDUCE OUR SUSPENSION SNUBS IN SCHOOLS.

AND REDUCE THAT SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE THAT WE'VE FACED IN OKLAHOMA FOR SO MANY YEARS.

>> WHAT DO YOU DO DURING THE SUMMER TO KEEP THINGS MOVING FORWARD SO WHEN THE LEGISLATURE GOES BACK INTO SESSION NEXT YEAR.

ARE YOU IN SUMMER VACATION?

>> IT'S NOT SUMMER VACATION.

THIS REPORT JUST CAME OUT.

I'VE BEEN SPENDING THE LAST FEW WEEKS REACHING OUT TO PARTNERING AGENCIES.

AND PEOPLE WHO SHOULD HAVE THIS DATA IN THEIR HANDS.

THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN WORKING ON.

I'M SURE JOE HAS A LAUNDRY LIST OF THINGS HE WANTS TO GET DONE BEFORE THE SESSION GETS BACK IN FEBRUARY.

I'LL LET HIM ANSWER ALL OF THAT >> JOE, YOU'RE EXPERIENCE IN OKLAHOMA POLITICS.

YOU CARRY A LOT OF WEIGHT WHEN YOU GO IN WITH THESE IDEAS WHAT OBSTACLES DO YOU FACE AND ARE YOU WORKING ON IT NOW?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ADVOCACY NEVER SLEEPS.

WE'RE WORKING CONSTANTLY WITH LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

AND ALL DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE.

INTERIM STUDIES WERE FILED PREVIOUSLY.

THERE WERE A LOT DEALING WITH ISSUES.

WE HAVE A JOINT REQUEST IN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE THAT KAY FLOYD AND ROGER THOMPSON ARE WORKING ON.

OTHERS ARE WORKING ON IT IN THE HOUSE.

YOU KNOW THOSE ARE HEAVY HITTERS IN BOTH PARTIES.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT A CHILDREN'S BUDGET PERSPECTIVE, LONG TERM WHAT WE CAN DO TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE.

AND KAY IS ALSO WORKING ON LOOKING AT ISSUES WITH CHILDREN'S SUICIDE AND THE DEATHS OF CHILDREN PARTNERING WITH ANOTHER JACOBY COMMISSION TO LOOK AT THE REASONS WHY WE SEE LEVELS OF DEATH WITH KIDS AND WAYS TO MAKE THEM PREVENTABLE.

WE HAVE THAT GOING ON AS LONG AS A BIG BANG WET IN JULY.

WE'RE GOING TO STEP RIGHT INTO THE FALL.

BEGINNING WITH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIRST LADY OF THE STATE TO HELP COLLECT BACKPACKS AND PLANNING FOR OUR FALL FORUM WHERE WE WILL SHARE OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

>> ANY FINAL WORDS FOR YOU, JOE AND GABRIEL AS WE ADD UP OUR TIME HERE?

>> I THINK IT DEFINITELY IS DISAPPOINTING TO SEE THE RANKINGS HAVE CONTINUED TO DECLINE AND REMAIN THE BOTTOM TEN.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT IT DIDN'T ALWAYS USED TO BE THIS WAY.

WE HAVE A RECORD OF INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN.

THEY'RE ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO PIONEER FULLY FUNDED PRE-K. THAT WAS IN 1998.

WE ALSO INSTITUTED A QUALITY RATING AND IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM FOR OUR CHILD CARE CENTERS AND HOMES.

THAT SAME YEAR.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM TO GET BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE MAKING THOSE STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS, INVESTING IN OUR WORKING FAMILIES.

AND REALLY INVESTING IN PARENTS, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE HAPPY, HEALTHY, STABLE HOMES TO COME HOME TO.

AND BE SUPPORTED IN.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF SOLID STRONG ADVOCATES WHO ARE OUT THERE WORKING, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

WE'RE ONLY AS STRONG AS OKLAHOMANS WHO REACH OUT TO LAWMAKERS, AND SPEAK THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

JUST LIKE I POSTED OUT, THERE IS A LOUD MINORITY OUT THERE THAT IS PROMOTING IDEAS THAT ARE NOT HEALTHY FOR OKLAHOMA'S CHILDREN.

THE ONLY WAY WE COMBAT THAT IS TO BE A LOUDER STRONGER VOICE.

COMMON SENSE IS THE MAJORITY VIEW IN OKLAHOMA.

WE DON'T OFTEN HEAR THAT, I CAN SPEAK TO THAT AS A FORMER LAWMAKER.

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND SPEAK UP FOR CHILDREN.

THAT'S HOW WE OVERCOME THIS AND MOVE INTO THE 30s, THE 20s AND THEN THE TOP 10.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

AND THIS GREAT INFORMATION.

HOPEFULLY THAT INSPIRES FOLKS WHO ARE WATCHING TO GET INVOLVED AND HELP.

THANK YOU BOTH AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW SEGMENT COMES WITH A DISCLAIMER, KIDS AND ADULTS, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME.

OUR PBS PARTNERS IN CASPER, WYOMING PROFILE A YOUNG FARMER WHO IS ALSO AN ARTIST.

HER MEDIUM IS VERY UNIQUE.

>> THERE'S SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT FIRE.

IT WAS A FORM OF SAFETY, YOU CAN GATHER AS A GROUP, BE AROUND IT.

WHEN I LIGHT UP MY PROPS, I FEEL THE FIRE ROLLING WITH THE AIR, I FEEL LIKE MY WHOLE SOUL IS ON FIRE.

>> YOU PUT SOME POWDER ON THAT.

♪♪ >> I WORK AT MY FAMILY'S RANCH.

I'M THE FIFTH GENERATION.

MY DAD DIDN'T HAVE ANY SONS, HE HAD THREE GIRLS.

I WAS THE SON.

I SPEND MOST OF THE DAY WORKING WITH MY DAD RUNNING EQUIPMENT DOING MECHANICAL WORK.

SOMETIMES YOU'RE UP AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING.

GOING LITERALLY 24-7.

YOU HAVE TO REALLY LOVE IT.

AS MUCH AS I DO LOVE IT, I'M A CREATIVE PERSON, IT WAS ALSO HARD.

SO GROWING UP WITH DAN, I LOVED IT, BUT IT'S REALLY KIND OF A CLICKY GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT USUALLY GET INTO IT, WHERE YOU'RE REALLY THIN AND I WAS NEVER NATURALLY SKINNY, I'M TOUGH, I WORK OUT AT THE RANCH, I HAVE MUSCLE AND DON'T MIND GETTING DIRTY.

I NEVER FELT LIKE I DIDN'T FIT IN.

I LOVE THEATER.

BUT I DON'T HAVE A GOOD SINGING VOICE.

THAT DIDN'T LEAVE A LOT OF ROOM FOR ME AS FAR AS ACTING GOES.

NEVER FIGURED OUT HOW MY LOVE OF THEATER AND DANCE WOULD COORDINATE WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE, ESPECIALLY FARMING.

I WENT TO HAWAII WHEN I WAS 16, 15 FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THAT'S WHEN I FIRST SAW THE POLYNESIAN FIRE SPINNERS.

I THOUGHT, THIS IS REALLY COOL.

THERE'S NO WAY MY PARENTS WOULD LET ME RIGHT NOW, THAT'S SUPER COOL.

I FORGOT ABOUT IT UNTIL I WENT TO A SMALL BURN, BLOWN AWAY BY THE FIRE SPINNERS AND THEY HANDED ME THEIR STAFF.

IT WAS LIKE ELECTRICITY RUSHED THROUGH MY BODY, I COULD FEEL IT IN MY HEART EXPLODE WHAT IS THIS?

THIS IS AMAZING.

>> MAYBE YOU FEEL THAT RUSH OF LOVE, IT WAS SIMILAR TO THAT.

I KNEW I HAD TO DO THIS, HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS.

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO?

YOU START PLAYING WITH IT.

DONE?

I WENT HOME AND IMMEDIATELY BOUGHT A STAFF.

AND JUST COULD NOT STOP PLAYING WITH IT FOR HOURS.

THE FIRST TIME I PRACTICED FOR A MONTH.

IT WAS 14 DEGREES OUTSIDE, BUT I WANTED TO DO IT, I HAD GLOVES ON, THREE LAYERS.

>> I WOULD WORK ON THE RANCH, BARTEND AND COME HOME AND PRACTICE MY STAFF.

I HAD REALIZED THAT I WAS FLEXIBLE BEFORE, BUT I WASN'T ANY MORE.

TO BE ABLE TO PULL OFF CERTAIN MOVES I NEEDED TO BE FLEXIBLE.

IT'S A MENTAL THING TO BE ABLE TO BREAK DOWN AND MOVE TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN DO IT ON FIRE SAFELY AND NOT BE AFRAID OF GETTING HURT.

OR IF YOU CUT ENOUGH STUFF TO GET OUT OF IT.

IF YOU'RE PLAYING WITH FIRE, YOU'RE GOING TO GET BURNED.

THERE WAS A TIME IN FIRE SAFETY I LEARNED, WHY AM I DOING THIS?

I LOVE IT SO MUCH I HAVE TO KEEP GOING.

I NEVER FELT ANYTHING CALL TO ME AS MUCH AS FIRE SPIN DID.

THE WORLD IS OFFERING IT TO ME LIKE HERE YOU GO.

YOU ASKED FOR IT, HERE IT IS.

YOU'RE REALLY TALENTED.

IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU ANY MONEY.

YOU NEED TO GET A REAL JOB.

BASICALLY THE SAME STORY I HEARD ALL MY LIFE.

ART IS NEAT, YOU'RE REALLY NEAT, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE FINANCIALLY WELL OFF BECAUSE OF IT THE LOVE OF THE RANCH TOO PULLS AT YOUR HEARTSTRINGS.

I WANT TO LEAVE, I CAN'T.

I LOVE THIS PLACE.

I NEED HELP.

SOMETIMES I GET THOSE DOUBTS.

AT THE SAME TIME IT'S LIKE, OKAY, LET ME PROVE YOU WRONG.

YOU JUST HAVE TO DRIVE TOWARD IT.

>> MY PARENTS THOUGHT I WAS CRAZY.

THIS ISN'T GOING TO LAST LONG, SHE'S JUST GOING THROUGH A WEIRD PHASE.

MY MOM WAS TERRIFIED, NOW SHE HELPS ME GET GIGS.

WITH MY DAD NOW, IF I SAY I HAVE A GIG THIS WEEKEND.

HE'S LIKE, OKAY, AND LET'S IT GO.

WHICH IS GREAT.

>> THAT WAS INSANE.

>> I ALWAYS WANTED TO BE ON SCREEN AND ENTERTAIN PEOPLE.

IF I CAN BRING SOME JOY, WHAT I EXPERIENCED WHEN I WAS 16, I WOULD BE SUPER HAPPY TO DO THAT.

♪♪ >> COOL.

ON THE NEXT "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT" HUGE AMOUNTS OF FENTANYL, A DRUG THAT CAN BE DEADLY IN TINY AMOUNTS IS BEING SHIPPED LOCALLY IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS DOING TO STOP IT.

WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU TONIGHT WITH A TRIP TO HERMOSA BEACH, CALIFORNIA TO HELP YOU FORGET ABOUT OUR LATEST BOUT OF WINTER WEATHER.

I'M RICH LENZ STAY HEALTHY, STAY WARM AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.