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>>> HELLO EVERYONE, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, THIS IS THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

THIS WEEK, WE'LL SPEND ONE MORE HOUR WITH 2020, BEFORE KICKING IT TO THE CURB AND TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO WHAT'S HOPEFULLY A GOOD 2021.

>> JANUARY 2020 STARTED WHERE DECEMBER 2019 ENDED, A FRESHLY FILED LAWSUIT BETWEEN THE GAMING TRIALS, AND THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR WANTED TO RENEGOTIATE THE NEW GAMING CONTRACTS, SAYING THEY EXPIRED AT THE END OF 2019, AND THE TRIBES DISAGREED AND FILED A SUIT.

>> MISREPRESENTS BACK, AND I DON'T KNOW WHETHER HE MEANS TO OR NOT, BUT HE LOVES THE WORD CONTRACT, I DON'T KNOW WHY, BUT HE KNOWS IT'S NOT A CONTRACT.

>> THE LEGAL TEAM SUBMIT IT HAD 41 PAGE RESPONSE TO THE LAWSUIT IN JANUARY.

SEEKING AN INJUNCTION TO SHUT DOWN THE GAMING.

ARGUING UNTIL A NEW GAMING CONTRACT IS AGREED TO, THE TRIBES ARE RECEIVING, QUOTE, UNJUST ENRICHMENT THAT'LL CAUSE HARM TO THE STATE.

>> COMMERCIAL GAMERS WILL COME TO OKLAHOMA TOMORROW IF I GAVE COMMERCIAL GAMING LICENSES THAT WOULD PAY THE STATE'S $350 MILLION, IF OKLAHOMAENS, RATHER HAVE 350 MILLION OR 137 MILLION.

LET'S MAKE SURE THIS IS A FAIR DEAL.

>> THE NATION JOINED THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT IN JANUARY.

THE CHAIRMAN SAYS, HE WASN'T HAPPY WITH THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTING PROCESS, HE DID BELIEVE THE TRIBES WERE CORRECT IN THE ASSERTION THAT THE GAMING EXACTS AUTOMATICALLY RENEWED.

>> WE JOINED THE SUIT, WE BELIEVED THE AGREEMENT WE SIGNED CARRIED OVER, WE'LL CONTINUE TO OPERATE AND PAY OUR FEES TO THE STATE, EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T BELIEVE THEY'RE LEGAL.

WE SIGNED AN AGREEMENT WE'LL PAY IT, AND WE'LL PAY IT.

>> THE CHAIRMAN SAYS THE TRIBE ALSO JOINED THE LAWSUIT TO HAVE A VOICE IN THE MATTER THIS TIME AROUND.

>> IT'S A NICE ADDITIONAL PRODUCT, IT HAS BEEN SHOWN IT CAN BRING PEOPLE TO CASINOS.

BUT A STATE LOOKING TO SORT OF SOLVE ALL THE FISCAL PROBLEMS BY HAVING SPORTS BETTING TO CASINOS, IS THEIR LOTTERY OFFERING ARE SORELY DISAPPOINTED.

THE MONEY IS JUST NOT THERE.

>> ITS NEVER MATERIALIZE IN THE 2020, THE COURT CASE GOES FORWARD.

IT WOULD BE MONTHS THAT THE FEDERAL LAW AGREED WITH THE TRIBES AND THE AUTOMATIC CONTRACTS RENEWED.

NATIVE OKLAHOMAEN AND NASA ADMINISTRATOR BEGAN HIS SECOND YEAR IN.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE A MILESTONE FOR OUR COUNTRY, I THINK THE WHOLE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING.

>> FEBRUARY BEGAN WITH THE START OF THE 2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND AN OPTIMISTIC TONE FROM THE GOVERNOR.

LOOKING TO REVAMP OKLAHOMA'S HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AT THE TIME WHEN COVID-19 WAS SOMETHING FAR AWAY IN CHINA AND NOT YET CHANGING EVERY DAY LIFE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> LET'S PARTNER TOGETHER BY THE YEAR 2022, THE FUNCTIONS OF THE AT A TIME DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY, THE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHERS AS WELL AS ALL OF THE STATE'S LICENSING BOARDS THAT DEAL WITH HEALTH.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES THE LEGISLATURE ADDRESSED EARLY ON, WAS MOVING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM FORWARD.

>> WE'RE ABLE TO SAVE $15,000 A YEAR BY PUTTING THEM IN THE MENTAL HEALTH WARD THAN INCARCERATED THEM.

>> BUT THE PANDEMIC PUSHED THE ISSUE TO THE SIDELINES.

AND A GROUP ALSO WORKED TO HELP THE NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.

>> IT WAS HARD.

IT'S HARD, BECAUSE YOU DO YOUR BEST, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU HAVE TO RESPECT THE PAROLE BOARD DECISION, THEY DON'T MAKE THE DECISIONS LIGHTLY.

>> THE LEADERS LAUNCH ADD REBRANDING IN FEBRUARY, BRINGING US THE NEW SLOGAN, IMAGINE THAT.

>> THE WORLD'S LARGEST COLLECTION OF THE WORLD'S ART, IMAGINE THAT.

MORE SHORELINES THAN THE ATLANTIC COAST, IMAGINE THAT.

NUMBER ONE CITY FOR ENTREPRENEURS, WHERE ARE WE NOT TALKING ABOUT THIS, IMAGINE THAT.

>> I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, AND CHALLENGE ANYONE WHO CALLS OKLAHOMA A FLY OVER STATE, WE'RE NOT A FLY OVER STATE, OKLAHOMA IS A DESTINATION.

>> MARCH BROUGHT SUPER TUESDAY WITH THE KICKING OFF OF THE 2020 ELECTION CYCLE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP EASILY WON -- WITH JOE BIDEN WINNING THE DEMOCRATS PLEDGE OF SUPPORT.

>> INTERESTINGLY BUT NOT SURPRISINGLY, A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHO THEY WERE GOING TO VOTE FOR 24, 48 HOURS BEFORE THE ELECTION.

BECAUSE SO MUCH CHANGED IN THE LAST 72 HOURS.

>> THE MARCH PRIMARY DID SHOW, WE HAVE AN A VIRTUALLY NONCONTESTED RACE THAT OKLAHOMA REPUBLICANS SHOW UP IN FORCE TO SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT.

>> OKLAHOMA ONLY 6,000 MORE DEMOCRATS VOTED THAN REPUBLICANS YESTERDAY.

>> THEN, EVERYTHING CHANGED.

ON THE NIGHT OF MARCH 11, THUNDERS FANS WERE SETTLING IN FOR A HOME GAME WITH UTAH, THAT HAD PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS.

THAT NIGHT, JAZZ CENTER TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

>> WE QUICKLY RECEIVED A PRESUMPTIVE POSITIVE RESULT AT 6:45 LAST EVENING.

JUST A FEW MINUTES BEFORE THE GAME WITH THE OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER.

>> THE NBA SUSPENDED THE SEASON THE NEXT DAY.

AND OTHER SPORTS, BOTH COLLEGE AND PRO, FOLLOWED QUICKLY.

THE NEXT WEEK, CONGRESS PASSED A CORONAVIRUS RELIEF PACKAGE.

THE PACKAGE ALLOWED FOR FREE TESTING FOR COVID-19, AND MANDATED UP TO TEN DAYS OF PAID SICK LEAVES FOR BUSINESSES WITH LESS THAN 500 EMPLOYEES.

THAT MANDATE RESULTED IN A NO VOTE FROM OKLAHOMA'S U.S.

SENATORS.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES IN MY STATE ARE CLOSED.

MANY RETAILERS AND RESTAURANTS, MANY SMALL BUSINESSES ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH HOW THEY'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THIS WHEN THEY HAVE NO INCOME COMING IN RIGHT NOW.

>> THIS WAS THE SECOND ROUND OF AID PASSED BY CONGRESS WITH THE LARGEST PACKAGE, THE CARES ACT, STILL CRAFTED IN CONGRESS.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION AT THAT TIME, DECIDED DISTANCE LEARNING WAS NECESSARY TO KEEP STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS SAFE.

>> WORKING AT PROGRAMMING THE ALREADY RAISED THE EFFECT OF SUBJECT AND CONTENT SPECIFIC, AND HOW THAT'LL CONNECT WITH OUR OKLAHOMA ACADEMIC STANDARDS.

>> SOON DISTANCE LEARNING IS ALL TOO COMMON PHRASE FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS AND PARENTS.

OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANKS.

BY THE END OF MARCH, WE WERE NO LONGER TAPING OUR NEWSCAST IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

LIKE MOST OF YOU, WE WERE WORKING FROM HOME, AND LEARNING HOW TO USE ZOOM.

I'LL PICK UP THE YEAR IN REVIEW WITH A RECAP OF APRIL, MAY AND JUNE.

>>> APRIL BEGAN WITH STAY ON THE HOME PROTOCOLS STATEWIDE.

AND LEADERS SOUNDING THE ALARM OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT WAS IN SHORT SUPPLY.

>> ALL HOSPITALS ARE TRYING TO BE CAREFUL WITH THEIR SUPPLY.

>> THE ISSUE MORE ACUTE FOR SMALL RURAL HOSPITALS.

>> WE HAVE NINE DAYS OF PPE.

THAT'S THE AVERAGE IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE PUT ORDERS OUT THERE FROM MANY DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS, BUT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE.

>> THE SHORTAGE PUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE SUPPLY CHAIN, AND UNHEALTHY RELIANCE ON CHINESE MANUFACTURING FOR CRITICAL ITEMS.

>> WE FOUND WE WERE VERY DEPENDENT ON CHINA FOR A LOT OF THE PRODUCTS.

>> DO WE HAVE ASSURANCES FROM THE GOVERNOR, THAT HE MAY BE SUSPENDING.

>> WE HAVE MADE THE COMMITMENT THAT INFORMATION IS MADE PUBLIC ON OUR END.

>> COVID-19 QUICKLY TOOK ITS TOLL IN THE CENTER IN NORMAN.

>> SEVEN DEATHS, AND 54 CASES OF CORONAVIRUS.

>> A DIFFERENT KIND OF TOLL THE FELLOW OKLAHOMAENS WERE TO BE LOCKED DOWN AT HOME.

>> WE HAVE ISOLATION THAT'S ORDAINED, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE HOSTAGE SITUATIONS WITH THE ABUSER IN COMPLETE CONTROL OVER EVERYTHING.

>> CRISIS CALLS AND PROTECTIVE ORDER REQUESTS IN OKLAHOMA ROSE SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> I'M STARTING TO HATE THIS VIRUS.

I HOPE YOU DO AS WELL.

IT KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES, NOT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS, NOT RACE OR GENDER.

>> THE ABUSED CHILD IS OFTEN DISCOVERED BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS, BUT SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN.

SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAMS CONTINUED.

>> THAT'S A TESTAMENT OF HOW IMPORTANT THESE MEALS ARE FOR FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST JOBS AND IN A PERIOD OF UNCERTAINTY ECONOMICALLY.

VIESHGS ANOTHER COVID-19 CASUALTY.

>> I DON'T BLAME ANYONE FOR BEING FRUSTRATED AT A BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED.

I'M FRUSTRATED THE BUSINESSES ARE CLOSED.

>> THE MONTH ENDED WITH THE PHASE REOPENING THAT INCLUDED RESTAURANTS, SALONS CHURCHES AND STATE PARKS.

>> FIRST KNOW, HERE WE ARE, AND MAKING THE BEST OF IT.

>> AND SHARED BY CLERGY AND RESTAURANT OWNERS IN THE STATE.

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN CHURCHES AND PASTORS THAT SAY, WE CAN GO BACK AND MEET TOGETHER PHYSICALLY.

>> THERE'S NOT AN INDUSTRY THAT'S MORE EAGER TO GET BACK UP AND RUNNING THAN THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY.

>> AND NO INDUSTRY OPERATING UNDER GREATER STRESS THAN THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.

IN EARLY MAY, 18 AIRCRAFTS FROM THE AIR FORCE BASES FLEW OVER MEDICAL CENTER IN THE TULSA AREA TO SALUTE THEM AND SAY THANKS.

>> WE HAVE THE LOWEST INFECTION RATE IN OUR REGION, AND THE LOWEST ACROSS THE ENTIRE SUN BELT.

>> THE GOVERNOR WAS LESS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT ONGOING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS.

HE VETOED FOUR FUNDING BILLS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A VERY DISAPPOINTING CONTENTIOUS SESSION.

>> PHASE TWO REOPENING BEGAN ON MAY 15, AND INCLUDED THE RETURN OF SPORTS, AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL.

>> THEY'RE JUST SO EXCITED, THEY WERE I'M SO GLAD TO BE BACK, WE MISSED YOU.

THEY'RE READY TO PLAY.

>> IT'S GOOD TO GET BACK ON THE FIELD AND PUT GLOVES AND BOOTS ON, AND KICK A BALL.

>> MAY WAS GRADUATION FOR MONTH, BUT THIS YEAR WAS DIFFERENT.

WITH ALL CEREMONIES CONDUCTED ONLINE.

>> WELCOME TO THIS UNIVERSITY FIRST EVER VIRTUAL BELL RINGING CEREMONY.

>> IT WAS THE SAME 60 MILES AWAY IN STILLWATER.

>> THE THING THAT DISAPPOINTED ME THE MOST, IS MY PARENTS WERE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> AND THE RETURN TO SPACE AFTER A THREE DAY WEATHER DELAY, THE FORMER CONGRESSMAN GOT HIS WISH ON SATURDAY, MAY 30.

>> WE ARE GOING TO LAUNCH AMERICAN ASTRONAUTS ON AMERICAN ROCKET FROMS AMERICAN SOIL.

WE'LL DO THAT.

>>> AND THE MONTH ENDED WITH A FINAL PHASE 3 REOPENING.

AFTER SELF-IMPOSED TWO MONTH SHUT DOWN, THE LIMITED RETURN OF GAMBLING.

>> WE'VE BEEN PREPARED SINCE WE SHUT DOWN, EVER SINCE WE SHUT DOWN, WE'VE BEEN CLEANING, CLEANING, CLEANING.

>> ON MAY 25, GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED BY MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER.

THE INCIDENT CAPTURED ON VIDEO AND INFLAMED THE NATION.

IGNITED PROTEST COAST TO COAST.

AND A DEMONSTRATION THAT BEGAN PEACEFULLY, TURNED VIOLENT IN OKLAHOMA.

>> EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT WAS UNLAWFUL, WHAT WAS SO SCARY OF ANGRY BLACK AND WHITE AND BROWN PEOPLE GETTING TOGETHER AND SAYING, STOP KILLING US.

>> PEACEFUL PROTESTS BY DAY, AND VIOLENCE BY NIGHT.

>> WE CAN'T PRETEND THE ANGER DOESN'T EXIST, AND SOMETIMES THAT'LL COME OUT IN VIOLENTS AND UNFORTUNATE WAYS.

>> THE GOVERNORS RESPONDED BY HOLDING A CONVERSATION ON RACE ON THE FACEBOOK PAGE.

>> WE NEED TO TRAIN ON ENGAGING THE MIND, AND DEESCALATION, AND CULTURE DIVERSITY.

>> AGREED THAT MORE TRAINING WAS NEEDED IN EDUCATION, SAYING IN THE STATEMENT, SYSTEMIC RACISM HAS NO PLACE IN ANY INSTITUTION.

MUCH LESS WHAT'S CALLED A GREAT EQUALIZER.

PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS AND CHILDREN, WE WANT YOU TO MAKE IT HOME.

THIS IS MY STUDENTS OF COLOR HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT MY CAUCASIAN STUDENTS DO NOT.

>>> THE GRADUATIONS BEGIN ON JUNE 19.

>> I'VE BEEN TO COUNTRIES VERY DIVIDED.

WE HAVE MORE BLACK AND WHITES TOGETHER MARCHING IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS THAN IN A TRUMP RALLY.

>> THE RALLY WAS ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT, AND MOVED TO SUNDAY TO AVOID A CONFLICT OF JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION.

>> NOBODY BLACK IN THE CABINET THAT CAN TELL YOU THAT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA.

>> LARGE OUTDOOR GATHERINGS WERE DISCOURAGED, THERE WERE A GREATER CONCERN OF INDOOR GATHERING.

>> I RECOMMEND THAT IT'S POSTPONED UNTIL LATER, THAT IT'S NOT A LARGER CONCERN TO HAVE PEOPLE INDOORS IN CLOSED SPACES.

>> IT GETS BETTER EVERY TIME.

>> NOTHING BUT THE PEP RALLY.

>> THE RALLY DID HAPPEN AS SCHEDULED.

>> THE INITIAL THOUGHT WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST BEGAN WAS THAT LIKE MANY VIRUSES, COVID-19 COULD THRIVE IN COLD WEATHER, AND STRUGGLE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

BUT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

THE SECOND SURGE OF THE VIRUS ARRIVED IN JULY.

>> AT THE BEGINNING OF JULY, 337 CASES FER PER DAY, AND JUST UNDER 400 DEATHS.

THIS PROMPTED OUR GOVERNOR TO WEAR A MASK IN PUBLIC FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT'S NOT THAT HARD.

>> THE SAME WEEK, OKLAHOMA THEY WOULD PRIMARY ELECTIONS, SELECTING CANDIDATES FOR FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION.

THE BALLOT FEATURED STATE QUESTION 802, MEDICAID EXPANSION THAT PASSED BY LESS THAN 1%.

>> 200,000 OKLAHOMAENS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE NOW.

WE'LL BRING BACK A BILLION DOLLARS OF OUR TAXPAYER MONEY AND INVEST IN THE COMMUNITIES.

>> HOW THE STATE SHARED THE EXPANSION FUNDED IS STILL IN THE AIR.

THE WEEK OF JULY 6, SAW OKLAHOMA CITY HOLDING COUNSEL MEETINGS TO DISCUSS THE EVER HEATED ISSUE, MASK MANDATE.

ON TUESDAY, JULY 7, NORMAN WAS THE FIRST OKLAHOMA CITY TO PASS THE MASK MANDATE.

>> THE VULNERABLE AND THE COMPROMISED IN THE CITY HAVE JUST AS MUCH OF A RIGHT TO MOVE SAFELY THROUGH THE CITY AS ANYONE ELSE.

>> MASK MANDATE CURRENT COVER 40% OF THE POPULATION.

>> I'LL BE TAKING PRECAUTIONS, I'M NOW ISOLATED AND AWAY FROM MY FAMILY.

I'LL BE WORKING FROM HOME, UNTIL IT'S SAFE FOR ME TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.

I'LL DO A LOT OF MORE ZOOM CALLS.

COMMISSIONER AND I HAVE WORKED WITH CONTACT TRACERS, BASED ON WHEN MY SYMPTOMS DEVELOPED.

>> AROUND THAT SAME TIME, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS IN OKLAHOMA WERE SHAKEN BY THE OKLAHOMA RULING BY THE SUPREME COURT.

WHICH DICTATED MOST OF EASTERN OKLAHOMA TO STILL BE TRIBAL TERRITORY.

>> AS A RESULT OF THE BOUNDARIES THE STATE LACKS JURISDICTION IN THAT AREA.

>> THE FIVE TRIBES SEE THE RULING AS A MASSIVE VICTORY.

>> WE ARE EXPANDING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AS WELL AS OUR DISTRICT AND OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL DEPARTMENT.

WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING WE NEED TO DO, WE'RE JUST GROWING.

>> AND LEFT OTHER COURT CASES IN THE HANDS OF U.S.

ATTORNEYS.

>> THE FIRST THREE TO FOUR WEEKS SINCE THE DECISION, WE'VE BEEN REFERRED 114 CASES THAT WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE STATE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IT'S A FLOOD OF CASES COMING OUR DIRECTION.

>> NEARBY AND SHORTLY LATER, TULSA WAS PREPARING TO BEGIN A HISTORIC SEARCH OF THE MASS GRAVES.

>> I'M HONORED AND HUMBLED TO BE HERE THIS DAY AND TIME TO WITNESS THIS TIME IN HISTORY TO, STAND IN THEIR STEAD.

AS WE TRY TO GO ABOUT REMEMBERING THEM.

BRING ABOUT THE TRUTH AND SHARING THAT TRUTH WITH THE COMMUNITY.

TO BRING A SENSE OF CLOSURE TO THAT HORRIBLE TIME IN HISTORY.

>> THE EFFORTSES CAME TO FRUITION WHEN 12 -- WERE FOUNDS IN OCTOBER.

THE LAST WEEK OF JULY, THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCED AN OUTBREAK.

>> MILD OR MODERATE SYMPTOMS CARED FOR IN HOUSE.

THE FLOOR IS SERVING AS THE COVID-19 POSITIVE WARD.

SEVEN RESIDENTS ARE CARED FOR IN THE LOCAL HOSPITALS.

13 RESIDENTS ARE CARED FOR IN THE HOSPITAL, AND 23 RESIDENTS ARE CARED FOR AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY HOSPITAL.

>> THE MONTH OF JULY -- RESIDENTS TESTED POSITIVE.

AND OTHER VA CENTERS WEREN'T AS HARD HIT, BUT NURSING HOME WERE ON THE ALERT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DELIVERED RAPID RESULT TESTS.

THE NURMSZ, STILL TREND IN THE THE WRONG DIRECTION.

>> MONDAY'S REPORT SAYS 375 ACTIVE CASES IN NURSING HOMES AND THAT'S RESIDENTS AND STAFF.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN AS WE REOPEN TO VISITATION, AND SOME OF OUR HOT SPOTS AROUND THE STATE CONTINUE TO MOVE THAT COMMUNITIES SPREAD WILL INFECT STAFF, VISITORS, AND HOSPICE WORKERS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THE FALL AND WINTER SAW CASES AND DEATH ACCELERATE IN THE LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

IN 2004, 1168 STRUCTURE DEFICIENT HIGHWAY BRIDGES, NOW 86, WITH PLANS TO ADDRESS EACH AND EVERY THEM.

>> INTO LATE SUMMER, COVID-19 NUMBERS DRIFTED UP.

STILLWATER SAW AN OUTBREAK AS STUDENTS RETURNED TO COLLEGE.

THE BIGGEST HOT SPOTS WERE IN THE PRISON SYSTEMS.

>> A POSITIVE CASE MAKES ME SICK, BUT A DEATH MAKES ME SICKER.

>> WHATEVER IT TAKES TO TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.

>> RESPONSES TO THE OUTBREAKS, INCLUDING NEW DISTANCING MEASURES, AND TESTING FOR THE STAFF.

IN THE THREE MONTH SPAN FROM JULY TO SEPTEMBER'S END, OUR TOTAL DEATHS MORE THAN DOUBLED.

AND TWO INTERN STUDIES FOCUSING ON DISCRIMINATION AND SOLUTION.

>> THE ISSUE OF RACE AND WHAT IT'S DOING, HOW WE CAN LOOK AT OKLAHOMA AND GET AHEAD OF THE GAME.

SITTING DOWN AND TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS THAT BROUGHT US TO THE BRINK.

IT SEEMS JUSTICE IS DEPENDENT ON DATA.

>> WE'RE ABLE TO ANALYZE EVERY SINGLE COURT RECORD FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, WE'RE ABLE TO SEGREGATE IT BY RACE.

>> THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

NINE MONTHS DOWN WITH 90 MORE DAYS TO GO IN 2020, WHO KNEW OKLAHOMA IS BLASTED WITH A RARE ICE STORM, AND THEN OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, BY HIMSELF DEALING WITH THE CORONAVIRUS IN A PERSONAL LEVEL IN DECEMBER.

STEVE SHAW BRINGS US HOME.

>> THE PANDEMIC PUNCHED OKLAHOMA'S ALL IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY AS BAD AS IT HURT EVERYTHING ELSE.

PRESIDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL STOCKYARDS.

>> LAST YEAR WE SOLD OVER 400,000 HEAD OF CATTLE, THE FIRST TWO WEEKS, WAS 1200, TO 1300.

>> THE LIVESTOCK SHOW WENT ON AS PLANNED, MORE THAN 2800 YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR FAMILY PARTICIPATED WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING, OF COURSE.

>> IT'S HOT, YOU GET NERVOUS AND IT'S HARD TO BREATHE.

BUT THERE'S NO BIG CHANGE OTHER THAN HAVING A MASK.

>> YOU DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU CAN BE AS CLOSE TO EVERYONE.

THE PEOPLE ARE STILL ALL GREAT.

IT'S BEEN GREAT.

>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO FAMILIES, THAT HAVE TO WATCH EVERY DOLLAR RIGHT NOW.

AND THE NEED FOR WHAT I GET IN THE WAY OF APPLICATIONS.

>> A FEW WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HE GOT A CHRISTMAS MIRACLE, AND ABLE TO PROVIDE 345 KIDS IN FIVE AREA COMMUNITIES WITH TOTAL CHRISTMASES.

LATER IN THE MONTH, THE COVID-19 SPIKE CAUSED CANADIAN COUNTY TO MOVE IN THE RED CATEGORY, AND THE STATE'S ALERT SYSTEM.

117 INMATE AND IS MORE THAN A DOZEN STAFF AT THE FEDERAL PRISON TESTED POSITIVE.

IF THE SOONER STATE DIDN'T ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TO DEAL WITH -- THE WORST ICE STORM IN DECADES BLISTERED CENTRAL OKLAHOMA ON OCTOBER 26.

OKLAHOMA CITY COLLECTED TREE DEBRIS THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

NOVEMBER 3, ELECTION DAY BROUGHT OUT MORE THAN HALF OF THE STATE'S REGISTERED VOTERS.

THE PRESIDENCY WENT IN THE HANDS OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STEPHANIE -- DEFEATED HORN IN THE ALL IMPORTANT FIFTH DISTRICT CONGRESSIONAL RACE.

>> IT'S A WAKE UP CALL IN 2018, WITH THE NUMBER DEMOCRAT WOMEN THAT WON ELECTIONS, AND REPUBLICANS, CONSERVATIVE WOMEN REALIZED WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW, WE'RE NOT ON THE SIDELINES, AND WE'LL TAKE ACTION.

>> FOUR DAYS AFTER ELECTION DAY, YOURS TRULY WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CORONAVIRUS.

I PICKED IT UP ELECTION NIGHT.

>> DAY FOUR, SINCE BEING DIAGNOSED.

MY SYMPTOMS ARE FEVER, COUGH, AND CONSTANT SWEATING.

BUT I CAN STILL TASTE.

>> FORTUNATELY I WAS OVER IT IN A WEEK.

HOWEVER, OUR PRODUCER AND REPORTER, JASON'S 68-YEAR-OLD MOTHER COULD NOT OVERCOME THE DREADED DISEASE.

SHE DIED PEACEFULLY IN HER SLEEP.

ON HALLOWEEN.

>> WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW OF YOUR MOM?

>> THAT MY MOM WAS ONE OF THE BEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WHEN IT COMES TO HER KIDS.

SHE PUT HER FAMILY FIRST, SHE LOVED HER KIDS, GRANDKIDS, SHE WAS THE FULL LIFE.

SHE LIVED LIFE UNABASHEDLY.

AND SHE HAD RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, OVERWEIGHT, ASTHMA, BORN DIABETIC, AND IT NEVER STOPPED HER IN LIFE BEFORE COVID-19 CAME LONG ALONG, AND THAT LAST PART STOPPED HER LIFE.

>> ON NOVEMBER 9, INPERSON LEARNING RESUMED.

>> WHAT WE'VE LEARNED FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND THE COUNTRY, AND INCLUDING IN THE AREA AROUND THE FACT THAT THE VIRUS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE SPREADING IN SCHOOLS.

>> ON NOVEMBER 18, A RECORD 1,434 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19 IN OKLAHOMA.

THE STATE AVERAGING MORE THAN 2800 CASES A DAY.

>> A VACCINE IS ON ITS WAY, BUT WE NEED TO BUCKLE DOWN UNTIL THEN.

I KNOW WE'RE ALL GETTING TIRED, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I NEED YOUR HELP RIGHT NOW TO FLATTEN THIS CURVE.

>> IN EARLY DECEMBER WORD OF TWO EFFECTIVE COVID-19 VACCINATIONS TESTED HERE IN OKLAHOMA, WOULD BE AVAILABLE ON DECEMBER 14.

OKLAHOMA'S INITIAL ALLOTMENT IS AROUND 40,000 DOSES, GOOD NEWS CONSIDERING OKLAHOMA IN DECEMBER WAS AVERAGING NEARLY 3,000 NEW CASES A DAY.

ACCORDING TO TO THE WHITE HOUSE, COVID-19 TASK FORCE, THE SOONER STATE RANKED THIRD IN COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS.

BEHIND ONLY MARYLAND AND ARKANSAS.

THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA RECEIVED NEARLY $1.6 BILLION IN CARES ACT FUNDING NEARLY TEN MONTHS AGO.

BUT DECEMBER 10, 914 MILLION OF IT WAS SPENT.

1.2 BILLION IS ALLOCATED THROUGH THE GOVERNOR, WITH SOME OF THE MONEY GOING DIRECTLY TO OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA COUNTY, AND A SPECIAL FUND FOR EDUCATION.

>> ANYONE CAN GO TO CARES ACT, AND LOOK AT THE DASHBOARD, AND SEE HOW THE FUNDS WERE SPENT.

>> $3 MILLION WAS DOLED OUT IN GRANTS FOR WORTHY CAUSES IN ARTS AND CULTURE.

>> THEY'RE TRYING TO DO MISSION BASED WORK, THE BOTTOM LINE IS HIT BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> IN MID DECEMBER, TULSA IS THE FIRST AIRPORT IN THE U.S. TO OFFER COVID-19 TESTING.

IT BEGINS JANUARY 4, AND WILL COME WITH A CHARGE BUT TRAVELERS CAN SUBMIT FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>>> AND EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE HANNAH WHITE MADE HISTORY, SHE WAS THE FIRST OKLAHOMAEN TO RECEIVE THE PFIZER COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> IT DIDN'T EVEN HURT, BY THE WAY.

>> 9750 DOSES ARRIVED IN TULSA THAT SAME DAY.

>> I WANT TO THANK ALL OKLAHOMAENS WHO CONTINUE TO MAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

IT'S CRITICAL WE ALL KEEP UP OUR FIGHT.

IT'LL TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO GET THIS VACCINE OUT TO EVERYONE, BUT THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, WE HAVE TO KEEP PUSHING HARD.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AS YOU'VE SEEN, NO ONE WAS IMPACTED MORE BY THE VIRUS THAN THE OKLAHOMA STUDENTS AND THE PEOPLE ENTRUSTED TO TEACHING IT.

FROM PREK TO COLLEGE.

LAST TEN MONTHS ARE DISRUPTIVE TO THE LEARNING PROCESS, BUT IS THERE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL?

SUSAN CADOT CONTINUES HER IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH THE EDUCATION LEADERS TO FIND OUT.

>>> THANK YOU, I HAVE THREE GUESTS TAKING TIME TO JOIN US.

SUPERINTENDENT OF THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS.

BEN JOHNSON THE CHAIRMAN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, AND DR. MACK, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF CAREER TECH EDUCATION.

THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, GOOD TO BE WITH YOU.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT INTERESTING CHANGES, WITH YOU SUPERINTENDENT, THE ELECTION BROUGHT IN NEW FACES, 16 OF THEM TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE, DOES THAT GIVE YOU HOPE OF BETTER REPRESENTATION FOR EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IN THE COMING SESSION?

>> IT'S ALWAYS GREAT WHEN WE HAVE EDUCATORS IN THE LEGISLATURE, THIS IS VERY HELPFUL IN UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATIVE LANGUAGE, BILLS, AND NEW LAWS.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THIS IS I THINK A VERY IMPORTANT PIECE AS WE THINK ABOUT HOW THE STRATEGICALLY INVEST IN EDUCATION.

WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR ALL OF OUR PARTNERS, WISH VERY WELL THOSE WHO HAVE TRANSITIONED OUT OF CLASSROOMS AND INTO THE LEGISLATURE OF THE CAPITAL, AND WE'RE EAGER TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE THAT VOTERS DIDN'T APPROVE OF IS STATE QUESTION 805, DOES THAT IMPACT THE CAREER TECH AND ME THAT YOU WORK WITH THOSE IN THE PRISON SYSTEM, GETTING THEM TRAINED TO GET OUT OF THE PRISON SYSTEM?

>> IN THE WORK THAT WE GET TO DO WITH INDIVIDUALS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THE JUVENILE AFFAIRS, GIVEN WHERE WE DELIVER THAT CAN BE A -- WE CAN DELIVER IN OUR SKILLED CENTERS AREA, DELIVER THAT BEHIND PRISON WALLS.

DELIVER THAT SPECIFICALLY TO JUVENILE HOMES AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT, AND AS THEY HAVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST, WHETHER IT BE AT COMMUNITIES CORRECTIONS OR SPECIFICALLY FOR OTHER AREAS, WE HAVE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL OF THE ENTITIES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION AT THE POINTS THEY NEED IT.

SINCE 1971, IS WHEN WE FIRST OPENED THE FIRST SKILLED CENTERS, TO PROVIDE CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION BEHIND PRISON WALLS.

WE DO DELIVER AT VARIOUS CORRECTION FACILITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY BE ON WORK RELEASE, WE CAN PROVIDE THEM THE SPECIFIC TRAINING FOR CERTIFICATION, AND ACTUALLY HAVE THAT WORK PACED LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR THEM TO ENGAGE.

ONE OF THE PIECES IN THAT WHEN WE'VE BEEN ASKED ON OCCASION, DOES IT REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR SOMEONE TO HAVE THAT TRAINING WHILE INCARCERATED OR WAIT AND RECEIVE IT, DOES IT MAKE AN IMPACT OF WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA AND THE NUMBERS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENT RATE FOR INDIVIDUALS TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE PROGRAM, WE'RE AT 89% PLACEMENT.

THAT MEANS THEY'RE TRANSITIONING INTO THE WORK FORCE.

THOSE THAT TRANSITION IN THE WORK FORCE, RESIT -- DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE, FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE PLACED IN TO A TRAINING PROGRAM, PLACED INTO WORK THAT RELATED TO WHAT THEY WERE TRAINED, CURRENTLY ON THE FIVE YEAR DATA, 17%, IS THE PERCENTAGE OF THAT.

SURVIVAL RATES, 83% WHEN WE LOOK AT INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ABLE TO MAINTAIN WORK, NOT REOFFEND, THAT'S A SUBSTANTIAL PERCENTAGE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO DON'TS HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE CAREER TECH TRAINING AND PLACED IN THE WORK FORCE.

>> WE KNOW IT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I WANT TO COME TO YOU, THE CURRENT ENROLLMENT CONTINUES TO GROW, EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS, AND HOW THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BENEFIT FROM IT.

>> IT'S A GREAT PROGRAM, IT'S A KEY COMPONENT TO OUR COLLEGE DEGREE COMPLETION INITIATIVE.

IT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR AND IS JUNIORS WHO QUALIFY TO TAKE COLLEGE LEVEL WORK WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL.

IT'S BEEN A GREAT SUCCESS STORY.

THEY CAN TAKE UP TO 18 HOURS IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR.

THIS LAST YEAR, OVER 14,000 STUDENTS IN HIGH SCHOOL, TOOK CONCURRENT CREDIT WORK AND THAT GENERATED OVER 133,000 STUDENTS CREDIT HOURS.

YOU LOOK AT IT IN TERMS OF A PROGRAM THAT WORKS, IT WORKS VERY WELL, AND IT'S CERTAINLY ONE THAT WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE SPORT WE'VE HAD FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE.

IT'LL TRANSLATE TO MORE DEGREES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> SO NEEDED AT THIS TIME, SUPERINTENDENT, I WANT TO ASK YOU, YOU ARE NOT WORKING IN YOUR OWN INDIVIDUAL SILOS, YOU EACH INTERACT, HOW IMPORTANT IS THAT TO KIDS COMING UP IN OKLAHOMA SCHOOLS, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO COLLEGE LEVEL PROGRAMS, AND CAREER TECH PROGRAMS.

THESE TWO AREAS ARE OPENING UP AND ACCLIMATING FOR THE STUDENTS.

>> THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, THE CENTER PIECE OF THE WORK WE DO TOGETHER.

THAT'S CAREER PATH WAYS, OUR STUDENTS BEGIN TO SEE WHERE THEIR OWN PERSONAL INTERESTS AND STRENGTHSES LEAD TO THE KINDS OF CAREERS SOME OF THEM MAY NOT HAVE IMAGINED R KNEW ABOUT, INTRODUCING THEM TO THE OPPORTUNITIES.

TAKING A COLLEGE COURSE OR TO BE IN A CAREER TECH CENTER EARNING A HIGH SKILLED CERTIFICATION WITH THE START OF THAT IN HIGH SCHOOL, IS A BENEFIT, AND TRULY A BLESSING TO SO MANY FAMILIES AND STUDENTS THAT MOVE JUST BEYOND JUST GRADUATING, AND MOVING INTO THE COMPLETION OF SECONDARY LEARNING, WHICH WILL GIVE THEM GREAT FOUNDATION FOR HAVING A FAMILY AND SEG DOWN ROOTS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THERE ARE A FEW STATES WITH THE PATH WAY, FOR US, THE 17TH CLUSTER IS ENERGY.

BECAUSE OKLAHOMA THAT'S A LARGE SECTOR OF WORK FORCE FOR US IN OKLAHOMA.

>> IT OUTLINES SPECIFICALLY WHAT JOBS RABL IN THE ENERGY CLUSTER AS WELL AND WHAT COMPETENCY SKILL SETS ARE NEEDED IN THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS, TO OBTAIN A CAREER WITHIN ENERGY, WHETHER THAT'S RENEWABLE ENERGY, OIL AND GAS, A LOT OF SECTORS THAT WE CAN OUT HINE.

WITH THE OTHER CLUSTERS, THERE'S TRANSFERABLE SKILL SETS THAT ALIGN, AND WE NEED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT.

WE HAVE A .

>> WHAT'S THE BENEFIT OF THAT, THAT'S CLEARLY THAT, AND LOOKING FOR THE CAREER OPTION.

>> YES.

>> MY FINAL ROUND OF QUESTION, I'LL START WITH YOU, DR. MACK, IF YOU HAD A WISH LIST, THE LEGISLATURE SAYS YOU CAN HAVE THIS ONE THING YOU WANT, WHAT WOULD BE THE ONE THING YOU NEED FOR YOUR AREA?

>> JUST ONE?

JUST KIDDING.

>> THE ONE PIECE, LOOKING AT LEGISLATION AND MOVING FORWARD, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WORK FORCE TRAINING AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS AND EXPAND THAT.

WHETHER THAT BE, SOME OF IT MAY BE FUNDING, BUT OTHER PIECES ARE THE ABILITY FOR LANGUAGE, AND CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION TO BE ABLE TO COUNT AS SUPERINTENDENT MENTIONED, THE CRITICAL COMPONENT ON INDUSTRY CREDENTIALS.

HOW TO MOVE THAT FORWARD.

BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE THE WORK IN EDUCATION AND MAKING SURE THEY'RE OPEN TO THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'RE TYING IT TO WORK FORCE, AND WE'RE DELIVERING IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA, AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR CONVERSATION.

TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY WORK FORCE.

>> ALL RIGHT, CHANCELLOR, I WANT TO ASK YOU THE SAME THING, WHAT'S YOUR ONE WISH.

>> I WOULD CHARACTERIZE IT WITH ONE WISH, A BROAD UMBRELLA TO ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO ADVANCE US TO WORK FORCE.

AN AS IT RELATES TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

SPECIFICALLY, IT'S CLEAR, WE NEED MORE ENGINEERS, THAT'S WHAT MANY OF THE COMPANIES THAT WE INTERACK WITH TELL US.

WE HAVE A MAJOR REQUEST FOR NURSING FACULTY, AND THE NURSING SPOTS, AND THE TEACHER SHORTAGE, THAT'S IMPORTANT AS SUPERINTENDENT TALKS ABOUT FREQUENTLY.

THAT'S ALL UNDER WORK FORCE.

>> I WANT TO PUT THAT UNDER ONE UMBRELLA.

WHAT ABOUT YOU SUPERINTENDENT?

>> WHAT I THINK OF THE ONE THING IS IT REALLY HAS MORE TO DO WITH CLOSING THE DEVICE.

WE KNOW THAT -- DIVIDE, WE KNOW THAT MANY OF OUR FAMILIES EITHER IN RURAL OKLAHOMA, WHERE IT'S AN ISSUE TO NOT HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN PLACE, WITH BROAD BAND OR DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY, OR A BARRIER ECONOMICALLY IN THE METRO AREAS.

WHERE THE HARDWARE AND TECHNOLOGY EXISTS BUT THERE'S IMPEDIMENTS TO GETTING THIS ACCESS IN THE HOME.

HAVING A WAY TO CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, I BELIEVE IS GOING TO SET OKLAHOMA ON A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRAJECTORY, WHERE FAMILIES, STUDENTS, CAN HAVE BOTH EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT THROUGH THAT ACTIVITY, TELEMEDICINE CAN GO INTO EVERY HOUSEHOLD AND COMMUNITY WHERE WE DO LACK THE MEDICAL CARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLINIC.

AND THEN, I THINK IF WE THINK ABOUT IT, IN TERMS OF WHAT IT CAN MEAN FOR BUSINESS AND INNOVATION AND THE BEGINNING OF ATTRACTING PEOPLE IN TAX FIELDS THAT YOU CAN LIVE IN OKLAHOMA AND BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITIES AND WORK WITH A COMPANY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

WE HAVE A WAY TO EXPAND OUR STATE AND THE REACH THE IMPACT ALL AROUND CLOSING THE DIGITSAL DIVIDE.

IT NEEDS TO BE AS COMMON AND AS EXPECTED AS A BASIC UTILITY OF ELECTRICITY AND RUNNING WATER.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL THREE OF YOU FOR YOUR INSIGHT, AND THE WORK YOU DO FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, SUPERINTENDENT -- AND CHANCELLOR IS ALSO A MEMBER OF THE OETA BOARD.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THEM IN THE NEW SEMESTER IN THE SPRING, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> CERTAINLY HOPING FOR LESS DRUCHT YEAR IN 2021 FOR EDUCATION.

>>> EACH YEAR, GOOGLE RELEASES THE MOST GOOGLED STORY FOR THE LAST 12 MONTHS.

THE VIRUS WAS NUMBER ONE, AND A FEW OTHER SURPRISE SEARCHS TOO.

>> WHAT WERE WE SEARCHING FOR IN 2020?

>> WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT 2020 WAS A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER, AND I DON'T THINK FOLKS WILL BE SURPRISED THAT THE TOP TWO SEARCHS THIS YEAR WERE SURROUNDING ELECTION RESULTS AND THE CORONAVIRUS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO GOOGLE FOR NEWS RELATED TRENDS WHEN IT COMES TO CORONAVIRUS, A LOT OF DIFFERENT SEARCH TREND CATEGORIES, FOR EXAMPLE, HOW TO MAKE CATEGORY, FACE MASKS AND HAND SANITIZER.

WERE AT THE TOP.

OTHER NEWS RELATED LARGE NEWS STORIES FROM THE YEAR, PEOPLE SEARCHING HOW TO HELP OR DONATE TO THINGS LIKE THE AUSTRALIA BUSH FIRES OR THE BLACK LIVES MATTER MOVEMENT.

WE CERTAINLY SAW A LOT OF SEARCHS FROM FOLKS LOOKING HOW TO HELP OR BE MORE INFORMED OF THE BIG NEWS MOMENTS.

>> THERE WAS NEWS MADE IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC, WHAT WERE WE SEARCHING FOR THERE?

>> SHAKIRA WAS THE TOP SEARCHED MUSICIAN THIS YEAR.

SHE WAS ALSO IN TWO OTHER CATEGORIES, PEOPLE SEARCHING WHERE SHE WAS FROM.

SHE HAD A VERY BIG YEAR, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY AND MY GUESS IS SHE WAS TRENDING BECAUSE OF HER PERFORMANCE WAY BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF 2020 AT THE SUPER BOWL WITH JENNIFER LOPEZ.

SHE'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, BUT 2020 SAW A SPIKE IN INTEREST IN SHAKIRA.

NO ONE WILL BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THE TOP TV SHOW WAS "TIGER KING", AND "OZARK".

IN THE BABY CATEGORY, SOMETHING I'VE NOT HEARD OF SOMETHING, BABY PLATYPUS.

IT WAS AMAZING HOW MUCH FOLKS WERE SERGING FOR THINGS TO DO, BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

HOW TO HELP OR DONATE, AND WE SAW IN THE NEAR ME SEARCHS, LIKE THINGS OTHER THAN TOILET PAPER NEAR ME.

DRIVE IN MOVIE THEATERS.

EVERY YEAR WE SEE THE REFLECTED.

>> THE LIGHTER SIDE OF THE YEAR IN REVIEW, THE ART SCENE IN THE STATE.

>>> WAS THE RARE THIRD TIME APPOINTEE AS THE U.S.

POET LAURLT.

AND THE NEW ALBUM, BEST OF THE YEAR LIST.

AND THE GUY, JOE EXOTIC.

IN APRIL, "TIGER KING".

AND OVER 64 MILLION PEOPLE WATCHED THAT IN THE FIRST MONTH.

BUT THANKFULLY, ANOTHER OKLAHOMAEN WENT VIRAL.

>> I CONSIDER MYSELF JACK OF ALL TRADES, MASTER OF NONE.

>> TIM TELLER, IS THE HEAD OF SECURITY AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY NATIONAL COWBOY MUSEUM.

WHEN THE QUARANTINE CLOSED THE MUSEUM, THEY ASKED HIM TO TAKE OVER SOCIAL MEDIA.

AND HE QUICKLY BECAME A NATIONAL SENSATION.

>> FOR ME, IT'S STRANGE WALKING AROUND SEEING THE CUTOUTS OF ME AND PEOPLE APPROACHING ME, AND WANTING TO TALK TO ME AND ASKING QUESTIONS.

>> SINCE MARCH IT, MUSEUM'S TWITTER ACCOUNT JUMPED UP TO 300,000.

THAT'S NEARLY A MILLION PERCENT INCREASE.

QUARANTINE LIFE PROMPTED OKLAHOMA TO LEAN ON THE CREATIVE ROOTS.

MORE BUBBLE SHOWS PLANNED FOR 2021, AND THE BEATLES, AND ONE OF THE BEST EDITION WAS THE OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

DUE TO COVID-19, THEY HAD TO DELAY THE GRAND OPENING IN MARCH, BUT FOUND NEW WAYS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.

INCLUDING A STAR STUDDED READING OF "THE ODYSSEY".

>>> EARLY MARCH -- DOZENS OF HIP HOP ARTISTS GOING TO TULSA TO RECORD AN ALBUM AND CREATE A TOUMENT TARE TO COMMEMORATE THE CENTENNIAL OF THE MASKER.

>>> AND 2020 WAS THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT, AND OKLAHOMA CITY ARTIST, DID SOMETHING BIG.

SHE CREATED A 36 STRIPED FLAG, CALLED HER FLAG.

>> WHY CAN'T A GAL FROM OKLAHOMA HAVE THE LARGEST PROJECT TO CELEBRATE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY.

>>> IN JULY, CUT THE RIBBON ON A NEW SCULPTURE.

>> IT'S A WINDING PAVILION THAT'S GOT 13 INDEPENDENT TOWERS.

>> AND BACK IN MARCH, THE THUMB FESTIVAL.

>> THIS IS NOT SUN DANCE, WE'RE NOT AT A SKI RESORT.

WE NEED TO CREATE A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE FOR PEOPLE COMING.

>> BEING UNIQUE, IT HAD TO HAVE A PARADE.

>> MY DAD WENT AND GOT COWBOY HATS TO WEAR IN THE PARADE, YEAH, EVERYONE HAD A GOOD TIME.

THEY LOVED IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, A BIT OF WHAT MADE 2020 A SPECIAL YEAR IN OKLAHOMA ARTS.

AND AS ALWAYS, FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM FOR MORE FEATURES LIKE THIS.

HAVE A HAPPY NEW YEAR, AND UNTIL NEXT TIME, REMEMBER, STAY ARTY OKLAHOMA.

>>> HE'S BEEN A GREAT CONTRIBUTOR FOR US ALL YEARLONG.

THAT'S A WRAP ON 2020, ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO PUT ON FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE AGENDA AND THE PRIORITIES OF THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND WE'LL SAY GOOD-BYE WITH A LOOK BACK AT THE DECEMBER SNOW.

FOR ALL OF US ON OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, HERE'S HOPING YOUR NEW YEAR IS PROSPEROUS AND HEALTHY, GOOD NIGHT.

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