>>> A CHAOTIC SCENE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., A PEACEFUL ONE IN OKLAHOMA AS PROTESTORS DESCEND ON THE TWO CAPITOLS.

>> WE WILL STAND IN RECESS UNTIL THE CALL OF THE CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE COVID VACCINES HAVE ARRIVED.

BUT ARE THEY BEING DISTRIBUTED EFFECTIVELY?

AND ARE OKLAHOMANS EAGER TO GET THEIR SHOTS?

>> WE DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE.

>> COVID FREE SERVICES ARE A GOOD SPRAY AWAY THANKS TO AND I EXPENSIVE SOLUTION CREATED IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE CAN SANITIZE THE WHOLE ROOM IN LESS THAN 30 SECOND, GONE AND DRY AND READY IN LESS THAN THREE MINUTES.

>> EYE COMPLICATED QUESTION, HOW BEST TO SECURE AND TREAT THE REMAINS AND ARTIFACTS OF NATIVE-AMERICANS.

>> PUTTING THEM ON DISPLAY SO PEOPLE CAN LEARN FROM THEM.

THE QUESTION WAS RARELY ASKED DO WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DO THAT.

>> PLUS, AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON ACES, WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW THEY AFFECT OKLAHOMA CHILDREN.

NEXT ON THE ONE HOUR OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

WE BEGIN WITH THE EXTRAORDINARY SCENE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND OKLAHOMA ON WEDNESDAY.

AN UNPRECEDENTED SCENE.

AS A GROUP OF REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS INCLUDING OKLAHOMA'S JAMES LANKFORD CONTESTED THE RESULTS IN TWO STATES, A MOVE THAT OKLAHOMA SENIOR SENATOR JIM INHOFF PUBLICLY OPPOSED.

SHORTLY AFTER THE DEBATE BEGAN THOUSANDS OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS PROTESTING THE OUTCOME SURROUNDED THE CAPITOL AND GOT INSIDE.

PROMPTING A LOCKDOWN AND EVACUATION OF LAWMAKERS AS LANKFORD WAS BEGINNING HIS COMMENTS.

>> MY CHALLENGE TODAY IS NOT ABOUT THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ARIZONA.

>> WILL STAND IN RECESS UNTIL THE CALL OF THE CHAIR.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: R. >> SHORTLY AFTER AN UNARMED WOMAN WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY OFFICERS, AND EARLY THURSDAY MORNING A CAPITOL POLICE OFFICER DIED FROM INJURIES HE RECEIVED DURING THE RIOT.

IT WAS A CHAOTIC SCENE BUT ORDER WAS RESTORED FAIRLY QUICKLY, AND JUST AS QUICKLY OKLAHOMA'S DELEGATION RESPONDED ON TWITTER.

KEVIN HERN WROTE I SUPPORT PEACEFUL PROTEST ONLY.

THE VIOLENCE MUST STOP.

THANK YOU TO OUR CAPITOL POLICE.

AND FRANK LUCAS TWEETED, I UNEQUIVOCALLY CONDEMN THE VIOLENCE AND RIOT SCENE IN AND AROUND THE CAPITOL AND I PRAY FOR THE RESTORATION OF PEACE.

WHILE PEACE WAS RESTORED AND LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT LAWMAKERS RETURNED TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK.

THE RESULTS IN TWO STATES WERE CONTESTED AND REJECTED BY LAWMAKERS AND LANKFORD FLIPPED HIS VOTE AND ACCEPTED THE OUTCOME.

>> TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT JUST DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A BAD IDEA.

OBVIOUSLY THE COMMISSION THAT WE'VE ASKED FOR IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AT THIS POINT.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND WE'RE HEADED TOWARDS TONIGHT TOWARDS THE CERTIFICATION OF JOE BIDEN TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

AND WE WILL WORK TOGETHER IN THIS BODY TO BE ABLE TO SET A PEACEFUL EXAMPLE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> THE CONGRESS DOES NOT DETERMINE THE OUTCOME OF ELECTIONS, THE PEOPLE DO.

THE CONGRESS IS NOT ENDOWED WITH THE POWER TO ADMINISTER ELECTS, OUR STATES ARE GIVEN THAT POWER.

BY THE END OF THE PRECEDINGS TODAY, IT WILL BE CONFIRMED ONCE AGAIN SOMETHING THAT IS WELL-KNOWN AND WELL SETTLED.

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ELECTED JOE BIDEN AND KAMALA HARRIS TO BE THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE ELECTION OF JOE BIDEN WAS CERTIFIED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THURSDAY AND PRESIDENT TRUMP TWEETED THAT HE WOULD COMMIT TO A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

NOW THE SAME TIME TRUMP SUPPORTS WERE AROUND THE CAPITOL, A LARGE GROUP WAS GATHERING AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE CAPITOL.

AT ONE POINT THE CROWD WAS ESTIMATED TO BE ONE TO 2,000 PEOPLE.

IT WAS A PEACEFUL DEMONSTRATION ALTHOUGH A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE WERE ARMED WITH LONG GUNS.

THE OTHER BIG STORY THIS WEEK, STATE SCRAMBLING TO INCREASE NUMBER OF PEOPLE RECEIVING THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

MIDWEEK THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 17 MILLION DOSES OF VACCINE, FAR BELOW THE STATED GOAL OF 20 MILLION BY JANUARY 1st.

ROUGHLY 5.3 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE ACTUALLY RECEIVED THE FIRST SHOT.

OUR QUESTION IS OKLAHOMA DOING BETTER THAN OTHER STATES IN INOCULATING WHO WANT IT.

RORY TAYLOR HAS OUR REPORT AS PHASE TWO OF DISTRIBUTION IS NOW UNDERWAY.

>> WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT SET FOR EVERY SINGLE DOSE.

>> Reporter: THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORTS HAVING RECEIVED 174,900 TOTAL DOSES OF THE PFIZER AND MODERNA VACCINES.

OF THOSE, LESS THAN A THIRD HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED.

THE STATE IS ENTERING PHASE TWO OF VACCINE ROLL OUTS THIS WEEK, WHICH IS EXPECTED TO HELP WITH THAT.

>> AT THIS POINT IT'S BEEN SLOWER, IT'S TO BE EXPECTED WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH SPECIFIC POPULATIONS, AND AGAIN NOW THAT WE'RE ABLE TO OPEN IT UP TO BROADER GROUPS, WE CAN CREATE THE TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT WE NEED IN ORDER TO MOVE THROUGH VACCINE VERY QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: PHASE TWO OF VACCINATION IS A BROAD ONE AND THE STATE IS STARTING WITH JUST A SLICE OF IT.

FIRST RESPONDERS, EXPANDED GROUP OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND WHERE SUPPLIES ALLOW THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

>> LAST WEEK WE ANNOUNCED WE'RE ESTABLISHING PODS, POINT OF DISTRIBUTION SITES, ACROSS THE STATE, IN COORDINATION WITH LOCAL PARTNERS, AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

THESE ARE TO INCREASE ACCESS POINTS TO VACCINES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THEY ARE COORDINATED WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, LED BY THE LOCAL COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.

THEY PROBABLY WILL NOT BE HELD AT THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THEY'LL BE HELD AT OTHER SITES CAPABLE OF HANDLING LARGER GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

SO WITH THAT, THIS KIND OF MARKS OUR TRANSITION INTO A HIGHER GROUP OF MODEL.

>> Reporter: THE STATE LAUNCHED AN ONLINE PORTAL AT VACCINATE.OKLAHOMA.GOV WHICH ALLOWS ALL OKLAHOMANS TO REGISTER FOR VACCINATION.

>> IF SOMEBODY GOES IN AND REGISTERED AT THIS POINT, THEY WILL GO IN, THEY'LL START WITH THE DEMOGRAPHICS, ENTER THEIR SCREENING INFORMATION, AND ONCE THEY DO THAT THEY WILL BE NOTIFIED THAT THEY ARE REGISTERED.

>> Reporter: ONCE REGISTERED WHETHER YOU'RE IN PHASE ONE OR PHASE FOUR, YOU WILL RECEIVE A MESSAGE THAT YOU CAN LOG ON AND SEEK AN APPOINTMENT ONCE THE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR GROUP.

>> ONCE WE IDENTIFY THAT WE ARE READY TO MOVE WITH THE LARGER THROUGH POUT LARGER VOLUME CLINICS, WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE VACCINES IN FREEZER.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS INCREASING STAFFING FOR 211 CALLS TO HELP PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET.

IN OKLAHOMA SOMEWHERE AROUND 10% OF OUR POPULATION IS UNDER A TRIBAL HEALTHCARE DEPARTMENT, RATHER THAN THE STATES.

SHAWN TERRY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH FOR THE MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION SAYS THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED DISTRIBUTION BEYOND HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

>> THE NEXT WEEK WE GOT MODERNA, WE STARTED WORKING ON THE FRONT LINE WORKERS WITH THE REST OF THE TRIBE, LIKE OUR FOOD SERVICE WORKERS AND CHILD CARE WORKERS, AND SO FORTH.

AND THEN ALSO STARTED WORKING ON PIER TWO OF THE ELDERLY POPULATION AND SOME OF THOSE, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN SOME IN THE STATE'S DISTRIBUTION, AS WELL IN THE TRIBE'S DISTRIBUTION, DUE IN PART TO FLUCTUATING SCHEDULING DIFFICULTIES.

>> WE STARTED WITH THE OLDEST AND WORKING OUR WAY DOWN TO THE YOUNGEST, AND SO THAT IS KIND OF WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FROM A LIST STANDPOINT.

YOU CAN ALSO GO TO THE MUSKOGEE CREEK NATION DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WEBSITE AND ON THE UPPER LEFT CORNER THERE YOU CAN CLICK ON THE VACCINE INFORMATION AND GIVES YOU A NUMBER TO CALL.

>> CDC MAGIC NUMBER FOR POPULATION TO GAIN HERD IMMUNITY IS AT LEAST 70% INOCULATION BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL HESITANT.

>> AMBER INTEGRATED TOOK A LOOK AT WHERE OKLAHOMANS STAND.

>> IT'S CONCERNING THAT WE DON'T QUITE HAVE 70% OF OKLAHOMAMANS WANTING TO GET A VACCINE.

CURRENTLY IN A SURVEY WE DID IN DECEMBER 65% OF OKLAHOMANS INDICATED THEY ARE WILLING TO GET A VACCINE.

AND THAT IS UP SINCE BEFORE THE ELECTION.

WHERE WE ACTUALLY HAD MINORITY OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY WERE INTERESTED.

IT'S A GOOD TREND TO HAVE, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY NOT THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> Reporter: THE DATA SHOWS THE MOST VULNERABLE PRIMARILY THE ELDERLY POPULATION ARE MOST WILLING TO GET THE VACCINE, WHILE YOUNGER PEOPLE ARE LESS LIKELY TO GET VACCINATED.

>> AMONG THOSE GROUPS AND AMONG ALL GROUPS THAT ARE HESITANT ABOUT TAKING THE VACCINE, THEY ARE MOST WORRIED ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS, AND THE EFFICACY, THE -- HOW THE VACCINE WILL -- HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS.

AND SO AS MORE INFORMATION BECOMES PUBLIC ABOUT THIS VACCINE, WE SHOULD SEE THOSE NUMBERS IMPROVE AMONG THOSE POPULATIONS.

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA IS CURRENTLY RECEIVING THE VACCINES IN WEEKLY SHIPMENTS THAT VARY IN SIZE.

LAST WEEK WE RECEIVED 32,000 DOSES.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL BRING IN 38,000 DOSES.

RORY TAYLOR, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THAT IS A LOT OF REALLY GREAT INFORMATION.

>>> WITH HEALTH EXPERTS FEARING ANOTHER SPIKE IN CASES FOLLOWING THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS HOLIDAYS LET'S UPDATE YOU ON THE LATEST NUMBERS.

THE ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE OF NEW CASES IS MORE THAN 3500 PER DAY, GIVING US A TOTAL AS OF FRIDAY 320,586 CASES OF COVID-19 IN OUR STATE.

OUR HOSPITALIZATIONS STAND AT 1,961.

968 OF THOSE OCCUPYING ICU BEDS.

AND MOST TROUBLING, WE SET A ONE DAY RECORD FOR DEATHS ON WEDNESDAY WITH 62.

THAT GRIM TOTAL IN OKLAHOMA IS NOW 2,703.

>>> GIVEN THOSE NUMBERS IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO BE CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE WE'RE KEEPING OURSELVES AND OUR SURROUNDINGS FREE OF THE VIRUS.

SIX WEEKS AGO THE CITY OF STILLWATER GOT A BOOST IN THAT REGARD.

AND AS ONR STEVE SHAW REPORTS THEY ARE SHARING IT WITH THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> Reporter: YES THAT USED TO BE A PAINT GUN, BUT THAT'S NOT PAINT YOU SEE BEING SPRAYED AROUND THE PAYNE COUNTY JAIL.

THAT'S NOW WHAT'S CALLED A SANI SPRAYER, DELIVERING A CORONAVIRUS KILLING SALT WATER SOLUTION THAT IS QUICKLY TRANSFORMED THE WAY STILLWATER AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AROUND THE STATE DECONTAMINATE PUBLIC SPACES.

>> WE CAN COME IN AND SANITIZE THE WHOLE ROOM IN LESS THAN 30 SECONDS AND BE GONE AND THE ROOM IS DRY AND READY FOR OCCUPATION, IN LESS THAN THREE MINUTES.

>> Reporter: STILLWATER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR ROB HILL SAYS RIGHT AROUND THANKSGIVING STILLWATER TOOK DELIVERY OF ONE OF THESE.

IT'S CALLED AN ANOLYTE GENERATOR.

THERE ARE NOW 19 OF THEM AROUND THE STATE.

DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT DOES, WHAT IT MAKES IS ROUGHLY THE SAME THING YOU FIND IN A SWIMMING POOL.

>> BASICALLY YES, CHLORINATED SWIMMING POOL WATER IS WHAT IT IS.

MOST EVERYBODY CAN GO SWIMMING, NO ISSUES WHATSOEVER.

>> Reporter: MANY SMART PEOPLE THINK THE IDEA IS BRILLIANT.

>> MOST CHEMICALS YOU HAVE TO WEAR GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, SOME TYPE OF RESPIRATOR.

THIS JUST REQUIRES SAFETY GLASSES.

>> Reporter: BUT IT KILLS EVERYTHING.

THE ANOLYTE GENERATOR IS THE BRAINCHILD OF A TULSA COMPANY CALLED SERVICE WING ORGANIC.

>> IT WAS STARTED WITH FIREFIGHTER OUT OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA, AND HIS BROTHER CAME ONBOARD AND THEY STARTED HIRING OTHER FIREFIGHTERS TO INSTALL THESE, AND THEN THEY REFINED IT WHEN THEY CONTRACTED AND HIRED A OSU GRADUATE WHO HELPED WITH THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: HILL SAYS THE UNIT THAT SITS IN THE BASEMENT OF CITY HALL CAN CRANK OUT 24 TO 2.

SOME THINK IT'S ALMOST LIKE LIQUID GOLD.

>> WE'VE SEEN IT PRICED ON THE INTERNET AS HIGH AS $150 PER GALLON, TO AS LITTLE AS $65 PER GALLON.

WE'RE MAKING IT FOR 4 CENTS A GALLON AND GIVING IT AWAY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THEY'RE DOING THIS FOR FREE BECAUSE THESE GENERATORS THAT COST MORE THAN $40,000 A SHOT CAME FREE, THANKS TO CARES ACT MONEY.

BEHIND WAGNER COUNTY STILLWATER WAS THE SECOND MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE TO GET ONE.

HE SAYS THE VALUE IN THE PRODUCT IS BECAUSE IT'S SO EASY, FAST AND CHEAP TO REPRODUCE.

>> IF WE SPRAY AN OFFICE OR DESK, IT'S NOT HARMFUL TO THE KEYBOARDS, TO THE MONITORS, TO THE -- ANYTHING, TO THE SURFACE.

BUT IT WILL TURN UP THE EDGES OF PAPER.

WE THINK THAT'S JUST SIMPLY BECAUSE IT'S WATER DRYING.

BUT DOESN'T LEAVE ANY RESIDUE.

>> Reporter: THE SOLUTION HAS A SHELF LIFE OF 30 DAYS.

THE TANK HOLDS 325 GALLONS.

PRODUCING NEW LIQUID ANYTIME IS AS EASY AS HITTING A CELL PHONE APP.

>> THEY'RE USING IT AT FIRE STATION.

WE USE IT IN OUR JAIL FACILITY.

SO WE'RE USING IT ALL OVER THE PLACE.

WE HAVE LOCAL SCHOOLS FROM SEVERAL COUNTIES COMING AND PICKING UP WHAT STARTED OUT AS ONE OR TWO GALLONS, NOW BRINGING 55-GALLON DRUMS AND PICKING IT UP AND USING IT TO SANITIZE THEIR FACILITIES.

>> Reporter: ON MONDAY, DECEMBES STILLWATER WOULD ALSO SOON GET A MASSIVE SANI SPRAYER.

CAPABLE OF DISINFECTING AN ENTIRE COLLEGE BASKETBALL ARENA.

>> BRAND-NEW INFORMATION.

THEY CALLED US, ASKED IF WE WERE INTERESTED IN IT.

WE SAID ABSOLUTELY.

SO WE CAN SHARE IT WITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS, WE CAN SHARE IT WITH JUST ABOUT ANYBODY THAT HAS A LARGE VENUE, WHERE LOTS OF PEOPLE WOULD ATTEND.

>> Reporter: HILL SAYS OSU HAD ALREADY BEEN DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB, SANITIZING GALLAGHER IBA ARENA, THE NEW EQUIPMENT WILL ONLY HELP.

STEVE SHAW, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THANK YOU.

>>> STILLWATER IS OFFERING THE PRODUCT TO AREA LONG-TERM CARE ASSISTED LIVING AND DAYCARE FACILITIES FREE OF CHARGE.

>>> OKLAHOMA STEPHANIE BICE WAS SWORN IN TO OFFICE THIS PAST WEEK AS THE 117th CONGRESS BEGAN ITS WORK.

BICE IS ONE OF 211 REPUBLICANS.

THERE ARE 222 DEMOCRATS AND TWO CURRENT VACANCIES GIVING NANCY PELOSI A SMALLER MAJORITY TO WORK WITH THAN SHE HAD LAST YEAR.

WORK CONTINUES AT THE STATE CAPITOL TO PERFORM FOR NEXT MONTH'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

ON TUESDAY LAWMAKERS HELD AN ORGANIZATIONAL DAY TO SET RULES FOR THE SESSION AND PUT LEADERSHIP INTO PLAY.

AS EXPECTED HOUSE SPEAKER CHARLES McCALL AND GREG TREAT WERE RE-ELECTED TO LEADERSHIP POSITION.

McCALL SAYS LAWMAKERS ARE SET TO TACKLE BIG ISSUES THIS SESSION.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THOSE WITHOUT DEBATE AND WITHOUT DISCUSSION.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON BIG AREAS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE ARE LIVING IN A NEW AGE, AN AGE THAT COVID HAS AFFECTED ALL OF US IN THE STATE, AND THINGS HAVE EMERGED, AND WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS SOME THINGS IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE NOW 82 REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE MAJORITY WITH 16 DEMOCRATS.

THERE ARE 37 REPUBLICANS AND NINE DEMOCRATS IN THE SENATE, WITH CONGRESSWOMAN STEPHANIE BICE STILL SEAT STILL OPEN UNTIL A EXPECT ELECTION.

THE SESSION BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 1st.

LET'S DIG INTO SOME OF THOSE BIG ISSUES FACING LAWMAKERS, WITH THE MAN WHO WATCHED THE CORRIDORS MOST EVERY DAY.

E-CAPITOL NEWS DIRECTOR SHAWN ASHLEY.

THERE WERE A LOT OF RUMORS ABOUT A SPECIAL COMING IN JANUARY, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHY NOT?

>> LAWMAKERS BEGAN TALKING BACK IN DECEMBER ABOUT A POSSIBLE SPECIAL SESSION PARTICULARLY TO DEAL WITH REIMPLEMENTING TEMPORARY AMENDMENTS TO THE OPEN MEETING ACT, TO ALLOW FULLY VIRTUAL MEET METINGS.

I SPOKE TUESDAY WITH SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT WHO SAID GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE REGULAR SESSION WILL START ON FEBRUARY THIS, JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY, THEY PROBABLY WOULD NOT DO A SPECIAL SESSION BUT WOULD TAKE THAT ISSUE UP AND MAYBE EVEN FAST TRACK IT AFTER THE START OF THE REGULAR SESSION.

>> THAT MAKES SENSE.

A LOT OF POTENTIAL LEGISLATION HAS BEEN FILED TO ADDRESS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

GIVE US SOME OF THE DETAILS ON THAT.

>> ONE OF THE PROPOSALS BY SENATOR MICHAEL BERTRAM WOULD EXPAND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS RIGHTS, IT WOULD PROTECT, FOR EXAMPLE, ANY EVIDENCE COLLECTED IN THOSE CASES UNTIL THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS EXPIRED ON THE CASE.

IT WOULD ALSO GIVE THEM GREATER ACCESS TO SUPPORT >>> ACE'S IS ACRONYM FOR ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND IT'S A REAL PROBLEM.

THERE ARE TEN CATEGORIES OF ACES, INCLUDING PHYSICAL, SEXUAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE, DIVORCE, INCARCERATION, SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHERS.

AND THE MORE A CHILD EXPERIENCES THE MORE IT NEGATIVELY IMPACTS THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN TO SOCIAL ICE.

IN THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUESTS DO TO EXPLORE WHAT'S BEING DONE.

>> Reporter: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE ARE HERE WITH TWO EXPERTS IN THE FIELD OF WORKING WITH CHILDREN HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU.

WE HAVE ANNETTE JACOBI, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA COMMISSION FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AND WE HAVE JOE DORMAN WHO IS A CEO OF THE OKLAHOMA INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVO TODAY IS I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US TODAY TO HAVE THIS IMPORTANT DISCUSSION TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S START WITH YOU.

TELL ME ABOUT THE COMMISSION.

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> THE COMMISSION ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH WAS CREATED IN THE EARLY '80S AS RESIDUAL OF THE LARGE TERRI D. LAWSUIT.

IT WAS A MASSIVE LAWSUIT IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WHERE WE DISCOVERED THAT CHILDREN WERE NOT BEING WELL CARED FOR, PARTICULARLY IN A FACILITY AND INSTITUTION ACROSS OUR STATE.

SO THE COMMISSION WAS CREATED TO FIRST AND FOREMOST BE AN OVERSIGHT AGENCY AND MAKE SURE THAT CHILD SERVING ASSISTANCE ARE REALLY TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE AND CHILDREN ARE THRIVING.

WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOOK INTO ALL PRIVATE AND PUBLIC CHILD SERVING SYSTEMS.

AND WE LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS.

SO WE'RE NOT JUST ALL ABOUT FINDING PROBLEMS AND POINTING THEM OUT AND WALKING AWAY.

WE ALSO WANT TO HELP COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS, AS WELL.

THAT'S OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE.

>> TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION, THE INSTITUTE FOR CHILD ADVOCACY.

>> OICA WAS CREATED IN 1983 AT THE EXACT SAME TIME AS OCC.

WE'RE CONSIDERED OURSELVES BROTHER AND SISTER ORGANIZATIONS.

>> YES.

>> THAT CAME FROM THE TERI D LAWSUIT.

THE CREATORS REALIZED THERE NEEDED TO BE OVERSIGHT IN GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THAT THE AGENCIES WERE DOING THEIR JOB AND HAD TEETH TO THAT.

BUT THEY ALSO RECOGNIZED THERE NEEDED TO BE A VOICE OUTSIDE OF GOVERNMENT AS A NONPROFIT TO SPEAK LOUDLY ABOUT CHILDREN'S ISSUE, NOT ONLY THE STATE CAPITAL BUT TO THE STATE AGENCIES TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING IN THE BEST INTERESTS.

SINCE THEN WE BRANCHED INTO BEING A VOICE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL THROUGH A COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP FOR AMERICA'S CHILDREN.

WE WORK TO BACK UP THE WORK OF O CC AND MAKE SURE POLICYMAKERS UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES AND TRY AND PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION AND THAT DATA SO THEY CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS.

>> WE'RE HERE TO TALK TO YOU BOTH TODAY TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT SOMETHING THAT MOST PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW IS AN ACTUAL THING.

IT'S NOT JUST A DESCRIPTION.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE AGENCIES LIKE YOURS ARE VERY MUCH AWARE OF, A WAY OF MEASURING WHAT THE FUTURE MIGHT HOLD FOR A CHILD WITH ACE.

WHAT KIND OF MAKES UP ANNETTE AN ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCE?

LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> SURE.

SO THE ORIGINAL STUDY, WHICH WAS DONE IN THE '80S, REALLY LOOKED AT THREE BIG BUCKETS OF EXPERIENCES THAT AN ADULT MAY REFLECT ON IN THEIR CHILDHOOD.

AND THAT'S AROUND EMOTIONAL ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, HAVING SOME KIND OF FAMILY DYSFUNCTION, BEING SEPARATED FROM A PARENT BECAUSE OF INCARCERATION OR DIVORCE OR DEATH, HAVING A PARENT WITH MENTAL ILLNESS OR PERHAPS A PARENT WHO HAS BEEN VIOLENTLY HARMED, AND IN ADDITION JUST THE WHOLE IDEA OF NEGLECT BOTH PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL.

SO THIS SCREENING TOOL IS REALLY USED TO LOOK AT COMMUNITIES, RIGHT?

IT'S NOT A PREDICTER.

YOU HAVE A HIGH ACE SCORE DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE DESTINED FOR, YOU KNOW, STRUGGLES IN LIFE.

WE DO KNOW THAT AS A POPULATION, THE MORE ADVERSE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE, THE MORE CHALLENGES YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO OVERCOME.

AND -- OR PERHAPS HAVE TO OVERCOME.

THERE ARE PROTECTIVE FACTORS, SUSAN, AND PROTECTIVE FACTORS ARE SO CRITICAL.

I HOPE WE GET TO TALK ABOUT THIS TODAY, BECAUSE THERE ARE WAYS TO MITIGATE THESE THINGS.

AND THAT IS SO, SO HOPEFUL.

MAKES IT FEEL LIKE THERE IS POSITIVE -- POSITIVITY ON THE HORIZON.

>> WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU JOE ABOUT WHY IT'S CALLED HIDDEN EPIDEMIC.

PART OF ME THINKS WHEN YOU GO INTO A HOUSE, A FEW THINGS THAT ARE TABOO ARE THE PARENT CHILD RELATIONSHIP.

IS THAT WHY THIS IS CALLED A HIDDEN EPIDEMIC?

IS IT REALLY AN EPIDEMIC OR KIDS NEED TO BE TOUGH?

>> IT TRULY IS AN EPIDEMIC.

THIS -- DISCOVERED BACK IN THE '80S AND WAS TIED TO A CLINIC WHERE THEY WERE DOING STUDIES ABOUT WHY PEOPLE'S WEIGHT LOSS WOULD FLUCTUATE UP AND DOWN.

AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THESE TRAUMATIC EVENTS IN CHILDHOOD OFTEN WOULD CARRY FORWARD INTO ADULTHOOD.

AND WE REALIZED THAT THE TRAUMA THAT IS INFLICTED INTO CHILDREN AT EARLY AGE WILL RESULT IN LONG-TERM LIFE AND HEALTH ISSUES.

THIS EPIDEMIC WHAT WE SEEN IN OKLAHOMA HAS SET THE STANDARD.

WE ARE NUMBER ONE FOR MULTIPLE ADVERSE EXPERIENCES.

WE HAVE BEEN THANKFUL THE FIRST LADY AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO RAISE WEARNESS ABOUT THIS.

THERE WAS A TASK FORCE CREATED THAT ANNETTE IS A CO-CHAIR OF THAT IS WORKING TO TRY AND FIND SOLUTIONS WITHIN STATE AGENCIES TO TRY AND WORK TO OVERCOME THESE ACES AND GET KIDS THE HELP THEY NEED.

I KNOW WE'LL TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE SOLUTIONS LATER BUT THE HIDDEN EPIDEMIC HAS IMPACTED OKLAHOMA.

IT EXPLAINS WHY WE WERE NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION FOR INCARCERATION, WHILE WE'VE BEEN THERE AT THE TOP FOR HEART DISEASE, OBESITY AND OTHER ISSUES.

IT ALL MAKES SENSE.

AND WE'VE BEEN FORTUNATE TO DO THE WORK AT THE CAPITAL TO RAISE AWARENESS WITH LAWMAKERS.

>> I WANT TO READ SOMETHING TO YOU HERE, SOME NOTES FROM TRACY HUTCHINSON WHO HAS A Ph.D.

IN PSYCHOLOGY, FROM FORT MYERS.

IT HELP EXPLAIN BRAIN DISREGULATION IN CHILDHOOD.

THE MORE STRESSFUL EVENT THIS CHILDHOOD THE HIGHER CORRELATION TO STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN THE BRAIN.

SHE GOES ON TO TALK MORE, BUT FOLKS CAN RESEARCH THIS MORE, THE ACTUAL IMPACT OF CHILDHOOD TRAUMA ON THE BRAIN, AND AS WE LOOK AT THE ASSISTANT GENERAL WE ADD THE STRESS OF COVID.

PARENTS WITH FINANCIAL PROBLEMS AS THEY LOSE THEIR JOBS, NOT GOING TO SCHOOL, JOE, HOW DOES COVID FACTOR IN?

IS IT HAVING MORE OF AN IMPACT?

>> ABSOLUTELY IS.

ONE OF THE STRONGEST FACTORS FOR REPORTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IS WHEN THAT CHILD IS IN THE CLASSROOM, TEACHERS OR SCHOOL PERSONNEL WILL RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, AND WE LOST OUT ON THAT WITH CHILDREN, LEARNING VIRTUALLY OR HAVING DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL COMPLETELY.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S NOT BEING TALKED ABOUT.

A LOT OF THE KIDS DROPPED OUT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM COMPLETELY.

OICA, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ARE VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF TRYING TO GET KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT ONLY IF IT'S SAFE FOR THE TEACHERS AND THE STUDENTS AND THEN THE STUDENTS NOT CARRYING COVID HOME TO THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS.

OKLAHOMA IS NINTH THE NATION FOR GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDKIDS.

WE HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT FACTORS TIED IN WITH COVID-19.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE NEED TO ADDRESS IS COUNSELING.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH LAWMAKERS TO TRY AND INCREASE THE LEVEL OF SCHOOL COUNSELORS.

AND THESE ARE THE ACTUAL COUNSELORS THAT ARE TRAINED IN THE PROFESSION WHO HAVE A DEAL WITH THESE TRAUMATIC EVENTS.

THEY RECOMMENDED NUMBER IS 250 STUDENTS PER COUNSELOR.

OKLAHOMA IS IN THE LOW 400s.

WE ARE BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, BUT WE NEED IMPROVEMENT.

>> LACK OF ATTENTION TO MENTAL HEALTHCARE, NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN BUT FOR ADULTS WHO NEED IT, AND WE SEE THE SOURCE OF SOCIAL UNREST, WE HAVE SHOOTINGS AND WE HAVE THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.

AGAIN WE GET BACK TO THAT CYCLE, RIGHT?

WHY CAN'T WE HAVE MORE COUNSELORS FOR OUR CHILDREN WHEN THEY NEED IT MOST?

>> WELL, THAT'S THE GOLDEN QUESTION, RIGHT?

WHY CAN'T WE.

MY GUESS IS IT'S RESOURCES, RESOURCES, RESOURCES.

WHERE ARE OUR PRIORITIES AND WHAT DO WE DECIDE TO FUND AS A STATE?

AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S JUST THE CHALLENGE.

WE HAVE THE FINITE AMOUNT OF RESOURCES TO DOLE OUT FOR WHAT WE CONSIDER CORE SERVICES, AND WE ALSO HAVE VERY GENEROUS PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY THAT CONTRIBUTES A WEALTH OF GOOD TO OUR SOCIAL SERVICE INDUSTRY.

BUT AGAIN, WE NEED A CONSTANT SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH.

AND I THINK YOU BRING UP EXCELLENT POINT SUSAN.

HEALTHY CHILDREN COME FROM HEALTHY PARENTS.

AND SO YOU KNOW, YOU CAN BEEF UP ALL YOU WANT IN A CHILD CARE SETTING AND IN A SCHOOL SETTING, AND THEY CAN HAVE SOME REALLY FINE WONDERFUL HOURS IN A DAY, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THEY GO HOME, THERE IS FOOD AND SECURITY AND NURTURING ENVIRONMENT AND THAT COMES WITH PARENTS FEEL LIKE THEY CAN PROVIDE THAT, THAT THEY HAVE THE EMOTIONAL AND ECONOMIC STABILITY TO PROVIDE THAT TO THEIR KIDS.

>> SUSAN CAN I ADD ON SOMETHING THERE TOO?

THERE ARE LEGISLATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT CERTAINLY CAN HAPPEN, BUT A LOT OF THIS IS ALREADY OUT THERE.

THIS IS ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS THAT THE TRAUMA INFORMED CARE TASK FORCE LOOKED AT.

ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS THAT IS WORKING THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THE BILL FILED BY SHERRY CONNELLY TO TRY AND PARTNER WITH SOME OF THOSE EXISTING SERVICES OUT THERE.

THE YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAMS HAVE COUNSELING BUILT INTO THEIR SYSTEM.

THE PROBLEM IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THOSE YOUTH SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS HAVEN'T BEEN MATCHED UP TOGETHER.

THERE IS LEGISLATION THAT IS WORKING TO TRY AND IMPROVE THAT WHERE THERE IS AN EXISTING COUNSELING SERVICE IN A RURAL AREA, THEY SHOULD BE PARTNERED WITH THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT.

LIKEWISE WE HAVE PLACES LIKE VARIETY CARE THAT OFFER COUNSELING SERVICES.

SO THE FEDERAL QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS CERTAINLY CAN PROVIDE THAT ASPECT.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT ADDRESSING IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER THAT WILL PROVIDE THAT COUNSELING.

THE FLIP SIDE FOR YEARS THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS WE HAD SOME LAWMAKERS TRYING TO INCREASE SCHOOL SUSPENSIONS AND PUNISHMENT.

RATHER THAN GET THE KIDS THE COUNSELING SERVICES.

OICA HAS BEEN WORKING AGAINST THAT.

OKLAHOMA IS ACTUALLY BEEN ONE OF THE LEADERS IN THE NATION AS FAR AS NOT SUSPENDING YOUNG CHILDREN.

AND WE HAVE BILLS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED THAT ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE AGE I SHOULD SAY DECREASE THE AGE DOWN TO PRESCHOOL.

SO OICA IS WORKING WITH LAWMAKERS TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE LAWMAKERS UNDERSTAND COUNSELING WILL HELP THESE KIDS, SUSPENSIONS, PUT THEM IN THE PIPELINE TO PRISON.

AND THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> SO WE ARE GOING TO STEP INTO A MORE POSITIVE ASPECT OF THIS.

AND JOE I'M GOING TO START WITH YOU.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN?

N THE FUTURE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

I THINK ACKNOWLEDGING YOU HAVE A PROBLEM IS USUALLY THE FIRST STEP, RIGHT?

IS OKLAHOMA ACKNOWLEDGING THAT?

>> YES.

AND THAT'S BEEN ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS.

IT STARTED UNDER GOVERNOR FALLON'S ADMINISTRATION.

WE WERE IN THE 10,000 RANGE FOR FOSTER KIDS IN THE SYSTEM.

WE'RE JUST UNDER 8,000 NOW.

SO THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE THROUGH THE TWO ADMINISTRATIONS FOCUSING ON THIS, THE WORK THAT'S BEEN DONE ON THE PINNACLE PLAN WITH WHAT WE'RE SEEING AS FAR AS STRANGERS IN THE SYSTEM, AND GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF ACES AND WE JUST HAD A HUGE WIN AT FEDERAL LEVEL WITH INCREASING THE FUNDING FOR THE CHAFEY PROGRAM THAT WILL HELP WITH THE KIDS THAT ARE AGING OUT.

MARK MULLIN WAS ONE OF THE CHAMPIONS OF THAT IN CONGRESS.

WE ARE GOING TO SEE SOME GOOD OPPORTUNITIES THERE, FUNDING IS COMING.

THE STATE AGENCIES UNDERSTAND THIS.

DIRECTOR JUSTIN BROWN HAD A FOCUS ON THIS.

I'M CONFIDENT WE'RE GOING TO SEE BETTER OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE WE HAVE THOSE LEADERS WHO ARE WILLING TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES.

WE DO NEED FOSTER PARENTS, JUST LIKE ANNETTE SAID.

WE GOT SOME GREAT PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE SERVING AS FOSTER PARENTS AT ALL LEVELS.

AND WE NEED THOSE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE KIDS THAT ARE DEALING WITH TRAUMATIC ISSUES.

THERE ARE ADDITIONAL INCENTIVES THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE FOSTER PARENT WHOSE TAKE IN KIDS WITH TRAUMA, INCREASE COUNSELING SERVICES, BUT WE NEED THOSE UNDERSTANDING PARENT WHOSE ARE WILLING TO TAKE ON THAT CHALLENGE.

>> YOU SAID EARLIER THERE IS SOME POSITIVE THINGS GOING ON.

NOW IS THE TIME TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, I JUST HAD TO TELL YOU, I AM SO PROUD OF OUR STATE.

OKLAHOMA LONG AGO ADOPTED THE IDEA OF IMPLEMENTING BEST PRACTICES AND EVIDENCE BASED PROGRAMS.

WE REALLY WERE AN EARLY ADOPTER IN THE 90'S.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I THINK THAT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS WHEN THE ECONOMY WAS GOOD AND THE GOVERNMENT WAS ABLE TO INVEST IN THESE PROGRAMS, WE SAW A HUGE UPTICK IN SOCIAL SERVICES THAT WERE PREVENTIVE, AND THAT'S WHAT I REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT, THIS IDEA OF CREATING COMMUNITY HOPE CENTERS, THAT DHS AND THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ARE ROLLING OUT, PLACES WHERE ALL FAMILIES, YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE TAGGED WITH A FAMILY WITH A STRUGGLE OR A CHALLENGE.

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE WITH DIAPERS OR YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR BITING TODDLER THERE IS A PLACE YOU CAN GO FOR HEALTHY HAPPY POSITIVE INTERACTION.

WE DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE TO BE ON THE DOORSTEP OF CHILD WELFARE IN ORDER TO GET HELP.

AND I THINK OKLAHOMA HAS THIS REALLY GREAT PATCHWORK QUILT VERSION OF SUPPORT AND SERVICES.

OUR PROBLEM IS THEY'RE JUST NOT AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE.

IT'S A MATTER OF CONNECTING THEM AND GETTING RESOURCES TO THOSE PLACES WHERE THERE IS A DESERT.

>> SO HOW LONG IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT TAKE?

I MEAN, WE NEED HELP NOW.

JOE SAYS WE'RE NUMBER ONE.

>> SO JOE I MEAN I THINK THE QUESTION IS IT COULD TAKE A WHILE, RIGHT?

BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE SERVICES ARE NEEDED AND THEN WHERE THE FUNDING IS GOING TO COME FROM.

AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR, THERE ARE ROLES FOR THE GENERAL CITIZEN TO PLAY IN PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE.

THAT CAN BE DONATING THE CLOTHES OF YOUR CHILD WHEN THEY GET -- THEY OUTGROW THEM TO RESOURCE THAT CAN HAND THOSE CHILDREN'S CLOTHING ON, SOMETHING THAT SIMPLE CAN BE SO, SO USEFUL.

AND THEN THERE ARE ROLES WHERE WE NEED SUPER, SUPER HIGHLY SKILLED PROFESSIONALS TO WORK WITH FOLKS TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR.

AND THAT IS WHERE IT COSTS MORE IN UPFRONT, BUT IT SAVES US A LOT OF MONEY IN THE END.

THAT'S WHERE WE STRUGGLE, IS INVESTING IN THOSE KINDS OF SERVICES.

>> IF THERE ARE CITIZENS WHO WANT TO HELP, PROFESSIONALS WHO CARE AND WANT TO HELP, PRO BONO TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, WHO DO THEY CALL?

DO THEY CALL YOU GUYS?

DO WE HAVE TO WAIT ON A BILL TO BE APPROVED IN THE LEGISLATURE?

>> NO, THEY CERTAINLY CAN CALL JOE OR CALL ME.

AND WE CAN CONNECT THEM WITH AN AGENCY OR AN OUTFIT THAT WANTS TO UTILIZE THEIR SERVICES, ABSOLUTELY.

THERE IS TRULY SUSAN A PLACE FOR EVERYONE IN THE STATE TO ASSIST WITH THE PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

>> AND I CAN GIVE YOU A PERFECT EXAMPLE.

I RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM A WOMAN IN NORMAN WHO WANTED TO DONATE A SUITCASE BECAUSE SHE HEARD FOSTER KIDS OFTENTIMES HAVE TO PACK UP BELONGINGS IN A TRASH BAG.

ONE PERSON, WANTED TO DONATE A SUITCASE.

THE BOARD IN NORMAN DOES THINGS LIKE THAT WE ARE WORKING TO TRY AND CREATE A NETWORK AND A DIRECTORY OF SERVICES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE BE A NEIGHBOR PROGRAM AND DHS, SOMETHING HAPPENING WITH THE COUNT ME IN FOR KIDS COLLABORATIVE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

OICA PUBLISHES A DESKTOP PROGRAM WITH 365 DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, ONE RECOGNIZED EACH DAY.

WE'RE TRYING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THOSE GREAT PROGRAMS OUT THERE WORKING TO BENEFIT KIDS.

AND IT SIMPLY TAKES GETTING ON THE INTERNET DOING A SEARCH, GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND LOOK AT THE DIRECTORY OF SERVICES THAT ARE AVAILABLE, AND GET INVOLVED.

THE FIRST STEP IS DECIDING THAT YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO WITH ADVOCACY.

WE ALSO WORK TO TRY AND TRAIN PEOPLE ABOUT THE PROCESS, EDUCATE THEM ABOUT HOW TO BE INFLUENTIAL WITH THE CAPITAL.

IT TAKES ONE PERSON VOTING AND SPEAKING UP.

AS A FORMER LAWMAKER I CAN SAY ON THE BILLS THAT WERE FILED, WE HEARD MAYBE A COMMENT OR TWO ABOUT 5% OF THE BILLS THAT WERE ACTUALLY FILED.

LAWMAKERS NEED TO HEAR THESE STORIES FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES, SO THEY CAN MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS.

>> I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SHARE A WEBSITE FOR FOLKS THAT THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO TO TO ACT ON WHAT THEY LEARNED TODAY.

>> ENCOURAGE ME TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE OK.GOV/OCCY.

AND WE HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE, AS WELL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I WOULD LIKE TO HANG YOU BOTH FOR SHARING YOUR INSIGHT WITH US TODAY.

AND I KNOW IT WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OUR OKLAHOMA CHILDREN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> SUSAN ALWAYS A GREAT CONVERSATION.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE HEAD EAST TO SPARTA, TENNESSEE, TO MEET A YOUNG TEACHER COMBINING HER LOVE OF EDUCATION WITH THE ART OF MICRO BREWING.

CRAIG GRAY REPORTS FROM COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE.

♪ >> I AM A PRESCHOOL TEACHER.

I'VE BEEN TEACHING FOR NINE YEARS, AND A FEW YEARS AGO WE DECIDED TO TAKE UP HOME BREWING AND LEARNING ABOUT THE BREWING PROCESS, CREATING RECIPES AND MAKING OUR OWN BEER OURSELVES AND OUR FRIENDS.

AND I DECIDED I WANTED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BREWING.

AND AS WE STARTED BREWING MORE AND MORE BEER, PEOPLE REALLY STARTED TO ENJOY IT, WE STARTED SHARING WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND I ACTUALLY ENTERED A FEW COMPETITIONS.

AND WON A FEW MEDALS WITH DIFFERENT BREWS.

SO I STARTED TO THINK MAYBE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE COULD DO.

AND I FOUND A PROGRAM WHERE I COULD LEARN MORE ABOUT BREWING, AND THE ACTUAL PROCESS OF OWNING A BREWERY.

THE OPERATIONS, THE SCIENCE OF IT, AND I MADE THE CHOICE TO ACTUALLY ATTEND SCHOOL AND BECOME A MASTER BREWER.

AS WE LEARNED MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS OF BREWING, IT WAS VERY EVIDENT I LOVED TRUE TO STYLE BEERS, I LOVED BREWING ANYTHING THAT I COULD FOLLOW MY RECIPE, AND I KNEW EXACTLY THE KIND OF BEER I WAS GOING TO GET FROM MY RECIPES.

AS I LEARNED MORE I REALIZED THAT WAS THE WAY THAT I WANTED TO GO WAS MY ACTUAL BREWING, AND I WENT STRAIGHT IN TO THE ALL GREEN, WHICH MEANS ALWAYS BREW USING GRAINS ONLY, NO EXTRACT.

WE DID FIVE-GALLON BATCHES.

WE USED ALL DIFFERENT HOPS.

WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE OUR OWN RECIPES, ABLE TO BUILD THOSE USING THE THINGS THAT WE KNEW THAT WE ENJOYED.

WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE WANTED TO DO AS A BREWERY, WHAT WE WANTED TO HAVE AS FAR AS OUR CONCEPT, WE STARTED TO THINK ABOUT THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR AREA, AND WE HAVE ALWAYS LOVED AS A FAMILY GOING HIKING, DO THINGS AT STATE PARKS.

WE GO CAMPING A LOT.

WHEN WE STARTED TRYING TO THINK OF SOMETHING WE COULD DO TO RELATE WAS THE STATE PARK.

WE REACHED OUT TO TENNESSEE STATE PARKS, AND PRESENTED THEM WITH AN IDEA.

WHAT COULD THAT LOOK LIKE AS A PARTNERSHIP.

WE CAME UP WITH THE IDEA THAT WE WOULD NAME OUR BEERS THINGS TO DO WITH STATE PARKS, WHETHER IT'S OUR BURGESS WINE, WHICH IS NAMED AFTER THE BURGESS FALLS.

AND WHATEVER A RANGER BROWN WHICH IS NAMED AFTER A PARK RANKER, OF COURSE.

WE KNEW THOSE WERE THINGS WE WANTED TO PRESENT WITH THE PARKS AND SEE HOW THEY WOULD FEEL ABOUT IT.

WE ACTUALLY FOUND A -- SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH THEM STATING WE WOULD DONATE BEER EACH YEAR TO SOME OF THEIR EVENTS THEY HOLD.

WE SERVED BEER FOR THE PRODUCTS ACROSS TENNESSEE AND WE HAVE PLANS TO SERVE SEVERAL UPCOMING EVENTS.

SO IT'S NEAT TO SEE HOW RECEPTIVE THEY WERE FOR OUR PLAN.

AND IT'S ADVERTISEMENT FOR US AS WELL AS ADVERTISEMENT FOR THEM, AND HERE IN OUR BREWERY ACTUALLY HAVE A VERY LARGE MAP THAT SHOWS ALL 56 OF THE STATE PARKS ACROSS THE STATE OF TENNESSEE.

SO THAT IS PRETTY NEAT TO SEE PEOPLE TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT THEY'RE THAT CLOSE TO THAT MANY STATE PARKS.

THAT IS JUST A REALLY NEAT THING THAT WE CAN DO TO JUST SHOW OUR LOVE FOR TENNESSEE AND SHOW PEOPLE WHAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY COME IN TO OUR AREA.

WE HAVE OUR PAY IT FORWARD, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEAT, THAT WE'VE SEEN IN A FEW BREWERIES, WHERE PEOPLE CAN COME IN AND BUY A BEER AND IT CAN BE FOR ANYBODY, OR YOU KNOW, ANY OCCUPATION.

WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE BUY BEERS FOR VETERANS OR TEACHERS, SPECIFIC NAMES.

IF YOU KNOW YOU GOT A FRIEND COMING IN TO THE BREWERY YOU CAN BUY THEM A BEER, AND THEY COME IN AND SEE THEIR NAME ON THE WALL.

THAT IS PRETTY COOL TO SEE PEOPLE COME IN AND THEY FEEL LIKE THEY'RE IMPORTANT WHEN THEY SEE THAT UP THERE.

AND IT'S A WAY FOR YOU KNOW FOR YOU TO GIVE BACK TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT'S A REALLY NEAT THING FOR PEOPLE TO SEE WHEN THEY WALK IN TO OUR BREWERY, NOT JUST LIKE WALKING INTO A BAR.

YOU WALK IN AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY TRYING NEW BEERS.

THEY WANT TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS.

THEY'RE NOT HERE JUST TO BE AT A SPORTS BAR WHERE YOU GO AND YOU KNOW THEY TAKE SHOTS OR POUND ALCOHOL.

NOBODY DOES THAT.

IT'S A DIFFERENT FEELING.

PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME TO BRING THEIR KIDS AND TO COME AND SPEND AN AFTERNOON WITH THEIR FAMILIES OR EVEN FOR LIVE MUSIC WE HAVE PEOPLE COME TO SEE MUSIC WHO ARE YOUNGER, AND BRING A YOUNGER CROWD AND IT'S OKAY, BECAUSE WE HAVE CRAFT SODAS, AS WELL, AND WE HAVE WATER AND YOU KNOW PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY CAN COME HERE AND BE WELCOME NO MATTER WHAT.

IT'S A REALLY NEAT THING TO SEE THE CROWD THAT COMES HERE IS NOT GOING TO BE THE KIND OF PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO START BAR FIGHTS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT'S A REALLY NEAT WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND.

WE'VE REALLY COME TO REALIZE THAT PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO.

THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO THAT THEY FEEL SAFE AND WELCOME AND THEY CAN HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> HAPPY TRAILS WAS NAMED ONE OF THE TOP 50 MICROBREWERIES IN THE NATION.

SO MUST BE TASTY.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," WE'RE GOING TO TELL YOU HOW OKLAHOMA'S DRINKING WATER STACKS UP AGAINST THE REST OF THE NATION.

AND TAKE YOU TO A SMALL TOWN THAT STRUGGLES LIKE MANY IN OUR STATES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF THEIR TAP WATER.

WE'RE GOING TO GO UNDERGROUND TO SAY GOOD NIGHT NOW.

JONATHON THOMPSON TAKES HIS CAMERA INTO THE TUNNELS UNDER OKLAHOMA CITY.

DID YOU KNOW THEY'RE THERE?

I'M RICH LENZ.

HERE IS HOPING FOR A BETTER 2021 FOR ALL OF US.

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