.

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

WHILE THE ARRIVAL OF TWO COVID-19 VACCINES IS A SIGN OF PROGRESS AND HOPE, THERE'S NO QUESTION THE VIRUS IS AS RAMPANT IN OKLAHOMA AS IT'S EVER BEEN.

LAST SUNDAY THE STATE SHATTERED THE PREVIOUS ONE DAY TOTAL FOR NEW CASES.

OVER 6,000 CASES IN A SINGLE DAY.

THE FACILITIES ARE COPING WITH THE EXPECTED HOLIDAY SURGE NOW TAKING ITS TOLL.

>> WE HAVE NEVER HAD TO PLAN FOR THE FLU WITH BAGS AND TRANSFERRING PATIENTS OUT OF STATE.

>> IN THE PAST WEEK, THE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE JUST UNDER 2,000 CASES.

>> I'M WORRIED ABOUT THIS, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THIS PANDEMIC, WHEN WE SEE AN INCREASE OF POSITIVE CASES, WITHIN DAYS, TYPICALLY TWO WEEKS WE SEE AN INCREASE OF HOSPITALIZATIONS.

SINCE THE HOLIDAYS, WE HAVE SEEN INCREASE AND SO WE KNOW THE NEXT 30 TO 45 DAYS BASED ON THE POSITIVE RATES THAT WE SEE TODAY ARE VERY TROUBLING TO US.

>> THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE UPWARD TREND MIGHT AFFECT COVID-19 CARE AND THE CARE FOR ALL PATIENTS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE'RE EXPERIENCING AT CAPACITY NUMBERS EVERY DAY.

WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO MOVE PATIENTS AROUND, BUT EVERY DAY, IT'S SORT OF MANAGING WHAT'S COMING IN OUR DOOR, WE ARE HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS OBJECT SURGERY THAT IS WE HOPED TO NEVER HAVE TO MAKE.

>> HOSPITALIZATIONS DUE TO COVID-19 PEAKED ON JANUARY 10 AT 1,926 PATIENTS.

ICU PATIENTS PEAKED THREE DAYS LATER AT 477.

BETWEEN THOSE AND NONCOVID-19 PATIENTS, OKLAHOMA HAS JUST 5% OF THE ADULT ICU BEDS AVAILABLE.

>> IF YOU WERE A RESTAURANT, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, FLOODED WITH 40% MORE CUSTOMERS AND HAD THE SAME STRESS, THAT WOULD BE DISTRESSING AND CHALLENGING.

THE HOSPITALS TRY TO ANTICIPATE THE VOLUME AND MATCH THE STAFF TO THE VOLUME.

IN THIS CASE, WE'VE BEEN AT THIS FOR MONTHS, AND DONE EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BRING IN STAFF.

>> OKLAHOMA CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 700 NURSES PER 100,000 PEOPLE.

OKLAHOMA IS BEHIND BY 28,000 TOTAL NURSES.

>> THIS VIRUS IS VERY CONTAGIOUS, AND THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE EXPOSED AND BECOME POSITIVE WE HAVE TO SEND THEM HOME.

ALL HOSPITALS ARE STRUGGLING WITH HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE QUARANTINED RIGHT NOW, COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT WE RELY ON STAFFING AGENCIES FOR NURSES.

WHEN WE'RE NOT IN COVID-19 TIME, WE'RE IN COVID-19 TIME NOW, AND WE'RE COMPETING AGAINST OTHER STATES FOR NURSE STAFFINGS.

>> EFFORTS ARE MADE TO HELP MITIGATE THE PROBLEMS.

>> LAST SPRING WE CAME TOGETHER AND DEVELOPED A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WE OFFERED TO SENIOR LEVEL NURSING STUDENTS AT OU, WHERE THEY WOULD BE EMPLOYED BY THE HOSPITALS SYSTEM.

AND DURING THEIR EMPLOYMENT WOULD ALSO ACHIEVE CLINICAL CREDIT FOR THEIR WORK.

>> THE NURSE WORK FORCE INITIATIVE HELP STUDENTS ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS THAT HOPEFULLY KEEP THEM IN OKLAHOMA.

THE INITIAL SUCCESS MEANS EXPANSION.

>> WE'RE EXPANDING THAT IN THE SPRING SEMESTER AND THE FINAL SEMESTER FOR THE STUDENTS.

WE'RE GROWING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS FROM 35 TO 50.

REALLY EXCITED LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM TO HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE IN THEIR FINAL SEMESTER OF THEIR SENIOR YEAR.

OUR INTENTION IS THAT TRANSLATES TO FULL-TIME NURSES THAT JOIN US AFTER GRADUATION AND ONCE THEY RECEIVE THEIR LICENSE.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE ORDER IN MARCH TO ALLOW HOSPITALS TO EMPLOY NURSES WAITING ON A LICENSE HAS RELIEVED SOME OF THE TENSIONS.

>> CRISIS -- ACROSS THE BOARD.

SO THAT HORRIFIC FUTURE THAT WE'RE DOING EVERYTHING TO AVOID, IT WOULD BE APPLIED TO EVERYONE IN THE NURSING DEPARTMENT, WHETHER COMING IN FOR A HEART ATTACK OR CAR ACCIDENT OR COVID-19, THE CRISIS TO APPLY TO EVERYONE.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO STEM THIS TIDE IS TO STEM COMMUNITY SPREAD, THAT'S THE ONLY WAY.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SAYS THE SPIKE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES IS PARTIALLY DUE TO REDUCED TESTING AND A LESS CONSISTENT REPORTING SCHEDULE IN THE HOLIDAYS.

222 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS, RAISING THE DEATH TOLL TO 2,925.

ON TUESDAY, GOVERNOR ANNOUNCING ALL SENIORS 75 AND OLDER CAN RECEIVE THE VACCINE IMMEDIATELY.

AND NOW ON, THOSE EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS AT SCHOOL WILL NOT HAVE TO ISOLATE AT HOME AS LONG AS EVERYONE IN THE CLASSROOM, WEARING A MASK AND OBSERVING SOCIAL DISTANCING.

>> INPERSON SCHOOL IS SAFE, AND IT'S WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR KIDS.

I BELIEVE IN LOCAL CONTROL, AND I'LL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR OKLAHOMAENS, TO DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR THEIR KIDS.

PARENTS NEED THE OPTION TO GET THEIR KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL.

THE DECISIONS ABOUT SCHOOL SHOULD BE MADE BY PARENTS AT A DINNER TABLE.

>> THE OKLAHOMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION OPPOSES THE NEW RULES AND THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS SAY THEY DON'T APPEAR TO FOLLOW CDC GUIDELINES OR BEST PRACTICES OF MITIGATION OF THE VIRUS.

>>> EMPLOYEES AND PATIENTS OF THE VETERAN CENTERS ARE PART OF THE PHASE 1 VACCINATION GROUP.

THEY'RE FIRST IN LINE.

HOWEVER, THEY WERE NOT HAPPY AT THE RATE THEY WERE RECEIVING THE VACCINE SO THEY MADE A CHANGE.

WHAT SPECIFICALLY THE ISSUES ENCOUNTERED BY OKLAHOMA VA CENTERS?

>> THERE'S TWO ENTITIES VACCINATING, THERE'S THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND THEN THERE'S THE CVS WALGREENS FEDERAL PROGRAM AND THEY'RE VACCINATING THE REST OF THEM.

DEPENDING ON WHERE THE FACILITY SIGNED UP.

IT TOOK LONGER FOR THEM TO GET THE FACILITIES SCHEDULED AND TO ROLL IT OUT.

>> THE STATE TOOK OVER THE PROGRAM, CORRECT?

>> WE HAVE MORE THAN 650 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ALL TOGETHER, NURSING HOMES WHICH MAKE UP 250 OF THOSE WERE THE PRIORITY.

MOST OF THOSE HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED THEIR FIRST -- AND MOVING ON TO SECOND ROUND OF THE VACCINE.

BUT THE VETERANS CENTERS WE WERE NOT VACCINATED.

ONE WAS BY CVS ON JANUARY 2, BUT THERE'S SEVEN TOTAL, SIX MORE CENTERS OF VETERANS WERE LEFT UNEVACUATION NATUREDED AND LAST WEEK, COMMISSIONER AT THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THEY WERE TIRED OF WAITING, THEY FELT THE VETERANS NEEDED THE VACCINE ASAP, AND THEY HAD THE RESOURCES TO DO IT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK WENT WRONG IN OKLAHOMA AND WILL WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS GOING FORWARD?

>> IT'S A DIFFICULT PROCESS, AND DETAIL INTENSIVE.

IT'S A BIG LIST.

>> WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED OF THE PATIENTS AND THE EMPLOYEES THEMSELVES?

ARE THEY EMBRACING GETTING THE VACCINE OR STILL SOME RESISTANCE TO THAT?

>> SOME FACILITIES I'VE PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO HAVE HAD A REALLY GOOD TURNOUT IN TERMS OF RESIDENTS AND WORKERS WHO WANT THE VACCINE, AND FEEL LIKE THIS IS WHAT THEY NEED TO GET THEIR FACILITIES BACK TO NORMAL.

TO GET VISITORS BACK IN, AND GROUP ACTIVITIES GOING AGAIN, AND REALLY JUST TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND SAVE LIVES.

OTHERS, ARE MORE SKEPTICAL.

THEY'RE MISTRUSTING OF THIS VACCINE THAT WAS RUSHED THROUGH.

THEY'RE CONCERNED OF LONG TERM SYMPTOMS OR A REACTION.

I SAW A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WERE HESITANT.

THERE'S A LOT OF WORKERS WHO DECIDED THEY WOULD WAIT AND TURN DOWN THE VACCINE ON THE FIRST ROLLOUT.

>> I'M SURPRISED THEY WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO GET THE VACCINE, OUR SENIOR CARE FACILITIES, VA CENTERS, SOME OF THE HARDEST HIT BY CORONAVIRUS.

>> THERE WERE 74 DEATHS AMONG STAFF AND RESIDENTS JUST AT THE VETERANS CENTERS.

IN THE ENTIRE STATE, THERE'S BEEN MORE THAN 10,000 INFECTIONS OF THE CORONAVIRUS, AND 813 DEATHS IN THOSE FACILITIES STATEWIDE, AND WE CAN'T FORGET THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF FOLKS WHO LIVE IF THE FACILITIES, HAVEN'T SEEN THEIR LOVED ONES IN MONTHS.

>> THOSE ARE SOBERING NUMBERS.

ONCE AGAIN, YOUR REPORTING IS EXCELLENTLY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>>> AS OF FRIDAY, 169 OKLAHOMAENS HAVE RECEIVED THE FIRST OF THE TWO SHOTS.

YOU'LL BE ASKED TO COMPLETE A QUICK SURVEY TO DETERMINE WHEN YOU'RE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

>>> WHERE DOES OKLAHOMA RANK IN TERMS OF WATER.

THERE'S A REPORT THAT RANKED OKLAHOMA 49TH OUT OF 50 STATES IN OVERALL WATER QUALITY.

MAINE WAS DEEMED WORST, AND THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND TOPPED THE LIST.

>> ALL DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS ARE MONITORED ROUTINELY FOR A WHOLE SERIES OF POTENTIAL CONTAMINATES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR WATER IS SAFE FOR OKLAHOMAENS TO DRINK.

>> IMPROVING THE WATER QUALITY IS AN ONGOING CHALLENGE FOR DOZENS OF OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES.

A LOW INTEREST RATE LOAN FROM THE STATE TO BUILD A PIPELINE THAT'LL GUARANTEE DEPENDABLE WATER SOURCE FOR THE NEXT 40 TO 50 YEARS.

BUT MANY CITIES CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

ONR REPORTS A SMALL TOWN THAT'S STRUGGLING TO PROVIDE QUALITY TAP WATER TO THE CITIZENS.

>> YOU CAN'T DRINK IT OR COOK WITH IT.

I DO NOT GIVE IT TO MY ANIMALS.

>> SANDY LASSITER IS TALKING ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE WITH THE TOWN OF HOBERT'S TAP WATER.

>> WE HAD TO GET A SHOWER FILTER, BECAUSE MY HUSBAND HAS VERY SENSITIVE SKIN.

>> SHE'S ONE OF SEVERAL WHO SOUNDED OFF ON SOCIAL MEDIA RECENTLY OF WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

IT'S A POPULATION OF JUST UNDER 4,000.

>> 90% OF THE TIME IT SMELLS LIKE BLEACH, OR IT'S BROWN.

>> IT SMELLS WHEN YOU WASH YOUR CLOTHES AND WHITE CLOTHES DON'T STAY WHITE LONG.

>> THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT HAS BEEN SHUT DOWN SINCE 2010.

AND THAT'S NOT ANYBODY'S FAULT.

IT USED TO GET THE WATER FROM ROCKY LAKE, NINE MILES NORTH OF TOWN.

THE ROCKY SERVED HOBERT WELL, A SUPPLY THAT WASN'T TO LAST 50 YEARS, LASTED 80.

AND THE LAKE NOW IS JUST TOO LOW.

HOBERT WAS LEFT IN A CATCH 22.

>> WE STARTED RESEARCHING DIFFERENT OPTIONS, WE LOOKED AT WELLS, AND OTHER SOURCES TO BUY FROM, AND OUR BEST OPTION ENDED UP BEING REHABBING ROCKY LAKE.

>> BEFORE HOBERT CAN REHAB ROCKY, IT HAS TO DRY.

THAT PROCESS SHE SAYS COULD TAKE FOUR TO FIVE YEARS, AND AROUND $18 MILLION.

>> THAT'S KIND OF ON THE HIGH END, IT'S A REALLY LARGE PROJECT AND WE'RE LOOKING AT TRYING TO GROUP SOME GRANTS AND LOANS, WE ALREADY HAVE A COUPLE OF LOANS THAT WE'RE PAYING ON TO DO THE DREDGING.

>> THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WATER DIVISION DIRECTOR IS SYMPATHETIC TO THEIR PLIGHT.

>> IT'S A LONG TIME AND LONG DISTANCE FOR WATER TO BE IN A PIPELINE.

THIS CAN CAUSE ISSUES WITH SOME OF THE SETTLING THAT MAY OCCUR.

IT CAN CAUSE CHANGES IN THE DISINFECTION LEVEL.

THEY'RE TAKING STEPS, THE CHLORINE, AND BOOSTERS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROBLEMS.

>> THE RESIDENTS SAY SHE TRIES TO STICK TO BOTTLED WATER, BUT HER TAP WATER MAKES HER SICK.

>> AFTER I USE THE BOTTLED WATER, I TURN AROUND AND DRINK THIS, I GET A DRINK OF IT, IT MAKES MY STOMACH HURT.

AND MAKES ME GO TO THE BATHROOM.

>> THEY REGULARLY TEST WATER SYSTEMS ALL OVER THE STATE, AND THEY ALERT TOWNS AND RESIDENTS IF IT'S NOT SAFE.

>> THERE'S VARIOUS LEVELS OF UNSAFE.

THERE'S CERTAIN CONTAMINATES THAT IF THERE'S BACTERIA IN THE WATER, THAT CAN CAUSE AN IMMEDIATE ILLNESS TODAY, AT THAT POINT, WE ISSUE BOIL ORDERS, WHERE THE RESIDENTS HAVE TO BOIL THE WATER BEFORE THEY USE IT, SO THE BACTERIA IS KILLED.

IF IT'S A CHEMICAL CONTAMINATE, WE MAY ISSUE A DO NOT USE ORDER.

BOILING DOESN'T HELP.

>> HOBERT IS ALSO HAMPERED BY WATER LINE BREAKS.

>> HOBERT WAS STARTED IN 1901.

LIKE A LOT OF TOWNS AND CITIES IN OKLAHOMA, AND ESPECIALLY IN SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE A VERY OLD INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> ANYONE, ANYWHERE IN OKLAHOMA CAN CALL THE DEG 24/7 AT THIS HOT LINE WATER IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A WATER LINE ISSUE.

>> YOU'LL TALK TO A REAL PERSON, YOU WILL GET A PHONE CALL BACK FROM AN EXPERT IN THAT AREA.

YOU WILL HAVE A SITE VISIT FROM A DEQ PERSON.

>> ALL THE SAYING, THEY'RE WORKING ON IT, AND WORKING ON IT, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN YOU GET DONE, FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, THAT'S A LONG TIME TO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THIS WATER.

AND SOMETIMES YOU TURN IT ON, IT SMELLS LIKE DEAD FISH.

IT GAGS YOU.

>> WE NEED HELP.

IT'S NOT A WATER PROBLEM, BUT THE WATER LINE PROBLEM.

>> HE THINKS THE WATER IS OKAY, FOR NOW.

>> I THINK WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT MOST SMALL TOWNS HAVE IN OKLAHOMA, THERE'S NO FUNDING TO UPDATE THE OLD PIPES.

ALSO, WE HAVE OLD HOUSES.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU, AND ON A POSITIVE NOTE, THE AMERICAN WATER WORKS ASSOCIATION AWARDED OKLAHOMA CITY ITS BEST OF THE BEST TAP WATER COMPETITION BACK IN 2013, BEATING OUT INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MINNESOTA.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, A U.S. PRESIDENT HAS BEEN IMPEACHED, TWICE.

TEN REPUBLICANS VOTING IN FAVOR OF OF IMPEACHMENT.

ALL FIVE OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES, OPPOSE THE MOVE, LED BY CONGRESSMAN COLE.

>> I CAN THINK OF NO ACTION IN THE HOUSE TO TAKE TO MORE LIKELY DIVIDE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND THE ACTION WE'RE CONTEMPLATING TODAY.

EMOTIONS ARE HIGH, AND POLITICAL DECISIONS ARE NEVER MORE APPARENT IN MY LIFETIME.

WE NEED A PATH FORWARD, HEALING FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

IT'S UNFORTUNATE THE PATH IS NOT TODAY.

>> THESE WERE NOT PROTESTERS, PATRIOTS, THEY WERE TRAITORS.

AND THEY WERE AGENTING UNDER THE ORDERS OF DONALD TRUMP.

SOME SUGGESTED THAT WE MOVE ON, BUT THAT'S -- OF OUR DUTY.

AND OTHERS TALKED ABOUT UNITY, BUT WE CAN'T HAVE THAT WITHOUT TRUTH AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> MCCONNELL SAYS THE TRIAL WON'T START UNTIL AFTER DONALD TRUMP LEAVES OFFICE.

JOE BIDEN WILL BE SWORN IN ON JANUARY 20, REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST, WE HAVE IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE IMPEACHMENT.

>>> LEADERS IN STATE PUBLIC EDUCATION MADE THE SHORT TRIP TO THE CAPITOL TO MAKE THEIR CASE TO INCREASE FUNDING.

HOW MUCH MONEY THEY'RE SEEKING, WHAT THEY PLAN TO SPEND IT ON.

>> $2.2 BILLION.

>> THAT'S A LOWER AMOUNT THAN PUBLIC EDUCATION RECEIVED IN THE PAST.

BUT THAT BRINGS US BACK TO WHERE WE WERE WITH THE BUDGET REQUEST LAST YEAR.

>> THE BUDGET REQUEST TAKING IN ACCOUNT THE YEAR IS FAR FROM NORMAL.

>> WE TAKE A BUDGET THAT'S REFLECTIVE OF OUR STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE EIGHT YEAR PLAN IN EDUCATION, THAT BENEFITS THE STUDENTS AND THE EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT.

BUT WE'RE ALSO THINKING OF THE NEEDS THAT'LL HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> ONE OF THE MAIN PRIORITIES, INCREASING THE NUMBER OF COUNSELORS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS.

>> WE NEED THE COUNSELORS TO BE THERE IN SCHOOL, AND ALSO THOSE HELPING OUR STUDENTS WITH THE ACADEMIC PURSUITS.

>> THE RATIO IS NOT UP TO PAR.

AS WE'VE GONE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, AND STUDENTS NEEDS HAVE GROWN, BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING, IT'S UP IN THE AIR FOR THEM IN THEIR LIVES.

>> OKLAHOMA CURRENTLY FALLS FAR SHORT OF SUGGESTED STUDENTS TO COUNSELOR RATIOS.

>> THE RATIO WAS SUPPOSED TO BE 1 TO 250.

AND OKLAHOMA HAS SOMEWHERE IN THE RANGE OF 400 SOMETHING, OVER 450.

>> ANOTHER HIGH PRIORITY, THE TEXTBOOK FUND.

USUALLY THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES $33 MILLION, BECAUSE OF THE CYCLE OF REPLACING TEXT BOOKS, THE REQUEST IS TO 60 MILLION.

>> IF WE DO NOT FUND OUR TEXTBOOK REQUESTS, THAT'S PART OF THE SCIENCE FIELD THIS YEAR, THAT WON'T COME AROUND AGAIN FOR SIX YEARS.

>>> I THINK THAT BECAUSE OF COVID-19, THAT EVERYTHING CHANGED AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL STAY TRUE TO OUR PRAGMATIC SELF, AND LET THE NUMBERS DO THE TALKING AND THEY'LL BE IN THE STATE BUDGET WITH THE PRIORITIES THAT OUR STATE AGENCIES HAVE IDENTIFIED.

>> THAT'S OUR KIDS, THAT'S OUR FUTURE, AND I'LL ALWAYS FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER CUTS WE HAVE IN THE FUTURE WILL IMPACT EDUCATION.

>> MIGHT IMPACT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE BENEFIT ALLOWANCE FOR THE EDUCATORS.

>> IT'S BASICALLY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE TEACHERS, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN PAYING THAT FOR TEACHERS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS NOW.

>> THE STUDENT ENROLLMENT DROPPED A BIT THIS YEAR, DUE IN PART OF PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS WAITING TO ENROLL THE PRESCHOOL BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT MEANS THERE'LL BE A NEED TO HELP THE STUDENTS CATCH UP WHEN THEY ENTER THE SYSTEM.

>> WE'LL NEED MORE EARLY LEARNING TEACHERS.

TEACHER RETENTION IS SOLID, THERE'S THOSE WHO ARE POISED TO RETIRE.

>> WE'RE LOOKING FOR A POTENTIAL LOSS OF 10% OF THE WORK FORCE.

>> WHERE WE SAW A LEVELLING OFF LAST YEAR, IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING WHAT WE SEE NEXT YEAR.

THERE'S 4300 EDUCATORS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> TO MAKE IT HARDER TO GAUGE WHAT PUBLIC EDUCATION WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR.

>> WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO FACE IN THE COMING SCHOOL YEAR IS LIKELY THE MOST CHALLENGING TIME.

>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL FIND OUT HOW MUCH MONEY TO SPEND WHEN THE BOARD MEETS ON FEBRUARY 16.

>>> AFTER 41 YEARS, THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

DR. BLACKBURN RETIRED ON FRIDAY.

DR. BOB CAN NEVER TRULY BE REPLACED.

>> CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU, 41 YEARS, YOU'RE AN INSTITUTION, CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR OKLAHOMA'S HERITAGE AND TRADITIONS.

WE ALL LOOK TO YEW YOU WHEN WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT, GOD BLESS YOU.

>> I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR RETIREMENT, WE HALT TO SEE YOU -- HATE TO SEE YOU GO, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR MANY MANY YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP.

>> DR. BOB AND FRIEND,I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIFELONG ENDEAVOR.

NO ONE OF OUR 113 YEARS OF STATE HOOD HAS DONE MORE TO PRESERVE THE BOLD AND EXCITING HISTORY OF OKLAHOMA THAN BOB BLACKBURN.

YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH.

>> AT THE MUSEUM WE BUILT -- STARTING OFF RAISING $3 MILLION, THE COMMUNITY WAS SO INVESTED, RAISED $8 MILLION.

>> YOU'RE THE BEST, NO ONE HAS DONE MORE FOR OKLAHOMA THAN YOU.

>> I HAVE KNOWN BOB BLACKBURN FOR MANY YEARS.

I RESPECTED THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, AND ALL THE TERRIFIC THINGS THEY'VE DONE.

BOB IS AMAZING THAT HE SPENT ALL OF HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE, 40 YEARS, NURTURING AND CARING FOR THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

HIS LEADERSHIP AT THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE DRIVE THAT CAUSED US TO BUILD THIS OKLAHOMA HISTORY CENTER, THAT'S UNPARALLEL IN MOST OTHER STATES, IS EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION AND LEGACY FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

I'M SO PROUD TO BE HIS FRIEND.

EVERYONE IS HIS FRIEND.

>> DR. BOB YOU'RE WHAT ALL OF THE REST OF US WANT TO BE.

YOU'RE INTELLIGENT, INSIGHTFUL, THOUGHTFUL, AND YOU'RE REALLY REALLY FUN AT A PARTY.

IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO HAVE BEEN YOUR COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND AND TO ACCESS YOUR ENORMOUS WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE THROUGHOUT ALL WE'VE BEEN DOING.

LET'S GO GET SOME CHAMPAGNE, CELEBRATE YOUR RETIREMENT, AND LET ME PICK YOUR BRAIN JUST A BIT MORE.

I HAVE BAD NEWS FOR YOU, AS YOU GET READY TO RETIRE, I'M STILL CALLING YOU FOR INFORMATION AND ADVICE.

>> A WONDERFUL TREAT FOR ME TONIGHT, TO HAVE HEARD AND SEEN THE BEACH BOYS.

>> HE GREW UP IN THE TELEVISION BUSINESS HIS MOTHER THE HOSTESS, AND HAD HER OWN MIDDAY SHOW, I THINK THAT HE -- A LOT OF HIS PERSONALITY HAD BEEN HER PERSONALITY AND THINGS HE HAD LEARNED FROM HER, COLLECTING, PRESERVING AND SHARING OUR STATE'S HISTORY, AND THE PART OF THAT, THAT I WAS ABLE TO DO IN SHARING THE HISTORY WAS AN ABSOLUTE THRILL.

THE THRILL OF A LIFETIME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

GOOD LUCK IN YOUR RETIREMENT, AND YOU'RE NOT REALLY GUILTY VERDICT RETIRED.

>> FROM ALL OF HERE AT -- CONGRATULATIONS, AND YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME TO BE A GUEST CONTRIBUTOR ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT ANYTIME YOU WANT.

BEST OF LUCK IN THE FUTURE.

>> HONESTLY, WE COULD HAVE DONE HUNDREDS OF TESTIMONIALS, NOW LET'S HEAR FROM THE MAN HIMSELF.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE BREADTH AND THE DIVERSITY OF STORY THAT MAKES UP OKLAHOMA.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT COWBOYS AND INDIANS.

IT'S NOT URBAN DEVELOPMENT OR LAND RUNS.

ALL THE STORIES ARE DIFFERENT, I LIKE TO LISTEN TO THE STORIES.

OVER THE YEARS YOU ASSEMBLE THEM IN YOUR MIND, AND EVERY LITTLE PIECE MIGHT LOOK UNIQUE WITH LITTLE SHAPE, BUT PUT IT ON THE BOARD AND THE FARTHER AWAY YOU GET, AND THE BIGGER IT GETS, THE MORE CLARITY YOU FIND.

ALL THE WORK THAT I'VE WITNESSED IN 41 YEARS, IS REALLY COMING TO FRUITION.

>> DR. BLACK BURN HAS PLANS TO WRITE A FEW MORE BOOKS IN HIS RETIREMENT.

HIS REPLACEMENT, TREY THOMPSON WAS NAMED IN NOVEMBER, AND HE'S GETTING SETTLED IN TO HIS NEW OFFICE.

MOST RECENTLY, HE WAS STATE MANAGER ON THE RESTORATION EFFORTS.

>>> ODOT SECRETARY, SAYS HIS CREWS HAVE BEEN DUMPING A LOT OF ICE MELT TO KEEP THE ROADS OPEN AND SAFE.

>> THAT IMPACTS OUR ABILITY TO DO OUR MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE SPRING.

WE WOULD RATHER PUT THE DOLLARS INTO ASPHALT, AND TAKING CARE OF THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, BUT WE'LL BE FORCED TO INVEST MORE IN SALT AND SAND.

>> HELP COULD BE ON THE WAY IN THE LATEST RUN OF THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BY CONGRESS.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT FOR ODOT.

>>> NOW THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS IMPEACHED FOR THE SECOND TIME, WHAT'S NEXT?

AND HOW WILL THE COUNTRY REACT.

WE INVITED A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN TO SHARE THEIR OPINION.

WITH SUSAN CADOT.

>>> JOINING US, THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN PARTY, ALEXANDER, AND ANDREWS, WHO CHAIRS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CHAD, I'LL START WITH YOU.

YOU'RE ON MY LEFT, TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF.

>> I STARTED IN POLITICS PROFESSIONALLY IN 1994 WITH WATTS.

ULTIMATELY RAN HIS LAST TWO CAMPAIGNS, AND SERVED THE STATE CHAIR 2001 AND THREE, AND LOBBYIST SINCE THAT TIME WITH MY OWN COMPANY, AND HOSTED A TALK RADIO SHOW.

>>> MY NAME -- I'M THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

I'VE BEEN INVOLVED THIS TIME AROUND, SINCE 2017, 2016, I GOT INVOLVED BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP THIS TIME AROUND.

I RAN TO REPRESENT THE DEMOCRATS, BY DAY JOB, I'M A RELATOR.

>> I WANT TO STAY WITH YOU, FIRST OF ALL, WE'LL TALKING ABOUT IMPEACHMENT.

AND I WANT YOUR -- WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS THAT AMERICA IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK THAT IT'S A SAD STATE THAT WE ARE HAVING TO DOUBLY IMPEACH ONE PRESIDENT, BUT I THINK IT'S NECESSARY FOR US TO MOVE ON.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE IMPEACHMENT, AND HOPEFUL THEY CAN GET THROUGH, AND WE CAN HAVE LITTLE ADDITIONAL TO OUR DEMOCRACY AS POSSIBLE.

>> CHAD.

>> I'M OPPOSED TO THE IMPEACHMENT, AND THERE'S A NUMBER OF REASONS FOR THAT.

THIS HAS BEEN VERY VERY ROUGH, NO COMMITTEE HEARING, AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY POLARIZED, AND MORE I THINK SINCE THE 1990S, AND I'VE SEEN THAT, AND I THINK RIGHT NOW WITH THE PRESIDENT THAT'LL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE IN SEVEN DAYS, IMPEACHING HIM WILL PUT MORE GAS ON THE FIRE WITH THE POLARIZATION WE HAVE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> CHAD, WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO SAY, WE DON'T WANT HIM TO RUN IN 2024.

>> THAT'S FINE, IF THEY VOTE THROUGH TODAY, LOOKS LIKE THEY WILL.

GET THE SENATE, THEY DON'T RECONVENE UNTIL JANUARY 19.

JOE BIDEN GETS SWORN IN ON JANUARY 20.

THE TRIAL WOULD HAPPEN AFTER HE LEAVES.

MANY BELIEVE YOU CANNOT IMPEACH A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

HE'S NO LONGER AT THAT TIME, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

YES, IT WOULD PREVENT HIM FROM RUNNING FOR REELECTION, BUT HE'LL BE ALREADY BE OUT OF OFFICE.

BUT IT WOULD ALSO, HE WOULDN'T GET AN RETIREMENT.

AND ALSO NOT HAVE SECRET SERVICE.

AND SO I THINK FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED TRUMP FOR THEIR INDEPENDENCE OR REPUBLICANS, TRUMP HAS ALWAYS BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION, EVEN BEFORE HE WAS PRESIDENT.

I THINK FOR MANY TRUMP SUPPORTERS, SEE THIS AS A PERSONAL VENDETTA.

>> AS JOE BIDEN IS STEPPING INTO THE WHITE HOUSE, HIS THEME IS UNITY.

TO CHAD'S POINT, IF A PORTION OF AMERICA IS GOING TO BE ANGERED BY AN IMPEACHMENT OF DONALD TRUMP, IS THIS A STEP TO UNITY?

EVEN IF IT IS, IS IT STILL NECESSARY?

>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, AND I FIND IT A BIT HYPOCRITE WHEN I HEAR THEM TALK ABOUT THE TIME FRAME AND THE RUSH.

WHEN THINGS ARE NECESSARY, WHEN THEY'RE REQUIRED FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD, YES, DONALD TRUMP WILL NO LONGER BE PRESIDENT AS OF NOON ON THE 20TH, HOWEVER, THERE'S A COUPLE OF THINGS HERE.

THE IMPEACHMENT IS NOT JUST HIM NOT BEING PRESIDENT, BUT ABSOLUTELY NOT TO RUN FOR OFFICE.

AND NOT HAVING TO -- THE ALLOWANCE, ALL OF THOSE THINGS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IT IS ABOUT UNITY.

THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN SET THEMSELVES FREE FROM THE SHACKLES OF DONALD TRUMP.

TELL THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED LEFT, TELL THEM THE TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.

>> MY NEXT QUESTION IS FOR YOU, CHAD.

SHOULD THE PRESIDENT BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, DO YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT INCITED THE RIOT?

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS HORRIBLE JUDGEMENT ON THE DAY OF ELECTORAL COLLEGE TO HAVE A RALLY.

I DON'T THINK HE SHOULD HAVE ENCOURAGED THE SUPPORTERS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE ELECTOR.

OR ON VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE NOT TO ACCEPT THEM, THAT WAS BAD JUDGES.

DO I THINK HE WANTED A POLICE OFFICER TO GET MURDER ED?

NO, I DO NOT.

THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE TRANSCRIPT WHERE HE SAID GO BURN DOWN THE BUILDINGS, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TIME LINE EVENTS I PEOPLE HAD ENTERED THE CAPITOL BUILDING BEFORE AND WHILE HE WAS EVEN SPEAKING.

THE SPEECH IS WHAT INSTIGATED IT, THERE WERE PEOPLE ALREADY IN THE BUILDING BEFOREHAND.

>> IN FOUR YEARS, DONALD TRUMP WILL BE ABOUT 80, IF NOT 80, WOULD HE EVEN RUN FOR PRESIDENT?

HE COULD PROBABLY BE -- FOR POLITICIANS IN FOUR YEARS.

>> I DON'T THINK HE WOULD RUN IN FOUR YEARS, BUT IF THE POINT OF THE IMPEACHMENT VOTE IS TO KEEP HIM FROM RUNNING IN FOUR YEARS, DOES THAT MEAN THERE'S A FEAR HE'LL WIN IN FOUR YEARS.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

AS LONG AS THERE'S THE OPPORTUNITY THAT HE COULD WIN, HE HOLDS POWER OVER REPUBLICAN ELECTED OFFICIALS.

FOR FEAR OF DONALD TRUMP'S RATHED, THEY ARE NOT TELLING THEIR PEOPLE THE TRUTH.

WE HAVE TO TAKEAWAY -- I CAN GET OTHER PEOPLE TO RUN AGAINST YOU, WHEN I'M PRESIDENT AGAIN, WE HAVE TO TAKEAWAY THE POWER THAT HE HAS.

>> LET ME ASK YOU SOMETHING, WHEN YOU BELIEVE PRESIDENT TRUMP SPOKE THAT HE FORESAW OR KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING WHEN THE CROWDS WERE SO INTENSE, THEY WOULD STORM THE CAPITOL?

>> WHAT I BELIEVE IS HIS WORDS WERE IRRESPONSIBLE.

HE WAS WATCHING IT.

HIS LANGUAGE, IT WAS IRSFOBL, RECKLESS AND VIOLENT.

HE COULD SEE IT, AND AT THE VERY LEAST, SAID, DON'TS GO OVER.

BUT HE SAID, FIGHT FOR MY PRESIDENCY, AND GIULIANI SAID GO FOR COMBAT.

THEY SAW IT WAS PRONE TO VIOLENCE, AND THEY DIDN'T STOP IT.

>> IT WAS TRULY A HORRIFIC DAY.

AND NOW REPUBLICANS ARE PULLING AWAY FROM THE PRESIDENT, SOME WILL VOTE FOR THE IMPEACHMENT, HAVE VOTED, AND MAY VOTE IN THE SENATE.

DO YOU THINK, WHAT'S THE VIABILITY, DO YOU THINK HE WOULD BE IMPEACHED EVEN THOUGH YOU THINK IS NOT CONSTITUTIONAL.

DO YOU THINK IT STILL COULD HAPPEN?

>> I THINK IT WOULD END UP AT THE SUPREME COURT IF IT HAPPENED.

MAYBE THE SCHOLARS ARE WRONG AND MAYBE I'M WRONG, BUT I THINK THERE'S BEEN A BIG RUSH ON THIS, AND THINGS I POINT OUT, AND I DID A THREE MINUTE VIDEO THE DAY THIS HAPPENED, I DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT SPOKE BOLDLY ENOUGH, HE SHOULD HAVE GONE ON NATIONAL TV, NOT A VIDEO.

ANYONE WHO BROKE THE LAW SHOULD BE PUNISHED BY THE LAW.

THERE'S BIG QUESTIONS IN THE RUSH THAT WE'VE SEEN ARE MISSED IN THE MEDIA RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE IMPORTANT, LIKE THE PIPE BOMBS INSIDE THE YARD.

WE DON'T KNOW WHO THE PERSON IS, AND THEY WERE PUT THERE BEFORE TRUMP TOOK THE PODIUM OR MIKE PENCE.

YOU KNOW IS TALKING ABOUT MIKE PENCE BEING IMPEACHED.

HE TOOK THE VOTES, I DON'T THINK THE PRESIDENT ASKED HIM NOT TOO, THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS WORKED ITSELF OUT.

JOE BIDEN IS SWORN IN ON JANUARY 20TH, SO TO ME, THIS IS MOVING QUICKLY.

AND AS YOU POINTED OUT, THE POINT OF THE THEME OF THIS INAUGURATION IS BRINGING THE AMERICA -- UNITING AMERICA.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'LL DO THAT IF YOU TALKING ABOUT DONALD TRUMP AFTER THE INAUGURATION.

>> HOW DO YOU THINK THIS THREATENS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY?

>> I THINK IT MAKES THEM SOUND LIKE A PARTY OF LOSERS.

YOU HAVE TO RUSH AND TAKE ACTION AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN.

I THINK IT HURTS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, AS LONG AS THEY CONTINUE TO ALIGN THEMSELVES WITH THIS PRESIDENT.

WHAT WILL HELP THEM, IS IF THEY START TO TELL THE PEOPLE THE TRUTH, AND START TO REBUILD THEIR PARTY AND TAKE THE PARTY BACK.

RIGHT NOW IT IS THE PARTY OF TRUMP.

>> IF I COULD COMMENT ON THAT, I THINK THAT'S A BIT OF A FLAWED STATEMENT.

IF DONALD TRUMP IS IMPEACHED, HE CAN'T RUN FOR POWER.

HIS SUPPORTERS WILL SUPPORT HIM NO MATTER WHAT.

HE'S BEEN A NATIONAL MEDIA FIGURE SINCE THE MID 1980S.

>> BUT DOES THAT, YOUR POINT MEAN, THERE'S A SPLIT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THERE ARE NOW REPUBLICANS, YOU'RE RIGHT, TRUMP LOYALISTS.

AND NOW THEY WANT TO TURN OFF AND DISTANCE THEMSELVES.

>> I THINK HIS APPROVAL RATING IS AROUND 78%, IN A GENERAL ELECTION IN THE FUTURE, THE TRUST PROBLEM IS WITH THE INDEPENDENT.

I THINK WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6 WAS BAD JUDGEMENT, IT PROBABLY HURT HIM, RECONCILE WITH THE INDEPENDENT VOTERS, BUT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WON'T HAVE A FOLLOWING AND A PARTY, AND THE THINGS HE STANDS FOR.

THE JOBS, ECONOMY.

>> HERE IN OKLAHOMA, A RED STATE, DO YOU SEE THIS HAVING AN IMPACT IN OKLAHOMA?

MAKING MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE?

>> I DO, I DO.

I BELIEVE THAT REPUBLICANS OF OKLAHOMA WILL BE THE PARTY OF GREATLY DISAPPOINTED.

MOST OF OKLAHOMA VOTERS ONLY CARE OF THE PRESIDENCY.

THEY'LL BE INCREDIBLY DISAPPOINTED, I BELIEVE IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY, I'M GOING TO KEEP SAYING IT, IT'S THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE REPUBLICAN ELECTED TO EDUCATE THEIR VOTERS AND TO WIN THEM BACK.

DONALD TRUMP WON'T BE PRESIDENT ON JANUARY 21, AND THEY HAVE TO MOVE PAST THAT.

>> SO STAYING WITH YOU, WHAT NEEDS TO BE CEDE TO DEMOCRATS IN OKLAHOMA?

>> THIS IS OUR MOMENT.

THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO REBUILD.

WE HAVE A PRESIDENCY AND NOW WE CAN REBUILD IN THE STATE.

>> I FIND IT AMUSING, TWO OF THEM VOTED AGAINST, IN 2017, SO THEY VOTED AGAINST ACCEPTING THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE, HE SITS ON THE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE FOR FOUR YEARS, HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH A CHINESE SPY, I THINK THAT THE -- GOES A LONG WAY IN BOTH PARTIES.

I THINK THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO TURN DOWN THE HYPERBOLE, GOING OVERBOARD, WE COULD TALKING ABOUT POLICIES AND ISSUES IN A CIVIL MANNER AND TREAT THE OTHER SIDE LIKE OUR POLITICAL OPPONENTS, BUT NOT ENEMIES, WE'RE ALL AMERICANS.

BUT BOTH SIDES, IT HAS TO GET TURNED DOWN.

GO BACK TO WATER GATE.

NO SPECIAL PROSECUTOR, REGAN DID, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL OF THE SLIPPERY SLOPE OF IMPEACHMENT, WHAT WE IMPEACH PRESIDENTS FOR.

IF IT GOES TOO LOW, IT'LL BE DEMOCRAT PRESIDENT, BUT REPUBLICAN MAJORITY IN THE FUTURE, WE'LL TRY TO REMOVE EVERY PRESIDENT.

>> AND DOES THIS HAVE A LONG TERM IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA POLITICS.

>> NO, ONE, USED TO I WOULD SAY A MONTH OF POLITICS IS AN ETERNITY.

NOW, IN A WEEK.

WITH EVERYTHING ELSE, WE CAN'T THINK FROM ONE WEEK TO ANOTHER, OF WHAT WE'LL TALK ABOUT IN TWO WEEKS.

>> WE'LL END IT THERE, WITH A CALL FOR BOTH SIDES TO DEAL CIVILLY WITH ONE ANOTHER.

IT MIGHT BE A NEW THING.

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD BE -- IF YOU BREAK THE LAW, AND DAMAGE FEDERAL BUILDINGS AND DO THINGS -- BE PROSECUTED.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SUSAN AND HER GUESTS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> EARLIER IN THIS NEWSCAST, WE TOLD YOU OF THE EFFORTS OF PEOPLE LIVING AND WORKING IN THE VA CENTERS RECEIVE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THERE'S BEEN OUTBREAKS, AND IT'S NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM, THOUGH.

OUTBREAKS HAVE OCCURRED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> SHE SAYS SHE'S TOLD THE INVESTIGATORS OF WHAT HAPPENED TO HER ARMY VETERAN DAD AND MOM.

THEY BOTH LIVED IN THE VETERANS HOME AND BOTH DIED OF A VIRUS RAMPAGED THROUGH THE FACILITY, KILLING 122 RESIDENTS.

SHE COULD VISIT, AND LEARNED OF THE HORRIFIC CONDITIONS LATER.

>> THERE WAS NOBODY THERE TO TAKE THEM OUT OF BED, AND THEY WEREN'T BEING FED.

MY MOTHER WAS SUFFERING FROM DEHYDRATION, I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THEM OUT OF THERE RIGHT AWAY.

BUT WE WERE NOT TOLD THE TRUTH.

THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME THE MADDEST.

>> THE COVID-19 DEATH TOLL IS MORE THAN 200 NOW.

NEW JERSEY'S ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS CONVENED A GRAND JURY AND SUBPOENAED DOCUMENTS, POSSIBLY INCLUDING PATIENT FILES.

SPOKESPERSON WOULDN'T CONFIRM A GRAND JURY IS CONVENED, BUT AT THIS POINT, THEY'RE FOLLOWING THE FACTS WHERE THEY LEAD.

WE'LL NOT PROVIDE UPDATES.

>> I WILL TALK TO ANYONE, I ALSO TALKED TO A PROSECUTOR.

THEY'RE MOSTLY INTERESTED IN THE CEO'S BEHAVIOR AND WHAT THE CARE WAS LIKE.

>> THE CEO WAS REPLACED BY THE GOVERNOR IN OCTOBER, ALONG WITH THE CEO AND OTHERS, NEW JERSEY'S DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS.

THE INVESTIGATION IS ALSO UNCOVERING THAT MANY WORKERS WERE ORDERED NOT TO WEAR MASKS.

>> I HAD ONE EMPLOYEE ALREADY TESTIFY THAT SHE MADE HER OWN MASK AT HOME, AND SHE SHOWED UP AT WORK, WEARING A MAKESHIFT MASK, THAT SHE WAS TOLD YOU TAKE IT OFF NOW, AND WHAT A MASK POLICY WAS DIRECTED AT.

>> THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE -- -- WE'LL START THE AGGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE.

THEY WANTED TO PRESERVE THE PPE INVENTORY, BUT SUCH CONFLICTING ACCOUNTS PROMPTED THE STATE VFW TO CALL FOR A PROSECUTOR.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED THEMSELVES.

AND INVESTIGATIVE GRAND JURY IS SECRETIVE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO RELEASE THE TESTIMONY.

AND THE PROSECUTOR DRIVES THE SHIP, AND SETS THE NARRATIVE, AND ADVOCATE EITHER WAY FOR INDICTMENT OR NO BILL.

>> IT'S THE SMALL INDIGNITIES THAT ALSO HURT.

WHEN SHE ASKED FOR THE PARENT'S BELONGINGS, THE HOME TRIED TO SEND HER A STRANGER'S DENTURES.

>> YOU HAVE SOMEONE ELSE'S.

>> WHAT DOES THAT TELL YOU?

>> IT TELLS ME THAT NO ONE CARES.

>> THEY SENT HER 35 ITEMS THAT BELONGED TO OTHER PEOPLE.

SHE HAS NO IDEA WHO THE PEOPLE ARE.

>>> BACK HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THE SOONERS ALL TIME WINNINGEST FOOTBALL COACH IS SOON A MEMBER OF THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME.

BOB STOOPS WILL RECEIVE THAT HONOR.

IN 18 SEASONS IN NORMAN, HE WON 190 GAMES, AND LOST JUST 48.

STOOPS IS ONE OF TWO COACHES IN THE CLASS OF 2021 CONGRATULATIONS.

>>> ON THE NEXT ONE HOUR EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, THE HOSPITALS WERE STRUGGLING BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, HOW ARE THEY FARING NOW?

WE'LL SAY GOOD-BYE FOR NOW WITH A TOUR OF THE MANSION, PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY ERIC.

FOR ALL OF US HERE ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY, ENJOY THE WEEKEND.

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