ONE OF THE ACTIONS IS SUSPENDING THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE, WHILE THE SOUTHERN LEG WAS COMPLETED YEARS AGO WORK IS HALTED ON THE UPPER SECTION FROM CANADA.

>> THERE WERE 50 JOBS LOST AS A RESULT OF THE PRESIDENT'S BAN ON KEYSTONE XL, ABOUT $10 MILLION IN LOCAL CONTRACTS AND SUPPLIES.

$17 MILLION PUMPING STATION, SO THERE IS AN IMPACT IN OKLAHOMA.

>> STOPPING THE NORTHERN LEG OF THE KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE COULD CAUSE NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES, AS WELL.

BECAUSE IT ELIMINATES ENTER INJURY OPTIONS FOR THE U.S. >> IT TAKES AWAY OPTIONS THAT WE WOULD HAVE FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, AND THAT'S WHY I SAY THIS IS A REALLY VERY SHORTSIGHTED IDEA FROM NATIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE.

>> BIDEN PUT A 60-DAY FEDERAL LEASE MORATORIUM IN PLACE.

ONE OF OF THE LARGEST HOLDERS, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN RECENTLY TOLD REUTERS, WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DEVELOP AND DRILL IN FEDERAL ACREAGE.

IT'S EMBEDDED IN THE RIGHTS WE HAVE AND WE'RE DOING IT THE RIGHT WAY.

>> SO OCTOBER COULD POTENTIALLY GAIN SOME PRODUCTION AS A RESULT OF THE CONSTRICTION OF FEDERAL LAND, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT THAT REALLY LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> WE WON'T BE ABLE TO PRODUCE THE AMOUNTS OF CRUDE OIL AND NATURAL GAS THAT WE HAD BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DO.

WE COULD PRODUCE AS MUCH AS WE NEEDED, AND EVEN MORE, SO WE COULD SALE IN THE WORLD MARKET.

>> EVERY TIME THERE IS ADMINISTRATION CHANGE FROM RICH CAN'T TO DEMOCRAT OR BACK TO REPUBLICAN WE SEE THESE KIND OF SHIFTS AND CHANGES, AND, OF COURSE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS MORE INTERESTED IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND REPUBLICAN PARTY IS MORE INTERESTED IN PRODUCING AND GENERATING INCOME AND WEALTH.

>> EVEN WITH THE MORE AGGRESSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TOWARDS ENERGY PRODUCTION THE OIL INDUSTRY IS NOT LIKELY TO GO AWAY ANYTIME SOON.

>> AND I'M FOR CLEAN EVERYTHING, BUT WHEN THEY START TALKING ABOUT DISPLACING THAT.

ENERGY WITH RENEWABLES, IT'S JUST NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE.

IT'S NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE IN TEN YEARS, NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE IN 20 YEARS.

MAYBE SOME OF IT COULD BE DISPLACED BY 2050 OR 2060, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL EVER GO AWAY.

>> THE FACTS ARE FACTS AND IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD FOR A GLOBAL ECONOMY TO TRANSITION AWAY FROM SOMETHING THAT IS QUITE FRANKLY THE BEDROCK FOR CIVILIZATION.

>> JASON DOYLE, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> THANKS A LOT.

AND THERE IS A LOT OF CATCHING UP TO DO SINCE 2018 OKLAHOMA HAS LOST MORE THAN 20,000 FULL TIME OIL AND GAS RELATED PRODUCTION JOBS.

>>> MORE THAN 315,000 OKLAHOMANS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE COVID VACCINE.

58,000 PEOPLE HAVE COMPLETED THEIR TWO SHOT INOCULATION.

GOVERNOR STITT WILL BE HAPPY TO HEAR, ACCORDING TO THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS OKLAHOMA IS A TOP TEN STATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE RATE OF VACCINATIONS SINCE THE VACCINE ARRIVED NEARLY FOUR WEEKS AGO.

NEXT WEEK THE STATE IS EXPECTED TO RECEIVE MORE THAN 133,000 DOSES, AN INCREASE OF 16%.

>> I WILL SAY THAT THAT 16% INCREASE IS OVERALL NET INCREASE.

THE ACTUAL INCREASE COMES THROUGH THE MODERNA SIDE.

SO WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS ABOUT A 30% INCREASE IN OUR MODERNA DOSES, WHICH OVERALL WHEN YOU ADD EVERYTHING TOGETHER IS ABOUT 16% INCREASE WHICH IS WHAT IS REPORTED AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>> AND IT WILL BE NEEDED TO TRY AND SLOW A COVID RELATED DEATH RATE THAT REMAINS STUBBORNLY HIGH.

ON WEDNESDAY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT REPORTING A GRIM RECORD OF 65 DEATHS IN A 24-HOUR PERIOD.

284 PEOPLE DIED IN THE LAST WEEK.

AN AVERAGE OF 40 PER DAY.

THOSE ARE ALARMING NUMBERS.

HOWEVER, SEVEN-DAY SINGLE AVERAGE OF 2,604 NEW CASES PER DAY IS CONTINUING TO STAY WELL BELOW THE RECORD HIGHS.

AND HOSPITALIZATIONS CONTINUE TO DECREASE.

1,375 AS OF FRIDAY.

THAT NUMBER HAD BEEN VERY CLOSE TO 2,000 AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH.

>>> THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IS REOPENED THE PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM PORTAL TO HELP BANKS PROVIDE FORGIVABLE LOANS TO BUSINESSES STRUGGLING TO HANDLE THE PANDEMIC.

THIS ROUND WILL BE OPEN TO FIRST TIME BUSINESS LOAN APPLICANTS AND THOSE WHICH PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A LOAN.

THE PROGRAM WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGH MARCH 31st.

>>> THE CAREER TECH SYSTEM AND UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA ARE TEAMING UP TO GET MORE NURSES ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY HAVE DEVELOPED A REFRESHER COURSE FOR NURSES WHO DO NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE LICENSE AND WANT TO RETURN TO HEALTHCARE.

THE SELF PACE COURSES ARE BEING OFFERED AT NINE CAREER TECH CENTERS ACROSS THE STATE.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS FORCED THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMAMANS WHO LOST JOBS TO CONSIDER NEW CAREERS.

THAT TAKES TRAINING.

IN THE CASE OF THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY IT'S BEING PROVIDED BY THE GREAT PLAINS TECHNOLOGY CENTER IN LAWTON.

REPORTER STEVE SHAW HITS THE ROAD TO SHOW US HOW STUDENTS LEARNING HOW TO ORDER UP.

>> MAKE SURE YOU ROTATE THEM.

>> Reporter: LORI IS A 1996 STILLWATER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WHO HAS BEEN TEACHING CULINARY ARTS AT LAWTON GREAT PLAINS TECHNOLOGY CENTER FOR FOUR YEARS.

>> I DID IT.

>> Reporter: SHE TAKES THE HER JOB VERY SERIOUSLY, BECAUSE THEY'RE HEAR JUST TIMES.

THE PANDEMIC CAUSED STAG ORDERING JOB LOSSES NATIONWIDE.

IRONICALLY THE PLAGUE CAME AT THE SAME TIME.

GREAT PLAINS POURED 4 1/4 MILLION DOLLARS INTO RENOVATING THE PROGRAM.

WHICH IS NOW THREE TIMES THE SIZE.

>> WE'RE OPERATING OUT OF THE SAME FACILITY THAT WE HAD BEEN FOR 49 YEARS.

AND SO IT WAS TIME TO RENOVATE AND TIME TO REALLY GIVE THIS PROGRAM THE ATTENTION AND THE LOVE THAT IT DESERVES.

>> Reporter: A MILLION DOLLARS DONATION FROM THE McMAHAN FOUNDATION IS A BIG REASON GREAT PLAINS HAS THESE NEW DIGS.

WHICH INCLUDES A LARGE TEACHING KITCHEN, CLASSROOM AND EVEN A BISTRO ON THE FRONT END.

IT ALL OFFICIALLY OPENED JANUAR.

>> BEFORE WE HAD A TABLE THAT WAS ABOUT THIS LONG THAT ALL THE STUDENTS STOOD AROUND, AND THAT'S WHERE THEY LEARNED.

NOW THEY HAVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL -- THEIR OWN OFF CONVENIENT, THEIR OWN STOVETOP, WHERE THEY CAN LEARN THAT SPACE TO SPREAD OUT, LEARN BY MISTAKE, AND LEARN BY DOING.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC CUT ENROLLMENT NUMBERS IN HALF.

FROM 60 TO 30 LAST YEAR.

BUT LONG TIME GREAT PLAINS INSTRUCTORS SAYS THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT IS ALREADY ATTRACTING MORE HIGH SCHOOLERS AND ADULTS WHO EITHER LOST JOBS OR HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE JOBLESS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS INDUSTRY IF YOU WANT TO WORK, YOU WANT TO LEARN, YOU CAN START AT THE BOTTOM AND WORK ALL THE WAY UP WHICH WE THINK IS NOT EVERY INDUSTRY DOES THAT.

>> Reporter: HE ATTENDED WILL ROGERS HIGH SCHOOL IN TULSA AND EARNED A DEGREE IN HOTEL AND RESTAURANT MANAGEMENT FROM OKLAHOMA STATE IN 1983.

HE OWNS THREE AREA SUBWAY RESTAURANTS BUT HIS GREATEST SATISFACTION COMES WHEN HE SEES THE LIGHT TURN ON.

>> IT'S AWESOME.

AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I WORKED IN THE INDUSTRY FOR YEARS AND YEARS, ONE THING I ENJOYED WAS GETTING SOMEBODY THAT HADN'T WORKED AND WATCHING THEM GET THAT SWAGGER, GET THAT CONFIDENCE, AND TURNING THEM LOOSE, WHETHER IT WAS A SERVER OR COOK.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: HE CALLS THE NEW FACILITIES A GAME CHANGER.

>> IT'S BETTER THAN ANYTHING ELSE I WORKED IN, SPACE WISE, THE WAY IT'S LAID OUT, HONESTLY I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE BEST TEACHING FACILITIES IN THE STATE.

>> THEY ARE READY TO GO TO WORK.

SOMETHING IS BETTER THAN A FOODT FOOD RESTAURANT.

IT'S UNIQUE BECAUSE WE'RE CONNECTED TO A LOT OF THESE EMERGING CAREERS WE SEE.

>> THERE IS A STEREOTYPE OUT THERE THAT KIDS WHO ENROLL IN THESE KINDS OF PROGRAMS DON'T HAVE COLLEGE PLANS.

THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE.

>> Reporter: A GREAT PLAINS STUDENT ALSO ATTENDS EISENHOWER HIGH SCHOOL IN LAWTON.

>> AND SO IT'S EXCITING TO BE IN HERE, AND ACTUALLY GETTING TO WORK IN THE PRODUCTION KITCHEN.

>> Reporter: WHEN SHE COMPLETES THE TWO YEAR PROGRAM HERE, SHE MAY GO TO COLLEGE AND SHE MAY GO TO CULINARY SCHOOL OR SHE MAY GO TO WORK IN A RESTAURANT.

SHE WILL MAKE THAT CHOICE.

>> SO A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS IN CULINARY, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE EVEN COOKING IN THE KITCHEN ALTHOUGH THAT IS ONE OF THE MAIN ONES, AND SO IT'S JUST A REALLY EXCITING PATH TO GO DOWN.

>> Reporter: LAWTON HIGH SCHOOL JUNIOR.

>> I WAS IN FRESHMAN YEAR I HEARD ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, THIS IS MY GOAL TO GET IN IT.

>> Reporter: IS ANOTHER STUDENT YOU CAN TELL IS ON HIS WAY.

>> I WANT TO GET TO COLLEGE AFTER THIS.

I WANT TO GO TO CORDON BLEU IN LAS VEGAS.

>> AND BE WHAT?

>> AND STUDY UNDER THEM FOR A COUPLE YEARS, AND IF I DO GOOD IN THAT CLASS I CAN GO STRAIGHT TO CHEF.

>> SHE HAS A PASSION FOR FOOD, AND THERE IS SO MUCH GOING ON WITH THE FOOD INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW.

WHETHER IT'S PHOTOGRAPHING FOOD, BLOCKING ABOUT FOOD, ALL THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

IT'S OPENED A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT DOORS, SPORTS NUTRITION IS HUGE RIGHT NOW, AND IF I WAS A YOUNGER PERSON THAT IS THE ONE I WOULD GO TO BECAUSE I LOVE SPORTS, LOVE ATHLETICS.

EVERY PROFESSIONAL TEAM HAS THEIR OWN CHEF WORKING WITH THEM.

SOME OF THE NBA GUYS HAVE THEIR OWN CHEF.

SPORTS NUTRITION IS HUGE.

>> Reporter: STEVE SHAW, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> THE SCHOOL'S TWO YEAR PROGRAM IS FREE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

ADULTS CAN ENKNOLL ONE YEAR PROGRAM THAT DOES INCLUDE TUITION BUT FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP MONEY IS AVAILABLE.

>>> GOVERNOR STITT IS ASKING THE FIVE TRIBES TO SIT DOWN WITH HIM TO DISCUSS ISSUES CREATED BY THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISION.

JURISDICTION ISSUES IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA HAVE RESULTED IN A GREATLY INCREASED CASELOAD FOR FEDERAL PROSECUTORS, ESPECIALLY IN TULSA.

THE GOVERNOR HAS TABBED RYAN LEONARD TO REPRESENT THE STATE IN THOSE TALKS.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THE GOVERNOR INVITATION TO THE TRIBES TO SIT DOWN AND SEE WHAT WE CAN HAMMER OUT.

OBVIOUSLY WE'RE ALL STRONGER TOGETHER AS OAKMANS.

THIS IS A BIG ISSUE.

THE GOVERNOR FEELS VERY STRONG ABOUT IT.

AND SO THE PURPOSE OF THE INVITATION THIS PAST WEEK WAS JUST TO GET FOLKS IN A ROOM AND START FORMALIZE THE SOLUTIONS THAT HOPEFULLY WE CAN REACH FOR ALL OKLAHOMANS.

>> WE HAD SUCCESS WITH GAMING IN THE PAST, EVEN HUNTING AND FISHING.

I'M CERTAIN THAT THE PARTIES CAN COME TOGETHER AND FIND COMMON GROUND TO WORK OUT SOME OF THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THUS FAR THE TRIBES HAVE EXPRESSED LOOK WARM INTEREST IN ENTERING INTO FORMAL NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE STATE ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE McGIRT DECISION.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT DID HE DISMISSED TWO MORE GAMING COMPACTS NEGOTIATED BY GOVERNOR STITT IN A 8-1 DECISION THE COURT SAID THE COMPACTS WITH UNITED BAND OF CHEROKEE INDIANS DID NOT FOLLOW THE MOD GAMING COMPACT NOR DID THEY GET APPROVAL FROM THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON STATE TRIBAL RELATIONS.

THE COURT TOOK THE SAME ACTION WITH TWO OTHER GAMING COMPACTS THAT HAD NEGOTIATED WHILE HE WAS CHALLENGING THE RENEWAL OF CURRENT COMPACTS.

IT DOES APPEAR THAT GOVERNOR STITT'S PLAN FOR MEDICAID IS GOING FORWARD.

THE OKLAHOMA HEALTHCARE AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS APPROVING A RULE TO REMAKE THE MEDICARE PROGRAM INTO A MANAGED CARE SERVICE.

IT'S CURRENTLY A FEE FOR SERVICE PROGRAM.

THE CONTRACT IS EXPECTED TO COST $2 BILLION.

LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE HAVE ASKED STITT TO RECONSIDER THE MOVE AS THE LEGISLATURE PREPARES TO NEGOTIATE A WAY TO PAY FOR THE VOTER MANDATED MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSE HEALTHCARE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SAYS THE GOVERNOR SHOULD HAVE CONSULTED THE LEGISLATURE BEFORE ACTING.

>> MY LEGITIMATE PRAYER IS THAT YOU AND THE GOVERNOR WILL COME TO THE HOUSE, THAT YOU WILL WORK WITH US, AND NOT TRY TO CRAM THIS DOWN OUR THROAT, AND NOT TRY TO MOVE IT TOO FAST.

WE CAN BE YOUR PARTNERS ON THIS OR WE CAN'T.

AND I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR PARTNER.

THE HOUSE WOULD LOVE TO BE INCLUDED SO I'M LAYING DOWN THE GAUNTLET, AND WE DON'T WANT TO BE OBSTRUCTIONISTS BUT WE WILL IF WE HAVE TO BE.

>> THE WARNING COMING DURING THE BUDGET HEARING IN THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE.

>>> THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE COVID VACCINE REMAINS A SERIOUS CONCERN IN OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

FOR VARIETY OF REASONS NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME ABILITY TO ACCESS THE ONLINE REGISTRATION PORTAL.

RORY TAYLOR REPORTS ON WHAT'S BEING DONE HERE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

>> EARLIER THIS MONTH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ANNOUNCED IT WOULD USE POINT OF DISTRIBUTION SITES TO DISTRIBUTE THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

THE CONCEPT REQUIRES LARGE COMMUNITY SPACES LIKE CHURCHES TO PROVIDE INOCULATION SAFELY.

PODS HELP GET THOSE VACCINES TO UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES LIKE TUESDAY EVENT AT OKC BAPTIST CHURCH.

>> WE JUST BASICALLY DID FACEBOOK LIVE VIDEOS, AND COMMUNICATED TO THE COMMUNITY AND WE ASKED THEM TO SIGN UP THROUGH WHAT WAS CALLED SIGN UP JEAN YOU WHY WHICH IS CLICK, CLICK, AND YOU'RE SIGNED UP.

AND FOR PEOPLE WHO EVEN THAT WAS TOO DIFFICULT, THEN WHAT WE DID IS JUST PROVIDED A SIMPLE CELL PHONE NUMBER, AND ASKED THEM TO TEXT THEIR NAME, AND THEIR AGE, OR THEY COULD CALL THAT NUMBER AND THEN WE WOULD SIGN THEM UP.

>> MOST OF THOSE SIGNED UP FOR THE VACCINATION EVENT NOT THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH VACANCY NATION PORTAL BUT AN EASIER TO USE ALTERNATIVE.

>> THE PASTOR WORKED WITH HIS CONGREGATION AND LOTS OF PEOPLE TO GET THEM SIGNED UP.

WE LEARNED THAT PEOPLE ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STATE SCHEDULING PORTAL SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN GET SIGNED UP.

>> IT WORKED.

PEOPLE SIGNED UP THANKS TO THE OUTREACH EFFORT.

>> I AM A VERY HIGH RISK.

I'VE HAD TRIPLE BY PASS.

I'VE GOT A LOOP IN MY HEART.

AND I GOT BAD KIDNEYS, DIABETES, SO -- >> Reporter: SHE HEARD ABOUT THE EVENT ON TV.

>> IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR GRANDKIDS AND GREAT GRANDKIDS AND YOUR FAMILY I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU GET IT.

I'M JUST SO THANKFUL THAT THIS CHURCH TOOK ON THE EAST SIDE OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SOME MEMBERS HAVE HAD TROUBLE GETTING SIGNED UP THROUGH THE STATE VACCINATION PORTAL.

>> WE HAVE FOUND THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS TO GET SIGNED UP THROUGH THE PORTAL JUST BECAUSE WE'RE UNDERSERVED AREA AS IT RELATES TO INTERNET ACCESS, ACCESS OR COMPUTER ACCESS, AND THEN REALLY JUST UNDERSTANDING HOW TO EFFECTIVELY NAVIGATE THROUGH THAT VERY COMPLEX PORTAL.

>> Reporter: TO BRIDGE THAT DISPARITY THE CHURCH IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE OKLAHOMA CITY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERED THE MORE ACCESSIBLE ALTERNATIVE.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS TRYING TO MAKE THE PORTAL EASE YOU'RE TO USE.

>> WE ARE SEVERAL PERCENTAGE POINTS BELOW WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

FOR EXAMPLE ON OUR AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION, SO WITH THAT IN MIND WE ARE WORKING, WE HAVE A MINORITY HEALTH WORK GROUP PART OF OUR VACCINE PLANNING TEAM.

THEY'RE REACHING OUT TO PARTNERS, WORKING WITH PARTNERS TO TRY TO GET VACCINATION CLINICS THAT ARE FOCUSED IN SOME OF THESE AREAS.

>> Reporter: THE DISPARITY THE STATE IS WORKING TO CORRECT ARE BEING CLOSELY EXAMINED HERE AND OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE NATION.

CATHERINE KARMANOS THE SENIOR ECONOMIST THAT RECENTLY COMPLETED A STUDY ON COVID AFFECT ON MIDDLE AND LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

>> I THINK ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT FINDINGS IS THAT PEOPLE REALLY AREN'T VERY WELL-INFORMED ABOUT THE IMPACTS OF STRUCTURAL RACISM ON GROUPS IN OUR SOCIETY, PARTICULARLY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WHEN I SAY STRUCTURAL RACE IM WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT IS THE WAY THAT INEQUALITY IS BAKED INTO OUR SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: NOT ONLY WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HEALTHCARE FOUND TO BE LESS AVAILABLE TO AFRICAN-AMERICANS BUT COVID HAS ALSO DISPROPORTIONALLY AFFECTED PEOPLE OF COLOR.

HOWEVER, WHITE PEOPLE PULLED BY THE RAND CORPORATION WERE LESS LIKELY TO RECOGNIZE THAT DISPARITY AS A RACIAL BARRIER.

THE CDC IS LAUREN MUCHING A NEW TOOL TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT HEALTH ISSUES.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT HEART DISEASE AMONG ADULTS IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA THE RATE IS ABOUT SEVEN, LITTLE OVER 7%.

WHEN YOU START LOOKING AT NEIGHBORHOODS AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE ENTIRETY OF OKLAHOMA YOU CAN SEE THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE RATES LESS THAN 1% BUT OTHER COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS GO UP TO 12.5, VERY SPECIFIC AND CLEAR DATA, ALLOWS COMMUNITY LEADERS AS WELL AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY BASED SOLUTIONS.

>> FOR A DEEPER DIVE INTO HOW RACIAL INEQUITIES IN 2020 ARE AFFECTING OKLAHOMANS SPECIFICALLY, A TWO YEAR STUDY GETS UNDERWAY NEXT MONTH.

IT'S CALLED PROJECT TRINITY.

>> LET'S LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF POLICE MISCONDUCT AND THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ON THE HEALTH OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN TERMS OF TOBACCO USE, BUT MORE BROADLY PTSD, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND LOOK AT THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF THESE EVENTS.

>> Reporter: PARTICIPANTS WILL BE ASKED ABOUT EXPERIENCES LIKE CONTRACTING COVID AND THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES, ENGAGEMENTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HOW THOSE IMPACTED MENTAL HEALTH.

>> THE FIRST STEP I THINK IS JUST GET INVOLVED WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PRESENT THIS INFORMATION TO THEM SO THEY'LL KNOW THE IMPACT IT'S HAVING ON THEIR RESIDENTS AND THEIR COMMUNITY.

AND THE SECOND YOU GROUP OF PEOPLE TO PRESENT THIS INFORMATION TO ARE POLICYMAKERS AND PEOPLE IN PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HERE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER.

SO WE CAN START DESIGNING INTERVENTIONS AND CREATING POLICIES THAT MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF THE NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES.

>> Reporter: RORY TAYLOR, OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THIS WEEK OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR DAVID HOLT WAS ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN A PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF U.S. CITIES.

HE WAS JOINED BY TWO OTHER FIRST TERM MAYORS FROM STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA AND MIAMI.

THE DISCUSSION CENTERING ON THE CHALLENGES FOR URBAN LEADERS DURING AN ONGOING PANDEMIC AND IN THE WAKE OF LAST SUMMER'S SOCIAL UNREST ACROSS THE NATION.

>> I CAME INTO OFFICE TALKING ABOUT DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AS ONE OF MY TOP ISSUES, WHICH WAS RATHER UNIQUE.

WE'RE VERY DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IT'S 60% NONWHITE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

I DON'T NEED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MARCHING IN THE STREETS FOR WEEKS TO LISTEN.

I CAN -- ONE DAY, MAYBE TWO DAYS OF THAT, AND I RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON.

AND THAT WE NEED TO TALK.

AND YOU KNOW FROM THAT POINT FORWARD WE NEVER HAD ANY MORE PROPERTY DAMAGE OR VIOLENCE.

>> ON MONDAY, GOVERNOR STITT WILL DELIVER HIS THIRD STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AND THE 58th LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL OFFICIALLY BEGIN.

LAST YEAR THE GOVERNOR DESCRIBED THE SESSION AS DISAPPOINTING AND CONTENTIOUS.

WOULD BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME IN AROUND.

HERE IS SHAWN ASHLEY.

>> Reporter: THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION STARTS NEXT WEEK.

WHAT DO WE NEED TO EXPECT?

>> WELL, ON MONDAY WE'LL HEAR FROM GOVERNOR STITT WITH HIS THIRD STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS WHICH WILL BE AIRED HERE ON OETA.

THAT SAME DAY THE GOVERNOR WILL ALSO PRESENT HIS EXECUTIVE BUDGET, OUTLINING HIS BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, FISCAL YEAR 2022.

LATER IN THE WEEK THERE IS A CHANCE THAT LAWMAKERS COULD TAKE UP REINSTATEMENT OF TEMPORARY AMENDMENT TO THE OPEN MEETING ACT THAT ALLOWS FOR FULLY VIRTUAL MEETINGS.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS INDICATE THEY HOPE TO FAST TRACK A BILL THAT DOES THAT AND SEVERAL HAVE BEEN FILED.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL IS CALLING FOR REFUND OF NEARLY $2 MILLION BECAUSE THE COMPANY FAILED TO PROVIDE THE PROMISED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

SO WHAT HAPPENED?

>> WELL, BACK AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ORDERED A LARGE QUANTITY OF PROTECTIVE MASKS FROM THE NEW COMPANY OUT OF TULSA.

THE COMPANY CLAIMED TO HAVE THE MASKS ON HAND, AND WOULD BE ABLE TO DELIVER THEM QUICKLY.

HOWEVER, AS TIME WENT BY THOSE MASKS WERE NEVER DELIVERED AND ULTIMATELY THE STATE DISCOVERED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THOSE ON HAND AS THEY HAD PROMISED.

SO THE STATE ATTEMPTED TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK.

SO FAR THEY'VE RECEIVED ONLY $300,000 OF THAT MORE THAN $2 MILLION BACK.

AND SO THEY'LL BE GOING TO COURT IN ORDER TO TRY TO RECOVER THE BALANCE OF THAT MONEY.

>> GOVERNOR STITT HAS APPOINTED A FORMER SOONER TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

WHO IS IT AND WHAT ARE HIS QUALIFICATIONS?

>> TRENT SMITH IT THE A POINTY, HE'S AN OKLAHOMA CITY BUSINESS MAN.

YOU MAY RECALL BACK IN DECEMBER THAT THE GOVERNOR REMOVED KURT BOLENBACH AND ATTEMPTED TO APPOINT SOMEONE WHO WAS NOT WELL RECEIVED, AND ULTIMATELY ASKED THAT HER NAME BE WITHDRAWN.

IN ADDITION TO BEING THE BUSINESS MAN MR. SMITH WAS A TIGHT END FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA FOR FOUR YEARS, PLAYED ON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.

HE'S MARRIED AND HAS TWO CHILDREN.

>> SO WE NOW HAVE A LEGISLATURE WHO HAS FILED A BILL.

WHAT'S GOING ON THERE?

>> WELL, ACTUALLY REPRESENTATIVE JASON HUMPHRIES STARTED TALKING ABOUT THIS A YEAR AGO.

THE IDEA OF CREATING A BIG FOOT HUNTING SEASON IN OKLAHOMA.

AND HE'S FILED HOUSE BILL 1648 TO DO EXACTLY THAT.

WHAT THE REPRESENTATIVE SAYS HE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE A BIG FOOT "KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOONED."

WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE OKLAHOMA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DO IS ESTABLISH A HUNTING SEASON THAT WOULD CALL FOR TRAPPING AND THEN IT WOULD OFFER A LICENSE AND FEE INVOLVED THERE.

ULTIMATELY HE SAYS THE ISSUE IS ABOUT TOURISM IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA.

EACH YEAR THEY HOST AN ANNUAL BIG FOOT FESTIVAL THAT DRAWS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE TO THAT AREA IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA AND THE PROCEEDS FROM THAT FESTIVAL ACTUALLY GO TO SUPPORT SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KIDS IN A FOUR COUNTY AREA SURROUNDING THAT COMMUNITY.

SINCE 2014, MORE THAN $40,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO MORE THAN 71 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS.

>> SHAWN, AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> THANK YOU.

ON WEDNESDAY THE WORLD OBSERVED INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY.

THEY HONORED THE MEMORY OF 6 MILLION.

>> I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF WHAT PEOPLE DID.

THEY RISKED THEIR LIVES AND SAVED ME.

>> I WAS BORN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HOLOCAUST IN 1942, AND I SURVIVED THE HOLOCAUST BY BEING HIDDEN AS A CHILD.

>> I WAS A CHILD THEN AND I SAW THE DISCRIMINATION, THE HATE THAT WAS PERPETUATED.

>> IT IS A COMMEMORATION THAT THE UNITED NATION URGES ALL MEMBER STATES TO HONOR THE 6 MILLION JEWS AND THE MANY OTHER VICTIMS WHO WERE MURDERED DURING THE HOLOCAUST AND TO DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO TRY TO HELP THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR AND THAT KIND OF HATRED FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> ANOTHER DARK CHAP CHAPTER HISTORY WILL BE COMMEMORATED WITH THE CENTENNIAL OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

ONE OF THEM IS THE PATHWAY TO HOPE, A WALKING TRAIL THAT IS BEING BUILT DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO A BUSSELING DOWNTOWN HIGHWAY.

IT MAY SEEM LIKE AN ODD LOCATION.

AND ACCORDING TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMISSION, THAT'S EXACTLY AS IT SHOULD BE.

>> IT WAS PROSPERITY BEFORE THE MASSACRE, AND THEN THERE WAS THE MASSACRE, AND THEN BLACK PEOPLE IN THIS AREA REBUILT THEIR BUSINESSES WITHOUT THE BENEFIT OF INSURANCE CLAIMS THAT THEY HAD PAID FOR MANY YEARS.

BLACK PEOPLE WERE LIVING JUST ACROSS THE RAILROAD TRACKS, BUT THEN URBAN RENEWAL HAPPENED ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT DIVIDED COMMUNITIES AGAIN, WITH THE HIGHWAY RIGHT THROUGH GREENWOOD.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A PATHWAY TO HOPE, THE SIGNIFICANCE IS THAT HIGHWAY, THAT MANY PEOPLE WANT TO GET RID OF.

AND WE'RE GOING TO GO RIGHT ALONGSIDE OF THAT HIGHWAY THAT CAUSED SO MUCH DAMAGE THE OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL PATHWAY FROM THE GREENWOOD RISING FACILITY, THE HISTORY CENTER, TO JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN PARK.

AND THAT'S SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PATHWAY TO HOPE.

>> THE GREENWOOD RISING CENTER IS BEING BUILT ON LAND DONATED BY THE HILL FOUNDATION CONSTRUCTING ITS OWN BUILDING RIGHT NEXT DOOR.

THE CENTER IS DESIGNED TO TEACH THE MASSACRE HISTORY, WHICH REMAINS A LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY FOR MATTHEWS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN, AS WELL.

>> SO ONE OF MY BIG PRIORITIES IS HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY CONFIRM THAT IT'S BEING TAUGHT.

RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT PART OF THE TESTING PROCEDURES, SO THAT'S WHERE THE PRIORITIES ARE FOR TEACHING THING, WHAT'S GOING TO BE ON TEST THE.

WE'RE LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN INTEGRATE IT, POSSIBLY IN THE TESTING, OR OTHER WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE TO LEARN THE LESSON.

>> MATTHEWS SAYS HE WILL SEEK MONEY FOR A PROGRAM THAT WILL ALLOW STUDENTS TO VISIT THE GREENWOOD RISING COMPLEX AND THE CLARA LOOPER CENTER SOON TO BE BUILT IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> THE CIVIL RIGHTS WE -- >> LOOKING AT SOME TYPE OF FUNDING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE FIELD TRIPS TO BOTH THE CLARA LUPER CENTER AND GREENWOOD RISING TO LEARN ABOUT BLACK HISTORY.

>> OKLAHOMANS AREN'T THE ONLY ONES LEARNING ABOUT THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

SOME VERY BIG NAMES ARE GETTING FINANCIALLY EMOTIONALLY AND ARTISTICALLY INVOLVED IN WHAT TRANSPIRED IN TULSA 100 YEARS AGO.

>> OPRAH WINFREY NETWORK THEY HAD PEOPLE ON THE GROUND IN THE PAST WEEK.

>> QUICKLY TO THE HOOP.

>> RUSSELL WESTBROOK IS DOING A DOCUMENTARY.

LeBRON JAMES IS DOING A DOCUMENTARY AND WE'RE SOLICITING REALLY, REALLY BIG NATIONAL NAMES TO COME HERE, BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE COME TO US.

>> WHITE JERSEY, GOES UP AND THROWS IT DOWN.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER IS GIVEN US A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS AND THEY'RE GETTING READY TO DO A PROGRAM AROUND AND A LET I CANS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN YOUNG PEOPLE THAT DON'T JUST PLAY BASKETBALL BUT THEY LEARN WHAT HAPPENS BEHIND THE SCENES AND ANALYTICS AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE INTO THAT PROFESSION IN THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN ANONYMOUS LOCAL DONORS WHO STEPPED UP IN A BIG WAY TO HELP.

>> IT'S MORE EXCITING THAT WE'VE HAD HAD DONORS AND SUPPORT TO TRY TO ACCELERATE THE CONSTRUCTION.

WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT IT TAKES TO TRY TO HAVE THIS FACILITY AS MUCH DONE AS POSSIBLE BY MAY 31st.

>> THE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT U.S.

SENATOR JAMES LANKFORD WILL REMAIN IN HIS ROLE WITH THE ORGANIZATION DESPITE CALLS THAT HE RESIGN OR BE REMOVED BECAUSE OF HIS CHALLENGE OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS.

HE WITHDREW THE COMPLAINT AND LATER APOLOGIZED FOR IT.

>>> DONALD TRUMP'S LOSS IS SOUTHERN HILLS GAIN.

THE PGA OF AMERICA ANNOUNCING THE 2022 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WON OF GOLF'S FORBE MAJORS WILL BE PLAYED IN TULSA NEXT YEARS.

THE LAST WAS 2007 PGA WON BY TIGERS WOODS.

CITING TRUMP'S ROLE IN THE CAPITOL THE PGA MADE THE CHANGE.

>> WE'RE AWARDED THE 2021 SENIOR AND THE 2030 PGA BACK IN 2017, AND IT WAS EXCITING THEN, BUT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IF I WOULD BE ALIVE.

SO IN 20 -- AND WE WERE TRYING TO GET AN EARLIER DATE, AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH PGA, BUT MAKE IT HAPPEN THE PGA SELECTED US TO HOST.

SO IT'S BEEN JUST OFF THE CHARTS.

IT'S BEEN EXCITING.

IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, REWARDING IN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN SELECTED, AND NOW THE WORK BEGINS.

>> 154.

>> THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN PLACE WITH THE PGA TEAM ON SITE.

THEY'RE VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND YOU KNOW WITH THE CORPORATE CLIENTS THAT WE'VE -- THAT PURCHASED FOR THE 21 SENIOR, WE HAVE THEIR TEAM, WE HAVE VOLUNTEERS SET UP.

WE HAVE THE TICKETING IN PLACE FOR 21, JUST EXPANDING BY PROBABLY 50 TO 60%.

>> THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HOSTING A PGA CHAMPIONSHIP HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO BE AS HIGH AS $100 MILLION.

>>> THE SOUTHERN HILLS LAY OUT ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY THE LEGENDARY PERRY MAXWELL HAS UNDERGONE A TEN-MONTH, $11 MILLION REASON VASE TO GET READY TO HOST THE GREATEST GOLFERS.

>>> THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE IN IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PEOPLE THEY'RE PAID TO PROTECT AND SERVE.

IT IS COMMUNITY POLICING THE ANSWER?

THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN IN PLACE IN MANY OKLAHOMA COMMUNITY FOR A FEW YEARS AND APPEAR TO BE EFFECTIVE.

CAN THEY BE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED?

THAT'S THE TOPIC WITH A TWO PART IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUEST.

>> THANK YOU RICH.

WE HAVE IN-DEPTH ARE CONTINUING OUR LOOK AT RACISM IN OKLAHOMA, AND ALL OF THE FACETS IN BETWEEN OF HOW WE MOVE FORWARD.

WE HAVE THREE VERY SPECIAL GUESTS JOINING US TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

IN PARTICULAR COMMUNITY POLICING.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU.

FIRST WE HAVE REVEREND DICKERSON, THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BLACK LIVES MATTER OKLAHOMA AMONG MANY THINGS THAT SHE DOES FOR THE COMMUNITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE HANNIBAL JOHNSON, SPECIALIZING IN DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, AND CULTURAL COMPETENT ISSUES AND NONPROFITTEN GOVERN NANS.

FBI TRAINING, SECRET SERVICE TRAINING, TO ADD INTO THE MIX AS WE TALK ABOUT TODAY COMMUNITY POLICING.

QUITE AIM PRESS I HAVE PANEL.

AND THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US TODAY.

I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH CHIEF CLAY.

FIRST OF ALL FROM A POLICE LAW ENFORCEMENT POINT OF VIEW, GIVE US A DEFINITION, WHAT IS COMMUNITY POLICING?

>> YOU KNOW WE HAVE A MISSION STATEMENT AND RECENTLY WE HAD A DIVISION STATEMENT TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION, OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS SIMPLE.

THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP THROUGH COMMUNITY POLICING.

PART OF THAT VISION IS THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY, COMMUNICATION, TRUST, ACCOUNTABILITY, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, INNOVATION, COMPASSION, AND UNDERSTANDING AND MUTUAL RESPECT AND EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT MIDWEST CITY.

I'VE BEEN HERE 42 YEARS, BEEN BLESSED TO BE THE POLICE CHIEF FOR 21 YEARS.

WE HAVE A DIVERSE POPULATION, 28% AFRICAN-AMERICAN POPULATION IN MIDWEST CITY.

I TELL EVERYBODY WE'RE A LITTLE BIT CITY, NO DIFFERENT THAN OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

SO OUR ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH ARE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CITIES AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAD TO BE VERY AGGRESSIVE WITH COMMUNITY BASED POLICING WHICH STARTED IN 1999, AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TRANSITION.

IT'S A CULTURAL CHANGE.

I WORKED WITH SIX DECADES OF POLICE OFFICERS, OFFICERS WHO WORKED IN THE '70S, '80S, AND SO WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT WITHIN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND THROUGH OUR COMMUNITY.

SO IT'S BEEN A MOVEMENT.

IT'S NOT BEEN A REVOLUTION.

IT'S BEEN EVOLUTION FOR US.

IT'S ALL EMBRACED BY OFFICERS WHICH IN TURN CREATED BETTER COMMUNITY FOR US.

>> REVEREND, WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF COMMUNITY POLICING?

>> I IDENTIFY MORE AS PROBABLY A RADICAL ABOLITIONIST.

BUT FROM THE LOANS OF COMMUNITY POLICING IT WOULD MEAN THAT THOSE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE RELATIONSHIP AND UNDERSTAND THE NEEDS AND THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY ARE ABLD TO, AND WE WOULD JUST SEE THAT THEY WOULD SEE THOSE THAT THEY ARE PROTECTING AND SERVING AS THEIR NEIGHBOR.

AND THEY WOULD RECOGNIZE THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OR CONCERNS OF THE MEMBERS IN THAT COMMUNITY.

>> REVEREND HAVE YOU SEEN ANY PROGRESS MAYBE IN THE PAST YEAR ESPECIALLY SINCE THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, HAVE YOU SEEN MORE EFFORT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZATIONS OR NO?

>> I WON'T SAY THAT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY EFFORT.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY ADVOCATING FOR IS FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE, THAT THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE ISSUES OF RACISM AND BIAS.

AND LACK OF KNOWLEDGE OF THEIR -- THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY SERVE.

AND SO I DO SEE A FEW THAT THEY TELL US WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT, BUT THEY'RE NOT ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT THE CORE NEEDS -- THE CORE NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED.

>> MR. JOHNSON I WANT TO TURN TO YOU, KIND OF SOMEONE WHO HAS STUDIED THE ISSUES DOWN THE DECADES AND THE CHIEF HAS SEEN THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE.

WHY IS THERE THAT INATE TRUST?

I'M ASSUMING IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FIXED OVERNIGHT.

DO YOU THINK WE'RE ON THE RIGHT PATH?

DO YOU THINK YOU SEE A REPETITION OF THE HISTORY THAT YOU KNOW SO WELL, IS THERE A HALFWAY POINT WHERE EVERYONE NEEDS TO MEET?

>> THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT COMMUNITY POLICING I THINK FOR ME IT IS IN PART ABOUT RECIPROCITY, ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THAT IT'S BENEFICIAL FOR BOTH THE COMMUNITY AND THE POLICE TO BUILD RELATIONSHIP AND TRUST.

THE POLICE NEED THE COMMUNITY TO DO THEIR CORE MISSION, WHICH IS SOLVE CRIMES.

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS THE POLICE TO KEEP THEM SAFE AND SECURE.

SO BUILDING THOSE BONDS THROUGH HAVING ACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH REAL PEOPLE IS IMPORTANT.

AND TRUST IS SOMETHING THAT TAKES A LONG TIME TO BE GAINED BUT CAN BE LOST IN A MOMENT.

IN TULSA, FOR EXAMPLE, WE THINK OF THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE, DURING WHICH THERE IS NO DISPUTE THAT THE POLICE DEPUTIZED THE MOB THAT DESTROYED THE COMMUNITY.

THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT.

OUR FORMER POLICE CHIEF YOUNG CK JORDAN ISSUED A PUBLIC POLICY SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AGO FOR DERELICTION OF DUTY BACK IN 1921.

SO THOSE HISTORICAL WOUNDS IF LEFT TO FESTER CAN DESTROY TRUST.

SO WE HAVE TO AGAIN AS REVEREND DICKERSON POINTED OUTAGE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN FRACTURES IN TREE LAGS SHIP.

THAT'S THE FIRST STEP.

AND BUILT ON THAT.

>> YOU TALKED ABOUT THE WAYS THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT BREAK IS MOVING TOWARDS HEALING.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE THINGS INCORPORATING -- WHAT DID YOU CALL IT?

THE HEALING -- THE LAST PROGRAM YOU MENTIONED.

>> IMPLICIT BIAS TRAINING.

>> YES.

DO YOU HAVE THAT?

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE IN YOUR DEPARTMENT?

BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE A VARIED POPULATION THERE IN MIDWEST CITY.

AND I KNOW WE CAN'T COMPARE POLICE AGENCIES TO ONE ANOTHER.

EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT IN SOME MEASURE, AS TO WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, ONLY 8% OF THE TOTAL POPULATION IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN, BUT 27% OF THE STATE'S PRISON POPULATION IS ALSO AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

IS THERE A BASIS, A GOOD FOUNDATION GORE THE MISTRUST AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING SPECIFICALLY?

I KNOW YOU MENTIONED, BUT KIND OF GO IN-DEPTH WITH WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE HAPPEN WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT.

>> LET ME TALK ABOUT A FEW THINGS THAT THEY HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT.

FIRST OF ALL I BELIEVE THAT FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE, MY POLICE DEPARTMENT PERSPECTIVE, WE REALIZE THERE IS ISSUES WITHIN THIS COMMUNITY, WITHIN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.

AND WE BELIEVE THERE IS IMPLICIT BIAS.

AND THERE IS ALWAYS TALK ABOUT RACISM, THERE IS RACISM IN EVERY CULTURE BUT WE KNOW THERE IS IMPLICIT BIAS AND WE HAVE TRAINING.

IF WE UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE ARE, WE HAVE A BETTER WAY OF COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO EVER AND UNDERSTAND HOW THEY INTERPRET OUR ACTIONS AND OUR BELIEFS AND WE DO THE SAME WITH THEM.

I HAVE A POLICE ADVISORY BOARD.

WE WERE THE SECOND AGENCY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA TO IMPLEMENT THE ADVISORY BOARD WHICH IN TURN PROVIDES ME INFORMATION ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER.

I AGREE TRUST IS THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

I WALKED THE STREETS OF MIDWEST CITY WHERE WE HAVE OUR HIGHEST VIOLENT CRIME RATES.

I'VE GONE TO THE NEIGHBORS DOOR TO DOOR AND THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE, BUT THERE IS BAD PEOPLE IN MIDWEST CITY.

IT'S LIKE BAD POLICE OFFICERS.

I'M NOT DISPUTING THERE IS BAD POLICE OFFICERS IN THE ORGANIZATION WHO DO BAD THINGS, JUST LIKE ANYBODY ELSE.

BUT IT IS A PROFESSION I WOULD SAY 99% OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT DO THE BEST JOB THAT THEY CAN.

AND I WANT TO TALK BRIEFLY.

WE GOT A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY, AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY, YOUTH ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

AND WE NEED TO FRAMEWORK WHAT THE ISSUES ARE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

I DO HAVE SOME ALARMING STATISTICS THAT I LIKE TO MAYBE COMMENT ON.

AND YOU POINTED OUT STATS ABOUT OKLAHOMA AND PEOPLE INCARCERATED.

THERE IS 328 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES, THE LATEST NUMBERS I SAW.

41.4% ARE AFRICAN-AMERICANS, AND THAT'S 12.6% OF OUR POPULATION.

BUT THAT 12.6% IS COMMITTING 50% OF VIOLENT CRIME IN THE UNITED STATES.

THAT'S CONCERNING TO ME, NOT ONLY AS A POLICE CHIEF BUT AS A PERSON AS A HUMAN BEING, WHY IS THAT OCCURRING?

WHY ARE WE NOT DRILLING DOWN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THAT?

I KNOW MIDWEST CITY WE HAVE SOME AREAS WHERE LOW SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACT, SINGLE FAMILY PARENTS, GRANDPARENTS RAISING KIDS, BUT THOSE NUMBERS ARE CONCERNING TO ME.

AND WE TALK ABOUT POLICE OFFICERS "KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOONING" ARMED BLACK, AFRICAN-AMERICANS.

THAT IS A SMALL NUMBER WHICH IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE BUT THE REAL CONCERNING NUMBER.

I'VE HAD A -- AN INCREASE IN HOMICIDES THIS YEAR VIOLENT CRIMES BECAUSE PANDEMIC IS ALL ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, BUT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY IS THIS OCCURRING?

AND I DON'T DISAGREE, WE DO REALLY GOOD JOB WITH CRISIS INTERVENTION, MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING.

WE DO GREAT JOB WITH IMPLICIT BIAS.

WE DO A GREAT JOB WITH DEESCALATION TRAINING.

WE'RE TRYING TO DO ALL THE THINGS OUR COMMUNITY EXPECTS FROM US.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE RESPECT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE.

DO WE MAKE MISTAKES?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE'RE HUMAN BEINGS.

BUT WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES.

SO WHY DON'T WE LOOK AT THOSE ISSUES AND FIND OUT WHY IS THAT OCCURRING?

AND THAT WOULD BE MY CHALLENGE.

>> DO YOU WANT TO ADDRESS THAT?

>> WELL, I WOULD.

AND I HAVE A -- ME AND CHIEF CLAY HAVE A RAPPORT AND WE HAVE BEEN ON CALLS TOGETHER AND SPOKEN.

WE HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE FACT THAT MOST CRIMES THAT HAPPEN, HAPPEN WITHIN THE SAME RACIAL DEMOGRAPHIC OR ETHNICITY.

SO WHITE PEOPLE ARE THE ONES THAT COMMIT CRIMES AGAINST WHITE PEOPLE.

THOSE THAT ARE AAPI COMMUNITIES COMMIT IT AGAINST THEMSELVES.

AND SO IT'S UNFAIR TO ONLY HIGHLIGHT OR MAKE IT SEEM LIKE IT IS -- THAT THERE IS A HIGHER PERCENTAGE WITHIN AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES WHEN IT IS BASICALLY THE SAME IN ALL COMMUNITIES.

>> LET ME JUST ADD, THE OTHER THING THAT THAT STATEMENT IGNORES IS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE INSTITUTIONAL SYSTEMIC BIAS.

SO IF THERE HAD BEEN NUMEROUS STUDIES THAT INDICATE THAT, BLACK PEOPLE ARE TREATED LESS FAVORABLY AT EVERY PHASE OF THE CRIMINAL PROCESS.

TO SAY BLACK PEOPLE COMMIT DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF CRIMES IS TO FAIL TAJ THAT BLACK PEOPLE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE STOPPED, CHARGED, CONVICTED, SENTENCED, FOR LONGER TERMS AND FOR MANY YEARS SENTENCED FOR SIMILAR CRIMES IN A VERY DISPROPORTIONATE WAY.

THE BETTER EXAMPLE OF THAT.

WE HAVE BIAS AT EVERY STAGE OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS.

I SAY THAT ACKNOWLEDGING THAT I WORK DIRECTLY WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE.

I KNOW IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE POLICE.

IT'S ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AT LARGE.

AND THE PROBLEMS ARE STRUCTURAL.

THEY'RE ROOTED IN RACISM FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US WORKING TO THE TO SOLVE THEM.

>> CHIEF, DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL TO THAT?

>> I ENJOYED THE CONVERSATION.

I'M RESPONDING TO THE SAYS IS THE TICKS THAT YOU INDICATED TO ME.

I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THE COMMENTS, AND I WANT TO ACTUALLY THANK HER FOR RELATIONSHIP WE HAVE.

SHE HELPED ME ON ISSUES WE HAD IN OKLAHOMA CITY AREA.

HE'S OBVIOUSLY VERY EDUCATED, VERY WELL SPOKEN, AND I DON'T DISAGREE WITH HIS COMMENTS.

BUT IT'S A WIDE VARIETY OF ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT TOGETHER, AND WE HAVE TO FRAME WHETHER WE -- WHAT ARE WE FACING TOGETHER.

THAT'S MY ISSUE.

I DON'T SERVE JUST ONE GROUP OR ONE CULTURE.

I SERVE THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

SO I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> LET ME ASK THIS.

WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WE WANT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO RELATE TO UNDERSTAND, TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE CITIZENS IT PATROLS, TO GET TO KNOW THE NEIGHBOR HOOD I HAVE A FRIEND WHO IS AN OKLAHOMA CITY OFFICER, HE'S AFRICAN-AMERICAN, HE GETS TO KNOW THE PEOPLE THERE.

SO I KNOW THE EFFORT IS GOING ON THERE, BUT HOW DO YOU -- THERE IS THAT MISTRUST.

PEOPLE -- ANYONE GETS SCARED WHEN THERE IS A POLICE OFFICER BEHIND THEM.

I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE BLACK WHO SAY NO THEY HAVE AN INNATE FEAR THAT THEY COULD BE PULLED OUT OF THE CAR.

THEY HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING RIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET RID OF THAT FEAR.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE YEARS, I THINK, CHIEF, DON'T YOU THINK?

HOW DO YOU GET RID OF OF THAT FEAR?

>> THROUGH POSITIVE CONVERSATION.

I THINK IT STARTS WITH THE FAMILY UNIT, AND YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY PUT OUT A FLYER, I'M GOING TO SHOW THIS TO YOU, HOW TO INTERACT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

AND YOU KNOW I WOULD EXPECT WHEN I WAS RAISED I KNEW WHAT TO DO IF I WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER.

THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO INTERACT WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

AND SO YOU KNOW THOSE CONVERSATIONS NEED TO BE TAKING PLACE IN THE FAMILY UNITY.

THE OTHER ISSUE IF PEOPLE WOULD JUST COMPLY WITH OUR COMMAND AND IF THEY HAVE A COMPLAINT CONTACT THE SUPERVISOR IMMEDIATELY.

WE -- ALL OF OUR OFFICERS ARE OUT THERE WITH BODY CAMERAS, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO BE TRANSPARENT.

BUT A LOT OF THESE ISSUES THAT YOU SEE ON NATIONAL TV AND LOCALLY WERE SOMEONE SHOT AND KILLED THE BIGGEST ISSUE THEY DIDN'T COMPLY.

THERE ARE ISSUES, I UNDERSTAND, WHERE THERE IS PERSONAL REASONING AS TO WHY AN OFFICER SHOT THEIR WEAPON.

I HAVE TO -- I HAVE TO BASE IT ON THE FACT AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF THAT CASE.

I KNOW THAT WE ARE TRYING TO BE AS TRANSPARENT AS POSSIBLE.

>> SO IS THERE SOME RESPONSIBILITY ON THE OTHER SIDE ON COMMUNITY SIDE TO ALSO WORK WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS?

I KNOW MANY BLACK PARENTS ARE HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH THEIR KIDDOS, RIGHT?

ABOUT HOW TO INTERACT.

IS THERE SOMETHING THAT IS INHERENT THAT IS NOT BEING DONE ON THE COMMUNITY SIDE TO ALSO UNDERSTAND AND RELATE TO POLICE OFFICERS?

>> THERE ABSOLUTELY IS.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HERE FOR THE LAST DOZEN YEARS OR SO IS BUILDING TRUST, BUILDING THESE RELATIONSHIPS.

AND PART OF THE BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP HAS TO DO WITH DEMYSTIFYING POLICING.

WHAT DO POLICE DO AND WHY.

HOW CAN RELATE WITH POLICE IN A WAY THAT DIFFUSES.

>> THERE IS MUCH TO DISCUSS.

I THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR INSIGHT.

>>> WE WILL BRING YOU PART TWO OF THIS CONVERSATION NEXT FRIDAY ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> ON THIS VERY FIRST DAY IN OFFICE PRESIDENT BIDEN ISSUED FIVE EXECUTIVE ORDERS DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION, ONE PRESERVING AND FORTIFYING THE DEFERRED ACTION ON CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL PROGRAMS.

WHEN MOST PEOPLE THINK OF DACA THEY THINK OF IMMIGRANTS CROSSING OUR SOUTHERN BORDER.

BUT AS YOU'LL LEARN FROM THIS REPORT, THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

>> HI, MY NAME IS DEBORAH.

I GRADUATED FROM UT AUSTIN.

>> MY NAME IS SUSAN.

>> HI, I GO TO UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN.

I AM A MASTER STUDENT.

>> I HAD DACA FOR EIGHT YEARS.

I GOT IT IN 2012.

>> I FIRST BECAME A DACA RECIPIENT IN 2012, I BELIEVE.

>> I RECEIVED MY DACA WHEN -- IN 2013.

>> I ASSUME PEOPLE DON'T EXPECT ASIANS TO BE UNDOCUMENTED OR HAVE DACA.

I MENTION IT TO PEOPLE AND THEY'LL BE LIKE I HAD NO IDEA.

>> I KNEW I WAS UNDOCUMENTED BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THAT REALLY MEANT BECAUSE IT WASN'T SOMETHING MY PARENTS BROUGHT UP BECAUSE I DON'T THINK THEY REALLY WANTED TO.

>> WITH THE RESOURCES BEING LIMITED OR NOT THERE AT ALL, AND THE FEAR WE JUST SORT OF ALL DISTANCED EACH OTHER.

>> I REALLY FELT LIKE I WAS THE ONLY ASIAN AMERICAN DACA RECIPIENT.

THERE WEREN'T MANY RESOURCES FOR US.

I FELT LONELY, LIKE MY SISTER AND I, BECAUSE MY PARENTS WOULD TELL DON'T EVER TELL SOMEONE ABOUT YOUR STATUS, NEVER TALK ABOUT THAT.

AND SO LIKE I HAD TO KEEP MY MOUTH SHUT.

>> YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE I'M LIVING THIS NORMAL LIFE WITH MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BUT THAT BURDEN IS ALWAYS ON MY SHOULDER OF WHETHER I WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE HERE THE NEXT YEAR OR NOT.

>> BEING ASIAN AMERICAN I THINK IT'S INTERESTING, I FEEL LIKE BECAUSE THERE IS A STEREOTYPE OF BEING A MODEL MINORITY.

>> WITHIN THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY THAT IS SOMETHING I HAD TO REALIZE, LIKE JUST BECAUSE YOU KNOW WE'RE SEEN AS GOOD IMMIGRANTS DOESN'T MEAN I DESERVE DACA MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

>> MY UNDERGRAD EVEN THOUGH MY APPLICATION SAID I WAS INTERNATIONAL STUDENT I LIVED IN AMERICA MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND JUST TO TAKE AWAY THAT IDENTITY FROM ME WAS A BIG DEAL.

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE SOMEONE TO SNAP THEIR FINGERS AND I WOULD HAVE CITIZENSHIP AND EVERYTHING WOULD BE GREAT.

BUT REALISTICALLY, JUST SOME SORT OF LEGISLATION THAT IS MOVING US TOWARDS A PLACE WHERE IMMIGRANTS ARE WELCOMED.

I FEEL LIKE GENERALLY THE LAWS THAT ARE IN PLACE RIGHT NOW ARE TRYING TO KEEP IMMIGRANTS OUT.

THERE IS UNDERTONE OF THAT CARRYING THROUGH ALL THE RULES.

SO HOPEFULLY IN NEXT FOUR YEARS WE GET SOME PATH TO CITIZENSHIP.

THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> I THINK DACA IS A GREAT WAY AND GREAT PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE, BUT IT'S STILL A START.

AND A START IS BETTER THAN HAVING NOTHING.

>> WE ASKED FOR A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP, IT'S NOT JUST FOR LIKE DACA RECIPIENTS OR YOUNG IMMIGRANTS, IT INCLUDES EVERYBODY.

>> IMMIGRANTS AREN'T JUST LIKE THIS MOB OF PEOPLE HERE TO STEAL YOUR JOB.

AND INVADE THIS COUNTRY.

WE'RE ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND WE HAVE LIVES.

>> EVERY IMMIGRANT, UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT, EVERYONE DESERVES TO BE TREATED BETTER.

HAVING A VOICE, HAVING TO EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, DACA IS A START.

>> BACK HERE IN OKLAHOMA, OSU HEAD FOOTBALL COACH LEADINGS A CLASS OF SIX WHO WILL BE INDUCTED IN THE SPORTS HALL OF FAME THIS YEAR.

HE LED OKLAHOMA STATE TO 137 VICTORIES AND 15 CONSECUTIVE BOWL APPEARANCES SINCE TAKING OVER AS HEAD COACH IN 2005.

THE CEREMONY IS SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 2nd.

>>> ON THE NEXT ONE HOUR EDITION OF "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," WE'LL TAKE YOU TO ADA OKLAHOMA, FOR A REPORT ON THE COVID COTTAGES.

WE WILL SAY SO LONG WITH A BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR OF FLEW OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY JONATHON THOMSON.

FOR ALL OF US, I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, AND ENJOY YOUR PRODUCTIVE WEEKEND.

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