>> THE OKLAHOMA HOUSE RETURNS TO THE CAPITAL IN SPECIAL SESSION TO OVERRIDE ANOTHER VET O.

WE ARE TAKING IMPORTANT BUSINESS TODAY TAKE YOUR SEATS.

>> LEGAL CHALLENGES TO THE AUTHORITIZATION OF THE OKLAHOMA'S FIRST EVER RELIGIOUS ASHES FILLIATED VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

>> TAXPAYERS.

>>>>> ARE ALREADY GOING TO RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

ON THE ROAD IT RECOVERY FOR HUNDREDS OF MILES OF DPRAFL RURAL STREETS IN NEED OF REPAIR.

>> THE PROGRAM IS GETTING MORE AND MORE STEAM.

>> THE LATEST RESEARCH BY OU PROFESSORS REVEALS FLASH DROUGHTS ARE INCREASING IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THESE ARE PROCESSES THAT DEVELOP OVER 3 TO 6 WEEKS.

>> $5 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING TO PROVIDE LEGAL REPREPONDERATATION FOR CHILDREN AND PARENTS IN THE STATE WELFARE SYSTEM.

>> ONE JUDGE SAID LAST YEAR HE ONLY HAD $3,000 FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR TO PAY LAWYERS TO TAKE A CHILD WELPAIR CASE.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

HELLO, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I AM RICH LENZ.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RETURNED TO THE STATE CAPITAL TO TIE UPON LEGISLATIVE LOOSE ENDED AND ANNOUNCED IT WOULD BE ONLY UNTIL JULY 31ST.

THE SENATE WILL SET UP OVERRIDE VOTES IN THE COMING WEEK.

JASON DOYLE HAS A RECAP OF THE WEEK'S EVENTS.

JASON?

>> RICH, THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T VET O THE BUDGET ITSELF BUT DID VET O TWO BILLS WHICH COULD IMPACT REVENUES IF THEY STAND.

LAWMAKER ARE TRYING TO PREVENT THE VET OS FROM TIPPING THE BUDGET OUT OF BALANCE.

>> MEMBERS, TAKE YOUR SEATS.

>> AFTER TWO WEEKS AWAY, HOUSE MEMBERS TOOK ON OVERRIDING THE GOVERNOR'S VET O OF A BILL WHICH EXTEND TRIBAL COMPACTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSE TAGS.

>> I MOVE THAT HOUSE BILL 1005 X BECOME LAW.

>> AND GOVERNOR STITT VETOED THE HOUSE BILL, HE BELIEVED THAT THE LEGISLATURE WAS TRYING TO WORK AROUND HIS AUTHORITY TO NEGOTIATE WITH THE TRIBES.

THE GOVERNOR QUESTIONED THE LEGISLATURE'S AUTHORITY TO CALL A CONCURRENT SPECIAL SESSION AND THE COMPACT EXTENSION DIDN'T MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE CALL FOR THE SPECIAL SESSION.

>> THEY ARE CONCURRENT SPECIAL SESSIONS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN ONE SINCE THE LEP YEARS.

SO THERE IS NO LEGAL BASIS FOR THAT CLAIM.

THE LEGISLATURE EXERCISING THEIR AUTHORITY HAS NO BEARING AS TO WHETHER OR NOT ANOTHER BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT CAN EXERCISE THEIR AUTHORITY.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.

ECHOLS SAID THE VET OS ON THE HOW THES BILL AND THE ONE ON TOBACCO COMPACTS ARE NOT OVERRYDEN, IT WILL CAUSE REVENUE ISSUES.

>> IF THIS WERE TO FAIL, THERE WOULD BE A LOSS OF REVENUE INSIDE OF STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AMENDMENT.

THAT MEANS WE ARE SITUATED ANY TIME YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT CUTTING OR LOWERING REVENUE, EITHER ONE, IT GOES TOWARD THE BUDGET.

SNSHG THE HOUSE APPROVED THE OVERRIDE.

>> TWO-THIRDS OF THE VOTE AND HOUSE BILL 1005 TO HAVE RECEIVED THE SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF VOTES TO BECOME LAW.

>> AND WHEN ASKED IF THERE WAS ANOTHER PURPOSE.

ECHOLS SAID NOT RIGHT NOW >> I WILL TELL YOU THE INTENT RIGHT NOW IS TO TAKE UP ONE VET O OVERRIDE.

THE SENATE IS DUE TO COME BACK TO LOOK AT TOBACCO AND THE EXTEPGDZ WAS PASSED BY THE FULL HOUSE.

>> 79 AYE, FIVE NAY.

IT WILL BE ANOTHER WEEK OR SO BEFORE THE SENATE TAKES ACTION LAWMAKER ARE CELEBRATING THE LEGISLATION.

THERE IS STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HAVE MORE TOOLS TO ACT AGAINST BAD PLAYERS IN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY.

>> I AM DEEPLY APPRECIATIVE OF OUR LEGISLATURE.

THEY HAD RECEIVED INPUT FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO INCLUDE MY P OFFICE.

OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL GENT AUTHORITYENER DROUMOND'S OFIICE WORKED WITH LAWMAKER ON THE REFORMS.

>> OMMAN IS GONNA ISSUE LICENSES AND INSTEAD OF REGULARLY INSPECTION WITH ANNOUNCEMENT, WE CAN WITH REASONABLE SUSPICION GO IN AND INSPECT A GROW OPERATION.

>> THERE ARE 6300 MARIJUANA GROWS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

ONE OF THE REFORMS IS LIMITING A GROW OPERATION LICENSE IN ONE LOCATION.

>> THEY MIGHT HAVE FOUR LICENSE.

THESE ARE LEGAL AND THESE ARE ILLEGAL.

THAT LICENSE OWNS ALL OF THE MARIJUANA.

WHERE AS NOW, THE LAW IS IMPLEMENTED YOU CAN ONLY HAVE ONE GROW PER OPERATION FACILITY.

IF IT IS ILLEGAL.

ALL OF THE MARIJUANA IS CONTRABAND AND WE REMOVE IT ALL.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE BEHIND ON TAXES AND ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE A OCCUPATIONAL LICENSE LIKE A NURSE OR TEACHER, A REFORM IS COMING TO ALLOW THEM TO KEEP OR RENEW THEIR LICENSE.

HOUSE BILL 1956 WAS A VICTORY ACCORDING TO THE REPRESENTATIVE MELISSA PROVENZANO.

SHE SAID A NURSE STARTED TO MAKE MORE MONEY AND FOUND HERSELF IN TAX TROUBLE.

>> THEY WILL NOT LET ME RENEW MY NURSING LICENSE.

I OWE TAXES WHICH SEEMS A BIT OF A CATCH 22, YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK TO PAY THE TAXES BECAUSE YOU OWE THE TAXES.

>> PROVENZANO INTRODUCED A PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE AND SO DOES HOUSE SPEAKER CHAIRMENS MCCALL.

>> IT TURNS OUT WHEN YOU ARE THE LEADER, YOU GET TO RUN YOUR BILL.

BUT IT WAS REMARKABLY SIMILAR AND THEY BECAME THE SAME AND SO WE GOT ON BOARD WITH THAT VERSION AND WE ARE HAPPY THAT YOU NO LONGER HAVE YOUR LICENSURE AT RISENING IF YOU OWE TAXES.

>> TO STAY IN GOOD GRACE WITH THE TAX COMMISSION A PERSON SIMPLY HAS TO SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN TO TAKE CARE OF THE BACK TAX AND KEEP UP WITH THE PAMS.

LEGISLATION WHICH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT COVERED EARLIER THIS YEAR WOULD CREATE A $3.3 MILLION PILOT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS RED CEDAR TREE INFESTATION IN THE STATE.

>> IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF INVASIVE SPECIES TAKING OVER A LOT OF THE OUR STATE LANDS.

THIS PILOT PROGRAM WILL GET US STARTED SPECIFICALLY IN THE NORTH CANADIAN WATERSHED.

>> DORBRINSKI NOTES THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN DISCUSSED SINCE 1990'S AT THE STATE CAPITAL AND IT MADE IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> IT WAS A PERFECT STORM BETWEEN THE DROUGHT AND A LOT OF THE HISTORIC RECENT WILDFIRES IN OUR AREA.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY, PUTTING FORTH AN EFFORT TOWARD THE FUTURE WATER NEEDS IN THE VARIETY EFFORTS, INCLUDING CANTON LAKE.

>> ONE ISSUE UP IN THE AIR IS THE FUNDING FOR THE OK POP MUSEUM.

THE SENATE PASSED AWE MEASURE FOR THE WATCH.

BUT THE HOUSE DID NOT TAKE UP THE BILL AND IT IS LOOKING LESS LIKELY TO DO.

>> AND WHEN THE SENATE RETURNS TO THE CAPITAL.

IT WILL TAKE ON THE VET O OVERRIDES AND THEN THE HOUSE WILL HAVE TO RETURN TO FINISH THE OVERRIDE ON SENATE BILL 26 X.

RICH?

>> JASON THANK YOU.

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS PROVIDING ODOT WITH A $45 MILLION LOW INTEREST LOAN TO IMPROVE RURAL ROADS IN THE SOONER STATE.

AS STEVE SHAW REPORTS THAT IS IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN RURAL OKLAHOMA.

>> STATE LAND MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR AND CONSERVATION ENGINEER VALERIE RODGERS SHOWED US ON MONDAY A PROBLEM SPOT ON EAST 5020 ROAD IN A RURAL PAWNEE COUNTY.

THE CIRCULLAR SULVERTS WERE PLACED HERE FIVE YEARS AGO.

WHEN THEY REPLACED ANOTHER STRUCTURE THAT WASHED AWAY.

AND WATER THAT PASSES THROUGH HERE COMES FROM A NORMALLY SMALL WATER WAY THAT DUMPS IN THE CREEK.

BUT HEAVY RAIN, THE FOREMAN SAID, LOOK OUT.

>> UNTIL YOU HAVE SEEN IT FIRSTHAND.

I DIDN'T SEE IT UNTIL I SAW THE WATER COME THROUGH THE CREEK AND LITERAL LIE CRUSH THE CULVERT LIKE A BEER CAN.

>> BECAUSE IT HAPPENS?

>> IT DOES.

>> LAND DIRECTOR TRIP, SAID IT HAPPENS EVERYWHERE.

THESE PHOTOS SHOW OTHER TROUBLE SPOTS IN LINCOLN AND THE OTHER COUNTIES.

THE STATE IS COMING ALONGSIDE THE COUNTIES.

>> THE PROGRAM IS GETTING MORE AND MORE STEAM.

>> LAST NOVEMBER, THE OKLAHOMA CONCENTRATION COMMISSION STARTED THE UNPAVED ROADED PROGRAM.

THEY GOT A MILLION DOLLARS TO WORK WITH IN ADDITION TO THE FEDERAL MONEY.

INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES CAN APPLY FOR 50, $75,000 GRANTS THAT EACH APPLICANT HAS TO MATCH TO SHORE UP THE MAJOR TROUBLE SPOTS.

>> FACTOR THIS IN, 70% OF THE ROADWAYS IN THE SOONER STATE ARE UNPAVED ROADWAYS.

WE CAN'T COUNT THEM.

EVERY DAY WE GET CALLS THAT MIMIC THE SAME SCENARIO ACROSS THE STATE.

WITH THE RAINFALL EVENTS, THIS IS A PROBLEM EVERY DAY AFTER THE RAINFALL.

>> RIGHT NOW THE STATE SPENDS 2500 A YEAR PER MILE FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE.

THESE EFFORTS WILL TRIM THAT EXPENSE.

SINCE NOVEMBER, TRIPP.

SAID THE STATE AWORDED GRANTS TO HELP FUND TEN OF THESE PROJECTS IN PAWNEE, LINCOLN?

>>>>> CANADIAN, LOG AN, AND POTTAWATTOMIE AND CHEROKEE COUNTIES.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO ALLOW THE FLOW FROM UPSTREAM OF THE CREEKS TO GO THROUGH THESE STRUCTURES WITH MINIMAL RESTRICTION.

WE ARE TRYING TO EDUCATE THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO CREATE STRUCTURES TO ALLOW FOR THE FLOW NEEDED REDUCE THE BACK UP OF WATER.

>> IT'S BEEN A CONSTANT PROGRAM.

WE HAVE THROWN MONEY AFTER MONEY TO KEEP THE ROADS PASSABLE FOR THE PUBLIC.

>> CONSERVATION COMMISSIONER ROGERS SAID OKLAHOMA IS FOLLOWING THE LEAD OF ARKANSAS AND OTHER STATES THAT NOW FOCUS ON WHAT IS CALLED ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE PRACTICES.

>> WE CAN BUILD ROADS UP.

IF YOU LOOK AT OLD COUNTY ROADS, THEY HAVE DETERIORATED OR COMPRESSED SO WHAT USED TO BE UCH HERE IS NOW DOWN HERE AND THE ROAD BECOMELY SERVES AS A DITCH AND THERE IS NO DITCH.

THE WATER COMES OFF THE PASTURE AND RUNS DOWN.

>> THESE EFFORTS RAISE THE EFFECTIVE ROADWAYS AND USES BRIDGE AND CULVERTS LARGE ENOUGH TO HANDLE THE WATER LOAD.

YOU DON'T JUST SPREAD GRAVEL ON TOP.

HE SAYS, HISTORY SHOWS A LOT OF THAT ENDS UP IN THE CREEKS.

SO INSTEAD, THESE COUNTIES ARE ADVISED TO USE GIANT ROLLERS TO PACK IT IN AND CREATE DITCHES ON IERLTH SIDE.

>> THE CHEAP WAY OUT AND BAND-AID, BUT THE COUNTY ROADS ARE VITAL FOR THE RURAL AREA AND YOU HAVE TO GET THEM OPENED UP FOR TRAFFIC AND SCHOOL BUS AND EMERGENCY SERVICES.

>> YOU TAKE CARE OF THE SEDIMENT, YOU IMPROVE WATER QUALITY.

THAT HELPS THE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS ARE NOT OVERRUN WITH SEDIMENT.

THEY CAN TREAT THE WATER WITH LESS CHEMICAL AND THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD BENEFITS TO IT.

>> CREWS WILL START THE BIG FIX IN POTTAWATTOMIE COUNTY IN TWO WEEKS WEATHER PERMITTING AND THEY WILL BE FINISHED BY SEPTEMBER.

>> IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

LIKE I SAID, IF I CAN KEEP GRAVEL ON THE ROAD, IT WILL SAVE THE COUNTY MONEY.

>> IT WILL GET BIGGER AND BIGGER.

WE ARE GETTING CALLS FROM COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WANTING TO KNOW WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO RECEIVE GRANT FUNDING.

>> STEVE SHAW, OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

THE OKLAHOMA STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST EVER RELIGIOUS VIRTUAL CHARPTER SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY BUT WILL THE ST. ISADORE OF SEVILLE BECOME A REAL ITY.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE ON THE BOARD'S DECISION.

>> RICH, THE CHARTER SCHOOL'S APPROVAL HAS GAINED NATIONAL ATTENTION.

PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE END OF SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

THE ARCH DIOCESE OF OKLAHOMA CITY IS ON THE PATH TO OIP UP THE FIRST CHARTER VIRTUAL SCHOOL.

>> IT IS A LONG AND ARDIOUS PROCESS.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK AND REWARDING TO SEE THE BOARD AGREED WITH WHAT WE WERE DOING AND SAYING.

>> THE ORIGINAL APPLICATION WAS TURNED DOWN.

THE DIRECTOR BRETT FARLEY SAID IT IS TYPICAL TO BE ASKED TO MAKE REVISIONS ON THE APPLICATION.

>> THE CHANGES WE DOVE IN TO THE SPECIAL EDUCATION COMPONENT AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AND WHAT ARE THE COMPOEVENTS LOOK LIKE GIVEN IT IS IT A CHARTER SCHOOL.

BISHOP PAUL COKELY NOTIFIED THEM THAT THE ARCH DIOCESE INTENDED TO APPLY FOR A VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL.

THEY REQUESTED AN OPINION FROM ADP O'CONNOR THAT ADVISED THAT IT LIKELY VIOLATED FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS.

>> BUT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DROUMOND WITHDREW THAT OPINION.

>> I WITHDREW THAT AND SENT A LETTER TO THE STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD TO SAY, THE ESTABLISHMENT CLAUSE IN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTION PROHIBITS THE STATE FUNDING RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS WITH TAX DOLLARS.

>> TAXPAYER DOLLARS GO ALREADY TO RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EXTENDING IT TO ANOTHER SPHERE SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> THAT'S WHAT THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS WORRIED ABOUT ON THE STATUTE HE WROTE ABOUT.

IT IS SINFUL AND TYRANNICAL TO FORCE TAXPAYERS TO FUND A RELIGION THAT IS NOT THEIR OWN.

OKLAHOMA IS NOW REQUIRING OF THE TAXPAYERS.

>> PRESIDENT AND CEO FOR AMERICANS FOR SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

THAT HELPS TO PROTECT RELIGIOUS FREEDOM.

>> THE TWO DYNAMICS.

THE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM OF ALL TAXPAYERS AND THE OTHER AND RELIGIOUS.

IT PROTECTS THE RELIGION FROM GOVERNMENT INTERFERENCE.

WHEN GOVERNMENT FUNDS RELIGION, IT COMES WITH STRINGS ATTACHED.

>> WE ASKED THE STATE DEPARTMENT FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH CHARTER SCHOOLS AFFECT TAXPAYERS.

WE DIDN'T RECEIVE AN ANSWER.

ACCORDING TO THE CHARTER SCHOOL WEBSITE, THE CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL AND FUNDED THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BASED ON ENROLLMENT.

BUNS'RE ONCE THE CHARTER CONTRACT IS ASSIGNED LAWSUITS ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW.

>> YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM DISCRIMINATING AND TEACHING RELIGION.

BUT UPON ST. ISSA DORE SAID WE ARE FULLY CATHOLIC AND RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DISCRIMINATE.

THE STATE SAID THAT'S GREAT.

>> WE HAVE TO HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THE BOARD.

NEXT MONTH WE'LL NEGOTIATE THAT CONTRACT AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE PREPARATION PROCESS.

>> AMERICANS UNITED FOR CHURCH AND STATE ARE PLANNING A LAWSUIT.

>> AMERICANS UNITED ARE PREPARED TO SPEAK WITH NATIONAL PARTNERS AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SHEN NAN ANS WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE MEMBER.

>> THAT IS REFERRING TO A LONG SERVING BOARD MEMBER WHO WAS REPLACED BY A MAN WHO SERVED ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

AT THE MEETING THEY ASKED HIM TO REFRAIN.

FROM VOTING.

>> IT IS THE TAXPAYERS IN THE STATE AND INTERESTED ONLOOKERS IN THE COUNTRY.

IN AN EFFORT TO MAINTAIN THE TRANSPARENCY OF THE BOARD VOTE AND AVOID THE POLITICAL MANIPULATION I RESPECTFULLY THAT FRIDAY'S NEWLY APPOINTED MEMBER ABSTAIN.

>> HE WAS THE DECIDING VOTE IN A THROW- TWO DECISION THAT GRANTS THE AUTHOR ZAUGZ.

>> THAT SHOULD RENDER THE VOTE TO BE IMPROPER AND ILLEGAL.

WE ARE WAITING TO SEE HOW THAT RESULTS.

>> AND ARCH DIOCESE ARE WORKING TO ENSURE CLASSES START IN 2024.

NON LINE LOGISTICS IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING OUT.

HOW DOES THE WEBSITE LOOK LIKE.

WE ARE OPEN TO EVERYBODY AND IT IS A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE JUST LIKE WITH ALL OF THE EXISTING CATHOLIC SCHOOLS.

THERE WILL BE I LINE.

THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS, FOLKS ARE INYEARING ALREADY ABOUT THE SCHOOL.

WE HAVE FOLKS ASKING TO GET IN.

>> FARLY ANTICIPATING THE LAWS BUT FEEL CONFIDENT GOING FORWARD.

RICH.

>> TAELYR THANK YOU.

>> AND NATION SHROUDED IN THE CANADIAN WILDFIRES.

IN OUR INDEPTH SEGMENT THIS WEEK, WE INVITED A PANEL OF EXPERTS TO JOIN MODERATEDOR REESE WETZEL.

>> CHEESE CLOTHES.

WHAT DOES THAT DO?

>> IT IS JUST A CLOTHE THAT IS USED FOR A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND THE WAY IT IS DESIGNED, IT IS A TIGHT WEAVE THAT STILL ALLOWS AIR TO COME THROUGH IT.

SO ITANTHS AS A FILTRATION LEVEL.

IT'S NOT LIKE FABRIC WOOD.

IT'S A, HAS MORE SPACE IN IT SO IT ALLOWS AIR TO STILL COME THROUGH.

SO IT DOESN'T OVERLOAD YOUR HVA C, BUT IT DOES FILTER AND GRAB PARTICULATES AS IT'S COMING THROUGH.

>> AND WE ARE PROUD OF THAT FACT.

PEOPLE COME TO THE STATE, AND THINKING, OH, OUR AIR QUALITY IS REALLY NICE.

BECAUSE I MET A COUPLE FROM LUBBOCK, TEXAS AND THEY COMMENTED ONE OF THE REASONS OUR DAUGHTER WAS COMING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA WAS BECAUSE OUR AIR WAS CLEAN.

SDM I AM LIKE YOU MADE MY DAY.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

DONALD TRUMP WAS ARRAIGNED IN MIAMI COURTROOM ON TUESDAY.

HE PLED NOT GUILTY TO THEN COUNTS RELATING TO THE HANDLING OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS AFTER LEAVING OFFICE.

THE GOP FRONT RUNNER INSISTS HE IS INNOCENT AND VICTIM OF ELECTION INTERFERENCE.

HE WAS RELEASED ON THE CONDITION THAT HE NOT DISCUSS THE DETAILS OF THE CASE WITH THE WITNESSES INCLUDING THE VALET WHO WAS CHARGED AS A CO-CONSPIRITARS ON.

AFTERWARDS TRUMP RETURNED TO HIS RESIDENCE IN NEW JERSEY AND HELD A FUND RAISER.

EARLIER GOVERNOR STITT ENDORSED TRUMP IN THE PREVIOUS.

>> I AM INITIALLY ENDORSING RON DESANTIS FOR PRESIDENT.

OKLAHOMANS LOVE RON DESANTIS.

HE KNOWLEDGES IN LIMITED GOVERNMENT AND LOWER TAX AND INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS.

>> JUST HOURS AFTER THE GOVERNOR'S ENDORSEMENT, THE DESANTIS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED AN ON LINE COMMERCIAL FEATURING PARTS OF THE SPEECH.

>> AND OKLAHOMA LAWMAKER ALLOCATED $4.6 MILLION IN THE FAMILY REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY PROGRAM.

I SPOKE TO THE REPORTER KAYLA BRANCH WITH OUR CONTENT PARTNER, THE FRONTIER.

>> KAYLA, HOW WILL THIS HELP PARENTS AND FAMILIES INVOLVED IN THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.

>> SO QUALIFIED AND WELL TRAINED ATTORNEYS WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

THAT IS IMPORTANT.

THEY ARE COMPLEX AND REQUIRE A LOT FROM PARENTS AND DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WELL TRAINED AND QUALIFIED AND VERY INVESTED LEGAL RESOURCES.

AS WELL AS SOCIAL WORKERS WILL BE AVAILABLE AND MENTORS AVAILABLE IN THE PROGRAM TO FAMILIES WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT KEY COMPONENT.

FAMILIES WHEN THEY IFRNT ACT WITH THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM ARE IN CRISIS AND THEY NEED EXPERTS TO BE AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THE CASES.

>> PARENTS IN THE PAST WERE ENTITLED TO A LAWYER AND IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE NECESSARILY GOING TO GET A GOOD OR IN A TIMELY FASHION.

>> ONE JUDGE SAID LAST YEAR, HE ONLY HAD $3,000 FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR TO PAY LAWYERS TO TAKE CHILD WELFARE CASES.

THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

THE CASES ARE COMPLEX AND LAWYERS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR OWN PRIVATE PRACTICE TO PAY THE BILLS AND TAKE THESE ON THE SIDE.

AND AND SO IT IS PUTTING THE STATE AND FAMILIES IN A POSITION WHERE THEY HAVE HAD TO RELY ON THE GOOD WILL OF LAWYERS WHO TAKE THESE CASES BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY ARE IMPORTANT.

NKAYLA, THE STATE IS TRYING TO REDUCE THE TIME CHILDREN SPEND IN CUSTODY.

DOES THIS HELP AS WELL.

>> YES, THIS IS A HUGE FOCUS IN THE STATE, AND NATIONWIDE.

WE KNOW EXPERTS HAVE STUDIED THAT THE LONGER KIDS SPEND IN STATE CUSTODY AND MORE LIKELY THEY WOULD EXPERIENCE TRAUMA AND IT IS HARD ON A CHILD TO BE IN FOSTER CARE AND STATE CUSTODY.

A PILOT PROGRAM IN TULSA COUNTY, FOUND THAT WHEN FAMILIES HAVE THESE RESOURCES AND ATTORNEYS CAN BE FOCUSES AND WORK WITH NEEDED TRAINING AND THEY MOVE MORE QUICKLY.

THEY ARE MORE LIKELY, YOU KNOW, CHILDREN TO BE REUNIFIED WITH THEIR PARENTS.

AND AND EVEN IF THEY ARE ADOPTED, EITHER WAY CASES MORE QUICKER THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THERE IS A RESOLUTION BOTH FOR THE PARENT AND CHILD.

>> TO BE CLEAR, LAWYERS ARE AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN AND ADULTS, CORRECT?

>> RIGHT NOW, IT IS IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER TO FIND LAWYERS ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE WILLING TO TAKE CHILD WELFARE CASES.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIND THE LAWYERS THAT TAKE THE CASES FOR PARENTS.

>> IT WAS ALLOCATED AND IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A LOT.

LEGAL WORK IS EXPENSIVE, CORRECT?

>> LAWMAKER ARE WORKING TO PASS A PROGRAM LIKE THIS AND I TALKED WITH REPRESENTATIVE MARK LAWSON WHO IS WORKING HARD ON THIS PROGRAM AND THE ORIGINAL ASK WAS TWREPT MILLION A YEAR.

BUT 5 MILLION RIGHT AROUND THERE IS WHAT LAWMAKER ARE HAPPY TO HAVE AND IT WILL BE ENOUGH FOR THE YEAR TO SET UP A CENTRAL OFFICE TO START ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM AND BUILDING IT OUT AND HIRING KEY STAFF AND WORKING WITH YOU KNOW, A SMALL NUMBER OF COUNTIES IN THE BEGINNING TO SET UP THE PROGRAMS IN PLACES WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED WHERE COUNTIES ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY LAWYERS OR WHERE THERE MAY NOT BE LAWYERS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS GOING TO BE THE FOCUS AND HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR LAWMAKER WILL COME BACK AND FUND THE PROGRAM WITH ADDITIONAL MONEY.

>> KAYLA BRANCH FOR FRONTIER AND A GREAT PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES AND KIDS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

I APPRECIATE IT.

>> OKLAHOMA STILL LAGGING BEHIND MOST OF THE UNITED STATES WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDING A GOOD QUALITY OF LIFE FOR OUR KIDS.

THAT'S THE REPORT BY NANNY KASEY FOUNDATION.

THE REPORT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT HEALTH AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY AND EDUCATION AND FACTORS.

THE 50 STATE REPORT SHOWS OKLAHOMA OVERALL RANKING IS 46TH IN THE NATION DROPPING FROM 40TH PLACE LAST YEAR.

>> THE ONLY STATES RANKING LOWER WERE NEVADA, MISSISSIPPI, LOUISIANA AND NEW MEXICO.

WE ARE THENTH IN HEALTH, 38TH IN ECONOMIC WELL-BEING.

43RD IN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CONTEXT AND 49TH IN EDUCATION.

THE ONLY METRIC WHERE OKLAHOMA RANKED IN THE TOP HALF OF THE STATES IS THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD THAT SPEND MORE THAN 30% OF THE INCOME IN HOUSING WHERE WE WERE RANKED 20TH.

OKLAHOMA'S HIGHEST CAT DPORICCAL RANKING IS IN CHILDREN'S HUMANITY.

OKLAHOMA WAS RECOGNIZED HAVING THE LARGEST IMPROVEMENT FOR CHILD HEALTH CARE COVERAGE.

VOTERS DEMANDED IT.

>> KANDZ SAID MANY OKLAHOMA PARENTS FORGO HIGHER PAYING JOBS DUE TO A LACK OF CHILD CARE.

ALTHOUGH IT IS A WET SPRING IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS COMBREER, MANY PARTS OF THE STATE ARE EXPERIENCING DROUGHT.

IT COULD GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.

JOEL FILOMENO JOAN'RE JOINS US MORE ON FLASH DROUGHTS.

>> THAT IS LEADING TO MAULER YIELDS FOR FARMER AND DRY UP CRUCIAL WATER RESOURCES FOR CITIES IN OKLAHOMA AND BEYOND.

>> I WAS RAISED.

>> TRAVIS IS A FIFTH GENERATION FARMER.

>> I GOT INTO FARMING AT A VERY YOUNG AGE.

MY DAD AND MY GRANDFATHER BOTH FARMED.

>> PAWNEE COUNTY RECEIVED 12 INCHES OF RAIN THIS PAST SPRING AND HELPED THE PRODUCTION OF HAY, FERTILIZER AND FEEDING THAT THEY SELL TO FARMERS IN OKLAHOMA.

BUT THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE IN RECENT YEARS.

>> WE WAS RUNNING OUT OF THE WATER IN OUR POND.

WE WAS RUNNING OUT OF THE GRASS.

WE HAD TO CHANGE THE WAY WE WERE MANAGING OUR GRASS AND ENDED UP NOT HAVING TO SELL ANY COWS BECAUSE WE DON'T, WE TRY NOT TO OVERSTOCK OUR PARTURES.

>> THE DOCTOR IS A ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF WATER SECURITY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA.

HE HAD A REPORT AND PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH SHOWS THE DATA ON FLASH DRAUGHTS.

>> WE ARE SUBPOENA IN HOW WEATHER AND CLIMATE IMPACTS EXOSYSTEMS AND SOCIETY AND WATER AVAILABILITY.

>> THEY FORM DIFFERENTLY.

FLASH DROUGHTS ARE QUICK TO DEVELOP IN A SERIOUS SITUATION.

>> IT IS INSTEAD OF 6 OR 12 MONTHS, THEY DEVELOP OVER 3- 6 WEEKS.

THE CHALLENGE IS WHAT HAPPENS, WHEN THE FLASH DRAUGHTS OCCUR WITH A LACK OF PRECIPITATION AND COUPLED WITH EXTREME HEAT AND VERY DRY CONDITIONS AND WINDY AND LOTS OF SUNSHINE, IT CAN RAPIDLY DEVELOP.

>> THE DOCTOR SAID DATA COLLECTION IS GETTING MORE ACCURATE AND SHOW THAT FLASH DROUGHTS HAPPEN OFTEN IN OKLAHOMA.

>> IT WAS TWO DECADES AGO IN THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY THE MENTION OF FLASH DROUGHTS.

BUT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE HAVE HAD BETTER DATA SETS TO UTALIZE THEY ARE IMPORTANT EVENTS WANT 2022 HAD A SIGNIFICANT FLASH DRUTS IN SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA.

MAJOR IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES AND VEGETATION SUSINANCE IN THOSE REGIONS.

IT IMPACTS AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES.

FLASH DROUGHTS IN OKLAHOMA DO THEIR DAMAGE IN LATE SUMMER MONTHS.

AFFECT BEING THE YIELDS IN HAFSH OF THE TIME.

>> IF THERE IS NO AVAILABLE WATER, THE VEGETATION DOESN'T COME UP AND WHEAT DOESN'T COME UP.

THAT MEANS FROM THAT POINT ON, YOU CAN'T GET THE PLANTS BACK.

>> LATE SEASON RAINFALL ARRIVES TOO LATE TO HELP.

>> MOST OF THE FIELDS WERE MAKING 30 TO 50% LESS THAN THE YEAR BEFORE AND SOME WERE EVEN 70% LESS.

THREE BALES AN ACRE IT WAS MAKING A BALEAN ACRE.

THEY WERE LOSING THE HAY PRODUCTION.

THEY HAD TO FEED HAY EARLIER BECAUSE OF NO GRASS.

>> MOTHER NATURE BULKED UP HER SHOULDERS A BIT.

>> AND CLAY SAID FLASH DRAUGHTS ARE MORE PERSISTENT.

>> WE DIDN'T SEE IT THEN AND COMING IN BIGGER CHUNKS.

THAT MEANS THERE IS EXTENDED DRY PERIODS.

>> AND THOSE EXTENDED DRY PERIODS ZAP THE SOIL OF NUTRIENTS VITAL FOR THE HEALTHY CROPS.

>> WE DO GREAT WORK ON CONSERVATION.

BUT WE LOSE ABOUT THREE POUNDS OF SOIL FOR EVERYONE POUND OF WHEEL IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> AND THIS IS NOT THE ONLY COMMUNITY TO BATTLE.

IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE WHOLE GLOBE.

>> TWRINT TEN IN RUSSIA, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT FLASH DROUGHT THAT OCCURRED THAT LED TO A STRONG HEATWAVE AND A NUMBER OF FATALITIES LOCALLY.

BUT IT IMPACTED THE LOCAL WHEAT PRODUCTION IN THAT PORTION OF THE WORLD, EXPORTS OF WHEAT THAT OCCURRED, AND DO TYPICALLY OCCUR IN THAT WORLD ENDED.

>> MANY TOWNS AND CITIES IN OKLAHOMA TRY TO INSURE A WATER SOURCE FOR REDS REZS.

BUT IT IS IMPACTING THE WATER LEVELS IN URBAN AREAS AS WELL.

>> THAT IMPACTS COMMERCE AND SHIPPING AND THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER FOR MUNICIPAL ITIES.

AND INCLUDING OBSERVING HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND INDUSTRY AND RECOLLECT ASPECTS AND WHAT OUR CITIES NEED WATER FOR.

>> THEY ADVISE FARMERS TO MAKE A.

>> AND IF YOUR CROPS ARE DOING GOOD AND GETTING BUMPER CROPS, PUT THAT MONEY BACK FOR A YEAR THAT IS GOING TO BE BAD.

AND I THINK THAT IF YOU JUST WATCH YOUR BOTTOM DOLLAR ALL OF THE TIME, I THINK THAT WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN MAKE IT YEAR END AND OUT.

NNATIONAL OCEANIC AND ADMINISTRATION IS PREDICTING THE RANGE EVER 33- 50% OF ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES BETWEEN NOW AND AUGUST.

>> THAT'S HOT.

THANK YOU, JOEL.

>> THE OKLAHOMA HOMELESS ALLIANCE RELEASED THE FINDING OF THE POINT IN TIME COUNT FOR 2023.

ON THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 26TH, 1436, PEOPLE WERE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN OKLAHOMA.

36% WERE FEMALE AND 62% WERE MALE.

ONE IN FOUR REPORTED MENTAL ILLNESS.

11 PERCENT OF THEM WERE AGE 24 OR YOUNGER AND NINE% FOR THE HOMELESS IDENTIFIED ASIDE VETERAN.

A NEW REPORT REVEALS THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS LEADERS ARE BULLISH ON OUR STATE ECONOMY.

HERE'S JASON DOYLE.

>> THE 2023 OKLAHOMA BUSINESS LEADERS POLL SHOWS THAT 70% BELIEVE THAT OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY IS HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

BUT 44% SAY WORK FORCE AND EDUCATION ARE TOP CONCERNS.

HALF SAID THE COMPANIES WOULD EXPAND THE WORK FORCE OVER THE COMING YEAR.

THE STATE CHAMBER AND THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE AND THE RESEARCH FOUNDATION COLOBERATED ON THE POLL.

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY AND SOUTHWEST AIRLINES ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON A TRAINING RECRUITMENT PROGRAM CALLED DESTINATION 225 DEGREES UNIVERSITY PATHWAY.

IT WILL GIVE OSU STUDENTS A CAREER PATHWAY WHILE THEY ARE STUDYING AEROSPACE.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES WANT CANDIDATES FOR THE FIRST OFFICER POSITIONS ON THEIR FLIGHTS.

MOMOTH ENERGY RECEIVED A $10.75 MILLION PAYMENT FOR THE PUERTO RICO ELECTRIC POWER AUTHORITY FOR WORK IT PERFORMED TO FIX DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE HURRICANE MARIA IN 2019.

AT A PLAN TO PURSUE THE REST OF THE 387 MILLION INCLUDING INTEREST THAT IS OWE THE FOR THE WORK PERFORMED FOUR YEARS AGO.

OKLAHOMA CITY MOTE BIOTECH NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE COOPER HAS JUST CLOSED ITS IT'S ROUND OF FUNDING FOR A $6.5 MILLION.

THE VACCINE IS CURRENTLY A PHASE ONE CLINICAL TRIAL.

THE THOUGHT IS THAT SINCE VIRUSS LIKE VID SID ENTER THROUGH THE NASAAL PASSAGES, A VACCINE DELIVER THE THE SAME WAY COULD REDUCE THE PATH GENS ABILITY TO REPLICATE IN THE BODY.

PIN BALL WIZZORDS WILL BE IN OKLAHOMA CITY THIS WEEKEND FOR A STERN PRO CIRCUIT COMPETITION.

IT WILL BE HEAD IN CACTUS JACKS ARCADE AND HAS MORE THAN 50 CLASSIC AND MODERN ERA PIN BALL MACHINES.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEWS.

IN THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH CONVERSATION, WE'LL GOING TO PROVIDE YOU WITH GREAT INFORMATION YOU MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AWARE OF CONCERNING THE QUALITY OF A YOU BREATHE IN OKLAHOMA.

HERE IS INDEPTH MODERATOR REESE WETZEL AND HIS PANEL OF GUESTS WITH THE ANSWERS.

THANK YOU, RICH.

WE HAVE KENDALL STEGMAN DIVISION DIRECTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY WITH THE AIR QUALITY DIVISION.

JOINING VIA ZOOM.

PET DUNCANSON.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

SNSHG THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> KENDALL, WE ARE GETTING AIR QUALITY ALERTS AND WHAT DO THEY MEAN IN WHAT IS IT LIKE FOR OKLAHOMA CITY OR TULSA AND HOW ARE THEY MEASURED BEST TO WORST.

>> ALERT IS THE DAY BEFORE.

WE HAVE A MONITORING STAFF TO CHECK THE MONITORS IN THE STAT AND WE HAVE METEOROLOGIST CHECKING THE WEATHER.

AND IF WE FEEL THAT THE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WE FEEL THAT THERE COULD BE HIGH OZONE WE'LL CALL AN ALERT ON THE FORECAST.

ADVISORIES IS AN IMMEDIATE SITUATION.

THROUGH OUR MONITORS IN THE STATE, WE'LL GET ALARMS THAT THE LEVELS ARE RISING AND THEN WE'LL LOOK AT THE WEATHER.

WEATHER HAS A HUGE IMPACT.

>> SUNNY CONDITIONS.

>> NO WIND, AND KIND OF STAGNANT CONDITIONS.

PEOPLE DON'T LIKE OKLAHOMA WIND SOMETIMES, BUT IT IS GOOD FOR AIR QUALITY AND IT DISPERSES THE OZONE.

WHICH IS A GOOD THING.

I COMPARE TO TORNADO.

TORNADO WATCH IS A FORECAST AND NOT HAPPENING, BUT THAT'S WHAT AN ALERT IS.

ADVISORY IS LOIK A TORNADO WARNING AND IT IS ON THE GROUND AND IMMEDIATE CONCERN AND DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> WE'LL GET FOR MORE STRATEGIES TO DO THAT.

PEETE, WE SEE WILDFIRES IN THE NORTHEAST AND APPROACHING THE WILDFIRES SEASON IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR HOME FILLS WITH SMOKE AND WILDFIRES.

HOW DO THEY GET THE AIR OUT AND VENT THE AIR?

>> SURE.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, TAKE A SAFE APPROACH WITH THEIR HEALTH AND PERSONAL SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN POSSESSIONS.

ONCE THE HOME IS IN THE AREA OF SAFE TO BE IN EVACUATING THE HOME.

TRY TO TURN ON FANS TO EXHAUST THE SMOKE AND PARTICARS THAT ARE THERE.

YOUR FURNACE IS CIRCULATING THE INTERNAL AIR AND MCHT LIKE THE LUNGS DO.

CHANGE THE FILTERS CONSTANTLY TO GET PARTICLES IN THE HOME OUT.

>> WHAT ABOUT AIR PURIFIERS.

DO THEY HELP?

>> THEY HAVE LIMITED ABILITY.

YOU REMEMBER THAT AIR PURIFIERS HAVE A SHORT CAPTURE AREA.

YOUR HOME IS LARGER AND YOU WOULD NEED DOZENS AROUND YOUR HOME.

AIR CIRCULATION IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN GETTING THE AIR OUT OF THE HOMES AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> AND SO WE ARE LOOKING AT WILDFIRES IN CANADA AND HAVING SMOKE TRAVEL.

IS THAT MAKING IT TO OKLAHOMA?

OKLAHOMA WILDFIRES, DO THEY IMPACT THE SAME AS THOSE IN THE NORTHEAST?

>> WE HAD IMPACT AND IT WAS NOT HUGE LIKE WE SAW IN THE NORTHEAST.

I NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE?

>> IT WAS LIKE A GHOST TOWN.

>> NO, WE GOT SOME BUT NOT A HEAVY IMENT PACT.

MOST WILDFIRES ARE RED CEDARS.

WHEN IT IS HOT, AND VERY DRY, AND WE GET THAT IN THE LATER SUMMER MONTHS AND SOME KIND OF TRIGGER.

WE'LL GET THE WILDFIRES.

AND THAT CAN AFFECT OUR MATTER.

THAT IS HAZY AND OR DIRT OR LIKE SMOKE IN THE AIR.

THAT IS 2.5.

IT IS A SMALLER MATTER.

AND THAT CAN BE AND HAVE IMPACT ON THE AIR QUALITY.

>> AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE RED CEDAR.

I KNOW THERE IS LEGISLATION TO TRY TO MITIGATE THOSE TREES?

>> YES, IT SOUNDED LIKE A OXYMORON.

BUT PRESCRIBED FIRES ARE GOOD THING.

IF THEY ARE DONE IN A CONTROLLED MANNER, THAT WILL ALEVIATE THE RED CEDAR AND VEGETATION THAT ARE A FUEL SOURCE FOR A TRIGGER.

IF THEY ARE DONE, THAT WILL REDUCE WILDFIRES.

>> THE SMOKE IS NOT AS INTENSE AS UP IN THE NORTH.

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE THERE?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE SOURCE IN CANADA.

I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WAS SO DENSE.

IN MY EXPERIENCE, WHEN IT COMES TO OUR WILDFIRES, AND PLUS, WE DO GET WIND TO DISSIPATE IT, IT DOESN'T SEEM AS SEVERE AND DENSE.

>> YOU MIGHT HEAR ABOUT FIRE BUT NOT SMOKE DAMAGE.

IS IT SAFE TO BE IN A HOME IMPACTED BY SMOKE DAMAGE.

>> SURE, AS KENDALL MENTIONED ALL SMOKE HAS DIFFERENT PARICLES IN IT.

THE RESIDUE IS ABRASIVE.

YOU WILL SEE IT ON MIRRORS AND APPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS AND THE WORSE THEN TO DO IS PUT YOUR HAND ON THIS.

THE OILS FROM YOUR HAND WILL CAUSE THAT SOOT AND SMOKE PARTICLES TO DRIVE IN SURFACES AND CAN SCRATCH THEM IF YOU TRY TO WIPE THEM WITH YOUR HAND.

WE GO THROUGH A PROCESS OF HIGH FILTRATION OF VACUUM CLEANER AND DRY CLEAN SPONGES THAT REMOVES THE PARTICLES FROM THE SURFACES.

ANY TIME A HOMEOWNER EXPERIENCES THE BLOW END OF A WILD FIRE.

THEY HAVE TO BE CAUTIOUS NOT SPREAD IT FURTHER.

>> WHAT IS THE OZONE SEASON AND WHAT ARE THE IMPACTS OF IT.

>> OZEN IS THE BEGINNING OF MARCH AND GOES THROUGH N. AND IT IS WHEN THE UV RAYS ARE MORE INTENSE.

USUALLY THE SUMMER MONTHS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CLOUD COVER.

LIKE I SAID, WE GET STAGNANT WEATHER.

IT PRODUCES OZONE.

YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE COMBUSTION LIKE NITROGEN OEXCIDE AND THEY GO IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND FIX WITH THE SUN AND YOU WILL GET A LAYER OF OZONE.

DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER, WITH THE GREAT OKLAHOMA WIND IT WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE.

LAST WEEK, WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH WIND AND WE SENT OUT ALERT AND ADVISORIES.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE ALWAYS WATCHFUL AND HAVE METEOROLOGIST ON OUR STAFF AND MONITORING OUR UNITS OUT IN THE FIELD.

>> SO YOU ARE WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE WEATHER MONITORS AND MAKING SURE.

DOES THAT GO IN WITH THE AMBIENT AIR MONITORING.

WE HAVE STATIONS IN THE STATE AND THEY HAVE INTAKE AND THEY TAKE SAMPLES OF THE AMBIIENT AIR AND THEY DETECT THE OZONE LEVELS.

WE HAVE OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA AND WE HAVE SOUTH AND NORTHWEST AND NORTHEAST.

WE HAVE THEM MOST EVERYWHERE IN THE STATE.

WE HAVE SAMPLE AND TAKE THEM EVERY FIVE MINUTES AND THEN BEE TAKE THE HOUR AVERAGE.

WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE NATIONAL AIR QUALITIES STANDARDS OF 70 PARTS FOR BILLION.

SO FAR, WE ARE IN CONTAINMENT AND COMPLIANCE WITH THAT STANDARD.

>> PETE, HOW CAN PEOPLE PROTECT THEIR HOME AND WHAT CAN BE PUT IN PLACE TO PROTECT THAT?

>> PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM MROEN IN WILDFIRES SMOKE, ONE OF THE BEST THINGS TO DO IS MAKE SURE YOU HAVE DOORS AND WINDOWS THAT ARE SEALED WELL.

>> A LOT OF TIMES THE AIR INTAKE FOR YOUR HVA C SYSTEM MAY BE OUTSIDE.

IF YOU HAVE SMOKE, THE HVA C IS DRAWING IT IN THE HOME.

YOU NEED AN EXTRA LAYER OF FILTRATION LIKE A CHEESE CLOTHE ON THE FILTIVATION AND THE AIR INTAKE SIDE TO FILTURE IT BEFORE IT COMES IN.

IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT IT INSIDE.

COVER THE INTERIOR VENTS WITH CHEESE CLOTHE AND CHANGE YOUR FURNACE FILTERS.

SEALING WINDOW AND MAKING SURE YOUR DOORS ARE WELL SEALED AND AIR IS NOT COMING IN.

THAT IS A PREVENTATIVE MEASURE.

>> AND THAT IS A CHEESE WHAT?

>> CHEESE CLOTHE.

>> WHAT DOES THAT DO?

>> IF IS JUST A CLOTHE THAT IS USED FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS.

BUT IT COMES WITH THE WAY IT WAS DESIGNED AND IT IS A TIGHT WEAVE THAT ALLOWS THE AIR TO COME THROUGH IT AND HAS A FILTRATION LEVEL.

IT IS NOT LIKE FABRIC.

IT IS HAS MORE SPACE IN IT AND ALLOWS THE AIR TO COME THROUGH.

BUT DOESN'T OVERLOADED THE HVA C BUT GRABS PARTICLES TO COME THROUGH.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A CHEESE CLOTHE.

SNSHS KENDALL COMPARE OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

WHAT DOES OUR AIR COMBAULT LOOK LIKE.

>> BEE HAVE GOOD AIR QUALITY COMPARED TO TEXAS, DALLAS- FORT WORTH AND HOUSTON AND NORTHEAST AND WEST COAST.

WE ARE FORTUNATE.

I THINK THAT IS DUE TO OUR WEATHER, BUT ALSO WE DO A LOT OF THINGS IN OKLAHOMA TO REDUCE EMISSIONS.

OUR MAIN MISSION IS TO PROTECT THE HUMAN HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT.

WE CONTAINMENT.

WE HAVE DONE THAT FOR YEARS AND WE ARE PROUD OF THAT FACT.

PEOPLE COME TO THE STATE, AND THINK, YOUR AIR QUALITY IS NICE.

I MET A COUPLE FROM LUBBOCK, TEXAS.

THEY COMMENTED ONE OF THE REASONS OUR DAUGHTER IS COMING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IS BECAUSE OUR AIR IS CLEAN.

I AM THE OKLAHOMA AIR QUALITY DIRECTOR, YOU JUST MADE MY DAY.

>> YEAH.

>> AND SO PEOPLE LOOK AT THAT.

WE ARE PROUD OF THE CLEAN AIR.

>> IS OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA IS THE WORRY THAT IT WILL DEVELOP?

>> WE ARE EXPERIENCING CHALLENGING EVENTS RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS A POSSIBILITY.

WE ARE ON TOP AND TRYING TO GET WAYS TO GET PEOPLE TO REDUCE THE IMPACTS OF OZONE.

WE'RE JUST IN PREVENTATIVE MODE.

>> WHAT GROUPS ARE IMPACTED WHEN THE OZONE IS HIGH?

>> WE CALL SENSITIVE GROUP PEOPLE.

ELDERLY AND YOUNG.

RESPIRATORY GROUP.

WE RECOMMEND THEY STAY INDOORS.

>> PEETE, WHAT IS SERVICE MAFRTER PROVIDING TO HELP GUIDE PEOPLE TO PROTECT THE AIR QUALITY?

>> A LOT OF TIMES WE GET CALLED IN AFTER THEECT TO DO CLEAN UP AND AS I MENTIONED, WE USE A HIGH FILTRATION VACUUMS AND DEVICES THAT ARE AIR FILTRATION DEVISES.

HOMEOWNERS.

WE'LL WORK WITH HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM EVALUATE THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES FOR AIR LEAKS AND TO IDENTIFY AREAS THAT THEY CAN HELP MODIFY.

PART OF WHAT YOU CAN LOOK AT IS WHERE THE VEGETATION IS AROUND THE HOME.

WHEN THE WILDFIRES START.

YOU TALK ABOUT CONTROLLED BURNS AND MAKING SURE VEGETATION IS IN THE AREAS AND WE DO THAT AROUND OUR HOMES, TOO.

MAKE SURE VEGETATION IS AWAY FROM THE HOMES.

OUR HOMES WILL NOT BE IMPACTED.

WE HAVE A LOT OF PREWORK AND MAINTENANCE OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME AND YOU GOT GOOD AIR FLOW AND QUALITY AND THE ABILITY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE FUEL SOURCES NEAR YOUR HOME.

>> OKAY, I WANT TO POSE THE QUESTION TO BOTH OF YOU KENDALL.

WHEN THERE IS A HIGH OZONE, WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT OKLAHOMANS SHOULD NOT DO IN THOSE SITUATIONS?

>> THEY NEED TO REDUCE THE USE OF COMBUSTION DEVICE.

DON'T MOW.

I TELL MY STAFF TO WORK FROM HOME THAT DAY.

THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS OR TAKE THE BUS.

TRY TO USE A MULTIPLE PERSON VEHICLE AND NOT A ONE PERSON VEHICLE.

IT IS JUST TRYING TO REDUCE THE COMBUSTION EMISSIONS.

>> AND PETE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RESPON.

>> YOU COVERED MOST OF THE MAIN ONES AND ABSILLARY THINGS.

HOW WE COOK.

WE DECIDE TO BE AT HOME THAT DAY, IT IS NOT A GOOD DAY TO BAR-B-QUE AND USE THE SMOKER.

>>Y LOVE THE BAR-B-QUE.

THAT IS NEWS THERE.

>> HARD TO SAY.

WE LIKE OUR BRISKET.

WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN QUALITY.

>> IT IS EXAMINING THE DAY-TO-DAY AND MAKING SURE YOU ARE PROMOTING HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.

>> YOU CAN ALWAYS WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW TO DO WHAT YOU NEEDED TO DO TODAY.

>> AND HERE TO TALK MORE, KENDALL.

ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD AND ANY PLACE OKLAHOMANS FIND THE ALERT AND FOCUS.

>> YES, PLEASE DO.

GO TO OUR WEBSITE.

SIGN UP FOR OUR ALERT AND ADVISORIES AND YOU WILL GET THEM BY TEXT OR E-MAIL AND THAT IS A GOOD RESOURCE TO HAVE.

>> WE HAD ADVISORIES.

WE ARE HITTING TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES ARE YOU EXPECTING MORE?

>> I AM SURE.

A LOT OF SUNLIGHT, IT IS NOT NECESSARILY HEAT.

IT IS MORE SUNLIGHT.

LAST WEEK, WE HAD 80 DEGREES TEMPERATURE AND STILL OZONE ISSUES.

IT IS MORE SUNLIGHT AND DIRECT UV.

IF YOU HAVE A HIGH UV RATING, YOU WILL HAVE OZONE ISSUES AND NO WIND.

>> OZONE AND SKIN ISSUES.

>> THAT'S ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE.

KENDALL JOINING US IN PERSON.

GIGZ DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF A QUALITY.

ZOINING VIA ZOOM.

PETE DUNCANSON FROM THE SERVICE MASTER STORE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND A NATIONAL NONPROFIT CALLED SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE WAS HARD AT WORK BUILDING BUFRJ BEDS FOR CHILDREN IN NEED.

ONE OF OUR PHOTOGRAPHERS SCOTT, AND HIS FAMILY WERE PART OF THE CREW SAINT'RE SANDING AND SAWING AND CREATING SAFE COMFORTABLE BEDS FOR OKLAHOMA CHILDREN WHO NEED IT.

>> THE ORGANIZATION IS NONPROFIT BASED AND FULLY FUNDED BY CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE LOCAL AREA.

THE OPERATION HAPPENED WITH VOLUNTEERS.

THEY ARE ALL TWIN SIZE BEDS AND ALL WE OPERATE WITH AND ALL WE BUILD.

FOR CHILDREN 3- 17.

THEY CAN BE FROM EMERGENCY CUSTODY CASES OR A SITUATION OF THAT NATURE.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE APPLICATION FOR 130 BEDS AND I ONLY HAVE 24 IN MY INVENTORY AND THIS 20 WILL HELP US TO GET THERE FASTER.

>> TO SEE THE FACES OF THE KIDS ONCE THE BEDS ARE BUILT AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO SLEEP ON THE FLOOR IS AMAZING.

>> BUT THERE IS KIDS WHO NEVER HAD A BED.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SLEEP IN HENLEY PEACE'S OKLAHOMA CITY CHAPTER, GO TO THEIR WEBSITE.

SHP BEDS.ORG/CHAPTER/OK- OKLAHOMA- CITY.

ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE NEXT OKLAHOMA OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

HYPER BAR RACK CHAMBERS ARE USED TO TREAT PTSD AND PHYSICAL INJURIES.

IT IS A DEEP DIVE WITHOUT THE WATER NEXT FROM THEED AT 7:00 P.M. AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU WITH A SUNDAY OUT IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN THE PARK.

IT WAS PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY OUR BREND AN DOWN.

YOU CAN GO TO OETA.O.E.T.A.TV.

FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING OETA ONR.

OUR FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES, SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PUT THIS ON THE AIR EACH YEAR.

I AM RICH LENZ, MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR WEEKEND.

♪♪