>>> ENROLLMENT IN VA PROVIDED HEALTHCARE IS SOARING IN OKLAHOMA AS VETERANS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IMPROVED CARE AND FACILITIES.

>> RIGHT NOW, IT'S FANTASTIC.

I MEAN, I GOT THE HEARING AIDS FOR ME.

THAT DIDN'T COST ME ANYTHING.

>> FINDING SOLUTIONS TO A LACK OF RURAL HEALTHCARE IN STROUD, OKLAHOMA.

>> SOMETHING REALLY BAD HAPPENS, A SNAKEBITE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?

TRY TO GET TO OKLAHOMA CITY?

IT WOULD TAKE ME TWO HOURS.

I'D BE DEAD.

>> AN OKLAHOMA LAW SCHOOL EXPANDS ITS TRAVEL LAW CURRICULUM.

>> WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LONG RUN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY LAWYERS WHO MAYBE WANT TO SERVE IN TRIBAL LEGAL SYSTEMS.

>> INGRANT -- INFANT CRISIS SERVICES SEEKING FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO HELP MEET THE INCREASED DEMAND FOR HEALTH.

>> PLUS AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO REFLECT ON SLAVERY, THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND THE CONDITION IN WHICH SLAVERY HAS LEFT OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THOSE STORIES PLUS BOBBLEHEADS NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN MANY OKLAHOMA VETERANS DECLINED TO SIGN UP FOR FEDERALLY PROVIDED VA HEALTHCARE BECAUSE FACILITIES WERE OUTDATED, UNDERSTAFFED, IF THEY COULD AFFORD IT, BETTER CARE WAS AVAILABLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

THAT APPEARS TO BE CHANGING FOR THE BETTER.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS ON A SIGNIFICANT RISE IN THE HEALTHCARE ENROLLMENT.

>> GRADUATION BOOK FROM -- >> JAMES P. MCMANUS JOINED THE U.S. MARINES RIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL IN 1971.

HE WENT TO BOOT CAMP AT THE MARINE RECRUIT DEPOT IN SAN DIEGO.

>> WHY DID YOU JOIN THE MARINES?

TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I LIKED THE UNIFORM.

I LIKED THE DRESS BLUES.

>> THAT'S A BIG CHUNK YOU BIT OFF THERE, WASN'T?

>> YEAH, MORE THAN I EXPECTED.

>> TURNED YOU INTO A MAN, DIDN'T IT?

>> IT DID.

AN EXPERIENCE I WOULDN'T TRADE ANYTHING FOR IT.

>> MCMANUS WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY FOR FOUR YEARS AND SAW THE WORLD.

THEN JAMES SPENT THE NEXT 40 YEARS AS AN OVER THE ROAD TRUCK DRIVER.

>> DID YOU LOVE THAT OR WHAT?

>> I DID.

I LOVED BEING A TRUCK DRIVER, AND RIGHT NOW I'M WORKING AT A TO Z GALVANIZING THERE IN CHELSEA.

>> SO EVEN IN RETIREMENT, YOU'RE STILL DABBLING IN SOME TRUCKING?

>> OH, YES, YES.

>> DO YOU STILL GET OUT ON THE ROAD?

>> I CAN.

I STILL HAVE MY CDL'S.

>> YOU JUST CAN'T GET AWAY FROM IT, CAN YOU?

>> I CAN'T.

>> FOUR MONTHS AGO, MCMANUS APPLIED FOR VA HEALTH BENEFITS IN SOUTH TULSA.

HE SAYS HIS HEARING IS NOW DOWN TO JUST 40%, PROBABLY A BY-PRODUCT OF SHOOTING GUNS AND BLOWING THINGS UP IN THE MARINE CORPS WITH LITTLE TO NO EAR PROTECTION BESIDES CIGARETTE BUTTS AT ALL.

>> YOU HAVE -- HE'S GLAD HE SIGNED UP FOR THE VA HEALTHCARE BECAUSE OF THE HEALTHCARE HE NOW RECEIVES AT THE EARNEST CHILDERS VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC IS BIG LEAGUE.

>> OH, RIGHT NOW, IT'S FANTASTIC.

I GOT THE HEARING AIDS FOR ME.

THAT DIDN'T COST ME ANYTHING.

I JUST TOOK A TEST LAST WEEK, AND I'LL BE RECEIVING SOME GLASSES THROUGH THEM THAT ARE NOT GOING TO COST ME ANYTHING.

>> DAVID CENTER TURNS 75 NEXT MONTH.

HE'S A FORMER TEACHER AND BASKETBALL COACH IN CHEROKEE COUNTY.

HE THEN SPENT 4 DECADES AS AN ARCHITECT ON THE NORTHEAST SIDE OF THE STATE, BUT BEFORE ALL OF THAT, CENTER JOINED THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD IN 1970 WHERE HE LEARNED TO BUILD DEMOLITIONS.

THIS PAST FEBRUARY, AT THE URGING OF A FELLOW VETERAN, CENTER WENT TO THE SAME SOUTH TULSA VA CLINIC JAMES MCMANUS TOLD US ABOUT WHERE A PHYSICAL REVEALED DAVE CENTER HAS DRAMATIC HEARING LOSS.

>> THEY HAVE SPECIALISTS THERE THAT -- THEY'RE ALL HOUSED RIGHT THERE.

BECAUSE OF MY HEARING LOSS, THEY GAVE ME HEARING AIDS, OF COURSE, TESTED AND FOUND MY DEFICIENCIES.

SO I GOT BRAND NEW HEARING AIDS FROM THEM.

I HAD A NASAL PROBLEM, BREATHING.

I WEAR A CPAP.

THEY GAVE ME ALL THE SUPPLIES, ALL MY PRESCRIPTIONS ARE PAID FOR.

SO I REALLY DON'T NEED, YOU KNOW, THAT PORTION OF OUTSIDE MEDICAL INSURANCE.

>> HE SAYS HE'S BEEN AMAZED BY HOW MUCH HELP HE'S GETTING FROM THE VA. >> THEY SENT ME ACTUALLY TO MUS MUSCOGEE TO HAVE A CAT SCAN AND DETERMINED THAT ONE OF MY SIGN US CAVITIES IS KIND OF CLOSED OFF.

SO IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS, I'M GOING TO HAVE A NASAL SURGERY, ALL TAKEN CARE OF BY THE VA. >> CENTER SAYS HE'S HAD A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN FOR 40 YEARS, BUT NOW THE VA BASICALLY TAKES CARE OF EVERYTHING.

>> FRANKLY, I WAS A LITTLE SKEPTICAL, YOU KNOW, HEARING THE OLD STORIES ABOUT VA HEALTHCARE, WONDERING, YOU KNOW, DO I REALLY WANT TO TRUST ALL THESE -- YOU KNOW, THIS STUFF TO THE VA?

BUT THE MORE I'M THERE, THE MORE I'M NOW GOING AWAY FROM ALL MY OTHER SPECIALISTS.

FOR EXAMPLE, I HAD A SPECIALIST THAT WAS A PULMONOLOGIST.

WELL, NOW I SEE A PULMONOLOGIST AT THE VA. AND THEY HAD MORE EQUIPMENT TO ACTUALLY TEST MY BREATHING THAN THE SPECIALIST THAT I WAS SEEING OUTSIDE THE VA.

SO THE FACILITIES ARE JUST TOPNOTCH.

>> NOW, REMEMBER, YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE THIS HAND AND REACH OVER HERE AND TURN.

>> A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ANNOUNCED THAT IN THE LAST YEAR MORE THAN 6200 OKLAHOMA VETERANS ENROLLED IN VA HEALTHCARE.

THAT'S OVER A 23% INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.

>> WE ARE VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH HERE TO PROVIDE NOT ONLY HIGH QUALITY, GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE, BUT EXPANDED BENEFITS TO ALL THE VETERANS ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

>> WADE OVERSEES THE MED RAL FEL GOVERNMENT'S VA OPERATIONS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE STATE.

HE SAYS ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO CONGRESS PASSED SOMETHING CALLED THE PROMISE TO ADDRESS COMPREHENSIVE TOXINS ACT, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE PACT ACT.

WHAT IT MEANS IS VETERANS WHO WERE SUBJECTED TO TAX I CAN -- TOXIC EXPOSURES LIKE AGENT ORANGE IN VIETNAM OR THE BURN PITS IN PLACES LIKE IRAQ OR AFGHANISTAN, ARE ELIGIBLE FOR EXPANDED VA BENEFITS.

>> IT ENTITLED THEM, A, TO HEALTHCARE.

B, DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR SERVICE CONNECTION IS, THEY'LL GET A MONETARY BENEFIT FROM THAT, AND SO THEY'LL GET A DISABILITY CHECK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THAT.

AND SO THERE'S A LOT OF BENEFITS THAT COME WITH THAT IN ADDITION TO THOSE SERVICES IF YOU ARE, SAY, A 100% SERVICE CONNECTED VETERAN, YOU'LL GET DENTAL CARE AND ALSO LON .

>> IN ORDER TO SHOW YOU THE NEW SURGICAL CENTER HERE AT STROUD HOSPITAL, I'VE GOT TO GET READY FIRST.

THE FINAL FEAT BEFORE YOU GET TO GO INSIDE.

>> THE SURGICAL CENTER INCLUDES AN OUTPATIENT PROCEDURE ROOM AND SEPARATE CARE ROOMS AS PATIENTS ARE COMING OUT OF ANESTHESIA.

>> I'M HERE IN STROUD HOSPITAL'S MAIN OPERATING ROOM WHERE THEY INVESTED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN HIGH TECH TO MAKE SURE AREA RESIDENTS DON'T HAVE TO GO TO OKLAHOMA CITY OR TULSA TO GET A PROCEDURE, AND THEY'RE EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE DOCTORS WHO PERFORM SURGERIES HERE WITH SPECIAL LIGHTING THAT HELPS TO PROTECT THEIR EYES WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING BETWEEN THE SCREENS AND THEIR PATIENTS.

>> RURAL WELLNESS AND AVEM HEALTH PARTNERS HAVE MADE IMPROVEMENTS WHICH HAS MADE THE HOSPITAL A SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR STROUD.

>> IT'S NOT ONLY THE NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART SURGERY CENTER WE'RE SO PROUD OF, AND BRING THESE SERVICES BACK TO THE COMMUNITY, I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS.

>> BEGINNING SER A STROUD HOSPITAL GOVERNING -- GINGER IS A STROUD HOSPITAL GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER.

>> PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU IT'S JUST TOO FAR TO GET TO AN OKLAHOMA CITY OR TULSA HOSPITAL.

I ACTUALLY DO OWN A HOME OUT HERE, AND HAVING SERVICES HERE, WE'VE ACTUALLY USED THEM MANY TIMES, AS A MATTER OF FACT.

MY WHOLE FAMILY IS HERE.

IT'S CRITICAL TO THAT.

WE'RE A CRITICAL EMPLOYER TO THE COMMUNITY.

WE'RE JUST A BIG SUPPORT IN ALL WAYS TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY AN ECONOMIC BOON.

PEOPLE THINK OF THE HOSPITAL ONLY WHEN YOU'RE INJURED.

THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT IT'S EMPLOYING PEOPLE, THAT IT'S ALSO A VERY KEY COMPONENT IF YOU HAVE A LARGE MANUFACTURING FACILITY OR EVEN A MOM AND POP STORE.

YOU WANT THAT ABILITY FOR THAT SAFE, QUICK CARE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET SO I CAN SAY DEFINITELY IT'S A SELLING POINT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE REVITALIZATION OF THE STROUD HOSPITAL IS CONSIDERED A VICTORY IN THE BATTLE TO KEEP RURAL HOSPITALS OPEN AND HEALTHCARE AVAILABLE TO THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE OF MAJOR CITIES.

IT'S ALSO SOMETHING OTHER RURAL HOSPITALS ARE CONSIDERING.

>> ALL OF OUR RURAL HOSPITALS, WHETHER THEY'RE CRITICAL ACCESS OR WHAT WE CALL RURAL PPS, THEY'RE ALL EVALUATING THEIR SERVICE LINES AND WHERE THEY CAN MAKE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS, AND PART OF MAKING THOSE ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS POSSIBLE IS THE ENHANCED PAYMENT THEY'RE GETTING THROUGH TREATING MEDICAID PATIENTS, SO WHAT THEY'RE EVALUATING IS WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY NEED.

>> HE NOTES THAT OKLAHOMA'S RURAL HOSPITALS ARE IN BETTER POSITION TODAY THAN JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> IF YOU LOOK ACROSS OUR STATE, IF WE DIDN'T HAVE MEDICAID EXPANSION AND THE NEW DIRECTED PAYMENT PROGRAM TO SUPPORT OUR CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS, IT WOULD BE A VERY DIFFERENT LANDSCAPE THAT WE WOULD BE OPERATING IN.

>> WHILE THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE STROUD HOSPITAL ARE WELCOME, THERE IS STILL THE CHALLENGE OF ATTRACTING A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE TO PRACTICE IN THE RURAL COMMUNITY.

>> WE ON PURPOSE BUILT IN A REIMBURSEMENT STRUCTURE, SALARY STRUCTURE, I SHOULD SAY, THAT WOULD MAKE US AS ATTRACTIVE, IF NOT BETTER, TO THE URBAN SETTINGS.

>> DYER SAYS IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING.

>> PEOPLE COME HERE, YOU KNOW.

THEY WIND UP STAYING.

OUR TURNOVER RATE EXTREMELY LOW.

YOU WOULD EXPECT IT -- WE'RE JUST OVER 11% ON A ROLING 12-MONTH BASIS.

>> THE STROUD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE APPRECIATES THE HEALTHCARE ORGANIZATION'S COMMITMENT TO CREATING A POSITIVE WORKPLACE AND NAMES STROUD HOSPITAL AS ITS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR.

>> THAT'S JUST AN EXTENSION OF HOW WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE IMPROVED TO THE POINT WHERE THEY SAW FIT TO GIVE US THIS AWARD, SO THAT'S EXCITING.

>> DYER SAYS IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT FOR THE HOSPITAL TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY BEYOND HEALTHCARE AT THE FACILITY.

>> JUST AN EXAMPLE OF NOT ONLY DO WE BENEFIT DELIVERY OF CARE, WE BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY.

WE BOUGHT A FIRE DEMAND VEHICLE FOR STROUD.

AVEM HEALTH PARTNERS DID, YOU KNOW, TO REPLACE ONE THAT GOT BURNT UP IN A FIRE.

>> WITH THE STROUD HOPPING PULLING AWAY FROM THE CLOSURE KLIFF, AREA RESIDENTS ARE FEELING A LOT SAFER.

>> SO YES, WE NEED PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THESE SMALL-TOWN HOSPITALS.

>> THAT BRAND NEW SURGICAL CENTER AT STROUD HOSPITAL TOOK ITS FIRST PATIENTS EARLIER THIS WEEK, AND THE HOSPITAL CEO AT DYER TELLS ME THEY NOW HAVE PATIENTS COMING IN FROM OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA.

RICH.

>> THAT'S A GREAT STORY.

THANK YOU.

TURNOUT WAS TYPICALLY LOW FOR TUESDAY'S OKLAHOMA PRIMARY.

THE MOST VOTES CAST IN A RACE WERE JUST OVER 62,000 IN THE 4th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, AND THE LION'S SHARE OF THOSE WENT TO THE INCUMBENT, TOM COLE WHO BESTED HIS REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER PAUL BONDAR WITH 65% OF THE VOTE.

COLE WILL BE SEEKING HIS 12th TERM IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES NEXT NOVEMBER.

MARY BRANNON WAS THE WINNER IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

SOME OTHER NOTABLE RESULTS, FRANK LUCAS DEFEATED ROBIN CA RDE REVMENT AND DARRON HAMILTON.

NO OTHER PARTY HAD A CANDIDATE FILE FOR THAT RACE, SO LUCAS AVOIDS THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

CONGRESSMAN KEVIN HEARN WHO REPRESENTS THE TUESDAY AREA, EASILY DISPATCHES PAUL ROYSE TO MOVE ON TO FACE DEMOCRATIC DENNIS BAKER IN NOVEMBER.

AND THE BIG SURPRISE OF THE NIGHT, THE OKLAHOMA SENATE DISTRICT 13 G.O.P.

PRIMARY, SENATOR GREG MCCOURTNEY, THE SPEAKER PRO-TEM DESIGNATE FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATURE LOSING TO JONATHAN WIN GARN IN A CLOSE RAISE.

WINGARD AVOIDS THE NOVEMBER GENERAL.

HE IS ELECTED.

AFTER 10 YEARS OF SERVING THE PEOPLE IN DISTRICT 8, SENATOR ROGER THOMPSON IS RESIGNING FROM THE OKLAHOMA SENATE EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1st.

THAT SETS UP A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FULFILL HIS TERM.

THOMPSON SERVED AS THE CHAIR OF THE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE UNTIL BEING REMOVED BY GREG TREAT IN THE CLOSING WEEKS OF THE SESSION.

BEFORE SIGNING OFF ON THE 2025 BUDGET, GOVERNOR KEVIN STITTUSED HIS LINE ITEM VETO TO REMOVE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HAVE PLACED SPENDING LIMITS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

IT WOULD HAVE BARRED STATE SUPER BENDENT RYAN WALTERS FROM USING MONEY -- A GROUP OF LAWMAKERS WHO SUPPORTED THE VETO RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING NO OTHER STATE AGENCY WOULD BE SUBJECTED TO SIMILAR RESTRICTIONS.

28 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CURRENTLY RECOGNIZE JUNETEENTH AS A PAID LEGAL HOLIDAY.

OKLAHOMA IS NOT ONE OF THEM.

WILL THAT CHANGE?

AND IN WHAT WAYS ARE THE CELEBRATIONS CHANGING AND GROWING IN OUR STATE?

THAT IS THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> EVEN TODAY OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA ARE HOME TO SOME OF THE LARGEST JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS, NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA BUT IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT DEEP CONNECTION WITH THE DESCENDENTS OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK IT'S IMPORTANT OR THE PEOPLE WHO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO OPPOSE IT, I THINK IT'S JUST SO IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS, EVEN IF THEY'RE UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE ALLOWED THE TIME TO FOCUS ON SLAVERY AND, IMPORTANTLY, THE CONDITION THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY FINDS ITSELF AS A RESULT OF SLAVERY.

>> THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW IS OPENING A NEW INSTITUTE FOCUSED ON TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY AND THAT WILL TRAIN STUDENTS IN STATE AND FEDERAL TRIBAL LAW.

EDUCATION REPORTER TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON WHAT THE NEW PROGRAM HAS TO OFFER.

>> RICH, I SPOKE WITH DEAN HOLT ABOUT THE INSTITUTE THIS WEEK.

HE SAYS THE OCU SCHOOL OF LAW AIMS TO ELEVATE THE UNDERSTANDING OF SOVEREIGNTY AND CREATE SCHOLARSHIP ON THE TOPIC.

OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY, ALSO KNOWN AS OCU, IS NOW IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE NEW TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY INSTITUTE.

>> HIRING PROCESSES IN ALASKA IA TAKE A WHILE, SO IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO TAKE THIS WHOLE ACADEMIC YEAR THAT'S UPCOMING.

I THINK THERE'S MUCH POTENTIAL.

I MEAN, THAT PERSON WILL CREATE SCHOLARSHIP.

WE WANT THEM TO USE IT OUT IN THE PUBLIC, NOT JUST TO BE BURIED IN LAW REVIEWS SOMEWHERE, BUT WE WANT THIS TO BE A SOURCE FOR POLICY MAKERS.

>> I THINK IT'S A REALLY AWESOME OPPORTUNITY TO TRANSITION IT TO AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTION, AND I'M SO PLEASED WITH MAYOR HOLT, YOU KNOW, THE DEAN OF THE LAW SCHOOL TAKING IT ON, AND I THINK THEY'VE DONE IT IN A FIRST CLASS WAY, AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE REALLY SUCCESSFUL WITH THE A PASSING OF THE BATON TO THE ACADEMIC INSTITUTION.

>> THE INSTITUTE WILL BE HOUSED AT THE OCU SCHOOL OF LAW BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY AND OPERATE AS A RESEARCH HUB FOR STUDENTS.

>> WE'RE A LAW SCHOOL, SO YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO BUILD UPON THAT.

WE WANT -- OBVIOUSLY THEY'RE GOING TO TEACH.

WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR REPUTATION AS A PLACE THAT CREATES LAWYERS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN AMERICAN INDIAN LAW, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, OPPORTUNITIES IN THE LONG RUN FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY LAWYERS WHO MAYBE WANT TO SERVE IN TRIBAL LEGAL SYSTEMS.

>> SCHOOL OF LAW DEAN DAVID HOLT SAYS THE UNIVERSITY HAS OFFERED INDIAN LAW CLASSES BEFORE, BUT THIS INSTITUTE WILL ALLOW THEM TO EXPAND.

>> WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEE EVEN MORE INTEGRATION OF THESE TOPICS WITHIN THE CORE CLASSES.

EVERY LAW SCHOOL STUDENT IN AMERICA, THERE'S 200 AMERICAN LAW SCHOOLS.

EVERY LAW SCHOOL STUDENT IN MESH TAKES CON LAW, TORTS, CONTRACTS, CIVIL PROCEDURE, AND SO THERE'S SOME UNIFORMITY ACROSS LAW SCHOOLS IN THAT REGARD, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO LAW SCHOOL IN OKLAHOMA, IT CERTAINLY, YOU KNOW IS REASONABLE TO THINK THAT WITHIN THOSE CONTEXTS YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST A CLASS THAT SEMESTER THAT KIND OF COVERS HOW THOSE CORE TOPICS INTERACT WITH AMERICAN INDIAN LAW.

>> ATTORNEY MIKE MCBRIDE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR LAW STUDENTS TO BE IMPORTANT WITH TRIBAL LAW AND SOVEREIGNTY, ESPECIALLY IN .

>> THE SCHOOL OF LAW IS ALSO CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN WILLS CLINIC.

THE CLINIC ALLOWS STUDENTS TO SHARPEN THEIR SKILLS IN WRITING WILLS AND PLANNING ESTATES FOR AMERICAN INDIANS WITH TRUST OR RESTRICTED PROPERTY IN OKLAHOMA.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE LAST WEEK AT THE 46th ANNUAL SOVEREIGNTY SYMPOSIUM.

>> A REALLY IMPORTANT EVENT THAT WAS CREATED BY THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT AND THE JUSTICE ESPECIALLY, AND IT'S BEEN A REALLY IMPORTANT INSTITUTION IN OUR STATE THAT KIND OF BRINGS ALL THE TRIBES TOGETHER FOR A COUPLE DAYS, USUALLY IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY, WHERE WE DISCUSS, YOU KNOW, ISSUES OF VITAL IMPORTANCE TO TRIBES, ESPECIALLY IN THE LEGAL SPACE, ALSO KIND OF A GREAT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITY.

WE HAD, GOSH, 600 PEOPLE THERE.

>> THE PROCESS TO FIND AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS EXPECTED TO PLAY OUT OVER THE UPCOMING YEAR.

RICH.

>> TAELYR, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

IN ITS 40 YEARS OF EXISTENCE, INFANT CRISIS SERVICES HAS PROVIDED NEARLY 400,000 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA INFANTS AND TODDLERS WITH THE FOOD AND FORMULA AND DIAPERS THEY NEED.

SERVING 29 OKLAHOMA COUNTIES, ICS IS NOW LAUNCHING A FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO RAISE $4 MILLION TO CREATE AN ENDOWMENT THAT WOULD PROVIDE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR THESE CRITICAL PROGRAMS.

>> WE PROVIDE ENOUGH FOOD, FORMULA AND DIAPERS TO LAST A WEEK FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS IN THEIR TIME OF CRISIS.

CRISIS CAN MEAN A MEDICAL BILL, A CAR REPAIR, ON MATERNITY LEAVE WITH NO PAY, VARIOUS REASONS, AND THOSE ARE LIKE SITUATIONAL POVERTY EXAMPLES.

BUT THERE ARE ALSO MIGHT BE GENERATIONAL POVERTY THAT'S HAPPENING, AND THAT MEANS THEY'VE BEEN IN POVERTY FOR MORE THAN TWO GENERATIONS.

THERE IS NEVER A SHORTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED OUR SERVICES.

WE HAVE OUR MAIN LOCATION, WHICH YOU'RE AT TODAY, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TWO BABY MOBILES THAT GO TO 29 COUNTIES IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA, AND THEY SERVE RURAL OKLAHOMA.

AND THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH NECK AND NECK WITH OUR MAIN LOCATION, SO LAST YEAR WE SERVED ABOUT 12,000 HERE, OR 13,000 AT OUR MAIN LOCATION, AND 12,000 ON THE BABY MOBILES.

>> ICS SAYS IT EXPECTS TO BE SERVING 40,000 YOUNG CHILDREN PER YEAR BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

>>> WHEN DOLLAR TREE ANNOUNCED IT WOULD NOT REBUILD ITS HUGE DISTRIBUTION CENTER IN MARIETTA, OKLAHOMA, AFTER IT WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY A TORNADO ON APRIL 27th, IT LEFT MORE THAN 450 EMPLOYEES WONDERING WHAT THEY WOULD DO FOR WORK.

THIS WEEK OKLAHOMA WORKS HELD A JOB FAIR IN ARDMORE TO HELP ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

ANDREW HAS OUR REPORT.

>> TODAY WE ARE PUTTING TOGETHER AN EVENT FOR THE DOLLAR TREE DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND REALLY ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED BY THE SPRING TORNADOES THAT CAME THROUGH, AND WE'RE HELPING DISPLACED WORKERS.

>> WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AND YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER IT, NO ONE KNEW THAT THE PLANT WAS NOT GOING TO REOPEN.

>> WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY EMPLOYERS, SUCH AS MICHELIN RECENTLY, WITH THE CLOSEDOWN OF THAT PLANT, AND YOU TAKE AWAY THE DOLLAR TREE FACILITY DOWN IN MARIETTA, THERE'S A LOT OF EMPLOYEES, CLOSE TO 2,000 EMPLOYEES THAT ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS, AND THOSE TYPE OF JOBS ARE JUST NOT AVAILABLE HERE IN THE LOCAL MARKET.

SO WE'RE BRINGING IN EVERY RESOURCE THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN, EVERY EMPLOYER THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO ABSORB SOME OF THAT LOSES THAT'S FAMILIES ARE SUFFERING RIGHT NOW.

>> NOT ONLY DO WE SERVE OUR PATIENTS, BUT OUR CAREGIVERS LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND SO WE KNOW FAMILIES AND FRIENDS THAT LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WERE IMPACTED BY THE RECENT STORMS.

>> OUR GOAL IS REALLY TO CONNECT PEOPLE FOR THE BEST FIT FOR THEM.

SO IF WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THAT'S A GOOD FIT FOR A COMMUNITY MEMBER, WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION, GET THEM IN THE DOOR PRETTY QUICKLY.

>> WE ARE ENGAGED WITH THE SOUTHERN WORKFORCE COMMITTEE, AND SO WE HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS THROUGH YOU OUR ADMINISTRATION TEAM AT MERCY AND WE RECEIVE THOSE NOTIFICATIONS, AS WELL AS WE HAVE A FACILITY, OUR LOVE COUNTY PARTNERS IN MARIETTA, OUR FACILITY WAS IMPACTED, COWORKERS IMPACTED, SO IT FELT LIKE A REALLY GOOD WAY TO GIVE BACK.

>> WE JUST WANT EVERYONE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES.

NOWADAYS, ALL THE APPLICATION PROCESSES ARE ONLINE.

PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE INTERNET IN A LOT OF LOCATIONS.

THEY NEED HELP WITH BUILDING RESUMES.

WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE STANDING BY ABLE TO HELP THEM AND MEET THE EMPLOYERS THAT ARE HERE THAT'S WANTING TO HIRE THEM.

>> MAYBE THEY WANT A CHANGE.

MAYBE THEY WANTED -- THEY WANT A NEW TRAJECTORY OR THEY'VE DECIDED MAYBE THIS IS THE TIME THAT I REALLY WANT TO FIND MY PASSION, AND PART OF THAT IS GOING TO BACK TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE HERE, A CAREER TECH HERE, AND THEY ALSO OFFER GREAT OPPORTUNITIES.

MAYBE IT'S A CHANGE, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

MAYBE YOU STARTED SCHOOL AND DIDN'T FINISH.

MAYBE THIS WILL HELP YOU DO THAT, HELP YOU GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GO.

>> REACH HIGHER IS ACTUALLY AN ADULT DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM THAT WE AT 16 DIFFERENT INSTITUTIONS ACROSS THE STATE, AND THAT IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT WE DO IS WE FOCUS ON ADULT DEGREE COMPLETION.

SO WE ASSIST ADULTS WOULD HAVE EITHER GONE TO COLLEGE AND DROPPED OUT FOR WHATEVER REASON AND NOW THEY WANT TO GO BACK, OR ADULTS WHO HAVE NEVER GONE TO COLLEGE AND THEY WANT TO COMPLETE A DEGREE AT THIS TIME.

>> WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY HERE AS WE HAVE SOME JOB SEEKERS LOOKING FOR SOME NEW OPPORTUNITIES, AND WE HAVE SOME GREAT OPERATIONS ALL ACROSS SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA.

>> YEAH, SO ANYONE THAT HAS A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE, WE HAVE A CONCRETE DELIVERY TRUCKS, AND SO WE HAVE TWO PARTS TO OUR BUSINESS, THE AGGREGATE SIDE AND CONCRETE.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF CDL DRIVERS THAT HELP DELIVER CONCRETE TO OUR CUSTOMERS WHERE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AS IT GROWS IN THESE AREAS.

>> IT WAS REALLY EASY TO COORDINATE THIS EVENT, BECAUSE ESPECIALLY THIS PART IN OKLAHOMA, NEIGHBORS JUST STEP IN AND THEY HELP THEIR NEIGHBORS.

SO WE HAVE LOTS OF PEOPLE REACHING OUT SAYING HOW CAN WE HELP?

CAN WE HELP SPONSOR?

CAN WE BE AN EMPLOYER?

CAN WE SET UP A BOOTH?

SO IT WAS REALLY EASY TO COORDINATE AND PUT IT TOGETHER FOR THOSE WHO WERE AFFECTED.

>> ONE THING I LOVE ABOUT OKLAHOMA AND THE OKLAHOMA STANDARD IS EVERYONE IS READY TO SUPPORT FOLKS THAT GO THROUGH SOMETHING.

I KNOW THERE WERE SOME TERRIBLE STORMS THAT CAME THROUGH HERE, AND SO THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT, UNFORTUNATELY, ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE SAME JOB.

SO WE'RE JUST EXCITED TO COME DOWN HERE AND MEET FOLKS AND SEE IF WE CAN HELP PROVIDE THEM A NEW OPPORTUNITY AND GET THEM INTO A NEW CAREER.

>> ANDREW HARTSHORN, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> AND WE WISH ALL OF THOSE FOLKS THE BETTER BEST OF LUCK.

ANDREW, THANK YOU.

>> TULSA'S POPULAR OUTGOING MAYOR HAS ANNOUNCED WHAT HE PLANS TO DO AFTER LEAVING OFFICE.

THAT STORY TOPS OUR OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> TULSA MAYOR G.T BYNUM IS JOINING THE ST. FRANCIS HEALTH SYSTEM WHEN HIS TERM IS COMPLETED LATER THIS YEAR.

HE'S SLATED TO SERVE AS THE VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.

BYNUM CHOSE NOT TO RUN FOR ANOTHER TERM AS MAYOR.

HE'S BEEN IN THAT SEAT SINCE 2016.

BYNUM WILL START THE NEW GIG AT ST. FRANCIS STARTING IN DECEMBER.

TULSA BASED REBELLION ENERGY SOLUTIONS HAS RECEIVED AN A RATING FOR ITS INITIAL METHANE ABATEMENT PROJECT.

THIRD PARTY BEZERO CARBON RATES ABATEMENT PROJECTS LIKE THIS ONE.

AN A RATING IS BEZERO'S ASSESSMENT THAT A PROJECT HAS A HIGH LIKELIHOOD EACH CARBON CREDIT GENERATE LD AVOID ONE METRIC TON OF CO 2 FROM GOING INTO THE ATMOSPHERE.

THE RANGING PLACES REBELLION ENERGY'S PROJECT IN THE TOP 6% OF METHANE ABATEMENT PROJECTS IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY ARE FOCUSED ON PERMANENTLY PLUGGING ORPHAN OIL AND NATURAL GAS WELLS.

>>> IT TAKES OKLAHOMA CITY HOMEBUYERS LESS MONEY DOWN TO HAVE AN AFFORDABLE MORTGAGE PAPER IN THE COUNTRY.

THE AVERAGE DOWN PAYMENT NEEDED IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS $31,331.

THAT'S AROUND 13% OF AN AVERAGE HOME IN THE CITY.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS $127,743, OR NEARLY 35 AND A HALF% OF A TYPICAL -- 35 AND A HALF% OF A TYPICAL AMERICAN HOME.

ON AVERAGE, OKLAHOMA CITY HOMEBUYERS CAN USUALLY QUALIFY FOR $9,442 OF DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

TULSA BASED ONE OK HAS CLOSED --THE COMPANY PAID EASTON ENERY APPROXIMATELY $280 MILLION IN THE TRANSACTION.

IT ADDS ABOUT 450 PILES OF MILES OF PIPELINE.

ONE OK PLANS TO CONNECT THE NEWLY ACQUIRED PIPELINE TO ITS MOUNT BELLEVILLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND ITS HOUSTON BASED CRUDE OIL INFRASTRUCTURE.

GREEN-ION AS HOMED IN ATOKA.

THE PLANT IS PRODUCING WHAT IS CALLED PRECURSOR ACTIVE MATERIAL DIRECTLY FROM UNSORTED BATTERY WASTE.

THE NEW RECYCLING PLANT IS LOCATED IN THE ATOKA HEAVY INDUSTRIAL PARK AND IS SCALABLE AS DEMAND FOR LITHIUM ION BATTERIES CONTINUES TO GROW.

GREEN ION'S PROCESS EMITS UP TO 90% FEWER GREENHOUSE GASES THAN TRADITIONAL BATTERY RECYCLING METHODS.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON, THANK YOU.

THOUGH LINCOLN'S EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION CAME TWO AND A HALF YEARS EARLIER, JUNE 19th, 1865, IS CELEBRATED AS THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES.

ON THAT DATE, U.S. GENERAL GORDON ARRIVED IN GALVESTON, TEXAS AND ANNOUNCED THE END OF CIVIL WAR AND WITH IT THE END OF HUMAN BONDAGE IN THE U.S. FAST FORWARD 159 YEARS AND JUNETEENTH EVENTS CONTINUE TO GROW IN OKLAHOMA, BUT IT'S STILL NOT AN OFFICIAL PAID HOLIDAY HERE.

WITH MORE ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JUNETEENTH, HERE IS CASSIDY MUDD WITH THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH.

>> JOINING US NOW TO SHARE THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH AND HOW IT'S BEING COMMEMORATED IN .

>> THEY BRING BACK NOTES.

THEY BRING BACK INFORMATION.

AND THEN ONCE A MONTH, THE COMMUNITY GATHERS AT THE NAACP MEETING, AND THEY GET REPORTS ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> DR. HILL, CAN YOU SHARE A LITTLE BIT OF YOUR BACKGROUND WITH US?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL, I'M A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA IN THE DEPARTMENT OF AFRICAN, AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDIES.

I'M A BLACK STUDIES HISTORIAN WHO FOCUSES ON THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY, LYNCHING AND RACIAL VIOLENCE, AND YOU KNOW, MY LIFE'S WORK IS TO BEAR WITNESSNESS TO THE 400 YEARS OF ASSAULT ON BLACK PEOPLE AND BLACK BODIES.

IT'S BEEN MY LIFE PRIVILEGE TO DO THAT IN OKLAHOMA IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

DO WORK WITH MY BROTHER HERE, JB WILLIAMS WITH THE LEGACY COMMITTEE, AND SO THAT WOULD BE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME AND WHAT BRINGS ME TO TALK ABOUT JUNETEENTH HAS REALLY BEEN THE WORK AROUND THE RACE MASSACRE THAT'S IN GREENWOOD THAT'S HELPED ME TO UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR JUNETEENTH IN OKLAHOMA.

IT'S BEEN WORKING WITH THE LEGACY COMMITTEE, THE CLAIRE LUPA LEGACY COMMITTEE AND THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE, BRINGING ATTENTION TO CLAIRE LUPER TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR JUNETEENTH IN OKLAHOMA.

SO I'M JUST SO PROUD TO BE HERE AND TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY.

>> LET'S START THERE.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE HISTORY OF JUNE TEETH IN -- JUNETEENTH IN OKLAHOMA.

>> JUNETEENTH IN OKLAHOMA HAS A LONG HISTORY, BECAUSE ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN THE 1890S BAN TO MOVE TO OKLAHOMA BECAUSE OF THE LAND RUNS OR THE UNASSIGNED LANDS.

SO MANY OF THOSE BLACK PEOPLE MOVED TO TULSA.

THEY MOVED TO ALL BLACK COMMUNITIES.

THEY MOVED TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

AND THEY BROUGHT WITH THEM THE TRADITIONS OF CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH IN TEXAS.

AND SO THE HISTORY OF JUNETEENTH THAT WE REALLY CELEBRATE IN OKLAHOMA HAS A DIRECT CONNECTION WITH THE JUNETEENTH -- THE EARLIEST CELEBRATIONS OF JUNETEENTH IN TEXAS, AND I THINK THAT'S A BIG REASON WHY EVEN TODAY OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA ARE HOME TO SOME OF THE LARGEST JUNETEENTH CELEBRATIONS, NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA, BUT IN THE COUNTRY.

IT'S BECAUSE OF THAT DEEP CONNECTION WITH THE DESCENDENTS OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE WHO MIGRATED FROM TEXAS TO OKLAHOMA, BUT THEN TO ALL PARTS OF AMERICA, TO CALIFORNIA, TO ALL PARTS OF THE MIDWEST, AND THAT'S HOW JUNETEENTH HAS GROWN INTO A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

IT'S BEEN THROUGH THE MIGRATION OF BLACK PEOPLE FROM TEXAS BUT ALSO OTHER PARTS OF THE SOUTH OVER THE LAST 50 OR 60 YEARS.

SO I'M REALLY PROUD THAT I'M IN OKLAHOMA AND BEEN ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE HISTORIC CELEBRATIONS OF JUNETEENTH.

>> PRESIDENT BAY, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY, GOING OFF OF WHAT HE JUST SAID, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY JUNETEENTH MEANS SPECIFICALLY TO OKLAHOMANS THEN?

>> WELL, I'D SAY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO REFLECT ON SLAVERY, THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND THE CONDITION IN WHICH SLAVERY HAS LEFT OUR COMMUNITY.

I KNOW MS. OPA LEE FROM FT. WORTH, AND I KNOW DR. MEYERS AND SOME OF THOSE PIONEERS WHO, YOU KNOW, BEAT THE TRAILS TO MAKE THIS A HOLIDAY.

AND IT'S A HOLIDAY NOT SO THAT WE CAN PLAY MUSIC AND CELEBRATE, BUT WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE A REAL GOOD LOOK AT SLAVERY AND THE CONDITIONS.

I HAVE A LETTER THAT GENERAL GRAINGER READ WHEN HE GOT OFF THE SHIP IN GALVESTON, AND BASICALLY IT'S JUST REAL SHORT.

IT SAYS THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS ARE INFORMED BY THE PROCLAMATION THAT ALL SLAVES ARE FREE.

BUT IT GOES ON TO SAY THAT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WILL BE NOW EMPLOYER TO WAGE EARNER AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED AGAINST IDLENESS.

THESE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THE LYNCHINGS, THE BETRAYAL OF BLACK PEOPLE REALLY BY THE UNION ARMIES AND THE SIDE THAT WE FOUGHT ON TO FREE OURSELVES FROM SLAVERY AND TO FREE THE COUNTRY FROM THE STIGMA OF SLAVERY, THOSE PEOPLE SUFFERED LYNCHING, WERE ASKING FOR PAY.

THERE'S DOCUMENTED CASES WHERE A PERSON WAS LYNCHED JUST FOR SAYING, HEY, AM I SUPPOSED TO GET PAID TODAY.

AND SO -- AND ALSO THE IDLENESS PART, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AND THE FACT THAT THE AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION SAYS SLAVERY SHALL NOT EXIST EXCEPT AS A PUNISHMENT FOR CRIME, ALL OF A SUDDEN NOW YOU'RE A CRIMINAL IF YOU AIN'T GOT A JOB, YOU'RE A CRIMINAL IF YOU'RE TOO BLACK, TOO SHORT, A WHOLE LOT OF CRIMES.

SO NOW WE REALLY NEED TO TAKE THIS DAY AND TEACH OUR CHILDREN TO REFLECT ON WHAT IT REALLY MEANS AND THE STRUGGLE THAT WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO BECOME FREE, EQUAL, AND JUSTIFIED IN THE COUNTRY.

>> I MEAN, AND IT'S EASY TO SAY THAT WE'VE COME FAR, YOU KNOW, BUT WHAT DO WE DO NOW?

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE NOW?

>> WELL, I THINK EDUCATION IS THE KEY.

OBVIOUSLY THE NAACP HAS ISSUES WITH THE GOVERNOR IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IN TERMS OF WHAT CAN BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOL.

OKAY.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT A LOT OF THINGS THAT NEED TO BE TAUGHT ARE NOT GOING TO BE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE TAUGHT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE TAUGHT IN THE BAPTIST TRAINING UNION, AT THE CHURCH.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE TAUGHT AT HOME, BECAUSE OUR CONDITION HAS TO BE RECTIFIED THROUGH A PROCESS OF EDUCATION, BUT WHEN WE HAVE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY LIKE JUNETEENTH, HS A TIME FOR US TO REFLECT -- THIS IS A TIME FOR US TO REFLECT ON SLAVERY, ON THE DID NOT IN WHICH OUR COMMUNITY FINDS ITSELF AND ON THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE HAVE TO PUT FORWARD TO CHANGE THAT CONDITION.

>> DR. HILL, THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE COMING IN, YOU KNOW, GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL, COMING INTO COLLEGE, DO THEY MEAN MORE INSTRUCTION ON THESE TOPICS?

DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT HAPPENED IN GREENWOOD?

DO THEY HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT'S GOING ON NOW BECAUSE OF WHAT PRESIDENT BAY JUST MENTIONED?

>> I THINK THERE IS A GREATER CONSCIOUSNESS AND A GREATER AWARENESS THAT THE MASSACRE, THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE WAS THE DEADLIEST ATTACK ON A BLACK COMMUNITY, BUT I FIND THAT WE STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COMPASSION FOR THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF THAT MASSACRE, SO I THINK WE DON'T HAVE A DEFICIT IN KNOWLEDGE.

I THINK WE KNOW PARTICULARLY AFTER THE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY, WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BECAUSE OF ALL THE DOCUMENTARIES, BECAUSE OF ALL THE NEWS REPORTS.

EVEN THIS ENTITY REPORTING OUT WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH COMPASSION FOR THE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS, BECAUSE EVEN IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, THE CASE, THE COURT CASE, HAS BEEN DISMISSED.

AND SO I DON'T THINK IT'S AGAIN -- SCHOOL KIDS ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE GREENWOOD MASSACRE, THEY'RE LEARNING ABOUT IT, BUT IT'S NOT TRANSLATING INTO REAL ACTION AND SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

I'M REALLY HOPEFUL THAT BEYOND APOLOGY, THAT'S THE COMMUNITY INITIATIVE TO REALLY BRING ATTENTION TO THE COMMUNITY NEEDS, THE COMMUNITY -- THE COMMUNITY DEMANDS EACH IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE MASSACRE.

I'M HOPEFUL THAT THE CITY, THAT THE MAYOR, AS HE'S KIND OF PROMISED THESE ACTIVISTS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME THE CITY WILL MAKE SOME SUBSTANTIVE INVESTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S ABOUT KNOWING ABOUT THE MASSACRE.

IT'S REALLY ABOUT CARING ABOUT THE MASSACRE.

>> JB, HOW IMPORTANT IS IT THAT WE STILL HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND WOULD YOU SAY THAT THAT HELPS PEOPLE TO CARE AND TO GET MORE INVESTED IN THESE IMPORTANT TOPICS?

>> I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING, YOU KNOW, WHAT THEY JUST SAID, BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT -- WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T THINK IT'S IMPORTANT OR THE PEOPLE WHO GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO OPPOSE -- YOU KNOW, OPPOSE IT, I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS EVEN IF THEY'RE UNCOMFORTABLE, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, FOR INSTANCE, YOU KNOW, JUNETEENTH BEING A HOLIDAY, LIKE, WE DON'T THINK -- IT'S HARD TO EVEN HAVE THE CAPACITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO GOT THEIR LIBERATION, THERE IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FREE, RIGHT, AND AS AMERICANS, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT NONE OF US ARE FREE UNLESS ALL OF US ARE FREE.

SO AMERICA WASN'T FREE UNTIL JUNETEENTH, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN?

SO UNTIL PEOPLE START TO UNDERSTAND THAT, THEN IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE IT HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CONTINUE TO EDUCATE PEOPLE, BUT, YOU KNOW THE EDUCATION PIECE, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT THE EDUCATION PIECE IS THAT WHENEVER YOU MISS THAT AND THEN YOU HAVE THESE STUDENTS WHO GROW UP AND THEY REALIZE IT, LIKE ME, IT MAKES THEM RESENTFUL OF THE SYSTEMS THAT EDUCATED THEM.

YOU KNOW, BECAUSE I HAD A BOOK THAT WAS THIS THICK FOR OKLAHOMA HISTORY, AND NOT ONE PAGE HAS THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE ON IT, BUT I HAD TO PASS THAT CLASS IN ORDER TO GRADUATE.

I KNOW, BECAUSE I FAILED IT ONE TIME.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

SO I JUST THINK THAT IT'S SO CRITICAL THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS AND CONTINUE TO TRY TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S NOT -- IT'S NOT MOVING -- IT'S MOVING FORWARD, YOU KNOW, TO DO IT.

IT'S GOOD TO KNOW, AND IT'S GOOD TO UNDERSTAND, REGARDLESS OF HOW IT MAKES YOU FEEL, YOU KNOW, AND YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THAT, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT IT AND EDUCATE PEOPLE.

>> PRESIDENT BAY, WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

I WANTED TO GIVE THIS LAST QUESTION TO YOU.

AS JUNETEENTH IS A HOLIDAY AND IT'S FINALLY BECOMING MORE AND MORE RECOGNIZED ACROSS THE COUNTRY, DO YOU THINK IT SHOULD BE A PAID HOLIDAY HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> SURE.

I THINK SO.

I MEAN, IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE BE ALLOWED THE TIME TO FOCUS ON SLAVERY AND, IMPORTANTLY, THE CONDITION THAT THE BLACK COMMUNITY FINDS ITSELF AS A RESULT OF SLAVERY.

AND SO, YEAH, A PAID HOLIDAY, NOT TO JUST GO OUT AND HAVE MUSIC AND EAT, BUT TO ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO SPEND THE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY AND THE PROPER EDUCATION OF YOUR CHILDREN.

>> ALL RIGHT, GENTLEMEN, THAT'S ALL THE TIME THAT WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CASSIDY, GREAT JOB, THANK YOU.

WHILE EATING FRESH SALMON IS A PLEASURE HERE IN OKLAHOMA IN, ALASKA IT IS A WAY OF LIFE.

FISHING FOR SALMON IS DEEPLY WOVEN INTO THE ALASKAN CULTURE, BUT LATELY THE SALMON STOCK IS COLLAPSING.

WE'RE GOING TO LEARN MORE IN THIS REPORT FROM ALASKA PUBLIC MEDIA.

>> IN AUGUST, MCKENZIE RETURNED HOME TO A PLACE SHE'S NEVER ACTUALLY LIVED.

>> MEANS PEOPLE OF THE FLAT.

SO WELCOME TO THE FLAT.

>> ALSO KNOWN AS FORT YUKON, IT'S A VILLAGE OF LESS THAN 500 PEOPLE ON THE UPPER YUKON RIVER.

KENZIE IS 20 YEARS OLD, A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA FAIRBANKS.

HER MOTHER IS FROM -- AND IT'S CLEAR HOW CONNECTED SHE IS TO THIS PLACE.

>> GOOD DOG, THOUGH.

>> THEY'RE PRETTY MUCH ALL FAMILY HERE.

>> KENZIE GREW UP WITH HER DAD AND BROTHER NEAR THE LAKE IN THE BROOKS RANGE AND THEN LIVED IN FAIRBANKS, BUT SHE VISITED THE VILLAGE REGULARLY AS A CHILD AND IT'S WHERE SHE FEELS MOST ROOTED, AND NOW SHE'LL LIVE HERE FULL TIME.

FOR KENZIE, THIS MOVE HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING.

>> I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN WAITING MY WHOLE LIFE TO COME BACK HERE AND BE IN MY COMMUNITY AS MUCH AS I WANTED TO.

>> BECAUSE TODAY IT'S VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE VILLAGE SHE REMEMBERS VISITING AS A KID.

LIFE HERE USED TO REVOLVE AROUND SALMON.

THE FIRST KINGS WOULD ARRIVE IN LATE JUNE, AND CHUM WOULD FOLLOW IN LATE SUMMER.

BUT FOUR YEARS AGO, AFTER DECADES OF DECLINE, MOST RUNS COLLAPSED, AND RIVER MANAGERS HAVE ALL BUT CLOSED FISHING EVER SINCE.

RESEARCHERS SAY CLIMATE CHANGE IS DRIVING THE COLLAPSE.

RESIDENTS SAY IT'S MADE LIFE HERE UNRECOGNIZABLE.

NOW ON THE RIVER BANK, HALF A DOZEN FISH WHEELS LAY IDLE.

KENZIE CALLS IT THE FISH WHEEL GRAVEYARD.

>> YOU WOULD PROBABLY SIT RIGHT HERE WITH ONE OF THOSE CHAIRS, AND YOU WOULD JUST WATCH THE NETS CATCH THE FISH, AND I BET MY GRANDPA WAS JUST SMILING, SMILING WATCHING IT, KNOWING THAT HE WAS GOING TO BE SUPPLIED FOR THE WINTER.

>> THESE FISH ARE MORE THAN JUST FOOD.

THEY'RE CULTURE AND COMMUNITY, BUT KENZIE WASN'T AROUND ENOUGH AS A KID TO FISH SALMON FOR HERSELF.

SHE NEVER LEARNED TO USE THOSE FISH WHEELS.

AND NOW THAT SHE'S FINALLY HERE FULL TIME, SHE'S WORRIED SHE NEVER WILL.

>> IT'S HARD, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE IT'S -- I'M ALMOST MISSING A PART OF MYSELF.

>> HER UNCLE, MICHAEL PETER, SAYS THAT EXPERIENCE GOING TO FISH CAMP AND BUILDING A CONNECTION TO YOUR FAMILY THROUGH SALMON IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF PASSING ON THEIR CULTURE.

>> IN ORDER TO TAKE YOUR KIDS OUT TO TEACH THEM AND SHOW THEM, YOU KNOW, IT'S PRETTY MUCH WHAT WE'RE TAUGHT.

WE'RE TAUGHT HOW TO CUT AND PRESERVE AND SMOKE FISH.

>> MICHAEL IS THE SECOND CHIEF, AND HE WORRIES THAT KNOWLEDGE IS GETTING LOST FOR THE NEXT GENERATION.

>> DO YOU WORRY ABOUT THAT FOR KENZIE?

>> OH, YEAH.

YOU KNOW, SHE'S STILL LEARNING.

YOU KNOW, SHE HASN'T REALLY BEEN TO FISH CAMP, YOU KNOW.

>> THIS LOSS HAS FUELED KENZIE'S SENSE OF PURPOSE.

SHE FEELS A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP SAVE HER COMMUNITY FROM GIANT THREATS LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE.

SHE'S BECOME THE ADVOCATE FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE AND INDIGENOUS RIGHTS.

SHE'S FIGHTING FOR MORE ALASKA NATIVE CONTROL OVER FISHERY MANAGEMENT.

AND IT'S A LOT OF PRESSURE.

>> IT'S OVERWHELMING, BUT I'M HAPPY TO DO IT, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, IF NO ONE -- IF OUR GENERATION DOESN'T DO IT, THEN THERE IS NO ONE TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT FISH BACK FOR OUR FUTURE.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO NOW.

>> I THINK GREAT GRANDMA USED TO WEAR THESE.

>> ONE MOTHER KENZIE MET HER GRANDFATHER AT HIS HOUSE FOR COFFEE.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES AROUND HERE, I'LL TELL YOU.

>> FOR YEARS, SONNY TAUGHT KIDS HOW TO FISH AND HOW TO MAKE FISH WHEELS.

IF KENZIE HAD GROWN UP HERE, HE'S THE ONE WHO WOULD HAVE TAUGHT HER.

JONAS HAS WATCHED CLIMATE CHANGE TRANSFORM THE YUKON FLATS JUST IN HIS LIFETIME.

CAVED IN HOUSES, SUMMERS UNRECOGNIZEABLY WARM.

HE SAYS THE CHANGES ARE ALARMING, BUT HE SEES HOPE IN KENZIE.

>> I'M GLAD WHAT SHE'S DOING RIGHT NOW.

SHE'S REALLY TRYING TO GET INTO OUR CULTURE, AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF HER FOR THAT.

>> AS FOR KENZIE, SHE'S STILL LEARNING THAT CULTURE, AND SHE'S DETERMINED TO KEEP IT ALIVE FOR HERSELF AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

>> IF YOU'RE A FAN OF THE FOUR PEAT NATIONAL CHAMPION OU SOFTBALL TEAM, LISTEN UP, THE BOBBLEHEAD MUSEUM IN WISCONSIN IS OFFERING THREE LIMITED EDITION BOBBLEHEADS TO COMMEMORATE OU'S LATEST CHAMPIONSHIP ON JUNE 6th.

THEY FEATURE BOOMER AND SOONER AND A FOUR PEAT LOGO ON TOP.

THEY HAVE NOW WON 8 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN WOMEN'S SOFTBALL, INCLUDING 6 OF THE LAST 8 PLAYED IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, A NATIONAL CONVENTION FOR SMALL PLANE PILOTS MEETS IN OKLAHOMA TO DISCUSS CHALLENGES THEY FACE FROM PROPOSED NEW RULES THAT MAY CHANGE HOW THEY FLY.

JASON DOYLE TAKES TO THE SKIES NEXT FRIDAY AT 7.

WE'LL SAY SO ALONG THIS WEEK WITH A STROLL THROUGH SUMMERTIME NATURE IN OKLAHOMA PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY THE OETA PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISITING OUR WEBSITE OETA.TV.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING OETA ONR OR SEARCH FACEBOOK BY THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PUT THIS TOGETHER, I'M RICH LENZ.

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

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