>> PROPER TO MANAGE, GROW AND PROTECT THEIR ASSETS.

>> A GROWING INTEREST IN IMPROVING AMERICAN NATIVE ANG SAYS TREE LEADS TO INCREASED SCRUTINY FROM THE TRIBE.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOUR DNA TEST CAN PROVE THAT YOU HAVE NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN ANCESTRY DOESN'T MAKE YOU AN ENROLLED CITIZENS OF A SOVEREIGN.

>> WE MUST FIRST TAKE STEPS AND ACTIONS TO WRAP SUPPORTS AROUND THE WHOLE CHILD.

>> FROM A DRY BED TO A WATER RESOURCE FREE AND SOON TO BE ENJOYED BY ALL OKLAHOMAN.

>> ONCE WE GET TO THE EAST SIDE OF THE RIVER, WE'RE BUILDING A REGULAR CREATION NAL FLUME FOR KAYAKING, TUBING.

>> THE FIRST DRUG FOR ALZHEIMER'S IS APPROVED BY THE FDA, AND NOT EVERYONE THINKS THAT'S A GOOD >> THOSE STORIES, PLUS A CRUCIAL ROLE THAT POLLINATORS PLAY IN OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE, NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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

IF THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, WE'RE DELIVERING THE NEWS FROM OUR NEWS SET IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THERE'S NEWS ACROSS OUR STATE, INCLUDING THE INCREASES SCRUTINY >> CAN PROVE THAT YOU HAVE NATIVE NORTH AMERICAN ANCESTRY DOES NOT MAKE YOU AN EN ROLLED CITIZEN OF A STATE OF FLORIDA RING NATION.

>> SHE DIRECTS THE CENTER, WHICH IS A STONE'S THROW AWAY.

THEY HAVE 37,000 MEMBERS AND IS ONE OF THE FIVE LARGEST TRIBES IN THE STATE.

DR. STELLAR IS THE GATE >> AN ALL READY ENROLLED CITIZEN OR BLOOD RELATION DOZEN HAVE AN AN ENROLLED CITIZEN.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DIRECTED $8 BILLION TO GOOD TO NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, WHICH EXPLAINS RIGHT NOW IT'S SO POPULAR.

>> THESE DNA COMPANIES, EVEN IN SOME OF THEIR COMMERCIALS WILL SAY YOU TAKE OUR TEST, YOU CAN PROVE YOU'RE A NATIVE AMERICAN.

THAT'S MANIPULATIVE BECAUSE -- THAT YOU WERE A NATIVE AMERICAN THAT BELONGED TO A TRIBE.

>> ABOUT TWO MONTHS, THEY ESTABLISHED THIS PORTAL ON THE HOME PAGE OF THEIR WEBSITE.

THINK OF IT AS CITIZEN NATION OWN FACEBOOK.

>> WHAT I THINK IS CRITICAL ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WE ARE THEN SAYING, IT'S CREATE AND EVERYONE WANTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE ANCESTORS THAT PASSED AWAY 50, 70, A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, SO HOW DID THAT HELP YOU MAKE CONNECTIONS?

>> SHARE INFORMATION WITH THE OTHER DEPENDENTS WHO WANT TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR GREAT-GREAT-GREAT GRANDMOTHER.

THIS IS TAKING THE GENEALOGY ELEMENT OF THE RESEARCH AND MERGING IT FOR PEOPLE TO CREATE THEIR OWN PROFILES AND SAY, HEY, WE HAVE A COMMON ANCESTOR.

YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LIFE, I'LL TELL YOU ABOUT MINE.

>> SINCE THE SYSTEM WENT ONLINE BEING THEY'VE HELPED MORE THAN 500 MEMBERS LEARN.

IN THE FALL, HE'LL BEGIN WORK ON HIS PH.D AT HARVARD.

YES, THAT HARVARD.

>> IT TAKES YOU TO THE FRONT PAGE AND YOU GET IT SEE ALL OF THE DIFFERENT TOOLS TO BE ABLE TO CONNECT YOU LATERALLY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE MY AGE TO PEOPLE WHO ARE 300 YEARS OLD, YOU KNOW, AND THAT IS INCREDIBLY INTERESTING.

>> IT'S A MISSED OPPORTUNITY IF WE DON'T TAKE THE TECHNOLOGY THAT'S AVAILABLE TO US AND MAKE IT -- SO WHY DON'T WE USE TECHNOLOGY TO BRIDGE THAT GAP AND CLOSE THOSE CIRCLES?

>> JENNIFER BELL SAYS SHE WAS BLOWN AWAY WHEN SHE LOGGED IN.

>> I HAVE DONE ANCESTRY.COM BEFORE AND SOME OTHER GENEALOGY PROGRAMS AND THE RECORDS ARE NOT VERY COMPLETE, SO WHEN I LOGGED IN TO THIS PROFILE, I DON'T JUST SEE A FAMILY TREE WITH NAMES.

I CAN ALSO SEE THEIR SIBLINGS, SO I CAN LOOK AND SEE WHO MY GREAT-GREAT-GREAT GRAMMA WAS.

>> AND PRETTY TRICKY BECAUSE IN MANY CASES THERE'S ARE HUNDRED YEAR, EVEN LONGER GAPS IN NATIVE AMERICAN FAMILY TREES, REMINISCE OF A SAD CHAPTER IN U.S. HISTORY.

>> THE GOAL OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR DECADES UPON DECADES WAS TO DISASSOCIATE NATIVE AMERICANS FROM THEIR TRIBAL IDENTITY AND THEIR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, SO THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ANCESTRY, THAT LINE WAS BROKE NEN THAT ERA BROKEN IN THAT ERA AND IT IS TRAGIC.

>> WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF A PARTICULAR TRIBAL NATION.

>> THE TWO LARGEST TRIBES ARE CHOCTAW AND CHEROKEE NATION, CHOCTAW 'S MEMBERSHIP IS JUST OVER 204,000.

THEY TELL ME THEIR GENEALOGY DEPARTMENT HELPS WITH FAMILY TREES, BUT IT'S NOT IN DIGITAL FORM OR ON AN APP, BUT THEY HAVE A FACEBOOK PAGE USED MOSTLY FOR ADVICE ABOUT THE FAMILY TREE RESEARCH.

ONED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION OFFERING GENEALOGY RESEARCH FOR A FEE THROUGH ITS CHEROKEE FAMILY RESEARCH CENTER, TO HELP THOSE WHO WANT TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE CHEROKEE AND HAVE A DIRECT ANCESTOR ON THE ROLL.

STEVE SHAW, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW, THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT'S OF EDUCATION ANNUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

>> I THINK THAT SCHOOL, THE EFFORT, I STILL GOT A LOT OF SUPPORT A LOT OF MY TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AT SCHOOL, HELPING ME MOVE INTO MY COLLEGE EXPERIENCE THAT'S STARTING IN THE FALL, WRITING RECOMMENDATION LETTERS, EVEN THOUGH THERE'S SO MUCH GOING ON.

I DON'T THINK THEY EVER GAVE UP ON US AND I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> I THINK THE ONE THINGED PANDEMIC DID DO -- DOING THINGS THAT OPENED UP MORE OPTIONS WITHOUT BENEFITING PEOPLE WHO MAYBE DON'T FIT ORTHODOX.

WHAT I'M REFERRING TO IS MAINLY TESTING, A.P.

FORMS OF TESTING, OR EVEN THE ACT.

>> WHILE ONLINE LEARNING CREATED FLEXIBILITY FOR MANY HIGH SCHOOLERS, FOR OTHER STUDENTS, IT CREATED CHALLENGES DEPENDING ON THE QUALITY OF THEIR HOME LIFE.

>> THERE'S BEEN FURTHERING OF THE LEARNING GAP BECAUSE YOU HAVE KIDS THAT GO HOME AND PARENTS HELP THEM, THEN YOU HAVE THE KIDS WHO GO HOME AND DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THERE TO SUPPORT THEM AND THEY'RE FALLING BEHIND WHILE THESE OTHER KIDS ARE GETTING LEAPS AND BOUNDSES AHEAD, AND I KNOW THAT'S GOSS GOT TO BE A STRUMMING COMING BACK TO IN CLASSROOM.

>> GETTING KIDS CAUGHT WITH THEIR PEERS WAS A FOCUS OF MANY OF ONLINE SESSIONS.

I SAT IN ONE OF THE SESSIONS LED BY A STATE CONSTRUCTION LIMIT DIRECTORS, CHRISTINE CORD DOOR.

>> CORRIDOR.

>> THE QUESTION BECOMES HOW DO WE LEVERAGE THE STRENGTHS THAT STUDENTS ARE COMING IN TO YEAR WITH TO ADDRESS THOSE STRUGGLES AND CHALLENGE.

>> ONE OF THE STRATEGIES ADOPT TODAY DO THAT IS CALLED ACCELERATED LEARNING.

INSTEAD OF PRESENTING NEW MATERIAL AT A FASTER RATE, ACCELERATED LEARNING PROVIDES EXTRA TIME TO FINISH UNFINISHED LEARNING BY RELATING CONTENT TO NEW LESSONS.

>> BECAUSE THEY'RE PROGRESSING ON GRADE LEVEL CONTENT AND ONLY ACCESSING PREVIOUS GRADE LEVEL MATERIALS AS IN TERMS OF SUPPORTING THEIR ON GRADE LEVEL INSTRUCTION, STUDENTS TENDS TO BE MORE SELF-CONFIDENT AND HAVE AN INCREASE IN THEIR ENGAGEMENT.

>> THE STRATEGY USES PATTERNS OF CIRCLING BACK ON PREVIOUS LEARNING TO REITERATE INFORMATION FOR KIDS WHO MISSED IT, WHILE STILL TEACHING NEW MATERIAL TO ENGAGE KIDS WHO WERE BETTER ABLE TO KEEP UP.

>> NOW WE NEED TO ACTUALLY DETERMINE WHAT STUDENTS KNOW AND WHAT THEY MAY NOT KNOW, AND WE CAN DO THAT BY USING FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT.

>> IT'S BROKE NEON THREE TIERS, WHICH ADDRESSES WHETHER A WHOLE CLASS NEEDS REMEDIAL EFFORTS OR A FEW KIDS.

THESE ACCELERATED LEARNING CONCEPTS WERE TAUGHT ONLINE AND OTHERS TO RECAPTURE THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> IT FEATURES GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS ARK LONG WITH WEBINAR RECORDINGS, DESCRIBING STRATEGIES LIKE ACCELERATION OF LEARNING.

>> >>: STATE SUPERINTENDENT JOY HOFFMEISTER EXPLAINED NEW SPENDING AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR THE EFFORT.

>> THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER OF 2023, WE WILL INVEST AT LEAST $14 MILLION IN SCHOOL AND OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMMING.

THIS SPENDING A REQUIREMENT.

FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN AND RIGHTLY SO.

MOST IMMEDIATELY, WE INVESTED NEARLY $6 MILLION IN THIS SUMMER TO OKLAHOMA ALLIANCE FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS, AND THE OKLAHOMA ALLIANCE OF YMCAs.

>> THEY'RE ALSO USING THE RELIEWF FUND TO INCREASE STAFFING.

>> >>: THERE'S AN ESTIMATED $35 MILLION WHICH WILL FUND 300 ADDITIONAL SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ACROSS OKLAHOMA, $13 MILLION OF THAT SET ASIDE FUND WILL ALSO GO FOR TRAINING IN THE SCIENCE OF READING FOR UP TO 10,000 KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THIRD GRADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS OVER THE COURSE OF THREE YEARS.

ALSO, A MATH TUTORING CORP TO HELP ADDRESS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL LEARNING GAPS CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC.

$3.8MILLION IN RELIEF FUND, FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS WILL PAY FOR 500 MATT TUTORS EACH YEAR FOR THREE YEARS.

>> ANOTHER 12 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS WILL GO TO HIRING AN ADDITIONAL 1300 TEACHERS TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING TEACHER SHORTAGE.

RORY TAYLOR, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

>> RORY, THANK YOU.

THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ALLOWS STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES TO ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOL, BUT THEIR APPEARS TO BE A LACK OF INFORMATION ON WHICH CHILDREN ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE.

REPORTER JENNIFER PALMER WITH OUR CONTENT PARENT OKLAHOMA WATCH SPOKE WITH STEVE SHAW ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT ARE COMING TO THIS TAXPAYER SUBSIDIZED PROGRAM.

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE'S ABOUT 70 PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE OPTED TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM, HAS APPLIED AND HAS BEEN APPROVED.

AS OF RIGHT NOW, THERE'S LIMITED DATA ON THE STUDENTS THAT PARTICIPATE.

IT'S AN OPTIONAL PROGRAM, MOSTLY FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABLES, BUT ALSO STUDENTS WITH FOSTER CARE, THEN LAW HAS ADDED SOME REQUIREMENTS WHERE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NOW HAS TO REPORT SOME DEMOGRAPHIC DATA, REALLY BASIC STUFF, THE STUDENT'S GENDER, THEIR GRADE, THEIR FAMILY'S INCOME LEVEL, THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> THE ARTICLE SAYS THAT THE STATE IS DOING IT TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW PASSED IN 2019.

WHAT IS THAT LAW?

>> THIS WAS A LAW THAT WAS WRITTEN BY REPRESENTATIVE MARK MCBRIDE.

YOU KNOW, HE WANTED TO CONTINUE THE PROGRAM, BUT ADD A LITTLE BIT OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

MOSTLY THESE MEASURES ARE MEANT TO LOOK FOR DISPARITIES, SO IT'S JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE, YOU KNOW, NOT DENYING A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS SO THEY HAVE TO REPORT APPLICATIONS HOW MANY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED, HOW MANY APPROVED, HOW MANY DENIED.

IT'S BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE AND IT'S GROWN.

I THINK TAXPAYERS AND LAWMAKERS WANT TO KNOW IF THE PROGRAMS ARE WORKING, IF THEY'RE EFFECTIVE, AND IF STUDENTS ARE SUCCEEDING BECAUSE MORE AND MORE ARE USING THEM.

>> OKLAHOMA STILL FALLS SHORT OF OTHER STATES WHEN IT COMES TO PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS.

HOW SO?

>> SO OTHER STATES HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS.

QUITE A FEW ASK THESE SCHOOLS TO HAVE STUDENTS TAKE AN ASSESSMENT, EITHER A STATE OR NATIONAL ASSESSMENT LIKE THE ACT OR A STATE TEST.

SOME STATES REQUIRES THOSE SCORES TO BE RECORDED.

OUR STATE DOESN'T REQUIRE PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENTS TAKE ANY EXAMS OR REPORT ANY SCORES.

>> THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED A MAJOR EXPANSION OF ANOTHER PROGRAM CALLED THE OKLAHOMA EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP FUND.

WHAT DOES THAT DO?

>> SO THIS PROGRAM IS DIFFERENT.

IT IS FOR ANY STUDENT WHO WANTS WANTS TO GO TO A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND IT'S NOT THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THAT PROGRAM GOT A HUGE EXPANSION IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR AND THEY'VE NOW CAPPED TAX CREDITS FOR THAT PROGRAM AT 15 MILLION.

THEY DID ADD A LITTLE BIT OF ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN THEY EXPANDED THE PROGRAM.

THIS WILL HAVE TO REPORT SOME THINGS, I BELIEVE THE FAMILY'S INCOME LEVEL AND THEIR DISABILITY CATEGORY.

>> JENNIFER, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> JENNIFER AND STEVE, THANK YOU.

FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS, STATE LEADERS HAVE WORKED TO DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY FOLLOWING ONE OF OKLAHOMA'S WORSE OIL BUST AND THEY BELIEVE THE PANDEMIC REVEALED THE EFFORTS PAID OFF, POINTING TO THE LOW UNEMPLOYMENT RATE WHEN THE STATE STARTED TO REOPEN, AS A SIGN OF RESILIENCE.

>> THIS WAS NOT A GREAT YEAR FOR THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY.

YOU MAY RECALL OVER A YEAR AGO, THERE WAS A DAY IF WERE YOU IN POSSESSION OF OIL AND GAS, YOU HAD TO PAY SOMEONE TO TAKE IT FROM YOU.

THE PRICE WENT BELOW ZERO AND THAT WAS A PRETTY REMARKABLE DAY FOR OKLAHOMA AND FOR THAT INDUSTRY.

YES, THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY MAY, JUNE, JULY, WE'VE HAD ONE OF THE LOWEST UNEMPLOYMENT RATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AMONG LARGE CITY.

>> NEW CONVENTION CENTER, AND AN ADDITION TO THE BIOTECH INDUSTRY ARE KEY DRIVERS FOR CONTINUED EXPANSION.

BOTH APPEARED THIS WEEK ON THE CENTERS FOR STRATEGIC AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES CALLED ECONOMY DISRUPTED ON THE YOU TUBE SERIES FOX DECADES, THEY HAVE DEBATED THE FLOW IN THE ARKANSAS RIVER.

THEY SAY IT WILL SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE RIVER.

CRITICS ARGUE THE MONEY COULD BE SPENT ON BETTER PRIORITIES.

EITHER WAY, CONSTRUCTION IS NOW UNDERWAY ON TWO MAJOR PROJECTS.

IT DOESN'T TAKE AN EAGLE EYE TO SEE SOMETHING IS BIG IS HAPPENING IN THE ARKANSAS RIVER.

SOMETHING $61 MILLION BIG AND IT'S SOMETHING.

A NEW LOW WATER DAM AND A NEW PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE TO REPLACE THE ONE CURRENTLY BEING DEMOLISHED.

>> I GREW UP HERE AND IT'S ALWAYS BEEN A DRY, SAND RIVERBED AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER ARE, UNLESS THERE'S A HIGH FLOW RIVER FLOW COMING THROUGH.

I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THE LAKE TO BE OUT THERE.

YOU CAN GET KAYAKS INTO THE LAKE AS WELL.

>> BROOK IS THE LEAD ENGINEER ON THE DAM PROJECTED, FUNDER BY VOTER APPROVED VISION TULSA IN 2016.

JEFF IS THE TRUSTEE FOR TULSA'S GATHERING PLACE, LLC, AND OVERSEEING THE DEPARTMENT LIRKS OF THE OLD BRIDGE AND REPLACING IT WITH A 1,000-FOOT SPAN CALLED THE GATEWAY.

>> SO THE CITY HAS COMMITTED $27.4 MILLION TO DEMOLISH AND BUILD THE NEW BRIDGE, AND THEN WE'RE WORKING ON FUNDRAISING FOR AN ADDITIONAL $6 MILLION FOR THE LIGHTING, THE BENCHES.

IT'S THE VERY FIRST MULTI-ARTS HEEL BRIDGE IN THE U.S.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, ARCHITECTURALLY, AND WHAT'S REALLY COOL ABOUT IT, IT'S NOT A BRIDGE THAT GOES STRAIGHT ACROSS.

IT'S IN AN ARK OR A BOW.

>> IT WILL CONNECT THE WEST BANK WITH THE GATHERING PLACE PARK, AND BOTH THE SPAN AND THE DAM ARE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ROUGHLY THE SAME TIME IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, CREATING A NEW ZINC LAKE, THAT WILL EXTEND BACK TO INTERSTATE 244, AND PROVIDE RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES SIMILAR TO OKLAHOMA CITY'S THRIVING BOAT HOUSE DIRECT.

>> ON THE EAST SIDE, WE'RE BUILDING A RECREATIONAL FLUME FOR KAYAKING, SURFING, TUBING THERE.

WILL BE SEVEN POOLS WITH FEATURES ON THEM THAT MAKES WAVES SO PEOPLE CAN GET IN AND PLAY ON THE WAVES AND GO DOWN THE FLUMS.

IT'S ABOUT A THOUSAND FEET LONG AND IT'S FREE TO USE.

>> YOU CAN LOOK AT OUR FRIENDS DOWN THE TURNPIKE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THEY HAVE PUT IN THE OKLAHOMA RIVER WHICH THEY HAVE THE ROWING EVENTS AND THE BOAT HOUSES THAT THEY'VE BUILT, AND IT'S REALLY BECOME A CITY CENTRAL PLACE FOR THEM.

>> THE FIRST STEP OF CONSTRUCTION OF A DAM ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE RIVER TO KEEP THE RIVER UP RIVER FLOWING SAFELY AROUND THE BUILDING SITE.

>> WE'VE SEEN EVEN IN 2019, 3,000 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND AND IF YOU LOOK HERE TODAY, IT'S PROBABLY FLOWING BETWEEN SIX AND 12,000, THEN THIS STRUCTURE OUT HERE PROTECTS ABOUT 40,000 CUBIC FEET PER SECOND.

>> THAT KEEPS THE WORKERS SAFE AND WHEN IT'S COMPLETED, THE NEW DAM WILL KEEP SWIMMERS SAFER, TOO.

THIS IS A PART OF THE OLD DAM.

THIS WOULD CREATE A ROLLING WAVE AND WHEN SOMEBODY FELL INTO THE RIVER, THIS HE WOULD GET CAUGHT IN THAT WAVE AND COULDN'T GET OUT, BUT THE NEW DAM SOLVES THAT PROBLEM.

>> SO WE'RE PUTTING IN THE NEW STEPS BECAUSE YOU SEE BEHIND US, THAT STEP WILL PREVENT THAT ROLLER.

>> YOU SEE THE STAIR STEPS IN THE BACKGROUND, THAT WILL BREAK THAT WATER UP SO IF PEOPLE ARE BELOW IT, IT WON'T TRAP PEOPLE.

WE'VE SEEN DROWNINGS HERE AT THE ZINC DAM OVER TIME.

>> THERE ARE OTHER DIFFERENCES, TOO, ALL DESIGNED TO MAKE THE 1,030-FOOT DAM SAFER.

>> WE'RE A FOUNDATION OF EXISTING DAMS, THAT'S WHAT WAS HERE, NO POINT ON TEARING IT OUT.

WE'RE ADDING ON TO IT.

WE'RE USING THE FOUNDATION AND ADDING ON THE EXISTING DAM.

>> THAT WASN'T AN OPTION FOR THE EXISTING PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, WHAT'S LEFT OF IT.

THIS STR UK SURE HOLDS A SPECIAL PLACE IN THE HEARTS OF LOCALS.

THERE'S BEEN PROM NIGHTS AND WEDDINGS OVER THIS PAN FOR YEARS.

IT'S BEEN TOO MANY YEARS AND IT HAD TO GO.

>> AS NOSTALGIC AS IT IS, IT HAD MAJOR STRUCTURAL ISSUES.

AS SOON AS WE TOOK THE HEEL SECTION OFF, THE CONCRETE COLUMNS FELL OVER.

WE'VE TAKEN HALF OF IT DOWN.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE FIVE WEEKS T TOOK TWO WEEK.

>> THE NEW BRIDGE WILL HAVE A 70 TO 100 YEAR LIFESPAN AND PROVIDE A BIRD'S EYE VIEW OF DOWNTOWN TULSA, THE WILDLIFE, INCLUDING EAGLES, PELL CANS AND HERONS.

>> AS APART OF OUR PERMIT, THERE'S MEASURES THAT WE HAVE TO DO AND FOR ONE, YEAR BUILDING AN ISLAND SOUTH OF HERE FOR THE BIRDS.

>> THE PERMITTING PROCESS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2009, BUT GREEN LIGHTING A PROJECT OF THIS MAGNITUDE FOR THE STAKEHOLDERS.

>> PSO, WITHOUT THEM AND HOLLY FRONTIER BEING APART OF THIS PROJECT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARD TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

THE KAYAKERS CLUB THAT HAS REALLY HAD THE VISION FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

THE CITY OF TULSA COMMUNITY VOTING FOR THE PROJECT AND COMMITTING DOLLARS TOWARDS THAT.

REALLY, IT'S ABOUT THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF STAKEHOLDERS THAT REALLY HAD TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE THE PROJECT SUCCESSFUL.

>> AND WHILE MANY OF THOSE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING CASINOS, RESTAURANTS, HOUSING DEVELOPERS AND OTHERS STAND TO BENEFIT FINANCIALLY, THE RISING TIDE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SHOULD RISE ALL BOATS OUT OF DRY DOCK, CREATING A WATER SOURCE TO BE ENJOYED BY ALL OKLAHOMANS.

>> I THINK THE REAL VISION WAS TO CREATE A DESTINATION THAT IS WORLDWIDE RECOGNIZED, BUT THE CITY OF TULSA PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL TO DO.

WE HAVE IT RIGHT HERE WHERE WE CAN, INSTEAD OF GOING TO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO SPEND OUR DOLLARS, WE CAN JUST DRIVE DOWNTOWN AND ENJOY IT FOR THE DAY.

>> WESTERN HALF OF THE DAM WILL BE COMPLETED IN A YEAR, WITHIN 16 MONTHS A LOT OF THE EAST SIDE WITH THE ADDITIONAL WATER FEATURE.

OKLAHOMA CONTINUES TO SEE A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF NEW COVID CASES PER DAY.

THE ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE THIS WEEK ALMOST 200 PER DAY COMPARED TO 163 LAST YEAR.

HOSPITALIZATIONS WILL DOWN FROM 138 TO 130, AND 35 OKLAHOMANS ARE DIED FROM THE VIRUS IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS AND AS OF WEDNESDAY, 37% OF THE OKLAHOMA POPULATION HAD BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN DONATING BLOOD, WE'VE PUT A WEB ADDRESS ON THE SCREEN FOR YOU.

THE REASON WHY, OKLAHOMA IS CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING ITS WORSE BLOOD SHORTAGE IN 26 YEARS.

THE OKLAHOMA BLOOD INSTITUTE SAYS IT'S DOWN TO ONE-DAY SUPPLY.

NORMAL THREE, THEY HAVE A FOUR OR FIVE-DAY SUPPLY IN RESERVE SO IF THERE WAS A MASS CASUALTY EVENT THAT OCCURRED, SOME VICTIMS WOULD NOT HAVE THE BLOOD THEY NEEDED.

JUNE IS NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH AND BACK ON JIEWB EIGHTH, THE FDA APPROVED THE FIRST NEW DRUG TO TREAT ALZHEIMER'S IN NEARLY 20 YEARS.

AS JASON DOYLE REPORTS, THAT HAS TURNED OUT TO BE A CONTROVERSIAL DECISION.

>> THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION USED AN ACCELERATION PROCESS FOR A ALZHEIMER'S TREATMENT.

THAT METHOD OF APPROVAL IS USED BECAUSE THE DRUG SHOWS PROMISE.

>> SO WHAT THEY DID IS THEY USED A PIPELINE CALLED AN ACCELERATED APPROVAL TO APPROVE THIS DRUG, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT MORE STUDIES NEED TO BE DONE, BUT WHAT THEY DIDN'T WANT TO DO IS COMPLETELY KEEP IT OUT OF HANDS OF THE PUBLIC WHILE WE FIGURE THIS OUT ARE BECAUSE THERE'S A CHANCE TO PROVE TO HAVE SOME BENEFIT GZ IT USES ANTIBODIES TO CLEAR AWAY PLAQUES FROM THE BRAIN, THOSE ALONG WITH NEURO TANGLES ARE BELIEVED TO BE AN EARLY SIGN OF THE DISEASE.

>> THERE'S DEBATE ABOUT.

[UNINTELLIGIBLE] IT'S A DEBATE THAT SPLITS THE FIELD.

>> SO MUCH SO, THAT THE APPROVAL RESULTED IN RESIGNATION OF THREE FDA OFFICIALS WHO ARGUED THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH EVIDENCE OF THE DRUG'S EFFECTIVENESS, EVEN IF IT'S SAFE TO USE.

>> PERSONALLY AS A CLINICIAN AND PROBABLY SHARED BY MOST PEOPLE IN THE FIELD, I DON'T THINK THERE'S ONE SINGLE CAUSE FOR ALZHEIMER'S.

IT WOULD BE, NUMBER ONE, TOO SIMPLE, AND NUMBER TWO, TIME POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEX OF THE HUMAN BEING.

>> NEVERTHELESS, THE NEW DRUG IS BRINGING HOPE.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST FDA APPROVED DRUG THAT DELAYS DECLINE DUE TO ALZHEIMER'S AND THIS IS A BIG GROUP OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH THE DISEASE AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> DESPITE THE CONTROVERSIAL WAY THE DRUG WAS APPROVED, THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION SAYS IT'S THE FIRST TREATMENT FOR THE DISEASE ITSELF AND NOT JUST SYMPTOMS.

>> SO THE DRUGS THAT WE HAD PRIOR TO THAT AND THE LAST ONE APPROVED WAS 2003.

ALL OF THOSE DRUGS WERE SYMPTOMATIC.

YOU WERE LOOKING AT SYMPTOMS.

IF YOU HAVE A HEADACHE, THEY WERE LOOKING AT SYMPTOMS THAT MAY HAVE HELPED WITH THAT, BUT THEY CERTAINLY DIDN'T HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE.

>> THE LIKELY KEY BEING AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT IS EARLY DETECTION OF THE DISEASE.

>> IF WE CAN GET AWAY FROM THE PLAQUE, ESPECIALLY IN THE EARLIER STAGES OF THE DISEASE, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL OF ARRESTING THE DISEASE PART WAY THROUGH EVEN, EVEN IF IT DOESN'T CURE ANYTHING, IT MIGHT PROLONG THINGS SO THAT PEOPLE MAY BE HEALTHIER WOULD LONGER.

>> ANOTHER SCHOOL OF THOUGHT SUGGEST ALZHEIMER'S COULD BE CAUSED BY A VARIETY OF FACTORS IN ADDITION TO PLAQUE BUILD UP.

DR. MIKE BECKSTED WITH THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL FOUNDATION IS DOING RESEARCH, BUT DIDN'T START OUT THAT WAY.

>> MOST OF MY CAREER HAS BEEN SPENT STUDYING HOW CELLS COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER IN THE BRAIN.

ALZHEIMER'S IS NOT TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE BRAIN.

IT'S A DISEASE OF LEARNING AND MEMORY.

>> HOWEVER, HE BEGAN TO SEE A CONNECTION.

>> WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THE MORE I LOOK INTO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE, THE MORE I REALIZED THAT THE PARTS OF THE BRAIN THAT I'VE BEEN STUDYING FOR OTHER DISEASES MIGHT ACTUALLY BEING PLAYING A ROLE IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

>> THROUGH STUDYING THAT POSSIBLE CONNECTION, HE BELIEVES HIS RESEARCH IS SHOWING PROMISE.

>> SO GIVEN ALL OF THIS PRELIMINARY EVIDENCE, WE SUBMITTED A GRANT ON THIS AND THANKFULLY, IT JUST GOT APPROVED BY THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH AND GOT FUNDED TO EXPLORE IT FURTHER.

>> OVER AT O.U.

HEALTH, THE DOCTOR IS TAKING A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

HE'S LOOKING AT A DIFFERENT CONNECTION BETWEEN A TYPE OF PLATELETS AND ALZHEIMER'S.

>> PLATELETS CARRY A LARGE AMOUNT OF PROTEIN ONLY THEIR SURFACE, WHICH IS A KEY ELEMENT IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

>> HE'S COMPARING THE PLATELET PROFILE OF PATIENTS WHO HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND THOSE WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING JUST SHORT-TERM MEMORY LOSS.

>> WE FOUND THEY HAD SIMILAR LEVELS OF THE EARLY STAGES OF ALZHEIMER'S.

IT WAS INTERESTING FOR US BECAUSE IT GAVE US SOMETHING IN THE BLOOD TO LOOK AT, POTENTIALLY TO IDENTIFY A HIGH RISK GROUP THAT WOULD MOVE FASTER THAN THE REMAINDER OF THE GROUP.

>> WHILE THE RESEARCH IN OKLAHOMA WILL LIKELY BENEFIT ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS IN THE FUTURE THERE'S ARE RESOURCES ON THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION'S WEBSITE FOR THE AMERICANS DEALING WITH IT CURRENTLY.

>> WE HAVE THE RESOURCES FROM, AGAIN, WHAT DOES ALZHEIMER'S LOOK LIKE TO HOW DO YOU TAKE AWAY THE KEYS FROM MOM OR DAD WHO SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING.

WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE RESOURCES ONLINE.

>> EVEN IF THE NEWLY APPROVED DRUG'S EFFECTIVENESS IS LIMITED, IT SETS THE STAGE FOR FUTURE TREATMENT.

>> THIS OPENS THE DOOR FOR MORE INNOVATION AND LOOK AT TANGLES, LOOK AT COMBINATION THERAPY, IT OPENS THE DOOR FOR MORE INNOVATION.

WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE.

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

>> GREAT JOB, JASON.

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER CYBER ATTACK, THIS TIME HITTING A OKLAHOMA TRIBE.

ONCE AGAIN, JASON PROVIDING THE DETAILS IN THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> ADD CHEYENNE APREPARE HO CASINOS TO THE LIST OF BUSINESSES ATTACKED BY CYBER ATTACKS.

ANYBODY EXPOSED WILL BE PROVIDED 12 MONTHS OF CREDIT COUNSELING THE RESCUE FUNDS WAS OVER $33 MILLION.

MORE THAN 520 JOBS WERE LOST DUE TO THE DRAMATIC DROP OF TICKET SALES, THE SURVEY COVERED 39 ORGANIZATIONS IN OKLAHOMA CITY, EDMOND, NORMAN AND SHAWNY.

THE CORP NATION IS GIVING OLYMPIA RENEWABLE PLATFORM 30 DAYS TO DECOMMISSION OR RETURN TO OPERATION, A DAMAGED WIND FARM IN THE PANHANDLE.

SEVERAL OF THE TOURS HAVE DAMAGED OR DANGLING BLADES AND DAMAGED TURBINES WHICH COULD DAMAGE THE PUBLIC.

STARTING IN THE SPRING OF 2022, THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA'S COLLEGE OF BUSINESS WILL OFFER AN EXECUTIVE MBA IN RENEWABLES PROGRAM.

IT'S 14 MONTHS, 32 CREDIT HOURS, MOSTLY CONDUCTED ONLINE AND TARGETED TOWARD MID LEVEL EXECUTIVES LOOKING TO INCREASE THEIR OPPORTUNITY IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY.

DESPITE NOT NORMAL CONDITIONS, MORE THAN HALF OF OKLAHOMA'S WHEAT CROP HAS BEEN FARMED.

PROTEIN IS AVERAGING ABOUT 10.5 TO 11.1% WITH HIGHER PROTEIN PERCENTAGES IN AREAS WHICH HAVE RECEIVED LESS RAIN.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> TRAVEL MOST ANY OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY RIGHT NOW AND THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE YOU'LL COME ACROSS WHEAT FARM NERVES THEIR FIELD GATHERING THEIR GOLDEN CROP.

THAT'S NOT THE ONLY COLOR OF HARVEST TAKING PLACE IN JUNE.

ALISA HINES REPORTS.

>> CUT IT, BUNDLE IT TO DRY.

IT'S HARVEST TIME AT THE FARM AND OWNER MARILOU IS REAPING THIS UNUSUAL CROP THAT SMELLS LIKE A SPA.

WITH OKLAHOMA WEATHER, IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY TO GROW, ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR.

>> LAVENDER DOES NOT LIKE TO BE DROWN, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S LITTLE.

WHAT WE DID WAS, WE PRETTY MUCH KILLED THE FIRST BUNCH THAT WE PLANTED.

WE HAVE ONE GROUP LEFT, WHICH IS APART OF THE ORIGINAL ONE WE PLANTED AND WE'RE ON THE NORTH EDGE OF WHERE THAT'S SUPPOSED TO GLOW WELL, SON THIS WINTER WHEN WE GOT THAT COLD SPELL, WITH HE HAD STRANGE LOOKING PLANTS BECAUSE WINTER KILLED PART OF IT.

>> WHILE THE LAVENDER CAPITOL OF THE U.S. IS IN WASHINGTON STATE, WHERE FARMS CAN RUN AS LARGE AS 260 ACRES, THIS BOUTIQUE FARMS IS ONE OF A NUMBER OF SMALL FARMS IN OKLAHOMA WITH 800 PLANTS AND MULTIPLE VARIETIES ON ONE ACRE.

>> WE DECIDED THAT'S PROBABLY ENOUGH FOR US.

WE MAY GET A WHIM TO DO SOME MORE.

>> AND HARVEST LAST ABOUT ONE MONTH.

>> IT'S WORKED OUT PRETTY WELL THIS LAST YEAR ANYWAY SO THAT WE COULD GET ONE BUNCH DRY AND BE ABLE TO TAKE IT OFF BEFORE THE NEXT ONE COMES IN, YOU KNOW, SO WE HAVE ROOM TO HANG IT.

>> SHE SAYS PEOPLE LOVE TO COME AND PICK THEIR OWN BOUQUETS OR JUST SHOP IN THEIR STORE.

>> IT'S A FUN EXPERIENCE AND THE SMELL IS WONDERFUL WHEN YOU'RE CUTTING.

LAST YEAR, WE HAD A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO JUST WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE.

THEY WOULD COME OUT AND WALK AROUND.

THIS YEAR, NOBODY WANTED TO BE INSIDE.

WE'RE WORKING ON A PLACE IN OUR GARAGE RIGHT NOW AND TRY TO HAVE A LITTLE STORE FOR US TO USE, AND WE TRY TO LIMIT OUR CUSTOMERS ACTUALLY SO WE HAVE LIKE OILS, BEDDER BEARD OIL, BODY BUTTER, ALL OF THE COMMON THINGS YOU THINK OF WITH LAVENDER PRETTY MUCH.

>> YOU CAN FIND ALL SORTS OF PRODUCTS THAT USES LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OILS IN THEM, PRO BATH PRODUCTS TO ROOM SPRAYS, LAUNDRY PRODUCTS, LIP BALM, EVEN BABY LOTION.

PEOPLE USE IT TO RELAX, PROMOTE GOOD SLEEP, AND SOME WOMEN USE IT ON THEIR LASHES FOR HEALTHY LASH GROWTH.

LAVENDER CALMS YOUR SOUL AND DELIGHTS YOUR SENSE.

>> ONE LADY SAID I HAVE A CHILD WHO WOULD NOT SIT STILL IN SCHOOL AND I USED THAT ON HIM EVERY DAY, AND SHE SAID THE TEACHER SAID WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR HIM.

HE IS JUST SO CALM.

SHE SAYS IT'S THE LAVENDER SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT AS A PERSONAL TESTAMENT.

>> WHILE IT'S USED AS A CULT MEDICINE REMEDY TO CALM THE NERVES, RESEARCH SHOWS IT CAN LESSEN ANXIETY BY STIMULATING THE NOSE AND PASSING A SIGNAL TO THE BRAIN.

NOT ONLY DOES IT SMELL GOOD, IT'S DELICIOUS, TOO.

>> I THOUGHT WELL, SOMETHING OUT OF LAVENDER WOULD BE GOOD TO EAT.

MOST PEOPLE THINK OF LAVENDER AS COLOGNE, PERFUME.

I LOOKED UP RECIPES AND MADE A LAVENDER LEMON POUND CAKE.

ONE OF MY GRANDDAUGHTERS MADE ME A BOOK WITH ALL LAVENDER RECIPES, AND I'VE DONE THE COOKIES.

>> A FARM HARVESTING FIELDS OF PURPLE WITH AN INTOXICATING SCENT THROUGH THE AIR AND SOOTHING THE SOIL.

ALICIA HINES, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

>> THANK YOU, ALICIA.

DID YOU KNOW, IT'S OFFICIALLY POLLINATOR WEEK IN OKLAHOMA, AN EXCELLENT TIME FOR A IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE THAT THE POLLENATERS PLAY ON PUTTING FOOD ON OUR TABLE.

BEES HAVE BEEN DYING OFF ON AN ALARM IS RATE.

AT AN ALARMING RATE.

>> WE HAVE AMY STEEGER, THE STATE SOIL HEALTH ADMINISTRATOR, DR. COURTNEY BUR, WHO IS AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN AGRICULTURES ECONOMICS AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, THEN WE HAVE JANE BRECKENRIDGE, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE U.T.

BUTTERFLY FARM AND CO-DIRECTOR FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION FOR MONARCH, AND TRIBAL ALLIANCE FOR POLLINATORS.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU GOING HAVE US.

>> THANKS.

>> WE'RE DIVING RIGHT IN.

A 2019 ARTICLE IN BUSINESS WEEK INSIDER, THE BOTTOM LINE OF THIS ARTICLE STATES THAT BASED ON RESEARCH, LOOKED AT 73 HISTORICAL REPORTS ON INSECT DECLINES AROUND THE WORLD, IT FOUND THE TOTAL MASS OF ALL INSECTS IS DECREASING ABOUT 2.5% EACH YEAR.

IF THIS TREND CONTINUES UNABATED, THE EARTH MAY NOT HAVE ANY MORE INSECTS BY 2119, THAT'S WHY I WANT TO START OFF ON NATIONAL POLLINATOR WEEK.

JANE, I'M STARTING WITH YOU.

YOU GROW POLLINATORS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS STATISTIC?

TELL US WHAT YOU DO AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU THINK THIS STAT IS ACCURATE.

>> FROM WHAT I READ OF IT, THE SCIENCE IS SOUND.

THEY LOOKED AT A LOT OF STUDIES AND THE SITUATION IS REALLY THAT DIRE.

I WOULD, BEYOND LOOKING AT THE SCIENTIFIC DATA, I THINK WE'VE ALL NOTICED IT.

I HAVE.

I'M OUT HERE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY IN SECONDS INSECTS AS WE USED TO.

UP THE FOOD CHAIN, WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY BIRDS THAT WE USED TO.

BIRDS STILL HAVE TO FEED CATERPILLARS TO THEIR YOUNG.

WE'RE NOT ONLY SEEING INSECT DECLINE, WE'RE DEEING BIRDIE KLEIN, TOO.

WE'RE SEEING IT.

WHAT WE DO IS SPECIFICALLY HELP PEOPLE, TRINL AND TRINL MEMBERS, BUT OTHERS AS WELL, WE HELP THEM RAISE THE POLLINATORS.

THE BUTTERFLIES GOES OUT, THEY EDUCATE PEOPLE ON THE POLLINATORS, BUT WE ALSO GROW A LOT OF NATIVE PLANTS TO HELP POLLINATORS IN THE WILD AND HELP TO REVERSE THE DECLINE.

IT'S BEEN AMAZING FOR US TO WATCH AS WE'VE SEEN INSECT DECLINE TO SEE AS WE'VE REPLANTED THE NATIVE PLANTS BACK, AS WE'VE REDUCED THE USE OF PESTICIDE AND HERBICIDE, WE'RE SEEING THEM COME BACK.

WE SPOTTED A TWO SPOTTED BUMBLEBEE WHICH HASN'T BEEN SPOTTED SINCE 1996.

WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BUT EVERYBODY HAS TO DID THEIR PART.

>> DOCTOR, WHAT IS THE CAUSE OF THIS DECLINE?

DO YOU ALSO SEE A DECLINE?

DO YOU STUDY THIS?

TELL US ABOUT POLLINATORS FROM THE ACADEMIC POINT OF VIEW.

>> SURE.

JANE IS TALKING ABOUT A LOT BUTTERFLIES.

I'M FOCUSED ON HONEY BEES.

THEY'RE NOT NATIVE TO THE UNITED STATES AND PEOPLE ARE SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT.

IT FALSE UNDER LIVESTOCK BECAUSE THE A SPECIES.

THEY'RE AN INSECT CULTIVATED BY PEOPLE, MANAGED JUST LIKE LIVESTOCK IS MANAGED.

IT'S OUT OF THE BEEKEEPER'S CONTROL TO SOME DEGREE BECAUSE IF YOU'RE A NEIGHBOR, A NEIGHBORING FARM IS USING PESTICIDES, IT COULD IMPACT YOUR BEE COLONY.

THEY'RE ALSO VERY SENSITIVE TO WEATHER CHANGES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

SO THE DATA, WHEN IT COMES BEEKEEPERS IS A LITTLE BIT SPARSE, A LOT OF ACADEMICS ARE KIND OF WORKING TOWARDS INCREASING OUR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT BEEKEEPERS ARE DOING, HOW THEY'RE LOSING THEIR BEES.

ARE THEY LOSES IT TO MITES R.J.

THEY LOSING IT TO WEATHER PROBLEMS, ALL SORTS OF THINGS SO WE'RE WORKING TO GET THAT DATA TO ANSWER THOSE QUESTION.

>> AMY, DR. BURKE TALKED ABOUT PESTICIDES AND CROP GROWTH.

WHAT IS THE BALANCING ACT BETWEEN FARMERS USE IS PEST PESTICIDES THAT THEY NEED TO GROW THEIR CROPS AND NOT HURTING THE POLLINATORS, HONEY BEES OR WILD POLLINATORS?

>> FARMING ALSO A LIVELIHOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR A MAJORITY OF OKLAHOMANS, SO IT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR FARMERS AND PRODUCERS TO BE EDUCATED ALONG WITH OUR MANY EXTENSION GUYS, WHEN TO SPRAY, OPTIONS FOR SPRAYING, BUT WE ALSO HAVE WHAT I CONSIDER IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, WE ARE INCORPORATED THE COMPANION CROPS THAT CAN EAT INSECTS THAT COULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO THE CROPS, AND SO WORKING WITH NATURE INSTEAD OF AGAINST NATURE IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON EDUCATING FROM OUR SIDE.

>> I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE BUTTERFLY ON YOUR FINGER.

THAT'S A GOOD INDUSTRY TO GET IN.

IT'S AN AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, RIGHT?

>> IT IS AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THIS.

WHEN I SAY I'M A BUTTERFLY FARMER, THINK THINK IT'S A HOBBLE BEE, BUT IT'S A REAL INDUSTRY.

ESTIMATED BY THE FDA TO RESULT IN ABOUT $80 MILLION EVERY YEAR INTO THE U.S. ECONOMY.

>> MILK WEED WITH BUTTERFLIES?

>> YES.

IT GETS A BAD WRAP.

MILK WEED IS A BEAUTIFUL, NATIVE PLANT AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, WHEN THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY IS IN THE CATERPILLAR STAGE OF THE LIFE CYCLE, AND EVERY BUTTERFLY GOES THROUGH EGG, CATERPILLAR, LARVAE AND ADULT.

THE ONLY FEED IT CAN EAT AS AN ADULT IS MILK WEED.

OTHERWISE, THERE'S NO MONARCHS.

HINDS OF MILLIONS OF THESE BUTTERFLIES FLIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING NATURAL PHENOMENAS IN THE WORLD.

WE'RE IN DANGER OF LOSING IT.

WHAT SOMEBODY CONSIDERS A WEED, THEY CONSIDER LUNCH AND IF WE GET RID OF ALL OF THAT, WE'RE IN TROUBLE.

>> WORSE CASE SCENARIO, INSECTS STARTS TO DISAPPEAR AND CANNOT COME BACK TO A LEVEL WHERE THEY CAN COME BACK AND THEY'LL DISAPPEAR WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T HAVE OUR POLLINATORS?

>> EVERY THREE BITES OF OUR FOOD COMES FROM POLLINATORS, SO IF YOU START TAKING POLLINATEDDERS OUT OF THAT DISCUSSION, OUR FOOD SUPPLY DWINDLES VERY DRAMA DRAMATICALLY.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, FIGS.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT SPECIES OF FIGS HAS A VERY PARTICULAR SPECIES OF WASP THAT HAS TO POLLENATE THAT PLANT.

WE CAN START LOSING PARTICULAR PLANT SPECIES PRETTY QUICKLY IF WE WIPE OUT ENTIRE SPECIES OF POLLENATEDDERS.

>> IN SOME PARTS OF CHINA, YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE PHOTOS, WHERE THEY'VE SPRAYED SO HEAVILY WITH PESTICIDES WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE POLLINATORS AND THEY HAVE TO HAND POLLENATE CROPS.

IT'S TERRIFYING WITH PEOPLE IN WHITE SUITS AND PAINTBRUSHES HANDS POLLENATING CROPS.

IT'S TERRIFYING.

THE ECOSYSTEM IS BUILT OF MANY COMPLEXED INTERACTIONS.

IF YOU START REMOVING LINKS IN THOSE CHAINS, THOSE ECOSYSTEMS COLLAPSE AND ONCE THEY'RE GONE, THEY'RE NEVER OF COMING BACK, WE HAVE LOST THEM FOR GOOD.

>> WHAT CAN OKLAHOMANS AND THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA DO TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE?

YOU THINK, OH, IT'S JUST BETTER FLIES OR SOME PEOPLE SAY IT WILL SORT ITSELF OUT, NATURE WILL ALWAYS SORT ITSELF OUT.

WHAT SAY YOU TO THESE THOUGHTS?

>> YOU THINK WE'RE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR NATURE TO SORT OUT BECAUSE WE HAVE TAKEN AWAY SO MUCH OF WHAT WAS THERE AS A SAFEGUARD.

WE'RE LOSING OVER A MILLION ACRES EVERY YEAR IN THE UNITED STATES OF MONARCH HABITAT JUST TO DEVELOPMENT.

WE HAVE INTENSIFICATION OF AGRICULTURE, YOU KNOW, AND THERE'S WINNERS AND LOSERS WITH THAT, BUT THE NATURAL WORLD CAN'T WITHSTAND THESE MANY INSULTS.

A SCIENTIST THAT WE WORK WITH, DR. CHIP TAYLOR UP FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS.

ONE TIME WHEN WE WERE DRIVING AROUND, DOING HABITAT ASSESSMENT IN OKLAHOMA, HE KEPT ON SAYING IF I WAS A MONARCH BUTTERFLY, WHERE WOULD I FIND SOMETHING TO EAT.

IT'S AN INTERESTING WAY OF LOOKING AT IT BECAUSE I'M DOING THE SAME THING.

I'M LOOKING AT ROADSIDE WHICH ARE MOWED AND THAT'S FINE, BUT WHEN WE HAVE ALL OF THAT AND WE HAVE MANAGED BERMUDA, WE HAVE GIANT ADDERS MANAGED OF IT, IF I'M A LITTLE MONARCH BUTTERFLY OR NATIVE BEE OR HONEY BEE, I'M NOT GOING TO FIND ANYTHING TO EAT.

THINK ABOUT WHAT OTHER STATES HAVE DONE.

THEY'VE REPLANTED WILDFLOWERS TO THEIR ROADSIDES AND RIGHT-OF-WAYS.

THEY HAVE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR PEOPLE TO PUT POLLINATOR PLANTS IN THEIR YARD.

EVEN FITS A LITTLE POT, THE RESOURCES ARE SO SCARCE.

IT'S PRIMARILY A HABITAT ISSUE SO WE HAVE TO CREATE THE OASIS OF HABITAT WHETHER WE CAN AND BE ADVOCATES FOR THEM.

>> AMY, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR FELLOW OKLAHOMANS DO?

DO YOU THINK IT'S AN ISSUE OF CONCERN?

>> YES, I DO.

WE AT THE OKLAHOMA CONSERVATION COMMISSION IS HAVE PARTNERED UP WITH MULTIPLE STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES, THERE'S FUNDING THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR LARGE LANDOWNERS TO APPLY POLLINATOR HABITAT ON THEIR PROPERTY.

WE AS A STATE AGENCY HAVE ALSO GONE IN AND STARTED PROMOTING POLLINATOR HABITATS IN YARDS JUST AS JANE HAD RECOMMENDED.

IT'S CALLED YARD BY YARD, AND WE'RE ENCOURAGING POLLINATOR HABITAT ACROSS URBAN AREAS THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, AND ONE LITTLE 10 BY 10 AREA CAN HELP ADD TO THE BENEFITS OF THE POLLINATORS AND ENCOURAGE THE DIVERSITY.

JANE MENTIONED THE BERMUDA.

ONE OF OUR PIG PROGRAM PUSH IS PLANT DIVERSITY, AND EACH INSECT AS A MONARCH REQUIRES MILK WEED, OTHER IN EXCEPTS REQUIRES OTHER PLANTS, SO THE MORE DIVERSITY WE GET WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, OUR PLANT COMMUNITY, OUR YARDS, OUR LANDSCAPES, THE MORE HABITAT AND THE MORE PROTECTION WE'LL HAVE FOR OUR POLLINATORS.

>> AND OKLAHOMA IS ON THE MIGRATORY PATH FOR THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY, RIGHT, JANE?

>> YES, WE'RE ACTUALLY IN THE CRITICAL ZONE SO WE HAVE A RESPONSIBLE TO SAVE THE MONARCH BUTTERFLY.

WHEN THEY FLY FROM MEXICO IN THE SPRING, THEY HAVE TO FIND MILK WEED FOR THEIR EGGS MUCH IN THE FALL WHEN THEY RETURN BACK, THEY FUN KNEEL THROUGH OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS.

THEY NOT ONLY NEED WATER FLOWERS TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES, IF YOU'RE FLYING 3,000 MILES, IT TAKES A LOT OF CALL REESE, BUT THEY HAVE TO GAIN ENOUGH FAT FOR THE WINTER.

THEY DON'T EAT UP IN MEXICO.

>> DR. BUR, IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE, YOU'RE A BEEKEEPER, RIGHT?

>> I AM, YES.

>> WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO PEOPLE?

IF PEOPLE ARE HEARING THIS, HOW DO YOU GET STARTED KEEPING BEES?

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED BEING A BUTTERFLY FARMER?

THAT SOUNDS LIKE A FANTASY JOB ACTUALLY AND A LOT OF FUN.

HOW DO YOU GET STARTED WITH THIS?

>> WE'RE WORKING ON BUILDING MATERIALS FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN BEEKEEPING.

IT WILL BE AVAILABLE VERY SOON.

MY RECOMMENDATION TO EVERYONE IS DO A LITTLE RESEARCH.

IT'S PRETTY EASY AT THIS POINT WITH THE INTERNET.

JOIN A BEEKEEPING GROUP, JOIN A BETTER FLY WATCHING GROUP.

EVEN IF YOU LIVE IN TOWN, YOU CAN PLANT POLLINATORS FAVORITE PLANTS.

TRY TO KEEP THE PESTICIDE USE DOWN AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOING IT WHEN IT'S NOT WINDY, AND FOLLOWING THE LABELS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE BEEKEEPING, DO YOUR HOMEWORK FIRST.

IT'S NOT A VERY DIFFICULT HOBBY TO HAVE, BUT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING, THAT YOU DON'T END UP HARMING THE BEES OR GETTING IN OVER YOUR HEAD.

>> I WOULD GET IN OVER MY HEAD WITH BEEKEEPING, I'LL STAY AWAY FROM THAT.

BUTTERFLY FARMING, THAT IS RIGHT UP MY ALLEY.

HOW DO I START DOING THAT?

>> IF YOU'RE REALLY SERIOUS, THERE'S DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.

THERE'S THE INTERNATIONAL BUTTERFLY BREEDERS ASSOCIATION.

YOU CAN COME OUT TO THE FARM AND TAKE A TOUR.

WE'RE GETTING READY TO OPEN UP FOR THAT.

WE'VE BEEN ON A LONG MULTIYEAR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT SO YOU CAN TOUR AND GO BEHIND THE SCENES AND SEE WHAT REALLY HAPPENS AT THE BUTTERFLY FARMS.

NATIVEBUTTERFLYS.ORG.

EVERYBODY CAN DO THEIR PART, EVEN A POT OF MILK WEED, A POT OF DILL, THERE'S ALL SORTS OF FUN THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO HAVE THE BEAUTY OF SEEING THIS MIRACULOUS THING IN YOUR FRONT YARD.

IT'S WONDERFUL.

>> AMY, FINAL WORDS TO EVEN ON THIS TOPIC?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE WHAT JANE HAD SAID.

ANYBODY CAN DO THEIR PART.

WE HAVE EDUCATION THROUGH MULTIPLE AGENCIES, THROUGH UNIVERSITIES, REACH OUT, START LEARNING AND UNDERSTANDING WHAT NATURAL RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE FOR OUR POLLINATORS.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY, AND HAPPY POLLINATOR WEEK TO YOU THREE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SUSAN.

POLICE DEPARTMENTS THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA ARE BEGINNING TO TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO TRAINING THEIR OFFICERS TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO HANDLE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS INTERVENTIONS, BUT THAT TAKES FUNDING AND THE NUMBER OF CALLS IS INCREASING.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE OKLAHOMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO MORE THAN 2,000 MENTAL HEALTH CALLS IN 2020.

SENATOR JAMES IS PROPOSING LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE $7.5 MILLION IN GRANTS TO TRAIN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS NATIONWIDE.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE TRAVEL TO SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, WHERE PRODUCER RYAN CHRISTIAN SON REPORTS IT'S WORKING.

>> >>: LAW ENFORCEMENT IS VERY AWARE OF THE CLIMATE WE'RE WORKING IN AND THE COMMUNITY'S EXPECTATION OF TO US DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY THAN WHAT WE'VE ALWAYS DONE.

>> WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF RESPONDING TO MENTAL HEALTH AND CRISIS SITUATIONS.

IT STANDS FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM.

>> WHEN YOU APPROACH PEOPLE, YOU HAVE MENTAL HEALTH OR SOMETHING.

>> FIGURE OUT WAYS TO GET OUR FOLKS INTO TREATMENT RATHER THAN TO FUNNEL THEM THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION OR THEIR SUBSTANCE ABUSE CONDITION.

>> THERE'S A LOT TO KNOW, BUT I KNOW THERE'S A RESPONSIBILITY PUT ON US AND TRUST BY THE PUBLIC, SO WHEN IT COMES TO OPENING THEMSELVES UP, OFFICERS FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING TO BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC, TO HELP PEOPLE IN CRISIS, TO HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING AN ADDICTION, TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE WHO ULTIMATELY, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

THEY'RE OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

WE WANT EVERYBODY TO SUCCEED.

>> WE HAD THE MICROPHONE AND THE EARPIECES, AND WE HAD THE VOICES.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU EXPERIENCE ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

I WAS ABLE TO PUT MYSELF IN SOMEBODY'S SHOES THAT EXPERIENCED VOICES LIKE THAT.

>> HAVE YOU COME ACROSS A PERSON OR MULTIPLE PEOPLE WHO ARE MENTAL ILLNESS, TRY TO BE AS NON-CONFRONTATIONAL AS POSSIBLE.

>> GETTING TO MEET THE OFFICERS, GETTING TO MEET, YOU KNOW, NEW PEOPLE, NEW FACES, SOMETHING NEW IN MY LIFE AND THEIR LIFE, TOO, SO WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE.

>> IT CAN BE AS EASY, SAY IT'S LIKE SNOWING AND RAINING AND THEY DON'T HAVE A COAT, GET THEM A JACKET.

THAT LETS THE PERSON WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH THE MENTAL ILLNESS THAT YOU CARE.

>> YOU'RE SCARING ME WHEN YOU SAY STUFF LIKE THAT, MAN.

>> I THINK SOME OF THE NARRATIVES, A CONVERSATION ABOUT POLICE ARE RESPONDING TO SEEM OF THESE TYPES OF CALLS THAT THEY SHOULDN'T BE INVOLVED IN BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT THE BEST EQUIPPED TO HANDLE PRIMARILY MENTAL RELATED CALLS.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT AGREES.

WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HANG ON THOSE TYPES OF CALLS FOR SERVICE.

WE WELCOME THE CONVERSATIONS AROUND, ALL RIGHT, REALLY, SHOULD WE BE HANDLING THIS TYPES OF CALLS FOR SERVICE OR NOT.

>> PEOPLE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS ARE NOT MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION, STATISTICS TELLS US THAT, THEY'RE NOT MORE DANGEROUS, BUT THEY CAN BE MORE UNPREDICTABLE WHEN THEY'RE GOING THROUGH A CRISIS TIME PERIOD.

THEY'RE VULNERABLE TO MISUNDERSTANDING AND MISINTERPRETATIONS WHICH COULD LEAD TO THAT DISTRESS AND UNPREDICTABILITY.

>> I CAN'T TALK TO YOU WITH THAT KNIFE IN YOUR HAND.

I CAN'T GET CLOSE TO YOU.

I CAN'T HELP YOU, MAN.

>> IT'S WORKING, BUT I DON'T RECALL HAVING AS MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE ISSUES, CERTAINLY AS WE DO NOW.

>> WITHOUT FAIL, EVERY DAY, EVERY SHIFT, OUR OFFICERS ARE INTERACTING WITH PEOPLE IN CRISIS, AND EVERY DAY, EVERY SHIFT, WE'RE HAVING POSITIVE OUTCOMES AND I THINK THE CIT PROGRAM WE CAN POINT TO ON WHY THAT'S THE CASE.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", OKLAHOMA IS THE FIRST STATE TO USE A CAMERA SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM TO TRACK DOWN UNINSURED MOTORRESTS.

IS IT ETHICAL AND IS IT REALLY MAKING A DIFFERENCE?

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK ON HOW COFFEE SLINGERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY ROAST IT BEANS.

FROM ALL OF US HERE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LYNN.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, STAY COOL, AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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