>>> THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL BEGINS WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF A PRESIDENTIAL VISIT AND DISAPPOINTMENT OF A MAJOR CANCELLATION.

>> JUST GOT TO A POINT WHERE HEY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THIS MAY 31st EVENT ON.

>> IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME THAT A SITTING PRESIDENT WILL COME HERE AND ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR COMMUNITY IN 1921.

>> THE GAVEL COMES DOWN ON THE FIRST SESSION OF THE 58th LEGISLATURE.

WILL RECAP THE MAJOR LEGISLATION THAT WILL IMPACT OKLAHOMA EDUCATION.

>>> I WOULD SAY IT'S BEEN A VICTORY FOR A LOT OF OKLAHOMA SCHOOL KIDS AND FAMILIES THIS YEAR.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN GROWING GREEN FOR YEARS NOW IN TAHLEQUAH.

WE'LL PROFILE A BUSINESS THEM PLOYS MORE THAN 500 PEOPLE IN CHEER KEY COUNTY.

>> JUST LEARN THE BUSINESS AND GET IN THE GROOVE AND WORK HARD AND THERE IS ALWAYS A PLACE TO MOVE UP.

ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS ABOUT THIS COMPANY.

>>> AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OKLAHOMA.

>> HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS NOT, IT'S DOMESTIC.

IT'S OCCURRING WITHIN OUR STATE.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> WELL HOLE AND WELCOME TO "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LANCE.

THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 720 OF TEN I ALL IS UNDERWAY AND AT THIS POINT STILL INCLUDES A VISIT BY PRESIDENT JOSEPH BIDEN NEXT TUESDAY BUT WILL NOT INCLUDE A MARQUEE EVENT,.

HOW MONEY THAT HAS BEEN RAISED SHOULD BE SPENT OR ALLOCATED.

SOME BELIEVE THE $30 MILLION RAISED BY THE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION TO BUILD A GREENWOOD RISING CENTER AND PAY FOR OTHER IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED IN THE FORM OF REPARATIONS FOR LIVING SURVIVORS AND DESCENDENTS OF THE MASSACRE.

CBS NEWS IS REPORT AGO ORGANIZATION CALLED JUSTICE FOR GREENWOOD DEMANDED A MILLION DOLLARS FOR SURVIVORS, AND A PLEDGE OF $50 MILLION THAT WOULD PAY REPARATIONS TO DESCENDENTS OF VICTIMS.

FRIDAY MORNING I SPOKE WITH THE PROJECT MANAGER OF THE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION, PHIL ARMSTRONG, WHO REGRETS THE CANCELLATION BUT STRONGLY DEFENDED THE WORK OF COMMISSION MEMBERS.

>> $30 MILLION WAS SET ASIDE WITH DONOR RAISED FUNDS, AND PHIL ARMSTRONG HAS AN INTEGRITY, TO ACTUALLY SPEND THOSE DOLLARS ON WHAT THEY WERE RAISED FOR.

SO I DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY OR THE LEGAL ABILITY TO JUST CARVE OUT MONEY AND SAY OH, WE RAISED IT FOR THIS BUT GOING TO GIVE IT TO THIS.

I WOULD NOT DO THAT TO ANYONE.

I WILL SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE AND SAY WE HAVE BEEN FOR REPARATIONS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND I BELIEVE GREENWOOD RISING WOULD HELP IN HEEDING THOSE DISCUSSIONS OF RAISING THIS MONEY, BECAUSE PRIVATE DONORS AND CITIZENS SHOULD NOT TAKE ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE WHO ARE LIABLE FROM THIS.

THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MISINFORMATION, AND IT'S AMAZING I THINK I ACTUALLY GOT THIS STATEMENT FROM HADN'T A BELL JOHNSON, AMAZING THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT LOVE TO SPEAK FROM A POSITION OF A LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

THEY'RE TOTALLY MISINFORMED.

PEOPLE ARE ASKING ABOUT JOHN LEGEND'S SCHEDULE AND ABOUT START STACEY ABRAMS SCHEDULE, AND I CAN'T COMMENT ON WHAT HIS SCHEDULE IS, JUST GOT TIE POINT WHERE HEY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PUT THIS MAY 31st EVENT ON.

AND I THINK IT'S OUR DUE DILIGENCE AND I THINK WE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION THAT HEY, DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE IF WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO TAKE PLACE, LET'S LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW THIS WAS NOT ABOUT THIS EVENT.

THIS IS ABOUT WHAT EVENT TOOK PLACE 100 YEARS AGO.

IT HELPED US RECENT TEAR WHAT ARE WE DOING THIS FOR.

ARE HE WE DOING IT SO WE CAN HAVE THIS MOMENT AND CONCERT WITH THESE PHENOMENAL PUBLIC FIGURES, OR ARE WE DOING THIS FOR THE HISTORY, THE REMEMBRANCE FOR THE SURVIVORS, THE DEACCIDENTS FOR THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD COMING HERE TO COMMEMORATE.

SO QUICKLY WE SHIFTED FROM DISAPPOINTMENT TO SAY YOU KNOW WHAT, THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THINGS HAPPENING.

THIS IS WHAT IS JUST BUT ONE OF A HOST OF EVENTS THAT WE'RE DOING, THAT THE COMMUNITY IS DOING AS A WHOLE, SO THERE IS NOTHING TO HANG OUR HEAD ABOUT.

AND THE FACT THAT HEY, WE DO BELIEVE THAT THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING LATER IN THE YEAR TO MAKE SURE WE STAY ON THAT FOCUS OF NOT ONE AND DONE, NOT ONE WEEKEND AND IT'S ALL OVER, BUT THAT THIS IS A COMMEMORATION YEAR.

>> THE SAME TIME THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS ISSUING A WARNING THAT THE EVENTS OF NEXT SEVERAL DAYS COULD BE TARGETS OF RACIAL VIOLENCE AND CERTAINLY SECURITY IS TIGHTENING IN THE GREENWOOD AREA.

DESPITE THESE DEVELOPMENTS MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION REMAIN HOPEFUL THE MA PEOPLE RAGS WILL SUCCEED IN ITS CORE MISSION.

JESSICA LOWE-BETTS IS A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

>> WE REALLY TOOK SERIOUSLY THE CHARGE OF COMMEMORATION, RIGHT?

OF REALLY COMING TOGETHER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED HERE, AND ALSO TO UNDERSTAND WHERE WE NEED TO GO FROM HERE.

SO I THINK WE'VE BEEN VERY DILIGENT ABOUT THAT AND STAYING REALLY TRUE TO THE MISSION OF OUR WORK, WHICH IS TO EDUCATE AMERICANS ABOUT THIS HISTORY.

>> ALTHOUGH THE REMEMBER AND RISE COMMEMORATION WILL NOT HAPPEN ON MEMORIAL DAY NIGHT THERE WILL BE AN EVENT THAT GIVES LOWE-BETTS GOT BUMPS.

>> AT 10:30 P.M.

WHEN THE SHOTS WERE FIRED INTO THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT THE LIGHTS WILL GO DARK AROUND GREENWOOD AVENUE AND ARCHER AND HE WITH WILL BE ASKING PARTICIPANTS TO HOLD A CANDLE OR ANY LIGHT SOURCE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS.

>> THE CANDLELIGHT MOMENT IMAGINE THERE IS GOING TO BE A FEW TEARS.

>> OH, YES.

I CAN TELL YOU GOOSEBUMPS, TEARS, A LOT OF EMOTION WILL BE EXPERIENCED AS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE GATHERED THERE.

>> AFTER A FEW HOURS OF REST SUPER TUESDAY BEGINNING WITH ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY, FEATURING HILL HARPER AND OTHER SPEAKERS BEGINNING AT 10:00 A.M. >> 2021.ORG CLICK ON ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT DAY AND YOU WILL SEE AN IMPRESSIVE LINEUP AND IT'S FREE.

NO COST TO ATTEND THAT RESENT.

FOR ANY BUSINESS OWNER, ENTREPRENEUR, SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS TO SUCCEED FROM A WEALTH PERSPECTIVE THERE WILL BE BANKING INSTITUTIONS THERE, WONDERFUL CONVERSATIONS HAPPENING ON JUNE 1st.

>> THE DAY WILL INCLUDE THE ARRIVAL OF PRESIDENT BIDEN, WHO WILL BECOME FIRST U.S. PRESIDENT TO EVER VISIT THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT.

ON WEDNESDAY AT PRECISELY 11:29 A.M. -- >> GREENWOOD RISING WHICH IS THE STATE OF OUR HISTORY CENTER THAT WILL BE DEDICATED TO THE PUBLIC ON JUNE 2nd, I BELIEVE WILL BE THE START TO CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION WITH REGARD TO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE.

WHAT IS NEXT?

HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER?

I BELIEVE THAT THAT CONVERSATION WILL BE THE CONVERSATION THAT GETS US STARTED FOR NEXT 100 YEARS AND SO GREENWOOD RISING IN TULSA WILL BE A SPACE FOR THAT.

IT WILL BE A SPACE FOR THE CONVERSATIONS.

>> STRIKING THAT BALANCE YOU THINK IT'S DIFFICULT, IF YOU HAD DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS BEHIND THE SCENES IN STRIKING THE BALANCE BETWEEN HEALING AND RECONCILIATION, AND ALSO HAVING FRANK DISCUSSIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED 100 YEARS AGO AND WHAT IS STILL HAPPENING IN THE MINDS OF MANY TODAY.

>> THE QUESTION WE HEAR ALL THE TIME WHOSE JOB IS IT?

YOU KNOW, WE WEREN'T HERE 100 YEARS AGO, RIGHT?

I WASN'T IN TULSA CITIZEN THEN.

WE WEREN'T HERE.

THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR ANCESTORS.

WHEN IT COMES TO RECONCILING WHOSE JOB IS IT TO ATONE, TO APOLOGIZE, TO FORGIVE, AND WHEN I SAY WE I THINK ALL OF US.

DESPITE THE DIFFICULTIES, DESPITE THE DISAGREEMENT, DESPITE THE HORROR THAT MANY OF OUR ANCESTORS FACED AND LIVED THROUGH, WHOSE JOB IS IT TO FORGIVE AND TO SEE A FUTURE AHEAD THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO WORK TOGETHER?

>> THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION WILL SUNSET AT THE END OF JUNE.

OFFICIALLY ENDING THE DUTY, GIVING ITS MEMBERS A WELL DESERVED REST.

>>> SENATOR MATTHEWS TOLD ME HE SAID YOU KNOW, IF THIS WAS EASY, SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE DONE IT BY NOW.

HE SAID IT'S HARD.

>> I AM PERSONALLY TAKING SELF-CARE TIME BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN A VERY BIG JOB.

AND SENATOR MATTHEWS IS CORRECT, WE SPENT LOTS OF HOURS AND LOTS OF TIME.

WE BELIEVE WITH THIS COMMITMENT TO RACIAL HEALING TO RECONCILIATION, AND TO REALLY DIGGING INTO THE WORK, I CAN TELL YOU WHEN ALL OF THIS IS OVER, AND WHEN THE CAMERAS LEAVE, WE WILL STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.

>> THAT WORK BEGAN ON FRIDAY EVENING AT 5:21 P.M.

WHEN THE PATHWAY TO HOPE OFFICIALLY OPENED TO THE PUBLIC.

THE LANDSCAPE WALKWAY RUNS ALONGSIDE INTERSTATE 244 AND CONNECTS WHAT WAS THE BLACK WALL STREET AREA, WITH THE JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN RECONCILIATION PARK.

THIS EVENT MARKING THE FIRST OF SEVERAL IMPORTANT MOMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE PLANNING STAGES FOR FIVE YEARS OR MORE.

SOME OF THE FIRST MAJOR EVENTS BEGIN WEDNESDAY WITH JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN NATIONAL SYMPOSIUM AND UNVEILING OF THE ART PROJECT.

WITH MORE ON THAT AND THE ROLE THAT REPARATIONS MIGHT PLAY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE MASSACRE AND PRESIDENT BIDEN'S VISIT HERE IS RORY TAYLOR.

>> WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO AROUND THIS MORNING AND SEE A NUMBER OF THE INSTALLATIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE BY REMARKABLE ARTISTS HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY, ALL OVER THE CITY.

AND IT'S POWERFUL.

>> ARTISTS ANSWERED THE CALL TO CONTRIBUTE TO AN ENORMOUS EFFORT.

THIS WEEK THE GREENWOOD ART PROJECT OFFICIALLY BEGAN ITS SHOWCASE.

THE COMMISSION WANTED A MONUMENT OF SOMETHING, YOU KNOW.

AND YOU KNOW, AND THAT MONUMENT IS GREAT, BUT THIS ISSUE IS NOT READY TO BE MEMORIALIZED IN A MONUMENT YET.

I MEAN, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY, THIS IS A TIME IN WHICH THIS NEEDS TO HAPPEN IN CONVERSATION.

>> THAT CONVERSATION INCLUDES REPARATIONS FOR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THE 2021 RECONCILIATION IN AMERICA SYMPOSIUM HELD IN TULSA IS ONE PART OF A MUCH LARGER NATIONAL CONVERSATION, ABOUT BOTH RECONCILIATION AND REPARATIONS FOR DAMAGES DONE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT WERE NEVER COVERED BY INSURANCE 100 YEARS AGO.

>> IT WAS NOT A RIOT.

IT WAS AN ASSAULT ON A COMMUNITY.

AND THERE WAS TERROR AND YOU HAVE A LOSS OF GENERATIONAL WEALTH BASICALLY.

AND WAS THE SAME QUESTION ASKED WHEN THE JAPANESE WERE INTERNED DURING WORLD WAR II?

YOU KNOW, REPARATIONS ARE APPROPRIATE.

I THINK IT JUST BECOMES A MATTER OF IN WHAT FORM.

DO YOU ISSUE THE REPARATIONS.

>> LAST WEEK A NUMBER OF SURVIVORS TESTIFIED BEFORE CONGRESS.

>> NO ONE CARED ABOUT US FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS.

WE IN OUR OWN HISTORY HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN, WASHED AWAY.

THIS CONGRESS MUST RECOGNIZE US IN OUR HISTORY.

>> THE STORY OF BLACK WALL STREET CAUGHT THE ATTENTION OF PRESIDENT BIDEN WHO IS SCHEDULED TO VISIT TULSA ON TUESDAY.

>> IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME THAT A SITTING PRESIDENT WILL COME HERE AND ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT HAPPENED IN OUR COMMUNITY IN 1921.

AND IT MUST MEAN SO MUCH TO THE FAMILIES OF SURVIVORS, AND SITTING PRESIDENT IS ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT WE AS A COMMUNITY, WE TRIED SO HARD TO COVER UP.

>> SCULPTOR ED DWIGHT KICKED OFF THE SYMPOSIUM.

>> DR. KING HIS WHOLE THING WAS HE GETS THE PROMISE LAND YOU GOT TO START HELPING EACH OTHER.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TOP OF IT, I GOT BLACK PEOPLE HELPING EACH OTHER, AND PULLING EACH OTHER UP TO GET TO QUOTE THIS PROMISE LAND THAT DR. KING PROMISED US ALL.

>> FROM NOW TO AUGUST OTHER INSTALLATIONS, PERFORMANCES WILL BE DISPLAYED ACROSS GREENWOOD.

IMAN THERE WILL IS ONE OF THE CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS.

>> IT'S GREENWOOD IMAGINE AND IT'S IMAGINING WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEFORE THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE, IMAGINING WHAT IT WAS LIKE DURING, WHICH I'LL SAY IS HARD, EMOTIONALLY HARD TO DO WHEN YOU'RE DOING THIS RESEARCH AND READING INTERVIEWS, BUT THEN IMAGINING FUTURE SO WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE HAD THE MASSACRE NEVER OCCURRED.

AND SO WE VISUALIZE THAT THROUGH ALL FORMS OF MEDIA.

>> Reporter: IN FRONT OF POPPI'S ANOTHER PROJECT UTILIZING ZERO REMICKS TO LOOK ON HISTORY AND FORWARD TO FUTURE.

>> THE ART THAT WE'RE CREATING IS INFORMED NOT ONLY BY YOU KNOW THE FABRICATION PROCESS ITSELF, BUT SPECIFICALLY THE NARRATIVE IN THE STORIES OF THESE BUSINESSES THEMSELVES.

EACH ONE IS BLACK WOMAN OWNED, AND CAME ABOUT ALMOST AS A RESPONSE TO A NEED THAT EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS SAW WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

>> FOR FULL DETAILS OF WHEN AND WHERE TO FIND MORE GREENWOOD ART PROJECTS, VISIT GREENWOOD ART PROJECT.ORG.

RORY TAYLOR, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> THE CITY OF TULSA ANNOUNCING A FULL EXCAVATION OF WHAT'S KNOWN AT THE ORIGINAL 18 SITE WILL RESUME AT THE OAKLAWN CEMETERY.

LAST OCTOBER TEAM OF FORENSIC SCIENTISTS DISCOVERED AT LEAST 12 COFFINS CONTAINING HUMAN REMAINS.

IT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED IF THEY ARE RELATED TO THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

THIS WILL BE THE MOST EXTENSE AFFINAL IS OF THE SITE TO DATE AND IT'S EXPECTED TO LAST FOR WEEKS OR EVEN MONTHS.

>>> A STUNNING ANNOUNCEMENT, THE UNEXPECTED RESIGNATION OF MIKE HUNTER EFFECTIVE JUNE 1st.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT HUNTER SAID, REGRETTABLY CERTAIN PERSONAL MATTERS BECOMING PUBLIC WILL BECOME A DISTRACTION FOR THE OFFICE.

I CANNOT ALLOW A PERSONAL ISSUE TO OVERSHADOW THE VITAL WORK THE AGENTS DO ON BEHALF OF OKLAHOMA.

HUNTER FILED FOR DIVORCE FROM HIS WIFE ON MAY 21st IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

THE GOVERNOR IS TASKED WITH NAMING A REPLACEMENT.

HE HASOUT TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENT ON HUNTER'S REPLACEMENT.

>>> THE FIRST REGULAR SESSION OF THE 58th LEGISLATURE IS NOW COMPLETE.

JASON DOYLE REPORTS ON NEWLY PASSED BILLS THAT WILL FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION AT RECORD LEVELS AND MAY ELIMINATE SEVERAL LAWSUITS INVOLVING CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> THE SENATE WILL STAND ADJOURNED.

>> BUSINESS FINISHED FOR THE LEGISLATURE AS IT ADJOURNS THE REGULAR SESSION.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK GOVERNOR STITT AND LAWMAKERS INVOLVED WITH EDUCATION RELATED LARGE ISOLATION PASSED THE SESSION GATHERED WITH STUDENTS AT THE CAPITOL TO COMMEMORATE WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED INCLUDING RECORD SETTING FUNDING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> I SIGNED A BUDGET THAT INVESTS A RECORD $3.2 BILLION IN OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM.

>> STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INTRACKS JOE HOFF MICESTER WHO SERVES AT THE BOARD CHAIR SAID THE IMPACT OF THE EXTRA FUNDING WILL MAKE ITS WAY DIRECTLY INTO THE CLASSROOM.

>> 210 MILLION NEW DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION WHICH IS GOING TO MEAN WE GO BACK TO THE SMALLER CLASS SIZE REQUIREMENT OF KINDERGARTEN AND FIRST GRADERS, AND AS MORE MONEY COMES INTO EDUCATION THAT WILL TRIGGER FURTHER YEARS IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND BEYOND.

>> HOUSE DEMOCRATS FEEL THE EDUCATION BUDGET DID NOT GO FAR ENOUGH.

IN A STATEMENT REPRESENTATIVE JACOB ROSECRANT SAID IT IS HARD TO SAY OUR INVESTMENT IS HISTORIC WHEN EVERY STATE AROUND US HAS DONE THE SAME OR BETTER FOR THEIR STUDENTS.

I BELIEVE OKLAHOMA STUDENTS DESERVE THE BEST BUT WE CAN'T GIVE THEM THAT WEB WE PRIORITIZE INVESTMENT INTO PRIVATE CORPORATIONS.

THE ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM THE LEGISLATURE IS WELCOME.

>> RECORD SETTING NUMBERS IN THE BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR, TRULY CAN BE TRANSFORMATIONAL WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY THE REDBUD FUNDING BILL, WHICH IS GOING TO PROVIDE FUNDS THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN COUNT ON IN AREAS OR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS.

>> IT WILL HELP MORE THAN 300 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THEIR BUILDING NEEDS THE LEGISLATION EXTENDS THAT FUNDING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS WITH A BRICK AND MORTAR BUILDING.

>> WE HAVE THE REDBUD FUND TO SHOW THAT OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY DESERVE TO BE FUNDED AT THE SAME LEVEL AS EVERYONE ELSE.

>> THE REDBUD FUNDING BILL PASSAGE LATE LAST WEEK LED TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO RESEND A RECENT SETTLEMENT CONCERNING CHARTER SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO RESCIND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION RESOLUTION FROM MARCH 252,021st, AS IT PERTAINS TO THE 2017 CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION LAWSUIT.

>> STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER SAYS RESCINDING THE SETTLEMENT WILL BE CONTINGENT ON A COUPLE FACTORS.

>> RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND GOVERNOR STITT SIGNING SENATE BILL 229 INTO LAW.

>> IT'S SAFE TO SAY I'M GOING TO SIGN THAT BILL, YEAH.

>> THOSE ACTIONS RESOLVED THREE OTHER LAWSUITS FILED BY THE TWO LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND A GROUP OF RURAL AND SUBURBAN DISS OVER FUNDING WITH THE SAME MONEY THEY USE.

ANOTHER EDUCATION BILL TOUTED BY REPUBLICANS IS THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP ACT.

IT EXPANDS TAX CREDITS FOR THOSE DONATING TO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT NEEDS.

THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP ACT WILL BE THE MOST TRANSFORMATIVE THING WE'VE DONE IN MY TIME IN THE CAPITAL.

>> FORMER TEACHER AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATE ERMA LIST A PROVENZANO CONTENDS OKLAHOMA LAGGING IN FUNDING WHEN COMPARED TO THE REGION SAYING, OUR HISTORIC INVESTMENT INTO PUBLIC EDUCATION STILL LEAVES OKLAHOMA IN LAST PLACE FOR PER STUDENT SPENDING.

LAWMAKERS KNOW THIS BUT DECIDED TO GIVE A $25 MILLION TAX CREDIT TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

FOR SUPERINTENDENT HOFF MICESTER THE ADDITION RESOURCES COULD NOT HAVE COME AT A BETTER TIME.

>> WE KNOW THAT THERE IS UNFINISHED LEARNING, THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS WHO ARE OFF TRACK FOR GRADUATION.

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

>>> JASON CONTINUES WITH E-CAPITOL NEWS DIRECTOR SHAWN ASHLEY DISCUSSING MAJOR NEW EDUCATION AND HOW IT'S GOING TO EFFECT YOU.

SHAWN, NOW THAT THIS YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS OVER WHAT ARE YOUR REFLECTIONS?

>> THIS SESSION WAS RATHER INTERESTING, BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT DEVELOPED.

THERE WERE A LOT OF BILLS CONSIDERED EARLY ON THAN WAS A LOT OF HARD WORK AND THINGS WERE MOVING VERY, VERY QUICKLY.

AS WE NEARED THE END OF THE SESSION THINGS SLOWS DOWN BECAUSE LAWMAKERS PUT A LARGE NUMBER OF BILLS ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK AND THEY WERE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET AND SOME OF THE LATER ISSUES AT A SLOWER PACE AND STILL ENDED UP PUTTING MORE BILLS ON THE GOVERNMENT NO'S DESK THAN THEY EVER HAVE BEFORE.

>> ON THE LAST DAY OF THE SESSION A MEDICAL MARIJUANA REGULATION BILL CREATED SIGNIFICANT DEBATE.

WHAT WAS IN SENATE BILL ACCIDENT 23?

>> NOT ONLY WAS THIS BILL DEBATED ON THE LAST DAY OF SESSION ON THURSDAY, IT HAD BEEN DEBATED ON THE SENATE FLOOR THE DAY BEFORE, AS WELL.

AND ACTUALLY FAILED ON WEDNESDAY, 20 TO 24.

BUT THE AUTHOR WAS ABLE TO SAVE THE BILL AND BRING IT BACK UP FOR RECONSIDERATION ON THURSDAY.

THE BILL HAS A NUMBER OF COMPONENTS AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE COMPLAINTS OF SOME OF THE OPPONENTS TO THE BILL.

IT ADDRESSES THE DISTANCE FROM SCHOOLS, 1,000 FEET, IT ALSO ADDRESSES OWNERSHIP OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA FACILITIES, EXCEPT FOR DISPENSARY.

ESSENTIALLY LIMITING OUT OF STATE INVESTMENT IN THOSE FACILITIES.

AND IT DOES A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS AS WELL THAT HAD SOME MEMBERS CONCERNED.

KEEP IN MIND EARLIER IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION LAWMAKERS PASSED AN OMNIBUS PIECE OF LEGISLATION DEALING WITH MEDICAL MARIJUANA THAT IS SITTING ON THE GOVERNOR'S DESK.

THEY'RE WAITING TO SEE IF HE WILL SIGN IT.

AND SOME MEMBERS SAID WE NEED TO SEE WHAT THE GOVERNOR DOES WITH THAT BEFORE WE CONSIDER ANY FUTURE CHANGES TO THOSE REGULATIONS.

>> THE GUARDRAIL BILL FOR THE ORGANIZATION WHICH WILL OVER SEE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM WAS ALLOWED TO BECOME LAW WITHOUT THE GOVERNOR'S SIGNATURE.

WHAT DOES DO IT?

>> AS YOU SAID IT'S GUARDRAILS.

THE PRO POINTS OF THE MEASURE SAID THAT IT TAKES ELEMENTS OF THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS THAT WERE SENT TO THESE VARIOUS COMPANIES AND MAKES THEM PARTS OF STATE STATUTES.

NOW, THESE COMPONENTS GUIDE THINGS SUCH AS PAYMENT GUIDELINES, LIMITATIONS THE COMPANIES ARE ABLE TO IMPOSE ON CARE, AND A WHOLE LIST OF OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO MANAGED CARE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THE KEY FOR THE PROPONENTS WAS THAT THIS BILL WOULD PROTECT PROVIDERS IN OKLAHOMA.

IF YOU RECALL BACK IN THE 90s WHEN OKLAHOMA TRIED MEDICAID MANAGED CARE, IT LARGELY FAILED BECAUSE IT MISTREATED PROVIDERS.

THEY WEREN'T GETTING PAID ON TIME.

AND THEY WERE BEING LIMITED ON WHAT THEY COULD DO, SO THEY WITHDREW FROM THE PROGRAM.

>> SHAWN AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS WILL DECIDE IF THE McGIRT DECISION SHOULD BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY.

THE APPEALS COURT IS REVIEWING A CASE INVOLVING A NATIVE-AMERICAN MAN CONVICTED BY THE STATE OF SECOND-DEGREE MURDER ON CHOCTAW RESERVATION TERRITORY.

ATTORNEYS, TOM ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE AND THE CHOCTAW NATION HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SUBMIT BRIEFS ON WHY McGIRT SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE APPLIED RETROACTIVELY.

>>> THE CHEROKEE NATION WILL GIVE ADDITIONAL $2,000 TO EACH OF ITS CITIZENS FROM MONEY IT RECEIVED IN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

CITIZENS WILL RECEIVE $1,000 THIS YEAR, AND ANOTHER THOUSAND DOLLARS NEXT YEAR.

THE TRIBE WAS ALLOCATED $1.8 BILLION AS PART OF THE LATEST STIMULUS BILL.

THE CHEROKEE NATION SAYS IT WILL USE THE REMAINING FUNDS TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS INITIATIVES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

>>> TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY CHECK OF THE LATEST COVID-19 NUMBERS AS OF FRIDAY, THE SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE FOR NEW CASES A LITTLE LOWER WITH 135 NEW CASES A DAY, A WEEK AGO THE AVERAGE WAS 140.

HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE TICKED UP THIS WEEK, AS OF FRIDAY 142 PEOPLE WERE BEING TREATED.

LAST WEEK IT WAS 135.

43 PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF COVID SINCE LAST FRIDAY, BRINGING THAT TOTAL UP TO 8,457.

COMPLETED VACCINATIONS HAVE CROSSED THE 1.3 MILLION MARK THIS WEEK.

>>> GRADUATIONS ARE ALWAYS A MEMORABLE OCCASION, BUT WHEN ONE INVOLVES A ROBOT IN AND CAP AND GOWN THAT IS EXTRA SPECIAL.

SO IS THE STORY OF PUTNAM CITY WEST SENIOR JAZMINE MEDINA WHO HAS BEEN UNDERGOING LEUKEMIA TREATMENTS.

SO THE TEAM AT OKLAHOMA CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL DRESSED UP ONE OF ITS ROBOTS AND LET JAZMINE TAKE THE CONTROLS AS IT CROSSED THE STAGE TO ACCEPT HER DIPLOMA.

>> GLORY TO GOD BECAUSE HE MADE A WAY FOR ME TO FEEL A PART OF THE GRADUATION EVEN THOUGH I WASN'T ABLE TO BE THERE IN PERSON, BUT I WAS THERE, AND YOU ASKED ME IT WAS IN A PRETTY COOL WAY.

>> IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER THE ROBOT AT FIRST BUT SHE GOT THE HANG OF IT QUICKLY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF OUR 2021 GRADUATES.

>>> IF YOU'RE READY TO GET OUT AND FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES A NEW LOW COST OPTION WILL BE AVAILABLE.

HERE IS DETAILS.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY AND TULSA ARE TWO OF THE 16 CITIES IN WHICH BREEZE AIRWAYS IS BEGINNING LOW COST SERVICE WITH FLIGHTS STARTING AT $39, BEGINNING IN THE MIDWEST, SOUTHEAST AND EASTERN U.S. SERVICE IN TULSA BEGINS JUNE 4.

IT WILL BE JULY 1st WHEN ROUTES BEGIN IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE STAYED UNCHANGE.

NEARLY 1300 WORKERS JOINED THE WORKFORCE LAST MONTH.

NEARLY 80,000 OKLAHOMANS CLAIMED UNEMPLOYMENT IN APRIL, WHILE SIX SECTORS SHOWED JOB INCREASES OKLAHOMA STILL LOST 1300 JOBS LAST MONTH.

THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 6.1% FOR APRIL.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED MEDICAL MARIJUANA COMPANY STABILITY CANNABIS GIST CLOSED A DEAL LANDING $44 MILLION IN FUNDING.

THE COMPANY PLANS TO USE THE MONEY TO CONTINUE ITS PATH OF GROWTH IN THE OKLAHOMA MARKET.

STABILITY CANNABIS ALSO ACQUIRED A MINORITY STAKE IN A MISSOURI CANNABIS BUSINESS.

>>> OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION SOLUTIONS IS EXPANDING THE OPERATIONS BY OPENING A NEW BRANCH.

THE COMPANY IS MAKING THE MOVE TO MEET INCREASED DEMAND FOR FOUNDATION REPAIR SERVICES.

OKLAHOMA FOUNDATION SOLUTIONS SERVES SEVERAL CITIES IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

>>> THE OKLAHOMA COMMERCE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S OKLAHOMA ACCELERATOR PROGRAM IS SHOWING $15 BILLION OF POTENTIAL INVESTMENT FOR OUR STATE.

CHANGES IN TRADE BETWEEN CANADA AND MEXICO CREATED A CHANCE TO PROMOTE REDUCED LABOR COST, AVAILABLE SPACE AND LOW ENERGY COST AS BENEFITS TO THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY AND ITS SUPPLIERS.

COMMERCE OFFICIALS BELIEVE IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES WILL ANNOUNCE A MOVE TO THE SOONER STATE.

>>> JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> JASON, THANKS.

IT STARTED OUT AS A SMALL CASH AND CARRY NURSERY IN MUSKOGEE IN 1945.

GREENLEAF NURSERY HAS GROWN INTO THE THIRD LARGEST NURSERY IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

STEVE SHAW TRAVELED TO CHEER KEY COUNTY TO TOUR THE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY ECONOMIC ENGINE.

>> AVOID BRANCHES THAT HAVE FLOWER BUDS ON THEM, BECAUSE ALL THE ENERGY IS GOING HERE, AND WE DON'T WANT THAT.

SO WE'LL TAKE ONE OF THESE LIKE THIS, AND WE'LL JUST TAKE OUR CLIPPERS, AND SNIP IT OFF LIKE THAT.

>> MARK ANDREWS HAS WORKED AT GREENLEAF NURSERY FOR 25 YEARS.

THIS 600-ACRE SPREAD THAT BASICALLY SITS ON A PENINSULA OF LAKE TENKILLER HAS BEEN HOME BASED SINCE 1957.

WHEN JOHN NICKEL BOUGHT THE LAND, 35 MILES EAST OF MUSKOGEE, NEXT TO TAHLEQUAH.

>> THE MOST POPULAR PLANTS BY FAR HYDRANGEAS AND ROSES.

>> GREENLEAF BOESS MORE THAN 7,000 VARIETIES OF PLANTS.

95% COME FROM CUTTINGS LIKE THESE, WHICH ARE REPLANTED INTO DIFFERENT SIZE WHAT ARE CALLED LINING TRAYS.

>> EVERY DAY WE ESSENTIALLY WILL IRRIGATE IN THE SUMMERTIME OVER A MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY, AND WE HAVE A WATER RETENTION RECYCLING SYSTEM IN PLACE, AND SO IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER, WE EXPECT THAT WE'LL RECAPTURE ABOUT 50 TO 60% OF THAT WATER.

>> GREENLEAF'S MASSIVE INVENTORY DISTRIBUTES TO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT GARDEN CENTERS ALL OVER THE U.S. EAST OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.

PLACES THAT INCLUDE SOUTH WOOD AND TULSA, AND TLC IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WE BEAUTIFY AMERICA.

>> GREENLEAF PRESIDENT AND CEO RANDY DAVIS GOT A SUMMER JOB AT GREENLEAF IN 1971 WHEN HE WAS 16-YEARS-OLD.

A ROCK STAR WORK ETHIC, SPURRED THE COMPETENT TO PAY RANDY'S WAY AT OKLAHOMA STATE WHERE HE EARNED A DEGREE IN HORTICULTURE.

>> YOU KNOW, WE MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT BETTER.

AND ALONG WITH THAT WE BELIEVE IN MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT BETTER SO WE RECYCLE ALL OF OUR WATER, WE SPEND THE MONEY TO CATCH ALL OF OUR RUN OFF WATER AND RECYCLE IT SO NONE OF IT RUNS BACK INTO LAKE TENKILLER AND RECYCLE PLASTICS.

ALL THE PLASTIC YOU SEE, AND THERE IS OVER 30 MILES OF PLASTIC, WE BAIL THAT WITH ESSENTIALLY AROUND A MODIFIED HAY BAILER AND WE SEND THAT IN FOR RECYCLING.

WE'VE WON SEVERAL AWARDS AND A COUPLE YEARS AGO ONE THE GOVERNOR'S AWARD FOR RECYCLING AND FOR TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> GREENLEAF HAS A SECOND 500-ACRE LOCATION, WHERE THEY GROW TREES AT NEARBY FORT GIBSON, ALONG THE ARKANSAS RIVER.

THEY HAVE ANOTHER 600-ACRE LOCATION JUST SOUTHWEST OF HOUSTON IN EL CAMPO, TEXAS, AND 300 MORE ACRES IN TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA.

DEPENDING ON THE TIME OF THE YEAR, GREENLEAF EMPLOYS AS MANY AS 1200 PEOPLE.

AT GREENLEAF'S TWO OKLAHOMA LOCATIONS ALONE, ANNUAL PAYROLL EXCEEDS $15 MILLION.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COME IN WITHOUT DEGREES, WHO JUST LEARN THE BUSINESS, AND GET IN THE GROOVE, AND WORK HARD, AND THERE IS ALWAYS A PLACE FOR THEM TO MOVE UP.

>> TAHLEQUAH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SAYS GREENLEAF IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN CHEROKEE COUNTY.

>> THIS LOCATION WITHIN A 100 MILES AREA OF TAHLEQUAH HAS 105 LOCATIONS THAT THEY EXPORT PRODUCTS TO.

NOW, WITHIN THAT 100 MILES WHAT THEY DO THEY SELL THOSE PRODUCTS, AND THEY BRING THAT MONEY BACK TO TAHLEQUAH.

THEY PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES WITH THAT MONEY.

THEY REINVEST THAT HERE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

AND IN THAT REINVESTMENT WHAT THAT DOES IS THAT GROWS OUR ECONOMY, PUTS NEW MONEY INTO OUR SYSTEM, AND ANY NEW MONEY THAT COMES IN THAT IS WHAT REALLY GROWS YOUR ECONOMY.

>> THE BILL WILDCARD GREENLEAF'S MASSIVE OPERATION DEALS WITH IS ALWAYS THE WEATHER.

>> TWO YEARS AGO WHEN WE HAD THE FLOOD ON THE ARKANSAS RIVER VALLEY, OUR FORT GIBSON NURSERY WAS COMPLETELY COVERED UP WITH WATER.

SO WE LOST ALL OF OUR PRODUCT ON THAT -- IN THAT FLOOD TWO YEARS AGO.

IT WAS ABOUT $9 MILLION WORTH OF PRODUCT THAT WAS THERE AT THAT NURSERY.

AND WE HAD TO RECOVER FROM THAT.

BUT WE DEAL WITH THAT.

WE HAVE OUR TEXAS NURSERY AND NORTH CAROLINA NURSERY, ARE CLOSE TO HURRICANE AREAS, SO WE HAVE TO DEAL ALL THE TIME WITH HURRICANES AND HOW TO PUMP WATER OFF THE NURSERY AND PROTECT OUR NURSERIES.

>> WE REALLY -- THE ENVIRONMENT IS OUR BIGGEST CONCERN.

GREENHOUSES IF YOU PUT THEM END TO END THEY WOULD GO ABOUT 38 MILES.

SO I TELL PEOPLE IF YOU PICTURE COVER A HIGHWAY, THAT'S ABOUT HOW WIDE OUR HOUSES ARE FOR 38 MILES AND IT WOULD BE ONE CONTINUOUS TUNNEL.

WHEN YOU START PILING HUNDREDS MAYBE THOUSAND POUNDS OF ICE ON TOP OF THOSE THINGS, THEY DON'T ALWAYS HANDLE THAT REALLY WELL.

SO WE REALLY HAVE TO GO INTO ACTION, TRY TO KEEP THE HOUSES AS WARM AS WE CAN, AND PEOPLE WILL SOMETIMES SAY DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE ON YOUR PLANTS.

AND WE'LL SAY WELL, SORT OF.

AND MILES AND MILES AND MILES MUCH PLASTIC.

>> IN CHEROKEE COUNTY STEVE SHAW, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> AND THAT COLLEGE DIPLOMA THAT RANDY DAVIS RECEIVED THE CEO HAS SINCE RETURNED THE FAVOR BY HELPING SEVERAL OTHER GREENLEAF EMPLOYEES OBTAIN THEIR COLLEGE DEGREES.

>>> FROM GREENLEAF TO GREEN FAIRWAYS, THIS WEEK THE SOUTHERN HILLS COUNTRY CLUB HOSTING THE GOLF TOURNAMENT, THE PGA CHAMPIONSHIP.

FEATURING THE BEST GOLFERS.

MAJOR CHAMPIONS LIKE BERNARD LANGER, COLIN MONTHS AND JOHN DALY WILL BE COMPETING.

THE ICONIC COURSE IS UNDERGONE $11 MILLION RESTORATION AND HANDLED BAD WEATHER ON THURSDAY, AS WELL.

AND NEXT MAY SOUTHERN HILLS WILL WELCOME THE REGULAR TOUR TO TULSA FOR THE 2022 PGA CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> WE'VE ALREADY BEEN WORKING ON THE SENIOR FOR REALLY TWO YEARS, AND NOW WE DO BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPIONSHIPS.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SEEN PGA AND THE PGA PROFESSIONALS IS THE DISTANCE THEY HIT IT.

US OLD MEN CAN'T HIT IT AS FAR.

>> A HUGE GOLF HISTORY, AND IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE REALIZE THAT.

AND START TO REALLY KIND OF ENCOURAGE THAT, TO GET THE SENIOR AND TO GET THE PGA THE FOLLOWING YEAR, REALLY KIND OF PUTS TULSA BACK FRONT AND CENTER IN THE GOLF WORLD.

AND THAT'S EXCITING, RIGHT?

THE SENIOR IS $50 MILLION EVENT.

>> AND THE REGULAR PGA CHAMPIONSHIP WILL HAVE AN ECONOMIC IMPACT THREE TIMES THAT AMOUNT.

100 TO $150 MILLION.

>>> THE TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS FACING A FAMILIAR PROBLEM, HAVING TROUBLE FINDING, HIRING AND RETAINING ENOUGH TRAINED PERSONNEL.

AND THAT'S WHERE A PARTNERSHIP WITH TULSA TECH IS PROVING VERY BENEFICIAL.

ALISA HINES REPORTS ON THE PROGRAM THAT IS PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A LIFE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BEFORE THEY EVEN GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> MARKET, COLLECT IT, AND RECORD IT.

STUDENTS IN TULSA TECH CRIMINAL JUSTICE CLASS ARE LEARNING WHAT IT TAKES TO BE POLICE OFFICERS.

STUDENT RAQUEL SANCHEZ SAYS SHE WANTED TO BE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SINCE SHE WAS LITTLE.

>> I WANT TO BE THAT COP OR THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER THAT YOU CAN TRUST AND THAT YOU CAN BE ABLE TO TALK TO WITHOUT BEING NERVOUS OR SCARED TO APPROACH.

>> MICHAEL BROWN IS HER INSTRUCTOR, AND SAYS HE'S PREPARING STUDENTS FOR LIFE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, BUT THE GOAL WHEN I CAME HERE, WHEN I WAS -- WAS THAT MY BOSSES WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS ENVIRONMENT WAS AS MUCH LIKE A POLICE ACADEMY AS POSSIBLE.

SO IT WAS PRETTY EASY TO TRANSITION MY EXPERIENCE FROM TEACHING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FIELD TO TEACHING HERE.

>> THIS YEAR THAT TRAINING IS PAYING OFF.

>> FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS WE'VE HAD SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF OUR GRADUATES HIRED AT THE TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IMMEDIATELY UPON GRADUATION.

AND AFTER GETTING SOME FEEDBACK FROM GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM, AND TALKING TO THE TRAINING STAFF AT TCSO, WE DECIDED IT WOULD BE ENTIRELY APPROPRIATE TO TRY TO HAVE THEIR FUTURE DETENTION OFFICERS TRAINED HERE, SO THAT THE STUDENTS INSIDE THE CLASS HERE WOULD RECEIVE TRAINING DIRECTLY FROM THE TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> STUDENTS HAVE A RETENTION RATE OF 88% VERSUS LARGE TURNOVER RATES FOR HIRES FROM OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM.

>> IF YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

>> AFTER SWEARING IN TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF VIC REGALADO SAID IT'S A TIMELY PARTNERSHIP.

>> HAVING BEEN DULY APPOINTED A DETENTION OFFICER OF THE TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

YOU GUYS ARE COMING IN AT A TIME WHERE NOT ONLY ARE YOU STARTING YOUR CAREER, BUT YOU'RE ALSO KEEPING US IN BUSINESS.

>> STUDENT LAUREN HORSLEY IS EXCITED TO GET HER TRAINING IN BEFORE GOING TO WORK FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

>> HAVE A NEW PROGRAM BASICALLY THROUGH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHERE WE DO OUR ACADEMY AS PART OF OUR CLASS HERE AT TECH, AND SO SEVERAL OF US SWORE IN TO BE DETENTION OFFICERS FOR TULSA COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>> LUCIAN BODE WANTS TO BE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROTECT PEOPLE LIKE HIS LITTLE SISTER AND SAYS THE TRAINING IS ENCOURAGING HIM TO CONTINUE THAT PATH.

>> I AM -- I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS FOR ME BUT THE MORE -- THE MORE TRAINING WE GOT AND THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CAME FROM TCSO TO HELP US OUT AND MAKE SURE WE KNEW WE COULD ALL DO IT AND MR. BROWN ALSO MAKING SURE WE ALL KNEW THAT IF WE WORK FOR IT WE COULD DO IT.

>> CRIMINAL JUSTICE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE.

AND NOW IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME FOR HIM AND HIS CLASSMATES.

>> I THINK AFTER MEETING ALL THE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND SEEING ALL THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE AND SEEING EVERYTHING THAT WE'RE -- SEEING HOW WE'RE BENEFITING FROM THIS I THINK IT REALLY -- IT'S REALLY SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY.

>> DO NOT MOVE.

>> TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR A ROLE IN PUBLIC SERVICE.

WHILE STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL.

FOR "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M ALISA HINES.

>> THANKS.

WHILE THEY'RE IN SCHOOL SOME OF THE STUDENTS ARE ALREADY WORKING PART TIME AT THE PRISON.

AND THEN ONCE CLASS LETS OUT THEY'LL BEGIN WORKING FULL TIME.

TIME FOR WEEKLY IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON ISSUES FACING OKLAHOMA.

AND ONE OF THEM UNFORTUNATELY IS A PREVALENCE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OUR STATE.

IN 2019 THERE WERE 109 REPORTED CASES OF TRAFFICKING IN OKLAHOMA, BUT THAT IS ONLY WHAT IS REPORTED AND CONFIRMED.

AS WE LEARN FROM MODERATOR SUSAN CADOT AND HER GUEST THE REAL NUMBER IS SUSPECTED TO BE MUCH HIGHER.

>> THANK YOU, RICH, YES.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TOPIC FOR OKLAHOMA, AND I'M JOINED BY AN ESTEEMED PANEL OF GUESTS TO KIND OF TALK ABOUT IT WITH EVERYONE.

AND I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU.

FIRST, WE HAVE MIKE SNOWDEN, WHO IS THE AGENT IN CHARGE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING DIVISION FOR THE OKLAHOMA BUREAU OF NARCOTICS.

MELISSA EICK, WHO'S THE CO-FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR THE DRAGONFLY HOME, BAMBI ORTIZ, OR WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF ANGELS AGAINST TRAFFICKING FOUNDATION AND ESTHER GOETSCH, WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF COALITION BUILDS FOR TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING WITH US.

MIKE, YOU'RE INVOLVED WITH, UM, HUMAN TRAFFICKING ON THE FRONT LINES.

TELL US, FIRST OF ALL, WHAT IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

>> SO PUT SIMPLY, HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS THE EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE PEOPLE THROUGHOUT OUR STATE, THROUGH FORCE, FRAUD, OR COERCION, FOR FORCED LABOR OR COMMERCIAL SEX.

AND WE DIVIDE COMMERCIAL SEX INTO THE FORCED PROSTITUTION OF ADULTS OR ANY VIRTUALLY ANY PROSTITUTION OF A MINOR UNDER 18.

SO PUT SIMPLY, IT'S BEEN FORCED TO DO SOMETHING EITHER IN LABOR OR PROSTITUTION THAT YOU CHOOSE NOT TO DO.

SO THAT'S SORT OF THE LEGAL DEFINITION AND THAT CAN TAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT FORMS.

BUT IN OKLAHOMA, WE'RE MOSTLY LOOKING AT TRAFFICKER CONTROL PROSTITUTION.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING, IF NOT ALL HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN OKLAHOMA IS DOMESTIC.

IT'S OCCURRING WITHIN OUR STATE, AND LITERALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH I-40 OR I-35 OR I-44.

IT'S OKLAHOMA CITIZENS WHO ARE EXPLOITING OTHER OKLAHOMA CITIZENS.

IF WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOME BOOGEYMAN FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE WHO'S COMING HERE AND COMMITTING A CRIME, WE'RE LOOKING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

IT'S US, AND IT'S LOCALS EXPLOITING OTHER LOCALS.

AND SOMETIMES AS MUCH AS 15% OF THAT IS FAMILIAL, FAMILY MEMBERS EXPLOITING EACH OTHER, MOTHERS EXPORTING DAUGHTERS AND HUSBANDS EXPLOITING WIVES.

AND SO, IT IS VERY MUCH A DOMESTIC SITUATION IN OKLAHOMA.

>> MELISSA, I'D LIKE TO COME TO YOU NEXT.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

YOU KNOW, RESEARCHING THIS, I'VE LEARNED A LOT ALREADY.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK -- TALK ABOUT THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM AS BEING A CAUSE.

AND OF COURSE IT CAN BE, YOU KNOW, TRAFFICKERS CAN USE THE HIGHWAY SYSTEMS.

BUT LIKE MIKE SAID, WHAT WE'VE SEEN AT DRAGONFLY, THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE WHO WE'VE SERVED WERE BORN AND RAISED AND EXPLOITED HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND IF WE BLAME THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM, IF WE TRY TO LOOK AT THOSE OUTER FACTORS, WE'RE MISSING VULNERABILITIES IN THIS STATE THAT CAN CREATE THE VULNERABILITIES THAT TRAFFICKERS ARE SAVVY ABOUT AND THEY KNOW TO PREY ON.

SO, THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT WE HAVE HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO DO GOOD WORK ON, THOSE CONTRIBUTES TO, WHY -- WHY PEOPLE CAN BE TARGETED HERE.

IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU'VE ALREADY TOUCHED ON, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ELSEWHERE, THAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, WHICH OF COURSE IT DOES, BUT THEY TRY TO PUT DISTANCE BETWEEN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THEMSELVES, WHEN, IN FACT, IN VIRTUALLY ANY TOWN, ANY AREA OF THE STATE, WHETHER IT'S RURAL, SUBURBAN, CITY, THERE'S LIKELY TRAFFICKING GOING ON THERE.

AND THEN I WOULD SAY ANOTHER ONE THAT I WOULD POINT OUT THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT, PEOPLE -- FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW IS THAT SOCIAL MEDIA, THE INTERNET, THAT KIND OF THING, CHATTING ON VIDEO GAMES, DATING APPS, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT TRAFFICKERS REGULARLY USE TO TARGET PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY YOUTH.

AND SO AGAIN, WHEN WE TRY TO PUT THIS DISTANCE BETWEEN OURSELVES AND TRAFFICKING, OR WE TRY TO BLAME IT ON SOMETHING ELSE OR, YOU KNOW, THINK ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT MISCONCEPTIONS, WE CAN MISS HOW TRAFFICKERS ARE REACHING OUT TO BOTH KIDS AND ADULTS IN THEIR OWN HOMES, DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM OVER SOCIAL MEDIA, TO THEN FURTHER EXPLOIT, TO GAIN CONTROL OVER SOMEONE.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT SEGUES NICELY INTO ESTHER.

AND I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING.

YOU GUYS ARE DOING SO MUCH TO HELP UTILIZE, TRUCK DRIVERS WHO CRISSCROSS THIS NATION TO KIND OF BE AN ARMY OF EYES AND EARS.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING, EQUIPPING AND EMPOWERING MEMBERS OF THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY.

SO THAT INCLUDES TRUCK DRIVERS, BUS DRIVERS, TRUCK STOP EMPLOYEES, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS, TRANSIT PERSONNEL.

SO, THESE INDUSTRIES THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVE THESE HUGE INFRASTRUCTURES ACROSS EVERY STATE AND INFUSING THOSE, INDUSTRIES WITH INDUSTRY SPECIFIC TRAINING SO THAT THEY KNOW WHAT A POTENTIAL MIGHT LOOK LIKE AS THEY INTERSECT WITH IT IN THEIR DAILY JOBS.

LIKE THEY'VE ALLUDED TO THIS AS A CRIME THAT HAPPENS IN PLAIN SIGHT.

IT MIGHT BE A VICTIM TRYING TO BOARD A BUS IN ORDER TO EITHER ESCAPE A TRAFFICKING SITUATION, OR MAYBE A VULNERABLE YOUTH WHO IS RUNNING AWAY FROM A BAD SITUATION AT HOME AND IS VERY CLOSE TO GETTING LURED TO PIMPS AND TRAFFICKERS WHO MIGHT BE LOOMING IN THOSE BUS STATIONS, LOOKING FOR THOSE VULNERABILITIES.

AND IF, IF WE EQUIP THESE INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS TO JUST RECOGNIZE THOSE RED FLAGS, TO JUST TAKE THAT SECOND LOOK AND MAYBE SEE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO MIGHT NEED SOME HELP, OR WHO, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THEY JUST GET THAT GUT FEELING AND MAKE A CALL TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAY, YOU KNOW, HERE'S WHAT I'M SEEING, AND TURN THAT TIP OVER.

WE SEE A LOT OF RECOVERIES COME BECAUSE OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS BEING TRAINED ON THE SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND BEING ABLE TO REPORT IT.

>> ALRIGHT, BAMBI.

I WANT TO COME TO YOU NOW, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE TO BRING TO THIS ENTIRE CONVERSATION.

YOU HAVE A PERSONAL STORY, AND I DUNNO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THAT STORY WITH US AND WITH VIEWERS SO THAT THEY CAN UNDERSTAND THE OTHER SIDE OF IT?

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?

WHAT'S THE REALITY OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING?

>> WELL, IT HAPPENED TO ME IN THE EARLY 90'S.

I'M 44 YEARS OLD.

I WAS 13 YEARS OLD, AND I WAS A RUNAWAY FROM THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, AND I FELL VICTIM TO A TRAFFICKER, WHICH COMMON STREET TERM WOULD BE PIMP.

AND IN THE YEARS THAT FOLLOWED WAS 27 YEARS THAT I WAS CAUGHT UP IN THAT LIFESTYLE.

AND THERE'S SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING THAT'S POPPING UP, THAT'S HELPING, BUT THERE WASN'T A LOT BACK THEN IN THE EARLY 90'S.

SO, I THINK IN 2017, WOMEN IN RECOVERY IS WHAT CHANGED ME.

I NEEDED A LOT OF TRAUMA THERAPY TO GET OVER WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO ME.

SO IN 2017, I GOT INTO WOMEN IN RECOVERY.

IT'S A PRISON DIVERSION PROGRAM AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE.

LIKE I NEEDED THAT THERAPY.

I NEEDED TO LEARN HOW TO LOVE MYSELF.

BUT, YOU, I THINK A LITTLE PIECE OF ME DIES, DIED EVERY TIME THAT I HAD TO LAY UNDERNEATH A MAN, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND THEN WHEN I WAS 13, I WAS A VICTIM FOR -- I MEAN, I JUST -- I THINK MY COUNSELOR TOLD ME THAT YOU WERE RAPED MULTIPLE TIMES AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE IT.

SO WITH 27 YEARS BEING IN THAT LIFE, IT WAS CONSTANT.

IT WAS JUST CONSTANT TURMOIL.

SO, ANGEL AGAINST TRAFFICKING IS MY NON-PROFIT, AND I STARTED THAT TO GIVE BACK AND TRY TO HELP.

I'M A RESOURCE OF A RESOURCE.

I GIVE RESOURCES TO WOMEN THAT ARE STILL ON THE STREET, LIKE A HEAVY KNOWN PROSTITUTION AREAS IN TULSA.

I LOVE ON THEM AND SO THEY CAN LOVE THEIRSELF, BECAUSE THERE'S -- I MEAN, THEY NEED HELP.

AND I THINK THAT'S A MISCONCEPTION LIKE, A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT IT DOESN'T GO ON, BUT IT'S GOING ON IN TULSA AND IT HAS BEEN FOR YEARS.

>> WHAT'S A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT VICTIMS?

>> I EVEN HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT SAY YOU CHOSE TO BE OUT THERE EVEN WHEN I GOT AWAY FROM MY PIMP.

AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THIS IS THE LIFESTYLE THAT I KNEW.

I STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION.

AND THANKFULLY, THANK GOD I'M FIVE YEARS CLEAN TODAY, BUT ADDICTION WAS A MAJOR FACTOR AND IT'S -- THAT PEOPLE, YEAH, PEOPLE WILL SAY THAT -- THEY'LL SAY THAT YOU CHOOSE TO BE OUT THERE.

YOU COULD HAVE TRIED HARDER TO GET AWAY, AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> AND THEN THERE'S AN ABUSE PHENOMENON WHEN YOU'RE WITH AN -- IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH ANYONE, NOT JUST A SPOUSE OR A PARTNER, BUT ANYONE, YOU LOSE CONFIDENCE AND YOU START LIVING IN FEAR, AND THAT'S A REALLY BIG PSYCHOLOGICAL OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME, CORRECT?

>> YES.

AND I FEEL LIKE THERE'S A PLAYBOOK.

AND THEN LIKE WHEN I WAS 13 THAT MY PIMP OR SEX TRAFFICKER AT THAT WAS LIKE 20 YEARS OLDER THAN ME.

AND I FEEL LIKE EVERYTHING HE WAS SAYING WAS LIKE, I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

YOU WON'T HAVE TO GO BACK INTO THE SYSTEM AND YOUR FAMILY DOESN'T LOVE YOU.

SO, IT'S MENTAL CONDITIONING TO GET YOU TO THAT POINT.

AND THEN IT'S THE FEAR.

SO THERE'S SO MANY -- THERE'S SO MANY OBSTACLES AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SO MANY MORE PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS.

>> MIKE, IS THAT TRUE?

IS THAT WHAT YOU SEE ON THE FRONT LINES?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT OUR FRIEND DESCRIBED WAS ABSOLUTELY GROOMING AND CONDITIONING.

AND I'VE NEVER, IN MY 11 YEARS OF WORKING HUMAN TRAFFICKING, MET A VICTIM WHO WAS TRAFFICKED BY SOMEONE THEY DIDN'T KNOW.

SOMEONE THAT THEY HAD AT ONE POINT TRUSTED, SOMEONE WHO HAD DEVELOPED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

SO I APPRECIATE THE CANDOR OF OUR FRIEND'S DISCUSSION THERE, BAMBI.

WE APPRECIATE THAT, THAT WILLINGNESS TO BE VULNERABLE TO US TODAY, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE SEE DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST VULNERABILITIES RIGHT NOW IS ECONOMIC.

WE SEE PEOPLE WITHOUT JOBS.

WE SEE PEOPLE WHO OWE SIGNIFICANT DEBTS AND THAT JUST INCREASES THEIR VULNERABILITY.

>> OH, IT SURE DOES.

IT'S FINANCIAL ABUSE, TOO.

I MEAN, THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO BE LOCKED IN A PRISON WITHOUT BEING BEHIND BARS.

MELISSA, I WANT TO COME TO YOU REAL QUICK TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BAMBI SAYS SHE'S A RESOURCE FOR RESOURCES.

FOLKS CAN GO TO HER TO FIND OUT WHERE TO GO.

TALK ABOUT YOUR RESOURCE AND WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE CONTACTS DRAGONFLY.

>> DRAGONFLY HOME IS OKLAHOMA CITY'S ONLY NONPROFIT THAT'S CERTIFIED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE TO SERVE SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, BOTH SEX TRAFFICKING AND LABOR TRAFFICKING.

AND I, TOO, WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU BAMBI FOR YOUR STORY.

IT'S SO ECHOES WHAT PEOPLE WE SERVE HAVE TOLD US, AS WELL.

SO, PEOPLE WILL FIND US OFTEN THROUGH OUR 24-HOUR HUMAN TRAFFICKING HELPLINE, WHICH IS OUR OWN HELPLINE THAT WE OPERATE.

AND THEY MIGHT FIND US THROUGH A GOOGLE SEARCH THROUGH SOMEONE LIKE BAMBI, THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, BY WORD OF MOUTH.

SOMETIMES SOMEONE MIGHT BE RECOVERED OUT OF A SITUATION FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATION OR REFERRED BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

I MEAN, IT'S PRETTY INTERESTING AS AWARENESS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING INCREASES IN OKLAHOMA, SO DO THE NUMBER OF REFERRALS THAT WE GET BECAUSE PEOPLE'S EYES ARE OPENED TO SEE WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON.

AND SO WHEN SOMEBODY REACHES OUT TO US, WE OFFER ROBUST SERVICES, CASE MANAGEMENT, CRISIS INTERVENTION.

OUR ADVOCATES WILL SPEAK WITH THAT PERSON AND THEN WE REALLY FOCUS ON WHAT EACH INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND WANTS.

AND SO THEY'RE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT OF EVERY SERVICE THAT THEY RECEIVE.

WE, PROVIDE THERAPEUTIC CASE MANAGEMENT AND THEN OFTENTIMES PEOPLE MIGHT WANT SOME MEDICAL CARE RIGHT AWAY.

SOME WOMEN COME TO US AND THEY'RE PREGNANT AND SO THEY NEED PRENATAL CARE.

THEY MIGHT -- THEY MIGHT WANT TO GET SOME, LEGAL SERVICES.

THEY MIGHT NEED HELP TESTIFYING AGAINST A TRAFFICKER OR A SEX PURCHASER.

SO WE HAVE A COURT ADVOCACY PROGRAM CONNECTING TO TRAUMA FOCUSED THERAPY, AND THEN ALSO BASIC NECESSITIES.

RIGHT NOW THERE'S NO CERTIFIED, TRAFFICKING SHELTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY, SO WE USE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE HAS ACCESS TO SAFE, APPROPRIATE HOUSING AND ANY BASIC NECESSITIES.

SO WE OPERATE A CRISIS CENTER, WHICH MEANS THAT ANYBODY WHO HAS BEEN TRAFFICKED IN ANY WAY, REGARDLESS OF THEIR GENDER, CAN GET HELP AT OUR PLACE.

AND, YEAH, WE'RE JUST MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE GET WHATEVER THEY NEED.

>> ALRIGHT, ESTHER.

THE MATERIALS, THE TRAINING YOU'RE DOING THAT I'VE READ ABOUT AND THEN YOU TOUCHED ON A LITTLE BIT ARE PHENOMENAL.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT -- WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE GETTING ON A BUS, I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST FOR TRUCKERS.

AND YOU TALKED ABOUT IT BEING FOLKS GETTING ON A BUS.

IT CAN BE AN INDIVIDUAL IS NOT A BIG OPERATION THAT PEOPLE ARE TRAINED TO LOOK FOR.

IT'S THESE LITTLE TELLTALE SIGNS.

HAVE YOU SEEN SUCCESS WITH THIS?

AND IS THERE A WAY THAT FOLKS WHO AREN'T IN THE TRANSPORT -- EMPLOYED IN THE TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY CAN ACCESS SOME OF YOUR INFORMATION?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO, WE HAVE SEEN RESULTS.

SO TO DATE, YOU KNOW, TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING HAS TRAINED OVER A MILLION INDIVIDUALS WITH OUR FREE INDUSTRY SPECIFIC TRAINING MATERIALS, AND THAT FOR INDUSTRY MEMBERS, WE ALSO HAVE TRAINING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT RECOGNIZING THAT WE NEED TO BE PARTNERS, BETWEEN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO COMBAT THESE CRIMES.

YOU KNOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE LED TO OVER 2,782 CALLS BY PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVERS INTO THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE.

SO ALL OUR MATERIALS HAVE THAT NATIONAL HOTLINE NUMBER THAT ANYONE IN THE U.S. CAN CALL TO ANONYMOUSLY AND CONFIDENTIALLY REPORT A TIP.

AND THE HOTLINE IS THEN GOING TO CONNECT THAT TIP WITH LOCAL SERVICE PROVIDERS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, LIKE THESE ON THE CALL WHO ARE -- THEY'RE LOCALLY READY TO RESPOND.

>> WE'RE ALMOST OUT OF TIME.

I WANT TO GET THE LAST WORD TO BAMBI.

BAMBI, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO FOLKS OUT THERE, WHO MAYBE LEARN SOMETHING NEW, HAD SOME IDEAS ABOUT WHAT THEY THOUGHT HUMAN TRAFFICKING WAS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

>> I LIKE SPEAKING AT THESE THINGS OR DOING SPEAKINGS, BECAUSE I WANT TO BRING A FACE TO THE PROBLEM OF SEX TRAFFICKING.

AND I ALSO WANT YOU TO SAY THAT IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR A LONG TIME.

NOW, TODAY YOU MIGHT HAVE A DAUGHTER THAT GETS MAD AT YOU FOR DOING DISHES AND SHE GETS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND THAT'S THE -- THAT'S THE BIG WARNING SIGN TODAY AND THE BIG PROBLEMS TODAY.

IT WASN'T SO MUCH IN THE EARLY 90'S, BUT TODAY SOCIAL MEDIA IS HOW PREDATORS WILL GET AT YOUR CHILDREN.

SO, I JUST WANT YOU LIKE -- LIKE EVERYONE WAS SAYING, BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS AND PROTECT YOUR BABIES, AND MOST OF ALL, DON'T PASS JUDGMENT ON THE WOMEN THAT ARE OUT THERE.

IF YOU DRIVE BY A HIGH -- LIKE A HIGH-RISK AREA, INSTEAD OF PASSING JUDGMENT, JUST OFFER, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE, I HAVE PUBLISHED A BOOK CALLED "THAT LIFE" AND IT'S A DETAILED REFLECTION OF MY LIFE, WILL PROBABLY MAKE YOU CRY, BUT IT'S REALITY, LIKE IT'S GOING ON TODAY.

SO, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

LIKE GET AHOLD OF AN ORGANIZATION, OFFER TO MAKE DONATIONS.

YOU CAN FIND ME AT ANGELAGAINSTTRAFFICKING.COM.

AND I GUESS THAT'S THE MAIN THING I WOULD SAY IS JUST KEEP YOUR BABY SAFE AND KNOW THE SIGNS BECAUSE ANYBODY -- ANYBODY CAN HELP.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN SHOWING THE WEB ADDRESSES FOR THE ORGANIZATIONS, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THE NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE IS (888)373-7888, ALSO AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY, TO ENLIGHTEN ALL OF US ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC.

THANK YOU.

>> THERE ARE 130 BLESSING BOXES LOCATED THROUGHOUT OKLAHOMA AND THEIR MOTTO IS TAKE WHAT YOU NEED, GIVE WHAT YOU CAN.

THESE ARE SMALL LOCAL PANTRIES WHERE PEOPLE DONATE FOOD ANONYMOUSLY TO THOSE WHO CAN THEN ANONYMOUSLY TAKE WHAT THEY NEED.

IT'S A WAY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY HUNGER RELIEF WITH NONPERISHABLE FOOD TO BRIDGE THE GAP.

AND WHEN EVERYTHING REALLY STARTED SHUTTING DOWN IN MARCH OF 2020, AND A LOT OF THE PROGRAMS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT FEED PEOPLE EVERY NIGHT COULDN'T OPERATE BECAUSE IT WASN'T SAFE, MY NEIGHBORS AND I REALLY NOTICED A HUGE HOLE AND IT'S NOT NEW.

THE PANDEMIC CERTAINLY DIDN'T CREATE FOOD INSECURITY, BUT IT DID EXACERBATE IT.

I REMEMBER LISTENING TO A PODCAST ABOUT COMMUNITY FRIDGES POPPING UP IN THE BAY AREA.

AND I JUST TEXTED MY FRIEND AUBREY, WHO RUNS EAT GREATER DES{ }MOINES, AND I SAID, WOULDN'T THAT BE SO COOL IF WE HAD ONE IN DES MOINES.

THIS IS THE FRIDGE.

THIS IS OUR INSULATED SHELTER, THIS MAZE, THIS IS WHAT MAKES SURE THAT THE FRIDGE ITSELF DOESN'T FREEZE OR GET TOO TERRIBLY HOT.

THIS IS JUST THE WEATHERPROOF TO STRUCTURE.

SO WE HAVE ONE SIDE THAT IS PANTRY.

THIS WAS COMPLETELY FULL THIS MORNING, SO, THINGS MOVE FAST.

THERE ARE RULES.

AND REALLY THE BIG -- THE RULES REVOLVE AROUND PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE REALLY JUST ASK PEOPLE TO GIVE WHAT THEY WOULD EAT, RIGHT?

WE ALL HAVE TO EAT.

AND IT IS A PRIMAL AND SIMPLE AND LOVING WAY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE THAT REALLY TRANSCENDS ALL OF THAT, RIGHT?

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," WE'LL RECAP THE CENTENNIAL, INCLUDING THE PRESIDENT'S VISIT AND THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE GREENWOOD RISING CENTER.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU WITH THICK LOOK, PHOTOGRAPHED BY ERIC WALTMAN.

FOR ALL OF US ON "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ, STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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