>> HELP TO ELIMINATE MINORITY HEALTH DISPARITIES IN OKLAHOMA >> BLACK MOMS ARE DYING THREE TO FOUR TIMES MORE FREQUENTLY.

BLACK BABIES ARE DYING TWO TO THREE TIMES MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

>> FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS COULD JEAPORDIZE A POPULAR OKLAHOMA SUMMER READING PROGRAM.

>> WE WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO WRITE TO THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT DOGE CUTS THAT ARE IMPACTING OKLAHOMANS.

>> THESE OKLAHOMA INMATES WANT YOU TO READ ALL ABOUT THEIR AWARD-WINNING NEWSPAPER.

>> YOU THINK OF A PRISON NEWSPAPER AND YOU THINK IT'S JUST GONNA BE CENSORED ALL THE WAY.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP US.

>> THE LEGISLATURE TELLS THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TO GET IT'S FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER.

>> THE FRUSTRATIONS LEVELS ON BOTH SIDES ON, ON BOTH SIDES OF THIS, AND THEY'RE GETTING HIGHER AND HIGHER EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> OKLAHOMA STUDENTS VY TO ADVANCE TO A NATIONAL COMPETITION ON NATIONAL HISTORY DAY >> THERE'S JUST NO GREATER JOY AS AN EDUCATOR OR AS A MOTHER THAN WATCHING YOUR KID LOVE SOMETHING AND MY KIDS LOVE HISTORY DAY.

>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS.RAIN, RAIN GO AWAY.

NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

STUDIES SUGGEST THAT HEALTHCARE TREATMENTS AND OUTCOMES FOR MINORITY WOMEN, PARTICULARLY, BLACK WOMEN, CAN BE IMPROVED IF COMMUNICATION IS IMPROVED BETWEEN THEMSELVES AND THEIR DOCTORS.

NOW, ONE OKLAHOMA CITY ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDING THE RESOURCES TO HELP ACHIEVE THAT GOAL.

ADAM KEMP HAS OUR REPORT.

>> I LOVE BEING A MOTHER.

Jim: SHE'S BATING THE -- BEATING THE ODDS.

EDWARDS SAYS SHE'S FEELING FULFILLED.

THE JOURNEY SHE TOOK TO GET HERE WAS ONE FILLED WITH HARDSHIP.

>> I DON'T THINK I WOULD HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT MY DOULA.

SHE FEELS MORE LIKE A FRIEND.

Jim: IN OKLAHOMA, ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BLACK WOMEN FACE AN ALARMINGLY HIGH MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE.

A GROWING MOVEMENT OF BLACK BIRTH WORKERS IS TRYING TO CHANGE THAT.

ONE DOULA AT A TIME.

>> BLACK MOMS ARE DYING THREE TO FOUR TIMES MORE FREQUENTLY.

BLACK BABIES ARE DYING TWO TO THREE TIMES MORE FREQUENTLY THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

Jim: IN A BLACK-LED BERTING NONPROFIT IS TRYING TO BRIDGE THOSE GAPS.

THE GROUP OFFERS FREE DOULA SERVICES TO PREGNANT WOMEN ACROSS THE METRO, SUPPORT THAT'S EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL AND EDUCATIONAL.

>> BIRTH IS A PERMANENT EVENT.

IT'S TATTOOED IN YOUR HEART.

WHETHER OR NOT YOU WANT TO REMEMBER IT OR NOT, IT REALLY DOES HAVE A PERMANENT INSIDE.

Jim: THESE DOULAS MEET WITH CLIENTS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER BIRTH.

HELPING THEM DEVELOP A MAN AND UNDERSTAND WHAT'S NORMAL AND HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES IN HOSPITAL ROOMS.

>> ESPECIALLY IN THIS COUNTRY, WE KNOW THE STIGMA IF YOU'RE BLACK YOU'RE ASKING FOR PAIN MEDICINE, ASKING FOR PAIN MESSES, IT'S PROBABLY NOT THAT BAD.

Jim: THAT EXPERIENCE MIRRORS >> THAT EXPERIENCE IS WHAT EDWARDS WENT THROUGH.

SHE SAID WHEN IT CAME TO DOCTOR VISIT IT FELT LIKE TAKING ORDERS.

>> EVEN THOUGH DOCTORS SUPPOSED TO WORKING WITH US, WE SEE THEM AS AUTHORITY FIGURES.

THEY ARE THE PROFESSIONALS.

YOU DON'T WANT TO BE GOING AGAINST THE DOCTOR ORDERS.

>> DOCTORS ADVISED EDWARDS TO HAVE AN EARLY INDUCTION.

HER DAUGHTER ABIGAIL SUFFERED FROM FETAL DISTRESS.

DOCTORS DISCOVERED THE CHORD WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE NECK.

>> AT THAT MOMENT, THE PREGNANCY GOT REALLY SCARY.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE WHO SHARE THAT CAN CALM ME DOWN OR TELL ME, TRY THIS OR TRY THAT.

I WAS AT THE MERCY WHATEVER DOCTORS, NURSES SUGGESTED.

>> EDWARDS SECOND PREGNANCY ENDED WHEN DISCOVERED SHE WASN'T GETTING NUTRIENTS FROM THE PLACENTA.

EDWARDS HAD AN EMERGENCY C-SECTION.

THE BABY WAS BORN UNDER THREE POUNDS AND HAD TO SPEND WEEKS IN THE NICU.

THESE STORIES WHY SHE WANTED TO BECOME A DOULA.

>> WE TEND TO APPROACH FIRST LIKE IT HAS TO BE TEXTBOOK.

IT HAS TO GO THIS WAY OUR BASED ON WHAT PHYSICIAN SAYS.

IT REALLY SHOULDN'T BE THAT WAY.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR WOMEN TO TAKE THAT BACK AND SAY, HEY, THIS IS HOW I WANT IT TO GO.

>> DOULA'S ROLE IS ABOUT PRESENCE, PREPARATION AND PROTECTION.

ESPECIALLY WHEN MOMS FEEL UNHEARD.

A FEELING SHE KNOWS ALL TOO WELL AFTER LOSING A DAUGHTER DURING HER FIRST PREGNANCY, GIVING BIRTH AT JUST 24 WEEKS.

ROGER SAID MISCOMMUNICATION BETWEEN HER AND HER DOCTOR LED TO HER NOT RECEIVING A SIMPLE PROCEDURE THAT COULD HAVE SAVED HER DAUGHTER'S LIFE.

NOW SHE'S USING HER EXPERIENCE TO COACH OTHER MOMS.

>> I HEALED.

I FOUND THE INFORMATION FOR MYSELF.

THAT'S FINE.

IF WE >> THEY WORK WITH THE PROGRAM SERVING IN ROLES.

HOUSING IN SEVERAL MEALS PROVIDED TO THE INTERNS BY THE SITE CHURCHES.

IT HAS BEEN RECIPIENT SINCE 2004.

THE GRANT IS USED TO HIRE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO WORK IN THE PROGRAM.

>> WHAT WE USE THE MONEY FOR IS THE YOUNG ADULTS.

THEY RECEIVE AN EDUCATION AWARD.

AT THE END OF THE SUMMER, WHICH IS LIKE A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP THEY CAN USE.

OVER THE COURSE OF THE SUMMER, THEY RECEIVE A LIVING STIPEND.

>> THAT WAS A HUGE DEAL FOR ME.

>> SHE'S A FORMER PROJECT TRANSFORMATION INTERN.

SHE SAID THE STIPEND AND $1400 EDUCATION AWARD WAS HELPFUL DURING HER ACADEMIC CAREER.

>> IT'S TO FURTHER YOUR EDUCATION.

IT WAS A BIG PIECE FOR ME.

>> SHE SERVED IN THE PROGRAM FOR THREE SUMMERS.

>> SMALLER COMMUNITY COMPARED TO SOME OTHER SITES.

WE LIVED AT THE CHURCH.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> SHE HOPES OTHER YOUNG ADULTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM DESPITE FUNDING CUTS.

I WORRY IT WILL TURN PEOPLE AWAY.

>> UNITED METHODIST CHURCH IS GEARING UP FOR THE SUMMER.

INTERNS WILL BE HERE ON SITE PREPARING LESSON PLANS FOR THE CAMPERS.

SHE'S THE KEY VOLUNTEER FOR THE EL RENO SITE.

>> THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR LITTLE BOYS.

SHE SAID THE RELATIONSHIP IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMFORTABLE AND WELL FED.

THERE'S ONE THING THAT THEY DO EXTREMELY WELL.

THAT IS FEEDING PEOPLE.

>> DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS AND WELCOMING STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> ACTUALLY, I'M STILL IN TOUCH WITH SOME OF THEM.

THEY GAVE ME -- PEOPLE SUPPORT ME THROUGH COLLEGE.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO VISIT THE KIDS AND SEE THEM GROW UP AND CELEBRATE SOME OF THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENT.

>> INTERN ENJOY SERVING SO MUCH, THEY OFFER TO STAY IN TOUCH.

>> I KNEW SHE BELONGED IN EDUCATION.

>> SLOW SAYS THE YOUNG -- SHE SAYS THE YOUNG ADULTS FORM SPECIAL BOND DURING THE SUMMER.

>> THEY FORM A STRONG RELATIONSHIP.

CHILDREN KNOWS THAT CARE ABOUT THEM, GENUINELY CARE ABOUT THEM.

ONCE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR EIGHT WEEKS, THEIR PRIMARY JOB IS TO POUR IN THESE KIDS, YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON LITERACY.

JUST TO POUR LOVE INTO THESE CHILDREN, THEY RESPOND TO THAT IN SO MANY DIFFERENT POSITIVE WAYS.

>> PROJECT TRANSFORMATION PLANS TO HONOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE 300 CHILDREN ENROLLED THIS SUMMER.

THEY WILL NEED TO RELY ON THEIR DONATION.

>> WE WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO WRITE TO THEIR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ABOUT DOGE CUTS.

THAT ARE IMPACTING OKLAHOMANS NOT JUST OUR PROGRAM BUT SO MANY.

>> FOR THE SUMMER TO COME.

>> WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT OUR BUDGET IS GOING TO PERMIT AND THEN PLAN AND PIVOT ACCORDINGLY FOR SUMMER 2026.

>> YOU LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROJECT TRANSFORMATION, VISIT THE WEBSITE ON YOUR SCREEN.

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IS A NON-PROFIT COMPETITION THAT GIVES STUDENTS IN GRADES 6-THRU-12 A CHANCE TO PRESENT THEIR PROJECTS CONCERNING AN HISTORICAL TOPIC THAT INTERESTS THEM.

IT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE 1974, HOWEVER, FEDERAL FUNDING CUTS NOW THREATEN IT'S EXISTENCE.

NOAH MACK CHECKED OUT OKLAHOMA'S STATE COMPETITION THIS WEEK IN OKLAHOMA CITY, AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE.

NOAH?

>> THE PASSION THESE KIDS HAVE FOR HISTORY IS INDISPUTABLE.

THEY LEARN A LOTAND END UP TEACHING A LOT.

AROUND FIVE HUNDRED STUDENTS COMPETED.

AND JUST A HANDFUL OF THOSE GO ON TO D.C. FOR NATIONALS.

BUT LOOMING IN THE BACKGROUND ARE THOSE FEDERAL CUTS THAT MAKE NEXT YEAR AN UNCERTAINTY.

OKLAHOMA NATIONAL HISTORY DAY TAKES STUDENTS BEYOND THEIR TEXTBOOKS AND JUDGES.

>> IT'S SCARY THE FIRST FEW TIMES YOU DO IT.

THEY ARE LIKE, I HAVE A WEEK TO MEMORIZE ALL THIS.

I'M NOT SURE.

>> ALL THESE STUDENTS ARE VYING FOR A TICKET TO THE NATIONAL COMPETITION.

A SUPER BOWL FOR HISTORY.

HARRISON CAROL DECIDED TO PROFILE A SPY FROM AUSCHWITZ.

>> I NEEDED TO TELL HIS STORY.

>> HIS MOTHER, ELLEN CAROL, PARTICIPATED IN HISTORY DAY IN GRADE SCHOOL.

>> I CAN'T RECALL A SINGLE FACT FROM A TEXTBOOK FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

>> ELLEN NOW TEACHES NATIONAL HISTORY DAY.

HELPING STUDENTS PREPARE.

THE KEY IS THAT STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN HISTORICAL TOPIC.

ANYTHING THAT SPARKS THEIR INTEREST.

>> THERE'S NO GREATER JOY THAN WATCHING YOUR KID LOVE SOMETHING.

MY KIDS LOVE HISTORY DAY.

>> THERE'S FIVE WAYS TO COMPETE.

LIKE AMBER AND McKENZIE SHOWCASING AN OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL FIGURE, KATE BERNARD.

>> HE ADVOCATED FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN OKLAHOMA.

SHE HELPED CREATE SOME EDUCATION.

>> ALSO HELPING SHAPE STATE CHILD LABOR LAW.

BERNARD FOUGHT FOR THE FUTURE THESE STUDENTS ENJOY TODAY.

HISTORY HAS BEEN ENHANCING THE STUDENT'S EXPERIENCE FOR OVER 50 YEARS.

RECENT FEDERAL CUTS MAY ALTER THAT DECISION.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DIRECTED THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT TO CANCEL GRANTS THAT AMOUNT TO $336,000.

EACH YEAR NHD NEED TO RAISE $2 MILLION TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND THE LOSS OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT WOULD SET GOALS FURTHER OUT OF REACH.

>> PUBLIC FUNDING PARTNERSHIP.

THAT'S WHAT WE'VE HAD ALL THESE YEARS.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO MAKE UP FOR.

>> SHE SAYS THEY WERE ABLE TO GET MONEY TOGETHER TO HOST THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL COMPETITION.

>> NEXT YEAR IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

WE'LL HAVE TO START RAISING MONEY AGAIN AS SOON AS THIS ONE IS OVER.

I THINK MY GREATER FEAR IS LESS AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND FOR THE STATE PROGRAM.

>> MANY OF THE STATE CONTESTS ARE RUN BY THE STATE HUMANITIES COUNCIL WHAT HAS SEEN THEIR FEDERAL FUNDS HALTED.

THEY ARE MOST AT RISK LOSING HISTORY DAY ALL TOGETHER, BLOCKING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS FROM COMPETING.

OKLAHOMA IS RUN BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY WHICH DOES GET FUNDING FROM OKLAHOMA HUMANITIES.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, TRACE THOMPSON, ECHOING THAT URGENCY.

>> THE NATIONAL HISTORY DAY IS IMPORTANT TO YOU.

I SUSPECT IT IS BECAUSE YOU'RE HERE TODAY.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT TO YOUR CONGRESSPERSON AND U.S.

SENATORS AND LET THEM KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THIS COMPETITION IS AND YOU LIKE TO SEE FUNDING RESTORED.

>> REGARDLESS, OKLAHOMA STUDENTS WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND WITH THEIR PROJECTS.

A GROUP OF TWO STUDENTS PUT TOGETHER A PIECE AT CHERNOBYL.

HERE'S AN EXCERPT BETWEEN THE DIRECTOR OF THE PLANT AND THE PLANT WORKER.

>> IT'S UNLIKELY.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW THAT.

>> IF THE CORE COMPROMISED, ONE OF TWO THINGS WILL HAPPEN.

EITHER RADIATION KILLS US SLOWLY OR KGB BULLET DO THE JOB MUCH QUICKER.

IF WE WANT TO KEEP BREATHING, IT IS 3.6.

>> THERE ARE GROUP PERFORMANCES AND INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCES LIKE HARRISON WHERE HE WEARS MULTIPLE HATS.

>> I'M JUST ONE MAN.

IT'S COOL BUT IT'S NOT EVERYTHING IN THE WORLD.

I LOVE TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF THE JUDGES IN NASHVILLE.

I'M GLAD I GOT TO PERFORM.

[ APPLAUSE ] >> AT THE AWARD CEREMONY, THEY NABBED FIRST PLACE.

SECURING THEIR SPOT AT NATIONALS.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> HARRISON WON'T GO TO NATIONALS THIS YEAR.

BUT STILL WALKED AWAY WITH 30 PLACE.

NATIONAL HISTORY DAY WILL BE PART OF THIS KID'S LIFE.

CARRYING THE FAMILY TORCH.

>> IT'S NOT EVERYDAY YOU GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO PULL OUT AND LEARN SOMETHING REALLY COOL.

THEN TEACH THAT TO OTHER PEOPLE AND TALK ABOUT IT AND I THINK IT'S NATIONAL HISTORY DAY GOT CANCELED IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT WILL BE HORRIBLE HONESTLY.

AND THE TWO STUDENTS WITH THAT CHERNOBYL PERFORMANCE, ALSO WON FIRST PLACE IN THEIR CATEGORY.

MAKING THEM ELIGIBLE FOR NATIONALS WHICH WILL BE HELD IN WASHINGTON D.C. FROM JUNE 8 TO THE 12TH THREE THOUSAND STUDENTS FROM AROUND THE U.S. EXPECTED TO COMPETE THERE.

RICH.

>> Rich: GREAT STORY.

WILL OKLAHOMA'S HISTORIC RAINFALL IN APRIL LEAD TO BUMPER CROPS FOR FARMERS, OR COULD IT ACTUALLY CREATE PROBLEMS IN ACHIEVING A GREAT HARVEST?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF OUR UPCOMING INDEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CASSIDY MUDD.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE DELAYED A LOT OF CROPS, COTTON GUYS JUST TRYING TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT PLANTING COTTON.

THEY HAVE TO SET LONGER TO GO.

THE STUFF, THE CROPS THAT HAS BEEN UNDER WATER, WE REALLY GOT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

>> WE ALWAYS HAVE FLOODS.

FLOODS ARE A NATURAL THING.

AGAIN, WE SEEING TWO WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

HE WETTEST YEAR, WETTEST APRIL IN 130 YEARS.

THAT IS, YOU CAN'T GET MORE EXTREME THAN THAT.

AND IT, IT IS NOT REALLY SOMETHING WE'RE UNUSED TO NOW BECAUSE WE HAVE BROKEN SEVERAL OF THOSE MONTHLY RECORDS.

IN FACT, JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE BROKE THE RECORD FOR NOVEMBER.

WE HAD THE WETTEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD.

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

RETURN TO INDEX GOVERNOR STITT PUT HIS VETO PEN TO USE THIS WEEK, NIXING 14 BILLS CROSSING HIS DESK.

WITH THE DETAILS ON THAT, WE'RE JOINED QUORUM CALL PUBLISHER, SHAWN ASHLEY.

FROM OUR O.E.T.A.

STUDIO IN THE STATE CAPITOL.

SHAWN, IS THERE A THEME TO THE VETOS?

>> GOVERNOR STITT TALKED ABOUT REDUCING SIZE OF GOVERNMENT.

SEVERAL VETOES DO THAT.

IN ONE INSTANT, HE VETOED A BILL WITH JUST NINE WORD.

DO NOT SEND ME A FEE INCREASE IN A CLEANUP BILL.

>> Rich: TELL US ABOUT THE LEGISLATION SENT TO THE GOVERNOR DESK.

>> THE GOVERNOR HAS SIGNED SENATE BILL 139.

WHICH IMPLEMENTS THE BELL TO BELL CELL PHONE BAN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLINGS.

CELL PHONES WILL BE BANNED IN THE 25-26 SCHOOL YEAR.

AFTER THAT IT WILL BE UP TO LOCAL DISTRICTS TO DECIDE HOW TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE BAN.

SENATE BILL 758 WAS SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE GOVERNOR.

>> THEY HAVE BENT OVER BACKWARDS TO HELP US.

TO HELP US.

>> IT WAS MUCH -- IT WAS DIRECTED TOWARDS THAT.

TO MAKE US FEEL LIKE A COMMUNITY.

BEING ABLE OSHOW THEM HOW TO WRITE AND SPEAK.

A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE INCARCERATED WITH DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION.

>> THE NEWSPAPERS HAVE WRITERS TO REPORT IN SPANISH.

>> SOMETIMES -- [ INDISCERNIBLE ] ALL THE NEWSPAPERS IN ENGLISH.

>> REBECCA COOPER WROTE MOSTLY POETRY BEFORE JOINING THE NEWSPAPER PROGRAM.

>> IT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

BECAUSE, IN JOURNALISM, IT'S VERY DIFFERENT THAN WRITING AN ESSAY.

YOU HAVE TO PICK YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY.

YOU HAVE TO REALLY CHOOSE YOUR WORDS CAREFULLY.

>> SOME OF THESE JOURNALISTS LIKE TO TAKE THEIR NEWFOUND SKILLS OUTSIDE THE WALL.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY AN OPTION I WILL EXPLORE ONCE I LEAVE HERE.

ONCE I FIND A NEWSPAPER THAT WOULD HAVE ME.

>> SHE SAYS SHE REALLY ENJOYS HELPING OTHERS WITH HER STORIES THROUGH THE EDITING PROCESS.

>> WHAT ARE YOU REALLY TRYING TO SAY.

I WILL HELP THEM NARROW IT DOWN AND STAY IN THE PARAMETERS AND I JUST REALLY ENJOYED THAT PART OF IT.

>> DON'T EXPECT TWO PAPERS TO REPORT ON THE SAME THING.

THEY EACH HAVE THEIR OWN STYLE.

>> THIS ONE IS THE TONE OF THE NEWSPAPERS.

IT'S VERY DIFFERENT.

MOST OF THE PEOPLE HERE HAS BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME AND ARE STILL LOOKING AT PRETTY LONG TIME TO BE IN PRISON.

THEY GOT ONE FOOT OUT THE DOOR SO TO SPEAK.

THEY DO A LOT OF INTEGRATION STUFF.

WE DO MENTAL HEALTH, SELF-CARE, AWARENESS.

>> ALL 20 OF THE JOURNALISTS HAVE 40 HOUR WORKWEEK OUTSIDE THE PARTICIPATE.

THEY ARE WORKING EXTRA 10 TO 20 HOURS A WEEK TO PUBLISH THOSE ARTICLINGS.

GIVING THEM A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT.

[ APPLAUSE ] THE TEAM TOOK THIRD PLACE.

JUST TO LET YOU KNOWTHE TEAM AT MABEL BASSETT TOOK THIRD PLACE AND THE EDDIE WARRIOR TEAM ONE FIRST PLACE FROM THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS IN THE CATEGORY OF NEW PRISON PUBLICATIONS.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FELLOW JOURNALISTS.

RICH.

>>> RICH: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETEANS AFFAIRS HAS AWARDED A SCIENTIST AT THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION A $710,000 GRANT TO STUDY ALZHEIMER'S.

DR. BILL FREEMAN WILL STUDY HOW BRAIN CELLS, CALLED MICROGLIA, WHICH ARE BENEFICIAL EARLY IN LIFE, CAN ACTUALLY MAKE THE DISEASE WORSE ONCE A PERSON HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEMENTIA.

>> MICROGLIA ARE THERE TO MAINTAIN OUR, OUR BRAINS AND CLEAN UP DEBRIS AND THINGS LIKE THAT IN THE BRAIN.

AS OUR BRAINS CHANGE, WE WANT OUR BRAINS TO CHANGE AS WE GO THROUGH OUR LIVES IN GOOD WAYS.

WE WANT TO, WHEN OUR DOCTOR MOVES TO A NEW OFFICE, WE WANT TO REMEMBER WHERE THE NEW OFFICE IS, BUT WE THINK THAT THESE MICROGLIA BECOME TOO ACTIVE AS WE GET OLDER OR DEVELOP ALZHEIMER'S.

SO PART OF WHAT WE'RE STUDYING HERE IS HOW DOES THIS CELL TYPE MAYBE INITIALLY HELP KEEP OUR BRAINS HEALTHY, BUT EVENTUALLY BECOMES A PROBLEM.

>> RICH: THE V.A.

IS FUNDING THE RESEARCH BECAUSE PTSD AND TRAUMTIC BRAIN INJURIES ARE TWO MAJOR RISK FACTORS IN DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S.

WHILE SEVERAL STATES ARE BEGGING FOR YET ANOTHER EXTENTION OF THE READ I.D.

DEADLINE, IT CAME AND WENT ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

SO, AS OF NOW, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A REAL I.D.

DRIVERS LINCENSE, AND YOU DON'T HAVE A PASSPORT, YOU'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY AT THE AIRPORT TO BOARD A PLANE.

WHERE DOES OKLAHOMA STAND IN COMPLIANCE WITH A PROGRAM FIRST PASSED BY CONGRESS IN 2005?

AS OF THURSDAY AFTERNOON, ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF OKLAHOMANS HAD OBTAINED THEIR REAL I.D.

DRIVER'S LICENSE, GIVING OKLAHOMA A STATEWIDE COMPLIANCE RATE OF 44.9%.

THAT'S FAIRLY LOW, WITH 12 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA REPORTING RATES NEAR 100%.

AN OKLAHOMA CASINO IS NOW ACCEPTING CRYPTO-CURRENCY.

THAT STORY TOPS THIS WEEK'S STATE-WIDE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> THE CHOCTAW NATION HAS IMPELMENTED A FIRST OF ITS KIND CRYPTOCURRENCY SYSTEM WHICH ALLOWS GAMBLERS TO EXCHANGE THEIR CURRENCY FOR CASINO CHIPS WITHOUT LEAVING THE GAMING FLOOR.

TRIBAL BUSINESS NEWS IS REPORTING IT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY A PARTNERSHIP WITH CRYPTOCURRENCY PLATFORM BITLINE AND CASH PAYMENT SYSTEM OPERATOR EVERI.

THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE MARCH AT THE CHOCTAW CASINOS AND RESORTS IN DURANT.

IT IS HOPED THAT THE CRYPTOCURRENCY EXCHANGE SYSTEM WILL ATTRACT MORE HIGH-ROLLING GAMBLERS FROM THE DALLAS-FORT WORTH AREAS.

WHILE OKLAHOMA CITY BASED GULFPORT ENERGY IS REPORTING A FIRST QUARTER DID RECORD A LOSS OF A HALF MILLION DOLLARS, THE COMPANY IS TOUTING IT'S CAPITAL INTENSE PROJECT TO INCREASE DRILLING, WHICH HAS LED TO A 14% INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF OIL PRODUCTION.

GULFPORT ENERGY EXPECTS NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION TO INCREASE BY 20% OVER THE FULL YEAR.

CHANGES ARE COMING FOR THE EXECUTIVE TEAM AT TULSA BASED WILLIAMS.

THE COMPANY'S CURRENT PRESIDENT AND CEO ALAN ARMSTRONG WILL SOON BECOME THE NEXT EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF THE WILLIAMS BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF CORPORATE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT CHAD ZAMARIN WILL SUCCEED ARMSTRONG AS THE COMPANY'S NEXT PRESIDENT AND CEO.

THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE WILLIAMS' BOARD, STEPHEN BERGSTROM WILL TRANSITION TO LEAD INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR.

THE CHANGES ARE SET TO TAKE EFFECT ON JULY FIRST.

INVESTORS OF PAYCOM SOFTWARE STOCK ARE ABOUT TO GET A BIT OF A PAYOUT.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE OKLAHOMA CITY H.R.

SOFTWARE COMPANY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS DECLARED A 37 AND A HALF CENT PER SHARE DIVIDEND ON ITS COMMON STOCK.

SHAREHOLDERS WILL NEED TO OWN THE STOCK BY THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MAY 27.

THE PAYOUT FOR THE DIVIDEND IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 9.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> RICH: THE MONTH OF MAY IS COMING IN THE SAME WAY THE MONTH OF APRIL WENT OUT.

WITH LOTS OF RAINFALL.

IN FACT, THIS WAS THE WETTEST APRIL IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE.

WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR OKLAHOMA FARMERS IF THIS WEATHER PATTERN CONTINUES?

BUMPER CROPS OR DIFFICULT HARVESTS?

THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR, CASSIDY MUDD.

CASSIDY?

>> WE'RE JOINED BY THE DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FOR THE CITY OF MOORE AND FINALLY JOINING ZOOM IS GARY McMANUS THE STATE CLIMATOLOGIST FOR OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE ON IN-DEPTH.

WALK US THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE SEEING FIRSTHAND NOW AND HOW IMAGINE OTHER FARMERS IN OKLAHOMA ARE DEALING?

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE IN THE PEAK SPOT OF 19-INCH OF RAIN IN 30 DAYS.

STILL LOOKING FOR SOME SPOTS.

CATTLE IN THE RIGHT PLACES.

WHEAT FIELD BEGINNING TO SHOW SIGNS BEING IN WATER TOO LONG.

WE HAVE CORN TRYING TO COME OUT OF THE GROUND.

NOW WE'RE IN THE WAIT AND SEE MODE.

>> FOR THE REST -- YOU'RE THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR?

>> RIGHT.

>> YOU'RE SHARING FARMERS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> MOST OF THEM SAY GLAD WE'RE NOT YOU.

SEVERAL FRIENDS HAVE REACHED OUT FROM ACROSS THE STATE SAYING HOW IS IT.

WE IN WAIT AND SEE MODE.

FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO PREPARE AND GET SOME STUFF MOVED AROUND.

NOW WE WAIT.

>> HOW WILL THIS AFFECT THE CROPS LATER.

GARY, APRIL WAS THE WETTEST MONTH IN OKLAHOMA'S RECORDED HISTORY.

HOW UNUSUAL IS IT TO SEE THAT MUCH RAIN?

>> STATE WIDE AVERAGE 8.74 INCHES.

THAT BEAT RECORD FROM 1942.

WE DID BREAK A RECORD FROM LIKE 80 YEARS AGO.

THAT IS THE EXTREME OF THE EXTREMES.

WE HAVE 134 YEARS WORTH OF RECORDS STATEWIDE AVERAGE.

IT'S THE WETTEST APRIL IN 130 YEARS.

YOU CAN'T GET MORE EXTREME THAN THAT.

IT'S NOT REALLY SOMETHING WE'RE NOT USED TO NOW.

WE HAVE BROKEN SEVERAL MONTHING RECORD.

FEW MONTHS AGO WE BROKE THE RECORD FOR NOVEMBER.

WE HAD THE WETTEST NOVEMBER ON RECORD.

IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE SEEING LITTLE BIMORE OFTEN.

MORE HEAVY RAINFALL EVENTS.

FOR THIS APRIL, IT WAS SLOW MOVING UPPER LEVEL STORM SYSTEM.

JUST PROVIDED WAVE AFTER WAVE OF THUNDERSTORMS AND A LOT OF THOSE THUNDERSTORMS TRAIN OVER THE SAME AREA.

LIKE IN DUNCAN WHICH HAD 19 INCHES OF RAINFALL IN PLACES.

SLOW MOVING STORM SYSTEM EARLY IN THE MONTH.

IT ENDED UP BEING AT TIMES A TRAGIC SITUATION FOR THE STATE.

>> IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, HOW DOES THIS FLOOD SEASON STACK UP TO OTHERS THAT YOU SOON?

>> WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE FLOODS.

FLOODS ARE A NATURAL THING.

AGAIN, WE SEEN TWO OF THEM WITHIN TWO EVENTS WITHIN THE SPAN OF JUST A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT.

IT IS SPRING.

THAT'S WHEN WE DO RECEIVE OUR RAIN.

FLOODING IS ALWAYS AN ISSUE.

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE SEEN A COUPLE OF THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT DOES TONS OF RAIN, ESPECIALLY IN THE SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME MEAN FOR FARMERS.

DOES IT VARY FROM CROP TO CROP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EVERYBODY WAS VERY EXCITED.

IT CONTINUED TO DRAG ON, DRAG ON IS ABOUT A BAD WORD.

IT'S A SITUATION WE'RE IN.

SUNSHINE WILL BE A WONDERFUL THING.

DIFFERENT CROPS AS WE TRY TO ROLL IN TO PLANTING SEASON, WE WERE RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF PLANTING SEASON.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO BE DELAYED A LOT OF CROPS.

COTTON GUYS TRYING TO GET SERIOUS ABOUT PLANTING COTTON.

THEY HAVE TO SET A LITTLE WHILE LONGER TO GO.

THE STUFF, THE CROPS THAT HAVE BEEN UNDERWATER, WE GOT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

WE'RE ALSO BEHIND.

FIRST BATCH OF ALFALFA SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED.

IT'S OKAY.

IT'S NO FUN.

WE'LL DEAL WITH IT.

>> YOU CAN REMEDY THE SITUATION.

IT'S NOT ALL THESE CROPS ARE JUST GOING TO DIE?

>> SITUATION DEPENDING.

>> OKAY.

GARY, VERY BRIEFLY, WE TALKED ABOUT RAINFALL TOTALS.

CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE SOIL AND PLANTING CONDITIONS THAT CAN FOLLOW A MONTH LIKE THIS?

IS THE RAIN HELPING OR HURTING THE OKLAHOMA GROWING SEASON SO FAR?

>> OBVIOUSLY IT WILL HELP.

IT'S BETTER THAN DROUGHT.

LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY.

OUR SOILS ARE PRETTY MUCH OVER THE ENTIRE STATE IF WE LOOK AT THE SOIL MOISTURE VALUES.

IT'S FAIRLY WELL SATURATED ACROSS MOST OF THE STATE.

THERE'S A FEW AREAS UP IN NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA.

THEY DID GET RAINFALL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

HOPEFULLY OUR SENSORS DETECT THAT AND START TO SHOW IMPROVEMENT.

THE ENTIRE STATE IS PRETTY MUCH AS MUCH SATURATED.

THAT'S A GOOD THING BUT A BAD THING.

WHEN WE HAVE FURTHER RAIN LIKE WE SAW OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, THERE'S NOTHING FOR US TO SOAK INTO.

IT RUN OFF MORE READILY.

CREATES MORE FLASH FLOODING.

WE DO NEED A DRY PERIOD.

WE DON'T NEED DROUGHT.

WE NEED TO DRY OUT A LITTLE BIT AND GET THINGS A CHANCE TO EQUAL GET A LITTLE EVEN THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT THIS ALREADY.

HOW LIVESTOCK BEING AFFECTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO GRAZING LAND, FEED AND MOVING EQUIPMENT MOVING THROUGH THE MUD.

>> MOST OF THE EQUIPMENT IS SITTING UNLESS THEY NEED TO GO SOMEWHERE.

CATTLE, I BEGAN TO THINK ABOUT THIS JUST IN THE LAST DAY.

I HAVEN'T SEEN FOOT ROT YET.

FOOT ROT WILL BECOME A PROBLEM IN CATTLE AS THEY STOOD AROUND IN WATER FOR THIS LENGTH OF TIME.

HOPEFULLY, WE HAVE GOOD PROGRAMS TO KEEP INFECTIONS DOWN.

I NOTICED CATTLE FINDING DRY SPOTS.

THEY SPENDING MORE TIME ON ROADS AND DRIVEWAYS IN OUR SITUATION.

DRIVEWAY TO THE SHOP.

STAYING OUT OF THE MUD AND STAYING OUT THE WATER.

FOOT ROT AND INSECT CONTROL WILL BE A REAL ISSUE AS WE COME OUT OF THIS.

WE WILL HAVE A FLY AND MOSQUITO MAR VEST -- HARVEST LIKE NO OTHER.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OTHER BUGS, WHAT ARE OTHER LONG-TERM CONCERNS YOU'RE HEARING?

>> AS OF NOW, WE'RE STILL ASSESSING.

MOST PEOPLE ARE PRETTY STILL OPTIMISTIC.

WITH CATTLE PRICES SO HIGH, WE WANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CATTLE AND OUR LIVESTOCK.

THAT'S THE ONE BRIGHT POT IN AGRICULTURE.

JUST GOOD CATTLE PRICES.

WE WANT TO MANAGE THOSE.

I HAVEN'T HEARD OF TOO MUCH LIVESTOCK -- I HEARD FEW GUYS THAT MOVED LIVESTOCK SOMEWHERE.

>> IT'S ALL HAPPENING SO QUICKLY.

YOU FOLLOWING UP EVERY SINGLE DAY.

DON'T BE TOO HARD ON YOURSELF.

WHAT IMPACTS HAVE YOU SEEN -- KIND OF MIX SUBURBAN AND RURAL AREAS.

WE KNOW KIND OF LIVES WERE LOST.

>> WE DID HAVE A COUPLE OF FATALITIES AND SOME CARS WASHED AWAY IN THE APRIL 19th EVENT.

THE ISSUE IS NOT AS MUCH IN THIS PARTICULAR CASES THAT CARS WERE SWEPT OFF ROADWAY.

IT WAS THAT IT WAS AT NIGHT IN THE WATER IS DARK.

THE ROADWAYS ARE COVERED WITH WATER.

SOMETIMES IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO DISCERN WHERE THE ROADWAY ARE.

THAT DID CAUSE A COUPLE OF FATALITIES.

WE'RE ALSO SEEING THE RUNOFF CAUSING ISSUES IN SOME OF OUR HOMES WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE -- THEIR HOMES ARE IN THE LOWER SPOTS.

>> VERY BRIEFLY HERE.

IN GENERAL, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF MOORE AND ALL OF OKLAHOMA IN THESE FLOODING FEPS?

FEP -- EVENTS?

>> YOU DON'T NEED TO BE OUTSIDE, DON'T GO OUTSIDE.

THAT INCLUDES YOUR CAR.

THE BEST WAY TO KEEP FROM HAVING A CAR WASHED OFF THE ROADWAYS NOT TO HAVE A CAR ON THE ROADWAY TO START WITH.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

WE ARE A MOBILE SOCIETY.

WE'RE VERY USED TO IT IF WE WANT TO GET IN THE CAR AND GO GRAB BURGER OR GO TO A FRIEND'S HOUSE OR GO TO WORK THAT WE JUST GET IN THE CAR AND GO.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO BE LITTLE BIT SMARTER ABOUT DO WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE THIS TRIP?

DO WE KNOW THAT THE AREA THAT WE'RE GOING TO DRIVE THROUGH TYPICALLY HAS A PROBLEM.

>> IS THIS A SIGN CHANGING LONG-TERM WEATHER PATTERNS?

>> IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF BOTH.

ONE OF THE MORE ROBUST IN CLIMATE SCIENCE IS ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE CHANGING.

THE MOST INTENSE PRECIPITATION EVENTS ARE STARTING TO HAPPEN A LITTLE BIT MORE FREQUENTLY AND THEY ARE GETTING MORE INTENSE.

IT'S A TWO-FOLD CHANGE IN OUR PRECIPITATION PATTERNS.

THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH AND SEEING HOW THESE PATTERNS GET STICKY.

BY STICKY, THE SLOW MOVING STORM SYSTEM.

AND NOVEMBER.

THEY HANG AROUND LITTLE BIT LONGER.

THEY CREATE A LITTLE BIT MORE HAVOC.

I MENTIONED THAT NOVEMBER WAS THE WETTEST ON RECORD FOR THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

DATING BACK TO 1895.

JUST FEW MONTHS AFTER THAT WE HAD DROUGHT COMING BACK IN THE STATE.

THEN WE HAD THE WETTEST APRIL.

WE'VE SEEN THIS GOING OVER THE LAST 10 OR 15 YEARS ESPECIALLY IN OKLAHOMA WITH RAPID DROUGHT CYCLES OCCURRING AND THE WARM SYSTEM.

THEN WE GET A REALLY WET PERIOD.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE AND EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE, I'M STARTING TO FEEL LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE TO START TO DEAL WITH LITTLE BIT MORE AND MORE OFTEN AS WE GO INTO THE FUTURE.

>> WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO AFFECT FARMERS, THEIR MONEY, THEIR LIVESTOCK AND THE UPCOMING PLANTING OF THE CROPS?

>> PLANTING OF THE CONTINUES TEN DAYS DRY WEATHER.

WE HAVE CROP INSURANCE AVAILABLE.

IT WILL SORT OF KEEP YOU GOING.

IT'S NOT GOING TO MAKE YOU WHOLE.

IT WILL KEEP CASH FLOW GOING.

YOUR YIELD WILL BE DOWN.

IF A FIELD IS UNDER WATER AND DISASTER OUT, THERE'S SOME DECENT MONEY TO HELP YOU DEPENDS ON UNIT STRUCTURE AND CROP INSURANCE.

SOMETHING I THINK WE'RE LOOKING AT LONG-TERM EFFECTS.

EVERY WEED SEED HAS GONE TO SEED THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF THIS WONDERFUL WEATHER WE HAD.

DIDN'T GET TO CONTROL SOME OF THE WEEDS THAT WE NORMALLY WOULD.

A YEAR FROM NOW, WE'LL BE DEALING WITH EVERY WINTER SEED THERE IS TO DEAL WITH.

BUT WE CAN.

CATTLE, IF WE CAN MANAGE TO KEEP THE INSECTS DOWN, FOOT ROT OUT, WE'LL BE READY TO ROLL.

WE SET OURSELVES UP NICELY FOR AT LEAST THROUGH JUNE.

I THINK WE CAN HANDLE THAT.

>> STAY POSITIVE.

>> I HAVE TO.

I DO.

>> DAIRY, FINAL QUESTION FOR YOU.

LOOKING AHEAD TO JUNE AND INTO THE REST OF THE SEASON.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FOR THE WEATHER?

>> IT'S SPRING.

YOU CAN EXPECT CHAOS.

THAT'S THE WAY IT IS WITH OKLAHOMA.

WE DO KNOW THAT OKLAHOMA SPRING RAINY SEASON STARTS ABOUT MID-JUNE.

THE MORE MILD WE CAN KEEP THE AIR TEMPERATURES, HOWEVER, THAT ALSO POSSIBLY MEAN HIGHER HEAT INDEX VALUE.

KEEP THE SOIL VALUES UP MAY THROUGH JUNE AS WE GET INTO THE SUMMER.

GET READY TO SWEAT A LOT.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT IS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WE'LL BE KEEPING UP WITH YOU ON THE WEATHER.

FINAL THOUGHTS FOR THE VIEWERS OF OBSERVATION.

>> REMEMBER THAT STORMS DO HAPPEN.

RAIN IS NOT THE ONLY HAZARD.

WE HAVE THE WIND.

WE HAVE LITTLE BIT OF HAIL.

LIGHTNING.

THEY'RE ALL HAZARDS.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU HAVE WAYS RECEIVING THAT INFORMATION AND IF IT LOOKS LIKE IT MAY AFFECT YOUR DAY, PROTECT YOURSELF.

>> GENTLEMEN THANK YOU FOR THIS CONVERSATION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> RICH: IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW WE'RE GOING TO TRAVEL TO THE SUNSHINE STATE, AND MEET A MAN WHO DEFIES THE NOTION THAT YOU HAVE TO INGEST A LOT OF RED MEAT AND CARBS TO BE A BODY BUILDER.

JOHN THOMAS IS PART MOHAWK, PART MUSCLE.

AND ALL VEGAN.

AS YOU'LL SEE IN THIS REPORT FROM OUR PBS PARTNERS AT WUFT IN GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA.

♪♪♪ [ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> MAY NAME IS JOHN THOMAS.

I'M KNOWN AS THE BODY BUILDING VEGAN.

AS 260-POUND VEGAN BODY BUILDER, I'M GETTING ABOUT 370 GRAMS OF PROTEINS A DAY, 75 GRAMS OF FAT.

THERE WAS A GIANT BODY BUILDER THERE.

WHEN I MENTIONED THAT I WAS VEGAN, HE SAID YOU WILL NEVER BUILD ANY MUSCLE ON A VEGAN DIET.

YOU HAVE TO EAT MEAT.

OTHERWISE, YOU WON'T GROW.

AT 15, I BELIEVED HIM.

I HAD NO REASON TO BELIEVE HIM.

I WAS ABLE TO BUILD MUSCLE.

I'M ABLE TO OFFER THE WORLD NOW IS YOU CAN BUILD MUSCLE ON A HIGH LEVEL AS A VEGAN.

♪♪♪ >> IF ON A VEGAN DIET, THERE'S CERTAIN NUTRIENTS WE CAN GET.

VITAMIN D, THERE ARE SOME PLANT-BASED SOURCES.

B12 IS A NUTRIENT CONCERN FROM VEGAN DIET.

ANIMAL PRODUCTS OR SUPPLEMENT.

>> WHEN YOU GO VEGAN THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU WILL MISS OUT ON.

YOU WILL MISS OUT CANCER, HEART DISEASE, STROKES, DIABETES, CHRONIC ILLNESSES.

THERE AREN'T ANY SUB ACCOMPLISHMENTS -- SUPPLEMENTS YOU HAVE TO TAKE.

I RECOMMEND YOU GET VITAMIN D LEVEL CHECKED.

B12 IS ANOTHER ONE TO CHECK.

I NEVER -- >> YOU CAN BE HEALTHY.

THAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT EATING PLANTS.

YOU HAVE ANTI-INFLAMMATORY COMPOUNDS.

>> ANYTHING ELSE?

I'M GOING TO KEEP SAYING IT.

THERE ARE SO MANY MORE VEGANS.

FOR ME, THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TO LOOK TO.

NOW ON INSTAGRAM, I BUILT MY WHOLE COMMUNITY WITH PEOPLE THAT I MET AROUND THE WORLD THAT ARE VEGAN.

>> I DID NOT THINK IT WILL GO ANYWHERE.

[ INDISCERNIBLE ] >> I WANTED TO INSPIRE PEOPLE CONSIDERING GOING DOWN THIS JOURNEY.

LIKE, OH NO, YOU CANNOT BUILD MUSCLE.

YES, YOU DEFINITELY CAN.

>> RICH: ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT- AN UPDATE TO A STORY WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING FOR MONTHS.

COULD THIS WOMAN BE FREED AFTER SERVING 27 YEARS FOR MURDER- OVER THE OBJECTIONS OF THE TULSA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY?

JASON DOYLE REPORTS, FRIDAY AT 7:00.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE VICTORIOUS OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER, SHOT BY JASON DOYLE AND EDITED BY BRANDON DOWNEY.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X BY SEARCHING OETA.

O.N.R.

AND ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, JUST SEARCH, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.