>> TOBACCO USE AMONG YOUNG OKLAHOMANS IS DECLINING, BUT ILLEGAL VAPING BY MINORS REMAINS A BIG PROBLEM.

>> THEY HIDE IT IN THE SLEEVES OF THEIR HOODIES, OR THEY CAN BE SMOKING A VAPE EVEN JUST SITTING IN A CLASSROOM.

>>> AN OKLAHOMA CONGRESSMAN COMES HOME TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATIONS ON THE NEW FARM BILL.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC POLICY, IF YOU'RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE PROBABLY ON THE MENU.

I -- WE NEED YOU, I NEED YOU AT THE TABLE.

>>> CARING FOR THE ELDERLY WILL SOON BE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYDAY OKLAHOMANS.

>> THERE ARE FAMILIES OUT THERE, YOU KNOW, MAKING DECISIONS BETWEEN PAYING RENT AND FULFILLING, YOU KNOW, THE NEEDS AND, AND MEDICINES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THEIR LOVED ONE NEEDS.

>>> THE SUCCESS OF "TULSA REMOTE" IS EXCEEDING ALL EXPECTATIONS.

>> WHEN WE STARTED, WE HAD NO IDEA HOW BIG THIS WOULD BE.

WE HAD 70 PEOPLE IN THAT FIRST YEAR.

WE NOW HAVE HAD OVER 2700 PEOPLE MOVE TO THE CITY.

>>> IN OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY, AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF OKLAHOMA VETS.

>> THEY GET A LITTLE LOST.

THEY GET A LOT OF DEPRESSION AND DEPRESSION'S WHAT CREATES A -- YOU KNOW, NUMEROUS OTHER ISSUES WITH IT.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE, NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT!

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

WE BEGIN THIS WEEK WITH TEAM COVERAGE ON THE NEWEST INFORMATION ON YOUTH SMOKING NATIONALLY AND HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

ACCORDING TO THE JUST-RELEASED 2023 NATIONAL YOUTH TOBACCO SURVEY, MORE THAN HALF A MILLION FEWER MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL KIDS ARE SMOKING AND VAPING THAN IN 2022.

HOWEVER, THE OKLAHOMA "ABLE" COMMISSION SAYS ILLEGAL VAPING IS WAY UP AMONG MINORS IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE TWO REPORTS FOR YOU, BEGINNING WITH DETAILS ON THE STUDY RELEASED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION.

WE'RE JOINED BY DR. BRIAN KING, WHO'S THE FDA DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

DR. KING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

FIRST OF ALL, THE REPORT IS OUT.

GIVE US ONE OR TWO TAKEAWAYS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> DR. KING: I WILL SAY THAT WE'VE HAD CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS OVER THE PAST YEAR.

WE'VE GOT SOME GOOD NEWS IN TERMS OF REDUCING E-CIGARETTE USE AMONG U.S. HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

WE SAW A DECLINE FROM ABOUT 14% TO 10% OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHICH IS A MONUMENTAL PUBLIC HEALTH WIN.

BUT ON BALANCE, WE DID SEE A SLIGHT UPTICK AMONG MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS IN TERMS OF USE OF ANY TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

>> RICH LENZ: DR. KING, WHAT ABOUT OKLAHOMA?

I KNOW WE HAVE FEWER YOUNG SMOKERS HERE AS WELL?

>> DR. KING: WE DO NOT HAVE DATA FROM OKLAHOMA FROM THIS PARTICULAR SURVEY, WHICH IS A NATIONAL SURVEY, BUT THERE ARE OTHER SURVEYS THAT HAVE ASSESSED DATA FROM OKLAHOMA.

AND SO FROM 2021 WE DID SEE CIGARETTE USE AMONG OKLAHOMA YOUTH WAS ABOUT 4%.

BUT E-CIGARETTE USE AMONG OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WAS HIGHER, ABOUT 22%.

WE HAVE SEEN CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN REDUCING COMBUSTIBLE CIGARETTE USE AMONG KIDS OVER THE PAST TWO OR THREE DECADES, BUT WE CAN'T REST ON OUR LAURELS.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT TO BE MINDFUL OF THE VARIETY OF PRODUCTS THAT KIDS ARE USING.

>> RICH LENZ: SO, DOCTOR, DO YOU PURSUE BOTH E-CIGARETTES AND REGULAR TOBACCO USAGE?

DO YOU COMBAT THEM TRYING TO REDUCE THEM IN THE SAME WAYS OR IN DIFFERENT WAYS?

>> DR. KING: WHEN IT COMES TO ADDRESSING TOBACCO PRODUCT USE, FDA ADDRESSES THE DIVERSITY OF PRODUCTS.

SO THAT INCLUDES SMOKED PRODUCTS LIKE CIGARETTES AND CIGARS, ALSO E-CIGARETTES AND OTHER SMOKELESS PRODUCTS LIKE CHEW AND DIP AND SNUFF.

AND ULTIMATELY WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REGULATE ALL OF THOSE PRODUCTS.

AND SO E-CIGARETTES HAVE BEEN THE MOST COMMONLY USED TOBACCO PRODUCT AMONG KIDS SINCE 2014.

BUT WE DO WANNA MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT PLAYING A GAME OF PUBLIC HEALTH WHACK-A-MOLE, WHERE WE'RE ALLOWING SOME PRODUCTS TO GO UP AND OTHERS TO GO DOWN AMONG KIDS.

WE REALLY WANNA MAKE SURE OUR EDUCATION EFFORTS, BUT ALSO OUR ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE ACTIVITIES, ADDRESS THE DIVERSITY OF PRODUCTS THAT KIDS ARE USING.

>> RICH LENZ: SO THE OBVIOUS QUESTION IS WHY ARE WE SEEING THIS REDUCTION?

WHO GETS THE CREDIT FOR THAT?

>> DR. KING: AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, FDA HAS BEEN PELTING THE MARKETPLACE WITH ENFORCEMENT COMPLIANCE ACTIONS.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, WE'VE ISSUED A VARIETY OF WARNING LETTERS TO E-CIGARETTE MANUFACTURERS, ALSO THE FIRST CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES AS WELL AS INJUNCTIONS AND COORDINATED WITH, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AGAINST ILLEGAL E-CIGARETTE PRODUCTS.

AND JUST THIS PAST SUMMER, WE HAD A SERIES OF BLITZES WHERE WE INVESTIGATED RETAILERS AND ISSUED WARNING LETTERS AND ALSO CIVIL MONEY PENALTIES AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE SELLING ILLEGAL E-CIGARETTES, PARTICULARLY ELF BAR, WHICH WAS THE MOST COMMONLY USED PRODUCT AMONG KIDS."

>> RICH LENZ: DR. KING, WHAT ABOUT ADVERTISING?

WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT THESE ADVERTISERS WHO CLEARLY ARE TARGETING THEIR ADVERTISING MESSAGE TO YOUNGER SMOKERS?

>> DR. KING: THE ADVERTISING WILL LEAD A HORSE TO WATER.

THE FLAVORS GET THEM TO DRINK, AND THE NICOTINE KEEPS THEM COMING BACK FOR MORE.

THAT'S THE TRIFECTA FACTORS THAT ARE DRIVING YOUTH USE OF THESE PRODUCTS.

THAT SAID, WE HAVE ONLY AUTHORIZED 23 E-CIGARETTES.

AND SO IF A PRODUCT IS NOT ON THAT LIST, IT IS ON THE MARKET ILLEGALLY, AND FDA CAN TAKE ACTION.

>> RICH LENZ: LET'S TALK ABOUT THOSE RISKS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.

WE THINK OF LUNG CANCER, I GUESS, TYPICALLY AS A -- AS SOMETHING THAT THE OLDER SMOKERS WOULD GET.

WHAT ARE THE -- WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS FOR YOUNG KIDS?

>> DR. KING: SO WHEN IT COMES TO E-CIGARETTES, WE KNOW THAT AS A GENERAL PRODUCT CLASS THEY HAVE MARKEDLY LOWER RISK THAN A CONVENTIONAL CIGARETTE, WHICH, YOU KNOW, HAS 7,000 CHEMICALS AND 70 CARCINOGENS.

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THERE'S NO RISK.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO KIDS, WE'RE PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NICOTINE.

WE KNOW THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF E-CIGARETTES CAN CONTAIN NICOTINE, WHICH IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE.

IT CAN ALSO PRIME THE BRAIN FOR ADDICTION TO OTHER DRUGS, BUT IT ALSO HARMS THE DEVELOPING ADOLESCENT BRAIN, WHICH CONTINUES TO DEVELOP UNTIL ABOUT AGE 25.

AND THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE KNOW THAT CIGARETTE SMOKING HARMS NEARLY EVERY ORGAN OF THE BODY.

WE STILL HAVE ABOUT 480,000 AMERICANS THAT DIE EACH YEAR FROM SMOKING, AND TOBACCO USE REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE DISEASE AND DEATH IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND IT'S NOT JUST THE HEALTH RISKS.

IT'S ALSO SUBSTANTIAL FINANCIAL COSTS.

ABOUT $600 BILLION IS SPENT IN THE UNITED STATES EACH YEAR TO TREAT SMOKING RELATED ILLNESS.

>> RICH LENZ: WOW.

THAT'S A LOT OF GREAT INFORMATION.

DR. BRIAN KING, FDA DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER FOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> DR. KING: THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE TALKING TO YOU TO TODAY.

>> SO WHILE "T-SET", THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST, SAYS THE NUMBER OF KIDS USING TOBACCO PRODUCTS IS DECREASING IN OKLAHOMA, THE OKLAHOMA ABLE COMMISSION SAYS THE NUMBER OF KIDS GETTING CAUGHT WITH ILLEGAL VAPING PRODUCTS IS INCREASING, A LOT.

>> RICH LENZ: JASON DOYLE CONTINUES OUR COVERAGE WITH DETAILS ON THAT.

JASON?

>> JASON DOYLE: RICH, THE PROBLEM OF YOUTH VAPING HAS NOW ENTERED OUR SCHOOLS.

AND LAWMAKERS ARE HEARING CONCERNS FROM EDUCATORS AND PARENTS ALIKE, AND THEY WANT SOLUTIONS TO KEEP KIDS OFF THE VAPE.

>> I JUST THINK IT'S MORE ACCESSIBLE AND EASIER TO HIDE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CYNTHIA HAS BEEN WORKING ON ISSUES LIKE TEEN SMOKING AND VAPING FOR A WHILE ANOTHER.

>> I ACTUALLY HAD A INTERIM STUDY LOOKING AT THIS, AND AT THAT TIME, THE JUNIOR HIGH AGED KIDS HAD THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF VAPING MORE THAN THE HIGH SCHOOL AGED KIDS, BUT ACCORDING TO THE ABLE COMMISSION, IT'S UP ABOUT 484% SINCE 2015.

>> SHE'S NOW HEARING FROM SCHOOL DISTRICTS MORE STUDENTS ARE GETTING CAUGHT WITH THE NICOTINE DEVICES.

>> I THINK THAT PROBABLY BECAUSE VAPING IS MUCH EASIER TO CONCEAL, YOU DON'T HAVE THE SMOKE, YOU DON'T HAVE THE SMELL, I THINK IT'S A LOT EASIER TO CONCEAL VAPES, AND I THINK IT'S A LOT EASIER FOR THEM TO HIDE IT IN A BACKPACK AT SCHOOL OR SCHOOL CASE.

>> IN SCHOOL, THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THEY'RE FACING RIGHT NOW AS FAR AS DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE RHONDA BAKER CONFIRMS WHAT SHE HAS BEEN HEARING FROM HER CONSTITUENTS.

>> STUDENTS ARE IN PASSING PERIODS GOING TO THE BATHROOMS, VAPING, SHARING VAPES.

IN BETWEEN CLASSES, JUST WALKING BACK AND FORTH, THEY CAN HIDE IT IN THE SLEEVES OF THEIR HOODIE, SO THEY CAN BE SMOKING A VAPE JUST EVEN SITTING IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> BAKER SAYS VAPES ARE MARKETED AND DESIGNED TO ATTRACT A YOUNGER EYE.

>> WE HAVE GOT AN INDUSTRY THAT'S TARGETING CHILDREN, AND SO THEY'RE MAKING THESE VAPE PRODUCTS LOOK LIKE SOMETHING AS ORDINARY AS AS A PENCIL OR SOME TYPE OF A SCHOOL SUPPLY OR A TOY, SO THEY LOOK SHARP.

THEY'RE KIND OF SHINY AND FUN ON THE OUTSIDE, AND THEN THEY'RE FLAVORED.

>> LAWMAKERS RECENTLY PASSED A LAW AIMED AT RETAILERS WHO SELL THE VAPES TO UNDERAGE PEOPLE.

CURRENTLY TOBACCO AND NICOTINE PRODUCTS ARE ILLEGAL TO SELL TO ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21.

>> WHAT THAT DOES IS IT MAKES SURE THAT RETAILERS THAT ARE CAUGHT SELLING THESE ILLEGAL PRODUCTS TO ANYBODY THAT'S UNDER AGE, THAT THEY ARE PUT ON A REGISTRY.

SO WE REALLY ARE TRYING TO TACKLE THIS AND BE A NATIONWIDE LEADER AND TRYING TO ELIMINATE STUDENTS AND THEIR ACCESSIBILITY TO THESE PRODUCTS.

>> RECENTLY, THE STATE ELIMINATED FINES FOR YOUTH CAUGHT WITH TOBACCO PRODUCTS BUT REQUIRED THEM INSTEAD TO TAKE AN EDUCATION COURSE.

HOWEVER, IF A STUDENT DIDN'T ENTER THE PROGRAM, THERE WAS NO RECOURSE.

REPRESENTATIVE RHODES SAYS THE NEW LAW PASSED THIS YEAR GIVES LOCAL JUDGES MORE OPTIONS FOR MINORS CAUGHT WITH TOBACCO PRODUCTS.

>> WHAT WE DID IS I WORKED WITH MUNICIPALITIES.

I WORKED WITH SOME OF THE REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOME OF THE COURT SYSTEMS, AND WHAT WE DID WAS PUT A FINE BACK IN FOR $50 FOR THE FIRST OFFENSE, BUT THE KID, IF THEY DIDN'T DO THE REQUIRED CLASS, OR IT WAS UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE JUDGE TO DO A COMMUNITY SERVICE.

THEY COULD DO A FINE, WHATEVER THEY FELT WAS APPROPRIATE.

>> ROE, WHO CHAIRS THE HOUSE PUBLIC HEALTH COMMITTEE SAYS IT COMPANION BILL WAS PASSED TO GIVE JUDGES TRAINING ON HOW TO APPLY THE LAW IN THOSE CASES.

>> ONCE AGAIN, WE'RE STILL TRYING TO PUSH THOSE KIDS INTO A TOBACCO EDUCATION PROGRAM, WHETHER IT BE SMOKING, CHEWING, DIPPING OR VAPING, SHOWING THEM THE DANGERS AND THE HEALTH CONSEQUENCES THAT CAN RESULT.

>> THE VAPE AEROSOL HAS HEAVY METALS IN IT, NICKEL, LEAD, CADMIUM, SO IT'S NOT SAFE.

>> THOMAS LARSON WITH THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST OR T SET SAYS WHEN NICOTINE VAPES BECAME AVAILABLE, MANY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A SAFE ALTERNATIVE TO CIGARETTES.

>> IT'S NOT A SAFER ALTERNATIVE.

THERE ARE FDA APPROVED NICOTINE REPLACEMENT THERAPIES, LIKE YOUR PATCHES, GUM, LOZENGES FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE WANTING TO QUIT TOBACCO.

VAPES IS NOT THE WAY TO GO ABOUT DOING THAT.

IT'S NOT A CESSATION TOOL IF IT DOESN'T HELP YOU QUIT.

>> LARSON ADDS TOBACCO COMPANIES ARE SPENDING BIG MONEY IN OKLAHOMA TO RECRUIT A NEW GENERATION OF CONSUMERS.

>> A TOBACCO INDUSTRY THAT'S SPENDING $150 MILLION A YEAR IN OKLAHOMA ALONE TO MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS.

YOU SEE VAPE MANUFACTURERS ON INSTAGRAM AND TIKTOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA REALLY TRYING TO APPEAL TO YOUTH.

>> T SET HAS PROGRAMS TO COUNTER THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY'S MARKETING.

>> YOU WILL SEE T SET ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ON TV WITH PUBLIC EDUCATION MESSAGES AROUND THE DANGERS OF VAPING.

WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES OUT THERE.

ONE OF THOSE IS BEHIND THE HAZE, SO IF YOU GO TO BEHIND THE HAZE DOT COM, THERE ARE LOTS OF RESOURCES AND INFORMATION FOR OKLAHOMANS WHO WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF VAPING.

>> SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN OKLAHOMA ARE TRYING TO COMBAT VAPING IN THE BOYS ROOM, TOO, BY INSTALLING VAPE DETECTION SENSORS IN BATHROOMS LIKE THIS ONE.

IT ALERTS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION WITHIN 15 SECONDS OF DETECTING THE VAPE AEROSOLS.

REPRESENTATIVE BAKER SAYS PARENTS SHOULD ALSO TAKE STEPS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE EVEN IF THEY DON'T THINK THEIR KID IS VAPING.

>> PARENTS REALLY DO NEED TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR ANYTHING THAT THEY THINK THAT IS, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THIS IS A SCHOOL SUPPLY THAT I DIDN'T BUY, OR MAYBE THIS IS CANDY THAT I'VE NEVER SEEN BY CHILD WITH BEFORE.

AND THEY NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THOSE PARTICULAR PRODUCTS.

>> FOR THOSE PARENTS WHO FIND THEIR CHILDREN HAVE BEEN VAPING, T-SET DOES PROVIDE RESOURCES TO HELP GUIDE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE DANGERS OF USING VAPES AT TOBACCOSTOPSWITHME.COM.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> RICH LENZ: LONGTIME OKLAHOMA CONGRESSMAN FRANK LUCAS WAS BACK HOME THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS THE URGENCY TO PASS A NEW FARM BILL TO REPLACE THE ONE THAT OFFICIALLY EXPIRED IN SEPTEMBER, THOUGH KEY PROVISIONS OF THE BILL WILL CONTINUE UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

LUCAS WAS JOINED BY GLENN THOMPSON, WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, AND OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, BLAYNE ARTHUR, FOR A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION ON THE CURRENT NEGOTIATIONS TO PASS A NEW LONG-TERM BILL.

>> DECEMBER 31ST IS A REAL CRITICAL DEADLINE, COMMODITY TITLE, DAIRY MARGIN COVERAGE.

THERE'S A LOT OF PROGRAMS THAT COME TO A SCREECHING HALT THAT WOULD HAVE A -- JUST A DEVASTATING IMPACT, NOT JUST FROM FARMERS BUT, QUITE FRANKLY, ON THE ECONOMY.

WE RISK FOOD INSECURITY, AND WHEN YOU HAVE FOOD INSECURITY, YOU RISK NATIONAL INSECURITY, AND THAT -- AND THAT'S WHAT THE FARM BILL IS.

FARM BILL IS A FARM SECURITY, FOOD SECURITY AND A NATIONAL SECURITY BILL.

PLUS, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WHEN WE COMPLETE THE NEW FARM BILL AND IT'S SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE PRESIDENT, IT WILL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC POLICY, IF YOU'RE NOT AT THE TABLE, YOU'RE PROBABLY ON THE MENU.

I -- WE NEED YOU, I NEED YOU AT THE TABLE.

SO MY DEFINITION OF TRI-PARTISAN, IT'S REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRATS AND YOU.

IT'S THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

AND SO WE'VE WORKED HARD TO BRING THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND SPECIFICALLY THOSE HARDWORKING FOLKS THAT PROVIDE US FOOD AND FIBER AND BUILDING MATERIALS AND ENERGY RESOURCES TO THE TABLE.

THE 5-YEAR BILL THAT JUST EXPIRED COST TAXPAYERS 430 BILLION DOLLARS AND COVERS 12 AREAS RELATED TO FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, INCLUDING THE SNAP BENEFIT PROGRAM.

>>> IF YOU'RE WATCHING THIS ON FRIDAY, ONE OF THE THREE TIMES THIS PROGRAM AIRS EACH WEEK, WE HOPE YOU ARE ENJOYING THE OBSERVANCE OF VETERANS DAY.

TO ALL OF OUR VETERANS, WE SAY A HEARTFELT, "THANK YOU."

COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST, AN IN-DEPTH PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE PROCESS AND NEWSCAST, AN IN-DEPTH PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE PROGRESS AND REMAINING CHALLENGES OKLAHOMA FACES IN TAKING CARE OF ITS VETERAN POPULATION.

HERE'S A PREVIEW WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT IT'D BE ME.

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D BE THAT GUY, IF YOU WILL.

BUT I'VE -- I'VE WORE OUT MY RECLINER FOR A WHILE, JUST SITTING THERE, BEING DEPRESSED.

WHAT AM I GONNA DO NEXT?

I MEAN, I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY AND I DID SOME THINGS IN THE SERVICE THAT -- THAT YOU CAN'T DO IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD, AND YOU'RE WAY HIGH UP ON THE PODIUM, AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF DIRECTION, A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY.

NOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF IT.

>> IT'S THAT READJUSTMENT PERIOD.

THEY'RE ALL EXCITED WHEN WE GET OUT.

ALL RIGHT, I'M GONNA DO ALL THESE THINGS, THESE THINGS I'VE WANTED TO DO THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO DO.

I'M GONNA GO DO THEM NOW.

BUT THEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF GOES BY, AND IT SEEMS THAT PROBABLY 70% OF THEM, 7 OUT OF 10, ARE GONNA GET TO THAT YEAR AND A HALF THRESHOLD WHERE, WHAT DID I DO?

WHAT -- WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO ME?

WHY -- WHAT I'M -- I'M REALLY MISSING SOMETHING THAT I TRULY CARED ABOUT.

>> THAT'S -- THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE SEE IS, IS THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP VETERANS THAT, YOU KNOW, IT GETS KIND OF CONFUSING SOMETIMES FOR VETERANS AND WHERE TO GO AND -- AND YOU KNOW, WHAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM.

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

>>> THE "CARING FOR CAREGIVERS ACT" WILL TAKE EFFECT ON NEW YEAR'S DAY.

IT WILL PROVIDE A 2-THOUSAND-DOLLAR TAX CREDIT FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE.

AND THE AMOUNT RISES TO 3,000 IF YOU ARE CARING FOR A VETERAN OR SOMEONE WITH DEMENTIA.

JOEL FILOMENO JOINS US NOW WITH MORE DETAILS.

JOEL?

>> JOEL FILOMENO: RICH, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA CURRENTLY HAS NEARLY 160,000 FAMILY CAREGIVERS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THESE NEW TAX CREDITS.

THE HOPE IS IT WILL REDUCE THE STRESS ON CAREGIVERS, WHILE ALSO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE THEY'RE CARING FOR.

>> I KNOW IT'S SO PRETTY IN HERE.

DO YOU WANT SOMETHING TO DRINK, ICED TEA, HOT TEA?

>> STACEY IS THE CARETAKER OF THREE, HER SON WHO HAS ASPERGERS, HER HUSBAND WHO SUFFERS FROM KIDNEY FAILURE, AND HER 85-YEAR-OLD MOTHER.

>> AS EXHAUSTING AS IT CAN BE SOMETIMES, I LOOK AT IT AS A GIFT.

I HAVE ALL THE PEOPLE I LOVE UNDER ONE ROOF.

>> HER MOTHER LIVED ON HER OWN UNTIL TWO DEBILITATING FALSE IN 2014 AND 2020.

>> SHE WAS INDEPENDENT DOING HER THING UNTIL SHE FELL AND BROKE HER HIP, AND THAT KIND OF SNOWBALLED INTO A HOST OF PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS FOR HER, AND THEN BROUGHT HER TO US THREE YEARS AGO.

>> SMITH IS CURRENTLY RECOVERING FROM BREAKING HER PELVIS IN TWO PLACES.

>> STACEY COULD NOT STAND IT ANY LONGER, AND SHE SAID, YOU'RE COMING HERE.

I THOUGHT I WOULD BE THERE FOR A WEEK OR TWO, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO BE A PERMANENT RESIDENT.

>> STACEY SAYS THE TOUGHEST PART OF CARING FOR LOVED ONES LIKE HER MOM IS THE COST.

>> THERE ARE FAMILIES OUT THERE MAKING DECISIONS BETWEEN PAYING RENT AND FULFILLING THE NEEDS AND MEDICINES AND THINGS LIKE THAT THAT THEIR LOVED ONES NEED.

>> AARP REPORTS THAT OKLAHOMA CAREGIVERS SPENT $7,200 PER YEAR ON EXPENSES.

>> NOBODY SHOULD BE IN THAT POSITION TO MAKE CRITICAL LIFE CHANGING DECISIONS ON DO WE EAT OR GET MOM HER DIABETES MEDICINE.

>> HELLO.

THIS IS REPRESENTATIVE WEST.

CAN I HELP YOU?

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE TAMMY WEST HAS FIRSTHAND FOLLOWING OF WHAT CAREGIVERS ARE EXPERIENCING AND IT SPURRED HER TO PUSH THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT.

>> TAKING CARE OF MY GRANDPARENTS ALONG WITH OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN THEY WERE OLDER AND WANTING TO STAY HOME IN THEIR LAST DAYS, AND REALIZED FIRSTHAND THAT IT'S EMOTIONALLY AND CAN BE VERY FINANCIALLY AND PHYSICALLY DRAINING.

>> THE CARING FOR CAREGIVERS ACT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IN THE HOUSE AND RECEIVED A MAJORITY VOTE OF 33-14 IN THE SENATE TO.

BE ELIGIBLE, SINGLE APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A GROSS INCOME BELOW $50,000 AND JOINT FILERS MUST BE BELOW $100,000.

IT PROVIDES A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF IF THOSE THINGS THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MIGHT NOT COVER.

>> THE BILL GOES INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1st, PROVIDING $2,000 PER YEAR IN TAX CREDITS, $3,000 WOULD GO TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS, TAKING CARE OF A VETERAN OR A SENIOR WITH DEMENTIA ABOVE THE AGE OF 62.

>> WE'RE TALKING RAMPS, MODIFICATIONS FOR BATHROOMS, WHEELCHAIRS, WALKERS, RESPITE CARE, CAREGIVERS COMING IN AND ASSISTING WITH HOME HEALTH CARE.

THOSE THINGS THAT FAMILIES PAY FOR OUT-OF-POCKET.

>> ACCORDING TO AARP, 93% OF OKLAHOMA FAMILY CAREGIVERS PAY OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR ITEMS LIKE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, TRANSPORTATION, HOME MODIFICATIONS, RESPITE SERVICES AND IN-HOME SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE NEW TAX CREDIT WILL HELP OFFSET THE COST OF THOSE ITEMS.

>> THEY'RE REAL IMPORTANT FOR KEEPING A LOVED ONE AT HOME, BECAUSE IF SOMEONE CAN GO TO THE BATHROOM BY THEMSELVES, IT PROVIDES DIGNITY AND ALLOWS THEM TO STAY HOME.

>> THE DIRECTOR SAYS IT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP BUT HOPES TO SEE THE PROGRAM EXPAND TO COVER MORE TYPES OF CAREGIVERS.

>> I'M REALLY THANKFUL WE GOT THAT LEGISLATION PASSED.

IT'S A STARTING POINT.

BUT IT'S MY HOPE THAT A LOVED ONE THAT'S A YOUNG ADULT, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE LEGISLATORS PASS LEGISLATION, A TAX BENEFIT, FOR ALL AGES, YOUNG AND OLDER.

>> STEVENS IS HELPING COORDINATE THE OKLAHOMA CAREGIVERS CONFERENCE AT THE METRO TECHNOLOGY CENTERS IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO FOCUS ON THEIR HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

THEY CAN GO TO OK CARES DOT ORG.

WE WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT WITH THEM.

>> THE 6th ANNUAL OKLAHOMA CAREGIVERS CONFERENCE TOOK PLACE ACROSS THE STATE BOTH VIRTUALLY AND IN PERSON.

>> I, MYSELF, AM A FAMILY CAREGIVER.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.

IT'S VERY EASY TO OVERLOOK OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS, BUT WE HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER AND KNOW THAT OUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT SO THAT WE CAN BE THAT BEST FAMILY CAREGIVER FOR OUR LOVED ONES.

>> WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> SENIOR ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR FOR AARP, MICHELLE SOUR JOHN, SAYS THE WORK OKLAHOMA CAREGIVERS PROVIDE IS VITAL TO THEMSELVES AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT THEY LIVE IN.

>> CAREGIVERS, THEY DON'T REALIZED WHAT THEY NEED UNTIL THEY'RE IN THE HEART OF CARE GIVING.

SO WHAT WE AIM TO DO IS REALLY PROVIDE THE RESOURCES AND INFORMATION THEY NEED.

>> AARP PROVIDES A FREE ONLINE CARE KIT FULL OF VALUABLE INFORMATION.

>> IT HAS A MEDICARE BOOKLET, MEDICARE GUIDE FOR FAMILY CAREGIVERS, BECAUSE TOO OFTEN OUR CAREGIVERS ARE THE ONES APPLYING FOR BENEFITS.

>> STACEY TOOK A BRIEF BREAK FROM CARING FOR HER FAMILY TO SPEAK VIRTUALLY AT THE CARE TAKERS CONFERENCE ON NOVEMBER 2nd.

>> THE NEEDS ARE SO UNIQUE IN THE CARE TAKING WORLD.

YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE WONDERFUL SESSIONS ON TAKING CARE OF THE CARETAKER, WHICH YOU KNOW, IS VITAL.

YOU CAN'T POUR FROM AN EMPTY CUP.

ACCORDING TO AARP, IN THE UNITED STATES, CAREGIVERS PROVIDE 600 BILLION DOLLARS A YEAR IN UNPAID CARE.

RICH?

>> WOW.

THANK YOU.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS OF ITS TYPE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

"TULSA REMOTE" LAUNCHED IN 2018 WITH A GOAL OF LURING YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS TO LIVE AND WORK IN GREEN COUNTRY.

FIVE YEARS LATER, IT'S GOING GANGBUSTERS.

STEVE SHAW UPDATES THE GROWING ECONOMIC IMPACT OF "TULSA REMOTE."

>> MITCHELL IS A WRITER WHO OWNS A COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY.

SHE CONDUCTS CORPORATE TRAINING AND SHE SHOWS PEOPLE HOW TO NETWORK FOR JOBS, USING THE WEBSITE LINKED IN.

SEVEN MONTHS AGO, SHE TOOK A LEAP AND LEFT HER LONG-TIME HOME BASE IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, AND MOVED TO TUESDAY.

>> FRESH START, NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE PERSONALLY, AND TULSA WAS THE IDEAL PLACE FOR ME.

>> WHY?

>> IT'S A LONG STORY, SO I'M TRYING TO MENTALLY CONDENSE IT FOR YOU.

I'M GOING TO REFERENCE THIS.

IT SAYS BLACK WALL STREET ON IT.

I ORIGINALLY CAME TO TULSA IN 2021, VISITING, AND THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT THE CITY THAT PULLED ME IN.

AND SO I TUCKED IT AWAY IN MY HEART, NEVER KNOWING I WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAN AND LIVE HERE.

>> SHE WAS CHOSEN FROM THOUSANDS OF APPLICANTS TO BECOME A MEMBER OF TULSA REMOTE.

IT'S A FIVE YEAR OLD NONPROFIT THAT RECRUITS ELITE REMOTE WORKERS, MANY WHO MAKE MORE THAN $100,000 A YEAR.

TULSA REMOTE OFFERS $10,000 SO ANY SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WHO LIVES AND WORKS REMOTELY IN TULSA FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR.

TULSA REMOTE MANAGING DIRECTOR JUSTIN HARLAN SAYS THEY HAD 10,000 APPLICANTS THEIR FIRST YEAR, WHICH IRONICALLY WAS STILL A FULL 18 MONTHS BEFORE THE COVID PANDEMIC, PROBABLY FOREVER CHANGED THE REMOTE WORK LANDSCAPE.

>> WHEN WE STARTED, WE HAD NO IDEA HOW BIG THIS WOULD BE.

WE HAD 70 PEOPLE IN OUR FIRST YEAR.

WE NOW HAVE HAD OVER 2700 PEOPLE MOVE TO THE CITY.

THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE, YOU KNOW, SPOUSES, PARTNERS, FRIENDS, FAMILY THAT COME WITH THE MEMBERS THAT WE PAY.

WE KNOW FOR EVERY 3 PEOPLE WE PAY, THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL 2 PEOPLE THAT COME.

AND WE'VE ADDED OVER 300 PERCENT MILLION DOLLARS IN DIRECT EMPLOYMENT INCOME TO THE CITY.

WE'VE ADDED ABOUT $3 MILLION IN SALES TAX TO THE CITY, ANOTHER $3 MILLION TO THE STATE, AND WE KNOW TOO THAT WHEN NEW PEOPLE COME TO A CITY, THERE'S JOBS THAT ARE CREATED, WHETHER THAT'S AT YOUR BOUTIQUE CLOTHING STORE OR THE COFFEE SHOP THAT PEOPLE FREQUENT.

MORE PEOPLE IN A CITY MEANS THERE'S MORE DEMAND FOR JOBS LIKE THAT.

WE'VE CREATED OVER 700 JOBS FOR LOCAL TULSANS, TOO.

>> HARLAN SAYS THOSE AREN'T LOOSE ECONOMIC NUMBERS.

THEY'RE BACKED UP BY DATA.

>> A MEASURING STICK OF TULSA REMOTE'S SUCCESS IS THE FACT THAT SINCE THEY STARTED IN 2018, 76% OF THE FOLKS WHO COMPLETED THE PROGRAM ARE STILL HERE IN TULSA.

>> WE ARE FIRM BELIEVERS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK WHERE YOU WANT TO LIVE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE BEING REQUIRED TO, YOU KNOW -- FORCED TO LIVE WHERE THEY HAVE TO WORK, AND THAT I THINK THAT PROXIMITY ISN'T ALWAYS NECESSARY FOR PEOPLE IN THEIR JOBS.

TULSA REALLY OFFERS A LIFESTYLE FOR FOLKS THAT YOU GET THAT HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE BUT AT A LOW COST OF LIVING, AND I THINK ESPECIALLY FOR FOLKS LIVING IN SUPER-EXPENSIVE CITIES ON THE COAST, IT'S REALLY REFRESHING.

>> I HAVE A PHENOMENAL NETWORK COMMUNITY ALREADY IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME HERE.

IF I WOULD HAVE MOVED ANYWHERE ELSE ON MY OWN OUTSIDE OF TULSA REMOTE OR A PROGRAM SIMILAR TO IT, THAT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED.

I WOULD HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, FUMBLING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF STARTING MY LIFE.

>> JEREMY WADE PLAYED QUARTERBACK AT MIAMI HIGH SCHOOL TWO DECADES AGO.

HE WENT ON TO USE HIS DEGREE FROM PITTSBURGH STATE TO WORK ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR THE U.S. TREASURY DEPARTMENT.

HE SAYS HE HEARD ABOUT TULSA REMOTE FIVE YEARS AGO WHEN HE AND HIS FUTURE WIFE WERE WORKING REMOTE JOBS IN THE COUNTRY OF INDIA.

THEY TOOK THE PLUNGE AND MOVED TO TULSA AND GOT MARRIED TWO YEARS AGO.

JEREMY NOW LEADS THE CYBER SKILLS CENTER AT TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

>> THE $10,000 IS CERTAINLY HELPFUL, YOU KNOW, FOR THAT TRANSITION.

BUT I THINK EVEN MORE THAN THE $10,000 WAS TULSA REMOTE'S APPROACH TO HELPING YOU BUILD COMMUNITY.

THAT'S OFTEN THE HARDEST PART.

>> I KNOW.

I GREW UP IN CONNECTICUT, AND SO I REALLY -- SAD TO SAY, I DIDN'T KNOW VERY MUCH ABOUT THIS AREA.

I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT OKLAHOMA.

SO I NEVER THOUGHT IN A MILLION YEARS I'D END UP WITH A GUY FROM OKLAHOMA, BUT PEOPLE ARE VERY NICE HERE.

>> I WILL SAY, I MEAN, I GREW UP IN OKLAHOMA, AND TULSA IS A MUCH DIFFERENT CITY THAN I REMEMBER IT TO BE.

I THINK THE CITY'S RECKONING WITH ITS PAST AND HAS A VISION FOR THE FUTURE.

ONCE WE GOT HERE AND SAW ALL OF THAT ENERGY AND THAT VISION FOR THE FUTURE FOR TULSA, I WAS MOTIVATED TO, MYSELF, FIND A ROLE WHERE I COULD CONTRIBUTE TO THAT.

>> MITCHELL IS WELL AWARE OF TULSA'S DARK PAST, BUT SHE LIKES WHAT'S AHEAD.

>> A LOT.

THERE'S A LOT OF HEAVINESS HERE, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF POTENTIAL HERE, A LOT OF HOPE HERE AS WELL.

AND I'VE PUT IN MY ROOTS.

I MOVED HERE TO STAY.

TULSA REMOTE REQUIRES A YEAR.

I MOVED HERE WITH A MIND-SET THIS IS MY NEW HOME.

>> STEVE SHAW, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> GREAT REPORT, STEVE.

THANK YOU.

THERE ARE SEVERAL TRANSITION ACADEMIES DOING GREAT WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

NEW LEAF OPERATES ONE IN TULSA.

AND THE EDMOND SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ONE AS WELL, AND THERE ARE OTHERS.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE ON THEIR MISSION.

TAELYR?

>> TAELYR JACKSON: RICH, IN THE LAST REGULAR SESSION, LEGISLATORS PASSED HOUSE BILL 1041.

THE BILL AUTHORIZES SCHOOLS TO ISSUE ALTERNATE DIPLOMAS TO STUDENTS IN OKLAHOMA ALTERNATE ASSESSMENT PROGRAMS, AND THAT LED TO THE CREATION OF THE EDMOND TRANSITION ACADEMY.

>> WHAT ARE WE COOKING?

THIS WEEK, THEY'RE PREPARING FOR THEIR COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING LUNCH.

>> WE'LL HAVE A GUEST GREETER.

>> WHEN WE WERE MAKING OUR SHOPPING LIST FOR THANKSGIVING LUNCH, WE HAD TO, LIKE, PUT A LIMIT ON THE FOOD, BECAUSE I WAS LIKE, OKAY, WE CANNOT HAVE, YOU KNOW, FIVE MAIN COURSES HERE.

LIKE, WE'VE GOT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE'RE EATING AT THANKSGIVING, LIMIT IT TO, LIKE, THREE SIDES.

CAN'T GET OVERBOARD HERE.

THEY'RE GETTING VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> INTERNS HELP PREPARE THE MEAL AND THEN SERVE IT TO GUESTS.

>> REALLY COOL, BECAUSE WE ALSO GET TO EAT LUNCH WITH THEM, SO WE'RE BRINGING IN DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS AND PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY INTO OUR COMMUNITY LUNCHEON.

SO THEY'RE GETTING TO SEE WHAT WE'RE CAPABLE OF BUT ALSO JUST GETTING TO SIT AND INTERACT AND HAVE FUN.

>> SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER BRITTANY WORKS WITH THE INTERNS.

>> I THINK ONE OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS WE DO IS OUR COMMUNITY LUNCHES ON FRIDAYS.

WE'RE TRYING TO REALLY GROW THAT.

SO WE PLAN -- THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK, WE DETERMINE, OKAY, WHAT DO WE WANT TO MAKE?

WE MAKE A SHOPPING LIST.

WE MAKE A BUDGET.

AND THEN ON TUESDAYS, WE GO OUT AND WE PURCHASE THE SUPPLIES FOR THAT.

>> THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY HOSTS 18 INTERNS WHO HAVE INDIVIDUAL PLANS TO TEACH THEM LIFE SKILLS LIKE LAUNDRY, COOKING AND MAKING A BUDGET.

>> THEY'RE REALLY JUST WORKING ON BEING INDEPENDENT AND JOB SKILLS AND JUST ADAPTIVE SKILLS, YOU KNOW, LIKE CAN YOU GO TO THE BATHROOM INDEPENDENTLY.

IF WE NEED TO WORK ON BRUSHING OUR TEETH, WE'RE WORKING ON BRUSHING OUR TEETH AND USING A MICROWAVE.

THE SKILLS RANGE, AND THE REALLY COOL THING ABOUT THIS PROGRAM AND WHAT WE HAVE HERE IN EDMUND IS THAT WE HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO MAKE IT SUPER INDIVIDUALIZED.

SO WE REALLY FOCUS ON STUDENTS' SKILLS, WHERE THEY NEED TO GROW, THE PROGRESS THEY CAN MAKE, AND THEN WE REALLY FOCUS ON THAT.

>> SHELLY GREEN'S 19-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER CAMI HAS A NEWFOUND INDEPENDENCE THANKS TO EDMUND'S TRANSITION ACADEMY.

>> I THINK THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS, THE DAY TO DAY OCCUPATIONAL LIVING AT HOME, WHERE THEY ALWAYS WILL NEED HELP AND SUPPORT, BUT JUST WHAT DOES THAT INDEPENDENCE LOOK LIKE FOR THEM IS TO BE DETERMINED, I SUPPOSE, AND THEY HAVE TO OPPORTUNITY HERE TO DO MORE AT HOME SO THAT THEY CAN LIVE A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENTLY OR WITH AS LITTLE SPORTS AS POSSIBLE.

>> AFTER STUDENTS GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, THEY THEN BECOME INTERNS AT THE TRANSITION ACADEMY.

>> THEY OBTAIN THEIR CREDITS AT ONE OF OUR THREE HIGH SCHOOLS, AND THEN THEY GO THROUGH TYPICAL GRADUATION CEREMONIES WITH THEIR PEERS, AND WE CALL THEM WHEN THEY MOVE OVER HERE INTERNS, BECAUSE MOST OF THE -- THEY DON'T WANT TO BE STUDENTS ANYMORE.

THEY'VE GRADUATED, BUT THEY DO NEED TO PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL WITH STILL SOME SUPPORTS.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL SERVICES, AMANDA, SAYS INTERNS CAN STAY IN THE PROGRAM UNTIL THEY TURN 21.

>> IT MAY TAKE SOME STUDENTS LONGER TO NOT ONLY OBTAIN CREDITS NEEDED FOR GRADUATION, BUT ALSO TO HAVE TRANSITION SKILLS.

>> THE PROGRAM ALSO ASSISTS WITH JOB PLACEMENT.

HER DAUGHTER TAMMY LANDED A JOB WITH SONIC.

>> SHE GOES TO WORK AT SONIC CURRENTLY TWICE A WEEK, AND SO I THINK SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING WHERE SHE'S LEARNING FROM THAT IS MENTORING AND GAINING A NEW SKILL SET, THE MENTORING IN THAT SHE'S LISTENING AND SHE'S LETTING SOMEONE GUIDE HER, AND THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR HER TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THAT FEEDBACK AND DO SOMETHING WITH IT.

>> THE INAUGURAL PROGRAM STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, AND IT'S ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> WELL, I WAS THRILLED.

WE HAVE TWO DAUGHTERS WHO HAVE INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES WHO HAVE BEEN A PART OF EDMUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR -- OH, GOODNESS, FOR A VERY LONG TIME, SINCE THEY WERE IN PRE-K, AND SO TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER, THEY WERE THRILLED.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN HOPING FOR FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

>> THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES, AND THOSE THAT ARE AVAILABLE HAVE REALLY LONG WAITING LISTS, AND SO THIS BILL PROVIDES IN FAMILIARITY WITH EPS STAFF AND TRANSPORTATION AND BEING ABLE TO GIVE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

SO IT GIVES PARENTS A LITTLE MORE TIME TO PLAN AND PROCESS, TO HOPEFULLY INSURE THAT THEIR STUDENTS CAN OBTAIN SOME SORT OF GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT.

>> EDMUND PARENTS ARE GRATEFUL IF THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THE EDMUND TRANSITION ACADEMY.

SHE'S THANKFUL FOR THE TEACHERS WHO ASSIST THE INTERNS DAILY.

>> FOR THEM TO SHOW UP EVERY DAY AND GIVE THE BEST OF THEMSELVES AND POUR INTO MY CHILD, TO SHOW HER THAT THERE'S MORE OUT THERE AND HELP HER BE THE BEST POSSIBLE ADULT SHE CAN BE, IT'S REALLY INFLUENTIAL, AND WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE.

>> ALL OF THE INTERNS PLANNING FOR THE COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON PAID OFF.

TODAY THEY SERVED UP HAM AND APPLE PIE TO THEIR SPECIAL GUEST.

RICH?

>> GREAT STORY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TAILOR.

>> RICH LENZ: CALLING IT A RESORT UNLIKE ANY OTHER IN THE WORLD, OKLAHOMA CITY MAYOR DAVID HOLT AND OTHER DIGNITARIES GATHERED NEXT TO THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM ON NOVEMBER 1ST FOR THE CEREMONIAL "TOPPING OFF" OF THE OKANA RESORT AND INDOOR WATERPARK, SET TO OPEN IN 2025.

THE 11-STORY, 400-ROOM HOTEL IS BEING BUILT BY THE CHICKASAW NATION, ALONG WITH PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PARTNERS AT A COST OF 400 MILLION DOLLARS, IT'S ONE OF THE LARGEST PROJECT EVER UNDERTAKEN BY THE TRIBE.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY HAS NEEDED SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

EVERYBODY, THEY GO OUT OF STATE TO BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT'S RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THE ACTIVITY IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

IT'S THE CROSSROADS, REALLY, OF NOT JUST OKLAHOMA BUT THE CROSSROADS OF AMERICA RIGHT HERE.

WE AS TRIBES -- WE LIVE IN OKLAHOMA.

WE WANT OKLAHOMA TO PROSPER, AND WE DO THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP NOT ONLY US BUT THE COMMUNITY AND OKLAHOMA AT LARGE, SO WE'RE THANKFUL WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO IT.

THE TRIBE BELIEVES THE RESORT WILL HAVE A BILLION-DOLLAR ECONOMIC IMPACT ON OKLAHOMA CITY WITHIN A DECADE OF ITS COMPLETION.

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING THE BILLS, OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS HAVE IT PRETTY GOOD COMPARED TO MOST OF THE NATION.

JASON DOYLE HAS DETAILS IN THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> JASON DOYLE: OKLAHOMA CITY HAS THE FIFTH LEAST EXPENSIVE COST OF LIVING AMONG THE 50 LARGEST U.S. CITIES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO CONSUMER FINANCIAL COMPANY DOXO'S HOUSEHOLD SPEND REPORT FOR 2023.

THE AVERAGE OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENT PAYS 1,802 DOLLARS A MONTH FOR HOUSEHOLD BILLS LIKE MORTGAGE, UTILITIES, CABLE, HEALTH INSURANCE AND MOBILE PHONES.

THAT'S ABOUT 12 PERCENT BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THE LEAST EXPENSIVE MAJOR CITY, ACCORDING TO THE REPORT, IS DETROIT.

THE MOST EXPENSIVE IS SAN JOSE.

THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION, OR ORMF, IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR ITS 2024 SIR ALEXANDER FLEMING SCHOLAR PROGRAM.

THE PAID, EIGHT-WEEK SUMMER BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH INTERNSHIP IS OPEN TO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, COLLEGE FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, AND JUNIORS.

STUDENTS EARN $5,000 FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.

THE DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS FEBRUARY 1.

WINSTAR WORLD CASINO AND RESORT, WITH ITS NAME SPONSOR LUCAS OIL, OPENED ITS 6,500 SEAT LUCAS OIL LIVE AMPHITHEATER-STYLE ARENA.

IT'S PART OF THE THACKERVILLE CASINO'S 250-THOUSAND SQUARE FOOT MUTLI-DIMENSIONAL ENTERTAINMENT HUB.

RINGO STAR KICKED OFF THE FIRST TICKETED SHOW IN OCTOBER.

OTHER ACTS COMING TO THE VENUE INCLUDE LEON BRIDGES, WHISKEY MYERS AND KATT WILLIAMS.

OAK VIEW GROUP, THE NEW OPERATORS OF THE BOK CENTER AND THE COX BUSINESS CONVENTION CENTER IN TULSA, HAVE NAMED KELLER TAYLOR AS THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR THE FACILITIES.

TAYLOR IS A 15-YEAR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND SPORTS INDUSTRY EXECUTIVE.

HE MOST RECENTLY WAS OAK VIEW GROUP'S REGIONAL VICE PRESIDENT AT THE BUDWEISER EVENT CENTER IN LOVELAND, COLORADO.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED INNER CIRCLE AUTISM NETWORK HAS NAMED SARAH MATHISON AS ITS CHIEF CLINICAL OFFICER.

SHE WILL DIRECT AND OVERSEE CLINICAL OPERATIONS AT INNER CIRCLE'S SIX CLINICS IN OKLAHOMA AND ARKANSAS.

MATHISON HAS WORKED EXTENSIVELY WITH OTHER AUTISM SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

INNER CIRCLE PROVIDES APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND SPEECH THERAPY FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISM.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THERE ARE WELL OVER 250,000 VETERANS WHO CALL OKLAHOMA HOME.

AND ROUGHLY 100,000 OF THEM HAVE SOME KIND OF A SERVICE-RELATED DISABILITY.

THIS WEEK, WE DEVOTE OUR IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION TO THE NEEDS AND PROGRAMS AVAILABLE TO HELP IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY.

HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> THANKS, RICH.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY SHAWN KIRKLAND, THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, SCOTTIE DEATHERAGE, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND COFOUNDER OF HONORING AMERICA'S WARRIORS, AND CHRIS ALEXANDER, AN AIR FORCE VETERAN THAT SERVED FOR 24 YEARS.

GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

CHRIS, LET'S START WITH YOU.

I WANTED TO START BY THANK YOU YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO US A LITTLE BIT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO SERVE IN THE AIR FORCE AND THEN MAKE THAT TRANSITION TO BECOMING A VETERAN?

>> I JOINED THE AIR FORCE AT 18, SO GOING FROM HIGH SCHOOL INTO SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO CREATE DIRECTION FOR YOU, YOU KNOW, WAS KIND OF A SHOCK THERE, BUT THEN ONCE I GOT TO WORK AND TRAVELING, GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD, LITERALLY ALL 7 CONTINENTS AND ALMOST 30 COUNTRIES, YOU KNOW, SO GOT TO SEE A LOT.

AND BEING A KID FROM AID A, ADA, OKLAHOMA, IT'S KIND OF A SHOCK, THE CULTURE SHOCK.

BUT YOU'VE GOT DIRECTION, SUPERVISION AND FRIENDS WITH YOU THAT KIND OF KEEP YOU IN LINE.

THE MISSION OF THE JOB IS WHAT KEEPS YOU RIGHT THERE STRAIGHT WITH IT.

BUT AS YOU GO ALONG, IN 24 YEARS, YOU'RE DOING THAT PIECE, AND ONCE YOU RETIRE, YOU DON'T HAVE THAT ANYMORE.

YOU COME TO THE END OF THE ROAD, SO TO SPEAK, AND THERE ARE A BUDGE OF FORKS OUT THERE, AND YOU CAN TAKE ANY ONE YOU WANT, BUT THE DIRECTION IS NOT THERE AS IT WAS WHEN YOU'RE IN THE SERVICE.

YOU GET A LITTLE LOST, A LOT OF DEPRESSION AND DEPRESSION IS WHAT CREATES NUMEROUS OTHER ISSUES WITH IT.

SO I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL, WORKED ON -- FINISHED MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE, WORKED ON MY MASTER'S DEGREE.

THAT'S WHEN I MET SCOTTIE, AND WE DISCUSSED THE ORGANIZATION AND ME COMING AND HELPING OUT WITH THAT.

AND THEN AS THOSE STEPS GO ALONG, ACTUALLY LIMA, THE SERVICE DOG HERE, SHE WAS ACTUALLY A FOSTER -- I WAS FOSTERING HER FROM THE PUPPY AND THEN UNTIL WE PLACED HER WITH A VETERAN.

SOME THINGS DIDN'T WORK OUT AND WE HAD TO REFOSTER HER AGAIN, A, AND SHE JUST BONDED SO HARD AND SO WELL WITH ME THAT SHE JUST BECAME MY SERVICE DOG, SO TO SPEAK.

I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT I NEEDED ONE OR WANTED ONE, DIDN'T WANT TO FALL INTO THAT PIECE, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE HER, AND SHE'S A MEDICAL TOOL, SO TO SPEAK, SHE DOES A LOT FOR ME THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN THINK THAT YOU DO OR NEED TO DO.

SO I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HER, AND I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR PROGRAM TO BE ABLE TO GROW INTO THAT PIECE AND OFFER THIS TO OTHER VETERANS OUT THERE.

>> DEPUTY KIRKLAND, HOW MANY VETERANS ARE THEY CURRENTLY LOOKING TO SERVE AND WHAT ARE THE SERVICES YOU'RE PROVIDING?

>> WE'RE AVAILABLE TO SERVE NEARLY ANY OF THE 300,000 IN OKLAHOMA.

WHELP HAVE PROGRAMS FROM EDUCATION BENEFITS.

WE'VE GOT -- WE HELP VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES WITH TRAINING AND GETTING OFF THE GROUND IF THEY'RE TRYING TO START A BUSINESS.

WE'VE GOT PROGRAMS THAT HELP ANY KIND OF VETERAN STATE BENEFITS.

THERE'S TAX EXEMPTIONS.

THERE'S HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES THEY HAVE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

THERE'S BENEFITS ON THEIR CAR TAGS AND EXCISE TAX AND THOSE SORT OF THINGS, AND THEN A BIG PORTION OF WHAT WE DO IS HELPING THEM FILE DISABILITY CLIMBS, SO ANYTHING THAT THEY WENT THROUGH DURING THEIR TIME IN THE SERVICE THAT THEY MAY HAVE TROUBLE WITH LATER ON, WE HELP THEM FILE THOSE CLAIMS THROUGH THE FEDERAL VA AND HOPEFULLY GET THEM SOME COMPENSATION TO HELP WITH THAT AS THEY'RE FINDING THEIR WAY IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD.

WE HAVE 7 LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES WHERE WE TAKE CARE OF A LITTLE OVER 1400 VETERANS THAT ARE AT THAT POINT OF THEIR LIFE WHERE THEY NEED THAT 24-HOUR CARE.

SO WE HAVE PROGRAMS DESIGNATED JUST FOR WOMEN VETERANS, YOU KNOW, TO MEET THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE WOMEN VETERAN POPULATION HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

AND JUST -- WE'RE JUST A BIG RESOURCE.

WE POINT VETERANS TO, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE DIFFERENT VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS IN OKLAHOMA AND TRY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THEM TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO VETERANS WHAT IS AVAILABLE TO THEM AND HOWEVER WE CAN HELP THEM.

THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES WE SEE, IS THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO HELP VETERANS THAT IT GETS KIND OF CONFUSING SOMETIMES FOR VETERANS AND WHERE TO GO AND WHAT'S AVAILABLE TO THEM.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO ALWAYS JUST HELP ANY WAY WE CAN TO GET THEM TO THE RIGHT PERSON OR GET THEM TO THE RIGHT RESOURCE.

>> GOTCHA, AND GOING OFF OF THAT, SCOTTIE, HOW DOES ORGANIZATION HONORING AMERICA'S WARRIORS HELP MAKE A SPACE FOR THESE VETERANS.

>> WELL, YOU HAVE TO WORK WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, WHICH IS -- THE STATE BRANCH, I I THINK A LOT OF TIMES GETS CONFUSED WITH THE -- SO WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE SOMEONE TO DIRECT ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP THOSE GUYS AND JUST MAKE THE INFORMATION AVAILABLE.

THAT'S USUALLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, JUST MAKING INFORMATION AVAILABLE AND DOING THE BEST JOB YOU CAN TO SPREAD THAT.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT WHEN IT COMES IN TERMS OF TAKING CARE OF VETERANS?

>> THERE'S REALLY NOT ANY DIFFERENCE AT ALL.

WE'RE BLESSED IN OKLAHOMA.

IF YOU'VE BEEN TO ANY OF OUR VETERANS HOMES -- I SAY OURS, BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THESE ARE SHE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS IN THE WORLD.

THESE MEN AND WOMEN ARE SO WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING.

WE'VE ALWAYS WORKED CLOSELY WITH ODVA SINCE WE STARTED, BECAUSE THAT'S REALLY WHERE YOU NEED TO BE.

YOU WORK WITH YOUR OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERAN AFFAIRS AND WE'LL WORK WITH THE VA MEDICAL CENTERS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE THE VETERANS ARE, AND IT'S GETTING THE ONES THAT ARE COMING OFF DUTY BACK INTO THE CIVILIAN WORLD, AND THEN YOU HAVE THE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE VETERAN POPULATION FOR A WHILE BUT DEAL WITH DIFFERENT PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL, MENTAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE DEALT WITH AT THAT LEVEL.

>> CHRIS, I WANT TO GO BACK TO YOU.

HAVE YOU HAD ANY DIFFICULTY ACCESSING THESE RESOURCES?

>> NO, NOT REALLY.

I HAVE NOT, BECAUSE I'M BLESSED WITH THE ABILITY -- FARCE AS FAS FINANCIALLY, I HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY WITH IT, BUT A LOT OF VETERANS DON'T HAVE THE THEAVAILABILITY OF THE TECHNOLOY SIDE OF IT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF VETERANS THAT DON'T HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO FIND THAT INFORMATION.

IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE HAD VIETNAM VETERANS THAT COME INTO OUR FACILITY FOR THE SERVICE DOG PROGRAM OR TO BE PART OF THE HONOR GUARD PROGRAM, AND WE TALK ABOUT THEIR DISABILITY RATING, AND THEY'RE LIKE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THAT, I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO FIND THE INFORMATION FOR THAT.

WELL, BACK THEN WHEN THOSE GUYS AND GALS WERE GETTING OUT OF BEING RELEASED FROM SERVICE, THERE WASN'T REALLY A LOT OF DECISION ON DISABILITY OR BENEFITS OR WHERE TO GO NEXT FOR THOSE FOLKS.

AND IT'S JUST A MATTER OF, WELL, I GOT WHAT I GO, I'M GOING WITH THAT.

SO WE'VE POINTED SOME DIRECTIONS FOR THEM, AND WE WORK WITH AIR DVA AND VSA'S QUITE A BIT, AND I'M JUST LIKE, HEY, CALL THIS NUMBER.

IT'S NOT REALLY DOING A FAVOR FOR ANYTHING.

IT'S JUST INTRODUCING THEM TO THE PROCESS AND WHERE THE BENEFIT IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

>> AND A LITTLE BIT LIKE WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLIER, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WITH VETERANS GETTING AHOLD OF THESE RESOURCES AND EDUCATION, RIGHT?

>> HUGE.

YOU KNOW, WHEN WE GET OUT OF THE SERVICE, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS MANDATED THE TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, A FIRE HOSE OF INFORMATION.

IT'S JUST BLOWN AT YOU THE WHOLE WEEK, AND THERE'S SO MUCH INFORMATION THAT COMES OUT, AND YOU'RE JUST SITTING THERE COMPLETELY CONFUSED.

MY EXAMPLE, WE CAN TAKE IT TWICE BEFORE WE GET OUT OF THE SERVICE.

THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT, THE VA REPLICA IN AND SHE'S LIKE, HERE'S SOME BOOKS.

GOT ANY QUESTIONS?

OUR NUMBER IS ON THERE.

THAT'S NOT REALLY ON THE VA ITSELF.

THAT'S JUST THE TRAINING ON THEIR SIDE OF IT.

BUT THE NEXT REP THAT CAME IN WAS VERY INFORMATIONAL ON THINGS, BROKE A LOT OF THINGS DOWN, TALKED A LOT OF PIECES TO IT.

SO IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HOW THAT PROGRAM WORKS, AND THEY TALK ABOUT RESUMES AND OTHER THINGS IN THERE, AND IT'S A WEEK LONG, 8 HOUR DAYS.

YOU GO IN THERE WITH THE MIND-SET OF I'M GETTING OUT, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO, DO I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO, DO THEY'RE GOING TO HELP ME OUT.

AND THEN WHEN THEY DO GET OUT, IT'S LIKE WHAT JUST HAPPENED?

WHO DO I CALL AGAIN?

WHAT DO I GOT TO DO?

THE PROGRAM IS TRYING TO WORK.

IT'S THERE.

IT'S JUST SO MUCH FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WHEN THEY GET OUT OF THE SERVICE THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH BETWEEN THE DISABILITY RATINGS, ATTAINING ALL THE RECORDS, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE KEPT ALL OF THEIR RECORDS.

ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE IN OUR ORGANIZATION IS BEFORE A FUNERAL HAPPENS WE'VE GOT TO VERIFY THE DD 214 OR EQUIVALENT DOCUMENTATION, AND A LOT OF THE OLDER VETERANS DON'T HAVE THAT, DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GET IT OR DIDN'T KEEP A COPY OF IT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT -- WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SERVICE, THEY SAID YOU MAKE MULTIPLE COPIES OF THAT.

YOU PUT THEM IN YOUR SAFE, REFRIGERATOR, TAKE THEM TO THE COUNTY, PUT THEM IN A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX, BECAUSE THAT'S YOUR LINK TO ALL OF YOUR BENEFITS.

>> YEAH, DEPUTY KIRKLAND, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE TRANSITION SERVICES AND EVENING THE TRAINING THAT YOU GUYS OFFER FOR VETERANS?

>> SO A LOT OF THE PROGRAM WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS FOCUSED ON VETERANS THAT ARE TRANSITIONING OUT OF THEIR SERVICE AND ARE LOOKING TO GO TO WORK, YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF THEM WANT TO DO.

HE MENTIONED THE FIRST RESPONDER ROUTE OR JUST OKLAHOMA IS LUCKY.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF BUSINESSES, A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT TRY TO HIRE VETERANS.

THEY WANT TO DO THAT.

SO WE JUST, YOU KNOW, CONNECT THEM WITH THOSE BUSINESS, THOSE OPPORTUNITIES.

WE HELP THEM BUILD RESUMES, HELP THEM WITH ANY SORT OF TRAINING THAT WE CAN GET THEM CONNECTED TO TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION EASIER, BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, IT'S JUST THROWN AT THEM, SO MUCH INFORMATION AND TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IT ALL AND BE READY TO JUST JUMP IN TO THE CIVILIAN WORLD IS A CHALLENGE.

>> SCOTTIE, AS SOMEONE WHO IS WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THESE VETERANS, WHAT ARE SOME OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU'RE SEEING THEM STRUGGLE WITH?

>> WELL, IT'S PRIMARILY WITH THE YOUNG VETERANS THAT ARE COMING OFF OF THEIR TERM OF SERVICE.

WE'LL SEE THEM ANYWHERE FROM, YOU KNOW, TWO TERMS, FOUR YEARS, TO 20 YEARS, AND IT'S THAT READJUSTMENT PERIOD.

THEY'RE ALL EXCITED WHEN WE GET OUT, I'M GOING TO DO ALL OF THESE THINGS, THESE THINGS I WANTED TO DO THAT I WASN'T ABLE TO DO.

I'M GOING TO GO DO THEM NOW.

BUT THEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF GOES BY, AND IT SEEMS THAT PROBABLY 70% OF THEM, 7 OUT OF 10, ARE GOING TO GET TO THAT YEAR AND A HALF THRESHOLD WHERE, WHAT DID I DO?

WHAT JUST HAPPENED TO ME?

I'M REALLY MISSING SOMETHING THAT I TRULY CARED ABOUT.

AND AS CHRIS MENTIONED, THE DEPRESSION SETS IN.

SO THE OBJECT IS TO TRY TO CREATE THAT GANG NET TO BRING EVERYBODY IN, AS MANY AS YOU CAN, THROUGH AS MANY DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES FOR THEM, TO TRY TO CAPTURE THEM AND CONNECT THEM WITH THE DOTS THAT WILL HELP THEM SUCCEED AS THEY GROW OLDER, BUT A GUY ENLISTS AT 18 YEARS OLD, DOES 20 YEARS.

THEY GET OUT, THEY'RE 38 YEARS OLD.

THERE'S A LOT AHEAD OF THEM.

SO HOW DO I PARLAY MY MILITARY SERVICE OCCUPATION INTO A CIVILIAN JOB, AND HOW DO I PUT THAT MILITARY EASE INTO CIVILIAN EASE TO WHERE A CIVILIAN EMPLOYER CAN UNDERSTAND HOW WE TALKED ABOUT OUR JOB, AND SO THAT'S ONE OF THE CHALLENGES, THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE, AND IT'S FINDING THEM AND KEEPING THEM ON AN EVEN KEEL AS BEST YOU CAN.

>> DEPUTY KIRKLAND, I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT TALIHINA.

AS YOU MAY KNOW, IT CLOSED OFFICIALLY LAST WEEK.

HOW ARE THOSE VETERANS WHO WERE LIVING IN THAT HOME DOING?

>> SO ALL I'VE GOT IS GOOD FEEDBACK.

THEY'RE SETTLED INTO THEIR NEW FACILITIES, YOU KNOW.

THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THEM WENT TO JUST ANOTHER VETERANS HOME WITHIN ODDA UNTIL SALLISAW IS READY TO OPEN, AND THEN THEY'LL BE ABLE TO MOVE RIGHT OVER THERE IF THEY CHOOSE TO.

MOST OF THEM INDICATED THAT THIS WOULD BE THEIR DESIRE ONCE IT OPENED.

SO EVERYTHING LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE DOING WELL SO FAR.

>> CHRIS, DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OKLAHOMA VETERANS OR EVEN SERVICE MEMBERS THAT ARE TRANSITIONING INTO BECOMING VETERANS.

>> FIND ANOTHER VETERAN AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR STUFF AND THEIR SHORTCOMINGS AND THEIR DEPRESSION, IF YOU WILL.

I MEAN, BECAUSE LIKE IT OR NOT, WE ALL HAVE IT.

IT ALL HAPPENS.

I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD BE ME.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE THAT GUY, IF YOU WILL.

BUT I WORE OUT MY RECLINE FORE A WHILE JUST SITTING THERE BEING DEPRESSED.

WHAT AM I GOING TO DO NEXT?

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY AND DO SOME THINGS IN THE SERVICE THAT YOU CAN'T DO IN THE CIVILIAN WORLD, AND YOU'RE WAY HIGH UP ON THE PODIUM, A LOT OF DIRECTION, A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOW YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF IT.

BUT THE PIECE OF THAT IS, YOU CAN'T BE DEPRESSED OVER THAT.

THAT'S LEARNING.

THAT'S AN EDUCATION PROCESS, AND YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO YOUR NEXT POSITION OUR NEXT JOB THAT YOU GO DO.

THE BIGGEST PIECE IS, FIND ANOTHER VETERAN AND BECOME FRIENDS WITH THEM AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT.

>> AS WE'RE WINDING DOWN ON TIME, I WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND ASK, HOW CAN OKLAHOMANS LIKE MYSELF HELP VETERANS GET PLUGGED INTO THESE RESOURCES.

DEPUTY KIRKLAND?

>> I THINK LIKE HE SAID, EVERYONE KNOWS A VETERAN OR HAS THEM IN THEIR FAMILY.

IT'S JUST GETTING CONNECTED TO VETERANS AND CONNECTED TO, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE LIKE AN ORGANIZATION LIKE US THAT CAN HELP SPREAD ANY KIND OF INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT WE CAN.

IT'S JUST THE CIVILIANS COMING TOGETHER AND SUPPORTING VETERANS.

I'M NOT A VETERAN MYSELF, BUT I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE THAT I JUST HAVE A HEART TO SERVE THEM.

THEY SERVED OUR COUNTRY, AND I WANT TO HELP THEM ANY WAY I CAN, AND I THINK THAT IF THAT MIND-SET IS ACROSS ALL OKLAHOMANS' HEART, THEN WE'LL BE BETTER EACH AND EVERY DAY.

>> SCOTTIE, ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> WELL, WITH THE POPULATION OF THREE AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 350,000 VETERANS.

THAT'S 10% OF OUR POPULATION THAT HAVE SERVED, AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING OUR ACTIVE DUTY IN OUR STATE THAT SERVED, AND THAT'S NOT INCLUDING THE CIVILIAN POPULATION THAT HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS THAT HAVE SERVED.

OKLAHOMA IS A VERY GIVING, VERY CONSIDERATE STATE.

AND WE'RE BLESSED IN THAT REGARD, BECAUSE THE POPULATION SUPPORTS THESE ORGANIZATIONS WITH THEIR MONEY, AND CASH IS KING WHEN IT COMES TO BEING ABLE TO FULFILL THOSE OBLIGATIONS, AND WE'RE PROUD TO BE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU FOR WORKING TO SUPPORT OKLAHOMA'S VETERANS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE DISCUSSION TODAY.

>> MY PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GREAT CONVERSATION, AND AGAIN, VETERANS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE HEAD TO LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY, WHERE ROLLING ART CARTS ARE AVAILABLE TO ARTISTS WILLING TO TAKE THEIR WORK ON THE ROAD AND SHARE IT WITH ANYONE WHO HAPPENS TO WALK BY.

THE STORY IS COURTESY OF KENTUCKY EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION.

>> ART ON THE TOWN PROVIDES MOBILE ART CARTS TO ARTISTS TO USE IN DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON.

THESE ARE METAL CARTS, AND THE ARTISTS CAN SET THEM UP ANY WAY THEY WANT.

THEY HAVE SELVES, THIS DISPLAY.

IF YOU'RE A JEWELER, YOU CAN DISPLAY THAT.

IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST WITH PAINTINGS, YOU CAN USE THE CARTS FOR THAT.

THEY REALLY GO WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE IN DOWNTOWN LEXINGTON, AND I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL DYNAMIC AND SURPRISED PEOPLE SOMETIMES WHO HADN'T BEEN USED TO SEEING ART IN THOSE KINDS OF EVENTS.

>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS I WAS AN ARTIST IN COLLEGE AND THEN I GOT INTO A TEACHING JOB, AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN, 30 YEARS LAYERS, AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE SOME FRIENDS WHO DO THE ART ON THE TOWN, AND THEY ENCOURAGED ME TO GO AHEAD AND START DOING MY OWN ARTWORK AGAIN AFTER 20 YEARS, AND I JUST STARTED PAINTING LIKE CRAZY.

I HAVE FOUND THAT I GET SO MUCH INSPIRATION FROM THE KIDS ALL DAY.

I DO A LOT OF PAINTING AFTER SCHOOL HERE IN MY ROOM.

THE ART ON THE TOWN IS GREAT BECAUSE WE CAN SHOW OUR WORK, AND ULTIMATELY ARTISTS WANT TO SHARE THEIR WORK, THEY WANT TO DISPLAY THEIR WORK.

THEY WANT THEIR WORK SEEN.

>> IT'S BLEEDING HAPPINESS.

WHEN I PASS THE FARMERS MARKET, THE CART, IT'S LIKE A FESTIVAL EVERY WEEKENDS.

>> ART IS WHO WE ARE.

WEE FEED OFF EACH OTHER, THE ENERGY FROM THE PEOPLE.

SOMETIMES THEY GIVE ME GREAT IDEAS FOR PAINTING.

IT'S REALLY COOL.

>> LEXINGTON IS REALLY RICH IN THE VARIETY OF ARTISTS THAT ARE HERE.

SO WE WANT EVERYBODY TO GET TO EXPERIENCE THAT DIVERSITY IN ART FORM.

>> I'M NOT IN ONE BOOTH.

I'M AROUND AND SURROUNDED BY NICE PEOPLE, SO IT'S REALLY GOOD TO BE PART OF THE ART ON THE TOWN.

>> NOW I'VE HAD CALLS AND QUESTIONS FROM PROBABLY 10 DIFFERENT CITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THEY KNOW THAT ARTISTS BRING VALUE TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL TO SEE.

YOU KNOW, IT'S -- AT THE VERY BASIC LEVEL, IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL THING TO SEE WHEN THE ARTISTS ARE OUT ON THE STREETS.

>> TEAM WORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," AN EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY IS GIVING SOME OFFENDERS A FRESH START THAT INCLUDES TRAINING AND IN MANY CASES A NEW JOB.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

>> RICH LENZ: AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT "THE NINETY-NINES" MUSEUM OF WOMEN PILOTS, SHOT AND EDITED BY JASON STEWART.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND TWITTER BY SEARCHING OETAONR.

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.

EACH WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

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