>> FIGHTING WORDS FROM AN OKLAHOMA SENATOR.

>> SIR, THIS IS A TIME, THIS IS A PLACE.

YOU WANNA RUN YOUR MOUTH?

WE CAN BE TWO CONSENTING ADULTS.

WE CAN FINISH IT HERE.

>> THE STATE RELEASES A FREE APP TO HELP PROTECT OKLAHOMANS FROM MASS SHOOTINGS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING TIPS ON IT SINCE THIS APP LAUNCHED, AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT IT'S WORKING, DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO.

>> THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA RELEASES ITS ANNUAL STATE OF CANCER REPORT.

>> WE'RE SCREENING ABOUT 1.7% OF PATIENTS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE, WHICH IS VERY MUCH BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> A MOTHER FILES A FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT AFTER HER SON WAS FOUND DEAD INSIDE AN OKLAHOMA PRISON CELL.

>> IT WAS ABOUT 90 MINUTES BEFORE ANYONE AT THE PRISON REALIZED HE HAD DIED.

>> A SUCCESSFUL DIVERSION PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE OKLAHOMA COUNTY DETAINEES IS PROVIDING A FRESH START.

>> SO OKC METRO ALLIANCE EXISTS TO INCREASE SOBRIETY, DECREASE INCARCERATION, AND HELP PEOPLE RECOVER THEIR LIVES FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

>> PLUS AN IN DEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE FUTURE OF SPORTS BETTING IN OKLAHOMA NEXT ON THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

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

I'M RICH LENZ.

IT WAS A SCENE STRAIGHT OUT OF FIGHT CLUB INSIDE THE HALLS OF CONGRESS.

ON TUESDAY, OKLAHOMA SENATOR MARKWAYNE MULLIN CHALLENGED THE PRESIDENT OF THE TEAMSTERS UNION TO SETTLE THINGS WITH THEIR FISTS.

THE ALTERCATION OCCURRED WHILE SEAN O'BRIEN WAS TESTIFYING DURING A SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE HEARING AT THE CAPITOL.

MULLIN SAYS HE TOOK OFFENSE TO O'BRIEN'S SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS CALLING HIM A CLOWN AND A FRAUD.

>> QUIT THE TOUGH GUY ACT IN THESE SENATE HEARINGS.

YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME ANYPLACE, ANY TIME, COWBOY.

SIR, THIS IS A TIME, THIS IS A PLACE.

YOU WANT TO RUN YOUR MOUTH, WE CAN BE TWO CONSENTING ADULTS AND FINISH IT HERE.

>> THAT'S FINE.

PERFECT.

>> YOU WANT TO DO IT NOW?

>> I'D LOVE TO DO IT NOW.

>> THEN STAND YOUR BUTT UP THEN.

>> YOU STAND YOUR BUTT UP.

>> SIT DOWN.

>> YOU'RE A UNITED STATES SENATOR.

ACT LIKE.

IT SIT DOWN, PLEASE.

>> CAN I RESPOND?

>> HOLD IT, HOLD IT.

>> WELL, AFTERWARDS, MULLIN, A FORMER MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHTER DEFENDED HIS ACTIONS SAYING THERE'S BEEN A LONG HISTORY OF PHYSICAL ALTERCATIONS IN CONGRESS AND THAT, QUOTE, EVERY NOW AND THEN YOU NEED TO GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE.

>>> THIS WEEK THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT REAFFIRMED ITS POSSESSION IN A 5-4 OPINION THAT THE STATE CONSTITUTION GUARANTEES A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO ABORTION WHEN NECESSARY TO SAVE HER LIFE.

ON TUESDAY, THE COURT ORDERED THAT A TEMPORARY BAN ON THREE ABORTION LAWS REMAIN IN PLACE.

THOSE LAWS REQUIRE A PHYSICIAN FORMERRING AN OO BRGS TO HAVE MANDATED CERT FIR INDICATIONS, PLUS ADMITTING PRIVILEGES AT A NEARBY HOSPITAL.

THE THIRD LAW REQUIRES THAT AN ULTRASOUND BE PERFORMED 72 HOURS BEFORE ADMINISTERING ABORTION DRUGS.

DESPITE THE RULING, ABORTION REMAINS ILLEGAL IN OKLAHOMA IN ALMOST ALL CASES.

>>> AS MASS SHOOTINGS CONTINUE, THE MOST RECENT IN LEWISTON MAINE THAT CLAIMED 18 LIVES, LAW ENFORCEMENT IS URGING CITIZENS THAT IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

NOW HERE IN OKLAHOMA, THERE'S A NEW FREE APP THAT ALLOWS YOU TO DO THAT WHILE REMAINING COMPLETELY ANONYMOUS.

JOEL JOINS US.

>> RICH, YOU MENTIONED LEWISTON, AND THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN RECENT HIGH PROFILE SHOOTINGS HERE IN OKLAHOMA, ONE DURING DELL CITY/CHOCTAW FOOTBALL GAME AND ANOTHER AT THE OKLAHOMA STATE FAIR IN SEPTEMBER.

NOW THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS TAKING ACTION.

>> WE DO EVERYTHING ON OUR PHONES NOW.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY'S APP IS MAKING IT EASIER TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ON THEIR PHONE.

>> IT'S EASY FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN ALIKE TO GET ON THEIR PHONE AND REPORT SOMETHING.

>> AFTER DOWNLOADING THE OK PROTECT APP, A USER CAN MAKE A REPORT AND POINT OUT SOMETHING ONLINE THAT CAN BE CRUCIAL FOR STOPPING A SHOOTING OR OTHER ACTS OF VIOLENCE.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES TO FILL OUT.

YOU CAN DO IT ANONYMOUSLY.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT YOUR INFORMATION IN.

YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO.

YOU CAN ALSO UPLOAD PICTURES OR VIDEO IF SOMEONE HAS POSTED SOMETHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA THAT YOU WANT US TO BE AWARE OF AS WELL.

>> THE OVERALL, PUBLIC SAFETY ASPECT IS THAT IT'S A CENTRALIZED PLACE FOR THAT INFORMATION TO COME IN, AND WE CAN GET IT OUT IN A TIMELY MANNER SO IT CAN BE HOPEFULLY PREVENTED BEFORE SOMETHING BAD DID OCCUR.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMISSIONER, TIM TIPTON, SAYS THE REPORTS FROM THE APP ARE SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

>> SO ONE OF OUR INTEL ANALYSTS THERE WILL VET THE TIP THAT COMES IN, AND THEN FROM THERE, THEY WILL PUSH IT OUT TO LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WHETHER THAT BE THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE LOCAL SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, POSSIBLY THE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT PRINCIPAL.

>> ONE OF THE CRITICAL AREAS THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO DEAL WITH IS INFORMATION SHARING.

LIKE YOU JUST SAID, THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES, AND WE STRIVE EVERY DAY TO WORK TOGETHER, WHETHER IT BE FEDERAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT, COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL.

>> TIPTON LED THE EFFORTS TO CREATE THE PROTECT OK APP TO AID CITIZENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WE'VE REALLY HAD A STRONG INITIATIVE GOING REALLY FOR ABOUT THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF WITH SCHOOL SAFETY, AND LOOKING AT OUR STATE'S OVERALL SCHOOL SAFETY PLAN.

>> ACCORDING TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, 93% OF SCHOOL SHOOTERS PLANNED THEIR ATTACK AND IN FOUR OUT OF FIVE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, AT LEAST ONE PERSON KNEW OF THE ATTACK BUT FAILED TO REPORT IT.

THE OK PROTECT APP MIGHT HAVE COME IN HANDY IN PREVENTING THE SHOOTING INCIDENT DURING THE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME BETWEEN DELL CITY AND CHOCTAW.

>> THE SENIOR COACHES, SENIOR STUDENTS, SEEING THE PRINCIPALS, SEEING EVERYBODY SCRAMBLE LIKE THAT AND NOT KNOWING IF SOMEONE WAS ALIVE OR DEAD, IT WAS A REAL TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE.

>> ROBERT JONES, HEAD COACH OF THE DELL CITY FOOTBALL TEAM, SAYS HE STILL HAS TRAUMA FROM THE SHOOTING INCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 11th.

>> WHEN YOU GO INTO PUBLIC PLACES, THERE'S SOME TRAUMA THERE.

THERE'S SOME PTSD THERE.

WE HAD OUR FIRST FOOTBALL GAME, AND I HEARD A BALLOON POP, AND I ALMOST TOOK OFFER RUNNING, JUST BECAUSE IT'S STUCK IN YOUR HEAD.

>> JONES SAYS THAT PEOPLE WHO SEE POTENTIAL TROUBLE AND DON'T REPORT IT ARE OFTEN AFRAID OF BEING TARGETED THEMSELVES, ESPECIALLY WHEN GANG VIOLENCE IS INVOLVED.

>> WHEN YOU TELL ON SOMEONE, THAT PERSON, IF HE'S BOLD ENOUGH TO HAVE A GUN TO BRING IT INTO A PUBLIC PLACE, HE'S PROBABLY BOLD ENOUGH TO COME AT YOU.

SO IT MAKES YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT YOU CAN LET THE RIGHT AUTHORITIES KNOW AND NOT TAKE MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDS.

>> AND AGAIN, THAT'S POSSIBLE BECAUSE THE APP ALLOWS YOU TO SUPPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY ANONYMOUSLY.

>> I'M HOPING THIS APP CAN OPEN UP OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW, I TELL YOU PEOPLE KNOW WHEN SOMEONE IS GOING TO DO IT.

THEY'RE SHARING IT WITH SOMEONE.

VERY RARELY THAT SOMEONE THAT IS BOLD ENOUGH TO TAKE THAT KIND OF ACT, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP THAT CONFINED WITHIN THEMSELF.

>> MARTIAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR BRAN BRANDON BOYSTON TEACHES PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THEIR SURRENDERS AND HOW TO DEFEND THEMSELF.

>> IF PEOPLE DON'T REPORT THINGS OR DON'T LET SOMEBODY ELSE KNOW, THEN IF YOU LOOK AT HOW MUCH LAW ENFORCEMENT THERE IS VERSUS HOW MANY REGULAR RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS, THEY'RE VASTLY OUTNUMBERED.

SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO BE EVERYWHERE ALL THE TIME.

>> WHILE HE TEACHES SELF-DEFENSE, HE AGREES THE PROTECT OK APP PROVIDES ANOTHER LAYER OF SECURITY IN PUBLIC PLACES.

>> IF IT'S A QUICK RESPONSE, EASY TO USE, FAIRLY INTUITIVE TOOL, THEN YOU'RE NOT HAVING TO SPEND A WHOLE LOT OF TIME WITH YOUR HEAD DOWN IN A DEVICE LOOKING AT IT, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WHAT DO I PUT HERE?

>> SARA STEWART SAYS THE STATE SHOOTING ON SEPTEMBER 23rd HIT TOO CLOSE TO HOME.

>> MY CHILDREN WERE AT THE STATE FAIR WHEN THAT SHOOTING HAPPENED THERE, AND I KNOW ONE INCIDENT THAT TOUCHES ME PERSONALLY IS ONE TOO MANY AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

IT MADE ME ANGRY THAT MY KIDS HAD TO DEAL WITH THAT AT A PLACE WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE JUST BEEN HAVING FUN, AND I DON'T LIKE IT THAT WE'VE COMING TO THAT IN SATURDAY THAT WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT, EVENTS LIKE THAT.

>> STEWART SAYS SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING IS MORE THAN JUST A CATCH PHRASE.

REPORTING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CAN SAVE LIVES.

>> WE FIND THAT MOST OF THE TIME THERE IS SOMEBODY THAT THEY TALK TO, THAT THEY SAID SOMETHING TO THAT KNEW SOMETHING, MAYBE KNEW THEY WERE PLANNING IT OR AT LEAST HEARD THEM SAY SOMETHING THAT SEEMED OFFICE.

>> PROTECT OK WAS LAUNCHED LAST MONDAY AND HAS SINCE BEEN DOWNLOADED OVER 500 TIMES.

>> WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING GOOD TIPS ON IT SINCE THIS APP LAUNCHED.

WE KNOW THAT IT'S WORKING.

IT'S DOING WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE WANT IT TO BECOME EVEN MORE WIDESPREAD.

>> THE PROTECT OK APP SHOULD ONLY BE USED TO REPORT SUSPECTED ACTIVITY TO LAW FEN ENFORCEMENT.

IF YOU NEED HELP FROM POLICE, CALL 911.

>> RICH: GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT IS BEING CRITICIZED BY SOME NOTABLE OKLAHOMANS FOR A MESSAGE HE TAPED THAT WAS PLAYED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OKLAHOMA GAME FOWL COMMISSION ON NOVEMBEL SISTER.

IN THE MISSAGE, THE GOVERNORIS PRAISED THE GROUP'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO RURAL OKLAHOMA AND SAID HE WOULD SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS IN THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

CRITICS OF THE OKLAHOMA GAME FOWL COMMISSION SAY IT REPRESENTS THE INTERESTS OF OKLAHOMA COCKFIGHTERS.

>> COCKFIGHTING IN EVERY ASPECT IS AGAINST THE LAW IN OKLAHOMA, AND IT'S ALSO A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW.

WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT A GAME FOWL COMMISSION, NO.

1, IT'S NOT A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY.

COMMISSION MAKES IT SOUND LIKE IT HAS SOME AUTHORITY AND SOME OFFICIAL STATUS, IT DOESN'T.

IT'S A GROUP OF LAW VIOLATORS, BUT I GOT SURPRISED WHEN I SAW THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA JOINING THIS BAND OF CRIMINALS IN SAYING, I'M WITH YOU, LET'S DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, LET'S MAKE OKLAHOMA GREAT BY HAVING THIS FELONY COMMITTED MORE OFTEN IN MORE COUNTIES THAN IT IS TODAY, LET'S GET THE PENALTIES REDUCED.

>> RICH: AND FORMER GOVERNOR FRANK KEATING ALSO RELEASING A WRITTEN STATEMENT SAYING TALK OF DECRIMINALIZING COCKFIGHTING IS, QUOTE, TOXIC TO THE IDEA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FORWARD PROGRESS FOR OUR GREAT STATE.

GOVERNOR STITT'S PLAN FOR BETTING IN OKLAHOMA HAS ALSO DRAWN SCRUTINY.

WE INVITED THE GOVERNOR TO JOIN US FOR OUR IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION THIS WEEK TO DISCUSS HIS IDEAS BUT WERE TOLD HE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

HOWEVER WE DID GATHER AN EXCELLENT PANEL.

HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> CLEARLY WE HAVE PREEXISTING RIGHTS UNDER STAYED LAW ALREADY.

AND WE WANT TO INSURE OUR RIGHTS ARE NOT VIOLATED BY ANY FUTURE GAMING AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE.

SO WHEN WE'RE READY TO HAVE RESPECTFUL AND MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION, TRIBES WILL BE THERE AND READY TO HAVE IT.

>> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS A RIGHT AND A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND IT'S JUST GOING TO PROFIT EVERYBODY AND PROFIT THE STATE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WHEN WE SIT DOWN AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEND ANY EXTRA MONEY WITH THE STATE AGENCY OR OVERSEEING IT.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT THE MECHANISM IN PLACE TO OVERSEE THIS, THE SAME AS IT'S REGULATED NOW.

>> I THINK OKLAHOMANS DON'T WANT A PLAN THAT JUST FAVORS THE STATE OR JUST FAVORS THE TRIBES.

THEY'D LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT FAVORS EVERYBODY.

AND WE PUT ASIDE THE TWO DIFFERING SIDES ON IT, LET'S COME TOGETHER AND LET'S FIND SOMETHING THAT'S BEST FOR OKLAHOMA.

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

>>> DUE TO OVERCROWDING AT THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY DETENTION CENTER, SOME INMATES ARE BEING GRANTED AN EARLY RELEASE, AND THESE LESSER OR FIRST TIME OFFENDERS ARE ALSO GIVEN GUIDANCE AND TRAINING THAT SHOULD HELP THEM AVOID A RETURN TRIP TO THE MUCH MALIGNED FACILITY.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US.

>> A RECENT CRIME AND JUSTICE INSTITUTE STUDY FOUND THAT BETWEEN 2015 AND 2022, THE OKLAHOMA COUNTY JAIL POPULATION DECREASED NEARLY 40%.

EFFECTIVE DIVERSION PROGRAMS ARE A BIG REASON WHY.

>> HARMONY IS A MATERIALS HANDLER AT NEW VIEW OKLAHOMA.

THEY MANUFACTURE FIRE HOSES FOR THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRST AID KITS, WHICH IS HARMONY'S DEPARTMENT.

NEW VIEW EMPLOYS MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE EYESIGHT ISSUES THAN ANY OTHER EMPLOYER IN THE STATE.

>> LOOKING GOOD.

>> BUT HARMONY DEAN'S ISSUES AREN'T RELATED TO HER EYESIGHT.

IT WAS DRUGS.

>> WRONG PEOPLE, WRONG PLACES AND THINGS.

>> HARMONY SPENT TIME IN PRISON FIVE YEARS AGO.

FOUR YEARS AGO, SHE GOT A LIFELINE FROM OKLAHOMA CITY'S METRO ALLIANCE.

>> IT'S GIVEN ME STABILITY THAT I DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE.

IT GIVES ME -- >> IT'S CHANGED YOUR LIFE.

>> IT'S CHANGED MY LIFE.

>> OKC METRO ALLIANCE EXISTS TO INCREASE SOCIETY, DECREASE INCARCERATION AND HELP PEOPLE RECOVER THEIR LIVES FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL.

>> METRO ALLIANCE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JENNIFER FRANCIS SAYS HARMONY DEAN ENTERED SOMETHING CALLED THEIR FIRST STEP RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY PROGRAM FOUR YEARS AGO.

THE FIRST STEP PROGRAM RUNS A MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS.

>> WE DON'T JUST WORK WITH FOLKS IN OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

WE WORK WITH EVERY -- ALL THE COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA.

I THINK LAST YEAR WE WORKED WITH 58 COUNTIES IN OKLAHOMA, TWO IN TEXAS, SEVERAL IN KANSAS AND EVEN SOME AS FAR AWAY AS TENNESSEE, BECAUSE SOMETIMES CHANGING YOUR PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS IS WHAT FOLKS NEED, AND SO WE'VE KIND OF GOTTEN THAT REPUTATION OF WE REALLY WILL HELP SOMEONE THAT WANTS TO BE HELPED.

>> METRO ALLIANCE IS THE ACTUAL EMPLOYER FOR PEOPLE LIKE HARMONY DEAN.

THE METRO ALLIANCE PARTNERS WITH EMPLOYERS LIKE NEW VIEW.

>> I'M JUST A BELIEVER THAT EVERYBODY COULD USE A SECOND CHANCE IN LIFE, RIGHT?

WE'VE ALL MADE MISTAKES.

WE'VE ALL MADE CHOICES THAT MAYBE WE WOULDN'T HAVE IF WE HAD BEEN SMARTER, BRIGHTER, WHATEVER THE REASON.

>> I LIKE MY PEOPLE.

THEY'RE MY PEOPLE.

THEY'RE LIKE FAMILY.

I'VE JUST NEVER HAD THAT CLOSE -- I REALLY NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE ABLE TO BE ON THIS SIDE OF IT.

>> YOU'RE DOING IT.

>> AND I'M DOING IT.

>> THE 85 BED MEN'S FIRST STEP FACILITY IS HERE ABOUT A MILE FROM LAKE STANLEY DRAPER.

THE WOMEN'S FACILITY IS TWO MILES AWAY AND HOLDS A LITTLE OVER 50 BEDS.

DYLAN BROOKS AND ALFRED HAWKINS ARE FIRST STEP CLIENTS WHO FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS HAVE WORKED FOR OKLAHOMA CITY'S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT'S GROUNDS KEEPING CREW.

OKLAHOMA CITY IS ANOTHER OKC EMPLOYMENT ALLIANCE PARTNER.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, SINCE 2017, THEIR GROUNDS CREW ALONE HAS WORKED WITH 1100 FIRST STEP CLIENTS.

WE TALKED TO BROOKS AND HAWKINS ON MONDAY, JUST ONE DAY BEFORE THEY GRADUATED FROM THE FIRST STEP PROGRAM.

>> SOBRIETY IS NOT EASY.

>> NO, IT'S DEFINITELY THE HARDEST THING THAT I'VE EVER DONE IN MY LIFE, BUT IT'S AS HARD AS YOU MAKE IT.

>> BROOKS HAS A JOB LINED UP IN HIS HOMETOWN OF ARDMORE AS AN AIRCRAFT PAINTER.

HE ALSO STILL HAS DRUG CHARGES HANGING OVER HIS HEAD.

>> AND THANKFULLY, I BELIEVE WITH THIS PROGRAM, IT'S GOING TO ELIMINATE A LOT OF THAT, NOT WASH IT AWAY, BUT IT DEFINITELY -- IT WORKS GOOD IN THE COURT SYSTEMS, I'LL SAY THAT.

>> HAWKINS SAYS HE WILL SOON START A JOB AS A PLUMBER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> BUT MOST OF ALL, IT'S SOBRIETY, IT'S SOBRIETY.

>> WHO ARE YOU GETTING SOBER FOR?

>> MYSELF, BECAUSE IF I DO IT MYSELF, THEN EVERYTHING ELSE WILL COME INTO PLAY.

>> EILEEN'S COLOSSAL COOKIES ON SOUTH SOONER ROAD IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS ANOTHER EMPLOYMENT ALLIANCE PARTNER.

OWNER LORI HESS HAS BEEN A MENTOR TO MANY FIRST STEP CLIENTS WHO HAVE WORKED HERE.

>> IT'S A GOOD GROUP TO WORK WITH.

IT REALLY IS.

I MEAN, WE HAVE GOOD DAYS, AND WE HAVE BAD DAYS, BUT THE GOOD DAYS OUTWEIGH THE BAD, FOR SURE.

>> TULSA NATIVE ROBIN KEL OO IS A FORMER FIRST STEP CLIENT WHO HAS WORKED AT EILEEN'S FOR A YEAR.

ROBIN GETS TO AND FROM WORK EVERY DAY ON HER BIKE, AND SHE DOESN'T COMPLAIN.

KELLY'S COWORKERS TELL ME SHE'S THE HARDEST WORKER HERE.

>> ONE, THEY GAVE ME A HOME, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ONE, AND THEY TAUGHT ME SKILLS THAT I COULD USE IN LIFE.

>> JENNIFER FRANCIS SAYS DIVERSION PROGRAMS DO WORK, AND MORE COURTS AGREE WITH THAT.

SHE SAYS RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 50 WOMEN SITTING IN JAILS AND PRISONS AROUND THE STATE WHO HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO THEIR FIRST STEP PROGRAM.

IT'S JUST UP TO A JUDGE TO APPROVE IT.

RICH.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT REPORT.

ON TUESDAY, A MOTHER FILED A FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF HER SON WHO DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY AT THE PRIVATELY RUN LAWTON CORRECTIONAL AND REHABILITATION CENTER.

>> REPORTER WHITNEY BREN WITH OUR CON TERRITORY PARTNERS AT OKLAHOMA WATCH FIRST REPORTED THIS STORY AND JOINS US TO DISCUSS THIS BREAKING NEWS.

>> WHITNEY, TELL US, WHEN 31-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN BARIENTOS DIED AND UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> JUSTIN WAS IN THE PRISON THERE IN LAWTON AND HE HAD A MENTAL ILLNESS THAT CATTLELY CAUSED HIM TO SWALLOW THINGS THAT HE SHOULDN'T IN AN ATTEMPT TO SELF-HARM, AND ONE DAY HE WAS SEEN SWALLOWING A SPORK, A PLASTIC SPORK.

THEY TOOK HIM TO MEDICAL AND TOOK HIM TO EXTRA WHICH SHOWED THE SPORK HAD PERFORATED HIS INTESTINES.

IT'S A REALLY SERIOUS SITUATION THAT REQUIRES MEDICAL CARE.

BUT AFTER THE DOCTOR SAW THE EXTRA, HE PEERED THROUGH A SMALL WINDOW IN THE EXAM ROOM WHERE JUSTIN WAS BEING HELD AND SAID HE DIDN'T LOOK LIKE HE HAD ENOUGH PAIN TO HAVE THAT KIND OF INJURY.

SO THEY GAVE JUSTIN SOME TUMS AND PUT HIM IN A MEDICAL CELL BY HIMSELF ON SUICIDE WATCH.

HE CONTINUED TO DEGRADE FROM THERE FOR HOURS AND EVENTUALLY DIED EVEN THOUGH HE WAS SUICIDE WATCH, WHICH REQUIRED 24 HOUR OBSERVATION.

>> AND NOW HIS MOTHER HAS FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT.

HAS THERE BEEN ANY COMMENT ABOUT THIS SITUATION FROM PRISON OFFICIALS OR ANYONE?

>> WELL, PRISON OFFICIALS AT GEO GROUP, THAT'S WHO RUNS THE PRIVATE PRISON THERE IN LAWTON, THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T BE COMMENTING ON ANY PENDING LITIGATION.

SO NOTHING FROM THEM.

AND I HAVE RECEIVED A DOC INVESTIGATIVE REPORT INTO WHAT HAPPENED AT THE JAIL.

THAT REPORT RECOMMENDED MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES AS WELL AS SOME OTHER MISDEMEANORS FOR SOME OF THESE PRISON OFFICIALS.

SO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY THERE IN COMANCHE COUNTY RECEIVED THAT REPORT.

HE HAS NOT FILED ANY CHARGES YET AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET AHOLD OF HIS OFFICE EITHER.

>> AS YOU SAID, THERE THIS IS A PRIVATELY RUN FACILITY.

DOES THAT HAVE ANY BEARING ON ACCOUNTABILITY OR ACCESS TO INFORMATION ABOUT THIS INCIDENT?

>> WELL, PRIVATE PRISONS HAVE LONG BE CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AS YOU SUGGESTED.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE BEHOLDEN TO THE STATE, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN OUR CASE, AND THEY DO HAVE CONTRACTS, CERTAINLY POLICIES THEY HAVE TO MEET.

THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTS, RECORDS THAT WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO.

LAWTON REMAINS THE LAST PRIVATE PRISON IN THE STATE AND DOC IS PREPARING TO TAKE IT OVER NEXT YEAR, SO THAT WILL BE THE END OF PRIVATE PRISONS IN OKLAHOMA.

>> WHITNEY, YOU'VE DONNA LOT OF REPORTING IN THIS AREA.

I'D LIKE TO SHIFT GEARS TO ANOTHER STORY YOU HAVE HAD ABOUT THESE RECENT DEATHS AT THE POT POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY JAIL.

>> I REPORTED RECENTLY ABOUT 7 PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW OF WHO HAVE DIED AT THE POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY JAIL UNDER THE JAIL'S CURRENT DIRECTOR, BRIANNA THOMPSON.

AND CONTINUES THAT REPORT CAME OUT, NO CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED.

THERE'S BEEN NO INVESTIGATION INTO ANY OF THOSE DEATHS.

AND AS YOU SUGGESTED, BRIANNA THOMPSON'S HUSBAND, WHO IS THE NO.

2 IN CHARGE THERE AT THE JAIL, HE HAS RECEIVED A PROMOTION TO MAJOR, A RAISE AS WELL AS A 7,500-DOLLAR BONUS, SO NO ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES BEING TAKEN IN THAT JAIL AT THIS POINT.

>> RICH: WHITNEY, BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING ON ANOTHER STORY THAT SORT OF ENCOMPASSES THE BIG PICTURE CONCERNING ISSUES INSIDE OF OKLAHOMA DETENTION FACILITIES.

GIVE US A LITTLE PREVIEW.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I'VE BEEN WORKING ALL YEAR ON A STORY ANALYZING JAIL DEATHS ACROSS THE STATE.

UNSURPRISINGLY, MANY DIED FROM UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES AND EXPERTS ARE TELLING ME THESE DEATHS WERE COMPLETELY PREVENTIBLE.

SO I'LL HOPEFULLY HAVE THAT STORY OUT SOON AND HOPE TO COME BACK ON AND TALK TO YOUR VIEWERS ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> RICH: WHITNEY, WE WILL ABSOLUTELY HAVE YOU BACK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, WHITNEY BRYAN, WITH OKLAHOMA WATCH.

THANKS FOR THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

>> RICH: HERE IN OKLAHOMA, IT'S ESTIMATED THAT 3400 PEOPLE WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH LUNG CANCER IN 2023.

AND THAT MORE THAN 2,000 OF THEM WILL DIE FROM THE DISEASE, WHICH REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF CANCER DEATH IN OUR STATE.

JASON DOYLE REPORTS ON MORE FINDINGS FROM THE JUST RELEASED SIX ANNUAL STATE OF LUNG CANCER REPORT.

>> IT'S LIKE A BROKEN RECORD.

THIS TIME THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION IS GIVING OUR STATE LOW RANKINGS WHEN IT COMES TO SURVIVING LUNG CANCER.

>> THE RECENTLY RELEASED DATA STILL DOES RANK US NEAR THE BOTTOM IN MOST TIERS IN WHAT THEY EVALUATE FOR LUNG CANCER, WHICH INCLUDES NUMBER OF CASE, SURVIVAL RATE, FIVE YEAR SURVIVAL RATE AND EVEN GOES INTO THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THAT HAVE SURGERY AS THEIR FIRST TREATMENT FOR LUNG CANCER, AND WE'RE AT THE VERY BOTTOM.

>> OKLAHOMA IS RANKED 42nd IN THE NATION FOR SURVIVAL RATES OUT OF THE 47 STATES PROVIDING DATA FOR THE STATE OF LUNG CANCER REPORT.

OKLAHOMA RANKS 45th FOR LUNG CANCER SCREENING, AND THAT'S A MAJOR REASON WHY FEWER OKLAHOMANS SURVIVE LUNG CANCER.

>> WE'RE SCREENING ABOUT 1.7% OF PATIENTS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE, WHICH IS VERY MUCH BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, WHICH IS STILL POOR, ONLY AROUND, LIKE, 8%.

BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THAT AREA.

>> FAR TOO OFTEN, LUNG CANCER IS CAUGHT TOO LATE, EITHER THROUGH A SCREENING OR ANOTHER DIAGNOSIS THAT LEAVES VERY VIEW OPTIONS FOR TREATMENT.

WE KNOW THAT IF WE CATCH LUNG CANCER EARLY, IT IS MUCH MORE TREATABLE THROUGH SURGERY OR OTHER TREATMENTS, AND THAT'S WHY WE FOCUS SO MUCH ON SCREENING.

>> CHARLIE G. GEN WITH THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION, SAYS CONSIDERING OKLAHOMA ALSO HAS A HIGH NUMBER OF SMOKERS, WE SHOULD HAVE MORE PEOPLE GETTING SCREENED.

>> SCREENING IS RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE AGE 50 TO 80 WHO SMOKES OR USED TO SMOKE A 20 YEAR PACK HISTORY.

SO THAT'S A PACK A DAY FOR 20 YEARS OR TWO PACKS A DAY FOR 10 YEARS.

>> THE OU HEALTH STEPHENSON CANCER CENTER NOW HAS A PARTNER IN THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ENDOWMENT TRUST IN TRYING TO GET EARLY SCREENING OUT IN RURAL AREAS OF MOBILE.

>> THAT'S BUT T-SET GAVE THE CANCER CENTER $1.7 MILLION TO CREATE A MOBILE LUNG SCREENING PROGRAM.

>> WE'RE WORKING NOW WITH OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH TEAM TO WORK ON BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE COMMUNITIES AND DOCTORS IN THOSE COMMUNITIES AND PUBLIC HEALTH FACILITIES TO THAT WE CAN IDENTIFY THOSE PATIENTS AND GET THE WORD OUT TO GET THEM -- OFFER THEM SCREENING, THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO OR MAY NOT JUST BE AWARE OF.

>> DR. ALBERT RIZZO IS THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION.

>> SCREENING IS ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO FIND LUNG CANCER EARLY, AND WHEN YOU FIND IT EARLY, YOU CAN OFTEN TREAT IT AND POTENTIALLY CURE IT WITH SURGERY.

>> LUNG CANCER THERAPIES ARE ALSO IMPROVING.

A CANCER TREATMENT DRUG CALLED TAGRISSO IS SHOWING PROMISE OF KEEPING LUNG CANCER FROM REOCCURRING IN PATIENTS WHO HAVE HAD SURGERY.

>> IT'S PART OF THE INCREASING SUCCESS OF IMMUNOTHERAPY.

>> OVER THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS, THE CHANGE IN LAND SCAPE OF TREATMENT FOR MORE ADVANCE THE STAGES IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> THE DOCTOR SAYS HE CAN NOW OFFER CERTAIN PATIENTS A QUICK TURN AROUND IF A POSSIBLE TUMOR IS FOUND IN ITS EARLY STAGES.

>> WE EVEN CAN OFFER IN SELECT PATIENTS SAME DAY PROCEDURE WHERE LIKE YOU COME IN, YOU HAVE THIS NODULE, WE THINK IT MAY BE CANCER.

WE HAVE OUR PATHOLOGIST CONFIRM THAT IT'S CANCER, AND THEN WE CAN TURN THEM ON THEIR SIDE AND DOT SURGERY, REMOVE THE CANCER, ALL IN THE SAME ANESTHESIA.

>> A RECENT LAW PASSED BY THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR INCREASED BIO MARKER TESTING FOR LUNG CANCERS.

>> THEY GO IN AND LOOK AT THE SPECIFIC GENES OF THE CANCER TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER IT'S A DIFFERENT CANCER OR IF IT'S MUTATED SLIGHTLY.

WHAT THAT LEADS TO IS MUCH MORE PERSONALIZED TREATMENTS.

SO FOLKS CAN OFTEN POTENTIALLY AVOID SOME OF THE MORE HARSH TREATMENTS AND GET MORE TARGETED THERAPIES FOR THEIR SPECIFIC CANCERS.

>> THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION RECOMMENDS LAWMAKERS IN OKLAHOMA CONSIDER TIGHTER REGULATIONS ON TOBACCO AND SMOKING.

>> OKLAHOMA REMAINS ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT STILL ALLOWS SMOKING INSIDE RESTAURANTS AND BARS.

IN FACT, MOST CITIES ARE PROHIBITED FROM REGULATING THAT.

WE NEED TO MAKE ALL TOBACCO PRODUCTS MORE EXPENSIVE THROUGH TAXATION TO BOTH ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO QUIT AND PREVENT TEENS FROM STARTING.

>> OKLAHOMA DOES DO ONE THING WELL NOW, IMPROVED ACCESS TO LUNG CANCER SCREENING THROUGH THE SOONER CARE PROGRAM.

>> THIS IS THE ONE THING WE DID GET GOOD MARKS ON FROM THE ALA THAT OUR SOONER CARE, OUR MEDICAID, IS SUPPOSED TO COVER LUNG CANCER SCREENINGS.

WE ARE IN THAT AREA WHICH A LOT OF OTHER STATES AREN'T.

>> JASON DOYLE, OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANK YOU.

THE MOST FULFILLING AND SOMETIMES STRESSFUL TIME OF THE YEAR FOR OKLAHOMA'S CHARITABLE NONPROFITS IS THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

SO MANY PEOPLE NEED HELP TO MAKE THEIR THANKSGIVING OR CHRISTMAS A REALITY.

AND THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY RESOURCES AND DONATIONS TO GO AROUND.

>> TAELIR JACKSON JOINS US WITH MORE ON HOW THESEOS ARE GEARING UP.

>> RICH, OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS CONSUMERS HAVE HAD TO SPENDS MORE ON GROCERIES AND FUEL.

NONPROFIT CHARITIES SAY INFLATION HAS IMPACTED THEM BUT HASN'T PREVENTED THEM FROM MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OKLAHOMANS' LIVES.

>> JUST UP THE KILL TAKE TRICK K TURNPIKE, THE SALVATION ARMY BEGAN THEIR ANGEL TREE PROGRAM.

OVER 2,000 CHILDREN ARE REGISTERED TO HAVE THEIR CHRISTMAS WISH FULFILLED.

>> THE ANGEL TREE RIGHT NOW HAS 150 ON THEM.

WE HAVE 50 DIFFERENT SPONSORS THAT ALSO HAVE PREADOPTED ANGELS.

SO WE'LL NEED TO MORE THROUGH 500 ANGELS OFF THIS TREE ALONE IN THE NEXT WEEK.

>> THE SALVATION ARMY ENCOURAGED THOSE WHO NEEDED ASSISTANCE TO SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM.

>> WE DO TAKE INFLATION INTO CONSIDERATION.

WHEN WE STARTED OUR ADOPTION PROCESS IN SEPTEMBER, WE KNEW THEN THAT THERE WERE GOING TO BE FAMILIES THAT WERE REALLY STRUGGLING BY CHRISTMAS, SO WE ENCOURAGED PEOPLE THAT HAD FINANCIAL NEEDS TO REGISTER AT THAT TIME TO GET APPROVED EARLY SO THAT WAY, WE COULD HELP TAKE SOME OF THAT PRESSURE OFF OF THEM.

BECAUSE INFLATION DOESN'T HELP AT CHRISTMAS.

>> OTHER NONPROFITS AROUND THE CITY ARE EXPERIENCING AN INCREASE IN CLIENTS AS WELL.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE POOR ARE IMPACTED BY INFLATION MORE SO THAN ANY OTHER GROUP IN OUR COUNTRY, AND WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN AN IMPACT ON THOSE FOLKS WHEN THEY RELY ON A SMALL BUDGET FOR FOOD, WHETHER IT BE A FOOD STAMP BUDGET OR THEIR OWN PERSONAL RESOURCES.

IT JUST DOESN'T GO AS FAR, SO WE HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES COMING TO SEEK FOOD FROM US AND TO SEEK ASSISTANCE.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FOOD AND SHELTER, APRIL DOZIER, IS PREPARING FOR HER ORGANIZATION'S COMMUNITY MEAL.

DOZIER SAYS A THANKSGIVING MEAL TYPICALLY FEEDS ABOUT 1200 PEOPLE.

>> WE TRY TO SHARE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY THE GREAT NEED THAT IS THERE, AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE WILL SEE THAT AS A GOOD WAY TO INVEST WHAT THEIR DONATIONS -- OR INVEST THEIR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

SO FAR, WE'VE BEEN REALLY LUCKY THAT THAT PIECE OF IT HASN'T IMPACTED US.

>> THE OKC DREAM CENTER CLIENTELE INCREASED BY AT LEAST 20%, BUT COORDINATOR TRACY BUCKNER SAYS THEY HAVE SEEN A DECREASE IN DONATIONS.

>> DURING COVID, WE WERE STILL GETTING DONATIONS.

IT DIDN'T SEEM TO AFFECT US THAT BAD, AND THEN AFTER COVID AND THE INFLATION WENT UP, PEOPLE JUST KIND OF STOPPED DONATING.

>> THANKS TO LOCAL CHURCHES, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MEALS FOR THOSE IN NEED FOR THANKSGIVING.

>> WE HAVE A CHURCH THAT'S GOING TO DONATE 250 TURKEYS, AND THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER CHURCH THAT DONATED $500.

>> AND MOORE ACRES, CITY CENTER IS IN NEED OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THEIR THANKSGIVING EVENT.

CEO AND FOUNDER SAYS THE HIGH GROCERY PRICES IS THE CULPRIT FOR INCREASED VISITS.

>> I THINK THE PRICES HAVE BEEN A BIG THING.

SO WE HAVE SEEN A LOT MORE FAMILIES COME THROUGH.

EVEN WITH US, AS WE SHOP FOR OUR FOOD PANTRY, IT'S LIKE, WHOA, THIS HAS GONE UP BIG TIME.

>> ON AVERAGE, THE PANTRY SERVES ABOUT 6,000 MEALS A MONTH.

IN OCTOBER, THEY SERVED MORE THAN 8,000 MEALS.

THE SALVATION ARMY SAYS DESPITE INFLATION OVER THE LAST YEAR, THEY WERE ABLE TO MEET THEIR GOAL, AND THEY EXPECT TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> WE DID HAVE SOME INFLATION PROBLEMS LAST YEAR AS WELL, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S SO GREAT, IS NO MATTER WHAT INFLATION IS DOING, OKLAHOMANS ARE PROUD PEOPLE, AND THEY COME OUT IN DROVES, AND THEY ADOPT THOSE KIDS AND MAKE SURE EVERY CHILD HAS A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTMAS.

>> CITY CENTER AND OKC DREAM CENTER ARE ALSO PREPARING TO HAND OUT CHRISTMAS GIFTS NEXT MONTH.

>> WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ANYONE AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER FOR OUR THREE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS.

DECEMBER 14th.

WE'RE GOING TO BE WRAPPING CLOSE TO 5,000 GIFTS FOR YOUTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S 2500 STUDENTS.

>> WE'RE LOOKING FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO STEP IN AND BE A FAMILY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.

SO BY PROVIDING SMALL GIFTS OR GIFT CARDS THAT WE CAN GIVE OUT, SO EVEN THOUGH THEY GET THEIR NEEDS MET, LIKE SOCKS AND GIVES AND HATS, WE WANTS TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL TOO.

>> ORGANIZATIONS LIKE FOOD AND SHELTER ARE THANKFUL FOR THE INCREASE IN DONATIONS THEY RECEIVE AROUND THE HOLIDAY SEASON, BUT THEY WANT OKLAHOMANS TO KEEP IN MIND THAT DONATIONS ARE NEEDED YEAR-ROUND.

>> SO HOMELESSNESS IS NOT AN ISSUE THAT JUST IMPACTS PEOPLE AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

IT IS A YEAR-ROUND ISSUE.

IT'S AN EMERGENCY FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING IT, AND WE, BECAUSE WE'RE SEEING SUCH A RISING COST IN LIVING, WHETHER IT BE AT THE GROCERY STORE, AT THE GAS STATION OR JUST THE AMOUNT OF RENT AND UTILITIES PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO PAY, WE'RE SEEING A REALLY SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND THAT'S NOT GOING TO STOP JUST BECAUSE WINTER IS COMING.

>> CITY CENTER AND THE OKC DREAM CENTER BOTH HAVE CLOTHING CLOSETS THAT THEY'RE HOPING TO FILL JUST IN TIME FOR WINTER.

RICH.

>> RICH: WE HOPE SO, TOO.

THANK YOU, TAYLOR.

GOOD NEWS FOR TURKEY LOVERS THIS THANKSGIVING, THE BIG BIRDS ARE SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER THAN THEY WERE A YEAR AGO, BUT THE SIDES?

NOT SO MUCH.

THE COST OF A THANKSGIVING MEAL TOPS THIS WEEK'S OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> A TURKEY WILL COST YOU ABOUT 16% LESS THAN IT DID LAST YEAR.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE SUPPLY OF GOBBLERS IS BACK TO NORMAL LEVELS AFTER BIRD FLU AFFECTED NEARLY 59 MILLION TURKEYS IN COMMERCIAL AND BACKYARD FLOCKS IN 2022.

AND DID YOU KNOW TURKEYS ARE ALWAYS CHEAPER TO BUY RIGHT AROUND THANKSGIVING.

HOWEVER, IF YOU PREFER A HAM FOR THE HOLIDAYS, BAD NEWS.

HAM PRICES ARE NEARING ALL TIME HIGHS AT 4.56 A POUND.

HIGH FEED COSTS ARE BEING BLAMED FOR THE INCREASE.

AS FOR THE SIDES, POTATOES AND GREEN BEANS WILL COST YOU MORE, SWEET POTATOES AND CRANBERRIES, A LITTLE LESS.

RETAILERS ARE PROJECTING A FOUR AND A HALF PERCENT INCREASE IN HOLIDAY RETAIL SALES THIS YEAR, EASILY SURPASSING LAST YEAR'S TOTAL OF ALMOST $212 BILLION IN CONSUMER SPENDING.

THANKSGIVING RETAIL SALES TOPPED $30 BILLION GLOBALLY, AND BLACK FRIDAY ONLINE SALES INCREASED BY 23% LAST YEAR.

HOWEVER, STOREFRONT, WHICH TRACKS ONLINE SALES, SAYS SMALL BUSINESSES ARE AT RISK OF LOSING $75 BILLION ANNUALLY DUE TO POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

THE OKLAHOMA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION HONORED MORE THAN 65 RECIPIENTS AT THE 23rd ANNUAL HEARST HOSPITALITY AWARDS HANDED OUT IN TULSA NOVEMBER 6th.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANKS, JASON.

AS IS THE CASE WITH MANY ISSUES INVOLVING GOVERNOR STITT AND OKLAHOMA TRIBES, THE TWO SIDES HAVE DIFFERENT AND COMPETING VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE OF SPORTS GAMBLING IN OKLAHOMA.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN DEPTH DISCUSSION.

HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> THANKS, RICH.

TODAY WE'RE JOINED BY MATT MORGAN WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE OKLAHOMA GAMING INSIDE, REPRESENTATIVE CHAD CALDWELL FROM ENID AND KEN LATRELLE FROM PONCA CITY.

WE ALSO ASKED GOVERNOR STITT IF HE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US FOR THIS CONVERSATION, BUT HE TOLD US HE WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE.

I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID WHEN HE UNVEILED HIS SPORTS BETTING PLAN.

HERE IT IS.

>> I LOOKED AT ALL 35 STATES, CAME UP WITH KIND OF THE AVERAGE OF WHAT THOSE STATES ARE GETTING.

THEIR BILL THAT THEY HAVE IS GOOD FOR KIND OF SOME SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, BUT IT'S NOT GOOD FOR OKLAHOMANS, BECAUSE IT DOESN'T PAY OKLAHOMANS.

IT'S NOT TRANSPARENT.

IT'S NOT AN OPEN SYSTEM WHERE ANYBODY CAN APPLY FOR THE LICENSE, SO IT'S MORE PROTECTIVE AND EXCLUSIVE.

WHEN YOU START PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS IN GOVERNMENT AND START PASSING LAWS SPECIFICALLY FOR A CERTAIN INDUSTRY OR CERTAIN COMPANY, INSTEAD OF MAKING IT AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY, THEN THAT'S WHERE SOME NONSENSE HAPPENS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE OKLAHOMANS GET FRUSTRATED WITH THE POLITICIANS WHEN THEY SEE THEM PICKING FAVORITES INSTEAD OF PROTECTING THE TAXPAYERS.

SO I'M ALWAYS GOING TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYERS.

MY SYSTEM IS AVAILABLE FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO SEPARATE SPORTS BOOK.

YOU CAN'T GET MORE OF A FREE MARKET SYSTEM THAN THAT.

>> MR. NO-FIRE, ARE THERE ANY OTHER DETAILS OR SPECIFICS ON HIS PLAN THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH US?

>> I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT WE HAVE SUCH AMAZING PARTNERS IN THE STATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE GAMBLING ARENA.

WE HAVE OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS.

THAT'S BEEN GREAT FOR THE STATE, BEEN GREAT FOR EVERYBODY, AND THAT'S REALLY THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE HERE WITH SPORTS BETTING, IS WE HAVE ALREADY AN INDUSTRY THAT'S BEEN SET UP AND RUNNING FOR YEARS SUCCESSFULLY FOR THE STATE, AND SO NOW WE HAVE THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY MOVING FORWARD.

>> CHAIRMAN MORGAN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I MEAN, I WOULD SAY, ONE, GOVERNOR STITT HAS NEVER COME US AND TALKED WITH US AT ALL ABOUT THIS.

SO I'M GLAD TO SEE HE'S FINALLY TURNED HIS ATTENTION TO IT.

BUT CLEARLY, WE HAVE PREEXISTING RIGHTS UNDER STATE LAW ALREADY, AND WE WANT TO INSURE THAT OUR RIGHTS ARE NOT VIOLATED BY ANY FUTURE GAMING, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE.

WHEN WE'RE READY TO HAVE A RESPECTFUL AND MEANINGFUL CONVERSATION, TRIBES WILL BE THERE AND READY TO HAVE IT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL, YOU'RE IN SUPPORT OF THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

I THINK WE LOOKED AT KIND OF BEST PRACTICES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.

LIKE THE GOVERNOR SAID, WE KIND OF TOOK AVERAGES THERE.

I DO LIKE THE FACT IT OPENS UP THE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE WHILE STILL RESPECTING THE TRIBE'S EXCLUSIVITY WHEN IT COMES TO IN-PERSON GAMING.

BUT THEN FOR THE REST OF THE STATE, IT DOES OPEN IT UP TO NEW PARTNERS.

I THINK ANY TIME WE CAN BRING IN NEW PARTNERS FOR THE STATE, I THINK THAT'S A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LUTRELL, YOU CURRENTLY HAVE ACTING LEGISLATION.

WHY IS YOUR PLAN DIFFERENT THAN THE GOVERNOR'S AND WHY DID YOU FEEL THE NEED TO PUT THIS PLAN OUT?

>> OUR PLAN WAS NEGOTIATED WITH SOME OF OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS, IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH THEM, WITH CHAIRMAN MORGAN'S OFFICE.

WE TRIED TO PUT A PLAN TOGETHER THAT WE FELT WAS FAIR FOR THE TRIBES AND THE ECONOMICS TO SET THIS UP.

HOPEFULLY WHAT I'M CONTINUING FOR IS OPEN NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, COMMUNICATIONS WITH SENATOR COLEMAN AND MYSELF AND THE OKLAHOMA GAMING ASSOCIATION.

AND I FEEL LIKE THAT THE VEHICLE THAT WE HAVE SITTING ALIVE ON THE SENATE SIDE CAN BE THE FINAL VEHICLE AND GET THE LANGUAGE IN THERE AND NEGOTIATE WITH THE GOVERNOR THE PERCENTAGES THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE TWO DIFFERENT PLANS, AND DO YOU SEE A POTENTIAL COMPROMISE?

>> I HOPE SO.

I THINK ANYTHING WE DO AT THE CAPITAL OR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A BIG TICKET ITEM LIKE THIS, INVOLVES COMPROMISE AND NEGOTIATION.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TWO PLANS.

I THINK REPRESENTATIVE LUTRELL'S LEGISLATION ASKED FOR A 10% PAYMENT FROM THE TRIBE.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN, I THINK, MENTIONED 15%, SO I FEEL LIKE THAT'S PRET CLOSE, AND THERE IS SOME NEGOTIATING ROOM ON THAT.

I THINK WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO SEE PROBABLY THE MOST CONFLICT AND THE MOST OPPORTUNITY FOR CONVERSATION IS AROUND MOBILE GAMING.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE COMPACTS TO ALLOW MOBILE GAMING IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND SPORTS BETTING.

SO IF WE'RE GOING TO OPEN THEM UP, WE SHOULD FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

I THINK -- LOOK, I THINK OKLAHOMANS DON'T WANT A PLAN THAT JUST FAVORS THE STATE OR FAVORS THE TRIBES.

THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING THAT FAVORS EVERYBODY.

WE NEED TO PUT ASIDE THE IDEA THERE ARE TWO DIFFERING SIDES ON IT, AND LET'S FIND SOMETHING BEST FOR OKLAHOMA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LUTRELL, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?

I THINK THE CAVEAT HERE IS TO REMEMBER THERE ARE PENALTIES IN PLACE SHOULD THE STATE VIOLATE THE COMPACTS.

THE IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THAT WOULD BE THAT THE TRIBES WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO PAY THAT FEE TO THE STATE FOR EXCLUSIVITY WHICH IS ABOUT $100 MILLION A YEAR, IF I'M CORRECT, CHAIRMAN MORGAN, OR MORE THAN THAT NOW.

>> ALMOST 200 MILLION A YEAR.

>> THAT THE STATE WOULD LOSE THAT INCOME IMMEDIATELY.

PLUS THERE IS RECOURSE TO THE TRIBES WHERE THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO BEGIN PAYING THE TRIBES FOR VIOLATING THE COMPACTS, AND THAT IS 50% OF THE INCOME THAT COMES IN FROM ANYTHING THEY'VE DONE OUTSIDE THE COMPACTS GOES TO THE TRIBES.

SO RATHER THAN RECEIVING INCOME FROM THE TRIBES, THEY WOULD PAY THE TRIBES.

>> CHAIRMAN MORGAN, WHAT WOULD THE INDIAN GAMING ASSOCIATION LIKE TO SEE WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS BETTING IN THE STATE?

>> I THINK, YOU KNOW, ALL WE ASK FOR IS TO BE TREATED FAIRLY AND RESPECTFULLY.

QUIT TALKING AT US.

TALK WITH US WOULD BE THE MAIN POINT.

BUT ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS FOUNDATION FOR GAMING PREDATED THE COMPACT.

SINCE THE COMPACT HAS BEEN IN PLACE SINCE 2004, THE STATE HAS RECEIVED OVER $2.2 BILLION IN EXCLUSIVITY FEES, AND AS WE GO FORWARD, THERE IS A PROCESS TO ADD FORMS OF GAMING THROUGH A SUPPLEMENTAL PROCESS.

WE DID IT BACK IN 2017 WITH BALL AND DICE.

WE WOULD DO IT WITH SPORTS BETTING.

BUT WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO GO AND RECREATE THE WHEEL, THE RIPPLE EFFECTS COULD BE DISASTROUS.

BECAUSE AS THE REPRESENTATIVE TALKED ABOUT, IF YOU VIOLATE THE TERMS OF THE COMPACT, IF YOU BREACH THEM, THE TRIBES ARE GOING TO BE RELIEVED OF ANY REQUIREMENTS TO PAY EXCLUSIVITY FEES AND THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE SAME GAMES.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO SEE THAT.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS VERY STRATEGICALLY AND GROUNDED IN WHAT THE LAW IS.

WE CAN'T GO OUT AND JUST RECREATE SOMETHING BECAUSE ONE PERSON IS NOT HAPPY WITH IT.

>> WES, HAVE YOU HEARD FROM THE STATE'S TRIBAL NATIONS, AND IF SO, WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM THEM?

>> I THINK SOMEWHAT LIKE CHAIRMAN HARPER SAID, THEY WANT TO BE INCLUDED.

THAT'S WHAT MY JOB IS.

WHAT I'VE HEARD IS THEY WANT A SEAT AT THE TABLE OR WANT AN OPPORTUNITY FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO DO, AND EXTEND THAT AS A WAY TO HAVE OPEN DIALOGUE, GREAT COMMUNICATIONS TO, LIKE I SAID NOT -- WE'RE NOT REINVENTING A WHEEL.

WE ARE SIMPLY ADDING ADDITIONAL TO IT, BUILDING OTHER OPPORTUNITY OUT OF THIS.

AND I THINK THAT'S FROM THE GOVERNOR'S STANDPOINT, THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE TO DO, SAY HOW DO WE BUILD THIS THING.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT.

THIS IS WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS AT.

WE HAVE GREAT LEGISLATORS, GREAT TRIBAL PARTNERS, AND IF WE CAN GET TOGETHER AND WORK ON SOMETHING, I THINK IT'S GOING TO BENEFIT EVERYBODY IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR IT.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THAT.

>> NO, I THINK I AGREE.

IF WE CAN SIT AROUND THE TABLE AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHAT WE DO, HOW TO ENHANCE THAT, WHAT MAKES ECONOMIC SENSE FOR BOTH SIDES, I THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE.

KEEP IN MIND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE 38 FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES, 35 OF WHICH PARTICIPATE IN GAMBLING.

IT'S A LARGE GROUP.

BUT JUST LIKE WE HAVE AT THE STATE, WE HAVE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, LEGISLATIVE BRANCH.

HE HAVE ONE OF THEM HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION ON HOW THIS MAY WORK.

BUT SITTING AROUND THE TABLE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE INDUSTRY, PROTECT THE INVESTMENTS ALREADY MADE AND CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD IN A POSITIVE MANNER MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO ME.

>> REPRESENTATIVE LUTRELL, IN YOUR PLAN, HOW WOULD SPOIRTS SPS BETTING BE DIFFERENT IN OKLAHOMA WHEN COMPARED TO THE OTHER 35 STATES?

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IN OUR PROGRAM CERTAINLY DIFFERENT THAN THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN, NO SEPARATION IN MOBILE SPORTS BETTING.

THE OTHER PART OF BRICK AND MORTAR INSTALLATIONS IS LOW PROFIT.

IT DOES BOOST FOOD AND BEVERAGE SALES, BECAUSE GAMBLERS THAT COME IN PERSON AVAIL THEMSELVES OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPPORTUNITIES, BUT TO TRY AND STRIP THAT PART OUT OF IT AND MAKE IT A SEPARATE DEAL AND DO A DEAL WITH OUTSIDE ENTITIES NOT ONLY VIOLATES THE COMPACTS, BUT IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING WE DON'T WANT TO SEE OR TAKE THAT PART AWAY FROM THE TRIBES.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN VERY CAREFUL TO DO IN OUR LEGISLATION IS NOT TO TELL THE TRIBES WHO THEY CAN PARTNER WITH.

THE TRIBES WOULD BE FREE TO PARTNER ANYONE THEY WANTED TO ON THE MOBILE PART, DRAFT KINGS, MGM SPORTS BOOK, WHOEVER THEY WANTED TO, AND HOW THEY WANT TO STRUCTURE THAT MOBILE IS UP TO THEM.

IF THEY WANT TO RESTRICT THAT TO THEIR TRADITIONAL TRIBAL BOUNDARIES, THAT'S FINE.

IF THEY WANT TO RESTRICT IT TO THEIR CASINO BOUNDARIES, THAT'S FINE.

IF THEY WANT TO TRY AND DO IT STATEWIDE, THAT DOES GIVE THE STATE THE ABILITY TO PARTNER WHICHEVER CASINO RUNS WITH THE SPORTS BOOK THEY'RE COMFORTABLE DOING BUSINESS WITH.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL, WHAT DO YOU HEAR FROM PEOPLE ALL RIGHT BETTING ON SPORTS IN OKLAHOMA?

>> I THINK THE REALITY IS THE STATE AND TRIBES ARE GETTING 100% OF NOTHING WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS BETTING.

THAT'S WHERE I THINK A DEAL CAN BE FOUND IN THERE.

I THINK WHEN YOU LOOK AT THINGS, IF WE RESTRICTED THINGS TO JUST THE TRIBES AND ENHANCE THAT EXCLUSIVITY, WE WOULD BE AN OUTLIER ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO I THINK WHEN YOU TALK TO PEOPLE BACK HOME, WHEN I TALK TO PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT, THEY WANT THE OPPORTUNITY TO BET LEGALLY ONLINE.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GOING TO SOME OFF SHORE GAMING THING OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR TRYING TO SKIRT AROUND THE RULES.

OBVIOUSLY SOME PEOPLE DON'T LIKE GAMING, PERIOD, AND THEY WOULDN'T HAVE TO PARTICIPATE.

BUT FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO DO IT, I THINK THEY WANT TO DO IT IN A WAY, AGAIN, THAT MAKES SENSE AND THAT'S TRULY FAIR FOR ALL THE PARTIES INVOLVED, AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WITH THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

>> CHAIRMAN MORGAN, WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR CONCERNS ON POTENTIALLY PASSING STITT'S BILL AND ARE YOU WORRIED ABOUT ANY POTENTIAL LAWSUITS FROM TRIBAL NATIONS?

>> IF YOU ADOPTED A BILL THAT JUST STAYED WITHIN HIS PROPOSAL BOUNDARIES, I THINK THAT IS AUTOMATICALLY BREACHES THE COMPACT, AND YOU WOULD SEE LOTS OF LAWSUITS FROM TRIBES FOR THAT BREACH AND ALSO PROBABLY A LOT OF TRIBES SAYING, YOU KNOW WHAT?

THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT THE STATE IN THIS.

AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO REALLY HURT THE OVERALL INDUSTRY AND HURT THE TRIBAL STATE RELATIONSHIP IN A WAY THAT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S REPAIRABLE.

>> WES, WHO WOULD OVERSEE CONTROLLING AND TAXING THIS INDUSTRY?

>> FROM OUR STANDPOINT, TRYING TO CREATE SOMETHING IN WHICH IS BETTER THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN OTHER STATES.

WE KNOW THAT THE WAY OTHER STATES HAVE DONE, WE'VE SEEN GOVERNORS WHO HAVE COME DOWN AND SAID TRIBES CAN ONLY HANDLE IT ON THEIR CERTAIN RESERVATION.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT WITH THIS PLAN.

WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS A RIGHT AND A SEAT AT THE TABLE, AND IT'S JUST GOING TO PROFIT EVERYBODY AND PROFIT THE STATE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DRIVE TO DO, MAKE THIS A TOP 10 STATE, AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WHEN WE HAVE THESE GREAT SITDOWN DISCUSSIONS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL IN AGREEANCE OF DRIVING THE STATE TO DO.

THAT IT'S GOING TO BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US.

>> GENTLEMEN, WE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME.

ANY FINAL THOUGHTS.

KEN LUTRELL, LET'S START WITH YOU.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT JUST TO PUT THE REMINDER OUT THERE OF THE BENEFITS THE STATE HAS REAPED FROM COMPACTS WITH THE TRIBES, HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS HAVE GONE TO THE STATE IN THEIR EXCLUSIVITY FEES FROM THE TRIBES.

THIS CAN BE SET UP AS SPORTS BETTING, BE ENROLLED IN SOMETHING ELSE APPROVED UNDER THE COMPACTS.

WE DON'T HAVE TO SPEND ANY EXTRA MONEY WITH THE STATE AGENCY OR OVERSEEING IT.

WE'VE ALREADY GOT THE MECHANISMS IN PLACE.

>> CHAIRMAN MORGAN.

>> I THINK THERE'S A RIGHT WAY TO DO THIS, RESPECTFUL WAY TO DO THIS WITHIN THE LAW.

IF WE'RE NOT TAKING THAT APPROACH, I THINK WE'RE BEING SILLY ABOUT IT, AND WE SHOULD JUST WORK WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK THAT'S BEEN AROUND NOW SINCE 2004 AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND MOVE SOMETHING FORWARD THAT I THINK PATRONS ARE ASKING FOR, OR CITIZENS ARE ASKING FOR, AND ARE REALLY PROBABLY DOING, EITHER DOING ILLEGALLY ONLINE OR DRIVING TO ANOTHER LOCATION ACROSS THE STATE, OUTSIDE THE STATE BORDERS TO DO, AND OKLAHOMA IS RECEIVING NO BENEFIT FROM THAT.

I THINK THIS IS A SIMPLE TASK IF REASONABLE MINDS WILL SIT DOWN ACROSS THE TABLE AND REALLY HAVE TRANSPARENT CONVERSATIONS.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CALDWELL, LET'S FINISH WITH YOU.

>> I WOULD JUST SAY, I THINK THERE'S A REASON THAT YOU'VE SEEN THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF OTHER STATES DO IT ONE WAY, AND THAT'S NOT TO OFFER JUST EXCLUSIVITY TO ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

WE DON'T RESTRICT OTHER INDUSTRIES TO A SPECIFIC GROUP, AND I DON'T THINK IT MAKES SENSE IN THIS REGARD.

I WILL TELL YOU, I THINK WHAT I'M ENCOURAGED ABOUT TODAY AND I THINK THE PATH FORWARD ON HOW THIS THINK ULTIMATELY GETS RESOLVED ARE SITTING DOWN AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS LIKE WE'RE HAVING TODAY WHERE WE'RE EXCHANGING IDEAS, EXCHANGING INFORMATION.

MY GUESS IS THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN ISN'T THE FINAL PLAN.

WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO REPRESENTATIVE LUTRELL, MY GUESS IS HIS PLAN ISN'T THE FINAL PLAN EITHER.

I AM CONFIDENT WITH THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN THIS STATE THAT WE CAN COME TOGETHER AND FIND A PLAN THAT TRULY WORKS FOR ALL OKLAHOMANS.

THIS SHOULDN'T BE ANTI-STATE OR ANTI-TRIBE.

WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AND FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE CONVERSATION WE'VE HAD TODAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WELL, GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING YOU HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> YES INDEED, THAT WAS A GREAT CONVERSATION.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO CONNECTICUT VIA AFGHANISTAN TO INTRODUCE YOU TO METAL SAM, A 21-YEAR-OLD MUSICIAN WHO ESCAPED HIS WAR-TORN HOME COUNTRY FOR A NEW LIFE IN NEW HAVEN.

HIS STORY, COURTESY OF CONNECTICUT PUBLIC TELEVISION.

♪♪ >> MOST AMERICANS HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE 20-YEARLONG AFGHANISTAN WAR BEYOND READING THE HEADLINES, PERHAPS SHAKING THEIR HEADS AT THE WAY AMERICAN FORCES WERE WITHDRAWN AND LEARNING ABOUT THE PEOPLE AT RISK LEFT BEHIND.

>> WANTED TO CHANGE AFTER THAT LONG PERIOD OF WAR, NOT KNOWING THAT THAT CHANGE COULD BE -- IT WAS TERRIFYING, AND IT WAS VERY SAD AND DEPRESSING TO SEE ALL OF THAT HAPPEN.

>> IT'S HARD TO LEAVE YOUR COUNTRY BEHIND.

NOBODY WANTS TO, LIKE, LEAVE THEIR COUNTRY, BUT THINGS LIKE THAT HAPPEN, AND YOU HAVE TO, LIKE, GIVE IT UP, BECAUSE WE PLAYED BLACK METAL IN A COUNTRY LIKE AFGHANISTAN, WHICH IS SUPER RELIGIOUS, AND THEY'RE AGAINST ALL KINDS OF FREEDOM SEEKING ACTIVITIES.

THEY BURN DOWN MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY THE TALIBAN.

♪♪ >> THERE WAS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, BUT GENERALLY, WE WANTED TO LEAVE BECAUSE WE WERE THREATENED, AND IT WASN'T GOOD FOR US TO STAY ANY MORE.

THAT WAS REALLY ONE OF THE HORRIBLE MOMENTS OF MY LIFE.

♪♪.

I LISTEN TO EVERYTHING METAL, LIKE SLAM, BLACK, CRASH METAL.

EVERY TIME I HEARD DISTORTION, IT WOULD JUST SOUND VERY GOOD TO MY HEAD.

IT'S A WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR FREEDOM AND TO SHOW THAT YOU CAN BE PART OF SOMETHING VERY COOL, PART OF A COMMUNITY THAT IS ACCEPTING ALL RELIGIONS, ALL RACES.

I WAS JUST IN THE CENTER OF THE CITY WHEN THAT HAPPENED, AND PEOPLE WERE FLEEING, GETTING AWAY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT HOME.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT TO THE AIRPORT.

SOME MADE IT TO THE PLANES.

SOME WENT HOME TO JUST PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES.

IT WAS QUITE STRESSFUL, AND IT WAS A LONG JOURNEY, VERY TIRING.

WE WENT TO ANOTHER -- AND THEN WE WERE TAKEN TO A TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION TO HOTELS, AND THEN EVENTUALLY AFTER ONE MONTH, WE WERE EVACUATED USING CHARTER PLANES.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING MOMENTS THAT I'VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.

WHEN WE WERE ON THE PLANE AND AFTER ONE MONTH, IT FINALLY HAPPENED.

SO EVERYONE WAS EXCITED, VERY HAPPY.

THERE WAS STILL A CHANCE THAT THEY COULD RETURN THE PLANE OR JUST SHOOT IT DOWN, BUT WE MADE IT.

>> I GOT A GOOD WORKOUT.

I ALMOST STARTED TO GET ANGRY, WHICH IS GOOD.

>> I WRITE MUSIC ABOUT WAR AND PEACE.

I WAS BORN IN A WAR-TORN COUNTRY, AND HOW TERRIBLE IT IS TO HAVE WAR.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE OLD MESSAGE.

I WANT TO EXPRESS FREEDOM THROUGH MY MUSIC.

>> RICH: METAL SAM.

ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, OUR SPECIAL THANKSGIVING EDITION, FEATURING OUR VERY BEST REPORTING OVER THE LAST 11 MONTHS, HANDPICKED BY OUR GREAT TEAM OF JOURNALISTS.

BE SURE TO TUNE IN FOR THAT.

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A LOOK AT THE UNVEILING OF A SPECIAL MURAL AT PITTS PARK, PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY OETA'S KACI FERGUSON.

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 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.

Captioning provided by Caption Associates, LLC www.captionassociates.com .