>>> OKLAHOMA'S RECENT TREND OF WILD WEATHER IN OCTOBER CONTINUES.

>> IT'S REAL SCARY STUFF.

IT'S REAL SCARY STUFF.

SO DON'T RECOMMEND HANGING THERE TOO LONG.

>> THE McGIRT DECISION TAKING CENTER STAGE AT THE SYMPOSIUM.

>> THERE ARE PLENTY ENEMIES OUT THERE.

ONE OF THEM IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WHO WANTS McGIRT OVERTURNED.

THE OTHER ONE IS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> RURAL OKLAHOMA LOOKS TO BENEFIT FROM FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS.

>> COMING UP WITH WAYS TO FACILITATE HOUSING IN RURAL AREAS, THAT IS THE SINGLE REASON WHY WE SEE PEOPLE LEAVE RURAL AMERICA.

>> AFTER RETURNING FROM SPACE.

>> THEN I THOUGHT I DON'T A PROPELLER ON MY NOSE.

THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

>>> THOSE STORIES, PLUS FINDING AND RESCUING MORE INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND CHILDREN NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25th OF LAST YEAR, OCTOBER EXPERIENCED A FREAK ICE STORM THAT KNOCKED OUT POWER TO 75,000 OKLAHOMANS.

THIS WEEK WE GOT SOCKED AGAIN, THIS TIME BY MULTIPLE TORNADOES AND BASEBALL SIZED HALE.

IN FACT, WE HAD MORE TORNADOES THIS WEEK THAN WE HAD DURING ALL OF THE SPRING SEVERE WEATHER SEASON.

BEGINNING WITH STEVE SHAW IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.

>> TERRANCE YOUNG AND HIS FAMILY'S BACKYARD FACES THE AIRPORT.

THIS IS TIME LAPSE VIDEO FROM A CAMERA.

YOUNG PLANTED IN HIS BACKYARD, SHORTLY BEFORE ALL HECK BROKE LOOK AROUND 5:50 SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

>> WE SAW HUGE SHEET OF RAIN, AND THEN AS WE'RE SITTING HERE WATCHING IT, WE SAW A LOT OF CIRCULATION, AND SO WE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WAS BECAUSE -- WE KEPT HEARING THE TORNADO WAS AT THE AIRPORT, AND WE ALREADY SENT THE KID AND EVERYTHING TO THE CELLAR, SO WE WERE HANGING.

AND THEN I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS RAIN WRAP THE FUNNEL, OR -- I DON'T KNOW, TO ME IT LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AT THE FUNNEL, YOU KNOW, AS IT OCCURRED.

>> TERRANCE GRABBED HIS GO PRO AND GOT OUT.

>> IT'S REAL SCARY STUFF.

SO DON'T RECOMMEND HANGING THERE TOO LONG, YOU KNOW, AND JUST LIKE THAT WEATHER CHASING STUFF, COMMON SENSE FINALLY KICKED IN, AND LEAVE THAT TO THE BIG BOYS.

THAT IS, YOU KNOW, I MEAN I GRABBED THAT CAMERA STUFF, THREW IT IN THE HOUSE AND I BEAT A PATH TO THE CELLAR AND WHEN I WAS RUNNING IT FELT LIKE I WAS RUNNING SIDEWAYS.

THAT'S HOW HARD THAT RAIN WAS JUST COMING DOWN LIKE CRAZY.

>> TERRANCE'S SON DYLAN FLEW A DRONE THAT CAPTURED SOME OF THE CARNAGE DOWNTOWN.

THE COURTHOUSE WAS ONE OF A HANDFUL OF BILLINGS THAT EITHER SUFFERED SERIOUS DAMAGE OR WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED.

>> LOOKED LIKE IT COULD HAVE BEEN SOMETHING THAT TOUCHED DOWN AND LIFTED UP, BUT THE DAMAGE IS EXTENSIVE, PARTICULARLY IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHERE WE HAVE ROOFS DAMAGED.

WE HAVE A COUPLE BUILDINGS COMPLETELY ON THE GROUND.

AND LOT OF WINDOWS OUT.

>> HERE ON PETRI ROAD, THAT RIGHT THERE, THAT WAS THE MAIN POWER LINE TO THE TOWN OF AND A DARK OWE.

MANY OF ANARDK ON RESIDENTS WERE WITHOUT POWER SEVERAL HOURS.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CHARGE MARK FOX SAYS IT VERY LIKELY WAS AN EF-1 TORNADO THAT RIPPED THROUGH DOWNTOWN ANARDKO SUNDAY.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE ONES WE'RE LOOKING AT, BECAUSE WE DO THINK THAT IT WILL LIKELY BE A TORNADO WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE BUT WE ARE TRYING TO SEE A FEW MORE THINGS.

>> THEY RECORDED AS MANY AS 14 TWISTERS AROUND THE STATE.

THEN LATE TUESDAY NIGHT, IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA, THE CLINTON AIRPORT SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUST WEST OF DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY, A SMALLER TWISTER KNOCKED DOWN TREES AND DAMAGED BUILDINGS.

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS AND A TORNADO?

>> ONE SPINS AND ONE DOESN'T.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS LIKE A FLIPPANT ANSWER, AND I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT, BUT WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT A TORNADO IS JUST MERELY SPINNING AROUND, IN THIS CASE CLOSE TO ABOUT 90 MILES PER HOUR.

A STRAIGHT-LINE WIND IS USUALLY JUST MORE WIDESPREAD, USUALLY GOES AROUND 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR.

BUT THE TORNADO WITH THAT TIGHT SPIN ON IT THAT REALLY CREATES A LITTLE EXTRA DAMAGE AND QUITE HONESTLY GETS THE ATTENTION OF MOST PEOPLE LITTLE BIT MORE THAN THE STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS.

>> THE CITY MANAGER WAS IN OKLAHOMA CITY SUNDAY NIGHT, ON HIS WAY BACK FROM THE RED RIVER RIVALRY.

AND WATCHED THE TORNADO ON TV FROM A FRIEND'S HOME.

>> THAT MAKES YOU FEEL HELPLESS.

I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH MY STAFF HERE.

I HAVE TO SAY I HAVE A GREAT STAFF.

THEY RESPONDED JUST LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, AND WE DID SOMETHING LAST YEAR AFTER THAT ICE STORM, WE SAT DOWN, WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OUR VULNERABILITIES AND HOW WE COULD BETTER RESPOND AND COME UP WITH AN ACTION PLAN AND PUT THAT PLAN IN PLACE YESTERDAY WITH OUR LEADER SKIP WHO DOES EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND THINGS HAPPENED LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE.

>> ANARDKO UPGRADED ITS ALERT SYSTEM SIX MONTHS AGO.

OF HE SAYS THAT MAY HAVE SPARED LIVES ON SUNDAY, EXCEPT FOR THE 200-YEAR-OLD TREE ON THE EDGE OF TOWN.

DAVID GONZALEZ LIVES IN THE MOBILE HOME NEXT TO IT.

HE HAD JUST RUSHED HIS GRANDFATHER TO A STORM SHELTER ACROSS THE STREET, AND HAD GONE BACK TO GET HIS DOG WHEN HE REALIZED HE WAS IN TROUBLE.

>> ALL I REMEMBER IS LIKE TREES GOING BY ME, AND LIKE LEAVES AND TURNED YELLOW.

TURNED YELLOW AROUND ME.

IT WAS WEIRD.

TURNED BRIGHT YELLOW.

I GOT LOW TO THE GROUND RUNNING TO THE CELL HER, AND I -- IT WAS WEIRD.

>> Reporter: KIMBERLY LIVES NEXT DOOR.

>> IT GOT COOL, AND THE WIND CAME THROUGH AND SEEN -- IT WAS SPRINKLING AND YOU COULD HEAR LITTLE BIT OF HALE, AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN STRAIGHT-LINE OF RAIN.

>> THE CITY OF NORMAN DIDN'T ESCAPE EITHER.

BIG HAIL FROM THE STORM RUINED SUSHI MONDAY ON MAIN STREET.

>> WE DID HAVE LOTS OF REPORTS, ESPECIALLY THE NORTH SIDE OF THE CITY OF AROUND 1 1/2 TO 2 1/2 INCH HAIL, GOLF BALL TO BASEBALL SIZE HAIL THERE, AND NONE OF THAT IS GOOD, ESPECIALLY IF IN OCTOBER THE.

>> STEVE SHAW, "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THANKS.

>>> THE STORMS CONTINUE TRACKING NORTHEAST AND EVENTUALLY IMPACT ON THE CITY OF COWETA IN WAGONER COUNTY.

WE CONTINUE OUR TEAM COVERAGE WITH ETHAN PIERCE REPORTING.

IT WAS A BLESSING THE STORMS DEVELOPED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT BECAUSE TWO SCHOOLS SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

FOOTBALL STUDENTS AT COWETA HIGH SCHOOL PITCHED IN AND HELPED CLEAN UP METAL PANELS MONDAY MORNING.

AFTER A TORNADO DROPPED DOWN ON THE OUTFIELD FENCE.

>> THAT BASEBALL FENCE WAS ALL THE WAY OUT BY HIGHWAY 51.

I THINK THERE IS ONLY ABOUT FOUR PANELS LEFT FROM THE OUTFIELD FENCE RIGHT NOW.

OUR FOOTBALL TEAM IS HERE AND THEY'RE GETTING READY TO WATCH FILM AND START PRACTICE HERE IN A LITTLE BIT.

>> WHILE COWETA HIGH SCHOOL WAS NOT DAMAGED, THE NEIGHBORING MISSION INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL APPEARED TO SUSTAINED A DIRECT HIT.

NINE AIR CONDITIONING UNITS WERE BLOWN OFF OF THE ROOF.

THE WINDOWS TO THE FRONT ENTRANCE WERE BLOWN OUT, RESULTING IN WATER AND CEILING DAMAGE INSIDE.

OUTSIDE SEVERAL TREES WERE BROKEN, TOPPLED AROUND THE CAMPUS.

>> YOU KNOW, YOU'RE MAKING MEMORIES, AND THIS IS SOMETHING THESE KIDS WON'T FORGET.

>> THE WEATHER SERVICE REPORTED THAT THE TORNADO THAT CAUSED THIS DAMAGE WAS AN EF-1.

NOT A HUGE STORM, BUT BIG ENOUGH TO CAUSE PROBLEMS IN A NEARBY NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> EVERYTHING LOOKED KIND OF EERIE, NO TORNADO, AND THEN OUR POWER WENT OUT AND ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER REAL BIG PRESSURE AND MY WIFE AND I EARS AND WE WERE IN THE BATHROOM IN THE BATHTUB, AND IT JUST REAL BIG PRESSURE, EVERYTHING WENT REAL QUIET, AND THE WHOLE HOUSE STARTED SHAKING REAL BAD.

>> THE STORM DAMAGED SEVERAL HOMES AND TREES NEAR THE HIGH SCHOOL, AN APARTMENT COMPLEX, A NURSING HOME, A PHILLIPS 66 GAS STATION, AND LEFT AROUND 800 HOMES AND BUSINESSES WITHOUT POWER.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED COWETA A TORNADO WATCH AT 9:25 P.M. A TORNADO WARNING WAS ISSUED AT 10:29 P.M.

THE FIRST TORNADO SIREN WAS ACTIVATED A MINUTE LATER, AT 10:30.

>> TORNADO WATCH IS LITERALLY THE TIME THAT YOU NEED TO USE TO PREPARE YOUR PLAN OF ACTION IN CASE A TORNADO ACTUALLY DOES THREATEN YOU.

AND IT MEANS THAT THE INGREDIENTS ARE ALL THERE FOR SEVERE WEATHER TO DEVELOP, BUT IT MAY NOT HAVE DEVELOPED YET.

>> IF IT DOES, THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUES A WARNING, MEANING A TORNADO HAS BEEN SIGHTED AND COULD BE ON THE GROUND MOMENTARILY.

THAT'S THE TIME TO SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER IN A BASEMENT OR SMALL INTERIOR ROOM.

>> THE STORM THAT HIT COWETA AND THE TORNADO THAT DEVELOPED IS WHAT WE CALL A SQUALL LINE TORNADO.

SO IT WASN'T ONE OF THOSE SUPERCELLS THAT LIKE YOU SEE ON TWISTSTER, THE STORMS DEVELOP IN WESTERN OKLAHOMA, AND THE MORE THEY MOVE EAST THEY FORM INTO A LONG LINE OF THUNDERSTORMS.

IT WAS ON THE GROUND FOR A LITTLE BIT OVER THREE MILES.

AND I BELIEVE IT WAS 700 YARDS WIDE AND ITS WIDEST.

AND IN THIS CASE, THE METEOROLOGIST SURVEYED THE DAMAGE IN COWETA THEY DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS INDICATIVE OF 110 MILES AN HOUR.

>> I RECEIVED A MEMO FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER ASSOCIATION THAT SHOWED US THE PATH OF THE TORNADO, SO THIS MORNING I HAD MY DRONE OFFICER COME OUT AND WE WENT AHEAD AND PUT THE DRONE UP IN THE AIR AND FOLLOWED THE SAME PATH THAT THE TORNADO WOULD HAVE TAKEN.

IT GAVE THE CITY MANAGER ALONG WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND THE FIRE CHIEF AS WE SAT DOWN AND WATCHED IT IT HELPED US ASSESS THE SITUATION AND FIGURE OUT WHAT OUR NEXT PLAN OF ACTION IS GOING TO BE.

>> WHEN IT'S DARK OUT, AND YOU'RE NOT QUITE SURE WHAT THE DAMAGE IS, IT'S ALWAYS VERY SCARY.

THANKFULLY WE SUFFERED NO INJURIES.

WE HAD NO FATALITIES IN COWETA.

WE HAVE SOME BUILDINGS THAT WERE SLIGHTLY DAMAGED.

BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE OUTCOME THAT WE GOT.

>> IT BEGAN ON WEDNESDAY, IN LINE OF SUNDAY NIGHT'S EVENT COWETA PUBLIC SCHOOLS DECIDED TO CLOSE THE DISTRICT DOWN FOR THE WEEK TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE AND BEGIN THE CLEANUP PROCESS.

ETHAN PIERCE, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AS WE DO EVERY FRIDAY IT'S TIME TO EXAMINE THE LATEST COVID NUMBERS.

KIND OF A MIXED BAG THIS WEEK.

ROLLING SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE OF NEW CASES IS UP, BY MORE THAN 200 INFECTIONS PER DAY.

HOWEVER, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND OCCUPIED ICU BEDS HAVE FALLEN.

OUR SEVEN-DAY DEATH TOLL IS TRENDING DOWNWARD FROM 307, TWO WEEKS AGO, TO 284 LAST WEEK, DOWN TO 210 THIS WEEK.

OKLAHOMA IS SLOWLY INCHING TOWARDS HALF OF ITS 4 MILLION RESIDENTS BEING FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN DECLARED MONDAY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY, BECOMING FIRST U.S. PRESIDENT TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE THE DAY.

MANY STATES AND CITIES NOW CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY IN LEW OF OR IN ADDITION TO COLUMBUS DAY.

AND THAT INCLUDES OKLAHOMA CITY.

THE NEW FIRST AMERICAN MUSEUM WAS THE SITE OF A CEREMONY ON MONDAY WHICH INCLUDED DANCING AND OTHER TRADITIONS.

MANY INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAYS A I AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE NATE YOU HAVE CULTURE WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THEIR TRIBE.

>> IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND REALLY TALK THROUGH YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, AND TO SEE WHO WE ARE AS A THRIVING PEOPLE TODAY.

>> VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, I HELPED CHANGE SECOND TOWN OKLAHOMA, I WAS DRIVING FORCE TO GET THAT CHANGED OVER, WENT BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL, AND ARGUED MY POINT, AND TOLD OUR HISTORY.

>> IT TOOK MONTHS TO CONVINCE THE CITY COUNCIL TO OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY.

>>> THE ANNUAL SOFTEN TRY SYMPOSIUM WAS HELD ONLINE.

IT WAS A VIRTUAL ALL EVENT.

THE ORGANIZERS SAY IT REPRESENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A FORUM TO DISCUSS COMMON ISSUES IN A NON-ADVERSARIAL ENVIRONMENT.

BUT THAT WAS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE THIS YEAR.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US TO TELL US WHAT WAS DISCUSSED.

TAELYR.

>> RICH, NOT SURPRISINGLY, THE McGIRT DECISION WAS A PRIME TOPIC OF CONVERSATION.

THE STITT ADMINISTRATION IS HOPING TO OVERRULE IT IN COURT.

>> THE PROTECTION OF SOVEREIGNTY HAS BECOME A MAJOR STICKING POINT BETWEEN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND TRIBAL NATIONS WHICH RE-ESTABLISHED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM UNDER THE McGIRT DECISION.

>> WE DO HAVE TO BE VIGILANT, BECAUSE THERE ARE PLENTY OF ENEMIES OF SOVEREIGNTY OUT THERE.

ONE OF THEM IS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WHO WANTS McGIRT OVERTURNED.

THE OTHER ONE IS THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA WHO WANTS McGIRT OVERTURNED.

THERE IS NOBODY THAT IS ANTI-SOVEREIGNTY.

I'VE NOT TALKED TO ONE PERSON WHO I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE ENEMY OF SOVEREIGNTY.

>> WITH HE SAID STITT AND HIS APPOINTED STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN O'CONNOR WANTS TO CONVINCE THE COUNTRY THE TRIBAL NATIONS CANNOT HANDLE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CREATING THE SUCCESSFUL CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> I THINK THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

NOT ONLY CAN WE BE TRUSTED, I THINK WE'RE DOING IT BETTER THAN MANY STATES AND I THINK WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A GREAT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING ACROSS THE BOARD, PUBLIC POLICY, WE'RE DOING IT BETTER.

>> RYAN LEONARD IS THE SPECIAL COUNSEL TO GOVERNOR STITT FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS.

HE SAYS TRIBES AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ARE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE McGIRT DECISION BEYOND THEIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> WE NOW HAVE THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR WHO IS TAKING IT UPON THEMSELVES TO STRIP THE STATE OF ITS REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF THE MINING PROGRAM BASED UPON EXPANDED READINGS OF McGIRT.

WE HAD WIND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY IS AREN'T FAR BEHIND.

>> LEONARD CONDITION END THES IS NECESSARY TO KEEP McGIRT FROM BEING APPLIED TO NONCRIMINAL JURISDICTIONS.

>> THE McGIRT DECISION VERY EXPLICITLY SAYS THAT THIS DECISION IS LIMITED IN SCOPE TO THE FEDERAL MAJOR CRIMES.

DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT CIVIL JURISDICTION.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE THOSE AMONG THE TRIBAL COMMUNITIES AND PARTNERS AND FRIENDS IN TRIBAL LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ITSELF WHO USED McGIRT MORE BROADLY AS APPLYING NOT ONLY TO CRIMINAL JURISDICTION BUT ALSO TO CIVIL JURISDICTION.

>> THE SUPREME COURT LEFT ALL OTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AS A STATE FOR COURTS, OKLAHOMANS AND OUR NATIVE NATIONS TO FIGURE OUT.

PIECE BY PIECE, SOMETIMES STRUGGLE BY STRUGGLE, FOR YEAR THEN PROBABLY DECADES TO COME.

>> THE STATE SOLICITOR-GENERAL RECALL ARGUED THE McGIRT CASE BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

HE CONTENDS McGIRT LEAVES MANY ASPECTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OPEN FOR INTERPRETATION, LIKE TRAFFIC TICKETS OR OTHER ORDINANCE PASSED BY CITIES WITHIN THE NATIVE RESERVATION.

>> OTHER QUESTIONS REVOLVE AROUND MUNICIPAL COURT JURISDICTION OVER CRIMES AND INFRACTIONS UNDER THE ACT ENACTED IN 1898 AND GAVE MUNICIPALITIES IN THE INDIAN TERRITORY EXPLICITLY JURISDICTION OVER INDIANS.

>> AS THE STATE AND TRIBES ARE IN A VIRTUAL STANDOFF OVER THE McGIRT DECISION THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS FOR THE NORTHERN AND EASTERN DISTRICTS HAVE TAKEN ON ADDITIONAL WORK OF PROSECUTING CRIMES THAT JUST OVER A YEAR AND A HALF AGO WERE RARE IN FEDERAL COURT.

>> THIS IS A UNIQUE MOMENT.

THERE IS NO DOUBT THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT COME WITH THE McGIRT DECISION, THE DRAIN ON RESOURCES ARE SIGNIFICANT.

>> IN FACT, THE CURRENT U.S.

ATTORNEYS HAVE ASKED FOR AND RECEIVED ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND SHARED RESOURCES WITH OTHER FEDERAL PROSECUTORS AS THEY TAKE ON THE INCREASED CASELOAD IN INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> THIS IS NOT AN OPTION THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS, BUT RATHER AN AFFIRMATIVE OBLIGATION.

WE SEE IT CAPTURED IN TREATIES, IN LAW, IN JUDICIAL DECISIONS, AND TIME AND AGAIN THE UNITED STATES HAS FAILED AND TIME AND AGAIN THE UNITED STATES HAS SUCCEEDED.

>> WITH OVER 370 TREATIES BETWEEN NATIVE TRIBES IN THE UNITED STATES MUSKOGEE NATION CHIEF SAYS THE GOVERNMENT MUST UPHOLD THEIR PROMISES.

>> OUR ABILITY TO COLLECTIVELY LIVE AS SOVEREIGN NATION ABSOLUTELY REQUIRES A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO HONOR THESE TREATIES AND RESPECT THE RULE OF THE LAW, ALLOWING THEM TO VIOLATE THESE TEETHIES THREATENS THE VERY EXISTENCE OF EVERY TRIBE IN THE NATION.

>> THE STATE'S SOLICITOR-GENERAL RECALL SAYS OKLAHOMA WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE LIMITATIONS ON McGIRT.

BUT THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH THE TRIBES.

>> THE AG OFFICE LOOKS FORWARD TO NOT ONLY LITIGATING THE CASES WHEN WE HAVE TO LITIGATE BUT ALSO WORKING WITH OUR TRIBAL PARTNERS WHEN THE NEED FOR LITIGATION ISN'T THAT STRONG.

>> MANY OF THE TRIBAL LEADERS AGREE, THE STATE, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE TRIBES CAN FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER.

>> TOGETHER WE HAVE THE TOOLS WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF SERVING EVERY INDIVIDUAL WHO CALLS THIS AREA HOME.

>> COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST WE WILL HAVE AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON OKLAHOMA'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE RESULTS IN FINDING MISSING INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

RICH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SOON YOU'LL BE ABLE TO COLLECT OR SPEND A UNITED STATES QUARTER THAT DEPICTS WILL MA MANKILLER, THE FIRST FEMALE PRINCIPAL CHIEF OF THE CHEROKEE NATION.

THE OFFICIAL DESIGNS FOR THE AMERICAN WOMENS QUARTERS PROGRAM HAVE BEEN RELEASED BY THE U.S. MINT.

BY LAW YOU MUST BE DECEASED TO BE HONORED ON COINS DESIGNED.

MANKILLER DIED OF PAIN YEAR AT I CAN CANCER IN 2010.

THE NEW COINS WILL FEATURE GEORGE WASHINGTON ON THE FRONT BUT HIS LIKENESS WILL BE DIFFERENT.

>>> IT'S BEEN A MINUTE AS THEY SAY SINCE WE SPOKE TO E-CAPITOL NEWS DIRECTOR ABOUT WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING TO 23rd AND LINCOLN.

DUE TO THE PANDEMIC EVEN LONGER SINCE SHAWN WAS ABLE TO JOIN US IN STUDIO.

THERE WERE SEVERAL HEARINGS ON EDUCATION AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

WHAT WERE THE LAWMAKERS TRYING TO FIND OUT?

>> WHEN THEY WENT TO EDUCATION THEY LOOKED AT A NUMBER OF THINGS.

THE TEACHER SHORTAGE WHICH SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM NOT ONLY OKLAHOMA BUT NATIONWIDE.

THEY DISCUSSED HOW TO DEAL WITH STUDENTS WHO ARE PREGNANT INIAL SCHOOL, NOT JUST INIAL COLLEGE BUT ALSO CAREER TECH, AND IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE MORE INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS WAS ABOUT SCHOOL DATA AND SCHOOL ASSESSMENTS.

WHAT WE SAW THERE WAS THAT OKLAHOMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT KATHERINE BISHOP EXPRESSED SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE CURRENT A AND F SYSTEM SAYING IT MAY NOT REFLECT WHAT'S GOING ON IN SCHOOLS.

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THAT IDEA, SAYING IT WAS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL.

>> SHAWN IT APPEARS THE ECONOMY IS DOING WELL IN OKLAHOMA ON.

GENERAL REVENUE UP MORE THAN EXPECTED IN SEPTEMBER BY HOW MUCH?

>> WE SAW COLLECTIONS COME IN MORE THAN $100 MILLION MORE THAN THEY WERE IN 2020, AS WELL AS $100 MILLION MORE THAN THE ESTIMATE FOR THE MONTH.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT FIRST QUARTER OF THE FISCAL YEAR, THE FIRST THREE MONTHS WE HAVE SEEN COLLECTIONS HAVE EXCEEDED THE PRIOR YEAR QUITE WELL, AND THEY'RE ABOUT ON PAR WITH THE ESTIMATE TO DATE, PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST FACTORS HAVING TO DO WITH THAT IS THE GROSS PROVISION TAX ON NATURAL GAS WHICH HAS LAGGED.

NOW BECAUSE OF RECENT PRICES BEING AS HIGH AS THEY HAVE BEEN, THEY'RE EXCEEDING BOTH THE PRIOR YEAR AND EXPECTATIONS.

>> LEGISLATIVE STUDY REVEALED THAT SOME OKLAHOMA COMMUNITIES ARE MITTING OUT ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE INFRASTRUCTURE IS POOR.

WHAT'S THE SITUATION?

>> REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN DOUGAL A REPUBLICAN FROM TULSA REQUESTED THE STUDY, AND HIS QUESTION BASICALLY WAS WHY ARE WE LOSING OUT ON SOME ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

WHY AREN'T SOME BUSINESSES PICKING THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA?

AND JENNIFER SPRINGER WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE EXPLAINED THAT IN SOME CASES THESE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES HAVE THE LAND WHERE FACTORIES AND BUSINESSES COULD LOCATE BUT THEY LACK THAT ININ A INFRASTRUCTURE, ADEQUATE ELECTRIC SUPPLY, ADEQUATE WATER AND SEWER, ADEQUATE NATURAL GAS SUPPLY, AND SOMETIMES FIBER AND BROADBAND IN ORDER FOR THOSE BUSINESSES TO CHOOSE THOSE AREAS.

NEAR THE CONCLUSION OF THAT MEETING SEVERAL MEMBERS SEEMED TO COME AGREEMENT ON CONTINUING TO WORK ON THAT ISSUE, AND POSSIBLY PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSAL THAT LAWMAKERS COULD CONSIDER IN THE SPRING ON HOW THEY MIGHT FUND SOME OF THOSE IMPROVEMENTS.

>> TWO MARIJUANA QUESTIONS COULD BE ON THE BALLOT NEXT YEAR.

WATER A THEY SEEKING TO CHANGE?

>> STATE QUESTION 817 WOULD LEGALIZE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

IT WOULD LEAVE IN PLACE THE BUSINESS LICENSING ASPECT THAT WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH NOW, FROM GROWER TO DISPENSARY.

STATE QUESTION 818 WOULD ELIMINATE -- WOULD REPLACE THE CURRENT OKLAHOMA MEDICAL MARIJUANA AUTHORITY WITH A NEW STAND ALONE SELF SUPPORTING OVERSIGHT.

>> I GOT TO TELL YOU IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU BACK IN PERSON AFTER ALL THIS TEAM.

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> AS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS CONTINUE TO FLOW INTO STATE COFFERS THE DEMAND TO KNOWER WITH AND HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT CONTINUES TO GROW.

JASON DOYLE REPORTS THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS A MAJOR ISSUE FOR LAWMAKERS WHO WILL SPEND THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNOR STITT HOW BEST TO INVEST THOSE DOLLARS.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SENDING NEARLY $3.2 BILLION TO OKLAHOMA OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS THROUGH THE AMERICAN RECOVERY PLAN ACT OR ARPA.

THE STATE HAS DIRECT CONTROL OF NEARLY $1.9 BILLION WHILE THE OTHER PORTION WILL BE GIVEN TO OUR 77 COUNTRIES, THE TEN BIGGEST CITIES AND SEVERAL OTHER SMALLER GOVERNMENT ENTITIES.

THE LEGISLATIVE JOINT COMMITTEE ON PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDING BEGAN ACCEPTING PROPOSALS ON OCTOBER 1st AND THE IDEAS CAME FLOWING IN.

>> $1.2 BILLION.

AND FIVE DAYS, REQUESTED THROUGH THE PORTAL ON SOFT OPENING.

SO $1.87 BILLION IN LESS THAN A WEEK WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.

>> WE ALREADY HAVE OVER $1 BILLION IN REQUESTS ALREADY.

AND SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE REQUESTS THAN WE HAVE MONEY FOR.

>> SENATOR ROGER TOMORROW MANY MUCH SON SAYS LAWMAKERS WILL BE VETTING THE PROJECTS AND SENDING THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNOR STITT WHO GIVES FINAL APPROVAL.

>> WATER, SEWER WATER, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE IS GOING TO BE HUGE, BROADBAND GOING TO BE THE HUGE FOR OKLAHOMA.

JUST THINK ABOUT BROAD BAND, IF WE GET INTO TELEMEDICINE, HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS GOING TO BE.

>> THREE THINGS THAT ARE KILLING RURAL OKLAHOMA, IT'S LACK OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, A LACK OF ECONOMIC STUNTS AND HEALTHCARE.

AND BROADBAND NOW IN THE DAY AND TIME THAT WE LIVE IN BROADBAND CAN HELP WITH ALL THREE OF THOSE.

I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT'S GOING TO COMPLETELY SOLVE THE EXODUS OF RURAL OKLAHOMA BUT IT CERTAINLY WILL STEM THE TIDE IF WE COULD GET BETTER BROADBAND ACROSS THE STATE INTO RURAL OKLAHOMA.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA MUNICIPAL LEAG ECONOMIES.

>> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVID MYERS SAYS HIS NORTHERN OKLAHOMA MUNICIPALITY IS SEEKING TO SOLVE THE ISSUES HOLDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES BACK.

>> TWO MAJOR ISSUES WE HAVE SEEN IN PONCA CITY, PROBABLY TRUE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES, IS SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WE HEARD QUITE A BIT ABOUT, HOW DO OUR EMPLOYERS WHO MAKE THINGS GET THE FEEDSTOCK THAT THEY NEED TO TURN THAT PRODUCT AROUND, AND THAT'S BEEN A VERY, VERY SIGNIFICANT IMPACT UPON OUR COMPANIES.

AND THEN THE BIGGEST ONE IS WORKFORCE.

>> MYERS SAYS ONE OF THE KEYS TO OF SOMETHING THE WORKFORCE ISSUE IS IMPROVING HOUSING IN RURAL TOWNS.

>> THAT IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON WHY WE SEE PEOPLE LEAVE RURAL AMERICA AND GO TO URBAN AMERICA.

NOT LACK OF JOBS.

THERE IS PLENTY JOBS, BUT IT'S DIFFICULT TO FIND APPROPRIATE HOUSING.

AND IN AREAS LIKE PONCA CITY WHERE THE AVERAGE AGE OF A HOUSE IS 54 YEARS RIGHT NOW, THE AVERAGE, IT CUTS DOWN ON YOUR HOUSING CHOICES AND SO FORTH.

>> THE RURAL HOUSING ISSUES ARE IMPACTED BY THE COST OF BUILDING NEW HOMES AND APARTMENTS.

>> OUR SINGLE BIGGEST NEED AND NOT QUITE SURE AT THIS POINT HOW ARPA CAN HELP BUT IT'S HOUSING.

IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BUILD HOUSING IN RURAL AREAS, FOR THE SIMPLE FACT YOU BUILD A HOUSE FOR $150 A SQUARE FOOT BUT ONLY SELLING FOR $130.

>> HE BELIEVES FIGURING WAY FOR ARPA FUNDS TO IMPROVE BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE COULD LEAD TO SOLUTION.

>> ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO REDUCE THE INFRASTRUCTURE COST, THE WATER AND SEWER AND ROADS, THAT CAN ENTICE PEOPLE, DEVELOPERS, CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES, CONTRACTORS, TO HELP BUILD MORE HOUSING SO WE CAN FILL THE OPEN JOBS THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE WE HAVE IN PONCA CITY OVER 2,000 OPEN JOBS.

>> WE'RE ALWAYS FIGHTING UPHILL WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING THE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND WASTE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN OKLAHOMA, SO THIS IS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY AND ESPECIALLY IF THE STATE WILL MATCH SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS FOR US TO MAKE A VERY SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT AND STEP FORWARD FOR INFRASTRUCTURE ALL OVER THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> THOSE KIND OF PROJECTS ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET THE ATTENTION OF LAWMAKERS.

>> I WOULD SAY THOSE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE READY, THEY CAN COME IN, THIS IS THE PLAN, WE GOT THE PLAN BEFORE US, AND GET THAT DOWN TO WORKING GROUPS AND LET THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT.

BRING THOSE FOLKS IN AND INTERVIEW THEM.

>> THE COMMITTEE WILL TAKE ITS TIME IN REVIEWING THE PROJECTS BEFORE SENDING THEM TO THE GOVERNOR.

THE STATE HAS TO OBLIGATE ALL THE $1.8 BILLION BY THE END OF 2024, AND SPEND THE FUNDS BY THE END OF 2026.

OF JASON DOYLE, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> JASON CONTINUES OUR OF COME RAGE OF OKLAHOMA'S ECONOMY WITH MORE ON THE COMPANY'S MAKING NEWS IN THE COMPREHENSIVE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THE NEW CHESS A PEA ENERGY PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IS DOMENIC DELL'OSSO.

HE IS TAKING OVER IMMEDIATELY FROM INTERIM CEO MIKE WICHTERICH WHO ASSUMES THE ROLE OF EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN.

HE TAKES THE POSITION ON THE CHESAPEAKE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

HE BECAME THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER IN NOVEMBER 2010.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED HOBBY LOBBY ANNOUNCED IT'S HIRING 11,000 SEASONAL STORE EMPLOYEES FOR THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING SEASON.

THE CRAFT RETAILER ALSO ANNOUNCED IT'S INCREASING PART-TIME MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE BY MORE THAN 18% TO $13 AN HOUR.

THIS COMING ON THE HEALS OF HOBBY LOBBY RAISING FULL-TIME WAGES TO $17 AN HOUR.

THE SKIRVIN HOTEL RECEIVED A CONDITION DES IN TRAVELERS 2021 READER'S CHOICE AWARD.

THE DESIGNATION MAKES IT EYE TOP 20 TRAVEL DECEMBER IS THE NATION.

THE 225 ROOM HISTORIC HOTEL ALSO WAS RECENTLY NAMED ONE OF THE BEST HOTELS IN THE U.S. BY U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT.

>>> THREE OKLAHOMA TECH COMPANIES FORMED PARTNERSHIP TO BRING SOFTWARE PLATFORMS TO CATTLE RANCHES.

LAND SCOUT, AGBOOST AND SMART STOCK ARE INTEGRATING SERVICES TO ASSIST WITH RANCH MANAGEMENT PROVIDING TOOLS FOR REAL TIME HERD LOCATION SERVICES, GENETIC TESTING FOR OPEN THAT MALL BREEDING PURPOSES.

BOOM MOTO TEAMED UP WITH WESLEY SNIPES.

BOOM MOTO IS DISTRIBUTOR OF ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLES.

THE SNIPES CUSTOM ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE WILL BE RAFFLED OFF AT A FUTURE DATE.

>>> GREAT WORK.

THANK YOU.

OBESITY AMONG OKLAHOMA'S YOUTH IS A MAJOR CONCERN BASED ON THE RESULTS OF A NATIONAL STUDDIE.

ONE IN SIX CHILDREN AGES TEN TO 17-YEARS-OLD ARE CONSIDERED OBESE.

THAT IS THE FINDING FROM THE LATEST ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION STATE OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY REPORT.

HOWEVER, OKLAHOMA CHILDREN ARE DEALING WITH OBESITY AT A HIGHER RATE THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> OKLAHOMA'S RATE IS 18.7% AS I MENTIONED, THE NATIONAL AVERAGE IS 16.2%.

OKLAHOMA IS A BIT HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

PUTTING OKLAHOMA AT 13.

WE DON'T LIKE FOLKS TO GET COMPLETELY HUNG UP WITH THE RANKINGS.

I THINK THE IMPORTANT MESSAGE IS THAT WE ALL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AHEAD TO IMPROVE THOSE RATES.

>> POLICY CHANGES LIKE OKLAHOMA MEDICAID EXPANSION WILL HELP THE STATE TACKLE ISSUES THAT LEAD TO CHILDHOOD OBESITY.

>> UNTIL JULY 20th, WHEN THE 82-YEAR-OLD PIONEER ACCEPTED THE INVITATION OF JEFF BEZOS TO JOIN ON HIS FIRST FLIGHT TO SPACE.

THE OKLAHOMA STATE GRADUATE SAYS SHE WANTS TO HITCH A RIDE ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION NEXT.

>>> FUNK RETURNED THIS WEEK.

THE OLDEST WOMAN TO EVER BE LAUNCHED INTO SPACE HAD ONE KEY PIECE OF ADVICE FOR THOSE HOPING TO FOLLOW IN HER FOOTSTEPS.

>> AND HAD I KNOWN THAT, I SURE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN IT RIGHT HERE.

THEY COULDN'T HIRE ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE AN ENGINEERING DEGREE, AND THE PRESS HAS GOTTEN IT WRONG.

SO ANY OF YOU, YOUR KIDS, WHEREVER, GET -- GET YOUR ENGINEERING DEGREE.

>> THE FRATERNITY OF WELL-KNOWN SPACE EXPLORERS EXPANDING WHEN CAPTAIN KIRK ACTOR WILLIAM SHATNER WENT WHERE HE HAD NEVER GONE BEFORE, ROCKETING TO SPACE.

>>> THERE IS RENEWED HOPE THAT GREATER COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TRIBES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WILL RESULT IN BETTER OUTCOMES IN FINDING AND RESCUING MISSING INDIGENOUS CHILDREN.

ARE WE SEEING PROGRESS TOWARDS THAT GOAL?

THAT IS THE MUCH TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH SUSAN CADOT.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

WE HAVE TWO GUESTS WITH US TODAY WHO HAVE A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS TROPIC AND IL LIKES TO INTRODUCE THEM TO YOU.

WE HAVE SARA ADAM, WORKED IN ADVOCACY FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

HE COORDINATED THE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PERSONS INITIATIVE IN OKLAHOMA IN 2019.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US BACK ON.

>> LET'S GET STARTED.

I WANT TO START WITH SARAH.

YOU WORK IN ADVOCACY SPECIFICALLY FOR INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

COULD YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

>> MATRIARCH IS INTERTRIPLE WE TALK ABOUT -- WE DO A GREAT DEAL OF TRAUMA HEALING WORK.

AND THEN WE DO EMPOWERMENT WORK AFTER THAT.

SO IT REALLY IS KIND OF A -- THE THREE STEPS TO UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS IMPACTING US.

HEALING SOME OF THAT TRAUMA AND THEN GOING ON TO TAKE STEPS TO REALLY LIVE THE LIVES THAT WE WANT TO LIVE.

AND IN ITS ESSENCE IT'S A SUPPORT SYSTEM.

>> ACCORDING TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE COALITION TO STOP VIOLENCE AGAINST NATIVE WOMEN, FOUR OUT OF FIVE INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE AFFECTED BY VIOLENCE AND FACE MURDER RATES TEN TIMES THAT OF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

TRENT, DO YOU -- THOSE ARE EXTREME STATS, IS THAT TRUE?

>> YEAH, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GOT THEIR STATS BUT I CAN TELL YOU I'VE SEEN A NUMBER OF STATISTICAL MARKERS THAT SHOW NOT ONLY THOSE TYPES OF EXTREME STATISTICS.

WE HEARD FROM TRIBAL LEADERS AND ADVOCATES, VOICING CONCERNS ABOUT THE HIGH VIOLENCE RATES THAT NATIVE-AMERICAN WOMEN AND MEN, AS WELL EXPERIENCE.

IT IS A TRAGEDY.

IT IS AN EPIDEMIC.

ALL TOO OFTEN ALSO THERE WAS A LACK OF SERVICES AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS.

SO WHEN WE THINK ABOUT HIGH VIOLENCE RATES I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALSO THINK ABOUT HIGH VICTIMIZATION RATES.

IN THE SENSE THAT IF THERE IS A LOT OF CRIMES BEING COMMITTED, THERE IS A LOT OF VICTIMS EXPERIENCING THAT TRAUMA.

>> WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE OF TRIBES NATIONWIDE THAT THEY HAVE SUCH HIGH STATS?

WHAT'S GOING ON?

WHAT DO YOU SEE THAT COULD BE FIXED OR WE COULD DO BETTER?

>> THERE ARE A SERIES OF THINGS THAT MAKE I WOULD CALL THEM DIFFERENT GEARS THAT HAVE TO TURN TO MAKE MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE THE CRISIS THAT IT IS IN OUR STATE AND IN OUR NATION.

A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH MISREPRESENTATION OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE, THE FACT THAT THERE IS A GREAT STUDY THAT ELIMINATED THAT FINDING THAT THERE IS A PORTION OF OUR -- THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO BELIEVE THAT WE'RE EXTINCT.

THERE IS ALSO A GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES WHO BELIEVE WE'RE SUBHUMAN.

WHEN YOU HAVE THIS LACK OF KNOWLEDGE ABOUT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IT'S MUCH EASIER TO BE DEHUMANIZE THEM WHEN YOU HAVE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

>> IF I MIGHT, THROUGHOUT MICAH REAR I HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK IN NATIVE-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES AND INTERACT A LOT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WITH TRIBAL PROSECUTORS, TRIBAL LEADERS AND HEAR FIRSTHAND FRANKLY NOT JUST IN OKLAHOMA WHAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING, BUT OUTSIDE OF OUR GREAT STATE, MEETING TRIBAL LEADERS FROM COAST TO COST.

FOR ME THAT COMMUNICATION WAS CLEAR THAT THE LACK OF RESOURCES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PRESENCE IN INDIAN COUNTRY WHEN COMPARED TO SIMILARLY SITUATED RURAL AREAS THAT ARE NON-INDIAN OR NON-INDIAN COUNTRY IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM.

THE NUMBERS OF TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS JUST LACKING AT THE MOMENT.

WHEN YOU SEE WHETHER IT'S THE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, TRIBES THAT HAVE 638 CONTRACTED TO PROVIDE THEIR OWN LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES, THOSE ACADEMIES CLASSES AREN'T FILLING UP.

LAST CHECK AT ONE POINT WHEN I WAS UNITED STATES ATTORNEY AND CHAIR OF THE NATIVE-AMERICAN ISSUES SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, BIA POLICE STAFFING WAS HOVERING AROUND 50% MARK.

AND WE KNOW THAT THAT'S JUST UNACCEPTABLE.

HOW IS IT THAT NATIVE-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES CAN EXPECT TO SEE VIOLENT CRIME RATES DECREASE WHEN THERE AREN'T ADEQUATE NUMBERS OF POLICE OFFICERS ON SHIFT AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

>> I'LL ADDRESS THE NEXT QUESTION TO EITHER ONE OF YOU, WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING FROM BOTH OF YOU, TRENT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR HIRING AND PAYING FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOVEREIGNTY OF NATION, AND THEN SARAH, WHO IS COMMITTING THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR THE MURDERS AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN?

IS IT WITHIN THE COMMUNITIES THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, THE NATIVE-AMERICAN COMMUNITY?

>> WELL, WITH REGARD TO WHO HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY, I THINK THERE IS AN ANSWER THERE THAT IS TWO-FOLD.

THE FIRST RESPONSIBILITY I THINK FALLS WITH UNITED STATES, AS PART OF THE FEDERAL TRUST RESPONSIBILITY, THAT IS THE FORMAL AGREEMENT, THE OBLIGATION THAT THE UNITED STATES HAS WITH FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES TO PROVIDE CERTAIN SERVICES.

ONE OF THOSE IS POLICING, OR JUSTICE RELATED SERVICES.

SO WITH REGARD TO THOSE BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS, OFFICE OF JUSTICE SERVICES, POLICING CONTACTS, OR GRANTS OR FUNDS OR RESOURCES THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED, I THINK AS A THRESHOLD MATTER THAT IS WHERE IT CAN COME FROM.

IT ALSO SHOULD COME FROM THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE FORM OF PROSECUTORS, TRIBAL LIAISONS, MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS COORDINATORS.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN PROVIDE AND HAS AFFIRMATIVE OBLIGATION TO.

I THINK THAT IS PART AND PERIL OF WHAT A TRIBAL GOVERNMENT CAN AND SHOULD DO AS WELL IS PROVIDE THOSE POLICING SERVICES.

>> AS FAR AS WHO IS COMMITTING THE CRIMES AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE I WOULD SAY YOU KNOW ONE THING THAT MAKES THIS VERY SPECIAL, ESPECIALLY HEINOUS, IS THAT MOST OF THE PERPETRATORS ARE NONINDIGENOUS PEOPLE WHICH IS NOT THE NORMA MONK OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE.

SO THE VAST MAJORITY OF THOSE WHO ARE HARMING INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE NON-INDIGIT US IN PEOPLE.

AND THAT IS HAPPENING IN AN ALARMING RATE AND QUITE HONESTLY WHILE THERE IS A LACK OF YOU KNOW -- AS FAR AS TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS AND THOSE CONNECTIONS WITH STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS, THERE IS A LOT OF HIDING BEHIND JURISDICTIONAL -- IT'S JURISDICTIONAL SCAPEGOATING TO ME, WHO ACTUALLY HAS THE JURISDICTION TO INVESTIGATE THIS CASE AND ARE THEY GOING TO DO IT.

THERE IS A LARGE AMOUNT OF WHO IS AND WHO IS NOT WORTHY OF SEARCHING AND INVESTIGATION.

WE FIND THAT A LOT.

WE'VE HELD BOOTS ON THE GROUND SEARCHES WHERE WE HAVE -- THE FAMILIES HAVE NOTIFIED THE OFFICIALS, THEY HAVE TAKEN ALL THE APPROPRIATE STEPS, AND THEY STILL WERE NOT LOOKING FOR THEIR LOST FAMILY MEMBERS.

AND SO IT WAS REALLY PUT UPON THE COMMUNITY TO GET TOGETHER TO LEARN HOW TO DO SEARCHES, AND TO DO THAT OURSELVES, AND OUR COMMUNITY RECOVERED OUR LOSED LOVED ONE.

SO WE'RE SEEING THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS REALLY STEPPED INTO THESE ROLES THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR.

THIS SHOULD NOT BE OUR JOB.

>> YES, TRENT, GO AHEAD.

>> SORRY.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO PIGGYBACK ON THAT RESPONSE, BECAUSE BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I'VE LOOKED AT A LOT OF DIFFERENT STATISTICS AND STUDIES THAT TALK ABOUT WHO IS COMMITTING THESE CRIMES.

MY ON THE GROUND EXPERIENCE AND THAT OF I KNOW MANY PROSECUTORS OR INVESTIGATORS, TRIBAL OR FEDERAL WHO WORK IN INDIAN COUNTRY, IS THAT A LOT OF DOMESTIC RELATED CRIMES ARE OCCURRING BY AN INDIAN AGAINST ANOTHER INDIAN.

BUT WE'VE SEEN STUDIES RECENTLY THAT TALK ABOUT PERHAPS AN INCREASED PREVALENCE OF NON-INDIANS COMMITTING THESE CRIMES AGAINST INDIANS.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE INTERESTING ASPECTS OF THE -- SARAH NOTED THESE PARTICULAR CRIMES THAT WHETHER IT'S NUANCED OR PARTICULARLY CONCERNING, BUT I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE YOUR VIEWERS WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT IT'S MY EXPERIENCE THAT NON-INDIANS ARE THE PRIMARY PERPETRATORS.

IN MY EXPERIENCE, IT IS THE -- IT IS INDIANS COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST INDIANS, BECAUSE THAT'S WHO OFF 15 TIMES LIVED ON INDIAN RESERVATION OR IN INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT CLARIFICATION.

AND SARAH WHAT YOU TALKED ABOUT IS CASES GETTING -- SO WE HAVE THIS SITUATION, AND KNOWLEDGE IS POWER.

IF WE GET THE INFORMATION THAT THIS IS HAPPENING, THAT INFORMATION IS NOT GETTING OUT AS YOU SAID TO THE LEVEL OF SOME OTHER CASES, RIGHT NOW THE WHOLE NATION IS ENGROSSED IN FINDING THE PERSON WHO KILLED GABBY PETITO.

AND WHY DON'T WE GET THAT KIND OF COVERAGE FOR ALL THESE WOMEN WHO HAVE YOU KNOW COME INTO HARM'S WAY?

EITHER ONE OF YOU CAN ANSWER THAT.

>> WELL, IT'S RACISM.

I MEAN WE HAVE SEEN MOYERIZIATION OVER AND OVER ABOUT WHO IS AND WHO ISN'T WORTHY OF COVERAGE AND OF SEARCHES.

WE HAVE HAD LAW ENFORCEMENT COME LOST SOMEONE WHO HAS WRITTEN US OFF IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY KIND OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THEIR PAST, IF THEY HAD EVER BEEN A RUN AWAY, IT WAS LIKE WELL, AND ESPECIALLY, ESPECIALLY OUR TWO SPIRIT AND TRANS RELATIVES WHO GO MISSING, THEY GIVE THE EXCUSE THAT THEY LED HIGH RISK LIFESTYLES, AND THEY ARE JUST WRITTEN OFF.

AND IT FALLS AS WE MENTIONED BEFORE TO THE COMMUNITY TO LOOK FOR THESE LOVED ONES, AND IT JUST -- IT REALLY IS MIRRORED BY THE RACISM THAT WE SEE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> I WOULD NEVER PROFESS TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE MEDIA DOES OR DOES NOT COVER SOMETHING.

SUSAN YOU'RE PROBABLY THE BEST QUALIFIED OUT OF THE THREE OF US TO WEIGH IN ON THAT.

BUT YOU KNOW, I THINK SARAH MAKES SOME REALLY VALID POINTS HERE, AND I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT EVEN THOUGH IT MAY NOT RECEIVE SOME OF THE NATIONAL MEDIA COVERAGE, EVEN LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE, THESE CASES ARE RECEIVING THE COVERAGE OF THE SELFLESS AND DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SOMETIMES THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

AND THAT CAN BE A CONCERN, AS WELL.

DURING MY TIME AS U.S. ATTORNEY, WE ACTUALLY HAD AN INDIVIDUAL, TWO SPIRIT NATIVE-AMERICAN WHO HAD GONE MISSING, AND REMAINS MISSING TO THIS DAY.

OUT OF MY DISTRICT.

AND WE WORKED WITH LOCAL AUTHORITIES, WORKED WITH TRIBAL AUTHORITIES AND FEDERAL TO SEE WHAT WE COULD DO TO ASSIST IN THAT INVESTIGATION.

AT LAST CHECK THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY 68 GIVE OR TAKE OPEN MISSING INDAMAGE I US IN PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

AND EACH ONE OF THOSE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES IS WORTHY OF ALL THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE.

THE IDEA OF LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL ISN'T JUST SOMETHING WE SAY AT THE END OF OUR PLEDGE OF APPLY JANES, IT'S A FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF OUR COUNTRY.

AND I THINK CERTAINLY IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE LIVE UP TO IT.

>> WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LAW THAT GOES INTO EFFECT NOVEMBER 2nd, OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SIGNED INTO LAW, GOES INTO EFFECT NOVEMBER 2nd.

SARAH, WHAT DOES THAT BILL DO?

WHAT DOES THAT LAW DO?

>> I HAVE TO GIVE A GREAT BIG THANK YOU TO LERENDA MORGAN WHO WORKED ON THIS BILL WITH HER COMMUNITY TO SEE BASICALLY AN OFFICE THAT WILL BE COMING UP VERY SOON IN NOVEMBER, WHERE IT REALLY HELPED CONVENE BOTH LOWELL CALL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES TO DO KIND OF WHAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT BEFORE THERE WAS A GAP IN SERVICES, AND WHOSE JURISDICTION.

AND IT WILL EVEN HELP FAMILIES WHO HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO DO IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

NOBODY KNOWS WHAT TO DO WHEN A LOVED ONE GOES MISSING.

THE REPORT THAT YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT, ALL THE STUFF YOU HAVE TO TAKE, BECAUSE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE WHEN THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

THERE WAS ANOTHER PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT DIDN'T MAKE IT THROUGH THE LAST HE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ALERT SYSTEM FOR ADULT PEOPLE WHO GO MISSING UNDER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

AND WE HOPE TO SEE THAT PASSED, AS WELL.

BUT THE LAW IS GOING TO BE A PIVOTAL PIECE FOR OUR FAMILIES IN OKLAHOMA TO REALLY HELP STEP UP AND BRIDGE THOSE GAPS, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE WHO SAW THAT PASSED.

>> I WANT TO ASK YOU, FINAL QUESTIONS FOR BOTH OF YOU, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE TO HELP STOP THIS WAVE OF CRIME AGAINST INDIGIT US IN WOMEN?

>> I WANT TO SEE EVERYBODY ENGAGE ON THUS, AND NOT JUST TALK ABOUT IT.

BUT ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH.

WE HEAR SO OFTEN ABOUT LISTENING SESSIONS OR WHERE PEOPLE GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT THISH OUT.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A FOLLOW THROUGH SESSION, WHERE WE ACTUALLY TAKE SOME ACTION.

I WANT TO SEE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OFFICIALS REALLY ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS IN INDIAN COUNTRY, AND FRANKLY IN URBAN AREAS, AS WELL, WITH TRIBAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> WHAT TRENT SAID I WOULD ALSO REALLY, REALLY LIKE TO SEE MORE SUPPORT SYSTEMS, GROUPS LIKE MATRIARCH, THE SUPPORT SYSTEMS THAT ALLOW WOMEN TO NOT JUST UNDERSTAND THE MECHANISMS BEHIND, BUT ALSO OFFER A SPACE FOR THAT HEALING TO HAPPEN.

BECAUSE AS TRENT SAID MUCH OF THIS IS CYCLICAL.

>> MAYBE GET THEM TO TALK AND SHARING THEIR EXPERIENCES.

THERE IS SO MUCH MORE WE COULD DISCUSS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

THIS IS GREAT INFORMATION.

THANK YOU BOTH.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SUSAN AND GUEST, THANK YOU.

A FEW WEEKS AGO WE PROFILED A TULSA NONPROFIT, THE CITY LIGHTS FOUNDATION THAT HAS TAKEN OVER A LOCAL HOTEL TO HOUSE THE HOMELESS IN A SETTING THAT IS CERTAINLY MORE COMFORTABLE THAN MOST SHELTERS.

THERE ARE 66 ROOMS AND ALMOST ALL OF THEM ARE ALWAYS FULL.

THE PROGRAM IS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED TO LAST FOR JUST A FEW MONTHS BUT THAT WAS 16 MONTHS AGO.

HOWEVER, FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM IS SET TO RUN OUT AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> WE ARE HERE THROUGH JANUARY.

WE HAVE HOPE WITH SOME OF THE FUNDING THAT IS COMING THROUGH FOR RELIEF FUNDS FOR THE CITY, THE STATE AND THE COUNTY, AND HOPEFULLY THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS A PERMANENT PROGRAM ONE DAY.

>> THAT IS SARAH, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY LIGHTS FOUNDATION.

THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM IN HUNDREDS OF CITIES ACROSS THE NATION, INCLUDING TUCSON.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE YOU TO ARIZONA, WHERE OUR PBS PARTNERS REPORT ON A JOINT EFFORT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FIND SHELTER FOR THE HOMELESS.

>> I'M THINKING BACK HERE.

>> THIS IS TUCSON POLICE DEPARTMENT HOMELESS OUTREACH TEAM.

TODAY OFFICER JACOB ARE PARTNERED UP WITH KELLI ROSS FROM COMMUNITY BRIDGES INCORPORATED.

THE EFFORT UNIFIES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

THE TRIO IS SEARCHING THE.

>> THERE IS NOBODY UP THERE.

>> A PROBLEM AREA THIS UNIT HAS BEEN HERE FOUR TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR.

THE TEAM FIELDS CALLS FROM RESIDENTS, NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATIONS AND BUSINESSES.

>> THEY'VE BEEN BOUNCING AROUND AND THERE HAS BEEN PERIODIC ISSUES WITH THE BUSINESSES.

ONE, IT'S UNSIGHTLY.

AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

NOBODY WANTS TO GET TO A BUSINESS THAT HAS A HOMELESS CAMP IN FRONT OF IT.

WE FEEL THAT STRESS FROM THE BUSINESSES.

TO HELP KIND OF DETER SOME OF THAT A LOT OF BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN STARTING TO UPGRADE SOME OF THEIR FACILITIES, WHETHER THAT'S INCREASED FENCING AND BARBED WIRE OR LIGHTING, WORKING ON SOME ARE THE SO OF ENGINEERING OPTIONS TO HELP KIND OF PROTECT THEIR BUSINESS.

WHILE WE'RE TRYING TO GET THESE FOLKS OFF THE STREET.

>> FURTHER SOUTH AND EAST WE TRAVELED TO HARRIS PARK ACROSS FROM DAVIS AIR FORCE BASE.

HOMELESS ENCAM MEANTS DOT THE ROAD.

>> ANYBODY HOME?

>> THE TENTS CONTINUE WEST TOWARDS FREEDOM PARK.

HUNDREDS OF MEN AND WOMEN CALL THESE MAKESHIFT STRUCTURES HOME.

SHANE IN A HAS BEEN HERE FOR TW.

>> BOYFRIEND LOST HIS JOB AND WE STAYING IN HOTELS AND THEN HOTELS GOT TOO EXPENSIVE, SO THAT WAS THE END OF THE ROAD.

AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.

>> A MOM SHE LOST CUSTODY OF ALL THREE OF HER CHILDREN.

EVERY MONTH SHE GOES TO HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE TO PICK UP HER DISABILITY CHECK THAT SHE USES TO FEED HER ADDICTION TO OPIOIDS.

OFFICER PARISH BELIEVES HE CAN GET HER INTO TREATMENT.

>> PROBABLY.

AT THIS POINT I MIGHT.

>> I THINK SHE IS FAIRLY RECEPTIVE TO GETTING HELP TODAY.

ONE OF THE ISSUES IS HOW MUCH STUFF SHE HAS, WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS WILLING TO SEPARATE WITH SOME OF THAT.

TYPICALLY WITH SHELTERS THE BIGGEST BARRIERS WE SEE FOR PEOPLE WILLING TO GO INTO A SPACE IS THEY CAN'T BRING THEIR DOG OR ANIMAL WITH THEM.

THEY CAN'T STAY WITH THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER, AND THEY CAN ONLY BRING A COUPLE BAGS OF THEIR PROPERTY.

SO WHEN YOU'RE OUT HERE AND YOU HAVE YOUR CAMP IS ALL OF THE PROPERTY YOU OWN, YOU DON'T WANT TO SEPARATE WITH THAT.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN AFTER YOU GO TO THE SHELTER.

MAYBE YOU MOVE INTO THE APARTMENT AND THE SYSTEM WORKS AND YOU'RE BACK ON THE STREETS.

>> EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO LEAVE, THEY WOULD NEED TO MOVE OUT OF SIGHT.

>> IT'S STILL VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD.

WE GOT ENOUGH PRESSURE WE GOT TO CLEAN EVERYTHING UP.

>> OFFICER PARISH EXPLAINED A PROCESS TO THIS WOMAN WHO CAME TO HELP HER BROTHER.

>> LEAVE THE TRASH, GRAB THE STUFF YOU WANT TO KEEP.

>> WE HOPE WE'RE ABLE TO DID FOLKS ON ON THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, KEEP EVERYTHING SMALL AND CLEAN AND HIDDEN A LITTLE BIT SO IT'S NOT SO VISIBLE FROM THE ROAD, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO COORDINATE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES TO DO PERIODIC TRASH PICKUPS.

>> THE NEXT MORNING CREWS FROM ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES CLEANED UP THE SITE.

>> UNTIL WE FIND A LONG-TERM SOLUTION WHERE THEY CAN GET OFF THE STREET, THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR ONLY OUT, BECAUSE ALL THEY HAVE IS THESE CAMPS.

THESE ARE THEIR HOMES.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO GO TO GOLF LINKS, RIGHT?

>> THE TEAM WAS THE IDEA OF SERGEANT JACK, HE TOWERS INSIDE OF THE SQUAD ROOM THAT HOUSES SPECIALIZED UNITS.

>> GET THEM PAST THAT BRIDGE.

>> A LINEMAN WHO STAYED IN TUCSON FOLLOWING COLLEGE HE JOINED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND AFTER RESPONDING TO MANY OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH HOMELESSNESS HE PITCHED AN IDEA THAT PARTNERS PUBLIC SAFETY WITH SOCIAL SERVICES.

FOR HIM IT'S COMPASSION.

>> LITTLE MESSY BUT THESE ARE DONATIONS.

>> IT BEGAN IN JANUARY OF 2020.

THREE SWORN OFFICERS ALONGSIDE FIVE PARK SAFETY PERSONNEL WHO MONITOR THE ENTIRE CITIES MORE THAN 220 SQUARE MILES.

OFFICER DISCRETION PLAYS A ROLE IN POLICING.

>> PART OF IT IS YES THERE ARE OFFENSES AND WE HAVE TO ENFORCE THE STATUTES WHEN APPLICABLE, BUT THERE IS THE LETTER OF THE LAW AND THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW.

I WANT PEOPLE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND LIKE DOES IT REALLY HELP THE OVERALL ISSUE IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE EVERY OFFENSE EVERY TIME YOU SEE A HOMELESS PERSON PANHANDLING?

MAYBE A BETTER OPTION WOULD BE TO SEE WHAT ISSUES ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH.

, I TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE?

I WANT TO HELP YOU GET IN TOUCH WITH SOMEBODY THAT CAN PROVIDE YOU HOUSING OR MAYBE PROVIDE YOU DETOX.

>> TRAFFIC BACKED UP THERE.

THEY KNOW IT.

TAKES FOREVER TO GET ON THE FREEWAY.

EVEN SPEEDWAY.

AND SO THEY KNOW THIS IS WHERE I CAN MAKE MY MONEY.

>> ALTHOUGH THE AREA CAN BE ENFORCED BY STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IT OFF 17 COMES DOWN TO RESOURCES.

>> MOST HOMELESS PEOPLE WOULD TAKE A KEY TO SOME FORM OF PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

I KNOW PEOPLE SAY WELL, OF COURSE, THEY WOULD, THAT'S FREE MONEY FOR THEM, BUT HOMELESS INDIVIDUAL COSTS US ON THE STREETS $30,000 A YEAR THROUGH ALL THE MEDICAL ISSUES AND CRIMINAL ISSUES.

THAT'S WHAT THEY COST ON THE STREET.

IT COSTS $10,000 A YEAR TO HOUSE THEM.

IT'S A BETTER SPEND OF MONEY.

WAITING FOR HOUSING IS ANOTHER FACTOR.

>> HE MIGHT HAVE DONE SOME RISK ASSESSMENT FORM, IT JUST TAKES THREE TO SIX MONTHS.

DOESN'T HAPPEN JUST LIKE THAT.

CERTAIN PEOPLE CAN GET HOUSING QUICKER, VETERAN, WOMEN THAT ARE PREGNANT, BUT IF YOU'RE AN ABLE-BODIED INDIVIDUAL AND NOT ELIGIBLE FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS, YOU MIGHT BE WAITING THREE TO SIX MONTHS OR EVEN LONGER TO GET SOME SORT OF HOUSING MATCHED FOR YOU.

>> IT'S AN ISSUE NEARLY EVERY MAJOR CITY FACES AND WEIGHS HEAVILY ON THIS OFFICER.

>> IT'S SOMETHING I STILL BATTLE WITH, RIGHT, IS ALLOWING THEM TO CAMP THERE, ARE WE BEING TOO LENIENT, ARE WE GOING TO ENABLE MORE CAMPS.

WHAT'S OUR COMPLAINT ON THIS CAMP?

IS IT JUST THAT THEY'RE THERE?

OKAY, LET'S GET OUTREACH AND GIVE THEM AND SHOT AND TALK ABOUT HEY THEY ARE IN THAT TUNNEL BUT THEY'RE TRYING NOT TO BOTHER ANYBODY AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM OUTREACH.

I HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCE, SO I CAN'T GIVE YOU ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.

IT'S A LOT OF GRAY FOR ME.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," OKLAHOMA'S BLOOD BANKS ARE ONCE AGAIN ASKING FOR DONORS AS THEIR SUPPLY RUNS LOW.

FIND OUT HOW FOR PROFIT IN A IL SOUTHS ARE MAKING THAT PATH EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.

>>> WITH THE WEATHER EXPECTED TO BE SPECTACULAR WE'RE GOING TO LEAVE YOU WITH THE MEMORY OF THE MUCH NEEDED RAIN WE'VE RECEIVED THIS WEEK.

PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY ERIC WALTMAN.

I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY, AND AS ALWAYS STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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