♪♪ >> A NEW STRATEGY TO HELP YOUTHFUL OFFENDERS LEAD SUCCESSFUL LIVES AFTER THEIR RELEASE.

>> ENGAGING WITH FAMILIES, AND GETTING THEIR VOICE HELPS IMPROVE OUTCOMES OVERALL FOR SUCCESS OF THEIR -- OF THEIR CHILD.

>> A LAWMAKER RENEWS HER PUSH FOR REPARATIONS FOR VICTIMS AND DESCENDANTS OF THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.

>> THERE'S BEEN NO CONVICTION, NO CHARGES, AND NO CULPABILITY.

SO THE BOTTOM LINE IS IT'S ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUMS HOSTS AN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY CELEBRATION.

>> NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM, IT IS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR IT.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR.

>> MORE OKLAHOMA MEN ARE TAKING STEPS TO PREVENT PREGNANCIES.

>> NO, I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK AT ALL.

IT WAS A PAINLESS PROCEDURE.

PROBABLY TOOK ALL OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

INPATIENT, YOU KNOW, OR OUTPATIENT PROCESS.

>> IN IN DEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE HAMAS TERROR ATTACKS AND THE U.S. AND ISRAEL'S RESPONSE TO THEM.

>> THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT HAPPENED TO JEWISH PEOPLE SINCE THE END OF THE HOLE CAUTION.

-- HOLE CAUTION.

>> FIGHTING TERRORISM BY ANOTHER FORM OF TERRORISM IS NOT THE ANSWER.

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

>> Rich: HELLO AND WELCOME, I'M RICH LENZ.

WHEN YOUNG OKLAHOMANS GET INTO TROUBLE AND ARE FORCED TO SERVE TIME IN A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER, THE HOPE IS THEY'LL LEARN FROM THEIR MISTAKES AND EMERGE TO LEAD PRODUCTIVE, SUCCESSFUL LIVES.

NOW, A NEW PROGRAM IS FOSTERING THAT HOPE.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US TO TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT.

>> Jason: RICH, THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS IS REACHING OUT TO PARENTS WITH JUSTICE INVOLVED CHILDREN TO FIND OUT WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE TO IMPROVE THE PROCESS OF PUTTING A TROUBLED YOUTH ONTO A BETTER PATH.

AND THAT'S A CHANGE FROM THE PAST.

EMILY BURNS IS ONE OF THE PARENTS ON THE OKLAHOMA JUVENILE JUSTICE FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS, OR OJA FOR SHORT.

>> SO I HAVE HAD EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES OUTSIDE OF OJA.

MY SON HAS A LOT OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> Jason: BURNS' SON EVENTUALLY CROSSED PATHS WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND OJA.

>> THERE WAS AN INCIDENT THAT LANDED HIM IN A JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER.

MY STORY'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN OTHER PEOPLE'S BECAUSE AT THIS TIME HE WAS 17 YEARS OLD, AND ONCE YOU ARE OF A CERTAIN AGE, IT'S KIND OF CONSIDERED A GRAY AREA.

>> Jason: IF HE BEGAN A YOUTH-BASED PROGRAM, BURNS' SON WOULD HAVE AGED OUT WHEN HE TURNED 18 YEARS OLD.

SO THEY FOUND AN ADULT TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR HIM.

>> BUT OUR OJA STAFF DOWN THERE, THEY REALLY DO THE VERY BEST THAT THEY CAN TO NOT LET A JUVENILE HAVE TO GO TO THE NEXT STEP.

IT'S ALL ABOUT PREVENTION.

>> Jason: PREVENTION WASN'T ALWAYS THE MISSION FOR OJA.

>> IT USED TO BE IF A PERSON WOULD CALL OJA AND WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY SON, I THINK THAT THEY'RE NOT IN TROUBLE YET, BUT I'VE GOT PROBLEMS, I'VE GOT ISSUES."

AT THAT POINT OJA, THEIR RESPONSE HAD TO BE, WELL, IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED WITH THE SYSTEM, IF YOU'VE NOT COME TO THE -- TO OUR ATTENTION OFFICIALLY, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO.

>> Jason: JEFF TALLENT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EVOLUTION FOUNDATION WHICH PARTNERS WITH STATE AGENCIES TO CONNECT FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES.

>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON MAKING SURE THAT THE FAMILY VOICE IS HEARD THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS, BECAUSE TOO OFTEN IT'S IGNORED.

>> Jason: TALLENT AND OJA'S DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ENGAGEMENT, JANELLE BRETTEN, HAVE KNOWN AND WORKED WITH EACH OTHER FOR YEARS, AND A CONVERSATION LED TO A PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO HEAR FROM PARENTS OF JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH.

>> WE HAVE BEEN PARTNERS FOR MANY YEARS, AND WE WERE DISCUSSING THE NEED FOR FAMILY VOICE IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> Jason: BRETTEN SAID THERE IS EVIDENCE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEMS CAN BE IMPROVED BY LISTENING TO THE PARENTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN EXPERIENCING THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

>> THE RESEARCH JUST SPEAKS TO THAT IN JUVENILE JUSTICE, THAT ENGAGING WITH FAMILIES AND GETTING THEIR VOICE HELPS IMPROVE OUTCOMES OVERALL FOR SUCCESS OF THEIR CHILD.

>> Jason: TALLENT WORKED WITH BRETTEN AND THEY LANDED A SMALL GRANT TO START THE PROGRAM.

>> SOME FUNDING CAME IN, AND JEFF APPROACHED ME AND SAID, WELL, LET'S MOVE THIS FORWARD.

WE HAD ALREADY DEVELOPED A YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL, IF YOU WILL, THROUGH JUVENILE JUSTICE.

AND SO WE HAD THAT, WE HAD YOUTH VOICE COMING IN.

SO FAMILY VOICE WAS THE NEXT NATURAL STEP TO DO THAT.

>> Jason: AND THIS IS A UNIQUE THING.

IT HAD MONEY ATTACHED TO IT, SO THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY COMPENSATE FAMILY MEMBERS FOR THEIR TIME.

AND WE'RE ONE OF THE VERY FEW ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN DO THAT.

>> Jason: ONCE THE ADVISORY COUNCIL BROUGHT ON ITS FIRST PARENTS, OJA STARTED SEEING WAYS TO IMPROVE THEIR SERVICES.

>> IT BECAME EVIDENT THAT THERE WAS A NEED TO BE MORE, UH, HAVE ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES, KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT RESOURCES WERE OUT THERE ACROSS THE STATE.

AND SO WHAT WE DID WAS WE REVISED AND REBUILT OUR RESOURCES PAGE ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> Jason: EMILY BURNS JOINED THE ADVISORY COUNCIL ABOUT A YEAR AGO.

>> YOU KNOW, MART OF THE -- PART OF THE REASON WHY I WANTED TO BE PART OF THIS COUNCIL IS BECAUSE WHEN YOU ARE A FIRST-TIME PARENT DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE THIS, THE TRAIL'S FOGGY.

YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS, IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN THROUGH IT BEFORE, AND IT'S SCARY.

IT'S SCARY, BECAUSE IN THE BACK OF YOUR MIND, YOU'RE LIKE, OKAY, DOES THIS MEAN MY KID'S GONNA BE LOCKED UP UNTIL HE'S 18?

UNTIL HE'S 21?

>> Jason: SHE KNOWS THERE ARE PARENTS OUT THERE DEALING WITH THE JAILISH -- SAME ISSUES WITH TROUBLED YOUTH.

>> MY CHILD HAS MADE DECISIONS THAT ARE GOING TO BE DETRIMENTAL TO HIM IN THE FEWER TOUR -- FUTURE.

OF COURSE A MOTHER NEVER GIVES UP.

>> Jason: ON AVERAGE THE OFFICE OF JUVENILE AFFAIRS IS INVOLVED WITH 1200 JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH, AND THE AVERAGE AGE IS 16 1/2.

>> ALL THE OTHER PARENTS THAT ARE ON THE BOARD, THEY ARE JUST AMAZING PEOPLE WHO HAVE FOUND THE COURAGE TO SHARE THEIR STORY WITH EVERYBODY ELSE, TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN HOW PARENTS ARE ALLOWED TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THE OJA PROCESSION.

>> Jason: BY TAPPING INTO THE EXPERIENCE OF THOSE PARENTS, OJA IS TAKING A SERIOUS LOOK AT HOW IT HANDLES JUVENILE JUSTICE.

>> IT HELPS US LOOK AT OUR POLICIES AND PROCESSES AND LOOK AT AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN THE SYSTEM ALONG WITH THE CONTINUOUS CARE JUVENILE JUSTICE, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE THROUGH A FAMILY MEMBER'S LENS.

WHAT ARE THEY EXPERIENCING IN THAT POINT, OR THAT MOMENT IN TIME.

>> Jason: THE CHANGES OJA IS MAKING IN RESPONSE TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL COULD HELP A PARENT PUT THEIR CHILD ON A BETTER PATH.

>> THE ONE THING, WE WANT TO INTERRUPT THAT PIPELINE INTO PRISON.

>> Jason: BURNS FEELS BY SHARING HER EXPERIENCES WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM, SHE'S GIVING A HE HELPING HAND TO OTHER PARENTS.

>> I WANT IT TO SEE OTHER PARENTS BE ABLE TO NAVIGATE THE SYSTEM WITH LESS FOG, WITH MORE INFORMATION, WITH CONFIDENCE, AS OPPOSED TO JUST BEING IN A DARK TUNNEL WITH A LITTLE PEEK OF LIGHT AT THE END.

>> Jason: ANOTHER DIRECT CHANGE OJA HAS MADE SINCE BRINGING ITS PARENTS ON BOARD, THIS PAMPHLET WHICH HELPS EXPLAIN THE PROCESS SHOULD A CHILD BECOME JUSTICE INVOLVED.

RICH?

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THERE'S ANOTHER VACANCY ON THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

THIS WEEK SUZANNE REYNOLDS, THE AT-LARGE MEMBER HANDED IN HER RESIGNATION.

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTED REYNOLDS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD IN JANUARY.

IT IS EXPECTED THAT HE WILL NOW APPOINT HER TO THE BOARD OF REGENTS FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA.

THERE ARE NOW TWO VACAY SN IS ON THE BOARD.

TRENT SMITH RESIGNED IN MAY.

WHILE MANY COMMUNITIES STILL OBSERVE XHUM BUSINESS DAY, MORE AND MORE CITIES -- COLUMBUS DAY, MORE ARE RECOGNIZING IT AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY.

THAT'S THE CASE IN TULSA AND OKLAHOMA CITY.

TAY ROAR JACKSON REPORTS -- TAELYR JACKSON REPORTS ON THE DAY-LONG ACTIVITIES IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

[ DRUMMING AND SINGING ] >> Reporter: THE SOUND OF DRUMS, LAUGHTER AND THE AROMA OF FOOD FILL THE AIR AT THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM AS THOUSANDS OF OKLAHOMANS GATHER TO CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY THINGS GOING ON FOR INDIGENOUS PEEMD'S DAY PEOPLE'S DAY, WE HAVE SOCIAL DANCES, DANCE DEMONSTRATIONS, MAYORAL PROCLAMATIONS, STICK BALL GAMES FOR ADULT AND YOUTH.

>> THE SECOND MONDAY IN OCTOBER, ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS COLUMBUS DAY, THAT IS HAKEN ON A NEW MEANING AND NEW NAME AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CONTINUE TO CHANGE THE NARRATIVE OF COLUMBUS AND HIS INTERACTION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.

>> THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS CELEBRATING COLUMBUS DAY.

HERE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, WE CELEBRATE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY.

>> YOU CAN HAVE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS THAT REALLY THINK CRITICALLY ABOUT WHAT WE'VE KNOWN IN THE PAST AS COLUMBUS DAY, AND HOW THAT STORY WAS REALLY SOMETHING THAT WE WEREN'T HEARING A LOT OF TRUTH ABOUT IT, AND WHAT HAPPENED TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DURING THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: IN 2021, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN BECAME THE FIRST UNITED STATES PRESIDENT TO FORMALLY RECOGNIZE THE HOLIDAY WITH THE PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION.

HOWEVER, NOT EVERY CITY OR STATE RECOGNIZES INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY.

INSTEAD, THEY STILL CELEBRATE THE FEDERAL HOLIDAY, COLUMBUS DAY.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY COMMUNITIES AROUND THE U.S. THAT HAVE CREATED THIS DAY, AND WHILE WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT IT DOES NOT FIX ALL OF THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, IT'S A REALLY GREAT TIME TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WHERE WE CAN DISCUSS ISSUES THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WAYS TO BE ALLIES TO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY WAS FIRST LISHL I -- OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED IN OKLAHOMA CITY IN 2018.

>> INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY IS JUST THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER, TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE WAYS THAT INDIGENOUS PEOPLE NOT ONLY HAVE IMPACTED HISTORICALLY OUR STATE, OUR NATION, THIS LAND BASE, BUT WHO WE ARE AS THRIVING PEOPLE TODAY.

>> Reporter: CULTURE AMBASSADOR ACE GREENE WOOD SAYS IT IS TO RECOGNIZE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FROM ALL THE AMERICAS.

>> YOU HAVE THIS GIANT CONTINENT AND THIS LITTLE AREA THAT'S THE UNITED STATES.

A LOT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY THINK NATIVE AMERICANS, FIRST AMERICANS, THEY THINK THIS SMALL AREA, BUT IT IS THE ENTIRE AREA ARE WE ARE CELEBRATE HEINGING.

>> TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHO WE ARE, THAT WE'RE STILL HERE, AND WE'RE NOT FAIRY TALES, LEGENDS.

>> I MIGHT BE A ELECTE WILL BE -- LEGEND.

LAUGHTER >> OVER THE PASS THREE YEARS, OKLAHOMA AND TRIBAL HAD DIFFERENCES WHEN IT COMES TO TRIBAL CONTACT, MATRIARCH CO-FOUNDER SARAH WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE EQUITY.

>> WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE TRIBAL REGALLON YA AT GRADUATION -- RARE EGALIA, CAMPAIGNING COMPACTS AND TALKING ABOUT ANY OF THE COMPACTS THAT HAPPEN, THAT HAPPENS WITH THE TRIBES, THERE HAS TO BE MORE OPEN CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT, AND MORE RESPECT.

THERE HAS TO BE A LEVEL OF RESPECT THAT UNDERGIRDS ALL THOSE CONVERSATIONS THAT I DON'T SEE A LOT HAPPENING AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE RELATIONS BETWEEN THE STATE, U.S. AND TRIBAL NATIONS HAVE MADE SOME PROGRESS, MANY SAY IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL TO PRACTICE OUR WAYS, OUR TRADITIONS, OUR LANGUAGES UP UNTIL 1978.

I WAS BORN IN '78, AND SO I -- OUR GENERATION IS THE FIRST GENERATION TO BE ABLE TO LIVE AS FULLY INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WITHOUT GETTING ARRESTED.

THAT'S HUGE!

[ DRUMMING AND SINGING ] >> Reporter: COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST KENNEDY SAYS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EVENTS HOSTED BY FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM.

>> THIS IS OUR THIRD YEAR HAVING INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY AT FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM.

BEFORE FAM WAS OPEN, IT WAS AT OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY, AND THEY ARE ALSO A PARTNER IN THIS -- OUR SPONSOR FOR THIS EVENT.

SO THEY HAD THE FIRST FEW YEARS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY FOR OKLAHOMA CITY, BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSEUM, IT IS THE PERFECT SPOT FOR IT.

THIS IS ONE OF OUR BIGGEST EVENTS OF THE YEAR, AND THERE'S NEW THINGS HAPPENING AT FAM.

VISITORS CAN NOW COME AND EXPLORE SETH LORETTA'S GARDEN WHERE SOME OF THE CROPS ARE GROWN AND USED INSIDE FAM'S OWN RESTAURANT, 39.

>> WE WILL BE USING THE GARDEN IN OUR FAM CRAMP -- CAMP, GET THE KIDS INVOLVED, PLANTING PEAS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND USE IT AS A KITCHEN GARDEN FOR EDIBLE FLOWERS, HESHGS.

IT'S -- HERBS.

IT'S EXCITING.

I'M JUST BEYOND EVERYTHING OVER THE GARDEN.

>> Reporter: THE GARDEN IS PART OF A PROGRAM BY SHAPE YOUR FUTURE AND TOBACCO SETTLEMENT TRUST, KNOWN AS TSET.

>> WE WERE REALLY LATE IN THE SEASON GETTING THE GARDEN IN, SO THIS IS PRETTY MUCH A WINTER GUARDEN, BUT WE HAVE CORN, BEANS, SQUASH, CHILI PEPPERS, EDIBLE FLOWERS.

WE EVEN HAVE OUR STATE FLOWER, THE GALLAIRDIA OR INDIAN BLANKET.

ALSO THE PETALS ARE HE HAD I BELIEVE.

OUR REDBUD TREES, WHICH WILL BLOOM IN THE SPRING.

I COME OUT AND I GATHER THE LITTLE BEAUTIFUL REDBUD BLOSSOMS AND USE THEM IN THE SALADS AND SPRINKLE THEM ON DESSERTS.

>> Reporter: FAM PLANS TO INSTALL BENCHES AND TABLES IN THE GARDEN DURING THE SPRING AND SUMMER MONTHS.

TAELYR JACKSON, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> Rich: THANK YOU.

STARTING AN UNPRECEDENTED 10TH TERM AS CHICKASAW NATION >> THEY HAVE NOT SEEN JUSTICE.

THEY ARE SIMPLY ASKING FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DELIVERED 102 YEARS AGO.

>> GOODWIN, A DESCENDANT OF VICTIMS FROM THE MASSACRE, SAID THE FIGHT FOR REPARATION FANS ACROSS GENERATIONS -- SPANS ACROSS YEN RACE -- GENERATIONS.

>> IF I GO BEFORE THEM OR THEY GO BEFORE ME, GENERATIONS UNBORN WHO WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE JUSTICE.

>> PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS TO DISCUSS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR THE GREENWOOD DISTRICT, A MEMORIAL FOR THE REBURIALS OF VICTIMS, AND DIRECT PAYMENTS AND REPARATIONS FOR THE MASSACRE.

>> HOLD THIS HOUSE ACCOUNTABLE, HOLD THIS LEGISLATURE ACCOUNTABLE, BECAUSE THIS COMMISSION CAME HERE 22 YEARS AGO, THEY WERE STATE SANCTIONED, AND WE'RE TRYING TO FOL UP ON WHERE WE ARE.

>> A TEN DOONTEND -- ATTENDEES SAY LITTLE PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE SINCE THE 2001 TULSA RACE RIOT COMMISSION REPORT, WHICH REDESIGNATED IT FROM A DIE OUGHT TO A MASSACRE.

>> WE SAW INFORMATION TODAY THAT WAS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DEE SEND DABTS, 300 PER YEAR, AND THEY HAVE HAD NOT EVEN THAT AMOUNT THE LAST 22 YEARS.

>>-DMARIO SOLOMON SIMMONS, ATTORNEY FOR THE SURVIVING VICTIMS SAID REPARATIONS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

>> AT LEAST REMOVE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS LIKE WE'VE DONE FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS AND ALLOW THOSE FAMILIES CAN MOVE FORWARD IN COURT AGAINST THOSE INSURANCE COMPANIES, BECAUSE IT FALSELY LABELED IT A RIOT, WHEN IT WAS A MASSACRE SO THEY COULD USE THE EXCLUSION RIOT CLAUSES TO NOT PAY THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INSURANCE CLAIMS.

>> GOODWIN HAS PUSHED FOR REPARATIONS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND WHILE HER BILL HASN'T PASSED, GOODWIN SAYS SHE'S MADE PROGRESSION.

>> PASSED OFF THE HOUSE FLOOR, PASSED OUT OF SENATE COMMITTEE.

SO WE KNOW THERE ARE FOLKS WILLING TO DO RIGHT, WE JUST GET IT ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

I HEARD WEST SAY HE'S WILLING TO WORK TOWARDS SOMETHING GOOD.

>> GOODWIN CONTENDS THAT MORE THAN A CENTURY LATER, JUSTICE HAS YET TO BE SERVED.

>> >> IT'S ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, 102 YEARS LATER.

I AM A DEE SEND SDANT OF -- DESCENDANT.

ABSOLUTELY IT MATTERS.

I WAS BORN IN THE GREENWOOD AREA.

I GREW UP ON GREENWOOD STREET.

>> THE HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL ESTIMATES $200 MILLION IN DAMAGES WERE CAUSED BY THE BURNING, LOOTING, BOMBING, AND KILLING DURING THE MASSACRE.

GOODWIN SAYS BECAUSE IT WAS INITIALLY LABELED A RIOT, INSURANCE COMPANIES WERE ABLE TO DENY VICTIMS' CLAIMS.

>> ULTIMATELY INSURANCE COMPANIES FELL BACK ON AN EXCLUSIONARY CLAUSE THAT PREVENTED PAYOUT FROM ANY CLAIMS, THE POLICIES WITH THAT CAUSE SAID INSURERS WOULDN'T BE HELD LIABLE FOR LOSSES CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY INVASION, INSURRECTION, RIOT, CIVIL WAR, OR COMMOTION OR MILITARY OR USURP POWER.

>> SIMMONS FILED A LAWSUIT ON BEHALF OF THE SURVIVORS FOR THE REPARATIONS FROM THE CITY OF TULSA AND OTHER RESPONSIBLE PARTIES.

HOWEVER, THAT CASE WAS THROWN OUT BY A TULSA DISTRICT JUDGE OVER THE SUMMER.

THE SURVIVORS HAVE A I PEELED THAT DECISION TO THE OKLAHOMA STATE SUPREME COURT.

>> WE ARE SIMPLY ONLY ASKING THE COURT AT THIS POINT TO ALLOW US TO GET BACK INTO COURT AND UTILIZE THE PROPER STANDARDS THAT THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE SAID SINCE 1984 THAT WE HAVE ALREADY PUT IT A PUBLIC NUISANCE, WE NEED THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVE IT.

>> Reporter: LAST THURSDAY'S STUDY WAS HELD LESS THAN A WEEK AFTER THE COMPLETION OF A THIRD ROUND OF GRAVE EXCAVATIONS AT THE OAK LAWN CEMETERY IN TULSA.

59 ADDITIONAL GRAVES WERE UNEARTHED ON SEPTEMBER 29TH.

>> WE'RE JUST KIND OF WRAPPING THINGS UP, AND WE HAVE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE CAN REPORT THAT WE HAVE UNCOVERED AND DELINEATED AND MASKED IN 19 ADDITIONAL GAFS -- 59 ADDITIONAL GRAVES.

>> OKLAHOMA A.PSYCHOLOGIST SAID -- ARCHEOLOGIST SAID A DIS-AL DNA TESTING WILL BE CONDUCTED ON SEVEN SETS OF >> THIS IS THE FIFTH YEAR IT IS HELD IN OKLAHOMA STATE.

21 STATES, INCLUDING OKLAHOMA, HAVE EITHER BANNED ABORTION, OR RESTRICTED THE PROCEDURE EARLIER THAN THE STANDARDS SET BY ROE V. WADE.

THAT'S RESULTING IN BOTH WOMEN AND MEN TAKING STEPS TO AVOID AN UNWANTED PRESENTING NAB SI.

STEVE SHAW -- PREGNANCY.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW.

>> Reporter: RICH, WHEN U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE V. WADE IN JUNE OF LAST YEAR, EFFORTS TO PREVENT PREGNANCIES BEGAN TO INCLUDE VASECTOMY ON A LEVEL NOT SEEN IN A LONG TIME, IF EVER.

AARON BIRD WORKS FOR THE OKLAHOMA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

HE AND HIS WIFE TASHA HAVE BEEN MARRIED 21 YEARS.

THEIR DAUGHTER, PIPER, WILL SOON TURN 16.

AARON GOT A VASECTOMY NINE YEARS AGO, AFTER HE AND TASHA LOST NOT ONE, BUT TWO DAUGHTERS DURING THE CHILD BIRTH PROCESS.

THEY WERE PREGNANCIES THAT ALSO COMPROMISED TASHA'S HEALTH.

>> THE PAIN THAT THAT CAUSED, WE DECIDED WE DIDN'T WANT TO GO THROUGH IT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: A VASECTOMY IS A MEDICAL STERILIZATION PROCEDURE.

IT TAKES LESS THAN AN HOUR FOR MEN.

THAT MAKES IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MAN TO GET A WOMAN PREGNANT.

>> NO, I HAVEN'T LOOKED BACK AT ALL.

IT WAS A PAINLESS PROCEDURE.

IT TOOK PROBABLY ALL OF ABOUT 30 MINUTES.

INPATIENT, YOU KNOW, OR OUTPATIENT PROCESS, IT WAS SIMPLE, IT WAS EASY, IT WAS PRETTY PAIN-FREE.

>> GOD BLESSED US WITH TWO BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, TWO BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTERS.

>> GARRETT KING IS AN ADMINISTRATOR AT SOUTHWESTERN OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY, AND HE IS A PAST CHAIRMAN OF OETA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

HE SAID HE GOT A VASECTOMY SIX YEARS AGO, AFTER HE AND HIS WIFE CLARISSA'S SECOND DAUGHTER WAS BORN.

>> MEDICAL EXPERTS I'VE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR, IT'S MUCH EASIER FOR DAD TO HAVE THIS PROCEDURE >> THERE ARE MYTHS THAT THIS WILL RAE DUES YOUR SEX DRIVE.

TRUE OR FALSE?

>> FALSE.

THIS PROCEDURE DOES NOTHING TO ALTER IN ANY WAY HORMONE PRODUCTION, IS REALLY WHAT'S RESPONSIBLE FOR LIBIDO AND SEX DRIVE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FAMILIES AND PEOPLE IN RELATIONSHIPS SHOULD HAVE OPEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT VASECTOMY.

>> VASECTOMIES ARE THE SIMPLEST, MOST COST-EFFECTIVE WAY FOR PERMANENT CONTRACEPTION ON THE MALE OR FEMALE SIDE.

>> Reporter: DR. SAMARA SAYS PRACTICALLY EVERY DAY SOMEONE COMES INTO HIS OFFICE TO ASK ABOUT A VASECTOMY.

RICH?

>> Rich: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ANOTHER PRESTIGIOUS HONOR FOR DR. JUDITH JAMES, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR THE OKLAHOMA MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION.

SHE HAS BEEN FORMALLY INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF MEDICINE IN WASHINGTON, DC, ONE OF THE HIGHEST HONORS YOU CAN RECEIVE IN THE FIELD OF MEDICINE.

JAMES IS A FIFTH-GENERATION OKLAHOMAN FROM POND CREEK AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED FOR HER RESEARCH IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES.

THE COMPETITION TO BUY A HOUSE IN OKLAHOMA IS EASING UP A BIT.

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

>> Reporter: OKLAHOMA CITY HOME PRICES DROPPED BY 3/10THS OF AN PERCENT FROM AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER, FOLLOWING A NATIONAL TREND WHICH SHOWS BUYERS ARE NOT COMPOTING AS MUCH FOR -- COMPETING AS MUCH POUR HOMES -- FOR HOMES.

THE MARKET MARKET BY ZILLOW SHOWINGS THE NATIONAL AVERAGE ALSO FELL BY A 10TH OF A PERCENT.

THE REPORT POINTS OUT CLIMBING MORTGAGE RATES AND RATE LOCKING IS REASONS WHY HOME PRICES FELL SLIGHTLY LAST MONTH.

THE AVERAGE HOME IN OKLAHOMA CITY NOW COSTS AROUND $228,284.

WHILE HOME PRICES HAVE TICKED DOWN, ZILLOW SAYS OKLAHOMA CITY HOME RENTAL PRICES DID RISE BY 3/10THS OF A PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER, WITH THE AVERAGE RENTAL NOW GOING FOR $1,358 A MONTH.

GENESIS MOTORS IS EXPANDING EV SALES INTO OKLAHOMA AND OTHER STATES.

THE HYUNDAI MANUFACTURED CARLENE WILL OFFER THREE ELECTRIC VEHICLE MODELS.

OKLAHOMA JOINS 10 OTHERS BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER OF STATES IN WHICH GENESIS OFFERS ITS EV'S TWO 33, THOSE PURCHASING A NEW GENESIS ELECTRIC VEHICLE WILL GET THREE YEARS OF 30-MINUTE COMPLIMENTARY CHARGING SESSIONS FROM ELECTRIFY AMERICA.

OKLAHOMANS WILL SOON HAVE A NEW OPTION FOR HEALTH COVERAGE.

OSCAR HEALTH IS EXPANDING TO OKLAHOMA AND 12 OTHER STATES STARTING IN 2024.

THE COMPANY WILL OFFER INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY HEALTHCARE PLANS, AND WILL INCLUDE SPECIAL COVERAGE FOR COPD, ASTHMA, AND DIABETES PATIENTS.

OSCAR ALSO PLANS TO MARKET TOWARD HISPANIC AND LATINO COMMUNITIES, WITH SPANISH FIRST PROGRAMS.

TULSA-BASED WILLIAMS WON ITS CASE AGAINST DALLAS-BASED ENERGY TRANSFER FOR A FAILED MERGER SEVERAL YEARS AGO.

THE DELAWARE SUPREME COURT RULED IN WILLIAMS' FAVOR AND ORDERED ENERGY TRANSFER TO PAY $495 MILLION.

THE COURT BLAMED ENERGY TRANSFER FOR WALKING AWAY FROM THE DEAL IN 2016.

THE AWARD BREAKS DOWN TO $410 MILLION, WITH AN ADDITIONAL 85 MILLION TO COVER WILLIAMS' LEGAL FEES.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU.

THE HAMAS TERROR ATTACKS IN ISRAEL HAVE GALVANIZED AMERICA'S JEWISH COMMUNITY, INCLUDING HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

WITH TERRORISTS COMMITTING ATROCITIES ON CHILDREN, AND ISRAEL RESPONDING WITH UNRELENTING ATTACKS IN GAZA, THERE IS NO END TO THE FIGHTING THAT'S KILLING THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT ISRAELIS AND PALESTINIANS.

MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD INVITED MEMBERS OF IS JEWISH, CHRISTIAN AND ISLAMIC COMMUNITIES TO DISCUSS FEARS AND CONCERNS GOING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU, RICH.

TODAY WE ARE WITH-EJOINED BY MARK, RACHEL JOHNSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR JEWISH FEDERATION OF OKLAHOMA CITY, AND DR. IMAD, SENIOR IMAM FOR ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF OKLAHOMA CITY.

THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> MISS JOHNSON, WE START WITH YOU.

THIS HAS BEEN CALLED THE WORST ATTACK ON THE JEWISH PEOPLE SINCE THE HOLOCAUST.

HOW DIFFICULT HAS IT BEEN TO WATCH THIS FROM A AFAR, AND WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AS ISRAEL CONTINUES TO RETALIATE IN THE GAZA STRIP?

>> IT HAS BROUGHT A SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS BEING SO FAR AWAY, NOT BEING ABLE TO HELP AND BE THERE FOR OUR LOVED ONES.

JUST TO SEE THEM IN PERSON, BEING ABLE TO TALK TO THEM A LOT QUICKER THAN JUST WAITING FOR A TEXT OR PHONE CALL.

YEAH, A SENSE OF HELPLESSNESS.

>> I AM SO SORRY.

>> DOCTOR, WHAT DOES THE DECLARATION OF WAR MEAN AND WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS FROM THE FIGHTING OVER THE WEEKEND?

>> AGAIN, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE, I WAS WATCHING IN HORROR, BUT I'M LOOKING AT HORROR FROM THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL.

I JUST TALKED TO -- I JUST GOT A MESSAGE FROM MY FAMILY IN GAZA.

THREE DAYS AGO I SENT A MESSAGE JUST NOW, JUST OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT, AND THEY ARE ALIVE.

AND THEY ADDED, "FOR RIGHT NOW."

THE DECLARATION OF WAR IS REALLY A WORD THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME, BECAUSE WHAT I AM SEEING IS THE COLLECTIVE PUBMENT -- PUNISHMENT AN ENTIRE POPULATION.

HAMAS IS ONLY 10% OF THE GAZA STRIP, 1% OF THE PALESTINIAN POPULATION, AND WHAT WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW IS NO MEDICINE, NO WATER, SCHOOL BEING BOMBARDED, HOSPITALS BEING BOMBARDED.

AND PEOPLE ARE ASKED TO FLEE.

WELL, PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND, FLEE TO WHERE?

GAZA IS 140 MILES SQUARE.

THAT'S IT.

BLOCKED FROM EVERYWHERE.

SO WHERE -- I CRY, I AM ALLOWED TO CRY MYSELF FOR THE LIVES, ANY INNOCENT LIFE THAT IS LOST, BUT FOR GOD'S SAKE, WE ARE A PEOPLE, WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS, WE ARE A PEOPLE THAT RESPECT INTERNATIONAL LAW, COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT IS NOT THE ANSWER.

>> DR. ENCHASSI SAID IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEPARATE HAMAS TERRORIST FROM PALESTINIAN CIVILIANS, THEY ARE NOT ONE IN THE SAME.

THIS IS A QUESTION FOR EVERYONE.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP, DO YOU THINK MOST AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THAT DISTINCTION?

>> I THINK IN ANY SOCIETY THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE GOOD AND BAD.

AND HAMAS IS DEFINITELY A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION, JUST LIKE HEZBOLLAH, YOU KNOW, I DON'T BELIEVE ALL PEOPLE IN GAZA ARE BAD PEOPLE.

I'VE MET WITH PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY RECENTLY IN THE WEST BANK, AND -- BUT TO LET THESE TERRORISTS INFILTRATE YOUR COUNTRY, OR YOUR TOWN, OR YOUR CITY, THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF A JUDGMENT CALL THERE, AND I HATE TO -- YOU KNOW, NOT EVERY IRANIAN IS BAD, IT IS JUST, YOU KNOW, THIS HATRED, THIS EVIL, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS KIND OF EVIL TO HAVE GONE IN AND KILLED WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND BABIES.

ACTUALLY BEHEADING A CHILD.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> DR. EN TRASY -- ENCHASSI, WOULD YOU LIKE TO FOLLOW UP?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

HAMAS DOES NOT REPRESENT ALL THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.

THE PLO REPRESENT THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE.

THEY SIGNED A PEACE TREATY RECOGNIZING ISRAEL 30 YEARS AGO.

THERE ARE 2 MILLION PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN GAZA, 2 MILLION PEOPLE.

HAMAS DID NOT GO AROUND AND ASK EVERYBODY'S PERMISSION TO STRIKE AGAINST ISRAEL, BUT THE PEOPLE ARE PAYING THE PRICE ARE THE INNOCENT CIVILIANS.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, AND I HOPE I DON'T CRY, BUT THOUSANDS OF LIVES HAVE BEEN LOST ON BOTH SIDES.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CONFLICT.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CONFLICT.

LISTEN, I GREW UP IN THIS KIND OF LIFE ALL MY LIFE.

MY FAMILY IS IN LEBANON PREPARING NOW FOR WAR.

THEY ARE BUYING THE ESSENTIALS.

MY FAMILY IN GAZA, WHICH I NEVER MET A BECAUSE I AM A PALESTINIAN REFUGEE MYSELF, WE KEEP -- WE KEEP, YOU KNOW, NOT, YOU KNOW, ADDRESSING THE REAL ISSUE.

THE REAL ISSUE IS OETA, AND IT IS NOT YOUR STATION, OETA STANDS FOR OCCUPATION, EQUALITY, TERRORISM, AND APARTHEID.

THIS IS WHAT THE PALESTINIAN HAVE TO DEAL WITH.

OCCUPATION FOR 75 YEARS.

INEQUALITY.

THEY ARE NOT EQUAL CITIZENS UNDER THE LAW.

TERRORISM.

SETTLERS ARE BURNING PALESTINIAN TOWNS AS WE SPEAK, AND BEFORE THAT.

AND THEN MOST IMPORTANTLY, APARTHEID.

I WAS THERE.

I WAS WAS THERE WITH JEWISH RABBIS FROM OKLAHOMA CITY, I WAS THERE WITH PREACHERS FROM OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE, YOU KNOW, THE PALESTINIANS HAVE THEIR OWN ROADS, AND THE ISRAELIS HAVE THEIR OWN ROADS, SO THE CORE ROUTE IS OETA, AND IT IS NOT YOUR STATION, OCCUPATION, INEQUALITY, TERRORISM, AGAINST THE PALESTINIANS AS WELL, AND APARTHEID.

NOW PUTTING ALL THAT ASIDE, THE LOSS OF INNOCENT CIVILIANS IS AWFUL.

THERE'S SO MUCH BLOOD, YOU KNOW, TODAY I WILL MEET WITH THE RABBI, AND WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO CRY ON EACH OTHER'S SHOULDERS, BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN THERE, AND WE KNOW WHAT INJUSTICE MEANS.

>> Reporter: MISS JOHNSON, WHAT ARE SOME STEPS WE CAN TAKE AT HOME TO HELP VICTIMS OF WAR AND PEOPLE IN PALESTINIAN, EVEN?

>> RIGHT NOW THE ONLY THING THAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO IS COLLECT FUNDS, COLLECT MONEY TO SEND TO OUR PARTNER AGENCIES ON THE GROUND HELPING VICTIMS.

WE HAVE THREE PARTNER AGENCIES THROUGH THE NATIONAL JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA, WE ARE TRAINING SOCIAL WORKERS, THEY ARE GETTING VICTIMS OUT TO SAFE -- SAFETY, AND DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO HELP, BUT OF COURSE, A LOT OF THEIR WORKERS ARE BEING CALLED IN TO DUTY, SO THEY ARE A LITTLE SHORT-STAFFED AS WELL.

THERE ARE ALSO VOLUNTEER FORMS BEING FILLED OUT CURRENTLY FOR MEDICAL AID, SO IF ANYBODY IS IN THE MEDICAL FIELD AND LOOKING TO POSSIBLY VOLUNTEER, THEY ARE STARTING THAT PROCESS, AND I'M SURE EVENTUALLY THEY'LL TAKE OTHER VOLUNTEERS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: GOTCHA.

DR. ENCHASSI, ANY AID FROM THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY?

>> WE ALWAYS COLLECT FUNDS FOR CAUSES.

THE PROBLEM IS, GAZA IS UNDER SIEGE, NOTHING IS ALLOWED IN.

EVEN THE ONLY ENTRANCE FROM EGYPT HAS BEEN BOMBARDED YESTERDAY.

SO, AND I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING.

I WILL DONATE BLOOD TO ISRAELI VICTIMS MYSELF.

THIS IS A HUMAN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AS A HUMAN ISSUE.

COLLECTIVE PUNISHMENT FOR 2 MILLION PEOPLE IS NOT THE ANSWER.

IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE WE START BREAKING INTERNATIONAL LAW.

WE ARE ALREADY BREAKING INTERNATIONAL LAW.

AND SOMEHOW, I AM A FELLOW REPUBLICAN AS WELL, WE ARE COMPLICIT IN THIS.

WE ARE BREAKING INTERNATIONAL LAW BY BLOCKING AID, MEDICINE, NO ELECTRICITY.

CAN YOU IMAGINE BOMBING HOSPITALS?

CAN YOU IMAGINE BOMBING UNITED NATIONS SCHOOLS?

I GREW UP IN UNITED NATIONS SCHOOLS.

WHILE WE ALWAYS COLLECT FUNDS AND TRY TO SEND AID TO THE PEOPLE, IT'S HOW ARE THOSE PEOPLE GOING TO GET THE AID.

AND IT WAS VERY CLEAR, THE ISRAELI POSITION ON GAZA THAT EVERYTHING IS BLOCKED.

> THOSE ARE ACTS AS WELL.

THE THING IS, NOW WE HAVE ISRAELI BLOOD BEING SPILLED, AND IT'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, PALESTINIAN-ISRAELI BLOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED FOR YEARS.

AND WE NEED TO COME TO THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT.

IF WE DON'T COME TO THE CORE OF THE PROBLEM TO FIX IT, I'M AFRAID IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE.

WE'LL DO OUR PART, TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, TO UNDERSTAND ONE ANOTHER.

THE SITUATION THERE IS DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: RACHEL, DO YOU SEE A CHANCE FOR REPAIRING RELATIONS BETWEEN ISRAEL AND GAZA?

>> THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE'VE HEARD YET IN ANY OF THE WEBINARS THAT I HAVE BEEN LISTENING IN ON, KIND OF GOING BACK A LITTLE BIT, WHAT I HAVE HEARD IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT PEOPLE AREN'T UNDERSTANDING IS THAT HAMAS IS A TERRORIST GROUP.

AND THERE IS A CLEAR DISTINCTION, AND IT IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE YOM KIPPUR WAR, THE YOM KIPPUR WAR WAS A MILITARY TERRORIST GROUP.

SO TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF INVASIONS, AND AS YOU SAID EARLIER, THIS IS THE BIGGEST THING TO HAPPEN TO THE JEWISH PEOPLE SINCE THE END OF THE HOLOCAUST, IN 1945.

>> ICP.

THE PLO IS A TERRORIST ORGANIZATION FOR A LONG TIME.

THE PLO FOUGHT AGAINST ISRAEL, AND THEN 30 YEARS AGO THEY SIGNED A PEACE TREATY RECOGNIZING ISRAEL, AND THEY ARE THERE TOGETHER, SO JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS DESIGNATED TERRORIST ORGANIZATION DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE DON'T COME TO THE TABLE.

I SEE PEACE.

THE PLO PEACE TREATY DIDN'T GO ANYWHERE FOR 30 YEARS, BECAUSE SETTLEMENTS WERE STILL BEING BUILT AND PALESTINIAN LAND WAS STILL BEING TAKEN AWAY, AND INTERNATIONAL LAW WAS NOT BEING APPLIED, BUT THERE'S PEACE, AND THERE IS A -- THERE'S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY OF PEACE.

WE ALWAYS SHOULD HAVE THAT HOPE.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, YOU'VE JUST RETURNED FROM ISRAEL A MONTH AND A HALF AGO.

DID YOU NOTICE ANY TENSION WHILE YOU WERE THERE?

>> NO.

WHILE I WAS THERE, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE PRETTY CALM, YOU KNOW, WE DID SEE THE PATROLS, YOU KNOW, ON THE BORDER, BECAUSE I WAS ON THE GAZA BORDER, WEST TO THE WEST BANK, VISITED WITH THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY THERE, AND THEN WE WERE ON THE LEBANESE BORDER.

AS FAR AS PEACE, YOU KNOW, I THINK EVERYBODY WANTS PEACE.

I DO BELIEVE THE ISRAELIS, THEY DO NOT WANT TO -- THEY DON'T WANT THE GAZA STRIP, THEY DON'T WANT THE WEST BANK, THEY DON'T WANT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT THEY HAVE.

THEY JUST WANT TO NOT HAVE ROCKETS SHOT AT THEM AND PEOPLE COME ACROSS, TERRORISTS.

SO I GUESS I WOULD PUT IT MORE ON THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE THAT IF YOU DON'T WANT THESE KIND OF THINGS TO HAPPEN, GET THESE PEOPLE OUT, WORK WITH THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT, AND, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE GROUP, ONE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE TALKED WITH, YOU KNOW, HE WAS MORE OF THAT MIND-SET.

THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY WAS NOT -- THEY WERE RECEPTIVE, BUT THEY HAD THIS ANIMOSITY TOWARDS THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT.

BUT I MEAN, I HOPE THEY DON'T GET INVOLVED.

THE PEOPLE I TALKED TO WHILE IN THE WEST BANK, I DON'T FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE PACKET THAT THEY WANT TO -- PATH THAT THEY WANT TO TAKE, BUT I'M STILL CONCERNED OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF HEZBOLLAH AND SYRIA FIRING A FEW ROCKETS OVER.

I'M HOPING THE WEST BANK DOESN'T GET INVOLVED.

>> OR EGYPT.

>> IF IT BLOWS IN THAT REGION, THE WHOLE REGION IS GOING TO BLOW.

AND WE PRAY FOR CONTAINMENT.

WE PRAY FOR PEOPLE COMING TO THEIR SENSES.

>> Reporter: I THINK THAT'S THE PERFECT ENDING RIGHT THERE.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING.

THERE ARE MANY MORE CONVERSATIONS TO BE HAD ABOUT THIS.

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENT >> Rich: SERIOUS CONVERSATION.

WE THANK THEM.

IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE TAKE YOU TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA, WHERE A JAPANESE-AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHT IS DEBUTING A DRAMA ABOUT SUMO WRESTLING.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH AGO MANNED OWE -- AGO A MANNED OWE TAKE US TO A -- BETH AKAMANDO TAKE US TO A GROUND SHAKING REHEARSAL.

>> SUMO DATES BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

>> IT COMES BACK FROM MYTHOLOGY OF THE GODS.

>> JAMES IS A CULTURAL ADVISOR FOR THE PLAYHOUSE'S SUMO.

>> THE TREMENDOUS RITUAL INVOLVED, MANY SHINTO RITUALS.

ADDITIONAL, THESE WERE MEN, YOU KNOW, BACK IN THE, YOU KNOW, 1600S, WHERE SOCIETY WAS STILL VERY MUCH A FEUD AL AND WARRIOR SOCIETY.

PEOPLE WOULD CARRY SWORDS REGULARLY.

SO A LOT OF THE RITUALS THAT WE SEE IN THE RING ARE EXTRACTIONS OF BASICALLY SHOWING THE OPPONENT THAT YOU ARE UNARMED.

WHICH IS OF COURSE WHY THEY ONLY HAVE A MALASHI, A GLORIFIED LOIN CLOTH, SO TO SPEAK, THEY ARE NAKED OTHERWISE, AND THEY SPREAD THEIR ARMS, THEY SHOW THAT THEY BROUGHT NOTHING.

IT IS A SHEAR COMPETITION OF STRENGTH.

>> Reporter: JAPANESE-AMERICAN PLAYWRIGHT LISA, FELL IN LOVE WITH SUMO.

>> I WAS SO ENTRANCED BY THE IDEA, OR THE FEELING OF A SPORT BEING SO POWERFUL AND SO FEROCIOUS, AND SO WILD, AND THEN ALSO SO RESTRAINED, AND SO FILLED WITH CEREMONY AND HONOR.

>> Reporter: THAT SENSE OF RITUAL IS EVEN APPARENT IN THE REHEARSAL ROOM.

>> THIS IS THE UNIVERSE WHERE WE BOW BEFORE WE GO INTO THE REHEARSAL ROOM, EVERYBODY.

WE TAKE OUR SHOES OFF FOR, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A PART OF THE STAGE WE CAN'T WEAR SHOES IN, BECAUSE IT IS WHERE THEY FIGHT, BUT ALSO VERY JAPANESE TO TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF WHEN YOU ENTER A SPACE.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE A MIXED CULTURE ROOM.

>> WE HAVE A DRAMA THAT PROVIDES WONDERFUL SOUNDSCAPE, WITH THE MOVEMENTS THAT WE'RE DOING.

>> Reporter: MOVEMENTS THAT THE CAST HAD TO LEARN.

>> SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACTORS GOT PLENTY OF TIME TO GET FAMILIAR WITH, YOU KNOW, LIVING IN THEIR LOWER HALF OF THEIR BODY, AND WARMUPS BFS RE -- BEFORE REHEARSAL, WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THE KIND OF EXERCISING THAT THE WRESTLERS ACTUALLY DO.

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES THERE'S A TON, LIKE A TONGUE OF POWER WHEN YOU DO THE MATH ON TWO BODIES HITTING EACH OTHER, THAT'S THERE.

SO THAT'S HOPEFULLY WHAT WE ARE PORTRAYING TO THE AUDIENCE, LIKE HOW STRONG THESE MEN ARE.

>> Reporter: SHE WANTED TO CREATE A SPACE WHERE ASIAN MEN COULD LEAD WITH STRENGTH, AND WHERE THE TOPIC WOULD NOT BE RACISM OR VICTIMIZATION.

>> SO IN THIS PLAY, IT LEADS WITH, OH, THAT'S NOT THE CONVERSATION HERE, WE ARE NOT HAVING TO PROVE OUR MASCULINITY, THE MEN ON STAGE.

AND THE PEOPLE ON STAGE DO NOT HAVE TO PROVE THEIR MASCULINITY, BECAUSE IT IS NOT CHALLENGE.

WHICH I FEEL LIKE IN MANY CONVERSATIONS IN THE THEATRE RIGHT NOW, WHITE,NESS -- WHITENESS IS ASSAULTING SOME PARTS OF ASHENNESS.

>> -- ASIANNESS.

>> THE SUMO RING IS AN OMNIPRESENT REMINDER OF WHAT IS DRIVING THE CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY.

>> I WANTED TO TELL THE STORY OF SOMEONE WHO IS GETTING TO POWER INSIDE A STRUCTURED HIERARCHY, WHO IS CHALLENGING THAT HIERARCHY, AND SO CHANGED BY THE SYSTEM WHICH HE IS IN, THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHO HE IS AT THE END OF IT.

SO IT IS LIKE WHAT IS IT TO COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR MIND-SET FROM BEING AN ENTITY UNTO ONE'S SELF, INTO A PART OF THIS MACHINE.

AND THAT'S ALSO JAPANESE CULTURE AS WELL.

>> Reporter:Y IS WHY HER KNOWLEDGE OF SUMO IS KEY.

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST, I AM INTERESTED IN TRYING TO CAPTURE SORT OF ICONIC IMAGES OF WHAT WE SEE AS SUMO.

BUT THEN IN ADDITION TO THAT IS SORT OF THE THEATRICAL ELEMENT OF HOW DO WE THEN MAKE THESE IMAGES, THESE RITUALS OR MOVEMENTS INTERESTING IN A THEATRICAL SETTING.

>> YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT A BAR FIGHT.

SUMO WRESTLING MATCH IS NOT THAT.

SO I THINK IN ANY SPORT, THERE LOOKS LIKE A DANCE INVOLVED, EVEN IF IT'S A DANCE OF BESTING ONE ANOTHER.

>> Reporter: AUDIENCES DO NOT NEED TO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT SUMO BEFORE COMING TO THE PLAY, BUT THEY MIGHT LEAVE WITH A GREATER APPRECIATION OF AN ANCIENT JAPANESE SPORT.

>> THE PRIMARY INTENTION IS NOT TO TEACH PEOPLE ABOUT THE SPORT, IT IS TO ILLUMINATE HUMANITY INSIDE THE SPORT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAKES US -- TAKES US INSIDE THE WORLD OF SUMO TO CREATE A POWERFUL IMAGE OF ASIAN MEN WE DO NOT OFTEN SEE ON THE AMERICAN STAGE.

♪♪ >> Rich: AT THE TALLGRASS PRAIRIE PRESERVE IN OSAGE COUNTY, THEY HAVE BEEN LETTING THE BUFFALO ROAM FOR 30 YEARS NOW.

THAT'S A REASON ENOUGH TO STOMP YOUR HOOVES AND HAVE A CELEBRATION.

WE'LL VISIT THE HOOVES IN THE NEXT EDITION OF THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

WE LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH AN EXHIBIT CALLED "VISION IN MOTION" AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART.

SHOT AND EDITED BY OUR PRODUCTION TEAM.

PLEASE REMEMBER, YOU CAN ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT BY VISIT OUR WEBSITE, OETA.TV, OR SEARCH OATH O. N. R., AND -- OETA O. N. R., AND ON FACEBOOK, THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PUT THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR EVERY WEEK, I'M RICH LENZ.

♪♪ [ SLOW JAZZY MUSIC ] ♪♪ ♪♪ Captioning provided by Caption Associates, LLC captionassociates.com ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪