.

>>> GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA IN THE LATEST "WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HEALTH" REPORT.

>> THERE'VE HAVE BEEN STUDIES IN ' EVERY STATE BECAUSE WE ARE LITERALLY IN A CRISIS.

>>> ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMMOND VS.

THE STITT ADMINISTRATION, ON TWO FRONTS.

>> I BELIEVE THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT FATAL FLAWS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS COMPACT.

>>> A BURNING DESIRE TO ELIMINATE A TREE THAT IS SUCKING OKLAHOMA DRY.

>> THEY MAKE A GOOD CHRISTMAS TREE, BUT THAT'S ABOUT ALL THEY ARE GOOD FOR.

AND SPREADING FIRE WHEN YOU DON'T WANT FIRE SPREAD.

>>> AN OKLAHOMA RESEARCHER IS CONDUCTING CLINICAL TRIALS ON A MORE EFFECTIVE PNEUMONIA VACCINE.

>> ONE NIGHT I WOKE UP AND I SAID, AH, I THINK IT'S THIS.

>>> AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION ON OKLAHOMA'S "ALL OF THE ABOVE" APPROACH TO CREATING ENERGY.

>> LAST YEAR IN 2022, WAS THE FIRST YEAR IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY THAT WIND-GENERATED ELECTRICITY, EXCEEDED NATURAL GAS-RELATED ELECTRICITY.

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

>>> HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT", I'M RICH LENZ.

THE ANNUAL AMERICA'S HEALTH RANKINGS'.

"HEALTH OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN" REPORT CONTAINS BOTH GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR OKLAHOMA.

INFANT MORTALITY IS DROPPING BUT THE DEATH RATE FOR YOUNG AND MIDDLE-AGED WOMEN HAS RISEN DRAMATICALLY.

TAEYLR JACKSON HAS BEEN GOING OVER THE FINDINGS AND JOINS US NOW WITH MORE DETAILS.

TAELYR?

>> RICH, OKLAHOMA RANKS 47TH IN THE 2023 HEALTH AND WOMEN AND CHILDREN REPORT.AND THAT MAKES OUR STATE ONE OF THE LEAST HEALTHIEST IN THE NATION.

AMONG WOMEN IS PART OF THE REASON SHE OPENED THE ORGANIZATION.

>> LOW INCOME COUNTRIES ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT MATERNAL RATES AS BLACK WOMEN.

IF YOU TAKE THE MORTALITY AND MATERNAL RATES FOR ASIAN WOMEN OR WHITE WOMEN HERE IN AMERICA, IT'S LIKE, OKAY, IT'S BECAUSE WE HAVE QUALITY CARE WHY THE NUMBERS ARE SO MUCH BETTER.

BUT WHEN YOU COMPARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN NUMBERS TO THE NUMBERS IN LOW INCOME COUNTRIES, YOU'LL SEE THAT THEY'RE COMPARABLE THEY'RE THE SAME.

>> THE REPORT BACKS UP THE CON -- IN OKLAHOMA, INCREASED BY 25%.

NATIONALLY, THAT NUMBER NEARLY DOUBLED, RANKINGS ARE MEASURED WITH ONE BEING THE HEALTHIEST VALUE AND 50 IS THE LEAST.

PROVIDERS FOR WOMEN 15 YEARS OLD AND OLDER, INCREASED.

OKLAHOMA RANKED 34TH IN MATERNAL MORTALITY, AND CONSIDERED A MATERNITY CARE DESERT.

NATIONWIDE, THE MORTALITY RATE IS HIGHER AMONG THE INDIGENOUS AND BLACK WOMEN.

THE SUPPORT AND INHOME CARE.

>> WE DO -- MAKING SURE BABY IS MEETING THE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONE.

WE WEIGH AND WE DO PREAND POST FEEDING WEIGHT FOR MOMS FOR BREAST FEEDING.

TO ADD SOME SECURITY AROUND BREAST FEEDING.

>> THERE'S MANY FACTOR THAT IS LEAD TO BLACK MOTHERS DYING IN OR AFTER BIRTH.

>> STRUCTURAL RACISM AND POOR QUALITY OF CARE ARE JUST THE MAIN ONES THAT JUMP OUT AT ME WHEN I READ AND ASK THAT QUESTION.

THAT'S WHAT THEY HAVE CONCLUDED.

THEY HAVE DONE STUDIES ON TOP OF STUDIES, STUDIES IN EVERY STATE.

BECAUSE WE'RE LITERALLY IN A CRISIS.

>> COMPLICATIONS LIKE HEMORRHAGING AND INFECTION CAN ALSO LEAD TO DEATH.

BUT SOME ARE PREVENTABLE.

>> BEFORE YOU'RE IN A STATE OF LIFE OR AT THE TIME SITUATION IN MATERNAL HEALTH, THERE'S SIGNS LEADING UP TO IT.

IT HAPPENS OVER A SPAN OF HOURS.

EVEN DAYS.

AND YOUR BODY STARTS TO TALK TO YOU, AND YOU SAY HEY, I HAVE AN ISSUE.

IS THIS NORMAL?

YOU'RE OVERLOOKED.

YOU'RE BEING TRAUMATIC, OR DRAMA QUEEN.

>> ON A POSITIVE NOTE, MORE OKLAHOMA BABIES ARE MAKING IT PAST THE ONE YEAR MARK.

>> THE PANDEMIC COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE INCREASED MORTALITY RATE AS WELL.

COVID IS PARTIALLY TO BLAME FOR THE NATION'S INCREASED MORTALITY RATE.

>> THERE'S AN INCREASE OF DRUG DEATHS, DEATH DUE TO FIREARMS AND INJURY.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST CAUSE OF INCREASES IN THE MORTALITY IN WOMEN.

>> OKLAHOMA RANKED 37 FOR FIREARM DEATH AND 13 FOR DRUG RELATED DEATHS.

ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, ALASKAN NATIVE AND AMERICAN INDIAN WOMEN -- MISSING MURDERED INDIGENOUS WOMEN PRESIDENT, SAYS PLAYED A ROLE IN THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT GOES BACK TO THE REMOVAL, HONESTLY.

ONE THING THAT MAKES YOU STATISTICALLY MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THESE THINGS, THE HUMAN TRAFFIC, BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED IS REMOVAL.

THAT'S LIKE THE NUMBER ONE.

AND THEN NUMBER TWO IS LIKE, HEALTH CONDITIONS LIKE MENTAL HEALTH, AND THEN DRUG ABUSE, AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS COME INTO PLAY AND WHEN YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC ETHNICITY THAT'S REMOVED FROM THEIR HOME, AND BEEN PUT THROUGH BOARDING SCHOOLS AND ALL THE TRAUMATIC EVENTS AND THEY NEVER HEAL FROM THEM, IT'S TRAUMA.

>> THEY WORK WITH MISSING FAMILIES.

>> I WORK FOR THE ORGANIZATION SO WE CAN GIVE THEM AS MUCH MEDIA ATTENTION AS POSSIBLE.

SOMETIMES I GET THEM ON THE NEWS.

I USE NATIVE CHALK TALK.

AND IN OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE NEW PEOPLE, LOVED ONES GOING MISSING OR HAVE A MURDER CASE THAT'S NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO JUSTICE, I USE THAT OUTLET.

THAT'S ONE THING THAT WE DO.

WE ARE SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINED.

SO WE PARTNER WITH PI'S AND I HAVE A LOT OF PI'S THAT WORK PRO BONO.

>> THE REPORT IS USEFUL FOR STATE GOTTA HAVES TO DETERMINE WHAT -- GOVERNMENTS DETERMINE WHAT USED IN THEIR STATE.

>> DR. JOHAR SAYS THE REPORT IS USEFUL FOR STATE GOVERNMENTS TO DETERMINE WHAT IMPROVEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE IN THEIR STATE.

RICH.

>>> ATTORNEY GENERAL GENTNER DRUMMOND CONTINUES TO DECLARE PRIORITIES OF THE STITT ADMINISTRATION TO BE ILLEGAL AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE LATEST SALVO INVOLVES TWO GAMING COMPACTS NEGOTIATED BY THE GOVERNOR.

CAPITOL CORRESPONDENT, JASON DOYLE REPORTS ON THAT, IN ADDITION TO A HANDFUL OF "INTERIM STUDIES" DURING A BUSY "NON-SESSION" WEEK AT THE CAPITOL.

>> AND THE UNITED BAND OF THE CHEROKEE INDIANS.

DESPITE AN OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT DECISION, AND A LETTER FROM DRUMMOND, THE GOVERNOR SUBMITTED THESE FOR APPROVAL.

THE GENERAL COUNCIL FOR GOVERNOR, THEY BELIEVE THE CONTRACTS ARE LEGAL.

>> THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CLAIMS AND ALLEGES THAT THE JOINT COMMITTEE LACKS AUTHORITY TO MAKE VALID WHICH THAT WHICH THE SUPREME COURT EARLIER DECLARED TO BE INVALID.

>> AT THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT DECISION ON THE KTT, MEANS THE COMMITTEE CAN STILL TAKE ACTION.

>> THE SUPREME COURT'S SPECIFICALLY HELD, AND THIS IS A QUOTE FROM THE ACTUAL HOLDING OF THE CASE.

WITHOUT PROPER APPROVAL BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE, AND THIS COMMITTEE, THE NEW TRAVEL GAMING COMPACTS ARE INVALID.

IN OTHER WORDS, ONCE THEY'RE VALIDATED AND APPROVED BY THE JOINT COMMITTEE, THEY WOULD IN FACT BE SEEN BY THE SUPREME COURT AS BEING VALID UNDER OKLAHOMA LAW.

>> AND CONTENDS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL GOT IT WRONG WHEN WILL HE SUGGESTS THE CONTRACT IS OUT OF ORDER.

HOWEVER, HE SAYS THE SUPREME COURT THE DIDN'T INVALIDATE THE TWO CONTRACTS ON THE BASIS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPROVING THEM FIRST.

>> THE LANGUAGE DECIDED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE LETTER IS KNOWN IN THE LAW AS VICTA.

IT'S NOT PART OF THE HOLDING.

FIRST OF ALL, THE COURT DIDN'T HOLD, THAT IS IN FACT, THE LAW OF THE LAND.

>> HE ADDED THAT THE GOVERNOR WILL RESUBMIT THE COMPACTS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR IF THE JOINT COMMITTEE APPROVES THEM.

THE TRIBES ALSO SIGNED GAMING CONTRACTS, HOWEVER, THE ATTORNEY EXPLAINED THE STATE SUPREME COURT DID FIND A FATAL FLAW IN THE LANGUAGE OF THOSE DEALS.

>> IN THAT CASE, THE COURT SAYS EVEN IF THE JOINT COMMITTEE WERE TO REVIEW THE COMPACTS AND THEY WOULD STILL BIN VALID.

THEY -- INVALID, THEY CONTAIN TERMS IN CONFLICT WITH THE OKLAHOMA LAW IN EYES OF THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

>> AFTER A NEARLY HOUR OF DISCUSSION, IT WAS THE SENATOR WHO PUSHED THINGS FORWARD.

>> THERE'S SIGNIFICANT FLAWS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THIS COMPACT AND THE LANDS THAT ARE GRANTED, IN MY OPINION WILL NOT CHANGE OVER TIME.

SO I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DISAPPROVE THIS COMPACT.

>> AND THE COMMITTEE FOLLOWED SUIT.

>> ALL IN FAVOR OF OF THE MOTION TO DISAPPROVE THE COMPACT OF THE KTT TRIBE AS PRESENTED, SAY AYE.

THE AYES HAVE IT.

>> SAME THING ON THE UNITED BAND COMPACT.

AS THE DEADLINE APPROACHES, THE DIVERSE ISSUES, TO USING ART THERAPY IN SCHOOL WERE DISCUSSED FOR POSSIBLE LEGISLATION NEXT SESSION.

THE LEGISLATURE COULD CONSIDER REQUIRING TRANSMISSION LINES TO BE BUILT BY THE STATE UTILITIES, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING A FEDERAL RULE OF A BIDDING PROCESS.

THEY WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO EXTEND THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL TO HIGH POWERED TRANSMISSION LINES.

>> THIS GAVE THE LOCAL UTILITY THE FIRST RIGHT TO BUILD, OWN AND OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THE PROJECT FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CUSTOMERS.

THIS PROCESS MADE SENSE BECAUSE IT MEANT PROJECTS WERE CONSTRUCTED BY ENTITIES THAT KNEW THE SERVICE TERRITORY AND UNDERSTOOD WHERE THE LINES COULD BE BUILT.

>> HOWEVER, COMPANIES LIKE NEXT ERA WHICH BUILDS AND OPERATES WIND AND SOLAR FARMS IN OKLAHOMA, BELIEVE THEY CAN DO THE JOB JUST AS WELL.

>> THE PLANS FOR SIGNIFICANT TRANSMISSION EXPANSION IS ON THE WAY HERE IF OKLAHOMA.

MORE TRANSMISSION MEANS MORE JOBS, MORE RELIABILITY AND AFFORDABLE RATE.

REMOVING THE BIDDING PROCESS WILL ELIMINATE THE PROJECT COMPETITION.

>> THAT DECISION IS LIKELY TO BE MADE BY THE LAWMAKERS NEXT YEAR.

SENATOR MCMATTHEWS WANT TO KNOW IF THE THERAPY -- GIVING AT RISK STUDENTS HELP.

THE FOUNDATION FOUNDER SAYS THE ART THERAPY IN SCHOOL CAN LEAD TO BETTER COMMUNITIES.

>> THE RESPONSE TO THE PARENT EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE THAT'S FISCALLY BENEFIT THE STATE BUDGET AND PROVIDE PATH WAYS IN IMPROVING THE NATIONAL RANKING.

>> THEY'LL WITHDREWS THESE AND THE -- USE THESE AND THE OTHER STUDIES, TO BE CONSIDERED IN 2024.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMOND IS ALSO SUING TO NULLIFY A CONTRACT APPROVED BY THE "STATEWIDE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL BOARD" THAT WOULD CREATE THE NATION'S FIRST PUBLICLY-FUNDED RELIGIOUS CHARTER SCHOOL.

DRUMMOND BELIEVES THE "ST. ISIDORE VIRTUAL CHARTER SCHOOL", REPRESENTS A VIOLATION OF BOTH THE U.S. AND OKLAHOMA CONSTITUTIONS.

THE A.C.L.U.

IS ALSO SUING TO BLOCK THE SCHOOL DRUMMOND HAS RELEASED A STATEMENT CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT-- AND THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE AND GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT WERE QUICK TO RESPOND.

>> DRUMMOND WROTE IN PART: "THERE IS NO RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN COMPELLING OKLAHOMANS TO FUND RELIGIONS THAT MAY VIOLATE THEIR OWN DEEPLY HELD BELIEFS."

BRETT FARLEY, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE RESPONDED: "THE LAWSUIT FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE EMPLOYS FEAR AND DISCRIMINATION, IGNORES THE VERY REAL SUCCESSES OF FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS IN OUR COUNTRY AND ATTEMPTS TO PIT PEOPLE OF FAITH AGAINST EACH OTHER."

AND, GOVERNOR STITT WEIGHED IN AS WELL, STATING IN PART: "THIS LAWSUIT IS A POLITICAL STUNT AND RUNS COUNTER TO OUR OKLAHOMA VALUES AND THE LAW.

"A.G." DRUMMOND SEEMS TO LACK ANY FIRM GRASP ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM."

>>> ACCORDING TO THE "U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT", JUST ONE ACRE OF EASTERN RED CEDAR TREES CAN SUCK UP AS MUCH AS 55,000 GALLONS OF WATER FROM THE SURROUNDING AREA-- .AND, IN DROUGHT-PREVALENT OKLAHOMA- THAT'S A PROBLEM.

RED CEDARS ARE EVERYWHERE IN THE SOONER STATE AND CONTROLLING THEIR INVASIVE SPREAD IS DIFFICULT AND EXPENSIVE-- AS STEVE SHAW FOUND OUT DURING A "CONTROLLED BURN" IN BLAINE COUNTY.

STEVE?

>> RICH.LAST MARCH WE WENT UP TO DEWEY COUNTY AND TALKED TO A FARMER OF SEVERAL THOUSAND ACRES WHO'S BEEN SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED BY RED CEDARS.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE RECENTLY RELEASED $3.2 MILLION THAT WILL ALLOW PRESCRIBED BURN ORGANIZATIONS AND VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS TO TAKE MORE OF THE FIGHT TO THE RED CEDARS.

>> AND GET IT TO GO.

SO YOU ARE GONNA LIGHT.

ALL YOU DO IS TIP IT DOWN TO GET IT TO WORK.

AND ALL YOU DO IS WALK ALONG LIGHTING AND DO THAT.

>> TWO WEDNESDAYS AGO JUST OUTSIDE THE SMALL TOWN OF GREENFIELD IN BLAINE COUNTY, VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND PRESCRIBED BURN GROUPS FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

>> ALSO WHEN YOU ARE OPERATING IT GRAB IT DOWN HERE ON THE HANDLE.

>> TOOK VACATION OR COMP DAYS FROM THEIR DAY JOBS TO GET AN "EYE"-BURNING TUTORIAL.FROM OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY FIRE EXPERT JOHN WEIR.ON THE PROPER WAY TO BURN ON PURPOSE.

>> LET'S GO STRAIGHT ON THE LINE BECAUSE OF THE SMOKIE.

OK. LET'S DO THAT.

HUH ALRIGHT, WHO'S GONNA TAKE THE FIRST TORCH?

WE GOT THE FIRST TORCH.

OKAY RICHARD YOU GOING WITH THEM?

>> WEIR SAYS THESE PRESCRIBED AND CONTROLLED BURNS ARE NECESSARY TOOLS TO MANAGE THE RED CEDAR TREE INFESTATION.THAT STATE CONSERVATION COMMISSION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TREY LAM SAYS IS OUT OF CONTROL.

>> THE FUEL FROM THOSE CEDARS IS JUST EXTREME.

AND SO THESE RURAL MOSTLY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE CEDAR TREES.

SO WHEN A FIRE GETS GOING, IT'S NOT JUST GRASS BUT IS REALLY FUELED BY THE OIL AND THE DRY MATERIAL IN THESE CEDAR TREES.

>> THIS SATELLITE MAP SHOWS HOW THE RED CEDAR PROBLEM PROGRESSED IN THE LOWER MIDWEST BETWEEN THE YEAR 2000 AND 2018.

NOW FIVE YEARS LATER IT'S GOTTEN WORSE.

CEDAR TREES ARE NOT JUST "WILDFIRES" WAITING TO HAPPEN.LAM SAYS THEY'RE FEROCIOUS DRINKERS OF ANY NEARBY WATER SUPPLY.

THAT'S A BIG REASON WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE "TERRY PEACH NORTHERN CANADIAN WATERSHED RESTORATION ACT PROJECT" IS BEING FUNDED BY THAT $3.2 MILLION JOLT FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION USED THAT MONEY TO GIVE 10 TO $15,000 TO EACH OF THE 25 VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT.FOR EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING.

>> YEAH THAT'S ALRIGHT AS LONG AS IT DOES THAT I'M GOOD.

THEY NEED TO SEND THAT OTHER TORCH BACK DOWN HERE.

>> STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE DOBRINSKI SAYS THE PROJECT IS NAMED AFTER TERRY PEACH.BECAUSE THE FORMER STATE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER WARNED ABOUT THE CEDAR TREE PROBLEM THREE DECADES AGO.

>> THIS HAS ACTUALLY BECOME DETRIMENTAL TO WILDLIFE IN THE AREA.

THIS IS A LOT OF GREAT NATIVE GRASSLANDS ON THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE GOOD FOR LIVESTOCK GRAZING AND HUNTING AND ALL OF THAT.

BUT THESE HAVE GOTTEN SO PROLIFIC AND SO DENSE IN SOME AREAS AND A LOT OF THE WILDLIFE ARE AVOIDING THOSE AREAS.

AND IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THE HUNTERS, FOR CATTLE PRODUCERS, AND ALL OF THESE AGRICULTURAL GROUPS HAVE COME TOGETHER.

>> ALRIGHT LET'S GO THIS WAY.

STAY OUT ABOUT THAT WIDE.OKAY?

>> AND LIKE THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER LIKE WE ARE WORKING HERE WITH THIS TERRY PEACH RESTORATION PROJECT UM IT SUPPLIES WATER DOWN TO LAKE OVERHOLSER AND LAKE HEFNER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

BY THE TIME THE WATER RUNS FROM THE PANDHANDLE ALL OF THE WAY TO OKLAHOMA CITY, YOU SHOULD HAVE ENOUGH FOR OKLAHOMA CITY TO HAVE PLENTY OF DRINKING WATER.

BUT THESE CEDARS SOAK UP ALL OF THAT WATER NOT JUST RIGHT IN THE RIVER BANKS AND THE BED ITSELF, BUT ALL ACROSS THE LANDSCAPE, SO ONLY A TRICKLE OF THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT SHOULD GET TO OKLAHOMA CITY IS ACTUALLY GETTING THERE.

>> WESLEY MONGOLD IS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE MAJOR COUNTY PRESCRIBED BURN ASSOCIATION IN FAIRVIEW.

>> RIGHT IT'S ALL ABOUT MITIGATION, AND THAT IS WHAT PRESCRIBED BURN ORGANIZATIONS ARE REALLY THERE FOR.

IT'S JUST A COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH FOR ASSISTANCE, AND HELPING LAND OWNERS UNDERSTAND FIRE IS ACTUALLY A GOOD THING IF DONE RIGHT.

DO YOU REALLY THINK THESE PRESCRIBED BURNS CAN MAKE A DENT IN THIS RED CEDAR PROBLEM?

YES.

>> CHAD SCHEIHNG IS THE LONGTIME CHIEF OF GREENFIELD'S FIRE DEPARTMENT.

HE SAYS THEY HAVE TO GET LANDOWNERS MORE COMFORTABLE WITH CONTROLLED BURNS.

>> AND THERE'S PICTURES FROM 100 YEARS AGO WHEN THIS LAND WAS BEAUTIFUL WITH JUST GRASS, AND I HAVE GOT ONE HANGING IN MY HOUSE WITH JUST SIX COWBOYS, WITH A WAGON AND ONE BOTTOM PLOW AND A TEAM OF HORSES AND BUCKETS OF WATER DOING PRESCRIBED BURN FIRE ON THE PRAIRIE.

AND IT'S THE BEST TOOL OUT THERE.

IT'S THE CHEAPEST TOO OUT THERE.

IT'S THE BEST WAY TO MANAGE YOUR GRASS.

>> YEAH AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO SHOW THE GOOD AFTER IT IS OVER AND THE BENEFITS AFTER IT'S OVER.

HOW GOOD IT IS FOR THE LAND, HOW GOOD IT IS FOR THE LANDOWNER AND THE PUBLIC, AND IT GOES BACK TO ALLERGIES TOO.

YOU GET RID OF THE CEDARS EVERYBODY IS NOT GONNA HAVE THE ALLERGIES THROUGH WINTER TIME.

>> A CEDAR TREE DON'T PROVIDE YOU NO SHADE.

CATTLE DON'T LIKE EM.

BUT THEY MAKE GOOD CHRISTMAS TREES.

THEY MAKE A GOOD CHRISTMAS TREE, BUT THAT'S ABOUT ALL THEY ARE GOOD FOR.

AND SPREADING FIRE WHEN YOU DON'T WANT FIRE SPREAD.

AND MAN THEY ARE LOADED WITH FUEL.

THEY ARE.

THEY ARE LOADED WITH FUEL.

THEY ARE A GOOD PLACE FOR THE WILD HOG TO HIDE AND THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE GOT TOT DEAL WITH DOWN THE ROAD ONE DAY.

YOU JUST CAN'T SEE THROUGH THEM, CAN'T SEE AROUND THEM.

CAN'T GET THROUGH THEM.

AND THEY CLOG UP EVERYTHING.

THEY DO.

>> IRONICALLY 90 YEARS AG .DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.THE U.S. GOVERNMENT PLANTED RED CEDAR TREES ALL OVER THE OKLAHOMA PRAIRIE.

THE THOUGHT THEN WAS THEY WOULD SERVE AS GREAT WIND BREAKS.AND WOULD FIGHT EROSION.

RICH.

>>> OKLAHOMA IS A UNIQUE ENERGY STATE- WE RANK 3RD IN THE NATION IN WIND POWER PRODUCTION, WHILE OUR OIL-AND-GAS INDUSTRY REMAINS THE STATE'S LARGEST ECONOMIC ENGINE.

THE "ALL OF THE ABOVE" APPROACH TO ENERGY CREATION IS WORKING IN OKLAHOMA.

AND THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH DISCUSSION" WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD, COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

HERE'S A PREVIEW: >> OUR ENERGY MIX HAS CHANGED QUITE RADICALLY SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY BACK IN BACK.

TWENTY OR YEARS AGO.

ABOUT 70% OF OUR TOTAL.

ELECTRICAL GENERATION WAS WAS FROM COLE AS A FUEL SOURCE.

LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR IN OKLAHOMA HISTORY THAT WIND GENERATED ELECTRICITY ACTUALLY EXCEEDED NATURAL GAS GENERATED ELECTRICITY.

>> WE'RE BLESSED WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF ENERGY RESOURCES, AND WE SEE THAT IN NATURAL GAS, WE NOW SEE IT WITH WIND GENERATION AND TO THE SECRETARY'S POINT, WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT WITH SOLAR AS WELL.

AN ENERGY STORAGE SOLUTION IS HYDROGEN, BUT WE PRODUCE ENOUGH ENERGY NOT ONLY FOR FOR OKLAHOMA SUPPLY.

BUT ALSO WE'RE A PART OF SPP.

SO THE SOUTHWEST POWER POOL.

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

>>> MORE THAN THREE WEEKS AFTER THE OUSTER OF KEVIN MCCARTHY AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

LOUISIANA'S MIKE JOHNSON, HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO REPLACE HIM.

EARLIER IN THE WEEK, KEVIN HERN, WHO REPRESENTS OKLAHOMA'S 1ST DISTRICT-- ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY, AND THEN WITHDREW IT.

ON WEDNESDAY, HERN AND 219 OTHER REPUBLICANS CHOSE THE 51-YEAR OLD JOHNSON TO LEAD THEIR MAJORITY GOING FORWARD, ENDING A CHAOTIC PERIOD THAT BROUGHT ALL LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE TO A HALT.

JOHNSON WAS ELECTED IN 2016 AND IS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ALLY OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> WE'RE GOING TO RESTORE YOUR TRUST IN WHAT WE DO HERE.

YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A NEW FORM OF GOVERNMENT AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THIS QUICKLY.

THIS GROUP HERE IS READY TO GOVERN AND WE ARE GOING TO GOVERN.

WELL, WE'RE GOING TO DO.

WHAT'S RIGHT BY THE PEOPLE AND I BELIEVE THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO REWARD THAT NEXT YEAR, BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF BIG PRIORITIES AT US RIGHT NOW.

THE WORLD IS ON A FIRE.

>> LATER THAT AFTERNOON, THE HOUSE OVERWHELMINGLY PASSED A RESOLUTION, DECLARING SOLIDARITY WITH ISRAEL AND PLEDGING SECURITY ASSISTANCE IN IT'S WAR AGAINST HAMAS.

>>> THE "FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION" HELD A SPECIAL CEREMONY IN NEW YORK CITY ON TUESDAY MORNING TO ANNOUNCE THEIR "ROLL CALL OF HEROES".

ONE OF THE HONOREES IS KEARA DUNCOMB, A 911 EMERGENCY DISPATCHER WITH THE MOORE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SHE HELPED 10-YEAR OLD CADEN KENNEDY CARE FOR HIS GRANDMOTHER, WHO HAD TAKEN A SERIOUS FALL.

>> SHE GUIDED A DISTRAUGHT 10-YEAR OLD CHILD ON WHAT TO DO AFTER HIS GRANDMOTHER HAD FALLEN AND HIT HER HEAD, RESULTING IN SEVERE BLOOD LOSS.

KEARA'S SWIFT AND PRECISE INSTRUCTIONS ENSURED THAT THE YOUNG BOY WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE AID, DEMONSTRATING NOT ONLY HER EXPERTISE, BUT ALSO HER COMPASSION IN A HIGH STRESS SITUATION.

HER QUICK THINKING AND EXPERT GUIDANCE WAS ESSENTIAL IN THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THIS EMERGENCY.

NINE 11 DISPATCHER KEARA DUNCOMB.

PLEASE ACCEPT THIS FIRST RESPONDERS CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION HERO AWARD ON BEHALF OF ALL 911 DISPATCHERS IN AMERICA.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS ISSUED A PROCLAMATION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 28 AS "NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDER'S DAY".

>>> ACCORDING TO THE LAST AVAILABLE DATE FROM THE C.D.C., 560 OKLAHOMANS DIED FROM PNEUMONIA IN 2021- MAKING IT ONE OF THE TOP TEN CAUSES OF DEATH IN OUR STATE.

NOW, A RESEARCHER AT OU MEDICAL IS CONDUCTING CLINICAL TRIALS ON A NEW VACCINE THAT CAN HOPEFULLY REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS.

JOEL FILOMENO HAS THAT STORY FOR US AND JOINS US NOW.

JOEL?

>> RICH, THE DEATH RATE FOR PNEUMONIA IN OKLAHOMA RANKS 9TH IN THE COUNTRY.

I SPOKE WITH HEALTH EXPERTS BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW AND MORE AFFORDABLE VACCINE.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

>> HE SPENDS HIS WORKDAY TEACHING AND EXPERIMENTING AT A LAB.

ON THE OKLAHOMA CITY OU CAMPUS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON HOW BACTERIA TOXINS WORK.

HOW THEY FUNCTION.

AND WE'VE BEEN MAINLY CONCERNED WITH THE CLASS OF TOXINS CALLED -- WE BASICALLY WORK AT THE MOLECULE LEVEL.

>> TO DEVELOP A NEW AND MORE EFFICIENT VACCINE TO FIGHT PNEUMONIA.

>> ONE NIGHT I WOKE UP, AND OH, I THINK IT'S THIS.

I WENT IN THE NEXT DAY, GRABBED AN ENZYME, AND THREW IT IN, AND NOW THEY'RE WORKING.

>> THE VACCINE IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO COMBAT PNEUMONIA.

>> WE REALIZE HOW TO REENGINEER THIS PARTICULAR TOXIN THAT'S PRODUCED BY PNEUMONIA, WHICH CAUSES PNEUMONIA AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 1.2 MILLION DEATHS EVERY YEAR.

300,000 OF THEM CHILDREN.

>> JOS É ANTONIO SURVIVED HIS BATTLE WITH PNEUMONIA AFTER CONTRACTING THE ILLNESS IN MEXICO, BUT JUST BARELY.

IT WAS SEVERE, BECAUSE WE WERE, IF I CAN SAY IT, ON THE VERGE OF DEATH.

IF I'M TALKING TO YOU OF THE FIRST WEEK, THE GIVEN MOMENT I THOUGHT IT WAS A SIMPLE FLU.

>>ING BREATHING WAS THE BIGGEST AND PAINFUL PART OF HIS EXPERIENCE.

YOU FEEL THAT YOU'RE IN YOUR LAST DAYS.

LAST MOMENTS AND WHEN YOU'RE SHORT OF BREATH IS WHEN IT SCARES YOU TO MOST.

ANTONIO SAYS HIS BLOOD CLOTTING ADD TO THE STRUGGLE AGAINST THE INFECTION.

>> AFTER ABLE TO GET HIS BREATHING BACK TO NORMAL LEVELS, HE SAID HE WAS RECOVERING BY IT WILL THIRD WEEK.

THE OXYGEN WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST WEEK.

THE SECOND WEEK WAS MORE COMPLICATED AND THE THIRD WEEK, IT SEEMED THAT ONE WAS RECOVERING.

THE DOCTOR HOPES THE NEW VACCINE STUDIED WILL MAKE THE RECOVERY TIME SHORTER AND LESS INTENSIVE.

THE NEW VACCINE IS PRODUCED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE -- LOCATEDED IN MASSACHUSETTS.

>> WE HAVE HALF A MILLION CASES OF PNEUMONIA IN THE U.S. 25,000 AT THE TIMES, BUT WORLDWIDE, AGAIN IT'S DIFFICULT TO DISSEMINATE THE VACCINES BECAUSE OF THE COST AND COMPLEXITY.

>> THE CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER -- >> NOW WE'RE PUTTING ALL OUR EGGS IN THE BASKET OF MAKING A DIFFERENT -- CANDIDATE.

>> SAW HIS WORK ON FORMING TOXINS AND PARTNERED WITH HIS TEAM.

>> WE SAW IT AS A VERY IMPORTANT PROTECTIVE ANTIGEN.

>> HE SAYS THE TRADITION OF THE PNEUMONIA VACCINES ARE LIMITED BY HOW MANY VARIANTS THEY COVER.

>> THERE'S OVER 90 DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF THIS.

THE CURRENT VACCINES BASICALLY UTILIZE, THEY HAVE TO GROW THE BACTERIA, PURIFY THE SUGAR COATING FROM RIGHT NOW, 23 DIFFERENT VARIANTS.

>> AN ADDITIONAL BENEFIT, THE VACCINE WILL COST LESS TO PRODUCE AND DELIBERATELY.

>> IF YOU CAN HAVE ONE ANTIGEN, AS VACCINE, TO COVER MOST OF THEM IS A LOT CHEAPER TO MAKE.

>> HE SAYS HIGH COSTS AND DEVELOPING AND SHIPPING TRADITIONAL PNEUMONIA VACCINES HAS THE CONSEQUENCES.

>> KIDS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES THAT COME DOWN WITH PNEUMONIA DIE FROM IT.

THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE VACCINE.

PROBABLY MOSTLY DUE TO ECONOMIC.

>> THEY EXPECT TO KNOW THE RESULTS FROM PHASE ONE TRIALS IN DECEMBER.

>> WHAT'S THEY'RE LOOKING FOR IS NO AS VERSE AFFECTS AS A RESULT OF THE ADMINISTRATION TO INDIVIDUALS.

AND ALSO TO LOOK AT HOW GOOD AN IMMUNE RESPONSE IT TRIGGERS.

>> HE BELIEVES IF THE TRIALS GO WELL, THEY CAN INCORPORATE THE TECHNOLOGY TO HELP PRODUCE THE NEXT GENERATION OF COVID-19 VACCINES.

>> HE THINKS A NEW VACCINE WILL HELP A WIDER SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE.

MOST CERTAIN THING IS THEY'LL BE BENEFICIAL FOR EVERYONE.

I BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE NEEDED IT.

THOSE WHO ARE IN POVERTY CAN BE AFFECTED AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

>> THE POWER OF PROTECTION IS A WONDERFUL THING.

IT'S BETTER THAN WHEN PEOPLE GET SICK AND TREAT THEM.

THERE'S A LOT MORE OPENINGS FOR THE PATHOGEN TO DO HARM.

>> THE NEXT STEP TO APPROVE DR. TWETEN'S PNEUMONIA VACCINES ARE HUMAN TRIALS RESULTS AND FINDINGS FROM PHASE ONE ARE EXPECTED IN DECEMBER.

RICH.

>>> THE CITY OF TULSA HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS A "TECH HUB" BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE-- ONE OF ONLY 31 CITIES NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE THAT DISTINCTION.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE CITY'S ECONOMY GOING FORWARD, TOPS THIS WEEK'S "OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW".

>> THE DESIGNATION, INCLUDES 75 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUND TO ENHANCE THE OKLAHOMA ROBUST FOOTPRINT IN MANUFACTURING FOR SECURITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE GENERATION.

THEY BELIEVE THE TECH HUB -- IS FOR THE KOREAING OF 200,000 NEW WHEREABOUTS.

MORE THAN HALF FILLED BY MINORITY WORKERS.

>>> AND FALLING SLIGHTLY IN OKLAHOMA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

OKLAHOMAENS AVERAGE RENTAL DROPPED.

THE FIRST DROP IN SIX MONTHS, RESULTING IN THE FIRST PRICE, IT'S SO EXPENSIVE THAT THE NATIONAL PRICE IS NOW AT $2,011 PER MONTH.

THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE TOPPED IN SEPTEMBER.

IT ROSE 0.2%.

STILL BETTER THAN THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE.

THAT'S UNCHANGED HEADING INTO OCTOBER.

>>> DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER, THEY WERE FORCED TO CANCEL A GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY.

IT'S EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2025.

THE STRUCTURE INCLUDES A 59,000 CITY HALL.

A 15,000 SQUARE FOOT COURT BUILDING AND TWO OTHER SPACES FOR PARKING.

THE TAX COLLECTIONS IN OCTOBER, EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS.

GENERATES $28.4 MILLION.

AND THE REVENUE CAME IN AT 8.3 MILLION.

THE TAXES REPLENISH THE GENERAL FUND.

>> THIS IS A 5.3% INCREASE OF THE DIVIDEND SINCE 2022.

THIS IS THE THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> THE FUTURE OF OKLAHOMA ENERGY WILL ALWAYS INCLUDE THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY-- HOWEVER, RENEWABLE SOURCES OF POWER CONTINUE TO INCREASE THEIR FOOTPRINT IN OUR STATE-- AND THAT'S GOOD NEWS FOR CONSUMERS-- AND THE ENVIRONMENT..WITH MORE ON THAT, HERE'S MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD, WITH THIS WEEK'S "INDEPTH" CONVERSATION.

>> WE'RE JOINED BY THE STATE SECRETARY OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

SECRETARY WE'LL START WITH YOU.

THE STATE HAS THE HIGHEST ELECTRICAL RATES.

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO LOWER THE COSTS FOR CONSUMERS?

>> WE ENJOY EXCEPTIONAL ELECTRICAL RATES IN OKLAHOMA.

PART OF THE REASON FOR THAT IS COST ENTRY.

WIND GENERATION, AND THE KILOWATT PER HOUR BASIS IS SOME OF THE CHEAPEST SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY.

AND NOW THAT'S MAKING A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO OUR ELECTRICAL GENERATION.

IN ADDITION, OKLAHOMA IS A BIG PRODUCER OF NATURAL GAS AND IT'S ONE OF OUR MAJOR FUEL SOURCES.

THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THAT OKLAHOMA HAS A LESS EXPENSIVE ELECTRICAL RATES THAN MANY OTHER RATES.

>> GOING OFF OF THAT, HOW DOES OKLAHOMA PLAN TO CONTINUE THE ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH TO ENERGY?

>> THE ENERGY MIX HAS CHANGED QUITE RADICALLY SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY.

BACK IN 20 TO 22 YEARS AGO, 60% OF THE TOTAL ELECTRICAL GENERATION WAS FROM COAL AS A FUEL SOURCE.

LAST YEAR IN 2022, IT WAS THE FIRST YEAR OKLAHOMA HISTORY THAT WIND GENERATED ELECTRICITY ACTUALLY EXCEEDED THE NATURAL GAS GENERATED ELECTRICITY, OUR OWN USE CONTINUED TO DECLINE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

WE LOOK TO THE FUTURE WE'LL NEED ADDITIONAL POWER SOURCES, AND OF COURSE, WE'RE THIRD NOW IN WIND GENERATION AMONG ALL THE STATES, AND FOURTH IN THE WIND GENERATION OF THE TOTAL MARKET.

I EXPECT TO SEE ADDITIONAL WIND GENERATION TO COME ONLINE.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF OF GENERATION IN THE STATE BUT A LOT OF PROJECTS ON THE BOARD.

WE'RE EXPECTED TO SEE A LOT OF PB ADDED.

LONGER TERM, WE NEED TO LOOK AT OTHER ENERGY SOURCES TO HELP OUR BASE LOAD CAPACITY.

I THINK BOTH HYDROGEN WILL PLAY A ROLE.

>> HOW MUCH ELECTRICITY DOES OKLAHOMA CONSUME?

>> WE'RE BLESSED WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF ENERGY RESOURCES.

AND WE SEE THAT IN NATURAL GAS, WITH WIND GENERATION, WE'LL SEE THAT WITH SOLAR AS WELL.

THE ENERGY STORED SOLUTION IS HYDROGEN.

BUT WE PRODUCE ENOUGH FOR OKLAHOMA SUPPLY BUT WE'RE A PART OF SPP.

NOT ONLY TO MEET THE DEMANDS IN THE STATE, WE'RE FEEDING ENERGY IN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM THAT DRAIFZ DOWN THE COST FOR THE ENDEAR REGION.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT SOLAR ENERGY.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S BEING DONE TO GET THAT ONLINE?

>> IT'S SOLAR, AND WE HAVE NEARLY 8,000 MEGAWATTS AND THE QUAY TO BE DEVELOPED IN OKLAHOMA.

WE DO ANTICIPATE THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS, TO SEE MANY UTILITY SCALES COME ONLINE ACROSS THE STATE.

>> THERE ARE TWO THAT I THINK ARE GOING TO BE DEVELOPING IN THE FUTURE.

THE FIRST IS THE -- THE COMBINED CYCLE, NATURAL GAS, TURBINES MARKETED TODAY HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO TAKE UP THE 30% HYDROGEN BLEND.

UTILIZING THE MIX FOR THE FUEL SOURCE, WE HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE INCREASE, THERE'S A BIG ADVANTAGE OF CUTTING DOWN THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.

AND THEN, LONGER TERM, I THINK THAT NUCLEAR WILL PLAY A WILLOW.

WE'RE SEEING AN ENTRY IN THE MARKET FOR THE FIRST TIME OF A NEW TECHNOLOGY.

WE'RE SEEING THE FIRST COUPLE OF THOSE.

THERE'S A PROMISE FOR THE BREAK THROUGH OF ADVENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY THAT'S SAFER AND MORE RELIABLE THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN HISTORICALLY.

WE'RE WATCHING THE DEVELOPMENTS CLOSELY TO SEE IF IT HOLDS PROMISE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> THIS IS A QUESTION FOR ABOVE YOU.

DO WE SEE OIL AND GAS AS A MAIN STAY FOR OKLAHOMA?

>> OIL AND GAS HAS BEEN HERE LONGER THAN OKLAHOMA.

WE HAVE PROBABLY 125 YEARS OF PRODUCING HISTORY, WE'RE CURRENTLY THE SIXTH LARGEST PRODUCER OF CRUDE OIL, LAST REPORTING CYCLE WE PRODUCED 480,000 BARRELS OF CRUDE OIL A DAY.

OKLAHOMA RELIES HEAVILY ON THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY FOR STAYED INCOME.

>> I WOULD ADD TO THAT, WE HEAR THIS ALL THE TIME WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF AN ENERGY TRANSITION.

I WOULD CONTEND WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF ENERGY EXPANSION.

WE'RE ADDED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO THE GRID ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO SEE INNOVATIONS OF NUCLEAR HYDROGEN.

BUT I SEE FOR A LONG TIME, YOU'LL HAVE WORKING IN CONCERT, OIL AND GAS WITH RENEWABLES AND OTHER EMERGING ENERGY RESOURCES IN THE MIX.

>> OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN ENERGY EXSPORTER, TODAY ALL OF THE TOTAL ENERGY PRODUCED IN THE STATE, WE EXPLORE TWO-THIRDS OF THAT IN OTHER STATES.

WE EXPORT 5%.

WHAT WE'VE SEEN FROM WORLDWIDE EVENTS OVER THE LAST 24 MONTHS IS IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR EVERY NATION TO HAVE A SECURE ENERGY SOURCE.

WE LOOK AT SECURING OUR NATIONAL SECURITY, IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT ONLY SUPPLY OURSELVES WITH OUR OWN ENERGY THAT WE GENERATE BUT HAVE THE CAPABILITY TO HELP OUT THE ALLIES.

>> I WANT TO TUB THAT AS WE ARE SEEING THE WAR HE IS CAN LATE.

WE HAVE SEEN LOWER GAS PRICE, WILL WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT?

ZIESHG SO FAR, THE ISRAELI PALESTINE CRISIS HAS NOT IMPACTED GAS PRICE HERE OR OIL PRICE WORLD IOWAED.

IF THIS -- THE RISK IS, IF THIS EXPANDS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SO SAUDI ARABIA AND IRAN, IT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON OIL PRICES.

IF THE CRISIS EXPANDS IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IT RESULTS IN THE LOWER SUPPLY AND HIGHER PRICES.

>> AND BACK TO THE OIL INDUSTRY, DO THE COMPANIES FUNCTION WELL WITH THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHAT YOU SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY IS REALLY ENERGY COMPANIES.

LOOKING AT NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND TO DIVERSIFY, AND SO, YES, I THINK IN GENERAL YOU DO.

CERTAINLY THERE'S ALWAYS COMPETITION IN THE MARKETPLACE.

THAT'S THE WAY WE LIKE IT.

COMPETITION IN THE MARKETPLACE ALLOWS FOR LOWER SXRIESZ THAT'S GOOD FOR CONSUMERS.

ESPECIALLY IN OKLAHOMA, DIVERSIFIED ENERGY COMPANIES.

>> SECRETARY, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER HOW OKLAHOMA IS THIRD IN THE NATION FOR WIND POWERED ENERGY.

DO YOU SEE US BECOMING NUMBER ONE?

>> WE'RE CHALLENGED SIMPLY BY OUR AREA.

TEXAS IS FIRST IN WIND GENERATION, AND CLEARLY THEY HAVE AN ADVANTAGE BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF ACRES.

I DON'T SEE US EVER REACHING NUMBER ONE, NUMBER TWO CERTAINLY IS WITHIN GRASP.

WE RUN JUST BEHIND IOWA IN DEPLOYMENT OF WIND.

WE COULD CERTAINLY GET TO THE NUMBER TWO SPOT.

BUT SIMPLY THE AMOUNT OF AREA THAT TEXAS HAS TO WORK WITH, IT'LL BE TOUGH TO CHALLENGE THEM FOR THE NUMBER ONE SPOT.

>> MARK, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE'S RENEWABLE ENERGY.

WHAT IMPACT DOES IT HAVE ON OKLAHOMA, WHAT DOES IT MEAN MOVINGLY FORWARD.

>> TO START WITH, THE DIRECT IMPACT, WE ARE AN ENERGY STATE.

WE HAVE 100 PLUS YEARS IN OIL AND GAS.

I USED TO TO WORK FOR THE OKLAHOMA FARM BUREAU, FROM THE AG STANDPOINT, THAT'S A HARD LIVING.

TO HAVE THE ADDITIONAL MAILBOX MONEY COMING IN, IS A REALLY PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY FOR FAMILIES TO KEEP THE INLAND THE FAMILIES.

THE NEXT IMPACT ON COUNTIES AND SCHOOLS.

AND SO, IT'S BEEN A TREMENDOUS IMPACT LOCALLY ON WHERE THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN LOCATED.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THAT IN THE FUTURE.

AND TO THE OPENING, ALSO HAVING THE ENERGY PROJECTS, LOWERING COSTS, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS WHOLE NOW IS UTILIZING OUR ENERGY PORTFOLIOS OF AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO.

WE RECRUIT DATA CENTERS AND MANUFACTURERS.

>> WHAT DO WE SEE THE ENERGY LANDSCAPE LOOKING LIKE IN ARIZONA IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS?

>> OUR GOAL, ALL OF THE ABOVE APPROACH.

>> AS WE LOOK AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE HAD MICK INTEREST IN THE -- ECONOMIC INTEREST IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.

ALL INTERESTED IN LOCATING BUSINESS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THE LARGE DRIVER FOR THAT IS THE LOW POWER COSTS.

>> WITH ALL OF THE RENEWABLE PROJECTS ONLINE, HOW ARE THEY BEING PAID FOR?

PUBLIC AND PRIVATELY FUNDED?

>> YES, THE ENERGY COMPANIES, THEY'RE SELLING THE POWER.

IN THE -- THE ENERGY THAT YOU SEE, THEY HAVE A POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT IN WHICH YOU HAVE A CORPORATE OFF TAKE.

A DATA CENTER THAT'S PROCURING 200 MEGAWATTS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.

THEY'RE DEPLOYING CAPITOL, AND PROJECTS AND SELLING THAT POWER EITHER TO A CORPORATE OFF TAKE OR SELLING IT IN THE GRID.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU'D LIKE TO ADD?

>> FARMERS GROW A LOT OF CROPS, THEY'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE THOSE OPERATIONS RIGHT IN THE MIDST OF THE WIND FARMS.

AND SO, THAT'S JUST A GREAT FIT FOR AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?

>> IN CLOSING, OKLAHOMA IS REALLY THE EPICENTER OF ENERGY PRODUCTION IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE BEEN ON THE CUTTING EDGE FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY, THE ADVANCEMENTS WE HAVE SEEN ACROSS THE DECADES.

WE SEE THAT NOW IN THE RENEWABLE SPACE AND IT'S EXCITING TO SEE THE ENERGY PIONEERS THAT WE'VE HAD IN THIS STATE, CONTINUE TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE AND THAT'S EXCITING FOR THE STATE.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THE ECONOMIC ADVANTAGE IN GROWTH FOR THE STATE BASED ON OUR ENERGY FOUNDATION AND SO I THINK IT'S EXCITING TO SEE WHERE WE'RE HEADED.

THANKS.

>> OF COURSE, THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US.

>>> VERY INFORMATIVE CONVERSATION.

>>> THE FIRST MAJOR WINTER STORM OF THE SEASON SLAMMED THE AMERICAN NORTHWEST THIS WEEK-- AND, THAT'S WHERE WE'RE HEADING FOR THIS WEEK'S "NATIONAL VIEW"-- TO SHARE A REPORT FROM OUR FRIENDS AT "P.B.S.

UTAH".

ABOUT A GROUP OF STILL FIT SENIOR SKIERS CALLED THE "WILD OLD BUNCH".

WHO GATHER FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD TO SKI UTAH'S "LITTLE COTTONWOOD CANYON.

>> ONE OF THE REASONS I ENJOY SKIING IS MY WIFE KICKS ME OUT OF THE HOUSE, BASICALLY.

GET LOST, WE NEED OUR SPACE.

>> THE WILD OLD BUNCH IS A SOCIAL GROUP AND A SKI GROUP BOTH.

AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY OFFICERS, WE DON'T HAVE RULES.

WE DON'T HAVE MEETINGS OTHER THAN A LUNCH.

>> BEING OUT HERE, JUST BEING OUT HERE IS SO WONDERFUL.

CLEAR BLUE SKIES.

SUNSHINE, AND EVEN WHEN IT'S SNOWING IT'S FUN.

>> I'M NOT A GREAT ATHLETE BUT MODERN EQUIPMENT IS VERY FORGIVING.

>> THE FREEDOM AND BEING OUT THERE AND CATCHING THIS MUCH FRESH POWDER.

THIS MUCH IS PERFECT FOR US.

CATCH THAT AND GOING IN THE AREAS THAT WE LEARNED FROM THE WILD OLD BUNCH.

IN THE TREES, THE CABIN RUN, IT'S A JOY.

>> FOUNDED THE GROUP WHEN HE HIGHLIGHTED THE POSSE OF SKIERS.

THE WILD OLD BUNCH IS A GROUP OF GRATEFULLY AGEING SENIORS, BANDED TOGETHER BY THEIR PASSION FOR THE SLOPES.

>> MY PARENTS CAME FROM NORWAY.

4 YEARS OLD, I HAVE A PICTURE OF ME LOOKING LIKE A 4 OR 5-YEAR-OLD.

SO I STARTED SKIING WITH THEM EIGHT YEARS AGO WHEN I TURNED 80.

AND IT'S NICE TO HAVE PEOPLE TO MEET, SOCIALIZE WITH.

SKI WITH.

SKIERS ARE ALL NICE AND FRIENDLY, I THINK.

>> I SKI FAST.

I'LL DO 20 RUNS, 50 MILES PER HOUR IS A GOOD SPEED.

THE ACCELERATION OF BEING OUT HERE IN THE SUN AND THE SNOW.

>> WE WERE SKIING ALL THE AREAS AROUND.

ONE REASON WE STARTED SKIING HERE IS THERE'S SO MANY AREAS TO GO TO.

THE COMRADERIE AND THE EXPERIENCE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY IS THE PEOPLE WE'VE MET HERE.

PEOPLE WE ARE FOND OFF AND TRAVELED WITH.

IT'S BEEN A SOCIAL EVENT AS WELL AS A SKIING EVENT.

>> I CAME FROM MAINE WITH MY WIFE.

WE COULDN'T SKI THERE ANYMORE, WE WERE GETTING TOO BEAT UP.

WE NEEDED SOMETHING SOFTER.

THE FIRST YEAR I SKOED WAS IN 57, I WAS IN HOL.

AND WE CAME UP HERE, THIS WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITES.

LIVE LOVED IT EVER SINCE.

ONCE I GOT BACK, I HAD TO DO SOME CATCHING UP.

>> FRESH AIR, NICE AND COOL AIR.

OUTSIDE.

AND MEETING PEOPLE, COMRADERIE.

>> ONCE I PUT ON THE HELMET AND THE FACE MASK, AND I'M 25, WHO'S TO KNOW.

BEING 81 AND JUST GETTING OUT HERE AND GOING FOR IT.

I'LL GET MANY DAYS, 20 RUNS.

I'LL GET 20,000 VERTICALS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE WILD OLD BUNCH IS PART OF WHAT HAS MADE IT SO WONDERFUL.

>> MY WIFE LIKES TO SKI BUT SHE HAS KNEE PROBLEMS.

BY KIDS LIKE TO SKI BUT THEY'RE WORKING.

I NEED THIS.

SUPPORT GROUP UP HERE.

>>> ON THE NEXT EDITION OF THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

A VISIT TO OKMULGEE COUNTY.

FOR GRAYSON, OKLAHOMA'S WONDERFUL AND TASTY "GUMBO FESTIVAL"- THE NEXT INSTALLMENT IN OUR YEAR-LONG SERIES OF REPORTS ON OKLAHOMA'S "BLACK FRONTIER TOWNS".

AND WE'LL LEAVE YOU THIS WEEK WITH A PEEK INSIDE "FACTORY OBSCURA" IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

SHOT AND EDITED BY O.E.T.A.

'S JASON STEWART.

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

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

O.N.R".

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

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

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