HOMEOWNERS TAKE THEIR FIGHT TO KEEP TURNPIKES OUT OF THEIR BACKYARD TO THE SUPREME COURT.

>> AND LIKE, EVERY DAY, YOU ARE ANGRY AND SOME DAYS ARE SAD.

TODAY I AM MORE ANGRY.

>> AND TRIBES GATHER IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR A SUMMIT ON PRESERVING NATIVE LANGUAGES.

>> AS FEDERAL PARTNERS WE ARE NOT EXPERTS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO EXPERTS TO COME IN TOGETHER.

>> AND IN FLU AND COVID 19 BOOSTER SEASON.

>> NOW IS THE TIME TO GET BOTH.

CERTAINLY WE ARE GOING TO START SEEING FLU UPTICK QUICKLY.

>> AND THE CHALLENGES FACING OKLAHOMA SENIOR CARE PROVIDERS.

>> THEY ARE NOT JUST SHORT ON NURSES BUT FRONT DESK AND CLINICAL STAFF.

>> WITHOUT A LONG- TERM SOLUTION, SENIORS WILL BE IN NEED OF CARE AND NOT ACCESS THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE.

>> THE RED RIVER RIVALRY EXTENDING BEYOND THE FIELD.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO SEE HOW MANY STUDENTS WE CAN REGISTER TO VOTE THIS WEEK.

>> THOSE STORIES AND MORE NEXT.

>> HELLO, EVERYONE.

WELCOME TO THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

I AM JASON DOYLE.

RICH WILL RETURN NEXT YEEK.

PROPERTY OWNERS VOW TO STOP THE TURNPIKE EXPANSION EFFORT THEY SAY WILL NOT ONLY TAKE THEIR HOMES BUT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS.

THEY ARE EMBROILED IN LAWSUITS AGAINST THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

THE DISPUTE THAT EXTENDS ALL THE WAY TO THE COURT COURT.

>> Reporter: JASON IN FEBRUARY, THE STATE AND THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY OR OETAN UNVEILED THE TURNPIKE EXPANSION PLAN THAT SPENDS 5 BILLION TO WIDEN EXISTING TURNPIKE AND CREATE NEW ROUTES.

THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER OTHER STATE LEADERS CALL IT A BOLD PLAN AND CRITICS CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE.

>> RANDY CARTER HAS LIVED A MILE WEST OF THE LAKE THUNDERBIRD FOR FOUR DECADES.

HE SAID WHEN THE STATE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD A SOUTH TURNPIKE EXPANSION, IT DIDN'T TAKE HIM LONG TO FIGURE OUT THAT REDLINE JUST TO THE LEFT OF LAKE THUNDERBIRD ON THE MAP HEADING SOUTH GOES RIGHT OVER HIM.

>> THE SOUTH EXTENSION WILL GO THROUGH MY LIVING ROOM.

I WILL LOSE THE HOME AND THE HOME NEXT DOOR AS WELL.

I'VE LIVED HERE SINCE 1979 AND I GUESS I AM ATTACHED TO IT.

>> CARTER IS PART OF A GRASSROOTS GROUP THAT CALLS ITSELF PIKOTH OTA.

THEY ARE FIGHTING IN DISTRICT COURT AND STATE SUPREME COURT.

>> THERE WAS NO COMMUNICATION AND NO CITIZEN INPUT ON WHERE THE TURNPIKE WOULD GO AND WHETHER IT'S NEEDED.

THEIR ENGINEERING IS FAULTY.

THEY HAVEN'T DONE PROPERTY STUDIES.

THEY DON'T KNOW THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.

THEY REALLY, THEY SAY THEY DON'T KNOW HOW MANY HOMES IT WILL TAKE.

WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE LINE THEY'VE DRAWN AND GET ON GOOGLE MAPS AND OUR PEOPLE FOUND THEY ARE GOING TO IMPACT AND TAKE AND DESTROY OVER 600 HOMES.

>> JUST SOUTH OF RANDY IS UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMANTHROPOLOGY PROTESSORS HOME.

CASSY AND HER HUSBAND BOUGHT THEIR LAND AND BUILT THEIR HOME IN 2005.

>> DID YOU KNOW THIS WAS COMING?

>> NO CLUE.

WE WERE VERY MILITANT AND DID DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE WE BOUGHT THE ACERAGE.

WE MET WITH THE CITY AND MAPPED ABANDONED WELLS AND NOTHING CAME UP EVER.

THERE WAS NOT A REMOTE POSSIBILITY.

>> THAT A TURNPIKE WOULD BE ROARING THROUGH HERE.

>> WE MET WITH ATTORNEYS AND DID ALL OF THE TITLE WORK.

>> I CYCLE THROUGH GRIEF AND SOME ANGRY AND SAD.

TODAY I AM MORE ANGRY.

BUT JUST IN THIS CRUSHING, SOUL- CRUSHING EXPERIENCE THAT I NEVER COULD HAVE ANTICIPATED AND THE TIMING IS HORR ENDOUS COMING OUT OF A PANDEMIC AND HOUSEBOUND FOR TWO YEAR AND LOST MY HUSBAND AND NOW PUT A TURNPIKE RIGHT HERE AND THAT WILL DESTROY THE BEAUTY OF THE PROPERTY.

WHO DOES THAT?

>> DARLA AND CEDRIC'S HOME AND EXOTIC PLANT BUSINESS SITS ON THE REDLINE.

>> IT'S GOING TO GO STRAIGHT THROUGH MY LIVING ROOM AND WIPE OUT OUR TWO AND HALF ACRES THAT WE LIVE ON.

IT WOULD DESTROY OUR BUSINESS AND FAMILY HOME.

>> ONE OF THE BIG REASONS FOR SOME OF THIS, THE STATE SAID IT WILL TAKE PRESSURE OFF OF I- 35.

THEY CAN'T WIDEN IT ANYMORE BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE DEVELOPMENT THAT TOOK PLACE OVER THE PAST 3 OR 4 DECADES.

JOE, IS DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND CHIEF ENGINEER OF THE OKLAHOMA TURNPIKE AUTHORITY.

>> OKLAHOMA CITY AND THAT IS THE 20TH LARGEST CITY IN THE NATION AND TURNING TO GROW TODAY.

WE HAVE TO BUILD ADDITIONAL ROADS TO SERVE THAT POPULATION GROWTH.

>> HE SAID IT IS NOT EASY MAPPING OUT TURNPIKE EXTENSION.

BUT THEY OFFER FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR PROPERTIES THEY TAKE.

>> NO DOUBT, I FEEL FOR THE FOLK AND I KNOW THEY DIDN'T ANTICIPATE IT.

ODOT AND OTA HAS A LONG HISTORY OF WORKING HARD TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHEN WE'RE ASKING AN OKLAHOMAN AND SOMEBODY THAT WE LIVE AND AROUND.

WE ARE OKLAHOMANS, TOO.

WE ARE ASKING THEM TO MAKE A SACRIFICE.

>> FAIR MARKET IS NOT THE SAME AS REPLACEMENT VALUE.

TO FIND A PROPERTY LIKE THIS AND THIS MANY ACRES IN A COMPARABLE SITUATION, THEY ARE FEW AND FAR BETWEEN IN THE NORMAN CITY LIMIT AND WILL RUN PEOPLE OUT OF TOWN.

ROD NORMAN REPRESENTED PIKOTH OTA.

>> THE SACRIFICE IS NOT MADE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE STATE IS WHAT I WOULD SAY.

THE SACRIFICE THEY ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO MAKE IS TO GIVE UP THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY AND GIVE UP THEIR HOMES AND THEIR BUSINESSES FOR A SET OF TURNPIKES THAT ARE LEGALLY NOT AUTHORIZED.

IN OTHER WORDS, OTA'S EFFORT VIOLATE THE RULE OF LAW AND DEMOCRACY PRINCIPLES AND THEY ARE NOT NECESSARY.

>> IN THIS CASE AND WITH TURNPIKE AND INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE THIS AND ALTERNATIVE ROUTE TO 35.

IT IS NOT ONLY OKLAHOMA.

IT IS INTERSTATE TRAVEL TO AND FROM TEXAS AND HEADED NORTH AND EAST AND FROM ARKANSAS THAT IS TRYING TO GET DOWN TO TEXAS.

WE KNOW THAT WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE TO MAKE A SACRIFICE.

>> I HAVE NOT BEEN TREATED THAT BADLY SINCE I LIVED IN CUBA.

THAT IS THE LEVEL OF CONCERN THEY SHOWED UP HERE.

>> OTAN AND ODOT ARE MOVING DOWN A PATH DIFFERENTLY THAN IN THE PAST AND THIS GETS INTO THE POLITICS OF THE DEAL.

THIS TIME AROUND.

THE OTA, AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF OKLAHOMA'S GOVERNMENT ARE TELLING US WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.

AND TOO BAD IF WE DON'T LIKE IT.

>> THE OTA, HAS BEEN THROUGH NUMEROUS AND ODOT, ON NEW HIGHWAY ALIGNMENTS AND TO MY KNOWLEDGE THE TURNPIKE AUTHORITY NEVER LOST.

>> NOBODY'S CLEAR ON HOW LONG THE PROCESS WILL DRAG OUT IN THE COURTS.

OTA DEPUTY DIRECTOR SAID THEY HAVE DONE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES.

ANOTHER THING THAT IS SIGNIFICANT.

THE SOONEST THEY WOULD START CONSTRUCTION ON THE SOUTH EXPANSION IS ANOTHER EIGHT YEARS, JASON?

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

THE GOVERNOR USED HIS RESCUE PEN ON SPRO JECTS FOR THE OKLAHOMA ART COUNCIL AND STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OTAN AND SAYING HE WANTS IT TO OTHER PROJECTS.

FRIDAY MORNING, THE LEGISLATURE HAD NOT INDICATED THE ACADEMIES THEY MIGHT TAKE.

>> AND WITH THE SPECIAL SESSION ALL BUT IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR THE LBGQ- QUEST IS LOOKING INTO WHERE A PARENT CAN TAKE A TRANSGENDER CHILD FOR TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: ALL EYES ON THE LEGISLATURE.

THE SENATE APPROPRIATED THE MONEY UNDER SENATE BILL THREE.

THE BILL SAID THAT 40 MILLION SHOULD BE USED TO EXPAND BEHAVIORAL FACILITY.

NO MONEY WILL BE SPENT BY THE HOSPITAL TRUST GENDER REASSIGNMENT MEDICAL TREATMENT.

THE REPUBLICAN ADVOCATED FOR PARENT CHOICE.

>> THE PROCEDURE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THE PROCEDURE THAT IS REQUESTED AND APPROVED BY THE PARENTS TO GET CONSENT FOR THE CHILDREN TO HAVE TREATMENT, DID THEY NOT?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS CORRECT.

>> YOU ARE SAYING THE MAJORITY OF THE OKLAHOMANS DISAGREE WITH PARENTAL CHOICE?

>> NO, I AM SOMETIMES THERE ARE STATE INTEREST IN PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM LIFE ALTERING DECISIONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

WE DO THAT ALL OF THE TIME.

>> HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FREEDOM OKLAHOMA.

THEY ATTENDED THE SESSION.

WE SPENT TIME IN THE CAPITAL WITH MEDICAL STUDENT AND PROVIDERS WHO ARE IMPACTED BY THAT DECISION AND REALLY BELIEVE THAT WITH AN EMERGENCY, THEY CAN'T FULFILL THEIR OATH.

THEY WOULD DO A LOT OF THE HARM IF THIS IS ALLOWED TO STAND.

>> THE LBGQ COMMUNITY IS VIGILANT FOR THE TRANSBILLS.

>> FREEDOM OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN PREPARED FOR THE POSSIBILITY THAT A BAN COULD MOVE THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE.

WE HAVE SEEN BANS FOR THE LAST THREE SESSIONS.

>> AN EMERGENCY WAS ADD TO THE BILL THAT PASSED IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE THAT ALLOWS THE LAW TO GO INTO AFFECT.

THE GOVERNOR SIGNED SENATE BILL THREE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON AND SAID IN A STATEMENT, WE ARE TAKING THE FIRST STEP TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM GENDER THERAPY.

IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO CONDONE OR PERFORM THESE PROCEDURES ON HEALTHY CHILDREN.

>> THIS IS A LAST-MINUTE DISGRACEFUL ACTION.

COME THE END OF THE YEAR, THERE WAS BILLS NATIONWIDE THAT TARGET TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, IT IS SAFE THE WOMEN SPORT ACT THAT REQUIRES STUDENT ATHLETES TO COMPETE WITH THE SAME SEX AS THEY WERE ASSIGNED AT BIRTH.

THEY CONTEND THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT BE A PART OF THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS.

THIS POGOES AGAINST THE RECOMMENDATION OF DOCTORS AND FAMILIES OF TRANSGENDER YOUTH WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESSING LIFE SAVING CARE.

IN THE END OF THE DAY, THESE IMPORTANT DECISIONS ARE LEFT TO YOUNG PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR MEDICAL PROVIDERS AND NOT THEIR GOVERNMENT.

>> THE GOVERNMENT IS CALLING ON A BAN ON ALL SAURJRY AND THERAPIES.

>> IT IS CRUEL AND HURTFUL AND COMES FROM TRYING TO USE CHILDREN.

TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AS POLITICAL PAWNS IN A REELECTION CAMPAIGN.

THEY ARE USING THIS TO SECURE THE LOYALTY OF AN EXTREMIST BASE AND PUTTING OUR YOUNGEST AND VULNERABLE IN THE LBGQ AT RISK.

>> AND THERE WERE MORE THAN 100 ANTI- TRANSGENDER BILLS IN THE U.S. >> IN APRIL, ALABAMA LEGISLATOR PASSED ONE OF THE WORST ANTI- TRANSGENDER BILLS IN THE NATION.

MAKING IT A FELONY UP TO AGE 19 TO ACCESS HEALTH CARE.

>> FREEDOM OKLAHOMA AND OTHER LBGQ ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW IT IMPACTS WANT TRANSYOUTH.

>> WILL IT DISRUPT THE BASIC COUNSELING SERVICES.

>> AND SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG THE YOUTH.

>> AND THINGS LIKE PUBERTY BLOCKERS HAVE A 70% DECREASE.

THEY PAUSE PEBURTY AS FOLKS FIGURE OUT WHAT MATCHES WHO THEY ARE.

>> AND BOTH MAXI AND TOPPING SAY THERE ARE RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO BE AN ALLY.

>> THEY CAN CHECK OUT FREEDOM OKLAHOMA.ORGAND LOOK FOR INFORMATION ON FREEDOM OKLAHOMA.

>> AND THE SECOND PIECE, BY GETTING EDUCATED AND UNDERSTANDING THE GENDER TRANSFORMING CARE FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH.

>> IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO GET A FLU SHOT AND IN ADDITION TO THE COVID BOOSTERS YOU MAY HAVE QUESTIONS OF HOW TO SPACE THEM OUT.

THEY SPOKE TO A SPECIALIST IN THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES TO GET UP DATED INFORMATION.

>> DR. BARON, THE QUESTION I GET.

IS IT SAFE TO GET COVID BOOSTER AND FLU SHOT AT THE SAME TIME OR SPACE IT OUT.

>> IT IS SOMETHING MOST PEOPLE ARE WONDERING ABOUT.

YOU CAN GET BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

I GOT BOTH OF MINE AT THE SAME TIME.

IT DOES MEAN THAT YOU CAN HAVE MORE SIDE-EFFECTS, BUT THEN IT IS ALSO VERY CONVENIENT.

IF YOU PREFER TO NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH MORE SIDE-EFFECTS, SPACE THEM OUT.

IT COULD BE A DAY APART IF YOU CHOOSE.

>> AND IS THIS PRIME TIME?

NOW THE TIME TO CERTAINLY GET THE FLU BOOSTER?

>> NOW IS THE TIME TO GET BOTH.

CERTAINLY WE'LL START TO SEE THE FLU UPTICK QUICKLY AND GETTING IT NOW VERSUS WAITING WILL INSURE YOUR CHANCE OF HITTING THAT WINDOW.

FOR THE BOOSTER THE TIMING IS ON THE LAST TIME OF YOUR SHOT.

IT IS TIME TO GET THE BOTH OFFER AND YOU MIGHT WANT TO WAIT UNTIL YOU REACH THAT POINT.

>> DOCTOR, IF YOU ARE LIKE ME AND RECENTLY HAD COVID SHOULD I GET THE BOOSTER NOW OR WAIT.

>> YOU HAVE 90 DAYS FROM YOUR LAST, FROM YOUR INFECTION TO BE ABLE TO GET YOUR SHOT.

>> TELL US ABOUT THE BOOSTERS NOW.

ARE THEY DOING THE MODERNA OR PFIZER?

AND HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT?

>> BOTH PFIZER AND MODERNA OFFER A VACCINE THAT HAS TWO STRAINS WAS COVID.

IT IS ACTUALLY PART OF THE OMICRON STRAIN WE SAW IN JANUARY.

IT HAS SIMILAR ROOTS.

IT IS MORE SPECIFIC TO WHAT IS CIRCULATING.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS THE AGE RANGE.

AND THAT IS UNDER 12 AT THIS POINT.

AND AT THIS POINT IN TIME IS IT A SEVERE FLU SEASON OR NOT.

THAT'S A MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

SO, IN YEARS PAST, WE ARE ABLE TO LOOK AT DATA OUT OF THE AUSTRALIA OR THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.

THEIR SUMMER IS OUR WINTER.

THEY USUALLY HAVE FLU SEASON AHEAD OF US AND GIVES A WINDOW.

COVID DISRUPTED ALL OF THIS.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN A NORMAL FLU SEASON IN THE LAST TWO YEARS.

WE HAD MINIMAL FLU CASES.

WE STARTED TO SEE CASES IN APRIL AND MAY.

SO, BASED ON THE AUSTRALIAN DATA, IT LOOKS LIKE A MORE SEVERE FLU SEASON THAN WE HAVE HAD.

WE HAVE SEEN FLU UPTICK AFTER THANKSGIVING AND USUALLY DECEMBER, JANUARY IT PEAKS.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO GET A FLU SHOT AND GET IT NOW VERSUS WAITING ONLY BECAUSE WE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO SEE IT EARLY.

>> DOCTOR, A FINAL QUESTION.

DO WE KNOW THE LATEST NUMBER ON HOW MANY AMERICANS RECEIVED THE COVID VACCINATION AND RECEIVED ONE BOOSTER?

>> SO BASED ON THE DATA FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, 68% OF THE U.S. POPULATION RECEIVED THE PRIMARY SERIES AND WITH THE UPDATED BOOSTER, 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED THAT AS WELL.

>> DR. MICHELLE WITH THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, IT WAS A PLEASURE.

>> OKLAHOMA'S POPULATION CONTINUES TO AGE, DEMAND ON ASSISTED LIVING AND NURSING HOMES IS INCREASING.

THIS COMES WHEN A NUMBER OF NURSING HOME AND CARE GIVERS IS DECREASING.

WE'LL ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES AND PROVIDE HELPFUL INFORMATION IN OUR WEEKLY IN- DENTING SESSION WITH OUR MODERATOR.

THESE RESIDENT, WHEN THEY MOVE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AROUND 80% OF THEM WILL PASS AWAY.

IT IS JUST A HUGE SHOCK ON THEIR SYSTEM AND MOVING THEM AWAY FROM FAMILY MEMBER AND IF THEY ARE HOURS AWAY, THEY DON'T GET VISITOR.

WE HAVE A MEMBER COMMUNITY TO BUILD A BRAND NEW MEMORY CENTER.

IT STAYED EMPTY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH STAFF.

EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO BE ADMITTED, THEY COULDN'T TAKE THE ADMISSION.

>> REIMBURSEMENT IT IS FRONT LINE NURSE AID OF $12 AN HOUR.

LOOKING AT DECISIONSES OF RETAIL.

TARGET IS $18 AN HOUR STARTING WAGE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES.

THEY ARE ABLE TO FUND THAT BECAUSE OF THE PRICES INCREASE.

OUR PROVIDERS DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF SETTING THE PRICE IN THE MARKETPLACE.

>> THAT ENTIRE CONVERSATION IS COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWS CASE.

>> CHEROKEE PRINCIPAL SIGNED THE ACT INTO LAW.

NEW LEGISLATION EXPANDS THE TRIBE'S ONONTRIBE OFFENDERS.

>> THE BACK DROP IS THE CONGRESS HAS CHANGED THE FEDERAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT TO ADD TRIBAL PROTECTIONS AND EXPANDED INDIAN COUNTRY AUTHORITY.

THERE WERE GAPS THAT EXISTED IN TERMS OF US BEING ABLE TO PROSECUTE A NONINDIAN BOYFRIEND THAT MIGHT BE AN ASSAILANT OR SOMEBODY WHO ABUSED A TRIBAL CITIZEN.

CONGRESS RECOGNIZED THAT.

THEY DIDN'T ON THEIR OWN.

WE ADVOCATED FOR IT.

>> THE TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY IS THE ABILITY OF TRIBES TO MAKE DECISIONS AND CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY AND OWN LAWS.

THIS IS AN IMPROVEMENT.

THIS IS WHAT TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY LOOKING LIKE IN ACTION.

THE TRIBE HAS GREATER AUTHORITY TO MAKE THEIR OWN LAWS.

THAT'S WHAT ALL TRIBAL CITIZENS SHOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT.

>> THEY HAVE I JURISDICTION OVER THE RESERVATION.

>> AND CHEROKEE OFFICIALS JOINED TRIBES IF IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR THE NATIVE LANGUAGE SUMMIT.

OUR TRIBALS AFFAIR CORRESPONDENT ATTENDED THE SUMMIT AND JOINS WITH MORE.

>> JASON, A THOUSAND PEOPLE ATTENDED THE 2022 NATIVE LANGUAGE SUMMIT.

SOME ZOOMED IN AND OTHERS CAME TO THE CONVENTION CENTER IN OKLAHOMA CITY FOR THE FIRST INPERSON LANGUAGE SUMMIT SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE ANNUAL NATIVE LANGUAGE SUMMIT IS A COLLABATIVE EVENT WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR AND AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION AND HUMAN AND HEALTH SERVICES.

THEIR GOAL TO LEARN THE CHALLENGES THAT TRIBAL NATIONS FACE IN TEACHING THE LANGUAGE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS YEAR, IT IS OUR TURN AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE LEAD AGENCY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONFERENCE TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, TO DISCUSS NATIVE LANGUAGE PROTECTION.

REVIVALIZATION AND RECLIMATION.

>> AND THEY LEARN ABOUT WHAT THE TRIBAL NATIONS NEED TO REVITALIZE THE LANGUAGES.

>> AND I FEEL LIKE, THE NATIVE LANGUAGE SUMMIT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BRING IN THE EXPERTS.

AS FEDERAL PARTNERS WE ARE NOT THE EXPERTS AND SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING THEM IN TOGETHER AND THEY CAN SHARE BEST PRACTICES AND MAKE CONTACT TO WORK AND REVITALIZE THEIR LANGUAGE PROGRAMS.

>> EXPERTS WITH THE SEMINOLE NATION OKLAHOMA LANGUAGE DEPARTMENT.

THEY ARE EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE AND USE.

>> IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE HERE TO SHARE THE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS OF HOW TO DO IT.

>> THE EVENT'S PANELIST DISCUSSED APPROACHES.

THE NATIVE COMMUNITIES PARTNERING WITH PUBLIC AND IE SCHOOL AND TRIBAL COLLEGE AND HIGHER EDUCATION.

[INAUDIBLE] >> AS A PANEL MEMBER, I STATED WE HAVE TO MEET THE TRIBES WHERE THEY ARE.

THE TRIBES, 574 TRIBES, THEY ARE NOT AT THE SAME PLACE AND ALL IN DIFFERENT AREAS IN THEIR REVITALIZATION PROGRAMS.

MEETING WITH THE TRIBES AND THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS IS CRITICAL.

NONE OF THE BIGGEST NEEDS IS FUNDING THAT IS OFTEN PROVIDED ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

BUT THE TRIBES HAVE TO COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER TO RECEIVE FUNDS.

>> I WISH IT WAS NOT LIKE THAT.

THAT IS A VITAL THING FOR ALL INDIAN PEOPLE.

THE LANGUAGE MAKES US UNIQUE.

EVERY TRIBE IS UNIQUE BY THEIR LANGUAGE.

USE SPEAK THAT LANGUAGE, THAT GIVES MORE POWER TO ANCESTORS AND FOUGHT FOR THE LANGUAGE.

>> THE PANELS WERE FOLLOWED BY A LISTENING SESSION TO FIND WAYS TO SUPPORT THE LANGUAGE WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HEAR FROM NATIVE LANGUAGE EXPERTS AND NATIVE LANGUAGE PRACTITIONERS TEACHER AND ADVOCATE AND POLICY MAKERS TO SEE WHAT WORKS AND WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THEIR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITY AND COLLECTIVE CHALLENGES IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY.

>> INITIATIVE TO PROTECT RAMPED UP ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL LAST YEAR.

>> THIS IS AN ADMINISTRATION PRIORITY.

THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR.

LAST YEAR IT WAS A REVITALIZATION.

>> AND THE GOAL TO DEVELOP A RECLAMATION.

THIS COMES 50 YEARS AFTER THE INDIAN SELF DETERMINATION AND ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1975 WAS DECLARED A FEDERAL OBLIGATION AND TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION AND DIRECTION OF EDUCATIONAL AND SERVICE PROGRAMS.

>> IT IS TIME TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS THE NEXT STAGE IN AND ERA.

WE THINK ABOUT OUR PAST AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK FORWARD AND THINK ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO NEXT.

>> PART OF LOOKING AT THE FUTURE IS UNDERSTANDING THE PAST AND WHERE LANGUAGES ARE LOST.

>> AND THINK ABOUT THE YOUNG ONES IN THE BOARDING SCHOOL AND HAVING THAT LANGUAGE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM AND COULDN'T SPEAK IT.

I AM EMOTIONAL THINKING ABOUT IT NOW.

BUT YOU KNOW, YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS, AND YOU CAN'T IMAGINE, UP KNOW, YOUR OWN LITTLE ONES BEING IN THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

GOSH.

LIKE I SAID, THAT IS MOTIVATION FOR ME TO PROMOTE AND EDUCATE THAT AND OUR LITTLE ONES CAN GROW UP AND SPEAKING THE LANGUAGE AND ENJOY WHO THEY ARE.

>> CARAIS ONE OF MANY CHILDREN EMBRACING HER NATIVE TONGUE.

>> LEARNING CHOWTACREEK AND CHEROKEE.

>> ONCE THE LANGUAGE IS GONE.

ALL OF OUR LANGUAGES ARE GONE.

I GREW UP THAT WE WOULD BE GONE, TOO.

THAT IS THE END OF US.

>> AND THE LANGUAGE SUMMIT IS ONE OF MANY EVENTS PROMOTING AND CELEBRATING TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY IS IN OCTOBER.

>> AND GOOGLE IS OFFERING INITIATIVE TO PRESERVE NATIVE LANGUAGES.

THE NEW APP AND ART AND CULTURE EXPERIMENT AND USES MACHINE LEARNING TO PRESERVE ENDANGERED LANGUAGES.

IT IS LOUISIANA CREOLE AND POTAWATM E. JUSTIN NEELY WORKED WITH GOOGLE TO CREATE VOICE AND WRITTEN OF THE 3500 MOST GOOGLED WORDS.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE AMAZING NO MATTER WHAT.

BUT IT USES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TECHNOLOGY AND IT DOES IT FOR FACE RECOGNITION TYPE AND THEY USE IT ON OBJECTS.

>> AND IT ALSO HAS GOT SCULPTURE AND ART.

I AM HOPING GOING FORWARD IT WILL CREATE A SITUATION WHERE PERHAPS I CAN PARTNER GOOGLE WITH TRANSLATE IN THE FUTURE.

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME.

OR EVEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHER INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES.

THE FRAMEWORK AND PROCESS IS THERE.

IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING MULTIPLE TERMS TO IDENTIFY THE OBJECTS IN THE PHOTOS.

THERE IS LANGUAGE SPEAKERS TO CONTRIBUTE NEW WORDS AND APPS TO EXPAND THE LANGUAGE DICTIONARY.

THE ANNUAL RED RIVER RIVALRY KICKS OFF IN DALLAS ON SATURDAY.

THAT'S NOT ONLY PITTING SOONERS AGAINST THE LONG HORNS.

STUDENT GOVERNMENTS COMPETED TO SEE WHO COULD GET MORE STUDENTS TO REGISTER FOR THE MIDTERMS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF GREAT STUDENTS LEADERS ON CAMPUS AND HELPING THEIR PEERS TO GET READY TO VOTE.

IT DOESN'T MATTER.

WE HAVE ALL DIFFERENT TYPES OF REGISTRATIONS.

>> AND THIS IS SO SPECIAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SUCH A FUN TYPE OF COMPETITION.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT BENEFITS BOTH STATES AND THE COUNTRY AS WELL.

>> AND THE TWO GROUPS SIGNED UP STUDENTS ON NORMAN AND IN AUSTIN.

THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE IN OKLAHOMA IS OCTOBER 14TH.

THE RECAP OF ECONOMIC NEWS IN THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA LANDED 350000 GRANT FROM THE SMALL BUSINESS STATE TRADE TO INCREASE INTERNATIONAL TRADE.

THEY PLAN TO USE THE GRANT TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EXPORTING PRODUCTS OVERSEAS.

THEY WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR THE GRANTS.

THE 9th LEAST EXPENSIVE U.S. MAJOR CITY TO LIVE IS ACCORDING TO THE HOUSEHOLD SPEND REPORT.

COMPARING BILLS LIKE MORTGAGES AND UTILITIES AND CAR PAYMENTS.

OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTS PAY LESS THAN THE AVERAGE.

THE REPORT FOUND THAT DETROIT, MICHIGAN WAS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE CITY FOR HOUSEHOLD BILL AND SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA IS MOST EXPENSIVE.

OPEC ANNOUNCED CUTTING BACK OIL PRODUCTION AND THAT COULD INCREASE PRICES IN THE GAS PUMP.

ON THE DAY OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT, THE STATE AVERAGE WAS 3.49 AND NATIONAL 3.83.

IT WAS 3.36 A MONTH AGO.

WEST TEXAS CRUDE ROSE ABOVE $80 A BARREL.

OKLAHOMA CITY BASED BIOTECH KWLOESED ON THE FIRST ROUND OF FINANCING AND THE AMOUNT RAISED WAS NOT DISCLOSED.

WHEELER WILL EXPAND THE DRUG MANUFACTURING FACILITY.

HE WILL BE ABLE TO MANAGE OTHER BIODRUG DISCOVERIES.

BAY SIDE ENERGY TRIPLED THE OIL AND GAS ACREAGE.

THEY ARE CONCENTRATING ON THE BRAD BURY INTEREST.

BROOK SIDE ENERGY HAS THREE DEVELOPMENT WELLS IN OPERATION.

THE FIRST WELL IS EXPECTED TO BE EXPLORING FOR OIL RESERVOIRS IN MIDOCTOBER.

BLAKE SHELTON'S MASTER RECORDING CATALOG IS PURCHASED FROM NEW YORK.

THEY ARE CREATING A JOINT VENTURE TO SHARE IN PROFITS.

SHELTON HIT THE CHARTS WITH A SINGLE AND A JUDGE ON THE NBC SHOW "THE VOICE.

".

>> AND CARE PROVIDERS ARE SEEING THE LARGEST ONE TIME RATE INCREASE IN THE COUNTRY.

OCTOBER 1ST.

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY PROVIDERS ARE GETTING A 25% INCREASE.

IT WILL HELP TO RETAIN AND RECRUIT QUALIFIED WORKERS TO CARE FOR CLIENTS.

STATE OF OKLAHOMA IS WORKING ON ELIMINATING THE WAITING LIST.

>> AND ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA STATE PLAN ON AGING.

THE NUMBER OF CITIZENS OVER THE AGE OF 60 IN OKLAHOMA IS INCREASING AT A RATE 2 OR 3 TIMES FASTER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION AND THAT MADE FINDING QUALITY CARE IN NURSING HOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO FIND AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

IN THIS WEEK'S INDEPTH CONVERSATION THE MODERATOR CHALLENGED AND DISCUSSED THE CHALLENGES FACING THE FAMILIES AND THE NURSING CARE INDUSTRY.

>> THANK YOU, A PANEL OF GUEST ON THIS ISSUE.

WE HAVE KIMBERLY GREEN.

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER FOR THE BEACONNESS GROUP.

WE HAVE THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF CARE PROVIDER THE WHITNEY BRIAN REPORTER FROM OKLAHOMA WATCH.

MARY BRINKLING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF LEADING EDGE OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND STEPHEN, I WILL START OFF WITH YOU.

TELL US ABOUT THE NURSING STAFF SHORTAGE AND IMPACT BEING NURSING HOMES IN THE STATE.

>> THE FIRST THING TO UNDERSCORE WITH LONG- TERM WORKER SYSTEM NOT RECENT.

IT WAS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS ACCELERATED IT AND ESPECIALLY AS WE'VE GP THROUGH TWO AND HALF YEARS OF EXTRAORDINARILY WORK FROM THE FRONT LINE HEROES.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE BURN OUT AND SICKNESS AMONG THE EMPLOYEES AND WE ARE AT THE POINT NOW, I CAN SAY THAT OUR PROVIDERS ARE FACING A WORK FORCE CLIFF.

WE'LL HAVE SENIORS WHO WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ACCESS APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE.

>> KIMBERLY, WE'VE SEEN NURSING HOMES CLOSING DOWN IN THE STATE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN IT SHUTS DOWN.

WHERE DO THE RESIDENTS GO?

>> I THINK WE HAVE HAD 300 IN THE COUNTRY SHUT DOWN SO FAR.

WE HAVE HAD A FEW IN OKLAHOMA.

WHEN THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE MOVED FROM THEIR HOME TO ANOTHER FACILITY, IT IS USUALLY HOURS AWAY.

TYPICALLY THE ONES THAT SHUT DOWN FIRST ARE IN RURAL AREAS AND WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST PROVIDERS IN THAT AREA.

THAT IMPACTS THAT TOWN AND AREA AS WELL.

BUT THESE RESIDENTS, WHEN THEY MOVE WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR AROUND 80% OF THEM WILL PASS AWAY.

IT IS JUST A HUGE SHOCK AND MOVES THEM AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS AND THEY DON'T GET THE VISITORS.

THE STAFF MEMBERS DON'T COME WITH THEM AND IT IS AN ENTIRELY NEW START.

IT IS A TRAGIC SITUATION.

>> MARY, NOW THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE PROCESS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WHEN NURSING HOPES SHUT DOWN?

WHAT IS NEEDED.

WITH ALL OF THE STAFFING SHORTAGES IS IT BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT?

IS IT OVER ALL MORE COMPLICATED?

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT ACCESS.

THE EYE-OPENER FOR ME IN THE PROCESS WAS WE HAD A MEMBER COMMUNITY THAT BUILT A BRAND NEW MEMORY CARE CENTER.

IT STAYED EMPTY.

IF SOMEONE WANTED TO BE ADMITTED, THEY COULDN'T TAKE THE ADMISSION.

WE HAD THE LONGEST WAITING LIST TO GET IN THE HOME.

THEY HAD FOUR WINGS AND NOW ONLY OPERATE TWO OF WINGS.

THERE HAS TO BE BED AVAILABILITY.

HAVE STAFF TO CARE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL.

THAT'S WHAT I WILL SEEING AND HEARING, FAMILIES CHOOSE A NURSING HOME ONLY TO FIND OUT WE CAN'T ADMIT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE STAFF.

THAT'S THE REALITY OF ALL OF THIS.

YOU MIGHT SELECT A NURSING HOME CLOSE TO FAMILY, BUT IF THEY CAN'T ADMIT THAT INDIVIDUAL, THEY COULD BE PUT IN A NURSING HOME 50 OR 70 MILES AWAY.

>> MARY, YOU ARE RIGHT.

I SEE THAT IN MY OWN COMMUNITIES AND WHERE I HAD WINGS SHUT DOWN OVER A YEAR BECAUSE I CAN'T GET STAFF IN.

YOU WANT TO DELIVER THAT EXCELLENT CARE.

YOU DON'T ADMIT JUST BECAUSE THERE IS AN OPEN BED.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE EXCELLENT CARE.

I WANT TO CONFIRM.

YEAH, AS A OPERATOR WE SEE THAT ALL OF THE TIME.

YOU USE AGENCY OR OFFER BONUSES.

WE HAVE GIVEN RAISE AND PAY FOR COLLEGE.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO RECRUIT.

AND IT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH.

WE CAN'T COMPETE ON THE PAY SCALE AS WE SEE.

THE SCALE KEEPS GOING UP.

WE DO NOT SELL WIJITS LIKE TARGET AND WE CAN'T SELL MORE HAMBURGERS TO MAKE MORE MONEY.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

WE GET OUR REIMBURSEMENT FROM STATE AND FEDERAL.

AND IF IT DOESN'T CHANGE, WE CAN'T KEEP INCREASING.

SO WE ARE IN A TRAGIC SPOT.

IT IS A BAD SPOT TO BE IN FOR PROVIDERS.

>> WHITNEY, I KNOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE STAFFING SHORTAGE AND YOU PULLED RECENT DATA.

CAN YOU TELL US WHAT YOU FOUND IN DOING THE RESEARCH?

>> I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND ALL OF THE NURSING HOME AND GET FUNDED AND THEY ARE TRACKING THINGS LIKE COVID AND POSITIVES FROM RESIDENT AND STAFF AND THE STAFFING SHORTAGES.

AND I LOOKED AT THE MOST RECENT REPORT FROM MIDSEPTEMBER, 297 NURSING HOMES IN OKLAHOMA REPORTED TO THE FEDS.

OF THOSE, 77 OF THOSE NURSING HOMES, REPORTED HAVING A SHORTAGE OF NURSES.

JUST NURSES.

THAT IS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THE HOMES WHO SAY WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH NURSES TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.

73 REPORTED A SHORTAGE OF AIDES.

THOSE REPORTING MOST ARE REPORTING SHORTAGE IN MULTIPLE AREAS.

THEY ARE NOT JUST SHORT ON AIDES AND NURSES, BUT FRONT DESK WORKER AND CAFETERIA WORKER AND HOUSEKEEPER AND CLINICAL STAFF.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 4000 OR MORE BEDS.

NOW MANY OF THOSE MAY NOT BE FILLED BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGES.

4000 RESIDENTS THAT ARE NOT GETTING THE CARE THEY REALLY NEED BECAUSE OF THE SHORTAGES.

YOU KNOW, COVID IS STILL A FACTOR.

I KNOW THAT OUTSIDE OF THE WALLS OF THESE HOMES, PEOPLE ARE TYPICALLY GOING ABOUT LIFE AS NORMAL AND MAYBE GETTING A VACCINE AND A BOOSTER.

BUT IN ONE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 18TH, THERE WERE 74 RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF THE OKLAHOMA THAT HAD ACTIVE COVID AND ANOTHER 99 STAFF AT THOSE FACILITIES WHO HAD ACTIVE COVID.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK AND CAN'T COME TO WORK OR RESIDENTS WHO ARE SICK AND REQUIRE MORE CARE THAN IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE COVID.

YOU HAVE A FACTOR COMPOUNDING ALL OF THE COMPLICATIONS IN THE FACILITY.

>> STEPHEN, SPEAKING TO THE COMPLICATIONS, IT IS NOT ONLY NURSES, BUT AIDES AND SANITATION STAFF AND WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO HELP WITH THE STAFFING SHORTAGE AND WHAT HAPPENS IF THE COVID SUPPLEMENTAL PAY STOPS IN MARCH.

I KNOW THAT IS THE WAY THEY ARE INCREASING BONUS AND PAY.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THAT GOES AWAY.

>> WITHOUT THE SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENT, WE WOULD LOSE MULTIPLE BUILDINGS IN THE STATE.

RECENT COST DATA FROM STATE IN 2021, THIS IS LAGGING BY 15 MONTHS.

PROVIDERS WHO PROVIDE NURSING CARE TO MEDICAID PATIENTS, 43.50 ABOVE THE REIMBURSEMENT.

THAT IS 43.50 CLIFF THAT EXIST.

SUPPLEMENT ARE BILLING THOSE AT 38 OR 39 A DAY.

SO IT IS BENEFICIAL.

I SAY WITH FULL CONFIDENCE, THE OKLAHOMA HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY NOT MADE THAT DECISION, WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT MORE THAN 5 OR 6 BUILDINGS.

VACCINATION RATE HOVERS AT 85%.

VACCINATION FOR STAFF IS 81%.

KUDOS TO OUR FRONT LINE WORKERS.

THEY RALLIED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROVIDING THE PROTECTIVE FACTOR AND MAKE SURE THE RISK OF COVID DIMINISHED.

WE KNOW THAT VACCINATION LEADS TO A REDUCTION IN THE SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE OUT COMES.

BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE PRESENT AND WHITNEY REPORTED ON THE SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS ON LONG- TERM CARE EMPLOYEES RELATED TO MASKING AND TESTING.

IT HAS IMPACTED THIS SECTOR UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

>> AND I WANT TO GIVE KIMBERLY A QUESTION.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SEVERE SHORTAGES.

BUT OKLAHOMA IS, YOU KNOW, FAR MORE SEVERE THAN WHAT OTHER STATES ARE SEEING.

WHY IS IT SUCH A PROBLEM IN OKLAHOMA RIGHT NOW?

>> YEAH, LIKE WE SAID BEFORE.

WE ARE PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATION AND WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO LEARN AND DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

WE MAY GET THEM IN THE DOOR AND THINK WE ARE DOING GOOD.

THEY GO TO LUNCH AND DON'T COME BACK.

RECRUIT THEM FROM HOSPITAL AND THEY SAY THE JOB IS TOO HARD AND TOO MANY REGULATIONS AND THEY LEAVE.

WE HAD GHOSTING ON INTERVIEWS MORE THAN MY 35 YEARS IN THE HISTORY.

WHAT IS SCARY, BY 2030, WE'LL HAVE BABY BOOMERS OVERAGE 65.

ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE IN RETIREMENT AGE.

IF WE DON'T FIGURE OUT THE STAFFING THING NOW, THE FUTURE IS PRETTY BLEAK.

>> AND I WANT TO CONFIRM, THE GROUP THAT KIM WORKS FOR DOES EXTRAORDINARY PROGRAMMING.

THEY ARE INNOVATORS.

BUT VIEWERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BASIC ECONOMICS THAT WE ARE OPERATING UNDER.

NURSING HOMES, 75 OR 80% OF THE REVENUE COMES FROM MEDICAID.

MAJORITY OF THE BALANCE IS FROM MEDICARE.

THAT IS WHAT THE PAY MIX IS.

SO WHEN IT COMES TO LONG- TERM SALARY STRATEGY WE DEPEND ON GOVERNMENT PURCHASES FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT.

WE CAN'T GO OUT AND NEGOTIATE A RATE WITH A COMMERCIAL INSURANCE CHARACTER.

THAT IS NOT HOW LONG- TERM CARE IS FINANCED.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT REIMBURSEMENT RATE.

FRONT LINE NURSE AID OF $12 AN HOUR.

IF YOU LOOK AT DECISIONS THAT RETAIL MADE.

TARGET, I BELIEVE AT $18 AN HOUR STARTING WAGE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THEY ARE ABLE TO FUND THAT BECAUSE THE PRICE OF BREAD AND MILK INCREASED AND OUR PROVIDERS DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF SETTING THE RATE IN THE MARKETPLACE.

>> MARY, THAT IS AN SWG POINT.

IS MEDICAID EXPANSION.

WAS ANY THAT INCLUDED.

>> GOING BACK TO WHAT STEVE SAID.

WE ARE LOCKED IN BECAUSE OF OUR MEDICAID RATE.

MEDICAID EXPANSION DID NOT AFFECT THIS POPULATION.

FIRST OF ALL, I WILL SAY, THAT DIRECT CARE STAFFING IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT DETERMINEATE QUALITY CARE.

OKLAHOMA HAS BEEN RANKED LOW.

BUT LOOK AT SALARIES PRECOVID.

10-12 FOR A NURSE AID.

NOW IN ORDER TO BE COMPETITIVE NURSE AIDE WAGES AT 15- $19 AN HOUR.

BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, IF THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF, THEY HAVE TO GO TO AN AGENCY STAFF.

ONE OF MY PROVIDERS THAT THEIR NURSE AIDE MAKE 15- 19 DEPENDING ON THE ORGANIZATION.

THEY ARE PAYING 42 AN HOUR FOR A NURSE AIDE AND THAT IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

IF WE ARE GOING TO CARE FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS IN A QUALITY OF LIFE MANNER.

WE HAVE TO HAVE THE FUNDS AND THAT IS DRIVEN.

>> AND A STATE AGENCY HAS TO COME IN.

>> STAFFING AGENCY.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN WHEN THAT HAPPENING?

>> TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCY.

THERE IS SEVERAL IN THE STATE AND YOU CALL.

MOST OF THEM HAVE CONTRACT AND IF WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH STAFF, WE WANT TO CALL YOU AND HAVE YOU SEND IN AENLS STAFF.

BUT UNFORTUNATELY MANY.

STAFFING AGENCIES CAN'T MET THAT NEED.

>> WE ARE RUNNING SHORT ON TIME AND THIS IS THE LAST QUESTION.

I KNOW THAT OKLAHOMA WAS JUST DEALING WITH FUNDS AND TRYING TO DELEGATE WHERE FUNDING IS GOING TO GO.

DO YOU KNOW IF THAT WAS PUSHED TO NURSING HOME OR ASSISTED LIVING?

>> REESE, I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION WELL.

I WAS ON VACATION LAST WEEK AND I AM PLAYING CATCH UP.

ONE THING I WILL SAY ABOUT THE LEGISLATOR THAT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MENTION.

YOU ASKED WHY IS OKLAHOMA WORSE OFF THAN OTHER STATES IN THE COUNTRY?

AND WHILE I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION AS KIMBERLY SAID IT IS TOUGH TO ANSWER.

I HAVE TALKED TO A LOT OF STAFF AT NURSING HOME, RESIDENTS AND NURSING HOME DIRECTOR AND WHAT I AM HEARING ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS IS THAT THE COMMUNITIES, THAT THOSE NURSING HOMES IN ARE NOT NECESSARILY HELPING THE NURSING HOME WITH THE NEEDS.

FOR SFANS IN ALBAA NURSING HOME SUFFERED MASSIVE LOSSES AND TERRIBLE COVID OUTBREAKS IN 2020, AND WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THE COMMUNITY AROUND THEM WAS GOING ABOUT BUSINESS AS USUAL.

THEY WERE SAYING, OH, NO COVID IS OVER.

WE ARE PAST IT.

THEY WERE NOT MASKING AND A LOT OF FOLKS WERE REFUSING TO GET THE VACCINES EARLY ON BECAUSE THEY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS IN THE VACCINE AND THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION.

THINGS LIKE THAT ARE HAPPENING IN STATES WITH VERY RED LEGISLATURES LIKE OKLAHOMA.

WHERE YOU KNOW, MASK MANDATES ARE CONTROVERSIAL AND WE HAVE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THINGS LIKE VACCINE MANDATES.

SO THAT IS WHAT I AM HEARING IN THE RURAL AREAS, THAT THE GENERAL OUTLOOK ABOUT COVID AND THE SKEPTICISM ON WHETHER COVID IS A PROBLEM IS CONTRIBUTING TO THAT BURN OUT AND TO THE WAY THAT THESE STAFF AND THESE AIDES AT NURSING HOMES ARE FEELING.

THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE BEAT DOWN.

THEY ARE TOLD IT IS ALL A HOAX BY RESIDENTS.

CERTAINLY THAT IS NOT THE ONLY THING AT PLAY HERE BUT THAT IS A REPEAT STORY I AM HEAR NOTHING RURAL COMMUNITIES.

>> I THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR TIME.

CLEARLY THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT COULD GO ON FOR A LONG CONVERSATION AND I THINK THAT CONVERSATION IS DUE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME AND BEING HERE TO INFORM OKLAHOMANS.

>> AND THANK YOU, REESE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE MULTIART CAMPAIGN CELEBRATING THE ARTS IN AMERICA DURING AND AFTER THE COVID PANDEMIC.

WE'LL GO TO BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA AND OUR PARTNERS SHARE THE STORY OF A RAPPER, RADIO HOST AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS WHO TRANSFORMED HIS CAREER AND MESSAGE AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I AM 26 YEARS OLD.

IN AM A PERFORMING ARTIST AND PRODUCER.

SO IN HIGH SCHOOL, THINGS KIND OF TOOK OFF.

YOU KNOW, BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA WE HAVE JIG MUSIC.

THE REASON THEY CALL IT.

IT IS A SPECIFIC DANCE HERE IN BATON ROUGE AND EXPANDED EVERYWHERE NOW.

WE CREATED THE FIRST JIG LINE DANCE ALMOST.

♪♪ ♪ [SINGING] ♪ >> LIKE I HAD PEOPLE IN THE CLUB.

I WAS LIKE GETTING LOST IN THE SAUCE.

I WAS REALLY LIKE GETTING POOMED BY MY TALENT AS AN IDENTITY.

YOU ALWAYS NEEDING TO PERFORM AND THRIVE AND HALF OF THEM, LIKE, THAT WEARS AND TEARS ON YOU.

AND I STARTED TO SEE MYSELF AS MORE THAN A RAPPER.

I WAS ME.

ME IDENTIFYING THAT I HAVE TALENT AND REALIZING THAT I AM NOT MY TALENT AND I AM A SON, AND I AM ALSO A BROTHER.

A STUDENT AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS AND IF I GET CAUGHT UP IN ONE IDENTITY, THEN ALL OF THE OTHER ONES START TO FALL APART.

I SAW THAT IN MY LIFE IN SO MANY WAYS.

I TOOK A HIATUS IN MUSIC AND GETTING CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITIES AND TAKING ON NEW FOUND DRIVE AND TO REALLY HELP PEOPLE AND THINGS STARTED TO PICK UP AND MAN, I AM DOING SOME COOL STUFF AND BOOM, COVID.

>> AND IT IS MENTALLY TOUGH AND CRAZY.

AND I WAS LIKE, OH, HOW DO I CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I DO?

AND I REALLY DIDN'T KNOW HOW.

IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT AND HOW DO I HELP PEOPLE IF I CAN'T TOUCH THEM.

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE I AM NOT CONNECTING WITH MY CREATIVE SIDE.

I DIDN'T UPFRONT KNOW IT.

THE PANDEMIC ALLOWED ME TO DIG DEEPER IN MY TALENTS.

I WAS IN THE HOUSE, AND I WOULD BE LOW KEY BORED AT TIME AND TRYING TO FIND WAYS OF EXPRESSING MYSELF.

WHAT IF I ACTUALLY MADE A SONG AND THAT IS A SONG CALLED DAYLIGHT.

♪♪ AND I SONG I HAVE BEEN IN THE HOUSE ALL DAY.

THAT IS LITERALLY WHAT THE SONG IS BEING IN THE HOUSE AND INSPIRATIONSAL MESSAGE, TOO.

♪♪ ♪ [SINGING] ♪ >> AND THAT STARTED HAPPENING.

I HAD A CALL ON THE BOARD BOX AND IT TOOK ME FOR A RIDE.

>> MANY CAMPS ARE CLOSED DUE TO COVID 19 AND THIS MORNING'S GOOD NEWS STORY.

MEETING WITH A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST WHO BRINGS THE CAMP TO KIDS.

JOINING US IS EMMANUEL MILTON.

HOW ARE YOU THERE?

>> MAN, I AM BEAUTIFUL.

>> EMMANUEL, CAN WE CALL YOU BOO?

>> SURE, IT WAS SOCIALLY EMOTIONAL LEARNING KIT THAT I CREATED ALONG WITH HELP WITH MY OLD ENGLISH TEACHERS AND STUFF.

IT WAS A SOLUTION FOR KIDS TO GET THAT DEVELOPMENTAL PART OVER THE SUMMER BUT JUST IN A ACTIVITY KIT BOX.

WE WERE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE 3000 BOXES.

I FELT LIKE IT WAS NEEDED AT THAT TIME.

THE NEXT THING THAT PEOPLE NEEDED WAS JUST A FEELING OF JUST HOPE AND A MESSAGE.

SO THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER EP.

CALLED HOPE IS EVERYWHERE.

♪♪ LATELY I'VE BEEN THINKING.

THE REASON I GOT TO KEEP BELIEVING.

THAT EVERY REASON DON'T LIKE ME DREAMING.

ACHIEVING AND EVEN WHEN I AM BREATHING I AM RECEEDING.

SOMETIMES LIFE IS GOING TO FALL LIKE RAIN.

SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.

>> IT'S DIFFERENT THAN THE MUSIC PRIOR TO.

IT IS MORE HOPEFUL AND INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT EMOTIONS AM I GOING THROUGH THAT I CAN THEN EXPRESS AND MAKE SOMEBODY ELSE CONNECT WITH IT AS WELL IN A MORE HOPEFUL WAY.

>> I FEEL LIKE THAT IS WHERE MY PASSION WAS FOR PEOPLE AND MUSIC WAS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE AND EVEN THOUGH I TOOK A BREAK OR HIATUS FROM RAPPING AND I DIDN'T STOP TAKING A BREAK FROM A ARTIST.

I AM A ARTIST MUSICALLY AND COMMUNITY EVENT AND THINGS I CREATE.

>> I AM GOING TO MAKE MUSIC.

I AM AUTHENTIC TO WHO I AM AND TELLING MY LIFE STORY AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE CAN CONNECT AND INSPIRED BY IT.

♪♪ ♪ [SINGING] ♪ ♪♪ >> ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, MORE MONEY MADE AVAILABLE TO HELP OKLAHOMA FARMER AND RANCHERS DEALING WITH THE DROUGHT.

WE'LL TELL YOU HOW THOSE FUNDS WILL BE SPLIT UP.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

WE'LL LEAVE YOU A LOOK AT HORSE AND LANDSCAPES PRESENTED BY THE RED EARTH ART CENTER IN ON OKLAHOMA CITY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

HAVE A GREAT REST OF YOUR DAY.

♪♪ ♪♪