.

>>> HELLO EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

TONIGHT WE BEGIN A SPECIAL TWO PART REPORT ON THE STATE'S DISTINCTION OF POSSIBLY BEING THE COOK FIGHTING CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE RAISING OF THE ROOSTERS FOR SALE HERE AND OVERSEAS IS FLOURISHING.

THAT'S NOT THE PLAN WHEN THE VOTERS OUTLAWED THE FIGHTING BACK IN 2002.

WE HAVE BEEN CRISS CROSSING THE STATE TO BRING YOU THE REPORT, AND WE HAVE PART ONE.

>> THE LAW IS BLACK AND WHITE IN THE SOONER STATE, IT'S A FELONY TO ENGAGE NOT JUST IN COOK FIGHTING BUT IT'S ILLEGAL TO RAISE FIGHTING BIRDS.

BUT TELL THAT TO THE COOK FIGHTERS.

BL IS A DISABLED ARMY COMBAT VETERAN.

HE LIVES 24 MILES WEST OF LAWTON.

>> IF YOU DO THAT -- >> HE'S BEEN INVOLVED IN THE FIGHTING SINCE HE WAS 8 YEARS OLD.

>> AFTER I STARTED DOING IT, I FOUND OUT MY GRANDFATHER USED TO DO IT.

HE HAD ONE THAT HE FOUGHT IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION, AND THAT GAME COOK IS WHAT HELPED FEED THE FAMILY.

>> IT'S A BRUTAL BLOOD SPORT IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

TWO ROOSTERS ARE IN THE RING AND FIGHT TO THE BITTER END.

HE'S FULLY AWARE THAT OKLAHOMA PASSED A LAW THAT BANS COCK FIGHTING, AND EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH IT.

>> IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAW.

>> HOW?

>> IT VIOLATES THE FIRST AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

AMERICA IS FOUNDED ON THE BASE OF CHRISTIANITY.

I GO TO THE BIBLE IN GENESIS 1:26, GOD GAVE MAN DOMINION OVER THE ANIMALS.

MY FREE EXERCISE OF THE AMENDMENT.

IF UNDER THIS LAW IT'S ILLEGAL TO POSSESS THE BEEF CATTLE WITH THE INTENT OF SLAUGHTER, THAT'S DEPRIVING SOMEONE OF THEIR MEANS OF EARNING A LIVING.

IT'S DEPRIVING THEM THE USE OF THE PROPERTY.

>> THESE ROOSTERS ARE WEARING BLADES, GAS, THE FIGHTS ARE HORRIFIC.

IT'S ANIMAL CRUELTY, YOU CAN'T GET PAST THAT.

>> THAT'S YOUR OPINION, THE WHOLE THING IS YOUR OPINION DOES NOT SUPERCEDE MY RIGHTS.

YOUR OPINION IS BASED ON EMOTIONS, AND I DON'T CARE ONE THING OF YOUR EMOTIONS.

>> IT'S CALLED THE SPORT OF KINGS, MAYBE THAT WAS TRUE YEARS AGO.

>> WITH A DRIVING FORCE WHEN THE PEOPLE OF OKLAHOMA VOTED TO OUTLAW COCK FIGHTING.

>> WHY ARE WE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION 17 YEARS LATER?

>> IT'S NOT OVER.

IT'S STILL HAPPENING.

>> THREE WEEKS AGO, HE WAS A FEATURED SPEAKER AT THE ANIMAL CONFERENCE IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> IN SOME EXTENT IT'S THE SAME AS THE STILLS OPERATING IN PROHIBITION.

EVERYONE KNEW IT WAS GOING ON, OCCASIONALLY A PROSECUTION, BUT IT STILL WENT ON.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS IT DIDN'T INVOLVE CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

>> OKLAHOMA IS SADLY THE COCK FIGHTING CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> HE'S ALSO A PAST NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BRIAN COUNTY, A COUPLE OF DOZEN OTHER COUNTIES IN THIS STATE OF 77 COUNTIES ARE RAISING COLLECTIVELY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF FIGHTING BIRDS.

FIGHT IN PITS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

THEY'RE SHIPPED TO OTHER STATES FOR FIGHTS.

THEY'RE SHIPPED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

MEXICO, GUAM, 25 OTHER COUNTRIES.

THEY COULD GO FOR $2,000 PER BIRD.

SOME ARE SELLING 5,000 BIRDS A YEAR.

>> BUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, THEY CAUGHT A BREAK.

IT TOOK THEM TO A LARGE BARN IN ALLISON OFF OF HIGHWAY 78.

>> APPROXIMATELY 250 PEOPLE WERE ON SCENE WHEN THE DEPUTIES ARRIVED.

>> BRIAN COUNTY UNDERSHERIFF SAYS THE RESPONDING DEPUTIES CALLED FOR BACKUP AND DID THEIR BEST TO LOCK IT DOWN.

>> CHAOTIC, OF COURSE, PEOPLE AND CHICKENS AROUND EVERYWHERE.

>> WERE YOU AT THAT?

BUST?

>> YES.

>> INVESTIGATOR JOHN HAMMOND SAYS THERE WAS SO MANY PEOPLE AND VEHICLES AT THE COCK FIGHT, HIS PEOPLE HAD TO PARK TWO FOOTBALL FIELDS AWAY.

>> THEY KNEW THE COPS WERE THERE AND STARTED RUNNING.

>> THEY WERE ABLE TO GRAB 60 OR SO FOLKS WHO WERE THERE.

LAST FRIDAY, PROSECUTORS CHARGED HIM WITH THREE FELONIES.

>> CONTINUOUS THING EVERY DAY, IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT SLOWS DOWN.

EVERY DAY IT'S BIGGER AND BIGGER AND BIGGER.

IT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

>> DO YOU THINK IT HAPPENS A LOT?

>> I DO, AND WE'VE HEARD ABOUT THEM FOR YEARS.

THEY'RE REAL TIGHT LIPPED COMMUNITY, AND THEY'RE HARD TO TRACK DOWN.

>> COCK FIGHTING IS GOING ON ALL OVER.

>> DO YOU PARTICIPATE THESE DAYS?

>> EVERYONE DOES.

>> HE ESTIMATES HE KEEPS AROUND 400 BIRDS ON HIS PROPERTY.

THIS IS ONE OF HIS PURE BLOOD ROOSTERS, THEY'RE WORTH ABOUT $6,000 EACH AND HE HAS 20 OF THOSE.

ALL TOGETHER HIS TOTAL INVENTORY IS AROUND A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS.

>> IT BROUGHT IN MORE THAN $113 MILLION A YEAR TO THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

AND GENERATED $800 MILLION INSIDE THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, WHAT'S GOING ON AND THE ANIMAL RIGHTS IS ALL ABOUT IS COMMON -- COMMUNISM.

IT'S GOING ON, HISTORY IS REPEATING ITSELF HERE INSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES.

BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T REALLY PUT IT TOGETHER AND UNDERSTAND IT.

>> THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR THIS.

THEY'RE PUTTING ANIMALS IN A PIT, PUT A KNIFE ON BOTH OF THEIR LEGS, A SHORT KNIFE OR LONG KNIFE, AND THE BIRDS ARE PUT BEAK TO BEAK, AND THEN FORCE THEM TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH.

>> WE THINK THE INVESTIGATION ON COCK FIGHTING IN A BUNCH OF COUNTIES IS LONG OVERDUE.

WE'LL GIVE THEM THE DETAILS THEY NEED TO GET STARTED.

>> HE'LL NOT BE HAPPY UNTIL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILL THE FARMERS.

THAT'S WHEN THE PIECE OF CRAP WILL BE HAPPY.

HE'S A PIECE OF GARBAGE.

>> THEY THINK THEY'RE ABOVE THE LAW, UNTIL LAW ENFORCEMENT SAYS, NO, NO, NO, THIS IS A FELONY IF YOU PERSIST YOU'LL GO TO JAIL.

>> NEXT FRIDAY, WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHERE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF FIGHTING BIRDS ARE SHIPPED FROM OKLAHOMA OVERSEAS EACH YEAR FOR THE PURPOSES OF FIGHTING, AND WHY IT'S TAKEN A WHILE FOR CHARGES TO COME FROM THE BUSTING FIGHT SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> AS OF FRIDAY ALL OF THE KEY INDICATORS FOR COVID-19 IS SLIGHTLY IMPROVING.

HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE TICKING DOWN, THEY'RE STILL ABOVE 1500, AND 31 FEWER PEOPLE ARE OCCUPYING ICU BEDS.

204 PEOPLE DID DIE THIS WEEK THAT NUMBER IS 14 LESS THAN LAST WEEK.

JUST OVER 44% OF OKLAHOMAENS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> COVID-19 PATIENTS HAD BEEN RECEIVING ANTIBODIES AS A TREATMENT THERAPY TO LESSEN THE TREATMENT OF THE VIRUS.

IT'S SAVING LIVES.

WE REPORT ON HOW IT WORKS.

HOW THE VARIANT COULD BE RESISTANT TO TREATMENT.

>> IT'S BEEN USED FOR NUMEROUS OTHER DISEASES.

THREE SUCH THERAPIES ARE NOW USED TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH MILD OR MODERATE COVID-19.

>> IT'S BEEN LOOKED AT IN OTHER DISEASES, BUT NOT DEPLOYED LIKE ON THIS SCALE.

>> THE ANTIBODIES ARE SIMILAR TO A TREATMENT WITH EARLY PROMISE OF THE PLASMA.

>> YOU DO THE PLASMA, YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH ANTIBODY IS IN THE UNIT PRODUCT YOU'RE GIVING TO THE PATIENT.

THE DATA ON THE PLASMA WAS SPOTTY AND ALL WE HAD IN THE BEGINNING, IT'S SINCE FALLEN OUT OF FAVOR.

>> THE KEY TO MAKE SURE IT WORKS IS EARLY DETECTION AND ACTION.

>> WE WANT TO USE THIS EARLY, ESPECIALLY IN PEOPLE WITH MOST WORRY.

IT'S -- IF A PERSON IS HOSPITALIZED AND HAS TO USE OXYGEN IT'S TOO LATE.

THE ANTIBODIES ARE AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT WHEN SOMEONE FIRST GETS THE VIRUS, PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE TREATMENT AS WELL.

>> BEING A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL AND ALL THAT, AND ELECTED OFFICIAL MAKES ME MORE AWARE OF IT.

I'M MORE STUNNED HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

>> HE'S LAUNCHING AN AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

>> TALKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS WELL, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS IMMENSELY HELPFUL, WE'RE JUST NOW.

AWARENESS AND AVAILABILITY CAMPAIGN.

THE AWARENESS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

>> CURRENTLY THE INFUSION HAS TO TAKE PLACE IN A HOSPITAL SETTING.

>> THE HOSPITALS ARE THE HUB IF YOU WILL, THEY'RE THE KEY ELEMENT.

WE HAVE TO WORK OUTSIDE THE HUB.

>> NORMAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL IS TRYING TO DO THAT, SETTING UP AN OUT PATIENT INFUSION CENTER JUST OUTSIDE THE MAIN HOSPITAL.

>> WE OFFER THE ANTIBODY.

IT IS GIVEN BY REFERRAL.

>> PATIENTS SHOULD EXPECT A COUPLE OF HOURS.

>> IT'S AN INFUSION IN THE IV, AND TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO INFUSE AND WE MONITOR THEM FOR AN HOUR AFTER THE INFUSION TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOT AN IMMEDIATE REACTION.

>> THE TREATMENT HAS KEPT PEOPLE FROM GOING TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> THE AMOUNT OF PATIENTS WE'VE SEEN HERE, WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO KEEP MOST ALL OF THEM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

THAT HELPS MY COLLEAGUES NOT BE AS OVERWHELMED.

>> FULL DISCLOSURE, JENNIFER IS MY SISTER, LAST YEAR OUR MOTHER PASSED AWAY FROM COVID-19.

I COULDN'T BE BY THE BEDSIDE, MY SISTER WAS, AND SHE SAID THE NEW TREATMENTS AVAILABLE NOW GIVES HER HOPE THAT WAS HARD TO COME BY BEFORE.

>> TO BE ABLE TO WATCH TRAGEDY HAPPEN WITH MY OWN MOM AND TO HOLD SOMEONE'S HAND HERE TO GIVE THE INFUSION TO HELP THEM, IT'S A GIFT.

>> IT DOESN'T REPLACE THE VACCINE.

>> IT'S NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR VACCINATION, THE VACCINATION HELP YOU MAKE ANTIBODIES, IT HELPS BASICALLY GET THE REST OF YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM READY TO FIGHT OFF THE COVID-19 INFECTION IF YOU'RE EXPOSED.

>> AS MORE DATA IS COLLECTED, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS BELIEVE IT'LL WIDEN THE POPULATION OF WHO CAN RECEIVE THE TREATMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> OKLAHOMA CONGRESSMAN MAKING INTERNATIONAL NEWS WITH THE EFFORT TO RESCUE AMERICAN CITIZENS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF AFGHANISTAN.

THURSDAY I HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK WITH HIM.

CONGRESSMAN LET'S BEGIN WITH THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN AFGHANISTAN.

AS WE WERE SPEAKING HERE ON THURSDAY MORNING, 200 PEOPLE, SOME ARE AMERICANS FLYING OUT OF THE COUNTRY, THAT'S TAKING LONGER THAN YOU THOUGHT IT SHOULD HAVE, DOES IT GIVE YOU OPTIMISM THAT ALL CAN LEAVE SOON?

>> WE HAVE AMERICANS SCATTERED ALL OVER THE PLACE.

IT'S FUNNY, THEY SAID 200 ARE FLYING OUT, AND 200 ARE LEFT.

WE HAVE IN POSSESSION IN SAFE HOUSES IN THE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IS 23.

>> THE FOUR AMERICANS WHO GOT OUT OF AFGHANISTAN, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU WERE SEEKING TO GET OUT.

WHO DESERVES THE CREDIT FOR THAT?

>> STATE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

THEY FOUGHT US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.

THE COUNTRY WE GOT HER INTO, THE AMBASSADOR TOLD ME HE WAS TOLD BY WASHINGTON NOT TO ASSIST US IN ANY WAY.

TALIBAN TOLD HER THAT SHE COMES BACK TO THAT CHECK POINT AGAIN, THEY WOULD KILL HER.

BUT ACCORDING TO SECRETARY LINCOLN, THE TALIBAN WAS ASSISTING, THEY WERE NOT ASSISTING AT ALL.

>> TO BE CLEAR DID YOU ENTER AFGHANISTAN IF NOT WHAT KEPT YOU OUT, CAN YOU SHARE SPECIFIC DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP OVERSEAS.

>> I CAN'T GET INTO SPECIFIC DETAILS, THE MISSION IS STILL ONGOING, WE'RE STILL RUNNING -- GETTING PEOPLE OUT.

>> YOU FACILITATED IT, BUT YOU DIDN'T GO TO AFGHANISTAN YOURSELF.

>> WE WERE PREVENTEDED FROM LANDING.

YOU HAVE TO BE SPONSORED BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY OR A SPONSORSHIP, IN MY CASE, WE HAD NO AGENCY TO SPONSOR, I HAD TO BE ON THE PLANE.

WE HAD TO GO TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY.

>> DID YOU THREATEN U.S. OFFICIALS WHEN YOU WERE OVER THERE, AND THE LARGE SUMS OF CASH YOU NEEDED FOR THE TALIBAN?

>> THEY CHARGE A TAX.

YOU CAN'T OPERATE WITHOUT ACTUALLY HAVING CASH.

THEY DON'T TAKE CREDIT CARDS.

THAT'S NOT THE CASE AT ALL, WE'LL HAVE HEARINGS ON THAT.

>> HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI AND OTHERS WERE HIGHLY CRITICAL OF YOU AND OTHER CONGRESS PEOPLE TRAVELING TO AFGHANISTAN, SAYING YOU WERE PUTTING YOURSELVES AT RISK AND THOSE YOU WERE WANTING TO HELP AT RISK.

>> IF SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT IT, SHE CAN GET OFF HER BUTT AND DO IT HERSELF.

DON'T BE CONCERNED ABOUT MY LIFE, I TAKE THAT RISK MYSELF.

THAT'S BETWEEN ME, MY WIFE, MY KIDS, IF THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT WERE DOING THEIR JOB, GUYS LIKE ME AND GUYS WORKING WITH, WOULDN'T BE GOING IN THERE TO GET THOSE LEFT BEHIND.

>> DO YOU HAVE REGRETS?

>> WOULD I DO IT AGAIN, ABSOLUTELY.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENT IS TO DO IT SOONER.

>> ARE YOU CONTINUING TO DO IT?

>> ABSOLUTELY, EVERY DAY, RIGHT BEFORE THIS CALL I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH THE TEAM LEADER.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF ORGANIZATIONS WORKING THERE.

NONPROFITS THAT ARE STEPPING UP AND DOING THE JOB THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS NOT WILLING TO DO.

>> SHOULD THE U.S.

RECOGNIZE THE TALIBAN AS THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT OF AFGHANISTAN AND IF THEY DON'T, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO THE AMERICANS AND TRANSLATORS STILL INSIDE THE COUNTRY?

>> I HEAR THE WORD NEGOTIATING WITH THE TALIBAN, I LITERALLY WANT TO GET SICK.

WE AS AMERICA DON'T NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORISTS AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING.

>> IT'S SAFE TO COME HOME, I TAKE IT YOU'RE SKEPTICAL OF THAT.

>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT AMNESTY MEANS WITH THE TALIBAN?

INSTEAD OF TORTURING YOU OR CUTTING YOUR LIMBS OFF SLOWLY IN FRONT OF A CROWD OR RAPING YOUR WIFE IN FRONT OF YOU AND KIDS, AND AFTER TORTURE THEM AND KILLING YOU LAST, THEY'LL PUT A BULLET IN YOUR HEAD AND KILL YOU QUICKLY.

THAT'S ALL AMNESTY MEANS, A QUICK DEATH.

>> THE TULSA WORLD REPORTING 800 AFGHANISTAN REFUGEES ARRIVING IN OKLAHOMA OVER THE NEXT COME OF MONTHS -- COUPLE OF MONTHS.

>> THESE ARE ALL SIV'S, SPECIAL IMMIGRATION VISA INDIVIDUALS.

THEY'VE BEEN VETTED FOR YEARS.

THEY'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE UNITED STATES.

INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH US, AND PROVEN THEIR DESIRE AND LOYALTY AND THINGS THAT LITERALLY RISK THEIR FAMILY'S LIFE AND OWN LIFE, THEY DESERVE TO BE AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

>> CONGRESSMAN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU I APPRECIATE IT.

>>> COMING UP LATER, WE'LL CONTINUE TO DISCUSS AFGHANISTAN AS IT RELATES TO THE ACT, WITH THE -- WITH TIES TO THE ATTACKS IN THE AFTER MATH.

>>> AND WE ALL REMEMBER WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST STRUCK, ALL WERE TRYING TO SECURE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT.

>> SHE'S A SCHOOL NURSE AT THE SCHOOL IN ADARE COUNTY.

HER SCHOOL HAS A PLENTIFUL SUPPLY OF MASKS.

>> WE'VE HAD SEVERAL KIDS ILL WITH IT, AND STAFF MEMBERS AND THINGS.

FOR SAFETY AND FOR THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY WE REALLY NEED TO BE WEARING THE MASKS.

>> A 6TH GRADER WHO'S WITNESSED THE EFFECTS OF THE VIRUS IN HIS OWN HOME.

>> MY MOM HAS COVID-19, SHE HAS BEEN IN THE HOUSE FOR A WHILE.

>> THE BOX OF MASKS ARE AVAILABLE BY EVERY DOOR.

>> I GRAB ONE, AND I WEAR IT FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.

>> WE HAVE THEM ON THE SCHOOL BUSES, WHEN THE CHILDREN GET ON, THEY GET THEIR MASKS ON.

THEY WEAR THEM.

IT'S MOSTLY THEIR CHOICE.

>> WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED WE MADE OUR OWN MASK, THAT WAS THE THING.

>> THESE MASKS COME AT NO COST TO THE SCHOOL, THEY'RE A GIFT FROM THE CHEROKEE NATION.

IN 2020, THE TRIBE -- TO BUILD THEIR OWN PPE FACTORIES.

>> WE TOOK THIS BUILDING AND TRANSITIONED IT TO OUR NOW PPE MANUFACTURING FACILITIED.

>> THE CHIEF OF STAFF SAYS THE TRIBE WILL MANUFACTURE N-95 MASKS, AND THREE PLY SURGICAL MASKS.

THE 99 MASKS IS EVEN BETTER.

>> IN A SINGLE SHIFT WE COULD PRODUCE SOMEWHERE AROUND 200,000 MASKS IN ALL OF OUR MACHINES IN A DAY.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 16 EMPLOYEES THAT WORK HERE, WHEN WE GROW TO FULL CAPACITY, IT'LL BE SOMEWHERE AROUND 30.

>> AND MANY OF THOSE ARE HIRED WITH THE HOPE AND RESTORE HOPE PROGRAM.

>> IT'S DESIGNED FOR THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SUFFERED FROM OPIOID ADDICTION, AND HAVE HAD DIFFICULTY WITH JOB PLACEMENT.

>> FOR A YEAR I DIDN'T HAVE A JOB.

AND THE RESTORE PROGRAM KIND OF PUT ME IN THIS PLACE, YOU KEEP YOUR CHEST UP HIGH, IF YOU DO A GOOD JOB, YOU'RE HELPING OUT A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> I BECAME AN EMPLOYEE WITH THE HOPE PROGRAM AND I STARTED IN MARCH AND I RECEIVED FULL-TIME JULY 4 OF THIS YEAR.

>> THE CHEROKEE NATION HAS A 6,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY IN OKLAHOMA THAT WILL HOUSE MORE MASK MAKING MACHINES.

>> WE HAVE CREATED FIVE TO SEVEN JOBS THERE WITH THAT OPERATION AS WELL.

>> THE TRIBE HAS DONATED PPE TO ALMOST 40 COMMUNITIES.

INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS.

>> WE HAVE HAD REQUESTS FROM FIVE OR SIX SCHOOLS.

TODAY WE'RE DONATING TO ADDITIONAL MASKS TO THE SCHOOL.

>> THIS IS A BIG LESSON WE TRY TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER.

IT MAKES US FEEL LIKE OUR TRIBE, CHIEF, COUNSELORS OUR WHOLE GOVERNMENT REALLY CARE FOR US.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

FROM ONE SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS TO OTHERS IN THE STATE, HERE'S JASON WITH HIS WEEKLY OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>>> OKLAHOMA CITY -- RAISED $40 MILLION FROM A PUBLIC FUNDRAISER EFFORT.

>>> TULSA BASED WILLIAMS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IT PLANS TO BUY BACK UP $1.5 BILLION OF THE STOCK.

THE COMPANY LEADERS SAY THE TIME IS RIGHT BECAUSE OF THE STRONG BALANCE SHEET.

THE BUY BACK PROGRAM IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY.

NOW A STATE CERTIFIED SPACE, IT HAS 50,000 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE FOR ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

THIS IS THE THIRD TECH INCUBATOR SPACE THAT'S OPENED IN DOWNTOWN TULSA.

>>> MID FIRST BANK IS RANKED NUMBER WITHIN IN OKLAHOMA.

RESULTS COME AFTER EIGHT MONTH SURVEY OF EMPLOYEES ASKED TO RANK THE WILLINGNESS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, THE RESORTS, THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA AND QUICK TRIP ROUND OUT THE THE TOP FIVE EMPLOYERS IN OKLAHOMA.

OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>>> THANK YOU, THE FIRST AMERICANS MUSEUM IN OKLAHOMA CITY IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON DECEMBER 18, IT'S A LONG TIME COMING THAT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

EXCITING FUTURE FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY ON THE BANKS OF THE OKLAHOMA RIVER.

>> THE CONCEPT OF A MUSEUM REPRESENTING ALL 39 OKLAHOMA TRIBES WAS FIRST CONCEIVED 30 YEARS AGO.

SINCE THEN, THE FACILITY CHANGED NAMES AND LEADERSHIP.

THE 175,000 SQUARE FOOT FACILITY WILL AT LAST MAKE THE PUBLIC DEBUT.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT TO TELL THE INDIGENOUS STORIES.

THAT WAS THE CONTENT, A DRAW FOR TOURISM, AND IT STILL IS AND WILL BE.

IT'S EVOLVED INTO SOMETHING MORE THAN THAT, A PLACE FOR OUR TRIBES TO TELL OUR STORIES FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE.

>> THE LONG AWAITED MUSEUM HAS TWO MAIN EXHIBITIONS.

>> ALL OF THE PROGRAMMING THAT WE HAVE IN THIS MUSEUM IS DONE BY NATIVE AMERICANS THEMSELVES.

THIS IS THE MOST AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE YOU CAN GET WITH REGARD TO NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE AND CULTURE FOR ANYWHERE IN THE CULTURE OR WORLD.

>> IT'S MADE UP OF TWO CIRCLES, BRINGING THE ANCIENT WORLD AND THE PRESENT TOGETHER.

IT HONORS THE ORIGINAL TRIBES NATIVE OF OKLAHOMA.

>> THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT THE CALCULATIONS ON THIS, AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE IT WORK.

THEY WERE AMAZED HOW THE ANCIENT PEOPLE FIGURED IT OUT.

>> THE GRAND OPENING IS A FEW DAYS AWAY, IT TOOK TIME FOR THIS POINT.

>> THE STATE INITIALLY STARTED THE PROJECT BACK IN 1994.

WE WANT IT TO COME TO FRUITION BUT IT WAS DUE TO LACK OF MONEY.

>> CONSTRUCTION WAS RESTARTED IN 2017, WHEN THE CITY OF OKLAHOMA CITY TOOK OVER THE PROJECT.

>> THE CITY TRIED TO LOOK AT WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROPERTY, AND THEN IN 2015, THE CITY WITH THE STATE AND THE CHICKASAW NATION CAME TO A POINT WHERE TOGETHER, COLLECTIVELY WE COULD GET THIS THING ACROSS THE FINISH LINE.

>> THEY PROPOSED A PARTNERSHIP TO ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY.

TO PROVIDE MUSEUM OPERATIONS, THE STATE LEGISLATOR FOUND A WAY TO CHIP IN $25 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT AS WELL.

>> WE WOULD NEVER GET IT DONE WITHOUT THE PRIVATE DONATION AND IS THE CHICKASAW NATIONS WHO HAVE HELPED US GET THIS FINISHED.

>> THE DIRECTOR AND CEO, HIS TEAM FOCUSED ON TELLING NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY.

FOR EXAMPLE, A DINING EXPERIENCE WITH -- MADE BY THE CHEF.

>> SHE'S HELPING WITH THE TRADITIONAL FOOD, PEOPLE CAN EXPERIENCE AUTHENTIC NATIVE CUISINE.

>> WITH A NEW NAME AND DRIVEN MISSION, THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL START SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, DOORS OPENING AT 8 A.M. >> WE'RE EXCITED, THE TOURISM IMPACT IT'LL BRING TO THE COMMUNITY AND ANOTHER VENUE FOR THE CITY TO LURE MORE PEOPLE TO OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> GIVING A NEW WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE TRIBAL HERITAGE.

>> THE THINGS I WANT PEOPLE TO TAKEAWAY OUR TRIBES ARE NOT ALL THE SAME.

WE'RE DIVERSE, RICH IN THE DIVERSITY, AND WE'RE STILL HERE TODAY.

>> OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> SATURDAY MARKS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 ATTACKS ON AMERICA.

WE THOUGHT WE WOULD TALK ABOUT THE MEMORY OF THOSE TERRIBLE DAYS.

WHAT WE LEARNED SINCE THEN, ARE WE SAFER NOW THAN IN 2001?

THEY'RE JOINED BY SUSAN CADOT WITH A LOOK BACK AND FORWARD 20 YEARS AFTER AMERICA CHANGED FOREVER.

>> THANK YOU, IT'S AN IMPORTANT WEEKEND FOR EVERYONE IN THE NATION AS WE OBSERVE THE 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11, AND I HAVE TWO GUESTS TO JOIN IN ON THE DISCUSSION ON THAT.

20 YEARS LATER, FORMER OKLAHOMA GOVERNOR KEATING AND FORMER STATE SENATOR AND CURRENTLY WITH THE OKLAHOMA NATIONAL GUARD.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LET'S START OFF WITH 9/11, DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE?

>> I DO, I WAS HAVING A BREAKFAST IN THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

WE WERE PUTTING TOGETHER THE CAMPAIGN TO PRESENT TO THE PEOPLE TO PASS RIGHT TO WORK IN OKLAHOMA.

SO IT WAS A LEADERSHIP GROUP OF A SMALL GROUP, AND BUSINESS, INDIVIDUALS AND LEGISLATORS TO PUT TOGETHER THE STRATEGY ONE OF PEOPLE WAS IN THE KITCHEN GETTING A CUP OF COFFEE, AND CAME OUT THE, YOU CAN'T BELIEVE THIS.

THERE'S AIRPLANES HITTING BUILDINGS IN NEW YORK.

WE WENT IN AND WATCHED IT, AND SAW THE SECOND PLANE OBVIOUSLY HIT THE SECOND TOWER, AND THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF A HORRIFIC DAY.

>> WHAT ABOUT YOU?

>> I SURE DO, I WAS DRIVING TO OKLAHOMA CITY AIRPORT TO FLY TO FORT BRAGG FOR AN ANNUAL EXERCISE.

I NEVER MADE IT ON THE AIRPORT, I WAS TRYING TO LISTEN AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON, BUT IT WAS APPARENT IT WAS MORE THAN ANYTHING WE EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

I STOPPED AT A FILLING STATION TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT.

BY THAT POINT ALL FLIGHTS WERE CANCELLED.

>> GOVERNOR, YOU'RE ONE OF THE BEST KNOWN GOVERNORS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, IN YOUR VERY FIRST TERM AS GOVERNOR, THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING HAPPENED.

THAT HAD TO HAVE HIT ESPECIALLY HARD ON 9/11 FOR YOU.

WHAT'S GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND COMING OFF THE HEELS OF THE BOMBING?

>> OBVIOUSLY, THE FBI AND LAW ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND -- ALL THE U.S.

ATTORNEYS, I FOCUSED ON ALL OF THIS AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT MATTER WHO EVER DID THIS, I CERTAINLY WAS GRIEF STRICKEN.

THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING OCCURRED, IT WAS ATTACK ON FEDERAL BUILDING, FILLED WITH PEOPLE.

>> AND YOU KNEW OBJECTIONS PARTNERED -- OKLAHOMA CITY PARTNERED UP WITH NEW YORK QUICKLY.

>> ONE OF THE SAD AND ALSO EXHILARATING PART OF THE RESPONSE.

WE HAD A SERIES OF TEAM OF YOU ARE BANG SEARCH AND RESCUE TEAMS THAT CAME TO HELP US AND ASSIST US.

I GOT TO KNOW THE NEW YORK SEARCH AND RESCUE FOLKS REALLY WELL, THERE WERE A NUMBER OF GUYS WHO WERE HERE FOR US.

AND THIS PAST FEBRUARY, A NUMBER OF US WENT TO NEW YORK JUST BEFORE COVID-19 HIT.

ALL OF THE FIREFIGHTERS WERE THERE.

WE HAD A REUNION.

>> DID OKLAHOMA SEND TEAMS TO NEW YORK?

>> YES, PEOPLE FROM OUR URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE TO ASSIST THEM, WHATEVER THEY WANTED WE PROVIDED.

>> YOU WERE IN THE MILITARY ALREADY AT THAT TIME.

9/11, YOU WERE IN AFGHANISTAN IN 2002, IS THIS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE ANNOUNCED WAR ON TERROR THAT CAME AFTER 9/11 HAPPENED?

>> YES, IT WAS.

IMMEDIATELY AFTER 9/11, ALL THE ANXIOUSNESS WENT WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON.

I ENDED UP GOING TO EGYPT WITH THE THIRD REGIMENT, AND ASSIGNED TO THE SPECIAL FORCES GROUP THERE, AND IS THERE UNTIL THE END OF NOVEMBER.

WE KNEW THERE WOULD BE A MILITARY RESPONSE IMMEDIATELY THE PRESIDENT LAUNCHED THE AFGHANISTAN OPERATION AND YEAH, I WAS ON AN AIRPLANE BOUND TO AFGHANISTAN.

>> WHAT WAS IT LIKE THERE?

>> AT THAT POINT, THE AMERICANS WERE QUICKLY TAKING OVER AND THE TALIBAN WAS FALLING VERY VERY QUICKLY.

THE AMERICANS HAD TAKEN OVER MOST OF THE COUNTRY BY THE TIME I GOT THERE.

SMALL POCKETS, AND IT WAS LIKE THE WILD WEST.

THERE WASN'T A GOVERNMENT IN PLACE, THE MILITARY, VERY FEW MILITARY PEOPLE THERE.

THE AMERICANS HAD LESS THAN 1500 SOLDIERS IN THE COUNTRY AT THAT TIME.

IT WAS VERY CHAOTIC.

>> BUT THE TALIBAN FELL QUICKLY, WAS THERE ANY IDEA IN YOUR MIND THIS WAR WOULD BE GOING ON 20 YEARS LATER.

>> AT THAT POINT, NO.

THERE WAS NONE.

THE MISSION WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD, TO GO AFTER THE AL-QAIDA ELEMENTS THAT WERE INVOLVED IN THE 9/11, THAT MISSION SUBSEQUENTLY MORE IN TIMES MORE.

SIMPLY GO AFTER THE AL-QAIDA PERPETRATORS OF 9/11, WE FELT LIKE THAT'S WHAT DID HE WHAT WE WERE DOING.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION EFFORT TO PULL OUT OF AFGHANISTAN, RESONATED WITH YOU, THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENT'S RESOLUTION, THIS PRESIDENT RESOLVED TO PULL OUT, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?

>> THE BEST WORD IS CONFLICTED, SAD, HAVING BEEN THERE AT THE BEGINNING, AND 20 YEARS LATER, SEEING WHERE WE ENDED UP.

SAD FOR THE PEOPLE IMPACTED, THERE'S BEEN SO MUCH SACRIFICE AND BLOOD AND -- SPENT IN THAT COUNTRY.

>> GOVERNOR, BACK TO YOU, AND I WANT TO BRING THIS FULL CIRCLE.

I KNOW OKLAHOMA CITY WAS A -- OF TERROR, BUT LIVES WERE LOST.

>> WELL, IT'S HARD TO SAY, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T LIKE US.

WHAT WE STAND FOR IS OFFENSIVE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND THE WORLD'S MILITARY POWER PROTECTING OUR OWN SHORELINES, AND ALSO THOSE WHO WERE ALLIES.

WE FREQUENTLY CAN BE AND DRAWN INTO THE CONFLICT.

OTHERS SAY AFGHANISTAN IS AN EXAMPLE BUT THE COLONEL INDICATED WHAT PRESIDENT BUSH DID AT THE TIME, WE UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS WERE AFGHANISTAN GO GET THEM.

WE WANTED TO GET THOSE RESPONSIBLE, AND THEN, IT'S THE IDEALIST OF AMERICA.

WE THOUGHT ABOUT NATION BUILDING, I THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE.

THEN WHEN WE LEFT, BUT IT'S INSURANCE.

TAKE THE AMERICAN CIVILIANS, SHIP THEM OUT, DON'T TOUCH ANYONE WITH A GUN NOW.

THEN YOU TAKE THE AFGHANISTANS OUT AFTER YOU VET THEM.

AND SEND THEM OUT.

AND THEN LASTLY, YOU TAKE THE SOLDIERS PROTECTING THE DEPARTURE OF OTHERS.

WE DID IT JUST THE OPPOSITE.

IT WAS A CUT AND RUN FROM AFGHANISTAN.

>> CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT AT ALL?

>> I'LL COMMENT ON THE END THERE, THE END WAS NOT WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE MUCH BETTER, AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE.

OVER 100,000 PEOPLE WERE EVACUATED, STILL ONGOING EFFORTS TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THERE.

IF YOU LOOK BACK OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, IT'S EASY TO SIT HERE AND PLAY ARMCHAIR QUARTERBACK, THE MISSION THAT WE HAD MORE THAT THE GOVERNOR STATED, LET'S JUST GET THE BAD GUYS, BUILD A DEMOCRACY.

LOOKING BACK ON THAT, SOME OF THE GOALS, FOR NAIVE.

WE SPENT A LOT OF EFFORT AND TIME AND GOOD PEOPLE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH THOSE GOALS.

WAS IT FOR NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

COULD IT HAVE TURNED OUT THE DIFFERENTLY?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> COLONEL YOU WERE A STATE SENATOR UNTIL 2014, CORRECT?

CORRECT.

YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT, AND SENATOR YOU'RE A REPUBLICAN.

NOW WE'RE AT THE ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11, IS THIS A POLITICAL ISSUE AT ALL?

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AND THE COLONEL WOULD AGREE WITH ME, AFTER REAL TRAGEDIES, EVERYONE COMES TOGETHER.

>> DO YOU SEE PARTISANSHIP?

>> YES, HERE AT THE END, WE HAVE A LONG RECORD OF LOOKING AT THIS IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED AFTER 9/11, THE NATION CAME TOGETHER IN AN ACT OF UNITY AND SOLIDARITY.

THAT SLOWLY WANED AS THE YEARS WENT ON.

AND THEN WE HAD PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AND PRESIDENT BIDEN PULLING US OUT, WE'VE BEEN BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN BOAST REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTS DOLING WITH THIS ISSUE.

THIS IS NOT A VIETNAM.

WE STILL HAVE PROBABLY AND WILL FOR THE YEAR TO COME, THE PREMIERE DRIVING FORCE OF BEST SOLDIERS, SAILORS AND MARINES, STANDING TALL AND READY.

I COULDN'T BE PROUDER TO BE IN THE NATIONAL GUARD.

>> WE HAVE MORE WE COULD DISCUSS BUT WE'RE OUT OF TIME, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> APPRECIATE IT.

>>> IN THIS WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE'LL TAKE YOU TO DENVER WHERE OUR PBS PARTNERS HAVE DONE A SERIES OF REPORTS ON AFGHAN NATIONALS WHO HAVE MIGRANTED TO THE U.S. FOR A BETTER WAY OF LIFE.

>> THE PAST WEEK WAS THE DARKEST WEEK.

THE GOVERNMENT COLLAPSED, PRESIDENT WAS AMAZED TO LEAVE HIS POSITION, AND OPPORTUNITY GIVEN TO TALIBAN TO COME BACK TO POWER.

ANOTHER BLACK CHAPTER OF OUR HISTORY.

LIKE I MOVED TO -- RIGHT NOW, AND I'M HIDING.

AND WHOEVER USED TO BE WORKING WITH SPECIAL FORCES, R AND COMMANDOS.

MAKE SURE THAT WHEREVER YOU LIVE, KEEP CHANGING YOUR LOCATION WHEREVER YOU ARE, IF YOU'RE LIVING IN KABUL.

EVERY NIGHT FOR ONE HOUR, I NORMALLY INTERVIEW ONE OR TWO OF THEM.

I DEAL WITH MY TIME FOR THEM.

AS SOMEONE GOT US TO DO SOMETHING FOR THEM.

THEY'RE TELLING US STORIES AND WHAT THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH.

WHAT CHALLENGES THEY'RE FACING RIGHT NOW.

LIKE MOST OF THE INTERPRETERS WILL NOT GO OUT FOR SHOPPING AND STUFF.

THEY WOULD BE KILLED.

I HAVE WORKED AS A TELEVISION REPORTER, AND HAD SOME LIVE SHOWS AND RADIO STATIONS.

AND BESIDES THAT, I WAS AN INTERPRETER FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

I HAVE WORKED FOR THEM FOR 11 YEARS.

THERE WAS TWO YEARS I STARTED WORKING FOR THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM THE OTHER CORNER OF THE WORLD AND TRYING TO HELP THE AFTER GONES HERE.

-- AFGHANS OVER HERE.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY WAS THEY WERE -- BETTER THAN OTHER NORMAL JOBS.

I AM HAPPY FOR MY CONSCIENCE, WHAT I DID WAS RIGHT.

AND I HELD THEM, THEY HELPED THE COUNTRY AND THE PEOPLE.

I AM NOT HAPPY, I COULD BE ONE OF THOSE LEFT BEHIND.

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH I MADE IT TO THE UNITED STATES.

I MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES IN 2014.

ENED FROM THE TIME I APPLIED TO THE TIME I GOT MY VISA, IT TOOK ME AROUND TWO YEARS.

IT'S REALLY A LENGTHY PROCESS.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE DEMANDING -- OUR DEMANDING WAS TO THINK ABOUT ALTERNATIVE.

IT'S A LONG PROCESS, THE PEOPLE WILL BE KILLED.

THEY WON'T NEED THE VISA.

EITHER TAKEN TO A THIRD COUNTRY AND POSITIVES THE VISA OR GO ON, PROCESS THE VISA OR HAVE THEM HERE IN ONE OF THE MILITARY BASES AND KEEP THEM THERE, WHEN THEY'RE PROCESSING.

SO WHEN WE SAY CONTRACTORS, AND CONTRACTORS THERE ARE A VARIETY OF PEOPLE, JANITORS, THERE COULD BE COOKS, GUARDS, AND THINK OF IOTA.

WE HAVE 70,000 OF INTERPRETERS AND CONTRACTORS LEFT THE BEHIND.

>> FOR THEIR OWN GAIN, AND I CALLED TALIBAN THE PUPPETS -- WE DON'T NEED ANY FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE IN AFGHANISTAN.

WHAT WE NEED TO BRING SANCTIONS ON PACK STENO, SUPPORT THE AFGHANISTAN GOVERNMENT.

AND SUPPORT THE ARMY THERE, FINANCIALLY THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY.

TO FIGHT.

THEY ARE MORALLY STRONG, AND FIGHTING FOR THEIR COUNTRY, PASSIONATELY.

RIGHT NOW THEY'RE UNDER A HUGE DEAF SITTER AND OWE A LOT OF MONEY TO THE WORLD.

AND PAKISTAN WILL STOP GIVING SAFE HAVENS TO TERRORISM.

AND THEN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ENTIRE REGION, AN ENTIRE WORLD.

THE WRLD WILL BE SAFE, REGION IS SAFE, AND PEACE IN THE ENTIRE WORLD.

>>> ON THE NEXT OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT, REACTION FROM OKLAHOMA BUSINESSES ON THE MANDATE ORDER.

>>> THIS IS THE LAST WEEKEND TO CHECK OUT THE OKLAHOMA CONTEMPORARY SORT -- FOR ALL OF US HERE, STAY SAFE AND HEALTHY, AND STAY TUNED TO OETA.

CAPTIONING PROVIDED BY CAPTION SOLUTIONS, LLC www.captionsolutions.com