CHANCE TO VOTE "YES" ON A MINIMUM WAGE HIKE THIS NOVEMBER.

>> IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SAY OR CHANGE IN OUR STATE, THIS IS A PROCESS THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU.

>> COMBATING A SURGE OF ABSENTEEISM AMONG OKLAHOMA SCHOOL CHILDREN.

>> BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE IF YOU'RE GONNA WIN LIFE, YOU GOTTA BE PRESENT.

AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE GONNA BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> HOW RETURNING OKLAHOMA VETERANS ARE BEING TRAINED TO HELP SOLVE THE NATION'S SHORTAGE OF QUALIFIED TRUCK DRIVERS.

>> IF WE HAVE A SITUATION WITH VETERANS COMING OUT OF THE MILITARY, BEING 178,000 FOLKS WITHOUT A JOB, AND WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS.

LET'S SHORTCUT THIS.

>> WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY ABOUT THE UPCOMING FLU AND COVID SEASON.

>> WE'VE SEEN THAT COVID HAD A SURGE IN THE SUMMER AND SO WE ARE CONCERNED THAT IF PEOPLE DON'T GET VACCINATED, THAT WE COULD SEE AN A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT SURGE.

>> AN INDEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CONCUSSION CONCERNS GROWING, SHOULD PARENTS LET THEIR CHILDREN PLAY OKLAHOMA'S MOST POPULAR SPORT?

>> THERE ARE MORE PARENTS THINKING ABOUT THIS AS A POTENTIAL CONSIDERATION FOR THEIR KIDS.

>> THOSE STORIES, AND MUCH MORE, NEXT ON THE “OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT”.

[♪♪♪♪♪] >> Rich: HELLO EVERYONE, WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," I'M RICH LENZ.

>>> GOVERNOR STITT HAS POSTPONED A VOTE TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE UNTIL 2026.

PROPONENTS SAY IT'S NEEDED NOW AND ONE OF THE STATE'S QUESTION, INCLUDING IN THE NOVEMBER 5TH ELECTION.

WITH MORE ON THEIR REACTION AND THE REASONING BEHIND THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION, WE'RE JOINED NOW BY CAPITAL CORRESPONDENT JASON DOYLE.

>> Jason: RICH, IT'S GOING TO BE ONE OF THE LONGEST WAITS FROM WHEN SIGNATURES WERE GATHERED FOR THE PETITION AND WHEN VOTERS WILL GET TO DECIDE THE ISSUE OF RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE.

>> IT'S GONE ALMOST THE WHOLE WAY.

>> THAT'S OKLAHOMA POLICY INSTITUTE ALLEN DESCRIBES HOW FAR THE QUESTION HAS COME.

THEY ARE IN FAVOR OF PUTTING THE ISSUE OF MINIMUM WAGE BEFORE VOTERS.

THE PROPONENTS OF 832 FILED TO BEGIN THE INITIATIVE PETITION ON OCTOBER 27, 2023.

IT WILL BE MORE THAN A YEAR AND A HALF BEFORE VOTERS WILL SEE IT ON THE JUNE 16, 2026, PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOT.

TO GET TO THIS POINT, THE QUESTION WAS CHALLENGED BY OPPONENTS IN THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT.

THE JUDGES GAVE THE GO AHEAD TO COLLECT SIGNATURES.

THE COLLECTION PROCESS CAME AND WENT WITH MORE SIGNATURES THAN NECESSARY.

NO CHALLENGES WERE FILED DURING THE 10-DAY CHALLENGE PERIOD.

GOVERNOR STITT SET THE ELECTION DATE, SAYING IT WOULD SAVE THE STATE $1800000000 MILLION BY PUTTING IT ON A STATEWIDE ELECTION DATE.

THE GOVERNOR HAD CHOICES TO PLACE THE BALLOT BEFORE VOTERS.

>> HE COULD HAVE SET IT ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT, BUT THAT TIMELINE IS A LITTLE BIT SHORT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS UP TO SPEED BEFORE THE BALLOTS ARE PRINTED.

SO THEN HE HAD UNTIL NOVEMBER 2026 TO PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT.

>> Reporter: THAT INCLUDES GIVING THE STATE QUESTION ITS OWN SPECIAL ELECTION LIKE HE DID WITH THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA LAST YEAR.

>> IT WAS PLACED ON ITS OWN SPECIAL ELECTION BALLOT IN MARCH OF 2023, BUT IN OTHER CASES LIKE WITH MEDICAID EXPANSION, IT WAS PLACED ON THE PRIMARY BALLOT.

>> Reporter: ALLEN NOTES THAT THE GOVERNOR'S MOVE MAY NOT SAVE AS MUCH MONEY AS THOUGHT.

>> IT'S GOING TO COST THE STATE MORE MONEY THAN IF IT WAS PLACED ON THE NOVEMBER 2024 BALLOT.

AGAIN, NOT EVERYONE IS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PRIMARY, SO THEY WILL HAVE TO PRINT BALLOTS FOR ALL REGISTERED VOTERS.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL REGISTERED VOTERS GET TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY.

FOR THE JUNE 2026 PRIMARY, ALL VOTERS WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE ON STATE QUESTION 832.

THE EXTENDED TIME WILL MAKE CAMPAIGNS FOR AND AGAINST QUESTION 832 MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> NOT JUST FOR THE YES CAMPAIGN, THE PETITIONERS, BUT FOR A POTENTIAL NO CAMPAIGN.

THEY WILL HAVE TO SPEND MONEY.

THEY MIGHT START DOING IT NOW AND MAKING IT A TWO YEARLONG PROCESS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE CHAMBER, WHICH HAS COME OUT FOR GRADUALLY RAISING MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 AN HOUR AND TYING IT TO A FEDERAL MEASURE OF INFLATION AGREES.

THE CAMPAIGN WILL COST MORE MONEY.

>> GENERALLY SPEAKING ABILITY CAMPAIGNS, YOU ARE GOING TO A BALLOT THAT IS GOING TO BE A VERY BUSY ELECTION.

YOU WILL HAVE OPEN PRIMARIES FOR ALL STATEWIDE OFFICES AND A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOING ON.

SO THAT'S GOING TO DRIVE UP THE COST.

IT WILL BE A MORE EXPENSIVE CAMPAIGN ON BOTH SIDES FOR THAT BALLOT.

>> DAVENPORT SAYS THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT, IT COULD SAVE MONEY ON AN ELECTION BY PUTTING IT ON A PRIMARY DATE INSTEAD OF HOLDING A SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> HE MAY BE CORRECT THAT IT MAY SAVE MONEY BY NOT HAVING A SPECIAL STATE-WIDE ELECTION, WHICH WILL COST $1 MILLION OR $1.5 MILLION TO RUN IF HE PUTS IT ON A BALLOT WHERE PEOPLE ARE ALREADY COMING TO THE POLLS.

>> ADAM WITH THE STATE CHAMBER SAYS WHILE IT WILL MAKE FOR A LONGER CAMPAIGN, HE GETS WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS COMING FROM BY PLACING IT ON THE JUNE 2026 BALLOT.

>> I UNDERSTAND THE GOVERNOR'S REASONING, THE NEXT STATEWIDE BALLOT.

IT'S HIS AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

IT'S BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD ON HOW WE DO THIS.

REGARDLESS, IT'S A BAD POLICY THEN, IT WILL BE A BAD POLICY IN JUNE 2026, SO WE HAVE A LONGER RUN WAY TO PREPARE.

>> Reporter: LONGER TIME SPAN GIVES THE CHAMBER MORE TIME TO TALK TO VOTERS ABOUT THEIR SIDE OF THE ISSUE.

>> IT CAN BE LINE OR SHORT,OFF TIMES IT'S COMPLICATED BECAUSE IT'S TO CHANGE LAW.

>> Reporter: DAVENPORT SAYS THE GOVERNOR HAS NOT OFFICIALLY COME OUT ON A SIDE ON THE ISSUE, IT COULD BE TELLING AS THE CAMPAIGN ROLLS THROUGH 2025, TO THE MIDPOINT OF 2026.

>> Jason: I THINK WHERE QUESTIONS BECOME EVIDENT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO IMPACT THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE IS THE TIMING OF WHEN THE ELECTION WAS CHOSEN TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT, WHICH THE PRIMARY ELECTION OF 2026.

>> DAVENPORT SAY THEY HAVE PETITION TO WIN VOTER SUPPORT HAS BEEN A MIXED BAG.

>> IT'S BEEN RELATIVELY SUCCESSFUL, SO WE HAVE SEEN THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA PETITION, WHICH WAS SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAVE SEEN THE MEDICAID EXPANSION PETITION, THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL.

SO, WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THESE THAT HAVE DONE VERY WELL.

NOW NOT ALL OF THEM.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME IN THE PAST THAT DID NOT, WERE NOT AS SUCCESSFUL.

>> DESPITE THE UPHILL BATTLE THEY FACE, PUBLIC POLICY COLE ALLEN SAYS THEY SHOULD AVAIL THEMSELVES OF THE PROCESS TO MAKE THE CHANGES THEY DESIRE.

>> IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO SAY OR CHANGE IN OUR STATE, THIS IS A PROCESS THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR YOU.

MAYBE GET TOGETHER WITH SOME FRIENDS, PULL SOME OF THAT MONEY.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE A CHANGE MADE TO THIS PROCESS, IT IS YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO DO SO.

>> FUTURE INITIATIVE PETITIONINGS WILL HAVE TO FACE LONGER TIME BECAUSE LEGISLATURE EXTENDED THEM WHEN THEY CHANGED THE LAW, MEANING IT WILL TAKE LONGER TO REACH THE BALLOT.

RICH.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU.

MORE OKLAHOMA PARENTS ARE GIVING IT A SECOND THOUGHT ON LETTING THEIR KIDS PLAY TACKLE FOOTBALL.

WHAT HAPPENED LAST WEEK MADE THOSE FEEL THAT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AFTER THIS HIT NEAR THE BUFFALO BILLS, PEOPLE ARE URGING TUA TO RETIRE.

WHAT ABOUT YOUNG ATHLETES AT THE HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE LEVEL?

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD, HERE'S A PREVIEW.

>> Reporter: YOU SEE A LOT OF THESE THINGS ON THE NEWS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND A HIGH PROFILE CONCUSSION CASES MAY MAKE PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT ALLOWING THEIR CHILD PLAY AND WE HAVE CASES WHERE IT'S COLLEGE OR PROFESSIONAL OR LOCAL LEAGUES COMMUNICATING EVERYTHING IS FINE.

I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A HEALTHY BALANCE.

>> I TALKED TO PARENTS THAT HAVE FELT OX OSTRACIZED OR JUDGED FOR NOT LETTING THEIR CHILD PLAY TARGETS FOOTBALL WHEN IT'S A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE MORE PARENTS THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> WHEN WE HAVE A STUDENT ATHLETE OR PEOPLE IN THAT INDIVIDUAL CIRCLE THAT SEES CERTAIN SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION, THEY ARE ABLE TO REMOVE THAT STUDENT ATHLETE AND MAKE SURE THEY GET SEEN BY A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AND ULTIMATELY, BEFORE THEY RETURN, THAT THEY GO THROUGH THE PROPER PROTOCOLS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE TO GET BACK IN THE CLASS ROOM AND ON TO THE FIELD.

>> Rich: THE REST OF THAT CONVERSATION COMING UP LATER IN THIS NEWSCAST.

>>> CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM IS SURGING IN OKLAHOMA.

SINCE THE COVID PANDEMIC, MORE STUDENTS ARE MISSING MORE TIME IN THE CLASSROOM AND THAT LEARNING LAWS ARE SHOWING UPMOST WHEN IT COMES TO READING, WRITING, AND ARITHMETIC.

TAELYR JACKSON JOINS US NOW WITH MORE DETAILS.

>> Taelyr: 29% OF STUDENTS ARE CHRONICALLY ABSENT DURING THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR.

A NON-PROFIT CALLS FOR CHANGE IN OKLAHOMA'S TRUANCY POLICY.

NATIONALLY, ABSENTEEISM HAS REMAINED AN ISSUE FOR YEARS.

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR, OVER 7 MILLION STUDENTS MISSED 15 DAYS OR MORE.

THIS MONTH, THE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH RELEASED A REPORT ON OKLAHOMA'S TRUANCY AND ABSENTEEISM PROBLEM.

>> APPLE SEED WORKS ON A RANGE OF ISSUES, MOSTLY INVOLVING CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES AND EDUCATION JUSTICE ISSUES.

TRUANCY IS ONE THAT REALLY CAN FALL RIGHT IN THAT INTERSECTION BETWEEN AN EDUCATION ISSUE, BUT ALSO IN SOME CIRCUMSTANCES CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE GOAL OF THE REPORT WAS TO UNDERSTAND HOW SCHOOLS ARE DEALING WITH THE RISE OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.

>> OUR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES OR TRUANCY BEING HANDLED AND WHAT IS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM PLAYING IN CASES WHERE STUDENTS OR PARENTS ARE FOUND TO BE IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE'S COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAWS.

>> Reporter: IT REVEALED THAT STUDENTS THAT VIOLATE THE COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAW ARE TREATED IN VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS BUT UNDERSTANDING THE FULL NUMBER OF TRUANCY CASES IN THE STATE IS A BIT COMPLICATED.

>> WE DID FIND THAT BETWEEN 2012 AND 2022, WHEN OKLAHOMA HAD 14,000 TRUANCY CASES CHARGED IN DISTRICT COURTS IN OKLAHOMA.

WE COULD SEE CERTAIN TRENDS THERE.

IT SEEMED LIKE THE NUMBER OF CHARGES WERE ON THE DECLINE.

THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE CASES FILED IN MUNICIPAL COURTS UNDER CITY ORDINANCES .

>> Reporter: A STUDENT IS CONSIDERED CHRONICALLY ABSENT AFTER MISSING 10% SCHOOL DAYS, IN A 180 SCHOOL CALENDAR.

>> THAT COULD BE FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENTS OR EXCUSED ABSENCES, LIKE WHEN A CHILD IS SICK OR THEY ARE OUT FOR A FUNERAL OR SOMETHING THEY RECEIVED A PERMISSION FOR.

>> SO IT EFFECTS SCHOOLS WITH HIGH CONCENTRATIONS OF LOW INCOME STUDENTS.

IT EFFECTS SCHOOLS WITH LARGE MINORITY POPULATIONS THE MOST.

WE KNOW THAT AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS, NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS, STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ALL ARE ABSENT AT CONSIDERABLY HIGHER RATES.

THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE NO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE BEEN IMMUNE FROM THIS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE RECEIVED AN F FOR CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM DURING THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR ON THE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL REPORT CARD.

TO COMBAT ABSENTEEISM, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE ARE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO GET THE STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM REGULARLY.

>> YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY WELL, I CAN DO THE MAKE UP WORK.

I CAN CATCH UP AND DO IT THAT WAY, WHICH OF COURSE YOU CAN DO.

STUDENTS ALSO MISS OUT ON THE BENEFIT OF THE INTERACTION WITH THE OTHER STUDENTS, THE CONVERSATION WHERE THE REALLY DEEPER UNDERSTANDING GOES.

AS A RESULT, IT CAN REALLY HAVE A SEVERE IMPACT AND THE RESEARCH SHOWS THAT STUDENTS THAT MISS -- IF YOU HAVE THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OF CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM, IT CAN EQUATE TO A FULL YEAR OF LOST LEARNING, WHICH CAN BE A BIG DEAL WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING TO GRADUATE.

>> Reporter: UNION PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS AN ABSENTEEISM RATE OF 30%.

CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER CHRISTOPHER SAYS THAT ABSENTEEISM HAS REMAINED HIGH SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS, WE WERE TRYING TO PROTECT STUDENTS AND STAFF DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S HAPPENED IS THAT WE WERE TELLING STUDENTS, YOU KNOW, IT'S OKAY NOT TO BE HERE.

WELL NOW THAT THE CRISIS IS LARGELY OVER, THE BEHAVIOR HASN'T CHANGED.

SO PEOPLE ARE -- PARENTS AND STUDENTS HAVE BEEN A LITTLE MORE LOOSE ABOUT BEING PRESENT AT SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: THE UNION LAUNCHED THEIR BE PRESENT TO LEARN CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE.

>> WE FEEL LIKE IF YOU'RE GOING TO WIN AT LIFE, YOU HAVE TO BE PRESENT.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

WE'VE BEEN POKING FUN AT SOME OF THE CRAZY EXCUSES THE STUDENTS USE TO BE GONE.

FROM SPACE ALIEN CHASING, YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT'S GOAL IS TO LOWER THEIR ABSENTEEISM NUMBER BY 3% OR MORE.

>> WE HAVE A DAILY ATTENDANCE RATE RIGHT NOW THAT IS AROUND 90%.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THAT UP TO ABOUT 93%.

IF WE DO THAT, THAT WOULD HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON BRINGING ABSENTEEISM DOWN.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT CHRONIC ABSENCES VARY BY SCHOOL IN THE UNION DISTRICT.

>> SOME OF THE ELEMENTARIES ARE IN THE LOW TEENS, WHICH IS GOOD.

SOME OF THEM ARE CLOSER TO THE -- I THINK THE HIGH IN ELEMENTARY IS 20% IN A SCHOOL.

WE DEFINITELY SEE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM RISING THE FURTHER UP YOU GO.

SO SECONDARY, THERE IS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM.

>> Taelyr: DISTRICTS LIKE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND PUTMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE WORKING ON CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM.

>> Rich: VERY INTERESTING, THANK YOU TAELYR.

>>> THEY ARE LOOKING FOR MASS GRAVES RESULTING IN THE 1921 RACE MASSACRE IN TULSA.

THE AREA IS CALLED THE CANE AND IT'S LOCATED NEXT TO A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS NEAR THE ARKANSAS RIVER.

THE PROCESS BEGAN WITH SUB SURFACE SCANNING EQUIPMENT AND THEN CORE SAMPLES WERE COLLECTED AFTERWARDS.

THE RESULTS ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED FOR SEVERAL WEEKS.

>>> THE PRESIDENT OF OKLAHOMA'S LARGEST PRIVATE TRUCKING SCHOOL HAS RETURNED AFTER A TRIP TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

JEROME REDMOND WAS CALLED TO ADDRESS THE QUALIFIED TRUCK DRIVERS AND HOW MILITARY VETERANS ARE TRAINED TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL AND HELP FIX A SIGNIFICANT KINK IN THE NATION'S SUPPLY CHAIN.

STEVE SHAW HAS OUR REPORT.

>> Reporter: CHRIS STOCKTON IS A MOORE RESIDENT AND OLDER BROTHER OF FORMER OU GREAT AND CHICAGO BEAR DEFENSIVE TACKLE DUSTY.

>> YOU CAN ALSO SEE A LOT MORE WHEN YOU'RE UP HERE.

YOU FEEL A LOT SAFER THAN BEING DOWN ON THE GROUND IN A CAR.

>> Reporter: STOCKTON SERVED IN THE NAVY FROM 1999 UNTIL 2008 IN COUNTRIES THAT INCLUDED SINGAPORE, THAILAND, AND THE PHILIPPINES.

WHEN HE GOT OUT, IT ONE EASY.

>> I STRUGGLED, LOOKING FOR JOBS HERE AND THERE, CAR SALES, DEAD END JOBS.

>> Reporter: EIGHT YEARS AGO, STOCKTON SAID HE HEARD A RADIO COMMERCIAL THAT CLAIMED IF YOU EARN A COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE OR CDL THROUGH AMERICAN TRUCK TRAINING, YOU WILL MAKEOVER $50,000 IN YOUR FIRST YEAR.

>> WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE, I MEAN EVERYBODY IN MY FAMILY WAS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHAT?

I MEAN I NEVER BACKED A BOAT.

I NEVER -- LIKE I SAID, I NEVER DRIVEN A TRACTOR OF ANY KIND.

I NEVER EVEN OWNED A PICK UP.

IT WAS ALL BRAND NEW BUT I'LL TELL YOU, THAT FIRST TIME YOU GET OUT THERE ON YOUR OWN AFTER DOING YOUR INITIAL TRAINING AND YOU GET ON THAT FIRST LOAD AND YOU ARE IN THE TRUCK, THERE IS NOTHING LIKE IT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO FIGURES FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION, THERE ARE 178,000 VETERANS EACH YEAR WHO LEAVE THE MILITARY WITHOUT A JOB LINED UP.

OTHER STATISTICS SHOW THAT ONLY 1 IN 4 VETERANS WHO LEAVE THE MILITARY HAS A JOB LINED UP.

AMERICAN TRUCK TRAINING PRESIDENT JEROME REDMOND TRAVELED TO WASHINGTON D.C. AND LITERALLY THE WHITE HOUSE IN JULY.

HE WAS CALLED THERE AS PART OF A TASK FORCE CALLED TASK FORCE MOVEMENT.

>> ONE IS WAY TOO MANY.

178,000 WAS A NUMBER WHEN I HEARD IN THE MEETING, IT LITERALLY STARTLED ME.

LITERALLY I HAD A PHYSICAL REACTION TO 178,000 OF OUR WONDERFUL SERVICE MEMBERS BEING UNEMPLOYED AFTER TRANSITIONING OUT OF THE MILITARY.

THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AS LONG AS I'M ALIVE.

I'M GOING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO REDUCE THAT NUMBER TO 0.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE TASK FORCE WAS FORMED BY THE HEAD OF THE FEDERAL MOTOR SAFETY ADMINISTRATION.

THEY DISCUSSED NEW WAYS TO PARTNER WITH VETERANS.

>> THERE ARE ALREADY SOME GREAT VETERAN PROGRAMS LIKE STEEL BRIDGE, TAPS PROGRAM, BUT WHY NOT HAVE ONE SPECIFIC TO TRUCKING.

TRUCKING IS A VALUABLE OCCUPATION IN OUR STATE AND COUNTRY, WE'RE STILL 80,000 TRUCK DRIVERS SHORT IN OUR COUNTRY.

IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING, THAT NUMBER WILL CONTINUE TO RISE OR BETTER YET, WE NEED TO DO MORE.

WHO BETTER THAN IF WE HAVE A SITUATION WITH VETERANS COMING OUT OF THE MILITARY, BEING 178,000 FOLKS WITHOUT A JOB, AND WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF DRIVERS, LET'S SHORTCUT THIS AND BRIDGE THE GAP FOR VETERANS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> THE PANDEMIC SHOWED THAT WHAT I'VE BEEN SCREAMING ALL THESE YEARS THAT HOW IMPORTANT TRUCK DRIVERS ARE TO OUR ECONOMY.

YOU KNOW, MY DAD IS A -- JUST A QUICK BACKGROUND, MY DAD IS EIGHTH GRADE EDUCATED.

IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA, YOU DON'T NEED A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA TO GET A CDL.

THAT'S HOW MY DAD FED OUR FAMILY.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN EARN YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE IN AS LITTLE AS 4 TO 6 WEEKS.

HIS COMPANY GRADUATES AROUND 500 NEW TRUCKERS EACH YEAR.

>> NOW WE SAY 4 TO 6 IN PART DUE TO SOME FOLKS STRUGGLE A LITTLE BIT.

MY DAD, EIGHTH GRADE EDUCATED STRUGGLED TO GET A CDL.

WE ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE.

>> Reporter: CHRIS STOCKTON IS CURRENTLY A TRAINER FOR FRY MILLER TRUCKING IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, I FELT LIKE I WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH TIME DRIVING.

I THINK IT WAS JUST BECAUSE I WAS STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT.

IT WAS BRAND NEW TO ME.

I CAME TO HIM AND I SAID HEY, I KNOW THE WEEKEND, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR AND THIS AND THAT.

I DON'T THINK THE G.I.

BILL IS GOING TO COVER IT.

I NEED A LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA WORK.

HE SAID SHOW UP THIS WEEKEND AND WE'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU.

THAT LITTLE BIT OF EXTRA TRAINING GOT ME RIGHT THROUGH TO GET MY CDL.

>> Reporter: EVERETT RETIRED FROM THE AIR FORCE IN 2020 AFTER 20 YEARS OF SERVICE.

HE STARTED TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL IN AUGUST AND JUST TOOK HIS FINAL DRIVING EXAM A FEW DAYS AGO.

HE SAYS HE FEELS FOR ANYBODY LEAVING THE MILITARY.

>> A LOT OF THINGS GO THROUGH MY MIND, CONSIDERING THE ENVIRONMENT WE LIVE IN NOW.

IT'S DISAPPOINTING TO ME BECAUSE THESE GUYS GO OUT.

>> IT'S NOT JUST GUYS.

>> AND GIRLS.

MEN AND WOMEN GO OUT, THEY ARE SERVING THEIR COUNTRY, THEY COME BACK AND THEY DON'T HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO HELP THEM TRANSITION OR THEY DON'T HAVE PROGRAMS IN PLACE, MAYBE LIKE A TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL, SOMETHING TO TRANSITION FROM WHAT THEIR SKILL SET WAS IN THE MILITARY TO NOW.

THE HARDEST THING WHEN I RETIRED IS MAKING THAT TRANSITION.

MY DAD WAS A TRUCK DRIVER, AND I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE COOL.

>> HAVE YOU SEEN SMOKING A BANDIT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I LOVE THAT SHOW.

I WAS LIKE IT WOULD BE COOL TO DRIVE A TRUCK.

THE COOL THING ABOUT THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, THERE ARE SO MANY AVENUES YOU CAN GO NOW.

YOU CAN WORK FOR YOURSELF, IT DOESN'T MATTER, IT'S A HIDDEN GEM.

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

>> IT USE TO BE THAT YOU JUST PREPARE FOR THE COLD AND FLU SEASON AND NOW IT'S THE COLD, FLU, AND COVID SEASON.

NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE VACCINATED AND PREPARED TO SPEND MORE TIME INDOORS.

>> WE'RE JOINED BY DR. McCOY, WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES.

DOCTOR, HOW IS THE FALL AND WINTER MONTHS SHAPING UP IN TERMS OF THE ANTICIPATION OF THE FLU AND COVID OUTBREAKS?

>> THE VIRUS TENDS TO PEAK IN THE WINTER ALTHOUGH COVID TENDS TO BE AROUND ALL YEAR ROUND.

IN THE WINTER, IT TENDS TO BE WORSE.

THE FLU SEASON IS A LITTLE BIT OF AN UNKNOWN.

WE DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF FLU SEASON WE WILL HAVE.

THE COMBINATION OF VIRUSES, OF COVID, FLU, AND POTENTIALLY RSV, COULD MAKE IT A DIFFICULT SEASON IF PEOPLE DON'T USE ALL THE TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US.

>> DOCTOR, LAST YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR THAT THERE WERE VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE BIG THREE, FLU, R.S.V., AND COVID.

DID PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT?

>> WHEN PEOPLE DON'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT, THAT'S WHEN WE SEE PROBLEMS DOWN THE LINE.

SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE REALLY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO USE ALL THE TOOLS.

LAST YEAR, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD OBVIOUSLY THE COVID VACCINE AVAILABLE TO US FOR A FEW YEARS AND THE FLU VACCINE.

THE FLU VACCINE WAS NEW FOR OLDER ADULTS.

I THINK WE'RE GETTING MORE TOOLS IN OUR TOOL BOX AND WE NEED TO USE ALL THE PREVENTATIVE HEALTH MEASURES WE CAN.

>> Rich: WHAT ARE WE SEEING IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FLU AND COVID?

ARE THEY GOING UP, DOWN, STABLE?

>> VACCINATION AND SOME BECAUSE PEOPLE HAD COVID INFECTIONS, HAVE PROVIDED A LEVEL OF IMMUNITY.

SO WE'RE NOT SEEING AN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS.

WE'RE NOT SEEING AN INCREASE IN DEATHS.

SO THAT'S THE REALLY GOOD NEWS.

SO WE'RE MUMP -- MUCH BETTER PROTECTED THAN AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE AND NOT ONLY THE VACCINES, BUT NOW WE HAVE TREATMENT FOR BOTH COVID AND FLU.

SO IF SOMEBODY AT HIGH RISK GOT THOSE INFECTIONS, THERE ARE ALSO TREATMENTS.

SO THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS, BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING SICK.

THEY'RE NOT GETTING HOSPITALIZED.

>> WHAT DOES THE C.D.C.

RECOMMEND WHO SHOULD AND WHO SHOULDN'T GET A COVID VACCINATION THIS FALL?

>> THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE SHOULD GET THE COVID VACCINE THIS FALL.

REALLY THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE ARE THOSE WHO HAD AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO THE COVID VACCINE AND IN THAT CASE, THERE COULD BE AN ALTERNATIVE VACCINE TO BE USED.

THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE THAT SHOULDN'T GET THE VACCINE.

THE C.D.C.

IS RECOMMENDING THAT EVERYBODY OVER THE AGE OF 6 MONTHS SHOULD GET FLU AND COVID.

SO FOR MOST PEOPLE, EVERYBODY OVER THE AGE OF 5, IT'S 1 SHOT OF COVID, 1 SHOT OF THE FLU VACCINE.

>> DR. McCOY, FOR THOSE WHO DECIDE NOT TO GET VACCINATED, ARE THERE WAYS THEY CAN MITIGATE GETTING SICK THIS UPCOMING FALL AND WINTER?

>> YOU KNOW, THERE IS ALWAYS THE COMMON SENSE MEASURES.

THEY SHOULD PROBABLY AVOID LARGE CROWDS, THEY SHOULD MASK IF THEY GO TO LARGE PUBLIC PLACES WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IF THEY GET SICK, THEY SHOULD STAY HOME.

THEY SHOULDN'T BE AROUND PEOPLE WHO ARE SICK.

GOOD HAND HYGIENE, HEALTHY FOODS, STAYING HYDRATED, ALL THE THINGS WE RECOMMEND TO STAY HEALTHY.

WE HOPE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH THEIR CLINICIANS, WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ABOUT THE VACCINE AND OVERTIME, RECONSIDER.

>> DR. McCOY BEFORE WE LET YOU GO, ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW AS WE ENTER THE FLU AND COVID SEASON?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF MYTHS ABOUT THE VACCINES.

THEY SEEM TO HAVE GROWN OVERTIME.

SO REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO FIND A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER THEY TRUST, HAVE AN HONEST CONVERSATION WITH THEM ABOUT THEIR CONCERNS, AND TRY TO SEE IF THOSE CAN BE ADDRESSED, SO THAT FOLKS CAN KEEP THEIR FAMILIES HEALTHY AND THEIR COMMUNITIES HEALTHY.

>> DR. McCOY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

>> Rich: WELL OSU OFFICIALS MARKED THE GRAND OPENING OF THE FERGUSON COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE A TRADITIONAL RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AND INSTEAD THEY BROKE BREAD.

IT'S AN OSU TRADITION THAT DATES BACK TO 1969 WHEN THE ORIGINAL AG HALL, NOW LEGACY HALL WAS FORMALLY DEDICATED.

I IS A COLLEGE ADMISSION TO HELP FEED THE WORLD.

STUDENTS HAVE BEEN LEARNING HOW TO UTILIZE THE WHEAT THEY GROW SINCE CLASSES BEGAN IN AUGUST.

>> THE INTERACTION WITH OUR FACULTY AND STUDENTS IN THIS BUILDING IS REALLY UNSURPASSED.

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE YEARS TO COME AS WE GET TO MAKE THIS BUILDING OUR HOME.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.

I FEEL VERY CONFIDENT THAT OUR MISSION IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH OUR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS.

>> THIS PROJECT EMBODIES OUR LAND GRANT MISSION AND SUPPORTS THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT OSU PLAYS IN THE LIVES OF OKLAHOMANS AND THE OKLAHOMA ECONOMY.

THIS FACILITY WILL STRENGTHEN OSU'S POSITION AS A LEADER IN INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT AND FURTHER OSU'S TRADITION OF PRODUCING TALENTED GRADUATES TO FUEL OKLAHOMA'S AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES WORKFORCE.

>> Rich: THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW BUILDING CAPPED OFF THE SCHOOL'S ANNUAL WEEK LONG LAND GRANT CELEBRATION.

>>> THE BUSINESS EMPIRE IS GROWING AND SO IS THEIR HEADQUARTERS.

THIS IS THE BUSINESS REVIEW WITH JASON DOYLE.

>> A SIGN THAT IT CONTINUES TO GROW, PAYCOM IS EXPANDING ITS HEADQUARTERS.

THE PLAN IS TO ADD ANOTHER 315,000 SQUARE FEET TO THE 500,000 SQUARE FEET IN USE.

SINCE 2019, PAYCOM HAS GROWN BY 94%, ADDING MORE THAN 7,300 EMPLOYEES.

ON AVERAGE, IT'S CHEAPER TO MORTGAGE A HOME THAN RENT ONE IN OKLAHOMA CITY, THAT'S THE FINDING OF REAL ESTATE COMPANY ZILLOW IN AN ANALYSIS OF THE 50 LARGEST METRO AREAS IN THE U.S. OKLAHOMA CITY IS ONE OF 22 CITIES WHERE IT'S CHEAPER TO BUY A HOUSE THAN RENT.

ACCORDING TO ZILLOW, IT COST $1,373 TO RENT AND $1,185 TO BUY IN OKC.

THEY WANT TO BUILD OUT HIGH SPEED FIBER TO HOME INTERNET SERVICES IN SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA AND NORTHERN TEXAS.

THE PLAN IS TO EXTEND TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND NEW MARKETS IN THE AREA.

MORE THAN 150 LINEMEN AND SUPPORT STAFF HAVE RETURNED FROM A 5-DAY DEPORTMENT TO LOUISIANA TO RESTORE POWER TO 15,000 UTILITY CUSTOMERS, RECOVERING IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE FRANCINE.

THEY WORK 16-HOUR DAYS TO REPAIR BROKEN POLLS TO REPLACING TRANSFORMERS.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU.

9-1-8 DAY WAS CREATED TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE PROGRESS MADE IN THE TULSA METRO AREA.

ON WEDNESDAY, G.T.

BYNUM PARTICIPATED IN HIS LAST 9-1-8 DAY WHILE IN OFFICE AND IT BEGAN AT 9:18 A.M. AND ENDED AT 9:18 P.M. ANDREW HAS OUR REPORT.

>> IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR THE CITY, PERIOD.

>> Reporter: ON HIS 7th AND FINAL 9-1-8 DAY, G.T.

BYNUM SQUEEZES AS MUCH AS HE CAN OUT OF THE TULSA CELEBRATION.

>> WE STARTED THIS YEAR AS A WAY TO CELEBRATE ALL THE GREAT THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING ACROSS THE CITY.

THERE IS SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM IN TULSA FOR THE GOOD THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING.

WE DIDN'T HAVE A WAY TO FOCUS ATTENTION ON ALL OF THAT.

>> Reporter: HE STARTED AT THE MARKET.

>> THIS IS FROM WAY MORE THAN I EXPECTED WHEN WE KICKED IT OFF.

INITIALLY, WE JUST THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING FUN THAT A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE WOULD BE EXCITED ABOUT.

THE WAY IT'S BEEN EMBRACED, BY HIGHER ED, BY EVERYDAY PEOPLE ACROSS OUR CITY, IT'S JUST BEEN REALLY COOL.

I THINK IT REFLECTS THE EXCITEMENT AND THE PRIDE THAT TULSANS HAVE FOR THIS MOMENT IN OUR CITY AND WHAT TULSA IS AND IS BECOMING.

SO, IT'S WAY BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS WHEN WE STARTED THIS OFF.

>> Reporter: NEXT STEP ON THE 9-1-8 DAY MARATHON WAS A GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE NEW ANIMAL SHELTER BEING BUILT FOR THE TULSA ANIMAL WELFARE, JUST SOUTH OF THE TULSA ZOO.

>> YEAH.

>> Reporter: BYNUM SPEAKS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE.

>> FOR THOSE OF US WHO HAVE ADOPTED A PET FROM TULSA ANIMAL WELFARE, I REMEMBER GOING THERE AND ADOPTING OUR DOG BLUE.

WE NAMED HIM THAT BECAUSE HE'S THE OLDEST DOG IN THE WORLD.

WE WENT THERE TO ADOPT HIM AND THERE WAS NOWHERE FOR US TO PLAY WITH HIM.

IT WAS A CRAMP SPACE.

ALL OF THE KENNELS IN THE FACILITY WERE PACKED AND IT WAS HUMID AND HOT.

IT WAS TERRIBLE.

THE REALITY IS THAT THEY HAVE TO WORK IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR DECADES NOW.

WE ASKED ANIMALS TO LIVE IN THAT ENVIRONMENT FOR DECADES NOW.

>> Reporter: THE NEW FACILITY WILL BE 25,000 SQUARE FEET WITH 300 KENNELS TO ACCOMMODATE ANIMALS OF ALL SIZES AND NEEDS.

>> WE WILL INCLUDE SPACE FOR A CLINIC AND A SURGICAL CENTER.

WE'LL HAVE ROOMS WHERE YOU ARE THINKING OF ADOPTION AND YOU WANT TO GET ISOLATED, JUST TO GET TO KNOW THE ANIMALS ONE-ON-ONE.

WE HAVE ROOMS FOR THAT, AS WELL AS MEETING SPACE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MEET THEM AT THE SHELTER.

THIS IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT TRULY REFLECTS THE LOVE THAT TULSA HAS FOR ANIMALS.

ANOTHER MAYOR WILL GET TO OPEN THIS THING.

I AM EXCITED TO BE HERE TO BREAK THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: AND BYNUM ENJOYS HIS VICTORY LAP AS HE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE.

>> I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT THE NEXT MAYOR DOES.

THE REALITY IS THAT WHEN WE STARTED OUT, THIS WAS LARGELY A CITY GOVERNMENT DEAL.

TODAY WHERE WE ARE IN 2024, WHAT WE'RE DOING AS A CITY GOVERNMENT, ON 918 DAY ACROSS THE CITY.

>> Reporter: ANDREW HARTSHORN, THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>> Rich: THE MOST POPULAR SPORT IN AMERICA AND OKLAHOMA IS FOOTBALL, BUT WITH THE INCREASING AWARENESS OF THE DANGERS OF CONCUSSIONS, MANY OKLAHOMA PARENTS ARE RECONSIDERING IF THEY WANT THEIR CHILDREN TO STRAP ON A HELMET.

THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK'S IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH CASSIDY MUDD.

>> Cassidy: JOINING US IS WALKER, THE PRESIDENT OF THE TRAINERS ASSOCIATION WHO IS NOW THE HEAD TRAINER A UCONN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY THE COFOUNDER OF CONCUSSION ALLIANCE.

AND DR. JULIE STAMM IN THE DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME TODAY.

>> YOU BET.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US.

>> Cassidy: JULIE, YOU WROTE THE BOOK ON THIS VERY TOPIC.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE SITUATION WE'RE SEEING ACROSS THE UNITED STATES WITH PEOPLE'S CONCEPTION AND UNDERSTANDING OF CONCUSSIONS.

>> YEARS AND YEARS, WE'VE REALLY SEEN THE CONCERN ABOUT CONCUSSIONS RISE, WHICH IS GOOD.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT AND THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF MISCONCEPTIONS.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY, EDUCATION IS UP, THE NUMBER OF CONCUSSIONS BEING DIAGNOSED IS UP BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW TO REPORT THE CONCUSSIONS, THEY KNOW WHAT A CONCUSSION IS BEFORErd -- BETTER THAN BEFORE.

THERE IS CONCERN WITH THAT, WHERE WE'RE DIAGNOSING MORE, WE'RE MANAGING THESE BETTER THAN WE HAVE BEFORE, BUT THEY'RE ALSO THE SIDE OF -- THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN.

SO SOMETIMES MORE CONCERN WHEN WE THINK THAT THE INSTANCE CONCUSSIONS IS HIGHER THAN IT REALLY IS.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE'RE RESPECTING THE INJURIES IN WAYS THAT IT HASN'T BEEN IN THE PAST.

>> IN THE LIGHT OF RECENT NFL INCIDENTS, LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO TUA TAGOVAILOA, WHAT DO YOU THINK THOSE HIGH PROFILE INJURIES ARE BEING RECEIVED HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> YEAH, IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY -- UNFORTUNATELY, YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE AN ATHLETE HAVE AN INJURY LIKE HE HAD, BUT IT BRINGS CONCUSSION TO THE FOREFRONT AND GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS ABOUT THAT, OUR STUDENTS, TEACHERS, PARENTS, COACHES, AND JUST THOSE INVESTED IN THESE KIDS.

>> Cassidy: DO YOU THINK WE'RE SEEING PARENTS HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS ON LETTING THEIR KIDS JOIN THESE CONTACT SPORTS?

>> I THINK THERE IS MORE PARENT -- THERE ARE MORE PARENTS THINKING ABOUT THIS AS A POTENTIAL CONSIDERATION FOR THEIR KIDS.

I THINK THAT THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF, ESPECIALLY IN REALLY FOOTBALL PREDOMINANT STATES AND CITIES, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF PRESSURE.

I TALKED TO PARENTS WHO FEEL LIKE THEY'VE HAD -- SORRY.

I TALKED TO PARENTS WHO HAVE FELL OSTRACIZED OR JUDGED FOR NOT LETTING THEIR KIDS PLAY TACKLE FOOTBALL WHEN THAT IS A BIG PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF IMPROVEMENT HAPPENING IN THAT SPACE AND THERE ARE MORE PARENTS THINKING ABOUT IT AND THINKING ABOUT WHEN THEY'RE STARTING TACKLE FOOTBALL FOR THEIR KIDS.

I THINK THAT PARTICULARLY WITH FOOTBALL, IT'S SORT OF CULTURAL IMPACT AND HOW MUCH IT EFFECT IT IS SOCIAL FABRIC OF SO MANY CITIES AND STATES ACROSS THE U.S.

THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

PEOPLE STILL DON'T TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE DECISIONS THAT GO INTO IT.

>> Cassidy: SO THEY'RE STILL WILLING TO TAKE THE RISK BECAUSE THEY'RE WORRIED WHAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE IF THEY'RE NOT PARTICIPATING?

>> WELL, NOT NECESSARILY.

POTENTIALLY, IT'S HARDER TO MAKE AN INFORMED CLEAR DECISION WHEN THERE IS STIGMA AND SOCIAL PRESSURE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE DECISION THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS OR YOUR FRIENDS OR YOUR KIDS' PARENTS ARE MAING OR YOUR KIDS FRIENDS PARENTS ARE MAKING.

>> Cassidy: ARE DECISIONS MADE EDUCATED HERE IN OKLAHOMA?

>> I THINK WE DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF EDUCATING OUR COACHES, OUR PARENTS, AND OUR KIDS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S THE BIGGEST -- ONE OF THE BIGGEST -- NOT PREVENTION, BUT DEFINITELY WHEN WE HAVE A STUDENT ATHLETE OR THE PEOPLE IN THAT INDIVIDUAL CIRCLE THAT SEES CERTAIN SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION, THAT THEY'RE ABLE TO REMOVE THAT STUDENT ATHLETE, TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SEEN BY A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL AND ULTIMATELY, BEFORE THEY RETURN, THAT THEY GO THROUGH THE PROPER PROTOCOLS TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE SAFE TO GET BACK IN A CLASSROOM AND ON TO THE FIELD.

>> Cassidy: WELL, DR.

STALL, DO YOU THINK PARENTS ARE INFORMED ENOUGH TO MAKE THESE DECISION?

>> IN SOME CASES, YES, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S EVERYWHERE.

THERE IS MUCH MORE EDUCATION GOING INTO IT NOW AND THE EDUCATION HAS IMPROVED BUT IT NEEDS TO BE MORE IN MANY PLACES.

IF WE'RE JUST GIVING A HANDOUT, THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.

WE NEED TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS.

I THINK YOU SEE A LOT OF THESE THINGS ON THE NEWS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, LIKE MORE HIGH PROFILE CONCUSSION CASES MAY MAKE PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT ALLOWING THEIR KIDS PLAY AND WE HAVE CASES WHERE WHETHER IT'S COLLEGE, PROFESSIONAL, OR LOCAL LEAGUES COMMUNICATING THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE.

I THINK THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A HEALTHY BALANCE OF CONCERNS SO WE TAKE THESE INJURIES SERIOUSLY, SO WE PROTECT THE BRAIN AND BODY.

SPORTS ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.

WE WANT KIDS TO PLAY SPORTS, IT'S HOW DO WE ALLOW THEM TO PLAY THESE SPORTS AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Cassidy: AND TALKING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EDUCATION HERE IN OKLAHOMA, YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF UCONN PUBLIC SCHOOLS' TRAINING PROGRAM, SO WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET PEOPLE PREPARED AND PREVENTATIVE IN STUFF LIKE THAT?

>> SURE, SO FOR OUR COACHES, WE ALWAYS DO AN ANNUAL TRAINING, WHICH IS ALSO REQUIRED BY LAW.

WE TRY TO DO AS MUCH EDUCATION FOR OUR PARENTS, FOR OUR KIDS, WE ALSO DO IN OUR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WE DO INFORMATION FOR OUR TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS, SO THEY HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL TO GET BACK INTO A CLASSROOM.

THEN OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS, THEY ARE STILL STUDENTS.

WHEN YOU HAVE A BRAIN THAT IS INJURED, STEPPING BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM COULD BE A CHALLENGE FOR THEM.

THEY COULD HAVE SOME TRIGGERS THAT HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THEIR DAY, WHETHER IT'S BRIGHT LIGHTS, COMPUTERS, OR PASSING IN A LOUD HALLWAY.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SOME MODIFICATIONS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY RECOVER AS QUICKLY AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN, BUT THAT THEY RECOVER WELL.

>> Cassidy: NOW WALK US THROUGH THIS.

YOU ARE INJURED AT A GAME, A MATCH OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHAT HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT?

WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT?

>> SO IF THERE IS EVEN A SUSPECTED CONCUSSION, ANYTHING THAT MAY RAISE FLAGS AND MAKE YOU THINK A STUDENT ATHLETE HAS A CONCUSSION, THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM PLAY RIGHT AWAY AND NOT GO BACK IN THAT DAY.

THAT'S A SHIFT FROM A DECADE OR MORE AGO WHERE WE USED TO SAY THE SYMPTOM IS GONE FOR 15 MINUTES, THEY'RE FINE.

WE KNOW THAT'S NOT TRUE, AND THEY SHOULD BE EVALUATED RIGHT AWAY BY AN ATHLETIC TRAINER OR SOMEONE WHO HAS TRAINING IN CONCUSSIONS.

THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE.

NOT EVERY HEALTHCARE PROVIDER HAS THAT TRAINING.

THEY SHOULD BE SEEN BY SOMEONE WITH THE TRAINING AND CONCUSSION MANAGEMENT AND FROM THERE, THE RECOVERY PLAN CHANGED A LITTLE BIT IN HOW WE MANAGE THESE CASES.

NOW WE KNOW WE DON'T JUST LOCK THEM IN A DARKROOM.

THAT WAS NOT AS HELPFUL FOR RECOVERY.

WE THOUGHT THAT BECAUSE THE TRIGGERS LIKE EXERCISE OR YOU KNOW, MENTAL EXERCISE MIGHT MAKE SYMPTOMS WORSE.

THAT'S NOT OKAY.

NOW WE KNOW IT'S OKAY IF THEY GET A LITTLE BIT WORSE.

AFTER ABOUT 24 TO 48 HOURS, LIGHT EXERCISE, LIKE A LIGHT WALK, A STATIONARY BIKE CAN BE BENEFICIAL AT LIGHT LEVELS TO INCREASE BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN AND A LITTLE BIT OF MENTAL WORK, COGNITIVE WORK, NOT EXACERBATING SYMPTOMS TOO MUCH IN THOSE MORE MODIFIED ENVIRONMENTS.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT THESE THINGS CAN HELP RECOVERY AS WELL.

SO, THAT RECOVERY CAN TAKE ANYWHERE FROM A WEEK, 10 DAYS, TO 1 MONTH, AND LONGER ISN'T NECESSARILY BAD.

WE WANT TO, ESPECIALLY WITH YOUNG BRAINS, GIVE THEM TIME TO RECOVER FULLY AND YOU KNOW, KNOW THAT THEY ARE BACK TO -- NOT JUST WHERE THEY WERE BEFORE BUT WHERE THEIR PEERS ARE AND WHERE THEY SHOULD BE WITH DEVELOPMENT.

>> Cassidy: WHAT ARE LONG-TERM EFFECTS ON REPEATED CONCUSSIONS, ESPECIALLY ON YOUNG ATHLETES?

>> YEAH, IF I CAN QUICKLY SPEAK TO IT.

YEAH, I THINK THAT TO THE DOCTOR'S POINT, THIS IS A HUGE PARADIGM SHIFT IN CONCUSSION GUIDELINES THAT HAPPENED EIGHT YEARS AGO WITH WHAT'S CALLED A FIFTH INTERNATIONAL STATEMENT ON CONCUSSIONS IN SPORT.

WE BEGIN TO SEE THE INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS BEING EXERCISE AS MEDICINE, EXERCISE THERAPY, INCREASED COGNITIVE ACTIVITY, RETURN TO DAILY LIVING, A LIVING PEDIATRIC GUIDELINE THAT RECOMMENDS NOW THAT STUDENTS SHOULDN'T MISS MORE THAN A WEEK OF SCHOOL IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

SO THIS UNDERSTANDING THAT WHAT WE CALL MILD SYMPTOMS, SO SYMPTOMS CAN GET WORSE AND THEN BACK TO BASELINE WITHIN AN HOUR IS REALLY HELPFUL.

THE CORE OF THIS IS THAT IT'S A REHABILITATIVE INJURY.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PARENTS REALLY NEED TO KNOW AND TALKING ABOUT LONG-TERM SYMPTOMS, WE HAVE REALIZED THAT WHAT IS CALLED COCOONING THAT STUDENT IN A DARKROOM WITH NO SCREENS, THAT INCREASES YOUR RISK FOR SYMPTOMS, IT INCREASES SYMPTOM BURDEN AND IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH LONGER RECOVERY TIMES.

SO, SO MANY PEOPLE STILL THINK THAT REST IN A DARKROOM IS WHAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH A CONCUSSION AND IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH RISKS FOR WORSE RECOVERY AND FOR THOSE PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS.

SO DR. STAMM TALKED ABOUT ANYWHERE FROM 10 DAYS TO 1 MONTH BEING THE STANDARD RECOVERY TIMELINE, WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK ABOUT.

ANY TIME BEYOND THAT, SYMPTOMS ARE CONSIDERED PERSISTING.

THAT'S NOT THE SAME AS LONG-TERM IMPACTS LIKE WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT WITH CTE, NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE, NEUROIMPAIRMENT, WHICH MEANS YOU NEED MULTIREHABILITATIVE CARE AND THERE ARE PROVIDERS YOU CAN GO TO, TO GET THAT CARE WHERE WHICH A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

WE KNOW THAT MULTIPLE CONCUSSIONS AND PARTICULARLY REPETITIVE SUB-CLINICAL HEAD IMPACTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED RISKS, NOT GUARANTEES, BUT INCREASED RISKS FOR MILD COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT, FOR INCREASED OR WORSENING MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, ALTHOUGH ALL CONCUSSIONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

THEN OBVIOUSLY THE KIND OF ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM WITH THIS TOPIC IS CHRONIC AND DRAMATIC CTE.

MULTIPLE REPEATED CONCUSSIONS ARE NOT CPE.

WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS REALLY ABOUT COMMUTATIVE LIFETIME EXPOSURE TO FORCE ON YOUR BRAIN OVER THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF EXPOSURES OVER THE COURSE OF A LIFETIME.

>> Cassidy: WELL, I MEAN YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE YUKON'S PROGRAM.

HOW DO YOU KEEP AN EYE ON EVERYONE?

WHAT ARE YOUR POLICIES AND RESTRICTIONS THAT HELP THESE KIDS BE SAFE?

>> SURE.

SO A LOT OF IT IS THE EDUCATION PORTION.

IF WE EVER HAVE A STUDENT ATHLETE WHO EXPERIENCES SYMPTOMS, THEY ARE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED.

WE'RE GETTING THOSE STUDENT ATHLETES TO US, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING AN ATHLETIC TRAINER AT YOUR SCHOOL, BEING ABLE TO HAVE THAT CONTINUITY OF CARE FROM THE TIME THEY ARE INJURED, UNTIL THE TIME WE GET THEM BACK ON THE FIELD FOR THEIR RETURN TO PLAY, AND JUST ABLE TO MANAGE THAT RECOVERY AND THE REHABILITATION PORTION OF THAT CONCUSSION.

>> Cassidy: WHAT PERCENTAGE OF SCHOOLS IN OKLAHOMA WOULD YOU SAY DO HAVE AN ONSITE TRAINER, AT LEAST PART TIME?

>> I CANNOT REMEMBER THE LATEST POLLS THAT WE TOOK.

I KNOW THAT IT'S UNDER 50%, SIGNIFICANTLY UNDER 50% THAT HAVE ACCESS, THAT HAVE A FULL TIME ATHLETIC TRAINER ON STAFF.

>> Cassidy: SO IF THEY DON'T HAVE A FULL TIME TRAINER, THEY DON'T HAVE PROTOCOLS OR POLICIES?

>> NO, EVERYONE HAS TO HAVE A CONCUSSION POLICY BY STATE LAW.

THE WAY THE LAW WAS WRITTEN, EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT CREATES THEIR CONCUSSION POLICY AND IT MUST BE FOLLOWED.

THAT WAY THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENT STANDARDS THAT HAVE TO BE IN THERE.

IT JUST KIND OF DICTATES WHO OVERSEES THE CARE OF THAT STUDENT ATHLETE AND WHO IS ABLE TO RETURN THAT STUDENT ATHLETE TO THE FIELD.

>> Cassidy: WELL, WE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME HERE.

I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAD ANY FINAL THOUGHTS FOR OUR VIEWERS HERE IN OKLAHOMA.

>> ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND AND I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE LAW IN OKLAHOMA, FORCE IS SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

THESE POLICIES, EVEN IN STATES WHERE THEY COVER CLUB SPORTS, THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED BECAUSE THERE IS NOT GREAT ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAW.

FOR ANY PARENT THAT HAS A CHILD IN CLUB SPORTS, NOW IT'S AN INDUSTRY OF ITSELF, IT'S IMPORTANT TO CHECK IN AND SEE WHAT THOSE POLICIES ARE AND MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS SOMEONE PROVIDING CARE, MAYBE THAT'S AN ATHLETIC TRAINER, BUT THERE IS SOMEONE THERE TO DO THE EVALUATIONS AND MONITOR SAFETY AND MAKING SURE THEY HAVE THESE PROTOCOLS IN PLACE AND THAT COACHES ARE GETTING EDUCATION.

IT'S NOT ALWAYS WELL ENFORCED IN A PARTICULAR CLUB SPORT LEVEL.

>> Cassidy: FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> YEAH, I THINK THIS CONVERSATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK IT'S GREAT THE AMOUNT OF EDUCATION THAT IS HAPPENING IN OKLAHOMA AND IT'S HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY.

I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS INJURY.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU MIGHT NOT RECOVER WITHIN WHAT PEOPLE'S STANDARD EXPECTATION OF A RECOVERY TIMELINE, BUT IT'S A MILD BRAIN INJURY.

THE RATES OF PERSISTENT SYMPTOMS FOR CONCUSSIONS IS A LOT HIGHER THAN PEOPLE THINK.

WE USED TO THINK THAT IT WAS 10%, IT'S LINGERING, BUT STUDIES ARE SHOWING AS MANY AS 50% IN ONE STUDY STILL HAD SYMPTOMS A YEAR LATER.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THERE ARE REHABILITATIVE TREATMENTS FOR ALL OF THESE SYRUP -- SYMPTOMS AND IF YOU ARE HAVING COGNITIVE ISSUES OR MEMORY ISSUES OR HEADACHES IN THE LONG-TERM, IT'S NOT CTE, IT'S NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE, IT'S NORMAL AND THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN HELP YOU WITH THAT.

I THINK THAT IS REALLY, REALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

>> Cassidy: FINAL THOUGHTS?

>> ANY TIME WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ON SOMETHING THAT INVOLVES STUDENT ATHLETES SAFETY, I THINK IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT.

SO JUST HAVE THE CONVERSATION, REACH OUT IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS, AND GET TO A QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL TO GIVE YOU THE TREATMENT YOU NEED.

>> Cassidy: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME HERE IN IN-DEPTH.

>> Rich: REALLY INFORMATIVE CONVERSATION.

THANK YOU.

IN LAST WEEK'S NATIONAL VIEW, WE INTRODUCED YOU TO A PHOTOGRAPHER IN PORTLAND WHO FINDS ART IN OIL LEAKS ON A RAINY PAVEMENT.

NOW WE HAD TO GO TO BOSTON TO INTRODUCE YOU TO AN ARTIST THAT USES A THIMBLE AND BUTTONS TO CREATE HER ART.

>> GOING ALL THE WAY BACK TO HIS CHILDHOOD, ARTIST AND DESIGNER BO HAS BUTTONS.

>> MY MOTHER HAS A JAR OF BUTTONS IN THE BASEMENT, FULL OF BUTTONS.

SO I ALWAYS TELL PEOPLE IT WAS ALMOST LIKE ME AND THE JAR HAD DIALOG.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE JAR IS SAID, IT RESONATED DEEPLY.

THEY'RE HIS MEDIUM OF CHOICE.

WE FIND THAT THE FULLERS CRAFT MUSEUM IN MASSACHUSETTS, HE HAS CRAFTED VESTS, DRESSES, AND SHOES, JEWELRIES, COLLAGE, AND A BATHTUB.

>> MOST OF THE THINGS I LEARNED, I LEARNED IN OUR HOME IN PUBLIC HOUSING.

MOST OF THE CRAFTS, I LEARNED AT DAY CAMP, AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND THREE SEW AND STITCHES FROM MY MOM THAT I STILL USE TODAY.

I LIKE TO CALL IT HOMEGROWN.

>> Reporter: HE GREW UP IN PHILADELPHIA TO PARENTS WITH AN INNATE SENSE OF FASHION AND DESIGN.

OFTEN ASSEMBLED FROM THRIFT STORES, RUMMAGE SALES, AND EVEN THE TRASH.

IT WAS UP CYCLING BEFORE UP CYCLING WAS A THING HE SAYS.

THAT WAS THE IMPETUS FOR HIM TO SEE A CREATIVE BOUNTY IN BUTTONS.

>> THE BUTTON FOR ME IS PRECIOUS.

I USE BUTTONS AS A LANGUAGE.

I USE THE BUTTONS TO HELP ME TELL A STORY.

>> Reporter: THOSE STORIES BEGAN TO HAVE A SHARPER FOCUS, HE SAYS, AFTER A PIVOTAL TRIP TO JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, WHERE HIS ARTISTIC SCOPE WAS VASTLY EXPANDED.

>> I GOT INSPIRED BY ALL THE YOUNG CREATIVES THAT WERE THERE.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY BY THE CRAFTSMANSHIPS AND THE VISIONS THEY HAD AS FAR AS FASHION AND ART.

WHEN I GOT BACK, I WAS INSPIRED TO DO THIS PIECE THAT I TITLED THE MOTHER LAND.

>> Reporter: AND THEN THERE IS THIS, HIS CASCADING, 20-POUND DURAG, FIT FOR A RED CARPET.

>> THEN IF YOU LOOK AT IT, IT GLISTENS LIKE A WATERFALL.

I WAS ATTRACTED BY THE WAY IT SPARKLED.

THEN I HAD BUTTONS COMMISSIONED ABOUT HAIR CARE, SO YOU HAVE AFRO COMB, YOU HAVE THE AFRO SILHOUETTE.

SO YOU HAVE DIFFERENT VARIATIONS OF HOW BLACK FOLKS WEAR THEIR HAIR.

>> Reporter: HE OFTEN WEARS HIS CREATIONS, BUT THE HEADDRESS WAS DESIGNED FOR THE ARTIST'S PARTNER AND CURAOR FOR THIS SHOW.

>> IT MAKES YOU WANT TO STAND UP RIGHT AND GIVES YOU A SENSE OF EMPOWERMENT, BEAUTY, STRENGTH, AND COURAGE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE DESCRIBERS THAT COULD APPLY TO McCAUL.

BUTTONS HELPED HIM BANISH A LIFELONG SHYNESS AND EMERGE AS A DESIGNER, ALL AT A TIME WHEN HE USED HIS WORK TO BOLSTER AND DOCUMENT AN LGBTQ COMMUNITY MARGINALIZED BY THE AGE CRISIS.

HE DESIGNED DISCO WEAR AND ASSEMBLED COLLAGES OF HIS FRIENDS FROLICKING.

>> YOU SEE HOW HIS FRIENDS LIVED THROUGH ALL THOSE DIFFERENT PERIODS IN THEIR LIVES AND WHAT HELPED THEM GET THROUGH THOSE CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES WAS THEIR LOVE FOR EACH OTHER, THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND BOND.

>> I SEE THERE IS A LOVE STORY BETWEEN BO AND THE BUTTONS AND THE MATERIAL.

>> Reporter: THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CHIEF CURATOR SAYS SHE HAS BEEN DRAWN TO McCAUL'S SKILL OF THE HUMBLE BUTTONS.

>> I THINK IN CONTEMPORARY CRAFT IN PARTICULAR, OUR FIELD IS BASED ON THIS NOTION AND TAKING THE MATERIALS THAT WE LIVE WITH EVERYDAY, THAT WE TOUCH EVERYDAY, AND TRANSFORMING THEM INTO WORKS OF ART.

>> Reporter: A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF THOSE BUTTONS HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED TO McCAUL OVER THE YEARS, WHILE SOME ARE ESPECIALLY SOURCED, THE BEST ONES HE SAYS, HAVE A TELLTALE SIGN OF THEIR RICH HISTORY.

THEY SMELL LIKE MILDEW.

>> MOST OF THE TIME THEY ARE SITTING IN SOMEONE'S HOUSE, IN A JAR, IN A COOKIE TIN, OR THE OLD CIGAR BOX.

THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS.

THOSE WERE BUTTONS WHEN PEOPLE FOCUSED ON THE CREATIVITY OF THE BUTTON ITSELF.

THAT GETS ME EXCITED.

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

A PIEDMONT MAN WHO GOES BACK 100 YEARS IS NOW HELPING A NEW GENERATION OF FARMERS LEARN AND SUCCEED IN THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

STEVE SHAW REPORTS.

>> WE'LL LEAVE YOU NOW WITH A LOOK AT LAKE STANLEY DRAPER PUT TOGETHER FOR US BY OUR OETA PRODUCTION TEAM.

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

YOU CAN ALSO FIND US ON OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT".

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

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

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