>>> WE'LL TAKE YOU INSIDE THE CLASSROOM OF ONE OF THE HUNDRED NEW SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS STEPPING UP.

>> WE'RE NOT THERE JUST TO BABY SIT.

WE'RE THERE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE ABLE TO DO WHAT THEY NEED TO COMPLETE THE WORK.

>> IT'S NATIONAL SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK.

WE'LL HEAR OF GIVING PARENTS AND STUDENTS MORE OPTIONS.

>> CHOICE MEANS EMPOWERING PATIENTS WITH THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE SCHOOLS OR LEARNING ENVIRONMENT THAT MEETS THEIR CHILDREN'S NEEDS.

>> WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT DIVERTING FUNDS TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS?

>> BIG PLANES AREN'T THE ONLY THING TAKING OFF IN MIDWEST CITIES THESE DAYS.

THE ECONOMY IS, TOO.

>> THE MOMENTUM WAS GOING, AND YOU CAN'T STOP MOMENTUM.

YOU HAVE TO FIND NEW WAYS.

YOU HAVE TO BE POSITIVE AND BE EXCITED BECAUSE IT WILL TURN AROUND.

>> ANOTHER DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE TRIBES.

THIS TIME INVOLVING HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES.

>> ONE GOVERNMENT WITH THEIR ABOUT YOUR OBJECT ACY BLAMING OATH GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE ARE CITIZENS.

>> PLUS AN IN-DEPTH DISCUSSION ON LEGALIZING SPORTS GAMBLING IN OKLAHOMA.

NEXT ON THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

>>> WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."

I'M RICH LENZ.

HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEING A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER?

NOW IS YOUR CHANCE.

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS ARE ENCOURAGING QUALIFIED PEOPLE TO STEP UP TO LESSEN THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF A REAL AND SIGNIFICANT TEACHER SHORTAGE.

>> SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS HAVE BECOME A VITAL WAY TO KEEP KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THOSE WHO ARE HELPING TO FILL THE STAFFING GAPS IN SCHOOLS ARE FINDING REWARDS OF THEIR OWN.

SHAUNA COLE, WHO WORKS AT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND ENTERPRISE SERVICES, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS OMES WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STATE EMPLOYEES TO ANSWER THE CALL FOR SUBTITUTE TEACHERS BY GOVERNOR STITT.

>> DURING THE ANNOUNCEMENT, I THOUGHT I'M GETTING READY TO SAY YES TO THIS, YOU KNOW, AND IF IT'S, YOU KNOW, IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT THEY NEED US TO DO, I'M DEFINITELY GONNA JUMP ON IT AND DO THAT IN BEFORE THE END OF THE DAY I WAS SIGNED UP FOR IT.

>> COLE WAS ABLE TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH IN AN OKLAHOMA CITY SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME JUST A WEEK AGO.

>> IT WAS AWESOME.

I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A SECOND GRADE CLASSROOM AT CESAR CHAVEZ ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OVER ON THE SOUTH SIDE.

AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY I GOT LIKE THAT FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BUTTERFLIES.

>> SHE SAYS THOSE SECOND GRADERS DIDN'T WAIT LONG TO HELP RID HER OF THOSE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL BUTTERFLIES.

>> THE FIRST LITTLE ONE CAME INSIDE AND THEY SAID, WHO ARE YOU?

AND I SAID, I'M GOING TO BE YOUR, YOUR GUEST TEACHER TODAY.

AND THEY SAID, WELL, WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

AND I SAID, IT'S MRS. COLE.

AND THEY SAID, WELL, MRS. COLE, WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE HERE.

AND IT JUST IMMEDIATELY MELTED THE BUTTERFLIES.

IT WAS PRETTY NEAT.

>> AMY KOONCE IS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER FOR BETHANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

SHE'S DONE IT FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS.

>> I HAVE MET A LOT OF GREAT KIDS, A LOT OF GREAT TEACHERS.

IT'S FUN TO GET, TO MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> DESPITE THE PANDEMIC MAKING THINGS MORE DIFFICULT, KOONCE IS ENJOYING HER TIME IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> I LOVE BEING NEEDED AND HELPING OUT.

I LOVE GETTING TO MEET AGAIN.

EVERYBODY'S ALWAYS BEEN SO APPRECIATIVE.

THEY'RE ALWAYS WELL-PREPARED IT'S BEEN A FUN EXPERIENCE.

>> WE'RE BLESSED THAT WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SUBSTITUTES THAT WANT TO SUB FOR US ON A REGULAR BASIS.

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO FILL ALL THE NEED, BUT WE HAVE REALLY GOOD SUBSTITUTES THAT WE CAN CALL ON ON A REGULAR BASIS.

AND WE KEEP THEM BUSY.

>> BETHANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DREW EICHELBERGER SAYS MANY AGREE, THE BEST THING FOR STUDENTS' LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT IS TO FIND A WAY TO KEEP THEM IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE HAD MORE NEED THAN WE HAD SUBS.

AND THERE WERE TIMES WHEN WE WERE DOING JUST EVERYTHING WE COULD PUTTING MULTIPLE CLASSES TOGETHER AND HAVING ONE TEACHER THAT WOULD IN HIGH SCHOOL, MAYBE HAVE TWO OR THREE CLASSES IN THE BRONCO CORRAL, WHICH IS WHERE THEY EAT LUNCH OR IN THE AUDITORIUM OR SOMETHING.

>> THE COMPETITION BETWEEN SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO GET SUBSTITUTES IS HIGH.

FOR INSTANCE, IN THE OKLAHOMA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, A CERTIFIED TEACHER MAKES $150 A DAY, SOMEONE WITH A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA CAN BE A GUEST TEACHER, TOO, FOR $125 A DAY.

IN OKALHOMA'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT, TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CERTIFIED TEACHERS MAKE $115 PER DAY, AND A LONG TERM ASSIGNMENT OF FIVE DAYS OR MORE BUMPS THE PAY TO 140-BUCKS A DAY.

A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA WILL LAND $90 PER DAY FOR A SUBSTITUTE.

SUBURBAN SCHOOL DISTRICT PUTNAM CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PAYS $80 A DAY FOR CERTIFIED TEACHERS, WITH NON-CERTIFIED SUBS BRINGING IN $65 A DAY.

PUTNAM CITY IS ONE OF BETHANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS BIGGEST COMPETITORS FOR SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

>> NOW WE'RE PAYING 60 FOR NON-CERTIFIED AND 70 A DAY FOR CERTIFIED, BUT WE PLAN ON OUR FEBRUARY 7TH BOARD MEETING, I'M GOING TO RECOMMEND THOSE GO UP $10 EACH.

>> EICHELBERGER BELIEVES THERE IS A BARRIER FOR SOME TO BECOME SUBS.

>> THE STICKING POINT IS THAT THOSE PEOPLE HAVE TO GET A BACKGROUND CHECK AND THOSE THINGS ARE, I DON'T KNOW THE DOLLAR, I THINK IT'S 60 OR $70.

SO IT'S REALLY THAT FIRST DAY THEY'RE WORKING FOR FREE.

AND IF THEY'RE ONLY GONNA SUBSTITUTE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, IT'S HARDLY WORTH IT FOR THEM.

>> BUT NOT ALL SUBS ARE DOING IT JUST FOR THE MONEY.

KOONCE IS A FORMER TEACHER WHO DECIDED TO STAY HOME WITH HER KIDS AS THEY WERE GROWING UP.

NOW THAT HER YOUNGEST IS IN HIGH SCHOOL, SHE'S USING THE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER GIG TO HELP DECIDE WHAT SHE WANTS TO DO IN THE FUTURE.

>> SO AS THE KIDS HAVE GOTTEN OLDER, I HAVE BEEN SUBSTITUTING AND TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER I WANT TO GO BACK TO FULL-TIME TEACHING OR NOT, BUT FOR NOW MY KIDS STILL NEED A CHAUFFER.

AND I HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITIES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO -- TO GO TO WITH THEM.

SO THIS IS A GREAT, FLEXIBLE OPTION TO HELP MY FAMILY AND TO BE ABLE TO BE THERE FOR MY KIDS.

>> THESE KIDS NEED US, THEY'RE, YOU KNOW, THEY NEED TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM.

THEY NEED TO BE AROUND THEIR FRIENDS AND THEIR TEACHERS AND, AND THAT, AND THEY LOOK FORWARD TO BEING IN THERE.

>> KOONCE AND COLE BOTH SAY THE DISTRICT EDUCATORS MAKE SURE THEIR FILL-IN TEACHERS ARE PREPARED TO TAKE ON THE LEARNING PLANS FOR THE DAY.

>> THANKFULLY THE CLASS THAT I WAS IN THE TEACHER HAD VERY MUCH PREPARED FOR HAVING A GUEST TEACHER.

SHE HAD A WORKSHEET ALREADY READY TO GO OR WORK PACKET.

SHE GAVE ME A STEP-BY-STEP WHERE THIS IS WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO PRETTY MUCH EVERY HOUR ON THE HOUR GAVE ME SOME GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION FROM THAT.

AND SO I REALLY FELT LIKE SHE WAS IN THE CLASSROOM WITH ME.

>> THE TEACHERS ALWAYS HAVE LESSON PLANS THAT ARE LAID OUT THAT HAVE THE PAPERS KIND OF LIKE YOU SAW TODAY THAT HAVE EVERYTHING LAID OUT FOR ME.

AND I JUST COME IN AND READ THROUGH THEM.

AND THEN LIKE YOU SAW, I CAN ASK THE KIDS QUESTIONS.

IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I ASSUME MIGHT NEED TO GO IN THEIR MATH JOURNAL OR, OR WHAT THEY MIGHT NORMALLY DO WITH PUTTING IT IN THEIR FOLDERS.

>> THE SUBSTITUTES BELIEVE THEY'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOLS, NOT JUST KEEPING AN EYE ON STUDENTS.

>> THEY SAY IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

IT, IT LITERALLY RIGHT NOW TAKES A VILLAGE, THE BETHANY VILLAGE TO KEEP THE SHOW GOING.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED IN THE HALLWAY, THERE'S KIDS FROM OTHER CLASSROOMS THAT I'VE HAD IN OTHER TIMES, AND THEY COME BY AND ARE EXCITED TO SEE YOU AND YOU KNOW, HIGH FIVE YOU IN THE HALL OR, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S FUN.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE NOT THERE JUST TO BABYSIT.

WE ARE THERE TO HELP THEM THROUGH THE DAY AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO WHATEVER THEY NEED TO COMPLETE IN THAT DAY'S WORK.

>> 171 SIGNED UP TO DO THAT IN THE FIRST WEEKS AND THE STATE PROVIDES A LIST OF POSSIBLE CANDIDATES TO AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> THANKS.

>>> 19 STATES EXPANDED SCHOOL CHOICE OPPORTUNITIES IN 2021, BUT CERTAINLY NOT EVERYONE AGREES SCHOOL CHOICE IS A GOOD IDEA.

JOINING US WITH BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE IS TAELYR JACKSON.

>> IT KICKED OFF SCHOOL CHOICE WEEK WITH VIRTUAL PARENT POWER SUMMIT.

THE SUMMIT WAS HELD IN PERSON AND ONLINE TO HELP PARENTS EXPLORE THEIR OPTIONS.

THE "PARENT POWER SUMMIT", SPONSORED BY THE OKLAHOMA CITY-BASED, "CHOICE MATTERS" ORGANIZATION, DEDICATED AN ENTIRE WEEK TO PROVIDING OKLAHOMA PARENTS AND STUDENTS WITH A COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL CHOICES.

>> WE'RE JUST EXCITED TO GIVE PARENTS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE AND MAKE THE BEST DECISION FOR THEIR KID.

>> SCHOOL CHOICE MEANS EMPOWERING PARENTS WITH THE ABILITY TO CHOOSE THE SCHOOLS OR LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT BEST MEET THEIR CHILDREN NEEDS.

>> OPTIONS INCLUDE PUBLIC, CHARTER, PRIVATE AND FAITH-BASED SCHOOLS, IN ADDITION TO HOME SCHOOLING.

>> OKLAHOMA FAMILIES TODAY HAVE MORE SCHOOL CHOICE OPTIONS FOR THEIR CHILDREN THAN AT ANY OTHER TIME IN HISTORY AND MANY MORE CHOICES THAN EVER LAST YEAR.

>> WE'RE REALLY ORGANIZING WITH PARENTS, WERE LIFTING UP PARENTS, HELPING THEM CREATE THEIR OWN AGENDAS THEIR OWN SOLUTIONS AND ORGANIZING TO TAKE ACTIONS THEMSELVES.

>> THE GOAL OF BOTH ORGANIZATIONS IS TO REVEAL WHAT IS POSSIBLE IF A STUDENT ISN'T GETTING HIS OR HER NEEDS MET BY THEIR CURRENT SCHOOL.

>> OUR ROLE AND OUR GOAL IS TO SHINE A BRIGHT AND POSITIVE SPOTLIGHT ON ALL EDUCATION OPTIONS EQUALLY.

SO ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT OPTIONS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT, WE WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT.

>> ROBERT RUIZ IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CHOICE MATTERS.

HE SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR OPTIONS >> IF THE CURRENT SCHOOL ISN'T THE BEST FIT FOR THEIR CHILD ITS IMPORTANT FOR THEM AS A PARENT TO BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE OPTION THAT IS THE BEST FIT FOR THEIR CHILD WHERE THEIR CHILD CAN THRIVE AND REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.

>> THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AN OPEN TRANSFER LAW LAST SESSION THAT WENT INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY FIRST.

>> IT'S A VERY SIMPLE CONCEPT THAT MOST PARENTS ALREADY THAT I THINK MANY PARENTS THOUGHT THEY HAD UNTIL THEY TRIED TO MOVE THEIR KID TO ANOTHER SCHOOL.

>> PRIOR TO OPEN TRANSFER, THE SUPERINTENDENTS FROM BOTH SCHOOLS HAD TO SIGN OFF ON THE STUDENT TRANSFER, AND MANY OF THOSE WERE BLOCKED BY ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATORS.

>> AN ARDUOUS PROCESS THAT OFTEN TIMES THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY ONE KID WAS ALLOWED TO TRANSFER AND ANOTHER KID WAS NOT.

>> TULSA PARENT VOICE MEMBER, MELISSA REMINGTION SAYS LAWS LIKE OPEN TRANSFER ARE MUCH NEEDED >> WE SAW LAST YEAR HOW SUCCESSFUL THOSE BILLS THAT SOLVED THESE PROBLEMS ARE NOW AND I MEAN PARENTS DESERVE THAT.

>> HOWEVER, STRONG OPPOSITION TO PARENT AND SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION, REMAINS AT THE STATE CAPITOL.

>> THE WORD "PARENT CHOICE" OR "SCHOOL CHOICE" IS WONDERFUL BUT WHEN YOU REALLY PEEL BACK THE ONION IT SEEMS LIKE A SCHEME OF SOMETHING.

I'M NO ON VOUCHERS, NO ON PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHERS, NO ON EVEN TAX CREDIT SCHOLARSHIPS EXCEPT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> REPRESENATIVE JACOB ROSCRANTS SAYS THE ISSUE ISN'T MAKING SURE THERE ARE EDUCATION CHOICES, BUT TO FULLY-FUND THE STATE'S CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO RUN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> SO IF WE AREN'T GOING TO FULLY FUND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHY ARE WE EVEN TALKING ABOUT DIVERTING FUNDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> LAWMAKERS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO OPEN ENROLLMENT SAY THAT IT ONLY BENEFITS THOSE WHO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO TRANSFER SCHOOLS.

HOWEVER RUIZ SAYS THAT'S SIMPLY NOT THE CASE.

>> IT'S BECOMING MORE AND MORE ACCESSIBLE TO FAMILIES THAT DON'T HAVE RESOURCES.

SO CHARTER SCHOOLS HAVE PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THAT, THERE NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE HAVE PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THAT.

>> PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG TREAT IS PROPOSING LEGISLATION THIS YEAR TO HELP FURTHER THE CAUSE OF SCHOOL CHOICE, AND THE TAX PAYER MONEY WHICH WOULD NORMALLY GO TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL A STUDENT IS ATTENDING, WOULD FOLLOW THE STUDENT.

>> THIS YEAR I'VE GOT A BILL CALLED THE OKLAHOMA EMPOWERMENT ACT, OEA THAT WILL EMPOWER PARENTS TO DO JUST THAT TO ALLOW THEIR KIDS TO GO WHEREVER THEY WANT TO GO IN THAT STATE AID FORMULA FOLLOWS THAT KID, WHEREVER THEY GO BE A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, PER PUPIL SPENDING IN THE 2021 SCHOOL YEAR WAS $10,086.50.

>> AND THE ISSUES THERE IS THAT YOU'D HAVE STUDENTS TRANSFER TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND THE MONEY WOULD NOT BE FULLY FOLLOWING THE CHILD SO WE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT MONEY FOLLOWING THAT CHILD TO THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE.

>> TREAT SAYS THESE BILLS ARE DESIGNED TO SERVE BOTH PRIVILEGED AND UNDER-PRIVILEGED STUDENTS.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST FOR, AS YOU HEAR, SOME PEOPLE SAY RICH KIDS.

IN FACT, IT'S DESIGNED FOR JUST THE OPPOSITE THAT KIDS WHO ARE TRAPPED IN POOR UNDER-PERFORMANCE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN GO WHEREVER THEY WANT TO.

AND ONE OF THE BIG COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE HAVE HAD A RED HERRING AGAINST SCHOOL CHOICE, A LOT OF TIMES AS WELL THESE PEOPLE TRANSPORTATION.

SO WE BAKED IN THERE THAT YOU CAN USE THAT MONEY FOR TRANSPORTATION.

>> ROSENCRANTS SAYS IN THE LONG RUN HE DOSEN'T SEE HOW THIS WILL HELP STUDENTS.

>> I DON'T THINK IT'S FOR THE BEST INTEREST FOR THE KIDS.

I KNOW THAT'S THE ARGUMENT BUT I'M NOT SEEING IT THAT WAY.

I'M SEEING IT AS A PUSH FOR PRIVATIZATION TO MONETIZE EDUCATION.

>> 2,243 AS OF FRIDAY MORNING ARE HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID 19, JUMP OF 424,.

WE ARE SEEING A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN THE SEVEN-DAY ROLLING AVERAGE OF NEW CASES, DOWN MORE THAN 1500 PER DAY.

PERHAPS THAT SIGNALS THE WORST OF THE OMICRON SURGE IS OVER.

242 PEOPLE DIED FROM THE VIRUS THIS WEEK, AND OKLAHOMA DEATH TOLL NOW STANDS AT 13,210.

NEARLY 725,000 OKLAHOMANS RECEIVED THEIR BOOSTER, SIZEABLE INCREASE OF 5.4% FROM LAST WEEK.

>> THE EXECUTION WAS COMPLETED IN MCALESTER THURSDAY MORNING.

GRANT WAS CONVICTED OF THE 2001 MURDERS OF TWO DEL CITY HOTEL EMPLOYEES DURING A ROBBERY.

WHILE GRANT ADMITTED TO THE KILLINGS SUPPORTERS CONTEND GRANT WAS NOT STABLE.

GRANT'S APPEALS WERE DENIED.

HE IS THE THIRD DEATH ROW INMATE TO BE EXECUTED SINCE OKLAHOMA RESUMED EXECUTIONS LAST YEAR.

>>> FORMER OKLAHOMA SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE TERRY PEACH WAS LAID TO REST THIS WEEK.

THE POPULAR RANCHERS WAS INVOLVED IN OKLAHOMA AGRICULTURE FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE.

PEACH WAS APPOINTED AS ANASTASIA SECRETARY AND SERVED IN THAT POSITION FROM 2003 UNTIL 2011.

DURING HIS TENURE PEACH OVERSAW THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE $11 MILLION STATE AG LABORATORY IN OKLAHOMA CITY THAT OPENED IN 2008.

HE ALSO SERVED AS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FARM SERVICE AGENCY WITHIN THE USDA DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.

>>> THE U.S. SUPREME COURT REJECTED REQUEST BY THE STITT ADMINISTRATION TO OVERTURN THE McGIRT DECISION.

THE COURT SAID IT WILL CONSIDER LIMITING McGIRT'S IMPACT BY TAKING UP A CASE THAT COULD CHANGE THE JURISDICTIONAL DUTIES IN INDIAN TERRITORY AGAIN.

THE SUPREME COURT WILL DECIDE IF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS THE RIGHT TO PROSECUTE NONE INDIANS ACCUSED OF COMMITTING CRIMES ON RESERVATION.

>>> ACCORDING TO U.S. NEWS AND WORLD RECORD IN 2021 OKLAHOMA NATIVE-AMERICAN POPULATION WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

AT 16% TRAILING ONLY ALASKA.

KENNEDY SEPULVADO JOINS US WITH MORE ON THAT.

>> THERE ARE DOZENS OF CLINICS LOCATED ACROSS OKLAHOMA.

MANY ARE PAID AND RUN BY TRIBES THEMSELVES, SOME ARE OVERSEEN BY FEDERAL INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE AND OTHERS LIKE THE OKLAHOMA CITY INDIAN CLINIC AS L ARE OPERATED AS NONPROFITS.

>> YOU'RE LOOKING AT A SELF-MADE CONTRAPTION CONNIE FEDDERSEN USES TO KEEP HER COVERS FROM TOUCHING HER FEET WHILE SHE SLEEPS• >> THE MAIN THING I NOTICED ABOUT DIABETICS, OR AT LEAST FOR ME, WAS THAT MY FEET, I HAVE ISSUES WITH SORT OF THE BURNING AND STINGING THAT GOES ALONG WITH IT.

>> CONNIE, A MEMBER OF THE OSAGE NATION, WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TYPE-TWO DIABETES 13 YEARS AGO.

>> I HAD HEARD OR READ THAT YOU SHOULD EAT SIX TIMES A DAY, SIX TIMES A DAY.

AT THE TIME I WAS WRITING 10 TO 12 HOURS A DAY.

SO YOU'RE BUSY THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE WHEN YOU'RE WORKING ON A BOOK.

SO THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO STOP AND EAT.

YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES I WOULD EAT WHEN I WAS SUPPOSED TO.

>> ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION, 10.5% OF ALL AMERICANS SUFFER FROM DIABETES, THAT NUMBER JUMPS TO ALMOST 15% IN THE NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATION.

>> DIABETES IS SO RAMPANT IN THE AMERICAN INDIAN POPULATION.

I HATE TO SAY IT A LOT OF TIMES, WE'RE KNOWN FOR HAVING DIABETES IN OUR POPULATION, THAT WE DO HAVE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ACTUALLY COMBAT THAT.

>> THE OKLAHOMA CITY INDIAN CLINIC HAS ON-SITE ENDOCRINOLOGISTS WHO SPECIALIZE IN DIABETES AND PROGRAMS TO HELP EDUCATE AND SUPPORT PEOPLE DIAGNOSED AS PRE-DIABETIC OR DIABETIC, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS TO PREVENT OTHER DISEASES PREVALENT IN INDIGINOUS COMMUNITIES.

>> WE HAVE A WHOLE DEPARTMENT THAT IS DEDICATED TO PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASE, AND IT'S CALLED OUR HEALTH PROMOTION DISEASE PREVENTION DEPARTMENT.

>> SOME OF THOSE CHRONIC DISEASES LIKE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE GOES HAND-IN-HAND WITH DIABETES.

>> SOME OF THE SIGNIFICANT COMORBIDITIES AND COMPLICATIONS THAT COME WITH DIABETES ARE CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG INDIVIDUALS WITH DIABETES.

>> THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATIONS IS ARTHEROSCLEROTIC CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, AND CANCER IS A CLOSE SECOND.

BOTH ARE COMPOUNDED BY TWO COMMON CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

>> THE COMMON RISK FACTORS FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, DIABETES AND CANCER INVOLVE PRIMARILY TOBACCO RELATED USE, COMBUSTIBLE TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND OBESITY.

>> CIGARETTE SMOKING IS COMMON WITHIN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES, BUT THE NUMBERS ARE TRENDING DOWN AS PEOPLE LIKE CONNIE FEDDERSEN QUIT THE HABIT.

>> I FELT LIKE I WAS WASTING A LOT OF TIME BY SMOKING AND UH, YOU KNOW, THEN BEING AROUND THE GRANDKIDS.

>> IN GENERAL, FOR CERTAIN COMMUNITIES, THERE'S SOME AMERICAN INDIAN COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTRY THAT ARE HAVING MUCH LOWER RATES OF SMOKING THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION, BUT HERE IN OKLAHOMA IT STARTS EARLY.

>> IN 2020, 26.7% OF OKLAHOMA'S NATIVE AMERICANS INDENTIFIED AS SMOKERS, WHICH HAS LED TO AN EXPANSION OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.

IN THE LAST TEN YEARS, THE CHEROKEE NATION HAS INVESTED OVER $300 MILLION IN HEALTH CARE, AND $400 MILLION MORE HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO BUILDING A NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART HOSPITAL, YET PRINCIPAL CHIEF CHUCK HOSKIN SAYS THE TRIBAL NATION HAS MORE WORK TO DO.

>> AND SO PART OF OUR STRATEGY AND BUILDING SOME NEW HEALTHCARE FACILITIES HOSPITALS AND CLINICS, IS WE WILL FREE UP SPACE AND COMMIT MORE CAPITAL FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.

I MEAN, WE HAVE A STRUGGLE AMONG OUR PEOPLE WITH ADDICTION AND OTHER BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES.

>> AND THOSE ISSUES HAVE ONLY BEEN COMPOUNDED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

>> PART OF THE COVID FUNDING AS WE DOUBLED OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH STAFF, BECAUSE WE REALIZED THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE A REAL PROBLEM.

>> ANOTHER HEALTH CONCERN BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC, MENTAL HEATH >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOSS AND GRIEF, SO WE HAVE HISTORICAL TRAUMA LOSS AND GRIEF, AS WELL AS CURRENT LOSS AND GRIEF FROM COVID AMONGST THE OTHER DIFFERENT KINDS OF DISEASES.

>> I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF RESILIENCE IN OUR TRIBAL COMMUNITIES, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CHILDREN AND A LOT OF ADULTS, YOUNG ADULTS THAT ARE AT RISK FOR SUICIDE.

>> SUICIDE RATES AMONG NATIVE YOUTH ARE ESTIMATED TO BE TWO AND HALF TIMES HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

GENERATIONAL TRAUMA HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND TO A LACK OF TRUST IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, >> EXAMPLES WHERE NATIVE AMERICAN POPULATIONS HAVE BEEN EXPLOITED.

I THINK ABOUT THE STERILIZATION ATTEMPTS THAT HAPPENED BACK IN THE 1970S, AND EVEN MORE RECENTLY WITH THE HOTTEST SUIT BY TRIBE.

AND ONE OF THE UNIVERSITIES OUT THERE WE LEARNED FROM THESE THINGS, AND WE -- WE VOW NEVER TO MAKE THOSE SAME MISTAKES.

>> DOCTORS SAY THE ABILITY TO DIAGNOSIS DISEASE AND PROVIDE TREATMENT IS ESSENTIAL, BUT IT'S ALSO VITALLY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY AND ENVIRONMENT OF NATIVE AMERICAN PATIENTS.

>> KNOWING ABOUT THE CULTURE AND LEARNING ABOUT THE CULTURE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

IT HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND THINGS, BUT YOU NEED TO LISTEN AND YOU NEED TO REALIZE THAT THERE'S INDIVIDUAL VARIABILITY WITHIN ANY CULTURE.

>> AMERICAN INDIANS, AS WELL AS MANY PEOPLE, MANY CULTURES, ETHNICITIES, WHOEVER IT IS, WE WANT THE BEST LIFE THAT WE CAN FOR OUR CHILDREN AND THROUGH OUR RESEARCH.

THAT'S WHAT WE TRY TO ACCOMPLISH IS THAT YOUR CHILDREN WILL HAVE A BETTER LIFE THROUGH THE WORK THAT WE'VE DONE TODAY.

>> THE CDC RECOMMENDS COLLECTING THE FAMILY HEALTH HISTORY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MIGHT BE AT RISK FOR.

>> THANKS.

>>> YOU CAN ADD HUNTING AND FISHING LIE CENTSS TO THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE STITT AT ADMINISTRATION.

ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR RESOLUTION OR LAWSUIT COULD BE FORTHCOMING BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

TRACE HAS BEEN REPORTING ON THIS AND JOINS US WITH MORE DETAILS.

TRACE, THE GOVERNOR HAS SENT OUT A LETTER DETAILING HIS CONCERNS.

WHO DID HE SEND IT TO?

WHAT ARE THOSE CONCERNS AND WHAT IS HE ASKING FOR?

>> SO GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SENT A LETTER ON JANUARY 5TH TO CHEROKEE NATION, PRINCIPAL, CHIEF CHUCK HOSKIN, JR. AND CHOCTAW NATION, CHIEF GARY BATTON.

AND THIS RELATES TO THE HUB COMBINATION, HUNTING, FISHING TRIBAL COMPACTS FOR LICENSURE THAT THE TWO TRIBES HAD SIGNED BACK IN 2015 AND 2016, RESPECTIVELY.

THOSE EXPIRED AT THE END OF 2021 STITT ASKED TO RE RENEGOTIATE THOSE IN DECEMBER AND THE TRIBES DIDN'T WANT TO DO THAT.

AND HE SAID, WE'RE GOING TO LET THEM EXPIRE.

ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE GOVERNOR YOU KNOW, MADE THE CASE THAT HE WANTED TO RENEGOTIATE THOSE IS THAT NEITHER TRIBE HAD MET THE CONTRACT CONTRACTUALLY REQUIRED MINIMUM PURCHASE OF LICENSES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT COMPACTS THAT ALLOWED THE NATIONS TO BUY LICENSES AT A DRAMATICALLY REDUCED COST FOR THEIR CITIZENS.

AND JUST TO GET TO THE SPECIFIC NUMBERS OF THAT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A COMBINATION HUNTING FISHING LICENSES IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THAT COSTS A $42 FOR MYSELF, ANY NON TRIBAL CITIZEN, OR TO BE CLEAR ANY TRIBAL CITIZEN, WHO'S NOT A CITIZEN OF THE CHEROKEE OR CHOCTAW NATIONS, RIGHT?

THESE WERE THE ONLY TWO TRIBES THAT HAD THE COMPACT.

SO OTHER CITIZENS DID NOT HAVE THOSE, THOSE BENEFITS.

SO WE'RE TALKING $2 VERSUS $42, >> SPEAKING TO THAT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT WHAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LICENSES THAT GOVERNOR SAYS WE'RE NOT PURCHASING, I GUESS, MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN REVENUE.

IS THAT FAIR?

>> THE 2015 COMPACT FOR THE CHEROKEE NATION SAID THAT THE NATION WOULD COMMIT TO BUY 150,000 LICENSES FOR THEIR CITIZENS ANNUALLY.

I THINK I DID THE MATH.

IT WAS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 75 AND 85% OF THAT WAS ACHIEVED EVERY YEAR.

AND THEN IN 2016, THE CHOCTAW COMPACT WAS SIGNED.

IT WAS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

IT HAD SOME DIFFERENT BENEFITS IN TERMS OF TAGGING AND THINGS LIKE THAT FOR, FOR HUNTERS.

AND IT ALSO HAD A LUMP SUM UPFRONT PAYMENT BY THE CHOCTAW NATION.

AND THAT COMPACT MINIMUM WAS 50,000 LICENSES A YEAR.

AND I THINK THEY HIT 40% TO 45% SOMETHING IN THERE.

>> SO WHAT, IF ANY, HAS BEEN AN OFFICIAL OR UNOFFICIAL RESPONSE DUE TO YOUR REPORTING FROM THE CHOCTAW AND THE CHEROKEE TRIBES, HAVE THEY RESPONDED IN ANY WAY TO THIS?

>> THEY RESPOND TO ME, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE RESPONDED BACK OFFICIALLY TO THE GOVERNOR THAT JUST TO CLARIFY, THE GOVERNOR ASKED TO IMPLEMENT A 30 DAY WINDOW OF NEGOTIATION TO FIGURE THIS OUT.

AND HE NOTED THAT IT MAY END UP IN COURT IF THEY DON'T FIND A NEGOTIATION FOR IT.

I DON'T EXPECT THERE TO BE MAJOR NEGOTIATION.

I THINK THERE'S, YOU KNOW, PRETTY WELL-DOCUMENTED TENSION BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE LARGEST TRIBAL NATIONS IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

THE STATE DID NOT ACCEPT CERTAIN DOCUMENTATION LIKE TRIBAL CITIZENSHIP CARDS ONLY TO GET THE LICENSES, THEY WANTED DRIVER'S LICENSES OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS, AND THEY SORT OF BLAMED BUREAUCRACY.

SO, YOU KNOW, CLASSIC GREAT ONE GOVERNMENT WITH THEIR BUREAUCRACY BLAMING ANOTHER GOVERNMENT ABOUT THEIR BUREAUCRACY AND, YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SORT OF CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE ARE CITIZENS WHO WERE TRYING TO GET THE LICENSES.

>> YOU MENTIONED IT'S -- IT'S A 30 DAY NEGOTIATION WINDOW THAT THE GOVERNOR ASKED FOR.

THAT'S NOT A LOT OF TIME.

I EXPECT NOTHING WILL HAPPEN BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

AND IS LITIGATION INEVITABLE IN THIS?

>> I CERTAINLY THINK THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROBABLY HEADED THAT WAY.

THEY HAVE NOT SHOWN AN INABILITY TO FILE LAWSUITS.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT ABILITY THEY'VE SHOWN TO WIN THESE LAWSUITS, BUT THE -- I THINK IS PROBABLY HEADED TO COURT.

AND I, YOU KNOW, HAVE TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE, WELL, YOU KNOW, THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF THE COMPACT SAYS THAT THEY WOULD, YOU KNOW -- WERE TO BUY THIS NUMBER OF LICENSES.

>> AND WE'LL SEE IF THEY TRY AND END UP PURSUE THAT AND CONVINCE A JUDGE OF THAT IN FEDERAL COURT.

>> GREAT REPORTING TREY SAVAGE WITH THE EDITOR IN CHIEF OF NON DOC.

THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>>> WITH MORE THAN 26,000 MILITARY AND CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES TINKER AIR FORCE BASE IS THE LARGER EMPLOYER IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

DESPITE THE PANDEMIC IT APPEARS THE ECONOMY IS REBOUNDING FOR THE ROUGHLY 58,000 PEOPLE WHO CALL IT HOME.

STEVE SHAW JOINS US NOW WITH A PROGRESS REPORT, STEVE.

>> RICH.

>> ENCOURAGING SIGNS ABOUND AT WHAT'S NOW KNOWN AS THE REGAL MIDWEST CITY WARREN THEATRE.

THE WARREN THEATRE IN MIDWEST CITY ORIGINALLY OPENED ITS DOORS IN AUGUST 2019.

IT WAS ONE OF THREE ANCHOR TENANTS FOR THE NEW SOONER ROSE SHOPPING CENTER.

ENCOURAGING SIGNS ABOUND AT WHAT'S KNOWN AS THE MIDWEST CITY WARREN THEATER.

THEATER ORIGINALLY OPENED ITS DOORS IN AUGUST 2019.

IT WAS ONE OF THREE ANCHOR TENANTS FOR THE NEW SOONER ROSE SHOPPING CENTER.

>> WE'RE ON ONE OF THE BUSIEST CORNERS IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA COUNTY.

WE GET A LOT OF TRAFFIC THROUGH HERE.

>> AT THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTHEAST 15TH AND SOONER ROAD.

>> WHEN I CAMPAIGNED SIX YEARS AGO, THERE WERE THREE BIG ISSUES THAT CONSTANTLY CAME UP.

AND NUMBER ONE WAS A MOVIE THEATRE.

YOU KNOW AT ONE TIME WE HAD THREE MOVIE THEATERS IN MIDWEST CITY.

THEN WE WENT DOWN TO ZERO.

THEN WHEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE WARREN IN AND OPERATING IT WAS A HUGE SUCCESS, BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO DRIVE DOWNTOWN OR TO MOORE JUST TO GO TO A MOVIE.

>> THE MIDWEST CITY WARREN'S INITIAL SUCCESS WAS MUTED, BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC CAUSED IT TO CLOSE DOWN SEVEN MONTHS AFTER IT OPENED.

THEN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2020, THE MIDWEST CITY WARREN WAS FORECLOSED UPON.

TENNESSEE-BASED REGAL CINEMA'S BOUGHT IT IN BANKRUPTCY COURT LAST APRIL.

THE NEW REGAL MIDWEST CITY WARREN THEATRE RE-OPENED ITS DOORS ON JULY 7TH.

>> WHAT WAS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE OF YOU RE-OPENING?

>> LETTING THE COMMUNITY KNOW THAT WE'RE OPEN.

JUST GETTING THE WORD OUT THAT WE ARE SAFELY RE-OPENING, AND HOPING THE COMMUNITY WAS READY TO COME BACK.

>> LONG-TIME WARREN GENERAL MANAGER LIZ TORRES SAYS ATTENDANCE OVER THE HOLIDAYS WAS ENCOURAGING.

>> OUR NUMBERS ARE ALMOST PRE-COVID, SO RE-OPENING HAS BEEN GREAT AND BUSINESS HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD SO FAR.

WE'RE EXCITED FOR THIS NEW SLATE.

2022 HAS A GREAT LINEUP SO WE ARE PRETTY EXCITED FOR THAT.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO TOP GUN, MORPHEUS COMING OUT.

YES, WE ARE HOPING VERY MUCH.

>> MIDWEST CITY IS BANKING ON IT.

BUT FIRST A HISTORY LESSON.

SOONER ROSE SHOPPING CENTER IS NAMED AFTER AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, BY THE SAME NAME.

IT SAT AT THE CORNER OF SOUTHEAST 15TH AND SOONER ROAD FROM THE MID 1940'S UNTIL IT WAS TORN DOWN SEVEN YEARS AGO.

THIS SLICE OF MIDWEST CITY WAS ALSO HIT BY THE TORNADO THAT DEVASTED THE AREA AND KILLED 36 PEOPLE ON MAY 3RD 1999.

>> WAS THERE ANY CONCERN THAT THIS AREA WAS NOT GOING TO COME BACK?

>> NOT IN MY MIND.

>> BRIAN RENZ IS PRESIDENT OF MID-DEL BANCFIRST.

HE HELPED BROKER DEALS THAT CLEARED THE WAY FOR MIDWEST CITY AND PRIVATE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD A RAPIDLY CHANGING SOONER ROSE SHOPPING CENTER.

>> I THINK THE CITY HAS TURNED THIS INTO A LOCATION FOR FAMILY FRIDAY EVENING TYPE THING WEEKEND WHERE YOU CAN GO TO A MOVIE, YOU CAN GO OUT TO EAT ALL LOCALLY WITHOUT DRIVING ANOTHER 10 OR 15 MILES TO THE METRO.

>> IT'S BRINGING A LOT OF TRAFFIC, IT'S BRINGING A LOT OF SYNERGY.

>> RUSSELL ALLISON CO-OWNS ANDY'S ALTITUDE 21-91, WHICH SITS CADDY CORNER TO THE WARREN.

THEY BOAST A RESTAURANT, BAR, ARCADE, A BOWLING ALLEY, AND TWO STORIES OF LAZER TAG.

AND NOW THEY'VE REALLY GOT COMPANY.

>> THIS LITERALLY WHERE WE ARE SITTING AT NOW WAS A HUGE HUGE FIELD WITH THREE RUN DOWN HOUSES NOT EVEN HABITABLE.

AND THERE WAS ONLY A FEW STORES ON THE WEST END.

YOU LOOK OUT AND SEE ALL THIS LAND.

YOU LOOK OUT AND NOW AND FROM THE WARREN TO US EVERYTHING IS GOING AND THE RESTAURANTS ON FRONTAGE, IT'S INCREDIBLE TO SEE.

>> FUZZY'S TACO SHOP ALSO SET UP SHOP HERE FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

AREA DIRECTOR TYLER GILLESPIE SAYS TRAFFIC FROM TINKER AIR FORCE BASE AND STUDENTS FROM NEARBY ROSE STATE HELPED KEEP THEM AFLOAT.

>> IT WAS EXTREMELY STRESSFUL AT FIRST, ESPECIALLY WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF US OPENING.

AND SEEING THE DECREASE IN SALES, BUT REALLY ONCE THINGS IN MAY OF 2020 KIND OF OPENED BACK UP AGAIN, THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED TO SEE A LITTLE BIT OF GROWTH IN OUR STORES AND SPECIFICALLY HERE.

>> SEVERAL OTHER RESTRAUNTS ARE ALSO NOW HERE, INCLUDING ONE BARBECUE LOVERS IN EDMOND WILL FIND FAMILIAR.

>> WHAT'S THE NAME OF THIS PLACE?

>> BIG O'S PORK AND DREAMS MIDWEST CITY BABY.

>> WHAT'S IT LIKE BEING IN MIDWEST CITY?

>> IT'S A DIFFERENT VIBE BABY.

IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE COME TO THE EDMOND STORE WAS COMING FROM MIDWEST CITY, HENRYETTA, HINTON, ALL OF THOSE SUBURBS.

>> SOONER ROSE IS EASY WALKING DISTANCE FOR STUDENTS AT NEARBY ROSE STATE.

>> SO WE HAVE I FEEL LIKE THE CITY AND COLLEGE CAME TOGETHER AND FLOURISHED BECAUSE WE ADDED NEW RESTAURANTS AT THE TIME.

THE COLLEGE REMAINED STABLE OR GREW ENROLLMENT DURING THAT TIME.

WE BUILT A BRAND NEW BUILDING DURING THIS TIME.

WHAT WE DIDN'T WANT TO DO WAS STOP.

THE MOMENTUM WAS GOING AND YOU CAN'T STOP MOMENTUM, SO YOU HAD TO FIND NEW WAYS AND YOU HAD TO STAY POSITIVE, BECAUSE IT WILL TURN AROUND.

>> BUSINESS NOW IS SO GOOD HE EXPECTS SOONER ROSE SHOPPING CENTER TO BE FULL OF TENANTS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

RICH.

>> GOOD NEWS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>> WE CONTINUE OUR LOOK AT OKLAHOMA ECONOMIC NEWS OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS WITH JASON DOYLE'S COMPREHENSIVE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> OKLAHOMA WORKERS ARE CERTAINLY IN DEMAND, AS THE STATE'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO THE THIRD LOWEST IN THE NATION.

THE OKLAHOMA EMPLOYMENT SECURITY COMMISSION SAYS DECEMBER'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED TO 2.3% FROM NOVEMBER'S 2.5%.

THIS IS THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN OKLAHOMA HAS HIT AN HISTORIC LOW, WITH MORE THAN 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE CURRENTLY IN THE WORK FORCE.

ONE OF THE BEST RETURNS ON INVESTMENT DURING 2021, OKLAHOMA CITY RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE, PROPERTY DATA COMPANY, ATTOM SAYS AMONG METRO AREAS WITH A POPULATION OF AT LEAST ONE MILLION, HOME SELLERS IN OUR CAPITOL CITY REALIZED A 64.4% INCREASE ON THEIR INVESTIMENTS LAST YEAR.

THE ONLY OTHER MAJOR AMERICAN CITY WITH A LARGER RETURN ON INVESTIMENT WAS RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

CLEAR SIGN TECHNOLOGIES HAS MOVED ITS HEADQUARTERS FROM SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, TO TULSA THIS WEEK.

THE COMPANY PRODUCES TECHNOLOGY TO REDUCE EMISSIONS.

BY MOVING TO OKLAHOMA, CLEAR SIGN TECHNOLOGIES WILL RECEIVE INCENTIVES FROM THE OKLAHOMA 21ST CENTURY QUALITY JOBS PROGRAM.

>> THE KOI NATION OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA HAS ENTERED INTO A PRE-DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CHICKASAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA'S GLOBAL GAMING SOLUTIONS TO PARTNER ON ITS PLANNED SHILOH CASINO AND RESORT TO BE BUILT IN SONOMA COUNTY.

ONCE THE CASINO AND RESORT IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS, GLOBAL GAMING SOLUTIONS WILL MANAGE AN OPERATE THE GAMING DESTINATION FOR THE KOI NATION.

>> FREDDY'S FROZEN CUSTARD AND STEAKBURGERS IS OPENING ITS FIRST AIRPORT LOCATION AT OKLAHOMA CITY'S WILL ROGERS WORLD AIRPORT.

THE COMPANY IS LOOKING TO EXPAND ITS NON-TRADITIONAL FOOTPRINT TO HELP WITH ITS GROWTH BY PLACING RESTAURANTS IN MAJOR TRANSPORTATON HUBS TO INTRODUCE THE BRAND AS THEY TRAVEL.

TULSA BASED QUIKTRIP HAS TEAMED WITH A SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE DIRECTOR TO CREATE A FULL-LENGTH 90'S STYLE SITCOM TO HELP PROMOTE THE CONVENIENCE AND GASOLINE RETAILER.

THE SITCOM WILL BE BROADCAST ON CERTAIN STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY OVER THE WEEKEND, AND IS MEANT TO GIVE VIEWERS A BIT OF NOSTALGIA WHILE PROMOTING QUICK-TRIP'S MISSION TO BE MORE THAN A GAS STATION.

THE SITCOM IS CALLED SNACKLE STEALS THE SHOW.

JASON DOYLE, THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW.

>> THANKS.

AT THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO THE BIG GENDER REVEAL.

REVEALS IT'S A BOY.

AFTER NEARLY TWO YEAR GESTATION PERIOD, WOW, THE OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO IS INTRODUCING THE NEWBORN ASIAN ALL I CAN'T CALF NAMED RAMA.

HE'S A HEALTHY BOY, BEGINNING TO DEVELOP ATTACHMENTS TO HIS FAMILY MEMBERS.

HE IS THE FOURTH ELEPHANT CALF TO BE BORN AT THE OCTOBER CITY ZOO.

ES20 PLATED 40,000 IN THE WILD.

RAMA IS SANSKRIT FOR PLEASING.

>>> SINCE THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN A BAN ON SPORTS GAMBLING, 32 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LEGALIZED.

OKLAHOMA IS NOT YET ONE OF THEM.

WILL IT HAPPEN HERE AND WHY HASN'T IT ALREADY?

AND WHAT IS THE DOWN SIDE TO MORE GAMBLING IN OKLAHOMA?

A LOT TO DISCUSS.

LET'S GET AFTER IT WITH SUSAN CADOT AND HER IN DEPTH PANEL OF GUESTS.

>> WE HAVE AN ESTEEMED PANEL TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE COMING UP IN OKLAHOMA.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THEM TO EVERYONE.

WE HAVE MATTHEW MORGAN.

WE HAVE DR. JOSH HOGAN, ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT THE OSU SCHOOL OF BUSINESS WHO IS AN EXPERT ON THE SPORTS BETTING INDUSTRY AND WE HAVE WALLY HARLOW, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OKLAHOMA ASSOCIATION ON PROBLEM GAMBLING, OFFERS HELP AND SUPPORT TO THOSE STRUGGLING WITH GAMBLING ADDICTION.

THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.

I WANT TO START WITH A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION FOR OUR VIEWERS.

OKLAHOMA TALKED ABOUT SPORTS GAMBLING BEFORE.

IT CAME UP MOST RECENTLY AS AN ISSUE BETWEEN THE TRIBES AND GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT DURING THE GOVERNOR'S CHALLENGE OF THE EXISTING GAMING COMPACT CHALLENGE AND THAT CHALLENGE WAS STRUCK DOWN BY THE OKLAHOMA SUPREME COURT A YEAR AGO.

SO WE WANT TO START WITH MATTHEW MORGAN.

WHERE DID THE THOSE NEGOTIATIONS LEAVE OKLAHOMA WITH REGARD TO SPORTS GAMBLING?

>> I THINK THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS I THINK WE PUT A PIN IN THAT -- THOSE DISCUSSIONS TO HAVE AT A LATER DATE.

AS REPRESENTATIVE LATRELL SAID THROUGH HIS PRESS RELEASE, WE THINK IT'S A GREAT TIME TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE TOPIC AND SEE IF THERE IS INTEREST FROM BOTH SIDES AND MOVING SOMETHING FORWARD.

>> WHAT KIND OF PATH FORWARD WAS LEFT FOR THE INDUSTRY, MATTHEW?

>> YOU KNOW, THE UNIQUE WAY OKLAHOMA LAW WORKS IS WE HAVE TO WAIT ON OFFER FROM THE STATE.

I THINK THE INDUSTRY HAS LOOKED AROUND THE COUNTRY, SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING, HAS DONE A LOT OF DUE DILIGENCE.

WHAT IT'S WAITING ON TO SEE IF THEY HAVE APPETITE AND WHAT DOES THAT OFFER LOOK LIKE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

I WANT TO COME TO YOU NEXT.

YOU INTRODUCED THIS BILL.

I THINK THE BIG FACTOR IS WHO WOULD CONTROL AND TAX THIS INDUSTRY.

DOES THE BILL LAY THAT OUT?

>> THE BILL HAS A SIMPLE LANGUAGE THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE EXISTING COMPACTS IN THE PERCENTAGE THAT WE PUT IN THE BILL, 10%.

FELT LIKE THAT WAS A FAIR PLACE TO AT LEAST START NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE TRIBES, BETWEEN THE TRIBES AND THE STATE.

AND ENSURE WE HAVE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD WITH STATES AROUND US AS FAR AS THE GAMING THAT IS OFFERED, IN OUR STATE AND OTHER STATES, AND MR. MORGAN IS FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS WE'VE HAD ABOUT BRINGING OUT OF STATE INCOME INTO OKLAHOMA, KEEPING OUR GAMBLING INCOME IN OKLAHOMA.

WE EXPLORED SOME OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS THAT ARE BEING SPENT ON ILLEGAL SPORTS GAMBLING IN OKLAHOMA, MONEY BEING SENT OUT OF STATE, PEOPLE THAT I TALKED TO THAT ARE ONLINE SPORTS BETTERS, AND SEND MONEY OUT OF STATE EVERY WEEKEND.

AND WE WANT TO PUT A STOP TO THAT.

WE WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THAT AND BENEFIT OKLAHOMA CITIZENS AND TRIBES.

>> I WANT TO COME TO YOU NEXT ON THAT, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE MONIES INVOLVED BUT RIGHT NOW SEVERAL STATES DO HAVE LEGALIZED SPORTS BETTING.

DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY AND HOW THEY'RE FARING?

>> YES, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 30 STATES WHO ARE OPERATIONAL WITH SPORTS BETTING.

WE HAVE THREE STATES WAITING TO COME ONLINE WITH NEBRASKA, OHIO, AND THEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS CURRENTLY LITIGATING A SPORTS BETTING COMPACT WITH THE TRIBE OF FLORIDA AGAINST A THIRD PARTY GAMING OPERATOR IN THE STATE.

SO THEY HAD IT.

IT'S GONE AWAY.

THEY'RE FIGHTING TO BRING IT BACK.

SO IT'S CONTINUED TO EXPAND.

WE'VE SEEN VIRTUALLY EVERY STATE INTRODUCE SOME FORM OF SPORTS BETTING LEGALLYIZATION SINCE THE SUPREME COURT RULING IN 2018.

>> I WANT TO ASK AND AS WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS TOPIC BEFOREHAND AMONG THE JOURNALISTS HERE, I WAS ASKING CAN'T YOU JUST GO ONLINE?

ANYONE CAN ANSWER.

CAN'T YOU JUST GO ONLINE AND PLACE A SPORTS BET ANYWHERE IN THE NATION OR THE WORLD OR IS THAT RESTRICTED IN OKLAHOMA?

IS THAT -- YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DO THAT?

>> SO YES, AMERICANS CAN AND HAVE BEEN FOR MANY YEARS LOGGING ONTO THEIR COMPUTERS ABETTING AT WEBSITES IN THE CARIBBEAN, CENTRAL AMERICA, SOUTH AMERICA, THOSE COMPANIES THAT SERVE AMERICAN CUSTOMERS ARE VIOLATING A FEDERAL LAW CALLED THE WIRE ACT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 1961.

SO THERE IS ALWAYS RISKS WITH PEOPLE BETTING OFFSHORE.

YOU DON'T KNOW THE REAL LIABILITY OF THEM.

THEY'RE UNREGULATED SO THE PROTECTIONS FOR THE CONSUMER AREN'T THERE THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN A REGULATED MARKET.

THE OTHER THING IS WE DON'T HAVE PROBLEM GAMBLING RESTRICTIONS ON THE WEBSITES, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW U.S. LAW.

I THINK ANOTHER BIG ASPECT OF THAT OFFSHORE GAMBLING SCENE IS THAT IS TAX MONEY COMING OUT OF THE UNITED STATES, GOING UNTAXED TO THESE OFFSHORE OPERATORS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE WHEN WE'RE TALKING ABOUT OKLAHOMA THE STATE CAN'T TAX THE TRIBES, SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE A REVENUE SHARING A AGREEMENT IN ORDER FOR THE TRIBES TO PAY 10% TO THE STATE OR WHATEVER NUMBER ENDS UP BEING AGREED UPON.

>> I KNOW THERE'S MORE, BUT I WANT TO BRING INTO THE CONVERSATION, BECAUSE THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE OF THE COIN WHEN IT COMES TO GAMBLING BESIDES JUST REVENUE STREAMS.

AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SHOW THAT SIDE OF THE COIN WITH ALL OF US.

>> WE'RE VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR TRIBES THAT ARE MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, BECAUSE RESPONSIBLE GAME BRING IS A PART OF -- PROBLEM GAMBLING IS PART OF THE GAMING INDUSTRY.

SO WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH THEM.

RECENT SURVEY IT'S NOT RECENT, 2016, THE RATE IN OKLAHOMA WAS 3.2% OF THE ADULT POPULATION THAT QUALIFIED HAVING A GAMBLING DISORDER, WHICH IS THE OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS, AND THAT'S VERY HIGH.

WITH 132 OUTLETS OF CASINOS, THAT'S REALLY NOT THAT SURPRISING.

AND LAST YEAR IN A STUDY IT REVEALED 34% OF THE ADULT POPULATION WERE ALREADY DOING SOME FORM OF SPORTS GAMBLING.

MOST OF THAT WOULD BE ONLINE, BUT COULD BE WITH BOOKIES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND SO FORTH.

IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING NEW.

IT'S JUST THAT YOU KNOW LEGALIZING IT WOULD BE THIS PARTICULAR POINT AND WE WOULD HOPE TO HAVE BETTER GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING ADDED TO THE AMENDMENT TO THE CURRENT COMPACT.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING IN OKLAHOMA WOULD ACTUALLY BE BETTER THAN FOLKS GOING OFF TO THE SITES THAT HAVE NO REGULATION ON THEM?

>> WE DO, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING GUIDELINES WHEN IT'S WITHIN THE STATES VENUE, AND YOU KNOW LEGISLATION THROUGH THE COMPACT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT IS YOUR FEEL, WHAT IS YOUR VIBE ON THE LEGISLATORS RECEIVING YOUR PROPOSAL TO LEGALIZE SPORTS BETTING?

>> WE HAD A GATHERING LAST NIGHT, COUPLE MEMBERS OF THE RURAL CAUSE K. AND A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS YESTERDAY EVENING.

AND CERTAINLY THOSE LEGISLATORS THAT HAVE A TRIBE IN THEIR DISTRICT OR CASINOS IN THEIR DISTRICT ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS.

I THINK THAT OUR SELLING POINT ON IT FOR THOSE THAT HAVE A MORAL STUMBLING BLOCK FEEL THAT THIS IS EXPANDING GAMING AND IT'S A BAD DEAL, IS THE FACT THAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT ECONOMICS, HAVING A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD, DRIVING INCOME FOR THE TRIBES, DRIVING INCOME FOR THE STATE, THE FUNDING THAT WE FUND TO YOUR ORGANIZATION MR. HARWELL, THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THIS NEEDS TO BE REGULATED IN OKLAHOMA.

THE TRIBES ARE IN PERFECT POSITION TO PARTNER NOT ONLY WITH THE PROBLEM GAMING ORGANIZATIONS BUT THROUGH CASINOS AND THROUGH THEIR GAMING AUTHORITIES SO CONTINUE TO IMPACT THIS AND COMBAT IT.

>> YOU SPOKE ABOUT LANGUAGE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE MEASUREMENT CAN YOU EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT?

>> YES.

ONE MORE FUNDING, BECAUSE THIS WILL DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF CLIENTS THAT WE WILL HAVE THAT COME FORTH, AND WE ALSO LIKE TO SEE FURTHER PARTICIPATION IN OUR STATEWIDE SELF EXCLUSION PROGRAM AND THAT MEANS IF A CUSTOMER REALIZES THAT THEY'RE IN TROUBLE, THEY CAN BAN THEMSELVES FROM GOING TO THE BETTING OUTLET, AND WE HAVE A STATEWIDE SYSTEM, WE HAVE 20 TRIBES PARTICIPATING IN THAT, WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE EVERYONE ONBOARD FOR THAT, SO THAT A CUSTOMER DOESN'T HAVE TO GO TO MULTIPLE VENUES IN ORDER TO SELF EXCLUDE.

THAT WOULD BE VERY, VERY HELPFUL.

FUNDING WOULD BE NUMBER ONE.

AND TRAINING CASINO EMPLOYEES WHICH THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE ALREADY DO AND WE PROVIDE ALL THE MATERIALS THAT ARE USED FOR THE REST OF THE COMPACT AGREEMENT.

>> IT'S NOT YOU AGAINST THESE ENTITIES.

YOU ALL WORK TOGETHER IN LOCK STEP TO NOT ONLY ENTERTAIN BUT TO PROTECT, AS WELL.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S 60% OF OUR CALLERS TO OKLAHOMA CALLER GAMBLING HELP LINE SAY THEY GOT THE NUMBER FROM THE CASINO THROUGH OUR POSTERS.

SO WITHOUT THEIR COOPERATION, WITHOUT OUR PARTNERSHIP, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE DO.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> IF I COULD ADD TO THAT A LITTLE BIT.

OVER 75% I THINK OF GAMING OPERATIONS PARTICIPATE VOLUNTARILY IN THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM THAT WALLY'S ORGANIZATION RUNS AND HELPS, IN ADDITION THEY DONATE MUCH NEEDED DOLLARS TO THAT PURPOSE, AS WELL, TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT EACH INDIVIDUAL TRIBE DOES.

AND SO YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU KNOW THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN OUR GAMING TRIBES AND MR. HARWELL'S GROUP YOU KNOW WORKS REALLY WELL, AND EVERYBODY RECOGNIZES THAT RESPONSIBLE GAMING IS THE GOAL AND THAT'S THE REASON A LOT OF THE TRIBES THAT WENT OUT ON THEIR OWN AND DONE ALL THIS ALREADY AND SO YOU KNOW IT'S A SUBJECT I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHIES AWAY FROM, THAT THE INDUSTRY TALKS ABOUT IT QUITE OFTEN, UNDERSTANDS THE ISSUE, AND IS WILLING TO BE AT THE TABLE AND HAVE THOSE HARD CONVERSATIONS TO SEE HOW WE ASSIST IN HELPING THAT POPULATION.

>> NOW, I WANT TO COME FULL CIRCLE BACK TO THE MONEY.

HOW MUCH MONEY IN FEES AND I GUESS I'LL DIRECT THIS TO YOU WITH THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA STAND TO MAKE IF THIS IS APPROVED.

>> IT REALLY DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IN TERMS OF THE THREE FEES CURRENTLY UNDER THE COMPACT.

START UP FEE OVERSIGHT FEE AND THE MONTHLY FEE OF WHERE THOSE FALL.

AND YOU KNOW I THINK OUR MEMBERS WOULD BE REALLY INTERESTED IN SEEING YOU KNOW EXACTLY HOW THAT BREAKS DOWN.

OKLAHOMA IS VERY UNIQUE MARKET.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COMPETITION.

WE HAVE A VERY SMALL STATE POPULATION, AND YOU KNOW THAT MEANS WE BRING A LOT OF CUSTOMERS OUT OF STATE, VISITORS INTO OUR STATE, TO NOT ONLY ENJOY OUR ENTERTAINMENT OFFERINGS BUT ENJOY THE OTHER TOURISM AND BUSINESS OFFERINGS OF THE STATE, AND SO I THINK ALL THOSE NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT WHILE LOOKING AT THINGS, AROUND SPORTS BETTING.

AND THEN REMEMBER SPORTS BETTING IS A VERY LOW MARGIN BUSINESS FOR THE OPERATOR.

I THINK THAT PLAYS INTO IT, AS WELL.

AND SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL THOSE THINGS, AND I THINK MY MEMBERS ARE WILLING AND READY TO HAVE A CONVERSATION, BUT DEPENDING ON WHAT THAT FINAL FORM LOOKS LIKE IS REALLY GOING TO IMPACT WHAT EXPECTED REVENUES ARE AND WHAT THAT FEE STRUCTURE LOOKS LIKE.

>> I'M GOING TO GO TO YOU.

IS THERE A BALLPARK FIGURE OF WHAT OKLAHOMA WOULD STAND TO MAKE IN FEES?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT SORT OF COMPARABLE JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

AND THERE IS NOT A GREAT ANALOGY TO BE FRANK.

I THINK MISSISSIPPI MIGHT BE ONE OF THE BETTER ONES.

AND THEY SEE A TAX REVENUE PLUS SORT OF REVENUE SHARING AT AROUND $18 MILLION IN THAT TAX REVENUE PER YEAR.

THE BIG MONEYMAKER IN SPORTS BETTING IS ONLINE.

IT'S MOBILE BETTING.

AND THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT AS OF RIGHT NOW SEEMS TO BE THE A GREAT FIT FOR OKLAHOMA, BECAUSE OF OUR TRIBE.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT BRICK AND MORTAR SPORTS BETTING, WHEN WE KNOW AROUND THE COUNTRY 80% OF THE SPORTS BETTING HANDLE IS BEING WAGERED ONLINE.

SO THAT'S -- IT WILL BE A SMALLER NUMBER THAN SAY A STATE LIKE NEW YORK WHICH IS EXPECTING TO GENERATE YOU KNOW UPWARDS OF $300 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.

THANK YOU.

I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE LAST WORD IN OUR DISCUSSION TODAY.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE SAY TO FOLKS OUT THERE, NOT ONLY ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION THAT IS BEING PROPOSED BUT ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF GAMBLING ADDICTION?

>> THERE IS FREE HELP IN OKLAHOMA.

$1 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR MONEY FROM THE LOTTERY, AS WELL AS FROM THE GAMING COMPACTS.

AND SO ANY CITIZEN OF OKLAHOMA THAT NEEDS HELP CAN GET OUTPATIENT TREATMENT IN OKLAHOMA FREE OF CHARGE.

WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE CASINOS, AND WE'RE WELL VERSED NOW IN HELPING PEOPLE.

THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE RUN ACROSS IS PEOPLE NOT KNOW THAT HELP IS AVAILABLE, NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM GAMBLING HELP LINE.

SO PROMOTING IT AT N EVERY WAY WE POSSIBLY CAN IS PART OF OUR MISSION, AND HOW WE HOPE TO CONTRIBUTE TO OUR STATE IS GETTING PEOPLE TO HELP THAT IS NEEDED.

REMEMBER 96% OF THE POPULATION IF THEY CHOSE TO GAMBLE COULD DO SO RESPONSIBLY.

IT'S ALWAYS A VERY SMALL PORTION OF THE POPULATION THAT IS GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT WE NEED TO HELP THOSE PEOPLE IN EVERY WAY WE CAN, BECAUSE OF THE SOCIAL COST, THE FAMILY COST IS TREMENDOUS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I NEGLECTED TO MENTION WAS JOB GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EMPLOYMENT.

AND AS I MENTIONED BEFORE TO SOME OF MY OTHER NEWSCASTERS WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE PERSON THAT YOU MEET FACE-TO-FACE AND HAND OVER YOUR MONEY AND PLACE A BET WITH WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BEHIND THE SCENE JOBS, TECHNICAL JOBS, SUPPORT PEOPLE, GOOD JOBS, GOOD PAYING JOBS, THAT CAN OPERATE IN THIS INDUSTRY AND FOR GAMING INDUSTRIES THAT PROVIDE BENEFITS, GOOD WAGES.

I DON'T HAVE AN ESTIMATE ON EXACTLY HOW MANY JOBS THAT COULD BE, BUT IT COULD BE UP TO 300,000 JOBS ADDED ACROSS THE STATE.

THAT EXCITES ME, THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT PEOPLE TO WORK.

>> WONDERFUL.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US, AND HAVING THIS INFORMATIVE, VERY INFORMATIVE DISCUSSION ON THIS MEASURE BEING PUT FORTH BY REPRESENTATIVE LATRELL.

THANK YOU ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> GREAT CONVERSATION.

RECYCLING IS NOT ONLY GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IT CAN BE GOOD FOR YOUR WALLET.

THERE IS MONEY TO BE MADE IN STUFF PEOPLE THROW AWAY, THOUGH MAYBE NOT A LOT OF IT.

AS YOU'RE ABOUT TO FIND OUT AS NATIONAL VIEW TAKES US TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TO MEET A DUMPSTER DIVER WHO IS JUST IN IT FOR THE FUN.

>> MIND IF I JUMP IN HERE FOR A SECOND?

THERE IS STUFF IN THERE THAT IS COOL.

>> MY NAME IS KILLIAN.

I'M 24-YEARS-OLD AND I LIKE RECYCLING.

YEAH.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND AND FIND STUFF PROBABLY IN THE GARBAGE THAT WE CAN MAKE SOME MONEY OFF OF.

RECYCLING IS ALL ABOUT THE METAL.

THERE IS COPPER, AND SILVER, AND GOLDINGS, AND BEFORE COPPER IS THE MORE COMMON STUFF YOU FIND, ALUMINUM, STAINLESS STEEL.

THERE IS ALUMINUM.

THIS IS ALL CLEAN, PURE -- OKAY, NO RUST, NO METAL, 100% CLEAN ALUMINUM GETS MORE MONEY.

I SEE COPPER IN THERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BUY IT FOR.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO SELL YOU.

INK CARTRIDGES IN THE PRINTER, THEY WILL BUY THEM FOR TWO BUCKS FOR -- THERE IS LIKE SIX IN THERE.

THAT IS 12 BUCKS.

LOOKS LIKE ALL THEY HAD WAS A PAPER JAM.

>> PEOPLE LIKE ME I DO IT FOR FUN.

I THINK RECYCLING IS ABOUT HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT I THINK THAT MOST PEOPLE ACTUALLY DO THE RECYCLING DOING IT FOR THE PROFIT.

I THINK WE'RE FULL, ALMOST.

LEAVE THAT FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> THIS IS 100 POUNDS OF NUMBER ONE, AND BACK IN THE DAY THAT WOULD BE $10.

NOW IT'S ONLY ABOUT $3.50.

COULD I SEPARATE?

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO GET NUMBER TWO WIRES?

TELL ME WHAT I GOT TO DO, MAN.

THESE ARE PRECIOUS METALS, WE HAVE TO WAIT THREE DAYS AND THEY SHOULD GIVE ME A CHECK ON MONDAY FOR $9.45.

AROUND THERE.

THE METAL THAT WE -- THE CARDBOARD, THE PAPER, GOT US A WHOPPING $9.47.

FOUR HOURS.

WE GOT TO COUNT GAS, SO 16 DIVIDED BY FOUR.

$4 AN HOUR.

THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT.

AND THIS IS NOT A SUSTAINABLE FULL-TIME JOB.

IT'S ONLY GOOD AS A HOBBY.

I ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO PICK IT UP AS A HOBBY BECAUSE IT'S FUN, AND YOU LEARN A LOT ABOUT THE MATERIALS IN THE WORLD.

>> ON THE NEXT "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT," WE'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO THE CLEAR KEY NATION DESIGNATED DELEGATES TO CONGRESS, TELL YOU WHEN THE CLAREMORE NATIVE IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN HER ROLE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON.

WE'LL SAY SO LONG WITH A LOOK INSIDE THE FIRST AMERICAN MUSEUM PHOTOGRAPHED AND EDITED BY ERIC WALTMAN.

I'M RICH LENZ.

STAY SAFE, STAY HEALTHY AND AS ALWAYS STAY TUNED TO OETA.

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