>> FIFTH DISTRICT U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN STEPHANIE BICE WON ANOTHER TERM AND SAYS IT'S NO CREATE WHY SHE WON AND PRESIDENT ELECT, DONALD TRUMP IS BACK IN.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY THE ECONOMY.

OKLAHOMA FAMILIES ARE SPENDING $80,000 A MONTH THAN THEY WERE IN JANUARY OF '21 AND HAVEN'T SEEN PRESSURES SUBSIDE.

WHEN I'M ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL, THAT'S WHERE IT'S AT.

>> IS THAT BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC?

>> NO.

IF YOU LOOK AT 2021, YOU HAVE LOW GAS PRICES AND THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF INFLATION.

ENERGY PRICES SHOT UP AND GAS WAS $5 A GALLON AND THAT'S REALLY THAT AND THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS THAT WERE INJECTED INTO THE ECONOMY IN '21, EXACERBATED IT.

>> CONGRESSMAN TOM COLE SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS SET UP TO BE MORE OF AN ENERGY SUPER POWER AGAIN UNDER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> YOU KNOW, WE ARE THE DOMINANT PRODUCER OF OIL AND GAS THANKS TO A LOT OF GROUNDWORK THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP LAID.

I THINK THIS ARE OTHER KINDS OF ENERGY, AS WELL, AND WE NEED MORE NUCLEAR AND WE'VE DONE SOME INTERESTING WORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON THAT AND ON OUR COMMITTEE TO SPEED THAT UP.

AGAIN, I AM A TRUE BELIEVER IN ALL OF THE ABOVE.

OKLAHOMA IS A GREAT OIL AND GAS STATE AND GREAT WIN POWER STATE, TOO.

WE'RE NUMBER TWO IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK DEVELOPING MULTIPLE SOURCES OF ENERGY IS PROBABLY BEST, BUT I DON'T HAVE ANY DOUBT DONALD TRUMP WILL DO THAT.

HE'S DONE IT BEFORE.

>> OKLAHOMA REPUBLICAN PARTY NATHAN DOM SAYS ONE OF KAMALA HARRIS's DOWNFALLS IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN WAS THE FACT DOM SAYS, SHE'S PART OF A JOE BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION THAT ACTIVELY RECRUITED AND IMPORTED ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, SOME REPORTED OF CRIMES IN THEIR HOMELAND BEFORE COMING HERE.

>> YEAH, THEE BEEN PUSHING AND ADVERTISING IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS BIDEN DID WAS RESCINDED EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO CLOSE THE BORDER.

WITH HAITIANS, THEY'VE BEEN FLYING THEM INTO THESE SWING STATES.

IT'S DELIBERATE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THE BIDEN REGIME AND HARRIS REGIME AND DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

>> WHY WOULD THEY DO THAT.

>> IMPORTS VOTERS.

>> Reporter: THEY SAID DOM IS TELLING THE TRUTH.

>> THEY ADVERTISE WORLD WIDE IF YOU WANT TO COME TO AMERICA AND GET PAROLED, YOU CAN CHECK IN AND THERE'S AN APP.

YOU COME TO THE BORDER AND THEY'LL LET YOU ACROSS.

THIS IS NOT A VISA OR ANOTHER LEGAL PROGRAM WE'VE SEEN.

THIS IS A PROGRAM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION ACTUALLY INVENTED.

I WAS IN NOGALES WATCHING THIS PROCESS HAPPENING AT THAT PARTICULAR BORDER STATION.

I WATCHED A RUSSIAN COMING ACROSS, CHECKING IN AND SHOWING AN I.D.

CARD AND BEING GIVEN A WORK PERMIT AND RELEASED IN THE COUNTRY.

WE DON'T KNOW THEIR CRIMINAL BACKGROUND, TO WORK HISTORY.

>> Reporter: LANGFORD COAUTHORED A MASSIVE BIPARTISAN BORDER BILL THAT DEMOCRATS SAY AT DONALD TRUMP's BEHEST SENATE REPUBLICANS KILLED SIX MONTHS AGO.

>> DID YOU FEEL ANGER WHEN IT DIDN'T PASS?

>> IT'S 30 YEARS THIS HAS GONE ON AND NEVER ABLE TO GET TO A RESOLUTION.

I THOUGHT WE WOULD GET THERE THIS TIME.

WE HAVE TO RESOLVE THIS THERE ARE THINGS TO BE DONE WITH EXECUTIVE ACTION THAT THE LAW ALLOWS.

THERE ARE SOME AREAS WITH LOOPHOLES AND WE WERE TRYING TO CLOSE THOSE LOOPHOLES.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN C ORANGES LE DOWNPLAYS ANY THREAT OF VIOLENCE.

>> I REMEMBER '68 AND THAT'S A GOOD COMPARISON.

IT'S A TOUGH FOUGHT CAMPAIGN.

CLOSE RACES BRING IT COMPETITIVE INSTINCTS ON EACH SIDE, SO I DON'T SEE MUCH DIFFERENCE IN EITHER SIDE.

THEY'RE PLAYING BARE KNUCKLES ON BOTH SIDES.

I THINK TRUMP RECORDS VERY GOOD AGAINST THE BIDEN RECORDS.

>> STEVE, THANK YOU.

>> NOW DESPITE THE ELECTION RESULTS, THE MOOD WAS UPBEAT DUE TO A HISTORIC VICTORY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY, TULSA ELECTED AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR CHOOSING MONROE NICKELS OVER KAREN KEET.

AFTER TWO TERMS IN OFFICE, BYNUM WILL PASS IT TO NICKELS.

>> WHAT YOU'LL FIND IN ME IS SOMEONE WHO WILL NOT ONLY BE YOUR GREATEST ADVOCATE AND A GOOD COWORKER, BUT SOMEONE WHO WILL BE ASKING THE QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW DO WE CONTINUE TO GET BETTER?

HOW DO WE DELIVER SERVICES BETTER?

HOW DO WE MAKE SURE AS I'VE TALKED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT EVERY CHILD IN THIS COMMUNITY HAS A REAL SHOT IN TULSA AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT I FEEL WHEN I GET HERE IS FOLKS WHO CARE ABOUT THE SAME THING.

TOGETHER, I HAVE NO DOUBT I'LL CONTINUE TO MOVE THIS COMMUNITY FORWARD AND TAKE TULSA TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS HE'LL DO EVERYTHING HE CAN TO MAKE THE TRANSITION EFFORT LOST.

LESS.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OVER THE NEXT 25 DAYS IS TO PROVIDE HIM ALL OF THE SUPPORT AND WHATEVER HE NEEDS TO START STRONG ON DECEMBER 2nd WHEN HE IS SWORN IN AS OUR MAYOR.

I HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR THIS FOR A YEAR NOW, STUDYING UP ON PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITIONS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT A LOT OF RESEARCH OUT THERE ON MAYORAL TRANSITIONS.

SO MAYBE A LITTLE OVER THE TOP, BUT EVEN WRITE A BOOK ON IT.

>> ON TUESDAY NIGHT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JASON LOWE, A COLLEAGUE OF NICKELS IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING HIS FRIEND LEAD THE STATE's SEC LAR SECOND LARGEST CITY.

>> THIS IS HISTORIC NEWS, TO BE THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAYOR OF BLACK WALL STREET, GREENWOOD, TULSA.

THIS IS AMAZING NEWS AND I'M SO PROUD OF HIM AND JUST SO EXCITED ABOUT HIS FUTURE TENURE AS MAYOR OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA.

>> OTHER OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATS HAD A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT, AS WELL.

MELISSA PROVANZANO WAS RE-ELECTED AND TRISH RANSON WILL SERVE HOUSE 34 AGAIN.

AND THEN HOUSE DISTRICT 45 AND JACOB ROSCRANTZ WHO WON REANALYTICS IN DISTRICT 46.

THERE'S ELECT ELLEN POGMILLER FROM OKLAHOMA CITY.

DEMOCRATS HELD OUT HOPE DESPITE THE FACT THAT DONALD TRUMP HAD WON IN OKLAHOMA.

>> ONE THE THINGS THEY TALKED ABOUT EVERYDAY WORKING FAMILIES AND CONNECTING WITH FOLKS SIMILAR TO MYSELF TO COME OUT OF THE CLASSROOM, WHO ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THEY SEE IN THEIR GOVERNMENT AND THEY WANT SOMEBODY WHO CAN ACTUALLY HAVE THOSE CHALLENGES INSTEAD OF DEVICIVE RHETORIC.

>> AS NEWS SPREAD OKLAHOMA TURNOUT SET A RECORD, HE COMMENDED THEM FOR GETTING OUT TO VOTE.

>> THIS IS INCREDIBLE TO HAVE A RECORD-BREAKING OKLAHOMA VOTE IN OKLAHOMA.

WHAT IT SIGNALS TO THE LEGISLATURE IS THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT ADDITIONAL WAYS TO OPEN THAT UP.

DO WE NEED ADDITIONAL SITES OR EXTENDING THE TIME PERIOD FOR VOTING PERIOD TO THE TWO WEEKS.

SOME OF THOSE CHANGES WOULD ALLOW MORE FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> THEY HELPED TO ENCOURAGE YOUNG STUDENTS TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION.

>> GETTING PEOPLE REGISTERED.

LANGSTON WAS GETTING PEOPLE TO REGISTERED AND WE HAD A BLOCK PARTY TO GET PEOPLE REGISTERED AND REGISTRATION AT FOOTBALL GAMES AND TRYING TO TALK TO PEOPLE MY AGE AND THIS IS WHY YOU NEED TO VOTE.

>> JUST HOW MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA VOTED WON'T BE KNOWN UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION IS CERTIFIED.

JACKSON SERVED AS ONE OF THE YOUNGEST DELEGATES IN CHICAGO.

>> IT WAS AN HONOR TO TALK ABOUT WHAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AND SIT AT THE TABLE LIKE THE NATIONAL LEADERS AND MAKE MY VOICE HEARD.

>> JACKSON SAID HEARING KAMALA HARRIS, A GRADUATE OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY ACCEPT HER PARTY's NOMINATION WAS A MOMENT HE'LL NEVER FORGET.

>> TO SEE SOMEBODY LIKE MYSELF, A MEM OF DIVINE9, RAISED BY A SINGLE PARENT LIKE MYSELF AND WHO HAD TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND SCHOOL, IT INSPIRED ME SO MUCH AND MADE ME FEEL LIKE I HAVE AN OPTION IN THIS COUNTRY AND SO MANY POSSIBILITIES.

>> DESPITE THE LOSS OF THE PRESIDENCY, OKLAHOMA DEMOCRAT PARTY CHAIR ALICIA ANDREWS SAYS THIS WAS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATS.

>> BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WE ARE -- WE ARE A FLEDGELING DEMOCRATIC BASE AND IN THIS CYCLE, IN THIS CYCLE, I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK OKLAHOMA DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE.

>> SHE'S PARTICULARLY PROUD OF THE CAMPAIGN WAGED AND WON BY MONROE NICKELS WHO SAYS HE'S READY TO GET TO WORK ON DAY ONE AFTER HE'S SWORN IN ON DECEMBER 2nd.

>> MY GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE AS WE GET GOING THAT OUR BUDGET AND RESOURCES ARE SPENT AGAINST MORE PRIORITIES I'VE TALKED ABOUT AND SO LINING WHAT'S GOING ON TO THOSE PRIORITIES WILL BE JOB NUMBER ONE FOR US.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE GROVER CLEVELAND DID IT IN 1892, A FORMER PRESIDENT REGAINED THE WHITE HOUSE AFTER LOSING THE PRESIDENCY.

DONALD TRUMP IS RETURNING TO THE WHITE HOUSE AS THE 45th AND NOW 47th PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

TUESDAY's RESULTS DID NOT TURN OUT AS CLOSELY AS POLLSTERS PREDICTED.

FRIDAY MORNING, TRUMP SECURED 295 ELECTORAL VOTES AND IT APPEARS HE WILL WIN THE POPULAR VOTE AS WELL.

EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING, TRUMP SPOKE TO SUPPORTERS IN WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA.

>> WE OVERCAME OBSTACLES NOBODY THOUGHT POSSIBLE AND WE'VE ACHIEVED THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING.

LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!

IS THIS CRAZY?

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> BUT IT'S A POLITICAL VICTORY THAT OUR COUNTRY HAS NEVER SEEN BEFORE, NOTHING LIKE THIS.

I WANT TO THANK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE FOR THE EXTRAORDINARY HONOR, ELECTING YOUR 47th PRESIDENT AND YOUR 45th PR.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> AND EVERY CITIZEN, I WILL FIGHT FOR YOU, FOR YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR FUTURE.

EVERY SINGLE DAY I WILL BE FIGHTING FOR YOU AND WITH EVERY BREATH IN MY BODY, YOU WILL NOT REST UNTIL WE HAVE DELIVERED THE STRONG, SAFE AND PROSPEROUS AMERICA THAT OUR CHILDREN DESERVE AND THAT YOU DESERVE.

THIS WILL TRULY BE THE GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA.

THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE.

>> REPUBLICANS HAVE TAKEN CONTROL OF THE U.S. SENATE AND IT APPEARS THEY WILL ALSO HOLD ON TO A NARROW MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

KAMALA HARRIS DID NOT CONCEDE THE ELECTION UNTIL WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THE VICE PRESIDENT WOUND UP WITH 226 ELECTORAL VOTES LOSING KEY BACKGROUND STATES LIKE WISCONSIN, PENNSYLVANIA, GEORGIA AND OTHERS.

HARRIS AND RUNNING MATE TIM WALZ FELL SHORT WITH SEVERAL KEY DEM GRAPHICS WITH YOUNGER VOTERS PREFERRING DONALD TRUMP.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE VICE PRESIDENT THANKED SUPPORTERS AND ACKNOWLEDGED HER LOSS.

>> NOW I KNOW FOLKS ARE FEELING AND EXPERIENCING A RANGE OF EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW.

I GET IT.

BUT WE MUST ACCEPT THE RESULTS OF THIS ELECTION.

EARLIER TODAY, I SPOKE WITH PRESIDENT ELECT TRUMP AND CONGRATULATED HIM ON HIS VICTORY.

I ALSO TOLD HIM WE WILL HELP HIM AND HIS TEAM WITH HIS TRANSITION AND ENGAGE IN A PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS THAT WHEN WE LOSE AN ELECTION, WE ACCEPT THE RESULTS.

THAT PRINCIPLE DISTINGUISHES DEMOCRACY FROM MONARCHY OR TIERNEY AND ANYONE WHO SEEKS THE PUBLIC TRUST MUST HONOR IT.

AT THE SAME TIME, IN OUR NATION, WE OWE LOYALLY NOT TO A PRESIDENT OR A PARTY BUT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE] >> THE PRESIDENTIAL RESULTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE MADE OFFICIAL IN 2025.

THERE WAS A STUDY ON HEALTH SERVICESES AND LONG-TERM CARE.

UNDER CONSIDERATION, LEGISLATION ACTION TO IMPROVE COST COVERAGE AND SELF-CHECK-IN ACTIONS.

IT'S A PROCESS TO NAVIGATE FOR THE ELDERLY AND THEIR CHILDREN.

THAT'S THE FOCUS FOR OUR UPCOMING IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MODERATOR CASSIDY MUDD.

>> WE'VE MADE PROGRESS.

THIS IS NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE BUT SO MUCH BETTER THAN WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WE'RE DOING BETTER ON STAFFING AND SO WEAR REALLY Y WORKING HARD TO CONCENTRATE ON JUST CONTINUING TO MOVE UP.

>> THE WAY I LOOK AT IT, WE HAVE TO MANY CAREGIVERS PUT IN THAT CAREGIVING ROLE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.

THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS OR TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE.

RESPITE SERVICES FOR OUR CAREGIVERS IS A BIG NEED.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THAT OUR SENIORS WILL OUTNUMBER OR CHILDREN AND WE HAVE TO BE READY FOR THAT AND SO THAT TAKES FORWARD THINKING.

IT TAKING INNOVATION AND TEAMWORK WHICH I'M HAPPY TO BE SITTING HERE WITH THESE EXPERTS TODAY.

GOVERNOR STITT ANNOUNCED THE OKLAHOMA OF FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES ON THURSDAY.

HE SAYS IT WILL ACT AS A CLEARING HOUSE FOR CHURCHES AND NONPROFITS TO UTILIZE STATE RESOURCES TO CONNECT WITH FELLOW PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA WHO NEED THEIR HELP FOLLOWING INCARCERATION AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> WE WANTED THE GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO SHARE AND TO BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE AND BRING THESE GROUPS TOGETHER BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT ABOUT NEIGHBORS WALKING WITH NEIGHBORS THAT WILL FIX THESE PROBLEMS, NOT ANOTHER GOVERNMENT PROGRAM.

SO I'M JUST SO PROUD TO BE IN OKLAHOMA.

BECAUSE IN OKLAHOMA, WE HAVE A LOT OF COMMON SENSE.

WE DO THINGS CORRECTLY AND WE INVITE SOME OF THESE CHURCHES AND NONPROFITS TO COME IN TO HELP SOLVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS.

>> THE OFFICE OF FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES WILL OPERATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES.

OKLAHOMA CITY HAS A GREAT BENEFACTOR.

JUDY LOVE PASSED AWAY ON TUESDAY AT THE AGE OF 87.

JUDY LOVE WAS ALSO VERY INVOLVED IN A VARIETY OF COMMUNITY, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS.

>>> IN OKLAHOMA, FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITIES AND 28 CENTERS OFFER NURSING PROGRAMS BUT TRANSFERRING CREDIT CAN BE DIFFICULT.

ON WEDNESDAY, THE OKLAHOMA STATE REGENTS FOR A HIGHER EDUCATION SIGNED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES TO AWARD CREDIT FOR PREVIOUS LEARNING.

AN IMPORTANT STEP AS THE STATE STRUGGLES TO EACH AND TRAIN AND HAVE NURSES TO MEET THE DEMAND.

THIS IS WHAT THE CHANCELLOR OF HIGHER EDUCATION HAD TO SAY.

>> STUDENTS WHO GET THAT LPN LICENSE, THEY CAN GET A BACHELOR DEGREE AND MAYBE MAKE NORTH OF THE 90,000.

>> WHY MAKE A STUDENT REDO WHAT THEE DONE?

SO IT'S RECOGNIZING THAT THE WORK YOU DO THROUGH ONE OF OUR TECHNOLOGY CENTERS TO GET YOUR LPN PRACTICING LICENSE NOW GIVES 22 HOURS OF CREDIT, YOU DON'T NEED TO REDO THAT TIME.

GET ADVANCED STANDING, MOVE YOURSELF FORWARD AND DO NOT DUPLICATE.

>> ABOUT 800 STUDENTS A YEAR GET THEIR NURSING LICENSE AND THE CHANGES IF GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS WILL INCREASE THAT NUMBER.

>>> THREE DAYS OF SEVERE WEATHER PROVIDED MUCH-NEEDED RAIN AND DROUGHT STRICKEN PARTS OF OKLAHOMA, BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, THE STORMS ALSO PRODUCED SEVERAL TORNADOES THAT LEFT BEHIND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE.

JASON DOYLE JOINS US WITH HOR ON THE CLEANUP EFFORTS AROUND THE STATE.

>> OVER THE PAST WEEKEND, PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA GOT A STARK REMINDER EVERY SEASON CAN BE TORNADO SEASON.

NOW THE REBUILDING PROCESS IS UNDERWAY OF WHAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A RECORD STORM EVENT IN NOVEMBER.

>> I NEVER HEARD LOUDER WIND THAN THAT.

>> THIS 18-YEAR-OLD AND HIS FAMILY ARE GRATEFUL HE'S OK. DANIEL WAS WALKING TO GRAB A LATE-NIGHT SNACK AS THE STORMS BEGAN BREWING.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS REALLY BAD RAIN.

SO I WAS WALKING TO THE 7-ELEVEN THAT ALMOST GOT HIT.

I WAS OUT THERE AND WIND STARTED PICKING UP AND I WAS LEAVING AND BOOM, I FALL DOWN AND TRIED TO RUN ACROSS THE STREET AND THE TACO TRUCK BY THE OTHER -- YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT, THE INDY, MART AND BOOM!

I'M STUCK THERE AND FREAKING OUT.

>> DANIEL CALLED HIS MOM, KATIE.

>> WE WERE IN OUR HOUSE AND HE WASN'T THERE AND WE'RE HEARING THE SIRENS OVER AND OVER AND WE FOUND OUT -- I JUST KNEW IT WAS TERRIBLE AND IT WAS TERRIFYING HE WAS AROUND THAT.

>> LUCKILY DANIEL ENDED UP BEING OK AND GOT BACK HOME SAFELY.

THE FULTON FAMILY FEELS THEY GOT LUCKY BECAUSE THE TORNADO DIDN'T CAUSE DAMAGE TO THEIR HOME.

>> WE GOT VERY LUCKY AND HAD THE ELECTRICITY OUT UNTIL ABOUT 3:00, 2:30, 3:00 YESTERDAY AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW IT, BUT THE DOWNED POWER LINES WERE SOMETHING BACK FROM 2013 SO I'VE NEVER SEEN IT.

>> EVEN TWO DAYS AFTER THE STORMS PASSED THROUGH EAST OKLAHOMA CITY, THERE'S OBVIOUSLY SIGNS IT WAS A TORNADO AND INSULATION ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT NO DEATHS WERE REPORTED IN THREE DAYS OF SEVERE WEATHER.

>> AS LONG WE SEE A LOT OF GREEN ON THERE, THAT GREEN IS GOOD.

>> THE NATIONAL SERVICE RICK SMITH WAS ON DUTY AS IT SPUN UP SEVERAL TORNADOES.

HE SAYS THE EARLY MORNING TORNADOES WERE HARD TO SPOT.

>> ANYTIME WE HAVE TORNADOES AT NIGHT, IT'S A TRICKY SITUATION JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SOME OF THE USUAL THINGS TO HELP US.

SPOTTERS MAY BE OUT, BUT IT'S HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT.

AND SOME PEOPLE STILL ARE IN THAT MODE OF, WELL, TORNADO SEASON IS IN MAY.

SO I DON'T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT ANY OTHER TIME.

TORNADO SEASON IN OKLAHOMA IS JANUARY 1st THROUGH DECEMBER 31st.

>> KATIE SAYS SHE CAN'T REMEMBER HAVING TO TAKE TORNADO PRECAUTIONS THIS LATE IN THE YEAR.

>> IT'S CRAZY.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I CAN REMEMBER THAT WE'VE HAD A TORNADO IN NOVEMBER.

I MEAN, MAYBE BEFORE AND I JUST DON'T REMEMBER, BUT I THINK THIS IS SUPER LATE FOR ONE.

>> SHE SAYS THINGS UNFOLDED OVER LAST WEEKEND MUCH LIKE OKLAHOMA's PEAK SEVERE WEATHER SEASON.

>> JUST KIND OF A SPRING-LIKE WEATHER SYSTEM THAT CAME THROUGH HERE IN EARLY NOVEMBER.

NOT COMPLETELY UNHEARD OF, BUT SOMETHING WE DON'T SEE EVERY YEAR.

>> THEY SUFFERED DAMAGE FROM THIER NOVEMBER STORMS POURING SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN ALL OVER THE STATE.

>> WE HAD SEVERAL AREAS AHEAD, UP TO TEN INCHES OF RAIN OR MORE ACROSS PARTS OF THE AREA.

THIS WAS PRETTY MUCH A STATEWIDE EVENT.

PEOPLE JOKE AND IT'S NOT A JOKE, BUT TRUE THAT THE WAY WE END A DROUGHT IN OKLAHOMA IS WITH FLOODING AND WE DID THAT THIS TIME.

>> SMITH IS RATE.

TAKING A LOOK AT OKLAHOMA's DROUGHT MONITOR FROM OCTOBER 31st BEFORE THE THREE DAYS OF STORMS, MANY PARTS OF OKLAHOMA WERE APPROACHING EXTREME TO EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT LEVELS.

ON THURSDAY, IT SHOWS THAT THE DROUGHT IS MUCH BETTER ACROSS THE STATE WITH MANY AREAS STILL IN SEVERE DROUGHT CONDITIONS.

DESPITE THE NEED FOR MORE RAIN, FLOODING DID SOME DAMAGE.

>> YOU GET THE RAIN AND TOO MUCH, TOO QUICKLY.

QUITE A BIT A FLOODING AND SEVERAL COUNTIES HAVE REPORTED ROADS DAMAGED AND ROADS WASHED OUT AND BRIDGES.

AND SO, AGAIN, WE WENT FROM HAVING THE PROBLEM OF ALL THE WILDFIRES AND THE DROUGHT AND THE DRYNESS TO JUST THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

>> OF COURSE, WHAT CATCHES A LOT OF THE ATTENTION ARE THE TORNADOES.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IS STILL COUNTING WHEN WE SPOKE WITH SMITH ON WEDNESDAY.

>> WE HAVE NINE TORNADOES THAT WE KNOW OF CONFIRMED ACROSS THE STATE FROM THE THIRD AND THE FOURTH.

SOME OF THOSE ARE IN EASTERN OKLAHOMA.

SOME ARE IN CENTRAL OKLAHOMA.

WE HAD ANOTHER WEAKER TORNADO AFFECTING THE NEW CASTLE BLANCHARD AREA.

SUNDAY MORNING, OTHER TORNADOES WE WERE INVESTIGATING AND WE HAVEN'T FINALIZED THE GUEST.

>> THEY TAKE IN INFORMATION FROM EMERGENCY MANAGER CROSS THE STATE TO DETERMINE HOW POWERFUL A TWISTER IS AND FOUND CENTRAL OKLAHOMA WAS A POWERFUL AREA FOR TORNADOES.

>> THERE WAS A TORNADO EAST OF I-40, EAST OF CHOCTAW, CONTINUOUS TOWARD TRACK AND THAT WAS RATED EF3.

>> 20 HOMES WERE AFFECTED BUT THE MOST HAPPEN IN SOUTHEAST OKLAHOMA CITY.

>> IT WAS ONLY ON THE GROUND FOR TWO AND A HALF MAILS AND ALONE SOUTHEAST 89th STREET, HAD A DENSELY PACKED RESIDENTIAL AREA.

>> ACCORDING TO THE OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, NEARLY 40 HOMES WERE DESTROYED.

MORE THAN 40 SUFFERED MAJORITY DAMAGE WITH MINOR DAMAGE TO MORE THAN 50 HOMES IN THE AREA.

AFTER SEEING THE DAMAGE, KATIE IS GLAD HER SON DANIEL IS OK AFTER RIDING THE STORM OUT.

>> THANK GOD.

THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HORRIFYING TO LOSE HIM.

THAT WAS SCARY.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO LIVE OR NOT.

LUCKILY, I DID, BUT IT WAS SCARY.

>> RICK SMITH WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER CENTER SAYS THEY'RE STILL COLLECTING THE DATA ON HOW MANY TORNADOES WERE SPAWNED AND COULD END UP BEATING THE RECORD OF 12.

>> THE NEW ELECTRICAL VEHICLE PLANT IN NEW YORK CITY IS LAYING OFF WORKERS BEFORE THE HOLIDAYS.

THAT'S THE STORY THAT TOPS THIS WEEK's OKLAHOMA REVIEW.

>> Rich: 23% OF OKLAHOMA's CITY WORKFORCE IS NOTIFIED THEY'RE LAID OFF WITHOUT PAY OR HEALTH BENEFITS.

IF THEY MEET THE HIRING GOALS, THEY STAND TO MEET ONE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS IN TAX INCENTIVES FROM THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.

TOTAL TAX REVENUES ARE UP AND IT DIPPED BY 16.$2 MILLION FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

LARGELY DUE TO THE GROCERY TAX CUT THAT BENEFITED CONSUMERS.

THAT WAS OFFSET IN 64% INCREASE IN TAX REVENUE.

THERE'S GPT TOLLS AMOUNTING TO $73.3 MILLION, DOWN 14% FROM SEPTEMBER.

OKLAHOMA's REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT EDITION OFFERING AVAILABLE STATE-OWNED SCHOOL LAND.

PRIVATE CITIZENS ARE GIVEN THE R RECREATIONAL PURPOSES.

THIS YEAR, 497 CONTRACTS ARE SIGNED WITHOUT $14.5 MILLION.

THE MONEY GENERATED SUPPORTED OKLAHOMA's 507 PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND AND SELECT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING.

TULSA RECORDED $19.3 MILLION OR 34 CENTS HER SHARE.

THOSE RESULTS DID NOT MEET WALL STREET EXPECTATIONS, WHICH ANTICIPATED EARNINGS OF 41 CENTS A SHARE.

THERE WERE TOTAL REVENUES OF $340 MILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

THIS IS "THE OKLAHOMA BUSINESS REVIEW."

>> EIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE IN OKLAHOMA RETURNED FROM THE 97th CONVENTION IN INDIANAPOLIS AS CHAMPIONS.

THERE WERE 21 GOLD INDIVIDUAL AWARDS, AS WELL.

COMPETITORS CAME FROM ALL 50 STATES, PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.

>>> LONG-TEMPLE CARE FOR THE ELDERLY IS NOT ONLY EXPENSIVE BUT HARD TO DETERMINE THE BEST OPTIONS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES WHO COULD NO LONGERLY ON THEIR OWN.

WE WANTED TO PROVIDE YOU WITH GOOD INFORMATION WHEN THE TIME COMES FOR YOU TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS FOR YOURSELF OR YOUR PARENTS.

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

>> JOINING US IS AJ PITMAN AND AMANDA DURMEYER, WHO IS A MEMBER OF OKLAHOMA's LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES ADVISORY COUNCIL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING US.

>> SO KIMBERLY, AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, WE'RE NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE IN TERMS OF CARE BUT DOING MUCH BETTER.

>> YEAH, THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA HAS HISTORICALLY HAD A LOT OF DIFFICULTY WITH LONG-TERM CARE AND QUALITY AND THAT HAS BEEN A FOCUS FOR THOSE OF US THAT ARE DEVOTED TO THIS INDUSTRY AND CARING FOR OUR AGING ADULTS.

AND WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS.

AS YOU SAID, WE'RE NOT AT 46, WHICH IS NOT WHERE WE WANT TO BE, BUT IT IS SO MUCH BETTER THAN WHERE WE HAVE BEEN.

AND SO WE'RE DOING BETTER ON STAFFING AND QUALITY AND WE'RE DOING BETTER ON ANTIPSYCHOTICS.

>> THERE WAS THE TOPIC OF YOUR INTERIM STUDY.

TELL US ABOUT THIS AND WHY YOU DECIDED THIS WAS SO IMPORTANT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART, I'M PERSONALLY A CARETAKER AND WE CARE FOR MY 80-YEAR-OLD GRANDFATHER WHO HAS EARLY STAGES OF DEMENTIA.

I HAD A GREAT GRANDMOTHER WHO WAS 93 AND HE'LL BE WITH US A LONG TIME.

WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES I NEEDED AND IF I WAS LOOKING FOR THEM, SO MANY OTHERS WERE LOOKING FOR THEM, TOO.

SO LET'S STUDY WHAT'S GOING ON AND LOOK TO THE FUTURE OF WHAT WE NEED BECAUSE WE ARE NOW -- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA THAT OUR SENIORS WILL OUTNUMBER OR CHILDREN.

AND WE HAVE TO BE READY FOR THAT AND SO THAT TAKES FORWARD THINKING AND INNOVATION AND TEAMWORK, WHICH I'M HAPPY TO BE SITTING HERE WITH THESE EXPERTS TODAY.

>> AMANDA, YOU SAID THAT YOU ACTUALLY WATCHED THE INTERIM STUDY AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?

>> WELL, DEFINITELY THAT BASICALLY WE ARE BEHIND.

THE WAY I LOOK AT IT, WE HAVE SO MANY CAREGIVERS WHO ARE PUT IN THAT CAREGIVING ROLE AND HAVE TO IDEA WHAT RESOURCES ARE OUT THERE.

OR THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS OR TRANSPORTATION IS AN ISSUE.

YOU KNOW, RESPITE SERVICES FOR OUR CAREGIVERS IS DEFINITELY A BIG NEED.

AND THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH RESOURCES AND NOT ENOUGH AWARENESS AROUND THAT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT AT THE STUDY IN THE CARE NEEDS's ASSESSMENT THAT THE STATE GIVES OUT, RESPITE WAS THE NUMBER ONE RANKED NEED FOR CAREGIVERS AND ACTUALLY LEGAL FINANCIAL SERVICES WAS NUMBER TWO.

YOU DON'T THINK OF HOW MANY ELDERLY ARE BEING TAKEN OF LEGALLY, AS WELL.

HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION AND WE KNOW WE HAVE TO START PLANNING THIS.

DHS IS DEALING WITH A PLAN WHERE THEY HAVE GOALS TO TALK ABOUT SO THAT WE CAN MOVE OUR STATE FORWARD.

BUT WE LEARNED THAT THERE ARE GRANTS THAT WILL BE ENDING FOR THE EMERGENCY RESPITE VOUCHERS.

VOUCHER.

THERE'S AN $800,000 GRANT DOWN TO $200,000.

SO FOR LEGISLATIVE's PERSPECTIVE, WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT INCREASED FUNDING AND INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS.

WHAT DOES THAT REVENUE LOOK LIKE FOR THE STATE AND PREPARE US FOR THE COSTS THAT WILL INCUR OVER THE NEXT EIGHT YEARS?

>> SO YOU TALKED ABOUT THE AGING OUTNUMBING OUR CHILDREN.

THIS WAS THE LARGEST IN HISTORY OF MANKIND AND WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS, NOT JUST FOR THE STATE BUT FOR OUR COUNTRY.

SO IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IS WHEN IT'S REALLY GOING TO HIT AND WE ALREADY HAVE HEALTHCARE STAFFING ISSUES, CAREGIVERS ARE OVERWHELMED BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE FAMILIES ANYMORE THAT GET TO STAY HOME FULL TIME USUALLY.

SO WHEN THEY DO, THEY DON'T HAVE ANYONE TO HELP THEM.

AND SO I THINK THE STATE HAS REALLY WORKED HARD.

I SAT ON THE AGE-FRIENDLY TASK FORCE AND ALL OF THE THINGS YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THAT YOU SIT ON, WE HAVE ALL OF THE THINGS STARTED.

WE ALL HAVE TO TALK TOGETHER SO WE'RE NOT RECREATING THE WHEEL AND GET TOGETHER BEFORE THE NEXT STEPS ARE HITTING BECAUSE WE ARE IN TROUBLE.

>> WE'RE NOT READY.

>> WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

TELL US WHAT THAT MEANS.

>> WE HAVE TO REALIZE WHO'S COMING.

YOU THINK WHEN PEOPLE THINK OF AGING ADULTS, IT'S GRANDMA AND GRANDPA AND THERE ARE, BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DEPRESSION, PSYCHIATRIC AND DIFFERENT CANEDS KINDSOF DEMENTIA THAT WILL QUADE AND THAT'S A BASIS OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN SOCIETY AND SO, OUR AGING POPULATION IS CHANGING.

SO WE HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND NOT JUST PLAN FOR AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES.

WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THE ACUITY LEVEL AND THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE COMING.

AND ALSO DO THAT CAREGIVER TRAINING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE RESPITE BECAUSE, CAN YOU IMAGINE CARING FOR SOMEONE WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA OR WITH DEMENTIA ALL BY YOURSELF AND NOT HAVING A BREAK?

>> AMANDA, DESCRIBE FOR US, FOR PEOPLE THAT MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR, WHAT IS RESPITE CARE.

>> GETTING A BREAK, CAREGIVERS GETTING A BREAK.

THE MAJORITY OF OUR CAREGIVERS FOR ADULTS, THEY HAVE TO WORK TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE AND CONTINUE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONE.

OR SOMETIMES THEY JUST NEED THAT BREAK AND THAT REST FOR THEMSELVES.

THEY HAVE DOCTOR's APPOINTMENTS.

IF THEY'RE NOT TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES, THEY WON'T BE AROUND TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONE AND THEY'LL HAVE TO GO TO LONG-TERM CARE.

WE WANT THEM TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES AND GIVE THEM THAT QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS, YOUR PARENTS.

AS I'M GETTING OLDER, WE'RE ALL GETTING ODDER, YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF YOUR PARENTS AND FIGURING OUT, THIS IS TOO MUCH AND WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?

>> I THINK BEFORE YOU FIGURE OUT WHAT IS TOO MUCH, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, WE HAVE TO INCLUDE FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AGING PLAYING BUT WE HAVE YOUNGER PEOPLE, TOO, AGING AND ONCE THEY HIT 18, SOME OF THEIR SERVICES DROP OFF.

SO YOU WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT SERVICES YOU HAVE SO THAT YOU DON'T GET TO THAT BURNOUT MOMENT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT, TO BE PREPARED.

THAT MEANS PREPARING EMPLOYERS.

WE KNOW WE TALK ABOUT PAID FAMILY LEAVE AND IT JUST DOESN'T MEAN YOUR CHILD.

SOMETIMES IT MAY MEAN YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS OR AUNTS OR UNCLES.

WE HAVE BLENDED FAMILIES NOW AND SO OKLAHOMA FAMILIES ARE LOOKING SO DIFFERENT THESE DAYS.

WE HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THAT.

SO LAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE PASSED A CAREGIVER TAX CREDIT.

IT'S A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS THE WORKFORCE, BUT AS WE BUILD NEW WORKFORCES, WE HAVE TO ALSO TELL THE EMPLOYERS, HOW DO YOU BE SENSITIVE TO THESE FAMILY's NEEDS AND HOW DO YOU BE SENSITIVE TO THE REALITIES OF REAL LIFE?

WE TELL PEOPLE, SHOW UP AS YOUR WHOLE SELF.

[LAUGHTER] >> HE PUT THE DENTURES IN AND I HAD TO STAY THERE BEFORE I COULD LEAVE THE HOUSE.

YOU WANT PEOPLE TO BE ON TIME AND WHAT IF HE HAS AN ACCIDENT AND I KNOW IT'S CLASSIFIED AS RESPITE, BUT GOING TO WORK IS NOT REST AND SO HOW DO WE GET TO A POINT WHERE AS OUR ADVANTAGE WAIVER OUR SUPPLEMENTAL WAIVER TO GIVE FAMILIES 30 DAYS A YEAR.

IF THEY WANT TO TAKE A TWO-WEEK VACATION OR GO SOMEWHERE OR THEY HAVE ANOTHER FUNERAL, SO MANY THINGS HAPPENING THAT WE NEED TO ANTICIPATE, THAT WE HAVE TO BE READY FOR BECAUSE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IS JUST NOT THERE.

SO WE'LL HAVE TO BE PLANNING, EVEN THOSE THESE TASK FORCES EXISTS, WHAT ARE THE LEGISLATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AND WHAT IS THE LEGISLATURE GOING TO SUPPORT?

BECAUSE ONE DAY, WE'LL BE IN THOSE PEOPLE's SHOES.

>> WE ARE QUICKER THAN WE THINK.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE A BIT LATER AND WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE A LOT OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

AMANDA, HOW DO YOU AND YOUR ORGANIZATION PREPARE YOUR EMPLOYEES AND EVERYONE ELSE TO EFFECTIVELY AND HELPFULLY HELP THESE PEOPLE?

>> SO LUCKILY, WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SOCIAL SERVICE's DIRECTOR ON OUR STAFF THAT CAN HELP OUR FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE RESOURCES THAT ARE OUT THERE.

BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S OUT THERE.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS AFFORDABILITY JUST BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S RESPITE OR ANY KIND OF LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES, IT COSTS MONEY.

AND SO MANY OF OUR AGING POPULATION ARE LOWER INCOME AND, YOU KNOW, WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT THE NEXT CAP FOR SOME OF THESE SERVICES FOR THE ADVANTAGE LABOR AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BECAUSE YOU MAY SAY THIS PERSON -- WETHINK THEY'RE LOW INCOME.

YOU LOOK AT INFLATION AND THEY'RE TAKING CARE OF THEIR KIDS AND OTHER PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILY.

AND IT BECOMES A LOT.

UNFORTUNATELY, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE TURNED AWAY BECAUSE MAYBE THEY'RE $100 OVER THE MONTHLY INCOMER CAP.

>> KIMBERLY, WHAT DO WE NEED -- AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT RESOURCES COMING UP, BUT WHAT DO WE NEED?

>> WELL, I THINK WE NEED DIFFERENT THINGS FOR DIFFERENT SECTORS.

SO IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DAY SERVICES, THEY NEED SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT THAN I NEED FOR MY COMPANY AND AREA, WHICH IS LONG-TERM CARE.

FUNDING IS A PROBLEM AND WE HAVE A $33 GAP A WAY FROM WHAT IT TAKES TO CARE FOR A PATIENT TO WHAT WE'RE PAID BY MEDICAID, JUST ON A MEDICAID PATIENT.

IN OKLAHOMA, ON AVERAGE, WE HAVE 288 FACILITIES IN THE STATE AND ON AVERAGE, THEY'RE 60% FULL AND THAT LEAVES BEDS OPEN FOR RESPITE CARE AND PEOPLE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO PAY FOR THAT BECAUSE WE CAN'T GIVE THAT, RIGHT?

WE HAVE TO PAY THE STAFF AND THE DOCTORS AND THE CNA's AND NURSES AND WHENEVER SOMEONE COMES TO US, WE HAVE THAT MONEY TO CHARGE THEM.

THEY ARE ALWAYS SHOCKED, YOU KNOW.

THEY MAY HAVE THE MONEY IN THE BANK, BUT THE FAMILIES SAY, THAT'S FOR THEIR RETIREMENT.

WHY WOULD I USE THAT?

BECAUSE THEY NEED THAT CARE AND THAT'S PART OF IT.

NONE OF US GET TO CHOOSE.

MY DAD, HIS SEASON OF RETIREMENT, HE PLANNED HIS INTERFERE LIFE, HIS SEASON OF RETIREMENT WAS PARKINSONS.

AND SO HE ENDED UP PASSING AWAY WITH PARKINSONS.

IF I PUT MY MOTHER IN ONE OF MY BUILDINGS, I HAVE TO PAY THAT DAILY PRICE AND IT IS EXPENSIVE.

THERE'S A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO RESPITE.

THERE'S HOSPICE AND ADULT DAY AND SERVICES LIKE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION WHICH HAS SITTERS TO COME IN FOR FREE.

OR YOU CAN COME AND GO ON VACATION.

WELL, THEY COME TO US AND WE'RE GOING TO PROVIDE THAT 24/7 CARE.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE STAFF.

THERE'S A STAFFING SHORTAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN BUSINESS.

FACILITIES, LONG-TERM TERM CARE FACILITIES ARE SHUTTING DOWN.

WE WENT FROM 300 TO 288 IN OKLAHOMA.

THE FIRST ONES ARE THE RURAL FACILITIES BECAUSE WE CAN'T HAVE STAFF.

THAT'S WHERE MOST OF THAT'S FAMILIARS ARE LIVING TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR LOVED ONES AT HOME HOME.

AS YOU CAN TELL, I CAN TALK AND TALK AND TALK.

I'M VERY PASSIONATE.

BUT THE PROBLEM, WE'RE SILOING.

WE'RE DOING LONG-TERM CARE, PACE, HOSPICE.

WE ALL HAVE TO BE AT THE SAME TABLE AND HAVING THE SAME DISCUSSION AND TALKING TO THE LEGISLATURE ABOUT THE MONEY THAT WE ALL NEED TO MAKE OKLAHOMA WORK AND CARE FOR OUR AGING ADULTS AND THOSE THAT NEED SERVICES.

IT'S NOT JUST AGING ADULTS.

AND THAT'S NOT HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

I THINK A LOT OF US SAT ON THE SAME COMMITTEES, BUT IT'S SILOED.

I KNOW WHENEVER I'M TALKING, I'M THE VOICE OF LONG-TERM CARE.

WE ALL ANYWAY TO UNDERSTAND IT'S LIKE A DOMINO EFFECT.

WE HAVE TO BE SUPPORTING EACH OTHER BECAUSE THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL.

WE'RE NOT COMPETING.

WE HAVE TO BE ON THE SAME TEAM.

>> AMANDA, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I'M REPRESENTING, LEADING "AGE OF OKLAHOMA."

BASICALLY, THIS ORGANIZATION SUPPORTS NONPROFIT, SENIOR CARE PROVIDERS AND RAISING AWARENESS AND TRYING TO HAVE US ALL WORK TOGETHER.

IT'S LONG-TERM CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING AND NURSING HOMES AND ALL OF US TOGETHER AND SO THAT'S -- THEY'RE WORKING ON JUST TRYING TO HELP WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THINGS CHANGE.

I DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ON THE STAFFING ISSUE BECAUSE THIS YEAR, THE STATE DID INTRODUCE A NEW PROGRAM, THE DSP, DIRECT SUPPORT PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM, WHERE THEY'RE ACTUALLY -- IT'S AN INCENTIVE FOR CNA's CMA's TO WHERE THEY GET BONUSES WHEN THEY SIGN UP AND WORK FOR US AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

THAT'S BEEN VERY HELPFUL.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT OKLAHOMA HAS MADE PROGRESS WITH AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN DO MORE.

>> WE'RE MAKING PROGRESS AND GOING TO CONTINUE MAKING THAT PROGRESS.

WE'RE JUST ABOUT OUT OF TIME AND I WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAVE FUN THOUGHTS.

>> I WANT TO MOVE THIS TO THE FOREFRONT.

LAST YEAR, OUR AGENCIES WERE TOLD TO NOT ASK FOR INCREASE IN THEIR STATE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS.

WHAT DOES THAT DO TO A PROGRAM LAKE RESPITE?

>> WE NEED THAT INCREASE BECAUSE THE NUMBERS ARE GROWING.

ASK FOR AN INCREASE EACH AND EVERY YEAR AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT, ESPECIALLY WHILE WE'RE SAYING THAT WE HAVE A SURPLUS IN YOUR STATE FUNDING.

SO HOW DO WE PUT THE SURPLUS IN THE MUCH-NEEDED AREA TO MAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT.

AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT, BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE WORKERS WHO DO THIS DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO CARE FOR ONE PATIENT, ONE 80-YEAR-OLD WHO HAS DEMENTIA AND HAS, YOU KNOW, SUN-DOWNERS AND STILL IN HIS RIGHT MIND AND DOESN'T USE A CANE OR APPARATUS.

THAT'S OUR PERSONAL STORY.

IF THESE ARE THE THINGS I'M PASSIONATE ABOUT, IMAGINE THE PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES.

>> AMANDA, FINAL THOUGHTS.

>> WE HAVE OUR MULTI-SECTOR AGING THAT THEY JUST ROLLED OUT THIS YEAR AND I'VE BEEN A PART OF THAT AND I THINK THE KEY IS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE AT ALL AGES BECAUSE THEY DON'T REALLY THINK ABOUT THIS ISSUE UNTIL THEY BECOME A CAREGIVER AND IT'S LATE IN THE PROCESS.

I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT OKLAHOMA WILL DO.

>> KIMBERLY, FINISH US OFF.

>> WE CAN CHANGE THE PERCEPTION AND NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT THE NEGATIVE SIDE, YOU KNOW THERE'S BAD APPLES THAT MOST OF US ARE ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL APPLES, RATE?

RIGHT?

>> THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION BECOMES SUPPORTIVE AND THEY UNDERSTAND WE'RE HERE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE SAFETY AND AGING ADULTS EAR BUILDS OUR CITY, STATE AND COUNTRY AND THEY DESERVE TO HAVE EVERYTHING AND THAT'S HOW YOU CAN JUDGE A STATE IS BY HOW YOU CARE FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE.

IT'S TIME FOR THAT DISCUSSION, BUT IT'S TIME FOR US TO BE AT THE SAME TABLE.

>> THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US FOR THIS DISCUSSION AND WORKING SO HARD TO CARE FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION IN OKLAHOMA.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU.

>> POLITICAL CARTOONS HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO SWAY OPINION AND SWAY ELECTIONS.

IT'S BEEN AN ART FORM SINCE THE DAYS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AND ONE OF THE BEST IS THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK's NATIONAL VIEW.

WE'LL TALK YOU TO SILVERTON, OREGON, TO SHARE THE LEGACY OF F HOLMER DAVENPORT.

THIS IS A STORY OF A COUNTRY BOY WHO BECAME ONE OF THE HIGHEST PAID POLITICAL CARTOONISTS IN THE 1800S.

HIS COMMENTARY WAS FEARED BY BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

HE RUBBED ELBOWS WITH WASHINGTON's POLITICAL ELITE AND BECAME AN ADMIRED FRIEND OF PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

>> PEOPLE THOUGHT HE WAS A GENIUS, TO DIG IN DEEP AND TELL A STORY.

>> I'M HEADED TO SILVERTON, OH, OREGON.

THE CELEBRATORY MOOD IS HIGH HERE.

♪♪ >> THE STORY STARTS IN WALDO HILLS JUST OUTSIDE SILVERTON WHERE HE WAS BORN IN 1867 TO TIMOTHY AND FLORNDA.

HIS GRANDMOTHER's HOUSE IS STILL HERE WHERE HIS TALENT FOR DRAWING WAS IGNITED.

>> FOR THE TIME HE WAS BORN, HE WAS PRACTICING ART WITH PENCIL SO HE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THE HARD WORK OF FARM BOYS AND WORK ON HIS ART.

HE GOT DOWN TO SAN FRANCISCO AND GOT WORK DOWN THERE.

>> THEY IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED HIS SKILLS AND THE FOLLOWING YEAR WAS THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

HE FOCUSED ON MY MCKINLEY MANAGER.

AND HOLMER WOULD BE PICKED AS THIS OBESE GUY WITH A CHECKERED SUIT AND EVERY CHECK WAS A DOLLAR MARK.

YOU GOT TO THE NAME DOLLAR MARK HAMMOND.

>> THE ILLUSTRATIONS TOLD A STORY BY ITSELF AND THAT WAS POPULAR AND POWERFUL IN THOSE DAYS.

>> THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY, THEIR LEGISLATURE HAD A BILL INTRODUCED ON RESTRICTING PORTRAITS OR ALLEGED PORTRAITS.

HOLMER DREW A CARTOON WITH THOMAS PLATT, THE REPUBLICAN BOSS AT THE TIME NEXT TO WILLIAM TWEED, THE OLD NEFARIOUS DEMOCRATIC BOSS.

THE CAP WAS, "NO HONEST MAN NEED FEAR CARTOONS."

THAT WAS A WINNING MESSAGE AND SO IT DIED IN COMMITTEE.

>> CARTOONING PROVIDES AN OUTLET.

IT ERATIFIES WHAT YOU THINK OR CHALLENGES YOU TO THINK.

>> A RENOWNED PULITZER PRIZE CARTOONIST.

>> THERE'S SO MANY GOOD POLITICAL CARTOONISTS WHO JUST VANISHED AND DAVENPORT JUST WASN'T ONE OF THEM.

>> THE LIKENESSES ARE JUST SO ON.

YOU CAN'T TEACH THAT THING.

IT'S A FEEL THING.

♪♪ >> THOMAS REED WAS THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, HE WAS SAYING, YOU KNOW, YOUR CARTOONS ARE NOT FLATTERING TO ME.

BUT THEY ARE AWFULLY FUNNY AND IF YOU COULD, COULD YOU SEND METHE ORIGINALS.

I HAVE MY SECRETARY SAVING THEM FOR ME.

>> SOMEWHERE DURING THIS TIME, HE AND ROOSEVELT BECAME FRIENDS AND WHEN ROOSEVELT RAN FOR PRESIDENT IN HIS OWN RITE IN 1904 HE DREW A CARTOON OF UNCLE SAM OF THE ARM OF TR's SHOULDER AND THE CAPTION WAS, HE'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME "AND ROOSEVELT WON.

>> WHAT DO YOU FEEL IS THE FUTURE OF THIS MEDIUM?

>> IT'S NOT GOOD.

WHEN I STARTED, THERE WERE 250 EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS AND MAYBE NOT EVEN 25.

I KNOW IT'S UNDER 20 AND I'M NOT ONE OF THEM.

>> I THINK NEWSPAPERS ARE AFRAID OF OPINIONS IN A LOT OF WAYS AND PARTICULARLY EFFECTIVE OPINIONS.

>> ONE THING THAT'S INTERESTING THAT WE'RE LOSING IS NOT JUST A WONDERFUL ART FORM, BUT WE'RE LOSING THE ABILITY TO EXPLAIN TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN FUTURE GENERATIONS WHAT ARE ERA WAS LIKE.

WHAT YOU'RE LOSING IS NOT ONLY HUMOR AND SATTIRE, YOU'RE LOSING A WAY TO RECORD HISTORY.

>> IT'S NOT FORGOTTEN IN SILVERTON WHERE THEY KEEP THE STORY ALIVE AND WELL THROUGH NUMEROUS EVENTS WITH MUSIC AND FOOD AND AN ANNUAL CARTOON CONTEST.

THE COMPETITVE NATURE OF POLITICS HASN'T CHANGED MUCH SINCE THE TIME BUT THE LANDSCAPE HAS EVOLVED.

HIS PRINT MEDIA SHRINKS, NEW OUTLETS EMERGE FOR THE NEXT J OF POLITICAL CARTOONISTS.

NOW MILLIONS CAN CREATE AND SHARE THEIR CREATIONS ON THE INTERNET.

BUT AT ONE TIME, IT WAS JUST A BOY FROM THE OREGON COUNTRY SHINING LIGHT ON THE THORNIEST ISSUES OF THE DAY.

♪♪ >> MY GRANDFATHER CAME OUT HERE IN THE 1950's AND PUT THIS PLACE BACK TOGETHER.

HE WAS IN HIS 70s AND MADE ITLIVABLE AGAIN.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD SEA SE THAT, BUT THAT'S HOLMER, KNEELING DOWN AND ABOVE IT IN HIS OWN HANDWRITING, APRIL 11th, 1904, HE WRITES, "I WANT TO SAY FROM THIS OLD PORCH, I SEE MY FAVORITE VIEW OF ALL THE EARTH."

IT WAS THE FAVORITE OF MY DEAR MORNING AND HER PARENTS AND WHY SHOULDN'T IT BE THE SAME TO ME?

HOLMER DAVENPORT.

>> ON THE NEXT EDITION, THEY'RE HOSTING OKLAHOMA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR A CAREER DAY AS THEY CONSIDER THEIR FUTURES.

THERE MIGHT BE A SURPRISE OR TWO, AS WELL.

WE'LL ROLL THE CREDITS WITH A LOOK AT THE RED EARTH FALL FESTIVAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY SHOT AND EDITED BY OETA's MATT BARNETT.

ACCESS ADDITIONAL NEWS CONTENT AND YOU CAN FIND US ON INSTAGRAM AND X BY SEARCHING OETA, ON FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE, SEARCH THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT.

FOR ALL OF US WHO PLAY A ROLE IN PUTTING THIS NEWSCAST ON THE AIR, I'M TAELYR JACKSON, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

♪♪ ♪♪