![The Oklahoma News Report](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/QXBTy0u-white-logo-41-Ed2HS1E.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
October 18, 2024
Season 12 Episode 16 | 57m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
A Grand Jury issues a scathing report on the Governor Stitt’s handling of Covid funds.
A Grand Jury issues a scathing report on the Governor Stitt’s handling of Covid funds. O.G. & E breaks ground on two new energy-efficient power plants. Edmond residents will go to the polls to vote on a tax hike to provide new services and infrastructure. An Indepth conversation to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The often forgotten legacy of Nixon’s efforts to help American Indians.
![The Oklahoma News Report](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/QXBTy0u-white-logo-41-Ed2HS1E.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
October 18, 2024
Season 12 Episode 16 | 57m 45sVideo has Closed Captions
A Grand Jury issues a scathing report on the Governor Stitt’s handling of Covid funds. O.G. & E breaks ground on two new energy-efficient power plants. Edmond residents will go to the polls to vote on a tax hike to provide new services and infrastructure. An Indepth conversation to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The often forgotten legacy of Nixon’s efforts to help American Indians.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> Rich: THE THE CITY MAXIMUM DISMISSES A GRAND JURY REPORT OF COVID RELIEF FUNDS.
>> THESE TWO UNIS WILL BE 450 MEGAWATTS AND BALLPARK SERVE 960,000 PEOPLE.
>> Rich: A PROJECT FOR MORE EFFICIENT ENERGY IN OKLAHOMA.
PERSONAL STORY HOW PRESIDENT NIXON PRIORITIZED AMERICAN INDIAN SELF-DETERMINATION THROUGHOUT DIFFERENT PERIODS IN HIS LIFE.
>> THE OFTEN OVERLOOKED LEGACY OF THE LIVES OF NATIVE AMERICANS.
>>> THIS WEEK, THE STATE's FIFTH LARGEST CITIES ASKING RESIDENTS TO PITCH IN TO UPGRADE THEIR SAFETY.
>> WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THIS PAST YEAR, THIS COUNCIL DECIDED THAT IF WE NEED TO TAKE IT TO A VOTE OF THE PEOPLE, TO SEE WHAT THEY WANT.
>> Rich: HOW YOU COULD BE THE ONE TO LOWER THE SUICIDE RATE AMONG OKLAHOMA VETERANS.
>> VETERAN SUICIDE IS NO SMALL DEAL.
AND THIS IS TRULY AN ALL-HAND OKLAHOMA EFFORT ON DECK TO STOP IT.
>> Rich: THOSE STORIES AND MUCH MORE NEXT ON "THE OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
HELLO, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO THE "OKLAHOMA NEWS REPORT."
A MULTICOUNTY GRAND JURY INVESTIGATION ORDERED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL DRUMMOND SAY THEY MISSPENT RELIEF FUNDSINTEN.
HOWEVER, THE GRAND JURY FOUND, WET, NO INCIDENTS OF CRIMINAL ACTION OR WILLFUL CORRUPTION AND DID NOT ISSUE ANY INDICTMENT.
IN 2020, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUGGESTED THE GOVERNING USE A STATE AGENCY LIKE THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO MANAGE THE ALLOCATION OF THE $40 MILLION IN GEAR FUNDING.
BUT THE GOVERNOR SHOWS USED PRIVATE ENTITIES INSTEAD AND BLAMED THEM FOR THE MY MANAGEMENT.
MISMANAGEMENT.
THE GRAND JURY CALLED THE STATE ADMINISTRATION's HANDLING OF THE GRAND FUNDING, QUOTE, I RRESPONSIBLE AND INDEFENSIBLE.
ABIGAIL CABE WROTE THAT THE STATE TRUSTED A VENDOR AND THAT VENDOR FAILED TO DO ITS JOB.
THE AG HAS WEAPONNIZED A GRAND JURY TO SIGN OFF ON THE PRESS STATEMENT HIS OFFICE PREPARED.
ULTIMATELY, THIS WAS AN INAPPROPRIATE AND UNLAWFUL USE OF A GRAND JURY.
ALL TO PURSUE A HEADLINE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL's CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR.
THE COMMUNICATION's DIRECTOR WROTE, IN PART, SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS HAS PRIORITIZED AND CAREFULLY USED TAXPAYER FUNDS.
UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS CASE, THE VENDOR INVOLVED DID NOT ADHERE TO THE SAME STANDARDS.
SUPERINTENDENT WALTERS's DEEP COMMITMENT TO FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND TAXPAYER ACCOUNTABILITY HAS BEEN BORNE OUT DURING HIS TIME AND SECRETARY AND SUPERINTENDENT.
>>> GOVERNOR STITT HAS A NEW COUNCIL.
LEPAK IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE STATE CHAMBER RESEARCH FOUNDATION WHERE HE DEVELOPS FREE ENTERPRISE RELATED POLICIES.
LEPAK IS REPLACES GENERAL COUNSEL PEMBERTON.
>>> O.G.
AND E HAS BEEN PROVIDING POWER TO OKLAHOMA FOR 100 YEARS AND THIS WEEK, THEY BROKE GROUND ON TWO GENERATION UNITS AT THEIR HORSESHOE LAKE FACILITY.
JASON DOYLE HAS MORE ON THIS $500 MILLION PROJECT.
JASON.
>> O.G.
AND E IS GETTING WORK UNDERWAY ADDING CAPACITY TO THE ELECTRIC GRID AT A TIME WHEN OKLAHOMA DEMANDS FOR ENERGY IS RISING.
>> 3-2-1!
>> A CRISP AUTUMN MORNING PROVIDING THE BACKGROUND FOR HORSESHOE LAKE POWER PLANT.
GETTING THIS MAJOR PROJECT STARTED ISN'T THE ONLY CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION OF THE UTILITY.
WE'RE OUT HERE FOR GROUNDBREAKING, FOR TWO NEW GAS TURBINE UNITS WE'LL BUILD OUT HERE, UNITS 11 AND 12.
THE OTHER PIECE IS THAT WE'RE CELEBRATING OUR CENTENNIAL.
>> Reporter: THE HORSESHOE POWER PLANTGAN BRINGING ELECTRICITY TO RESIDENTS AND CHAIRMAN SHAW TROSSK SAYS THIS IS IMPORTANT.
>> YOU INVEST IN THINGS AND BILL BUILD FOR TOMORROW.
WE HAVE OVER 700 ACRES HERE AND TO BUILD THIS OUT OVER THE YEARS, RETIRE THE OLDER UNITS, BUILD NEW ONES, THINK ABOUT THE MOTIVATION, THE INCENTIVE THAT IT HAS OF THE WORKFORCE THAT THEY'RE BUILDING SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE.
>> THAT INCLUDES TWO CUTTING-EDGE JUNIORS UNITS.
>> SO TWO GAS TURBINES FROM GE AND HEAVY-DUTY GAS FRAME ENGINES.
WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH THEM OUR FLEET AND A REPUTATION FOR BEING DEPENDABLE.
THEY'RE 448 MEGAWATTS TOTAL AND IT'S A QUICK START CAPABILITY WHICH MEANS THEY CAN START WITHIN TEN MINUTES.
THAT MEANS IF OUR CUSTOMER DEMANDS MORE ENERGY ON THE GRID, WE ARE ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY.
>> SEAN GRIBBLE, THE DIRECTOR FOR THE HORSESHOE LAKE POWER PLANT AND ROADBUD POWER PLANT SAYS WHEN THEY COME ONLINE, THEY'LL BE ABLE TO BACK UP RENEWABLE POWER SOURCES LESS RELIABLE.
>> IF WE'RE DEPENDING ON THAT ENERGY TODAY AND THE WIND STOPS BLOWING, GUESS WHAT?
THESE UNITS CAN START UP AND RESPOND TO THAT DEVIATION AND BE THERE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
>> WE LOVE BUILDING BIG LIKE THAT.
THIS.
>> THE DIRECTOR WILL GUIDE THIS OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
>> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE GETTING THE SOIL READY AND AROUND SUMMERTIME, WE RECEIVE A COUPLE OF TURBINES.
>> THEY APPRECIATE THE LEGACY FACILITIES TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SYSTEM.
>> WE'LL HAVE OUR GASYARD NORTH OF THAT BIG TANK, THAT BIG YELLOW TANK.
>> I'VE BEEN BUILDING STUFF LIKE THIS FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS AND IT ALWAYS MAKES ME THE PROUDEST WHEN WE CAN REUSE AN ASSET, MEMBERS WORKING IN THEIR COMMUNITY, LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY, CONTRIBUTING TO THE COMMUNITY, MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT.
THOSE PROJECTS ARE WIN-WINS FOR EVERYBODY.
>> THE TURBINES, WHICH WILL BE CALLED UNIT 11 AND UNIT 12 ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF SWITCHING THE TYPE OF FUEL THEY USE IN THE FUTURE.
THIS IS GOING TO BE RELIABLE FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.
BASICALLY, THE RELIABILITY WILL GO TO WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE TODAY.
>> THE ADDITION MEANS AS DEMAND GROWS, THE UNITS WILL MEET THE NEEDS.
>> THESE TWO UNITS WILL BE 450 MEGAWATTS AND BALLPARK SERVE 950,000 PEOPLE.
>> THE TOP LEADER FEELS THAT THE COMPANY's DRIVE IS TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS WHILE MAKING ELECTRIC GENERATION BOTH ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AND ECONOMICALLY.
>> THIS WAS THE FIRST UTILITY COMPANY IN THE COUNTRY THAT HAD THE FIRST COMBUSTION TURBINE, STEAM GENERATED COMBINATION IN THE COUNTRY.
AND THAT STARTED HERE.
AT HORSESHOE LAKE.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF HISTORY IN TERMS OF TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS.
>> THERE'S ALSO RESPECT FOR THE PATH.
RETIREE MICHAEL WATT WORKED FOR THE UTILITY CHANGES MADE OVER THE YEARS.
>> THERE USED TO BE A COOLING TOUR THAT COOLED LAKE IN THE SUMMER IF THEY NEEDED THE TEMPERATURE.
THIS COULD COOL THE WHOLE LAKE ABOUT TWO OR THREE° WHEN IT GOT HOT.
THE COOLER THE WATER GOING IN, THE BETTER THE UNITS RAN.
>> WHAT WAS THERE WAS SEVERAL OTHER RETIREES EMPLOYEES CELEBRATING THE 100th ANNIVERSARY OF HORSESHOE POWER PLANT.
HE REMEMBERS WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO DECOMMISSION THE ORIGINAL COAL FIRE GENERATION UNIT.
>> WE DID RUN IT A FEW TIMES UNTIL IT STARTED FALLING APART.
I GOT TOO MUCH GAS AND LOOSENED SOME BRICKS.
IT WAS A COAL-BURNING UNIT ORIGINALLY AND THAT WAS IN -- I DON'T REMEMBER -- MIDDLE 90SS WHEN WE DROPPED IT, DEMOLISHED IT.
>> HE'S PROUD OF THE HISTORY AND FUTURE OF THE COMPANY FROM WHICH HE RETIRED.
>> AT TIMES A LOT OF OVERTIME, WHICH YOU KNOW MADE YOU TIRED.
JUST MADE A LOT OF LIFE FRIENDS AND STILL VISIT WITH THEM TODAY AND TO HAVE A GROUP TODAY WAS GOOD.
IT SHOWS YOU THE LOYALTY THAT THEY HAVE EVEN AFTER THEY LEFT.
>> WE'VE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE GREAT PEOPLE BEFORE US.
THEY BUILT A SOLID FOUNDATION AND OUR JOB IS TO BUILD UP THAT FOUNDATION.
>> ONCE THE TWO NEW GENERATION UNITS HAVE BEEN TESTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THEY WILL MAKE THE TRIP BY RAIL AND MOVE TO A SPECIAL HOLLER SO THEY CAN BE PLACED AT THE HORSESHOE LAKE PLANT.
>> Rich: JASON, THANK YOU FOR THAT.
OKLAHOMA IS LAUNCHING A NEW PROGRAM CALLED "BE THE ONE."
IT HELPS VETERANS CONTEMPLATING SUICIDE.
EVERY DAY PRESIDENT UNITED STATES, 22 OF OUR VETERANS ARE TAKING THEIR LIVES.
THIS NEW PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE A SERIES OF EIGHT ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSIONS THAT WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.
AND AMERICAN LEGION COMMISSIONER BRETT MARTIN IS HEADING UP THE TAX FORCE TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF SUICIDES IN THE SOONER STATE.
>> IF YOU TAKE NOTHING ELSE AWAY FROM THIS PRESENTATION AND THIS MEDIA CALL FOR HELP FOR OUR VETERANS, THINK ABOUT THIS.
IT'S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBER 22.
IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT THE NUMBER 23.
OR THE NUMBER 17.
IT'S ABOUT THE NUMBER ONE.
THE ONE THAT YOU ASK, THE ONE THAT YOU REACH OUT TO AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING AND HOLD ON TO.
THE ONE THAT YOU LISTEN TO AND HELP PREVENT ANOTHER TRAGEDY OF SPILLING THE TREASURE OF A VETERAN's BLOOD ONE MORE TIME.
IF NOT NOW, WHEN?
IF NOT YOU, WHO?
TOGETHER, OKLAHOMA, WE CAN SAVE OUR VETERANS FROM COMMITTING SUICIDE AND THAT'S JUST WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AS WE FOSTER AND MOVE OUT AND HELP EDUCATE OUR ENTIRE OKLAHOMA POPULATION.
WE HAVE TO END THE STIGMATISM ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND GET THEM THE HELP THEY NEED.
>> Rich: THE NEW PROGRAM IS ALSO BEING OVERSEEN BY CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE IN THE OKLAHOMA SENATE.
>>> WITH JUST OVER 98,000 PEOPLE, EDMOND HAS BECOME THE FINAL LARGEST CITY IN OKLAHOMA AND WITH GROWTH COME THE GROWING PAINS.
NOW CITY OFFICIALS ARE MAKING A BIG ASK TO HELP THE OKLAHOMA CITY SUBURB IMPROVE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE.
STEVE SHAW JOINS US WITH THE DETAILS.
>> Steve: FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 44 YEARS, THE CITY OF EDMOND IS ASKING VOTERS TO APPROVE WHAT'S KNOWN AS A GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND PROGRAM.
IT WOULD FUND AS MANY AS 22 PROJECTS, INVOLVING STREETS, PARKS AND FIRE SAFETY.
AND THESE BEDS FALL DOWN OUT OF THE WALL AND THIS IS HOW WE WOULD SLEEP IN OUR SLEEPING QUARTERS.
SO IT BECOMES VERY TIGHT QUARTERS.
PLUS, HAVING THE DIVERSITY THAT WE HAVE IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT NOW, THIS JUST NOT THE MOST -- NOT THE BEST SITUATION.
>> Steve: FIRE CHIEF CHRIS DENTON IS IN THE 24th YEAR WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, WHICH JUST OVER HALF THE YEARS FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE AT DANFORTH HAVE SAT JUST AFTER RONALD REAGAN WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT MORE THAN FOUR DECADES AGO.
FIREFIGHTERS AT FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE SLEEP ON WHAT ARE CALL MURPHY BEDS THAT PULL OUT FROM THE WALLS IN VERY CLOSE QUARTERS.
HAVE FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS?
>> WE HAVE SEVERAL FEMALE FIREFIGHTERS, ABSOLUTELY.
SO IT COMPLICATES THINGS A LITTLE BIT.
>> Steve: CURRENTLY CONSTRUCT THE, THEY MUST SHARE A BATHROOM, BUT THE BIGGEST REASON THE CITY WANTS TO BUILD A NEW FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE AT A COST OF EIGHT TO $10 MILLION IS THIS.
DENTON SAYS AT THIS FIRE STATION, THERE'S ONLY ONE WAY TO GET HEAVY FIRE TRUCKS IN AND OUT OF HERE.
YOU HAVE TO BACK THEM IN AND THAT WHOLE PROCESS CAN BE DANGEROUS.
>> TO PULL IN HERE, THEY MUST STOP TRAFFIC ON DANFORTH TO BACK IN AND IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.
CONSIDERING THAT FIRE STATION THREE HERE IS ONE OF THE BUSIEST FIRE STATIONS WE HAVE.
>> Steve: HERE IS AT LIST OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL OBLIGATION PROJECTS.
EDMOND VOTERS WILL VOTE ON NOVEMBER 5th.
THE BIGGEST SIX PARKS PROJECTS ARE A PART OF THIS, AS WELL, COSTING $70 MILLION.
AND, BEES, THE REPLACEMENT OF FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE.
IN ALL, IT WOULD COST $231 MILLION.
DEPUTY CHIEF DENTON SAYS THE CITY HAS ALREADY BOUGHT NEARBY LAND WHERE A NEW FIRE STATION NUMBER THREE WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IF VOTERS APPROVE IT.
IT.
>> YOU WANT TO GO ON THE SWING, TOO?
LET'S GO ON THE SWING.
YOU WANT TO RUN OR WALK TO THE SWING?
LET'S RUN, OH, YEAH!
>> THOMAS WORKS IN REAL ESTATE AND KNOWS CITIES THAT INVEST IN >> MEN ARE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING DOMESTIC ABUSE.
THAT'S THE FOCUS OF THIS WEEK's UPCOMING IN DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH SUSAN CADOE AND HERE IS A PREVIEW.
>> SO THIS IS A FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER THAT BRINGS A GREAT AGENCY TO PROVIDE SERVICES OF VICTIMS OF CRIME UNDER ONE ROOF TO REDUCE BARRIERS FOR SURVIVORS TO ACCESS RESOURCES.
IT WAS OF THE HIGH PREF RESIDENCE OF WOMEN THIS OKLAHOMA.
>> Rich: THEY WILL BE OVERNIGHT YAM INFORMATION FOR ANYONE WHO HAS A CONNECT TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COMING UP IN JUST A FEW MINUTES.
>>> WHILE RICHARD NIXON WILL ALMOST BE MOST REMEMBERED FOR RESIGNING HIS PRESIDENT, IT INCLUDES AN INITIATIVE THAT CHANGED THE LIVES OF MILLIONS F. THIS WAS HELD AT THE MUSEUM THIS WEEK.
MORE ON THE LEGISLATION THE 37th PUSHED FOR AND PASSED IN THE EARLY SWEARS.
EARLY '70s.
>> IN FOUNDATION ALONGSIDE MEMBERS OF THE TRIBAL NATIONS GATHERED AT THE FIRST AMERICAN's MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF TRIBAL SELF-DETERMINATION AND A ROLE PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON PLAYED IN AMERICAN INDIAN POLICY.
>> THE POLICY PRIOR TO THAT ADMINISTRATION WAS TERMINATION, WHICH IS ELIMINATE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN TRIBES AND THE UNITED STATES.
HE TURNED THAT COMPLETELY AROUND.
>> NIXON FOUNDATION PRESIDENT AND CEO, JIM BYRON, SAYS PRESIDENT NIXON WANTED TO CHANGE HOW INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS WERE HANDLED AT THAT LEVEL.
THERE'S A GENTLEMAN CALLED WALLACE NEWMAN WHO PRESIDENT NIXON REMAINED CLOSE WITH THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE AND SO WHEN HE GOT INTO OFFICE AND HE SAW THE TERRIBLE CONDITIONS THAT THE FIRST AMERICANS WERE FORCED TO LIVE WITH, HE RECOGNIZED THAT IT'S TIME TO CHANGE.
>> LATER THAT SAME YEAR, ALCATRAZ ISLAND WAS SEIZED AS NATIVE AMERICAN RIGHTS.
.
>> THEY PROJECTED THAT DIRECT IMPACT TO THE MUSEUM IS $170 MILLION.
WHILE INDIRECTLY, IT WILL BRING ANOTHER 143 MILLION FOR THINGS LIKE HOTEL STAYS AND VISITORS EATING AT AREA RESTAURANTS.
THE COWBOY MUSEUM BRINGS IN ABOUT 10,000 VISITORS A BOTH.
THIS IS FROM OUTSIDE OF THE OKLAHOMA CITY AREA AND 4% ARE FROM FOREIGN ARE TEAMING UP TO OPERATE A NEW INPATIENT HOSPITAL IN OKLAHOMA CITY.
OKLAHOMACY IN THE TOP TENNESSEEING RESIDENTS GO UP.
THIS MAKES THE AVERAGE RENTAL $1,037.
SINCE THAT, THE LARGEST RENTAL GROWN AT 3.4% AND THE LARGEST IN NATIONAL TENNESSEE WITH RENT DROPPING BY 4.8% OVER THE PAST YEAR.
DESPITE THE INCREASE, OKLAHOMA CITY STILL HAS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE RENTALS AMONG TOP 50 U.S. CITIES.
HELENE AND MILTON MADE LANDFALL HUNDREDS OF MILES FROM OKLAHOMA BUT STILL CAUSED GAS PRICES TO TICK UP HERE.
THE EFFECT IS BEGINNING TO FADE.
TRIPLE A SAYS ON AVERAGE, OKLAHOMA MOTORISTS ARE PAYING $2.80 A GALLON, MORE THAN A PENNY LAST WEEK.
>> Rich: IN 2023 RANKED THIRD IN THE NATION BY A WOMAN KILLED BY THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.
WOMEN ARE THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE IN OUR STATE.
WITH OCTOBER BEING NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, WE THOUGHT THIS WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT TIME TO EXPLORE THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO HELP.
THAT'S THE TOPIC OF THIS WEEK's IN DEPTH DISCUSSION WITH SUSAN AND HER PANEL OF GUESTS.
SUSAN.
>> THANK YOU, RICH.
THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA.
WE'RE GOING TO JUMP RIGHT IN AND WE HAVE GUESTS WHO KNOW A LOT ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WE'RE GOING TO DIVE IN WITH THEM.
I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO KIM GARRETTT-FINK, THE CHIEF VISIONARY OFFICER IN OKLAHOMA CITY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> JOINING US FROM TULSA VIA ZOOM IS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES OFFICER ROSE TURNER.
SHE'S A LICENSED SOCIAL WORKER, AS WELL.
THANK YOU FOR BEING WITH US.
>> THANK YOU.
>> LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.
WE HEARD THE NUMBERS.
IT'S NOT A GOOD NUMBER FOR OKLAHOMA, FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.
KIM, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.
FIRST OF ALL, LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT PALAMAR IS AND WHAT YOU DO THERE.
>> THIS IS A FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF CRIME UNDER ONE ROOF TO RE.
>> LET OUR VIEWERS KNOW ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION IN TULSA.
>> THE INTERVENTION SERVICES OFTEN REFERRED TO IS A NONPROFIT AGENCY AND WE SERVE PRIMARILY TULSA AND CREEK COUNTY IN TERMS OF PROVIDING COMPREHENSIVE INTERVENTION SERVICES, AS WELL AS PREVENTION AND EDUCATION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
>> SO ROSE, LET'S STICK WITH YOU.
NUMBER TWO IN THE NATION.
IN YOUR.
OPINION, WHY ARE THE RATES SO HIGH IN OUR STATE?
>> YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY A VERY SCARY NUMBER TO LOOK AT AND ONE OF THE AVENUES THAT WE WANT TO ALWAYS VENTURE DOWN IN TERMS OF, WHAT CAUSES THIS?
ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO FOCUS ON IN THE STATE IS, YOU KNOW, HEALTHY EDUCATION AND REGARDING WHAT ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.
OFTENTIMES YOU MIGHT SEE THAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS FOLLOWED FAMILIAL PATTERNS.
THIS IS THE WAY WE'VE GROWN UP AND LIVE AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH EVERYBODY.
SOMETIMES IN OUR MORE RURAL COUNTIES, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONNECT THEM AS READILY TO SERVICES AND ALSO, THEN, TO PROVIDE THE SERVICES TO STEP AWAY FROM A RELATIONSHIP THAT INVOLVES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
SOME PEOPLE GET THE MESSAGE THAT YOU HAVE A GOOD PERSON.
JUST OVERLOOK THIS, THIS VIOLENT PATTERN.
AND WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE AND EDUCATE ALL ACROSS THE BOARD IN TERMS OF VIOLENCE WITHIN A RELATIONSHIP IS NEVER OK. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO LIVE FREELY FROM VIOLENCE BOTH IN RELATIONSHIPS AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
>> OK, KIM, I WANT TO COME TO YOU.
WHAT CONSTITUTES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?
IS A HORRIFIC SCENE LIKE YOU SEE ON TELEVISION OR MORE INSIDIOUS THAN THAT IN.
>> THERE'S A I WON'T RANGE.
IT'S A PATTERN OF COERCIVE CONTROL SO ANYTHING FROM FINANCIAL ABUSE TO EMOTIONAL ABUSE ALL THE WAY TO STRANGULATION AND HOMICIDE.
THERE'S A WIDE ARRAY AND A MODEL THAT OUTLINES THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ABUSE THAT ABUSERS TYPICALLY USE AND IT'S NOT ONE ONE DIMENSIONAL WITH FINANCIAL ABUSE, PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE AND ABUSE OF THE KIDS, THING LIKE THAT.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT EMOTIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE, WHAT CAN THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> DEMEANING, MINIMIZING PEOPLE's FEELINGS, TELLING PEOPLE A FEW CLIENTS OVER THE YEARS WHO SAID THE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE IS FAR WORSE THAN THE PHYSICAL ABUSE BECAUSE INTO THE INTO THE.
>> SOME OF THE STORIES ARE HORRIFIC IN TERMS OF THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL ABUSE THAT IS PERPETRATED UPON AN INDIVIDUAL.
OFTENTIMES, THE EMOTIONAL ABUSE CAN BE FAR MORE LASTING BECAUSE THE HARM DOER PERPETRATES UPON THE INDIVIDUAL BY CARRYING DOWN ANY ELEMENT OF SELF-WORTH THAT THEY MAY HAVE, MAKING THEM FEEL LIKE YOU AREN'T LOVED AND NOBODY ELSE WILL LOVE YOU.
YOU HAVE TO STAY WITH ME AND SO YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING FROM EMOTIONAL SCARS TO THE TYPICAL ABUSE.
THE SAD THING IS THAT INDIVIDUALS OFTEN TIMES SAY I'M NOT IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER HIT ME.
IT CAN OCCUR WHERE A MAN IS SURVIVOR, AS ANYONE.
MAJORITY WE SEE ARE WOMEN.
YOU'RE THE CENTER OF THE BLAME AND CONTROL AFTER BEING SUBJECTED TO THAT FOR SO LONG.
THE OTHER REALLY SAD PART IS THAT CHILDREN WHO ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN THAT AND EXPOSED TO THAT, IF THERE'S NOT INTERVENTION, BOYS CAN GROW UP TO BE THAT WAY THEMSELVES.
SO THERE ARE THOSE TRAUMATIC SCARS.
SO DEMEAN SOMEBODY's SELF-ESTEEM, THAT'S EMBEDDED THAT YOU'RE OF NO WORTH AND HARD TO BELIEVE ANYTHING CAN GET BETTER.
THEIR HOPE IS JUST QUASHED.
>> THERE ARE SOME WHO MAYBE HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE, WHY DON'T THEY JUST LEAVE?
ROSE.
>> WHY DON'T THEY JUST LEAVE?
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
IF YOU THINK ABOUT LEAVING ANY SITUATION, IF YOU WERE TO GET UP AND LEAVE YOUR HOME, YOU WOULD NEED FINANCES AND YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE JUST ANY HOME.
YOU WANT IT TO BE SAFE AND STABLE HOUSING WITHIN A SAFE NEIGHBORHOOD.
THAT IS A CHALLENGE THAT NOT ONLY OUR STATE BUT MANY STATES ARE FACING IN TERMS OF SAFE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SO THAT'S VERY, VERY DIFFICULT.
AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THEIR ABUSIVE PARTNER AND NOT ALLOWED TO WORK OR MAY HAVE LOST A LOT JOBS DUE TO THE CHAOS MAYBE THE ABUSER DID AT THEIR WORKPLACE IN TERMS OF CALLING THEN, SHOWING UP AT WORK.
EMPLOYERS MAY LET THEM GO FOR OTHER REASONS AND THAT'S NOT LOCAL TO LET THEM GO FOR THAT REASON AGO.
IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, HOW WILL YOU CARE FOR THESE CHILDREN IF YOU DON'T HAVE A JOB OR LIMITED ACCESS TO FINANCIAL RESOURCES.
WHERE WILL YOU LIVE?
IS YOUR ALTERNATIVE TO LIVE ON THE STREETS OR REMAIN IN A HOUSEHOLD THAT CREATES DANGER AND HARM?
WE HAVE TO REMEMBER WITHIN A DOMESTICALLY VIOLENT RELATIONSHIP, THERE'S A CYCLE THAT YOU'LL SEE WHERE THE HARM-DOER IS CHARMING, VERY ATTENTIVE TO THE SURVIVOR's NEEDS AND THEN YOU CAN FEEL THE TENSION BUILD AND IT'S ALMOST LIKE ANYTHING IS GOING TO SET THIS PERSON OFF AND THEN YOU HAVE THE INCIDENT ITSELF WHERE THERE'S HARM, WHETHER IT'S A BARRAGE OF VERBAL WORDS OR EVEN INTIMIDATION IN TERMS OF MAYBE THEY'VE BACKED YOU UP AGAINST A WALL AND THEY PUNCH A HOLE THROUGH THE WALL NEXT TO YOU OR MAKING THREATS TO KILL YOUR CHILDREN, KILL YOUR PETS, HARM YOUR RELATIVES.
IT JUST PARALYZES YOU.
AND THEN THE INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED AND YOU GET RIGHT BACK INTO THAT CIRCLE OF, I LOVE YOU, I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT YOU.
I'M SO SORRY.
AND PEOPLE WANT TO BELIEVE AND PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE HOPE THAT THIS PERSON DOES BELIEVE THEM.
SO IT'S HARD TO BREAK THAT CYCLE AND LAND ON YOUR FEET WITH STABLE HOUSING, A GOOD JOB, CARING FOR YOUR CHILDREN AND ALL OF THE NECESSARY RESOURCES.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO HELP INDIVIDUALS DO IS LOCATE RESOURCES THAT THEY CHOOSE TO ENGAGE WITH.
>> PEOPLE OFTEN RATIONALIZE AND MINIMIZE THINGS THAT THEY'RE GOING THROUGH AND ESPECIALLY WITH CRIME VICTIMS, THERE'S A LOT OF SHAME AND STIGMA AND PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO OVERCOME AS A COMMUNITY AND SOCIETY OF NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THESE SURVIVORS.
WHAT'S WRONG IS WHAT'S HAPPENING TO THEM AND REALLY REEXAMINE WHY THIS PERSON IS CHOOSING ABUSE.
I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT FROM A DIFFERENT LENSE.
I THINK TWO THINGS THAT PLAY IN.
WE KNOW A PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN WHO GROW UP IN VIOLENT HOMES WILL GO ON TO CONTINUE THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE.
I THINK THAT PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IF THERE'S NO INTERVENTION.
THEY WILL MOST LIKELY ENGAGE IN VIOLENT RELATIONSHIP AS THEY AGE.
AND THEN, TWO, I ALWAYS HIT SOMN THE FIRST DATE.
THAT'S VERY UNUSUAL FOR THAT TO HAPPEN.
YOU MOVE IN A FEW IN THIS A FEW WEEK OR MONTHS AND A PREGNANCY WHERE IT FEELS LIKE OVERWHELMING QUICKLY AND THEN IT'S SO DEEP, SO FAST, THAT IT'S HARD TO GET OUT.
SO THOSE ARE TWO IMPORTANT THINGS AT PLAY.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PALAMAR.
HOW CAN THEY HELP?
>> 44 AMAZING AGENCIES IN OKLAHOMA CITY TO PROVIDE >> CLIENTS ARE OK TO WALK IN TO OUR OFFICES AND WE'RE CLIENT-LEAD AND PICK THE SERVICES THAT THEY WANT.
IT'S BASED ON THEIR FAMILY NEEDS AND WE PROVIDE THEM SUPPORT AND COMPASSIONATE CARE.
>> ROSE, I WANT TO COME TO YOU.
LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION OFFERS TO WOMEN UP IN THE TULSA AREA, WOMEN AND MEN IN THE TULSA AREA.
>> WE'RE CERTIFIED THROUGH THE OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL's OFFICE PROVIDE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENT SERVICES AND THEN WE HAVE A SHELTER, A 91-BED SHELTER THAT HAS A PANEL BECAUSE OFTENTIMES INDIVIDUALS WON'T LEAVE THEIR ABUSIVE SITUATIONS UNLESS THEY CAN TAKE THEIR ANIMALS WITH THEM.
WE HAVE A KENNEL FOR CATS AND DOGS AND THEY ALSO, WITHIN THE SHELTER, WE WILL TAKE ANY GENDER, MEN, WOMEN, TRANSGENDER, LGBTQ AND WE PROVIDE THAT SAFE, IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO THAT HIGHLY VOLATILE SITUATION WHERE SOMEBODY NEEDS TO LEAVE.
SHELTER IS USUALLY TOP ON THEIR LIST.
WE HAVE ALSO WHAT IS CALLED OUR TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROBLEM, WHICH IS A 20-UNIT APARTMENT PROGRAM.
ONE, TWO AND THREE BEDROOM THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN ACCESS UP TO TWO YEARS AND WE'VE PARTNERED FOR REHOUSING FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITHIN THE COMMUNITY ITSELF.
WE PARTNER WITH MANY OF THOSE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY, LOOKING AT THAT HOMELESS SITUATION BECAUSE THOSE FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE BY THE DEFINITION CONSIDERED HOMELESS.
WE'RE ALSO EMBEDDED IN OUR FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER, WHICH IS CALLED "FAMILY SAFETY CENTER" WHICH IS THE SAME TO PALAMAR AND OUR LEGAL UNIT WITH TWO ATTORNEYS ON STAFF.
THEY ALSO PARTNER WITH THE LIAM AID ATTORNEYS AND THEN WE HAVE SIX PROTECTIVE ORDER ADVOCATES THAT HELP WITH INDIVIDUALS WALKING THROUGH THE DOOR EVERYDAY TO FILE A PROTECTIVE ORDER.
AND THEN WE HAVE THREE ADVOCATES EMBEDDED IN THE PORT, WHICH IS NEXT DOOR.
IN THE MISDEMEANOR COURT AND FELONY COURT.
WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT IN OUR OUTPATIENT OFFICE THAT IS STRICTLY WORKING WITH WHAT'S CALLED LATER IN LIFE ADVOCATES AND IT'S CONSIDERED LATER IN LIFE CONSIDERED 50 AND ABOVE, WHICH KIND OF SHOCKED ME AT THAT AGE.
[LAUGHTER] >> THE AUDACITY.
>> IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU'RE DOING ENOUGH, ROSE, AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD PICK UP THE PACE OVER THERE.
[LAUGHTER] >> WE'RE WRAPPING UP AND PALAMAR TAKES PETS AS WELL.
>> WE PARTNER WITH THE HUMANE SOCIETY, YES.
>> AND I KNOW IT'S SO IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR SHARING YOUR STORIES, YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH US AND THE WAY THAT OKLAHOMA PEOPLE CAN GET HELP AND HOPEFULLY SOMEONE OUT THERE HEARD YOU AND TAKES THAT STEP TO IMPROVE THEIR LIFE TODAY.
THANK YOU BOTH.
>> THANK YOU.
>> Rich: GREAT INFORMATION THERE.
THANK YOU.
WITH HALLOWEEN NOW JUST A SPOOKY 13 DAYS AWAY, WE THOUGHT NEW EPISODE OF OETA's BACK IF TIME HOSTED BY ROBERT BURGE CALLED OKLAHOMA's HAUNTED HERITAGE.
>> HE ARRIVED IN OKLAHOMA CITY WHEN IT WAS JUST AN OPEN PRAIRIE.
A BRILLIANT BUSINESSMAN, HE QUICKLY BECAME ONE OF THE TOWN's FOUNDING FATHERS.
WHEN I CAME TO BUILDING HIS 20-ROOM VICTORIAN MANSION, HE CHOSE A SITE ONE MILE DOWNTOWN TO SPEED THE CITY's INEVITABLE GROWTH.
>> IT WAS BUILT IN 1903 AND HAD A FEW RENOVATIONS.
I LOVE IT!
I MEAN, FIRST AND FOREMOST, JUST THE HISTORY AND THE MANSION ITSELF IS JUST, IT'S BEAUTIFUL.
>> AND THEY SAY THE FAMILY STILL KEEPS AN EYE ON IT.
Mr. OBERHOLZER HAS BEEN SEEN IN THE PARLOR.
>> SOMETIME IT SMELLS LIKE CIGARS WHEN WE WALK IN AND THERE'S NO RHYME OR REASON.
IT HAS A STRONG HINT OF CIGAR SMOKE LIKE HE'S SITTING NEXT TO YOU, PUFFING ON HIS CIGAR.
PERIODICALLY, YOU'LL HEAR WHAT SOUNDS LIKE HIGH HEELS UPSTAIRS WALKING, WHICH, OBVIOUSLY, I'M SURE IS THE Mrs., JUST LETTING US KNOW SHE'S HAIR.
HERE.
I THINK SHE KNOWS WE LOVE THE PROPERTY, AS WELL, AND SO I THINK THAT SHE LIKES THAT.
>> Mrs. OBERHOLZER WAS THE GRAND DAM UNTIL HER DEATH AND HER LOVE OF MUSIC MAY HAVE FOLLOWED HER INTO THE AFTERLIFE.
>> THERE WAS A TIME WE CAME SPOT MANSION AND THE DOORS WERE LOCKED FOR A FEW DAYS AND NOBODY WAS IN HERE.
WE WALK IN AND MUSIC IS PLAYING.
AND SO, WE FOLLOWED THE MUSIC AND WE WENT OVER AND I SHUT OFF THE BOX.
AND THEN WE LEFT THE ROOM, WALKING AROUND.
A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE MUSIC COMES BACK ON [LAUGHTER] >> NO RHYME OR REASON.
>> IT'S AN OLD SCHOOL RADIO AND SO, YOU HAVE TO PHYSICALLY HIT THE BUTTON AND THEN YOU HAVE TO PROGRAM A COUPLE OTHER ITEMS ON IT BEFORE YOU CAN LISTEN TO MUSIC.
>> THEY HAD A LITTLE GIRL AND SHE STILL LIKES TO PLAY IN THE NURSERY UPSTAIRS.
>> UPSTAIRS, THERE IS ONE OF THE CHILDREN's ROOMS AND THEY HAVE A LOT OF DOLLS UP THERE AND SOMETIMES THE DOLLS ARE MOVED IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS.
AND IT'S ROPED OFF.
SO WHENEVER THEY GIVE TOURS, YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT SOMETHING PEOPLE CAN GET CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE DOLLS TO EVEN MOVE THEM.
BUT SOMETIMES THE DOLLS WILL BE RANDOMLY MISPLACED.
[LAUGHTER] >> I BELIEVE THAT PROBABLY IS ANNA, AS WELL.
WE'VE HAD PARANORMAL ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE HAPPENED HERE WHENEVER WE BROUGHT DIFFERENT GROUPS IN.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE SOME STORIES ABOUT SOME ROOMS GETTING COOLER, EVEN WHENEVER IT'S BURNING UP SUMMER HEAT.
>> Rich: YOU CAN WATCH THE FULL EPISODE RIGHT HERE NEXT THURSDAY.
SCIENCE TO CREATE ART.
THIS IS WHAT CHRIS ORTIZ DOES.
IN THIS WEEK's NATIONAL VIEWER SEGMENT, WE TAKE YOU TO ROXBURY NEW YORK TO LEARN HOW HE CREATES ART THE OLD FASHIONED WAY.
CURTSY OF OTHM PUBLIC MEDIA.
♪♪ >> I'M A NEON ARTIST AND I STAIN GLASS AND FILL IT WITH A NOBLE GAS AND MAKE THINGS THAT ARE REMINISCENT OF INDIGENOUS CULTURES.
SO I LIKE BEES AND TREES AND I JUST TRY TO MAKES A MANY THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY AND I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE ENJOY IT, AS WELL.
THIS IS GLASS, FIRE AND NOBLE GAS.
THE CURRENT TREND THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS PLASTIC LED STRIPS ARE TAKING OVER THE NEON NAME, AUTHENTIC NEON IS EARTH FRIENDLY MADE FROM EVERYTHING AROUND US AND INFINITELY RECYCLABLE.
THIS SCHOOL WAS ONE THAT ACCEPTED ME AND OFFERED A SMALL SCHOLARSHIP SO IT MADE IT EASY TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
THEY HAD A NEON CLASS AND I PURSUED THAT.
THE MOMENT I TRIED IT, I CAME ACROSS THIS NEW PERSPECTIVE OF MAKING ART WHERE EVERYTHING I TRIED TO MAKE, I WOULD GET IT IN MY HEAD, BUT WITH NEON, A LOT OF IT IS YOUR FEELINGS, THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE, THE INSIDE TEMPERATURE, THE GLASS TOOK A LE ANXIETY OF MY MIND OF, LIKE, TRYING TO MAKE EVERYTHING PERFECT AND ACCEPTING A BIT OF THE IMPERFECTION.
>> AUTHENTIC NEON HAS AS MUMP SCIENCE AS ART IN THE FORMING OF THE GLASS.
IT TURNS INTO A SPAGHETTI NOODLE AND AS A FIRE, YOU HAVE A FEW SECONDS BEFORE IT GETS STIFF AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT YOU'RE NOT HEATING IT AND COOLING IT OFF ENOUGH BECAUSE IT CAN SHATTER AT ANY MOMENT.
DEPENDING ON WHAT YOUR PATTERN IS, SOMETIMES YOU START IN THE MIDDLE AND SOMETIMES YOU START ON STEP THREE INSTEAD OF STEP ONE BECAUSE AS YOUR BENDING YOU'LL RUN INTO YOURSELF.
THE OTHER IMPORTANT THING, TOO, WHEN YOU'RE BENDING IS TO KEEP IN MIND THE DIAMETER ON THE INSIDE BECAUSE GRAVITY IS PULLING DOWN.
YOU HAVE A BLOW HOSE AND YOU PUSH A PUFF OF AIR INSIDE AND EXPANDS THE GLASS ON THE INSIDE.
THE SCIENCE PART OF IT WILL BE THE WHOLE BOMBARDMENT PROCESS, ELECTRIFYING THE ATONS ON THE INSIDE.
WHAT THAT DOES IS IT SUCKS OUT ALL OF THE IMPURITIES, ALL OF THE AIR OUT OF THE IT AND SUPER HEATS IT TO VAPORIZE ON THE INSIDE.
IT'S A STERILE, COMPLETE VACUUM LIKE IT WOULD BE IN SPACE.
I FILL IT WITH A GAS, YOU SEAL IT OFF AND ATTACH A TRANSFORMER THE ELECTRICITY IS WHAT WILL GET THE MOLECULES INSIDE TO VIBRATE AND REACT AND START TO CREATE THE GLOW FROM THE INSIDE.
NE NEW YORK WILL ALWAYS BE RED.
IF YOU PUT ARGON, IT'S A FAINTS PURPLE AND YOU GET A WONDERFUL VIBRANT BLUE.
AND SO MUCH OF IT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF, LIKE, GRAVITY, THE TECHNIQUE, THE GLASS, THE FIRE, BUT THEN, THE END RESULT IS THIS AMAZING NATURAL GLOW, THE MOST AUTHENTIC VERSION OF LIFE THAT YOU CAN ACCOMPLISH.
THE CLOSEST THING YOU CAN GET TO THE SUN OR CAMP FIRE, ALL OF THOSE PRO TONS AND THE LIGHTS THAT COME FROM A REACTION, NEON IS THE CLOSEST THING TO GET TO IT.
A NEON LIGHT IS THE AURORA BOREALIS WITHIN A STICK OF GLASS.
IT'S OUR BE ABILITY TO HARNESS THE NORTHERN LIGHTS FOR ITSELF.
A LOT OF THE ITEMS THAT I MAKE OR BASED IN INDIGENOUS MOTIFS FROM ANCIENTS MEXICO.
GROWING UP, YOU DON'T HEAR MUCH ABOUT INDIGENOUS CULTURES, ESPECIALLY IN MEXICO.
A LOT OF THAT WAS SUPPRESSED IN THE PROCESS OF THE SIMULATION.
I FIND A LITTLE BOOK THAT JUST SHOWED A LOT OF INDIGENOUS SYMBOLS AND MOTIFS AND I'VE BEEN IN LOVE WITH THAT BOOK EVER SINCE AND WANTING TO GRAB EVERY SINGLE ITEM AND MAKE THEM INTO NEON.
EACH OF THEM, I SEE THEM AS VIBRANT AT ONE POINT.
THEY WERE ALL PHYSICALLY AVAILABLE AND NOW, THEY'RE JUST IN A TINY BOOK, FORGOTTEN.
IT'S MY HOPE I CAN BRING THEM BACK TO LIFE AND BRING THEM IN A NEW LIGHT AND OTHER PEOPLE CAN EXPERIENCE THEM.
>> Rich: ON THE NEXT EDITION, THE FIRST MEETING OF THE "BEYOND APOLOGY COMMISSION IN TULSA" WHAT THE TEN-MEMBER BOARD HOPES TO ACCOMPLISH 103 YEARS AFTER THE TULSA RACE MASSACRE.
AFTERWARDS.
I'M RICH LENZ AND HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.