October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

It’s estimated that by the end of this year, approximately 30% of new cancer diagnoses for women will be for breast cancer.

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetimes. But there are also nearly 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, which means breast cancer can be treated and managed if it’s caught early.

Dr. Lori Frederick with Oklahoma University's Health Breast Health Network said women should get yearly mammograms starting at age 40, regardless of family history.

"We know that breast cancer is most commonly not related to your family history, so that’s kind of a misconception out there," she said.

She recommended 3D mammograms whenever possible.

"It helps us identify cancer that may be hidden – with the 3D imaging," she said.

Men can also get breast cancer, although it is much rarer. The National Breast Cancer Foundation estimates about 2,700 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

Although we are still in a pandemic, it’s important not to neglect yearly screenings. Frederick said she is seeing things pick back up.

"I think the word got out that you need to come in and get this done," she said.

It could save your life.

OKLAHOMA CITY —

The trumpets, guitars, violins. The familiar melodies. Mariachi music is a Mexican tradition with roots dating back hundreds of years.

"This tradition that came even before the Spanish arrived in the New World," said Robert Ruiz, musician and director of the Mariachi Orgullo de America.

In the beginning, mariachi was a string ensemble. But with the arrival of European instruments, it transformed into a new music form.

"Then in the pretty modern time – the 1900s, the 1920s – mariachis started adding trumpets to their ensemble," Ruiz said. "Today, it's pretty hard for us to imagine mariachi music without trumpets."

Mariachi music gained popularity because of radio.

"In radio, which was lo-fi at the time, horns sounded really great. Strings, they were kind of warbly. But when you added that horn sound, it really shone through," Ruiz said.

Ruiz joined his first professional group when he was 12.

"For me, being a mariachi is just part of my identity now," he said.

Specifically for the Mexican community, the mariachi plays a role in cultural identity. But the appeal transcends ethnic groups and national borders.

"Mariachis, even though it's from Mexican tradition, you find mariachis all over Latin American and, in fact, all over the world," Ruiz said. "I mean, there are mariachis in Japan. There are mariachis in Germany."

The mariachi presence continues to grow in Oklahoma.

"More and more, I think Oklahomans have become accustomed to what a mariachi actually looks like and sounds like," Ruiz said.

The look is unmistakable.

In the early 1900s, the mariachi transitioned from a "peasant" attire to a more elegant look. Groups wanted to change into something they believed would bring more respect to the art form.

"And adopted the charro outfit, which was mostly worn by nobles, hacienda owners," Ruiz said. "You only see mariachis in these kinds of uniforms."

The sombrero, the charro jacket and the pants all coming from a horse tradition. Mariachis all over the world make it their own with vibrant colors and embroidery. It's something to be proud of.

"Putting a mariachi uniform on, a charro outfit, it's transformational," Ruiz said.

Mariachis are hired for just about every special occasion – weddings, quinceaneras, Mother's Day and even funerals.

"For many families, for many people in our community, this music does transport people," Ruiz said. "It transports people to different times in their life, memories, to thoughts of people that are important to them."

Being a mariachi musician isn't just about providing entertainment.

"Mariachi, to me, it is my culture," Eric Morales said.

It comes with a responsibility.

"It's about being a part of the culture and making someone's day special," Kevin Stringfellow said.

Mariachi music celebrates the struggles, joys and growth of the people. It's a way of life for those who put on the charro suit, and it's a tradition that represents the past, present and future for the community.

"People sing. People dance. People laugh. People cry when they hear this music," Ruiz said.

Watch the video above for the full story.

This month, Hearst Television is celebrating Black history by having courageous conversations. The fight for civil rights and justice goes back generations and has looked different each decade. We’re speaking with community leaders, elders – those who have lived through victories and troubled times, to talk about their experiences, and compare them with what we still struggle with today.

Joyce Jackson is a journalism and civil rights pioneer.

Jackson was a part of the Katz Drugstore sit-in in Oklahoma in 1958 — the beginning of a movement that changed the country forever.

Jackson also became the first Black woman on television in Oklahoma, at Oklahoma City's KOCO-TV.

Jason Hackett, a reporter for sister station KOCO, spoke with Jackson about her past, the country's present and what lies ahead in the future.

“Where I first started in television, I was a gopher, Jackson said, noting that John Harrison, the then-vice president of KOCO, hired her as a part-time receptionist, tour guide and as his assistant."

We asked Jackson how she ended up being on-air and in front of the camera.

“Well, I had been here about six months, and John called me in the office and he said, ‘Have you ever thought of being on television?’ And I said no. They brought me to the studio, put me in front of the cameras, and as much as I run my mouth, I couldn’t talk. They kept asking me questions and then the tears started rolling down,” Jackson said. “Yes, I cried. Because I was just afraid, you know, afraid of the unknown. “

Jackson was a Black voice in a sea of white voices at that time. We asked her if she felt the weight of those expectations of people looking up to her.

“Yes, absolutely. But of course, I had a lot of detractors. We had a lot of calls to get that person off the air. Why do you have that person on the air?” Jackson said. “But the community was very supportive. And so I became a voice to the community.”

Jackson talked with Hackett about the responsibility of journalists when it comes to reporting on race – what we are doing right and what we could be doing better.

“I think wherever you come from, you should make a point to know the community, to find out who the people are in the community so that you are, one, accepted, and two, that they will trust you with their story,” Jackson said. “I think there should be a better effort to reach the community and to make sure that the community is being included in the story of what’s going on in the nation because right now there’s a lot going on. And, of course, growing up, there was a lot going on.”

Jackson was involved in sit-ins in Oklahoma with civil rights leader Clara Luper. And now we’re seeing a civil rights movement again as people march in the streets and fight for justice and fight for inclusion.

“Aug. 19, 1958, is when they started the march downtown Oklahoma City to do a sit-in. And it was always non-violent and Miss Luper had us trained to deal with whatever would come at us,” Jackson said. “I never would imagine that in this day and time we would still be dealing with our civil rights.”

Jackson said we are still fighting.

“It just saddens you that someone running down the street for exercise can be killed. Some kid playing in the park can be killed. A woman driving by herself on the highway and not complying or talking back can be killed,” Jackson said. “All the things that Miss Luper told us about the color of your skin and that you were equal and that you are as… Sometimes it makes me sad and it makes me cry sometimes that here we are, still trying to get justice and trying to be treated equally and it’s all because of the color of our skin.”

We asked Jackson what she thinks the future hold for those fighting for justice in America.

“I think we need to go back to the things that we’re taught as little kids, to be kind to each other. To respect each other. To care about each other. Dr. Martin Luther King always said love triumphs all. And that’s what we need to do,” Jackson said. “We think that we’re so different that we’re trying to overpower each other. We can’t go back. We will not go back to a time where we were subservient and placed in situations where we did not have a voice. Today, everyone has a voice. And we need to use it.”

“You paved the way for what I’m able to do right now, stand there at that desk and deliver the news every morning,” Hackett said, thanking Jackson for giving us the opportunity to speak with her. “I want to say I appreciate that and appreciate you and the path you paved for kids like me, that grew up wanting to be journalists to be able to have this opportunity now, so thank you very much.”

Workers at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City helped a family find their child’s lost toy at the airport, and even took it on a tour before its return home.

According to airport officials, about a week ago, a family traveled to Oklahoma City for a visit. When they arrived at Will Rogers World Airport, their child accidentally left behind her best friend, a stuffed animal named “Scale the Dragon.”

The family realized Scale was missing once they had left the airport. The mother called and spoke to an airport employee who successfully tracked down Scale, airport officials said.

“To our surprise, Scale was touring the airport and met some friendly airport staff in his adventures. The family and little girl was so thrilled to have Scale back and was thankful for all the staff who made his adventure around the airport fun! Look at how much fun Scale had at WRWA while waiting for his best friend to return,” airport officials said in a Facebook post.

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A 28-year-old mother died after her vehicle was hit by a chase suspect Monday in northeast Oklahoma City.

Police said a suspect stole a pickup truck from a construction site and led police on a pursuit that ended when the two vehicles collided.

The victim was identified as Star Shells, whose family told sister station KOCO that she was pregnant and had just dropped her children at day care and school when she was hit by the speeding pickup truck. Shells died at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

The man driving the vehicle that hit hers also is at OU Medical Center, where he is being guarded by police and is expected to survive.

"My family has been going through it," the victim's cousin, Donnice Shells, said. "I lost an uncle Friday, and then this happened."

Police said it started around 7:30 a.m. Monday after police said the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Wacey Mikles, stole a truck from the construction site.

"What we know so far is that a vehicle was left running with the keys in it. Someone jumped inside the vehicle and left," said Capt. Daniel Stewart, with the Oklahoma City Police Department.

About 30 minutes later, police said officers spotted the stolen truck near Northeast 30th and Lindsay Avenue and tried to stop it.

"When they did that, the driver initiated a pursuit," Stewart said. "The pursuit lasted about six minutes and ended here at the crash site."

Police said Mikles slammed the stolen truck into Star Shells' car. She was taken to OU Medical Center, where she died from her injuries.

"All I can say is to tell everybody is to keep my family uplifted in prayers," Donnice Shells said.

Mickles was arrested on complaints of second-degree murder, felony eluding and possession of meth.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Star Shells' family with funeral expenses. Anyone who would like to donate can do so here.