News

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The only Democrat in Oklahoma's congressional delegation says he remains opposed to President Obama's plan to overhaul health care.

U.S. Rep. Dan Boren says the administration's latest package includes the same components that caused him to vote against the first plan that failed to pass the House.

Boren expressed specific concerns that tax increases on small businesses and mandates on employers will lead to job losses.

By Associated Press

Washington, D.C. – WASHINGTON (AP) President Barack Obama's 2008 Republican presidential rival will be joining him at Thursday's summit, along with GOP lawmakers critical of his health care plan.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Tuesday announced the four senators who will be attending the session in addition to those invited by the White House. Each member of the Senate and House leadership were allowed to invite four members.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Trooper fires shot at man after traffic stop

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a trooper is on administrative leave after shooting and wounding a man during an altercation that followed a traffic stop in Tulsa.

Troopers say a 2-year-old child was in the car at the time of the shooting early Wednesday but was not injured.

No names were released. The child was placed in state custody.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – I-44 remains closed at 161st E. Ave. junction

All lanes of east and westbound I-44 will remain closed at the 161st E. Ave. junction until further notice, and traffic is still detoured onto the access ramps at this location. Freezing temperatures this morning have slowed the curing of the concrete, and crews continue to closely monitor the progress. I-44 will not open at this junction until tests show the strength of the concrete is at a level that is safe for traffic to be restored.

By Rich Fisher

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – An investigative audit into purchasing practices at one Tulsa County school district revealed the school paid an average commission of $0.63 for every dollar spent on janitorial supplies.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – With City owned recreation centers closing because of the dollar shortage, some are suggesting the centers should be demolished. Not so---says Tulsa Councilor Jack Henderson. Henderson says the city will not always be in the current financial predicament and when times improve the centers will be needed.

Tulsa City Council Chairman Rick Westcott says this is actually an opportunity for Tulsa to partner with civic organizations and even Tulsa County to keep the facilities open.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – 35 laid-off Tulsa Police Officers are getting their badges back today. The officers were cut as part of the on-going city budget crisis. They are only a small portion of the over 120 officers laid-off earlier this month.

The city is using a federal grant to hire the officers for the next 17 months. The officers agreed accepted the city's employment offer and will return to the streets next week.

By KWGS News

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Bartlett is preparing an energy efficiency program for the City of Tulsa. It is being called the most comprehensive energy initiative the city has ever seen. The Mayor's Chief of staff Terry Simonson says it will be unveiled next week.

The dollars for the program are in the form of grants and can't be used for general fund expenses. The project will include energy retro-fits and audits.