News

By Associated Press

Picher, OK – Oklahoma mining waste headed for Kansas highways

PICHER, Okla. (AP) Mining waste from the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma is to be used on highways in Kansas.

Sen. Jim Inhofe says the chat will be mixed with asphalt for use on highways in Kansas because that state is less restrictive on lead and zinc levels in the material than is Oklahoma.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Teachers unhappy: Standards rise, resources shrink

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma teachers say schools have been hit with a "double whammy" this year, with standards on state tests raised when additional resources for education weren't available.

By Associated Press

Lexington, OK – Okla. prison chief says 10 percent layoffs possible

LEXINGTON, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma's top prison official says that if his agency's budget is cut by 7.5 percent as he was told to expect, 10 percent of the system's employees will be laid off.

Department of Corrections Director Justin Jones on Friday told the state Board of Corrections that he wasn't crying wolf.

Members of the board expressed frustration at what they said was a lack of interest among lawmakers in funding the state prison system.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Trust claims November Powerball jackpot

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Lottery says the $32 million winning Powerball ticket from Nov. 21 has been claimed.

The End of the Rainbow Trust is the beneficiary, and Oklahoma City attorney Richard Craig serving as the trustee.

The trust requested the lump-sum payment and will receive $11.8 million after taxes.

The winning jackpot ticket was sold at a Kwik Chek store in Kiowa.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Woman sentenced for embezzling insurance proceeds

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A federal judge has sentenced a Harrah woman to three years in prison for embezzling military life insurance proceeds meant for her son.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot also on Friday ordered Trisha Fish to pay more than $362,000 in restitution.

Public Radio Tulsa – January 17 - 20 on NPR's Morning, Edition, All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation

Nearly a year has passed since Barack Obama took the oath of office, ending an historic campaign and launching a new world of change for Washington. How has he done fulfilling the expectations of those who worked for him, those who voted for him, and those who worked and voted against him? NPR News checks in with a variety of intensely interested parties to sum up his first year in office.

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – AG expresses concern over health care bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Attorney General Drew Edmondson has sent a letter to congressional leaders expressing concern about a provision in the national health care overhaul bill.

Edmondson and South Carolina Attorney General Henry McMaster are leading a group of 15 state attorneys general in asking Congress to strike a provision in the Senate version of the bill. The provision gives special treatment to the state of Nebraska.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Minorities urged to be counted in census

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Multicultural groups are urging Oklahoma minorities to be counted in the 2010 census.

Spokespersons for various minority and ethnic groups joined officials from the U.S. Census Bureau on Friday in urging minorities to participate in the nationwide head count that's conducted every 10 years. It will kick off on April 1.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – 4.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Jones

JONES, Okla. (AP) A 4.0 magnitude earthquake has been recorded near Jones in central Oklahoma.

The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 9:18 a.m. Friday about 17 miles northeast of Oklahoma City.

Seismologist Austin Holland of the Oklahoma Geological Survey said the quake was felt in Midwest City, Jones and surrounding areas but no damage or injuries have been reported.