News

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.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – East 56th Street North just west of North Peoria Avenue will be closed for four to eight hours on Saturday, Jan. 16, during installation of a storm sewer crossing the roadway. This is part of an ongoing street rehabilitation project on North Peoria Avenue between 36th Street North and 56th Street North.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Society will host the MLK Jr.
Parade. Crowds in excess of 6,000 are anticipated to attend and enjoy this annual Holiday parade celebrating the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. See the attached map for detours.

Staging Area: Pine Street between Cincinnati Avenue and Lansing Avenue and Greenwood Avenue, Greenwood Place, Hartford Avenue, and Midland Avenue between Pine Street and Queen Street will be closed from 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – House, Senate face bill filing deadline

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Members of the state House and Senate are putting the final touches on legislation they'll consider during the 2010 Legislature.

Thursday was the deadline for members of both chambers to file their bills.

By 5 p.m., 942 bills and 26 joint resolutions had been filed in the Senate. Members of the Senate had until midnight to file legislation. A final tally will be released on Friday

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Haiti earthquake survivor returns to Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma City man who survived this week's deadly and devastating earthquake in Haiti says he was lucky.

Humphreys Munai returned Thursday afternoon after spending 48 hours escaping the country.

Munai says he was at a hospital built to withstand natural disasters when the magnitude 7.0 quake struck. He says when he returned to his hotel it was gone.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Haiti earthquake survivor returns to Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma City man who survived this week's deadly and devastating earthquake in Haiti says he was lucky.

Humphreys Munai returned Thursday afternoon after spending 48 hours escaping the country.

Munai says he was at a hospital built to withstand natural disasters when the magnitude 7.0 quake struck. He says when he returned to his hotel it was gone.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma rises in latest report by Education Week

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A report that ranks the nation's education systems shows Oklahoma rising in the rankings despite trailing other states in education funding.

The "Quality Counts" report by Education week ranks Oklahoma 23rd in the nation despite per-pupil spending of $8,836 compared to the national average of $10,557. Oklahoma ranked 28th in the report in 2007 and 26th in 2008.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK –
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A state lawmaker wants to require couples to get marriage counseling before tying the knot.

The bill by Rep. Mark McCullough of Sapulpa would require couples to obtain at least eight hours of counseling before they can obtain a marriage license.