News

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A winter storm packing heavy snow and strong winds has forced law enforcement authorities to close all interstate highways in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Chris West said in an e-mail Thursday that the storm has led to numerous accidents and stranded vehicles are blocking all roadways. Interstates in the Oklahoma City area include I-40, I-35 and I-44.

By KWGS/National Weather Service

Tulsa, OK – Blizzard Warning
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
221 PM CST THU DEC 24 2009

OKZ055>058-060>063-065>068-070-071-250430-
/O.CAN.KTSA.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-091225T1200Z/
/O.EXA.KTSA.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-091225T1200Z/
WASHINGTON OK-NOWATA-CRAIG-OTTAWA-TULSA-ROGERS-MAYES-DELAWARE-
OKFUSKEE-OKMULGEE-WAGONER-CHEROKEE-MUSKOGEE-MCINTOSH-
221 PM CST THU DEC 24 2009

By KWGS News/National Weather Service

Tulsa, OK – 000
WWUS44 KTSA 241650
WSWTSA

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TULSA OK
1050 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009

OKZ054-059-064-250100-
/O.CAN.KTSA.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-091225T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KTSA.BZ.W.0001.091224T1650Z-091225T1200Z/
OSAGE-PAWNEE-CREEK-
1050 AM CST THU DEC 24 2009

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST FRIDAY...

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma sets unemployment claims record

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma has set a new record for unemployment benefits as the number of jobless in the state remains near a 21-year high.

John Carpenter is a spokesman for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. He said Wednesday the state has paid a little more than $575 million in regular unemployment benefits since Jan. 1. The state paid just $182.6 million all of last year.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) The U.S. Census Bureau is estimating Oklahoma's population as of July at 3,687,050 an increase of more than 43,000 from July 2008. Most of the increase was by people moving to Oklahoma from other states called domestic migration which accounted for 18,345 new residents.

___

Information from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A winter storm moving into Oklahoma is leaving roads in parts of the state slick and hazardous. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Capt. Chris West says no serious accidents have been reported but the OHP says driving conditions are slick and hazardous in the southwestern corner of the state.

Public Radio Tulsa – A holiday tradition has begun. The not so plump but jolly Santa Bob and his magical elves are in their workshop, checking the list for the best fresh holiday songs. Once they're done, be ready for naughty and nice takes on an eclectic mix of music by emerging and breakout bands. Check out Bob Boilen and friends as they host the first All Songs Considered holiday special from NPR Music this Friday at 8:00 on Public Radio 89.5 HD1.

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By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Justice Dept. says Okla. hospital to pay $13M

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Federal lawyers say a major Tulsa hospital has agreed to pay more than $13 million to settle allegations that claims it submitted to Medicare and Medicaid programs were tainted by the hospital's payments to doctors for patients they referred.

A news release Tuesday from the Justice Department said St. John Health System violated the False Claims Act by paying 23 doctors or physician groups to induce referrals for medical services.

Tulsa, OK – George Kaiser Family Foundation today announced a series of grants to more than 100 Tulsa area social service agencies. The foundation will distribute a total of $6,556,733, with 34 organizations receiving matching grant challenges. More than $2.6 million will go towards community health initiatives, an excess of $2.3 million will support human services and more than $1.6 million will benefit education and youth development programs.