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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.

Tulsa, OK – City of Tulsa Street Maintenance supervisors are monitoring weather forecasts and preparing to respond if snow or ice begins to create problems for Tulsa motorists.

Although City employees have holidays on Thursday and Friday, Christmas Eve and Day, street maintenance crews will be on-call and will report to work if called in to treat streets for snow or ice accumulations.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Change in routes leads to extra ONG charge

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Natural Gas officials say a change in the routes of meter-readers led to an additional service charge for some customers.

The extra charge was noticed by bookkeeper Sherry Alexander who says she paid 13 service charges this year including two in November. Alexander says ONG agreed to a $27 credit after she filed a complaint with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa police give up some take-home cars

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Fraternal Order of Police in Tulsa has agreed to give up take-home patrol cars for officers who live outside the city.

The take-home provision is in the FOP contract with the city but officers agreed to drop it in an effort to avoid potential layoffs because of a budget shortfall. FOP Lodge 93 President Phil Evans says city administrators believe the change could save more than $1 million.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa based Arrow Truck is apparently closing. Drivers say their petroleum cards have been turned off and they have been ordered to leave trucks parked.

Arrow has about 300 people working in Tulsa and has a national fleet of drivers. Phones at the business are not being answered.

Arrow was founded in 1948 by the late Jim Pielsticker. He was killed in a plane crash eight years ago.

The following statement is from Doug Pielsticker, CEO of Arrow Trucking Co. Inc.:

Tulsa, OK – Evangelist Oral Roberts' life and legacy were celebrated today against the backdrop of Oral Roberts University (ORU), by a gathering of more than 4,000 with a host of who's who from the Evangelical and Charismatic communities at the Mabee Center in Tulsa. Granville Oral Roberts was a man who obeyed God and popularized the Pentecostal movement in the 20th century.
Roberts, 91, passed away in a Newport Beach, Calif., hospital on Dec. 15, due to complications from pneumonia, following a fall that broke several bones the previous weekend.

By Rich Fisher

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Happy Holidays! On this edition of our show, we offer several gift-giving suggestions in the way of recently released CDs and box sets. Our host Rich Fisher is joined by three different guests on today's program, who share favorites in the classical, singer/songwriter, and jazz genres.