News

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press/KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Opening arguments begin in federal pollution trial

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Opening statements have begun in Oklahoma's federal pollution lawsuit against the Arkansas poultry industry.

Thursday morning, Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson delivered the first part of the state's opening remarks, telling a judge that the future of the Illinois River watershed is at stake.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Adolescent dies of swine flu

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma State Department of Health says a Cleveland County adolescent has died of medical complications from the swine flu.

Health officials said Thursday that the teenager's death is the third swine flu death in Oklahoma since the outbreak began in the spring and the first of someone under 18.

Officials said those who died had underlying medical conditions that put them at high risk of complications from influenza.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – In an interview with KWGS, Oklahoma treasurer Scott Meacham discusses Oklahoma's current cash shortfall and the need to dip into the state's Rainy Day Savings Account.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. lawmaker plans bottle-deposit program

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A state lawmaker hopes to implement a 5-cent beverage container deposit program in Oklahoma as a way to reduce litter and provide an infusion of much-needed cash for the state.

State Rep. Ryan Kiesel held an interim study this week at the state Capitol and says he will introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session.

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press/KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) A Tulsa police officer is free on $10,000 bond after being arrested on drug charges.

An arrest and booking report says 37-year-old officer Travis Ludwig was arrested at his home just after 7:45 Tuesday on a complaint of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute. The report says officers serving search warrants at Ludwig's home found three bags of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.

Officer Leland Ashley says Ludwig is currently an active police officer.

By Hear John Durkee's interview with lead prosecutor

Tulsa, OK – 35-year-old Joshua Muller admits he shot and killed two children and critically injured a third outside of a Tulsa bar. It happened in the summer of 2007.He entered a guilty plea in Tulsa County District Court today. Killed were 16-year-old Derriko Ross and 12year-oldLeah Harris-Fuqua.

Prosecutor Doug Drummond knew the plea was coming. Drummond says there is no plea agreement and he will continue to seek the death penalty.

By Associated Press

Miami, OK – Trucker in deadly crash appears in court

MIAMI, Okla. (AP) A truck driver from Missouri has pleaded not guilty to 10 counts of negligent homicide for a deadly crash along an Oklahoma turnpike.

Donald Creed of Willard, Mo., made his initial appearance Wednesday in Ottawa County District Court in Miami. District Attorney Eddie Wyant says the 76-year-old waived his right to a speedy trial and is next scheduled to appear in court in April 2010.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Judge flirts with dismissing state's poultry case

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A federal judge questioned whether Oklahoma's lawsuit against the Arkansas poultry industry should be dismissed because the state failed to name the Cherokee Nation as a plaintiff.

U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell floated the idea Wednesday, the day before trial was to begin.