Local & Regional

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK –

A project for mix-used development near the BOK Center will soon be realized. The Tulsa Development Authority (TDA) voted in favor of the contract set forth by developers, One Place LLC for land located at 3rd and Denver for $1.5 million.

The land will be used for urban mixed-use development in downtown Tulsa such as: urban residential flats and town lofts, 120-room hotel and restaurant combination, commercial or retail businesses and sub-surface parking. Currently, the lot is being utilized for parking.

By Associated Press/KWGS News

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma's jobless rate continues to improve

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma's jobless rate declined to 6.7 percent in January.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported Wednesday that Oklahoma's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell from 6.8 percent in December.

Oklahoma's rate has either remained the same or improved slightly since peaking at 6.9 percent in August.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – Hear a quick recap of Thursday morning's Top Local Stories

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) A fired Tulsa jailer has been charged with having sex with an inmate at the jail. Prosecutors on Tuesday filed forcible sodomy charges against former jailer Chris Delt who authorities say was fired after an investigation that began when an inmate claimed he had sex with Delt.

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

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Construction has begun on the next part of the Gilcrease Expressway - a 2.2-mile segment from the L.L. Tisdale Parkway to 41st West Avenue. This three-phase project will be built as a two-lane highway on a four-lane right of way, to allow for widening in the future.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Bill to ban cell phone use while driving approved

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Using a cell phone while driving would be illegal in Oklahoma under a bill that has passed the Oklahoma Senate.

The Senate voted 30-14 on Wednesday for a bill that defines distracted driving to include the use of any personal communication device, including a cell phone.

The bill by Sen. Anthony Sykes also puts into law a fine of $100 and allows court costs of up to $35 for violating the provision.

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – ndividuals convicted of methamphetamine crimes would be required to register with the state under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The meth offender registry would be similar to the existing sex offender registry.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The WNBA's Tulsa Shock announced at a news conference Wednesday that it has signed former Olympian Marion Jones as a free agent. Jones, who announced last fall that she was training for a comeback in the WNBA, attended the University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship and helped lead the team to a 1994 NCAA Championship.

The 34-year-old Jones, a 5'10 guard, went through an individual workout with the Tulsa Shock Saturday in Tulsa, and accepted an offer to join the team in the days following.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Report: Alzheimer's disease rising in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Alzheimer's Association is reporting an increasing number of cases of the debilitating disease in Oklahoma.

The association's report released Tuesday says about 74,000 Oklahomans have the disease and more than 96,000 are expected to have it by 2025. The expected increase is largely due to the aging of the baby boomer population.