Local & Regional

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Traffic fatalities in Oklahoma down from 2009

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety is reporting that traffic fatalities in the state are down by more than 100 from 2009.

DPS said in a news release Saturday that 154 people have been killed in vehicle accidents so far this year. That's 103 fewer than the 257 that had occurred by this time of year in 2009.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. Senate fails to override health care veto

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Senate has failed to override Democratic Gov. Brad Henry's veto of a bill intended to let Oklahomans opt out of a new federal health care law.

The Senate voted 28-16 Friday to override the veto, falling short of the 32 votes needed.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. House, Senate approve $6.68B budget

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma House and Senate have approved a nearly $6.68 billion spending bill for the upcoming fiscal year that cuts most state agency budgets by about 7 percent.

But opposition to the plan began to grow Friday as individual lawmakers began analyzing details of the budget that emerged late this week.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – SPERRY, Okla. (AP) A judge says Sperry Public Schools must issue a diploma to a Vietnamese exchange student. Sperry's school board had voted against making an exception in the 18-year-old students' case. But the Oklahoma Education Code says students who transfer from out of state after junior year can't be denied the opportunity to receive a diploma because of differing graduation requirements.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Report: Oklahoma 49th in education funding

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A national report says Oklahoma ranks 49th among the states and the District of Columbia in per-pupil expenditures but is 27th in the number of students enrolled in public schools.

The annual report was issued Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics. It reflects enrollment and school revenues and expenditures for each state and the District of Columbia as of the 2007-08 school year.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Senate has given final approval to a $6.67 billion appropriations bill for the upcoming fiscal year that cuts most state agency budgets by about 7 percent.

The Senate on Friday voted 42-5 for the measure, which now heads to the House for final consideration.

The budget bill was the result of months of negotiations between Democratic Gov. Brad Henry and leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature, who grappled with how to fill a $1.2 billion deficit.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) An armed robbery and shooting at a Tulsa restaurant has left one man dead and police say they've arrested one man in the case.

Police say three men entered the back door of the Rib Crib about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday after the restaurant was closed and opened fire on three employees who were inside. Police say the victim was shot several times and was dead at the scene.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa city Council says no to a 120-thousand dollar budget amendment to pay salaries in the salaries in the mayor's office.

City Councilor Jack Henderson says the mayor's office is no different than other departments when it comes to cut backs. He says when budgets were trimmed earlier this year, other departments were not given the chance to transfer money around. Councilor Bill Christiansen said "What's good for the goose is good for the gander."

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. House sustains open carry veto

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma House has sustained Gov. Brad Henry's veto of legislation to allow concealed gun license holders to carry their weapons openly.

The House voted 65-29 Thursday to override Henry's veto, less than the two-thirds vote needed. At least 68 members of the 101-member chamber must agree to override a gubernatorial veto.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of Friday morning's Top Local Stories: