Local & Regional

By Associated Press

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Raising Oklahoma's cigarette tax by $1 per pack would bring in $134.7 million in new annual revenue to help close the state's budget shortfall, while also reducing smoking and saving lives, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations.

By KWGS News

By Associated Press

Claremore, OK – Woman dies in Claremore house fire

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) A Claremore woman has been killed in a house fire while a teenager escaped the flames and a 75-year-old woman was rescued by firefighters.

Fire department spokesman Mark Owens says 57-year-old Robin Trout of Claremore died in the Tuesday morning fire. Owens says Trout was found in her bedroom.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – A 46-year-old man is rushed to St-Francis Hospital after his car is hit by a freight train. The accident happened shortly after nine this morning just east of the intersection of Pine and North Harvard.

The man was stopped on the track, waiting for traffic to clear when the crossing arm came down pinning his car on the tracks. The train hit the car about a minute later.

EMSA reports the man was transported to the hospital in fair condition and he is expected to recover.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK –

The Tulsa District Attorney's office is being impacted by the Tulsa Police lay-offs. Acting Chief Chuck Jordan says many of the officers are no longer available to testify in court cases.

So far, one case has been dismissed, because the officers involved are now working in Florida.

Jordan says the DA's office in compiling a list of cases involving laid-off officers. He says about 50-cases are on the list.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – A quick recap of Wednesday morning's Top Local News Stories

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) Former Catoosa court clerk Phyllis June Matthews has pleaded guilty to federal drug-related charges. Prosecutors say Matthews pleaded guilty in federal court in Tulsa to distributing the prescription painkiller hydrocodone.

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

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Supreme Court rejects request to reopen rate case

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Supreme Court has rejected a request by Corporation Commissioner Bob Anthony to reopen a 1986 regulatory case involving AT&T.

The court's decision was praised Tuesday by chamber officials and leaders of organized labor, who had urged Anthony to drop his efforts.

State Chamber President Richard Rush says Anthony's attempt sends an anti-business message to companies looking to locate in Oklahoma.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa City Councilor Jack Henderson found little support among fellow councilors for a one-cent public safety sales tax. He urged the council to place the proposal on the ballot and let citizens decided.

The tax would generate about $67-million dollars for the city coffers.

Other councilors expressed fear the proposal would cause more people to shop outside of Tulsa. They also discussed the regressive nature of sale taxes.

Henderson wants more discussion in two weeks.