Local & Regional

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – With the state facing a historic budget shortfall, Gov. Brad Henry today renewed his drive to expand Oklahoma's Rainy Day Fund, a proposal he first pursued in 2006.

The governor said he will again ask the legislature to help him remove a constitutional cap on the state savings account so that more money can be deposited in it and saved for times of fiscal crisis.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – State leaders announce budget agreement

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry and legislative leaders have reached agreement on a plan to address the $1 billion shortfall in the budget for the fiscal year that ends July 1.

Henry said Tuesday officials will use a combination of targeted cuts and reserve funds to balance the budget. Monthly allocations to state agencies will be cut 10 percent for the rest of fiscal year to reflect slumping revenue collections.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa City Council will get a preliminary draft report on the deaths of giraffes at the Tulsa Zoo. Two of the animals died at the zoo with in a two month period. One died of a broken neck. The other died from hypothermia.

City Councilor Bill Christiansen says he hopes the report will hold someone accountable for the animals' deaths. He calls it an embarrassment to the city of Tulsa.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – With a winter storm expected to impact the Tulsa area starting late Wednesday thru Friday, the Public Service Company of Oklahoma is "preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best." That is the word from PSO spokesman Stan Whiteford.

By Associated Press

Helena, OK – Authorities seek 2 escapees in northwest Oklahoma

HELENA, Okla. (AP) Authorities are searching for two inmates who escaped from the James Crabtree Correctional Center in Helena in northwestern Oklahoma.

Prison officials say 44-year-old Daniel Kelly and 48-year-old Ronnie Ray White were reported missing after a head count about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

By KWGS News/National Weather Service

Tulsa, OK – ...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE
THURSDAY NIGHT...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TULSA HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH FOR FOR SNOW...SLEET AND FREEZING RAIN...WHICH IS IN EFFECT
FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH LATE THURSDAY NIGHT...

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The City and the Public Safety Unions are attempting to work out agreements on wage concessions. Mayor Bartlett gave some insight into the city's latest police proposal.

The offer includes NO lay-offs. However, the plan does calls for a five-point-two percent pay cut that would be extended beyond this year.

If the deal is not acceptable to the Union and its rank and file, 155-officers have been told they will be laid-off on Friday.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Ground breaking for the new $20-million University of Oklahoma Wayman Tisdal Specialty Center took place this morning at Neighbor For Neighbor at 505 East 36th Street North. The clinic will be built next to N-For-N in a region with minimal access to health care services. Construction is expected to begin in the spring. Wayman Tisdale is a former OU and NBA basketball star who grew-up in North Tulsa.

By Associated Press/KWGS News

Geronimo, OK – Amber alert issued for missing Geronimo girl

GERONIMO, Okla. (AP) An Amber alert has been issued for a missing 7-year-old girl whose mother was found dead inside a home in Geronimo.

The Comanche County Sheriff's Office is searching for Aja (ASIA) Daniell Johnson, who is believed to be with a man wanted for questioning in the woman's death.

Authorities say 47-year-old Lester Hobbs is driving a 1992 Toyota Paseo with the Oklahoma license plate number 577-BPW.