Local & Regional

By KWGS News/Associated Press

Washington, D.C. – Watch the speech

Oklahoma U.S. Senator Tom Coburn says he'll use his power as a senator to block any House member from a federal appointment--IF-- that member changes his or her vote on health care. Coburn also says he will hold up any special funding for his or her district that the member may receive after changing their vote.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Gasoline prices have not been this high in Tulsa since October of 2008. Prices shot-up a dime per gallon.

Unleaded regular gasoline is selling for $2.59 per gallon. The price hike is a direct result of higher crude oil prices.

While the spike hurts pocket books, it is still well below the national average of $2.80 per gallon.

By Associated Press

Altus, OK – Woman accused of sending text about drugs to agent

ALTUS, Okla. (AP) A Mangum woman has been arrested for allegedly sending a text message about illegal drugs to a drug task force agent.

A warrant was issued for Mindy Neugebauer for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a controlled drug with the intent to distribute. A Greer County jailer declined Wednesday to say whether Neugebauer was in custody.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Collinsville couple wins $1 million lottery prize

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma lottery officials say a Collinsville couple has purchased a Powerball ticket worth $1 million.

Officials announced Wednesday that Marta Thirion bought the ticket at a QuikTrip store in Owasso this past weekend.

The ticket matched all five of the white balls, but not the Powerball, for a $200,000 prize. Because Thirion added the PowerPlay multiplier option, which was five, the prize increased to $1 million.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. in top 5 for cutting water pollution

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Conservation officials say Oklahoma ranks among the top five states in reducing contamination of its streams and rivers.

Clay Pope of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts said Wednesday the ranking is due to voluntary programs in which farmers and ranchers cut erosion of their land.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Rather than betting on the ponies, people with large wads of cash, were at Fair Meadows bidding on the trucks.

300-semi tractors from the now bankrupt Arrow Trucking of Tulsa were auctioned off to the highest bidder. The Taylor-Martin Auction Company conducted the sale. Bidders from the Tulsa area and surrounding states showed up to bid.

By KWGS News

By Associated Press

Stigler, OK – Transfer of Ten Commandments monument

STIGLER, Okla. (AP) A Ten Commandments monument has been moved from it location outside the Haskell County Courthouse in Stigler.

Muskogee Marble and Granite transferred the monument Wednesday morning to property in front of the American Legion building about 75 to 85 feet away. Janice Williams of the Stigler Chamber of Commerce says the granite structure was moved without incident and with little fanfare.

By Denise Brewer

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

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Senate panel OKs death penalty for child rapists

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Legislature is pushing forward a bill to allow the death penalty for child rapists, despite a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that such a penalty is unconstitutional.

A Senate committee on Wednesday passed a bill already approved in the House that authorizes the death penalty for anyone convicted of a second offense of raping a child age 6 or younger.