Local & Regional

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Fallin signs House, Senate redistricting bills

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Mary Fallin has signed redistricting legislation that redraws election districts for the Oklahoma House and Senate.

Fallin signed the measures on Friday, when the 2011 Oklahoma Legislature recessed. The measures were passed previously by the House and Senate.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. unemployment rate drops to 5.6 percent

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma's unemployment rate declined to 5.6 percent in April, a drop of 0.5 percentage points from March.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission says 97,700 people were without work last month, down from 106,010 in March. The April 2010 jobless rate was 7.2 percent.

Commission officials say Oklahoma's seasonally adjusted non-farm employment added 11,600 jobs over the month, compared with growth of 26,400 jobs in April 2010.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. Senate OKs public school deregulation bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Public schools in Oklahoma could be exempted from various state education requirements under a bill approved in the Oklahoma Senate.

The Senate on Friday voted 29-16 for the "Allowing Local Administrators More Options Act." Opponents argued the bill is an attempt to dismantle state laws designed to improve public education in the state. It now heads to the House for consideration.

By AP

Undated – No injuries, some damage reported with Okla storms

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Authorities say a small tornado has damaged several buildings in northeast Oklahoma and straight-line winds damaged homes in Oklahoma City, but no injuries were reported.

A twister moved through Mayes County about 9 a.m. Friday, destroying a storage shed and damaging metal buildings. Emergency Management Director Johnny Janzen says no one was hurt.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma County prosecutor says a pharmacist who shot and killed a teenager during an attempted robbery was initially hailed as a hero, but is actually a "murderer."

Pharmacist Jerome Ersland is on trial for first-degree murder in the May 2009 shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker at a south Oklahoma City pharmacy.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Severe thunderstorms packing strong winds and large hail have left minor damage but no reported injuries in parts of Oklahoma.

National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Austin said Friday that a small tornado was spotted near Fort Cobb in Caddo County and baseball-sized hail was reported in Comanche County, but no injuries or significant damage were reported.

By AP

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A horse in Love County is being tested for a highly contagious and potentially deadly horse virus that has spread from the West and Midwest and canceled horse events in Tulsa and elsewhere.

Acting state veterinarian Michael Herrin says the horse is being tested for equine herpes virus-1. He told The Oklahoman that a herd of about 30 horses is under quarantine.

By AP

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A bill to abolish Oklahoma's Indian Affairs Commission and transfer its power to a liaison position in the governor's office has received final legislative approval over the objections of some Democrats who say it sends a bad message to the state's Native American tribes.

The Senate voted 26-18 on Friday for the bill that creates the Native American Liaison. The liaison would be appointed by the governor.

By Marshall Stewart

Tulsa, OK – Here a quick recap of this morning's top stories from KWGS

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. lawmakers to study health insurance exchange

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Legislative leaders say they won't consider a plan this year to set up a health-insurance exchange required under the new federal health care law and instead plan to study the issue during the interim.

In a joint announcement made on Wednesday, House Speaker Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman said they have ordered the formation of a joint committee to recommend how the state should address the federal health care law.