Local & Regional

By AP

Boynton, OK – Eastern Okla. school district to be closed in June

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state Department of Education has voted to remove accreditation for Boynton-Moton Public Schools starting June 30.

After telling school officials they failed students, board members voted unanimously during its monthly meeting to close the school and move the students.

Where the 47 students end up is in question. The board could vote to annex the school with nearby Haskell or Midway.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – A lone bandit enters a south Tulsa bank at lunch time and demands cash. Police say the bandit passed the teller a threatening note, warning she would be killed if she did not hand over money. While a weapon was implied, none was displayed.

The robbery happened at the 71st and Memorial branch of the IBC Bank. The robber made good his escape.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa School District is seeking parental input into Project School House. Tulsa School Superintendent Doctor Keith Ballard says they need community input into the consolidation plan.

The district has a survey on its website asking for opinions. That address is www.Tulsaschools,org .

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Uncle Sam will help pay for this week's fire-fighting efforts in Osage County. Wildfires burned thousands of acres and led to evacuations. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management's Michaelann Ooten says the money will go to the fire departments.

Ooten says they applied for the grant Wednesday night while the fires were still raging and got word this morning they were approved.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Senate panel OKs $350K limit on civil damages

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A Republican-backed plan to limit the amount of damages injured Oklahomans could receive for pain and suffering in civil lawsuits to no more than $350,000 has cleared a Senate panel.

The Senate Rules Committee approved the so-called "hard cap" on damages Wednesday over the objection of some senators who say the plan is unconstitutional and takes away the power of jurors to determine fairness in a case.

By AP

Tulsa, Ok – Homes evacuated because of wildfire in NE Oklahoma

HOMINY, Okla. (AP) Authorities have evacuated several residences in Osage County, where one of four wildfires were burning.

Deputy Emergency Management Director Adrian Horn said 30 people were asked to leave their homes near the town of Prue. Horn says there have been no reports of injuries or property damage. A shelter has been set up for evacuees at the Assembly of God Church in Prue.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of this morning's top local stories from KWGS:

By KWGS News/AP

Tulsa, OK – Protesters picket Okla governor's Tulsa appearance

TULSA, Okla. (AP) About a dozen people opposed to Gov. Mary Fallin's decision to accept a $54 million federal grant to implement a state health insurance exchange protested during her appearance in Tulsa.

Demonstrators held signs and American flags as Fallin addressed the Tulsa Health Underwriters Association at the Tulsa Country Club Thursday.

By AP

Norman, OK – Okla fire crews battling wildfire south of Norman

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Firefighters are battling a large wildfire south of Norman in Cleveland County.

Emergency management director Dan Cary says the fire is located near Slaughterville but he didn't have any additional details

Footage from television news helicopters showed plumes of white smoke over a field and flames shooting from cedar trees in the area.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, Ok – A new entry way is dedicated at Tulsa's Port of Catoosa. A new guard house, railroad crossing and four-lane divided highway are now in place. Rather than cut a ribbon, a tractor trailer rig slams into a barricade. It was part of the dedication of a $3.3 million entryway improvement project at the Port of Catoosa.

There is now a 4-lane divide highway from port entrance to the waterway.