Local & Regional

By AP

Norman, OK – Norman woman dies in house fire

(Information in the following story is from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com)

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) Firefighters in Norman say a woman was killed and a man critically injured in a house fire.

Deputy Fire Chief Jim Bailey told The Oklahoman that five other people who lived in the home were treated at the scene early Sunday. No names have been released.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – HUD awards nearly $13 million to Oklahoma tribes

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded $12.894 million in grants to 18 tribal communities in Oklahoma to improve or create housing or economic development opportunities for low- to moderate-income families.

HUD officials said Friday the grants are provided through the Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Program to support community development and affordable housing activities.

By AP

Tulsa, OK – Governor, others hammered at Tulsa Co. GOP meeting

(Information in the following story is from: Tulsa World, http://www.tulsaworld.com)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Members of the Tulsa County Republican Party criticized Republican Gov. Mary Fallin and GOP lawmakers for supporting the use of a $54 million federal grant to design and implement a health-care exchange.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma City man pleads guilty in killing

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma City man has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the death of his girlfriend last year.

As part of a plea agreement, Ronald Seth Banks on Friday admitted killing 48-year-old Angela Biggers, whose body was found Jan. 28 in a shallow grave behind a vacant house in Norman.

By AP

Fort Smith, ARK – Body found near Oklahoma dam on Arkansas River

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) Authorities say a man's body has been found downstream of the Robert S. Kerr Dam in the Arkansas River.

Sequoyah County Sheriff Ron Lockhart says the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's lake patrol found the man on the river just south of Sallisaw around 3 p.m. Friday. The body has been sent to the state medical examiner's office for identification.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Man seeking loan robs Oklahoma City bank

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The FBI says a man who initially sought a loan at an Oklahoma City bank robbed it after his request was denied.

Agents say a white male walked into the Bank of Oklahoma about 12:10 p.m. and spoke to a loan officer. Officials say after he was told the bank couldn't help him, the man obtained a bank slip from one of the teller stands and wrote a demand note on it.

The man presented the note to the teller, who complied. The robber left the bank on foot.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – College agrees to operate SE Oklahoma state park

SALLISAW, Okla. (AP) A southeastern Oklahoma college has agreed to operate a state park slated for closure by the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

Carl Albert State College president Brandon Webb said in a prepared statement that running Heavener Runestone State Park will allow the school to offer an education opportunity to students, as well as keeping recreational opportunities open to residents in the area.

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK –
There are new figures out are today from the State Employment Security Commission.

It shows the unemployment rate in Oklahoma dropped last month. The rate is six-point-five percent. That translates to about 113-thousand people unable to find work.

The rate for January was six-point-six percent.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa City Council over rides the mayor's veto of an ordinance killing a proposal the mayor was opposed too.

At issue is the ordinance killing a measure ending the council's efforts at making the city attorney's position elective. Mayor Bartlett was opposed to that plan.

A lawsuit has been filed over the matter, however, accusing the council of switching ballot questions.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Legislative leaders predict deeper budget cuts

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Legislative leaders say cuts to stage agency budgets likely will be deeper than the mostly 3 to 5 percent cuts proposed by Gov. Mary Fallin in her executive budget.

Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman and House Speaker Kris Steele both said Thursday they expect some agencies will see cuts of up to 7 percent in the budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.