Local & Regional

By Associated Press/KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Okla police chief says internal probe conducted

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Tulsa's interim police chief says his department conducted its own investigation of possible theft and lying by police officers.

Chief Chuck Jordan said Wednesday that the department's probe started in May 2009 and involved information developed by the Internal Affairs unit. Jordan says he couldn't name the officers who were investigated.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Some Okla. prisons to again allow tobacco use

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Inmates at minimum security prisons in Oklahoma will soon be allowed to smoke.

Corrections Department spokesman Jerry Massie says the inmates will be allowed to smoke in designated areas starting Aug. 2. He says cigarettes also will again be sold in the minimum-security prisons.

By Denise Brewer

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

By Catherine Roberts

Tulsa, Okla. – Oklahoma is commonly known for its female incarceration rate of more than twice the national average, but a fledgling program, Women in Recovery, hopes to change that. The first six to complete the program celebrated their graduation today.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla unemployment up slightly in June

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State officials say Oklahoma's unemployment rate increased in June.

The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission said Tuesday that the jobless rate last month hit 6.8 percent, an increase from 6.7 percent in May. According to the agency, there were 120,350 people unemployed in June.

The agency says the unemployment rate for June 2009 was 6.7 percent.

By Associated Press

Tahlequah, OK – Candidates for Okla. gov. make final pitch

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) The six candidates for governor will try to separate themselves from their opponents during the final gubernatorial forum before next Tuesday's primary election.

Officials with the nonpartisan Oklahoma Academy for State Goals say all six have agreed to attend the forum at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.

Attorney General Drew Edmondson and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins are battling for the Democratic nomination.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – House hires attorney in corruption investigation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state House of Representatives has hired an attorney to help deal with allegations of political corruption.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Monies for House Speaker Chris Benge says Edmond attorney Andy Lester will "navigate and negotiate" the investigation.

By Associated Press

Owasso, OK – NTSB releases prelim report on Okla. plane crash

OWASSO, Okla. (AP) A preliminary report on a plane crash that killed three near the Owasso airport says the aircraft was in a spin when it went down.

The National Transportation Safety Board preliminary report issued Tuesday says witnesses reported the plane turning left and in a spin as it lost altitude.

By Associated Press

Muskogee, OK – Okla. boy dies in apartment fire

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) Fire officials are investigating a blaze at a garage apartment that killed a 2-year-old boy.

Crews received an emergency call about 9:24 a.m. Monday and arrived within minutes, but they were unable to save Kaydeen John Paul Stepp.

The child's mother, Tara Woods, says she was in the living room with two others when the blaze began. Woods says she tried to reach her son but she was blocked by a wall of flames.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of this morning's Top Local Stories from KWGS;