Local & Regional

By Associated Press

Washington, D.C. – GOP senator says he will hold up food safety bill

WASHINGTON (AP) A Republican senator is threatening to hold up food safety legislation that would give the Food and Drug Administration more power to prevent outbreaks, saying Democrats must find a way to pay for it.

Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma says the bill, which has stalled in the Senate for more than a year, adds to the deficit and expands the power of an already troubled agency.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Your Top Local News This Thursday Morning

By KWGS News/Hear the Speech

Tulsa, OK –
Mayor Bartlett delivers his first State of the City address to over 800 business and civic leaders in Tulsa. During the 36-minute speech the Mayor called for planning and developing of an Arkansas River Corridor for economic, business opportunities and environmentally correct recreation attractions.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – "Don't cut down the trees."

That is the cry from some residents at the Central Park Condos, near 6th and Denver, downtown. The residents' board wants to cut down the trees to eliminate the mess from migratory birds. Resident Melissa Schrupt says there are other options, such as devices to keep the birds out.

Some of the residents sought a restraining order to save the trees. When the tree trimming firm learned of the action, the crew left.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Is it a hoax?

Tulsa Police will take no chance.

The Child Crisis Unit issued a warning about Pedo-Bear. It is a cartoon character that some say is associated with pedophilia. The release says child molesters use the symbol to communicate with each other on message board.

Numerous websites have listed Pedo-Bear as a hoax.

By Associated Press

Tahlequah, OK – More than 1,000 pounds of marijuana seized

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) Agents from a drug task force have seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana from a pickup stopped by authorities near Tahlequah.

Cherokee County Undersheriff Jason Chennault says authorities seized about 39 bundles of the drug and arrested two people during the bust on Monday. He says authorities received a tip about a pickup moving the marijuana through the area.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – With a jury seated, testimony gets underway today in the first degree murder trial of John Kastner. The former Webster High School coach and teacher stands accused of the killing his wife, Lori. The trial is being held in Judge Tom Gilert's courtroom.

At the time of the murder in 2008, Kastner claimed his wife was killed by an intruder at their west Tulsa home. Police says evidence pointed to Kastner as the killer and allege he did so to collect insurance money to offset debt.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Your Top Local News This Wednesday Morning

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Child advocates say Oklahoma's children are paying the price for the state's tough-on-crime sentencing policies. During a legislative hearing today, experts say the state's female incarceration rate leads the nation, with 131 women behind bars for every 100,000 residents. That's nearly double the national rate.

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – Revenue collections for August show growth from the prior year, but are marginally below the estimate, State Treasurer Scott Meacham said today as reports for the second month of Fiscal Year 2011 were released.

Preliminary reports show General Revenue Fund collections for August 2010 were $350.8 million. That amount is:

$15.5 million or 4.6 percent above the prior year; but
$1.5 million or 0.4 percent below the official estimate.