Local & Regional

By Associated Press

Tahlequah, OK – Cherokee marshal's evidence room audited by BIA

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) A Bureau of Indian Affairs agent says the federal agency is auditing the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service's evidence room at the request of the tribe.

BIA Special Agent Mike McCoy says the audit has been going on for about two weeks. He says the BIA's professional standards division is performing the audit at the request of the Marshal Service but that he does not know how long it will take. He says no exit interview has been conducted.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Ex-Okla police officer pleads guilty in drug case

TULSA, Okla. (AP) A former Tulsa police officer has pleaded guilty to two drug counts.

Thirty-eight-year-old Travis Ludwig entered pleas Friday to possession of a controlled drug, a felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Tulsa County District Judge Kurt Glassco made no finding of guilt and will formally sentence Ludwig Nov. 10.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Police say box outside Okla clinic not a bomb

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Tulsa police say a suspicious package left at a clinic where abortions are performed has been ruled safe.

Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley said Friday that Reproductive Services was evacuated after an employee noticed a box in a trash can that she didn't recognize to be trash from the clinic. Ashley says the package is still being investigated, but a bomb technician examined it and found there was no explosive device inside the box.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The newly formed not-for-profit organization Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) has made headway in recent meetings as they move toward a potential private management structure for the Tulsa Zoo.

The board members nominated and elected officers, voting unanimously on each position. Serving as president will be Phil Lakin; vice president, Robert Thomas; and, secretary/treasurer, Stacy Kymes.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Federal campaign reports show former state Rep. Kevin Calvey had more than three times as much cash on hand last week as his opponent James Lankford in the race for the open 5th District congressional seat.

Reports filed with the Federal Election Commission late Thursday show Calvey had nearly $193,000 cash on hand, compared to about $56,000 for Lankford.

The reports detail expenses and receipts through Aug. 4.

By Associated Press

Muskogee, Okla. – MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) A U.S. Army reservist from Cushing has won a lawsuit that claimed the company he worked for would not rehire him after he spent a tour of duty in Iraq.

A jury in U.S. District Court in Muskogee on Thursday found Corrections Corporation of America violated federal law by not rehiring 32-year-old Dennis Weems. CCA which operates privately run prisons was ordered to pay Weems $53,754 in back wages and benefits.

By Catherine Roberts

Tulsa, Okla. – Some bank customers with ATM or debit cards could be in for an unpleasant shock on Sunday if their cards are declined. August 15 is the day the Federal Reserve's new amendments to Regulation E go into effect.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Central Oklahoma is bracing for near record temperatures as a heat wave that's claimed one life this week continues across much of the state.

The National Weather Service in Norman says highs Friday in Oklahoma City could approach 105 degrees. The record high for the date is 107 set in 1936.

A high of 103 is forecast for Tulsa where the record is 110 set in 1923.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage has called state Representative Mike Reynolds arrogant and a liar. Burrage's angry comments came after a news conference in which Reynolds criticized the amount of time taken to perform and release an audit of Broken Arrow Schools.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – As the battle between the Mayor and City Council rages on, two of Oklahoma's top judges offer to help improve the relationship through mediation.

Former Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Daniel Boudreau and former Federal Magistrate Sam Joyner met with the councilors yesterday to explain what they could offer with mediation.

The response for the council was mixed. Some members say they are concerned the judges don't have the expertise needed to discuss the city charter of the open meetings act.