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Open any Torah, Bible or Koran, and the passages about homosexuality seem clear: being gay is an abomination; a sin; something that incurs the wrath of God. But for some, these interpretations are changing.  Gay in the Eyes of God, explores the ways in which the major American religious traditions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) grapple with acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The program presents personal stories as well as interpretations of scripture and theology - both traditional and progressive.

On this edition of ST, we speak with the widely celebrated young writer Nathaniel Rich (born 1980), whose essays and short stories have appeared in Harper's, McSweeney's, and elsewhere, and whose latest novel is called "Odds Against Tomorrow." Late last week, Rich did a Book Smart Tulsa reading and signing in connection with this book; while he was here in town, we spoke with him. Set in a New York City of the very near future, the novel tells the story of one Mitchell Zukor, a gifted young mathematician who works for a financial consulting firm called FutureWorld.

Open any Torah, Bible or Koran, and the passages about homosexuality seem clear: being gay is an abomination; a sin; something that incurs the wrath of God. But for some, these interpretations are changing.  Gay in the Eyes of God, explores the ways in which the major American religious traditions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam) grapple with acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. The program presents personal stories as well as interpretations of scripture and theology - both traditional and progressive.

A project to relieve congestion in front of St. Francis hospital and other medical facilities on South Yale Avenue should be finished by month’s end. It’s taken longer than expected, but Chief Tulsa County Engineer Tom Rains says only finishing touches remain. He says it’s a joint project, with the city of Tulsa providing materials, and the county providing work crews.                                 

Rains expects completion of the widening project by the end of this month or the first week in June.

Every day in America, more than 7,000 students drop out of school. In a State of the Re:Union first, Summer in Sanctuary combines radio drama and documentary to explore America's dropout epidemic through the intimate story of one man's attempt to make a difference in the lives of a group of high-risk kids. Based on the celebrated off-Broadway show by SOTRU host Al Letson, this episode chronicles his journey teaching at a summer camp at the Sanctuary on 8th Street, a community center in an economically challenged neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida.

I've been told that it's a glorified Powerpoint demonstration.

CARNEY, Okla. (AP) — With power out and the threat of more bad weather on the way, first responders in Lincoln County say they'll use police and fire sirens to warn residents of severe weather.

Gov. Mary Fallin is touring storm damage in Carney, where four people were injured and several homes were damaged in Sunday's severe weather. The governor expressed concerns that residents wouldn't know of incoming severe weather because of the power outage.

CARNEY, Okla. (AP) — Oklahoma officials say more than three dozen people were hurt when tornadoes hit the state.

The director of the state's Emergency Management agency said during a tour at tornado-stricken Carney in Lincoln County on Monday that 39 people were injured during Sunday afternoon's storms. The tally includes those who sought treatment from a medical professional, not those who may have suffered bumps, bruises and cuts who did not seek medical attention.

Two people were killed in the Shawnee area.

The sun provides less than one percent of American electricity.  But there is a solar surge underway and the number of installations grew 75% in 2012.  Wind power is also on the upswing and it is happening in places you might not expect. 

SHAWNEE, Okla. (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin is touring the areas hit hard by tornadoes Sunday.

The governor visited Carney  and then traveled to the Shawnee area. The governor met with victims from the Steelman Estates Mobile Home Park in Shawnee, where two people were killed.

Twenty-one people were also injured after severe weather raked the state.

The National Weather Service is forecasting more of the same for the area — including Oklahoma City and Tulsa — Monday afternoon and evening. Forecasters say baseball-sized hail and tornadoes are possible.