News

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The news is not good for the Tulsa Public Schools. State budget cuts are taking another slap at the Tulsa district. School Superintendent Doctor Keith Ballard says the December revenue check was far short of what had been anticipated. Doctor Ballard initially thought the shortfall would be $1.3 million, but now says the shortfall is $2.6 million.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – State Supreme Court strikes down court fees

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Supreme Court says fees collected by state courts for non-court related activities are unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court's ruling on Tuesday strikes down three civil court filing fees that were challenged in a lawsuit filed by Oklahoma City attorney Jerry Fent.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Zoo: Giraffe's death caused by hypothermia

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Tulsa Zoo officials say a nine-year-old giraffe that died last week succumbed to hypothermia.

Officials on Tuesday released the results of a necropsy performed on Amira, who died Jan. 10 during a record-breaking cold weather.

Officials say since giraffes are susceptible to extreme cold, Amira and Samburu, the zoo's male giraffe, were housed in a heated barn.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce has a new chairman.

Arvest Bank CEO Don Walker took over the chairmanship during a luncheon gala at a south Tulsa hotel. He delivered a 15-minutes speech calling on the chamber to get back to the basics. He says that means economic development with new jobs and tax payers for Tulsa.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Transportation Advisory Board invites the citizens of Tulsa to attend public meetings in each of the nine City Council districts. This new board, which began meeting in April 2009, will introduce itself to the community through these meetings. The board would like to receive citizens' comments about transportation in the city of Tulsa. Citizens also can receive information about transportation capital improvement projects.

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Williams creates giant natural gas partnership

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Williams Cos. says it will create one of the largest natural gas partnerships in the nation by combining pipeline and processing units.

The new company will have a presence from the Rocky Mountains and the Gulf Coast to the Northeast.

Williams, based in Tulsa, Okla., will get about $3.5 billion in cash from Williams Partners to help pay down debt and will contribute its substantial assets to the new, larger Williams Partners.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Bill calls for tornado evacuation plan

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A state lawmaker is calling for evacuation plans for mobile home parks to help protect Oklahomans from tornados and other natural disasters.

State Rep. Pat Ownbey of Ardmore has filed a bill to require the owner of a mobile home park to provide tenants with a plan for sheltering or evacuation in case of an emergency.

By Associated Press

Ramona, OK – RAMONA, Okla. (AP) The Cherokee Nation is set to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its 10,000-square-foot casino in Washington County.

The ceremony that will include tribal Chief Chad Smith is planned for Thursday at the casino site just off of U.S. Highway 75 in Ramona.

Cherokee Nation Entertainment CEO David Stewart says the gaming operation is designed to be implemented in two phases and will ultimately create more than 100 new jobs.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Dewey Bartlett has agreed to hold contract talks with the Tulsa Fire Fighters' Union. The mayor is scrambling to come up with budget cutting measures that do not include lay-offs. The Mayor says the Fire Department Union understands the city budget constraints and wants to talk about proposals to spare up to 135-fire fighter jobs.

The mayor, meanwhile, has not agreed to such talks with the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police. The police union compared the mayor to an extortionist during a recent news conference.