News

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Tulsa English instructor honored

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Brian Grimm, an English teacher at Will Rogers High School in Tulsa, has been selected as Oklahoma's teacher of the year.

State Superintendent Sandy Garrett announced Grimm as the winner of the award on Tuesday during a ceremony at the State Fair. A committee of eight people from outside education selected Grimm from among 12 finalists for the honor.

By Hear State Trooper explain the cause of the accident

Tulsa, OK –
Molasses spills across the westbound lanes of I-244 near the Delaware overpass.

The tanker was loaded with molasses to be mixed with cattle feed when it overturned just after 11 a.m. The accident blocked all three lanes of the expressway. Traffic was diverted onto the shoulder to pass.

The Tulsa Fire Department Hazardous Materials team was called to supervise the clean-up. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated the wreck.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Energy experts say increasing Oklahoma's use of renewable energy could have tremendous benefits for the state, but policymakers say mandates aren't the way to achieve that goal.

At a forum on energy policy Monday at Oklahoma Christian University, House Speaker Chris Benge described renewable portfolio standards as a "non-starter" in the Oklahoma Legislature.

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma casino revenue up

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma state finance officials say state revenue from casinos hit a high of $106 million in fiscal 2009 despite the national recession.

Casino revenue was $81.4 million in 2008, $46.8 million in 2007, $14.2 million in 2006 and $2.3 million in 2005. Nationally, gambling revenue to state and local government is down slightly.

Oklahoma gets part of each tribe's revenue from card games and gaming machines.

By Hear Dr. Bradley discuss the situation with KWGS' John Durkee

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma bracing for tough flu season

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) With Oklahoma already among the states hardest hit by swine flu, state health officials are bracing for even more problems once the traditional seasonal flu season begins in about a month.

Two deaths in Oklahoma have been blamed on the swine flu, or novel H1N1 virus, and nearly 30 people have been hospitalized so far this month, including 13 children.

Oklahoma City, OK – Attorney General Drew Edmondson today applauded a new federal law that bans flavored cigarettes from the market.

Effective today, as part of the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, the sale of cigarettes containing any characterizing flavors other than menthol will be illegal.

"This ban is an important step in the fight against youth smoking," Edmondson said. "State attorneys general across the nation have been pushing for this type of action for some time."

By Rich Fisher

By Associated Press

Miami, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Ottawa County prosecutor has filed 10 counts of negligent homicide against the tractor-trailer driver who triggered a deadly pile-up on the Will Rogers Turnpike. Donald Creed was behind the wheel of a rig that plowed into a line of stopped cars June 26. Ten people were killed.