By Deadline: December 2, 2009

ON PUBLIC RADIO 89.5 HD1 – StudioTulsa's 2009 Autumnal Haiku Writing Contest has begun.

Three lines, seventeen syllables - 5, 7, 5 - you know the formula, and maybe you even recall reading them back in high school or college, but can you craft a compelling haiku or two of your own?

Taking our cue from a recent on-air rumination by our longtime commentator Connie Cronley, StudioTulsa announces its 2009 Autumnal Haiku Writing Contest.

Pencils ready? Here are the specifics.

By Rich Fisher

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Transportation okays the second phase of the I-44 widening project in Tulsa. The $65-million contract is part of the two year project to widen the roadway between Yale Avenue and the Arkansas River. O-Dot's Kenna Mitchell tells KWGS News the work should begin after the first on the year.

Owasso, OK – A deer hunting accident takes the life of the Owasso Community Development director.

37-year-old Eric Wiles was shot in the back while hunting on his father-in-law's farm west of Muskogee. The accident happened over the weekend. The Muskogee County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident.

He has been with the city of Owasso since 2002.

By Associated Press

Omaha, NE – Survey: Midwest holiday sales slump expected

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) A survey of business leaders and managers in nine Midwest and Plains states suggests holiday shoppers could be in a bah-humbug kind of mood this year.

Supply managers surveyed in the Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region expect holiday sales to decline by 1.6 percent from last year.

Creighton University economist Ernie Goss oversees the monthly survey. He says a normal holiday season would see a 6 percent growth in sales.

By Associated Press

Sperry, OK – Former employee sues Sperry schools

SPERRY, Okla. (AP) A former employee of Sperry Public Schools has sued the district alleging she was forced to serve playground duty in the sun although she has skin cancer.

Keli Morgan, a former Cherokee Nation family advocate for Sperry Elementary School, filed the complaint Friday in U.S. District Court in Tulsa. It alleges the district failed to accommodate her under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Some agents not asking for donation as required

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Records show some Oklahoma tag agents are not following a state law that requires them to ask customers to consider donating $1 for organ donation education.

The law says tag agents and their employees must ask for the donation from anyone getting a driver's license, identification card, title or tag. Some agents have collected nothing in the past year.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – SMU and frosh QB gets past Tulsa 27-13

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Freshman quarterback Kyle Padron threw for 354 yards, turning two broken plays into scoring passes, in his first career start to lead SMU to a 27-13 victory over Tulsa on Saturday.

Padron, who came off the bench a week ago, completed 20 of 30 passes for the Mustangs (4-4, 3-1 C-USA).

Padron broke a 7-7 tie in the third quarter when he scrambled and found running back Shawnbrey McNeal in the flat. He twisted his way 36 yards for a score.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Henry requests parole board investigation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov. Brad Henry wants the Pardon and Parole Board to investigate the case of a former state inmate to determine if he is innocent and can have his record expunged.

Henry made the request on Friday regarding the case of Gene Weatherly, to whom Henry granted a pardon in 2007. The governor says he is unable to decide whether Weatherly is innocent with the information he has.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoman dies in Afghanistan

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Department of Defense says an Air Force civilian from Oklahoma has died in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department identified the civilian as Frank R. Walker, 66, of Oklahoma City. It says Walker died of noncombat related medical causes on Wednesday at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan.