Oklahoma City, OK – Programs for new mothers eyed to reduce abuse

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State lawmakers are looking at ways to reduce child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma by targeting programs for new and expectant mothers.

Members of the House Human Services Committee met Tuesday and heard from child advocates across the state about successful ways to target new families.

Oklahoma City, OK – Supreme Court plans court data merger

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The state Supreme Court has signed a $1 million contract with a Duncan company to prepare electronic court records from 64 counties to merge into one publicly accessible online system.

KellPro Inc. of Duncan currently operates On Demand Court Records with court filings and case information from 64 district courts and two tribal courts in the state.

By Rich Fisher

Tulsa, OK – WNBA's Detroit franchise moving to Tulsa, Okla.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) It's official: The three-time WNBA champion Detroit Shock are moving to Tulsa, Okla.

WNBA President Donna Orender and other officials made the announcement Tuesday, a day after The Associated Press reported the move.

Tulsa County has a population of about 592,000 and Tulsa is the second-smallest city with a WNBA franchise. The smallest is Uncasville, Conn., home to the Sun.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Holly Corp. to buy Sinclair refinery in Tulsa

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Dallas-based Holly Corp. has announced plans to buy the Sinclair Oil Corp. refinery in Tulsa.

The agreement calls for Holly to purchase Sinclair's refinery that produces about 75,000 barrels per day and its approximately 2.3 million barrels of storage in a $128.5 million deal.

Holly says in a statement the deal includes $54.5 million in cash and $74 million in Holly common stock.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Oklahoma Department of Commerce is seeking federal approval for a program to offer cash rebates for consumers to trade old household appliances for new, energy-efficient models.

Patterned after the government's popular Cash for Clunkers auto program, commerce officials hope to get approval for $3.5 million worth of rebates.

The agency hopes to start the program in early spring, giving rebates of $50 to $250 for the purchase of power-saving appliances with the Energy Star rating.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Steele chosen as speaker-designate

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State Rep. Kris Steele will serve as the House Speaker-designate for the 2011 legislative session, should Republicans hold onto their majority following the 2010 elections.

Steele, R-Shawnee, was selected during a House Republican caucus on Monday. Rep. Ken Miller, R-Edmond, dropped out of the race to replace Republican House Speaker Chris Benge, leaving Steele as the sole candidate.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Some hospitals requiring flu shots or masks

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Some hospitals in the Oklahoma City area are now requiring employees to either get a flu shot or wear masks in patient areas through the end of flu season in spring.

Hospital officials are also encouraging employees get swine flu vaccinations as they become available.

Hospitals requiring the shots or masks include the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, The Children's Hospital at OU Medical Center and Edmond Medical Center.

Tulsa, OK – The top three candidates for the office of mayor debate discuss the issues before the Downtown Kiwanis Club.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Report: Tourism has $6.1B economic impact on state

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department says a recent study has found tourism had an economic impact worth $6.1 million in the state in 2008.

The report was released Monday at the 2009 Governor's Conference on Tourism in Tulsa.

It says tourists paid $953 million in taxes to state, local and federal governments and that the tourism industry is responsible for about 76,200 jobs in the state.