Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A bill to allow Oklahomans who receive a concealed carry permit to openly carry holstered firearms is heading to Gov. Mary Fallin.

The Senate voted 33-10 on Thursday to approve the bill over the objections of some Democrats who say it could pose problems for law enforcement officers. The bill now heads to Gov. Mary Fallin, who has indicated her support of an open carry law. If she signs it, the bill will become effective Nov. 1.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two small earthquakes have been detected in central Oklahoma.

The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude 2.9 quake rumbled just before 2 a.m. Friday near Dibble, about 25 miles south of Oklahoma City. A magnitude 2.7 quake gave Lincoln County a mild shake at about 10:30 p.m. Thursday.

The Lincoln County quake was near Sparks, where a magnitude 3.9 quake shook the largely rural area about 50 miles east of Oklahoma City at about 4:15 p.m. Thursday.

No damage has been reported from the earthquakes.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has come to Elmo's rescue.

Fallin on Thursday signed a bill that allows the state's public television network to continue to exist.

The bill reauthorizing the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority, or OETA, narrowly passed the House amid opposition from a growing number of conservatives in the Legislature who argue the network is not a core function of state government.

POCOLA, Okla. (AP) — What's there to do for a bear in downtown Pocola? Plenty, apparently.

Residents in the LeFlore County town spotted the bear Wednesday morning as it went from shop to shop, occasionally stopping to admire its own reflection in storefront windows.

Residents say the bear made stops at a Sonic restaurant, a tanning salon and a chiropractor's office before scampering across a highway and into the woods.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife suspects the bear was scouting out trash bins in search of a free meal.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Mary Fallin has signed a sweeping criminal justice bill designed to slow the growth of Oklahoma's booming prison population and stem the increasing amount the state spends each year housing convicted criminals.

Fallin on Wednesday signed the Oklahoma Justice Reinvestment Initiative, a key legislative priority of House Speaker Kris Steele.

The bill requires every inmate released from prison to receive nine months of post-incarceration supervision and creates intermediate revocation facilities for criminals who violate the terms of their probation.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A report commissioned by Oklahoma's energy industry shows one out of six jobs in the state is generated by oil and gas production.

The report released Wednesday by economists at Oklahoma City University shows the state's economy continues to be driven by oil and gas production.

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Authorities say two planes have been cleared following bomb threats.

Southwest Airlines Flight 811 was stopped before it started taxiing to the runway Tuesday night at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif. It was scheduled to go to Phoenix.

Another Southwest Airlines flight had already arrived in Phoenix from Orange County. It was bound to Tulsa.  It had to be taken to an isolation pad so it could be inspected and passengers and luggage could be rescreened. That plane arrived in Tulsa several hours late, around 2:30 this morning.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A Democratic state senator and a state party official say Republicans are assaulting the rights of women with proposals such as the now-defeated "personhood" bill and a proposal asking voters to wipe out affirmative action programs.

Sen. Constance Johnson on Tuesday called the proposals "insulting to women."

Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Wallace Collins said proposed legislation to exempt out-of-state insurance companies from covering procedures such as mammograms, pelvic exams and maternity care would eliminate gains made in health care coverage.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Eight state lawmakers from northeast Oklahoma are criticizing a plan by the Grand River Dam Authority's Board of Directors to purchase an office building in Tulsa.

Four state senators and four state House members signed a letter on Tuesday that called the plan "an assault upon and insult to Northeast Oklahoma."

An attempt to reach a GRDA spokesman after hours on Tuesday was unsuccessful.

The GRDA board plans to meet on Wednesday in a closed session to discuss the "purchase or appraisal of real property."

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Democrats in the Oklahoma Senate say they are united in opposition to any state-supported bond issue as long as there is still a plan to cut state income taxes. That would include a bond for the proposed OKPOP Museum for downtown Tulsa

Senate Democratic Leader Sean Burrage announced the caucus position on Monday. With just 16 Democrats in the 48-member Senate, Burrage doesn't have the numbers to stop a bill unless at least eight Republicans join him. A bill requires 25 votes for passage.