Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is acknowledging that a steep reduction that she proposed for the state's top personal income tax rate will not happen this year.

Fallin told The Associated Press on Monday that legislative leaders aren't willing to make a "huge, significant cut in the income tax."

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma Supreme Court justice has recused from a case involving a disputed recount in a special election for a Tulsa seat in the state House of Representatives.

Online court records on Monday show that Justice John Reif stepped aside from the case. A reason was not given — but Reif is from Tulsa where the election was held.

Initial returns from the April 3 election showed Democrat Dan Arthrell with a three-vote lead over Republican Katie Henke. Henke requested a manual recount that found her the winner by one vote.

CATOOSA, Okla. (AP) — The Arkansas River Historical Society is inducting three new members into its hall of fame.

The society says the hall of fame honors people who have contributed to the development of the Arkansas River, its basin and the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.

The McClellan-Kerr system begins at the Port of Catoosa near Tulsa and stretches across Arkansas to the Mississippi River.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) — A former wildlands firefighter accused of arson is due in court this week in Cherokee County.

Mike Adam Malenski faces 41 felony counts of third-degree arson, 15 felony counts of fourth-degree arson and 56 counts of endangering the life of others during the commission of arson.

The Tahlequah Daily Press reports that Malenski is due in court Wednesday to discuss a possible plea deal with prosecutors. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Tourism season heating up on Route 66

GALENA, Kan. (AP) — Businesses along the famed Route 66 are gearing up for tourism season, hoping for an annual boost in revenue from history buffs from inside and outside the U.S.

The Carthage, Mo., Convention and Visitors Bureau is planning a Travel Workers Rally May 8 at the Boots Motel, an icon along the route that will open that day.

Okla. shopping center sues metal plant, others

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) — The owner of a Muskogee shopping center damaged during a deadly explosion seven years ago has sued a scrap metal plant.

An insurance company, an engineering company and a claims and appraisal firm also are named as defendants in the suit filed by Lakeland Shopping Center in Muskogee County District Court.

According to the lawsuit, Lakeland Shopping Center was damaged by a Dec. 28, 2004 blast that killed Ernesto Chavez and Joaquin Prada.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for parts of northern Oklahoma after a storm dropped up to 10 inches of rain in some areas late Sunday and early Monday.

Forecasters say the rain has let up in the affected areas but flooding of creeks continues.

The flood warning was issued for Garfield, Grant, Kay and Noble counties in north-central Oklahoma. Areas at risk for flooding include Blackwell, Enid and Ponca City.

YALE, Okla. (AP) — He will be at least 70 years older than anyone else picking up a diploma at the Yale High School graduation ceremony next weekend, but that won't really matter to Francis Bickell.

While his original classmates were receiving their diplomas in 1942, the 88-year-old was overseas fighting in World War Two.

Bickell told The Oklahoman he believes he could have gone farther after the war if he had a high school diploma.

His son, Keith, says it bothered him that his father regretted not finishing high school.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — About 250 demonstrators marched on Oklahoma's state Capitol to protest legislation restricting reproductive rights.

UniteWomen.org organized "United Against the War on Women" marches and rallies across the nation Saturday in response to bills that it perceives as attacking reproductive and voting rights.

Demonstrators said measures such as the personhood act take away a woman's control over her own body. Senate Bill 1433 would declare that life begins at conception. Protesters said they want lawmakers to focus on education and health care issues.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) — Cherokee Nation Businesses has reached a "separation agreement" with its chief executive officer.

Officials announced Friday that Dave Stewart will be paid $2.67 million as part of the agreement, which took effect immediately.

Stewart told The Tulsa World  the agreement he and the Cherokee Nation Businesses board of directors reached was amicable and mutual. He said it has been a pleasure to serve the Cherokee people for the past 10 years.