Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma's Senate leader is acknowledging a cut in the state's income tax of more than three-quarters of 1 percent next year will be "very difficult" to achieve this legislative session.

Senate President Pro Tem Brian Bingman told reporters Thursday he believes a cut in the state's top personal income tax rate will be somewhere between one-quarter and three-quarters of 1 percent next year. But Bingman acknowledged negotiations are ongoing and no final decision has been made.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office will appeal a man's stay of execution to the Tenth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The state Court of Criminal Appeals on Tuesday denied Garry Allen's plea to stop his execution. But U.S. District Judge David L. Russell issued a ruling Wednesday to give Allen time to litigate claims about his competency.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An Oklahoma lawmaker wants a comprehensive study of a compensation plan for state workers who have not had a raise in six years.

Rep. Leslie Osborn of Tuttle said Tuesday the study would help determine if a market-based compensation plan could be adopted for all state workers. The plan would bring state worker salaries closer to private-sector pay.

VINITA, Okla. (AP) — A 73-year-old woman has been arrested for allegedly running a major marijuana drug operation out of her northeast Oklahoma home.

Sheriff Jimmie Sooter says a drug task force serving a search warrant late Monday seized several pounds of pot, about $277,000 in cash and guns from Darlene Mayes' home near Vinita.

The retired Department of Human Services worker was booked into jail on complaints that included possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A recount of votes in a special election for a seat in the Oklahoma House of Representatives is scheduled for Wednesday.

The recount was requested by Republican candidate Katie Henke after unofficial returns from the April 3 election showed Democrat Dan Arthrell winning by three votes in the District 71 race. The district runs along the Arkansas River in central Tulsa.

WOODWARD, Okla. (AP) — Officials in Woodward County say softball-sized hail caused an estimated $250,000 in damages after severe storms swept through the area Monday night, injuring three people.

Woodward County Emergency Manager Matt Lehenbauer says an infant was injured by glass from a shattered car window and another person was hit in the face by a softball-sized hail stone that broke through a car window.

Lehenbauer tells the Woodward News the storms caused at least a quarter-million dollars in damages to buildings and vehicles.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Two bills targeting feral hogs are among 16 measures signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Fallin signed the bills on Monday, including one that specifically authorizes a "Judas pig tagging system" for wiping out feral hogs. The system allows hunters to outfit a feral hog with a radio collar, then track it down after it returns to the main herd.

Wild hogs have become a nuisance across the state, rooting up fields and crops, destroying fences and spreading diseases to livestock.

WELLSTON, Okla. (AP) — A small earthquake shook parts of Lincoln County on Easter.

The U.S. Geological Survey reports a 2.6-magnitude quake was recorded late Sunday 3 miles west of Wellston.

Lincoln County officials didn't receive any reports of injuries or damage.

Geologists say earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 to 3.0 are generally the smallest felt by humans.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Tulsa police documents say the two suspects arrested in a shooting spree that terrorized the city's black community have both confessed. The documents given to The Associated Press on Monday say 19-year-old Jake England confessed to shooting three people and 32-year-old Alvin Watts confessed to shooting two.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — At least one possible tornado has touched down and hail the size of softballs has damaged windows in northwestern Oklahoma.

According to the National Weather Service, a tornado was spotted about 3 miles south-southwest of Woodward about 5:30 p.m. Monday. Hail ranging in size from an inch to 4.25 inches pounded the town, breaking out windows.

There was no immediate confirmation of injuries.

Woodward and seven other counties are under a tornado watch until late Monday.