Marshall Stewart

This holiday season, Tulsa Community College students are gathering coats and blankets for the homeless. The coat and blanket drive is the idea of the TCC Student Government Association. Spokesman Anthony Burkes says it began as a coat drive, but someone pointed out there is also a great need for blankets.

Burkes says he has been homeless himself, so he understands the need. Donations may be dropped off at any Tulsa Community College campus through December 10th.

City leaders and University of Tulsa officials team up to paint the iconic Blue Dome downtown as a symbol of True Blue TU Week. It’s in honor of the football team’s playing for a USA Conference Championship this Saturday. It’s televised by ESPN, and head coach Bill Blankenship would like to see a full stadium. He says there is a loyal fan base, but he’d like to expand it and this weekend is a good chance to show off the university and the town.

Mayor Bartlett has issued a proclamation officially declaring this True Blue TU Week.

Tulsa County leaders today okay a deal that will change the name of the largest  building on Expo Square and officially end live racing at Fair Meadows.The naming rights agreement with the Muscogee Creek Nation will put the tribe’s name on what had been known as the Quik Trip Center. Fairgrounds CEO Mark Andrus says the deal also ends live race meets, which were money losers in recent years.

A company that cleans up after fires, tornadoes, floods, and other disasters donates hundreds of turkeys to Tulsa charities. Chrystal Kline is spokesperson for TRC Disaster Solutions. She says the company gives away 100 turkeys for every year it’s been in business. This year, that means 26-hundred turkeys going to organizations like John 3:16, the Salvation Army, Street School of Tulsa, and Catholic Charities.

Kline says it’s hoped the donations will help feed those who otherwise might not get a Thanksgiving dinner.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A Wonder Bread bakery in Tulsa is among the facilities affected by Hostess Brands Inc.'s announcement Friday that it's going out of business.

Hostess announced Friday its plans to lay off its 18,500 workers and sell its snack cake and bread brands.

The Irving, Texas, company said a nationwide strike crippled its ability to make and deliver its products, which also include Twinkies, Ding Dongs, Ho Ho's and Home Pride bread.

The Tulsa bakery employs about 160 workers.

Winterfest is back for year number five in downtown Tulsa. One of the sponsors is Arvest Bank, and spokesman Kirk Hays says Winterfest has rapidly become a holiday tradition for many families. More than 130,000 people attended the event last year.

Winterfest, located just outside the BOK Center, features ice skating, outdoor shops, concessions, entertainment, and the state’s tallest Christmas tree. It begins November 23rd and runs through January 6th.

The Tulsa County Election Board is prepared for big crowds as early voting gets underway today in Oklahoma.

Four ars ago in the last presidential election, lines ran all the way to the street and down the sidewalk. Early in-person absentee voting is allowed today , Saturday, and Monday…but you must go to the Election Board on North Denver Avenue to cast your ballot.

Progress is being made on the final phase of the widening of I-44 in Tulsa.

Republican Mittt Romney continues to lead President Barack Obama by a large margin in Oklahoma, but is only even with him in Tulsa.

That's according to a SoonerPoll.com survey released today. The phone survey of 305 likely voters, taken October 18-24, shows Romney at 58 percent statewide and Obama at 33 percent.

Obama picked up 4 points since the last survey in August, while Romney remained unchanged. In Tulsa, Romney and Obama are both at 46 percent.

Romney leads by 26 points in Oklahoma City and 42 points in the rest of the state.