Local & Regional

By Associated Press

Norman, OK – Scientists to hit the road for tornado research

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) More than 100 scientists, students and others interested in the causes of severe weather are preparing to go in search of tornadoes.

They're part of the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment that begins Saturday and runs through June 15. The goal is to learn more about how, when and why tornadoes form.

By KWGS News/National Weather Service

Tulsa, Ok – THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A
TORNADO WATCH FOR PORTIONS OF

WESTERN ARKANSAS
SOUTHERN MISSOURI
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
NORTHEASTERN TEXAS

EFFECTIVE THIS FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING FROM 145 PM UNTIL 800
PM CDT.

TORNADOES...HAIL TO 2 INCHES IN DIAMETER...THUNDERSTORM WIND
GUSTS TO 80 MPH...AND DANGEROUS LIGHTNING ARE POSSIBLE IN THESE
AREAS.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – CEOs: Gulf oil spill 'a real setback' for industry

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The CEOs of two Oklahoma City-based independent energy companies say the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will significantly set back industry efforts to increase offshore drilling.

Devon Energy Corp. CEO Larry Nichols and Chesapeake Energy Corp. CEO Aubrey McClendon spoke Friday morning at an energy conference in Oklahoma City.

By Associated Press

Muskogee, OK – Hearing set for man accused in Okla. mall shooting

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) A Muskogee County judge has scheduled an Aug. 2 preliminary hearing for a man accused of fatally shooting a teenager at a Muskogee mall.

Prosecutors have charged 19-year-old Dondray Fowler with first-degree murder in the April 10 killing of 17-year-old Jerrod Reed at Arrowhead Mall.

Attorney L. Wayne Woodyard was appointed to represent Fowler. Attempts to reach Woodyard for comment Thursday weren't successful.

By Hear the Mayor's Plan:

Tulsa, OK – Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett presents his budget to the Tulsa City Council. The spending proposal has the city spending $230-million from the general fund. That is about one million dollars less than last year.

The plan does not for calling back laid-off police officers. However, those officers could be added back once older officers retire.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of Friday morning's Top Local Stories:

By KWGS News

Tulsa, Ok – Tulsa Public Schools is aware of a police investigation involving a TPS employee at Skelly Elementary School. District administrators and other staff have been fully cooperative with Tulsa police in that ongoing investigation. TPS will continue to cooperate in the investigation as required and allowed by law.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – YWCA Tulsa is calling on all individuals to join us in taking a bold Stand Against Racism on Friday, April 30th, by participating in one of the many events open to the public in Tulsa. Over 40 Tulsa organizations have partnered with the YWCA as Participating Sites, uniting our community in a bold demonstration that delivers a clear message that racism can no longer be ignored or tolerated.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – PROVIDENCE, Ky. (AP) Two miners are missing and rescuers were unable to contact them after a roof collapsed in a large underground coal mine in western Kentucky.

The mine is owned by Tulsa-based Alliance Resource Partners. The company's website says it purchased the mine in 1971 and produces high-sulfur coal there.

The company primarily sells coal to electric utilities.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Environmental Protection Agency has announced that Tulsa-based Magellan Pipeline Co. L.P. has agreed to pay a $418,000 fine for a gasoline spill.

The EPA said Thursday that Magellan agreed to the fine for violating the federal Clean Water Act when about 45,150 gallons of gasoline spilled into Four Mile Creek in January 2008. The creek is a tributary of the Verdigris River which flows into Lake Oologah.