Local & Regional

By Denise Brewer

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

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Health care opt out approved by Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Senate has approved a measure that would allow Oklahoma voters to opt out of key provisions of the federal health care bill signed into law by President Obama.

The joint resolution approved Tuesday by a 36-11 vote would send to a vote of the people in November a state question to prohibit any requirement that a person, employer or hospital participate in a health care system.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – I-44 traffic shifted at 41st St. bridge, lanes narrow at Yale Ave. tonight
All lanes of westbound I-44 are now shifted onto a temporary diversion road on the north side of the highway between the 41st St. bridge and Yale Ave. until further notice. The speed limit is 45 mph, and drivers are urged to use extreme caution while traffic adjusts to this new route. Also, drivers can expect various lane closures on eastbound I-44 in this area from 7 p.m. to midnight tonight for striping.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Emergency managers visit Capitol

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Dozens of emergency management professionals want state lawmakers to support their disaster response efforts.

About 100 emergency managers from across the state were at the state Capitol Tuesday to emphasize the need for state disaster relief funds.

By KWGS News

Skiatook, OK – There is new information this morning on the Skiatook School District. Tulsa County presiding Judge Tom Thornbrugh has approved a request for a grand jury investigation of the school district.

A state audit turned up three-quarters of a million dollars of funds misspent. The petitioners will have 45-days to collect five-thousand signatures.

By Denise Brewer

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

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa City Council will go behind closed doors Thursday afternoon. Council Chair Rick Westcott says they want to discuss the best way to move forward in a review of comments made by Mayor's Chief of Staff Terry Simonson.

At issue, is whether Simonson mislead the council and/or the federal government regarding using a grant to rehire laid-off police officers.

The meeting will begin at 5PM, just ahead of the regular 6PM council meeting

Read the memo chief deputies sent to the police chief:

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Poll shows support for smoking ban

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Supporters of further limits on smoking in public have released a new poll indicating most Oklahomans favor banning smoking in bars and restaurants.

The poll commissioned by the Smoke Free Oklahoma coalition found 71 percent of Oklahomans favor eliminating indoor smoking in public places. It also found 94 percent of Oklahoma voters believe secondhand smoke is a health hazard.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Texan's DNA could help ID Pearl Harbor sailor

DALLAS (AP) A Dallas-area woman for decades kept a letter from her Navy brother and that mail could help identify him as a victim of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

Sandy Patton of Trophy Club says her brother was serving in the radio room of the USS Oklahoma during the Japanese attack.

The 89-year-old woman hoped, at a recent meeting in San Antonio, to be informed that recovered remains include those of her sibling. Patton last year provided a DNA sample.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Gov. Brad Henry announced today that more Oklahoma counties have been approved for federal disaster aid to assist with infrastructure damage and response costs related to the Christmas Eve blizzard and the January 28 ice storm.