Local & Regional

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Three people are hurt in a west Tulsa house fire. One person was seriously injured. It happened in the 21-hundred block of west 42nd Court. EMSA transported the trio to three different hospitals suffering from burns and smoke inhalation.

A 57-year-old man was taken to St-John in fair condition. A 55-year-old woman was taken to St-Francis, also in fair condition. A 34-year-old woman was taken to the Hilcrest Hospital burn facility is serious condition.

Fire investigators are looking for the cause.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, Ok – A lone bandit entered the Food Pyramid at 41st and Peoria late this morning. He went to the Bank of Oklahoma bank branch inside the store and claimed he had a bomb. He demanded cash from the bank teller and then left. There was no sign of a bomb.

Tulsa Police are checking to see if this robbery may have been connected to others that happened early this month.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa Metro Chamber of Commerce announced today the launch of Sourcelink Tulsa. It is a new program created to spur growth of small businesses and start-ups in the area.

In a community the size of the Tulsa Metro Region, there are a number of nonprofit and government organizations offering business-building services. However, individuals who own a small business or those who wish to start one are often overwhelmed with questions or challenges and may not know where to find help.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. fatalities drop since teen licenses limited

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A new study shows that, since the passage of Oklahoma's graduated driver's license law in 1999, the number of fatality crashes involving 16- and 17-year-old drivers has dropped from 75 in 2000 to a low of 39 in 2008.

The numbers include wrecks that killed teens and others where a 16- or 17-year-old was behind the wheel of at least one of the vehicles involved.

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary on Wednesday approved legislation that would allow Oklahoma law enforcement officials to monitor the state's most dangerous sex offenders through electronic monitoring devices.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – TULSA, Okla. (AP) State transportation officials say one lane of Interstate 44 near Tulsa and all lanes of 165th East Avenue are closed because of a hole in the interstate.

The hole found Sunday morning comes after another hole was repaired on the bridge deck Friday.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation says the right lane of westbound I-44 in Catoosa is shut down and 165th East Avenue below the interstate is also closed. O-DOT says the lanes will likely be closed for several days while repairs are made.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – A quick recap of Monday Morning's Top Local Stories.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. governor asks for aid related to ice storm

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Twenty-five Oklahoma counties would receive aid if Gov. Brad Henry's request for disaster declarations is given the go-ahead.

The counties were ones hit by a Jan. 28 ice storm that brought down trees and power lines statewide. Southwestern Oklahoma was hardest hit and saw power outages for more than a week.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced his office received authorization from the Bureau of Justice Assitance to use $3 million of a Justice Assistance Grant to rehire 35 police officers for 17 months.

Confirmation was received in a 4:42 p.m. email from Carol Poole, acting deputy director for programs for the Bureau. Details of the call back will be arranged next week.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Judge rules Oklahoma abortion law unconstitutional

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) An Oklahoma statute barring the termination of a pregnancy based on the gender of the fetus was deemed unconstitutional Friday.

District Judge Daniel Owens says the law violates the state's rule that legislation address a single subject.

The measure passed the Oklahoma Legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Brad Henry last year.