Local & Regional

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Dewey Bartlett has agreed to hold contract talks with the Tulsa Fire Fighters' Union. The mayor is scrambling to come up with budget cutting measures that do not include lay-offs. The Mayor says the Fire Department Union understands the city budget constraints and wants to talk about proposals to spare up to 135-fire fighter jobs.

The mayor, meanwhile, has not agreed to such talks with the Tulsa Fraternal Order of Police. The police union compared the mayor to an extortionist during a recent news conference.

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – State Sen. Debbe Leftwich has filed legislation aimed at party bus companies that turn a blind eye to drunken teen passengers. Leftwich said she began working on the legislation after being contacted by officials with Santa Fe South High School last spring.

By Associated Press

Poteau, OK – Ten Commandments monument to go up in Poteau

POTEAU, Okla. (AP) A Ten Commandments monument that was planned for the lawn of the LeFlore County Courthouse will be placed outside a bank on a busy city street in Poteau.

Former Poteau Mayor Don Barnes says the monument will be dedicated Wednesday at the main branch of Community State Bank.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Thousands of people lined the streets of Tulsa for the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade today. The weather was ideal for event as over 100 floats, schools, bands, drill teams, public safety and military organizations took part.

The parade stepped off at 11 a.m. Monday morning and traveled along Greenwood Avenue from Pine all the way to Second Street.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Oklahoma Department of Transportation officials showcase the progress on three major construction projects to top Congressional transportation leaders.

U.S. Congressman James Oberstar, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, and Oklahoma Congresswoman Mary Fallin had a first had look at how Oklahoma us putting its share of federal stimulus funds to use in Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

By Associated Press

Picher, OK – Oklahoma mining waste headed for Kansas highways

PICHER, Okla. (AP) Mining waste from the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma is to be used on highways in Kansas.

Sen. Jim Inhofe says the chat will be mixed with asphalt for use on highways in Kansas because that state is less restrictive on lead and zinc levels in the material than is Oklahoma.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Teachers unhappy: Standards rise, resources shrink

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma teachers say schools have been hit with a "double whammy" this year, with standards on state tests raised when additional resources for education weren't available.

By Associated Press

Lexington, OK – Okla. prison chief says 10 percent layoffs possible

LEXINGTON, Okla. (AP) Oklahoma's top prison official says that if his agency's budget is cut by 7.5 percent as he was told to expect, 10 percent of the system's employees will be laid off.

Department of Corrections Director Justin Jones on Friday told the state Board of Corrections that he wasn't crying wolf.

Members of the board expressed frustration at what they said was a lack of interest among lawmakers in funding the state prison system.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Trust claims November Powerball jackpot

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Lottery says the $32 million winning Powerball ticket from Nov. 21 has been claimed.

The End of the Rainbow Trust is the beneficiary, and Oklahoma City attorney Richard Craig serving as the trustee.

The trust requested the lump-sum payment and will receive $11.8 million after taxes.

The winning jackpot ticket was sold at a Kwik Chek store in Kiowa.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Woman sentenced for embezzling insurance proceeds

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A federal judge has sentenced a Harrah woman to three years in prison for embezzling military life insurance proceeds meant for her son.

U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot also on Friday ordered Trisha Fish to pay more than $362,000 in restitution.