Local & Regional

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Republican Mary Fallin is officially Oklahoma's first woman governor.

Fallin took the oath of office at noon Monday during a chilly ceremony on the south steps of the state Capitol. She became Oklahoma's 27th governor, replacing outgoing Democrat Brad Henry, who was term limited after eight years.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Winter weather affecting travel in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Winter weather is affecting travel in much of Oklahoma, with one fatal accident occurring on an icy roadway.

The state Department of Public safety lists slick roads in all but four Oklahoma counties, with hazardous conditions throughout the northern and eastern portions of the state. A 66-year-old Sapulpa woman died Sunday when her car went off an icy road and into a pond in Tulsa County.

By AP

Tulsa, Ok – Sapulpa woman dies after accident on icy road

GLENPOOL, Okla. (AP) Authorities say a 66-year-old Sapulpa woman has drowned in a pond after an accident on an icy Tulsa County road.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says Joyce Armstrong Leutz died in the accident southeast of Glenpool about 7:35 p.m. Sunday.

Troopers say Leutz's sport utility vehicle left the road, went through a fence and into a pond, where she drowned. It's not known how long Leutz was underwater.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Report: About 5 percent of Oklahomans foreign born

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A new report shows nearly 200,000 Oklahomans were born in another country.

According to the estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, about 190,000 Oklahoma residents, or 5 percent of the population, were born outside the United States.

The Oklahoman reports that the highest rates of foreign-born residents are in the Oklahoma Panhandle counties of Texas (21.3 percent) and Cimarron (11.5 percent).

By AP

Tulsa, Ok – 3 cases tossed as part of Okla. corruption probe

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Three more people have been freed from prison or had their cases dismissed as part of an investigation into corruption at the Tulsa Police Department.

The Tulsa World reports that Ivan Silva-Arzeta was freed from a Texas detention center Dec. 10. Arzeta, an undocumented immigrant, pleaded guilty to other charges, including falsely using a Social Security number, and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

By AP

Tulsa, Ok – Winter weather causing travel problem in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A winter storm is making travel difficult across Oklahoma.

According to the National Weather Service, three to six inches of snow fell in southeastern Oklahoma Sunday, causing hazardous road conditions.

Oklahoma Gas and Electric reported more 300 power outages at one point in central and southwestern Oklahoma, but those dwindled to about 80 Sunday night.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of this morning's top local stories from KWGS:

By AP

Wichita, KS – Spirit AeroSystems to hire hundreds of workers

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) Aircraft parts maker Spirit AeroSystems is planning to hire workers this year.

The Wichita Eagle reported that the hiring is expected to occur in the first quarter because production on new and existing programs is increasing.

Spokesman Ken Evans said Friday that the near-term plans call for hiring about 200 workers for Wichita and Tulsa, Okla.

Evans says the jobs are primarily factory positions.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Ex-Okla. lawmakers get Insurance Department jobs

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Three former state legislators will take positions at the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

Incoming Insurance Commissioner John Doak announced Thursday that ex-state Sens. Randy Brogdon and Owen Laughlin and former Rep. Mike Thompson will be serving in his administration as deputy insurance commissioners.

Brogdon lost the GOP gubernatorial primary last year to U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, who eventually won the governor's race.

By AP

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla congressman says friend's shooting 'horrific'

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Rep. Dan Boren calls the shooting of his friend and colleague, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, a "horrific event."

Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head Saturday when an assailant opened fire outside a Tucson grocery store, killing five and wounding several others.

Boren, D-Okla., said he and Giffords were friends before she came to Congress and they are members of the fiscally conservative, "Blue Dog" Democrats.