Local & Regional

By Associated Press

Fort Bragg, N.C. – Fort Bragg soldier pleads guilty to raping woman

FORT BRAGG, N.C. (AP) An Oklahoma soldier could spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to rape and burglary after assaulting a military wife at Fort Bragg last year.

Multiple media organizations report that 23-year-old Aaron Pernell of Tulsa, Okla., pleaded guilty Wednesday as his court-martial opened.

By Associated Press

Pawnee, OK – Oklahoma undersheriff chosen as new sheriff

PAWNEE, Okla. (AP) Pawnee County commissioners have appointed a new sheriff to fill the two-year, unexpired term of a man who was ousted from the position last month.

Commissioners on Monday selected undersheriff Mike Waters from five applicants. Commissioner Dale Carter told the Tulsa World that Waters will be sheriff until Dec. 31, 2012.

Waters has been the interim sheriff since Sept. 29, the day Roger Price was suspended.

By John Durkee

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

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Fallin, Okla legislative leaders to talk policy

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Gov.-elect Mary Fallin and leaders of the Republican-controlled Oklahoma Legislature will discuss the upcoming legislative session during a forum in Oklahoma City.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The Tulsa City Council votes 5-3 for a special use permit for the Tulsa Holiday Parade of Lights. At issue was the removal of the word "Christmas" from the title.

Council chair Rick Westcott and Councilman Jim Mautino wanted to hold up the permit until "Christmas" was inserted into the title. Some legal experts had said that would not be legal if there were no other problems with public safety or street usage. Councilor Roscoe Turner abstained from voting. The rest of the council voted for the permit.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – The unemployment rate in the Tulsa Metro takes a jump in October.

In figures released today by the state department of Employment Security, 7-point-7 percent of the Tulsa Metro work force was out of work in October. That is up from September, but the same as August totals.

Both Oklahoma City and Lawton have lower rates than Tulsa.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Two seasonal illnesses are taking hold in Oklahoma

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – A busy morning is ahead for the Tulsa City Council. The members will take up a no-confidence vote in acting City Attorney David Pauling.

The Council will also decide the fate of a special use permit for the Tulsa Holiday Parade. Council Chair Rick Westcott wants to hold up the permit until "Christmas" is added to the title. The parade is planned for Saturday.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Report: Okla. economy may not recover until 2014

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A new report shows Oklahoma's battered economy likely will not fully recover until at least 2014.

The Tulsa-based Oklahoma Policy Institute is releasing a report Tuesday that projects state lawmakers will face a $400 million budget hole in the upcoming fiscal year.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Traffic is flowing on the Broken Arrow Expressway at the I-44 interchange again. That was sure not the case during the morning rush hour. A tractor trailer rig, loaded with chicken manure, overturned and dumped its load on the exit ramp.

The closed ramp snarled morning traffic, at one point backing up traffic on the Broken Arrow Expressway past Garnett.

The road way was reopened just before 9a.m.