Local & Regional

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – A bus carrying the Tulsa Oilers to a game in Missouri caught fire near Claremore just before noon today. Reportedly, players began smelling smoke from the engine and the driver pulled over. Everyone left the bus safely before the engine caught fire, fully engulfing the bus. That fire subsequently sparked a grass fire which spread quickly. The team managed to save all equipment and booked another bus to continue the trip.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Temperatures in the lower 30s and upper 20s are expected tonight. With the coldest readings happening within valley locations of far Northeast Oklahoma and far Northwest Arkansas. Even colder overnight temperatures are expected early Saturday morning.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, Oklahoma – A red flag fire warning is in effect from 10am - 7pm this evening. Strong northerly winds with gusts of 30 to 40 mph will be common today... especially in the afternoon. The winds along with warm temperatures and low humidity will allow very aggressive fire behavior with any type of fire start. Conditions will improve after sunset as temperatures cool and winds calm.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, Oklahoma – Your Thursday Morning Local News

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Voters OK 'opt-out' of new health care law

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahomans have approved a measure that would allow citizens to "opt-out" of the new federal health care reform bill.

The question's House author, Rep. Mike Thompson, R-Oklahoma City, said a constitutional amendment would help protect Oklahomans from the government's attempt to insert itself into their lives and that the federal health care overhaul would make health insurance more expensive.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Sullivan wins reelection in 1st District

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Republican Rep. John Sullivan has been elected to a fifth term in Oklahoma's 1st Congressional District race.

Sullivan defeated independent Angelia O'Dell of Tulsa in Tuesday's general election.

He knocked off five GOP challengers in the July 27 primary election to win his party's nomination for another two-year term. No Democrats were in the race.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma voters reject school spending measure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma voters have soundly rejected a controversial plan that would have required the state to spend annually on education no less than the regional average of six neighboring states.

Critics, including Gov. Brad Henry, said State Question 744 would have forced devastating cuts to other state agencies.

The plan was estimated to cost between $900 million and $1.7 billion over the next several years.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Pruitt beats Priest to become Okla AG

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Republican Scott Pruitt has defeated Democrat Jim Priest in the race to become Oklahoma's next attorney general.

With 53 percent of the state's precincts reporting unofficial results, Pruitt received 64.5 percent of the vote over Priest, an Oklahoma City attorney.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. GOP picks up seats in state Legislature

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Republicans extended their majority in Oklahoma Legislature as several incumbent Democrats lost their seats in the state House and Senate.

Republicans have a 26-22 majority in the Senate and a 62-39 advantage in the state House, but with Tuesday's election results, unofficial election returns showed GOP gains.

Sen. Jay Paul Gumm of Durant and Rep. Ken Luttrell in the state House were among the Democrats losing in Tuesday's election.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, oK – Rep. Fallin elected Okla.'s first female governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin has made history in Oklahoma, where voters elected the Republican to become the state's first female governor.

Fallin leveraged her two decades of political roots in Oklahoma to pull in the historic win over Democratic Lt. Gov. Jari Askins. Her election also completes a power sweep for Republicans in Oklahoma that began with taking the House in 2004, and the Senate in 2008.