Local & Regional

By KWGS News/National Weather Service

Tulsa, OK – Expressway lighting that was turned off last November to save $240,000 from the City's budget will be re-illuminated Sept. 1.

The City's traffic engineering staff, which oversees expressway and street lighting and traffic signals, has been working with PSO to make sure lighting circuits are ready to energize.

By KWGS News

Oklahoma City, OK – Owasso State Senator randy Brogdon makes it official. He today, endorsed Mayor Fallin for Governor. Brogdon lost to Fallin in last week's GOP primary.

The endorsement came after Fallin and Brogdon met at Fallin's Oklahoma City campaign headquarters. Brogdon had the backing of local Tea Party members and elements of the GOP considered to be more to the right than Fallin.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK –
Tulsa's Mayor hires a spokesman. Dewey Bartlett has tabbed Tulsa Public Schools broadcast magnet school program coordinator Lloyd Wright for the job.

Wright will serves as the media contact and the Mayor's news secretary. He will be paid 75-thousand.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Forty of the wealthiest families and individuals in the United States have committed to returning the majority of their wealth to charitable causes by taking the Giving Pledge. Among those taking the pledge was Tulsa's George Kaiser. The announcement of this first group was made by Warren Buffett approximately six weeks after kicking off the long-term charitable project with Bill and Melinda Gates.

By Associated Press

Broken Arrow, OK – Snakes, safe stolen from Okla sanctuary

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (AP) Cash isn't the only thing of value that was taken during a break-in at a non-profit animal sanctuary in Broken Arrow.

Officials say six exotic snakes were stolen between 9 p.m. Monday and 6 a.m. Tuesday from Safari's Sanctuary. A volunteer found the reptiles missing from their display cases.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – Mayor Dewey Bartlett announced today that four City of Tulsa employees have been recognized for providing outstanding service to their fellow colleagues and citizens through its Tulsa Blue employee recognition program.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Askins loaned her gubernatorial campaign $100,000

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Records show Lt. Gov. Jari Askins loaned her gubernatorial campaign $100,000 in the final days before the July 27 primary.

Askins narrowly defeated Attorney General Drew Edmondson for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. She now faces Republican Congresswoman Mary Fallin in the November election.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Water bottles found in stomach of dead alligator

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Veterinarians at the Oklahoma City Zoo say seven plastic water bottle were found in the stomach of an alligator that recently died.

Veterinary services director Jennifer D'Agostino says the bottles created a blockage that prevented the alligator from digesting food correctly. She says the blockage became infected and the infection spread to the rest of the body.

By Denise Brewer

August 4, 2010 – Your top local news for Wednesday

By Associated Press

Claremore, OK – Candidate for DA in NE Okla. withdraws

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) A Republican candidate for district attorney in northeast Oklahoma has withdrawn from the race, ensuring Democrat Janice Steidley will win the open seat.

Republican M. Bryce Lair of Vinita submitted paperwork Tuesday to drop out of the race.

Steidley defeated Patrick Abitbol in last week's Democratic primary.

District 12 includes Rogers, Craig and Mayes counties. Current District Attorney Gene Haynes did not seek re-election.