Local & Regional

By John Durkee/Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Hear a recap of Friday afternoon's Top Local Stories:

By Associated Press

Norman, OK – Rain forces change in OU commencement plans

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) The University of Oklahoma is moving its commencement ceremony because of inclement weather.

The OU public affairs office says the ceremony planned to begin at 7 p.m. Friday at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium will instead start at 7:30 p.m. at the Lloyd Noble Center.

By Associated Press

Sperry, OK – SPERRY The Sperry school board has rejected a request to allow a Vietnamese exchange student to receive a high school diploma from the school. The board voted 2-1 Thursday against a state graduation-requirements exception for 18-year-old Oanh Kim Pham.

By Associated Press

Norman, OK – OU regents approve Moore as new dean

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) University of Oklahoma regents have approved the appointment of a new dean for OU's College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences.

Berrien Moore III will become the college's dean-designate on May 31 and work for about a month with current dean John Snow. Snow is retiring from his work as dean to focus on teaching and research.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Senate cracks down on underage drinking

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The Oklahoma Senate has given final approval to a bill cracking down on party bus companies that condone underage drinking.

The measure by Sen. Debbe Leftwich of Oklahoma City passed 44-0 Thursday. The bill now goes to the House for a final vote. If approved, it will go to Gov. Brad Henry for his signature.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Okla. House budget panel OKs axing 2 tax credits

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) A House budget panel has approved the elimination of two investment tax credits that would save the state an estimated $23 million.

The approval of the bill Thursday by the House General Conference Committee on Appropriations paves the way for the moratorium on the income tax credits to be heard by the full House and Senate and sent to the governor.

By Associated Press

Little Axe, OK – School year in Little Axe likely over after storm

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) The academic year likely is over for students in the Little Axe district after a tornado cut a path through the middle of their school complex in northeastern Cleveland County.

Little Axe Superintendent Barry Damrill said Thursday the district has been given an exception by the state Board of Education that would allow the district to cancel the rest of the school year.

By Denise Brewer

Tulsa, OK – Hear a Two-Minute Recap of Friday's Top Local Stories:

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Hear an update on today's storm damage in Tulsa.

By KWGS News

Tulsa, OK – About 100 City of Tulsa Public Works employees reported to work early Thursday to begin removing trees and other debris from arterial streets following early-morning wind storms that caused damage in a large area of the city.

Damage spread from west Tulsa to as far east as 129th, and from downtown to as far south as 121st St. The heaviest damage appeared to be between South Yale and Riverside Drive in the 51st and 61st Streets area.