Governor Mary Fallin signed a measure Tuesday that eventually will allow Oklahomans with a handgun license to openly carry firearms.Fallin signed SB 1733, which permits those who are licensed, or already have been licensed, to carry a firearm under the Oklahoma Self Defense Act to openly carry a weapon or conceal it.  It also allows property owners to openly carry a firearm on their property without a concealed carry permit for the purpose of self defense. "As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and a gun owner myself, I’m happy to sign this bill into law and grant law-abiding citizens the ability to openly carry firearms,” Fallin said in a press release.  “Senate Bill 1733 sends a strong message that Oklahoma values the rights of its citizens to defend themselves, their family and their property. It does so in a responsible way, by requiring those citizens who choose to open carry to undergo both firearms training and a background check.” For the full story go to www.ecapitol.net

 The House Conference Committee on Public Safety, Judiciary and Military Affairs gave its approval Tuesday to five bills, including one designed to address alimony and property issues in military divorces, while another measure was laid over.The conference committee approved the CCS for SB 1887, by Sen. Steve Russell, R-Oklahoma City and Rep. Fred Jordan, R-Jenks, which establishes how a court will treat disposable retired or retainer pay payable to a military member. The committee laid over at the author’s request the CCS for SB 1067, by Sen. Don Barrington, R-Lawton, and Rep. Paul D. Roan, D-Tishomingo, that attempted to clarify that a Department of Public Safety officer, or an officer of any other political subdivision, is authorized under certain circumstances to tow vehicles found upon public roads, highways, streets, turnpikes, other public places or upon any private road, street, alley or lane that provides access to one or more single- or multi-family dwellings. For the full story go to www.ecapitol.net  

After failing to gain sufficient support last week, Rep. Doug Cox on Tuesday gained enough signatures for his CCR for HB 2273 to pass it out of the House General Conference Committee on Appropriations. The amended CCR, by Cox, R-Grove, and Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, only streamlines the Drug Utilization Review Board review process from four months to one month, Cox explained. Thirteen of the 14 members present signed out the report. Rep. Scott Martin, R-Norman, did not sign out the CCR. For the full story go to www.ecapitol.net

The House considered but defeated one resolution during a brief floor session Tuesday. The House voted 47 to 46 on HJR 1113, which was insufficient for the resolution’s passage. The measure, by Rep. Jason Nelson, R-Oklahoma City, approves rules of the Department of Human Services related to recoupment of child support costs. Nelson served notice that he may move to reconsider the measure’s vote. The House will reconvene at 10 a.m. Wednesday. For the full story go to www.ecapitol.net  

The House Conference Committee on Natural Resources on Tuesday unanimously approved a second conference committee report for the new pet breeder regulation bill. All 10 members present signed out the 2nd CCR for HB 2921, by Rep. Phil Richardson, R-Minco, and Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, which directs the provisions of the Pet Breeder Act of 2012 to be administered and supervised by the State Board of Agriculture. The second conference committee report removed language from the first report regarding an audit to be conducted by the state auditor and inspector. The conference committee also signed out a bill regarding paddlefish that failed to garner enough signatures last week. Ten of the 11 members present signed out the CCR for HB 2198, by Rep. Steven Vaughan, R-Ponca City, and Sen. Charles Wyrick, D-Fairland, which creates penalties for the taking, transporting and possessing of unprocessed paddlefish products. Go to www.ecapitol.net for the full story!

This week on ONR for May 4, 2012:  Mission Failure ONR and The Journal Record collaborate on a Special Report detailing abuse and neglect of patients at Oklahoma's long-term care facilities for military veterans.  Bob Sands and M. Scott Carter release their findings in an exclusive report. ONR, the Oklahoma News Report, airs Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Read The Journal Record report here.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin is flying to Camp Shelby, Miss., to visit Oklahoma National Guard troops as they prepare to deploy to Afghanistan. Fallin planned to fly to Mississippi on Wednesday with Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, the adjutant general for Oklahoma's Army and Air National Guard. More than 3,300 soldiers with Oklahoma's 45th Infantry Brigade are heading to Afghanistan as part of the Oklahoma National Guard's largest deployment since the Korean War. The troops have been training for three months at Camp Shelby and are deploying this month to northeast Afghanistan, where they will conduct a variety of operations in combination with Afghan security forces. Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz says the governor plans to meet and eat lunch with troops and discuss their mission with military commanders.    

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - About 120 Oklahoma-based airmen are set to return to Tinker Air Force Base after a stint in Afghanistan. Members of the 552nd Air Control Wing are scheduled to be back at the base Wednesday after a four-month deployment. The wing provides all weather surveillance and communications needed by commanders of U.S. and NATO air defense forces to detect, identify and track fixed-wing aircraft and maritime surface vessels. The wing also helps direct friendly aircraft against enemy forces. During their deployment, the wing's airmen flew more than 200 sorties and provided command and control for more than 2,500 hours in Afghanistan and over the Arabian Gulf.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma lawmakers are celebrating the 100th anniversary of field artillery at the Fort Sill Army Post in southwest Oklahoma. House lawmakers on Monday unanimously approved a resolution designating May 19 as Field Artillery Day in Oklahoma. State Rep. Joe Dorman authored the resolution and hosted a delegation from Fort Sill at the state Capitol. The first artillery battery arrived at Fort Sill in 1902, and the field artillery's School of Fire was founded at the post in 1911. It continues to operate as the U.S. Army Field Artillery School and trains soldiers from around the world.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Thousands of soldiers with Oklahoma's Air and Army National Guard who are deploying to Afghanistan in June are being honored by state lawmakers. The Oklahoma House and Senate met in a joint session of the Legislature on Tuesday to honor current and former soldiers with the Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Division. About 3,300 soldiers with the division's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team are currently training in Mississippi and preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. It will be the Oklahoma National Guard's largest deployment since the Korean War. Gov. Mary Fallin praised about 50 uniformed troops who crowded into the gallery, calling those who serve in the armed forces "Oklahoma's heroes." Fallin signed a proclamation declaring Tuesday Oklahoma National Guard and 45th Infantry Division Appreciation Day.

This week on ONR for May 4, 2012: Mission Failure ONR and The Journal Record collaborate on a Special Report detailing abuse and neglect of patients at Oklahoma's long-term care facilities for military veterans. Bob Sands and M. Scott Carter provide details of their findings in this exclusive report. ONR, the Oklahoma News Report, airs Fridays at 7:00 p.m., Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Read The Journal Record report here.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Mary Fallin is in Ireland this week to attend the wedding of her daughter. Fallin spokesman Alex Weintz says Fallin left for Ireland on Sunday and will return to Oklahoma on Saturday. Weintz says the governor's security detail is traveling with her. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb is the acting governor during Fallin's absence. Weintz says there are no official responsibilities scheduled that Lamb would have to perform. Twenty-four-year-old Christina Fallin is marrying 32-year-old Matt Bacon of Oklahoma City. Weintz described the event as a "small destination wedding" for a few family members and close friends.Fallin has two children from a previous marriage and four step-children from her husband, attorney Wade Christensen.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Treasurer Ken Miller has fired his office's internal auditor. Miller spokesman Tim Allen says LaTisha Reid was dismissed on Friday. She had been with the treasurer's office for about six years. Allen says he doesn't know why Reid was told she was being dismissed. Earlier this week, Miller placed an unidentified employee on administrative leave and requested a criminal investigation of the worker following allegations of wrongdoing. But Allen wouldn't confirm whether Reid is the subject of the investigation. Miller has asked the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Attorney General's Office to look into the allegations. He has also launched an internal investigation. Miller says his office is assessing its accounting systems and procedures for tracking funds to ensure that public funds remain secure.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Treasurer Ken Miller says Oklahoma's gross revenue collections for every major tax category in May have increased over the same time last year, a sign that the state's economy continues to pull out of a recession. An economist who was elected to office last year, Miller presented revenue figures on Thursday that show collections for the past 12 months topped $10 billion for the first time in almost two years. Those numbers include collections beyond those to the state's general revenue fund, which is used to fund state government. He says Oklahoma's unemployment rate also is improving, dropping from 6.1 percent in March to 5.6 percent in April, which shows the private sector continues to add "much-needed jobs as we try to get back to full employment."  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, challenging the agency's denial of a state plan to reduce regional haze in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in southwest Oklahoma. Pruitt said the lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City. The lawsuit contends the EPA violated its own rules when it rejected the state plan and moved forward with its own federal plan to reduce haze. He says the federal plan could result in an increase in electric utility rates of up to 20 percent over the next three years because it would require coal-fired plants to add new equipment to their facilities. A Washington, D.C.-based spokeswoman for the EPA did not immediately return a telephone message.

Technical difficulties have temporarily prevented us from loading videos on the ONR web site.  We are currently involved in fixing the problem and working on a web site re-design to improve the look and functionality of the online home of ONR.  Thank you for your patience.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at onr@oeta.tv  

OKLAHOMA CITY - For 31 years the Oklahoma News Report has been your trusted source for statewide news and information, weeknights at 6:30. Beginning on July 15th, ONR is going prime time.  ONR is moving to Fridays at 7:00 p.m. in a new, hour-long format.  ONR will also be seen on Saturdays at 6:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.  The new weeknight public affairs block has BBC World News America at 5:00, with the Nightly Business Report at 5:30 and the PBS NewsHour at 6:00.   The restructured Sunday schedule is Washington Week at 12:00 p.m., Oklahoma Forum at 12:30, The McLaughlin Group at 1:00, Religion and Ethics Newsweekly at 1:30 and ONR at 2:00. State funding cuts totalling more than 26% over the past three years have forced OETA to restructure its operations and change its program schedule.  Cuts in state funding hit local productions such as ONR the hardest.  We appreciate the many supportive messages sent to us by loyal viewers who rely on ONR for nightly news and public affairs and who are disappointed in the move that was necessitated by funding problems.  Thank you for your comments; elected officials may want to hear from you, as well.  As we go forward, we are re-dedicating ourselves to maintaining a statewide focus and providing meaningful reporting about the people and issues of Oklahoma. 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian is holding a four-day festival to feature the music, dance, food and art of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma on the National Mall. The festival runs Wednesday through Saturday. Each day begins with traditional dancing, followed by presentations by artisans and storytellers in the museum's atrium. Short films will be screened each day, featuring Choctaw code talkers of World War I and other stories. Activities for children will include grinding corn, weaving baskets, making clay pots and stringing beads for a necklace. Food demonstrations will be held Wednesday and Saturday. The museum's Mitsitam CafDe will feature items such as fried rabbit, braised venison and fried salt pork. On Saturday, there will be a theatrical reenactment of a traditional Choctaw wedding.

OKLAHOMA CITY - OETA has made special arrangements with the BBC to provide live, uninterrupted British coverage of the Royal Wedding from London on Friday, April 29. The OETA broadcast will begin early Friday morning at 2:00 and will continue until the event's conclusion at 7:30. We will repeat the BBC coverage of the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on OETA Okla from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The approximate schedule of events for the live broadcast will see guests to begin arriving at 2:00 a.m., VIP's and foreign heads of state will begin arriving from 3:00 to 3:30 a.m., and senior members of the Royal family will depart for the Abbey followed by William and Kate at 3:30 a.m.  The wedding ceremony will be held from 4:00 to 5:30 a.m., the carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace will last from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. and the couple will make an appearance from the Buckingham Palace balcony between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. The BBC broadcast is expected to conclude at 7:30 a.m. (all times Central Daylight Time)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House has named "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the official gospel song of the state. The House voted 89-0 Monday to approve the bill by Rep. Jabar Shumate of Tulsa designating the song. It now goes to Gov. Mary Fallin to be signed into law. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" was written in Indian Territory in 1862 by a Choctaw Freedman named Wallis Willis. The Red River reminded Willis of the Jordan River and the song was loosely basedon the passage in the Bible that speaks of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven in a chariot. The song was adopted by England Rugby Union fans during the lastmatch of the 1988 season and recorded by the band UB40 for the team's performance at the World Cup.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - The FBI says agents found $800,000 in cash during a search of Boston mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger's Santa Monica apartment following his arrest. Steven Martinez, FBI Assistant Director in Charge in Los Angeles, said at a news conference Thursday afternoon that agents also found more than 30 firearms, including pistols, rifles and shotguns, several types of knives and several pieces of false identification. Bulger, the FBI's most-wanted man, and his live-in companion Catherine Greig, were arrested without incident Wednesday night at their Santa Monica apartment. Bulger was ordered returned to Massachusetts to face charges during a federal court hearing in Los Angeles Thursday.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A jury has convicted an Oklahoma City pharmacist once hailed as a hero after shooting a robbery suspect to death during a 2009 robbery. Jerome Ersland was convicted of first-degree murder in the death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker after the boy and another teenager tried to rob his drug store in a crime-ridden part of south Oklahoma City. Defense lawyers said Ersland had a right to protect himself and his workers. Prosecutors said Ersland became an "executioner" when he shot Parker five times in the abdomen after initially knocking Parker over with a shot to the head. A coroner's report said the later shots actually killed the teenager.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Prosecutors called an Oklahoma City pharmacist an "executioner" during closing arguments of his first-degree murder trial in the shooting death of a teenager during an attempted robbery. Defense attorneys say pharmacist Jerome Ersland is a hero and acted in self-defense when he shot and killed 16-year-old Antwun Parker during the May 2009 robbery attempt at Reliable Discount Pharmacy. Closing arguments were Thursday in Ersland's trial. The jury began deliberating about 12:40 p.m. Prosecutors say Ersland was justified when he shot Parker in the head and knocked him unconscious, but went too far when he shot the unconscious teen five more times. Ersland faces life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. The jury could also convict him of first-degree manslaughter, which carries a minimum sentence of four years.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Twelve jurors have been selected with two alternates now needed for the trial of an Oklahoma City pharmacist charged with first-degree murder in the death of a teenager during an armed robbery. Eight women and four men were seated as jurors shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday before the trial recessed for lunch. Efforts to pick two alternate jurors will continue Thursday afternoon with opening statements to follow in the trial of Jerome Ersland.Ersland is charged in the May 19, 2009, shooting death of 16-year-old Antwun Parker during a robbery at a south Oklahoma City pharmacy. He's pleaded not guilty and says he acted in self-defense. Prosecutors say Ersland was justified when he shot Parker in the head and knocked him unconscious, but went too far when he shot the teen five more times.  

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A federal judge in Utah has ordered the FBI to produce more information about its record-keeping in response to an inquiry by a man who contends unreleased video and other records from the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing will show more people were involved in the attack. U.S. District Judge Clark Waddoups said Wednesday that Salt Lake City attorney Jesse Trentadue has raised valid questions about whether the agency has done enough to find a pair of videotapes sought as part of a Freedom of Information Act request by Trentadue The ruling came during a hearing in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City. Government attorneys have until June 30 to provide the information on record-keeping and policies. Trentadue sued to get access to the tapes in 2008.  

MEDICINE PARK, Okla. (AP) - A massive wildfire that has destroyed 13 homes and burned about 5,500 acres of land is about 40 percent contained. Comanche County spokesman Chris Killmer says high winds re-fueled the blaze around noon Friday, pushing it farther northeast across Oklahoma Highway 58 south of Lake Lawtonka. Killmer says additional homes were evacuated before crews contained the flare-up about an hour later.The fire erupted on Fort Sill Army Post's West Range about 5 p.m. Thursday and spread into nearby Medicine Park. About 1,500 people were told to leave the area while more than 100 firefighters battle the blaze. Officials say two Oklahoma National Guard helicopters equipped with 600-gallon buckets are dropping water on the fire. The only injury reported is a firefighter who sustained a minor injury to his foot.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - About 600 mourners have turned out in in downtown Oklahoma City for the funeral of civil rights activist Clara Luper. The services at the Cox Convention Center Friday will include remarks by Gov. Mary Fallin and NAACP board of directors chairman Roslyn Brock. A wooden casket containing Luper's body is surrounded by floral bouquets on the arena floor and images of her are being shown on large television screens throughout the arena. Luper died June 8 at age 88 following a lengthy illness. She's best known for leading a group of three adults and 14 students during a sit-in at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter in Oklahoma City in August 1958. The store chain eventually integrated lunch counters at 38 stores in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma civil rights pioneer Clara Luper has died in Oklahoma City at age 88. Luper's daughter, Marilyn Hildreth, says Luper died Wednesday night after a lengthy illness. In August 1958, Luper led a group of three adult chaperones and 14 members of the Oklahoma City NAACP Youth Council in a sit-in at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter. The group was refused service but refused to leave. The sit-in lasted several days before Katz agreed to integrate its lunch counters in Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas and Iowa. Over the next six years, the local NAACP group held sit-ins that desegregated virtually all eating establishments in Oklahoma City. Luper is survived by two daughters and a son. Funeral services are pending. PROGRAMMING NOTE:  A Conversation With...Clara Luper will be re-broadcast on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. on OETA and again on Sunday at 6:00 p.m.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Hot temperatures have arrived earlier than usual this year in Oklahoma, but forecasters say that's not necessarily indicative that the summer will be warmer than usual. Temperatures have reached 104 degrees in Oklahoma four times this month, including on Tuesday in Hollis and Cherokee. Highs have been in the 90s or low triple digits for much of the state for nearly a week and are expected to rise to that level again Wednesday. Associate state climatologist Gary McManus says it's usually late June and into July before Oklahoma normally starts experiencing such high heat. But he says it appears there will be periodic stretches of relief from the heat during the summer. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center's long-range forecast calls for typical summertime heat for most of Oklahoma.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Three of the seven tornadoes that struck Oklahoma and killed 10 people this week have been upgraded from EF-3 to EF-4. A fourth tornado has now been rated an EF-2. An EF-4 tornado has wind speeds of 166 to 200 mph and is the second highest rating for tornadoes. The weather service on Friday said EF-4 tornadoes were produced Tuesday from one storm that stretched from Binger to Guthrie, a second from Chickasha to near Moore, and a third from Washington to Goldsby. An EF-3 tornado with winds between 136 and 165 mph occurred at Canton Lake and the EF-2 twister struck near Stillwater. Tornadoes near Stella and Ravia have not yet been rated. The weather service said it's still investigating the storms and the ratings may again be updated.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Indiana company that produces water and fuel pumping systems plans to close its Oklahoma City manufacturing plant. Franklin Electric Co. Inc. says most of the work done at the facility will be moved to an operation in Linares, Mexico, and a small portion will be transferred to another Oklahoma City location. Officials said the transfers should be completed by next year. The company didn't specify how many employees in Oklahoma City will be affected. A spokesman at the company's headquarters in Bluffton, Ind., didn't immediately return a call seeking comment on Tuesday. The company last year eliminated 50 jobs at its Siloam Springs, Ark., facility. Officials said they expect to incur additional charges for the write-down of assets from that facility. The company's website says it employs 3,500 worldwide.  

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - A survey in nine Midwestern and Plains states suggests that exports are helping fuel regional economic growth. A report released Wednesday says the Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region rose in May, to 60.2 from 57.7 in April. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss (GAHS) oversees the survey. He says that although higher commodity prices have hampered the regional economy, exports are making "a significant contribution to growth."The survey of supply managers and executives and the report use a collection of indexes ranging from zero to 100. Organizers say any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next three to six months, while a score below 50 suggests a contracting economy. States in the survey are Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.  

GUYMON, Okla. (AP) - A Tennessee company has been picked to build what it's touting as the first utility-scale wind farm in Texas County in the Oklahoma Panhandle. Signal Energy LLC President Ben Fischer says his Chattanooga, Tenn.-based firm will work with wind turbine manufacturer DeWind Co. on the project near Guymon. Signal Energy says the 370-megawatt project will produce enough electricity to power more than 24,000 homes. The company says it will start construction by the middle of this year for the 80-megawatt first phase of the project. That phase is slated to start commercial operation in the first quarter of 2012. Signal Energy spokeswoman Cortney Piper says neither company involved wants do disclose the project's price.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A national publication that targets business leaders from across the country says Oklahoma is moving up in its ranking of which of the 50 states are best for business. Chief Executive magazine moved Oklahoma up eight spots in this year's rankings to No. 11 overall. The magazine polled more than500 chief executive officers on criteria ranging from taxation and business regulations to the quality of a state's workforce and living environment. Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, who serves as the governor's secretary of small business, says the ranking shows Oklahoma is on the "cusp of a renaissance." Texas again ranked No. 1 on the list, followed by North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee and Georgia. California ranked 50th.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The head of Chesapeake Energy Corp. says his company's stock remains undervalued and expects its price to rise during the coming months. CEO Aubrey McClendon spoke Tuesday during a conference call with analysts to discuss Chesapeake's first-quarter earnings report. The Oklahoma City-based independent natural gas and oil producer earlier reported a $205 million loss during the quarter, citing the marking down of the value of derivatives contracts used to guard against rising energy costs. Excluding special items Chesapeake earned $518 million, or 75 cents a share, during the quarter, which was above analysts' expectations. McClendon says Chesapeake already has reached its goal of reducing debt by 25 percent by the end of 2012. Chesapeake's stock was at $32.20 - down $1.03 - in early trading Tuesday.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Oklahoma State University ranks atop a national list that measures the number of American Indian students who graduate with a bachelor's degree. Preliminary data from the National Center for Education Statistics for 2009-10 indicates 355 American Indians received a degree from Oklahoma State during that school year. It's the second straight year the Stillwater university has topped the list. Jason Kirksey, the associate vice president for institutional diversity, says Oklahoma State now has a "tremendous opportunity" to help those students transition into success in graduate school. The data showed Northeastern State University in Tahlequah ranked second in the number of American Indian graduates with 335, followed by the University of Oklahoma in Norman with 241. Oklahoma has 39 federally recognized American Indian tribes.  

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - The Board of Regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma has selected Don Betz as president of the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. Betz was named to the new post on Thursday. He's served as president of Northeastern State University in Tahlequah since 2008. He had previously served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at UCO, where he also was a professor of political science. He has worked at Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa, and as chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Betz will assume his new position on Aug. 1 and replace former President Roger Webb, who is retiring.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Attorney General Scott Pruitt's office says Department of Education workers who were paid by a private foundation were actually not state employees and had no authority at the agency. At least two of Superintendent of Schools Janet Barresi's top administrators were paid by a private foundation after the Board of Education rejected their hiring. Barresi chief of staff Jennifer Carter and communications director Damon Gardenhire were placed on the state payroll earlier this month when the board transferred some of its power to Barresi. Pruitt's office said in a legal opinion handed down Friday that state law does not allow an employee or officer to be directly compensated by a private entity or person. It says such workers are usurpers who have no authority to carry out official duties.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The superintendent of the Newcastle Public School District has been named the 2011 Oklahoma Superintendent of the Year.The Oklahoma Association of School Administrators says Robert Everett was chosen from superintendent finalists from across the state, and will be recognized at the Annual Summer Conference set for June 8-10. It's hosted by the Cooperative Council for Oklahoma School Administration. Everett has been a superintendent for the past 11 years and has 34 years of experience in education. He was an assistant superintendent at Woodward Public Schools from 1998-2000, and was a principal at Mustang High School from 1993-1998. Association officials say to be chosen as a recipient, the selection committee recognizes an individual who represents strong moral values; is a successful, top-level education administrator and inspires and motivates people.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Public schools in Oklahoma could be exempted from various state education requirements under a bill given final approval in the Legislature. The Senate on Friday voted 29-16 for the "Allowing Local Administrators More Options Act." Opponents argued the bill is an attempt to dismantle state laws designed to improve public education in the state. The bill would allow local school districts to submit a request to the State Department of Education for an exemption from all statutory requirements and rules from which charter schools in the state also are exempt. Schools would still be required to comply with some state laws, including minimum salary schedules and providing health insurance for teachers. The bill now heads to the House for further consideration.  

WASHINGTON (AP) - Sen. Tom Coburn says an account by the Senate ethics panel of his role in negotiations involving disgraced colleague Sen. John Ensign is totally inaccurate. The discussions involved payments to the husband of the woman with whom Ensign was having an affair. Coburn said Thursday that an account by another key witness - who said Coburn took an active role in negotiations between Ensign and former aide Doug Hampton over relocating Hampton and a potential payout - "is not an accurate reflection of what happened." In an interview taped for C-SPAN's Newsmakers, Coburn said he was proud of the role he played in helping break off the affair between Ensign and Hampton's wife Cynthia. He says "there's nothing unethical in what we did."  

WASHINGTON (AP) - A member of a bipartisan "Gang of Six" senators says the group is unlikely to reach agreement on a plan to cut the deficit by $4 trillion over the next decade through a mix of new tax revenues and cuts across a wide swath of the federal budget. Sen. Tom Coburn says chances of the group reaching agreement after months of negotiations are "not good." The Oklahoma Republican was a member of President Barack Obama's fiscal commission and he voted for the panel's plan in December. The group has been closely watched by those hoping for a bipartisan deficit-cutting plan that might gain momentum despite the partisanship consuming Capitol Hill. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, a member of the group, said that it met Tuesday and will meet again Wednesday.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma voters upset with a proposed GOP plan to overhaul Medicare peppered new Republican U.S. Rep. James Lankford with questions over how future retirees will fare under the proposal. Oklahoma's newest congressman held his first public town hall meeting Thursday in Oklahoma City, and most of the questions centered on changes to Medicare. The budget passed earlier this month by House Republicans would replace Medicare with a government payment to buy private insurance, for people hitting age 65 in 2022 or later. Susan McCann of Edmond says she fears a voucher-based system will leave many seniors without health care when they're older and need it most. But Lankford says the GOP proposal will not end Medicare, but make necessary changes to keep it solvent.  

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Sen. Jim Inhofe reached an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration over his landing of a Cessna aircraft on a closed runway in Texas last year. The Oklahoma Republican completed a remedial training program rather than face possible legal action. Witnesses say Inhofe "sky-hopped" the airplane over six vehicles and ground personnel as he landed and that workers were running for cover. Construction supervisor Sidney Boyd says he was on the closed runway and told the FAA that the senator "scared" workers and "damn near hit" a truck before landing. Boyd's recounting of the Oct. 21 incident to the FAA was first reported by The Smoking Gun and was part of the FAA investigation. Inhofe issued a statement Wednesday calling the event an "old story" and said the matter is over.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe says a top official at the State Department asked him to intervene in the aftermath of a disputed election in the Ivory Coast but that he declined to do so. Inhofe, R-Okla., tells The Oklahoman's Washington Bureau he did not act on the request. He says he told Donald Yamamoto, a principal deputy assistant secretary at the State Department, that he would not speak to then-President Laurent Gbagbo. Inhofe says that is because he was not assuming Gbagbo had lost last year's election. The State Department declined to answer The Oklahoman's questions about the request for Inhofe to intervene. Inhofe has frequently visited the Ivory Coast and other nations in Africa. He says he is "probably the most knowledgeable person about Africa in the U.S. Senate."

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Caves in Oklahoma remain clear of a fungus that has killed more than 1 million bats and led in other states to numerous closures of caves for recreational use. Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation spokesman Micah Holmes told The Oklahoman one bat tested positive for white-nose syndrome in Oklahoma last year, but far away from other areas where the disease has struck. The bat didn't develop the disease. Caves have closed in 18 states to try to stop the spread of the illness. Holmes says wildlife officers regularly check 18 caves, testing samples to see if the fungus has arrived. Oklahoma has 22 species of bats. Holmes says the agency hopes the fungus doesn't emerge, but says the state is ready if it does.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state seismologist says Oklahoma is on track to experience a high number of earthquakes this year but expects the number and intensity to be less than last year as the state returns to normal seismic levels. Oklahoma Geological Survey seismologist Austin Holland says 300 earthquakes have been recorded in Oklahoma during the first quarter of 2011. Of those, 14 have reached magnitudes where people can feel them. In 2010, Oklahoma experienced 1,047 earthquakes. Of those, 103 were reported as felt, including a 4.7 magnitude earthquake centered near Norman. Oklahoma usually has only about 50 earthquakes per year, butHolland says the recent increase is a normal part of seismic activity. Holland says data linking injection wells to an increase in seismic activity is insufficient.  

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says one of the tornadoes that killed hundreds in the South had winds of 205 mph and was the first EF-5 tornado in Mississippi since 1966. That's the highest rating given by the weather service for tornado damage. Meteorologist Jim LaDue at the weather service's Storm Prediction Center says he expects many more of the tornados that killed at least 297 people will be rated EF-5 later Friday. The weather service said the tornado hit Smithville, Miss., at 3:44 p.m. EDT on Wednesday. It was a half-mile wide and was on the ground for close to three miles, killing 14 and injuring 40. The tornado destroyed 18 homes, which the weather service said were well built, less than 10 years old and bolted to their foundation.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A researcher from a New Orleans-based university will visit Oklahoma and discuss the public health implications of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Maureen Lichtveld of Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Disease will deliver a lecture at noon Tuesday at the OU College of Public Health in Oklahoma City. The speech is free and open to the public. While research into the health effects of the oil spill likely will continue for decades, Lichtveld says it's critical to develop a better protocol for measuring and treating the impact of the disaster on people and animals. Her lecture will focus on how environmental threats, natural disasters and health disparities combined in the single event to affect public health.

ALEX, Okla. (AP) - Grass fires have popped up in south-central Oklahoma near Alex. Grady County deputy emergency management director Paulette Nicholas says fire crews were battling two blazes near Oklahoma Highway 39 at the Grady and McClain county lines Tuesday afternoon. Nicholas said she hadn't received any reports of injuries or property damage. She says there are homes in the vicinity of the fires, but no evacuations are under way. Much of western and central Oklahoma is under a fire weather watch because dry vegetation, strong winds and warmer temperatures continue to make the state susceptible to fires. Nicholas says southwest winds of about 20 to 30 mph were blowing the fires to the northeast.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Despite higher gasoline prices, automotive group AAA Oklahoma says it expects auto travel to increase slightly in the state over the upcoming Memorial Day holiday. AAA Oklahoma projects that about 500,000 motorists will take to the highways in Oklahoma over the holiday period, a less than 1 percent increase over the same time last year. In Oklahoma, the statewide average for regular gasoline was $3.77 on Thursday. On the same date last year, the average price was $2.71. Overall, AAA projects 34.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from their homes over the holiday, a slight increase from one year ago. The auto club also predicts more than 88,000 Oklahomans will fly this year over Memorial Day, an increase of about 12 percent over last year.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - United Airlines says it plans to start offering daily direct flights between Oklahoma City's Will Rogers World Airport and San Francisco International Airport. The airline announced Monday it will begin offering the flight Aug. 29. The flight will leave Oklahoma City at 7:14 a.m. and arrive in San Francisco at 8:50 a.m. The return flight will leave San Francisco at 4 p.m. and arrive in Oklahoma City at 9:16 p.m. The airline says carrier SkyWest Airlines will operate the flights on a 66-seat Canadair CRJ7 jet. United spokesman James Starnes says the new service will give Oklahoma City travelers more options for connections to cities across the western United States, Asia and Australia.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A new report shows a dramatic increase in state funding for transportation has helped Oklahoma improve road safety and dramatically reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges. The report released Monday by the Washington, D.C.-based The Road Information Program, or TRIP, shows Oklahoma has reduced the number of structurally deficient, state-maintained bridges by 32 percent from 2005 to 2010. The report also shows Oklahoma has decreased the number of miles of state-maintained highways that in "poor condition" by more than 5 percent during the same time period. Oklahoma lawmakers five years ago approved an increase in transportation spending by requiring a dedicated portion of the state's revenue go directly into a fund for road and bridge improvement. State transportation officials say the fund currently has about $465 million.  

PURCELL, Okla. (AP) - Southbound lanes of Interstate 35 remain have reopened at Purcell after being shut down for nine hours because of an accident involving a semi. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says the interstate was shut down about 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and southbound traffic was diverted off I-35 into Purcell. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation reports the accident involved an overturned tractor-trailer rig. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol did not have details of the accident - but Capt. Chris West said there were no injuries.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - American Airlines is set for its first nonstop flight from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles. Will Rogers World Airport officials will join their counterparts from the airline Tuesday at a ceremony marking the departure of American's first nonstop flight from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles International Airport. Airport officials say Los Angeles is one of Oklahoma City's most popular destination cities, ranking third in the total number of origin and destination passengers. Airport Director Mark Kranenburg says American's decision to add the new route is a sign of the airline's confidence in the Oklahoma City market.The addition of the American flight increases the number of daily nonstop departures from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles to three. United Airlines has flown that route since 2006.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A spokeswoman for the state medical examiner's office says Oklahoma linebacker Austin Box has died. Spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard confirmed the death Thursday afternoon. El Reno Police Chief Ken Brown says officers and medics responded Thursday morning to a call of an unresponsive male he identified as Box. Brown says Box first was taken to an El Reno hospital, then transferred by air ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital. The senior from Enid started in six games for the Sooners during the past two seasons. As a junior, he recorded his second career interception in a win over Oklahoma State and recorded eight tackles as Oklahoma beat Connecticut in the Fiesta Bowl. University athletic department spokesman Kenny Mossman didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. UPDATED:  The family of Austin Box has asked Mercy Health Center to release this statement on their behalf:   The Box family wishes to express their appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy from across the state. We particularly want to thank the University of Oklahoma, the coaching staff and players for their kindness and support. Austin loved everything about Oklahoma - the people, his hometown of Enid and his many close friends. Most of all, Austin loved his family and we loved him.  We invite you to join us in celebrating his life.      

OKLAHOMA CITY - Olympic wrestling champion Doug Blubaugh, who won an NCAA wrestling championship for Oklahoma State in 1957, has died from injuries suffered in an alleged hit and run accident Monday night in Tonkawa.  The Ponca City native won an Olympic gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.  Blubaugh later became wrestling coach at Indiana University.  He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1979.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - There's new life for the Mother Road. Gov. Mary Fallin has signed legislation into law that designates part of State Highway 66 as a "Historic Bike Trail." It will stretch from the Kansas state line and Quapaw to Texola and the Texas state line.The measure directs that when funds become available, the Department of Transportation will create a shoulder lane for use by bicycle traffic on the Historic Route 66 Bike Trail. The measure's author, Arcadia Rep. Lewis Moore, says the new lane will permit cyclists to see the great old bridges, the Round Barn, Pop's and museums along the statewide bike trail. Route 66 attracts many tourists from across the United States and abroad who want to experience the sights and sounds of the highway.  

OKLAHOMA CITY - Despite heavy rains in the metro area, pro basketball fans are pouring into downtown Oklahoma City to get in place for tonight's Game Five of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Memphis Grizzlies.  The Thunder squared the series at two games apiece with a dramatic 3-overtime win Monday night in Memphis.  That kept the Thunder's hopes alive and gave them the home court advantage in the rest of the series.  OETA's Susan Miller hit the rainy streets today to talk to Oklahomans who are Thunder-struck and find out what it takes to become the ultimate Thunder fan.  Tonight's game tips off at just after 8:30 at the Oklahoma City Arena.  The winner of the Thunder-Grizzlies series will face the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference Finals. 

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma Sooners rode the pitching and hitting of sophomore Keilani Ricketts to a 5-1 win over Oklahoma State in college softball at Norman. Ricketts allowed just the one run on three hits and struck out 11 while adding a two-run home run in Wednesday night's game. Her second inning homer gave OU a 2-0 lead. OU's Brittany Williams added a two-run homer and Jessica Shults hit a solo shot. The Cowgirls only run came in the sixth on a walk, a single and a groundout. The Sooners improve to 33-11 overall and 6-3 in the Big 12 while OSU falls to 32-10 and 3-4 in the conference.

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - Pennsylvania state regulators have fined natural gas drilling company Chesapeake Energy Corp. more than $1 million, which officials say is the single largest fine for an oil or gas operator in the state. The state Department of Environmental Protection said Tuesday that the fine stems from Chesapeake's contamination of private water wells with methane gas in northern Pennsylvania and a tank fire at a drilling site in southwestern Pennsylvania. DEP Secretary Michael Krancer says it's important that natural gas drillers take very seriously their responsibilities to comply with environmental regulations. Chesapeake confirms that it is agreeing to pay the fines and says it has improved its well-construction practices, but it's not assuming blame for the water well contamination.  

BALTIMORE (AP) - Maryland's attorney general says he plans to sue a gas-drilling company over a spill of thousands of gallons of hydraulic fracturing fluid into a Susquehanna River tributary last month. Douglas Gansler said Monday he has filed a notice of intent to sue Oklahoma-City-based Chesapeake Energy Corp. for allegedly violating federal anti-pollution laws. A company spokesman tells The Baltimore Sun that the April 19 spill into Towanda Creek in Leroy Township, Pa., had a limited environmental impact with no adverse effects on aquatic wildlife. He says the spill had no effect on the Susquehanna River, which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Gansler says the fluid contained toxic chemicals. Drilling companies use it to fracture the bedrock and release natural gas from the Marcellus Shale, which underlies parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland ---

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Canadian company that wants to build an oil pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico is again threatening landowners with court action if they don't sell TransCanada the rights it needs to build the Keystone XL pipeline. TransCanada was criticized last summer for mentioning eminent domain in letters to landowners. Company spokesman Terry Cunha says TransCanada has agreements with more than 80 percent of landowners along the six-state route and wants to be ready if the project is approved. National Wildlife Federation spokesman Tony Iallonardo says TransCanada shouldn't bully landowners before it secures U.S. State Department approval. The project is designed to carry oil from Canada across Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. TransCanada has also proposed connecting to the Bakken oil field in Montana and North Dakota.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Canadian company that wants to build an oil pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico is again threatening landowners with court action if they don't sell TransCanada the rights it needs to build the Keystone XL pipeline. TransCanada was criticized last summer for mentioning eminent domain in letters to landowners. Company spokesman Terry Cunha says TransCanada has agreements with more than 80 percent of landowners along the six-state route and wants to be ready if the project is approved. National Wildlife Federation spokesman Tony Iallonardo says TransCanada shouldn't bully landowners before it secures U.S. State Department approval. The project is designed to carry oil from Canada across Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. TransCanada has also proposed connecting to the Bakken oil field in Montana and North Dakota.  

GREENBRIER, Ark. (AP) - The U.S. Geological Survey has recorded a magnitude 3.6 earthquake near Greenbrier in central Arkansas. No injuries or damage is reported. The quake was recorded at 9:34 p.m. about two miles northeast of Greenbrier. The site is about 35 miles north of Little Rock. There have been more than 1,000 quakes in the area since September - including the largest quake to hit the state in 35 years - a magnitude 4.7 on Feb. 27. Two natural gas companies have shut down two injection wells in the area as researchers study whether the operations are connected to the earthquakes. Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy andClarita Operating of Little Rock have shut down the wells.  

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City says the farm boom is continuing this year as high crop prices and improved livestock prices combine to drive farm income higher. The Fed said Friday that robust farm income in region helped drive cropland values up roughly 20 percent over last year. The 10th Federal Reserve District, based in Kansas City, Mo., covers Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Colorado, northern New Mexico and western Missouri. The Federal Reserve says farmers are using their improved income to invest in land and equipment. Bankers throughout the district reported an increase in the number of farmers using cash as a down payment on land purchases. And demand for loans remained weak in the first quarter because many farmers had enough cash to cover their production expenses.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - As extreme drought conditions continue across much of Oklahoma agriculture officials are urging state farmers to consider all options before plowing their fields. The president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts says dry conditions could result in excessive wind erosion because of the strong winds and dry soils. Many Oklahoma farmers are abandoning their wheat fields due to the drought. The Oklahoma Climatological Survey began reporting dry conditions in October, and the U.S. Drought Monitor noted in January that central Oklahoma was experiencing a severe drought. The Drought Monitor's latest report calls the drought exceptional in the southwest corner of the state and the western Panhandle, extreme in western Oklahoma and severe in central sections of the state.  

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) - Weather experts say an extreme drought that has gripped parts of nine states is expected to drag on for several months or intensify. Portions of Texas and a small part of eastern Louisiana are the only parts of the nation that rank in the National Weather Service's worst drought condition category. They've experienced the driest October through March on record since 1966-67. The rest of Texas and Louisiana also are very parched, as are parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Florida. Weather experts say May could be the last chance for relief. That's because May typically brings the most rainfall in some of the bone-dry states, including Texas and Oklahoma. The dry conditions have already led to wildfires in Texas, New Mexico and Florida.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry says federal aid has been approved for farmers and ranchers in 72 Oklahoma counties who suffered damage because of drought, extreme heat and high windsover the past year. Henry announced the aid package on Wednesday. It means farmers and ranchers in the counties are eligible for low-interest loans to cover their losses. In a letter to the governor, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says loss assessments indicated there was enough damage to merit a primary disaster declaration in 58 counties. Under federal regulations, another 14 contiguous counties also qualify. Last month, Gov. Henry requested an agricultural disaster declaration for all 77 Oklahoma counties. The only counties that will not receive federal aid are Craig, Kay, Nowata, Ottawa and Washington counties.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal judge will consider a government offer to settle with American Indian farmers who say the Agriculture Department discriminated against them for decades. The two sides are meeting in U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan's courtroom Tuesday afternoon to discuss a proposed deal. The government and the plaintiffs both declined to disclose the terms of the would-be settlement ahead of hearing. The lawsuit filed in 1999 contends Indian farmers and ranchers lost about $500 million because they were denied USDA loans. The government settled a similar lawsuit filed by black farmers more than a decade ago. American Indian farmers have said that local USDA officials tried to squeeze them out of business by denying them loans that instead went to their white neighbors.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa Zoo veterinarians say they're not sure where a female mountain lion captured in north Tulsa came from, but she won't be staying at the zoo. Senior veterinarian Dr. Kay Backues told the Tulsa World there's no space for the 78-pound feline. Officials say she'll likely be taken to another zoo or an animal sanctuary. Zoo and Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation officials helped capture the lion after she was found April 23 in a tree in the backyard of a residence. The cat has been at the Tulsa Zoo while officials try to determine whether she was wild or was kept in captivity. Backues says DNA samples were taken from the cat and will be compared to mountain lion populations in Texas, New Mexico and South Dakota.

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) - State lottery officials say a winning Powerball ticket worth $1 million was sold at a convenience store in Mangum. Lottery officials said Monday that the ticket for Saturday's drawing was sold at The Loop Quick Stop. The winning numbers for the drawing are 5, 14, 32, 53 and 56 and the Powerball number 11 and the Power Play multiplier is 4. Winners have 180 days from the day of the drawing to claim the prize at the Oklahoma Lottery Headquarters in Oklahoma City.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Oklahomans and county music stars Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood will hold a concert in December to benefit flood relief in Nashville, Tenn. Brooks made the announcement during a news conference Thursday morning in Nashville. Brooks is the best selling solo artist in history with more than 130 million albums sold. He began occasional performances at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas last December, but otherwise remains retired as he spends time with his children and Yearwood, his wife. This will be his only arena show of the year. May's flood caused more than $2 billion in damage in Nashville alone and there was widespread damage throughout middle Tennessee. Proceeds will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.

WASHINGTON (AP) - James J. Kilpatrick, who rose from cub reporter to become one of the South's most prominent newspaper editors and the nation's most widely syndicated political columnist, has died. He was 89. Kilpatrick's wife, Marianne Means, says he died Sunday night at George Washington University Hospital. Means says he was being treated for congestive heart failure. TV watchers in the 1970s knew Kilpatrick as the conservative half of the "Point-Counterpoint" segment of the CBS program "60 Minutes." His sparring with liberal commentator Shana Alexander was famously parodied on "Saturday Night Live." Kilpatrick learned to read by age 4 and decided early on he wanted to be a newsman. When he wasn't attending class at the University of Missouri, Kilpatrick worked summers as a copyboy for the Oklahoma City Times.

SULPHUR, Okla. (AP) - For generations, members of the Chickasaw Nation told the tribe's stories of hardship and renewal through its families, community organizations and churches. Now others can get a glimpse of the tribe's history - from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States to the Trail of Tears and what would become Oklahoma. The tribe opened the $40 million Chickasaw Cultural Center in July. Among its features are a 350-seat theater and an historical exhibit that includes a long hallway known as the "Removal" exhibit. That exhibit tells the story of the Trail of Tears - the forced movement of the Chickasaws and other tribes to what is now Oklahoma in the 1830s. Tribe historian Phil Morgan says the center makes the statement that the tribe has survived and will continue to do so.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Tulsa is not one of the cities chosen by NASA to house a space shuttle after the fleet is retired later this year. Twenty-one museums and visitor centers were in the running to house either the Enterprise, Discovery, Atlantis or Endeavour and officials learned Tuesday that Tulsa is not one of the four locations chosen. The Tulsa Air and Space Museum had put in a bid for one of the shuttles and had hoped to be awarded the Enterprise. The Enterprise was the first prototype shuttle and will be sent to New York City. The other three shuttles are going to the Smithsonian Institution for its branch in northern Virginia, the California Science Center in Los Angeles and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A lot has changed for an Oklahoma puppy that survived two euthanasia attempts. Less than a month ago, Wall-E was left for dead, abandoned with several other dogs near an overcrowded animal shelter in Sulphur. A local veterinarian attempted to put the puppy to sleep twice, but Wall-E somehow survived. Now, about 3,000 people have expressed interest in adopting him and about $1,200 has been donated for his care. He was flown to New York City to appear on "Good Morning America" and his safety has become a priority as several people have said they want to breed him to make money. Veterinarian technician Amanda Kloski has been trying to find Wall-E a new home since he survived the euthanasia attempts.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - An Oklahoma State University professor says she's found a way to turn byproducts from the production of soda pop into ethanol. Biosystems and agricultural engineering associate professor Danielle Bellmer says that by adjusting the pH levels she has found that the leftover materials from soda manufacturing can be converted into ethanol. She said she's been testing process since last spring. The pH is a measure of acidity. Companies currently must remove the acidity from the byproduct before sending it to a wastewater treatment center. Bellmer said she's been working with students in the biosystems and agricultural engineering departments to conduct the testing.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Mandatory 10-digit dialing begins Saturday morning in northeastern Oklahoma, but not all residents and businesses are prepared for the change. Starting at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, all local calls in the area will require a 10-digit number as part of an "overlay" plan to add a new 539 area code to the existing geographic 918 area code. 918 area code numbers are expected to run out in 2012. Local businesses that have not changed their Private Branch Exchange system will have trouble making phone calls. The change also affects alarm and security systems, fax systems and auto-dialing systems. Paul Wheeler of Tulsa's Accent Realtors said his 15 employees will have to hand dial the 500 calls they make each day because the company has not switched over its auto-dialing system.  

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) - AT&T has installed new advanced wireless systems at the football stadiums for the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. The telecommunications giant announced the activation of the new equipment on Friday. It's expected to increase the amount of voice and data traffic the network can handle when there are large numbers of people using the system. AT&T says it installed a Distributed Antenna System with 150 antennas inside the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman and 92 inside Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater. The company added another 24 antennas inside OSU's Gallagher-Iba Arena. Athletics officials at both schools say the new system willenhance the fan experience by giving them better wireless service.

 OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A forensic pathologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., has accepted an offer to become Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma. Medical examiner's office spokeswoman Cherokee Ballard said Tuesday that Dr. Eric Pfeifer formally accepted the offer in an email. Pfeifer was offered the job Monday at an annual salary of $225,000. The Board of Medicolegal Investigations has had trouble finding a replacement for Dr. Collie Trant, who was fired in 2010. It withdrew an offer to an Arizona medical examiner after learning he once transported a body in the bed of his pickup truck. The board also offered the job to interim chief medical examiner Dr. Andrew Sibley - but he turned down the position. Ballard says Pfeifer will start when his medical license is approved in Oklahoma.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma State Health Department officials say another person has died of influenza complications, bringing the total this season to 19.The Health Department reported Thursday that the latest flu death was an Oklahoma County resident in the 65 and older age group. Officials say 47 percent of flu deaths have occurred in the 65 and older age group. Since Sept. 1, 927 cases of flu-associated hospitalizations have been reported to the state Health Department. Officials say 47 percent of hospitalizations have occurred among children 18 or younger. Officials say 380 of the 517 specimens tested by state Health Department were positive for influenza. Of those, 64.7 percent were positive for Type A flu, 4.7 percent were positive for H1N1 or swine flu, and 30.5 percent were positive for influenza B.  

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma State Health Department officials say another person has died of influenza complications, bringing the total this season to 19. The Health Department reported Thursday that the latest flu death was an Oklahoma County resident in the 65 and older age group. Officials say 47 percent of flu deaths have occurred in the 65 and older age group. Since Sept. 1, 927 cases of flu-associated hospitalizations have been reported to the state Health Department. Officials say 47 percent of hospitalizations have occurred among children 18 or younger. Officials say 380 of the 517 specimens tested by state Health Department were positive for influenza. Of those, 64.7 percent were positive for Type A flu, 4.7 percent were positive for H1N1 or swine flu, and 30.5 percent were positive for influenza B.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has issued a health advisory in three southeastern Oklahoma counties because of smoke from fires. Children and the elderly and people with respiratory or heart diseases in Pushmataha, Atoka and Pittsburg counties are advised to avoid prolonged outdoor activities on Thursday because of the smoke. The fires have burned in northern Atoka and northwestern Pushmataha counties. DEQ says in a news release that the remainder of southeastern Oklahoma and the central section of the state are under a moderate health risk.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Health Care Authority has backed off a proposal to reduce cesarean section births after doctors complained they weren't included in its development. According to the Journal Record, state Medical Director Garth Splinter wrote in a Jan. 24 letter that the Cesarean Section Quality Initiative came about because Oklahoma's C-section birth rate has climbed without outcome improvements for mothers and babies. Splinter says the rate jumped from 22.5 percent in 1996 to 33.6 percent in 2007. The initiative seeks to lower the first-time C-section rate to 18 percent. Obstetrician-gynecologist Dana Stone told a House committee Wednesday doctors would've preferred a collaborative approach over a letter that seemed to be more about cost control than quality. The authority will review the plan and work with physicians on a new version.ents for mothers and babies. Splinter says the rate jumped from 22.5 percent in 1996 to 33.6 percent in 2007. The initiative seeks to lower the first-time C-section rate to 18 percent. Obstetrician-gynecologist Dana Stone told a House committee Wednesday doctors would've preferred a collaborative approach over a letter that seemed to be more about cost control than quality. The authority will review the plan and work with physicians on a new version.

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - The last American veteran of World War I has been laid to rest. Frank Buckles - who was born in Missouri in 1901 and raised in Oklahoma - was buried Tuesday at Arlington National Cemetery, just 50 yards from the gravesite of Gen. John Pershing, under whose command he served. Buckles' flag-draped casket was carried to the gravesite on a caisson led by seven horses. After the service, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Chiarelli handed the flag to Buckles' daughter, Susannah Flanagan. Before the burial, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden paid their respects to Buckles and offered condolences to his daughter. Buckles lied about his age to enlist at age 16 and outlived the approximately 4.7 million Americans who served in WWI.

DURANT, Okla. (AP) - The replica of a military barracks at Fort Washita in southeastern Oklahoma has been destroyed by fire. The fire at the two-story building was reported about 7:30 a.m. Sunday. No injuries were reported. The state fire marshal's office is looking for the cause of the blaze. The site is near Durant - about 135 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. It was established in 1842 as a military fort. It was abandoned in 1861 and taken over by the Confederate Army during theCivil War. The site was acquired by the Oklahoma Historical Society in 1962 and the barracks were built in 1972. It was designated a National Historic Location in 1965. Park Superintendent Larry Marcy estimates the damage at $2 million.

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) - One of the state's oldest buildings now will be used as a museum operated by the Cherokee Nation. Tribal officials including Cherokee Chief Chad Smith gathered Wednesday to dedicate the Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum. The building was built in 1844 and the tribe says it is Oklahoma's oldest public building. Smith says the building was the site of the first sessions of the Cherokee National Supreme Court more than 165 years ago. The museum will feature exhibits focusing on the Cherokee judicial system, the Cherokee Advocate and Cherokee Phoenix newspapers and the Cherokee language. The tribe's preservation projects in recent years have included the building, Ross Cemetery, the Cherokee National Capitol Building and Cherokee National Prison. All are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The state Tourism and Recreation Commission has voted to tear down part of the lodge at Roman Nose State Park near Watonga. The commissioners voted to demolish the 27-room south wing of the lodge. The wing has been closed since rains from Tropical Storm Erin hit Blaine County in August 2007. Crews sent to repair the water damage found mold and evidence that the lodge is eroding from its footing. The other part of the lodge including the restaurant, meeting rooms and 20 lodge rooms will remain intact.