OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Forecasters say a wetter-than-usual winter and a jet stream dipping deep into Tornado Alley could lead to an active spring for tornadoes. The 2010 tornado season got off to a slow start with only one twister reported nationwide in February. But a strong twister ripped through Hammon in western Oklahoma Monday night, destroying five homes.

Greg Carbin of the Storm Prediction Center in Norman said Tuesday there will be an uptick in thunderstorm activity as spring approaches and the Southern Plains warms up. Dr. Harold Brooks of the National Severe Storms Laboratory in Norman says Monday's tornado does not necessarily mean the season will be more active. But more tornados are possible in the coming weeks if the same weather pattern remains in place.

A spokesman for the Cherokee Nation has announced that former Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller has been diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer.  Chief Mankiller is an author, lecturer and feminist who was first elected principal chief in 1987 and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 1991.  She chose not to run for re-election in 1995.  Mankiller has been honored with numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.  She has served on several philanthropic boards, including 12 years on the board of trustees of the Ford Foundation, four years on the Board of the Ms. Foundation for Women, and four years on the board of the Seventh Generation Fund.  She currently serves on the board of the Freedom Forum and its subsidiary, the Newseum, in Washington, D.C.

The complete text of the statement released by Cherokee Nation spokesman Mike Miller follows:

 

Former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer

Charlie Soap regrets to announce his wife Wilma Mankiller has been diagnosed with Stage IV Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer. Mankiller is an author, lecturer and former Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Mankiller served 12 years in elected office at the Cherokee Nation, the first two as Deputy Principal Chief followed by 10 years as Principal Chief. She retired from public office in 1995. Among her many honors, Mankiller has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton. Soap requests that the public respect the family's privacy during this time.

In a brief statement, Mankiller said:

"I decided to issue this statement because I want my family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another. I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them. On balance, I have been blessed with an extraordinarily rich and wonderful life, filled with incredible experiences. And I am grateful to have a support team composed of loving family and friends. I will be spending my time with my family and close friends and engaging in activities I enjoy. It's been my privilege to meet and be touched by thousands of people in my life and I regret not being able to deliver this message personally to so many of you. If anyone wants to send a message to me, it is best to email me at wilmapmankiller@yahoo.com."

 

 

JONES, Okla. (AP) - New detectors have found fault lines in the Jones area - where dozens of small earthquakes have been recorded since last year. Six quake detectors known as NetQuakes accelerometers are on loan from the U.S. Geological Survey. They were set up this year to help scientists find answers to earthquake activity in the region.

There have been nine earthquakes felt this year in the area around Jones after 27 were recorded last year. No serious damage or injuries have been reported. The NetQuakes machines are at Luther Middle School, Jones and Choctaw high schools, Science Museum Oklahoma and at two private residences in the area.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A winter storm is bringing more snow to Oklahoma with up to eight inches possible in some southern parts of the state. The National Weather Service says south-central Oklahoma near Ardmore and the Arbuckle Mountains can expect the most snowfall. Up to five inches is possible farther north, east and west. Another three inches could accumulate near a line from Hollis to Altus, Lawton, Pauls Valley, Ada and Atoka. Trace amounts are possible as far north as the southern Oklahoma City metro.

The storm comes with 944 homes and businesses still without power following a Jan. 28 winter storm. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management says the outages are all in southwestern Oklahoma and all are customers of rural electric cooperatives.

 

MANGUM, Okla. (AP) - Among the more than 3,600 homes and businesses still without power after the Jan. 28 winter storm are the superintendent of Mangum utilities and the fire chief of Altus. Mangum utilities superintendent Terry Warren says he's been told to expect to be without electricity for another month. Warren isalso a former lineman for Harmon Electric Association - which is the company working to restore power.

Altus Fire Chief J.R. Wheeler says his Jackson County home has been without electricity since the storm hit. He says his family is now using a friend's generator to power his house. The state Corporation Commission reports 3,637 homes and businesses still without power and all are served by a rural electric cooperative.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - For the first time in more than a year, state revenue collections exceeded the official estimate last month, due mostly to increases from the production tax on oil. State Treasurer Scott Meacham reported Tuesday that collections still trailed prior year figures by $17.3 million, or 7.3 percent.

Meacham reported General Revenue Fund collections for February were $220.6 million, which was less than 1 percent above the estimate. Meacham says personal income tax collections also were significantly higher than anticipated for the month and are beginning to show signs of recovery.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - With holes plugged in this year's Oklahoma budget, state legislators face an even harder task - working out a budget for the year that starts July 1, with $1.2 billion less to spend than last year. House Speaker Chris Benge said last week that, without any new sources of revenue, agency budgets will have to be slashed in the neighborhood of 10 percent across the board to cover that gaping hole. Gov. Brad Henry says lawmaers will have to make some verydifficult and possibly unpopular decisions in the days and weeks to come.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - House Speaker Chris Benge's plan to shore up gross production tax collections and stabilize state budgeting has been overwhelmingly approved by the Oklahoma House. House members voted 86-4 for the measure Thursday and sent it to the Senate for consideration. The measure creates a state energy stabilization fund to reduce the impact of volatile energy prices on state revenue collections.

Under the plan, any gross production tax collections above a simple three-year average is automatically deposited into the fund. In years when gross production taxes fall below the three-year average, the fund will automatically deposit the difference into the state's general revenue fund to help mitigate budget shortfalls. Low energy prices have contributed to a projected $1.2 billion budget shortfall next year.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Senate has overwhelmingly approved a proposal to allow public schools in Oklahoma to offer an elective course on the Bible beginning next school year. The Senate voted 38-4 Thursday in favor of the bill by Democratic state Sen. Tom Ivester of Elk City. The measure now heads to the House.

It allows the course to be taught to students in grades nine through 12. The bill says the curriculum and course materials for the course will come from the National Council on Bible Curriculum on Public Schools. Sen. Tom Adelson opposed the bill and says he's concerned that language requiring the course materials and curriculum to be vetted by the state Attorney General was removed from it.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have reached an agreement over a senior meals program that will allow a fix for this year's budget to go forward. Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said Wednesday he would work to fund the senior meals program for the 2011 fiscal year in exchange for Democrat votes needed to complete the 2010 budget deal.

Democrats had held up the 2010 budget deal out of concerns about cuts to the program that provides meals to senior citizens across the state. The holdup threatened to lead to furloughs of state troopers and prison workers and cut funding for education. More tham a dozen uniformed troopers and prison guards were in the Senate gallery when the budget bills were reconsidered.

OKLAHOMA CITY - State Representative Ryan Kiesel (D) Seminole has announced that he will not seek re-election in 2010.  Kiesel was elected to the House of Representatives, serving District 28, in 2004. 

According to a statement issued today, Kiesel said, "For six years the majority of the voters in House District 28 have afforded me a front row seat with a microphone. From this vantage point, I've seen what we are capable of at our best and at our worst. I've seen moments of human tragedy exploited for political gain, as suffering is mangled into a soundbite. I've also seen moments of courage, at the capitol and in my own backyard. From the legislator relying on reason in the face of demagogues, to firefighters, many volunteers, working without rest or regard to their own safety to battle advancing wildfires, it has been an enormous privilege to be a witness to the human spirit and the very real, very tangible Oklahoman commitment to our community and our neighbors."

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Voters in Oklahoma City and Norman have re-elected their mayors, and school bond elections in communities across the state have been decided. In Oklahoma City, incumbent Mick Cornett beat challenger Steve Hunt 14,073 (58.3 percent) to 10,061 (41.7 percent). In Norman, Cindy Rosenthal received more than 53 percent of the vote over Hal Ezzell to win a second term.

In Tulsa, school district patrons approved a $354 million bond issue by a margin of more than 72 percent. The school bond proposal is the largest in state history.In Garfield County, Drummond school patrons rejected a $3.29 million bond issue by 114 (55.6 percent) to 91 (44.4 percent).

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Tulsa-area businessman says he plans to run for state insurance commissioner this fall. Republican John Doak said Tuesday he plans to mount a statewide campaign for the job now held by Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland, a Democrat who announced earlier this month she will seekre-election.

Currently an insurance agent for State Farm, Doak says Oklahoma needs conservative leaders at all levels of government. He says the state's insurance commissioner should be a strong voice for Oklahoma consumers and be fair to businesses who create jobs. Doak says reforms are needed to combat rising insurance costsbut that they should occur at the state level, not in Washington. He says he will work closely with state leaders to implement the best reforms possible.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A 56-year-old certified public accountant from Newcastle is the first Democrat to announce he's running for state treasurer in 2010.Jon Robinson announced his candidacy Tuesday at the state Capitol. He's a member of the Oklahoma Society of CPAs and has worked for 12 years as an auditor with the State Auditor and Inspector's Office.

Two Republicans have already announced for the race. Former state Sen. Owen Laughlin of Woodward and state Rep. Ken Miller of Edmond are running for the GOP nominatio. Democratic State Treasurer Scott Meacham has said he won't run for a second full term in office. Oklahoma has had only one Republican serve as treasurer since statehood - Claudette Henry was elected in 1990 and served one four-year term.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Kim Holland says she is seeking re-election this fall. Holland was appointed to the post by Gov. Brad Henry in January 2005 and in 2006 became the first woman elected to serve as insurance commissioner.

During her tenure she's directed the insurance department to develop a more cost effective and efficient method of processing the nearly 100,000 licenses and renewals received annually. Since implementation of a new Web-based licensing system the Department saves more than $170,000 a year for Oklahoma taxpayers. Holland says during her first four years in office the department's fraud unit responded to 2,062 complaints, leading to numerous criminal prosecutions and civil actions.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court ruling that a bill imposing several restrictions on abortion is unconstitutional.

The Supreme Court issued a ruling late Tuesday that the measure violated a constitutional requirement that bills deal only with one subject. The bill would have required women receiving an abortion to have an ultrasound and listen to her doctor describe the image and regulated the use of RU-486, among other things.

In its unanimous decision, the state's highest court wrote they are "growing weary of admonishing the Legislature for so flagrantly violating the terms of the Oklahoma Constitution." State lawmakers already have crafted several separate bills this session that include the provisions that were struck down.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Attorneys for the state are asking the full 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider a Feb. 2 decision overturning parts of the state's immigration law. The law sought to subject businesses that hire illegal immigrants to financial penalties, dictate who can and cannot be fired and require contractors to withhold taxes for workers without proper documentation.

A portion of the law requiring public contractors to use an Internet-based system of employment authorization was upheld. State attorneys argue in a legal filing that the ruling is inconsistent with other rulings by the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and by the U.S. Supreme Court. The law was challenged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several business groups.

 

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court has declined to get involved in a new dispute over a Ten Commandments display on public property. The justices on Monday left in place a lower court decision that a Ten Commandments marker in Haskell County, Okla., must go. The 8-foot-tall stone monument has been on the county courthouse lawn in Stigler, Okla., since 2004.

A federal appeals court ruled last year that it amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion by the county commission. In 2005, the high court said in two cases that determining whether the Ten Commandments could be displayed on government property was a case-by-case affair.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says a trooper is on administrative leave after shooting and wounding a man during an altercation that followed a traffic stop in Tulsa. Troopers say a 2-year-old child was in the car at the time of the shooting early Wednesday but was not injured. No names were released. The child was placed in state custody. Lt. George Brown says the trooper had stopped the man for driving with a defective tail light when the two began fighting. Brown says the trooper fired twice and hit the man once in the leg. The man is hospitalized with a non-life threatening injury.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Oklahoma County judge has ruled that an abortion law is unconstitutional. District Judge Daniel Owens said Friday that the measure dealt with multiple subjects and violated the Oklahoma Constitution's ban on such legislation. The measure would bar abortions on the basis of the fetus' gender. It also would require women seeking abortions to fill out a survey that asks about race, education and their reasons for seeking the procedure.

Owens says he found the notion of sex-selective abortions "uncivilized," but found the other aspects of the bill were not related to that underlying purpose. Special Assistant Attorney General Teresa Collett says she will have to consult with regulatory bodies named in the lawsuit before deciding whether to appeal Owens' decision. Plaintiff Lora Davis says she's delighted with the ruling.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma is not among the states making the first cut in the competition for federal Race to the Top education grants.  According to a statement issued by the office of Governor Brad Henry: 

Gov. Brad Henry today said Oklahoma will continue efforts to land a multi-million dollar federal education grant even though the state did not make the first cut in the national competition.

Oklahoma was one of 40 states and the District of Columbia to apply for the federal grant funds, but it was not on the list of finalist states announced this morning by the U.S. Department of Education. Under the Race to the Top program, the feds will award more than $4.3 billion in grant funding to states that implement the best innovations in their public school systems. The grants are being distributed in a competitive two-round process.

"We knew the process was going to be very challenging and it would be difficult to make the first list of finalists, but we felt Oklahoma had a strong case to make in the area of school innovations," said Gov. Henry. "In the days to come, we will be reviewing the proposals of the finalist states with an eye on improving our application and making another bid for the second round of Race to the Top funding."

Those states that did not make the finalist list can reapply for the second round of Race to the Top funding. The deadline for application is June 1 of this year.

Gov. Henry said he will encourage Oklahomans who have been collaborating on the Race to the Top application to continue their work with the new June 1 deadline in mind. Kathy Taylor, the governor's chief of education strategy and innovation, and State Schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett have been helping coordinate the application process.

"I want to commend Kathy Taylor and Superintendent Garrett for all of their good work. I also want to thank the coalition of lawmakers, business leaders, education advocates and other stakeholders who have worked hard and contributed to this process. The fight isn't over yet and we will need everyone to stay engaged for Oklahoma to be successful in the second round of competition," said the governor.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - If they meet requirements, the lowest performing schools in Oklahoma could receive up to $2 million each as part of a federal grant program. The program is designated for the "persistently lowest achieving" schools. Assistant state superintendent Cindy Koss says the program could mean as much as $33 million for Oklahoma schools and that 35 state schools meet the federal definition of lowest-performing schools.

To receive the grants, districts would have to drastically change their administration, teaching staff or curriculum. Districts could also close the low-performing schools and move students to other district schools that are higher-achieving. Koss says she hopes the grant money will be allocated by the end of the school year.

STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - Billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens says he's giving $100 million to fund a major endowment for scholarships at Oklahome State University, his alma mater. Pickens is announcing his gift at an event Friday to announce the start of a $1 billion campaign to raise money to fund scholarships, faculty positions, research and buildings at the Stillwater school.

OSU president Burns Hargis says that, of the $1 billion to be raised, $500 million would be used to endow scholarships and fellowships for students. Pickens' latest gift brings his donations to OSU to more than $400 million. Hargis said the campaign would be called "Branding Success."

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's chief auditor has released an investigative audit critical of the purchasing practices of Skiatook Public Schools. Auditor and Inspector Steve Burrage said Tuesday the audit found that the Tulsa County school district used a middleman to purchase janitorial supplies and security systems it could have purchased directly. Burrage says the school paid $60 several times for $11 trash cans and $540 for three mop heads valued at $13.50. He says thedistrict could have saved $564,000 had it purchased the items directly from suppliers. Burrage says he hates to see taxpayer dollars squandered when they should be benefitting the children of Oklahoma. The auditor says he has forwarded the audit to Attorney General Drew Edmondson's office to determine whether any laws were broken.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Senate Finance Committee today approved, by a vote of 9-5, a bill that would provide tax credits for persons who contribute to a private school scholarship fund. 

Senate Bill 1922, authored by Sen. Dan Newberry, Republican from Tulsa, would allow a 100% tax credit for persons donating to 501(c)(3) scholarship funds that would enable students to attend private schools.  The scholarships would be available to students whose families have an annual income of up to 300% of the poverty level.  Individuals could contribute up to $1000 per year; couples could contribute $2000 to be eligible for the tax credit. 

There is a $10 million state cap on the tax credits each year under the "Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act."

ALVA, Okla. (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by Missouri Gas Energy of a tax bill it received for stored natural gas in Oklahoma.The Kansas City, Mo.-based company had appealed the decision by Woods County Assessor Monica Schmidt to tax the gas stored in natural caverns in Woods County. The court on Monday declined to hear the company's appeal. Schmidt says the high court's decision means about $1.2 million held in escrow will go to local schools. Schmidt learned in 2000 that the company was storing the gas in the caverns and determined it was subject to property taxes for 1998, 1999 and 2000.Missouri Gas Energy attorney Bill Elias calls the court's decision disappointing.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma Natural Gas officials say a change in the routes of meter-readers led to an additional service charge for some customers.The extra charge was noticed by bookkeeper Sherry Alexander who says she paid 13 service charges this year - including two in November. Alexander says ONG agreed to a $27 credit after she filed a complaint with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

ONG spokesman Don Sherry says meter-reading schedules were changed to make some routes more efficient and that the changes can affect billing. The service charge ranges from $11.20 for low-use home customers to $26.75 for higher-use home customers. The charges also are different for businesses and are used to pay for infrastructure and investments.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Officials with two Oklahoma energy companies say Exxon Mobil's decision to purchase a natural gas company validates natural gas as a significant player in the nation's energy future. Exxon Mobil said Monday it will buy XTO Energy in a $31 billion all-stock deal. The move may signal a new desire by major producers to own natural gas assets like Chesapeake Energy and Devon Energy, both based in Oklahoma.

In separate statements, Chesapeake Chief Executive Officer Aubrey McClendon and Larry Nichols, chief executive officer of Devon Energy, declined to comment on whether their companies were targets for acquisition. McClendon called it the pending sale the "highest-profile validation" of the future potential of natural gas as aclean-burning fuel. Nichols said Exxon Mobil's interest shows that natural gas companies have great value.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A state panel has approved a rate hike for customers of Oklahoma Natural Gas. The three-member Oklahoma Corporation Commission unanimously approved the increase on Monday. The new rate will cost the average residential consumer about $4 a month and will take effectimmediately. The increase was part of a settlement agreement involving the utility, a group that includes large industrial consumers and the attorney general's office, which represents residential users. ONG says the hike is not connected to the price of gas and is needed to help pay for delivery and infrastructure costs. Theutility's last rate increase was in 2005.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is considering final approval of the University of Oklahoma's plan to power its Norman campus entirely by wind. The plan has been agreed to by officials at OU, Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., the attorney general's office and other groups. Thethree-member commission is scheduled to consider a final order on Wednesday.

OU announced last year it would purchase wind-generated power from OG&E, which plans to build a commercial-scale wind farm near Woodward in northwestern Oklahoma. Officials say OG&E will provide increasing amounts of wind power to the campus, particularly after what will be named the "OU Spirit" wind farm begins production in 2010. Currently, about 10 percent of OU's power is generated by wind.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Oklahoma County judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by multiple shareholders' groups against Chesapeake Energy Corp. and its board of directors after CEO Aubrey McClendon was awarded a $75 million bonus. District Judge Twyla Mason Gray dismissed the lawsuit on Friday but said the plaintiffs can file an amended claim within 90 days.

The judge says the shareholders' groups did not make a demand on the defendants before the lawsuit was filed, which is required in a derivative action. The groups argued such a demand would have been pointless. The New Orleans Employees' Retirement System initially filed the suit last April. It later was merged with similar suits filed by shareholders' groups from Louisiana, Pennsylvania and Ontario.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Economic indicators of a newly released regional survey increased significantly from previous months, pointing to improving economic growth in the months ahead. But the survey of business leaders and supply managers in nine Midwest and Plains states released Monday also found signs of inflation in the months to come.

The Business Conditions Index for the Mid-America region jumped to 61 in February from 54.7 in January and 50.3 in December. The index ranges from zero to 100. Any score above 50 suggests economic growth in the next three to six months. Conversely, a score below 50 suggests a contracting economy in coming months. The Mid-America survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

PRYOR, Okla. (AP) - Officials with Pepsico Inc. are announcing plans to close the company's Gatorade plant in Pryor. PepsiCo spokesman Pat Burke said in a news release Thursday that the company has tried for the past year to keep the plant in open - but the sluggish economy is forcing it to close. The release said the plant is to shut down in about three months. About 100 employees will be affected. Burke said all employees will be given three months and one week of full pay and benefits. Pepsico will also offer other assistance that includes outplacement services and counseling for employees and their families.

 

DUNCAN, Okla. (AP) - Officials with Halliburton Co. say about 150 jobs at the Halliburton Technology Center in Duncan will be moved to Houston during the next two years. Halliburton spokeswoman Diana Gabriel says the move is part of a plan to consolidate operations at company headquarters in Houston. The jobs being moved include chemists and engineers.

he technology center currently has about 400 employees. Gabriel says there are no plans to remove or reduce the remaining 250 or so workers in Duncan. Halliburton was founded in Duncan by Erle Halliburton in 1919 and has become one of the world's largest providers of products and services to the oil and gas industry. The company moved its corporate headquarters to Houston in 2003 from Dallas where it had been since 1961.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Randy "Rib King" Goss, the co-owner of the County Line barbecue restaurant chain, has been found dead in a car in a creek. Bexar  County Sheriff's Office spokesman Deputy Ino Badillo said a rescue team Thursday removed a body from a vehicle in rain-swollen Cibolo Creek. Restaurant manager Estevan Reyes, who works at a San Antonio location, on Friday confirmed to The Associated Press that the man was Goss. Reyes says services are pending for the 55-year-old businessman.

Heavy rain led to barricades put across some roads. Badillo says a woman contacted officers Wednesday night to say her husband had not arrived home. County Line has locations in El Paso, Austin, San Antonio,Houston and the Conroe area. The company also has a restaurant in Albuquerque, N.M., and one in Oklahoma City.

ENID, Okla. (AP) - Seventy-five employees at two state homes for the mentally disabled will be notified shortly that their jobs have been eliminated. Northern Oklahoma Resource Center in Enid and Southern Oklahoma Resource Center in Pauls Valley provide care and housing to about 280 residents with mental disabilities, mobility problems and trouble feeding and caring for themselves. According to Sheree Powell, spokeswoman for the Developmental Disabilities Service Division of the state Department of Human Services, state budget woes led to the job cuts. The department is facing a shortfall of $34.6 million.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A new report says Woods County has the healthiest residents in Oklahoma and Latimer County has those with the poorest health.

The report released Wednesday by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks the overall health of the counties in all 50 states. It ranks Woods, Beaver, Payne, Cleveland and Texas counties as Oklahoma's healthiest. The least healthy in the report are Latimer, Johnston, McCurtain, Greer and Seminole.

The report bases the health rate on the rate of people dying before age 75, the percent of people who report being in fair or poor health, the numbers of days people report being in poor physical and poor mental health, and the rate of low-birthweight infants.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has asked state Health Commissioner Terry Cline to lead a top-to-bottom review of the embattled Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Henry announced Cline's appointment on Wednesday, less than a week after the state Board of Medicolegal Investigations, which administers the agency, fired the former chief medical examiner, Dr. Collie M. Trant. Trant was fired on Friday after less than a year on the job.

Henry says an outside review of the agency is in order because of Trant's dismissal and other issues, including the indictment of the agency's former chief investigator for sexual battery. The governor says the medical examiner's office plays a critical role in the criminal justice process and provides important information to families who have lost loved ones.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - As Congress considers final passage of health care overhaul legislation, three state lawmakers say they want the state to opt out of the new system. Republican Reps. Mike Ritze and Mike Reynolds and GOP Sen. Randy Brogdon say they plan to file the Freedom of Healthcare Choice Act. The legislation will allow a vote of the people to opt out of the proposed federal system and preserve the existing healthcare system in Oklahoma.

Ritze, a physician, says the Congressional proposal may result in reduced access to a family doctor, rationing of services or even outright denial of care. Modeled on an Arizona proposal, the legislation would place language on the ballot to amend the Constitution to declare what types of health care systems could exist in the state.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State health officials say four more people have died from complications of the swine flu. The Oklahoma State Department of Health reported the deaths Thursday. The latest deaths occurred through last Saturday and bring to 37 the number of swine flu deaths reported in the state since tracking began Sept. 1. Meanwhile, health officials say survey results show declining flu activity since a peak in mid-October.

Of the 37 deaths reported since September, 11 have been reported in Oklahoma County and 10 in Tulsa County. Nine of those who died were children younger than 19 and seven were 65 years old or older. The health department reports 23 of those who died had at least one underlying medical condition that may have increased their risk of influenza.