News and Public Affairs

Beyond the Broadcast

Oklahoma Weather Watch......Expect a beautiful weekend across Oklahoma with mild nights and warm afternoons, sunny skies and light winds. Highs predicted to reach the mid-80's to low-90's by Sunday afternoon.

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Benge says 50-50 chance for bond issue

5/16/08, 12:55 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge says chances for a capital improvement bond issue are only 50-50 as the 2008 Legislature enters it final week. Benge said Friday that House leaders are interested in a bond issue. But the Tulsa Republican says the size of the bond issue and identifying sources of revenue to pay off the bonds are key issues.

Benge says there's broad support for issuing bonds for road and bridge improvements. Higher education officials also are seeking support for issuing bonds to fund the state's portion of endowed chairs at colleges and universities. Appropriations leaders in the Senate say there are requests for capital projects totaling about $1.7 billion. But Benge says that figure will have to be pared down before agreement can be reached with the House.

State's unemployment rate declines again

5/16/08, 5:20 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma's unemployment rate is continuing to fall. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reported Friday the state's unemployment rate dropped to 2.9 percent for April. That's a full percentage point drop from April 2007 and a decline from March's rate of 3.3 percent.

The commission reported Oklahoma's statewide non-farm employment expanded by 7,300 jobs during April, with more than half of the jobs coming from the Oklahoma City area. Most of the growth over the last month was in the service providing sector. Since last April, the goods producing sector, which includes the oil and gas industry, accounted for nearly 40 percent of all new jobs.

House increases ethics budget; Governor signs supplemental appropriation for education

5/16/08, 10:05 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House has approved a 30 percent increase in the budget for the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, which monitors election campaign financing. House members voted 96-to-2 to appropriate almost $668,000 to the commission, a $150,000 increase over the agency's $517,960 appropriation last year.

The increase lifts the agency's total budget to about $991,000, including revenue it receives from other sources. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration. House Appropriations and Budget Committee chairman Ken Miller says the budget represents the largest one-time funding increase for any state agency in the 7.1 billion dollar state budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

Approval of the commission's budget followed a series of unsuccessful attempts by a handful of lawmakers to increase its funding level and threats from officials of the agency that it would sue the state for not funding the commission properly.

Governor Brad Henry has signed legislation that appropriates more tax dollars to public schools. Henry signed the measure on Thursday. It's the latest supplemental appropriations bill passed by the House and Senate to help schools pay their bills through the end of the fiscal year on June 30. The measure appropriates $27.7 million to make up for a shortfall in an education fund. It appropriates another $16.1 million from an ad valorem tax reimbursement fund.

The ad valorem fund reimburses counties for school districts that lose revenue due to a tax exemption for manufacturing or research and development firms. Two other supplemental spending bills for public schools have been signed this year to make up shortfalls in the education revenue fund. The first was for $10 million and the other totaled $19.2 million.

Lawton school board mulling cuts after bond issue fails

5/16/08, 10:08 a.m.

LAWTON, Okla. (AP) - The Lawton school board is mulling cuts to the district's budget after a 38.5 million dollar bond issue failed to get enough votes earlier this week. The proposal received the majority of votes during Tuesday's election, but fell short of the 60 percent super-majority needed for passage.

Board members asked Superintendent Barry Beauchamp to explore ways to reduce expenditures and report his findings at the June 2nd meeting. Some of the suggestions included possibly laying off non-classroom personnel expenses, like administrators, librarians and counselors.

Beauchamp says teachers will be spared. He also said officials will look at cutting bus routes and extracurricular activities like band and athletic programs. Officials were seeking the money for new class space, buses and other items to absorb an expected 1,700-student influx tied to the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, process.

Updated: Lawmaker tries unique approach to force vote on autism bill, but bid falls short

5/16/08,12:20 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A Democratic state lawmaker leading an effort to force Republican leaders in the House to schedule a vote on legislation that would require health insurers to cover autism says it will "take a miracle" to bring the measure to a vote this year. Rep. Mike Brown of Tahlequah began collecting the signatures of his colleagues on Thursday. Brown says he wants to get enough signatures to force House leaders to pull the bill out of a House-Senate conference committee and schedule it for a vote.

Brown says he needs the signatures of two-thirds of the House's 101 members, or 68 signatures, to force the bill to the House floor. So far, Brown says, he has 48 signatures - those of the House's 44 Democrats and four Republicans. Brown says he believes the bill would pass if House members got a chance to vote on it.

However, on Friday, Brown admitted that Republican House members will provide no more signatures and the bill appears to be dead for this session.

Gasoline prices keep rising, Americans altering travel plans

5/15/08, 1:55 p.m.

Record fuel prices and tough economic times are combining to cause Americans to alter their Memorial Day travel plans for the first time in a decade. According to the AAA Fuel Gauge Report, Oklahoma gasoline prices are now $3.66 per gallon for regular unleaded, the 9th lowest price among all 50 states. The lowest price in the nation is in Wyoming, at $3.56 a gallon. Alaska has the highest price, now $4.00 a gallon. Nationally, the average price of a gallon of unleaded regular is $3.77 a gallon, up $0.67 from this day a year ago.

AAA predicts the number of Americans traveling during the Memorial Day holiday will drop slightly compared to the holiday period of 2007. A total of 37.87 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over Memorial Day, a decrease of nearly 360,000 travelers (0.9 percent) from the 38.23 million who traveled last year, according to AAA.

This year over Memorial Day, AAA predicts 521,000 Oklahomans will travel, a decrease of 0.8 percent from the 525,000 who traveled a year ago. Of this number, 443,000 Oklahomans (85 percent of the total) will travel by motor vehicle, down 0.8 percent. Another 78,000 Oklahomans (15 percent) will fly, an increase of 0.4 percent from Memorial Day, 2007.   

Nationwide, nearly 31.7 million Americans (83 percent) are expected to travel by motor vehicle, a one percent decrease from the approximately 32 million people who drove a year ago.

Almost 4.35 million (11 percent of all travelers) plan to fly this holiday weekend, a decrease of 0.5 percent from the 4.37 million who took to the skies last year. About 1.8 million intend to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation.

“Many Americans are feeling a financial pinch from record high gasoline prices and other factors in the economy,” said Chuck Mai, spokesman for AAA Oklahoma. “Despite the small decrease, we will still see a significant number of people traveling this weekend. More than 12 percent of the U.S. population will be celebrating the Memorial Day weekend away from home. The highways will be busy places.”

House fails to override trespass bill veto

5/15/08, 1:15 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - The Oklahoma House has failed to override Gov. Brad Henry's veto of legislation that strengthens landowner rights against trespassers. The House voted 62-35 Thursday to override the governor's veto, six votes short of the number needed to override. It takes two-thirds of the members of the 101-member House, or 68 votes, to override a gubernatorial veto.

Henry vetoed the bill Wednesday afternoon. In his veto message, the governor said the bill is poorly drafted, conflicts with another trespass law that he signed earlier this year and creates a situation that would penalize honest sportsmen. The author of the vetoed bill, Rep. Phil Richardson of Minco, says it reflects the opinions of farmers and ranchers, who have complained for years that Oklahoma's trespass laws are weak compared to other states.

Governor vetoes trespass bill

5/15/08, 8:55 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed a bill that would give landowners more legal authority to go after trespassers who damage their property. In his veto message on Wednesday, Henry said the bill is poorly drafted, conflicts with another trespass law and creates a situation that would ensnare honest hunters and other outdoorsmen.

The measure was sponsored by two Republican lawmakers who are farmers - Rep. Phil Richardson of Minco and Sen. Mike Shultz of Altus. Richardson also is a veterinarian. Shultz said the bill was needed to give farmers and other landowners a chance to recover damage to their crops and property. He said he has not talked to Richardson and did not know if there would be an attempt to override the governor's veto.

Some base operations may move into old GM plant by next year

5/15/08, 9:20 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Officials at Tinker Air Force Base say some military operations could be moved into the old General Motors plant in Oklahoma City by next year. Voters in Oklahoma County this week approved a 55 million dollar bond issue for the county to buy the plant as part of a plan to lease it to the Air Force. Tinker spokesman Ralph Monson says base officials hope to have maintenance operations for software, commodities and propulsion in the plant by next fiscal year. And he says officials want to have all operations planned for the plant to be moved there within five years. The base could start getting into the plant as early as September when the county is expected to close on the sale of the facility from GM. The plant will be renamed the Tinker Aerospace Complex.

Lead levels not elevated by Picher tornado

5/14/08, 2:45 p.m.

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - Preliminary tests by the Environmental Protection Agency show that a tornado that struck a Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma did not raise airborne lead levels enough to create a health risk. EPA spokeswoman Tressa Tillman says four more monitors will be placed Wednesday to continue the testing, and officials will likely remain in Picher until debris removal is completed.

The tornado Saturday was responsible for seven deaths in the Picher area, which is the center of a former lead and zinc mining area. Tillman says the EPA monitored the particulate level, since lead can attach to dust in the air, but found it wasn't high enough to raise a health-based concern. Prolonged exposure to lead can cause damage in the brain and nervous system, particularly in young children. State and federal
officials have been trying to buy out residents of the Picher area to encourage them to leave the Superfund site.

Senate leader endorses Obama

5/14/08, 4:55 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan says he is backing Barack Obama for president. The Stillwater Democrat becomes the fifth Oklahoma Democratic superdelegate to endorse the Illinois senator. The others include Gov. Brad Henry.

Morgan was a supporter of John Edwards for the Democratic nomination before Edwards suspended his campaign. Edwards on Wednesday also announced his support for Obama. Morgan says he believes Obama will be a plus for legislative candidates across the country as the Democratic nominee. He says Obama is "creating enthusiasm from voters unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime." Hillary Clinton defeated Obama in Oklahoma's presidential primary, getting 55 percent of the vote to Obama's 31 percent. She has one commitment from Oklahoma's 10 superdelegates.

Rascal Flatts guitarist returns to Picher to after deadly tornado

5/14/08, 2:00 p.m.

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney is back in his hometown of Picher to help in the recovery from Saturday's killer tornado. Rooney is working as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. The tornado was responsible for seven deaths, 150 injuries and the destruction of 114 homes. Rascal Flatts is known not only for its Number 1 hits but for its philanthropic efforts on behalf of the Red Cross, Make-A-Wish Foundation and Monroe Carell Junior Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University in a Nashville, Tennessee. Rascal Flatts has been part of the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet since 2004. On Sunday night, the band will receive the 2008 Academy of Country Music-The Home Depot Humanitarian Award.

OU freshman wins Muskogee mayoral race

5/14/08, 9:30 a.m.

MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) - A 19-year-old freshman at the University of Oklahoma has won the mayoral race in Muskogee, becoming one of the youngest mayors in the country. With all 18 precincts reporting, election officials say John Tyler Hammons won Tuesday night's election with 70 percent of the vote over former Mayor Hershel Ray McBride.

The two candidates squared off in a runoff election for the nonpartisan mayoral post after neither secured 50 percent of the vote in a six-person election on April 1st. Hammons said he plans to continue his college education, but expects to transfer to a university closer to Muskogee. Hammons says he's already been contacted by representatives of"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" about appearing on the late-night talk show.

Oklahoma City voters approve Tinker bond issue

5/14/08, 9:12 a.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma County voters have approved a 55 million dollar bond issue to buy the closed General Motors plant in Oklahoma City. About 53 percent of voters approved the plan in which the county will buy the plant and lease it to Tinker Air Force Base. Voters also approved bond issues to pay for flood control improvements and renovations to the county courthouse but rejected bonds to improve county records management and to build a new county extension building. The Tinker proposal and the two other bonds that passed will cost home owners $12.85 per year in property taxes for each $100,000 in home value.

Bonds, taxes, for TCC rejected by Tulsa County voters; Norman voters turn thumbs-down on library

5/14/08, 9:12 a.m.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Voters in Tulsa County have said no to a $76 million dollar bond issue and a 1.7 mill property tax increase to benefit Tulsa Community College. The bonds would've been used for construction projects at TCC's four campuses and in Owasso. The property taxes would've been used for operations and expanding academic programs. About 55 percent of voters voted against the plan. TCC President Tom McKeon believes the loss is due to pessimism about the economy.

Voters in Cleveland, McClain and Pottawatomie Counties have rejected a $50 million dollar bond issue for a new multi-county library to be built in Norman. Voters approved a proposal to convert the existing library to a senior citizens center, but failure to provide funding a replacement library will doom that initiative.

Oklahoma playwright nominated for Tony Award

5/14/08, 8:02 a.m.

NEW YORK (AP) - A play written by an Oklahoma playwright has been nominated for a 2008 Tony Award."August: Osage County" by Tulsa-born Tracy Letts was nominated Tuesday as best play. It already has won a Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics' circle Award. The play about a dysfunctional Oklahoma family faces "The 39 Steps," a spoof of the Alfred Hitchcock film favorite; "The Seafarer," a Yuletide tale of a devilish poker game; and "Rock 'n' Roll," a look at recent Czech history interspersed with a cavalcade of pop music. The winners in 26 competitive categories will be announced June 15th in a three-hour CBS telecast from Radio City Music Hall.

More Oklahoma News:

Contents of safe deposit boxes to be auctioned (5/16/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Want a $1,000 bill, gold Krugerrands, a Nolan Ryan baseball card or an autographed photo of Ronald Reagan? How about an empty six-pack of Billy Bear cans? You can get these items if you are the high bidder at an auction of the contents of 324 safety deposit boxes held by the state. State Treasurer Scott Meacham's office displayed a wide array of items going on the auction block next Thursday at 11 a.m. Meacham said after years of trying to find the owners of items, the time has come to clear out his office's vault and make room for more unclaimed property. Many of the safety boxes contained coins and jewelry, along with keepsakes. The auction will be conducted at Dakil Auctioneers, 200 Northwest 114th St. in Oklahoma City, with inspection of the items starting at 9 a.m.

Tulsan in American Idol finals (5/15/08)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - And then there were two Davids. Syesha Mercado was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday night, paving the way for the expected showdown between David Archuleta and Tulsa, Oklahoma-based rocker David Cook. Mercado was the last woman standing on the top-rated Fox contest. The big-voiced belter surpassed a more accomplished Carly Smithson, fan favorite Brooke White and statuesque country crooner Kristy Lee Cook. Who will snag the title next Wednesday? No telling, but one thing is for sure: his name will be David.

James Garner hospitalized after stroke (5/14/08)

LOS ANGELES (AP) - James Garner's publicist says the Oklahoma native has been hospitalized in Los Angeles after suffering a minor stroke at his home last week. Publicist Jennifer Allen said Tuesday the star of "Maverick" and "The Rockford Files" was hospitalized Friday. Allen says Garner is doing well and will be going home soon. Garner, who turned 80 last month, rose to prominence in the 1950s as "Maverick," a wry riverboat gambler who, unlike his TV contemporaries, would often run rather than fight.
Garner is a native of Norman.

Oklahoma home prices up, while sales are down (5/13/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - A new report shows Oklahoma home prices are up 3.5 percent in the first quarter compared to last year although the number of homes sold is down 12 percent The Oklahoma Association of Realtors report says the average price of a home in the state at the end of March was $147,407 compared to $142,472 in March 2007. The average price is down from nearly $148,500 at the end of December 2007. The report also show 9,689 homes sold during the first three months of the year compared to more than 11,000 sold during the first three months of last year. Nationwide the average home price is down 7.7 percent in the first quarter with the hard hit areas being on the coasts and in the industrial Midwest.

Commerce group promotes Oklahoma in Big Apple (5/13/08)

TULSA (AP) - Business leaders from Oklahoma are in New York and targeting national media outlets in an effort to draw attention to the state's growing economy. Officials with the state Department of Commerce and the Governor's Economic Development Team are with business, civic and university leaders in New York for the fifth straight year. The group is promoting Oklahoma's development of wind energy and alternative fuels and a strategy intended to get highly skilled Oklahomans who've left the state to return. The group is also contacting investors and consultants to show the state's interest in attracting new and expanding businesses.

Governor gets religious expression bill (5/13/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Governor Brad Henry will consider whether to sign a bill that supporters say will protect students' rights to express their religious viewpoints in public school classrooms. Opponents warned that the measure may have unintended consequences and could lead to classroom confrontations and
disruption. House members voted 70-to-28 yesterday to send the Senate-passed bill to Henry. A spokesman for the governor says he doesn't know whether the governor will sign it. Although lawmakers passed the measure, an emergency clause that would place the bill in effect upon the governor's signature failed to get the required two-thirds vote of the 101-member House. Supporters said the measure codifies a series of U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning religious expression in public schools and will serve as a guide to public school administrators on what kind of religious expression is permitted in the classroom.

Supporters of autism bill continue fight (5/13/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Supporters of a bill to require health insurers to cover autistic children are trying to bolster their case with a new analysis showing the mandate would not be as costly as opponents say. Sen. Jay Paul Gumm cited an actuarial study by an expert in Pennsylvania showing Gumm's legislation to help autistic families would have an impact of less than half of a percent on insurance rates. Gumm, a Durant Democrat, was joined at a news conference by parents of autistic children, who met earlier Tuesday with House Speaker Chris Benge. The parents said they were unable to persuade Benge to agree to hear the Senate-passed autism bill in the House.


Rising fuel costs sap Oklahoma schools (5/12/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - School districts across Oklahoma are looking for new ways to deal with increased transportation costs brought on by rising fuel prices. Guthrie's school district plans to do away with bus routes for students within a mile and a half of the school they attend. The bus will stop at designated locations and not at individual homes. Schools in Claremore, Crescent, Norman, Sapulpa and Moore have
already implemented the same policy. Guthrie Superintendent Terry Simpson says it typically costs
hundreds of dollars to fill up the fuel tank of a school bus, and it gets only 10 miles per gallon. State Superintendent Sandy Garrett says schools have no legal obligation to bus students to and from school. The Legislature did not grant an increase in operational expenses for schools requested this year.

Carrie Underwood joins Grand Ole Opry (5/12/08)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Checotah native Carrie Underwood is the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.
The singer joined the cast of the long-running country music show yesterday with the help of a pair of fellow Oklahomans. Garth Brooks handled her formal induction and Vince Gill sang a duet with her. Fighting back tears, Underwood says she was happy to be joining the Grand Ole Opry family. The former "American Idol" winner sold 7 million copies of her debut album "Some Hearts" and shot to superstardom almost overnight.

Oklahoma stresses vacation destinations (5/12/08)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Oklahoma tourism officials are focusing on the state's tourist attractions and vacation destinations during National Tourism Week. Oklahoma's tourism director, Hardy Watkins, said Monday that tourism is the third largest industry in the state, creating 70,000 jobs and a $5.3 billion economic impact. A recent survey by AAA found that Oklahoma was the sixth least expensive state to visit in the nation. Of 49 large cities, Tulsa is the least expensive travel destination while Oklahoma City is the fourth least expensive location. Watkins says the state's tourism campaign this year is focusing on nearby cities like Dallas, Kansas City, Mo., and Wichita, Kan.

Join the ONR Camera Corps by sending us your photos for our web site and The Oklahoma News Report. If you have a newsworthy digital photograph to share (including weather) , e-mail it to: ONR@oeta.tv (and please be sure to give us your name, hometown, when it was taken and a brief description of what your picture shows).

COMING SOON: OETA coverage of this year's campaign and elections!

 

 

 

 

 

 

News Archives (Week of 5/11/08)

Officials say no to rebuilding in tornado-ravaged Picher

5/13/08, 4:45 p.m.

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - State and federal officials say there will be no government money to rebuild the 100 homes destroyed by Saturday's killer tornado. The twister is blamed for seven deaths in Picher and severe
weather left another 20 people dead in the Plains and southeast. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff visited Picher today and says it looks like a small nuclear bomb went off.

And Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator David Paulison promised a quick decision on Governor Henry's request for a federal disaster declaration. The tornado hit the heart of a federal Superfund site where the government is buying out homes because of contamination from years of lead and zinc mining. The governor says the buyout won't stop federal disaster aid from coming to the area but he says the aid will be to help people move - not rebuild.

Governor Brad Henry talks to reporters following a survey of the Picher tornado damage on Tuesday with (l-r) U.S. Representative Dan Boren, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, and FEMA Administrator David Paulison.

Picher residents look over some of the damage caused by Saturday's EF-4 tornado that destroyed about 100 homes in the northeastern Oklahoma town.

Oklahoma revenue lag extends to four months

5/13/08, 12:25 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - State tax collections have failed to meet expectations for the fourth month in a row. But officials say a revenue cushion built up from earlier collections should allow the state to pay its bills for the current fiscal year ending June 30 without budget cuts. A revenue report released Tuesday by state Treasurer Scott Meacham showed that tax collections in April were 3.5 percent below the prior year and 3.4 percent below the estimate upon which the current budget is based. Both individual income and corporate taxes were down, as were sales taxes. The state's revenue picture was bolstered by gross
productions taxes on oil and gas, which were up 85 percent from the previous year.

Trustee chairman excited about ORU's future

5/13/08, 11:00 a.m.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Oral Roberts University has a budget deficit, debt and declining enrollment but the chairman of the school's board of trustees is optimistic about the school's future. Mart Green -- who also is the founder of the Mardel Christian & Education retail chain -- told an audience at the Tulsa Press Club
Monday that his family usually doesn't contribute to financially troubled organizations.

But Green says the family changed their minds after meeting ORU alumni and interpreting Richard Roberts' resignation from the school as a sign he cared more about the university than his reputation. He says the family decided ORU is worth keeping and donated 70 million dollars. His father, David Green, founded the Hobby Lobby chain. Mart Green says the new president will probably set specific enrollment goals for the school and develop a plan regarding capital building projects and maintenance.

EPA testing air after twister in toxic Oklahoma town

5/12/08, 4:40 p.m.

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - The Environmental Protection Agency is planning to check for high lead levels in Picher after a deadly tornado blew through the former mining town where lead-filled waste is piled into giant mounds. The tornado was one of several that killed at least six in Picher and 22 people in the Midwest and the South during the weekend. In Picher the devastation is complicated by the town's status as one of the most polluted Superfund sites in the nation. Oklahoma secretary of the environment Miles Tolbert says he doesn't think there is an immediate public health hazard to the 800 residents. He did say more testing is needed to be certain. Long-term exposure to lead dust poses a health risk, particularly to young children.

FEMA and other officials tour Picher tornado damage

5/12/08, 3:30 p.m.

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - State and federal officials began begin assessing the damage on Monday in tornado ravaged Picher where at least six people were killed by a tornado on Saturday. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Small Business Administration and the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management will be conducting preliminary damage assessment.

Governor Brad Henry toured the town on Sunday and said Oklahomans are excellent at responding to challenge, adversity and disaster, and would come together to help those in need. Ottawa County emergency manager Frank Geasland says some lives may have been spared because a government-sponsored buyout of homes in the town left some residences vacant. Only Picher residents are being allowed into the town with residency being verified by the address listed on drivers licenses and law enforcement officers are patrolling the area to prevent looting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A view of the devastation in Picher, Oklahoma after an EF-4 tornado struck the northeastern Oklahoma town on Saturday. (Photo provided by John Sparkman)

Tornado that hit Picher rated an EF-4

5/12/08, 2:30 p.m.

PICHER, Okla. (AP) - The National Weather Service says the killer tornado that hit Picher Saturday and killed at least six people was an EF-4. The rating is the second highest and weather service assessment teams say it was 1 mile wide at its widest point and had wind speeds of 165 to 175 miles per hour. The damage extends for 74 miles with 29 miles in Oklahoma and 45 in Missouri where 15 more people were killed.

Meteorologist Mike Teague says four other tornadoes were reported in Oklahoma Saturday night including an EF-2 storm in Haywood with winds of up to 130 mph. Another EF-2 twister hit south of Hartshorne with winds of up to 120 mph. An EF-0 tornado was reported over Lake Eufaula and no rating had been assigned yet to a storm near Yanush in Latimer County.

The tornado that devastated the town of Picher on Saturday, May 9, 2008 (Photo provided by John Sparkman)

Pittsburgh County recovering from tornadoes

5/12/08, 11:05 a.m.

HAYWOOD, Okla. (AP) - Residents in the town of Haywood say a tornado that ripped through the area came without much warning. Saturday's twister damaged about a dozen homes and businesses but caused no major injuries. There was some damage to a window factory in McAlester, but the central part of the city wasn't touched.

Haywood resident Earline Whitfield says she saw no rain or winds before the tornado touched down. Whitfield said when the storm hit the house across the road, her family rushed to her home's hallway. Whitfield says she tried to run for a bathroom, but was paralyzed for about five seconds by strong winds blowing through the house.

Across the street, Mark Parham and his brother Randy thought they were hearing the roar of an airplane coming over the hill as they sat on the front porch. When they saw it was a tornado chugging across the pasture, they took off running with the dogs down a hill. Twisters also were reported in Crowder and near Clayton in Pushmataha County.

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Headlines

Oklahoma House Speaker Chris Benge says chances for a capital improvement bond issue are only 50-50 as the 2008 Legislature enters it final week.

Lawton Public Schools looking for ways to cut services after voters reject school bond issue.

The Oklahoma House approves a 30% percent increase in the budget for the Oklahoma Ethics Commission, which monitors election campaign financing.

Gov. Brad Henry has signed legislation that appropriates more tax dollars to public schools. Henry signed the measure on Thursday. It's the latest supplemental appropriations bill passed by the House and Senate to help schools pay their bills through the end of the fiscal year on June 30.

Lawmaker says it will "take a miracle" to bring House vote on autism bill during 2008 legislative session.

On the Next Oklahoma News Report

Legislators are heading into what is expected to be the final week of the 2008 legislative session. Details Monday night at 6:30 on the Oklahoma News Report.