Oklahoma Government News Archives

A Texas pilot said he was lucky to make a safe emergency landing on an Oklahoma highway after his plane's engine started smoking and shaking in flight.

Oklahoma lawmakers left virtually no money on the table for emergencies as they spent $12 million on various projects and programs before adjourning the 2008 legislative session.

The number of illegal immigrants arrested and deported from Oklahoma and North Texas is on pace to exceed last year's number by 40 percent, the Department of Homeland Security says.

Legislation that closes a loophole in Oklahoma's rape statute that has allowed some convicted rapists to avoid harsh penalties is awaiting Gov.

Just one day after Gov. Brad Henry made the request, federal authorities approved public assistance for Craig, Latimer and Ottawa counties to help those communities recover from the deadly May 10 tornadoes.

Former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts says he's planning to start a television news network.

"It makes a person wonder what this world is coming to." That's what someone said when I told him what I was writing about for today - upskirting.

Shawnee teenagers are being praised for their lobbying efforts to pass a bill requiring that drug and alcohol abuse education be included in prenatal care for expectant parents.

One of the last bills passed before the 2008 Oklahoma Legislature adjourned will keep more than half of the state's driver's license examination stations from closing.

A few days ago, Tulsa Union receiver Anthony Foster was gushing about a Big 12 offer than he received a while back from Kansas State.

The $100 million gift given earlier this week by billionaire T. Boone Pickens to Oklahoma State University has brought attention to the state's matching program for endowed chairs.

But a new international project will look at how researchers can balance their own desires with those of the community being studied.

Jack Mildren, a former lieutenant governor and the first quarterback in the University of Oklahoma's lofted wishbone offense, died on Thursday, his brother said.

OKLAHOMA CITY Legislation that bans the involuntary implanting of microchips in human beings received final passage Thursday, one year after lawmakers criticized the legislation after it was amended to ...

A tax increment financing district that would help fund development of a resort on Grand Lake could divert as much as $25 million from public entities, members of a committee were told Monday.

State Department of Human Services county directors have collected more than $2.3 million of food for Oklahoma food banks and pantries.

OKLAHOMA CITY Legislative leaders and Gov. Brad Henry have agreed on a $475 million bond issue to repair state roads and bridges and perform other capital improvements.

The National Indian Gaming Commission has ruled that an Oklahoma Indian tribe cannot operate a gambling casino in southern New Mexico.

T. Boone Pickens made another super-sized donation to his alma mater on Wednesday, giving $100 million to Oklahoma State University for endowed chairs in what was touted as the largest gift for academics ever ...

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has closed an Oklahoma City day care by emergency order because the owner's husband violated a ban on being there during child care hours.

A news conference was scheduled for Wednesday at Oklahoma State University amid reports that Texas billionaire Boone Pickens will make a historic gift to academics at his alma mater.

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance Article Date: 19 May 2008 - 11:00 PDT Enrollment in the Oklahoma Employer/Employee Partnership for Insurance Coverage , the state's health insurance premium ...

The culmination of five years of work is upon us. In 2003, Governor Henry announced the Economic Development Generating Excellence, or EDGE, Task Force.

OKLAHOMA CITY Legislation that would reissue new Oklahoma license plates for the first time in 16 years is one vote away from going to Gov.

Gov. Brad Henry is urging Oklahoma researchers to submit their first proposals for a special state account aimed at creating high-paying research and technology jobs.

More than a dozen inmates attacked each other with makeshift weapons at the Oklahoma State Reformatory Monday, leaving two dead and 13 others injured in the melee, officials said.

At least two inmates are dead after a riot at an Oklahoma prison.

State officials say the inmates were killed and 13 others were injured during the riot today at the Oklahoma State Reformatory. It's a medium-security facility in southwestern Oklahoma.

A state Highway Patrol trooper says 15 people were stabbed during the riot.

Prison officials say the situation is now under control, and that the prison has been locked down. Read more

“We need additional drugs to add to this regimen to improve the cure rate”

Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have found a new use for an old drug. via Biology News Net

Gov. Brad Henry is asking for an investigation into why a Tulsa man's body remained at a hospital for nearly a week after he died. via KTUL

“And you must be the governor's daughter?”

Commencement speeches are not easy to give. I don't say that because I've given them. via AdaEveningNews.com - Ada, Oklahoma

Gov. Brad Henry has signed legislation that appropriates more tax dollars to public schools. via Tulsa World

“We all know it is unsustainable to continue down the path we are on. We can't continue to do this”

When Tracie Revis started her fight against cancer more than two years ago, she didn't expect to take on a health care system ill-equipped to handle an uninsured 20-something. After rounds of chemotherapy, ... via KSHB-TV Kansas City

Gov. Brad Henry has vetoed a bill that would give landowners more legal authority to go after trespassers who damage their property. via TulsaWorld.com - Government

Oklahoma state Sen. President Pro Tem Mike Morgan said he is backing Barack Obama for president. via KOCO

Posted By: NBC News The weather is being blamed for at least 21 deaths this weekend, and now dozens of communities are struggling to recover. via WBIR-TV

“We will overcome this adversity just like we always do.”

The deadliest outbreak of tornadoes in Oklahoma since 1999 killed six people, including an infant, in Picher on Saturday, authorities said. via NewsOK.com

“This bill simply ensures that students' First Amendment rights are protected.”

Gov. Brad Henry's desk is the next stop for legislation given final approval by the Oklahoma House Monday that supporters said will protect students' rights to express their religious viewpoints in public ... via Tulsa World

Gov. Brad Henry and Oklahoma tribal leaders are honoring eight original American Indian signees of the Dawes Roll. via TulsaWorld.com - State

“The governor is not acting in the capacity of the governor”

House Democrats blocked a Republican-led attempt to override Gov. Brad Henry's veto of legislation intended to make it tougher to file some lawsuits was sustained Monday when. via KOCO

“That is what is tearing me up”

Nearly half of the 21 people killed by a tornado that smashed parts of Oklahoma and Missouri over the weekend died in cars, troubling experts who say vehicles are among the worst places to be during a twister.

"It's like taking a handful of Matchbox cars and rolling them across the kitchen floor," said Sgt. Dan Bracker of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, surveying the damage in Newton County near the Oklahoma line, the hardest hit area. "This is devastating."

Among those killed were a woman who took shelter in a broken-down car outside someone's home; three people who were rushing to reach a relative's house in their car; and four family members &#0x2014; Rick Rountree, his wife, his 13-year-old son, and his mother-in-law &#0x2014; who were in a van on the way to a friend's wedding when the twister, packing winds of 170 mph, struck the Seneca area on Saturday night. Read more

The cleanup from weekend tornadoes continues in the Plains and South, where twisters claimed 22 lives in Oklahoma, Missouri and Georgia. via WTOV9.com

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Picher and all of the other Oklahoma communities that have been impacted by the latest wave of severe weather,'”

RESCUE crews have searched through rubble for survivors of tornadoes which tore across the US on Saturday, killing at least 22 people and shattering homes and businesses, officials said. via News.com.au

“Kay and I offer our deepest sympathies to the victims and those who suffered loss in this tragedy”

Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe surveyed the damage in Picher a day after a tornado devastated the town. via KTUL

"It wasn't thunder. It was an explosion." Suffolk Community Clean Up A Florida judge has sentenced Hulk Hogan's son to eight months in jail for driving recklessly and critically injuring a friend. via WTKR-TV Norfolk

The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals upholds an 18 milion dollar jury award to the parents of an infant who skull fractures at Children's Hospital of Oklahoma in 2005. via KTUL

The Oklahoma House of representatives Public Relations Office reports that The Oklahoma Legislature voted today to rename the art gallery that houses the Oklahoma State Art Collection in the State Capitol as ... via Oklahoma Women

The Oklahoma Senate has given final approval to a bill aimed at protecting citizens from predatory investors who profit from life insurance policies. via KTUL

A parliamentary move by a Democratic leader has blocked a Senate vote on the House-passed bill to make English the official language of Oklahoma. via KTUL

“We are considering linkages with several universities in Montevideo”

While in Norman, Dr. Felipe Michelini visited the OU campus, including the College of Law. via The Edmond Sun, Edmond, OK

“They can say I'm the devil and I've been bought off. It's absolutely not true”

A state lawmaker who has blocked legislation that would require health insurers to cover a variety of medical procedures and conditions has accepted thousands of dollars in donations from individuals or ... via The Norman Transcript

A series of original paintings depicting Oklahoma's seven territorial governors has been unveiled at the state Capitol. via TulsaWorld.com - State

“We want all of Oklahoma to keep moving.”

Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill on Monday to combat childhood obesity by doubling the amount of class time devoted to physical activity and nutrition programs for the state's youngest students. via 2 Works For You

Governor Brad Henry will sign a bill today that's intended to improve the physical fitness of the state's youngest school students. via KTUL

Gov. Brad Henry delivered Oklahoma State University's commencement speech today, urging graduates to use their talents to give back to those less fortunate. via 2 Works For You

“It's actually very expensive for most countries to deal with weather”

They'll determine how the eastern European country's weather service can be brought into the 21st century. via The Tuttle Times

“We don't want to make health insurance unaffordable for Oklahomans.”

House Speaker Chris Benge said Thursday he does not plan to schedule a vote on legislation that would require health insurers to cover autistic children, despite pleas from parents that the bill be heard. via Joplin Globe

House Republicans are spearheading a study to find market-driven solutions to the state health care problems. via KFOR-TV Oklahoma City

“You are to speak English only to all applicants, this is a direct order not a request. Your follow through will be expected; if not you will be in violation of policy”

U.S. federal officials are probing the case of an Oklahoma driver's license examiner who said he got in trouble for speaking Spanish to Hispanics. via Hispanic Business