Funds for O-U weather site gained

(Tulsa-AP) -- The funds for a weather center at the University of Oklahoma have been secured after an information leak threatened to kill the proposal.

U.S. Representative J.C. Watts helped secure the $3 million Thursday. The money will be added to state funds and will provide a total of $55 million for a facility billed as the largest weather research center in the nation.

The facility will be used by O-U to further establish a research park in Norman.

Federal funding for the project was in doubt this week. A Watts staff member blamed O-U President David Boren for leaking information about the project.

Boren says a leak did occur but denies any information came from him or his office.

The money was included in a major spending bill and is scheduled to be acted on Friday.