The Latest Oklahoma News

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Corrections Department is addressing criticism that it pays for too many private prison beds. It's moving 563 minimum-security inmates into community corrections centers

Wednesday, March 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Corrections Department is addressing criticism that it pays for too many private prison beds. It's moving 563 minimum-security inmates into community corrections centers and work centers.

Meanwhile, the department is seeking 21.5 million dollars extra from the Legislature. Most of it would fund private prison beds.

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- The Legislature is free to move around fee-generated funds however it pleases. That's the ruling of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. It rejected the appeal of 13 HouseRepublican members who challenged how the Legislature transferred ten million dollars from the general fund into other funds last year. The high court says that's O-K since the funds don't come from taxes.

(Norman-AP) -- State officials say they're taking protective custody of a baby abandoned by its 16-year-old mother. Officials at Norman Regional Hospital say the woman came into the hospital about three hours after giving birth at home and left without taking the baby, who is healthy. Because they have NOT been able to get a hold of the baby's mother, the state is calling it a case of abandonment.

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A federal program that lets police officers buy homes for half-price in low-income areas is being extended to teachers in parts of Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Muskogee. The Federal Housing Department says 2,700 Oklahoma police officers have already taken advantage of the program, which requires the buyer to live at the home for three years.

(Bristow-AP) -- The host of an Emmy Award-winning T-V journalism program is scheduled to be the guest speaker at the Bristow Chamber of Commerce banquet tomorrow. Bill Kurtis is host of "Investigative Reports" on the Arts and Entertainment cable television network. The chamber will hand out awards to Bristow residents for Lifetime Achievement, Citizen of the Year and Business Leader of the Year.