By Associated Press

Tula, ok – Prosecutors mull death penalty in case

TULSA, Okla. (AP) The Tulsa County District Attorney says a man accused of fatally shooting a Tulsa businessman could face the death penalty.

Twenty-three-year-old Terrico Bethel was charged yesterday with first-degree murder in the Sept. 4 death of Neal Sweeney at Sweeney's company, Retail Fuels Marketing.

DA Tim Harris said today the case would meet the legal threshold for the death penalty if Bethel is convicted of taking money in exchange for the killing.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – Walking the Halls of the U.S. Senate office building is Court of Appeals Second District Judge Sonia Sotomayor. As President Obama's nominee to the U-S Supreme Court, she is allowing Senators to get a chance to know her prior to her confirmation hearing. Today, we hear from someone who already knows the Judge well. Dr. Robert Spoo is an associate professor of law at the University of Tulsa. In 2001-and 2002, he served as a clerk in Judge Sotomayor's chamber.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Indian leaders are being encouraged to consider wind power especially for tribal casinos, medical clinics and administrative projects.

Speakers at a Sovereignty Symposium in Oklahoma City say wind turbines could be a clean, cost-effective way of providing electricity.

Osage tribal member and Chermac Energy Corporation president Jaime McAlpine says wind projects would also create tribal jobs.

By Associated Press

Oklahoma City, OK – Slight revenue shortfall declared in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) State Treasurer Scott Meacham has declared a slight revenue shortfall for Oklahoma but says the affect on most state agencies will be minimal.

Meacham said today that revenue collections for May were $357.1 million, or about 21.8 percent below estimates. That means state agencies will receive 1.42 percent less in their June allocations.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – It was a split vote, but the Tulsa City Council has approved an assessment fee to finance the new baseball park in downtown Tulsa. The vote was 5-to-4. The 6 1/2 cent per square foot fee is for all property inside the IDL with the exception of churches, the federal government and homes with homestead exemption. It is expected the fee will raise $25 million to help finance the ballpark.

By John Durkee

Tulsa, OK – "Don't trust anyone over 30." That was the cry from youth of turbulent 1960s.

By Associated Press

Sapulpa, OK – Paragon to lay off workers in Sapulpa, Muskogee

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) Pipe maker Paragon Industries is announcing plans to lay off 105 employees from its plants in Sapulpa and Muskogee.

Company officials say cheap steel pipe being imported from China makes it difficult to compete. Paragon makes steel pipe for the oil and construction industries.

The layoffs will begin in mid-July and involve 90 production workers and 15 support staff members, About 10 of the layoffs will be at the plant in Muskogee.

By Associated Press

Tulsa, OK – Miss Oklahoma preliminaries continue

TULSA, Okla. (AP) Miss University of Oklahoma has picked up a $1,000 cash scholarship in the talent competition on the second preliminary night of the 2009 Miss Oklahoma pageant.

Twenty-one-year-old Taylor Treat of Ada performed ballet on pointe to "Palladio" last night. Treat is a senior human relations major at the university.