Oklahoma News Report

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Tonight, I have a story about efforts to green up remodeling projects in Oklahoma. It’s also the story of how one man’s efforts to go green in nearly all aspects of his total home remodeling project could earn that house the nation’s first dual green certification.

Chad Burden says, “I’m fully committed to gettin’ this project certified through the National Association of Home Builders, the green protocol that they have, and the U-S Green Building Council as well. It would be the only duel certified home that I know of in definitely in Oklahoma, but possibly the U.S.”

He’s also inspired the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Tulsa to form a Green Building Council to help people with green remodeling projects from the simplest fix up to whole house projects. The council’s mission is to be a resource for consumers looking for area builders, remodelers and product companies that are trained in green building and offer green products. For help just call 918-663-1100 or contact the Tulsa HBA through its website www.TulsaHBA.com

Oklahoma’s blossoming movie industry is paying off according to the state’s Film and Music Office. The office says a high profile production filmed in Oklahoma over the summer will have an economic impact of more than $5.1 million while costing the state just about $71,000 in tax incentives.

With 10 film productions currently slated to shoot in the state, Oklahoma is looking at a projected $43 million impact for fiscal year 2010. But the $5 million annual cap on the tax incentives could cost the state future movie productions.

Now the Film and Music Office is asking lawmakers to lift the cap.

Casey Affleck on location in Oklahoma during filming for “The Killer Inside Me":

The film shot on location around the state last June, here downtown Oklahoma City doubles for Fort Worth, Texas during the 1950s:

The story originally aired on OETA Nov. 24, 2009.

Tulsa Public Schools bussed sixth graders from all their middle schools this morning to one central site to celebrate Native American Culture. It’s part of Native American Month declared by President Obama.

Native American story-tellers explained how so many tribes came to live in Oklahoma. Musicians and dancers showed how each tribes culture is passed generation to generation through song and dance. And, singers and dancers gave the students a glimpse into the importance religion plays in the lives of Native American tribes today.

For the past five year Tulsa Public Schools has held similar district wide assemblies to give students an up-close look at Native American traditions. District officials says it helps non-Native American students discover that each tribe has its own language, art, history and distinct culture.

Deer rifle season is open and that has butchers working overtime to process all the kills hunters are dropping off.

Deer season helps keep Oklahoma’s whitetail deer population at a manageable size. Our State’s herd is estimated at half a million animals. In a typical year hunters harvest about 100,000 deer. Most of the hunt is conducted on private land, but there are public hunting grounds in all areas of Oklahoma.

The sale of about 350,000 hunting licenses each year provides the bulk of the funding for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. For more information on deer season pick up a hunting guide from your local Wildlife Conservation office or go to their website at www.wildlifedepartment.com

This weekend a civil war reenactment group will demonstrate what life was like for soldiers nearly 150 years ago in the Battle of Honey Springs near Checotah.

The 2nd Colorado Infantry reenactment group will demonstrate what life was like for the soldiers during the battle.
The event runs through Sunday at the Honey Springs Battlefield Historic Site and the public is invited to observe.
For directions to the park click on the link below.

http://honeysprings.org/content/directions/index.html