Oklahoma News Report

The Holidays will be much brighter for dozens of social service agencies that provide a safety net for the needy. The George Kaiser Family Foundation is giving grants totaling more than $6 million dollars to more than one hundred agencies. It’s a very welcome gift at a time when need is up and donations down for many agencies.

We launch a new segment tonight called “Preserving History.” It’s our way of helping Oklahoma forever remember the people, places, and events that have shaped our lives and our state.

We will begin with an ending. The demise of the town of Picher, and the unique way it found to make sure it won’t be forgotten after it officially ceases to exist next month.

The state’s public safety is in jeopardy as a result of budget cuts to the Department of Corrections. That’s according to the head of the Corrections Director Justin Jones as well as at least one Oklahoma lawmaker. The question is how will Corrections keep prisons safe as they face double digit cuts that could go even higher.

The story originally aired on OETA Dec. 17, 2009.

Oklahoma County District Judge Daniel Owens denied a motion to dismiss the lawsuit against House Bill 1595, Oklahoma’s controversial new abortion law. The law was set to go into effect Nov. 1, however Judge Owens kept in place a temporary restraining order that prevents the law from being implemented until there is ruling in the case.

Judge Owens says he will issue a ruling on the merits of the lawsuit Friday, Feb. 19, 2010. The lawsuit alleges that H.B. 1595 violates the state’s constitutional single-subject rule. H.B. 1595, among its provisions, establishes reporting requirements for abortion providers and prohibits a woman from getting an abortion based on the sex of the fetus.

The story originally aired on OETA Dec. 18, 2009.

We’ll be heading out to Promenade Mall in a few minutes to get the lowdown on a new storefront Census Recruiting Station.

Joe Goodwin from the Census Bureau office in Tulsa says 5,000 temporary census workers are still needed in our state for the 2010 nose count of Americans.

Under counting during the Census could cost our state big bucks. Many federal programs determine how much money a state gets based on its population as determined by the once a decade census. The Census also determines the number of seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representatives. Based on the last count, Oklahoma lost a seat.

If you’d like to apply for a job with the Census you must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, pass a screening test, and have two forms of legal I.D.

You can drop in to take the Census screening test at Tulsa’s Promenade Mall through the end of the holiday season. Or, you may call the Census Bureau at 1-866-861-2010 to find a more convenient location. The Census Bureau has offices in five Oklahoma cities Tulsa, Tahlequah, Enid, Oklahoma City & Lawton.

Census Information can also be found on the Bureau’s website. www.2010censusjobs.gov