Fallin Signs Largest Spending Bill in Oklahoma History

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin has signed into law the largest spending bill in state history. The new law sends hundreds of millions of dollars to public education and state agencies. Much of it in raises for teachers and state workers. The $7.6 Billion appropriations bill boosts funding by more than 10 percent over last year’s spending levels.   Much of the new revenue comes from a package of tax increases on cigarettes, fuel and energy production.      Fall…

Attorney for cold case suspect seeks notes about the case

From Associated Press – VINITA, Okla. (AP) – An attorney for a man accused of the 1999 deaths of an Oklahoma couple and the disappearance of two 16-year-old girls wants the mother of one of the teens to turn over notes from a private investigation she conducted. Attorney Gretchen Mosley requested the notes Monday during the first court appearance of 66-year-old Ronnie Dean Busick, who faces four counts of first-degree murder and other charges. Authorities say Danny and Kathy Freema…

University of Kansas displays new dinosaur exhibit in museum

From Associated Press – LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) – The University of Kansas says the only known dinosaur that inhabited Kansas is now on display in the school’s Natural History Museum. The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that experts believe the Silvisaurus condrayi roamed the state 100 million years ago. The dinosaur was short but relatively long, measuring about 3 feet (1-meter) tall and 10 feet (3-meter) long. The museum’s exhibit features the dinosaur fossil discovered in 1955 by War…

Kansas and Oklahoma experience calm spring

From Associated Press – WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Oklahoma and Kansas comprise much of Tornado Alley, but they haven’t recorded a single tornado this year. The Wichita Eagle reports that the two states haven’t experienced such a calm spring season in decades. Jack Boston is a senior meteorologist for AccuWeather’s Wichita office. He says the trend is “pretty incredible.” A stubborn weather pattern bringing cool, dry air from Canada to the southern Great Plains has halted the …

KS Specialty License Plate to Benefit Special Olympics

Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer has signed House Bill 2599 into law. The signing took place at an annual Shrimp Peel in Topeka benefiting Special Olympics Kansas. Revenue from the specialty license plates will benefit Special Olympics Kansas which has more than 4,300 athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the state. ABOUT SPECIAL OLYMPICS KANSAS Special Olympics Kansas (SOKS) is dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit,…