Gov. Fallin appoints Luck to Board of Corrections

By Staff Report

Adam Luck

Adam Luck

Governor Mary Fallin announced today she is appointing Adam Luck to the State Board of Corrections. Luck is replacing J. Matt Tilly, who resigned in October.

Luck, of Oklahoma City, will serve the remainder of Tilly’s unexpired term, which runs through 2021. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

“Adam has studied Oklahoma’s justice system so he is an ideal choice for the Board of Corrections as we look for ways to reduce the state’s prison population,” said Fallin. “We need to realize that the current approach to corrections is unsustainable.”

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Federal judge orders El Tequila to pay

By Staff Report

ElTequilaA federal judge in Tulsa overturned a jury verdict yesterday ruling that El Tequila LLC and owner Carlos Aguirre willfully violated the minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. El Tequila and Aguirre must pay $2.1 million in back wages and liquidated damages to over 300 vulnerable workers.

The U.S. Department of Labor’s case was so strong that before the trial the court, ruling on summary judgment, found that El Tequila and Aguirre had violated the FLSA’s minimum wage, overtime, and recordkeeping provisions. The court also granted the Secretary’s summary judgment motion with respect to his calculation of damages and the application of liquidated damages, and enjoined the employer from committing future violations of the FLSA.

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Most luminous galaxy is ripping itself apart

By NASA

Luminous Galaxy W2246-0526

Luminous Galaxy W2246-0526 NASA Image

In a far-off galaxy, 12.4 billion light-years from Earth, a ravenous black hole is devouring galactic grub. Its feeding frenzy produces so much energy, it stirs up gas across its entire galaxy.

“It is like a pot of boiling water being heated up by a nuclear reactor in the center,” said Tanio Diaz-Santos of the Universidad Diego Portales in Santiago, Chile, lead author of a new study.

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Benefits “fair” for earthquake rattles

By Staff Report

Rep. Mike Shelton

Rep. Mike Shelton

OKLAHOMA CITY – Measures that would directly and indirectly benefit Oklahomans who have been rattled by earthquakes will be introduced in the Legislature this year by state Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City.

The veteran lawmaker said that at some point during this year’s legislative session he intends to file an amendment to some tax credit bill. Under his proposal, everyone who has bought earthquake insurance would get an income-tax credit equal to 100% of their coverage premium.

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