We remember

Staff Report

Governor Mary Fallin today released the following statement on the 18th anniversary of bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.

“On this day 18 years ago, our [capital] city was forever changed when 168 lives were taken from us in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building. Today, we remember those who were lost, and offer support to the survivors and the families left behind. We also honor the heroic efforts of the emergency responders, firefighters and law enforcement personnel who worked tirelessly to recover survivors.

“In the days after the bombing, our city came together in a display of strength, unity and resiliency that would later become known as the ‘Oklahoma standard.’ That same spirit has allowed our city to overcome this tragedy and emerge stronger than ever.

“Our hearts also are burdened today as we grieve for the victims of the bombing attacks in Boston. Oklahoma City knows all too well the pain Boston is experiencing, and we continue to offer our prayers for the victims and their families. Oklahomans – just like all Americans – are a resilient and tough people. We have full confidence that our friends in Boston will emerge from this terrible tragedy stronger.”

Boston bombing suspect (I of 2) killed

Staff Report

According to the AP, the two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing killed an MIT police officer and hurled explosives at police in a car chase and gun battle overnight that left one dead and his brother on the loose.

The suspects were identified by law enforcement officials and a family member as Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, brothers from a Russian region near Chechnya, which has been plagued by an Islamic insurgency that has carried out deadly bombings. They lived near Boston and had been in the U.S. for about a decade, an uncle said.

Tamerlan Tsarnaev, a 26-year-old who had been known to the FBI as Suspect No. 1 and was seen in surveillance footage in a black baseball cap, was killed overnight, officials said. His 19-year-old brother – dubbed Suspect No. 2 and seen wearing a white, backward baseball cap in the images from Monday’s deadly bombing at the marathon finish line – escaped.

The law enforcement officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the unfolding case.

Click here for more from the AP.

Interview with Bill Christiansen

David Arnett

In the second exclusive interview with candidates for mayor, Tulsa Today spoke with former-Councilor Bill Christiansen at his business offices at Riverside Airport. Christiansen has served for ten years on the City Council under four mayors and now seeks the top job for the City of Tulsa.

Question: What was the inspiration for you to run for Mayor?

Christiansen: Being on the City Council for ten years and experiencing a myriad of different events and situations where I felt; golly, if I was lucky enough to be mayor, I would do things differently.

Question: Would you change the relationship between the Council and the mayor’s office?

Christiansen: Not at all. I think that if you have a person in the mayor’s office that is a leader that can build relationships in a positive way like I did on the Council then it is a good system. But if the person in the mayor’s office thinks they are the boss of the city and not the leader of the city then the mayor/council form of government that we have in Tulsa today can get bogged down. If the guy or gal in the mayor’s office handles it properly and builds good relationships with the nine councilors – obviously, not everyone will agree all the time, but if you are respectful and communicate well, I believe it works.
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Governor signs Heart Screenings for Newborns Bill

Staff Report

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin today signed legislation to require a heart screening of newborns before they leave the hospital where they are born.

The new law, House Bill 1347, by state Rep. Dan Kirby and state Sen. Kim David, will require hospitals and other birthing facilities to perform a pulse oximetry screening on every newborn prior to discharge from the facility. The bill received unanimous approval in the Oklahoma Senate and nearly unanimous approval in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

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Why I endorse David Weston for Party Chair

Charlie Meadows, President OCPAC

Editorial: First let me say, this is my own opinion and not a position of the Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Ccommittee, in fact OCPAC does not endorse for such a race. In addition, many of my friends and fellow conservatives will disagree with me; however, I believe that will be the result of strong personal relationships with Amanda Teegarden, rather than an evaluation of the two candidates for the State Republican Chairman. Let me explain why I am picking my friend David Weston over my friend Amanda.

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