Oklahoma City - The State Health Department has given final approval to new regulations for non-emergency medical transportation companies. That's after State Senator Jim Reynolds had authored legislation calling for the agency to clear the way for these companies to operate legally.

(Oklahoma City) Legislative leaders have created a special committee charged with improving health benefits for Oklahoma public school teachers and their families.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor and House Speaker Larry Adair announced appointments to the panel today, saying they are hopeful that the group will be able to find a way to make health insurance more affordable for teachers and their dependents.

A special task force on electric restructuring will hold its third meeting in Tulsa on Wednesday, November 7th.

State Senator Kevin Easley, chairman of the Electric Restructuring Advisory Committee, said the panel is in the process of touring the state, gathering information and seeking public input on how Oklahoma should proceed with the complicated issue.

The state board that oversees Oklahoma's nationally recognized career technology schools is working to dismantle the award-winning vocational education system - an action that would jeopardize the future of career technology and ultimately hinder Oklahoma's economic development efforts, according to Senator Mike Morgan, vice-chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.

(Oklahoma City) Legislative leaders are preparing to appoint a special task force to examine security issues in Oklahoma, namely the state's ability to protect its citizens from a terrorist attack.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor and House Speaker Larry Adair announced the creation of the Joint Homeland Security Task Force today, saying the panel would be charged with assessing Oklahoma's level of vulnerability and its ability to respond to such a crisis.

(Oklahoma City) A joint legislative committee charged with solving the financial problems of the Multiple Injury Trust Fund has forged a compromise, according to Governor Frank Keating and legislative leaders.

The agreement clears the way for the Legislature to reconvene in special session next week. The State House and Senate will return on Tuesday, October 23rd to consider the MITF legislation.

The compromise legislation was the product of a week of discussions by a joint panel of Republican and Democratic legislatorsand representatives of the governor's office.

(Oklahoma City) Nearly 60 years after leaving Capitol Hill High School to serve their country in World War II, a group of 17 veterans will finally be receiving their long delayed high school diplomas. That's thanks to a bill approved last session by the state legislature.

State Senator Larry Dickerson is asking Governor Keating to publicly release the results of his promised review of two controversial state contracts involving the Governor's Marriage Initiative and Safe and Drug Free Schools program.

Last month, the Poteau legislator asked that the contracts not be renewed, citing a series of questionable expenditures that have been documented in news reports.

(Oklahoma City) In an effort to end a stalemate over the Multiple Injury Trust Fund, Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor and House Speaker Larry Adair are appointing a new joint committee to continue work toward compromise legislation.

The two legislative leaders announced their plan to name a special bipartisan committee Friday, saying it was important to continue discussions on the issue.

OKLAHOMA CITY-Governor Frank Keating today agreed to amend his call for the special legislative session to include enacting a sales tax holiday. State Senator Jonathan Nichols, a leader in the fight to establish a sales tax holiday in Oklahoma, applauded the governor's decision.