Sometimes it’s easy to miss an event, so here’s a look back at the past week or so to help bring you up to date:
Oklahoma City Public Schools hired Karl Springer as its new superintendent. Springer has been Mustang superintendent since 1999 and has worked in Oklahoma schools since 1977.
State schools Superintendent Sandy Garrett told education leaders these three things will improve education: Schools must make better use of students’ time, embrace technology and free counselors from their extra duties.
Gov. Brad Henry has named Steve Burrage, a longtime banker in Antlers, as the state’s auditor and inspector. Burrage, who said he’ll seek a full term in 2010, replaces Jeff McMahan who, with his wife, was convicted last month on felony corruption charges.
The former SuperSonics played in the Orlando, Fla., summer league in new jerseys, spelling out Oklahoma City. Judge Marsha Pechman, who was to rule in the lawsuit between Seattle and the team owners on the day of the settlement, wouldn’t say what she would decide. Saying the former owners signed away their right to contest a move to Oklahoma City, the NBA has asked to join the legal fight to help prevent coffee mogul Howard Schultz from voiding the former Sonics’ sale.
The drought in the Panhandle has reached the seriousness of the Dust Bowl, state Agriculture Secretary Terry Peach said after a tour of Cimarron County and a meeting with 70 area ranchers.
Thousands of Northern California residents fled their homes in Paradise, Calif., in front of a wind-stoked wildfire.
An analysis of tax forms finds that fewer Oklahomans are giving part of their tax refunds to charities through the checkoff box donation program. The wildlife program, for example received $19,231 in the latest fiscal year. Its best year was in the 1980s, when $213,840 was donated.
The state Pardon and Parole Board has recommended clemency for Kevin Young, 43, who was convicted of killing Joseph Sutton during a 1996 robbery at Charles Steak House.
Republican John McCain’s health plan calls for a $2,500 tax credit for individuals who buy their own health insurance and for treating employer contributions toward coverage as taxable income.
Democrat Barack Obama has decided to break with tradition and accept his party’s nomination at Mile High Stadium instead of at the site of the party’s national convention across town. The last time this was done was in 1960, when John Kennedy gave his acceptance speech at the Los Angeles Coliseum.
Clem McSpadden, who represented Oklahoma in Congress in the 1970s and represented all that was good about rodeo his whole life, died of cancer. He was 82.
Mourners gathered in Raleigh, N.C., to grieve former Sen. Jesse Helms who died on the Fourth of July.
The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered airlines to inspect certain MD-80s for cracks on overwing frames.
Iraq has stepped up pressure on the United States to set a specific timetable for withdrawal of U.S. forces. Some type of agreement is needed to keep Americans in Iraq after a U.N. mandate expires Dec. 31.
After a lengthy and bitter debate, the U.S. Senate approved new wiretapping rules.
Iran test-fired seven missiles including the 1,250-mile range Shahab-3.
Salmonella cases are still climbing, and the government is now investigating some kinds of peppers as a possible culprit. Since April, 1,017 people in the U.S. and Canada have been sickened.
Leaders of developing countries have agreed to work with industrialized nations to curb greenhouse gas emissions at the Group of Eight meeting in Japan.
Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer for the 2008 Wimbledon men’s title in a record 4-hour, 48-minute match.