Flash Point Focuses On Behenna Case

The case of Army Lt. Michael Behenna of Edmond, convicted by a military tribunal of killing a known Al Qaida operative in Iraq, was discussed on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show today.

Behenna's conviction came after military prosecutors withheld evidence from their own forensics expert favorable to Behenna, an act former federal prosecutors say demands Behenna be given a new trial.

Behenna's mother, federal prosecutor Vicki Behenna, discussed the case with Mike Turpen and guest Jeff Cloud, substituting for Kirk Humprheys.

Also discussing the case, and calling for a new trial, were former federal prosecutors Robert McCampbell and Dan Webber.

Appeals in the case have been directed to the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and to the secretary of the Army.

For more information on the case, go to http://www.defendmichael.com/.

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Murphy, Roth Clash On 'Flash Point'

Republican Dana Murphy and Democrat Jim Roth raked each other over the campaign coals in a Sunday morning appearance on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show.

The candidates for the short term on the Corporation Commission are in what polls show is a tight race for the seat now held by Roth, appointed by Governor Henry when Republican Denise Bode resigned.

Co-host Mike Turpen, Democrat, asked Roth about his charges that Murphy forged a family member's signature on an oil and gas lease during a divorce proceeding years ago. Roth produced documents and said "every Republican opponent" Murphy has had has brought up the matter.

Roth said the "bar for ethics...must be high" and suggested Murphy doesn't meet the test.

Murphy responded that the issue "really...is whether I had permission" to sign the document. She says she did, and there was no intent to defraud anyone.

Murphy countered that Roth is using his Commission assistant to work in his campaign. She also cited Roth's DUI arrest in 1995 as an example of events in the past.

Roth countered with yet another allegation, saying Murphy has taken discounted rent from an entity regulated by the Commission. Murphy said the office she rented from Ralph Harvey of Marlin Oil Company didn't work out because of access limitations and she rented another office as her campaign headquarters.

"My ethics are impeccable," Roth asserted. Questions about Roth's ethics arose when he voted in opposition to a coal-power plant that was opposed by Roth's campaign co-chairman, top fundraiser and maximum donor Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy Corp. As Oklahoma County commissioner, Roth spearheaded the rebuilding of a roadway and a new bridge to the Deer Creek Tree Farm in Arcadia, owned by McClendon. McClendon was a maximum donor to Roth's commission campaign.

Murphy noted that Roth has not addressed questions about his ethics and noted he's had to return some donations to his campaign because of ethics laws. Inexplicably, she did not mention Roth's alliance with McClendon or question his vote on the coal-power plant.

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Murphy, Roth Face Off On 'Flash Point'

Corporation Commission candidates Dana Murphy and Jim Roth face off in this Sunday's edition of "Flash Point" on KFOR-Channel 4. The show, which airs at 9:30 a.m., was taped earlier this week.

The two are locked in what a recent poll shows is a tight race for the short-term commission seat now held by Democrat Roth, appointed by Governor Henry when Republican Denise Bode resigned to head the Clean Skies Foundation in Washington.

Murphy, a former administrative law judge, and Roth, former Oklahoma County commissioner, have battled this week over Roth's allegations about Murphy.

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Humphreys To Join Turpen On 'Flash Point'

Former Oklahoma City Mayor Kirk Humphreys will replace Burns Hargis as co-host of KFOR-TV's Sunday political talk show, "Flash Point."

Humphreys was selected to join Democrat Mike Turpen and moderator Kevin Ogle on the long-running show following an audition process. An announcement is expected soon.

Others who auditioned for the show included public relations specialist Renzi Stone, radio talk show host and blogger Ron Black and longtime Republican activist Rodd Moesel, sources said.

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Who Will Replace Hargis On 'Flash Point'?

Who will replace Burns Hargis as the Republican counterpoint to Democrat Mike Turpen on KFOR-TV's long-running Sunday morning "Flash Point" show?

An announcement from the station is expected soon and one of those who auditioned, conservative radio talk show host and blogger Ron Black, says it's not him. Black reports he auditioned for the spot, but lost out to "a Chamber-friendly pseudo-conservative."

It is known that Black, Oklahoma City public relations specialist Renzi Stone and former Mayor Kirk Humphreys were among those who auditioned.

Hargis has been named president of Oklahoma State University. Legislation approved by a House panel today would speed up his take over as president of Oklahoma State University.He was named the school's 18th president by the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents on December 4. But state law forbids him from taking over as president for a full year after resigning as an OSU regent. He stepped down from that post in July.

A bill passed by the House Education Committee on Wednesday would shorten the waiting period to just six months. That would allow Hargis to take over as soon as the bill becomes law.The measure now goes to the full House for action. It must also be approved by the Senate and signed by Gov. Brad Henry.

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Renzi Stone Sits In On 'Flash Point'

Oklahoma City public relations specialist Renzi Stone, the former University of Oklahoma basketball player, was Sunday's guest co-host on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show, sitting in for Burns Hargis.

Stone heads Saxum Communications.

Hargis has been named the new president of Oklahoma State University and there's been considerable speculation about his replacement. Stone may be the first of many Republicans the station will audition as Hargis' replacement. There's been no official announcement from the station and Stone wasn't introduced as a possible future co-host with Democrat Mike Turpen.

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Flash Point: Who Will Replace Hargis?

The selection of Burns Hargis as the new president of Oklahoma State University apparently means he will leave his 15-year role as the co-host of KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" political talk show. Co-host Mike Turpen is quoted in today's The Oklahoman as saying that while he's happy for Hargis, "I hate to lose a Flash Point partner in the process." The show airs Sunday mornings at 9:30. Hargis won't officially become OSU's president until summer, and it's likely he'll continue on the show until that time, or nearer it.

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Cargill Plans Reduction In State Boards

Republican House Speaker Lance Cargill said Sunday that Republican leaders in the Oklahoma House are looking for ways to consolidate some of the 515 state agencies, boards and commissions in Oklahoma.

Cargill made his remarks on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show with Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen.

Cargill plans an interim study this month to look at the number of agencies the state has and how many might be consolidated or eliminated to boost efficiency in state government.

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Turpen: Hillary Raised $305,000

Mike Turpen says Hillary Clinton's recent fundraiser for Hillary Clinton at Oklahoma City's Skirvin Hotel raised $305,000, up from the $282,000 initially reported.

Turpen discussed the event on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point" show with Burns Hargis and Kevin Ogle. Turpen said the goal was to raise $200,000 for Clinton's bid for the Democratic nomination for president.

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