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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Henry Files Turpen Regents Nomination

Governor Henry has filed his nomination of former Attorney General Mike Turpen to the Board of Regents for Higher Education, a Henry spokesman confirmed today.

Senate confirmation is required; as reported yesterday by The McCarville Report Online, it is expected the nomination will clear the Senate with word that the Republican leadership has agreed to approve it despite Turpen's presence as an activist Democratic spokesman.

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Source: Turpen Due Higher Education Seat

Former Oklahoma Attorney General and former Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Mike Turpen, a Capitol source says late today, will be named to the Board of Regents for Higher Education, replacing Cheryl Hunter.

The source says Governor Henry has "cut a deal" with the Republican Senate leadership to assure Turpen's confirmation.

Turpen, known for his close ties to former President Bill and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, is the Democratic voice on KFOR-TV's long-running "Flash Point" program.

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Turpen, Humphreys Raise Money For Cloud

The KFOR-TV "Flash Point" team of Democrat Mike Turpen and Republican Kirk Humpheys is teaming up off camera to raise money for Republican Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud.

Postcards received by potential donors announce the event, in Humphreys' Oklahoma City home, on September 23rd.

Turpen and Humphreys and their wives are hosts of the event.

Donations of $250 to $5,000 are requested.

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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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Turpen: More Than Bluff and Bluster

Former Attorney General Mike Turpen, now known mostly for his outspoken bluster as half of the Democrat-Republican team on KFOR-TV's "Flash Point," is featured in The Oklahoman's "Friday Night Lights" column today by Robert Przybylo. If you think bluff and bluster is Turpen's total persona, read Przybylo's column at http://newsok.com/article/3172458/1195791815.

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KTOK: Meacham Fundraiser For 'Unreimbursed Expenses' From 2006 Campaign

By Jerry Bohnen, NewsRadio 1000 KTOK ~ The same week that he took out full page newspaper ads and attacked Oklahoma Gas and Electric over its controversial coal-fired power plant at Red Rock, State Treasurer Scott Meacham, was planning a political fundraiser.

The September 19th event in Oklahoma City raises questions about Meacham's political future and whether it includes a possible run for Governor.

But it also fascinates political observers because one of the state's better known Republicans, banker Burns Hargis, is one of the sponsors.

Deputy State Treasurer Tim Allen, questioned whether Meacham might be holding the fundraiser in anticipation of a run for governor in two years denied it: "No, it is not for that at all," he stated. "This is a fundraiser for his State Treasurer account."

He explained that Meacham is holding the fundraiser to cover "unreimbursed expenses that date back to the campaign last year."

"The Treasurer has a need for some funds in the campaign account to pay for ongoing expenses during his term in office such as travel reimbursement, for cell phone use and that sort of thing."

But the sponsorship by Hargis might raise eyebrows in some political sectors. "First of all, it is Burns Hargis," explained Allen. "It is also Mike Turpen, hosts of Flashpoint on Channel 4. It's a bipartisan fundraiser really. Republicans and Democrats alike have supported Treasurer Meacham during his time in office."

(Note: Burns Hargis and Mike Turpen both apparently have ties to Aubrey McClendon of Chesapeake Energy, prime mover in the anti-coal plant advertising campaign featuring Meacham. Hargis said he is McClendon's banker and Turpen said that he is his lawyer.)

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Turpen: Hillary Raises $100,000 In Tulsa

Senator Hillary Clinton raised $100,000 for her presidential campaign at a Tulsa fundraiser, Mike Turpen says. He's Clinton's Oklahoma finance chairman.

Clinton was in Tulsa on Saturday and reportedly was joined by about 200 supporter at the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame.

"I don't know whether we can carry Oklahoma or not, but we're going to give it a try," she told the crowd. Turpen said Clinton has now raised more than $400,000 from Oklahoma donors and has substantial support in the state.

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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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Clinton In Oklahoma City Saturday

Senator Hillary Clinton will bring her campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination to Oklahoma City on Saturday with a fundraiser in the Centennial Ballroom of the Skirvin Hotel at 7 p.m. Hosts of the $1,000 per person event are Mike and Susan Turpen and Stuart and Linda Price. For more information, call Yael Ouzillou at 512-440-8791 or email YOuzillou@HillaryClinton.com.

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