Tulsa World Tweaks 'Real time' Website

The Tulsa World, like The Oklahoman, has tweaked its website with the addition of new features and a redesigned look.

The new site includes video links and more graphics tied to stories. Stories also include lead-ins to reader comments on the stories.

The redesign includes a wide array of story cagtegories spread across the second half of the home page along with an altered masthead.

Web Editor Jason Collington writes the changes are designed to emphasize "real time" reporting where readers can find news now rather than tomorrow morning.

He writes today: "We are happy to share with our customers a redesigned tulsaworld.com. We have listened to your feedback and made changes to improve everything from loading speed to added features. This is only the beginning of improvements that will debut throughout the coming year."

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Big Pensions Draw Legislative Attention Again

By Mick Hinton, Capitol Bureau, Tulsa World ~ Legislation to close a loophole in state law that allows some elected officials to retire with pensions bigger than the salaries they earned on the job has survived two committee hearings. But it is still questionable that a bill to abolish the loophole will become law this session, since numerous attempts in previous years have failed.

Republican lawmakers are trying to get the enhanced pension benefits abolished.

Most Democratic legislators are opposed to closing the loophole that helps hundreds of elected county officials throughout the state.

Lobbyist Dave Herbert, former state senator who represents county officers at the State Capitol, said it is only right that they get the enhanced benefits. "You suffered through a crappy old government job so you could have a decent pension when you retired," he said.

Read the entire story at www.tulsaworld.com.

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Worldwide Quran News Coverage Surprises Some

From The Tulsa World ~ Marjan Seirafi-Pour and state Rep. Rex Duncan can agree on one thing. Both were astounded by the state, national and international attention given to the lawmaker's refusal nearly two weeks ago to accept a centennial copy of the Quran, the holy book of the Islamic faith. The Governor's Ethnic American Advisory Council, whose members are Muslim, offered copies of the Quran to 149 state lawmakers, and 35 declined, said Seriafi-Pour, a Norman resident and the council's chairwoman. Most of those who declined, including Duncan, are Republicans. Read all of Mick Hinton's story at www.tulsaworld.com.

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Tulsa Judge: Concealed Carry A Good Thing

From the Tulsa World Online ~ A new law specifying that district judges can have guns in courthouses is "important and wise legislation," said a Tulsa judge who made headlines when he armed himself during a court commotion a year and a half ago.

The law, signed last week by Gov. Brad Henry, "will greatly enhance court house security for all the citizens," Tulsa County District Judge Tom Thornbrugh said.

The law clarifies what had been the common understanding of the law and adds the component of requiring a judge who wants to keep a firearm at the courthouse to have appropriate training, he said. The law requires a judge to possess a concealed handgun license if he or she is to have a gun on the job.

In 2005, Thornbrugh armed himself in the wake of a disturbance involving deputy sheriffs and an in-custody defendant who was on trial for attempted rape. While jurors were excused from the courtroom, a loud struggle developed behind the closed door of a room where the defendant had been taken for a restroom break. Thornbrugh said he retrieved a pistol from his chambers and positioned himself in the courtroom to watch the door of that room until other deputies arrived. He said he had a permit to carry a concealed weapon and that he kept the gun unloaded in a desk but loaded it before responding to the emergency.

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Trebilcock Apologizes For 'Poor Decision Making'

From The Tulsa World Online: Rep. John Trebilcock, Broken Arrow Republican who was arrested on a drunken-driving complaint over the weekend, apologized to his family and others Tuesday in a statement in which he explained the circumstances surrounding his arrest and took responsibility for what he said was "poor decision making."

"Driving and alcohol don't mix," said Trebilcock. "I am prepared to accept the consequences, legal and otherwise, for my actions."

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