Published: January 06, 2009 09:59 pm      

1-7 Oklahoma City news in brief

OKLAHOMA CITY — Corn eyeing race for lieutenant governor

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State Sen. Kenneth Corn has told reporters he will make an announcement next week on a possible race for lieutenant governor.

Corn, D-Poteau, has about $100,000 in his Senate campaign account that can be transferred to make the race.

He has been considering a statewide race for months, and speculation that he’ll jump into the contest for lieutenant governor has increased since the Democratic incumbent, Jari Askins, told supporters in a letter last week that she intends to run for governor.

Corn was elected to the Senate in 2002 after two terms in the House.



Oklahoma to share in $600M in disaster assistance

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma will get more than $6.5 million dollars from the federal government in disaster and social services assistance because of natural disasters last year.

Federal Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mike Leavitt announced Tuesday that Oklahoma is one of 19 states and Puerto Rico that will share $450 million in disaster assistance.

Another $150 million will be shared by four states to help recover from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Oklahoma was hit by numerous natural disasters in 2008 including ice storms, a tornado that hit Picher, storms and flooding and a continuing drought in the Panhandle.

The money is to provide individuals and families with social services and health services, including mental health services. It’s also to help states repair, renovate and build health care and mental health facilities, child care centers and other social service facilities.