Four stories that were trending or generated discussion online or on KGOU’s social media platforms during the past week.
Oklahoma saw its largest tornado since the 2013 outbreak on Monday, when an EF4 twister tore through the community of Katie just west of Interstate 35 near Garvin County. Two people were killed – one in Wynnewood, the other in Connerville – as at least seven tornadoes touched down in central and northern Oklahoma. On Tuesday, Gov. Mary Fallin declared a state of emergency for several Oklahoma counties to recover from the storms that injured at least a dozen residents and destroyed several homes and businesses.
Oh, that's sad. Heard they were bad, didn't think they had been that bad :( https://t.co/hEfP6MNHhn
— Nicole Eclectic 🧶 (@Nic_Leigh) May 10, 2016
StateImpact Oklahoma’s Joe Wertz spent a year combing through U.S. Geological Survey emails. His investigation found a disconnect between the federal agency’s opinion on what’s been causing Oklahoma’s record uptick in seismic activity, and what the Oklahoma Geological Survey presented to the public. OGS statements long said the earthquakes were likely caused by natural forces, rather than oil and gas activity, and USGS geophysicist Robert Williams called those conclusions “irresponsible.”
Reader Stephen Love Willis writes: “Even the series of smaller earth quakes ranging from 2.5 - 3.5 in Southeastern Oklahoma have caused subsidence and extensive damage to foundations of homes in the area.
The "independent inspector" who assessed the damage at our residence in Marshall County made a point of discrediting former state seismologist Austin Holland. I hardly consider that to represent an objective "inspector." Among the questions he asked was, "Did you hear the earthquake?" No. But you can feel them here.
The official response from our insurance company was that cracking walls and foundations were not earthquake related. It's just a matter of time until a critical mass of home owners weigh in on the damages they've suffered. Then the insurance industry will no longer be able to deny the source of increased seismicity in our area.”
Earlier this week several state lawmakers floated the idea of holding back funding for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections for Fiscal Year 2017 after the agency made a surprise announcement to close more than a dozen work centers scattered throughout the state. The inmates would all be moved to a prison in Granite. The legislators said they were given little notice about the plan that would have significant economic implications in their districts. Their only option, according to state Rep. Bobby Cleveland, R-Slaughterville, is to slam the lid on the coffers. A DOC spokesman said the plan will save the agency $17.5 million, and it still has to find $11 million to balance the budget this fiscal year.
This story is actually a month old, but gained quite a bit of traction this week after it was posted in the /r/Oklahoma subreddit on the aggregation and content sharing website. Former Democratic state Rep. Joe Dorman, who earned his party’s nomination for governor in 2014, is helping lead the effort by the group Oklahomans for Health. The group has 90 days to gather the roughly 86,000 signatures of registered voters in order for their initiative petition to appear as a state question during this fall’s election.
/u/bubbafatok writes: “I just wish they'd drop the "medical" aspect. It might be easier to sell as a cost saving tactic, from a law enforcement and prison system standpoint. Hell, a recreational bill just passed a Texas house committee.
That’s a look at four stories that audiences appreciated on KGOU’s social media and online platforms this week. We’re always interested in your comments, feel free to write to us at news@kgou.org.
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