News Minute: Here is the latest Oklahoma news from The Associate - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

News Minute: Here is the latest Oklahoma news from The Associated Press at 8:40 a.m. CDT

LANGSTON, Okla. (AP) - A 3.0-magnitude earthquake has shaken parts of central Oklahoma. The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake was recorded at 1:50 p.m. Sunday about 9 miles north-northwest of Langston. The temblor was recorded at a depth of about 3 miles. No injuries or damage were reported. Geologists say damage is not likely in earthquakes below magnitude 4.0.

SAND SPRINGS, Okla. (AP) - Authorities say arson is suspected in a series of grass fires that burned acreage and forced evacuations in northeastern Oklahoma. Sand Springs police are searching for two individuals who might have ignited a blaze that slowed traffic for several hours due to thick smoke that reduced visibilities on Friday afternoon. Police Capt. Todd Enzbrenner says authorities are investigating reports that two men were spotted leaving the area on motorcycles.

INOLA, Okla. (AP) - An Italian tissue paper manufacturer is investing $360 million to build a new plant in northeastern Oklahoma that it says will support 300 area jobs. Sofidel Group announced the plan Friday as it broke ground on the project in Inola, a town of 1,900 people located about 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Tulsa.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - Republicans in Oklahoma are confronting a serious budget crisis that began after they took full control of state government in 2010. GOP lawmakers tried to make the state a model of conservative principles, with lower taxes, lighter regulation and a raft of business-friendly reforms. But those moves have left Oklahoma painfully short of money. The outlook is so grim that some Republicans are willing to consider the ultimate heresy: tax increases to fund education and health care.

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