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University of Oklahoma regents meet in closed session regarding 'ongoing personnel issues'
By K.S. McNutt
Staff writer kmcnutt@oklahoman.com
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents declined to answer questions Wednesday after a 2 1/2 hour closed meeting to discuss information from an investigation into sensitive personnel issues.
"Today’s meeting covered information that is confidential and related to ongoing personnel issues, and I can’t comment on any of these unresolved personnel issues," Chairman Leslie Rainbolt-Forbes said after the meeting on OU's Oklahoma City campus.
"Our goal is to ensure the investigation’s integrity and any comment would be highly inappropriate," said Rainbolt-Forbes, who read from a prepared statement that ended with, "No regent will make a comment nor a statement nor will anyone answer questions.
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Community, law enforcement to meet during 'Let's Talk' event Saturday
Staff reports
The Cleveland County sheriff’s office and the Police and Community Trust Initiative (PACT) will host a community forum for Cleveland County residents and law enforcement from 2 to 4 p.m.
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Friends of the Library Booksale 2019 set for Saturday and Sunday
Staff reports
"Books — No Batteries Required," the 39th annual Friends of the Library Booksale, will be from 9 a.m.
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Livable Communities Survey remains open through February
Staff reports
AARP’s Livable Communities survey is open to Norman residents age 40 and older through February.
The survey is seeking residents' opinions on key living factors for the Norman community, and results will be shared with the city of Norman.
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Adopt a pet: Oklahoma City-area pet adoption options
Bethany Animal Control Shelter, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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OU Regents call special closed door meeting to discuss potentially multiple probes
Staff reports
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents has called a special meeting Wednesday to discuss "personnel investigation(s).
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OKC, Edmond, Norman classes canceled Tuesday
From Staff Reports
Classes are canceled Tuesday across the Oklahoma City metro due to inclement weather.
Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman and Moore are among the closed school districts.
To view an updated list of weather-related delays and closures, or to submit your own, go to our closings page.
Oklahoma City Public Schools
">Edmond Public Schools
">Moore Public Schools
">Read more on NewsOK.com
University of Oklahoma regents to discuss investigation
NORMAN (AP) — The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents have scheduled a special meeting to discuss an undisclosed "personnel investigation.
Read more on NewsOK.com
Adopt a pet: Oklahoma City-area pet adoption options
Bethany Animal Control Shelter, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Read more on NewsOK.com
Voters keep late Edmond mayor on ballot for general election, select new Norman mayor
By Josh Wallace
Staff writer jwallace@oklahoman.com
A deceased man is headed to the general election for Edmond mayor after voters on Tuesday gave late Mayor Charles Lamb enough votes for a top-two finish with former Mayor Dan O’Neil.
O’Neil garnered 3,492 votes, or 55.91 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting, while Lamb took 2,038 votes, or 32.63 percent.
Richard Prawdzienski received 716 votes, or 11.46 percent, according to unofficial results.
O'Neil and Lamb will be on the ballot in the April 2 general election.
Lamb, who died at age 72 in December shortly after filing for another term, was being promoted by some Edmond residents who opposed the other candidates on the ballot.
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Adopt a pet: Oklahoma City-area pet adoption options
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Bethany Animal Control Shelter, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Read more on NewsOK.com
28 University of Oklahoma employees cut in first layoffs of 2019
By K.S. McNutt
Staff Writer kmcnutt@oklahoman.com
NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma announced Thursday the first layoffs of the new year — 28 positions on the Norman and Health Sciences Center campuses expected to result in an annual savings of more than $2 million.
The reduction in force came a week after OU’s chief financial officer reported OU is “operating on a very thin margin right now” as officials continue to look for efficiencies department by department.
“It’s very difficult work.
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Stitt to look for diversity in next OU regent
By Ben Felder
Staff Writer bfelder@oklahoman.com
Gov. Kevin Stitt wants to add diversity to the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, the governor-appointed body that currently has one vacancy.
“There is not an African American at this time on that board and that would be something I would certainly look for,” Stitt said Thursday at the state Capitol.
The university has drawn criticism following two recent racist incidents, including a social media post of a student in blackface.
The Black Student Association and the Legislative Black Caucus have called on OU to seek more multicultural faculty, staff and administrators.
Those same groups also have said diversity is needed on the Board of Regents.
“We need someone who can relate to the issues of the students in that position, and particularly the students of color,” said Sen.
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Norman man accused of embezzling more than $100,000 from company
By Josh Dulaney
Staff Writer jdulaney@oklahoman.com
A Norman man has been charged with three counts of felony embezzlement for allegedly stealing high-grade aluminum from his employer and selling it over the course of more than four years.
Michael Angelo Fabri, 56, is accused of stealing more than $100,000 in aluminum from MD Building Products in Oklahoma City and selling the material to Metal Check, a scrap recycling center also based in Oklahoma City.
More than 420 such transactions took place from September 2014 to December 2018, police reported in a court affidavit.
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Norman handmade market to offer jewelry, gifts and artwork
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — Locals will find accessories, art, jewelry, leather work and other handmade gifts during STASH’s Flower Power Market from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
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Achievers
OK Lynn Linda
Several metro-area Scouts recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
Ryan James Karow, of Edmond, has earned his Eagle Scout rank.
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Friends of the Norman Library to host 'Love of Books" sale Friday through Sunday
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — The Friends of the Norman Library will host the "For the Love of Books Sale" from Friday through Sunday.
Formerly the "Romance and More" sale, this sale now includes all general sale categories.
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Speaker to explore spiritual path of love
FROM STAFF REPORTS
NORMAN — A lecture titled "Rumi and the Sufi Path of Love" will be presented from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
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University of Oklahoma CFO says financial condition remains 'very troubling' despite progress
By K.S. McNutt
Staff Writer kmcnutt@oklahoman.com
The University of Oklahoma’s financial condition remains “very troubling,” despite steps taken since July 1 to improve the situation, OU’s chief financial officer said in a report to the OU Board of Regents.
“We have made some serious progress in the last seven months to correcting this,” CFO Ken Rowe said.
“It’s very difficult work.
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With wait over, Bengals hire Zac Taylor as coach
By JOE KAY
CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals have hired Zac Taylor as their coach, heading in different direction after failing to get a playoff win during Marvin Lewis' 16 seasons.
They targeted the Rams quarterbacks coach as Lewis' replacement, but weren't able to close a deal until LA's season ended with a 13-3 loss to the Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday night.
After three straight losing seasons and 28 years without a playoff victory, Cincinnati has decided to join the wave — turning to a young, offensive-minded coach.
They and the Dolphins were the last two teams waiting to hire new coaches.
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