HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL H SC
75 years of air traffic control
BUSINESS, 4B
On the fast track The blazing quickness of Putnam City’s Casey Curtis, No. 12 on our Super 30 list of top recruits, is what makes him stand out. SPORTS, 1C
THE OKLAHOMAN WEDNESDAY, JULY 13, 2011
75¢
NEWSOK.COM
INSIDE
COVERING OKLAHOMA SINCE 1907
CASEY ANTHONY
Despite brief reprieve for state, heat is still on
CAUTION URGED ON LAW PLANS An Oklahoma conservative watchdog group said lawmakers should refrain from plans to write legislation responding to last week’s acquittal of Casey Anthony in her daughter’s death.
BY BRYAN PAINTER Staff Writer bpainter@opubco.com
STATE, 13A
A weak tropical system brought slight relief Tuesday to some of the state, carrying a little rain and snapping a streak of tripledigit heat for areas including Oklahoma City, but that break is expected to be short-lived. The moisture from the Gulf Coast kept Oklahoma City’s official high temperature to 98 degrees, breaking a string of 13 days over 100 degrees. Those broiling hot conditions are expected to return Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, with predicted highs of 100, 104 and 106, respectively.
FOOD
GOING TO THE DOGS The people behind Big Truck Tacos are up to new tricks at Mutts Amazing Hot Dogs, their new fast-casual concept. LIFE, 1D
WEATHER
MOSTLY SUNNY
‘Hand in hand’ The ongoing drought throughout the Southern Plains is contributing to the heat wave, said Gary McManus, of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey. “Extreme heat and drought go hand in hand, as Oklahoma has seen in its past,” he said. “The extreme droughts of the 1930s and 1950s produced many of Oklahoma’s heat records.” And it’s true that even some summers in the last 15 years, such as 1996, 2000 or 2006, have produced a few really hot days. But this heat wave is different, and McManus talked Tuesday about the factors having contributed to a summer in which the Oklahoma Mesonet weather network has had a station reach at least 100 degrees 54 days so far this year. The first 100-degree day was recorded April 3 at the Altus, Mangum, Hollis, Retrop and Butler Mesonet sites. With the drought SEE HEAT, PAGE 4A
High: 100 Tonight’s low: 76 BUSINESS, 6B
IN BRIEF GOP OFFERS NEW POWERS Two pedestrians try to take shelter from the rain Tuesday as they run across the intersection of Main and Broadway in downtown Oklahoma City. PHOTO BY JOHN CLANTON, THE OKLAHOMAN
MORE COVERAGE I RODEO HEATS UP: Contestants at the International Finals Youth Rodeo did whatever was necessary to keep their animals and themselves cool Tuesday. I WATER LINE WOES: Workers in southwest Oklahoma City repaired a water line that broke Tuesday, sending water gushing 50 feet into the air. NEWS, 4A
I RATIONING: Hot weather calls for water conservation, Carrie Coppernoll writes. NEWS, 5A
Contestant Shiane Lockard, of Tecumseh, takes a drink of water Tuesday during the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee. PHOTO BY PAUL HELLSTERN, THE OKLAHOMAN
I UTILITIES: High temperatures are causing an increase in electricity usage and rise in monthly bills.
House bill targets new light bulb rules
El Reno police search for source of Box drugs
WASHINGTON — Having to buy a squiggly fluorescent light bulb is an affront to personal freedom, some lawmakers are saying as the House decides whether to overturn a law setting new energy-efficiency
standards for the bulbs. House Republicans are pushing legislation that would overturn measures in a 2007 energy act requiring efficiency upgrades in the old-fashioned incandescent light bulb, little changed since it was
AP PHOTO
A study released Tuesday found men are at higher risk than women of developing cancer within their lifetime, and they also are more likely to die from it. NATION, 7A
EL RENO — The El Reno Police Department is continuing to investigate the May 19 death of Sooner linebacker Austin Box in an attempt to determine the source of the prescrip-
tion drugs he consumed, Police Chief Ken Brown confirmed Tuesday. However, identifying a source may be difficult unless someone steps forward, Brown said. “Unfortunately, this day and time, prescription
Visit www.wimgo deals.com to purchase today’s deal and receive an instant voucher via email. Today’s deal is $12 for guitar lessons from Guitar for Kids ($25 value). Wimgo is now offering more than one deal a day. Details on Page 2A.
SEE BOX, PAGE 5A
IN MEMORY
Give youth the courage to go beyond what is easy and to use the talents You gave them. Amen. 5D 1B 1E 6E
Staff Writer rellis@opubco.com
SEE BULBS, PAGE 3A
TODAY’S PRAYER
Advice Business Classified Comics
BY RANDY ELLIS
Compact fluorescent light bulbs like the one above are sparking a debate in Congress.
CANCER MORE FATAL FOR MEN?
24-HOUR DEAL
OU LINEBACKER’S DEATH INVESTIGATED
Associated Press
NATION, 6A
BUSINESS, 1B
GOP MEASURE IS BEING CONSIDERED
BY JIM ABRAMS
Senate Republicans unexpectedly offered to hand President Barack Obama new powers to avert a first-ever government default threatened for Aug. 2.
Crossword Opinion Sports TV
6E 10A 1C 4D
Volume 120, 189 Five sections Copyright 2011 The Oklahoma Publishing Co., Oklahoma City All rights reserved
Farewell to Betty Ford From top left, former first lady Nancy Reagan (partially obscured), former President George W. Bush, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, first lady Michelle Obama and former first lady Rosalynn Carter watch Tuesday as the coffin of former first lady Betty Ford was brought into a church in Palm Desert, Calif. At lower left is former first lady of California, Maria Shriver. NATION, 2A AP PHOTO