Oklahoma
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Lyft and Uber will cover legal fees of drivers sued under Oklahoma abortion law
Much like they did in Texas, Lyft and Uber have pledged to cover drivers sued under Oklahoma’s forthcoming SB 1503 law.
Apple says eight states have signed up to let people store IDs in Wallet
Arizona and Georgia are first up, with six more to follow.
Honda will offset 60 percent of its US electricity use with wind and solar
Honda plans to cover 60 percent of the electricity used at its North American manufacturing plants with renewable energy. Beginning next fall, Honda will purchase 530,000 MWh per year from the Boiling Spring Wind Farm in Oklahoma. In fall 2021, it will begin receiving 482,000 MWh per year from a Texas solar facility. According to Honda, this deal is the largest single purchase of solar and wind power by any automaker.
Google will have offices and data centers in 24 states by the end of 2019
Google is still closely associated with California to many people (and to a lesser degree New York), but it's determined to change that reputation. The company is launching a $13 billion expansion in 2019 that will give it a total US footprint of 24 states, including "major expansions" in 14 states. The growth includes its first data center in Nevada, a new office in Georgia, and multi-facility expansions in places like Texas and Virginia. This is on top of known projects like its future New York City campus.
US will test expanded drone use in 10 states
The US government is making good on its promise to expand the use of drones. The Department of Transportation has named the 10 projects that will participate in its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program, and they represent a wide swath of the country. Most of them are municipal or state government bodies, including the cities of Reno and San Diego, Memphis' County Airport Authority and the Transportation Departments for Kansas, North Carolina and North Dakota. However, the rest are notable: the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma will be part of the program, as will the University of Alaska-Fairbanks and Virginia Tech.
Uber offers insurance to US drivers, but only in certain states (updated)
Uber is once again blurring the lines between independent contractor and employee. This time the ride-hailing service is offering insurance to its drivers as part of a pilot program in Arizona, Delaware, Illinois, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and West Virginia according to regional publication PennLive. The injury-protection insurance is only active when a driver is logged into the app at the cost of $0.0375 per-mile. In at least a few of those markets, that will raise the per-mile price for passengers by $0.05. So, it seems the rates going up are to ensure that nothing comes out of the driver's pocket. Uber says that the increase was determined by how much the insurance would cost after taxes and fees.
This kids blanket can stop a bullet
Throughout the history of blankets, hiding behind one to escape the boogeyman has been a largely pointless tactic. Now, however, an Oklahoma company has developed a blanket that'll protect you against fictional monsters as well as the very real dangers of tornado damage and 9mm bullets. Inspired by a tragedy where 24 people died at an elementary school that didn't have a tornado shelter, Steve Walker hassled other locals to come up with a solution. A materials scientist suggested making large pads out of Dyneema, a super-thick polyethylene that's meant to be tougher than Kevlar, that kids could hide under during tornados or incidents of gun violence. The company admits that the blankets don't come cheap, since they'll cost $1,000 per child, but it's still significantly cheaper than trying to find the cash to build a shelter for every school in the state.
AT&T waiving overage charges for Oklahoma customers affected by tornadoes
This morning, AT&T sent out a message to Oklahoma customers affected by yesterday's tornado devastation noting that those in the affected areas will have all voice, data and text overages waived through June 30. The company also reminded AT&T Wireless customers across the country that they can support disaster relief efforts by texting the word REDCROSS to 90999. That text message sends a donation of $10 to the American Red Cross and is charged on the customer's monthly bill. Bryan Gonterman, state president for AT&T Oklahoma, said in a statement, "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the tornado that hit the Oklahoma City area Monday. We are coordinating with local authorities and bringing in additional resources. We recommend text messaging for communications with family, friends and loved ones given heavy call volumes."
Google data center in Oklahoma to get 48MW of wind power, boost renewable energy in the Sooner state
Google has made a point of relying on renewable resources for its data centers whenever possible, even down to the cooling. It hasn't had quite as unique an arrangement as what it's planning for its data center in Oklahoma, though. The search firm wants to supply its Mayes County location with 48MW of wind energy from Apex's Canadian Hills Wind Project, but it isn't buying power directly from the source. Instead, it's making a deal with the Grand River Dam Authority, a utility, to purchase the clean power on top of what's already supplied from the GRDA at present. The deal should keep the data center on the environmentally friendly side while giving it room to grow. Wind power will come online at Google's facility once the Canadian Hills effort is up and running later in 2012; hopefully, that gives us enough time to better understand why there's a Canadian River and Canadian Hills to be found in the southern United States.
Cox and Verizon Wireless join forces, launch service bundles in Oklahoma
It's a moderately good day to be an Oklahoman. Wireless subscribers living near Oklahoma City or Tulsa will be among the first to reap the benefits of a new collaboration between Cox Communications and Verizon Wireless that bundles services from both companies, letting customers sign up for packages that include video, internet and voice services from Cox, and wireless service from VZW at a discounted rate. They'll also be eligible to receive debit cards valued at $100-400 if they make the switch to a co-sponsored bundle. You can head over to select retail outlets from either company to sign up, or hit up the source links past the break for more info.
Oklahoma's tax on violent games killed
The Oklahoma bill that would have placed a 1 percent tax on "violent" video games was viciously murdered by the state's House Revenue and Tax Subcommittee on February 20. The bill, submitted by Representative Will Fourkiller, would have placed the tax on Teen, Mature and Adults Only-rated titles. Rep. Fourkiller tried to compromise with the "Oklahoma Task Force on Video Games' Relationship to Obesity and Aggression"... it also failed.Taxpayers in Oklahoma should probably burst out into song and thank their lucky stars. Similar legislation has been defeated in other states, with the ESA recouping costs on lawyers fees. California has paid out nearly $2 million for its unconstitutional attempts to pass laws on the matter.
Oklahoma attempts violent-game tax, ESA responds
O-K oy vey -- some States just never learn. Oklahoma State Representative William Fourkiller has proposed a 1 percent tax on Teen, Mature and Adults Only-rated games.Fourkiller says, "Violent video games contribute to some of our societal problems like obesity and bullying, but because they raise a lot of revenue, they can also provide part of the solution." The proposed bill would have half of the money go to a bullying prevention fund and the other to get kids out of the house.You can imagine the Entertainment Software Association, which just last week got the State of California to agree to reimburse it $950,000 in legal fees (on top of another check back in 2008) for fighting Brown v. EMA up to the Supreme Court, has something to say on this subject."We are disappointed that even in the wake of an overwhelming decision in the United States Supreme Court finding proposals such as this to be patently unconstitutional, there are those who still try to attack video game with outdated notions of our industry," the ESA told Joystiq. "Taxing First Amendment protected material based on its content is misguided."California will have paid the ESA more than $1,327,000 to reimburse legal fees, while other states have also had to pay back the industry's lobbying and political arm for fighting similar bills. Turn back now, Oklahoma. Turn back now while you still can!
OU professor submerses laptop in liquid nitrogen, smashes it to prove a point (video)
Hey, students -- pay attention. Not to us, mind you, but to the syllabus provided by your professor. Kieran Mullen, a physics professor at the University of Oklahoma, has a fairly strict rule about gadgets in class: there won't be any, ever, under any circumstances. Balk all you want (understandable given his own clipped-on cellie), but if you sign up for this guy's class, you'll be flipping your phone to "off" and leaving your laptop in the dormitory. And if you try to blaze your own path and slip that netbook into the back row, you might leave bitterly disappointed. As you'll see clearly in the video past the break, Mr. Mullen sought to make a visual point that laptops weren't allowed in class (he calls them "a distraction"), and while it seems that the whole stunt was premeditated, most students acknowledged that his point was driven home. In short, he took a defunct machine, submerged it in liquid nitrogen, and proceeded to make the following statement: "This is just liquid nitrogen, so it alone won't hurt the computer. But this will." Find out exactly what "this" was by hitting that 'Read More' button there on the lower left. [Thanks, studentatOU]
Oklahoma senator proposes tax incentives for devs of non-Mature games
Oklahoma offers a surprisingly accommodating atmosphere for media producers -- the state offers tax incentives for many creators of TV shows, films and commercials, provided they do said production in-state. Now, Sen. Anthony Sykes (R) is attempting to offer the same sweet deal to creators of video games, but with one small caveat -- the incentives would only apply to developers of games that garner a Teen rating or lower from the ESRB.It's a policy that's not exactly equal to somewhat similar restrictions placed on the other types incentive-earning media -- for instance, to be eligible, films and TV shows cannot contain child pornography or obscenity, meaning an R rated film or TV-MA show could ostensibly earn the incentive, while a video game adaptation of said film/show likely would not. It's not clear whether the bill will pick up enough momentum to get passed, though a similar bill was successfully adopted in neighboring state Texas.
Cox bringing Oklahoma a few new high-def channels
We have all ideas that the Sooner fanatics in Oklahoma are entirely too focused on making plans to attend the BCS National Championship game to bother with a few new HD channels from Cox, but we suppose this news will be relevant eventually. Based on a revamped high-definition lineup on the carrier's site, a number of new stations are on the horizon. A dedicated Versus HD (716) and AMC HD (795) will arrive today, while SPEED HD (728), FX HD (753), Cartoon Network HD (774) and FOX News HD (789) will land on December 31st; finally, Comedy Central HD is destined to "come soon." Go on, enjoy that well deserve spot against Florida -- but don't forget to check out your refreshed EPG while you're at it.[Thanks, Doc]
Oklahoma town provides real-time streaming from cop cars, free WiFi to residents
Traffic wardens over in the UK have been wielding handheld camcorders for well over a year now, but Ponca City, Oklahoma is making waves here in America with a slightly more sophisticated alternative. In conjunction with Honeywell, the town is implementing a broadband mesh network comprised of over 490 wireless nodes and gateways from Tropos Networks, and aside from providing free WiFi to some 30 square miles of residents, it's also hoping to use the abundant connectivity to help public safety. For instance, the city has installed wireless video cameras in police vehicles so "dispatchers and supervisors can monitor activities during traffic stops, and quickly deploy additional officers and resources if necessary." 'Course, that's just the official word -- everyone and their mother knows this is just the beginning of "C.O.P.S.: Live in Oklahoma."[Via Slashdot, image courtesy of CanMag]
Suddenlink adds three more HD channels in Muskogee, OK
We'll give you precisely one guess as to which three HD channels Suddenlink has added in Muskogee, OK. Done searching? Try The Learning Channel HD (756), Discovery Channel HD (757) and Animal Planet HD (758) -- the same exact trio that it recently pushed to Lubbock, Texas and Arkansas. We had a hunch these three were in for a pretty big ride, so here's hoping even more Suddenlink regions see 'em in the not-too-distant future.
AT&T takes Total Home DVR to five more U-verse locales
Another day, another round of U-verse Total Home DVR rollouts. This time, the good news is being bestowed upon residents of Columbus, Flint, Kansas City, Lubbock and Oklahoma City, giving each of the areas the ability to watch HD / SD DVR recordings on other connected TVs in the home. Here's hoping AT&T takes care of the rest of y'all in short order -- we're eager for some more U-verse TV expansion, as nice as this update is and all.[Thanks, Anthony]
Oklahoma City's Ford Center upping HD abilities
Haven't you heard? The Seattle SuperSonics are packing up and heading down to Oklahoma -- er, sort of, anyway. Said franchise will have to be renamed once situated in Oklahoma City's Ford Center, but whatever they end up being called, they'll surely be looking sharp on television. Reportedly, said arena will be getting an overhaul that will focus on improving the lighting and "capabilities for broadcasting games in high-definition." Eventually, management is hoping to pour some $100 million into renovating the venue, with the project mentioned here to suck up around $450,000 of that. There's no mention of details just yet (they're still waiting for bids), but fans of the to-be team will certainly want to tune in to see just how impressive the end results are.[Image courtesy of S2N Blog]
AT&T's U-verse scoots into Tulsa, Oklahoma
Look out Cox -- a new competitor just rolled into town, and it's rolling in on fiber. AT&T has just announced the launch of U-verse in Tulsa, Oklahoma, bringing high-speed internet, digital phone and fiber-based television programming (2 HD / 2 SD included) to one of OK's largest cities. As of right now, the service can be ordered by select customers in Tulsa, Jenks and Owasso, and while AT&T isn't handing out a timetable, it is stating that U-verse services will be made available to "more homes throughout the area on an ongoing basis." So, anyone going to give it a shot?
