CONFERENCE SPURS HEATED DEBATE OVER IMMIGRATION LAW
The University of Tulsa's broad investigation of state and federal immigration law trends Friday could not escape the divisive shadow of Oklahoma's House Bill 1804. The Tulsa Journal of Comparative and International Law Symposium saw panelists voice criticism of 1804 in almost every program, with one panel quickly emerging as a lopsided tag-team match. - Kirby Lee Davis

NATURAL GAS MAKES BIG GAINS
Natural gas has come a long way in Oklahoma. Once perceived as a nuisance, natural gas makes up 80 percent of exploration and production in the state. Nearly 50 years ago, natural gas went for as low as 1 cent per thousand cubic feet. Today it's back to near the $10 mark. - Jerry Shottenkirk

BATTLE OVER HEALTH INSURANCE CONTINUES
The battle over health insurance in Oklahoma came to the fore in the Oklahoma State Senate last week, as a group of senators started the debate with a controversial piece of legislation. State Sen. Jim Wilson, D-Tahlequah, started the debate by filing Senate Bill 2114. The measure would have required any health benefit plan offered in Oklahoma to cover any health care services deemed by a health care professional to be medically necessary. The measure failed to pass, but Wilson said he will bring the bill to the floor once more. - Janice Francis-Smith

BANK OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY TO EMBEZZLING $5.5 MILLION
A Wagoner bank officer has pleaded guilty to embezzlement in a case that involved the loss of more than $5.5 million from more than 90 bank customers over a five-year period. Rhonda Harris, 50, was accused of defrauding Arvest Bank through embezzlement and money laundering. - Marie Price

EVOLUTION OF THE TUPPERWARE PARTY
Welcome to the 21st-century-style Tupperware parties. While the older version is still alive, a new crop of parties featuring clothing, jewelry and home products are making its way to homes across Oklahoma. - Heather Caliendo

RAM ENERGY REPORTS INCREASE IN PROVED RESERVES
When Ram Energy Resources completed the purchase of Ascent Energy in late 2007, the acquisition included 18.6 million barrels of oil equivalent of proved reserves. The reserves added from the purchase of Plano, Texas-based Ascent were the principal factor in Ram Energy's 113-percent increase in proved reserves for 2007. - Staff Report