BILL WOULD MAKE MINI-TRUCKS STREET-LEGAL
Long before gas prices shot up, Edgar Hamm of Hamm's Sportsman Oasis in Frederick saw the benefit in buying a mini-truck. Now that agricultural producers, construction businesses and others are feeling the pinch from increasing costs for raw materials, state Rep. Don Armes, R-Faxon, expects to see a lot more of the diminutive utility-style vehicles in the future. - Janice Francis-Smith

U.S. HISPANIC CHAMBER'S VILLARREAL REGRETS HARD EMOTIONS OF REFORM
Massey Villarreal nodded, his eyes tense, his brow bent, as if the question itself weighed upon him. "There's too much emotion right now in immigration reform," said the chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation when reflecting on state House Bill 1804, Oklahoma's controversial law to crack down on illegal immigration. - Kirby Lee Davis

COURT REJECTS CERTIFICATION IN FORD CASE
The Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals last week rejected an attempt to certify a national class-action lawsuit against Ford Motor Co., though the court left unanswered the question of whether the group bringing the lawsuit may be certified as a statewide class. - Janice Francis-Smith

MINOR LEAGUE FRANCHISES READY FOR NBA
The Oklahoma City Blazers ice hockey team already has tasted what it's like to compete with a big-league sports franchise, and it appears it will do so again, this time on a permanent basis. - Jerry Shottenkirk

DOKC PREPARES FOR HOME TOUR CROWDS
Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. discussed event plans Wednesday at the downtown business improvement district advisory board meeting. - Kelley Chambers

OKC BONDS GARNER HIGH RATINGS
The city's strong financial position, conservative financial management and low debt again earned it high ratings from the two premier financial ratings services. - Brian Brus

TCC TO USE FEDERAL GRANT TO EXPAND IT TRAINING PROGRAM
Information technology workers in the area are few and far between. The largest grant in Tulsa Community College history is aimed at changing that. - Heather Caliendo