News Brief: the Queen, Colbert and pigeons

News headlines from the week of Sept. 6-11:

• Queen Elizabeth II becomes UK’s longest reigning Monarch (BBC)

Sometime between Sunday and Monday, the 89-year-old Queen Elizabeth II surpassed the previous record reign of her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria. Elizabeth II has reigned 63 years and seven months.

 

• Teachers in Wilson, Oklahoma are training for conceal-carry permits (News on 6)

In an effort to ensure student safety, Wilson Public Schools are allowing staff members to train for conceal-carry permits. The district is paying for the staff members to complete a 120-hour class and will allow them to discretely carry handguns in classrooms and halls starting in November.

 

• Colbert debuts new ‘Late Show’ (Reuters)

The first “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” aired Tuesday on CBS and attracted 6.6 million viewers. Colbert left his news parody show on Comedy Central last year to take over “The Late Show.” David Letterman retired from the show during the summer.

 

• Democrat wins state House seat (NewsOK)

Democrat Cyndi Munson defeated Republican Chip Carter on Tuesday to win a vacant, historically Republican state House seat in northwest Oklahoma City. The House District 85 seat was vacated upon the death of David Dank on April 10.

 

• Edmond residents fight plans for another Wal-Mart store (News9)

The City of Edmond received new plans for a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market store near the intersection of Covell and Coltrane. The Edmond City Council voted down plans last year for the same store.

 

• Apple unveils new products and updates (Yahoo)

At annual fall event on Wednesday, Apple announced an iPad Pro — a larger tablet with a 12.9-inch screen, a stylus, and magnetic-attachable keyboard. Other featured updates included the Watch OS 2, Apple TV and the iPhone 6s.

 

• Animal rights group wants Inhofe’s pigeon shoot stopped (NewsOK)

Showing Animals Respect and Kindness, an animal rights group, has asked Oklahoma state law enforcement officials to cancel a pigeon shoot fundraiser planned for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe. The group claims the event violates Oklahoma humane laws.

 

• Obama ups number of Syrian refugees allowed into US (New York Times)

In response to the refugee crisis overwhelming Europe, President Obama announced Thursday that the United States would take in at least 10,000 Syrians for resettlement.

 

• Two downtown OKC buildings to be demolished (NewsOK)

The 11-story Black Hotel and the adjoining Motor Hotel were built in 1930, but will be imploded at 8 a.m. Sunday to make room for a new 27-story tower.