Oklahoma

NORMAN, Okla. Feb 2- Weather research is taking a new turn that scientists hope will lead to better forecasts in the not-too-distant future. The National Severe Storms Laboratory wants volunteers to download the app to their iPhones or Androids to provide on-the-scene storm reports with a few taps on a screen.

The spread had narrowed earlier this month with the start up of the expanded Cushing to Texas Seaway pipeline, which had been expected to to draw down Midwest inventories bulging from rising North American production.

*Benchmark index rises most in six months in January. NEW YORK, Jan 31- Commodities handed back some of the previous day's gains on Thursday, but stronger crude oil, corn and cotton prices in January pushed the complex to its best monthly performance in six months in January.

NEW YORK, Jan 31- Brent crude oil futures rose to three-month highs on Thursday, widening its premium over U.S. crude, concerns about rising crude stockpiles in the U.S. Traders cited concerns about stockpiles at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery point for the U.S. contract, which have pushed to record highs.

TULSA, Okla.-- Oil and gas well-drilling contractor Helmerich& Payne Inc. said Thursday its fiscal first-quarter net income rose 11 percent, helped by higher drilling demand from energy companies. The Tulsa, Okla.- based company earned $159.6 million, or $1.48 per share, up from $144.3 million, or $1.32 per share, in the same quarter the year before.

*Sale of California plants not ruled out. HOUSTON, Jan 30- Phillips 66 is studying "any and all options" for its California refineries given challenges with state regulatory requirements and high costs, Chief Executive Greg Garland told analysts on Wednesday.

OKLAHOMA CITY-- The new director of Oklahoma's public television network asked the Legislature on Monday for a more than 50 percent boost in state funding for the upcoming fiscal year, even as some lawmakers are calling to entirely eliminate state funding for the agency.

SEOUL, Jan 28- U.S. crude rose on Monday, hovering near $96 per barrel, after data from Europe signalled signs of economic recovery while supply worries stemming from persisting tensions in the Middle East and Africa also supported prices. *U.S. crude climbed 11 cents to $95.99 a barrel, after settling down 7 cents at $95.88 on Friday.

Data published by the Munich- based Ifo think tank on Friday showed Germany's business morale rose to its highest level in more than half a year, indicating Europe's largest economy is gaining momentum.

OKLAHOMA CITY-- Oklahoma's overcrowded prison system needs $6.3 million before the next fiscal year or it will start refusing to accept inmates from county jails and face a legal showdown, the head of the state's prison system warned lawmakers Thursday.

*China, U.S. manufacturing grow at quickest pace in two years. LONDON, Jan 25- Oil prices rose towards $114 a barrel on Friday as robust economic data from the United States, China and Germany lifted the outlook for global fuel demand. Manufacturing in China and the United States grew this month at the quickest pace in about two years.

*China, U.S. manufacturing grow at quickest pace in two years. LONDON, Jan 25- Oil held above $113 a barrel on Friday as robust economic data from the United States, China and Germany lifted the outlook for global fuel demand. Manufacturing in China and the United States grew this month at the quickest pace in about two years.

*China, U.S. manufacturing growth at quickest pace in two years. SINGAPORE, Jan 25- Brent crude held above $113 on Friday, on track to post a second week of gains as robust economic data from the United States and China lifted the outlook for fuel demand in the world's two largest oil consumers.

"We were up earlier on improving investor confidence in Germany and the ECB's announcement that they were going to help some of the financial institutions repay some of the loans earlier, which helped support the Euro and pushed buying into the oil markets," said Gene McGillian, analyst at Tradition Energy in Stamford, Connecticut.

*China, U.S. manufacturing growth at quickest pace in two years. SINGAPORE, Jan 25- Brent crude held above $113 on Friday, on track to post a second week of gains as positive economic data from the United States and China lifted the fuel demand outlook at the world's two largest oil consumers.

OKLAHOMA CITY-- Sonic Corp. said Thursday that its president, Scott McLain, will resign from his position at the end of March. The company's Chairman and CEO, Cliff Hudson, will assume the title of president. Its stock slipped 10 cents to close at $11.38 Thursday.

*Copper rises after strong US, China manufacturing data. NEW YORK, Jan 24- U.S. oil prices rose on Thursday, as news that a troubled crude pipeline could be restored soon triggered a rebound from the previous session's losses, while copper closed higher due to strong global economic data.

NEW YORK, Jan 24- Oil prices rose in heavy trade on Thursday, buoyed by strong economic data from China, the eurozone and the United States, with U.S. crude prices getting an extra boost from expectations that the vital Seaway pipeline could resume full capacity operation within a week.

NEW YORK, Jan 24- Oil prices rose on Thursday, buoyed by strong economic data from China, the eurozone and the United States, with U.S. crude prices getting an extra boost from expectations the vital Seaway pipeline could resume full capacity operation within a week.