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Judge doubts Oklahoma ready for Nov. 13 execution

By WTOP Staff

TIM TALLEY
Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A federal judge said Thursday he is concerned Oklahoma will not be able to implement new guidelines and training for executions before three inmates are scheduled to die this fall.

“I’m having a hard time seeing how all of this can be done,” U.S. District Judge Stephen Friot said during a hearing in a lawsuit filed by 21 death-row inmates in Oklahoma who allege that their executions could be cruel and violate their constitutional rights.

“The timing issues become that much more prominent,” Friot said in denying the state’s motion to stay the lawsuit. He suggested the state seek a delay of executions while the lawsuit continues and said there would be an injunction hearing “pretty soon,” but did not set a specific date.

Assistant Attorney General John Hadden told Friot during the hearing that he needed to consult with prison and other state officials before deciding on a course of action. Aaron Cooper, a spokesman for Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, said in an email to The Associated Press that the office had no comment.

If the state does nothing, Friot said he will consider the inmates’ request to postpone all executions.

Oklahoma recently said it would revamp its procedures for administering lethal injections, retrain its staff and renovate its death chamber after the April 29 execution of Clayton Lockett, who writhed and moaned before he was declared dead 43 minutes after his execution began.

State prison officials have said they intend to have the new guidelines and equipment in place in time for the first scheduled execution of Charles Frederick Warner on Nov. 13. But the lawsuit, which was not updated after a report this month that detailed the state investigation’s findings and recommendations, alleges prison officials are experimenting on them and that the drugs being used are not suitable for executions.

“We do not want our plaintiffs to suffer the cruel and unusual punishment that we believe Clayton Lockett suffered,” said attorney Patti Ghezzi, who represents some of the inmates.

Friot said legal papers filed by both sides indicate they both want the same thing: a method of administering lethal injections that meets constitutional requirements and avoids mishaps. He suggested the lawsuit could be resolved with the help of an independent mediator.

Warner, 47, had been set to die on the same day as Lockett but his execution was postponed. Warner was convicted in the 1997 rape and murder of 11-month-old Adrianna Walker, the daughter of his roommate.

Oklahoma also has set Richard Eugene Glossip’s execution for Nov. 20. Glossip, 51, was convicted in the 1997 death of Barry Alan Van Treese, whom Glossip feared would fire him for failing to properly maintain a south Oklahoma City motel, according to prosecutors.

John Marion Grant, 53, is scheduled to be executed Dec. 4 for stabbing corrections worker Gay Carter to death in 1998 after Carter had removed Grant from a job in the prison kitchen.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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