For many years, an urban legend has been perpetuated that being on the cover of Sports Illustrated leads to losing the subsequent competition with a resulting pop-culture myth about an SI jinx.

Along the lines of black cats and walking under ladders, Sooner football fans can hope the myth plays out as this week's cover boy is none other than Chase Daniel, the Missouri quarterback.

Daniel's top-ranked Tigers will face the Oklahoma Sooners Saturday night in San Antonio for the Big 12 conference championship.

Holly Hunter who plays Det. Grace Hanadarko (or Anadarko depending on the episode) on the set-in-OKC drama "Saving Grace" has been nominated for both a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors' Guild award in the lead actress on a television drama series.

The Golden Globe awards will be presented Jan. 13 and the Screen Actors' Guild awards will be presented Jan. 27.

The series finished airing its original 14 episodes this week on Turner Network Television. Through September, the Turner Network Television's "Saving Grace" outpaced other debuting primetime cable television series with nearly 5.3 million viewers.

Hunter won a Golden Globe in 1993 in the lead actress category for her film role in "The Piano." This is her first Screen Actors' Guild nomination.

Oklahoma City Mick Cornett announced today the City of Oklahoma City plans to call for a March 4 election to provide funding for Ford Center capital improvements and a National Basketball Association training facility.

Yes, another election. There was just one last week for the General Obligation fund. The $835 million appropriation one that city officials talked about for six months.

Guess the good news is this time around city officials have less than three months to promote it.

Theresa Hernandez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison for killing her unborn child by taking a massive amount of methamphetamine.

The judge said he believed she did not intend to kill her child, but sentenced her for endangering it through her drug habit.

Oklahoma is first in the country, per capita, for incarcerating women.

Should people like Hernandez be treated for their addiction or punished with prison? -Ben Fenwick

Because more than 74,000 signatures were needed, only two parties will be on the upcoming presidential ballot: Democrat and Republican.

OBAR

It's déjà vu all over again.

The Oklahoma City school board will meet tomorrow morning, according to an Associated Press report, to reconvene to reconsider voting to suspend embattled Superintendent John Q. Porter tomorrow amid misuse of district funds claims.

After its 5-0 vote to suspend Porter Monday, the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office later began investigating claims the board didn't properly notify the public of the time change for the meeting and didn't have a detailed-enough agenda so the board will meet again. -OKG Webmonkeys

Those holding out for the OKC Storm to draft Oklahoma Sooner women's basketball player Courtney Paris may have had their dreams dashed.

According to ESPN.com , a group of Seattle women will purchase the Seattle Storm Women's National Basketball Association franchise from Oklahoma City-based Professional Basketball Club LLC for $10 million.

Clay Bennett and other owners including Cheseapeake's Aubrey McClendon and SandRidge's Tom Ward purchased both the National Basketball Association's Seattle SuperSonics and WNBA Seattle Storm franchises for $350 million in 2006.

PBC filed paperwork with the NBA to relocate the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City in Nov. 2007.

The Storm won the WNBA championship title in 2004. - OKG Webmonkeys

House Speaker Lance Cargill announced today that Jennifer Mock will soon take over as the new press secretary for the Office of the Speaker and the Majority Caucus in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Mock is replacing Damon Gardenhire who left for an Oklahoma City University position.

"It's been our goal all along to bring in people with fresh ideas who are driven to excel. She brings with her a level of professionalism and respect that is well-known both within and outside of state government and the news community," Cargill said in a statement. "I look forward to her becoming part of the team we've put together here, and I'm thrilled that she'll be working to help convey to the rest of Oklahoma the changes and reforms we're making here in the House of Representatives."

She will officially take over her duties in the Office of the Speaker on Jan. 15. - Gazette staff

Broadcast reports indicate the Oklahoma City Public Schools' board has voted to suspend embattled Superintendent John Q. Porter with pay while he waits for a February hearing.

According to published reports, the school district has expressed concern surrounding Porter's travel expenses and district expenditures.

The regularly scheduled board meeting will take place tonight. As developments take place, okgnews.com will update the latest developments. -Gazette staff

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett will announce today his initiative to encourage his citizens to lose a million pounds in 2008.

Using a Web site to encourage those who participate, Cornett will make his announcement at the Oklahoma City Zoo. At the elephant exhibit. Seriously.