Gov. Brad Henry has laid two wagers with the governors of Indiana and West Virginia. And they are betting on sports!

Huh? Well, it's the outcome of bowl games on which Henry is betting.

Pending the outcome of today's Oklahoma State-Indiana Insight Bowl game, to the victor's state will be a basket of state-made products that have yet to be determined. (Hmm. What does Indiana produce?)

And Henry laid the same wager with the West Virginia governor concerning the Oklahoma-West Virginia Fiesta Bowl game Wednesday. Again, what does West Virginia produce? The OKG Webmonkeys are remembering from history class that Jackie Kennedy purchased crystal made in the mountains during a campaign stop but would that be a basket item?

Inquiring minds want to know!

Hinder front man Austin Winkler was arrested in Arkansas on a drunk-driving complaint, the Associated Press reported.

An Arkansas patrolman pulled over the driver of a sport-utility vehicle spotted driving with no headlights at 11:30 p.m. on Dec. 21, the AP reported. The patrolman later identified the driver as Winkler, 26, lead singer of the Oklahoma City rock band Hinder. The patrolman reported giving Winkler a portable breath test that showed a blood-alcohol level of 0.16 percent, twice the level drivers are deemed drunk in Arkansas.

According to police reports, Winkler told the patrolman he was driving without lights because the SUV wasn't his, and thus was unfamiliar with the controls. Winkler originally told the patrolman he had consumed two glasses of wine, but a police report shows he later told officers he had four glasses in four hours at an engagement party at a local restaurant.

Winkler was taken to the Craighead County Jail where another breath test showed a 0.15 percent blood-alcohol level, the AP reported. The singer then was taken to the Jonesboro police department where he was cited for driving while intoxicated. He is scheduled to appear in Craighead County Court on Jan. 2. -Joe Wertz

A fax came across the machine earlier this week providing tips for the OKG Webmonkeys to have a healthier Thanksgiving Day meal.

Before throwing the tips into the recycle bin

The University of Oklahoma announced today that Boomer and Sooner, the ponies who pull the Schooner around Owen Field (and occasionally other football venues), will retire after Saturday's 2:30 p.m. game against Oklahoma State.

The athletic department said a younger pony pair will take over next season.

No word yet on the longevity of the mascots who wear the Boomer and Sooner pony ensembles, known in some circles as the Horsepigs.

In the days preceding Thanksgiving 2005, Kanye West performed at the Ford Center among circulating rumors he would celebrate the holiday with his extended Oklahoma City family.

This year, West reportedly returns to Oklahoma City on a more somber note: burying his mother.  Dr. Donda C. West passed away earlier this month at 58. A former English professor at Chicago State University who later managed her son's music career, West graduated from Douglass High School in 1967.

TMZ.com is reporting that West's' funeral will be held on Tuesday in Oklahoma City which will be a private ceremony for family and friends.

A change might be in the air for control of the state House of Representatives.

Several news reports claim that Speaker of the House Lance Cargill will be challenged at the next Republican caucus meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

Rep. John Wright, R-Broken Arrow, told KWTV and the Tulsa World he will challenge Cargill for the speaker's chair for the 2009-2010 legislative term.

Cargill is at the center of a state ethics investigation involving campaign contributions in 2004. - Gazette staff

When ESPN rolls into Norman Friday, it will set up at John Jacobs Track, which is immediately east of Gaylord Family

Last week's canceled Hanson show at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa has been rescheduled for Nov. 11, according to the group's Web site. Last Wednesday's show was a no-go after oldest brother Isaac Hanson was rushed to surgery in Dallas for complications involving a medical condition known as pulmonary embolism. Tickets for the original show will be honored, and if you can't make the new date, refunds will be available. The OKG Webmonkeys wish Isaac a speedy recovery.

After radio reports circulated this morning that Oklahoma residents with driver's licenses might not be able to be served beer at the State Fair of Texas during the OU-Texas football game this weekend, the State Fair of Texas' Ron Black clarified.

"There is a seldom mentioned state law that says a vendor does not have to serve someone with an out-of-state license," Black said. "But there is not a new policy this year. Please spread the word."

Black said that someone with an out-of-state driver's license who has been previously served alcohol at the State Fair would likely be able to purchase it again. However, a vendor can elect not to sell alcohol to someone with an out-of-state driver's license if he or she is suspicious the identification might be disingenuous.

Tip from the OKG Webmonkeys: If you've bought Fair beer before, no worries. If you have not, devise a Plan B before you spend your money on coupons.

Have you heard who's headed for Stillwater Saturday?

It's Rhett Bomar!

And for this week, he's probably the President of the Oklahoman Fan Club because the media glare shines on The Oklahoman-Mike Gundy aftermath rather than the Cowboys' upcoming game against his Sam Houston State team.

The Webmonkeys have had this game circled on our calendar for months wondering how the disgraced former Oklahoma quarterback would handle his return to the state, not to mention the seemingly endless poster opportunities for the Poke faithful to create.

What a bonus for Bomar to fly under the media's radar!