Oklahoma ag teacher apologizes for racist incident

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A longtime agriculture teacher from Elk City who presented a black colleague with a Ku Klux Klan robe during a recent conference in Oklahoma City is apologizing for his actions.

Retired teacher Larry Long issued a statement Thursday in which he said he was trying to make a joke with a colleague who he respects and that he never intended to convey any racism. He says he realizes his actions were "harmful, offensive and hurtful."

Long says he has requested a meeting with members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus, who expressed outrage at the incident. A member of the caucus, Democratic Rep. Mike Shelton, says the group welcomes the meeting.

The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology says it is investigating the incident.