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13 - 8:49am

MOORE, Okla. (AP) — All that is left of Shayne Patteson’s three-bedroom home is the tiny area where his wife hunkered down under a mattress to protect their three children when a tornado packing winds of at least 200 mph slammed through his neighborhood. Patteson vowed to rebuild, likely in the same place, but said next time he will have an underground storm shelter. “That is the first thing that will be going into the design of the house, is the storm shelter and the garage,” he said as he looked around piles of bricks and plywood where their home once stood.

Burning railroad bridge collapses in Central Texas 05/23/13 - 8:31am

SAN SABA (AP) — A 300-yard wooden railroad bridge in Central Texas has fallen after catching fire in a dramatic collapse captured on cellphone video. Lometa (loh-MEE’-tuh) Volunteer Fire Department Capt. Jamie Smart said Thursday that nobody was hurt in the blaze in rural Lampasas (lam-PA’-sis) County. Smart shot the video Sunday showing the bridge over some low ground burning and falling. Smart says volunteer firefighters from San Saba (san SAH’-buh) also were hand. Smart says he heard someone say “there she goes” and he shot the video.

Texas lawyer gets prison for mail, medical fraud 05/23/13 - 7:57am

TYLER (AP) — An East Texas lawyer convicted in a mail and medical fraud scheme has been sentenced to more than three years in prison. A federal judge in Tyler on Wednesday also ordered 55-year-old Steven Rushing of Longview to repay more than $929,000. Rushing in February pleaded guilty to mail fraud. Investigators say Rushing negotiated settlements in civil cases and told clients he would use part of the insurance money they were due to pay off their medical bills. The funds to settle the cases were sent to the attorney who then paid a portion to his clients.

Texan could get life term, $5M fine over meth ring 05/23/13 - 7:42am

FORT WORTH (AP) — A North Texas man faces up to life in prison and a $5 million fine for his role in running a methamphetamine ring. Federal prosecutors in Fort Worth on Wednesday announced Jermaine Duane Irvin was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The 41-year-old Arlington man has been in custody since being arrested Feb. 28 at his home. A federal judge has ordered sentencing in September for Irvin, who’s the fifth person prosecuted in the drug case going back to last summer.

Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment 05/23/13 - 7:01am

GRAPEVINE (AP) — The Boy Scouts of America's national leadership will vote Thursday whether to allow openly gay Scouts in its ranks, a critical and emotionally charged moment for one of the nation's oldest youth organizations and its millions of members.

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Nearly all US states see hefty drop in teen births 05/23/13 - 12:20am

NEW YORK (AP) — The nation's record-low teen birth rate stems from robust declines in nearly every state, but most dramatically in several Mountain States and among Hispanics, according to a new government report.

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Apurba Barman joins staff at AgriLife as entomologist 05/23/13 - 12:12am

Texas AgriLife Extension and Research Center in Lubbock has a new researcher, will cover 41-county region

Like cotton, Apurba Barman is native to India. But Barman and cotton now call the South Plains home. Texas AgrilLife Extension and Research Services recently hired Barman as an entomologist. His new job is at the regional research office near Lubbock’s airport. From there, he oversees a 41-county region as an assistant to farmers by providing advice and expertise on insects. Barman earned a doctorate from Texas A&M and a masters in entomology from Texas Tech. The behavior of insects has long fascinated Barman — specifically how they adapt and find food.

Frenship grad Lyons leads Cards past Padres in big league debut 05/23/13 - 12:14am

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Tyler Lyons pitched seven solid innings in his major league debut on the same day St. Louis lost Jaime Garcia for the season, and the Cardinals beat the San Diego Padres 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Tech reportedly in mix for former Houston running back 05/23/13 - 12:52am

UH confirms Sims leaving

Running back Charles Sims, who rushed for more than 2,300 yards in three seasons at the University of Houston, could be transferring to Texas Tech, according to a report. Sims and the University of Houston both issued statements Wednesday confirming the senior from Houston Westbury is leaving the program with one year of eligibility remaining. CollegeFootballScoop.com, citing “a source close to the situation,” said Sims plans to transfer, most likely to Tech. His former program could try to block a transfer to certain schools, however.

LeBron saves Heat at buzzer of Game 1 05/22/13 - 11:48pm

MIAMI — LeBron James caught the inbounds pass, changed direction and immediately attacked the rim. There was no one in his way. There was no stopping him, either.