CBS Dallas / Fort Worth

Cowboys Stadium Sold Out For Mexico Vs. Brazil

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:25:45 +0000

ARLINGTON (AP) - Organizers say the 80,000-seat Cowboys Stadium has sold out for Sunday afternoon’s international soccer match between Mexico and Brazil.

The stadium in Arlington, located midway between Dallas and Fort Worth, is the home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.

The game will close out the Mexican National Team’s 2012 five-game U.S. tour.

The sellout was announced Tuesday.

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Political Analyst Looks At Texas Primary Results

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:12:22 +0000

The state primary helped Mitt Romney pass a major milestone, but left U.S. Senate candidates from both parties stuck in a runoff. Political analyst John Weekley looks at the election results.

Romney’s Texas Win Clinches GOP Nomination

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:07:30 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) - Mitt Romney clinched the Republican presidential nomination Tuesday with a win in the Texas primary, a triumph of endurance for a candidate who came up short four years ago and had to fight hard this year as voters flirted with a carousel of GOP rivals.

According to The Associated Press count, Romney surpassed the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination by winning at least 97 delegates in the Texas primary.

The former Massachusetts governor has reached the nomination milestone with a steady message of concern about the U.S. economy, a campaign organization that dwarfed those of his GOP foes and a fundraising operation second only to that of his Democratic opponent in the general election, President Barack Obama.

Romney would be the first Mormon nominated by a major party. His religion has been less of an issue than it was during his failed bid four years ago.

“We did it!” Romney proclaimed in a message to supporters, noting that “it’s only the beginning.”

“An honor and a privilege and a great responsibility,” Romney told supporters at a fundraiser in Las Vegas. “And I know the road to 1,144 was long and hard, but I also know that the road to 11-06 — Nov. 6th — is also going to be long and it’s going to be hard and it’s going to be worth it because we’re going to take back the White House and get America right again.”

Romney must now fire up conservatives who still doubt him while persuading swing voters that he can do a better job fixing the nation’s struggling economy than Obama. In Obama, he faces a well-funded candidate with a proven campaign team in an election that will be heavily influenced by the economy.

Romney’s campaign went on the attack Tuesday, releasing a Web video citing the Obama administration’s loan-guarantee investments in four renewable-energy firms that lost money and laid off workers.

The message — “President Obama is fundamentally hostile to job creators” — has been a theme of the Romney campaign since he launched his presidential bid. But sensing an opportunity to reach a new audience, the campaign planned to highlight Obama’s support for the failed renewable energy company Solyndra, among other private ventures the Obama administration helped support.

“We need to have presidents who understand how this economy works,” Romney told reporters Tuesday. “Sometimes I just don’t think he understands what it takes to help people. I know he wants to help, but he doesn’t know what he’s got to do.”

Romney’s message and his big day, however, were somewhat overshadowed by real estate mogul Donald Trump and his discredited suggestions that Obama wasn’t born in the United States.

Romney spent Tuesday evening at a Las Vegas fundraiser with Trump, who had toyed with the idea of running for president. Romney says he believes Obama was born in America but has yet to condemn Trump’s repeated insinuations to the contrary.

“If Mitt Romney lacks the backbone to stand up to a charlatan like Donald Trump because he’s so concerned about lining his campaign’s pockets, what does that say about the kind of president he would be?” Obama’s deputy campaign manager, Stephanie Cutter, said in a statement.

Both Trump and Romney steered clear of the issue at Tuesday’s fundraiser. Asked Monday about Trump’s contentions, Romney said: “I don’t agree with all the people who support me. And my guess is they don’t all agree with everything I believe in.” He added: “But I need to get 50.1 percent or more. And I’m appreciative to have the help of a lot of good people.”

Republicans won’t officially nominate Romney until late August at the GOP national convention in Tampa, Fla. Romney has 1,183 convention delegates.

He won at least 97 delegates in Texas with 33 left to be decided. The 152 delegates in Texas are awarded in proportion to the statewide vote. The other delegates were sprinkled among several candidates.

Texas Republicans also voted in a Senate primary to choose a candidate to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and state Solicitor General Ted Cruz were headed to a runoff in July.

With about three-fourths of precincts reporting, Dewhurst led with 45 percent of the vote compared to 33 percent for Cruz. Dewhurst, however, fell short of the majority he needed to avoid a runoff. The nominee will be strongly favored to win in November in heavily Republican Texas.

Romney, 65, is clinching the presidential nomination later in the calendar than any recent Republican candidate — but not quite as late as Obama in 2008. Obama clinched the Democratic nomination on June 3, 2008, at the end of an epic primary battle with Hillary Rodham Clinton. Four years ago, John McCain reached the threshold on March 4, after Romney had dropped out of the race about a month earlier.

This year’s primary fight was extended by a back-loaded primary calendar, new GOP rules that generally awarded fewer delegates for winning a state and a Republican electorate that built up several other candidates before settling on Romney.

Rick Perry, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Trump — all of them sat atop the Republican field at some point. Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann peaked for a short time, too. But Romney outlasted them all, even as some GOP voters and tea party backers questioned his conservative credentials.

The primary race started in January with Santorum, the former Pennsylvania senator, narrowly edging Romney in the Iowa caucuses. Romney rebounded with a big win in New Hampshire before Gingrich, the former House speaker, won South Carolina.

Romney responded with a barrage of negative ads against Gingrich in Florida and got a much-needed 14-point win. Romney’s opponents fought back: Gingrich called him a liar, and Santorum said Romney was “the worst Republican in the country” to run against Obama.

Gingrich and Santorum assailed Romney’s work at Bain Capital, the private equity firm he co-founded, saying the firm sometimes made millions at the expense of workers and jobs. It is a line of attack that Obama has promised to carry all the way to November.

On Feb. 7 Santorum swept all three contests in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota, raising questions about Romney’s status as the front-runner. After a 17-day break in the voting, Romney responded with wins in Arizona, Michigan and Washington state before essentially locking up the nomination on March 6, this year’s version of Super Tuesday.

Romney has been in general-election mode for weeks, raising money and focusing on Obama, largely ignoring the primaries since his competitors dropped out or stopped campaigning. Santorum suspended his campaign April 10, and Gingrich left the race a few weeks later.

Both initially offered tepid endorsements of Romney but Gingrich is now actively promoting Romney’s campaign.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul said on May 14 he would no longer compete in primaries, though his supporters are still working to gain national delegates at state conventions.

Rich Galen, a Republican strategist who has been unaligned in the 2012 race, said the long, sometimes nasty primary fight should help Romney fine-tune his campaign organization so it can operate effectively in the general election. Galen doesn’t, however, think it was relevant in toughening up Romney for the battle against Obama.

“Romney’s been running for president for six years. He is as good a candidate as he’s ever going to be,” Galen said. “Whatever you say about him, he was better than everybody else in the race.”

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U.S. Senate Hopefuls Head To Runoff In Texas

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:04:23 +0000

DALLAS (AP) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney locked up the Republican presidential nomination with a win in Texas’ primary Tuesday, while Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and tea party-supported lawyer Ted Cruz emerged from a field of nine to send the Republican race to replace retiring Texas U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison to a runoff.

The contentious Senate race was the most-watched among hundreds of races in the Texas primary for the Republican presidential nomination, Congress, the Legislature, judges and various state boards. But turnout across the state was low, perhaps due in part to sweltering heat, confusion about a primary date that had been rescheduled twice because of redistricting disputes and Memorial Day weekend travels that kept some folks away from home.

Dewhurst, who counted Gov. Rick Perry among his backers, led the former Texas solicitor general but couldn’t close the deal by collecting more than 50 percent of the vote. Voters now will decide between Dewhurst and Cruz on July 31.

“We did it,” Cruz told jubilant supporters gathered in Houston, calling the outcome “a victory for conservatives.”

“This is an incredible unbelievable night. … A year and a half ago there’s wasn’t a soul in the state of Texas that thought this was possible.”

Dewhurst, at a considerably more subdued gathering in Houston, also touted his conservatism but focused his remarks more on President Barack Obama, saying he wanted to repeal the president’s health-care overhaul and end a “war on Texas.”

Perry congratulated voters for their “strong commitment to conservative values to keep our state on the fiscally responsible path leading to jobs and opportunity.” He put in another pitch for Dewhurst, urging them to “more than ever … work to send a proven conservative leader like David Dewhurst to Washington, where he can put the Texas approach to work to overhaul Washington.”

The secretary of state’s office forecast about 2.3 million of the more than 13 million registered Texans would vote but several polling places indicated voters stayed away. About 1 million Texans participated in early voting and another 1 million voted Tuesday.

Many polling places reported seeing just dozens of voters out of thousands registered. At one Houston polling station, an official read an electronic book while another rolled the border of a sheet of name-tag stickers into a ball.

Anette Fay, 50, of Richardson, a German immigrant who looked forward to voting for president for the first time, was taken aback when she arrived to vote.

“I thought there would be lines,” she said.

The presidential primary topped the Texas ticket, and Romney clinched the GOP nomination with a cache of delegates collected in an overwhelming victory in Tuesday’s balloting. According to the Associated Press count, Romney surpassed the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination by winning at least 88 delegates in the Texas primary. The 152 delegates in the state are awarded in proportion to the statewide vote, and another 64 delegates were still to be decided as results rolled in.

But the GOP U.S. Senate race drew the greatest attention. Cruz’s strong showing capped what’s already a banner month for the tea party movement. Richard Mourdock ousted 36-year Senate veteran Richard Lugar in Indiana, and state Sen. Deb Fischer used strong tea party support to upset two better-known candidates in Nebraska.

Among others seeking the GOP senatorial nomination, Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert conceded less than an hour after polls closed and ex-NFL running back and ESPN announcer Craig James failed to get out of single-digit percentages.

Dewhurst has overseen the Texas Senate as lieutenant governor since 2003, but Cruz claimed Dewhurst was too moderate for sometimes showing a willingness to compromise with Democratic state senators to ensure the flow of legislation.

Cruz drew support from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint and national limited-government groups including the Club For Growth — support Dewhurst dismissed as outsiders meddling in state politics.

DeMint hailed Cruz making the runoff as “a major victory for conservatives” and a result of Dewhurst’s failure “to fight for conservative principles.”

On the Democratic side, former state Rep. Paul Sadler, from Henderson in East Texas, topped a field of four and will face political unknown Grady Yarbrough of San Antonio.

Texas’ booming population meant it added four new seats in Congress, while new redistricting maps drawn by the Republican-dominated state Legislature — and a subsequent legal fight over whether they fairly represented minority voters — reshaped many existing districts.

With one exception, congressional incumbents fared well. Longtime U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson dispensed with the first Democratic primary opponent in her two decades representing her Dallas-area district. And Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, torpedoed by Republicans in their redistricting plan, topped a field of three to take his party’s nomination in the new 35th District, which runs from Austin to San Antonio.

But Silvestre Reyes, a Democrat from El Paso who first was elected in 1996, failed to even make a runoff as he was defeated by former city councilman Beto O’Rourke, who took just over 50 percent of the vote.

Along the Gulf Coast, Randy Weber, a Pearland businessman, will face Felicia Harris, a Pearland attorney, in a Republican runoff to fill the House seat of Ron Paul, who chose not to run for re-election while focusing on his GOP presidential bid. The GOP winner will face Democrat and former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, who served four terms in the House but was defeated in 2004.

Also Tuesday, a campaign worker was shot in the leg in an apparent drive-by shooting at a South Texas polling place. The injuries were not life threatening, no suspects were identified and it wasn’t immediately clear if the shooter was targeting a specific campaign or candidate, San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez said.

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Conservatives Hold Onto Texas Legislature

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:56:00 +0000

DALLAS (AP) - The first hints of just how conservative the 2013 Texas Legislature will be emerged in Tuesday’s primary election and all signs point to a tea party movement determined to tighten its grip on Texas public policy.

Republicans hold large majorities in both the House and Senate and are all but guaranteed to stay in power in 2013, but redistricting, retirement and ambition for new office led to some blistering campaigns, particularly among some GOP colleagues.

But even in a Legislature that rolled over Democrats to cut $4 billion in education, pass a voter ID law and place more restrictions on women seeking an abortion in 2011, this year’s primary campaigns were dominated by Republicans trying to prove who among them is the most conservative.

And in several races, most notably in the House, tea party-backed challengers who pushed even farther to the right pushed several incumbents out of office.

Republican House Speaker Joe Straus of San Antonio, who has spent two years fending off criticism from within the GOP that he’s not conservative enough, defeated challenger Matt Beebe but also saw three of his top lieutenants defeated by tea party challengers.

House committee chairs Reps. Rob Eissler (education), Vicki Truitt (pensions) and Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton (licensing) were defeated by challengers who criticized their ties to the speaker.

Straus also learned he’ll face a direct challenge to his leadership in 2013. Rep. Bryan Hughes of Marshall announced Tuesday he’ll run for House speaker, an office elected by the House members

“Tonight we have shown you can campaign on the power of positive ideas and not be drawn into the politics of personal destruction,” Straus said. “As Speaker of the House, I will continue to provide respectful leadership that allows all voices to be heard.”

Eissler’s defeat could also signal major changes for Texas education policy. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, chair of the Senate education committee, did not run for re-election and Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott is resigning.

Gov. Rick Perry helped fuel the tea party flavor of the Republican primary in the Legislature campaign, wading into several House and Senate campaigns with endorsements, proving that the failed presidential candidate still holds strong influence with the Texas Republican base.

Perry endorsed Rep. James White, one of only two black Republicans in the Legislature last year, against Hamilton, who’s been in office since 2003. White defeated Hamilton despite recently released records that showed the Livingston school district gave White a warning letter about inappropriately bringing up sex in classroom discussions about government while teaching high school in 2007. Perry still chose to endorse White at a campaign event last week.

Perry also backed state Rep. Kelly Hancock over state Rep. Todd Smith and for Senate District 9 in Dallas and Tarrant Counties and Hancock rolled to an easy victory.

“I’m proud to have supported strong fiscal and social conservatives across Texas who will join me in working to support stricter limits on government spending, opposing tax increases and preserving a strong rainy day fund,” Perry said.

Perry didn’t have a golden tough in every race.

Rep. Wayne Christian of Center, one of the House’s most outspoken social conservatives who was endorsed by Perry, was defeated by former Marshall mayor Chris Paddie, who was endorsed by business groups.

And veteran Rep. Leo Berman of Tyler, another outspoken social conservative who attacked President Barack Obama’s citizenship, was defeated by challenger Matt Schaefer, who said Berman wasn’t fiscally conservative enough. Berman also has been battling cancer and chemotherapy treatments during the campaign.

But the education cuts of 2011 proved to be too much for some, particularly in rural areas. Rep. Marva Beck, R-Centerville, was defeated by Lufkin school board President Trent Ashby and Rep. Sid Miller, R-Stephenville, was forced into a runoff with challenger J.D. Sheffield.

The brass-knuckles politics also fueled some bruising Senate campaigns.

None was tougher than in District 25, which stretches from San Antonio to Austin. Nineteen-year incumbent and moderate Republican Jeff Wentworth was targeted for defeat by the powerful business lobby Texans for Lawsuit Reform and was forced into a runoff with physician and tea party candidate Donna Campbell.

The Wentworth-Campbell runoff could be seen as a major blow for TLR. The group supported former state Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones and helped direct thousands of dollars to her campaign, only to see her finish third and out of the runoff.

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Incumbents Knocked Off State Education Board

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:52:25 +0000

DALLAS (AP) - Several incumbents on the State Board of Education retained their positions despite challenges in Tuesday’s primary, while others lost their spots.

With all 15 spots up for re-election this year because of redistricting, there is a possibility that the face of the board could change. And as in many other races across the state, candidates asked voters to decide how conservative the board should be.

An intense fight over evolution and intelligent design theory in science curriculum put a national spotlight on the board in 2009 when it adopted standards that encourage public schools to scrutinize “all sides” of scientific theory.

Currently, there are four Democrats and 11 Republicans on the board, with six of those Republicans considered part of the social conservative bloc. The Board of Education positions are among hundreds of races Texas voters cast ballots in during the state’s primary. The positions hold significant influence: The board has responsibility for establishing the state’s public school curriculum, approving textbooks and managing the state’s permanent school fund. In the next few years, the board is set to adopt new science and social studies textbooks.

Here’s how some of the races shaped up:

– DISTRICT 5: Incumbent Ken Mercer, a social conservative, defeated physician assistant Steve Salyer. Mercer, a software engineer from San Antonio, will face Democrat Rebecca Bell-Metereau of San Marcos in the general election on Nov. 6. “I’m a strong conservative. Mr. Salyer is a good candidate — he calls himself a moderate,” Mercer said. “In this race, in this primary, across the state, you are seeing people who are solid conservatives winning.”

– DISTRICT 14: Social conservative incumbent Gail Lowe was defeated by retired teacher Sue Melton. Lowe, elected to the state board in 2002, served as board chair from July 2009 till May 2011. She was replaced after Democrats blocked her appointment by Gov. Rick Perry. Lowe, of Lampasas, is co-publisher of a semi-weekly newspaper. There is no Democratic candidate for the spot.

– DISTRICT 9: Republican Thomas Ratliff, the son of former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff and a moderate voice on the board, defeated Randy Stevenson, a financial adviser from Tyler, who countered that in contrast to his opponent, he is “a clear consistent conservative voice.” Stevenson was part of a social conservative bloc when he served on the board from 1995 to 1999 before choosing not to run again in 1998. There is no Democratic candidate.

– DISTRICT 3: In a surprise loss, in Democrat incumbent Michael Soto, an associate professor of English at Trinity University in San Antonio, lost to Democratic challenger Marisa Perez, a San Antonio social worker. Perez will face Republican David Williams, a teacher from San Antonio, in the Nov. 6 general election.

– DISTRICT 8: Social conservative incumbent Barbara Cargill, who currently chairs the board, defeated Linda Ellis, a consultant from The Woodlands and former teacher who said on her website that she’s “watched in horror as ideologues took over” the board. Cargill, of The Woodlands, is a former teacher and founder and director of a science camp who writes on her website that she supports history curriculum that emphasizes patriotism, anti-abortion health textbooks and science textbooks that present evolution as a theory. Cargill will face Democrat Dexter Smith.

– DISTRICT 2: Middle school teacher Laurie Turner defeated high school teacher Veronica Anzaldua to face the Democratic nominee in the general election on Nov. 6. The District 2 spot from South Texas was formerly held by Democrat Mary Helen Berlanga, who is not running after 30 years on the board. The winner will face the Democratic candidate in the general election.

– DISTRICT 7: Incumbent David Bradley, one of the board’s social conservatives, defeated businesswoman Rita Ashley. Bradley works in the insurance and real estate business in Beaumont and Ashley is a former teacher from Beaumont who currently works as a jewelry designer. There is no Democratic candidate.

– RUNOFFS: In District 12, Geraldine “Tincy” Miller and Gail Spurlock advance to a runoff, resulting in the current incumbent, George M. Clayton, losing his spot. Miller, of Dallas, first began serving on the state board in 1984. She was defeated in the primary in 2010 by the Clayton, a special projects coordinator for a Dallas high school. The winner will face Democrat Lois Parrott in the general election. In District 10, Tom Maynard, of Florence, who taught high school agriculture for more than a decade, faces a run-off with Rebecca Osborne, a teacher from Austin. The winner of the run-off will face Democrat Judy Jennings in the general election.

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Runoff For Texas Railroad Commission Chairman

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:47:26 +0000

AUSTIN (AP) - Texas Railroad Commission chairman Barry Smitherman is headed to a runoff for the Republican nomination to retain his seat for two more years.

Smitherman was appointed to the commission by Texas Gov. Rick Perry last July, replacing Michael Williams. Smitherman is running to complete Williams’ original term, which expires in 2014. He faced three challengers in the Republican primary Tuesday.

No candidate won 50 percent of the vote Tuesday. It was not yet clear who Smitherman will face in the runoff.

The Railroad Commission oversees the oil and gas industry in Texas. Despite its name, the three-member commission has no power over railroads.

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Life Sentence For Fort Worth Girl’s Killer

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:39:04 +0000

FORT WORTH (AP) - A North Texas man who testified he never meant to hurt his fiancee’s 2-year-old daughter has been sentenced to life in prison for the girl’s death.

Jurors in Fort Worth took about 30 minutes Tuesday to decide the penalty for 32-year-old Samson Loynachan.

The Fort Worth man was convicted Friday of murder in the death of Chloe Robinson. She died last August of a head injury.

Prosecutors say the child got sick at day care. Her mother, who was on the first day of a new job, asked Loynachan to pick up the girl.

Daycare workers told investigators that Loynachan appeared annoyed while retrieving the tot. Authorities say Loynachan, less than an hour later, carried the girl to a neighbor’s home and said the child was unresponsive and call 911.

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Dr. Phil Celebrates 10 Years On Television

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 12:30:31 +0000

The doctor is still in! Dr. Phil McGraw is celebrating 10 years of his daytime show. He recently spoke to CBS 11 News about why the program remains so popular.

Bob Evans Farms To Focus On Texas Plant

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:57:42 +0000

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - Bob Evans Farms Inc. says it will close two food production plants in Ohio next year and beef up its production at a Texas facility.

The Ohio-based restaurant and food company plans to shut down plants in Springfield in western Ohio and Bidwell in southern Ohio next summer as it focuses on convenience foods, packaged side dishes and other higher-growth opportunities.

The move will affect about 110 employees. The company says it will try to place some of them in other jobs with Bob Evans.

It’s also investing $23 million or more to add lines and boost production of ready-to-eat foods at a facility in Sulphur Springs, Texas.

Chairman and CEO Steve Davis says Bob Evans remains committed to investing and growing in its home state.

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Eagles Top FC Dallas 2-0 In U.S. Open Cup Match

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:26:20 +0000

FRISCO (AP) - Clinton Irwin made 10 saves, leading the Charlotte Eagles to a 2-0 upset over FC Dallas of MLS on Tuesday night.

It was Irwin’s second consecutive shutout in the U.S. Open Cup, allowing the USL Pro’s Eagles to advance to the quarterfinals against another lower-division team, the NASL’s San Antonio Scorpions.

Charlotte put only two shots on Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz, but scored on both.

Darryl Roberts headed in Nate Thornton’s cross from the right corner in the 43rd minute. In stoppage time after the second half, Roberts passed to Thornton for the second goal.

FC Dallas played a man short for the final 12 minutes after Jackson received a red card.

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SEC Coaches Want Top 4 In Football Playoffs

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:19:54 +0000

DESTIN, Fla. (AP) - The Southeastern Conference is looking out for No. 1.

Maybe even No. 2.

Football coaches from the powerhouse and recently expanded league were in unison Tuesday that they want a proposed four-team playoff to include the best teams in the country — and not be tied to conference champions.

Their solidarity came as no surprise considering the league has won six consecutive national championships, with the latest one coming when Alabama knocked off LSU after not winning its division or making the league title game.

“I think it needs to be the four best teams in the country,” Florida coach Will Muschamp said. “I don’t think it needs to be the conference champions because in our league we might have four of the best teams in the country.”

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive has been a driving force behind a proposed playoff for years, and remains as committed as anyone to getting it done this summer.

The playoff system could debut as early as the 2014 season, replacing a current No.1 vs. No. 2 BCS championship matchup that has rotated among the Sugar, Orange, Fiesta and Rose Bowl sites.

Slive expects the four-team model to be discussed by coaches, athletic directors and school presidents/chancellors, and an official league decision is expected to be announced Friday.

“Our league has been consistent that if you’re going to have a four-team playoff that the best four teams ought to be selected to play for the national championship,” Slive said. “If the issue is how teams are selected, then let’s go and talk about the selection process and make the selection process more palatable to everybody rather than try to gerrymander who the top four teams are.

“I’m very open to looking at any and all ways to make changes in the actually selection process itself.”

Slive said the league also will settle on a format for football following the addition of Missouri and Texas A&M, with teams likely to play six division games, maintain one cross-division rival and alternate an eighth conference game among the other six teams from the opposing division.

The designated rivalries are expected to be finalized, too. All indications are Missouri and Arkansas will be deemed cross-division rivals, leaving South Carolina to pair with Texas A&M.

Also, basketball coaches are close to finalizing an 18-game schedule that would put teams back into divisions. The coaches dropped division last season.

But the proposed football playoff dominated discussion on Day 1.

“We’re so much closer to having the best teams play,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. “Every single game is so critically important in college football and we should embrace that. You can lose six games, eight games in basketball and still win a national championship. You can’t do that in college football. I think we’re very close.”

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney has said the new format shouldn’t include a team that doesn’t win its conference division — an obvious reference to national champion and SEC West runner-up Alabama.

Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott is pushing to have two semifinal games played at campus stadiums, which seems to address the concerns of playoff opponents who say that such a system would lessen the importance of the regular season. After all, that would reward the two highest-seeded teams with a home game — a huge incentive and major advantage.

Slive believes the semifinal games would be part of the bowl system.

“My guess is that it will end up being in the bowl system,” Slive said. “I think it’s better for college football as a whole than just a plus-one.”

Not surprisingly, Slive’s coaches seemed to wholeheartedly back his plan — although South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier reiterated his preference for an eight-team playoff.

“Do you know who’s won the Super Bowl the last two years?” Spurrier said. “Weren’t the Giants 8-8? And the Packers didn’t even win their division the year before and got hot in the playoffs. It just depends on how much importance you want to place into a playoff system, a tournament. I know there have been a lot of NCAA (basketball) champions that didn’t necessarily win their conference but they got hot in the tournament.

“I don’t know how it will play out.”

Deciding how to select the Final Four is up for debate.

“I don’t know. The way we do it now?” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Just take the top four teams in the BCS instead of the top two. That’s one way of doing it. It’s already in place. You wouldn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Change is here, it sounds like, I suppose it’s worthy of discussion as to how to do it. But I’m not for making it a prerequisite that you have to be the winner in your in league. I wouldn’t make that part of it.”

Neither would any of his colleagues.

LSU’s Les Miles, Alabama’s Nick Saban and several others made it clear that limiting a four-team playoff to conference champs likely would benefit everyone outside the SEC.

“It’s just like politics and self-interest,” Saban said. “Somebody wants to create a circumstance that’s going to help their situation or conference. That’s not in the best interest of college football.”

Added Richt: “If you take the top four teams, I think we’d all be in favor of that in our league. If you take four teams that have win a conference championship, it would guarantee that only one of us could go. If you had it the other way, we’d have a shot at two going. You can say it any way you want, but that’s what everybody is talking about.”

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Franchitti ‘Not Comfortable’ On High Oval Tracks

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:15:49 +0000

FORT WORTH (AP) - Indianapolis 500 champion Dario Franchitti says he’s still “not very comfortable” racing on a high-banked oval.

The Indianapolis 500 was the first IndyCar race on an oval since Dan Wheldon’s fatal accident in last season’s finale at Las Vegas. But the June 9 race in Texas will be the first on a high-banked track similar to Las Vegas.

Franchitti tested at Texas last month and said Tuesday that he will do his absolute best to win there. IndyCar races on a street course Sunday at Belle Isle, Mich.

Wheldon was killed when his car sailed into the fence in a 15-car accident last October, and his head hit a post in the fence. A report later determined that pack racing on a high-banked oval contributed to the accident.

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Clemens Lawyers Play Up Pitcher’s Work Ethic

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:03:24 +0000

WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawyers have launched their defense of Roger Clemens with what seemed more like a testimonial dinner than a trial, putting on a pair of witnesses who described in reverential terms the famed baseball pitcher’s work ethic in high school and college.

The message the defense began hammering home Tuesday was that hard work, not steroids or human growth hormone, turned Clemens into a great pitcher. That came after prosecutors used two dozen witnesses over 19 days to try to prove that Clemens lied to Congress in 2008 when he denied taking performance-enhancing drugs.

One of Clemens’ former high school teammates in Texas, Todd Howey, said he and his friends would see Clemens jogging on Friday nights while they were out “looking for trouble.” Clemens did so many runs in the outfield that he dug a trail that looked like it had been carved by a cow in a pasture, the witness testified.

“I’ve yet to see anybody work like Roger Clemens,” Howey said. Despite the dedication, Clemens was not an exceptional pitcher back then, he said, reaching only 83-84 mph on his fastball.

“We just didn’t think he was that good,” he said.

But when Howey played against him in college — Howey for Texas Tech and Clemens for the University of Texas — Clemens was throwing a lot harder.

“He proved us all wrong,” Howey said, who talked so fast he had to be slowed down by the court reporter and Clemens lawyer Rusty Hardin.

“You’re one of those unusual things — a fast-talking Southerner,” Hardin quipped.

Mike Capel, a former major league pitcher and longtime friend of Clemens, had played against him in high school and was a teammate in college. He made a similar observation about Clemens’ transformation in college, describing him as a harder thrower, more athletic and trimmed down compared with high school. He said Clemens had a “very, very, very good” work ethic.

Clemens, who through most of the trial has taken frequent notes, put the pen down during their testimony but watched closely.

Prosecutors tried to exclude the glowing testimony, noting that seven government witnesses already testified during cross-examination how hard Clemens worked. They wrote in a filing late Monday that it invited jurors to infer that because Clemens didn’t use performance-enhancing drugs early on, he must not have later in his career.

Prosecutors argued that if the testimony were to be allowed, the judge should let them rebut it with evidence from other players who also worked hard but still used steroids or HGH.

But U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton ruled against them on both counts.

“Athletes who are hard workers tend to last longer and perform better,” said Walton, a former athlete himself who went to college on a football scholarship.

Clemens’ lawyers started their case after the government rested Tuesday. The government’s main witness was Clemens’ former strength coach, Brian McNamee, who said he injected the ex-pitcher with steroids in 1998, 2000 and 2001 and with human growth hormone in 2000.

Clemens is charged with two counts of perjury, three counts of making false statements and one count of obstruction of Congress. All relate to his testimony at a congressional hearing in February 2008 and his deposition that preceded it.

The heart of the case is the allegation that Clemens lied when he said he had never used steroids or HGH, but the obstruction count included 15 statements, or “acts,” in which Clemens is alleged to have misled Congress on a variety of issues. Walton dismissed two of those acts Tuesday.

The first dismissed act dealt with Clemens’ claim that he had “no idea” that former Sen. George Mitchell wanted to talk with him in preparation for the 2007 Mitchell Report on drugs in baseball. The government couldn’t prove otherwise because some of its evidence was ruled inadmissible due to rules over attorney-client privilege.

The second dismissed act deals with Clemens’ statement in his 2008 deposition that “I couldn’t tell you the first thing about (HGH).” The judge said that statement could be misinterpreted because it was asked in the context of whether Clemens had ever done any research into HGH.

Thirteen alleged misleading statements remain in the charges. The government only needs to prove one to gain a conviction for obstruction of Congress.

One of the government’s final witnesses was Anthony Corso, who worked out with McNamee in New York City. Corso related a pair of conversations meant to show that McNamee didn’t start making up allegations and fabricating evidence against Clemens to placate federal investigators in 2007.

“Mr. McNamee had mentioned that Mr. Clemens was one of the athletes that was getting positive results from” HGH, said Corso, recalling a conversation from around 2002.

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Spurs Take 2-0 Series Lead Over Thunder

KTVTPhil — Wed, 30 May 2012 10:59:31 +0000

Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs is defended by Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on May 29, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. (credit: Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs are making this look way too easy.

Parker had 34 points and eight assists, Manu Ginobili added 20 points and the Spurs stayed perfect in the playoffs with a 120-111 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals Tuesday night.

So far, the Spurs have turned a hotly anticipated matchup between the league’s top two scoring teams into a lopsided mismatch more befitting of an early round.

Game 3 is Thursday night in Oklahoma City, and the Thunder can only hope that a change of venue throws San Antonio out of its groove. The Spurs put on an offensive clinic for three quarters on Tuesday night, shooting 60 percent and building a 22-point lead.

“We like to play like that,” said Parker, who hit 16 of 21 shots. “That’s the way we play.”

The Spurs set an NBA record with their 20th consecutive victory bridging the regular season and the playoffs. They came in sharing the longest such streak with the 2000-01 Lakers, who won 19 straight before losing to Philadelphia in the first game of the finals.

Those Lakers went on to win the championship and Parker’s performance is yet another reason to think the Spurs will do the same.

“It’s great and it is a great run,” said Tim Duncan, who had 11 points and 12 rebounds. “But we are only worried about the next two wins in this series. That is all that matters, at this point.”

The Thunder made a late surge to get within six points, but Parker, Ginobili and Duncan helped San Antonio finish them off. Oklahoma City is 5-0 at home in the playoffs, but only 14 teams have come back from 2-0 deficits to win a series in NBA playoff history.

“First, we’ve got to worry about Game 3,” Thunder guard Russell Westbrook said. “Regardless of what’s going on with this last game or the next game, we’ve got to worry about Game 3 and come in with the same mindset and try to get a win.”

Kevin Durant had 31 points, Westbrook had 27 points and eight assists and James Harden rebounded from a rough Game 1 to score 30 for the Thunder, who have lost two straight for the first time since early April. Oklahoma City dropped to 15-4 in games after losses this season.

“There are no moral victories for us,” Durant said. “We were down. We dug ourselves a hole. We did what we normally do, which is fight all game, and we lost.”

San Antonio picked up where it left off from the 39-point fourth quarter that turned Game 1 on Sunday. With sharp passes and hot shooting, the Spurs jumped to a 19-9 lead after the Thunder missed six of their first seven shots and had three turnovers in the first 4 minutes.

Durant was on the bench at the start of the second quarter, and Parker and the Spurs put together a 14-4 spurt to stretch the gap to 13 points. Westbrook hammered Parker’s arm on a drive and he crumpled to the court. That didn’t faze Parker, who scored the Spurs’ next seven points to keep San Antonio rolling.

The Spurs shot 58 percent (22 of 38) and had 13 assists in the first half. They also cut down their turnovers, committing only six in the first half after giving away 14 in the first two quarters of Game 1.

“You never go out and say, `We’re going to start out fast,”‘ San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said. “You don’t know what is going to happen. You just want your team to be aggressive.”

After the break, the Spurs resumed picking apart Oklahoma City’s defense with precision passes, scoring on five straight possessions. The biggest cheer from the crowd came after Ginobili flipped a behind-the-back pass to Parker in the corner for another 3 and the lead ballooned to 78-58.

Late in the third quarter, the Thunder began intentionally fouling Tiago Splitter, a 32 percent free-throw shooter during the playoffs.

That backfired, too. Splitter went 5 for 10 over a 54-second span before Popovich replaced him with Duncan, and Oklahoma City trailed by the same margin — 16 — that it did when Brooks called for the “Hack-a-Splitter” strategy.

It may not have showed on the scoreboard, but the Spurs seemed to lose their edge after that.

“There’s a reason why you do it, to kill the rhythm,” Parker said. “I think it got us out of our rhythm.”

Parker, Ginobili and Duncan were on the court together at the 8-minute mark, after the Thunder cut the deficit to eight. Ginobili’s floater in the lane was only the Spurs’ third field goal of the fourth quarter and put San Antonio up 99-89.

The Thunder had the deficit down to six with just over 5 minutes remaining. The Spurs missed 12 of 15 shots during one stretch, but Parker hit an off-balance, high-arcing jumper with 3:39 left for a 107-96 lead and San Antonio controlled the game from there.

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Mariners Beat Rangers To Snap Losing Streak

Ryan Crowe — Wed, 30 May 2012 03:37:27 +0000

ARLINGTON (AP) - Seattle finally got offensive and snapped a five-game losing streak.

John Jaso hit a two-run homer early, then added an RBI single in the Mariners’ sixth-run eighth against two of Texas’ top two setup relievers. Seattle ended up matching its highest-scoring inning and game of the season in a 10-3 victory over the AL West-leading Rangers.

“It’s definitely good for us to be able to put up some runs, especially late in the game,’ said Kyle Seager, whose leadoff double in the eighth was his third hit. “Every once in a while you break out. Any time we can get everybody putting up some good ABs like that, it’s definitely positive.”

The first seven Seattle batters reached in the eighth, six hits and an error by shortstop Elvis Andrus, against Alexi Ogando and Mike Adams. Ichiro Suzuki then greeted the third Texas pitcher of the inning with a sacrifice fly.

I don’t think you’ll see again I have to out and get Mike and Ogando in the same inning,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “They put the ball in play, found holes.”

Jaso’s homer in the second put the Mariners ahead to stay. They scored twice with two outs in the fifth for a 4-1 lead after third baseman Adrian Beltre’s throwing error.

“Everybody was going up there with a plan. We had runners on all the bases and guys were going up there with a good approach,” Jaso said. “That is a good feeling right there and a good thing to see. It wasn’t any big swings, jam jobs or stuff like that. It was good hard hit balls on the ground.”

Josh Hamilton hit his majors-best 21st homer and drove in all three runs for the Rangers. The slugger was playing despite a sinus infection and upper respiratory problem that kept him out of the lineup the previous night, and even though he said before the game he felt no better.

“It’s Josh Hamilton,” Washington said. “He went out, he worked, he said he felt good enough to play. He played and he delivered three runs for us. But it just wasn’t enough, because we couldn’t get anything going.”

The Rangers (31-19) had a four-game winning streak ended by their most lopsided loss of the season. They still matched their best 50-game record in team history.

Vargas (6-4) allowed three runs and five hits over 6 2-3 innings. The left-hander struck out two and walked three.

That troubled fifth for Scott Feldman (0-3) and the Rangers came at the same time team president Nolan Ryan and general manager were announcing that Texas had reached a minor league deal with free agent right-hander Roy Oswalt.

Feldman was making his second start in place of injured Neftali Feliz since the closer-turned-starter went on the disabled list May 21 with right elbow inflammation. The big right-hander gave up four runs (two earned) with three strikeouts and three walks over 4 2-3 innings.

The injury to Feliz accelerated the Rangers’ interest in Oswalt, who they had been in contact since the offseason. They had watched him pitch at his home in Mississippi only days before Feliz got hurt.

“I don’t really have a reaction to it,” Feldman said. “I just work here, and do what I’m told to do here.”

Oswalt, who has pitched 11 major league seasons with Houston (2001-10) and Philadelphia (2010-11) is scheduled to travel to Texas on Thursday for a physical. If all goes well, he will then go to Triple-A Round Rock and on Saturday make the first of what will likely be several minor league starts.

Seattle got going in the fifth after a one-out double by light-hitting Brendan Ryan, the No. 9 batter hitting only .176 coming into the game, before Dustin Ackley walked. Alex Liddi then struck out, but both runners advanced on a double steal

The Rangers then intentionally walked Ichiro Suzuki to load the bases. Jesus Montero hit a grounder wide of third that Beltre fielded in the hole. But his throw sailed high over first baseman Mike Napoli’s head and out of play, allowing two runs.

Hamilton’s two-run homer came in the sixth off Vargas, bumping his majors-best RBIs total to 56 and cutting the gap to 4-3. His grounder in the first pushed home Andrus, who had doubled and advanced on a wild pitch.

Seattle’s big eighth came after Vargas had thrown his last pitch.

“I said `Come on. Let’s get some runs guys’. I proceeded to go put ice on,” Vargas said. “I got to take the ice off before the inning was over, so that’s a good thing.”

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GOP, Democratic Senate Hopefuls Head To Runoff

mgoodman — Wed, 30 May 2012 02:51:20 +0000

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst did not win enough votes Tuesday to secure the GOP nomination for the vacant U.S. Senate seat without a runoff against tea party-backed Ted Cruz. Nor did Democratic leader Paul Sadler, who will face Grady Yarbrough, a San Antonio challenger who doesn’t have a campaign website.

Dewhurst will face former Texas Solicitor General Cruz, who won about 34 percent of the vote compared to Dewhurst’s 45 percent.

Speaking at her husband’s campaign party in Houston, Tricia Dewhurst said she was “hoping to avoid a runoff, but (is) energized either way.” She said she is “inspired by David’s energy and enthusiasm.”

Former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert threw in the towel after falling behind early at about 7:30 p.m. with only 8 percent of precincts reporting. Leppert finished with 13 percent of the vote.

Sports broadcaster Craig James managed to secure just 4 percent of the vote.

After the runoff was declared, Dewhurst spoke to his supporters in Houston, saying he aimed to “stop the out of control spending from Washington” and “balance the budget just like we do here in Texas without raising taxes.”

“Tonight, we Republicans sent a message to President Obama: Stop the war on Texas,” Dewhurst said to a cheering room. “And that’s exactly what I’ll help to do as your next United States Senator.”

When Cruz took the stage moments later at his own celebratory event in Houston, he greeted supporters with, “Wow. We did it.”

“A year and a half ago there wasn’t a soul in the state of Texas that thought this was possible,” Cruz said, prompting one supporter to yell otherwise. “But I’ll tell you, tonight was a victory for conservatives.”

The runoff was reported with 38 percent of precincts reporting.

The Democratic race for that same seat also ended with a runoff. Paul Sadler, an attorney who served in the state House from 1991 to 2003, ensured his presence.

The race between his competitors was too close to call until about 10:40 p.m. Grady Yarbrough, of San Antonio, had 26 percent of the vote while his opponent Addie Allen had 23 percent with 89 percent of precincts reporting.

Allen lives in Beaumont and has a long history as a city employee. The Associated Press described Yarbrough as a “political unknown” who “has run as a Democrat and a Republican in previous elections.”

Republican U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison is retiring. She’s served as the state’s senior Senator since 1993.

Texas has not elected a Democratic candidate to that Senate seat since 1988.

CBS 11′s Jack Fink contributed to this report.

Texas Primary: Romney Wins Early; Johnson, Barton Cruise

mgoodman — Wed, 30 May 2012 01:41:03 +0000

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson shortly after successfully defending her post as District 30′s representative. (Credit: Bud Gillett)

Last updated: 9: 14 p.m.

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate for the White House while longtime U.S. Representatives Eddie Bernice Johnson and Joe Barton cruised to victory in their North Texas districts, early voting returns from the state primary show.

Going into the Texas Primary Tuesday, Romney held a commanding delegate lead over Ron Paul. CBS News projections show his early dominance at the polls will shoot him well past the 1144 delegates needed to secure his nomination.

The former Massachusetts governor was leading Paul, who ceased campaigning earlier this month, with 71 percent of the vote.

Romney released the statement below on becoming the GOP candidate for President about an hour before the polls closed:

“I am honored that Americans across the country have given their support to my candidacy and I am humbled to have won enough delegates to become the Republican Party’s 2012 presidential nominee. Our party has come together with the goal of putting the failures of the last three and a half years behind us. I have no illusions about the difficulties of the task before us. But whatever challenges lie ahead, we will settle for nothing less than getting America back on the path to full employment and prosperity. On November 6, I am confident that we will unite as a country and begin the hard work of fulfilling the American promise and restoring our country to greatness.”

President Barack Obama will defend his incumbency against Romney.

U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson found herself up by enough votes that the Associated Press called the District 30 race in her favor at about 7:30 p.m.

Johnson topped State Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway, who is also married to Dallas Councilman Dwaine Caraway, with 71 percent of the vote compared to her challenger’s 18 percent. Taj Clayton secured just 12 percent of the vote in that race.

Johnson has served as District 30’s U.S. representative since 1992.

“I’ve never tried to do anything else but to work, and I think (the voters) see the results,” Johnson told CBS 11’s Bud Gillett.

With 23 of 249 precincts reporting, Barton, who has been in Congress since 1985, eased past challenger Joe Chow by about 9,000 votes –– 64 percent to 19 percent. The Associated Press called his race at about 8:30 p.m.

9:14 p.m.: U.S. Rep. Kenny Marchant, who represents the 24th Congressional District located between Dallas and Fort Worth, won his primary. He’s seerved since 2005.

Ongoing Blog: Conservative Counties Make For Tight GOP Senate Race

mgoodman — Wed, 30 May 2012 01:03:39 +0000

8 p.m.

HOUSTON (CBSDFW.COM) – It’s very early, but this is shaping up to be a very close race for the Republican Senate primary in one of the most conservative counties in North Texas.

As early votes are being tallied, it’s almost a three way tie in Collin County between Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz and former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert.

Yes, it’s only one of 203 precincts, but it could be an early indication of how the night will go –– at least in North Texas. Dewhurst has 8,226 votes or 32 percent.

Cruz has 7,956 votes or 31 percent, and Leppert has 7,359 votes or 29 percent.

It’s also close in Denton County. Again, it’s only one of 146 precincts, but it shows it’s close.

Dewhurst: 5,984 votes or 33 percent. Leppert: 5,380 votes or 30 percent and Cruz: 5,205 votes or 29 percent.
And in Tarrant County, similar results.

Dewhurst leads with 14,123 votes or 36 percent so far. Cruz is in second with 11,763 votes or 30 percent, and Leppert is close behind with 11,200 votes with 28 percent.

Again, it’s early.

These results are for one of the county’s 676 precincts. Dallas County results haven’t shown up yet.

Statewide, the numbers are different. With less than 1 percent of the precincts reporting: Leppert trails with 15 percent of the vote. Dewhurst has 48 percent and Cruz has 28 percent.

For now, it appears Leppert’s strength in North Texas is hurting Dewhurst and could keep him from the more than 50 percent needed to win this out-right.

2 Allegedly Furnish Alcohol After Weatherford Prom

mgoodman — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:53:46 +0000

Patricia Parrish Linn, 50, and Gregory Ray Wright, 50, are charged with furnishing alcohol to minors during a party that drew 100 teens and left three injured. (Credit: Parker County)

WEATHERFORD (AP) – Two North Texas adults have been accused of providing alcohol for an after-prom party that drew more than 100 teens and left three hurt.

The Parker County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday said investigators want to know if the suspects are related to any of the minors.

The Weatherford High School prom was April 28. Deputies later responded to a complaint about a party in Millsap.

Deputies say 50-year-olds Patricia Parrish Linn and Gregory Ray Wright appeared to be watching the teens drink.

Both were arrested Thursday on charges of furnishing alcohol to minors, then freed on $1,500 bonds. Online jail records did not list attorneys for them.

One boy cut his knee during the party while another suffered a dislocated shoulder. A girl hit her head falling off a ledge.

Terrell Owens Released From Allen Wranglers

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:45:42 +0000

ALLEN (CBSDFW.COM) – The Allen Wranglers Indoor Football League team announced on Tuesday that co-owner and WR Terrell Owens has been officially released.

“It’s disappointing and unfortunate,” Allen Wranglers owner John Frankel said of releasing Owens, “but (he) could no longer be tolerated by the Wrangler organization.”

Owens joined the IFL team to much fanfare in February as co-owner and star player with a reported six-figure salary. The wide receiver, known for his his flamboyant touchdown celebrations and public persona, once played in the NFL for the San Francisco 49′ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.

Owens, who was not required to play in all of the Wranglers road games caught a total of 35 passes for 420 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games for the Wranglers in 2012.

Per the Wranglers website, the news of the release included a note from team President and Co-Owner Tommy Benizio that told the story of what pushed the team over the edge saying, “The proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back for Mr. Owens was his no–show to a scheduled appearance at a local children’s hospital with other Wrangler players and coaches. It is not the desire of the Allen Wranglers’ organization to disappoint fans by having our most notable player miss a scheduled appearance.”

Owens’ ownership stake has also been terminated because he violated his contract.

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Plano Judge Lets Police Access Manson Family Member’s Recordings

Kent — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:05:55 +0000

PLANO (AP) – A Texas judge has ruled that Los Angeles police are entitled to recordings of conversations between a Manson family member and his attorney.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Brenda T. Rhoades granted the request Tuesday, allowing officers to obtain eight audio tapes of talks between Charles “Tex” Watson and attorney Bill Boyd.

Watson is serving a life sentence for his role in the 1969 Tate-La Bianca murders. He previously made the tapes available to his co-author for the 1978 book, “Will You Die for Me?”

Now, police want to see whether Watson described any unsolved killings in the conversations.

Boyd died in 2009 and his Texas firm is in bankruptcy.

Rhoades’ ruling came despite an objection from Watson’s current attorney, who argued Watson didn’t waive attorney-client privilege when making the book deal.

Smartphone Apps Helping Ease Pain Of Regret

Ryan Crowe — Tue, 29 May 2012 22:00:56 +0000

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – Ever send a text message you wish you shouldn’t have or place a phone call when you’ve had a few too many?

A couple smart phone apps could help ease the regret.

A new app for the iPhone, called Quimby, allows users to set a time when a message, a picture or a conversation will self-destruct.

Both the user and sender must have a Quimby account for it to work.

“I can’t really see why somebody should get to hold on to something you said forever just because you sent it to them,” said Fort Worth resident Ember Lefever. “I think it’s a good idea.”

“A lot of people do stuff like text things they regret, especially when they’ve been drinking,” 24-year-old Ashley Wofford said.

According to a recent study, by Pew Research Center, one in ten people between the ages of 14 and 24 have sent a sexually suggestive picture by text message.

Quimby now claims to help users practice ‘safe sexting’ but Match.com relationship expert Whitney Casey doesn’t recommend it.

“Let’s talk about the fact that you are taking suggestive pictures and sending them to a potential date, this does not bode well for your dating life with them,” she explained. “Why are you making that call to begin with, or why are you sending that picture to begin with?”

Quimby isn’t alone in the world of dating apps, others like ‘Drunk Dial No‘ let users hide certain contacts before a night of drinking to prevent any texts or phone calls they may regret later.

“Especially the dating scene, especially, we need it!” Wofford said, “I do drink, and I have done that a lot!”

“I think you need to go back to dating boot camp if you need to use these apps,” Casey said, “recipe for disaster, not a good cocktail.”

Both apps are available on iTunes for 99 cents.

Fan Events: Week of May 27 – June 3

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:55:16 +0000

Tuesday May 29

Albertson’s for the Texans Can Academy
4000 Glade Rd. Colleyville, Tx 76034
12-1p

Join 105.3 The Fan and the Fantasy Girls at Albertson’s. Come help us support the kids at Texans Can Academy…we’ll get you registered for your chance to throw out an opening pitch at a Ranger game this summer! Please join us and remember to to write off the car not the kid. Click here to learn more.

Wednesday May 30

Albertson’s for the Texans Can Academy
225 E Spring Weatherford, TX 76086
12-1p

Wednesday May 30

RAGE at Dukes + Big Balls
4180 Belt Line Road Addison, TX 75001
2p-10p

Wednesday means only one thing, you need to out at Dukes! Come by this week to see RAGE broadcast live, followed by the return of this Summer’s biggest game : BigBalls. Sybil and the lovely 105.3 The Fan Fantasy Girls will be on hand for all the excitement, so come on by and try to win some prizes this summer!

Thursday May 31

Albertson’s for the Texans Can Academy
210 W Katherine P Raines Cleburne, Tx 76033
12-1p

Thursday May 31

Albertson’s for the Texans Can Academy
4351 FM 2181 Corinth, TX 76210
2p-3p

Friday June 1

Elf at Concordia University
2080 N HWY 360 #400 Grand Prarie TX 75050
10a-2p

It’s Friday, it’s Summer time, and Elf wants to hang out with you at Concordia University. Thinking about a return to school? Maybe a new adventure? Well come on down and see what Concordia has to offer and say hey to Elf and Friends.

Storm Chances For North Texas, Then Cooler!

lrmowry — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:14:25 +0000

There is a Slight Risk Outlook for severe weather this evening and overnight. Our chances for storms don’t look as good as they did last night, but we will have to watch storms that develop along the dryline to our west and the stationary front to our north. Storms that develop in Oklahoma could dive SE toward North Texas tonight. Areas NE of Dallas (i.e. Paris, Sulphur Springs, Bonham) have a slightly better chance of seeing the Oklahoma storms move in after sunset into the night. But for Dallas/Fort Worth, there is a slight chance of storms this evening and overnight, but overall doesn’t look like last night. We, of course, will have to wait and see what bubbles up this afternoon to our north and west. That will determine what happens later tonight. Be sure to get the latest on CBS 11 News at 4, 5 and 6.

3pm Temperatures

COLD FRONT TOMORROW NIGHT…

A large severe weather outbreak looks likely tomorrow across parts of Oklahoma and Kansas. Tornadoes look possible in this area tomorrow. A cold front will arrive Tomorrow night here in North Texas. That will bring a chance for showers and thunderstorms to our area Wednesday night thru Thursday morning. This front will bring some cooler weather! Here is the slight and moderate risk area for Wednesday.

Here is your 7-day Forecast…

Rangers Sign Free Agent Pitcher Roy Oswalt

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:13:35 +0000

ARLINGTON (CBSDFW.COM) – The Texas Rangers have added another arm to the already strong bullpen by signing free agent Roy Oswalt (9-10 with a 3.69 ERA in 2011) to a reported one year $5 million deal – with another $1 million in incentives.

It was reported that several teams were in the hunt to acquire Oswalt including the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers with whom he worked out with recently.

The 34-year old pitcher, who has been sidelined twice to the DL recently due to lower back issues, chose to ignore offers from the Detroit Tigers and Red Sox in the off-season for the chance to be picked-up by the Rangers or Cardinals after the season started.

With Neftali Feliz on the DL the Rangers had an open spot to fill after moving Scott Feldman into the rotation.

Oswalt is expected to join Texas after making 3 or 4 minor league starts.

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Crane Suspect’s Mother Says Son Was Mentally Ill

mgoodman — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:10:36 +0000

(Photo credit CBSDFW.COM)

DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – Ollie May Thomas says she knew it was her son dangling from a tower crane when she saw him on the news.

She recognized the clothing –– he was wearing that outfit when he left her home on Friday night. The suspect’s body shape confirmed her suspicions.

When detectives from Dallas Police called to tell her that her son, 44-year-old Lee Dale Thomas Jr., had fallen from a 150 ft. crane, she said she was not surprised. She had watched the coverage and saw her son’s last moments as he dangled from the crane.

“I feel real empty,” she said. “Feeling I wished I could have did something more, but he wasn’t a baby and I couldn’t pick him up.”

Thomas said there is a history of mental illness in her family.

Lee Dale Thomas Jr.’s grandfather committed suicide and his father was a paranoid schizophrenic, she said.

Thomas said her son began using drugs at an early age and was imprisoned on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for killing his girlfriend’s mother.

He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 1991 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to Dallas County records. He was charged with the same thing in 1998 and was sentenced to four years.

He finished his sentence in October 2004.

Lee Dale Thomas Jr., 44, climbed up a crane near SMU on May 28, triggering a 14 hour standoff that ended with his death. (Credit: Dallas County)

When he left prison, he sought treatment for his mental illness, with her by his side. But after two months on medication, he quit taking the pills.

“He said he didn’t like the way the medication made him feel,” Thomas said.

From then on, she said, he worked odd jobs and stayed at her home periodically.

Friday night she said he had a different look and demeanor than normal.

“In his eyes, it didn’t look like he cared about nothing at all,” she said.

He left wearing a red shirt and black pants.

“I’ll see you when I see you,” were the last words he said to her.

Thomas turned on the news Monday to see a man in a stand off with police inside a crane on the SMU campus.

“I said, ‘that person has got to be sick up there. They are going sweat to death,’” she said.

Thousands were drawn to the coverage of a man who had barricaded himself inside a tower crane, claiming to have a gun and threatening to use it.

At a news conference Tuesday, Assistant Chief Thomas Lawrence confirmed Thomas did not have a gun.

The standoff lasted for well over 12 hours. Lawrence said officers had tried to talk Thomas down for much of the standoff, but at about midnight he stopped responding.

Lawrence said they sent officers up the crane, but they never got close enough to talk to him. Thomas dangled from the crane before he fell to his death, 150 feet below.

“He ended up getting into a position where he slipped and was hanging from the window or the window wipers,” Lawrence explained.

Questions have now been raised on if SMU could have done anything to keep Thomas out. The university says it secured the site with barricades, fencing, and signs. But they say nothing could hold back someone determined on destruction. As for who bears the ultimate responsibility for security on the construction site, SMU said they would be looking into it.

On The Road: A Traveling Gutenberg Press

Ryan Crowe — Tue, 29 May 2012 21:08:09 +0000

Like a lot of people Rusty Maisel had questions about the Bible, so he went looking for answers. Along the way he collected several biblical artifacts some dating back to 3000 B.C. I went On the Road to meet Maisel and his traveling exhibit called the Enduring Word Museum.

The exhibit takes you from the very early years when there were only hand written manuscripts of the Bible. He shows the progression of how the Bible got from those hand written scrolls to the printed book that is considered the number one selling book in the world, the Holy Bible.

Having been a printer in his younger years, Maisel was interested in Johannes Gutenberg’s press, which is credited with printing the first Bible. In the exhibit he has a replica of what he think is a Gutenberg press.

The large wooden device Maisel built himself is made of walnut and has a large screw that is attached to a handle, He puts ink on the printing plate and places a sheet of paper into a frame that slides under the press. When the handle is pulled it places 2000 pounds of pressure on the printing plate and prints out Psalms chapter 1 of the original King James Version of the Bible. Maisel wonders if Gutenberg knew how important his invention would be.

As for the Bible questions Maisel had, “I always wondered whether the Bible was true, whether you could believe it. I had been told it had been copied so many times it was just full of mistakes. I didn’t know what to believe so I started investigating, and across 20 years of going out and really trying to talk to the experts. I found out the Bible is not full of mistakes.” Maisel is convinced that the Bible, from early Greek and Hebrew manuscripts to the King James version to now, has not changed through the years.

Maisel takes his traveling museum around the country to churches and other groups who invite him to come speak and he tries to answer the question they have about the Bible. “This is my called personal ministry… I believe this is what I’m supposed to be doing.” says Maisel.

The exhibit is full of ancient archeological and biblical artifact. It is quite a collection and an interesting look at the Bible and it significance.

Tiger To Skip Media For Fan Interaction

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:48:01 +0000

FORT WORTH (CBSSPORTS.COM) – To say Tiger Woods isn’t a huge fan of making media room appearances would be like saying surfers get a little annoyed when sharks entire their part of the ocean. Tiger makes it clear that he’d rather gnaw on old rubber than have to sit around and answer questions pitched at him from the media.

And for the second time this season, Tiger isn’t going to take a seat at the pre-tournament media barrage held this week at the Memorial. Woods, a four-time winner at this event, announced that instead of a press conference this week at Jack Nicklaus’ event, Tiger is going to host something called a Google Hangout session where fans can interact with him live.

Read more at CBS SPORTS.COM

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Cuban! Are You Watching The Spurs?

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:39:18 +0000

Last year at this time the Mavericks were on their way to the NBA Finals and would soon win their first championship in franchise history.

This year they were swept out of the playoffs in the first round, and with the majority of their roster looking at free agency, the team that once was the toast of the town, now is full of question marks.

It appears the franchise is on the decline and that Dirk will win just one championship during his Dallas stay, even if the they do sign Deron Williams in the off season.

So how did this happen so fast? And how do the Mavs get back on top?

One way…follow the lead of the San Antonio Spurs.

The team is on the cusp of another NBA Finals berth, and continue to get better despite being called old. The average age of the team is 27.4 years. That’s younger than your Dallas Mavericks.

They have been able to keep the big three together (Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili) and surround them with talented players, not through huge free agent signs, but skillful scouting and innovative trades.

The Spurs only have one lottery pick on their roster and have continues to thrive despite being in a small market. Most of the big time free agents tend to migrate to markets like New York and Los Angeles. But the Spurs keep away from big names, instead worrying about depth and role players.

It helps that the team has Tim Duncan, probably the most under appreciated player in the game. He continues to be a dominant force in the post season and a team leader off the court.

While Dirk may be a more talented scorer, Duncan is far more well rounded, playing great defense, as well as making everyone else around him better.

The Spurs also load their roster up with players that know and understand their roles. Danny Green and Gary Neal are such players, who could start for some teams, but embrace their roles off the bench with the Spurs. Ginobili would start for any team in the NBA, but comes off the bench for the Spurs.

The Mavs rely so heavily on free agency and cap space, the were forced to let key pieces of their championship team go, so they could try and win again sometime down the road.

So while the Spurs continue to re-load, the Mavs will have to rebuild. And maybe its time for Mark Cuban and Donnie Nelson to take a look at the team down south and strip a page from their playbook.

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Duncan Not Leaving San Antonio In Free Agency, “I’m a Spur For Life”

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 20:38:23 +0000

SAN ANTONIO (CBSSPORTS.COM) – This will come as no shock to you, but Tim Duncan has already made it clear, publicly in an interview with Yahoo Sports, that he’s not going to be going anywhere when he hits the free-agent market this summer.

Duncan now says it’s realistic to expect him to play another year or two. Three or four years, he thinks, would be a stretch, even in his improved condition. This much is certain: He has little interest in testing the free-agent market when his contract ends after this season, negotiating leverage be damned.

“Though I shouldn’t say that; I have to threaten them that I’ll leave,” he joked. “No … I’m not going anywhere. You can print that wherever you want to. I’m here and I’m a Spur for life.”

Read more at CBS SPORTS.COM

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Couples, Price To Be Next Captains

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:55:12 +0000

DUBLIN, OH (AP) – Fred Couples returns for a third stint as U.S. captain for the Presidents Cup, with a different captain trying to beat him.

Nick Price, a three-time major champion from Zimbabwe, has been selected to lead the International team in 2013. Greg Norman was the International team captain the last two times.

Couples joins Jack Nicklaus as the only captains to serve in three matches. The Americans have won the Presidents Cup both times with Couples as the captain, including last year at Royal Melbourne. Price played five times in the Presidents Cup, the most of any captain on either team. His last appearance was in 2003 in South Africa, which ended in a tie.

The Presidents Cup will be played Oct. 3-6 at Muirfield Village.

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Recapping The Fan Pool Party

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 19:24:25 +0000

RAGE’s Richie Whitt talks with New School’s Jasmine Sadry at the Fan Memorial Day Broadcast – Live on the Lake party (Photo by J.Burkett, CBSDFW.COM)

DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) – Since Shan was absent from the Memorial Day broadcast and party on the lake – Jasmine, RJ and Troy gave him a complete recap of all of the activities of the day.

Did it live up to the hype of past pool parties? Who was the drunkest of the bunch? What was the biggest and best moment of the party? New School breaks down what happened.

PLAY: Recapping The Fan Pool Party

Download: 052912_pool.mp3

See photos from the FAN Memorial Day – Live At The Lake Party

*Listen to New School with Shan, RJ, Jasmine & Troy weekdays 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. on 105.3 The Fan.

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5 Up, 5 Down: Fantasy Baseball Advice For May 29th

mreal197 — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:23:27 +0000

By: Jack Moore

Each week we’ll be providing you with insight into the best (and worst) baseball players to play in your fantasy baseball league.

As I turn in this week’s column, I own a three strikeout lead on my opponent in my one head-to-head league, and he still has Jonny Venters in the Sunday Night game. If I don’t turn in a column next week, it’s because the suspense has killed me.

5 UP

1. Norichika Aoki, OF, MIL: Aoki has moved into an everyday role in right field for Milwaukee, forcing their hand with his performance so far this season. Another 2-for-4 day Sunday raises his average to .313 with decent doubles power and a healthy 8.4% walk rate. He has 11 runs in 95 plate appearances and that rate should skyrocket with regular plate appearances in front of Ryan Braun. He won’t provide much in RBI or HR, and he only has one stolen base, but it can be extremely hard to find high-average guys at this point in the season and Aoki could be one.

2. Tom Wilhelmsen, RP, SEA: With Brandon League out as closer in Seattle, the Mariners are going to a committee. Expect Wilhelmsen to come out on top. The 28-year-old righty has 30 strikeouts in just 24.1 innings and is the best righty in the Mariners’ pen at this time. Don’t be fooled by his 4.44 ERA – a 3.24 FIP suggests that number will come down, and with a hot start he could entrench himself as Seattle’s closer.

3. Colby Rasmus, OF, TOR: Rasmus scorched the ball this week, going 10-for-28 (.357) with two homers, two steals and five RBI. The main scourge behind his .227/.298/.411 line remains a .260 BABIP. Owners who pick him up now likely won’t have to deal with that and can reap the benefits of hitter-friendly Rogers Centre as he heats up. He could be a sneakily cheap source of both power and steals.

4. Adam Wainwright, SP, STL: Wainwright followed up a shutout gem earlier in the week with a six inning, one run start Sunday against the Phillies, giving him just one run allowed in his last 15 innings. It’s time to buy on Wainwright. He’s seen his velocity tick up, particularly on his cutter, and that could indicate he’s returning to the form which had him competing for Cy Youngs in the latter part of the last decade.

5. Matt Moore, SP, TB: Moore’s 7 IP, 10 K, 2 ER start against the White Sox on Memorial Day was overshadowed by Chris Sale’s gem (and understandably so). But let’s not lose sight of the future ace — he now has four straight starts with at least six strikeouts and has allowed no more than three earned runs in each. He has a 30:10 K:BB ratio in those four starts (covering 22 innings) and looks like he might be turning a corner. Don’t get left behind.

5 DOWN

1. Derek Lowe, SP, CLE: Lowe was beat up in two starts this week, allowing 10 runs on 16 hits in 8.1 innings. Lowe struck out just five batters and has a swinging strike rate of just 4.6% on his career. What we saw last week is just what happens when a pitcher gives up as much contact as Lowe does – he allowed 16 hits, including a homer, and even his pristine control (just one walk) doesn’t always help with major league hitters in the batter’s box.

2. Michael Young, INF, TEX: Young has struggled mightily to open 2012, and another down week (.222/.236/.278 in 55 PA) has his overall line down to .282/.305/.379. His power is almost completely gone; he has just a .097 ISO, and at 36 there doesn’t seem to be much reason to believe it will come back. Young always seems to have fans somewhere, so a reasonable return could probably be had here, too.

3. Derek Jeter, SS, NYY: The Jeter cool-down has begun. The Captain is hitting just .250 in his last two weeks (12 games, 54 PA) despite a BABIP of .297 in that span. He’s certainly not worth giving up on – he’s probably a .280-.290 hitter with a very good run total at the end of the season – but if you can capitalize on his .338/.380/.465 start, do so and do so quickly.

4. Matt Capps, RP, MIN: Capps finally blew his first save of the season Sunday, giving up a two-run homer to Miguel Cabrera to lose the game for the Twins. The problem with Capps is that he just doesn’t miss bats any more – he has just a 4.5 K/9 and in many ways is the relief pitcher version of Lowe. He’s had exceptional control thus far, walking just one batter all year, but if he does lose track of the strike zone, it could fall apart very quickly in Minnesota for Capps.

5. Kirk Nieuwenhuis, OF, NYM: Nieuwenhuis was a darling early in the season as he put up a .325 average in April. May has not been so kind. The 25-year-old has just a .261 average in May, and he may not even sustain that going forward. He was 0-for-4 with a strikeout Sunday, his 53rd of the year in just 47 games. It’s almost impossible to maintain any sort of a reasonable batting average with a 30% strikeout rate or higher, and Nieuwenheis is now at 30.5% on the year. Expect him to be closer to .250 than his current .288 for the rest of the season.

Jack Moore is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Mathematics and Economics. His work can also be found at FanGraphs.com, DisciplesOfUecker.com, RotoWire.com, AdvancedNFLStats.com and ESPN. Follow him on twitter at @jh_moore.

Chesapeake Energy’s Troubles Could Have Big Impact On North Texas

Kent — Tue, 29 May 2012 18:19:54 +0000

FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) - It’s one of the biggest natural gas drillers in the Barnett Shale, it owns the former Pier 1 building downtown, and it’s taking a lot of heat recently for some of its financial dealings.

Chesapeake Energy has a big presence in North Texas. And lately it’s surrounded by a lot of controversy to match.

Chesapeake — and the rest of the natural gas industry — is already hurting because of rock-bottom prices for natural gas. The Oklahoma City-based company is the second-biggest natural gas producer in the country (Irving’s ExxonMobil is first) and in the Barnett Shale. The company is no stranger to the spotlight, which it actively chases through its high-profile advertising and public relations campaigns. But its CEO’s financial dealings, and the company’s involvement in them, are bringing a lot of unwanted attention.

Reuters reports Chesapeake’s co-founder and CEO, Aubrey McClendon, has taken out some big personal loans against the company’s holdings. Big, as in more than $1 billion.

He got the loans, in part, through something called the “Founder Well Participation Program,” which the company ended soon after it was publicly revealed. It also took away the Chairman of the Board job from McClendon. Not long after that, the Fort Worth office of the Securities and Exchange Commission started investigating Chesapeake.

One of the basic problems with the loan arrangement is the high potential for conflict of interest. In April, Reuters talked to several lawyers and academics about the issue:

“If Mr. McClendon has $1 billion in debt through his own companies — companies operating in the same industry as Chesapeake — he has or could have a high degree of risk for conflicts of interest. As in, whose interest will he look out for, his own or Chesapeake’s?” said Joshua Fershee, an associate professor of energy and corporate law at the University of North Dakota.

Even before the loan arrangements came to light, Chesapeake decided to sharply cut back its drilling in the Barnett Shale. The company announced in January that because of low natural gas prices it would eliminate half its Barnett drilling, dropping the total to six operating rigs.

2012 has been a rough year for the company so far, and it’s reflected in the stock price. Today it’s trading at about $16. That’s down from $25.58 in March, and way off its all-time high of more than $66, which it reached in 2008.

What could all this mean for North Texas? Last month NPR talked to Houston geological consultant Arthur Berman and asked him that question:

“So I think it’s too early to say what the short-term or the long-term effects are, but it’s worth noting that Chesapeake is a huge, huge player in all of the onshore drilling that’s going on, not only in Texas but in the United States. In some ways, I guess it would be reasonable to say that if Chesapeake goes, so goes the overall business picture.”

In other words, stay tuned. It could be a bumpy ride.

How Does Jason Garrett Rank In The NFL?

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 17:45:02 +0000

DALLAS (105.3 THE FAN) – Recently a list came out of the top coaches in the NFL. How does the Cowboys top man rank among other NFL coaches? RAGE discusses.

PLAY: Where is Jason Garrett ranked amongst NFL head coaches?

Download: 052512-garrett.mp3

Listen to Richie & Greggo “RAGE” weekdays 2:00pm – 7:00pm on 105.3 The Fan. Follow us on Twitter @1053RAGE @RichieWhitt @TCUWhiteTrash @ArmenontheAir @Sybil1053

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Adults Arrested For Providing Prom Party Alcohol

KTVTPhil — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:45:07 +0000

WEATHERFORD (AP) - Two North Texas adults have been accused of providing alcohol for an after-prom party that drew more than 100 teens and left three hurt.

The Parker County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday said investigators want to know if the suspects are related to any of the minors.

The Weatherford High School prom was April 28. Deputies later responded to a complaint about a party in Millsap.

Deputies say 50-year-olds Patricia Parrish Linn and Gregory Ray Wright appeared to be watching the teens drink.

Both were arrested Thursday on charges of furnishing alcohol to minors, then freed on $1,500 bonds. Online jail records did not list attorneys for them.

One boy cut his knee during the party while another suffered a dislocated shoulder. A girl hit her head falling off a ledge.

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Following Danica Patrick: Double Duty At Charlotte

mreal197 — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:34:20 +0000

(credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

By: Farrah Kaye

Memorial Day weekend is famous for its racing. The Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 are American traditions and winning one of these two are high on a driver’s wish list.

Danica Patrick never won the Indy 500 before leaving IndyCar full time and it was highly unlikely she would win the Coke 600 on her first try. But Patrick made her weekend even more difficult by running in both the Nationwide and Sprint Cup series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Making her debut at Charlotte had more eyes on her than usual, being the first woman since 1976 to do so (Janet Guthrie). But Patrick didn’t feel the pressure.

“I feel like I’ve got a good distance preview with Darlington being 500 (miles), what’s another hundred after that right? I am excited,” Patrick said. “I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to race in both of them because of GoDaddy.com and because of Stewart-Haas willing to put me in these 10 races this year. I will be running back and forth but it’s nothing other driver’s haven’t done before.”

Unfortunately, Patrick’s debut did not go well. She was 28th in the first two practices and 24th in the final practice. Qualifying was even worse. She was 43rd fastest of the 47 cars trying to make the field and only made the race because the No. 10 was in the top 35 of owner points.

The race started under the bright sun and Patrick, who started 40th, slowly made her way through the field, which isn’t hard to do when the back of the field is filled with start-and-park teams. By lap 50, she was already one lap down and got in the way of race-leader Marcos Ambrose.

Things got even worse from there, as she continued to go laps down (two laps down at lap 90, three laps down at lap 250, four laps down at lap 290) and got in the way of other drivers. Jeff Gordon was overheard on his scanner referring Patrick was getting in the way.

With 67 laps left, Patrick brushed the wall and had slight damage but continued the race, where she eventually finished five laps down in 30th place.

“We had a lot of green-flag running and for me as a driver in general in NASCAR, but especially as a new driver in the Cup Series, that hurts me. Those long runs hurt me,” Patrick said. “I’m just not great at making the best out of a car that’s not perfect and those long runs really show that. But that’s what you get in Cup. You get a lot of green flag running and I’ve got to learn how to deal with that. But that’s just the nature of where I’m at on the learning curve at this point in time.

“We brought the GoDaddy car home and one of the goals was to finish. I would have liked to have been a little faster overall, but I think there were some times in there when it was decent. It was kind of like Darlington (where) there was a certain run or two that felt really good and everything else, you just kind of like let’s work on this and let’s work on that.”

Kasey Kahne, making his 300th Sprint Cup series start, took the win for Hendrick Motorsports, earning Mr. H his 201st trophy. This marks Kahne’s third Coca-Cola 600.

In the HISTORY 300, Patrick had a much better race. She qualified third, after sitting on the provisional pole for a few runs. She finished 13th and on the lead lap. Cup series regular and past series champion Brad Keselowski won the race.

As far as not being at Indy, Patrick said she is happy in her decision to be in NASCAR (despite rumors there are plans to have her run “The Double” in the near future).

“I didn’t feel like I wanted to be there,” Patrick said of Indy. “I just had a lot of memories of what was going on. I’m very pleased that I’m in NASCAR. I’m very happy; I’m having a lot of fun.”

Patrick will not get behind the wheel of the No. 10 again until Bristol in August. Next week, the Nationwide Series heads to Dover.

Farrah Kaye is a NASCAR columnist for CBS Local Sports and is a member of the NMPA. Her previous articles have appeared on SPEEDtv.com, newsweek.com and she holds a degree in Journalism. Follow her on Twitter @Farrah_Kaye.

Almost Lost For Season, Travis Zajac Helping Fuel Devils’ Run

mreal197 — Tue, 29 May 2012 16:16:22 +0000

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) — Most of the talk about the Devils and their run to the Stanley Cup finals against the Los Angeles Kings has focused on Martin Brodeur, Ilya Kovalchuk, Zach Parise and Peter DeBoer.

The 40-year-old goaltender, the team’s two big goal scorers and the new coach all have played major roles in getting the Devils back to the championship round just a year after they missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996.

The guy who tends to get lost in all the talk is Travis Zajac.

This was almost a lost season for the Devils’ No. 1 center. He tore an Achilles tendon in August, had surgery the next day and tried to come back in December. He lasted eight games before calling it quits.

Over the next two months, there were times he thought his season was over as the injury and soreness wouldn’t go away. The 27-year-old continued his rehab and eventually came back in late March. It took him a couple of weeks to find his game but one can argue he has been the best player for the Devils in the postseason, which will start its final round on Wednesday as the Los Angeles Kings visit New Jersey.

“He is the type of player who does a lot of things well, from the faceoff to the forcechecking, taking the body,” Brodeur said. “He does a lot of little things. A lot of people who are not watching him and who only look at the stats, miss a lot. He is an effective player. He logs a lot of important minutes. That’s what you have to look at, and who he plays against every single shift, and that tells you a lot about them.”

His statistics aren’t shabby either. Zajac has seven goals — tied for the team high with Kovalchuk and Parise — and five assists. His 12 points are tied for eighth best in the postseason. He also played on New Jersey’s power play and kills off penalties averaging more than 20 minutes a game, third highest among the teams’ forwards.

Not bad for player who appeared in 15 regular-season games.

“Getting this far I’m sure it’s enjoyable for everyone but it really is for me,” Zajac said after the Devils practiced Monday for the first time since winning the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers on Friday night. “Playing this late in the season really makes me feel like I didn’t miss the whole season. It’s really a fun time to play hockey.”

Coming into this season, Zajac had been the Devils’ current iron man. He had played in 401 consecutive games for the team between 2006 and the end of the 2010-11 season only to get hurt working out at home before training camp.

If there has been a positive in terms of the injury, Zajac is fresh. While most of his teammates have played around 100 games, he has played in 33 and seemingly is rounding into midseason form.

Veteran forward Dainius Zubrus said Zajac’s return has been one of the keys to the Devils’ success.

Instead of gambling and making a deal for a top center at the trading deadline, general manager Lou Lamoriello stood pat and waited for Zajac to be ready.

“It took time, but the surprising thing for me is how well the guy can play after basically missing the whole year,” said Zubrus, who plays on Zajac’s right wing with Parise on the left. “He is playing top minutes, PP and PK, and all that stuff. You can’t get a player like that on deadline. When he got healthy it was a big addition.”

DeBoer said Zajac’s contributions are immeasurable.

“We wouldn’t be here without Travis,” said DeBoer, who was forced to use roughly 10 different centers this season in searching for replacement for Zajac. “The fact that we were able to fill … the hole he left is a credit to Patrik Elias, (Adam) Henrique and (Stephen) Gionta, and (others).”

“Looking back now in reflection, that was an awfully big hole,” DeBoer added.

In facing the Kings, the Devils will be taking on the NHL’s top team in the postseason. Los Angeles is 12-2 and it has barely been tested in knocking off the top three seeds in the Western Conference — Vancouver, St. Louis and Phoenix. In each series, Los Angeles won the first three games.

“They have big size up front, they check well and control the puck offensively, that’s been one of their strengths throughout the playoffs,” Zajac said. “They have some D-men who can make plays and jump up on offense.”

The Kings also play like the Devils. They roll four lines and have an outstanding goaltender in Jonathan Quick.

“There are similarities for sure, but every team at this point plays a similar style, they forecheck hard and the D keeps puck alive,” Zajac said. “I think every team that has been successful was similar structure.”

The Kings traveled on Monday to New Jersey. A media day for the teams is scheduled Tuesday.

Will Zajac and the Devils hoist the Cup? Make your prediction in the comments below!

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Memoriam Day

jeffburkett — Tue, 29 May 2012 15:57:34 +0000

I lied to get into the sports media business. Sorta.

Went down like this:

In 1986 a few months before I graduated UT-Arlington with a degree in journalism I caught the eye and grabbed the ear of an editor at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

“I’ll do anything, for any price,” I begged, attempting to jam the tip of my toe into what I perceived to be a sliver in the door.

“Hmm, okay,” returned the editor. “Do you follow soccer?”

“Are you kidding?!” I fibbed, having attended a Dallas Tornado game or two as a kid but not really knowing a goal from a goal kick. “One of my favorite sports!”

Two nights later I was inside Reunion Arena covering a team called the Dallas Sidekicks and a sport called the Major Indoor Soccer League. Orange ball? Walls? A guy who takes his shirt off when he scores? I was clueless. And I was hooked.

Not necessarily on the MISL, but on getting paid to attend sporting events. What a scam. One I’ve somehow perpetrated ever since.

Since that day I’ve covered sports in the Metroplex for 26 years, writing on everything from dart tournaments to The Olympics. Last week in a nostalgic fit I began attempting to piece together the most memorable events I’ve covered during 18 years at the Star-Telegram, seven more at the Dallas Observer and the last 3 1/2 at CBS Radio/105.3 The Fan.

I narrowed it to 20. Not necessarily the best moments. Merely the most memorable.

Hope you enjoy re-living them half as much as I enjoyed covering them.

20. February 16, 2001; Daytona 500 – Assigned to capture the suds, speed and socializing of the Daytona 500, I drove through the tunnel at the Daytona International Speedway and immediately saw a woman. Walking. On her hands. Naked. With grinnin’ guys playing ring toss. Using her legs as the targets. Swear.

19. April 6, 1997; Mav-Wrecks – Though the franchise had bottomed out a couple years earlier with head coach Quinn Buckner and consecutive 13- and 11-win seasons, the Mavs managed only two points – on a pair of Derek Harper free throws – in the third quarter of a lowly loss to the Lakers in The Fabulous Forum.

18. Nov 30, 2006; Anna Nirvana – Got to play three games of tennis at the T Bar M Racquet Club in North Dallas against one of the hottest females on the planet, Anna Kournikova. Nothing really spectacular about the tennis, other than the fact that it was against one of the hottest females on the planet, Anna Kournikova.

17. June 20, 1987; Sidekicks Win – Down 3-1 with less than two minutes to play in Game 7 of the MISL Championship Series, the Sidekicks pulled their goalie in desperation. After an improbable two goals to force overtime, Tatu drilled a shot that Mark Karpun re-directed for the goal that stunned the Tacoma Stars and 20,000 fans in the Tacoma Dome. Two days later I covered a championship parade through downtown and around Reunion Arena.

16. Dec. 10, 1989; Bounty Bowl II – After Cowboys’ head coach Jimmy Johnson had chastised the Eagles’ Buddy Ryan for putting out a bounty on kicker Luis Zendejas in a Thanksgiving Day game at Texas Stadium, the payback at Veterans Stadium was gruesome. Philadelphia beat an infamously futile Cowboys team, 20-10, punctuated by batteries wrapped in iceballs hurled at the sideline and even inside CBS’ broadcast booth at Verne Lundquist and Terry Bradshaw.

15. June 29, 1998; Dirk’s Arrival – He stepped off the plane from Wurzburg, Germany all of 19 years old. Chili-bowl haircut. Big, gold hoops dangling from each ear. But then Dirk Nowitzki dazzled us inside the Baylor-Tom Landry Center gym. 3-pointers with each hand. And a smooth, flowing stride leading to effortless dunks. The Flamingo Fadeway wasn’t yet born, but just days after the NBA Draft Nowitzki’s star was already rising.

14. Dec. 20, 2008; Farewell, Old Friend – It was freezing that night. Winter wind whipping through the tunnel at Texas Stadium. But with the Cowboys rallying and former players lined up to see the last game in Texas Stadium it would end up warm and cozy. Right? Nope. As Baltimore Ravens’ fullback LeRon McClain rumbled 82 yards right up Dallas’ gut it almost made us vomit. Then, about 17 months later, an 11-year-old from Tyler pushed a plunger that imploded my all-time favorite sports stadium.

13. May 14, 2005; Tiger Prowls – Back when Tiger Woods was Tiger Goods, I followed his every move at the Byron Nelson golf tournament. On the 9^th fairway he exited a Port-a-Pot … to a rousing ovation.

12 July 4, 2004; Fantastic Federer – Only thing more amazing than sitting at Centre Court Wimbledon and watching Andy Roddick spank 140-mph serves was witnessing Roger Federer deftly return them for winners with merely a flick of his legendary wrist.

11. June 17, 1994; White Bronco – International media from the globe’s four corners descended upon Fair Park to cover the World Cup, but suddenly we all found ourselves not watching soccer inside the Cotton Bowl but instead huddled around a TV gawking at O.J. Simpson leading Los Angeles police on a low-speed chase.

10. January 17, 1993; How ‘Bout Them Cowboys?! – Candlestick Park. The mud. Major underdogs. Up 24-20 with four minutes remaining, but backed up to their own 10. Get conservative and work on the clock? Nah. How about Troy Aikman to Alvin Harper for the most important 70-yard pass play in franchise history. Cowboys 30, 49ers 20. Hello, Super Bowl.

9. February 28, 1989; Doomsday Indeed – Only days after he was fired by new owner Jerry Jones, Cowboys’ coach Tom Landry went to Valley Ranch and cleaned out his office. Unfortunately, I had to document every sad detail.

8. June 14, 1998; The Joy of Six – With his Chicago Bulls on the brink of losing Game 6 and having to play a Game 7 in the Delta Center against the Utah Jazz, Michael Jordan scored, stole the ball from Karl Malone and then shoved Bryon Russell out of the way before swishing an 18-foot jumper to seal his sixth title. We forget John Stockton front-rimmed an open 3-pointer at the buzzer.

7. October 22, 2010; Hello, World Series! – When closer Neftali Feliz struck out Alex Rodriguez on a nasty curveball, we pinched ourselves. Yep, after 38 seasons the Texas Rangers were finally going to the World Series.

6. February 8, 1986; Spud Soars – On NBA All-Star Saturday at Reunion Arena it was 5-foot-7 Spud Webb who stole the show by winning the Slam Dunk title. But in the locker room it was Celtics’ legend Larry Bird who chugged a Lone Star beer, loudly burped and then offered “Excuse me, I’ve got a trophy to win.” He then went out and at one point made 12 straight 3-pointers en route to the Long Distance Shootout championship.

5. July 27, 1996; Olympic Bombing – During The Summer Olympics in Atlanta I saw Michael Johnson’s double in 200/400, the Dream Team cream everybody and Andre Agassi win gold. But it was 1:30 a.m. when our bus taking us to our dorms at Emory University abruptly stopped. Announced our driver, “A bomb went off in Centennial Park.” Still get chill bumps. I had been there 20 minutes before.

4. August 22, 1989; 5,000 – I was assigned to paint the scene surrounding Nolan Ryan’s historic 5,000^th strikeout. Not Nolan fanning the A’s Rickey Henderson or the ball caught by Chad Krueter, but more so the scalpers selling box seats for, get this, $150 a pop. Probably go for $1,500 today.

3. October 27, 2011; So Close … – One strike away. Twice. I was lined up with a gaggle of media underneath Busch Stadium, awaiting the Texas Rangers’ World Series celebration that would never happen. Plastic was hung from lockers. Boxes of championship hats and T-shirts were carted past. But after David Freese off Neftali Feliz and Lance Berkman off Scott Feldman, it was instead our worst case of blue balls. Ever.

2. January 31, 1993; Super Bowl, XXVII – From Garth Brooks’ National Anthem to Michael Jackson’s halftime show to Troy Aikman’s four touchdown passes to the nine turnovers, the Cowboys’ 52-17 romp over the Buffalo Bills is so vivid it feels like it went down yesterday.

1. June 12, 2011; NBA Champs – As Dirk Nowitzki made a lefty layup to give the Mavs a 9-point lead in the final minute, I found myself trying to do my job – blog and type and talk – amidst a stream of tears. It was so perfect. In Miami, against the Heat team and player (Dwyane Wade) that negated the ’06 title run. Favorite moment: Original owner Don Carter handing the Larry O’Brien trophy to Finals MVP Nowitzki. Sometimes, if you stick with it long enough, life turns out to be fair after all.

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