It was a raucous morning under the dome of the Bell County Expo Center as nearly 6,000 area students and others filled nearly every seat, stomping and clapping during the mini rodeo. The rodeo was an event for area school students, with rodeo participants coming from local contestants from the PRCA rodeo event associated with the Bell County Youth Fair and Livestock Show activities.

More and more college students are opting for a fifth year, but by the time the class of 2008 is easing into the work force Darius Dawson will likely already be halfway through medical school. Darius is a junior at Temple High School, but he

BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP) - A U.S. Marine transport helicopter crashed in flames Wednesday in a field northwest of Baghdad, killing all seven people aboard, the U.S. military said. It was the fifth U.S. aircraft lost in less than three weeks and the latest sign of growing problems with aviation in Iraq. A U.S. military statement gave no reason for the crash of the CH-46 Sea Knight, which went down near Fallujah in Anbar province, about 20 miles from Baghdad. However, at the Pentagon, three Marine Corps officials said the troop-transport helicopter was in flames when it went down, with the pilot appearing to attempt a hasty landing but losing control as the aircraft descended.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Dieters got a new tool Wednesday to help them take off the extra pounds - the first government-approved nonprescription diet pill. The Food and Drug Administration said the fat-blocking weight-loss pill orlistat, which has been available by prescription, can be sold in a reduced-strength version over the counter.

Seven Temple Wildcats, including NCAA Division I-A recruit Terrell Jackson, signed Wednesday to play football at the next level. There was a reoccurring theme - all felt that it would provide an opportunity for them to mature into better individuals.

DENISON - The goal for Temple College

Copperas Cove football coach Jack Welch called the eight Bulldawg players who signed letters of intent Wednesday morning

DALLAS (AP) - Texas A&M had its most wins in eight seasons and North Texas made a bold coaching hire. But for at least one more year, the momentum on national signing day in Texas belonged to the Longhorns. Still reaping the rewards of its 2005 national championship, Texas hoarded many of the state

BELTON - Although the 20th annual Bell County PRCA Rodeo technically kicked off Wednesday, things really get rolling at 7:30 tonight at Bell County Expo Center. Wednesday featured a mini-rodeo for children and also began the first day of