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More Texans Would Be Insured With Federal Plan

State officials in Austin told lawmakers that the percentage of Texans with health insurance would rise from 74 percent to 91 percent under new federal health care rules.

State Medicaid Director Billy Millwee also said the state is prepared for new laws, whether the U.S. Supreme Court declares them constitutional or not.

Lawmakers were meeting Monday to hear how the federal healthcare program will affect the state.

The Republican-controlled Legislature has complained about the cost of implementing the new health care law.

Parents of Dead Soldier Sue Websites

Two dating websites are being sued for allegedly using a dead soldier's photo in ads "Military Man Searching for  Love."

Army Lt. Peter Burks' parents have sued PlentyofFish.com and True.com, alleging that they used Burks' photo in ads without their permission, commercially benefitted and misled customers.

The parents say the photo was taken days before Burks was killed in Iraq in 2007.

PlentyofFish Media spokesman Paul Bloudoff says the ad was blocked from company's network but PlentyofFish has no control over third-party ad content posted on its site.

Burks' parents filed the lawsuit Monday in state district court in Dallas, where True.com is based.

True.com President Ruben Buell says he hasn't seen the lawsuit.

Attorneys for Allen Stanford Rest Case

Attorneys for Texas tycoon R. Allen Stanford have rested their case without having the once high-flying businessman testify at his fraud trial.

Prosecutors allege Stanford bilked investors out of more than $7 billion through the sales of certificates of deposit from his Caribbean bank.

Stanford's attorneys claim his ex-chief financial officer was behind the fraud and the financier's business empire was legitimate.

Closing arguments are set for Wednesday.

Darvish To Make First Spring Training Start    

Yu Darvish, who has led the Japanese League in strikeouts and ERA for two years, will make his first spring training start for the Texas Rangers on March 7.

The team announced the decision Monday.  Darvish will face the San Diego Padres in Peoria, Arizona.

Darvish threw 34 pitches to two minor leaguers in batting practice Monday, his third session off the mound. The 25-year-old right-hander posted a 93-38 record with a 1.99 ERA in seven seasons in Japan.

Former KERA staffer Shelley Kofler was news director, managing editor and senior reporter. She is an award-winning reporter and television producer who previously served as the Austin bureau chief and legislative reporter for North Texas ABC affiliate WFAA-TV.