By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – TCU has accepted an invitation to join the Big 12 Conference.
Athletic director Chris Del Conte says the opportunity is "living proof that dreams do come true."
Monday's move could provide some much-needed stability to the Big 12, which lost Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12) over the summer and will lose Texas A&M to the Southeastern Conference next year. Missouri is also exploring a move to the SEC.
TCU currently competes in the Mountain West Conference and was set to join the Big East next July. Instead, the Big 12 went public with its interest in TCU last week.
Del Conte says TCU will pay an exit fee, but declined to confirm it was the $5 million required by the Big East policy.
Bush hosts golf tournament for wounded military
Former President George W. Bush is hosting a golf tournament in the Dallas area for U.S. military members wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The two-day tournament in the Dallas suburb of Irving begins Monday. Bush, who hosted a mountain bike ride in the spring in West Texas for wounded military members, says such events help him show the troops that he still cares.
He says such events also "show Americans the character of those who have worn or are still wearing our uniform."
Bush and former first lady Laura Bush moved to Dallas after he left office in 2009. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which will include his library and a policy institute, is set to be completed by spring 2013 on the Southern Methodist University campus.
Tyler police say fight over blanket led to slaying
Police say an apparent argument over a blanket has led to an East Texas man accused of killing his cousin.
Tyler police say 29-year-old Danez Dewayne Black of Tyler has been charged with murder. Smith County Jail records did not list an attorney for Black, who was held Monday on $500,000 bond.
Officer Don Martin told The Associated Press that the shooting happened early Saturday at the home of Black's mother. Martin says the woman went into a room where 21-year-old Marquis Dwain Black was staying, asked for her blanket and the two began to argue.
Martin says Danez Black, who also was at the home, heard the dispute and allegedly shot his cousin.
The National Weather Service says temperatures early Saturday dipped to the upper 60s in Tyler.
Hardware chain offers Halloween 'zombie defense'
One Midwestern hardware store chain has started an unusual ad campaign, catering to the undead.
Westlake Ace Hardware stores are promoting tools and household items "zombie repairs" for the walking dead. The chain is also promoting "zombie defense" for the living. The company launched a website in preparation for Halloween.
The "I am human" section offers chain saws, nail guns and drills for zombie defense. A "Me zombie" section includes bolts and fasteners for broken bones, glue and caulk for peeling skin, and deodorizers for decaying flesh.
Alan Kulhanek, general manager for a Lincoln, Neb. store, says he's asked for a zombie display because several customers have walked in over the last week asking to see it.
Westlake has stores in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico.