KRGV.com

ABILENE, Texas (AP) Three officials have been placed on emergency leave pending a police investigation into the death of a 22-month-old Abilene girl. The girl's mother faces felony charges of injury to a child. The State Child Protective Services has placed a regional director, a supervisor and a caseworker on leave.

DALLAS (AP) There wasn't much to differentiate Texas' U.S. Senate candidates during their final debate before the election. Republican front-runner Ted Cruz seemed to agree with Democrat Paul Sadler yesterday almost as much as he differed with him. At a previous debate earlier this month, Sadler called Cruz "a troll."

FORT HOOD, Texas (AP) Soldiers and their families are asking the Pentagon to declare the 2009 Fort Hood shooting massacre an act of terror. The reason is that distinction could make some of the victims eligible for the Purple Heart and other benefits. The alleged shooter faces the death penalty if convicted.

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) An outing to a Houston strip club has landed a second Port of Oakland official in trouble. Maritime director James Kwon has been placed on paid leave. He was reimbursed for $4,500 for an outing at a Houston stirp club while entertaining about a dozen shipping industry executives in 2008.