KRGV.com

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Gov. Rick Perry describes his love for the Boy Scouts in his 2008 group that describes why the group should continue to embrace conservative values. But today Perry will address the Scouts' annual gathering as its leadership mulls a move away from its mandatory no-gays membership policy. He's giving the speech at the Texas state Capitol.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) A woman who died 10 years ago on the Space Shuttle Columbia is being honored at the North Texas school where she got her master's degree. Kalpana Chawla was part of the seven-member crew who died in the disaster. The University of Texas at Arlington marked the anniversary yesterday morning.

WASHINGTON (AP) Ports operators along the East Coast have reached a tentative deal on a new contract with the union for longshoremen. It averts a possible strike that would have crippled operations at ports in 14 cities. The deal was announced late yesterday in a statement from George Cohen, head of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Both sides had been in intense negotiations since the previous contract ended in September.

DALLAS (AP) A beloved White House pet has died. George W. Bush's black Scottish terrier Barney died of cancer at 12 years old. Bush released a statement saying the dog was always by his side in eight years in the White House. He says he was a faithful friend and never discussed politics.