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MIDLOTHIAN, Texas (AP) The family of a man slain at a Texas shooting range defended the notion of helping troubled war veterans through target practice. Relatives of Chad Littlefield spoke yesterday after his funeral in Midlothian, southwest of Dallas. Investigators say Littlefield and his friend, former Navy SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, were killed at a shooting range by a former Marine they were trying to help work through post-traumatic stress disorder.

DALLAS (AP) The boards of American Airlines parent AMR Corporation and US Airways could decide early next week whether to merge their two companies and create an airline rivaling the world's biggest. People close to the matter said yesterday that the AMR board is scheduled to meet Monday, and directors of US Airways planned to meet over the weekend or Monday. These people spoke with the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the talks are private.

DALLAS (AP) US Airways pilots have overwhelmingly approved an agreement that would result in pay raises if their company merges with American Airlines. Union president Gary Hummel said yesterday that the agreement would give pilots $1.6 billion in considerations over six years.

HOUSTON (AP) A 21-year-old airline passenger from Mexico caught in Texas with nearly 4 pounds of heroin in her suitcases has pleaded guilty in an international drug smuggling case. Prosecutors in Houston say Yessica Chanel Cabanillas-Torres of Sonora, Mexico, pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.