BELTON - Construction is under way on the $3 million Paul and Jane Meyer Center for Christian Studies on the campus of the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor. The center will house the College of Christian Studies and will be located at the corner of 9th and Pearl Streets.

WASHINGTON - Even as troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are serving longer and more often - three, four, even five times - roughly half of Americans in uniform have not been sent at all. That´s partly chance, partly a matter of timing. It also illustrates the massive organization on the home front to support an army in the field.

About two weeks of work remains on repairs to the west side of Frances Graham Hall, a Temple Housing Authority complex, after loose bricks were discovered on one side of the building in the early spring, according to Barbara Bozon, executive director of the Central Texas Housing Consortium. Although the concrete building is structurally sound, Ms. Bozon said about an eighth of the brick facing is being replaced after age and moisture loosened some of the bricks on the west side of the seven-story complex located at 100 N. 7th St. The other sides of the structure are being assessed to determine if repairs will be needed.

McALLEN - The chief of the U.S. Border Patrol told angry mayors, businessmen, and environmentalists Friday the 700-mile border fence was law, and if his agency and local officials reach an impasse on where the fence should go, “then it´s up to someone to make a decision.” Chief David Aguilar´s address to the Texas Border Coalition - which was hastily arranged late Thursday after numerous cancellations by Homeland Security officials - was sprinkled with conciliatory “ifs” and “mays” about the location of the fence. But Aguilar made clear that the federal government would have the final say.

AUSTIN - In 2005, Troy´s softball team seemed poised to claim its first Class 2A state championship since 2000. Instead, the Trojanettes fell in the title game to Elysian Fields, succumbing 2-0 to the Lady Jackets´ tough pitching and stifling defense.

HOUSTON (AP) - Andrew Walker and Bryan Kervin homered in the seventh inning to lead Texas Christian to a 3-2 win over Baylor in Game 1 of the NCAA Tournament´s Houston Regional on Friday. Walker snapped a 1-1 tie with his 12th home run of the season, hitting it off Bears starter Jeff Mandel (7-8), who pitched 6 1/3 innings.

CLEVELAND - Greatness promised. Greatness delivered. When LeBron James´ moment arrived, he was ready. Just like another No. 23.

HOUSTON - Juan Encarnacion and Gary Bennett hit their first home runs of the season on consecutive pitches in St. Louis´ seven-run ninth inning to lift the Cardinals to an 8-1 victory over the struggling Houston Astros on Friday night. Encarnacion´s homer, off Chad Qualls (4-3), hit the wall above the yellow line in left field and broke a 1-1 tie. Bennett extended the lead with his homer, also to left. Bennett added a two-run double that made it 8-1.