MINNEAPOLIS - An interstate bridge suddenly broke into huge sections and collapsed into the Mississippi River during bumper-to-bumper traffic Wednesday, killing at least seven people and sending vehicles, tons of concrete and twisted metal crashing into the water. The Interstate 35W bridge, a major link between Minneapolis and St. Paul, was in the midst of being repaired when it collapsed.

Meridith-Dunbar Elementary has been rated academically unacceptable by the Texas Education Agency after a 27 percent drop in the writing pass rate on the 2007 TAKS test from last year. In the annual accountability ratings released Wednesday, Temple has three recognized campuses and the rest were academically acceptable. Overall the district achieved an acceptable rating.

BELTON - One Belton school district campus was rated exemplary by the Texas Education Agency and four more were recognized in listings of 2007 state accountability ratings released Wednesday. Last year, Belton ISD had five recognized campuses but none met exemplary standards. This year Leon Heights Elementary qualified for exemplary status.

The Temple City Council may consider purchasing a longtime eyesore located across the street from the Temple Police Station during its meeting today. The council could go into executive session during its meeting, beginning at 5 p.m. today in the Municipal Building, to discuss the city´s possible purchase of the Nadine Apartments, 212 E. Ave. A. The item is also set for discussion during a 3:30 p.m. workshop.

BAGHDAD - Baghdad shook with bombings and political upheaval Wednes-day as the largest Sunni Arab bloc quit the government and a suicide attacker blew up his fuel tanker in one of several attacks that claimed 142 lives nationwide. The Iraqi Accordance Front´s withdrawal from the Cabinet leaves only two Sunnis in the 40-member body, undermining Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki´s efforts to pull together rival factions and pass reconciliation laws the U.S. considers benchmarks that could lead to sectarian reconciliation.

IRVING - Days before officially becoming a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Michael Irvin has a confession to make. “I´m afraid,” Irvin said.

ATLANTA - One game, one curtain call for Mark Teixeira. Teixeira hit a three-run homer and drove in four runs in his Atlanta debut Wednesday night, leading the Braves to a 12-3 victory over the Houston Astros.

HOUSTON - With DeMeco Ryans in the middle, the Houston Texans feel good about their linebacker group. The addition of veterans Shawn Barber and Danny Clark adds needed experience they feel will help not only Ryans, but the whole unit.

SAN ANTONIO - Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones finally sat down and talked with disgruntled and injured defender Greg Ellis. While Jones refused Wednesday to discuss details of their hourlong chat this week, the owner still made a couple of points clear: He genuinely likes the player who has been with the Cowboys the longest, but he´s not going to restructure Ellis´ contract.

CLEVELAND - Rookie reliever Jensen Lewis failed to get an out on consecutive bunts by Texas and the Rangers took advantage with three runs in the 10th inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 9-6 Wednesday night. The Indians´ fourth straight loss and seventh in nine games kept Cleveland a game behind Detroit in the AL Central. Cleveland had a chance to gain a share of first-place with Detroit in the AL Central for the first time since before games of July 8 The slumping Tigers have lost eight of 10.