WACO - Five years ago the future of the Waco VA was in doubt. On Tuesday, with the unveiling of the VA´s Research Mobile MRI, there was no question of the future medical contributions expected from the medical center. The ceremony was meant to be symbolic of the journey the Waco VA has taken and represents the rebirth of its campus, said Bruce Gordon, director of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System, which includes the Temple and Waco VAs.

AUSTIN - Texas public school students are startlingly unhealthy and their fitness levels decline sharply through 12th grade, where less than 10 percent of students passed a fitness test this year, according to the first results of an annual health assessment. The most physically healthy class was third grade girls, of whom 32 percent were deemed physically fit according to a six-part measure of aerobic capacity, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance and flexibility.

KILLEEN - Little Mikel Riot Smithwick wasn´t feeling so hot during the first several months of his young life. He´d been born about six weeks sooner than he should have. As if that were not enough for the little guy, his tummy hurt, too.

When the dinner bell rings at the Temple Animal Shelter, all of the chowhounds always have plenty to eat. The reason, in part, comes by way of help from Mars Petcare U.S., which donates pet food on an as-needed basis to the Temple Animal Services facility.

NEW YORK - Ian Kinsler walked on four pitches to start the game and Texas´ leadoff batter was off and running. He didn´t stop until he stole third and scored on Michael Young´s hit off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning to give the Rangers their second straight win over the New York Yankees, 3-2 on Tuesday night.

HOUSTON - The Los Angeles Dodgers finally found some offense and a way to beat the Houston Astros. Jeff Kent homered off Wesley Wright in the 11th inning as the Dodgers blew a five-run lead Tuesday night but won anyway, 7-6.

AUSTIN - Among more than 10,000 Texas public high school student-athletes tested this spring, only two tested positive for steroids, officials said. Both supporters and critics of the largest steroids testing program in the country said the results validate their positions.

WIMBLEDON, England - One prematch glance Tuesday at the data displayed on those fancy, new digital scoreboards at staid, old Wimbledon provided a pretty persuasive case for why Venus Williams might be considered the woman to beat. The entry under career record at the grass-court Grand Slam: “55-7.” The listing of her best result: “WINNER 2007, 2005, 2001, 2000.”

OMAHA, Neb. - Michael Phelps just missed setting another world record at the U.S. Olympic trials. Natalie Coughlin and Aaron Peirsol showed him how to do it.