LOCAL NEWS

Body Found in Burned-Out Car

SMITH COUNTY — Smith County Sheriff’s Department spokesman John Moore tells KTBB a body has been found in a burned-out car on County Road 3101. Moore was headed to the scene to gather more information. We’ll update this story as more details come in.

Lindale Play Moved, Modified after Complaint

LINDALE — Fifth graders at E.J. Moss Intermediate School of Lindale were scheduled to perform a musical theater program at the school on Thursday night titled, “In God We Trust.” Now, due to a complaint from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, the school will not host the play with religious undertones. Instead, a modified version said to be sensitive to all viewers will be staged next week at a different location.

Elizabeth Cavell, staff attorney for the Freedom From Religion Foundation, submitted a letter to Lindale Superintendent, Stan Surratt, stating a concerned parent had contacted the organization and complained that God would be referenced throughout the program through scripts and music composed by Chris and Diane Machen. Cavell states the Machens run a music and worship ministry whose goals are to “lead the church in worship and reach non-believers with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

KETK reports Cavell received copies of the scripts the children will read during the performance stating the students will be reciting the following: “What you have heard today helps to explain why the founding fathers of our nation believed and trusted in God. The people who struggled and fought to establish this nation did so because of a dream. That dream was to have a place where they could freely proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Cavell goes on to say, “This is an egregious violation of the First Amendment and it is illegal to compel students to participate in religious expression.” “This is clearly illegal and unconstitutional indoctrination of children into a particular religion,” says Cavell.

Following the written statement and decision not to perform the play on campus, Pastor Tom Buck of First Baptist Church Lindale responded, “Although it saddens me to see an objection against such a positive program in our community schools, I fully understand the decision made by the Lindale Schools and support them in making this difficult choice. I thank them for their hard work. It is not a coincidence that our schools consistently stand out as some of the best in Texas.” Pastor Buck then announced he will be renting the Performing Arts Center at the Lindale High School where the entire musical can be performed by those students who wish to participate. The event is set to take place Wednesday, May 29th, at 7:00 p.m.

Buck says, “The reality is that the contents of the musical program were not only educational, inspiring and uplifting, but they truly represented the values of the Lindale community while accurately presenting the Christian heritage of the United States of America. While I am a strong advocate against the establishment of a state religion, the actions of the FFRF actually work to do just the opposite by forcing their religious views upon us. The practical result is that atheism becomes the de facto national religion. I personally believe the framers of the constitution would have had no problem with allowing students to express the common held values of the community in which they live.”

Smith County Man Charged with Murder; Victim Identified

SMITH COUNTY — Authorities have identified a Smith County shooting victim as Timothy Matthew Martin, 24. Charged with his death was Alex Wesley Jones, 23, Tyler. Jones is charged with first-degree murder and is being held in the Smith County Jail on a $750,000 bond. The shooting occurred shortly after 10:00 Tuesday morning in the 100 block of Patton Lane.

Ex-Pastor Sentenced for Online Solicitation of Minor

MARSHALL — A former Marshall pastor will be spending time in prison for online solicitation of a minor. A jury sentenced Raymond Earl Cooper to 10 years probation for the first count. The former pastor of First Church of Nazarene in Marshall was sentenced to two years prison time for the second count. The sentences will run concurrently. Cooper was also fined $10,000.

Cooper was arrested in May of last year for allegedly soliciting a person online that he believed to be 14 years old. A warrant was issued for his arrest after the Louisiana State Police Internet Crimes against Children Task Force out of Lafayette, Louisiana alerted the Marshall Police Department and the Texas Rangers of the activity. According to the complaint filed by Texas Ranger Jason Dudley, Hall Hutchison, a trooper with the Louisiana task force, contacted Texas authorities on April 23, saying that Cooper had exposed himself on a webcam to someone he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.

Man Gets Life for Razor Attack on Barber

NACOGDOCHES (AP) – A man who claimed self-defense has been sentenced to life in prison for grabbing a razor and slitting the throat of an East Texas barber during a robbery. Jurors in Nacogdoches earlier convicted Timothy Blanton of Garrison of aggravated robbery. The attack last July at a barber shop in Nacogdoches also left Chester Pleasant with hand and shoulder wounds. Blanton testified his girlfriend had received texts from the barber. Blanton told jurors that Pleasant asked him to leave and he was doing so – then Pleasant grabbed him and the men fought. Prosecutors dispute Blanton’s self-defense testimony and say he intended to steal cash from the barber. Records show Blanton, who was sentenced Tuesday, has previous convictions for robbery, criminal trespass, carrying a weapon, burglary and evading arrest.

Gregg County Man Sentenced for Methamphetamine Violations

TYLER — A 26-year-old Longview, Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Jason Ray Ragan pleaded guilty on February 6 to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced in Tyler yesterday to 50 months in federal prison today by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. According to information presented in court, on August 2, 2012, Ragan was found in possession of approximately 8 grams of methamphetamine. A federal indictment was returned on September 12, 2012 charging Ragan and a co-defendant with federal drug crimes. Co-defendant, Jason Clinton Squires, pleaded guilty on April 16, 2013 to conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Squires is awaiting sentencing.

Man Seriously Injured in Longview Wreck

LONGVIEW — A man was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash Wednesday night in Longview. KETK reports it happened just after nine on Eastman Road near the North Loop. Longview police say the driver, 36-year-old Andrew Talley, was headed south when he crossed the median, took out a light pole, went down an embankment, and hit a tree. Firefighters had to cut Talley from the wreckage. By Thursday afternoon, he was listed in fair condition.

Smith County Residents Sentenced for Methamphetamine Violations

TYLER — Two Smith County residents have been sentenced to federal prison for drug trafficking violations. Clinton Daniel McCaa, 32, of Whitehouse, pleaded guilty on January 9 to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He was sentenced yesterday to 80 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis. Tara McDonald, 40, of Tyler, pleaded guilty on January 9, 2013, to maintaining a place for the distribution and use of methamphetamine and was sentenced yesterday to 38 months in federal prison by Judge Davis.

According to information presented in court, during 2011, McCaa acquired methamphetamine from Clinton Squires of Terrell, Texas. McCaa then distributed to multiple persons in Tyler. During this time, McCaa lived with McDonald at her residence on Meadow Creek Drive in Tyler. McDonald admitted that she knew McCaa was involved in the distribution and use of methamphetamine. Furthermore, McDonald allowed McCaa to store methamphetamine and other substances at her residence.

Tyler Police, Others Ramp Up Memorial Day Traffic Efforts

TYLER — Tyler police are again engaging in a couple of safety efforts for the Memorial Day holiday. Click It or Ticket is already underway, and the “No Refusal” DWI campaign kicks in Saturday.

Under the “No Refusal” effort, the department will be participating in a State Grant during the Memorial Day Holiday that will provide funding to the department to enforce DWI laws. The enforcement detail will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers Friday, May 24, through Monday, May 27. A multi-joint effort between the Smith County District Attorney’s Office and police agencies from all over Smith County will participate in the “No Refusal” effort. Upon the arrest of a suspected drunk driver, he or she will be asked to blow into a breath-test machine or take a blood test. If the driver refuses, officers will obtain an immediate search warrant signed by a judge on call to have blood drawn by a nurse on staff at the Smith County Jail. The blood is then analyzed to determine whether the driver’s blood-alcohol concentration is 0.08 or higher, the legal limit for driving in Texas.

According to police, “This program has proven to be an effective tool to combat drunken drivers. It is the intent of all Law Enforcement agencies that this effort will act as a deterrent, persuading people to avoid driving while intoxicated because they know that police officers will be conducting sobriety testing with or without driver’s consent. Please don’t drink and drive!”

Under Click It or Ticket, officers continue to stop violators for not wearing their seat belts in an effort that kicked off May 20 and runs through June 2. Texas law requires every person sitting in the front or rear seat of a vehicle to wear a safety belt. A child less than eight years old and less than four feet, nine inches tall must be secured in a child safety seat. Drivers can be stopped and ticketed for a safety belt violation if they, or any of their passengers under the age of 15, are not buckled up or properly restrained. Traffic fines for failing to use a seat belt or secure a child in a safety seat can run from $25 to $200, plus court costs.

Federal Grand Jury Returns Multiple Indictments in Tyler

TYLER — A federal grand jury has returned multiple indictments charging individuals with separate federal crimes in the Eastern District of Texas.

James Ray Gilliland, 40, of Kilgore was indicted on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in federal prison. According to the indictment, on December 28, 2012, Gilliland knowingly received images containing child pornography.

Travis Van Ayers, 51, of Tyler, was indicted on charges of failure to register as a sex offender. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

Carlos Gerardo Barroso Lopez, 35, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison to be followed by deportation.

And Roberto Rodriguez-Astorga, 35, was indicted for being a criminal alien present in the United States after having been previously deported. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison followed by deportation.

Bass: Tazza Pronto Coming to Tyler; Tree Initiative Successful

TYLER — The Italian company Tazza Pronto is on its way to Tyler. Mayor Barbara Bass made the announcement Wednesday during her final State of the City Address to Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce members. Tyler Economic Development Council chief Tom Mullins said earlier the company had been looking in Seattle, Kentucky, and Tyler. It will now partner with Distant Lands Coffee on a popular single-serve product, operating in the old Carrier plant. According to Bass, the partnership will bring in some 125 jobs by 2015.

In other news, Bass announced that the Mayor’s Tree Tyler Initiative has been successful, with more than 5,000 trees planted since the program began. Bass says phase 2 of the environmental and beautification project is “Green Up the Gateways.” Bass told KTBB that will be an effort to beautify the city’s major entry corridors “by adding beautiful trees and natural beauty that we are known for — so that as people enter Tyler, they immediately recognize what a beautiful city we are and feel welcome for their visit.” Due to term limits, Bass is in her final tour of duty as mayor.

Tyler City Councilmen Take Oath of Office

TYLER — The Tyler City Council has welcomed two new councilmen: Ed Moore who represents District 3 and John Nix representing District 6. Both took their oath of office Wednesday. Both men ran unopposed for the positions. Moore is replacing Ralph Caraway who served six years on the Tyler Council and could not run again due to term limits. Nix is replacing Jason Wright’s vacated seat.

A native of Tyler, Moore retired after 40 years of service from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in 2007. He served his peers in several key positions with the United Steel Workers and was the first African-American to achieve the titles of vice president and president. After retirement, Moore has dedicated his life to community service and volunteerism. He served a total of 12 years on the City of Tyler Half-Cent Sales Tax Board. During his tenure, the board was successful in leading and carrying out the architecture design and construction of the Tyler Glass Recreation Center and Earl Campbell Parkway. Moore currently serves on the board of the Tyler Ravens Little League Football Association and the local chapter of the Texas A. Phillip Randolph Institute.

John Nix, a Lubbock native, has lived in Tyler since 2001, when he and his father, Steve Nix, relocated Nix Construction, Inc. Nix has served as a Commissioner for the City of Tyler Planning and Zoning Commission, as the current chairman of the Tyler Area Builders Association Government Relations Committee and is a member of the Leadership Tyler Board of Directors.

Mix said that his business experience in the service industry has given him the ability to help people from all sectors of the community communicate, understand each other and cooperate. He said that the struggles of establishing and maintaining a business are priceless experiences.

Sam Mezayek, of District 1, and Mark Whatley, of District 5 are incumbents who did not have any challengers for their respective seats. They were also sworn into office yesterday.

City 2012 E-Annual Report Online

TYLER — For the third consecutive year, the City of Tyler has published its Annual Report as an E-Book, with linked video, and as a printed document with QR Codes. The 20-page report outlines the financial status of the City and highlights new programs and achievements from 2012.

To view the report:

· Follow this link: 2012 Annual Report – http://bluetoad.com/publication?i=159946
· Go to http://www.CityofTyler.org and click on the annual report link
· Pick up a printed copy at City Hall, the Tyler Library, Rose Garden or Glass Recreation Center

QR codes are placed throughout the document to link readers to web pages and videos related to the report’s articles. A QR Reader comes standard on many smartphones or can be downloaded from the app store. Those looking at a printed version of the report can simply scan the QR code and the smart phone will automatically go to the web site or video on You Tube. In the electronic version of the report, click on the code and it will serve as a link.

The 20-page report provides information about the Mayor, City Council, leadership staff, tax rate, budget revenues and expenditures and key organizational achievements during 2012. “The annual report is one of many tools that we use to enhance transparency,” said Mayor Bass. “The City’s Channel 3 station, the City website, Facebook page, Twitter page, Pinterest page, news releases and public speaking engagements are other important tools used to communicate with our constituents.” By choosing to publish the report electronically, the City has saved nearly $10,000 each year, according to officials, who say the E-report is more interactive and environmentally friendly.

STATE NEWS

Dallas Man Gets Death for Drowning Two Sons in Creek

DALLAS (AP) – A Dallas man who drowned two of his sons in a creek has been sentenced to death. Naim Rasool Muhammad was convicted last week of capital murder in the killings of 5-year-old Naim and 3-year-old Elijah in August 2011. Jurors decided on the death penalty for the 34-year-old father on Thursday.

Lawmakers Approve TEF Audit Bill

AUSTIN (AP) – State lawmakers have given final approval to a bill requiring an audit of Gov. Rick Perry’s deal-closing Texas Enterprise Fund. The Senate’s vote Thursday sends the bill to Perry to either veto or let it become law. Lawmakers have been demanding closer scrutiny of the decade-old program that has given more than $485 million to private companies looking to expand or relocate in the state. Critics have questioned accountability and impact of the fund.

Deputy Cleared for Work following Shooting

LUBBOCK (AP) – A North Texas sheriff’s deputy has been cleared to return to work, two months after he was shot by a paroled inmate suspected of killing Colorado’s prison chief. Montague County Sheriff Paul Cunningham said Thursday that James Boyd will return to work Sunday. Authorities say Evan Spencer Ebel shot Boyd during a traffic stop, then sped away. He was later killed in a shootout with deputies.

Man Charged with Bomb Threats to Synagogues

HOUSTON (AP) – A Houston man has been charged with calling in fake bomb threats to two synagogues. Federal prosecutors say a complaint unsealed Thursday that 32-year-old Dante Phearse left phone messages at two Houston synagogues telling them they would be bombed May 2. He’s due in court Friday.

Three Cities to Share HUD Cleanup Funds

FORT WORTH (AP) – Three Texas cities will share $8.5 million in federal funds to make low-income housing safer and healthier for children. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Thursday awarded the grants for anti-lead projects in Austin, Houston and San Antonio. Experts say the funds will help deal with lead-based paint and other health hazards in more than 500 homes.

Open Meetings Act to Allow Video Teleconferences

AUSTIN (AP) – The Texas Legislature has amended the Open Meetings Act to allow for video teleconferences. The bill sent to the governor on Thursday would allow public officials to meet using a teleconference even if a quorum is not physically present. Supporters say the bill will bring the state’s strict rules for official meetings into the modern age by allowing public officials to use Internet technology.

Main News page »

LOCAL SPORTS

Cowboys sign fourth-round pick Webb

By Calvin Watkins & Todd Archer | ESPNDallas.com

The Dallas Cowboys signed fourth-round pick B.W. Webb to a four-year contract Tuesday. The deal is worth $2.503 million and includes a signing bonus of $443,380.

The Cowboys value Webb’s ability to play the slot and both corner spots. Webb racked up 11 interceptions while starting a school-record 48 games at William & Mary.

So far the Cowboys have signed three of their seven draft picks.

Cabrera, Fister lead Tigers over hapless Astros

By the time Miguel Cabrera’s homer sailed deep into the seats in left field, the Detroit Tigers were already in control — thanks to some unexpected contributions from the bottom of their batting order.

Don Kelly and Ramon Santiago drove in a run each during a two-out rally in the fifth inning, and the Tigers went on to beat the Houston Astros 6-2 on Tuesday night. Detroit scored three runs in the fifth and two in the sixth before Cabrera gave the Tigers their final run with a solo shot in the seventh.

Kelly entered the game with one RBI, and Santiago didn’t have any.

“It’s good for the team,” Kelly said. “All you want to do is win, and any way you can help out is big.”

Doug Fister (5-1) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings. He struck out seven without a walk.

Lucas Harrell (3-4) allowed five runs and seven hits in five-plus innings. The Astros have lost six straight and 16 of 19.

Harrell was impressive for the first four innings but couldn’t hold off the Tigers, even on a night when Santiago was filling in for shortstop Jhonny Peralta and Kelly was in center field in place of injured Austin Jackson.

Kelly was hitting .200 entering the game, but his two-out RBI single in the fifth got the Tigers on the scoreboard. Santiago, who was hitting .154 coming in, drove in Kelly with a tying double.

“You don’t want to be the last out. You want to keep going,” Santiago said. “Those RBIs with two outs, they are big.”

Andy Dirks put Detroit ahead 3-2 with a double to right-center that bounced over the tallest section of the Comerica Park wall, scoring Santiago.

“We’re trying some new things with our defense, and I thought they worked against me tonight,” Harrell said. “The ball that Dirks hit was up there forever, and I thought someone might have caught that one. He hit it hard, and that’s my fault, but I was hoping someone would get there.”

The Tigers added two more runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Victor Martinez and a wild pitch by reliever Travis Blackley that allowed Prince Fielder to score.

There was no doubt about Cabrera’s eighth homer of the year. J.D. Martinez, the left fielder, stared into the crowd for several seconds in apparent disbelief after the ball cleared the fence with plenty of room to spare.

Detroit has won all six matchups with the Astros this season, by a combined 50-12. This one was more competitive than Harrell’s previous start against the Tigers, which Detroit won 17-2 earlier this month.

Houston was without standout second baseman Jose Altuve, who went on the bereavement list Tuesday following the death of his grandmother.

The Astros had turned a major league-high 52 double plays entering Tuesday’s game, and they added two more to that total in the first four innings. Houston took the lead in the second when J.D. Martinez hit an RBI double and Jimmy Paredes added a sacrifice fly.

But Fister retired 12 in a row after a third-inning single by Jake Elmore. He gave up a double to J.D. Martinez in the seventh but struck out the next two hitters to finish his night on a high note.

“We have spurts where we have good at-bats, but there are other times where we miss the pitch we need to hit, or when we are taking the pitches we need to attack,” Astros manager Bo Porter said. “The key to making it in this league is figuring out the pitchers and how they are trying to get you out. You need to be able to adjust to the way they are attacking you, and we aren’t there yet.”

Game notes
Houston is 10-30, the worst start by a major league team since Kansas City was also 10-30 en route to a 100-loss season in 2006, according to STATS. … The Tigers go for a three-game sweep Wednesday. Detroit’s Max Scherzer (5-0) takes the mound against Houston’s Dallas Keuchel (0-1).

Wolf wins as Rangers avoid sweep

Ross Wolf was thinking about retirement while languishing in the minor leagues for a third straight year.

The Texas Rangers right-hander will probably reconsider now.

Wolf pitched five strong innings for his first big league win in his first start in the majors, David Murphy and Adrian Beltre homered in a three-run first inning, and the Rangers avoided a sweep with a 3-1 victory against the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old Wolf came up from Triple-A Round Rock for a spot start after the Rangers scratched rookie Nick Tepesch because of a blister.

He beamed in front of the cameras afterward and said “awesome” a lot after escaping trouble in the fourth and fifth and getting a big boost from Neal Cotts when he was replaced in the sixth.

A year ago, Wolf (1-0) had a pregnant wife on bed rest and a boy who missed him at home while be bounced between Double-A Frisco and Round Rock in the Texas farm system.

He spent 2011 in the Houston organization after refusing a minor league assignment with Oakland at the end of the 2010 season.

“It tests your patience,” said Wolf, who was making his first big league appearance since Oct. 1, 2010, as a reliever for the A’s. “My wife gets a lot of the credit. She told me to stick with it, and thank God I did.”

Cotts, pitching a day after getting three outs on six pitches in his first game in the majors since May 25, 2009, struck out the side when he came on for Wolf with two runners on and no outs in the sixth.

The left-hander whose best season came with the Chicago White Sox when they won the World Series in 2005 escaped trouble again in the seventh, getting Adam Rosales on a lineout and Coco Crisp on a foul pop with a runner at third.

“He may have been here in Texas a short time, but he hasn’t been at the major league level being successful for a short time,” Rangers manager Ron Washington said. “He’s throwing the ball the way I remember him throwing with Chicago.”

Joe Nathan pitched a perfect ninth for his 14th save in 14 chances.

Elvis Andrus snapped an 0-for-10 slump with a leadoff single in the first, and Murphy followed with a homer about 10 rows into the lower porch in right field. Two batters later, Beltre hit his 10th of the season halfway up the lawn in center.

Jarrod Parker (2-6) was down 3-0 just four batters into the game, but went seven innings for Oakland. The right-hander retired 11 of the next 12 Rangers after Beltre’s homer and allowed six hits with five strikeouts and one walk in seven innings.

“He threw a couple of early-count heaters that they squared up,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “In the past, early in the season, that game gets away from him. It looks like he’s more comfortable now.”

Wolf, who had 25 career relief appearances, retired the first nine hitters and gave up one run with three strikeouts and two walks in five-plus innings.

It was the second time in three days a Texas pitcher has made his first major league start after previous stints as a reliever with other teams. Josh Lindblom lost to Oakland on Monday.

“For him to come up and pitch against his old team and get his first big league win, it’s cool to say you were a part of it,” catcher A.J. Pierzynski said.

The A’s scored their only run on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Moss with runners at second and third and one in the fourth against Wolf, who was 1-2 with a 2.02 ERA in Round Rock, including a 1.85 ERA in six starts.

Oakland, which had a five-game winning streak snapped, put runners at second and third with no outs in the fifth when Andrus made a sliding catch over his shoulder on a blooper into left from Eric Sogard. Wolf then got Rosales on an infield popup and Crisp on a grounder.

“I think it meant everything to anyone that’s in the game of baseball that have a dream,” Washington said. “I think he did a great job of going through a hot team.”

Game notes
Rangers RHP Cory Burns was optioned to Round Rock to make room for Wolf. … Tepesch is scheduled to start Sunday at Seattle, and Yu Darvish will pitch the first game of a day-night doubleheader in Arizona on Monday. The second starter is undecided. … A’s SS Jed Lowrie didn’t start after getting hit by a pitch on his right foot Tuesday night. … Oakland OF Josh Reddick (sprained right wrist) was eligible to come off the DL Wednesday and will join the team Friday in Houston for limited batting practice.

Sources: Mavs mulling Howard sweepstakes

The Dallas Mavericks, with their first lottery draft pick in a dozen years firmly in hand, have their eyes on a bigger prize.

Multiple sources have told ESPN.com’s Chad Ford the Mavs are likely to shop the pick in hopes of creating the cap space necessary to make a run at Dwight Howard in free agency.

The 13th overall pick has a cap hold of $1,655,300.

One of the Mavs’ future first-round picks is already in the possession of the Oklahoma City Thunder. That pick, which is top-20-protected through 2017, was given up in the deal that brought Lamar Odom to Dallas.

The Los Angeles Lakers traded it to Houston along with Derek Fisher for Jordan Hill, and it then became part of the package the Rockets gave up for James Harden.

If the Mavs hold on to this year’s pick, Ford projects them to select Croatian teenage small forward Dario Saric.

Dirk Nowitzki, who said he’d take a “significant pay cut” next summer, plans to join Mark Cuban, president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson and coach Rick Carlisle on the Mavs’ recruiting committee this summer.

The hope is to sell Howard or Chris Paul — who would each have to sacrifice a fifth year on the max contract that he could get from the Lakers and Clippers, respectively — on the possibility of building a championship contender.

“We’d love to get one of the main guys,” Nowitzki said last week. “It’s going to be tough to get them out of the situation that they’re in. I think that’s pretty easy [to see]. I think both are in L.A., where you want to play basketball, and both are in great positions and situations. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Howard has not publicly indicated whether he intends to re-sign with the Lakers when he becomes a free agent July 1 or explore opportunities with other teams. He can sign a five-year, $118 million max-level extension to stay in L.A., while the most he could receive if he left is a four-year deal worth $87.6 million.

Multiple sources with knowledge of Howard’s thinking have told ESPNLosAngeles.com he is expected to entertain the free-agency process and hear competing offers.

NFL: Expanded playoffs, 18 games still eyed

Cutting two games off the preseason — either by expanding the playoffs or moving to an 18-game schedule — is still being discussed, commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday at the NFL’s spring owners meetings in Boston.

He said all “[options] are on the table.”

“As I have said before, I think the structure of the season is something that we consistently reevaluate,” he said. “I have been quite open about [indicating that] we have to address the quality of the preseason.

“I hear from fans consistently that they want to make every NFL event more valuable. They see the preseason as being less valuable to them because they don’t see the best players and the games do not count,” he said. “We have to address that, whether we are looking at 18 [regular-season games] and two [preseason games] or 16-and-two and expanded playoffs.”

When asked about playoff expansion, Goodell said the NFL has asked the competition committee “to look at it.” He said there was “a lot of discussion” on the topic and the league had a brief report at the March owners meetings, but talks on the topic didn’t happen Tuesday.

“We are going to continue to have more dialogue with the players’ association, which is a big part of that discussion, and the second is with broadcast partners,” he said.

If the league expands the playoff field or moves to an 18-game regular season, the date of the Super Bowl might have to be shifted back.

Perhaps with that in mind, Goodell said the league is “holding multiple dates” for Super L, which was awarded Tuesday to San Francisco, and Super Bowl LI, awarded to Houston, in response to a question about what the anticipated dates were for those title games.

2013 Texas Rangers Broadcast Schedule

2013 Texas Rangers Broadcast Schedule

Sunday, March 31, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, April 02, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:10 PM

Wednesday, April 03, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
1:10 PM

Friday, April 05, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
1:05 PM

Saturday, April 06, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
3:05 PM

Sunday, April 07, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Monday, April 08, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, April 09, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, April 10, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
1:05 PM

Thursday, April 11, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
9:10 PM

Friday, April 12, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
9:10 PM

Saturday, April 13, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
8:10 PM

Sunday, April 14, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
3:10 PM

Tuesday, April 16, 2013
CHICAGO CUBS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, April 17, 2013
CHICAGO CUBS
7:05 PM

Thursday, April 18, 2013
CHICAGO CUBS
1:20 PM

Friday, April 19, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Saturday, April 20, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Sunday, April 21, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
2:05 PM

Monday, April 22, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Tuesday, April 23, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Wednesday, April 24, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Thursday, April 25, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
7:10 PM

Friday, April 26, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
7:10 PM

Saturday, April 27, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
3:10 PM

Sunday, April 28, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
1:10 PM

Tuesday, April 30, 2013
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7:05 PM

Wednesday, May 01, 2013
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7:05 PM

Thursday, May 02, 2013
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7:05 PM

Friday, May 03, 2013
BOSTON RED SOX
7:05 PM

Saturday, May 04, 2013
BOSTON RED SOX
7:05 PM

Sunday, May 05, 2013
BOSTON RED SOX
2:05 PM

Tuesday, May 07, 2013
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7:10 PM

Wednesday, May 08, 2013
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7:10 PM

Friday, May 10, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:10 PM

Saturday, May 11, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
6:10 PM

Sunday, May 12, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
1:10 PM

Monday, May 13, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
9:07 PM

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
9:07 PM

Wednesday, May 15, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2:37 PM

Thursday, May 16, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
7:05 PM

Friday, May 17, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
7:05 PM

Saturday, May 18, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
7:05 PM

Sunday, May 19, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
7:05 PM

Monday, May 20, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, May 21, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, May 22, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
1:05 PM

Friday, May 24, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
9:10 PM

Saturday, May 25, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
9:10 PM

Sunday, May 26, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
3:10 PM

Monday, May 27, 2013- Day
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
2:40 PM

Monday, May 27, 2013- Night
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
8:40 PM

Wednesday, May 29, 2013
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
7:05 PM

Thursday, May 30, 2013
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
1:05 PM

Friday, May 31, 2013
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
7:05 PM

Saturday, June 01, 2013
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
3:05 PM

Sunday, June 02, 2013
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
2:05 PM

Tuesday, June 04, 2013
BOSTON RED SOX
6:10 PM

Wednesday, June 05, 2013
BOSTON RED SOX
6:10 PM

Thursday, June 06, 2013
BOSTON RED SOX
6:10 PM

Friday, June 07, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
6:07 PM

Saturday, June 08, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
12:07 PM

Sunday, June 09, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
12:07 PM

Monday, June 10, 2013
CLEVELAND INDIANS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, June 11, 2013
CLEVELAND INDIANS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, June 12, 2013
CLEVELAND INDIANS
7:05 PM

Thursday, June 13, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
7:05 PM

Friday, June 14, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
7:05 PM

Saturday, June 15, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
3:05 PM

Sunday, June 16, 2013
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
2:05 PM

Monday, June 17, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, June 18, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, June 19, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
7:05 PM

Thursday, June 20, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
1:05 PM

Friday, June 21, 2013
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
7:15 PM

Saturday, June 22, 2013
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
6:15 PM

Sunday, June 23, 2013
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
1:15 PM

Tuesday, June 25, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
6:05 PM

Wednesday, June 26, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
6:05 PM

Thursday, June 27, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
12:05 PM

Friday, June 28, 2013
CINCINNATI REDS
7:05 PM

Saturday, June 29, 2013
CINCINNATI REDS
6:15 PM

Sunday, June 30, 2013
CINCINNATI REDS
2:05 PM

Tuesday, July 02, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, July 03, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Thursday, July 04, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Friday, July 05, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Saturday, July 06, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
6:15 PM

Sunday, July 07, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
2:05 PM

Monday, July 08, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
6:05 PM

Tuesday, July 09, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
6:05 PM

Wednesday, July 10, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
6:05 PM

Thursday, July 11, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
6:05 PM

Friday, July 12, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
6:05 PM

Saturday, July 13, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
6:15 PM

Sunday, July 14, 2013
DETROIT TIGERS
12:05 PM

Friday, July 19, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
7:05 PM

Saturday, July 20, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
7:05 PM

Sunday, July 21, 2013
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
6:05 PM

Monday, July 22, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
7:05 PM

Tuesday, July 23, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
7:05 PM

Wednesday, July 24, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
7:05 PM

Thursday, July 25, 2013
NEW YORK YANKEES
1:05 PM

Friday, July 26, 2013
CLEVELAND INDIANS
6:05 PM

Saturday, July 27, 2013
CLEVELAND INDIANS
6:05 PM

Sunday, July 28, 2013
CLEVELAND INDIANS
12:05 PM

Monday, July 29, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, July 30, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, July 31, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Friday, August 02, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
9:07 PM

Saturday, August 03, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
3:05 PM

Sunday, August 04, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
3:07 PM

Monday, August 05, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Tuesday, August 06, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Wednesday, August 07, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Friday, August 09, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:10 PM

Saturday, August 10, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
6:10 PM

Sunday, August 11, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
1:10 PM

Monday, August 12, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
1:10 PM

Tuesday, August 13, 2013
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, August 14, 2013
MILWAUKEE BREWERS
7:05 PM

Friday, August 16, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Saturday, August 17, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
7:05 PM

Sunday, August 18, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
2:05 PM

Monday, August 19, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, August 20, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, August 21, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Friday, August 23, 2013
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
7:10 PM

Saturday, August 24, 2013
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
6:10 PM

Sunday, August 25, 2013
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
1:10 PM

Monday, August 26, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
9:10 PM

Tuesday, August 27, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
9:10 PM

Wednesday, August 28, 2013
SEATTLE MARINERS
2:40 PM

Friday, August 30, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
7:05 PM

Saturday, August 31, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
7:05 PM

Sunday, September 01, 2013
MINNESOTA TWINS
2:05 PM

Monday, September 02, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
3:07 PM

Tuesday, September 03, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
9:07 PM

Wednesday, September 04, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2:37 PM

Friday, September 06, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
9:05 PM

Saturday, September 07, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
8:05 PM

Sunday, September 08, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
2:35 PM

Monday, September 09, 2013
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
7:05 PM

Tuesday, September 10, 2013
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
7:05 PM

Wednesday, September 11, 2013
PITTSBURGH PIRATES
1:05 PM

Friday, September 13, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
7:05 PM

Saturday, September 14, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
12:05 PM

Sunday, September 15, 2013
OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2:05 PM

Monday, September 16, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
6:10 PM

Tuesday, September 17, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
6:10 PM

Wednesday, September 18, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
6:10 PM

Thursday, September 19, 2013
TAMPA BAY RAYS
6:10 PM

Friday, September 20, 2013
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
7:10 PM

Saturday, September 21, 2013
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
6:10 PM

Sunday, September 22, 2013
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
1:10 PM

Monday, September 23, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Tuesday, September 24, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Wednesday, September 25, 2013
HOUSTON ASTROS
7:05 PM

Thursday, September 26, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Friday, September 27, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Saturday, September 28, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
7:05 PM

Sunday, September 29, 2013
LOS ANGELES ANGELS
2:05 PM

Cowboys release AFC-heavy preseason slate

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

The Dallas Cowboys released their preseason schedule Thursday.

The Cowboys will kick off the preseason against the Miami Dolphins in the Hall of Fame Game on Sunday, Aug. 4 in Canton, Ohio.

The Oakland Raiders will host the Cowboys in the second preseason game the weekend of Aug. 9-11. The Cowboys will then visit the Arizona Cardinals the weekend of Aug. 16-18.

The first preseason game at Cowboys Stadium will be the weekend of Aug. 23-25 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The finale will most likely be Aug. 29 when the Cowboys host the Houston Texans.

Exact dates and game times haven’t been determined. The Cowboys will open training camp in mid-July in Oxnard, Calif.

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