Today in History

Today is Friday, May 29, the 149th day of 2009. There are 216 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History:

On May 29, 1953, Mount Everest was conquered as Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tensing Norgay of Nepal became the first climbers to reach the summit. Read more

Latest Texas sports:

Singh returns to Colonial, 1 stroke back
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – Vijay Singh stopped playing at the Colonial Country Club when Annika Sorenstam showed up in 2003. But he’s back – and among the leaders. Read more

Head of state education board denied reappointment

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – Senate Democrats today blocked reappointment of a self-described creationist as head of the board that sets Texas public schools standards and policies. Read more

Update on the latest in religion news:

Obama to outline outreach to Muslims next week
WHITE HOUSE (AP) – President Barack Obama says he’ll use his speech next week in Egypt to try to improve U.S. relations with the Muslim world. Read more

Pickens pushes alternative energy in Michigan

MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (AP) – Energy baron and Oklahoma native T. Boone Pickens says today that the Great Lakes region has great potential for generating wind power, although he has no immediate plans to back up the assessment with his own money. Read more

Highlights from the Texas Legislature

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Texas Senate has approved the $182 billion state budget. Read more

Amarillo man guilty of defrauding Pantex

AMARILLO, Texas (AP) – An Amarillo man has been found guilty on 29 charges of defrauding the federal government’s Pantex Nuclear Facility by billing for hours he and his employees didn’t work. Read more

Texas gas prices jump to nearly $2.33

IRVING, Texas (AP) – The average retail price for gasoline jumped more than six cents last week across Texas to nearly $2.33 a gallon. Read more

Officer finds 2 tons of marijuana worth $4 million

LAREDO, Texas (AP) – A Mexican man is being detained after a customs officer discovered more than two tons of marijuana valued at $4 million hidden in plastic bags in a tractor-trailer. Read more

Students escape before fire consumes school bus

OVERTON, Texas (AP) – Six students and three adults scrambled safely out of a school bus with a history of electrical problems shortly before a fire turned the bus into a burned-out shell. Read more

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