Dan Choi, Gay Ex-Soldier, Says He'll Re-Enlist

A gay West Point graduate who was discharged from the Army for revealing his sexual orientation says he has begun the process of re-enlisting now that the "don't ask, don't tell" policy has been repealed.

Dan Choi said Friday he began the process of re-enlisting in New York on Sept. 22, two days after the end of the policy.

Since being discharged in 2010, Choi has spoken out against the policy and been arrested outside the White House during three "don't ask, don't tell" protests.

He was in Washington for a hearing in a case stemming from one of those arrests and says he's uncertain how it may affect his re-enlistment.

Yellow Jacket Stadium Named Historical Landmark

Cleburne's Yellow Jacket Stadium will be named a historical landmark this weekend.

The 70-year-old facility is the first football stadium in Texas to receive that designation.

Construction on the 3,800-seat stadium began in 1939 and cost only $80,000.  Built by the Works Progress Administration, the stadium was completed in 1941, according to a report in the Star-Telegram.

A ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. inside the stadium before Friday night's homecoming game.

The Yellow Jackets (2-3) will then hit the field against Mansfield Summit (4-1).

'For Sale' Baby Born Addicted to Drugs

Court documents show a baby offered for sale by a Delaware woman was born addicted to opiates.

Bridget Wismer is accused of trying to sell the child to a Philadelphia man for $15,000. She allegedly intended to use the money for a trip to Disneyworld

On Friday, attorneys for both sides agreed to new pretrial conditions for Wismer.

      

Defense attorneys told the judge that Wismer was waiving her right to a preliminary hearing that had been scheduled for Oct. 17 in return for prosecutors agreeing to turn over all police records

and other evidence in their possession.

Court documents show Wismer's baby was born addicted to opiates on August 31st.  Wismer allegedly left the newborn to a casino four days

      

Wismer avoided a higher bail but was ordered to have no contact with the baby or her co-defendant. She also must wear an electronic monitoring bracelet and undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations.

 

 

1985 Bears Get White House Visit Friday

The 1985 Bears are getting their belated congratulations at the White House.

President Barack Obama invited the Super Bowl XX champs to Washington D.C. Friday for a celebration that typically happens soon after the win.

But the Bears' White House visit was delayed when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded two days after their January 1986 victory over New England.

Nearly 26 years later, Bears fan Obama is making it right.

Mike Ditka, Richard Dent, Jim McMahon, Otis Wilson and Willie Gault are among the team members expected to attend.

Alicia Duerson will represent for Dave Duerson, who passed away in February from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Bears Chairman George McCaskey and former Bears president Mike McCaskey  also are expected to attend.

One player won't be there, though.

Dan Hampton told WLS this week he's skipping the ceremony because his family isn't allowed to go and because he isn't a fan of the president. Hampton, a member of the NBC Chicago team, also commented that the win was 25 years ago. "Let it go,” he said.

The long-awaited press conference and president's remarks start at 2 p.m. Tune in here for a livestream of the event.

NY Authorities Bust Identity Theft Ring That Made Counterfeit Credit Cards

More than 100 people have been indicted in an identity theft ring that authorities say involved bank tellers, store employees and restaurant workers skimming customers' personal information.

Law enforcers say group was based in Queens and had ties to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and District Attorney Richard Brown said Friday the criminals specialized in counterfeit credit cards.

Authorities say the thieves went on shopping sprees with the counterfeit cards. The high-end goods were later sold on the street.

DART Adds Trains for Texas-OU

If you're planning to take DART to Fair Park Saturday morning for Texas-OU weekend, get there early and pack your patience.

DART trains will starting running from downtown to Fair Park at 7 a.m. Last year, trains were filling up as early as 3 hours before kickoff -- which is 11 a.m., so expect crowds early.

Shuttle buses will run every 20 minutes.

DART has added trains to take care of the influx of riders. Trains depart every 10 minutes on the Green lines to MLK Station. These trains will not serve Victory, West End, Akard, St. Paul, Pearl, Deep Ellum, Baylor and Fair Park stations. Transfer to the Green Line circulator at Union Station to reach those stations. Express buses are being added at Trinity Mills and will depart every 10 minutes. DART has game day ticket sellers at their busiest stations.

The Green Line circulator will again operate through downtown to the Fair. The special Green Line circulator starts at 7 a.m., operates six trips per hour and serves these stations:  Union, West End, Akard, St.Paul, Pearl, Baylor, and Deep Ellum, ending at Fair Park Station. The circulator does not stop at Convention Center or Cedars. The circulator operates continuously from 7 a.m. until approximately 8 p.m.

All ticket vending machines take credit cards. Text DARTTXOU to 41411 for service updates or check DART.org/StateFair to plan your trip. 

Five Metro Stations Closed Over Holiday Weekend

Metro riders should expect major delays over this holiday weekend.

Metro will close the three stations along the Green/Yellow lines - Shaw, U Street and Columbia Heights for track work.

The stations will shut down at 10 p.m. Friday and open Tuesday morning.

Shuttle buses will operate between Mount Vernon Square and Georgia Avenue stations.

On the Orange Line, buses will replace trains between East Falls Church and West Falls Church.

Crews will be working on the Dulles rail extension project.

Those two stations will shut down at 10 p.m. Friday and open on Monday.