Local and National News Headlines 1/26

LOS ANGELES — A private research firm is reporting that foreclosures were a smaller share of all U.S. homes sold in last year's third quarter. RealtyTrac cites delays by banks in putting properties on sale and slower home sales. Even with the decline, foreclosures still made up 20 percent of total homes sold in the July through September period.

Retired Superintendent Might Fill in at Longview

LONGVIEW - A recently retired Longview ISD Superintendent may be rehired as the interim Superintendent until the school board can find a permanent replacement.The school board on Wednesday voted unanimously to allow board president Sam Satterwhite to approach Dr. James E. Wilcox about coming back to serve as the interim superintendent. Dr. Wilcox would also help in the search for a new person to head up the school district. Wilcox tendered his notice of retirement to trustees in December. It took effect Dec. 31, at which time Deputy Superintendent Andrea Mayo stepped in as interim superintendent

ETMC Enrolled In New Heart Study

TYLER,Tx - East Texas Medical Center Cardiovascular Institute in Tyler has enrolled its first patient in a new trial that will contribute to the study of a new feature of a device that helps detect coronary events, such as a heart attack. The trial sponsored by St. Jude Medical will help in the study and the safety and effectiveness of the new feature in the device ,Fortify ST implantable Cardioverter defibrillator ( ICD) system. ETMC Vice President, John Stewart said “We are proud to participate in this trial in conjunction with Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas”. ETMC is one of 200 centers nationwide participating in the study .

Unemployment Benefits Back Up

WASHINGTON — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose last week to a seasonally adjusted 377,000, after a nearly four-year low the previous week. The Labor Department says unemployment applications have been particularly volatile this month because employers have cut temporary workers hired for the holidays. The department adjusts for seasonal trends. But doing so accurately can be difficult. Applications generally need to fall consistently below 375,000 to signal that hiring is strong enough to lower the unemployment rate.

Oral Cancer Rates

CHICAGO — A new national study out today estimates about 7 percent of Americans aged 14 to 69 have the oral HPV virus. The sexually transmitted virus is more commonly linked with cervical cancer, but it also can cause oral cancer. Smoking and heavy drinking are also key causes of oral cancers that affect the back of the tongue and tonsil area. The results are in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Second Florida Debate Tonight

COCOA, Fla.— The four Republican presidential candidates take to the stage again tonight for their second Florida debate ahead of the state's primary next Tuesday. Public opinion polls have Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich in a tight race, and the contenders have been pounding each other over personal and professional vulnerabilities.

'Texas 7' Inmate Earns Stay From Execution

HUNTSVILLE — One of the infamous "Texas 7" fugitive gang has won a stay from the U.S. Supreme Court one week before his scheduled execution. Donald Newbury was to die February the first for his role in a Dallas-area police officer's fatal shooting during a 2000 robbery. Newbury and six other inmates fled a South Texas prison in the state's biggest prison break.

Penn State to Remember Joe Paterno

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — More than 12,000 people are expected to pack a Penn State arena for a tribute to Joe Paterno today. The former football coach died Sunday of lung cancer at age 85. Paterno was given the diagnosis just months after being forced out of his job in the wake of child sex-abuse charges against a former assistant.

WASHINGTON — Testimony is set to conclude today in Washington in a trial to determine whether new political district lines drawn by the Texas Legislature violate the federal voting rights laws. Both sides will give closing arguments next week.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The breakfast scramble among fast-food heavyweights has another egg in the pan. Taco Bell is making its play for the breakfast crowd, rolling out an early morning menu at almost 800 restaurants, mostly in about a dozen Western states. The chain's breakfast burritos come stuffed with eggs and either sausage, bacon or steak.

Information used from Dave Goldman and The Associated Press.