WACO, Texas -- Republicans hold every statewide elected office in Texas, rule both legislative houses and are expected to soon control the congressional delegation. Yet the GOP may have trouble breaking the Democrats' grip in the congressional district that includes the president's Crawford ranch -- even after the state's map of congressional districts was redrawn to favor Republicans. The winner of the District 17 Republican runoff election Tuesday, between state Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth and former Waco school board member Dot Snyder, faces a formidable Democratic foe in seven-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards of Waco. Political analysts say even some Republican voters may prefer the more experienced Edwards, who is the ranking member of the Appropriations Military Construction subcommittee.

Officer's memory helps in rape arrest at hospital

NEW YORK -- A police officer's eye for detail led to an arrest in the rape of a 13-year-old girl who was lured from her hospital bed and assaulted in a nearby conference room, police said Saturday. The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Hector Ramirez, was arrested at Bellevue Hospital Center hours after the attack when he stopped by to visit another patient -- his wife, said police. He was charged with rape and assault. Officer George Wolform had helped remove an emotionally disturbed woman who had jumped onto subway tracks early Friday, taking her to Bellevue for observation. Wolform had talked to the woman's husband, and found his des-cription similar to the description of the rape suspect. Wolform then questioned the man after finding him visiting his wife, police said.

Deadly Calif. coaster scheduled to reopen

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- A roller coaster that struck and killed a ride operator at Six Flags Magic Mountain will reopen Monday, the amusement park said Saturday. Investigators from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration tested the SCREAM! coaster's braking system after the death Friday morning and the ride was cleared to reopen, said a park spokeswoman. The ride was closed after the death of Bantita Rackchamroon, 21. Rackchamroon, who had worked at Magic Mountain since March, walked onto the coaster's tracks in a restricted area before the park opened Friday morning, Carpenter said. Carpenter said Rackchamroon was performing a routine safety inspection when she was struck during a test run.

-- From wire reports