In times of war, the troops receive the support and backing, and deservedly so, from the American people; however, there are numerous other noncombat roles that seem to fall under the radar. We often hear in the news of journalists being captured and killed but then nothing more. Where are the national tributes and memorials for them? Their families and friends are the only ones left to remember. In the most recent case, Jill Carroll, a freelance writer for the Christian Science Monitor, was captured Jan. 7 in western Baghdad, according to CNN.com, and is still missing.

The drought in the Dallas/Fort Worth area has caused many widespread wildfires, but the region could soon face more serious effects even after Sunday's rain, said representatives from the National Weather Service.Steve Fano, a representative of the National Weather Service's Fort Worth office, said that aside from the apparent wildfires, the region is beginning to see other major problems caused by the drought.

"Ranchers are being forced to move their cattle out of the area or truck in hay," Fano said. "Without rain, they can't grow an adequate food supply."

Paying to get stuck with a needle may seem far from enjoyable, but experts say the benefits of the flu shot are worth the initial sting.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Web site, 5 percent to 20 percent of Americans get the flu each year and the best prevention from getting the bug is to get a vaccination every fall.

Laura Crawley, assistant dean of Campus Life for health promotions , said students need to get a yearly flu shot.

Students from the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast region who came to TCU may qualify for a portion of a $50,000 grant awarded to the School of Education.The grant, which was provided by the United States Department of Education, will be used by the Student Support Services of the TRIO program to provide tutoring, academic advising, counseling and other services to eligible students, said Steve Hodnett, director of the TRIO program.

"We look at students on an individual basis and try to make the transition as easy as possible for them," Hodnett said.

The TCU community now has a chance to learn the art of swing dancing in a seven-lesson course beginning tonight.Swing is a jitterbug-style dance that started during World War II and became increasingly popular during the 1950s. The main types of swing, the East Coast and the West Coast, both use a six-beat pattern that can be performed to many types of music.

The beginner-level class teaches students how to dance the East Coast Swing step by step. The course's instructors said students will learn everything they need to know to lead or follow like a pro.

Students who are looking to start and run their own businesses, or those who have little business knowledge, may benefit from a new program starting at TCU.The School of Business is offering juniors, seniors and recent graduates the chance to enroll in a summer program designed for nonmajors to help them develop business fundamentals.

Laura Meade, the academic director for the Summer Business Program, said the program can even benefit liberal arts majors.

Current and aspiring dance majors will have their only opportunity to perform in their department's spring shows when the Department of Ballet and Modern Dance holds a set of auditions starting tonight.The first audition is tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Ballet and Modern Dance building. The audition is used to cast dance majors for spring concerts and other shows for the rest of the semester.

Throw on a cowboy hat and pull up some boots because the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo is here again.Throughout this month and into February, the Will Rogers Memorial Center will host the event, which has taken place annually since 1896.

Participants from 40 states and even a few foreign countries are attending the event with more than 21,000 bodies of livestock.

Also attending are some of Fort Worth's more notable citizens.