Line of hearses carries Wash. shooting victims

A line of hearses bore the bodies of five victims of a Skagit County shooting rampage away from this town as onlookers watched from the sidewalk and wiped away tears.

Palin switched colleges multiple times in 6 years

Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin seems to have switched colleges multiple times in six years, including two stints at the University of Idaho before graduating from there in 1987.

After UK crash, new rules for Boeing 777s

U.S. regulators will tell airlines to quickly make changes aimed at preventing ice from building up in fuel lines of Boeing 777s, which British investigators said Thursday probably caused one of the jets to make a jarring emergency landing last January in London.

2 Lake Stevens schools locked down

Two Lake Stevens schools have been locked down as a precaution during a police search in the area.

Amtrak ridership up in Ore., Wash.

The number of people riding Amtrak trains in Oregon and Washington has increased by 12 percent so far this year.

Authorities say Sturgis gang violence unchanged

Shootings stemming from the annual Sturgis motorcycle rally in 2006 and this year were the first major violence since 1990, but outlaw biker gangs generally have been no more violent than usual, law enforcement officers say.

Bird scores 19 to lead Storm past Sky 70-62

Sue Bird scored 19 points to help the Seattle Storm clinch a playoff berth with a 70-62 victory over the Chicago Sky on Thursday night.

Boeing workers back strike; pact extended 2 days

Boeing Co. aircraft assembly workers voted overwhelmingly to strike for the second time in three years but union leaders agreed to hold off on the walkout for 48 hours at the request of Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire and a federal mediator.

Boeing, machinists union meet with mediator

Representatives from Boeing Co. and the machinists union met with a federal mediator Thursday as the clock ticked on an unusual two-day contract extension after union production workers soundly rejected a contract offer and voted to strike.

Boeing, union in 48-hour contract overtime talks

Representatives from Boeing Co. and the Machinists union met with a federal mediator Thursday as the clock ticked on an unusual two-day contract extension after union production workers soundly rejected a contract offer and voted to strike.

Maritime official says Egyptian ship with 25 crew hijacked by pirates off Somalia's coast.

Angolans face delays in first vote since 1992

Hundreds of people waited in line Friday as technical problems at several polling stations in the capital delayed the start of voting in Angola's first election since 1992.

Ask AP: Maximum heat, oil wells set on fire

You may have experienced the feeling on a steamy summer day: Nowhere in the universe could possibly be hotter than this.

Aso announces bid to lead Japan's ruling party

Brash, right-leaning former Foreign Minister Taro Aso announced Friday that he will run for ruling party president in a move that would put him on track to take over as Japan's next prime minister.

Blair to AP: West Bank downward spiral halted

Tony Blair toured a Palestinian aluminum factory and was told it runs at one-third capacity because of Israeli import restrictions. He promised he'll take it up with Israeli authorities.

Cheney to Ukraine: US supports your security

U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has pledged U.S. support for Ukraine following last month's war between neighboring Russia and Georgia.

Detroit mayor, soon off to jail, talks of comeback

Only hours after agreeing to resign and serve time in jail as part of plea deal, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick expressed regret for the scandal that has engulfed the city - and left the door open for a return to public life.

Egyptian ship with 25 crew hijacked near Somalia

A maritime official says an Egyptian cargo ship with 25 crew has been hijacked by pirates in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia.

Feds warn climate change could harm giant sequoias

Federal researchers are warning that warming temperatures could soon cause California's giant sequoia trees to die off more quickly unless forest managers plan with an eye toward climate change and the impact of a longer, harsher wildfire season.

Georgia dominates EU talks in Avignon

Efforts to send an observer mission to monitor troop withdrawals in Georgia were set to dominate two-day European Union foreign ministers' talks that started Friday.

Oil falls ahead of OPEC meeting

Oil prices dropped below $107 a barrel Friday as the dollar continued to gain on the euro and investors waited to see if OPEC moves to restrict output next week amid a two-month plunge in prices.

Asia, Europe markets sink after Wall Street plunge

Asian stock markets plunged Friday in the wake of a sell-off on Wall Street amid mounting concerns about a slumping U.S. economy and its impact on global growth. European shares also opened lower.

Assurant signs warranty accord with GE unit

Specialty insurer Assurant Inc. has agreed to acquire the warranty management business of General Electric Co.'s appliance and consumer electronics division.

ESA spacecraft set for flyby of Steins asteroid

Scientists at the European Space Agency are preparing for the first fly-by of an asteroid by their deep-space explorer, Rosetta, on a mission to solve the mystery of the birth of the solar system.

Honda bringing back Insight nameplate for hybrid

Honda is bringing back the defunct Insight nameplate for a hybrid-only vehicle planned for the Japanese, European and North American markets early next year, as the automaker strives to play catch-up with rival Toyota in hybrids.

Informa shares fall after it rejects takeover bid

Shares at Informa PLC, the London-based publisher of Lloyd's List maritime newspaper, fell 6 percent on Friday after the company rejected a reduced takeover bid from a private equity consortium.

Southeast states brace for Tropical Storm Hanna

Tropical storm watches or warnings were extended from Georgia to areas just south of New York City on Friday as states along the Atlantic braced for Tropical Storm Hanna.

Wet summer brings mushroom boom to Northeast

There's a mushroom boom in the wet woods of the Northeast this summer.

19-square-mile ice sheet breaks loose in Canada

A chunk of ice shelf nearly the size of Manhattan has broken away from Ellesmere Island in Canada's northern Arctic, another dramatic indication of how warmer temperatures are changing the polar frontier, scientists said Wednesday.

30-year mortgages dip slightly to 6.35 percent

Rates on 30-year mortgages fell for a third straight week, dropping to the lowest level since mid-July.

'Broken man' Abramoff gets 4 years in prison

Broken and disgraced, lobbyist Jack Abramoff will spend four years in prison for his role in a corruption scandal that upended Washington politics and contributed to the Republicans' loss of Congress in 2006.

Analysis: McCain talks unity while allies attack

John McCain preached bipartisanship and unity from a stage retooled to carry him out to the Republican faithful. He didn't have to be biting: On the previous night, his attack dogs had paved the way.

Cindy McCain sets tone for GOP fashion

Not since Jacqueline Kennedy first donned her signature pillbox hats have fashionistas paid such close attention to what the women of politics are wearing.

Drilling for oil a hot topic at GOP

It may have been in vogue in Alaska forever, but drilling for oil has never been so hot with Republicans as it was on the floor during the final night of the Republican National Convention.

It's GOP's world; elitists just live in it

Snowmobiles are good. NASCAR is very good. Football metaphors about God are better. "Sam's Club Republicans" are the salt of the American earth. Hollywood, the media and academics are suspect at best, subversive at worst. Though not as bad as European ideas.

McCain campaign courts critical Catholic vote

Shortly after a priest's opening prayer and a screening of a short film on John McCain's faith, Sen. Sam Brownback stepped to the microphone and didn't waste words.

McCain, Obama pitted in 8-week contest of 'change'

Republican presidential nominee John McCain, buoyed by a unifying GOP convention and the spark of running mate Sarah Palin, plunged into a competitive, eight-week struggle with Democrat Barack Obama over which party can best bring change to Washington.

NJ's Rep. Rob Andrews planning return to ballot

U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews said Thursday he intends to seek re-election after all, replacing his wife on the ballot for his congressional seat.

Obama sends supporters to blunt Palin's impact

Barack Obama's campaign plans to employ high-profile female supporters in an effort to blunt GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin's potential to persuade women to vote Republican.

ON DEADLINE: After conventions, it now gets real

Now it gets real.

FDA orders stronger warnings for 4 arthritis drugs

The Food and Drug Administration ordered stronger warnings Thursday on four medications widely used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other serious illnesses, saying they can raise the risk of possibly fatal fungal infections.

Gene domino effect behind brain, pancreatic tumors

Scientists have mapped the cascade of genetic changes that turn normal cells in the brain and pancreas into two of the most lethal cancers. The result points to a new approach for fighting tumors and maybe even catching them sooner. Genes blamed for one person's brain tumor were different from the culprits for the next patient, making the puzzle of cancer genetics even more complicated.

Heart defibrillator shock can signal more trouble

A lifesaving shock from an implanted heart defibrillator provides relief that a crisis was avoided, but new research suggests it can also be a sign that more trouble is ahead.

Smoking riskier to women's hearts than men's

Women typically get heart disease much later than men, but not if they smoke, researchers said Tuesday.

Study: New way to spot breast cancer shows promise

A radioactive tracer that "lights up" cancer hiding inside dense breasts showed promise in its first big test against mammograms, revealing more tumors and giving fewer false alarms, doctors reported Wednesday.

Study: No link between measles vaccine and autism

New research further debunks any link between measles vaccine and autism, work that comes as the nation is experiencing a surge in measles cases fueled by children left unvaccinated.

Doctors say Vytorin-cancer link can't be ruled out

Results so far from three studies of the cholesterol-lowering drug Vytorin are not enough to prove or rule out a possible link to a higher risk of cancer, so the drug should be used with caution until more is known, editors of a leading medical journal urged Tuesday.

E. coli outbreak in Oklahoma kills 1, sickens 200

An E. coli outbreak linked to a restaurant in northeastern Oklahoma has sickened more than 200 people and killed at least one person, state health officials said Tuesday.

Modest brain test benefit seen with brisk walking

Brisk walking led to slight improvements on mental tests for older people with memory problems in what is billed as the first rigorous test of exercise on the aging brain. The results from the small Australian study were only modest. But they back up observational studies showing potential mental benefits from physical activity.

Pfizer resuming ads for Lipitor after controversy

Television ads for the world's top-selling drug, cholesterol fighter Lipitor, are back, six months after Pfizer Inc. pulled them amid charges its use of a celebrity doctor endorser who's never practiced medicine misled the public.

Ready for some (more) football games that count?

A better question than "Are you ready for some football?" on the opening week of the NFL season might be how soon you're ready for some more games that count.

6 p.m. kickoff set for game moved due to TS Hanna

Officials have set a 6 p.m. start time for Saturday's Charleston Southern-Wofford football game.

Bengals' WR Chad Johnson now Ocho Cinco

Call him Ocho Cinco on the field, too.

Bills' LB Crowell placed on IR

Bills starting linebacker Angelo Crowell was placed on season-ending injured reserve Thursday in a surprise move that came after the player elected to have surgery on his left knee.

Browns LB Antwan Peek out for season

Around this time last year, Browns rookie linebacker Alex Hall played his season opener against Mars Hill, a tiny Baptist school in North Carolina.

California lawmaker questions LPGA language policy

A California state senator said Thursday that he's seeking a legal opinion to determine whether the LPGA Tour's language requirement for players violates state or federal law.

Colts' Saturday passes on knee surgery

Despite a torn ligament in his right knee, Indianapolis Colts center Jeff Saturday is not planning on surgery anytime soon.

Cubs ace Zambrano gets shot for tendinitis

Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano has right rotator cuff tendinitis and inflammation, an MRI confirmed Thursday, a potential obstacle to Chicago's chances of winning the World Series for the first time in a century.

Curlin's next start will be in New York

Curlin will get his chance to become thoroughbred racing's richest horse later this month in the $750,000 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont Park in New York.

Delaware State 35, Florida A&M 28, OT

Quarterback Vashon Winton ran for four touchdowns, including a six-yarder for the game-winner in overtime, as Delaware State edged Florida A&M 35-28 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference football Thursday night.

First use of instant replay backs onfield call

Baseball's first use of instant replay backed an onfield call of a home run for Alex Rodriguez during the ninth inning of the New York Yankees game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

Nationals lower ticket prices for at new ballpark

The Washington Nationals, who rank in the bottom half of Major League Baseball in attendance despite a new ballpark, are lowering some of their season ticket prices for next season.

Shea seats selling briskly at $869 a pair

As a season-ticket holder, Darrell Buono spent 13 years rooting for the New York Mets in blue, loge-level seats at Shea Stadium. So he bought them.

Braves' Cox extends ejection record to 143

Braves manager Bobby Cox extended his major league ejection record to 143 on Wednesday, getting tossed in the fifth inning for arguing ball and strikes during Atlanta's game against Florida.

Crede joins list of White Sox injured players

White Sox third baseman Joe Crede was out of the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Cleveland because of a tight back, joining left fielder Carlos Quentin and center fielder Ken Griffey Jr. on the sidelines.

First use of instant replay backs onfield call

Baseball's first use of instant replay backed an onfield call of a home run for Alex Rodriguez during the ninth inning of the New York Yankees game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.

Glaus hits 300th career homer

Troy Glaus hit his 300th career home run on Wednesday, connecting in the third inning of the St. Louis Cardinals' game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

MLB's scoring committee rules against Sabathia

Upon further review, the play stands. Major League Baseball's scoring review committee ruled Wednesday that official scorer Bob Webb did not err when he decided that Pittsburgh's Andy LaRoche singled against Brewers pitcher CC Sabathia in the bottom of the fifth inning of Milwaukee's 7-0 win on Sunday.

MRI confirms sprained ankle for Flores

Washington Nationals catcher Jesus Flores had an MRI exam Wednesday that confirmed he sprained his left ankle during a collision with Philadelphia's Chase Utley.

Ryan Church's slam helps Mets to sweep of Brewers

Ryan Church hit a grand slam and Brian Schneider added a homer in a six-run first inning that provided all the offense the Mets needed to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 9-2 and complete a three-game sweep Wednesday.

Still a rookie, Oden joins others for orientation

He was drafted more than 14 months ago, and even then he looked too old to be a first-year player, so it's easy to forget that Greg Oden is technically a rookie.

Chalmers sent home from NBA rookie program

Heat guard Mario Chalmers was sent home Wednesday from the NBA's mandatory rookie transition program for violating unspecified league rules.

Chalmers, Arthur sent home from NBA rookie program

Former Kansas stars Mario Chalmers and Darrell Arthur were sent home Wednesday from the NBA's mandatory rookie transition program for violating unspecified league rules.

LeBron James enjoying his gold

LeBron James could be excused for his poor shooting from behind the arc, and for being blown out in a game of H-O-R-S-E with a warehouse worker in a beach exhibition. James was still floating in the clouds from his Olympic experience.

Oklahoma City NBA team's nickname will be Thunder

As Oklahoma City's NBA team prepared to reveal its name and logo, the NBA's Web site showed "Thunder" as the name and the color scheme as blue, yellow and orange.

Oklahoma City's NBA team to be called Thunder

Thunder can be heard from miles away, an early warning that a storm is about to arrive. So, perhaps it's only fitting that the name of Oklahoma City's NBA team didn't sneak up on anyone.

Spurs' Ginobili undergoes surgery on injured ankle

San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili had arthroscopic surgery to repair a ligament injury in his left ankle.

LeBron James to be featured in new documentary

LeBron James has gone from the gold-medal stand to the silver screen.

Leslie leads Sparks' rally against Silver Stars

Lisa Leslie scored four of her 18 points and added a blocked shot in the final 1:39, and the Los Angeles Sparks rallied for a 58-53 victory over the San Antonio Silver Stars on Saturday night.

Favorite Son: Knicks trade for Ewing Jr.

Talk about pressure. Patrick Ewing Jr. is following in the footsteps of his famous father again.

Everett to be honored in Bills season opener

Kevin Everett will be honored while attending Buffalo's season opener against Seattle on Sunday, a year after the former Bills tight end sustained a severe life-threatening spinal cord injury.

Giants' Burress signs 2-year contact extension

Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress is finally going to be paid like one of the NFL's top receivers.

New Redskins present new problems for NY Giants

Despite having played Washington at least twice a year since 1970, the Super Bowl champion New York Giants are going to be playing somewhat of a guessing game against the Redskins in the kickoff game to the NFL season.

Newman's injury could turn Pacman into starter

Call him Adam Jones or Pacman. Maybe even call him a starter.

Quarterback Daunte Culpepper retires from NFL

Daunte Culpepper summed up his thoughts Thursday in two words, which ushered in the start of a new era for the former Pro Bowl quarterback. "Farewell NFL," he wrote.

Ravens agree to terms with Willie Anderson

The Baltimore Ravens agreed to terms with former Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Willie Anderson on a three-year, $11 million contract.

Ready for some (more) football games that count?

A better question than "Are you ready for some football?" on the opening week of the NFL season might be how soon you're ready for some more games that count.

Report: Jags' Collier making gradual improvement

Jaguars offensive tackle Richard Collier is making gradual improvement from gunshot wounds but is "not out of the woods yet," his agent told a newspaper Thursday.

T.O. sees lack of proven WRs as chance to shine

Terrell Owens has an easy way for the Dallas Cowboys to hide their lack of proven receivers: Just throw it to him more.

Titans' Jones sits out practice with injured elbow

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jason Jones did not practice Thursday, a day after injuring his left elbow in practice.

First round of BMW Championship a washout

The first round of the BMW Championship has been washed out by steady rain that has deluged Bellerive Country Club, adding to the string of bad luck for golf in St. Louis.

Ochoa: LPGA English-only rule 'a little drastic'

Lorena Ochoa of Mexico says a new LPGA Tour policy requiring players to be effective in English starting in 2009 is a "little drastic."

Paul Azinger fills out US Ryder Cup team

Chad Campbell lingered in the parking lot of a Dallas hospital as his wife waited inside to get the latest report on their first child, due to be born later this week.

Tiger Woods says wife Elin expecting 2nd child

Even with his golf done for the year, Tiger Woods found something to celebrate Tuesday: His wife is pregnant with their second child. Woods said on his Web site that Elin is expecting in late winter without being more specific on a due date.

Faldo adds Poulter, Casey to Ryder Cup team

Ryder Cup captain Nick Faldo used his two picks Sunday on Ian Poulter and Paul Casey, a surprising decision that left Darren Clarke off the European team for the first time since 1995.

LPGA's English-only policy draws criticism

Imagine what could have happened to Angel Cabrera if he belonged to a tour that required its players to speak English.

Volatile system brings unpredictable PGA playoffs

Padraig Harrington has won the last two majors and is considered the favorite to be voted player of the year on the PGA Tour. But if he doesn't play well the next two weeks, he might not even make it to the Tour Championship.

LPGA to require English for intl players

The LPGA Tour boasts players from all over the world, and it wants all of them to be able to speak English.

Federer leans on US Open success after tough year

His Wimbledon reign and No. 1 ranking surrendered, Roger Federer has one trump card left in his competition with Rafael Nadal: four straight U.S. Open titles.

Recovering Tiger Woods says 2009 schedule unclear

Tiger Woods said he is not sure whether he will be ready to defend his title at the Dubai Desert Classic early next year.

Russian league accuses NHL of breaking deal

A newly formed Russian hockey league accused the NHL of poaching two of its players when the Los Angeles Kings agreed to terms with two draft prospects last week.

Stu Barnes retires, joins Stars' coaching staff

Dallas Stars center Stu Barnes is retiring after 16 years in the NHL.

Avs sign center, captain Joe Sakic to new contract

Patience paid off for the Colorado Avalanche, who signed Joe Sakic to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday after he decided to play a 20th season in the NHL rather than call it a career.

Sharks sign D Vlasic to 4-year extension

Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic agreed to a four-year contract extension with the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, keeping one of the club's best young players with the Sharks through the 2012-13 season.

Gordon on board with Islanders, leads youth charge

Scott Gordon faced a probing question in the time between accepting the job as head coach of the New York Islanders and his introductory news conference.

Hull, 2 Rangers, Granato headed to hockey Hall

Brett Hull and longtime New York Rangers Brian Leetch and Mike Richter are members of the 2008 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

QB Mauk takes appeal for another season to court

Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk testified Thursday that a foot injury prevented him from playing or even practicing at times during his freshman season in 2003 at Wake Forest, where he played before transferring to Cincinnati.

Tressel: No. 3 Ohio State's Wells out for Ohio

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells will not play when the third-ranked Buckeyes take on Ohio on Saturday.

Former Cincinnati QB Mauk loses final NCAA appeal

Former Cincinnati quarterback Ben Mauk has lost his final appeal to the NCAA for more playing time. Mauk was turned down Wednesday by the NCAA's reinstatement committee, the last available step in his eligibility appeals process.

Harvin, Spikes to make season debuts against Miami

Receiver Percy Harvin and middle linebacker Brandon Spikes will make their season debuts for No. 5 Florida against Miami on Saturday.

LSU postpones game against Troy in wake of Gustav

LSU postponed its football game against Troy after Hurricane Gustav damaged Tiger Stadium and battered Louisiana's capital city far worse than anticipated.

Ponder will start for Seminoles

Christian Ponder will start at quarterback for Florida State in its season opener against Western Carolina.

Coastal Carolina, Chas. Southern may move games

Coastal Carolina and Charleston Southern may reschedule their home games Saturday because of Tropical Storm Hanna.

Nebraska player found not guilty of sexual assault

Nebraska football player Andy Christensen has been found not guilty of first degree sexual assault. A Lancaster County District Court jury reached the decision on Tuesday.

USC gets its reward: Trojans are No. 1 in Top 25

By staying away from the cupcakes, Southern California earned itself a slim new ranking. No. 1 always seems to fit USC.

Ark. St adds Iowa to 2009 schedule

The Red Wolves will take on the Hawkeyes next season.

NASCAR rescinds probation against Stewart, Logano

Tony Stewart and Joey Logano will not be on probation in the NASCAR Nationwide Series after all.

Private club puts wealthy drivers on fast track

Bill McMichael braked his new Ferrari F430 Scuderia into the turn, downshifting as he went into the corner. Then he punched it on the straightaway. Pedal down, engine whining an octave higher, the sleek, black car closed in on 140 mph within seconds.

Dario Franchitti headed back to IndyCar Series

Dario Franchitti will leave NASCAR and return to IndyCar in 2009 as the replacement driver for Dan Wheldon at Chip Ganassi Racing.

Busch wins again

It's Kyle Busch - again.

Phil Hill, only US-born F1 champ, dies

Phil Hill, the only American-born Formula One champion, died Thursday of complications from Parkinson's disease. He was 81.

NASCAR puts Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards on probation

NASCAR placed Kyle Busch and Carl Edwards on probation Wednesday for the next six Sprint Cup Series races, the result of their on-track incident last weekend at the end of the race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Sorenson to join Gillett Evernham Motorsports

Reed Sorenson isn't waiting for Chip Ganassi Racing to figure out the Car of Tomorrow. The 22-year-old driver signed a multiyear contract to join Gillett Evernham Motorsports next season, where he'll join Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler.

Logano picked to replace Stewart in JGR No. 20

Joe Gibbs Racing has selected 18-year-old Joe Logano to replace Tony Stewart in the No. 20 Sprint Cup Toyota next season. Logano was introduced Monday at the team's race shop, less than two months after he made his debut in the Nationwide Series.

NASCAR hands out penalties to 7 Gibbs crew members

NASCAR's latest attempt to reel in the rule-breakers aimed at an unfamiliar target: the normally squeaky-clean Joe Gibbs Racing.

2 Penske cars damaged in transporter fire

A Team Penske transporter, carrying the primary cars for Helio Castroneves and Ryan Briscoe to Infineon Raceway for this week's IndyCar Series race, caught fire Wednesday on Interstate 80, west of Cheyenne, Wyo.

AARP celebrates 50th with star-studded event

Actress Sally Field had some advice for the mature crowd celebrating AARP's 50th anniversary on a sunny day at the Lincoln Memorial: Don't get burned.

David Spade is the father of Playboy pinup's baby

David Spade is the father of Playboy playmate Jillian Grace's newborn daughter, Spade's representative said Thursday. The baby girl was born Aug. 26 in Missouri, and Spade plans to visit her on his first break from filming the CBS sitcom "Rules of Engagement," publicist Meredith O'Sullivan said.

Dr. Green returns in `ER' final-season flashback

Dr. Mark Greene is coming back to "ER," but he's not coming back from the dead.

Jacksons reunite at BMI Urban Awards

The Jacksons were crowned icons at the BMI Urban Awards, but the King of Pop was an absentee.

Man gets prison for crime at Dunst's NYC hotel

A drug addict who was arrested on charges of burglarizing Kirsten Dunst's New York City hotel penthouse suite has been sentenced to 4 1/2 years in prison.

Michael Moore to release new film online for free

Inspired by Neil Young and Radiohead, Michael Moore will release his new film online and for free.

NFL season kicks off with free NYC concert

Usher, Keith Urban and Natasha Bedingfield are kicking off the NFL season with a free concert that's expected to draw thousands to Manhattan's Columbus Circle.

Stand Up to Cancer telethon takes over network TV

After seeing what "An Inconvenient Truth" did for environmental awareness, Hollywood producer Laura Ziskin wanted to make a documentary about cancer, a disease she has fought since 2004.

Stars wish they were in Dorothy's shoes

It's been 70 years since Judy Garland first clicked her ruby slippers in "The Wizard of Oz," yet even the well-heeled celebrities who inhabit the wonderful land of Hollywood still find the shoes a thing of beauty.

'Fringe,' 'Privileged' and 'Do Not Disturb' on tap

The new TV season's official start date (Sept. 21) is weeks away, but one of the most anticipated shows, "90210," has already arrived. Now comes the other: Fox's weird-science thriller "Fringe," which premieres Tuesday at 8 p.m. EDT. So what's left this fall? Well, CW's sunny youth drama "Privileged," debuting Tuesday at 9 p.m. EDT, offers evidence there are pleasant surprises ahead. But Fox's sitcom "Do Not Disturb," on tap for Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. EDT, isn't one of them.

Oscar for Capra's 'Prelude to War' given to Army

The Army, with a hand from Hollywood, has received a long-lost Oscar back into its ranks.

Don LaFontaine, voice of movie trailers, dies

The omnipresent baritone and gravely bass undertones of Don LaFontaine's distinctive voice had the unique ability to seamlessly embellish big-screen kisses, slice through over-the-top explosions, perfectly pair with robust musical scores, glide alongside car chases and effortlessly co-star with any A-list talent in Hollywood.

Judge nixes claims in Heath Ledger tape lawsuit

A judge on Wednesday dealt a serious but possibly temporary blow to a lawsuit filed by a celebrity magazine reporter who has accused a paparazzi agency of secretly filming Heath Ledger doing drugs in her hotel room.

Toronto film fest includes Spike Lee, Coens movies

Sundance is about new talent and small, personal films. Cannes is about highbrow cinema and celebrity-watching.

'Tropic Thunder' retains No. 1 spot at box office

"Tropic Thunder" defended its position at the top of the box office with $14.6 million in ticket sales over the long Labor Day weekend. Vin Diesel's sci-fi thriller, "Babylon A.D.," debuted in second place.

Actress Helen Mirren: I used to 'love' cocaine

Oscar-winning British actress Helen Mirren said she used to love cocaine, but stopped taking the drug after learning that a Nazi war criminal profited from the trade, according to a magazine.

Auction raises cash for Superman's Ohio birthplace

Superman's run-down house needs your help.

Charges filed in McConaughey surf battle

Two surfers have been charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly throwing a photographer into the water as he tried to shoot pictures of Matthew McConaughey surfing, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Jude Law visits Afghanistan to promote peace

Jude Law is visiting Afghanistan to promote peace in the war-ravaged country.

Lohan gets political on blog, sounds off on Palin

Lindsay Lohan is getting political.

Country singer Jimmy Wayne scores No. 1 hit

Jimmy Wayne was down and out a few years ago. His record label had been bought out, and it looked like his shot at being a country star was over.

Hendrix, Beatles, Elvis memorabilia sold

A guitar set alight onstage by Jimi Hendrix during a concert in London was sold at auction on Thursday for $497,557 to a collector from the United States.

Pop star writes of friendship with ex-priest

Pop star Cliff Richard has written about his relationship with a former Roman Catholic priest in an autobiography excerpted in a British newspaper on Thursday.

Wein works to preserve the Newport festival legacy

For the first time since he founded the Newport Jazz Festival, George Wein didn't have to sign any checks or worry about how the fickle weather might affect the bottom line. Instead, his biggest concern at the recent festival was whether he could keep up on piano with his Newport All-Stars band during their set on the main stage that preceded performances by Herbie Hancock and Sonny Rollins.

Aguilera does exclusive deal with Target

Christina Aguilera has become the latest musical act to release an album exclusively through one retailer.

Akon plans on trial in New York fan-toss case

Akon is headed to trial on criminal charges he tossed a fan offstage at an upstate concert last summer.

Judge enters $700,000 judgment for Ne-Yo

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ordered a concert promoter to pay R&B singer-songwriter Ne-Yo $700,000 stemming from A lawsuit filed earlier this year.

Judge refuses to dismiss case against Spears

A judge on Wednesday refused to dismiss a misdemeanor driving without-a-valid-license case against Britney Spears. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James A. Steele issued his ruling after reviewing statutes cited by prosecutors and Spears' attorney, J. Michael Flanagan.

Kiss bassist Gene Simmons sued over IndyCar deal

A Los Angeles man claims in a lawsuit that Gene Simmons took him for a ride on a marketing deal with the Indy Racing League.

Levine on track to make return at the Met

Conductor James Levine is on track to return to the podium this month at New York's Metropolitan Opera after cancer surgery.

'Peanuts' animator Bill Melendez dies at 91

Bill Melendez, the animator who gave life to Snoopy, Charlie Brown and other "Peanuts" characters in scores of movies and TV specials, has died. He was 91.

Britney Spears to open MTV Video Music Awards

It's Britney, baby, one more time. Despite her train-wreck performance at the MTV Video Music Awards last year, the network confirms Spears will kick off the show once again. But it won't be a performance. Instead, MTV Networks Music Group President Van Toffler said Wednesday, it'll be something "fun and unexpected" on Sunday night's show.

Democratic Convention was No. 1 on cable last week

Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of Aug 25-31. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:

Dynamic duo Griffin, Rickles paired for Emmy show

Kathy Griffin, who shook up an Emmy ceremony last year with her rowdy acceptance speech, is bringing her act to this year's prime-time awards show. Griffin and Don Rickles, a comedian who's legendary for his combative style, will team up as presenters at the Sept. 21 ceremony airing on ABC, the TV academy says.

Fashion store sues Winfrey's mom for unpaid bill

A high-end clothing store in Brookfield, Wisconsin, is suing Oprah Winfrey's mother for failing to pay her bill.

More than 40 million people see Palin speech

Barack Obama apparently isn't the only "rock star" in presidential politics this year.

Reality TV shows create rich, famous

When Jon Dalton was discovered by a "Survivor" casting agent at an L.A. gas station several years ago, the chance to win a million dollars wasn't the prize he most desired.

Russell Brand brings a British twist to MTV awards

America, meet Russell Brand.

VMAs offer glimpse of music and mayhem

Britney Spears may not sing at MTV's Video Music Awards, but Christina Aguilera will.

Correction: Pappas obituary

In a Sept. 2 obituary of former CBS television newsman Ike Pappas, The Associated Press misspelled the first name of Pappas' daughter. She is Sara Thomason, not Sarah.