Obama signs bill to combat crime in Indian Country

President Barack Obama has signed a bill he says will address the unique public safety challenges facing American Indian tribes.

Ballmer: Tablet coming 'as soon as we can'

Microsoft will compete with Apple's iPad, but it isn't saying when.

Body of 2nd Navy sailor recovered in Afghanistan

The discovery of the body of a second U.S. sailor who vanished in Afghanistan last week only deepened the mystery of the men's disappearance nearly 60 miles from their base in a dangerous area controlled by the Taliban.

WA Supreme Court: Execution of Brown can proceed

The execution of death row inmate Cal Coburn Brown can proceed after the state Supreme Court rejected claims Thursday that Washington's lethal injection procedures were unconstitutional.

Body of 2nd Navy sailor recovered in Afghanistan

The discovery of the body of a second U.S. sailor who vanished in Afghanistan last week only deepened the mystery of the men's disappearance nearly 60 miles from their base in a dangerous area controlled by the Taliban.

Vaughan takes lead at Senior Open with 4-under 66

Bruce Vaughan took advantage of cool morning conditions with an opening-round 66 to take a two-shot lead in the first round of the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday.

Mother wolf in state's 1st pack in decades missing

The mother wolf of the state's first confirmed pack of wolves in 70 years is missing.

Seahawks begin 1st camp under Carroll

Pete Carroll has spent the last few weeks touting his new book to everyone from ESPN to shoppers inside a neighborhood grocery in Seattle.

Roberts 68 takes early lead at Senior Open

Loren Roberts is the early clubhouse leader in the first round of the U.S. Senior Open, taking advantage of cool morning conditions under overcast skies.

Seahawks sign free-agent G Chester Pitts

Free-agent guard Chester Pitts has agreed with the Seattle Seahawks on a $2 million, one-year contract on the eve of training camp.

City with big salaries has high property tax bills

Residents of a blue-collar Los Angeles suburb where city leaders were among the highest paid in the nation are paying some of the highest property tax bills in the county.

Mexican drug gunmen demand media run clips

Gunmen who abducted four journalists in northern Mexico are demanding their media outlets broadcast videos apparently taped by a drug cartel that accuse officials of favoring a rival gang.

Pair wanted in US woman's death deported to Panama

Nicaragua deported a U.S. couple to Panama, where they face charges of killing two Americans in a scheme to steal their property on a Caribbean archipelago popular with expatriates.

Aid options dwindle for sick 9/11 responders

A bill that would provide up to $7.4 billion in aid to people sickened by World Trade Center dust was in danger of stalling in Congress on Thursday, raising the possibility that the bulk of compensation for the ill will come from a legal settlement hammered out in the federal courts.

Mo. ballot measures tests federal health care law

More than 1 million people are expected to participate in what amounts to the largest-ever public opinion poll on the nation's new health care law.

CAPITAL CULTURE: Malia's latest adventure is camp

She's had a front row seat to history for a year and a half, meeting heads of state, touring the Kremlin, flying around the world on Air Force One, being serenaded by Paul McCartney and enjoying command performances from the Jonas Brothers.

NTSB examines fuel pump in fatal Maine plane crash

Investigators plan further examination of the fuel pump on a small plane that crashed near Portland International Jetport in Maine, killing two people.

Jefferson County, Ala. ex-commissioner sentenced

A former commissioner of Alabama's most populous county has been sentenced to prison on conspiracy and bribery convictions stemming from a sewer construction project that later soured and left the county on the verge of bankruptcy.

Armenian-Americans sue for century-old losses

Armenian-American lawyers filed a federal lawsuit Thursday against the Turkish government and two banks seeking compensation for the heirs of Armenians whose property was allegedly seized nearly a century ago as they were driven from the Turkish Ottoman Empire.

Cuban ex-hunger striker Farinas home from hospital

Cuban opposition activist Guillermo Farinas returned home from the hospital Thursday three weeks after ending a 134-day hunger strike that left him sluggish, with neck pain and difficulty walking.

Summary Box: Wynn Resorts posts $52.4M profit

THE BOTTOM LINE: Casino operator Wynn Resorts Ltd.'s second-quarter profit doubled to $52.4 million, or 42 cents per share, from $25.5 million, or 21 cents per share, a year earlier.

Republicans block small business lending bill

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama's election-year jobs agenda suffered a new setback Thursday when Senate Republicans blocked a bill creating a $30 billion government fund to help open up lending for credit-starved small businesses.

EDITORS:

SEC accuses Dallas investors of insider trading

The Securities and Exchange Commission has filed suit in New York against famed Dallas billionaire investors Sam and Charles Wyly, accusing them, their attorney and their stockbroker of insider trading.

Judge OKs sale of Ohio-based newspaper chain Brown

A federal bankruptcy court on Thursday approved the $26 million sale of Ohio-based newspaper chain Brown Publishing Co. to a group of company insiders led by current President and Chief Executive Roy Brown.

New York Fed: Toxic assets from AIG gaining value

Toxic assets the government bought during the bailouts of American International Group Inc. and Bear Stearns are finally gaining value, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Thursday.

Past problems for company at heart of oil spill

A Canadian company whose pipeline leaked hundreds of thousands of oil into a Michigan river boasts on its website of being "an industry leader in pipeline safety and integrity."

McAfee 2Q profit rises

Computer-security software maker McAfee Inc. said Thursday that its second-quarter profit rose 38 percent, helped by growth in its corporate and consumer businesses.

Activists appeal Purdue coal power unit permit

Two environmental groups that oppose Purdue University's plans for a new coal-fired power unit challenged the school's air permit Thursday in an appeal that says regulators failed to fully assess how much pollution the project is expected to emit.

RealNetworks' 2Q loss narrows

RealNetworks Inc. said Thursday that its second-quarter loss narrowed even though its revenue fell because last year's second quarter included a large charge reflecting the declining value of its assets.

Obama to sign war spending bill

President Barack Obama on Thursday signed legislation to fund his troop surge in Afghanistan, even though it was stripped of money for domestic stimulus programs.

Tancredo officially enters Colo. gov's race

Former U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo has made it official - he's running for Colorado governor on the American Constitution Party ticket.

US military deaths in Afghan region at 1,122

As of Thursday, July 29, 2010, at least 1,122 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Uzbekistan as a result of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count.

Obama signs Tribal Law and Order Act

President Barack Obama has signed a bill giving American Indian tribes more authority to combat crime on their reservations.

US Passports still vulnerable to fraud

Posing as someone else and using fake birth certificates and driver's licenses to get a U.S. passport can still work. For the second time in two years, government investigators exposed a gaping hole in the country's security by deliberately using fraudulent material to obtain passports.

Republican with tea party ties to run for Ky. gov.

A Louisville businessman with tea party ties has announced he will run for governor in Kentucky.

Obama talks race, pop culture on 'The View'

President Barack Obama said Thursday that the racial firestorm that led to the ouster of a black Agriculture Department official was a "phony controversy" generated by the media. He said his administration overreacted by forcing her out.

Obama: America needs to hear Sherrod's full story

President Barack Obama says Shirley Sherrod "deserves better than what happened last week" when the black Agriculture Department official was ousted in a racial firestorm over selective remarks.

Poll: Wealthy newcomers lead in Fla. primary races

Two wealthy newcomers to Florida politics who are self-financing their campaigns have taken double-digit leads in the state's Republican gubernatorial and Democratic Senate primary races, according to a poll released Thursday.

Obama to deliver education reform speech Thursday

President Barack Obama will deliver an education reform speech Thursday morning at the National Urban League's 100th Anniversary Convention in the nation's capital.

DC pushes female condoms to fight HIV epidemic

Charlene Cotton will talk to anyone about sex. Several days a week she stands behind a table decorated with a bowl of flavored condoms and safer sex pamphlets, calling to women passing on the street, "Come check out my table. Don't be scared."

Hands-only CPR, pushy dispatchers are lifesavers

More bystanders are willing to attempt CPR if an emergency dispatcher gives them firm and direct instructions - especially if they can just press on the chest and skip the mouth-to-mouth, according to new research.

DC pushes female condoms to fight HIV epidemic

Charlene Cotton will talk to anyone about sex. Several days a week she stands behind a table decorated with a bowl of flavored condoms and safer sex pamphlets, calling to women passing on the street, "Come check out my table. Don't be scared."

Flooded Dominican towns fight disease outbreaks

Officials in the Dominican Republic are warning people living near low-lying areas flooded by recent rainstorms to be on alert for two diseases that have already killed 53 people and sickened thousands.

Tests aim to settle if fresher blood works better

Facing surgery? You could receive blood that's been stored for a week, or three weeks, or nearly six - and there's growing concern that people who get the older blood might not fare as well.

Medical device problems hurt 70,000+ kids annually

More than 70,000 children and teens go to the emergency room each year for injuries and complications from medical devices, and contact lenses are the leading culprit, the first detailed national estimate suggests.

Medical device problems hurt 70,000+ kids annually

More than 70,000 children and teens go to the emergency room each year for injuries and complications from medical devices, and contact lenses are the leading culprit, the first detailed national estimate suggests.

FDA approves larger dose of Pfizer's Aricept

Drugmakers Eisai Inc. and Pfizer Inc. said on Saturday that government regulators have given them permission to make a larger dose of its Alzheimer's disease drug Aricept for patients who have already been taking the smaller dose.

FDA panel wants more restrictions on painkillers

Federal health advisers said Friday a government proposal to curb misuse of powerful painkillers does not go far enough to fix a problem linked to hundreds of fatal overdoses annually.

Duke scientist's cancer research is questioned

Concerns are being raised about the validity of research done by a Duke University cancer scientist who recently was placed on leave while the school investigates whether he falsely claimed to be a Rhodes scholar.

Oswalt approves deal, Astros trade ace to Phillies

There's a new Roy in town - and he's an ace, too.

Tebow, Broncos agree to contract

Tim Tebow has agreed to a contract with the Denver Broncos.

Padres get Tejada from Orioles

The NL West-leading San Diego Padres obtained infielder Miguel Tejada and cash from the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday in exchange for Double-A right-hander Wynn Pelzer.

Horner's Vikes plan: Team pays 40 percent

Independence Party gubernatorial candidate Tom Horner sketched out a plan on Thursday for a new Vikings stadium that would have the team paying 40 percent of an estimated $900 million project.

Marlins trade 3B Cantu to Texas

The AL West-leading Texas Rangers added another bat for the stretch, getting third baseman Jorge Cantu from the Florida Marlins on Thursday for two minor league pitchers.

Haynesworth fails conditioning test, no practice

The first Washington Redskins training camp practice is over - and Albert Haynesworth wasn't a part of it.

Police: Ex-NBA player Wright shot to death

Former NBA player Lorenzen Wright, whose body was found in the woods outside Memphis, was shot to death and the case is being investigated as a homicide, police said Thursday.

ESPN.com removes article on James in Las Vegas

ESPN.com removed an article chronicling Lebron James' activities during a weekend in Las Vegas.

Orioles hire Buck Showalter as manager

Buck Showalter was hired to manage the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday, his latest rebuilding project in a major league career full of them.

Belichick wants Patriots to focus on present

Ty Warren was stunned when he saw the bare spots where pictures of former Patriots stars once hung. He and his teammates wondered what was going on.

A-Rod worried about payments to ex-Rangers players

Alex Rodriguez filed an objection to aspects of next week's auction of the Texas Rangers, saying he and other former players may not get the millions owed them.

Ohlendorf OK morning after taking liner off head

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf says he feels fine a day after being hit in the head by a line drive and expects to make his next start.

Nationals RHP Strasburg heads to 15-day DL

Rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg went on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with inflammation in his throwing shoulder, the latest indication of how careful the Washington Nationals are being with their prized pitcher.

Dodgers get OF Podsednik from Royals

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired outfielder Scott Podsednik from the Kansas City Royals for a pair of minor leaguers Wednesday night, trying to replenish their outfield and boost their chances in the NL West.

Pirates' Ohlendorf hit in head by liner, bruised

Pittsburgh pitcher Ross Ohlendorf was hit on the right side of his face by Troy Tulowitzki's line drive, got checked at a hospital and was back at Coors Field before the game ended Wednesday night.

Indians trade 3B Peralta to Tigers

The banged-up Detroit Tigers acquired third baseman Jhonny Peralta from the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday for minor league left-hander Giovanni Soto.

Fan in LeBron's Heat jersey draws ire in Cleveland

A fan wearing a Miami Heat jersey of LeBron James drew the ire of the crowd at a Cleveland Indians game and was escorted out of the ballpark.

Angels' Pineiro to miss 6-8 weeks with strain

Angels right-hander Joel Pineiro will miss six to eight weeks after straining a muscle in his left side while warming up for a start against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, dealing another blow to Los Angeles' chase of another playoff berth.

Heyward 1st Braves player to steal home since 2000

Rookie Jason Heyward has become the first member of the Atlanta Braves to steal home in 10 years.

Strasburg first felt tightness 'couple days ago'

Nationals rookie right-hander Stephen Strasburg first sensed tightness in his pitching shoulder "a couple days ago," he said Wednesday, chalking it up to "kind of hitting the wall a little bit."

Late-season collapse has Coughlin ready for camp

Tom Coughlin has been ready to start training camp with the New York Giants for about eight months.

Plenty of job battles for Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins finally have the go-to receiver they've long sought. They're set at quarterback with second-year starter Chad Henne, and Jake Long returns to anchor the offensive line.

Commissioner: No suspension for Young over fight

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday he has decided not to suspend Titans quarterback Vince Young over a tussle at a Dallas strip club in June.

T.O. misses flight to Bengals camp

Terrell Owens missed his flight but got his number.

Raiders sign first-round pick Rolando McClain

The Oakland Raiders signed first-round pick Rolando McClain to a contract late Wednesday night, hours before the start of their first training camp practice.

Haynesworth must pass test, won't be with starters

Albert Haynesworth finally showed up for work - and quickly learned the Washington Redskins won't be cutting him any slack.

Gates gets $36M contract extension from Chargers

Antonio Gates has caught plenty of big passes for the San Diego Chargers, and on Wednesday he hauled in the biggest contract ever given to an NFL tight end.

Chiefs sign 3, including both second-round picks

The Chiefs have signed both of their second-round draft picks, wide receiver Dexter McCluster and defensive back Javier Arenas.

Jets' Jenkins dropping weight while eating cookies

Kris Jenkins is dropping pounds by eating cookies - oatmeal raisin, chocolate. Six of them every day.

Poster latest show of NFL concussion reality

The HBO cameras are rolling in New York, where this season's "Hard Knocks" could make a star out of Jets coach Rex Ryan - and send parents across the country scurrying for the mute button on the remote control.

Alabama teen shoots 57 in State Junior

Bobby Wyatt shot a 57 at the Alabama Boys State Junior Championship.

Furyk chasing FedEx Cup lead in W.Va.

Carl Pettersson felt as if someone had turned back the clock when he arrived at West Virginia's historic Greenbrier resort.

Creamer looks for 2nd major win at British Open

After struggling for years to win a major, Paula Creamer is aiming to make it two in a row at the Women's British Open, which starts Thursday at Royal Birkdale.

Tiger to play at Bridgestone Invitational

Tiger Woods has entered the Bridgestone Invitational next week at Firestone, where he is the defending champion and a seven-time winner of the World Golf Championship.

One major finally in hand, Creamer wants more

Paula Creamer still plays with a bandage. What she no longer plays with is a burden.

Wyndham Championship now cell-phone friendly

Fans will be able to bring their cell phones on the course at next month's Wyndham Championship.

Kerr eyes top of women's rankings

Cristie Kerr has her sights set on a return to the top of world rankings when she tees off at the Women's British Open at Royal Birkdale on Thursday.

Dean Wilson leads Canadian Open

Dean Wilson is taking full advantage of a sponsor exemption - and his long friendship with Canadian star Mike Weir.

Pavin will meet Woods at US PGA about Ryder Cup

American Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin will talk to Tiger Woods at next month's U.S. PGA Championship to learn whether he wants to be in his team at Celtic Manor in Wales in October.

Clark, Wilson share Canadian Open lead

With major championship-worthy rough its only real defense, rain-softened St. George's was no match for players able to consistently hit the narrow fairways.

Capitals acquire enforcer King from St. Louis

The Washington Capitals have acquired enforcer D.J. King from the St. Louis Blues for prospect Stefan Della Rovere.

Capitals re-sign Fleischmann for $2.6M, 1 year

Forward Tomas Fleischmann has re-signed with the Washington Capitals, getting a $2.6 million, one-year contract.

Kings sign goal-scorer Ponikarovsky to 1-year deal

The Los Angeles Kings signed left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky to a one-year contract Tuesday after losing Alexander Frolov to the New York Rangers and falling short in their pursuit of Ilya Kovalchuk.

Winter Classic to showcase NHL's best rivalry

Mike Knuble teed up a puck on a wooden platform a few inches above Heinz Field's green grass and lofted a perfectly placed wrist shot between the uprights.

Islanders' LW Matt Moulson agrees to 1-year deal

New York Islanders left wing Matt Moulson has agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.45 million.

Rangers agree to terms with winger Frolov

The Rangers added offensive punch by agreeing to terms Tuesday with longtime Los Angeles Kings forward Alexander Frolov, who should provide a potent complement to Marian Gaborik on New York's top line.

NHLPA files grievance against NHL over Kovalchuk

The National Hockey League Players' Association has filed a grievance over the league's rejection of the landmark $102 million contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils.

Stars, Brunnstrom reach deal before arbitration

The Dallas Stars have agreed to terms with forward Fabian Brunnstrom on a one-year contract worth $675,000.

Roenick, Hatcher brothers to enter US Hockey Hall

Jeremy Roenick and defensemen brothers Kevin and Derian Hatcher were selected Thursday for induction into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame.

Blackhawks acquire Taffe for Reasoner

The Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks have acquired center Jeff Taffe from the Florida Panthers in exchange for center Marty Reasoner.

Castroneves to meet with IndyCar officials

IndyCar series officials plan to meet with driver Helio Castroneves to discuss his conduct following last week's race at Edmonton.

Roush still hospitalized, stable after plane crash

NASCAR team owner Jack Roush remained hospitalized in serious but stable condition Wednesday, one day after he walked away from a plane crash in Wisconsin.

Smoke says NASCAR's clampdown is OK

Count two-time NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart among those who think NASCAR's decision to clamp down on public criticism of the sport is OK.

Top NASCAR owners hold their own town hall meeting

The top team owners in NASCAR set their individual agendas aside for a unified brainstorming session on how to cut costs and help revive the auto racing industry.

Monaco agrees deal for 10 more years of F1 racing

Monaco Grand Prix organizers have agreed a deal to stage Formula One racing in the principality for 10 more years.

NASCAR's Roush injured in Wisconsin plane crash

NASCAR team owner Jack Roush was in serious but stable condition after walking away from a plane crash in Wisconsin on Tuesday night.

Ambrose leaving JTG Daugherty Racing

Marcos Ambrose is leaving JTG Daugherty Racing at the end of the season.

Austin race promoters set to unveil F1 track site

Race promoters are set to reveal the Austin-area site of the track to be built for the return of Formula One racing to the United States.

Castroneves sorry for Edmonton tirade

Helio Castroneves' passion is part of what has made him one of the best IndyCar drivers of a generation.

NASCAR gets tougher to protect its brand

Concerns about a half-empty race track dogged NASCAR long before Sunday's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where the sanctioning body's top officials didn't want to discuss attendance or any other ailments plaguing the nation's No. 1 racing series.

Jill Biden plays to type in 'Army Wives' episode

It isn't much of a stretch for Jill Biden when she takes an acting turn in an episode of Lifetime network's "Army Wives."

USA TODAY BEST-SELLERS

Key: F-Fiction; NF-Nonfiction; H-Hardcover; P-Paperback

HarperCollins reveals cover for new Palin book

The cover photo for Sarah Palin's new book is a portrait in red, white, blue and gray.

Cow sculptures in Vt. city under siege by vandals

You've heard of cow tipping?

No charges filed in probe of other Jackson doctors

State investigators probing the death of Michael Jackson have decided not to file charges against seven doctors who treated him, authorities said Wednesday.

Kanye West performs for Facebook, joins Twitter

With the release of a new album approaching, Kanye (KAHN'-yay) West is making sure he's up to date with the social networking sites.

Hollywood Foreign Press gives away $1.5 million

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is giving away money.

Frank Sinatra musical `Come Fly Away' to close

The Frank Sinatra jukebox musical "Come Fly Away" will close on Broadway.

National Archives reveals newly donated FDR papers

A handwritten letter from fascist Italian dictator Benito Mussolini congratulating President Franklin D. Roosevelt on his inauguration, and a note from a woman who had a brief affair with Roosevelt were shown to the public for the first time Wednesday at the National Archives.

Real-life drama: Susan Lucci working on memoir

It's a breakthrough for Susan Lucci. No, not a second Emmy. She has a book deal.

Woo joins cast of Chinese propaganda blockbuster

A-List filmmaker John Woo is the first celebrity to join the cast of the second major film in the leading Chinese state film studio's campaign to reform the propaganda genre with a heavy dose of star power.

Gibson speaks to detectives about extortion claims

A sheriff's official says Mel Gibson has met with detectives to discuss his claims that his ex-girlfriend attempted to extort money from him.

Angelina Jolie says Pitt is 'wonderful father'

Actress Angelina Jolie, in Tokyo for the weekend opening of action thriller "Salt," brushed off rumors about her shaky relations with Brad Pitt.

Bond star Craig signs on for 'Dragon Tattoo'

Daniel Craig has a new mission. The current star of the James Bond films has signed on for the English-language remake of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

Disney star Selena Gomez cancels state fair shows

Disney teen star Selena Gomez has canceled appearances at state fairs in Delaware and Ohio because of strained vocal chords.

Man pleads not guilty in Beverly Hills stabbing

A man accused of fatally stabbing a movie producer's son at a Beverly Hills home has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Correction: Comic-Con-Haunted Mansion story

In July 22 story about a panel discussion of a planned Disney film, "Haunted Mansion," The Associated Press, quoting the moderator, reported erroneously that Guillermo del Toro is set to direct the film. Del Toro is writing and producing the movie, but hasn't yet signed on to direct, the Walt Disney Studios said.

Comic-Con closes after 4 days of pop culture fun

Light cycles, wizards, vampires and superheroes made for another colorful Comic-Con.

Comic-Con closes after 4 days of pop culture fun

Light cycles, wizards, vampires and superheroes made for another colorful Comic-Con.

Jolie plays spy, but plays down spy scandal

Even though Angelina Jolie plays a suspected Russian sleeper agent in her latest movie, in real life she thinks U.S.-Russian relations are going well.

Authorities blame organizer for deadly Love Parade

German state authorities on Wednesday accused the organizer of last weekend's Love Parade techno festival of major security breaches which may have led to the crush that killed 21 people and injured more than 500.

Traverse City Film Festival honors John Hughes

The late writer and director John Hughes is being honored at the Traverse City Film Festival.

Dove Awards for gospel head to Atlanta in 2011

Organizers of the Dove Awards are taking a leap of faith and moving the annual gospel and Christian music show to Atlanta.

Univision agrees to pay $1M in payola settlement

Univision Communications Inc. has agreed to pay $1 million to settle allegations that the company's radio stations and its employees accepted secret cash payments to give more frequent airplay to artists with a former Univision recording label.

Review: Avenged Sevenfold's 'Nightmare' indecisive

Avenged Sevenfold, "Nightmare" (Warner Bros.)

The top 10 singles and albums on iTunes

iTunes' top 10 selling singles and albums of the week ending July 26, 2010:

French doctor: Singer Al Jarreau getting better

A cardiologist who is treating Al Jarreau says the Grammy-winning singer's health is improving steadily.

Gilliam to direct YouTube webcast of Arcade Fire

Terry Gilliam will direct the live webcast of Arcade Fire's concert at New York City's Madison Square Garden.

With sweetness, soul, Aretha and Rice make music

Condoleezza Rice is no stranger to the whims of royalty. So when the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin, decided the two should get together to play a song or two for charity, it was decreed.

Court feud over estate of songwriter ends in Ohio

A long-running legal feud between the four children of a late country music songwriter and their evangelist aunt ended Monday when a judge approved placing the family's share of his catalog into a trust fund for them.

CBS pits youth against age on next `Survivor'

"Survivor" is going to exploit the generation gap.

ABC programming chief McPherson abruptly resigns

ABC programming chief Stephen McPherson has abruptly resigned from the network after a six-year tenure in which the network aired such provocative series as "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost" but ended last season in third place among the big four networks.

Former 'James at 15' star Lance Kerwin sentenced

Former child TV star Lance Kerwin has been placed on five years probation after pleading guilty to a theft charge.

`Detroit 1-8-7' producers a no-show at meeting

Producers of a crime show set and shot in Detroit have missed a meeting with the City Council on concerns about the drama's content.

'Jersey Shore' cast heads north to ring open NYSE

Forget Black Friday. It was Tan Tuesday.

CBS most-viewed network for fifth week in a row

The Nielsen Co. says reruns and reality shows gave CBS a decisive win in last week's ratings.

Source: Nigel Lythgoe may return to `Idol'

A familiar face may be on the verge of returning to "American Idol."

Detroit officials, TV drama producers to meet

Producers of a crime show set and filmed in Detroit are expected to meet with the City Council to hear concerns about the drama's content.

New MTV show takes on high school stereotypes

Jocks, nerds, burnouts and stoners: The names may vary, but students at almost every high school know the labels.

Actor Rainn Wilson countersues over website

Actor Rainn Wilson of "The Office" had countersued a Portland company in a website development dispute.