Wash Lottery sales down from last year's record

The recession has taken a bite out of sales for Washington Lottery games.

McCain to hold up Obama nominees over copper mine

Sen. John McCain intends to try to hold up two Obama administration nominees because of a dispute over land-swap legislation intended to pave the way for an Arizona copper mine, his spokeswoman said Friday.

State: Possible wolf pack in PendOreille

Images from a remote camera suggest there may be a wolf pack capable of breeding in Pend Oreille County along the Washington-Idaho border.

Cop shoots person to death in Spokane

Police fatally shot a man after he allegedly beat a woman with a skateboard and stabbed a pit bull during a rampage Friday morning.

2 die in plane crash near Vancouver, B.C., airport

Two people were killed when a small cargo plane on final approach to Vancouver International Airport crashed in a parking lot and burst into a fireball, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police says.

Women lose court bid to ski jump in Vancouver

A group of women ski jumpers lost its case to be part of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Bank robber shot by Seattle police gets 20 years

A bank robber shot by Seattle police after a car chase last summer has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in prison.

UK government says 5 British soldiers killed on patrol in Afghanistan.

Mariners trade Betancourt to Royals

Seattle Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt, whose lack of discipline at the plate and erratic play in the field has frustrated the team's management and fans this year, was traded Friday to the Kansas City Royals for two minor league pitchers.

Chehalis juvenile prison guard arrested

A guard at the Green Hill School, a state prison for juveniles in Chehalis, has been arrested in a drug raid.

Calif. furloughs prompt strike threat from union

Furloughed and fired up, California's largest state employee union is asking its 95,000 members to authorize a potential strike.

One week delay in Jackson guardianship case

A guardianship hearing for Michael Jackson's three children has been delayed for a week to give the singer's mother and ex-wife time to reach an agreement, an attorney said Friday.

Man jailed 14 years for court contempt is freed

A suburban Philadelphia lawyer released from prison after serving the longest imprisonment on a civil contempt charge in U.S. history says judges have too much discretion in such cases.

WTC owners offer plan to finance 2nd skyscraper

The owners of ground zero have offered to partially fund the building of a second tower planned by a private developer.

Attempt to beat train in Mich. ends 5 young lives

Fourteen-year-old Jessica Sadler wanted to go to the beach with her boyfriend on a warm summer day, but her mother said no, absolutely not. She had better come home or she would be in big trouble.

Suicide of detective was latest to shock LAPD

Detective Susan Clemmer became the latest Los Angeles police officer to commit suicide when she walked into a sheriff's station near her home, exchanged a few words with two deputies then shot herself in the head.

4-day workweek creates new volunteers in Utah

Utah, a state that has always been a leader in the percentage of residents who volunteer, appears to have inadvertently found a way to boost volunteerism: a four-day workweek.

Jackson doctor's office reports harassing calls

Police are investigating suspicious calls being made to the office of Michael Jackson's Beverly Hills dermatologist.

Canadian tornado kills 2 US men

Two Oklahoma men were killed and one remains missing after a tornado ripped through a tourist resort in northwestern Ontario, a meteorologist said Friday.

DC Council to probe Marion Barry contract

The head of the District of Columbia Council says a former federal prosecutor will look into a contract between former mayor Marion Barry and his ex-girlfriend.

Montana gov blasts GM mine contract cancellation

Gov. Brian Schweitzer is calling on the Obama administration to force General Motors to honor its contract with a Montana mining company instead of going overseas to buy the precious metals used to control vehicle pollution.

Some NWA flight attendants want to wear red dress

The union that represents flight attendants who worked for Northwest Airlines before it was bought by Delta Air Lines is crying foul over Delta's failure to offer bigger sizes for its signature red dress uniform designed by Richard Tyler.

Chicago lawyer convicted in Refco fraud

A Chicago lawyer has been convicted in New York of conspiracy in a huge fraud at commodities brokerage giant Refco Inc.

Lancelot Investment accused of aiding Ponzi scheme

Lancelot Investment Management and its owner have been accused by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of aiding a multibillion dollar Ponzi scheme.

CAW says Chrysler Canada will save 1,200 jobs

Chrysler Canada has canceled plans to end the third shift at its minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, a decision that will save more than 1,200 jobs, the head of the Canadian Auto Workers union said Friday.

CAW says Chrysler Canada will save 1,200 jobs

Chrysler Canada has canceled plans to end the third shift at its minivan plant in Windsor, Ontario, a decision that will save more than 1,200 jobs, the head of the Canadian Auto Workers union said Friday.

NYC legal fees for Madoff trustee top $14 million

A New York City law firm working with a court-appointed trustee in the Bernard Madoff case has run up more than $14.6 million in legal fees.

Products recalled due to possible salmonella risk

The following recalls have been announced because the products may be contaminated with salmonella, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections, especially in young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems; no illnesses have been reported:

Keys to GM's success after bankruptcy protection

Even after emerging from bankruptcy protection, the new General Motors still faces some of the same troubles that haunted the old one, which piled up more than $80 billion in losses during the past four years and still needs government aid to survive.

Amgen appoints Harvard business professor to board

Biotechnology company Amgen Inc. said Friday that Rebecca Henderson has been appointed to the board of directors.

Homeland unveils immigration enforcement plan

An overhauled federal program allowing local and state law enforcement officials to arrest and deport immigrants will focus on the most serious criminals and limit officers' police powers, the Homeland Security Department said Friday.

Pope presses Obama on abortion, stem cells

Pope Benedict XVI stressed the church's opposition to abortion and stem cell research in his first meeting with President Barack Obama on Friday, pressing the Vatican's case with the U.S. leader who is already under fire on those issues from some conservative Catholics and bishops back home.

Business Highlights

GM exits bankruptcy; CEO vows better performance

Guests for the Sunday TV news shows

Guest lineup for the Sunday TV news shows:

Appeals court expands lawmakers legal protection

What a lawmaker divulged to a Capitol Hill ethics probe about a golf trip with convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff cannot be used against him in a criminal investigation, an appeals court has ruled in a case that could make it harder to prosecute misconduct in Congress.

Congress asked to address extremism in military

One of the country's main monitors of hate groups asked Congress Friday to investigate possible racial extremism in the military, after finding U.S. service members participating on a social networking site advertised as being for white people only.

FACT CHECK: GOP joins spin game over stimulus jobs

House Republicans on Friday declared the nation's economic stimulus efforts a "dismal failure." But the convoluted math they used to disparage the recovery is as murky and meaningless as the White House formula championing the stimulus.

US moving away from Afghan drug eradication

The 4,000 U.S. Marines now pushing deep into Taliban-controlled tracts as part of an expanded war in southern Afghanistan are setting up fire bases amid some of the most productive poppy fields in the world's opium-producing capital.

California's creditors look to options for IOUs

Thousands of vendors who do billions of dollars of business with the state of California are scrambling as major banks say they will no longer honor the state's IOUs.

Former Sen. Dole undergoes leg surgery

Former GOP presidential candidate Bob Dole remained hospitalized Friday following leg surgery performed after he initially sought medical treatment for heart problems.

Illinois Sen. Burris cites fundraising burden in declaring he won't seek election in 2010.

Chinese state press says those killed in Xinjiang riot include 137 ethnic Han, 46 Uighurs.

Study: 1 in 3 breast cancer patients overtreated

One in three breast cancer patients identified in public screening programs may be treated unnecessarily, a new study says. Karsten Jorgensen and Peter Gotzsche of the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Copenhagen analyzed breast cancer trends at least seven years before and after government-run screening programs for breast cancer started in parts of Australia, Britain, Canada, Norway and Sweden.

Swine flu shots at school: Bracing for fall return

U.S. swine flu vaccinations could begin in October with children among the first in line - at their local schools - the Obama administration said Thursday as the president and his Cabinet urged states to figure out now how they'll tackle the virus' all-but-certain resurgence.

Bail denied for surgery tech in hepatitis C scare

A judge denied bail Thursday for a surgery technician accused of swapping out her dirty syringes for ones filled with a painkiller meant for patients - even though she knew she had hepatitis C.

Monkeys live longer on low-cal diet; would humans?

Eat less, live longer? It seems to work for monkeys: A 20-year study found cutting calories by almost a third slowed their aging and fended off death. This is not about a quick diet to shed a few pounds. Scientists have long known they could increase the lifespan of mice and more primitive creatures - worms, flies - with deep, long-term cuts from normal consumption.

Ebola found in Philippine pigs for first time

A form of ebola virus has been detected in pigs for the first time, raising concerns it could mutate and threaten humans, scientists report.

WHO approves cervical cancer vaccine Cervarix

The World Health Organization has approved a second cervical cancer vaccine, this one made by GlaxoSmithKline, meaning U.N. agencies and partners can now officially buy millions of doses of the vaccine for poor countries worldwide.

Abortion pill used in a quarter of US abortions

Roughly a fourth of American women getting early abortions last year did so with drugs rather than surgery, statistics show, as a new study reported improved safety in using the so-called "abortion pill."

British scientists claim to create human sperm

British scientists claimed Wednesday to have created human sperm from embryonic stem cells for the first time, an accomplishment they say may someday help infertile men father children.

Mets trade OF Church to Braves for OF Francoeur

The Atlanta Braves traded Jeff Francoeur and cash to the New York Mets for Ryan Church on Friday in a swap of outfielders who had fallen out of favor with their teams. The deal came with both NL East teams below .500. The Mets have especially struggled to score lately with stars Carlos Beltran, Jose Reyes and Carlos Delgado on the disabled list.

Hoff fails to qualify for world swim championships

These are tough times for Katie Hoff. Nearly a year after winning three medals - none gold - at the Beijing Olympics, Hoff has changed coaches, altered her stroke, gotten sick and, worst of all, slowed down.

Blazers draft pick Mills breaks foot

Portland Trail Blazers draft pick Patty Mills broke his right foot during practice and won't play in the NBA's summer league.

Leaders at World Series of Poker try to stay there

The chip leaders at the World Series of Poker main event looked to stay there on Friday as each elimination brought them closer to the tournament's $61 million prize pool.

McNair's hometown prepares to bury local hero

Steve McNair left this tiny south Mississippi town to become an NFL star, though his presence remained.

Inge says he's in for home run derby

Brandon Inge says he's going to participate in the home run derby on Monday night during All-Star week.

Angels put Hunter and Guerrero on DL

The Los Angeles Angels placed center fielder Torii Hunter and right fielder Vladimir Guerrero on the 15-day disabled list before the start of a three-game series with the New York Yankees.

Contador strikes in duel with Armstrong at Tour

In the Tour de France duel between teammates Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador, the first big mountain stage went to the Spaniard.

Canadiens sign Moen to 3-year deal

The Montreal Canadiens have signed forward Travis Moen to a three-year contract on Friday.

Mayfield's drug test still being analyzed

NASCAR was still analyzing Jeremy Mayfield's latest drug test Friday, four days after demanding the driver submit to a random test.

Orioles activate SS Izturis; option RHP Hernandez

The Baltimore Orioles activated shortstop Cesar Izturis from the 15-day disabled list Friday and optioned rookie pitcher Dave Hernandez to Double-A Bowie.

Trembley gets fine, suspension after ejection

Orioles manager Dave Trembley received a two-game suspension Friday and was fined following his ejection in the first inning of Baltimore's game against the Seattle Mariners earlier this week.

Mauer's got power, and he'll be in home run derby

Joe Mauer's power has earned him a place in baseball's home run derby.

Mariners trade Betancourt to Royals

Mariners shortstop Yuniesky Betancourt was traded to Kansas City on Friday, giving the Royals a versatile infielder and Seattle a pair of minor league pitchers.

OF Cruz to replace injured Hunter on AL squad

Texas Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz has been picked for the American League All-Star roster, replacing injured Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter.

Astros claim C Coste off waivers from Phillies

The Houston Astros have claimed backup catcher Chris Coste off waivers from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Phillies OF Werth replaces Beltran as NL All-Star

Jayson Werth's power push paid off.

Halladay gets biggest All-Star bonus at $125,000

It pays to be an All-Star.

Cubs' Soto goes on DL

The Cubs' Geovany Soto, the 2008 NL rookie of the year, is going on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle. Manager Lou Piniella said Soto could be out for a month.

Cuba acknowledges top pitcher's desertion

Cuba has acknowledged the defection of pitcher Aroldis Chapman, a week after he walked away from a tournament in the Netherlands.

Family, friends mourn McNair's girlfriend Kazemi

The woman who killed Steve McNair before turning the gun on herself was buried Friday in Florida in a private ceremony with about 30 friends and family members.

Chargers RB from Philly wounded in shooting

San Diego Chargers rookie running back Curtis Brinkley was hospitalized in stable condition Friday after being shot at a suburban Philadelphia intersection, authorities said.

OH man makes plea in shooting of ex-Colts player

A man in Ohio has pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder 27 years after he fired a gunshot that investigators say caused a former NFL player's kidney-infection death this year.

Mass. man scrambles to repay Tom Brady

A man who unwittingly stole two flower planters worth $8,000 from behind Tom Brady's Boston condominium says he has to panhandle to pay restitution.

Browns WR Stallworth released from Miami jail

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth has been released from a Miami jail after serving 24 days for DUI manslaughter.

McNair's girlfriend distraught over love and money

At just 19 years old, Sahel Kazemi thought she had it all: She was dating former NFL star Steve McNair, partying in VIP rooms and vacationing in Las Vegas.

Coach, teammates remember slain ex-NFL QB McNair

Steve McNair's pastor and close friend cautioned against judging the ex-NFL quarterback Thursday, reminding people who gathered for his memorial not to cast the first stone when talking about his life off the field.

Cards sign third-round pick Johnson to 3-year deal

The Arizona Cardinals have signed third-round draft pick Rashad Johnson to a three-year contract.

NFL commish brought to tears by Rainier

Roger Goodell has reached the summit of Mount Rainier.

Ex-NFL star Bruce Smith convicted of DUI in Va.

Former NFL star Bruce Smith was convicted of drunken driving Thursday by a judge who rejected his claim that old football injuries, not alcohol, were responsible for his poor performance on field sobriety tests.

Lefty to skip British Open, citing wife's health

Phil Mickelson will skip the British Open so he can be with his wife as she starts her recovery from breast cancer, ending the longest active streak of majors played at 61.

Report: Bivens agreeable to buyout

LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens reportedly is agreeable to a buyout of the final two years of her contract amid calls for her resignation by key players.

Paula Creamer wants another shot at Women's Open

Paula Creamer has taken two anti-inflammatory injections in her ailing left thumb. Now, she wants another shot - at a U.S. Women's Open title.

Daly receives sponsor's exemption to Canadian Open

John Daly has accepted a sponsor's exemption to the Canadian Open, his second start on the PGA Tour since returning from a six-month suspension.

After big fall, Duval back in spotlight

David Duval says he doesn't feel like he's on the comeback trail as he prepares for the John Deere Classic this week in Illinois.

Immelman withdraws from British Open

Trevor Immelman has withdrawn from the British Open next week at Turnberry because of a wrist injury that has been slow to heal.

Teen Ishikawa hoping to make cut at British Open

Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa has acknowledged that being a title contender in the upcoming British Open, or any other major, is beyond him at this early stage of his career.

Mickelson's mother diagnosed with breast cancer

Six weeks after Phil Mickelson announced his wife had breast cancer, his mother was diagnosed with the disease and is to have surgery later this week.

Woods goes to another major off another win

Tiger Woods watched good friend Roger Federer in the championship match at Wimbledon for as long as he could before heading out to prepare for the final round of the AT&T National.

TV ratings for AT&T National triple from last year

Tiger Woods' win at the AT&T National drew an overnight rating more than three times higher than last year, when he was injured.

C Morrison signs 1-yr, $1.5M deal with Capitals

The Washington Capitals have found a possible second-line center for next season, signing free agent Brendan Morrison to a one-year, $1.5 million contract on Friday.

Canadiens sign defenseman Mara

The Canadiens have signed free agent Paul Mara to a one-year contract, adding size and experience to their group of defensemen.

Leafs sign Swedish forward Wallin to 1-year deal

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Swedish forward Rickard Wallin to a one-year contract.

Devils add goaltender, forward in separate moves

The New Jersey Devils have acquired forward Tim Sestito from Edmonton in exchange for a 2010 conditional draft pick and signed free agent goaltender Yann Danis.

Lightning sign goalie Niittymaki

The Tampa Bay Lightning have signed free agent goalie Antero Niittymaki to be the backup to starter Mike Smith.

NHL accuses Moyes of trying to derail sale of team

The NHL is accusing Phoenix Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes of trying to derail the sale of the team to a group headed by Jerry Reinsdorf by filing a flurry of requests for depositions before the July 24 deadline for formal submission of the bid.

Sakic steps away after 20-year career

Stoic Joe Sakic finally cracked, allowing for a rare show of emotion.

Sharks re-sign D Rob Blake to 1-year deal

Rob Blake is staying with the Sharks.

Saku Koivu leaves Montreal to join Anaheim Ducks

Saku Koivu has left the Montreal Canadiens after 13 seasons to join the Anaheim Ducks.

No. 1 choice Tavares welcomed as face of Islanders

John Tavares' confident stride, friendly wave, broad smile, and polished words didn't give away nervousness that had to be running through him on his first real day as the face of the New York Islanders.

Woman sues, says NY school used her as 'plaything'

A fundraiser at an upstate university has sued two senior athletic department officials, accusing them of using her as a "plaything" and trying to make her ply big donors with her sexuality.

Justin Wilson psyched for Toronto

Justin Wilson has won before on the streets of Toronto, and he's ready for an encore performance in the wake of his first IndyCar Series triumph.

Vatanen will challenge Mosley for FIA presidency

Former World Rally champion Ari Vatanen launched his campaign for the presidency of Formula One's governing body on Friday still believing incumbent Max Mosley may seek a fifth term.

Tony George says he declined staying as IRL chief

Former Indianapolis Motor Speedway chief Tony George says he rejected a request to remain the CEO of the Indy Racing League because it would have created an "unnecessary" layer of bureaucracy.

Mayfield case puts spotlight on NASCAR drug policy

Although NASCAR contends it has the best anti-doping procedures in sports, some experts see flaws in the policy and question whether drivers are getting a fair shake in the lab or a safe ride on the track.

Vickers takes pole at Chicagoland

Brian Vickers won yet another pole, his fifth one this season coming at Chicagoland Speedway.

Jeremy Mayfield considers selling race team

Unable to find funding since his suspension for failing a random drug test, Jeremy Mayfield is considering selling his race team.

Eury Jr. calls split with Junior the right one

His race day results with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a steady decline, crew chief Tony Eury Jr. lost confidence in his setups and strategies.

Earnhardt says he'd like to race in Indy someday

Dale Earnhardt Jr. says he would jump at the chance to drive in the Indianapolis 500 if there were not a conflicting NASCAR race on the same day.

Attorney for Mayfield says he won't be in Chicago

An attorney for Jeremy Mayfield says he will not go to Chicago for this weekend's NASCAR race.

French president says G-8 united on Iran, deplores violence in the aftermath of election.

Carrie Underwood to entertain Fort Campbell troops

Carrie Underwood will headline a Salute to the Troops Concert next month at Fort Campbell.

McCartney returns to Ed Sullivan Theater

Paul McCartney is going back to the Ed Sullivan Theater.

Son of late Grammy nominee to take over NYC church

The son of the late Grammy-nominated gospel singer Timothy Wright will be installed as pastor of his father's Brooklyn church.

British tabloid denies it hacked celebrities

The publisher of a British tabloid owned by media mogul Rupert Murdoch denied on Friday a report that it had accessed the voice mail of celebrities and politicians and tried to suppress evidence of the hacking.

Jason Priestley and wife welcome a baby boy in LA

It's a boy for Jason Priestley and his wife, Naomi.

Dozens line up for Jackson Ind. hometown memorial

Dozens of fans are lining up outside a ballpark in Michael Jackson's hometown ahead of a memorial celebration planned at the Indiana city's ballpark.

Best Sellers-Audio

Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission. (Platinum signifies more than 1 million copies sold; Gold signifies more than 500,000 copies sold.):

Best Sellers-Video

Weekly charts for the nation's most popular videos as they appear in next week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission:

NY Philharmonic to visit Cuba, maybe tour in fall

The New York Philharmonic is headed to Cuba to explore the communist nation after being invited to perform there in the fall.

Billy Mays remains a TV pitchman, even in death

Death won't still the voice of Billy Mays or his mighty powers of persuasion. Viewers will continue to find the boisterous, bearded TV pitchman hawking household products for the indefinite future. And at least one of his commercials is being introduced posthumously.

Michael Moore's new documentary gets a name

Michael Moore's latest documentary now has a title - and a theme that resonates with recession-weary audiences.

Bummed about Bruno? Austrians 'get ueber it'

Austrians could be forgiven for bristling at "Bruno."

Dole sues `Bananas!' filmmaker, alleges defamation

Dole Foods sued a Swedish filmmaker and his film company for defamation on Wednesday, alleging he insisted on showing his documentary, "Bananas!" at the Los Angeles Film Festival after learning it was based on a fraud.

Calif. drug dealer guilty of murdering 15-year-old

Marijuana dealer Jesse James Hollywood faces a possible death sentence after his conviction for kidnapping and murdering a 15-year-old boy over an escalating drug debt, a crime that inspired the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog."

Capsule reviews: `Bruno' and other films

Capsule reviews of films opening this week:

Review: You've met `Beth Cooper' before

Somewhere inside "I Love You, Beth Cooper," there lies a high-school comedy in the same vein as the great John Hughes movies of the 1980s.

AP newsroom is a setting for Drew Barrymore film

Will it be a busy news week for Drew Barrymore?

'Transformers' hits $300 million mark in 14 days

"Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" has reached another Hollywood milestone.

Richard Gere: Dog is hero in film about Japan tale

Richard Gere stars in a Hollywood remake of Japan's long-cherished story of Hachiko, a faithful dog that died at a train station waiting for its master. But "Hachi: A Dog's Story" is more about the dog than about Gere, the 59-year-old actor said Wednesday.

Stars brave London rain at 'Harry Potter' premiere

Thousands of Harry Potter fans braved rain and hail Tuesday to cheer the cast of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" at its London premiere.

Jackson children were well prepared for spotlight

Even Michael Jackson knew the masks and veils would have to come off one day.

Pelosi shuts down resolution on Michael Jackson

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shut the door Thursday to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop star's life.

German exhibit examines Nazi influence on music

Richard Wagner is the classical composer most associated with the Nazis, but Johann Sebastian Bach was the one the party dubbed "the most German of Germans" and whose music was played at rallies to stir up nationalist zeal.

Drug czar Kerlikowske says Jackson's death a wake-up call

The government's drug czar says that Michael Jackson's death is a wake-up call to the nation about prescription drug abuse.

Nielsen: 31.1 million watched Jackson memorial

Some 31.1 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television, with millions more catching video streams on their computers.

Michael Jackson's final resting place a mystery

Michael Jackson's glimmering casket took center stage at the Staples Center, sitting for more than two hours as celebrities memorialized the King of Pop under the watchful eyes of millions. And when the ceremony was over, it was gone.

Fate of fans' flowers, cards for Jackson undecided

Since Michael Jackson died June 25, fans from around the world have expressed their grief in flowers, balloons, teddy bears, candles, pictures and handwritten notes left throughout the city - at his rented Holmby Hills mansion, at the Jackson family home in Encino, at his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and at his Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara County.

Clarification: Michael Jackson-National Audience

In a story July 7, The Associated Press reported that a simulcast of Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, drew only about 10 people. The library now says that viewers of the simulcast grew to about 60 people as the event went on.

Sales of Michael Jackson albums soared last week

Nielsen SoundScan says 800,000 copies of Michael Jackson albums were bought in the U.S. last week - nearly double his sales from the previous week.

Grand Ole Opry member Mel McDaniel hospitalized

A Grand Ole Opry spokeswoman says Opry performer Mel McDaniel is in the hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Patricia Arquette dismisses divorce case

Patricia Arquette and Thomas Jane will remain married.

Top cable programs for June 29-July 5

Rankings for the top 15 programs on cable networks as compiled by Nielsen Media Research for the week of June 29-July 5. Day and start time (EDT) are in parentheses:

After long delay, 16 `Runway' contestants revealed

Let the sew-off begin: After a massive delay, "Project Runway" is revealing its new batch of aspiring fashion designers.

University of Utah, HBO in flap over logo

The University of Utah says the HBO series "Big Love" can't use the school's name or logo without its permission.

USOC surprised at IOC's complaints about network

The U.S. Olympic Committee's venture into the TV business is irritating some international Olympic leaders - not exactly the reaction the Americans were expecting when they decided to create a network solely devoted to promoting the movement.

Robin Williams lined up for HBO comedy special

Robin Williams is bringing his standup act back to HBO.

'Office' star Jenna Fischer gets engaged in Paris

She's engaged on NBC's "The Office," and now, Jenna Fischer can say the same in real life. Her spokesman, Lewis Kay, says the 35-year-old actress and her boyfriend, screenwriter Lee Kirk, became engaged in Paris on June 30.

Jackson memorial unites diverse media outlets

Queen Latifah called Michael Jackson "the biggest star on Earth," and it was hard to argue when his memorial service united television networks as diverse as ABC, MTV, Fox News Channel, BET and ESPN News.

List of top 20 shows in prime-time Nielsen ratings

Prime-time viewership numbers compiled by Nielsen Media Research for June 29-July 5. Listings include the week's ranking, with viewership for the week and season-to-date rankings in parentheses. An "X" in parentheses denotes a one-time-only presentation.

NBC's 'Talent' is a hit, but CBS wins ratings week

NBC's got a hit so far with "America's Got Talent."