Local News

Guilty verdict in WSP trooper killing trial

A woman who was riding with Joshua Blake when he killed a Washington State Patrol trooper has been convicted in Port Orchard of rendering criminal assistance.

Ex-boyfriend sought in death of Renton teen

Police are looking for the ex-boyfriend of a 17-year-old girl found dead in a Renton home that had been set on fire.

Wash. lawyers challenge secret court proceedings

A defense lawyer in Eastern Washington was reading a detective's statement in his client's drug case when he came across a curious line. In asking to search the man's house and cars, the detective revealed that he had already seen the defendant's bank records.

Guilty verdict in WSP trooper killing trial

A woman who was riding with Joshua Blake when he killed a Washington State Patrol trooper has been convicted in Port Orchard of rendering criminal assistance.

Car taken in Rochester home invasion found

The Thurston County sheriff's office says the car taken in a Rochester home invasion early Friday was found later in the morning.

2 students robbed at gunpoint in Shoreline

Police have arrested two suspects in the armed robbery of two students Friday morning in Shoreline.

Woman found wandering in Ore. still unidentified

A woman found wandering last week near Albany without money or identification has been sent to a hospital on a mental commitment while authorities try to identify her.

Body of girl, 17, found at Renton house fire

Firefighters who put out a fire Friday morning at a Renton home found the body of a teenage girl inside.

No new reports of tiger loose near Puyallup, Wash.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Ed Troyer says there have been no new reports Friday morning of a tiger on the loose near Puyallup (pew-AL'-up).

Wash. lawyers challenge secret court proceedings

A case out of Benton County provides a rare look at little-known secret court proceedings in Washington state.

50 years on, fire still burns underneath Pa. town

Fifty years ago on Sunday, a fire at the town dump ignited an exposed coal seam, setting off a chain of events that eventually led to the demolition of nearly every building in Centralia - a whole community of 1,400 simply gone.

Police: Hostages remain inside Ind. realty office

A gunman looking for someone he believes owes him money took an unknown number of hostages inside an Indiana real estate office Friday, police said, prompting officers to shut down nearby streets and surround the building with guns drawn.

Oregon police find mother of 3 abandoned kids

Police in Oregon say they've found the mother of three children who were abandoned in a Portland shed.

Maine churches raising money to fight gay marriage

Scores of Maine churches will pass the collection plate a second time at Sunday services on Father's Day to kick off a fundraising campaign for the lead opposition group to November's ballot question asking voters to legalize same-sex marriages.

Mexican boy's eyes gouged out 'to save the world'

A 5-year-old Mexican boy whose eyes were allegedly gouged out by his mother as part of a drug-fueled ritual "to save the world" is expected to live, but has been left completely blind, health authorities said Friday.

Oil holds near 2012 low

The price of oil held near the lowest levels of the year on a quiet Friday ahead of the holiday weekend.

French president: All combat troops out in 2012

French President Francois Hollande for the first time provided details of his plan to pull France's combat troops out of Afghanistan by the end of the year, saying Friday he would leave around 1,400 soldiers behind to help with training and logistics.

Smoke from massive fire spreads across NM, Ariz.

As smoke from a massive blaze in the southwestern New Mexico wilderness spread across the state Friday, health officials as far away as Albuquerque and Santa Fe warned residents to limit outdoor activity over Memorial Day weekend due to growing air-quality concerns.

NJ mayor accused of hacking opponents' websites

Federal prosecutors say a New Jersey mayor and his adult son hacked into websites of political foes who were seeking his recall.

Berlusconi angles for Italian presidency

Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi appears to be angling for the role of Italian president - with enhanced powers.

More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day

More Americans will hit the road this holiday weekend than a year ago. And they'll have a bit more money to spend thanks to lower gas prices.

Wheat climbs as dry weather lingers over Kansas

Wheat prices are climbing as questions persist about how much dry weather is affecting the Kansas crop.

Euro falls below $1.25 on Greek fears

The euro fell below $1.25 for the first time Friday in nearly two years on concerns that Europe won't be able to keep Greece in the single currency union.

Spain's Bankia to ask for $24BN state aid

The board of directors of Spain's troubled bank, Bankia, has asked the Spanish government for (EURO)19 billion ($23.8 billion) in financial support.

NJ judge: Texter not liable for driver's car crash

A woman who texted her boyfriend while he was driving cannot be held liable for a car crash he caused while responding, seriously injuring a motorcycling couple, a judge ruled Friday in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in the country.

Greek euro exit would be a recipe for hardship

As Greece creaks under its untenable debt and a shrinking economy, the possibility that it could stop using the euro is becoming increasingly likely. The effects of such a move would be as quick as they would be brutal for ordinary Greeks, who would essentially take a 50-percent pay cut just as prices soar.

Is China poor? Key question at climate talks

The latest round of U.N. climate talks has failed to resolve how to share the burden of curbing man-made global warming, mainly because countries don't agree on who is rich and who is poor.

Retail beef, chicken, pork prices still climbing

The money you're saving on gasoline may go toward buying steaks, ribs and chicken for the barbecue.

Weekly US oil, gas rig count down by 3 to 1,983

The number of rigs actively exploring for oil and natural gas in the U.S. is down three this week to 1,983.

Mattress maker shares up on strong sales

Shares of mattress makers got a boost Friday from an industry survey that showed U.S. mattress sales improved sharply for April.

Raid admiral's toughest fight: winning Washington

The commander in charge of the raid to kill Osama bin Laden is defending his proposal that would give him more authority to send special operations forces overseas to address problems like terrorists or sudden Arab Spring-style unrest.

House Republican leaders plan summer tax cut vote

A top House Republican says his chamber will vote this summer on continuing the tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush.

House experience a minus for some Senate hopefuls

U.S. House members who are trying to make the step up to the Senate this year are finding themselves on the defensive about Washington experience that traditionally has been a big asset.

What's an American Indian? Warren case stirs query

What, exactly, makes someone American Indian? Even Indians themselves don't agree as they debate the case of Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, whose disputed claim of Native American identity is shining a rare spotlight on the malleable nature of Indian heritage and the long history of murky claims to such ancestry.

Senators admonish Oklahoma GOP senator

The Senate Ethics Committee admonished Republican Sen. Tom Coburn on Friday over his contact with a top aide to former Sen. John Ensign, the Nevada lawmaker who resigned in disgrace last year after lying about his affair with the staffer's wife.

THE RACE: Presidential race is most costly ever

The battle between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney will be the most expensive presidential contest ever - by a long shot.

Texas Senate race a new test for GOP establishment

The story line on the Republican Senate race in Texas is a now familiar one: A veteran politician supported by the GOP establishment is challenged by a young insurgent backed by national conservative groups.

Stevens legal team calls discipline 'laughable'

The legal team that defended Sen. Ted Stevens in his corruption trial has harshly criticized as "laughable" and "pathetic" the punishment handed out to a pair of prosecutors found to have engaged in reckless professional misconduct in the case.

Congress approves visas for Israeli investors

Congress has passed legislation adding Israel to the list of more than 75 countries eligible for temporary visas given to foreign nationals who invest in U.S.-based businesses.

Pool access for the disabled sparks controversy

The Obama administration is sidestepping an election-year confrontation with the hotel industry and other pool owners to give them more time to comply with access rules for the disabled.

P&G to add latches to make detergent packs safer

The maker of Tide Pods will create a new double-latch lid to deter children from accessing and eating the brightly colored detergent packets, a company spokesman said Friday.

Countries aim to cut quarter of premature deaths

The World Health Organization says its members are poised to agree to a target of cutting a quarter of premature deaths from chronic diseases by 2025.

Judge denies Calif. TB patient's release request

A California judge has refused to release a tuberculosis patient who was jailed and charged after allegedly refusing to take medication to keep his disease from becoming contagious.

Report: State tobacco prevention funding lacking

States have spent only about 3 percent of the billions they've received in tobacco taxes and legal settlements over the last decade to fund tobacco prevention programs, making it harder to reduce the death and disease caused by tobacco use, according to a report released Thursday by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Person visited neonatal units before TB diagnosis

A person with an active case of tuberculosis who visited two Northern California neonatal intensive care units had a valid reason to be there and had not been diagnosed at the time, officials said Wednesday.

UN: Fukushima workers' deaths not from radiation

A year after an earthquake and tsunami triggered the Fukushima disaster, a United Nations agency preparing a report on the health effects says none of the six former reactor workers who have died since the catastrophe perished due to the effects of radiation.

UN global health agency chief wins 2nd term

Dr. Margaret Chan, who has steered the World Health Organization through crises over bird flu and the respiratory SARS bug, has won a second five-year term as its director-general.

Study: Fake malaria drugs common in Asia, Africa

More than a third of the malaria-fighting drugs tested over the past decade in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa were either fake or bad quality, seriously undermining efforts to fight the disease, a study said Tuesday.

Final advice: Panel against routine prostate test

Healthy men shouldn't get routine prostate cancer screenings, says updated advice from a government panel that found the PSA blood tests do more harm than good.

Calif lettuce grower expands recall across nation

A California lettuce grower has expanded a recall of some bagged salads after routine sampling detected listeria contamination. No illnesses have been reported.

AG: Sandusky dismissal premature without 'facts'

State prosecutors say a defense motion asking a judge to dismiss child sexual-abuse charges against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is premature because there are no "facts" in the form of sworn testimony on which to base the request.

Former top Calif. football prospect exonerated

Now that Brian Banks has been exonerated of a rape conviction that put him in prison for five years, the one-time prep football star has a message for NFL coaches: Give him a chance.

US qualifier Brian Baker reaches Nice final

American qualifier Brian Baker outlasted Nikolay Davydenko 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2 Friday to advance to the final of the Open de Nice.

Andretti finding better teamwork without Danica

Andretti Autosport isn't lamenting the loss of Danica Patrick to NASCAR.

I'll Have Another gallops around Belmont Park

Triple Crown hopeful I'll Have Another took another tour around Belmont Park on a rainy Friday, this time galloping a mile under exercise rider Humberto Gomez.

Pinehurst No. 2 preps for 2 US Opens in 2014

Things are starting to take shape before the first doubleheader of U.S. opens.

McIlroy misses cut with 79; Morrison leads with 64

Rory McIlroy missed the cut at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday after his game disintegrated in spectacular fashion in a second straight errant round at Wentworth, leaving his grip on the No. 1 ranking under serious threat from Luke Donald.

Mont. Regents OK new policy for sexual assaults

Leaders of the Montana college system unanimously approved Friday a new policy for handling sexual assaults, the latest response to a rape controversy that has subjected the University of Montana, its football team and even the city of Missoula to a federal gender equality investigation.

Indy speedway replaces stage following inspection

A temporary outdoor stage set up to entertain race fans at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been replaced after it failed to meet new safety standards enacted by the state following last year's deadly stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair.

Allen in contention at Senior PGA after 64

Michael Allen has shot a 7-under 64 in the second round of the Senior PGA Championship on Friday, bouncing back impressively from a difficult first day to move into contention.

Cardinals fight back only to lose 10-9 to Phillies

After coming back from a six-run deficit to tie the game, the Cardinals let it slip away.

Hefner struggles after delay, Mets lose to Padres

Jeremy Hefner was off to a good start in the rain. He lost his grip after a long delay.

De Vries hit hard as White Sox beat Twins 11-8

Cole De Vries wasn't sure what was in store for him. Turns out, it was a harsh welcome to the major leagues.

SF gets season-high 15 hits to beat Marlins 14-7

Once the San Francisco Giants started scoring for Ryan Vogelsong, the runs kept coming.

Victorino, Galvis have 3 RBIs, Phillies beat Cards

Shane Victorino and Freddy Galvis each drove in three runs, including Galvis' go-ahead single in the sixth inning, and the Philadelphia Philles beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-9 on Thursday night.

Padres break out offense after rain in 11-5 win

Will Venable hit a pair of RBI doubles and Cameron Maybin had two run-scoring singles as the San Diego Padres broke out the offense after a long rain delay and beat the New York Mets 11-5 Thursday night.

White Sox pound Twins 11-8

Paul Konerko and Alex Rios hit back-to-back homers and Alejandro De Aza added a grand slam to cap a six-run sixth, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 11-8 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night.

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves 6-3

The beat-up Braves just wanted to leave.

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves 6-3

Memo to Reds' clubhouse staff: Buy more shaving cream. Fast.

Tigers lose 2-1, swept by Indians

The stadium scoreboard flashed 102 mph, drawing a gasp from the crowd.

Sanchez sharp, Tebow tosses 2 INTs in Jets' OTAs

Mark Sanchez smiled for a split-second when a reporter labeled him as the most scrutinized guy in the New York Jets' locker room.

NFL games top-rated prime-time show of TV season

A sports series is the most-watched prime-time show for an entire television season for the first time.

NFL and on-field officials agree to mediation

The NFL and its referees' union have agreed to federal mediation.

Hakeem Nicks breaks right foot at Giants OTA

New York Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks is expected to be sidelined up to three months after breaking his right foot at a team organized activity early Thursday.

Collusion claim the latest NFL-union feud

The lockout was easier than all this.

Collusion claim the latest NFL-union feud

The lockout was easier than all this.

49ers sign All-Pro punter Andy Lee through 2018

Andy Lee has made every punt and held every field goal and extra-point attempt - minus a few in the preseason - for the San Francisco 49ers since 2004.

Thomas, Decker building rapport with Manning

Peyton Manning's two biggest targets are a pair of promising young receivers who have already made their mark in the NFL despite spending lots of time on the sideline.

NFL union files suit against league over 2010 cap

The players union claimed Wednesday that the NFL imposed a secret salary cap during the uncapped 2010 season that cost the players at least $1 billion.

Manning, Giants focused as they return to field

As far as Eli Manning is concerned, the fulfillment of teammate Justin Tuck's claim that the New York Giants can turn into an NFL dynasty began Wednesday with the first organized team activity.

McIlroy to miss cut after imploding at Wentworth

Top-ranked Rory McIlroy will miss the cut for the second straight tournament after a spectacular second-round implosion at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday.

Montgomerie, Olazabal head US Open qualifying

Colin Montgomerie and Jose Maria Olazabal, Europe's past and present Ryder Cup captains, headline the field contesting the 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier at Walton Heath on Monday.

Rookie English 1 back after 1st round at Colonial

Harris English had never played all 18 holes at Colonial before teeing off for the opening round. He had never even been in a PGA Tour event before this season.

Alabama takes 2-stroke lead into final round

Alabama's double-digit lead dwindled on the back nine, and the Crimson Tide finished with a two-stroke lead over Southern California on Thursday after the third round of the NCAA Division I women's championship.

Roger Chapman has early lead at Senior PGA

After playing only one event on the European Senior Tour, Roger Chapman showed up at the Senior PGA Championship in fine form.

McIlroy shoots 74; Lawrie, Drysdale share lead

Leaders Peter Lawrie and David Drysdale each shot 6-under 66s Thursday at the BMW PGA Championship, leaving a frustrated top-ranked Rory McIlroy and his high-ranking rivals trailing after the first round.

McDowell stunned by 'freak' incident at Wentworth

Graeme McDowell was left to bemoan the sometimes obscure rules of golf after he was docked two shots on the last hole in a "freak" scenario at the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday.

McIlroy tosses club, shoots 74 at Wentworth

A frustrated Rory McIlroy tossed his club to the ground in a fit of anger during his bogey-filled opening round at the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday.

Alabama pads team lead, Pancake individual leader

Alabama grabbed an 11-stroke lead, and Crimson Tide senior Brooke Pancake shot a 2-under 70 on Wednesday to top the individual leaderboard after the second round of the NCAA Division I women's golf championship.

Dufner confident in game heading to Colonial

Jason Dufner has won twice in the last four weeks after never winning before on the PGA Tour, yet has struggled at the Colonial.

Torts expects best from Rangers in must-win game

Whether the New York Rangers truly believed they could overcome a 3-2 playoff series deficit earlier this year doesn't matter now.

Devils outlast Rangers, 5-3, take 3-2 series lead

The New Jersey Devils never could have imagined they would have a three-goal lead on the New York Rangers less than 10 minutes into Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals at hostile Madison Square Garden.

Canucks extend contract Vigneault's contract

The Vancouver Canucks signed coach Alain Vigneault to a contract extension, ending speculation that the team's playoff loss to Los Angeles might cost him the job.

Kings edge Coyotes 4-3 in overtime to win West

A great road playoff run has the Los Angeles Kings in a place they haven't been since the Great One was skating in Southern California.

Coyotes out after 4-3 loss to Kings in West finals

The Phoenix Coyotes avoided a sweep with a gutty performance in Los Angeles. They couldn't do it again back home in the desert, though the disappointment shouldn't linger too long.

Devils happy to frustrate Rangers

If you have any doubt the New Jersey Devils are frustrating the New York Rangers in their Eastern Conference finals, just look at Game 4.

Tortorella takes shots at Devils, defends Prust

John Tortorella stood out again at a playoff news conference. Only this time it was because of his feistiness toward the New Jersey Devils and not for his brevity and contentiousness with the media.

Coyotes beat LA Kings 2-0, avoid West final sweep

Cancel the coronation, or at least postpone it. The Phoenix Coyotes are still hanging around.

Lundqvist, Rangers blank Devils, 3-0, lead 2-1

Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 36 shots, and Dan Girardi, Chris Kreider and Ryan Callahan scored third-period goals to lead the New York Rangers to a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday.

LA Kings beat Phoenix, move to brink of Cup final

For a team that hadn't trailed in a game since last month, the Los Angeles Kings were awfully good at playing from behind.

Penske again seeking Memorial Day weekend double

Brad Keselowski got the first of many surprises at his first meeting with racing great Roger Penske.

Serbia seals place in World Team Cup final

Janko Tipsarevic beat Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 to give Serbia a place in the final of the Team World Cup on Friday.

Guerrieri takes checkered flag in Freedom 100

A bold move late in the Freedom 100 gave Esteban Guerrieri the lead and the Argentine held on to win a crash-marred Indy Lights race Friday in Indianapolis.

Schiavone will face Cornet in Strasbourg final

Francesca Schiavone beat Sloane Stephens of the United States 7-5, 6-1 on Friday to reach the Strasbourg International final, where she will play Alize Cornet of France.

Drivers expect another wide-open race at Monaco GP

The Formula One season so far has been as unpredictably exciting as the roulette tables of Monaco, where the Grand Prix on Sunday could produce a sixth different race winner this season.

Franchitti puts Ganassi atop Indy's speed chart

Dario Franchitti and Scott Dixon have finally found the speed they've been looking for all month.

Radwanska reaches final of Belgian Open

Top-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland beat Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 7-6 (8) 6-3 Friday to reach the final of the Belgian Open.

Column: Recipe to make IndyCar relevant beyond 500

James Hinchcliffe can't understand it.

Column: Recipe to make IndyCar relevant beyond 500

James Hinchcliffe can't understand it.

Hendrick goes from ice cold to red hot

After months of wondering when any Hendrick Motorsports car would win again, NASCAR's powerhouse program is on a major roll heading into the Coca-Cola 600.

Breeze of Arab Spring felt on Cannes red carpet

The ripples of the Arab Spring are being felt in summery Cannes, where films from Egypt and Syria, as well as a passionate documentary about the overthrow of Libya's Moammar Gadhafi, are being screened alongside the latest features from the world's heavyweight directors.

TNA claims WWE tried to poach its wrestlers

Two giants in the wrestling world are getting ready to rumble - in a courtroom.

India's Rai Bachchan ignores chatter about weight

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan says she's is happy with herself and her weight - a rare combination in the world of celebrities.

Guest lineups for the Sunday news shows

Guest lineups for the Sunday TV news shows:

Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend freed from Pa. prison

An Italian ex-boyfriend of actress Anne Hathaway has been released from a Pennsylvania federal prison following a real-estate scam.

Calif. activist guilty in Vietnamese singer attack

A California activist faces up to three years and eight months behind bars for spraying an irritant at a pop singer from Vietnam to protest communism.

'Idol' moves toward lower payouts for runners-up

Coming in second on "American Idol" may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.

Madonna in holy land to kick off world tour

Israelis are gearing up to get down at Madonna's show as the pop diva landed in the holy land ahead of her world tour which kicks off here next week.

Musician Doc Watson has surgery at NC hospital

Grammy-winning folk musician Doc Watson is in critical condition but improving at a North Carolina hospital after undergoing colon surgery.

Records: Winans' license suspended when carjacked

Records show Detroit pastor and gospel singing icon Marvin Winans' driver's license was suspended and there was a warrant out for his arrest when he was carjacked last week.

Actress Keira Knightley to wed musician Righton

Keira Knightley, the glamorous star of "Pirates of the Caribbean," is engaged to marry musician James Righton, her publicist said Friday.

Robert Pattinson all grown up in "Cosmopolis"

Going back to what he does best, David Cronenberg takes a visceral day-trip inside the cushioned limousine of a tycoon who cares little for the bloody, populist riots that explode outside his car in "Cosmopolis."

3 young actors seize the day, go 'On the Road'

Kristen Stewart understands the lure of the open road. So do her "On The Road" co-stars, Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley.

Canine stars compete for Cannes' Palm Dog

Move over, Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman. The Cannes Film Festival's four-legged stars are in the spotlight with the contest for the event's best canine performance.

Stars offer hugs, kisses and vampire bite at gala

Stars promised hugs, kisses, a massage - and a vampire bite - in a glamor-filled auction to raise money to fight AIDS.

Breeze of Arab Spring felt on Cannes red carpet

The ripples of the Arab Spring are being felt in summery Cannes, where films from Egypt and Syria, as well as a documentary about the overthrow of Libya's Moammar Gadhafi, are being screened alongside the latest features from the world's heavyweight directors.

Jackson shows off new curves in the French Rivera

Janet Jackson may have joined the ranks of diet plan celebrity spokeswomen Jennifer Hudson and Mariah Carey, but she insists there's absolutely no competition among the slimmed-down singers.

3 young actors seize the day, go 'On the Road'

Kristen Stewart understands the lure of the open road. So do her "On The Road" co-stars, Garrett Hedlund and Sam Riley.

Viola Davis addresses struggling alma mater

Viola Davis addressed graduating seniors Thursday at the high school in the struggling Rhode Island city where she grew up, urging them to treasure "hard times and joyous moments" and telling them that the "privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."

'MiB' co-star Brolin rejuvenates Jones' Agent K

Josh Brolin thought he was just being goofy when he launched into a Tommy Lee Jones impersonation on a night out with the Coen brothers and their pal Barry Sonnenfeld. Turns out, Brolin was on an audition of sorts.

Gregg Allman engaged to 24-year-old girlfriend

Gregg Allman is getting married for the seventh time.

Protesters held in Azerbaijan before song contest

Dozens of anti-government protesters were detained by police Friday in this former Soviet nation as it prepares to host the finals of the Eurovision song contest.

Nina Stemme triumphs in `Salome' at Carnegie

Someone forgot to tell Nina Stemme that the opera season here is supposed to be over. Thank goodness!

Turkish pianist accused of insulting Islam

Turkey's state-run news agency says a prosecutor has proposed charging an internationally known Turkish pianist and composer with insulting Islamic religious values in comments he made on Twitter.

Folk musician Doc Watson critical in NC hospital

Grammy-winning folk musician Doc Watson is in critical condition Friday at a North Carolina hospital after falling at his home in Deep Gap earlier this week.

Bayou Country Superfest to begin Saturday in La.

A horn section backs up country singer Jerrod Niemann this weekend in south Louisiana's Bayou Country Superfest, a two-day festival that includes Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Sara Evans and others.

This is pop? A look at wacky Eurovision contenders

A memorable melody. Distinctive stage presence. Some horse-trading of votes.

Born this way? Lady Gaga meets Thai 'lady boys'

Lady Gaga has met Thailand's premier "lady boys" at a Bangkok drag show featuring busty dancers who were not born that way.

Lady Gaga won't change show for protests: manager

Lady Gaga's manager says the pop diva has no plans to tone down her act, even if that prevents her from performing in some countries on her Asian tour.

Michelle Obama's dream job: Being Beyonce

Who would Michelle Obama be if she could be anyone? Beyonce.

Al Gordon, Jack Benny comedy-writer, dies at 89

An Emmy Award-winning comedy writer who spent much of his career working for legendary comic Jack Benny has died in Los Angeles. Al Gordon was 89.

Mass. native O'Brien talks about start in comedy

Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien visited Boston to talk about the art of comedy and how he got started in it.

Daytime Emmy Awards find cable home at HLN

The Daytime Emmy Awards have found a new home at cable news channel HLN.

Rob Kardashian, Joe Jonas among Miss USA judges

Donald Trump's Miss USA pageant is keeping up with the Kardashians.

Elton John falls sick, cancels 3 Las Vegas shows

Elton John is canceling three Las Vegas performances on doctors' orders after being hospitalized with a respiratory infection.

How Phillip Phillips won 'American Idol'

From the moment he first stepped in front of the judges and unleashed a folksy take on Michael Jackson's "Thriller," guitar-playing crooner Phillip Phillips seemed preordained to win "American Idol," and not just because he's another white guy with a guitar, the all-too-familiar profile of the previous four "Idol" champions.

Q&A: Phillips talks winning 'Idol,' making music

Everyone expected Phillip Phillips to win "American Idol" - except Phillips himself.

Phillip Phillips is the new 'American Idol'

Phillip Phillips, a bluesy Georgia guitar man, was crowned the new "American Idol" on Wednesday after defeating teenager Jessica Sanchez in record viewer voting. He was the fifth male "Idol" winner in a row.

'Cake Boss' kin sentenced for child sex assault

The brother-in-law of "Cake Boss" television star Buddy Valastro has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in New Jersey.

Football star Donald Driver is new `Dancing' champ

He already has a Super Bowl ring, and now football star Donald Driver can add the "Dancing With the Stars" mirrorball trophy to his awards collection.