Wire
Celebrities
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Fall is full for Mark Wahlberg. The 37-year-old actor-producer has upcoming productions in film, television — and his own family. Wahlberg will make a rare cameo appearance on “Entourage,” the hit HBO series he executive produces, when the fifth season begins next month. And his third child with fiancee Rhea Durham is due in September. In October, Wahlberg returns to his action-star roots with “Max Payne,” a crime-thrille...
full story
Heloise
Dear Readers: Have you ever wondered what “dry clean only” means on garment care labels when there are no other instructions? According to our friends at the Drycleaning and Laundry Institute, the Federal Trade Commission’s Care Labeling Rule is based on a warning system. If warnings are not listed, it means that the harshest process under the listed care procedure can be used safely. “Dry clean” or “dry clean only” means any acceptable solv...
full story
Oddities
Farmer sends message to neighbors with car fence HOOPER, Utah (AP) — A farmer has erected a backyard fence made of three old cars sticking up in the air to send a message to new neighbors that he can do whatever he wants on his property. “This is just a fun way for me to say, ‘Hey boys, I’m still here,”’ Rhett Davis said. “This is my redneck Stonehenge.” Davis came up with the idea after neighbors who recently moved into homes next to his...
full story
Ask Amy
Dear Amy: I have been dating a very fine woman for about six months. We are senior citizens, living separately and alone for the time being. I am no longer able to perform sexually, and she has accepted that fact. However, I have the feeling that she is not exactly happy about it. I am thinking about possibly suggesting that we try things other than intercourse, but I feel uncomfortable about it and also fearful that she might be offended ...
full story
Washington lawmakers unhappy at tanker rebid
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers from Washington state threatened congressional action Wednesday as the Pentagon opened a second round of bidding for a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she will block Senate action on President Bush’s nomination of Michael Donley to be Air Force secretary because she is not satisfied that he and Pentagon officials will conduct a fair rebid. Under Senate rules, any senator...
full story
Governor helps unseat fellow Democrat in Senate race
Carl Manning Associated Press Writer TOPEKA (AP) — Going door to door for votes, Kelly Kultala frequently replayed a cell phone message from Gov. Kathleen Sebelius urging her to run against fellow Democratic Sen. Mark Gilstrap. More than just leaving a message, Sebelius took the rare step of working for Gilstrap’s defeat. Kultala unseated the three-term senator with 61 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s election, making Gilstrap the only incumb...
full story
Kline’s loss casts shadow over clinic
John Hanna Associated Press Writer TOPEKA (AP) — Phill Kline’s loss in the Republican primary for Johnson County district attorney could jeopardize criminal charges he’s pursuing against an abortion clinic. Kline must leave the office in January because he lost to Steve Howe, a former assistant district attorney. No preliminary hearing is scheduled to determine whether Kline’s case can go to trial against the clinic, operated by Planned P...
full story
Data entry error causes problem in Shawnee Co.
TOPEKA (AP) — Data entry errors caused Shawnee County to leave the votes from about 4,400 ballots out of its primary results. County election commissioner Elizabeth Ensley said workers discovered the problem Wednesday morning. It involved returns from 42 precincts. The undercount did not affect the outcome of any races in the county. When the accurate figures were tabulated State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins’ lead in the 2nd Congressional Dist...
full story
Indictment links ‘Junior’ Gotti to three NY killings
NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge on Tuesday ordered John A. “Junior” Gotti held without bail after the man who insisted he had retired from a life of crime was arrested on charges linking him to three killings and large-scale cocaine trafficking. Earlier Tuesday, federal prosecutor Robert O’Neill announced the indictment in Tampa, Fla., of the 44-year-old Gotti and five other men, saying they were “trying to gain a foothold” in the area. “W...
full story
Jenkins in driver’s seat
TOPEKA. (AP) — Former Rep. Jim Ryun’s attempt at a political comeback was in trouble late Tuesday as he was trailing in the GOP primary in the 2nd District to State Treasurer Lynn Jenkins. The winner will face incumbent Democrat Nancy Boyda, who bounced Ryun two years ago after he served five terms in Washington. With 92 percent of the precincts reporting, Jenkins was leading 51 percent to 49 percent, separated by fewer than 800 votes. The...
full story
Wall Street extends rally
NEW YORK (AP) — An already soaring Wall Street extended its advance Tuesday after the Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged and assuaged some of the market’s fears about the economy. The Dow Jones industrial average shot up more than 330 points, and all the major indexes had gains approaching 3 percent. The market was enjoying a big rally before the Fed meeting as investors responded to a report that services sector activity fell le...
full story
Sony to buy BMG stake for $900M
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sony Corp. said Tuesday it is buying Bertelsmann AG out of their 50-50 music venture Sony BMG for $900 million, giving it full ownership of a roster of artists including Alicia Keys and the increased ability to leverage music over an array of electronic devices. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Japanese electronics and entertainment giant said it would pay Bertelsmann $600 million and give it a...
full story
Ask Amy
Dear Amy: What is a tactful way of asking siblings for help in taking care of elderly parents? My brother lives in Texas, my sister is in Nevada and my parents are in Wyoming. I live the closest to our folks, about 50 miles away. I try to see my parents about once a week, which uses a tank of gas and a day of my time. I don’t mind driving to visit them -- we go special places together, and I try to make sure they are well. I would at leas...
full story
Dole says health care big issue for next president
LAWRENCE (AP) — Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole says the next president will have to deal next year with reforming the health care system. Dole, a Russell native who was the Republican presidential nominee in 1996, told a health care forum Monday that, “I really believe the American people are ready.” “It’s going to be on the front burner in January,” Dole said. “Whether it’s President McCain or President Obama, the time for health ...
full story
Moses Gunn memorabilia at the University of Kansas
LAWRENCE (AP) — He portrayed a Harlem crime boss in “Shaft,” a legendary civil rights leader in “Ragtime” and a mystical envoy in “The NeverEnding Story.” He earned an Emmy nomination for his work as an African chief in TV’s “Roots.” He even joined the cast of the sitcom “Good Times.” Moses Gunn played a lot of roles. And consequently, he accumulated a lot of stuff. The University of Kansas department of theater and film recently acquire...
full story
Giant mushroom amazes Lawrence residents
LAWRENCE (AP) — An unusually large and rare mushroom has appeared for a second straight year in North Lawrence. At the base of a white oak tree that stands 65 feet or so rests a 2-and-a-half-foot wide polypore mushroom. It weighs more than 15 pounds. The mushroom is uncommon in the area and has been a wonder to those who have seen it. “I didn’t know mushrooms grew that large,” said Jennifer Haight, a recent visitor to the mushroom in a res...
full story
Heloise
Dear Heloise: I had your recipe for taco seasoning. Somehow I lost it and cannot find it. Could you reprint it and tell me how much is a serving? -- Jennifer Ferrell, via e-mail Absolutely! The following recipe will make the equivalent of one commercial envelope, so just sprinkle on a little bit for a single serving. You’ll need: 2 teaspoons chili powder Salt, pepper and onion powder to taste Dash of dried oregano, crushed Mix all ingre...
full story
Edouard now depression after drenching Texas coast GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says Edouard has been downgraded to a tropical depression as it moves inland across eastern Texas and western Louisiana
Edouard now depression after drenching Texas coast GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — The National Hurricane Center says Edouard has been downgraded to a tropical depression as it moves inland across eastern Texas and western Louisiana. Coastal tropical storm warnings were canceled after Edouard made landfall Tuesday morning east of Galveston. The storm kicked up heavy surf and drenched tourists visiting during the height of the summer season, but t...
full story
Couple marrying Friday to clinch luck of triple 8s
Megan K. Scott Associated Press Writer It may not be as big as 7-7-7, but thousands of couples are heading down the aisle Friday, hoping the date Aug. 8, 2008, brings them luck and an easy to remember anniversary date. The number eight has long been considered fortuitous in China, where people pay extra to have it in phone numbers and license plates — and the opening ceremony for the Beijing Olympic Games falls on Aug. 8. “We chose the d...
full story
Celebrities
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Morgan Freeman remained in serious condition Tuesday with a broken arm and elbow after rescuers used a jaws-of-life machine to free him and a passenger from the wreckage of his car. Freeman, 71, and Demaris Meyer, 48, of Memphis, Tenn., were taken to the Regional Medical Center in Memphis following the accident on a dark stretch of rural Mississippi Delta highway in Tallahatchie County on Sunday night. State troopers ...
full story