Sending Madoff Off

Ever heard the expression, "up the creek without a paddle"? Well by now Bernie Madoff should. Madoff, a confessed Ponzi-scammer was sentenced today to 150 years in prison. Madoff managed to swindle some of Hollywood's elite, A-listers and even famous novelists out of their billions. Sixty-five billion dollars to be exact. Madoff is seventy-one-years-old and according to the presiding judge, Denny Chin, none of Madoff's family members or friends offered a letter asking for leniency of the scammers sentence. For this and more information please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

King of Pop King of Debt?

Yesterday afternoon Michael Jackson was rushed to UCLA medical center in Los Angles. It was reported that Jackson had been in Los Angles to reherse for 50 upcoming shows that he was scheduled to hold in Britain as early as next month and parts of next year. Paramedics who responsded to the call entered his rental home and found the fifty-year-old pop singer unconscious and not breathing. After being admitted to the hospital TMZ reporters were told that Jackson was not fairing well. At three thirty in the afternoon, eastern time, News broke that Jackson had been pronounced dead. Michael Jackson leaves behind three children and two privious wives. Contraversy and mystery is surrounding the death of Jackson. According to reports, "The Los Angeles County Coroner's office said the autopsy would begin Friday morning, but it could take six to eight weeks to determine a cause of death, which will likely have to wait for the return of toxicology tests." Despite his death Jackson leaves behind $400 million in debt and at one point Jackson owed Bank of America nearly $270 million. The tour Jackson was reportedly suppose to hold in Britain starting July 8th of this year, is yet another expense. Tickets reportedly sold out on TickMaster and the tours were suppose to be Jackson's big come back before his sad and untimely passing. For this and more news please go to www.foxnews.com, www.cnn.com, www.yahoo.com, or www.thestreet.com.

Farrah Fawcett Passes After Battle with Cancer

For everyone who grew up in America during the 1970s Farrah Fawcett's name was synonymous with the television series Charlie Angels. The sixty-two-year-old mother of one son, and life long love of Ryan O' Neil, passed away yesterday June 25th after her long battle with cancer. Fawcett chronicled her illness with a recent documentary that detailed her diagnoses, her treatments and struggles with the disease. However, Fawcett's determination never ceased and it inspired a lot of people. The documentary touched many lives and many other families the world over who were/are going through the same trails and tribulations with cancer. Fawcett's son, Redmond, was unable to be released from prison to see his ailing mother before her death. Redmond has be incarcerated on drug charges. O' Neil stated in a recent 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters that he had asked Farrah to marry him, to which she had said yes. Sadly Farrah passed yesterday morning with her family, including her elderly father, by her side. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Guilty Verdict = Probation

For Chris Brown and Rhianna, both pop singers and once long time couple, the wait is over. Brown, who faced charges of assault on the songstress Rhianna in his vehicle this past February, as pleaded guilty. According to reports, "Brown will be sentenced on Aug. 5, but the terms of the plea deal call for him to serve five years of formal probation and six months — roughly 1,400 hours — of community labor." Brown reportedly entered his plea before the preliminary. Rhianna in turn received a stay-away order from the judge after Brown had exited the court room. Both have been ordered to stay 50 feet from each other except at music events where they will be allowed to at least be 10 feet apart. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Home Run

Sixteen-year-old Bryce Harper will be leaving his Las Vegas high school to attend a 2-year GED program at a community college in order to pursue his dream of becoming a major league baseball star. Harper, who appeared on the front of Sports Illustrated magazine, is extremely talented. So much so that newspapers, magazines and headlines around the world have given him the title "The Chosen One." While moves such as Harper's have raised eyebrows his father, Ron Harper, stated "People question your parenting and what you're doing. Honestly, we don't think it's that big a deal. He's not leaving school to go work in a fast-food restaurant. Bryce is a good kid. He's smart, and he's going to get his education." By dropping out of school this will make Bryce Harper eligable to be drafted in 2010. For his and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

De-Throned

Miss California 2009, Carrie Prejean, finally got the boot, by the Trump himself. Mr. Trump and pageant officials claim that her dismissal is not due to her previous comments about homosexual marriage, but instead that she breached her contract when she refused to attend certain events. According to news sources Trump provided this statement to Carrie, "I told Carrie she neededto get back to work and honor her contract with the Miss California USA Organization and I gave her the opportunity to do so," Trump said in a statement. "Unfortunately it just doesn't look like it is going to happen." Tami Farrell, 24, the first runner up to be Miss California will be assuming the duties and responsibilities of Miss California in light of Carrie's dismissal. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Museum Shooting

88-year-old James Vonn Brunn entered the Washington, D.C. Holocaust Museum this afternoon not as a visitor or tourist but as an angry World War II veteran known, via his personal website, to be anti-semetic. Brunn was arrested in 1983 for bringing a gun into the Federal Reserve building and was arrested and sentenced to four years in prisoin. Brunn was released in 1989. During his assault on security guards, tourists, and visitors of the museum this afternoon Brunn shot and killed a 39-year-old security guard. No tourists or visitors were injured. Police are currently investigating the shooting and the shooter more closely. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com, www.cnn.com or www.yahoo.com.

Live Long and Prosper

Star Treck hit it big at the box offices this weekend. Taking in $4 million alone during special midnight previews, the remake directed by J.J. Abrams brought in a whopping $76.5 million from Friday to Sunday. Abrams, who cast Heroes Zachary Quinto in the role of the half-human, half-Vulcan Spock was expecting the movie to only take in $50 million. However, Abrams credits the up beat reviews for the movies huge gains. Star Treck surpassed The Dark Knight which closed out its record breaking box office debut last summer with $6.3 million. Perhaps this calls for a sequal. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or ww.cnn.com.

Swine Flu Claims 1st victim in the United States

On Monday, a twenty-three month old boy from Texas passed away from the recent outbreak of swine flu. Officials say that the family members of the deceased child have no symptoms of the illness. According to Fox News, "There are a total of 91 confirmed swine flu cases in the U.S., including Massachusetts, Michigan, Arizona, Nevada and Indiana and probable cases being reported in Illinois, Nebraska and Minnesota. South Carolina health officials have identified eight additional 'probable' cases of swine flu, bringing the total number to 10." For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Flu Season....Again?

While most Americans are looking forward to warm, summer weather, most are finding it difficult to escape a pesky winter virus. The flu. In 1918, during World War I our country saw an outbreak beyond proportion with simple influenza. The illness spread and broke out into a pandemic, which is classified as a spreading of an illness that affects large amounts of the population.
Today, at the start of the 21st Century there is a simple vaccination shot that each citizen of the United States can receive at the beginning of each winter season. However, recently a new form of the flu has spread. It has found its way to New York City and even Texas. According to reports, "The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed that 40 people in five states have been sickened with swine flu."
Outside the country, in Mexico, a 149 people have died. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) are on high alert and the United Sates government had declared a public health emergency on Sunday according to reports. For this and other information please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Lock Down

The White House went on lock down temporarily this morning. According to news reports, "A small, single-engine plane strayed into restricted air space near the U.S. Capitol on Friday, forcing anxious officials to place the White House in temporary lock down and take steps to evacuate the U.S. Capitol." The small plane was escorted to a nearby Maryland airport via F-14 and helicopter escorts. The crisis was over within minutes and the owner of the landing strip where the plane identified as a Cessna 180 landed said that it was all due to a GPS mistake. President Obama was believed to have been in the White House at the time, although reports have not confirmed the Presidents location. However, he did manage to keep to schedule making a 1:30pm appearance Diplomatic Reception Room to deliver an address on education. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Over Kill

So how does someone survive being shot in the head with a nail gun at least 30 times? They don't. Such was the situation for Chen Liu from Sydney, Australia. The 27-year-old was found in the Georges River last November. According to news sources, "He was bound with electrical wires and an extension cord and the carpet was neatly folded with each end tucked in and then bound with three strips of wire." The nail gun used was high powered enough to drive nails as long as 85-mm. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Angels and Demons vs. The Press

Ron Howard might have scored it big with the Da Vinci Code starring Tom Hanks but Dan Brown's latest thriller movie Angels and Demons is stirring up quite the controversy of its own. Part of the controversy comes from New York Daily News reporter Bill Donahue who wrote that Angels and Demons did a good job of "smearing the Catholic Church with fabulously bogus tales." Howard responded by writing a statement that said, "And let me be a little controversial: I believe Catholics, including most in the hierarchy of the Church , will enjoy the movie for what it is: an exciting mystery, set in the awe-inspiring beauty of Rome." Despite the up roar and the controversal opinions of millions of movie-goers and critics about Howard's latest work, Dan Brown announced his follow up novel to the Da Vinci Code earlier this week. The Last Symbol will be released on September 15th. Angels and Demons will also star Tom Hanks and will be in theaters May 15th.

CraigsList Killer

Philip Markoff, age 22, has more to worry about these days other than wedding invitations and tuxedo rentals. On April 14th the medical lab technician at Boston University shot and killed 26-year-old Julissa Brisman of New York City in a Boston hotel. However, Markoff is also being charged with the April 10th kidnapping and armed robbery that took place at a different Boston hotel. According to reports from former high school classmates Markoff was a bully with a "hatred for people". His lab partner echoed this sediment saying that "He just wasn't right in the head, an I knew it, and probably other people did, too." Markoff would lure his victims to posh hotels within the city via the popular website Craigslist. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.

Miss California Disses Perez Hilton

For viewers around the country last night the Miss USA competition was probably the most watched, especially after Miss California (photo above) answered Perez Hilton's question about legalizing same-sex marriage. Miss California politely replied that she believed marriage should be between a man a woman. This controversial statement had some Americans in the crowd cheering and others remaining silent, not knowing how to react. However, for standing her ground Americans should be proud. It is a difficult thing to do today, to go against the grind of the popular media in Hollywood. Besides Miss USA is supposed to be a role model not a politican. But rest assured, this being a free country and all, Perez Hilton had his say on his blog earlier today about how he believes she should not have won the coveted title. Miss North Carolina took home to the crown and will reign for a full year as Miss U.S.A. Congratulations to all those who competed.

Natasha Richardson: Dies from Ski Injury

Natasha Richardson, the wife of actor Leiam Neeson and daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave passed away yesterday from an injury that she received while skiing in Canada. Richardson who had fallen on the slopes was urged to see a doctor. After a few hours she complained of a serious headache and was admitted to the nearest medical care facility. She was transferred to New York where she received care until her passing. Ski resort officials tell press that the actress had no visible signs of significant head trauma but they did everything to aid her after the fall. It is reported that the, "The New York City medical examiner's office is performing an autopsy." Richardson and Neeson had been married since 1994 and have two children together, both boys. For this and other news please go to http://www.foxnews.com/ or http://www.cnn.com/.

Homecoming

Nadya Suleman, several photographers, jouranlists, neighbors and curious onlookers welcomed home two of the eight longest surviving octuplets yesterday. According to reports, "This is a happy moment for everyone — the family, physicians, nurses and entire NICU staff," said Dr. Mandhir Gupta, a neonatologist at the medical center. "It is always rewarding whenever a premature infant goes home as a healthy baby." Suleman will be raising all 14 of her children in her recently purchased four-bedroom, three-bath home in La Habra, about 25 miles southeast of Los Angeles. There is still backlash from Suleman's discision to have eight children on top of the six she was already caring for after the public learned she had little means of providing for her extended family. Some question Suleman's ability to provide the right amount of affection and attention to every one of her children. For this and other news please go to http://www.foxnews.com/ or http://www.cnn.com/.

12 Dead in Alabama

12 dead after a shooting spree that lasted through two county's in Alabama. Michael McLendon's motive for the massacre that took the lives of innocent bystanders as well as his family members, is not known. McLendon reportedly killed his own mother, placed her on the sofa inside the house and lit her body on fire. According to reports, "The bloodshed, which spread across two counties and claimed 11 victims plus the gunman, began about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when McLendon burned down the house he lived in with his mother in Kinston, Alabama." Joshua Myers, a deputy for one of the local sheriff's offices lost his wife and eighteen month old daughter in the attack. Myers' four year old daughter survived the shooting and underwent surgery to remove a piece of metal from her leg. She is in stable condition. Apparently police officials also noted that McLendon's car was well stocked with ammo and equipment to accompany his rampage. McLendon later took his own life. For this and other news please go to http://www.foxnews.com/ or http://www.cnn.com/.

Economic Slump or Show Down?

Everyone is reading the headlines about unemployment, job losses, the governments recent billion dollar stimulus package, AIG's endless troubles and GM's doubtless hopes of succeeding for the future. Even this morning the nation is waking up to the new report that unemployment has risen, yet again, to 8.1%. Amidst all the speculations and the finger pointing there is one question that still looms.
Are we heading for another economic depression? A depression like the one's our grandparents saw in the 1930s? In 1980 our unemployment was about the same as it is today. Stocks were bad, as they are today, and a new President entered office, again just like today. So what is the difference? The difference is, from a historic point of view, that during the hardships of the Great Depression people stood in bread lines--NOT at job-markets or job-fairs. There were no jobs and no real hope, that is until FDR legislated the New Deal.
Pulling Americans up by their boot straps and working hard to construct projects such as the Blue Ridge Parkway via the Civilian Conservation Corps and local libraries and town businesses completed by the Works Progress Administration was exactly what the country needed. So if that is the case are we in line for a new New Deal? Honestly no one knows for sure but it is certain that needless spending and gloomy remarks from leaders in government are not what we need. And while there might be some truth to what they are saying, the truth is also that we are a nation of prosperous people. We are a nation of inventors and dream seekers and it's high time we started to pull ourselves up by the boot straps instead of asking big government to do it for us.

1 Dead 1 Found

Officials from a Washington state Army barracks are reporting a sixteen-year-old girl being found dead and another was discovered unconscious. Reports from Fort Lewis are saying "There were no outward signs of physical trauma on either girl, Piek told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Monday night. He said Army doctors at Madigan were performing an autopsy on the dead girl, but results might not be available for at least a week." There is still no word on whether drugs or alcohol were involved in the death of the teen nor has a reason been given as to why the teens were in the barracks at 3:30am. For this and other news please go to www.foxnews.com or www.cnn.com.