Bring That Week Back: Week of Feb. 15

Tiger says he's sorry; Rihanna lands a movie role. Plus more top stories!

Rihanna Gets<BR> Movie Role - Rihanna has accepted a movie role as X-Rated, a dominatrix. The chart-topping R&B singer will reportedly star along with Samuel L. Jackson in a remake of the martial arts movie, “The Last Dragon.”  The movie’s plot revolves around the adventures of villain Sho’ Nuff.

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Rihanna Gets<BR> Movie Role - Rihanna has accepted a movie role as X-Rated, a dominatrix. The chart-topping R&B singer will reportedly star along with Samuel L. Jackson in a remake of the martial arts movie, “The Last Dragon.” The movie’s plot revolves around the adventures of villain Sho’ Nuff.

Usher Performs at All-Star Game - Usher set off a storm of tweets cracking on his outfit while he performed at the NBA All-Star game on Sunday. Everything -- from his leather “Capri pants” to his “weak” performance and leather chest plate -- was fair game for tweeters. Apparently, in a moment of clarity the next day, the R&B sex symbol joined the tweets and made light of the fallout saying, “So the All Star look wasn’t it???.  Ahh Fashion. Hey abs by any means, right? Lol.”

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Usher Performs at All-Star Game - Usher set off a storm of tweets cracking on his outfit while he performed at the NBA All-Star game on Sunday. Everything -- from his leather “Capri pants” to his “weak” performance and leather chest plate -- was fair game for tweeters. Apparently, in a moment of clarity the next day, the R&B sex symbol joined the tweets and made light of the fallout saying, “So the All Star look wasn’t it???. Ahh Fashion. Hey abs by any means, right? Lol.”

Stalking Charge - According to the United States Park Police, former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, a current D.C. Council member, was arrested Saturday after a woman flagged down an officer and complained Barry was stalking her. He was charged with misdemeanor stalking and released.  The U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday that it would not pursue the stalking charges after reviewing evidence.

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Marion Barry Broke Laws With Contract - D.C. Councilman Marion Barry is under investigation. An attorney for the city says the former D.C. mayor gave a contract to his girlfriend that broke conflict-of-interest laws. The report says Barry failed to disclose his financial and personal relationships with Donna Watts-Brighthaupt when he submitted a contract for her work. Barry says the council lacks written rules and procedures for personal service contracts. No one can be accused of violating something that didn't exist, he added.

Naomi Campbell - What you have to understand is, I was not on trial. I was forced by subpoena to testify. It was nothing to do with me. This trial has been going on for how many years and no one cared to write about it? You bring Naomi Campbell to the stand and the whole world knows. So as far as I was concerned, I was used as a scapegoat.

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Naomi Campbell Hosts Show for Haiti - During Fashion Week in New York, supermodel Naomi Campbell put on an A-List fashion show organized to benefit the Haitian relief effort. Celebrity models, designers and entertainers such as Selita Ebanks, Alek Wek, Diane von Furstenberg, Estelle and Chris Brown all walked the runway to help raise money.

Rockets Trade McGrady to Knicks - Tracy McGrady is leaving the Rockets and heading to the New York Knicks. T-Mac’s trade is part of a larger NBA shuffle that includes Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin, and forward Kenny Thomas will move to the Rockets.

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Rockets Trade McGrady to Knicks - Tracy McGrady is leaving the Rockets and heading to the New York Knicks. T-Mac’s trade is part of a larger NBA shuffle that includes Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin, and forward Kenny Thomas will move to the Rockets.

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Mathew Knowles - The father and manager of superstar Beyonc&#233;, is also President and CEO of Music World Entertainment. The worldwide business includes record labels, artist and producer management, staff producers, artist development, master catalog series, investment and property holdings, and has offices in Houston, Los Angeles, New York and London.

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Mathew Knowles Has a Child - R&B superstar Beyoncé’s dad, Mathew Knowles, has been ordered by an L.A. judge to pay $8,200 a month in child support. He is reportedly the father of a baby born to Alexsandra Wright, a woman he dated for about a year and a half. The woman’s lawyer claims Knowles paid $10,000 toward her hospital bill for maternity costs. A DNA test administered on March 1 will determine if he is really the daddy.

Obamas Celebrate Valentine’s Day - The Obamas spent last Valentine’s Day dining in Chicago. This year, snowy in Washington, the first couple spent most of the day apart. Late Sunday, the president made a quick trip from the White House to the presidential retreat at Camp David in Maryland to have dinner with his wife. He left a few hours later to avoid being caught up in a snowstorm forecasted for Tuesday.

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Obamas Celebrate Valentine’s Day - The Obamas spent last Valentine’s Day dining in Chicago. This year, snowy in Washington, the first couple spent most of the day apart. Late Sunday, the president made a quick trip from the White House to the presidential retreat at Camp David in Maryland to have dinner with his wife. He left a few hours later to avoid being caught up in a snowstorm forecasted for Tuesday.

Terrell Owens Dons Wig for Runway - Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens put on his poker face and got a little fashion-forward during New York Fashion Week in a “muse” fashion show. One of the NFL’s most notorious bad boys strutted down the runway in a brown, spiked wig and fitted clothing, giving the audience attitude, face and coif. &quot;I did OK,&quot; Owens told reporters after the show. &quot;I'm very talented.&quot;

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Terrell Owens Dons Wig for Runway - Buffalo Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens put on his poker face and got a little fashion-forward during New York Fashion Week in a “muse” fashion show. One of the NFL’s most notorious bad boys strutted down the runway in a brown, spiked wig and fitted clothing, giving the audience attitude, face and coif. "I did OK," Owens told reporters after the show. "I'm very talented."

Tiger Woods Makes Press Statement - Tiger Woods apologized to his fans, family, friends and business associates for his affairs. He spoke to a room of about 40 people and the world beyond. &quot;I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable,&quot; said Woods. Although the pro-golfer says he plans to return to the game, he did not say when. His wife Elin did not attend the event.

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Tiger Woods Makes Press Statement - Tiger Woods apologized to his fans, family, friends and business associates for his affairs. He spoke to a room of about 40 people and the world beyond. "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable," said Woods. Although the pro-golfer says he plans to return to the game, he did not say when. His wife Elin did not attend the event.

Flavor Flav Owes $63K in Child Support - Reality TV star and former Public Enemy hype-man, Flavor Flav, owes some money. At least, that’s what the mother of three of his children, Mary Parker, is claiming. She says Flav, whose real name is William Drayton, Jr., is behind $63,458 in court-ordered child support payments. But Flav tells it differently. “I've made payments on my children's tuition and have made direct payment to the mother outside of the court order,” he said.

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Flavor Flav Owes $63K in Child Support - Reality TV star and former Public Enemy hype-man, Flavor Flav, owes some money. At least, that’s what the mother of three of his children, Mary Parker, is claiming. She says Flav, whose real name is William Drayton, Jr., is behind $63,458 in court-ordered child support payments. But Flav tells it differently. “I've made payments on my children's tuition and have made direct payment to the mother outside of the court order,” he said.

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East Wins All-Star Game - It was a tight game that ended up in just a two-point win by the East over rivals from the West. Game MVP Dwyane Wade scored the most points for the East, and Carmelo Anthony dropped the most for the West. The final score: 141 – 139.

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East Wins All-Star Game - It was a tight game that ended up in just a two-point win by the East over rivals from the West. Game MVP Dwyane Wade scored the most points for the East, and Carmelo Anthony dropped the most for the West. The final score: 141 – 139.

Closure Threatens Ebony and Jet Magazines - EBONY and JET magazines, perhaps the most respected publications in history geared toward African-American readers, are on the auction block, Newsweek.com is reporting.   “Johnson Publishing is seeking a buyer or investor for its flagship publication, Ebony, in an effort aimed at securing the survival of the nation's oldest magazine devoted to African-American life,” Newsweek.com reports.  Ebony was established in 1945.

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Magic Johnson Wants to Buy Ebony and Jet - Sources say NBA great Magic Johnson is in talks to purchase Johnson Publishing Co., publisher of Ebony and Jet magazines. The company has gone through rounds of restructuring in attempts to cut costs in the wake of a rocky economy and declining ad sales. If the deal goes through, Johnson Publishing will be absorbed into the Magic Johnson Enterprises.

Sen. Evan Bayh Steps Down - When mid-term elections roll around in November, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh says he will not be running. Bayh says excessive partisanship in Congress is the reason he’s stepping down. He says the current political climate in Washington makes it almost impossible to make progress on public policy as the motivation for his decision.

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Sen. Evan Bayh Steps Down - When mid-term elections roll around in November, Indiana Sen. Evan Bayh says he will not be running. Bayh says excessive partisanship in Congress is the reason he’s stepping down. He says the current political climate in Washington makes it almost impossible to make progress on public policy as the motivation for his decision.

Portland Shooting Angers Community - Late last month, an unarmed Portland, Ore., man, Aaron Campbell, 25, was shot in the back of his head by police officers. He died shortly after in front of his apartment. The officer who fired the shot said he thought Campbell had a gun. The incident has sparked protests and sent shockwaves across the city, state and country. The federal government has opened an inquiry into the case.

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Portland Shooting Angers Community - Late last month, an unarmed Portland, Ore., man, Aaron Campbell, 25, was shot in the back of his head by police officers. He died shortly after in front of his apartment. The officer who fired the shot said he thought Campbell had a gun. The incident has sparked protests and sent shockwaves across the city, state and country. The federal government has opened an inquiry into the case.

Gov. Paterson Rips New York Times Story - New York Gov. David Paterson blasted a New York Times report about a longtime aide, David Johnson. The state’s first Black governor said he hired Johnson, an ex-teen-felon, in an effort to give a second chance to kids who got caught up in Harlem’s 1990s crack epidemic. The Times story states that Johnson, 37, had three &quot;disputes&quot; with women in recent years although no arrests were made.

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Gov. Paterson Rips New York Times Story - New York Gov. David Paterson blasted a New York Times report about a longtime aide, David Johnson. The state’s first Black governor said he hired Johnson, an ex-teen-felon, in an effort to give a second chance to kids who got caught up in Harlem’s 1990s crack epidemic. The Times story states that Johnson, 37, had three "disputes" with women in recent years although no arrests were made.

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Dalai Lama Meets With Obama - The Dalai Lama met with President Obama behind closed doors at the White House this week. Chinese authorities weren’t exactly thrilled about his visit to Washington, but President Obama insisted on meeting with the spiritual leader anyway. According to the Dalai Lama, who says he has always admired American Democratic values, his conversation with the president was fruitful.

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Dalai Lama Meets With Obama - The Dalai Lama met with President Obama behind closed doors at the White House this week. Chinese authorities weren’t exactly thrilled about his visit to Washington, but President Obama insisted on meeting with the spiritual leader anyway. According to the Dalai Lama, who says he has always admired American Democratic values, his conversation with the president was fruitful.

Kathleen Sebelius Warns of Rising Premiums - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Thursday unveiled a government report which she said “shines a light on the urgency for health reform,” and pins the rise of premiums in the individual health care market squarely on the profit margins of large insurance companies. “I think this kind of rate increase gives a highlight to why the president said a year ago we need to address health reform, comprehensive health reform as part of addressing the economy,” she said.

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Kathleen Sebelius Warns of Rising Premiums - Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius Thursday unveiled a government report which she said “shines a light on the urgency for health reform,” and pins the rise of premiums in the individual health care market squarely on the profit margins of large insurance companies. “I think this kind of rate increase gives a highlight to why the president said a year ago we need to address health reform, comprehensive health reform as part of addressing the economy,” she said.

Pres. Talks About Malia and Sasha - President Barack Obama, who is spending billions of dollars to overhaul the U.S. public education system, says there's one sure thing parents can do to help their kids learn, regardless of financial means: forbid them from watching television on school nights. Of his own daughters, Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, Obama told Essence magazine, &quot;The girls don't watch TV during the week. Period.&quot;

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Pres. Talks About Malia and Sasha - President Barack Obama, who is spending billions of dollars to overhaul the U.S. public education system, says there's one sure thing parents can do to help their kids learn, regardless of financial means: forbid them from watching television on school nights. Of his own daughters, Malia, 11, and Sasha, 8, Obama told Essence magazine, "The girls don't watch TV during the week. Period."

Shani Davis Wins Gold - Shani Davis stuck his skate across the line and won his second straight Olympic title in the 1,000-meter speedskating competition at this year’s Winter Games held in Vancouver. The win made him the first skater to win this event twice at the Winter Games. &quot;That race depleted me 100 percent,&quot; he said. &quot;I never want to leave anything on the track.&quot; When he won this race four years ago, Davis became the first African-American athlete to win an individual gold at the Winter Games.

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Shani Davis Wins Gold - Shani Davis stuck his skate across the line and won his second straight Olympic title in the 1,000-meter speedskating, the first skater to win this event twice at the Winter Games. "That race depleted me 100 percent," he said. "I never want to leave anything on the track." When he won this race four years ago, Davis became the first African-American athlete to win an individual gold at the Winter Games. This time, he simply wanted to be known for his skating.

Oprah Won’t Allow John Mayer on Show - Oprah Winfrey isn’t too happy with John Mayer and has moved him off her show’s guest list.  In a recent Playboy interview, the singer made controversial comments about sex, race and naming his ex-loves, including Jennifer Anniston and Jessica Simpson.  He even used the N-word.  Sources close to the media mogul say Oprah will not give Mayer an opportunity to make an apology on her show but would entertain the idea of him having a deeper conversation on race, women and fame.

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Oprah Won’t Allow John Mayer on Show - Oprah Winfrey isn’t too happy with John Mayer and has moved him off her show’s guest list. In a recent Playboy interview, the singer made controversial comments about sex, race and naming his ex-loves, including Jennifer Anniston and Jessica Simpson. He even used the N-word. Sources close to the media mogul say Oprah will not give Mayer an opportunity to make an apology on her show but would entertain the idea of him having a deeper conversation on race, women and fame.

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Big Money - Brooklyn MC Shyne has reportedly inked a seven-figure deal with Def Jam Records. According to HOT 97 radio personality Miss Info, Shyne and Def Jam are in the final stages of negotiating a record deal.

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Shyne to Sign 7-Figure Deal With Def Jam - After finishing an eight-year jail sentence for his involvement in a club shooting in 1999 and his recent deportation to Belize, Brooklyn MC Shyne has reportedly inked a seven-figure deal with Def Jam Records. According to HOT 97 radio personality Miss Info, Shyne and Def Jam are in the final stages of negotiating a record deal. Since Shyne's been deported from the U.S., he will reportedly work out of London.

Judge Declares Mistrial in Detroit Corruption Case - A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the federal corruption case against Detroit political consultant Sam Riddle after an impasse by jurors, who described deliberations as tinged with racial tension they blamed on a lone holdout. Riddle was charged with teaming up with his former boss, Monica Conyers, to extort bribes from people in 2006 and 2007. Conyers was a member of the Detroit City Council until she pleaded guilty to conspiracy and resigned last summer.

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Judge Declares Mistrial in Detroit Corruption Case - A judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the federal corruption case against Detroit political consultant Sam Riddle after an impasse by jurors, who described deliberations as tinged with racial tension they blamed on a lone holdout. Riddle was charged with teaming up with his former boss, Monica Conyers, to extort bribes from people in 2006 and 2007. Conyers was a member of the Detroit City Council until she pleaded guilty to conspiracy and resigned last summer.

Obama Calls Endeavor Astronauts - Surrounded by a dozen middle school students from Florida, Michigan and Nebraska, President Obama spoke to 11 NASA astronauts by phone from the White House this week. The orbiting astronauts, from the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Endeavor, took turns answering questions from the president and the students. The call was made as part of a White House effort called &quot;Educate to Innovate&quot; that encourages students to study science, engineering, math and technology.

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Obama Calls Endeavor Astronauts - Surrounded by a dozen middle school students from Florida, Michigan and Nebraska, President Obama spoke to 11 NASA astronauts by phone from the White House this week. The orbiting astronauts, from the International Space Station and Space Shuttle Endeavor, took turns answering questions from the president and the students. The call was made as part of a White House effort called "Educate to Innovate" that encourages students to study science, engineering, math and technology.

TV Personality Bo Griffin Dies - Popular radio and television personality Bo Griffin has died in Greenville, South Carolina at the age of 51. Griffin, who began her radio career as “Bo the Party Animal” back in the 1980s, died Tuesday (Feb. 16) of intestinal cancer. As one-half of Power 96's “Mindy and Bo Morning Show,” she was a popular personality in morning radio in South Florida. Griffin also appeared on Hot 105 and did entertainment reporting on Florida TV.

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TV Personality Bo Griffin Dies - Popular radio and television personality Bo Griffin has died in Greenville, South Carolina at the age of 51. Griffin, who began her radio career as “Bo the Party Animal” back in the 1980s, died Tuesday (Feb. 16) of intestinal cancer. As one-half of Power 96's “Mindy and Bo Morning Show,” she was a popular personality in morning radio in South Florida. Griffin also appeared on Hot 105 and did entertainment reporting on Florida TV.

Pilot Crashes Plane into Building - A small private plane crashed into a seven-story office building in Austin, Texas on Thursday (Feb. 18).  Sources say the perpetrator, Joe Stack, did it intentionally. He felt the federal government — especially its tax code — robbed him of his savings and destroyed his career while allowing corrupt executives to walk away with millions. It's clear from the 3,000-word manifesto posted on a Web site registered in his name that the bitter feud with the Internal Revenue Service was his passion.

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Pilot Crashes Plane into Building - A small private plane crashed into a seven-story office building in Austin, Texas on Thursday (Feb. 18). Sources say the perpetrator, Joe Stack, did it intentionally. He felt the federal government — especially its tax code — robbed him of his savings and destroyed his career while allowing corrupt executives to walk away with millions. It's clear from the 3,000-word manifesto posted on a Web site registered in his name that the bitter feud with the Internal Revenue Service was his passion.

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Award-Winning Poet Lucille Clifton Dies - Lucille Clifton, a National Book Award-winning poet and Pulitzer finalist, has died. She was 73. Clifton's sister, Elaine Philip of Buffalo, N.Y., said the former poet laureate of Maryland passed away Saturday morning at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. Philip said the cause of death was unclear, but Clifton was hospitalized for an infection last week at a hospital in Columbia, Md., before being transferred to Baltimore.

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Award-Winning Poet Lucille Clifton Dies - Lucille Clifton, a National Book Award-winning poet and Pulitzer finalist, has died. She was 73. Clifton's sister, Elaine Philip of Buffalo, N.Y., said the former poet laureate of Maryland passed away Saturday morning at Johns Hopkins University Hospital in Baltimore. Philip said the cause of death was unclear, but Clifton was hospitalized for an infection last week at a hospital in Columbia, Md., before being transferred to Baltimore.

Beaten Seattle Teenage Girl Speaks Out - A teenage girl beaten in a Seattle bus tunnel as three security guards, who were following company orders, looked on said Friday that she sought help from the guards and police but was rebuffed. Speaking at a news conference, 15-year-old Aiesha Steward-Baker said she asked Seattle police for help several times at a shopping center in the hour before the Jan. 28 attack.

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Beaten Seattle Teenage Girl Speaks Out - A teenage girl beaten in a Seattle bus tunnel as three security guards, who were following company orders, looked on said Friday that she sought help from the guards and police but was rebuffed. Speaking at a news conference, 15-year-old Aiesha Steward-Baker said she asked Seattle police for help several times at a shopping center in the hour before the Jan. 28 attack.

Trial Begins in Spelman Student Murder Case - Jury selection began on Tuesday in the trial of 21-year-old Devonni Benton, who is charged with murder in the shooting death of a Spelman College student. 19-year-old Jasmine Lynn of Kansas City, Mo., was struck in the chest by a bullet on Sept. 3 as she walked on the Clark Atlanta campus with friends when a fight broke out nearby. A Clark Atlanta student was wounded in the shooting. Benton's lawyer says his client was involved in the fight but was not carrying a gun.

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Trial Begins in Spelman Student Murder Case - Jury selection began on Tuesday in the trial of 21-year-old Devonni Benton, who is charged with murder in the shooting death of a Spelman College student. 19-year-old Jasmine Lynn of Kansas City, Mo., was struck in the chest by a bullet on Sept. 3 as she walked on the Clark Atlanta campus with friends when a fight broke out nearby. A Clark Atlanta student was wounded in the shooting. Benton's lawyer says his client was involved in the fight but was not carrying a gun.

N.J. Man Threw Baby Off Parkway - A New Jersey man has pleaded not guilty after police say he told them he threw his 3-month-old daughter off a bridge. Officials say he snatched Zara Malani-lin Abdur from her grandmother Tuesday and told them he threw the girl off a river bridge. Search teams have found no sign of the baby. State Police Sgt. Julian Castellanos says the mission is still a rescue attempt even though the odds of a baby surviving this long are slim.

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N.J. Man Threw Baby Off Parkway - A New Jersey man has pleaded not guilty after police say he told them he threw his 3-month-old daughter off a bridge. Officials say he snatched Zara Malani-lin Abdur from her grandmother Tuesday and told them he threw the girl off a river bridge. Search teams have found no sign of the baby. State Police Sgt. Julian Castellanos says the mission is still a rescue attempt even though the odds of a baby surviving this long are slim.

Rev. Al Sharpton Daughter Assaulted - The boyfriend of one of the Rev. Al Sharpton's daughters was charged Thursday with punching her in the face and shoving her out of a car; but a defense lawyer said the boyfriend hurled nothing more than words at her. Latrell Peeks, 23, was released without bail after his arraignment on assault and harassment charges. He didn't enter a plea.

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Rev. Al Sharpton Daughter Assaulted - The boyfriend of one of the Rev. Al Sharpton's daughters was charged Thursday with punching her in the face and shoving her out of a car; but a defense lawyer said the boyfriend hurled nothing more than words at her. Latrell Peeks, 23, was released without bail after his arraignment on assault and harassment charges. He didn't enter a plea.

Obama Marks Stimulus Anniversary - People were asking this week if the stimulus is working or not. A year after Congress passed President Barack Obama's huge economic revival plan, the results are mixed, but the president says recovery has just begun. &quot;There has never been a program of this scale, moved at this speed, that has been enacted as effectively and as transparently as the recovery act,&quot; the president declared.

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Obama Marks Stimulus Anniversary - People were asking this week if the stimulus is working or not. A year after Congress passed President Barack Obama's huge economic revival plan, the results are mixed, but the president says recovery has just begun. "There has never been a program of this scale, moved at this speed, that has been enacted as effectively and as transparently as the recovery act," the president declared.