George Mason U. elects man as homecoming queen

FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — George Mason University students have elected a drag queen as homecoming queen.

Student Ryan Allen beat out two women for the title at the 30,000-student school in suburban Washington, D.C., famous for its run to the Final Four a few years back.

Allen competed under his drag queen persona of Reann Ballslee.

Allen, who is gay and performs in drag at nightclubs, said he entered as a joke. But he considers the victory one of his happiest moments and proof the school celebrates its diverse student body.

The senior from Virginia's Goochland County won the pageant about a week ago at a sold-out homecoming basketball game against Northeastern. George Mason's basketball team pulled off a string of upsets to advance to the Final Four in 2006.

NY Post apologizes - to some - over Obama cartoon

NEW YORK (AP) — After two days of protests, the New York Post apologized Thursday for a cartoon that some have interpreted as comparing President Barack Obama to a violent chimpanzee gunned down by police. But the newspaper also said its longtime antagonists exploited the image for revenge.

The qualified apology didn't mollify at least some of the cartoon's critics, who said they might continue protesting Friday.

The newspaper posted an editorial on its Web site Thursday evening saying the cartoon was meant to mock the federal economic stimulus bill, but "to those who were offended by the image, we apologize."

The piece was posted hours after 200 picketers chanting "Boycott the Post! Shut it down!" marched in front of the paper's office, saying the cartoon echoed racist stereotypes of blacks as monkeys.

The editorial said that "most certainly was not its intent," adding that some media and public figures who have long-standing differences with the paper saw the cartoon "as an opportunity for payback."

Calling them "opportunists," the editorial said: "To them, no apology is due."

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped lead the outcry over the cartoon, criticized what he called the paper's "conditional statement" of regret.

"Though we think it is the right thing for them to apologize to those they offended, they seem to want to blame the offense on those (who) raised the issue, rather than take responsibility for what they did," he said in a statement.

TMZ posts photo it claims is a beaten Rihanna

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A photo that appears to be Rihanna's face with bruises, scratches and swelling from an attack allegedly at the hands of boyfriend Chris Brown was posted Thursday night by the celebrity Web site TMZ.

The close-up image shows a welt above each of the woman's eyebrows, marks on her cheek and around her lips, and general swelling. TMZ did not say how it obtained the photo, when it was taken or by whom.

Hours after the photo was posted, the Los Angeles Police Department launched an internal investigation and asked for the public's help in finding the person who leaked it. A police news release said the image "has the appearance" of one taken during a domestic violence investigation, and classified its release as a case of serious misconduct that could result in termination.

Asked earlier Thursday whether he could confirm the photo's origin, LAPD Officer Jason Lee said only that the department had not released images of the woman who accused Brown, and would not release evidence photos. A spokeswoman for the district attorney said all evidence related to the case was still with police.

Brown was arrested Feb. 8 and booked on suspicion of making felony criminal threats to a woman that authorities have not publicly identified. A person familiar with the situation, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity, confirmed that the woman was Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Fenty.

Police: NY teens fake kidnap for "entertainment"

BETHPAGE, N.Y. (AP) — Now they're in real trouble.

A group of Long Island teenagers who police say faked an abduction for "entertainment purposes only" have been arrested on misdemeanor charges.

Nassau County police say witnesses reported seeing two teenagers put a bound teen into the trunk of a car parked at a Bethpage supermarket lot on Monday. Two other teens were in a second car parked directly behind the first one. Both cars were driven out of the lot.

Police say detectives later figured out that the supposed abduction was just teenage horseplay.

Police arrested 9 Levvittown High School students in connection with the fake kidnapping.

They face charges of falsely reporting an incident.

Shaq's shoe makes a big impression on Obama

What's the ideal gift for a basketball-obsessed president? Try a size 23 sneaker personally autographed by Shaquille O'Neal.

The Phoenix Suns center couldn't be around himself when President Barack Obama arrived at Sky Harbor International Airport Tuesday afternoon. So when the president stepped off of Air Force One, Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon's son Jake made the presentation at the foot of the stairs.

The orange-and-white sneaker made a big impression. Obama set it on the ground next to his own, much smaller shoe, and grinned as photographers captured the moment. Then Obama scooped it up and took it with him as he stepped into the presidential limo.

In Sunday's NBA All-Star game, O'Neal shared MVP honors with Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Iraqi shoe thrower: Bush's 'soulless smile' set me off

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) — Muntadher al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist on trial for throwing his shoes last year at then-President George W. Bush, said the former American leader's "bloodless and soulless smile" and his joking banter provoked him. Click for more

Sad turn of events for star

Tracy McGrady's season is over, and to make matters worse the Rockets coach is mad at him. Click for more

'American Idol' selects first 3 finalists

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Tatiana Del Toro had something else to cry about. The emotional 28-year-old crooner from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was one of nine "American Idol" semifinalists sent packing Wednesday.

Del Toro, whom judge Simon Cowell called a "drama queen" after her performance Tuesday, bawled after she wasn't selected to continue in the "Fox" singing competition.

"It's up to America," she told host Ryan Seacrest before the results. "It's up to the power of love."

No tears were shed by the first three finalists of season eight: Alexis Grace, the soulful 21-year-old single mother from Memphis, Tenn.; Michael Sarver, the beefy 27-year-old oil rig worker from Jasper, Texas; and Danny Gokey, the spikey-haired 28-year-old church music director from Milwaukee. The trio received the most viewer votes.

Recent widower Gokey overwhelmed the judges with Mariah Carey's "Hero" at the conclusion of Tuesday's ho-hum performance episode. They were also impressed with Grace's take on Aretha Franklin's "Never Loved a Man," comparing her to first "Idol" Kelly Clarkson. Sarver, who sang Gavin Degraw's "I Don't Wanna Be," received a mixed reaction from the panel.

"I think if you get through, it's because people like you," Cowell told Sarver on Tuesday.

NY Post cartoon seems to link Obama to dead chimp

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Post is standing behind a cartoon that some have interpreted as comparing President Barack Obama to a violent chimpanzee gunned down by police.

The cartoon in Wednesday's Post by Sean Delonas shows two police officers standing over the body of a bullet-riddled chimp. One of the officers says the other, "They'll have to find someone else to write the next stimulus bill."

Civil rights activist Al Sharpton called the cartoon "troubling at best given the historic racist attacks of African-Americans as being synonymous with monkeys."

But Sharpton said the Post should clarify the point it was trying to make with the cartoon, which was playing off Monday's rampage by a pet chimpanzee in Stamford, Conn., that left a woman severely mauled. Police ended up killing the chimp.

In a statement, Post Editor-in-Chief Col Allan said: "The cartoon is a clear parody of a current news event, to wit the shooting of a violent chimpanzee in Connecticut. It broadly mocks Washington's efforts to revive the economy. Again, Al Sharpton reveals himself as nothing more than a publicity opportunist."

Woman uses wedgie to capture suspected thief

It took a wedgie and a headlock to pin down a man suspected of breaking into a car. Yvonne Morris, a technician at the Brickyard Animal Hospital, said she chased a man who broke into a co-worker's car, but he kept squirming away from her.

Morris eventually grabbed the man's boxer shorts and pulled. Salt Lake City police said she then she put a headlock on the man until help could arrive. The man was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of vehicle burglary, possession of stolen property and outstanding warrants.

'Young and stupid' A-Rod was injected by cousin

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Over and over, Alex Rodriguez blamed himself, using the phrase "young and stupid" as he tried again to explain where he went wrong.

The slugger who might someday become baseball's all-time home run king remembered more details about performance-enhancing drugs Tuesday, saying his cousin repeatedly injected him from 2001-03 with a mysterious substance from the Dominican Republic.

"I didn't think they were steroids," the New York Yankees star said. Later, he admitted, "I knew we weren't taking Tic Tacs."

Making his second public attempt to explain a 2003 positive drug test while with Texas, baseball's highest-paid player described a clumsy scheme in which a cousin persuaded him to use "boli" — a substance he said the cousin obtained without a prescription and without consulting doctors or trainers.

Rodriguez said the cousin, whom he wouldn't identify, told him it would cause a "dramatic energy boost."

Yet, when asked to explain why the secrecy if he didn't think it was an illegal substance, Rodriguez revealed he had a pretty good idea he was doing wrong.

"Look, for a week here I've been looking at people to blame," he said, "and I keep looking at myself at the end of the day."

Some, including Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman, had trouble believing him.

"Do I believe that Alex Rodriguez, who won't have a Snickers bar or a cookie, let his cousin inject him with something that he didn't know what it was? I find that really hard to believe," she told WCBS radio in New York, the team's flagship station.

And the Oscar goes to Matilda if Ledger wins

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — If Heath Ledger is named best supporting actor at Sunday's Academy Awards ceremony, his daughter, 3-year-old Matilda Rose Ledger, will become the owner of the Oscar statuette.

But it won't really be hers until her 18th birthday on Oct. 28, 2023 — and even then, only if she signs a contract.

Matilda, daughter of the late Ledger and actress Michelle Williams, has been designated by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as the eventual owner of her father's Oscar, should he win for his portrayal of the Joker in "The Dark Knight."

The actor died of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs last year at the age of 28.

But Ledger's nomination, and his daughter's young age, led to one of the trickiest situations the academy has dealt with in its eight decades of awarding posthumous Oscars.

"It's complicated, because there are two different questions that have to be answered," says Bruce Davis, executive director of the academy. "First, we have to decide who gets the job of accepting the award onstage on the night of the ceremony. And then there's the question of the eventual disposition of the posthumous statuette, which may not stay with the person who accepts it."

In Ledger's case, says Davis, the second question was the hardest to answer.

Academy tradition calls for a posthumous statuette to go to the spouse, or, if there is no living spouse, to the oldest child. Ledger wasn't married, and Matilda is his only child.

Facebook backtracks on terms of use after protests

NEW YORK (AP) — In an about-face following a torrent of online protests, Facebook is backing off a change in its user policies while it figures how best to resolve questions like who controls the information shared on the social networking site.

The site, which boasts 175 million users from around the world, had quietly updated its terms of use — its governing document — a couple of weeks ago. The changes sparked an uproar after popular consumer rights advocacy blog Consumerist.com pointed them out Sunday, in a post titled "Facebook's New Terms Of Service: 'We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever.'"

Facebook has since sought to reassure its users — tens of thousands of whom had joined protest groups on the site — that this is not the case. And on Wednesday morning, users who logged on to Facebook were greeted by a message saying that the site is reverting to its previous terms of use policies while it resolves the issues raised.

Facebook spelled out, in plain English rather than the legalese that prompted the protests, that it "doesn't claim rights to any of your photos or other content. We need a license in order to help you share information with your friends, but we don't claim to own your information."

Tens of thousands of users joined protest groups on Facebook, saying the new terms grant the site the ability to control their information forever, even after they cancel their accounts.

This prompted a clarification from Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook's founder, who told users in a blog post Monday that "on Facebook, people own their information and control who they share it with."

DeSoto tops in chess

DESOTO COUNTY -Checkmate, Magnolia State.

A total of 13 DeSoto County schools participated in the Mississippi Scholastic Team and Individual Chess Championship this past weekend, with four schools claiming first place in the individuals division statewide out of a total number of 500 students participating.
Center Hill Middle School placed first in the 10th Grade division, with Olive Branch Middle School clenching first in the Eighth Grade division and Pleasant Hill Elementary School sweeping the Fifth Grade individuals division with the top six players.

Oak Grove Central placed second in the Fifth Grade division, with Sacred Heart School placing third in that division and DeSoto Central Elementary, sixth.

Hernando Middle School placed third in the sixth grade division and Oak Grove Central Elementary placing third in the Fourth Grade division and DeSoto Central Elementary placing fourth.

Lewisburg Elementary School placed third in the Third Grade division. Hernando Middle School also placed sixth in the 10th Grade division.

Among senior-age chess players, DeSoto Central High School placed third and Southaven High School placing fourth statewide.

Ark. panel backs new seat belt, teen driver laws

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Measures headed toward the Senate that are aimed at keeping teens off the roads late at night and getting motorists buckled up should complement Arkansas' efforts to create a statewide system for trauma care, state health officials say.

The new driving restrictions were recommended for passage Monday by the Senate Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee. The measures advanced days after the Senate gave approval to an $87.8 million tobacco tax increase, which Gov. Mike Beebe plans to sign into law Tuesday.

The driving restrictions, proposed by Sen. Jimmy Jeffress, D-Crossett, would bar motorists under 18 from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., except for work, school or emergencies. The teens could be on the road later and have more passengers if accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older.

Maine police rescue teenager from icy river

WESTBROOK, Maine (AP) — Three police officers are being credited with saving the life of a 15-year-old boy who fell through the ice on the Presumpscot River on Monday.

Westbrook Police Sgt. Thomas Roche said when he Officers James Farrenkopf and Ryan Close responded to a call shortly after 5 p.m., they spotted Ricardo Agrinsoni flailing in the icy waters.

Roche said they ran about 150 yards along the river bank before they could find a place to throw life rings to the Westbrook High School student. The boy, who was about 20 yards from shore, couldn't grab the first ring that was tossed, but managed to hold on to the second and be pulled to safety.

Police said the boy was treated for hypothermia at Maine Medical Center and released.

Giant chimp shot after rampage

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A 200-pound domesticated chimpanzee who once starred in TV commercials for Old Navy and Coca-Cola was shot dead by police after a violent rampage that left a friend of its owner badly mauled.

Sandra Herold, who owned the 15-year-old chimp named Travis, wrestled with the animal after it inexplicably attacked her friend Charla Nash, 55.

Nash had gone to Herold's home in Stamford on Monday to help her coax the chimp back into the house after he got out, police said. After the animal lunged at Nash when she got out of her car, Herold ran inside to call 911 and returned armed.

"She retrieved a large butcher knife and stabbed her longtime pet numerous times in an effort to save her friend, who was really being brutally attacked," said Stamford police Capt. Richard Conklin.

Nash was in critical condition Tuesday after suffering what Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy called "life-changing, if not life-threatening," injuries to her face and hands.

Her sister-in-law, Kate Nash, said Tuesday morning that Nash underwent surgery Monday night and came out of it "OK."

Conklin said police don't know what triggered the attack.

Chris Brown 'sorry,' 'saddened'

The singer seeks counseling in the midst of the Rihanna incident fallout. Click for full story

No pot charge for Phelps after photo

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A South Carolina sheriff is not going to charge swimmer Michael Phelps after a photo of the 14-time gold medalist showed him smoking from a marijuana pipe.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott made the decision Monday.

The photo showed Phelps smoking from a marijuana pipe at a University of South Carolina party in November when he visited the school.

Phelps has called his judgment bad and said he would learn from his mistake.

He was suspended by USA Swimming for three months in the wake of the photo, and Kellogg Co. said it would not renew its endorsement deal with one of the world's most acclaimed athletes.

DNA test pending in case of 13-year-old father

LONDON (AP) — A DNA test will be performed to determine if a 13-year-old boy fathered a baby with his 15-year-old girlfriend, his spokesman said Monday.

The test comes after a Sunday tabloid newspaper reported that other teenage boys have come forward claiming to be the father of the newborn baby girl.

Spokesman Max Clifford said the parents of Alfie, 13, said the tests would be done "as soon as possible" to determine paternity.

"He obviously believes he's the father," Clifford said. "I think that having read the News of the World yesterday, it would be prudent to have a DNA test."

The teenager's 15-year-old girlfriend, Chantelle, gave birth to the baby girl earlier this month in Eastbourne, 70 miles (110 kilometers) southeast of London. The couple made headlines in Britain when Alfie, who looks much younger than 13, posed on the front page of the tabloid Sun newspaper with the baby.

Friday the 13th' nails No. 1 spot with $42.2M

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Friday the 13th" had all the luck as the remake of the 1980 slasher flick opened with $42.2 million, putting blood and guts ahead of hearts over Valentine's Day weekend.

That was a record for the horror genre, topping the $39.1 million debut for 2004's "The Grudge." Accounting for today's higher admission prices, "The Grudge" sold slightly more tickets, however.

Released by the Warner Bros. banner New Line Cinema, "Friday the 13th" updates the grisly story of killer Jason Voorhees and his rampage among youths at a secluded summer camp.

On opening day — which fell on Friday the 13th — the remake pulled in $19.4 million, slightly more than the $19 million it cost to make the movie.

"It's a great title, and it was a great weekend to open. We had Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day," said Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros. "I've seen it play a number of times, and the audience is with it the whole way. A lot of screams and a lot of laughs."

Timberlake tops GQ's list of '10 Most Stylish Men'

NEW YORK (AP) — Justin Timberlake wins style props in the March issue of GQ magazine.

The magazine picked the entertainer to lead a list of the "10 Most Stylish Men in America." It singled out Timberlake for his impact on fashion, willingness to take risks and "knack for targeting trends" such as hats, three-piece suits, skinny ties and beards.

Timberlake, who launched his clothing line William Rast several years ago, tells GQ he considers model Kate Moss a style icon because she "could put a barrel on and it would be some sort of statement."

It irks the 28-year-old heartthrob when an entire outfit revolves around a hat, and he'd never wear an argyle sweater vest off the golf course. He prefers to keep it simple, clothes-wise.

Other "Stylish Men" include Kanye West, T.I., Jason Schwartzman, hotelier Andre Balazs and photographer Alexi Lubomirski.

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OBHS DECA earns host of awards at state competition

OLIVE BRANCH - The Olive Branch High School DECA chapter earned top honors at this year’s DECA District competition.

The chapter was named DECA’s “Chapter of the Year” and took home 16 first-place and 13 second-place wins for excellence. The chapter’s advisor, Clayton Marble, also garnered the DECA “Advisor of the Year” award. The first place winners include “Chapter of the Year,” Brittany Russell, Michael Hunter, Tiffany Dorris, and Ronnie Childers; Hospitality Services Management, Mandy Endres and Amanda Williams; Internet Marketing Management, Hunter Hohnson and Samantha Purvis; Sports and Entertainment Marketing Management, Issac Own and Kyndi Mitchell; Automotive Services, David Hodge; Business Services, Ethan Casey; Food Marketing, Ross Bratton, Public Speaking, Vicki Knepper; and Sports and Entertainment Management, Josh Carpenter.

Second-place winners are Business Law and Ethics Management, Mashara Cook and Daniqua Fifer; DECA Quiz Bowl, Corey Mays, Christina Allen and Kirsten Clement; Financial Analysis Management, Latiqua London and Merjournie Muskin; Travel and Tourism Marketing Management, Jessica Woodworth and Christina Tarver; Apparel and Accessories Marketing, Nikki Smith; Hotel and Lodging, Triana Zunino; Marketing Management, Patrick Rogers; Restaurant and Food Services Management, Clint Reever.