How hotels are making billions off surcharges

A New York University professor revealed Monday hotels are expected to charge $2.25 billion in hotel fees this year, surcharges so devoid of customer value they often make the hotels a 90 percent profit.

And when we say devoid of value, we mean we're all getting screwed. The "Today" show's reporter had kinder words.

"The hotels have ripped a page right out of the playbook from the airline industry," NBC reporter Kerry Sanders said. "Twenty, $30, even $80 resort fees, hotel service fees."

Some examples? A hotel in Virginia charges guests for parking even if they don't bring their car. One Orlando hotel tacks on an extra $70 if you want to pick up a package from UPS or FedEx at the front desk.

In some cases, it's tough to tell what exactly you're being charged for. Some hotels in Vegas add a so-called "resort fee," whatever that means.

And it seems like everyone is repeating this same line:

"Well, when it comes to fees, hotels are becoming more like the airlines." one CBS anchor said.

That's likely because an Associated Press reporter who published one of the early stories on this study made the airline comparison in his first line. The comparisons aren't all that unfair, though. Because again, the fees are so common, some airlines champion it when they don't charge them.

"They're charging bag fees right out in the open. They're not even trying to hide it," a Southwest Airlines employee said.

However, for all the hate against airlines, the groups that might have us really hemorrhaging money are probably the ones handling our money.

In the world of processing fees and all the other complicated things banks and money lenders can stick to us, here are some of the worst.

Despite four in 10 prepaid banking card users saying they switched specifically to avoid overdrafts, those cards still incur heavy penalties for overdrafting. Salon reports they also have the standard fees for monthly maintenance, card activation and using them at ATMs.

The worst of all, though, goes after your life savings. MSN notes that the average total expense for small plan 401K's is 1.46 percent, and the outlet says even one percent is too high.

Here are a few tips to keep you from losing out to unnecessary fees when you're on the road:

Use a credit card and not debit card for travel purchases, assuming you can afford to pay off the entire balance. If someone doesn't give you notice they're going to charge fees, you can dispute the charge.

The International Business Times clued us into a travel site called The Suitest, a booking site that gives you information on resort fees, taxes and other fees before you get charged.

Finally, do your research. Ask a hotel in advance if they charge extra fees and read the agreement they give you before you book. The worst they can tell you is no if you ask for fees to be waived, and then you can always find another place to stay.

This video includes images from Getty Images, Nic McPhee / CC BY SA 2.0, Refracted Moments / CC BY 2.0.


http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/26/how-hotels-are-making-billions-off-surcharges/20952863/?ncid=webmail25

Prince to release new album in September

By MESFIN FEKADU

NEW YORK (AP) - Prince is releasing a new album on Sept. 30.
The pop icon announced Monday that he would release "Art Official Age" on Warner Bros. Records, the label Prince was signed to from 1978 to the mid-1990s, but later battled for the rights to his music.
He reached a deal with Warner in April, earning the rights to the music he recorded on the label.
Prince will also release the album "PlectrumElectrum" with his all-female band 3RDEYEGIRL on Sept. 30. Both albums are available for pre-order.
"Art Official Age" was described in a news release as a mix "of soul, R&B and funk." It's his first album since 2010's "20Ten."
Prince released key projects like "Purple Rain," ''1999," ''Diamonds and Pearls" and "Around the World in a Day" on Warner. The agreement with the label comes years after his relationship with Warner soured as he failed to gain possession of the music he recorded for the label. Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol and wrote the word "slave" on his cheek. He also vowed to rerecord the 17 albums he released on the label and sell them on his own.
After Warner, Prince began releasing music in 1996 over the Internet, and struck deals with Arista Records and Columbia Records, where he saw a comeback with the Grammy-winning "Musicology" in 2004.
His second upcoming album, "PlectrumElectrum," will feature 3RDEYEGIRL, the band that includes guitarist Donna Grantis, drummer Hannah Ford Welton and bassist Ida Nielsen.
Prince and the trio performed in Europe this year during their "Hit & Run" tour.

Miley Cyrus Uses VMAs to Raise Awareness About Homeless Youth

Miley Cyrus found a way to top her MTV VMA appearance from last year with what could be the most poignant moment of the award show.
PICS: VMAs Hottest Fashions
After winning Video of the Year for "Wrecking Ball," Miley let homeless youth Jesse accept the award for her "on behalf of the runaways and homeless youth."
"I have survived at shelters all over the city," said Jesse. "I have been an extra in your movies. I have been an extra in your life. Though I have been invisible in your life, I have the same dreams as many [of you]."

Miley has been helping out a homeless center for young people in Los Angeles called My Friend's Place.
"Los Angeles has the largest population of homeless youth in America," said Jesse. "54,000 human beings who have no place to call home."
NEWS: Miley Cyrus: I Can't Compete with Nicki Minaj's Curves
You can support the cause by making a donation at www.prizeo.com/miley.
According to Miley's Facebook page, "For every $5 donation, you'll be entered to win a trip for 2 to Brazil to hang out with me at my show in Rio de Janeiro on Sept 28th. You'll get the full VIP experience, including 2 of the best seats in the house."

On the VMA red carpet, Miley promised Sway and Lucy Hale that she had something "really special" planned.
"It think it's going to make a different kind of impression, so it's going to be cool," said Miley.

Extraordinary Emmy Awards Moments Through The Years

•  Each year, the Emmy Awards celebrate television's best and brightest. As the 2014 Emmys show quickly approaches, it's time to take a trip down memory lane. From the very first broadcast from Los Angeles, in 1949, to Bill Cosby's historical win, in 1966, the Emmys makes for a night to remember, celebrating shows like "I Love Lucy," "The Sopranos" and everything in between.
  Watch the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards, hosted by Seth Meyers, Monday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. EST on NBC.
  The 1st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in 1949
  NBC via Getty Images
• Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz attend the 1957 Emmys
  Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
• Bill Cosby celebrates his monumental Emmy win for "I Spy" in 1966
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Barbra Streisand wins for "My Name is Barbra" in 1965
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Mary Tyler Moore gets a kiss from Alan Alda at 1974 Emmys
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Robin Williams and John Ritter at the 1979 Emmys
  Ron Galella via Getty Images
• Isabel Sanford wins Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at 1981 Emmys
  Ron Galella via Getty Images
• "Dynasty" stars pose at the 1984 Emmys
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Ted Danson celebrates his win at 1990 Emmys
  Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
• "Seinfeld" wins Outstanding Comedy Series award at 1993 Emmys
  Jeff Kravitz via Getty Images
• "Friends" stars Jennifer Aniston and Matthew Perry attend 1995 Emmys
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• James Gandolfini wins for Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2000
  LUCY NICHOLSON via Getty Images
• "West Wing" wins Best Dramatic Series award at 2000 Emmys
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Ellen DeGeneres hosts the 2001 Emmys
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Sarah Jessica Parker wins Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at 2004 Emmys
  Albert L. Ortega via Getty Images
• Host Conan O'Brien and comedian Bob Newhart know how to keep speeches short at 2006 Emmys
  ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Bryan Cranston wins Best Actor award at 2008 Emmys
  Kevin Winter via Getty Images
• "Modern Family" cast celebrates 2010 Emmys win
  NBC via Getty Images
• Comedy's queens unite onstage, waiting to hear Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy winner in 2011
  Phil McCarten/Invision/AP
• Tina Fey and Amy Poehler at the 2013 Emmys
  Michael Tran via Getty Images

More:

Television Emmys Photos Emmy Awards Photos Emmy Awards Emmy Awards Through the Years Emmys 2014 Emmy Awards 2014 Emmy Awards Emmys Through the Years

USGS: 6.0 earthquake shakes Northern California

SONOMA, Calif. (AP) - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.0 struck California's northern San Francisco Bay area early Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
The earthquake struck just before 3:30 a.m. about 10 miles northwest of American Canyon, which is about 6 miles southwest of Napa, in California wine country, Leslie Gordon of the U.S. Geological Survey said.
It's the largest earthquake to shake the Bay Area since the 6.9 magnitude Loma Prieta quake in 1989, the USGS said.
The shaking set off car alarms and had residents of neighboring Sonoma County running out of their houses in the middle of night. Officials say widespread power outages have been report in Sonoma County.
A member of Napa County dispatch tells The Associated Press that there has been one report of structural damage, but additional details weren't immediately available.
"It was a rolling quake, said Oakland resident Rich Lieberman. "It started very much like a rolling sensation and just got progressively worse in terms of length. Not so much in terms of shaking, but it did shake. It felt like a side-to-side kind of rolling sensation. Nothing violent but extremely lengthy and extremely active."
The USGS says the depth of the earthquake was just less than seven miles, and numerous small aftershocks have occurred in the Napa wine country.
"A quake of that size in a populated area is of course widely felt throughout that region," said Randy Baldwin, a geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado, "The 6.0 is a sizeable quake for this area. It's a shallow quake. It's about 6 miles deep. We received hundreds of reports on our website from people that felt it in the surrounding area."
There was no immediate report of injuries.

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/24/usgs-6-0-earthquake-shakes-northern-california/20951603/?ncid=webmail1

Video shows woman remarkably getting up after bus strikes her

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Startling video was released Wednesday that shows a woman getting up and walking off after a bus hit her downtown. The accident is being investigated, but an ATA spokeswoman said it appeared a passenger distracted the bus driver.
Flashing ambulance lights added to the already, hectic scene in busy downtown Kansas City Tuesday afternoon. The ambulance was there for a woman had been smacked into by a MAX bus on the Troost route. Portions of the video show the bus striking the woman as she crossed 9th Street at Walnut.
Surprisingly, she's able to get up and walk over to grab what we're told was her cellphone. Video also shows several bystanders stop to help her.
'We checked the woman to makes sure she was okay. She was bleeding really bad from the back of her head, and the bus driver didn't seem like he was really even worried about it," Travon Miller said.
A witness who was riding that bus told FOX 4 he was able to see the victim, even though the driver likely wasn't.
"The operator was distracted by a passenger who had come forward to ask a question," ATA spokeswoman Cindy Baker said.
Indeed that's what the video shows, if you watch you can see a passenger walk up to the driver, just seconds before the bus made impact with the victim. However, this crash is still being looked into.
"Drug testing is one, substance abuse testing is just automatic protocol, the surveillance video will also be part of that assessment," Baker explained.
As the investigation continues, Baker says fortunately the outcome wasn't worse.
"Thankfully the operator was traveling at a very slow speed, or I think this accident could have been much worse," she said. "I was pleased to see that she was walking around after the incident."
Though the victim was walking and talking after the crash, she was taken to the hospital. No update has been given about her condition.

Hundreds of customers pay it forward at Fla. Starbucks

People in St. Petersburg, Florida, were clearly in a kind mood all day Wednesday.

378 customers at a Starbucks drive-thru paid for the drink ordered by the person behind them in line -- and a few of the customers even came back later in the afternoon to see if the chain was still going.

Tampa Bay Times spoke with Tim Burnside, who came back in to order another drink. He told the publication, "It's nice just to do a random act of kindness for someone you don't know."

The chain went on nearly all day, beginning at 7 a.m. and ending around 6 p.m. when the 379th customer in line declined to keep the chain going. The baristas had apparently started to try to figure out a plan for what to do if the line kept going until 10 when the store closed. That last lady really killed it for 'em.

We've heard this story before. From Detroit, where about 50 customers paid for one another's orders, to Seattle, where almost 500 customers joined in the fun, people have paid it forward at several of Starbucks' many coffee joints around the country.

We've found an even longer chain in the U.S., though.

Over five days last December, 1,468 people paid for one another's drinks at a Starbucks in Newington, Connecticut.

"I just think it's cool that total strangers are willing to say, 'Hey, I'm gonna pay for the car behind me,'" one customer said.

In China, one pay-it-forward chain at Starbucks went on for more than 19,000 -- yes 19 with a thousand -- people.

Why Starbucks?

Well, first of all, it has over 20,500 stores across the world, so the chances of having a store in your city is pretty good.

Second, people worldwide drink about 2.25 billion cups of coffee every day, according to PBS -- and The Richest says that Starbucks serves 40 million of those coffee-loving people each week.

The coffee giant had even gotten behind the movement and created a pay-it-forward campaign, offering to give customers a free coffee if they paid for the person behind them. The campaign went through October 2013, and perhaps it got people feeling generous.

We'll drink to that.

This video contains an image from Getty Images.

Céline Dion 'Trying to Stay Positive' as She Helps Husband Heal, Friend Says

Those close to Céline Dion were not shocked to learn the singer decided to postpone all of her show business activities indefinitely to care for her husband, René Angélil.

"They are each other's lives," friend Robin Leach tells PEOPLE of Dion, 46, and Angélil, 72, who currently reside in Las Vegas with their three children, René Charles, 13, and fraternal twins Eddy and Nelson, 3. "He and her family come first and she's always made that clear."

Leach adds that Dion had been contemplating an extended leave ever since Angélil underwent surgery in December to remove a cancerous tumor from his throat.

"René was making great progress and was out and about," Leach says. But the recovery process remains ongoing.

"Last time I saw him, he was very thin and frail," she adds. "Céline had to take a step back, and her decision is a realization that you have to hold onto everything while you've got it."

But when it comes to Angélil's prognosis, the family is "trying to stay positive," an insider says. "They're optimistic. "

Islamic State: 10 Things We Know About James Foley's Left-Handed 'British' Killer

As horror turned to anger at the callous murder of US journalist James Foley, intelligence services are compiling information on his killer, who is believed to be a British jihadi.
Early clues from the gruesome footage suggest that the Islamic State (IS) extremist - referred to in the video as 'John' - is from London and is left-handed.
It was revealed in the aftermath of Foley's beheading, which was filmed and distributed on social media, that US President Barack Obama sent troops to Syria this summer to rescue a number of Americans being held hostage, including Foley because they believed they had identified the location where the hostages were being held.
But the several dozen special operations troops who were dropped by aircraft into Syria did not find them and engaged in a firefight with IS militants before departing. The officials said a number of militants, but no Americans, were killed. One American suffered a minor injury when an aircraft was hit.
Information is scarce about the identity of the man the Sun newspaper dubbed the "Ali G jihadi". But here's what we do know:
 A former hostage, who was held for a year in the Syrian town of Raqqa, has told the Guardian that the killer was the ringleader of a trio of UK-born extremists the captives nicknamed "The Beatles" because of their nationality
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/james-foley-british-killer_n_5697149.html?ncid=webmail19

Farmer's Almanac Predicts 'Super-Cold' Winter, More Snow In Eastern U.S.

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The Old Farmer's Almanac, the familiar, 223-year-old chronicler of climate, folksy advice and fun facts, is predicting a colder winter and warmer summer for much of the nation.

Published Wednesday, the New Hampshire-based almanac predicts a "super-cold" winter in the eastern two-thirds of the country. The west will remain a little bit warmer than normal.
"Colder is just almost too familiar a term," Editor Janice Stillman said. "Think of it as a refriger-nation." More bad news for those who can't stand snow: Most of the Northeast is expected to get more snowfall than normal, though it will be below normal in New England.
Before unpacking the parka, however, remember that "colder than average" is still only about 2 to 5 degrees difference.
Some other regional highlights:
- Florida's winter could be rainier than most years while other locales in the Southeast and central states will see less rain.
- Summer will be warmer than usual in most places while a drop in rainfall in the country's midsection could hurt crop yields.
- Despite some winter downpours in the west, the almanac says California's drought will likely continue.
- Hurricane season isn't expected to be especially active though a major storm could hit the Gulf Coast in late August.
For loyal readers of an almanac that also tracks to the minute every sunrise and sunset for the year, the timing of this year's publication may come as a surprise. Normally, it hits the stands in mid-September. In recent years, its younger cousin, the Maine-based Farmer's Almanac, has published in August and a competition of sorts has emerged, though Stillman said it had nothing to do with the earlier drop date.
"We've found that folks want the almanac as soon as the issue is done up, right as the growing season is done," she said. "It's also time to order oil, wood, salt for roads. We've had so many inquiries we just decided to get it into people's hands earlier."
The almanac, which has about an 80 percent success rate in its forecasts, employs modern technology but still uses the "secret formula" that founder Robert Thomas devised in 1792. By combining the study of sunspots, prevailing weather patterns and basic meteorology, the almanac's weather staff comes up with a long-range forecast. The temperature deviations are based on 30-year averages compiled by government forecasters.
The almanac also provides advice on planting, astronomy, food, love and trends.

Money falls off armored truck after cash pick-up

More bad news for the doomed Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. More than $20,000 has gone missing after falling off the roof of an armored truck that had picked up cash from the soon-to-be-closed resort.

Surveillance footage confirms a Garda World armored vehicle arrived at revel the morning of August 6h for a cash pickup, but the truck pulled away with the bag of money sitting on the roof. The bag can be seen in surveillance footage from subsequent pick-ups, so it's unclear exactly when the cash fell off the garda truck.

A spokesman for Garda released a statement saying, "We are cooperating with the authorities in investigating this incident and cannot provide any additional details."

The casino has not released a statement.
This is just the latest blow to Revel, the $2.4B casino and hotel announced earlier this month that they would be closing their doors September 2nd after just two years because of a number of financial issues. They hope that by closing, their ability to find a buyer for the property will improve.

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/20/money-falls-off-armored-truck-after-cash-pick-up/20949873/?ncid=webmail32

Taylor Swift is being accused of perpetuating racial stereotypes

Taylor Swift is being accused of perpetuating racial stereotypes, but just how fair are those allegations?

The 24 year old singer released a music video for her latest single "Shake It Off" on Monday, in which Swift makes herself the butt of the joke during various dances like ballet and hip hop, and it's butts that are causing some to say the video is offensive.

In one section of the video, Swift stands among a number of dancers who are twerking. This led to rapper Earl Sweatshirt to tweet, "Perpetuating black stereotypes to the same demographic of white girls who hide their prejudice by proclaiming their love of the culture."

But it's his first tweet that is probably even more interesting. He posted,"Haven't watched the Taylor Swift video and I don't need to watch it to tell you that it's inherently offensive and ultimately harmful."

Maybe he should have watched it before accusing someone of being racist. The New York Times' Brian Seibert wrote, "[If] Earl Sweatshirt had bothered to watch the video before commenting, he might have noticed the carefully placed black faces among the cheerleaders, the contemporary dancers and the regular people, and also the trashy white women among the twerkers. For him to have accused Ms. Swift of racism without watching the video is as unjust as if she had accused him of misogyny without first listening to his tracks."

The only moment in the entire video where the dancers aren't a mix of races is the ballet dance, so if you have to force a race argument, that's it. The joke of "Shake It Off" has nothing to do with race, it's that no matter what Swift does, she always catches flack.

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/20/taylor-swift-is-accused-of-perpetuating-racial-stereotypes/20950047/?ncid=webmail9

NFL wants Super Bowl halftime performers to pay them?

By Reva Friedel
Awful Announcing

The Super Bowl halftime show has been quite the hot topic ever since Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction during the 2003 contest. Since then, the NFL has picked its performers with kiddie gloves and added double sided tape to the list of wardrobe requirements. Well, now the league is adding something new: pay it forward.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the NFL is asking the three finalists for the next halftime show to donate post Super Bowl earnings to the league. The finalists include Coldplay (is it still 2005?), Rihanna (would she be sober enough to care?) and Katy Perry (can she trick Russell Brand into paying for her?).
The performers do it for free because of the exposure (literally and figuratively of course), but it's not like the NFL doesn't already have enough money. Why are they asking for more? Pro Football Talk makes an interesting point:
"And it's entirely possible that the league leaked the development in order to pressure one of the three to blink, given that plenty of other performers who would gladly give up a piece of a pie they otherwise don't have will now be calling the league to offer whatever the league wants for the privilege of playing to one of the biggest audiences in TV history."

 http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/20/NFL-superbowl-halftime-pay/20949877/?ncid=webmail32

Student claims her "bless you" caused suspension

The superintendent of Dyer County Schools hasn't commented on exactly happened, but some of Newbern's residents are more than eager to share their opinions.
One of them is Thomas Autry.
"I do it all the time, right. My wife sneezes at home and I say, 'bless you,'" said Autry.
Autry heard about the alleged "bless you" incident while he was on vacation in Indiana.
"And they were talking about it in Indiana. About the girl saying, 'bless you' when somebody sneezed and they suspended her for it. And that's ridiculous," said Autry.
On the website momdot.com, Kendra Turner tells her side of the story in which she said "bless you" to a student in keyboarding class, after the student sneezed.
According to Turner, who is a senior, she was reprimanded by the teacher, who said, "We will not have Godly speaking in my class."
Turner said she then told the teacher that her pastor said she had a "Constitutional right ... First Amendment Freedom of Speech."
Turner said she was sent to the office and suspended from the keyboarding class.
While the Dyer County Schools superintendent has not commented on the alleged incident, we were told there is a strict policy in the keyboarding classroom against "outbursts," including saying "bless you" when someone sneezes.
We're told the policy is in place to assure students are not distracted, especially during tests.
David Nicholson, who lives in Newbern, said he's waiting to hear the school's version of what happened, but for now thinks the student was treated unfairly .
"Oh no. She should not have been suspended for it at all. If anything, the common courtesy back would be just like, 'thank you.' Not, 'hey you're suspended,'" said David Nicholson.
We are still waiting for a response from the Dyer County Schools superintendent.

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/20/student-claims-her-bless-you-caused-suspension/20949802/?ncid=webmail8

Global warming will soon resume, scientists say

By RYAN GORMAN

A new study has scientists concerned that the recent slowing of global warming is only temporary and that temperatures are poised to resume dramatically rising.

Researchers cited lower-than-expected sun irradiance and fluctuations in the El Niño/La Niña cycles in the Pacific Ocean for the departure, but found both are expected to soon return to expected levels.

Researchers from ETH Zurich found that longer than normal solar cycles have led to lower than expected temperatures as a result of a weaker sun, according to the results of the study published in Science Daily.

Sun irradiance greatly affects the Earth's climate. It has been lower since the turn of the century than climate change models expected, partially explaining the lack of rising temperatures.

Sun spot cycles previously lasted 11 years but have, for an unknown reason, lasted 13 years during a period of weak irradiance. A number of volcanic eruptions have also launched significant amounts pollution into the air, further diluting the sun's effects on the planet, the study found.

Also possibly playing a role are the El Niño warming and La Niña cooling cycles in the Pacific Ocean, according to the team.

"1998 was a strong El Niño year, which is why it was so warm that year," said Reto Knutti, Professor of Climate Physics at ETH Zurich.

Significant gains in global warming science were made at the end of the last century, and many predictions were based on upward trending temperatures during the 1990s.

Knutti explained that the models did not take a strong La Niña in recent years coupled with lower sun irradiance joining forces to keep temperatures stable into account.

This combination is only a speed bump in the climate change steamroller.The models look deep into the future and do not account for these fluctuations.

"Short-term climate fluctuations can easily be explained," said Knutti. "They do not alter the fact that the climate will become considerably warmer in the long term as a result of greenhouse gas emissions

 http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/20/global-warming-will-soon-resume-scientists-say/20949948/?ncid=webmail5

National Group to Kroger: No More Guns in Stores

Grocery store giant Kroger is the biggest supermarket chain in America. But after numerous incidents involving gun rights advocates carrying firearms in its stores, a national group called Moms Demand Action has asked it to reexamine its position--and policies--on gun control.

"Kroger is an essential part of American moms' lives. When we take our kids to the supermarket to buy groceries each week, we expect to be safe and secure," Moms Demand Action founder Shannon Watts said in a statement. "We support the Second Amendment and responsible gun ownership, but ignoring incidences of gun violence in and around stores and allowing [gun rights] demonstrators to open carry loaded weapons through the same aisles that our children pick out their favorite cereals is unacceptable." The group's campaign, which asks the retailer to prohibit customers from bringing firearms into their businesses, was sparked by a photo of a Texas open carry group member wielding a long gun in a Kroger store. While MDA has successfully gotten several other retailers to change their gun policies, including Target, Chipotle, and Jack in the Box, Kroger remains unswayed.

"We don't want to put our associates in a position of having to confront a customer who is legally carrying a gun," the retailer said in a statement Monday. "That is why our long-standing policy on this issue is to follow state and local laws and to ask customers to be respectful of others while shopping."

The campaign takes issue with open carry groups, which have used Kroger stores as a site for gun rights demonstrations in which weapons are openly carried during shopping. In a statement, they also cited 16 shootings that have taken place at Kroger stores in the last two years, including an episode in which a woman fatally shot her husband in a Kroger parking lot before also shooting herself.

"As a mom, I can't trust that everybody who's carrying a gun got that gun safely or responsibly and is going to be able to use it in a really responsible way," Karen Hillis-Skipper, a member of MDA, told WLWT.

The open carry groups on the other side of the debate have been firm in their opposition to MDA's proposal, although their methods--like a video in which members bought assault rifles into a Chili's--have proven controversial even among gun rights groups.

"If a business prevents the carrying of firearms into their establishment, millions of gun owners simply take their business elsewhere," Open Carry Texas said in a statement. "We hope that Moms Demand Action and other gun control groups would do the same."

MDA has released a petition asking Kroger to reverse its stance.
http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2014/08/19/kroger-gun-policy-moms-demand-action/?ncid=webmail6

Fantasy Football 2014 rankings and stat projections: Quarterbacks

Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees are all at the helm of potent, pass-heavy offenses and all bring the consistency that fantasy owners so value. But if you miss them, there's also value to be had in the No. 9 to No. 13 range.
POSITION PRIMERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | DST
In short, a passing renaissance has increased the value on both ends of the starting class of quarterbacks, while putting the squeeze on the guys in between.
Find all our quarterback fantasy rankings -- as well as stat projections -- below. The rankings are based on standard-scoring leagues, awarding one point for 10 rushing and receiving yards, one point for 25 passing yards, six points for rushing and receiving touchdowns, and four points for passing touchdowns

 http://www.si.com/fantasy/2014/08/05/fantasy-football-2014-rankings-stat-projections-quarterbacks?xid=aol_home&ncid=webmail21

Police deploy tear gas to impose Ferguson curfew

By DAVID A. LIEB and JIM SALTER

FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) - The first night of a state-imposed curfew in Ferguson, Missouri, ended with tear gas and arrests of some protesters, but it wasn't the curfew violation that precipitated the confrontation.
A team of officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, St. Louis city and county police moved armored vehicles down the street of the St. Louis suburb just after the midnight curfew Sunday. It turned out the timing was coincidental, said patrol Capt. Ron Johnson.
Police received a report that people broke into Red's Barbecue and some were on the roof - creating a potential danger for officers trying to disperse the protesters. Police were responding to that report - not the fact that protesters were still on the street after curfew, Johnson said.
Things got worse when a man with a handgun went into the street as police were nearing the restaurant. He ran away, but there was plenty of violence.
A man was shot and critically wounded in the same area. Police were searching for the shooter. Someone shot at a police car - it wasn't clear if it was hit.
"I was disappointed in the actions of tonight," Johnson said.
Police used smoke and tear gas on protesters who refused to move back, essentially ending the confrontation nearly an hour after the midnight curfew. Seven people were arrested for failure to disperse.
Saturday marked a week since a white Ferguson officer, Darren Wilson, shot and killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on Aug. 9. The shooting ignited racial tension in the mostly-black suburb and has led to looting and several run-ins between police and protesters.
As the curfew deadline arrived Sunday, remaining protesters - chanting "No justice! No curfew!" - refused to leave the area. And as five armored tactical vehicles approached the crowd, officers spoke through a loudspeaker: "You are in violation of a state-imposed curfew. You must disperse immediately. Failure to comply, may result in arrest."
As officers put on gas masks, a chant from the distant crowd emerged: "We have the right to assemble peacefully."
A moment later, police began firing canisters into the crowd of protesters.
Highway Patrol Spokesman Lt. John Hotz initially said police only used smoke, but later told The Associated Press that they also fired tear gas canisters. He said of police efforts: "Obviously, we're trying to give them every opportunity to comply with the curfew."
Jayson Ross, who was leading the protesters toward police before the canisters were fired, said: "They got guns. We got guns. We are ready."
The unrest between police and protesters came after Gov. Jay Nixon on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Ferguson.
Nixon's curfew announcement came after tensions again flared in Ferguson late Friday night. Earlier that day, local police identified the officer who shot Brown as Darren Wilson and released documents and video footage alleging that Brown had robbed a convenience store just before he was shot. Police said Wilson was unaware Brown was a suspect when he encountered him walking in the street with a friend.
In announcing the curfew, Nixon said that though many protesters were making themselves heard peacefully, the state would not allow looters to endanger the community.
"I am committed to making sure the forces of peace and justice prevail," Nixon said during a press conference at a church that was interrupted repeatedly by people objecting to the curfew and demanding that the officer who shot Brown be charged with murder.
"We must first have and maintain peace. This is a test. The eyes of the world are watching," Nixon said. "We cannot allow the ill will of the few to undermine the good will of the many."
State statute gives the governor broad powers when he declares a state of emergency, but he hasn't indicated that he plans to do anything other than imposing the curfew and empowering the state highway patrol to enforce it.
Meanwhile, Nixon said the U.S. Department of Justice is beefing up its civil rights investigation of the shooting.
Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson, who is in charge of security in Ferguson, said 40 FBI agents were going door-to-door in the neighborhood starting Saturday, talking to people who might have seen or have information about the shooting.
Johnson on Saturday said police would not enforce the curfew with armored trucks and tear gas but would communicate with protesters and give them ample opportunity to leave. Local officers faced strong criticism earlier in the week for their use of tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters. Johnson said one tear gas canister was deployed Friday night after the group of rioters became unruly and several officers got trapped and injured.
Brown's death had already ignited several days of clashes with furious protesters. Tensions eased Thursday after Nixon turned oversight of the protests over to the Missouri Highway Patrol. Gone were the police in riot gear and armored vehicles, replaced by the new patrol commander who personally walked through the streets with demonstrators. But Friday night marked a resurgence of unrest.
On Saturday, some residents said it appeared the violent acts were being committed by people who came from other suburbs or states.
Wilson, the officer who shot Brown, is a six-year police veteran who had no previous complaints against him, the local police chief has said.
The Ferguson Police Department has refused to say anything about Wilson's whereabouts, and Associated Press reporters were unable to contact him at any addresses or phone numbers listed under that name in the St. Louis area.
Wilson has been on paid administrative leave since the shooting. St. Louis County prosecutor Bob McCulloch said it could be weeks before the investigation wraps up.

http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/17/police-deploy-tear-gas-to-impose-ferguson-curfew/20948063/?ncid=webmail15

'Candid Camera': Sloppy drone delivery shocks home owner

The drone dropped off his mail, but it landed all over the lawn in a heap. The mailman said, "That's perfect though because it's in your yard."
Luckily, the man was cracking up once he found out it was a joke and that he was on the national television.
Fans on Twitter were loving the segment too, some saying though that there's nothing funny about drone delivery, people would love that.
As Flavorwire notes, a fresh, new version of "Candid Camera" is back with hosts Peter Runt, the son of the original show's creator and host, Allen Funt and Mayim Bailik from the popular TV sitcom, "The Big Bang Theory."
To check it out for yourself, "Candid Camera" airs Tuesday nights at 8/7c on TV Land.


http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/15/candid-camera-sloppy-drone-delivery-shocks-home-owner/20947609/?ncid=webmail8

J.C. Penney turnaround continues apace as shoppers begin to return

The retail chain’s strong sales gains have lifted its gross profit margin and cash holdings, signaling its turnaround is working.

Looks like “back to the future” is working for J.C. Penney JCP -2.46% .
The department store chain reported on Thursday that comparable sales rose 6% last quarter, beating Wall Street expectations. The results show that its strategy of going back to a heavy roster of promotional events and bringing back and expanding its own in-house brands is working to help it win back shoppers. Penney inadvertently chased away customers when it unsuccessfully tried in 2012 under former CEO Ron Johnson to get fancier and ditch coupons and sales events.
The retailer expects a similar pace of growth in the current quarter, which includes back-to-school.
Perhaps more important, the company, which a year ago was facing a severe cash crunch, said it expects its business to generate more cash than it believed it would earlier this year.
Penney now expects to generate positive cash flow, rather than breaking even as per its earlier forecast, and it now expects to the end the fiscal year that concludes in early February, with $2.1 billion in cash, rather than $2 billion. During the quarter, it generated $76 million more in cash than it used, helping it build its cushion.
“As we approach the completion of our turnaround, we are focused on re-establishing J.C. Penney as the premier shopping destination for the moderate consumer,” CEO Mike Ullman said in a statement, also claiming that Penney is winning back market share. He also said he expect Penney to have a profitable back-to-school season, which the second most important time of year for the chain, after the holiday season.
Penney shares rose 5.4% after hours after jumping 4% during regular hours, and are above the $10 mark for the first time since November.
Ullman, who returned in April 2013 to fix Penney after serving as CEO from 2004 to 2011, did not participate on the conference call with Wall Street analysts after the results were released because he is recovering from an unspecified surgical procedure, the company said. Penney is currently looking for a successor for him.
While it was Penney’s third straight quarter of growth, sales remain well below pre-Johnson levels. His failed experiment led to a 30% revenue fall over two years. And one potential source of concern was traffic continued to fall last quarter.
Things have improved since Ullman gave even more floor space to popular house brands that Johnson had dumped, such as St. John’s Bay and reverted to Penney’s promotional tactics. Penney also ditched brands such as Joe Fresh and Michael Graves that failed to catch on with shoppers but which had been the centerpiece of Johnson’s strategy. Penney is done clearing out all that unsold Johnson-ordered merchandise and, with that merchandise now a distant memory, Penney’s gross margin rose 6.4 percentage points to 36% of sales, getting close to the 39% level the retailer used to hit regularly.
Another promising development for Penney last quarter was a 16.7% rise in e-commerce sales, the result of Ullman re-integrating the planning and buying teams for both the online business and the stores.
Penney’s relatively strong performance comes at a time other retailers are struggling. Wal-Mart Stores WMT -0.66% and Macy’s M -0.67% each lowered their forecasts this week and spoke of a still reticent consumer, while Kohl’s KSS -0.05% reported a decline in comparable sales.
For the first quarter ended August 2, Penney reported a net loss of $172 million, or 56 cents per share, compared with a loss of $586 million, or $2.66 per share, a year earlier. Excluding certain items, Penney had an adjusted loss of 75 cents per share during the quarter, while Wall Street was expecting a loss of 90 cents.

Jermaine Jackson: 'Michael Would Die Over Again If He Heard What They Were Doing' (VIDEO)

It's been five years since Michael Jackson passed away, but new songs are still being released from the late music icon. On Wednesday, his posthumous music video for "A Place With No Name" debuts in Times Square, but that isn't the first time the world has seen and heard "Michael" perform after his death. At the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, a Michael Jackson hologram took the stage, moonwalking amid pyrotechnics and singing in a "live" performance.
Michael's older brother Jermaine hadn't been watching that awards ceremony, but heard about the hologram from his son Jaafar. "He called me and he said, 'Dad, did you see what they did to Uncle Michael?'" Jermaine tells Oprah during a sit-down for "Oprah: Where Are They Now?". "He said, 'It didn't even look like him, it didn't move like him. It seemed like it was a body double.'"
When Jermaine saw Michael's hologram for himself, he agreed. "It's not good," he says in the above video, shaking his head.

Not only was it strange for Jermaine and his family to see the hologram, but hearing it was uncomfortable too. During the performance, Michael's hologram sang new, unreleased songs that the King of Pop had worked on prior to his death. The same week that the Billboard Music Awards aired, an album of Michael's unfinished songs, which was recorded years before his death, was also released. And now, music videos are debuting.
Jermaine says these new sounds are completely unfamiliar to him. "What I'm hearing is not Michael -- at all," he tells Oprah. "I'll just say this: If Michael wanted this stuff out, he would have put it out. Bottom line."
He goes on to say that Michael himself would have never approved of the new music. "To put all these hip-hop beats to it... Michael would die over again if he heard what they were doing," Jermaine says.

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/13/jermaine-jackson-michael-music_n_5675108.html?ncid=webmail15

LAPD Shoots, Kills Black Man During 'Investigative Stop'

The Los Angeles Police Department shot and killed a black man in South L.A. on Monday.
Police conducted an "investigative stop" in the Newton area around 8:20 p.m., according to a news release from the LAPD. "During the stop a struggle ensued, which resulted in an officer-involved-shooting. It is unknown if the suspect has any gang affiliations," the release continues. "The suspect was transported to a local hospital and after lifesaving efforts he succumbed to his injuries."
A woman claiming to be the deceased man's mother called KTLA and identified the man as Ezell Ford. Tritobia Ford said her son was lying on the ground and complying with the officers when he was shot three times.

An unnamed man who claimed to be Ezell Ford's cousin also spoke with KTLA.
“They laid him out and for whatever reason, they shot him in the back, knowing mentally, he has complications. Every officer in this area, from the Newton Division, knows that — that this child has mental problems,” he said. “The excessive force … there was no purpose for it. The multiple shootings in the back while he’s laying down? No. Then when the mom comes, they don’t try to console her … they pull the billy clubs out.”
Officer Jane Kim, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Police Department, said a vigil had been scheduled for Tuesday night in response to the incident, according to USA Today.
No officers were injured during the incident, according to the LAPD. The Force Investigation Division is set to investigate.
The shooting comes just days after the shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was fatally shot by a police officer in the St. Louis suburb on Saturday, Aug. 9. He was unarmed. Dorian Johnson, who was walking with Brown before the shooting occurred, claimed Brown was retreating from the officer with his hands up when he was shot, CNN reported. Ferguson police, however, say a "physical confrontation" occurred prior to this.
Looting and unrest has rocked the neighborhood in the days following Brown's death. At least four people, including two police officers, have been hurt and 47 arrested in the aftermath of the shooting, according to St. Louis' KMOV.

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/13/lapd-shoot-kill-ezell-ford_n_5674679.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Robin Williams Once Secretly Fulfilled A Dying Girl's Wish

Since Robin Williams’ passing on Monday, there has been no shortage of inspiring stories to help mourners honor the late actor.
But one particularly poignant event in the beloved comedian’s life was kept a secret, until now.
Back in 2004, the "Good Will Hunting" star arranged through the Make-A-Wish Foundation to meet with Jessica Cole, a young Greensboro, North Carolina, girl who was dying from brain cancer at the time, WFMY News reported.

Her final wish was to meet Williams -- her "hero" -- whom she particularly loved because of his role in “Mrs. Doubtfire.”
But when Jessica became too sick to travel to California to meet the Academy Award winner, he wouldn’t backtrack on his promise. He chartered a private plane, and they spent an afternoon playing cards and watching football.
"He acted like he had known her forever," Mark Cole, Jessica’s father, told the news outlet. "He was a lot of fun to be with."
Jessica passed away two months later.
Though this specific story is first making its rounds now, it was well-known that supporting sick kids was one of Williams' passion points.
The comedian was a long-time advocate for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. He often visited young patients and surprised others in the hallways, MS News Now reported.
To help the organization raise funds, he got involved in their holiday campaigns. Last year, he appeared in a fundraising video with a girl named Darcy who was battling an inoperable brain tumor.
"Today the world lost an iconic man and entertainer, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital lost an incredible friend and supporter," the organization said in a statement on Monday. "His humor brought bright smiles and laughter to our patients and families and his generosity deeply touched the hearts of all who knew him."

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/13/robin-williams-make-a-wish_n_5676515.html?ncid=webmail2

School may have closed, padlocked doors without notifying teachers, parents

She said, "There has been no official notice." Now, 600 students will have to find other schools. The teacher adds, "The hard part is there are a lot of wait lists for a lot of the open enrollment."

HLN reports, "The parents don't know how they're going to enroll their kids now because the student records are still locked up at the school."
We checked VLT Academy's website, which still notes it's enrolling students for the 2014-15 school year. The phone number listed is disconnected.
Perhaps the problem stems from a legal issue the school is facing. Ohio state law requires charter schools to have a sponsor. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports VLT's former sponsor -- Educational Resource Consultants -- recently opted not to renew its contract, citing "poor academics and financial issues."
No other sponsors jumped on board. The school's Superintendent Valerie Lee thinks there's another reason the academy couldn't track down a new sponsor.
"Lee said the Ohio Department of Education pressured other sponsors not to take on the school. The state can't directly close charter schools unless they perform so poorly that they trigger Ohio's academic closure laws. So the state is instead cracking down on charter school sponsors."
In July, a judge ordered the Ohio Department of Education to sponsor VLT and fork over nearly $300,000. But it was later appealed, and the judge issued a stay. The department wrote that decisions meant it wouldn't have to sponsor the "poor performing community school."
That statement makes the state's opinion very clear. Because the stay was issued, assets froze and debts reportedly mounted.
According to WCPO, three companies are now suing VLT because the school's rent wasn't paid. That case will be in court August 18.
Lee says she had no choice but to close, but she didn't give a reason why teachers and parents weren't informed.

Judge: Teen to be tried as adult in teacher death

By PHILIP MARCELO
BOSTON (AP) - A teenager accused of raping and killing his math teacher on high school grounds lost his bid Tuesday to be tried as a minor.
Philip Chism, who is now 15, is charged with robbery, rape and murder in the attack on Colleen Ritzer, 24, at Danvers High School in October 2013. At the time, he was a 14-year-old freshman who had recently moved from Tennessee.
Chism's attorney, Denise Regan, argued in court Tuesday that the state's youthful offender law, which requires minors 14 years of age and over charged with murder be automatically tried as adults, violates her client's constitutional rights of "equal protection, due process, fundamental fairness and freedom from cruel or unusual punishment."
"Massachusetts is an outlier in its mandatory harsh treatment of juveniles," she said. "There is no discretion involved."
Regan also argued that there is no reason for Chism to be tried as an adult, since juvenile courts can hand down life sentences. "The reason why a 14-year-old is in adult court is to stigmatize him," she said. "There is no other rational basis to do it."
Essex County Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall countered that if tried and convicted in the juvenile system, Chism could be eligible for parole before he turns 30. "That's the reality of what we are dealing with here," she said.
MacDougall said Chism is accused of "one of the most heinous and brutal murders that a person could possibly commit."
In court papers, prosecutors wrote that Chism had followed Ritzer into the girl's bathroom after school, raped her and "repeatedly asphyxiated her before or while assaulting her with a box cutter."
He then put her mutilated body in a recycling bin and dumped it in the woods, prosecutors said. He took Ritzer's cellphone, which he destroyed, and her wallet, which he used a credit card from to buy fast food and attend a movie at the mall later that day, they said.
Salem Superior Court Judge Howard Whitehead denied Chism's request to have the youthful offender charges dismissed.
Chism also faces attempted murder and other charges stemming from an assault on a Department of Youth Services worker while in custody earlier this year.

American woman's dead body found inside suitcase in Bali

BALI, Indonesia (AP) - The body of a 62-year-old American woman was found stuffed inside a suitcase on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, and authorities on Wednesday arrested her daughter and her daughter's boyfriend in relation to the death, police said.
The suitcase containing Sheila von Wiese-Mack's body was found Tuesday inside the trunk of a taxi parked in front of the St. Regis Bali Resort in the island's upscale Nusa Dua area, said Col. Djoko Hari Utomo, the police chief in Bali's capital, Denpasar.
Von Wiese-Mack's 19-year-old daughter, Heather Mack, and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Tommy Schaefer, were arrested Wednesday morning at a hotel in Bali's Kuta area, about 10 kilometers (6 miles) away, Utomo said.
Both were being questioned but were refusing to talk until being joined by attorneys, he said.
The U.S. Embassy in Jakarta confirmed that von Wiese-Mack's body had been found, but did not give details.
Utomo said that Mack and Schaefer had hired the taxi and then placed the suitcase inside the car's trunk. The two then told the taxi driver that they were going to check out of the hotel and would return, he said, citing the driver, I Ketut Wirjana.
However, after two hours, Mack and Schaefer had not reappeared, Utomo said. Hotel security guards found blood spots on the suitcase, and suggested that Wirjana drive the taxi to the police station. Officers at the station opened the suitcase and discovered the body.
Von Wiese-Mack, from Chicago, and her daughter arrived at the St. Regis on Saturday, while Schaefer checked in on Monday, Utomo said.
CCTV footage shows that the victim had an argument with Schaefer on Monday in the hotel's lobby, he said.
Von Wiese-Mack's body was being autopsied at a hospital in Denpasar.

Unpaid O.J. Simpson civil judgment to be auctioned

NEW YORK (AP) - After waiting 17 years for O.J. Simpson to pay a $9 million wrongful death judgment, Ronald Goldman's mother is selling her right to the cash online.
Sharon Rufo listed the judgment Tuesday on JudgmentMarketplace.com with a $1 million starting price. Bidding continues for 30 days.
Website founder Shawn Porat says the Simpson judgment is now worth $24.7 million after interest is factored in, but that's only if Simpson pays.
The winning bidder takes on the risk of collecting from the financially strapped former football star. He's been in a Nevada prison since 2008 on a robbery and kidnapping conviction.
Simpson has paid little of the $33.5 million he owes from the 1997 civil case. A jury acquitted him in 1995 of killing Goldman and ex-wife Nicole Brown.

John Kerry condemns shocking photo of Australian boy holding severed head of Syrian solder

Sharrouf, 33, also posted a photograph of his three sons posing with him in matching camouflage fatigues and armed with assault rifles and a pistol with an Islamic State flag as their backdrop.
Kerry proposed that the United States and Australia take the issue of foreign fighters to the United Nations next month so that countries could agree on ways to protect themselves from the threat posed by terrorists returning from Syria and Iraq.
"We are going to work together to assemble a compendium of the best practices in the world today," said Kerry, calling for support from both the countries where terrorism occurs and those to where the terrorists travel.
Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop described the severed head photograph as "truly shocking."
"A 7-year-old child is involved in this barbarous display of ideology and they're Australian citizens," she said, referring to the family. "Our fear is that they will return home to Australia as hardened, homegrown terrorists and seek to continue their work in Australia - and it's not a concern just of this country."

Bishop noted that "a significant number" of convicted terrorists would soon be released from Indonesian prisons, raising fears in that country that they will remain radicals.
"It's a shared issue across Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Europe, in Pakistan, in Great Britain, Canada - there are a number of countries across the globe reporting instances of citizens becoming extremist fighters in the Middle East," Bishop said.
Australia last week announced plans to regulate travel to terrorist hotbeds such as Iraq and Syria as part of a raft of counterterrorism measures aimed at addressing the domestic threat posed by Islamic extremists.
Under legislation to be introduced to Parliament in the next few weeks, it would become a criminal offense to travel to designated countries "without a valid reason."
The Australian government estimated in June that 150 Australians have fought with radical militants in Syria and Iraq.
The domestic terrorism threat posed by homegrown jihadists was a focus of annual bilateral talks on Tuesday between Bishop, Kerry, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his Australian counterpart, David Johnston.
Sharrouf used his brother's passport to leave Australia last year. The Australian government had banned him from leaving the country because of the terrorism threat he posed.
He was among nine Muslim men accused in 2007 of stockpiling bomb-making materials and plotting terrorist attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's largest cities.
He pleaded guilty to terrorism offenses and was sentenced in 2009 to four years in prison.
Australian police announced last month that they had arrest warrants for Sharrouf and his companion Mohamed Elomar, another former Sydney resident, for "terrorism-related activity."
They will be arrested if they return to Australia.
The warrants followed photographs being posted on Sharrouf's Twitter account showing Elomar smiling and holding the severed heads of two Syrian soldiers.

Actor Robin Williams death confirmed by Marin County Sheriff's Department

By EMILY CEGIELSKI

According to a press release and confirmed over the phone to AOL, the actor Robin Williams was found dead in his residence Monday afternoon by emergency personnel. A 911 call was recorded at 11:55 a.m., reporting a male adult had been found unconscious and unresponsive at his residence in Tiburon, Calif. The subject was pronounced deceased at 12:02 P.M. and has been identified as Robin Williams. Williams was 63.

An investigation into the death is reportedly underway, according to the Sheriff's Office, but the coroner suspects the death to be suicide due to asphyxia. Officials claim the actor was last seen alive at approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, August 10.

According to Dave Itzkoff of the New York Times, Williams' publicist has confirmed his death, and Williams' wife has released the following statement:

"This morning, I lost my husband and my best friend, while the world lost one of its most beloved artists and beautiful human beings. I am utterly heartbroken. On behalf of Robin's family, we are asking for privacy during our time of profound grief. As he is remembered, it is our hope the focus will not be on Robin's death, but on the countless moments of joy and laughter he gave to million." - Susan Schneider, wife.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Williams' publicist would not confirm that his death was a suicide, but did issue this statement: "Robin Williams passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time."

The Academy Award winner and comedian rose to fame playing the alien Mork in the TV series 'Mork & Mindy' and became well-known for his starring roles in movies such as 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' and 'Jumanj.' Williams won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in 'Good Will Hunting.' He lent his voice to numerous cartoons including 'Aladdin' and 'Happy Feet.'

He recently reprised his role in the third 'Night at the Museum' movie, which is set to be released this December. Fox, the studio behind this film, has issued the following statement: "There really are no words to describe the loss of Robin Williams. He was immensely talented, a cherished member of our community, and part of the Fox family. Our hearts go out to his family, friends and fans. He will be deeply missed."

 http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/11/actor-robin-williams-death-confirmed-by-marin-county-sheriffs-d/20945304/?ncid=webmail6

Life after Manson: Patricia Krenwinkel talks piecing her life together again

 
I vividly remember entering the California Institution for Women for the first time in 2001. As the prison guard slammed the gate behind me, I wondered if I had made the right decision to become a volunteer for an inmate support group. But my nerves were eased by a woman who introduced herself as "Krenny." Welcoming me into the group, she seemed quiet and insecure -- yet also exuded an inner strength. I had no idea how she got here and didn't ask.
It was only several years later, while documenting the support group for a documentary film, "Sin by Silence," that I learned Krenny's full name: Patricia Krenwinkel. I was astounded. She was one of the infamous Charles Manson followers, convicted of seven murders. She eventually approached me to go on camera with her story.
In this Op-Doc video, Ms. Krenwinkel provides her first on-camera interview since 1994, reflecting on her life before and after Manson. This week is the 45th anniversary of her crimes.

In 1969, at age 21, Ms. Krenwinkel was a member of Mr. Manson's cult in Los Angeles. His group, which he called the "Family," included more than a dozen men and women who adhered to a bizarre mixture of hippie culture and apocalyptic paranoia. Seeking to inspire a race war, Manson ordered Ms. Krenwinkel and other members of his group to commit a series of murders. Over the course of two nights, they savagely murdered seven people, inflicting more than 130 stab wounds. One of them, the actress Sharon Tate, was eight and a half months pregnant. At their trial, the women shamelessly admitted their crimes and flaunted their allegiance to a leader they loved, but who clearly controlled their minds.
Over the years, I had gotten to know this woman -- and our many conversations about life, love and politics had revealed slivers of a dark past. But not until her on-camera interview, featured in this Op-Doc, did I fully comprehend her journey of self-discovery. In prison, she has struggled mightily to reconcile two parts of her life: the 21-year-old girl who committed crimes to win the approval of the man she loved; and the 66-year-old woman who lives each day haunted by the unending suffering she has caused.
Ms. Krenwinkel is now the longest serving woman in the California prison system. She says she takes full responsibility for her actions -- finally, she says, she is a woman she can accept. But is society ready to accept her back? She is next eligible for parole in 2018.

 http://www.aol.com/article/2014/08/05/my-life-after-manson-patricia-krenwinkel-talks-piecing-her-li/20942163/?ncid=webmail3

Michael Strahan & Nicole Murphy -- Breakup Announcement Triggered By 'Proof' Of Other Woman

Nicole Murphy decided to tell the world she had broken up with Michael Strahan -- right when he was entering the Hall of Fame -- because that's when she "confirmed" he was unfaithful.

A source close to the couple tells TMZ ... Nicole first got wind Michael might be dating another woman in early July and started investigating ... the way scorned women do. We're told she was finally convinced it was true on Friday  and immediately decided to go public.

The source did not know the nature of Nicole's proof.

We're told Nicole insists her timing wasn't out of revenge, rather a total coincidence because that's when she knew for sure. It just happened to come precisely when Michael was getting the greatest honor of his career.

Other sources tell us Nicole and Michael have been broken up for several weeks -- and, in fact, their bi-coastal relationship has been on and off for almost 2 years ... since Michael took the 'Live' gig.

Ultimately this may come down to that old "Friends" theory -- but we're told Nicole definitely did NOT think they were "on a break."

Reps for Michael and Nicole have not responded to calls for comment.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2014/08/05/michael-strahan-nicole-murphy-engagement-break-up-cheating-allegation/#ixzz39ZudC8kU

Earnhardt win completes season sweep at Pocono

By DAN GELSTON

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. put a handy twist on his Victory Lane party.
After he popped champagne, was doused in beer and snapped selfies, Earnhardt reached for the appropriate tool for a bash this big.
A broom.
Earnhardt could have used it to clean up the mess around him. But it was much more fun hoisting it high over his head in celebration. He needed it after he completed a season sweep at Pocono Raceway, the third win in a season that has served as a career renaissance for NASCAR's most popular driver.
"Everything about life right now has been great," Earnhardt said.
Earnhardt now holds the No. 1 seed in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship.
The legion of Junior Nation fans roared when Earnhardt stormed ahead of the pack off the final restart with three laps left for the lead. His third win, he also won the Daytona 500, tied him for the most in Sprint Cup this season.
Earnhardt held off the hard-charging Kevin Harvick to become the first driver to sweep both races at the track since Denny Hamlin in 2006.
"It's not a bad spot to be in," Earnhardt said. "But definitely the pressure's on that last restart, when you got Kevin lining up beside you. I knew how confident Kevin was going to be going into turn one and I had to have that same confidence in my car."
He tweeted "Lookin for a broom" last week when he landed in Pocono.
He found one in Victory Lane.
"This group all really enjoys each other," Earnhardt said. "We want to see everybody happy."
They had tons of fun inside the Pocono media center.
Steve Letarte acted hurt when his nameplate didn't have the same three winner's stickers that were on Earnhardt's card. Earnhardt also brought a Make-A-Wish Foundation teen to the podium and made sure he'd have his own namecard and stickers.
"This is my buddy, Chris. Does he get one," Earnhardt said.
They all got their stickers - the same ones applied to the No. 88 Chevrolet.
Earnhardt has his most wins since he won six times in 2004. His three wins are one shy of his combined total from 2005-2013. His win Sunday was the 22nd of a career still without a Cup championship.
Earnhardt and Letarte are clicking in their final season together. Hendrick Motorsports named Greg Ives the crew chief for 2015 once Letarte heads to the broadcast booth.
"I think he's going to make me look bad," Letarte said. "Mr. Hendrick has a remarkable talent of matching drivers with crew chiefs."
Harvick, who clinched a spot in the Chase, was second, followed by Joey Logano, Clint Boywer and Greg Biffle.
Here are five things from Pocono Raceway:
GORDON'S MILESTONES: Jeff Gordon followed his record fifth Brickyard 400 victory with a few more milestones. He just couldn't make it back-to-back wins. Gordon had a strong No. 24 Chevrolet for most of Sunday's race at Pocono Raceway and finished sixth. He led a race-high 63 laps and hit 24,000 career laps led and 1,000 laps led at Pocono. He does hold a 17-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate and winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. Earnhardt, though, would hold the No. 1 seed in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship because he has three wins to Gordon's two. Gordon had his sixth top-10 finish in the last eight races. "It's just so awesome and encouraging and has got my confidence sky high," he said. "I just can't wait to get to the next race."
THE BIG ONE: Dale Earnhardt Jr. had few cars left to hold off on the lead lap after several potential contenders got knocked out. Denny Hamlin triggered a 13-car wreck with 43 laps after he got sideways coming out of a turn. Brian Vickers tried to avoid Hamlin and slammed into Matt Kenseth to send cars all over the track. Tony Stewart's No. 14 Chevrolet rested atop Paul Menard's No. 27 Chevy. Aric Almirola said he slammed on the breaks as hard as he could, but still got "creamed from behind and pushed into the wreck."
TIRE WOES: Danica Patrick hit the wall with a right rear flat and finished 30th. Six-time champion Jimmie Johnson finished outside the top 10 for the fourth straight race. He fell a lap down after his rear right tire smacked the wall, rebounded to run fifth, then a second blown tire forced him to the garage. "It wasn't the best weekend but we still gave ourselves a chance at a win, if not a top five, today and came up a little short," Johnson said.
NEW CHIEF: Denny Hamlin finished ninth in his first race with an interim crew chief. Team engineer Mike Wheeler filled in for the suspended Darian Grubb. Grubb was suspended for six races for rules violations last week at the Brickyard. "He called the race nice," Hamlin said. "Good communication and we were on the same strategy as far as what I was thinking and what he was thinking, so that was good. Pretty seamless for the most part."
YOU AGAIN? Dale Earnhardt Jr. was the fifth straight Hendrick Motorsports driver to win at Pocono. Owner Rick Hendrick was not at the race, though he did talk to his winning driver on the phone on pit road. "I told him thanks for believing in me and making my life better," Earnhardt said. Earnhardt's sweep followed Kasey Kahne and Jimmie Johnson last year and Jeff Gordon in the August 2012 race.

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