Saturday, June 30, 2012

Kevin Youkilis

  • MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Youkilis joined his new team in the visitors clubhouse at Target Field on Monday afternoon, and it was immediately clear it was going to take some time for him to put his old team behind him.
  • (ESPN)
  • MINNEAPOLIS — You couldn't have blamed Kevin Youkilis [stats] if he wanted a little time to collect himself. But baseball doesn't work like that, not during the 162-game marathon.
  • (Boston Herald)
  • What a mistake! This team needs more gamers like Youk, not less. Mixed feelings. Ill miss him but understand the need to make way for Middlebrooks. About time! He seemed to be on his last legs and may have been a clubhouse cancer to boot.
  • (Abington Mariner)
  • The team stinks, and are dead last with an 8-14 record despite their fancy new uniforms and their fancy new players. The next day, Miami began a run in which they would win 23 of their next 32 games.
  • (The Guardian)
  • MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Youkilis sat in the White Sox dugout before his first game with his new team, looking relaxed, sounding confident and flashing a toothy smile through his trademark bushy goatee.
  • (Register Citizen)
  • When Kevin Youkilis first came on the scene in Boston, he didnt look like a whole heck of a lot.
  • (NESN.com)
  • Kevin Youkilis is gone and I am not coping with this particularly well. Apparently, I am chanting Youk in my sleep. Sometimes I find myself standing with my feet usually close together and pointed inward.
  • (Over The Monster)
  • MINNEAPOLIS — Francisco Liriano faced runners at the corners with only one out in the seventh. This was precisely the type of situation where hes faltered so many times before, but Twins manager Ron Gardenhire didnt budge.
  • (Cincinnati.com)
  • Now that Kevin Youkilis has been traded from the Red Sox to the White Sox, we can see what his market value was, which helps us come to the following conclusion. The Indians probably could have gotten Youkilis for Aaron Cunningham and Corey Kluber.
  • (Morning Journal)

Jenny McCarthy

  • This month, Jenny McCarthy will reprise the stunt that helped her get her start. No, not hosting a wacky MTV dating show, but appearing on the cover of Playboy, where she was crowned Playmate of the Year almost 20 years ago in 1993.
  • (Salon)
  • ITS TIME for another conversation about the state of sex in the American media. Today, lets discuss three subjects - John Travolta, Jenny McCarthy, and the Octomom, Nadya Suleman.
  • (The Canberra Times)
  • First off, actor Jenny McCarthy - who last week copped to accidentally sexting her sons 80-year-old dentist - declared her latest Playboy spread, her sixth, to be really elegant.
  • (Sydney Morning Herald)

Michael Jackson

  • Emma Stone is Hollywoods newest It girl and this It girl has been jet-setting all over world to promote her latest film, The Amazing Spider-Man. From Seoul to London and Los Angeles, Emma has rocked the red carpet with her many jaw-dropping looks.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • Trying to please all Michael Jackson fans is like trying to please an Italian mother – it's never gonna happen.
  • (Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog))
  • King of Pop Michael Jackson wore his mothers jacket for good luck when he debuted his signature moonwalk during a 1983 TV special.
  • (deccanchronicle.com)
  • Michael Jacksons pet tiger has lost her battle with lung cancer at actress Tippi Hedrens Shambala Preserve in rural California.The big cat, named Thriller, used to live at the King of Pops Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara, California with her brother Sabu.
  • (MSN Music)
  • So much sadness this week! Lets cope together. First, Ann Curry was sad to leave Today - so sad, in fact, she started crying. Some people were embarrassed for her, but not us.
  • (NJ.com)
  • On Friday, the Federal Trade Commission announced it had completed its investigation into anti-trust allegations, giving the deal its green light. The music industry's latest round of dominoes fell into place perfectly on Friday.
  • (Hollywood Reporter)
  • LOS ANGELES -- Thriller, a tiger that belonged to Michael Jackson when the entertainer lived at Neverland, has died of lung cancer at Tippi Hedrens wildlife preserve near Los Angeles. Hedren says the 13-year-old, 375-pound tiger died June 11.
  • (Huffington Post)
  • Justin Biebers song about Mariah Yeater was inspired by Michael Jacksons Billie Jean.
  • (National Ledger)
  • Robin Roberts might be having health issues, but she proved on Wednesday morning she could still bust a move.
  • (Examiner)
  • With his darkly handsome looks belying a chilling ruthlessness, Ben Whishaw won plaudits for his role as an ambitious young TV reporter in the BBC's six-part drama series The Hour.
  • (as tortured Richard II - Ben Whishaw drew on unlikely inspiration ... Michael Jackson and Colonel Gaddafi - Daily Mail)

Ann Curry

  • The president of NBC News had some blunt words about Ann Currys tenure on Today in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published late Friday night.
  • (Huffington Post)
  • I think there are a lot of sloppy examples of journalism these days, NBC News President Steve Capus told The Hollywood Reporter on Friday.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • So much sadness this week! Lets cope together. First, Ann Curry was sad to leave Today - so sad, in fact, she started crying. Some people were embarrassed for her, but not us.
  • (NJ.com)
  • The macabre game being played out between NBC insiders and one of its stars, Ann Curry came to a head yesterday with the lauded journalist accepting personal responsibility for the latest surrender in ratings points and her effective dismissal.
  • (scallywagandvagabond.com)
  • NEW YORK -- NBC appointed Savannah Guthrie as Matt Lauers co-anchor on the Today show Friday, a day after Ann Curry made a tearful exit from the job.
  • (Los Angeles Daily News)
  • Though viewers have been expecting it for the past week, Ann Currys emotional farewell on Today was no less sad for fans of the soon-to-be-former anchor.
  • (whtc.com)
  • Ann Curry announced on the Today show her last day on Thursday. Following her story, GreenBeanBuddy checked on the peoples different reactions about her exit.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • Savannah Guthrie has been named co-anchor of NBCs Today show. She replaces Ann Curry, who said goodbye Thursday after just one year as co-host. Guthrie will debut July 9 with the anchor team of Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Natalie Morales.
  • (msnbc.com)
  • NEW YORK -- Ann Curry offered a tearful goodbye as co-host of NBCs Today show on Thursday, saying this is not as I expected to ever leave this couch.
  • (Winnipeg Free Press)

Nora Ephron

  • SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2012 — Nora Ephron was the most famous person I ever knew – before she got famous. We started work at the New York Post at the same time in 1963, where we both wrote features and celebrity profiles.
  • (Washington Times)
  • The writer-director Nora Ephron, who died Tuesday at 71 from complications of leukemia, is already being lauded as a glorious throwback to many traditions. The brittle, mordant wit of Dorothy Parker in the 1930s. The New Journalism of the 1960s.
  • (The Boston Globe)
  • Lunch was at Balthazar, where all the waiters knew her. As soon as we sat down, she pulled out my entire blog, printed out on pink paper, a tower of it more than a foot tall, and slashed with highlighter.
  • (The Guardian)
  • Nora Ephron, who entertained people nationwide with her humorous essays and films, died at 71 Tuesday from pneumonia caused by acute myeloid leukemia. Her memory is kept alive by her fans around the world, including those in Charleston.
  • (The Post and Courier)
  • Sign up to stay up to date on the latest Culture headlines via email.
  • (AlterNet)
  • Nora Ephron, who died Tuesday at age 71, was the link between different worlds, and different eras, on and off the screen.
  • (Philadelphia Daily News)
  • In the aftermath of Nora Ephrons passing, on Wednesday Piers Morgan welcomed two of her closest friends – Barbara Walters and Arianna Huffington – to share their memories of the acclaimed screenwriter.
  • (CNN)
  • There was something mysterious and unsettling about Nora Ephron and the way she could channel the most important moments of my life into her work without ever having met me. That was her gift, being hardwired into the spirit of her audience.
  • (The Christian Science Monitor)
  • I never met Nora Ephron, but she was precisely my age and I read all of her books as bulletins from an extended womens college alumnae magazine, guidelines to inventing la vida feminista in the face of divorce, disillusion, and decay.
  • (The Guardian)
  • Nora Ephron, who died this week of complications from leukemia, knew the formula. She learned it from her parents. The journalist, screenwriter, essayist, playwright and director grew up writing in a family of writers.
  • (Chicago Tribune)

ObamaCare

  • President Barack Obama delivers remarks and signs the health insurance reform bill in the East Room of the White House on March 23, 2010.
  • (Daily Beast)
  • A challenge to Obamacare remains pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. This Sixth Circuit case, U.S. Citizens Association, et al. v. Sebelius, et al. (6th Cir. No. 11-3327), had been stayed pending the Supreme Court's decision.
  • (Live Trading News)
  • Supreme Court ruling re National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius means corporations can use federal law to force people to buy their products. As was the case with F. James (Fat Jim) Sensenbrenner Jr.
  • (Salon)
  • Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that the majority of Obamacare will be allowed to stand, those of us who are advocates for the disabled need to step back and take a long, hard look at what we are getting ourselves into.
  • (Examiner)
  • Now the fun begins. Nothing can fire the anger of an American like the arrogance of a government lawyer with his foot on the throat of a helpless citizen, and the justices of the Supreme Court are the government lawyers with the biggest feet of all.
  • (RealClearPolitics)
  • In an interview with Newsmax, Mitt Romney said that the Supreme Court's ruling upholding Obamacare was "a plus" for him.
  • (Big Hollywood)
  • Political observers have described the 2010 Tea Party wave as an extraordinary assemblage of liberty-minded Americans who rallied around the Constitution in order to reclaim their country.
  • (Article.nationalreview.com)
  • U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is happy the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Obamacare, but believes the health care law does not go far enough.
  • (Examiner)
  • On Thursday the Supreme Court issued its decision in National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, which determined the fate of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), commonly dubbed Obamacare.
  • (policymic.com)
  • There is no greater example of government overreach and unrestrained liberalism than "Obamacare," the president's signature legislative initiative.
  • (madison)

Colorado Springs

  • By MEAD GRUVER Associated Press COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.
  • (msnbc.com)
  • The Waldo Canyon Fire burning near Colorado Springs began burning on Saturday, June 23 and by Sunday -- fueled by record heat, high winds and dryness -- it grew rapidly and forced the evacuation of 11,000 residents.
  • (Huffington Post)
  • MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo.
  • (New York's PIX11 / WPIX-TV)
  • Steve Moraco a Colorado Springs resident has produced an amazing time lapse video of the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs CO. The video is sixteen minutes long and spans the fire from June 23-June 28, 2012.
  • (Examiner)
  • The weather over the last three days has helped crews battling the Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs -- which has destroyed 346 homes, forced the evacuation of more than 34,000 people and taken two lives since it started June 23.
  • (Bloomberg)
  • Relocating his family and business to scenic Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • (Christian Post)
  • President Barack Obama visits with firefighters at the Mountain Shadows neighborhood damaged by the Waldo Canyon Fire in Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • (Toledo Blade)
  • Gov. John Hicklooper has signed an order approving the use of 160 National Guard police officers to take over some of the traffic control and neighborhood patrolling duties so that Colorado Springs police officers can return to their normal responsibilities.
  • (Denver Post)
  • The mandatory evacuation of parts of Colorado Springs has caused the offices of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to close. PRCA members have until 5 p.m. the day of any particular rodeo to draw out or declare a doctors release.
  • (Abilene Reporter-News)

ESPN3

  • When Ian Darke and Steve McManaman broadcast the European Championship final from Kiev on Sunday, theyll assume their audience back in the U.S. has a fairly deep knowledge of soccer and the Spanish and Italian players on the field in Ukraine.
  • (ABC News)
  • Mavericks free agent point guard Jason Kidd also will join whichever team Williams chooses, sources told ESPN The Magazines Ric Bucher.
  • (ESPN)
  • SANTA CLARA CO., Calif. -- ESPN reported San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith suffered minor injuries in a house party incident early Saturday morning. Bay City News said team officials confirmed it Saturday afternoon.
  • (Abc Local Web)
  • BRADENTON, Fla. – ESPN 150 athlete Alvin Bailey (Seffner, Fla./Armwood) just wrapped up a trip of schools that included visits to Notre Dame, Michigan and Clemson. The 6-foot, 175-pound junior described what he liked about each program.
  • (ESPN)
  • Napoli finished 1-for-4. Tue. at CWS: RHP Roy Oswalt (2-0, 4.26) vs. LHP Chris Sale (9-2, 2.27), 7:10 p.m., ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM/1540 AM/FSSW. Wed. at CWS: RHP Scott Feldman (2-6, 6.13) vs. RHP Dylan Axelrod (0-1, 4.50), 6:10 p.m.
  • (ESPN)
  • WASHINGTON, June 30, 2012 — Wimbledon 2012 is off to a blazing start. First French Open champ Rafael Nadal loses to Lukas Rosol, ranked 100 th, in one of the biggest upsets in the last ten years of men's tennis.
  • (Washington Times)
  • Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin reportedly let team officials know that he plans to sign a five-year contract extension in July, sources told ESPN Los Angeles Saturday. Teams can offer contracts after 9 p.m.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • The Oakland Raiders are interested in signing former Cincinnati Bengals workhorse running back Cedric Benson, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported.
  • (Sporting News)
  • Williams, who narrowed his choices down to the Brooklyn Nets and Dallas Mavericks last week, plans to meet with both the teams Monday before deciding which team to sign with in July, according to an ESPN.com report.
  • (USA Today)

Euro 2012

  • KIEV, Ukraine - Sunday's European Championship final between defending champion Spain and Italy features two teams who have dominated possession through slick passing and disciplined defending at the tournament.
  • (New York Daily News)
  • (CNN)-- Laurent Blanc stood down as coach of the French national team Saturday in the wake of their quarterfinal exit at Euro 2012.
  • (CNN)
  • Euro 2012 reaches its climax on Sunday, when holders Spain take on Italy in the final. But as the tournament draws to a close, success is not just being measured in terms of who is crowned champion.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — While Xavi Hernandez hasnt made a major impact at the European Championship, Spains playmaking midfielder knows he still has Sundays final against Italy to change that.
  • (San Francisco Gate)
  • KIEV, Ukraine -- The sweetest moment of Euro 2012 didnt fit the script.
  • (CNN Sports Illustrated)
  • The Associated Press – Thu, Jun 28, 2012 4:52 PM EDT WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- Mario Balotelli scored twice as Italy beat Germany 2-1 on Thursday to advance to the Euro 2012 final against Spain. Heres the best of the action. All times are Polish.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • Cristiano Ronaldo might have been left out of the semifinal shoot-out drama with Spain but he is "confident" that his performances for Portugal at Euro 2012 will win him the Fifa Ballon D'Or.
  • (New York Daily News)
  • We are surprised and irritated, Joerg Schoenenborn, the Euro 2012 chief editor of German broadcaster ARD, told Saturdays Sueddeutschen Zeitung newspaper.
  • (FOXSports.com)
  • WARSAW — The final game of Euro 2012 cannot be a story where nice guys finish last. One of them, of course must finish second; the other will win.
  • (New York Times)

Nexus 7

  • The $200 tablet market is heating up as Google introduces its own Android Nexus 7 tablet. Is now the right time to buy one of these bargain tablets? In this edition of Ask Maggie, I try to help one reader determine which tablet is best for her.
  • (CNET News)
  • The big star of the Google I/O conference was the Nexus 7 tablet announced at the keynote speech Wednesday, and one of them arrived at our office Friday.
  • (Los Angeles Times)
  • Update, 3:50 p.m. PT: After a glitch earlier today, the GameStop page in question is once again accessible on the site.
  • (CNET News)
  • A Nexus 7 shown at the Google Developers Conference on June 27 in San Francisco, California. The tablet will go on sale next month for $199 and will run on the latest Android Jelly Bean OS. Photo by Mathew Sumner/Getty Images.
  • (Slate)
  • Inside the Nexus 7 you'll find a quad-core Tegra 3 CPU clocked to 1.15GHz on four cores (or 1.3 GHz when running on just one), 1GB of RAM, and 8GB or 16GB of onboard storage (that extra storage will cost you an additional $50).
  • (Washington Post)
  • Less than 10 days after Microsoft (MSFT) released its Surface tablet, Google (GOOG) unveiled its Nexus 7 tablet Wednesday at its I/O developers conference, delving into the hardware business for the first time.
  • (Yahoo Finance)
  • Last year Amazon released its media consumption tablet the Kindle fire for only 200 dollars. Now Google has -- important nexus seven tablet. With the latest version of Android Quad Core CPU. A 1280 by 800 resolution screen.
  • (CNET News)
  • Amidst much speculation, Google announced its Nexus 7 tablet computer at the ongoing Google I/O 2012. Powered by the latest generation of Android software 4.1 Jelly Bean, the tablet is being made for Google by Asus.
  • (Hindustan Times)
  • It's relentless. Just when my psyche was beginning to recover from the Nexus 7 bombshell, here comes the Nexus 10.
  • (Beta News)
  • The Google Nexus 7 is a lightweight HD display tablet, with a quad-core processor and a front-facing camera, which Patrick Brady, the Director of Android Partner Engineering for Google, thinks can beat the Amazon Kindle Fire.
  • (ibtimes.co.uk)

Ann Curry

  • The president of NBC News had some blunt words about Ann Currys tenure on Today in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter published late Friday night.
  • (Huffington Post)
  • I think there are a lot of sloppy examples of journalism these days, NBC News President Steve Capus told The Hollywood Reporter on Friday.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • So much sadness this week! Lets cope together. First, Ann Curry was sad to leave Today - so sad, in fact, she started crying. Some people were embarrassed for her, but not us.
  • (NJ.com)
  • The macabre game being played out between NBC insiders and one of its stars, Ann Curry came to a head yesterday with the lauded journalist accepting personal responsibility for the latest surrender in ratings points and her effective dismissal.
  • (scallywagandvagabond.com)
  • NEW YORK -- NBC appointed Savannah Guthrie as Matt Lauers co-anchor on the Today show Friday, a day after Ann Curry made a tearful exit from the job.
  • (Los Angeles Daily News)
  • Though viewers have been expecting it for the past week, Ann Currys emotional farewell on Today was no less sad for fans of the soon-to-be-former anchor.
  • (whtc.com)
  • Ann Curry announced on the Today show her last day on Thursday. Following her story, GreenBeanBuddy checked on the peoples different reactions about her exit.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • NEW YORK -- Ann Curry offered a tearful goodbye as co-host of NBCs Today show on Thursday, saying this is not as I expected to ever leave this couch.
  • (Winnipeg Free Press)
  • Savannah Guthrie has been named co-anchor of NBCs Today show. She replaces Ann Curry, who said goodbye Thursday after just one year as co-host. Guthrie will debut July 9 with the anchor team of Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Natalie Morales.
  • (msnbc.com)

NBA draft 2012

  • Several teams made moves that should significantly improve their rosters headed into the 2012 NBA season.
  • (Bleacherreport.com)
  • NEWARK, N.J. – Perry Jones III somehow folded his 6-foot-11 frame into one of the Prudential Centers cramped arena seats, leaving him little room to stretch his long legs as he watched Thursdays NBA draft.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • The 2012 NBA Draft is complete, which means its time to hand out grades to each of the 30 teams that made picks Thursday night.
  • (Sporting News)
  • As is NBA Draft tradition, the second round began with enthusiastic cheers as Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver replaced his antagonistic boss, David Stern, at the podium.
  • (Huffington Post)
  • The Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors all experienced a fair amount of luck in the 2012 NBA Draft, and because of that, theyll be coming away with top grades.
  • (Bleacherreport.com)
  • The first two picks in Thursday night's NBA draft, Kentucky's Anthony Davis and teammate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist averaged just more than 26 points per game combined.
  • (CharlotteObserver.com)
  • Grading the NBA Draft is often an exercise in futility. Certain picks look good on paper now, while others can be classified as downright haphazard.
  • (Atlantic Division - Examiner)
  • North Carolina can handle a talent drain like the one it sustained Thursday in the NBA draft. Of this, Bobby Frasor is sure. It has happened before, and six years ago, Frasor helped the Tar Heels recover from a draft hangover.
  • (The News & Observer)
  • WINGSPAN: Seven feet, 2 1/2 inches. NBA COMBINE RESULTS: No step vertical - 29.5. Maximum vertical - 31. Bench Press - 9. Agility - 12.13. Sprint - 3.44.
  • (SB Nation)
  • AUBURN HILLS -- The Detroit Pistons used the first of two picks in the second round of the NBA Draft to take small forward Khris Middleton from Texas AM. He was the 39th overall pick.
  • (MLive.com)

Adele

  • Grammy winning singer Adele is 24, and pregnant with her first child. On Friday, June 29, the British "Rolling in the Deep" singer announced on her website that she and Simon Konecki, her boyfriend, were expecting their first child together.
  • (Monsters and Critics)
  • Adele, the worlds biggest-selling pop star at the moment, didnt want the gossips saying rumor has it, so she announced on her website today that she is pregnant. The site crashed due to a large amount of traffic after the news was revealed.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • All the celebrisphere is abuzz with the sad yet long-expected news. Katie Holmes, 33, and Tom Cruise, 49, are divorcing, according to People mag and their reps.
  • (Philadelphia Daily News)
  • GRAND MARAIS, Mich. - Adele Mary Ann Barney, age 81, of Grand Marais, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at Brookridge Heights Assisted Living Memory Care in Marquette where she was living the last four years.
  • (Mining Journal)
  • Adele has announced that she is expecting her first child with Simon Konecki. The Rolling in the Deep singer confirmed the news through a statement on her website today (June 29).
  • (Digital Spy)
  • Adele has announced that she's expecting her first child with boyfriend Simon Konecki. The Grammy winner, 24, posted a message to her website that shares the happy news to her fans entitled "I've Got Some News.
  • (The Celebrity Cafe.com)
  • London: Adele, The Beatles and Susan Boyle are among the stars competing to be named Great Britain`s `top cultural offering` in a new poll.
  • (zeenews.india.com)
  • The newly preggers Adele won't be rolling in the deep with Bond himself anytime soon, but she will get a chance to sing the lady-spoilt agent to sleep.
  • (Moviehole)
  • In this Aug. 28, 2011 file photo, singer Adele is shown at the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles.AP Grammy award-winning songstress Adele announced Friday she is pregnant with her first child.
  • (FOX News)
  • Adele Parks is in the middle of a rant. Its so sexist, she storms, wielding her hair straighteners like castrating irons. No other genre is given a sexist name.
  • (The Independent)

Magic Mike

  • Magic Mike may be one of the most anticipated summer flicks of the season, but that doesnt mean that every critic is fawning over Channing Tatums abs movie.
  • (Huffington Post)
  • Ooh, that Steven Soderbergh, so scandalous! The Magic Mike director tackles uncharted territory (by his standards, not by many a bachelorette partys) in his male-stripper dramedy, hitting theaters Friday (June 29).
  • (MTV)
  • Magic Mike, the much-anticipated movie directed by Steven Soderbergh, is finally here. To find out if it's any good, Ramin Setoodeh went to see it with a panel of experts—five professional male strippers.
  • (Daily Beast)
  • "Were trying to do our part to objectify men for the first time in movies.
  • (YAHOO!)
  • A string of purple beads landed in my hands as soon as I arrived at the press screening of "Magic Mike." "It's for the bachelorette party," the publicist said.
  • (Staten Island Advance)
  • Full disclosure: I'm a blusher and a prude. So sit me down next to feral man-candy Joe Manganiello and have me interview him about his new stripper movie – Magic Mike, in theaters today — and the result is the conversation you see below.
  • (Entertainment Weekly Online)
  • From men taking off their shirts in 'Magic Mike' to Anastasia Steele embracing adventurous sex in '50 Shades of Grey' — this summer is all about leveling the playing field when it comes to sexually objectifying men and women in society.
  • (Hollywood Life (blog))
  • From one heartthrob to another. Pineapple Express star James Franco recently praised Channing Tatum for baring both body and heart in Magic Mike, the film which was based loosely off of the 32-year-old actor's past as a male stripper.
  • (celebuzz.com)
  • Waxed and thonged, music blasting, they move into the spotlight, grinding, gyrating, bending, flexing, to the gleeful wails of the crowd. Strippers, exotic dancers, determined to put on a show, to titillate, arouse.
  • (Philadelphia Daily News)
  • He is very likable in the role, as the Post's Ann Hornaday notes in her review of the film. But with all due respect to Channing Tatum, for my money, he is not the most compelling guy in "Magic Mike.
  • (Washington Post)

Dominion Power

  • Dominion Virginia Power continues to work with state and local officials to protect public safety and health while its crews repair transmission lines, make damage assessments, and restore power to critical safety facilities.
  • (msnbc.com)
  • RICHMOND, Va.
  • (StreetInsider.com)
  • RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Dominion Virginia Power is lowering what the utility charges customers to recover its fuel costs.
  • (Washington Examiner)
  • Thousands remain without power in the region and might not get it back for several days due to damage from Friday night's violent storms.
  • (Staunton News Leader)
  • Of the nearly 832,000 customers served by Dominion Power, more than 408,000 were without electricity as of this afternoon, according to Dominion Powers online outage summary. Earlier today, Gov.
  • (Falls Church News-Press)
  • RICHMOND, Va.
  • (Yahoo Finance)
  • Here are the latest power outage numbers. As of 9:20 p.m. Saturday: Pepco: D.C.
  • (msnbc.com)
  • A Pepco spokesman says there are 418,427 people without power in Maryland and D.C., and some could stay in the dark for up to 7 days. Spokesmen from BGE and Dominion Power both say this will be a multi-day event.
  • (WTOP)
  • RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, Virginia emergency management personnel and Dominion Power held an 11:30 a.m. storm damage briefing Saturday.
  • (WTVR-TV)
  • After a forecasted Richmond high of 103 along with a heat index of between 107 and 110, another violent thunderstorm complex from the midwest could come through between 7 and 10 p.m.
  • (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Erin Andrews

  • SI.com has learned that Fox Sports is aggressively pursuing ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews for a role at its network. The networks executives recently met with Andrews regarding a major role in Foxs college football coverage.
  • (CNN Sports Illustrated)
  • It may be hard to believe, but Erin Andrews is leaving ESPN. FOX Sports is reportedly making a strong push to hire Andrews, who is best known for her work on ESPNs College Gameday. Her contract expired at the end of June.
  • (NESN.com)
  • Dont expect to see Erin Andrews as part of the Dancing with the Stars cast this fall.
  • (Radar Online.com)
  • Erin Andrews is departing ESPN, leaving behind the Worldwide Leader in Sports for greener pastures. Ms Andrews contract expired this week, but rumors have been swirling since March that the stunning sideline reporter was unhappy at the network.
  • (Daily Mail)
  • NEW YORK -- Erin Andrews is leaving ESPN. The network released a statement saying the reporter did great work for us and we made an aggressive offer to keep her. We wish her the best on her next chapter.
  • (CBS Sports)
  • Jun 29 (TheWrap.com) - Erin Andrews is leaving ESPN and may join Fox Sports.
  • (Hartford Courant)
  • As reported Friday evening by SI.com's Richard Deitsch, an ESPN spokesman confirmed that reporter Erin Andrews, whose contract with the network expires Saturday, is leaving ESPN. USAToday.
  • (Cincinnati.com)
  • Sportscaster Erin Andrews is leaving ESPN and could possibly join Fox Sports. The channels PR representative Josh Krulewitz wrote on Twitter that the blonde beauty was leaving the network. Erin Andrews leaving ESPN.
  • (andhranews.net)
  • ESPN reporter Erin Andrews had TMZ questioning whether she got breast implants after pictures of her wearing a small bikini in Miami surfaced over the weekend.
  • (International Business Times)
  • By Chris Hassel Erin Andrews is reportedly leaving ESPN. I tweeted that she would be replacing Andy on SoundOFF. Several actually took that tweet literally.  The movie, "Ted", looks childish and profane, and I can't wait to see it.
  • (msnbc.com)

Nastia Liukin

    Friday, June 29, 2012

    Tropical Storm Debby

    • DAUPHIN ISLAND, Alabama -- Wet, glistening, and smelling of asphalt, tarballs the size of nickels were scattered liberally among the seashells pushed ashore by Tropical Storm Debby.
    • (Everything Alabama Blog)
    • After spending almost a week on a life raft after Tropical Storm Debby sank their barge, two men have been rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, ABC Action News reports.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • LIVE OAK, Fla. (AP) — Florida officials said Thursday that Tropical Storm Debby was responsible for seven deaths in the state.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • NEW PORT RICHEY — Deep inside the building thats been Pascos emergency command center since Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott leaned over a table covered with maps and photos of the damage. How many homes are still evacuated? he asked.
    • (St. Petersburg Times)
    • Tropical Storm Debby left a path a destruction after passing through Florida. damage is present or one suspects storm damage it needs to be addressed.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Drought Buster Debby could be the more appropriate name for the sloppy weather that engulfed much Florida this week.
    • (Orlando Sentinel)
    • Tens of thousands of people without power for days. Sounds like a hurricane, right? These were the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, a middling tropical storm at best, with top winds of only 50 mph.
    • (St. Petersburg Times)
    • The heat comes in the wake of Tropical Storm Debby, that affected Florida on June 23 through Wednesday.
    • (Jupiter Courier)
    • Waste Pro will have dumpsters set up at Sopchoppy City Park on Monday, July 2nd - Friday, July 6th at 12:00 Noon-5:00 p.m. for flood victims only who need to dispose of their household debris resulting from Tropical Storm Debby.
    • (WCTV)
    • PowerSecure International, Inc. (POWR) today reported that it supported Florida utilities and customers during Tropical Storm Debby.
    • (Yahoo Finance)

    UFC

    • Mostly quiet since his test for elevated testosterone-to-epitestosterone levels this past spring, Alistair Overeem on Tuesday spoke out about the test results, his relationship with the UFC and comes next for him.
    • (MMAjunkie.com)
    • Here's the story. I was all set to take my latest trip into the Octagon on Sunday night, but a rain storm here in merry old England knocked out the satellite signal while I was recording the show.
    • (Bleacherreport.com)
    • Edson Barboza now can add ESPY Nominee to his resume. The UFC lightweight has been nominated in the category of Best Play at ESPNs 2012 Espy Awards for his head-kick knockout of Terry Etim at UFC 142 this past January.
    • (MMAjunkie.com)
    • Dana White, the president of Ultimate Fighting Championship, believes that he and his organization have somehow contributed to the arrest of the hackers involved in the attacks against ufc.com.
    • (Softpedia)
    • Georges St-Pierre is bringing sexy back. The reigning UFC welterweight champs immense popularity amongst female fans has led to comparisons to International soccer star David Beckham.
    • (Bleacherreport.com)
    • UFC Fight Night on FX 4 saw ratings increases across the board vs. UFC on FX Fight Night 3, and combined with Iron Man, propelled FX to #1 for the night in Adults 18-34 and Men 18-34.
    • (fightnews.com)
    • UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva unloaded on challenger Chael Sonnen on Monday, turning the trash-talking tables on the American while threatening to break bones when the two face off in their UFC 148 rematch.
    • (globalsaskatoon.com)
    • It's a familiar sentiment, and one that Patrick Côté has learned first-hand over the past 18 months: you never know how much you love something until it's taken away.
    • (Regina Leader-Post)
    • There was only one heavyweight bout last night (June 23, 2012) but it was a big deal as potential title contender Fabricio Werdum took on the surprising Mike Russow, who had quietly gone 4-0 in his UFC career.
    • (MMAmania.com (blog))

    Legend of Korra

    • We've reached the end of the first season, and I've realized that part of what makes "The Legend of Korra" so distinctive is that it actually has an end.
    • (Wall Street Journal)
    • On this week's "The Legend of Korra," the revolution is in the skies. Korra, under Mako's watchful eye,  is recovering on Air Temple Island from her capture by Tarrlok.
    • (Wall Street Journal)
    • Watch Avatar: The Legend of Korra Episode 12 - Endgame Online. Read the series over view first: The Legend of Korra, a sequel to the highly successful Nickelodeon show Avatar: The Last Airbender, will focus on the new avatar, Korra.
    • (Endgame - Patch)
    • At 2:30pm ET on Wednesday June 20, actor P.J.
    • (MTV)
    • Receiving millions of viewers worldwide The Legend of Korra has met with much success. Fans of Avatar The Last Airbender and Korra alike are eagerly awaiting the next episode in the series. The Legend of Korra Episode 10 entitled Turning The Tides.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Season 1, Book 1 Finale of Nickelodeons Hit Animated Adventure Series, THE LEGEND OF KORRA premieres Saturday, June 23, at 11:00 a.m. (ET/PT) with an hour-long TV event.
    • (Broadway World)
    • I caught up on Avatar: The Legend of Korra, the sequel to the critically acclaimed and totally awesome Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon, about a world where certain people can manipulate the elements, yesterday.
    • (Think Progress)
    • In the first half of The Legend of Korra Season 1, Book 1 finale, "Skeletons in the Closest," premiering at 11 a.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, Korra goes undercover as the war between benders and non-benders intensifies.
    • (TVbytheNumbers)
    • Kaci looks back over the first season of The Legend of Korra, and salutes a children's show brave enough to take on the darkest of themes Not all RPGs have to be couch-ridden multi-hour epics.
    • (Den Of Geek)

    Lolo Jones

    • Does Lolo Jones use Tim Tebows name for her own marketing and self-promotion reasons? Lets be honest here.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • 062412_lolo_jones_ftrI'm so happy that Lolo Jones will be heading to the Olympics after placing third in the 100-meter hurdles at the U.S.
    • (omg! on Yahoo!)
    • Fitness magazine scored interviews with three of the top female American Olympians in their July/August issue, talking with soccer team goalie Hope Solo, hurdler Lolo Jones and beach volleyball star and two-time gold medalist Kerri Walsh.
    • (Boston Globe)
    • If the Olympics had an event for marketing yourself, Lolo Jones would be the gold medal favorite.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • For better or worse, Lolo Jones has become an American Olympic star. Yet shes no longer the best American Olympic athlete in her own sport.
    • (CBS Sports)
    • United States track star Lolo Jones jumped the first hurdle to redeeming herself after she faltered at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Jones attended the U.S.
    • (Bleacherreport.com)
    • EUGENE: Lolo Jones, who suffered heartbreak in 2008 at Beijing, earned a second chance at Olympic gold after finishing third in Saturdays 100-meter hurdles final at the US Olympic Track and Field Trials.
    • (Times of India)
    • Louis CK is hysterically raunchy. United States Olympic athlete Lolo Jones is, well, not. Maybe thats why the producers at Jay Lenos Late Show decided to book them on the same show earlier this week.
    • (NESN.com)
    • With the 2012 Summer Olympic Games less than one month away, Rant Sports is shining the spotlight on some of the amazing athletes who will be representing the United States of America in London.
    • (rantsports.com)
    • Since 29-year old track Olympian Lolo Jones discussed her commitment to virginity before marriage on HBOs Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel a month ago, every media outlet has had something to say about her bombshell statement.
    • (Deseret News)

    Kevin Youkilis

    • NEW YORK -- White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis departed Fridays game against the Yankees in the middle of the fifth inning with an upset stomach.
    • (Major League Baseball)
    • MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Youkilis joined his new team in the visitors clubhouse at Target Field on Monday afternoon, and it was immediately clear it was going to take some time for him to put his old team behind him.
    • (ESPN)
    • SEATTLE — After Kevin Youkilis was traded last Sunday, as the Red Sox handed the figurative third base baton to promising rookie Will Middlebrooks, manager Bobby Valentine issued what amounted to both a reminder and a warning.
    • (Boston Herald)
    • WASHINGTON – The presidential race has so far not always been marked by its high-minded debate, guided more by tweaks on Twitter than detailed policy prescriptions for fixing the economy.
    • (Boston Globe)
    • The team stinks, and are dead last with an 8-14 record despite their fancy new uniforms and their fancy new players. The next day, Miami began a run in which they would win 23 of their next 32 games.
    • (The Guardian)
    • Kevin Youkilis is gone and I am not coping with this particularly well. Apparently, I am chanting Youk in my sleep. Sometimes I find myself standing with my feet usually close together and pointed inward.
    • (Over The Monster)
    • When Kevin Youkilis first came on the scene in Boston, he didnt look like a whole heck of a lot.
    • (NESN.com)
    • Now that Kevin Youkilis has been traded from the Red Sox to the White Sox, we can see what his market value was, which helps us come to the following conclusion. The Indians probably could have gotten Youkilis for Aaron Cunningham and Corey Kluber.
    • (Morning Journal)
    • MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Youkilis sat in the White Sox dugout before his first game with his new team, looking relaxed, sounding confident and flashing a toothy smile through his trademark bushy goatee.
    • (Middletown Press)
    • But the Sox rallied behind two home runs by A.J. Pierzynski to take a 7-6 lead in the sixth. Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis left in the bottom of the fifth because of an upset stomach and was replaced by Eduardo Escobar.
    • (Chicago Tribune)

    Michael Jackson

    • Balancing the delicate choices about entertainment vs. eulogy, the Michael Jackson memorial worked incredibly well as both without bowing to the expectations of either.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • The Jackson 4 played the Apollo Thursday night on their "Unity" tour as the theater buzzed with Michael mania.
    • (New York Post)
    • Michael Jackson's tiger, Thriller, has died at a California wildlife preserve at the age of 13. The female Bengal tiger passed away from lung cancer on June 11, but the announcement of the creature's death was only made Wednesday.
    • (The Inquisitr)
    • Tito, Jackie, Marlon and Jermaine, the remaining Jackson brothers, sing their hits during Unity Tour 2012 at the Apollo Theater. A ghost hovered over the stage of the Apollo Theater Thursday night.
    • (New York Daily News)
    • Michael Jackson wore his mothers jacket for good luck when he debuted the moonwalk during a 1983 TV special.
    • (femalefirst.co.uk)
    • 3 years ago today, pop superstar Michael Jackson passed away at the all-too-soon age of 50 while in the midst of preparing for his "This Is It" tour.
    • (Ology)
    • The Jacksons are in Atlantic City as part of their "Unity Tour" to perform at Borgata. Today I spoke with Marlon, Tito and Jackie as they unveiled the new Michael Jackson "King of Pop" slot machine at Borgata.
    • (NJ.com)
    • New Delhi: Michael Jacksons tiger Thriller, the 13-year-old former pet of the late singer, died of lung cancer at actress-and-activist Tippi Hedrens wildlife preserve in California earlier this month.
    • (NDTV)
    • Michael Jacksons pet tiger has lost her battle with lung cancer at actress Tippi Hedrens Shambala Preserve in rural California.The big cat, named Thriller, used to live at the King of Pops Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara, California with her brother Sabu.
    • (MSN Music)

    Jenny McCarthy

    • On Monday, Jenny McCarthy's anticipated Playboy cover debuted online -- and it is still creating plenty of buzz on the Web days later. Yahoo! searches for jenny mccarthy 2012 spiked an impressive 883% over the past 24 hours.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Jenny McCarthy is not concerned her son will see her Playboy covers.
    • (Daily Mail)
    • Jenny McCarthy is back on the cover of Playboy this month, but she is just one of many stars to go nude for the popular magazine.
    • (International Business Times)
    • Pushing forty, pushing the envelope! As promised, Jenny McCarthy graces the cover of the July/August of Playboy magazine -- and, for her sixth time with the racy mens magazine, the 39-year-old single mom is anything but bashful or demure.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • 062512_playboy_ftrJenny has posed nude for the cover of 'Playboy,' her sixth cover overall, and HollywoodLife.
    • (omg! on Yahoo!)
    • Jenny McCarthy got her start as a Playboy model, so it makes sense that, just months away from turning 40, she decided to bare it all for the mens magazine again.
    • (International Business Times)
    • She says life in her 39th year has become a sexual extravaganza, and shes made her point by posing for her sixth Playboy cover. Yes, Jenny McCarthy is back to her naked best.
    • (huffingtonpost.co.uk)
    • No one can accuse Jenny McCarthy of lacking self-esteem. The Love in the Wild host — and current Playboy cover girl — doesnt think her nudity is any bid deal. In fact, she doesnt care if her son, Evan, sees her in the buff.
    • (Sheknows.com)
    • Sign up to stay up to date on the latest headlines via email. This month, Jenny McCarthy will reprise the stunt that helped her get her start.
    • (AlterNet)

    Ann Curry

    • NEW YORK -- NBC appointed Savannah Guthrie as Matt Lauers co-anchor on the Today show Friday, a day after Ann Curry made a tearful exit from the job.
    • (Los Angeles Daily News)
    • Savannah Guthrie will replace Ann Curry as co-host of the Today show, NBC News announced on Friday. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the news. The announcement comes just one day after a tearful Curry bid viewers farewell.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • NBC News on Friday made a big bet on Savannah Guthrie, naming the former White House correspondent and chief legal analyst co-host of a franchise that brought in more than $600 million in advertising dollars last year.
    • (Hollywood Reporter)
    • NEW YORK (AP) -- Savannah Guthrie was in Ann Currys former chair as co-host of NBCs Today show on Friday, with her official appointment expected later in the day.
    • (MSN)
    • Savannah Guthrie was in Ann Currys chair on NBCs Today show Friday, but no one has made an official announcement that shes the full-time replacement. Oh well, it likely no one even noticed.
    • (Contra Costa Times)
    • Ann Curry gave a tearful goodbye to the Today show this morning. Fighting back tears and with her voice breaking, she told the audience, Its not how I ever expected to leave this couch after 15 years.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Confirming reports that had been swirling for a week, Savannah Guthrie has been named as ousted Today co-host Anny Currys replacement, NBC announced on Friday.
    • (MSN)
    • NBCs Today is drawing criticism from many who feel that Ann Curry wasnt given a proper sendoff Thursday morning -- and should never have been ousted in the first place.
    • (Hollywood Reporter)
    • Anne Curry said a tearful farewell to viewers of the Today show on Thursday. With tears in her eyes and her voice breaking she explained to her fans, Its not how I expected to leave this couch after 15 years.
    • (Christian Post)
    • The macabre game being played out between NBC insiders and one of its stars, Ann Curry came to a head yesterday with the lauded journalist accepting personal responsibility for the latest surrender in ratings points and her effective dismissal.
    • (scallywagandvagabond.com)

    ESPN3

    • SI.com has learned that Fox Sports is aggressively pursuing ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews for a role at its network. The networks executives recently met with Andrews regarding a major role in Foxs college football coverage.
    • (CNN Sports Illustrated)
    • ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys Friday said Erin Andrews, whose ESPN contract expires Saturday, is leaving ESPN. Andrews, according to si.com, is leaving ESPN for Foxs college football coverage.
    • (USA Today)
    • On the same day Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes announced their divorce, another superstar couple has decided to call it quits. Reporter Erin Andrews is leaving ESPN potentially for the open arms of Fox and its budding college football coverage.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • The Rose Bowl Game, along with the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences, signed a 12-year agreement with ESPN that will continue the multi-platform coverage of the Rose Bowl Game for 12 years.
    • (Examiner)
    • Babe Herman also had two cycles in one season for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931, according to ESPN Stats and Information. On Friday night, Hill doubled for his 1,000th hit in the first and then singled in the third.
    • (ESPN)
    • In advance of the All-Star Game selections Sunday, ESPN.
    • (ESPN)
    • Some Bristol residents who live near ESPN were surprised to hear a warning about a tornado broadcast over an outdoor loudspeaker Thursday night. The alert went out to the ESPN campus around 10 p.m. telling folks to take cover.
    • (Eyewitness News)
    • Erin Andrews, ESPN's signature sideline reporter for college football and college basketball, is leaving the network, ESPN confirmed Friday. "Erin Andrews leaving ESPN. She did great work for us we made aggressive offer to keep her.
    • (Union-News & Sunday Republican)
    • ESPN has a reached a 12-year extension with the Rose Bowl, the network announced Thursday. The agreement begins in January 2015 and runs through 2026.
    • (Sporting News)
    • Yep -- Chris Berman is indeed next. (Getty Images)ESPN has reduced its main Monday Night Football crew from three to two, asking Ron Jaworski to step out of the booth and leave Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden to it.
    • (YAHOO!)

    Nora Ephron

    • (CBS News) Nora Ephron left behind a play that will likely get to see the light of day. A lead producer of Ephrons play, Lucky Guy, says he is committed to getting the production to the Broadway stage.
    • (CBS News)
    • A lead producer of Nora Ephrons new play, Lucky Guy, says he is committed to getting her biography of a newspaper columnist on a Broadway stage despite the death this week of the playwright.
    • (Newsday)
    • Nora Ephron was the first modern woman that agent Robert Bookman ever knew. Whether it was writing films about natural, effortless couples or advising him on how to be a father, she understand our new world before we did.
    • (Daily Beast)
    • One of the theater producers aiming Nora Ephron's new play "Lucky Guy" for Broadway confirmed on Thursday that he is going forward with the show, a bio-drama about the New York newspaper columnist Mike McAlary. Ms.
    • (New York Times Blogs)
    • I was saddened to hear about the death of Nora Ephron this past Tuesday. She is responsible for a handful of movies I absolutely love, including Julie Julia (2009), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), Youve Got Mail (1998) and When Harry Met Sally (1989).
    • (Lancaster online.com)
    • In the aftermath of Nora Ephrons passing, on Wednesday Piers Morgan welcomed two of her closest friends – Barbara Walters and Arianna Huffington – to share their memories of the acclaimed screenwriter.
    • (CNN)
    • Nora Ephron, who died this week of complications from leukemia, knew the formula. She learned it from her parents. The journalist, screenwriter, essayist, playwright and director grew up writing in a family of writers.
    • (Chicago Tribune)
    • Nora Ephron, who cast an acerbic eye on relationships, metropolitan living and aging in essays, books, plays and hit movies including Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally and Julie Julia, died Tuesday in New York. She was 71.
    • (Los Angeles Times)
    • Harry: You were going to be a gymnast. Sally: A journalist.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • The Ill have what she's having scene in the Nora Ephron-scripted When Harry Met Sally remains one of the most memorable moments in romantic comedy history.
    • (Hollywood Reporter)

    Colorado Springs

    • COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.
    • (msnbc.com)
    • MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo.
    • (Los Angeles Times)
    • COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.
    • (Cleveland Plain Dealer)
    • COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Friday, June 29: Simone Covey walked anxiously into the Red Cross shelter Thursday evening after organizers called a closed meeting for evacuees.
    • (Minneapolis Star Tribune)
    • View more images from the Waldo Canyon fire. COLORADO SPRINGS — Just as a firestorm roared into Mountain Shadows, residents fleeing the flames saw one of their neighbors pulling into his garage on Rossmere Street.
    • (Denver Post)
    • After surveying damage from raging wildfires in Colorado Springs, President Obama addressed firefighters and first responders promising all the resources the government has to offer.
    • (FOX News)
    • President Obama visited the wildfire-ravaged landscape in the foothills of Colorado Springs today, calling it a major disaster, and pledged to release federal funding to the counties affected. The devastation is enormous, Obama said.
    • (ABC News)
    • Steve Lockett thought of his three young daughters and his pregnant wife and made his decision. We arent coming, he told his wife, Erin.
    • (Star-Tribune)
    • President Barack Obama toured scenes of devastation in Colorado Springs today, where hundreds of evacuees learned whether their homes survived the most destructive wildfire in state history.
    • (Bloomberg)
    • As an uncontrolled "super fire" near Colorado Springs rages, feeding off parched terrain and forcing tens of thousands from their homes and businesses, high-tech mapping tools are dishing up highly detailed, bird's eye views of the fire's scope.
    • (Time)

    Euro 2012

    • Television coverage of Italy's 2-1 victory over Germany in the Euro 2012 soccer championships Thursday night set an all-time ratings record for the winning side. 23.3 million Italians, 79.
    • (Hollywood Reporter)
    • KIEV, Ukraine -- The sweetest moment of Euro 2012 didnt fit the script.
    • (CNN Sports Illustrated)
    • AccuScore simulated the 2012 European Championship final 10,000 times and calculated Spain to be favorites but not nearly as strong as most would expect.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • UEFA Euro 2012, one of soccers top international competitions, is here. To celebrate, Playbook has teamed up with ESPN FC and the World Cup on ESPN Facebook page to offer sights and other delights from around the competition. Loss. It hurts.
    • (ESPN)
    • As expected, once I resigned to picking favorites in the Euro 2012 semifinals, one -- and very nearly both -- lost. The upset came Thursday, when favored Germany lost to Italy, 2-1, on a breakout two-goal performance by Mario Balotelli.
    • (Seattle Times)
    • Cristiano Ronaldo might have been left out of the semifinal shoot-out drama with Spain but he is "confident" that his performances for Portugal at Euro 2012 will win him the Fifa Ballon D'Or.
    • (New York Daily News)
    • After scoring a brace against Germany to send Italy in to the finals of Euro 2012, Mario Ballotelli has been praised by football experts on Twitter, particularly for his second goal, which saw him slam the ball into the net from 20 yards out.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Khryak the Pig has been strangely silent these past few weeks. The zozulicas have not added to the celebratory din that marks big football clashes. And the Euro 2012 theme song is no match for Waka Waka (and not just because of Shakira).
    • (Economic Times)

    Nexus 7

    • Digital devices keep getting smaller. Yet technology reviews keep getting longer. I've fixed that. I'm publishing the last one or two paragraphs from this week's reviews of Google's Nexus 7 tablet.
    • (Forbes)
    • GameStop begins accepting pre-orders for the new Google Android tablet, the Nexus 7, Friday and the video game retailer is offering a few benefits that may lure some consumers to purchase the tablet from it.
    • (Los Angeles Times)
    • Google has unveiled a small tablet computer bearing its brand in a challenge to Amazons Kindle Fire device.
    • (the Nexus 7 - New Zealand Herald)
    • Less than 10 days after Microsoft (MSFT) released its Surface tablet, Google (GOOG) unveiled its Nexus 7 tablet Wednesday at its I/O developers conference, delving into the hardware business for the first time.
    • (Yahoo Finance)
    • I know some people have been dumping on Siri as being not as good as advertised, or not as good as before Apple bought it but as a touch typist who cant stand typing on small (i.e.
    • (Computerworld)
    • Since posting the Nexus 7 mini review, Ive gotten a lot of emails asking about whether USB-OTG for storage was currently supported or would be supported in the shipping software load. Ive done some asking around and believe I have the final word now.
    • (Mounting USB Storage Not Supported - AnandTech)
    • Google I/O 2012 has come and gone, leaving us with a few goodies to dig into here at PCMag Labs—most notably the Google Nexus 7, an Android tablet that showcases the search giants newest mobile operating system, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
    • (PC Magazine)
    • The pricing for the Nexus 7 does seem at first glance like an example of the much-discussed 'Australia tax': people being charged more for technology goods in Australia even though there seems no logical explanation for the difference.
    • (Lifehacker)
    • ET spoke with Jeff Orr, group director, consumer and mobile at ABI Research, a technology-focused market research firm. Android Jellybean allows for a lot of fluidity of applications and makes integrated applications like search work better.
    • (Economic Times)
    • It's relentless. Just when my psyche was beginning to recover from the Nexus 7 bombshell, here comes the Nexus 10.
    • (Beta News)

    ObamaCare

    • Fans of ObamaCare must be busting a gut three times over. The mandate that conservatives now hate was originally a conservative proposal.
    • (Wall Street Journal)
    • The RNC just concluded a conference call for the national media with two high-profile surrogates for the Mitt Romney campaign — Governors Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Bob McDonnell of Virginia.
    • (Hotair.com)
    • The Affordable Care Act is officially Constitutional. It is time for the naysayers to move on. Of course, we know that they won't. Not because they don't like health care, or affordable health insurance, or even mandates.
    • (Forbes)
    • This may seem a little technical, but it is necessary.  So follow along with me.  A number of politicians and commentators are claiming that the Supreme Court in the Obamacare case limited the reach of the commerce clause, i.e.
    • (FOX News)
    • Follow stories by Matthew Yglesias. MySlate is a new tool that you track your favorite parts Slate. You can follow authors and sections, track comment threads youre interested in, and more.
    • (Slate)
    • The Supreme Court guessing game is over, but the drama may just have begun.
    • (FOX News)
    • Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney tells NewsmaxTV that the Supreme Court ruling has given Americans clarity in his race against Obama and will give voters more reason to embrace him.
    • (NewsMax.com)
    • Repeal: After a full days reflection, we still feel that the ObamaCare ruling is an outrage. And while we acknowledge that its now settled law, we believe that its poor public policy and needs to be expunged from the books.
    • (Investors Business Daily)
    • GARDEN GROVE, RJ Steckler: My initial reaction to the Obamacare decision was that America is lost. But then my second thought was upbeat as it will work to wake people up.
    • (Orange County Register)
    • Three months ago, I quoted George Jonas on the 30th anniversary of Canadas ghastly Charter of Rights and Freedoms: There seems to be an inverse relationship between written instruments of freedom, such as a Charter, and freedom itself, he wrote.
    • (Investors Business Daily)

    Ann Curry

    • NEW YORK -- NBC appointed Savannah Guthrie as Matt Lauers co-anchor on the Today show Friday, a day after Ann Curry made a tearful exit from the job.
    • (Los Angeles Daily News)
    • NBC News on Friday made a big bet on Savannah Guthrie, naming the former White House correspondent and chief legal analyst co-host of a franchise that brought in more than $600 million in advertising dollars last year.
    • (Hollywood Reporter)
    • Savannah Guthrie will replace Ann Curry as co-host of the Today show, NBC News announced on Friday. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the news. The announcement comes just one day after a tearful Curry bid viewers farewell.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • NEW YORK (AP) -- Savannah Guthrie was in Ann Currys former chair as co-host of NBCs Today show on Friday, with her official appointment expected later in the day.
    • (MSN)
    • Savannah Guthrie was in Ann Currys chair on NBCs Today show Friday, but no one has made an official announcement that shes the full-time replacement. Oh well, it likely no one even noticed.
    • (Contra Costa Times)
    • Ann Curry gave a tearful goodbye to the Today show this morning. Fighting back tears and with her voice breaking, she told the audience, Its not how I ever expected to leave this couch after 15 years.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • NBCs Today is drawing criticism from many who feel that Ann Curry wasnt given a proper sendoff Thursday morning -- and should never have been ousted in the first place.
    • (Hollywood Reporter)
    • Confirming reports that had been swirling for a week, Savannah Guthrie has been named as ousted Today co-host Anny Currys replacement, NBC announced on Friday.
    • (MSN)
    • Anne Curry said a tearful farewell to viewers of the Today show on Thursday. With tears in her eyes and her voice breaking she explained to her fans, Its not how I expected to leave this couch after 15 years.
    • (Christian Post)
    • The macabre game being played out between NBC insiders and one of its stars, Ann Curry came to a head yesterday with the lauded journalist accepting personal responsibility for the latest surrender in ratings points and her effective dismissal.
    • (scallywagandvagabond.com)

    Don Grady

    • Follow the Trending News Channel blog. Follow stories by . MySlate is a new tool that you track your favorite parts Slate. You can follow authors and sections, track comment threads youre interested in, and more.
    • (Slate)
    • Don Louis Agrati, better known as Don Grady, was born on June 8, 1944 in San Diego, but grew up in Lafayette, situated in the hills above Berkeley, California. Son of sausage maker Lou A. Agrati and talent agent Mary B.
    • (Examiner)
    • Theres one less plate at the dinner table tonight because Robbie Douglas has left home. On June 28, the Associated Press reported that actor Don Grady passed away at the age of 68.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • LOS ANGELES — Don Grady, who sang and danced as a Mouseketeer on "The Mickey Mouse Club," played son Robbie on the long-running family sitcom "My Three Sons," and later became a composer and songwriter, died Wednesday. He was 68.
    • (Marconews.com)
    • 062812_DonGrady_ftr_1827642'My Three Sons' actor Don Grady died Wednesday, June 27, of cancer, Deadline.com confirms. He was 68.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Don Grady, who was one of televisions most beloved big brothers as Robbie Douglas on the long-running 1960s hit My Three Sons, died Wednesday. He was 68.
    • (Tulsa World)
    • Don Grady, who was one of TVs most beloved big brothers as Robbie Douglas on the long-running 1960s hit My Three Sons, died Wednesday, June 27. He was 68.
    • (Pioneer Press)
    • Don Grady, an American actor/composer/musician, died today (June 27, 2012) in Thousand Oaks, California, following a long battle with cancer. Grady is survived by his wife, Virginia Lewsader, and his children, Joey an Tessa.
    • (Examiner)
    • Actor Don Grady has died at the age of 68.The My Three Sons star passed away on Wednesday (27Jun12) after a four-year cancer battle. His former co-star Barry Livingston took to Facebook.
    • (MSN)
    • The World News (WN) Network, has created this privacy statement in order to demonstrate our firm commitment to user privacy. The following discloses our information gathering and dissemination practices for wn.com, as well as e-mail newsletters.
    • (Worldnews.com)

    NBA draft 2012

    • NEWARK, N.J. – Perry Jones III somehow folded his 6-foot-11 frame into one of the Prudential Centers cramped arena seats, leaving him little room to stretch his long legs as he watched Thursdays NBA draft.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • As is NBA Draft tradition, the second round began with enthusiastic cheers as Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver replaced his antagonistic boss, David Stern, at the podium.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • Tyshawn Taylor chose to watch the NBA Draft on television in Hoboken on Thursday night, instead of going to the Prudential Center to be there in person when his name was called.
    • (NJ.com)
    • AUBURN HILLS – The Detroit Pistons had a celebration of sorts today, when for perhaps their only day ever in the practice facility, it was all about Andre Drummond and his new fellow Pistons, Khris Middleton and Kim English.
    • (MLive.com)
    • Two Sports Illustrated writers had different takes on the Detroit Pistons first-round selection of Andre Drummond in Thursday nights NBA Draft. The Pistons took the big University of Connecticut center with the No. 9 overall pick and SI.
    • (MLive.com)
    • It's difficult to declare who the winners and losers of the 2012 NBA draft are, what with none of the players or teams involved playing any games that matter for four months.
    • (ESPN)
    • The Portland Trail Blazers did really well at the 2012 NBA Draft, bringing in some players that could add a lot of depth to the current roster.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • The 2012 NBA Draft is complete, which means its time to hand out grades to each of the 30 teams that made picks Thursday night.
    • (Sporting News)
    • Anthony Davis became the Hornets new franchise player, the Bobcats stayed with No. 2, and Perry Jones III slid and slid. The 2012 NBA Draft concluded Thursday night, and here are the grades for the teams and who they chose.
    • (CBS Sports)

    Tom Cruise

    • Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood's richest movie stars. His wife, Katie Holmes, has assembled a team of high-profile lawyers to handle their divorce proceedings.
    • (Los Angeles Times)
    • By CHRISTY LEMIRE AP Movie Critic LOS ANGELES (AP) - It always seemed more than a little weird, didnt it? The whirlwind romance of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes with its very public, very emphatic proclamations of love.
    • (msnbc.com)
    • Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, whose high-profile marriage has been tasty fodder for the Hollywood celebrity media, are getting divorced. After five years of marriage, Ms. Holmes, 33, filed for divorce from Mr.
    • (New York Times Blogs)
    • Marriage is NOT a fairy tale, Katie Holmes. Just because you have crushed on someone since you were a teenager doesnt mean you should marry them when theyre a devoted Scientologist and youre not.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are divorcing after five years of marriage. This is a personal and private matter for Katie and her family, Holmes attorney Jonathan Wolfe told People.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • LOS ANGELES (AP) - It always seemed more than a little weird, didnt it? The whirlwind romance of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes with its very public, very emphatic proclamations of love. It all occurred too quickly and too loudly to seem real.
    • (KLEWTV)
    • People magazine broke the story that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are heading for divorce, citing a statement from Holmes's lawyer for confirmation.
    • (Washington Post)
    • Cannes: Scientology Will Have to Deal with The Master Roger Friedman Contributor But now, Cruise seems to be back in Hollywood's good graces. (A $700 million box office will do that.
    • (Forbes)

    Adele

    • British soul singer Adele, whose multiple Grammy Award-winning album 21 made her a worldwide star in 2011, has announced she is expecting her first child, with boyfriend Simon Konecki. Adele, 24, broke the news on her website on Friday.
    • (Los Angeles Times)
    • The fact that Adele is expecting a baby has the Twitterverse buzzing -- competing only with the revelation that Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise are getting divorced. The celebrity world has officially gone crazy.
    • (Huffington Post)
    • Adele, the most popular human looking songstress of the past decade (sorry, Gaga, but sometimes you resemble an anime heroine), is doing something really, really human. Shes gestating offspring.
    • (Broward New Times (blog))
    • Im delighted to announce that Simon (Konecki) and I are expecting our first child together, the Grammy winner, 24, posted on her website, according to People.
    • (San Jose Mercury News)
    • Adele dominated this years Billboard Music Awards, winning a total of 12 awards at the ceremony in Las Vegas last night (May 20).
    • (NME)
    • Better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all, especially in Adeles case, considering her breakthrough album appeared to tell the tale of ghosts from lovers past.
    • (Christian Post)
    • Adele has announced today that she is pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Simon Konecki. The singer, 24, revealed the news on her website to her fans, writing: Im delighted to announce that Simon and I are expecting our first child together.
    • (Daily Mail)
    • Shapiro is claiming that Adeles boyfriend at the time broke up with her on her 18 th birthday, and that was the relationship that inspired her award-winning album. One thing we know is that it was a first love gone terribly bad, Shapiro writes.
    • (International Business Times)
    • Based on recent declarations made in an unauthorized biography, British singer Adele confessed that she was dumped for a man when she was a teenager. The incident inspired the artist to create her debut album "19", says Web Pro News.
    • (Daily Gossip)
    • Her first name is Adele, and she's the latest British soul singer to try to conquer the U.S. She's not Adele Adkins, the multi-Grammy-winner behind "Rolling in the Deep.
    • (Bloomberg)

    Thursday, June 28, 2012

    Alan Turing

    • Alan Turings was a once-in-a-generation mind, ticking with mathematical insights that helped end a war and usher in the computing era. That uncanny brain, however, wasnt enough to save him from the cruel prejudices of his day.
    • (San Francisco Gate)
    • If Alan Turing had not existed, would we have had to invent him? The question seems to answer itself: Alan Turing very much did exist, and yet we have persisted in inventing him still.
    • (BBC News)
    • A Nazi bomber flies over London in the autumn of 1940. (AP) Alan Turing saved my life.
    • (Yahoo Finance)
    • Alan Turing would have turned 100 this week, an event that would have, no doubt, been greeted with all manner of pomp -- the centennial of a man whose mid-century concepts would set the stage for modern computing.
    • (engadget)
    • The 40-year-old man appeared disheveled, even unkempt — his hair uncombed, his pants hitched up with string — when he approached the 19-year-old male on the sidewalk in front of the Regal Cinema in Manchester, England, in December 1951.
    • (The Star-Ledger - NJ.com (blog))
    • Alan Turing was a code-breaker, a computer scientist, a mathematician, an ideas man. His work on breaking the code of the German naval Enigma machines at Bletchley Park in the 1940s is credited with considerably hastening the end of World War II.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • IDG News Service (New York Bureau) — On Saturday, British mathematician Alan Turing would have turned 100 years old. It is barely fathomable to think that none of the computing power surrounding us today was around when he was born.
    • (CIO)
    • Alan Turing, the computer science legend best known for his part in breaking the German Enigma code at Bletchley Park in World War II, may have died of an accident rather than suicide, according to a new claim. Accidental cyanide poisoning? Do go on.
    • (science20.com)

    LeBron James

    • Now that LeBron James is universally regarded as the most clutch basketball player of his era, its hard to imagine a time when people thought he couldnt handle big moments.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • Special to The Washington Post. I am happy that LeBron James and the Miami Heat won the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship last week. Its not that Im a big Miami fan; I was rooting for Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
    • (nola.com)
    • LeBron James and David Letterman, all smiles on Tuesdays Late Show.
    • (YAHOO!)
    • You most certainly have seen, read about, or heard about ESPN First Takes Skip Bayless. His highly critical and often exaggerated remarks about LeBron James have led to scrutiny of Bayless journalistic skills.
    • (Bleacherreport.com)
    • The LeBron James story is finally over. After seven agonizing seasons in Cleveland and two media-crazy seasons in South Beach, James answered all the critics questions about his game.
    • (Orlando Sentinel)
    • MIAMI -- Miami star LeBron James didnt want to talk about his former team after his Heat won the NBA title June 21. But he was willing to shortly thereafter with Oprah Winfrey.
    • (myfoxny.com)
    • The Kardashians arent Oprah Winfreys only ties to the NBA. The talk show host is bringing the stars of the NBA champion Miami Heat on her show, Oprahs Next Chapter, this Sunday (8 p.m. ET, Oprah Winfrey Network).
    • (USA Today)
    • As I watched LeBron James mature from a boy to a full grown man, I recall the first time I saw him on television.
    • (thyblackman.com)
    • Miami Heat superstar LeBron James has been making the rounds since his team won the NBA Championship in five games over the Oklahoma City Thunder last week, and on Tuesday he stopped by the Late Show with David Letterman to discuss his triumph.
    • (Bleacherreport.com)
    • Alex Rodriguez was happy for his hometown Heat after Miami captured the NBA title Thursday night, but the third baseman had a better idea of what LeBron James was feeling after winning his first championship.
    • (New York Daily News)

    Kevin Youkilis

    • MINNEAPOLIS—Kevin Youkilis needed a printout of the players on Chicagos roster so he could remember everyones name. Jake Peavy pitched with a heavy heart, trying to honor the memory of a former coach.
    • (San Jose Mercury News)
    • BOSTON—Kevin Youkilis took off his batting helmet, waved to the crowd and blew a kiss to his adoring fans. A favorite at Fenway Park for so long, he wanted a final chance to say so long.
    • (Pioneer Press)
    • What are reasonable expectations for Kevin Youkilis for the remainder of the season? The Sox did not give up much for him, so it appears the other Sox believe he is at the end of the line.
    • (Chicago Tribune)
    • The Pittsburgh Pirates were in the running for Kevin Youkilis. But they let the Chicago White Sox have him without topping a low-ball bid.
    • (Bleacherreport.com)
    • Single Alejandro De Aza singled to center. Runner on first with none out and Kevin Youkilis due up. Out Alejandro De Aza caught stealing second, catcher to second. None on with one out and Kevin Youkilis at the plate.
    • (USA Today)
    • Third baseman Kevin Youkilis expects boos. Lots of them. The White Sox open a four-game series in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium on Thursday with Axelrod (0-1, 4.
    • (csnchicago.com)
    • The team stinks, and are dead last with an 8-14 record despite their fancy new uniforms and their fancy new players. The next day, Miami began a run in which they would win 23 of their next 32 games.
    • (The Guardian)
    • When Kevin Youkilis first came on the scene in Boston, he didnt look like a whole heck of a lot.
    • (NESN.com)
    • Now that Kevin Youkilis has been traded from the Red Sox to the White Sox, we can see what his market value was, which helps us come to the following conclusion. The Indians probably could have gotten Youkilis for Aaron Cunningham and Corey Kluber.
    • (Morning Journal)
    • MINNEAPOLIS — Kevin Youkilis sat in the White Sox dugout before his first game with his new team, looking relaxed, sounding confident and flashing a toothy smile through his trademark bushy goatee.
    • (Middletown Press)