Los Angeles (CNN) -- Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against a 41-year-old Southern California man charged Friday with murder in this week's mass shooting at a hair salon, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said.

Scott Evans Dekraai of Huntington Beach, California, allegedly shot his ex-wife and seven other people to death at the Salon Meritage in the small coastal community of Seal Beach, Rackauckas said Friday. A ninth person was wounded.

Prosecutors formally filed eight counts of first-degree murder and a felony count of attempted murder against Dekraai on Friday. The first-degree murder charges carry the special circumstance of multiple murder, the prosecutor said.

Dekraai and his ex-wife, Michelle Fournier, 48, were in a custody battle over their 8-year-old son, and the dispute was the motive in the shooting, Rackauckas said. The prosecutor called Dekraai "a methodical and merciless killer."

On Friday afternoon, Dekraai appeared before Orange County Judge Erick L. Larsh, who, at the request of attorneys, rescheduled Dekraai's arraignment to November 29.

Dekraai is not taking his antipsychotic medication, and his attorney asked the court to make the drugs available to Dekraai while he is being held in jail without bail.

The judge said he would order a medical team to evaluate Dekraai and, in a response to another defense request, would see if Dekraai's current wife could deliver his spinal cord implant stimulator, which is needed because of a 2007 accident Dekraai experienced.

Balding and with a salt-and-pepper goatee, Dekraai appeared calm inside the courtroom's detainee cage. One person in the gallery shouted "You coward!" Then, as he exited the courtroom, a sobbing woman uttered "I hate you! I hate you!"

Dekraai's attorney, Robert Curtis of Long Beach, told the court that he's considering a change of venue.

Earlier Friday, authorities held a press conference and recounted how Dekraai's ex-wife, a hair stylist at the salon, was working near the entrance and was among the first two people shot.

On the morning of the shooting, which occurred Wednesday, Dekraai and Fournier got into an argument about child custody, authorities said.

"We're sort of guessing. We believe that the custody battle wasn't going well for him. We don't know the contents of their conversation or anything," Rackauckas said.

Hours later, the gunfire rampage at the salon, just blocks from the ocean, unfolded around 1:20 p.m., authorities said.

"He also considered the people who were friends and who worked with his ex-wife were enablers, and he didn't have much use for them either," Rackauckas said.

He was armed with three guns -- a 9 mm Springfield, a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum, and a Heckler & Koch .45 -- and was wearing body armor during the shooting rampage, Rackauckas said. He used at least two of those guns, the prosecutor said.

Rackauckas summarized the mass shooting, saying Dekraai "walked through the salon shooting anyone close enough to hit. He stopped to reload during this spree, and he continued gunning people down. He was not satisfied with murdering his intended target, his ex-wife. For almost two minutes, Dekraai shot victim after victim, executing people by shooting them in the head and chest.

"He shot eight people inside the salon. But he was not done. He then walked out of the salon and shot a ninth victim, a male, who was sitting nearby in a parked Range Rover. The reason for this rampage: revenge," he said.

"We believe that the defendant committed this unimaginable act of violence because he wanted to kill his ex-wife over a custody dispute concerning their 8-year-old son. He was willing to end any life in his path, and he did. Clearly this two-minute murder spree could not have been about loving his son," the prosecutor said.

While Dekraai allegedly carried out the mass murder, his son was sitting alone in the principal's

How many first-degree murder charges were filed?

How many first-degree murders were filed?

What does Scott Dekraai's attorney say he is considering?

What is Scott Dekraai's attorney considering?

Answer: a change of venue.

Answer: ex-wife and seven other people

Answer: eight

Answer: eight

Answer: a change of venue.

Answer: eight counts of first-degree murder and a felony count of attempted murder

Answer: change of venue.

Summary:
Scott Dekraai's attorney says he is considering a change of venue request .
Prosecutors file eight first-degree murder charges and one attempted murder count .
Prosecutors will seek the death penalty against Dekraai, of Huntington Beach .
Authorities say Dekraai and his ex-wife, among the killed, were fighting over custody of a son .


Los Angeles (CNN) -- Rapper Heavy D collapsed in his Beverly Hills home Tuesday morning and died a short time later at a Los Angeles hospital, according to police and the coroner. He was 44.

Heavy D, whose real name is Dwight Arrington Myers, was found conscious with difficulty breathing at his home after police were called there at 11:25 a.m., the Beverly Hills police said in a news release.

He was pronounced dead in the emergency room at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon, according to Los Angeles County coroner's operations chief Craig Harvey. The cause of death has not been determined, Harvey said.

His hip-hop recording career began in 1987 with his group Heavy D & the Boyz and on his first album he released the hit single "The Overweight Lover's in the House." Another one of his breakthrough hits came in 1991 with a remake of the O'Jays' "Now That We Found Love."

Heavy D's rapping was featured on Janet Jackson's 1990 hit "Alright."

He rapped on Michael Jackson's 1991 hit "Jam," which he performed at last month's Michael Jackson tribute show in Cardiff, Wales.

He also composed and performed the theme songs several television shows, including "In Living Color," "MADtv" and "The Tracy Morgan Show."

His last CD, "Love Opus," was released this year.

Heavy D also pursued an acting career, which included mostly roles on TV shows and movies.

He played a courthouse guard in the Eddie Murphy film "Tower Heist," released last weekend.

iReporter: "Rest in peace to Heavy D"

He used his Twitter account Monday night to express sadness about the death of boxer Joe Frazier:

"SMOKIN JOE FRAZIER..RIP.. truly one of the best heavyweight champs that ever lived.. GODS SPEED,MR FRAZIER!"

Heavy D's last Twitter message, posted late Monday, was: "BE INSPIRED!"

CNN's Jack Hannah contributed to this report.

When were police called to his home?
When did Heavy D die?
What was the rapper's real name?
Who found him?
What was his real name?
What did he die from?
What age was he?
Where did Heavy D die?
Who died in the ER at Cedars-Sinai?

Answer: Tuesday morning

Answer: Tuesday afternoon,

Answer: Dwight Arrington Myers,

Answer: police

Answer: Dwight Arrington Myers,

Answer: The cause of death has not been determined,

Answer: 44.

Answer: Los Angeles hospital,

Answer: Rapper Heavy D

Summary:
Heavy D died in the ER at Cedars-Sinai, the coroner's office says .
Beverly Hills police were called to his home at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, police say .
He performed last month at the Michael Jackson tribute in Wales .
The rapper's real name was Dwight Arrington Myers .


Los Angeles (CNN) -- Tears flowed from Dr. Conrad Murray's eyes Wednesday as he listened to an elderly patient tell jurors that Murray had opened a clinic in the Acres Homes community of Houston in honor of his father, who had practiced there.

After 17 days of hearing about how pop star Michael Jackson died under Murray's care, jurors began hearing Wednesday from people who say the doctor saved lives.

Ruby Mosley was one of five character witnesses called by Murray's defense lawyers Wednesday morning as his involuntary manslaughter trial nears an end.

"If this man had been greedy, he never would have come to an area, a community of Acres Homes, 75% of them poor, on welfare and Social Security," Mosley said.

Murray continued to dab tears from his eyes even after Mosley left the stand.

"He's the best doctor I've ever been to," said Gerry Causey, a 68-year-old former patient of the man accused of causing Jackson's death."And I just don't think he did what he's being accused of," Causey added, under cross-examination by the prosecution.

Much of the prosecution's case has been spent trying to demonstrate that Murray gave reckless and incompetent medical treatment as Jackson's personal doctor in the last months of his life.

Causey met Murray 11 years ago when he was rushed to a Las Vegas hospital with a heart attack, but they became friends since then, he testified.

"It's because of Dr. Murray, the way he cares for you, the way he makes you feel," Causey said.

Prosecutors contend that Murray abandoned his patients in Las Vegas and Houston for the $150,000 a month Jackson had promised him.

"There's no way, he's not greedy," Causey said. "He doesn't charge me my deductable, never has."

Las Vegas heart patient Andrew Guest, who followed Causey on the witness stand Wednesday, said Murray "makes sure you're ok during the procedure."

"That man sitting there is the best doctor I've ever seen," Guest testified.

Murray treated Dennis Hix by putting 14 stints into arteries around his heart 11 years ago, Hix testified.

"I'm 66, I've gone to a lot of doctors, a lot of doctors and I've never had one that gave me the care that he did," Hix said.

Murray never charged Hix beyond what his insurance would pay, he said. "I had a type of insurance that don't hardly pay for nothing," he said. "So he did it for me free."

Two medical experts for the defense, including anesthesiologist Dr. Paul White, are expected to follow Thursday and possibly Friday. This would set the stage for closing arguments and jury deliberations early next week, although it's possible that could come Friday.

Jackson's sisters Janet and La Toya, as well as his brother Randy, were in court for Wednesday's testimony.

The promoter of Jackson's ill-fated "This Is It" tour testified Tuesday that Jackson's fear that producers would "pull the plug" on the shows if the singer missed more rehearsals was unfounded.

"No one on our end was ever contemplating pulling the plug," said Randy Phillips, the head of AEG Live.

Murray's lawyers contend Jackson self-administered the overdose of drugs that killed him in a "desperate desire to get to sleep," because he feared without rest he would miss his next rehearsal and trigger the cancellation of his comeback concerts.

If the tour was canceled, Jackson would have to pay for all of the production and rehearsal costs, Phillips said, although the judge would not let him tell jurors how much that might have been. Defense lawyer Ed Chernoff estimated the cost to be about $40 million, leaving him "a very, very poor man," but it was not while the jury was present.

Concert director Kenny Ortega sent Phillips an e-mail five days before Jackson's death, referring to Jackson's fear the

What kind of doctor is Dr. Murray?
Who testified for the defense?
What do people think about Dr. Murray?
Who testified?
How many experts will the defense call?
Who is the best doctor?
When will defense rest?

Answer: personal

Answer: Ruby Mosley

Answer: the doctor saved lives.

Answer: Causey

Answer: Two

Answer: Dr. Conrad Murray's

Answer: early next week,

Summary:
NEW: Dr. Murray sheds tears as heart patient testifies .
Murray "is the best doctor I've ever seen," a former heart patient says .
Character witnesses testify for Dr. Murray's defense Wednesday .
The defense will call two medical experts before resting Thursday or Friday .


Los Angeles (CNN) -- The defense anesthesiology expert in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor was found in contempt of court Wednesday for referring to his private talks with Dr. Conrad Murray during his testimony.

Dr. Murray did not testify in his own defense in his involuntary manslaughter trial and the judge refused to allow Dr. Paul White to base any of his testimony on anything other than what Murray told police.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor gave Dr. White 30 days to pay a $250 fine, but he also dropped a second contempt citation for derogatory comments he allegedly made about a rival witness.

Wednesday's contempt hearing was part of the aftermath of Dr. Murray's involuntary manslaughter that ended with a guilty verdict last week.

Another contempt hearing is set for November 29, the day Murray is set to be sentenced, for one of the defense lawyers who allegedly violated the judge's gag order by speaking to NBC's "Today Show" during the trial.

Murray defense lawyer Michael Flanagan, who was in court to defend Dr. White Wednesday, said after the hearing that he believed Murray should be eligible for early release if he is given prison time.

A California law that took effect last month provides for non-violent state inmates to be assigned to county jails to relieve state prison overcrowding. The Los Angeles County jail has a court-ordered early release program to relieve overcrowding, which allows non-violent offenders to serve much of their sentences at home with electronic monitoring.

Flanagan said Murray is not a safety threat to the public and should be included in the early release program.

Dr. White told reporters after the hearing that he still believed Jackson gave himself the overdose of the surgical anesthetic propofol and a sedative the coroner ruled killed the pop icon.

"I was aware that Michael Jackson had self-administered drugs in the past, propofol specifically, and so what's to say that he wouldn't do it again," White said. "He was desperate. Murray was withholding from him the drug that he desperately desired."

White, while under cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney David Walgren, referred several times to his private discussions with Dr. Murray about what happened the day Jackson died. Judge Pastor repeatedly warned him not to do so.

Finally, the judge cited White for contempt and set Wednesday's hearing to decide if he would be fined.

"There wasn't any intentional deception here or violation of the court order," defense lawyer Michael Flanagan told Pastor Wednesday. "He was explaining to Mr. Walgren 'Hey, I can't answer that.'"

Prosecutor Walgren, who has grown a beard since the televised trial ended, told the judge that this was one of "multiple instances" where Dr. White was "trying to sabotage the trial."

"It was intentional and deliberate," Walgren said. "It was an attempt to deny the people a fair trial."

White told the judge he "did my best as I was admonished by you to answer question truthfully and as completely as I could."

"I apologize profusely if I disrespected you," White said. "I learned a lot from this experience."

Pastor ruled that White was guilty of violating his order by giving "a non-responsive answer" that dealt with "no-go territory."

While he could have fined him $1,000, he only imposed a $250 fine. Judge Pastor also dropped the other contempt charge which stemmed from an online report that quoted White allegedly calling prosecution anesthesiology expert Dr. Steven Shafer "a scumbag."

What did the prosecutor argue that the expert tried to do?

How many days does paul white have to pay the fine?

Answer: he believed Murray should be eligible for early release if he is given prison time.

Answer: a second contempt citation for derogatory comments he allegedly made about a rival witness.

Answer: not a safety threat to the public

Answer: 30

Answer: "trying to sabotage the trial."

Answer: Dr. Conrad Murray

Answer: $250

Answer: 30

Summary:
NEW: Defense lawyer: Dr. Murray should get early release if sentenced to prison .
Dr. Paul White has 30 days to pay a $250 contempt fine .
The prosecutor argues the defense anesthesiology expert tried to 'sabotage' the trial .
A contempt charge relating to White calling another witness a "scumbag" is dropped .


Los Angeles (CNN) -- The man accused of shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier at a homecoming party in the soldier's honor faces one count of attempted murder, the spokesman for the San Bernardino, California, district attorney said Tuesday.

District Attorney Michael Ramos filed the charge Tuesday against 19-year-old Ruben Jurado, spokesman Christopher Lee said. He also filed "four special allegations involving premeditation and the use and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury," the DA's office said in a statement.

Jurado was being held at the West Valley Detention Center and was expected to be arraigned Wednesday or Thursday.

Jurado is accused of shooting Army Spc. Christopher Sullivan on Friday night at a homecoming party in Sullivan's native San Bernardino. Sullivan was there celebrating his recent return to California from Kentucky, where he was stationed while recovering from wounds sustained in a suicide bombing a year ago in Afghanistan.

Sullivan narrowly survived the attack, which killed five members of his unit and left him with a cracked collar bone and brain damage, according to the San Bernardino County Sun. Sullivan was awarded the Purple Heart after the incident.

He was shot at the party after an "argument and physical confrontation" with Jurado, San Bernardino Police Department Sgt. Pete Higgins told CNN.

Accompanied by an attorney, Jurado turned himself in to authorities in Chino Hills early Monday afternoon, said Lt. Gwendolyn Waters.

The fight at the party broke out after Jurado and Sullivan's younger brother began arguing about football, the brothers' mother, Suzanne Sullivan, told CNN.

Jurado "pulled out a gun and shot him twice," she said.

Higgins said Jurado fled the scene after the shooting.

Sullivan was rushed to a hospital, where he was being treated, officials said.

"Right now, my son is hanging in physically," Suzanne Sullivan told CNN. "He's on 100% life support. He can move his head and he responds through nodding and blinking to us. His eyes aren't always open, but we try to encourage him to do so as often as possible."

She said her son tried to ask what happened to him at the hospital and when they told him he wanted to know, "Why?"

"We told him what it was about and he just closed his eyes," Suzanne Sullivan told CNN.

She said she was told that the suspect and her son might have gone to school and played football together. She also said she couldn't believe what had happened to her son, who she said joined the Army to try and help her out.

"He's a wonderful son. ... the best person you could meet on this Earth," she said. "He's a giver, not a taker, and just wants to be there for and help people. He was so happy when he joined the Army, because he really wanted to defend his country."

The mother and her family have been at her son's hospital bedside. A fellow soldier from Christopher Sullivan's 101st Airborne Division brought the infantry's flag to the hospital, Suzanne Sullivan told CNN.

"He loved his platoon. He loved his fellow soldiers," she said as she began to sob. "He was so proud to serve our country."

Tears rolled down Christopher Sullivan's face when he saw the flag of the Screaming Eagles, the nickname for the division, his mother said.

"I asked Chris if he wanted to me to hang it on the wall or cover him in it," Suzanne Sullivan said. "He nodded that he wanted me to cover him with it. Once I did that he started to cry, which made me start to cry. It's been really hard on all of us."

She said she was distraught over the news that her son, who was already recovering from injuries sustained during his tour abroad, had returned to the United States only to be paralyzed during a party.

"He once told me that if defending this country takes his life, so

When is Ruben Jurado expected to be arraigned?

The DA also filed special allegations including what?

Answer: shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier

Answer: the charge Tuesday against 19-year-old Ruben Jurado,

Answer: of shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier

Answer: Wednesday or Thursday.

Answer: 19-year-old

Answer: Ruben Jurado,

Answer: shooting and paralyzing a U.S. Army soldier

Answer: involving premeditation and the use and discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury,"

Answer: Michael Ramos

Summary:
NEW: The DA also filed special allegations including premeditation .
19-year-old Ruben Jurado is expected to be arraigned Wednesday or Thursday .
He is accused of shooting an Army soldier at his homecoming .
The soldier was already recovering from wounds suffered in Afghanistan .


Los Angeles (CNN) -- The mother of a German national suspected of one of the worst arson sprees in Los Angeles history appeared before a U.S. magistrate judge Tuesday in the German government's effort to extradite her on fraud charges.

Harry Burkhart, 24, may have been motivated to set the fires by his mother's arrest, according to officials and CNN affiliates.

His mother, 53-year-old Dorothee Burkhart, was arrested by Los Angeles police during a traffic stop on December 28, a day before the first of 52 fires, mostly in parked cars, that investigators suspect were part of a series of arsons.

The son, who was arrested Monday, was charged with one count of arson of an inhabited dwelling. He is likely to face additional charges as the investigation moves forward, said Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Harry Burkhart remains jailed without bail and is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

"What did you do to my son," Dorothee Burkhart, yelled at the judge during her hearing Tuesday. "My son is disappeared since yesterday. Perhaps the German Nazis know of our address."

It did not appear that she knew her son had been arrested a day earlier on the arson charge.

She turned down an offer of a court-appointed lawyer and was given until her next hearing Friday to hire a defense attorney.

A federal extradition complaint said she is wanted in Germany on 19 counts of fraud, including an allegation that she defrauded the doctor who performed breast augmentation surgery on her in 2004. The other fraud charges center on rent and security deposits for apartments in Frankfurt, Germany, the complaint said.

A website advertising "sensual tantra massage" and offering "full body hot oil body to body sliding massage" is registered to Dorothee Burkhart using a Hollywood address, according to a domain registry database. She lived with her son in a Hollywood apartment, according to the complaint.

Investigators seized press clippings of arson attacks in Germany from the apartment, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Dorothee Burkhart last entered the United States lawfully in January 2007 and left the country four months later, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. She currently has no lawful immigration status and ICE has lodged an immigration detainer against her, it said.

A court document released earlier on Tuesday incorrectly stated that Dorothee Burkhart had most recently entered the United States in October, according to ICE.

Harry Burkhart was in the United States lawfully at the time of his arrest on a non-immigrant visa, which expires on January 18, ICE said. The agency has similarly lodged an immigration detainer against him.

Arson investigators counted 52 fires, most starting in parked cars, since Friday morning, but none since the suspect was detained at 3 a.m. Monday, according to officials.

No one was hurt in the fires, but property damage is likely to reach $3 million, said Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said Tuesday that after Los Angeles police released a surveillance video of a man seen near the scene of one fire, agents in the department's Bureau of Diplomatic Security field office recognized Burkhart.

Multiple CNN affiliates reported the alleged arson spree could have stemmed from a deportation battle between the suspect and immigration officials involving Burkhart's mother.

After his arrest, Burkhart told investigators, "I hate America," according to CNN affiliate KABC.

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck said officials believe -- and hope -- the fires were set by one person. But they will proceed as though others may be involved until they know for sure, Beck said.

"I feel very good that we've got the right guy. (The suspect) had the right stuff in his van, and we are confident in the arrest," Beck said.

Neighbor Galina Larimoda told KABC-TV through a Russian translator that Harry Burkhart knocked on her door Sunday and seemed angry and not "completely normal."

Los Angeles County Reserve Sheriff's Deputy Shervin Lalezary, who draws a salary of $1 a year

who is wanted in Germany on 19 fraud counts?

Answer: Los Angeles police

Answer: Dorothee Burkhart,

Answer: 52

Answer: Harry Burkhart was in the United States lawfully at the time of his arrest on a non-immigrant visa, which expires on January 18,

Answer: Harry Burkhart,

Answer: 52 fires,

Summary:
NEW: Harry Burkhart's mother has no lawful immigration status, ICE says .
Dorothee Burkhart is wanted in Germany on 19 fraud counts .
LAPD arrests her during a traffic stop on an extradition warrant a day before the first Hollywood fires .
52 fires cause $3 million damage in the Los Angeles area .


Los Angeles (CNN) -- They came seeking justice as the sun rose Tuesday over a courthouse in the heart of downtown Los Angeles made famous by its celebrity trials -- O.J. Simpson, Snoop Dogg, Phil Spector.

But there were almost as many definitions of justice as there were justice seekers. Some shouted "Murderer!" as the defendant, Conrad Murray, arrived at the Clara Foltz Justice Center for the start of his involuntary manslaughter trial in the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson.

"Dr. Murray," corrected Beatrice Fakhrian, a supporter of the defendant. "He has earned that title."

So began the long-anticipated trial of the personal physician accused of causing the death of one of the most famous people in the world. More than 100 people from France, Spain and Australia, as well as the far-flung suburbs of Los Angeles, crowded into the dingy courthouse plaza, jockeying for a chance at one of just six courtroom seats, or to say their piece in front of television cameras.

Some read psalms, some handed out sunflowers, some chanted "Justice for Michael," and many of them carried signs, transforming a wall outside the courthouse into an international billboard.

"Bulgaria Loves MJ," one sign said. So do the Netherlands, Romania and Malaysia, according to the signed posters taped to the wall.

A doctor in a while coat preached about safe ways to administer anesthesia.

A Michael Jackson impersonator preened for the cameras.

"Even in death, Michael Jackson can draw a crowd," said Najee Ali, a Los Angeles civil rights activist who grew up in Jackson's hometown, Gary, Indiana. Ali was the force behind the "Caravan of Love" to support Jackson when he was acquitted in Santa Barbara of child molestation charges in 2005.

Julie Jenkins, 31, came from Australia and was rewarded by winning the lottery for one of the courtroom seats available to the public. She has been a Michael Jackson fan since she was 7 and wore black jeans, a red shirt, a black armband and aviator sunglasses in honor of her idol.

"For me, it represents the first time I saw him in person," she said, explaining her get-up, which was vaguely reminiscent of JacksonÂ¹s look during his "History" tour. "It also represents blood, because we think he was murdered."

She pounded a closed fist over her chest.

That sentiment is shared by many of Jackson's fans, although Murray is charged with the less serious offense of involuntary manslaughter. He is accused of giving Jackson a lethal dose of the powerful anesthetic propofol to help him sleep as the pop star prepared for his comeback "This is It" concerts in June 2009.

Defense: Michael Jackson caused his own death

Murder also is a major theme for the group "Justice4MJ," which was out in force on Tuesday, leading the crowd in chants of "Justice for Michael" as Jackson's family walked into the courthouse.

Erin Jacobs, one of the group's outspoken leaders, also won a seat for the trial's first day. She has attended every pretrial hearing, and was tossed out of court last week during jury selection after getting into a staring contest with Murray.

She said she hadn't slept. Like her idol, "I experienced insomnia last night," she said. "I have been a fan my whole life. This is my passion, to work for Michael."

Court officials warned Jacobs she would have to cover up her T-shirt in court. If she flashed her "Justice4MJ" logo, she'd lose her seat and be banned for the rest of the trial.

Karlene Taylor, 49, wanted a seat so badly she couldn't sleep. She has been a Jackson fan since she was 8. "I remember 'ABC' Michael," she said. Alas, the lottery gods did not smile on her Tuesday.

Robyn Starkand and Betty Byrnes of the fan group "Call for Love" handed out sunflowers, hoping to lead a respectful

What charges brought upon Conrad Murray?

Answer: Conrad Murray,

Answer: "Justice for Michael"

Answer: involuntary manslaughter

Answer: involuntary manslaughter

Answer: Conrad Murray,

Answer: France, Spain and Australia, as well as the far-flung suburbs of Los Angeles,

Summary:
Fans throng courthouse for trial of Michael Jackson's doctor .
Conrad Murray charged with manslaughter, not murder, in death of pop star .
People from France, Spain and Australia vie for precious few seats inside .
Some dress in MJ's honor, read psalms and chant "Justice for Michael"


Los Angeles (CNN) -- Tipsters are coming forward with additional information regarding actress Natalie Wood's 1981 drowning death, after authorities announced two months ago they were reopening the case, a Los Angeles County sheriff's spokesman said Wednesday.

"After the presser, we got a number of calls, and those calls were intriguing, and we're chasing those down now," said spokesman Steve Whitmore.

Meanwhile, investigators have yet to re-interview a key witness -- Dennis Davern, the captain of yacht owned by Wood and her then-husband, actor Robert Wagner. Davern offered a new account in November about how Wood's death was reported, saying that Wagner waited hours to call the Coast Guard after Wood went missing off Catalina Island, near the California coast, following an argument the couple had.

Whitmore declined to reveal whether detectives plan to talk with Davern, saying he would "not get into the specifics" of the investigation.

Investigators haven't re-interviewed Wagner either. Authorities have no plans to question the actor at this time, but "who knows where things may go from here tomorrow," Whitmore said.

"The investigation is not closed. It's possible we could yield new information that changes this case," the sheriff's spokesman said. "There are leads we're following up on and have to close them out before we say anything definitive. Sure, there is possible new information that could come out that really changes everything."

In November, homicide investigators decided to take a new look at one of Hollywood's most enduring mysteries after they were contacted by people who claimed they had additional information about the actress' drowning, the sheriff's department said.

"This new information is substantial enough to make us want to take a new look at the case," Lt. John Corina said at the time.

Corina declined to comment directly on statements made by Davern to some media outlets.

When asked if the captain could face charges for possibly lying to authorities during the 1981 investigation, Corina responded: "That, I can't say. We'll probably end up talking to the captain sooner or later, and we'll assess what he has to say then and now."

Authorities haven't gone into specifics about who they've interviewed, but did say when they reopened the case that Wagner wasn't a suspect.

Wood drowned in the Pacific Ocean on November 29, 1981, off the isthmus of Catalina Island. She once said in a televised interview that her greatest fear was of dark seawater.

Her body was found floating in the water about a mile away from the yacht, wearing a long nightgown, socks, and a down jacket, according to police reports.

The autopsy report showed the actress had two dozen bruises on her body, including a facial abrasion on her left cheek and bruises on her arms.

"My sister was not a swimmer and did not know how to swim, and she would never go to another boat or to shore dressed in a nightgown and socks," said Lana Wood, refering to theories that the actress voluntarily jumped from the boat.

Although the county coroner's office ruled that Wood's death was an accident, others say the case hasn't made sense.

In 2010, Lana Wood told CNN she believes a highly charged argument between her sister and Wagner on the yacht's back deck preceded Wood's drowning. She told CNN last year she does not suspect foul play.

"I just want the truth to come out, the real story," she said.

Davern, the former captain of the yacht Splendour, broke his long silence with a detailed account of that day in "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour," a book he wrote with his friend Marti Rulli. It was published in September 2009.

Davern has said he believes Wood's death was a direct result of a fight with Wagner.

In a lengthy interview with CNN in 2010, Davern said he now believes the investigation of Wood's death was incompetent and suggested there was a cover-up. He said

when did Wagner waited 4 hours to call the Coast Guard?

Who has not yet been interviewed by police?

Who drowned off Catalina Island in 1981?

What do police receive after a recent press conference?

Answer: 1981

Answer: drowned in the Pacific Ocean

Answer: Dennis Davern,

Answer: Natalie

Answer: additional information

Answer: Dennis Davern,

Answer: a number of calls,

Summary:
NEW: Police receive "intriguing" information after recent press conference .
NEW: Detectives have yet to interview the yacht captain .
Wagner waited 4 hours to call the Coast Guard, yacht captain says .
Natalie Wood drowned off Catalina Island near Los Angeles in 1981 .


Los Angeles Film Festival (June 18 -- 28) Since the Oscars are a closed shop to the general public, turning up in L.A. for the biggest night in the movie calendar -- unless you happen to be on the guest list -- is pretty much a non-starter.

Don't miss the Mr and Mrs Muscle Beach competition on Venice Beach

If you're a film buff much better instead to hit town for the annual film festival, where you can delight at over 100 features, as well as star-studded premieres, seminars with industry bigwigs and outdoor screenings.

Mr and Mrs Muscle Beach Competition (July 4) It may not seem the obvious way to celebrate America's emancipation from British colonial rule, but the annual Independence Day competition on Venice Beach is definitely a spectacle, and a unique slice of Americana to boot. Now in its 75th year, the event features bikini-clad women contestants as well as a plethora of Arnie Schwarzenegger wannabes all hoping to be crowned the golden couple of muscle.

The Long Beach Jazz Festival (August 7 -- 9) What nicer way to enjoy a warm summer evening in the city than with the crash of the Pacific sounding on one side and melodious jazz on the other. The only jazz festival in Southern California, the Long Beach event is beautifully located on a grassy knoll overlooking a long sweep of lagoon. The festival begins at 5pm on the Friday and runs all weekend and features some of the top jazz artists of the year.

New Year's Eve Partying If it's a New Year burnout you're after, they don't come any bigger than Giant Maximus, which claims to be the biggest end of year party in the world aimed at over-21s (the age limit for drinking alcohol in the U.S., obviously). Spread over a seven-acre site in the downtown, the event includes top DJs, acrobats, a psychedelic circus and a giant ferris wheel. In all 10,000 revelers gather under three air-conditioned big tops to usher in the next year surrounded by skyscrapers.

What can you check out at the Muscle Beach competition?

Where can you see lots of buffed bodies?

Answer: bikini-clad women contestants as well as a plethora of Arnie Schwarzenegger wannabes all hoping to be crowned the golden couple of

Answer: Venice Beach

Answer: delight at over 100 features, as well as star-studded premieres, seminars with industry bigwigs and outdoor screenings.

Summary:
The L.A. film festival offers a chance to enjoy cinema in its spiritual home .
Check out the ridiculously buffs bodies at the Muscle Beach competition .
Join thousands of party people for New Year's Eve at Giant Maximus .


Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA (CNN) -- Whitney Houston swept into the room in full diva mode -- hair, makeup and entourage. She looked the part. Whitney Houston has credited mentor Clive Davis, right, for her comeback after a seven-year absence. She smiled and cooed over mentor Clive Davis, calling him "Big Papa" and "Daddy" while the music mogul patted her arm like a proud parent. The pair was in a side room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel just before the Los Angeles, California, listening session for "I Look to You," Houston's first album in seven years, scheduled to be released Sept. 1. "I just took a break, which sometimes you have to," said Houston, 45, looking elegant in diamonds and a black Prada dress. "You have to know when to slow that train down and kind of just sit back and relax for a minute."  Watch an interview with Whitney Houston » This was definitely the old Whitney -- pre-troubled marriage to Bobby Brown and pre-comment to Diane Sawyer that "crack is wack." Next door, several hundred industry folks, journalists and friends gathered in a ballroom surrounded by large screens emblazoned with the words, "The Wait is Over." Jane Fonda, Halle Berry, Magic Johnson, Penny Marshall and Jackie Collins sat in the front while Barry Manilow, Brian McKnight and producer David Foster found seats in the back of the room. Davis, who has steered Houston's career for more than 25 years, introduced each of the album tracks, mostly slick, upbeat, radio-friendly tunes penned by proven hit makers such as R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Akon and Johnta Austin. Heads bobbed while the songs thumped over the loudspeakers, with applause and cheers erupting after each cut. To the amusement of those seated in the audience, even Davis shook his shoulders behind his podium and pumped his fist to the beat from time-to-time. A ballad on the new disc, "I Didn't Know My Own Strength," alludes to Houston's personal troubles in recent years. The song, written especially for Houston by Diane Warren, includes the lyrics: I didn't know my own strength And I crashed down and I tumbled But I did not crumble. Houston deftly steered the focus away from herself, saying she identified with the lyrics because everyone has been through ups and downs in life. At the end of the session, Houston stepped from the wings to a standing ovation. "I'm humbled," she said, her hand on her heart. "There's so much love in the room." Then she joked, "Jane Fonda's at my listening party? How cool am I?" AEG chairman and CEO Randy Phillips also was hanging around, no doubt ready to pounce on a chance to promote her next tour. "I think it's the biggest hit she's had," Barry Manilow said. "It was really, really good," Stevie Wonder said. "God takes care of his children."

After how many years Whitney Houston held listening party?

Who was writing the songs for her new album?

Answer: seven-year

Answer: David Foster

Answer: "God takes care of his children."

Answer: Whitney Houston

Answer: proven hit makers such as R. Kelly, Alicia Keys, Akon and Johnta Austin.

Answer: "God takes care of his children."

Summary:
Whitney Houston held L.A. listening party for first album in seven years .
Jane Fonda, Barry Manilow and Halle Berry were among the stars in attendance .
The nine-track album contains songs written by R. Kelly, Alicia Keys and Akon .
Stevie Wonder said the album was "really, really good."


Los Angeles, California (CNN)   -- The sudden end to a legal battle between dethroned Miss California USA Carrie Prejean and pageant officials was prompted by the revelation of a "sex tape," according to a source familiar with the lawsuits' settlement. Prejean was fired in June after lingerie-modeling photos of her emerged that pageant officials said were a breach of her contract. Prejean sued the pageant in August, arguing her firing was religious discrimination because of her opposition to same-sex marriage. Pageant officials countersued last month, demanding their former beauty queen repay $5,200 in pageant money spent for her breast implants and give them all proceeds from a book she's written. A settlement of both lawsuits was signed in New York Tuesday, but no details were made public. Lawyers and parties for each side were bound by a confidentiality pledge, according to the source. The veil of secrecy was partially lifted Wednesday after celebrity gossip Web site TMZ reported the deal was sealed after pageant lawyers presented an "extremely graphic" home video involving Prejean. TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin said during a webcast Wednesday that he obtained the Prejean video during the summer, but found it "too racy" to post on his site. He indicated Prejean was alone in the video. The source with knowledge of the settlement talks told CNN those details were accurate. Prejean's lawyer, Charles LiMandri, responded with a short statement issued through an employee at his law office. "It's a confidential settlement, and he can't discuss it," the statement said. Several calls and e-mail to Prejean's publicist were not returned Wednesday. Prejean's tell-all book hits bookstores next week, and she is scheduled for media interviews to promote it. Pageant spokesman Kenn Henman said Tuesday the settlement means all lawsuit demands are dropped. The pageant had claimed that the contract she signed when she entered their competition last year gave the pageant the rights to anything she wrote. The settlement ended that claim. Pageant officials also dropped their attempt to be repaid for her breast enhancement, which was done before she represented California in the Miss USA competition, according to Henman. Prejean, in exchange, withdrew her suit accusing the pageant of violating her privacy by confirming to reporters that her breasts were enhanced, Henman said. "We are moving forward from the past and looking towards the crowning of two winners and the new look of the upcoming Miss California USA pageant, telecast live on November 22," pageant Executive Director Keith Lewis said Tuesday. "We're back in the business of beauty," he told CNN. There was nothing pretty about the public fight that began in April when Prejean, 22, stepped into controversy by declaring her opposition to same-sex marriage while answering a judge's question at the Miss USA pageant. Prejean finished as first runner-up. While state and national pageant officials publicly supported her initially, their opinions eventually changed after she continued to make public statements about same-sex marriage. She held onto her crown through May, despite a series of questionable photos that emerged on gossip Web sites. Those images showed a topless Prejean, photographed from behind. She was dethroned in June by Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump amid growing complaints by state officials that she was uncooperative and not meeting her contractual obligations. Prejean filed her lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in August, claiming that her firing was religious discrimination because of her stand against same-sex marriage. The pageant's countercomplaint said what it called Prejean's belligerent behavior, lack of cooperation and contract breaches caused her firing, not her opposition to same-sex marriage.

What position was Carrie Prejean dethroned from

Answer: USA

Answer: California

Answer: the Prejean video

Answer: Miss California

Answer: Prejean

Answer: "sex tape,"

Answer: Miss California

Answer: TMZ Managing Editor Harvey Levin

Answer: found it "too racy" to post on his site.

Summary:
Carrie Prejean was dethroned as Miss California USA and sued pageant .
Source: "Extremely graphic" home video involving Prejean spurred suit settlement .
TMZ managing editor says he got video during summer but was "too racy" to post .


Los Angeles, California (CNN)  -- Roy Edward Disney, the nephew of Walt Disney, died Wednesday after a yearlong battle with stomach cancer, according to a Walt Disney Co. spokesman.

Disney "played a key role in the revitalization of the Walt Disney Co. and Disney's animation legacy," the company said.

He died in a Newport Beach, California, hospital at the age of 79.

His father -- Roy O. Disney -- co-founded the Disney entertainment business with Walt Disney in 1923.

Roy E. Disney's 56-year association with the company culminated in 2003 when he stepped down as vice chairman of Disney's board and chairman of the Disney Studio's Animation Department. He kept the title director emeritus and consultant in recent years, the company said.

"As head of Disney Animation, Disney helped to guide the studio to a new golden age of animation with an unprecedented string of artistic and box office successes that included 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin' and 'The Lion King,' " the company said.

A private funeral service and cremation are planned, the company said. His ashes will be scattered at sea, it said.

He was born in in Los Angeles seven years after his father and uncle began building the Disney empire.

His entertainment career began in 1952 -- after he attended Harvard University and Pomona College -- with a job as an assistant film editor on the "Dragnet" TV series.

He joined the family business a year later as an assistant film editor at the Walt Disney Studios.

He received two Oscar nominations. One was as a writer and production associate on the 1959 short subject film "Mysteries of the Deep," and the second was for his work in 2003 as executive producer of "Destino," a film based on storyboards and original art by the iconic artist Salvador Dali.

Disney founded Shamrock Holdings, an investment company owned by the Disney family, in 1978.

He also was an avid competitive sailor, the company said. He held several elapsed-time records for offshore races in the Pacific Ocean, including multiple wins in the 2,225-mile Transpac race between Hawaii and California, it said.

CNN's Brittany Kaplan contributed to this report.

What was among successes of Roy E. Disney?

how many Oscar nominations did he recieve?

Answer: stomach

Answer: 79.

Answer: 79.

Answer: and 'The Lion King,'

Answer: included 'The Little Mermaid,' 'Beauty and the Beast,' 'Aladdin'

Answer: the Disney entertainment business

Answer: two

Answer: 79.

Answer: 56-year

Summary:
Roy Edward Disney dies at 79 after battle with stomach cancer .
His dad co-founded Disney entertainment business with his uncle Walt Disney in 1920s .
"Little Mermaid," "Lion King" among successes when Roy E. Disney headed animation .
Roy E. Disney received two Oscar nominations in 50-plus year career .


Los Angeles, California (CNN)  -- Singer Chris Brown earned a glowing probation report six months after he was sentenced to "labor-oriented service" for assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna, the judge said Thursday. Brown, 20, sat silently in court Thursday afternoon as Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg reviewed his probation report. "It looks like you're doing really, really well," Schnegg said. The police chief in Richmond, Virginia -- where Brown is being allowed to complete his sentence -- reported that he had worked 32 days of hard labor, she said. Schnegg said when she sentenced Brown that she wanted to see him do "actual physical labor, as opposed to some type of community service." The report on his court-ordered domestic violence counseling said he had completed 17 out of 52 groups sessions, she said. The agency running the sessions reported "you are participating and doing a very good job," the judge said. The judge rewarded Brown by signing an order allowing him to again travel outside the United States for concerts. When Brown returns to court on May 11, 2010, for his next probation progress report, he will be "way over halfway there" to completing his sentence, she said. Brown was sentenced in August to serve five years probation and to spend more than 1,400 hours in "labor-oriented service" for the assault conviction. Schnegg also put a restraining order in place, requiring Brown to stay 50 yards away from Rihanna, 10 yards if the two are at the same industry event. The judge issued a strict warning to Brown not to violate the order, which remains in place until 2014. Brown was arrested after an early morning argument inside a rented Lamborghini on a Hollywood street on February 8, 2009. According to Brown's probation report, the February argument began over an incident at a Beverly Hills party. An earlier, sworn statement by Los Angeles Police Detective DeShon Andrews said the incident began when Rihanna found a text message on his cell phone from "a woman who Brown had a previous sexual relationship with." The pair argued while in the car driven by Brown, the police statement said. It went on to describe the assault in great detail, saying Brown punched Rihanna -- identified in the statement by her real first name, Robyn, and the first initial of her last name, Fenty -- numerous times and put her in a headlock, restricting her breathing and causing her to start to lose consciousness. He threatened to beat her and kill her, according to the statement, and he bit her ear and her fingers. Eventually, the statement said, "Robyn F. began screaming for help and Brown exited the vehicle and walked away. A resident in the neighborhood heard Robyn F.'s plea for help and called 911, causing a police response. An investigation was conducted and Robyn F. was issued a domestic violence emergency protective order." The detective said Brown sent a text message nine days later, apologizing. Rihanna's injuries included cuts and bruises inflicted by a large ring on Brown's right hand, which he used to punch her, the probation report said. "Officers at the scene observed numerous contusions and abrasions to the victim's face and forehead, as well as bruising to her left arm near the bicep," it said. "They also saw abrasions to her arms near both wrists and on her upper chest near her collarbone and around her neck. There were abrasions on her left leg and on the inside of her upper lips." Rihanna declined to speak to the probation investigator, so the probation report's details were gathered from police detectives who interviewed her soon after the attack. "He beat me up," Rihanna told the police, the report said. Brown made a public apology in July in a video statement posted on his personal Web site. "I have told Rihanna countless times, and I'm telling you today, that I'm truly, truly sorry in that I wasn't able to handle the situation

The judge reported that Brown was doing well on what

Answer: told the police,

Answer: six

Answer: probation report.

Answer: probation report.

Answer: assaulting his pop star girlfriend, Rihanna,

Summary:
Brown has done 6 months of sentence for beating girlfriend Rihanna .
Judge reads reports that he is doing well on "labor-oriented service"
Brown also "participating and doing a very good job" in domestic violence counseling .


Los Angeles, California (CNN)  -- The high school honor student and the NFL's highest-paid defensive back stroll down the destitute streets of Skid Row. "I can sell you something right quick," a drug dealer hisses. Another shouts, "Gonna whoop your ass!" More expletives are hurled. Seventeen-year-old Kenneth Chancey is giving a tour to Nnamdi Asomugha, showing the NFL star the streets that he and his sister used to walk to get to school while living in a Skid Row homeless shelter. Prostitutes, addicts and drug dealers scatter. "Camera! Camera!" they shout. The two make it safely past the park, one of the roughest areas of Los Angeles. An orange soda whizzes through the air, nearly hitting the teen and the Oakland Raiders' All-Pro cornerback worth $45 million. "Wow," the teen says. "I'm sure they watch you every Sunday, and they don't even recognize who you are." It is Kenneth's inner strength and his love for education that have brought together this high school class president and NFL star. "The thing I took away is how fearless he is," Asomugha said later. "The things he's been through are so big and so severe -- they were threatening our lives and throwing things at us on Skid Row. But it doesn't bother him. "His potential meter is at 1,000 right now." Escaping through education Even while Kenneth lived on Skid Row, he dreamed of attending Harvard to become a neurosurgeon. When Asomugha saw Kenneth's story on CNN, he wanted to help. He runs a foundation, the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars, that takes talented inner-city kids on tours of college campuses they otherwise would never be able to see. He's helped get 25 teens into college over the last four years. On this day, he's come to tell Kenneth that he will be among the 16 students traveling in the spring to visit schools in Washington, D.C. "I'm thankful to be able to give back," Asomugha said. Hours before the Skid Row tour, Asomugha traveled to Hollywood's Helen Bernstein High School, where Kenneth is a starting running back in his senior year. They met at the school's football stadium, where Asomugha told Kenneth in person. "This smile on my face," Kenneth said, "is a freaking good thing. This is awesome!" Asomugha leaned closer. "You know who we're working on now?" "Obama?" Kenneth asked nervously. "We have to," the NFL star replied. Kenneth's fever-pitched excitement reached a crescendo, "Oh my gosh!" His father, Gordon Costello, joined in and handed a folded paper to Asomugha. The proud dad didn't show off football awards or his son's athletic achievements. Instead, it's Kenneth's latest report card, straight A's. "He might overqualify for the tour," Asomugha said as he studied the report card. "This shows someone with a lot of drive and ambition. These are some great grades." "I'm at a loss for words," the teen said. "Stuff like this doesn't happen every day." Asomugha came from a family where education was stressed from day one. He remembers asking his mom as a boy, "Can I have some ice cream?" "No," she responded. "You haven't finished your homework." "I'd say, 'but I'm 3!' " Asomugha's sister is a pediatrician, his mother holds a doctorate. Two other siblings have secondary degrees. "I am the least educated in my family," Asomugha said. "I catch a lot of heat from my family." The football star, who is the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, has a degree in finance from the University of California-Berkeley. Kenneth is energized

Where will Chancey and 19 other kids go?

What NFL star decided to help a homeless teen?

How many kids will Asomugha take on a college tour this spring?

How many other inner-city kids will Asomugha be taking?

Answer: talented inner-city kids

Answer: tours of college campuses

Answer: Asomugha

Answer: Seventeen-year-old

Answer: straight A's.

Answer: 16

Answer: 16

Summary:
NFL star Nnamdi Asomugha decides to help homeless teen after CNN report .
Kenneth Chancey, 17, lived in homeless shelter, yet made all A's and is class president .
Asomugha will take Chancey and 19 other inner-city kids on college tour in spring .


Los Angeles, California (CNN)  -- Turn up the music, crack the window -- falling gas prices have flipped on the road-trip ignition switch. The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle is 104 feet long and 95 feet wide at the alcove. I decided to celebrate the unofficial return of reasonable driving vacations with a venture to the ultimate temple of excess -- Hearst Castle. From Los Angeles, my family and I retraced the journey of Hollywood luminaries who headed north to hang out with publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Gregory Peck, Carol Lombard and Hearst's mistress Marion Davies all made the trek to what Hearst called "La Cuesta Encantada," or the Enchanted Hill. Winston Churchill and President Calvin Coolidge also rested here amid art and antiquities from around the world. Hearst Castle looks down over golden fields, the glistening Pacific and the town of San Simeon, California, home to less than 500 people. We took a tour bus from the visitors center to the mansion, a long gull's dive from the ocean, 1,610 feet above sea level. Hearst hired San Francisco architect Julia Morgan in 1919 and by 1947 the 165-room estate stretched over 127 acres. It's crystal clear Hearst was a demanding mastermind of his kingdom on the hill, putting Morgan through what must have been agonizing brain twisters. Visitors see that when Hearst wanted European choir chairs wedged into his assembly room, Morgan made it work. When he wanted elaborate ceilings salvaged from Europe, Morgan expanded their reach to fit into the estate's rooms. A massive 95 x 104-foot outdoor swimming pool, made of concrete and Vermont marble, is one of the central jewels of the property. Our guide recounted Hearst house rules. In an effort to control his guests' alcohol consumption, Hearst banned them from bringing their own liquor. The Hollywood types reportedly snuck it in anyway, like frat boys at a football game. Guests stayed in opulent guest houses adorned with religious icons, art and other worldly treasures. Hearst mandated unmarried guests sleep apart, while violating his own edict by sleeping with his beloved actress friend Marion Davies. Though Hearst remained married to Millicent Hearst, with whom he had five children, Davies' ghost is everywhere at Hearst Castle. Images of the actress, along with Charlie Chaplin and others stars, flicker about in a short film shown in the mansion's 50-seat movie theater. Museum-worthy pieces fill the property, including intricate Flemish tapestries in an east-facing sitting room called the Morning Room. Owing to my Belgian roots, I looked at the tapestries and cracked to my kids, "No wonder my 83-year-old mother can still sew a tiny patch onto a Girl Scout vest." The castle's grandeur was enough to hold the childrens' attention. We saw them as young as 4 years old, eyes popping while taking in ancient Egyptian statues or towering Christmas trees. "This guy was rich!" my friend's 7-year-old-son, Nicolas, exclaimed. Perhaps a headline from Hearst's San Francisco Examiner in another era could best describe our trip: "The road to fun is back and affordable!"

Who entertained Hollywood stars at his estate?

Answer: 127

Answer: San Simeon, California,

Answer: Museum-worthy pieces

Answer: San Simeon, California,

Answer: William Randolph Hearst.

Answer: 165-room

Answer: Museum-worthy pieces

Summary:
William Randolph Hearst entertained Hollywood stars at his estate near San Simeon .
The 165-room estate stretches over 127 acres overlooking the Pacific .
Hearst filled the rooms with art and antiquities from around the world .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) --  The beating of 12-year-old boy by a group of classmates at a Southern California middle school may be linked to a Facebook posting encouraging kids to target redheads, authorities say.

The redheaded boy was beaten up by a group of seventh and eighth graders at A.E. Wright Middle School in Calabasas in two separate incidents Friday, according to a statement released Sunday by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

A Facebook page stating that Friday was "Kick a Ginger Day," referring to redheads and possibly inspired by an episode of the "South Park" series, may have sparked the injuries at the middle school, authorities said.

The boy's injuries were not serious, and no one has been arrested, authorities said Sunday.

What age was the boy beaten by classmates?

What hair color is the target of the attacks?

Attacks may be linked to postings where?

Answer: 12-year-old

Answer: redheads,

Answer: Facebook

Answer: California

Answer: two separate

Answer: group of classmates

Summary:
12-year-old boy beaten by classmates in two separate incidents on Friday .
Attacks may be linked to Facebook posting encouraging kids to target redheads .
Boy at middle school in Calabasas, California, was not injured seriously .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A California doctor has been accused of negligence in the case of a woman who gave birth to octuplets in January 2009, according to a complaint filed by the state medical board.

Michael Kamrava, an obstetrician/gynecologist in Beverly Hills, is accused of gross negligence and repeated negligent acts in the treatment of a patient named in the complaint only by her initials, N.S.

Octuplet mom Nadya Suleman has identified Kamrava as her doctor in interviews. Suleman has six children in addition to the octuplets -- all conceived through in-vitro fertilization.

In filing the complaint in December, the medical board's executive director, Barbara Johnston, says Kamrava, while his patient was undergoing in-vitro, transferred a number of embryos that was "far in excess of [American Society for Reproductive Medicine] recommendations and beyond the reasonable judgment of any treating physician."

The society recommends no more than two embryos for women under 35 years old and no more than five for women over 40, for whom it is harder to get pregnant, according to guidelines published on its Web site. Suleman was 33 when she gave birth to the octuplets. The reproductive society expelled Kamrava from the group in September.

Additionally, the complaint says Kamrava should have referred his patient to a mental health physician after she repeatedly returned to him for additional in-vitro treatments shortly after each of her pregnancies.

"[Kamrava] failed to exercise appropriate judgment and question whether there would be harm to her living children and any future offspring should she continue to conceive," the complaint says.

Efforts to reach Kamrava on Monday were unsuccessful.

No hearing date has been set in the case.

who was the complaint against
which medical board complained
When did Suleman have octuplets?
What work did Kamrava?
Who is the complaint against?
what is kamrava's speciality
What happened with Suleman?
Who received in-vitro fertilization?

Answer: Michael Kamrava,

Answer: California

Answer: January 2009,

Answer: obstetrician/gynecologist

Answer: Michael Kamrava,

Answer: obstetrician/gynecologist

Answer: gave birth to the octuplets.

Answer: Nadya Suleman

Summary:
California medical board files complaint against Dr. Michael Kamrava .
Kamrava is obstetrician/gynecologist who provided in-vitro fertilization to Nadya Suleman .
Suleman had octuplets in 2009; she had already had six children via in-vitro .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A German man is facing federal charges in the United States on suspicion of trying to extort money from supermodel Cindy Crawford and her husband, using a photograph of the couple's then-7-year-old daughter, court documents said. Edis Kayalar is charged with one count of extortion in a criminal complaint filed Thursday, according to Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. The photo, apparently taken as a prank by their former nanny, shows the couple's daughter bound to a chair, court documents said. Kayalar was deported to Germany from the United States in September after he had repeated contacts with Crawford and her husband, business mogul Rande Gerber. However, the complaint against him alleges, he continued to demand money from them. Federal prosecutors are in contact with German authorities on the matter, Mrozek told CNN, but as of Thursday night Kayalar was not in custody. If convicted, Kayalar faces a maximum penalty of two years in federal prison. Kayalar first contacted Crawford and Gerber in July, according to the criminal complaint. He told Crawford, who answered the phone, that he had a photograph of their daughter and wanted to help them out because he is a "good person," the documents said. Crawford then handed the telephone to her husband. Identifying himself as "Brian," Kayalar told Gerber he had a photograph of their daughter in "revealing clothing, bound to a chair and gagged," according to the complaint. He said he had stolen the photograph from the former nanny and that he wanted to return it because it "bothered" him and he felt it "just wasn't right," the complaint said. He told Gerber he wanted to give up the photograph so it would not end up in the tabloids, according to the documents. Kayalar told Gerber he had met the former nanny at a bar about three months before, when the woman still worked for the couple, and that he had been at her apartment and gotten Crawford's number from the nanny's cellular phone while the nanny was sleeping, the complaint said. The couple notified the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. In the affidavit, an FBI agent states that she reviewed the photograph, which depicts the girl, who has since turned 8, bound and gagged in a chair and wearing shorts and a T-shirt. The girl told her parents -- who did not know it had been taken -- that the former nanny took it as part of a "cops and robbers" game. Kayalar called again, arranging to meet Gerber at a bar in Venice, California, to return the photograph, the court documents said. He did not ask directly for money, but hinted that he was "broke" and would like a monetary reward for the return, according to the complaint. Gerber brought a sheriff's deputy to the meeting. During the meeting, Kayalar told Gerber he did not have the original image with him, saying he had left it with friends for "security purposes," but showed him a copy he had saved on his cellular phone, according to the complaint. He told Gerber stole the photograph from the nanny's apartment along with a handwritten note saying, "The baby sitter went crazy and tied everyone up and they need your help! Please." Gerber and the deputy then got Kayalar to call and arrange to meet the former nanny with them. When the former nanny -- who was not identified in court documents -- saw Gerber with Kayalar, she "became extremely upset and began to cry," the court documents said. She apologized to Gerber and told him the photograph had been taken as a prank, and that she initially had planned to put the photograph and the note on the front door of the couple's home "in order to pull a prank on Crawford" but had not done so. On the way back to the bar, Kayalar repeatedly asked Gerber for money, the complaint said, saying that "he could get a lot of money from the tabloids for the

What did Edis Kayalar use in the extortion attempt?

What is Edis Kayalar charged with in the U.S.?

Answer: using a photograph of the couple's then-7-year-old daughter,

Answer: one count of extortion

Answer: Germany

Answer: The photo, apparently taken as a prank by their former nanny, shows the couple's daughter bound to a chair,

Answer: extortion

Answer: photograph

Summary:
Edis Kayalar, of Germany, charged in U.S. with extortion .
Man used photo of Crawford's daughter in extortion attempt, authorities allege .
Court documents: Photo, showing girl bound to a chair, apparently taken by nanny for prank .
Man claimed he stole photo from nanny, court documents say .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A Mexican judge has issued an arrest warrant for reality TV producer Bruce Beresford-Redman in the death of his wife at a Cancun resort in April, his lawyer said Monday.

"We have been advised that Mexican authorities have issued a warrant for the arrest of Bruce Beresford-Redman in connection with the murder of his wife, Monica," defense lawyer Richard Hirsch said Monday. "This news, if true, is extremely disturbing since it appears that this case is being handled in a manner outside the normal procedures in Mexico."

The prosecutor in Mexico had said earlier Monday he had developed a "very concrete, very specific" case that was sent to a judge Friday for consideration of charges.

Quintana Roo Attorney General Francisco Alor said through a spokesman that the investigation file, with recommended charges, was sent to the judge on Friday.

"It is our understanding that the issuance of an arrest warrant normally entails a detailed judicial review that takes anywhere from several weeks to several months," Hirsch said. "It appears that the way this matter is being handled constitutes a rush to judgment."

Bruce Beresford-Redman was briefly detained after Monica Beresford-Redman's body was found in a sewer at the Moon Palace Resort on April 8. His passport was taken by investigators and he was told not to leave Mexico until the probe was concluded.

The former producer on TV's "Survivor" recently returned to his Los Angeles, California, home, to take care of family business and see his two young children, his lawyer said.

His lawyer issued a statement from Beresford-Redman Monday after learning of the arrest warrant.

"I am devastated at her loss," Beresford-Redman said in the statement, "and I am incensed at the suggestion that I could have had anything to do with her death. I am innocent. My children have had one parent taken from them by a senseless act of violence. I implore the Mexican authorities not to take their remaining parent by a miscarriage of justice and to do what is right, not just what is expedient."

Hirsch said Friday that there should not be "a rush to judgment," adding that there have been other unsolved deaths and an attack at the resort.

He cited the death of an elderly Scottish woman, who was found in a swamp weeks after leaving a pool for a walk, and a Canadian man who allegedly fell from a hotel balcony.

Jeff Toews, a Canadian, was found dead in May 2007. Investigators decided he died from a drunken fall from a balcony, but his family did not accept that explanation.

Julia Howard, a 77-year-old woman from Scotland, was found dead in a dense swamp six weeks after disappearing from a pool area last summer. Her family also rejected the police conclusion that her death was an accident.

A woman reported an attempted rape in her hotel room "several days after Mrs. Beresford-Redman's body was discovered," Hirsch said.

"We have brought this to the attention of the authorities and, in particular, to the attorney general in Cancun and asked them to pursue all leads before making a decision whether of not to charge our client," Hirsch said. "We feel that this case should not be a rush to judgment."

"There are strange things going on -- I think that need to be pursued," he said.

A spokeswoman for the resort directed CNN to a Mexican news report that quoted the prosecutor saying there was no connection between other deaths and the Beresford-Redman case.

The initial investigation suggested Monica Beresford-Redman "died of strangulation, because of the bruising," Mexican regional police spokesman Adrian Cardena said.

A source close to the wife has told CNN that she cleaned out the family bank account and took her two children to Hawaii because she was upset about her husband's extramarital affair. The couple later traveled to Cancun in an effort to repair their marriage, the source said.

A Los Angeles judge decided Friday that the children,

what "Very concrete" case was sent to judge Friday?

what awyer for Beresford-Redman complains case being handled?

Answer: Bruce Beresford-Redman in the death of his wife

Answer: an arrest warrant for reality TV producer

Answer: Friday

Answer: Richard Hirsch

Answer: an arrest warrant for reality TV producer

Answer: is right, not just

Summary:
Mexican judge issues arrest warrant for TV producer in wife's death .
"Very concrete" case was sent to judge Friday, prosecutor says .
Lawyer for Beresford-Redman complains case being handled "outside normal procedures"
Reality TV producer says "I am innocent"


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A man accused of taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude through hotel peepholes and posting the videos online will plead guilty to a federal stalking charge, according to a court document filed Thursday.

Michael David Barrett, 48, will enter a plea on December 15, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office in the Central District of California.

A criminal complaint filed in October accused Barrett of taping Andrews then making seven videos that he posted on the Internet.

Barrett's lawyer, David Willingham, issued a statement saying his client apologized to Andrews.

"Mr. Barrett accepts full responsibility for his conduct. He apologizes to Ms. Andrews, and expresses his deep regret for his conduct that caused her so much pain. It is his sincere hope that these events can now become an opportunity to make positive changes in his life," the statement said.

Barrett was arrested in Illinois but will appear in Los Angeles federal court, Mrozek said. Barrett is charged with interstate stalking, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

An Illinois judge released Barrett on bail in October.

Andrews, 31, is a sideline reporter for ESPN, traveling around the country covering college football games. According to the October criminal complaint, Andrews said that she became aware of the videos in July and that their posting has caused her distress, anxiety and trouble sleeping.

Her lawyer, Marshall Grossman, told CNN that Andrews is still shaken.

"She is a very strong young woman. Time is a good healer," Grossman said. "However, she continues to feel and experience the ramifications of what occurred every time she steps foot into a hotel room, and in her business, she lives in hotel rooms."

Andrews is now accompanied by additional security, Grossman said.

Grossman said he and Andrews are in the process of reviewing the evidence against Barrett and the plea agreement, and Andrews will speak before the court at the hearing next week.

He said Andrews wants "severe punishment" for Barrett.

The plea agreement filed Thursday alleges that Barrett recorded videos of Andrews while she stayed at hotels in Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Nashville, Tennessee.

The filing alleges Barrett made reservations at the hotels and altered the peepholes to shoot video of Andrews.

Barrett allegedly attempted to sell the videos to celebrity gossip site TMZ in January 2009. TMZ did not purchase the images, but employees of the Web site assisted in the investigation by providing information to Andrews' attorneys, authorities said.

Barrett posted the videos to other Web sites, Thursday's filing said.

CNN's Khadijah Rentas and Sonya Hamasaki contributed to this report.

what was Michael David Barrett accused of?

Answer: taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude

Answer: "Mr. Barrett

Answer: 48,

Answer: Andrews.

Answer: taping ESPN sports reporter Erin Andrews in the nude

Answer: December 15,

Answer: through hotel peepholes

Summary:
Suspect's lawyer: Client apologizes to Erin Andrews .
Man accused of surreptitiously taping ESPN reporter nude, posting videos online .
Michael David Barrett, 48, expected to make plea on December 15 .
Authorities say Andrews was filmed through peephole in hotel rooms .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A public memorial service for heavy metal rocker Ronnie James Dio is planned for Sunday, with members of the Westboro Baptist Church saying they will picket the ceremony.

The church in Topeka, Kansas, is known for its intolerance of gays and its picketing of soldiers' funerals.

A picketing schedule on the church's website said protesters will be at the Dio memorial at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles, accusing the 67-year-old rocker of worshipping Satan.

Dio died on May 16 after a battle with stomach cancer.

Charges of devil-worshipping have often been leveled against heavy metal music. Dio, in particular, was a favorite target.

He popularized the "devil's horn" gesture, where the index and the little fingers are upright and the thumb is clasped against the two middle fingers.

He has said he was taught by the sign by his superstitious Italian grandmother as a way to ward off the "evil eye."

But many fundamentalist Christians have taken issue with the gesture, alleging that it is a tribute to the devil.

"Ronnie hates prejudice and violence. We need to turn the other cheek on these people that only know how to hate someone they didn't know," said Dio's wife, Wendy, about the planned protest.

Wendy Dio said the memorial will host a donation center for her husband's "Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund," named after one his songs.

Dio most recently was touring with Heaven and Hell, a version of Black Sabbath renamed for legal reasons. All shows were canceled last March because of his illness.

His last public appearance was in April at the Revolver Golden Gods Awards, when he accepted a vocalist of the year award for his work on last year's Heaven and Hell album. Dio appeared frail, but he spoke while accepting his award.

Born Ronald James Padavona in 1942, Dio's professional music career began as a high school student in the late 1950s.

His 1960s rock group The Electric Elves evolved into Elf by the early 1970s, when the group played heavy blues rock.

Dio's rock became darker with his band Rainbow, which he left in 1979 to join Black Sabbath.

Black Sabbath released three albums with Dio, including "Heaven and Hell" in 1980, "Mob Rules" in 1981 and "Live Evil" in 1982.

Dio left that band in 1982, but he had a brief reunion with the group a decade later.

He formed the group Dio in 1982 and later Heaven and Hell.

what does the church say?
Who is picketing the memorial service?
When did the rocker die?

Answer: they will picket the ceremony.

Answer: members of the Westboro Baptist Church

Answer: May 16

Summary:
Church says it will picket singer Dio's memorial service .
Public service will host donation center to raise money for cancer fund .
Rocker died on May 16 after battle with stomach cancer .
Dio fronted Rainbow and Black Sabbath .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- A trendy California sushi restaurant charged by federal authorities with serving whale meat offered an apology Monday, saying it "ignored its responsibilities" to endangered species.

Prosecutors charged Typhoon Restaurant Inc., the parent company of Santa Monica's The Hump, and chef Kiyoshiro Yamamoto, 45, with the illegal sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.

Although it is considered a delicacy in Japan and some other countries, meat from whales -- an endangered species -- cannot be sold legally in the United States.

"We write to address the misdemeanor charge recently filed by the U.S. attorney," the restaurant said in a statement posted on its Web site.

"The charge against the restaurant is true: The Hump served whale meat to customers looking to eat what in Japan is widely served as a delicacy," the statement continued. "In serving this meat, The Hump ignored its responsibilities to help save endangered whales from extinction and failed to support the world community in its uphill fight to protect all endangered species."

The restaurant pledged to set up procedures to ensure that it complies with laws and "becomes a good corporate citizen."

"We sincerely apologize. We pledge to work hard to re-earn the trust of the public and respect of our customers."

The misdemeanor charge carries a federal prison sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to $200,000 for the company, said Thom Mrozek, spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.

The law firm for the restaurant and its parent company deferred questions to The Hump's Web site. However, Typhoon attorney Gary Lincenberg has said the restaurant accepts responsibility for serving whale and will agree to pay a fine, CNN affiliate KTLA reported.

The investigation into the restaurant began in October, when two members of the team that made the documentary "The Cove" visited The Hump, officials said.

"The Cove," which exposes the annual killing of dolphins at a Japanese fishing village, won the Academy Award for best documentary this month.

The restaurant, located at the Santa Monica Airport, is known for its exotic fare. Its Web site asks diners to surrender themselves to its chefs for "a culinary adventure ... unlike any that you have previously experienced."

Crowd marches outside restaurant

Armed with a hidden camera, the two women captured the waitress serving them whale and horse meat and identifying them as such, a federal criminal complaint said. A receipt from the restaurant at the end of the meal identified their selection as "whale" and "horse" with the cost -- $85 -- written next to them.

The women snuck pieces of the meat into a napkin and later sent them for examination to a researcher at Oregon State University. He identified the whale sample to be that of sei whale, prosecutors said.

The sei is found throughout the world's oceans. Whalers began to hunt them after the populations of right, humpback, blue and fin whales declined due to overfishing. It is now considered an endangered species.

In February and March, the activists returned and again asked for -- and were served -- whale meat, the criminal complaint said.

A DNA test of the meat smuggled out after the February visit confirmed it to be meat from the sei whale, Mrozek said.

During a final visit in March, officials with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration observed the activists asking for "kujira," or whale meat.

One of the officers then saw the sushi chef leave the restaurant and return with a wrapped package that he seemed to have retrieved from a parked Mercedes, the complaint said.

The chef told a customer it was whale meat, the document said. Next, officials raided the restaurant, and chef Yamamoto admitted that he had served whale meat, the complaint said.

"Someone should not be able to walk into a restaurant and order a plate of an endangered species," U.S. Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. said.

Conservation agencies are engaged in an

What type of meat is considered a delicacy in Japan?

What is considered as a delicacy in Japan?

Answer: Santa Monica's

Answer: whale

Answer: sale of a marine mammal product for an unauthorized purpose.

Answer: meat from whales

Answer: whale meat

Answer: "ignored its responsibilities" to endangered species.

Answer: whale meat

Summary:
The Hump sushi restaurant apologizes in statement posted on Web site .
Feds alleged restaurant, chef illegally sold meat of endangered whales .
Whale meat is considered a delicacy in Japan, other countries .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor Corey Haim was the "poster child" for the problem of addicts "doctor shopping" for dangerous drugs, California's top law enforcement official said Tuesday.

Investigators found that the former child actor was supplied with prescriptions for five controlled substances by seven doctors in the last 10 weeks of his life, Attorney General Jerry Brown said.

"Corey Haim actually obtained 553 dangerous drugs in just this year, as late as five days before he died," Brown told reporters at a news conference in Los Angeles.

The drugs included Vicodin, Valium, Soma, Oxycontin and Xanax, Brown said.

The coroner has not yet ruled on what killed Haim, 38, who died last month after collapsing at the Los Angeles apartment he shared with his mother.

Toxicology lab results are expected to be available this month for Haim, who battled drug addiction for decades.

Haim visited several emergency rooms and urgent care clinics with complaints of an injured shoulder or depression issues, according to Sara Simpson, head of the state task force investigating doctor shopping.

Los Angeles County Deputy Coroner Ed Winter revealed last month that Haim obtained drugs using prescriptions written under the names of 20 Los Angeles doctors in the past year. The coroner subpoenaed medical records from those doctors.

Haim also obtained at least one prescription of Oxycontin through the use of an illegally obtained prescription pad, Brown said.

State agents arrested one person last month in connection with what Brown said was a massive drug ring that obtained and sold the counterfeit doctor's pads.

Although Haim battled drug addiction for decades, his manager said his death came when Haim "was making major progress" with a program to wean him from pills.

Still, Haim sometimes threatened to find other doctors to prescribe him drugs when his primary physician wouldn't give him what he wanted, manager Mark Heaslip said Monday.

"I would be the only one who could talk him out of it," Heaslip said Monday night.

His doctor was providing pills only in one-day supplies in an effort to wean him, Heaslip said.

Haim's primary care doctor would constantly follow up with urgent care centers that he believed were writing prescriptions for Haim, Heaslip said. The doctor later gave the information to investigators, he said.

Simpson confirmed to CNN that Haim's doctor was helping investigators.

Haim had a prescription for the muscle relaxer Soma and the narcotic pain reliever Norco filled at a pharmacy February 26, a source with knowledge of the transaction told CNN. Two days after Haim picked up the drugs, his primary care doctor called the San Fernando Valley pharmacy to ask about the prescriptions, the source said.

An autopsy revealed that Haim suffered from pneumonia, an enlarged heart and water in his lungs when he collapsed March 10, Winter said.

Heaslip said he and Haim's family are convinced his death was not from a drug overdose, but was perhaps a bad reaction to a single pill he took in the hours before his death.

The pills, prescribed by an addiction specialist, came with a warning that they should not be taken by someone with a heart condition or flulike symptoms, both of which Haim had, Heaslip said.

"This kid was making major progress," Heaslip said.

His manager said that if Haim was cheating on his addiction program, he would probably not have admitted it to him since he would have dropped Haim as a client.

Haim began his acting career in 1982, with his first television appearance on the Canadian series "The Edison Twins." His first film role was in the 1984 American movie "First Born."

Haim also won rave reviews for his title role in the 1986 film "Lucas." Film critic Roger Ebert said of him at the time, "If he continues to act this well, he will never become a half-forgotten child star, but will continue to grow into an important actor."

His most famous role was in the 1987 movie "The Lost Boys," in which Haim played a fresh-faced teenager whose

How many drugs did Haim obtain?
What age was Haim when he died?
Who called Haim the poster child?
How many drugs did Corey Haim get?
What is Haim fighting?
What did Jerry Brown call Haim?
What did Corry Haim get?
What did Attorney General call Haim?
Haim is the poster child for what?

Answer: 553

Answer: 38,

Answer: California's top law enforcement official

Answer: 553

Answer: drug addiction

Answer: "poster child" for the problem of addicts

Answer: prescriptions for five controlled substances

Answer: "poster child" for the problem of addicts

Answer: dangerous drugs,

Summary:
Corey Haim obtained 553 drugs in last year of his life, AG says .
Attorney General Jerry Brown calls Haim the 'poster child' for doctor-shopping .
Coroner has not yet ruled on what killed Haim, 38, who died last month .
Former child actor battled drug addiction for decades .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actor and filmmaker Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his manager Sam Maydew said Friday. Hopper is being treated in a special program at the University of Southern California, according to CNN news affiliate KTLA. He was expected to appear at an exhibition of his photography at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image in Melbourne but has cancelled in order to focus on treatment. "We're hoping for the best," Maydew said. No other details were immediately available. On September 30, Hopper was hospitalized in New York for flu-like symptoms and stomach pains. He was released the next day feeling "much better," according to KTLA. The 73-year-old Academy Award winner is known for his roles in "Rebel Without a Cause," "Hoosiers," "Apocalypse Now" and "Easy Rider" -- the latter of which he also directed -- among scores of other films. Hopper recently finished shooting the second season of the Starz drama "Crash," based on the 2006 Oscar-winning film.

What was he hospitalized in September for?

Answer: September 30,

Answer: University of Southern California,

Answer: prostate

Answer: the second season of the Starz drama "Crash,"

Answer: second season of the Starz drama "Crash,"

Summary:
Actor Dennis Hopper is being treated at the University of Southern California .
The actor has cancelled upcoming travel to focus on his treatment .
He was hospitalized in late September with flu-like symptoms and stomach pain .
Hopper just finished shooting the second season of the Starz drama "Crash"


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Actress and animal rights activist Eva Mendes hopes you'll shun fur as you shop for the holidays. "Even if you buy a fur glove with the little trim, and you think 'Oh, my God, it's just a little trim,' that animal got clubbed," Mendes said. Mendes took her clothes off two years ago for the PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign, but now she wants you to see something less pleasant. She's narrated a video of PETA's latest undercover footage of animals being killed for their fur. "These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive," she said. "They're anally electrocuted, just so the fur won't become tainted." It's unlikely you'll see the 3-minute video on television because of its gruesome nature. But it shouldn't be hard to find it spreading virally online. "It's not something you want to see," she said. "But it's something you have to see." Mendes says she's confident that anyone who watches it will eventually ditch furs as fashion. "Even if you don't do something today, it'll stay in your consciousness and you'll think about it," she said. "That's why these strong images are so necessary for people to see, because they'll stay in your mind, and maybe in your subconscious. They'll stay there and that will really help you make a more evolved decision in the future." Mendes said her dog, Hugo, "changed her world" and convinced her to campaign against fur. "I've become so much of a more just sensitive, empathetic person towards animals because of him," she said. "Because he's just so precious and I can't imagine wearing him or eating him, and what's really the difference between him or some little raccoon or some bunny or seal?" Mendes stopped eating beef, chicken and pork two years ago, but she still consumes animal products such as cheese and milk. But there is a great substitute for animal fur, she said. "Go faux, go fake."

Who narrates the PETA video of animals being killed for fur?

What did Mendes do two years ago for the groups campaign?

Answer: "These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive,"

Answer: animal rights

Answer: "These animals are beaten to death, they're skinned alive, their throats are slashed while they're still alive,"

Answer: Eva Mendes

Answer: Eva Mendes

Answer: took her clothes off

Answer: Actress and animal rights activist

Answer: Eva Mendes

Summary:
Eva Mendes narrates PETA video of undercover footage of animals being killed for fur .
"It's not something you want to see," Mendes says of gruesome 3-minute video .
Two years ago, Mendes took off clothes for group's "Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur" campaign .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- An evacuation order was lifted Wednesday morning for more than 500 California homes on hillsides vulnerable to mudslides, authorities said.

With the sun shining over much of Los Angeles, officials told people who live in the foothill areas of La Crescenta, La Canada Flintridge and Acton that they could return to their homes at 8 a.m. PT (11 a.m. ET).

Officials ordered a mandatory evacuation for those residents Tuesday morning as a precaution when heavy rains were predicted.

The dangerous mudslides did not develop, but this area was especially hit hard after a downpour Saturday unleashed a river of mud that damaged dozens of homes.

Several of the homes were declared uninhabitable.

A massive wildfire in the Angeles National Forest last summer burned hillsides where these homes are located.

What has damaged dozens of Southern California houses?

What were people made to do because of the heavy rain?

How many homes can people return to in foothill?

When was the Mandatory evacuation issued?

what has damaged southern california houses?

Answer: a river of mud

Answer: mandatory evacuation

Answer: a mandatory evacuation

Answer: 500

Answer: Tuesday morning

Answer: their homes

Answer: 500

Answer: mudslides,

Answer: a river of mud

Summary:
NEW: People in 500 homes in Los Angeles foothill areas can return .
Mandatory evacuation issued as a precaution when heavy rains were predicted .
Mudslides have damaged dozens of Southern California houses .


Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- Art Linkletter, the easygoing, smooth-voiced emcee famed for his long-running hosting gigs of the radio and television shows "House Party" and "People Are Funny," and author of "Kids Say the Darndest Things," has died, according to his spokeswoman.

Linkletter "died peacefully at home with his family on Wednesday," a statement from the family said. He was 97.

"Just one month earlier, while being honored at an event, he was asked what he considered his greatest life accomplishment," the statement said. "He responded 'Family.'"

Linkletter rose to fame as a radio announcer in San Diego, later becoming a program director. In 1944, he launched "Art Linkletter's House Party," a daytime CBS radio show that moved to television in 1952 and ran until 1969.

"Kids say the darndest things," was Linkletter's often-repeated phrase because of his humorous interviews with children. It became the title of his best-selling book, a country music hit and was reprised by Bill Cosby as a 1998 TV show.

The phrase began as a segment on "House Party." Linkletter would ask several children their thoughts on various topics; their responses were often hilariously absurd.

"I was Oprah before there was Oprah," he once told The Wall Street Journal.

Flowers were placed on Linkletter's star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame Wednesday afternoon.

His nighttime show, "People Are Funny," started on radio in 1942 and ran on NBC television from 1954 to 1961. According to Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh's "The Complete Directory to Primetime Network and Cable Shows, 1946-Present," the show featured everyday guests who would be interviewed by Linkletter and then asked to do a stunt. The result for those who failed at the stunt was often a pie in the face or being splashed by water.

Linkletter also hosted a short-lived quiz show, "The Art Linkletter Show," in 1963.

At its height, Linkletter's fame was notable enough to make him part of Milton Bradley's "Game of Life," which featured Linkletter's endorsement and his photo on the game's $100,000 bill. His 1960 biography was called "Confessions of a Happy Man."

But the host's own life was touched by a famous tragedy. In 1969, his daughter Diane -- just 20 at the time -- jumped to her death from a sixth-floor apartment in Hollywood. Linkletter blamed the death on LSD, though the drug use was never confirmed. Linkletter became an ardent anti-drug crusader, releasing a hit record, "We Love You, Call Collect," which won a Grammy Award.

Of his five children, two others also predeceased Linkletter: son Robert died in a 1980 auto accident, and another son, Jack, died of lymphoma in 2007.

Linkletter is survived by his wife of 75 years, Lois, and two daughters, Dawn Griffin and Sharon Linkletter.

Linkletter was born Gordon Arthur Kelly in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, on July 17, 1912. Orphaned as an infant, he was adopted by traveling evangelist John Linkletter and his wife, Mary.

After a short stint on Wall Street -- he was a typist at an investment bank at the time of the 1929 Crash, he told the WSJ -- he eventually moved to San Diego and attended college at San Diego State University. While in college, he took a job as a staff announcer at CBS affiliate KGB-AM.

Linkletter was an astute businessman. The owner of Linkletter Enterprises, he owned millions of acres in Australia and was a sheep and cattle rancher. He also owned oil wells and was a spokesman for several products.

CNN's Todd Leopold and Jack Hannah contributed to this report.

What did Art Linkletter host?
What was Art Linkletter's catchphrase?
What was his biography called?
When was his biography published?
What was his catchphrase?
What shows did Art Linkletter host?

Answer: gigs of the radio and television shows "House Party" and "People Are Funny,"

Answer: "Kids Say the Darndest Things,"

Answer: "Confessions of a Happy Man."

Answer: 1960

Answer: "Kids say the darndest things,"

Answer: "House Party" and "People Are Funny,"

Summary:
Art Linkletter hosted "House Party" and "People Are Funny"
"Kids say the darndest things" was his catchphrase .
"I was Oprah before there was Oprah," he once said .
His 1960 biography was called "Confessions of a Happy Man"