KISS News Now!

Teens Hit By Freight Train; Mauled Girl Has More Surgery; Court Says 'God' Phrases Are Legal; Tiger's Mistresses Compete In Pageant

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 10:42:47 -0500

A teenager is hospitalized at Kennestone this morning after he and his buddy were hit by a CSX train in northwest Cobb around 1:00 a.m. Police say the two were apparently lying on the tracks at Stanley Road near Stilesboro, yet didn't hear the train coming. Freight trains moving thru the residential area don't blow their horns. The second teen died.
An eight-year-old Lithonia girl mauled by a neighbor's dogs has just gone through a third round of surgery, in hopes of saving her left arm. Erin Ingram remains critical but stable at Children's Healthcare at Egleston. A friend of dog owner Twyann Vaughn says the woman is distraught. He says her dogs are playful and have never been a problem before.
A federal appeals court in San Francisco rules the "under God" part of the pledge of allegiance is constitutional--and so is "In God We Trust" on our money. California atheist Michael Newdow had claimed the two phrases violated his religious beliefs. He says he may appeal, but admits he doesn't hold out much hope that he'll win.
Atlanta's runaway zebra has been put to sleep. The 12-year-old Lima got out of an outdoor pen last month when Ringling Brothers was in town, and ran onto the downtown connector. Vets say he injured his hooves so badly, he could no longer stand up.
Tiger Woods' comeback could happen right here in Georgia. Two people with knowledge of his schedule say he's likely to play in the Masters at Augusta National in April. Woods has been practicing at Isleworth near his Orlando home the last two weeks, and swing coach Hank Haney flew there during the weekend to work with him. Woods is a four-time Masters champion, setting records in 1997 as the youngest winner with the lowest 72-hole score. Tournament week is April 5-11.
A cocktail waitress beats out another cocktail waitress and an ex-escort to be crowned the winner of the Tiger Woods Mistress Beauty Pageant. Howard Stern hosted the pageant on his radio show, and Jamie Jungers cried at news she was getting $75,000. Jungers said she felt blessed but still wants an apology from Woods.
A man who posted YouTube video of himself outside Elton John's Buckhead condo, holding a sign saying "Elton John Must Die," has landed himself behind bars on charges of making terroristic threats. Neal Horsley, a 65-year-old anti-abortion rights protester, became furious after the singer called Jesus "a compassionate super-intelligent gay man" during a recent interview. His bail's set at $40,000.
Apple begins taking pre-orders on iPads today. The shiny slates will be available April 3 starting at around $500. Barnes & Noble, even though it has its own e-reader, is announcing its own free e-book app for the iPad.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: afternoon showers and thunderstorms are 80% likely, with highs in the low to mid-60s. Saturday, breezy and mostly cloudy with a 30% chance of afternoon showers, high 54. Sunday, mostly to partly cloudy and breezy, drizzle possible, high of 56.

Roethlisberger Admits 'Contact' But No Sex; Ex-Olympic Medalist Becomes Baller (VIDEO); More Billionaires; Man Marries Pillow (VIDEO)

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:58:15 -0500

New information is released on the Ben Roethlisberger investigation; a disgraced sprinter is getting a new career; Bill Gates is no longer the world's richest man; pillow talk gets real as a man marries his pillow. See the latest KISS News Now!

Lithonia Girl Mauled By Dogs; Corey Haim Dies; Stabbing At The Movies; Jennifer Hudson's 'Shining Moment'/Luther, Teddy Flashback Videos

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:17:29 -0500

An eight-year-old Lithonia girl is fighting for life this morning after two Staffordshire Terriers jumped on her. DeKalb Police say the girl was playing in her yard on Margaret Court when the dogs mauled her for no reason. She's in critical condition at Grady. A cop who was quickly on the scene shot one dog which came at him, and the other dog was captured and will be put down. Charges are pending against the owner; residents say the dogs had bullied the neighborhood before this.
A Clayton County apartment complex is condemned after a three-year-old girl falls through the rotting floor of her family's home. Alexis White says she had to make a rope from a bed sheet to pull her daughter up. Police say the Town Village Apartments complex owner has reneged on a promise to relocate 10 families.
Bank of America is helping its customers avoid overdraft fees. From now on, debit card users who don't have enough money to cover a charge won't be allowed to finish the transaction. At an ATM, customers who want more cash than their account holds will have to agree to a $35 overdraft fee first.
Jennifer Hudson is about to get "One Shining Moment." Joining a group that includes Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross, Hudson will be the new voice of the song played each year at the end of CBS' broadcast of the NCAA men's basketball championship game. It'll be the first time a woman has sung the piece, which has been part of the Final Four since 1987. Below are Teddy's version from 1996, the year Kentucky won, and Luther's version, from 2003. Syracuse took the title that year. For the record, CBS used the Pendergrass version from 1994-1999, and the Vandross version from 2003-2009.

Still got a land line? A bill close to passage under the Gold Dome would gut the power to fight back when your phone company abuses you. Although customers could still complain to the Public Service Commission, the measure would take away the PSC's ability to resolve the problems or get refunds and credits for consumers.
Toyota is expanding a recall announced last year to fix Tundra pickup trucks. The automaker says the trucks' frame could rust and lead to the spares falling from beneath the vehicle. The expansion covers Tundras from the 2000-2003 model years in all 50 states.
A Georgia lawmaker wants to keep child predators from hunting in some of kids' favorite places. Democratic State Representative Rob Teilhetintroduced a bill to allow the GBI to send convicted child predators' info to sites like Facebook and MySpace so the sites can block them, and could report any suspicious activity.
Beware of moviegoers who are crazier than the villains onscreen. A man at the movies in California asked a woman in front of him to stop talking on her cell phone at the beginning of "Shutter Island." The woman and two male friends left--but then the men came back and stabbed the shusher's neck with a meat thermometer. The victim has serious injuries, and cops are looking for his attackers.
Many DeKalb County parents complain that the elementary schools the district's targeting for closure are primarily in poor, mostly-black areas of south DeKalb. Schools that could be closed include Sky Haven, Gresham Park, Midway and Meadowview.The district estimates that closing the low-enrollment schools would save $2 million.
How's this for a gourmet treat? It's cheese made from human breast milk. A Manhattan chef found their freezer was overflowing with the milk his wife was making for their four-week-old baby girl--so he decided to experiment with the milk, which the couple said is "sweet." Customers at Kree Brasserie have been snapping up the cheese, encrusted with maple caramelized pumpkin and Concord grapes.
Former teen heartthrob Corey Haim, known for his 1980s roles in "The Lost Boys" and "Lucas" has died. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office says Haim died at 2:15 this morning at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center. A police sergeant says Haim had been dealing with flulike symptoms and was getting over-the-counter and prescription meds. Years ago, Haim spoke publicly about his struggles with drug abuse, including crack and prescription drugs. He once called himself a "chronic relapser." An autopsy will be performed.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: rainy, high of 56, low of 52 tonight. Thursday, scattered showers 80% likely, with highs in the mid-60s.

Fulton School Cuts Expected; Pringles Recall; Dan Rather's 'Watermelon' Analysis (VIDEO/POLL)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:24:22 -0500

One thousand Fulton County school employees could find themselves on the unemployment line as the superintendent tonight lays out a newly-trimmed budget. The cuts include 480 classroom teachers, as well as jobs ranging from para-pros and counselors to school resource officers and custodians.
The four under-populated elementary schools DeKalb County may close are all in south Dekalb. Parents get to go over the proposed list tonight at a public forum in Decatur. The district is looking to save $2 million.
Not a lot of folks are hanging out the "help wanted" signs, but 78% of metro Atlanta employers say they've have no plans for layoffs this quarter. Manpower's latest survey shows the national job picture is improving--but not here. Manpower says the Atlanta/Sandy Springs/Marietta-area jobs outlook is one of the weakest in the nation.
Don't pop that Pringles top. If you have Cheeseburger or Taco Night flavored Pringles, Procter & Gamble is recalling them because of possible Salmonella exposure. The Super Stack cans have best-by dates ranging from 2/2011-5/2011. So far, no one has reported getting sick. You can get either a replacement coupon or a refund for the chips. P&G is the latest company to recall products with the flavor-enhancing hydrolyzed vegetable protein made by Basic Food Flavors. Inspectors found Salmonella on BFF's processing equipment.
Dan Rather's quip about Republicans attacking President Obama is getting some attention after the newsman used the words "articulate" and "watermelon" in the same anecdote. Talking to Chris Matthews about how he expects the GOP to portray the president in the upcoming elections, the ex-CBS News anchor said Mr. Obama's critics would say "...a version of, 'Listen he's a nice person, he's very articulate,'--this is what's gonna be used against him--'but he couldn't sell watermelons if you gave him the state troopers to flag down the traffic.'" The debate is whether Rather's comment was racist, or whether he was just making a point. When you watch the video, what do you think? Vote in our poll, and please give us your comments below!
A bill allowing Georgia gun owners to carry their weapons into bars, churches and on college campuses has passed the Senate Judiciary committee. College presidents have come out against the measure, saying it would endanger students, faculty and staff.
A Georgia lawmaker wants to exempt crime scene photos from the Open Records Act. This, after Hustler Magazine filed an Open Records request to get autopsy and crime scene photos on the Meredith Emerson case. A writer is doing a news story about killer Gary Hilton and other murders he's suspected of committing. The GBI says it will not release the photos.
The Amsterdam airport where the would-be Christmas Day crotch bomber boarded a flight is stepping up security again. This, after investigative reporters were able to smuggle bottles of liquid unchecked by security onto planes headed for London and Washington, DC.
TMZ.com is reporting that the 20-year-old coed who accused Ben Roethlisberger of sexual assault has dropped out of school. She reportedly left Georgia College & State University over the weekend and is back at her family's Atlanta home.
The driver of a Toyota Prius with a stuck accelerator can thank a California Highway Patrol officer for helping stop the vehicle, which reached speeds up to 94 mph. The man says he'd gone to the dealer after getting a recall notice, but he was turned away and told he didn't need a repair.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: sunny, then increasing cloudiness later in the day, with a 30% chance of afternoon or evening showers. High 64, low tonight, 46.

Mo'Nique Wins The Oscar, Pays Tribute To Hattie McDaniel (VIDEOS); GBI Will Question Ben Roethlisberger; Breast Milk Assault

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:51:14 -0500

The latest black woman to win an Oscar pays homage to the first one to do so. Greeted by a standing ovation when her name was announced, Mo'Nique took the Academy Award for best actress in a supporting role for her acting in "Precious"--and gave a nod to the trailblazers who helped her get there--notably, Hattie McDaniel, who won the same award in 1939 for her role in "Gone With The Wind." VIEW MO'NIQUE'S SPEECH ON OSCARS.COM.

She even says she wore a blue outfit with a flower in her hair because that was the same outfit McDaniel wore when she won her Oscar. Mo'Nique says, though, she's a comedian who won an Oscar, as opposed to an actress who is a former comedian--and she says she's not giving up her first love, comedy. Don't Miss Video: Mo'Nique--who is the fifth black woman to win an Academy Award for acting--shared her feelings backstage after winning the Oscar for best supporting actress. "Precious" also won best adapted screenplay.
In a nod to McDaniel, the first black woman to win an Academy Award, here is her acceptance speech.
An old landfill in the area of Lawrenceville Highway near Jimmy Carter Boulevard may be the source of the methane gas which exploded through the highway, blowing off manhole covers Sunday and leaving the southbound lanes between Jimmy Carter and Pounds Road closed this morning. No one was injured. Methane apparently built up in an AT&T underground vault and in sewer and storm drains, but it's unclear what ignited the gas, causing the explosion. Gwinnett County firefighters are using fans to disperse the methane.
The GBI will wait a bit to question Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger--because he's left the state. The two-time Super Bowl winner is suspected of sexually assaulting or sexually manipulating a 20-year-old Georgia College & State student. The pair were seen at different nightclubs in Milledgeville last Thursday. Roethlisberger has already talked to the local police in Milledgeville. He owns a home near Lake Oconee.
A Cobb County municipal judge cited for underage drinking at her house resigns from the bench. Diane Busch faces 21 misdemeanor counts stemming from the December 22 party at her Marietta Country Club home. She reportedly told cops that while the booze was originally meant for the grownups at the party, she'd rather have the kids drink at her house than be out driving around.
Rapper Lil Wayne will finally be sentenced this morning to a year in city jail in New York for carrying a loaded .40-caliber semiautomatic on his tour bus. His sentencing has been delayed twice--once for dental surgery on his bling-bling grill, and then a fire shut down the courthouse. With good behavior, he could be out in about eight months.
A global trade union says women with children still face major career and pay obstacles. International Trade Union Confederation says women with children earn almost a third less than men and still face too many career obstacles--and that employers often break laws by paying women less than men, not giving them enough maternity leave or asking them to take pregnancy tests before being hired.
Anti-smoking advocates will be rallying at the State Capitol today, in favor of a one-dollar hike in the state cigarette tax. They say it'll help close Georgia's billion dollar budget hole. A recent survey co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society and American Heart Association shows 73% of Georgia voters favor the tax increase.
Gas prices are up; a dime a gallon, nationwide. What does that mean for our disposable income? Analysts say the increase amounts to $40 million a day from consumers. Regular unleaded averages $2.73 a gallon--but a few cents cheaper in metro Atlanta.
The charge: assault on a police officer. The weapon: breast milk. Toni Tramel now faces the felony charge after being jailed in Owensboro, Kentucky. Authorities report she was originally busted on a misdemeanor charge of public intoxication. Deputies accuse Tramel of squirting breast milk at a female jailer while she was changing into an inmate uniform. Her bond has been set at $10,000.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: sunny, with an unseasonably warm high of 68. Lows tonight, 39-43. Tuesday, increasing cloudiness with a 30% chance of an afternoon or evening shower; high near 60.

Mother of Four Murdered; Gwinnett Brothel Closed; Winans Accused of Fraud; Hollywood Preps for Oscar

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:32:04 -0500

Atlanta Police want to talk to the boyfriend and other acquaintances of a woman found stabbed to death Thursday afternoon. Maj. Keith Meadows says that Yolanda Johnson, 35, had been stabbed to death at the Centennial Place Apartments on Merrit's Avenue, near the Georgia Tech campus. "Several of the victim's small children came home and found her dead on the bathroom floor," said Meadows. Neighbors tell police Johnson, who lived at the apartment with her four children, had a visitor not long before her children discovered her. "She did have a visitor around 2:30. It's my understanding her children came home roughly around 3:50, which gives us an hour and twenty minute time frame," said Meadows. The man apparently matched the description of Johnson's boyfriend whom police have not been able to locate.

Teen Suspended for 'Sexting'; Jobs Bill Set to Clear House, More Problems for Toyota

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:24:31 -0500

Atlanta police and a prestigious private school are investigating several cases of "sexting." A female 8th grade student at the Lovett School has been suspended and a male 8th grader has withdrawn after the girl allegedly sent a text message of an inappropriate photo of herself to the boy. He forwarded the picture to his friends. Police say all the kids involved could end up facing charges.

A Georgia State University student has been shot and killed outside the Pencil Factory Apartments on Decatur Street. Police think Maxwell Fiandt's murder may be drug related. Two men were seen fleeing the scene and drugs were found in the apartment.

There are new details about the woman who ended her abusive marriage with her 26 year old husband by killing him. She told police she was unemployed. Turns out the 45 year old woman does have a job as a lobbyist for a group fighting domestic violence. She remains in jail. No bond has been set.

8 years after an Atlanta cop shot and killed an 18-year-old boy in Buckhead, charges have been dropped against former officer ray Bunn. He claimed he thought Corey Ward was stealing an SUV and shot Ward when the teen tried to drive off. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard intends to appeal to the Georgia Supreme court. Reverend Markel Hutchins stages a protest demonstration today.

Air travel may become a bit easier for all of us. And you won't have to wear those paper flip flops through the security check points. The Transportation Security Administration has asked to buy shoe scanners next year and save travelers from having to take off their shoes.

You'll have to pay more for extra leg room on one airline. Continental Airlines says to sit in an exit row will cost an extra $60for seven more inches of leg room - unless you're one of the carrier's best frequent fliers. They will be exempt from the charges which take effect on the March 17th.

Senator Stops Blocking Jobless Benefits; Kids Snack Too Much; Child Services Probes Stun Gun At Katherine Jackson's House

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:25:08 -0500

Federal transportation employees go back to work and jobless Americans get unemployment benefits restored as a $10 billion stopgap bill finally gets a vote; researchers say children are snacking up to three times a day on junk food--and risking obesity; a lawyer says a stun gun at Katherine Jackson's house never put any of Michael Jackson's kids in danger. Get today's KISS News Now!

Snow Returns To Atlanta; Obama Gets Physical; Lawmaker Blocks Jobless Benefits--Again (VIDEO)

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:47:32 -0500

Snow on the ground, snow on the ground in metro Atlanta; President Obama gets a physical; a lawmaker gets into a confrontation with reporters over his blockage of a bill to help the unemployed. See the latest KISS News Now!

DeKalb Suspected Serial Rapist Captured; Cobb Teen Could Be 'America's Next Top Model'

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:09:34 -0500

DeKalb Police arrest a suspected serial rapist linked to as many as a dozen rapes along the Hambrick Road corridor of Stone Mountain. Cops caught a break when a woman assaulted at her apartment managed to escape as the suspect took off in her car. Nineteen-year-old Trevor Deion Blue faces 30 charges of rape, sodomy, sexual battery and kidnapping, and is jailed without bond.
In KISS news about your child's health: new research says when it comes to obesity, the odds are stacked against black and Hispanic children even before they're born. The study says family income often plays a part, but so does culture. Mothers smoking during pregnancy, and eating and sleeping habits, in infancy are factors.
The "White House to Main Street'' tour comes to the port of Savannah this week. President Barack Obama says he'll make his first stopover in Georgia on Tuesday to talk about economic recovery and putting Americans back to work.
More than a million jobless Americans will lose unemployment benefits as Kentucky Republican Senator Jim Bunning blocks passage of a bill extending them past February 28. In addition, 2,000 federal transportation workers are being furloughed as of today because the measure halts payments for state highway programs. Bunning insists the bill be paid for through other cuts first.
Fair Tax sponsor John Linder is calling it quits. The Republican congressman surprised constituents at a weekend dedication for the new GOP offices in Gwinnett County with the announcement. The GOP has expressed interest in drafting ex-Braves pitcher John Smoltz as a replacement, but the pitcher is waving ooff that pitch--tells the AJC and MLB.com he has absolutely no interest. Smoltz has been working out in Atlanta, hoping to be ready if a major league club presents what he calls a "desired opportunity."
Georgia is losing a second member of its congressional delegation. Representative Nathan Deal is stepping down from his position to campaign full-time for governor.
Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan says sinister forces want to make sure President Obama is a one-term president by any means necessary--from stalling his health care legislation, to violence. "The white right is trying to set Barack up to be assassinated," the 76-year-old told a crowd of some 20,000 Sunday at the Saviour's Day convention. Farrakhan also warns that Chile's earthquake is a warning shot to the United States, and says the war on terror is a just a ruse to cover up a war against Islam.
Rumors are swirling on the Internet that DeKalb County police officers may launch a ticket slowdown to protest budget cuts to their department. DeKalb Fraternal Order of Police president Jeff Wiggs admits a lot of officers are "disgruntled," but says that there's no coordinated effort underway. Wiggs says officers have sworn an oath, and he's confident they'll do the right thing.
An 18-year-old Wheeler High School student who'd never been on a plane before is on the new season of America's Next Top Model, premiering March 10. Alasia Ballard auditioned for the show at a classmate's suggestion, and spent three months taping in New York. Ballard intends to attend Spelman.

She tells the Marietta Daily Journal that a school prank helped her get on Tyra Banks' up-and-coming-model competition, by showing casting call producers she had the type of personality that would play well on television. Ballard had worn a pixie-style wig to school to make people think she'd cut her hair. Wearing the wig during her interview with the ANTM crew, she suddenly showed them a new look--by yanking off the wig. The 5' 10" teen is competing with 12 other young women for a modeling contract.
A Kennesaw woman faces charges for firing a stun gun at an Athens IHOP. An employee told police 22-year-old Aundria Towns and two companions ordered their meal around 3:00 Friday morning, but for some reason started yelling at their server. Police say Towns admitted taking the stun gun out of her purse while she was looking for something else, but didn't say how the gun got fired.
A Marietta man is jailed for allegedly trying to spy on women in a bowling alley bathroom. Police were called to the Brunswick Zone bowling alley on Delk Road Saturday night, where 31-year-old Jason Hall was still on the premises. They accuse him of entering the ladies' room and sticking his cell phone under a stall where a woman was using the bathroom.
Police in Chile fired tear gas at looters siphoning gasoline and carting off food in its second-largest city of Concepcion after a gigantic 8.8 magnitude earthquake. Officials say the death toll has surpassed 700.
Some crooks in Philadelphia took the jewelry, but left the child. Police say a couple came into the Platinum Ice store Saturday with a four-year-old boy Saturday and grabbed a tray of gems worth $50,000-$100,000 and ran out, dragging the child by the hand. The owner chased them down, but got slashed in the face and neck--and when the pair took off again, they left the boy behind. The couple was arrested overnight.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: increasing cloudiness, with a high of 54. The chance of rain goes up to 60% after midnight; lows 38-41. Tuesday, early morning rain will either mix with or change to snow, and accumulation is possible. Expect highs in the mid-30s.

DeKalb Superintendent Takes Leave; Dr. Lowery's African Ancestry; Sprite Step-Off Bumps 2nd-Place AKAs to 1st-Place 'Tie' (VIDEO)

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 13:11:34 -0500

Killer Whale Lives Up To Its Name; Douglasville's Meyers Wins Olympic Bling; Patti LaBelle Rips 'Idol' Judges (VIDEO); 'Pants On The Ground' Goes Vegas

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 10:55:20 -0500

SeaWorld in Florida hasn't decided what to do about a whale that killed one of its handlers. The veteran trainer was rubbing the 6-ton killer whale from a poolside platform Wednesday when it reached up, grabbed her with its mouth and dragged her underwater in front of horrified onlookers in Orlando. Dawn Brancheau's family says the 40-year-old thought of the animals as her kids--and wouldn't want to see the orca put down.

Tilikum has been involved in two other deaths: he was one of three whales blamed for killing a trainer who fell into the pool in Canada in 1991; and a man who sneaked past Sea World security in 1999 who either jumped, fell or was pulled into the water and died of hypothermia--but Tilikum had bruised and scratched him at some point.
Investigators with the DeKalb County District Attorney's office today searched the home of schools superintendent Dr. Crawford Lewis. Lewis opened the door for the nine police officers and a prosecutor at his Stone Mountain home early this morning. Police also searchd school district headquarters. The DA has been investigating bid tampering on construction projects in the school district. A former administrator was accused of steering projects to her husband's company.
Douglasville bobsledder Elana Meyers brings home some Olympics bling. Meyers' two-woman team won the bronze Wednesday; she says she and driver Erin Pac just stayed loose. "We came in trying to stay calm, trying to stay relaxed and have a little fun, and that's what we did," says Meyers (far right, with Pac). "All four runs were a blast. Every single run I looked over at Erin and just had the biggest grin on my face, and she looked back at me and returned the smile." Two Canadian teams got the gold and silver. The other American team finished 6th.
Patti LaBelle thinks some folks don't belong on American Idol--and it's judges she means, not contestants. LaBelle says some of the comments from the panel of judges are so harsh, they could make someone suicidal. The 65-year-old songstress isn't naming names, but says, "Some of the judges, I don't think they're qualified to even judge." "Anyone specifically?" asks the interviewer. "Never mind," said LaBelle. She also says that she was asked to be a judge on AI, but turned it down--and that after that, the show hired Paula Abdul. LaBelle says her advice to budding singers would be to believe in themselves, and then do it.
A new Website warns social networkers not to reveal too much about where they are when they're doing their thing. The site's name is "Please Rob Me.'' The message is that people may not be telling just their friends where they are, but thieves and other unfriendlies when they use location-sharing software on Twitter. The site puts these posts into a long, chronological list it refers to as "Recent Empty Homes.''
Live from Washington, it's Thursday health care summit. Daytime TV drama is expected when President Barack Obama moderates a televised health care summit with Republicans this morning at 10:00. GOP lawmakers have remained steadfast about their opposition to insurance reform.
In KISS news about your health: Fatty foods after 50 increase a woman's chance of stroke. Researchers say women who eat higher amounts of fat have a 44% greater risk of stroke than those who don't. Trans fats found in items like cookies, crackers, stick margarine and fried foods are especially bad.
An Atlanta law firm specializing in bankruptcy cases is under scrutiny by the Governor's Office of Consumer Affairs. Someone at Wilson, Brock & Irby disposed of clients' personal info at the Smyrna recycling center instead of shredding the documents--which included W-2s and old checks.
More than 1,000 people packed the gym at McEachern High School Wednesday night for a memorial service for Rajaan Bennett. Bennett's funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Trinity Church Chapel of Georgia in Powder Springs. Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson called Bennett "a college football coach's dream." The 18-year-old was shot to death in a murder-suicide by his mother's ex-boyfriend.
It's a mess at Berkmar High School in Gwinnett County. So all this week, students are being forced to eat their lunch in their classrooms, at their desks. School officials say there have been several big food fights in the cafeteria, and warnings and discipline against individual students didn't work.
A Florida woman is suing 50 Cent over a sex tape. The case, filed in New York City by Lastonia Leviston, charges 50 Cent has unlawfully distributed her homemade sex video online, after editing himself into it as a wig-wearing narrator. She claims unauthorized use of her name or image and emotional distress.
What happens in Vegas is "General" Larry Platt. The Atlantan whose original melody from an American Idol audition became an overnight sensation performs at the Mirage Hotel's JET nightclub Friday night. He's being paid several thousand dollars and a steak dinner.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: mostly sunny and breezy, high 44. Lows tonight, 23-27. Friday, partly sunny and windy, high of 50; Saturday, mostly to partly sunny, high of 51.

Toyota Apologizes; GA Bobsledder May Medal At Olympics; Hips Like A Drug To Men

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:19:06 -0500

The pressure's on Toyota to win back the public's trust. President Akio Toyoda today apologizes on Capitol Hill, saying his company grew too quickly to keep up with safety controls. Tuesday, Toyota's top U. S. official, Jim Lentz, tried to reassure Congress the company will no longer try to sweep gas pedal problems under the floor mat, so to speak, but he acknowledged a recall may not fully address the problem of sudden accelerations. Lentz says they're investigating whether an electronics glitch played a role.
McEachern High School standout Rajaan Bennett will be remembered in a memorial service tonight at his school. Vanderbilt's coach will speak at the service for the 18-year-old who was the top-rated player in the school's football recruiting class this year. Police have now revealed that Bennett was shot to death in a revenge effort by his mother's ex-boyfriend--because she broke up with him. Bennett's funeral is scheduled for Saturday.
Douglasville bobsledder Elana Meyers' team is in contention for a medal at the Olympics. Sled USA-2 is a a mere .13 of a second behind the Canadian leaders heading into the final two runs today.
We knew men liked hips, but a Georgia Gwinnett College researcher has proven it with science. Steven Platek says brain tests that evaluated men's reactions to pictures of who'd had plastic surgery to get curvier hips and booties found that men responded to the curves the same way an alcoholic does to beer.
DeKalb County Commissioners approve a new budget--without a property tax increase. CEO Burrell Ellis says, though, that higher taxes may be inevitable eventually. The $565 million budget eliminates pay raises and most holiday pay for county employees. The CEO is also taking a pay cut.
To cut costs, Georgia may cut days--out of the school year. The State Department of Education is calling for flexibility for school systems now facing more than a billion dollars in slashed state funding. They're considering whether legislation is needed to lessen the 180-day school year in an effort to reduce spending.
Playgirl is offering Michael Vick a million dollars to reveal his kibble and bits. The magazine says if the Eagles quarterback poses naked for them, they'll donate the money to PETA. Playgirl spokesman Daniel Nardicio told Life and Style magazine, "I figured he paid back society for dog fighting, but what about the animals? "This way he could donate a large sum to PETA and all he'd have to do is pose for the magazine! It's kind of a win-win situation!" For the record, PETA has been quite anti-Vick since he wrapped up a 20-month sentence for bankrolling a dogfighting operation. Vick has been working closely with the Humane Society of the United States to preach against the evils of the blood sport.
Aides say former VP Dick Cheney will likely be home soon from the hospital after suffering a mild heart attack. He's had four others since age 37.
A Florida woman says her love handles saved her life! 35-year-old Samantha Lynn Frazier (right) was walking into a New Jersey bar when she heard a couple of pops, grabbed her side, and saw blood. Police say Frazier was an innocent bystander; the gunman was aiming at someone else. Frazier believes her extra padding saved her and says while she used to want to lose weight, now she plans to "get as big as I can if it's going to stop a bullet."
In KISS news about your health: a midday nap may make you smarter. Researchers at the University of California Berkeley say your brain can get a little clogged up as the day goes on--kind of like a crowded e-mail inbox. Napping at midday, when the brain's ability to learn may have deteriorated, helped adults increase brain capacity by at least 10%. Those who didn't nap in the study actually decreased their ability to memorize.
A 29-year-old banker from Dallas wins the special election to fill the vacant seat of ex-Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson, who resigned amid ethics complaints and allegations of an affair with a lobbyist. Daniel Stout has admitted that 10 years ago, he had an affair with his mother-in-law while his first wife was pregnant. Stout says they didn't have sex, but his marriage broke up. He's since remarried.
Students at the University of Mississippi vote that yes, they want a new mascot. Now, Ole Miss begins the process of selecting one; a student committee will be put together to come up with some options. The school retired "Colonel Reb" about seven years ago; he was a caricature of a plantation owner. Reb still appears on UM bumper stickers and other paraphernalia.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: a 50% chance of drizzle and snow flurries this morning, then a chance of late-day sunshine. Look for a breezy high around 44 today.

Budget Woes Across DeKalb; Toyota Hearings Open; Douglasville Bobsledder Debuts In Olympics Today

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 10:08:41 -0500

DeKalb County Schools today announce the closures of four schools with low enrollments of 300 students or less. The district has an $88 million budget shortfall, and the superintendent says it's too expensive to maintain so many buildings at half-capacity. Teachers from affected schools will move with their students and keep their jobs. It's expected that the closing schools will be in south DeKalb, since Dunwoody is the fastest-growing area of the county right now.
The DeKalb County Commisioners and CEO have to find some common ground on their budget woes. The county has a $100 million deficit, and commissioners are balking at Burrell Ellis' proposal for a property tax increase that would equal about an extra $36 a year for the average homeowner. They hope unpaid holidays this year will replace the need for furloughs.
The House opens hearings into Toyota's troubles today. The president of the company's U.S. operations is apologizing for their slow response confronting the problem of sudden accelerations in their vehicles. Lawmakers will hear from a Tennessee woman whose Lexus zoomed to 100 mph in 2006; she tried to put the car in neutral, then tried to reverse, then hit the emergency brake--but nothing helped. Rhonda Smith says the car suddenly slowed on its own before she crashed. A committee is investigating whether Toyota and government regulators failed to protect the public.
Bipartisanship makes an appearance in the Senate. New Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown was one of five Republicans breaking with their party to end a GOP filibuster and move a $15 billion jobs bill to a final vote. The measure is expected to enjoy broader GOP support in Wednesday's vote.
Metro Atlanta bobsledder Elana Meyers makes her Olympics debut today. The 25-year-old from Douglasville is in sled USA-2, but her two-woman team is facing a big obstacle. In her blog, Meyers says driver Erin Pac has been attacked by what she calls "the hamstring monster," and the injury could affect the push at the start of their run.

Meyers began the sport of bobsled in 2007, making the national team her rookie season. In 2008 she won her first World Cup medal, a bronze with driver Shauna Rohbock. She followed the performance with a gold medal at the inaugural World Cup in Whistler, Canada. At the 2009 World Championships, Meyer pushed with driver Shauna Rohbock to win silver.
Students at Ole Miss vote today on a new mascot. The University of Mississippi sidelined Colonel Reb, a caricature of a white plantation owner, some seven years ago. They're still called the Rebels, but Ole Miss is the only SEC school without a mascot.
Former NBA star Jayson Williams faces sentencing today for the fatal shooting of his limo driver eight years ago in New Jersey. He's expected to get 18 months in prison.
A Delaware pediatrician is indicted on nearly 500 charges of molesting 103 patients. Dr. Earl Bradley allegedly kept tapes of what he did, and some of the videos date back to 1998.
The first-ever Superman comic book sells for $1 million in an online auction. The 1938 Action Comics #1 originally sold for 10 cents. Last year, a copy of the same issue sold for "just" $317,000.
Wrestler Ric Flair's wife has been arrested on a domestic violence beef in North Carolina. Flair says 41-year-old Jacqueline Beems attacked him after they went out for dinner. The 60-year-old suffered minor injuries.
Doctors in Washington are testing Dick Cheney, who's in the hospital after suffering chest pains. The ex-vice president has had four heart attacks since age 37.
Former Senator Bob Dole is hospitalized at Walter Reed after beating a bout of pneumonia. The 86-year-old is staying in to do physical therapy following a knee surgery last year.
Investigators with the Atlanta Police Gang Task Force believe members of "30 Deep" may have taken part in an overnight smash-and-grab at a grocery store in southwest Atlanta. The suspects broke into the Greenbriar Food Mart around 3:00 Tuesday morning, stealing cigars, cigarettes, and soda.
Hundreds of passengers aboard a Caribbean-bound Celebrity Cruise ship are being treated for a stomach bug. They're said to be responding well to meds. The Mercury left Charleston, South Carolina for the Caribbean on February 15, and more than 300 cruisers began complaining Sunday of nausea and diarrhea. They're testing to see what the bug is, and doing an enhanced cleaning of the ship to keep the illness from spreading.
The KISS 104.1 weather forecast: mostly cloudy to partly cloudy skies, high 54.

Mourning Teen Standout Rajaan Bennett (VIDEO); Tiger Woods Apologizes (VIDEO/POLLS); US Leads Olympic Medals Race

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:09:29 -0500

Watch video of Tiger Woods' first public statement since his sex scandal broke, and leave us your comments; a murdered Powder Springs teen is being remembered as a role model on and off the football field; the US is on top of the medals race in the Winter Games in Vancouver. Get the latest KISS News Now!