Associated Press Louisiana

01/30/2014

From more than 20 highways, now 3 closed by ice


NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana's highway department says only three highways around the state are still closed by ice. That's down from more than 20 over the past two days.

Those still closed are Interstate 49 near Alexandria, Interstate 55 between Hammond and LaPlace, and Louisiana Highway 1 south of White Castle.

La. 1 is closed between Frank Noel Road and Laurel Ridge Road.

I-49 is closed between U.S. 71 and exit 94, the River Road and Rapides Station Road exit.

I-55 is closed between Interstate 10 and Exit 26, to Louisiana Highway 22. .

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Online: www.511la.org

01/30/2014

AP SAYS ZIMMERMAN PAINTING IS COPY OF AP PHOTO

AP has demanded that George Zimmerman halt the sale of one of his paintings because the news agency says it directly copies an AP photo.

AP in the News2014201320122011printAP says Zimmerman painting is copy of AP photo Jan. 24, 2014 EmailPrintTextThis combination image shows an Associated Press photo, top, of Florida State Attorney Angela Corey, taken in Jacksonville, Fla., on April 11, 2012, during her announcement of second-degree…

01/30/2014

Google is ridding itself of a financial headache by selling Motorola Mobility's smartphone business to Lenovo for $2.9 billion. The deal announced late Wednesday comes less than two years after Google bought Motorola Mobility for $12.4 billion in the biggest acquisition of Google's 15-year history.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — An expensive mistake by Google could turn into a golden opportunity for China's Lenovo Group as it expands beyond its success in the personal computer industry.

01/29/2014

Was Eliot Ness a hero or Hollywood-inspired myth?

CHICAGO (AP) — In the pantheon of Chicago crime fighters, nobody has the worldwide reputation of Eliot Ness.

01/29/2014

On Aug. 18, 1955, The Associated Press reported that Pete Seeger and others testified before a House Un-American Activities Committee hearing in New York investigating alleged communist activities in the entertainment industry. Seeger, then 36, refused to answer any questions about his "associations, philosophy or religion." That refusal led to his conviction for contempt of Congress in 1961; the conviction was later overturned. Reporting on the 1955 hearing, the AP described Seeger as a "lanky man wearing a brown suit, plaid shirt and yellow tie" who called himself a "banjo picker." He told the committee: "I have sung to many audiences. I have sung in hobo jungles and I've sung for the Rockefellers. I've never refused to sing for anybody. That's the only answer I can give. I'm proud I've sung for Americans of every political persuasion." Fifty-nine years after its original publication, the AP is making this report of the HUAC hearing, which includes Seeger's comments, available.

EDITOR'S NOTE — On Aug. 18, 1955, The Associated Press reported that Pete Seeger and others testified before a House Un-American Activities Committee hearing in New York investigating alleged communist activities in the entertainment industry. Seeger, then 36, refused to answer any questions about h...

01/29/2014

5 things to know from Tuesday's Super Bowl scene
DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Where's Waldo?

Well, right there in the middle of a scrum of more than 6,000 journalists, costumed characters, celebrities and attention-seekers.

Yep, sounds like Super Bowl media day.

The NFL held its annual circuslike event Tuesday, and the site of this one featuring the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks was the Prudential Center — a hockey arena that normally serves as the home of the NHL's New Jersey Devils.

"It's a lot of people that don't have much to do, I don't know," Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson said with a smile. "All the attention over one game, sometimes it can be overwhelming. I'm just excited to be here enjoying the process and I just can't wait until Sunday."

But first, there was the spectacle of media day to get through.

TV3 Denmark reporter Tommy Kjaersgaard wore a red-and-white striped shirt, round spectacle frames and blue pants in costume as the titular character of the "Where's Waldo?" franchise of children's books.

Internet star Lil Terrio was there, too, and he danced with cheerleaders. There was an Austrian man dressed as Mozart, and another in a superhero costume. Regis Philbin, singer Michelle Williams and actor-comedian Nick Cannon also showed up.

"It's crazy," Denver guard Zane Beadles said. "This is quite the spectacle. I have never been a part of anything like this before with all these people, but it's very fun and a very exciting time."

Here's a quick look at a few of the Super Bowl story lines from Tuesday:

STRANGE QUESTIONS: When it comes to Super Bowl media day, pretty much anything goes.

From marriage proposals to favorite foods, players have heard it all over the years. Seattle defensive lineman was asked by a woman for a kiss — but said no. Seahawks center Max Unger was asked by a man to feel his bushy beard — and let him.

Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate captured all the wackiness by wearing a Google Glass and a Go Pro camera on his hat to show his family. Because, let's face it: Until you experience media day yourself, you can't believe all the hijinks.

"This is pretty crazy, man. Pretty crazy," Broncos defensive end Malik Jackson said. "I saw Waldo. I saw the superhero."

MR. CHATTY: Marshawn Lynch kept his media day appearance short and sweet.

The Seahawks running back, known for not cooperating with the Seattle media during the season, spoke for 6½ minutes before leaving. and then returning

Wearing a cap, hood and dark sunglasses, Lynch returned to speak to Deion Sanders for NFL Network, to the Seahawks website, and to Armed Forces Network — and acknowledged he was trying to avoid being fined by the league for not meeting his media requirements.

He slipped a profanity to Sanders, and three times described himself as "smooth" to the Hall of Fame cornerback, adding: "I ain't never seen no talk that won me nothing."

POPULAR GUY: Peyton Manning drew what appeared to be the biggest crowd at media day, rivaled only perhaps by Seattle's Richard Sherman.

During his hour-long session, the Broncos quarterback acknowledged that he had "concerns" about whether he could come back from the neck operations that threatened his career two years ago.

"The doctors just couldn't tell me anything definite," he said. "They wouldn't say, 'You're going to be back at this time, at 100 percent strength level.' They couldn't tell me. ... It was a matter of a lot of faith and trust."

He was also repeatedly asked about his "legacy," something he said he's heard about since he was 25.

"I'm not sure you can have a legacy when you're 25 years old. Even 37," Manning said. "I'd like to have to be, like, 70 to have a legacy. I'm not even 100 percent sure what the word even means."

CHARMING SHERMAN: No wild outbursts here.

After Sherman's angry 20-second rant after the NFC championship game sparked a national debate over sportsmanship and racial attitudes, the Seattle cornerback was funny, accommodating and didn't raise his voice except to make sure reporters heard him.

He also praised his teammates — and the Denver Broncos.

"People think I'm a loudmouth, an angry guy," Sherman said. "That's a big misconception."

But he's still a chatterbox. He began his session a few minutes before he even had to, and had to be pulled away by an NFL official after answering a few more questions past his 60-minute requirement.

"I could do this all day," he said. "Thanks, y'all."

HEALTH UPDATES: Seattle wide receiver Percy Harvin and Denver kicker Matt Prater are both ready to go for Sunday.

Harvin, who has yet to play a full game while healthy this season, returned to practice last Wednesday after passing the NFL's concussion protocol following a head injury suffered in Seattle's NFC divisional playoff game against New Orleans.

"I am absolutely playing," he said without hesitation.

Prater missed practices from last Thursday through Saturday with flu-like symptoms. He kicked Monday for the first time since the AFC championship game.

"I'm feeling a lot better and I should be fine Sunday," Prater said. "I mean, I wasn't dying."

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AP Pro Football Writers Howard Fendrich, Rob Maaddi, Arnie Stapleton and Barry Wilner, AP National Writer Paul Newberry, and AP Sports Writers Tim Booth and Rick Freeman contributed to this report.

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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org

Broncos QB Manning 'had concerns' about comebackNEWARK, N.J.Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.40.7357-74.1724NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — When Peyton Manning returned to the NFL after a series of neck operations...

01/29/2014

Congratulations to Melinda Deslatte, correspondent, Baton Rouge, La., for at least half an hour's beat that Louisiana's controversial Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter was running for governor.
http://bo.st/1cbj4mg

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter announced in a Tuesday email to supporters that he will be a candidate in Louisiana’s 2015 governor’s race. ‘‘I believe that as our next Governor, I can have a bigger impact addressing the unique challenges and opportunities we face in Louisi...

01/27/2014

APTOPIX New Orleans Corruption

Former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin arrives at the Hale Boggs Federal Building in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 27, 2014. Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of Nagin, who faces charges that he accepted bribes and free trips among other things from contractors in exchange for helping them secure millions of dollars in city work. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)

01/27/2014

NW La to Miss Coast: Gear up for more c-c-c-cold
JANET McCONNAUGHEY, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The National Weather Service warned people from northwest Louisiana to the Mississippi Coast to gear up for another blast of cold.

Here we go again? Possibly. The National Weather Service has posted a Winter Storm Watch for the entire WAFB viewing area.  The watch is in effect for Tuesday morning through Wednesday morning.  More importantly,

01/27/2014

Ex-New Orleans mayor's bribery trial set to open
MICHAEL KUNZELMAN, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday for former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who faces charges that he accepted bribes and free trips among other things from contractors in exchange for helping them secure millions of dollars in city work.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Monday for former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who faces charges that he accepted bribes and free trips among other things from contractors in exchange for helping them secure millions of dollars in city work.

01/27/2014

Restored fighter plane salutes Flying Tigers
JANET McCONNAUGHEY, Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans will get a flavor of one of the most heralded episodes of World War II when a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, restored in the shark-nosed markings of the famed Flying Tigers, goes on display at the National World War II Museum.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — New Orleans will get a flavor of one of the most heralded episodes of World War II when a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, restored in the shark-nosed markings of the famed Flying Tigers, goes on display at the National World War II Museum.

01/24/2014

This Week in the Civil War
The Associated Press

This series marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War draws primarily from wartime dispatches credited to The Associated Press or other accounts distributed through the AP and other historical sources.

This Week in The Civil War, for week of Sunday, Jan. 26: More fighting in Tennessee.

The Union forces pushed back from Dandridge, Tenn., were still in the area 150 years ago this week in the Civil War. For the time being, they disrupted Confederate attempts to capture Union supply wagons and restock their troops in need of shoes, further weapons and additional ammunition. On Jan. 27, 1864, a Confederate force smashed into a Union cavalry brigade. Hard fighting erupted and Union forces took advantage of dense fog to drive back sharply. Union troops swiftly routed Confederates in the area of Fair Garden Road and pursued many of the rebels, capturing and killing several. Union troops attacked another Confederate unit before withdrawing, weary from combat and running short of ammunition.

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