NEW YORK (AP) – In an explosive telephone argument that led to her firing, publisher Judith Regan allegedly complained of a “Jewish cabal” against her in the book industry and stated that “Of all people, Jews should know about ganging up, finding common enemies and telling the big lie.”A spokesman for Regan’s former employer, Rupert […]

NEW YORK (AP) – Aaron Carter, who broke off his engagement to former Playboy Playmate Kari Ann Peniche just a week after he proposed onstage in Las Vegas, says he’s in love.Carter, who turned 19 on Dec. 7, is dating 18-year-old singer Kaci Brown. They hit it off last week in Miami when he celebrated […]

Today Dec. 19: PORTLAND, organist Ray Cornils will perform at a “Kotzschmar Christmas,” at 7:30 p.m. at Portland City Hall Merrill Auditorium. $12-$22 842-0800Dec. 19: PORTLAND, the Martina McBride “The Joy of Christmas” show will be held at the Cumberland County Civic Center. 775-3458 Tomorrow Dec. 20: LEWISTON, a holiday sing-a-long will be held at […]

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) – Justin Timberlake may have said “Bye, Bye, Bye” to his ‘N Sync bandmates, but he’s looking for a partner to sing with at the Grammys.The Recording Academy, together with CBS Corp. and Yahoo Inc., is holding a contest to find an unsigned artist to perform with the 25-year-old “SexyBack” singer […]

PURCHASE, N.Y. (AP) – Allan Stone, who used his Manhattan gallery, his obsessive collecting and his exuberant personality to encourage emerging artists while becoming an expert in Abstract Expressionism, has died at age 74.Stone died Friday in his sleep at his home in Purchase, his daughter, Jeremy Stone, said Monday. She said he had not […]

NEW YORK (AP) – When it comes to celebrity dog-parenting skills, Oprah Winfrey is tops and Britney Spears is the world’s worst, according to an online vote by readers of two dog magazines.“Britney was the overwhelming choice” for worst celebrity dog owner for 2006, Hilary O’Hagan, editor of The New York Dog and The Hollywood […]

At 50 years of age “Jack” Currier, of Norway, might have retired independently rich, with his name emblazoned among those of famous trick performers in this country. Instead he works for day wages.With his fingers and toes tightly clenched around the corner boards of a house, stockingless, and without gloves, “Jack” climbs with the agility […]

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Joe Barbera, half of the Hanna-Barbera animation team that produced such beloved cartoon characters as Tom and Jerry, Yogi Bear and the Flintstones, died Monday, a Warner Bros. spokesman said. He was 95. Barbera died of natural causes at his home with his wife Sheila at his side, Warner Bros. spokesman […]

LOS ANGELES (AP) – A pair of records made by Judy Garland as a child from her first studio recording session have failed to sell at auction.The top bid Sunday for the acetate discs recorded in March 1935 was $22,500, failing to reach the minimum amount, said Levi Morgan, a spokesman for auctioneer Bonhams & […]

NEW YORK (AP) – Blame the Internet’s legacy systems if Jay Glatfelter falls asleep Thursday mornings.Co-host of an online audio show about “Lost,” Glatfelter must wait about 40 minutes to finish posting his program to the Internet in the hours after ABC’s Wednesday night broadcast. If he were downloading it as his listeners do, the […]