Breaking News Thread

[Flynbyu]

NEW YORK —  A former actor on "The Sopranos" was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for a botched burglary in the Bronx in which an accomplice shot and killed an off-duty police officer.


Lilo Brancato Jr.

A jury acquitted Lillo Brancato Jr. in the death of the police officer, but convicted him of attempted burglary. He had faced up to 15 years in prison.

Prosecutors said Brancato and the accomplice were looking for drugs when they broke into an apartment next door to the officer's home in December 2005. When Officer Daniel Enchautegui went to investigate, he was gunned him down.

Steven Armento was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

The acquittal in the murder case against Brancato outraged the slain officer's family and the union that represents police officers.

Prosecutors had sought the maximum sentence in the attempted burglary conviction. Brancato has already served three years waiting for his trial, for which he will receive credit.

Brancato rose to fame in 1993's "A Bronx Tale," playing a young kid from the neighborhood who is torn between two worlds and two men: a local mobster played by Chazz Palminteri and his straight-and-narrow bus driver father, played by Robert De Niro.

Other roles followed, most notably a stint on the second season of HBO's "The Sopranos." His character carried out a series of low-level crimes for the New Jersey mob before being gunned down by Tony Soprano and his sidekick as he tearfully begged for his life.

Brancato, 32, and Armento, 48, were drinking together at a strip club before deciding to break into the basement apartment in a hunt for Valium, prosecutors said.

Brancato testified that the break-in never happened. He claimed that he had known the owner, a Vietnam veteran, for several years. He also said he had permission to go inside and take painkillers and other pills whenever he felt like it, and didn't know the man had died earlier that year.

He said the pills were part of a drug problem that began when he was introduced to marijuana on the set of "A Bronx Tale." He later became hooked on crack and heroin.

Brancato told the jury that while suffering from judgment-impairing heroin withdrawals on the night of the shooting, he accidentally broke the kitchen window of the apartment in a desperate attempt to wake up his old pill supplier.

Brancato tried to deflect suggestions by the prosecution that his testimony -- at times punctuated by vignettes about his drug-crazed downfall -- was another acting job.

His lawyer, Joseph Tacopina, said Brancato wanted to turn his life around.

Story via FoxNews.com

~Brian

[Peelz]

is it art imitates life, or life imitates art? 

[Krandall]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090112/bs_nm/us_usa_banking_tarp
Further bank aid must include pay limits: Dodd

It's a bout dang time...... 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Senate will not approve more bailout money for banks unless it includes limits on executive pay and help for struggling homeowners, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd said on Monday.

"Executive compensation needs to be dealt with, we mentioned foreclosure mitigation needs to be part of this as well," Dodd, a Connecticut Democrat, said on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"My colleagues in the Senate will not provide any additional funds unless they are assured by the Obama administration that these provisions will be a part of it," he said.

Any additional aid must also include stronger oversight provisions, limits on merger and acquisition activity, and protections for taxpayers, Dodd said.

President George W. Bush, working with President-elect Barack Obama, might ask Congress for permission to use the remaining half of a $700 billion bailout program aimed at stabilizing the financial system.

The purpose of the request would be to have the funds in place soon after Obama takes office on January 20. But it may prove difficult to win approval because the bailout program is unpopular with many lawmakers who feel too much money has already been given to Wall Street with no strings attached.

"It's been totally mismanaged in my view by the Bush administration, we've seen that over the last couple of weeks," Dodd said.

[Colorado700R]

The Golden Gophers may not be prarie doggin' manymore 


A little birdie says Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, 30, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up who coached Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, is the leading candidate for the Gophers' offensive coordinator job. Other candidates are Texas running backs coach Major Applewhite and Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen

[Flynbyu]

The Golden Gophers may not be prarie doggin' manymore 


A little birdie says Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, 30, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up who coached Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, is the leading candidate for the Gophers' offensive coordinator job. Other candidates are Texas running backs coach Major Applewhite and Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen

Josh is from North Dakota or South Dakota. He's been a true assett in developing Bradford. Josh was part of the 2000 team that won the National Championship eight years ago against Florida State.

~Brian

[Colorado700R]

The Golden Gophers may not be prarie doggin' manymore 


A little birdie says Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, 30, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up who coached Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, is the leading candidate for the Gophers' offensive coordinator job. Other candidates are Texas running backs coach Major Applewhite and Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen

Josh is from North Dakota or South Dakota. He's been a true assett in developing Bradford. Josh was part of the 2000 team that won the National Championship eight years ago against Florida State.

~Brian

He was a good QB, but more of a manager than a explosive talent.  I think he made the correct decision going into coaching instead of trying the NFL.

He could have been the next Eric Couch 

[Flynbyu]

The Golden Gophers may not be prarie doggin' manymore 


A little birdie says Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, 30, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up who coached Heisman Trophy winner Sam Bradford, is the leading candidate for the Gophers' offensive coordinator job. Other candidates are Texas running backs coach Major Applewhite and Houston offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen

Josh is from North Dakota or South Dakota. He's been a true assett in developing Bradford. Josh was part of the 2000 team that won the National Championship eight years ago against Florida State.

~Brian

He was a good QB, but more of a manager than a explosive talent.  I think he made the correct decision going into coaching instead of trying the NFL.

He could have been the next Eric Couch 

He was drafted in 2001 by the Dolphins, but had an issue with his throwing hand. He was a fourth string QB. I thought he broke it, but I could be wrong.

~Brian

[Krandall]

Brian..... I say you pack up.. Job of a lifetime!!!!


Australia offers 'best job in world' on paradise island
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090113/od_afp/lifestyleaustraliatourismoffbeat_20090113032028


SYDNEY (AFP) – An Australian state is offering internationally what it calls "the best job in the world" -- earning a top salary for lazing around a beautiful tropical island for six months.

The job pays 150,000 Australian dollars (105,000 US dollars) and includes free airfares from the winner's home country to Hamilton Island on the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland's state government announced on Tuesday.

In return, the "island caretaker" will be expected to stroll the white sands, snorkel the reef, take care of "a few minor tasks" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates.

The successful applicant, who will stay rent-free in a three-bedroom beach home complete with plunge pool and golf buggy, must be a good swimmer, excellent communicator and be able to speak and write English.

"They'll also have to talk to media from time to time about what they're doing so they can't be too shy and they'll have to love the sea, the sun, the outdoors," said acting state Premier Paul Lucas.

"The fact that they will be paid to explore the islands of the Great Barrier Reef, swim, snorkel and generally live the Queensland lifestyle makes this undoubtedly the best job in the world."

Lucas said the campaign was part of a drive to protect the state's 18 billion Australian dollar a year tourism industry during the tough economic climate caused by the global financial meltdown.

"Traditional tourism advertising just doesn't cut it sometimes and we are thinking outside the box by launching this campaign."

Queensland Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said some people might question whether it was risky to let an unknown person become an unofficial tourism spokesperson for the state.

"I think the biggest risk will be that the successful candidate won't want to go home at the end of the six months," she said.

"This is a legitimate job which is open to anyone and everyone."

Applications are open until February 22. Eleven shortlisted candidates will be flown to Hamilton Island in early May for the final selection process and the six month contract will commence on July 1.

Job-seekers can apply on .

[Flynbyu]

I saw that on CNN this morning. I'm so there.

~Brian

[Flynbyu]

Applying now!

~Brian

[Krandall]

Just think how many applicants they are going to get. I am applying as well.

[socalrappy700]

Its been all over every news.  They say it was a pitch since tourism is so low. 

[Krandall]

well.. tourism would be high if tickets didn't cost f*ckin 2g's to fly into Melbourne or Sydney.

[Flynbyu]

well.. tourism would be high if tickets didn't cost f*ckin 2g's to fly into Melbourne or Sydney.

Early last year I priced a trip to Australia. Fly into Brisbane, stay on the Sunshine Coast for ten days for $5100.

~Brian

[Colorado700R]

Carmichael ready to put on a show
One of 3 drivers for KSR headed to Irwindale
By Jason Christley, NASCAR.com

To say Ricky Carmichael is a pretty big deal in Southern California may be an understatement. The man whose success earned him the title of 'Greatest of All-Time' in the motocross world had a great deal of his success on the West Coast.

When the 29-year-old Clearwater, Fla., native heads back to the Los Angeles area next weekend, though, it will be in a stock car. And he's looking forward to treating his longtime fans to a glimpse of a new career at the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown.

"I'm pumped to be racing for my fans out there," Carmichael said. "Southern California has been good to me. It's a great market for supercross and it's been great for me as well.

"I'm pumped for the fans in California to see what I've been doing – racing in the NASCAR Camping World Series – it's a great series."

The NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown will feature two days of exciting action Jan. 23-24 among some of the top drivers in NASCAR Camping World Series and NASCAR Whelen All-American Series action. The competition will air live on SPEED beginning at 7 p.m. PT both nights.

"I'm really looking forward to it," Carmichael said. "It will be nice to go out and race before we get geared up for this season's racing. It will take some time to get the cobwebs off, but for the race, I think I'll be good."

Through Monday afternoon, 57 entries had been received for the Camping World Series portion of the event. 

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE ENTRY LIST

Carmichael, who is close to announcing his 2009 plans, recently got the green light to run in the race from Ken Schrader Racing, which will bring three cars to the postseason showcase at the Toyota Speedway at Irwindale.

Carmichael will be reunited with Schrader, for whom he ran in the NASCAR Camping World Series East in 2007. He'll be joined in Irwindale by teammates Jamie Hayes and Dakoda Armstrong. Hayes has run the past two seasons in the NASCAR Camping World Series East, while Armstrong is making the transition from the USAC Midget Series.

In just his first full season in a NASCAR touring series, Carmichael showed the ability to quickly acclimate himself to his new pursuit.

He won the Coors Light Pole Award at South Boston (Va.) Speedway in just his third race. He was ninth at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) International in his first road-course excursion, and fifth in his first trip to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Carmichael was running second with two laps to go in the return trip to New Hampshire before running out of fuel. He also had a seventh-place finish at Dover International Speedway.

"That series is such a great series," Carmichael said. "That's an awesome development series. You just learn so much. And there is such great competition. I definitely surprised myself in areas.

"It was a great learning experience for me and I really enjoyed it."

Carmichael was also a hit with the fans, earning the NASCAR Camping World Series East Most Popular Driver Award in online voting through NASCAR.com and NASCARHomeTracks.com.

Carmichael joins a list of big-name, short-track drivers headed to Irwindale for the event.

He'll be joined by three-time NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Ron Hornaday Jr., Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Marc Davis and Joey Logano, 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series West champion Eric Holmes, former NASCAR Whelen All-American Series national champions Peyton Sellers and Greg Pursley, and Eddie MacDonald – who swept the NASCAR Camping World Series East races at New Hampshire last year.

The list of top short-track drivers who have already committed to the event also includes NASCAR Camping World Truck Series veteran Matt Crafton, 2008 NASCAR Camping World Series East champion and 2006 NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown winner Matt Kobyluck.

Also confirmed to compete are four drivers who have earned rookie of the year honors in the NASCAR Camping World Series in the last three seasons (Jason Bowles, Sellers, Jeff Barkshire and Austin Dillon), Brian Ickler, winner of the NASCAR Camping World Series combination race in Iowa this past May and five of NASCAR's 2008 developmental series champions Kobyluck, Holmes, Scott Steckly (NASCAR Canadian Tire Series), Philip Morris (NASCAR Whelen All-American Series) and Antonio Perez (NASCAR Mexico Series).

In addition to competition for the NASCAR Camping World Series, which is NASCAR's top developmental series, action in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series will feature a Late Model race and a Super Late Model race.

To purchase tickets for the NASCAR Toyota All-Star Showdown, fans can go to www.toyotaspeedwayatirwindale.com or call the track at (626) 358-1100.