| Dixie Chicks win 5 Grammy Awards (1:45 p.m.)
LOS ANGELES -- The Dixie Chicks completed a defiant comeback at the Grammy Awards, winning five trophies after being shunned by the American country music establishment over the group's anti-Bush comments leading up to the Iraq invasion.
The Texas trio won record and song of the year for the no-regrets anthem "Not Ready to Make Nice." They also won best country album, which was ironic considering that the group says they do not consider themselves country artists anymore.
"I'm ready to make nice!" lead singer Natalie Maines exclaimed as the group accepted the album of the year award. "I think people are using their freedom of speech with all these awards. We get the message."
Mary J. Blige's comeback also was richly rewarded: She received three trophies for her double-platinum album "The Breakthrough." The Red Hot Chili Peppers won three as well for their double-disc "Stadium Arcadium."
Country singer and former "American Idol" winner Carrie Underwood best new artist win, beating out teenage R&B singer Chris Brown, and British performers Corinne Bailey Rae, James Blunt and Imogen Heap.
Dade water worker finds baby abandoned under bush in backyard
MIAMI A utility worker sent to turn off water at a house instead found a newborn baby boy abandoned under some bushes in the backyard, police said.
In an e-mailed press release, police said Eliezer Fabian, a 13-year veteran of the county water department, was dispatched Friday morning to 34 NE 50th Terrace to turn off the water. As he worked in the backyard, he said he heard what he thought was a small cat or dog making noise. After further investigation, he found a trail of blood and followed it to a patch of bushes. Beneath it was the baby, who by this time was kicking and screaming. Fabian dialed 911 for help and at 11:20 a.m. the infant was taken to a hospital.
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Many spend years seeking aid for disabled
Ten-year-old Harym Guerrero is bright, inquisitive and loves to talk. She also needs help to bathe, dress, write and eat, and someone always has to shadow her. Harym suffers from cerebral palsy, a neurological disorder that affects muscle control and coordination. A pump in her stomach sends medicine through her body that keeps her muscles from spasming out of control. When the pump gives out every few years, she has to have surgery to replace it. She needs expensive wheelchairs, wheelchair lifts and a stroller to get around. Her school provides an aide to help her during the day, but her mother and grandmother share duties at night and on the weekend. The Guerrero family qualifies for some Medicaid benefits, but they, like thousands of other Rio Grande Valley residents, are languishing on an endless waiting list for state disabled services that help pay for many of the services that Harym and her family need.
Elvises coming out of our Elvises
"We've got Elvises coming out of our Elvises," said the compere at the Guinness World Record-breaking attempt in Cooke Park on Saturday. Indeed they did Parkes smashing the record with a resounding 147 Elvises (who had to sing Love Me Tender, all at once, no faltering, for a full three minutes to qualify). The previous record of a paltry 77 was set at London's Selfridges store in 2005. In the same park the next day, 33 couples renewed their marriage vows with Australia's official Elvis celebrant, Dean Vegas, officiating. Blue Suede Shoes was the bridal waltz and afterwards the newly renewed enjoyed chocolate wedding cake iced with Elvis, of course. For Parkes' Elvis Lennox, the King is more than just an icon, he's a reason for being. He's been a fan since he first saw Elvis on a Saturday matinee screen.
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