http://www.102clearfm.com

Actor Stacy Keach has suffered a stroke.  The 67 year old has been starring as Richard Nixon in an L.A. production of the play, “Frost/Nixon.”  A spokesperson says Keach is recovering, and it appears there won’t be any lingering effects.

Actress Natasha Richardson has died.  Her family confirmed that she was taken off life support yesterday and passed away.  Richardson suffered a head injury Monday, in an accident on a bunny hill at Quebec’s Mont Tremblant.  The Tony award winning stage and film actress was only 45.  She was married to actor Liam Neeson and the couple had two young sons.

In her closing arguments, An Austrian prosecutor is urging a jury to hand down a life sentence to Josef Fritzl.  He’s the man who imprisoned his daughter in a dungeon basement for 24 years and fathered her 7 children.  Verdicts and sentences are expected today in the case against him.

Congressional and Democrat leaders say there’ll be a vote today on legislation to tax away 90 per cent of the extra pay given to execs., at AIG and many other bailed out companies.  A total of 165 million dollars was paid to AIG managers, despite the fact that money was courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer.

B.C. is now joining the growing list of provinces where smokers will be fined if they light up in a vehicle carrying anyone under the age of 16.  Such laws are already in place in Nova Scotia, Ontario and the Yukon.  Manitoba by the way is expected to bring the same law in this spring.

Get set to see the new Start Living campaign on television.  Manitoba is gonna spend 2 million on t.v. ads, promoting our quality of life and affordable housing…all in an effort to lure people from other provinces. 

Saying it’s time the courts caught up with technology, Justice Minister Dave Chomiak says he wants to see cameras allowed in Manitoba courtrooms.  The province’s chief judges are now looking at the issue, and should have some recommendations in the next few months. 

Well the city is wasting no time preparing for an expected flood this spring.  Some 300 homes are gonna be sandbagged along low lying areas, that are at risk to flood waters.  Officials are also advising everyone that, you should make sure your sewer backwater valves are working and that sump pumps are hooked up, to avoid basement flooding.

The family of actress Natasha Richardson is expected to release a statement today as, speculation swirls about the extent of her injuries from a skiing accident Monday in Quebec.  The 45 year old wife of actor Liam Neeson was flown to a hospital in New York yesterday.  Reports vary greatly about her condition, which is believed to be a serious head injury.  Some reports even say she’s brain dead.

Standing O inside……throwing shots outside.  Former U.S. president, George W. Bush got quite the ovation at a private lunch in Calgary yesterday.  One Conservative MP said he was surprised at how good, candid and witty Bush  was.  Outside the hall however, some 400 protesters weren’t so happy.  In fact, some even threw shoes at posters of Bush.

Not such cheery news from the mouth of the country’s former top banker.  Ex-Bank of Canada governor, David Dodge says this country and the world is facing a long and deep recession.  He also said anyone would be dreaming in Technicolor to think the trouble will pass by the end of this year.

2 of the world’s longest surviving octuplets are now home from the hospital.  The homecoming came last night as dozens of neighbors and media gathered outside of Nadya Suleman’s new half million dollar home in California.  The octuplets if you remember were born in late January, 9 weeks premature, to the 33 year old divorced, unemployed mother who already had 6 young kids.

The province released its flood forecast yesterday, and, as you would expect, we will have water problems this year.  Residents of the Red River Valley, south of the city, have been warned to expect flooded farmland and washed out roads this spring.  And that blizzard last week which hit the Dakotas didn’t help.  Forecasters say it’s all but guaranteed serious flooding in rural areas when the snow melts and the river rises next month.

Not that this news is any real surprise but…..driving around the city these days can be like driving an obstacle course.  Pothole season has arrived, and this year, things are pretty bad.  As a result, city crews are actually working overtime to try and patch and repair as many as they can.  Crews are also working around the clock thawing frozen sewer inlets and culverts, trying to eliminate some of the large puddles that have formed on streets.

A new study out this morning says, only 53 per cent of Manitobans at risk of breast cancer, actually participate in a screening program.  And the numbers aren’t much better for pap tests and colon screenings.  The Canadian Cancer Society says things have to change especially because early detection can save lives.

Scientists are wondering if health agencies have it wrong when it comes to how much fish they recommend we eat.  In a paper published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, a team of doctors and fish scientists say the benefits of fish consumption, might be overstated.  New studies have apparently shown that people eating fish and fish oil, show no health improvements.

Reports this morning say British born actress, Natasha Richardson is in critical condition at a Montreal hospital, after being severely injured in a ski-ing accident.  Apparently the Tony award winner, and wife of actor Liam Neeson, suffered a traumatic head injury.  The couple by the way, have been married since 1994 and have 2 sons.

It seems your fingernails can tell a whole lot about your health.  Medical experts say a surprising number of conditions manifest themselves with changes in the fingernails shape, color, or overall state.  Doctors say lung disorders, anemia, inflammatory bowel syndrome and liver diseases can all provoke changes in a person’s nails. 

Picket lines will not be going up at Safeway stores around town.  Workers voted 83 per cent in favour a new contract this weekend.  The 5 year deal gives them wage increases and makes Sunday shifts voluntary for members.

A city man, run over while trying to help a woman practice parallel parking, is fighting for his life today.  Police say the 56 year old man was pinned beneath a car on Saturday.  So far, he hasn’t been identified.  Cops will only say that the man and woman driving the vehicle were relatives.

This will make hunters happy.  The province has passed a regulation extending Sunday hunting for deer, moose, elks, caribou, bear, wolf and coyote across the entire province.  Manitoba Conservation officials say they’re unsure of the exact history of the legislation, but, they think Sunday hunting was likely banned for the same reasons as shopping and other activities.

Former U.S. President, George W. Bush, will arrive in Calgary tomorrow, and protesters can’t wait to say “howdy.”  Hundreds will greet Bush as he arrives to kick off his post White House, image makeover tour with a speech to 1500 at the Convention Center.  Bush will apparently be sharing his 8 momentous years in the Oval Office, to the crowd who paid 400 bucks a pop to see him.

Disney’s “Race to Witch Mountain” won top spot at the weekend box office.  The PG-rated flick, beat out expectations taking in 25 million U.S.  That was enough to race by the superhero epic “Watchmen” which took in 18 million for 2^nd spot, followed by “The Last House on the Left.”

The launch of the shuttle Discovery turned out to be flawless last night, and one of the prettiest NASA managers had ever seen.  Discovery took off from its seaside Florida pad last night, just as the sun was setting and soared into orbit bound for the space station. 

Actor Ron Silver has died.  He passed away in his sleep yesterday in New York, after a 2 year battle with esophageal cancer.  He was 62.  Silver’s big screen credits included, “Ali,” “Silkwood,” and “Reversal of Fortune.”  His t.v. work included a role on “The West Wing,” and, “Veronica’s Closet.”

Police are on the hunt for a couple of suspects involved in a string of break-ins in Lowe Farm yesterday.  Cops arrested 2 men but, one of them escaped.  And now, police think there may have been another man involved too.

Another food warning to tell ya about today.  Health officials say ground beef sold by 2 Winnipeg grocers, may be contaminated with E. coli.  A routine sampling led to the discovery of the potentially tainted meat.   Officials say, regular, lean and extra lean ground beef packaged between March 2^nd and 9^th at Dakota Family Foods could be affected.

Economists expect some pretty bleak news this morning when Ottawa releases the unemployment figures for last month.  Some predict the numbers will show about 50 thousand jobs were lost.  That would be on top of the 129 thousand that vanished in January. 

It was off to the grey bar hotel yesterday for Bernie Madoff.  He spent his first night in a New York city jail after pleading guilty to bilking almost 5 thousand investors out of tens of billions of dollars.  Madoff’s actual sentencing will come in June, when he could face 150 years behind bars.

Peter Pocklington, the former owner of the Edmonton Oilers, is set to appear at a bail hearing today near Los Angeles.  He’s been charged with 2 counts of bankruptcy fraud.  His trial will begin in early May.

Even with the aid of night vision equipment, searchers have been unable to find 16 people missing in the north Atlantic after a helicopter crash yesterday.  The chopper was carrying 16 workers and 2 pilots to some offshore oil platforms off Newfoundland when the aircraft crashed.  So far, they’ve only been able to find one survivor.

The former head of the Winnipeg Hells Angels has been slapped with 8 and a half years behind bars, for his part in a drug trafficking network.  Cops caught Dale Donovan back in 2007, as part of a year long undercover police investigation. 

A grim threat has come from Canadian Chrysler officials.  The president of the automaker says if they don’t get new deals with their union’s, and a lot of government aid, they may have to shut down their Canadian operations.  Over 9 thousand people work at just 2 of Chrysler’s plants in Ontario.

You know things are tough out there when……Forbes Magazines says the recession has left the world with 332 fewer billionaires this year, and most of them aren’t as rich as they were.  Warren Buffett, who was the world’s richest person last year, slips down to 2^nd this time round, with a net worth of 37 billion.  That’s down 25 billion from last year.  Bill Gates has regained the title of richest man in the world….he’s worth a cool 40 billion.

Well if you’ve recently lost your job, you may notice that it’s taking longer than usual to get your E.I. application processed.  Service Canada is so swamped by claims these days, it’s actually calling back its retirees to help out. 

Yesterday we told you the space shuttle was taking off last night….well, it didn’t.  Mission control has now put off the launch until Sunday at the earliest.  Last night’s lift-off got scrubbed because of some sort of fuel leak.

And, he’s gone down the same road as Conrad Black.  Peter Pocklington, the former owner of the Edmonton Oilers, is in a L.A. jail this morning, after he was arrested yesterday.  There’ll now be a bail hearing on Friday for Pocklington, who has pleaded not guilty to 2 counts of bankruptcy fraud. 

From the strange and stupid file this morning.  A man is in critical condition in a Hamilton hospital after plunging over Niagara Falls with no protection !  After surviving the 60 meter drop over the Horseshoe falls, he swam in the Niagara river for more than 30 mins.  Police say no charges will be laid against the man who’s being treated for hypothermia and a head injury.

The province is rejecting a call to put seat belts onto school buses.  The suggestion follows a collision yesterday between a bus and a car near Lorette, which left 3 kids injured.  The Education Department says it’s taking its cue from Transport officials who say belting in small children has more risk than benefits.

Huge fire at the Downs trailer park yesterday.  3 homes were completely destroyed after the blaze broke out around 3 yesterday afternoon.   More than 30 firefighters had their hands full, since the winds were so strong, the flames were jumping from trailer to trailer.  So far no word on what started the fire.

Police are looking for a motive after a gunman went on a shooting rampage across southern Alabama yesterday, leaving a total of 10 people dead.  Cops say it started when the man burned down his mother’s house with her inside.  Then, 9 other people were killed in at least 4 separate shootings.  Police say the man finally entered a metal factory where he worked and fatally shot himself.

Well the Maytag repairman is gonna be awfully busy.  The company has recalled over 1 and a half million of its refrigerators in this country and in the U.S., all because of an electrical problem that could be a fire hazard. 

The recall involves various brands and models including Jenn-Air, Amana, and Admiral.  If you want more information about the recall, check out Maytag.com

NASA says there’s 90 per cent chance of good weather for tonight’s scheduled launch of the shuttle “Discovery” in Florida.  The mission will see the shuttle crew deliver one last set of solar wings to the international space station. 

And the rollercoaster ride on the markets continues.  Yesterday, after some huge losses in the last week, both the Dow Jones in New York and, the TSX in Toronto made some gains.  Both were up around 5 per cent.

That apartment fire on Main street on Sunday, which left some 20 people homeless, now appears to be suspicious.  Arson investigators have now been called and are checking things out.  Damage to the building is estimated at 400 thousand dollars.

You could soon see city cops walkin the halls of high schools in Charleswood and Fort Garry.  Officials from the Pembina Trails division approached police with the idea and now city council will vote it at an upcoming meeting.  If approved, the officers could be school duty by this fall.

Changes continue with the Blue Bombers.  Yesterday, in a move spurred by money, the team released QB, Kevin Glenn.  Glenn was due a 50 thousand dollar bonus next week, and a 6 figure bonus come training camp time.  Coach Mike Kelly says they tried to work with Glenn on taking a pay cut, but, he apparently wanted none of it…and now, the team has bid him adieu.

Interesting study out this morning.  For those who think there’s a link between hot and humid weather changes and headaches….well they might be on to something.  A 7 year study of 7 thousand patients has found that higher temperatures in the 24 hours before an ER visit, was definitely associated with headache symptoms. 

Couple of reality t.v. stars were the last minute additions to t.v.’s “Dancing with the Stars” in its season premier last night…replacing injured contestants Nancy O’Dell and singer Jewel.  The replacements are Hugh Hefner’s ex girlfriend, Holly Madison and “The Bachelor” reject, Melissa Rycroft. 

A big move south of the line yesterday, as U.S. President Barack Obama said he wants to make sure that ideology doesn’t shackle science.  And with that, Obama removed the Bush administration limits on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research.

And, she’s going from Mommy to Daddy.  Reports this morning say Octo-Mom, Nadya Suleman may soon have a new place to live with her 14 kids.  Apparently her father is now buying a 4 bedroom house east of Los Angeles.  Right now, Suleman lives in her mother’s home, which is being foreclosed on because the family is 20 grand behind in mortgage payments.

Fire forced some 30 residents of a Main street apartment block out of their homes yesterday.  The blaze broke out around 4:30 yesterday afternoon, and forced some residents jump out of windows.  3 people had to be taken to hospital, but none had serious injuries.

Another deadly weekend in Afghanistan.  One Canadian soldier was killed and 4 others were wounded.  Apparently the soldier’s armoured vehicle hit a roadside bomb.  That now brings the total number of Canadians killed in the Afghan mission to 112.

Well, a new survey out today has found the fed’s national Do Not Call list is working…and by all accounts, it’s working well.  The poll found that 80 per cent of Canadians who have registered their numbers on the list said they’re getting fewer telemarketing calls.  Just over 6 million Canadians have entered their number on the database since it came into play September 30^th.

She certainly doesn’t look it, but Barbie has reached the big 5-0 !  The iconic doll actually turns 50 today.  Barbie has now been outfitted by more than 70 famous designers and has had more than 100 careers…everything from astronaut to rock star.  A spokesperson from Mattel says a Barbie doll is sold every 3 seconds in this country, and, the average girl has 12 of them.

And moviegoers were watching the “Watchmen” this weekend.  The comic book adaptation took top spot at the weekend box office with 56 million in ticket sales….making for the biggest opening of 2009 so far.  Trailing far behind in 2^nd place was “Madea Goes to Jail” and “Taken” came in 3^rd.

New job postings are becoming a rare sight in this recession, but Canadian experts say there is still work to be found.  At least, as long as you have specific skills or education.  Thousands of specialized jobs are available at some of the country’s most successful companies like Bombardier Aerospace, and Research in Motion.  And the government is hunting for workers to fill engineering and construction positions to build roads and bridges.

Well to most it wasn’t a huge surprise.  A ruling came in the Vince Li case yesterday.  And, although the judge said Li’s attack on Tim McLean last summer was grotesque and appalling, he agreed that Li suffered from a mental disorder.  As a result, he was found not criminally responsible for his actions and will spend time in a mental hospital not a jail.  Tim McLean’s family says they will do everything they can to make sure Li is never allowed on the streets again.

So a new study says those compact fluorescent light bulbs may not be as green as everyone thought.  Manitoba Hydro says the bulbs use about 75 per cent less electricity than the old one’s, but people who use them are only seeing improvements of 17 per cent annually.  That’s because they don’t throw off the same kinda heat as the old bulbs, and, that forces people who use them to turn up their heat in the winter.

It’s judgment day for Christopher Pauchay.  He was the guy if you remember who, while drunk, took his 2 very young girls who had almost no clothes on,  outside on the Yellow Quill reserve in temps of -20.  Both girls ended up freezing to death.  The Crown wants some serious jail time, but, get this, Pauchay who has over 50 convictions says, putting him behind bars won’t help him, or his family.

This is the weekend most Canadians switch from standard time to daylight time.  Before hittin the sheets tomorrow night, make sure you turn your clocks and watches AHEAD one hour.  Daylight time runs from this weekend until November 1^st.

Shares of G.M. dropped 15 per cent yesterday, closing at 1.86.  Brokers say the loss was sparked by word that G.M.’s auditors have substantial doubt about the company’s ability to stay afloat.  In the last year alone, G.M. shares have lost 87 per cent of their value.

Police in Hackensack, New Jersey will start fishing cars from the bottom of a river next month.  Over the years, dozens of cars and trucks have been pushed into the river, for various reasons.  And now, the river is polluted with gas, oil and anti freeze.  Police hope to identify the owners and prosecute them all.