TIGER WOODS: PRESIDENTIAL THOUGHTS ON RETURN

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Everybody else, it seems, has weighed in on Tiger Woods and his pending return to golf. So why not President Barack Obama? The president says despite Woods' personal issues, he will still be a "terrific" golfer. The comment came yesterday during an interview with Fox News Channel. Obama noted during the interview that Woods has acknowledged betraying his family -- and that he has to work out those personal issues. But he also said he's certain Woods will still be a terrific golfer. Woods announced this week he will return to golf on April 8 -- the start of the Masters tournament. In December, Woods said he was taking an indefinite break from golf and admitted that he had been unfaithful to his wife.

<

LACEY BROWN VOTED OFF "AMERICAN IDOL," FIRST OF FINALISTS SENT HOME

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Her version of "Ruby Tuesday" led to a pretty bad Wednesday for "American Idol" contestant Lacey Brown. She became the first finalist booted from the competition last night -- after drawing the fewest votes from viewers. This week, contestants performed songs by the Rolling Stones and Brown chose Ruby Tuesday. She also failed to sing her way back on with her do-or-die version of "The Story." Two other singers find themselves on the bubble heading into next week's sing off. Paige Miles and Tim Urban joined Brown in the bottom three last night. Those two are also the contestants singled out by the online site Vote for the Worst -- a campaign that, so far anyway, seems not to have picked up much steam.

TYLER PERRY: RESOLUTION BY GEORGIA STATE SENATE POSTPONED

ATLANTA (AP) -- Tyler Perry was supposed to have a resolution proclaimed for him yesterday by lawmakers in Georgia. But the honor has been postponed. The Georgia state Senate was to give Perry an honor for his achievements and both an entertainer and humanitarian. Perry isn't a Georgia native -- but he does make his home now in Atlanta. Assuming nobody leapfrogs past him, Perry is to be the first celebrity honored in the chamber this year. Besides his success with his movies featuring his "Madea" character, Perry will be cited for building the Tyler Perry Studios -- creating the first independent movie studio of its size in Georgia. He has also provided help for area charities and food banks.

ALICIA KEYS/BLACK EYED PEAS/SHAKIRA: TO DO WORLD CUP EVENT

JOHANNESBURG (AP) -- Alicia Keys, John Legend and the Black Eyed Peas will be part of what will be a history making World Cup tournament this year. It's the first time in the event's 80 years the international soccer event will be hosted by an African nation. And the American singers will be part of a concert to be held the day before the games begin. Shakira will also perform at the concert -- as will many popular artists from African nations. The head of FIFA says the concert would celebrate the unifying power of soccer and music.

SNOOP DOGG: LOOK! UP IN THE SKY ...

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Snoop Dogg in tights and a cape? While he may not be wearing a typical superhero's outfit, he is trying to take on the role in a new movie that will be tacked on to his latest album. It's called "Malice N Wonderland The Movie." Snoop plays a superhero trying to save his city from criminals. The mini-movie will make its premiere on BET and Spike TV next week -- and will also be shown on Hulu.com.

LIL WAYNE: LATEST ALBUM GOES GOLD

NEW YORK (AP) -- Being behind bars hasn't hurt Lil Wanye's recording career. His latest album, "Rebirth," has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

RAPPER HELD ON PROBATION VIOLATION

WARNER ROBINS, Ga. (AP) -- He's part of the crew of the record label founded by Gucci Maine. But Waka Flocka Flame is on another list these days -- a list of inmates in a Houston County Jail. The rapper -- who's from the Atlanta area is being held on a probation violation. Authorities in Houston say the rapper had been on probation for a charge of possession of a sawed-off shotgun -- but it's unclear what the offense was that has landed him in jail.

B.o.B: JOINING LUPE FIASCO ON TOUR

NEW YORK (AP) -- When Lupe Fiasco kicks off his "Steppin Laser Tour," he will have a sidekick with him. B.o.B AKA Bobby Ray will be joining Fiasco on the tour when it starts March 5. The concert series will run until May 7. Among the cities where the two will perform together are New York, Washington D.C., Detroit, Houston, Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

RON WASHINGTON: TEXAS RANGERS MANAGER ACKOWLEDGES USING COCAINE

SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) -- You may have heard about a pro baseball player failing a drug test -- but a manager? It has happened with Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington. He admits he made a "huge mistake" by using cocaine. He says he told both the commissioner's office and team officials about the coke use before he ended up taking a routine drug test, which he failed. Washington went public with his story after last year's failed test was reported by SI.com. Washington says he used coke once and only once, and says what he did was "stupid" and "shameful." When his test came back dirty, Washington offered to resign -- but the offer was turned down by Rangers president Nolan Ryan. One of the players on the Rangers is Josh Hamilton, a player who has a long history of drug abuse. He was suspended for the 2004 season when he was in the Tampa Bay minor league system because he was addicted to crack. Hamilton says Washington has his support.

MIKE TYSON: TO RACE PIGEONS ON ANIMAL PLANET

NEW YORK (AP) -- It's one way to take on Mike Tyson one-on-one -- and still walk away with your teeth and other key body parts intact. The former heavyweight boxing champ will be taking part in a reality show on Animal Planet -- in which he will take on all comers in pigeon racing. You may not know that Tyson has raised pigeons all his life. But he's a relative newcomer to the world of pigeon racing. The show is to be taped this spring in New York City and will air early next year.

On the Net:

Animal Planet site: http://www.animalplanet.com

BARACK OBAMA: HEALTH CARE EFFORT BILL CLOSER TO PASSAGE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's just one vote. But it's a big step forward in President Barack Obama's effort to get his health care legislation passed. Congressman Dennis Kucinich has decided to back the bill. He had been opposed to the legislation -- because it didn't contain a public option. But the lawmaker decided that he'd rather be backing a measure he didn't like as much than opposing it and potentially seeing the idea die. Democrats are trying to scrape together enough votes to get health care reform passed this weekend. The measure is designed to extend health insurance coverage to more than 30 million Americans who now don't have it. It would also ban the insurance industry from denying coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. Opponents say it's too expensive for taxpayers and amounts to a government takeover of health care.

SENATE OK's MEASURE TO CUT DISPARITY IN SENTENCES FOR CRACK AND POWDER COKE

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Legislation approved by the Senate would go a long way toward closing the gap between sentences given to those convicted of crack cocaine and powder cocaine charges. Under current laws, a person convicted of crack cocaine possession gets the same mandatory jail time as someone with 100 times the same quantity of powder cocaine. That ratio has been particularly hard on the black community, where convictions on federal crack laws happen more often. Under the measure, approved by a voice vote, the ratio would be reduced to 18-1. The House is scheduled to take up a similar measure.

WALMART BLASTED FOR ANNOUNCEMENT ORDERING BLACKS TO LEAVE STORE

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (AP) -- Officials at Wal-Mart are apologizing for an announcement made in one of its stores -- an announcement ordering black people to leave. It happened Sunday evening at a store in southern New Jersey. A male voice came over the public-address system and calmly announced: "Attention, Wal-Mart customers: All black people, leave the store now." A manager quickly apologized -- but that didn't settle the minds of customers who heard -- or heard of -- the remark. Some patrons said they plan to boycott the discount retailer until they feel sure such an incident won't happen again. Officials with Wal-Mart Stores Inc., based in Bentonville, Arkansas, say the announcement is "unacceptable" and they're trying to find out what happened. The department store chain has, at times, had a shaky history with minority customers and workers. There have been several past instances of black customers claiming they were treated unfairly at Wal-Mart stores. Last February, the chain paid $17.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit claiming racial discrimination in its hiring of truck drivers. And the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Wal-Mart in May of last year, claiming some Hispanic workers at a Sam's Club subsidiary faced a hostile work environment.

<

TEDDY PENDERGRASS: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) -- On this date in 1982, singer Teddy Pendergrass was paralyzed from the waist down in a car crash in Philadelphia. The legendary soul singer died January 13, 2010.

EDDIE MURPHY: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) -- On this date in 1993, comedian Eddie Murphy and Nicole Mitchell got married in New York. They divorced in 2006.

IRENE CARA: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) -- A birthday today for singer Irene Cara. She turns 51.

VANESSA WILLIAMS: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) -- It's a birthday for Vanessa Williams. The singer and actress turns 47 today.