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URBAN MUSIC NEWS
Last Update on 07-02-2009 at 06:19:08from Eyewitness News Online Michael Jackson: Federal Drug Authorities Probing Pop Star's Death LOS ANGELES They're now making Michael Jackson's death a federal case. The Drug Enforcement Administration is joining forces with the Los Angeles Police Department to see whether drugs were involved in the pop star's death. A law enforcement official in Washington tells The Associated Press the DEA was pulled in at the request of the LAPD. Why the Feds? The official says the DEA has experience in looking into drug abuse, illicit drug makers and substances that local police may not be familiar with. Jackson died a week ago today at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. Soon afterward, there were allegations that Jackson had been taking painkillers, sedatives and antidepressants. This week a nutritionist said Jackson had been begging for a powerful sedative usually used to put people out during surgery. The medication is usually administered through an IV and is not recommended for home use.
LOS ANGELES We still don't know a lot about the plans for Michael Jackson's funeral. But this much we do know: it won't be at Neverland Ranch. That location was ruled out, after it was learned it wouldn't be possible to have the pop star buried there. Not that they weren't thinking about it. A source says the owner of Neverland tried to get an exemption from California laws to have Jackson buried at the sprawling ranch where he used to take refuge. But such an exemption couldn't be granted in time to have the burial right away. At this point, it appears the funeral and burial would take place in Los Angeles, though the exact date and location haven't been nailed down. Michael Jackson: Will Is Filed, Star's Estate Goes To Family Trust LOS ANGELES The singer who often gets credit for "discovering" the Jackson 5 is being asked to care for Michael Jackson's children, should something happen to the pop star's mother. Michael Jackson's will has been filed with the courts _ and among its provisions is that if Jackson's mother, Katherine, is unable to care for Jackson's 3 kids, the job will fall to _ Diana Ross. The 7-year-old will also gives Jackson's entire estate to a family trust. It also makes his mom guardian of his children _ and cuts out his former wife, Debbie Rowe. The will runs five pages. It's signed by Jackson at the end and each paragraph includes Jackson's scrawling initials. Court documents estimate the current value of Jackson's estate at more than a half billion dollars. Michael Jackson: Another Apollo Tribute NEW YORK One night of tributes to Michael Jackson at New York's Apollo Theatre wasn't enough. The tribute turned into a second evening as the Harlem venue's weekly Amateur Night featured performers mimicking Jackson's outfits and dance moves. The first to do a Jackson-themed tribute was Mike Rios of Elizabeth, New Jersey. He wore a Jackson-like red jacket and pants and performed to the hit "Bad." Others were done up in outfits and hairstyles that brought to mind the Jackson of later years. Last night's show also featured a moonwalking contest. On Tuesday, there was a tribute to Jackson, with loops of his video playing on a screen as a stool with a black fedora and white glove draped across the brim. Michael Jackson: Sales Up After Death LOS ANGELES Michael Jackson's death has sparked the kind of sales of his music that he hadn't come close to achieving in the later years of his life. Nielsen SoundScan reports three of Jackson's albums are in the top three spots. What's more, 2.3 million Jackson tracks have been downloaded in the U.S. since he died a week ago today. Album sales for the week through Sunday hit 422,000 in the U.S., up from 10,000 a week earlier. To give you an idea how big of a "bump" that is _ the week's tally is more than all the Jackson albums sold from the start of the year to June 21. Michael Jackson: Fans At Neverland Feeling Left Out LOS OLIVOS, Calif. The initial _ and, it turns out, false _ reports about Michael Jackson's funeral being held at Neverland Ranch has quieted most of the buzz that had been created in the area of Santa Barbara, California where the ranch is located. Hotels reported that rooms sold out quickly _ with reservations coming from both media outlets and fans. And fans who had been keeping vigil at the ranch reported being disappointed that they wouldn't get to see part of the finale to the Michael Jackson saga. The area is often visited by wine tourists, but when Jackson was on trial for child molestation, there was a spike in visitors to the area. Tiny And Toya: Showcasing Their "Reality" ATLANTA Tameka Cottle says she speaks with her imprisoned finance T.I. several times a day. And she says she visits him _ but doesn't bring their kids along. She is starring along with Lil Wayne's ex, Toya Carter, in the BET show "Tiny & Toya," which made its debut earlier this week. On top of trying to hold down the fort while T.I. is serving out his 366-day sentence in a federal weapons case, Tiny is dealing with her kids and trying to restart her career in show business. She was a member of the 90s group Xscape. Now she manages three different all-girl groups, one of which includes her daughter and Carter's daughter. Deborah Cox/Kelly Lattimore: Touring Together NEW YORK Two of the smoothest singers around these days will be touring together this summer. Deborah Cox and Kenny Lattimore are teaming up for a series of shows starting this month. The first of the concerts will be in Savannah, Georgia on July 11. Other stops will include Orlando, Florida, Atlanta and Philadelphia. Other cities are expected to be added to the mix down the road. Ricky Byrdsong: Looking Back On this date in 1999, former Northwestern University basketball coach Ricky Byrdsong was shot to death in Skokie, Illinois. Authorities believe he was the victim of a three-day shooting rampage by white supremacist Benjamin Nathaniel Smith that targeted minorities in Illinois and Indiana. One other person was killed and several others were wounded before Smith committed suicide. Vanessa Lee Chester: Birthday Actress Vanessa Lee Chester turns 25 today. She's been featured in the movie "The Lost World: Jurassic Park" and the TV shows "Malcolm in the Middle" and "The West Wing." |
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