Miss New York Mallory Hytes Hagan Wins Miss America

Brooklyn, New York native Mallory Hytes Hagan, 23, was crowned this year's Miss America -- beating out Miss South Carolina Ali Rogers and Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton, who placed second and third respectively.Hagan tap danced to James Brown's Get Up Off That Thing and answered a timely question about armed guards in schools – stating that violence is not the proper way to end violence – to clinch...

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NRA says Congress will not pass assault weapons ban

WASHINGTON — The powerful gun lobby is gauging enough support in Congress to block a law that would ban assault weapons, despite promises from the White House and senior lawmakers to make such a measure a reality.Senators plan to introduce a bill that would ban assault weapons and limit the size of ammunition magazines, like the one used in the December...

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After rough year, Carnival hopes for calmer waters

After boarding the latest addition to the Carnival Cruise Lines family, Josh Beaver sampled lasagna at the new onboard Italian restaurant, downed some drinks with his traveling companions and hit the water slides while the afternoon was still young.“So far, from what I’ve seen, there’s lots to do,” said Beaver, 33, of Holden Beach, N.C. The Carnival Breeze hadn’t even left...

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Controversial trolley garage in West Grove violates zoning code, experts say

A controversial trolley garage being built in Miami’s predominantly black West Grove neighborhood violates the Miami 21 zoning code, the ambitious blueprint approved three years ago to give order to the sometimes haphazard and inconsistent development in the city, according to the University of Miami’s Center for Ethics and Public Service. The garage, the center argues,...

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Biden seeks video game industry input on guns

WASHINGTON (AP) — Looking for broader remedies to gun violence, Vice President Joe Biden is reaching out to the video game industry for ideas as the White House seeks to assemble proposals in response to last month’s massacre at a Connecticut elementary school.Biden is scheduled to meet with video game representatives Friday as the White House explores cultural factors that may contribute to violent...

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Buzzmakers: Dina Lohan's Black Eye And New The Voice Clips

What had ET readers buzzing this week?1. Dina Lohan's Black Eye Photos Following Dina Lohan's shocking claims that her husband Michael abused her during their marriage (and Michael's denial), ET has obtained vintage photos of the mother of four with a black eye.Click here for the shocking pics.2. 'The Voice' Coaches Dish on New Season It looks like Adam Levine is off the hook for the upcoming season...

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Hundreds of French troops drive back Mali rebels

APFrench Mirage 2000 D jets flying to N'Djamena, Chad, as part if the French intervention in the Mali crisis.BAMAKO, Mali — The battle to retake Mali's north from the al-Qaida-linked groups controlling it began in earnest Saturday, after hundreds of French forces deployed to the country and began aerial bombardments to drive back the Islamic extremists.At...

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Miami Beach builder Robert Turchin looks back — and ahead

If former Miami Beach vice mayor Robert Turchin had been a Miami decision maker during the recent vote that decided the fate of The Miami Herald building, he would probably have voted with the ‘nays’ allowing its demolition. “There’s nothing special about it,” says the 90-year-old Turchin as he cruises Collins Avenue between 63rd and 48th streets, a strip dense with buildings...

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Despite commission vote, South Miami manager won’t fire police chief

South Miami commissioners passed a resolution Tuesday to send a message to the city’s new interim city manager — we can’t fire the police chief, but if we could, we would. Commissioner Bob Welsh introduced the resolution, which passed 3-2. Vice Mayor Joshua Liebman and Commissioner Valerie Newman were the dissenting votes. This was the first commission meeting for interim...

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Factbox: Video game industry meets with Biden gun task force

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Representatives from the companies that make “first-person shooter” games such as “Call of Duty,” “Medal of Honor” and “Grand Theft Auto” met with Vice President Joe Biden on Friday as the Obama administration looks for ways to curb U.S. gun violence.Biden is heading a task force formed after a gunman shot dead 20 children and six adults last month at a Connecticut elementary...

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