Now guilty, Kilpatrick’s ex-deputy Kandia Milton to help FBI

FreepFormer Detroit Deputy Mayor Kandia Milton, a childhood friend of ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, became the latest symbol of public corruption in the city, pleading guilty Thursday to bribery conspiracy in a $3.5-million city real estate deal.Milton is the first member of Kilpatrick’s inner circle to be convicted in the ongoing federal probe of public corruption.He is also the first person close… Read more

Live chat: Tony Grossi analyzes beating the Steelers at noon

clevelandChat live with Tony Grossi today at noon.How did the Browns beat the defending Super Bowl champion Steelers for the first time in 13 games last night? Does Eric Mangini deserve another year solely based on beating Pittsburgh? What does this win mean for the rest of the season?Tony Grossi will be online for a special live Friday chat at noon to provide the answers and field your questions… Read more

House approves $447 billion omnibus spending measure

Washington PostThe House voted Thursday to approve half a dozen spending bills contained in one large package, as the chamber races to complete its work before adjourning for the year.The $447 billion measure, which combines six appropriations bills, passed 221 to 202, with 28 Democrats joining all 174 Republicans present in opposing it. GOP lawmakers said the measure was overinflated and rushed… Read more

KAR Auction IPO raises less than hoped

ForbesKAR Auction Services Inc. shares will make their trading debut Friday, but the auctioneer of used and salvaged vehicles raised less than it had hoped in its initial public offering. The company’s IPO priced well below its expected range at a time of deep uncertainty in the auto industry.Vehicle sales in the U.S. have been at historic lows this year as the recession weighed on consumers’… Read more

Australian, New Zealand Dollars Strengthen on Job Gains, Outlook for Rates

BloombergDec. 10 (Bloomberg) — Australia’s dollar gained for a second day after a report showed employers added more than six times the number of jobs forecast by economists. New Zealand’s currency advanced on prospects for higher interest rates.The so-called Aussie rose after the statistics bureau said employers increased jobs for the third month in November, unexpectedly pushing down the… Read more

Quiet year for Steve Smith

BostonHeraldFOXBORO – The 2009 season hasn’t been the easiest for Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith. While his team has become a run-first attack, his quarterback, Jake Delhomme, has battled injury and poor decision making.That’s meant he has just one game of more than 100 yards receiving. He was asked yesterday on a conference call to discuss the state of Carolina’s passing… Read more

Wildcats edge UConn to stay perfect

BostonHeraldFreshman John Wall scored a season-high 25 points, including 12 of Kentucky’s last 15 in the game, and the fourth-ranked Wildcats beat No. 14 Connecticut, 64-61, last night in the SEC/Big East Invitational.Wall lived up to his billing in his first appearance at Madison Square Garden, overcoming first-half foul trouble to dominate over the final 7 minutes for the Wildcats… Read more

Reynolds leads Villanova past St. Joseph’s 97-89

SIPHILADELPHIA (AP) -Taylor King already knows about the Duke-North Carolina rivalry. Now, he found one just as intense in Villanova-St. Joseph’s.King, a transfer from Duke, scored 20 points and hit two key 3-pointers in the closing minutes to lead the No. 3 Wildcats over St. Joe’s, 97-89 on Wednesday night.”In some ways, it was like a bout,” said Hawks coach Phil Martelli. “They took a swing…. Read more

Recap: Calgary vs. Atlanta

MiamiHeraldMiikka Kiprusoff stopped 24 shots to lead Calgary over Atlanta, 3-1, at Pengrowth Saddledome.Nigel Dawes, Olli Jokinen and Rene Bourque lit the lamp for the Flames, who had lost two of three coming in. Jarome Iginla picked up a pair of assists for the victors.You could tell before the game that guys were very focused, and that’s a good thing,” said Flames head coach Brent Sutter. “I… Read more

Israel: 10000 West Bank Settlers Protest

New York TimesAbout 10,000 West Bank settlers and their backers demonstrated in downtown Jerusalem on Wednesday, pledging to defy a temporary building ban imposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. The relatively large turnout reflected support for increasingly fierce settler resistance to the government ban. Settlers held signs and banners that read ‘We will continue to build’ and… Read more