Skitch Henderson dies; 'Tonight Show' bandleader

Skitch Henderson dies;'Tonight Show' bandleader
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- During a musical career that brought him into the nation's living rooms each night as the first "Tonight Show" bandleader, Skitch Henderson got to know his audience. "I watch the public like a hawk. If I see boredom, I worry," Henderson told The Associated Press in May. "You can tell by the applause: There's perfunctory applause, there's light applause, and then there's real applause. When it's right, applause sounds like vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce." The Grammy-winning conductor, who founded the New York Pops, died Tuesday at his home in New Milford of natural causes, said Barbara Burnside, spokeswoman for New Milford Hospital. He was 87. Even in his late 80s, Henderson maintained a tireless work schedule as music director for the Pops, where he regularly served as conductor.
Iran announces firingof 40 ambassadors
TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's government announced Wednesday that 40 ambassadors and senior diplomats, including supporters of warmer ties with the West, will be fired, continuing a purge of reformers as the regime takes an increasingly tough stance at home and abroad. The diplomatic changes are part of a government shake-up by ultraconservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that includes putting Islamic hard-liners in key posts at security agencies. Some Iranians worry the president will bring back strict social policies. Ahmadinejad has steered the Persian state into a more confrontational stance in its dealings with other nations, particularly in facing suspicions about whether Iran's nuclear program is illicitly trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge the regime denies. The president also raised a storm of international criticism last week by calling for Israel to be "wiped off the map."
Ohio woman receivesdeath for killing her son
ELYRIA -- A woman convicted of killing her young son received a death sentence Wednesday, making her the second woman in Ohio to face execution. Visiting Judge Kosma Glavas sentenced Nicole Diar moments after a Lorain County Common Pleas jury recommended the death penalty. Diar's lawyer, John Pyle, said the sentence would be appealed. "She's just a damaged human being, and I don't know why they held her to a higher standard," Pyle said. The same jury convicted Diar, 30, on Oct. 17, of killing her 4-year-old son, Jacob, whose body was found in their Lorain house after an Aug. 27, 2003, fire. Prosecutors claimed that Diar killed Jacob that morning then set the fire to cover up evidence of the crime. "We thought the evidence supported the verdict and the death penalty," said Assistant Prosecutor Tony Cillo. At the sentencing, Diar denied killing her son. Prosecutors said Jacob was suffocated or drowned before Diar burned his body. Her lawyers said Diar had suffered during much of her life because she was burned as a 4-year-old when her pajamas caught fire.
Inventive partygoer is hit-- but only in beginning
ORANGE PARK, Fla. -- A partygoer dressed as "Belligerent Drunk Man" was a hit at a Halloween bash until he started acting the part. Wearing a blue sweat suit, a belt of beer can pop-tops and a Superman-style emblem on his chest reading "BDM," William A. Griffin got into a fight Sunday morning at an apartment complex, authorities said. Joseph Gilliam, dressed as the Green Lantern, tried to break up the fight but ended up pushing a deputy sheriff, authorities said. Gilliam, 37, was charged with disorderly intoxication and battery on an officer. He was released on $753 bail. Griffin, 26, was charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest without violence. He pleaded no contest Monday and was ordered to pay court costs.
Air Force officers sayChristianity was imposed
DENVER -- Four Air Force officers have joined a lawsuit claiming senior officers and cadets at the Air Force Academy illegally imposed Christianity on others at the school. Four second lieutenants, all graduates with the class of 2004, joined the suit filed by a Jewish graduate of the academy and former Air Force officer, Mikey Weinstein, said Sam Bregman, Weinstein's lawyer. He identified them as Casey Weinstein, one of Mikey Weinsten's sons, Jason Spindler, Patrick Kucera and Ariel Kayne. "Any argument that Mr. Weinstein didn't have standing -- that argument is over," Bregman said. Weinstein's federal suit said he had failed to win an assurance from the Air Force that Christian chaplains would stop proselytizing. The suit prompted a proposed new set of guidelines on religious conduct in the Air Force. Meanwhile, Congressional opponents have sent a letter to President Bush asking him to issue an executive order protecting the right of Christian military chaplains to mention Jesus in prayers.
Associated Press