newsmakers

newsmakers

Ann Curry debuts as co-anchor

NEW YORK

After 14 years as the understudy, Ann Curry is in the big chair now at NBC’s “Today” show.

She had her first day Thursday as co-anchor with Matt Lauer on television’s top-rated morning show. Her predecessor, Meredith Vieira, had an on-air going-away party Wednesday.

Curry has been on the show since 1997 as the regular newsreader and has filled in as co-host dozens of times.

Lauer welcomed her, saying she had been on the show so long that “it’s a little bit like a member of the family moving to a new seat at the table.”

DUI charge for rapper Flo Rida

MIAMI BEACH, Fla.

A large crowd pleaded with officers to let rapper Flo Rida go, and one fan offered to drive him home after he was charged with driving under the influence early Thursday in Miami Beach, police said.

According to an arrest report, officers spotted his 2008 Bugatti driving erratically about 3:45 a.m. The report said the rapper, 31, whose real name is Tramar Dillard, failed a field sobriety test, blew twice the legal limit on a device to measure his blood-alcohol level, had bloodshot, watery eyes and slurred his speech.

He was charged with DUI and driving with a suspended license. He is being held on $2,000 bond.

Vindicator wire services