Cleveland Plain Dealer

Real-Time News: Latest Northeast Ohio News - cleveland.com

• 'American Idol' judges spread love for finalists Joshua Ledet, Jessica Sanchez and Phillip Phillips
  The three "American Idol" finalists earned nearly uniform votes of confidence Wednesday from the show's judges. Now it's the audience tally that will determine which two compete for glory in next week's finale.
  
  
• Purple, Red and Yellow Wiggles leaving Aussie band
  Jeff Fatt (Purple Wiggle), Murray Cook (Red Wiggle) and Greg Page (Yellow Wiggle) will leave after the group wraps up a "Celebration Tour" that begins this month and ends in Australia in December, the band said in a statement Thursday. The trio will no longer perform but will take on backstage, creative roles.
  
  
• Walmart's first-quarter profit up 10.1%
  The results signal a turnaround for Walmart, which had suffered during the economic downturn as the core low-income customers at its namesake U.S. business were hit hard by joblessness and other challenges.
  
  
• Unemployment aid applications stay at 370,000
  The number of people seeking unemployment benefits was unchanged last week, suggesting steady gains in the job market.
  
  
• Sheffield Lake home destroyed in morning fire
  A family of three people and a dog were able to flee their burning home early this morning on Parkview Drive.
  
  
• Chuck Brown passes; iPad Mini rumors continue; Willis and Murray at Cannes; Lohan hopes for another comeback; more: A.M. Entertainment Links
  Also, a look at the broadcast networks' fall lineups, the opening of Cannes and more.
  
  
• Dennis Kucinich's next job: Tell us what you think he'll do
  Dennis Kucinich will have a lot of time on his hands once his term in Congress ends. What do you think he should do next?
  
  
• Chilly morning, sunny and mild later: Thursday weather forecast
  Chilly morning temps will give way to highs in the mid-sixties later today with plenty of sun.
  
  
• A.M. Business Links: Update on Regency Windows; foreclosures in Toledo; Virgin's in-flight mobile calls
  Your first look at the business world today.
  
  
• Bentleyville rejects plans to combine police services
  Mayor Leonard Spremulli has been approached by surrounding communities about the possibility of consolidating police services repeated times over the past two months, but currently the village is uninterested.
  
  
• Wall Street's federal fixers need to let go: Kevin O'Brien
  Congress ought to be correcting its mistakes -- most notably the Dodd-Frank financial services "reform" bill -- rather than developing a deeper co-dependency with Wall Street, Kevin O'Brien writes.
  
  
• Cleveland student Nichelle Ruffin gets scholarship for undergraduate degree at Case Western Reserve and medical school
  The 17-year-old is the first recipient of a scholarship that will cover the cost of an undergraduate degree at Case Western Reserve University and four years of medical school.
  
  
• Race issue still ugly at one Cleveland corner: Mark Naymik
  Hi-Low's Pub and Sweethearts Cafe continue to draw unwanted attention.
  
  
• Ex-clergyman familiar with Amish community has online petition seeking release of Sam Mullet from prison
  The Rev. Warner Lange is seeking the immediate release of Sam Mullet and six associates from federal prison, that all charges against them be cropped, and that the entire religious dispute be returned to the Amish community for a just resolution.
  
  
• Marines invading Cleveland for friendly engagement
  Marine Week brings the best the Leathernecks have to offer for seven days of demonstrations, displays and engagement with community.
  
  
• Cleveland veteran is part of new book telling the story of an Army infantry company in Vietnam: Military Notebook
  Cleveland attorney Patrick McLaughlin is one of nearly three dozen contributors to the book "Dogface Charlie" which traces the experiences of an Army infantry company in Vietnam from 1966-1969.
  
  
• A.M. national and world news links: Whites account for less than half of births in U.S.; single shot from 'intermediate range' killed Trayvon Martin; report says Iran selling arms to Syria
  Also, medical examiner sets autopsy for Mary Kennedy, wife of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.; newlywed, still in wedding dress, found stabbed to death in tub; horse rescued after swimming two miles into ocean; Greece sets showdown vote over Euro
  
  
• Cleveland Clinic's recently opened $75 million medical testing lab already on path for expansion
  Demand for medical tests offered by the Clinic's new $75 million laboratory could add another 350 jobs by 2018, a hospital official says.
  
  
• Cleveland's RTA joins NASA to test bus powered by hydrogen fuel cells
  The board of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority votes this week to join the NASA Glenn Research Center in operating a bus that will emit only water from its tailpipe.
  
  
• Overnight news links: Teen's beating caught on video; police chief catches suspect through Facebook; man accused of killing girlfriend's baby testifies
  Also, fracking moves one step closer to reality in Ashtabula County; mysterious man runs from traffic stop; drug charges filed; fundraising continues for Kayla Allen; two men convicted on charges in connection with Painesville home invasion
  
  
• Voting bill heads for court: editorial
  The Ohio legislature's imperfect repeal of a controversial election law invites judicial intervention, The Plain Dealer editorial board writes.