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California
Comedian David Brenner, ‘Tonight Show’ favorite, dies
LOS ANGELES – A spokesman for the family of comedian David Brenner says the “Tonight Show” favorite has died. He was 78.
Brenner died Saturday afternoon at his home in New York City, said Jeff Abraham, who was Brenner’s publicist.
The gangly, toothy Brenner made more than 150 appearances as a guest and substitute host on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” starting in the 1970s.
His “Tonight” exposure turned the former documentary filmmaker into a hot comedian. Brenner was a regular on other TV talk shows and game shows and starred in four HBO comedy specials. He also briefly hosted his own syndicated talk show in 1987.
Brenner continued to work steadily doing stand-up shows. A four-day gig last December included a New Year’s Eve show at a casino-resort in King of Prussia, Pa.
Silicon Valley billionaire buys record life policy
SAN JOSE, Calif. – An unnamed Silicon Valley billionaire has purchased the world’s most valuable life-insurance policy.
The San Jose Mercury News reported Saturday that Guinness Book of World Record officials say the $201 million life-insurance policy is more than double the previous record set in 1990 by an unidentified “entertainment industry figure.”
A Southern California financial services company helping put the deal together declined to identify the buyer for safety reasons.
New York
Rescue workers reach basement of blast site
NEW YORK – Emergency workers sifted through debris Saturday from the site of a deadly explosion at two New York City apartment buildings as they worked to clear the way for investigators to search for clues that might reveal what caused the blast.
Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said rescue workers reached the rear of the basement Saturday but said the investigation of the piping and meters in the front of the basement, which will help explain what caused the blast that killed eight people, likely will start today.
He said the National Transportation Safety Board should be able to start pressure-testing the pipes today.
Arson detectives and fire marshals have been waiting to enter the basements to examine meters, check pipes and inspect any possible ignition sources, such as light switches, that might have caused the blast.
More than 60 people were injured in the explosion, and more than 100 others were displaced.
Ohio
Goodyear seeks name for next-generation blimp
AKRON, Ohio – The next generation of the well-known Goodyear Blimp is getting ready to take flight as the company moves toward replacing its old fleet of airships with a new trio.
The helium-filled airship, assembled at an Akron-area hangar and unveiled there Friday, is bigger, quicker and more maneuverable than earlier models, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said.
The 246-foot airship fits 12 passengers, can travel at up to 73 mph and has custom computer-controlled avionics – an upgrade from the manual flight system used by the blimp pilots since the 1920s, the company said. It plans to build two more.
Associated Press
