As we think about the history of our native landscape, we realize how much it has changed. The shape of the land has been altered and the prairies, wetlands and forests have been reduced. With those changes, some of the native wildlife has disappeared or been reduced.  One group of wildlife that many people tell me they miss is the butterflies. Of all of the insects in the world, butterflies are probably the most fun ... [full story]

DALLAS - Bail has been set at $100,000 for a married Texas father who paid an undercover Dallas police officer $100 to "rent" a 9-year-old girl for the night. Kevin Russell Moake, 49, was arrested outside a fast food restaurant immediately after he forked over the money in a sting operation set up by Dallas police, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Friday. Police said Moake originally planned to buy the fictional Mexican girl outright for ... [full story]

SAN DIEGO - 20th Century Fox has sold the Baja California movie studio that was the filming location for such global blockbusters as "Titanic" and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." Chris Petrikin, a 20th Century Fox spokesman, Tuesday confirmed reports that the company had sold Baja Studios, south of Rosarito Beach, Mexico, to Baja Acquisitions for an eight-figure price tag. "We had a great run of productions and memories at the ... [full story]

After six years living in the bright glare of the Hollywood limelight, Orlando Bloom looks forward to making a temporary retreat. But first he has to say goodbye to an old friend, his character Will Turner.   ORLANDO BLOOM - Orlando Bloom says he has bittersweet feelings about the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise coming to a close with the final installment, 'At World's End.' CNS Photo courtesy of Peter Mountain. Bloom has bittersweet feelings about the ... [full story]

Fire officials have recalculated the estimated acreage and the area of containment of the fire burning in private land in Crooked River Ranch and BLM land northwest of Terrebonne in Central Oregon.  Earlier estimates put the blaze at 677-acres with 20 percent containment, but this morning’s latest figures reduced that number to 90 percent containment of 342-acres. Firefighters continue to make progress, and full containment of the fire is expected today at 6 p.m. The fire ... [full story]

About 4,500 people gathered Thursday in Redmond to remember and honor local businessman, community leader, philanthropist, and icon Les Schwab who, after many months of declining health, passed away May 18 at the age of 89.   (above) Les Schwab wrote Pride in Performance in 1986, (below) Visitors, numbering in the thousands, leave the memorial service - Photos by Karen Cammack for Les Schwab Tire Centers   The memorial service was held at 2 p.m. in the Hooker Creek ... [full story]

MIAMI - The U.S. Coast Guard rescued an infant, a child and four adults from a sinking 65-foot yacht off the coast of Miami. The yacht "Imagination" was headed for Bimini in the Bahamas when it began taking on water 13 miles east of Miami Thursday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. People on the craft issued an urgent call for help. Shortly after rescuers pulled people from the yacht, it quickly sank. The Coast Guard ... [full story]

Fire officials report that an escaped debris pile burn has spread to 677-acres of private land in Crooked River Ranch and BLM land northwest of Terrebonne in Central Oregon, estimating containment at 20 percent as of 8 a.m. Friday.  Firefighters continue to make progress, and full containment of the fire is expected today at 6 p.m. The fire was reported Thursday afternoon, with affected acreage increasing throughout the day.  At 6 p.m., the Central Oregon ... [full story]

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Defense Department warns of a new scam that targets spouses of soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The American Red Cross has received at least one complaint of someone purporting to be a Red Cross representative. The caller, a woman, told a military wife that her husband had been injured and evacuated to Germany for treatment. She said the hospital there needed her husband's date of birth and Social Security number. ... [full story]

NEW RELEASES   'KNOCKED UP' - Katherine Heigl and Seth Rogen shop for baby gear in the romantic comedy 'Knocked Up.' CNS Photo courtesy of Suzanne Hanover.  KNOCKED UP - What an odd comedy (and a sure hit) "Knocked Up" is - an attitude bazooka full of sex, drugs and raw language, yet so high on babies and family values that this must be the first R-rated film for both sleazoid slackers and earnest right-to-lifers. There are ... [full story]