First up...as I broke it to you on my Twitter page, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will be throwing in the towel after only 2 1/2 years in office. The stunning announcement came late Friday morning during an impromptu news conference at her Wasilla home and it took everybody by surprise.Palin's people are tight-lipped as to what happens next for her, but there are early rumors spreading about a possible 2012 presidential bid; otherwise, it's back to private life for the Republican darling and 2008 vice presidential nominee who provided fodder for the late night hosts and some lady named Tina Fey.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell will be taking in the reins as governor during the annual Governor's community picnic at Pioneer Park here in Fairbanks on July 26. But who is Sean Parnell?
Well, he's 46 years old, an attorney who attended Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound School of Law, and was elected to the State House in 1992 followed by a stint at the State Senate in 1996. Palin made him her running mate in 2006 and last summer, he failed to unseat Congressman Don Young in the Republican primaries.
I'm pretty sure Parnell will have some mighty big heels...er, shoes to fill in a few weeks. As for Palin? The chances for 2012 now are not so good, but at least she'll have plenty of free time on her hands to see Russia from her house.
It's been a week now, but we've been learning fresh details into the Michael Jackson death investigation as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has joined in. On Thursday, new video taken from a couple days before he died showed him rehearsing at L.A.'s Staples Center for his 50-date shows in London. And now comes another twist: A sedative called Diprivan, which puts you to sleep for surgeries, was discovered in Jackson's home. I've had my share of Diprivan twice; in 1991 when they removed a broken needle in my left foot I stepped on, and again three years later when I underwent dental surgery. After that latter one, my mouth would be wired shut and I had to eat all my food in a straw for about a month or so!
Anyway, Jackson filed a will in 2002 stating that custody of his three children would be assumed by his mother Katherine, but there was a bonus: If she is unable to take care of them, it would be awarded to Michael's good friend and fellow music icon, Diana Ross. The two both went back to when the Jackson Five were signed by Motown in the late '60s and they were co-stars in the 1979 movie musical "The Wiz" (aka "The Wizard of Oz Powered By Afro Sheen").
At the time of his death, Jackson was around $400 million in debt; the value of his estate is believe to be asseted at over $500 million, which would've gotten him out of debt by $100 million.
This Tuesday will be an extraordinary day like no other, because that's when a public memorial service for Michael Jackson at the Staples Center will be held. The venue, which since 2000 has also served as home to the Grammy Awards, seats around 20,000, and 17,500 free tickets have been distributed to the public. An additional 6,500 will be at the Nokia Theater right next door, where the event will be simulcast. Many dignitaries expected to attend include Michael's friends Whitney Houston, Liza Minnelli, Elizabeth Taylor, and Stevie Wonder, who'll be performing.
Whether if you're in L.A. attending it in person, or will be staying home somewhere in the world watching it on television, it will no doubt be a final official goodbye to the King of Pop. I wonder if it'll be open casket, just like James Brown's fond farewell to life...
Anyway, so long, stay strong, and Happy 4th of July.
