US & World News, Tuesday 5/27

US & World Summary --- Director Sydney Pollack Dies At 73 (Los Angeles, CA) -- Academy-award winning director and producer Sydney Pollack died at the age of 73 after losing his battle with cancer. A spokesperson said he passed away surrounded by family at his Los Angeles home. Pollack was known for such films as "Tootsie," "The Way We Were" and "Michael Clayton." He earned two Oscars as director and producer of the movie "Out of Africa." Pollack was diagnosed with cancer last year, but doctors were unable to determine what caused the disease. --- Death Toll Remains At Six As Cleanup Continues In Iowa (Parkersburg, IA) -- People in northern Iowa are continuing to express shock after a massive tornado on Sunday killed at least six people. Parkersburg Fire Marshal Leon Thorne says the city had just installed a new warning siren about ten days ago. He says that siren prevented even more deaths. The tornado left a more than 40 mile path of destruction, virtually leveling about a third of Parkersburg. Meanwhile, across the state line in Minnesota, the same punishing storm system dropped at least one twister that claimed the life a young child. --- Mars Phoenix Lander Gets Ready To Dig (Cape Canaveral, FL) -- Mission managers say they could make a major discovery on Mars any day now, all they have to do is start digging. On Sunday, NASAs Phoenix spacecraft made a dramatic landing on the red planet, completing a nearly ten-month journey. The Phoenix is the first spacecraft ever to land near Mars north pole, hitting a target head-on that was set up from nearly ten-thousand miles away. --- Detroit City Council To Meet With Attorney On Forfeiture Plan (Detroit, MI) -- The Detroit City Council is scheduled to meet with independent attorney Bill Goodman this morning to discuss plans to remove embattled Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick from office. The council plans to send a request to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm to ask her to remove the mayor. Goodman says the forfeiture process would require hearings and a final vote by Councilmembers on whether they believe there are grounds to oust Kilpatrick based on the city charter. The whole situation stems from a racy text message scandal involving the mayor and a member of his office. --- Senator Ted Kennedy Back Sailing Despite Devastating Diagnosis (Hyannis, MA) -- Just a few days after being diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, Senator Edward Kennedy was back out sailing on his yacht. The "Boston Herald" reports Kennedy sailed the final leg of the annual Figawi regatta, prompting suspicion that he will soon return to the Senate floor. His son, Edward Kennedy Jr. told the "Boston Herald," quote, "as soon as hes able, Im sure youll be seeing him back doing what he does best." Kennedy suffered a seizure last week in his Massachusetts home, which in turn led to the shocking diagnosis. --- Atlantic City Casinos Celebrate 30th Anniversary (Atlantic City, NJ) -- Monday marked the 30th anniversary of casino gambling in Atlantic City. It was May 26th, 1978 when Resorts International Hotel Casino became the first legal casino in the shore town. During the celebration yesterday, 30 skydivers put on an aerial show and formed the number 30 as they dropped from the sky. While New Jersey led the way for casinos along the East Coast, gaming revenue in Atlantic City has recently dropped by about six-percent. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-05-27-08 0738CDT