US & World News, Monday 6/23

US & World Summary --- Gasoline Prices Set New Record (New York, NY) -- Gasoline prices have hit a record four-dollars-ten-cents a gallon nationwide but the summer could bring some relief. Editor of "The Lundberg Survey", Trilby Lundberg, says prices may have peaked and may drop slightly soon. Lundberg bases her prediction on Saudi Arabias announcement its increasing oil output by as much as half a million barrels a day. She thinks prices will fall if theres more oil on the market but many other analysts disagree. --- Comedian George Carlin Dies (Los Angeles, CA) -- Comedian George Carlin is dead at the age of 71. Carlin checked into Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica, California Sunday afternoon with chest pains and died of a heart attack several hours later. In addition to his stand up routines that spanned five decades, Carlin appeared in several films including "Jersey Girl" and "Scary Movie 3." One of his most famous routines involved the "Seven Dirty Words You Cant Say On Television." In 1978, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed with the comic. The words were indecent and the Federal Communications Commission could ban them from radio and television. --- Pregnancy Pact Questioned (Gloucester, MA) -- The talk of Gloucester, Massachusetts continues to be the "Time" magazine story about 17 girls who allegedly made a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together. Today, Gloucesters Mayor, Carolyn Kirk, says she has doubts about the veracity of the tale as told to "Time" by the high school principal. Shes called a meeting of health officials and others today to discuss the issue. Kirk says the information shes gotten from people shes met with doesnt appear to support Principal Joseph Sullivans story. --- New Meet The Press Host (New York, NY) -- Former "NBC Nightly News" anchor Tom Brokaw is headed back to the network. Hes been chosen to moderate "Meet The Press," replacing longtime moderator Tim Russert who died of a heart attack on June 13th. Brokaw anchored the "NBC Nightly News" for 21 years but never hosted "Meet The Press." The president of NBC News says putting Brokaw in the "Meet the Press" moderators chair is a testament to Brokaws loyalty to Russert. --- Father Pfleger Back (Chicago, IL) -- Controversial pastor Father Michael Pfleger is back at his home parish on Chicagos South Side giving fiery speeches. The pastor had been asked by Cardinal Francis George to take a two week leave of absence after mocking Senator Hillary Clinton during a guest sermon at another Chicago church. Pfleger says he has chosen to be an activist and will not let his faults or imperfections allow him to play it safe or be silent. --- Farm Aid Helps Flood Victims Willie Nelsons Farm Aid is using its Family Farm Disaster Fund to help family farmers suffering Iowa flood damage. Initial reports indicate at least four-million acres of farmland are underwater. A large percentage of that land will not be replanted this growing season. Individual contributions can be made to Farm Aids family Farm Disaster Fund online at www.farmaid.org. --- "Get Smart" Tops Weekend Box Office (Hollywood, CA) -- The smart choice at the box office this weekend was "Get Smart." The Hollywood Reporter says the big screen take on the classic 1950s TV spy comedy took in an estimated 39-point-two-million-dollars in its opening weekend. Number two was the animated comedy "Kung Fu Panda" with 21-point-seven-million in ticket sales. "Panda" edged out last weekends box office champ "The Incredible Hulk" which fell to number three with 21-point-six-million in box office receipts. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-06-23-08 0843CDT