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TIGER WOODS: SILENCE WITH AUTHORITIES NOT QUIETING QUESTIONS

WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) — While Tiger Woods usually has no trouble getting out of trouble on the golf course, it's proving a little more difficulty when the "hazard" is negative publicity about his public life. He is insisting his car crash early Friday morning is a private matter that he, at least for now, wants to keep private. The story he is telling on his Web site is that the wreck was "embarrassing" and was entirely his fault. He adds without elaborating that: "I'm human and I'm not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn't happen again." He also says talk in the tabloids and elsewhere that the incident was some sort of domestic dispute are "false, unfounded and malicious rumors" that he says are "irresponsible." However, Woods has yet to talk to authorities about the crash or the circumstances that led to it. After blowing off the Florida Highway Patrol three times, they haven't rescheduled a sit-down with the world's greatest golfer.

Sound:

<<CUT …021 (11/30/09)>> 00:15 "it that way"

Doug Ferguson

AP golf writer Doug Ferguson reports Tiger Woods has accepted responsibility for his car crash early Friday in a posting on his Web site.

<<CUT …024 (11/30/09)>> 00:13 "of his family"

Doug Ferguson

AP golf writer Doug Ferguson reports Tiger Woods' agent indicates in an email that Woods will offer no further details on his car crash.

<<CUT …025 (11/30/09)>> 00:14 "tournament next week"

Doug Ferguson

AP golf writer Doug Ferguson reports Tiger Woods is facing a different type of scrutiny and media than he is accustomed to.

TIGER WOODS: LOTS OF QUESTIONS, FEW ANSWERS

WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) — There are a lot of questions about what happened the other day with Tiger Woods, his car and his wife. But there are few answers — because the two people who know the most, Woods and his wife Elin, aren't talking. According to the official police report and Woods' statement on his Web page, Woods' wife used a golf club to smash out the back windows of his Cadillac Escalade to help him out of the vehicle after it ran over a fire hydrant and smashed into a tree outside their Florida estate near Orlando. But we still don't know why Woods was leaving his home at that hour and where he was headed. It's unclear how he managed to lose control of an SUV at a speed that the air bags didn't deploy, yet the car mowed down a fire hydrant and smashed into a tree. And what about the windows of the SUV. Both rear windows were smashed. If he was being rescued by his wife after the crash, why not smash one of the windows that were closer to Woods, rather than the two that were farthest away from her injured husband? And why not speak with authorities if the accident wasn't a simple "oops."

Sound:

<<CUT …022 (11/30/09)>> 00:18 "to help me"

Doug Ferguson

AP golf writer Doug Ferguson reports Tiger Woods vaguely addresses questions about his personal life while crediting his wife for her actions after his car crash in a posting on his Web site.

<<CUT …023 (11/30/09)>> 00:11 "any of those"

Doug Ferguson

AP golf writer Doug Ferguson reports although Tiger Woods has addressed his car crash in a posting on his Web site, many questions remain unanswered.

TIGER WOODS: WHAT THE TABS HAVE BEEN SAYING

UNDATED (AP) — Even as word of Tiger Woods' car wreck was making the rounds over the weekend, there were indications that there might be trouble in his marriage. The wreck came two days after the National Enquirer published a story claiming Woods had been seeing a New York night club hostess, and that they recently were together in Melbourne, where Woods competed in the Australian Masters. The woman, Rachel Uchitel, was contacted by The Associated Press — and denies having an affair with Woods. The woman is now represented by Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred. When arriving in L.A. late yesterday morning, Uchitel didn't speak to reporters — except to ask that she be left alone.

TIGER WOODS: A PRIVATE ATHLETE GETS UNWANTED PUBLIC ATTENTION

UNDATED (AP) — While it's no surprise these days that every celebrity fender-bender or scrape with the law ends up in the news, the fact that this situation involves Tiger Woods makes the story that much more sensational. For one thing, Woods is not only the world's greatest golfer, but he is also an international icon. And he has an image that until now, anyway, has been positive. Early reports indicated that he was seriously injured — but that, as it turns out, wasn't true. And even as the few details about the incident unfolded, it seemed there were key facts missing or left out. All this from a person who has made every effort to keep his private life just that — private. And aside from the occasional beef about his flashes of temper on the golf course, Woods has managed to keep a wall between his public and private lives. In an October posting on his Facebook account, Woods wrote, "I'm asked why people don't often see me and Elin in gossip magazines or tabloids. I think we've avoided a lot of media attention because we're kind of boring. ..." One can imagine that Woods wishes that this past weekend would have been just as boring as all the others before it.

Sound:

<<CUT …026 (11/30/09)>> 00:10 "information coming out"

Robert Thompson

Pop culture expert Robert Thompson, with the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, says he's not surprised by the strong interest in Tiger Woods' auto accident.

<<CUT …027 (11/30/09)>> 00:11 "of its own"

Robert Thompson

Pop culture expert Robert Thompson, with the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, says new technologies have helped fan the interest in the Tiger Woods' accident.

<<CUT …028 (11/30/09)>> 00:07 "the interest lies"

Robert Thompson

Pop culture expert Robert Thompson, with the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, says it's not surprising the media is paying so much attention to stories like the Tiger Woods' accident.

TWO SENATORS CALL FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST STATE DINNER CRASHERS

WASHINGTON (AP) — A lot of people find it funny. But two U.S. Senators say it's no laughing matter that a couple was able to crash last week's state dinner at the White House and meet President Barack Obama. And they say, criminal charges should be filed against the couple. Democrat Evan Bayh (BYE) of Indiana tells Fox News says charging the Virginia couple would "send a strong deterrent that people just don't do this kind of thing." Republican Jon Kyl of Arizona notes it's a federal crime to tell a lie to a federal agent and if the couple lied their way past security, "they should be in some way brought to justice." Michaele (mih-KEL') and Tareq Salahi (TAH'-rehk sah-LAH'-hee) got into Tuesday's White House dinner, even though they weren't on the guest list.

Sound: 4:32 aes

SECRET SERVICE "EMBARRASSED" ABOUT SECURITY BREACH

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Secret Service describes itself as "deeply concerned and embarrassed" over last week's security breach at the White House. A reality TV hopeful and her husband were able not only to get into a state dinner, but also got to shake hands with President Barack Obama and take pictures with Vice President Joe Biden (BY'-dehn). The Secret Service says its officers failed to check whether the couple was on the guest list. When the incident first became known, the protective agency said the president wasn't in danger because the Virginia couple had gone through security screening. But after the White House released a photo showing Michaele and Tareq Salahi in the receiving line in the Blue Room with Obama and India's prime minister, no such claim has since been made. An investigation into how they managed to get that close to the president continues — and there's a possibility that the couple may be the target of a criminal investigation.

CHRIS BROWN: SITS DOWN FOR INTERVIEW NEXT MONTH

NEW YORK (AP) — First it was Rihanna. Now it's Chris Brown's turn to look into an ABC camera and tell his side of the story. The network says it will have Brown on its "20/20" newsmagazine next month. In what is being called an "in-depth interview," Brown will talk about his assault of Rihanna back in February. The interview will be done by Robin Roberts. Like Rihanna did before him, Brown also has an album to push; "Graffiti" is due out on December 8 and his interview is December 11. But while Rihanna performed on "Good Morning America," ABC says Brown won't be performing live.

PRECIOUS FINISHES 8TH IN BOX OFFICE RACE

LOS ANGELES (AP) — "Precious" is still in the top 10 on the box office list. The Lee Daniels film took in $7 million over the weekend, capturing eighth place on the top-grossing films list in the process. Also making noise at the box office is "The Blind Side," the movie based on the story of Baltimore Ravens football player Michael Oher and starring Sandra Bullock. It took in just over $40 million during its second weekend in theaters, good for second place. That marks an increase from the $34 million-plus it took in during its debut weekend. It's rare for a movie to go up in box office receipts from its first week to its second. By contrast the movie "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" remains number one, though it lost 70 percent of its take during its second week in theaters.

Sound:

<<CUT …013 (11/30/09)>> 00:33 "''

Jamie Friar

No eclipse yet for "New Moon." The AP's Jamie Friar reports on how "The Twilight" sequel did in the box office race this weekend. ((opens with sound))

<<CUT …014 (11/30/09)>> 00:11 "set in 2000"

Jamie Friar

Hollywood has much to be thankful for this weekend. The AP's Jamie Friar reports on a new box office record.

<<CUT …015 (11/30/09)>> 00:45 "''

This is sound from Michael Sheen and others

This is sound from "The Twilight Saga: New Moon" which was the top movie at the box office again this weekend.

NEW JERSEY NETS SLIP WITHIN GAME OF SETTING RECORD FOR FUTILITY

LOS ANGELES (AP) — And most basketball fans thought it was the New York Knicks who were the sorriest NBA franchise in the New York metropolitan area. But it's the New Jersey Nets that are on the verge of making negative history. Last night, they lost their 17th straight game — matching the mark for the worst start ever to an NBA season. Kobe Bryant scored 30 points as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Nets 106-87. If they don't beat the Dallas Mavericks back home on Wednesday, they will have sole possession of an embarrassing NBA record they now share with the 1988-89 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers. The loss Sunday came just hours after the Nets fired their coach, Lawrence Frank. His replacement, Tom Barrise, picked up where his predecessor left off — in the loss column.

Sound: 5:08 aes

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE TREE ARRIVES

WASHINGTON (AP) — They probably haven't gotten a single present, but already this Christmas is shaping up as a big one for Malia and Sasha Obama. President Barack Obama's daughters joined their mother Michelle in receiving the official White House Christmas tree. The tree likely dwarf anything they might have had back home in Chicago — it stands 18 and a half feet high. One of the growers joked that it's big enough for Sasha to climb in. Asked by reporters whether the White House tree was the biggest holiday tree she ever had, the first lady responded: "Yeah, I think this wins." On Thursday, the Obamas will flip a switch to light the National Christmas Tree, located on the Ellipse, just south of the White House.

NICKOLAS ASHFORD/VALERIE SIMPSON: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — They had collaborated on a bunch of hit songs before this point. But on this date in 1976, singers-songwriters Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson teamed up on one pretty important project. They got married.

LL COOL J: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1988, L.L. Cool J performed the first rap concert in Africa. The show was done in Cote D'Ivoire (deh-VWAHR').

TUPAC SHAKUR: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1994, Tupac Shakur (TOO'-pahk shah-KOOR') was shot five times during a robbery outside a New York recording studio. At the time, the rapper and actor was on trial in New York on charges of sexually abusing a woman. Two days after the shooting, the jury found him guilty on the sex abuse charge but the panel acquitted him of more serious sex and weapons charges. Shakur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in 1996.

SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE: LOOKING BACK

UNDATED (AP) — On this date in 1971, Sly and the Family Stone had the nation's number-one hit when "Family Affair" topped the Hot 100 chart. It was the group's last top ten hit.

ROBERT GUILLAUME: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — It's birthday number 82 for actor Robert Guillaume (gee-YOHM'). He starred in the TV sitcom "Benson" and also worked on the ABC show "Sports Night."

JALIL: BIRTHDAY

UNDATED (AP) — Veteran rapper Jalil turns 46 today. He performed with one of the early great rap groups, Whodini.

by Oscar Wells Gabriel II