AP-AM Prep-Kickers

       MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP - MORNING PREP         

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! KICKERS !

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ALCOHOL WITH COFFEE

UNDATED (AP) — After that holiday party -- don't count on coffee to sober you up. In fact, researchers say a cup of joe might make things worse. A recent study in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience finds caffeine doesn't counter the effects of alcohol. Co-author Thomas Gould of Temple University says combining coffee and booze can "lead to poor decisions with disastrous outcomes." He says caffeine and alcohol makes for an awake drunk, not someone who is sober. The researchers studied mice, but say their conclusions apply to people, too.

NAUGHTY SANTA

SPARTA, Wis. (AP) — This Santa Claus is in a ho ho -- whole lot of trouble. Police in Sparta, Wis., report a man in a Santa suit stumbled out of a car, hugged several kids playing in a yard and demanded to know where his reindeer were. The naughty Mr. Claus was cited for open intoxicants. The driver was arrested for drunken driving.

COURTHOUSE DISPLAY

KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) — There's no baby Jesus at the Howard County, Ind. Courthouse. But you'll find a dinosaur and the Loch Ness monster as part of the lighted holiday display. There are also marching soldiers, a fire truck and even a fisherman. The County Board of Commissioners turned down a request for a nativity scene on the courthouse grounds. Officials say they were following the advice of their attorneys.

DICKENS TOOTHPICK

NEW YORK (AP) — This is no toothpick for the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge. An ivory and gold toothpick once owned by Charles Dickens has sold for more than $9,000 in New York. It was put up for auction by heirs to the Barnes & Noble family. The toothpick is engraved with the author's initials. An authentication letter says the British author of 'A Christmas Carol" and "Oliver Twist" used the toothpick on his last visit to America, in the late 1800s.

DESIGN NYC CONDOM

NEW YORK (AP) — It's your chance to be a condom star. The New York City health department wants a new design for its next official condom. So, Fun City is asking for suggestions. Health officials say the idea is to "keep people excited" about safe sex. But keep it clean. The city won't accept any raunchy designs, or ones that include copyrighted or trademarked images. Your work of condom creativity is due by Jan. 22. The winning design will be selected by online voting. It will be printed on the wrapers of several hundred thousand free condoms.

PROWLER-ARROW

KELSO, Wash. (AP) — It's one way to stop a fleeing suspect -- with a bow and arrow. Police in Kelso, Wash. report a suspected prowler was shot in the butt with an arrow. According to authorities, a bowhunter interrupted an apparent break-in at a nearby vacant home. Police say the hunter chased the suspect for three blocks. When the man refused to stop, police say hunter shot him with an arrow in the rear end. The investigation continues. Police add that charges against both men are possible.

by Jamie Friar