Lance Armstrong to Lose Tour de France Titles After Giving Up Fight Against Doping Charges.

It appears Lance Armstrong’s spectacular cycling career was all a sham. In one of the most startling developments in U.S. sports history, Armstrong decided Thursday he will no longer contest charges by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that he used performance-enhancing drugs going back as far as the late 1990’s when he won the first of his seven  consecutive Tour de France titles. Now, Armstrong stand to lose all those crowns, according to USADA chief executive Travis Tygart, and will be banned from professional cycling for life even though the 40-year-old retired from the sport for the second time in early 2011. As recently as last month, Armstrong filed a lawsuit against the agency to keep it from taking action against him, claiming he was denied due process. Armstrong admitted no guilt in a statement released Thursday evening, saying, “There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, 'Enough is enough.' For me, that time is now.” He went on to say, “If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA's process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and -- once and for all -- put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance." Then in a bitter attack on the USADA chief executive, Armstrong charged, “Regardless of what Travis Tygart says, there is zero physical evidence to support his outlandish and heinous claims.” Tygart did not respond to Armstrong's diatribe but issued a statement that “It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and our athletic heroes. This is a heartbreaking example of how the win-at-all-costs culture of sport, if left unchecked, will overtake fair, safe and honest competition, but for clean athletes, it is a reassuring reminder that there is hope for future generations to compete on a level playing field without the use of performance-enhancing drugs.” Back in May 2010, American cyclist Floyd Landis, another Tour de France winner stripped of his title, acknowledged he used banned substances and claimed Armstrong did the same.

A Gunman Opened Fire at a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin Yesterday, Killing Six.

It's only been a few weeks since the tragic shooting in Colorado and we're reporting on another mass shooting in this country. Around 10:15 A.M. yesterday, a man opened fire at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. He killed six people, injured three critically, and it's been classified as an act of domestic terrorism. One of three wounded was an officer who reported to the scene. The gunman ambushed and shot him, but a second officer returned fire and killed the gunman. The first officer has been hospitalized and is expected to survive. The names of the victims and the shooter haven't officially been released, and the FBI will be releasing more information today. But some details and rumors are leaking out. Supposedly the shooter was bald, white, in his 40s, was sporting a 9/11 tattoo on one arm, was an Army vet, and might be a white supremacist. But nothing's been confirmed yet.  (--As of Sunday night.)
There are about 700,000 Sikhs in the U.S. and 30 million worldwide. Sikhism originated in south Asia and has more than 19 million members in India. Sikhs share some traditions of other Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, including the idea of karma. But Sikhs are NOT Muslim, and NOT from the Middle East.

UPDATE AS OF 5:37am 8/6/12
One witness to the shootings at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin says the gunman never said a word, he just began firing. Six people died as worshippers prayed and meditated during Sunday services. The gunman was killed during a shootout with police and authorities are calling the incident domestic terrorism.
(Associated Press)

Christian Bale Visited Shooting Victims in Colorado

CHRISTIAN BALE went to a hospital in Aurora, Colorado to visit victims of the deadly shooting spree at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" last week.Warner Brothers didn't put him up to it, either. They issued a statement saying, quote, "Mr. Bale is there as himself, not representing us." One of the victims, Carey Rottman, posted a picture of himself and Bale on Facebook. He was shot in the leg. Bale spent over two hours visiting seven patients who were still being treated for their wounds. A hospital administrator says, quote, "The patients were really happy to meet Bale. -"They are obviously big fans of his movies.  They wanted to see Batman and were really pleased to see Bale." Christian also visited a memorial for the victims and joined a prayer circle. They didn't announce or call attention to themselves, and Bale refused to give an interview to a TV news crew that happened to be there.

Here is the raw footage from the Associated Press.

Sally Ride, First American Woman to Travel in Space, Dead at 61.

Sally Ride, the former astronaut who went where no American woman had ever gone before her, passed away Monday at age of 61. Ride's family members said that she had finally succumbed to pancreatic cancer after battling the disease for 17 months. President Obama called Ride "a national hero and a powerful role model...Sally's life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come." Ride broke the glass ceiling for American women in space by journeying on space shuttle Challenger in 1983 and then travelled again on Challenger one year later.
Ride joined NASA in 1978 after having earned four degrees at Stanford University including a doctorate in physics. After leaving the program, Ride joined the faculty of University of California, San Diego and authored several books. The website of Sally Ride Science, a company she started to help teach students, said about her, "Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless." She is survived by her longtime partner, Tam O'Shaughnessy, her mother, her sister, and other family members.

Country Stars React to the Shooting Tragedy in Colorado.

Several country stars hit up the social network with their reactions to last week's tragic shooting in Colorado. Most of the posts found were respectful and sympathetic. Here are a few posts . . .

BRAD PAISLEY wrote, quote, "There are no words to describe how terrible the Colorado theater shooting is. I'm so sad. Praying for these families."

REBA MCENTIRE said, quote, "My heart and prayers go out to the folks in Aurora, Colorado.  I'm so sorry this has happened. I don't understand it."

Here's what RANDY HOUSER posted, quote, "Sickened by what has occurred in Aurora, Colorado.  Let's do our best not to let the culprit have an ounce of fame for this gross act on humanity."

You'll find more reactions here . . . and here.

Country Stars React to the Death of Andy Griffith

BRAD PAISLEY worked with ANDY GRIFFITH directly, but lots of Country stars were moved to comment on his passing on Tuesday.  Here's what Brad and few others had to say on Twitter.

Brad:  "Andy Griffith entertained the world.  He improved our lives, and I was so proud to work with him call him a friend.  Love you Andy.  Go rest."

SCOTTY MCCREERY:  "RIP Andy Griffith.  We lost a legend today that provided me and my family some great quality time around the TV filled with some good laughs."

HILLARY SCOTT:  "Heaven gained a talented man today.  Mr. Andy Griffith, thanks for giving me amazing memories with my family growing up watching your show!"

CHRIS YOUNG:  "Andy Griffith made so many memories for multiple generations . . . R.I.P."

RODNEY ATKINS:  "Rest In Peace Andy Griffith.  Praying for his family, friends and fans."

THE BAND PERRY:  "We'll miss you, Andy Griffith . . . thank you for all the laughs and memories."