Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin is back on the campaign trail now after taking a break to spend some time in her home state of Alaska. Palin and her husband were cheered by a large crowd of supporters when they arrived in Fairbanks on September 10.

For the next few days, Palin would sit down with ABC’s Charles Gibson for her first TV interview, speak at the deployment to Iraq ceremony for her son Track’s Army unit, and then wrap up her stay with a rally of 1,500 in Anchorage.

 Palin flew out of Anchorage on Saturday, September 13, so she missed another major event — a huge “Alaska Women Reject Palin” rally.   Apparently it was organized by a small group of women disenchanted with Palin and once the word got out, some reports say, more than a thousand people showed for the protest. The anti-Palin rally is being talked about on the Internet from YouTube to the Washington Post.

Today, I got some great photos of that rally e-mailed to me. These pictures definitely show that there are folks in Alaska who are not jumping up and down with glee over the prospects of Sarah Palin becoming the Vice-President of the United States.

I will be posting more photos over the weekend.

Another publisher is rushing to print and ship thousands of copies of a Sarah Palin book. On August 29, Republican presidential candidate John McCain picked little-known Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for his running mate. Since then, books about Palin have been in big demand.

First to hit the bookstores, ”Sarah: How A Hockey Mom Turned Alaska’s Political Establishment Upside Down” by Kaylene Johnson. Coming in the next two to three weeks, “Sarah Palin: A New Kind of Leader,” by Joe Hilley. The third book headed to the marketplace takes a different approach.

“101 Things You –and John McCain –Didn’t Know About Sarah Palin” features material based on facts about the Republican veepee nominee with some humorous and sometimes spicy commentary. It was written in a crash-and-burn-manner by author and comedian Gregory Bergman, according to Publishers Weekly. The book is for sale on the Barnes &Noble website already. Adams Media is scrambling to get the book out by the first week in October.

More details about this latest Sarah book at http://101thingsaboutsarahpalin.com/

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In light of that disastrous train collision last Friday, state regulators have taken quick action to ban cell phones for some train employees. National Transportation Safety Board investigators say the Metrolink commuter train engineer was text messaging during his shift on the day of the crash.

Yesterday, the state Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to immediately impose an on- the-job ban on wireless devices for engineers, conductors, and brakemen. The only exceptions; permission granted by superiors, emergencies or when the train is stopped.

If those crew members are caught violating that ban, their employers could be fined as much as $20,000 or the rail service could be shut down.

Meanwhile, a very emotional funeral in Los Angeles yesterday for LAPD Officer Spree DeSha. Hundreds of officers joined family, friends, and dignitaries to honor DeSha.

 The seven-year veteran died when a Metrolink train plowed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train. DeSha was one of the 25 fatalities. More than 130 others were injured. 

“Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work,” that was the motto of legendary actress and Hollywood grand diva, Bette Davis. The two-time Academy Award winning actress appeared in more than 100 films.

In honor of her vast contribution to entertainment, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing a special 42 cents stamp in honor of Davis. The commemorative Davis stamp is part of the Legends of Hollywood series. Today, it goes on sale at Boston University in Boston. Davis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on April 5, 1908.

The print of Davis on the stamp is based on her highly acclaimed performance as the aging Broadway star Margo Channing in the movie, “All About Eve” (1950).  Davis won the best actress Oscar for her roles in “Dangerous” (1935) and “Jezebel” (1938). 

Davis continued to act up until her death on October 6, 1989. Along with her enormous body of work, Davis left behind a number of original quotes and quips. Here’s one that probably reflected her feelings about the acting profession, “to fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life. The money is the gravy.”

Federal investigators have confirmed the Metrolink engineer was text messaging from his cell phone last Friday, the day of that disastrous train collision. The National Transportation Safety Board investigators subpoenaed the Metrolink engineer’s cell phone records.

However, NTSB investigators are not saying if Robert Sanchez was texting right before his commuter train ran head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth. Sanchez was among the 25 who died. At least 130 others were injured.

In other findings, NTSB spokesperson Kitty Higgins say tests show the freight train engineer applied his brakes, but Sanchez did not.

Investigators have now interviewed the conductor of the Metrolink, Bob Hildebrand, and plan to talk with members of the freight train crew as well.

Yesterday, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shook up the Metrolink board of directors by replacing one voting member and one alternate. Also, the Metrolink board went on record supporting legislation requiring positive train control systems on the most traveled railways by 2012. This is legislation being sponsored by California senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer in congress right now.

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Norman Whitfield was one of the architects of what became known as the “Motown sound.”  Whitfield co-wrote or co-produced ”Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Cloud Nine,” “War,” “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” just to name a few.

Whitfield never became as famous as some of the artists he worked with like Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight, and Diana Ross. He did receive some accolades and awards; he won a Grammy in the late 1970s for his work on the popular “Car Wash” movie soundtrack.

Whitfield reportedly died a couple of days ago, on Tuesday, from complications of diabetes at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Whitfield was 67.

Democratic first lady hopeful Michelle Obama is getting some high marks for her polished looks and style. Today the wife of Democratic Presidential candidate, Barack Obama, made the top ten on People magazine’s best dressed list for 2008.

Mrs. Obama is joined on that list by some very fashionable celebrities: like actresses Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, Eva Mendes, Charlize Theron, along with singers Rihanna and Fergie and supermodel Heidi Klum.

Mrs. Obama’s fashion style was the focus of a two-page display in the September 15, 2008 issue of US Weekly. Chicago designer Maria Pinto is one of her favorites.  Also, Michelle has been spotted wearing Narciso Rodriguez, Isabel Toledo, and Thakoon Panichgul.

Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s campaign coffers reportedly are $10 million richer after two star-studded fundraisers in Beverly Hills last night. That according to Variety, which has a detailed story about Obama’s appearances on its website today.

Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry attended a $28,500 a person courtyard dinner at the historic Greystone Mansion. Others paid $2,500 apiece for an affair at the Beverly Wilshire, which included a performance by Barbra Streisand.

Some of the celebrities spotted at the Obama events; Jamie Lee Curtis, Will Ferrell, Chris Rock, Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Jodie Foster.

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Metrolink trains are rolling again on the reopened Ventura County line today. Yesterday afternoon on newly repaired tracks, investigators finished the second phase of the sight distance tests; using two trains to re-create elements and conditions of that tragic train collision, which occurred last Friday in Chatsworth.

Once that testing was done, the go ahead was given for Metrolink train 111 to pull out of the downtown Los Angeles Union station, which it did at around 3:35 p.m. It stopped in Chatsworth about an hour later before rolling on to Simi Valley and Moorpark.

National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Kitty Higgins says the investigators have pretty much ruled out mechanical problems, but are reportedly still eyeing human error. 

The death toll stands at 25.  More than 130 were injured, some victims are still hospitalized.

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) California

U.S. Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer are on board with installing “positive train control” systems on all major railroads in the country.

Feinstein and Boxer joined forces to introduce legislation in congress today that would require the high-tech systems, which are designed to override human mistakes and avoid accidents. ”Rail safety experts say a positive train control system could have prevented Friday’s collision of a Metrolink commuter train with a Union Pacific freight train in Chatsworth,” according to the news release on Feinstein’s website.

In an interview on KNX 1070 newsradio, Feinstein admitted train lobbyists will more than likely oppose the measure, complaining of the high cost. The California senator plans to call for matching federal funds to help with the expense. ”There is no excuse for inaction,” Feinstein says.

The death toll from the Chatsworth train collision stands at 25.  More than 135 were injured.

Brian Vander Brug/ Los Angeles Times

A rail worker helps test the equipment at the site of that tragic train collision.

Investigators are back on the scene of that horrific train crash in Chatsworth today looking for answers and running more tests. Meanwhile, Metrolink riders boarded buses again this morning to get around the crash site.

During a news conference last night, National Transportation Safety Board spokesperson Kitty Higgins spoke about the results of some of the tests done by investigators. Higgins said that those tests have determined there was no obstruction to the Metrolink engineer’s sight and that all the signals were  ”…operating today as they’re supposed to.”

Higgins says the NTSB has subpoenaed the cell phone records of the engineer to check out reports that Robert Sanchez might have been text messaging right before the head-on collision on Friday. Sanchez was killed in the crash. Higgins says an autopsy has been completed, but it will be weeks before the results are known.

The conductor, Bob Hildebrand, survived the accident and remains in the hospital today. Higgins says they haven’t been able to interview Hildebrand, but plan to do so soon.

When a reporter asked how the NTSB felt about a new high-tech system, Positive Train Control, that would override any mistakes by the engineer, Higgins said. “… we are on record in support of that technology. We are hoping action will be taken before too long.”

Meanwhile, the family of a 19-year-old Aida Magdaleno, who was killed in the deadly crash, held a news conference yesterday to say it plans to file a claim against the Metrolink — the first step to filing a lawsuit.

The death toll stands at 25.  More than 130 injured. A couple dozen of those victims remain hospitalized.

It’s day two in the O.J. Simpson Vegas kidnapping and robbery trial. Simpson and co-defendant Clarence  “C.J.” Stewart are facing a series of charges; the result of an alleged raid on two sports memorabilia dealers in a Vegas hotel room a year ago.

Yesterday, attorneys for both sides presented opening statements and then prosecution witness Bruce Fromong took the stand. Fromong is one of the memorabilia dealers. After some hard hitting questioning Fromong, who has a history of heart attacks, became ill. The judge dismissed him for the day.

Tuesday ended with a second witness, Ismael Flores, a hotel bellman, testifying. 

Somewhere between 20-to-30 witnesses are expected to be called. If convicted of the charges, both Simpson and Stewart could get life in prison.

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O.J. Simpson’s Las Vegas trial got underway with opening statements today. The trial kicked off a day after the one year anniversary of the alleged raid at a Sin City hotel that sparked the criminal charges.

 Simpson and co-defendant Clarence ” C.J.” Stewart are charged with a dozen offenses including robbery and kidnapping.

Last week, 9 women and 3 men were selected from a jury pool of 500 to serve on this jury. There are six alternate jurors, among them two African Americans.

Frances McDormand

 At the top of the box office this past weekend, “Burn After Reading,” a dark comedy by Ethan and Joel Coen. The film debuted with an estimated $19.4 million. The star-studded cast includes, Brad Pitt, Frances McDormand, George Clooney, and John Malkovich.

Tyler Perry

In second place, “Tyler Perry’s the Family that Preys” racked up an estimated $18 million on its first weekend on the Big Screen. Written and directed by the very successful Tyler Perry who had another film out earlier this year. ”Meet the Browns” was written and directed by Perry as well. “Meet the Browns,” released in March, has earned more than $40 million.

Also, debuting  this weekend, the crime drama “Righteous Kill”  which earned an estimated $16.5 million for third and “The Women,” a comedy/drama,  pulled in around $10 million for fourth. 

“The House Bunny” rounded out the top five with a little over $4 million.

Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times

Crews began repairing the damaged railroad tracks on Saturday and will continue today.

UPDATE:   There’s some management fallout from that Metrolink train crash.  Spokesperson Denise Tyrrell has resigned.  Speaking for Metrolink, Tyrrell announced on Saturday the commuter train engineer had blown past a red signal and probably caused the accident.

Apparently, Tyrrell quit after being criticized by Metrolink board members for making that announcement. 8:02 p.m.

UPDATE: The Los Angeles Coroner’s Office has dropped the death toll back down to 25.   6:48 p.m

UPDATE: Death toll has risen to 26.    2:14 p.m.

Metrolink’s Ventura line remains shutdown today due to that deadly train wreck in Chatsworth on Friday. In order to get passengers around the crash site, the Metrolink is providing a fleet of commuter buses, which are running on the same schedule as the trains.

Fewer than the number of normal riders boarded Metrolink trains this morning. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa rode one of the trains during rush hour to help bolster public confidence in the transit system.

National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation to determine what caused a Metrolink train to slam head-on into a Union Pacific freight train. Last night, NTSB spokesperson Kitty Higgins said the preliminary findings show the Metrolink train “… went through the signal.” Federal investigators are still trying to figure out why that happened.

The day after the terrible crash, Metrolink took the unusual step of announcing its engineer had ignored a red signal and probably caused the accident.

The death toll stands at 25. More than 130 were injured.

This is the deadliest train accident in the nation in at least 15 years.

Lawrence K.Ho/Los Angeles Times

UPDATE: Federal investigators are on the scene in Chatsworth today searching for evidence to the cause of the train collision. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the probe. NTSB spokesperson Kitty Higgins says the agency plans  “… to look at everything.”

Also, the clean up of the site continues.  Sunday 2:43 p.m.

Ken Hively/ Los Angeles Times

UPDATE:  A day of mourning. Today flowers, messages, and balloons are being left along the train tracks in Chatsworth near where that terrible collision happened on Friday.   Sunday 9:38 a.m. 

UPDATE: KCBS-2 TV is reporting that the Metrolink engineer may have been text messaging shortly before the commuter train collided with a freight train. 5:18 p.m.

UPDATE: The death toll now stands at 25, among the fatalities LAPD off-duty officer Spree Desha, a seven-year veteran of the force. Also, the search for victims at the crash scene has ended. 4:16 p.m.

UPDATE: 24 confirmed dead. 1:56 p.m.

UPDATE: 23 confirmed dead. 1:08 p.m.

UPDATE: Metrolink spokesperson Denise Tyrrell just said at a news conference on KNX 1070 newsradio “… our preliminary investigation … Metrolink engineer that failed to stop for a red signal.”  Tyrrell went on to say “…it was a Metrolink engineer who made the error ..”  that caused yesterday’s train crash. 11:45 a.m.

The grim work continued today at the scene of that devastating train collision in Chatsworth. 18 people are confirmed dead, around 135 were injured, and reportedly 81 victims are being treated at hospitals throughout Los Angeles County.

A Metrolink train slammed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train on a bend of a single track at around 4:20 p.m. yesterday. There were reportedly 225 people on the commuter train.

Search and rescue teams spent the night carefully going through the wreckage looking for survivors. Officials expect the death toll to go higher. At a news conference last night, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said “… this is a human tragedy beyond words.”

After a meeting of the Metrolink board this morning, Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich was interviewed on KNX 1070 news radio. Supervisor Antonovich said there was either “… mechanical failure or human error.”  The National Transportation Safety Board has taken the lead in the investigation.

This is reportedly the deadliest train crash in the country in more than a decade. Also, the worst in Metrolink history, which goes back to 1992.

KNX 1070 newsradio is continuing its special coverage today. The Los Angeles Times website has incredible photos (some of which you see here) and stories about the disastrous train crash.

I will be updating this post throughout the weekend.

Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times

 Lawrence K.Ho/Los Angeles Times

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O.J. Simpson is headed back to trial again. After four days of jury section and several hundred prospective jurors, a panel was seated late yesterday for Simpson’s Las Vegas trial. Nine women and three men were selected to hear the case, which is scheduled to go to trial on Monday.

Simpson is being tried with co-defendant Clarence “C.J.” Stewart. Both face a series of charges including robbery and kidnapping. If found guilty, they could get life in prison.

The charges are the result of an alleged raid on two sports memorabilia dealers at a Las Vegas hotel, last September.

The jury pool began with 500 people on Monday. Besides the 12 jurors, six alternates have been selected as well. The only two African-Americans –a man and a woman — are among the alternates.

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Entertainer Kanye West is once again a free man today after being arrested at LAX and then posting a $20,000 bond yesterday.

West and his bodyguard/road manager, Don Crowley, were booked for investigation of felony vandalism according to police. It happened after the two got into an altercation with paparazzi just before they were to board a flight to Hawaii.

There are reports that one photog’s camera was smashed and another may have been damaged in a scuffle as well. The photographers were not detained by police. West was reportedly taken from the scene in handcuffs.

Apparently, LAX has become the feeding ground of choice for a roaming, aggressive band of photographers hunting for celebrity snapshots to sell in a hot market. MSNBC and the Los Angeles Times both have stories on their website about the West incident and how other celebrities — like Britney Spears — have been hounded by the paparazzi at LAX.

West is a very successful hip hop singer/songwriter/producer. He has won 10 Grammy Awards and gained international fame with his very first album, “The College Dropout” in 2004.

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Grammy winning singer/songwriter/producer Kanye West was reportedly arrested today after an altercation with photographers at Los Angeles International Airport. Also arrested, West’s bodyguard/road manager, Don Crowley.  

The incident occurred this morning just before West and Crowley were scheduled to board a flight for Hawaii.

During the altercation with paparazzi a still camera was allegedly smashed. A videographer working for the celebrity chasing website, TMZ, reportedly recorded the incident. According to some reports, West was taken away in handcuffs, but the police did not detain the photographers involved.

West is a 10-time Grammy winner. He shot to international fame with his first album, “The College Dropout”  released in 2004. Last Sunday night, West performed at the MTV Music Video Awards in Hollywood.

We will never forget 9-11.  For millions of Americans that is a promise seared deep into their hearts. Seven years ago today, terrorists attacked us. Nearly three thousand people died at the World Trade Center, at the Pentagon, and in a Pennsylvania field. 

I was working in a local television newsroom as a writer on that day. Also, I answered phones and cried with the families and friends of the victims who called the station. I cried with my fellow employees as we did what we were trained to do – cover the news.  There are images from that painful day and the days that followed that will be with me forever.

On this day, we not only honor the innocent victims who died, but the thousands of survivors as well. We remember and fly the flag for them all.