The Nation Today
NEW YORK
NEW YORK - A television executive says the couple who crashed President Obama’s first state dinner is offering to talk to broadcast networks about it for a payment of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the network does not publicly discuss bookings, said representatives for Michaele and Tareq Salahi contacted networks to urge them to “get their bids in.’’ Meanwhile, CNN confirmed the Salahis had canceled an appearance they had scheduled for “Larry King Live’’ tomorrow.Sidewalk Santas in unemployment line
NEW YORK - The economy has again taken a toll on the Sidewalk Santas who collect money for the poor on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. The 107-year-old program has gone online for the second year in a row. The nonprofit Volunteers of AmericaGreater New York says it doesn’t have the money to pay formerly homeless men to play Santa and gather donations.Illinois
On Black Friday, spending edges up
CHICAGO - Shoppers spent only slightly more in stores this Black Friday than they did last year, according to data a national research firm released yesterday. Preliminary sales data from ShopperTrak RCT Corp. show shoppers spent $10.66 billion when they hit the malls on the day after Thanksgiving - only 0.5 percent more than last year. Other research showed fresh signs of much stronger online sales.
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