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Murray, KY, United States (AHN Sports) – The University of Florida captured its second national title courtesy of the Jake Gipson and Matt Wercinski in the 2011 National Guard FLW College Fishing National Championship on Kentucky Lake Saturday.

The Gipson-Wercinski duo, one of two UF bass fishing team competing in the tournament, caught 15 fish weighing a total of 41 pounds and 8 ounces.

Gipson and Wercinski’s three-day catch outweighed the haul of runner-up Louisiana State University at Shreveport, 37-2.

Dennis Croyle and Travis Gates, the other team from, landed ninth in the championship.

It marked the second straight National Championship fishing title for Gipson and Wercinski.

The tandem of Gipson and Wercinski earned a total prize package valued at $100,000 for their first place effort. Of the package, $25,000 will go to the university, while $50,000 will go to the school’s bass club along with fully rigged Ranger 177TR.

With the triumph, Gipson and Wercinski also earned a spot in the Forrest L. Wood Cup Championship in August.

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New York, NY, United States (AHN) – New York City Council member Leroy Comrie Jr. filed a bill on Wednesday that proposed to ban fast food chains from using toy prizes in advertising as an attraction to children.

The restriction would not apply if the food has less than 500 calories and 600 milligrams of sodium, and less than 35 percent of the calories should come from fat. The meal must include a half cup of fruit or vegetables or a serving of whole grain products.

Among the food chains expected to be affected by the bill that aims to curb childhood obesity is McDonald’s, which offers toy prizes for its Happy Meals.

The bill is patterned after a similar measure passed in San Francisco in 2010 despite the intense lobbying against the law by fast food chains. A similar lobby is shaping up in New York City against the Fast Food Toy Ban Bill.

The New York State Restaurant Association said the government could not legislate what parents should feed their children and the bill would be an added burden to their businesses.

McDonald’s pointed out that the average child eats at McDonald’s three times a month, so childhood obesity should not be blamed on the food items and the enticing toys the chain offers since the kid has other sources of meals which could be the culprit behind the child’s weight problem.

McDonald’s currently offers Young Justice action figures and plastic animals for buyers of Happy Meals, which have varying nutritional content ranging from 380 calories and 460 mg of salt for Chicken McNuggets with apple slices, low-fat caramel dipping sauce and apple juice, to 700 calories and 1,060 mg of salt for a cheeseburger, French fries and low-fat chocolate milk package.

Comrie admits he filed the bill based on his experience as a parent whose two children – now aged 17 and 13 – grew up on McDonald’s Happy Meals because of limited time and limited options.

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Melville, NY, United States (AHN) – Sbarro, the popular Italian food chain, has filed for bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business and eliminate $200 million of debt.

The Melville-based company on Monday asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York to approve a $35 million debtor-in-possession agreement with first-lien lenders.

Two creditors, MidOcean Partners and Ares Corporate Opportunities Fund, will backstop a $30 million rights offering, the proceeds of which will be used to repay the debtor-in-possession and provide the reorganized business with additional equity capital and liquidity.

The company has reached an agreement with lenders and 70 percent of noteholders about a restructuring plan converting second-lien debt and senior notes to equity.

The proposal whittles debts by more than half, to about $175 million. The remaining, first-lien debts would continue to be held by lenders, but maturity would be extended five years after the chain emerges from bankruptcy.

In its Chapter 11 filing, Sbarro listed debts of $486.6 million and assets of $471 million.

Sbarro has 1,000 restaurants worldwide, nearly half of which are wholly owned by the company. It reported a continuing decline in profits late last year due to “reduced consumer spending throughout the United States as a result of the current economic environment.” Rising costs of commodities, particularly cheese, combined with weak domestic demand last year to reduce earnings.

The 50-year-old company says operations in its restaurants are continuing normally despite the bankruptcy filing.

“We look forward to emerging from this process as quickly as possible with a capital structure that will firmly position us for continued long-term success,” Nicholas McGrane, interim president and chief executive, said in a statement.

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Manila, Philippines (AHN) – Philippine Airlines continued to face labor issues on Friday even as it assured passengers that it was ready for the worst — the first strike by the carrier’s biggest union in more than a decade.

“We apologize to our passengers for whatever anxiety and inconvenience threats of work stoppage have spawned,” president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista said in a statement. “Rest assured we are doing everything we can to ensure that your flights will proceed as scheduled.”

PAL plans to rely on 134 partners, including 12 carriers in Southeast Asia, 11 in North America and two dozen in Europe, during the work stoppage, which would be the first since the union crippled operations in 1998.

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association voted last week to strike in response to the company’s refusal to include an outsourcing plan in negotiations for a new contract.

The carrier, Asia’s first airline, averted a strike by flight attendants last October with the intervention of the government. But then it announced it was seeking funds for peso 2.5 billion ($58 million) worth of severance packages to outsource three non-core units.

The union representing administrative employees says 2,600 workers would be laid off if the company’s airport services, call center and in-flight catering businesses are outsourced.

But President Noynoy Aquino last week upheld the decision of labor officials allowing the plan, which is part of PAL’s cost-cutting measures to recoup losses during the global recession and weak sales.

PALEA wanted airline officials to negotiate without preconditions but PAL demanded that any new collective bargaining agreement exclude the issue of outsourcing. The impasse dragged on for five months, even while another union representing cabin crew accused the airline of “outdated sexist policies” such as a 40-year retirement age and “discriminatory” maternity rules.

Labor officials on Friday maintained its ruling in favor of the Flight Attendants’ and Stewards’ Association of the Philippines, and for the second time rejected PAL’s arguments.

The same day, PALEA held a massive rally in the nation’s main business district along with other labor groups.

A government-mandated cooling off period has kept the union from holding a strike. Early March, it filed a notice of work stoppage, which was approved by 86 percent of participating members.

The vote was held on Mar. 25. PAL submitted its counter-proposal three days later, on Monday.

“It’s not true that management refuses to convene negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement ,” Bautista said on the day of the rally. “The union’s claim that there is no justifiable reasons for the spin-off of three units… likewise have no leg to stand on.”

The submission of the counter-proposal “is the best proof that PAL is willing to negotiate,” added Bautista.

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Miami, FL, United States (AHN Entertainment) – “In the Heights,” the 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Musical and runaway Broadway hit, tells the story of the Dominican, Cuban, Nuyorican inhabitants at home in Washington Heights. It’s also right at home at Miami’s Adrienne Arsht Center.

The show’s national tour, which arrived in Miami on March 29 and continues performances through April 3, brought along all the heart, soul and charm that made the show a winner on Broadway and resonates with South Florida’s multi-cultural crowd (expect enthusiastic responses when Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, or Puerto Rican flags are waved).

The show tells the story of Usnavi, a Washington Heights bodega owner who’s everyday routine is serving cafe con leche and lottery tickets to the local residents. Everyone’s dreaming of a little more (who isn’t?), and they’re all just trying to make it while trying to find their true home.

The show’s award-winning music, from Lin Manuel-Miranda, is already incredibly melodic and vibrant, infusing traditional Latin sounds with more modern hip-hop and even reggaeton. The dancing, which bookends many of the show’s scenes, is joy-inducing.

But with a show whose spirit lies on the delivery of its leads, especially Usnavi, the touring cast definitely delivers. Joseph Morales possesses much of the same rapid-fire rap talents. He is incredibly emotive and takes the show to some of its tallest, well, “heights.”

Nicholas Christopher and Genny Lis Padilla shine as Benny and Nina, offering up pitch-perfect vocals, while Lexi Lawson, who also portrayed Mimi in a tour of “Rent,” exudes all the right attitude for Vanessa.

The book can veer towards the simple and the sappy, but it’s the rousing performances that more than make up for it. Among the highlights are the “Carnaval del Barrio,” spearheaded by April Ortiz as Daniela, the opener “In the Heights,” and “The Club” and “Blackout” sequences. “Look at the fireworks,” they sing, and there’s plenty of them on stage.

“In the Heights” plays at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts at 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami through April 3. Tickets can be purchased at arshtcenter.org or by calling the box-office at (305) 949-6722.

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Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN Entertainment) – Broadway Across America has announced the musicals heading straight from Broadway to the stage at Ft. Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts for 2011-2012. Among them are the South Florida debuts of recent Tony Award-winners “Billy Elliot” and “La Cage Aux Folles.”

Kicking off the season is “Rain – A Tribute to the Beatles,” which made its Broadway debut last fall. It features “Ed Sullivan Show”-like performances of Beatles classics such as “Hard Day’s Night” and “With a Little Help From My Friends.” The show launches Oct. 4 and runs through the 16th.

“Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,” featuring the beloved, award-winning music of the classic Disney film, makes its return to the area Nov. 15 through 27, while another audience favorite, “Jersey Boys,” starts the new year off just right with performances from Jan. 11-29.

“Billy Elliot the Musical,” 2009′s Tony Award winner for Best Musical, makes its South Florida premiere next year. Featuring music from Elton John, the story of the boy who would rather do ballet than get in the boxing ring dances its way onto the stage (and most likely into your heart) Feb. 29 through March 11.

A sweeping new production of the Rodgers & Hammerstein’s romance classic “South Pacific” hits the stage April 10-22, 2012. “La Cage Aux Folles,” which won 2010′s Best Revival of a Musical Tony Award, brings its exciting new production to Ft. Lauderdale June 12-24, 2012.

Season tickets for the 2011-2012 season of Broadway Across America – Ft. Lauderdale are currently on sale. Tickets for individual shows will begin their own sales soon at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com.

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Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – According to the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board, two planes landed safely early Wednesday morning at Washington’s Reagan National Airport after they received no response from the airport’s air traffic control tower.

The FAA did not comment on reports that the airport controller had fallen asleep.

The situation started at 12:10 a.m. Wednesday when an American Airlines plane tried to call the tower for clearance to land but got no answer, reports stated. The pilot contacted a regional air traffic control facility, which also had no luck getting a response from the tower.

The regional controller reported to the pilot that the tower apparently was unmanned, speculating that the tower controller got locked out of the tower – which is not unusual, but does not happen often, according to the regional controller.

The plane landed without incident in what was termed an “uncontrolled airport.”

Minutes later, a United flight also failed to raise the tower and landed without any problems. After the second landing, the tower was back in communication.

FAA officials are investigating the incident and are staffing two controllers for the overnight shift instead of the usual one, reports stated.

Although some airports around the country shut down their towers for the night, FAA officials did not say whether or not Reagan National Airport participated in that practice.

There were no reports of how many passengers or crew were on board either plane.

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Washington, DC, United States (AHN) – Advocates have welcomed a recommendation from a Food and Drug Administration panel to ban menthol cigarettes to benefit public health. Cigarette companies remain optimistic the FDA will rule in their favor after a full federal review of the effects of the product.

The American Heart Association praised the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee for “‘do[ing] exactly what Congress directed when it enacted the 2009 law granting the FDA authority over tobacco products.” The group urged the FDA to “act expeditiously and implement the committee’s recommendation.”

The statement was issued jointly with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the American Lung Association.

Legacy, an anti-smoking group established following the 1998 settlement of Medicaid lawsuits against American tobacco companies by 46 states, likewise applauded the panel for “recognizing menthol for what it is – a tool to soothe the throat and ease discomfort associated with smoking.”

“By eliminating [menthol cigarettes], we can go a long way toward preventing our nation’s youth from being recruited as ‘replacement smokers’ for those who quit smoking or who lose their lives to tobacco-related disease,” the group’s president and chief executive, Cheryl Healton, said in a statement.

The FDA committee concluded last Friday that menthol cigarettes increase the number of minors who smoke.

Citing studies, the panel said the proportion of youth smokers who use menthol cigarettes is higher than that of adult smokers. It found that younger teen smokers have a higher proportion of menthol cigarette smokers than older adolescent smokers.

According to the committee, “menthol cigarettes are marketed disproportionately to younger smokers.”

The panel concluded there is evidence that new smokers have a greater prevalence of menthol cigarette use than regular smokers. It added that a proportion of menthol cigarette use among youth smokers is increasing while non-menthol cigarette use is decreasing or remains flat.

But Lorillard, the nation’s third largest cigarette manufacturer, said the committee issued its recommendation “despite the fact that they found there was no difference in disease risk between smokers of menthol cigarettes and smokers of non-menthol cigarettes.”

The company called the conclusions “unsubstantiated” and maintained that a complete FDA review would result in the product remaining in the market.

R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company issued a terse statement that it “looks forward to participating in further review of menthol cigarettes by FDA.”

Philip Morris USA emphasized the panel’s report is non-binding and would have no direct effect on the availability of menthol cigarettes. The company sad it would provide the FDA with “science-and evidence-based information” this week.

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Austin, TX, United States (AHN) – The University of Texas System Board of Regents is set to vote on a plan to raise tuition at medical and nursing schools in anticipation of cuts in state funding. States nationwide are struggling to address huge deficits, and Texas is facing an estimated $27 billion budget shortfall.

At the top of the agenda of the special meeting of regents is a proposal to raise tuition and fees beginning in the fall next year.

Tuition at UT Southwestern Medical Center will rise 6.4 percent to $16,640 while at UT Medical Branch at Galveston it will increase 6.7 percent to $15,875.

At UT Health Science Center in San Antonio, tuition for new students will grow 6.7 percent to $16,855, while current students have to pay 3.7 percent more. The highest increase is at UT Health Science Center in Houston, at 16 percent to $14,509.

Tuition will rise by as much as 8 percent at dental schools, and by 6 percent to 12 percent at nursing schools.

The plan will provide an additional $1.1 million annually for financial aid, partially offsetting the state’s decreased revenue for the coming two years.

Texas is expected to earn $72.2 billion in general revenue in the next biennium, nearly 3 percent lower than earnings in 2010 and 2011, according to a report from the state comptroller.

Regents last year voted to raise tuition and fees for UT’s nine academic institutions by nearly 4 percent a year for 2010 and 2011.

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East Brunswick, NJ, United States (AHN) – Two people died Monday night and dozens were injured when a tour bus bound for Philadelphia crashed on the New Jersey Turnpike. The accident follows a tour bus accident in New York last week that killed 15 people.

The bus operated by Pennsylvania-based Super Luxury Tours was coming from Chinatown when it crashed, ejecting the 50-year-old driver through the windshield, killing one passenger and injuring all those on board, including three children.

According to the New Jersey State Police, the accident occurred at about 9:00 p.m. The vehicle appeared to have entered the grassy median at the center of the road and hit the overpass support, crashing into the embankment on the right.

The fatalities were identified as Wei Wang, the Taiwanese driver who lived in Forest Hills, NY, and 20-year-old Troy Nguyen, a Royersford, PA, resident who died while being treated at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital.

Two passengers remain in critical condition at Johnson Hospital. A total of 41 passengers were injured.

The cause of the crash is still under investigation. State police said the bus will be taken to an impound lot where mechanics will inspect it.

The accident comes as a federal probe continues on why a bus operated by World Wide Tours crashed in the Bronx last Saturday as it was making its way to Chinatown on I-95, killing 15 passengers.

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