'Hey There Delilah' remains top single
NEW YORK, July 26 (UPI) -- Plain White T's remained atop the Billboard Hot 100 for U.S. singles sales for a second consecutive week with the hit "Hey There Delilah."
"Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie moved up to claim the No. 2 spot on the singles chart, trading places with former No. 1 "Umbrella" by Rihanna and featuring Jay-Z.
Timbaland's "The Way I Are" featuring Keri Hilson climbed from No. 5 to No. 4, swapping with Shop Boyz' "Party Like a Rockstar."
In No. 6 was "What Time Is It" from the cast of the "High School Musical 2," which premieres on the Disney Channel next month.
Akon's "Sorry, Blame It on Me," entered the Billboard 100 at No. 7, the highest debut on the chart of his career to date.
Hurricane Chris' "A Bay Bay" fell from No. 7 to No 8, while T-Pain's "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')" tumbled from No. 6 to No. 9.
T-Pain's "Bartender" featuring Akon, which slipped from No. 8 to No. 10, rounded out the top tier.
FCC chair restates opposition to doctrine
WASHINGTON, July 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Federal Communications Commission chairman, in a letter Thursday to Congress, renewed his opposition to attempts to revive the Fairness Doctrine.
Commission Chairman Kevin J. Martin said in a statement he saw "no compelling reason" to reinstate the doctrine that required broadcasters to offer opposing points of view on political issues. The FCC abolished the doctrine in 1987, arguing the mandate hindered journalistic freedom.
Several lawmakers have called for a revival of the doctrine, arguing that radio talk shows, dominated by conservatives, presented a one-sided view of legislation being considered.
Martin said events since the abolition "confirmed the wisdom" of the decision.
"Discussion of controversial issues over the airwaves has flourished absent regulatory constraints, and the public now enjoys access to an ever-expanding range of views and opinions," he wrote.
Moving through Congress is legislation that would ensure "no future administration or FCC chairman have the power to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine without an act of Congress," according to a statement by two of the bill's sponsors, Reps. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and Greg Walden, R-Ore.
The two congressmen commended Martin for his "commitment to free and independent airwaves in America."
Rowling says Potter encyclopedia planned
EDINBURGH, Scotland, July 26 (UPI) -- Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling said she's planning an encyclopedia of the world of wizardry she created but the British author isn't ready to write it yet.
The epilogue of her final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow," offers clues about what happens after Harry and his friends leave Hogwarts, and Rowling said in a television interview she "probably will" publish more details about the characters, The Scotsman reported Wednesday.
She said the encyclopedia would include background stories of characters she has already written but had to cut -- such as Harry's school friend Dean Thomas. She also said the book would include details of a new headmaster at Hogwarts and who was teaching defense against the dark arts at the magical school.
"I'm not going to do it tomorrow because I'd really like a break," Rowling said during the interview at Edinburgh Castle, "so you may be waiting."
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" became the fastest-selling book in history when it was released Saturday. More than 11 million copies were sold in the first 24 hours in Britain and United States.
ABC sportscaster Bill Flemming dies
PETOSKEY, Mich., July 26 (UPI) -- Bill Flemming, an announcer on ABC's "Wide World of Sports" also known for his coverage of Olympics, college football and golf, died in Michigan at age 80.
Flemming died last Friday in Petoskey, Mich., of prostate cancer, his son, W. Mason Flemming said.
For more than six decades, Flemming was one of the distinctive voices in sports broadcast journalism, The New York Times reported Thursday. He announced 11 Olympics and more than 600 events for "Wide World of Sports," once shuttling from venues in Ireland to California to Bavaria in one month.
Among his successes was securing an interview with Bobby Fischer, the reclusive U.S. chess champ, during his 1972 matches with Boris Spassky in Iceland.
Flemming made his first network appearance as a temporary replacement on NBC's "Today" show, which led to his helping in the telecast of the 1957 U.S. Open golf tournament, the Times said.
In 1961, Flemming joined "Wide World of Sports," ABC's new sports anthology show.
In addition to his son, Flemming is survived by his daughter, Lindy Flemming, of Larkspur, Calif., and two grandsons.
