Urban News

(DALLAS) -- Late-night street racing is on the rise in Dallas. A recent check with local police shows that the dangerous sport -- held on city streets, late at night, at the risk of life and limb ... and highly illegal -- is now changing in its demographic. Once the domain of speed-happy kids, drivers into their 30s are now participating. A published report shows that many even bring along family and friends to take part in what is fast becoming an "acceptable" spectator sport.

One factor for the increase in street racing in Dallas is the rising Hispanic population. Sociologists say that many in that culture are more prone to being daredevils and accepting the thrill of "the challenge."

Street races are often elaborately staged events, complete with timers and trophies and, far too often ... deaths.

(SEATTLE) -- Organizers of the biggest Fourth of July celebration in Seattle say that changes in this coming summer's fireworks display are in "name only." Same sparkle, different sponsor. The Post-Intelligencer says that the long-time sponsor of the display, sent skyward at Lake Union -- Redmond-based AT&T Wireless -- has stepped aside. Another Seattle-area company has stepped in.

The newspaper says the annual celebration at Gas Works Park will now be known as the Mutual Family Fourth at Lake Union.

The insurance underwriter has agreed to foot the bill for the pyrotechnics, at least through the summer of 2004.

AT&T had sponsored the splashy event for nearly a dozen years. Organizers say they will use the same provider of the fireworks again this year.

(NEW YORK) -- In a day and age when it seems that everything has a corporate sponsor, from fireworks celebrations to high school basketball teams, can the Brooklyn Bridge be next? Published reports indicate that New York City's new mayor, Michael Bloomberg, actually wants to sell the four most famous spans under his jurisdiction in order to raise some quick cash.

Bloomberg, who was elected just days after the 9/11 attacks, has inherited a $5 billion shortfall. A spokesman is quoted as saying that the idea of selling auxiliary naming rights to bridges is a viable plan.

One sure point of opposition could come from local politicians who might not want the venerable Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, the Williamsburg Bridge or the Queensboro Bridge turned into toll spans.

Additionally, the entire proposition puts a highly ironic face on the old joke: "Wanna buy the Brooklyn Bridge?"

(HOUSTON) -- The multi-week, multi-million dollar Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is over and a record price for a steer has been paid. The Chronicle says that in the final hours of the show a bidding trio paid $600,001 for the grand champion steer, Popcorn. The price paid for the animal beats out the previous high price by one dollar.

The prize-winning steer, a Charolais-crossbreed, was considered to be the pinnacle of perfection for animals of its kind. But, that doesn't mean that the animal will be paraded around wearing a ribbon. It will be slaughtered in Corpus Christi on Tuesday.

A big piece of the purse will go to Popcorn's owner, who raised the animal. She's Brandy Murchison, a 17-year-old student from Pflugerville. By the way, she plans to become a veterinarian and will use her $75,000 share of the price to fund her education.