LOS ANGELES, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- A slowing economy is pushing U.S. hotels to lower rates, which could sharply cut operating income, an industry research group said.

GALVESTON, Texas, April 3 (UPI) -- About 28,000 metric tons of hard red winter wheat was loaded aboard a freighter at the Port of Galveston Thursday as part of the U.S. commitment to provide $300 million in food assistance to the Iraqi people.

Pianist Dick Hyman was born this day in New York City in 1927. Since he hit the music scene in the early 1950s, Hyman has been one of the most versatile pianists and musical directors around.

Bandleader Glenn Miller was born this day in 1904 in Clarinda, Iowa. He flunked his music courses while attending the University of Colorado, but he went on to lead one of the 20th century's most commercially successful big bands.