NEW YORK – The crimes of convicted sex offenders are starting to haunt them … literally. Many states are initiating programs that track registered sex offenders using Global Positioning Satellites, or GPS, sometimes for life. GPS can track the exact location of the offenders at all times, making it easier …

The following are some facts about Barbaro’s surgery and road to recovery. Surgery — A five-hour operation on Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro’s broken leg — Surgery repaired three bones shattered in his right rear leg Where — University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center for Large Animals Surgeon — Dr. Dean …

LOS ANGELES – Paris Hilton unveiled her new video game, but inexplicably called it by the wrong name as she greeted throngs of fans and photographers. Wearing a green minidress and red platform pumps, Hilton made a brief appearance Thursday at the Electronic Entertainment Expo to promote “Paris Hilton’s Jewel …

NEW YORK – Rappers Ludacris and 50 Cent have dissed Oprah Winfrey. Now, Ice Cube has a beef with the talk show queen. “I’ve been involved in three projects pitched to her, but I’ve never been asked to participate,” the rapper-actor tells FHM magazine in its July issue, on newsstands …

DETROIT – A dozen nieces and nephews of civil rights icon Rosa Parks have filed an objection to her will in hopes of gaining control of the use of her name and image. The family members, who have been feuding for years with the people Parks appointed to handle her …

WASHINGTON – Editor’s note: This is the first in a two-part series on celebrities taking notice of political and global issues. George Clooney on the Darfur crisis. Angelina Jolie on AIDS funding. Eva Longoria on illegal immigrants’ rights. Some big-screen actors are doing considerably more lately than just dropping money …

BOISE, Idaho – Voters in Idaho decided primary races for a congressional seat and governor Tuesday, but officials said early turnout appeared to be light. Secretary of State Ben Ysursa predicted turnout would be as low as 27 percent of registered voters in Idaho, mirroring the 2004 primary. The race …

WASHINGTON – Presidential adviser Karl Rove blamed the war in Iraq on Monday for dragging down President Bush’s job approval ratings in public opinion polls. “People like this president,” Rove said. “They’re just sour right now on the war.” Rove said that Bush’s likeability ratings are far higher than his …

ST. LOUIS – A middle school teacher was arrested after police said he showed up at school drunk, asked one of his students to fetch cognac, then fondled a student and made a sexual remark to another. The teacher, Sterling Johnson, was charged with misdemeanor assault and a misdemeanor count …

PITTSBURGH – Jessica Meeker is not your average MBA. She’s a black-clad, punk rock fanatic whose hair has seen more colors than the average rainbow. She’s also 18, and on Saturday, she will be the youngest student ever to receive an MBA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, school officials said. …