News briefs

Pope offers prayers for Eunice Shriver

BARNSTABLE, Mass. (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI is praying for former President John F. Kennedy's sister Eunice Kennedy Shiver as she remains in critical condition at a Massachusetts hospital.

The 88-year-old Shriver has been hospitalized since last week. Members of her extended family have gathered at her bedside at Cape Cod Hospital in Barnstable. The Vatican ambassador to the United States says in a letter released to The Associated Press the pope is "holding close to his heart Eunice as she is called home to eternal life."

Legislature overrides Palin veto of funds

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — In a final spat with former Gov. Sarah Palin, the Alaska Legislature voted Monday to override her veto of $28.6 million in federal stimulus funds intended for energy efficiency projects. Palin, who resigned July 26 with 17 months left in her term, had vetoed the money that the state can use for almost anything that will reduce energy costs, from retrofitting public buildings and homes to energy efficiency audits, lighting upgrades and public transit.

Jackson probe done but not made public

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coroner's investigators have completed their probe into the death of Michael Jackson but are not releasing the results yet, authorities said Monday.

The Los Angeles County coroner's office said police investigators requested that facts about what killed Jackson remain under a security hold while detectives investigate the events leading up to the pop icon's death.

Neither the coroner's office nor the Police Department would indicate when the results might be made public.

Lots of angry barking over Helmsley money

NEW YORK (AP) — Leona Helmsley's dog, Trouble, may be living quietly enough in Florida, but back in New York there's a lot of barking about the way the late hotel queen's millions are being given away.

Three animal welfare groups filed court papers Monday accusing Helmsley's trustees of a "scheme to deprive dog welfare charities" of their share of her fortune.

The groups say Helmsley, who died in 2007, primarily intended to give her fortune to dog causes.

Helmsley's will named her dog as a beneficiary. The Maltese is living in Florida on a $2 million trust fund.

Long-lived recipient of heart dies at 51

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio man who lived the longest on one transplanted heart has died at age 51.