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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

People: Beastie Boys win Monster Energy case

From Wire Reports

It’s a rap: The Beastie Boys have won $1.7 million in a copyright violation case against the maker of Monster Energy drink.

Thursday’s ruling ends a case in which the two surviving members of the band testified about their staunch opposition to the use of their music in commercial endorsements.

“We’re happy,” rapper Adam “Ad-Rock” Horovitz said outside the courtroom after the federal court jury in Manhattan returned its verdict after a day of deliberations.

The Corona, California-based Monster Energy Co. had admitted wrongly using Beastie Boys songs in a video that was online for five weeks. But the beverage maker insisted it should owe no more than $125,000. The Beastie Boys had sought $2 million.

Lawyers for Monster said the company would appeal.

The eight-day trial featured testimony from Horovitz and bandmate Michael “Mike D” Diamond, who also attended the trial most days. Another member of the band, the gravelly voiced rapper Adam “MCA” Yauch, died in May 2012 at age 47 after a nearly three-year battle with cancer.

Ex-first lady visits Reagan’s grave

Nancy Reagan has visited the California grave of her husband, President Ronald Reagan, on the 10th anniversary of his death.

The former first lady watched Thursday as flowers were laid on the headstone at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.

Reagan died in 2004 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The Republican beat incumbent Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election and served two terms.

The 92-year-old Mrs. Reagan is in fragile health. Two years ago, she suffered broken ribs in a fall. She used a wheelchair Thursday.

She has visited her husband’s grave every year on the anniversary of his death.

Two suspects nabbed in Cyrus theft

Los Angeles police say they have captured two people suspected of stealing jewelry and a Maserati from the home of Miley Cyrus.

Police say a man and woman in their 20s were recognized from surveillance video and stopped on a North Hollywood street around 11 a.m. Thursday.

Their names weren’t immediately released.

Sgt. Kyle Kirkman said they’re expected to be arrested on suspicion of burglary and grand theft auto. He says it appears they didn’t know Cyrus personally.

Police say Cyrus was out of town when thieves scaled a fence and broke into her San Fernando Valley home on May 30.

The birthday bunch

Financier Kirk Kerkorian is 97. Singer-songwriter Gary “U.S.” Bonds is 75. Comedian Sandra Bernhard is 59. Actor Paul Giamatti is 47. Country singer Lisa Brokop is 41. Rapper-rocker Uncle Kracker is 40. Actress Staci Keanan is 39.