(Continued from page 27)

wealth by spending more in coming months. Higher spending would help sustain and perhaps accelerate growth.
• The economists think growth is slowing to around a 2 percent annual rate in the April-June quarter from a 2.4 percent rate last quarter. The key reasons: Federal spending cuts, higher taxes and economic weakness in Europe and elsewhere.
• ___

• LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Michael Jackson's family is saying little about the hospitalization of his 15-year-old daughter while pleading for privacy and saying nothing about the cause of her ailment.
• Paris Jackson was "physically fine and is getting appropriate medical attention," attorney Perry Sanders Jr., said in a statement Wednesday.
• All fire and sheriff's officials would say is that they transported someone from a home on Paris' suburban Calabasas street in the middle of the night for a possible overdose. They did not release any identifying information or additional details.
• "Being a sensitive 15-year-old is difficult no matter who you are," said Sanders, who represents Katherine Jackson, a guardian of Paris and Michael Jackson's two sons, Prince and Blanket. "It is especially difficult when you lose the person closest to you."
• Paris' uncles Tito, Marlon and Jackie echoed that sentiment in their statement Wednesday: "Thank you for the outpouring of concern and support for Paris -- she is safe and doing fine. We truly appreciate you respecting our family's privacy at this time."
• ___

• NEW YORK (AP) -- Don't count on Alex Rodriguez giving up his Yankees pinstripes any time soon.
• Vilified by fans for his poor performance in the playoffs. Pursued by Major League Baseball in yet another case involving performance-enhancing drugs. Called out by his employer for not behaving like a Yankee should.
• A Lightning Rod for all the wrong reasons, none of the off-field distractions -- and there have been plenty -- have seemed to have had any effect on A-Rod in the past.

(Continued on page 29)