Murray scores 25 as Hawks cruise to biggest win

Flip Murray scored a season-high 25 points, Josh Smith had 24 and the Atlanta Hawks raced to their biggest victory of the season, 117-87 over the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night.

Mike Bibby dished out 15 assists for the Hawks, who shot 56 percent from the field while winning their third in a row.

The 30-point margin easily eclipsed a pair of 18-point wins and provided a bit of relief for a team that eked out a pair of three-point wins earlier in the week.

Charlie Villanueva led the Bucks with 27 points. It was Milwaukee's largest defeat of the season.

The Bucks went more than 7 minutes without a field goal over a span covering the end of …

This `Man' isn't quite super

Man and Superman Roebuck Ramsden Tony Lincoln Octavius Robinson Joseph Sadowski John Tanner Peter Aylward Ann Whitefield Lisa Kaminir Mrs. Whitefield Rebecca Borter Henry Straker Donald Brearley The Body Politic Theater presents a comedy by George Bernard Shawdirected by Pauline Brailsford. Set design by Jeff Bauer. Costumesby John Hancock Brooks Jr. Lighting design by Michael Rourke.Through May 10 at 2261 N. Lincoln. 871-3000.

The problem with George Bernard Shaw is that the curmudgeonrefuses to sit still and be domesticated. In the early 20th century,Shaw shocked refined audiences with his audacious social views.Today these same views raise blood pressure …

Wiggington Bright Spot for Dismal D'Rays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Ty Wigginton has been a bright spot during another dismal season for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Wigginton helped Tampa Bay snap a season-high, nine-game losing streak, hitting a tie-breaking two-run homer in the eighth inning of a 4-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.

"I just appreciate the way he is ... he comes to play every day," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "He loves to play baseball. He's the kind of a guy you need on a team to win. He's a winner. He's truly the kind of guy any manager in baseball would like to have as part of their group."

The Devil Rays (58-94) need win six of their final 10 games to avoid their …

Ruling party concedes defeat in Japan election

Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso conceded defeat in elections Sunday as media exit polls indicated the opposition had won by a landslide, sending the conservatives out of power after 54 years of nearly unbroken rule amid widespread economic anxiety and desire for change.

"These results are very severe," Aso said in a news conference at party headquarters, conceding his party was headed for a big loss. "There has been a deep dissatisfaction with our party."

Aso said he would have to accept responsibility for the results, suggesting that he would resign as party president. Other LDP leaders also said they would step down, though official …

Rubin namesake takes different route for peace

Jerry Rubin, tanned and wearing a beard, extends his hand. He hasjust walked 12 miles, but he is smiling exuberantly.

"No," Rubin said, "I'm not that Jerry Rubin. I wasn't here forthe Democratic convention in 1968.

"I'm actually another Jerry Rubin."

I smile back. I know quite well that he isn't the real JerryRubin. This one is half a foot taller.

He says, "Where was I back at the time of the riots in GrantPark in '68? Hey, man, I was back in Venice Beach, Calif., sellingincense."

Rubin tells me he's 42, just a few years younger than hisnamesake.

"The real Jerry Rubin and I actually met at a peace rally in NewYork City a few years …

Fortieth Year for the Five County Bankers Golf Day

For the past 40 years bankers from Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa have played golf to determine who has bragging rights to a muchrevered traveling trophy. This year, after finishing a round in Missouri and a round in Iowa, Iowa bested Missouri and retained the trophy.

Iowa's low scores at the Tarkio (Mo.) Golf Club last month came from Dennis Grebert, Bank Iowa, Shenandoah, with a total score of 75; Brent Von Essen of Glenwood State with 82; Doug Meggison, 1st National, Glenwood, with 83; and Bob Vavra, Bank Iowa, Shenandoah, with 83. Their total score was 323.

Missouri's low scores came from Bob Alldredge of Exchange Bank, Fairfax, with 81 ; Jerry Moore, Citizens …

Companies offering free gas to attract business

Two magic words are turning consumers' heads lately. Not "Get rich" or "Lose weight." Try "Free gas."

Businesses from banks and hotels to golf-club makers and blood-donation centers are offering promotions that involve free gas _ generating more attention and goodwill from price-stunned drivers than traditional promotions might deliver.

For example, Callaway Golf Co. is giving away gas cards worth as much as $100 (euro64) with the sale of certain drivers. Guests who book three nights through hotels.com will get $50 (euro32) gas cards. And TCF Bank, based in Wayzata, Minnesota, is giving $50 (euro32) gas cards to customers who …