Saturday, July 5, 2008

Betsy and Ben 4Ever

On the eve of Independence Day, historical reenactors Ralph Archbold and Linda Wilde, who portray founding father Benjamin Franklin and flag seamstress Betsy Ross, wed in a ceremony that was officiated by Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, reports the Associated Press. The bride and groom, along with the wedding party, appeared in costume for the event, which took place at Independence Hall and featured musical accompaniment by the Philly Pops. The 66-year-old Archbold, who has portrayed Franklin since 1973, and Wilde, 50, met in the fall when she hired him for a friend's wedding toast.

Thomas Beatie, also known as the Pregnant Man, has finally given birth, People reports. Beatie, 34 -- who was born a woman but switched to a male identity during his 20s -- and his wife, Nancy, welcomed a daughter at an Oregon hospital on June 29. Beatie has had testosterone injections and surgery to remove his mammary glands, but kept female reproductive organs. He became pregnant through artificial insemination using donor sperm, and gained national attention after he appeared on an episode of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in April. "The only thing different about me is that I can't breast-feed my baby. But a lot of mothers don't," he told People. Beatie intends to publish a book about his experiences this fall.

Australian actor Paul Hogan, known to millions as the star of "Crocodile Dundee," is under investigation for tax evasion. According to the Australian, a national newspaper, Australian tax authorities have requested help from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service in obtaining Hogan's banking records, and several companies related to Hogan have been asked to turn over documents.

The 68-year-old actor denies any wrongdoing and challenged Australian authorities to track him down in the United States. "Come and get me," he told Australia's Ten Network in an obscenity-laced statement given from his Santa Barbara, Calif., mansion.

However, in September, Hogan will return to his home country, not to settle up with the government, but to make a film. "I'll be arrested the minute I land on the shore, of course, but I have a gun; so be warned," he joked.

A Michigan man has sued Eminem, alleging that in 2006 the rapper punched him in the bathroom at Cheetah's On the Strip Gentlemen's Club in Detroit. Miad Jarbou of Royal Oak is asking for more than $25,000 in damages. Eminem spokesman Dennis Dennehy declined to comment.

-- Compiled by Aaron Leitko from wire reports