Nutritionist Says Jackson Pleaded for Insomnia Sedative (Fox News) Cherilyn Lee, a registered nurse whose specialty includes nutritional counseling, said Tuesday that she repeatedly rejected his demands for the drug, Diprivan, which is given intravenously. [News Source]

AP Exclusive: Insomniac Jackson begged for drug (AP via Yahoo! News) Michael Jackson was so distraught over persistent insomnia in recent months that he pleaded for a powerful sedative despite warnings it could be harmful, says a nutritionist who was working with the singer as he prepared his comeback bid. [News Source]

Current Conditions (KOLR - KSFX Ozarks) (Kansas City) -- They look like Snoopy, Bart Simpson and even President Obama but these colorful tablets are not vitamins or candy. The illegal drugs shaped like cartoon characters and the "Transformers" have made their way to the metro. [News Source]

Vitamin D Deficiency Is Widespread (redOrbit) A new report issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) and published in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International1, shows that populations across the globe are suffering from the impact of low levels of vitamin D. [News Source]

For a light meal, swordfish is on a roll (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review) Swordfish is a meaty fish that resists flaking when cooked on the grill. These Grilled Swordfish Rolls are a good source of selenium, niacin, vitamin B12 and zinc. [News Source]

Vitamin D deficiency is widespead and on the increase (EurekAlert!) ( International Osteoporosis Foundation ) A new report, issued by the International Osteoporosis Foundation and published in the scientific journal Osteoporosis International, shows that populations across the globe are suffering from the impact of low levels of vitamin D. The problem is widespread and on the increase, with potentially severe repercussions for overall health and fracture rates. [News Source]

The Brooke Astor diet: Socialite took more than two dozen medications daily, court papers show (New York Daily News) A list compiled by her family doctors in April 2003 - and entered into evidence at her son's fraud trial - reveal she took two dozen medicines, vitamins or potions every day. [News Source]

James Yap cautious in taking vitamins (Sun Star) PHILIPPINE basketball star James Yap has started to be careful in taking vitamins for his daily regimen in the light of the recent warning given to members of the Powerade-Team Pilipinas. read more [News Source]

Mink more sensitive than rats to fire retardant chemicals. A team of researchers report that some low concentrations of a commercial brominated flame retardant mix – which have no effect in laboratory rats – caused pregnancy failures when fed to female mink. [News Source]

Uganda’s dilemma of competing goals. Lake Victoria, the world’s largest tropical lake, is dramatically degraded and drying up. Water levels have dropped over 6 feet. The population near the lake has mushroomed to 30 million. Wetlands around the capital of Kampala are almost completely wiped out. [News Source]

Rep. Welch: Climate bill will be big boost to Vermont. Congressman Peter Welch says a climate change bill passed by the House last week will be a big boost to Vermont's renewable energy industry and will pump $31 to $71 million dollars a year into Vermont's energy efficiency programs beginning in 2012. [News Source]

Officials Warn Of Drugs Shaped Like Cartoons (WCMH Columbus) Drugs shaped like popular cartoon characters including Snoopy and Transformers are showing up in Kansas City, and local officials are worried that children could mistake the dangerous tablets for vitamins or candy. [News Source]