NORMAL, Ill. — Police in Illinois say actor and playwright Sam Shepard has been arrested on preliminary charges of speeding and drunken driving.

Police Lt. Mark Kotte says the 65-year-old Shepard was driving 16 mph over the 30 mph speed limit.

Kotte says a breath test indicated Shepard's blood-alcohol level was double the legal limit.

Shepard told police he had been at a tavern in nearby Bloomington and was heading to a hotel. He said he was on his way to his home in Kentucky from Minnesota.

OBAMAS ARRIVE IN D.C. BEFORE DAD

Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia arrived yesterday in Washington, ahead of President-elect Barack Obama who was expected to make the trip today.

The Obamas arrived last night at their temporary home at the Hay-Adams Hotel, near the White House. Aides confirmed their arrival only after the Obamas checked in to the hotel and would not release any details. They had no public schedule.

The Obamas moved early so their daughters could start classes tomorrow at the private Sidwell Friends School, an aide said. The Obamas are staying at the Hay-Adams because Blair House, the government's official guest residence, was booked through Jan. 15, the Bush administration said. Blair House is across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House and has previously housed presidents-elect before taking the oath of office. The Obamas will relocate there on Jan. 15 and stay until the inauguration on Jan. 20.

UH CHEER SQUAD CHAMPS ON MTV

The University of Hawai'i cheer squad, led by head coach Mike Baker, topped four other elite teams from across the country in the first-ever "RAH! Paula Abdul's Cheerleading Bowl" that aired last night on MTV.

The 90-minute special followed each squad's journey to New York City and showed what goes on behind the scenes as they competed in a series of elimination challenges to determine the champion.

" 'RAH!' is a project of a lifetime," said Abdul, who served as host, coach, creator and executive producer of the competition. She hoped the special would focus a spotlight on the intense world of competitive cheerleading.

The show was scheduled to be replayed on MTV this morning at 9:30.

PILATES KEEPS WINSLET TRIM

Kate Winslet, 33, tells Britain's Elle mag that it's not so hard to maintain her size-6 figure.

"I don't go to the gym because I don't have time," says Kate rather scandalously, "but I do Pilates workout DVDs for 20 minutes or more every day at home."

Winslet says her weight has been constant since the birth of her 5-year-old son, Joe.

POLITICIANS FIND TIME FOR ROMANCE

NORWICH, Vt. — Vermont politics is now a family affair.

Vermont congressman Peter Welch, 61, and state Rep. Margaret Cheney, 56, of Norwich announced yesterday that they're now husband and wife.

The Democratic couple were married one day earlier in a ceremony at Cheney's home. They have a total of eight children from previous marriages.