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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, May 2, 2009

Las Vegas star Danny Gans dies at 52

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Danny Gans

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Miss America Katie Stam

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Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kelis Rogers

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Singer, actor and impressionist Danny Gans, a one-time minor league baseball player who spent more than a decade as one of the most popular entertainers in Las Vegas, died suddenly yesterday, authorities said. He was 52.

Gans was pronounced dead in his bed shortly after police and paramedics were called about 3:45 a.m. to Gans' upscale home in a gated community by a report he was not breathing.

The county coroner released a statement saying it could take several weeks to process lab results and determine the cause of death.

Gans' manager and longtime friend Chip Lightman said Gans was in good health but slept poorly after Wednesday's show and took a nap late Thursday afternoon, a day off. He stayed in bed into the evening, and his wife, Julie, summoned police when she couldn't rouse him after 3 a.m.

POVICH JOINS TEEN PREGNANCY PREVENTION

Maury Povich's daytime talk show is joining a national campaign to prevent teen and unplanned young adult pregnancy.

Povich is working with the nonprofit National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy to inform teens about the health and social consequences of pregnancy.

The campaign will include themed segments on "Maury," public service announcements, events and a panel moderated by Povich next week in Washington.

The campaign kicks off Wednesday, designated as a national day to prevent teen pregnancy. The U.S. teen birth rate has risen in the past few years after a long period of decline.

MISS AMERICA WILL BELT IT OUT AT INDY 500

Miss America Katie Stam will sing "America the Beautiful" before the start of the Indianapolis 500.

The University of Indianapolis student and native of nearby Seymour, Ind., will sing in the pre-race ceremonies May 24, which will also include the national anthem, a military flyover, the playing of taps, the singing of "Back Home Again in Indiana," the release of balloons and the command to start engines.

Stam was crowned Jan. 24 in Las Vegas, the first Miss Indiana ever to win the pageant. She sang during the pageant's talent portion.

PREGNANT KELIS DIVORCING RAPPER NAS

The milkshake has gone sour for Kelis and Nas.

Kelis Rogers filed for divorce Thursday in Los Angeles.

She's expecting the couple's first child in July.

The couple married in July 2003 and separated in April. Rogers is seeking to have her hip-hop husband pay her attorney's fees and spousal support.

She cited "irreconcilable differences" as the reason for the split.

Nasir "Nas" Jones is a top rap artist whose latest album was nominated for a Grammy. Kelis may be best known for her hit single "Milkshake."