Court upholds Martha Stewart's conviction

NEW YORK -- A panel of federal appeals judges on Friday upheld Martha Stewart's 2004 conviction for lying to investigators about selling stock just before the price took a dive. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan judges ruled that none of the grounds upon which Stewart and a former stockbroker challenged their convictions provided a basis to overturn the jury's verdict. Stewart and Peter Bacanovic were convicted of lying about why Stewart sold nearly 4,000 shares of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in 2001. Stewart completed her sentence in the case last summer but pursued the appeal anyway.

Stamp prices go up starting on Sunday

It'll cost more to send mail starting Sunday. The first rate increase since 2002 will boost the cost of sending a first-class letter by 2 cents, to 39 cents. The increase follows legislation requiring the Postal Service to place $3.1 billion in an escrow account this year. Another rate boost is likely next year to cover rising costs for the agency.

Landmark church in Chicago destroyed by fire

CHICAGO -- A landmark church on the city's South Side was destroyed by fire Friday, with flames and smoke shooting so high into the air they could be seen from blocks around. There were no reports of injuries at the Pilgrim Baptist Church, but five ambulances were on standby, Fire chief Dennis Gault said. The roaring blaze collapsed the church's roof and gutted its inside. The church was built between 1890 and 1891 and designated a landmark in 1981. It was designed by the famous architectural firm of Adler & Sullivan and was originally a synagogue but has housed the church since 1922. During the 1930s, the congregation and its longtime music director, Thomas A. Dorsey, were instrumental in the development of gospel music, according to the city Department of Planning and Development. Among those who sang at the church were Mahalia Jackson, according to the department's landmarks division Web site.

Foot problem forces Cheney to use a cane

WASHINGTON -- A foot ailment forced Vice President Dick Cheney to use a cane on Friday, but it didn't affect his sense of humor. "I'm a little hobbled-up today," Cheney told workers at a Harley-Davidson factory in Kansas City, Mo., where he was highlighting upturns in the economy. "I don't usually carry a cane, but [Defense Secretary] Don Rumsfeld has been chewing on my ankles." Lea Anne McBride, a Cheney spokeswoman who is traveling with the vice president, said he was experiencing a recurrence of a "pre-existing foot condition." She didn't disclose details about the problem with Cheney's left foot, but she said it was being treated with rest and anti-inflammatory medicine. McBride said the foot condition is not related to the surgery or the 64-year-old vice president's lengthy history of heart problems. He has had four heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, two artery-clearing angioplasties and an operation to implant a special pacemaker in his chest.

Mine survivor has inflammation in lung

PITTSBURGH -- The lone survivor of the West Virginia coal mining tragedy probably started to inhale large amounts of dust and gases in the last hour he spent in the mine as he lay on his left side, causing inflammation in his left lung, a doctor said Friday. Dr. Richard Shannon, speaking for a team of doctors treating Randal McCloy Jr., said that stabilizing the inflammation will be important for getting the miner off a ventilator. "That does constitute a serious issue. ... We are working very diligently with keeping those airways open," Shannon said. The dust and gases were inhaled because McCloy, in the hour before his rescue, lost the ability to cough, sneeze or control his airway, the doctor said. Doctors stressed it will take time before the extent of the brain damage is known. Shannon said McCloy's heart is now functioning properly and his blood test results are improving.

-- From wire reports