People talk 8/4/03

Kobe Bryant wins at Teen Choice Awards

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- In a rare public appearance since he was accused of sexual assault, basketball star Kobe Bryant and his wife Vanessa attended the 2003 Teen Choice Awards, where he was picked as the favorite male athlete.

Bryant held his fist in the air after claiming his trophy, a multicolored surfboard emblazoned with the words "Teen Choice Awards 2003." He also won last year.

Bryant and his wife, Vanessa, attended the ESPY awards July 16 but have made few public appearances since the scandal erupted last month.

The 24-year-old basketball star has said he had sex with a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort June 30 but denies her claims of sexual assault. He's free on $25,000 bond.

Some New York celebs are packing heat

NEW YORK -- Actors Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel, radio host Howard Stern and developer Donald Trump are among the New Yorkers licensed to carry a loaded gun, according to police records.

But some stars -- including Joan Rivers, action-movie star Steven Seagal and conservative commentator William F. Buckley -- were rejected when they applied to have their gun licenses renewed by New York City police this year, the New York Post reported Sunday.

Police told the Post only that Rivers had an "incident" on her record. She was reportedly in a fight with a car-rental clerk last year but was not criminally charged.

Police declined to say why Seagal and Buckley were turned down for permits. Seagal's permit was a premise license -- which allows gun owners to keep their weapons unloaded and locked in a safety box when they travel.

Ventura has interest in running for president

NEWTON, Iowa -- Former Minnesota governor and pro-wrestler Jesse Ventura discussed his political future -- and his "interest" in running for president -- over the weekend while receiving an award for his sporting past.

Visitors packed a room at the International Wrestling Institute and Museum in this central Iowa town on Saturday to see Ventura, who was Minnesota governor from 1999 to 2002. He received the Frank Gotch award for bringing professional wrestling to a new level through his work as a politician.

Ventura said he'll never say never when it comes to getting back into politics, but added he might be interested in running for president.

"Now, that doesn't mean I'm announcing today or anything, just that if I were to get into politics again, that would be the only office I'm interested in."

Gotch was world heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915 and one of the best-known athletes in the United States at that time. The award is given each year.

"I'm humbled by this award," Ventura said.

Singer charged for alleged attack on prostitute

DAYTON, Nev. -- Former Motley Crue singer Vince Neil has been charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly attacking a prostitute at a brothel last month, a prosecutor said.

Neil, 42, allegedly grabbed prostitute Andrea Terry by the throat on July 10 and threw her against a wall at the Moonlite Bunny Ranch just east of Carson City, according to the criminal complaint.

If convicted, the rocker could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. No date has been set yet for Neil's initial appearance in Dayton Justice Court.

Brothel owner Dennis Hof had told the New York Daily News that Neil and Terry got into an argument because he didn't want to have sex with her.

Neil stopped by the brothel after a July 9 concert in Reno with the fellow 1980s metal bands Poison and Skid Row.-- From wire reports

South Dakotans giddy for Liddy

STURGIS, S.D. -- Convicted Watergate figure G. Gordon Liddy has set up shop here for the town's annual motorcycle rally.

Liddy, 72, rode his 2003 Harley-Davidson 1,846 miles from the Washington, D.C., area to Sturgis, arriving Thursday night. He planned to take part in book and calendar signings, a motorcycle ride from Mount Rushmore to the Buffalo Chip Campground and will broadcast his daily radio show.

In nearby town of Deadwood, the mayor has decided to designate Monday as G. Gordon Liddy Day in the gambling town.

On Thursday, Gov. Mike Rounds will proclaim August 7 as "G. Gordon Liddy Day" in South Dakota.

Liddy served four years and four months in prison for his role in the 1972 break-in at Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate.

Jeff Jones, president of G. Gordon Liddy Network Productions, joined Liddy, a group of friends, business associates, a film crew and some calendar models for the ride.

"He rode it all the way," Jones said of Liddy. "I can't believe how well he did. He's in the best shape of his life."