Politics
BARKLEY SWITCHES PARTIES: Former basketball star Charles Barkley says he's switched political teams from Republican to Democrat and is again talking about running for governor in his home state, possibly in 2010.
"I really believe I was put on Earth to do more than play basketball and stockpile money," said Barkley. "I really want to help people improve their lives, and what's left is for me to decide how best to do that."
Barkley, a Leeds native who has been an NBA analyst with cable network TNT since his 2000 retirement, has been talking about running for governor of Alabama since he was playing with the Phoenix Suns in the 1990s. In 1995, he said he was considering running in 1998 as a Republican, but that never materialized.
Hockey
NHL SIGNINGS: Jason Williams re-signed with the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday, agreeing to a two-year deal.
Williams had career highs last season with 20 goals, 58 points and 80 games. Getting an opportunity to play a key role for the first time, Williams had 13 points in the first 10 games and was the first Red Wing to score three times in a period since the 1996-97 season. He was a restricted free agent.
Also, the New Jersey Devils re-signed Scott Gomez to a one-year, $5 million contract Thursday and the Tampa Bay Lightning re-signed defenseman Cory Sarich to a one-year, $1.9 million contract.
Jurisprudence
CLARETT STILL FIGHTING: Former Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett has hired two new attorneys to represent him in his trial on burglary and weapons charges.
Clarett fired attorneys William Settina and Robert Krapenc a week ago, notifying them in a single-paragraph letter.
Clarett is charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, four counts of robbery and one count of carrying a concealed weapon.