Rockers protest nuclear plan

Chicago The rock stars came out to protest a plan to store the nation’s nuclear waste in Nevada. Not many others did, though.

Six protesters wearing identical T-shirts and carrying signs denouncing the proposed Yucca Mountain storage facility were joined Wednesday by members of the Indigo Girls, the B-52s and Midnight Oil.

The bands, which were in town for concerts Wednesday and Thursday, came out to urge the U.S. Senate to strike down a plan to store all the nation’s nuclear waste in south-central Nevada. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a similar measure in May.

Although the proposed storage site lies almost 2,000 miles away from Illinois, the state’s role as a transportation hub and the large number of active reactors in Illinois means about 80 percent of radioactive nuclear waste to be stored in Yucca Mountain could come through the state.

Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls said, “It’s been astonishing to me that such horrible public policy could be passed without many people knowing about it.”

Roberts has Southwest wedding

Taos, N.M. She’s a “Runaway Bride” no more.

Academy Award-winning actress Julia Roberts married her cameraman boyfriend Daniel Moder early Thursday at her 40-acre estate outside Taos.

The wedding marks Roberts’ second trip down the aisle. The star of “Runaway Bride” and “My Best Friend’s Wedding” was married for 21 months to country and western singer Lyle Lovett.

“Julia Roberts and Daniel Moder married during a midnight ceremony before family and friends at their home in New Mexico,” Roberts’ publicist, Marcy Engelman, told The Associated Press about an hour after the ceremony.

Dean’s alma mater endangered

Fairmount, Ind. Time may be running out to save the historic Indiana high school attended by 1950s icon James Dean.

Residents have discussed converting Fairmount High School into a community center, a new library or apartments for senior citizens.

The town of Fairmount, about 45 miles northeast of Indianapolis, is applying for a $30,000 to $50,000 state grant to fund a feasibility study.

The “Rebel Without A Cause” star, who died in 1955, began his acting career on the auditorium stage in the 1940s. The 100-year-old building is also on the Historic Landmark Foundation’s list of the top 10 most endangered buildings in Indiana.

The school has been vacant since 1986, when it was closed after districts were consolidated.

‘Trek’ captain up for honors

Temecula, Calif. “Star Trek” star William Shatner will be recognized for his earthly achievements in entertainment at this year’s Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival.

Shatner, 71, will be honored with the 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award in September, director Jo Moulton said this week.

“He has been involved in front and behind the camera, television and movies,” she said. “He is longevity.”

Shatner starred as Capt. James T. Kirk in the original ’60s “Star Trek” series.