Book says drugs, infidelity wore on JFK Jr.’s marriage

Drug use, suspicions of infidelity and life in a “fishbowl” factored into the crumbling of John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s marriage, which the two were trying to mend the night of their fatal plane crash, according to a story to appear in the August issue of Vanity Fair.

The article, an excerpt from the book “The Kennedy Curse: Why America’s First Family Has Been Haunted by Tragedy for 150 Years” (St. Martin’s Press, $29.95) by Edward Klein, to hit stores next week, details the failing marriage of Kennedy and his wife in the days and weeks leading up to the July 16, 1999, crash that killed the couple and Carolyn’s sister, Lauren Bessette.

It paints Carolyn as controlling and manipulative, who turned to “street drugs” and ex-flames as a way of coping with the unwanted celebrity and media attraction.

Prince Charles worth $17 million

London — Prince Charles’ income from investments and property rose by 27 percent last year to nearly 10 million pounds ($17 million), according to official figures released Monday.

The prince, unlike his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, does not receive an official allowance from the taxpayers. He receives an income from the Duchy of Cornwall, established in the 14th century to support the heir to the throne.

Although the profits from the duchy were intended to provide his personal income, the prince last year spent 57 percent of it, or $9.3 million, funding his official duties and charitable activities, the report said.

Prince Charles, who pays income tax of 40 percent, received $16.4 million from the duchy in the last financial year compared with $13 million the year before.

Springer promises excitement if elected Ohio senator

Dayton, Ohio — Jerry Springer says his fame could help revitalize the Democratic Party if he’s elected to the U.S. Senate next year.

“I could be an incredible voice in the Senate,” Springer said Saturday at a meeting of the Ohio Young Democrats. “Why? Because the media will cover me every single day.”

The former Cincinnati mayor, best known for his television talk show in which guests frequently throw chairs and spew obscenities, acknowledged his fame isn’t always an asset. The program’s outrageous reputation would make the race difficult to win, he said.

Springer said he would make a decision whether to run for office by the end of July.

A February Ohio Poll, conducted by the University of Cincinnati, found 71 percent of those surveyed — the highest such number in the poll’s history — had an unfavorable opinion of Springer.