Animals at Neverland Ranch aren’t mistreated, officials say

Los Olivos, Calif. – The giraffes and other exotic animals Michael Jackson has kept at his Neverland Ranch are not being mistreated, federal officials have concluded.

The Department of Agriculture sent an inspector to the 2,600-acre ranch in Central California last month in response to a complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. PETA based its complaint on European tabloid reports that animals were being kept in substandard conditions.

“I’m unaware of any violations of the Animal Welfare Act at Neverland,” Darby Holladay, a spokesman with the USDA in Washington, said Tuesday.

Along with giraffes, Jackson’s ranch has been home to elephants, snakes, orangutans, tigers and a crocodile.

Jackson, 47, has been living in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain. He was acquitted of child molestation charges in California last year.

Brian Oxman, a lawyer for Jackson, welcomed the USDA’s determination.

Grammy nominees tapped to perform at awards show

New York – Mariah Carey, Kanye West and John Legend will perform at the 48th annual Grammy Awards.

Each has eight nominations, including album of the year for Carey (“The Emancipation of Mimi”) and West (“Late Registration”). Legend’s nominations include best new artist and best R&B album for “Get Lifted.”

The awards show will be held Feb. 8 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will air on CBS.

‘Shaft’ singer hospitalized

Memphis, Tenn. – Isaac Hayes was being treated at a Memphis hospital for exhaustion, his longtime songwriting partner said.

“He’s just overworked and had been in Atlantic City performing, the D.C. area performing and in Tunica (Miss.) a couple of nights ago. He was just overworked,” David Porter told The Commercial Appeal newspaper Tuesday.

“He’s doing much better,” Porter added.

It wasn’t immediately known which hospital the soul singer had checked into. Calls to his agents weren’t returned.

Hayes, 63, is best known for his 1971 No. 1 hit, “Theme From Shaft,” from the Richard Roundtree film. More recently, he voiced the character of Chef on television’s “South Park.”

Hollywood couple not ready to completely call it quits

New York – Hilary Swank and Chad Lowe recently announced their separation, but the Oscar-winning actress says they hope to rescue their eight-year marriage.

“We’re still trying to save it,” Swank told syndicated TV entertainment show “Access Hollywood” at the Golden Globe Awards, which were presented Monday in Beverly Hills, Calif. “It’s not over, we’re not divorced. We’ve been together for over 13 years and there’s a lot of love there.”

Swank, who wore her wedding ring to the awards ceremony, added: “We’re still married.”

Swank, 31, and Lowe, 38, announced their split Jan. 9. They were married in 1997 and have no children.

The actress, who won Oscars for “Boys Don’t Cry” and “Million Dollar Baby,” next stars in the Brian De Palma-directed crime drama, “The Black Dahlia.”

Lowe won an Emmy Award in 1993 for his performance on the TV series “Life Goes On.”