Fake signs promoting golf course stump Trump

Los Angeles – Phony signs promoting Donald Trump’s new golf course have cropped up along Los Angeles freeways, stumping transportation officials and Trump executives alike.

Commuters first spotted the fake signs for the Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes a week ago. Since then, California Department of Transportation workers have pulled down at least four of them.

Most mimic the green freeway signs common throughout California.

Mike van der Goes, the golf club’s general manager, said Trump has denied any involvement.

CBS, Letterman reportedly sign deal for 4 more years

New York – David Letterman is planning to outlast Jay Leno in late-night television.

CBS Corp. and Letterman have agreed to a four-year contract extension that will keep the comic on the “Late Show” through the 2009-10 television season, according to two executives familiar with the negotiations who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the deal wasn’t fully done.

That would keep Letterman, 59, on the air past NBC’s planned 2009 hand-off of the “Tonight” show job from Leno to Conan O’Brien.

Leno and Letterman have been competing in late night since 1993, after NBC chose Leno for “Tonight” and Letterman jumped to CBS.

Matt Lauer has no interest in moving to evening

New York – Don’t look for Katie Couric’s former “Today” show partner Matt Lauer to follow her into the night.

Lauer said Thursday he has no ambition to become an evening news anchor like Couric, who started this week at the “CBS Evening News” after 15 years at “Today.”

The variety of the morning show format fits his talents, he said. Within the next week, NBC will air interviews he has done with President Bush and Debra Lafave, a middle school teacher who admitted to having sex with a 14-year-old student near Tampa, Fla.

“At the moment, I don’t have another dream job,” Lauer said in a meeting with reporters to drum up interest of his new “Today” partner, Meredith Vieira.