Jackson doc bought anesthetic in Vegas

Las Vegas — The potent anesthetic that Michael Jackson’s doctor gave him as a sleep aid came from a Las Vegas pharmacy searched Tuesday by federal drug agents and police, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

Authorities are investigating Jackson’s June 25 death as a manslaughter and believe the anesthetic propofol he was given at his rented Los Angeles mansion was a major factor. Propofol normally is used to render patients unconscious for medical procedures and only is supposed to be administered by anesthesia professionals in medical settings.

As investigators build their case, a central issue is what drugs were in Jackson’s system when he died and how those medications were obtained. Jackson’s physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, is the focus of the investigation. He has told investigators he administered propofol and multiple sedatives to Jackson in the hours before he died, the law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

John Hughes mourned at private service

Lake Forest, Ill. — Filmmaker John Hughes is being remembered by family and friends who gathered in a Chicago suburb for a private funeral.

The director of “The Breakfast Club” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” died of a heart attack Thursday during a walk in Manhattan. The 59-year-old Hughes was in New York to visit family.

In addition to family and friends, colleagues such as Vince Vaughn, Ben Stein and Matthew Broderick gathered Tuesday at the Wenban Funeral Home in Lake Forest for Hughes’ memorial service.

Stein, who played Ferris Bueller’s teacher, was one of the speakers who paid tribute to Hughes.

He called the service “very touching” and said there was “a lot of crying.”

After the service, the mourners gathered in a procession to a Lake Forest cemetery, where Hughes was to be laid to rest.

Jennifer Hudson gives birth to a son

New York — Jennifer Hudson has a new role — that of a proud mother.

The 27-year-old Oscar winner gave birth to her first child, David Daniel Otunga Jr., on Monday, according to her publicist, Lisa Kasteler of WKT Public Relations. He is named after her fiance, David Otunga. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces.

Hudson, who is also a Grammy-winning singer, had not confirmed she was expecting before announcing news of the birth.

The entertainer suffered a tragic blow last fall when her mother, brother and nephew were slain in her native Chicago. Her sister’s estranged husband is charged with the killings.

Hudson, who gained fame first as a top contender on “American Idol,” won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her portrayal of Effie in “Dreamgirls” in 2007. Earlier this year, she won a Grammy for best R&B album for her self-titled debut CD.

Neil Young is MusiCares person of the year

Los Angeles — Neil Young has been named the 2010 MusiCares person of the year.

Neil Portnow, president of the MusiCares Foundation and The Recording Academy, named the 63-year-old Young on Tuesday as the honoree for his “standard of artistic integrity and iconoclastic creativity for more than four decades.”

Young will be saluted at a dinner and concert in Los Angeles on Jan. 29, two days before the 52nd annual Grammys. The event marks the music industry charity’s 20th person of the year tribute.

Past recipients include Aretha Franklin and Neil Diamond.

Young’s hits include 1972’s “Heart of Gold” and 1989’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.”

Brooks & Dunn to ‘call it a day’ after 20 years

Nashville, Tenn. — Brooks & Dunn are done.

Best-selling country duo Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn posted a message on their Web site Monday saying they agreed to “call it a day” after 20 years of making music together.

“This ride has been everything and more than we could ever have dreamed … We owe it all to you, the fans,” they said in the message. “If you hear rumors, don’t believe them, it’s just time.”

Brooks & Dunn will release a greatest-hits album on Sept. 8 and tour one last time in 2010.

The duo’s many hits include “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “My Maria,” and “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” with Reba McEntire.

‘C-Murder’ convicted of 2002 fan shooting

Gretna, La. — Rapper Corey “C-Murder” Miller was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for the 2002 shooting of a fan during a nightclub brawl, capping tumultuous jury deliberations at his second trial in the killing.

The Louisiana jury reached the 10-2 verdict around 1:30 p.m. in its second day of deliberations. Jurors had reached the same verdict earlier in the day, but District Judge Hans Liljeberg ordered them back to the jury room for more deliberation because of a questionable vote. Ten votes are required for a second-degree murder conviction.

Liljeberg said after the verdict’s initial reading that one juror had apparently changed her vote just to end deliberations — rendering the verdict invalid. Three jurors had been seen crying in the courtroom Tuesday morning, and the day before they sent a note that they were having trouble reaching a consensus.

The invalid verdict prompted defense attorney Ron Rakosky to move for a mistrial saying that the judge had pressured the jury into reaching a verdict. Liljeberg denied the motion.