T.I. sentenced to year on weapons charges

Atlanta — Rapper T.I. was sentenced Friday to one year and a day in prison after pleading guilty to federal weapons charges after he tried to buy a stash of machine guns and silencers to protect himself after his best friend was killed.

The 28-year-old rapper, whose real name is Clifford Harris, will also pay a $100,000 fine as part of his sentence. He was arrested in 2007 after trying to buy unregistered machine guns and silencers.

He pleaded guilty last March to the federal weapons charges but wasn’t sentenced until Friday as part of a deal to see whether he would be successful in performing community service by speaking to youths about the pitfalls of drugs, violence and guns.

Harris went to buy the cache after his best friend, Philant Johnson, was killed following a post-performance party in Cincinnati in 2006. A man was found guilty last year in the murder case. Harris testified in that trial that he believed the bullets fired at his entourage were meant for him.

He is supposed to report to prison sometime after May 19.

Holly Madison sees doctor for pain in ribs

New York — Holly Madison is in a world of hurt on “Dancing With the Stars.”

A representative for the reality star says she began feeling pain in her rib area last week while rehearsing the samba for the ABC dance competition.

Madison saw a doctor on Thursday and was prescribed medication, publicist Steve Flynn says. Madison will rest when she can and expects to dance on Monday’s show.

A star of the E! reality show “The Girls Next Door” and four-time Playboy cover model, Madison replaced Jewel at the last minute after the singer suffered fractures in both legs during pre-show training.

Rehearsal-related injuries are abundant this season. Nancy O’Dell was forced to drop out after tearing soft tissue in her knee. Steve-O skipped a show last week after a back injury.

Love’s apparent online rants now in court

Los Angeles — Some of Courtney Love’s online rants are now in a Los Angeles court.

A fashion designer’s libel and breach of contract lawsuit against the singer includes what she calls several “menacing and disturbing” statements posted on the Internet.

Austin, Texas-based Dawn Simorangkir (Sim-or-AHNG-ker), also known as Boudoir Queen, says Love never paid her for work done. She filed the lawsuit Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The suit cites remarks from Love’s Twitter and MySpace pages, and in the feedback section of Etsy.com. It said Love called Simorangkir a “nasty lying hosebag thief” and accused her of being a drug addict and a prostitute.

Charge dropped against R&B singer Wayna

Houston — A judge has dismissed a charge against Grammy-nominated singer Wayna after she was arrested at a Houston airport for trying to bring a collapsible police baton through security.

Wayna was charged with possession of a prohibited weapon Wednesday. The third-degree felony was dropped Friday. Wayna, who attended the hearing with an attorney, uses the baton as a prop while performing.

Houston police said Thursday that security guards at Bush International Airport discovered the 24-inch baton in her carry-on bag.

Wayna released her second album, “Higher Ground,” in 2008. One song on the album is “Billy Club,” a ballad about police abuse. She twirls and points the baton when performing it live.

Longtime newsman Irving R. Levine dies

Miami — Irving R. Levine, the bow-tied NBC newsman who explained the fine points of economics to millions of viewers for nearly a quarter century, has died. He was 86.

Levine died Friday of prostate cancer complications in Washington, D.C., announced his son, Daniel Rome Levine.

Known for his dry, measured delivery and trademark bow ties, Levine was a presence at NBC since 1950 when he began covering the Korean War until his retirement in 1995.

He had become the network’s full-time economics correspondent in 1971 and in the last five years of his tenure also did weekly commentaries on CNBC. He also appeared on “Meet the Press” more than 100 times over the years.

After retiring from NBC, Levine joined Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla., as dean of the college of international communication.

‘Idol’ castoff not ready to go back to oil rig

Los Angeles — Michael Sarver, latest castoff from “American Idol,” isn’t ready to go back to the oil rig.

“I don’t think it would be a great idea to get out there and take a chance on hurting myself and not being available for the tour,” he told a teleconference Friday, a day after being eliminated from the Fox singing competition.

“I’m going home, and I’m going to take some time off to spend with my family. I believe they deserve my undivided attention for a little while and that’s exactly what they’re going to get.”

Sarver will take part in the “Idols Live” tour with the rest of the top 10 contestants this summer. Dates have yet to be announced.