Now, the hard vacationing begins. Before, I flip over today's Wild Card, I noticed Mike K was the first to land a direct mailing in my mailbox, touting his endorsements by the firefighters and police officers. I'll be discussing Mike and the others the Monday before Election Day on Dick Haugen's KVNI morning show. Now, your latest Wild Card ...

The Twilight Sad

After these two shows, they rejected many gig offers, and became a more reclusive unit, spending any spare time they had in the studio focused on writing and sculpting away at new material.

In September 2005, they wrote four songs they thought gave a relatively good perspective of the band, and went into a local studio to record them, producing it themselves. Staying in the studio for many nights, they used a 24-track desk to build layer upon layer of sound, trying to get the best representation as possible. Thinking that the CD they came out with showed little more than some kind of raw potential, they posted it down to FatCat as a demo. After receiving a positive response and a request for more tracks, the band continued to expand on their song writing and kept regularly in contact with the label.

Kia Increases NBA Footprint

IRVINE, Calif. — To better reach potential buyers, Kia Motors America announced that it has strengthened its presence with the NBA, as the automaker now has partnerships with more than half of the league's teams. The Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs and Seattle Supersonics have appointed Kia as an "official partner." Meanwhile, Kia is now a "proud partner" of the Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Portland Trail Blazers. Furthermore, the Miami Heat named Kia as its official vehicle. "Kia is proud to be a part of such a distinguished organization that also is a perfect fit for our youthful, energetic brand and our dynamic vehicles," commented Byung Mo Ahn, group president and chief executive officer of KMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia.

Raiders lose coin flip, will pick 4th

INDIANAPOLIS _ The Oakland Raiders lost a coin toss for draft position on Friday, meaning the Atlanta Falcons will pick third in the April 26 draft with the Raiders fourth and Kansas City fifth.

In a ballroom at the Westin Hotel at 7:30 a.m., the Falcons' new general manager Thomas Dimitroff called tails and won the flip.

The Raiders were represented by scout Jon Kingdon.

All three teams finished at 4-12 and their opponents had an identical record, the first tiebreaker. After the first round, the three teams will continue rotating between the third, fourth and fifth picks in each round. Thus, the Raiders will select third in the second round, followed by Kansas City, then Atlanta.

There will be 31 picks in the first round, with New England losing its choice, taken away as part of the penalty for its illegal taping of opponents' signals.

Casino spends big on signs

Pinnacle Entertainment reported spending $959,000 last year on political signs urging voters to support its proposed south Baton Rouge casino, and there are more signs on the way.

The state constitution requires any expansion of gambling, including a new riverboat casino, to get the approval of voters before it can start operating in a parish.

Waunakee Man Arrested On Child Abuse Charge

MADISON, Wis. -- Dane County sheriff's detectives have arrested a Waunakee man on suspicion of one count of physical abuse of a child.