(Monday, 16 February 2006)  Chris Brown speaks out, saying he's "sorry" for what happened with Rihanna; Usher's wife, Tameka Raymond, is recovering from a heart attack; President Obama has a busy week on the road ahead of him.  Details are here of today's KISS News Now!

• For the first time since he was booked by the LAPD on suspicion of beating his pop star girlfriend Rihanna, 19-year-old Chris Brown is speaking out. (The photo here is of the two of them at the Pre-Grammy bash in honor of Clive Davis, February 7).  
  
  The R&B megastar released a statement through his publicist:
  
  "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired.  I am seeking the counselling of my pastor, my mother and other loved ones, and I am committed, with God's help, to emerging a better person.
  
  "Much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong. While I would like to be able to talk about this more, until the legal issues are resolved, this is all I can say, except that I have not written any messages or made any posts to Facebook, on blogs or any place else. Those posts or writings under my name are frauds."
  
  Rihanna's dad told People Magazine this weekend, "You think you know somebody, but you really don't."  The 20-year-old is back at home in her native Barbados, and Ronald Fenty says he hopes his daughter will one day speak out. Here's a video of Chris and Rihanna arriving at the party, hours before the alleged assault.
  
  








• It'll be a busy week on the road for President Barack Obama, who tackles more tough economic issues.  Tomorrow, he signs the economic stimulus in Denver; Wednesday, he travels to Phoenix and focuses on the housing crisis; Thursday, the President's off to see the Canadian prime minister, where the auto industry will likely be a hot topic.
  
  
• The body of a Stone Mountain events promoter who's been missing for several days has been found in Gwinnett County.  Police say 38-year-old Marc Stewart's body was discovered in an SUV parked at Bahama Breeze restaurant near Duluth.  An autopsy is planned.
  
  
• Morris Brown College could get its water shut off again.  Turns out the school raised just a fraction of the $214,000 it owes to Atlanta, and the City wants payment in full by tomorrow.
  
  
• Just a month on the job, Roland Burris of Illinois is hearing calls for his resignation.  Republicans in his state want an investigation after Senator Burris revealed that then-Governor Rod Blagojevich's brother called Burris three times last fall, looking for fundraising help.  Burris says he said no.
  
  
• Usher's wife Tameka Raymond remains hospitalized in Brazil; turns out the "surgery complications" she had there stemmed from a heart attack she suffered as she was being put under for liposuction.  You'll remember Usher skipped a pre-Grammys party last weekend because of a relative's "medical emergency." Mrs. Raymond was earlier said to be in stable condition.
  
  
• The City of Kennesaw is trying to shrink its insurance costs.  The city council will consider making at-risk employees--like those who are overweight, or who smoke--pay double the insurance premiums unless they enroll in a "wellness" program.
  
  
• Closing arguments are this week for 42-year-old Rodney Reaves, the Navy vet accused of torturing and killing his 11-year-old daughter Joella in Stockbridge back in 2003.  Joella's stepmom Charlott has a later trial.  Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for both.
  
  
• As Michael Vick's move to a federal halfway house approaches, the Falcons are making moves to put the Vick era behind them.  The team is looking for a trade for Vick, whose contract runs through 2013.
  
  
• Top Chef auditions next season's contestant cooks right here in Atlanta.  This Sunday, would-be TV competitors will have tryouts at "Craft" in Buckhead--the new restaurant by Top Chef head judge Tom Colicchio.
  
  
• The KISS 104.1 weather forecast:  sunshine, breezy high of 56 Monday; tonight's low 31.  Tuesday, mostly sunny, high 58.  Wednesday, an 80% chance of showers or thunderstorms, high 59.