An attorney for Bishop Eddie Long says the pastor denies allegations of sexual abuse by men who are former members of New Birth; an 11-year-old babysitter will be charged as an adult in a toddler's beating death; Michael Vick is named the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback.  Get all the details on today's KISS News Now! 

• A third man is suing Bishop Eddie Long, claiming the New Birth Missionary Baptist pastor coerced them into sexual relationships using his spiritual authority.  Attorney B. J. Bernstein is representing Maurice Robinson, Anthony Flagg, and Jamal Parris, who claim the bishop lured them with fancy gifts, cars, access to celebrities and flashy trips on a private jet--then related scriptures to justify the intimacy.
  
  
  

  Listen to B. J. Bernstein on the Tom Joyner Morning Show
  
  

"He would use biblical stories to talk about how important it was to follow your leader and your master," said Bernstein, "and let him know that the acts that he was engaged in were not necessarily meaning that he was a homosexual--or that either of them was."


Long's lawyer tells KISS that the accusations are untrue.


Listen to Craig Gillen "Bishop Long adamantly denies the allegations in these two complaints," says Craig Gillen.  "We find it unfortunate these two young men have chosen to take the direction they have in filing these complaints.  We will be reviewing the complaints and responding appropriately and accordingly at the appropriate time." 

The lawsuits, seeking unspecified punitive damages, were filed Tuesday afternoon in DeKalb County.  They contend that Long has a pattern of "singling out a select group of young male church members" for these type of relationships.  The sexual component of the relationships started when they were 17 and 18 years old, they claim.  Long allegedly calls the young men his "Spiritual Sons."  They were put on the church's payroll, say the lawsuits. 

Robinson was charged in the June break-in of Long's office at New Birth, in which $100,000 worth of the minister's jewelry, electronics and other property was stolen.  The lawsuit filed on his behalf says when Robinson got a phone call from another "Spiritual Son" asking about his relationship with Long, the call "created a desire to hurt Defendant Long by taking the items most precious to Defendant Long."

In 2004, Long helped lead thousands of people (right) in an anti-gay marriage march through downtown Atlanta, supporting a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions.







• An 11-year-old babysitter may be charged as an adult in the weekend death of a two-year-old girl.  The toddler, who was in the care of her mother's coworker's daughter, died of blunt force trauma to the head.  Zyda White's mother says the 11-year-old "needs to do life."  The Sandy Springs sitter is accused of felony murder and child cruelty.
  
  
  
• Another mystery involving Aretha Franklin's son.  Eddie Franklin was severely beaten at a gas station Monday night, but it's unclear why he was attacked.  Then, when Detroit police went to interview him at the hospital, he wasn't there.  A police spokeswoman says she was told Franklin walked out on his own.
  
  
  
• A sheriff's report says Denver Broncos wide receiver Kenny McKinley had been depressed over his recovery from knee surgery and recently spoke of suicide, although his teammates and coaches remember him as being upbeat.  Monday, the 23-year-old was found dead in bed of a self-inflicted gunshot with NFL Network on the TV.
  
  
  
• Don't Ask, Don't Tell is still the law of the land.  Republicans in the Senate blocked an attempt to lift the ban on gays serving openly in the military.  Democrats plan to bring up the issue again after the November elections.
  
  
• Senator Saxby Chambliss confirms his office is investigating whether a staffer left a threatening anti-gay slur on an Internet message board.  In a discussion about gays serving openly in the military, someone typed "all [expletive] must die."  Tech-savvy users of the board Joe.My.God traced the IP address to a computer in the complex housing Chambliss' office near Cobb Galleria.
  
  
• Looking for a good used computer?  Some surplus Dell desktop computers from Fayette County Schools are being sold off. They include 15-inch monitors and are selling for $65 apiece.  The "as-is" computers are equipped with the XP operating system.  The sale is being handled by GSAN Computer Marketing, which says the machines are for sale to Fayette County residents, students or employees.  Call 770.503.9900, extension 23, for more info.  Greg Sandoval is the contact.
  
  
• A 16-year-old Christian is facing a six-month ban from the library in Columbus, Georgia after he refused to stop witnessing to patrons.  Visitors complained Caleb Hanson stopped them at the door to ask them about their faith and offer biblical advice.  The library director says the ban isn't about Hanson's religion, it's about him keeping others from using the library. 
  
  
• A Georgia death row inmate condemned for a 1998 triple murder has gotten a temporary stay of execution after he attempted suicide hours before he was set to die Tuesday.  His lawyers will argue that 31-year-old Brandon Rhode isn't mentally competent to be put to death.

• The front page of the Philadelphia Daily News says it:  Michael Vick's been named the "top dog" for the Eagles.  He's getting the nod as starting quarterback this weekend.  In six quarters over two games stepping in for Kevin Kolb, who had a concussion, Vick's passed for 459 yards and three touchdowns, rushing for 140 yards. 
  
  
  
• The KISS 104.1 weather forecast:  partly sunny, high in the low 90s.