RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Andy Griffith, who made homespun Southern wisdom his trademark as the wise sheriff in "The Andy Griffith Show" and the rumpled defense lawyer in "Matlock," died Tuesday. He was 86. Griffith died about 7 a.m. at his coastal home, Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie said in a statement. "Mr. Griffith passed away this morning at his home peacefully and has been laid to rest on his beloved Roanoke Island," Doughtie told The Associated Press, reading from a family statement. The family will release further information, the sheriff said.

HOUSTON (AP) - The bombshell dropped a dumbbell: Anna Nicole Smith dropped a weight on her hand, forcing the former Playboy Playmate to miss almost a week of a trial in which she is seeking as much as $800 million.

...Rafkin, who directed some of television's most innovative, endearing and enduring sitcoms, ranging from "The Andy Griffith Show" to "MASH" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" to "Suddenly Susan," has died at age 73. Rafkin died Monday...

...of week Artist most admired: Ernest Hemingway Favorite movie: "Dances With Wolves" Favorite TV program: "The Andy Griffith Show" Future plans: not sure Parents: Rick and Rosie Bollum of Baxter "The government made a great mistake in that...

If TV is that vast wasteland, there are a lot of people out there.

NEW CASTLE, Ind. (AP) - Tickets to the Mayberry in the Midwest festival were as popular as Aunt Bee's apple pies.

...programs. Knotts was the senior class president. The 78-year-old actor, who portrayed bumbling Barney Fife on "The Andy Griffith Show," kept a low profile Saturday as he mingled with about 60 classmates at a local hotel. "Hey, this doesn't...

...country music stars of the 1960s and 1970s. Photos Lindsey may be best remembered for his supporting role on "The Andy Griffith Show" and other television shows, while Riley came to national prominence with her hit song "Harper Valley PTA...

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. - Doug Reeves parked his station wagon at the meterless curb on Main Street, leaving it open and unlocked - you can do that here - and walked through the door of Floyd's City Barber Shop.

George Lindsey, best known for his television role as Goober on "The Andy Griffith Show," has canceled his appearance in the Classic Country Jamboree scheduled Sunday at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, the casino announced...