Lohan's probation eased, Earl Scruggs dies

Lindsay Lohan is a slightly freer woman. A Los Angeles judge on Thursday (March 29) lifted formal probation for the 25 year old, freeing the actress from the court appearances and official supervision that have ruled her life since a 2007 drunk driving arrest. Lohan got good marks from the judge for completing months of community service at a Los Angeles morgue and court-ordered psychotherapy sessions. Although the actress will remain on informal probation for a 2011 jewelry theft, she will not have to report regularly to court and will no longer be compelled to live in Los Angeles, as long as she stays out of trouble for the next 2 1/2 years.

Banjo innovator and bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs died on Wednesday (March 28) in Nashville at age 88. According to his son, he had been in failing health for some time. A four-time Grammy winner, Scruggs was perhaps best known in popular culture for his partnership with Lester Flatt for "The Ballad of Jed Clampett," the theme song for "The Beverly Hillbillies" television program, and for "Foggy Mountain Breakdown," a Flatt & Scruggs classic which was used in the 1967 film, "Bonnie and Clyde."

Singer Bobby Brown, ex-husband of the late Whitney Houston, was charged on Wednesday (March 28) with drunk driving and driving on a suspended license in Los Angeles. Brown was arrested on Monday and failed a sobriety test after being pulled over by traffic police for talking on a cellphone. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 16.

America's favorite fictional newscaster made a surprise appearance on Conan O'Brien's talk show on Wednesday. Will Ferrell dropped in on "Conan" in character as Ron Burgundy, the scotch-drinking, flute-playing anchor of the Channel 4 Evening News team, to announce he had come to terms with Paramount Pictures on going forward with a sequel to 2004's "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy."

Lindsay Claiborn, Reuters.