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1.Firefighters in Northern California continue to battle a wildfire that has forced thousands of residents to evacuate¹ their homes. Early the Thursday authorities issued a mandatory² evacuation for the entire population of Bonny Doon, a small community just north of Santa Cruz.

2.Defense³ Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that an Afghan assessment⁴ from Commanding General Stanley McChrystal won't contain any specific recommendations for increases in troops. Gates called the current situation in Afghanistan "a mixed picture" and he acknowledged that the Taliban clearly has established the presence.

3.Musician Les Paul has died. The guitarist and inventor who changed the course of music with the electric guitar and multi-track recording⁵ had a string of hits. He reportedly died of complications from pneumonia⁶. He was 94.

4.Tiger Woods is off to a good start at the PGA championship in Minnesota. Woods finished his first round Thursday with a five under 67. Woods is looking to win his first major of the season. He's won at least one major each of the last four years.