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Trump hires workers comp lawyer in 6th 'Apprentice'

A workers compensation defense attorney set off fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl when "America's Boss," Donald Trump, hired her to be his latest apprentice.

The sixth season of the NBC TV show "The Apprentice" concluded April 22 at the Bowl, with Mr. Trump saying, "You're hired," to Stefani Schaeffer, a 32-year-old attorney in the Los Angeles firm of Stockwell, Harris, Widom, Woolverton & Muehl.

Ms. Schaeffer defends employers against workers comp and discrimination claims. She also defends large real estate developers in construction defect litigation cases.

During the season Mr. Trump fired 17 of Ms. Schaeffer's competitors.

Ms. Schaeffer cited her construction-related experience in her arguments to convince Mr. Trump that he should hire her to oversee development of a Caribbean resort that his company is building.

Fans of the show say she mostly maintained a low profile during the season, but argued her case well during the final episode.

She told Mr. Trump he should hire her because she works in a profession that requires toughness.

"You have to be tough, otherwise you get pushed around," the martial arts enthusiast told him. "I get pushed every day and I push back."


'I'm the governor of New York' wins ex-Idol Sanjaya's autograph

Several industry executives are well acquainted with the persuasiveness of Eliot Spitzer, and now, so is an "American Idol" sensation.

The governor and former attorney general of New York reportedly encountered some resistance last week while trying to obtain an autograph from former "Idol" hopeful Sanjaya Malakar at the White House Correspondents' Assn. Dinner.

Mr. Malakar—whose constantly changing hairdo helped catapult him to (at least temporary) stardom—was recently booted from the show but has continued to bask in attention.

Still unclear is whether the governor himself is a fan of the aspiring pop star or the autograph was for one of his three teenage daughters.

But, as the story goes, Mr. Spitzer approached Mr. Malakar's table for an autograph, but was initially turned away.

The persistent politician protested, though—reportedly saying, "but I'm the governor of New York"—and eventually got the signature.


In Oklahoma, no hazards in cow pies

Manure has been called many a name, some of which we can't print here, but there are a couple of descriptions that you can't call it in Oklahoma—"hazardous substance or hazardous waste."

That's because Oklahoma lawmakers recently approved, and Gov. Brad Henry a few days ago signed into law, a bipartisan measure that is designed to protect Oklahoma's farms from what the bill's sponsors regard as frivolous lawsuits.

"There is a real concern among the agricultural community that animal waste could be lumped in with nuclear waste," said the bill's state Senate sponsor—Sen. Ron Justice, R-Chickasha—in a statement. "If that happened, it would be devastating to the state and the industry."

"In the rural areas when you're hauling livestock," Sen. Justice added, "there are times when the manure spills out. We certainly don't want to see having to rope off those areas and coming in to treat that material as hazardous. This is a practical thing—it's just something we need to clear up before people misunderstand and misidentify."

So watch your language if visiting the Sooner State after Nov. 1, when the new law takes effect.

It should be easy enough to identify manure, but it could be legally hazardous to lump it in with nuclear waste.


Unum, ESPN 'Injury Report' tracks sidelined MLB players

Now an update on Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Prior's latest injury—brought to you by ESPN and Unum.

The Chattanooga, Tenn.-based disability insurer struck a deal with the Bristol, Conn.-based sports network to be the sole sponsor of the "Injury Report," which will provide the latest information on baseball player injuries and the nature of their injuries as well as their expected return dates.

The report will be featured on the network's Major League Baseball programming, including "Baseball Tonight," through the end of the regular baseball season, said Peter Neiman, vp of brand and advertising for Unum Group.

Contributing: Roberto Ceniceros, Gloria Gonzalez, Mark A. Hofmann, Rupal Parekh