Wednesday's Water Cooler

Texas House Bans 'Suggestive' Cheerleading
AUSTIN, Texas - After an alternately comic and fiery debate ? punctuated by several lawmakers waving pompons ? the state House on Tuesday approved a bill to restrict "overtly sexually suggestive" cheerleading to more ladylike performances.

The bill would give the state education commissioner authority to request that school districts review high school performances.

"Girls can get out and do all of these overly sexually performances and we applaud them, and that's not right," said Democratic Rep. Al Edwards, who filed the legislation and was not popular in high school.

ABC to Report Claims of Ex-'Idol' Affair
LOS ANGELES - An ABC News special on competitor Fox's hit series "American Idol" will report a former contestant's claim that he had a sexual relationship with judge Paula Abdul while on the talent show, ABC News said Tuesday.

Corey Clark, who Fox has said was dropped from "American Idol" in 2003 for failing to reveal a past arrest, told "Primetime Live" that Abdul helped him with advice and money.

Remember when no one cared about Paula Abdul? That was nice.

Injuries, Age Finally Catching Up to Yankees. Also, Karma
Is the Yankees' empire in the early stages of collapse? The question, once a Christmas wish for the rest of the AL East, is being posed everywhere in the big leagues this week, as the Bombers drastically altered their lineup to avoid falling into last place.