Extra, Extra

• Officials believe it was blowtorches that sparked the fire at the pilings in the Chicago River near State and Wacker this morning.

• According to her parents, a 17-year-old Palos Heights girl fabricated the story of her abduction and rape last month and could face charges of filing a false police report and obstructing justice. Expenses from the investigation have so far totaled around $200,000.

• The cost of Barack Obama's 30-minute time-slot he purchased from CBS today? $961,000.

• An eight-kid brawl broke out at Lincoln Park High (2001 N. Orchard St.) this morning. One kid, who had braces, was treated for a bloodied mouth.

• Two Congressional challengers in Indiana have agreed to be hooked up to lie detectors during their next debate. The GOP and Libertarian challengers will use the lie detectors but the idea has been dismissed as "bizarre" by the incumbent Democrat's team.

• Bad news, Spike O'Dell fans: the radio host is hanging up the headphones come December.

• Akira the Japanese Spitz may not be able to solve the financial meltdown, but damn if he doesn't warm our hearts.

Good luck to all the marathon racers Sunday! Carbo-load, stretch, and hydrate!