STATEWIDE

GOP Senator Calls For Bruno’s Ouster

A GOP state senator has called for the dismissal of Republican Joseph Bruno as Senate majority leader because of Mr. Bruno’s announcement last week that he is the subject of a federal investigation. In a letter sent Tuesday to his Senate colleagues, John Bonacic of Orange County included a raft of news stories about the Bruno investigation and a warning that Democrats will use them as election fodder. Mr. Bruno’s office said Wednesday he had no comment on the letter.

— Associated Press

Broadcaster To Pay Millions To Settle Lawsuit

Entercom Communications Corporation, one the nation’s largest broadcasters, will pay $4.25 million to end Attorney General Spitzer’s investigation of gifts given by record companies in exchange for air play, Mr. Spitzer said yesterday. A lawsuit filed by Mr. Spitzer’s office in March claimed Entercom solicited payments from record labels and traded air time for promotional items, personal trips and other gifts.

— Associated Press

POLICE BLOTTER

Two Arrested In Church Robbery

Police arrested two men in connection with a Christmas Day robbery at a Queens church, police said. Dennis Almodovar, 24, and Daniel Morales, 26, both of Brooklyn, face burglary charges after police said the two entered St. Mel’s Roman Catholic Church during a morning Mass and made off with at least $20,000 in checks and cash. A spokesman for the Queens District Attorney said Mr. Morales claimed to know nothing about the money, but a church usher who witnessed the theft identified him in a photograph and in a police lineup.

— Special to the Sun

Man Shoots at Police

Police arrested three men after one of them shot at police on Tuesday night after a robbery in Queens, police said. Charges against Peter Dowden, 17, of Brooklyn, included attempted murder, robbery, and reckless endangerment, police said. Officers were called to Ozone Park in response to reports that a food deliveryman had been robbed. When they arrived, they encountered the deliveryman and three others, including Mr. Dowden, police said. Police said they arrested two suspects but Mr. Dowden fled and subsequently fired on police. After officers tackled and apprehended him, they recovered a .9-millimeter handgun.

— Special to the Sun

CITYWIDE

Group Wants Probe Of Police Operation

A watchdog group is demanding a federal investigation into a police sting operation last February, in which officers planted bags in and around subway stations and then arrested individuals whom they said tried to steal them. The group, 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, said it wants the United States Department of Justice and local district attorneys to investigate “Operation Lucky Bag” to determine its legality. Civil rights advocates have questioned whether the procedure constitutes entrapment.

— Special to the Sun