Giants sign first-round choice Amukamara

Cornerback Prince Amukamara, the Big 12 defensive player of the year last season, agreed to contract terms with the New York Giants, the team said Friday.

Amukamara was New York's first-round choice, and 19th selection overall, in this year's draft. The former Nebraska defensive back missed the first five Giants practices but was in camp Friday to sign the contract.

Amukamara was a unanimous all-America pick last season after his assigned receivers caught just 18 passes over 14 games. He broke up 13 passes and had 59 tackles and a sack. He was the Big 12 defensive player of the year as Nebraska played its final season in that league.

The Giants also said they signed rookie free agent cornerback Darnell Burks from Fort Valley State (Ga.). Cornerback Bruce Johnson, a third-year pro who suffered an Achilles tendon injury Thursday, was waived Friday.

High mold air alert issued for Midwest

The Midwest had the highest mold count for the season Wednesday and an air alert was issued for the Midwest, a Chicago-area allergist says.

"The daily count was 59,000, and the threshold for dangerous levels is at 50,000 (for outside air)," said Dr. Joseph Leija, who performs the Gottlieb Allergy Count at Loyola University Health System's Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, says in a statement. "Chicagoans are experiencing stuffy noses, post-nasal drip, scratchy throats, headaches and fatigue due to the high mold count in the air. The mold count is dangerously high for those with chronic conditions such as lung or heart disease as well as asthma and breathing conditions."

The mold count had already been high in the past few weeks due to torrential rain and flooding this summer.

"The Midwest has suffered from repeated flooding and many homes may have toxic levels of mold due to the damp," Leija says. "In addition to stagnant water, many sewer systems backed up and overflowed adding additional health risks."

Leija says homeowners who have experienced flooding may want to purchase a hygrometer -- a device that measure indoor humidity which causes mold -- are under $40 and readily available in most electronic and home goods stores.

Leija performs the official allergy count for the Midwest for the National Allergy Bureau, a section of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology that measures pollen and mold levels.

Liu to appear in Season 4 of 'Southland'

Lucy Liu is joining the cast of "Southland" for the U.S. police drama's fourth season, TNT announced Monday.

Starring Michael Cudlitz, Shawn Hatosy, Regina King and Ben McKenzie, the show is slated to begin its new season in January.

Liu will appear throughout the season as a member of the Los Angeles Police Department, the cable network said.

Her film credits include the "Kung Fu Panda," "Charlie's Angels" and "Kill Bill" films. She also was a co-star on TV's "Ally McBeal" and "Cashmere Mafia."