Celebrity chef Rachael Ray says she has a big mouth. And she used it yesterday to ask lawmakers for more money to improve school lunches.

Ray's whirlwind one-day tour included a visit to a Washington elementary school, where she talked to kids about how they can make better food choices, and meetings with several members of Congress. She also headed to the White House to take a peek at first lady Michelle Obama's kitchen garden.

The legislation that Ray is pushing would direct the Agriculture Department to create new standards for all foods in schools, including vending machine items, to give students healthier meal options.

ANOTHER FISTFIGHT FOR 'JERSEY SHORE'

One of the stars of MTV's hit reality show "Jersey Shore" is accused of attacking a woman in a Miami club last weekend to boost ratings for the show.

Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, 22, punched Kristen DeMinco, 24, twice Saturday night at Dream, DeMinco and her attorneys said yesterday.

DeMinco's attorney called the alleged attack "unprovoked" and — lobbing a familiar accusation — said the cast has been starting fights as part of a strategy to increase viewership.

MTV had no comment yesterday afternoon.

'GMA' DOING LIVE SURGICAL BROADCAST

Surgery at breakfast time is the latest odd television trend.

ABC weatherman Sam Champion will have skin cancer cells removed from his shoulder live on "Good Morning America" today in New York, publicizing his own health issues to make viewers more aware of their own.

All three network morning shows have gone into operating rooms or doctors' offices in the past two months.

JASPER JOHNS' 'FLAG' AUCTIONS FOR $28.6M

Jasper Johns' seminal work "Flag," from the art collection of late best-selling author Michael Crichton, sold for $28.6 million at a New York City auction yesterday, an auction record for the artist.

Christie's said the work was purchased by an American art dealer.

"Flag" was the crown jewel of Crichton's collection.

The popular writer of such blockbuster thrillers as "Jurassic Park," "The Andromeda Strain" and the TV series "ER" died in 2008. He was a passionate art collector, leaving a 20th-century-art trove of some of pop art's best-known artists, including Roy Lichtenstein, Claes Oldenburg, Jeff Koons and Pablo Picasso.

MISS USA CONTESTANTS POSE IN UNDIES

These photos happened in Vegas but surely won't stay there.

Contestants in this year's Miss USA pageant stripped down to their lingerie for a racy photo shoot that's generating heated opinions on whether it's going too far in search of TV ratings.

Donald Trump owns the Miss Universe organization, which in turn owns the Miss USA contest. He says he has no problem with the pictures. He calls them "a little bit sexy" and says he's glad people will be watching.

The pageant will be broadcast Sunday night on NBC.

— Advertiser News Services