An 80-year-old man who was dead when he arrived in Des Moines, Iowa on a flight from Phoenix had been slumped over when he was wheeled onto the plane but was breathing, airline employees said.

A medical examiner said there is no way to determine exactly when James Mark Walsh died.

The medical examiner’s report said the man’s son, Mark Walsh, who accompanied the older man, had told investigators he was “pretty much convinced” his father had died in the Phoenix airport, although flight attendants were reassured he was all right during the flight.

Walsh had a history of heart and kidney-related problems.

Police in both Des Moines and Phoenix said they did not plan to investigate.

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A Baltimore hot-dog vendor wants to be perfectly frank with her customers – so she’s placed a sign on her cart warning them she won’t help them break the law.

That’s because Betrice Gonzalez, who works every day outside the Clarence Mitchell Jr. courthouse, found that some folks wanted more than just a hot dog with mustard.

Many of them asked her to hold their weapons – and other questionable items – while they went inside for a court appearance.

Being a law-abiding citizen, Betrice has erected a sign next to her menu. It reads: “Absolutely No Holding: Weapons, Bags, Radios, Drugs, Ect [sic], While in the Courthouse!”

The no-nonsense message seems to have cut the mustard, and Betrice’s customers are behaving themselves again.

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An army of professional circus clowns staged a huge protest in California against what they say is society’s failure to accept them.

The Million Clown March in Santa Cruz featured 80 clowns wearing red noses, multicolored wigs and huge pants.

Organizer Rico Thunder said he wants people to accept clowns more readily because, “You’re born a clown.”

“For those brave enough to be out as clowns, the world can be a cold and unwelcome place. As long as one clown is oppressed, no man is free,” he said.

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A Pennsylvania racehorse has given birth – the day after competing in a race.

Hostile Raider’s trainer had no idea she was pregnant.

The 4-year-old – who came in last in a field of nine – gave birth at The Meadows racetrack, 10 miles southwest of Pittsburgh. Mother and foal are fine.

Trainer Bradley Buxton says pregnant horses usually stop racing three or four months before delivery.

“What’s a miracle is that the mare is 100 percent healthy and the baby is 100 percent healthy,” he said.

Owner Michael Pulzo bought Hostile Raider about eight months ago, which means she was almost certainly already pregnant. The gestation period for horses is about 11 months.