Whitney Houston fans to follow funeral on Internet

NEW YORK (AP) — Singer Whitney Houston's fans worldwide will be able to share in her private funeral service by watching it on the Internet.
The funeral will be held Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, N.J., where Houston first showcased her talents as a child.
Houston's family has decided on a private service rather than a large event at an arena.
The Grammy-winning singer, 48, died Saturday at a hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Officials say she was underwater and apparently unconscious when she was pulled from a bathtub.
Houston's publicist announced Wednesday that The Associated Press will be allowed a camera at Saturday's funeral. The AP will stream the service on http://livestream.com/aplive . The event also will be available to broadcasters via satellite.

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NJ gov strongly defends lowering flags for Houston

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Chris Christie has strongly defended his decision to have flags flown at half-staff Saturday for singer Whitney Houston.

The Republican governor says he rejects complaints that Houston "forfeited the good things that she did" because of her struggles with substance abuse.

"What I would say to everybody is there but for the grace of God go I," he said on Wednesday.

Twitter was abuzz with reaction to Christie's decision. The honor, according to one person, should be reserved for members of the military, first responders and elected officials.

Houston's funeral is Saturday at a Newark church where she sang as a child.

She died in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Saturday at the age of 48.

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