News 4 coverage

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Microsoft Corporation and the Internet companies Google and Yahoo agree to a combined 31.5 million settlement with the U.S. Attorney's office in St. Louis for promoting illegal gambling.

  U.S. Attorney Catherine Hanaway says the companies accepted ads for illegal sports wagering and other illegal Internet-based gambling on their Web sites.

  Microsoft agreed to pay 4.5 million dollars, to provide 7.5 million dollars to the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and to provide 9 million dollars in public service advertising.

  Yahoo forfeits 3 million dollars and will provide 4.5 million dollars in public service ads.

  Google agrees to pay 3 million dollars.

  None of the companies admit to wrongdoing.

  (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)