BOSTON – It’s been 16 years since Robert MacNeil sat behind an anchor’s desk and a decade since half of PBS’s famous MacNeil/Lehrer news team did any street reporting.

It took a 6-year-old autistic boy named Nick to persuade MacNeil to work in front of the camera again.

Nick is MacNeil’s grandson, and he’s featured in the first segment of a six-part series on autism that the 80-year-old MacNeil reported for the PBS NewsHour, which airs starting Monday.

In the segment, MacNeil explores his family’s sacrifices raising an autistic child and reveals the pain they experienced. He begins the segment: “It’s not easy connecting with Nick.”

In 50 years of reporting, MacNeil has never brought his family into a story. .

“We’ve all done stories where you’re present at the tragedy in someone’s life, and you feel enormous compassion for them. … When it’s a member of your own family, you can’t leave the story,” he said.

Actor charged with domestic abuse, public drunkenness

NEW ORLEANS – New Orleans Police said actor Nicolas Cage is accused of getting drunk in the city’s French Quarter and arguing in the street with his wife.

Police said in a news release Saturday that Cage was arrested the previous evening.

Police said the couple were in front of a home that Cage insisted they were renting. She said it wasn’t theirs, and Cage then grabbed her arm.

The release said Cage started hitting vehicles and tried to get into a taxi. A police officer saw that Cage was drunk and told him to get out of the cab. Authorities said Cage then started yelling at the officer.

He has been charged with domestic abuse battery, disturbing the peace and public drunkenness. He remained in the Orleans Parish Prison on Saturday afternoon.

Trump tables contract, weighs presidential bid

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Donald Trump said he has put off agreeing to an extension of his “Celebrity Apprentice” reality show while he weighs a presidential bid.

The real estate mogul and potential Republican contender said he told NBC on Friday he could not commit to a three-year contract extension for the series until he decides whether he’s running.

Trump spoke at an event at his Mar-a-Lago estate on Palm Beach. He said the U.S. should be entitled to Iraqi oil and praised the tea party.

Trump said he’s encouraged by polls showing him with a strong following and said he’ll make an announcement on his campaign plans before June.

Stewart addresses grads

HYDE PARK, N.Y. – Martha Stewart told graduates from a New York culinary school that the keys to success are generosity, passion and hard work.

The homemaking maven gave the commencement address Friday at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park.

The institute gave the 69-year-old Stewart an award called Master of Aesthetics of Gastronomy, along with an official chef’s jacket.

About 80 graduates received degrees in baking, pastry and culinary arts.