NEWS LITE : SEPARATE HOMES STILL TOO MANY.

Eccentric basketball rebounding star Dennis Rodman and his actress wife Carmen Electra have called their marriage quits - again.

Publicist Matt Labov said Tuesday that the two mutually agreed to end their 6-month-old marriage under amicable circumstances. Labov said the two filed divorce papers in court on Tuesday.

Rodman, 37, and Electra, 26, were married in Las Vegas on Nov. 14 after what was reported to be an all-night bender. Nine days later, Rodman cried fraud and filed for an annulment, saying he was of unsound mind when he recited his vows.

Electra, whose real name is Tara Patrick, was with Rodman at Planet Hollywood in February when he announced he would be joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

During that news conference, Rodman said he and his wife were happily married, but living in separate homes.

Electra attended several games to watch her husband play.

Then on March 13, Rodman received permission to leave the Lakers to resolve personal issues. He rejoined the team in Orlando on March 21.

The seven-time rebounding champion, who has helped teams win five NBA championships, insisted the eight-day break had nothing to do with drinking, gambling, smoking or marital problems.

Rodman later stated it was Electra who encouraged him to return.

Rodman was an instant hit with fans when he joined the team, helping the Lakers win nine straight games.

However, the team has performed erratically since Rodman returned from his leave of absence. One of the lowest points came Saturday night when Rodman was ejected after picking up two technical fouls in the final minutes of an 81-76 loss to visiting Golden State.

Spielberg donation to help filmmakers

Steven Spielberg is contributing $500,000 toward a new generation of entertainment industry risk-takers.

Spielberg donated the money Tuesday to support a state-of-the-art, advanced-media classroom for film students at the University of Southern California's new Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts.

``I'm a long-term admirer of the hands-on education filmmakers receive at USC. There's no better way to learn,'' Spielberg said. ``I imagine a new generation of creative risk-takers emerging from this program.''

Dogs can lap their way to healthy energy

What we're missing is Air Fidos, expensive sneakers to allow your dog to reach its full athletic potential. Instead, there's a new sports beverage - for dogs.

Rebound, developed and marketed by Atlanta-based National Pet Supply, comes in two flavors - Original (lemon-lime) and Ice Cool - and retails for $1.99-$2.50 per 1.5-liter bottle.

The marketers of this Gatorade for dogs promise it will replenish your canine's fluids lost in the heat of play and invigorate older dogs - all without a smidgen of caffeine.

``Like humans, dogs require essential nutrients to stay healthy and strong,'' says Gene Reilly, CEO of National Pet Supply. ``It was based on this belief that our team of veterinarians developed Rebound.''

The name was inspired by basketball players. The company tested the product on dogs for a year and a half - discarding a meat-flavored drink (``Too much like soup,'' says Reilly) - in favor of a fat-free, mineral-rich, semisweet drink palatable to humans and canines alike.

No Rebound for cats, however.

``You see a guy running with a cat, then somebody else can have that market,'' says Reilly.

Americans put squeeze on arenas

This may be the last year to hunker down, spread out and watch your favorite team. The Wall Street Journal warns that all across the country, people are getting bigger and stadium seats are getting smaller. ``It's like a sardine can,'' said a Washington Redskins fan at the team's new stadium in Maryland. ``It's good to have someone you love sitting next to you.''

McGregor recounts tedium of `Menace'

Ewan McGregor says playing young Obi-Wan Kenobi in the new ``Star Wars'' movie wasn't all swords and special effects.

Some of the filming was ``the epitome of tedium,'' the 28-year-old Scottish actor said in Tuesday's Express.

``The work was so complex with all the special effects and stuff that I found myself hanging around for days,'' he said. ``I was frowning a lot. It became just a frowning exercise.''

The George Lucas-directed movie, ``Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace,'' is the first installment in the much-anticipated three-part prequel to the blockbuster space trilogy. It comes out next month.

Boredom didn't stop McGregor from signing up for the two other ``Star Wars'' movies, which are to be completed by 2005.

``I guess I'm just an actor who can't say no. Besides, there's nothing cooler than being a Jedi knight,'' he said.

News Lite is compiled by Karen Duffy from Daily News staff and wire reports

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

PHOTO (1) Hawkish White House

The victor stood over its prey on the White House lawn.

Surprised tourists stared and pointed from outside the gates on Tuesday. Photographers hurried to take pictures.

After all, it's not every day you see a red-tailed hawk kill a duck at the White House and then feast on its remains.

The large hawk - some people think there are two - has been hanging around the White House for the last week or so. Squirrels that roam the 18-acre compound rush into hiding when the hawk is around. The duck wasn't that smart.

(2) Dennis Rodman and Carmen Electra say they're finished.