newsmakers

newsmakers

Honorary degree for Aretha Franklin

CLEVELAND

Aretha Franklin will receive an honorary degree from Ohio’s Case Western Reserve University at the end of a weeklong tribute to the Queen of Soul.

The celebration by the university and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland kicks off Monday. Franklin is a member of the rock hall but is being honored again as part of its American Music Masters series.

It ends with the Nov. 5 tribute concert where the university says Franklin will be honored for her contributions to American culture and work during the civil-rights movement. Performers slated to be on hand for the event include Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Edwards of The Temptations.

98 Degrees singer arrested at protest

CINCINNATI

Former boy-band singer Justin Jeffre has pleaded not guilty to trespassing after being arrested in the Occupy Cincinnati protest.

Police say the member of 98 Degrees was one of 11 people arrested early Sunday at the city’s Fountain Square after the 3 a.m. closing time. They also were charged with unlawful use of the square.

Jeffre tells The Cincinnati Enquirer he spent several hours in jail and it was “no fun.” But he says it was the right place to be to stand up for free speech.

Attorney Jennifer Kinsley entered a not-guilty plea for him Monday.

U2 called ‘Greatest’ act in last 25 years

LONDON

Rock icons U2 have something new to brag about — winning Q Magazine’s Greatest Act of the Last 25 Years award.

The annual music awards by Britain’s best-selling music monthly took place Monday at London’s Grosvenor House. The Irish quartet was present at the ceremony.

Brian May and Roger Taylor, meanwhile, accepted entry into the Q Hall of Fame on behalf of the band Queen.

Loretta Lynn is recovering at home

NASHVILLE, Tenn.

Loretta Lynn is out of the hospital and resting at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

A statement Monday from Loretta Lynn Enterprises said the country-music icon has been treated for bacterial pneumonia.

The 76-year-old was forced to cancel a show in Ashland, Ky., on Saturday because of the illness.

She woke up on her tour bus around 1:30 a.m. Saturday having difficulty breathing.

She was treated at a Bowling Green, Ky., hospital over the weekend and released.

“It was one scary night,” Lynn said in the statement.

She said she’s feeling better and will return to the road Nov. 3 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Associated Press