newsmakers

newsmakers

School under fire for changing lyrics

BELLINGHAM, Mass.

A Massachusetts elementary school has dropped plans for students to sing songs at a school presentation after parents objected to a change in the lyrics of a popular patriotic song.

Parents tell WFXT-TV that children at Stall Brook Elementary in Bellingham were taught to sing “We love the USA” instead of “God Bless the USA” during the chorus of the popular 1984 Lee Greenwood song.

The song was scheduled to be performed at an assembly next Thursday where students will show off their knowledge of the states.

School officials issued a statement Wednesday saying that because of “logistics,” no songs would be performed.

Greenwood issued a statement saying he objected to the changing of the lyrics because God “is the most important word in the whole piece of music.”

Harper Lee honored by Obama appearance

MONTGOMERY, Ala.

Alabama author Harper Lee doesn’t speak publicly very often, but she says she’s honored President Barack Obama is taping an introduction to a special showing of the movie based on her novel “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

USA Network says it will air a fully restored version of the movie Saturday evening. It will include a brief introduction by the president, who recognized Lee at a White House event last year.

Lee lives in the south Alabama town of Monroeville. In a statement released by the network, Lee says she is deeply honored that Obama will introduce the movie to a national audience.

The 50-year-old film features actor Gregory Peck as Alabama attorney Atticus Finch fighting for justice for a black defendant in a small Southern town. The character is based on Lee’s father.

Autopsy: Davy Jones died of heart attack

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.

An autopsy report confirms Monkees star Davy Jones died of a heart attack.

The report obtained Thursday by The Associated Press shows the 66-year-old Jones had severe build-up in his arteries.

Toxicology reports came back negative for any sign of drugs in his system other than cannabinoids, a class of drugs that includes marijuana. However, that played no role in his death.

The report also notes some congestion in the singer’s lungs.

Jones rocketed to the top of the 1960s music charts along with his bandmates in The Monkees, captivating audiences with hits including “Daydream Believer” and “I’m a Believer.” He died Feb. 29 near his home in Indiantown, Fla.

‘Captain America’ sequel due in 2014

LOS ANGELES

Captain America is getting another solo shot on the big-screen.

Walt Disney Studios announced Thursday that a sequel to last year’s superhero hit “Captain America: The First Avenger” will arrive in theaters April 4, 2014.

The first movie starred Chris Evans as the patriotic fighter for justice dressed in red, white and blue. “Captain America” took in $368 million at the worldwide box office.

Evans reprises his role as Captain America in “The Avengers,” an ensemble adventure featuring Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth and Jeremy Renner as a team of Marvel Comics heroes.

“The Avengers” is due out May 4.

Ancient mummy mask can stay, judge rules

ST. LOUIS

A 3,200-year-old mummy mask at the center of an international dispute will remain in St. Louis after a ruling by a federal judge.

The U.S. government sought to return the funeral mask of Lady Ka-Nefer-Nefer to Egypt, claiming it had been stolen before the St. Louis Art Museum purchased it from a New York art dealer in 1998. But U.S. District Judge Henry Autry in St. Louis ruled March 31 that the mask can remain with the art museum.

Autry says the government failed to prove that the mask was stolen. Museum officials say the mask’s ownership history was researched before the purchase and that there is no indication it was stolen.

Vindicator wire services