newsmakers

newsmakers

Jackson dispute turns nasty

LOS ANGELES

The executors of Michael Jackson’s estate said Tuesday they were concerned about the welfare of the singer’s mother and his three children amid a nasty family feud over money that has prompted three law-enforcement investigations.

Executors John Branca and John McClain wrote in a letter posted online to fans of the pop superstar that they were doing everything they can to protect his children.

“We are concerned that we do what we can to protect them from undue influences, bullying, greed and other unfortunate circumstances,” states the letter posted just hours after deputies responded to a family disturbance at the hilltop home where Katherine Jackson and her three grandchildren live.

No arrests were made, but officials say there is an active battery investigation.

Jackson died in June 2009 at age 50 and left his estate to care for his mother and three children. He left nothing to his father or siblings, who repeatedly have tried to intervene in the estate. Several have expressed doubts about the validity of his will.

Sandra Ribera, an attorney for Katherine Jackson, said authorities were called after the singer’s children were accosted by relatives who followed them into their gated community in Calabasas.

Done with ‘Talent,’ tweets Osbourne

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Sharon Osbourne says she’s ready to say goodbye to “America’s Got Talent.”

Osbourne took to Twitter on Tuesday, addressing “my darling” fellow judge Howard Stern and saying, “money is not the reason I’m not returning” to the show. Her tweet trailed off with “it’s because ....” and didn’t elaborate.

NBC said Osbourne hasn’t informed the network that she intends to leave “America’s Got Talent,” which is airing its seventh season. The series added Stern to the judges’ panel and moved from Los Angeles to New York this year to accommodate him.

Osbourne’s representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

DC Comics delays Batman comic

PHILADELPHIA

DC Comics is asking retailers to postpone sales of a Batman comic book out of respect for victims of the shooting at a theater showing “The Dark Knight Rises” in Colorado.

In an email sent to shops Monday, DC Entertainment wrote that it had decided to postpone the release of “Batman, Incorporated” No. 3 “because the comic contains content that may be perceived as insensitive in light of recent events.”

The email, a copy of which The Associated Press obtained Tuesday, did not disclose the content. The series is written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Chris Burnham.

Vindicator wire services