NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Gay-marriage plaintiff has Morrow book deal

NEW YORK

The lead plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that made gay marriage a nationwide right has a book deal.

Jim Obergefell is collaborating with Washington Post journalist Debbie Cenziper on “21 Years to Midnight,” William Morrow told The Associated Press on Monday. Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, plans a June release to mark the 5-4 ruling’s anniversary.

Obergefell’s involvement in what became Obergefell v. Hodges originated with his desire to have his name listed as “surviving spouse” of the late John Arthur, whom he had married in Maryland. Same-sex marriage had been illegal in Obergefell’s native Ohio.

Keillor retiring from ‘Prairie Home’

ST. PAUL, Minn.

Garrison Keillor, creator and longtime host of the popular “A Prairie Home Companion” radio show, says he means it this time: He’s retiring.

In an interview Monday with The Associated Press, Keillor said he plans to step down as host after next season – after four decades of entertaining listeners with his baritone voice and folksy comedy sketches about Lake Wobegon, his mythical Minnesota hometown.

The show is heard by 4 million listeners nationwide on nearly 700 public-radio stations each week. Keillor also takes summer bus tours for live shows, and his 30-city “America the Beautiful” cross-country tour, billed as his farewell tour, starts next week.

Lifetime achievement award for Burnett

LOS ANGELES

The Screen Actors Guild is recognizing Carol Burnett for her six decades in entertainment.

The actors union announced Monday that Burnett will receive its 52nd Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual SAG Awards in January.

Union President Ken Howard said the 82-year-old entertainer is “a creative dynamo and a comedic genius.”

Josh Duggar says wife has given birth

TONTITOWN, Ark.

Josh Duggar, the eldest son featured on TLC’s recently canceled “19 Kids and Counting” reality show, has announced the birth of his and his wife’s fourth child.

Duggar tweeted Sunday that his wife, Anna, gave birth to a daughter, Meredith Grace.

TLC canceled the show last week, after revelations that Josh Duggar molested some of his sisters and a baby-sitter when he was a teenager in 2002 and 2003. No charges have been filed.

Associated Press