NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Hispanic coalition: Take Trump off ‘SNL’

LOS ANGELES

NBC is enabling Donald Trump’s “hateful speech” about Hispanics by giving him a platform as host of “Saturday Night Live” and should pull the invitation, a coalition of Hispanic advocacy groups said.

In a letter to NBC Universal CEO Stephen Burke and “SNL” executive producer Lorne Michaels, the National Hispanic Leadership Agenda said it applauded the company when it severed its beauty-pageant ties with Trump over his remarks about Hispanic immigrants.

Trump hasn’t apologized for his “bigoted comments” that included describing some Mexicans in the United States illegally as criminals and rapists, the group said, and it is “flabbergasted” by NBC’s decision to put Trump on “SNL” on Nov. 7.

NBC Universal, “SNL” and Trump did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Grateful Dead bassist Lesh battling cancer

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.

Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh says he has been diagnosed with bladder cancer and is being treated in Arizona.

The 75-year-old bassist announced his illness Friday on the Facebook page of his San Rafael restaurant and concert hall, Terrapin Crossroads.

Lesh says he was diagnosed in early October and has been undergoing tests at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale and eventually will have surgery to remove the tumors. He says he’s “very fortunate” to have the pathology reports show the tumors are all nonaggressive and that there is no indication that they have spread.

He canceled Phil Lesh and Friends shows scheduled for next weekend at the Terrapin Crossroads.

Lesh says he will be able to return to normal activities two weeks after surgery and will reschedule the canceled dates.

Associated Press