NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Gloria Naylor, who wrote ‘The Women of Brewster Place,’ dies

NEW YORK

An author whose debut novel, “The Women of Brewster Place,” became a best-seller, a National Book Award winner and a TV miniseries released through Oprah Winfrey’s production company has died. Gloria Naylor was 66.

Naylor’s death was confirmed Monday to The Associated Press by Cara Reilly, an assistant at the literary agency Sterling Lord Literistic. Reilly provided no other details about Naylor’s death.

“The Women of Brewster Place” is Naylor’s self-described “love letter” to a community of African-American women in a housing project. It was published in 1982 and won the National Book Award for best first fiction. The miniseries came out in 1989 with a cast including Winfrey, Cicely Tyson and Robin Givens.

Naylor’s other books include “Linden Hills,” “Mama Day” and “The Men of Brewster Place.”

Boston Pops to take over city’s signature July Fourth fete

BOSTON

The Boston Pops is taking over the city’s signature July Fourth celebration.

The Pops announced Monday it will produce the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular going forward. Co-founder and longtime executive producer David Mugar has stepped down after 43 years at the helm.

The Pops also will assume management responsibility of Boston 4 Productions, which produces the event.

Boston Pops conductor Keith Lockhart says the move gives the Pops the best chance to be in control of the event’s fate. The event is one of the nation’s signature Independence Day celebrations.

Lockhart says the Pops is in talks with several organizations about funding the event and expects to announce sponsorship plans over the next couple of months. Traditionally, the costs of the celebration are covered by corporate sponsors.

Cosby can’t attend accuser’s deposition in defamation suit

PHILADELPHIA

A federal judge in Philadelphia has barred Bill Cosby from attending the deposition his accuser gives in her defamation suit against a former district attorney.

But the judge says Cosby’s lawyers can review the deposition afterward to be sure Andrea Constand didn’t violate the confidential settlement of her 2005 lawsuit against Cosby.

The 79-year-old Cosby is awaiting trial in June over charges he drugged and molested Constand in 2004.

She has since sued the prosecutor who declined to prosecute Cosby at the time. Constand says Bruce Castor defamed her when he said that Constand had changed her story over time.

U.S. District Judge Eduardo Robreno also ruled Monday that Cosby can’t participate in the deposition of Castor’s then-deputy. She reopened the case last year amid new evidence.

Associated Press