newsmakers

newsmakers

2017 Kennedy Center honorees announced

WASHINGTON

This year’s Kennedy Center honorees will include two singers, a television writer, a dancer – and for the first time, a hip-hop artist.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday announced the recipients of the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors. They are: hip-hop artist LL Cool J, singers Gloria Estefan and Lionel Richie, television writer and producer Norman Lear and dancer Carmen de Lavallade.

It’s the 40th year of the awards, which honor people who have influenced American culture through the arts.

The honorees will be celebrated at a gala on Dec. 3, featuring performances and tributes from top entertainers and attended by President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. The show will be broadcast on Dec. 26 on CBS.

Suge Knight accused of threatening director

LOS ANGELES

Former rap mogul Marion “Suge” Knight is accused of threatening to kill or seriously injure the director of the film “Straight Outta Compton.”

Los Angeles County prosecutors say the Death Row Records co-founder pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of making criminal threats.

Court records show the allegations stem from an August 2014 incident in which Knight threatened the film’s director, F. Gary Gray. The indictment says the threat conveyed “an immediate prospect of execution.” Prosecutors say Gray feared for his life and the safety of his family.

Knight’s attorney has denied his client threatened Gray.

‘RHONY’ cast member ending marriage

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Luann D’Agostino’s whirlwind romance is over.

The “Real Housewives of New York” cast member and her husband, Tom D’Agostino, have decided to call it quits after seven months of marriage.

The reality TV star tweeted the announcement on Thursday. It was confirmed by her publicist.

The couple got engaged last year after a short courtship. Drama surrounding their relationship has been a continued storyline on the show.

Associated Press