Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

Lawrence Ferlinghetti,   the Beat poet , publisher and founder of San Francisco's beloved City Lights bookstore, has died aged 101. He passed away from lung disease on Monday evening, confirmed the store's vice president and director of marketing and publicity, Stacey Lewis. One of the last surviving members of the Beat Generation, Ferlinghetti played a key role in expanding the literary movement's focus to the West Coast. An online  tribute , posted to City Lights' website on Tuesday, said that Ferlinghetti had been "instrumental in democratizing American literature." Read more here:  https://www.cnn.com/style/article/poet-lawrence-ferlinghetti-death/index.html

Former longtime U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter was battling for his life early Tuesday after he was recently diagnosed with a "serious form of cancer," a source close to his office told CNN. Specter, who has overcome numerous serious illnesses over the past two decades, including a brain tumor and non-Hodgkins lymphoma, was diagnosed six weeks ago with the new form of cancer, the specifics of which are being closely shielded by his family. For more on this story go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

The NCAA announced a $60 million fine today against Penn State University as part of the fallout from the child sex abuse scandal involving former coach Jerry Sandusky. The university also is banned from bowl games for four years. The NCAA also vacated all of Penn State's football wins from 1998 to 2011, stripping the late Joe Paterno of the title of winningest coach in major college football history. Get complete coverage of the Penn State scandal and fallout for the university on CNN.com, CNN TV and CNN Mobile. Watch live coverage now on http://CNN.com/Live The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

For continuing coverage go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Los Angeles (CNN) -- The latest photos of notorious killer Charles Manson have been released by the California Department of Corrections, one week before his next parole hearing. At the request of CNN, the department provided two photographs of Manson taken in June at the state prison in Corcoran, California. They show Manson, 77, with long, flowing gray hair, long beard and mustache. For more on this story go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

US Supreme Court Ends Health Care Act Debate The state Senate today approved a measure by President Pro Tem Joe Scarnati that would amend the state Constitution to prohibit Pennsylvanians from being required to obtain health insurance coverage or from being penalized for not doing so. Scarnati said Senate Bill 10 would give voters an opportunity to say “yes” or “no” to a key part of President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul. That law contains a controversial “individual mandate” provision forcing Americans to purchase health insurance by 2014 or face escalating financial penalties as high as 2.5 percent of their total household income. A recent USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 75 percent of voters, including a majority of democrats and liberals, believe the law is unconstitutional. Scarnati said while his bill was introduced in response to “Obamacare,” its main purpose is to address the issue of federal government overreach and intrusion on ...

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(CNN) -- The slaughter of civilians in Sudan goes on with too little attention. But when George Clooney gets involved, the world takes notice. And that's at least a step in the right direction. Clooney brought the media spotlight with him Friday, as he protested outside the Sudanese embassy in Washington and was arrested alongside his father, longtime newsman Nick Clooney, who worked as an anchorman at WRGZ-TV in Buffalo. For more on this story go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

March Madness already came to Bona-Land, but in case you still don't get it here's an explanation:

The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

(CNN) -- Two people died and seven are being treated for injuries after a shooting Thursday afternoon inside the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center's Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, the center said on Twitter, citing police. In a post a few minutes later, the medical center said police had indicated that one of the two "confirmed dead ... is believed to be the shooter." For continuing coverage go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

A third victim of Monday’s school shooting in Chardon, Ohio, has died, according to a statement from MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Demetrius Hewlin died Tuesday morning, his family said in a statement released by the hospital. Student Russell King Jr., 17, was declared brain dead early Tuesday, according to the medical examiner's office, and student Daniel Parmertor died on Monday. Two other students remain hospitalized. The suspect in Monday's shooting at Chardon High School will likely face charges as an adult, the state attorney general said Tuesday. For continuing coverage go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

One of five students shot today at a high school in Chardon, Ohio, has died, police Chief Tim McKenna says. Watch live coverage now on CNN.com . For continuing blog coverage of the Ohio school shooting go to CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Legendary pop singer Whitney Houston was found dead at a Beverly Hills, California, hotel at age 48, officials said Saturday night. For more on this story go to CNN.com

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- At long last, the Holy Grail of Internet IPOs is here. Facebook filed Wednesday to raise $5 billion in an initial public offering. In 2011, Facebook earned $1 billion on sales of $3.7 billion. As of December 31, Facebook had 845 million monthly active users. Read more at CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Cairo (CNN) -- At least 73 people were killed when fans rushed the field and rioted after a soccer game in Egypt Wednesday, a health ministry spokesman said. More at CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

From CNN: The United States and NATO will end their combat mission in Afghanistan next year, transitioning to a training role, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said. "Hopefully, by mid to the latter part of 2013, we'll be able to make a transition from a combat role to a training, advise and assist role," Panetta told reporters traveling with him to Belgium. The information was confirmed to CNN by a defense official. The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Lawyers for Facebook want $84,000 in legal fees from Paul Ceglia for causing delays in his case that claims he has part ownership of the $50 billion social networking site. Ceglia’s attorney says the amount is too high and asked a judge to reject that amount and come up with a figure that represents legal fees in the Buffalo area, and not New York City or Palo Alto, California, where Facebook is based. Last month, a federal judge ordered Ceglia to pay Facebook's court costs for trying to force the Wellsville man to comply with an order to provide access to his email accounts. Ceglia was also fined $5,000 for contempt. Related story: CNN: Facebook Readies for Blockbuster IPO The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947

Los Angeles (CNN) -- Don Cornelius, the founder of the "Soul Train" television show, was found dead of a gunshot wound Wednesday, authorities said. He was 75. Read more at CNN.com . The news leader of the Twin Tiers ... since 1947