Lifestyle News

WASHINGTON — The U.S. government Thursday eased restrictions on blood donations from gay men and other key groups because of a drop in the nation's blood supply triggered by the coronavirus outbreak.

NEW YORK — James Patterson has a history of helping independent bookstores. The bestselling novelist has donated millions in recent years to booksellers, while also giving millions to schools and libraries and literacy programs.

From finding ways to help others cope to sheltering in place to cancelling events, here’s a look at some of the ways the entertainment industry is reacting to the spread of the coronavirus, which most people recover from but can cause severe illness

NEW YORK — Dav Pilkey is going to the cats. The million-selling author of the “Captain Underpants” and “Dog Man” series is starting the “Cat Kid Comic Club,” Scholastic announced Thursday. The first book will be released Dec. 1.

TORONTO — Organizers behind the Toronto International Film Festival say they're still planning to go ahead with the annual movie marathon from Sept. 10-21.

NEW ORLEANS — Ellis Marsalis Jr., the jazz pianist, teacher and patriarch of a New Orleans musical clan, died late Wednesday from pneumonia brought on by the new coronavirus, leaving six sons and a deep legacy. He was 85.

NEW YORK — Cooped up at her Bronx home with her daughter and a niece because of the coronavirus pandemic, Mexican writer Valeria Luiselli says she has lowered the “volume and speed” of her life.

Couples are often told to prepare for anything when it comes to their wedding, but a global pandemic isn’t typically something to consider.

Hamilton-raised Broadway star Nick Cordero is in hospital undergoing a test for COVID-19 after being admitted with pneumonia. His wife, dancer-turned-celebrity personal trainer Amanda Kloots, made the announcement on her Instagram account Wednesday.

Couples are often told to prepare for anything when it comes to their wedding, but a global pandemic isn’t typically something to consider.