Judithe Smith News Today

Eighty years ago, in the winter and spring of 1944, Brooklyn-born author Betty Smith was entering a new chapter of life. A year earlier, she was an unknown writer, negotiating with her publisher about manuscript edits and the date of publication for her first book, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” …

No other 20th-century American novel did quite so much to burnish Brooklyn’s reputation. But Smith rarely saw her hometown through rose-colored glasses − and even grew to resent it.

No other 20th-century American novel did quite so much to burnish Brooklyn’s reputation. But Smith rarely saw her hometown through rose-colored glasses − and even grew to resent it.

From the deaths of multiple beloved entertainers, to Disney filing a lawsuit against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, here are some of the top national stories from the last week.

By JOHN BLAKE and CHLOE MELAS CNN Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the Civil Rights Movement, has died, his publicist Ken Sunshine told CNN. He was 96. Belafonte died Tuesday morning of congestive heart failure, Sunshine said. Belafonte was dubbed the "King of Calypso"

Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement, has died, his publicist Ken Sunshine told CNN.

The legendary singer and civil rights activist died Tuesday.

The iconic "Day-O" singer passed away at his home in New York City, according to longtime spokesperson Ken Sunshine.

(CNN) — Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement, has died, his publicist Ken...

Harry Belafonte, the dashing singer, actor and activist who became an indispensable supporter of the civil rights movement, has died, his publicist Ken Sunshine told CNN.