AP reporter

Hillel Italie

Hillel Italie reports for the Associated Press.

Edna O’Brien, Ireland’s literary pride and outlaw who scandalized her native land with her debut novel “The Country Girls” before gaining international acclaim as a storyteller and iconoclast that found her welcomed everywhere from Dublin to the White House, has died. She was 93.

Books |
Edna O’Brien, Irish literary giant who wrote ‘The Country Girls,’ dies at 93

July 30, 2024 at 1:10 p.m.

Edna O’Brien, Ireland’s literary pride and outlaw who scandalized her native land with her debut novel “The Country Girls” before gaining international acclaim as a storyteller and iconoclast that found...

Willie Mays, baseball’s exuberant and electrifying “Say Hey Kid,” has died at 93. The San Francisco Giants and Mays' family jointly announced his death. The Giants center fielder, with his signature basket catch, was one of the game’s greatest and most beloved players. He hit more than 600 home runs, totaled more than 3,000 hits and was a joy to behold in the outfield. His over-the-shoulder catch of a long drive in the 1954 World Series is baseball’s most celebrated defensive feat. He had been baseball’s oldest living Hall of Famer.

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News Obituaries |
Willie Mays, the Giants’ electrifying ‘Say Hey Kid,’ dies at 93

June 19, 2024 at 9:33 a.m.

Willie Mays, baseball’s exuberant and electrifying “Say Hey Kid,” has died at 93. The San Francisco Giants and Mays' family jointly announced his death. The Giants center fielder, with his...

Albert S. Ruddy, a colorful, Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby,” developed the raucous prison-sports comedy “The Longest Yard” and helped create the hit sitcom “Hogan’s Heroes,” has died at age 94.

News Obituaries |
Albert Ruddy, Oscar-winning producer of ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby,’ dies at 94

May 28, 2024 at 1:38 p.m.

Albert S. Ruddy, a colorful, Canadian-born producer and writer who won Oscars for “The Godfather” and “Million Dollar Baby,” developed the raucous prison-sports comedy “The Longest Yard” and helped create...

Nobel laureate Alice Munro has died. The Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history’s most honored short story writers was 92. Munro achieved stature rare for an art form traditionally placed beneath the novel. She was the first lifelong Canadian to win the Nobel and the first recipient cited exclusively for short fiction. Munro was little known beyond Canada until her late 30s but became one of the few short story writers to enjoy ongoing commercial success. A spokesperson for publisher Penguin Random House Canada said Munro died Monday at home in Port Hope, Ontario.

News Obituaries |
Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92

May 14, 2024 at 1:28 p.m.

Nobel laureate Alice Munro has died. The Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history’s most honored short story writers was...

Increasingly, lawmakers are considering new punishments — crippling lawsuits, hefty fines, and even imprisonment — for distributing books some regard as inappropriate.

National News |
Librarians fear new penalties, even prison, as activists challenge books

April 10, 2024 at 4:05 p.m.

Increasingly, lawmakers are considering new punishments — crippling lawsuits, hefty fines, and even imprisonment — for distributing books some regard as inappropriate.

Books |
Dave Eggers’ children’s book, ‘The Eyes & the Impossible,’ wins prestigious Newbery Medal

January 22, 2024 at 6:16 p.m.

The Caldecott medal, for illustration, went to Vashti Harrison's 'Big,' the first time that award has gone to a Black woman.

Books |
2023 in books: Protests, bannings and the rise of AI helped shape the story of publishing

December 22, 2023 at 8:35 a.m.

The publishing world made plenty of news in 2023, but not only because of the books themselves. Bannings continued to soar in the U.S., the Middle East war affected everything...

In face of government pressure worldwide, including the US, publishers lie low.

Books |
Publishers group struggled to find willing recipient of Freedom to Publish Award

December 21, 2023 at 10:45 a.m.

In face of government pressure worldwide, including the US, publishers lie low.

The 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination finds his family, and the country, at a moment many would not have imagined in JFK's lifetime.

National News |
60 years after JFK’s death, today’s Kennedys choose other paths to public service

November 21, 2023 at 11:23 a.m.

The 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination finds his family, and the country, at a moment many would not have imagined in JFK's lifetime.

The nationwide surge in book bannings continues.

Education |
Challenges to library books continue at record pace in 2023, American Library Association reports

September 20, 2023 at 8:33 a.m.

The nationwide surge in book bannings continues.

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