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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kasem’s daughter wins court order

From Wire Reports

The wife of ailing radio personality Casey Kasem has been ordered to appear in Kitsap County, Washington, court Friday in an ongoing dispute with a stepdaughter who has been given authority to determine whether her father is receiving adequate medical care.

The 82-year-old Kasem and his wife, Jean, have been staying with family friends in Kitsap County.

The documents delivered Wednesday to Jean Kasem by Kitsap County sheriff’s officers warn that her failure to appear on Friday could lead to a warrant for her arrest.

A spokesman for Kerri Kasem has said she has a Washington state court order that allows her to see her father.

Casey Kasem gained fame with his radio music countdown shows, “American Top 40” and “Casey’s Top 40,” and he was the voice of Shaggy in the cartoon “Scooby Doo.”

Pitt unhurt in attack outside premiere

A man was led away in handcuffs after attacking Brad Pitt on the red carpet at the Hollywood premiere of the movie “Maleficent.” Pitt was apparently unhurt and soon resumed signing autographs.

Witnesses saw the man from the fan area jump over a barrier to the red carpet at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood on Tuesday and rush at Pitt.

Security guards wrestled the man across the barrier and called police, who arrived and led the man away. Pitt kept greeting fans and walked into the theater.

Pitt’s longtime partner Angelina Jolie stars in “Maleficent,” Disney’s new live-action spin on “Sleeping Beauty.”

‘Reading Rainbow’ hits funding target

LeVar Burton’s fundraising effort to bring “Reading Rainbow” to the online masses is a by-the-book success.

The goal of raising $1 million by July 2 was reached within hours of the campaign’s launch Wednesday on Kickstarter, according to the website. More than 23,000 donors had pledged $1.1 million and counting.

Burton was the host of “Reading Rainbow,” the children’s literacy program that aired on public TV through 2009.

Contributors can claim rewards ranging from autographed memorabilia to a private dinner with Burton to a chance to put on the visor that the actor wore on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

A tablet version of “Reading Rainbow” was released in 2012 and became a top-selling education app. It provides access to hundreds of books and Burton’s videotaped “field trips” to historic sites and other places, said Wolfe, who co-founded the for-profit RRKidz company with Burton.

The birthday bunch

Composer Danny Elfman is 61. Singer LaToya Jackson is 58. Actress Annette Bening is 56. Actor Rupert Everett is 55. Singer Melissa Etheridge is 53. Singer Jayski McGowan of Quad City DJ’s is 47. Cartoonist Aaron McGruder (“Boondocks”) is 40. Singer Melanie Brown (Spice Girls) is 39.