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

People: Lemony Snicket to give $1 million to Planned Parenthood

The children’s author known as Lemony Snicket says he’s donating $1 million to Planned Parenthood.

Daniel Handler made the announcement this week on his Twitter feed, @DanielHandler. He notes the donation to the women’s health care provider is on behalf of him and his wife, illustrator Lisa Brown. He says they’ve been very fortunate and “good fortune should be shared with noble causes.”

House Republicans in Washington have been trying to cut off federal funding for Planned Parenthood. They cite its practice of supplying tissue from aborted fetuses for scientific research.

Planned Parenthood defends the practice as the legal donation of tissue to research firms. It said the not-for-profit tissue donation programs support lifesaving scientific research.

Handler’s Lemony Snicket novels, “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” have sold millions of copies.

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A Pinellas County circuit judge has ruled that several pieces of evidence related to the Hulk Hogan sex tape case will remain confidential despite a request from a group of media outlets that they be made public.

Of the 17 items discussed Thursday during a hearing, Judge Pamela Campbell determined that 15 will remain sealed, one will be unsealed and one pushed to a later discussion.

Hogan, a former WWE wrestler whose real name is Terry Bollea, is suing the news website Gawker.

Hogan claims that the media company’s decision to publish an excerpt from a sex tape violated his privacy. The video involves Hogan and Heather Cole, the ex-wife of radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge Clem.

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John Krasinski, who starred for nine years in NBC’s workplace comedy “The Office,” is going back to one – onstage.

The off-Broadway Public Theater said Thursday that Krasinski will make his theatrical debut in playwright Sarah Burgess’ “Dry Powder,” which offers a behind-the-scenes look inside a private equity firm.

The Public said the play is “about the people molding and messing with the American economy” and “about the price of success and the real cost of getting the deal done.”

Thomas Kail, who has directed “Hamilton,” “In the Heights,” and “Lombardi” on Broadway, will direct. Previews begin March 1.

Krasinski, whose films include “Leatherheads” and “Kinsey,” will soon star as a Navy SEAL in Michael Bay’s upcoming film “13 Hours.”

The birthday bunch

Musician Sting is 64. Actress-talk show host Kelly Ripa (“All My Children,” “Live With Kelly and Michael”) is 45. Singer Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes is 27.