The family of Anna Short Harrington, the woman who was the inspiration for much of the Aunt Jemima imagery, has filed a lawsuit against Pepsi Co. and its subsidiary the Quaker Oats Co., along with the Pinnacle Foods Group and the Hillshire Brands Co. D.W. Hunter, Harrington’s great-grandson, filed the class action lawsuit on behalf of all of Harrington’s great-grandchildren. He is seeking $2 billion along with punitive damages, reports the Chicago Tribune. Read more.
Patti LaBelle Joins Cast of ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’
Patti LaBelle has joined the cast of “American Horror Story: Freak Show,” in a recurring role, playing the mother of Gabourey Sidibe’s character. TVLine describes her as “a local townsperson who begins to unravel the murderous secrets of Twisty the clown killer.” LaBelle joins the returning Sidibe, as well as Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Frances Conroy and Kathy Bates, who are all joined by newcomers to the group, Michael Chiklis and Wes Bentley. Read more.
Second Night Of Unrest In Missouri Town Following Michael Brown Shooting By Police
Authorities in a St. Louis suburb where an unarmed black teen was fatally shot by police have used tear gas and rubber bullets to try to disperse a large crowd. Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson says a group gathered throughout the day Monday at a burned-out convenience store turned rowdy at nightfall. Jackson said members of the crowd threw rocks at police and gunfire came from the crowd. He says officers used tear gas and by shot “beanbag rounds” meant to stun them. An Associated Press photographer said police were telling people to go home, but authorities had blocked exit streets off. Read more.
A $100 Million Atlanta Studio Expansion Is in Tyler Perry’s Future
Tyler Perry wants to expand his already impressive (from what I hear; I’ve never been there) studio lot, by taking over three quarters of what was a U.S. Army military base, in East Point, Georgia. The Ft. McPherson property was once the headquarters for the U.S. Army Forces Command, the U.S. Army Reserve Command and the U.S. Army Central. It was closed three years ago. “We needed a place where people could come by the thousands,” Perry told the board that oversees the property, describing what will be a whopping $100 million studio project. Mayor Kasim Reed (of Atlanta) touted the project as a job creator, as well as a productive use of property no one else apparently wanted to buy. Read more.
Tracy Morgan ‘Struggling’ After Car Crash According To Attorney
Tracy Morgan’s attorney on Monday said the comedian is “still struggling” with his health two months after breaking several bones in a deadly New Jersey highway crash that has renewed public attention to safety in the U.S. trucking industry. “He’s still struggling, but he’s a fighter,” attorney Benedict Morelli told NBC’s “Today” show. “He’s had issues before that he’s fought through, and he’s fighting hard.” Morgan, best known for his roles on TV comedies “30 Rock” and “Saturday Night Live,” broke a leg, several ribs and his nose in June when a Wal-Mart Stores Inc tractor-trailer slammed into a limo bus Morgan and his entourage were riding in. Read more.
Woman Finds Butter Swastika in McDonald’s Chicken Sandwich
A North Carolina woman was shocked to discover a Nazi swastika drawn on the underside of her McDonald’s chicken sandwich bun in what everyone involved is hoping was “butter.” Charleigh Matice of Morehead City, North Carolina, whose grandfather fought in World War II snapped a photo of the offending symbol on her meal, asking later, “Is this a joke? Does somebody really think they’re funny?” Read more.
