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Harry Potter Author Enters Britain's Political Fray

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 21, 2008

It sounds like Harry Potter will vote for the Labour Party when the boy wizard is old enough to cast a ballot.
Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling made a rare foray into Britain's bruising political battles Saturday, donating $1.8 million to the struggling Labour Party and accusing the rival Conservatives of discriminating against poor parents trying to work their way out of poverty.

In a statement that referred back to the days when she was struggling to feed and clothe her family, Rowling said Prime Minister Gordon Brown has worked hard to reduce child poverty while Conservative chief David Cameron has proposed tax changes that would hurt working single parents.

Rowling has generally stayed out of the political frays, but she appears to have been upset by Conservative tax plans that she said would increase benefits for married couples without helping single parents.

'Sopranos' Actor Headed For Trial In Officer's Death

"Sopranos" actor Lillo Brancato Jr. is set to go to trial next month in the death of an off-duty New York police officer.

A judge ruled Friday that Brancato and co-defendant Steven Armento would be tried separately. Prosecutors wanted them tried together.

Authorities say they broke into an apartment to look for prescription drugs in 2005. Officer Daniel Enchautegui confronted them and was killed in a shootout. Armento is accused of firing the fatal shot.

Brancato's murder trial is set for Oct. 28.

Today's Birthdays

Poet-songwriter Leonard Cohen is 74. Author Stephen King is 61. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is 61. Actor-comedian Bill Murray is 58. Actress Cheryl Hines is 43. Actor Luke Wilson is 37.

Source: The Associated Press

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