MORNING REPORT - News from July 27, 2000

TV/RADIO

Tuning Out Support: Radio talk-show host Laura Schlessinger has taken a letter of support from the Rabbinical Alliance of America off her Web site. Leaders of the group have been linked to certain extremist views, among them citing religious justification for killing Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin--who was later assassinated--and suing to close New York’s Holocaust museum rather than allow homosexual victims to be memorialized. In a note to her listeners that replaced the earlier letter, Schlessinger said, “It should go without saying that their support and my gratitude does not indicate that we are in total agreement on absolutely everything they or I say or believe.”

ARCHITECTURE

‘Preserve L.A.’ Grants Announced: The J. Paul Getty Trust is to announce $1.4 million in grants today for the preservation of historic buildings and sites throughout Los Angeles County. The Getty’s “Preserve L.A.” grants are meant to help conserve a selection of 21 landmarks including a historic African American sorority house in West Adams, the Brand Library in Glendale, Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood, Griffith Observatory, Wilshire Boulevard Temple, South Pasadena’s Oaklawn Bridge and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Freeman House in Hollywood.

STAGE

Play Honors Latino Vets: America’s Latino war veterans are being saluted with a two-act play opening today at the Los Angeles Theater Center. The play, “Veteranos: A Legacy of Valor,” is scheduled for a four-day run, continuing through Sunday. The play is based on the stories of Medal of Honor winners from the two world wars and the Korean and Vietnam wars. Throughout both acts, there will be dances from each era, accompanied by a historical video and slide presentation that complement the acting on stage. “This is the first time within the Latino Hollywood community where our veterans are celebrated and honored by their own,” said Danny Haro, the play’s executive producer.

POP/ROCK

Beastie Boys Tour Postponed: A shoulder injury sustained last weekend by Beastie Boy Mike D. has forced the postponement of the group’s tour with Rage Against the Machine. The Rhyme & Reason 2000 tour was scheduled to kick off Aug. 2 in Toronto, with dates announced through Sept. 10. Mike D., a.k.a. Michael Diamond, 34, was injured Saturday in New York while riding his bicycle home from rehearsal, damaging his clavicle as well as several muscles, tendons and ligaments, a statement said. “A specialist has recommended that he refrain from all physical activity for the duration of a two- to three-month rehabilitation regimen or risk permanently losing the use of the injured shoulder,” it added. Details of rescheduled dates and refund information will be announced soon.