‘Roseanne’ spinoff OK’d
LOSANGELES — Roseanne Barr may be finished, but the Conners are not.
Less than a month after ABC canceled the hit revival of “Roseanne” because of a racist tweet by Ms. Barr, the network has decided to go forward with a spinoff that will not include her. ABC said that Ms. Barr would not receive any payment from the network for the spinoff series, which is tentatively titled “The Conners.”
The spinoff, which is scheduled to return to ABC in the fall, will include the principal cast members, and the writing staff and top producers will return as well. The Roseanne character’s daughter, Darlene, who is played by Sara Gilbert, is expected to be the new anchor of the family. How the writers will explain the absence of its former protagonist remains an open question.
House passes farm bill
WASHINGTON— The Republican-led House passed a sweeping farm bill Thursday that would toughen work requirements for food stamp recipients.
The bill passed by a vote of 213-211. Democrats unanimously opposed the measure, saying it would toss too many people off government food assistance. Twenty Republicans also voted no.
The measure also renews the safety net for farmers at a time when President Donald Trump’s tough talk on tariffs threatens to close off foreign markets for many of their products
Merging Cabinet branches
WASHINGTON— The Trump administration proposed a major reorganization of the federal government on Thursday, calling for merging the education and labor departments, moving the federal food stamp program to the Department of Health and Human Services and renaming that agency. The plan represented the latest aspiration of a presidential administration to revamp a sprawling federal government.
The sweeping reorganization proposal, formally unveiled during aCabinet meeting Thursday, is the result of an order signed by Mr. Trump in March 2017.
Intel CEO abruptly resigns
SANFRANCISCO — For decades, Intel was one of the most predictable players in the technology industry. On Thursday, the company blindsided Silicon Valley with the abrupt resignation of its chief executive.
The chip company said it was informed that Brian Krzanich had a “past consensual relationship” with an Intel employee. An investigation by internal and external counsel then found that Mr. Krzanich, 58, had violated a non-fraternization policy that applies to managers, the company said.
Suspect in rapper’s death
FORTLAUDERDALE, Fla. — A suspect has been charged in the death of rap star XXXTentacion, authorities said Thursday.
Dedrick Devonshay Williams, 22, of Pompano Beach, was arrested shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said in a news release sent Thursday morning.
Jahseh Dwayne Onfroy, 20, stage name XXXTentacion, was gunned down Monday as he left a motorcycle dealership near Fort Lauderdale where he was planning to make a purchase.
Mr. Williams is charged with first-degree murder without premeditation, a probation violation and for not having a valid driver’s license. He was being held without bond in the Broward County Jail on Thursday.