PEOPLE IN THE NEWS

Media personality and political commentator Glenn Beck is pitching in to keep a trove of artifacts related to Abraham Lincoln in the 16th president’s hometown.

Beck’s charity, Mercury One, has donated $50,000 toward a $9.2 million debt owed for a collection of 1,400 artifacts purchased a decade ago for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield.

Beck says that “Lincoln’s mission didn’t end in the 1860s. His words challenge us yet today.”

The museum’s fundraising foundation took out a $23 million loan in 2007 to obtain the collection.

The collection includes valuable personal effects of Lincoln’s and a stovepipe hat whose link to Lincoln has been questioned.

Museum director Alan Lowe

Kirk Douglas celebrates 102nd birthday with video tribute

Actor Kirk Douglas got to celebrate his 102nd birthday with a special video message from his daughter-inlaw.

Catherine Zeta-Jones shared a sweet tribute in an Instagram video Sunday. The actress and wife of Michael Douglas wrote, “Happy 102nd birthday to the most beautiful man. We love you Kirk.”

The video featured photos of Douglas throughout his movie career and with family members.

Douglas has been a Hollywood mainstay for decades and is perhaps best known for starring in the 1960 drama “Spartacus.” — From wire reports