May 07, 2020 

By Hillel Italie 

AP National Writer 

 

Colson Whitehead became the rare author to receive Pulitzers for consecutive books when his novel about a brutal Florida reform school during the Jim Crow era, “The Nickel Boys,” was awarded the fiction prize Monday. Three years ago, he won for his Civil War era novel “The Underground Railroad.”

 

Pulitzer judges praised “The Nickel Boys” as “a spare and devastating exploration of abuse” that is “ultimately a powerful tale of human perseverance, dignity and redemption.” Whitehead, 50, is known for his experimental narratives and immersion in American history and folklore. His previous works include “John Henry Days” and “The Intuitionist.”

 

In a statement issued through his publisher, Doubleday, Whitehead said the news of his winning Monday was “pretty nuts!”

 

“Obviously I'm very honored and I hope that it raises awareness of the real life model for the novel – The Dozier School for Boys – so that the victims and their stories are not forgotten,” he said.

 

William Faulkner and John Updike are among the previous fiction writers to win more than one Pulitzer, but not for books that immediately followed the other.

 

Several of the works honored in the arts Monday explored race in American culture, including the music winner, Anthony Davis' opera “The Central Park Five.” It tells of the wrongful conviction of five black and Latino teenagers for the 1989 assault on a white female jogger in Central Park. Five adult singers depicted the group as boys and men in Davis' opera.

 

The Pulitzer board called the opera “a courageous operatic work, marked by powerful vocal writing and sensitive orchestration, that skillfully transforms a notorious example of contemporary injustice into something empathetic and hopeful.”

 

Michael R. Jackson's “A Strange Loop,” a musical about a man trying to write a musical, won for drama. Jackson, who wrote the music, story and lyrics, centers on an overweight, overwhelmed “ball of black confusion” trying to navigate multiple worlds – white, black and gay – as well as his family's religion.

 

“No one cares about a writer who is struggling to write,” sings the anxiety-ridden lead character, Usher.

 

The Pulitzer board called it a “meditation on universal human fears and insecurities.” The play was seen off-Broadway in 2019 at Playwrights Horizons. Musicals rarely claim the Pulitzer, with only “Next to Normal” and “Hamilton” winning since 2010.

 

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me on my journey to such an incredible honor. I'm sure I'll have more to say once I've caught my breath and looked at all these text messages and emails but for now, THANK YOU,” Jackson tweeted.

 

W. Caleb McDaniel won in history for “Sweet Taste of Liberty,” in which she chronicles how a former enslaved person, Henrietta Wood, successfully sued the Kentucky law enforcement officer who contrived to sell her back into bondage after she had obtained her freedom.

 

Benjamin Moser's “Sontag: Her Life and Work,” about the late Susan Sontag, won for biography. There were two winners in general nonfiction: Greg Grandin's “The End of the Myth: From the Frontier to the Border Wall in the Mind of America” and Ann Boyer's “The Undying: Pain, vulnerability, mortality, medicine, art, time, dreams, data, exhaustion, cancer, and care.”

 

In poetry, the winner was Jericho Brown's “The Tradition,” a meditation on life during a time of mass shootings and police violence. Judges called it “A collection of masterful lyrics that combine delicacy with historical urgency in their loving evocation of bodies vulnerable to hostility and violence.”

 

The initial Pulitzer ceremony, which had been scheduled for April 20, was pushed to give Pulitzer Board members more time to evaluate the finalists because of the pandemic.

May 07, 2020 

By Lapacazo Sandoval 

Contributing Writer 

 

A lot of us don’t remember when CBS’s soap opera “The Young and the Restless” began. The year was 1973 and now in its 46th season, the Daytime Emmy Award-Winning drama has been the number one daytime drama for over 28 years. That’s impressive and casting plays a lion share in what makes the Y&R machine still tick away.

 

That includes the casting of Sean Dominic, model turned actor. The show revolves around the rivalries, romances, hopes and fears of the residents of the fictional Midwestern metropolis, Genoa City. Here Sean portrays Dr. Nate Hastings, the son of Nathan Hastings and Olivia Winters, and would later become the adopted son of Malcolm Winters. Over the years Dr. Hastings has seen and been put through traumatic events including his mother's ovarian cancer diagnosis right after his birth, an HIV scare, parental separations, as well as the deaths of loved ones, and patients.

 

Dominic started his life in Madrid, Spain where he was born, the child of a single mother serving in the U.S. Airforce. An army kid he lived the life of travel growing up through a few states in the U.S. including South Dakota, North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware, to name a few.

 

At an early age, he became fascinated with arts and entertainment and started acting in local productions and school plays. After high school, he worked as a model traveling the world before moving to New York to hone his acting craft. Smaller roles started to roll in including roles in many film and television projects including OWN's “Greenleaf,” USA's “Royal Pains,” and BET's “Situationships,” and soon after, landed the coveted role on "The Young and the Restless.”

 

Healthy body, healthy mind when Sean has downtime, he can be found working out at the gym, hiking, boxing, and playing basketball to stay fit. When he’s not working in front of the cameras or working out, Sean travels the world and works with local community organizations to help children and the homeless.

 

Here is what actor Sean Dominic, holding it down in CBS' “The Young and the Restless”— Y&R—had to share about playing Dr. Nate Hastings and who he would like to have brunch with living or dead.

 

L.A. WATTS TIMES: CBS’ ‘The Young and the Restless’— Y&R—is an iconic soap opera and one of the best. Describe your character, Dr. Nate Hastings, please.

 

SEAN DOMINIC: Dr. Nate Hastings is son to Oliva Barber Winters and Nathan Hastings. Stepson to Malcolm Winters. He recently came back to Genoa City, after being away for a time. Dr. Nate Hastings is smart, acutely aware of his surroundings, and always willing to lend a hand. Still in search of love in Genoa City, but continuing to build strong bonds especially with his cousin Devon.

 

LAWT: And now I am all caught up about Y&A, thank you, Sean Dominic. Did you grow up watching soap operas? A Y&R fan from way back?

 

SD: I grew up watching soaps because of aunts, uncles, and grandparents watching them. ‘The Young & the Restless’ was the most popular one in my family.

 

LAWT: Y&R was a popular choice with my grandmother and my aunties for sure. You were born in Madrid, Spain and traveled with your mother around the U.S. Where do you call home and why?

 

SD: I call home where I lay my head home. I recently moved to LA from NYC after being there for 16ish years. I kind of consider Brooklyn my home-home.

 

LAWT: Brooklyn. I feel you. According to your bio, you have a love of music. Do you still play the saxophone and trombone?

 

SD: No, I do not. I just picked up the guitar though. So watch out world. I'm coming. Lol

 

LAWT: The guitar? Love it. Do you go to a church with a vibrant gospel choir? Your bio mentioned something about you participating in one in the past.

 

SD: No I do not attend church here in L.A. But that's a must for a church for me. Lol

 

LAWT: Right? A church without a rocking choir is a deal-breaker for me as well. What do you think of what’s happening in Atlanta now?

 

SD: I loveeee what's happening in ATL. I wish it was happening when I lived there. Soo many opportunities for up-and-coming actors down there.

 

LAWT: As a model, you traveled the world what is your favorite place to live?

 

SD: Favorite place I've lived so far is probably NYC even though my favorite place I went to for modeling was Cape Town, South Africa.

 

LAWT: In building up your acting chops — according to your bio — you studied with Susan Batson … I’ve heard stories. What was that like?

 

SD: Mannnnn, Susan Batson is a BEAST. I remember taking a class there and it got very popular so we had a lot of people in our class. We would be there sometimes from 6 pm to 4 am. She would be pushing right along with us. Making sure everyone had the time to work on their craft. It was amazing.

 

LAWT: Well Ms. Batson’s work paid off. In addition to Y&R you’ve appeared in OWN's ‘Greenleaf,’ USA’s ‘Royal Pains,’ and BET's ‘Situationships’ — “what was it like before you landed ‘Young & the Restless’?”

 

SD: While working on ‘Greenleaf’ it allowed me to work with professionals who've been in the game for a while. The likes of Lynn Whitfield and Keith David are just a couple. To see them on set doing their craft. I tried to absorb all I could. It was an amazing experience that prepared me for ‘The Young & the Restless.’

 

LAWT: What’s your idea of perfect happiness?

 

SD: Don’t think there is such a thing as perfect happiness. I believe in always finding meaning in life. Working towards small and large goals. Taking on as much responsibility as you can muster. Through all of that, you find pockets of happiness I believe.

 

LAWT: What historical figure or icon would you like to have brunch with?

 

SD: I’d like to have brunch with Genghis Khan.

 

LAWT: What’s your comfort food?

 

SD: I’m big on soups and stews and ramen. Give me one of those and I'm in comfort.

 

LAWT: Do you binge watch TV? Geek out on Podcasts? If so, what’s been on your list?

 

 

SD: Not as much as I used to. But I'm enjoying ‘Tiger King’ on Netflix currently. Love Joe Rogan’s podcast and a few other comedian podcasts along with Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson's StarTalk podcast. I have a slew of other podcasts as well.

 

To follow Sean Dominic @Seanjuan55

 

This interview was been edited for clarification.

May 07, 2020  

Aries 

MAR 21 - APR 19 

How deep can you go, Aries? That's all you're interested in when it comes to your love life this week. You want to reach for genuine intimacy in your partnership and it's possible that someone you're attached to will finally allow their wall to come crashing down so that you two can actually get somewhere. If you're completely single, you might meet someone over the weekend while you're trying to spend time alone. You'll be in hermit mode, for example, posting something to your social media accounts and suddenly this soulful person will private message you. Before you know it, you'll be captivated.

  

Taurus 

APR 20 - MAY 20 

A Full Moon in your partnership sector on Thursday has you fully engaged in emotions when it comes to your connection with someone close. This can be the lunar event that takes you from single to coupled if you have been casually dating someone but wanted more of a commitment. You could also become engaged or married -- but if things have not been going well in an established bond, then this may also spell splitsville for you both. Taurus, it's "all or nothing" for you in matters of the heart. Get ready.

  

Gemini 

MAY 21 - JUN 20 

If you are in a relationship, then you're likely to wonder just how much your relationship is either contributing to or detracting from your overall wellness. This goes for emotional as well as physical, Gemini. If you're completely single, then it's possible that you'll feel emotionally drained from doing everything all by yourself all the time. Adulting is hard enough, but when everything is on one person, it can seem overwhelming. Try to relax and remember that this is a temporary stage in your life, one that's teaching you remarkable lessons about your own resilience.

 

Cancer 

JUN 21 - JUL 22 

A Full Moon in your true love sector on Thursday will pack quite a punch! Scorpio is the sign of depth and intensity, and Full Moons are known to heighten feelings. It stands to reason that you're about to be on edge when it comes to how you feel about your current love life scenario. You might feel unhinged -- and even obsessive -- about getting what (or who) you want in love. If you feel that you're losing control, take a step outside of your situation and try to look at it as an observer rather than a participant. Perhaps this will take the emotional edge off, Cancer.

 

Leo 

JUL 23 - AUG 22 

A Full Moon in your true love sector on Thursday will pack quite a punch! Scorpio is the sign of depth and intensity, and Full Moons are known to heighten feelings. It stands to reason that you're about to be on edge when it comes to how you feel about your current love life scenario. You might feel unhinged -- and even obsessive -- about getting what (or who) you want in love. If you feel that you're losing control, take a step outside of your situation and try to look at it as an observer rather than a participant. Perhaps this will take the emotional edge off, Cancer.

 

Virgo 

AUG 23 - SEP 22 

There isn't anything you'd like to discuss more this week than topics centered on love. If single, you're likely to have deeply enriching conversations with at least one person who you feel might have romantic potential. What will strike you the most about this person is that you'll immediately know that getting to know him or her -- and potentially entering into a relationship -- will guarantee your personal growth and maturity. For that reason alone, it's worth exploring, Virgo.

 

Libra 

SEP 23 - OCT 22 

If you're single, Mars will tour your romance sector for another week, making this a pivotal time to go out there and "get yours!" The object of your desire will likely be on the brainy -- or even quirky -- side. These qualities will completely turn you on, so don't second-guess yourself if you find that you're going for the brains in someone rather than any physical qualities. Attraction often begins in the mind, and you have all the potential for a totally out-of-this-world mental connection with someone that could one day lead to a physical one, Libra!

  

Scorpio 

OCT 23 - NOV 21 

There isn't anything you'd like to discuss more this week than topics centered on love. If single, you're likely to have deeply enriching conversations with at least one person who you feel might have romantic potential. What will strike you the most about this person is that you'll immediately know that getting to know him or her -- and potentially entering into a relationship -- will guarantee your personal growth and maturity. For that reason alone, it's worth exploring, Virgo.

 

Sagittarius 

NOV 22 - DEC 21 

If you're single, this could be a week where you suddenly meet someone in your neighborhood, perhaps through something like the Nextdoor app. Mars is the ruler of your romance sector and he'll spend a final week in the area of your chart connected to communication, short distance travel, and siblings or neighbors. A snap decision to sign up for a social networking site could also lead to an exciting love affair! If you're in a relationship, then you can look forward to golden communication with your partner all week. In fact, this is a great time to make a significant decision together about finances.

 

Capricorn 

DEC 22 - JAN 19 

A tense falling out between you and one of your friends -- or a group of pals you're connected to -- might have dire consequences for your love life, Capricorn. It's possible that in an act of spite, one of these friends will turn on you and reveal information you trusted him or her with that may damage your current romantic relationship. Another possibility is that a friend who has romantic feelings for you goes into a spiral after you honestly let him or her know that this will always be a friendship in your eyes. Ouch!

 

Aquarius 

JAN 20 - FEB 18 

If you're single, you might find out that someone in your family has been conspiring to secretly set you up with someone he or she believes would be a great fit for you. This is all being done behind the scenes, but it's not in a manipulative way, Aquarius. In fact, it's actually for your benefit because your family member is doing his or her best to thoroughly vet this person before presenting the option to you. You'll be pleasantly surprised! If you're in a relationship, then your partner may lift you up and remind you to believe in your own talents in a quiet but effective way. It'll work wonders!

 

Pisces 

FEB 19 - MAR 20 

You're ready to release your expectations on so much, Pisces! Once you do this, you'll somehow be free to enjoy a relationship (or any other life scenario) for what it is rather than what you wish it to be. This is crucial if you've been holding on to trying to get a person to love you the way you want to be loved -- or to be with you in the context that you've defined. Perhaps you'll decide that it's OK to be in this space between getting what you want and wanting what you have. And that might be the start of the most exquisite love affair of your life!