Kennedy Center to Close for Two Years; Grammys Highlight Music and Immigration
Washington, D.C. – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will close for approximately two years for extensive construction, revitalization, and rebuilding, President Trump announced Sunday. The closure, set to begin on July 4, aims to transform the "tired, broken, and dilapidated Center" into a "World Class Building," according to a social media post by the President.
The decision to fully close the center, rather than pursue partial construction, followed a year of review by experts, according to Trump. He stated that the complete closure would yield "a much faster and higher quality result."
Meanwhile, the 68th annual Grammy Awards took place Sunday night, honoring the best in the music business. The awards show, broadcast live on CBS and streamed on Paramount , saw Kendrick Lamar leading the nominations with nine and taking home Grammys for Record of the Year, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Best Melodic Rap Performance. According to Variety, "GNX" was Lamar's fifth consecutive studio album to be nominated for Album of the Year, making him the first artist to achieve that feat.
Comedian Trevor Noah hosted the Grammys for the sixth consecutive year. Famed director Steven Spielberg achieved EGOT status, winning a Grammy to complete his collection of Emmy, Oscar, and Tony awards. The ceremony also included the addition of two new categories: Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover, bringing the total number of awards to 95. The category formerly known as Best Country Album is now named Best Contemporary Country Album.
Amidst the celebration of music, several Grammy winners used their platform to voice support for immigrants. Bad Bunny and Olivia Dean were among those who spoke out against the Trump administration's immigration policy and mass deportation campaign. Dean, upon winning the best new artist award, noted her own family's immigrant history, stating, "I'm up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant."
In other news, today marks Groundhog Day, and Punxsutawney Phil is set to emerge from his burrow at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. The annual tradition, dating back to 1887, draws thousands to the small town, about 80 miles from Pittsburgh. Festivities began streaming live at 6 a.m. Eastern Time. If Phil sees his shadow, tradition dictates six more weeks of winter; if not, an early spring is predicted.
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