March 16 — Chicago native & SAIC alum Rashid Johnson to direct his 1st feature film

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Today’s 7 after 7 for top news, fashion and entertainment headlines. Here are the ‘Hotness In The News’ stories to know today and make small talk, better.

HEADLINER – Friday March 16

FIU Bridge Collapse. Thursday afternoon the campus of Florida International University was rocked by tragedy when a pedestrian bridge collapsed killing 6 people so far. The $14.2 million structure which was erected in just 6 hours this past Saturday weighing 950-ton, was built to last 100 years though it was not set to open until 2019. The cause of the collapse is being investigated, but FL senator Marco Rubio did tweet “The cables that suspend the #Miami bridge had loosened & the engineering firm ordered that they be tightened. They were being tightened when it collapsed today.” The bridge was built for students safety over the busy Tamiami trail road. Cars were waiting for the lights to change when the bridge gave out….Read more

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MORE NEWS

• Special Counsel Robert Mueller has subpoenaed the Trump Organization for business documents according to a report from The New York Times. CNN says the reports mark the first publicly known time that Mueller has demanded documents related to President Donald Trump’s businesses.

• In Chicago news: Loyola Ramblers men’s basketball team pulled out the upset against Miami Thursday in their first appearance in 33 years at the 2018 NCAA tournament. Donte Ingram’s last shot sealed the deal to pull out the 64-62 win over #6 seed Miami. With an agreement with American Airlines reached and political complexity surrounding the $8.5 billion O’Hare expansion cleared, the path looks open for the expansion. American Airlines had threatened to file a lawsuit when Mayor Emanuel decided to award 5 additional gates to Chicago HQed United. Chicago City Council’s Aviation Committee unanimously approved the new airline use agreements that include increased landing fees and terminal rents. Chicago has pulled out of the North America bid for the 2026 World Cup due to the fact city officials felt FIFA could not provide necessary assurances. A shoe repair business in Chicago Loop abruptly closed and took with it many customers’ luxury items. Feder’s on the media beat including Chicago Tribunes recent layoffs. Boka Group leads Chicago’s James Beard awards finalists.

• Though the White House is still denying it, reports that National Security Adviser HR McMaster is expected to leave the Trump administration is getting hot and Trump is actively discussing potential replacements. White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders tweeted “Just spoke @POTUS and Gen H.R. McMaster. Contrary to reports they have a good working relationship and there are no changes at the NSC.” In other staffing news, Andrew McCabe, the FBI’s former bureau Deputy Director might be fired days before his retirement which is to take place Sunday. Steve Mnuchin’s spending is also coming under focus as a watchdog report revealed he’s racked up $1M in taxpayer funded trips.

ENTERTAINMENT

• Ashton Sanders, who starred in Oscar winning “Moonlight” and attended DePaul’s theater program is set to star in a movie version of Richard Wright’s novel “Native Son.” The movie, to be distributed by A24, will be directed by Rashid Johnson, a Chicago native and SAIC alum making it his feature directing debut. The movie will take place in present day Chicago.
• Jennifer Lopez covers the April 2018 issue of Harper’s Bazaar and she talks about love, Alex Rodriguez, affirmations and career.

FASHION

• The 2018 CFDA Fashion Awards nominees have been announced. Gabriela Hearst, Marc Jacobs, Virgil Abloh for Off-White, Raf Simons for Calvin Klein, James Jebbia for Supreme, Thom Browne and Tom Ford, Mansur Gavriel have all been nominated. Diane von Furstenberg will receive the Swarovski Award for Positive Change. Narciso Rodriguez will receive the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. Carolina Herrera will receive the Founder’s Award in honor of CFDA founder Eleanor Lambert. Edward Enninful will receive the Media Award in honor of Eugenia Sheppard. Donatella Versace will receive the International Award.

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