Pharrell calls for probe on cousin’s shooting; Bill Owens dies

Pharrell wants federal probe into police shooting of cousin
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.: Grammy winner Pharrell Williams called for a federal investigation into the fatal police shooting of his cousin, Donovon Lynch, in Virginia.

Williams wrote on Instagram, “I had to speak at my cousin’s funeral, and was choked up with emotions. Too many unanswered City and State questions. Respectfully, I am calling for a Federal investigation. I also humbly ask that you all keep the family in prayer.”

Lynch was killed shortly after two other nearby chaotic shootings. Police said Lynch had a handgun. The officer who killed him is also Black.

The investigation was turned over to the Virginia State Police.

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Bill Owens, uncle and musical mentor to Dolly Parton, dies
NASHVILLE, Tenn.: Bill Owens, who was a mentor and early songwriting partner to his niece Dolly Parton, and helped start her career in country music, has died. He was 85.

Parton wrote a lengthy eulogy for her uncle, saying “I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t been there.”

Apart from songwriting, Owens would take Parton to her performances and to labels to pitch songs.

“It’s really hard to say or to know for sure what all you owe somebody for your success,” Parton wrote. “But I can tell you for sure that I owe Uncle Billy an awful lot.”