Brokaw signs deal to write two books for Random House

New York — Tom Brokaw has signed a two-book deal with Random House, the publisher announced Monday, although what the former NBC anchor will actually write and when the books will be published remain unknown.

Random House publicist Tom Perry said Brokaw, author of best sellers such as “The Greatest Generation” and “The Greatest Generation Speaks,” was considering “various projects,” but wouldn’t provide details. Financial terms weren’t disclosed and no publication dates have been set.

Former folk musician brings aid to tsunami victims

Banda Aceh, Indonesia — The singer once known as Cat Stevens visited Indonesia’s tsunami-devastated Aceh province, handing out money to orphaned children and praying at a mosque.

The 56-year-old peace activist now known as Yusuf Islam plans to open a branch of his charity, Small Kindness, in Aceh to aid children who lost parents.

In the west Sumatran village of Lamno and at tent camps, he handed money to children, giving them about $22 each.

“What do you need most right now?” he asked through a translator.

“Schools,” they said.

Islam has written “Indian Ocean,” which will be released this month for Small Kindness’ tsunami aid efforts. He said the song tells the story of a British family, vacationing in Asia when the tsunami hits, who help a young girl orphaned by the disaster.

Film student documents filmmaker’s controversal visit

Orem, Utah — A former Brigham Young University film student has maxed out his credit cards to make a $10,000 documentary about “Fahrenheit 9/11” director Michael Moore’s controversial visit to Utah Valley State College.

“This Divided State” premieres Thursday at UVSC’s Ragan Theater. Steven Greenstreet, who cut the 102-minute production from 66 hours of interview and event footage, said he’s trying to find a distributor.

Greenstreet had been working on a documentary about political divisions when he heard in September that Moore was planning to come to UVSC.

“I immediately just grabbed my camera and ran to the school and filmed the whole day,” he said. “The halls were packed with students … it was just a huge crush of political debate and an overwhelming sense of activity and electricity.”

Moore arrived Oct. 20. Nine days earlier the college had invited Sean Hannity, a conservative Fox News commentator, to balance Moore’s criticism of President Bush and the war in Iraq.

College course studies country singer’s lyrics

Nashville, Tenn. — Some students at Salem College are experts in country singer Martina McBride. The small liberal arts school for women in Winston-Salem, N.C., recently offered a four-week course titled, “Happy Girl/Broken Wing: Martina McBride as Text.” Attendance was capped at 16, and the class was full.

“Many of her songs directly address issues that relate to women and young girls growing up in our culture,” said English professor Ron DePeter, who taught the class.

McBride, 38, said she knew little about the course, but was flattered.

“It’s really cool. I never thought that would happen,” she said.