Freeman discharged, getting divorce

Memphis, Tenn. – Morgan Freeman was discharged Thursday from a Tennessee hospital after the Oscar-winning actor was treated for broken bones and other injuries sustained in a weekend car crash in Mississippi.

Kathy Stringer, a spokeswoman for the Regional Medical Center, said Freeman was discharged but gave no other details.

The 71-year-old actor was hospitalized after the accident Sunday left him with a broken arm, broken elbow and shoulder damage.

Demaris Meyer, 48, of Memphis, a passenger in the car driven by Freeman, was also injured in the crash.

“Access Hollywood” reported Wednesday that Freeman’s lawyer, Bill Luckett, said Freeman and his wife of 24 years, Myrna Colley-Lee, had been separated since December and are getting a divorce. Luckett was also quoted in several newspapers Thursday but did not give further details.

No divorce papers have been filed in Tallahatchie County where Freeman owns a home with Colley-Lee, according to Tallahatchie County Chancery Clerk Anita Mullen Greenwood.

Usher’s mother back as his manager after split

New York – Usher’s mother is back as his manager following a much-publicized split.

The 29-year-old superstar announced Thursday that he has ended his partnership with celebrity manager Benny Medina, whose clients include Mariah Carey, and has rehired Jonnetta Patton.

“I had a great time and we parted ways amicably,” Medina said.

Patton had managed her son’s career since he was a teen star. But the multiplatinum performer broke with his mother in 2007, saying he just wanted her to focus on being his mom.

While there were reports of friction between Patton and her son, Usher had said the relationship was great and had improved since their professional union ended.

“I have just chosen to take the reins of my career,” he told The Associated Press in an interview earlier this year. “We have a different view and mind-set. I’m doing it and I’m handling it and very happy, very happy with it.”

Mr. Blackwell regains consciousness

Los Angeles – Acid-tongued fashion critic Mr. Blackwell regained consciousness in a hospital Thursday as he battled a serious infection, his publicist said.

Richard Blackwell, 85, collapsed at his home and was unconscious when he was brought to the hospital on Tuesday, publicist Harlan Boll said. Blackwell was given antibiotics to treat the unspecified infection.

Blackwell was a noted fashion designer in the 1950s and 1960s who dressed the likes of Jane Russell and Dorothy Lamour.

However, he is best-known for his annual list of worst-dressed women. First issued in 1960, it has skewered the style sense of Hollywood celebrities, politicians and other celebs with tongue-in-cheek cruelty.

Comedian expects release in weeks

Chicago – A spokeswoman for Bernie Mac says the actor is responding well to treatment for pneumonia and hopes to be released in the next few weeks.

Publicist Danica Smith said Thursday in a statement that Mac’s condition is “stable.” Smith first announced on August 1st that Mac was hospitalized in Chicago.

Smith has said the pneumonia isn’t related to an inflammatory lung disease Mac also has. That condition has been in remission since 2005.

The comedian starred in the critically acclaimed Fox television series “The Bernie Mac Show.”

Dixie Chick divorces

San Antonio – Dixie Chick Emily Robison and her husband, singer Charlie Robison, have divorced.

The San Antonio Express-News reported that Charlie Robison filed for divorce in January. The couple were at the Bexar County Courthouse on Wednesday when the divorce was finalized.

The divorce filing states their marriage had “become insupportable because of discord or conflict of personalities.”

“We can confirm that the divorce is final. They remain the best of friends and their family is obviously the priority,” a spokesperson for the Dixie Chicks said in an e-mail to The Associated Press on Thursday.

The couple, married in 1999, have three children.

Club employee arrested in woman’s death

New York – A bar worker at a popular Times Squares karaoke club was arrested Thursday after confessing to beating a woman to death with a pipe on the club’s roof during an argument, police said.

Syed Rahman, 24, admitted he smashed Ingrid Rivera over the head at about 2:45 a.m. Monday during a birthday party for rapper Lil’ Kim that the victim had paid to attend, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said at a news conference. Her body was discovered Wednesday afternoon.

It was unclear what Rahman and Rivera, who had met for the first time inside Spotlight Live club that night, were arguing about. But a friend of Rivera pointed police to Rahman by telling them she had fought off his sexual advances on the roof shortly before the slaying, Kelly said.

Rahman – who had worked at the club for four years and had no previous criminal record – was arrested on a charge of second-degree murder, which carries a penalty of up to life in prison upon conviction. Authorities did not have the name of his lawyer.

The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide Thursday after an autopsy found that the 24-year-old Rivera died from a blow to the head.