Alla Byrne

Title:Former Freelance WriterEducation:University of Southern California, Wellesley College Title:Former Freelance Writer Education:University of Southern California, Wellesley College Alla Byrne is a former freelance writer at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2012.She joined PEOPLE in 2010.Alla was a freelance reporter at Clear Channel Radio Digital from 2010 to 2012 and a web editor for Shape magazine from 2008 to 2010. Alla Byrne is a former freelance writer at PEOPLE. She left PEOPLE in 2012.

Allan Larson, Father of 'Rent' Playwright Jonathan Larson, Dies, Lin-Manuel Miranda Confirms

Photo: Lin-Manuel Miranda/TwitterAllan Larson, the father ofRentplaywright Jonathan Larson, has died, according toLin-Manuel Miranda.The 41-year-old Broadway starannounced Allan’s deathFriday on Twitter. Allan was best known for maintaining his son’s legacy after his death in 1996.“Faced with unimaginable loss, he made his son’s legacy his life’s work. For years, anywhere Jon’s work premiered in the world, Al would be there to tell the assembled casts about his son Jonathan,” wrote Miranda, who directed the 2021 Netflix version of Jonathan’s autobiographical musicalTick, Tick…Boom!

Allan McDonald, Who Refused to Approve Launch of Ill-Fated Challenger Space Shuttle, Dies at 83

Photo: Sean Smith/NASA Allan McDonald, an engineer who refused to approve rocket boosters that were used in theChallenger space shuttle, has died at 83 after falling and injuring his head, according toNPR. It was in 1986 that McDonald, who worked at NASA contractor Morton Thiokol, refused to sign off on the launch of the Challenger space shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 28 of that year. His reasoning, according to aLos Angeles Times, was because he believed the cold temperatures around launch day could affect the rocket booster’s O-rings, which keep gases from escaping.

ALLBLK, a Streaming Service Dedicated to Black Programming, Just Launched — What to Watch

Photo: allblk ALLBLK, AMC Networks' rebranded streaming service dedicated to Black programming, has launched with a slate of new original shows. “ALLBLK is an invitation to a world of streaming entertainment that’s inclusively, but unapologetically – Black,” the platform said in a release. “A streaming service (just like Netflix or Hulu), ALLBLK is a platform that provides opportunity for Black creatives to showcase their work while giving fans of Black storytelling a fresh, new destination for enjoying it.

Allee Willis, Songwriter Behind 'Friends' Theme and Earth, Wind & Fire Songs, Dies at 72

Allee Willis.Photo: Maryanne Bilham Photography/Redferns Allee Willis, a songwriter who has written hits for musical acts like Earth, Wind & Fire,James BrownandPatti LaBelle, has died at 72. Willis died after suffering cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, reportsVariety. Her sudden death left partner Prudence Fenton in “total shock,” according to the outlet. On Instagram, Fenton posted asnapshotof Willis, captioning the photo, “Rest In Boogie Wonderland.” The news of the artist’s passing was confirmed on her personal Instagram page, where a spokespersonwrote, “We are extremely shocked and devastated to share this news.