News Brief

Sky Showbiz: Actress Hilda Braid has died, aged 78. Best known for playing Nana Moon in "EastEnders", Hilda passed away at the Royal Sussex County hospital in Brighton. It is believed that she had been unwell for some time. As well as her role in the soap, which she left in December 2005, Hilda also starred in countless British TV classics like Citizen Smith, One Foot In The Grave and Casualty. An "EastEnders" spokesman said: "We at 'EastEnders' are very sorry to learn that Hilda has passed away. She was a lovely actress who brought her great humour and wit to the role of Nana Moon, which earned her many fans, young and old alike."

Metro Spirit: This isn’t the first time Police Chief Derek Frye has chased fugitives through the terrain around Bear Mountain. The Satin Slayer almost killed his own daughter, Danielle. The little town that his officers patrol is known for antics that threaten to overrun the evening news. Frye just can’t seem to get a handle on the residents. “I’m dealing with the people of Pine Valley and making sure that they abide by the rules —- and they’re out of control!” explained the law enforcement officer. But at the end of this grueling, 17-hour day of filming “All My Children” on location in upstate New York, Augusta native Jerome Preston Bates hasn’t given up on his new neighbors. In fact, he’s only just gotten started. Throughout the month of November, Bates’ featured role on the long-running ABC daytime drama will be the nexus around which the show’s newest storyline unfolds.

Times Now: Striking writers, like Courtney Simon, a script editor for the American soap opera "As the World Turns", Say they are ready for a long fight. Courtney Simon, script editor of "As the World Turns" says, "I was around for the 1988 strike - certainly in my little corner of the union, which is daytime television, I feel that there is a real commitment from the membership to stay out as long as it takes."

LA Daily News: Michael Cory Davis was living the high life of a movie star abroad when a 13-year-old ex-prostitute knocked his world askew. At the time in 2004, the Sherman Oaks man was shooting a sci-fi flick in Bulgaria, enjoying the celebrity brought on by a role on "The Bold and the Beautiful." The Bulgarians loved the man with the dreadlocks. They hailed him on the street and invited him to parties. As a favor to a charity, Davis went to an orphanage to raise awareness of the children's plight. "I remember driving to the orphanage," he said. "And I saw 50 kids, without clothes on, playing in a landfill."

PR-USA: The nationally syndicated Animal Radio® airs a live broadcast from the Pasadena Rose Bowl at the 2nd Annual Race For The Rescues, a 5k run and adoption event benefiting 10 Los Angeles area animal rescue organizations. Stepping up to Animal Radio® microphones are actress Glenn Close, comedienne Jane Lynch, two-time Emmy Award-winning Michelle Stafford, "The Young and the Restless’" Greg Rikkart, E! Television’s Ted Casablanca, Without a Trace’s Joe Reegan, 24’s James Victor and best-selling author Robert Fulghum. This weekend, the nationally syndicated Animal Radio® airs a live broadcast from the Pasadena Rose Bowl at the 2nd Annual Race For The Rescues, a 5k run and adoption event benefiting 10 Los Angeles area animal rescue organizations. Stepping up to Animal Radio® microphones are actress Glenn Close, comedienne Jane Lynch, two-time Emmy Award-winning Michelle Stafford, Young and the Restless’ Greg Rikkart, E! Television’s Ted Casablanca, Without a Trace’s Joe Reegan, 24’s James Victor and best-selling author Robert Fulghum. Michelle Stafford admits to Animal Radio® that her pug has a “pee” problem – seeking advice from Associate Producer Judy Francis.

Miami Herald: Victoria Rowell strives to live up to her legacy, a cherished bequest of love and support from the remarkable women who brought her up. And that's why Rowell, former "The Young and the Restless" star, prime-time TV and film actress and classical ballet dancer, wrote The Women Who Raised Me (Morrow, $25.95), a New York Times bestseller now in its seventh printing.

PGP Blog: Ryan Serhant, the latest "Inturn" winner, debuts on "As The World Turns" today in the role of Evan Walsh IV.

SOD: "Passions" fans will get an early Christmas gift when hunk Blair Redford (ex-Scot, Y&R) airs as Miguel on December 24. Until Santa delivers, read all about what Harmony's newest hottie has been up to. "I work out a lot anyway, but once the script kept saying the scene called for me to be shirtless, I figured I'd better do something about it."