People News Roundup: Oprah backs Stacey Abrams, Willie McCovey dead at 80

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey lent her star power on Thursday to Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is vying to become the first female black governor in the United States, while saying she has no political aspirations of her own.

Oprah backs Stacey Abrams in historic Georgia governor's race

Media mogul Oprah Winfrey lent her star power on Thursday to Georgia Democrat Stacey Abrams, who is vying to become the first female black governor in the United States, while saying she has no political aspirations of her own. "I am here today because Stacey Abrams cares about the things that matter," Winfrey told a cheering crowd at a Cobb County town hall, citing Abrams' stance on environmental protection, healthcare and gun control.

San Francisco Giants famed slugger Willie McCovey dead at 80

San Francisco Giants Hall of Fame slugger Willie McCovey, one of the most formidable batters in Major League Baseball, died on Wednesday at age 80, following a "battle with ongoing health issues," the team said. Blessed with a sweeping, powerful swing, the left-handed first baseman hit 521 homers during his 22 years in the majors, and his 18 grand slams rank as the most ever by a player who spent his career entirely in the National League.

(With inputs from Reuters)