By HILLEL ITALIE, AP National Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — The executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, a mainstay at the Kennedy Center, is leaving to head the Los Angeles-based Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. It’s the latest departure from the Kennedy Center since President Donald Trump began asserting control over the storied performing arts venue in Washington.

The Wallis announced Friday that Jean Davidson had been appointed executive director and CEO. Before joining the Kennedy Center in 2023, Davidson had served for eight years as executive director and CEO of the Los Angeles Master Chorale at The Music Center.

“The arts are where a community sees itself, and where it imagines what’s possible next,” Davidson said in a statement. “I’m honored to join the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Arts at this pivotal moment.”

Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell said in a statement to The Associated Press that she was among those who deserved “enormous credit” for their efforts.

“I have enjoyed working with Jean to cultivate new donors and patrons while cleaning up the financial mess at the (center),” he said.

In a statement to The Associated Press, Davidson said: “It has been a great honor to serve the NSO and to work alongside Gianandrea Noseda, Steven Reineke, the extraordinary musicians, and the dedicated staff and board. I’m deeply proud of everything we’ve accomplished together.”

Davidson told the Los Angeles Times that she had found it “more and more difficult” to remain at the Kennedy Center, “given the external forces that are at work that are just so far beyond my control.”

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After mostly ignoring the center during his first term, Trump has made it a focal point in his war against so-called “woke” culture.” He ousted the Kennedy Center’s previous leadership and replaced it with a hand-picked board of trustees who voted to rename the facility the Trump Kennedy Center, a change scholars and lawmakers say must be initiated by Congress.

Renée Fleming, Philip Glass and Bela Fleck are among numerous artists who have called off performances, and the Washington National Opera ended its decades-long residency. Last month, Trump said he would move to close the center this summer for construction he expects to last two years.

At the Wallis, Davidson succeeds Robert van Leer, who recently left to join the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation as performing arts program director.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba said a fifth person has died as a consequence of a fatal shootout last month involving a Florida-flagged speedboat that allegedly opened fire on soldiers in waters off the island nation’s north coast.

The island’s interior ministry said late Thursday in a statement that Roberto Álvarez Ávila died on March 4 as a result of his injuries. It added that the remaining injured detainees “continue to receive specialized medical care according to their health status.”

Authorities in Cuba said that on Feb. 26 Cuban soldiers confronted a speedboat carrying 10 people as the vessel approached the island and opened fire on the troops. They said the passengers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and “unleash terrorism”. Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others.

“The statements made by the detainees themselves, together with a series of investigative procedures, reinforce the evidence against them,” the Cuban interior ministry said in its statement, adding that “new elements are being obtained that establish the involvement of other individuals based in the U.S.”

Earlier this week, Cuba said it had filed terrorism charges against six suspects that were on the speedboat. The government unveiled items said to have been found on the boat, including a dozen high-powered weapons, more than 12,800 pieces of ammunition and 11 pistols.

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Cuban authorities have provided few details about the shooting, but said the boat was roughly 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) northeast of Cayo Falcones, off the country’s north coast. They also provided the boat’s registration number, but The Associated Press was unable to readily verify the details because boat registrations are not public in the state of Florida.

The shooting threatened to increase tensions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Cuban authorities. The island’s economy was until recently largely kept economically afloat by Venezuela’s oil, which is now in doubt after a U.S. military operation deposed then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

Minnesota United at Nashville SC

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Geodis Park, Nashville
Stream: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Radio: KSTP-AM 1500
Weather: 64 degrees, cloudy, 7 mph north wind
Betting line: MNUFC plus-320; draw plus-290; Nashville minus-140

Form: MNUFC (1-0-1, 4 points) won its home opener 1-0 over FC Cincinnati last Saturday to stay unbeaten in the young season. Nashville (1-0-1, 4 points) had a scoreless draw at Dallas last weekend following a 4-1 blowout home win over New England in the season opener.

Recent matchups: The two teams haven’t played in MLS since 2022, a 2-1 Minnesota victory. The winning goal was scored by Alan Benitez, which was the Paraguayan’s only goal for the club. Nashville demolished Minnesota 5-0 in a Leagues Cup quarterfinal in 2023.

Theme: The Loons had a meeting Tuesday about finding ways to upgrade their scoring chances. Wil Trapp said the focus is on making an extra pass or play to increase the probability of a goal. MNUFC appeared to be settling for shots outside the box against Cincinnati, especially in the first half.

Absences: Michael Boxall (adductor) is out. James Rodriguez (contusion) is questionable. The Colombian attacking midfielder did not complete the training session on Thursday and is considered day-to-day. “It’s really out of an abundance of caution,” head coach Cameron Knowles said.

Scouting report: Nashville represents the most dangerous attack Minnesota has faced so far this season. Striker Sam Surridge and attacking midfielder Hany Mukhtar remain at the top of the billing but are joined this year by former San Jose playmaker Cristian Espinoza and 21-year-old Costa Rican Warren Madrigal.

“They really commit numbers forward; they have incredible movement,” Knowles said. “They are very efficient in picking teams apart when you give them space to play, so we have to be really disciplined as a group in how we defend. I think we showed a lot of that in the last game.”

Without the veteran Boxall as a linchpin at center back, Knowles said the Loons’ replacement options include Devin Padelford, Nico Romero and Carlos Harvey. They will have their hands full in Tennessee.

Stats: Loons forward Kelvin Yeboah’s two goals this season have come off six total shots and his production sits above his 1.74 expected goals, per FotMob.

Prediction: Nashville returns home, where they were dominant against the Revolution in the season opener on Feb. 21. Minnesota will be without a key leader and will find it hard to match that high gear. Nashville wins 2-1.

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