News in brief

NEWS. BookExpo, the publishing industry’s annual showcase, is admittedly a little behind in the green race. But this weekend’s convention in Los Angeles will include much discussion about the environment. Three panels will review recent trends and  initiatives and featured speaker, Thomas Friedman, will promote his new book, “Hot, Flat, and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution.”    AP

NEWS. Thomas Beatie, the first pregnant transgender who made headlines when he appeared on “Oprah,” will be writing a book. He just sold his memoir, “Love Makes a Family: A Memoir of Hardship, Healing and an Extraordinary Pregnancy,” to St. Martin’s for a September publication.    METRO