Here Are the 2025 James Beard Foundation Media Award Winners
At the ceremony, host Padma Lakshmi noted the importance of the current political moment — with the awards ceremony coinciding with a military parade in Washington, D.C. and anti-Trump protests across the nation — noting that, 'This is our America. All of us. It's important to say that out loud.'
Martha Stewart was named the recipient of the inaugural Broadcast Media Hall of Fame Award, designed to recognize a 'visionary individual who has revolutionized the way food is presented and discussed on television, radio, or streaming platforms.' (She accepted via a pre-taped message.) The Cookbook Hall of Fame Award went to Rose Levy Beranbaum, author of The Cake Bible .
The final winners in the restaurant and chef Awards categories will be celebrated on Monday, June 16, during a gala ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Below, find all the book, broadcast, and media winners:
2025 James Beard Media Award Winners
Baking and Desserts: Sift: The Elements of Great Baking ; Nicola Lamb (Clarkson Potter)
Beverage with Recipes: The Bartender's Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar ; Emma Janzen, Jim Meehan, and Bart Sasso, (Ten Speed Press)
Beverage without Recipes: . Sake: The Art and Craft of Japan's National Drink ; Yoshiko Ueno-Müller, (Prestel)
Bread: Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking ; Richard Hart, Henrietta Lovell, and Laurie Woolever, (Clarkson Potter)
Food Issues and Advocacy: Ruin Their Crops on the Ground: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch ; Andrea Freeman, (Metropolitan Books)
General: Pass the Plate: 100 Delicious, Highly Shareable, Everyday Recipes: A Cookbook ; Carolina Gelen, (Clarkson Potter)
International: The Balkan Kitchen: Recipes and Stories from the Heart of the Balkans ; Irina Janakievska, (Quadrille)
Literary Writing: Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves ; Nicola Twilley, (Penguin Press)
Professional and Restaurant: Convivir: Modern Mexican Cuisine in California's Wine Country ; Rogelio Garcia and Andréa Lawson Gray, (Abrams)
Reference, History, and Scholarship: McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches ; Gary He, Self-published)
Single Subject: Jang: The Soul of Korean Cooking (More than 60 Recipes Featuring Gochujang, Doenjang, and Ganjang) ; Nadia Cho, Mingoo Kang, and Joshua David Stein, (Artisan)
U.S. Foodways: Our South: Black Food Through My Lens ; Ashleigh Shanti, (Union Square & Co.)
Vegetable-Focused Cooking: Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking: Vegan Recipes, Tips, and Techniques ; Joe Yonan, (Ten Speed Press)
Visuals: McAtlas: A Global Guide to the Golden Arches ; Gary He, (Self-published)
The 2025 James Beard Broadcast Media Award winners:
Audio Programming: Loading Dock Talks with Chef Preeti Mistry ; 'Cream Pie with Telly Justice'; Airs on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast platforms
Audio Reporting: Post Reports ; 'Bacon: The Best-Kept Secret in Washington'; Airs on: Post Reports
Commercial Media: La Mera Mera Tamalera ; Airs on: YouTube
Documentary Visual Media: MARCELLA ; Airs on: PBS American Masters
Docuseries Visual Media: World Eats Bread ; Airs on: National Geographic Channel
Instructional Visual Media: G.O.A.T; Airs on: MasterClass
Lifestyle Visual Media: Relish ; Airs on: PBS, Passport, TPT, TPT-2 and YouTube
Social Media Account: Little Fat Boy; Airs on: Instagram, TikTok, Substack and YouTube
Travel Visual Media: Drink: A Look Inside the Glass ; Airs on: Apple TV, Prime Video, Tubi, and Roku
More information about Broadcast Media Awards eligibility and criteria can be viewed here.
The 2025 James Beard Journalism Award winners
Beverage: 'Want to Make Spirits in Thailand? Good Luck.'; Craig Sauers , Punch
Columns and Newsletters: 'The farm bill hall of shame'; 'The essential workers missing from the farm bill'; 'Tribal nations want more control over their food supply'; Teresa Cotsirilos, Bridget Huber, and Claire Kelloway, Food & Environment Reporting Network and Mother Jones
Craig Claiborne Distinguished Criticism Award: 'New tasting menu dinners at Honeysuckle Provisions are provocative and delicious'; 'The enduring, confusing, and always delicious Octopus Cart is still puffing along after 34 years'; 'Loch Bar, a new high-end seafood spot on Broad, swings big and misses'; Craig LaBan, Philadelphia Inquirer
Dining and Travel: 'Gastro Obscura's Feast'; Anne Ewbank, Diana Hubbell, and Sam O'Brien, Gastro Obscura
Feature Reporting: 'We Need to Talk About Trader Joe's', Adam Reiner, TASTE
Food Coverage in a General Interest Publication: The Bitter Southerner
Foodways: 'As Detroit sees a future in urban agriculture, some pushback harkens to a dark past'; Lyndsay C. Green, Detroit Free Press
Health and Wellness: 'Florida Banned Farmworker Heat Protections. A Groundbreaking Partnership Offers a Solution.'; Grey Moran, Civil Eats
Home Cooking: 'The Art and Science of Kimchi'; Andrea Geary, Cook's Illustrated
Investigative Reporting: 'The North Koreans behind global seafood'; 'The Whistleblower'; Ian Urbina and the Staff of The Outlaw Ocean Project, The Outlaw Ocean Project and The New Yorker
Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award: 'Etta's Five Bankruptcies Have Left a Collective Mess'; 'White Sox Fans Came for the Losses, Stayed for the Milkshakes'; 'Namasteak, USA'; Ashok Selvam, Eater Chicago
MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award: 'The City that Rice Built'; Jeff Gordinier and George McCalman, Food & Wine
Narrative Photography: 'The Only Constant is Chuck's'; Rory Doyle, Self-published
Personal Essay: 'My Family's Daily Struggle to Find Food in Gaza'; Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker
Personal Essay with Recipes: 'A Cuisine Under Siege'; Laila El-Haddad, SAVEUR
Profile: 'Padma Lakshmi Walks Into a Bar'; Helen Rosner, The New Yorker
Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards. Eater is partnering with the James Beard Foundation to livestream the awards in 2025. All editorial content is produced independently of the James Beard Foundation.
Additional photo illustration credits: Getty Images for the James Beard Foundation
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5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump laughs at Zelensky response to journalist, Australia slams 'unjustified' Israel move, children targeted as crackdown rolls on
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Tuesday. Donald Trump has met with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, with the US president giving security guarantees to Ukraine if a deal to end the war with Russia is secured. The meeting was starkly different in tone from their previous Oval Office encounter in February, where Zelensky was repeatedly berated by Trump in front of media. Police are continuing to crackdown on e-bikes across the country, with authorities in Brisbane targeting children along a popular track. Read more below. Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. Trump laughs at Zelensky's suit joke Donald Trump couldn't help but laugh. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who of course is a former comedian, took control in the White House on Monday (local time), just months after a difficult encounter with Trump where he was heavily criticised in front of the cameras. One of Trump's qualms that time was Zelensky's attire. His olive green military-style outfit was called out by suit-wearing Trump, and some reporters in the room appeared to share the opinion a more formal outfit was needed. Zelenskiy's garb at that February meeting featured in a disastrous session with Trump in which the two leaders bickered and the Ukrainian president was escorted out of the White House early, without lunch. On Monday, backed by European allies, Zelensky showed up for his talks with Trump wearing more formal attire, with Trump visibly impressed. A reporter who had asked Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest visit. "You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said. Trump chimed in: "I said the same thing". Clearly far more comfortable with proceedings, he managed to get a cheeky last response to the journalist. "You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter, drawing laughter from the room. "I changed." You can watch the moment below. New wall along footpath causing drama on the Gold Coast Construction in the front yard of a property on one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive streets is causing quite a stir – but council says the owners have done nothing wrong. The property on Hedges Avenue, which runs along the coastline in Mermaid Beach, has undergone extensive changes recently and developers have opted to build a wall right up to its boundary. But that has severely restricted access for pedestrians, and with added fencing while construction occurs, it has forced people into the road. Councillor Nick Marshall ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints from the community but it turns out the owners are well within their rights. 'Neither the builder or the owner have actually done anything wrong because the boundary line for the property is just 80cm off the road and, at some point, the road was widened and the path crossed into the boundaries,' he said, the Gold Coat Bulletin reported. Grim rain record broken for Sydney Well those in Sydney won't be too surprised to learn that its been the wettest August in 27 years. And while it's been a miserable few years in terms of rain, the past six-year period has actually broken an unwanted record. Analysis from the ABC's meteorologist Tom Saunders shows that the period from January 2020 to now is the wettest six-year stretch seen since records began at Sydney's Observatory Hill in 1858 – and there's still four months to go. Saunders says there has been stronger and more frequent winds from the east, bringing more moisture in from the Tasman Sea, and said it could lead to Sydney and other parts of the east coast shifting to wetter climates over time. Flybuys rolls out checkout savings at Bunnings Those with a Flybuys account will be pleased to learn they can now opt to use their points at the checkout in Bunnings. "Whether it's potting mix, power tools, or prepping for a weekend DIY project, members can unlock value when they shop in-store, with every 2,000 points equivalent to $10 off, applied directly at the checkout," Bunnings and Flybuys announced on Tuesday. The option will commence today across Australia following a successful trial in WA, and mirrors a system successfully rolled out by Coles previously. Tragic details after baby found in drain Police have launched a major investigation after a baby's body was discovered inside a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs. Tradesmen cleaning the drains on La Salle Road made the tragic discovery in Alexander Heights at about 1pm on Monday. The baby was 'just days old' and found wrapped in a sheet, The West Australian has reported. A police spokesman said multiple resources had been sent to the location as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is understood ambulance crews were initially called but were stood down. Police also issued an emergency alert on Monday evening to all Perth maternity hospitals with concerns for the welfare of the mother. Detectives remained at the scene late on Monday, after police spent the afternoon doorknocking nearby residents. It has been reported a large portion of the road remained blocked off to the public well into Monday evening. - NewsWire Australia slams Israel's 'unjustified' visa move Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority as 'unjustified'. Her counterpart in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, announced the move overnight in response to Australia cancelling a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza. 'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement. 'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. 'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.' Read more from NewsWire here. Children targeted in e-bike crackdown Children are the target of Queensland Police's latest e-bike crackdown as momentum to get to grips with their illegal use continues to grow nationally. Police in Brisbane have launched Operation X-ray Stamp this month to target the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes along the city's popular Kedron Brook Bikeway. "With many offences involving children, the operation strongly focuses on educating both children and their parents about their responsibilities and the consequences of allowing their child's illegal use of these devices," Queensland Police said on Tuesday. 'The main issues we see with e-scooters and e-bikes include unlicensed driving of unregistered vehicles, speeding, dangerous driving such as swerving in and out of pedestrians, and illegal modifications," Senior Sergeant Saskia Toohey said. 'Our focus is on education and engagement, but the QPS will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or confiscating non-compliant devices, if necessary, to stop unsafe behaviour." So with the latest effort to get to grips with the issue, we're asking you if you think authorities are doing enough when it comes to the illegal use of e-transport. Have your say below. Trump makes big promise to Ukraine Donald Trump has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end Russia's war there, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted Zelensky and a group of European allies days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and months after a disastrous Oval Office meeting that saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticise the Ukrainian leader. A peace deal appeared far from imminent, however. Just before the talks began, Russia's Foreign Ministry ruled out the deployment of troops from NATO countries to help secure a peace deal, adding complications to Trump's offer. Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday's gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin. The Kremlin has not yet publicly accepted such a meeting, and it remains to be seen whether Putin, whose forces have been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, is prepared to sit down with Zelenskiy or make meaningful concessions. Read more here. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Donald Trump couldn't help but laugh. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who of course is a former comedian, took control in the White House on Monday (local time), just months after a difficult encounter with Trump where he was heavily criticised in front of the cameras. One of Trump's qualms that time was Zelensky's attire. His olive green military-style outfit was called out by suit-wearing Trump, and some reporters in the room appeared to share the opinion a more formal outfit was needed. Zelenskiy's garb at that February meeting featured in a disastrous session with Trump in which the two leaders bickered and the Ukrainian president was escorted out of the White House early, without lunch. On Monday, backed by European allies, Zelensky showed up for his talks with Trump wearing more formal attire, with Trump visibly impressed. A reporter who had asked Zelensky in February why he was not wearing a suit complimented the Ukrainian leader on the attire he chose for his latest visit. "You look fabulous in that suit," the reporter said. Trump chimed in: "I said the same thing". Clearly far more comfortable with proceedings, he managed to get a cheeky last response to the journalist. "You're wearing the same suit," he told the reporter, drawing laughter from the room. "I changed." You can watch the moment below. New wall along footpath causing drama on the Gold Coast Construction in the front yard of a property on one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive streets is causing quite a stir – but council says the owners have done nothing wrong. The property on Hedges Avenue, which runs along the coastline in Mermaid Beach, has undergone extensive changes recently and developers have opted to build a wall right up to its boundary. But that has severely restricted access for pedestrians, and with added fencing while construction occurs, it has forced people into the road. Councillor Nick Marshall ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints from the community but it turns out the owners are well within their rights. 'Neither the builder or the owner have actually done anything wrong because the boundary line for the property is just 80cm off the road and, at some point, the road was widened and the path crossed into the boundaries,' he said, the Gold Coat Bulletin reported. Construction in the front yard of a property on one of the Gold Coast's most exclusive streets is causing quite a stir – but council says the owners have done nothing wrong. The property on Hedges Avenue, which runs along the coastline in Mermaid Beach, has undergone extensive changes recently and developers have opted to build a wall right up to its boundary. But that has severely restricted access for pedestrians, and with added fencing while construction occurs, it has forced people into the road. Councillor Nick Marshall ordered an investigation after receiving multiple complaints from the community but it turns out the owners are well within their rights. 'Neither the builder or the owner have actually done anything wrong because the boundary line for the property is just 80cm off the road and, at some point, the road was widened and the path crossed into the boundaries,' he said, the Gold Coat Bulletin reported. Grim rain record broken for Sydney Well those in Sydney won't be too surprised to learn that its been the wettest August in 27 years. And while it's been a miserable few years in terms of rain, the past six-year period has actually broken an unwanted record. Analysis from the ABC's meteorologist Tom Saunders shows that the period from January 2020 to now is the wettest six-year stretch seen since records began at Sydney's Observatory Hill in 1858 – and there's still four months to go. Saunders says there has been stronger and more frequent winds from the east, bringing more moisture in from the Tasman Sea, and said it could lead to Sydney and other parts of the east coast shifting to wetter climates over time. Well those in Sydney won't be too surprised to learn that its been the wettest August in 27 years. And while it's been a miserable few years in terms of rain, the past six-year period has actually broken an unwanted record. Analysis from the ABC's meteorologist Tom Saunders shows that the period from January 2020 to now is the wettest six-year stretch seen since records began at Sydney's Observatory Hill in 1858 – and there's still four months to go. Saunders says there has been stronger and more frequent winds from the east, bringing more moisture in from the Tasman Sea, and said it could lead to Sydney and other parts of the east coast shifting to wetter climates over time. Flybuys rolls out checkout savings at Bunnings Those with a Flybuys account will be pleased to learn they can now opt to use their points at the checkout in Bunnings. "Whether it's potting mix, power tools, or prepping for a weekend DIY project, members can unlock value when they shop in-store, with every 2,000 points equivalent to $10 off, applied directly at the checkout," Bunnings and Flybuys announced on Tuesday. The option will commence today across Australia following a successful trial in WA, and mirrors a system successfully rolled out by Coles previously. Those with a Flybuys account will be pleased to learn they can now opt to use their points at the checkout in Bunnings. "Whether it's potting mix, power tools, or prepping for a weekend DIY project, members can unlock value when they shop in-store, with every 2,000 points equivalent to $10 off, applied directly at the checkout," Bunnings and Flybuys announced on Tuesday. The option will commence today across Australia following a successful trial in WA, and mirrors a system successfully rolled out by Coles previously. Tragic details after baby found in drain Police have launched a major investigation after a baby's body was discovered inside a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs. Tradesmen cleaning the drains on La Salle Road made the tragic discovery in Alexander Heights at about 1pm on Monday. The baby was 'just days old' and found wrapped in a sheet, The West Australian has reported. A police spokesman said multiple resources had been sent to the location as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is understood ambulance crews were initially called but were stood down. Police also issued an emergency alert on Monday evening to all Perth maternity hospitals with concerns for the welfare of the mother. Detectives remained at the scene late on Monday, after police spent the afternoon doorknocking nearby residents. It has been reported a large portion of the road remained blocked off to the public well into Monday evening. - NewsWire Police have launched a major investigation after a baby's body was discovered inside a stormwater drain in Perth's northern suburbs. Tradesmen cleaning the drains on La Salle Road made the tragic discovery in Alexander Heights at about 1pm on Monday. The baby was 'just days old' and found wrapped in a sheet, The West Australian has reported. A police spokesman said multiple resources had been sent to the location as authorities investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. It is understood ambulance crews were initially called but were stood down. Police also issued an emergency alert on Monday evening to all Perth maternity hospitals with concerns for the welfare of the mother. Detectives remained at the scene late on Monday, after police spent the afternoon doorknocking nearby residents. It has been reported a large portion of the road remained blocked off to the public well into Monday evening. - NewsWire Australia slams Israel's 'unjustified' visa move Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority as 'unjustified'. Her counterpart in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, announced the move overnight in response to Australia cancelling a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza. 'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement. 'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. 'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.' Read more from NewsWire here. Foreign Minister Penny Wong has slammed Israel's decision to revoke visas for Australian representatives to the Palestinian Authority as 'unjustified'. Her counterpart in Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, announced the move overnight in response to Australia cancelling a visa for a far-right Israeli MP. It is the heaviest blow to the bilateral relationship, which has been severely strained by the Albanese government's opposition to large-scale civilian suffering in Gaza. 'At a time when dialogue and diplomacy are needed more than ever, the Netanyahu Government is isolating Israel and undermining international efforts towards peace and a two-state solution,' Senator Wong said in a statement. 'This is an unjustified reaction, following Australia's decision to recognise Palestine. 'We will continue to work with partners as we contribute international momentum to a two-state solution, a ceasefire in Gaza and release of the hostages.' Read more from NewsWire here. Children targeted in e-bike crackdown Children are the target of Queensland Police's latest e-bike crackdown as momentum to get to grips with their illegal use continues to grow nationally. Police in Brisbane have launched Operation X-ray Stamp this month to target the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes along the city's popular Kedron Brook Bikeway. "With many offences involving children, the operation strongly focuses on educating both children and their parents about their responsibilities and the consequences of allowing their child's illegal use of these devices," Queensland Police said on Tuesday. 'The main issues we see with e-scooters and e-bikes include unlicensed driving of unregistered vehicles, speeding, dangerous driving such as swerving in and out of pedestrians, and illegal modifications," Senior Sergeant Saskia Toohey said. 'Our focus is on education and engagement, but the QPS will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or confiscating non-compliant devices, if necessary, to stop unsafe behaviour." So with the latest effort to get to grips with the issue, we're asking you if you think authorities are doing enough when it comes to the illegal use of e-transport. Have your say below. Children are the target of Queensland Police's latest e-bike crackdown as momentum to get to grips with their illegal use continues to grow nationally. Police in Brisbane have launched Operation X-ray Stamp this month to target the illegal and dangerous use of e-scooters and e-bikes along the city's popular Kedron Brook Bikeway. "With many offences involving children, the operation strongly focuses on educating both children and their parents about their responsibilities and the consequences of allowing their child's illegal use of these devices," Queensland Police said on Tuesday. 'The main issues we see with e-scooters and e-bikes include unlicensed driving of unregistered vehicles, speeding, dangerous driving such as swerving in and out of pedestrians, and illegal modifications," Senior Sergeant Saskia Toohey said. 'Our focus is on education and engagement, but the QPS will take enforcement action, including issuing fines or confiscating non-compliant devices, if necessary, to stop unsafe behaviour." So with the latest effort to get to grips with the issue, we're asking you if you think authorities are doing enough when it comes to the illegal use of e-transport. Have your say below. Trump makes big promise to Ukraine Donald Trump has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end Russia's war there, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted Zelensky and a group of European allies days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and months after a disastrous Oval Office meeting that saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticise the Ukrainian leader. A peace deal appeared far from imminent, however. Just before the talks began, Russia's Foreign Ministry ruled out the deployment of troops from NATO countries to help secure a peace deal, adding complications to Trump's offer. Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday's gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin. The Kremlin has not yet publicly accepted such a meeting, and it remains to be seen whether Putin, whose forces have been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, is prepared to sit down with Zelenskiy or make meaningful concessions. Read more here. Donald Trump has told President Volodymyr Zelensky the US would help guarantee Ukraine's security in any deal to end Russia's war there, though the extent of any assistance was not immediately clear. Trump made the pledge during an extraordinary summit at the White House, where he hosted Zelensky and a group of European allies days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska and months after a disastrous Oval Office meeting that saw Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticise the Ukrainian leader. A peace deal appeared far from imminent, however. Just before the talks began, Russia's Foreign Ministry ruled out the deployment of troops from NATO countries to help secure a peace deal, adding complications to Trump's offer. Both Trump and Zelenskiy said they hoped Monday's gathering would eventually lead to three-way talks with Putin. The Kremlin has not yet publicly accepted such a meeting, and it remains to be seen whether Putin, whose forces have been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine, is prepared to sit down with Zelenskiy or make meaningful concessions. Read more here.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- New York Post
Boston TV news anchor claims she lost gig because she's white — blames CBS ‘DEI agenda'
A TV anchor at a local CBS station in Boston claims she was demoted from her job because she is a white woman — and alleged she fell victim to a 'DEI agenda' that was raging out of control across the Tiffany Network, according to a bombshell lawsuit. Katherine Merrill Dunham, a longtime anchor for CBS affiliate WBZ-TV known on air as Kate Merrill, filed suit against the station's corporate parents CBS and Paramount Global this month alleging that she was run out of the newsroom to satisfy corporate diversity quotas. The 51-year-old Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, who is married to ex-Rangers goalie Mike Dunham, stunned viewers last year when she quit the station without explanation. 8 Katherine Merrill Dunham (center), known on-air as Kate Merrill, a longtime Boston news anchor for CBS affiliate WBZ-TV. Chris Tanaka is seen left. Levan Reid is seen right. Facebook / Kate Merrill WBZ In her Aug. 5 suit filed in Boston federal court, Merrill alleged she was targeted by managers who said the morning show was 'too white' and by co-workers who filed 'malicious' race-based complaints against her. The lawsuit cites exclusive reporting by The Post of then-CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, who was accused of using her clout to promote minorities while unfairly sidelining white journalists during her tenure. Her downfall began, she claims, after Paramount and CBS rolled out sweeping diversity mandates in response to past allegations of racism. Executives allegedly described WBZ as 'the whitest of all their stations' and vowed to allow only minority hires. Dominican-born Ciprian Mathew was named as president of CBS News in August 2023 despite being the subject of an internal probe by the company in 2021 over her alleged hiring practices, The Post reported. 8 Merrill is married to Mike Dunham, a former backup goaltender for the New York Rangers. X / Mike Dunham 'WBZ-TV exploited such policies and took career-ending action against Ms. Merrill to advance a DEI agenda,' according to the complaint. Ciprian-Matthews stepped down in July of last year. Paramount scrapped its controversial DEI programs earlier this year ahead of its deal with Skydance after President Trump-nominated FCC Chair Brendan Carr reportedly vowed to block any mergers involving companies that held firm to 'woke' policies. According to the complaint, the trouble started when Jason Mikell, a black co-worker and meteorologist at WBZ, allegedly 'made an inappropriate sexual innuendo about' Merrill 'on air' in February of last year when he 'implied that Ms. Merrill and her co-anchor had sexual relations at a gazebo.' 8 The lawsuit cites exclusive reporting by The Post of then-CBS News president Ingrid Ciprian-Matthew, who was accused of using her clout to promote minorities while unfairly sidelining white journalists during her tenure. Getty Images The lawsuit alleges that despite complaints to supervisors by Merrill's executive producer, Mikell 'was not disciplined for his sexually charged remark about Ms. Merrill.' A few weeks later in April of last year, after she privately texted him to correct a mispronunciation of 'Concord,' Mikell allegedly 'loudly yelled at her on the studio floor,' according to the suit. Merrill claims she immediately complained to human resources — but a week later, Paramount's HR chief informed her that Mikell and Courtney Cole, a black anchor hired by WBZ in 2022, had accused her of racial bias. After 20 years at the station, the Emmy-winning broadcaster charges that she was branded a racist, demoted in public and forced into a 'constructive discharge resignation'. 8 WBZ-TV meteorologist Jason Mikell at his desk. Mikell allegedly accused Merill of making racist comments. Facebook/Jason Mikell On May 17, 2024, Michael Roderick, vice president of employee relations at Paramount, issued a report finding Merrill had engaged in 'microaggressions or unconscious bias.' WBZ President and GM Justin Draper handed her a written warning requiring unconscious bias training and threatening termination if she slipped again, according to the complaint. The next day, Draper allegedly blindsided her with news she was being demoted from morning anchor to weekends — a move he announced in two staff meetings, the lawsuit alleged. 'Demoting Ms. Merrill in the context of the investigation sent the false message to her professional colleagues that she had engaged in serious wrongdoing,' the lawsuit said. 8 Merrill was at WBZ-TV for more than 20 years before she left the station without explanation last year. Instagram / Kate Merrill Union leaders told Merrill that the demotion constituted 'career sabotage' and she would 'never recover.' Facing what she called a career-ending blow, Merrill resigned May 24, 2024. The suit alleged male and minority colleagues were spared similar punishment for misconduct. It cites Mikell's innuendo and an incident in which a black reporter allegedly 'physically threw' a co-worker against a wall. None were demoted, according to the filing. According to Merrill's lawsuit, Mikell lodged a complaint against her in which he falsely accused her of making racially charged comments, including one in which she allegedly told him that after his hiring he would 'find his people' in Boston. The lawsuit alleged that Mikell complained after she failed to ask him 'about his weekend, an omission he apparently attributed to his race…' 8 Dunham is a retired goaltender who played in the NHL for teams including the New York Rangers, Nashville Predators and New Jersey Devils. He is seen above with the Rangers in 2002. New York Post The complaint also mentions another incident in which she suggested he could be a garbage collector while a co-anchor joked he could pick strawberries during an on-air bit. Merrill denied 'any of her actions, inactions, or comments were as described or motivated by overt racism or unconscious bias.' Merrill, a Carlisle, Mass. native and Concord resident, launched her career in 1996 and joined WBZ in 2004. She became co-anchor of 'WBZ This Morning' and 'WBZ News at Noon' in 2017. The filing touts her spotless record, 'extraordinary reputation' and a résumé that included coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, Democratic National Convention, Red Sox World Series win and Patriots Super Bowls. 8 Merrill said her black colleagues at WBZ-TV fabricated allegations against her accusing her of racial hostility. Facebook / Kate Merrill WBZ 'For more than 20 years, Ms. Merrill worked closely, virtually daily, with colleagues regardless of race,' the filing states, attaching photos of her with black colleagues. 'She is anti-racist.' In 2022, WBZ hired Cole and Japanese American anchor Chris Tanaka, demoting white colleagues in the process. In 2023, black meteorologist Mikell joined the station, replacing Zack Green, a white forecaster, according to the complaint. 8 Merrill alleged she was targeted by managers who said the morning show was 'too white' and by co-workers who filed 'malicious' race-based complaints against her. Facebook / Kate Merrill WBZ Her WBZ contract — which runs until June 2025 — contains a non-compete clause, blocking her from working elsewhere in TV until it expires. She says she has suffered 'significant financial losses' and reputational damage, and that WBZ still has not paid her for 20 unused vacation days. The Post has sought comment from Merrill's attorneys, Patricia Washienko and Allison Williard; WBZ-TV; CBS; Paramount Global; Draper; Mikell; Cole and Roderick.
New York Post
9 hours ago
- New York Post
MSNBC gets mercilessly mocked over new MS NOW name: ‘Most Surely No One Watching'
Left-leaning cable channel MSNBC – home to Rachel Maddow and other Trump-bashing anchors – was derided on Monday for the worst rebrand since New Coke after announcing a name change to MS NOW. The head-scratching acronym for My Source News Opinion World was mercilessly mocked. Social media users quipped the ratings-challenged network's new name stands for 'Majorly Skewed News Overly Woke' or 'Most Surely No One Watching.' Others simply started calling it 'BS NOW.' 4 Cable channel MSNBC announced it is rebranding to MS NOW. AP MSNBC was forced to change its name – and create a new logo, which features a red-and-white striped flag on a blue background – as part of the upcoming spinoff by parent company Comcast to a new publicly-traded company called Versant. The spinoff, slated for the end of the year, strips away the cable channel's ties to NBC and the iconic Peacock symbol. 'I don't know what's worse, Versant or My Source News Opinion World. Whoever came up with these names deserves to be shown the door,' one former media executive told The Post. The space between MS and NOW left many baffled, with one joking it stood for 'Martin Scorsese 'n' Olivia Wilde.' Attaining the MS NOW domain name may also prove tricky. A current website for ' is for something called 'Motorized Snow vehicles (SnowMobile)' that features text written in Korean. 4 One person on social media joked that the network — which features left-leaning programs like 'Morning Joe' — must stand for 'Most Surely No One Watching.' MSNBC Meanwhile, typing ' into a browser redirects users to meal-delivery service Marley Spoon, which is affiliated with Martha Stewart. The Post reached out to MSNBC for comment. The move comes despite NBCUniversal executive Mark Lazarus, who will become Versant's CEO, assuring rattled MSNBC staffers that the network wouldn't change its name and logo – as many feared – after the $7 billion spinoff was announced last November. 'I know there was some discussion with the MSNBC name, so you can take that off of your worry list on things,' Lazarus told staffers during a meeting in January. The about-face raised concerns. 4 NBCUniversal executive Mark Lazarus, who will become Versant's CEO, previously told MSNBC staffers the network wouldn't rebrand. REUTERS 'It doesn't set a great precedent for management to change the name after promising staffers it wouldn't,' one company insider told The Post. 'It's not a way to boost trust in the new company and its leadership.' The changes led one X user to dub it 'one of the worst branding disasters in media history. The logo looks like it belongs on a discount computer from 1998, not a serious news network. Absurd.' 4 One person theorized the new name is a reference to Martin Scorcese and Olivia Wilde. Conservative activist Robby Starbuck also went for the jugular, writing on X: 'I just want to meet the absolute bandit who got MSNBC execs to fork over tons of $$$ for this logo and a name that reminds you of multiple sclerosis.' MSNBC President Rebbeca Kutler promised a massive marketing campaign for MS NOW 'unlike anything we have done in recent memory.' 'During this time of transition, it has become clear that our brands need separation, and NBCUniversal decided to retain 'NBC' and the peacock,' she told staffers in a memo Monday morning. Kutler, who replaced Rashida Jones earlier this year, tried to assuage concerns, telling staffers that the rebrand 'allows us to set our own course and assert our independence.' MSNBC has been working to build out its own newsroom operations separate from NBCUniversal over the past eight months. It has hired dozens of journalists from CNN, Bloomberg, Politico, The Washington Post and several other news organizations. The network will be referred to as MSNBC over the next few months as it wraps up this process.
