Latest news with #nominations
Fox News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Vets groups torch Dems for holding up key VA picks, including memorials chief, on Memorial Day
FIRST ON FOX: A slew of veterans' groups, along with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, are criticizing Senate Democrats for delaying key agency nominations over what some have called unserious or "DOGE-type" concerns. One top nominee currently facing the collective procedural roadblock ahead of Memorial Day is wounded warrior Sam Brown, a former Nevada senatorial candidate and Army captain who was burned over more than one-third of his body when the Humvee he was riding in in Helmand, Afghanistan, hit a roadside IED that incinerated its fuel tank. He was nominated by President Donald Trump as undersecretary for memorial affairs, which maintains cemeteries and facilitates veterans' burial ceremonies – about 100,000 per year. A letter from about two dozen veterans' groups addressed to Senate VA Committee Chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan., ranking member Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and caucus leaders was obtained Friday by Fox News Digital. The groups note that they respect the Senate's advise-and-consent role, but object to the current situation. They note that the VA has the fewest presidentially nominated positions and that other agency nominees receive overnight and weekend considerations at times. "We will be happy to bring the senators coffee and donuts during such late night and weekend sessions, of course in compliance with the Senate's gift and ethics rules," the groups wrote. Brown and all other nominees since April have been held up by Blumenthal and Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz. – but the lawmakers say their move is not personal and instead aimed to halt mass firings and other Trump-era actions. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, indicated that he would join the two Democrats, after a confirmation hearing for Brown, Marine Lt. Col. James Baehr for general counsel and Army veteran Richard Topping for VA CFO, was mooted in April by the procedural hold. "We've had 2,400 firings so far," King said, according to Stars & Stripes. Vietnam Veterans of America, in a separate letter obtained by Fox News Digital, demanded Brown, Baehr and Topping be confirmed summarily. "All three of these veterans received favorable reports following the April 9th nominations process from the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee," wrote VVA President Jack McManus. McManus said that many Vietnam Vets are concerned about the hold-up and agree that Brown and the others are eminently qualified, blaming "two members of the US Senate Veterans Affairs Committee" for "affecting services to our veterans." Another letter from the Independence Fund, which provides resources, including trackchairs, to severely wounded veterans, said a fully staffed VA central office is crucial to its mission. Last week, when Moran again attempted to confirm Brown by unanimous consent – a voice vote that must have no audible objections – Blumenthal rose to block him. "The chairman and I share a bipartisan commitment to putting our veterans first. . . . I think we also share a respect for Sam Brown [and] his service to our nation as a decorated veteran," said Blumenthal. Blumenthal, whose own service was criticized by Trump with the nickname "Da Nang Dick" after a Vietnamese province, said that Brown's nomination lacked unanimous support in committee, citing a 10-9 vote. "This issue is bigger than Sam Brown. It is about information that has been denied to our committee and to us as senators. The secretary of the VA is actively working to undermine our bipartisan oversight efforts. Blumenthal told Fox News Digital he had a message for Collins: "Before you hire new top VA bureaucrats, you should be rehiring the dedicated veterans you fired." "Secretary Doug Collins is denying us essential information that is necessary for our oversight, and we want accountability. All Americans, especially veterans, deserve votes by the full Senate on top nominees—not rubber stamp unanimous consents," he said, adding Collins can ask the Senate to hold floor-debate on the nominees through regular order. In comments to Fox News Digital, Collins rejected Blumenthal's claims and lambasted the delays. "Imagine how much better off America's veterans would be if Senators Blumenthal and Gallego cared as much about fixing the department's broken bureaucracy as they do about preventing wounded combat veterans from coming to work at VA," he said. "Despite their obstruction, we will reform the department to make it work better for veterans, families, caregivers and survivors." Gallego said he also does not object to Brown personally, and that he is instead seeking agency accountability – saying in a recent statement he wants to reverse "hack-job firings." In a statement to Fox News Digital, Gallego said Collins is "more concerned with three political appointees than the thousands of veterans who are going to lose their jobs and care." "I served this country and received care at the VA. I know how important it is for veterans. Abandoning them, like Secretary Collins wants to do, is reckless and un-American. Show Congress the plan on how care won't be impacted. Anything short of that is political posturing," he said. In Gallego's Arizona, the Phoenix VA hospital is letting go 800 employees, and a 2024 inspector general report found that the site already faced staffing shortages. Recent surveys of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans show an elevated concern that VA cuts could impact benefits and health care. Fox News reached out to King for comment for purposes of this story.
RNZ News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
The rules when running for local government
Nominations close at 12pm on Friday, 1 August, and late nominations are not being accepted. Photo: NZ ELECTORAL COMMISSION If you're considering having a crack at local government elections, you'll need to put down the shades, cat and baby for your candidate photo. Potential candidates are being reminded of a few pitfalls ahead of nominations opening for local government elections on 4 July. Speaking to a Kaikōura District Council workshop this week, electoral officer Warwick Lampp said candidates needed to submit a passport sized photo with their 150 word profile. The photo needs to be of your head and shoulders, with no sunglasses, no hat and not accompanied by whānau, pets, friends or kissing a baby. Candidates must be a New Zealand citizen. You do not need to reside in the district(s) you choose to stand in - but your two nominees do. If you or your partner hold a contract of more than $25,000 for your local council you cannot stand, unless you have prior approval from the Auditor-General. Nominations close at 12pm on Friday, August 1, and Lampp said no late nominations were accepted. ''Remember, if you are sending it by email, it is not the time you send it, but the time it lands in the council's email system. ''It has to be in the hands of the electoral officer by 12 noon, so if you are emailing at 11.59am, it probably won't arrive in the returning officer's inbox until 12.01pm. ''If you are in the door it can be processed at 12 noon, provided there are no issues, because you won't have time to fix them.'' Once nominations close, you are on the ballot paper, Lampp said. ''It does happen that people have to withdraw because of ill-health or death or another reason.'' In 2019, Seven Sharp journalist Julian Lee got himself nominated for the Mackenzie district mayoralty while working on a story. He failed to withdraw his nomination in time and ended up running ''a don't vote for me'' campaign, Lampp said. ''It actually boosted the voter turnout as it meant there was a mayoral contest.'' Lampp said orange ballot boxes were set to become a common feature in this year's local government elections as councils look to make it easier for people to vote. ''Orange ballot boxes are the way to go these days because of the pressures on the postal service.'' Kaikōura District Council deputy electoral officer Becky Makin said orange bins would be located at strategic locations around the district. Voting papers are posted out from 9 September, with voting closing at midday on Saturday, 11 October. A telephone dictation service is available from the Electoral Commission to assist those who are unable to read the voting papers. Christchurch-based Ltd runs the elections for several councils around the country, including the Kaikōura district. There will be elections for mayor, seven councillors elected at large, and two Environment Canterbury councillors in the North Canterbury constituency. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Nominations Open For America's Top Lawyers 2025
Nominations are now open for Forbes' list of America's Top 250 Lawyers for 2025. The second-annual iteration of the list spotlights elite practitioners across the country, from all specializations, at the pinnacle of the profession. America's Top 250 Lawyers is open to attorneys in private practice with impressive track records, who are lauded in the legal marketplace, and who have demonstrated outsize influence in their specialties. Selected lawyers will be well-respected by peers, clients, judges and the community. Some may have been part of the most consequential and seminal cases and legal trends in recent years. Others have emerged as leaders in their fields. Many on our list may have name recognition; others are making their mark in more subtle ways. All have a track record of success. Our experienced editorial team vets candidates through a curated research and selection process as well as through nominations and recommendations. If there is an attorney you believe should be on Forbes Top 250 list, please use the following link to submit candidates by July 18: Nominations will be reviewed by our editorial team and requests for additional information may be sent to those moving forward in the process. *Please note that this list is entirely merit-based and qualitative— there is no fee to participate and candidates cannot pay to be listed.* Any questions about submissions or the upcoming list should be directed to lawyerlist@
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Potential First-Time Emmy Nominees 2025: Harrison Ford, Adam Brody
There's nothing like your first time. More from Variety Why Harrison Ford Urged Miley Cyrus to Avoid Filming 'Something Beautiful' in a Forest Disney FYC Fest Kicks Off Next Week With 'Only Murders in the Building,' 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'High Potential,' 'Abbott Elementary' and More Events (EXCLUSIVE) This Year's Emmy Trends: Severed Arms, Ibérico Ham and Ron Howard are Some of the Strange Motifs Popping Up in Shows As the Emmys eligibility period draws to a close, a new class of actors – some from the world, others breaking out for the first time – are poised to land their first nominations from television's most prestigious awards body. From breakout turns in true-crime sagas like 'Monsters: The Erik and Lyle Menendez Story' to multiple scene-stealing supporting roles in genre juggernauts like 'Andor' and 'Severance,' we're tracking the top acting contenders to receive their first-ever Emmy nom. Below is Variety's list of 12 hopefuls, looking to nab an invitation to TV's biggest party. Note: we only cite one actor from each series. Nomination voting runs from June 12 to June 23, with official nominations set to be announced July 15. Honorable mentions: Utkarsh Ambudkar ('Ghosts'); Jake Gyllenhaal ('Presumed Innocent'); Wendi McLendon-Covey ('St. Denis Medical'); Wagner Moura ('Dope Thief'); Genevieve O'Reilly ('Andor'); Chris Perfetti ('Abbott Elementary'); Sarah Sherman ('Saturday Night Live') Variety Awards Circuit: EmmyBarinholtz has quietly built one of the most versatile resumes in comedy; this year, he's gone full prestige. With Apple TV+'s sharp satire 'The Studio,' he channels with unexpected zingers and an underlying resonance that stands out. It's an evolution of a long-respected industry figure that could mirror Tony Shalhoub's part comedic-dramatic Emmy trajectory from 'Monk' to 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' even more aptly similar to Tony Hale's 2013 win. He also gets an added boost for co-creating Netflix's 'Running Point' with Kate winning the Critics Choice prize for his turn as Noah Roklov, a rabbi who begins an unexpected relationship with an agnostic podcaster (Kristen Bell), the ever-charming Adam Brody looks poised to land his very first major TV acting nom for the Netflix rom-com show. Many actors from the millennial generation have made roaring comebacks in their second acts in Hollywood. Look at Kenan Thompson when he was double-nominated for 'Kenan' and 'Saturday Night Live' in 2021. With the series also contending to land in other major races, Brody's nom becomes more assured by the day, even if only five slots will likely be has been a wrestler, a 'Peacemaker' and a Daytime Emmy nominee as the host of 'Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?' Cena's role in Season 3 of 'The Bear' marks a stunning pivot for the entertainer. Best known for his quirks and beats in comedy and action roles, he taps into his softer side with his guest arc on the hit FX just 15, Cooper delivers a performance that could make Emmy history. In the British drama 'Adolescence,' he plays a troubled teen with breathtaking vulnerability. Comparisons to Paul Mescal's quiet intensity in 'Normal People' are not unwarranted. He's the front-runner in the supporting actor (limited) race, and might just become the youngest nominee in the category. His equally affecting co-stars Ashley Walter and Christine Tremarco are sure to light up the supporting ballots alongside breaks through with a magnetic portrayal of a young criminal navigating Gotham's shifting power dynamics in HBO Max's 'The Penguin.' His performance, steeped in nuance, evokes Emmy-nominated turns like Michael Mando in 'Better Call Saul' and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in 'Watchmen.' If nominated, Feliz would become only the eighth Latino actor ever recognized in the supporting drama actor category, which notably has yet to produce a winner. He would also be just the second Dominican actor nominated in any Emmy acting category, following Jharrel Jerome's historic 2019 win for lead actor (limited) for 'When They See Us.' His potential nod would arrive in the same year Zoe Saldaña became the first Dominican to win an Academy Award for her performance in 'Emilia Pérez.'An acting legend without a single Emmy nomination? It's true. Ford's turn as Dr. Paul Rhoades, a grieving, gruff therapist, blends dry humor with emotional vulnerability. Following an overlooked first season and a solid run in Paramount's '1923,' Ford seems overdue for Emmy recognition, perhaps in the same vein as Alan Arkin's nods for 'The Kominsky Method' or when Henry Winkler finally won an overdue Emmy for the first season of 'Barry.' Ford's nom could also bring in his co-star and Critics Choice winner Michael Urie as delivers a haunting performance as Erik Menendez in Netflix's dramatization by producer Ryan Murphy. His portrayal balances the underlying and emotional restraint with deep psychological complexity, echoing the breakout moment seen in Evan Peters' Emmy-nominated performance in 'Dahmer — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.' With renewed public interest in the Menendez case, Koch's take could land him squarely in the lead actor (limited) race. This story can't exist without the other brother, who is played exquisitely by Nicholas Alexander Chavez. Depending on how the category shakes out, with only five slots readily available, it may be tough to see both make the cut. LaNasa commands the screen as the head nurse of a gritty Pittsburgh emergency room in the intense medical drama 'The Pitt.' With a presence that's part no-nonsense and part deeply human, she recalls breakout Emmy wins by actresses like Archie Panjabi in 'The Good Wife' and Anna Gunn in 'Breaking Bad.' Her nod would mark a career-defining milestone. The same could be said for any of her fellow co-stars, Tracy Ifeachor, Patrick Ball, Supriya Ganesh, Fiona Dourif, Taylor Dearden, Isa Briones, Gerran Howell, and Shabana Azeez, who all submitted as the series earning 14 nominations in 2022, Lower's mysterious and emotionally layered performance as Helly was overlooked. In Season 2, she returns with even greater precision and emotional heft. Her arc feels within range to garner a long-overdue recognition, perhaps akin to Rhea Seehorn's eventual supporting nom for the final two seasons of 'Better Call Saul' after years of fan and critic campaigning. A lead drama actress nod seems all but certain. Let's not forget that her co-stars Zach Cherry as the wise-cracking Dylan and Tramell Tillman as the human thesaurus Milchik are both vying for supporting drama actor consideration, and are likely to come along for the ride for the enters Season 2 of the apocalyptic drama with a quiet but fierce performance as a new survivor. She follows in the footsteps of Bella Ramsey's 2023 nomination (she was among the youngest ever nominated in lead drama actress) and could become just the fourth Latina actress nominated in the supporting drama actress category, joining Aubrey Plaza ('The White Lotus'), Morena Baccarin ('Homeland') and Alexis Bledel ('The Handmaid's Tale'). In addition, Merced, 23, would be among the top 10 ever nominated alongside the likes of Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams ('Game of Thrones').Mike White's Emmy powerhouse launched the awards careers of several prominent character actors and newcomers, from winners Murray Bartlett to Jennifer Coolidge to nominees Will Sharpe and Natasha Rothwell. Now, 21-year-old Sam Nivola adds a new energy and depth to the ensemble and is poised to sneak into the race with his memorable turn as the young Lochlan, a high school senior staying at the Thailand resort. If the son of the great character actors Alessandro Nivola and Emily Mortimer makes the cut, he would the second youngest to be nominated in the category, surpassing Noah Wyle, who was 24 when nominated for 'ER' in 1995, and only bested by 13-year-old Johnny Crawford for 'The Rifleman' in 1959. Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank ('Boys Don't Cry' and 'Million Dollar Baby') dives into the twisted, psychological depths of 'Yellowjackets' in a guest arc that's both chilling and cerebral. Swank made her first appearance in the March 28 episode — the eighth installment of the show's third season — in a jaw-dropping twist that finally revealed the long-speculated fate of Melissa. In the episode, adult Shauna (Melanie Lynskey) discovers that Melissa is not only alive, but living under a new identity with a family unaware of her traumatic past. Her entry into the race as a guest drama actress would follow a well-worn path of film stars crossing into prestige TV. See Marcia Gay Harden in 'The Morning Show' or Patricia Arquette in 'The Act.' Best of Variety Emmy Predictions: Apple Holds Strong for Top Series Races With 'Severance' and 'The Studio'; Netflix and FX Could Dominate Doc and Writing Races Emmy Predictions: Talk/Scripted Variety Series - The Variety Categories Are Still a Mess; Netflix, Dropout, and 'Hot Ones' Stir Up Buzz Emmy Predictions: Drama Series - Could 'The Last of Us' or 'The Pitt' Dethrone 'Severance?'
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Join The Ranks Of Legends: Forbes 30 Under 30 Nominations Are Now Live
Think this is nice? It's a version of the weekly Under 30 newsletter and would be even better in your inbox. Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 It's that time of the year again: Nominations for the 2026 class of Forbes 30 Under 30 are officially open. For the past 14 years, Forbes has celebrated the young visionaries, disruptors, and creators who are redefining what's possible across industries—from art and fashion to tech and manufacturing. The 30 Under 30 list has spotlighted trailblazers who've gone on to break world records, win Oscars and even become billionaires. Take Alexandr Wang, the cofounder of IT company Scale AI, who made the Under 30 list in 2016 and today, at 28 years old, holds a net worth of $3.6 billion and the title of youngest self-made billionaire. Or Melanie Perkins, Under 30 Hall of Fame inductee and cofounder of Canva, whose platform revolutionized design and helped build her $5.8 billion fortune. And then there are the stars—like Adele, who graced the list in 2013, and rising talent like Chappell Roan whom we highlighted on our 2025 list. From icons to innovators, the 30 Under 30 list is the ultimate guide to the next generation of leaders. We're kicking off this year's search by inviting alumni, industry insiders and the public to submit nominations. Our nominations portal receives more than 20,000 submissions annually across our U.S., Asia, and Europe lists. Anyone can nominate, and yes—you can nominate yourself. (Just don't submit yourself more than once! We look for quality of nomination, not quantity!) Each category is judged by a panel of four industry experts with the insight and influence to spot tomorrow's changemakers. We take the input of vanguards like pop icon Taylor Swift, America's richest self-made female entrepreneur Diane Hendricks, and business 'sharks' like Mark Cuban. There's no clear-cut path to land on the Under 30 list. We're looking for a proven track record, strong endorsements and the power to disrupt economies. Think you—or someone you know—has what it takes? Submit your nomination here. See you next week, Alex & Zoya With nominations now open, you might be wondering what it really takes to make the cut. Spoiler: there's no secret formula—but here's what our editors are looking for. - the restaurant tech platform founded by 2021 Under 30 Food & Drink alum Adam Guild, this week raised $120 million in a Series C round led by Meritech Capital. The company helps local restaurants streamline operations with tools for building websites, managing online orders, and, now, leveraging AI. is rolling out AI chatbots to support restaurants' marketing and financial workflows. The latest raise brings the startup's valuation to $1 billion. -2016 Under 30 Music star Selena Gomez isn't a billionaire, yet. Forbes conducted an investigation into financial troubles at Wondermind, the mental health startup Gomez cofounded, and uncovered that the company missed payments to staff and vendors and laid off nine employees—details confirmed through interviews and internal documents. While some outlets have pegged Gomez's net worth at $1.3 billion, Forbes estimates it's closer to $700 million. -On Wednesday, Forbes celebrated the launch of the 2025 30 Under 30 Europe list at the Centre Pompidou in Paris. New listees joined a panel to share lessons on growing brands and navigating pivots. Crystelle Pereira spoke about leaving finance to become a chef; Michela Andreolli, cofounder of supply chain startup Arke, advised that 'sometimes no money is better than the wrong money' when seeking investors, and Fabian Kamberi, founder of consumer app creator Slay, highlighted how a strong product matters more than a polished pitch deck. What young people should know about this week, according to ForbesWomen editor Maggie McGrath, who covers all things related to women and power. From the editor: Hi from ForbesWomen land, where we're currently heads down on our next 50 Over 50 list (and if you know of a woman who should be on this list, please tell us about her here!) Below, you can find some of our best advice for taking your companies and careers to their next step. ✓ Consider whether you should *actually* wake up at 4am. We hear a lot about hard-charging founders and CEOs who get up well before the sun. But do those pre-sunrise alarms lead to peak productivity? Here's what you need to consider as you set your morning alarm. ✓ Trust your intuition. Bea Dixon, cofounder and CEO of feminine care company The Honey Pot, last year secured a $380 million majority stake in her company from Compass Diversified. But as Dixon shared in this recent ForbesWomen interview, she walked away from offers that were even higher—because to take them would have felt like 'selling her soul.' ✓ Ditch your five-year plan. Five-year plans can become pressure cookers disguised as roadmaps. They focus so intently on a future destination that they downplay the value of the present—and this tunnel vision can cause people to miss out on unexpected opportunities.
