The film Hidden Figures won big at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday evening. The cast, which includes actresses Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe, took home the award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. It edged out other films like Fences, Moonlight, Captain Fantastic, and Manchester by the Sea. “This film is about unity. The shoulders of the women that we stand on are three American heroes: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson. Without them, we would not know how to reach the stars,” said Henson during the acceptance speech. “This story is about what happens when we put our difference aside and we come together as a human race. They are hidden figures no more!” Read more.
Michigan To Foot Criminal Defense Bills For Former Flint Emergency Managers
According to reports, Michigan taxpayers will be responsible for footing the legal expenses for two officials involved in the Flint water crisis. The Michigan Treasury Department will compensate the city of Flint for the litigation fees of former Flint Emergency Managers Gerald Ambrose and Darnell Earley. Both Ambrose and Earley are facing charges related to committing false pretenses and conspiracy to commit false pretenses, which can result in 20 years behind bars. The two men could also face jail time for willful neglect of duty and misconduct in office. Anna Heaton, a spokeswoman for Gov. Rick Snyder, says there isn’t yet an estimate pertaining to the cost of the legal fees. Flint Mayor Karen Weaver says she understands the concerns Flint taxpayers have regarding paying for the legal fees, but she also acknowledges that “state and local law obligates the city to cover these costs.” Read more.
NBC Axes Al Roker And Tamron Hall’s ‘Today’s Take’
NBC is undergoing some major transitions. Earlier this month, it was reported that controversial political commentator Megyn Kelly would be leaving Fox News to join the NBC team. According to reports, Al Roker and Tamron Hall’s Today’s Take will be axed from the network this fall so Kelly can have her own show. Under Kelly’s multi-year agreement with NBC, she will host a daytime show, serve as an anchor on a Sunday night news show, and also provide breaking news coverage and political commentary. Roker will reportedly continue to serve as a weatherman on Today and Hall will be placed in a different role at the network. Kelly will reportedly earn between $15 million and $20 million per year at NBC. Read more.
Uber And Lyft Pulled Into Trump’s Travel Ban Controversy
Uber found itself in hot water this weekend after many people accused the ride-sharing app of trying to capitalize off President Donald Trump’s travel ban. Following Trump’s executive order, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance shared they would temporarily stop services to John F. Kennedy airport as a way to show solidarity with protesters. Uber continued to bring passengers to and from the airport. Many Uber users were outraged that the company didn’t stop their services, prompting the #DeleteUber hashtag. Lyft, one of Uber’s competitors, was praised for denouncing President Trump’s executive order and donating $1 million to the American Civil Liberties Union. Amidst the backlash, Uber announced that it would establish a $3 million defense fund to cover legal fees related to the executive order. Read more.
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