DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Chadwick Boseman and 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever': How the sequel makes a case for recasting
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Brian Lowry | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers about “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”CNN —“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” deftly completes the difficult task of continuing the franchise without its star, Chadwick Boseman, sensitively acknowledging his death by killing off the character of King T’Challa. Writing around his absence isn’t the first time that a fantasy story has been changed to accommodate a tragic loss. The death of Carrie Fisher (right) created "an impossible question" for the producers of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker." To be fair, “Wakanda Forever” does as well and probably better than should have been expected under such trying circumstances. The question might well be impossible, but the answer is right there, and rooted in screen history.

Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp wins re-election, NBC News projects, fending off a challenge from Stacey Abrams. Because Kemp, who defeated Abrams in 2018, is expected to win more than 50% of the vote, there will not be a runoff election in the race. In recent weeks, however, Kemp had pulled away in the polls, leading Abrams in most surveys by upward of 6 percentage points. “Democracy failed in Georgia,” Abrams said after the contest, which was marred by allegations of voter roll purging and suppression largely affecting Black voters.

☆ Midterm elections live updates: Pennsylvania races, New Hampshire Senate race too early to call
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( Brandy Zadrozny | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Sahil-Kapur-Headshot.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +109 min

Share this -Link copiedWisconsin Senate and governor's races too early to call It is too early to call the Senate and gubernatorial races in Wisconsin, according to NBC News. Share this -Link copiedNew Hampshire Senate race too early to call The Senate race in New Hampshire is too early to call, according to NBC News. Share this -Link copiedPennsylvania Senate and governor races are too early to call After polls closed at 8 p.m. While Maricopa County election officials initially categorized the problem as a “hiccup,” it took hours before a solution was identified early Tuesday afternoon. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said.

While Maricopa County election officials initially categorized the problem as a “hiccup,” it took hours before a solution was identified early Tuesday afternoon. According to the poll, 46% of voters said their family’s financial situation is worse than it was two years ago. Civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union and the NAACP, filed a similar complaint Friday against state election officials. The app and portal had been down for part of the morning and the state's election hotline also briefly experienced issues. In Columbus County, election officials allegedly were harassed by an “observer following one-stop workers” and photographing or filming the workers, it said.

☆ Stacey Abrams spent more than $1.2 million on security leading up to her loss in the Georgia governor's race
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-09 | by ( C. Ryan Barber | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The firm, Executive Protection Agencies, has also worked for an Abrams-tied advocacy group. It is unclear what security services Executive Protection Agencies provided to Abrams' campaign, and neither Abrams' campaign nor Executive Protection Agencies responded to Insider's requests for comment. On its website, Executive Protection Agencies advertises its bodyguards as "current or former elite law enforcement officers." Executive Protection Agencies' other clients include Rep. Nikema Williams of Georgia and Warnock, according to disclosures. TwitterOf the more than $1.2 million Abrams' campaign paid for security, only a small sliver went to a firm other than Executive Protection Agencies.

☆ Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp fends off Democrat Stacey Abrams for a second term, NBC News projects
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Emma Kinery | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Governor Brian Kemp holds up four fingers to indicate "four more years" as he speaks after winning the Republican primary during his primary election watch party in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. May 24, 2022. Brian Kemp has secured another term, fending off Democrat Stacey Abrams in the duo's second match-up, NBC News projected. Georgia voters in 2020 elected Democrats to both U.S. Senate seats and backed President Joe Biden. State officials, including Kemp, refused to do Trump's bidding and drew his ire when they certified Biden's electoral college win in Georgia. Abrams took flak two weeks before the election when she said on MSNBC that abortion was an economic issue.

Republican Brian Kemp won a second term as Georgia's governor. Stacey Abrams sought to oust Kemp from office in a rematch of their 2018 gubernatorial contest. Kemp touted his conservative record as governor, while Abrams wants a new approach in Atlanta. Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, defeated Democrat Stacey Abrams in Georgia's gubernatorial election.

☆ Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democrat Stacey Abrams face off in the Georgia gubernatorial election, a rematch of their 2018 contest
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Republican Brian Kemp is seeking re-election to a second term as Georgia's governor. Stacey Abrams is seeking to oust Kemp from office in a rematch of their 2018 gubernatorial contest. Brian Kemp, who narrowly defeated Democrat and former Georgia House of Representatives Minority Leader Stacey Abrams in the 2018 gubernatorial race, is running for reelection in a rematch of that race. However, Kemp has also frustrated the most prominent Republican official in the country — former President Donald Trump. The former president credits his endorsement of Kemp as a turning point in boosting the now-governor in both the 2018 Republican primary and in that year's general election.

☆ Obama brings Democratic star power to key Georgia U.S. Senate race
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( James Oliphant | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler and Democratic challengers Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., January 3, 2021. Polls show the race between Warnock and Republican challenger Herschel Walker to be deadlocked. His trip came as Democrats are growing increasingly anxious about the Senate race. Georgia has seen a record-breaking number of early voters, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. Beyond Georgia, Republicans have focused their efforts on flipping a Democratic Senate seat in Arizona or Nevada.

ATLANTA — Former President Barack Obama is set to headline a rally Friday for Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and the Democratic candidate for governor, Stacey Abrams, in the closing stretch of the 2022 election in this highly competitive battleground state. Georgia played a determinative role last cycle and could likely be in the same position two years later,” Obama adviser Eric Schultz said ahead of the event. Warnock, who was first elected in a 2020 special election, is polling neck and neck in recent surveys with Republican challenger Herschel Walker. "The state where we’re going downhill is Georgia," Schumer could be heard telling Biden. Asked about the remarks, Justin Goodman, a spokesman for the majority leader, told NBC News: “Schumer believes the Democratic candidates will win.”

Brian Kemp to become the state’s first Black governor — she’d also be the first Black woman in the country’s history to hold a governor seat. In Maryland, Rep. Anthony Brown could be the state’s first Black attorney general if he defeats Republican Michael Peroutka. Smaller historic races include Rep. Karen Bass’ bid to become Los Angeles’ first Black woman mayor. Flowers would be the first Black woman to hold the office in Alabama, and she’s already made history as the first Black woman from either major party to win the nomination for governor. If successful, she would be the first Black woman elected to the chamber in the state’s history.

☆ Ted Cruz's 'The View' interview disrupted by protesters
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Frank Pallotta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

New York CNN Business —Sen. Ted Cruz’s “The View” interview was disrupted by protesters multiple times on Monday, including some demanding the Texas Republican talk about climate change. Later in the interview, Cruz was interrupted once again. “Three members of the audience interrupted ‘The View’ today during Sen. Ted Cruz’s appearance protesting about climate,” said a “View” spokesperson. “They were promptly escorted out by security.”The protesters at The View once again start shouting from the crowd as the segment goes to break. You don’t do it to Hillary Clinton, who stood up and said, ‘Trump stole the election,’” Cruz said.

☆ ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’ author Jeff Kinney shares his book picks for middle readers
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Megan Thomas | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —When author Jeff Kinney started writing the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series more than 15 years ago, he set out to create a comic that would resonate with adults and live in the humor section of book stores. “I’m really glad that I didn’t know that I was writing for kids because I think that oftentimes when an adult writes a kid’s book, they start with the lesson in mind. And so the priority of the book becomes the lesson,” Kinney recalled in a recent interview with CNN. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” has sold more than 275 million copies, according to its publisher, with book number 17 in the series, “Diper Överlöde,” releasing Oct. 25. Kinney's next "Wimpy Kid" book, "Diper Överlöde," releases on Oct. 25.

☆ Fact Check-No evidence Stacey Abrams lobbied for MLB All-Star Game to be moved out of Atlanta
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Georgia Republicans, including Kemp, have tied Abrams to the MLB’s decision, but there is no evidence that Abrams advocated for the All-Star Game to be moved out of the state. Abrams publicly expressed her disagreement with pulling the game from Georgia before and after the MLB’s decision. Following the passage of the bill, the MLB decided to relocate the All-Star Game out of Cobb County in Atlanta on April 2, 2021 (here). Kemp said in a July 2021 campaign ad titled “Not Backing Down” that “Abrams and the liberal mob forced the All-Star Game to move” (here). There is no evidence that Stacey Abrams lobbied for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game to be relocated or that she supported the boycott in Atlanta.

ATLANTA — Democratic candidates in the two marquee Georgia races are blitzing the airwaves with television ads — and making two markedly different pitches to voters. Another features testimonials from GOP-leaning voters who say they’re supporting Warnock this fall. Abrams is relying heavily on mobilizing the base, aiming to inspire and register disaffected Georgians and turbocharge progressive turnout. “They are running two very different campaigns,” said an adviser to Kemp, who was granted anonymity to candidly assess Democratic strategy. “There are some voters — many voters — that are already pretty much fixed in their opinions.

Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams clashed in a debate Monday night over issues ranging from guns and crime to abortion and election laws. The debate came at a crucial time for Abrams as she seeks to gain ground after trailing in the polls all year. Kemp is leading Abrams by 5 to 6 percentage points in averages of recent surveys, with just three weeks to go until Election Day. Abrams hit Kemp for restricting legal abortion and backing permissive gun laws, which she said have made Georgia less safe. Kemp has rejected expansion, calling it a “broken government program,” while Abrams argued that it’s necessary to protect Georgians.

☆ Georgia breaks first-day early voting record, nearly doubles figure from last midterms
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Kevin Breuninger | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A line of early voters file down the hall as early voting begins for the midterm elections at the Citizens Service Center in Columbus, Georgia, October 17, 2022. Turnout from Georgia's first day of early voting set a new state record for a midterm election, nearly doubling the figure from the same time period in the previous midterms, state election officials said Tuesday. More than 131,000 Georgia voters cast ballots since early voting began Monday, according to the office of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. The figure represents an 85% boost over the 2018 midterms, when nearly 71,000 early votes were cast on Day One, the office said. Georgia's latest tally is also nearly as large as the state's first day of early voting in the 2020 presidential election — 136,739 in that contest versus 131,318 in the current cycle, Raffensperger's office said.

☆ Kevin Hart sold a $100 million stake in his media company to private equity firm Abry. Here are 10 more Hollywood production shops that are hot M&A targets.
▼ + stars: | 2022-05-19 | by ( Natalie Jarvey | Elaine Low | Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Abry Partners' $100 million stake in Kevin Hart's company HartBeat is the latest big M&A move in Hollywood. Dealmakers said production companies are valuable amid the streaming wars and demand for content. The M&A activity had top Hollywood dealmakers telling Insider in early 2022 that practically every independent production company is a target. Many production companies make work-for-hire or don't control the rights to a project once it is sold off to a studio distributor. Based on January interviews with five entertainment industry experts and insiders, Insider identified a list of 10 production companies that could be compelling acquisition targets as M&A activity continues.

Search resuls for: ". Abrams"

18 mentions found