Darius Tahir | (TNS) KFF Health News President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to run the sprawling government agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act marketplace — celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz — recently held broad investments in health care, tech, and food companies that would pose significant conflicts of interest. Oz’s holdings, some shared with family, included a stake in UnitedHealth Group worth as much as $600,000, as well as shares of pharmaceutical firms and tech companies with business in the health care sector, such as Amazon. Collectively, Oz’s investments total tens of millions of dollars, according to financial disclosures he filed during his failed 2022 run for a Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat. Trump said Tuesday he would nominate Oz as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The agency’s scope is huge: CMS oversees coverage for more than 160 million Americans, nearly half the population. Medicare alone accounts for approximately $1 trillion in annual spending, with over 67 million enrollees. UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest health care companies in the nation and arguably the most important business partner of CMS, through which it is the leading provider of commercial health plans available to Medicare beneficiaries. UnitedHealth also offers managed-care plans under Medicaid, the joint state-federal program for low-income people, and sells plans on government-run marketplaces set up via the Affordable Care Act. Oz also had smaller stakes in CVS Health, which now includes the insurer Aetna, and in the insurer Cigna. It’s not clear if Oz, a heart surgeon by training, still holds investments in health care companies, or if he would divest his shares or otherwise seek to mitigate conflicts of interest should he be confirmed by the Senate. Reached by phone on Wednesday, he said he was in a Zoom meeting and declined to comment. An assistant did not reply to an email message with detailed questions. “It’s obvious that over the years he’s cultivated an interest in the pharmaceutical industry and the insurance industry,” said Peter Lurie, president of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a watchdog group. “That raises a question of whether he can be trusted to act on behalf of the American people.” (The publisher of KFF Health News, David Rousseau, is on the CSPI board .) Oz used his TikTok page on multiple occasions in November to praise Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., including their efforts to take on the “illness-industrial complex,” and he slammed “so-called experts like the big medical societies” for dishing out what he called bad nutritional advice. Oz’s positions on health policy have been chameleonic; in 2010, he cut an ad urging Californians to sign up for insurance under President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act, telling viewers they had a “historic opportunity.” Oz’s 2022 financial disclosures show that the television star invested a substantial part of his wealth in health care and food firms. Were he confirmed to run CMS, his job would involve interacting with giants of the industry that have contributed to his wealth. Given the breadth of his investments, it would be difficult for Oz to recuse himself from matters affecting his assets, if he still holds them. “He could spend his time in a rocking chair” if that happened, Lurie said. In the past, nominees for government positions with similar potential conflicts of interest have chosen to sell the assets or otherwise divest themselves. For instance, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Attorney General Merrick Garland agreed to divest their holdings in relevant, publicly traded companies when they joined the Biden administration. Trump, however, declined in his first term to relinquish control of his own companies and other assets while in office, and he isn’t expected to do so in his second term. He has not publicly indicated concern about his subordinates’ financial holdings. CMS’ main job is to administer Medicare. About half of new enrollees now choose Medicare Advantage, in which commercial insurers provide their health coverage, instead of the traditional, government-run program, according to an analysis from KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News. Proponents of Medicare Advantage say the private plans offer more compelling services than the government and better manage the costs of care. Critics note that Medicare Advantage plans have a long history of costing taxpayers more than the traditional program. UnitedHealth, CVS, and Cigna are all substantial players in the Medicare Advantage market. It’s not always a good relationship with the government. The Department of Justice filed a 2017 complaint against UnitedHealth alleging the company used false information to inflate charges to the government. The case is ongoing. Oz is an enthusiastic proponent of Medicare Advantage. In 2020, he proposed offering Medicare Advantage to all; during his Senate run, he offered a more general pledge to expand those plans. After Trump announced Oz’s nomination for CMS, Jeffrey Singer, a senior fellow at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, said he was “uncertain about Dr. Oz’s familiarity with health care financing and economics.” Singer said Oz’s Medicare Advantage proposal could require large new taxes — perhaps a 20% payroll tax — to implement. Oz has gotten a mixed reception from elsewhere in Washington. Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, the Democrat who defeated Oz in 2022, signaled he’d potentially support his appointment to CMS. “If Dr. Oz is about protecting and preserving Medicare and Medicaid, I’m voting for the dude,” he said on the social platform X. Oz’s investments in companies doing business with the federal government don’t end with big insurers. He and his family also hold hospital stocks, according to his 2022 disclosure, as well as a stake in Amazon worth as much as nearly $2.4 million. (Candidates for federal office are required to disclose a broad range of values for their holdings, not a specific figure.) Amazon operates an internet pharmacy, and the company announced in June that its subscription service is available to Medicare enrollees. It also owns a primary care service , One Medical, that accepts Medicare and “select” Medicare Advantage plans. Oz was also directly invested in several large pharmaceutical companies and, through investments in venture capital funds, indirectly invested in other biotech and vaccine firms. Big Pharma has been a frequent target of criticism and sometimes conspiracy theories from Trump and his allies. Kennedy, whom Trump has said he’ll nominate to be Health and Human Services secretary, is a longtime anti-vaccine activist. During the Biden administration, Congress gave Medicare authority to negotiate with drug companies over their prices. CMS initially selected 10 drugs. Those drugs collectively accounted for $50.5 billion in spending between June 1, 2022, and May 31, 2023, under Medicare’s Part D prescription drug benefit. At least four of those 10 medications are manufactured by companies in which Oz held stock, worth as much as about $50,000. Related Articles National Politics | Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference, classified documents cases against Trump National Politics | Donald Trump Jr. emerges as a political force of his own as he helps his father launch a second term National Politics | The rising price of paying the national debt is a risk for Trump’s promises on growth and inflation National Politics | What to know about Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick for agriculture secretary National Politics | After Trump’s Project 2025 denials, he is tapping its authors and influencers for key roles Oz may gain or lose financially from other Trump administration proposals. For example, as of 2022, Oz held investments worth as much as $6 million in fertility treatment providers. To counter fears that politicians who oppose abortion would ban in vitro fertilization, Trump floated during his campaign making in vitro fertilization treatment free. It’s unclear whether the government would pay for the services. In his TikTok videos from earlier in November, Oz echoed attacks on the food industry by Kennedy and other figures in his “Make America Healthy Again” movement. They blame processed foods and underregulation of the industry for the poor health of many Americans, concerns shared by many Democrats and more mainstream experts. But in 2022, Oz owned stakes worth as much as $80,000 in Domino’s Pizza, Pepsi, and US Foods, as well as more substantial investments in other parts of the food chain, including cattle; Oz reported investments worth as much as $5.5 million in a farm and livestock, as well as a stake in a dairy-free milk startup. He was also indirectly invested in the restaurant chain Epic Burger. One of his largest investments was in the Pennsylvania-based convenience store chain Wawa, which sells fast food and all manner of ultra-processed snacks. Oz and his wife reported a stake in the company, beloved by many Pennsylvanians, worth as much as $30 million. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Orange County is still tallying votes, but overall, the results are clear — O.C. is more purple (purple- er ?) than ever. LAist talked to political scientists and analyzed trends to come up with five big takeaways from the November election results in this political middle-ground. Here goes: In some of the biggest races, ballots are nearly evenly split between the Democrat and Republican candidate. It appears some voters also "split tickets." For example, as of last count, a slim majority wanted Democrat Kamala Harris to represent them in the White House and Republican Steve Garvey to rep the state in the Senate. Garvey has also gotten more votes than President-elect Donald Trump. This kind of ticket-splitting, among other factors, makes O.C. one the purplest counties in the U.S., said Jon Gould, a political science professor at the University of California Irvine. Gould said O.C., with its shifting demographics, and especially its large population of non-white, college-educated voters, is a glimpse of where the nation is headed. “What you're seeing here that I think we will all be looking at is a harbinger for the future of the rest of America,” he said. The congressional district that includes the largest Vietnamese diaspora community outside of Vietnam could have its first Vietnamese American representative — and a Democrat, at that. Derek Tran has been steadily widening his still-miniscule lead against Republican incumbent Rep. Michelle Steel. As of Saturday night , Tran was ahead by 545 votes. The lead is especially notable because O.C.’s Vietnamese community has, until recently, been considered reliably Republican, and because Steel won against her previous Democratic challenger, in 2022, by more than 10,000 votes. If Tran’s lead holds, it could be an indication that Asian American voters in O.C. are moving toward the political center or even left, Gould said. Several other factors could be at play in Tran’s lead, Gould said, including that Tran is Vietnamese American (Steel is Korean American) and has roots in the community — his parents, like most of their generation in Little Saigon, fled the Communist regime and settled in O.C. Political consultant Mike Madrid noted that Tran is getting a large percentage of votes even in some previously “hardcore” GOP strongholds in Little Saigon. “That's, like, crazy,” he said. Madrid said it shows that ethnicity and corresponding political leanings are not static. “Ethnicity changes generationally,” he said. Among the closest watched ballot initiatives in O.C. was Measure DD , which would have allowed non-U.S. citizens in Santa Ana to vote in city elections. Had it passed, Santa Ana would have become the first city in California to allow non-U.S. citizens to vote in its municipal elections. (Non-U.S. citizens in San Francisco and Oakland can vote in school board elections.) It was, in part, a test case of the Santa Ana City Council’s increasingly liberal agenda, and of Latino voters’ willingness to extend voting rights to their non-citizen neighbors (the city’s population is nearly 80% Latino/Latina, according to census data). The measure was defeated , with nearly 60% of the votes. Madrid said the results were simultaneously “jaw-dropping” and not all that surprising. “Latino voter attitudes on immigration are profoundly, profoundly different than they were a generation ago,” he said. Whereas previous generations of Latino voters were made up of many more foreign-born, naturalized citizens, today, most Latino voters in O.C. were born in the U.S. and have different concerns. “They're not animated at all by the immigration issue, they're residents,” he said. All of the school bonds and the majority of local tax hikes on the November ballot passed with comfortable margins. Gould said the results show the county today is a far cry from the tax-allergic Republican stronghold of old. “Orange County is not the county you all think it is,” he said, sounding a bit exasperated. Plus, he said approving of taxes at the local level is different than at the state or federal level. “These are things that matter to people in their day-to-day lives here in the county and it shows that people are willing to spend money to improve the quality of life where they live,” he said. Madrid called O.C.’s anti-tax reputation “a relic of Reagan country, of Orange County in the 80s,” he said. Plus, he noted, President-elect Donald Trump “ran on the largest tariff, meaning tax, increase in the history of the country,” referring to Trump’s promise to tax Chinese imports. “And he won overwhelmingly with Republicans,” Madrid said. “So the idea that Republicans won't vote for taxes ... those days are gone.” Huntington Beach voters appear to have ousted three incumbents in favor of a staunchly conservative slate of newcomers. Candidates Chad Williams, Butch Twining, and Don Kennedy — self-dubbed the “HB3” — will replace the city council’s left-leaning, minority block: Dan Kalmick, Natalie Moser and Rhonda Bolton. They’ll join the four-person council majority that, since elected in 2022, has banned flying the Pride flag on city property, restricted children’s access to library books about puberty, voted to require ID at the polls, and repeatedly clashed with the state over housing law. Republicans make up 41% of registered voters in the city. Huntington Beach is the largest city in O.C. that doesn’t have district elections, meaning members are elected through citywide votes (a practice the city is getting sued for in an effort to force it to switch to district elections). This election, voters had the option of choosing three out of eight candidates. The crowded field meant there were multiple ways to “split” the vote — which is when usually smaller or similar candidates draw support away from major ones, making it more challenging to win. At last count, the “HB3” members had a little over half of total votes combined . Williams had the highest percentage at 19.33%. This is the city’s first major election since the council significantly upped the campaign contribution limit in local races — from $620 to now $5,500 for individual donors. Huntington Beach already had a conservative majority on the council, but now it looks like it’ll be full-steam ahead on what Madrid described as “culture war” issues. You’ll likely see less, if any, split council votes. Apart from housing and voter access, there’s also the yet-to-start parent-guardian review board for children’s library books ( with a related lawsuit there ), and another challenge to the state’s law prohibiting schools from requiring teachers to disclose a kids’ gender identity to their parents. Did LAist help you vote? Member support made these voter guides possible. Our election coverage is focused on you: helping you understand the results of these races and their impact on our everyday lives. And we don’t stop there, even after results are in, you need a source of trusted reporting that will hold those in power to account and shine a light on issues important to our communities. Even after the last ballot is cast, LAist reporting and voting guides are here for you. But we need to hear from you now with your support to know that this work we’re doing is important. We cannot do this essential work without your help. We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you. At a time when the need for local journalism has never been greater, many newsrooms are facing cutbacks, including LAist. Member support — your support — is what will sustain a free press in Southern California. LAist’s mission is to be here for you, so please be here for us now with a donation to power our trusted local reporting. Step up right now and make the choice to give. Because that’s exactly what it is — a choice. It's a choice with consequences. If readers do not choose to step up and donate, the future of fact-based news in Southern California will not be as strong. No matter what happens in the world, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Thank you for your generous support. Sincerely,
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Brayden Long hit hit Logan Ramper with a 28-yard touchdown pass, then Slippery Rock scored on a hook-and-lateral on the ensuing 2-point conversion to knock off top-seeded Kutztown, 25-24 in overtime, in an NCAA Division II playoff second-round game Saturday. Kutztown (11-1) scored earlier on its overtime possession on Luke Maxwell’s 2-yard run. Slippery Rock (11-1) trailed by eight with 1:53 left when Kam Kruzelyak caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Long, who then hit Ramper with a successful 2-point pass to tie the game. Long threw for 288 yards and Ramper caught nine passes for 120 yards. Steven Burkhardt rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown for Kutztown. Cal (Pa.) 34, Ashland 33 — Demonte Martin scored on a 48-yard touchdown pass from Davis Black with 3:49 left in the game as Cal (Pa.) (10-2) overcame a 12-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Ashland (9-4) in the second round of the NCAA Division II tournament. Black threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another TD. Trevor Bycznski threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns for Ashland, but he was also picked off three times. The Vulcans will face Slippery Rock in next week’s third-round matchup. Division III Second round Carnegie Mellon 24, Centre College 15 — Brendan McCullough caught 10 passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns from Ben Mills as Carnegie Mellon (10-1) beat Centre College (8-3) in the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. Mills threw for 153 yards. Logan Young had two interceptions for the Tartans defense, which forced four Centre turnovers overall and set a team record by limiting Centre to minus-33 rushing yards. Jack Gohmann tossed for 402 yards and a touchdown on a 38-for-63 passing effort for Centre while Blake Busson caught 13 passes for 212 yards and Dant Bowling had 10 receptions for 121 yards and a touchdown. Carnegie Mellon advances to play Mount Union in next Saturday’s third round. Johns Hopkins 17, Grove City 14 — Jase Herrick recovered a punt blocked by Shay Aitken in the end zone with 3:43 left in the game to give Johns Hopkins (10-1) the NCAA Division III second-round win over Grove City (9-2). Grove City hit the left upright with nine seconds left on a 27-yard game-tying field goal attempt. James Rinello threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and added a rushing TD for Johns Hopkins, which will face DePauw in next week’s third round. Grove City’s Logan Pfeuffer threw for 273 yards and a touchdown to Scott Fraser, who had 19 receptions for 231 yards. Randolph-Macon 38, Washington & Jefferson 22 — In the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament, Mitchell Johnson rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns as Randolph-Macon (10-1) overcame an early 14-point deficit to defeat Washington & Jefferson (9-2). The Presidents went ahead on two first-quarter touchdown runs by quarterback Jacob Pugh before Randolph-Macon scored the next 38 points. Dante Casciola threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns for Randolph-Macon while Jason Moore caught four passes for 125 yards and a touchdown. Pugh threw for 271 yards and a touchdown to Jacob Macosko, who had 11 receptions for 140 yards. Randolph-Macon matches up against Salisbury next Saturday in the third round.President-elect Donald Trump has endorsed Florida ’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis to replace Matt Gaetz in the US House of Representatives. Gaetz stepped down from his seat in the House earlier this month after Trump nominated him to lead the Department of Justice. He withdrew his bid for attorney general last week as allegations of sexual misconduct and illicit drug mounted. The House Ethics Committee was reportedly set to release a “highly damaging” report on their investigation into these allegations just two days after Gaetz resigned. The committee’s investigation is now over given Gaetz’s resignation. They also have not released the report, despite pressure from lawmakers. Gaetz, who has denied all wrongdoing, said he would not return to Congress . Now, Trump has announced his favorite pick to replace Gaetz. “A fourth generation Floridian from the beautiful Panhandle, and owner of an iconic seafood restaurant, Jimmy has been a wonderful friend to me, and to MAGA,” Trump wrote on Truth Social . “As your next Congressman, Jimmy would work tirelessly alongside of me to Grow our Economy, Secure our Border, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Incredible Military/Vets, Restore American Energy DOMINANCE, and Defend our always under siege Second Amendment.” “Should he decide to enter this Race, Jimmy Patronis has my Complete and Total Endorsement,” he added. “RUN, JIMMY, RUN!” Patronis responded to Trump’s endorsement on X . “Put me to work, Mr. President,” he wrote. “@realDonaldTrump I am here to serve.” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis set dates for the seat’s special election on Friday. The primary election will take place on January 28, and Gaetz’s successor will be elected on April 1. The Independent has contacted Patronis for comment. Patronis, a long-time ally to the president-elect, has served as Florida’s CFO since 2017. He is married with two children and owns a seafood restaurant in Panama City. In January, the CFO promoted a state bill that would have helped Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago residence is in Florida, pay his mounting legal fees . The “Freedom Fighters Fund” would have provided up to $5 million in “financial support to Florida residents running for President who face legal, partisan, political attacks by the Department of Justice or State Attorneys,” The Washington Post reported. The bill was ultimately withdrawn earlier this year after DeSantis threatened to veto it. Meanwhile, Gaetz could be considering new career options. The team at Newsmax, a right-wing media network, has made it clear they would like Gaetz to jump on board and potentially host his own show, The Independent reported last week . The former lawmaker also joined Cameo, a platform where users can pay celebrities to create personalized videos . “I have joined cameo,” Gaetz previously told The Independent . “I hope to bring people joy.”
Jack Alban is a freelance journalist for the Daily Dot covering trending human interest/social media stories and the reactions real people have to them. He always seeks to incorporate evidence-based studies, current events, and facts pertinent to these stories to create your not-so-average viral post.Syria's new authorities say they've secured the release of an American pilgrim imprisoned by AssadCrown Royal Paints Nashville Purple During "The 58th Annual CMA Awards" Week from launch of Crown Royal 31 Year Old in Partnership with Daniel Diamond to Generous Moment on CMA Awards Stage NASHVILLE, Tenn. , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In its seventh year as the exclusive whisky partner of the CMA Awards, Crown Royal spread generosity through Music City across the week, culminating in a special announcement on Country Music's Biggest Night. Woven into the fabric of country music, Crown Royal brings people together through shared values and experiences that define the genre. This year, the brand raised the bar and 'painted the town purple' like never before with a packed presence in Nashville . To kick off the week, the award-winning whisky brand partnered with Daniel Musto of fashion brand DanielxDiamond to debut Crown Royal Aged 31 Years. Musto shared a collection of iconic looks from country music's biggest stars along with his tips for luxury western styling. The duo adorned guests with their very own custom DanielxDiamond Crown Royal jacket, a perfect accessory for CMA Awards week. Side-by-side with this rare whisky, the two icons cheers to craftsmanship, excellence and country music. Continuing the star-studded week of celebrations, Crown Royal teamed up with New Artist of the Year nominee Nate Smith and veteran-turned-country-artist Scotty Hasting to raise a glass to Crown Royal partner, CreatiVets, a non-profit organization helping veterans navigate life after service through music. Last night, Crown Royal and Smith hit the stage at "The 58th Annual CMA Awards," highlighting the story of veteran Scotty Hasting's life-changing journey from Purple Heart recipient to one of country music's own. During an intimate conversation, Hasting shared how the support of CreatiVets led to him writing his first debut single and making his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He also recounted moments from a recent performance in Nashville . "I am so proud to be able to use music to reach people and help Veterans like myself, after returning home," said Hasting. "It's an honor to support CreatiVets and Crown Royal in their mission to continue to help people through music, too." Amid roaring applause and a standing ovation, Smith announced a $50,000 donation to CreatiVets on behalf of Crown Royal. Since the start of their partnership, Crown Royal has spearheaded efforts to raise over $370,000 in support for this cause.* "I'm humbled to put a spotlight on an organization as incredible as CreatiVets on country music's biggest stage," said Smith. "Crown Royal has been my go-to in the songwriting room and while on tour, and I've long admired their commitment to supporting veterans. Learning about CreatiVets' mission and Scotty's personal story is something I'll never forget." Crown Royal first partnered with CreatiVets in 2022, and through Crown Royal's continued commitment and support over the past two years, CreatiVets has significantly fueled their mission, nearly doubling their annual number of veterans served in 2024. The brand's support has also helped enable a thirty-five percent increase in songwriting programs, while also facilitating the launch of new chapters and community initiatives.* "As we returned to Music City for the seventh year, it was important for us to extend our presence and plant our purple flag in the heart of country music. We are proud to have celebrated the country music community from our new partnership with DanielxDiamond for Crown Royal Aged 31 to celebrating iconic artists at the 72nd Annual BMI Country Awards," said Jesse Damashek , Senior Vice President, North American Whiskeys at Diageo. "And of course, with generosity at the core of our brand we closed out the week with a memorable giveback moment. What an honor to have teamed up with Nate Smith and Scotty Hasting , to support our partner CreatiVets and highlight the incredible work they are doing for our veterans." CMA Awards viewers at home had the opportunity to join in on the generosity by scanning a QR code that appeared onscreen or by visiting https://stage.crownroyal.com/cmacreativets . Each visit to the website (including by QR code scan) on or before November 21 will result in the brand donating an additional $1 . These donations will be in addition to the $50,000 Crown Royal will contribute to CreatiVets mission.*** Crown Royal also sponsored the 72nd annual BMI Country Awards, the Creative Artist Agency watch party, and continued celebrations as a sponsor of William Morris Endeavor's official CMA Awards after party. Country stars and industry alike gathered to toast with specialty cocktails crafted exclusively for the occasions, rounding out a week of unforgettable moments. Crown Royal reminds everyone 21+ that living generously is not about what you have, but about what you give. And, most importantly, to always drink responsibly. About Crown Royal Crown Royal Canadian Whisky is the number-one selling Canadian whisky brand in the world and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal's smooth, elegant flavor and gift-worthy presentation reflect its regal origins – it is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information, visit crownroyal.com . Crown Royal encourages all consumers to please enjoy responsibly. About Diageo North America Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker , Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: DGE) and their products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, their people, brands, and performance, visit diageo.com . Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, DRINKiQ.com , for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Follow on Twitter and Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. About the CMA Awards The first "CMA Awards Banquet and Show" was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA's other two television properties, "CMA Fest" and "CMA Country Christmas." About Nate Smith Bursting onto the scene a few short years ago, country vocal powerhouse Nate Smith has accumulated over 2 billion career streams, scored three multi-week No. 1 records ("Whiskey on You," "World on Fire" and "Bulletproof"), garnered multiple gold and platinum records, sold-out shows across the US and received numerous nominations for best new artist from the CMA Awards, ACM Awards, CMT Awards, iHeart Radio Awards and so many more. Most recently, Smith received the award for ACM New Male Artist of the Year, Billboard's Rookie of the Year and Amazon's Breakthrough Country Artist for 2024. Smith's sophomore album, California Gold, was just released and debuted Top 15 on Billboard's Country Albums Chart. About Scotty Hasting In April of 2011, former Army Infantryman with the 1st Infantry Division 4th Squadron 4th Cavalry Scotty Hasting was left fighting for his life, flying out of Afghanistan on a medivac after being shot ten times. Narrowly escaping death, Hasting is now on a mission to help anyone struggling through his music. Despite only first picking up a guitar in 2020, Hasting signed with Black River Entertainment in 2023 and has already opened for incredible artists, including Dave Grohl , Tanya Tucker , Jelly Roll, Lee Brice , Chris Janson , and more. Hasting recently partnered with Operation Democracy and represented the U.S. with multiple performances in Normandy , France , during a week-long celebration commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day . Hasting released his debut EP, I'm America (5/3), stepped into the coveted Circle for his Grand Ole Opry debut (7/28), and shared the notable release, his own special version of "Til The Last Shot's Fired" with Lee Brice and Dolly Parton (10/15) . About CreatiVets CreatiVets' is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to provide wounded veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury with opportunities to use art, music, and creative writing to heal their unseen wounds of war. Their goal is to empower veterans with tools they can use for the rest of their lives and enable them to see their own capacity for success in an arena outside the battlefield. Learn more at creativets.org . Media Contacts: DIAGEO jazmine.settles@diageo.com TAYLOR crownroyal@taylorstrategy.com For Scotty Hasting : Dawn Delvo | Black River Entertainment ddelvo@blackriverent.com **Source: CreatiVets Financial Statements ***Diageo Americas, Inc. to donate up to $1,000,000 to national and local charities between 9/7/2024 & 6/30/2025, including this initiative in support of CreatiVets. Donation made via the Crown Royal Generosity Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by Fairfield County's Community Foundation, organized under IRS Section 501c(3). No minimum donation. Dispersal of funds subject to approval of Fairfield County's Community Foundation. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/crown-royal-joins-forces-with-nate-smith-and-scotty-hasting-to-support-veterans-as-the-award-winning-whisky-donates-50-000-to-creativets-on-country-musics-biggest-night-302313677.html SOURCE Crown Royal
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