In this Oct. 11, 2012 file photo, Anthony Bourdain attends "On The Chopping Block: A Roast of Anthony Bourdain" in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Images, File)
John Walsh, Lisa Ling, Anthony Bourdain and Morgan Spurlock will host varied shows
NEW YORK (AP) --
CNN is replacing Piers Morgan's prime-time talk show with not one program but several — featuring personalities like Mike Rowe, John Walsh, Lisa Ling, Anthony Bourdain and Morgan Spurlock.
The network revealed its schedule change Thursday in a meeting with advertisers. The new prime-time lineup ends a three-decade tradition of a CNN talk show at 9 p.m. Eastern, first with Larry King and then with Morgan, who ended his show in the past few weeks.
The time slot will be filled with a series of documentary-style programs, including Bourdain's popular "Parts Unknown" travelogue and Spurlock's "Inside Man."
Rowe, former host of "Dirty Jobs," will profile people with unusual professions. Walsh will follow criminal investigations and Ling will immerse herself in American subcultures.
Pepsi soft drinks in plastic bottles are on sale at a grocery store in New York on Weds., Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)
PepsiCo confirmed Friday that it's ending some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, even as rival Coca-Cola voiced support for its own inclusion efforts.
In a memo sent to employees, PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta said the company will no longer set goals for minority representation in its managerial roles or supplier base. The company will also align its sponsorships to events and groups that promote business growth, he said.
Laguarta wrote that inclusion remains important to PepsiCo, whose brands include Gatorade, Lay's potato chips, Doritos, Mountain Dew as well as Pepsi. The Purchase, New York-based company's chief diversity officer will transition to a broader role focused on employee engagement, leadership development and ensuring an inclusive culture, he said.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last month, U.S. government agencies, companies and schools have rushed to reevaluate policies and programs they adopted with the goal of reducing discrimination against members of minority groups, women and LGBTQ+ people.
Trump ended DEI programs within the federal government and has warned schools to end DEI programs or risk losing federal money.
PepsiCo's rollback came as Coca-Cola reaffirmed support for its DEI efforts.
In its annual report, Atlanta-based Coke warned that its business could be negatively affected if it is unable to attract employees that reflect its broad range of customers.
"Failure to maintain a corporate culture that fosters innovation, collaboration and inclusion … could disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business and our future success," the company said.
Coca-Cola has set a goal of having women in 50% of its senior leadership roles by... Read More
