This Dec. 3, 2012 file photo shows director and producer David Chase in New York. (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP, File)
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) --
It's been six years since HBO first announced that "Sopranos" creator David Chase has a new project in the works, and according to the network's programming chief, it's still happening.
"He's writing. I have seen pages," Michael Lombardo told TV critics at the annual summer press tour.
The story was first presented in 2009 as a miniseries called "A Ribbon of Dreams," dramatizing the timeline of the Hollywood film industry.
"I think he has something really unbelievable, but he had to figure out is it a limited series, an open-ended series. He showed us two hours' worth of material, and I trust I'll see (more) by the end of the year. And I'm sure we'll go from there. I fully expect we'll be back up here during my tenure with David Chase and a new show."
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
