The Avatarfranchise has release dates secured through Avatar 5 in 2031, and creator James Cameron claimed he also has ideas for two more installments after that, though the filmmaker admitted that, if Avatar: Fire and Ash doesn’t perform how he hopes, this third film could be the end of the series. With the first film taking in $2.9 billion and 2022’s Avatar: The Way of Water taking in $2.3 billion, the bar is high for the franchise’s financial achievements, so while Cameron didn’t set the benchmark, this third film would have to severely underperform to scrap future chapters.
Cameron made this admission on The Town podcast, where he confessed:
“I have no doubt in my mind that this movie will make money. The question is, does it make enough money to justify doing it again?”
While fans would understandably be disappointed with the next two announced movies being scrapped, with how long Cameron has spent in Pandora, he expressed that he would be perfectly fine walking away from the series, as he pointed out:
“I’ve been in Avatar land for 20 years, actually 30 years, because I wrote it in 1995, but I wasn’t working continuously on it for those first ten years. There was a brief flurry of interest in ’95, and then everybody said, ‘You’re out of your mind,’ and I shelved it for ten years. And then we got serious in 2005.”
Could ‘Avatar’ Continue Without Cameron?
20th Century Studios
13 years passed between Avatar and Avatar: The Way of Water, while only three have passed since the last sequel and Fire and Ash. Since the series first debuted, the saga has established a large cultural footprint, akin to something like Star Wars. With George Lucas leaving behind the franchise he created, if Cameron is done, fans have wondered if he’d trust someone else to continue this series, but Cameron isn’t counting on it, as he explained:
“Look, I have choices there. There are levels in which I [can] immerse. I don’t think there’d ever be a version where there’s another Avatar movie that I didn’t produce closely. But, in terms of it taking over my life, that’s a threshold issue for me.”
Unlike the ways in which Way of Water left some plot points unresolved, Cameron confirmed that things tie themselves up more completely in Fire and Ash, but even if the live-action series comes to an end, audiences won’t be in the dark forever. He claimed:
“There is one open thread, and if it ends there theatrically, I’ll write a book. I’ll answer everybody’s question[s].”
Box office projections for Fire and Ash are a bit too far out to be able to predict, but with Avatar 4 not yet planned to release until 2029, Cameron will have a bit more time on his hands to see how the movie performs financially and culturally to determine if he’s going to stick with the series to complete his planned trajectory.
We’re still mourning the conclusion of The Expanse, but if you’re looking for something just as good to watch, we’ve got you covered. In many ways, The Expanse is a traditional sci-fi that checks all the boxes of the genre. It falls under the space opera subgenre, which means a massive (you could say expansive) landscape for The Expanse‘s adventures to play out across. Add in that found-family dynamic, and this TV show truly is a masterpiece.
Some areas in which The Expanse is wholly unique are its approach to sci-fi technology and physics. It’s still rooted in imaginative fiction, but the show does its best to function within the boundaries of realism. You won’t find that in many other sci-fi TV shows. However, The Expanse‘s other assets have been adequately mastered by some of the best sci-fi series TV has to offer.
Battlestar Galactica
An absolute classic in the sci-fi space opera genre, Battlestar Galactica is, in many ways, the central inspiration for projects like The Expanse. The franchise covers a wide range of media, including a 1979 film, a TV series that premiered the same year, a variety of TV reimaginings that stretch between 1980 and 2010, a web series, and a number of video games.
You won’t regret diving into Battlestar Galactica. The franchise is set in a distant universe in which the cybernetic Cylons plague humanity. To escape these villains and find lasting freedom, the massive Battlestar Galactica and its fugitive crew head out in search of Earth, the 13th colony of legend. Battlestar Galactica is an intense, intelligent, politically relevant masterpiece.
For All Mankind
You may notice a few Ronald D. Moore TV shows on this list, but for a very good reason. For All Mankind is another series helmed by this master of sci-fi, and it’s on the newer side of similar projects. It premiered on AppleTV and is still ongoing, so this is a great investment for anyone looking to dive into a sci-fi show that still has plenty to offer.
For All Mankind currently has four seasons. There are plans for a total of seven seasons.
For All Mankind imagines that the space race of the 20th century never ended. In this version of reality, it was the Soviets who first landed on the moon, and the US responded with an intensified competition for further reach across the Solar System. This exploration of what could have been had the real-world space race not ended the way it did allows For All Mankind to match The Expanse‘s realism, making it an exceptionally intriguing replacement.
Farscape
Farscape is a unique fantasy TV show, but it shares a similar sort of history with The Expanse. Season 1 premiered in 1999 and was a critical success, allowing Farscape to proceed with three more of its planned five seasons. However, the project was suddenly canceled after a frustrating cliffhanger. Just as The Expanse was acquired by Prime Video after Syfy cancelled it, Farscape was revived by producer Brian Henson, leading to the miniseries Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars.
Part of what makes Farscape so fantastic is the involvement of the Jim Henson Company, which created the looks of the various alien creatures through prosthetic and animatronic puppets. These unique features, combined with that classic found-family space-opera dynamic and political narratives, make Farscape a truly exceptional watch.
Babylon 5
Susan Ivanova in Babylon 5
Babylon 5 may be several leagues campier than The Expanse, but that’s exactly what makes it so spectacular. It’s a space opera in its purest form, initially released on PTEN in 1993 and wrapped up on TNT in 1998. Babylon 5 is a hybrid episodic series, with a complex overarching narrative enhanced by self-contained adventures.
As another classic space opera, Babylon 5 explores the conflicts among various worlds and races from its titular space station. The CGI may be outdated, but this quality only makes the still-relevant political themes that much more poignant. It’s delightfully bingeable and perfect for countless rewatches. You may find you love it even more than The Expanse.
Stargate SG-1
Stargate SG-1 is 1990s sci-fi at its finest. Based on the 1994 sci-fi movie Stargate, this TV show expands on the original adventure with a more comprehensive universe with an endless supply of planets, alien races, and ancient Earth descendants to explore. Stargate SG-1 is episodic by nature, but it still boasts a rather impactful overarching narrative.
Prime Video recently announced a new Stargate series, which should finally fill the void created by The Expanse’s ending.
This space opera revolves around the titular Stargate, an alien wormhole device that can transport individuals to any planet with another Stargate. What makes the show unique is its heavy use of mythology. The idea is that all ancient gods, including those of Egypt, Norse, Greek, Roman, and Christian mythology, are aliens who came to Earth to, in some way or another, rule over humanity. It’s creative, fun, and, sometimes, profoundly emotional.
Star Trek: The Original Series
Star Trek Original Series still, Kirk Spock and Scotty pointing phasers at the viewer
Star Trek isn’t technically the first space opera TV show, but it is widely credited with popularizing this sci-fi subgenre. This essentially means that we can thank this classic series for the existence of every other TV show on this list. Interestingly, however, Star Trek had rather poor ratings when it was first released in 1966. It wasn’t until the 1970s that this series became the phenomenon that it is today.
Set within the Milky Way galaxy in the 2200s, Star Trek introduces us to Captain James T. Kirk, Science Officer Spock, and Medical Officer Leonard McCoy. These character archetypes have been carried across nearly every space opera in some shape or form, furthering Star Trek‘s iconic legacy. If The Expanse was your introduction to sci-fi, it’s absolutely imperative that you go back and watch this three-season adventure.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Patrick Stewart looking stern as Captain Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation
After Star Trek: The Original Series gained global attention in the 70s, the series officially became a franchise with Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973. Then, more than a decade later, in 1987, Star Trek: The Next Generation arrived on the scene. Set near the end of the 24th century, this series introduced Patrick Stewart’s Jean-Luc Picard, the successor to Captain Kirk.
Though Star Trek fans vary in their preferences for Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation, the latter series achieved greater success while on the air. Once again, The Next Generation set the standard for later space operas like The Expanse, this time establishing deeper character-driven narratives, philosophical themes, and complex world-building.
Firefly
Nathan Fillion as Malcolm Reynolds in FireflyFox via MovieStillsDB
Firefly is the epitome of the found-family trope. Yet another space opera, the unique twist of this series lies in its Western influence. The protagonists are space cowboys through and through, and though the central crew, led by Nathan Fillion’s Captain Malcolm Reynolds, was frequently dysfunctional, the heart of the story is a heartwarming connection and loyalty.
Like The Expanse, Firefly revolves around the conflicts between a political confederation and an outlying population. Another commonality between these two series is adherence to realism. Though Firefly has lots of intense action and over-the-top fight choreography, it makes its scientific advancements feel feasible.
Andor
Dedra walking with Imperial troops in Andor
Andor is part of the Star Wars franchise, which is, of course, another massively popular space opera. However, this Disney+ series has managed to attract a fan base totally independent from the rest of the franchise. Andor leaves behind the typical centralization of Jedi and space battles, instead leaning into the political thriller genre.
The shift in Andor‘s genre compared to the rest of the Star Wars franchise means it’s not technically a space opera like The Expanse. However, the political themes and exploration of that rebel vs. empire dynamic will surely allow it to resonate with The Expanse fans. The best part is that it doesn’t really require any previous knowledge of Star Wars.
Foundation
Apple TV knows how to do sci-fi right, and though it has thrived predominantly in other subgenres, it has managed to put forth a truly exceptional wide-scale space opera.Foundation is an ongoing series that premiered in 2021 and was recently confirmed for a fourth season. It’s cognitively challenging and exceptionally well-built, with a somewhat grim, creepy tone that keeps us all hooked.
Foundation continues the age-old space opera concept of a galaxy ruled by a central Empire. However, this is about all that is traditional within the series. This sci-fi centers on a mathematician and psychology professor who uses his study of psychohistory to predict the Empire’s fall. It’s essentially impossible to summarize the complexity of Foundation beyond this, but it’s all part of what makes this series just as good, if not better, than The Expanse.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s documentary about Sean Combs finally has a release date.
Netflix announced Tuesday that it would release “Sean Combs: The Reckoning,” a four-part docuseries about the disgraced mogul directed by Alexandria Stapleton, on Dec. 2. Jackson, who serves as an executive producer, first revealed he was working on a documentary about Combs and his alleged abuses nearly two years ago.
The synopsis describes the series as a “staggering examination of the media mogul, music legend, and convicted offender” and touts that it will feature “explosive, never-before-seen materials, including exclusive interviews with those formerly in [Combs’] orbit,” such as “his former associates, childhood friends, artists, and employees.”
“Born with an insatiable drive for stardom and a knack for spotting talent, Combs made a quick ascent through the ranks of the music industry with Bad Boy Entertainment and was crucial in bringing hip-hop to the pop masses and launching the careers of dozens of generation-defining artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, and Danity Kane,” reads the synopsis. “But along the way … something darker began to color his ambitions.”
In July, Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution after a seven-week federal criminal trial in New York. He was cleared of the more serious charges related to racketeering and sex trafficking. The former rapper is serving a four-year sentence.
Jackson, who had long feuded with Combs, often took to social media to troll the Bad Boy Entertainment founder as the various allegations against him mounted and even through the criminal trial’s aftermath.
But the “In Da Club” rapper, whose work in TV also includes serving as executive producer on Starz’s crime thriller “Power,” told Netflix’s Tudum that he’s “been committed to real storytelling for years through G-Unit Film and Television.”
“I’m grateful to everyone who came forward and trusted us with their stories, and proud to have Alexandria Stapleton as the director on the project to bring this important story to the screen,” he said.
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Starz is one of our favorite streaming services online, with buzzy shows like Mary & George,Outlander, Power Book IV,Minx, The Serpent Queen, Gaslit, Shining Vale, 50 Cent’s BMF, P-Valley, Hightown and more. And right now, new subscribers can score a rare deal to get Starz at a whopping 73% off.
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Right now, new users can get three months of access to Starz for just $3 a month. That’s the cheapest streaming deal we’ve seen all year and one of the best ways to get into the streamer for less.
Starz may not offer a free trial, but this promo makes it one of the most affordable streaming options available now, and with it, you’ll have access to the entire Starz library to watch on-demand on your phone, computer, tablet or TV.
The new Starz streaming deal arrives just in time for Outlander: Blood of my Blood, the new prequel series to Outlander, along with movies like John Wick: Ballerina and Halle Berry’s Never Let Go.
You can claim the Starz Black Friday deal directly on Starz.com or add it to your channel lineup on Amazon Prime Videol No promo code is needed to claim the $3/month Starz deal on Amazon but you’ll need to log in with your Amazon Prime account to see the offer. Not a Prime member? Get 30 days of access for free here and use it to get the Starz deal online.
In addition to the Starz deal, a Prime membership will give you access to the entire Prime Video library including exclusive and original TV shows and movies. Besides streaming content, you can also take advantage of Prime member-only benefits like exclusive discounts, access to Prime Day, free one-day shipping, grocery delivery, Prime Reading, Prime Gaming and more.
Note: you can also get Starz as an add-on channel to your Hulu subscription with Hulu’s Black Friday offer here. Hulu lets you add-on Starz at the $3/month price for an entire year, as long as you add it to a current Hulu plan. See full details here.
How to Watch Starz Online for Free
While Starz may not offer a free trial on its own, you can watch Starz online free through DirecTV Stream and Fubo, both of which offer free trials that include a live feed of Starz as part of the channel offerings.
Keep in mind, both DirecTV Stream and Fubo are live TV streamers, so you’ll be able to livestream Starz TV content online free but won’t be able to watch their on-demand content.
The five Season 34 Dancing With the Stars finalists performed three routines during the Tuesday, November 25, finale.
At the end of the live show, one contestant will be named the winner of the Mirrorball trophy based on judges’ scores and viewer votes.
The five finalists are: Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, and Elaine Hendrix.
It all comes down to this! The five finalists on Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars will perform three more dances during the Tuesday, November 25, finale before a winner is announced.
Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix, and Jordan Chiles have all made it to the Finals, and at the end of the night, the contestant with the highest combined judges’ scores and viewer votes will win the Mirrorball trophy. Scores and votes will be based off of the night’s three routines: a freestyle dance, an instant dance (song and dance style revealed just moments before the performance), and a previously unlearned dance style chosen by the judges.
Scroll down for a live recap of the episode, including scores, judges’ remarks, and leaderboard updates throughout the night. Keep refreshing because we’ll be updating all episode long!
Alix Earle — 30/30
The first dance of the night was Earle’s samba, a dance style chosen for her by Carrie Ann Inaba.
“Way to start the finale with that incredible samba! You put all the content in. You developed your own signature style, I call it refined fierceness. You’re doing the technique perfectly. You got so much content in that dance. It was just brilliant,” Inaba gushed.
Derek Hough said, “Whatever Carrie Ann told you it worked. That was so good. The samba is one of the hardest dances to do on this show … it was so filled with content. It was fantastic.” Bruno Tonioli closed out the commentary by adding, “She cranked up the heat to full blast. You were not good, you were incandescent!”
Earle earned a perfect 30 score, with three 10s from the judges.
Dylan Efron — 28/30
Tonioli chose a paso doble for Efron’s first finale dance. After finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard in the Semifinals, Efron came into the finale wanting to prove himself more than ever.
After commenting on Efron’s perfectly sculpted torso, Tonioli said he was “speechless,” adding, “Good job. Beautiful shapes. I could watch that all over again, actually.” Inaba added, “To think back to how far you’ve come is really incredible. And tonight, showcasing it’s really vulnerable.” She told Efron his hands got a “little flat” at parts, but called the routine “fantastic” overall.
“Your improvement has been remarkable just to watch. You are just amazing to watch,” Hough commented, but added, “I have to agree a little bit with the shaping.” Efron received 9s from Inaba and Hough, and a 10 from Tonioli, for a score of 28.
Elaine Hendrix — 30/30
Hendrix received her finale dance, a rumba, from Hough. “That was exquisite,” Hough raved. “You have been on the hero’s journey. You’re an amazing dancer, an amazing performer, you had a difficult experience in the middle of the season, but you came back resilient.”
Tonioli said the routine was “pure class” and the “perfect balance of sensuality and elegance.” Finally, Inaba told Hendrix that she’d been “waiting and waiting” for her to do a dance like this. “Dance is more than just the steps, it’s what you do in between the steps,” she confirmed, calling the dance “beautiful and exquisite.”
The scores rolled in, and Hendrix received a perfect 30 from the judges.
Robert Irwin — 29/30
Irwin hit the dance floor with a quickstep, selected for him by Hough. After dealing with a rib injury during rehearsals, Irwin still came out and absolutely crushed it.
“Robert quickstep KING!” Hough confirmed. “It was crisp and clean, the frame was strong, you were moving across the floor, it was fantastic.” Tonioli commented on how fast the dance was, adding, “It had the exhiliration of a cheetah. The footwork, nimble and light like a gazelle, and the power of a lion!”
Inaba said the dance was “amazing, wonderful,” but also had to point out a “little stumble” at one point in the routine. In the end, she gave Irwin a 9, while Hough and Tonioli scored him 10s, for a 29 out of 30.
Dancing With the Stars Season 34 finale leaderboard
For paid users, “long conversations no longer hit a wall — Claude automatically summarizes earlier context as needed, so you can keep the chat going,” the announcement said. Claude for Chrome, which operates across browser tabs, is now available to all Max subscribers. Claude for Excel moved to general availability for Max, Team, and Enterprise users, the announcement added.
What enterprises should weigh
For organizations evaluating AI platforms, the decision extends beyond per-token pricing. “Procurement teams must weigh ecosystem fit,” Joseph said. “For instance, a company deeply integrated into Google Workspace might find Gemini’s multimodal capabilities offer more practical value, even with a slightly lower coding score.”
Gogia noted that cost considerations in regulated industries differ from pure API economics. “In industries where a single misstep can trigger compliance issues or downstream rework, the true cost is not the API bill. It is the cleanup. For those teams, paying more for fewer problems is a trade that makes sense.” The launch marks Anthropic’s third major model release in two months, following Sonnet 4.5 in September and Haiku 4.5 in October.
Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3 are already shaping up to be one of the most sought-after tech gifts this season, and now you can grab them at a lower price. They’re on sale for $220, down from the regular $249. Previously, the lowest we’ve seen the AirPods Pro 3 discounted to is $239. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading your earbuds, this is the deal worth grabbing.
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Pick up Apple’s latest wireless earbuds while they’re on sale for Black Friday.
Apple didn’t reinvent its flagship earbuds with the AirPods Pro 3, but it made smart refinements that elevate nearly every part of the listening experience. We praised these earbuds in our AirPods Pro 3 review for delivering noticeably richer audio and more effective active noise cancellation while keeping the same pocketable form factor that made earlier models so popular.
The standout upgrade here is Apple’s Live Translation feature, which was an unexpected but welcome surprise, announced at the iPhone 17 event. Leveraging Apple’s H2 chip, the AirPods Pro 3 combines Voice Isolation, ANC and beamforming mics to kick Live Translation into action. Siri’s translation filters seamlessly through the earbuds, but if environmental noise gets too intrusive, you can view a real-time transcription in the iOS Translate app, which is a useful feature for international travel and business calls.
Battery life has improved, too. You get up to eight hours on a single charge with ANC on, and the case adds another 24 hours of playback. The MagSafe charging case, with its new U2 chip, now supports an increased distance for Precision Find My, so it’s easier to locate if misplaced.
Since we’re talking about earbuds, audio quality plays a key role in deciding whether to purchase the AirPods Pro 3 or upgrade from a previous model. Although improvements have been made to sound quality through new drivers and transducers, Apple’s decision to increase air flow inside the earbuds has been the most noticeable update. You can expect the AirPods Pro 3 to deliver deeper bass, crisper highs, and an expanded soundstage that makes everything from podcasts to orchestral tracks feel more dynamic.
There’s not much to fault here beyond the familiar Apple premium price, but that’s why this AirPods Pro 3 deal is such good news. The AirPods Pro 3 remain the best wireless earbuds for iPhone users who want seamless connectivity, top-tier ANC and reliable comfort. But if you were hoping to spend a little less, the AirPods 4 with ANC are on sale for $100 right now as well, and the standard AirPods 4 are down to $69. If you prefer over-ear headphones, select colors of the AirPods Max are down to $400.
Donald Trump has said his Ukraine peace plan is being “fine-tuned” – and only a few “points of disagreement” remain.
The president confirmed two senior US officials will be holding separate meetings with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the proposals.
On Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote that he is being briefed on the progress made and hopes “PEACE can be accomplished AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!”
He added: “I look forward to hopefully meeting with President Zelenskyy and President Putin soon, but ONLY when the deal to end this War is FINAL, or in its final stages.”
Speaking later to reporters on Air Force One, Mr Trump suggested Ukraine is “happy” with how peace deal talks are progressing, and that Russia is “making concessions”.
He also said his previously announced deadline of Thursday, which is Thanksgiving, was no longer in place – and that the White House’s initial 28-point peace plan, which sparked such concern in Kyiv, “was just a map”.
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‘Ukraine still needs defence support,’ says Zelenskyy
Mr Trump’s negotiator Steve Witkoff will be meeting with Mr Putin in Moscow next week, the president said, while American army secretary Daniel Driscoll is due to travel to Kyiv for talks this week.
The chief of Ukraine’s presidential staff, Andriy Yermak, wrote: “Ukraine has never been and will never be an obstacle to peace. We are grateful to the US for all its support.
“The meeting between the presidents will be thoroughly and promptly prepared on our part.”
Zelenskyy warns against ‘behind our back’ deal
Yesterday, a virtual “coalition of the willing” meeting that featured Ukraine’s allies took place, which was attended by US secretary of state Marco Rubio.
In a speech, Mr Zelenskyy told attendees: “We firmly believe security decisions about Ukraine must include Ukraine, security decisions about Europe must include Europe.
“Because when something is decided behind the back of a country or its people, there is always a high risk it simply won’t work.”
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2:36
What is Russia saying about the latest peace talks?
A joint statement from coalition leaders Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, and Friedrich Merz said they had agreed with Mr Rubio “to accelerate joint work” with the US on the planning of security guarantees for Ukraine.
But a Ukrainian diplomat has warned major sticking points remain in the peace deal being thrashed out – primarily the prospect of territorial concessions.
A warning from the Kremlin
Meanwhile, Moscow has stressed that it will not allow any agreement to stray too far from its own objectives.
Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov warned any amended peace plan must reflect the understanding reached between Mr Trump and Mr Putin over the summer.
“If the spirit and letter of Anchorage is erased in terms of the key understandings we have established then, of course, it will be a fundamentally different situation,” he said, referring to the two leaders’ meeting in Alaska.
Seven people were killed with power and heating systems disrupted, as residents sheltered underground.
Meanwhile, three people died and homes were damaged after Ukraine launched an attack on southern Russia.
‘A critical juncture’
French President Emmanuel Macron has said peace efforts are gathering momentum, but “are clearly at a critical juncture”.
And during the annual White House turkey pardon ahead of Thanksgiving, Mr Trump told reporters: “I think we’re getting close to a deal. We’ll find out.
“I thought that would have been an easier one, but I think we’re making progress.”
Dr. Ralph Abraham spoke at a Trump re-election rally in Lake Charles, La., on Oct. 11, 2019. At the time, Abraham was a Republican congressman running for governor of Louisiana. He lost that race, but was named the state’s first surgeon general in 2024.
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The second-highest ranking official at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be Dr. Ralph Abraham, the head of Louisiana’s health department.
He has questioned the safety of the COVID vaccine and forbidden his department from promoting vaccines to the public.
Abraham will join the agency as principal deputy director, according to an official for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services who was not authorized to speak to the media about a personnel matter.
A former Republican congressman and a physician with a practice in Richland Parish, Abraham has been a vocal supporter of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and shares some of his views on vaccines.
Abraham, 71, has called COVID vaccines “dangerous.” During a Sept. 2024 state legislative meeting, Abraham said he would support investigating the debunked link between vaccines and autism.
The position has been vacant since Dr. Nirav Shah, who served under the Biden administration, stepped down in February.
Shah called Abraham’s appointment “atrocious.”
The CDC is part of the Department of Health and Human Services, led by Kennedy. The CDC’s current acting director is Jim O’Neill, who most recently worked as an investor.
Because neither Kennedy nor O’Neill is a doctor or scientist, Abraham’s medical degree is useful to help further their views, Shah said.
“With the addition of Dr. Abraham, they now have a scientific gloss that they can put on their anti-vaccine theories,” Shah said.
“He gives Secretary Kennedy some scientific and medical cover for their odious and unscientific beliefs,” he added.
Abraham was named Louisiana’s first Surgeon General in 2024, under Republican Governor Jeff Landry.
In late 2024, cases of whooping cough in Louisiana began to climb, eventually growing to 387 cases, the worst outbreak of whooping cough in the state in 35 years.
Early in the outbreak, two infants died from the disease. Infants are not eligible for their first pertussis vaccine until they’re 2 months old, but they can acquire immunity if their mother was immunized while pregnant.
After the infant deaths, Abraham’s health department waited three months before issuing an official alert to physicians and warning the public in a press release.
“Dr. Abraham’s record shows that when an emergency in public health materializes, his instinct is to sweep it under the rug,” Shah said.
In the event of the next pandemic, “that could mean the difference between controlling a major outbreak versus letting it fester and explode,” he added.
The principal deputy director is the second in command at the CDC, said Anne Schuchat, who worked there for 33 years, including as principal deputy director from 2015 to 2021.
Most appointees are CDC employees who’ve worked at the agency for many years, and have experience in crisis management and emergency response to public health threats, she said.
Responsibilities can run from overseeing every aspect of CDC’s work within the U.S., to coordinating emergency responses to outbreaks around the world.
Schuchat called Abraham’s appointment “scary.”
“This appears to be one more step away from health and towards danger,” Schuchat said. “We know that vaccinations are saving lives and protecting health and preventing outbreaks, and ideology should not outweigh the evidence.”
Laverne Cox is set to release a new autobiographical book titled ‘Transcendent’ which will depict her life as an actress, radical, and the voice of the transgender community. In June 2026, the ‘Orange Is The New Black’ star, who made history as the first transgender nominee in the performing category when she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy, will share her life with the world through a book.
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Laverne Cox is about to present the incredible life story of her. The performer and the activist who participated in the popular Netflix series ‘Orange Is The New Black’ as Sophia Burset has admitted that she is authoring a memoir titled ‘Transcendent.’ It is not a commonplace autobiography, but rather the story of a woman who has, through the hard struggle for the rights and visibility of the transgender community, successfully entered the Hollywood world.
Cox’s experience has been nothing but historic. From 2013 to 2019, Laverne’s performance as Sophia—a transgender inmate learning to coexist with others in a women’s prison—won her many fans. Besides winning numerous award nominations and even the trailblazing Primetime Emmy nomination that granted her the distinction of being the first openly transgender actor in this category, she did a historic step of being recognized. Moreover, Cox utilized her triumph to become the most caring and outspoken person in the transgender community.
The word got around and the news quickly made her fans very happy. One of the people who could not contain their enthusiasm wrote, ‘Cannot wait to read this one! Laverne Cox is such an icon,’ which was very much in line with the general mood of the supporters who were really looking forward to the book’s release. ‘I love it so much when a celebrity is fully themselves… Is not afraid to show the truth of who they are instead of trying to hide it,’ another user commented.
Unexpectedly, the talk was quickly shifted to the format the memoir would take. Several members of the audience expressed their wish that someday, Cox would be the voice of the audiobook version. ‘Can’t wait! Hope you are doing the audiobook too Laverne,’ was the message from one of the users. To everyone’s surprise, Laverne herself appeared in the comments and, while replying, she disclosed how emotional rollercoaster writing had put her through. ‘I am. God help me. Writing this was so triggering. Reading it out loud is probably going to be really tough for me. Or maybe not?’ she seemed to indicate that the memoir would reveal some very private and possibly very painful aspects of her life story.
That was a very gentle touch that turned out to be very warm and emotionally connected to many. ‘Ok, now this will be on my reading list, even though I might prefer the audiobook,’ another net user said, highlighting that what the potential reading by Cox was adding the substantial worth for readers who wanted to hear the tale in her voice. Others shared the same feeling stating, ‘Will definitely be getting the audiobook!’
The announcement also gave rise to reflections about Cox’s legacy and the individuals from the past who had already paved her path. ‘Sophia would be so proud x,’ was the reply from one observer whose comment made it clear that he was referring to both her character and the real-life transgender women who had been the inspiration for the role. This interconnection of her artistic work and personal advocacy has been a hallmark of Cox’s career and thus makes the memoir particularly notable. Her advocacy work continues to be a powerful force for change.
Though some reactions were negative, one of the critics who ridiculed the transgender identity labeled it as ‘a mental disorder.’ Another, voicing such negative reactions, commented, ‘Here for all the looney conservative comments.’ The mixed responses of support and opposition indicate that the ongoing cultural debate surrounding transgender rights, which has been a part of Cox’s public career, is still very much alive and has been since she first stepped into the fray.
The memoir title, ‘Transcendent,’ is not only a term used to describe someone with extraordinary imagination but someone with no limitations of any sort. From childhood struggles to historic triumphs, Cox is not only a winner but a cause of silent cultural progress. One of the admirers summed it up perfectly, ‘What a beautiful picture of Laverne Cox,’ and along with their message, they also added the transgender pride flags and symbols of remembrance for the transgender community. Her stunning fashion choices often make headlines and celebrate her identity.
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Having the publication date for June 2026, the audience is in for a long wait, but if the excitement at the beginning is anything to go by, then Cox’s tale will be worth the wait. The fact that she is candid about the challenges of telling her truth only adds to the credibility which has earned her the respect of so many. Laverne Cox’s ‘Transcendent’ isn’t just another celebrity memoir; it is to be an important chapter in the saga of transgender visibility and tolerance in America. She often shares powerful messages about authenticity and belonging. Her recent Carnegie Hall debut was a monumental career milestone. Furthermore, hosting a major LGBTQ women’s event showcased her ongoing commitment to the community.
