By Jeremy Fuster

California lawmakers have reached the final stages to pass an expansion of the state’s $750 million film incentive program, with the last legislative votes expected to be held before the program’s next application period begins on July 7.

The votes mark the end of months of hand-wringing by studios and unions over whether Sacramento would deliver relief to help stymie the tide of film and TV productions fleeing the state in recent years.

By Lucas Manfredi

A mediator has proposed that Paramount Global and President Donald Trump should settle the latter’s lawsuit against CBS over its “60 Minutes” interview with former vice president Kamala Harris for $20 million, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The outlet reports that the potential settlement would include a $17 million donation to Trump’s presidential foundation or museum, as well as millions in legal fees and public service announcements on Paramount-owned networks to fight antisemitism.

By Daren DeFrank

CNN defended journalist Natasha Bertrand on Wednesday after President Donald Trump called for the news network to fire her over coverage of his military action in Iran.

“We stand 100% behind Natasha Bertrand’s journalism and specifically her and her colleagues’ reporting of the early intelligence assessment of the U.S. attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities,” a CNN spokesperson said in a statement posted to social media. “CNN’s reporting made clear that this was an initial finding the could change with additional intelligence. We have extensively covered President Trump’s own deep skepticism about it.”