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The SAG-AFTRA local in Atlanta is offering its members an election do-over: If they’ve already cast their ballots for board candidates, they can vote again for different candidates.

The unusual move comes after the local’s ruling faction, Union Strong Atlanta (USA), received an unfair and potentially illegal advantage from a local talent agency and from an acting workshop, which had posted campaign materials and promoted the Union Strong slate on their Facebook pages.

Prior to ballots being mailed last month, SAG-aftra’s national election committee informed employers and agents that “federal law prohibits any employer, including employers who are agents, managers, casting directors or producers, from contributing anything of value to candidates for any SAG-aftra elected office. If there is a Department of Labor investigation, the Dol may seek to take statements from candidates and any employers who contributed to them. Further, any such contributions may...

George Zimmerman has filed a notice to appeal the dismissal of his defamation lawsuit against NBC Universal and three reporters. The appeal notice was filed Tuesday with the Seminole County Clerk of Courts. Judge Debra Nelson on June 30 dismissed Zimmerman's lawsuit, saying the former neighborhood watch leader had failed to show the network acted with malice. List Hollywood's 100 Favorite Films   Nelson said the malice standard was appropriate because Zimmerman became a public figure after he fatally shot 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, in February 2012. It generated a national conversation about race and self-

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George Zimmerman was found not guilty in the February 2012 shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by a six-person, all-female jury in Florida on Saturday. Zimmerman had been charged with second-degree murder in relation to the fatal shooting, though judge Debra Nelson told the jury late in the trial that they could consider a lesser charge of manslaughter as well. The jury deliberated for 16 hours over two days before reaching a verdict. See video: Geraldo Rivera Blames Hoodie for Trayvon Martin Shooting Zimmerman remained stoic and expressionless in the courtroom during the reading...

After the Trayvon Martin trial came to a close on July 12, leaving Zimmerman’s fate in the hands of the six women on the jury. While everyone tensely waits for a verdict, the defendant’s family spoke out, saying they are putting their trust in the judicial system.

George Zimmerman’s fate is now in the hands of the six women who sit on the jury in his second degree murder trial over the death of Trayvon Martin, the 17-year-old boy who George, 29, shot and killed in what he claims was self-defense.

Trayvon Martin Trial Ends: George Zimmerman’s Family Releases Statement

As they settle in for what could be a long, extremely tense waiting period until the verdict is delivered, Zimmerman’s family released a statement admitting that they have no choice but to put their faith in the legal system.

Expressing trust in the system, the Zimmerman family...

When the George Zimmerman trial finally comes to an end, we'll have to say good-bye to one of the more entertaining personalities involved in it: Judge Debra Nelson. Nelson, described as "no-nonsense" and "tough-talking" by most, has given us some of the more entertaining moments in the trial, in which Zimmerman, a former security guard, is accused of murdering Trayvon Martin. With Zimmerman's fate in the hands of the jury on Friday, we'll soon see the end of Nelson on our television sets. Also read: Stephen Colbert: George Zimmerman's Lawyer Has Interesting...

Judge Debra Nelson refused to allow the prosecution in the case against George Zimmerman to instruct the jury to consider a charge of third degree murder by child abuse. When the charge was introduced, the Nelson appeared to be amenable to accepting that charge. Zimmerman’s attorney, Don West, reacted negatively to what he called “a trick.” The jury will still be allowed to consider the lesser charge of manslaughter as well as second degree murder when deliberating on Zimmerman’s guilt.

Judge Debra Nelson ruled that the jury could consider manslaughter as a lesser charge in their deliberations in the George Zimmerman trial. Only three hours ahead of the prosecution's closing statements, prosecuting attorney Richard Mantei argued that a variety of charges below second degree murder, the original crime charged to Zimmerman, should be considered, including manslaughter, third degree murder, and child abuse.

As the defense wrapped up its case in the George Zimmerman murder trial Wednesday afternoon, an odd bit of courtroom audio flew under the radar. The jury was excused for a recess while defendant George Zimmerman finalized his decision whether or not to testify (he elected not to), and prior to the recess, Judge Debra Nelson asked Zimmerman if there were any other witnesses he wanted his lawyers to call. Zimmerman seemed somewhat hesitant.

The mother and brother of Trayvon Martin testified in Florida's Seminole circuit court Friday that screams for help captured in the background of audio of a neighbor's 911 call came from the late 17-year-old. Sybrina Fulton and Jahvaris Fulton took the witness stand during the trial of George Zimmerman, the former neighborhood watch volunteer charged with second-degree murder in Martin's shooting death. Zimmerman has pleaded not guilty and says he shot the teen in self-defense during a fight. After the audio was played, prosecutor Bernie de la Rionda asked Sybrina Fulton, "Who do you recognize that to be?" She replied, "Trayvon Benjamin Martin.

In a Screen Actors Guild election that was widely considered a referendum on merger with the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, proponents of that idea emerged with a clear mandate.When the results of SAG's 2010 national board of directors election were announced Sept. 23, MembershipFirst, the SAG faction that emerged from the group of actors who helped scuttle merger in 2003, lost the fight for all 13 Hollywood-based national seats up for grabs to its rival faction, the pro-merger Unite for Strength. MembershipFirst partisans had held all 13 of those seats. The loss hands the coalition of Hollywood, New York, and regional moderates who had held a slim majority of the national seats—and who have been vocal in support of merger—a commanding boardroom advantage.Even more striking is MembershipFirst's loss of its majority on the Hollywood board. Unite for Strength won an overwhelming 33 of 35 open seats. Ufs, formed in...

The Screen Actors Guild announced Wednesday the list of candidates for its upcoming national-board elections. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed to members Aug. 24, and must be returned by Sept. 23. From the Hollywood division, 13 national-board members and 22 alternates will be elected. Twelve of those board members will serve three-year terms. The 13th board member and all alternates will serve one-year terms.New York will elect five national-board members to three-year terms and nine alternates to one-year terms. Eight national board members from the regional divisions have already been elected, with one seat in Chicago still to be decided. The SAG national board holds 69 members. The complete list of candidates follows:Hollywood Division1. Clancy Brown 2. Esai Morales3. John Tremaine4. Mobin Khan5. Michael O’Neill6. Woody Schultz7. Ron Perlman8. L. Scott Caldwell9. Valerie Harper10. Bill Smitrovich11. David Clennon12. David Hillberg13. Salazar14. Marisol Nichols15. Pete Antico16. Bob Carlson17. Leigh French18. Angela Watson19. Jane Austin...