This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Faith Pino, and you're listening to headlines from LA Times Studios.

Here's some of today's top stories from the Los Angeles Times.

Actor Sean Aston is looking for a new role, this time off screen.

Wendy Lee reports that the Lord of the Rings and Rudy Starr is running to become the next

president of SAGAFTRA, Hollywood's biggest actors union.

He's up against Czech Slavin, a New England board member and background actor.

The election comes as actors face big challenges, fallout from last year's strike, fewer productions in Los Angeles, and growing fears about artificial intelligence.

The winner will lead nearly 160,000 members into high-stakes contract talks with the studios next year.

Aston is seen as the favorite, with name recognition and outgoing President Fran Drescher's

endorsement on his side. But Slavin is pitching a tougher approach, including threatening a strike

authorization before negotiations even begin.

The vote is set to determine not just the next president, but the direction of Hollywood

labor battles for years to come, with results expected by Friday, September 12th.

To read more about the upcoming election and challenges facing the union, head over to laetimes.com.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is throwing her support behind a familiar face in the 2026 governor's race.

Former Mayor Antonio Villaragosa.

Sima Meta reports Bass announced her endorsement in a statement Monday, saying she's worked with Villarigosa her entire adult life, calling him the kind of leader that California needs.

Villarigosa, who led L.A. for eight years, said he was honored to have her backing.

The endorsement comes as a crowded field of Democrats, including Katie Porter,

Xavier Becerra, and Tony Atkins, race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. Meanwhile,

California Republicans are rallying behind Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and popular commentator

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