JOSH ROSS AND CAMERON WHITCOMB TOP THIS YEAR’S NOMINATIONS WITH SEVEN APIECE

JAMES BARKER BAND, THELMA & JAMES, AND TENILLE TOWNES EACH EARN FIVE

OWEN RIEGLING CELEBRATES FOUR NOMINATIONS, WITH MORGAN GRIFFITHS, NATE HALLER, BRETT KISSEL, AND MEGHAN PATRICK NOTCHING THREE NOMINATIONS EACH

192 ARTISTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS MAKE UP THIS YEAR’S BALLOT, INCLUDING 71 FIRST-TIME NOMINEES

CTV RETURNS AS THE EXCLUSIVE HOME OF THE 44TH ANNUAL CCMA AWARDS 

Tickets For The 2026 CCMA Awards Available HERE

TORONTO, July 16, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®) is thrilled to reveal the official nominees for the 2026 CCMA Awards, taking place at SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon, SK on September 19. This year’s CCMA Award nominees include 192 artists and industry professionals, with 71 earning their first-ever nomination. Available exclusively on CTV and streaming on Crave through the live CTV channel, the 2026 CCMA Awards bring the artistry, identity, and creative spirit of Canadian country music to a national stage for one unforgettable night.

Topping this year’s nominations with seven nods each are Josh Ross (Entertainer of the Year, Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Musical Collaboration of the Year, Video of the Year), Cameron Whitcomb (Entertainer of the Year, Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year presented by National Music Centre, Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN), while James Barker Band (Entertainer of the Year, Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Group or Duo of the Year, Single of the Year), Thelma & James (Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Group or Duo of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year presented by National Music Centre, Video of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN), and Tenille Townes (Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Alternative Country Album of the Year presented by National Music Centre, Musical Collaboration of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN) each earn five.

Celebrating four nominations is Owen Riegling (Entertainer of the Year, Ford F-150 Album of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year), with first time nominee Morgan Griffiths (Fans’ Choice, Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year presented by FACTOR, Single of the Year), Nate Haller (Single of the Year, Musical Collaboration of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN), Brett Kissel (Entertainer of the Year, Fans’ Choice, Video of the Year), and Meghan Patrick (Female Artist of the Year, Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN, Video of the Year) boasting three apiece.

Now in its second year, the Francophone Artist of the Year presented by Spotify category will be awarded to a Francophone act (solo, duo, or group) that has demonstrated exceptional achievements within the current eligibility period. This year’s nominees are Francis Degrandpré, Fred Dionne, Gab Forest, Vince Lemire, and Laurence St-Martin.

Country music fans across Canada can help choose the winner for the Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year presented by FACTOR (Sully Burrows, Morgan Griffiths, Zach McPhee, Brock Phillips, Josh Stumpf) and the Fans’ Choice Award (Jade Eagleson, Morgan Griffiths, James Barker Band, Brett Kissel, Tyler Joe Miller, The Reklaws, Owen Riegling, Josh Ross, Josh Stumpf, Cameron Whitcomb) by casting their vote at www.ccma.org/fanvoting – voting will be live today (7/16), at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Country Music Week 2026 kicks off in Saskatoon on Wednesday, September 16, offering fans the unique opportunity to celebrate the magic of country music and the genre’s brightest homegrown stars, all culminating with the 2026 CCMA Awards on September 19, featuring previously announced performances from Dean Brody, James Barker Band, The Reklaws, Owen Riegling, and homegrown Saskatchewan stars including Weyburn’s Tenille Arts, Shaunavon’s Hunter Brothers, Hudson Bay’s Kalsey Kulyk, and Rocanville’s Jess Moskaluke, with more exciting announcements to come.

Country Music Week 2026 and the 2026 CCMA Awards are made possible through the support of the City of Saskatoon, Discover Saskatoon and Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels (SDMH), the Government of Saskatchewan, and the 2026 Host Committee. Bell Media will deliver extensive multi-platform 2026 CCMA Awards coverage and content across broadcast, radio, digital, and social media properties, including iHeartRadio Canada’s PURE COUNTRY.

Click Here For The Full List Of The 2026 CCMA Award Nominees

Click Here For 2026 CCMA Award Nominee Graphics and the Nom Day Toolkit

For more CCMA news, follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or visit www.ccma.org.

About The Canadian Country Music Association® (CCMA®)
Established in 1976, the CCMA® is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and recognizing Canadian country music. Now in its 50th year, the CCMA celebrates the spirit, community, and creativity fostered by country music through year-round initiatives, culminating every fall with Country Music Week and the Canadian Country Music Association Awards.

About CTV
CTV is Canada’s most-watched broadcaster, providing unparalleled entertainment content across two broadcast networks; a powerful suite of specialty channels with CTV Comedy Channel, CTV Drama Channel, CTV Life Channel, CTV Sci-Fi Channel, CTV Nature Channel, CTV Speed Channel, and CTV Wild Channel; and digital channels CTV Throwback and CTV Movies. CTV also features a wide range of sports and information programming, including CTV News, Canada’s highest-rated national and most-trusted local newscasts. CTV is available on Crave, the largest Canadian-owned streamer. CTV is from Bell Media, Canada’s leading media and entertainment company, with a portfolio of assets in premium video, audio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media.

About Discover Saskatoon and Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels (SDMH)
Discover Saskatoon is the official Destination Management Organization (DMO) for Saskatoon and the surrounding region. The organization is primarily funded by Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels Incorporated (SDMH), a collective of leading hotels committed to advancing Saskatoon’s visitor economy. Discover Saskatoon also receives additional support from the City of Saskatoon through a fee-for-service agreement.

Together, SDMH and Discover Saskatoon drive growth through strategic marketing, major event attraction, and experience development. SDMH hotel partners contribute through a voluntary Destination Marketing Program that fuels initiatives to elevate Saskatoon’s global profile, attract high-impact events, and enhance the visitor experience.

The visitor economy contributes nearly $800 million annually to the Saskatoon region, driving economic diversification, job creation, and community vibrancy. Through this partnership, SDMH, The City of Saskatoon, and Discover Saskatoon play a vital role in growing Saskatoon’s prosperity and global presence. 

Learn more at discoversaskatoon.com or sdmh.ca.

Media Contacts:

For the Canadian Country Music Association
Red Umbrella P.R. | press@redumbrellapr.com

For CTV
Natalie Cole | Natalie.Cole@bellmedia.ca

For Discover Saskatoon & SDMH
Leanne Schinkel | lschinkel@discoversaskatoon.com

For CCMA Awards + Country Music Week Sponsorship Inquiries
Sponsorship@ccma.org

SOURCE CTV

Whiting joins 21 other senior leaders for a new two-year Aspen Institute program cultivating values-based leadership in the age of AI and frontier technologies.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Decisions, a global leader in business orchestration and automation technology, today announced that CEO Giles Whiting has been selected as a Fellow in the inaugural class of the Aspen Institute’s Technology Leaders Initiative (TLI), a two-year program bringing together senior leaders who are shaping artificial intelligence and other frontier technologies.

The TLI, part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and modeled after the Institute’s Henry Crown Fellowship, is a first-of-its-kind program built on the premise that the leaders closest to these technologies rarely have the protected space to reflect on their impact with peers who understand the weight of their decisions.

Whiting is one of 22 senior leaders selected for the first cohort of the program, which brings together architects of artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, energy infrastructure, and digital governance to examine the responsibilities that accompany rapid technological change.

“As technology, especially AI, becomes more powerful and more deeply embedded in how organizations and societies operate, leadership requires more than technical expertise. It requires judgment, accountability, and a clear understanding of how people, systems, and technology work together,” said Decisions CEO Giles Whiting. “That is central to the work we do at Decisions, and I am honored to join a group of leaders committed to examining not only what technology can make possible, but how it should be applied responsibly.”

The inaugural cohort draws from organizations across the global technology ecosystem, including OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and JPMorganChase, and spans industry, government, research, and the arts. Fellows will each design and pursue an individual impact initiative that applies the program’s lessons to their own work and leadership, and they will become lifelong members of the Aspen Global Leadership Network upon completion.

“Our Fellows are defining the ethics of frontier AI systems, securing critical cyber infrastructure, pioneering genomic medicine, and reimagining what creativity means in an age of intelligent machines. The decisions shaping this era will only be as good as the judgment and values of the people making them. The TLI exists to strengthen both,” said Amy Benziger, Managing Director of the Technology Leaders Initiative.

Whiting has more than 20 years of experience driving growth and transformation across enterprise software, technology, and private equity companies. In addition to leading Decisions since 2025 and serving on numerous boards, he is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and was awarded a Presidential Scholar at Harvard University. His background also includes operational leadership, investing, and public-sector work supporting efficiency initiatives within the U.S. Department of Defense.

About the Technology Leaders Initiative

The Technology Leaders Initiative (TLI) is part of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and modeled after the Aspen Institute’s Henry Crown Fellowship. Each two-year cohort brings together 22 Fellows from across the global technology ecosystem for four international seminars, led by senior Aspen Institute moderators. Participation is free for Fellows and their organizations. Learn more at aspeninstitute.org/programs/tech-leaders-initiative. 

About the Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit aspeninstitute.org.

About Decisions

Decisions is the control layer for enterprise AI, bringing AI agents, systems, and people together under centralized governance. Built on a foundation of decisioning and process automation, it transforms fragmented automation into orchestrated outcomes across the business. Trusted by enterprises globally, Decisions helps organizations execute with speed, visibility, and control.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/decisions-ceo-giles-whiting-named-to-inaugural-class-of-the-aspen-institutes-technology-leaders-initiative-302827219.html

SOURCE Decisions

New Features Establish Iconic St. Louis Landmark as the Largest and Most Advanced Hybrid Planetarium in the U.S.

ST. LOUIS, July 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On Saturday, July 18 (9:30 a.m.), the Saint Louis Science Center will debut milestone technology upgrades to the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, marking the largest advancement in more than 25 years — one that will establish the iconic St. Louis landmark as the largest and most advanced hybrid planetarium in the nation. With a new projection system featuring the GOTO Chiron III Hybrid Star Projector (the first of its kind to be installed in the United States) and a Cosm Digistar Full-Dome Data Visualization System, guests to the Bill and Laura Orthwein StarBay at the McDonnell Planetarium will explore the universe like never before. The new projection system, which will also utilize advanced geospatial mapping technology that enables guests to peer back at Earth from above, was made possible through a generous gift from the St. Louis-based Centene Foundation.

“The McDonnell Planetarium is a St. Louis gem and has inspired millions of St. Louisans — including myself — to look to the sky,” says Science Center CEO and President Dr. Ray Vandiver, who credits visits to the Planetarium as a child as sparking the momentum that led to him earning a Ph. D. in physics and spending decades as a science museum leader and expert. “Science is about continuous discovery and forward progress, and we are thrilled to provide our guests with the most advanced experience to explore the universe like never before.”

“We’re proud to support the Saint Louis Science Center as a cornerstone of STEM education in our region,” said Centene Foundation President Keith Williamson. “Enhancing the Planetarium will provide students and families with immersive learning experiences that we hope will spark curiosity, deepen scientific understanding, and inspire the next generation of explorers and innovators.”

A WONDER-ful Upgrade

The upgrades to the McDonnell Planetarium include:

A GOTO Chiron III Hybrid Star Projector (the world’s most advanced optomechanical star projector) to elevate the Planetarium team’s astronomy programming with experiences such as revealing all 9,500 stars visible to the unaided eye in accurate color representation, displaying more than 100 million stars and hundreds of deep-sky objects in unprecedented detail, and projecting realistic views of the sun, moon and visible planets while accurately demonstrating events like eclipses, transits and more.A Cosm Digistar Full-Dome Data Visualization System to expand the programming offered through photorealistic imagery with real-time access. High-resolution projectors present 360-degree immersive visuals to land on planets within our solar system, fly to the edge of the observable universe and illustrate up-to-the-minute geospatial data; broadcast immersive presentations, 3D models and live current events; and connect with more than 700 other planetariums and museums for lectures and presentations around the globe. An upgraded sound system within the Orthwein StarBay, featuring a 22,000-watt, surround-sound sytem to create a full 360-degree immersive experience.The first Auracast Hearing Assistance system in a public venue around the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.A new entry experience through the Planetarium’s unique starship-themed elevator from the lobby to the Orthwein StarBay.Newly developed live shows within the Orthwein StarBay.

For more information on the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, visit slsc.org/planetarium.

Planetarium Shows to Explore the Universe or Look Back at Earth

“Our live, educator-led shows are uniquely St. Louis, and the upgrades to our presentation systems will elevate our programming to a whole new level,” notes McDonnell Planetarium Manager Will Snyder. “Using the latest imagery collected around the universe and data streamed into the Planetarium each day from satellites above, we’re now able to offer spectacular views from St. Louis outward and from space back toward our planet. Our hybrid planetarium truly presents the best of both worlds, combining the traditional constellation-driven displays our audiences have enjoyed since we opened in 1963 with immersive, real-time rendered elements.”

Combining the traditional, educator-led astronomy display with this high-resolution, digital projection system presents many unique experiences for Science Center guests and enables Planetarium staff to introduce newly developed shows, exclusively available to Planetarium guests (and free for Science Center members), such as:

The (New) Sky Tonight – A fan favorite since the Planetarium opened in 1963, this updated show takes advantage of the new technology to connect guests with the stars, stories and science overhead each night across our region. Using the full capacity of the hybrid planetarium system, guests will relax under the clearest night sky in the city to discover the stars, planets and constellations seen from their own backyard. Free from light pollution, the show will investigate the latest happenings across the universe, transporting to the rings of Saturn, the Andromeda Galaxy, distant exoplanets and more.The Earth Today – Supported by a grant from the American Physical Society, this premiere program explores our home and its role in space through the vantage point of satellites orbiting the skies above. Detailing how the planet changes every day, this show offers a new view of Earth during every visit using real-time geospatial data to provide insights into current events and tangible impacts on our day-to-day lives. The show will also highlight how scientists use collected data to create models and track long-term changes to our planet.The Little Star that Could: 360 – Building on the long-loved classic for the next generation, this show that was originally produced by Science Center team members utilizes 360-degree visuals to take advantage of the Planetarium dome and surround guests in the timeless story of how one little star searches our Solar System. Ideal for the youngest stargazers, the program follows a yellow star who meets stars of different colors, sizes and temperatures; learns what makes stars special; and investigates our nearby planets.

These shows are presented inside the Orthwein StarBay every day the Science Center is open to the public. Tickets to Planetarium shows are FREE for Science Center members and $6 for non-members. Learn more about shows in the Orthwein StarBay or obtain tickets at slsc.org/planetarium.

Hundreds of FREE, Hands-On Experiences

One of the nation’s only free, nonprofit science centers and featuring hundreds of interactive, hands-on experiences across ten galleries, the Saint Louis Science Center offers free admission to all guests and is currently open to the public Wednesdays through Mondays (check slsc.org for hours). In addition to the Planetarium upgrade, guests visiting the Science Center can enjoy:

The interactive traveling exhibition, The Blue Whale Story, to learn more about the life story of the largest creatures to ever live on Earth. This exhibition is open through Jan. 10, 2027.Stunning documentaries and blockbuster feature films (including The Odyssey with showtimes this week) in the five-story OMNIMAX® Theater, one of the only IMAX® Dome with Laser theaters in the world.A celebration of Forest Park’s 150th anniversary in the Planetarium Lobby from July 20 – Aug. 3 to explore how St. Louisans have created memorable moments throughout its history.Several special programs for one-on-one interaction with local STEM professionals including:Science Center Up Late: Experience Sound, an after-hours, adults only event on July 25 that explores the STEM in sound.Monthly Star Parties outside the Planetarium to observe the stars, planets and other heavenly objects in the night sky, with the next event planned Aug. 7.SciFest: Play and Creativity Expo that celebrates the fun in science and art on Aug. 8.The viewing of a spectacular Lunar Eclipse on Aug. 27 (8-11:30 p.m.) alongside the Planetarium team and astronomers from around the region. This event will operate rain or shine, as guests will either view the event with telescopes and binoculars or take advantage of the new digital presentation system to view the eclipse from a clear location around the globe.Club Wonder: Light Years Ahead on Oct. 3 (7:30-11 p.m.), a special event that supports the Science Center mission and champions the spirit of discovery, innovation and momentum that carries us forward.The return this winter of the popular Planetarium Laser Shows that combine music and immersive lighting to bring the songs of favorite artists to life.

For more information on programs and events at the Science Center, please visit slsc.org or call 314-289-4400.

Additional graphics and media information – Photos/videos related to the reopening of the James S. McDonnell Planetarium can be found HERE. Additional graphics may be obtained from Saint Louis Science Center Public Relations Manager Doug Bolnick by email at douglas.bolnick@slsc.org or by phone at 314-289-4461.

About the James S. McDonnell Planetarium

Since opening in 1963, the James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the Saint Louis Science Center has served as THE PLACE for guests to explore the stars and discover St. Louis’ direct impact on America’s space history. For this, the Planetarium ranks amongst America’s Best Planetariums by the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards. Along with daily, educator-led live shows and in-person telescope viewing throughout the year, guests can learn about life on Mars and view photos, artifacts and other material from outer space (including Gemini and Mercury space capsules built in St. Louis during the 1960s). For more information, visit slsc.org/planetarium.
 

About the Saint Louis Science Center

The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science. Named a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate in 2016, America’s Best Free Museum by Newsweek in 2025, and one of America’s Best Science Museums by USA Today, the award-winning Science Center engages guests through on-site experiences, including hundreds of hands-on exhibits, the OMNIMAX® Theater, which is one of the only IMAX® Dome with Laser theaters in the world, and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, ranked among America’s Best Planetarium by the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org.

CONTACT: Mindy Peirce, 314-289-4683 or mindy.peirce@slsc.org

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SOURCE St. Louis Science Center