Soap stars past and present have something to say about President Trump banning transgender people from serving in the U.S. military.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today the first round of presenters for “The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” taking place Sunday, May 1 from the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, CA and “The 43rd Annual Creative Arts Daytime Emmy Awards” taking place on Friday, April 29, also at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

Ever since Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux) announced she was leaving “Days of our Lives” when her contract expires, fans have been agonizing over the impending loss. Not only will they be losing the show’s most popular 20-something heroine, but also half of the most beloved and charismatic supercouple the soap has developed in years, Chad and Abby. That is, unless “DAYS” recasts Abigail.

The 2016 Daytime Emmy Awards pre-nominations have been announced. As always, there were a few conspicuously missing performers and some interesting category choices. Here are 8 surprises about this year’s contenders.

As we get closer to daytime’s biggest night, taking place on Sunday, May 1, the industry is abuzz today over which actors were submitted for a pre-nomination for the “The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards,” presented by The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS). With at least two actors per show for each category (exception being Supporting Actress) several of daytime television’s biggest and brightest stars are looking to vie for the coveted trophy that celebrates their hard work during calendar year 2015.

“Days of our Lives'” Chad and Abigail, as portrayed by actors Billy Flynn and Kate Mansi, have emerged into the soap’s most popular young couple. Here are 10 “Chabby” moments to remember.

After months of rumors surrounding the possibility of a contract player telling producers of their soap they had no plans of renewing their contract when it came up for renewal, despite major plans by the show for their front-burner storyline, word has it that actress Kate Mansi is on her way out as Abigail Deveraux on NBC’s “Days of our Lives.”

With anticipation of returning characters, historic moments, and happy memories upon us as “Days of our Lives” celebrates its 50th anniversary later this fall, the daytime drama series is set to release a new photo book titled “Days of our Lives: 50 Years,” which was pieced together by co-executive producer Greg Meng. As part of the release, a multi-city promotional tour has been scheduled.

With Josh Griffith and Dena Higley‘s work officially hitting the screen beginning with the Wednesday, August 19 episode, fans of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” are in for a daring ride with the return of Stephen Nichols as Steve “Patch” Johnson and the beginning of a serial killer storyline. The first victim? Serena Mason (Melissa Archer). But did Chad DiMera (Billy Flynn) have something to do with her death?

Several daytime stars, including “Days of our Lives” actors Jen Lilley (Theresa Donovan) and Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera), “General Hospital” actors Ian Buchanan (Duke Lavery) and Finola Hughes (Anna Devane), along with former “DAYS” and “All My Children” actress Chrishell Stause, have banded together in a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) to help raise awareness to the Childhelp #FiveTooMany Campaign during National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April).

Since stepping into Salem earlier this September, “Days of our Lives’” Chad has been trying to prove that he’s now a force to be reckoned with. And as viewers have slowly but surely seen, he’s well on his way to living up to the last name he shares with dad Stefano (Joseph Mascolo) and brother EJ (James Scott).

The moment “Days of our Lives” fans have been waiting for is finally happening: Molly Burnett is returning as Melanie Jonas today, November 21! But what exactly brings Melanie back to the canvas? And how long does Burnett plan on sticking around in Salem? Soap Opera Network spoke with the actress to find out!

Sharing sex scenes with some of the hottest men in daytime must be a tough gig, but someone’s got to do it. And (un)lucky for the rest of us, “Days of our Lives’” Kate Mansi (Abigail Deveraux) is the actress who’s been called upon for the gig. First she got Chad (then played by Casey Deidrick, now played by Billy Flynn), then she got EJ (James Scott), and now she’s got Ben (Robert Scott Wilson). But where has this bad boy bonanza left her burgeoning alter ego? Soap Opera Network spoke with Mansi to find out!

It’s hard enough keeping a good man down, but try keeping a bad man down. It’s impossible, as proven by “Days of our Lives” Stefano DiMera. Though the hits keep on coming for the patriarch, he’ll make like Sia and remain bulletproof, nothing to lose, as they fire away, fire away. And his portrayer, Joseph Mascolo, seems to share the cavalier attitude — at least when it comes to certain aspects of the storyline that ushered James Scott’s EJ off the canvas and Billy Flynn’s version of Chad onto the screen.

“Days of our Lives” doesn’t have to roll out its own red carpet for its upcoming 50th anniversary — the Hollywood Christmas Parade is doing it, instead! The grand holiday event will be honoring the long-running NBC soap opera with a special commemoration on Sunday, November 30!

Though “Days of our Lives’” Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow) has proven that she’s a force to be reckoned with and can hold her own with the big boys of Salem, her latest love interest — shady Southerner Clyde (James Read) — is making for some very worried viewers!

With Alison Sweeney leaving the “Days of our Lives” canvas after more than 21 years portraying Sami Brady on Thursday, October 30, it’s only fitting that she take one major aspect of her character’s life with her, even if it’s only temporary. Look for Guy Wilson, who portrays Sami’s son Will Horton, to take a storyline dictated temporary leave of absence from the series when Sami heads to Los Angeles following entertainment executives taking an interest in her life as a result of Will’s recent profile story in TruVista Magazine.

“Days of our Lives’” fans have had 32 years of dark DiMera family amusement through Stefano (Joe Mascolo) and later the addition of EJ (James Scott), but it looks like the newest family member will be giving his predecessors a run for their money! Billy Flynn debuted as the new darker and vengeful Chad this month, and it’s been quite obvious that the apple has definitely not fallen far from the tree. But just what can fans expect from the character as he continues to ingratiate himself back into Salem? Soap Opera Network spoke with his new portrayer to find out!

With photography by Brad Everett Young, several of daytime’s hottest young stars including “General Hospital’s” Kristen Alderson (Kiki), Chad Duell (Michael), Ryan Carnes (Lucas), Marc Anthony Samuel (Felix) and Ian Buchanan (Duke), “Days of our Lives'” Brendan Coughlin (T), Allison Paige (Bev), Guy Wilson (Will), Jen Lilley (Theresa), Billy Flynn (Chad), Casey Moss (JJ) and Kevin Riggin (Rory), and “The Young and the Restless'” Camryn Grimes (Mariah), along with stars from “Baby Daddy” (Derek Theleer), “Teen Wolf” (Stephen Lunsford) and “Power Rangers,” have taken part in the Dream Loud campaign that hopes to bring music and the arts programs back into schools. “Port Charles” alum Brian Gaskill is also featured in the campaign, among countless others.

As previously reported, cast members of NBC’s “Days of our Lives” will once again take part in a special “Day of DAYS” fan event scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 8 at Universal CityWalk in Hollywood. This year the celebration takes place on the actual 49th anniversary of the daytime drama series, making it all the more special for fans looking to see their favorite Salemites in person. As always, the event is free and will begin at 10:00 AM with a “Day of DAYS” welcome party with cast introductions, followed by autograph signings, a cast Q&A session, photo booth fun for fans and much more.  The day will culminate with a preview of an upcoming episode of the drama series immediately following the cast Q&A.